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Yungang Grottoes Caves 7 and 8 to reopen after digital restoration

09:21, October 23, 2025 By Ji Yuqiao ( Global Times

After five months of digital data collection and cave investigation, Caves 7 and 8 of the Yungang Grottoes in Datong, North China's Shanxi Province, will reopen to the public on October 27, according to a statement published on the Yungang Grottoes official website.

Caves 7 and 8, located in the central area of the grotto complex, are the oldest double caves excavated during the mid-period of the Yungang Grottoes.

Built under the design and direction of Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534), these large-scale caves are considered representative works of the era. The remaining sculptures and carvings inside the grottoes are exquisitely crafted and strictly composed, making them representative Buddhist temple caves. The facade features a "two pagodas and one stele" design, while the interior is divided into front and rear chambers. The caves are rectangular, which marked a significant change from earlier grotto forms, according to an official introduction.

The iconography continues many early Buddhist themes. These caves signify the beginning of the Sinicization of Buddhist art. Notable highlights include the "Six Beauties" in Cave 7, the coffered ceiling in the rear chamber, and the Bodhisattva with exposed teeth and folded hands on the west side of the rear chamber in Cave 8.

The Yungang Grottoes have long faced challenges such as damage from rainwater seepage and weathering. Caves 7 and 8 were closed to visitors in May for digitalization efforts, a process that each cave at the Yungang Grottoes will eventually undergo.

The main goals are to preserve the current condition of the caves for research and to enable the reproduction of the grottoes through digital and life-size printing technology so that people can appreciate the grandeur of the grottoes at exhibitions in other locations, a staff member with the Yungang Grottoes surnamed Li, who is mainly responsible for introducing statues in the caves, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

Li added that during the National Day holidays this year, many tourists inquired about when Caves 7 and 8 would reopen, especially since the "Six Beauties" and the Bodhisattva with folded hands and exposed teeth are popular attractions. This was confirmed by Ding Hao, a local tour guide in Datong, who said that visitors often had to queue to enter the caves, and due to the crowds, he sometimes had to use pictures of the art in the caves on his phone to assist with his explanations.

Boasting 45 major caves, the 1,500-year-old Yungang Grottoes were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. A representative of the outstanding achievement of Buddhist cave art, the Yungang Grottoes are one of China's three major grotto sites.

Digitalization of cultural relics has long been a priority for the Yungang Grottoes Research Institute. As of August, 80 percent of the 45 major caves and more than 59,000 statues had been fully digitalize.

Unlike previous methods that relied on 3D laser scanning and camera-based texture capture, re-searchers at Yungang have introduced hyperspectral digital collection technology to record the spectral data of the caves' remaining colors. This data will be crucial for the future preservation and study of the original color information in these two caves, according to CCTV News.

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun)
CHICAGO, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Built In, the recruitment and employer reputation platform, today announced the launch of a first-of-its-kind solution designed to help companies measure and shape their employer brand reputation in AI search so they can be visible, trusted, and chosen by top talent.

As candidate behavior evolves, job seekers are turning to AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity to guide their career decisions. These systems now shape perceptions about where to work, influence who gets considered, and define how companies are represented to candidates.

Built In launches first-of-its-kind AI-powered platform to measure and shape employer reputation with candidates and AI. Post this The Employer Brand Reputation (EBR) Score and accompanying report analyze how AI models describe each company across seven key employer brand pillars: workplace perception, career growth and development, compensation and benefits, leadership and management, work-life balance, and stability and growth.

"AI has completely transformed the candidate journey," said Maria Christopoulos Katris, CEO of Built In. "For years, we've helped companies tell their employer brand stories directly to candidates. Now, we've built the industry's first solution that helps them understand how those stories are being told by AI. The Built In Platform gives employers the visibility and control they need to attract and convert the right talent."

The Built In Platform unites employer brand insights, AI-optimized content, and hiring tools in one solution. It helps companies understand how AI models describe their employer reputation, identify what drives perception, and take action to strengthen their visibility and trust with both candidates and AI.

One of the platform's most powerful features, the Employer Brand Reputation (EBR) Score, is now available to every company. The EBR Score and accompanying report analyze how AI models describe each company across seven key employer brand pillars: workplace perception, career growth and development, compensation and benefits, company culture, leadership and management, work-life balance, and stability and growth.

Built In's tools then help companies take action on these insights through AI-optimized content and employer profiles that improve how AI systems and human candidates understand the company's story.

"AI is now a defining force for securing inbound and outbound talent pipelines," added Katris. "The companies that measure, understand, and manage their reputation with both candidates and AI will be the ones that lead the next decade of talent acquisition."

Employers can request a free EBR Score to see how AI currently describes their company and learn how to shape their narrative moving forward.

To request an EBR Score, visit https://employers.builtin.com/reputationreport/

About Built In

Built In is the AI-powered career platform that connects innovative companies with professionals navigating their careers in a world reshaped by AI. For candidates, we provide AI-driven job recommendations and resources that support smarter career decisions. For employers, we deliver the only recruitment and employer reputation platform that helps companies measure and shape their reputation in AI search so they can be visible, trusted, and chosen by top talent.

PRESS INQUIRIES

Lyndsay Deckert, Built In

[email protected]

SOURCE Built In
Prof Michael Ben-Gads lectures have been repeatedly disrupted by masked activists who said he had blood on his hands - Substack

An Israeli academic has claimed a pro-Palestine protester threatened to chop his head off when disrupting one of his lectures.

Prof Michael Ben-Gad, who teaches economics at City St Georges, University of London, has been repeatedly targeted by students for his service in the Israeli army between 1982 and 1985.

Masked activists have stormed and disrupted his lectures multiple times this week claiming he has blood on your hands and is part of the genocide in Gaza.

He told Sky News: I can update on the situation as of about an hour ago. I finished my lecture and it was invaded by protesters who came right up to my face and called me a war criminal and a Nazi.

They refused to leave, they were masked. One of them made a threat about having my head chopped off.

Pro-Palestine activists said Prof Ben-Gad was a terrorist who served in the IOF, or Israeli Occupation Forces, a phrase used to criticise the Israel Defense Forces - Instagram

In one video, students from City Action for Palestine chanted: Shame. This lecturer served in the IOF. All terrorists off our campus.

IOF stands for Israel Occupation Forces, a term used by pro-Palestine protesters to criticise the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

The group also sang: Free, free, free Palestine. From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. From the sea to the river, Palestine will live forever.

From the River to the Sea is widely viewed as an anti-Semitic phrase which calls for the eradication of Israel.

One masked activist said: City University has employed a lecturer that served in the IOF and he has very proudly said that he has done this.

He has never actually tried to apologise for the crimes that he has been a part of.

And actually this professor in particular served in the IOF in the 80s. This is when Israel invaded Lebanon.

How can City University employ a lecturer that has this background? Its unacceptable and we had to let them know today and let him know that war criminals will never been welcome here, especially in light of the genocide.

Pro-Palestine students disrupt the lecture of Michael Ben-Gad, an ex-Israeli soldier and current lecturer at City University in London.



Follow Press TV on Telegram: https://t.co/LWoNSpkJSh pic.twitter.com/B5whXdY0D6  Press TV  (@PressTV) October 22, 2025

Israel requires every male citizen over the age of 18 who is Jewish, Druze or Circassian to serve a minimum of 32 months in the IDF, while women are expected to serve for a minimum of 24 months.

Prof Ben-Gad has worked at the British university since 2008, taking on the role of head of department from 2010 to 2013.

He insisted he would not be cowed by the group, despite one allegedly threatening to have his head chopped off.

Prof Ben-Gad described the activists as Brownshirts, the group that facilitated Adolf Hitlers rise to power by attacking Germanys Jewish population, disrupting political opponents meetings and acting as security at rallies.

He previously told The Telegraph: I lectured last week as usual while all this was beginning and plan to do so this week as well. These modern Brownshirts are not going to send me into hiding.

It is one thing to write things, it is another to start screaming in the main corridor and not letting people pass. If they want to say mean things about me, fine, but they are disrupting and behaving in a threatening way.

I am an unapologetic Israeli patriot and no one is going to intimidate me. At the same time, I will always be deeply grateful to this wonderful country for all the opportunities it has afforded me.

Living here is a privilege and these people hate Britain, for its unique tradition of civility, its freedom and its tolerance, as much as they hate Israel and Jews.

City St Georges, University of London, was contacted for comment.
Credit: Instagram

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are set to leave Strictly Come Dancing at the end of the current series.

The presenting duo said it was right time to pass on the sparkly baton in a joint video on Instagram.

Daly has presented the show since its inception in 2004, originally alongside Sir Bruce Forsyth, while Winkleman joined permanently in 2014 after previously presenting a spin-off show.

In the videos caption, they said: We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream.

We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time. We will have the greatest rest of this amazing series and we just want to say an enormous thank you to the BBC and to every single person who works on the show. Theyre the most brilliant team and well miss them every day.

We will cry when we say the last keep dancing, but we will continue to say it to each other. Just possibly in tracksuit bottoms at home while holding some pizza.

In the clip, Daly and Winkleman said they wanted fans of the show to hear the news from them as they sat together on a sofa.

Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly have been presenting Strictly together since 2014

There have been some rumblings, and we want you to hear this from us, Winkleman said.

We have news; after 21 wonderfully joyful years on Strictly, we have decided that the time is right to step aside and pass over the baton, Daly continued.

The very sparkly baton, Winkleman added.

Daly then said: Its been a huge part of our lives, hasnt it? Since our children were literally babies in arms, and now theyre young adults, and I think genuinely, we have cherished every second.

She hinted earlier this month that she was always trying to make up for being a full-time working mother.

Daly married Vernon Kay, the DJ and television presenter, in 2003 and pair share two daughters, Phoebe, 21, and Amber, 16.

Winkleman married Kris Thykier, the film producer, in 2000 and the couple have three children, Jake, 22, Matilda, 19, and Arthur, 14.

In the video, Winkleman said: Were so lucky to have been part of this amazing show, and we just want to thank the Strictly team, because Strictly is the people who make it. So thank you.

Daly added that the programmes team was the very best in television and thanked the wonderful audience.

Their departure has been hailed as the end of an era for Strictly by Kate Phillips, the BBCs chief content officer.

She said: Theyve both been such incredible hosts at the very heart of the show, their passion and dedication has gone above and beyond.

Theyve been integral to Strictlys success over the last 20 years, but I understand why theyve decided its time to hang up the glitter ball and get their weekends back.

Sarah James, the shows executive producer, described the two co-hosts as the matriarchs of the Strictly family.

Winkleman took over from Sir Bruce Forsyth when he stepped down in 2014 - Guy Levy

Daly, 56, has presented the series since it first launched in 2004 alongside the late Sir Bruce Forsyth, while Winkleman fronted its weekday companion show, It Takes Two.

Winkleman eventually moved on to host the Sunday night results show alongside Daly and joined the main show every Saturday from 2014, after Sir Bruce stepped down.

The pair were made Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the Kings Birthday Honours for their services to broadcasting.

Winkleman has found stratospheric success as the presenter of the BBCs popular game show The Traitors, which has become one of the most-watched unscripted series in the country.

Following the announcement, the duo shared separate posts on their Instagram pages with a string of photographs.

In hers, Winkleman paid tribute to Daly. As for Tess, Im so so lucky I got to stand next to you. Youre funny, kind, whip smart and a true friend and I love you.

In her Instagram post, Daly said presenting Strictly felt like having a third child and of her beloved Winkleman: What an absolute joy and pleasure it has been sharing this adventure with you. Youre one of a kind and Ill treasure every giggle, every live show and every backstage moment weve shared. Im so grateful to have you as my friend for life.

Former Strictly professional Oti Mabuse said: Wow! How devastating. You two have been incredible to work with  thank you so much for all the beautiful memories, for representing female presenters, being iconic, the laughs and years of family youve given all us.

From the beginning, you were the highlight of our weekends! Wish you both luck  I will miss you so much!!!

Former It Takes Two host and 2005 contestant Zoe Ball said: Absolute class act. Bravo ladies. Huge love.

Rylan Clark, who also presented It Takes Two, said he had the biggest pleasure working with the pair of icons.

String of controversies

The news follows a string of controversies for the BBC primetime show.

In August this year, before the latest series started, bosses launched an inquiry into the apparent drug use.

The drugs probe had followed an investigation into bullying and inappropriate behaviour on the show.

Last year, Amanda Abbington, an actress who starred in Sherlock, alleged she was subjected to inappropriate, mean, nasty bullying by Giovanni Pernice, a former Strictly dancer, while she was a contestant in 2023.

In a review published last year, the corporation found no evidence of physical aggression, but complaints of verbal bullying and harassment were upheld.

Separately, Wynne Evans, the Welsh opera singer known for starring in adverts for GoCompare, was dropped by the corporation for using inappropriate language during the launch of the Strictly tour.

Evans went on to accuse Strictly of being fundamentally flawed in its duty of care, alleging the BBC had engaged in a series of lies and coverups in order to absolve themselves of any wrongdoing.
Lafayette, Louisiana  Mahmoud Amin Ya'qub al-Muhtadi, a man accused of participating in Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack in Israel, pleaded not guilty on Wednesday in federal court in Louisiana.

Al-Muhtadi, 33, appeared before a judge for an arraignment in an orange prison jumpsuit, shackled at the hands and feet. As he entered the courtroom, he stumbled slightly over his shackles. He greeted his attorneys and interpreter, who had flown in to Lafayette for the hearing, with a "Good afternoon."

The judge informed al-Muhtadi he had been indicted by a grand jury on two counts  conspiracy to provide material support to a terror organization resulting in death and fraud and misuse of visa permits.

Mahmoud Amin Ya'qub al-Muhtadi loads a gun at his home in Oklahoma. / Credit: United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana

In court documents unsealed last week, Al-Muhtadi is accused of being a member of the National Resistance Brigades, the military wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a paramilitary group that has fought alongside Hamas and participated in the 2023 attack.

Prosecutors claim he coordinated a "group of armed fighters" to cross into Israel after hearing about Hamas' attack. He allegedly told one man to "bring the rifles" and another to "get ready." Prosecutors say he also sent messages asking for ammunition and a bulletproof vest for another man.

Al-Muhtadi submitted a U.S. visa application in June 2024, where, according to court documents, he denied being a member or representative of a terror organization, having any skills or training, including firearm usage, and ever engaging in terrorist activities.

Al-Muhtadi is one of the first to face charges in a U.S. court for allegedly helping Hamas with the attack.

On Wednesday, al-Muhtadi told the judge he understood the counts before him and pleaded not guilty.

"In the American criminal legal system, all accused are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. In calling Mahmoud Al-Muhtadi a 'monster,' Attorney General Pamela Bondi seems to have forgotten this fundamental principle," al-Muhtadi's attorney, Aaron Adams, said in a statement. "We must bear in mind that no evidence has yet been presented in a court of law supporting the government's allegations. We look forward to addressing those allegations in court."

The prosecution reminded the judge that deportation to Israel would be a possible penalty in this case. The max penalty for the first count is life in prison and the max penalty for the latter is 10 years. Both counts are connected to his alleged involvement with the Oct. 7, 2023, terror attack against Israel. He's also accused of lying on his visa application form to gain entry into the U.S.

For now, his attorney waived his right to a detention hearing, and al-Muhtadi signed the waiver in court. Thus, the judge said she is issuing an order for detention pending trial.

The prosecution noted to the judge that the case is complex, involving classified documents litigation, and will therefore require certain classified information protections under the Patriot Act. They said they plan to propose a protective order governing discovery in the case.

After the hearing ended, Adams was heard telling his client, "so far so good." The defendant was heard asking Adams about jail conditions and how his family is doing.

Asked about that conversation, Adams said, "no comment."

Prosecutors in the case declined to comment and referred all press inquiries to a public relations spokesperson. CBS News has sent emails to that spokesperson for comment.

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lucky-photographer/Getty Images The Paris Las Vegas hotel and casino lit up on the Strip.

It just got easier to fly from the Las Vegas lights to the City of Light.



Air France will launch new flights between Sin City and Paris next year, connecting the two major cities just in time for the summer travel season, the airline shared with Travel + Leisure. The new flights will take off starting April 15, 2026, and operate three times per week between Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) and Harry Reid International Airport (LAS).

"This exciting new route will connect travelers from Las Vegas and the greater Southwest to Paris and our extensive global network across Europe and beyond," Nicolas Henin, the general manager for North America at Air France-KLM, said in a statement shared with T+L.

When it launches, Las Vegas will become the 19th city in the United States for Air France. The airline will fly the route on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays on an Airbus A350-900 aircraft.

The direct flight will plan to depart Las Vegas at 5:50 p.m local time and arrive in Paris at 1:05 p.m. the following day. On the return trip, the aircraft will leave Paris at 1:40 p.m. local time and arrive in Las Vegas at 3:35 p.m.



The new route may be helpful for Delta Air Lines loyalists since both Delta and Air France are members of the SkyTeam alliance. Due to the partnership, travelers receive reciprocal loyalty benefits along with the opportunity to earn frequent flyer miles when flying on Air France.



Fares for the new route start at $443 one-way, according to a recent T+L search on Air France's website.

In addition to the new flights, Air France's partner KLM operates up to seven weekly flights between Las Vegas and Amsterdam.

The new connection comes as Las Vegas has been rolling out the welcome mat for travelers in an effort to boost tourism. As of August, just over 36.9 million travelers passed through the Las Vegas airport, a 4.5 percent decrease in passenger traffic compared to the same time period last year, according to airport statistics. A direct comparison is difficult, however, since Las Vegas welcomed the Super Bowl and other special events in 2024.

Last month, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority launched one of its largest city-wide sales to entice tourists to return. While the main sale has ended, many casinos and hotels are still offering packages and promotions for visitors.



Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
400tmax/istockphoto

Amazon is known for being horrible to its employees and wonderful to its users, but new legal troubles paint a different picture. The Federal Trade Commission is the one pointing the finger here, filing a major antitrust lawsuit against Amazon. Heres what to know about the Amazon settlement, who will receive payments, how much to expect, and when it will arrive.

What Was the Claim of the Amazon Lawsuit?

Hadrian/shutterstock

According to the FTC, Amazon created traps that enrolled millions of consumers in Prime subscriptions without their consent, and knowingly made it difficult for consumers to cancel. Amazon was ordered to pay $1 billion in civil penalties and $1.5 billion in refunds.

Amazon, naturally, claimed they did nothing wrong. Yeah, this company is famous for that.

Who Is Eligible for Payment?

AdrianHancu/istockphoto

There are a few qualifiers in order to be eligible:

You must have signed up for a Prime subscription between June 23, 2019, and June 23, 2025

You must have either tried and failed to cancel your membership or signed up via challenged enrollment flow, which just means any subscription that began through a few select pages, like the Universal Prime Decision Page, the Shipping Option Select Page, Prime Video enrollment flow, or the Single Page Checkout.

You must also have used your Prime benefits three or fewer times over the course of a 12-month enrollment.

What Is the Maximum Payment I Can Receive?

Marco Catullo/istockphoto

While a payment is always nice, dont get too caught up in that $2.5 billion. The maximum payment you can get, because of the sheer number of people also getting paid, is $51.

When Will the Amazon Payments Be Sent?

EyeEm Mobile GmbH/istockphoto

Payments have begun, and Amazon claims theyll all be sent by December 24.

More Shopping News From Cheapism

Daria Nipot/istockphoto
In 1932, an unlikely conflict unfolded in Western Australia that left military leaders puzzled and historians amazed. Over 20,000 emuslarge, fast-running, flightless birdsdescended on farmlands already struggling with drought and economic hardship. The government responded by sending armed soldiers with firearms to solve the problem.

But despite firepower and planning, the flock proved nearly impossible to stop. The operation ended with damaged crops, wasted ammunition, and a permanent mark in military history.

Veterans Faced Drought and Debt

After World War I, many Australian veterans received land in Western Australia as part of a resettlement program. These plots sat on marginal ground, often far from towns or reliable infrastructure. Officials hoped the land would give former soldiers a fresh start. But by the early 1930s, the situation had deteriorated. The global depression crushed wheat prices. Subsidies promised by the federal government never came. Farmers expanded crops to stay afloat, which made the sudden arrival of massive emu flocks even more damaging.

These animals ended up trampling crops and smashing fences, leaving open paths for rabbits and other pests. Farmers had no extra resources to handle the invasion. Requests for help went unanswered until they proposed a solution familiar to anyone with military experience: machine guns. Their logic was simple: the weapons worked in war, so why not use them again?

The Authorities Sent Guns, Not Solutions

The Australian Minister for Defence, George Pearce, approved a plan to send military support. He viewed it as a low-cost training exercise. The federal leadership supplied soldiers and equipment, while farmers covered food, housing, and other logistics. Major G.P.W. Meredith led the operation. With him were Sergeant S. McMurray and Gunner J. OHalloran, along with two Lewis machine guns and 10,000 rounds of ammunition.

The assignment was straightforward: reduce the emu population, which is threatening wheat production in the Campion district. Rain delayed the missions start until November. When it began, the challenges became obvious. The invaders moved too fast and rarely stayed in groups long enough for an ambush. Early attempts to shoot from a fixed position failed. The troops then tried mounting a gun on a truck and hoped to chase and fire at the same time. That plan failed, too. The trucks couldnt keep up on rough terrain, and the gunners couldnt aim during movement.

The Birds Proved Shockingly Difficult to Kill

Image via Wikimedia Commons/The Land Newspaper

Military reports described the emus as unexpectedly resilient and well-adapted to avoid attack. Their size alone made them hard to bring down quickly. Some creatures kept running even after being shot and disappeared into the bush. Their tough hides made glancing shots ineffective.

By the end of the first week, only a few hundred birds had been killed. Over 2,500 rounds had been used. One observer noted that some flocks appeared to have lookout birds, which stood alert and warned others before the troops got close. Gun jams and poor visibility added to the difficulty.

At one point, an emu crashed into a truck and caused it to veer off and hit a tree. That incident summed up the entire effort: disorderly and ineffective. Even with all the firepower available, the army could not stop the emus from moving across farms and continuing to damage fields. The authorities eventually ended the operation after public embarrassment and media ridicule.
Alvarado ISD; Grimes County Sheriff's Office Chelsea Spillers (left); and Brandon Ashley.

NEED TO KNOW

Chelsea Spillers was found dead in her home over the weekend

Spillers, a high school science teacher, is being mourned by the local community and her students

Her husband Brandon Ashley was arrested in a nearby county after allegedly telling people he was avoiding a highway because of its high police presence

A Texas community is reeling from the killing of a beloved high-school teacher, who was found dead in her home  two days before her husband was arrested.

Chelsea Spillers, 33, was killed on Saturday, Oct. 18, in her Alvarado, Texas home in what was being investigated as an "unexplained death," the Alvarado Police Department said in a statement.

Authorities believe she died from blunt force trauma, and issued a murder warrant against her husband Brandon Ashley, Alvarado police told PEOPLE in a statement.

On Monday, Ashley was arrested in Bedias, about 150 miles south of Alvarado, on accusation of trespassing at a residence the previous day, the Grimes County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.

Alvarado ISD Chelsea Spillers

Grimes County authorities received reports on Sunday of a shirtless man, who seemed to be having a mental health episode, walking on private property, the sheriff's office said in their statement.

He was also seen knocking on several neighbors' doors asking for a shirt on Sunday morning, authorities said.

He allegedly made statements that he was avoiding a highway because it had "too many cops," per the sheriff's office.

After he was arrested Monday morning, he allegedly told police he had hidden a firearm nearby the arrest location, but would not disclose further information.

Deputies promptly located a revolver, per the Grimes County sheriff's office.

Spillers was a beloved biology and chemistry teacher at Alvarado High School.

In a statement, the Alvarado Independent School District told PEOPLE that Spillers was "a dedicated educator who loved her scholars and Alvarado ISD team."

A student at the school told NBC DFW that Spillers was the "light of my day."

I would go to her class. After every class period, I would go see her," Ava Kelly, a junior, told the outlet. "I could talk to her. She would talk to me."

"I feel like though she's gone, she lives on," former student McKayla Norris told FOX 4 News. "She lives on through all of her students she touched."

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.

Ashley is currently waiting extradition from Grimes County, Alvarado police told PEOPLE.

The investigation is ongoing.

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
Courtesy of Insight Editions

As if we could ever forget the plaid skirts, knee-high socks and perfectly coordinated looks that made Clueless a fashion masterpiece.

The genius behind those iconic outfits  costume designer Mona May  gave Us Weekly exclusive details on her upcoming coffee table book, The Fashion of Clueless. The book is a dreamy deep dive into the unforgettable ensembles that made the 1995 movie a pop culture staple and a style bible to this day.

I design for women and I really think of their bodies, May told Us, revealing that she puts careful consideration into every outfit. I think of what really works for us, you know, we are complicated beings.

She said that having the classics, like the A-line skirts, the cap sleeves, the twin sets, the peacoats, the berets, the over-the-knee and the black dress are all essentials.

When asked what makes the films fashion so timeless, May explained that when she brainstormed the looks she wanted to incorporate on the stars, including Alicia Silverstone (Cher Horowitz), Stacey Dash (Dionne Davenport) and the late Brittany Murphy (Tai Frasier), it was ultimately feminine and chic outfits that made the cut.

Clueless Cast: Where Are They Now?

The book includes never-before-seen images from the making of the film, behind-the-scenes stories and candid conversations with the cast and crew about how Cher, Dionne and Tais wardrobes came to life and ultimately defined an era.

May also did her research when she agreed to be a costume designer for the flick, telling Us that she got inspiration from the runways in Milan and Paris before translating those styles to fit into the world of Beverly Hills high schoolers.

Courtesy of Insight Editions

The fashionista notes that characters she designs for often go through a transformation and are figuring out how to express themselves authentically  and she wanted to represent that evolution through their wardrobe. (Cher and Dionne famously help new girl Tai by giving her a full-on makeover in Clueless, taking her from sartorial rookie to a bonafide fashionista, although she ultimately finds her own sense of style and confidence.)

May said the most iconic outfit in the film  Chers yellow plaid look  came after a fitting during which Silverstone tried on a beautiful blue ensemble but that one just didnt give the same wow factor.

When she put the yellow one on, it really was, like, breathtaking, you know, it was perfect for the queen of the school, this ray of sunshine, May told Us. I work with color a lot, too, movies, you know, I think color has so much energy  The energy was just perfect.

She reasoned that Cher and Dionne likely would call each other in the morning and ask what the other was wearing.

You can't even think of anything else when you think of Clueless, she added, noting her book cover is yellow plaid. It's synonymous almost.

In the film, she said Cher had 63 outfit changes, Dionne had about 45 and Tai had around 30 to 35.

Fans can look forward to seeing the new images within the pages, plus May told Us that the coolest thing in the book is that we found the costume continuity Polaroids, noting it was before computers and before cell phones.

Courtesy of Insight Editions

Even Brittany Murphy, we found tons of her Polaroids, she added, noting that readers can enjoy reliving the style moments involving their favorite characters. I think they are just so beloved.

May also teased about the last chapter in the book, which discusses what the characters would be doing now.

In terms of style, I think that Cher would still be very classic, and, I mean, she's always kind of preppy, May told Us, speculating that she would be into sustainable and feminine pieces that are tailored to fit for comfort and style.

Stars Who Have Channeled Chers Wardrobe, Waist-Length Hair and More: Jennifer Lopez to Nicola Peltz

I think that's like my motto in all my movies, you know, really, to show that, that you can feel confident, and that those little, small adjustments can be everything, and it doesn't have to be expensive, she continued.

May discusses her craft in more detail within the book and said Clueless fans will enjoy flipping through the pages.

I think it's something that people can have forever and share with friends, May dished about her upcoming release. It's fun, it's creative, it's inspiring and so cute.

The Fashion of Clueless comes out on Tuesday, October 28.
CHINA-RUSSIA-DIPLOMACY

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee advanced three bipartisan bills on Wednesday in an effort to tighten the screws on Moscow and its backers nearly three years after Russias invasion of Ukraine.

If passed by the Senate, the trio of bills will label Russia a state sponsor of terrorism, sanction China for supporting Russias war effort, and transfer frozen Russian assets to Ukraine.

Im really delighted and proud that this overwhelming vote will put on a path to passage, very soon, maybe in the next few weeks, a measure designating Russia as a state-sponsor of terrorism if it refuses to return the 20,000. Thats right, 20,000 kidnapped children, Democratic Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal told reporters on Wednesday. It is a war crime. [Russian President] Vladimir Putin is purposely doing it, and the outrage ought to move us to pass this bill literally within coming weeks. (RELATED: India Relents To Trump, Pledges To Stop Buying Russian Oil)

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA  AUGUST 15: U.S. President Donald Trump (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin arrive for a press conference at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on August 15, 2025 in Anchorage, Alaska. The two leaders are meeting for peace talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Blumenthal is referring to the Designating the Russian Federation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism Act, a bipartisan bill proposed by Blumenthal and Democratic colleague Sen. Amy Klobuchar, along with Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham and Katie Britt. Having passed committee, if enacted by Congress, the bill will label the Russian state as a sponsor of terrorism should it fail to return some 19,546 children allegedly kidnapped by the Russian army.

President Putins regime seeks the Russification of Ukrainian children through kidnapping, deportation, or displacement to destroy their Ukrainian identity, the bill alleges. Many of these Ukrainian children are forced into re-education camps or youth paramilitary organizations in the Russian Federation and other locations, with the intent of training them for future deployment as service members in the Russian Armed Forces. (RELATED: Trump Has No Plans To Meet With Putin After Productive Call, White House Says)

WASHINGTON, DC  JUNE 30: Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) walks off the Senate floor at the U.S. Capitol Building on June 30, 2025 in Washington, DC. Republican leaders are pushing to get what U.S. President Donald Trump calls his One, Big, Beautiful Bill, Act through Congress and to his desk before the July 4 Independence Day holiday. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

The second bill approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday  the Severing Technology Transfer Operations and Partnerships between (STOP) China and Russia Act of 2025  seeks to undercut the Kremlin-Beijing economic partnership, an axis that has proven highly effective in skirting sanctions regimes.

The STOP China and Russia Act of 2025 would impose sanctions on Chinese individuals and entities that provide material or technological support to Russias military or defense industry amid its war in Ukraine. The bill also directs the administration to coordinate with U.S. allies on joint diplomatic and economic actions to curb Chinas assistance to Russia.

This legislation would deliver a severe blow to Russias economy and trade by cutting off the resources that allow Putin to fund this war, said Republican Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran on the Senate floor last Thursday. We can hasten the path to success in finding peace.

I hope that the time has come now to move forward on the Russia sanctions bill, Blumenthal said of the bill on Wednesday. To use an economic sledgehammer and stop India, China, and Brazil from fueling Putins war machine. (RELATED: Zelenskyy Tells Trump Ukraine Will Trade Thousands Of Drones For Tomahawks)

TOPSHOT  Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinas President Xi Jinping make a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21, 2023. (Photo by Pavel Byrkin / SPUTNIK / AFP) (Photo by PAVEL BYRKIN/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

The final bill emerging from Foreign Relations on Wednesday  the REPO for Ukrainians Implementation Act of 2025  strengthens enforcement of existing law allowing the U.S. to transfer frozen Russian assets to Ukraine. The bill streamlines how those funds are invested and distributed, requiring regular disbursements to support Ukraine and urging allied nations to repurpose their own seized Russian assets.

This liar went to Alaska and went back and bombed and killed innocent Ukrainian citizens. Every time that mans lips move, hes lying, Republican North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis told reporters on Wednesday, referring to Putin. Talking to this liar  I think its been a waste of time for the last three years.

The committees actions come as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presses Washington for long-range weapons, proposing a trade of thousands of Ukrainian-made drones for U.S. Tomahawk missiles during a recent White House meeting with President Donald Trump.

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CVL offers cardiologists the opportunity to elevate patient care, earn equity, and expand their impact within a growing physician-led network.

HOUMA, La., Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cardiovascular Logistics (CVL), a physician-owned, physician-led cardiovascular platform, announced a national recruitment initiative inviting board-certified cardiologists to join its network of premier practices. The effort supports CVL's model of combining local clinical autonomy with the resources and scale needed to elevate patient care and operational excellence.

Cardiovascular Logistics

United by a mission to provide patients with the highest quality cardiovascular care available, CVL unites market-leading partners across the United States, including Cardiovascular Institute of the South in Louisiana and Mississippi; First Coast Cardiovascular Institute in Jacksonville, Florida; Capital Cardiology Associates in Albany, New York; Clearwater Cardiovascular Consultants in Clearwater, Florida; and Cardiology Consultants of Philadelphia in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

CVL gives physicians local autonomy, a voice in national governance, and equity opportunities, all backed by enterprise-level resources such as advanced analytics, diagnostic technologies, and programs ranging from population health to virtual care. This structure fosters peer collaboration that improves outcomes and expands access for patients.

As CVL expands its national footprint, it is adding physicians across multiple subspecialties to meet patient demand and support service growth. Recruitment is conducted in partnership with Rave Health to extend reach and streamline candidate engagement.

Interventional, non-invasive, and electrophysiology cardiologists can learn more and express interest at https://info.cvlhealth.com/careers-at-cardiovascular-logistics .

About Cardiovascular Logistics

Cardiovascular Logistics (CVL) is the comprehensive national platform that enables premier cardiovascular practices to scale and thrive in a dynamic market. The company brings together leading partners who are practicing at the top of their specialty and share a vision for transforming cardiovascular care delivery. Through its deep experience in cardiovascular medicine and practice development, comprehensive resources, and physician-led approach, CVL enables top-tier practices to grow in a collaborative environment focused on advancing medicine and improving patient care. To learn more, visit https://cvlhealth.com .

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SOURCE Cardiovascular Logistics
Curtis Means/Pool Photo via AP Luigi Mangione

NEED TO KNOW

Luigi Mangione backpacked across Asia months before he would be charged with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson

The New York Times detailed Mangione's travels, which included stops in Japan, Thailand and India

Mangione at one point reportedly texted a joke about paying for a prostitute with "pornstar Pokemon" cards

Several months before he would be accused of gunning down the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, Luigi Mangione backpacked across Asia.

Mangione is facing state and federal murder charges in connection with the death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, who was fatally shot while walking down the street in Midtown Manhattan in December 2024.

The New York Times reported on Mangione's travels through Asia, including in Thailand and the mountains of Japan in the spring on 2024.

According to the paper, Mangione made friends overseas and kept in contact with them during his trip.

At one point, Mangione was in Osaka, Japan, and texted his friend a photo, joking that he had attempted to pay a Yakuza boss  an organized crime leader  for a prostitute using "pornstar Pokemon" cards rather than with yen, the Times reported.

Mangione reportedly also told friends that he was seeking a slower pace in Japan's Nara Mountains, where he hoped to "zen out," per the paper.

The Times reported that Mangione, a Maryland native who lived in Hawaii after graduating college, traveled from Japan to Mumbai, India, before returning to the United States.

Mangione reportedly briefly settled in San Francisco in July, five months before the shooting in New York City.

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.

Mangione has pleaded not guilty to all the charges he is facing.

Thompson, a Minnesota resident, had been in New York to attend an annual investor conference for UnitedHealthcare. He was the father of two sons.

Federal prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Mangione.

Read the original article on People
FILE PHOTO: An aerial view shows tugboats helping a crude oil tanker to berth at an oil terminal, off Waidiao Island in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, China July 18, 2022. cnsphoto via REUTERS/File Photo

By Chen Aizhu, Florence Tan and Siyi Liu

SINGAPORE (Reuters) -Chinese state oil majors have suspended purchases of seaborne Russian oil after the United States imposed sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, Moscow's two biggest oil companies, multiple trade sources said on Thursday.

The move comes as refiners in India, the largest buyer of seaborne Russian oil, are set to sharply cut their crude imports from Moscow, to comply with the U.S. sanctions imposed over the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine.

A sharp drop in oil demand from Russias two largest customers will put a strain on Moscows oil revenues and force the worlds top importers to seek alternative supplies and push up global prices.

Chinese national oil companies PetroChina, Sinopec, CNOOC and Zhenhua Oil will refrain from dealing in seaborne Russian oil at least in the short-term due to concern over sanctions, the sources said.

The four companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

While China imports roughly 1.4 million barrels of Russian oil per day by sea, most of that is bought by independent refiners, including small operators known as teapots, although estimates of purchases by state refiners vary widely.

Vortexa Analytics pegged Russian oil purchases by Chinese state firms at under 250,000 bpd for the first nine months of 2025, while consultancy Energy Aspects put it at 500,000 bpd.

Unipec, the trading arm of Sinopec, stopped Russian oil buying last week after Britain designated Rosneft and Lukoil, as well as shadow fleet ships and Chinese entities including a major Chinese refiner, two trade sources said.

Rosneft and Lukoil sell most of their oil to China through intermediaries instead of directly dealing with buyers, traders said.

Independent refiners, meanwhile, are likely to pause buying to assess the impact of sanctions but would still look to continue Russian oil purchases, several traders said.

Prior to Wednesday's sanctions announcement, offers for November-loading ESPO crude slid to a premium of $1 per barrel to ICE Brent, versus previous trades done in early October at a $1.70 premium.

China also imports approximately 900,000 bpd of Russian oil by pipeline, all of it going to PetroChina, which several traders said was likely to be little affected by sanctions.

India and China are expected to turn to other supplies, pushing up prices for non-sanctioned oil from the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, traders said.

(Reporting by Chen Aizhu, Florence Tan, Siyi Liu and Trixie Yap in Singapore; Editing by Tony Munroe and Andrew Heavens)
The Haussmannian building has been transformed by Pritzker prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel. - Luc Boegly

After a years-long renovation project, the Fondation Cartier art museum will open its doors on Saturday to its new home, opposite the Louvre in Paris.

While little has changed externally, the stately 19th-century building, which was a former hotel and department store, has undergone a radical redesign within. The Haussmannian building has been transformed by Pritzker prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel, who describes his latest project as an industrial cathedral of modular spaces.

The dramatic 70,000-square-foot exhibition space features tall bay windows that create a sense of transparency, blurring the boundaries between the inside and outside world.

Pedestrians, bikers and the citys traffic serve as complementary, theatrical background sets, while curious passersby can peek through the windows to catch glimpses of the artworks. High glass ceilings near the main entrance funnel in natural light.

An external view of the museum from the street. - Marc Domage

Chris Dercon, the museums managing director, told CNN that the design is a dialogue with the history and urban context of the city.

But the most interesting design feature is no doubt the system of five steel, mobile platforms that can be raised and lowered in nearly a dozen ways to reconfigure the exhibition space, in order to reinvent the visitor experience.

Nothing is permanent, Mathieu Forest, director of production and architectural design at Ateliers Jean Nouvel studios, told journalists at Mondays press preview.

Not the floor, not the walls, not the ceilingnext time, maybe this platform will be higher or lower. You will have an entirely new perspective.

Cables and pulleys have also been left deliberately exposed, he adds, as they are live tools for artists and curators.

The adjustable viewing platforms can also offer different perspectives  and experiences  of a single piece. Standing floor level and gazing head on at Colombian artist Olga de Amarals monumental textile work, Muros en rojos, reveals the fine details of the thousands of wool and horsehair mosaic-like strips.

A hyperrealistic sculpture by Ron Mueck and a textile work by Olga de Amaral in the background. - Cyril Marcilhacy

Climbing up a few flights of stairs for a view from above and afar, however, changes the viewers relationship to the tapestry, as it becomes an autumnal, pixelated amber, red and burnt ochre backdrop that evokes the colors of Amarals native Bogota landscape.

Contemporary art takes on extremely varied forms, notes Emilie Besse, a French journalist who specializes in the intersection of art and luxury.

And if we want to be able to present absolutely all forms of creative expression, you need a space that can adapt.

The inaugural show Exposition Generale, is a nod to the buildings heritage as a former 19th century department store, the Grands Magasins du Louvre, which showcased the latest trends in fashion, technologies and household items in museum-like exhibits of the same name. Artworks, curated from the foundations existing collection, are categorized under four broad themes that explore architecture, the living world, techniques and materials, and the relationship between science and artistic creation.

Where the modular configuration may risk confusion, however, is in the absence of direction or clear signage that can help visitors make sense of the thematically grouped works.

Luxury brands influence on French art world

The innovative arts space, which cost more than an estimated 230 million euros ($267 million) to renovate, according to French media, follows in the foundations tradition of shaping the citys the modern art scene.

When the museum first opened in 1984 in the Paris suburb of Jouy-en-Josas under the direction of Alain Dominique Perrin, it became the first corporate foundation in the country to promote contemporary art, paving the way for the likes of the Fondation Louis Vuitton, which opened in 2014, and the Bourse de Commerce, which houses the contemporary art collection of Kering founder Francois Pinault and opened in 2021.

You have to understand that, unlike other countries, culture in France has been, for decades, and centuries even, something that was supported by the public sector and that belonged to the state, explains Fabien Simode, president of the French chapter of the Association of International Art Critics.

When Cartier arrived in the 1980s, they showed that another path was possible.

A work by Bolivian architect Freddy Mamani in Fondation Cartier. - Marc Domage

While the relationship between luxury brands and cultural institutions is now firmly established in France, Besse acknowledges that it can still cause some discomfort among some critics.

Last year, when the Grand Palais, which has received tens of millions of euros in donations from Chanel, named one of its main entrance ways after the brands founder, Gabrielle Chanel, it raised concerns of commercial opportunism and appropriation of a heritage site, Besse said.

But ultimately there are very strong affinities between luxury and art, as luxury brands have historically been houses of expertise and creation, she adds. So theres a natural bridge between these two worlds.

Public and private, luxury-branded institutions also have drastically different approaches that decrease the risk of overlap or competition, Simode points out. While public institutions can sometimes be scientific, encyclopedic, even cold in their faithfulness to detail, private institutions often have more freedom to take an aesthetic and dynamic approach, and have proven their legitimacy, Simode adds.

New visitors

For its opening exhibition the foundation has curated 600 works by 100 international artists including David Lynch, Patti Smith and Damien Hirst, to Congolese artist Bodys Isek Kingelez and Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang.

For Jean-Christophe Castelain, director of the Le Journal des Arts, a bimonthly art publication, the Fondation Cartiers strength is in scouting international, sometimes little known talents who fall somewhere between big commercial artists whose work appeals to the general public, such as Jeff Koons, and the more obscure, experimental artists who can be radically niche.

The interior comprises of moveable platforms that can change a visitor's experience. - Marc Domage

The Fondation Cartier is somewhere in between, and thats also what makes it so strong, he says.

Castelain cites hyperrealist Australian sculptor Ron Mueck as an example of an artist who got a major boost from the foundation in France after becoming the first French institution to host a solo exhibition back in 2005, and then in 2013 and 2023.

Perhaps more than its initial programming, its the museums newly central location, increased space  five times the area of its former home  and proximity to the worlds most visited museum, the Louvre, that will attract new audiences, notably tourists.

The interior's redesign is by Jean Nouvel, whose portfolio spans decades and includes the Louvre Abu Dhabi. - Marc Domage

Nouvel was also the architect behind the Fondation Cartiers previous site, which opened in 1994 in a quieter neighborhood on the Left Bank.

The foundation has been moving towards the center of Paris over the last 40 years, says Simode, adding that the move is analogous to the citys growing importance on the international art scene.

Paris has returned to the center stage.

Exposition Generale is on view until August 2026.

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A dramatic ICE raid on unlicensed sidewalk vendors in the Big Apple nabbed a crew of dangerous illegal migrants  including Senegalese outlaws with lengthy rap sheets for drug trafficking, robbery, domestic violence and assaults on cops, the feds said Wednesday.

Federal agents descended on the long-troubled Chinatown strip on Canal Street between Lafayette and Centre Streets on Tuesday, rounding up illegal vendors who peddle knockoff designer bags and stolen goods.

Nine migrants  the majority of whom were released into the US under the Biden administration  were arrested and taken into custody for deportation, Homeland Security officials said.

Federal officials said nine illegal immigrants from Africa, including some with long rap sheets, were busted Tuesday. William Farrington

Federal immigration agents converged on Canal Street Tuesday to break up an illegal sidewalk vending operation. William Farrington

ICE conducted a targeted, intelligence-driven enforcement operation on Canal Street in New York City, focused on criminal activity relating to selling counterfeit goods, Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for the Department of Homeland Security, said in a statement Wednesday.

ICE arrested nine illegal aliens with criminal histories including robbery, burglary, domestic violence, assaulting law enforcement, counterfeiting, drug trafficking, drug possession and forgery, she added.

Homeland Security officials said many of the immigrants arrested were Senegalese outlaws with long rap sheets. William Farrington

Protesters massed amid ICE raids in Chinatown Tuesday, prompting two arrests by the NYPD, officials said. ZUMAPRESS.com

The raid came just hours after conservative social media influencer Savanah Hernandez posted from the unkept block, calling the scene the craziest thing Ive ever seen.

The Post has long reported on the illegal vendors, who pack the sidewalks with fake and stolen merchandise, blocking access to legit retailers and leaving trash strewn long the street.

They take over the sidewalk, one merchant said Wednesday. People cant pass. The vendors dont care.

The raid came just hours after conservative social media influencer Savanah Hernandez posted from the unkept block, calling the scene the craziest thing Ive ever seen. Department Of Homeland Security

A large amount of street vendors selling counterfeit goods line Canal Street before Tuesdays ICE raid.

Canal Street near Lafayette Street appears eerily deserted on Wednesday following the raid.

We talk to them. They want to fight, he added.

Its usually the new ones. I spoke to one of them. He said, Whats your problem? I dont fight them. I just leave.

NYPD quality-of-life cops have repeatedly raided the vendors, only to have them flee and return later.

Despite the brazen peddlers who were cuffed being in the country illegally and boasting disturbing rap sheets, the federal raid sparked heated protests.

The Post has reported on the unkempt outdoor illegal immigrant market on Canal Street in Chinatown for over a year. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post

Two hysterical protesters were charged by New Yorks Finest, including Jennifer Hansen, a 34-year-old anarchist with six prior busts, including a June 7 arrest for allegedly kicking a cop.

Muhammad Ndiaye.

On Tuesday, police said Hansen was charged with disorderly conduct, obstructing governmental administration and disorderly conduct for allegedly blocking traffic and interfering with cops.

A 33-year-old demonstrator was also cited for disorderly conduct but was not identified.

Federal immigration agents busted nine illegal immigrants and the NYPD charged two protesters in a wild Tuesday. ZUMAPRESS.com

Police said Big Apple protesters tried to interfere with ICE raids in Chinatown on Tuesday, with two of them charged. AP

Five Senegalese migrants were arrested by the feds, including Muhammad Ndiaye, who entered the US on a tourist visa but was supposed to leave in 1995.

Fellow Senegalese illegals were arrested, including Idy Sarr, who was the subject of a 2010 deportation order; Sergigne Diop, who was caught at the US border last year but released by the Biden administration; and Modou Mboup, who was part of a caravan that entered the US but was also released by the previous administration.

The feds said the ICE raid in Chinatown was based on reports of illegal immigrant peddlers on the block. Gregory P. Mango

An abandoned suit case and someone belongs are seen on the corner of Centre Street near canal street on Wednesday, October 22. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post

Alione Sy, another Senegalese migrant, remained in the country after his tourist visa expired in May 2023.

Amadou Diallo, an illegal immigrant from Guinea; Bokar Soko, a fugitive counterfeiter from Mauritania; Mamadou Ndoye, a native of Mali who was ordered deported in 2008; and accused counterfeiter Aboubakar Diakite, whose native country is not provided, round out the list.

While all nine were in the country illegally, six of the immigrants have criminal records, including Ndiaye, who has been busted for robbery, domestic violence, drugs and forgery, federal officials said.

Mboup has an assault on Mexican law enforcement on his rap sheet.
Indiana Senate Republicans do not have the votes to pass mid-decade redistricting despite a months-long campaign by the White House to secure two additional Republican seats.

That pressure culminated in a call from President Donald Trump on Oct. 17, where a dial-in poll was conducted. A majority of Republican lawmakers on the call indicated they support redistricting, according to Politico, with many of the holdouts among Senate leadership.

But, in order to get new maps passed without any Democratic support, Republicans would need more than just a simple majority of their members to support redistricting.

Texas Democrats return, continue to protest redistricting efforts by Republicans Democratic Texas Representative Gene Wu speaks during a press conference after the passing of H.B. 4, during a session in which Democratic lawmakers, who had left the state to prevent Republicans from redrawing Texas's 38 congressional districts, returned to the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 20, 2025.

"The votes arent there for redistricting," said Molly Swigart, a spokesperson for Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray, R-Martinsville. She did not answer USA TODAY NETWORK questions seeking confirmation that a majority of Republican legislators supported redistricting or if efforts to change minds were ongoing.

Indiana Gov. Mike Braun, however, is still pursuing redistricting efforts.

I am still having positive conversations with members of the legislature," Braun, a Republican, wrote in an Oct. 22 post on X. "I am confident the majority of Indiana Statehouse Republicans will support efforts to ensure fair representation in congress for every Hoosier."

Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith had even stronger sentiments to share, calling the Senate a place "where conservative ideas from the House go to die" and urging his colleagues to "find a backbone."
PARIS -- A dramatic video has surfaced, capturing two of the thieves wanted in the brazen $102 million jewel heist at the Louvre exiting the crime scene on a mobile cherry picker and fleeing on motorbikes with the loot.

Two French law enforcement sources confirmed to ABC News on Thursday that investigators are aware of the video and are reviewing it for clues as part of the investigation. The sources said the video was taken from inside the Louvre by members of the museum security staff.

The video, circulating online and verified by ABC News, shows the two thieves coming down from the targeted Apollo Gallery at the world-famous museum in a truck-mounted mechanical cherry picker.

Aquired by ABC News - PHOTO: Law enforcement sources confirm to ABC News, October 23, 2025, that they are aware of a video taken by Louvre security showing two thieves exiting the famed Paris museum on a truck-mounted cherry picker with jewels stolen from the Apollo Gallery.

In the footage, alarms can be heard going off in the background. The alleged perpetrators -- one wearing a motorcycle helmet and the other covering their face with a balaclava and wearing a yellow construction worker vest  are seen making their way to the street.

Across the street from the escaping thieves, people can be seen walking and jogging along the Seine River as traffic goes by. The thieves are then seen jumping on a motorcycle and speeding off with the jewels.

French investigators said the entire robbery from start to getaway took seven minutes.

During her testimony before France's Senate Culture Committee on Wednesday, Laurence des Cars, the president and director of the Louvre, said the only camera installed outside the Apollo Gallery was facing west and did not cover the window where the thieves used power tools to break in and exit.

Google Earth - PHOTO: Location of robbery at the Louvre

"We did not spot the criminals arriving from outside early enough," des Cars said.

In the video, someone on a two-way radio or intercom is heard saying, they were looking at one of the thieves getting on "his scooter" and adding, "They're going to leave." Moments later, a person filming could be heard saying in French, "F---, they're gone?"

Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: French police officers investigate an alleged robbery at the Louvre Museum, on Quai Francois Mitterrand, in Paris on Oct. 19, 2025.

The manhunt for four main suspects in the brazen heist entered its fifth day on Thursday. Investigators have said they are in a race against time to catch the culprits, fearing they will dismantle the eight pieces they got away with and attempt to fence the many diamonds, precious stones and gold piecemeal.

Among the eight pieces of jewelry taken was a pearl and diamond tiara from the collection of Queen Marie-Amelie and Queen Hortense, according to the Louvre. The tiara, according to the Louvre, is composed of 212 pearls of various sizes and nearly 2,000 diamonds. The piece was commissioned by Emperor Napoleon III for his marriage to Eugenie de Montijo in 1853.

Musee du Louvre / Stephane Marechalle - PHOTO: A diadem, or tiara of Empress Eugenie of France was stolen from the Louvre Museum in Paris, Oct. 19, 2025, an official said

Musee du Louvre / Stephane Marechalle - PHOTO: Among the jewelry stolen from the Louvre museum, Oct. 19, 2025, is this diadem, or crown, from the collection of Queen Marie-Amelie and Queen Hortense

Also stolen was another tiara from the collection of Queen Marie-Amelie and Queen Hortense composed of sapphires and 1,083 diamonds, according to the Louvre.

On Wednesday, French police told ABC News that traces of DNA were found in one of the helmets and one of the gloves the suspects left behind after a jewelry heist.

Thibaud Moritz/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: FRANCE-MUSEUM-ROBBERY-INVESTIGATION-TOURISM

In what could be the major break in the probe, investigators are now analyzing the DNA in hopes of finding a match.

The latest developments come as des Cars, the Louvre director, took the hot seat on Wednesday, telling lawmakers she submitted her resignation following Sundays heist.

Appearing in front of Frances Senate Culture Committee for two hours, des Cars said her resignation was rejected.

How thieves robbed the Louvre in just 7 minutes: A minute-by-minute breakdown of the daring heist

"This tragedy deeply shocked museum staff, fellow citizens, and admirers of the Louvre around the world," said des Cars, reading an opening statement. "This is an immense wound that has been inflicted on us."

Des Cars said all of the museum's alarms worked, as did its video cameras, but noted a "weakness" in security.

"The weakness of the Louvre is its perimeter security, which has been a problem for a long time ... certainly due to underinvestment," des Cars told the lawmakers.

Louvre robbery latest chapter in high-profile museum heist history: 5 famous capers

She said a "Grand Louvre renovation project" began 40 years ago "and has only affected half of the museum."

Des Cars added, "The security system, as installed in the Apollo Gallery, worked perfectly. The question that arises is how to adapt this system to a new type of attack and modus operandi that we could not have foreseen."

Despite touting the security system within the Louvre as working properly, des Cars added, "Today we are witnessing a terrible failure at the Louvre. The security of the Louvre is one of my top priorities during my term of office, and I repeat that I was appalled by the museum's security situation when I arrived in 2021."

Des Cars said the 232-year-old museum's "aging infrastructure" has hindered "the installation of modern equipment."

Officials said earlier this week that evidence collected so far points to "organized crime," but added that investigators have not ruled out that the heist could have been an inside job.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla have landed in Rome ahead of their official state visit to the Vatican.

During their visit, the king and queen will meet Pope Leo XIV. King Charles is also scheduled to pray with the Pope, making him the first British monarch to engage in a public act of worship with the Pope since the Church of England broke away from the Catholic Church in the 16th century during the reign of Henry VIII.

Upon their arrival at Ciampino Airport in Rome, Italy, King Charles and Queen Camilla were welcomed by Christopher Trott, the British Ambassador to the Holy See, and Colonel Matteo Zuliani of the Italian Air Task Force.

What we know about Leo XIV, the new American pope

Pool/Getty Images - PHOTO: King Charles III And Queen Camilla State Visit To The Holy See - Day One

According to a social media post on the royal family's official Instagram, King Charles and Queen Camilla's visit includes a visit to the Papal Basilica and a reception at the Pontifical Beda College, a seminary that trains priests from across the Commonwealth.

Queen Camilla will also meet Catholic Sisters from The International Union of Superiors General.

The king and queen's visit coincides with the year of the Papal Jubilee, which is a time of pilgrimage, reconciliation and renewal in the Catholic Church. A jubilee in the Catholic Church occurs every 25 years.

Prior to his death in April, Pope Francis declared in an official bull that the jubilee's central message is hope.

"My thoughts turn to all those pilgrims of hope who will travel to Rome in order to experience the Holy Year and to all those others who, though unable to visit the City of the Apostles Peter and Paul, will celebrate it in their local Churches," he said.

King Charles and Queen Camilla originally had plans to make a state visit earlier this year, according to the official website of the British royal family. However, plans shifted due to Pope Francis' declining health, and instead had a private meeting with the late pope.

Harry Styles joined Vatican crowd during Pope Leo XIV's conclave election

Arthur Edwards/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: Britain's King Charles III and Britain's Queen Camilla arrive at Rome's Ciampino airport on the eve of a visit to the Vatican, on October 22, 2025.

The press announcement said that the king and queen's visit "will mark a significant step forward in relations between the Catholic Church and Church of England."

"The visit to Italy will underscore the depth and breadth of the bilateral relationship: our defence relationship, including in the current international context; our shared values, history and culture; our work together on the clean energy transition; and the links between our peoples and communities," according to the announcement.

King Charles previously visited the Holy See a few times prior to his visit this week. He attended the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005 and also the canonisation of Cardinal John Henry Newman. As the Prince of Wales, Charles also visited the Vatican in 2009 and in 2017.
Key Points

Lam Research posted earnings for its September quarter.

The company set records for revenue and profit margin.

Management expects fewer sales to China in the 2026 calendar year.

10 stocks we like better than Lam Research 

It's not every day you get a tech stock that provides massive shareholder growth and pays a consistent, meaningful dividend. And to find one that's working in the red-hot semiconductor space is even more significant.

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But you have one with Lam Research (NASDAQ: LRCX), which supplies critical components and services to foundries for the fabrication of semiconductor chips. Lam Research's dividend of $1.04 per share equates to a yield of 0.74%. And that dividend has doubled in the last five years.

Lam Research stock is on fire, up 100% this year. The California-based company is in the news today after posting its financial results for the quarter ending Sept. 28. Is Lam Research the dividend stock you've been looking for?

About Lam Research

Lam Research makes the equipment that foundries need to make microprocessors, memory devices, and other products used in chips for computing devices, mobile phones, smart cars, and entertainment systems. Its products are used for thin film deposition, plasma etching, photoresist stripping, and wafer cleaning.

All of these are critical components in the growing semiconductor industry, which Precedence Research values at $627.76 billion this year. The market is expected to grow to $1.2 trillion by 2034, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5%.

A machine making semiconductors.

Image source: Getty Images.

Lam's earnings report

Earnings for the quarter ended Sept. 28 showed record revenue of $5.32 billion, up nearly 3% from a year ago. The operating margin of 35% was also a company record.

However, earnings per share fell from $1.35 in Q3 2024 to $1.24 in the recently concluded quarter.

Management said the company is expecting to top $105 billion in revenue for its water fabrication equipment in the 2025 calendar year, thanks to customers' stronger-than-expected investments in high-bandwidth memory products. And AI-related demand is expected to drive revenue in 2026. "We see the surge in AI data center demand creating billions of dollars of served available market expansion and share gain opportunity for Lam in the coming years," CEO Tim Archer said on the earnings call.

Lam Research issued guidance for the December quarter that includes revenue of $4.9 billion to $5.5 billion, and earnings per share of $1.05 to $1.25.

China concerns

China is Lam Research's biggest market, but trade tensions will have an impact. China represented 43% of Lam Research's sales in the third quarter, followed by Taiwan (19%) and Korea (15%). Archer told analysts that China is expected to account for less than 30% of company sales in the 2026 calendar year.

Lam Research stock is up 2% in morning trading today. While the company's exposure to China and next year's pullback is a concern, Lam Research is a notable play on semiconductor and AI growth -- and its dividend makes it particularly interesting.

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South Orange Crest now selling, followed in November by The Enclave at Cat Island Estates

DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, Fla., Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Century Communities, Inc. (NYSE: CCS)a top national homebuilder, industry leader in online home sales, and featured on America's Most Trustworthy Companies and World's Most Trustworthy Companies by Newsweekannounced that the Company's Century Complete brand is opening two new communities in DeFuniak Springs, FL: South Orange Crest (now selling; cottage-style homes), and The Enclave at Cat Island Estates (opening November; single-family homes).

Lanier Plan Rendering | New Homes in DeFuniak Springs, FL | South Orange Crest by Century Complete Cabot Plan Rendering | New Homes in DeFuniak Springs, FL | The Enclave at Cat Island Estates by Century Complete

Learn more about South Orange Crest and explore available homes: www.CenturyCommunities.com/SouthOrangeCrestFL.

Learn more about The Enclave at Cat Island Estates and join the interest list: www.CenturyCommunities.com/CatIslandEstatesFL.

"We're excited to expand our lineup of quality and affordable new homes in DeFuniak Springs with South Orange Crest and The Enclave at Cat Island Estates," said Regional President Sal Aceves. "With both communities opening this fall, now's the perfect time for homebuyers to explore available homes on our website, learn about current savings opportunities, and contact our sales team to find their best fit."

Offering modern, single-story layouts, homes at both communities boast contemporary, open-concept layouts, stylish finishes, and exceptional included featuressuch as covered patios, quartz countertops, Kohler water fixtures, luxury wood-look plank flooring, and stainless-steel appliances.

In addition, South Orange Crest and The Enclave at Cat Island Estates each feature prime locations in charming DeFuniak Springscentral to destinations like Panama City and Pensacola, and offering quick access to Emerald Coast beaches, Blackwater River State Forest, eclectic shopping, artisan dining, and more.

SOUTH ORANGE CREST

Now selling from the low $200s

Single-story, cottage-style floor plans

2 to 3 bedrooms, 2 bathroom

937 to 1,272 square feet

Community Location

Watson Road

DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433

850.777.3969

THE ENCLAVE AT CAT ISLAND ESTATES

Opening in November | Join our interest list!

Single-story, single-family floor plans

3 to 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2-bay garages

1,416 to 1,773 square feet

Steps from Juniper Lake

Community Location

Cat Island Circle

DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433

850.354.5570

THE FREEDOM OF ONLINE HOMEBUYING



Century Complete is proud to feature its industry-first online homebuying experience on all available homes in Florida, allowing homebuyers to easily find their best fit and purchase when they're readyall while continuing to work with their local real estate agent of choice. Homebuyers can further streamline the homebuying process by financing online with Century Complete's affiliate lender, Inspire Home Loans.

How it works:

Shop homes at CenturyCommunities.com Click "Buy Now" on any available home Fill out a quick Buy Online form Electronically submit an initial earnest money deposit Electronically sign a purchase contract via DocuSign

Learn more about the Buy Online experience at www.CenturyCommunities.com/online-homebuying.

About Century Communities

Century Communities, Inc. (NYSE: CCS) is one of the nation's largest homebuilders and a recognized industry leader in online home sales. Newsweek has named the Company one of America's Most Trustworthy Companies for three consecutive years, and one of the World's Most Trustworthy Companies (2025). Century Communities has also been designated as one of U.S. News & World Report's Best Companies to Work For (20252026). Through its Century Communities and Century Complete brands, Century's mission is to build attractive, high-quality homes at affordable prices to provide its valued customers with A HOME FOR EVERY DREAM. Century is engaged in all aspects of homebuilding  including the acquisition, entitlement and development of land, along with the construction, innovative marketing and sale of quality homes designed to appeal to a wide range of homebuyers. The Company operates in 16 states and over 45 markets across the U.S., and also offers mortgage, title, insurance brokerage, and escrow services in select markets through its Inspire Home Loans, Parkway Title, IHL Home Insurance Agency, and IHL Escrow subsidiaries. To learn more about Century Communities, please visit www.centurycommunities.com.

SOURCE Century Communities, Inc.
President Trump Meets With South Korean President Lee Jae Myung At The White House (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

A new study reports South Koreas trade and regulatory policies could cost Americans as much as $500 billion or more over the next decade.

Research by the Competere Foundation estimates that the U.S. economy could lose as much as $525 billion over the next decade if Seoul continues to implement policies that restrict U.S. tech firms operations. Critics say the regulations, championed by the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) and President Lee Jae-myungs administration, unfairly disadvantage American companies while giving Korean and Chinese businesses a competitive edge.

The Korean governments digital and competition policies are expected to cost an estimated $1 trillion in losses to both the U.S. and Korean economies over the next 10 years, with the U.S. shouldering an estimated $525 billion in economic losses  resulting in American households losing roughly $3,800 each, Shanker Singham, president of the Competere Foundation, said in a statement.

This is a significant financial loss that can be avoided by Korea stopping these damaging policies and allowing all companies to compete in a fair market, he added. (RELATED: CARLA SANDS And BART MARCOIS: U.S.-South Korea Summit Offers Clear Choice To Korea)

WASHINGTON, DC  AUGUST 25: U.S. President Donald Trump hosts South Korean President Lee Jae-myung for a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office at the White House on August 25, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Experts note that South Korea relies less on direct taxes on imports and more on regulatory and non-tariff barriers to give domestic industries an advantage over foreign competitors.

The countrys regulatory framework  including proposed laws such as the Fairness in Online Brokerage Transaction Act and the Online Platform Monopoly Act  places heavy compliance burdens on American firms, ultimately driving up costs for U.S. consumers, according to the Competere Foundation report.

These measures are modeled after the European Unions 2022 Digital Markets Act (DMA), which ostensibly aims to curb monopolistic practices by targeting large platforms. In practice, however, critics  including the Trump administration  say the DMA and other digital taxes have generated economic losses while also unfairly burdening U.S. firms. U.S. lawmakers warn that Koreas similar approach could produce comparable losses and restrict opportunities for American tech companies.

South Koreas actions are a direct result of the Biden Administrations failure to confront rising digital trade barriers and provide strong American leadership, Rep. Max Miller of Ohio told the Daily Caller News Foundation.

President Donald Trump announced a trade framework with South Korea in late July, including a $350 billion investment pledge by Seoul. While the details of the agreement are still being negotiated, officials say it could offer an opportunity to address regulatory barriers.

To protect U.S. economic interests, I urge the Administration to engage with our partners in South Korea and prevent the unintended consequences of the Korean governments misguided proposal, which threatens American competitiveness abroad, Miller said

In July, Miller and over 40 House Republicans sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, urging the administration to address Koreas trade barriers. The lawmakers warned that the rules not only disadvantage U.S. companies but also advance the interests of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) by disproportionately targeting American companies while exempting major Chinese digital giants like ByteDance, Alibaba and Temu.

Allowing these companies to operate free from the regulatory burdens imposed on their U.S. competitors would substantially increase threats related to data security, disinformation, economic coercion, and espionage stemming from the CCPs influence over such Chinese tech giants, the lawmakers wrote.

All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporters byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
A collective funeral ceremony was held Wednesday in Deir al-Balah, in central Gaza, for 54 unidentified Palestinians whose bodies were returned from Israel, the Palestinian Civil Defense (PCD) reported.

Not all of the Palestinian bodies returned by Israel could be identified by their families "due to the severe circumstances" surrounding their deaths, according to the PCD.

Mahmoud Issa/Reuters - PHOTO: Unidentified bodies of Palestinians who had been held in Israel during the war are buried at a mass burial site after they were handed over by Israel in Gaza, in Deir Al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, October 22, 2025.

As the funeral was ongoing, the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis announced that Israel handed over the bodies of 30 other Palestinian prisoners as a part of President Trump's peace deal.

That brings the total number of Palestinian bodies returned to the Strip to 165, according to Gaza's government media office.

Witkoff, Kushner in Israel to shore up shaky Trump-brokered ceasefire

The return of the remains of deceased Palestinians is part of President Trumps 20-point peace plan, which states that For every Israeli hostage whose remains are released, Israel will release the remains of 15 deceased Gazans."

The plan adds that once all hostages are released, Israel will release 250 life sentence prisoners plus 1,700 Gazans who were detained after Oct. 7th, 2023, including all women and children detained in that context.

Haitham Imad/EPA/Shutterstock - PHOTO: Medical teams pray beside the covered remains and bodies of unidentified Palestinians, returned by Israel, before their mass burial outside Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza Strip, October 22, 2025.

Humanitarian workers detail challenges getting aid into Gaza despite ceasefire

According to reports from the Gaza Media Office and the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health, the returned bodies showed signs of abuse, beating, handcuffing, blindfolding, and hanging around the neck.

Rejecting reports of any torture, the Israeli military told ABC News in a statement on Wednesday that "the IDF did not tie any bodies prior to their release to the Strip," adding that they operate "strictly in accordance with international law."

Omar Al-qattaa/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: A Palestinian boy walks past the rubble of destroyed buildings in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood of Gaza City, October 22, 2025.

'They're playing games': Mother of deceased American hostage blasts Hamas for 'breach'

As the fragile Israel-Hamas peace plan faces accusations of violations from both sides, the families of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners continue to wait for the return of their loved ones remains.

Currently, the bodies of 13 Israelis remain in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military confirmed the identities of two hostages whose bodies were returned by Hamas on Tuesday.
An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Isamar Herrera, represents Panama at the Miss Grand International competition in Thailand, Image 2 shows The beauty contestants mishap has since sparked an avalanche of support on social media, with one video on TikTok amassing almost 5 million views alone, Image 3 shows Paraguays Cecilia Romero was crowned the real winner during the coronation ceremony of the event

Pretty awkward.

A confusing moment ruined the celebration for one beauty queen after her competitor mistakenly took her spotlight in a viral, painful-to-watch mishap.

Isamar Herrera stood proudly among the 76 contestants for Miss Grand International on stage in Bangkok, Thailand, hoping to hear their country called and be named one of the 22 finalists, on Oct. 18.

The 31-year-old, who represented Panama, covered her face in surprise as she began to walk down the stage while the crowd and her fellow contestants looked in stunned silence.

Herrera made it to the front of the platform, striking a pose for ten seconds for her shining moment.

Isamar Herrera represents Panama at the Miss Grand International competition in Thailand. Miss Grand International

Miss Grand Panamas moment was cut short when host Matthew Deane interrupted to fix the glaring error.

Aaah, I beg your pardon, I announced Miss Grand Paraguay, Deane said, drawing out the long, awkward silence.

There is a lot of noise in this hall, packed full of fans from all over the world, he added.

Herrera was forced to walk away from her position as Paraguays representative Cecilia Romero made her way to the front.

The beauty contestants mishap has since sparked an avalanche of support on social media, with one video on TikTok amassing almost 5 million views alone. Miss Grand International

Some of the contestants were left awkwardly looking around, while others gave supportive applause in an attempt to save the moment for Romero.

Ten more contestants were called to round out the 22 finalists as Herrera failed to make the cut.

The awkward onstage blunder resonated with viewers who shared remorse for both Herrera and Romero.

Panama, Canada, Paraguay, sound the same, dont condemn her, one person wrote.

Maybe she didnt really understand because of language barrier, wrote another.

Paraguays Cecilia Romero was crowned the real winner during the coronation ceremony of the event. Miss Grand International

Some fans offered support for Herrera and hoped she would toss the mistake out of her mind and return to competition.

You were a good candidate, impeccable every time you came out, and you deserved the classification. Im sure better things will happen in your life, another comment read.

The 22 finalists represented Belgium, Brazil, Colombia, the Czech Republic, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Ghana, Guatemala, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Martinique, Mexico, Paraguay, Spain, Tanzania, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the United States, Venezuela and Zambia.

Cecillia Romero. Facebook/ Cecilia Romero

Emma Tiglao, of the Philippines, was crowned Miss Grand International after the multi-week contest.

It is the second year in a row the Southeast Asian county won the marking two years in a row the Southeast Asian country won the pageant.

The 30-year-old news anchor beat out first runner-up Sarunrat Puagpipat of Thailand Spains Aitana Jimenez as second runner-up, Ghanas Faith Porter as third runner-up, and Venezuelas Nariman Battikha as fourth runner-up.

With Post wires
The woman charged with abandoning her newborn at a Midtown Manhattan subway station told investigators she gave birth just hours before she left the baby at the bottom of a staircase, according to court documents.

The baby girl was found wrapped in a blanket at the southbound 1 train platform at 34th Street-Penn Station during the Monday morning rush hour, the New York Police Department said. The umbilical cord was still attached, indicating she had likely been born within a few hours, according to the criminal complaint.

The baby was taken to the hospital in stable condition, police said, with New York City Transit President Demetrius Crichlow calling it "the miracle on 34th Street."

NYPD - PHOTO: The NYPD is looking for this person who they say left a baby a subway station in Midtown Manhattan, Oct. 20, 2025.

Police said the mother, 30-year-old Assa Diawara, was caught on surveillance footage carrying a bundle in her arms through the turnstiles at the subway station. More footage showed her leaving the station empty-handed, the complaint said.

Diawara allegedly admitted she was the woman in the videos and said she gave birth late Sunday night into early Monday morning, the complaint said.

WABC - PHOTO: A baby was found on a subway platform in Manhattan, New York, on Oct. 20, 2025.

NYPD searching for person who left newborn girl at subway station

Diawara was taken into custody early Wednesday on charges of abandonment of a child and endangering the welfare of a child, police said.

Detectives identified her by following a trail of surveillance camera footage, an NYPD official said. Video showed Diawara taking a car service to Jamaica, Queens, and then investigators canvassed the area where she was dropped off and found a neighbor who recognized her from the surveillance footage, the official said.

Diawara has made her first court appearance and was granted supervised release. She is due to return to court in December.

New York's Abandoned Infant Protection Act permits a parent to leave a newborn in a safe place -- like a hospital, police station or fire station -- up to 30 days after the babys birth. The parent would not be prosecuted and can remain anonymous as long as the baby is left in a safe place and the appropriate person is notified.
Getty Butlins in Minehead in the U.K.

NEED TO KNOW

After thinking she may have broken or bruised her rib during a drunken weekend away with friends, Charlotte Morjaria, 31, headed to the hospital where doctors discovered something more sinister was going on

"In that moment, it was probably the most scared I've ever been in my life," the mother of one told BBC Wales of her diagnosis

Morjaria was diagnosed with kidney cancer after medics found a sizable cancerous tumor

A 31-year-old British woman has a drunken weekend away with her two best friends to thank for potentially saving her life.

In June, Charlotte Morjaria, who lives in Newport in Wales, headed to a Butlin's seaside resort in the town of Minehead in Somerset, England, for a girls' trip, according to BBC Wales.

On the last day of the vacation, the trio joined a bachelor party and were playing a game of tag when one of the men picked Morjaria up and lifted her over his shoulder.

It was then that she heard something "go pop," but carried on having fun before heading to the hospital the following day once she had returned home to get checked out, thinking she might have broken or bruised a rib, the outlet reported.

"Probably a tad too much drinking, albeit we were having a fantastic time before disaster struck  or you could call it a miracle," Morjaria, who was 30 at the time of the injury, told BBC Wales.

Once at the hospital, the mother of one learned that her ribs were fine, but medics had discovered a "sizeable" cancerous tumor on her kidney, per the outlet.

Peter Titmuss/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Butlins

"In that moment, it was probably the most scared I've ever been in my life," she said, insisting that she had no idea the tumor  which was 2.5 inches in size  was there.

"They said they'd found a sizeable mass on my left kidney," said Morjaria, who almost left the hospital's waiting room several times after having to wait for 22 hours, before her mom and her friend persuaded her to stay.

She was told the tumor was being treated as cancer, which she couldn't believe, telling the outlet, "The conversation was a strange one, because I thought I was fine. There really weren't very big tell-tale signs."

Morjaria  who was sent from The Grange Hospital to nearby Royal Gwent Hospital  ended up being diagnosed with stage one of a rare form of kidney cancer: TFE3 renal cell carcinoma.

She had surgery to have her kidney removed in August of this year, a day before she turned 31.

Morjaria told BBC Wales, "[My consultant] had only heard of one case, it is rare. They didn't have a lot of information," adding, "Thankfully it hadn't spread ... but they still needed to get it out pretty quickly."

Matthew Horwood/Getty Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport, Wales

Morjaria  who was told in September that she's cancer free, but still has to have regular scans as she's seen as high risk  told the outlet that there were quite a few factors that could have hidden any symptoms of weight loss, chronic fatigue and back pain before her diagnosis.

She said she had the "normal aches and pains," but just put it down to running around after her "absolutely crazy" son, Sebastian, 2. She also takes medication for depression, and had previously been taking the weight loss drug Mounjaro last year, but has since stopped.

"The doctors were astounded, not only by the fact I was this young, healthy woman, but the fact that, on the surface, I'd had no idea," she added.

Morjaria admitted of having to get regular tests done, "The reality of it is, every six months I'm going to be scared. I'm going to be a mess. I'm cancer free, but I'm not free of cancer."

"Even though I haven't lost my hair, even though I'm seemingly well ... it's taken its toll," she told the outlet.

Now, Morjaria is keen to help others, urging anybody who might have questions about any symptoms to get in touch via Facebook.

She wrote alongside a link to the BBC Wales article, "If you have any concerns or questions yourself about symptoms you may be experiencing, Im happy to talk "

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.

Morjaria, who has an active lifestyle, acknowledged that her diagnosis is "often awkward to talk about," but insisted to the outlet, "I want it to raise awareness... an adult Butlin's weekender did indeed save my life."

PEOPLE has reached out to Morjaria for comment, but didn't receive an immediate response.



Read the original article on People
Lockheed Martin logo is seen in this illustration taken July 26, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

(Reuters) -Rare earths miner NioCorp said on Thursday it is working with U.S. defense contractor Lockheed Martin to develop a scandium and aluminum alloy for use in military equipment as part of a Pentagonfunded program.

Colorado-based NioCorp received $10 million from the Pentagon in August to develop a Nebraska mine that will produce scandium, one of the 17 rare earths. Lockheed is a key supplier to the U.S. military, including for fighter jets and other weaponry.

A portion of that funding is being used by NioCorp and Lockheed to develop an alloy of scandium and aluminum, with tests slated for 2027 for use in a range of equipment.

An alloy of aluminum and scandium appeals to the Pentagon because it is lightweight, conducts electricity well, is corrosion-resistant, and holds all of those characteristics at a range of temperatures.

Scandium is already used widely for defense, aerospace and energy applications, but nearly all supply comes from China, Russia and Ukraine. The U.S. has not mined scandium since 1969.

NioCorp plans to extract the scandium from the Nebraska deposit and process the metal into an ingot form that a third party would use to create a powder that can be used in 3D printing to make replacement parts for Lockheed.

NioCorp expects to open its Nebraska mine by 2028. The project is under consideration for an $800 million loan from the U.S. Export-Import Bank.

(Reporting by Dharna Bafna in Bengaluru and Ernest Scheyder in Houston; Editing by Tasim Zahid and David Gregorio)
Family members hold pictures of victims of the 1972 "Bloody Sunday" killings as the murder trial takes place in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on October 23, 2025. - Cathal McNaughton/Reuters

A Belfast court on Thursday found a British soldier not guilty of murder in the only trial of a member of the British armed forces over the 1972 Bloody Sunday killings of 13 unarmed Catholic civil rights marchers in Northern Ireland.

The British government in 2010 apologized for the unjustified and unjustifiable killings, when members of a British army regiment opened fire in the mainly Irish nationalist city of Londonderry (Derry) in one of the defining moments of Northern Irelands recent history.

But all efforts to prosecute soldiers have failed.

The soldier, who cannot be identified legally and is known as Soldier F, was found not guilty of killing two men and trying to kill five others.

Bloody Sunday became one of the defining moments of the Troubles, three decades of sectarian violence involving nationalists seeking a united Ireland, unionists wanting Northern Ireland to remain a province of the United Kingdom, and British forces. A 1998 peace deal largely ended the bloodshed.

On January 30, 1972, youths confront British soldiers minutes before paratroopers opened fire, killing civilians on what became known as Bloody Sunday. The standoff is near barricade 14 on William Street, Derry/Londonderry, Northern Ireland. - William L. Rukeyser/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Soldier F was not called to give evidence during the one-month trial that was heard without a jury.

Defense lawyers did not call any witnesses and said that the core of the case, military statements taken over 50 years ago, were manifestly unreliable, with no independent supporting evidence offered to back the prosecution case.

Earlier in the trial the court heard a short statement Soldier F gave to police in 2016, in which he said that while he was sure he properly discharged his duties as a soldier that day, he no longer had any reliable recollection of the events and therefore was unable to answer the officers questions.

The British government in 2010 apologized for the unjustified and unjustifiable Bloody Sunday killings, the deadliest shooting incident of the Troubles, after a judicial inquiry found that the victims were innocent and had posed no threat to the military.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Lindsey Halligan, outside of the White House, on August 20, 2025. - Jacquelyn Martin/AP/File

New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a notice on Thursday that her legal team plans to ask for her indictment to be dismissed, citing the appointment of President Donald Trumps handpicked prosecutor Lindsey Halligan, according to a filing submitted by James legal team.

Please take notice that on October 24, 2025, Letitia James, by counsel, will file her motion to dismiss the indictment that challenges the unlawful appointment of the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Lindsey Halligan, the court filing said.

The brief two-page filing also included a footnote referring to another recent indictment against former FBI Director James Comey, who is also seeking to have his indictment dismissed due to Halligans appointment. The footnote says the two motions, should likely be consolidated.

James was indicted on two felony charges of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution on October 9. James is scheduled to appear in court in Norfolk, Virginia, on Friday at 11 a.m. ET.

Halligan is expected to be in the Friday hearing, according to a source familiar.

A hearing on Comeys motion is scheduled for November 13.

Asks to bar DOJ from talking to press

Also Thursday, James asked the federal judge overseeing her criminal case to bar federal prosecutors from talking with the media about it to ensure she has a fair trial.

Halligan had communicated with a reporter about the case two days after she persuaded a federal grand jury to indict James.

Those comments  which were reported earlier this week by the journalist, Anna Bower  represented a stunning disclosure of internal government information, attorneys for James told US District Judge Jamar Walker. They noted that the conversation, which was initiated by Halligan and occurred over the messaging platform Signal, included the prosecutors thoughts on the credibility and general strength of the evidence presented to the grand jury.

These extrajudicial statements and prejudicial disclosures by any prosecutor, let alone one purporting to be the U.S. Attorney, run afoul of and violate the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, the Code of Federal Regulations, this Courts Local Rules, various rules of ethical and professional responsibility, and DOJs Justice Manual, James attorneys wrote in court papers.

In order to ensure a fair trial and impartial proceedings for Attorney General James, we respectfully seek the Courts intervention to prevent any further disclosures by government attorneys and agents of investigative and case materials, and statements to the media and public, concerning this case and any parties or witnesses, the lawyers told the judge.

Theyre asking for a court order that would, among other things, bar Halligan and other prosecutors in the case from making extrajudicial disclosures of investigative and case materials, and statements to the media and journalists.

Under their proposed order, prosecutors would also need to keep a list of all contacts they have with members of the media.

As the prosecutor who is handling the case against Attorney General James and purporting to be the U.S. Attorney, Ms. Halligan is supposed to be the standard-bearer of the professional responsibility rules rather than the Districts violator-in-chief, the attorney generals lawyers wrote in their filing.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

CNNs Kristen Holmes contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
By Scott DiSavino

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Oil prices surged around 5% to a two-week high on Thursday after the U.S. imposed sanctions on major Russian suppliers Rosneft and Lukoil over Russia's war in Ukraine.

The sanctions could reduce global oil supplies since Russia was the world's second-biggest crude producer in 2024 after the U.S., according to U.S. energy data.

Brent futures were up $3.37, or 5.4%, to $65.96 a barrel by 12:13 p.m. EDT (1613 GMT), while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose $3.33, or 5.7%, to $61.83.

That put both crude benchmarks on track for their biggest daily percentage gains since mid-June and their highest closes since October 8.

"The announcement of sanctions by the U.S. on Rosneft and Lukoil is a major escalation in the targeting of Russias energy sector and could be a big enough shock to flip the global oil market into a deficit next year," said David Oxley, chief climate and commodities economist at Capital Economics.

In addition to soaring crude prices, U.S. diesel futures jumped almost 7%, boosting the diesel crack spread to its highest since February 2024. Crack spreads measure refining profit margins.

The U.S. sanctions mean refineries in China and India, major buyers of Russian oil, will need to seek alternative suppliers to avoid exclusion from the Western banking system, said Saxo Bank analyst Ole Hansen.

Multiple trade sources told Reuters that Chinese state oil majors have suspended purchases of seaborne Russian oil from the two companies now under U.S. sanctions, providing a further boost to prices.

Kuwait's oil minister said that the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries would be ready to offset any shortage in the market by rolling back output cuts.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, however, said it will take time for the global market to replace Russian oil. He added that the new U.S. sanctions are an attempt to put pressure on Russia, and that no self-respecting country ever does anything under pressure.

The U.S. said it was prepared to take further action as it called on Moscow to agree immediately to a ceasefire in Ukraine.

"The various U.S. and EU sanctions thus far have had essentially no effect on Russias ability to export oil, so we doubt that this latest round will be game-changing. That said, the Kremlin may need to use more intricate methods to ship its oil covertly, thereby increasing costs," said Pavel Molchanov, investment strategy analyst at Raymond James.

Molchanov noted the U.S. investment bank would "continue keeping an eye on this issue" since Russian exports account for about 7% of global oil supply.

MORE SANCTIONS

Britain sanctioned Rosneft and Lukoil last week and the European Union has approved a 19th package of sanctions against Russia that includes a ban on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas.

The EU also added two Chinese refiners with combined capacity of 600,000 barrels per day (bpd), as well as Chinaoil Hong Kong, a trading arm of PetroChina, to its Russia sanctions list, its Official Journal showed on Thursday.

The impact of sanctions on oil markets will depend on how India reacts and whether Russia finds alternative buyers, said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.

Refiners in India, which became the largest buyer of discounted seaborne Russian crude in the aftermath of the war in Ukraine, were poised to sharply curtail imports of Russian oil to comply with new U.S. sanctions on Lukoil and Rosneft, industry sources said on Thursday, potentially removing a major hurdle to a trade deal with the U.S.

Privately owned Reliance Industries, the top Indian buyer of Russian crude, plans to reduce or halt such imports completely, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

(Reporting by Scott DiSavino in New York and Enes Tunagur in London, Katya Golubkova in Tokyo, additional reporting by Seher Dareen in London; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Elaine Hardcastle)
Amy Sussman/Getty Jonas Pate

NEED TO KNOW

Outer Banks executive producer and co-creator Jonas Pate allegedly shook and screamed at a female production assistant on set, PEOPLE confirms

TMZ previously reported that Chase Stokes and Madelyn Cline allegedly intervened and that the incident occurred while filming in Croatia

Production is currently underway for the Netflix show's fifth and final season

An incident involving the Outer Banks executive producer Jonas Pate allegedly occurred during filming this week.

On Wednesday, Oct. 22, TMZ reported that multiple sources claimed Jonas, who co-created the Netflix hit with twin brother Josh Pate and Shannon Burke, got physical with a female production assistant. Several of the series stars reportedly intervened, including leads Chase Stokes and Madelyn Cline.

A source tells PEOPLE that Jonas "was screaming at the female production assistant and grabbed her by her shoulders and shook her. He didnt hurt her or try to hurt her. He just crossed a line. Putting your hands on someone is never, ever okay.

Neither Netflix nor Jonas have responded to multiple requests from PEOPLE for comment. Reps for Stokes and Cline did not immediately respond.



Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix Jonas Pate and Chase Stokes

TMZ reported that "tensions were high" on set when Jonas allegedly grabbed the P.A. and shook her. Production for the fifth and final season is taking place in Dubrovnik, Croatia.

According to the outlet, Stokes stepped in to separate the pair and Cline attempted to de-escalate the situation.

Multiple production sources allegedly told TMZ that this was not "unusual behavior" for Jonas, with one source stating, "It's about time that it's made public."

Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix Madelyn Cline and Jonas Pate

Netflix confirmed that Outer Banks had begun filming season 5 on June 20, when the streaming service released two group photos of the cast  Stokes, who plays John B.; Cline, who plays Sarah Cameron; Madison Bailey, who plays Kiara Carrera; Jonathan Daviss, who plays Pope Heyward; Drew Starkey, who plays Rafe Cameron; and Carlacia Grant, who plays Cleo.

The Instagram post showed the group laughing and posing while shooting on a marsh outside Charleston.

"summer time and obx 5 is back in production ," the caption read.

While no official premiere date has been revealed, Netflix has confirmed that it will air sometime in 2026.

We are over the moon to be setting out on one last trip with the Pogues, Josh, Jonas Pate and Burke told Tudum in June 2025. Being back on set with our cast for this final round is nothing short of bittersweet and surreal. We can't wait to show everyone what we have in store this season  it's going to be a wild ride.

The co-creators, who said in a previous letter to fans that they think it will be our best [season] yet," also shared that the series' final scene has been solidified for years.

Weve always known from the beginning what the last scene would be if we would be lucky enough to get it that far, Josh said in February 2023.

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.

Outer Banks seasons 1-4 can be streamed on Netflix.



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Multigenerational firm rooted in Central Louisiana moves from LPL to leverage Cetera's succession planning, marketing, and other growth resources for the firm's next-gen advisors



DALLAS, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cetera welcomes wealth management advisors Anne M. Oestriecher, CPA, CFP, Christopher Daigrepont, and William Whisenant, who together oversee approximately $154 million in assets under administration* at their firm, Oestriecher Financial Management Services (OFMS), in Alexandria, Louisiana. The firm moved from LPL to Cetera seeking a broker-dealer experienced in tax-centric financial planning, and that offers robust marketing and growth resources for advisors, which they found with Cetera's community of tax-focused financial professionals  Avantax.

Oestriecher Financial Management Services Advisors Christopher Daigrepont, Anne Oestriecher and William Whisenant

Founded in 1999 as an extension of the accounting practice established by Anne Oestriecher's father, Emile P. "Mr. O" Oestriecher III, CPA, OFMS has become known in Central Louisiana for building trusted, multigenerational client relationships. The firm was affiliated with HD Vest, a predecessor company of Avantax, for 20 years. Anne Oestriecher, who joined her father in the business in 2009 after a 25-year career in public accounting, has helped clients with retirement planning, estate planning, and financial planning that integrates tax considerations at every stage.

The firm decided to move from LPL to Cetera to help ensure its next-gen advisors have the growth support they need as Oestriecher plans to transition firm ownership to its third generation of leadership. She praised Whisenant, her nephew by marriage, and Daigrepont for their fresh perspectives and commitment to the Alexandria community.

"Chris and Will have been deeply involved in the firm for years, and like me, they're both from Alexandria. They're involved in our community and are going to be here for the long haul, which is really important to the families and businesses we serve," Oestriecher said. "As I move into an advisory capacity, Chris and Will are eager to take our firm into its next stage of growth. To do that, I wanted them with a broker-dealer that understands the advantages of tax-centric planning, and one that is geared to support growth like Cetera can with its GrowthLine program  that kind of marketing expertise was huge in our decision to join Cetera."

Oestriecher said the firm will remain committed to its full-service approach to tax-focused financial planning and wealth management, saying, "We have always embraced a team-focused approach, and that philosophy will remain unchanged as we move into this new generation of ownership. Like our firm, Cetera and Avantax emphasize tax-intelligent financial planning, and this alignment presents exciting new opportunities to deliver top-notch client service and real-world financial planning solutions of exceptional quality."

Avantax Community Leader Clint Brookshire, a friend of the Oestriecher family since 2003, welcomed the firm saying: "We are deeply honored to welcome Anne, Chris, Will and the entire OFMS team to Avantax. Their legacy of client trust, combined with the energy and expertise of the next generation, is exactly the kind of business we're built to support. Avantax's tax-intelligent solutions backed by Cetera's growth resources will help Chris and Will grow the firm into a family-focused practice that will carry the Oestriecher legacy onward."

Tax and financial professionals can learn more about Avantax by clicking here: https://www.avantax.com.

About Avantax

Avantax, a unique community within Cetera Wealth Services, LLC, delivers tax-intelligent wealth management solutions for financial professionals, tax professionals and CPA firms, supporting its goal of minimizing clients' tax burdens through comprehensive tax-intelligent financial planning. For additional information, please visit www.avantax.com.

About Cetera

Cetera Financial Group (Cetera) is the premier financial advisor Wealth Hub, empowering independent advisors and institutions with personalized support, flexible affiliation models, and end-to-end growth solutions. Home to approximately 12,000 advisors and institutions, Cetera's multi-channel ecosystem enables financial professionals to grow, scale or transition their businesses on their own terms.

Unlike traditional IBDs, Cetera offers true choice  blending modern technology, integrated wealth solutions, and a community-driven culture. Cetera's five-channel model and commitment to long-term advisor value provide a scalable blueprint for consistent, repeatable growth.

As of June 30, 2025, Cetera firms manage more than $590 billion in assets under administration and $263 billion in assets under management. Its award-winning Voice of the Customer program has captured more than 40,000 advisor reviews, with over 35,000 five-star ratings, giving Cetera a 4.8 out of 5 satisfaction score.

Learn more at www.cetera.com and follow Cetera on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and X.

Cetera refers to the network of independent retail firms encompassing, among others, those that are members FINRA/SIPC: Cetera Advisors LLC, Cetera Wealth Services, LLC (f/k/a Cetera Advisor Networks), Cetera Investment Services LLC (marketed as Cetera Financial Institutions or Cetera Investors), and Cetera Financial Specialists LLC; and a Securities and Exchange Commission registered investment adviser: Cetera Investment Advisers LLC, located at 655 W. Broadway, 11th Floor, San Diego, CA 92101.

Cetera exclusively provides investment products and services through its representatives. Although Cetera does not provide tax or legal advice, or supervise tax, accounting or legal services, Cetera representatives may offer these services through their independent outside business. This information is not intended as tax or legal advice.

*Value approximated based on information provided to Cetera for asset holdings as of June 26, 2025.

SOURCE Cetera Financial Group
GrandTV/Youtube Miss Panama Isamar Herrera at Miss Grand International pageant.

NEED TO KNOW

A pageant contestant has gone viral after she mistakenly believed she was named a finalist at the Miss Grand International competition on Saturday, Oct. 18 in Bangkok

In footage from the event, Miss Panama Isamar Herrera can be seen celebrating and walking up toward the other finalists, despite the fact that the emcee said Miss Paraguay Cecilia Romero

Per her recent Instagram activity, Herrera seems to be taking the widespread attention in stride

An awkward moment at an international pageant has gone viral after one contestant mistakenly believed she was named a finalist.

The Miss Grand International competition was hosted in Bangkok on Saturday, Oct. 18, and finalists were named about midway through the event. Host Matthew Deane called out each successful contestant by their title; however, Miss Panama Isamar Herrera appeared to mishear her own country being called over the speaker.

Despite the emcee naming Miss Paraguay Cecilia Romero as one of the women who made the cut, Herrera could be seen shaking her fists and clapping as she walked to the center of the stage. She smiled broadly before proceeding down the catwalk to stand with the other finalists.

Isamar Herrera/Instagram Miss Panama Isamar Herrera.

After a prolonged pause, during which Herrera held her pose, Deane corrected the confusion and said, "Uh, I beg your pardon. I announced Miss Grand Paraguay."

In a possible attempt to explain the situation, he added, "There is a lot of noise in this hall packed full with fans from all over the world." Meanwhile, the Panama representative walked back to the larger group as Paraguay's Romero took her place amongst the other finalists.

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.

Despite her widely viewed slip-up, Herrera has seemingly taken the attention in good humor. On Wednesday, Oct. 22, she reposted a screen-recording of the moment's widespread media coverage on her Instagram Stories, adding giggling emojis.

She also reshared a post with a quote that read, "The fact that you're handling things better than before is already a huge step forward. Give yourself credit. Life is evolution, not perfection."

While she didn't explicitly connect the sentiment with her on-stage blunder, she wrote in overlaying text, "I love how things take their course beautifully effortlessly and in the end it all turns out better than I imagined."



Read the original article on People
Three popular Coca-Cola sodas have been recalled due to potential metal contamination, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced on Oct. 20.

The FDA said the recall of select Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Coca-Cola, and Sprite cans was classified as a Class II recall. The risk classification from the federal agency indicates that the recalled products could cause "temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences" but that the chances of serious adverse health consequences are "remote."

The recall, initiated by bottler Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages on Oct. 3, covers over 4,000 cans of soda distributed in Texas. The FDA did not provide guidance on what to do with the recalled products, and Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages did not issue a news release with the recall.

USA TODAY reached out to the Coca-Cola Company and Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages for comment on Oct. 22 and did not receive an immediate response.

See the 'risky foods' linked to US recalls and illness outbreaks Consumer Reports, the nonprofit known for testing and monitoring consumer-facing policy and products, released its annual risky food report in April, naming the 10 foods of 2024 that were subject to the most recalls and/or associated with the largest illness outbreaks. USA TODAY broke it down further on a what-you-need-to-know basis.

What products are included in the Coca-Cola Texas recall?

The Coca-Cola recall covers:

Product Package size Product codes Coca-Cola Zero Sugar 12oz Can 12 pack 49000042559 / FEB0226MAA Coca-Cola Zero Sugar 12oz Can 35 pack 49000058499 / FEB0226MAA Coca-Cola 12oz Can 24 pack 49000012781 / JUN2926MAA Coca-Cola 12oz Can 35 pack 49000058468 / JUN2926MAA Sprite 12oz Can 35 pack 49000058482 / JUN2926MAA Sprite 12oz Can 12 pack 49000028928 / JUN2926MAA Sprite 12oz Can 12 pack 49000028928 / JUN3026MAB

Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, part of international beverage bottler Arca Continental, serves Texas as well as parts of Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arkansas. As of Oct. 22, only products distributed to Texas are covered under the recall.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Coca-Cola sodas recalled due to potential metal contamination
A general view shows the oil refinery of the Lukoil company in Volgograd, Russia April 22, 2022. Picture taken April 22, 2022. Picture taken with a drone. REUTERS/REUTERS PHOTOGRAPHER

A general view shows the oil refinery of the Lukoil company in Volgograd, Russia April 22, 2022. Picture taken April 22, 2022. Picture taken with a drone. REUTERS/REUTERS PHOTOGRAPHER

By Andrew Osborn, Jeff Mason and Timothy Gardner

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin remained defiant on Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump hit Russia's two biggest oil companies with sanctions to pressure the Kremlin leader to end the war in Ukraine, a move that pushed global oil prices up 5%.

The U.S. sanctions prompted Chinese state oil majors to suspend Russian oil purchases in the short term, trade sources told Reuters. Refiners in India, the largest buyer of seaborne Russian oil, are set to sharply cut their crude imports, according to industry sources.

The sanctions target oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil, which together account for more than 5% of global oil output, and mark a dramatic U-turn by Trump, who said only last week that he and Putin would soon hold a summit in Budapest to try to end the war in Ukraine.

While the financial impact on Russia may be limited in the short term, the move is a powerful signal of Trump's intent to squeeze Russia's finances and force the Kremlin towards a peace deal in its 3-1/2-year-old full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Putin derided the sanctions as an unfriendly act, saying they would not significantly affect the Russian economy and talked up Russia's importance to the global market. He warned a sharp supply drop would push up prices and be uncomfortable for countries like the United States.

"This is, of course, an attempt to put pressure on Russia," Putin said. "But no self-respecting country and no self-respecting people ever decides anything under pressure."

With Ukraine asking U.S. and European allies for long-range missiles to help turn the tide in the war, Putin also warned that Moscow's response to strikes deep into Russia would be "very serious, if not overwhelming".

TRUMP'S LATEST ABOUT-FACE

Trump, in his latest about-face on the conflict, said on Wednesday that the planned Putin summit was off because it would not achieve the outcome he wanted and complained that his many "good conversations" with Putin did not "go anywhere".

"We cancelled the meeting with President Putin  it just didn't feel right to me," Trump told reporters at the White House. "It didnt feel like we were going to get to the place we have to get. So I cancelled it, but well do it in the future."

Putin said Trump most likely meant the summit had been postponed. The two leaders met in Alaska in August.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told a media briefing on Thursday a future summit was not completely off the table, but Trump wanted to make sure it was good use of his time.

"The President and the entire administration hopes that one day that could happen again, but we want to make sure that there's a tangible positive outcome," she said.

Leavitt described the sanctions as "pretty hefty," referring to media reports that China was scaling back Russian oil purchases and saying India had done the same at Trump's request, while he had also pushed European countries to stop purchases too.

"So it's full court press for sure, and we expect that these sanctions are going to do harm," she said.

Russia has signalled that its conditions for ending the war in Ukraine - terms which Kyiv and many European countries regard as tantamount to surrender - remain unchanged.

The conflict raged on as European Union leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met in Brussels on Thursday to discuss funding for Ukraine, with momentum building to use frozen Russian assets to provide a 140 billion euro ($163 billion) loan to Kyiv.

Moscow said it would deliver a "painful response" if the assets were seized.

ZELENSKIY URGES MORE PRESSURE ON MOSCOW

Ukraine's Zelenskiy hailed the sanctions as "very important" but that more pressure would be needed on Moscow to get it to agree to a ceasefire.

Some analysts say that the new sanctions could force Russia to further discount its oil on world markets to offset the perceived risk of U.S. secondary sanctions, but that pain could in turn be mitigated if global oil prices rise.

After the August summit with Putin, Trump dropped his demand for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and embraced Moscow's preferred option of going straight to negotiating an overall peace settlement.

But in recent days he has reverted to the idea of an immediate ceasefire, something that Kyiv supports but which Moscow, whose forces are steadily edging forward on the battlefield, has repeatedly made clear it has no interest in.

Russia has said it opposes a ceasefire because it believes it would only be a temporary pause before fighting resumes, giving Ukraine time and space to rearm at a time when Moscow says it has the initiative on the battlefield.

EU TARGETS RUSSIAN LNG

In another bid to starve Moscow of revenue, the European Union adopted its 19th package of Russia sanctions on Thursday, banning Russian liquefied natural gas imports and targeting entities including Chinese refiners and Central Asian banks.

The EU has reduced its reliance on once-dominant supplier Russia by roughly 90% since 2022, when the current conflict began, but nonetheless imported more than 11 billion euros of Russian energy in the first eight months of this year. LNG now represents the biggest EU import of Russian energy.

Russian oil and gas revenue, currently down by 21% year-on-year, accounts for around one-quarter of its budget and is the most important source of cash for Moscow's war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year.

However, Moscow's main revenue source comes from taxing output, not exports, which is likely to soften the immediate impact of the sanctions on state finances.

($1 = 0.8575 euros)

(Reporting by Reuters; Additional reporting by Gleb Bryanski and Steve Holland; Writing by Andrew Osborn, Matthias Williams and David Brunnstrom; Editing by Alex Richardson and Cynthia Osterman)
Getty King Charles and Queen Camilla at the Vatican on October 23, 2025

The Gist

King Charles and Queen Camilla visited the Vatican on October 23 to take part in a historic visit.

On Thursday, the King prayed alongside the Pope in public, the first time a British monarch has done so since the Reformation.

For the occasion, Camilla wore two symbolic pieces of jewelry that paid tribute to both her husband and her late mother-in-law Queen Elizabeth.

King Charles and Queen Camilla are currently undertaking a historic visit to the Vatican to meet with Pope Leo, where the King will pray alongside the Pope on October 23the first time a British monarch has prayed with a Pope in public since the Reformation in the 16th century.

The Queenwho, like many royal women, send subtle messages through their clothes and jewelrydid just that on Thursday, wearing two significant accessories that honored two monarchs, both her husband and her late mother-in-law Queen Elizabeth.

Getty Queen Camilla on October 23, 2025

Wearing a black silk dress by Fiona Clare and a Philip Treacy mantilla, Camilla wore the Raspberry Pip Brooch that was once a part of Queen Elizabeths jewelry collection, Tatler reported. Interestingly, it was never worn in public by the late Queen, but Camilla often wears it as a tribute to Her late Majesty, who died in 2022. The piece is designed in the shape of a Georgian cross, is set with topaz and diamonds, and is valued at an estimated $53,000, per The Daily Express.

Getty Queen Camilla at the Vatican

Camilla paired the brooch with an Edwardian pearl necklace that has a romantic link to Charles, Tatler reported. The necklacewhich features a diamond claspwas previously worn by Camilla for her 14th anniversary photo with Charles in 2019, as seen in a photograph taken by Alexi Lubomirski. She also wore the necklace to Royal Ascot in 2016 and to the State Opening of Parliament in 2022.



Getty Queen Camilla wearing a symbolic brooch and necklace

The Queens decision to wear black is an interesting one and one that follows royal protocol. When meeting the Pope, women traditionally wear a modest black dress with sleeves, as well as a black mantilla, which Hello! described as a lace or silk veil or shawl worn over the head. The only exception to the black dress code rule is for certain female royals who have what is known as le privilege du blanc, which translates to the privilege of the white, a custom of the Catholic church that allows queens or princesses from Catholic countries to wear white during an audience with the Pope.

Getty King Charles, Pope Leo, and Queen Camilla

Getty Queen Camilla visiting the Pope alongside King Charles

Only seven royal women are granted this privilege, and Camilla is not among themthey are Queen Letizia of Spain, Princess Charlene of Monaco, Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Grand Duchess Stephanie of Luxembourg, and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg, as well as two former queens, Queen Paolo of Belgium and Queen Sofia of Spain, according to Hello!.

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This past weekend, a so-called sneaker wave washed 43-year old Caroline Moses of Corvallis, Oregon out to sea, prompting a massive search. Tragically, Moses was eventually found dead.

Sneaker waves will continue to be a threat along the coast of the Northwest this week into this weekend, and while they aren't talked about as often as rip currents, past history shows they can be just as much of an unsuspecting danger for beachgoers.

What are Sneaker Waves?

Sneaker waves are waves that occur due to constructive interference, in which multiple smaller waves stack on one other, causing one larger wave. Sneaker waves can occur at any beach, but the cold waters and rugged coastline along the West Coast make them especially concerning in that region.

In a nutshell, sneaker waves are waves that can surge up a beach farther than most on a given day. The best way to think about this: There can be 10 to 20 minutes of smaller waves, but then a larger sneaker wave arrives and surges up the beach, according to the National Weather Service.

That's where the term sneaker wave comes from, since they can sneak up on unsuspecting beachgoers, sometimes surging up to 150 feet onto a dry beach.

Sneaker Waves Forecast To Persist Through Mid-Week

Locations from coastal Oregon, Washington, and California, as far south as Central California, are facing a threat of sneaker waves into at least Wednesday, according to National Weather Service forecasters.

The threat for Sneaker Waves could even persist into the weekend, particularly for the Pacific Northwest.

The culprit for this sneaker wave threat is a parade of storms tracking from British Columbia up through the Gulf of Alaska.

Sometimes, the beaches where sneaker waves are a threat might be enjoying pleasant weather since the storms responsible for generating the swells can be a large distance away from the West Coast.

How Dangerous Are Sneaker Waves?

Since 2012, there have been over two dozen deaths blamed on sneaker waves along the West Coast, according to a NOAA database. The most recent fatality being on October 19th.

The waves can knock people down and sweep them into the cold Pacific Ocean waters with little advance notice. The cold, rough waters can cause hypothermia and even drowning.

Sneaker waves can also cause logs on the beach to roll and knock people down or even pin them.

Before heading to the beach, you should always find out if sneaker waves and/or rip currents are a threat.

You should also never turn your back on the ocean and stay far from the water if sneaker waves are a threat. That's because, as mentioned earlier, the waves can run up to 150 feet up a dry beach.

Hayden Marshall is a meteorologist intern and First-Year Master's Student at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He has been following weather content over the past three years as a Storm Spotter and weather enthusiast. He can be found on Instagram and Linkedin.
Business Insider's reporter tried out a sleeper cabin on a train in Europe traveling from Vienna to Venice, Italy. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I booked a shared sleeper cabin on an overnight train from Austria to Italy in October 2022.

I thought a sleeper train would be the best way to maximize my days while exploring Europe.

A few surprises along the way, such as a lack of privacy and a restless night, changed my mind.

When I decided to squeeze four countries into a two-week backpacking trip to Europe, traveling by overnight train seemed like the right move.

It was my first time visiting Germany, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland, so I wanted to have as many daylight hours in each place as possible. That's why I took an 11-hour train ride from Vienna to Venice, Italy.

And sharing a sleeper cabin with strangers also helped me do it on a budget.

My ticket, which cost $84, included a bunk in a shared cabin and a light breakfast. I was excited to move through the night and spend my days adventuring.

But a few surprises along the way made me think that, ultimately, this ride wasn't worth the time saved.

I traveled from Austria to Italy on the OBB Nightjet, a train that operates overnight routes between Austria, Italy, France, and the Netherlands.

A Nightjet sleeper car arrives in Venice, Italy, in 2022. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

OBB Nightjet trains travel overnight to more than 25 European cities, from Rome to Amsterdam, and can go as fast as 143 mph.

Nightjet trains have seating carriages, as well as sleeper cars with private cabins and bunks of three, four, or six. I booked the latter. Some routes also have private cabins, but mine didn't.

When I arrived at the Vienna train station, I paid $10 to access the OBB Lounge. I was surprised that it was empty aside from me  a stark contrast to the crowded station where I couldn't find a seat.

An empty OBB Lounge at Wein Miedling Station in 2022. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

My journey began in Austria's Wien Meidling train station. I arrived 90 minutes before my 9:35 p.m. train, and the waiting areas were so crowded that I couldn't find a single empty seat. Then, I noticed a lounge for OBB guests.

The lounge is free for first-class OBB passengers traveling during the day and costs about $10 for all other OBB passengers who pay to access it, which is what I did.

Since I thought the fee was inexpensive and the station was so packed, I was surprised to find no other travelers inside.

The lounge had plenty of tables and chairs, as well as complimentary refreshments such as coffee, nuts, and seeds. The selection was smaller than I'd seen at Amtrak's Metropolitan Lounge, which I've visited in New York, but I wasn't hungry, so I just got a water bottle and settled into a chair to wait until it was time to board my train.

When I went to the platform, I didn't expect boarding the correct train to be so confusing.

From left: A platform where the train takes off in Austria and car two on a Nightjet train stopped in Venice, Italy. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I went to the platform about 20 minutes before my train's scheduled departure. My stomach dropped when the screen said my train was going to Zurich. Did I book the wrong train?

Thankfully, I didn't. At the information desk, I learned that the train's cars detach at various stations to go to different locations. I had to board my assigned train car to reach my ticketed final destination; each car had a number.

When my train arrived, I didn't have time to check the train-car number before boarding. So I went to the closest car and asked an attendant to guide me to my car and room.

I knew my cabin would be small, but once on board, I was still shocked when I saw it for the first time.

Inside the author's shared Nightjet cabin. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

According to OBB Nightjet, my cabin was built to fit six people inside a 74-square-foot space.

I expected it to be a tight space, but seeing it in person made me realize that 74 square feet is smaller than I thought.

One traveler was already there when I boarded, and two others arrived within an hour. Those two got off around 5 a.m., and the other stayed past my stop. We said hello to each other upon arrival, but other than that, the room was quiet. Some of us were on devices, while others slept.

I was surprised by how little personal space I had, even when it was still just one other passenger and me. I couldn't imagine six people squeezing in there, and I was grateful we weren't booked to the max.

But I still felt cramped when there were four of us, especially with everyone's luggage around.

I expected each bunk to have a curtain for privacy, but the beds were completely exposed.

The author felt she had no privacy without curtains on each bunk. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Since the space was shared, I hoped to find curtains at the front of each bunk to ensure privacy, but there was nothing to block the space between me and other passengers.

This made me feel more uncomfortable than I expected. While another traveler changed their clothes in front of me inside the room, I preferred to change in private, so I used the shared bathroom at the end of the sleeper car.

I didn't think I'd have to wake up other passengers to use the bathroom. But the room's lock was only accessible from a top bunk where someone was sleeping.

The author didn't have access to the door lock Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The bunks were available on a first-come, first-served basis. I opted for a bottom bunk since I'd previously found top bunks on other trains bumpier through the night.

But I didn't realize that the person on the top bunk would be the unofficial controller of the door lock since it was only accessible from their bed.

When I went to the bathroom to wash up and change around 10:30 p.m., the top-bunk passenger had just arrived and was still awake. But at around 2 a.m., I found myself lying awake with a full bladder because I didn't want to disturb her. Eventually, I couldn't hold it anymore and reluctantly woke her up.

It was a little awkward, and I felt bad for disrupting her sleep. The whole experience made me think I may have preferred the top bunk anyway. I'd rather have someone wake me than wake someone else up.

I thought I'd get a decent amount of rest in the sleeper cabin with a lie-flat bed, but the ride was so bumpy and uncomfortable that I struggled to fall asleep.

The author watches TV on an overnight train from Vienna to Venice, Italy, in 2022. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Since I had a lie-flat bed in the cabin, as well as bed sheets and a pillow provided by the train, I thought I'd be able to sleep soundly.

But when bedtime came around, I was surprised to find the bed and bedding didn't matter much.

I found the bed uncomfortable. I only got a couple of hours of sleep and woke up several times during the night due to other travelers entering and exiting the room or the bumpiness of the train. For most of the night, I watched TV on my iPad since I had such a hard time sleeping.

"Offering our passengers a high level of travel comfort is an important concern for us," a representative for OBB Nightjet told Business Insider.

An OBB Nightjet train. Nightjet -  OBB/Harald Eisenberger

The statement continued, "We are constantly working on improvements to our product and also take into account the requirements of our customers."

In 2023, Nightjet upgraded its overnight trains with more spacious shared sleeper cabins and new bunks.

When I arrived in Venice, I realized I had been wrong about my expectations for a shared sleeper cabin. I didn't feel rested, which was the entire reason I booked it.

Left to right: The author before and after having coffee during her first morning in Venice. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

When I got off the train in Venice, I was exhausted from the lack of sleep. I thought it made my first day in the city less enjoyable, which was perhaps the most surprising element of my ride since the entire reason I booked this train was to feel rested.

These surprises taught me that a shared cabin on an overnight train isn't the right choice for me.

While sometimes it's about the journey, not the destination, in this case, I'd rather arrive feeling refreshed so I can enjoy where I'm going.

A year after my trip, I booked another overnight ride in a Nightjet private cabin. It was worth the upgrade.

Inside a private cabin on a Nightjet train. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I learned my lesson during that shared cabin ride. So, when I went back to Europe in November 2023, I booked the train line's top-tier accommodation for an overnight trip from Venice to Vienna  a private cabin.

It was worth the $200 price tag for a private, 30-square-foot space with a vanity, wash basin, and storage space. I slept like a baby.

From now on, I'll only book private cabins for overnight train rides.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Workers picket in front of a Starbucks outlet in New York City, U.S., October 1, 2025. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

(Reuters) -Starbucks baristas' union said on Thursday it would vote on whether to authorize an unfair labor practice strike at unionized locations to demand that the company return to the negotiating table.

Contract talks between the coffee-chain giant and the union, which represents more than 12,000 baristas, began last year, but have hit an impasse.

"If they're ready to come back, we're ready to talk. Any agreement needs to reflect the reality that Starbucks already offers the best job in retail," Jaci Anderson, Starbucks' director of corporate communications told Reuters.

Last week, New York City's Comptroller and other Starbucks shareholders wrote to the company to resume talks with its workers' union.

The Starbucks Workers United union said the voting will begin on Friday and baristas were preparing to strike in about 60 cities, as they demand a contract that reflects "improved staffing, better pay and on-the-job protections."

Union workers represent a small fraction of the company's U.S. store staff but the voting comes ahead of the crucial holiday season amid CEO Brian Niccol's turnaround efforts.

During the holiday season last year, unionized Starbucks baristas went on a five-day strike, which closed some cafes in Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle, although the company said there was no significant impact to store operations at the time.

In April, union delegates voted to reject Starbucks' proposal that guaranteed annual raises of at least 2%, which the Workers United said did not offer changes to economic benefits such as healthcare or any immediate pay hike.

Hourly workers at Starbucks currently earn an average of $30 per hour, while benefits include college tuition paid for upfront and healthcare, a Starbucks spokesperson told Reuters.

There are over 650 unionized Starbucks stores currently in the U.S., according to the union's website, up from about 525 in December last year.

(Reporting by Juveria Tabassum in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)
WASHINGTON  The Supreme Courts three liberal justices on Oct. 23 condemned what they called the intense psychological torment a death row inmate will face when he becomes the eighth man executed with the controversial method of nitrogen hypoxia.

Dissenting from the majoritys denial of Anthony Todd Boyds request for a stay of execution, Justice Sonia Sotomayor asked people to imagine what it would be like to convulse and gasp for air while nitrogen gas is being pumped through a face mask.

The bodys instinctual urge to breath kicks in but the mind understands that breathing results in death, Sotomayor wrote in an opinion joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson.

Boyd asks for the barest form of mercy: to die by firing squad, which would kill him in seconds, rather than by a tortuous suffocation lasting up to four minutes, she wrote. The Constitution would grant him that grace. My colleagues do not.

Boyd is being executed in Alabama on Oct. 23 for the 1993 murder of a man named Gregory Huguley, who was taped up and burned alive over a $200 cocaine debt, according to court documents.

More: Inmate set for nitrogen gas execution begs to meet with governor: 'Do the right thing'

Anthony Boyd, sentenced for murder on May 19, 1995

In the days leading up to the execution, Boyd pleaded to meet with Republican Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, saying in a taped message at a news conference that he's innocent.

"Please come sit down and talk to me before this execution is carried out, before an innocent man is executed ... and have a conversation with the guy that you deemed one of the worst of the worst," he said, adding that he had nothing to do with the crime. "Do the right thing and stop this execution."

Alabama made history when it conducted the first execution by nitrogen gas in the U.S. in January 2024.

`The world is watching' Supreme Court liberals criticize go-ahead for new execution method

Together, Alabama and Louisiana have executed seven people using the method, which Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has defended as constitutional and effective.

Sotomayor said the method violates the Constitutions ban against cruel and unusual punishment.

Theres a significant constitutional difference, she wrote, between the three to six seconds of physical pain and terror of being executed by firing squad and two to seven minutes of conscious suffocation with its associated psychological pain and terror.

Contributing: Amanda Lee Myers

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Supreme Court liberals condemn execution by nitrogen gas
A North Carolina man with a lengthy criminal history was indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury in the fatal stabbing of a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee on a Charlotte train, on a charge that carries the possibility of the death penalty.

Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, was charged in U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina with violence against a railroad carrier and mass transportation system resulting in death.

The grand jury found that Brown intentionally killed Iryna Zarutska in the Aug. 22 attack on a Charlotte Area Transit System train, the federal indictment states. The charge makes him eligible for the death penalty.

Lauren O. Newton, an attorney representing the victim's family, said in a statement Thursday that they are pleased with the indictment and we look forward to swift justice for Iryna.

Iryna Zarutska. (via GoFundMe)

Browns attorneys said Thursday, We dont have any comment at this time.

Zarutska boarded the LYNX blue line train at 9:46 p.m. and sat in the empty seat in front of Brown, according to video and a federal complaint.

The complaint said that Brown pulled a knife out of his pocket, unfolded it and struck Zarutska three times from behind. Brown then walked away, the complaint stated.

Zarutska, who was on her way home, died at the scene, according to Newton.

Her phones location alerted them that she was still at the station, Newton previously said in a statement. Upon arriving at the station, they were devastated to learn that Iryna had died at the scene.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said Zarutska was found in the rear car of the train near a large amount of blood, according to the federal complaint. A pocketknife and red shirt soaked in what investigators believed to be blood were found at the scene, the complaint said.

Brown was arrested on the outbound LYNX blue line platform at the station where the stabbing was reported. In September, he was charged with a federal count of committing an act causing death on a mass transportation system. Local police charged him with first-degree murder.

Zarutskas family said she had recently moved to the United States from Ukraine to escape the war with Russia. She was living with her partner and was taking community college courses to help improve her English.

After getting her work permit, she started helping at a senior citizens center and pizza store and took care of neighborhood animals, James Barnacle, deputy assistant director of the FBIs Criminal Division, said at a September news conference.

Iryna came here to find peace and safety, and instead her life was stolen from her in the most horrific way, her family previously said in a statement.

Her death drew national attention and criticism from politicians on the right. Attorney General Pam Bondi had said in a statement that Zarutskas death was a direct result of failed soft-on-crime policies that put criminals before innocent people.

Browns criminal history is more than a decade long and includes felony breaking and entering and robbery with a dangerous weapon, court records show. He served five years in prison for the robbery charge, according to the court records.

On Oct. 3, North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein announced his decision to sign Irynas Law that alerts the judiciary to take a special look at people who may pose unusual risks of violence before determining their bail.

"We can and must do more to keep people safe," he said in a video message.
Pasadena Police Department; KHOU 11/Youtube Alina Gonzalez-Morelos's mugshot, the scene of the crime

NEED TO KNOW

Alina Gonzalez-Morelos voluntarily turned herself in and confessed to hitting her husband, Leonardo Mendoza, with her SUV, according to police

Gonzalez-Morelos allegedly told police that she was drunk at the time of the attack and meant to "hit but not kill" Mendoza

The wife and mother is now facing a murder charge after Mendoza was taken to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries

A Texas woman reportedly confessed to killing her husband by hitting him with her SUV.

Pasadena Police shared in a Monday, Oct. 20 press release that Alina Gonzalez-Morelos was charged with murder in the death of her husband, Leonardo Mendoza.

The incident occurred in the early morning hours of Sunday, Oct. 19, when Mendoza was seen walking on Red Bluff Road in Pasadena, Texas. Police were dispatched at 3:28 a.m. after a call from an eyewitness who saw Mendoza, 42, being hit.

"[The witness] stated that he had seen a black Tahoe exit the roadway, jump the curb, and strike the male that was walking through the parking lot, Pasadena Police Officer Darby Slack told ABC13. The vehicle left the scene.

Police shared in the release that Mendoza was taken to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

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.

KHOU 11/Youtube The scene of the crime

Slack told ABC13 that Gonzalez-Morelos came in voluntarily and confessed" to the crime. The wife and mother allegedly told police that she had come home from a party and was drunk at the time of the attack, telling investigators that she meant to hit, but not kill her husband, per the outlet.

"As far as we know, there were just some marital issues going on, Slack said of the couple. She'd come home around 2 o'clock that morning. The children overheard them having an argument inside of the room. He exited, and she followed.

Pasadena Police Department Alina Gonzalez-Morelos' mugshot

Gonzalez-Morelos appeared in Harris County Court on Oct. 20, where she faced a murder charge. She remained in Harris County Jail as of Tuesday, Oct. 21.

PEOPLE has reached out to the Pasadena Police Department for updates on the case.

Read the original article on People
NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Donnelley Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: DFIN) ("DFIN" or the "Company") today confirmed the successful completion of the previously announced termination of its primary defined benefit pension plan (the "Plan"), which had been frozen since 2011. The process, which began in 2024, was completed in the third quarter of 2025, at which time the Company settled the Plan obligations through a combination of lump sum payments to certain Plan participants and the purchase of a non-participating irrevocable group annuity contract from a third-party insurer, backed by state guarantees (the "Plan Settlement").

In connection with the Plan Settlement, the Company made a cash contribution of $12.5 million to fully fund the Plan during the third quarter of 2025. As a result of the Plan Settlement, the Company remeasured the Plan's assets and obligations and will recognize a pre-tax non-cash settlement charge of approximately $83 million in its third quarter 2025 results, due to the recognition of unrealized accumulated Plan losses previously reported within accumulated other comprehensive loss on the Company's balance sheet. The Plan Settlement results in the removal of a net liability of approximately $10 million (approximately $200 million of Plan obligations and approximately $190 million of Plan assets) from the Company's balance sheet.

"This transaction reflects our continued commitment to prudent financial management and delivering long-term value to our shareholders," said Dave Gardella, Chief Financial Officer. "By fully funding the Plan and partnering with a trusted insurer, we've secured future benefits for Plan participants while reducing risk and further enhancing our financial flexibility."

About DFIN

DFIN is the leading global provider of compliance and regulatory software and services, fueling end-to-end investment company regulatory compliance needs, complex capital markets transactions, and essential financial reporting at every stage of the corporate lifecycle. Our mission is simple: to empower clients with the software and support they need to stay ahead of public company filings, investment company filings, private reporting, and beneficial owner reporting, while enhancing workflow efficiency. We bring deep expertise to every engagement, driving transparency and collaboration built on confidence and reliability. Learn more at DFINsolutions.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

SOURCE Donnelley Financial LLC
President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he "felt it was time" to hit Russia with tougher sanctions, a major escalation amid his latest push to pressure Vladimir Putin into ending his war on Ukraine.

"Today is a very big day in terms of what we're doing. These are tremendous sanctions. These are very big," Trump said as he met with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office. "They're against their two big oil companies, and we hope that they won't be on for long. We hope that the war will be settled."

"I just felt it was time. We've waited a long time," Trump said when asked why he was taking action now after months of threats and delays.

Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, October 22, 2025.

The Treasury Department said the new economic penalties will target Russias two largest oil companies, Open Joint Stock Company Rosneft Oil Company and Lukoil OAO, as well as their subsidiaries.

Rosneft and Lukoil are estimated to account for nearly half of all Russian oil production.

Dmitry Kostyukov/AFP via Getty Images, FILE - PHOTO: In this May 17, 2011, file photo, the Kremlin is reflected in the polished company plate of the state-controlled Russian oil giant Rosneft at the entrance of the headquarters in Moscow.

Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire,"Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement. "Given President Putins refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russias two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlins war machine. Treasury is prepared to take further action if necessary to support President Trumps effort to end yet another war. We encourage our allies to join us in and adhere to these sanctions."

Bessent earlier Wednesday hinted the action was imminent, telling reporters there would be a "substantial pickup" in sanctions against Russia.

Kevin Lamarque/Reuters - PHOTO: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks with reporters outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, October 22, 2025.

The sanctions come after Trump reversed course and said he called off a second summit with Russia's president that had been expected to take place in Hungary in the coming weeks. The Kremlin said there was never a date set for a summit.

Trump said on Wednesday he canceled the meeting because "it didn't feel right to me."

"It didn't feel like we were going to get to the place we have to get," Trump said, though he added they would do it sometime "in the future" and maintained he still believed Putin wanted peace.

Russian aerial strike on Ukraine kills 6, including 2 children, as kindergarten hit, Kyiv says

NATO's Rutte, sitting alongside Trump, said the sanctions boost pressure on Putin to come to the table and negotiate.

"It's all about changing the calculus, making sure that Putin understands that the president's vision this weekend of having a ceasefire -- stop where they are, as you literally said -- that this has to be step one now, and for him to really accept that vision and to come to the table and then you have to put pressure. And this is exactly what you did today," Rutte said.

The announcement Wednesday means that Russia's four largest oil companies have now been hit by U.S. sanctions.

In January, the Biden administration imposed sanctions on Russian oil companies Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas -- but held off imposing penalties on Rosneft and Lukoil over concerns that it could drive up global energy prices.

According to experts, Rosneft and Lukoil, the companies targeted Wednesday, are two of the worlds biggest energy companies, and together export 3.1 million barrels of oil per day. Rosneft alone is responsible for 6% of global and nearly half of all Russian oil production.

A number of Russian-based subsidiaries majority-owned by Rosneft and Lukoil have also been sanctioned under the move.

The sanctions announced Wednesday mark the first against Russia since President Trump entered office in January.
Oil pump jacks outside Almetyevsk, Russia, on July 14. - Anadolu/Getty Images

After nine months of attempting to coax Russia into concessions using only incentives  whether by holding talks on repairing diplomatic relations or hosting a major bilateral summit on US soil  the Trump administration in an unexpected reversal announced massive sanctions Wednesday on Moscows two biggest oil producers.

Just one week earlier, President Donald Trump had backed away from supplying long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine after a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who secured an invitation to a second bilateral summit, this time in Budapest.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, among the more hawkish members of Trumps Cabinet regarding Ukraine, was tasked with preparing that summit. But Russias uncompromising insistence on addressing what it sees as the root causes of the conflict finally hit home at the White House. Trump didnt want to waste time at another summit, he said Wednesday, though he left the door open, suggesting that well do it in the future.

Will this dent Russias war machine?

Trumps frustration with Russia had clearly been growing in recent months, as it became clear that his much-touted Alaska summit had failed to stop escalating violence in Ukraine. He even shifted his position on Ukrainian strikes deep inside Russia, increasing intelligence sharing to help Kyiv target military and energy facilities, sources told CNN last week.

And yet after multiple threats from Trump to ramp up sanctions against Moscow failed to materialize, and with the call between the two presidents last week suggesting the US leader was still susceptible to Russian persuasion, Wednesdays move to sanction the Russian oil giants and their subsidiaries blindsided experts.

It was actually surprising simply because there was always a discrepancy between Trumps rhetoric and actions, said Maria Shagina, a senior fellow at the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), in written comments to CNN.

It seems that today Russia has overplayed its hand, and Trumps patience is wearing thin, she wrote.

How painful this will be for Russia is something that experts and energy markets are still trying to decipher.

What exactly are the sanctions?

This is the first time Trump has imposed direct sanctions on Russia since he returned to office in January, though in August, his administration declared punishing secondary tariffs on India for its purchases of Russian oil.

The sanctions are typical in the sense that the companies listed  Rosneft and Lukoil, along with dozens of subsidiaries  will have their assets frozen in the United States, and US entities will be banned from doing business with them. Yet most experts agree that targeting Rosneft and Lukoil represents a significant change. Together, the two companies account for about half of Russian oil exports, according to RBC Capital Markets.

In January, the Biden administration went after Russias third- and fourth-largest oil companies, Gazpromneft and Surgutneftegaz, in its final package of sanctions. But it left the biggest ones alone, experts say, over fears of triggering global supply disruptions that would lead to higher oil prices.

In a note Wednesday night, Helima Croft, head of Commodities Strategy at RBC, called Trumps sanctions the most material move to date by the United States to shutter the Russian war ATM.

US President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on Wednesday. - Aaron Schwartz/CNP/Bloomberg/Getty Images

What else is the West doing?

Another first for Trumps second term here is the appearance (whether by accident or design) of coordinating sanctions with NATO allies, which had been normal practice under the Biden administration.

A week earlier, on October 15, the United Kingdom expanded its sanctions to include Rosneft and Lukoil, and on Wednesday, the European Union also unanimously approved its 19th package of sanctions. That package includes a full transaction ban on Rosneft. And while it stops short of targeting Lukoil, it goes after Litasco, a trading unit of Lukoil in the United Arab Emirates that the European Union describes as Lukoils prominent shadow fleet enabler.

This is a clear signal from both sides of the Atlantic that we will keep up collective pressure on the aggressor, wrote European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who also held a call Wednesday with the US treasury secretary.

How big a blow is this to Russia?

The impact that the new US sanctions could have on the Russian economy is up for debate. Shagina, the IISS senior fellow, points out that the move comes at a vulnerable point for Moscow, which faces the double whammy of Western sanctions and what she calls Ukrainian physical sanctions with its ongoing drone attacks on Russian energy infrastructure. Those attacks have already contributed to a 20% drop in Russias energy revenues so far this year, though Moscow is planning to make up some of the shortfall through tax increases.

Its a strong signal, but its still more of a signal than a huge blow to the Russian economy, said Janis Kluge of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, a think tank in Berlin. He points out there has been little to no effect so far on the ruble and that the stocks of Lukoil and Rosneft have fallen but not cratered.

Experts largely expect that while there may be temporary supply disruptions, Russia will find ways to keep its oil  including that produced by Lukoil and Rosneft  flowing onto global markets.

Russia has set up a total off-grid infrastructure to be able to keep on supplying its oil to its trading partners, especially in India, especially in China, said Ajay Parmar, director of oil markets and energy transition at Independent Commodity Intelligence Services (ICIS), a London-based commodities data and analytics firm. He said he believes that the Russians will simply make adjustments and create new workarounds.

The lasting impact will depend on the US appetite to tackle those workarounds as they arise, said Richard Bronze, head of geopolitical analysis at Energy Aspects, a data and intelligence firm in London

Its not clear yet that the Trump administration, even if it doesnt get what it wants from Putin, is going to have the resolve and the desire to go down that road, he told CNN.

Will this dent the global economy?

The big question for both Russia and the global economy, experts say, is how India will respond to these new US sanctions. Citing industry sources, Reuters reported Thursday that Reliance Industries, Indias biggest importer of Russian crude oil, is planning to cut back or stop imports completely, going even further than the letter of the sanctions as US pressure mounts on New Delhi to stop importing Russian oil as a condition for tariff reduction.

For Russia, this would be critical. India imports 1.5 million to 2 million barrels of Russian crude per day, Parmar estimates, accounting for about 30-40% of all Russian exports. If those imports were to suddenly stop, that would leave only China as the big buyer of Russian oil, he told CNN. I think its unlikely that China would buy all of that lost oil, so some of it may be taken off the market, and that is really the bigger driver for higher oil prices right now, he added.

Meanwhile multiple trade sources told Reuters Thursday that Chinese state oil majors have suspended purchases of seaborne Russian oil in the wake of the US sanctions  a move that would further strain Moscows oil revenues.

Chinese national oil companies PetroChina, Sinopec, CNOOC and Zhenhua Oil will stop dealing in seaborne Russian oil, at least in the short-term, the sources told the agency.

US crude oil prices are down almost 25% from their peak in January, a drop that gave Trump more room now to impose sanctions, Kluge pointed out. But the challenge will be avoiding sustained price rises that could hand an unexpected windfall to Moscow and partially offset the impact of sanctions, he said. That would likely mean Trump putting further pressure on OPEC+ to boost oil production, said Parmar. If Trump is successful, price rises could be contained.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin addresses the media after attending a meeting of the Russian Geographical Society in Moscow on Wednesday. - Vyacheslaav Prokofyev/AFP/Pool/Getty Images

Will it bring Putin back to the table?

On their own, these sanctions are nowhere near enough to spark a course correction in Moscow, experts agree. And yet they could signal more difficult times ahead for the Kremlin.

The response from Putin, coming almost 24 hours after the US sanctions announcement, was somewhat contradictory.

The sanctions will not significantly affect our economic well-being, he told a group of Russian reporters. No self-respecting country and no self-respecting people ever make decisions under pressure, he added.

The ultimate economic impact of these new sanctions on Russia is yet to be determined but the political shift is alarming for Moscow, said Kluge, of the German think tank.

Yes, it could be different tomorrow again, he said referring to Trumps approach to Russia.

But its a signal that the previous mode of dealing with Russia in which there was always another chance  another extension to the ultimatum  has actually ended.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
A cattle farmer in a field with cows. - Peopleimages/Getty Images

Lately, there's been a lot of talk about foods that will be impacted by tariffs  especially since the rules seem to change on a near-daily basis. Now, the cattle industry is caught in the crossfire. After U.S. President Donald Trump imposed 50% on Brazilian beef in August, he recently announced plans to boost imports from Argentina while keeping tariffs low. According to Trump, the move will lower beef prices for American consumers.

The move has angered U.S. farmers. The Trump administration positioned tariffs as a way to bolster American businesses, but farmers say the move could jeopardize their livelihoods. The United States is one of the world's top beef producers, but the past few years have been bad for beef farmers. Drought and an aging workforce mean herds have dwindled. At the beginning of 2025, there were only 86.7 million cattle in the U.S.  the smallest number since the 1950s. "A deal of this magnitude with Argentina would undercut the very foundation of our cattle industry," said Justin Tupper, President of the U.S. Cattlemen's Association.

The move displeased members of Trump's own party, too  especially from states with big beef industries. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a South Dakota Republican, expressed concern. "We've been in touch with the White House, Department of Agriculture, U.S. trade rep on all this stuff, trying to figure out where it's headed," he said.

Read more: Here's What First Lady Melania Trump Likes To Eat

High prices reflect tough times for American farmers

Beef cattle. - William Edge/Shutterstock

Beef industry insiders argue that consumers are already getting a good deal. "The cost of producing beef today is accurately represented in the consumer markets where it is sold," said Tupper. "Ranchers are facing historic highs for feed, fuel, labor, and land  and those costs have risen far faster than beef prices on grocery shelves." While consumers may cringe at grocery store prices, the relative cost of beef has stayed relatively stable since the 1980s. Beef is hard to produce, but the U.S. cattle industry manages to supply customers with the nutrient-dense food at low prices anyway. In tough times, it's the farmers who take the hit.

Economists and industry experts say that imported Argentinian beef won't do much to lower costs for consumers. It'll just weaken the American cattle industry, hurting farmers and making the U.S. reliant on imported food. Adrian Smith, a Republican Representative from Nebraska, argued that Trump's plans "threaten our domestic food security." Farmers say they need government support  and that's been scarce. While White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said that the administration will protect ranchers, U.S. farmers are still waiting for support.

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Read the original article on The Takeout.
Florida is a state with so much aboveground beauty-sparkling oceans, mangrove-lined wetlands, inland lakes, dense forests-that there's hardly time to think about its subterranean world. Of course, you'd be missing out on something pretty special if you never ventured below ground, to the fascinating underground attractions in Florida. Fortunately, Florida Caverns State Park offers cave hiking at its finest.

Pelow Media  stock.adobe.com

Situated in the Panhandle, Florida Caverns State Park doesn't quite qualify as a hidden gem. In fact, it was among the first state parks established by Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal Program, and it's not hard to see why. The caverns and surrounding landscape have a beauty that borders on surreal: deep limestone caves, dramatic rock outcroppings, blue springs, and sinkholes.

terry  stock.adobe.com

It's believed that the caves formed approximately 38 million years ago, when most of the Southeast's coastal plain was under the sea. Shells, coral, and other sediments gathered on the seafloor and eventually, when the water receded, these materials hardened into limestone. Through a great dissolving process over the past million years, crevices have been formed big enough to walk through, which is how this cavern system came to be.

Lawrence  stock.adobe.com

The springs, caves, and bluffs within the park are unique and are often called karst terrain. This unusual habitat is home to some truly rare species, including blind cave crayfish, cave-roosting bats, and cave salamanders.

Not all of the park is below ground; in fact, there are some lovely trails that will take you through the bluffs and rocky terrain. One of the most popular of these trails is the Beech Magnolia and Bluff Loop Trail. Its an approachable, family-friendly trail that measures just 1.1 miles and offers beautiful views of the water. (A quick note: if you visit during the summer, be sure to wear bug spray!)

Lawrence  stock.adobe.com

Of course, no visit is complete without a tour. In fact, this is the only location in all of Florida where visitors can experience a guided cavern tour. The tours take about one hour and will take you deep into the heart of this beautiful underground world. You'll start by descending 33 steps into the cavern entrance. From there, you'll be taken through a series of room-like spaces, some the size of a cathedral and others no wider than a narrow passage. In total, you'll have covered just about three-quarters of a mile, but you'll feel like you've experienced a whole new world.

So, what do you think? Are you ready to brave the fascinating and mysterious world of caverns? Be sure to share this article with your favorite explorer and start planning your adventure today! For more information about the state park, hours, tours, and more details, visit the official Florida Caverns State Park website.

Feeling inspired? Try planning your own trip using Only In Your State's itinerary planner. For related content, take a look at our list of Florida natural wonders that defy explanation.
A general view shows the oil refinery of the Lukoil company in Volgograd, Russia April 22, 2022. Picture taken April 22, 2022. Picture taken with a drone. REUTERS/REUTERS PHOTOGRAPHER

A general view shows the oil refinery of the Lukoil company in Volgograd, Russia April 22, 2022. Picture taken April 22, 2022. Picture taken with a drone. REUTERS/REUTERS PHOTOGRAPHER

By Andrew Osborn, Jeff Mason and Timothy Gardner

MOSCOW (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump hit Russia's two biggest oil companies with sanctions in a sharp policy shift on Moscow's war in Ukraine, prompting global oil prices to rise by 5% on Thursday and India to consider cutting Russian imports.

The sanctions target oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil, which between them account for more than 5% of global oil output, and mark a dramatic U-turn by Trump, who said only last week that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin would soon hold a summit in Budapest to try to end the war in Ukraine.

While the extent of the financial hit on Russia may be limited in the short term, the move is a powerful signal of Trump's intent to squeeze Russia's finances and try to force the Kremlin towards a peace deal.

Putin derided the sanctions as an unfriendly act, saying they would not significantly affect the Russian economy and talked up his country's importance to the global market. He warned a sharp supply drop would push up prices and be uncomfortable for countries like the United States.

"This is, of course, an attempt to put pressure on Russia," Putin said. "But no self-respecting country and no self-respecting people ever decides anything under pressure."

With Ukraine asking U.S. and European allies for long-range missiles to help turn the tide in the war, Putin also warned that Moscow's response to strikes deep into Russia would be "very serious, if not overwhelming".

STRAIN ON OIL REVENUES

The U.S. sanctions move has already prompted Chinese state oil majors to suspend Russian oil purchases in the short term, trade sources told Reuters. Refiners in India, the largest buyer of seaborne Russian oil, are set to sharply cut their crude imports.

A drop in demand from Russias two largest customers will put a strain on Moscows oil revenues and force the worlds top importers to seek alternative supplies.

Trump, in his latest about-face on the conflict, said on Wednesday that the planned Putin summit was off because it would not achieve the outcome he wanted and complained that his many "good conversations" with Putin did not "go anywhere".

"We cancelled the meeting with President Putin  it just didn't feel right to me," Trump told reporters at the White House. It didnt feel like we were going to get to the place we have to get. So I cancelled it, but well do it in the future.

Putin said Trump most likely meant the summit had been postponed.

Russia has signalled that its conditions for ending the war in Ukraine - terms which Kyiv and many European countries regard as tantamount to surrender - remain unchanged.

The conflict raged on as European Union leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met in Brussels on Thursday to discuss funding for Ukraine, with momentum building to use frozen Russian assets to provide a 140 billion euro ($163 billion) loan to Kyiv.

Moscow said it would deliver a "painful response" if the assets were seized.

EU TARGETS RUSSIAN LNG

In another bid to starve Moscow of revenue, the EU also approved a 19th package of sanctions that includes a ban on Russian liquefied natural gas imports.

The EU has reduced its reliance on once-dominant supplier Russia by roughly 90% since 2022 but nonetheless imported more than 11 billion euros of Russian energy in the first eight months of this year. LNG now represents the biggest EU import of Russian energy.

Under pressure from the U.S. and Qatar, the EU may also water down its corporate sustainability rules after being told they risk disrupting liquefied natural gas trade with Europe.

The EU also added three Chinese companies to its Russian sanctions list, saying they were significant buyers of Russian crude oil and providing "substantial" revenue to Moscow. Beijing threatened to retaliate with unspecified measures.

Unveiling the oil sanctions, Scott Bessent, the U.S. treasury secretary, made clear Washington was targeting Russia's ability to fund what has become Europe's biggest land war since World War Two and was ready to take further action.

Russian oil and gas revenue, currently down by 21% year-on-year, accounts for around one quarter of its budget and is the most important source of cash for Moscow's war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year.

However, Moscow's main revenue source comes from taxing output, not exports, which is likely to soften the immediate impact of the sanctions on state finances.

ZELENSKIY URGES MORE PRESSURE ON MOSCOW

Ukraine's Zelenskiy thanked the United States for the new sanctions, saying they were "very important" but that more pressure would be needed on Moscow to get it to agree to a ceasefire.

Oil prices jumped 5% on Thursday amid worries that the sanctions would disrupt global supply. Indian oil industry sources told Reuters that Indian refiners were poised to sharply curtail imports of Russian oil.

Some analysts say that the new sanctions could force Russia to further discount its oil on world markets to offset the perceived risk of U.S. secondary sanctions, but that pain could in turn be mitigated if global oil prices rise.

After an August summit with Putin in Alaska, Trump dropped his demand for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and embraced Moscow's preferred option of going straight to negotiating an overall peace settlement.

But in recent days he has reverted to the idea of an immediate ceasefire, something that Kyiv supports but which Moscow, whose forces are steadily edging forward on the battlefield, has repeatedly made clear it has no interest in.

Russia has said it opposes a ceasefire because it believes it would only be a temporary pause before fighting resumes, giving Ukraine time and space to rearm at a time when Moscow says it has the initiative on the battlefield.

($1 = 0.8575 euros)

(Reporting by Reuters; Additional reporting by Gleb Bryanski; Writing by Andrew Osborn and Matthias Williams; Editing by Alex Richardson)
Harrison Ford has left Hollywood 'after a deeply humiliating personal incident.'MEGA

Harrison Ford has become one of Hollywood's most isolated stars after his abrupt early exit from last month's Emmy Awards  a move insiders tell RadarOnline.com has deepened his reputation as "aloof, grumpy, and out of touch."

The Indiana Jones icon, 83, nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his performance in Shrinking, stunned onlookers when he and his wife Calista Flockhart left the ceremony immediately after he lost to Somebody Somewhere actor Jeff Hiller.

A Shock Exit That Stunned Hollywood

Harrison Ford walked out of the Emmys moments after losing his category.MEGA

Fans were outraged Ford  a first-time Emmy nominee  had been snubbed, but others in the industry saw his walkout as proof that the actor has become increasingly detached from his peers.

A Hollywood source said: "Harrison leaving wasn't just him being disappointed  it was pride. He really believed the award was his, and when it didn't happen, he decided he'd had enough. But to everyone watching, it came off as sulky. It just added to the sense that he's drifted away from Hollywood and doesn't really want to belong to it anymore."

Retreat to Ranch Life

Fans watched in shock as Ford and Calista Flockhart left the ceremony early.MEGA

Ford, who first shot to fame in Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark, has spent recent years living far from Los Angeles on his 800-acre ranch in Wyoming with Flockhart and their son Liam.

Though the couple occasionally make public appearances, insiders say Ford's refusal to "play the Hollywood game" has left him estranged from the social circles that once embraced him.

One industry insider said: "Harrison's always had a sharp tongue, and age hasn't softened that. He skips the parties, avoids the small talk, and never bothers with networking.

"People still admire what he's accomplished, but that doesn't mean they enjoy working with him. Missing out on the Emmy wasn't just about the role  it showed how cut off he's become from everyone else."

Living in Isolation

Friends said Ford prefers fixing fences to mingling at Beverly Hills parties.MEGA

Friends say Ford's reclusive lifestyle is no accident. He and Flockhart relish their solitude, spending most of their time on the ranch.

Another source said: "They've created their own little bubble out in Wyoming. They're both natural loners who prefer each other's company to anyone else's. They rarely see old friends, even from their acting days  and Calista's perfectly content with that because she's just as private as Harrison."

While some fans defended Ford's early exit from the awards bash, calling it a justified snub for an actor of his stature, others were less forgiving.

One insider claimed Emmy producers had convinced Ford to attend by implying he was likely to win.

The source said: "He never wanted to attend to begin with  he can't stand awards shows. But he was convinced it would be a big deal, that it mattered.

"When things didn't go his way, it hit his pride hard. He felt blindsided and humiliated, so he got up and left."

Choosing Peace Over the Spotlight

Industry insiders fear Fords pride and isolation have made him a stranger to Hollywood.MEGA

The veteran actor, who recently appeared as President Ross in Captain America: Brave New World, has joked in interviews that he'll keep working "as long as directors need old people."

Yet insiders say his enthusiasm for acting is now matched only by his desire to stay far from Hollywood.

A longtime associate said: "He hasn't quit acting, but he's definitely pulled back. He'll take a role if it genuinely interests him, but he's finished pretending to care about the spotlight.

"These days, he'd rather be out mending fences on the ranch than making small talk in Beverly Hills.

"Still, some of his old friends worry he's gone too far  that he's cut himself off from the people and places that once meant something to him."
Lori Loughlin and her husband Mossimo Giannulli are on the path to divorce. How ironclad is their prenup? (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) (Boston Globe via Getty Images)

After three decades  and one very public fall from grace  Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannullis marriage may be reaching its final act.

The couple, who tied the knot in 1997 and share two daughters, announced their separation. Behind the scenes, tensions are reportedly high. The exes are "living apart and moving on with separate priorities," a source tells People, adding that "Lori feels betrayed."

"It's not a happy situation for her," the insider says. "They're in very different places right now, and it's unlikely that they'll find their way back together."

To make matters more dramatic, it's been reported that Loughlin signed a prenuptial agreement that could leave her walking away with none of her husbands reported $100 million fortune. But after decades of marriage, shared homes and a scandal that sent both to prison, divorce lawyers say it may not be so cut and dried.

You can sign away everything with a prenup, celebrity divorce attorney Chris Melcher tells Yahoo, saying "it's possible" Loughlin walks away with nothing. But when someones getting nothing, they have nothing to lose.

I spoke with three legal experts to break down what this could mean.

28 years, zero dollars? What a prenup really means.

The LoughlinGiannulli prenup reportedly created whats called a separate property regime  a legal setup that keeps everything earned before and during the marriage completely divided.

Its actually quite common, Melcher explains. The main reason for a premarital agreement is to avoid having a shared community estate. When you have two spouses, each with their own careers, savings or success, they may want to say, Lets keep everything separate, other than maybe a shared home.

Thats the rationale behind most prenups with at least one high-earning individual, which are designed less for romance and more for protection  especially when both parties are already successful. In 1997, when the couple married, Giannulli had already built his multimillion-dollar fashion empire, while Loughlin was a Full House star on the rise.

Still, after three decades together, two children and multiple homes, its hard to imagine a California judge simply calling it even.

Under California law, theres no sunset clause that makes a prenup disappear after a certain number of years, Melcher says. But there might be rights to alimony or spousal support that come into play, even if the prenup waives it. After a long marriage, a judge would likely order some support because if theres no property to divide, how else would she survive?

Thats where duration matters most. A 28-year marriage carries weight in family court, especially when lifestyle, children and reputation have been intertwined for decades.

If this were litigated in a California courtroom, Melcher says, a judge would likely order spousal support because with a long marriage and high lifestyle, the support could be significant.

And while it would be difficult for Loughlin to challenge the prenup outright  particularly because California laws in the late 90s were much more favorable to enforcing them  Melcher reinforces one area remains open: spousal support. Again, it's hard to challenge a prenup, as Kevin Costner's ex-wife Christine Baumgartner learned, and Melcher believes it would be "difficult" for Loughlin to make a case in this instance.

It would be tough to challenge the property provisions that keep their estates separate, Melcher says. But it might be easier to challenge any waiver or limitation on support. Thats where long marriages tend to shift the conversation.

The estranged couple has weathered many storms. In 2020, the couple admitted to paying $500,000 to help get their daughters into USC as part of the "college admissions scandal," a scheme that led to wire and mail fraud charges. Loughlin served two months behind bars, while Giannulli spent five months in prison.

"The fact that both of them went to prison is a sad chapter in their story, but I dont think it helps or hurts either of them in terms of the agreements validity," Melcher says. "It could, however, influence a judges view on spousal support, particularly if the scandal disrupted Loris ability to earn income.

Can divorce deals be rewritten? Inside the quiet art of renegotiation.

Even the most ironclad prenup can bend under pressure ... particularly when money, family and public image intersect.

A prenup can be renegotiated prior to a divorce, family law attorney Gray Ellis tells Yahoo, but for the new agreement to be enforceable, it has to be signed with the same formalities  in front of a notary  as the original.

And sometimes, thats exactly what happens.

A desire to maintain image and privacy could motivate someone to give more than required, Ellis continues. An NDA [nondisclosure agreement] is often used to protect someones image and privacy, and when used, it may include providing more than the prenup requires. Sometimes, people who are divorcing just want to do what they consider the morally right thing.

That moral calculus  and the PR strategy that often accompanies it  can redefine how celebrity divorces unfold. A high-profile split like Loughlin and Giannullis doesnt just involve lawyers; it involves legacy, reputation and the ripple effect on their adult children, daughters Olivia Jade and Isabella Rose, who grew up in the public eye.

That could motivate the more monied spouse to give more than legally required, particularly if the other party was a stay-at-home parent," Ellis says. "Sometimes a party may be willing to renegotiate and give more because they want to maintain a good relationship for the children and ensure the kids are well cared for financially at both parents homes.

Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli, in happier times, in 1995. (Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images) (Ron Galella via Getty Images)

Even mediators, Ellis says, often encourage settlements that go beyond the strict letter of the contract. Prenups arent always ironclad, so mediators may encourage parties to do something different because enforcement can be an all-or-nothing proposition, he explains.

That can happen, Ellis adds, when theres an argument to set aside the agreement. For example, if one spouse claims they werent given full financial disclosure before signing or that they felt pressured into the deal. In those cases, a private settlement that gives a little more to the other party can help avoid a drawn-out legal fight  and keep the details out of the courtroom.

Whats Loris net worth now  and does it even matter?

After nearly three decades in the public eye, Loughlin's earnings are nothing to sneeze at. With decades of work on Full House, Fuller House and When Calls the Heart, shes accumulated steady income streams through residuals and royalties, plus real estate investments and comeback projects since the college-admissions scandal. But as family law attorney Renee C. Bauer explains, those earnings only tell part of the story.

Residual income absolutely matters, Bauer says. It can be viewed as part of ongoing earning capacity if its substantial and predictable. All income sources are examined in a divorce  what each spouse has earned, what they could earn and what future cash flows might be.

Still, Loughlins wealth pales next to Giannullis. If his fashion fortune  once estimated near $100 million  was protected by the 1997 agreement, Bauer says her team faces an uphill battle claiming a share. The real analysis isnt just who made what before the marriage, she says, but how much wealth grew during it, and how each contributed. Thats where the real tug-of-war happens in high-asset divorces.

Some of those contributions may not be financial at all. Loughlins name and reputation  even after a scandal that landed both spouses behind bars  helped shape the couples brand and lifestyle. In Hollywood, that kind of currency matters.

Celebrity divorces rarely come down to just splitting houses and bank accounts, Bauer says. The real value is often in intangible assets  intellectual property, royalties, image rights, brand equity, even social media value. A name, a face or a reputation can be worth millions.

That means getting nothing is almost never literal. It could mean she ends up with only what the prenup guarantees, Bauer says, which might be modest compared to what she could have negotiated otherwise. Behind closed doors, the lawyers are likely debating what wealth was truly accumulated during the marriage  and what a fair split looks like.

And in a family thats already survived national scandal, two prison sentences and decades under the spotlight, a low-drama resolution might be worth more than any payout. Sometimes peace of mind is worth more than money, Bauer says. Paying extra can buy privacy, protect your reputation and get you out of the tabloids faster.

For Loughlin, whos quietly rebuilt her career since the college-admissions fallout, that may be the best deal of all: walking away not with nothing, but with her image  and independence  intact.
President Trump's closely watched summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping is set for this Thursday in South Korea, and expectations have increased following advance talks that have resulted in an environment both sides say could be conducive to compromise.

I believe we've reached a very substantial framework that will avoid [a tariff hike] and allow us to discuss that and many other things with the Chinese," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Sunday morning on NBCs "Meet the Press."

The positive environment, he added, means he does not anticipate that Trump's promise of 100% additional tariffs on China will go into effect on Nov. 1 as currently planned.

Chinese state media confirmed this weekends talks in Malaysia yielded progress, describing "basic consensuses on arrangements."

Perhaps most of interest to markets is talk from both Trump and Bessent that they see a path to deescalation in what the president has described as an ongoing trade war between the world's two largest economies.

Read more: The latest news and updates on Trump's tariffs

President Donald Trump speaks to the media en route to Asia for a series of stops in Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea. (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images) (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS via Getty Images)

Theyll have to make concessions, I guess we will too, Trump said on Air Force One this weekend as he flew to Asia.

On the subject of tariffs and his threat of a new 100% tariff rate that would push top-line rates north of 150%, he added, I wouldnt like to see it.

The meeting between the leaders will take place on Thursday morning local time on the sidelines of this week's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, South Korea.

Gyeongju is 11 hours ahead of Washington, D.C., meaning the sit-down is set to begin late Wednesday evening in Washington local time.

Analysts like Terry Haines of Pangaea Policy noted on Sunday that these "nice noises" are likely to be at least a small positive for markets in the days ahead but warned that the larger picture for the moment remains that there appears to be enough to keep the trade 'truce' in effect for another few months, but not to create progress or stability.

The two presidents have spoken over the phone at least twice so far during Trump's second term, most recently in September. But this will be their first face-to-face meeting of Trump's second term.

The meeting came after a weekend meeting between Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and his Chinese counterpart, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, in Malaysia.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent after the trade talks between the U.S. and China in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Sunday. (REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain) (Reuters / Reuters)

When the two presidents sit down later in the week, that meeting is set to cover a wide array of topics, with two issues most in focus in addition to tariff increases: Chinas recent moves to choke off the worlds supply of rare earth minerals and Chinas purchases of Russian oil.

In recent days, comments from both sides have suggested that plenty of other topics  from US export controls on semiconductors to Chinese purchases of US soybeans to possible cooperation on shipbuilding to fentanyl  will also be on the table.

And of course, there is the explosive issue of Taiwan independence.

A senior administration official told reporters on the eve of the Asia trip that the president had no plans to bring up hot-button topics like that but would be prepared to react.

Trump himself weighed in with reporters over the weekend, saying that China making any moves to take control of Taiwan would be very dangerous for them to do but quickly adding, I dont want to talk about that now, I dont want to create any complexity.

Chinese state media added Sunday that "the two countries gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation."

Trumps trip will come as part of a larger trip to Asia.

The president departed Washington on Friday night for Malaysia, where he spent the weekend participating in a bilateral meeting with the prime minister of Malaysia and attending a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders.

President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping meet in Osaka in 2019 during Trump's first term. (Xinhua/Ju Peng via Getty Images) (Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images)

The president is next headed to Tokyo early in the week for a meeting with the new prime minister of Japan, Sanae Takaichi, who recently became the nation's first female leader.

By Wednesday, the president will be in South Korea for a meeting with the South Korean president, as well as the APEC gathering, before Thursday's meeting with Xi.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt noted that Trump will return to Washington by Friday in time to participate in Halloween festivities at the White House.

Ben Werschkul is a Washington correspondent for Yahoo Finance.

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Earlier this month, China announced tightened export restrictions on rare earth minerals, including a complete prohibition on all exports for defense applications, potentially leaving the US defense industry without a key input across a range of weapons systems.

But during earnings calls this week, leadership at the country's so-called prime defense contractors  Lockheed Martin (LMT), RTX Corporation (RTX), and Northrop Grumman (NOC)  downplayed concerns over the supply challenges, even as tensions between Washington and Beijing over the inputs remain high.

Read more: What Trump's tariffs mean for the economy and your wallet

Rare earths are crucial components in the weapons systems used by the US, from F-35 fighter jets to Tomahawk missiles. Only recently have real efforts gone into developing a dependable domestic supply chain for the materials.

China currently controls approximately 70% of rare earth mining capacity, 90% of separation and processing capacity, and 93% of magnet manufacturing globally, giving Beijing immense control over global supply.

"We are days if not weeks away from a crisis when it comes to national security," said Neha Mukherjee, a rare earths research manager at the consultancy and research firm Benchmark Mineral Intelligence.

Read more: The latest news and updates on Trump's tariffs

So, why weren't rare earths a bigger focus on defense contractors' earnings calls? The issue may be less intense than the dominant narrative in the market suggests, said Morningstar equity analyst Nicolas Owens, who covers the defense and aerospace sectors.

"Defense primes have unusually high standards and sensitivity to where they get their stuff from, and they know very well what is a strategic resource that might come under restraint," Owens told Yahoo Finance. "The whole defense department strategy is about countering China."

Given their sensitivity to supply chain conditions, Owens said, it's likely the major defense contractors have been stockpiling the materials for years.

On Northrop Grumman's third quarter earnings call on Wednesday, president, CEO, and chairman of the board, Kathy Warden, said that the company has been proactively preparing for possible shortages driven by China or other market variables.

"Our dependency on rare earths has been mitigated by looking through our supply chain and getting well ahead of our sources of supply to ensure that we can produce those electronics," Warden said on the call.

Asked about supply chain bottlenecks, but not rare earths specifically, Lockheed Martin CEO Jim Taiclet said this week, "We've worked with our US government partners and our key suppliers on especially some of those items that you just pointed to, and I'm much more confident today than I was a year or so ago about the ability of those industry partners to step up to the kinds of rates of production increase that we're being asked to put into play."

The company's finance chief, Evan Scott, told attendees at an industry conference in May that "because of our long-cycle supply chain," the defense contractor has enough supply of rare earth materials set aside to last at least through the rest of 2025.

On Friday, General Dynamics' (GD) global operations head, Danny Deep, told investors on the company's third-quarter earnings call that, "[The supply chain] will have the biggest impact on our ability to drive productivity and schedule and start to grow margins."

"We have seen improvements in some areas," Deep said, "but others are still struggling to meet the significant increase in demand."

There is a plethora of rare earth material in existing US military technology, however, that can be recycled as weapons systems are retired or replaced, Owens said, providing another pipeline of supply if needed.

"I think we're a long way away from rare earths being the bottleneck for putting another F-35 into production," Owens told Yahoo Finance.

Company stakes and a 'fantastic deal'

The Trump administration has also begun taking steps to develop a domestic supply of rare earths minerals.

Over the summer, the Department of Defense invested $400 million for a 15% stake in mining company MP Materials (MP), the operator of the only large-scale and commercially operable rare earths mine in the US.

In recent months, the government has taken an equity stake in mining company Trilogy Metals (TMQ) and expressed interest in a critical minerals mining site being developed by Australian miner Nova Minerals (NVA). And on Monday, President Trump signed an agreement with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese focused on expanded collaboration on rare earths between the allied nations.

Trump said on Monday that he expects "were going to end up having a fantastic deal with China" as the American leader is set to meet his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, in South Korea later this month, where rare earths will be a focus.

A view of the MP Materials rare earth open-pit mine in Mountain Pass, California, U.S. January 30, 2020. Picture taken January 30, 2020. REUTERS/Steve Marcus (REUTERS / Reuters)

The threat of a supply bottleneck for raw materials essential to the electronics embedded throughout US military munitions was addressed in a report from the Government Accountability Office published in September 2024, almost exactly a year before China tightened down its rare earth exports.

The Department of Defense found that it "faces significant risks in its supply chains for these materials and that there would be a high potential for harm to national security in the event of supply chain disruptions," the GAO wrote.

"Of particular concern, most of these materials are mined and processed in China, which makes DODs weapon system programs vulnerable to supply chain disruptions by an adversary nation."

The US is also already falling behind China in weapons systems developments, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based research firm. Beijing is scaling up its munitions manufacturing and weapons development at a rate five to six times faster than the US, according to the firm.

"Even before these latest measures, the US defense industrial base faced significant challenges and had limited production capacity and limited ability to rapidly scale to meet rising defense technology needs," said Gracelin Baskaran, the director of CSIS's critical minerals security program.

"The new restrictions will only deepen these vulnerabilities, further widening the capability gap."

Military officials and visitors from various countries tour the Northrop Grumman Corporation booth during the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX 2025) at KINTEX in Ilsan, Goyang, South Korea, on October 20, 2025. (Photo by Chris Jung/NurPhoto via Getty Images) (NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The primes have acknowledged the reality of supply chain tightness. In RTX's second quarter earnings report, the weapons manufacturer told investors that supply chain difficulties were complicating its efforts to access the materials it needs.

"These disruptions impacted our ability to procure raw materials, including certain rare earth elements, microelectronics, and certain commodities on a timely basis and/or at expected prices," the company wrote in its 10Q. "We have implemented actions and programs to mitigate some of the impacts but anticipate supply chain disruptions to continue."

"The reason why there is so much noise about [it] is because there is no stockpile left," Benchmark's Mukherjee told Yahoo Finance.

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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A heroic California police officer was struck and killed as she rushed to help the victims of a fatal highway crash late Monday.

La Mesa Police Officer Lauren Craven came upon the deadly rollover crash on Interstate 8 northeast of San Diego just before 10:30 p.m., officials said.

The 25-year-old on-duty cop was traveling back from the San Diego Central Jail when she discovered the multi-car crash in the middle of the busy highway, five miles west of La Mesa.

La Mesa Police Officer Lauren Craven was fatally struck by a car on Oct. 20, 2025. La Mesa Police Department

She reported the incident over the radio before stepping out and walking toward a car that had flipped over.

Craven was struck by another car, which triggered a chain reaction, smashing into the vehicles involved in the initial crash.

The driver of the car that flipped over in the first crash was identified as 19-year-old DeVeonte Morris, NBC7 San Diego reported.

The other victims in the crashes were transported to local hospitals.

The cause of the initial crash is being investigated by the California Highway Patrol.

First responders investigate the scene of the crash on Interstate 8 in San Diego, on Oct. 20, 2025. NBC

DeVeonte Morris, 19, was identified as the driver killed in the first crash. Family Photo

The young police officer, who had celebrated her birthday on Oct. 7, was remembered for her final act of compassion.

Officer Cravens actions in her final moments exemplified her unwavering dedication to service and the safety of others  a reflection of how she lived every day, the La Mesa Police Department wrote on Facebook. Officer Craven was known for her tenacity, courage, and compassion  qualities that inspired her peers and strengthened her community.

Craven was inspired to go into law enforcement after she was traumatically assaulted in college and a detective offered her compassion, her father, David Craven, told ABC10 San Diego.

Lauren thought so much of the difference between those two that she said right then and there, I want to dedicate my life to being that good cop for anybody who needs me,' the grieving father said.

Debris and destroyed cars sit in the middle of the highway the morning after the fatal crashes on Oct. 21, 2025. NBC

I thought, Damn, you just turned your biggest fear into a source of motivation. Nothings gonna stop you, and it didnt, he added.

Craven joined the La Mesa Police Department in February 2024 after going through the police academy twice to achieve her goal of becoming an officer.

It has always been my passion to serve others and there has never been a doubt in my mind being a law enforcement officer is what I was meant to do, Craven wrote during the hiring process with the LMPD.

Thats who Lauren was and thats how she served and how she will be remembered, La Mesa Chief of Police Ray Sweeney said at a news conference Tuesday.

The cause of the initial crash is being investigated by the California Highway Patrol. NBC

The highway was shut down for the rest of the night as police investigated the crashes. NBC

Craven last spoke to her family in Oregon as she drove to work the night she died.

Its gonna be hard for a long time, but Im doing this conversation with you because I want people to know what was in Laurens heart and the compassion that she showed everybody she came in contact with, David Craven said.

The grieving father recalled the moment two Bend, Oregon, police officers knocked on his door in the middle of the night to break the news of his daughters death.

They said, Can we come inside? And I said, Is this about my daughter Lauren? He said, Yeah. I said, Is she dead? They said, Unfortunately, yes. So where do you go from there? David Craven asked.

The elder Craven, who called his daughter his best friend, has mixed emotions on the police tests she took.

Had she failed that test? Id still have her, he said. But she would not have achieved her dream. A lot of people never get to a place where theyre loving what theyre doing and doing what they seem to be born to do. She did.
Surge in malicious domains using terms like "careers," "hiring" and "talent" underscores how malicious actors are preying on unsuspecting job seekers

WASHINGTON, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Amid the near four-year high unemployment rate, new research from DNSFilter finds that scams related to hiring are proliferating. New data from the company's networks shows an alarming trend in activity related to domains that include terms like "careers," "hiring," "jobs," and "talent," which have seen a significant uptick since the start of 2025.

These new insights from DNSFilter underscore the need for job seekers, who average 180 job applications to land a single offer, to remain vigilant when navigating job boards and receiving messages from so-called recruiters.

Over the last six months:

8,724 domains containing the word "jobs" have been found to be malicious.

1,161 domains containing the word "careers" have been found to be malicious.

88% of malicious domains containing hiring-related keywords were newly registered or newly observed.

86% of all domains using the word "jobs" and that were determined to be malicious were either newly registered or newly observed.

Researchers also discovered that a number of suspicious domain practices are being used to lure victims into clicking malicious links, including:

Excessive hyphens or long-winded URLs designed to resemble legitimate job portals.

Fake domains mimicking trusted hiring platforms or containing urgent-sounding phrases.

Odd top-level domains (TLDs) and country code TLDs (ccTLDs) not commonly used for business (e.g., .top, .tk, .ml, .xyz, .af).

Attackers are increasingly registering new domains in short bursts to evade detection, following them up with phishing campaigns containing those links to target job seekers, human resources teams and recruitment platforms.

Job seekers and organizations can help protect themselves from these types of hiring scams by remembering to:

Be skeptical of unsolicited job offers or job boards with unfamiliar URLs.

Check domain names carefully and avoid clicking on links with excessive hyphens or strange extensions.

Organizations should monitor DNS traffic for spikes in unknown employment-related domains and update threat detection rules accordingly.

Gregg Jones, intelligence analyst lead, DNSFilter, said: "All aspects of our lives are vulnerable to bad actors given the right mix of emotions, timing, and environmental factors. Being vulnerable to a scam can take many forms, often in ways we least expect. Taking stock of things that seem too good to be true and implementing security best practices are key to reducing unexpected angles of exploitation."

About the company:

DNSFilter is a cybersecurity company that protects every click, leveraging AI-driven content filtering and threat protection to block threats 10 days earlier than competitors. DNSFilter's solution secures workers anywhere they are, helping to boost productivity, minimize compliance risk, and protect corporate brands on public Wi-Fi networks. Unlike traditional filtering solutions, DNSFilter deploys in minutes instead of days and is trusted by more than 43,000 organizations worldwide. Learn more about how DNSFilter is the first and last line of defense for corporate and hybrid networks at dnsfilter.com .

Media Contact:

Shannon Van Every

Force4 Technology Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE DNSFilter
Tropical Storm Melissa crawls in the Caribbean Sea on Thursday. - CSU-CIRA/RAMMB/NOAA

Tropical Storm Melissa is barely moving through the Caribbean, and thats exactly what makes it so dangerous. The longer it lingers, the more rain it dumps and the more likely it is to rapidly intensify into a monster storm.

Intensity forecasts have ramped up considerably in the past few days. A worst-case scenario for some Caribbean islands is increasingly likely with Melissa set to reach at least Category 4 hurricane strength next week, fueled by extremely warm water.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for Jamaica with Melissas outermost winds expected to reach there in the next day or so. Hurricane watches are in effect for Jamaica and parts of Haiti, meaning hurricane-force winds are possible by the weekend. Haiti, Jamaica and parts of the Dominican Republic face days of heavy rain that threaten significant flash flooding and dangerous mudslides.

Jamaica could end up being the epicenter of the worst Melissa has to offer, based on current forecasts. Preparations were well underway in the country Thursday as officials urged residents to take Melissa seriously and stay vigilant.

All public hospitals are set to go into emergency mode Thursday evening, Christopher Tufton, Jamaicas Minister of Health and Wellness confirmed at a news conference. This designation halts outpatient and elective procedures and ensures more beds are open for emergencies.

Jamaicas airports remain open for now, but will likely close within 24 hours of a hurricane warning being issued for the country, according to Daryl Vaz, Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport.

As of Thursday evening, Melissa was about 165 miles south-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, with sustained winds of 45 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. Its drifting north-northwest at just 2 mph, slower than the average person on an afternoon stroll.

Melissa is forecast to reach hurricane strength by the weekend and will likely rapidly intensify into a major hurricane  Category 3 or greater  Monday. This explosive strengthening is happening more often as the world warms due to fossil fuel pollution. Three of the four Atlantic hurricanes this season underwent extreme rapid intensification: Erin, Gabrielle and Humberto.

Melissa is already bringing heavy rain to parts of the Caribbean. Up to 10 inches of rain could fall, with isolated totals topping a foot across southern Haiti, southern Dominican Republic and eastern Jamaica through the weekend. Those totals will likely climb even higher early next week, but by exactly how much depends on Melissas track and intensity.

Rainfall totals through early next week are problematic for several Caribbean countries. - CNN Weather

The United States mainland is not completely out of the woods, but a direct hit looks unlikely. If Melissa takes longer to turn north, it could bend toward eastern Cuba or the Bahamas before curving into the Atlantic. Even so, rough surf and rip currents could spread along the US East Coast next week.

Theres also still a slim chance that Melissa takes a sharp turn to the north earlier than expected and bears down directly on Haiti. That scenario would deliver highly-concentrated impacts there and torrential rain to the Dominican Republic.

Why Melissas forecast is so alarming

Its barely moving. When a storm crawls like this, rainfall piles up over the same towns for days. A similar setup produced catastrophic floods in 2017 with Hurricane Harvey, which dumped over four feet of rain on parts of Texas, and in 2019 with Hurricane Dorian, which dropped nearly two feet of rain in the Bahamas and over a foot in parts of South Carolina.

Mountains magnify the flood threat. Haiti, Jamaica and the Dominican Republics steep terrain will force air upward, wringing out more moisture from the storm, just like squeezing a wet sponge, turning tropical humidity into torrents racing downhill. Mudslides are all but guaranteed in this scenario. This happened when Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina last year. Helene was moving more quickly than Melissa, which will pack even more of a punch as it stalls out over similar steep terrain.

Heat in the Caribbean Sea runs deep. The Caribbeans exceptionally-warm water extends far below the surface, preventing the usual stirring up of cooler water that can weaken hurricanes. Melissa is expected to feast on that deep reservoir of heat, raising the ceiling on its potential intensity.

Melissas path and strength will keep evolving in the days ahead, but the warning signs are already there for millions of vulnerable people in the Caribbean.

CNN Meteorologist Chris Dolce contributed to this report.

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Republican and Democratic members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday demonstrated rare unity opposing President Trumps nominee for ambassador to Kuwait, scrutinizing a history of alleged antisemitic comments and positions.

The problematic record of Trumps nominee, Amer Ghalib, toward Israel, Jews and U.S.-designated terrorist groups gave some of the presidents most ardent supporters permission to oppose his pick to represent the U.S. in the Middle East.

I think the facts here are quite clear, and your long-standing position is directly contrary to that of the president, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said of Ghalib during his confirmation hearing.

Cruz indicated he would not vote in favor of advancing Ghalibs nomination. One other Republican would have to join all Democrats to block his advancement from the committee.

The fact that Ghalib was provided a hearing for his confirmation signals forward movement on the committee, and few Republicans have chosen to vote against Trumps nominees since he returned to the White House in January.

During a Foreign Relations business meeting in September, Republican members rallied around Trumps nominee for ambassador to Belgium, Bill White, despite his endorsement on social media of a convicted Belgian Holocaust-denier.

Ghalib  who previously served as the first Muslim American mayor of Hamtramck, Mich.  was nominated to the ambassador role in May. He endorsed Trump for president in September 2024 after meeting with him in private, providing the then-GOP presidential nominee critical legitimacy among the Muslim population amid fierce anger against the Biden administration and former Vice President Kamala Harris for the handling of Israels war against Hamas in Gaza.

Ghalib came under scrutiny for claims denying that Hamas carried out sexual violence against women and children during its Oct. 7, 2023, attack; social media history liking posts likening Jews to monkeys; calling deposed Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein a martyr; saying the Muslim Brotherhood is an inspiration and expressing support for Houthi attacks against commercial shipping linked to Israel.

The local news outlet in your city reported in October of 2023 that you claim that reports of sexual violence committed by Hamas on October 7 were, and I quote, a campaign of lies and deception, and that there wasnt, quote, any evidence to support that these crimes occurred against victims, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), the ranking member of the committee, said.

When you met with my staff before this hearing, you didnt deny that you said those statements which, if thats true, I appreciate that, at least you were honest about it, but you reiterated that you believe there was no evidence of sexual violence against victims of [October] the seventh, she added.

Ghalib was also taken to task for not speaking out against a member of the Hamtramck City Council who said the Holocaust was an advanced punishment against Israel for its conduct in the war in Gaza and oversaw the passage of a resolution supporting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel.

Do you believe its appropriate to equate Israel, a democratic ally defending itself from terrorism, with the Nazi regime that systematically murdered 6 million Jews? Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) questioned Ghalib.

Given that youd be the United Statess highest ranking diplomat in Kuwait, a country that was invaded by Saddam, how do you justify calling Saddam Hussein a martyr to us, but also to the people of Kuwait? asked Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), who served in the Gulf War.

The pointed GOP questions came on top of scrutiny from Democratic members, including Sens. Jacky Rosen (Nev.), Chris Murphy (Conn.) and Tim Kaine (Va.).

Ghalib said he had a bad habit to like every social media post as an acknowledgement but not signaling his agreement, and that he praised Hussein in a moment of anger after Iranian troops attacked U.S. bases in Iraq in January 2020.

In a moment of anger, I complimented Saddam because he kept Iran in check, and probably thats the only positive thing he did in his life, the nominee said.

He added that he had no power to remove the official who celebrated the Holocaust and that he had no say in a BDS resolution on the City Council.

But even as Republicans pushed Ghalib on his past positions, its not clear if the panels GOP members will vote against advancing his nomination, or if they only sought to give Ghalib a platform to clarify his positions.

Do you agree or do you disagree with President Trumps view that Israel is and should be the national home of the Jewish people? McCormick asked Ghalib.

I trust the presidents policies, and I would support this policy, he responded.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Tropical Storm Melissa is crawling through the Caribbean Sea, threatening to unleash life-threatening flooding and mudslides across parts of the region later this week. Its proof this years Atlantic hurricane season is not over yet, and Melissa has plenty of time and fuel ahead.

Melissa was about 300 miles southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph as of Wednesday afternoon, according to the National Hurricane Center. It was churning forward at an agonizingly slow 2 mph.

Heavy rain is already spreading north Wednesday as Melissa moves at a snails pace toward Jamaica and Haiti. A foot or more of rain is possible in southern parts of Haiti and the Dominican Republic through this weekend. That much rain over mountainous terrain in the area could trigger catastrophic flash flooding and landslides.

Melissa is moving over water thats so warm its essentially rocket fuel for storms this late in the season, and is expected to hit hurricane status by Saturday morning.

When that happens, it will be the 2025 Atlantic seasons fifth hurricane and the first to spin up inside the Caribbean. Its also now forecast to become the seasons fourth major hurricane  Category 3 or greater.

A hurricane watch has been issued for parts of Haiti and a tropical storm watch is in effect for Jamaica. Theres a low, but non-zero chance Melissa directly impacts the mainland United States, though details are still coming into focus.

Heres what we know so far.

Two possible outcomes, neither good

Melissas exact track is still tricky to pin down, but there are two main scenarios. The possibilities have changed slightly from initial forecasts, but both place Hispaniola and Jamaica in harms way.

Melissa could bring close to a foot of rain to parts of Hispaniola, which is the island that houses the Dominican Republic and Haiti, as it drifts closer to the island through the weekend.

Its still unclear exactly what parts of Haiti and the Dominican Republic would be subject to the heaviest rain, but the combination of torrential rain and mountainous terrain is a recipe for dangerous flash flooding and mudslides. Jamaica could also receive torrential, flooding rainfall beginning later this week.

The islands will also face strong, potentially damaging winds from Melissa, especially after it reaches hurricane strength Saturday, according to the hurricane centers forecast.

CNN Weather

Slow-moving storms like Melissa hit the same areas with torrential rain and strong winds for days, significantly increasing rainfall totals and the likelihood of power outages. Melissa will start moving quicker at some point, and exactly when and where that happens is extremely important to determine its impacts. Its also still quite unclear.

If Melissas current forecast track holds and the storm moves slowly west toward an area south of Jamaica into early next week, it could end up where the atmosphere and extremely warm water align to boost the storm.

Melissa is now expected to become at least a Category 4 major hurricane by Monday.

Its anticipated explosion in strength from tapping into that energy is something thats happening more often as the world warms due to fossil fuel pollution. Just this year, three of the four Atlantic hurricanes to date underwent extreme rapid intensification: Erin, Gabrielle and Humberto.

A stronger Melissa would eventually turn northeast next week and threaten other portions of the Caribbean, like Cuba. That scenario would increase the intensity of all of Melissas impacts from rain to wind and dangerous seas.

Alternatively, theres still a chance that another weather pattern could pull Melissa north toward Jamaica or Haiti early next week. This path would likely prevent Melissa from reaching the strength it might in the first scenario, but could also mean a direct landfall and more concentrated impacts in either location.

Is this a threat to the US?

A direct hit on the mainland US is unlikely, but not impossible. At this time, the storms most likely impact to the US could be some rough surf and rip currents along the East Coast next week.

Florida could be in play if Melissa takes a turn to the north later than currently expected. In that case, Cuba and parts of the Bahamas could also be hit with Melissas wind and rain.

The odds of a hurricane landfall in the US really dwindle at the end of October and into November, but there have been notable late-season exceptions. Most recently, Hurricane Nicole slammed into Florida as a Category 1 in early November 2022 and Hurricane Zeta smashed into Louisiana as a Category 3 in late October 2020.

As Melissa continues to develop in the coming days, its track, strength and threats will come into sharper focus.

Atlantic hurricane season officially ends on November 30, though tropical systems can still form after that date.

CNN Meteorologist Chris Dolce contributed to this report.

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Thai authorities dismissed reports that a missing Belarusian model was abducted and trafficked from Thailand to Myanmar, and said she left the country voluntarily.

Thai immigration authorities said Vera Kravtsova, who is feared to be dead according to local reports, entered Thailand on 12 September via the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok and departed on 20 September on a Thai Airways flight to Yangon in Myanmar.

A biometric check verified it was the same person, disproving claims that she had been abducted, the local Thai outlet MGR Online reported.

Vera Kravtsova, 26, has been missing since 4 October (@vera_kravth/Instagram)

The case gained international attention after several media outlets reported that the 26-year-old Belarusian model had been abducted and taken to Myanmar before being extorted for money.

CCTV footage shows she was not under any coercion, and immigration records confirm she used the self-service ABC (automated border control) gate, said police major general Cherngron Rimphadee, a spokesperson for the Immigration Bureau.

The reported brutal incidents happened after the model flew to Myanmar, he added. Thai police do not know what happened there as it is outside our authority.

Last week, Belarusian ambassador to Myanmar, Vladimir Borovikov, urged the public not to believe the rumours about Ms Kravtsova in tabloids. He called the reports of her murder in the media irresponsible.

We can only regret the immoral and irresponsible behaviour of individuals spreading false and unchecked information, which only increases the suffering of the relatives, he was quoted as saying by the Belarusian Telegraph Agency.

Thai authorities have rejected reports claiming she was abducted from Thailand and taken to Myanmar (@vera_kravth/Instagram)

The ambassador confirmed that Ms Kravtsova travelled from Bangkok to Yangon on 20 September and said the Belarusian embassy was using official channels to determine her location.

He added that her family last heard from her on 4 October.

The reports of her alleged murder gained traction after Russias Komsomolskaya Pravda reported that a document purportedly issued by Myanmar authorities stated that she died of a heart attack and was cremated on 16 October.

However, the authenticity of the document has not been independently confirmed. Tabloids claimed she had travelled to Thailand in search of work but was abducted and sold into forced labour at a Myanmar scam centre.

Foreign media outlets, including the Daily Mail on 17 October, reported that the model flew to Bangkok last month after receiving a message about a part-time modelling opportunity and attended an interview there.

Another tabloid reported: She flew to Bangkok for a job interview, but instead of working on the runway, she was taken to Myanmar and turned into a slave.

Her duties included being beautiful, serving her masters, and scamming rich people, The Sun reported, citing Mash outlet.

According to the Nation Thailand, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is monitoring global reactions following the reports on the alleged death of Ms Kravtsova.

TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool reportedly expressed concern that online speculation could damage international confidence in Thailands tourism safety. She has, the outlet reported, instructed the TAT Moscow Office to swiftly evaluate the situation, track social media discussions, and submit regular reports on developments.

Meanwhile, the agency urged travellers to stay alert and avoid interacting with strangers abroad, and contact local authorities or their embassy immediately if they sense any threat.

The Belarusian ministry of foreign affairs reportedly confirmed that it will offer full diplomatic support to her family to facilitate the repatriation of her remains.

Myanmars scam centres, particularly along the Thai border, have rapidly expanded since the 2021 military coup, with compounds like KK Park operating as heavily fortified hubs for transnational online fraud.

Controlled by crime syndicates and allegedly tacitly supported by the military, these complexes use trafficked workers from across Asia and Africa, forcing them to run scams under threats of torture and violence, The Guardian reported last month.

Facilities include luxury housing for managers, on-site hospitals, banks, and internet access via satellites like Starlink, enabling operations despite Thai border restrictions. While some 7,000 victims have been rescued, estimates suggest up to 100,000 remain trapped, enduring brutal conditions, making these centres a major human trafficking and organised crime crisis intertwined with Myanmars conflict economy.


WASHINGTON  The US rolled out some of its heaviest sanctions yet against Russia Wednesday after plans for a summit between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin foundered earlier this week.

Moscows two largest energy companies  Rosneft and Lukoil  were hit by the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control with the crippling economic penalties to push for an end to the more than three-year-old invasion of Ukraine.

I just felt it was time, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office following a meeting with NATO secretary general Mark Rutte. We waited a long time.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that the US would roll out heavy sanctions against Russia in response to the foundered summit between President Trump and Vladimir Putin. REUTERS

US President Donald Trump greets Russian President Vladimir Putin on the tarmac after they arrived at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15, 2025. AFP via Getty Images

Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate cease-fire, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement announcing the sanctions, noting the two firms and their dozens of subsidiaries help fund the Kremlins war machine.

These are tremendous sanctions, the president added. We hope that they wont be on for long; we hope that the war will be settled.

Follow The Posts live coverage of President Trump and national politics for the latest news and analysis

Rutte added that the move was all about changing the calculus, making sure that Putin understands that a cease-fire in the conflict has to be step one now.

China and India remain the largest purchasers of Russian oil, though the European Union was still taking in roughly 6% of Moscows crude oil exports as of June, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.

France, Belgium and Spain accounted for around 85% of all Russian liquid natural gas (LNG) imports as of last year, according to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA).

The designation will block all property and interests of the Russian energy companies, as well as any entities that are majority-owned by them.

Ukrainian Ambassador to the US Olha Stefanishyna celebrated the sanctions in a statement, noting they marked the first time since Moscows invasion in February 2022 that the US decided to impose full blocking sanctions against Russian energy companies.

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, rescuers evacuate children after Russian drones hit a city kindergarten during an attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. AP

This came after numerous attempts to give Russia the opportunity to begin genuine negotiations to end the war, Stefanishyna said. This decision is fully consistent with Ukraines longstanding position, which has repeatedly emphasized that peace is only possible through strength and by exerting pressure on the aggressor using all available international instruments.

Trump also told reporters that the Russia-Ukraine war has turned out to be tougher than the Middle East.

The Middle East was supposed to be the tough one, and weve solved that puzzle but this one will get solved also, he promised, adding that he canceled plans to speak with Putin in Budapest, Hungary because it didnt feel like we were going to get to the place we have to get.

I believe that the president is disappointed, Bessent told Fox Business Networks Kudlow of Trumps reaction to the scrapped talks, adding that Putin has not come to the table in an honest and forthright manner.

Bessent referred to Wednesdays action as one of the largest sanctions we have done against the Russian Federation, while noting there would not be secondary tariffs slapped on nations still buying up Russian oil.

These are going to be substantial and powerful, Bessent went on, noting that European nations and others still purchasing energy from Moscow should join the US in the economic penalties and saying that he had encouraged leaders of G7 nations to levy similar punishment.

France, Belgium and Spain accounted for around 85% of all Russian liquid natural gas (LNG) imports as of last year, according to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA).

This came after numerous attempts to give Russia the opportunity to begin genuine negotiations to end the war, Stefanishyna said. This decision is fully consistent with Ukraines longstanding position, which has repeatedly emphasized that peace is only possible through strength and by exerting pressure on the aggressor using all available international instruments.

Trump also told reporters that the Russia-Ukraine war has turned out to be tougher than the Middle East.
- Wheel of Fortune/YouTube

Wheel of Fortune fans have reacted after a mom-of-three lost out on winning $1 million. She failed to solve the bonus puzzle, which could have made her the second $1 million winner this season. This all came after hosts Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White decided to be comfortable this episode and wear pajamas.

Kellee Williams, from OFallon, Missouri, played against Ailish Tierney, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Justin Gainer, from Chicago, Illinois, on October 21. Williams has been married for 28 years and has three sons.

Tierney, a deckhand and SCUBA driver, solved the first toss-up. Gainer, a man who just started nursing school, solved the second. Tierney solved Like Taking Candy From a Baby for $2,700 and took the lead.

On the next puzzle, Williams landed on the One Million Wedge and solved Driving With Your High Beams on. She won a trip to Texas after landing on the designated wheel, giving her a total of $19,300.

Tierney solved most of the Prize Puzzle, but Gainer solved Lush Green Vegetation for a trip to Vietnam, worth $11,382. Each contestant solved one of the Triple Toss Ups for $2,000 each.

Tierney solved the final puzzle  Prized Possessions  for an additional $1,600. She ended with a total of $6,300. Gainer had a total of $13,382. Williams was the nights big winner with $21,300.

For the Bonus Round, Williams picked Phrase and had the $1 million in play. She brought her husband with her to cheer her on.

After Wheel of Fortune gave her R,S,T,L,N, and E, she chose M,Y,D, and O. Williams puzzle then looked like _O_ _ _ _ _LO_S.

Hot Holsters, Dog Something, she said as the clock counted down. The puzzle was How Fabulous. Williams lost out on taking home an additional $40,000, which would have totaled $61,300, so she did not have the $1 million envelope.

I would have been incredibly surprised if we had another million-dollar winner this season, one YouTube user said.

Impossible to solve with the letters she had. She was a really good player, though! another said.

Well, at least it wasnt the million. Thats the only good thing that came out of the round, a third added.

When they dont solve the puzzle, its a really good thing that its not the million in the envelope, another fan said.

Wheel of Fortune, weekdays, check local listings, stream next day on Hulu and Peacock

Read the latest entertainment news on TV Insider.
ASHBURN, Va., Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - DXC Technology (NYSE: DXC), a leading Fortune 500 global technology services provider, today announced the opening of its new office in downtown Detroit. The location will serve as a center for AI-first innovation where DXC employees, partners, and customers can collaborate, accelerating Detroit's growth as a technology hub.

DXC Opens New Office in Detroit, Driving Growth with AI-first Innovation (CNW Group/DXC Technology Services, LLC)

Steeped in a rich history of innovation, Detroit offers a prime location for next-generation technology and proximity to both long-standing and prospective DXC customers. Located in the historic Fowler Building, a Bedrock property, DXC will showcase its expertise across all information technologies and welcome customers, partners, and vendors to the space to connect and collaborate. With over 500 employees in Michigan and a 40-year presence in the area, DXC is an established, trusted partner for many Michigan-based brands across many industries including automotive, advanced manufacturing, energy, and finance.



"Detroit has always been a city driven by innovation and AI technology is where the world is heading." said Detroit Mayor, Mike Duggan. "Detroit continues to move forward with great partners, like DXC, who make opportunities available to Detroiters by bringing their new offices to the city that will create a positive impact far beyond our city limits."

The Detroit office joins DXC's worldwide network of collaboration spaces in major business districts, designed to bring teams together and accelerate innovation for customers. Across its global community, DXC is committed to investing in early career talent, upskilling experts in AI technology, and supporting highly skilled engineering technologists to help customers thrive in the era of digital transformation and AI adoption.

"We are excited to expand our presence in the iconic Motor City, where we are proud to support many customers across a wide range of industries," said Cameron Art, DXC President of the Americas and UKI. "Detroit and DXC share a mission to drive growth in technology and innovation to better serve our customers and community, and we look forward to all we will accomplish here."

DXC delivers AI-powered solutions alongside a comprehensive suite of end-to-end technology services, including application, cloud, infrastructure, and cybersecurity, supporting customers' transformations to become innovative digital businesses. To learn more about DXC's offerings, visit www.dxc.com.

About DXC Technology

DXC Technology (NYSE: DXC) is a leading global provider of information technology services. We're a trusted operating partner to many of the world's most innovative organizations, building solutions that move industries and companies forward. Our engineering, consulting and technology experts help clients simplify, optimize and modernize their systems and processes, manage their most critical workloads, integrate AI-powered intelligence into their operations, and put security and trust at the forefront. Learn more on dxc.com.

SOURCE DXC Technology Services, LLC
Delivered by the President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI), Monsignor Andrews Thazhath. No Pope has visited the subcontinent since John Paul II's last visit in 1999. In 2024, Prime Minister Modi renewed the government's invitation to Pope Francis. Meanwhile, in Seoul, the Minister of Unification hopes that the pontiff's presence at World Youth Day 2027 will be a step towards de facto unity between the Koreas.

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Archbishop Andrews Thazhath of Trichur yesterday, at the end of the Wednesday general audience, presented Pope Leo XIV with a formal letter of invitation on behalf of the Catholic Church in India for an apostolic visit to the country.

It was announced by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI), the collegial body that brings together the Latin, Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara Churches, and which is chaired by Archbishop Thazhath.

I informed the Holy Father that I would also discuss this matter with the Government of India, the archbishop added. He also specified that talks regarding the papal visit would continue in a meeting scheduled for today with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State. The Holy Father loves the Church in India and continues to bless us, Archbishop Thazhath concluded.

The question of the trip to India resurfaces as Leo XIV prepares to make his first international apostolic visit to Turkey and Lebanon from 27 November to 2 December. The trip to the subcontinent is eagerly awaited by Indian Catholics, who have not had the joy of welcoming a pontiff since John Paul II's last visit in 1999.

It is also a sensitive issue from a political point of view: until a few years ago, it was the opposition of Hindu nationalists that made the idea of a trip unfeasible. In recent years, however, there have been important openings during meetings between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pope Francis.

Already in 2021, Modi had extended a first official invitation to the pontiff, which was then renewed during their last face-to-face meeting in June 2024, on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Italy.

These precedents suggest that the possibility could become a reality, despite the many unresolved issues such as anti-conversion laws and other forms of hostility from Hindu fundamentalist groups, which in many situations create serious difficulties for the lives of local Christian communities.

Meanwhile, in Asia, South Korea is already looking forward to the Pope's visit in 2027, when World Youth Day will be held in Seoul from 3 to 8 August. The topic came up today during a meeting between the Archbishop of the Korean capital, Peter Chung Soon-taek, who is also the Apostolic Delegate for Pyongyang, and David Chung Dong-young, the new Minister of Unification of the South Korean government.

The archbishop reiterated his hope that young North Koreans would also be able to take part in WYD, and Minister Chung responded by saying he hoped that the 2027 event would become a significant turning point for peace on the Korean Peninsula.

The minister also said he hoped that Pope Leo XIV would also visit North Korea during his trip to South Korea, adding that a de facto reunification between the two Koreas  achieved through the free movement of people, money and resources  should take place before the legal or political one.
by Arundathie Abeysinghe

Most of the abandoned building that the current administration had repurposed for national interest ventures are closed and in disrepair. Many heritage buildings have become havens for criminals and drug addicts, while furniture and other assets have been stolen. Former lawmakers and scholars are calling for urgent action before the deterioration becomes irreversible.

Colombo (AsiaNews)  Most of Sri Lanka's former ministerial residences are unused and rapidly deteriorating. The current government had reclaimed about 50 government-owned buildings occupied by former presidents, ministers, and civil servants, stating that they would be used for national investment ventures; instead, most are closed and falling into disrepair with some used as havens for criminals and drug addicts.

According to former parliamentarians, most of the buildings are heritage sites and must be immediately restored and not be left unused. After the current NPP (National People's Party) government came to power, these residences have not been assigned to anyone, they said.

Most of these houses are lying empty, while bats and nocturnal creatures are occupying some of the premises. Soon, these buildings will be beyond repair. What is more, some valuable furniture has been stolen, since there is no security personnel to protect them.

Rapid action is called for before the houses fall into disrepair, security staff should be deployed, at least to prevent criminals from entering the premises.

Despite pressure, the government has yet to take any action. Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government, Ruwan Senarath, stated only that "the government has yet to decide on the criteria for allocating the houses.

If the government is interested in using official residences for other purposes, they must amend the law. Otherwise, in the event of misuse of government property, ministry secretaries will end up in jail, said Nilakshi Attanayaka and Suneth Mendis, two lawyers who spoke to AsiaNews.

While the government wants to use them for tourism or as museums, since most of them are heritage buildings, it is necessary to consult the Department of Archaeology before proceeding.

"Some of these buildings are centuries-old homes. If they are allowed to deteriorate and collapse as is currently evident, it will cost billions of rupees, which is taxpayers' money. Hence, it is necessary to take swift action without further delay."

For archaeologists Senarath Samarasinghe and Mahesha Rajapakse, There is a legal system and a legal mechanism for the protection of Sri Lanka's archaeological heritage.

The conservation of heritage buildings and related archaeological activities began in the 1980s based on ordinances. But the Antiquities Ordinance No. 09 of 1940, which has undergone several amendments, is one of the most significant pieces of legislation for the protection of antiquities.

Likewise, the Antiquities (Amendment) Act No. 24 of 1998 strengthened the legal framework. Hence, those attempting to alter, restructure, and modify heritage buildings must follow guidelines issued by the Department of Archaeology, or legal action can be taken against those who violate the law," the archaeologists explained.

When the government asked former MPs to vacate their homes, they were handed over without hesitation. However, since most of the buildings are currently collapsing, immediate action is needed to restore them to their former glory, the two scholars emphasised.
ISRAEL - PALESTINE

The Knesset voted in favour of approving - 25 votes to 24 - two bills on the annexation of the occupied West Bank, a goal openly promoted by far-right ministers in recent months. The vote came during JD Vance's visit to Israel to support the Trump-brokered ceasefire in Gaza, who made it clear that he would not support the annexation. Netanyahu had called on Likud party MPs to abstain from voting, branding the action a provocation.

MYANMAR

The Burmese army is regaining control of territory with relentless air strikes and the help of China, which supports the military junta's plan to hold elections in December. This plan excludes the National League for Democracy, which won in 2021. The junta is trying to regain as much territory as possible in order to delay the elections, using new lethal technologies such as Chinese drones. Meanwhile, SpaceX has announced that it has cut off Starlink satellite connections to more than 2,500 devices used in scam centres in Myanmar. The decision comes after raids on the centres and the seizure of at least 30 devices.

MONGOLIA

Mongolia's Supreme Court has blocked an attempt to dismiss Prime Minister Zandanshatar Gombojav, exacerbating the political stalemate. The court ruled last Friday's parliamentary vote unconstitutional, a move that could cause further turmoil in the coal-rich country, where factions of the ruling party are at odds over the economy. The court ruled in favour of President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, who vetoed the vote on Monday, citing procedural irregularities.

INDIA

India's Ministry of Information Technology has announced radical new rules to regulate artificial intelligence, with the aim of curbing the wave of disinformation in the nation with over 900 million internet users. The ministry cited the growing abuse of technologies used to create or generate synthetic media. With incidents of deepfake audio, video and synthetic media that have demonstrated the potential of generative AI to create convincing falsehoods.

SAUDI ARABIA

The death penalty was carried out on Abdullah al-Derazi, who had participated in protests against the treatment of the Shia minority when he was 17 years old. Abdullah al-Derazi is the second minor to be killed by the Saudi authorities in two months. Arrested in 2014 and tried three years later by Saudi Arabia's Special Criminal Court, he was accused of targeting security personnel and throwing Molotov cocktails. In August 2018, he was sentenced to death.

CHINA - TAIWAN

According to a study by a Taiwanese NGO, in 2024 more than 10,000 Taiwanese took part in over 110 religious trips to China, supported or organised by government agencies across China. Taipei considers the evidence part of a Chinese campaign to win support on the island, reiterating that China has no right to speak on its behalf. Yesterday, Taiwan's Ministry of Defence stated that it intends to strengthen cooperation with the United States, with reciprocal visits and military exercises, for peace and stability in the region.

RUSSIA - UKRAINE - UNITED STATES

The meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary Marco Rubio, which was supposed to prepare for the summit in Budapest between Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and possibly Volodymyr Zelenskyj, has been postponed to a date to be determined after a telephone conversation between the two diplomats, described by the Kremlin as very constructive, while CNN sources say that Russia's position has not shifted from its goals.

ARMENIA

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has decided to attend a liturgy of the Armenian Apostolic Church in the monastery of Hovannavank, presided over by a priest reduced to the lay state, Father Aram Asatryan, for his public statements against Catholicos Karekin II, who decided to no longer mention him in the Eucharistic canon, and denouncing the corruption of other Armenian bishops and priests opposed to the government in power in Yerevan.
It is one of the oldest places of worship on the Arabian Peninsula and is a symbol of faith, history and devotion that attracts the faithful from all over the region. Consecrated in 1940, on 8 November it will celebrate an event considered a milestone for Catholics in the Gulf. A rector will be appointed to preserve and promote its historical dignity and spiritual character.

Manama (AsiaNews) - The Christian community of the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia, led by Bishop Aldo Berardi, is preparing to celebrate a day of festivities with the Church of the Sacred Heart in Manama, Bahrain, declared the Vicarial shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The place of worship is one of the most important and historic in the region and is located just under 30 km from the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia in Awali, the seat of the Northern Vicariate since 2021.

It is the oldest Catholic church on the Arabian Peninsula with the exception of Yemen, explains a patriarchal note sent to AsiaNews. It was consecrated in 1940 and is a symbol of faith, history and devotion that attracts the faithful from all over the territory.

Known as the Mother Church, it will be officially declared the Vicarial shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Saturday, 8 November, in an event that represents a milestone for Catholics in the Gulf.

Often referred to as the Mother Church, the Church of the Sacred Heart, the Vicariate's statement continues, has long been a centre of spiritual vitality and intercession for the diverse Catholic population living and working in Bahrain and, over the years, has attracted pilgrims and devotees from across the Gulf. The solemn celebration scheduled for the first ten days of November coincides with the 85th jubilee year of the church itself, adding historical significance to an already significant occasion. During the day, a solemn Mass will be celebrated, presided over by the Apostolic Vicar, Monsignor Berardi.

With the Church of the Sacred Heart established as a shrine, a partial indulgence is granted to pilgrims and devotees, the vicariate emphasises, who participate in the votive Mass on Thursday or Friday of the Sacred Heart after confession, communion and prayer for the intentions of the Pope. The faithful are encouraged to make pilgrimages to the Shrine to seek divine grace, manifested in a special way in this holy place where the human and the divine meet.

Lay associations within the shrine and devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus will also be present, with the task of organising prayer meetings, novenas and other devotional activities.

The vicariate extends its jurisdiction over four states on the peninsula, with different social, political and religious freedom situations: Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, the latter being a country where no other religion is allowed apart from Islam but where there is a Catholic presence.

In 2020, upon the death of the last vicar, Monsignor Camillo Ballin, who was succeeded as administrator by Monsignor Paul Hinder, former vicar of Southern Arabia, there were almost 2.8 million baptised Catholics out of a population of approximately 43 million.

The territory is divided into 11 parishes, with its headquarters in Awali, Bahrain, where the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia stands. It is a reality composed overwhelmingly of economic migrants from Asia, particularly India, and different rites such as that of the Syro-Malabars, to whom the late Pope Francis had granted jurisdiction over those who are in the Middle East for work.

To preserve and promote the historical dignity and spiritual character of the future vicariate sanctuary, Monsignor Aldo Berardi intends to appoint a rector who will be responsible for its pastoral care, administration and promotion of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The new figure will also be responsible for the preservation and promotion of the historical heritage of the church, as well as the supervision of its physical maintenance and upkeep. The new title will bring with it privileges and responsibilities, the note concludes, that reflect the deep reverence for the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Church's commitment to preserving its spiritual heritage.

The Sacred Heart Church in Bahrain hosted its first celebration on Christmas Eve, with the bells ringing for the first time at 11 p.m. on 24 December 1939. It was the first church to be built in the region, on a plot of land donated by the then ruler of Bahrain, Shaikh Haman Bin Isa Al Khalifa, and built thanks to the personal commitment of Fr Luigi, a Capuchin priest. The ceremony to lay the foundation stone took place on 9 June 1939, while the formal blessing was given on 3 March 1940.
In 2025, 24 states plus Washington D.C. have legalized adult-use cannabis, while nearly every other state allows medical access. According to MRI-Simmons, over 60% of Americans support federal legalization, and that majority keeps climbing.

Scientific evidence is also catching up to public sentiment:

A systematic review found moderate evidence that cannabis and cannabinoids help manage chronic pain and may reduce opioid use (U.S. Pharmacist).

and may reduce opioid use (U.S. Pharmacist). A real-world study of 5,200 patients linked medical cannabis use with fewer ER visits and better quality of life (Pain News Network).

(Pain News Network). New research from Stanford University and WashU developed a compound targeting cannabinoid receptors to relieve pain without psychoactive effects (Stanford News).

At the same time, emerging guidelines remind physicians to balance promise with caution (Pain News Network).

"Pharma has had its era," Noonan says. "It's time for a challenger. We're not waiting for permission  we're preparing for transition."

How Elevate Holistics Leads the Shift

Clinical integrity. Elevate Holistics operates exclusively with licensed U.S. physicians through HIPAA-compliant telehealth appointments, ensuring that plant-medicine receives the same professionalism as any prescription.

Safe, guided access. As Americans re-evaluate long-term dependence on opioids or benzodiazepines, Elevate provides a supervised path to explore cannabis as an alternative under physician guidance.

National reach, global vision. The company serves patients across 18+ states and closely tracks international reform, ready to expand as laws evolve. "We're a U.S. business first," says Noonan, "but this is a global movement toward safer, natural medicine."

Culture of disruption. Elevate's workforce reflects a new healthcare model  remote-first, diversity-driven, and built to adapt within complex regulatory environments.

Why This Matters

For patients: The old view  "if drugs don't work, try cannabis"  is obsolete. Now the question is: How can cannabis safely reduce or replace pharmaceuticals under physician care?

For providers: Knowledge of the endocannabinoid system, dosing, patient education, and compliance is becoming core clinical training, not fringe science.

For industry: As cannabis becomes a true pharma alternative, supply chains, access models, and quality standards must modernize. Companies built for the old prescription model won't thrive in the new plant-based paradigm.

Smart Reform, Not Chaos

Noonan stresses that responsible change is key. "This isn't about reckless legalization," she explains. "It's about data-driven, medically sound reform that integrates physicians, patients, and regulators."

Under her leadership, Elevate Holistics supports evidence-based education and partners with researchers exploring safer cannabis therapies (Frontiers in Pharmacology).

About Elevate Holistics

Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Tulsa, OK, Elevate Holistics is a woman-led telehealth platform providing medical cannabis evaluations, renewals, and patient education. Serving patients in over 18 U.S. states, Elevate combines technology, compliance, and compassionate care to help people legally and confidently access plant-based medicine.

Media Contact

Press Relations, Elevate Holistics

Email: partnerships@elevate-holistics.com

Phone: 816-400-4203

Website: https://elevate-holistics.com

SOURCE Elevate Holistics
Bought brand new. At 300 miles, I started hearing a clanging noise during acceleration @17mph and @25mph during decel. Took it to 2 dealers (first one is where I bought it 55 miles away but they said they didnt hear it, 2nd one in my neighborhood heard it and said its "normal"), finally a 3rd dealer diagnosed it as a failed transfer case and replaced it. The new transfer case was installed and the replacement made the same sound @ 17 and 25. Back to the 3rd dealer and finally 5 days later the trans specialist and "engineering dept" decided its a failed front end differential. Seriously??? I love the Jeep, everyone in the family has a Jeep...mine is the only one with a failed differential.

Bought brand new. At 300 miles, I started hearing a clanging noise during acceleration @17mph and @25mph during decel. Took it to 2 dealers (first one is where I bought it 55 miles away but they said they didnt hear it, 2nd one in my neighborhood heard it and said its "normal"), finally a 3rd dealer diagnosed it as a failed transfer case and replaced it. The new transfer case was installed and the replacement made the same sound @ 17 and 25. Back to the 3rd dealer and finally 5 days later the trans specialist and "engineering dept" decided its a failed front end differential. Seriously??? I love the Jeep, everyone in the family has a Jeep...mine is the only one with a failed differential.  Read More

Bought brand new. At 300 miles, I started hearing a clanging noise during acceleration @17mph and @25mph during decel. Took it to 2 dealers (first one is where I bought it 55 miles away but they said they didnt hear it, 2nd one in my neighborhood heard it and said its "normal"), finally a 3rd dealer diagnosed it as a failed transfer case and replaced it. The new transfer case was installed and the replacement made the same sound @ 17 and 25. Back to the 3rd dealer and finally 5 days later the trans specialist and "engineering dept" decided its a failed front end differential. Seriously??? I love the Jeep, everyone in the family has a Jeep...mine is the only one with a failed differential.  Read More

Keep your sanity...don't buy a Jeep By Former Jeep Fan | on 1.0
23 October 2025 21:33 (UTC+04:00)

On October 23, the open court hearing regarding the criminal cases against citizens of the Republic of Armenia, including Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Gukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and others, accused of committing crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, including the preparation and conduct of an aggressive war, genocide, violation of the laws and customs of war, as well as terrorism, financing terrorism, forcible seizure and retention of power, and numerous other crimes as a result of Armenias military aggression against Azerbaijan, continued.

The trial, held at the Baku Military Court under the presidency of Judge Zeynal Agayev, with a panel consisting of Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev (with Gunel Samadova as the reserve judge), ensured that each accused person was provided with a translator in their preferred language and defense attorneys.

The session was attended by the accused, their defense attorneys, some of the victims, their legal heirs and representatives, as well as prosecutors defending the states accusations.

The presiding judge, Zeynal Agayev, stated that 82 victims had submitted applications to the court, indicating their inability to attend the trial and requesting that their statements from the preliminary investigation be examined during the court proceedings. There were no objections to the victims absence or to the examination of their preliminary investigation statements.

Subsequently, the statements of victims who were unable to attend the session due to valid reasons and had submitted relevant applications to the court were announced.

According to the announced statement of victim Azad Kamal oglu Tahirov, while in captivity in Armenia, a police officer named Maxim struck him heavily in the mouth with the butt of an automatic weapon, breaking his tooth. Additionally, the same Maxim placed a single bullet in a revolver, spun it, and played a roulette game with Tahirov and his fellow captives. He pointed the revolver at Tahirovs head and then at Shahlar Gurbanovs head, pulling the trigger each time. In both instances, the gun did not fire. However, when the revolver was pointed at Tagi Bayramovs head and the trigger was pulled, the shot fired, resulting in Bayramovs immediate death. At the demand of Armenian military personnel, Tahirov and others took Tagi Bayramovs body to the riverbank and buried it there.

In his statement, Talib Azim oglu Tagiyev reported that on April 10, 1991, near the village of Havuslu in the Jabrayil district, Armenian military personnel stopped the Zhiguli car he was in along with Gubad Javad oglu Asadullayev and Gara Salman oglu Mammadov, taking them to the Hadrut police station where they were subjected to torture. During the investigation of this incident, Tagiyev identified V.E. Martirosyan, M.G. Konstandov, and P.M. Ayriyan as the individuals who tortured him during a recognition procedure conducted at the time.

According to the announced statement of Ilham Jabir oglu Agayev, on May 5, 1994, he was wounded and taken captive by Armenian armed forces in an area called the 3rd Sovkhoz in the Tartar district. After being held in the village of Garadaghly for about a month, he was transferred to the Shusha prison. His health deteriorated in Garadaghly due to untreated wounds. As a result, he was sent to the Khankendi city childrens hospital, where other Azerbaijani captives and hostages were also held. At the end of June 1994, he was taken to the Shusha prison, then to the Aghbulaq village in the Khojavend district, where approximately 50 captives and hostages were held. During his captivity in Aghbulaq, he was subjected to severe torture.

Victim Vahid Garoglan oglu Rahimov stated in his testimony that on August 28, 1993, during the occupation of the Khanlyg village in the Gubadly district by Armenian armed forces, he and his wife, Fadina Galina Gennadievna, were taken hostage, beaten with rifle butts, fists, and kicks, and held for one day in a water tank before being transferred to the Hadrut settlement. During their captivity, they were repeatedly subjected to severe torture.

Victim Rasim Mammadov noted in his testimony that in the autumn of 1993, he was injured when a shell fired by Armenian armed forces landed near him, causing him to lose consciousness and fall. When he regained consciousness, he found himself in a Niva vehicle and realized he had been taken hostage. He was held for two to three weeks in an unknown location before being transferred to a farm in Armenias Goris district, where he was beaten, mistreated, and subjected to severe torture. He was later taken to Gyumri, where approximately 15-20 other Azerbaijani captives and hostages, whose names he could not recall, were also held.

Victim Nazim Shakir oglu Abdullayev stated in his testimony that he worked as a topographic engineer at Azerbaijans Southern Water Design Institute from 1988 to 1992. On November 15, 1991, he was taken captive between the cities of Khankendi and Shusha. For three days, he was brutally beaten and subjected to torture, including being deprived of food and water.

According to the testimony of victim Ilham Allahveren oglu Rahimov, during the occupation of the Garadaghly village in the Khojavend district, he, Avaz Mirzayev, Rafiq Mustafayev, Khankishi Hasanov, and Fakhraddin Bahramov were wounded, while Asif Hasanov, Shahmar Ibrahimov, Museyib Nasibov, Nasib Rustamov, Yasin Rahmanov, and Hatam Bahramov were killed.

Niyyat Binnet oglu Ahmadov stated in his testimony that on April 18, 1993, he, his father Binnet, his mother Busat, his sisters Zovgiyya, Shargiyya, and Arzu, as well as neighbors Zubayda, Shamama, and others, hid in a stone cave in the Bashlibel village of the Kalbajar district to save their lives. That day, Armenian military personnel fired at the cave where they were hiding. His relatives Busat, Zovgiyya, Gulgas, Ahliman, Chichak, Yagut, Huseyn, Mahammad, Aygun, Surkhay, and Chingiz died from gunshot wounds. He and other surviving and wounded relatives were taken hostage. An Armenian soldier shot his father Binnet, wounding him in the arm and chest. He and other surviving relatives were taken to Khankendi, where he and other wounded relatives were placed in the Khankendi city childrens hospital, while others were held in the Khankendi city kindergarten. Armenian doctors at the hospital did not provide him with painkillers; instead, they tortured him by striking his eye and leg wounds and bandaging them with dirty bandages. He was held in the hospital for approximately eight months. The victim stated that he witnessed guards inflicting severe torture on wounded Azerbaijani captives there.

Victim Solmaz Damir gizi Aliyeva stated in her testimony that on May 8, 1992, Armenian military personnel attacked Shusha. At that time, she and her family members and relatives hid in the basement of their home. The next day, Armenian military personnel took her and her relatives hostage. After being captured, they were beaten with rifle butts and kicks, loaded onto a truck, and taken to a detention facility in Khankendi. There, the men were beaten and separated, while the women and children were placed in a single cell. For four days, they were given no food and were constantly threatened with death and insulted.

Victim Gadir Imamgulu oglu Mammadov stated in his testimony that on August 20, 1993, he was taken captive by Armenian armed forces in the Fuzuli district. After being held in the Shusha prison for about twenty days, he was transferred to the Aghbulaq village in the Khojavend district. He escaped captivity after twenty days and reached the Aghjabadi district. During his captivity, he was subjected to torture.

Khojaly resident Atraba Ahmad gizi Aliyeva stated in her testimony that on February 25, 1992, around 11 p.m., Armenian military personnel shelled the city. She and her relatives fled to the forest, heading toward the Aghdam district. On the way, Armenian military personnel opened fire on them, resulting in the deaths of her sister Malahats husband, Tapdig, and their 8-year-old daughter. During a second round of shooting, she was wounded in her left leg but managed to reach the Shelli village in the Aghdam district with great difficulty.

Khojaly resident Arif Gudrat oglu Azizov stated in his testimony that until around 8 p.m. on February 26, 1992, he and other Azerbaijani residents hid in a basement in Khojaly, then fled to the forest toward the Nakhchivanly village. On February 27, around 8 a.m., Armenian military personnel surrounded and took them hostage in the Nakhchivanly village.

Khojaly resident Fikrat Javad oglu Valiyev, born in 1965, stated in his testimony that on the night of February 25, 1992, the city was shelled from all sides by tanks and armored vehicles, and houses were set on fire. During the genocide, his brother Fuzuli went missing, and his sister Surayya Valiyeva, as well as Eldar and Rafil Ahmadov, Ul-fat Aliyev, remained in the forest, and there has been no news of them since.

The statements of other victims were also announced during the court session.

The trial will continue on October 24.

Fifteen defendants of Armenian origin are accused in the criminal case concerning numerous crimes committed during the aggressive war waged by the Armenian state - including the aforementioned criminal association - on the territory of Azerbaijan, in violation of domestic and international legal norms. These crimes were committed for the purpose of military aggression against Azerbaijan and were carried out under the direct leadership and participation of the Armenian state, officials of its state institutions, its armed forces, and illegal armed formations, through their written and verbal orders, instructions, and guidelines; material, technical, and personnel support; centralized management; as well as under strict control and under the leadership and direct or indirect participation of Robert Sedraki Kocharyan, Serzh Azati Sargsyan, Vazgen Mikaeli Manukyan, Vazgen Zaveni Sargsyan, Samvel Andraniki Babayan, Vitali Mikaeli Balasanyan, Zori Hayki Balayan, Seyran Musheghi Ohanyan, Arshavir Surenovich Garamyan, Monte Charles Melkonyan, and others.

The following individuals - Arayik Vladimiri Harutyunyan, Arkadi Arshaviri Ghukasyan, Bako Sahaki Sahakyan, Davit Rubeni Ishkhanyan, David Azatini Manukyan, Davit Klimi Babayan, Levon Henrikovich Mnatsakanyan, Vasili Ivani Beglaryan, Erik Roberti Ghazaryan, Davit Nelsoni Allahverdiyan, Gurgen Homeri Stepanyan, Levon Romiki Balayan, Madat Arakelovich Babayan, Garik Grigori Martirosyan, and Melikset Vladimiri Pashayan - are being charged under the following articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan: Article 100 (planning, preparing, initiating, and waging a war of aggression); Article 102 (attacking persons or organizations enjoying international protection); Article 103 (genocide); Article 105 (extermination of the population); Article 106 (enslavement); Article 107 (deportation or forced displacement of population); Article 109 (persecution); Article 110 (enforced disappearance of persons); Article 112 (deprivation of liberty contrary to international law); Article 113 (torture); Article 114 (mercenary service); Article 115 (violation of the laws and customs of warfare); Article 116 (violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflict); Article 118 (military robbery); Article 120 (intentional murder); Article 192 (illegal entrepreneurship); Article 214 (terrorism); Article 214-1 (financing terrorism); Article 218 (creation of a criminal organization); Article 228 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and possession of weapons, ammunition, explosives, and devices); Article 270-1 (acts threatening aviation security); Article 277 (assassination of a state official or public figure); Article 278 (forcible seizure and retention of power, forcible change of the constitutional structure of the state); Article 279 (creation of armed groups not provided for by law); and additional articles.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Encompass Health Corp. (NYSE: EHC) today announced that its board of directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend on its common stock of $0.19 per share, payable on Jan. 15, 2026, to holders of record on Jan. 2, 2026.

About Encompass Health

Encompass Health (NYSE: EHC ) is the largest owner and operator of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals in the United States. With a national footprint that includes 171 hospitals in 39 states and Puerto Rico, the Company provides high-quality, compassionate rehabilitative care for patients recovering from a major injury or illness, using advanced technology and innovative treatments to maximize recovery. Encompass Health is named America's Most Awarded Leader in Inpatient Rehabilitation by Newsweek and Statista and is ranked among Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies and Forbes' Most Trusted Companies in America. For more information, visit encompasshealth.com , or follow us on our newsroom , X , Instagram and Facebook .

From Fortune.  2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Fortune is a registered trademark and Fortune World's Most Admired Companies is trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited and are used under license. Fortune and Fortune Media IP Limited are not affiliated with, and do not endorse products or services of, Encompass Health. From Forbes  2024 Forbes Media LLC. All rights reserved. Used under license.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release which are not historical facts, such as the timing and amounts of dividends, are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 . In addition, Encompass Health, through its senior management, may from time to time make forward-looking public statements concerning the matters described herein. All such estimates, projections, and forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and Encompass Health undertakes no duty to publicly update or revise such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates based upon current information and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors. While it is impossible to identify all such factors, factors which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those estimated by Encompass Health include, but are not limited to, a decision by the board of directors to change the dividend rate in the future; the legal, regulatory and administrative developments that occur at the federal, state and local levels; g eneral conditions in the economy and capital markets, including any instability or uncertainty related to armed conflict or an act of terrorism, governmental impasse over approval of the United States federal budget, an increase in the debt ceiling, or an international sovereign debt crisis; Encompass Health's ability to comply with extensive, complex, and ever-changing regulations in the healthcare industry; potential disruptions, breaches, or other incidents affecting the proper operation, availability, or security of Encompass Health's information systems, including unauthorized access to or theft of patient, business associate, or other sensitive information; changes, delays in (including in connection with resolution of Medicare payment reviews or appeals), or suspension of reimbursement for Encompass Health's services by governmental or private payors; and other factors which may be identified from time to time in Encompass Health's SEC filings and other public announcements, including Encompass Health's Form 10K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and Form 10-Q for the quarters ended Mar. 31, 2025 and June 30, 2025.

Media contact:

Polly Manuel | 205-970-5912

[email protected]

Investor relations contact:

Mark Miller | 205-970-5860

[email protected]

SOURCE Encompass Health Corp.
23 October 2025 13:58 (UTC+04:00)

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23 October 2025 19:22 (UTC+04:00)

by Mazahir Afandiyev

Established in 1945 after World War II to ensure peace and security among world nations, prevent human casualties, and make the planet a better and safer place for all, the United Nations has, in todays reality, become the most prestigious and comprehensive international organization in the world. Since its inception, the UN's activities and missionfocused on maintaining international peace and security, fostering friendly relations among states, and contributing to the protection of human rights and freedomshave been based on the goals and principles outlined in its Charter. The Charter emphasizes that member states must fulfill their obligations in good faith, resolve international disputes through peaceful means, and respect the territorial integrity of states.

The UN played a significant role in the international legal recognition of the independent and sovereign Azerbaijani state during its challenging early years after regaining independence for the second time in the 20th century. On March 2, 1992, at the 46th session of the UN General Assembly, Azerbaijan became the 181st member of the worlds largest organization. Since then, Azerbaijan has carried out accreditations with UN substructures and established exemplary, comprehensive, and mutually respectful cooperation with them.

A turning point in AzerbaijanUN relations was when the National Leader of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev, participated in the 49th session of the UN General Assembly in September 1994 as the countrys first president. The participation of President Ilham Aliyev in the 80th session of the UN General Assembly on September 25 of this year in New York is a clear example of the deepening and strengthening relationship between Azerbaijan and the UN.

In general, over the past 30 years, Azerbaijan has been an active and exemplary member state that respects international law and has put forward several initiatives contributing to peace, development, and cooperation within the UN framework. The country has hosted significant global events such as the UN's first Global Youth Forum, the 5th International Humanitarian Forum, the 7th Global Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations, and COP29.

Azerbaijan's cooperation with the UN spans not only political areas but also social, economic, and humanitarian spheres. For many years, the country has closely collaborated with UN substructures such as the Population Fund (UNFPA), UNICEF, and UNESCO, especially the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), contributing to the implementation of key global frameworks.

Notably, the projects carried out under mutual cooperation within Azerbaijan by UNDPthe UNs main development agency and the first to be accredited in the countryhave made significant practical contributions to the implementation of Azerbaijans sustainable development concept.

In the long-term cooperation between Azerbaijan and UNDP, important projects have been implemented in areas such as poverty reduction, improvement of public governance, environmental protection, sustainable development, and gender equality. This partnership has played a vital role in aligning Azerbaijans national development strategies with international standards.

One of the most important milestones in AzerbaijanUN cooperation was its election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council on October 24, 2011. Azerbaijan won the trust of the international community by receiving votes from 155 countries. During its tenure in 20122013, Azerbaijan played an active role in discussions on international peace and security issues and contributed to shaping the global agenda. At the same time, it brought the necessity of a just resolution to its conflict with neighboring Armeniabased on relevant UN resolutionsto the attention of the international community.

Azerbaijan participated in a UN Security Council meeting as a non-permanent member for the first time on January 4, 2012. Starting May 1 of that year, Azerbaijan assumed the presidency of the Council, taking over from the United States and passing it on to China on June 1. During Azerbaijan's presidency, the Security Council held 13 open and 16 closed meetings. During this period, three resolutions were adoptedtwo on the situation in Sudan and one on the military coup in Guinea-Bissauas well as seven presidential statements.

Today, as a full-fledged member of the UN family, Azerbaijan is the only state that, invoking its right to self-defense as enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter, singlehandedly implemented the UN resolutions in 2020 for the restoration of peace and security in the South Caucasus. With this, Azerbaijan has openly demonstrated the value it places on the trust built through its 30-year relationship with the UN.

Currently, Azerbaijan continues to base its foreign policy on the supreme principles of international law, successfully promoting peaceful coexistence among different peoples, religious tolerance, the protection of fundamental human rights, and sustainable development in economic and social areas.

Thus, Azerbaijan always respects the discussions held on international platforms and the implementation of decisions adopted by international organizations aimed at preserving universal values, and it mobilizes all its resources to help build a more stable and improved global political architecture. This, in turn, once again reflects Azerbaijans political vision based on multiculturalism, tolerance, peace, and justice.

The author is a member of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan
23 October 2025 16:46 (UTC+04:00)

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The recent B2B meetings held in Baku between leading companies from Azerbaijan and the Baltic nations, including Finland, Latvia, and Estonia, mark a pivotal moment in Eurasian economic diplomacy. Organized under the umbrella of the LEF Network Azerbaijan projects sixth trade mission, this initiative is more than just a networking event; it is a strategic blueprint for long-term institutional cooperation between dynamic economies with complementary strengths.

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23 October 2025 19:45 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

For the first time in many years, an Azerbaijani plane landed in Yerevan. This event is a significant detail that could mark a regular pattern in the relations between the two countries soon. This time, all arrangements from the flight to Yerevan to the development of the program and press release were made solely by the two countries, reflecting a bilateral initiative. This is highly important for the peace process, as such independently organized meetings place additional responsibility on the parties and provide fresh momentum for peace efforts.

A new phase in the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process is emerging, highlighted by bilateral initiatives in Yerevan aimed at fostering dialogue between societies, building trust, and advancing sustainable peace.

From October 2122, 2025, a bilateral round table brought together representatives of civil society and expert communities from both countries. The Armenian delegation included Areg Kochinyan, Boris Navasardyan, Naira Sultanyan, Narek Minasyan, and Samvel Meliksetyan, while Farhad Mammadov, Rusif Huseynov, Ramil Iskandarli, Kamala Mammadova, and Dilara Afandiyeva represented the Azerbaijani side. The initiative, supported by official structures of both countries, reflected a joint commitment to advancing the agenda of the Joint Declaration signed on August 8, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

The discussions focused on key areas of concern, including humanitarian issues, economic and logistical opportunities arising from normalization, and concrete confidence-building measures. Participants emphasized the importance of involving broad social groups, civil society, the expert community, and the media in promoting dialogue. Meetings with Armen Grigoryan, Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia, reinforced the role of official oversight in ensuring that civil society initiatives complement the formal peace process. The round table concluded with a firm commitment to continue joint efforts to strengthen mutual understanding and lay the groundwork for a long-term, sustainable peace.

The round table marked the first meeting of civil society representatives in this format and underscores a shift toward a people-centered approach to reconciliation. For decades, Western institutions have dictated the framework of the peace process in the South Caucasus, often prioritizing their interests over local realities. Today, Azerbaijan and Armenia are actively pursuing confidence-building measures independently, demonstrating that the path to coexistence must be shaped by the societies directly involved.

This approach is particularly significant given the large generation of Azerbaijanis who grew up under the shadow of war. Establishing direct communication between citizens, fostering trust, and enabling collaboration on economic and social projects is essential to ensure that historical grievances do not dictate future relations. The recent implementation of the first charter flight between Baku and Yerevan also represents a tangible step toward connecting populations and facilitating practical exchanges.

The importance of societal engagement has also been emphasized at the parliamentary level. A recent meeting between the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament, Sahiba Gafarova, and her Armenian counterpart, Alen Simonyan, highlighted the role of legislative cooperation in promoting rapprochement between societies and identifying concrete steps for peaceful coexistence. Their discussions underscored the need for structured engagement and long-term strategies to create lasting understanding between citizens of both nations.

Despite these positive developments, obstacles remain, as always. Revanchist tendencies within Armenia, exemplified by the Garabagh clan led by Kocharyan and Sargsyan, the Armenian oligarchy in Russia, the diaspora, and elements of the church, pose a persistent threat to regional stability. These actors continue to exploit historical narratives to maintain tension and resist meaningful reform. Purging such revisionist and confrontational ideas from Armenian society is essential if a lasting peace is to be achieved.

Ultimately, this narrative is not about Armenias future; it is about its own failure. A failure to lead, to adapt, and to understand that the age of occupation and isolation is over. The region is moving toward cooperation, trade, and connectivity. Armenia has the chance to be part of this progress, but only if it frees itself from the grip of men like Kocharyan, who mistake nostalgia for leadership and cynicism for wisdom. He also announced that his team intends to participate in the upcoming parliamentary elections, signaling that he plans to use every available lever of influence, including leaning on Russia, which is not surprising, since last week there were reports of him secretly visiting Moscow and holding meetings.

Recent domestic developments, such as the arrest of Vardan Ghukasyan, the elected mayor of Gyumri, illustrate how internal political dynamics in Armenia can complicate the broader normalization process. European institutions have largely remained silent on this issue, exposing a double standard that highlights the need for Azerbaijan and Armenia to manage confidence-building independently, free from external interference.

Practical steps toward normalization

Alongside dialogue initiatives, practical measures are being taken to support normalization. Economic opportunities, humanitarian cooperation, and transport links, including the new charter flights, provide concrete evidence of progress. These steps reflect a long-term vision for coexistence that goes beyond political statements, directly involving citizens in shaping the peace process.

The Yerevan round table and related initiatives are just the beginning of a comprehensive process. Both countries face the long-term task of shaping societies that prioritize peaceful coexistence and socio-economic development over revanchist ambitions. By fostering dialogue at both the governmental and civil society levels, Azerbaijan and Armenia are setting the stage for a future in which disputes are resolved through law, communication, and cooperation rather than conflict.

Naturally, some Armenian sources express offensive and negative opinions, while certain Azerbaijani platforms claim "it is impossible to agree." Such reactions are normal at this stage, as public awareness is still adjusting to the peace agenda. Nevertheless, decisions are being taken at the state level to promote the peace process. If genuine conditions have been created for stability and lasting peace at this pivotal moment, they should be fully exploited.

The success of this process will depend on sustained engagement, the removal of internal spoilers, and the ability of both societies to envision a shared, peaceful future. If Yerevan opts for cooperation, regional stability and prosperity can be achieved. Conversely, under revanchist pressures, a cycle of isolation and uncertainty may restart. Azerbaijan's move signals an open call for regional peace, and how Yerevan responds will depend on its political maturity.
23 October 2025 15:29 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

Azerbaijan will take part in the 27th Mediterranean Exchange of Archaeological Tourism, an international tourism exhibition to be held in Paestum, Italy, from October 30 to November 2, Azernews reports, citing the State Tourism Agency.

According to information, the exhibition aims to promote archaeological parks and museums, support the development and marketing of archaeological tourism, reduce dependence on seasonal tourism, and expand economic opportunities.

Held under the patronage of Italys Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Conference of Regions and Autonomous Provinces, and the National Association of Italian Municipalities, the event is recognized by UNESCO and the UN World Tourism Organization as one of the most successful initiatives fostering intercultural dialogue.

Azerbaijan will present a dedicated national stand showcasing the countrys diverse archaeological heritage sites and their tourism potential. Promotional materials will also be distributed to raise awareness of Azerbaijans cultural and archaeological assets.

The Mediterranean Exchange of Archaeological Tourism is a globally recognized professional platform that annually brings together tourism organizations, public and private sector representatives, scholars, and experts from around the world.

Participation in this event provides Azerbaijan with valuable opportunities to explore best practices in tourism, apply innovative approaches to the development of archaeological tourism, and promote the countrys monuments inscribed on  or nominated for  the UNESCO World Heritage List.

This initiative is expected to further strengthen Azerbaijans position in international tourism cooperation and enhance global recognition of its rich archaeological heritage.
23 October 2025 17:28 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

Azerbaijan's literary has been promoted at Frankfurt International Book Fair in Germany, Azernews reports.

This year, the fair once again united thousands of publishers, authors, translators, booksellers, and cultural figures from across the globe.

Azerbaijan participated in one of the world's largest publishing events, with an expansive pavilion, backed by the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry.

The pavilion featured works by Azerbaijan's renowned writers and poets, modern Azerbaijani publications, examples of children's literature, and publications reflecting the country's national culture and heritage, all of which attracted the attention of visitors.

During the fair, the Azerbaijani delegation held exhibitions, presentations, and international meetings. Cooperation opportunities with foreign publishers were discussed, and new agreements were reached to promote Azerbaijani literature on the global stage.

The Frankfurt International Book Fair is considered one of the main events in the global book industry, bringing together over 4,000 participants from more than 100 countries.

The main purpose of Azerbaijan's participation was to promote the country's publishing and book industry, national literature, and cultural potential at an international level.

The Azerbaijani pavilion was met with great interest from visitors.

It is expected that the connections made during the fair will contribute to the development of literary and cultural collaborations in the future.

The Frankfurt Book Fair is the largest global event for the publishing industry, centered on the international exchange of book rights, networking, and exploring emerging trends and technologies in publishing.

Held every October, it is regarded as the key event for international book transactions and highlights a "Guest of Honour" country each year to spotlight its literature and cultural heritage.

The 2025 Frankfurt International Book Fair is a major event in the publishing world.

It will host thousands of exhibitors engaging in rights and license negotiations, with the Philippines honored as the official Guest of Honor.

Notable features include a special Book-to-Screen Day, focusing on the adaptation of books into films and games, along with a variety of events, exhibitions, and guided tours throughout the fair.
23 October 2025 11:14 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

The Chairman of the Management Board of Uzbekneftegaz JSC met with the President of the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) to discuss the implementation of the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) on geological exploration and the acceleration of related operations in the Ustyurt Plateau, Azernews reports, citing Uzbekneftegaz.

The meeting took place within the framework of the "Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan  2025" (OGT-2025) international exhibition and conference.

During the talks, both sides agreed on a set of measures aimed at expediting fieldwork, ensuring the necessary technical and logistical support, and enhancing the efficiency of the projects current phase.

The parties also outlined plans to deepen cooperation in the application of artificial intelligence tools, digital solutions, and automated management systems. These technologies are expected to boost production efficiency, optimize costs, and strengthen environmental sustainability.

It should be noted that in August 2024, Uzbekneftegaz and SOCAR signed a cooperation agreement in the hydrocarbon industry, initiating geological studies - including seismic exploration - and preparatory work for hydrocarbon production in the Ustyurt Plateau.
23 October 2025 11:33 (UTC+04:00)

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to the Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban, Azernews reports.

"Dear Mr. Prime Minister,

On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I sincerely congratulate you and all your people on the occasion of the national holiday of Hungary and convey my best wishes.

The current level of interstate relations with Hungary, our friendly country and strategic partner, is gratifying. Undoubtedly, mutual visits, regular contacts, and close cooperation create favorable conditions for the further development and strengthening of these relations.

The scope of issues currently on our bilateral agenda is very broad. It is pleasing that cooperation between Azerbaijan and Hungary is deepening day by day and that our fruitful partnership in the energy sector is developing on an upward trajectory. The intensity of our political dialogue plays an important role in enriching our joint activities in all areas with new content.

I would like to specifically highlight our cooperation within international organizations, particularly the Organization of Turkic States. Our participation this year in the organizations summits  mine in Budapest and yours in Gabala  clearly demonstrates the importance we attach to further strengthening the unity and solidarity between our peoples and states, as well as expanding our relations on the multilateral stage.

I am confident that we will continue our joint efforts successfully in the future to further strengthen and deepen the friendly relations and strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Hungary, in line with the will of our peoples.

On this significant day, I wish you robust health, happiness, and success in your state activities, and lasting peace and prosperity to the friendly people of Hungary," the letter reads.
23 October 2025 22:25 (UTC+04:00)

The Turkiye Wealth Fund (TVF), which manages strategic partnerships of state-owned enterprises, has so far invested $13 billion. With 34 companies operating in strategic sectors such as finance, technology, telecommunications, transportation, logistics, energy, mining, food, and agriculture  along with 2 licenses and 46 properties under its umbrella  the Fund holds total assets worth 12.7 trillion Turkish lira. As Turkiyes largest holding company and the biggest investor on Borsa Istanbul with its publicly listed companies valued at $25 billion, TVF is preparing to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

At a roundtable meeting in Istanbul, Turkiye Wealth Fund CEO Arda Ermut shared insights into the Funds contribution to the national economy, its ongoing projects, and its growing global profile. Joined by Deputy CEO Mahmut Kayack, Ermut emphasized that TVF, with $360 billion in total assets, now ranks among the worlds top ten sovereign wealth funds.

We have substantial cash reserves, Ermut noted. Its gratifying to see that weve transitioned from being a fund that seeks investment opportunities to one that now receives investment offers. Were getting many proposals from both domestic and international investors, and we are evaluating all of them carefully.

Providing details on the operations of the Turkiye Technology Fund (TTF)  a venture capital initiative launched from scratch  Ermut said:

Rather than investing directly in startups, TTF operates as a fund of funds, investing in venture capital and private equity funds. Its mission is to catalyze the development of Turkiyes capital markets and deepen its entrepreneurship ecosystem. Over the past two years, TTF has committed over $100 million across more than ten funds. These include not only Turkiye-based funds but also well-established, internationally recognized ones.

Ermut highlighted particular interest in petrochemical and mining investments, noting that Turkiye Maden currently holds 25 licenses.

Drilling and geological studies totaling 300,000 meters have been completed across four priority sites, he said. In Balkesirs Ivrindi district, we discovered gold reserves worth $2.5 billion, while in Kastamonus Taskopru region, we found high-grade copper deposits. Our goal is to channel all of these resources into the national economy.

Deputy CEO Mahmut Kayack noted that the Funds equity grew by 16 percent last year, surpassing 2 trillion lira, while 2024 results included 548 billion lira in operating profit and 371 billion lira in net profit.

Since 2024, TVF has secured $5.3 billion in financing, Kayack said. More than $4.5 billion of this came from international markets, while $1.8 billion was raised through Islamic finance instruments.

Arda Ermut also underlined efforts to produce domestically the core chemical and plastic raw materials that Turkiye currently imports.

Turkiyes average annual import bill for petrochemical products stands at around $25 billion, while domestic production meets less than 10 percent of demand, he explained. Land surveys have been completed, and discussions with both domestic and international strategic partners are ongoing.

Within the framework of the Eastern Mediterranean Petrochemical Project, TVF plans to use approximately 4 million tons of naphtha and 1.3 million tons of LPG annually to produce 4.1 million tons of marketable petrochemical products.

Once the project, which is planned to be established in the Iskenderun Gulf region, is completed, we aim to reduce imports in these product categories by about 50 percent, Ermut said.

Through these strategic investments, Turkiye Wealth Fund aims to strengthen national industry, reduce import dependency, and elevate Turkiyes position as a global economic actor on the eve of its 10th anniversary.
23 October 2025 22:50 (UTC+04:00)

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European stock markets opened mostly higher on Thursday, supported by strong earnings reports from Renault Group and Roche Holding AG. However, Lloyds Banking Group and Unilever PLC disappointed investors after missing expectations in parts of their businesses, Azernews reports, citing foreign media.

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TAIPEI, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- AnnJi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (AnnJi, TWSE: 7754) today announced that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track Designation for AJ201, the first-in-class for therapy for spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA, also known as Kennedy's disease).

"Receiving the Fast Track Designation for AJ201 marks a significant milestone for AnnJi," said Dr. Wendy Huang, CEO and Chairperson of the Board of AnnJi. "Alongside the Orphan Drug Designations granted by both the U.S. FDA and EMA, this recognition reinforces AJ201's potential to address the unmet needs of patients with SBMA. Backed by a strong global patent portfolio, we remain committed to advancing AJ201 into Phase 3 development and to working closely with the FDA to potentially deliver the first approved treatment for SBMA in more than two decades."

About SBMA and AJ201

SBMA, or Kennedy's disease, is a rare X-linked inherited neuromuscular disorder caused by CAG repeat expansion in the androgen receptor (AR) gene. The resulting mutant AR protein contributes to muscle and neuron degeneration through mechanisms involving cellular toxicity, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation. SBMA affects ~1 in 40,000 males globally and currently has no FDA-approved treatment.

AJ201, also known as JM17, is a novel investigational compound that has shown potential in reducing mutant AR toxicity and improving motor function in preclinical SBMA models. At the molecular level, it promotes degradation of pathogenic mAR protein, induces expression of antioxidant enzymes, proteasome subunits, and heat shock proteins, all of which may slow disease progression (Bott et al., 2016).

About AnnJi Pharmaceutical

AnnJi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (TWSE: 7754) is a clinical-stage drug development company focused on the development of innovative small molecules (NCEs). The company is dedicated to addressing high unmet medical needs in the fields of neurology, dermatology, and immune-inflammatory diseases, including rare diseases, such as Kennedy's disease (SBMA) and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF).

AnnJi is committed to develop innovative therapies that improve the quality of life for patients suffering from neglected chronic diseases. We focus on advancing high-quality, differentiated, and innovative drug candidates, and collaborating with global pharmaceutical partners. Upon achieving proof-of-concept in phase II clinical trials, we aim to out-license our products for further co-development and commercialization, with the goal of bringing them to global markets and driving sustainable growth for the company.

Contact:



Anne Yu; [email protected]
23 October 2025 18:50 (UTC+04:00)

Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev claimed on Thursday that United States President Donald Trump, whom he described as a false peacemaker, has set himself on a "warpath" against his country by introducing new sanctions on its oil sector, Azernews reports.

"They will, of course, say he could not help but be pressured in Congress, etc. This does not change the main point: the decisions taken are an act of war against Russia," the former president wrote on Telegram.

"And now, Trump has fully aligned himself with insane Europe."

Moreover, Medvedev noted a "latest swing of the Trump pendulum," claiming that the US leader decided to focus on reaching "victory precisely where it is possible. On the ground, not behind a desk."
23 October 2025 18:20 (UTC+04:00)

Iran has sentenced a former researcher of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), identified as Amirreza Jalilian, to 10 years in prison after convicting him of spying for the UK, his wife told Iran International, Azernews reports via Iranian International.

Jalilian, who held a senior scientific role in the nuclear medicines field and had previously worked for the IAEA for about nine years, was arrested in August 2024.

His wife, Saeedeh Varesteh, said that he was convicted without access to a lawyer of his choosing and denied family contact for months.

The court found him guilty of espionage for Britain and imposed a 10-year sentence, Varesteh told Iran International.

Over the years, Jalilian made several trips to Iran to visit his family and attend scientific conferences, but each time, he was summoned and interrogated by security agents at undisclosed locations, including some hotels in Tehran, his wife said.

According to his wife, Jalilian attended a meeting just days before his arrest with Amirhossein Faghihi, then head of Irans Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, who was later killed in Israeli strikes during the 12-day war in June.

Varesteh said her husband told her he was under intense pressure from security forces in the days leading up to his arrest, though she did not specify what that pressure involved.

On August 7, 2024, five agents accompanied him to his mothers home and seized his belongings. After that, we had no information about where Amirreza was being held, she said.

The family sought help from several senior officials, including Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, and his predecessor, Ali Akbar Salehi. All we were told, Varesteh said, was to wait and pray.

According to her, Jalilians family also reached out to Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and other senior officials within the organization to seek his release, but their efforts have so far yielded no results.

Even the United Nations representative in Tehran twice requested permission to meet with Jalilian, but both requests were denied by Iranian judicial and security authorities, she added.

He is a scientist, not a spy, his wife said.

Jalilian began his career working in radiopharmaceutical development at Irans nuclear research institute before being selected in 2014 for a role at the IAEA in Vienna, where he published several papers.

No public comment has been made by Iranian authorities about the case.

The case comes amid an intensifying crackdown by Iranian security services on scientists, dual-citizens and other professionals accused of espionage.
23 October 2025 19:09 (UTC+04:00)

Pope Leo XIV and King Charles III, who is also head of the Anglican Church, made history on Thursday by praying together in the Sistine Chapel, Azernews reports, citing ANSA.

It is time first British monarch has prayed in public with a pontiff since the Church of England split from Catholicism five centuries ago.

The prayer took place during an ecumenical service led by Leo and the Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell.

Queen Camilla was next to Charles during the service.

Psalms were sung by the Sistine choir with the choir of St.

George's Chapel of Windsor Castle and the children's choir of the Royal Chapel of St.

Before the service Charles, who arrived in Rome on Wednesday, had a private meeting with the head of the Catholic Church at the Apostolic Palace - their first encounter since Leo became pope this year.
The European Union's new migrant resettlement plan would require all EU countries to either accept quotas of illegal alien "asylum seeker" migrants or to make large payments to the EU. Resistance to that plan is mounting as leaders of Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary have all rejected taking any part in it.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban used an event marking the anniversary of the 1956 Soviet invasion of his country to compare EU behavior to that of the USSR and to vow that Hungary "will remain migrant-free".

https://rmx.news/article/orban-vows-hungary-will-remain-island-of-peace-and-migrant-free-as-he-likens-brussels-to-soviet-oppressors

In the Czech Republic, the deputy leader of the sovereigntist ANO Party of incoming Prime Minister Andrej Babis announced that one of the first official acts of the new government after it is sworn in will be to reject the EU migration pact. "We will not be governed by the EU" he declared.

https://europeanconservative.com/articles/news/we-will-not-be-governed-by-eu-incoming-czech-government-rejects-migration-pact/

Poland's newly elected sovereigntist President Nawrocki has also declared that Poland will decide who enters their country, not the EU. "Poland will not accept any actions by European institutions aimed at relocating illegal migrants to our country." he wrote in a letter to the EU Commission president.

https://europeanconservative.com/articles/news/nawrocki-to-eu-poland-will-decide-who-enters/

The last time the EU put forward a scheme like this, the then just elected Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz had upset the applecart and derailed the plan by announcing that Austria would not comply. The plan was withdrawn days later.
Desert solar panels foster greening, animal husbandry efforts

Xinhua) 09:32, October 23, 2025

XINING, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- For generations, the Talatan Gobi Desert in northwest China's Qinghai Province has endured severe sandstorms, persistent droughts and sparse vegetation, making life for local herders a constant struggle against a harsh natural environment.

Today, Talatan, located in Gonghe County in the Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, is undergoing a remarkable transformation. Expansive arrays of deep blue solar panels now stretch across the plateau, harnessing abundant sunlight to generate clean energy. Beneath their shade, pasture grass flourishes, and sheep graze and play freely in what is emerging as a vibrant new savanna.

Yehdor, a local 49-year-old herder, has witnessed this change firsthand. He now tends his flock while riding a motorcycle.

"Our village depends mainly on animal husbandry, and many families raise sheep. In the past, the grassland wasn't productive enough, so herders had to take their sheep far away to find grazing land," Yehdor recalled.

Decades of drought and overgrazing had turned Talatan into a near-endless desert. The turnaround began in 2012. Leveraging the region's strong solar resources and vast flat terrain, the local government promoted the construction of a solar energy base. Today, a sprawling photovoltaic park covers more than 300 square kilometers and is operated by over 60 solar companies, making it one of China's major gigawatt-level solar hubs.

Unexpectedly, the dense solar arrays also act as barriers against wind and sand. Their shade creates a cooler microclimate and reduces evaporation, while periodic cleaning by maintenance crews allows runoff water to seep into the soil, further nourishing the land below. This environment has proven ideal for grass growth. As vegetation returns, soil moisture has improved to the point where grass sometimes grows so tall that it almost seems to reclaim the desert.

"In some areas, the grass grew over a meter high, even blocking the solar panels and reducing power efficiency," said Cao Jun, a staff member with the project department of the local industrial park.

Faced with this challenge, the solar companies turned to local herders. An agreement was reached allowing herders to graze their sheep beneath the panels, providing a natural solution that avoided costly manual or chemical methods. In harder-to-reach areas, herders also harvest grass to use as winter fodder.

"It is a win-win solution. Herders earn extra income while companies save on weeding costs," Cao said.

Technicians also adjusted the panel layout, widening the spacing between arrays from three to five meters and raising the mounting height from 50 centimeters to between 1.5 and 1.8 meters, allowing sheep to move freely beneath them.

Once all projects in Hainan prefecture's 609-square-kilometer photovoltaic park are completed, the grass-planted area is expected to reach 450 square kilometers, yielding around 110,000 tonnes of grass annually. The energy base also provides employment opportunities for local residents.

Technology is enhancing both pasture and livestock management. Some photovoltaic stations employ infrared drones and monitoring systems to track herds across the vast area. In addition, certain pastures equip sheep with digital ID cards in the form of QR code ear tags, storing information such as age, vaccination history and owner details for traceable management.

Each year from June to October, herders can graze sheep in the photovoltaic park free of charge. Under these agreements, nearly 100,000 mu, or roughly 66 square kilometers, of company-owned pastureland is now accessible to local herders.

The prefecture has established 32 photovoltaic eco-pastures and 56 centralized grazing sites within the solar park, supporting 18 surrounding villages that raise more than 20,000 sheep each year. As sheep raised under the solar panels gain recognition, locals have developed a brand for "photovoltaic sheep" and now sell mutton nationwide through e-commerce platforms.

"Our family earns nearly 100,000 yuan (about 14,000 U.S. dollars) a year from raising sheep," Yehdor said. "My flock has grown from 200 to over 300, and our sheep are healthy and strong. Life is much better."

The model combining photovoltaic power generation and animal husbandry, pioneered in Talatan, offers a new approach to desertification control and clean energy development.

In Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Gansu Province, similar initiatives harness solar power to improve the microclimate, supporting agriculture while combating desertification in arid regions. In Yunnan Province and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, high-value traditional Chinese medicinal herbs such as licorice and astragalus are planted beneath solar panels, providing an additional source of income for local farmers.

As China advances green energy, an increasing number of industries and applications are being creatively integrated with it, enabling more efficient use of resources and generating greater overall benefits, while transforming once-barren lands into greener, more prosperous landscapes.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Reinforces Federated Hermes' publicly stated commitment to expand its private markets/alternatives investment capabilities, particularly in the United States





Expands Federated Hermes' real estate capabilities into major U.S. markets, complementing its U.K. business





Boosts FCP's institutional strength to support its growth ambitions

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Federated Hermes, Inc. (NYSE: FHI), a global leader in active investing, has reached a definitive agreement to acquire 80% of FCP Fund Manager, L.P. (FCP), a privately held U.S. real estate investment manager based in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

FCP specializes in investing across the U.S. Multifamily asset class deploying capital through predominantly equity and several debt vehicles. FCP has invested in, operated and/or financed more than $14.6 billion in gross asset value since inception, including more than 75,000 multifamily apartment units.

Upon completion of the transaction, FCP and its 75-plus member team will continue to manage investment portfolios and other aspects of the business from its current locations. FCP has six U.S. offices, including its headquarters in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and deep local coverage of 19 priority U.S. markets that provide meaningful local knowledge and capability in high-growth areas of the country.

The aggregate purchase price of up to $331 million includes $215.8 million in cash consideration and $23.2 million in Federated Hermes Class B common stock that will be paid and issued at closing, and opportunities to earn contingent consideration of up to $92 million over multiple year periods after closing.

The transaction will reinforce Federated Hermes' desire to enhance and grow its Private Markets/Alternatives offerings, where it already has a well-established mix of businesses operated primarily outside of the U.S. across Private Equity, Private Credit, Infrastructure and Real Estate, and Market Neutral strategies with assets totaling $19 billion as of Sept. 30, 2025.

The transaction will introduce additional expertise as Federated Hermes seeks to develop product solutions for its clients at a time of increasing demand for the private markets asset class. It also will expand Federated Hermes Real Estate capabilities into the U.S. market and will be complementary to its existing Real Estate operations in the U.K., which were founded in 1983, and had $5.5 billion of assets under management, as of Sept. 30, 2025.

J. Christopher Donahue, president and chief executive officer of Federated Hermes, said: "We are delighted to announce the signing of the purchase agreement for this transaction today. Upon closing, this transaction will allow Federated Hermes to enter the U.S. Real Estate Market at a time when the Multifamily sector enjoys strong fundamentals and significant growth opportunities. FCP brings a long-term record of real estate investment performance, which has been driven by a focus on risk-adjusted returns, extensive local and regional market knowledge and deep community relationships.

"An additional attraction is the complementary experience and knowledge of the Residential sector, which will be vital as we seek to continue to grow our U.S. and U.K. real estate businesses."

Esko Korhonen, FCP Founding Managing Partner, said: "In Federated Hermes, we have identified a firm with shared values and a strong commitment to building a private markets business. FCP is uniquely positioned to lead the private market expansion with Federated Hermes into Living sector assets in the U.S. This transaction provides an opportunity for FCP to strengthen its institutional platform, enhance its growth trajectory, and provide expanded resources, further enhancing our position as a leading national real estate firm benefiting our clients and stakeholders."

Federated Hermes was represented by K&L Gates LLP and was advised by KPMG LLP and Hodes Weill & Associates. FCP was represented by Goodwin Procter LLP and advised by Berkshire Global Advisors.

The transaction was approved by the board of directors of Federated Hermes, Inc. and the executive management of FCP, and it is expected to close in the first half of 2026, subject to certain conditions being satisfied, including, among others, obtaining certain third-party consents and the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended. This transaction will be the second Private Markets acquisition by Federated Hermes since the beginning of 2025, having acquired Rivington Energy Management Limited, a U.K. based infrastructure developer, in April 2025.

Conference call information

Federated Hermes will host a conference call to discuss the transaction at 9 a.m. Eastern on Oct. 24, 2025. Those wishing to participate should call 888-506-0062 (in the U.S.) or 973-528- 0011 (outside the U.S.) prior to the 9 a.m. start time. The call may also be accessed in real time via the About section of FederatedHermes.com/us. A replay will be available from approximately 12:30 p.m. Eastern on Oct. 24, 2025 until Oct. 31, 2025 by calling 877-481-4010 (in the U.S.) or 919-882-2331 (outside the U.S.) and entering access code 51862. An online replay will be available via FederatedHermes.com/us.

Related to the conference call, supplemental analyst presentation materials that Federated Hermes may use that describe certain details about Federated Hermes, FCP and the transaction also are available at FederatedHermes.com/us. Visit the About section of the website and click on "Analyst Presentation" link. The information contained in the analyst presentation materials is intended to be considered in the context of Federated Hermes' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and other public announcements. Federated Hermes undertakes no duty or obligation to publicly update or revise that information, although it may do so from time to time.

About Federated Hermes

Federated Hermes, Inc. (NYSE: FHI) is a global leader in active investment management, with $845.7 billion in assets under management, as of June 30, 2025. We deliver investment solutions that help investors target a broad range of outcomes and provide equity, fixed-income, alternative/private markets, multi-asset and liquidity management strategies to more than 10,000 institutions and intermediaries worldwide. Our clients include corporations, government entities, insurance companies, foundations and endowments, banks and broker/dealers. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Federated Hermes has more than 2,000 employees in London, New York, Boston and offices worldwide. For more information, visit FederatedHermes.com/us.

About FCP

FCP is a privately held real estate investment company that has invested in or financed more than $14.6 billion in gross asset value since its founding in 1999. FCP invests directly and with operating partners in commercial and residential assets. The firm makes equity and structured investments in income-producing and development properties. Based in Chevy Chase, MD, FCP invests both its commingled, discretionary funds and separate accounts targeted at major real estate markets in the United States. For further information on FCP, please visit fcpdc.com.

###

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Exchange Act and Section 27A of the Securities Act. Forward-looking statements can include statements that do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and are typically identified by words or phrases such as "trend," "forecast," "project," "predict," "potential," "approximate," "opportunity," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "current," "intention," "estimate," "position," "projection," "plan," "assume," "continue," "remain," "maintain," "sustain," "seek," "achieve," and similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "would," "should," "could," "can," "may" and similar expressions. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, forward-looking statements contained in this press release specifically include statements regarding Federated Hermes' plans, expectations, goals and projections relating to the proposed acquisition of FCP, including statements relating to the expected timing for completing the Transaction. The forward-looking statements included in this press release involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. Federated Hermes has based these forward-looking statements on current expectations and assumptions about future events, taking into account information currently known by Federated Hermes. While Federated Hermes considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, any forward-looking statement, and Federated Hermes' level of business activity and financial results, are inherently subject to significant business, market, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and beyond Federated Hermes' control. Other risks and uncertainties include the risk factors discussed in the company's annual and quarterly reports as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. As a result, no assurance can be given as to future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and neither Federated Hermes nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness, or updating, of such statements in the future.

SOURCE Federated Hermes, Inc.
Mark Carney will release his countrys budget next month (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)

Canadian prime minister Mark Carney has set a goal for Canada to double its non-US exports in the next decade, saying American tariffs are causing a chill in investment.

Mr Carney, who will release his governments budget on November 4, said many of Canadas former strengths  based on close ties to America  have become vulnerabilities.
Sir Stephen Fry is one of the contestants on The Celebrity Traitors (Cody Burridge/BBC/PA)

Sir Stephen Fry has said he would like for his friend and goddess Celia Imrie to win The Celebrity Traitors.

The veteran actor, comedian and TV presenter, 68, who was often seen talking to Imrie, was banished during Thursdays episode of the BBC One spin-off.
Claudia Winkleman at the launch of the BBCs Celebrity Traitors (Ian West/PA)

The Celebrity Traitors has teased a face-to-face murder in an action-packed episode that saw two players banished and another killed.

Actor Sir Stephen Fry and Scottish TV star Mark Bonnar were banished by the group following separate roundtable discussions where players quibbled over who they thought could be a traitor.
Why we left Belfast for a rural life and would never go back despite how people here are being failed

Emma DeSouza found plenty of differences when she and her husband moved from Belfast to rural Fermanagh... and plenty to enjoy about their new, slower-paced way of life in the countryside

Emma has been living in Fermanagh for five years

Emma DeSouza Thu 23 Oct 2025 at 07:49

Five years ago, my husband and I bid adieu to Belfast and relocated to rural Fermanagh. There is no Just Eat, no shop we can walk to, no buses or trains. The consolation has been a somehow more fulfilling if less practical way of living.
Veteran cleared of all charges as judge said case fell well shortUUP MLA slams show trial while TUV raise 'fundamental question' Victims families leave with prideFirst Minister Michelle O'Neill calls the verdicts an "affront to justice"

Families of those killed on Bloody Sunday marched to court where (inset) supporters of Soldier F also gathered.

Mickey McKinney and solicitor Ciaran Shiels spoke to the media outside court, as did (inset) David Johnstone on behalf of the Veteran's Association

A former paratrooper has been cleared of two murders during the Bloody Sunday shootings in 1972.

The veteran, referred to as Soldier F for legal reasons, was found not guilty of the murders of James Wray and William McKinney during disorder after a civil rights parade in Londonderry on January 30 1972.

Some 13 people were shot dead by the Parachute Regiment on that day.

Soldier F was also cleared of attempting to murder Michael Quinn, Patrick ODonnell, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon and an unknown person.

He had pleaded not guilty to the seven counts.

Bloody Sunday Soldier F not-guilty <

Judge Patrick Lynch heard evidence across a five-week trial which included statements by two of Soldier Fs colleagues.

He dismissed evidence from two paratroopers, Soldiers G and H  described as decisive evidence during the trial  and accused them of committing perjury.

Their statements, the sole and decisive evidence, cannot be tested in a way that witnesses giving evidence from the witness box would be, he said.

"Delay has, in my view, seriously hampered the capacity of the defence to test the veracity and accuracy of the hearsay statements.

"The two witnesses are themselves, on the basis of the Crown case guilty of murder as, in essence, accomplices with a motivation to name F as a participant in their murderous activities.

"I find that they have been serially untruthful about matters central to events giving rise to this prosecution.

"They have committed perjury, G once to the Widgery Inquiry and H twice to the Widgery and Saville Inquiries.

This is the evidence the Crown present as proving the guilt of F. Whatever suspicions the court may have about the role of F, this court is constrained and limited by the evidence properly presented before it.

"To convict it has to be upon evidence that is convincing and manifestly reliable.

"The evidence presented by the Crown falls well short of this standard and signally fails to reach the high standard of proof required in a criminal case; that of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

Therefore, I find the accused not guilty on all seven counts on the present bill of indictment.

Soldier F has been present at Belfast Crown Court for each day of the trial with his identify concealed behind a curtain in the court room.

Relatives of the men killed and supporters have attended each day of the trial.

Follow our blog for live updates from this mornings verdict:

Key updates Families campaign 'will not conclude with the acquittal' Michelle O'Neill will continue to support families in 'pursuit of justice' DUP leader says verdict 'clear and welcome' outcome Veterans spokesman says he 'will leave' after interruption while addressing media Key evidence unreliable Flavia Gouveia Conservative party leader 'pleased' Soldier F found not guilty Kemi Badenoch said she was pleased Soldier F had been found not guilty of murder and attempted murder during Bloody Sunday. The Conservative leader told broadcasters: Im pleased that he has been found not guilty. I know that there have been people on both sides who felt a lot of pain, but this verdict should draw a line on what has been a very difficult issue. Claire Williamson PPS says 'all decision-making in case conducted independently and impartially'

Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Herron said: The challenges of prosecuting legacy cases are well documented. From the outset, this case presented complex legal and evidential issues, including the admissibility and reliability of statements taken from soldiers by the Royal Military Police at the time.



"These difficulties have been recognised by the courts, including the Divisional Court when giving judgment on a challenge to the PPS decision to discontinue the prosecution of Soldier F and not to prosecute the other soldiers who fired shots on Bloody Sunday. Our thoughts today are foremost with the Wray and McKinney families, those who were wounded, and the loved ones of all killed and injured on Bloody Sunday. We understand that todays outcome comes after a prolonged and painful process for those families. We thank the families - both those involved directly in the prosecution and others - for the constructive and dignified way they engaged with us over a number of years. We can assure the public that all decision-making in this case was conducted independently and impartially and fully in accordance with our Code for Prosecutors. Flavia Gouveia Families campaign 'will not conclude with the acquittal' Ciaran Shiels, a solicitor who represents some of the Bloody Sunday families, said there was no right of appeal in the case.

Asked what was next for the cause, he said they were waiting for a review from the Public Prosecution Service in relation to alleged perjury and said they would push for a prosecution to be taken without further delay.

Were not finished yet, said Mickey McKinney, a brother of Bloody Sunday victim William McKinney, adding that they viewed taking the case as big.

Its a big one, we took them to the wire. Flavia Gouveia Michelle O'Neill will continue to support families in 'pursuit of justice' In a social media post, Ms ONeill said the continued denial of justice for the Bloody Sunday families is deeply disappointing.

She added: Over fifteen years ago, the then British Prime Minister publicly acknowledged the role of British soldiers on Bloody Sunday.

Yet, not one British soldier or their military and political superiors has ever been held to account.

That is an affront to justice.

The first minister commended the "courage and determination" of the Bloody Sunday families.

For more than five decades, they have campaigned with dignity and resilience for justice for their loved ones, their deeply cherished sons and fathers, uncles and brothers," she said.

I extend my full solidarity to the families and to the wider community of Derry who will be hurting today. I will continue to support you all in whatever steps you choose to take next in pursuit of justice. Claire Williamson DUP leader says verdict 'clear and welcome' outcome Gavin Robinson said the verdict "represents a clear and welcome outcome".

"This has been an extremely lengthy process however and will have reopened many painful memories," he said. "The events of January 30 1972 have been scrutinised and pored over more than any other single event in our history. The judge has cast doubt on evidence previously described as 'decisive' and highlights the difficulties inherent in taking forward a prosecution based on such problematic grounds. "The vast majority of those who served in our armed forces did so with honour and often at great personal cost. There must be no rewriting of the past and we will continue to guard against all attempts to do so. Claire Williamson Veterans spokesman says he 'will leave' after interruption while addressing media Paul Young, national spokesman for the Northern Ireland Veterans Movement, said veterans would be "heartened by this verdict today" and was interrupted as he addressed the media.

"I will just leave because I'm obviously not going to get a word in here," he said. "Soldiers across the United Kingdom will be happy with this, and I hope that there is no more soldiers brought to the courts here with evidence that has actually no way of going through." Flavia Gouveia Government says it is committed to 'finding a way forward that acknowledges the past' A Government spokesperson said: We note todays judgment. The MoD (Ministry of Defence) has provided legal and welfare support throughout, as it does for any veteran involved in a legal process arising from their duties. This case is part of the complex legacy of the Troubles, which affected so many families and communities. We are committed to finding a way forward that acknowledges the past, whilst supporting those who served their country during an incredibly difficult period in Northern Irelands history. Flavia Gouveia Families' reaction: 'We leave with an incredible sense of pride' Speaking outside court Mickey McKinney, brother of William McKinney said: Today marks the end of the prosecution of Soldier F for the murder and attempted murder of the innocents on Bloody Sunday.

The families and wounded and our supporters leave this courthouse with an incredible sense of pride in our achievements.

Soldier F has been discharged from the defendants criminal dock, but it is one million miles away from being an honourable discharge."

Mr McKinney added: Despite the heroism, steadfastness and dignity of the Bloody Sunday Families and Wounded, a coward walks free from the dock.

Not through the front door of this courthouse like every other vindicated, wrongly accused defendant proudly does, but instead, once his curtain has been pulled back for him, creeping out the back door."



Families of the Bloody Sunday victims arrive at Laganside Courts in Belfast for the verdict on Soldier F. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Claire Williamson UUP's Doug Beattie asks why 'show trial allowed to proceed'

Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie said: The trial of soldier F, accused of the murder of two men and the attempted murder of five others, is now over and a not guilty verdict has been delivered on all charges.

"This is not the verdict the families would have wanted, but it has been clear from the very start that the evidence, hearsay statements from two soldiers present at the time without legal representation, would never achieve the guilty verdict the families so desperately wanted.

"The question now needs to be asked: why was this show trial allowed to proceed in the first place when the evidence was so clearly flawed?" Gareth Hanna Bloody Sunday: A timeline How the violence unfolded on Bloody Sunday The events of Bloody Sunday unfolded after days of mounting tensions in Londonderry. Claire Williamson NI Veterans Commissioner David Johnstone welcomes outcome

"I said at the outset of the trial that we would be mindful that families lost loved ones on January 30 1972 - those families are at court today, just like many others who had relatives killed in 1972. "The families of those who lost loved ones in the Troubles continue to experience pain at the loss of loved ones and we should not forget that today."

He continued: "Soldier F has faced legal scrutiny in various forms for more than a quarter of a century and it's my hope that this ruling brings that long and arduous process to a close. "I would like to take this opportunity to thank veterans who attended the trial and the dignity they have shown Soldier F."





David Johnstone Adrian Rutherford Chaotic scenes There were chaotic scenes outside the courthouse as a veterans' spokesman was heckled as he gave his reaction to the verdict. Claire Williamson TUV says verdict raises 'fundamental question' MP Jim Allister said the verdict is 'most welcome''. The acquittal of Soldier F is most welcome, but raises the fundamental question of why this veteran was put through the ordeal of the last few years, given the self evident inadequacy of the evidence."

He added: "It is probably too much to ask, but all, including those who have agitated for years on this matter, should now accept the verdict of Not Guilty in respect of Soldier F and allow him to live in peace. Adrian Rutherford Time issues The judge spoke of the difficulty that the passage of time - it is almost 54 years since Bloody Sunday - presents to the legal process. Statements in the trial were 53 years old and documents have been destroyed or have gone missing. Claire Williamson Sinn Fein expresses 'huge disappointment'

Sinn Fein MLA Padraig Delargy expresses 'huge disappointment' following verdict

Speaking outside court the Foyle MLA said: Todays decision is deeply disappointing for the Bloody Sunday families and the people of Derry.

It represents one of the most extreme examples of justice delayed is justice denied in our history."

He added: While this is a setback in their campaign for truth and justice, Sinn Fein will fully support whatever steps they decide to take next and we will continue to stand with the families.



Adrian Rutherford Key evidence unreliable In finding Soldier F not guilty, the judge cast doubt on statements, previously described as decisive evidence, from Soldiers G and H.

In his findings, the judge said the evidence of G and H would have warranted a warning to a jury, had one been sitting in this case, as they appeared to have told lies on several occasions. Adrian Rutherford Not guilty Judge Lynch: Evidence presented by the Crown falls way short of standard ... I therefore find him not guilty Claire Williamson BREAKING: Soldier F found not guilty of two counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder Adrian Rutherford Civilian evidence After a short break, Judge Lynch is continuing to sum up evidence, including from civilian witnesses. Evidence from 20 civilian witnesses was presented during the trial. Adrian Rutherford 'Hearsay' evidence Statements by Soldier G and Soldier H were introduced as hearsay evidence as Soldier G is deceased and Soldier H was unwilling to testify. Early in the trial, Judge Patrick Lynch rejected a bid to have the statements omitted as evidence. Load more Tickaroo Live Blog Software

Mickey McKinney and solicitor Ciaran Shiels spoke to the media outside court, as did (inset) David Johnstone on behalf of the Veteran's Association

Contrasting viewpoints outside court ahead of Soldier F trial
Ex-Ulster Unionist election candidate and street pastor Colin Houston is set to fight charges over an alleged attack on a man.

The 61-year-old is accused of three offences arising out of an incident while he was preaching in June this year.
Education Minister defends plan to ease pressure on teachers and students by axing AS-levels

But Paul Givan admits transfer test lends itself to those who can pay for extra tuition

Education Minister Paul Givan.

Mark Bain Wed 22 Oct 2025 at 22:18







The Education Minister has defended plans to transform the examination system in Northern Ireland, but admitted that the transfer test lends itself to parents who have the means to pay for extra tuition for their children.
Gardai officers block protesters near the Citywest Hotel in Saggart, as disturbances have flared outside the Dublin hotel which used to house asylum seekers. Picture date: Wednesday October 22, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire

The Education Authority has written to all schools in Northern Ireland urging them to do what they can to restrict spending as the funding crisis in the sector deepens.

Education is now facing a 300m shortfall, officials warned schools.

Details of the letter, seen by The Belfast Telegraph, include cost cutting measures on spending for substitute cover and new appointments.

The National Association of Head Teachers said it demonstrates the impossible nature of running schools in the current financial climate and confirms the crisis that school leaders have been talking about for years.

The letter, sent to all school principals, states that unlike the position in previous years, we have been advised that no further significant funding allocations are likely to be made available and that the sector is currently on a trajectory towards a significant overspend at year end.

As well as restricting substitute cover and minimising new appointments, schools are being asked to avoid discretionary spending and not use accumulated surpluses.

The letter acknowledges that the sector is living with the consequences of years of increasingly unmanageable funding shortfalls and that warnings about this years budget are sadly being borne out by events.

Dr Graham Gault, NAHT NI national secretary, said: This lays bare the dire financial reality facing our schools. A 300m funding gap with no prospect of additional funding represents an education emergency.

It is the direct outworking of political choice  both at Westminster and in Stormont  and it is our children who are paying the price.

School leaders have been warning for years that children in their schools are being failed as a result of political choices not to fund education adequately, he added.

The situation is now critical, and our children cannot afford this level of failure any longer.

The Education Authoritys own letter acknowledges years of increasingly unmanageable funding shortfalls and admits that warnings about this years budget are sadly being borne out by events. In other words, this was entirely foreseeable and entirely preventable.

We are now in a position where schools are being asked to restrict substitute cover when teachers are absent. It potentially means children losing out on their education, larger class sizes school leaders and teachers being stretched even thinner trying to cover gaps. It definitely means further damage to an already overstretched workforce.

Schools are even being asked not to use their own accumulated surpluses  money they have carefully managed and set aside.

Mr Gault said the contents of the letter are alarming and demonstrate just how catastrophic the financial situation has become.

The warm words ring hollow when schools are being asked to operate in crisis management mode because there simply is not enough money to provide children with the education they deserve.

This is not about schools being inefficient or wasteful. This is about a system that has been systematically starved of resources through deliberate political choices over many years. School leaders are being asked to make impossible decisions that will inevitably impact on the quality of education we can provide to our children.

As I have said before, people need to ask politicians repeatedly: exactly how will you ensure that funding is fully restored directly to our schools immediately? Do not accept any failure to answer this question. Our childrens education depends on it.

Read more Pupils delighted as mentoring project pairs them with First and deputy First Ministers

The letter, signed by EA Chief Executive Richard Pengelly and now published on the EA website, continued: The sector continues to face very significant budgetary pressures for the financial year 2025-26, and while I acknowledge the continued efforts of all school leaders to manage budgets in these circumstances, the scale of the challenge requires that we all continue to work together and share responsibility in navigating a way through the current financial challenges.

At an operational level the sector must demonstrate a rigorous and extensive approach to financial control that aligns with the extent of financial risk we are facing this year.

It is critical that school leaders seek to take any and all actions possible to reduce expenditure. This should include, among other issues, not proceeding with discretionary spend, minimise, as far as possible, entering into new financial commitments related to appointments, and restricting the use of substitute cover.

EA will continue to make similar difficult decisions in relation to our operations.

"Whilst I fully respect the autonomy Boards of Governors have been conferred under the Local Management of Schools arrangements, we cannot ignore the reality that all schools expenditure impacts on the overall education sector financial position. Specifically, the use by schools of any accumulated surpluses is unfunded, and would be an additional pressure on the EA budget.

Therefore, I am asking you to ensure that a rigorous approach is taken to all spending decisions within your schools, and to take all reasonable steps to contain expenditure where possible. Approval to incur expenditure should only be given to the highest priority and inescapable requests.

Gardai officers block protesters near the Citywest Hotel in Saggart, as disturbances have flared outside the Dublin hotel which used to house asylum seekers. Picture date: Wednesday October 22, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire

News Catch Up - Friday 24th October
The chair of Stormonts Communities Committee has criticised Minister Gordon Lyons after he claimed some Irish language advocates have used it as a weapon of cultural dominance.

Sinn Feins Colm Gildernew said he was extremely concerned at the use of the words by the DUP Minister as he took questions during the scrutiny committee session today.

Deputy chair, Sinn Feins Nicola Brogan, raised the topic during the meeting, asking Mr Lyons if he felt he was dealing with the Irish language.

Ms Brogan added that campaign groups felt he was dealing with the subject in a hostile way, with little progress by his department in forming an Irish Language strategy over the last 20 years.

I will not object whatsoever to anyone learning a language or celebrating the Irish language, the DUP Minister responded.

I know there are a lot of cultural issues that come with it. People are very proud of that and I wont stand in the way of that in any way.

But what I want to make sure is that what we do is proportionate, affordable and not seen as an imposition on other people.

Weve had debates in this place (Stormont) recently and were not going to rehearse that today, but there is concern about how the Irish language has been weaponised, he added.

We need to step away from any sort of actions that we put in place which could cause further alienation.

I cant help what peoples perceptions are. Some people come with their own perceptions.

"I have treated everyone equally when it comes to issues, whether its Ulster Scots culture, the Irish Language strategy or the anti-poverty strategy. They have all gone through the exact same process.

But this has all been made more complex as a judicial review is taking place. That doesnt help progress anything. The work is, though, continuing.

Ms Brogan told the Minister that campaign groups were feeling disrespected having waited since 2006 for delivery of a strategy, as agreed by the NI Assembly.

First of all, a strategy wasnt agreed in 2006, the Minister countered. It was agreed that there would be a strategy. You have to create it.

"Thats why there have been so many difficulties, not only in terms of the language strategies, but in anti-poverty, weve had the same position for the same amount of time.

I have no doubt if you say the blame for this should lie at my door, you would say the same for your Sinn Fein predecessors in my department.

I will be ensuring what we bring forward is fair, as we dont have fairness in Northern Ireland right now.

We look at Belfast City Council, in particular, where the majority can be cast aside in terms of what a smaller minority want.

Earlier this month, Belfast City Council passed a new policy over the usage of the Irish language, despite opposition by unionists.

The policy aims to remove barriers to the use of the Irish language in public life. It also includes a pledge for the council to adopt a dual-language approach to signage at all its facilities.

Committee chair Colm Gildernew said he was very concerned at what he had heard from the Minister.

Youve referred to Irish as an imposition, yet said youre tolerant of it, he said.

Communities committee chair Colm Gildernew

You are the one with responsibility for developing a strategy to support the Irish language.

"You have removed it from your departments letterheads and logos on the premise that it was cost-saving, but we have correspondence to say you dont even know what saving has been made.

"What youre really doing is setting your base against bringing forward any Irish Language strategy.

Mr Lyons denied the claim, suggesting his remarks were being misrepresented for political purposes.

He added: Im not saying it was an imposition. I said that some people have used the Irish language as a weapon of cultural dominance.

"And that is exactly what some people in your party have said in the past. You can understand why some people are a little bit sceptical about some of the approaches that have been taken.

Mr Gildernew said the mood music being set out would not give the sector any encouragement, while Ms Brogan asked Mr Lyons why he had shown a reluctance to meet with Irish language groups.

There was an agreement to meet, the Minister responded. Then they decided to go down the route of judicial review.

Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland took issue with the Ministers use of the phrase weapon of cultural dominance.

As someone who educates my children through the Irish language, I see the value of it without being political. The weaponisation of it happens on both sides and I think that has to be addressed.

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons

News Catch Up - Thursday 23 October

I believe the Irish language is something exceptional and beautiful. My children singing Bah, bah caoire dhubh (Baa Baa Black Sheep) is no weapon for anybody.

I dont believe it should be politicised. I wish it didnt have the connotation it does.

Mr Lyons assured the committee an Irish language strategy was going through a process, adding: Well see where that leads.
Company to host educational symposium and demonstrate High-Frequency OCT Imaging System

SUDBURY, Mass., Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Gentuity LLC, a Massachusetts-based medical technology company specializing in next-generation intravascular imaging devices, today announced their activities and presence at the upcoming 2025 Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) Conference taking place October 25-28 in San Francisco, CA. Gentuity is currently enhancing the availability, adoption, and functionality of intravascular imaging solutions with a goal of advancing patient care by providing tools to enable more precise PCI planning and treatment.

Gentuity will feature their HF-OCT Imaging System and Vis-Rx PRIME Micro-Imaging Catheter in booth #2041. Attendees can experience hands-on demonstrations and learn how the technology is designed to deliver enhanced intravascular imaging and actionable insights to guide both pre- and post-intervention decisions.

"Through our ongoing collaborations, we are making our solutions more accessible and accelerating the introduction of unique capabilities that we believe will transform how PCI procedures are planned, executed, and evaluated," said Desmond Adler, President of Gentuity. "At TCT, we look forward to showing how HF-OCT empowers clinicians to treat with confidence and to sharing our vision where imaging modalities come together to guide intervention across the full treatment pathway."

Gentuity will also host an educational symposium titled "Integration of HF-OCT for Comprehensive PCI Guidance" on Monday, October 27, from 7:45 a.m. to 8:45 a.m., featuring presentations from experts in intravascular imaging and moderated by Morton J. Kern, MD. Symposium topics and speakers include:

"How I Incorporated HF-OCT into my Practice" presented by Andreas Kalogeropoulos, MD, PhD

"Small Vessel Imaging for DCB Planning" presented by Evan Shlofmitz, DO

"Integration of Emerging PCI Planning Tools" presented by Hiram Bezerra, MD, PhD

To add this session to your calendar, visit: Integration of HF-OCT for Comprehensive PCI Guidance

In addition to its exhibit presence and sponsored symposium, Gentuity's HF-OCT technology will be featured in multiple abstract presentations on Sunday, October 26, highlighting its expanding role in intravascular imaging and clinical applications:

"Feasibility and Safety of Lactated Ringer's Solution as a Flushing Agent for a Novel, Fast-Pullback, High-Frequency OCT Imaging" presented by Satoshi Koto, MD

"Combined High-Frequency Optical Coherence Tomography and Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction Evaluation for Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy" presented by Vivek Mehta, MD

TCT is the world's largest educational meeting dedicated to interventional cardiovascular medicine, drawing thousands of healthcare professionals from around the globe. For more than 36 years, it has been the premier forum to share the latest advances in therapies and clinical research while bringing together a community of specialists in interventional and vascular medicine.

For more information about Gentuity's products, please visit www.gentuity.com or contact [email protected].

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward looking statements. These forward-looking statements might be identified by words, and variations of words, such as "will," "expect," "may," "would," "could," "plan," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "aim," "estimate," "potential," "position," and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about the collaboration, the anticipated outcomes of the collaboration, and any new products or solutions resulting from the collaboration or otherwise. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those described in its forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the Company's inability to achieve the anticipated benefits of this collaboration, business or commercial disruptions, and unexpected risks and liabilities impacting the Company. There may be other factors not presently known to the Company or which it currently considers to be immaterial that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements the Company makes. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law or regulation.

Media Contact:

Gentuity LLC

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +1 888-967-7628

About Gentuity LLC:

Gentuity LLC is a medical technology company dedicated to developing next-generation intravascular imaging devices. Based in Sudbury, Massachusetts, Gentuity focuses on crossing new frontiers in cardiovascular care so patients can focus on living.

SOURCE Gentuity, LLC
The PSNI has partnered with the INEQE Safeguarding Group

The PSNI has launched a safeguarding partnership to deal with online sexual offences towards children

The PSNI has partnered with a safeguarding group run by a former senior police officer to target online harms in the wake of the Alexander McCartney case.

McCartney was sentenced to life imprisonment after admitting to 185 charges of online child sex abuse crimes and blackmail in what was described as the UKs largest catfishing case.

The 26-year-old posed as a teenage girl to befriend young females on Snapchat before blackmailing them, luring in victims across the world.

The case led to the death of a 12-year-old girl in America, who took her own life after being targeted and abused by McCartney.

Responding to this case and a sharp rise in sextortion incidents, INEQE Safeguarding Group, headed up by former senior PSNI officer Jim Gamble, has developed resources for parents, carers and professionals.

It has also developed guidance designed specifically for children and young people.

The PSNI has launched a safeguarding partnership to deal with online sexual offences towards children

News Catch Up - Thursday 23 October

Read more Parents need to improve their tech knowledge to keep children safe online

Known as the Teach Hub, it provides lesson plans, accompanying delivery notes and resources on topics including grooming, sextortion and image sharing.

Materials are designed to give officers the skills to address these issues with children and young people in a way that is both effective and appropriate, while helping them understand how and why such risks may emerge in a young persons life.

Mr Gamble said: We cant expect our children and young people to navigate the digital world alone.

"This partnership will help officers feel confident and equipped to talk to them about the risks they face online - in a way that is age-appropriate, empathetic and impactful.

Online sex offences against children are increasing in NI. Some 2,187 offences were recorded in 2024, 187 of which relate to grooming and sexual communication with a child.

A further 799 offences relating to taking, possessing, sharing or publishing indecent images of children were reported in 2024.

We are arming young people with the information they need to make safe choices and to stay vigilant

PSNI Superintendent Joanne Gibson said the organisation was not complacent when it comes to protecting children online.

"We are training our officers to become better equipped to raise awareness of the potential dangers and continuing our targeted campaigning across social media platforms, she said.

"Groomers like McCartney operate in a very similar way, concealing their identity online pretending to be the same age as a child. They use fake profile pictures, pretending to have similar interests to gain the trust of the child before steering the conversation to a sexual nature.

"Not everyone is who they say they are online and by continuing these important conversations, we are arming young people with the information they need to make safe choices and to stay vigilant.

The PSNI has a team of specialist detectives within the Child Internet Protection Team who are dedicated to robustly investigating those who contribute to the cycle of child abuse and bringing those responsible before the courts.

Police use specialist technology to examine digital devices and trace any digital interaction right back to the person, making it difficult for offenders to hide evidence.

If you have concerns about a child or have suspicions about an adult, get in contact with police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.
The 51-year-old has been named by police

A man who sustained injuries following an altercation outside a bar in Co Armagh at the weekend has died in hospital, police have said.

The PSNI has named the man as 51-year-old Robert Paczkowski.

Mr Paczkowski is understood to have been injured in a fall during an altercation outside a licensed premises in the William Street area of Lurgan shortly before 1am on Sunday October 19.

Robert Paczkowski (51)

News Catch Up - Thursday 23 October

Police previously said he had been outside the bar and been attempting to get back inside.

He received treatment from staff and paramedics at the scene and was taken to hospital, before passing away on Wednesday afternoon.

Two men have been interviewed by police as part of what is now a manslaughter investigation and a file of evidence will be prepared for the Public Prosecution Service in due course.
Gordon Lyons pictured with Ciaran Scullion, Head of Music and Opera, Arts Council, Joanne Quigley, Newry Chamber of Music, Sreehari Prakasan, drummer and members of the Cairnalbana True Blues Flute band pictured at Parliament Buildings for announcement of the successful applicants of the Musical Instruments Programme.

A DUP minister has said the Arts Council of Northern Ireland is responsible for allocating tens of thousands of pounds in funding to loyalist bands with links to paramilitaries.

Gordon Lyons  questioned over the matter at a Stormont scrutiny committee  suggested that the Arts Council of Northern Irelands (ACNI) decision to award the funding was at odds with his departmental policy and told MLAs that there shouldnt be any links or commemorations of any sort.
Protesters throw fireworks at gardai officers near the Citywest Hotel in Saggart, as disturbances have flared outside a Dublin hotel which used to house asylum seekers (Niall Carson/PA)

Stones and fireworks have been thrown at Irish police for a second consecutive night in Dublin.

Hundreds of protesters have gathered near the entrance of a hotel housing asylum seekers in an area on the west side of the capital.

It is the third night of demonstrations at Citywest following an alleged sexual assault on a 10-year-old girl in the vicinity of the hotel in the early hours of Monday morning.

A 26-year-old man, who cannot be named due to rules that apply to all sexual assault cases in the Republic of Ireland, appeared in court on Tuesday charged over the alleged incident.

Multiple arrests were made amid the serious disorder on Tuesday night and the Irish police service, An Garda Siochana, pledged a robust response if violence continued.

Public order gardai pushed the crowd further from the hotel by advancing on them with shields (Niall Carson/PA)

Between 7pm and 8pm on Wednesday, hundreds of protesters again faced off with around 40 uniformed gardai.

The uniformed officers were replaced with the Public Order Unit, whose members carried plastic shields and additional body protection, after officers in the original cordon were struck with debris, stones and fireworks.

Some of those continued to throw masonry, flares, glass bottles and wooden planks at An Garda Siochana members.

There was also vandalism to the area around the Saggart Luas tram stop, which runs parallel to the road the protesters were on.

Public order gardai pushed the crowd further from the hotel by advancing on them with shields.

It was the third night of protests near the hotel (Niall Carson/PA)

A mounted garda unit and a dog unit were at the scene, with a police helicopter providing air support.

At least one garda was affected by pepper spray.

Those involved in the disorder also attempted to block garda vehicles from entering the area with steel barriers.

While Monday nights demonstration passed without significant incident, a female garda member was injured during Tuesdays violence. She has since been discharged from hospital after receiving treatment for a foot injury.

A garda vehicle was also set on fire during the unrest earlier in the week.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly, who visited the scene in the aftermath of the violence, told reporters on Wednesday he is determined that further people will be brought before the courts to face justice.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly visits the scene, near the Citywest Hotel on Wednesday (Niall Carson/PA)

He said the disorder was not a peaceful protest and added: This was violence with the intent to damage the Citywest building and intimidate those within.

The protest outside the hotel came after an alleged sexual assault on a girl in the vicinity in the early hours of Monday morning.

Irish premier Micheal Martin condemned the scenes of violence, stating there could be no justification for attacks on gardai.

Protesters were displaying Irish flags, chanting anti-immigration slogans and throwing missiles.

There were also attempts to charge the garda line with horse-drawn sulky carts and scrambler bikes on Tuesday and a police helicopter overhead was targeted with lasers.
Protesters threw fireworks at Gardai during the unrest in Dublin (Niall Carson/PA)

Seventeen people have been charged after second night of disorder broke out near a hotel in West Dublin housing asylum seekers.

A third night of demonstrations were held at Citywest Hotel in Saggart after an alleged sexual assault on a 10-year-old girl in the vicinity of the hotel in the early hours of Monday morning.

A 26-year-old man, who cannot be named because of legal restrictions that apply to all sexual assault cases in Ireland, appeared in court on Tuesday charged over the alleged incident.

A total of 24 people were arrested on Wednesday following an hours-long standoff with Irish police, who were directly struck with fireworks, stones and other debris.

Protesters throwing fireworks at Gardai officers near the Citywest Hotel (Niall Carson/PA)

Gardai said five male juveniles arrested during the disorder have been released and will be dealt with under the Youth Diversion Programme.

Two other men arrested were released without charge pending a file being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Three members of the Irish police service, An Garda Siochana, were injured in the disorder, two of whom were taken to hospital.

Gardai also seized 15 scooters and e-bikes, and a policing and security operation remains in place at Citywest.

Between 7pm and 8pm on Wednesday, protesters again faced off with around 40 uniformed gardai, who were then replaced with the Public Order Unit.

Protesters carried Irish flags, chanted anti-immigration slogans and threw missiles.

Public order gardai pushed the crowd further from the hotel by advancing with shields.

A mounted garda unit and a dog unit were at the scene and a police helicopter provided air support.

Several gardai deployed pepper spray during the unrest.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly, who visited the scene in the aftermath of the violence, told reporters on Wednesday he is determined that further people will be brought before the courts to face justice.

Irish premier Micheal Martin condemned the scenes of violence and said there could be no justification for attacks on gardai.

Garda Representative Association (GRA) vice president Niall Hodgins praised gardai for holding an extremely volatile front line at Citywest on Wednesday night.

What started out as a planned public protest has sadly descended into an ongoing full-scale threat to the safety of our members and the public that they so bravely stand to protect.

It is our firm belief that these apparent protests are nothing but the continuation of violent riotous behaviour from night to night with the sole intention of causing damage to property and injury to our colleagues who bravely continue to protect the public.

We have grave concerns for the safety of our members and colleagues, especially those deployed initially to face these violent thugs prior to the deployment of the public order units.

It is becoming obvious that a more robust response is required far earlier to ensure no further injuries are inflicted on our members.
A person said to be Deng Chol Majek entering a store in Caldmore Green after the attack (British Transport Police/PA)

An asylum seeker accused of stabbing to death a hotel worker has put forward a laughable defence in the face of CCTV evidence which could not be clearer, a murder trial has heard.

In her closing speech to the jury at Wolverhampton Crown Court, prosecutor Michelle Heeley KC alleged that Deng Chol Majek had been utterly callous when he was seen dancing in a car park after Rhiannon Whyte had been stabbed more than 20 times.

Majek, originally from Sudan, is alleged to have followed the 27-year-old victim from Walsalls Park Inn hotel, where she worked and he was living, to Bescot Stadium station, where she was attacked and left for dead.

Deng Chol Majek gave evidence earlier this week (Elizabeth Cook/PA)

The court has heard she died three days later in hospital, having suffered a fatal brain injury.

The defendant, who is being assisted in court by an Arabic interpreter, denies murder, claiming a figure caught on CCTV at the station and then visiting local shops to buy beer is not him, and that DNA evidence incriminating him is wrong.

Addressing jurors on Thursday, Ms Heeley said: Ladies and gentlemen, you have a stark choice. Do you accept the evidence of an independent forensic scientist, or do you believe the defendant who sat silently in interview, with no answers to police questions?

Do you accept the detailed, colour CCTV footage of the attacker in identical clothing to the defendant, or do you believe the defendant when he says its not me.

You may think its not really a difficult question. I suggest his answers to you are laughable. He is trying to meet the overwhelming evidence, and he has failed.

Ms Heeley added: He had no answer in interview, he knew he was guilty and that is why he sat silently.

Majek claims to be 19 but is aged 27 if a date of birth used by German authorities is accurate, the court has heard.

Asking jurors to consider what issues Majek was prepared to lie about, Ms Heeley said: You do not need to resolve how old the defendant was, but I suggest it is telling that the Italian and German authorities had his date of birth as the same date and month that he gave to you, the 1st of January.

If he is prepared to lie about that to you, what else is he prepared to lie about?

The Crown counsel said of the CCTV evidence presented to the jury: This defendant can be seen clearly, wearing that jacket with the different colour arms, black combats, a man bag and sandals.

A figure alleged to be the defendant following Rhiannon Whyte (British Transport Police/PA)

Some of the CCTV cameras did not provide the clearest picture, Ms Heeley said, but parts of the footage were in perfect technicolour and could not be clearer, particularly in a shop alleged to have been visited by Majek.

The suggestion that it is anyone other than this defendant is just ridiculous, Ms Heeley said, adding of the defendants return to the hotel after the stabbing: He changes his shoes, from the bloodstained sandals to white trainers, and then he goes outside with his speaker and dances.

He is celebrating, his mood has changed from that prolonged scowl in the cafe before the murder to dancing and joy after the murder. It is utterly callous.

Defence barrister Gurdeep Garcha KC addressed the jury following Ms Heeleys speech.

He began by describing Ms Whytes loss as a tragedy and a waste of a young life.

A female walking from work to a railway station being attacked in a frenzied assault is every parents worst nightmare, Mr Garcha told the court.

The KC added that the trial was as sad a case as its possible to imagine as he urged jurors not to treat it as some sort of referendum on issues surrounding the issue of asylum.

Mr Majek is not on trial and he has not been charged based on the fact he is an asylum seeker, he said. The only issue is has the prosecution made you sure that hes the person that followed Rhiannon Whyte and inflicted those injuries upon her.

At the conclusion of his remarks to the jury, Mr Garcha submitted that Majeks account to the court had been comprehensive and consistent.

He also argued that there was a clear and unassailable body of evidence pointing away from Majek being the attacker.

There are very significant gaps in the prosecution evidence and given those gaps, the question for you is and remains can you be sure that he is the attacker in view of all the gaps and all the evidence that they dont have, he said.

Majek also denies possessing a screwdriver as an offensive weapon.

The trial continues.
Prince Andrew announced last week he would stop using his Duke of York title (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

MPs are pressing for the conduct of members of the royal family to be debated in the Commons, the Speaker said, as Prince Andrew faces fresh scrutiny over his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle said there had been inaccurate commentary on whether MPs are able to discuss Andrew in Parliament, adding: There are ways for the House to properly consider this matter.

Revelations in the posthumous memoir of Andrews sex accuser Virginia Giuffre have placed increasing pressure on the Kings brother, who announced last week he would stop using his Duke of York title.

Sir Keir Starmer said there should be proper scrutiny of Andrews rent-free mansion, in response to calls for a parliamentary inquiry at Prime Ministers Questions.

Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey had asked whether given the revelations about Royal Lodge the Prime Minister believed that MPs should properly scrutinise the Crown Estate to ensure taxpayers interests are protected.

Andrew has lived in Royal Lodge in Windsor on a peppercorn rent since 2003, although he paid 1 million for the lease and a further 7.5 million for refurbishments.

Downing Street has backed calls for Andrew to go to the police with any information he has relating to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epsteins activities.

In a statement to the Commons, Sir Lindsay said: I know there has been some commentary on what members of this House may or may not discuss in the chamber in relation to Prince Andrew, some of which is inaccurate.

There is understandably great interest from members and from the public on this matter. For the benefit of the House, I would like to be clear that there are ways for the House to properly consider this matter.

Any discussions about the conduct or reflections on members of the royal family can be properly discussed on the substantive motions. And I know some members have already tabled such a motion. I am not able to allocate time for a debate on such a motion, but others are able to do so, if wishing to do that.

But on questions, the long-standing practice of the House, as set out in Erskine May, is that criticism of members of the royal family cannot be made as part of questions. I hope this is helpful clarification, as there is lots of online speculation.

Polling by Ipsos conducted earlier this week found 88% believe it was right for Andrew to give up his titles.

More than half of those asked believe there should be an Act of Parliament to remove them. More than four fifths of Britons have a negative view of the prince.

Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle (Ben Whitley/PA)

Substantive motions can be tabled by the Government, opposition parties in opposition day debates, and by backbenchers through an application to the Backbench Business Committee.

Commons leader Sir Alan Campbell was asked on Thursday whether MPs would have time to debate a motion put forward by the Scottish National Party to create a new law to strip Andrew of his title.

A day earlier York Central MP Rachael Maskell introduced a draft law to the Commons which would allow the King to formally strip Andrew of his dukedom.

The proposed legislation would grant Parliament and the monarch the power to remove titles. Currently, an Act of Parliament is required to formally remove Andrews dukedom.

Leader of the SNP in Westminster, Stephen Flynn said: Following those revelations and indeed further allegations in the public domain, I have laid a motion before this House which calls on the Government to listen to Parliamentarians and to listen to the public and to listen to victims and take legislative action to remove the dukedom from Prince Andrew.

When is the Government going to come forward with that legislation?

Sir Alan said: I know that theres been speculation about legislation. But the palace have been clear that they recognise that there are other matters that this House needs to be getting on with, and we are guided in this by the palace.

That doesnt mean that the House cant find ways of debating these matters, whether it be the matter of titles, or whether it be a matter of the finances, which I know are under question here.

Ms Maskell, who is sitting as an Independent after having the Labour whip removed, said: It is time for Parliament to act so that it can, or the monarch can, remove titles.

The Duke of York title may no longer be being used by its holder, but it has not been removed.

My short Bill, The Removal of Titles Bill, will fix this; I hope it can now be supported by Parliament.

The Bill stands little chance of becoming law without Government support and ministers have resisted calls to act, insisting such decisions are for the King.
John Healey said it is time for Russia President Vladimir Putin to make peace (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

US sanctions on Russian oil are a really important new step in putting pressure on Vladimir Putin, the Defence Secretary has said.

John Healey spoke alongside his German counterpart Boris Pistorius at RAF Lossiemouth in Moray, after flying onboard a P-8 Poseidon submarine-hunting aircraft.

The German minister said he is sceptical of the US promises of sanctions but nevertheless optimistic.

The US has announced new sanctions against Russias two biggest oil companies and condemned Moscows refusal to end its senseless war on Ukraine.

The sanctions will affect Rosneft and Lukoil as well as dozens of subsidiaries.

Mr Healey said he also looks forward to new sanctions on Russia coming from the European Union.

He and Mr Pistorius spoke to UK and German media at the RAF base in northern Scotland, where they announced new defence co-operation initiatives.

This will include the German navy flying its own Poseidons from Lossiemouth after taking ownership of their first such aircraft later this year.

Mr Healey said: As far as the US goes, this is a really important new step from President Trump  economic sanctions on Russian oil companies.

John Healey was speaking during a visit to RAF Lossiemouth in Moray (PA)

We sanctioned the same companies last week.

This is always more powerful, when nations act together.

He said Russian president Mr Putin should stop fighting, start talking and negotiate peace.

Mr Pistorious said his scepticism about the US sanctions comes after previously they did not materialise.

He said: Im optimistic at least, that this time it will really work out.

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The P-8A can detect, identify, track and defend against hostile ships and submarines.

The RAF operates nine of the aircraft from Lossiemouth, which will shortly be joined by the German navys jets of the same type.

It is understood the Poseidon aircraft, which can be armed with five torpedoes and carry more than 120 sonobuoys, take flight almost daily from the base.

Mr Healey said in recent years there has been a 30% increase in Russian submarine activity around the North Atlantic.

The Defence Secretary said RAF Lossiemouth couldnt be more important for the UKs security, as it houses squadrons of Typhoon fighter jets as well as the Poseidon aircraft.
US treasury secretary Scott Bessent has announced new sanctions against Russias two biggest oil companies and condemned Moscows refusal to end its senseless war on Ukraine.

The sanctions against Rosneft and Lukoil, as well as dozens of subsidiaries, come after months of bipartisan pressure on President Donald Trump to hit Russia with harder sanctions.

Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire, Mr Bessent said.

He added that given Russian President Vladimir Putins refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russias two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlins war machine.

Mr Bessent said the Treasury Department was prepared to take further action if necessary to support Mr Trumps effort to end the war. We encourage our allies to join us and adhere to these sanctions.

At least 25 people, including five children, were injured in Kyiv alone (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP)

He spoke after Russian drones and missiles blasted sites across Ukraine, killing at least six people, including a woman and her two young daughters.

The attack came a day after Mr Trump put his planned meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on hold, saying he did not want it to be a waste of time.

Repeated waves of missiles and drones throughout the night targeted at least eight Ukrainian cities, as well as a village in the Kyiv region where a strike set fire to a house in which a mother and her six-month-old and 12-year-old daughters were staying, regional head Mykola Kalashnyk said.

At least 25 people, including five children, were injured in Kyiv alone, authorities said.

Russian drones also hit a kindergarten in Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city, during the day on Wednesday when children were in the building, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said.

One person was killed and six were injured but no children were physically harmed, he said.

Even so, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said many of the children were in shock after being rescued from the building by emergency crews.

Russia fired 405 strike and decoy drones and 28 missiles at Ukraine, mainly targeting Kyiv, Ukraines air force said.

US President Donald Trump, right, put his planned meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on hold (Jae C Hong/AP)

The attack caused emergency power blackouts across the country, Ukraines energy ministry said. Repairs were under way where possible and electricity would be restored as soon as possible, it added.

Another night that proves Russia does not feel enough pressure for prolonging the war, Mr Zelensky said in a statement.

He said the strike caused damage in the cities of Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia, as well as Odesa, Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kirovohrad, Poltava, Vinnytsia, Zaporizhzhia, and the wider regions of Kyiv, Cherkasy, and Sumy.

Mr Zelensky urged the European Union, the US and the Group of Seven industrialised nations, or G7, to take steps to sanction Russia.

It is very important that the world does not remain silent now and that there is a united response to Russias treacherous strikes, he said.

Pressure can be applied on Moscow only through sanctions, long-range (missile) capabilities, and coordinated diplomacy among all our partners, he said.

Mr Zelensky has credited Mr Trumps remarks that he was considering supplying Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine for Mr Putins willingness to meet.

The Ukrainian leader was set to visit Stockholm on Wednesday, where hes expected to meet with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson at the start of what the Ukrainian leader has said will be a week of intense diplomacy.

More international economic sanctions on Russia are likely to be discussed at an EU summit in Brussels on Thursday, while on Friday, a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing  a group of 35 countries who support Ukraine  is due to take place in London.

Meanwhile, Ukraines army general staff said the countrys forces struck a chemical plant in Russias Bryansk region late on Tuesday night using air-to-surface Storm Shadow missiles.

The plant is an important part of the Russian military and industrial complex producing gun powder, explosives, missile fuel and ammunition.

In the Kyiv region, rescuers discovered the bodies of three people  including two children  after a strike set a private house on fire in the village of Pohreby, regional governor Mykola Kalashnyk said.

According to Mr Kalashnyk, the victims were a woman and her two daughters  an infant of six months and a 12-year-old girl.

Their bodies were found at the site of the fire, the governor said.

This is a tragedy for the entire community, for the Kyiv region, and for the country.

Two more people were found dead in the Dnipro district of the Ukrainian capital, where emergency services rescued 10 people after a fire caused by drone debris hit the sixth floor of a 16-storey residential building, local authorities said.

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had spoken to Mr Trump about help procuring Patriot air defence systems more quickly (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP)

The attack also blew out windows of a medical facility and debris was found at another residential building, Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko reported on his Telegram channel.

In the Darnytskyi district of the capital, emergency services were responding after drone debris hit a 17-storey residential building causing a fire on five floors. Fifteen people were rescued, including two children.

In the Desnianskyi district, 20 people were rescued after the facade of a 10-storey building was damaged and a gas pipe caught fire. Debris from a drone also fell on a dormitory building and rescue workers were headed to the scene, Mr Klitschko said.

The large-scale overnight aerial attack also targeted other cities in Ukraine including Zaporizhzhia and the port city of Izmail in the southern Odesa region.

An energy object in Odesa region suffered extensive damages according to DTEK, Ukraines biggest private energy operator. The company also said Kyiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions experienced emergency blackouts.

Following the blackouts, energy minister Svitlana Hrynchuk said that as soon as security conditions allow, energy workers will begin assessing the consequences of the attack and carrying out repair work.

Mr Trump was expected to hold talks at the White House on Wednesday with Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte.

The military alliance has been co-ordinating deliveries of weapons to Ukraine, many of them purchased from the US by Canada and European countries.

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The decision to postpone the meeting in Budapest, Hungary  which Mr Trump had announced last week  followed a call on Monday between US secretary of state Marco Rubio and Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov.

The Russian diplomat made clear in public remarks on Tuesday that Moscow opposes an immediate ceasefire.

Meanwhile, Ukraine is seeking to purchase 25 Patriot air defence systems from US firms using frozen Russian assets and assistance from partners.

Mr Zelensky said acquiring them would take time because of a long production lead-in but added that he had spoken to Mr Trump about help procuring them more quickly, potentially from European partners.

Earlier this month, Russia carried out its largest attack of the war on natural gas facilities operated by Ukraines state-owned Naftogaz Group, launching 381 drones and 35 missiles, according to Ukraines air force.

Officials said the strikes were part of an effort to cripple the countrys power grid ahead of winter.
US vice president JD Vance tours The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem (Nathan Howard/Pool Photo via AP)

US vice president JD Vance has criticised Israels parliament vote on West Bank annexation, saying it amounted to an insult.

Mr Vances scathing remark came as his visit to the country wrapped up on Thursday and after US secretary of state Marco Rubio said he would be travelling to Israel.

Mr Vances words and the intense diplomacy indicate that US President Donald Trumps administration was intent on keeping up the momentum on the US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

US President Donald Trump listens as secretary of state Marco Rubio speaks during a meeting with Nato secretary general Mark Rutte in the Oval Office of the White House (AP)

Speaking on the tarmac of Tel Avivs international airport before departing Israel, Mr Vance said that if the Knesset vote was a political stunt, then it is a very stupid political stunt.

I personally take some insult to it, Mr Vance said.

The policy of the Trump administration is that the West Bank will not be annexed by Israel.

Earlier this week, Mr Vance announced the opening of a civilian military coordination centre in southern Israel where some 200 US troops are working alongside the Israeli military and delegations from other countries planning the stabilisation and reconstruction of Gaza.

Mr Rubio told journalists at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday that he plans to visit the centre and appoint a Foreign Service official to work alongside the top US military commander in the Middle East, Vice Admiral Brad Cooper.

The US is seeking support from other allies, especially Gulf Arab nations, to create an international stabilisation force to be deployed to Gaza and train a Palestinian force.

Wed like to see Palestinian police forces in Gaza that are not Hamas and that are going to do a good job, but those still have to be trained and equipped, he said.

Mr Rubio also criticised efforts by far-right politicians in the Israeli parliament who on Wednesday took the symbolic step of giving preliminary approval to a bill that would give Israel authority to annex the occupied West Bank  a move the US opposes.

Mr Trump has made clear thats not something wed be supportive of right now, and we think its potentially threatening to the peace deal, he said.

The bill passed in a 25-24 vote.

Palestinians walk through destruction caused by an Israeli air and ground offensive in the Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood of Gaza City (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP)

It is unclear whether the bill has support to win a majority in the 120-seat parliament, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has tools to delay or defeat it.

 Vance visits Holy Sepulchre

Meanwhile, Mr Vance visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the sprawling 12th century basilica where Christians believe Jesus was crucified, died and rose again, in Jerusalems Old City.

He is then expected to meet Israels defence minister, Israeli military leaders and other officials at the armys headquarters in Tel Aviv.

On Wednesday, Mr Vance sought to ease concerns that the Trump administration was dictating terms to its closest ally in the Middle East.

We dont want in Israel a vassal state, and thats not what Israel is. We want a partnership, we want an ally, Mr Vance said, speaking beside Mr Netanyahu, in response to a reporters question about whether Israel was becoming a protectorate of the US.

Mr Netanyahu, who will meet with Mr Rubio as well, expressed similar sentiments while acknowledging differences of opinion as they push forward the US-proposed ceasefire agreement.

Israeli media referred to the non-stop parade of American officials visiting to ensure Israel holds up its side of the fragile ceasefire as Bibi-sitting.

The term, utilising Mr Netanyahus nickname of Bibi, refers to an old campaign ad when Mr Netanyahu positioned himself as the Bibi-sitter whom voters could trust with their kids.

 Palestinians in Gaza in dire need of medical care

In the first medical evacuation since the ceasefire began on October 10, the head of the World Health Organisation said on Thursday they had evacuated 41 critical patients and 145 companions out of the Gaza strip.

In a statement posted to X, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called on nations to show solidarity and help some 15,000 patients who are still waiting for approval to receive medical care outside Gaza.

His calls were echoed by an official with the UN Population Fund who, on Wednesday, described the sheer devastation that he witnessed on his most recent travel to Gaza, saying that there is no such thing as a normal birth in Gaza now.
HOUSTON, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- GETCHOICE! (www.getchoice.com), a leading provider of enterprise data and workflow technology solutions, announced the signing of two new office leases in Louisville, Kentucky and Spokane, Washington, marking the latest milestone in the company's ongoing national growth strategy.

The expansion reflects GETCHOICE!'s sustained momentum and its increasing role as a trusted technology partner to many of the nation's Fortune 50 and 500 companies. The company's platform processes over $8,000 in transactions every minute, underscoring the scale and reliability of its enterprise solutions.

"Our continued growth is a direct reflection of the trust our clients place in our platform and our people," said Kiki Dikmen, CEO of GETCHOICE!. "We're thrilled to strengthen our presence in both Louisville and Spokane as we expand to better support our clients and attract top talent."

GETCHOICE!'s proprietary technology platform delivers an unparalleled combination of data intelligence, procurement automation, sustainability tracking, and enterprise-level reporting, offering clients a comprehensive ecosystem that enhances efficiency and transparency. The company's focus on innovation has distinguished it in an increasingly competitive technology landscape.

In recognition of its excellence in engineering and innovation, GETCHOICE!'s Technology Team was recently named one of the Top 50 Tech Teams in the Nation by the OnCon Icon Awards, a prestigious honor celebrating leadership and innovation in technology across industries.

"Our technology is built to empower organizations with smarter, faster, and more connected tools," added Dikmen, "We're not just keeping pace with the industry  we're helping define what's next."

With new hubs in Louisville and Spokane, GETCHOICE! continues to invest in people, technology, and infrastructure to support its growing national footprint and serve its expanding enterprise client base.

Media Contact:

Megan Brouse

[email protected]

SOURCE GETCHOICE!
Bennington, VT (05201)

Today

Mostly cloudy with snow showers around before midnight. Low 12F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 50%..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy with snow showers around before midnight. Low 12F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 50%.
On Friday, the team that conducted the $750,000 Reconnecting Communities feasibility study will release its final report, recommending whether the city should repair or remove the deteriorating bridge over Marshall Street, which divides the busy area between Main and River streets.
Alice was a wonderful human being, said Jim Youngerman, the exhibit's curator and an old friend. She was very free and open and fun and lyrical. Those traits, he said, shone through her art.
STAMFORD, Conn., Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is being released by the law firms Silver Golub & Teitell LLP and Pritzker Levine LLP about the lawsuit Hubbard v. Google, No. 5:19-cv-07016 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, San Jose Division.

Google LLC and YouTube LLC ("Google") agreed to settle in a lawsuit that claims Google violated the law when it allegedly tracked and collected personal data about children under the age of 13 without parental consent. Google denies it did anything wrong.

Individuals are included if they (or their child) are people in the United States who, at any time from July 1, 2013 to April 1, 2020, were under 13 years old, and watched content allegedly directed to children on YouTube.

A $30 million Settlement Fund will be used to pay attorneys' fees, costs, and expenses; notice and administration costs; taxes; service awards to the Settlement Class Representative guardians; and money to eligible individuals.

Important Information and Dates:

To get a payment, individuals must submit a claim form online or by mail by January 21, 2026 . If their claim is valid, they will get a proportional (or pro rata ) payment from the Settlement Fund. Payment amounts will depend on the number of valid claim submissions.

. If their claim is valid, they will get a proportional (or ) payment from the Settlement Fund. Payment amounts will depend on the number of valid claim submissions. Included individuals who want to keep their right to sue Google must exclude themselves from the Settlement by December 8, 2025.

Included individuals may object to the Settlement by December 8, 2025 .

. The Court will hold a Final Hearing on January 13, 2026 to consider if it will approve the Settlement and a request for attorneys' fees up to 30% of the Settlement Fund, plus reimbursement of expenses in an amount up to $250,000, and service awards up to $1,500 for each Settlement Class Representative guardian.

For more information:

Visit: www.YouTubePrivacySettlement.com

Email: [email protected]

Call: 1-877-390-3347

Write to: YouTube Privacy Settlement, c/o A.B. Data, Ltd., P.O. Box 173131, Milwaukee, WI 53217

SOURCE Silver Golub & Teitell LLP and Pritzker Levine LLP
David M. Drucker is columnist covering politics and policy at Bloomberg. He is also a senior writer for The Dispatch and the author of In Trumps Shadow: The Battle for 2024 and the Future of the GOP.
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Govt launches training modules on public health management of chemical emergencies

October 23, 2025 | Thursday | News

To equip public health professionals, healthcare workers, emergency responders, and policymakers

image credit- pib

Chemical emergencies pose a significant and evolving threat to public health, environmental safety, and societal stability, underscoring the need for strengthened national preparedness and response mechanisms. In the present fast growing Industrial economy, updating and keeping oneself prepared for any such emergencies is of paramount importance.

As a step towards enhanced preparedness, the Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, along with key senior officials from various line ministries, national agencies, experts from private sector, industry and academia released the modules on Public Health Management of Chemical Emergencies at Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi.

Three specialised training modules have been developed by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, on the Public Health Management of Chemical Emergencies in collaboration with NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority) and with technical support from World Health Organization (WHO India).

The three modules include:

 Module 1: Preparedness, Surveillance, and Response for Public Health Management

of Chemical Emergencies

 Module 2: Pre-Hospital Management of Chemical Emergencies

 Module 3: Medical Management of Chemical Emergencies

These modules aim to equip public health professionals, healthcare workers, emergency responders, and policymakers with the necessary knowledge, skills, and operational tools for timely and effective management of chemical incidents. Strengthening chemical emergency management also supports core capacities under the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), contributing to both national and global health security.
Telangana targets Rs 1 lakh crore investments in Life Sciences by 2030

October 23, 2025 | Thursday | News

Sridhar Babu delivered the keynote address at the AusBiotech International Conference 2025 in Melbourne

Telangana has set an ambitious target of attracting Rs 1 lakh crore in new investments in the Life Sciences sector by 2030, aiming to generate employment for five lakh people, said Minister for IT and Industries Duddilla Sridhar Babu.

Delivering the keynote address at the AusBiotech International Conference 2025 in Melbourne (being held from 21 to 24 October 2025)  organised jointly by AusBiotech and the Government of Victoria - the Minister said the State government has drawn up a comprehensive Roadmap 2030 to position Telangana as a Global Life Sciences Hub. Telangana is preparing a Comprehensive Life Sciences Policy to accelerate innovation, infrastructure, and global partnerships, Sridhar Babu said, outlining the States strategy for the next phase of bio-digital growth.

The Minister said Telangana continues to outperform national averages in economic growth. Though the State ranks 11th in geographical area and 12th in population, it contributes over 5% to Indias GDP. Telanganas GSDP growth rate in 202425 stood at 8.2%, compared with the national average of 7.6%, he noted. Over the past 20 months, the State has attracted Rs 3.2 lakh crore in new investments, with Rs 63,000 crore coming from the Life Sciences sector alone. Exports from the sector crossed Rs 26,000 crore between April and December 2024. The State aims to increase the value of the Life Sciences economy from $80 billion to $250 billion by 2030, the Minister said.

Citing a report by global consultancy CBRE, Sridhar Babu said Hyderabad has been featured in the Global Life Sciences Atlas 2025 among the worlds leading Life Sciences clusters  alongside Boston, San Francisco, Cambridge, Beijing, and Tokyo. Hyderabad is the only Indian city to feature in this list, he added. Life Sciences office leasing in the city expanded from 0.6 million sq. ft. in 2022 to 2.4 million sq. ft. in 2024, reflecting the sectors rapid growth and investor confidence.

Sridhar Babu invited Australian companies to explore investment opportunities in emerging and high-growth areas such as Cell and Gene Therapy, Biologics and Biosimilars, mRNA Vaccines, Contract Research, Development and Manufacturing (CRDM), Diagnostics, MedTech, and Digital Health. He also highlighted Telanganas focus on AI-based Drug Discovery, Genomics, Green Biomanufacturing, Agri-Biotech, and Animal Health, saying these sectors offer immense potential for collaboration and value creation.


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With more than 74,000 active members and millions of interactions, RioConnect demonstrates how online communities can scale belonging and persistence in higher education.

DENVER and TEMPE, Ariz., Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Rio Salado College , one of the nation's largest online public colleges, has had over four years of success with RioConnect, its pioneering virtual community that fosters peer-to-peer connection and belonging in online learning. Built in collaboration with InScribe , RioConnect has scaled from an initial pilot into a central hub of student life, with tens of thousands of members and millions of interactions. This long-term partnership demonstrates how belonging can be built and sustained at scale in online environments, offering a model other colleges and universities can adopt to support their own students.

Rio Salado College + InScribe Logos

Demonstrated Outcomes

Since its introduction, RioConnect has consistently delivered strong results:

40% increase in belonging reported among students who engage on the platform.

reported among students who engage on the platform. 14% growth in peer connectedness , benefiting both early adopters and late joiners.

, benefiting both early adopters and late joiners. Sustained activity including hundreds of conversations, student help requests, and thousands of views and reactions, year over year.

High usability and satisfaction, with students describing RioConnect as authentic, inclusive, and easy to use.

Impact Report

Community Engagement

RioConnect's impact goes beyond short-term gains. Over time, the community has scaled into a high-value knowledge hub where a relatively small number of peer questions generate outsized impact for tens of thousands of students. The result is millions of interactions that give even the quietest students a voice, helping to strengthen belonging, improve persistence, and ease the burden on faculty and staff.

74,832 active members

9.3 million conversation views

157,206 resource views

1.17 million live support views

1,100 student questions asked and answered

"At Rio Salado College, we know flexibility is essential for our students, but flexibility alone is not enough. Students also need to feel seen, supported, and part of a community. RioConnect allows us to meet students where they are while ensuring they don't have to navigate their education alone," said Janelle Elias, Vice President of Strategy & Academic Affairs at Rio Salado College.

Tackling the Challenge of Online Belonging

With more than 40,000 students annually, including 21,000 fully online across all 50 states and internationally, Rio Salado College serves one of the most diverse and distributed student populations in the country. RioConnect was designed to address the challenge of isolation in asynchronous and rolling-enrollment models by:

Empowering peer-driven leadership to create authentic student engagement.

Lowering barriers to access with auto-enrollment and simple onboarding.

Providing safe, inclusive spaces for sharing struggles, advice, and successes.

Proven Institutional Benefits

The benefits of RioConnect extend beyond students. Faculty and advisors experience reduced workload thanks to peer-to-peer support, staff gain actionable insights from student conversations, and the college community as a whole benefits from improved engagement and retention.

From an institutional perspective, 1,100 peer-asked questions have deflected millions of potential support needs that would otherwise land on faculty or staff, translating into significant time and cost savings while allowing educators to focus on higher-value teaching and advising.

"RioConnect has enhanced how our students experience online learning. The measurable gains in belonging and connectedness are powerful, but even more inspiring are the stories of students who said they finally felt part of something bigger than themselves," added Elias.

"Our partnership with Rio Salado is a powerful example of what's possible when colleges and EdTech providers work side by side over the long term," said Katy Kappler , Co-Founder and CEO of InScribe. "By building RioConnect together, we've shown that scalable, peer-driven belonging is not only achievable but sustainable."

Looking Ahead

As Rio Salado College continues to expand RioConnect, InScribe remains a strategic partner in this journey. Together, the two organizations are committed to deepening belonging, refining features through continuous feedback, and modeling how long-term collaboration between colleges and technology providers can transform the student experience.

Case Study

About InScribe

InScribe is a digital student support platform that leverages the power of community and artificial intelligence to connect students with the answers, resources, and individuals they need to succeed. InScribe's digital communities cut across the traditional support silos in higher education, giving students a single place to turn when they need helpno matter the topic or time of day. Students benefit from on-demand, peer-to-peer, and student-to-expert collaboration which helps them feel more connected, increasing student engagement, satisfaction, and retention. Learn more about InScribe at https://www.inscribeapp.com/.

About Rio Salado College

Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, Rio Salado College is one of the largest online public colleges in the United States, serving more than 40,000 students annually, including more than 21,000 online learners across all 50 states and internationally. With more than 600 online classes and 135 degree and certificate programs, Rio specializes in flexible pathways that serve diverse populations, including dual enrollment, military, incarcerated, and adult education learners. Learn more about Rio Salado College.

SOURCE InScribe
FAIRFAX, Va., Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Instant Car Fix, a leading mobile auto repair company, today announced its nationwide expansion, offering same-day, on-site vehicle repairs in all 50 U.S. states  backed by a 12-month/12,000-mile warranty honored coast-to-coast. Drivers can now book certified mechanics online or via the Instant Car Fix app to have fast, professional repairs wherever their vehicle is located  home, office, or roadside  without ever needing a tow.

"Our nationwide expansion redefines convenience and speed for drivers," said Gaurav Gupta, CEO of Instant Car Fix. "No more taking time off work, waiting at repair shops, or worrying about breakdowns while traveling. With same-day service, our certified technicians can be at your location quickly, and our coast-to-coast warranty ensures peace of mind anywhere."

Watch Mechanics in Action

See how Instant Car Fix delivers fast, on-site repairs:

YouTube Video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98vQGby054c

Fast, On-Site Repairs  No Tow Needed

Instant Car Fix offers a wide range of expedited services, including:

Brake and battery replacement





Diagnostics and fluid changes





Belts, hoses, and routine maintenance

With same-day service, customers avoid towing fees, long waits, and scheduling conflicts. Repairs are completed directly at the vehicle's location  often within hours  so drivers never miss a beat.

"A certified technician arrived the same day, completed the repair in my driveway, and I didn't miss a beat," said Jane Kelly, a customer in Denver, CO. "Knowing the 12-month, coast-to-coast warranty is in place gives me confidence even on cross-country trips."

Nationwide Warranty  Peace of Mind Anywhere

The 12-month/12,000-mile workmanship warranty applies coast-to-coast, protecting:

Frequent travelers and road trippers





Families relocating across states





Military personnel and seasonal residents





Commercial fleets operating nationwide

Unlike traditional garages, whose warranties may be regional, Instant Car Fix guarantees standardized, reliable service wherever you are.

Why This Expansion Matters

Instant Car Fix disrupts the traditional auto repair model by combining speed, convenience, and nationwide coverage:

Same-day, on-site repairs with nearly 2,500 certified technicians nationwide, expanding to 4,500 by end of 2026





Transparent, upfront pricing before work begins





No towing required  repairs at home, work, or roadside





Coast-to-coast warranty for worry-free service

About Instant Car Fix

Instant Car Fix is a technology-driven mobile auto repair company delivering professional vehicle services directly to customers' homes, workplaces, or roadside locations. Founded on convenience, quality, and transparency, the company now serves all 50 U.S. states with a nationwide network of nearly 2,500 certified technicians, growing to 4,500 by the end of 2026. All services are backed by a 12-month/12,000-mile warranty, with same-day, expedited service designed to eliminate towing and minimize downtime.

Media contact:

Isaac Berry

[email protected]

SOURCE Instant car fix
NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Freeport-McMoran Inc. ("Freeport" or the "Company") (NYSE: FCX). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.

The investigation concerns whether Freeport 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 9, 2025, Freeport issued a press release announcing the suspension of mining activities at its Grasberg Block Cave operation in Indonesia, after "a large flow of wet material from a production drawpoint . . . blocked access to certain areas within the mine," trapping seven workers.

On this news, Freeport's stock price fell $2.80 per share, or 5.99%, to close at $43.87 per share on September 9, 2025.

Then, on September 24, 2025, Freeport provided an update on the incident, reporting that two of the seven workers were "fatally injured" and that the remaining five workers "remain missing."

On this news, Freeport's stock price fell $7.69 per share, or 16.95%, to close at $37.67 per share on September 24, 2025.

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

CONTACT:

Danielle Peyton

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

646-581-9980 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
The chief Imam at the Dublin Islamic centre, Dr Umar al-Qadri, has called for the introduction of some form of hate speech legislation.

The call comes in the wake of an incident during a Ryanair flight from Poland to Dublin earlier this week, when he was verbally abused by a man who called him a paedophile and said your prophet is a paedophile".

Speaking on RTE radios Morning Ireland, Dr Al-Qadri said there was no justification for abusing somebody in that manner.

The world that we live in is changing, it is becoming more divisive. We see more and more rhetoric of division, of hate against immigrants, against Muslims, and this is across Europe. We see this in Ireland also, since the Dublin riots.

We all are witnessing and observing a lot of division particularly online. The other thing also, I call for the government to have some kind of hate speech legislation. I understand that there were concerns, reservations about the hate speech legislation bill in the past.

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"Those concerns need to be addressed, but we definitely need to have legislation that is very clear that when it comes to hate, especially hate crimes that are violent, it's not acceptable, and that in Ireland, nobody will tolerate this.

"What happened on the plane? It was definitely hate.

When the abuse happened Dr al-Qadri began recording the abuse.

I asked him how dare you talk to me like this. Why are you talking to me like this? I don't know you. Why are you abusing me?

"I spoke to the captain and I said I want to report this because this is not acceptable. What he's done to me, out of nowhere, imagine if this was a Muslim woman with a hijab.

"I want him to know that this is not acceptable. You know, first of all what he said was completely untrue. As a Muslim, the majority of Muslims don't believe anything like that.

When the flight arrived in Dublin, gardai were waiting and interviewed the Imam and the man who verbally abused him.

They asked me, what do you like to do? Do you want to press charges? And I said what are the consequences? What is going to happen then?

"The Ryanair official explained to me that if you press charges, this man can get a ban. And there is a ban up to 10 years, so he cannot fly with Ryanair anyway.

"And the gardai informed me and I asked him: Where does he live? Does he live in Poland or Ireland? They told me he lives in Ireland for the past 20 years.

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"So at that time I thought, you know, this person obviously has family back home in Poland, where he's from originally. Like myself, he's an immigrant, and he must use Ryanair often because of the cheap flights.

Ireland Fireworks and stones thrown at gardai for second night at asylum seeker hotel Read more

"If I get him banned, he probably will be upset and angry, and his family members, and he will probably be really, really upset with all Muslims, and he will keep that hatred in him.

"So I thought that I shouldn't press charges at that time. The guard also told me he wants to apologise. So then I decided, well, he wants to apologise and that I want to speak to him.

"So he came, we spoke, and he apologised to me. And I asked him, why did you do that? Like, do you know me? He said, no, I don't know you. But I've just seen you somewhere on internet, and I know you're a Muslim.

"And I explained to him whatever he believed or whatever he said was completely untrue. But even if that was true, it doesn't give him a right to abuse somebody because of their religious beliefs. He apologised. I accepted the apology. We shook hands.
Continued violent behaviour around asylum seeker accommodation in Dublin will be met with a very forceful response, the Minister for Justice has said.

The warning came as An Garda Siochana appealed to people, in particular young males, not to engage in public disorder after two days of riots around the Citywest Hotel in the west of the capital.

The third night of demonstrations at Citywest Hotel took place on Wednesday, after an alleged sexual assault on a 10-year-old girl in the vicinity of the hotel in the early hours of Monday.

A 26-year-old man, who cannot be named because of legal restrictions that apply to all sexual assault cases in Ireland, appeared in court on Tuesday charged over the alleged incident.

Disorder in the wake of the incident has led to four gardai being injured, more than 30 arrests, vandalism and arson in the area.

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Minister for Justice Jim OCallaghan said on Thursday: I hope were not going to see more of it, but if there are people out there whove made a decision that they want to go up there and create violence, theyll be met with a very forceful response from An Garda Siochana and our criminal justice system.

He told RTE News: People are perfectly entitled to make a political point, theyre perfectly entitled to oppose Government policy.

They are not entitled to use violence and break the criminal law, and attack members of An Garda Siochana who are there to defend the Irish public.

An Garda Siochana said public disorder is not fun and games and could have reverberations for their futures.

Gardai have released footage on social media of what they said was a very vivid picture of how gardai are treated, as they warned another protest is scheduled for Thursday night.

They made the appeal after significant damage was caused in Saggart in west Dublin after two nights of violent disorder.

Protesters throwing fireworks at gardai near the Citywest Hotel (Niall Carson/PA)

They appealed to the public to refrain from taking part in any riotous behaviour  in particular to young males.

Assistant Commissioner Cliona Richardson warned young people to stay away from disorder at Citywest and said regardless of whether someone intends to cause damage or gets swept up in it, that will have reverberations for you.

She said it appeared people were coming from outside Dublin to attend the protests.

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She said the damage caused and disruption to daily life in Saggart is unacceptable, and she thanked members of the community and emergency services who had helped gardai.

Ms Richardson said people of all different ages had come out to the protest that turned violent, but there was a particularly younger cohort of people present on Wednesday night.

These young men and young women are making a decision that would have life-changing aspects of them down the road, she said.

They may not feel at the time that they were going out to cause criminal damage or violence, however, they may get swept up in it.

In fact, we can see from November 2023, the incident in Dublin City, we now have very young people doing quite significant prison time for decisions that they made.

In relation to the disorder, gardai said 31 people had been arrested, 23 of which, 21 males and two females, have appeared before the District Court.

It said five male juveniles who were arrested have been released and will be dealt with under the Youth Diversion Programme.

It is our firm belief that these apparent protests are nothing but the continuation of violent riotous behaviour from night to night with the sole intention of causing damage to property and injury to our colleagues who bravely continue to protect the public Niall Hodgins, Garda Representative Association

Four Garda members were injured and received hospital treatment but have been discharged.

They said they were continuing to review CCTV and body-worn camera footage and carrying out examinations at various locations.

Protesters have carried Irish flags, chanted anti-immigration slogans and thrown missiles.

On both nights of disorder, public order gardai pushed the crowd further from the hotel by advancing with shields.

A mounted garda unit and a dog unit were at the scene and a police helicopter provided air support.

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Several gardai deployed pepper spray during the unrest.

The Garda presence at Citywest will remain in place for four to five days, Chief Superintendent Michael McNulty has said.

He said they are constantly engaging with the community to reassure them.

Were getting huge support from the community, absolutely tremendous support from the community, thats very much appreciated, he added.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly, who visited the scene in the aftermath of the violence, told reporters on Wednesday he is determined that further people will be brought before the courts to face justice.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin condemned the scenes of violence and said there could be no justification for attacks on gardai.

Garda Representative Association vice-president Niall Hodgins praised gardai for holding an extremely volatile front line at Citywest on Wednesday night.

We have grave concerns for the safety of our members and colleagues, especially those deployed initially to face these violent thugs prior to the deployment of the public order units.

It is becoming obvious that a more robust response is required far earlier to ensure no further injuries are inflicted on our members.

Mr OCallaghan said the Government has shown leadership on immigration and asylum.

Ive introduced a number of measures that have ensured that weve had a rules-based system in this country.

The numbers of people applying for asylum this year are down on the last couple of years.

Ive put in force more vigorous enforcement measures to ensure that people are being deported if theyre not entitled to stay in the country  and Im not afraid to say that.
Doctors have recommended that patients with certain hormone disorders should be warned that they are at risk of becoming unwell following Covid-19 vaccination after two people were hospitalised with life-threatening conditions.

A woman in her 80s and a man in his 70s attended an emergency department with a range of symptoms, including dizziness, vomiting, lethargy, and confusion after receiving a vaccine for Covid-19.

They both had a history of Addisons disease, which is an endocrine disorder causing the adrenal glands to produce insufficient quantities of the steroid hormones, cortisol and aldosterone.

Doctors found that they were both in adrenal crisis, which is a medical emergency and life-threatening complication of Addisons disease. They were treated with intravenous steroids and fluids.

The details were contained in a case report by doctors at St. Vincents Hospital in Dublin and Midlands Regional Hospital in Mullingar, which was published in the latest issue of the Irish Medical Journal.

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They noted that there had been other cases in which Covid-19 vaccination had precipitated adrenal crises in steroid-dependent patients who had been on steroid replacement therapy for long periods.

The authors said vaccination was recommended for high-risk patients, including those with Addisons disease or adrenal insufficiency.

However, they said there were no guidelines advising increasing doses of steroids around vaccination for these patients.

Patients who have been previously treated for post-vaccination adrenal crisis may be at risk of adrenal crisis with future vaccinations and adrenal crisis may affect those with either primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency, the doctors wrote.

Ireland Over 20% of people undecided on vote for presidential election Read more

They said steroid-dependent patients, such as those with Addisons disease, should be alerted to the possibility that they may become unwell following vaccination. Increased awareness of this risk may help maintain confidence in the vaccination programmes, they added.

The woman in her 80s had begun to feel unwell around 12 hours after getting the Covid-19 jab. She received intravenous fluids and steroids, and was discharged after one day.

The man in his 70s, who was steroid-dependent and had a history of adrenal insufficiency was discharged after two days. It was his third episode of feeling unwell after Covid-19 vaccination. He required intravenous steroids on each occasion.

For other steroid-dependent patients, it may be beneficial to alert them to the possibility that they may become unwell following vaccination, educate them on sick day rules, and to make them aware of when to seek medical attention, the authors concluded.
Of 24 people arrested following an hours-long standoff with gardai, whose members were directly struck with fireworks, stones and other debris on Wednesday evening, 17 adults have been charged.

Three members of An Garda Siochana were injured, and two were taken to the hospital for medical treatment.

The 17 adults have been charged with public order offences and are due before the Criminal Courts of Justice on Thursday morning.

Five male juveniles arrested over the course of the incident have been released and will be dealt with under the Youth Diversion Programme, a garda statement added.

Two other adult men who were arrested have been released without charge, with files being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

During the course of Wednesday night's operation, gardai added, 15 scooters and e-bikes were seized, and a policing and security operation remains in place at Citywest.

One garda who was hospitalised was struck on the head by a bottle, while the other garda sustained a shoulder injury.

Hundreds of people gathered near the entrance of a hotel housing asylum seekers in an area on the west side of the capital on Wednesday.

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It was the third night of demonstrations at Citywest following an alleged sexual assault on a 10-year-old girl in the vicinity of the hotel in the early hours of Monday morning.

A 26-year-old man, who cannot be named because of rules that apply to all sexual assault cases, appeared in court on Tuesday charged over the alleged incident.

Justice Minister Jim OCallaghan said many have been arrested on Wednesday and more will follow.

Public order gardai pushed the crowd further from the hotel by advancing on them with shields (Niall Carson/PA)

He said gardai had responded professionally to thuggish violence in the area.

He said those arrested would be charged, named and dealt with relentlessly by the criminal justice system.

Between 7pm and 8pm on Wednesday, protesters again faced off with around 40 uniformed gardai.

The uniformed officers were replaced with the Public Order Unit, whose members carried plastic shields and additional body protection, after officers in the original cordon were struck with debris, stones and fireworks.

Some continued to throw masonry, flares, glass bottles and wooden planks at An Garda Siochana members.

There was also vandalism to the area around the Saggart Luas stop, which runs parallel to the road the protesters were on.

Public order gardai pushed the crowd further from the hotel by advancing on them with shields.

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A mounted garda unit and a dog unit were at the scene, with a police helicopter providing air support.

Several gardai deployed pepper spray during the unrest.

It was the third night of protests near the hotel (Niall Carson/PA)

Those involved in the disorder also attempted to block garda vehicles from entering the area with steel barriers.

As the evening progressed, hundreds of protesters were pushed back along Citywest Drive but continued to face off with gardai.

Gardai continued to come under fire from masonry, flares, fireworks, bottles and other debris.

While large parts of the crowd dispersed throughout the night, An Garda Siochana deployed an additional public order unit behind those remaining at the protest shortly after 10pm.

Several of those caught between the two units were tackled and detained as they tried to flee.

The public disorder was predominantly carried out by young adult males and teenagers.

Over the course of the evening, more than 300 members of An Garda Siochana were on duty, including some 150 uniform members and 120 public order members.

While Monday nights demonstration passed without significant incident, a female garda member was injured during Tuesdays violence. She has since been discharged from hospital after receiving treatment for a foot injury.

A garda vehicle was also set on fire during the unrest earlier in the week, and several other people had been arrested.

Sinn Fein's Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Spokesperson, Matt Carthy, commended the gardai on their handling of the riots at Citywest.

I want to commend the gardai, particularly those on the front line, but also Garda management. And I'm speaking as somebody who has been critical in the past in terms of how Gardai have managed these type of events. But I think in terms of intelligence and management, we talk a lot about learning lessons. I think it's quite evident that lessons have been learned, he told Newstalk Breakfast.

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I also want to commend the gardai for the way in which they've managed public utterances and have clearly distinguished between those who have travelled to, and largely have travelled to the City West complex with a violent intent. And those who have, both from the local community and beyond, who have serious and very genuine concerns about what has transpired over the past couple of days.

So I think while it's important to recognise the very genuine public anger that many people are feeling, it's also important that gardai have a robust and a speedy response to those who have no other intention other than that," Mr Carthy said.

I think it's probably fair to say that those who attended last night did so in the full knowledge that this was going to be a violent disturbance, and I think in both instances gardai managed it well."

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly, who visited the scene in the aftermath of the violence, told reporters on Wednesday he is determined that further people will be brought before the courts to face justice.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly visits the scene, near the Citywest Hotel on Wednesday (Niall Carson/PA)

He said the disorder was not a peaceful protest and added: This was violence with the intent to damage the Citywest building and intimidate those within.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin condemned the scenes of violence, stating there could be no justification for attacks on gardai.

Protesters were displaying Irish flags, chanting anti-immigration slogans and throwing missiles.

There were also attempts to charge the garda line with horse-drawn sulky carts and scrambler bikes on Tuesday and a police helicopter overhead was targeted with lasers.
A Limerick TD urgently appealed for additional Garda resources locally as gardai monitored school runs in a bid to curb tensions among rival feuding families in the city.

The simmering drugs turf feud in the city has also resulted in gardai issuing several Garda Information Messages (GIMs) to individuals of a potential credible threat to their lives, in parallel to a surge in pipebomb attacks, petrol bombings, and drive-by shootings.

Garda Headquarters told Sinn Fein TD, Maurice Quinlivan, that, as part of the policing response to the present feuding, it established Operation Gealbhan consisting of regular armed and high visibility uniform patrols of the affected areas which targets individuals involved while ensuring the local community receive an appropriate policing presence and service.

The Community Policing Unit also conduct patrols in the vicinity of [named] National School at school drop off and collection times, gardai said, responding to the Limerick TDs concerns.

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Deputy Quinlivan praised the Garda measures, and said the requirement for garda patrols near any school was an appalling reflection of the level of the violence being perpetrated.

I have a concern, and I have expressed this on a number of occasions, that people will be killed, Deputy Quinlivan said.

Gardai said that community policing units were also playing a significant role in establishing positive initiatives, aimed at diverting young people away from criminal gangs by getting them involved in positive initiatives and influencing them to follow a different path in life.

Gardai also said that a reallocation of resources into community policing in the these areas and the city centre has had a positive impact recently.

Last August, 20 new Garda recruits were deployed to Limerick City, however, Deputy Quinlivan said additional experienced garda manpower was also urgently needed to further curb the violence.

Its clear that Limerick needs more policing, we just don't have enough policing to deal with the threat and some of these threats are very very serious, the Limerick TD said.

We have seen incidents of shootings, petrol bomb attacks, pipebomb attacks, and people are really really scared and there has been an upsurge of criminality, he said.

I know that a number of people, who have been attacked and have had their property damaged, have no involvement whatsoever in criminality, but they might be related to somebody (who is), and it might not even be a very close relationship.

The gardai are doing their best, but they cant be there all the time, and they cant respond to everything if they don't have enough numbers; more Garda numbers need to be allocated into Limerick as a matter of urgency.

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Deputy Quinlivan said a previous feud in Limerick was ignited after an attempted murder outside another local school in 2000.

The Sinn Fein TD said any potential violence near schools would be a new low in the present feuding, and he appealed to those involved in the feud to stay away from schools.

It should never happen anyway, regardless, and it is unfortunate, but it is a sign of the times that gardai have to maintain a presence at school drop-off and at collection times, and it is very disappointing and disheartening, Deputy Quinlivan said.

The staff at that school are doing their best in difficult circumstances, and the areas in question are populated by huge numbers of people who have retired after they worked all their lives, and they deserve to live in peace, and its also not fair on kids to see gardai at their school (in that way), and I hope that it doesn't become normalised.

Gardai said significant work was done in relation to the investigation of crimes associated with a high profile feud which has resulted in numerous detections and prison sentences for those involved.

They added that charges have also been preferred against a number of individuals resulting in them being held on remand in prison awaiting trial.

Despite the recent garda crackdown, violent attacks associated with the feud have continued.

Ireland Two men arrested as part of burglary investigations in Tipperary, Limerick, and Wexford Read more

Operation Gealbhan is being supported by Divisional, Regional and National Units including the Limerick Divisional Roads Policing Unit and Drugs Unit, as well as specialist armed Gardai attached to both the Armed Support Unit (ASU) and Emergency Response Unit (ERU).

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Gardai said the resourcing requirements of each Garda Division was closely monitored on an ongoing basis and that the allocation of additional personnel in respect of the Limerick Garda Division will be considered in the context of the overall policing needs and operational priorities of the organisation and the divisions concerned.

Gardai acknowledged that Limerick City, like other large urban centres, had experienced considerable challenges, in terms of Garda resources and calls to service.

However, it said that, local community gardai and crime units were consistently implementing operations in areas of concern, to minimise tensions.
Two people have denied the murder of a 61-year-old father of four who was found dead at his home in Macroom, Co Cork last year.

Daniel Hourigan (32) and Linda O'Flynn (32) appeared before a sitting of the Central Criminal Court in Cork on Thursday charged with the murder of Michael 'Mikey' Foley last year.

The accused were arraigned before Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford.

Both replied that they were not guilty of murder but guilty of assisting an offender under Section 7, subsection 2 of the Criminal Law Act, 1997.

Both are charged with the murder of Michael Foley at a date unknown between January 31st and February 1st 2024 in Macroom, Co Cork.

A jury of seven men and five women were sworn in to hear the murder trial which will open tomorrow. (Friday) The trial is expected to last two weeks and involves in the region of ninety witnesses.

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Mr Hourigan was of no fixed abode and Cork Simon Community in Andersons Quay in the city. Ms O'Flynn previously resided at Leeside Apartments in Cork.

Mr Foley was discovered dead in his home at Annville Sheltered Housing Complex, Barrett's Place in Macroom on February 6th, 2024.

A murder probe was launched following the completion of a post mortem examination lat Cork University Hospital (CUH) by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster.

Mr Foley was originally from Scartagh in Clonakilty, Co Cork.

He was laid to rest in St Marys Cemetery in Clonakilty following requiem mass at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in the town.
A former paratrooper known as Soldier F has been found not guilty of committing two murders and five attempted murders on Bloody Sunday in Derry in 1972.

Delivering his judgment at Belfast Crown Court, Judge Patrick Lynch said the evidence presented against the veteran fell well short of what was required for conviction.

However, the judge said that members of the Parachute Regiment had shot dead unarmed civilians, and those involved should hang their heads in shame.

In the packed public gallery at court 12, gathered relatives of the Bloody Sunday victims gave no visible response as the veteran was found not guilty on all counts.

There was also no reaction from those in the public gallery supporting the former paratrooper.

Soldier F had been accused of the murders of James Wray and William McKinney on Bloody Sunday, regarded as one of the darkest days of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

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The veteran had also been accused of attempting to murder Michael Quinn, Patrick ODonnell, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon and an unknown person.

Thirteen people were killed when members of the Parachute Regiment opened fire on a civil rights demonstration in the city.

The non-jury trial heard evidence across four weeks which included statements by two of Soldier Fs colleagues.

Soldier F was present at Belfast Crown Court for each day of the trial with his identify concealed behind a curtain in the court room.

Relatives of the men killed and supporters also attended each day of the trial.

Delivering his judgment, Judge Lynch said on Bloody Sunday a number of members of the Parachute Regiment entered Glenfada Park North in Derry and started firing at unarmed civilians at a distance of 50 metres or less.

He said this resulted in two murders and a number of people being unlawfully wounded.

The judge said: They had totally lost all sense of military discipline. They were members of a regiment formed in 1942 at the behest of prime minister Churchill and had a proud record in World War Two.

He added: Those who fought valiantly against SS Panzer divisions in 1944 have had their regiment sullied by some of their successors.

Shooting in the back unarmed civilians fleeing from them on the streets of a British city.

Those responsible should hang their heads in shame.

However, the judge said there was no concept of collective guilt in the courts.

He said the Crown had failed to establish that Soldier F was knowingly and intentionally assisting in the shootings, with intent to kill, or was shooting himself with that intention.

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He said the sole evidence against Soldier F was from two other veterans, Soldiers G and H, and said there were difficulties in relying on it.

The judge said: Their statements, the sole and decisive evidence, cannot be tested in a way that witnesses giving evidence from the witness box would be.

Delay has, in my view, seriously hampered the capacity of the defence to test the veracity and accuracy of the hearsay statements.

The two witnesses are themselves, on the basis of the Crown case guilty of murder as, in essence, accomplices with a motivation to name F as a participant in their murderous activities.

I find that they have been serially untruthful about matters central to events giving rise to this prosecution.

The judge added that whatever suspicion the court may have about the role of Soldier F, he was constrained and limited by the evidence presented.

Ireland Trial came after long campaign for justice for Bloody Sunday victims Read more

He said: To convict it has to be upon evidence that is convincing and manifestly reliable.

The evidence presented by the Crown falls well short of this standard and signally fails to reach the high standard of proof required in a criminal case; that of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

Therefore, I find the accused not guilty on all seven counts on the present bill of indictment.
A key witness has told a jury that he is "terrified" of double murder accused Ruth Lawrence, who he said carried around "a little black gun" and would put it down the back of her trousers.

Ms Lawrence (45), who is originally from Clontarf in Dublin but with an address at Patricks Cottage, Ross, Mountnugent in Co Meath has pleaded not guilty to murdering Anthony Keegan (33) and Eoin O'Connor (32) at an unknown location within the State on a date between April 22nd 2014 and May 26th 2014, both dates inclusive.

Jason Symes on Thursday gave evidence via video-link, telling Michael O'Higgins SC, prosecuting, that he first met Ms Lawrence's boyfriend, South African national Neville van der Westhuizen, in Ballyjamesduff in Co Cavan.

He said that they were "not good friends" but acquaintances.

Mr Symes said he had met Neville on another occasion in a pub in Dublin, when Neville was having a meeting with a person identified in court only as Mr CD.

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Following the meeting, Neville told the witness that he and Mr CD "had words and were going to start selling drugs from them".

Mr Symes said he began selling "weed" for Neville in Ballyjamesduff after this meeting.

At one point in his testimony, the witness said he didn't want to say Ruth and Neville's names as they "terrified" him.

Referring to the night of Good Friday on April 18 2014, Mr Symes said Neville and Ruth took his daughter's Nissan Micra whilst he and Stacey waited in 'Burger King' on O'Connell Street in Dublin. "I didn't know what they were doing, who they were with, no idea," said Mr Symes.

On the way home to Cavan, Mr Symes said they came across a checkpoint on the Navan Road in Dublin. "I thought the gardai would pull the car in and I wouldn't be sitting here if that was the case and those two boys would be alive," said the witness.

When they arrived back at St Patrick's Cottage, Mr Symes said Ruth and Neville emptied their car "with bags and bags of stuff". "I didn't know where it was coming from".

In his opening address, Mr O'Higgins said the evidence will be that Mr O'Connor sold drugs to Mr van der Westhuizen, who owed the deceased man in the region of 70,000.

The trial has heard that Mr O'Connor was under pressure for money, as he had to pay people above him. The deceased and Mr Keegan had gone to speak to Mr Symes - who the trial heard also owed Mr O'Connor money - at his house on Monday April 21st when Mr O'Connor was told the cash would be given to him the next day.

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Mr Keegan had accompanied Mr O'Connor "in a supporting role" in case there was any trouble, the jury heard.

Mr Symes said when he went to Patrick's Cottage with his daughter on the evening of April 23 2014 it was "just mayhem" and that "all hell broke out'.

Asked by the prosecutor whether he could remember whether there was any discussion about what had happened to the "two lads", Mr Symes replied: "No not really that time, something said about the job is done or it's done. I didn't understand what he said or what he meant by it.

"I was getting told what to say and do. I was terrified of these two people...I'd seen them with weapons".

Asked who he saw with weapons, the witness replied: "I saw Ruth first with a weapon, she used to carry around a thing, put it down the back of her trousers - a little black gun. I thought it was a toy; I didn't realise".

At one point during his testimony, Mr Symes remarked: "If I had known deep in my heart that it was going to happen to Eoin or his friend I would not have let them out of my house".

The next day on April 24th, Mr Symes said he and his daughter were "bundled" into two cars. "They would not let us be together, we couldn't be father and daughter".

He said Neville had him driving around Ballyjamesduff and the witness wanted to "run to a police car" but didn't know what to say.

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Asked whether there was any discussion with Ruth and Neville as to what happened to "the two lads", Mr Symes replied: "I think they told us on Thursday night. I think we were sitting around in the kitchen, they were coked out of their head, going through things, I remember hearing about a headlock and a twist".

Mr O'Higgins asked who said this to which the witness replied: "Ruth said that, she said whatever she'd done, she'd done and that's it and I think he took over, I'm not sure".

"You said something about a twist?" continued the prosecutor. "Like a headlock, that's what she mentioned," replied Mr Symes, adding that he had "blanked everything out" and "didn't want to know anymore".

On Tuesday, the witness's daughter Stacey Symes told the jury she remembered: "Ruth saying she had shot Eoin but it went wrong; that he had twisted or something."

Mr Symes said he had no choice but to leave Ireland as he was told Mr CD knew where his youngest daughter lived.

The witness said he returned from the UK after a few weeks as he wanted to tell the truth "about the boys". "I'd nothing to do with nothing, all I did was be stupid and be nice to people".

Ireland Key witness tells court it was Ruth Lawrence's boyfriend who murdered drug dealer and his friend Read more

Under cross-examination, Patrick Gageby SC, defending, put it to the witness that his client never said "any of the things in the house that you said she said, something to do with headlocks etc". "I disagree because she is going to say that," replied Mr Symes.

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When Mr Gageby further put it to the witness he had never seen Ms Lawrence with a gun, Mr Symes said: "I did, on more than one occasion".

The trial continues on Friday before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of four men and eight women.

In his opening address, Mr O'Higgins told the jury that the State would argue that Ms Lawrence shot drug dealer Mr O'Connor and worked "as a unit" with her boyfriend to kill him and Mr Keegan, with their bodies later found "bound in rope, tape and covered in tarpaulin" on Inchicup Island on Lough Sheelin.
The European Union has agreed on a new raft of sanctions against Russia, targeting its shadow fleet of oil tankers and banning its imports of liquefied natural gas, the Danish EU presidency has announced.

Today is a good day for Europe and Ukraine, Danish foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said, as EU leaders gather for a summit in Brussels.

He said that the new sanctions will introduce new and comprehensive measures on oil and gas, the shadow fleet and Russias financial sector.





EU Member States have approved our 19th package of sanctions against Russia.



Were keeping the pressure high on the aggressor.



For the first time we are hitting Russias gas sector - the heart of its war economy.



We will not relent until the people of Ukraine have a just and https://t.co/HQTknzy2uC  Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) October 23, 2025

The move comes a day after US president Donald Trumps administration announced new sanctions against Russias oil industry that are aimed at moving Russian leader Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table and ending Moscows war on Ukraine.

Energy revenue is the linchpin of Russias economy, allowing Mr Putin to pour money into the armed forces without worsening inflation for everyday people and avoiding a currency collapse.

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The new EU measures took almost a month to decide. The 27-nation bloc has already slapped 18 packages of sanctions against Russia over the war, but reaching a final agreement on who and what to target can take weeks.

The sanctions agreement was sealed at a Thursday morning meeting of EU ambassadors, just a few hours before Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky joins his European counterparts for the one-day summit, as they press for a ceasefire to halt almost four years of fighting.

The summit comes after Mr Trump said that his plan for a swift meeting with Mr Putin was on hold because he didnt want it to be a waste of time.

It was yet another twist in Mr Trumps stop-and-go effort to end the war.



European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is in Brussels for the summit (AP)

The leaders are also eager for any progress on Mr Trumps Gaza peace plan, and will debate ways to keep the 27-nation bloc involved in proceedings.

The EU is the worlds biggest provider of aid to Palestinians but has little leverage over Israel  in part because European nations are divided over how to handle the conflict  and it has struggled to play a role of consequence.

Its role in the war in Ukraine is clearer, and the summit takes place as Russian armed forces strike at the conflict-torn countrys power grid just as the weather starts to turn colder.

Earlier this week, Ukraines strongest European backers who form part of the coalition of the willing said they opposed any push to make Ukraine surrender land captured by Russian forces in return for peace, as Mr Trump most recently has suggested.

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The UK will host a meeting of the members of that coalition of more than 30 countries on Friday.

On the EU side, leaders intend to push forward with plans to use billions of dollars in frozen Russian assets to help fund Ukraines war efforts, despite some misgivings about the consequences of such a step.



Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky is taking part in Thursdays summit (AP)

The biggest tranche of frozen assets  some 225 billion dollars worth (168 billion)  are held in Belgium, and the Belgian government has been reluctant to take any risks on using the money without firm guarantees from its European partners.

Belgian prime minister Bart De Wever insisted that his European partners must share the risk of using the frozen Russian assets.

If we want to give them to Ukraine, we have to do it all together, Mr De Wever told reporters as he arrived for a summit with his EU counterparts in Brussels.

If not, Russian retaliation might only hit Belgium. Thats not very reasonable.

We are a small country, and retaliation can be very hard. They might confiscate all kinds of monies of Western banks in Russia, confiscate the European owned companies in Russia.

The European Commission has described the plan as a reparation loan.



Belgiums prime minister Bart De Wever warned of the consequences of using the assets, which are held by his country (AP)

Ukraines budget and military needs for 2026 and 2027 are estimated to total around 153 billion dollars (114 billion).

The EU leaders are also likely to sign off on a new road map to prepare Europe to defend itself against a Russian attack by the end of the decade.

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Top officials believe that Russian could be ready to take aim at another European country within three-to-five years.

 Russia brushes off the sanctions

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova described the new US sanctions as entirely counterproductive, including in terms of signalling in favour or achieving a meaningful negotiated solution to the Ukrainian conflict.

If the current US administration follows the example of its predecessors, who attempted to coerce or force Russia into sacrificing its national interests through unlawful sanctions, the result will be exactly the same  disastrous from a domestic political standpoint and detrimental to the stability of the global economy, Ms Zakharova said.



The Russian 240mm Tyulpan mortar fires towards Ukrainian positions in Ukraine (Russian Defence Ministry Press Service via AP)

State-run and pro-Kremlin Russian media mostly shrugged at the news.

Pressure or no pressure, it wont make things any sweeter for Zelensky. And whats more, it wont bring peace any closer, Komsomolskaya Pravda, a popular pro-Kremlin tabloid, said.

Russian state news agency Ria Novosti said in a column that the new sanctions were painful, as usual, but not deadly. Also as usual.

 Drone strikes continue overnight

The two sides continued to pummel each other with strikes overnight.

In a village in Ukraines north-eastern Kharkiv region, Russia conducted a so-called double-tap drone strike, hitting the same place a second time when first responders arrived at the scene of the first strike, regional head Oleh Syniehubov said.

One emergency worker was killed and five of his colleagues were injured, Mr Syniehubov said.

Russian drones also attacked three districts of Kyiv, injuring eight people, according to the citys prosecutors office.

The Russian Defence Ministry, meanwhile, reported intercepting and destroying 139 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions and the annexed Crimean peninsula overnight.

It did not comment on unconfirmed reports that Ukrainian drones hit another oil refinery and an unspecified energy facility.
Ireland will support a European Union plan to use seized Russian state cash to finance a 140 billion loan to support Ukraine, the Taoiseach has said.

Micheal Martin said that the loan would not impact Irish neutrality, and that the loan is a way to make sure Russia bears the economic cost of its decision to invade Ukraine.

"Europe is doing a hell of a lot in terms of underpinning Ukraine's economy at the moment, because we have to support Ukraine in defending its sovereignty and its territorial integrity from a budget perspective, from a humanitarian perspective, and that is what we are doing," Mr Martin said on Newstalk.

"So I don't believe there are implications for neutrality."

The sanctioned Russian assets were immobilised in Euroclear, a Belgian securities depository, when Russia invaded Ukraine more than three and a half years ago.

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The money would only be repaid to Russia if Moscow agreed to compensate Kyiv for the destruction its war has caused.

World US oil sanctions against Russia are an 'act of war', says Putin ally Read more

Under the plan, EU states need to provide guarantees to jointly cover the loan in the event that repayment is triggered without Russia paying reparations to Ukraine - for example, if support to maintain Europes regime of sanctions on Russia collapsed.

The plan is being discussed at a summit of the EUs 27 leaders in Brussels on Thursday.

One source told the Irish Times that the estimate for Irelands share of the worst-case scenario financial guarantees could amount to several billion euros.

Funds derived from the frozen Russian assets will help Ukraine purchase weapons for its defence against Russias full-scale invasion and support its national budget.
CHICAGO, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Katten announced today that it honored 18 individuals with Pro Bono Service Awards, recognizing recipients for their exceptional dedication to providing legal services to those in need and for their roles in advancing access to justice in the communities the firm serves.

"Our honorees remind us of the profound difference that pro bono advocacy can make in people's lives," said Jonathan K. Baum, Katten's director of pro bono services. "Their dedication reflects our firm's deep commitment to ensuring meaningful access to justice for all. We are proud to recognize these attorneys for their service and grateful to the business professionals whose support helps make this work possible."

"Our honorees remind us of the profound difference that pro bono advocacy can make in people's lives." Post this

As part of the American Bar Association's weeklong National Celebration of Pro Bono, Katten hosted its Service Awards ceremonies this week in its offices across the United States and the United Kingdom.

The firm honored 15 attorneys for their dedication to pro bono service throughout their careers, underscoring the firm's continued commitment to using legal skills to assist those most vulnerable and in need of high-quality legal representation.

The attorneys, who provided pro bono assistance on a range of matters, from asylum and immigration cases and discrimination claims to nonprofit counseling on tax-exempt status applications and corporate governance, are:

Vinny Baumann, Counsel, Affordable Housing and Community Development, Washington, DC

Zachary S. Beal, Associate, Litigation, New York

Meena Dev-Sidhu, Counsel, Real Estate, Los Angeles

Alex Haddad, Associate, Corporate, Chicago

Matthew Hartzler, Associate, Intellectual Property, Chicago

Kelly N. Hutchinson, Partner, Government and Public Finance, Chicago

Carolyn H. Jackson, Partner, Financial Markets and Regulation, London

Carl E. Kennedy, Partner, Financial Markets and Regulation, New York

Ian W. Kirk, Associate, Real Estate, Los Angeles

Loren M. Lee, Associate, Financial Markets Litigation and Enforcement, Chicago

Ryan A. Lilley, Associate, Capital Markets, Washington, DC

Yawara Ng, Associate, Financial Markets Litigation and Enforcement, Charlotte

Rachel M. Riley, Partner, White Collar and Internal Investigations, Dallas

Robert T. Smith, Partner, Litigation, Washington, DC

Luz A. Solano-Florez, Associate, Real Estate, Charlotte

Katten also recognized three business professionals with pro bono service awards for their significant role in supporting and advancing the firm's pro bono legal services:

Margaret Hamilton, Legal Executive Assistant, Intellectual Property, New York

Joshua Upthegrove, Senior Paralegal, Litigation, Dallas

Deborah Wing, Paralegal, Trademark/Copyright/Advertising/Privacy, Chicago

Each award recipient receives a $1,000 honorarium to donate to a charity of their choice.

Katten is a full-service law firm with approximately 700 attorneys in locations across the United States and in London and Shanghai. Clients seeking sophisticated, high-value legal services turn to Katten for counsel locally, nationally and internationally. The firm's core areas of practice include corporate, financial markets and funds, insolvency and restructuring, intellectual property, litigation, real estate, structured finance and securitization, transactional tax planning, private credit and private wealth. Katten represents public and private companies in numerous industries, as well as a number of government and nonprofit organizations and individuals. For more information, visit katten.com .

SOURCE Katten
The jury in the trial of a Dublin firefighter accused of allegedly raping an American woman in a hotel room while in Boston for St Patricks Day celebrations has begun their deliberations following five days of evidence in his retrial.

Terence Crosbie (38) 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.

Last June, his court hearing, which ended in a mistrial, was told that Mr Crosbie, 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.

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Mr Crosbie had flown to Boston from Ireland on the same day of the alleged incident with colleagues and he was scheduled to leave the following Tuesday, March 18th.

Daniel Reilly delivered closing arguments for the defence, emphasised Mr Crosbies innocence and pointed to reasonable doubt in the case, in the form of no video or audio of the alleged attack and the lack of conclusive DNA evidence.

Mr Reilly said that his clients testimony declaring himself innocent constitutes reasonable doubt and that the alleged victims blood sample from the hospital Emergency Department she went to established that she was inebriated.

Erin Murphy delivered closing arguments for the prosecution, asked the jury to convict Mr Crosbie.

Ms Murphy said the alleged victim had no reason to lie and gave a detailed account of a stranger raping her.

Ireland Man (40s) arrested after 3D-printed firearm and drugs seized in Ballymun Read more

She pointed out that Mr Crosbie exploited his colleague Liam O'Brien whom he shared a room with due to his oblivion after drinking, to take advantage of the victim.

Doctors and nurses who interacted with the victim found her to be clinically sober with no evidence of intoxication. Ms Murphy noted that the defendant was the only other man in the room; there was no other activity in that room (from key use records) around that time period.

She highlighted that the accused left early for Logan Airport early because he knew he was caught.

Mr Crosbie has been in custody on a $50,000 bail at the Suffolk County Jail since his arrest.
US secretary of state Marco Rubio has said he will be travelling to Israel to keep the momentum on the US-brokered ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

It comes as US vice president JD Vances visit to the country comes to a close.

Earlier this week, Mr Vance announced the opening of a civilian military coordination centre in southern Israel where some 200 US troops are working alongside the Israeli military and delegations from other countries planning the stabilisation and reconstruction of Gaza.

Mr Rubio told journalists at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday that he plans to visit the centre and appoint a foreign service official to work alongside the top US military commander in the Middle East, vice Admiral Brad Cooper.



US vice president JD Vance tours The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem (Nathan Howard/AP)

The US is seeking support from other allies, especially Gulf nations, to create an international stabilisation force to be deployed to Gaza and train a Palestinian force.

Wed like to see Palestinian police forces in Gaza that are not Hamas and that are going to do a good job, but those still have to be trained and equipped, he said.

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Mr Rubio also criticised efforts by far-right politicians in the Israeli parliament who on Wednesday took the symbolic step of giving preliminary approval to a bill that would give Israel authority to annex the occupied West Bank  a move the US opposes.

President Donald Trump has made clear thats not something wed be supportive of right now, and we think its potentially threatening to the peace deal, he said.

The bill passed in a 25-24 vote. It is unclear whether the bill has support to win a majority in the 120-seat parliament, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has tools to delay or defeat it.

Meanwhile, Mr Vance visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the sprawling 12th century basilica where Christians believe Jesus was crucified, died and rose again, in Jerusalems Old City.

He is then expected to meet Israels defence Minister, Israeli military leaders and other officials at the armys headquarters in Tel Aviv.

On Wednesday, Mr Vance sought to ease concerns that the Trump administration was dictating terms to its closest ally in the Middle East.



Palestinians walk through destruction caused by an Israeli air and ground offensive in the Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood in Gaza City (Abdel Kareem Hana via AP)

We dont want in Israel a vassal state, and thats not what Israel is. We want a partnership, we want an ally, Mr Vance said, speaking beside Mr Netanyahu, in response to a reporters question about whether Israel was becoming a protectorate of the US.

Mr Netanyahu, who will meet with Mr Rubio as well, expressed similar sentiments while acknowledging differences of opinion as they push forward the US-proposed ceasefire agreement.

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Israeli media referred to the non-stop parade of American officials visiting to ensure Israel holds up its side of the fragile ceasefire as Bibi-sitting.

The term, utilising Mr Netanyahus nickname of Bibi, refers to an old campaign ad when Mr Netanyahu positioned himself as the Bibi-sitter whom voters could trust with their kids.

 Palestinians in Gaza in dire need of medical care

In the first medical evacuation since the ceasefire began on October 10, the head of the World Health Organisation said on Thursday they had evacuated 41 critical patients and 145 companions out of the Gaza strip.

In a statement posted to X, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called on nations to show solidarity and help some 15,000 patients who are still waiting for approval to receive medical care outside Gaza.

His calls were echoed by an official with the UN Population Fund who, on Wednesday, described the sheer devastation that he witnessed on his most recent travel to Gaza, saying that there is no such thing as a normal birth in Gaza now.
US treasury secretary Scott Bessent has announced new sanctions against Russias two biggest oil companies and condemned Moscows refusal to end its senseless war on Ukraine.

The sanctions against Rosneft and Lukoil, as well as dozens of subsidiaries, come after months of bipartisan pressure on President Donald Trump to hit Russia with harder sanctions.

Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire, Mr Bessent said.

He added that given Russian President Vladimir Putins refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russias two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlins war machine.

Mr Bessent said the Treasury Department was prepared to take further action if necessary to support Mr Trumps effort to end the war. We encourage our allies to join us and adhere to these sanctions.



At least 25 people, including five children, were injured in Kyiv alone (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP)

He spoke after Russian drones and missiles blasted sites across Ukraine, killing at least six people, including a woman and her two young daughters.

The attack came a day after Mr Trump put his planned meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on hold, saying he did not want it to be a waste of time.

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Repeated waves of missiles and drones throughout the night targeted at least eight Ukrainian cities, as well as a village in the Kyiv region where a strike set fire to a house in which a mother and her six-month-old and 12-year-old daughters were staying, regional head Mykola Kalashnyk said.

At least 25 people, including five children, were injured in Kyiv alone, authorities said.

Russian drones also hit a kindergarten in Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city, during the day on Wednesday when children were in the building, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said.

One person was killed and six were injured but no children were physically harmed, he said.

Even so, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said many of the children were in shock after being rescued from the building by emergency crews.

Russia fired 405 strike and decoy drones and 28 missiles at Ukraine, mainly targeting Kyiv, Ukraines air force said.



US President Donald Trump, right, put his planned meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on hold (Jae C Hong/AP)

The attack caused emergency power blackouts across the country, Ukraines energy ministry said. Repairs were under way where possible and electricity would be restored as soon as possible, it added.

Another night that proves Russia does not feel enough pressure for prolonging the war, Mr Zelensky said in a statement.

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He said the strike caused damage in the cities of Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia, as well as Odesa, Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kirovohrad, Poltava, Vinnytsia, Zaporizhzhia, and the wider regions of Kyiv, Cherkasy, and Sumy.

Mr Zelensky urged the European Union, the US and the Group of Seven industrialised nations, or G7, to take steps to sanction Russia.

It is very important that the world does not remain silent now and that there is a united response to Russias treacherous strikes, he said.

Pressure can be applied on Moscow only through sanctions, long-range (missile) capabilities, and coordinated diplomacy among all our partners, he said.

Mr Zelensky has credited Mr Trumps remarks that he was considering supplying Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine for Mr Putins willingness to meet.

The Ukrainian leader was set to visit Stockholm on Wednesday, where hes expected to meet with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson at the start of what the Ukrainian leader has said will be a week of intense diplomacy.

More international economic sanctions on Russia are likely to be discussed at an EU summit in Brussels on Thursday, while on Friday, a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing  a group of 35 countries who support Ukraine  is due to take place in London.

As soon as security conditions allow, energy workers will begin assessing the consequences of the attack and carrying out repair work Energy minister Svitlana Hrynchuk

Meanwhile, Ukraines army general staff said the countrys forces struck a chemical plant in Russias Bryansk region late on Tuesday night using air-to-surface Storm Shadow missiles.

The plant is an important part of the Russian military and industrial complex producing gun powder, explosives, missile fuel and ammunition.

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In the Kyiv region, rescuers discovered the bodies of three people  including two children  after a strike set a private house on fire in the village of Pohreby, regional governor Mykola Kalashnyk said.

According to Mr Kalashnyk, the victims were a woman and her two daughters  an infant of six months and a 12-year-old girl.

Their bodies were found at the site of the fire, the governor said.

This is a tragedy for the entire community, for the Kyiv region, and for the country.

Two more people were found dead in the Dnipro district of the Ukrainian capital, where emergency services rescued 10 people after a fire caused by drone debris hit the sixth floor of a 16-storey residential building, local authorities said.



Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had spoken to Mr Trump about help procuring Patriot air defence systems more quickly (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP)

The attack also blew out windows of a medical facility and debris was found at another residential building, Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko reported on his Telegram channel.

In the Darnytskyi district of the capital, emergency services were responding after drone debris hit a 17-storey residential building causing a fire on five floors. Fifteen people were rescued, including two children.

In the Desnianskyi district, 20 people were rescued after the facade of a 10-storey building was damaged and a gas pipe caught fire. Debris from a drone also fell on a dormitory building and rescue workers were headed to the scene, Mr Klitschko said.

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The large-scale overnight aerial attack also targeted other cities in Ukraine including Zaporizhzhia and the port city of Izmail in the southern Odesa region.

An energy object in Odesa region suffered extensive damages according to DTEK, Ukraines biggest private energy operator. The company also said Kyiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions experienced emergency blackouts.

Following the blackouts, energy minister Svitlana Hrynchuk said that as soon as security conditions allow, energy workers will begin assessing the consequences of the attack and carrying out repair work.

Mr Trump was expected to hold talks at the White House on Wednesday with Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte.

The military alliance has been co-ordinating deliveries of weapons to Ukraine, many of them purchased from the US by Canada and European countries.





We stand with Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/gwe1Mxvey2  UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) October 21, 2025

The decision to postpone the meeting in Budapest, Hungary  which Mr Trump had announced last week  followed a call on Monday between US secretary of state Marco Rubio and Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov.

The Russian diplomat made clear in public remarks on Tuesday that Moscow opposes an immediate ceasefire.

Meanwhile, Ukraine is seeking to purchase 25 Patriot air defence systems from US firms using frozen Russian assets and assistance from partners.

Mr Zelensky said acquiring them would take time because of a long production lead-in but added that he had spoken to Mr Trump about help procuring them more quickly, potentially from European partners.

Earlier this month, Russia carried out its largest attack of the war on natural gas facilities operated by Ukraines state-owned Naftogaz Group, launching 381 drones and 35 missiles, according to Ukraines air force.

Officials said the strikes were part of an effort to cripple the countrys power grid ahead of winter.
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NationalMedicine Opinion For doctors, uncertainty is a fact. But we must be brave, take risks  and save lives Georgina Long Oncologist, 2024 Australian of the Year October 23, 2025  6:30pm

October 23, 2025  6:30pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 33 View all comments

Every week, I see 80 to 100 cancer patients. Half are on experimental therapies. Some are taking drugs that have never been tested in humans before. They place their lives in my hands, and I carry that weight into what I call the third space, the gap between what we know and what we desperately need to know. This is where courageous medicine happens. Not in the textbooks. Not in the established protocols. But in the uncomfortable, uncertain territory where evidence does not yet exist. Professor Georgina Long with Professor Richard Scolyer after they were announced as the joint 2024 Australians of the Year. The Sydney Morning Herald Nearly a century ago, Charles Lambie and Harold Dew, an unlikely duo of thinker and doer, reshaped medical education at the University of Sydney. They believed medicine was not just about treating illness, but about training doctors to reason, question and build evidence. Lambie, the reserved idealist, insisted education must cultivate independent thinkers, not rote technicians. Dew, the practical fly-fisher, hardwired research training into the curriculum and urged young graduates to pursue medical research as a career. Their partnership established something fundamental: the responsibility to create evidence, not merely consume it.

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Yet, it took another century for the first woman to hold a professorship in that faculty. And I learnt that my namesake, Georgina Dagmar Berne, became the first woman to enrol in medicine at Sydney in 1885, only to face opposition from the vice chancellor who vowed no woman would graduate in Medicine while he served. Related Article Medicine Im not giving up now: Richard Scolyer defies cancer to run City2Surf Progress has been hard-won. The barriers were real. But they were also surmountable by those brave enough to persist. The third space is not just where I work in clinical trials and translational research. Its a mindset for any industry. Its where you find patients for whom best available evidence is not good enough. Where you notice the pattern no one else documented. Where you ask the question that does not fit the tick-box template. Every ward round holds this potential. Every clinic. Every conversation with a patient. If you stay curious, if you document, if you connect, you are creating evidence. You are building the next foundation of medicine. I wont romanticise this. Working in the third space carries risks, professional, personal and ethical. After the highly publicised case in which I developed a first-of-its-kind (third space) cancer treatment for my friend and colleague Richard Scolyer, I faced unwanted clickbait media selling a narrative far from the truth of experimental medicine. They created false hope for vulnerable families with glioblastoma. As a medical oncologist who spends hours understanding the human in front of me and quietly creating options, I find this anathema to my practice.

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But these challenges do not negate the imperative. They underscore it. Related Article Australia Day Pioneering doctors Richard Scolyer and Georgina Long named Australians of the Year Half my patients are on clinical trials. Many are on drugs never tested in humans before. They inhabit that third space with me because the alternative, waiting for evidence that may never come, is unacceptable. Digital infrastructure has unparalleled reach; a false narrative embeds itself in millions of minds before the truth can even load. One can try to debunk, with varied success, but the most effective approach is to inoculate against it. Finland provides a compelling example: children are taught to detect deepfakes, fact-check claims and think critically. Theyre building a society less susceptible to manipulation, the ultimate competitive advantage in this age of distortion. To the medical students, junior doctors, and researchers reading this: youre inheriting a profession built by people who dared to challenge convention. Every breakthrough we now take for granted began as uncertainty in someones mind.

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This is not a 9-to-5 profession. Its a vocation that will demand your intellect, empathy and endurance. It will break your heart and remake it many times. But courageous medicine is not singular, its collective. Its the nurse who speaks up. The registrar who questions an assumption. The researcher who publishes an inconvenient result. The student who admits, I dont know, but I want to. Related Article Opinion

Cancer Their work saved my life: these two great Australians richly deserve their award Garry Maddox Senior writer Youre stepping into an era defined by complexity, by the merger of biology with data science, AI with empathy, human intuition with computational power. Technology will accelerate. But machines will never replace the moral imagination that makes you human. Use every tool at your disposal. But never let technology dull your humanity. Create evidence with your hands, minds and hearts, with transparency, humility and relentless curiosity. When you find yourself standing in your own third space, uncertain, unready, afraid, remember this: step forward. Thats exactly where youre meant to be. Because medicine does not just need more evidence users. It needs you to become an evidence creator. Professor Georgina Long, the 2024 joint Australian of the Year, is chair of Melanoma Medical Oncology and Translational Research at the University of Sydney and medical director of the Melanoma Institute Australia. This essay is adapted from her Lambie-Dew Oration, delivered at the university on Thursday night.
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NationalFertility Happy days: Doctors get guidelines for managing male infertility Broede Carmody October 23, 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 20 View all comments

What John Paul Abi-Khattar remembers most was the awkwardness. The Western Sydney project manager was sitting in his urologists office, naked below the waist, undergoing a scrotal examination months after his wifes ovaries and fallopian tubes had already been scrutinised by doctors. John Paul Abi-Khattar is among one in 20 Australian men who have experienced treatable fertility issues. Max Mason-Hubers The medical exam caused no pain and it was over within a minute or two. Abi-Khattar was subsequently diagnosed with treatable varicocele  varicose veins on the left testicle  which can diminish sperm production.

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I then went under the knife, and happy days, he says. This was about 10 years ago. Abi-Khattar and his wife, Natalie, have since had three children: a girl and two boys. The one in 20 Australian men with treatable fertility issues will now be identified sooner  leading to more couples being able to conceive without the help of donor sperm  thanks to Australias first-ever clinical guidelines for the management of male infertility. What the new guidelines tell GPs Offer an initial evaluation of male fertility to the concerned man and/or couple experiencing infertility. The evaluation should include a reproductive history, physical (including scrotal) examination and semen analysis. Mandatory.

For initial infertility evaluation, both male and female partners should undergo concurrent assessment. Mandatory.

Offer semen analysis according to current WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen. If the first semen analysis is abnormal, perform a second semen analysis approximately six weeks afterwards, or longer if clinically indicated. Mandatory.

Do not perform antisperm antibody testing in the initial evaluation of male infertility. Recommended.

Do not routinely perform scrotal ultrasound in the initial evaluation of male infertility. Recommended.

Advise all men to undertake monthly testicular self-examination until the age of 55. Recommended. Source: Healthy Male The guidelines, created by experts in the field and published on government-funded website Healthy Male last week, lay out best practice for GPs and others evaluating patients having difficulty conceiving.

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Male infertility is the sole factor in almost a third of cases where couples are struggling to fall pregnant, and a contributing factor in half of all presentations. Despite this, many women are sent off for blood tests, ultrasounds, X-rays and laparoscopies before their male partners reproductive system has been examined. Some kind of fertility or general health issue is suspected if couples have tried to conceive unsuccessfully for 12 months. Related Article Exclusive

IVF Male infertility behind one in three IVF cycles In the new guidelines, it is mandatory for initial evaluations to be done on both male and female partners at the same time. A physical examination of the testes, not just semen analysis, is also compulsory in primary healthcare settings. Physical examinations are considered best practice because they help identify clinically significant issues with the veins around the testes. Ultrasounds pick up minor cases of varicocele, which often do not require treatment.

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Its also recommended that doctors encourage male patients to undertake regular testicular self-examination until the age of 55. Urological surgeon Dr Shannon Kim said that in severe cases, varicocele can feel like a bag of worms immediately above the testes. People with this condition have a warmer scrotum  thanks to blood pooling in the swollen veins  which can cause pain, lower sperm count and reduce testicular volume. Kim says the new guidelines will avoid delays in fertility treatment. Weve known about varicocele since 500 BC, thanks to a naked sculpture [that likely depicts the condition]. If you read the medical histories, it used to be horrible what theyd do to those veins. They used to put hot barbs through the skin of the scrotum to strangulate them. These days, the procedures are less invasive, more precise and men are put under general anaesthetic.

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Abi-Khattar says he was in and out of day surgery within a few hours and was told he and his wife could start trying to conceive three months after his surgery. Related Article Fertility Absolutely stunned: Sperm counts are falling faster than ever There was a little bit of pain after the surgery. But nothing unbearable, he says. The father of three says he now tells all his friends who have been trying and not striking luck to book in a physical examination with their GP. Just go. Get it done. Kids are a gift.

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Professor Luk Rombauts, medical director of Monash IVF, welcomed the new guidelines. He said that in his experience, men can be less comfortable talking about their fertility issues than women. Its something that causes them shame, Rombauts said. I hope that in the years to come we can be more open in discussing these problems. GPs have a role to play there. Thats where the guidelines are going to be particularly useful. Dr Karin Hammarberg, a womens and global health expert, agreed. There has been a lack of focus on the male partner in the past, so this is really timely. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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NationalPress freedom Opinion I was wrongfully jailed in Egypt, but Australias culture of surveillance takes the cake Peter Greste Author, journalist and academic October 23, 2025  2:35pm

October 23, 2025  2:35pm 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 81 View all comments

In what appears to be an increasingly dangerous world, all of us want to feel safe. That fear of the outside has given successive Australian governments the political space to pass an extraordinary suite of laws that together create a culture of surveillance and secrecy that now runs through every level of administration, whether federal, state or local. As a foreign correspondent, Ive worked in a whole host of regimes  none as reflexively secretive as Australia seems to be. Marija As a foreign correspondent, Ive worked in a whole host of regimes  some pretty horrible authoritarian ones  and I was wrongfully imprisoned in Egypt for 400 days. Ive also worked in countries that wed consider to be open liberal democracies. And I havent come across anywhere as reflexively secretive as Australia seems to be. September 11, of course, was the moment everything changed. Before 9/11, Australia had just one statute on all of its books that actually mentioned terrorism and that was in the Northern Territory. But after 9/11, we became world champions of national security legislation. To date, we have close to 100 separate national security laws, more than any other country on Earth. As far back as 2011, legal academic George Williams said these powers and sanctions, once thought to lie outside the rules of a liberal democracy except during wartime, had become a permanent part of the Australian legal system.

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Lets have a look at a few of them. One of the most terrifying is the data-retention legislation introduced by then attorney-general George Brandis in 2015. It compels telecommunications companies to hold on to the metadata of every Australian for at least two years and gives the government extraordinary powers to investigate it, without a warrant. Related Article Education University of Melbourne facing investigation over tech surveillance of students Metadata isnt the content of communications, its the detail of who you communicate with, whether by email, or text, or phone call, where you were and at what time of day, how long the call took. Cross-referencing all of that information, you can create an extraordinarily detailed picture about the activities of an individual. Brandis sold it to us as an essential tool to deal with serious organised crime, people smuggling, drug trafficking, that sort of thing. A few years later, there was an inquiry into the legislation which examined its impact. An organisation called the Australian Telecommunications Alliance, a group of the telcos, counted the number of requests that they got for metadata. How much would you say is a lot of requests in one 12-month period? They found 350,000 requests for metadata in one year. More than 1000 for every working day. And there were all sorts of outrageous requests. One local council used metadata to try to find the owner of a dog that had done a crap on the footpath.

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For journalists sources exercising a crucial responsibility to hold the governments to account, it means their messages and communications with reporters are no longer safe. We dont know how many stories have not been told  it is impossible to quantify the negative  but anecdotal evidence tells us that sources are drying up, newsrooms are cancelling investigations, and our governments are becoming less transparent. Related Article Political leadership A tax on truth: Ley slams Labor move to charge for government docs, bury debate Attorney-General Michelle Rowland recently announced a whole series of proposed changes to the freedom-of-information legislation. The current system is hopelessly inadequate; sometimes it takes literally years for FOI requests to come through and even then theyre often extensively redacted. But rather than make the system more transparent and efficient, the attorney-generals proposals would actually move things in the opposite direction. It expands the scope of information that government can refuse to release based on what they call a public interest test. It also expands the scope of information that would be covered by a cabinet in confidence exemption. All of this comes from a culture of secrecy, a political culture that privileges security over transparency. I am not suggesting that we should not have robust legislation to protect national security. I am not a free speech or press freedom absolutist. I believe there is some information that we do need to keep secret so our governments have the capacity to defend us against legitimate threats.

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Ive also been the target of extremism; Ive seen what terrorism does and I know how dangerous it is. But one of the reasons that our country has been one of the safest, most peaceful and prosperous places on Earth is because weve had a robust free press capable of interrogating government and holding it to account. It is not always pretty or especially dignified, but it has worked. Secrecy is not merely a technical or legal matter. It shapes the kind of society that we are. Now, in this post-9/11 environment, the government has given itself more tools for investigation, surveillance and secrecy. But its our job as civil libertarians, as journalists, as lawyers, as ordinary citizens, to insist that these tools be used transparently and with robust checks. Otherwise, the basic freedoms we cherish as fundamental to our society will be reduced, not by dramatic coups, but by the slow accumulation of silence. Peter Greste is a professor of journalism at Macquarie University.
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Updated NationalNSWCrime Revealed: Alleged Thi Kim Tran contract killers accused of previous murder Angus Dalton, Amber Schultz and Riley Walter Updated October 24, 2025  1:41pm ,first published October 24, 2025  6:34am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

An alarming number of Australian women have been killed in recent years. Find out more about their lives. Some of the cases are still before the courts. See all stories .

Warning: Graphic content Two members of an alleged contracted kill crew arrested over the kidnapping and murder of a Sydney woman are also facing separate murder charges from a prior incident, while a third member has also been charged with intent to murder, the Herald can reveal. Details that may identify the men cannot be published for legal reasons, which the Herald is challenging in court. Two of the men charged over Thi Kim Trans murder. Police Media The three men aged 32, 20 and 21 were already in custody on their prior charges when homicide squad detectives arrested them on Thursday morning over the murder of Thi Kim Tran, 45, on April 17.

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The group of masked men allegedly broke into her Bankstown home, kidnapped Tran, stripped her naked and fatally shot her before leaving her body in a burnt-out car. Police allege the men charged with Trans murder were hired to kill her husband but, when he couldnt be found, targeted his wife instead. Thi Kim Tran was abducted from her Bankstown home and shot dead in April. Facebook The men also allegedly bashed an eight-year-old boy with a baseball bat during the kidnapping. All three were charged with murder, conspiracy to murder Trans husband, wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, kidnapping and participating in a criminal group.

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Two of the men had previously been charged with murder earlier in the year. The third man also faces a separate charge of shooting with intent to murder. Their matter was heard at Burwood Local Court on Friday. A decision on the non-publication order restricting the media from publishing identifying details of the accused will be heard on November 17. Loading Homicide squad commander Joe Doueihi alleged the men were guns for hire engaged by a Victorian and transnational crime group after Trans husband, an alleged drug cook for the syndicate, was accused of stealing 80 kilograms of methamphetamine. Trans murder and a string of other savage attacks have dragged the activities of secretive Vietnamese crime groups back out of the shadows. Police intercepted a separate alleged kill plot earlier this month, involving would-be assassins hired by a Vietnamese syndicate to murder a father outside his childrens daycare centre in Revesby, in Sydneys south-west.

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The men were led to Trans home by The Anh Nguyen, a 29-year-old man Doueihi alleged was in the upper echelons of the syndicate. He was arrested in August and charged with murder, and wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm over the alleged attack on the eight-year-old boy. Nguyen allegedly knocked on Trans door with the three men  who were masked, cloaked in dark clothing and armed with a pistol and baseball bat  behind him. Her husband was interstate working for the syndicate at the time, police alleged. The masked men then allegedly stripped Tran naked on the street and bundled her at gunpoint into the back of the SUV. She was bound and gagged in what Doueihi described on Friday as a very, very brutal attack. The men sent messages to Trans husband, Doueihi alleged, including a photo of his wife in an attempt to locate him. After failing to lure him out, the men allegedly shot Tran and torched the SUV with her body inside. The burning car was later discovered in Beverly Hills.

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Doueihi said the days of organised criminals leaving family members unharmed were over. These young criminals are ruthless. They dont care about the code, if I can use that word  its whats in their best interests. Theyre selfish, theyre greedy, they dont think of the consequences. These guys are in big trouble, he said. If convicted, they are looking at serving long, long sentences in jail. Police allege kill crews are contract criminals hired by syndicates through encrypted messaging apps to carry out hits on their behalf. They are not loyal to any particular criminal group. They go out, they purchase the kill kit, they purchase clothing, they purchase whatever else they require to complete their task, Doueihi said. A kill crew also hired by a Vietnamese syndicate in July allegedly kidnapped a man, shot him in the head and buried him in Queensland bushland before he managed to dig himself from the dirt and stumble to a service station for help. Loading Trans husband, who is cooperating with police, was working for a methamphetamine manufacturing syndicate allegedly run by Daniel Rodney Badger, a Sydney man who relocated to South-East Asia believed to be one of the Australian Federal Polices highest-value targets.

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Badgers syndicate is believed to be linked to the foiled alleged plot to murder a Sydney father as he collected his children from a Revesby daycare centre earlier this month. The eight-year-old boy Trans alleged killers bashed in the head with a baseball bat came out of a coma in the days after the attack. Doueihi said the child was remarkably recovering well but, along with another 15-year-old boy who witnessed the kidnapping was suffering ongoing psychological issues. Tran had migrated from Vietnam a decade ago and was described by people who knew her as patient, full of good humour, full of life, full of love for her children. Get alerts on significant breaking news as happens. Sign up for our Breaking News Alert.
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Analysis PoliticsFederalChina relations Albaneses meeting with Trump is a warning to Australias enemies Peter Hartcher October 23, 2025  1:18pm 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

Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses triumph with President Donald Trump this week unexpectedly thrust Australia into a position of power in the United States fight against China, but does it move us higher up the worlds food chain? Speaking to host Samantha Selinger-Morris on The Morning Edition podcast, our political and international editor Peter Hartcher delves into the potent moment where China punched the US right in the nose and denied Trump the ability to operate a modern economy, the political turmoil in China stopping it from realising superpower supremacy, and where Australia fits into it all. Click the player below to listen to the full episode, or read on for an edited extract of the conversation. Selinger-Morris: We know that Donald Trump took a hit really in the last week. He was shown up by China. And then, of course, we had this landmark deal with our own prime minister in the White House... Tell us a bit about that deal in terms of whether it could budge our standing as a power.

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China relations Xi and Trump are growing more alike. But only one can win this global power struggle Peter Hartcher Political and international editor Obviously, were very important to Donald Trump right now in terms of giving him a pipeline to these rare earths that China really is cutting America off from, or is about to. Does this shift us from being a middle power? Hartcher: My view is it certainly enhances Australias stature and capability in the world at a time when US allies have been extremely anxious about US reliability. Look at NATO, where Trump has repeatedly refused to commit to Article 5, which is an attack on one is an attack on all. And while hes been undermining the confidence of other US allies, in this case, where he had three hours with Albanese, including that 40-minute televised press conference, Trump has reinforced the alliance.

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Theres the critical minerals deal, which means that if delivered  its actually partly under way already  but if delivered, will stitch the US and Australia together in supplying a guaranteed flow of rare earths and critical minerals to the US. Therefore, it doesnt need to depend on Xi Jinpings whims as to whether it can operate its modern economy or not. Loading Hartcher: There was also the reaffirmation of AUKUS, full steam ahead, said Trump. After all the hysteria and the doubts and the nay-saying and all of that, Trump said its full steam ahead with AUKUS, which we know has made Beijing extremely nervous. The Chinese government has consistently opposed it and railed against it. And so is Putin, by the way. So we know theyre concerned about that arrangement. But also, Trump agreed to other military acquisitions and investments and actions, which in the course of a normal year, in a normal event, a normal summit would have gotten all the headlines. But this time, because theres so much more going on, its hardly even been noticed. So what this does is it tells Australias friends and enemies that Australia has strong support from the US, even under Trump, that these structural deals  so the critical minerals deal, AUKUS  are structures. These are ... now locking those two countries, or welding those two countries, Australia and the US, more closely together.

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Trump diplomacy Albanese secured the least expected outcome of his Trump encounter: Harmony instead of hysteria So its an ally that the US is less able to ignore, even if it chooses to. So that is useful in terms of a warning to Australias enemies to complicate their planning. But its also an important signal to send to Australias friends and allies. Nobody wants a weak ally. And to the extent that this makes Australia a stronger power, then it makes it a more attractive ally as well, to all the countries that Australia has been emphasising ties with in recent years, starting with Japan in the north and to Indonesia and Papua New Guinea in the south. So it does raise Australias power, status and stature in the world. To listen to the full episode with Hartcher, who explains in depth the challenges both Xi Jinping and Trump are facing in trying to be a global superpower, click here. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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Exclusive PoliticsQueenslandQueensland government The LNP have faced flak for sack a board Friday. Thats only part of it Matt Dennien and Julius Dennis October 24, 2025  5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 21 View all comments

The Queensland government has quietly appointed a series of people with LNP connections to state boards without public announcements in the year since it took office, including at least 10 party figures whose appointments have not yet been reported. David Crisafullis first-term LNP government has been criticised for handing out jobs for mates  board roles for former politicians, candidates and those with other connections to the party  although the premier himself has insisted all new appointees had the right skill set. Many have been revealed by ministers in Friday afternoon statements emailed to media. But an investigation by this masthead has found two-thirds of changes to the states 320 boards were not. One third of all boards were updated, either to extend the terms of existing appointees or introduce new members, and several former politicians found a new seat at the table. Those include former state MP Mark Robinson, former senator Joanna Lindgren, former state Liberal leader Denver Beanland and Newman-era cabinet minister Ian Walker.

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The lack of transparency has prompted concern from ex-board members and a previous conservative premier, amid calls to reform the processes wielded by both major parties in power. The governments current suite of boards, committees, councils, tribunals and other non-departmental bodies runs to a total of 320  with 3120 members. Some are paid roles, others unpaid, and details are maintained on the Queensland Register of Appointees to Government Bodies. (Clockwise from top left) Former state party figures Mark Robinson, Ian Walker, Denver Beanland, Lachlan Millar and Michael Hart, and former senator Joanna Lindgren, are now serving on government-appointed boards. Under the Cabinet Handbook, ministers must raise all proposed appointments with the premier in detail. Any deemed significant, such as paid roles, also require cabinet consideration. While the register is not fully updated, this mastheads analysis of its data, combined with ministerial media statements and board websites, found 115 bodies have had membership changes since the 2024 state election.

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Labor, now in opposition, has been vocal about the parachuting of LNP mates to such bodies and other roles within the public service  with their running tally of such people at 52. This mastheads analysis focused only on former politicians, candidates and members of the partys executive who had been handed board gigs rather than jobs in the public sector. A total of 20 people with such backgrounds feature, appointed to 25 positions. Thirteen of these were not named in a formal ministerial announcement, with 10 previously unreported. The list of appointees also includes more than a dozen other donors, former staffers, and colleagues or relatives who have been publicly or privately criticised by the opposition. This masthead also found other previously unreported names among this cohort, such as former federal Coalition staffers James Lambie and Kate Chapple, both appointed to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal after stints on the federal Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

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The boards with new, unannounced LNP-linked appointments are based across Queensland, and include arts bodies, water and energy boards, and medical tribunals. All are paid. This masthead does not suggest any appointees are not qualified or suitable for their roles, only that their appointments were not announced by the government. Who are the new faces on government boards? Ian Walker, a former Newman government minister, has been made chair of the Queensland Performing Arts Trust, which governs QPAC. The $15,000 per-year role was previously held by academic, university administrator and Palaszczuk government-appointed culture and accountability review author Peter Coaldrake.

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On the Queensland Museum Board, the self-described Christian conservative and former state member for the bayside seat of Oodgeroo, Mark Robinson, is now a director paid $7000 a year. The Public Records Review Committee, which advises the minister and state archivist and can review decisions not to dispose records, had four LNP figures appointed. These included former senator for Queensland Joanna Lindgren and former state Liberal Party leader and Borbidge government attorney-general Denver Beanland. Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding, an LNP member and former federal candidate for Blair, was also appointed to the body, along with solicitor and former Griffith candidate Olivia Roberts. Lindgren has also been appointed to the archives new First Nations Advisory Group. Both are paid bodies, but little public detail exists about their rates.

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Bill Glasson, an ophthalmologist and another former Griffith candidate, has been reappointed to both the Composite Medical and Ophthalmology assessment tribunals. Over at Queensland Theatre, repeat Brisbane City Council candidate Melina Morgan has been made a director with a $3000 fee  replacing former Labor staffer Michael Dart. Yvonne Tunney, who ran against Robbie Katter for the LNP in his seat of Traeger at the 2024 state election, has been placed on the Queensland Great Artesian Basin Advisory Council. Shane Goodwin, the last president of the pre-merger state Young Liberal wing, was made a director of Gladstone Ports Corporation in February  netting $24,000 by July for the job.

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His tenure came amid the departure of former directors including chair Adrian Noon, a former Beattie and Bligh Labor government staffer and public servant who replaced former Palaszczuk government minister Anthony Lynham last year. Debate over transparency and merit The government did not respond to questions about why only some board changes had been publicly announced, whether appointments discovered by this masthead were subject to merit assessments, and if there was openness to reform. Instead, a spokeswoman said only that it had promised to deliver a fresh start by addressing Labors four crises in youth crime, health, housing and cost of living, and was doing exactly that. In an earlier interview with this masthead to mark one year in office, Crisafulli defended the refresh of state boards  noting his governments priorities differed from Labors  and hinted there would be more high-profile appointments to come from both sides of politics.

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The only thing I ask is that the people are suitably qualified, he said, adding that he believed all of his governments appointments were  including former Labor MPs Curtis Pitt and Scott Stewart. Related Article Exclusive

Queensland government Could a merged federal LNP save the Coalition? Crisafulli shares his view It is important that we refocus the bodies and the boards in this state  Ive made no secret of the fact that a lot of them havent run the way they should, which is why weve seen things get away on us, things like electricity. But critics have expressed concern about the scale and nature of changes, including Bronwyn Fredericks  a former state productivity commissioner whose tenure on the Public Records Review Committee was not renewed this year. It is difficult to see what processes or procedures are being followed for any current Queensland government appointments, she told this masthead.

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In this, I worry about the blurring of transparency, and thus integrity and accountability of our politicians, and policymakers. Former LNP premier turned Libertarian party figure Campbell Newman, however, agreed governments had the right to clean out boards to help them deliver on their agenda. If I had a criticism, it would be whether these people are the right people to get reform and change that Queensland needs, said Newman  who also came to power after a lengthy Labor rule. Some of the appointments I have seen, I would question whether they were the best people for the job. Clearly they have been very much putting in very clearly LNP people, which again has to be questioned. Griffith University public policy and law professor Dr AJ Brown, chair of anti-corruption organisation Transparency International Australia, said all sides of government need to embrace structural reform of appointment processes.

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That would include publicly advertising positions with clear criteria, and independent verification of candidates merit. This kind of reform is in the interests not just of citizens, but of governments, and of nominees or potential appointees to positions, to help remove any doubt about the factors justifying their appointment, Brown said in a statement. With James Hall Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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PoliticsVictoriaGo west A metropolis of multiple cities: The radical plan to fix the wests brain drain Sophie Aubrey and Gemma Grant Updated October 23, 2025  2:40pm ,first published October 23, 2025  10:59am 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

In this special series, The Age focuses on Melbournes western suburbs to see how life could improve in Australias fastest-growing region. See all stories .

Melbournes future should be polycentric  a metropolis of multiple cities  to address the booming wests brain drain and arduous commutes that resident workers are forced to contend with as they leave the region for their jobs. Speakers at the West of Melbourne Summit on Thursday have supported the West of Melbourne Economic Development Alliances (WoMEDA) strategy that Sunshine should become Melbournes second CBD, along with satellite cities located in Werribee and Cobblebank and a priority precinct in Footscray. WoMEDA is pushing for Sunshine to become Melbournes second CBD. Jason South Almost 200 business, government and academic leaders converged on The Refectory at the Werribee Mansion for the forum, moderated by Age reporters, where WoMEDA presented its strategic report, Western Growth: Unlocking Melbournes Economic Engine. The report outlines whats needed for a thriving region and calls on the Victorian government to commit to fostering infrastructure and job hubs in Australias fastest-growing area. Premier Jacinta Allan declared the west was not something to be fixed, while acknowledging there were growing pains that needed to be addressed. She named government projects that were under way such as the West Gate Tunnel, Sunshine Superhub and hospitals in Footscray and Melton.

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I do recognise there are challenges. Growth does bring pressure, Allan said. Thats exactly why we are investing so heavily in them. And that growth isnt a failure. It shows that people see a future here. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan says the government is investing heavily in the west. Elke Meitzel Opposition Leader Brad Battin said that winning seats in Melbournes west was an important step towards the Coalition forming government as growth areas would have a stronger influence on politics in the future. Labor retained all western suburbs seats at the 2022 state election, but all swung against the party. Margins in most remain large, and there were few substantial primary vote swings to the Liberals, while independent candidates and community-backed parties are seeking to break the red wall at next years state election. Battin, who lives in the growth south-eastern suburb of Berwick, said that a key difference between his area and the west was uneven distribution of investment and funding.

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The infrastructure in the east has increased faster with population than it has here in the west  there has been a lot more money spent on the east, he said. Battin said a Coalition government would look to turbocharge the west with infrastructure. Peter Seamer, who led the Victorian Planning Authority for a decade, said there was major employment inequality, with Melbournes CBD having 3 per cent of the citys population, but 20 per cent of jobs. The inner city has the railway lines and the best public transport  it needs to be balanced out, Seamer said.

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There are a whole lot of government employees who dont have to be in the city. Former Victorian premier Steve Bracks, who previously backed Dandenong for a second CBD, now says Sunshine is filled with promise. Elke Meitzel Former Victorian premier Steve Bracks was previously a strong advocate for the south-eastern suburb of Dandenong to become Melbournes second city. In 2006, his Labor governments Revitalising Central Dandenong project promised more jobs, homes and investment in the area. Speaking at the summit, Bracks said that the future of Melbournes growth now lies in its western suburbs. Sunshine can be the Parramatta [Sydneys second CBD] of Melbourne, he said.

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With major road links, a planned train superhub and a future direct rail link to Melbourne Airport, Bracks said that Sunshine was filled with promise. [The west] will become the hub, the centre  it is the centre of what is happening around Melbourne, but also around Victoria. Thats its future, Bracks said. Brimbank Council and community advocates have been anxiously awaiting the governments timeline and final designs for the Sunshine masterplan, which would connect the superhub station with a revitalised centre, supporting it to become a jobs centre. Allan said the government wanted to first identify parcels of land for housing and other private investment. I get the impatience, but it is important that we get it right because this is really setting up not just the Sunshine precinct, but indeed what it means for a much wider radius.

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Related Article Go west This western suburb could be our second CBD, but residents fear the dream is under threat She accepted that greenfield suburbs too often suffered an infrastructure lag and said her government was creating a more statewide approach to infrastructure contribution for growth areas. Densifying middle suburbs around Melbourne would also help share the housing load, she said. We recognise that you cant just build more homes. Youve got to build communities. The population of Melbournes west is predicted to almost double to 1.8 million by 2050, but demographer Simon Kuestenmacher believes the forecasts are an underestimate. He warns its likely that the development of greenfield homes  which are cheaper to build than high-density housing  will grow faster than expected.

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If we want to become a multi-modal city where we have job clusters  we need to make sure theyre really well-connected, he said. Asked about increasing jobs in the west, Kuestenmacher said past Victorian government planning blueprints had promoted the creation of employment hubs across Melbourne, while simultaneously allowing the development of more office towers in the CBD and Docklands. Age senior city reporter Adam Carey (centre) moderates a panel at the West of Melbourne summit, with (from left) planning expert Peter Seamer, Melbourne University professor Beth Webster, Department of Jobs secretary Matt Carrick and western suburbs councils chief executives Celia Haddock (Maribyrnong), Fiona Blair (Brimbank), Roslyn Wai (Melton) and Stephen Wall (Wyndham). Elke Meitzel Kuestenmacher said that as low-grade commercial buildings empty out, they could be replaced further out of the CBD.

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Matt Carrick, secretary of the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions, said much of the growth in jobs would come from small business operators in transport, logistics, professional services, science and construction. Related Series

Go west Go west Over the last five years, the top two municipalities in the country for small business growth are Wyndham and Melton. Its going to be a phenomenal advantage that will help balance things. In eight short years, the size of the western suburbs professional workforce  those in fields including finance, insurance, sciences and IT  almost doubled, rising from about 70,000 to 130,000. The associated positive is that professional roles typically employ highly educated people and pay above-average salaries. One downside  is that these roles tend not to be local, WoMEDA argues in its report.

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By last year, 47.9 per cent of western suburbs workers commuted outside the region for work, a figure that is projected to exceed 50 per cent within the next decade. Already, workers in Wyndham, in the outer south-west, face an average morning commute time of 56 minutes. The alliance says Melbourne should follow the lead of Sydney and develop a second CBD in Sunshine, and two satellite cities in East Werribee and Cobblebank. There are many parallels between the western regions of Australias two largest metropolises. However, Greater Western Sydney is further into its journey than the west of Melbourne and is reaping the rewards, the report argues.

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It finds similarities between Melbourne and Sydneys western suburbs. Both have a young, diverse and ambitious population, and are expected to absorb more population growth over the next two decades than other parts of the city. But both also have higher-than-average unemployment and lower-than-average salary levels, as well as high levels of mortgage and rental stress. In 2017, the Greater Sydney Commission released a 40-year plan to turn Sydney into a metropolis with three CBDs. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.


WASHINGTON, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Learning Ally, a national nonprofit committed to unlocking the potential of students with learning differences, is proud to co-sponsor an upcoming screening of Left Behind, a powerful new documentary directed by Anna Toomey. The screening, sponsored by Learning Ally in honor of Dyslexia Awareness Month, is co-sponsored by Reading Futures.

[In-Person Event] Documentary Screening [In-Person Event] Documentary Screening

This live, local event will be held on Monday, October 27, 2025, at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, D.C. The evening will begin with a special introduction by Learning Ally CEO Howard Bell III. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion featuring the film's director, award-winning educator and community advocate Kareem Weaver, and one of the parents featured in the documentary.

Left Behind shines a light on the relentless determination of parents who fought to establish New York City's first public school dedicated to children with dyslexia. Praised by CNN's Anderson Cooper as "powerful" and "an urgent call to action to help dyslexic kids," Left Behind captures the courage and persistence of families who refused to let systemic barriers define their children's futures.

"Stories like Left Behind remind us that advocacy, community, and persistence can reshape educational systems," said Bell. "We're honored to help bring this important story to audiences during Dyslexia Awareness Month."

At the heart of Left Behind are the voices of parents whose determination sparked systemic change. "All children have the right to get an education," shares Fatima, one of the parents featured in the film. "Regardless of the disability you have, you have the right to an education." Her words capture the spirit of the movement  and the film's message of equity, inclusion, and resilience.

Hosted in partnership with FULCRUM, Clever Noodle, Decoding Dyslexia DC, the IDA-DC Capital Area Branch, DC Ed Fund, and the Literacy Academy Collective, the event will kick off with a reception at 5:30 PM, followed by the film screening and discussion at 6:30 PM. Admission is free, but seating is limited.

Guests attending in the Washington, D.C. area can RSVP here: https://bit.ly/Left-Behind-DC .

EVENT DETAILS

Date: Monday, October 27, 2025

Reception: 5:306:30 PM

Screening & Panel: 6:30 PM

Location: Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Cost: Free

About Learning Ally

Learning Ally is a leading nonprofit education organization that empowers learners with reading differences, including dyslexia, by providing innovative solutions and fostering meaningful partnerships to ensure that students with learning differences reach their full potential. Through audiobooks, professional learning, and community support, Learning Ally impacts millions of students nationwide.

Media Contact:

Name: Faye LaCasse, Sr. Director, Omnichannel Marketing

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 978-536-1195

Website: https://learningally.org

SOURCE Learning Ally
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Updated PoliticsWABurswood Bizarre, bonkers: Carey accuses Victoria Park of wasting money on racetrack lobbyist Hamish Hastie October 23, 2025  12:15pm 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 4 View all comments

Planning Minister John Carey says the Town of Victoria Park is pissing money up the wall by hiring a lobbyist to pressure his government to abandon its $217 million Burswood racetrack plan. But Town of Victoria Park mayor Karen Vernon has defended the move and accused Carey of not keeping the debate civil. A recent email from Victoria Parks stakeholder relations manager Roz Ellis, obtained by the government, revealed the town had put a call-out for quotes from professional lobbyists to help it fight the racetrack plan. Planning Minister John Carey. Hamish Hastie The Town of Victoria Park is seeking to engage a registered, experienced government relations professional to support our advocacy against the proposed Motorsports Complex at Burswood, the message reads.

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The project, Protect Burswood Parklands & Swan RiverRight Project, Right Place, requires a coordinated programme across statutory, community, cultural and fiscal streams. Are you available to discuss the project and hopefully provide a quote for the work? The concept plan for the Burswood precinct. EPA/government Carey, a former mayor of the City of Vincent was incredulous at the towns actions, describing it as bonkers and bizarre. This is pissing money up against the wall. I mean, it is outrageous, he said.

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Planning and development He unearthed Barnett government bungles. So what does John Langoulant think about the Burswood racetrack? It is the job of mayors. It is the job of elected officials to actually advocate for their communities. I might not like what theyre saying, but now theyre going to be paying for lobbyists. I might not like the mayors advocacy. I might not like any local governments advocacy, but it is absurd for Victoria Park to be paying a lobbyist or consultant. Vernon told ABCs Gary Adshead on Thursday afternoon the town had a right to seek the services to help it advocate for its position to remove the racetrack from its plans.

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She said if a lobbyist was selected the cost would be shared with ratepayers. Vernon took offence to Careys comments. I have to say, whats been done today by Minister Carey particularly, is this really the behaviour that the public expects of its members of parliament? she said. I think its disgraceful and every member of the WA Labor government should be appalled at these tactics being used. This kind of narrative from a senior member of their government is not good enough.

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Why cant they keep this debate civil? The only thing thats bizarre and bonkers that Ive heard is the plan to put a racetrack at Burswood park. Town of Victoria Park staff are taking part in working groups for the Burswood racetrack project. Vernon said it was up to the Victoria Park CEO whether those staff remained in the working groups but she suggested it would likely not happen. Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the towns pursuit of a lobbyist diminished their cause.

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The fact that theyve had to approach eastern state lobbyists to try and come in  I mean, if their argument was strong enough they wouldnt need to use ratepayers money to buy a lobbyist firm to help them, she said. Saffioti said the Town of Victoria Park already had staff in its Perth Entertainment and Sporting precinct working groups. A business case for the project is expected to be made public before the end of the year. The racetrack would include a 10,000-person amphitheatre and would host an annual V8 Supercar race. The town is one of several local groups which oppose the project over the loss of green space on the peninsula and noise concerns. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
Stavridis offers insiders view of global affairs

It is critical that the United State remains supportive of Ukraine. And if we do that, our allies will stand by us and Ukraine, and we can stop Putin. 

For the leadoff in the Distinguished Speakers Series, it was an impressive and tough-to-match appearance.

Stavridis was very cool, indeed. Switching between a clear-eyed and insiders view of the real threats to global stability and a pragmatic cautious optimism, Stavridis broke down the multiple threats throughout the world with a surprisingly easy-to-follow discourse, pausing to mix in levity and humanity.

I have got to tell you, when people hear that introduction, supreme allied commander and all that stuff, and then they actually see me, they tend to have two reactions, Stavridis said. Lets be honest. One is I thought you would be taller. The other one is Stavridis, if you are really that cool, why were you not a Navy fighter pilot? Like Goose and Maverick.

Stavridis walked onstage after listening to the impressive introduction, came to the front of the stage to be closer to his audience and pronounced it an intimate crowd. So he could tell them something.

President Satish K. Tripathi had one more way to introduce James Stavridis, the inaugural speaker for UBs 2025-26 Distinguished Speakers Series, who charmed and intrigued an abundant crowd Tuesday night in the Mainstage Theatre in the Center for the Arts. Stavridis, Tripathi said, was the senior military analyst for CNN.

Former supreme allied commander of NATO commanding 150,000 troops in Afghanistan. Four-star admiral. The longest-serving combatant commander in recent U.S. history. Five years as dean of the Flether School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. Author of 15 published books on leadership, character, risk and the oceans, including a New York Times bestseller on a fictional next world war. Once a Democratic candidate for vice president.

In a measured but determined delivery  perhaps unexpected for an admiral  Stavridis talked about geopolitical risk and then opportunities. What should we be doing about it?

The Middle East. Ukraine. Taiwan. South Korea. Stavridis led the audience through each global flashpoint.

He called Bashar al-Assad, recently deposed dictator of Syria, this monster who ran to Russian President Vladimir Putin after his unspeakable, repressive regime collapsed. All of the proxies of Iran  Hamas, Hezbollah, Syria  have all been diminished and all of that pushes Iran off.

In addition to that, the Trump administration, in a very bold and good move, took out a chunk of Iranian nuclear program in a pretty precision strike, said Stavridis. It didnt eliminate it, but it knocked it back significantly. So when you step back from the tragedy of Gaza and you look broadly at the Middle East, there are reasons to be very cautiously optimistic. Its what comes after for Gaza.

It will unlock the kingdom of Saudi Arbia, which will then be able to recognize Israel. Israel will be this flywheel economically that will access Arab capital, and the prospects for the region look pretty good, particularly if Iran can be boxed out of the equation.

Showing easy-to-decipher maps and graphics, Stavridis switched to Ukraine. He said he wanted to dispel any magical thinking that reasoned that if only the West would have shown more respect to Putin, he wouldnt have invaded Ukraine. Or if only NATO hadnt expanded at the end of the Cold War, this would have never happened.

Heres the problem, Stavridis said. His name is Vladimir Putin. We call it the war of the Ukraine. This is the war of Putins ego. He seeks to recreate the old Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Putin wants Ukraine to conquer it.

He has lost a million young Russia men, killed, wounded or departing the country. Heres why he wants Ukraine. Not because its part of Mother Russia. He wants Ukraine because its full of resources. Its the breadbasket of Europe. By the way, it has 40 million subjects in his mind. Putin covets it.

I pray every night Donald Trump gives the Ukrainians Tomahawk missiles.

Assisted by moderator Jacob Kathman, chair of the Department of Political Science, Stavridis worked his way around the globe, discussing China and North Korea, giving the audience a cogent description of the world of risks, each with its own opportunity of stability of democracy and capitalism over autocratic repressive regimes.

It is critical that the United State remains supportive of Ukraine. And if we do that, our allies will stand by us and Ukraine, and we can stop Putin.

Kathman asked Stavridis what was his most important message of leadership.

The importance of your peers, Stavritis said. Most of us who study the practice of leadership have figured it out. Take care of the people who work for you. That pertains whether you are supreme allied commander of NATO with 1.5 million people working for you or running a team of 12 at Google. Most people get that you want to be loyal to your boss.

Loyalty up. Care, concern, compassion down.

Stavridis closed with thoughts that he said help him sleep at night. The first was alliances.

If we can keep the band together, and I think we can, he said, that is a strong comparative advantage.

The last was a big hit in the CFA.

The history of this century will be remembered for the rise of women, he said. The leader who has handled Donald Trump the best  and he is a handful  is Claudia Sheinbaum, the president of Mexico. Here is a Jewish woman elected to the presidency of the most Catholic country in the world. A woman elected to the most patriarchal country in the world.

The pragmatic value of all that human capital coming online, and its going to happen in this century.  As that unfolds, the human potential and all the sensibilities of women brought into real production value, thats pretty remarkable.

Martin Luther King said the moral arc of the universe is long, but it bends toward justice. The moral arc of the universe is long. It bends toward women.

That helps me sleep at night.
Xulon Press presents an original work of Christian fiction.

SALIDA, Calif., Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Author JP Leonel invites readers to journey alongside the heavenly Guardians in The Celestial Chronicles ($52.99, paperback, 9798868518027; $9.99, e-book, 9798868518034).

Inspired by Revelation 20:7, The Celestial Chronicles takes place in the celestial kingdom of Elysiumel, where luminous beings battle for the fallen realms, now shrouded in darkness and sorrow.

The Celestial Chronicles

"This book invites you into a realm where cosmic forces transcend the barriers of time and space, where the luminous glow of hope battles the encroaching shadows of despair," said Leonel.

JP Leonel is a dedicated servant of God with a profound passion for the Word of God and a heart to share its life-transforming message with others. With a solid foundation in biblical studies from a Bible college and ongoing theological training at Dallas Theological Seminary, Leonel's journey has been one marked by a relentless pursuit of God's truth and a desire to equip others for their own spiritual growth. He has been a missionary for three decades, spanning continents, including Africa (Uganda and Tanzania), Asia (Cambodia), and South America (Bolivia, Argentina, Mexico), where he has tirelessly shared the message of salvation and hope.

Xulon Press, a division of Salem Media Group, is the world's largest Christian self-publisher, with more than 20,000 titles published to date. The Celestial Chronicles is available online through xulonpress.com/bookstore, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com.

SOURCE Xulon Press
China, EU show willingness to manage differences through dialogue

China Daily) 09:33, October 23, 2025

A forklift operator moves a container on the China-Europe Railway Express service in Ganzhou, Jiangxi province, in August. ZHU HAIPENG/FOR CHINA DAILY

A healthy and balanced China-European Union economic and trade relationship is in the long-term interests of both sides, allowing their businesses to grow together, draw on each other's strengths and better withstand the headwinds of rising protectionism from the United States, market watchers and business leaders said on Wednesday.

They said the latest exchanges between senior Chinese and EU officials, including a video meeting between Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic, reflect a shared willingness to manage differences through dialogue and maintain the stability of global supply chains.

During the meeting, the two sides held in-depth discussions on major China-EU economic and trade issues, including export controls on rare earths and the EU's anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles.

Both sides agreed to hold an "upgraded meeting" of the China-EU export control dialogue mechanism in Brussels soon.

Zheng Chunrong, deputy secretary-general of the Chinese Association for European Studies in Beijing, said that in an era marked by rising protectionism and geopolitical uncertainty, particularly from the US, pragmatic China-EU engagement ensures that businesses on both sides can diversify markets, reduce risks and preserve fair competition.

"Whether China-EU business ties can move forward steadily will depend not only on changes in the international economic and trade order, but also on how they view and engage with each other," said Zheng.

Grzegorz Kolodko, Poland's former deputy prime minister and distinguished professor of the Belt and Road School of Beijing Normal University, said the US economic and trade policies have not only created difficulties for Chinese manufacturers but also posed obstacles for its allies such as the EU, Canada and Mexico, as well as major economies like India.

The US economic policies will undoubtedly bring more challenges to China and the EU in the short and medium term, but adjustments are already underway in the longer term, said Kolodko, adding that many countries are now seeking to deepen cooperation with China as they too are experiencing varying degrees of discrimination under US economic policies.

During a separate phone call with Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs Vincent Karremans on Tuesday, Wang, China's commerce minister, said the measures taken by the Dutch side against Nexperia, a Chinese-owned semiconductor company based in the Netherlands, had seriously affected the stability of global industrial and supply chains.

The Dutch government announced in mid-October that it had taken control of Nexperia, and the company said that its CEO had been suspended from his post following a court order.

Karremans said the Netherlands attaches great importance to its economic and trade relations with China and is ready to maintain close communication with the Chinese side to seek a constructive solution to the Nexperia issue.

Sun Xiaohong, secretary-general of the automotive branch of the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products, said that both China and the EU are deeply integrated industrially and commercially, with complementary strengths in technology, capital and market demand.

That sentiment is in line with the latest foreign trade data. China-EU trade rose 5.2 percent year-on-year to 4.4 trillion yuan ($618 billion) in the first three quarters of 2025, according to statistics from the General Administration of Customs.

Xiao Song, global executive vice-president of German conglomerate Siemens AG, said that strengthening cooperation allows Chinese and European companies to jointly drive innovation, enhance supply chain resilience, and achieve green and digital transitions.

He added that during the upcoming eighth China International Import Expo in Shanghai next month, Siemens will sign numerous new deals with Chinese partners, mainly in the field of industrial artificial intelligence.

In another development, Vollmer (Taicang) Machinery Co, a high-end numerical control machine tool manufacturer based in Taicang, Jiangsu province, and a subsidiary of Germany's Vollmer Group, saw its exports to European markets jump 150 percent year-on-year to over 7 million yuan between January and September, according to Nanjing Customs.

The company supplies its products to China and other parts of the Asia-Pacific region.

"The growth was primarily fueled by our strength in providing products tailored to the evolving needs of European customers," said Min Chunrui, the company's marketing director.

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun)
Recognized for rapid-response recovery leadership, LiftFund launches National Disaster Recovery Fund for small businesses in crisis

SAN ANTONIO, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- LiftFund, a nonprofit small business lender serving markets across the country, has been recognized with the 2025 Outstanding CDFI Award for its leadership in rebuilding local economies after disasters and economic disruption. The award was presented on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at a national gathering of financial institutions, impact investors, and economic development leaders convened by Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) in Washington, D.C.

LiftFund President & CEO Amy Hereford pictured with LiftFund Founder Janie Barrera and Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) President and CEO Harold Pettigrew.

"When a small business closes after a disaster, it creates a ripple effect: employees lose income, local suppliers lose revenue, and entire towns and commercial corridors fall behind," said Amy Hereford, President and CEO of LiftFund. "Fast, responsible recovery capital keeps small businesses operating and protects the economic survival of communities, keeping food on the table, children in schools and resources available to residents."

LiftFund is among a small group of mission-driven small business lenders nationwide to deploy $1.5 billion in capital to entrepreneurs. Of that, $222 million in disaster recovery funding has supported 11,000 business owners to help them recover and rebuild from hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and economic disruptions. The funding has helped sustain 47,000 jobs.

National data shows that if small businesses don't receive capital within two weeks, up to forty percent of them could close permanently. To close the two-week survival gap faced by small businesses after disasters, LiftFund is building a National Disaster Recovery Fund designed for speed, continuity and economic stability. The initiative will bring together partners in banking, philanthropy, and corporate resilience to bridge the time gap between a disaster and the arrival of traditional aid.

"Small businesses are central to community resilience, and timely access to capital is essential in disaster recovery," said Kimelyn Harris, head of Small Business Growth Philanthropy at Wells Fargo. "LiftFund has worked with Wells Fargo for many years to strengthen the small business community and remove barriers to capital and expertise. LiftFund's rapid-response model helps local economies recover faster."

Wells Fargo is a first funder for disaster recovery, catalyzing support from a variety of other corporate and philanthropic organizations. Since 1994, they have provided nearly $15 million to LiftFund for disaster recovery and community lending.

LiftFund's recovery model combines local partnerships, streamlined underwriting, and field-based outreach to reach affected businesses quickly, with safeguards in place for verification, fraud prevention, and responsible deployment of funds. Most recently, the organization continues to support recovery in the Texas Hill Country following the devastating July 4 flood, mobilizing $5 million to help local businesses reopen, retain employees, and rebuild essential community services.

"In the aftermath of the devastating Texas Hill Country Floods, we witnessed first-hand the power of how supporting CDFIs not only aids immediate disaster recovery for small businessesbut also strengthens the economic resilience of the region," said Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. "Methodist Healthcare Ministries was honored to provide $1M in partnership with LiftFund through their Texas Hill Country Disaster Recovery Initiative to provide immediate reliefand ensure small businesses had the support they need to rebuild stronger, more vibrant communities."

See disaster relief video highlighting Hill Country small business owners: https://youtu.be/9RWdWNP6R-E.

About LiftFund

LiftFund is one of the nation's most trusted and experienced nonprofit small business lenders, dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs and advancing economic prosperity. For over 30 years, LiftFund has driven billions in economic impact by providing responsible loans, managing impactful grant programs, and delivering accessible financial education. With a commitment to listening, partnering, and offering flexible, mission-driven support, LiftFund helps entrepreneurs build strong businesses and resilient communities. For more information, visit LiftFund.com and follow us on social media or @LiftFundUS.

SOURCE LiftFund
By Cillian Sherlock and Grainne Ni Aodha, PA

Continued violent behaviour around asylum seeker accommodation in Dublin will be met with a very forceful response, the Minister for Justice has said.

The warning came as An Garda Siochana appealed to people, in particular young males, not to engage in public disorder after two days of riots around the Citywest Hotel in the west of the capital.

The third night of demonstrations at Citywest Hotel took place on Wednesday, after an alleged sexual assault on a 10-year-old girl in the vicinity of the hotel in the early hours of Monday.

A 26-year-old man, who cannot be named because of legal restrictions that apply to all sexual assault cases in Ireland, appeared in court on Tuesday charged over the alleged incident.

Disorder in the wake of the incident has led to four gardai being injured, more than 30 arrests, vandalism and arson in the area.

Minister for Justice Jim OCallaghan said on Thursday: I hope were not going to see more of it, but if there are people out there whove made a decision that they want to go up there and create violence, theyll be met with a very forceful response from An Garda Siochana and our criminal justice system.

He told RTE News: People are perfectly entitled to make a political point, theyre perfectly entitled to oppose Government policy.

They are not entitled to use violence and break the criminal law, and attack members of An Garda Siochana who are there to defend the Irish public.

An Garda Siochana said public disorder is not fun and games and could have reverberations for their futures.

Gardai have released footage on social media of what they said was a very vivid picture of how gardai are treated, as they warned another protest is scheduled for Thursday night.

They made the appeal after significant damage was caused in Saggart in west Dublin after two nights of violent disorder.

Protesters throwing fireworks at gardai near the Citywest Hotel (Niall Carson/PA)

They appealed to the public to refrain from taking part in any riotous behaviour  in particular to young males.

Assistant Commissioner Cliona Richardson warned young people to stay away from disorder at Citywest and said regardless of whether someone intends to cause damage or gets swept up in it, that will have reverberations for you.

She said it appeared people were coming from outside Dublin to attend the protests.

She said the damage caused and disruption to daily life in Saggart is unacceptable, and she thanked members of the community and emergency services who had helped gardai.

Ms Richardson said people of all different ages had come out to the protest that turned violent, but there was a particularly younger cohort of people present on Wednesday night.

These young men and young women are making a decision that would have life-changing aspects of them down the road, she said.

They may not feel at the time that they were going out to cause criminal damage or violence, however, they may get swept up in it.

In fact, we can see from November 2023, the incident in Dublin City, we now have very young people doing quite significant prison time for decisions that they made.

In relation to the disorder, gardai said 31 people had been arrested, 23 of which, 21 males and two females, have appeared before the District Court.

It said five male juveniles who were arrested have been released and will be dealt with under the Youth Diversion Programme.

It is our firm belief that these apparent protests are nothing but the continuation of violent riotous behaviour from night to night with the sole intention of causing damage to property and injury to our colleagues who bravely continue to protect the public Niall Hodgins, Garda Representative Association

Four Garda members were injured and received hospital treatment but have been discharged.

They said they were continuing to review CCTV and body-worn camera footage and carrying out examinations at various locations.

Protesters have carried Irish flags, chanted anti-immigration slogans and thrown missiles.

On both nights of disorder, public order gardai pushed the crowd further from the hotel by advancing with shields.

A mounted garda unit and a dog unit were at the scene and a police helicopter provided air support.

Several gardai deployed pepper spray during the unrest.

The Garda presence at Citywest will remain in place for four to five days, Chief Superintendent Michael McNulty has said.

He said they are constantly engaging with the community to reassure them.

Were getting huge support from the community, absolutely tremendous support from the community, thats very much appreciated, he added.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly, who visited the scene in the aftermath of the violence, told reporters on Wednesday he is determined that further people will be brought before the courts to face justice.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin condemned the scenes of violence and said there could be no justification for attacks on gardai.

Garda Representative Association vice-president Niall Hodgins praised gardai for holding an extremely volatile front line at Citywest on Wednesday night.

We have grave concerns for the safety of our members and colleagues, especially those deployed initially to face these violent thugs prior to the deployment of the public order units.

It is becoming obvious that a more robust response is required far earlier to ensure no further injuries are inflicted on our members.

Mr OCallaghan said the Government has shown leadership on immigration and asylum.

Ive introduced a number of measures that have ensured that weve had a rules-based system in this country.

The numbers of people applying for asylum this year are down on the last couple of years.

Ive put in force more vigorous enforcement measures to ensure that people are being deported if theyre not entitled to stay in the country  and Im not afraid to say that.
By Cillian Sherlock, PA

Of 24 people arrested following an hours-long standoff with gardai, whose members were directly struck with fireworks, stones and other debris on Wednesday evening, 17 adults have been charged.

Three members of An Garda Siochana were injured, and two were taken to the hospital for medical treatment.

The 17 adults have been charged with public order offences and are due before the Criminal Courts of Justice on Thursday morning.

Five male juveniles arrested over the course of the incident have been released and will be dealt with under the Youth Diversion Programme, a garda statement added.

Two other adult men who were arrested have been released without charge, with files being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

During the course of Wednesday night's operation, gardai added, 15 scooters and e-bikes were seized, and a policing and security operation remains in place at Citywest.

One garda who was hospitalised was struck on the head by a bottle, while the other garda sustained a shoulder injury.

Hundreds of people gathered near the entrance of a hotel housing asylum seekers in an area on the west side of the capital on Wednesday.

It was the third night of demonstrations at Citywest following an alleged sexual assault on a 10-year-old girl in the vicinity of the hotel in the early hours of Monday morning.

A 26-year-old man, who cannot be named because of rules that apply to all sexual assault cases, appeared in court on Tuesday charged over the alleged incident.

Justice Minister Jim OCallaghan said many have been arrested on Wednesday and more will follow.

Public order gardai pushed the crowd further from the hotel by advancing on them with shields (Niall Carson/PA)

He said gardai had responded professionally to thuggish violence in the area.

He said those arrested would be charged, named and dealt with relentlessly by the criminal justice system.

Between 7pm and 8pm on Wednesday, protesters again faced off with around 40 uniformed gardai.

The uniformed officers were replaced with the Public Order Unit, whose members carried plastic shields and additional body protection, after officers in the original cordon were struck with debris, stones and fireworks.

Some continued to throw masonry, flares, glass bottles and wooden planks at An Garda Siochana members.

There was also vandalism to the area around the Saggart Luas stop, which runs parallel to the road the protesters were on.

Public order gardai pushed the crowd further from the hotel by advancing on them with shields.

A mounted garda unit and a dog unit were at the scene, with a police helicopter providing air support.

Several gardai deployed pepper spray during the unrest.

It was the third night of protests near the hotel (Niall Carson/PA)

Those involved in the disorder also attempted to block garda vehicles from entering the area with steel barriers.

As the evening progressed, hundreds of protesters were pushed back along Citywest Drive but continued to face off with gardai.

Gardai continued to come under fire from masonry, flares, fireworks, bottles and other debris.

While large parts of the crowd dispersed throughout the night, An Garda Siochana deployed an additional public order unit behind those remaining at the protest shortly after 10pm.

Several of those caught between the two units were tackled and detained as they tried to flee.

The public disorder was predominantly carried out by young adult males and teenagers.

Over the course of the evening, more than 300 members of An Garda Siochana were on duty, including some 150 uniform members and 120 public order members.

While Monday nights demonstration passed without significant incident, a female garda member was injured during Tuesdays violence. She has since been discharged from hospital after receiving treatment for a foot injury.

A garda vehicle was also set on fire during the unrest earlier in the week, and several other people had been arrested.

Sinn Fein's Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Spokesperson, Matt Carthy, commended the gardai on their handling of the riots at Citywest.

I want to commend the gardai, particularly those on the front line, but also Garda management. And I'm speaking as somebody who has been critical in the past in terms of how Gardai have managed these type of events. But I think in terms of intelligence and management, we talk a lot about learning lessons. I think it's quite evident that lessons have been learned, he told Newstalk Breakfast.

I also want to commend the gardai for the way in which they've managed public utterances and have clearly distinguished between those who have travelled to, and largely have travelled to the City West complex with a violent intent. And those who have, both from the local community and beyond, who have serious and very genuine concerns about what has transpired over the past couple of days.

So I think while it's important to recognise the very genuine public anger that many people are feeling, it's also important that gardai have a robust and a speedy response to those who have no other intention other than that," Mr Carthy said.

I think it's probably fair to say that those who attended last night did so in the full knowledge that this was going to be a violent disturbance, and I think in both instances gardai managed it well."

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly, who visited the scene in the aftermath of the violence, told reporters on Wednesday he is determined that further people will be brought before the courts to face justice.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly visits the scene, near the Citywest Hotel on Wednesday (Niall Carson/PA)

He said the disorder was not a peaceful protest and added: This was violence with the intent to damage the Citywest building and intimidate those within.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin condemned the scenes of violence, stating there could be no justification for attacks on gardai.

Protesters were displaying Irish flags, chanting anti-immigration slogans and throwing missiles.

There were also attempts to charge the garda line with horse-drawn sulky carts and scrambler bikes on Tuesday and a police helicopter overhead was targeted with lasers.
High Court Reporters

On the eve of Presidential polling day, a last-minute bid for a High Court judicial review of the nomination process has been refused leave, and costs have been awarded against unsuccessful hopeful Dr Cora Stack, who the court found had made "entirely baseless" and "unstateable" claims.

Dr Stack, a maths lecturer, had sought permission to challenge what she termed the "unlawful blocking" by political parties of her and other Independent candidates from contesting the election, which she said turned it into a "complete farce".

Dr Stack took the action against the Attorney General, Ireland, the Minister for Local Government and Heritage, the Presidential Returning Officer and Tanaiste Simon Harris.

At the High Court on Thursday, Mr Justice Mark Heslin rejected Dr Stack's submission that the nomination process was "unconstitutional, unfair and undemocratic and contrary to the express and implied provisions of Bunreacht na hEireann".

Dr Stack also sought a declaration that the "direction of Tanaiste Simon Harris instructing all Fine Gael councillors nationwide to block independent candidates from being nominated was unlawful and unconstitutional".

She had sought an injunction requiring the nomination process to be conducted "fairly, lawfully and constitutionally" and requested an order restraining the State respondents from "proceeding with the current defective process".

The process demands that aspiring candidates must secure nominations from either 20 members of the Oireachtas or the support of four local authorities.

Mr Justice Heslin said Dr Stack's complaint that she could not access 20 Oireachtas nominations was "not arguable" as she had not put forward any evidence before the court of her efforts to do so.

He noted that there were also more than 20 Independent TDs in the Oireachtas that could have provided her with a route to nomination.

He said Dr Stack had not provided evidence of "even the most basic matters" and that there was no evidence that a single councillor had either proposed or seconded her.

Mr Justice Heslin said that Dr Stack's claim that councils curtailing potential candidates' presentations to "five minutes" was a denial of fair opportunity could not be laid at the door of the named respondents because it was entirely up to each council to make provisions regarding the scheduling and running of meetings.

The judge noted that no councils were named as respondents.

Dr Stack had further submitted that multiple council meetings were "convened simultaneously on 15 September 2025 making attendance impossible".

Mr Justice Heslin said Dr Stack's assertion that the "unprecedented clustering" [of council meetings] on September 22nd 2025, pointed to "orchestration by central authorities" was entirely baseless.

He said that the fact that Dr Stack was only able to attend two council meetings did not breach her rights or break the law. He added that to say any wrongdoing occurred in this regard was an "unstateable" proposition.

He said if Dr Stack believed she was championing the sovereignty of the people, "in substance, the applicant's claim utterly ignores the will of the people as currently expressed in the constitution and in statute".

The judge said Dr Stack was seeking a change in the law "so as to make it easier for her to secure a nomination".

Mr Justice Heslin said that any reform to the nomination process was a political matter to be decided by the people and their elected representatives and this would have to be approved in a referendum.

He said the courts did not have the power to "make" law" as its role was to "interpret and administer" the law.

Mr Justice Heslin then refused the application for leave for the review and awarded costs to the State, which was represented by Francis Kiernan BL.
By Cillian Sherlock and Bairbre Holmes, PA

Both candidates in the presidential race have ended their campaigns in high spirits ahead of polling day on Friday.

Left-wing independent candidate Catherine Connolly has a significant lead over Fine Gael hopeful Heather Humphreys, according to an opinion poll published on the eve of voting day.

The Irish Independent/Ireland Thinks poll put support for Ms Connolly on 40 per cent, ahead of Ms Humphreys at 25 per cent.

Ireland will head to polling stations on Friday to elect its 10th president.

Presidential candidate Catherine Connolly campaigned in Co Roscommon (Bairbre Holmes/PA)

The count will begin on Saturday morning with a declaration expected at Dublin Castle later that day.

Speaking about the strong opinion poll performance on Thursday, Ms Connolly said: Its wonderful for my team but we take absolutely nothing for granted.

Ms Humphreys also encouraged supporters to get that vote out but struck a different tone on the newspaper reports: I dont believe one bit in those polls, dont mind those polls. Tomorrow is the poll.

Ms Connollys final full day of canvassing focused on the west of Ireland.

Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik, Green Party leader Roderic OGorman, Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald at Catherine Connollys final campaign rally at the Galway Bay Hotel (David Young/PA)

There was a celebratory atmosphere at her final campaign rally in Galway, where she told hundreds of energetic supporters that the presidential election presented a stark choice.

Speaking at the Galway Bay Hotel, Ms Connolly said she was simply the symbol of a movement and thanked those who had supported her campaign.

What is important about this election is a stark choice to be made  and I have never, ever used a bad word against the other candidate, everybody is entitled to stand.

Do we want more of the same or do we want the courage and the capacity that we all have to shape a new Republic?

The rally also featured speeches from representatives of the political parties weighing in behind her, many of whom called for further progress in uniting the left and challenging the coalition led by Fianna Fail and Fine Gael.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald welcomed Ms Connollys support for a united Ireland and warned attendees against complacency: No election is over until every last vote is cast and counted, so this evening, as we gather, we take nothing for granted.

Labour leader Ivana Bacik said Ms Connollys alternative vision for Irish politics has a resonance across the country while Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns said the magic of Catherine is something that well feel in politics for a long time after this.

Earlier, she visited a primary school in Castlerea where students put on Irish dancing displays and performed a number of songs, including Irelands Call, for the presidential hopeful.

Presidential candidate Catherine Connolly met Tom Flynn, an 87-year-old shopkeeper, in Castlerea (Bairbre Holmes/PA)

Her next stop was Robert Flynn, a 200-year-old grocery store in the town centre where packets of porridge fill the shelves alongside live goldfish and ammunition belts.

The 87-year-old shopkeeper, Tom Flynn, was so confident of Fridays result he told Ms Connolly it was the first time we ever have the president of Ireland here.

Ms Humphreys took her campaigning to Sligo and Donegal on Thursday in a bid to convince voters she should take over from outgoing President Michael D Higgins.

Fine Gael leader and Tanaiste Simon Harris gave a particular appeal to people from other political traditions to lend their vote to Ms Humphreys as he joined her for canvassing, adding: She wont let you down.

Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys with Tanaiste Simon Harris and Frank Feighan TD as she meets people at Dorrians Imperial Hotel, Co Donegal (Mark Marlow/PA)

Speaking later at an event in Donegal, he said: The polls said Michael D Higgins was never going to be president  he won the election, he won twice and he did a very good job.

Tomorrow, were going to defy all the sceptics and were going to elect Heather Humphreys the 10th president of Ireland  but only with your help.

Earlier, at the Irish Country Living Women and Agriculture Conference in Rosses Point, Ms Humphreys told local media that she had a great campaign, adding: One thing I have learned is that we have a wonderful country and we should be very proud of it.

The poll shows Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys is trailing Ms Connolly (Mark Marlow/PA)

Fianna Fail candidate Jim Gavin, despite declaring weeks ago that he has withdrawn from the race, will remain on the ballot paper and placed at 7 per cent in the latest opinion poll.

The combined number of people who said they were undecided, would not vote or would spoil their vote was 28 per cent.

When they are removed, Ms Connolly holds 55 per cent of the vote, with Ms Humphreys on 35 per cent.

Ireland uses a system of transferable votes in elections but if the margin between Ms Humphreys and Ms Connolly cannot be closed with Mr Gavins votes, a winner will be known after the first count.
Eoin Reynolds

The State has asked a jury to consider whether a murder accused's statement to gardai that it is "terrible the way the homeless are treated" while illegal immigrants "run amok" was his "justification" or motive for an attack on a Croatian man.

The prosecution barrister also told the Central Criminal Court on Thursday that Josip Strok (31) was repeatedly kicked in the head, punched, stamped on and beaten with "brutal ferocity" with a pickaxe handle while moving "defensively" on the ground.

One of the accused, described by his own counsel as a "young, gormless eejit", struck the deceased three times with a crutch after he had stopped moving, the court also heard today.

Seoirse O Dunlaing SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, delivered his closing speech to the jury, telling them that Mark Lee (44), Anthony Delappe (19) and Connor Rafferty (21) engaged in a joint enterprise to cause serious harm to Mr Strok.

Defence counsels for Mr Rafferty and Mr Delappe warned the jury to be careful about convicting based on the "complex" legal concept of joint enterprise. They questioned the evidence for a "tacit agreement" between the accused.

Mark Lee, of no fixed abode, and Anthony Delappe of Melrose Avenue, Clondalkin, have both pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Josip Strok at Grangeview Way in Clondalkin on April 3rd, 2024.

Connor Rafferty of Castlegrange Close, Clondalkin has pleaded not guilty to Mr Strok's murder. All three have pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to David Druzinec (29) at the same location. It is alleged that the three accused assaulted Mr Druzinec and Mr Strok on March 30th, 2024 and that Mr Strok died four days later from blunt force injuries sustained in the attack.

Mr O Dunlaing told the jury of six men and six women that the deceased, a Croatian national, came to Ireland to work and contribute to society and "clearly did not deserve what happened to him". On the night he died, he had been in Dublin city with a friend, drinking on his day off over the Easter bank holiday.

Mr O Dunlaing said the prosecution case is that all three accused engaged in a joint enterprise to cause serious harm to Mr Strok. Their "tacit agreement" formed shortly after two teenage boys told Mark Lee that Mr Strok and Mr Druzinec had beaten up a "child" at a nearby bus stop, counsel said.

About 20 minutes before the fatal assault, it was alleged that David Druzinec had assaulted a 17-year-old boy, causing Mr Strok to pull his friend away, counsel said. Two teenagers then passed on that information to Mr Lee, counsel said.

Mr O Dunlaing showed the jury CCTV footage showing Mr Lee walking and talking with the two teenagers behind Mr Strok and Mr Druzinec. Mr Lee went into his home and emerged 47 seconds later with Mr Delappe, who was holding a hard plastic pickaxe handle, counsel said. 40 seconds later, Mr Rafferty emerged carrying one half of a crutch and ran after his two co-accused.

Mr O Dunlaing said the jury can infer that Mr Lee said something in the house that prompted the other two to emerge carrying weapons.

CCTV footage from a house at Grange View Way captured the fatal assault, Mr O Dunlaing said. In the footage, counsel said Mr Lee could be seen striking Mr Strok on the head while Mr Delappe used the pickaxe handle to strike Mr Druzinec. Mr Strok fell to the ground, counsel said, before Mr Lee kicked him in the head with his left foot three times.

Mr Strok was moving "defensively", counsel said, when Mr Lee gave him a "series of punches" followed by another kick to the head. At the same time, Mr O Dunlaing said, Mr Delappe struck Mr Strok with the pickaxe handle. Mr O Dunlaing described Mr Delappe's actions as "overarm strikes with brutal ferocity" using a hard weapon.

He said Mr Delappe struck the deceased four times while Mr Lee "stamps on him with his left foot". After the fourth strike with the bat, Mr Strok, who had been fighting back, stopped moving, Mr O Dunlaing said.

At this point, Mr Rafferty "entered the fray", counsel said, and delivered three strikes to Mr Strok with the half-crutch before walking away.

Mr O Dunlaing said the joint enterprise to cause serious harm is evidenced by the manner in which each accused engaged, striking Mr Strok while he was on the ground. Counsel questioned Mr Rafferty's claims in interview that he only wanted to give the two men "a lesson".

"What lesson is he administering when hitting him while he is down like that?" Mr O Dunlaing asked.

Mr O Dunlaing said Mr Lee revealed a possible motive for the assault some days later when gardai arrived at his home with a search warrant.

Mr Lee told gardai it was "terrible the way the homeless are treated" while illegal immigrants "run amok". Counsel asked if this was a "justification he is putting forward, a motive as to why this was done".

Mr Lee also told gardai he had been "walking up and down" outside an asylum centre waiting on a "foreign c**t" over an attack on a child.

While Mr O Dunlaing said communities have a right to protest over concerns regarding proper consultation and whether things are being done in the "right way". He added: "There is a difference between protest and vigilante violence because you think a foreign national has assaulted two kids."

Mr O Dunlaing asked the jury to look at the CCTV, which the prosecution said shows the accused hitting Mr Strok with a bat, kicking him in the head and striking him when he was "out cold". If the footage satisfied them that the accused intended to cause serious injury, Mr O Dunlaing told them that the appropriate verdict is guilty of murder.

Bernard Condon SC, for Mr Rafferty, said the height of the prosecution case against his client is manslaughter, not murder. Mr Rafferty did not intend to cause serious injury, and to return a verdict of guilty of murder would be unjust, counsel said.

While Mr Rafferty's behaviour "does him no credit whatsoever" and showed him engaged in "colossal stupidity", Mr Condon said the prosecution is trying to fix the actions of his co-accused onto the then 19-year-old.

The prosecution had not pointed to any injuries caused by the crutch and had failed to prove that Mr Rafferty inflicted anything more than "light strikes" on Mr Strok's back, Mr Condon said.

By the time Mr Rafferty struck Mr Strok, the deceased had already suffered the "catastrophic" brain injury that would lead to his death, counsel said. In his garda interviews, Mr Rafferty said he didn't mean to seriously injure anyone, apologised and said he was ashamed.

"Mr Rafferty is not a monster," counsel said, "he is a young, gormless eejit."

Vincent Heneghan SC, for Mr Delappe, asked the jury to consider the speed with which things happened that night. Counsel said his client lied at the start of his interviews by denying all knowledge of the assault, but then progressed to give a full, honest account.

Mr Delappe did not know Mr Lee and was in Mr Lee's house only to smoke cannabis with another person.

Mr Heneghan said his client believed that some children had received a "battering" nearby and that informed his state of mind. Somebody handed the pickaxe handle to him, and while he shouldn't have used it, he did not go to that house with any intention to cause serious injury to anyone.

Mr Heneghan said the prosecution's description of the force used in wielding the bat is not evidence. He asked the jury to consider the level of force used for themselves and come to their own conclusions.

Mr Heneghan further pointed out that a pathologist said that the fatal injury to Mr Strok's head was most likely caused by a fall backwards onto the ground. As bad as the striking injuries to the body were, Mr Heneghan said they caused only superficial injuries, not serious harm.

Mr Heneghan reminded the jury that his client told gardai that he did not intend to cause serious injuries. "If you believe him, you acquit him of murder," he said. Mr Heneghan said the prosecution case is not black and white, but contains a "lot of grey". He asked the jury to consider a manslaughter verdict for his client.

Michael Bowman SC will deliver the closing speech for Mr Lee tomorrow before Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring and the jury.
By Rebecca Black, PA

Northern Irelands political leaders were sharply divided by the acquittal of former paratrooper Soldier F for two murders during the Bloody Sunday shootings.

First Minister Michelle ONeill described the verdict at Belfast Crown Court as deeply disappointing, while DUP leader Gavin Robinson hailed a clear and welcome outcome.

Meanwhile, Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch said she was pleased by the verdict, adding that while there have been people on both sides who felt a lot of pain, she said this should draw a line on what has been a very difficult issue.

In a social media post shortly after the verdict was announced, Ms ONeill said she will continue to support the Bloody Sunday families in the pursuit of justice.

The continued denial of justice for the Bloody Sunday families is deeply disappointing.



Fifty three years ago, the British Army indiscriminately murdered civilians on the streets of Derry.



Over fifteen years ago, the then British Prime Minister publicly acknowledged the role pic.twitter.com/j1t5gE79M7  Michelle ONeill (@moneillsf) October 23, 2025

Fifty three years ago, the British Army indiscriminately murdered civilians on the streets of Derry, she said.

Over 15 years ago, the then British Prime Minister publicly acknowledged the role of British soldiers on Bloody Sunday.

Yet, not one British soldier or their military and political superiors has ever been held to account.

That is an affront to justice.

Mr Robinson welcomed the end of an extremely lengthy process which will have reopened many painful memories.

The events of 30th January 1972 have been scrutinised and pored over more than any other single event in our history, he said.

The judge has cast doubt on evidence previously described as decisive and highlights the difficulties inherent in taking forward a prosecution based on such problematic grounds.

The vast majority of those who served in our Armed Forces did so with honour and often at great personal cost. There must be no rewriting of the past and we will continue to guard against all attempts to do so.

Foyle SDLP MP Colum Eastwood said his thoughts are with the Bloody Sunday families and wounded following a long and challenging ordeal.

Its impossible to put into words how proud we are of the Bloody Sunday families, he said.

People in Derry, across Ireland, Britain and the world have supported their campaign for truth, justice and accountability for decades.

We know that the fight for justice is long and that there will be barriers along the way.

For more than 50 years, these families have taken on a system that first sought to deny the truth and then tried to run out the clock, desperately hoping that their fight would dim and their campaign would die.

Today is a difficult day but were holding the families close and I know that the people of Derry will continue to give them our utmost support.
Ryan Dunne

A taxi driver who assaulted a security guard who clamped his car has told the Court of Appeal that the fact his trial jury had their lunch subsidised meant they dined with the State, creating psychological relations that added to an alleged bias against him.

Feliks Andrianov (55) also argued on Thursday that his actions were a "proportionate response to an unjust clamping enforcement", and that the trial judge displayed a bias towards him by making him view body cam footage of the assault.

Following his trial at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in July last year, Andrianov, of Corduff Green, Blanchardstown, Dublin, was unanimously found guilty of assault causing harm at McDonald's restaurant, Dublin Airport on July 5th, 2019. He denied the charge and has no previous convictions.

He was sentenced by Ms Justice Elma Sheahan in November 2024 to 18 months in prison, suspended for 18 months.

At the sentencing hearing, Garda Paul Murphy gave evidence that the injured party Michael Norris, who was working at the McDonalds restaurant located across from Dublin Airport, saw a taxi driver park his car and leave the area to go to Circle K.

Signs stating that cars parked in the location would be clamped were posted throughout the area.

Mr Norris proceeded to clamp the vehicle, before Andrianov returned to his car and was informed that the car park was for McDonalds customers only. Mr Norris then turned on his body cam.

The court heard that Andrianov looked down at the body cam, put his hand over it and instigated an altercation by grabbing Mr Norris.

The security worker noticed that his left shoulder was injured, and he was unable to move it. He was treated at Beaumont Hospital, with an X-ray showing he had a dislocated left shoulder.

During questioning, Andrianov told gardai that he had been struck first by the security guard. Gardai obtained CCTV and the body cam footage which showed that the security officer did not hit the taxi driver.

In launching his appeal against conviction today, Andrianov submitted that his legal representatives failed to present a legitimate defence, namely that his actions were a proportionate response to an unjust and procedurally flawed clamping enforcement.

He also said that CCTV evidence was admitted by the judge without verification of its integrity, and no direction was given to caution the jury about the inconsistencies in the footage.

Andrianov, who represented himself, further claimed that he was removed from the witness box, telling the court that he was denied the right to finish his testimony.

He accused the trial judge of being biased against him, due to the tone of voice she used to address the jury when she asked them: How was your dinner?

"The jurys lunch was partially funded, that creates psychological relations for the jury, they dined with the State, he said.

The appellant said that his defence team at the trial asked that he be excluded from watching the body cam footage, but the judge insisted. He said there was some argument on the body cam, but nothing extraordinary.

I was in some desperate state because my mother was dying, thats why I was in that state, he said, going on to say that the trial judge told him he could close his eyes during the playing of the body cam footage, but he could still hear the audio, which had a traumatising effect on him.

He further claimed he was the victim of a technical assault when he was in custody and a garda pulled at his clothes with no provocation.

A further ground of appeal he advanced was that the jury was misdirected in law by being instructed under section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act but invited to return a verdict under section 3, which he claimed was a legal inconsistency.

He told the court that he received defective assistance of counsel from his legal team, as he instructed his legal representatives to challenge the CCTV footage but not the body cam footage, and he claimed his counsel acted against these instructions.

He said that his barrister had admitted that he only became privy to information relevant to the case the day before the trial, which was not enough time to prepare the case.

I got no legal advice, he just came and pretended he knew everything, instead of asking for an adjournment, he said, adding that his proper defence of citizens arrest was never advanced.

Mr Justice Peter Charleton asked Andrianov who was arresting whom, to which the appellant replied that the complainant was causing me pain, so he [Andrianov] attempted to arrest him for trespassing.

I didnt touch his body, only his body cam. He was hitting me on the head, I didnt hit him back, he said.

Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, Jane Horgan-Jones BL, said it was quite apparent that the appellants legal team had made a substantive objection to the admission of CCTV footage, with the authenticity of it challenged in a voir dire, after which the court was satisfied to admit it.

Ms Horgan-Jones said there was nothing in the transcript of the trial to justify the appellant's complaint about the judges ruling on the admissibility of the CCTV footage.

She said his allegation of the footage having been tampered with was speculative, with the judge admitting it into evidence and telling the jury it was a matter for them to decide its worth.

Concerning the appellants assertion that he was prematurely removed from the witness box, Ms Horgan-Jones said that the cross-examination of Andrianov had been concluded at that point and his testimony had come to an end.

She pointed out that there is no right for an accused person to continue giving evidence after both sides have finished their questions.

Addressing the remaining grounds of appeal, counsel said that the trial judge had been correct to say that the appellant had to be present for his trial, during which the CCTV footage had to be viewed.

Concerning Andrianovs claim of misdirection by the judge, Ms Horgan-Jones said that the judges references to section 2 assault were made to give the jury a definition of the offence of assault, with the judge making it clear that the jury would have to be satisfied of the extra element of harm to convict him.

Mr Justice Charleton said the court would reserve judgement in the case.
Student organizations will receive mentorship and resources to fundraise

for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California and

the opportunity to host a major club event on campus

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- McDonald's of Southern California and global esports and gaming organization Gen.G revealed today the four Southern California universities that will participate in its inaugural NEXTGEN Club Challenge presented by McDonald's SoCal Gaming after reviewing applications based on their approach, experience, and potential for growth. The four student organizations will receive a budget to host an event in support of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California (RMHCSC). The organization that raises the most funds will receive a McDonald's sponsorship and Gen.G support for their next major club event on campus.

The four student organizations throughout Southern California participating in the inaugural NEXTGEN Club Challenge presented by McDonalds SoCal Gaming are University of California, Riverside - Highlander Gaming, California State University, Long Beach - CSULB Esports Association, California State University, Fullerton - CSUF Gaming & Esports, and San Diego State University - Aztec Gaming.

The four student organizations throughout Southern California are:

University of California, Riverside - Highlander Gaming

California State University, Long Beach - CSULB Esports Association

California State University, Fullerton - CSUF Gaming & Esports

San Diego State University - Aztec Gaming

"Once again, we have partnered with McDonald's SoCal to deliver another innovative program that leverages gaming to empower students to produce events while raising money for their local charity," said Arnold Hur, Gen.G's CEO. "We can't wait for these student organizations to execute their visions and to unite their collegiate campuses across the region."

To ensure the student organizations' success, club leaders will participate in biweekly meetings with Gen.G to review progress and discuss ways to overcome obstacles. In addition, they will receive assistance with Gen.G on overall marketing for their events, as well as guidance from McDonald's on leadership skills and career paths. Upon completion, the student organizations will receive a certificate of completion as an accredited program, a stipend to support their fundraising events, and the opportunity to build event-planning experience while supporting families of RMHCSC.

"Gaming is just one way we connect with our fans," said Stephanie Yuen, McDonald's of Southern California Franchisee and Board Member of the Inland Empire Ronald McDonald House. "Over the past six years of partnering with Gen.G, we've continued to push boundaries, and the NEXTGEN Club Challenge is the next step in giving college students the chance to test their creativity and fuel their passion for gaming."

The student organizations will host fundraising events and initiatives on campus and virtually through January 31, 2026. In early February, Gen.G and McDonald's of Southern California will announce the winner of the fundraising competition. All of the student organizations will host events at their respective programs within RMHCSC and deliver their donation in person.

The winning student organization will then pitch its flagship event to take place in April. McDonald's will be the title sponsor for the event, including McDonald's Arch Card giveaways, mentors for the Gaming Leaders, promotion on McDonald's social media platforms, guest speakers at the event, and a recruiting table.

"The NEXTGEN Club Challenge program sheds light to how gaming is a space for everyone to get a sense of belonging. The mix between competition and collaboration is a culture that you can truly see in gaming," said Corinna Nguyen, president of CSULB Esports Association.

"We believe gaming is about more than just competition, but about building a community where people feel like they belong, and with the support of Gen.G and McDonald's, we're excited to take that sense of connection and give back," said Kadell Washington, president of Highlander Gaming.

"CSUF partnered up with Gen.G and McDonald's because it combines student passion for gaming with community support to raise funds and build opportunities. I'm most excited to see students inspired, along with the community, coming together in a meaningful cause," said Raul Paz, president of CSUF Gaming & Esports.

"Collaborating with the Ronald McDonald Charity House and Gen.G will allow Aztec Gaming to have a broader impact on the San Diego area and the people we support. We believe this opportunity will enable us to utilize our passion for games to give back to our community in new and exciting ways," said Jade Reynolds, president of Aztec Gaming.

SOURCE Gen.G
Alison ORiordan

A key witness has told a jury that he is "terrified" of double murder accused Ruth Lawrence, who he said carried around "a little black gun" and would put it down the back of her trousers.

Ms Lawrence (45), who is originally from Clontarf in Dublin but with an address at Patricks Cottage, Ross, Mountnugent in Co Meath has pleaded not guilty to murdering Anthony Keegan (33) and Eoin O'Connor (32) at an unknown location within the State on a date between April 22nd 2014 and May 26th 2014, both dates inclusive.

Jason Symes on Thursday gave evidence via video-link, telling Michael O'Higgins SC, prosecuting, that he first met Ms Lawrence's boyfriend, South African national Neville van der Westhuizen, in Ballyjamesduff in Co Cavan.

He said that they were "not good friends" but acquaintances.

Mr Symes said he had met Neville on another occasion in a pub in Dublin, when Neville was having a meeting with a person identified in court only as Mr CD.

Following the meeting, Neville told the witness that he and Mr CD "had words and were going to start selling drugs from them".

Mr Symes said he began selling "weed" for Neville in Ballyjamesduff after this meeting.

At one point in his testimony, the witness said he didn't want to say Ruth and Neville's names as they "terrified" him.

Referring to the night of Good Friday on April 18 2014, Mr Symes said Neville and Ruth took his daughter's Nissan Micra whilst he and Stacey waited in 'Burger King' on O'Connell Street in Dublin. "I didn't know what they were doing, who they were with, no idea," said Mr Symes.

On the way home to Cavan, Mr Symes said they came across a checkpoint on the Navan Road in Dublin. "I thought the gardai would pull the car in and I wouldn't be sitting here if that was the case and those two boys would be alive," said the witness.

When they arrived back at St Patrick's Cottage, Mr Symes said Ruth and Neville emptied their car "with bags and bags of stuff". "I didn't know where it was coming from".

In his opening address, Mr O'Higgins said the evidence will be that Mr O'Connor sold drugs to Mr van der Westhuizen, who owed the deceased man in the region of 70,000.

The trial has heard that Mr O'Connor was under pressure for money, as he had to pay people above him. The deceased and Mr Keegan had gone to speak to Mr Symes - who the trial heard also owed Mr O'Connor money - at his house on Monday April 21st when Mr O'Connor was told the cash would be given to him the next day.

Mr Keegan had accompanied Mr O'Connor "in a supporting role" in case there was any trouble, the jury heard.

Mr Symes said when he went to Patrick's Cottage with his daughter on the evening of April 23 2014 it was "just mayhem" and that "all hell broke out'.

Asked by the prosecutor whether he could remember whether there was any discussion about what had happened to the "two lads", Mr Symes replied: "No not really that time, something said about the job is done or it's done. I didn't understand what he said or what he meant by it.

"I was getting told what to say and do. I was terrified of these two people...I'd seen them with weapons".

Asked who he saw with weapons, the witness replied: "I saw Ruth first with a weapon, she used to carry around a thing, put it down the back of her trousers - a little black gun. I thought it was a toy; I didn't realise".

At one point during his testimony, Mr Symes remarked: "If I had known deep in my heart that it was going to happen to Eoin or his friend I would not have let them out of my house".

The next day on April 24th, Mr Symes said he and his daughter were "bundled" into two cars. "They would not let us be together, we couldn't be father and daughter".

He said Neville had him driving around Ballyjamesduff and the witness wanted to "run to a police car" but didn't know what to say.

Asked whether there was any discussion with Ruth and Neville as to what happened to "the two lads", Mr Symes replied: "I think they told us on Thursday night. I think we were sitting around in the kitchen, they were coked out of their head, going through things, I remember hearing about a headlock and a twist".

Mr O'Higgins asked who said this to which the witness replied: "Ruth said that, she said whatever she'd done, she'd done and that's it and I think he took over, I'm not sure".

"You said something about a twist?" continued the prosecutor. "Like a headlock, that's what she mentioned," replied Mr Symes, adding that he had "blanked everything out" and "didn't want to know anymore".

On Tuesday, the witness's daughter Stacey Symes told the jury she remembered: "Ruth saying she had shot Eoin but it went wrong; that he had twisted or something."

Mr Symes said he had no choice but to leave Ireland as he was told Mr CD knew where his youngest daughter lived.

The witness said he returned from the UK after a few weeks as he wanted to tell the truth "about the boys". "I'd nothing to do with nothing, all I did was be stupid and be nice to people".

Under cross-examination, Patrick Gageby SC, defending, put it to the witness that his client never said "any of the things in the house that you said she said, something to do with headlocks etc". "I disagree because she is going to say that," replied Mr Symes.

When Mr Gageby further put it to the witness he had never seen Ms Lawrence with a gun, Mr Symes said: "I did, on more than one occasion".

The trial continues on Friday before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of four men and eight women.

In his opening address, Mr O'Higgins told the jury that the State would argue that Ms Lawrence shot drug dealer Mr O'Connor and worked "as a unit" with her boyfriend to kill him and Mr Keegan, with their bodies later found "bound in rope, tape and covered in tarpaulin" on Inchicup Island on Lough Sheelin.
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Cement demand in Peru increased 10.2 per cent YoY in September 2025 to 1.174Mt from 1.065Mt in the year-ago period, according to data by the countrys cement association, ASOCEM. Of this total 1.044Mt was supplied by ASOCEM members, up from 0.967Mt in September 2024.

Cement production by members picked up by 5.6 per cent YoY to 1.054Mt from 0.997Mt in September 2024 while clinker output edged up by 1.1 per cent YoY to 0.668Mt from 0.661Mt.

External trade

However, cement exports fell by 9.5 per cent YoY to 10,432t in September 2025 from 11,500t in the equivalent period of the previous year. Clinker exports improved by 88.4 per cent YoY to 70,455t from 37,400t over the same period.

On the import side, cement imports into Peru dropped by 41.1 per cent YoY to 12,602t in September 2025 from 21,000t in the year-ago period. Approximately 67.1 per cent of cement imports were dispatched from Chile while Bolivia accounted for 32.9 per cent. The average CIF import price via Tacna edged up by 1.5 per cent YoY to US$129/t while in Desaguadero the price declined by 6.1 per cent YoY to US$91, when compared with January 2025.

Meanwhile, clinker imports surged by 90.5 per cent YoY to 160,807t in September 2025 from 84,000t. South Korea was the largest importer, accounting for 38.5 per cent of clinker imports, but closely followed by Vietnam, which had a 37.5 per cent share. Ecuador accounted for 24 per cent of clinker imports. The average CIF import price via the port of Callao dropped 16.1 per cent YoY to US$51/t while the price in Maharani saw a 17.7 per cent fall to US$55/t. In Pisco prices were down 6.2 per cent YoY to US$57/t.
Crown Cement of Bangladesh has reported a 33 per cent YoY decline in profit for the fiscal year ending 30 June 2025, despite an increase in revenue.

The companys Board of Directors, at its 254th meeting on 19 October 2025, approved several key decisions, including the audited financial statements for FY25. The minutes of the meeting were confirmed in an announcement to the Dhaka Stock Exchange on 20 October.

According to local media reports, Crown Cements profit fell to BDT0.67bn (US$5.48m) for FY25. The company attributed the decline to higher marketing expenses, increased depreciation from a newly inaugurated production plant, and rising finance costs.

Chief Financial Officer Md Ahasan Ullah explained that while Bangladeshs cement industry saw modest growth during the year, Crown Cements revenue outpaced the sector average. To capture a greater market share, we pursued aggressive marketing, which increased our marketing expenses and impacted profitability, he said.

He added that the companys newly commissioned sixth production unit also contributed to higher depreciation costs, further weighing on overall profit.



By Abdul Rab Siddiqi, Pakistan
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Afrimat reported strong results for the six months ended 31 August 2025, with group revenue rising nearly 30 per cent to ZAR5.3bn, supported by the integration of Lafarge South Africas assets and robust iron ore and cement sales. Operating profit increased by 29.8 per cent to ZAR379.8m (US$21.8m), while profit after tax surged by 78.9 per cent to ZAR173.5m.

Chief executive Andries van Heerden said the companys focus was on meticulous operational execution to unlock value across its diversified portfolio. The troubled Lafarge assets have been fully integrated, and we are seeing good progress in the turnaround, he said. The ex-Lafarge cement factory in Lichtenburg showed a marked improvement in performance, while aggregate operations recovered after heavy rainfall early in the year.

The cement division grew revenue by 118.8 per cent to ZAR873.7m, though it remained loss-making at the operating level. The iron ore segment was a key driver, with revenue up 77.9 per cent to ZAR1.7bn and operating profit rising 73.5 per cent to ZAR403.5m. Cash generation improved significantly to ZAR357.7m, and the company declared an interim dividend of 20 cents per share.

Looking ahead, Afrimat expects further gains from improved cement reliability and continued strength in iron ore. Van Heerden said the group remains resilient despite South Africas economic challenges, adding that its diversification positions Afrimat well for sustained growth and improved returns.
Affordable and $1M & Up Condo Transactions Surge

MIAMI, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Miami-Dade County real estate posted its best sales month of the year in September 2025 as total homes, single-family and condo sales all rose year-over-year, according to statistics released by the MIAMI Association of Realtors (MIAMI) and the MIAMI Southeast Florida Multiple Listing Service (SEFMLS).

Miami total home sales (+5%), single-family transactions (+7%), condo sales (+2%), total dollar volume (+11%) and total $1M & up transactions (+20%) all increased year-over-year.

"There is a lot of pent-up demand for Miami real estate and declining mortgage rates are convincing more buyers to come off the sidelines," MIAMI Chairman of the Board Eddie Blanco said. "New listings for condos have declined for five consecutive months and active listings aren't growing as fast as they were earlier in the year. We know lower supply puts upward pressure on prices. The long-term data continues to reflect South Florida's enduring appeal and strong value trajectory."

Several new rankings that reflect Miami real estate's strong market fundamentals:

Miami Total Sales and $1M & Up Transactions Rise, Underscoring Wealth Migration

Total Miami-Dade sales increased 4.6% year-over-year in September 2025, from 1,692 to 1,769.

The growth was partly fueled by total $1M and up transactions, which increased 19.9% year-over year in September 2025 from 296 to 355. Wealthy home buyers have been encouraged by Wall Street's continued bullish performance, the extension of federal tax cuts and Florida's own favorable tax picture.

South Florida is on pace to post the second-most $10M and up home sales for a calendar year. At its current selling pace, South Florida is projected to have 426 ultra-luxury sales by the end of the year. That would be just shy of the record 444 set in the pandemic home-buying craze of 2021.

The sales total doesn't include South Florida's new construction, pre-construction and condo conversion sales because they are largely not reported in the MLS. But MIAMI led the charge to publish a first-ever report.

International buyers purchased 49% of new South Florida construction, pre-construction and condo conversion sales over an 18-month period ending in June 2025, according to MIAMI REALTORS first-ever New Construction Global Sales Report. Data was aggregated from 9,115 units in 37 new construction condominium projects in the Miami market area. MIAMI collaborated with Cervera Real Estate, ISG World, PMG, SERHANT. New Development and ONE Sotheby's International Realty for the report.

Miami single-family home sales increased 6.92% year-over-year in September 2025, from 809 to 865.

Miami-Dade Affordable Condos and $1M & Up Condos Sales Surge

Miami existing condo transactions increased 2.38% in September 2025, from 883 to 904.

Affordable condos--- properties priced at $250,000 and below--- surged 30.3% year-over-year in September 2025, from 122 to 159.

$1M & up condo sales increased 12.71% in September 2025, from 118 to 133.

The lack of Federal Housing Administration loans for many existing Miami condominium buildings is preventing further market strengthening. Of the 2,397 condominium buildings in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, only 21 are approved for FHA loans, according to statistics from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Just 0.9% of South Florida condo buildings are approved for FHA loans. Florida is the only state in the U.S. that requires a client to put down 25% for a limited review if the condo building doesn't have enough in reserves. The requirement for every other state is 10%.

Miami-Dade Condominium Sale Prices Have Appreciated 110% in the Last 10 Years

Miami condo prices have risen 110% from September 2015 to September 2025, from $200,500 to $420,000.

Miami existing condo median prices stayed even year-over-year in September 2025 at $420,000. Miami condo median prices have stayed even or increased in 162 of the last 172 months, a span that covers 14+ years.

Miami-Dade County single-family home median sale prices increased 1.8% year-over-year in September 2025, from $653,400 to $665,000. Miami single-family median prices have risen in 165 of the last 166 months (13+ years).

Miami single-family prices have risen 150% from September 2015 to September 2025, from $285,000 to $665,000.

Miami remains a bargain in comparison to other global cities. For $1M, homebuyers can purchase 58 square meters of prime property in Miami, according to the 2025 Knight Frank Wealth Report. That is almost four times more than Monaco (19 square meters), nearly two times more than New York (34) and London (34) and more than Paris, Sydney, Tokyo and more.

Miami Real Estate Home Equity & Appreciation is Nearly 2X the National Figure

Home equity is crucial for wealth building, provides a financial safety net, investment opportunities, refinancing options and more.

Miami's home equity gains are nearly two times the national figure. Home equity gains on a Miami single-family home purchased in Q4 2009 and sold in Q4 2024 is $555,900 versus the U.S. average at $306,600, according to MIAMI REALTORS Research.

Home equity gains on a Miami condo purchased in Q4 2009 and sold in Q4 2024 is $342,600 versus the U.S. average of $252,000.

Over the last five years, the average homeowner's wealth has increased by $140,900, according to NAR. Research also shows a growing wealth gap between owners and renters: Based on the latest Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finance, NAR projected in March that homeowners' median net worth would reach $430,000 in 2025 versus $10,000 for renters.

Florida's Live Local Act, which was passed in 2023 and amended in May 2024, is encouraging developers to build more affordable housing. The Live Local Act gives developers the highest density allowed in a local area if they allocate 40% of its units for affordable housing. The state law defines an affordable unit as being at or below 120% of an area's median income.

Mortgage Rates Declining

Mortgage rates are trending down after the first Fed rate cut of the year. According to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was 6.35% in September 2025.

"We should see this Miami homebuyer momentum strengthening in the last quarter and though next year as mortgage rates continue to decline towards 6%, as the condo and insurance market continue to stabilize, and with demand bolstered by the migration of highly skilled workers and the demographic tailwind from retiring Baby Boomers," MIAMI REALTORS Chief Economist Gay Cororaton said.

Total Miami Inventory is 16.5% Below Pre-Pandemic; New Listings Drop

New listings continue to fall each month and active listings are not growing as fast as they were at the start of the year.

Total Miami-Dade inventory (18,057) is 16.6% below September 2019 pre-pandemic inventory (21,624)

Total active listings at the end of September 2025 increased 20.1% year-over-year, from 15,035 to 18,057. Homebuyers are in a great position to find the right home and negotiate for a better price.

New listings for all Miami properties decreased 9.45%, from 3,693 to 3,344. This shows there is no rush to list and that the rise in active listings could decline in the future.

Inventory of single-family homes increased 20.74% year-over-year in September 2025 from 4,503 active listings last year to 5,437 last month.

Condominium inventory increased 19.83% year-over-year in September 2025, from 10,532 to 12,620 listings during the same period in 2024, but the total is still significantly below pre-pandemic. Current Miami condo inventory (12,620) is 16.7% below September 2019 pre-pandemic inventory (15,142).

Months' supply of inventory for single-family homes is 6.5 months, which indicates a balanced market. Inventory for existing condominiums is 14 months, which indicates a buyer's market. A balanced market between buyers and sellers offers between six- and nine-months supply.

Nationally, total housing inventory is 1.55 million units, according to NAR. That is up 1.3% from August and up 14% from September 2024 (1.36 million). There is a 4.6 month supply of unsold inventory, no change from August and up from 4.2 months in September 2024.

Miami Real Estate: $228 Million in Local Economic Impact

Every time a home is sold it impacts the economy: income generated from real estate industries (commissions, fees and moving expenses), expenditures related to home purchase (furniture and remodeling expenses), multiplier of housing related expenditures (income earned as a result of a home sale is re-circulated into the economy) and new construction (additional home sales induce added home production).

The total economic impact of a typical Florida home sale is $129,000, according to NAR. Miami-Dade sold 1,769 homes in September 2025 for a local economic impact of $228 million.

Miami-Dade total dollar volume increased 11.42% year-over-year in September 2025 to $1.6 billion.

Single-family home dollar volume increased 7.18% year-over-year to $954 million. Condo dollar volume increased 18.07% year-over-year to $676 million.

Miami Distressed Sales Remain at Historic Lows, Reflecting Healthy Market

Only 1.9% of all closed residential sales in Miami were distressed last month, including REO (bank-owned properties) and short sales, versus 1.1% in September 2024. In 2009, distressed sales comprised 70% of Miami sales.

Short sales and REOs accounted for 0.2% and 1.8%, respectively, of total Miami sales in September 2025.

Miami's percentage of distressed sales are less than the national figure. Nationally, distressed sales have averaged 2%.

National and State Statistics

In Florida, closed sales of single-family homes statewide totaled 21,271 in September 2025, up 13.6% year-over-year, while existing condo-townhouse sales totaled 7,187 up 8%.

The statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes was $410,000, even from the previous year, according to data from Florida Realtors Research Department in partnership with local Realtor boards/associations. Last month's statewide median price for condo-townhouse units was $299,000, down 4.8% vs. last year. The median is the midpoint; half the homes sold for more, half for less.

Nationally, total existing home sales increased 4.1% year-over-year to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.06 million, according to NAR. Median existing home prices increased to $415,200, up 2.1% from one year ago ($406,700)--- the 27th consecutive month of year-over-year price increases.

Miami Real Estate Attracting Near List Price

The median percent of original list price received for single-family homes was 95% in September 2025. The median percent of original list price received for existing condominiums was 93%.

The median number of days between listing and contract dates for Miami single-family home sales was 50 days, up from 32 days last year. The median time to sale for single-family homes was 89 days, up from 71 days last year.

The median number of days between the listing date and contract date for condos was 75 days, up from 51 days. The median number of days to sale for condos was 115 days, up from 93 days.

Miami Cash Sales More than National Figure

Cash sales represented 35.2% of Miami closed sales in September 2025, compared to 32.6% in September 2024. About 30% of U.S. home sales are made in cash, according to the latest NAR statistics.

Cash buyers are not deterred by rising rates. The high percentage of cash buyers reflects Miami's top position as the preeminent American real estate market for foreign buyers, who tend to purchase with all cash as well as some moving from more expensive U.S. markets who can buy more with their profits from real estate sales.

Cash sales accounted for 46.5% of all Miami existing condo sales and 23.2% of single-family transactions.

To access September 2025 Miami-Dade Statistical Reports, visit http://www.SFMarketIntel.com

Note: Statistics in this news release may vary depending on reporting dates. MIAMI reports exact statistics directly from its MLS system.

About the MIAMI Association of REALTORS

The MIAMI Association of REALTORS (MIAMI) was chartered by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS in 1920, and is celebrating 105 years of service to REALTOR members, the buying and selling public, and the communities in South Florida. Composed of six boards: MIAMI- RESIDENTIAL, MIAMI- COMMERCIAL; BROWARD-MIAMI, a division of MIAMI REALTORS; JTHS-MIAMI, a division of MIAMI REALTORS in the Jupiter-Tequesta-Hobe Sound area; MIAMI YPN, our Young Professionals Network Council; and the Corporate Board of Directors. MIAMI REALTORS represent 58,000 total real estate professionals in all aspects of real estate sales, marketing, and brokerage. It is the largest local REALTOR association in the U.S. and has official partnerships with 290 international organizations worldwide. MIAMI's official website is www.MiamiRealtors.com

SOURCE MIAMI Association of REALTORS
Two men have now been charged in two "retaliation" murders in Chattanooga that happened almost five years ago.



Khavell Mailik Williams, who is also charged with a murder in Montgomery County, Tn., was picked up on July 29 and is under a $2 million bond.



Cornealious Labron Beasley, 39, was in General Sessions Court on Wednesday and placed under a $1 million bond by Judge Larry Ables. Attorney Blake Gilbert said Beasley is the father of three children and has custody of a three-year-old son.

He said Beasley had worked at Volkswagen and Gestamp until recently starting a new job through a temp agency. He said Beasley was active at the East Lake Community Center, including organizing food drives. He said he had "no history of violence."Three people were shot and killed in the same section of the Oak Grove community in two days. In the first shooting, Jaylon Hill fired nine shots toward a vehicle that had just left the home of his grandmother, Gloria Hill, on South Willow Street.Only one shot hit the vehicle, but it struck 38-year-old Timothy Taylor in the head. A woman in the car was not hit. Some of the other shots went into a house on another street. Judge Dunn noted that there were six people in that house lying on the floor calling 911.The next day after that slaying, Russell Paris, 38, was shot and killed on South Kelly Street early on a Tuesday morning.Then on Tuesday evening, the 66-year-old grandmother, Gloria Hill, was shot and killed very close by on South Willow Street.Williams and Beasley are now charged in the Paris and Gloria Hill killings.The 17-page affidavit in the Beasley case is still under seal, but prosecutor Andrew Coyle summed it up in court on Wednesday.He said after Taylor, who was identified as a Gangster Disciples gang member, was rushed to Erlanger Hospital a group that included Williams and Beasley went to the hospital. He said they then returned to the location where Taylor was shot.The prosecutor said Paris was then killed, and he said it is believed that it was Beasley who went into the home of Gloria Hill and killed her "execution style."He also said that a keychain belonging to Beasley's girlfriend was found at a murder scene.Prosecutor Coyle said the case has been a complex one, and investigators only recently began making arrests.Criminal Court Judge Amanda Dunn earlier sentenced Jaylon Hill to 20 years for second-degree murder, 10 years for attempted second-degree murder, two years for reckless endangerment and three years for possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony. The gun charge is consecutive to the other concurrent sentences.Judge Dunn said she had no doubt that the killing of Gloria Hill was "retaliation."Police said a witness said Timothy Taylor told them he needed to collect money from a man called Stew. When they arrived at the residence, a man with a toboggan and red jacket approached the vehicle, and the witness said the man appeared to be holding a handgun. The witness said Taylor told the driver to leave. After the driver backed out of the driveway and turned to leave, they told police they heard several gunshots.Another witness said they were present at the time of the shooting. They told police they saw Jaylon Hill shoot at the victim several times. The first witness identified Jaylon Hill through use of a photo lineup.Police said Hill approached officers at the same residence Timothy Taylors shooting occurred to try and see what was going on at the house. He was immediately arrested.Hill was charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, reckless endangerment, two counts of aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.He was convicted on second-degree murder rather than premeditated murder at a trial in December.In the Russell Paris case, at approximately 2:40 a.m., Chattanooga Police responded to the 1700 block of South Kelly Street on a report of a person shot. Upon arrival, officers located the victim suffering from a gunshot wound and they secured the scene. He was transported to a local hospital by Hamilton County EMS with life-threatening injuries. He would later succumb to his injuries.In the slaying of Gloria Hill, at approximately 6:10 p.m., Chattanooga Police responded to the 1700 block of South Willow Street on a report of a person shot. Upon arrival, officers located a victim suffering from an apparent gunshot wound and secured the scene. Hamilton County EMS responded and pronounced the victim deceased on the scene.At the Jaylon Hill sentencing hearing, children of the murder victim said they had been devastated by the loss of their father. One said, "You don't understand the effect this has had on our family. My heart hurts every day."Judge Dunn said Hill had kept a job since graduating from high school. He was working at Burger King at the time.She said his criminal record included only one misdemeanor conviction. But she said Hill had gone on Facebook and bragged about killing someone.
Four participants graduated from the Tennessee Department of Corrections Day Reporting Center in Chattanooga on Monday night.The Day Reporting Center is a structured and intensive outpatient program that serves as an alternative to incarceration for eligible offenders with substance use needs. During the three-phase program, offenders undergo evidence-based programming and treatment in an environment where they can continue to be with their families in the community.The experience is challenging and transformative, as participants commit to months of programming, personal accountability and community support, said Chattanooga DRC Director Logan Bowers.This graduation celebrates individual achievement and underscores the broader goal of the DRC: to reduce recidivism, strengthen communitiesand give participants the tools to build a more stable and productive future.Neashia, one of Mondays graduates, said that the DRC program has changed her life. Now that she is sober, Neashia is in school studying crime scene investigation with the goal of becoming a criminologist.In the past, Ive lost good jobs because of my drug use, and I had to worry about the police all the time, and I dont have to worry about that anymore, said Neashia. And nowIm in the career field of criminal justice, and so its just even more motivation to stay sober, and I know I can because of the DRC.Courtney, another of Mondays graduates, said thanks to the tools he has been given at DRC, his goal moving forward is to start his own business.I know how to move without being addicted to drugs, Courtney said. I know how to maintain my sobriety. I know how to open up. I know how to be more of a people person.The DRC is complemented by an on-site Community Resource Center, which connects offenders with resources in employment and housing, GED classes, health education and more.
Two state witnesses in the case in which the death penalty is being sought against a local gang leader on Wednesday went back on prior statements given to detectives.

A former fellow gang member told a jury from Anderson County that he had no memory of making any allegations against Grier in the kidnapping and murder of state witness Bianca Horton. In fact, he said he didn't even know Grier.

In opening statements, the jury was told that the former Athens Park Bloods gang member had told police that Grier had made incriminating statements to him.

The witness said he is no longer in the gang.

A woman who lived near Ms. Horton at the Stone Ridge Apartments at W. 37th Street and whose children played with Ms. Horton's four children said she had not been truthful when she earlier told detectives that she saw Grier at the complex talking with Ms. Horton shortly before the killing.

However, the state was allowed to play a portion of the woman's earlier statement in which she said she saw Grier and Ms. Horton talking at the apartments. She said it seemed like a "serious" talk. She also told of seeing Grier driving through the complex.

The manager of the apartments at the time said she discovered shortly before the abduction that the camera at the entrance gate was not working. She said someone had pulled it down. There were only two cameras at the Stone Ridge, including one aimed at the swimming pool.

Judge Boyd Patterson has directed that members of the media not use the names or images of lay witnesses in the gang reprisal case.

Also taking the witness stand was the woman who was babysitting the four children of Ms. Horton on the night she was killed. She said the children at the time were eight, seven, six and 19-month-old Zoe, who had been shot and was paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair.

Bianca Horton had been slated to be a witness in the case in which Cortez Sims, another Athens Park Bloods gang member, was charged with shooting Zoe and two others in the Horton apartment, including a rival gang member and a woman who was killed. The state is contending that Ms. Horton was killed to prevent her from testifying. Sims was later convicted and given a life sentence.

The babysitter said Ms. Horton was working second shift on a new job she had taken. She said she called that night and said she was "on the way. I'll see you in a minute." However, she said Ms. Horton did not arrive. She said she called her around eight times, first getting no answer and then having it go straight to voice mail.

The babysitter said it was not until around 12:30 a.m. that she learned that Ms. Horton's car had arrived, but she was not around. She said, "I assumed she had gotten into the car with somebody else."

She said the place where she parked her gray Nissan Optima "is very dark back there."

The babysitter said she initially learned that a body had been found near the East Ridge Tunnel. She said, "I started crying and went to the crime scene. I kept asking the police, 'Is it her? Is it her?' "
The City of East Ridge announces that City Manager J. Scott Miller will retire in January 2026, concluding a career spanning more than four and a half decades in public service.Mr. Miller has led the City of East Ridge since January 2023, having first returned to the position as interim city manager in November 2022, following the departure of the previous city manager. This marks his second tenure as East Ridges city manager, having previously served from 2016 until his first retirement in November 2018.Officials said, "With more than 45 years of experience in city management, Mr.Millers decision not to renew his contract reflects his desire to officially close a long and distinguished career devoted to local government. He has also shared his intent to remain in place to support a smooth and seamless transition while his successor is selected and onboarded."Mr. Miller said, I have thoroughly enjoyed my career in working in City Management; most particularly, the years I have served as the city manager of the City of East Ridge. I have always found the profession to be both a challenging and rewarding one. Continuously working with the elected officials, employees and the citizens to create and accomplish goals, initiatives and projects for the betterment of the community.Mr. Millers career in municipal management began in 1974 and has included leadership positions in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Florida, Illinois, Georgia and Kansas. He has served as city manager in more than nine municipalities across the country, overseeing hundreds of employees and managing complex budgets, redevelopment initiatives and major capital projects. A graduate of Ohio Northern University and the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned his master of public administration, Mr. Miller is a life member of the International City/County Management Association, and is widely respected for his focus on "teamwork, transparency and long-term planning in local government."Officials said, "Throughout his tenure in East Ridge, Mr. Miller has been recognized for his leadership style and ability to guide the city through both periods of transition and opportunity. His time in East Ridge has been marked by sustained capital investment, infrastructure improvements and renewed attention to economic and community development."Mayor Brian Williams shared his appreciation for Millers service, It has been a true pleasure working with Mr. Miller, first back in 2016 when I was elected as a council member, and then again in November of 2022, when he graciously stepped in as interim city manager, before later transitioning to city manager. Mr. Millers willingness to come out of retirement to assist our city speaks volumes about his deep love for East Ridge and his unwavering commitment to public service. He has been instrumental in leading and guiding major projects for the city, and his steady leadership has made a lasting and positive impact on our community. I wish him all the very best in his well-earned retirement.0The City Council and Human Resources Department, under the direction of the mayor, will determine the process for recruiting the next city manager. Details regarding the search and selection timeline will be announced at a later date.Officials said, "Under Mr. Millers leadership, East Ridge continued to strengthen its identity as a thriving border-region city by expanding economic development initiatives, improving infrastructure and enhancing community services. His leadership has guided numerous city departments through modernization efforts and new opportunities for growth while maintaining the citys hometown values and transparency in government."The City of East Ridge extends its sincere appreciation to City Manager Miller for his years of guidance, support and unwavering commitment to the integrity and success of the community. The city wishes him the very best in his retirement and thanks him for his lasting contributions to the City of East Ridge."Mr. Millers retirement marks the closure of a remarkable career and the beginning of a new chapter for both him and the City of East Ridge, a city he helped guide with professionalism, patience and pride."
The Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG or Georgias County Association) awarded county officials with certificates for completing requirements in the ACCG Lifelong

Learning Academy. Recipients were presented with their achievement certificates during the Associations 2025



Legislative Leadership Conference at the Jekyll Island Convention Center in Glynn County. Chairman Henry was honored for successfully completing the Revenue and Finance specialty track requirements in the Lifelong Learning Academy.



ACCG and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia (CVIOG) have collaborated for more than two decades to provide county officials with supplemental training and educational tools in the Lifelong Learning Academy. With abundant courses from which they may choose, every county official has a tailor-made learning experience that allows them to excel in specific areas of expertise.



The Lifelong Learning Academy is critical to educating county officials about the foundational aspects of county government, as well as emerging trends, said ACCG Executive Director Dave Wills. County leaders who prioritize furthering their education are better equipped to address challenges and are assets to their communities.



I commend Chairman Henry for their unwavering dedication to understanding their community.

The Lifelong Learning Academy was created with input from county commissioners who identified courses based on the issues and decision-making challenges regularly faced by county officials. To ensure the course requirements and curriculum remain relevant and engaging, the ACCG Lifelong Learning Committee  which comprises county commissioners and staff from both ACCG and CVIOG meet regularly to review and adjust accordingly. Through this collaborative approach, the Lifelong Learning Academy has been successful in equipping county officials with the necessary skills to meet the needs of their constituents.



I am grateful for the support and opportunities ACCG has given me to further develop my skills with government revenue and finance in ways that will benefit the people I represent in Catoosa County, said Chairman Steven M. Henry. The ACCG Lifelong Learning Academy is a great resource for Georgias elected county officials.
Schools used engaging activities and practiced safety drills to promote a secure learning environment

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Safe Schools Week, taking place from Oct. 19-25, is celebrated annually across the country, and National Heritage Academies (NHA) partner-schools are promoting safety with a focus on informative drills, engaging meetings with local first responders, and fun schoolwide initiatives.

Mill Creek Academy scholars and staff came together to sign a safety pledge during Safe Schools Week.

NHA Director of Safety and Health Brian Gard leads the organization's nationally recognized safety program. He serves on the board of directors for the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS) and partners with safety experts across the country to ensure NHA remains an industry leader in safety.

Gard said safety is always one of the organization's top priorities, adding safety is one of NHA's brand promises. He also shared his gratitude for each school's safety specialist and their work in making Safe Schools Week memorable for students.

"We love to see all of our schools showing their commitment to providing a safe learning environment," Gard said. "We encourage schools to participate in this nationwide celebration of safety because we want them to dedicate time to practicing drills and promoting safety. Whether a Kindergartener is learning about fire trucks, or a middle-school student creates an online safety poster, all of these efforts can help make schools safer."

Schools across the country in NHA's network, which includes 103 schools in nine states, celebrated with a variety of activities for students. Programming spanned topics such as weather safety, best practices for safe online interaction, and healthy habits.

At the Pathway School of Discovery in Dayton, Ohio, scholars competed in the Safety Olympics. Each homeroom class earned points for displaying safety in school, correctly answering safety trivia questions, and winning a safety poster contest. The class with the most points at the end of Safe Schools Week earns a class party and the right to keep the Safety Bobcat plush toy in their classroom all year long.

Incentivizing safety makes it a positive experience for students while reinforcing best practices to ensure a safe environment. Pairing this activation with multiple safety drills and partnership with local safety experts, students were eager to practice safety.

Gate City Charter Academy in Greensboro, North Carolina, had a special theme for each day of their Safe Schools Week celebration. The school tied each topic to a popular children's educational television show: The Magic School Bus. Scholars learned about fire safety, health and hygiene, and weather safety with matching spirit days. Keeping safety engaging for students makes for impactful lessons and lasting memories.

"I am always amazed at the creativity our educators and school leaders have in creating safety programming," Gard said. "They turn simple safety concepts into something fun and engaging for students."

In Waukesha, Wisconsin, Mill Creek Academy's entire building joined together to commit to safety. Students and staff signed their names to a safety pledge on a large banner in one of the school's main hallways. With everyone showing their dedication to keeping school secure, they're allowing classrooms to remain focused on learning.

When students get a glimpse of safety in action, they're able to see all the moving parts in keeping their school and community safe. Combine these hands-on lessons and projects with Gard's expertise and NHA schools are inspiring students to practice safety, transforming lives one initiative at a time.

About National Heritage Academies:

National Heritage Academies (NHA) is a network of 103 tuition-free, public charter schools across nine states, serving more than 68,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. For more information, visit nhaschools.com. To find the nearest charter school near you, use the NHA school finder.

SOURCE National Heritage Academies
Willie Lee Wooten Anthony Jermaine George Cornelius Lebron Beasley Previous Next

The Chattanooga Police Department has made three additional arrests in connection to two homicide cases that occurred on Dec. 1, 2020, in what was termed "retaliation" killings. Willie Lee Wooten, Jr., 32, and Anthony Jermaine George, 36, were taken into custody at the Hamilton County Jail and Detention Center on Thursday. Cornelius Lebron Beasley, 39, was booked on Monday. These three arrests are in addition to the arrest of Khavell Mailik Williams, 30, on July 30.

Police said, "The department commends its homicide investigators, whose persistent follow-up on every lead resulted in multiple arrests in a nearly five-year-old case.



"These arrests are also the result of extensive collaboration among multiple law enforcement partners, including the U.S. Marshals Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Attorneys Office, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Hamilton County District Attorneys Office, and the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office (TN). CPD extends its gratitude to these agencies for their assistance."

Three people were shot and killed in the same section of the Oak Grove community in two days. In the first shooting, Jaylon Hill fired nine shots toward a vehicle that had just left the home of his grandmother, Gloria Hill, on South Willow Street.



Only one shot hit the vehicle, but it struck 38-year-old Timothy Taylor in the head. A woman in the car was not hit. Some of the other shots went into a house on another street. Judge Dunn noted that there were six people in that house lying on the floor calling 911.



The next day after that slaying, Russell Paris, 38, was shot and killed on South Kelly Street early on a Tuesday morning.



Then on Tuesday evening, the 66-year-old grandmother, Gloria Hill, was shot and killed very close by on South Willow Street.



Williams and Beasley are now charged in the Paris and Gloria Hill killings.



The 17-page affidavit in the Beasley case is still under seal, but prosecutor Andrew Coyle summed it up in court on Wednesday.



He said after Taylor, who was identified as a Gangster Disciples gang member, was rushed to Erlanger Hospital a group that included Williams and Beasley went to the hospital. He said they then returned to the location where Taylor was shot.



The prosecutor said Paris was then killed, and he said it is believed that it was Beasley who went into the home of Gloria Hill and killed her "execution style."



He also said that a keychain belonging to Beasley's girlfriend was found at a murder scene.



Prosecutor Coyle said the case has been a complex one, and investigators only recently began making arrests.



Criminal Court Judge Amanda Dunn earlier sentenced Jaylon Hill to 20 years for second-degree murder, 10 years for attempted second-degree murder, two years for reckless endangerment and three years for possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony. The gun charge is consecutive to the other concurrent sentences.



Judge Dunn said she had no doubt that the killing of Gloria Hill was "retaliation."



Police said a witness said Timothy Taylor told them he needed to collect money from a man called Stew. When they arrived at the residence, a man with a toboggan and red jacket approached the vehicle, and the witness said the man appeared to be holding a handgun. The witness said Taylor told the driver to leave. After the driver backed out of the driveway and turned to leave, they told police they heard several gunshots.



Another witness said they were present at the time of the shooting. They told police they saw Jaylon Hill shoot at the victim several times. The first witness identified Jaylon Hill through use of a photo lineup.



Police said Hill approached officers at the same residence Timothy Taylors shooting occurred to try and see what was going on at the house. He was immediately arrested.



Hill was charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, reckless endangerment, two counts of aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

He was convicted on second-degree murder rather than premeditated murder at a trial in December.



In the Russell Paris case, at approximately 2:40 a.m., Chattanooga Police responded to the 1700 block of South Kelly Street on a report of a person shot. Upon arrival, officers located the victim suffering from a gunshot wound and they secured the scene. He was transported to a local hospital by Hamilton County EMS with life-threatening injuries. He would later succumb to his injuries.



In the slaying of Gloria Hill, at approximately 6:10 p.m., Chattanooga Police responded to the 1700 block of South Willow Street on a report of a person shot. Upon arrival, officers located a victim suffering from an apparent gunshot wound and secured the scene. Hamilton County EMS responded and pronounced the victim deceased on the scene.



At the Jaylon Hill sentencing hearing, children of the murder victim said they had been devastated by the loss of their father. One said, "You don't understand the effect this has had on our family. My heart hurts every day."



Judge Dunn said Hill had kept a job since graduating from high school. He was working at Burger King at the time.



She said his criminal record included only one misdemeanor conviction. But she said Hill had gone on Facebook and bragged about killing someone.
The Tennessee Aquariums longest-running conservation program is celebrating major developments that have biologists and wildlife managers brimming with excitement.

On Thursday, the aquarium honored the 25th anniversary of the first Lake Sturgeon release in 2000 with a public event on the northern shore of the Tennessee River in downtown Chattanooga. There, about 500 juvenile Lake Sturgeon measuring 6 to 12 inches long were ferried to the waters edge in clear plastic buckets and released into the river by a group of invited officials, community leaders and other special guests, including 46 students from Hixson High School.

Massive, ancient and long-lived, the Lake Sturgeon has been extirpated (locally extinct) in Tennessee since the 1970s. The effort to re-establish this state-imperiled species began in 1998 with the formation of the Southeast Lake Sturgeon Working Group, a collaborative partnership between non-profits like the Aquarium as well as universities and state and federal agencies.

Since the start of reintroductions in 2000, working group members have raised and released more than 430,000 Lake Sturgeon into the Tennessee and Cumberland river watersheds.

The cumulative effect of that work is already changing the Lake Sturgeons fortunes. This year, the species conservation status in Tennessee decreased from endangered to threatened, an adjustment that reflects the long-term impact of the restoration program, said Dr. Anna George, the aquariums vice president of conservation science and education.

Im positive the downgrading is a result of the Southeast Lake Sturgeon Working Groups effort, she said.

After a quarter-century of stocking, the reintroduced population of Lake Sturgeon is now large enough, mature enough and genetically robust enough that wild spawning could begin at any time. In fact, wildlife managers say, it may already be taking place.

We're seeing sexually mature fish now, said Brandon Simcox, the rivers and streams coordinator at the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, which is also a member of the Southeast Lake Sturgeon Working Group.

We have the recipe there that we should start to see natural reproduction.

At 652 miles long, the Tennessee River is the largest tributary of the Ohio River, which is itself the largest tributary of the Mississippi River. According to data from the U.S. Geological Survey, its outflow is the seventh highest of any waterway in the United States.

Because of the size of the river systems through which the sturgeon are moving, its likely that theyre already spawning without anyone around to verify it yet, Dr. George said.

I'm optimistic that it's probably happening and we just haven't detected it, she said. I am so motivated to get out there.

Raising new generations of sturgeon is an involved process that begins each spring when biologists and wildlife managers collect eggs from wild spawning Lake Sturgeon in Wisconsins Wolf River, where the species population numbers remain healthy.

Once hatched, the young sturgeon are sent from federal hatcheries to partnering propagation facilities such as the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institutes freshwater field station downstream from downtown Chattanooga. There, they spend months in the care of reintroduction biologists, eating near constantly until theyre large and robust enough to be returned to their ancestral waters.

Events like Thursdays release offer an opportunity for the public to personally contribute to the restoration of a species that has  in many cases  been missing from Tennessee since before they were born.

Sturgeon releases are really, really exciting days, Dr. George said. One of the joys of working at the Tennessee Aquarium is we get to invite a lot of the public to come with us.

Once the reintroduced population of Lake Sturgeon is confirmed to be self-sustaining, it will mark an important moment, not only for Lake Sturgeon but for all imperiled species in the underwater rainforest of Southern Appalachia.

When that happens and we have an appropriately managed recreational fishery, well have this recipe for success that we can apply to other animals that we might have lost through carelessness, Dr. George said. That's what's really so great to me about the Lake Sturgeon.

It's not just about the fish; it's about everything.

To view a live feed of Lake Sturgeon at the Tennessee Aquarium, visit tnaqua.org/livestream/lake- sturgeon-cam/

For additional insights into the history of the Lake Sturgeon restoration effort, listen to the latest episode of the Tennessee Aquariums official podcast, The Podcast Aquatic, at tnaqua.org/podcast/

The Southeast Lake Sturgeon Working Group includes:
The festival is free and open to the public and runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 1 at Sequoyahs Cabin Museum in Sallisaw.
(Second from left) Gavin Newsom, governor of California. | Photo credit: California Governor's Office

Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed AB 727 in honor of World Mental Health Day, requiring public middle schools, high schools, and colleges in California to print contact information for The Trevor Project on student ID cards.

Authored by Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez, DLos Angeles, the legislation expands the states 2018 suicide prevention ID card law by adding The Trevor Projects hotline number to student IDs.

Supporters frame the measure as a direct lifeline for vulnerable students, particularly those who identify as gay, lesbian, and transgender. The Trevor Project, an LGBT activist group and suicide prevention organization whose online platform TrevorSpace has drawn scrutiny for age verification and moderation, is intended to provide immediate crisis support under the new law.

In announcing the bills enactment, Newsom said, While some in Washington turn their backs on [LGBT-identified] youth, California is choosing compassion over cruelty. AB 727 makes it clear: your identity doesnt disqualify you from care and community  its exactly why we are fighting to make it easier to reach.

Opposition has emerged from parental rights advocates who warn that the new requirement could expose LGBT-identified youth to online predators. While acknowledging the bills mental health aims, critics argue it could unintentionally place children at risk.

Lawmakers describe The Trevor Project as the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBT-identified youth, but conservative groups have criticized the organization for providing LGBT propaganda curriculum for public schools.

According to the Christian Post, opponents point to an activity adopted by the Vista Unified School District in San Diego, where students were reportedly required to take part in a role-playing exercise called Coming Out Stars. The exercise instructed students to imagine each of you is now gay or lesbian, and you are about to begin your coming out process.

Much of the concern centers on TrevorSpace, described as a welcoming online social community for [LGBT-identified] young people between the ages of 13-24 years old.

Criticsincluding the California Family Council (CFC), law enforcement, and educatorscontend that limited moderation and insufficient age checks on the platform create opportunities for exploitation.

Brenda Lebsack, a trustee with the Santa Ana Unified School District, says parents have labeled TrevorSpace a pedophiles paradise, recounting that she posed as a 13-year-old and accessed groups such as the Gay Mens Club  Lets Talk about Boys and The Witchcraft Club without verification.

I saw with my own eyes that Trevor Project is putting kids in harms way through TrevorSpace by connecting minors with unfettered random adults on an international virtual platform to explore their genders and sexualities, and this is dangerous for our most vulnerable kids who identify as [LGBT-identified], Lebsack warned in a recent Interfaith 4 Kids article.
After typhoon remnants battered Alaska, over 2,000 residents overwhelmed shelters. | Screenshot: YouTube/ NBC News

A regional arm of the Presbyterian Church (USA) has launched relief efforts for Alaskans affected by a powerful storm that ravaged the states western shoreline.

The Presbytery of Yukon is coordinating the response to damage from the remnants of Typhoon Halong across remote communities in the YukonKuskokwim Delta, partnering with PC(USA)s Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), the Red Cross, and Anchorage officials.

The Rev. Elizabeth Schultz, executive presbyter for the Yukon Presbytery, told The Christian Post that the presbytery is collaborating with local trusted nonprofits that are organizing the response effort.

Alongside field operations, PC(USA) has created a dedicated donation page to direct disaster-relief funds to affected Alaskan areas.

The Rev. Kathy Lee-Cornell, PDAs associate for National Disaster Response, emphasized to PC(USA) News that working closely with local clergy remains essential to their mission.

PDA relies on our faith leaders to connect us with the areas and people where our resources may positively serve impacted individuals and communities, like the Alaskan Natives across Yukon-Kuskokwim, said Lee-Cornell.

Through their responsiveness, Presbytery of Yukon allows Presbyterians to bear witness to our compassionate kinship with one another during difficult circumstances, and we are honored to support their efforts in the immediacy of the typhoon and throughout the long-term recovery.

According to ABC News, coastal towns bore the brunt of the storms impacts, with some locations inundated by more than six feet of water and wind speeds ranging from 50 to 100 miles per hour.

Authorities reported that the Alaska National Guard evacuated hundreds of residents, while the U.S. Coast Guard rescued dozens from flood conditions.

As waters surged, the villages of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok were evacuated, reportedly constituting one of the largest airlift operations in Alaskas history.

Roughly 2,000 people were displaced as the storm inflicted severe damage across numerous communities, and at least one death has been confirmed. Survivors have taken shelter at community facilities, and officials say at least 49 communities reported effects from the storm.
Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul. | Photo credit: Facebook/ Josh Kaul

Wisconsin officials are weighing the elimination of a religious tax exemption altogether rather than extending it to a Catholic charity that won a unanimous U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June.

In a remedial brief filed Monday with the Wisconsin Supreme Court, Attorney General Josh Kaul addressed the dispute involving the Catholic Charities Bureau (CCB), noting that the U.S. Supreme Court did not prescribe a particular remedy when it sided with the charity earlier this year regarding its request for an exemption from the states unemployment insurance program.

Kaul, a Democrat, told the court that he sees two paths forward: expanding the statutory exemption to groups like Catholic Charities or eliminating it altogether.

And over the past 50 years, the Legislature has consistently expanded the universe of nonprofit employers that must participate in the unemployment system. Enlarging this exemption would reverse that trend, he stated.

Kaul urged the justices to remove the exemption to cure the constitutional problem without new fallout. By striking the exemption, this Court can avoid collateral damage to Wisconsin workers while still curing the discrimination the U.S. Supreme Court identified. It should so hold, thereby bringing this long-running case to a close.

Earlier this year, in Catholic Charities Bureau, Inc. v. Wisconsin Labor Review Commission et al., the U.S. Supreme Court held that the Catholic charity could qualify for an exemption from the unemployment insurance program even though state officials had characterized its services as nonreligious.

The ruling vacated a prior decision by the Wisconsin Supreme Court and remanded the matter for further proceedings.

Responding to Kauls proposal, the Becket Fund for Religious Libertycounsel for CCBfiled a supplemental brief opposing any move to abolish the exemption, asserting that Wisconsin long ago forfeited any claim to request that Catholic Charities' remedy be anything other than receiving the exemption.

Becket criticized the timing of the states position. Wisconsin should have raised that issue well before reversal and remand by the United States Supreme Court, the brief continued. It should have made those arguments in a timely fashion so that this Court and the United States Supreme Court had an opportunity to evaluate them.

CCB serves as an umbrella for multiple ministries within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Superior. In 2016, it asked the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (WDWD) for a religious exemption from the state unemployment system.

WDWD denied the application, concluding the organization was not primarily religious. CCB appealed, and an administrative law judge reversed the agencys determination.

The department then sought review from the Wisconsin Labor and Industry Review Commission, which ruled against CCB, determining the group did not qualify for a religious exemption.

In March 2024, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled 43 that CCB was not operated primarily for religious purposes and therefore ineligible for the exemption.

Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, writing for the majority, said, CCB and the sub-entities, which are organized as separate corporations apart from the church itself, neither attempt to imbue program participants with the Catholic faith nor supply any religious materials to program participants or employees.

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously reversed, with Justice Sonia Sotomayor writing the opinion that concluded the charity could not be denied the exemption on the basis that its services were considered secular.

Sotomayor emphasized that any law that differentiates between religions along theological lines is textbook denominational discrimination and that differentiation on theological lines is fundamentally foreign to our constitutional order.

Reiterating the principle of neutrality, she wrote, It is fundamental to our constitutional order that the government maintain neutrality between religion and religion. There may be hard calls to make in policing that rule, but this is not one.
Home News Anglican Church in North America leader faces complaint alleging sexual misconduct, abuse of power

Anglican Church in North America Archbishop Stephen Wood has been formally accused of engaging in sexual misconduct and abuse of power, according to a newly filed complaint.

Mike Hughes, senior warden at St. Andrew's Anglican Church in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, where Wood was previously rector, issued an official letter stating that a complaint had been submitted to the ACNA regarding allegations against Wood. Hughes stressed that "the Wardens, Vestry, and Staff of St. Andrew's cannot comment on these allegations."

A woman accused Wood of touching the back of her head and attempting to kiss her in his office in April of last year, The Washington Post reported Thursday.

The alleged incident occurred before Wood was elected archbishop of ACNA, when he was rector at St. Andrew's and also bishop of the Anglican Diocese of the Carolinas. The woman alleged that Wood gave her thousands of dollars in unexpected payments from church funds before he allegedly made advances on her.

The Washington Post identified the accuser as 42-year-old Claire Buxton, a divorced mother of three who previously served as the children's ministry director at St. Andrew's Church.

"I was in shock," Buxton told the outlet regarding Wood's alleged behavior. "It's just bizarre to me how far we  the Anglican Church in North America and its leadership  have gotten away from basic morals and principles."

Four ACNA presbyters and seven laity filed a formal complaint known as a presentment on Monday in response to the allegations, which may lead to a church trial.

In a brief statement quoted by Anglican Ink, Wood denied the allegations, saying that "I do not believe these complaints have merit."

"I trust the process outlined in our canons to bring clarity and truth in these matters," he said.

Once the complaint is validated, Bishop Ray Sutton, dean of the ACNA College of Bishops, will convene a board of inquiry to determine if it warrants further action, reported Anglican Ink.

"I commend all those involved  the complainants; Steve, Jacqui, and their family; our staff, and the Vestry  to your prayers. This is a painful and very personal process for all involved," wrote Hughes in his letter.

The allegations against Wood come as ACNA concluded the trial of Bishop Stewart Ruch III of the Diocese of the Upper Midwest, who faced accusations that he mishandled abuse cases.

A decision in the Ruch case is expected by mid-December.

ACNA, founded in 2009 by former members concerned about the doctrinal direction of the Episcopal Church in the United States and the Anglican Church of Canada, has over 1,000 member churches and over 130,000 members.
The partnership enables enterprises to earn yield, make payments, and move money globallypowered by the API and Operating System for stablecoin-powered money movement.

NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - As enterprises shift from static cash management to digital treasuries, stablecoins are emerging as the next global reserve instrument for corporate finance. With rates high and FX costs rising, businesses are seeking compliant, yield-bearing alternatives to traditional treasury products.

Against this backdrop, NU Blockchain Technologies ("NU"), a leading digital-finance infrastructure company powering real-world asset tokenization and issuance, and Dream Payments ("Dream"), a leading provider of embedded payments and programmable-money infrastructure, today announced a strategic partnership to enable enterprises and SaaS platforms to earn yield, make payments, and move money globally.

Together, Dream and NU are partnering to provide the API and Operating System for stablecoin-powered money movement  giving enterprises the ability to earn yield, make payments, and move money globally.

For decades, corporations have relied on slow, costly wire transfers and fragmented cross-border networks. This partnership replaces that outdated system with a secure, compliant, and programmable stablecoin framework that allows enterprises and platforms to move money instantly, make payments seamlessly, and earn yield on idle balances  all within a unified, embedded-finance platform that integrates directly into existing ERP and accounting systems.

"Stablecoins, particularly yield-bearing stablecoins, are the new infrastructure layer for money itself," said Anthony Moro, CEO of NU. "Our work with Dream brings regulated yield, programmable payments, and real-time money movement, including permissionless cross-border transfers, to every enterprise system  transforming how global commerce operates."

To further anchor this capability in regulated financial infrastructure, the initial rollout will support nuYLDS, a permissionless ERC20 token that will soon be available on the NUVA marketplace. nuYLDS is backed by Figure Technologies' YLDS, the first SEC-regulated yield-bearing stablecoin. nuYLDS provides enterprises with access to multi-chain liquidity, real-time settlements, and compliant yield generation, bridging digital assets and traditional finance under a unified, enterprise-grade framework.

"Dream powers payments and money movement for leading banks, insurers, enterprises, and SaaS platforms across North America," said Brent Ho-Young, CEO of Dream Payments. "Through our partnership with NU, we're enabling these organizations to seamlessly transition their existing payment operations to stablecoins  unlocking real-time, programmable money movement and yield-bearing stablecoins that redefine modern treasury."

Industry Use Cases: From Insurance to Global Franchises

The NU and Dream platform is designed for flexibility across industries and business models where cross-border fund flows, liquidity, and automation are critical:

Insurance: Simplify claims payouts and premium collection with instant, yield-enabled stablecoin transactions.





Simplify claims payouts and premium collection with instant, yield-enabled transactions. Franchise Operators: Pay international suppliers, franchisees, and staff in seconds while earning yield on operating capital, eliminating cash drag and additional steps necessary when managing corporate treasuries.





Pay international suppliers, franchisees, and staff in seconds while earning yield on operating capital, eliminating cash drag and additional steps necessary when managing corporate treasuries. Manufacturing: Streamline supplier payments and cross-border settlements through embedded stablecoin infrastructure.





Streamline supplier payments and cross-border settlements through embedded infrastructure. Logistics: Manage real-time settlements for carriers, brokers, and international vendors across complex supply chains.





Manage real-time settlements for carriers, brokers, and international vendors across complex supply chains. Loyalty & Reward Platforms: Allow loyalty providers to earn regulated yield on member balances while offering real-time redemptions and stablecoin payouts that enhance engagement and program economics.





Allow loyalty providers to earn regulated yield on member balances while offering real-time redemptions and payouts that enhance engagement and program economics. Accounting & ERP Platforms: Enable accounting and financial-software providers to embed stablecoin -based AP and B2B payment capabilities directly into their platforms, giving customers faster, lower-cost global payments and treasury yield.

Across these sectors, enterprises benefit from embedded programmable finance that improves working-capital efficiency, enhances liquidity management, and eliminates payment friction.

Looking Ahead: Engaging Clients and Partners

Pilot programs with multinational enterprises and platform partners are set to launch in late 2025, with a broader rollout planned for 2026.

To connect with Dream and NU to discuss enterprise and platform use cases, please contact [email protected] and media@nu.xyz , or visit www.dreampayments.com and nu.xyz .

Nu and Dream Payments will also be connecting with partners, clients, and investors this fall at the following industry conferences:

Money20/20  Las Vegas, NV, October 2629

Insurity Excellence  Carlsbad, CA, October 2931

About NU Blockchain Technologies

NU powers digital asset issuers with a full lifecycle of blockchain infrastructure support that enables the tokenization, management, and distributions of real-world assets at scale. From structuring advice and mission-critical APIs and SaaS services, to broad, multi-chain Web3 distribution through Vault marketplaces such as NUVA, NU is perfectly positioned to help bring trillions of dollars of assets on-chain. NU is a leading developer and integration partner on Provenance Blockchain, the world's largest public Layer 1 blockchain network with over $16 billion in real-world assets total value locked (TVL). Learn more at NU.xyz , and follow us on X and LinkedIn .

About Dream Payments

Dream Payments is the API and cloud-native platform powering embedded payments and programmable money for North America's largest banks, insurers, and software platforms. Dream enables its clients and partners to launch revenue-generating financial products that let them collect payments, send money, store funds, and earn yield. Whether it's a bank delivering modern merchant services, an insurer issuing real-time claims payments, or a SaaS platform embedding pay-in and pay-out, Dream is the financial infrastructure where moneyfiat or stablecoinmoves instantly, programmatically, and at scale. Learn more at www.dreampayments.com .

SOURCE NU Blockchain Technologies and Dream Payments
Home News Bolivian president-elect Rodrigo Paz thanks God after election victory ends decades of leftist control

The newly elected president of Bolivia, Rodrigo Paz Pereira, thanked God for his electoral success as his victory ended two decades of leftist control over the South American country. He cited the Lord several times in his victory speech.

Paz, a senator from the Christian Democratic Party and son of former president Jaime Paz Zamora, addressed supporters in a speech after he was declared the winner of the 2025 Bolivian presidential election on Sunday.

"I want, first of all, to thank our God for his energy, for his faith, for his strength, for his audacity," Paz, 58, proclaimed.

"He is a blessed God who also gives the audacity to make decisions that affect the country, that lead to moments like these," he added. "God, family and homeland are the foundation of a vision we have regarding our commitment to all of Bolivia, to all Bolivians."

As his speech came to a close, Paz vowed to "work all the hours God gives me to transform." The final words of his address were "God bless you."

Unofficial results from the 2025 Bolivian presidential election show Paz capturing 54.96% of the vote. His opponent, Jorge Quiroga of the Libre Party, secured 45.04%. The two advanced to a runoff election, which took place Sunday, after receiving the highest number of votes in the Aug. 17 general election. Paz won 32.1% of the vote in the first round, while Quiroga won 26.8%.

The remaining vote was divided among six other candidates who did not advance to the runoff. As the party supported by a plurality of voters in the first round, the Christian Democratic Party captured the most seats in both the Bolivian Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. Seats awarded to each party corresponded to the percentage of votes they received in the general election.

The Christian Democratic Party won 49 seats in the Chamber of Deputies and 16 seats in the Senate. The Libre Party won 12 seats in the Senate and 39 seats in the Chamber of Deputies.

The Movement Towards Socialism, the party currently in power, was decimated in the 2025 election. It will only hold two seats in the Chamber of Deputies and will have no representation in the Senate.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio released a statement Sunday praising Paz's election as a "historic moment for Bolivia."

"After two decades of mismanagement, President-elect Paz's election marks a transformative opportunity for both nations," Rubio said.

"The United States stands ready to partner with Bolivia on shared priorities, including ending illegal immigration, improved market access for bilateral investment, and combating transnational criminal organizations to strengthen regional security."

A fact sheet compiled by the U.S. State Department in 2024 notes that the U.S. has had a strained relationship with Bolivia since 2008, over "the Bolivian government's decision to expel the U.S. ambassador, U.S. law enforcement, and development cooperation agencies." The fact sheet cites "anti-democratic actions and the politicization of the legal system" as major concerns in Bolivia.

During a press conference on Monday, Paz, who holds a master's degree in political management from American University in Washington, D.C., vowed to rebuild Bolivia's relationship with Washington.

"The message from Mr. Trump's administration itself is a very clear and open signal," Paz said, according to the Associated Press. "We will have a fluid relationship and commitments to cooperation and joint work between both nations."

His father, Jaime Paz Zamora, led Bolivia from 1989 to 1993.
Home News Clinic offering abortions beyond viability for 'any reason' is 'disappointing, but not surprising': pro-lifers

Former staffers at abortionist Warren Herns shuttered Boulder Abortion Clinic, which was renowned for performing third-trimester abortions, have launched a new facility that will perform abortions beyond the point of viability, for any reason.

RISE Collective, which stands for "Reproductive Health, Inclusive Care, Support and Empowerment," released a promotional video earlier this month, announcing that the clinic has started seeing clients and scheduling late-term abortions.

At RISE Collective, we believe that any reason you have for needing abortion care is yours, and it is the right one, the video states. In Colorado, there are no restrictions on when you can receive care. But while the law is clear, access is not.

The promotional video advertises RISE as one of the few abortion facilities in the country that performs abortions throughout all trimesters, which the Boulder Abortion Clinic did for over 50 years before closing earlier this year after Hern retired.

While RISE Collective did not respond to The Christian Posts request for comment, Kelsey Pritchard, the political communications director for Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, told CP the endeavor is "disappointing."

Its disappointing but not surprising that late-term abortionist Warren Herns staff have simply set up shop again, aborting babies as late as 34 weeks  old enough to learn, have preferences and fight for life and survive in the NICU, Pritchard told CP.

Pritchard noted that Colorado, along with eight other states and the District of Columbia, have no gestational limits on abortion. RISE Collective is also not the first all-trimester abortion clinic to open in the United States, as similar facilities have opened in Illinois and Maryland in the years following the Dobbs v. Jackson ruling.

Warren Herns position that any abortion, any time, is always justified is the stance of todays Democratic Party, Pritchard asserted. With at least 1.1 million abortions a year in America, this underscores the need for national leadership to protect unborn babies.

In a 2023 interview with The Atlantic, Hern said that a baby's viability is determined by whether a woman wants the pregnancy and not by gestational age. The late-term abortionist also admitted that he had performed two sex-selective abortions.

Tessa Cox, senior research associate at the Charlotte Lozier Institute, SBA Pro-Life Americas research arm, cited research by Hern that analyzed 1,040 pregnant women with gestations ranging from 18 to 38 weeks who underwent abortions between 2000 and 2004. The research found that one-fifth of these abortions were performed due to a diagnosed fetal disorder.

Late-term abortions performed very late in pregnancy are not quick procedures and often take place over several days. A woman in a pregnancy emergency should be delivered in a hospital with available emergency equipment, rather than an abortion facility, Cox told CP.

Induction or C-section gives the baby a chance  even if slim  to live, while addressing the mothers health risks, the pro-life researcher added. This is far more compassionate than a late-term abortion that gives the unborn child no opportunity to survive.

Monica Snyder, the executive director of Secular Pro-Life, empathized with pro-choice advocates who are concerned about pregnant women facing a dire medical or social situation.

This is an understandable concern, the pro-life atheist told CP. We all want to build a society where heartbreaking or dangerous situations are as uncommon as possible.

That same thinking should apply to the very American phenomenon of aborting otherwise healthy, viable babies. We are shamefully one of only a handful of countries in the entire world that tolerate this atrocity, Snyder stated. Ironically, the concept is so horrifying that most Americans refuse to believe it actually happens.

Snyder noted that the procedure for a late-term abortion, which many pro-choice activists describe as inclusive care, typically involves stopping the unborn childs heart with an injection. After stopping the heart, the abortionist usually induces a stillbirth delivery and often removes parts of the childs body limb by limb, torso and head.

[Pro-choice activists] argue [that] later abortion is very rare, widely citing the (dubious) statistic that abortions after 21 weeks are less than 1% of all abortions, Snyder stated, citing an October 2024 article on Secular Pro-Life about late-term abortions. But in the United States, there are over a million abortions every year. What's 1 percent of a million?

In its 2021 abortion surveillance report, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 1% of abortions in the U.S. are performed after 21 weeks of gestation.

Snyders article highlighted several factors that the CDCs data might not have accounted for, including the fact that not all states report their abortion data to the CDC.

The pro-life atheist noted that states where abortions are legal after 21 weeks that do report their data to the CDC generally have higher percentages of later abortions. If this is true for states that do report their data to the CDC, then Snyder questioned what the data looks like for states that also allow abortions after 21 weeks but dont report their data.

Due to multiple states not reporting their abortion data, the CDCs 1% late-term abortion statistic excludes about 33% of the U.S. population.

Snyder also asserted that the 1% statistic doesnt account for an all-trimester abortion clinic like Partners in Abortion Care in Maryland or the Cherry Hill Women's Center in New Jersey, which conducts abortions up to 28 weeks of pregnancy. Maryland and New Jersey are among several states that dont report their abortion data to the CDC.

Its safe to expect that in states which dont report abortion data to the CDC, the proportion of abortions after 21 weeks is higher than 1 percent (though unclear by how much), she wrote. Its therefore safe to expect that if the CDC had the data on these locations, the national statistics on abortions after 21 weeks would be higher.
Home News Former youth pastor Daniel Mayfield gets 20 years in prison for possession of child porn

Daniel Kellan Mayfield, a former youth pastor in South Carolina who pleaded guilty to possession of illegal child sex abuse images last December, was sentenced to a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for his crime on Tuesday.

Mayfield, 37, took thousands of pornographic images of women and sexual abuse images of children, some younger than 12 years old, as they used the restroom, changed clothes and showered, according to WYFF4.

Al Phillips, a grandfather of some of the victims, felt justice was served because Mayfield stole their innocence. "It's had a tremendous impact on my grandchildren, who were victimized by this predator. And so, it's, you know, it's the kind of thing that steals the innocence from a child, and that wrecks their trust, he told the news outlet.

"I'm a Christian. I forgive. I also understand that even with forgiveness, there are often consequences for our sin, he added. "I do stand very strong in my faith, and I honestly don't wish harm on anyone. However, I do believe in the justice system and seeing his sentence through. I believe the consequence does need to happen."

Mayfield, who has already served two years of his 20-year sentence, will have to register as a sex offender when he is released.

The former youth pastor, who also worked as a wedding photographer and was married, was first arrested in June 2023 on voyeurism charges while he was serving as a youth pastor at First Baptist Gowensville in Landrum. He allegedly filmed girls as young as 14 in the bathroom of the church and recorded women in bridal parties changing their clothes.

In December, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of illegal child sexual abuse images. Court records, cited by The Post and Courier Greenville, showed that Mayfield pleaded guilty to possession of the illegal images even as he continued to face at least 167 charges related to voyeurism.

Among the charges Mayfield faces, six are for sexual exploitation of a minor in the first degree, while others are connected to three weddings that occurred in 2019 and 2021. At two of the weddings where Mayfield was hired to provide videography services, he allegedly recorded women in areas where they had a "reasonable expectation of privacy." Mayfield allegedly set up cameras in areas where the bridal party changed their clothes.

Of the charges leveled against Mayfield, the Post and Courier reported 109 in Greenville County, 38 in Spartanburg County, nine in Greenwood County, six in Charleston County and five in Beaufort County.

At the end of their investigation of Mayfield in October 2024, the Spartanburg County Sheriffs Office made an appeal on Facebook for any additional victims to come forward.

The investigation into Mayfield was sparked by an earlier announcement by investigators that he was caught recording a woman outside the bathroom window of her mother's house in Greenwood on May 27, 2023. The woman reported that she and her sister found Mayfield standing alone in their backyard after she noticed a light outside the window.

When they initially confronted him about what he was doing, he denied making any recording. Eventually, he confessed to recording the woman while she was showering and gave her his phone so she could view the video. A redacted affidavit details how, after he was caught, Mayfield declared, "Oh s" before he managed to end the recording.

Carly Hall, Mayfield's former sister-in-law, who was at his sentencing, said she was the first person to call 911 on him after catching him taking videos of her in the shower in May 2023.

"I thought I was just going to get my video off and delete it wherever it was on the phone, cloud, Google Drive, anything. So, I searched pretty much throughout the whole phone, but it didn't take long to see the next thing," Hall told WYFF4.

She said she found hundreds of images of dozens of women, children and even her 2-month-old baby.

"He did have cameras in several houses that I was in. He would plant cameras there, but then also just his regular cellphone. He would have it out any time that I was in his presence. It was always on film, she said.
Home News Fred Luter, SBCs first and only black president, announces retirement from church leadership

Citing his advancing age and a need to plan for the future, Fred Luter Jr., the longtime senior pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, Louisiana, who served as the Southern Baptist Convention's first and only black president, has announced his retirement as the church's leader.

In a heartfelt announcement during his megachurch's 9 a.m. service on Sunday, Luter, 69, said his retirement will be effective in October 2026, when he will mark his 40th year as the church's leader. He also asked the congregation to elect his son, Fred "Chip" Luter III, as their next senior leader.

"Who would have thought  that a young street preacher from the Lower Ninth Ward would be elected by the 65 members of the Franklin Avenue Baptist Church back in September of 1986 as pastor and then that young preacher who had never pastored before will lead Franklin Avenue to be the largest church in the city of New Orleans and one of the largest churches in the state of Louisiana," Luter recalled in the lead up to the announcement.

"Through these 39 years, we have christened thousands of babies, baptized thousands of children, youth, and young adults, adults, and senior souls. But most of all, through the 39 years, we've led thousands of lost sinners to be born again believers with a relationship with Jesus Christ. Yes, the past 39 years have been an amazing ride and a life-changing experience," he continued.

Luter highlighted the church's resilience under his leadership, surviving the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, the COVID-19 pandemic and four building programs.

Luter was elected as the SBC's first and only black president on June 19, 2012, after being nominated by David Crosby, pastor of First Baptist Church in New Orleans.

Crosby, whose church took in Franklin Avenue Baptist Church when Hurricane Katrina destroyed the congregation's facilities in August 2005, pointed to Luter's resilience. Luter had grown Franklin Avenue Baptist Church from just 65 people in a white-flight neighborhood into a megachurch serving more than 8,000 people before Katrina, and he was forced to do so again after the devastating hurricane.

"Franklin Avenue is now [once again] approaching 5,000 worshippers each Sunday despite the depressed population of our city," Crosby recalled in his three-minute nomination speech in 2012. "And last year, they baptized more than 200. Fred is the only megachurch pastor I know of who has had to do it twice, and he did it against the trends and against the odds."

As he reminisced about the challenges his congregation had weathered, Luter honored God's faithfulness as he announced his readiness to pass the baton of leadership.

"Through it all, God has been faithful to the congregation at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church. Considering such an incredible past, it is now time to focus on the future of our congregation.  It is with an extremely heavy heart that I announce my retirement as senior pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church effective next year," he said.

"Next year, if God spares [my] life, I'll be 70 years old and will celebrate 40 years [as] pastor of FABC. Those are two good round numbers."

Luter then stated that he will call a special meeting of the church on Monday, Nov. 3, at 6:30 p.m. to elect "Chip Luter as our next pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church."

"Words are not adequate to express how much I love and appreciate each and every last one of you," Luter told congregants. "It has been my honor to serve as your pastor for 39 years. To God be the glory for the things that he has done."
Home News Over $1 million raised to preserve historic black church in South Carolina

The congregation of a historically significant black South Carolina church founded in the 1860s has raised more than $1 million to help preserve the building and its grounds.

Soapstone Baptist Church of Pickens County, which was originally established by a group of newly freed slaves, successfully concluded its three-year fundraising campaign on Tuesday to create a $1 million preservation endowment for the church.

Mable Owens Clarke, a deacon at the church and part of the board of the Soapstone Preservation Endowment, explained the purpose of the campaign in emailed comments to The Christian Post.

We formed the endowment because the church and grounds are a historic site and we wanted to be certain it would be maintained long after services might end, said Clarke. The congregation is small, but our friends from all over the world who have helped preserve the grounds and accomplish the endowment are many and mighty.

Clarke described the successful fundraising campaign as our happy accomplishment, adding that she and the church were so grateful to have come this far.

Clarke directed CP to the Endowments website, which noted some of the significant milestones in their preservation campaign, including Rep. David Hiott, RPickens, and Rep. Chandra Dillard, DGreenville, leading the South Carolina Legislature to pledge $250,000 in matching funds once the Endowment had raised its first $250,000.

They also received a $250,000 matching grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservations African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, after two initial failed applications for the grant.

The Endowment described the final push as coming via the recruitment of 100 entities, including individuals, businesses, families and other churches, who each pledged at least $3,000 as either one-time or cumulative gifts.

The Rev. Chester Chet Trower Jr., who has served as lead pastor of Soapstone Baptist Church for nearly 15 years, conveyed his thankfulness for the milestone to the Greenville-based Fox Carolina.

To God be the glory, Trower told the news affiliate. People from near and far have answered the call to help preserve this sacred place and its story in American history.

Soapstone Baptist Church was one of 30 historically African American congregations to receive this year a collective $8.5 million in grants from the NTHPs African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund.

The Black Church has been foundational to American history and culture, said NTHP in a statement released in February. Through the generous support of our partners, we remain committed to ensuring the legacies and history of historically Black Churches live on for generations to come.
Home News 'Just Love' children's Bible says Scripture includes 'made-up' stories and events

A new children's book of Bible stories claims that the Bible has "made-up" stories and events in its pages, drawing criticism from a leading Evangelical parachurch ministry.

The Just Love Story Bible, authored by Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis and Rev. Dr. Shannon Daley-Harris, reimagines 52 stories from the Old and New Testaments, weaving in gender ideology, LGBT and social justice themes.

Featuring illustrations by artist Cheryl "Ras" Thuesday, the "justice-oriented" story Bible depicts characters in "rich shades of brown" along with "cultural, religious, and historical context to help kids learn about the experiences of people in ancient times," including a reimagined version of the book of Genesis, which the authors claims was written not only by Moses but by "lots of different storytellers."

In the book's introduction to Genesis, the authors, who are part of the Presbyterian Church (USA), write, "Some of the stories had made-up characters and events. Others were about real people and things that really happened."

A foreword written by Lewis states that while "we don't know for sure" what Jesus looked like, he was a "person of color."

"The art in this story Bible shows that Jesus was a person of color, and that those who came before him and those around him were too," wrote Lewis, adding that Thuesday, the book's illustrator, "used her imagination to create gorgeous pictures of people in the Bible stories, in various shades of brown, to help us imagine something new about God's expansive love and something true about the people in the stories."

Daley-Harris, an associate dean at Auburn Theological Seminary in New York City, explained her motivation behind the project at a Q&A event for the book in September.

"It was really hard to find a children's Bible that I didn't feel like I had to change some of the words, like there might be stories that talk about God like God was a boy and only used kind of male language for God, or the pictures wouldn't look like all of God's people," she said. "Or they might tell a story, but they wouldn't tell enough about the story to understand whether it was about a made-up character or real person."

During a sample reading of the book, Daley-Harris appeared to suggest that the locusts and other plagues described in the book of Exodus were "not God's punishment" for Pharaoh's refusal to free the people of Israel from bondage.

"Four natural disasters, one after the other. Well, the prophet and the people thought they were to blame. They thought the disasters were God's way of punishing them," she read. "They didn't know that when bad things happen like swarms of bugs, floods, earthquakes or tornadoes, it's not God's punishment."

Paul Batura, vice president of communications for the Evangelical parachurch organization Focus on the Family, which organizes the annual "Bring Your Bible to School Day," is warning families about The Just Love Story Bible. He claims the authors want children to see the Bible "as a collection of stories that promote their theologically radical and heretical views."

"[T]he motives of the authors appear broader and far more dangerous than merely trumpeting diversity. They also want to sow seeds of doubt in childrens minds that the events depicted in the Bible are literally true, including the Resurrection," he wrote in an op-ed published by Focus on the Family's news arm, Daily Citizen.

"Questioning the accuracy and authority of the Bible is hardly a new exercise, but so blatantly and openly selling such a heretical interpretation of Gods Word to children undermines Gods sacred Word in a particularly dangerous and destructive way."

In addition to Just Love, Beaming Books has published several children's titles, including A Costume for Charly, featuring a "non-binary" character who "must create the perfect Halloween costume  that represents both their feminine and masculine sides," and Rainbow Boy and the Pride Parade, which features a young child holding up an LGBT flag at a pride event.

The Christian Post reached out to Beaming Books for comment on Tuesday.

In an August interview with Publishers Weekly, Beaming Books Senior Acquisition Editor Naomi Krueger said the Just Love Story Bible was commissioned for elementary school audiences as "an antidote to Christian white supremacy."

In 2022, Lewis promoted the book as a new children's story Bible with "no white Jesus, no antisemitic illustrations, no glorification of suffering."

On her church's website, Lewis describes her congregation as "a Christian universalist, multicultural, multiethnic rainbow coalition," where she advocates for "global peace, racial equality, religious freedom, gun control, economic justice, equal rights for all genders/sexual orientations, and marriage equality."
Home News King Charles III prays with Pope Leo XIV in Sistine Chapel, first since Reformation

King Charles III participated in a public worship service with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Thursday, marking the first time a reigning British monarch has attended such a service since the English Reformation nearly 500 years ago.



Seated on golden thrones beneath Michelangelo's famous "Last Judgment" fresco in the Sistine Chapel, King Charles and Queen Camilla participated in an ecumenical service that featured both Roman Catholic and Anglican elements.

NOW - King Charles prays with Pope Leo XIV, the first time a Supreme Governor of the Church of England has prayed with the head of the Catholic Church since before the Reformation. pic.twitter.com/izKrBngeLp  Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) October 23, 2025

Joining Pope Leo XIV in conducting the service was Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, who is the highest-ranking prelate in the Church of England until the Rt. Rev. Sarah Mullally is installed as the first female archbishop of Canterbury next year.

Some claimed that the service was a symbolic healing of the rift from the Reformation, which manifested politically in England when King Henry VIII broke with Rome in 1534 after the pope refused to annul one of his six marriages.

"There is a strong sense that this moment in the extraordinary setting of the Sistine Chapel offers a kind of healing of history," the Rev. James Hawkey, who serves as canon theologian of Westminster Abbey, told Reuters.

Others were less optimistic that the Roman Catholic and Anglican traditions could be mended.

"For all the historical inflections, it would be a mistake to read too much into what this might mean to unity between these communions, given the vast doctrinal gulf that exists between the Catholic faith and Anglicanism today," said Catholic journalist Raymond Arroyo.

The Rev. Kyle Paisley, a pastor in the Free Presbyterian Church in Northern Ireland, suggested that the king should abdicate for meeting with the pope, which he claimed violates his oath to uphold "the true profession of the Gospel and the Protestant Reformed religion."

"The Protestant faith historically and theologically is a world apart from Catholicism," Paisley told the BBC. "I don't for the life of me see how he can engage in that kind of corporate worship."

"It gives the impression that it's not essentially different," he added.

In 1903, King Edward VII met with Pope Leo XIII during a visit to Rome, though he did so as a private citizen and not in his official capacity as a British monarch, following pushback from his Cabinet. Before his visit, no reigning British monarch had been received by a pope since King Canute met with Pope John XIX in 1027, according to The New York Times.

The king's meeting with the pope comes amid simmering tensions within the Anglican Communion, which was rocked earlier this month by the announcement that Mullally would become the first female archbishop of Canterbury.

Last week, the GAFCON movement of orthodox Anglicans announced its intention to renounce the spiritual leadership of the archbishop of Canterbury and launch the Global Anglican Communion founded on the Bible alone.

The impending installation of Mullally, who has openly affirmed abortion and homosexuality, prompted some in the Anglican Communion to claim that the Church of England has been given over to apostasy.
Home News Mexican priest's violent murder sparks demand for transparent investigation

A Christian advocacy group has joined calls for a transparent investigation into the killing of a Catholic priest in southern Mexico. The priest was found dead earlier this month in a region plagued by cartel violence and targeted attacks on clergy.

The body of Rev. Bertoldo Pantaleon Estrada, 59, was discovered on Oct. 6 in Guerrero state, days after he was reported missing by the Diocese of Chilpancingo-Chilapa. Pantaleon was last seen on Oct. 5 while returning from Atzcala to his parish in Mezcala, a short drive of about 30 minutes, but his body was found roughly 56 miles south of Atzcala with gunshot wounds to the neck, according to the United Kingdom-based watchdog group Christian Solidarity Worldwide.

Pantaleon had served as pastor of the San Cristobal Church in Mezcala. Jesuit leaders in Mexico released a statement mourning his death and demanding clarity in the ongoing investigation.

Authorities announced the arrest of a suspect, identified as Miguel Angel N., on Oct. 10. Officials said the suspect was an acquaintance of the priest and had given inconsistent accounts of their last meeting. They initially claimed the priest had been killed by his chauffeur, but church leaders denied Estrada had a chauffeur.

The priest's vehicle was located far from the area he was expected to be traveling, in a zone controlled by rival criminal organizations. The region is known for violent turf wars between gangs, including Los Ardillos and Los Tacos, both allegedly involved in drug trafficking and armed conflict.

CSW Director of Advocacy Anna Lee Stangl said the murder was part of a longstanding pattern of violence against church leaders across Mexico.

"The violent killing of Father Bertoldo Pantaleon Estrada is yet another in a chain of murders of church leaders in Guerrero and across the country over the past two decades, making Mexico one of the deadliest countries in the world for priests and other religious leaders," she said. "We join in the calls for a full and transparent investigation into this horrific murder and call on the Mexican authorities at both the state and federal levels to ensure that all of those responsible for Father Pantaleon Estrada's death are held to account and the motive behind this murder firmly established."

On Oct. 11, at least 400 clergy members and churchgoers reportedly marched in a "caravan of peace and justice" in the Guerrero capital, Chilpancingo, to demand accountability in the case.

Pantaleon's death comes over a year after a retired bishop known for mediating cartel disputes, Salvador Rangel, was kidnapped in the same region. He was later found and taken to a hospital.

In 2018, parish priest Germain Muniz Garcia and another clergyman, Ivan Anorve Jaimes, were killed in a highway ambush in the same area. Over the past year, the state has seen a series of political assassinations, including the October 2024 beheading of Chilpancingo Mayor Alejandro Arcos Catalan, less than a week after taking office.

On the television program "Sacro y Profano," Guillermo Ganzanini of the Catholic Multimedia Center raised concerns about the reliability of investigations into clergy killings.

"Unfortunately, we have a paper with eight columns of news, but continuity [of the coverage] on the case fades," Ganzanini was quoted as saying. "We don't know what has happened with the families, we don't know what happened in the interrogations, there is no official answer from the institutions about the result of the investigations."

The Catholic Multimedia Center has tracked 80 murders of Catholic priests in Mexico over the past 30 years.

Its December 2024 report lists the recent deaths of several priests across the country, including Father Icmar Arturo Orta Llamas in Tijuana in 2018, Father Jose Martin Guzman Vega in Tamaulipas in 2019, and three priests in 2021  Franciscan Juan Antonio Orozco Alvarado, Gumersindo Cortes Gonzalez in Guanajuato and Jose Guadalupe Popoca Soto in Morelos.

In 2022, three more priests were killed: Father Jose Guadalupe Rivas in Tijuana and Jesuits Javier Campos Morales and Joaquin Cesar Mora Salazar in Chihuahua.

Between 2019 and 2024, the Catholic Multimedia Center documented 10 priest killings and 900 cases of extortion, death threats or violence against Catholic clergy across Mexico, the Catholic News Agency reported.

Religious freedom watchdog Open Doors ranked Mexico 31st in its 2025 World Watch List of the most dangerous countries for Christians. The group cited cartel-related violence, corruption, clan oppression and secular hostility as factors driving attacks on clergy.
Home News Rare First Temple-era Assyrian inscription found in Jerusalem confirms connection with ancient Judah

Historical evidence showing communication between the Assyrian Empire and the king of Judah has been discovered next to the Western Wall during an Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) excavation in cooperation with the City of David Foundation.

The whole land of Israel is a bit like a giant time capsule, with treasures buried underground from the past that transport the finders back to bygone eras. The information we gain from archeological discoveries gives a great deal of insight into Israels history, often proving provocative and surprising.

The small pottery shard, measuring just 2.5 centimeters, bearing a cuneiform inscription in the Akkadian language was discovered during the IAA excavation and deciphered by Dr. Filip Vukosavovic and Dr. Anat Cohen-Weinberger together with Dr. Peter Zilberg of Bar-Ilan University. According to the Assyriologists, the words form a complaint about a delayed payment expected by the Assyrian Empire from the king of Judah.

Vukosavovic and Cohen-Weinberger revealed that the fragment of the inscription was part of an inscribed royal sealing  a seal impression for a letter or an official dispatch on behalf of the Assyrian royal court.

Bullae or sealings of this type bore an impression that was sometimes accompanied by a short inscription in Assyrian cuneiform script noting the dispatchs contents or its destination. These differ in size and shape from the local Judahite impressions, they explained.

The rare historical evidence of the link between the two kingdoms could possibly indicate a deliberate tax revolt, such as King Hezekiahs rebellion against Sennacherib, king of Assyria described in 2 Kings 18 and 19. Hezekiah was required to give 300 talents of silver and 30 talents of gold, with a talent being approximately 30 kilograms (65 pounds) according to 2 Kings 18:14.

The inscription specifies a due date  the first of the month of Av, in a calendar shared between Mesopotamia and Judah. It also mentions one who holds the reins, referring to a chariot officer or person of high rank responsible for conveying official messages for the royal house. Such a figure is well-known from Assyrian administration archives.

The dating of the pottery shard suggests that the recipient would either be King Hezekiah, Manasseh, or possibly Josiah, who all reigned in the period during which Judah was a vassal kingdom of Assyria. The shard itself originated in Assyria, possibly Nineveh, Ashur, or Nimrud/Kalhu.

As Dr. Anat Cohen-Weinberger of the IAA explained, that analysis shows it had not come from Jerusalem:

Petrographic analysis of the fragment's composition revealed that the material from which it was made is entirely different from the local raw materials typically used to produce pottery, bullae, and clay documents in Jerusalem and the southern Levant. Moreover, the bullas mineral composition generally corresponds to the geology of the Tigris Basin region, where the central cities of the Assyrian kingdom were located, such as Nineveh, Ashur, or Nimrud/Kalhu. A chemical analysis of the bulla's composition is currently being conducted in collaboration with Dr. Yehudit Harlavan of the Geological Survey of Israel to precisely determine its provenance.

While we cannot determine the background for this demand, whether it stemmed from a mere technical delay or was taken as a deliberate step with political significance, the very existence of such an official appeal would seemingly attest to a certain point of friction between Judah and the imperial government, according to the researchers, who pointed to a verse in 2 Kings 18: And the Lord was with him; wherever he went out, he prospered. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and would not serve him" (2 Kings 18:7).

Similarly, the complaint of rebellion is seen later in the same chapter: And the Rabshakeh said to them, Say to Hezekiah, Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria: On what do you rest this trust of yours? Do you think that mere words are strategy and power for war? In whom do you now trust, that you have rebelled against me? (2 Kings 18:19-20).

Moriah Cohen, who works at the Archaeological Experience in Emek Tzurim, shared her excitement at the discovery: I was sifting through the dirt and suddenly noticed a sherd with a strange decoration. Examining it closely, it looked to me to be cuneiform, but that seemed totally unreasonable. Even though so many fascinating finds have been discovered here over the years, we've never, ever found anything like this. I examined it yet again. After decidedly determining that this was no decoration, but really was cuneiform, I screamed out of excitement. Everyone aced to gather around me and I phoned Ayala, the excavation director, who was thrilled. For me personally, the thought that after 2,700 years, I am the first person to actually touch this pottery with my hands is a very exciting thought. This is a once-in-a-lifetime find.

According to Dr. Ayala Zilberstein, Excavation Director on behalf of the IAA: The inscription provides direct evidence of official correspondence between the Assyrian Empire and the Kingdom of Judah. The discovery strengthens our understanding of the depth of the Assyrian presence in Jerusalem, and the extent of its influence on and involvement in the conduct of the affairs of the Judean kingdom. In addition, it expands knowledge about the status of the new neighborhood that developed at that time on the slopes of the hill to the west of the Temple. It appears that this area served as a focus for the activities of high-ranking ministers and persons.

The rare Assyrian inscription is the first of its kind to be found in Jerusalem. It will be presented to the public for the first time this Thursday, Oct. 23, at the New Discoveries in Jerusalem and Environs Conference by the IAA, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and Tel Aviv University, at the Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein National Campus for the Archaeology of the Land of Israel.

The Assyriologists add: This is a small fragment of great significance. The find opens a window into understanding the political and administrative ties between Judah and Assyria. It is the very first evidence of its kind of the official, and perhaps even tense, communication that took place between Jerusalem and the worlds most powerful superpower during the period we are discussing.

Israeli Minister of Heritage, Rabbi Amichai Eliyahu, agreed: The discovery of the Assyrian inscription from the First Temple period in the very heart of Jerusalem is impressive evidence of the city's status as the capital of the Kingdom of Judah some 2,700 years ago, and of the depth of its ties with the Assyrian Empire just as described in the Bible. This rare discovery illustrates, once again, our deep roots in Jerusalem, which is the spiritual and national center of the Jewish people.

This article was originally published by All Israel News.
Home News Spanish priest acquitted on hate crime charges for criticizing radical Islam Franklin Graham praises Ballesters acquittal as 'good news'

A Spanish priest who was facing three years in prison for making critical remarks about radical Islam nearly a decade ago has been acquitted, as concerns about the state of free speech and freedom of religion in Spain persist.

The advocacy organization Abogados Cristianos announced in an X post last Friday that The Malaga Court [acquitted] Father Custodio [Ballester], prosecuted for criticizing Islam: there is no hate crime. Abogados Cristianos had circulated a petition urging Miguel Angel Aguilar, the hate crimes prosecutor, to drop the charges against Ballester. As of Thursday afternoon, the petition has garnered more than 29,000 signatures.

As explained in the petition, Father Custodios nightmare began in 2017, after he made statements in which he claimed that radical Islam wanted to destroy Christian civilization and wipe out the entire West. This statement earned him a complaint from the association Muslims Against Islamophobia, which began a disproportionate persecution that continues to this day.

Ballester was also charged with making comments in 2016 questioning Cardinal Juan Jose Omellas call for dialogue with Islam. This renewed revival of Christian-Muslim dialogue, paralyzed by the alleged imprudence of the beloved Benedict XVI, is far from a reality, he wrote in a letter. Islam does not allow for dialogue. You either believe or you are an infidel who must be subdued one way or another.

The Rev. Franklin Graham, CEO of Samaritans Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, praised Ballesters acquittal as good news in an X post on Monday.

The charges against Ballester and his subsequent acquittal took place amid broader concerns about the state of free speech in Spain. A 2023 report compiled by Justitas Future Free Speech Project documented a 2015 reform to the Spanish Criminal Code that enshrined a very broad notion of hate speech, which does not necessarily require the concurrence of a direct and justifiable link with incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence.

This consideration of hate speech as a broad category has enabled individuals and collectives such as politicians and security forces to criminally prosecute anyone who insults them on social media, thus giving rise to a situation of intimidation of anyone who expresses distasteful or hurtful ideas, especially in political discourse, artistic creation, and parody, the report stated.

Spanish Observatory for Religious Freedom and Conscience President Maria Garcia, who leads another advocacy organization supporting Ballester, characterized the prosecution of Ballester as a violation of religious freedom and raised free speech concerns. It is alarming that a priest can be tried and face imprisonment simply for warning, in the exercise of his freedom of expression and conscience, about the threat of radical jihadism, she said in a Sept. 29 statement.

Defending religious freedom also means protecting the freedom of those, like Father Custodio, who warn of realities that have already caused fatalities in our country and in Europe, Garcia added. She recalled how In January 2023, a jihadist murdered a sacristan, Diego Valencia, in Alegciras and injured another priest. She then posed the question, "Is the crime committed by those who denounce the violence or by those who carry it out?

According to Garcia, Denouncing the threat of radical jihadism cannot be grounds for judicial persecution. What is truly alarming is the attempt to silence the voices of those who warn of the real dangers to our coexistence and security.

A report published last month by the Spanish Observatory for Religious Freedom and Conscience found that there were 25% more attacks on religious freedom in Spain in 2024 compared to 2023. The advocacy organization reported that 243 attacks, which were directed at believers, as well as places of worship and religious symbols, occurred in 2024.

The Spanish Observatory for Religious Freedom and Conscience found that 69% of the attacks were directed at Christians, while instances of antisemitism grew by 38% compared to 2023 and had increased by 867% since 2022. The report documented a 44% increase in what it called belligerent secularism, referring to institutional or social actions that actively exclude religion from public life.
RICHMOND, Va., Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Nuvia Dental Implant Centerrecognized two years in a row by Healthcare Business Review as the Dental Implant Restoration Company of the Yearhas opened its newest center in Richmond, Virginia , bringing its 24-hour permanent teeth restoration process to the region.

This marks Nuvia's second clinic in the statejoining its Alexandria officeand continues the company's rapid nationwide expansion to meet the growing demand for permanent teeth in just 24 hours.

(PRNewsfoto/Nuvia Dental Implant Center)

For many adults across the U.S., missing or failing teeth affect far more than just their smileit often impacts confidence, health, and overall quality of life. Traditional methods for full mouth dental implants can take up to 10+ months or longer before patients receive their final set of teeth. But Nuvia's advanced process allows patients to receive permanent teeth the day after surgerygetting rid of the long waiting period, temporary dentures, and months of uncertainty that often come with conventional treatment.

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Each Richmond patient is cared for by three providers an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon, a Restorative Dentist, and a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). This is so that every phasefrom surgery to designing a smileis done by the expert best trained for that step, and no provider is left to multi-task.

This collaborative approach allows Nuvia to consistently deliver high-quality results without compromising safety..

Transforming Lives After Years of Dental Challenges

For many patients, missing or failing teeth mean more than just difficulty eatingthey affect confidence, social connection, and overall wellbeing. The new Richmond center gives patients a chance to leave those struggles behind and experience life with a strong, natural-looking smile again.

Patients often share that after years of hiding their teeth or avoiding certain foods, they're finally able to laugh freely, enjoy meals, and feel like themselves again. It's not just about restoring teethit's about restoring quality of life.

Each smile is custom-designed for lasting comfort, function, and natural beauty, helping patients regain the freedom to live, speak, and eat with confidence.

Expanding Access Nationwide

Nuvia's new Richmond center is part of a larger effort to make a new smile with dental implants possible for every candidate . With locations across the country, Nuvia is helping more people get permanent, high-quality care close to homewithout the long trips or wait times.

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The new Nuvia Dental Implant Center is now welcoming patients from across the Richmond region and surrounding areas. To see if you or someone you know may be a candidate for full mouth dental implants, take the 60-second quiz here .

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SOURCE Nuvia Dental Implant Center
Home News Spike in anti-Christian hate crimes in Europe underreported

Anti-Christian hate crimes across Europe are being downplayed or overlooked, according to a new report.

The 125-page document has been published by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). Similar reports have already been published dealing with antisemitic and anti-Muslim hate crimes.

The report on anti-Christian hate crimes was officially launched earlier this month at the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference. It notes that Christians in Europe have been subject to a variety of incidents, ranging from graffiti and vandalism to violent attacks and murder.

Several congregations have had to increase security in response to the increased threat level.

One contributing factor to anti-Christian hate crimes is tensions with other religions.

Religion-related or religion-inspired violence may also stem from the perception of Christianity as a rival, inferior or adversarial faith  often framed within violent extremist narratives, historical grievances and geopolitical tensions," the report said.

"For example, some forms of violent extremist rhetoric portray Christians as infidels and enemies of Islam who must be subdued.

Converts from Islam to Christianity were found to be in particular danger. The report cited a 2023 case in Britain in which a convert was stabbed by his housemate who was shouting Allahu Akbar.

The pair had initially got on well, but upon learning of the conversion, the attacker viewed the victim as, according to the prosecutor in the case, somebody who deserved to die.

The report also states that female Christian converts from Islam are especially at risk of being punished by their families once their new faith is discovered, including through physical violence and threats."

It was also noted that anti-Christian hate crimes are often downplayed, under-reported or politically overlooked.

The report says that "anti-Christian hate crimes do not take place in a vacuum" and that "everybody has a role to play in fostering a climate of mutual respect and understanding."

Elsewhere, it states that in some cases political discourse and narratives have helped to perpetuate anti-Christian bias and stereotypes in the public sphere.

The report calls for greater awareness of the nature of anti-Christian viewpoints as well as for more research into the issue and the introduction of policies and legislation to protect Christians. Additional security measures during Christian festivals like Christmas should also be considered.

Recommendations include work at the government level to promote a clear and accurate understanding of the specific characteristics of contemporary anti-Christian bias, as well as of common discriminatory narratives that drive intolerance against Christians.

Members of the media are called upon to convey unbiased and accurate information and to ensure that reporting does not perpetuate or reinforce anti-Christian bias."

This article was originally published at Christian Today
Home News Syrian archbishop who survived kidnapping by ISIS receives prestigious award

A Catholic Archbishop in Syria who was kidnapped and tortured by the Islamic State but still speaks in favour of inter-faith dialogue and harmony has been awarded the St. John Paul II Award at a special ceremony at the Vatican.

Archbishop Jacques Mourad, Metropolitan of Homs in Syria, was kidnapped by ISIS in 2015 and held by the terrorist group for five months. During his time in captivity, Mourad was tortured and subjected to a mock execution, Vatican News reports.

Despite intense pressure from his captors, Mourad never renounced his faith in Christ. After being released, he spoke tirelessly in favour of reconciliation in a country that has been torn apart by sectarian violence for over a decade.

Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad late last year, the new government has struggled to keep the peace between the countrys numerous religious and ethnic groups.

In March, hundreds of Alawites were massacred by an armed group. In July, fighting broke out between the Druze and Bedouins in Suwayda, and earlier this month, fighting broke out between government forces and Kurds in Aleppo, following the first parliamentary elections since the takeover of power.

Mourad was presented with the award at the Royal Hall of the Apostolic Palace. He said, Today, especially in Syria, Christians and Muslims alike are called to recognize and nurture the bonds that unite us.

All our religious traditions uphold the sanctity of life and the dignity of the human person. Together with all people of goodwill, we seek peace.

"Therefore, I say with emphasis: theological research, interreligious, and intercultural dialogue are not optional  they are a vital necessity of our times, particularly for our country, Syria, torn by war.

Cardinal Kurt Koch, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and chair of the award committee, said during the ceremony: In the second edition of this award, we honour Archbishop Jacques Mourad in recognition of his lifetime of service, his witness of faith, Christian love, interreligious dialogue, and his dedication to peace and reconciliation.

This article was originally published at Christian Today
Home News JD Vance attends private mass at Church of the Holy Sepulchre: 'Amazing blessing'

Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, attended a private mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on Thursday, where he emphasized the role of Jesus Christ as the Prince of Peace after a recent ceasefire agreement in Gaza.

"What an amazing blessing to have visited the site of Christ's death and resurrection. I am immensely grateful to the Greek, Armenian, and Catholic priests who care for this most sacred of places," Vance tweeted after his visit.

What an amazing blessing to have visited the site of Christ's death and resurrection. I am immensely grateful to to the Greek, Armenian, and Catholic priests who care for this most sacred of places.



May the Prince of Peace have mercy on us, and bless our efforts for peace. https://t.co/X6CDoxJqOj  JD Vance (@JDVance) October 23, 2025

Vance, a Roman Catholic, also thanked "the Franciscan monks who celebrated a private mass for my family and many of the Americans working for peace."

"They are a great credit to the Christian faith, and they were kind enough to take the time to minister to us at a very special moment," he added.

Ahead of his visit to the historic church, which is managed by multiple Christian sects, Vance highlighted Christ's role as the Prince of Peace and connected it to the strife afflicting the Holy Land. President Donald Trump brokered a peace deal in the region earlier this month, but has threatened renewed war against Hamas by U.S. allies in the Middle East if they fail to uphold the agreement.

"I hope to go to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which Christians believe is the site that Jesus Christ was crucified in," Vance told reporters on Tuesday.

"And I know that Christians have many titles for Jesus Christ, and one of them is the Prince of Peace. And I'd ask all people of faith, in particular my fellow Christians, to pray that the Prince of Peace can continue to work a miracle in this region of the world."

We have made incredible progress in our efforts toward peace in the Middle East.



With the worlds prayers, Gods providence, and the excellent team President Trump has assembled, we will get the job done.? pic.twitter.com/5s5sIABX0q  JD Vance (@JDVance) October 21, 2025

"I think that we have made incredible strides over the past week," he added. "We're going to have to make a lot more. But I think with your prayers, with God's providence, and with a very good team behind me, I think we're going to get it done."

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre was first established in the 4th century A.D., built upon the order of Emperor Constantine I after his conversion to Christianity. Traditionally held as the historic location of Christ's crucifixion, burial, and resurrection, its first building was constructed on the demolished ruins of a Roman temple to Venus.

Various iterations of the church have featured prominently in Christian history, including when the Islamic Fatimid Caliph al-Hakim ordered the destruction of the original structure in A.D. 1009, prompting outrage in the Christian world that would culminate in the First Crusade later that century.

Vance's visit to the church comes the same day he criticized a vote in the Israeli parliament about the annexation of the West Bank as an "insult" to the Trump administration's wider goals for peace and reconstruction, according to the Associated Press.

"I personally take some insult to it," Vance told reporters on the tarmac of Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv about the vote, which narrowly passed Wednesday by a majority of 25-24. "The policy of the Trump administration is that the West Bank will not be annexed by Israel."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office likewise dismissed the Knesset's vote, which is unlikely to successfully move forward, as a "political stunt" and "a deliberate political provocation by the opposition to sow discord."
Home Opinion Why we cannot 'agree to disagree' with the Left

I sat next to a successful business leader at a dinner recently. Our conversation turned to the bitterly divided nature of our politics and culture. He lamented this polarization, and the often mean and disrespectful ways people treat each other, especially online.

Ive never engaged in social media, he proclaimed proudly, as if abstaining were the solution to our national malaise. He also fondly looked back at Ronald Reagan as the example of a statesman who adhered to principle whilst engaging opponents. At the twilight of his career, this businessman longed for a more bipartisan and congenial past.

I share his respect for civility. Treating others with dignity is essential, rooted in the truth that every person is created in the image and likeness of God, and is therefore worthy of respect. That divine image, no matter how marred by sin, grounds our commitment to due process, equal justice, and legal representation for all.

But civility, while necessary, is not sufficient. Why? Two reasons.

First, our worldviews are now profoundly incompatible. As John Stonestreet has observed, we often describe the same issue in completely opposite terms. The other side calls it gender-affirming care, but we call it mutilation. The other side calls it reproductive health, but we call it the killing of an innocent unborn human life. Our side prizes colorblind meritocracy; the other side dismisses it as privilege.

These differences arent minor policy disputes or disagreements. These are issues in opposing moral universes. These are not objective moral positions with room for compromise. How can we agree to disagree when one side says the sky is blue and the other insists its green?

With our differences so binary, it's hard to imagine we can even say that we can agree to disagree.

Second, objective truth itself has been replaced by identity and emotion. Shortly before his passing, theologian Voddie Baucham noted that we no longer argue from philosophy or moral reasoning, but from lived experience. To question someones beliefs or otherwise subjective opinions is now seen as questioning their very identity.

Saying that transgenderism is wrong now earns you the label transphobic and is deemed unworthy of engagement. And in this new moral calculus, words that offend identity are treated as violence, justifying real violence in response. Responding to them with real violence becomes logical and justified. The latest example of this, of course, is Charlie Kirk, whose alleged murderer confessed his motivation for committing the act was to silence a viewpoint that he deemed hatred. He said, some hate cant be negotiated out.



And in the U.K., it is now against the law to pray silently outside an abortion clinic; officials view even quiet prayer as a threat to women.

No amount of civility can bridge this divide. Only redemption and revival can.

Gods people need a spiritual revival that gives them the courage to speak the objective truth, love enemies, and hold conviction over social and personal comfort.

So how do we move forward?

First, reject the myth that civility alone can heal our culture. Its often used as a weapon to shame Christians into silence. Yes, we must speak truth in love, but biblical love compels us to speak objective truth, not to suppress it.

Second, civility is good. But courage and truth are better. Christ-followers should not believe that politeness alone can heal our culture. Many use civility as a tool to silence people of faith. We must speak truth with love because real love never hides the truth.

This conflict is spiritual, not only cultural. Jesus told us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. There are actual enemies of the Christian faith who want to see us silenced, either temporarily or permanently.

Yes, we face real opposition. But we do not need to fear it. God calls us to stand firm, speak truth clearly, and live faithfully according to His Word.
OAKLAND, Calif., Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- PG&E Corporation (NYSE: PCG) is on track to deliver solid 2025 financial results. Financial progress includes:

GAAP earnings were $0.37 and $0.89 per share for the third quarter and first nine months of 2025, respectively, compared to $0.27 and $0.85 per share for the same periods in 2024.

Non-GAAP core earnings were $0.50 and $1.14 per share for the third quarter and first nine months of 2025, respectively, compared to $0.37 and $1.06 per share for the same periods in 2024.

Narrowing 2025 non-GAAP core EPS guidance to $1.49 to $1.51 per share. 1

Initiating 2026 non-GAAP core EPS guidance in the range of $1.62 to $1.66.

Reaffirming at least 9% annual non-GAAP core EPS growth guidance for 2027-2030.

On track to meet or exceed 2% non-fuel O&M reduction target in 2025.

Operational progress during the third quarter of 2025 continued to focus on physical safety and delivery of affordable and resilient energy. Pacific Gas and Electric Company (the Utility):

Lowered residential electric rates in September 2025, which reduced the typical residential electric bill by about 2.1%. Residential bundled electric rates are projected to decrease again in 2026.

Completed 97 miles of underground powerlines and installed 58 miles of strengthened poles and covered powerlines in high wildfire-risk areas. In 2025 and 2026, the Utility plans to construct approximately 700 miles of underground powerlines and 500 miles of other wildfire safety system upgrades.

Reached a significant milestone of burying 1,000 miles of powerlines in high fire risk areas, which is the largest ever undergrounding effort by a utility to reduce wildfire risk.

Announced successful completion and commercial operation of the world's first ultra-long duration hybrid battery and hydrogen energy storage microgrid in Calistoga, California, with Energy Vault. The project provides a unique, fully sustainable solution to address power resiliency.

Connected over 3,100 electric customers and over 3,800 new electric vehicle charging ports to the Utility's grid. More beneficial new load in the years ahead can help reduce electricity prices for all customers.

______________________ 1 PG&E Corporation is unable to provide GAAP guidance or present a quantitative reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP core earnings, non-GAAP core EPS, or non-GAAP core EPS growth without unreasonable effort because specific line items, which may be significant, are not estimable. For instance, amortization of the Wildfire Fund contribution asset, the impacts of regulatory decisions, special tax items, and wildfire-related costs, net of recoveries, are difficult to predict due to various factors outside of management's control.



"PG&E continues our progress delivering safe and affordable energy to our customers. Our system has never been safer from wildfire risk, and we continue to stabilize our customers' bills. Residential electric rates are down in 2025 and expected to go down further in 2026," said PG&E Corporation CEO Patti Poppe.

2025 and 2026 Guidance

PG&E Corporation is narrowing its full year 2025 non-GAAP core earnings guidance to the range of $1.49 to $1.51 per share, from the prior range of $1.48 to $1.52 per share and is initiating full year 2026 non-GAAP core earnings guidance in the range of $1.62 to $1.66 per share. Factors expected to drive non-GAAP core earnings include return on customer capital investment and costs related to unrecoverable interest expense and other earnings factors, including allowance for funds used during construction, incentive revenues, tax benefits, and cost savings, net of below-the-line costs.

Guidance is based on various assumptions and forecasts, including those relating to authorized revenues, future expenses, capital expenditures, rate base, equity issuances, and certain other factors, which are inherently uncertain. See "Forward-Looking Statements" below.

PG&E Corporation uses "non-GAAP core earnings," which is a non-GAAP financial measure, in order to provide a measure that allows investors to compare the underlying financial performance of the business from one period to another, exclusive of non-core items. See the accompanying tables for a reconciliation of non-GAAP core earnings (including non-GAAP core EPS) to consolidated earnings available for common shareholders.

Financial Results

PG&E Corporation recorded third-quarter 2025 income available for common shareholders of $847 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, as reported in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). This compares with income available for common shareholders of $576 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, for third quarter 2024.

The increase in GAAP results is primarily driven by an increase in customer capital investment and net O&M savings, partially offset by a lower return on equity in effect during 2025 as compared to 2024 and the dilutive impact of PG&E Corporation's 2024 equity offering. GAAP results were also impacted by increased wildfire-related claims, net of recoveries and Wildfire Fund expense.

Non-GAAP Core Earnings

PG&E Corporation's non-GAAP core earnings, which exclude non-core items, were $1,142 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, for third quarter 2025, compared to $791 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, for third quarter 2024.

Non-GAAP core earnings were driven by similar factors to the GAAP results as described above, except for non-core items.

Non-core items, which management does not consider representative of ongoing earnings, totaled $295 million after tax, or $0.13 per share, for third quarter 2025, compared with $215 million after tax, or $0.10 per share, for third quarter 2024.

Supplemental Financial Information

In addition to the financial information accompanying this release, presentation slides have been furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and are available on PG&E Corporation's website at: http://investor.pgecorp.com/financials/quarterly-earnings-reports/default.aspx.

Earnings Conference Call

PG&E Corporation will also hold a conference call on October 23, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time (8:00 a.m. Pacific Time) to discuss its third quarter 2025 results. The public can access the conference call through a simultaneous webcast. The link is provided below and will also be available from the PG&E Corporation website.

What : Third Quarter 2025 Earnings Call

When : Thursday, October 23, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time

Where : http://investor.pgecorp.com/news-events/events-and-presentations/default.aspx

A replay of the conference call will be archived at

http://investor.pgecorp.com/news-events/events-and-presentations/default.aspx

Alternatively, a toll-free replay of the conference call may be accessed shortly after the live call through October 30, 2025, by dialing (800) 770-2030. The confirmation code 92587 will be required to access the replay.

Public Dissemination of Certain Information

PG&E Corporation and the Utility routinely provide links to the Utility's principal regulatory proceedings with the California Public Utilities Commission and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission at http://investor.pgecorp.com, under the "Regulatory Filings" tab, so that such filings are available to investors upon filing with the relevant agency. PG&E Corporation and the Utility also routinely post, or provide direct links to, presentations, documents, and other information that may be of interest to investors at http://investor.pgecorp.com, under the "Wildfire and Safety Updates" and "News & Events: Events & Presentations" tabs, respectively, in order to publicly disseminate such information. It is possible that any of these filings or information included therein could be deemed to be material information.

About PG&E Corporation

PG&E Corporation (NYSE: PCG) is a holding company headquartered in Oakland, California. It is the parent company of Pacific Gas and Electric Company, an energy company that serves 16 million Californians across a 70,000-square-mile service area in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit http://www.pgecorp.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the beliefs, expectations, guidance, estimates, future plans, and strategies of PG&E Corporation and the Utility, including regarding earnings, customer bills, and operating and maintenance costs. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions, which management believes are reasonable, and on information currently available to management, but are necessarily subject to various risks and uncertainties. In addition to the risk that these assumptions prove to be inaccurate, factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements include factors disclosed in PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's joint Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and their most recent Quarterly Report on the Form 10-Q (the "Form 10-Q"), which are available on PG&E Corporation's website at www.pgecorp.com and on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. PG&E Corporation and the Utility undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether due to new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law.

PG&E CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (in millions, except per share amounts)



(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

September 30,

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

2025

2024

2025

2024 Operating Revenues













Electric $ 4,755

$ 4,538

$ 13,304

$ 13,048 Natural gas 1,495

1,403

4,827

4,740 Total operating revenues 6,250

5,941

18,131

17,788 Operating Expenses













Cost of electricity 1,015

835

2,013

1,919 Cost of natural gas 131

89

738

822 Operating and maintenance 2,641

2,683

8,147

8,076 SB 901 securitization charges, net 35

33

35

33 Wildfire-related claims, net of recoveries 1

74

100

70 Wildfire Fund expense 86

139

271

295 Depreciation, amortization, and decommissioning 1,132

1,059

3,302

3,134 Total operating expenses 5,041

4,912

14,606

14,349 Operating Income 1,209

1,029

3,525

3,439 Interest income 94

156

392

495 Interest expense (770)

(795)

(2,296)

(2,322) Other income, net 97

83

251

241 Income Before Income Taxes 630

473

1,872

1,853 Income tax (benefit) expense (220)

(106)

(161)

15 Net Income 850

579

2,033

1,838 Preferred stock dividend requirement 27

3

82

10 Income Available for Common Shareholders $ 823

$ 576

$ 1,951

$ 1,828 Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding, Basic 2,198

2,137

2,197

2,136 Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding, Diluted 2,281

2,143

2,202

2,142 Net Income Per Common Share, Basic $ 0.37

$ 0.27

$ 0.89

$ 0.86 Net Income Per Common Share, Diluted $ 0.37

$ 0.27

$ 0.89

$ 0.85

Reconciliation of PG&E Corporation's Consolidated Earnings Available for Common Shareholders in Accordance

with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") to Non-GAAP Core Earnings Third Quarter, 2025 vs. 2024



Three Months Ended September 30,

Nine Months Ended September 30,

Earnings

Earnings per

Common

Share

Earnings

Earnings per

Common

Share (in millions, except per share amounts) 2025

2024

2025

2024

2025

2024

2025

2024 PG&E Corporation's GAAP earnings/EPS, diluted $ 847

$ 576

$ 0.37

$ 0.27

$ 1,951

$ 1,828

$ 0.89

$ 0.85 Non-core items: (1)





























Amortization of Wildfire Fund contribution (2) 62

100

0.03

0.05

195

212

0.09

0.10 Bankruptcy and legal costs (3) 21

9

0.01



36

34

0.02

0.02 Investigation remedies (4) 47

21

0.02

0.01

95

41

0.04

0.02 Prior period net regulatory impact (5) 134

(6)

0.06



122

(17)

0.06

(0.01) SB 901 securitization (6) 18

31

0.01

0.01

29

31

0.01

0.01 Tax-related adjustments (7) 









70



0.03 Wildfire-related costs, net of recoveries (8) 13

60

0.01

0.03

92

66

0.04

0.03 PG&E Corporation's non-GAAP core earnings/EPS (9) $ 1,142

$ 791

$ 0.50

$ 0.37

$ 2,520

$ 2,265

$ 1.14

$ 1.06





All amounts presented in the table above and footnotes below are tax adjusted at PG&E Corporation's statutory tax rate of 27.98% for 2025 and 2024, except for certain costs that are not tax deductible. Amounts may not sum due to rounding.



(1) "Non-core items" include items that management does not consider representative of ongoing earnings and affect comparability of financial results between periods, consisting of the items listed in the table above. See Non-GAAP Financial Measures below.



(2) The Utility recorded costs of $86 million (before the tax impact of $24 million) and $271 million (before the tax impact of $76 million) during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, respectively, associated with the amortization of the Wildfire Fund asset, as well as accretion of the related Wildfire Fund liability. For more information, see Note 2 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in the Form 10-Q.



(3) PG&E Corporation and the Utility recorded costs of $29 million (before the tax impact of $8 million) and $49 million (before the tax impact of $13 million) during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, respectively, related to costs to resolve proof of claims filed in PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's Chapter 11 filing.



(4) Includes costs associated with the decision different for the order instituting investigation ("OII") related to the 2017 Northern California Wildfires and 2018 Camp Fire ("Wildfires OII"), the system enhancements related to the locate and mark OII, restoration and rebuilding costs for the town of Paradise, and the settlement agreement resolving the Safety and Enforcement Division's investigation into the 2020 Zogg fire, as shown below.

(in millions) Three Months Ended

September 30, 2025

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2025 Wildfires OII disallowance and system enhancements $ 15

$ 33 Locate and mark OII system enhancements 

1 Paradise restoration and rebuild 

3 2020 Zogg fire settlement 35

66 Investigation remedies $ 51

$ 103 Tax impacts (4)

(8) Investigation remedies (post-tax) $ 47

$ 95





(5) Includes adjustments to expenses (revenues) associated with the recovery of capital expenditures from 2011 through 2014 above amounts adopted in the 2011 GT&S rate case per the CPUC decision dated July 14, 2022 and the 2022 WMCE decision dated September 18, 2025 as shown below.





(in millions) Three Months Ended

September 30, 2025

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2025 2011 GT&S rate case $ (3)

$ (19) 2022 WMCE decision 188

188 Wildfire-related costs, net of recoveries $ 186

$ 169 Tax impacts (52)

(47) Wildfire-related costs, net of recoveries (post-tax) $ 134

$ 122





(6) The Utility recorded costs of $24 million (before the tax impact of $6 million) and $40 million (before the tax impact of $11 million) during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, respectively, related to the charge for the establishment of the SB 901 securitization regulatory asset and the SB 901 securitization regulatory liability associated with revenue credits funded by the net operating loss monetization, as well as any earnings-impacting investment losses or gains associated with investments related to the contributions to the Customer Credit Trust and additional contributions to the Customer Credit Trust as a result of the decision voted out on July 24, 2025.



(7) "Tax-related adjustments" includes tax expense costs associated with the deductibility of certain customer bill credits issued in connection with the San Bruno natural gas explosion that occurred in 2010.



(8) Includes costs to resolve third-party claims, net of recoveries, for the 2019 Kincade fire and 2021 Dixie fire, inclusive of outside counsel fees, as shown below.

(in millions) Three Months Ended

September 30, 2025

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2025 2019 Kincade fire $ 12

$ 116 2021 Dixie fire 5

12 Wildfire-related costs, net of recoveries $ 18

$ 128 Tax impacts (5)

(36) Wildfire-related costs, net of recoveries (post-tax) $ 13

$ 92





(9) "Non-GAAP core earnings" and "Non-GAAP core EPS" are non-GAAP financial measures. See Non-GAAP Financial Measures below.



Undefined, capitalized terms have the meanings set forth in the Form 10-Q.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures PG&E Corporation and Pacific Gas and Electric Company



Non-GAAP Core Earnings and Non-GAAP Core EPS

"Non-GAAP core earnings" and "Non-GAAP core EPS," also referred to as "non-GAAP core earnings per share," are non-GAAP financial measures. Non-GAAP core earnings is calculated as income available for common shareholders, diluted, less non-core items. "Non-core items" include items that management does not consider representative of ongoing earnings and affect comparability of financial results between periods, consisting of the items listed above. Non-GAAP core EPS is calculated as non-GAAP core earnings divided by common shares outstanding on a diluted basis.

PG&E Corporation discloses historical financial results and provides guidance based on "non-GAAP core earnings" and "non-GAAP core EPS" in order to provide measures that allow investors to compare the underlying financial performance of the business from one period to another, exclusive of non-core items. PG&E Corporation and the Utility use non-GAAP core earnings and non-GAAP core EPS to understand and compare operating results across reporting periods for various purposes including internal budgeting and forecasting, short- and long-term operating planning, and employee incentive compensation. PG&E Corporation and the Utility believe that non-GAAP core earnings and non-GAAP core EPS provide additional insight into the underlying trends of the business, allowing for a better comparison against historical results and expectations for future performance.

Non-GAAP core earnings and non-GAAP core EPS are not substitutes or alternatives for GAAP measures such as consolidated income available for common shareholders and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

SOURCE PG&E Corporation
The AI startup frenzy is anything but hype. The first half of 2025 saw global investment in AI startups shoot to more than $205 billion, according to Crunchbase, with $145 billion raised in North America alone. And though observers may argue over their long-term viability, no one disputes the seemingly endless tsunami of new companies entering the fray. Some estimates put the number of AI startups globally at more than 10,000, with more than 5,000 emanating from the U.S.

All this activity only adds to the pressures of the venture firms trying to determine which companies have the tech and teams to develop and market the next great breakthrough. But for the investment groups focused on a small but growing corner of the market  industrial AI  the stakes are even higher.

Unlike traditional AI that may take the form of a human resources chatbot, or a marketing forecasting dashboard, industrial AI is the application of models and automation in mission-critical systems within energy, transportation, manufacturing, financial, healthcare, and the like. Issues common to enterprise-grade AI, like hallucinations, drift, biases, etc., are not tolerated in industrial AI. As such, selecting the right startups with whom to invest in this crazy environment is tough.

The fervor and volatility of the AI startup landscape presents a perfect storm for VCs, really, says Gayathri Radhakrishnan, a partner at Hitachis investment arm, Hitachi Ventures. You start by applying the myriad concerns you have with all startups, like cashflow, business structure, vision, team make-up, IP, etc. Simultaneously, you have to consider the chaos swirling around AI. And then on top of it all, you have to put on the industrial lens and ask, can these guys make it?

For Hitachi Ventures, which invests in firms across the technology spectrum, due diligence in the AI space requires a focused vision on the sector that best aligns with its business.

What an industrial AI investment looks like

That, however, can be easier said than done. The explosion of AI startups has created challenges reminiscent of the cloud computing hype cycle in the early 2010s. When cloud became popular, every company claimed to be a cloud company, Radhakrishnan says. Today, every company claims to be an AI company. We must cut through the noise to understand whether AI is core to their mission or just a feature.

By 2023, the challenge of selecting AI investments only intensified as capital poured into general-purpose foundation models, like ChatGPT. The space was quite crowded and even early-stage Series A funding rounds got quite expensive, she says.

Looking for a promising but less saturated niche and one that aligned best with Hitachis heritage in operation technology (OT) and information technologies (IT), as well as its deep expertise in AI, Hitachi Ventures turned its attention toward AI for industrial and physical environments.

Gaining originality in modeling

One of its early investments is Archetype AI Inc., a Palo Alto startup that is building a foundational AI model that interprets data from sensors  including sound, vibration, temperature, and pressure  to perceive, understand, and reason about the physical world. The companys ultimate goal is to encode the entire physical world, which would enable it to predict equipment failures, optimize industrial processes, and create digital twins of real-world operations.

Hitachi backed Archetype in December 2023, just seven months after the startup incorporated  an unusually early stage for venture investment  and well before physical AI started to become a mainstream investment. The fact that Archetype AI was pushing boundaries made it both promising and risky, a common balancing act for industrial AI investors.

What Archetype is doing is squarely in our thesis, but there was nobody else doing what they were doing at that time, Radhakrishnan says. We were a little uncomfortable because of that, but we were also comfortable with being uncomfortable. Sometimes the investments that could be the big winners have no precedent.

As a corporate venture fund, with Hitachi as its sole limited partner, Hitachi Ventures operates with twin objectives. Our first responsibility is to deliver strong returns, Radhakrishnan explains. But we also want to create a broad, strategic advantage for Hitachi.

This means the firms deep dives into emerging technology spaces serve multiple purposes, including identifying investment opportunities while also educating the broader Hitachi organization about market trends. Startups are often early indicators of technology waves, she notes. Theyre a lighthouse that illuminates whats coming in the distance.

Achieving cognitive resonance

Hitachi Ventures investment in Xaba Inc., illustrates this dual approach. The Toronto-based startup develops cognitive control systems for robotics, enabling machines to respond intelligently to their environment in real-time. Traditional robots are pre-programmed for specific tasks; if they encounter an obstruction, they either stop or push through it. Xabas xCognition technology, which combines physics-based modeling with AI learning, enables robots to perceive obstacles and automatically adjust their path, essentially acting like a brain for the robot. This allows the robot to reason, adapt, and generalize across tasks.

What convinced Radhakrishnan wasnt just the technology, but the Xaba founders depth of expertise, one of the many nuances that goes into funding decisions. VCs are jacks of all trades who know everything, but who only know it an inch deep, she says. The founder comes with a strong technical background combined with industry knowledge, and he understands his space really well.

When Radhakrishnan introduced the xCognition technology to counterparts at Hitachi Rail Ltd., they immediately saw its value. The Hitachi subsidiary, which operates in more than 50 countries, is now deploying Xabas robots for precision machining on the surfaces of locomotives. These tasks require sub-millimeter accuracy that previously demanded extensive manual labor.

But the Xaba team didnt stop there. While AI co-pilots are all the rage for coding, Xaba has developed an automated code generator for Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), called PLCfy, that enables democratization of industrial automation. PLCfy provides a drop-in AI layer that augments existing PLCs with modern capabilities, like predictive control, anomaly detection, and adaptive optimization, without ripping and replacing hardware.

The flip side of consensus

Yet while Xaba seems like the ideal Hitachi Ventures investment, it also demonstrates how challenging the industrial AI space is: Initially, the partners in the firms investment committee couldnt agree whether it was worth pursuing.

Sometimes when you cant get consensus, those are the deals where you think, Maybe theres something there,  she says. Who would have thought that an online company selling books would redefine global compute needs? Or that a social media company connecting friends would impact enterprise storage buying behavior? If the impact of an AI startup is obvious to everyone, youre probably not investing in the next Google, Amazon, or Facebook.

# # #

Gayathri Radhakrishnan is a partner at Hitachi Ventures. With more than $1B AUM, the company is setting new standards for corporate ventures, fostering partnership and access for ambitious founders transforming the world around us. From advanced AI and robotics to sustainable energy solutions and beyond, Hitachi Ventures sees the potential in investing in companies that dare to dream big and disrupt the status quo. The firms expertise, coupled with Hitachis global resources and commitment to innovation, enables it to identify and nurture promising startups with the potential to drive significant impact and shape the future of technology.

For more, visit Hitachi Ventures.
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The day after the Pentagon press corps left the corridors of the Defense Department rather than sign on to restrictive new reporting rules, things got weird across the Potomac.

On October 16, S.V. Date, HuffPosts senior White House correspondent, asked White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt who had suggested the Hungarian capital, Budapest, as a venue for a meeting between President Trump and Russian president Vladimir Putin to discuss the war in Ukraine. She texted back: Your mom did.

Date previously worked for the AP, the Palm Beach Post, NPR, and National Journal, and has written several books, including one about Donald Trumps autocratic tendencies in his first term. Is this funny to you? he texted back in an exchange Leavitt later posted on X.

Its funny to me that you actually consider yourself a journal [sic], Leavitt replied. 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 bullshit questions.

On Monday, Date asked the Pentagon about the red, white, and blue striped tie Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wore to a White House meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky. When Date pointed out that the Russian state news agency TASS had praised the tie because its pattern matched the Russian flag, chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell replied: Your mom bought it for himand its a patriotic American tie, moron.

Date said the personal insults are not his main concern. He is far more worried about the press losing sight of what actually matters as the Trump administration overwhelms reporters with what Date calls nonsense. Our conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

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ILN: How did press relations in the White House deteriorate to the level of mom jokes?

SVD: They had already deteriorated in the first term. The final press secretary of Trumps first term, Kayleigh McEnany, started the trend of not even making a real attempt to answer questions accurately, but just basically to repeat what Trump had said or attack the reporters personally. The new administration started at that level and has just gone from there.

How do you feel about the personal nature of the insults youve faced?

This was the first time Ive seen something quite that juvenile coming from the White House. I mean, thats an insult that elementary-school kids say to each other.

Theyve made personal attacks before in their responses. And its not just been Karoline, its been others in the press office, including very junior members in their twenties who have not been in government very long, who really dont know the facts of what theyre talking about.

You tend to use strong language in your stories, such as referring to Vladimir Putin as Trumps benefactor and a murderous dictator. What are the benefits and drawbacks of using this kind of language?

I guess the drawback is Im less likely to get my questions answered. The benefit is that my audience is frequently reminded of the facts.

The Pentagon press corps collectively left rather than sign on to rules that said basic requests for information to DoD employees would not be considered protected speech under the First Amendment. How do members of the White House press corps see their future?

I was pleased and grateful that the Pentagon Press Association did what it did and took collective action. Pretty much every single real news outlet refused [to sign], including mine. Its fine. We dont need to be here. We can still do our reporting.

I wish that the White House press corps had taken that kind of collective action back when Trump first punished AP for refusing to go along with the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. And then the judge said, Well, youre not allowed to treat AP any differently than other wire services. Thats viewpoint discrimination.

But the White House, instead of saying, Okay, weve lost, well let AP back into the rotation, they said, Fine, we wont give the wires any access like theyve had for decades and decades. So now we have this absurd situation where the wire services are [shut out]. Think about that. When the president goes overseas on a foreign trip, he has done so with no wire service aboard. Its bad for journalism. Its bad for America. Its bad for the world.

Do you think collective press action could have made a difference given the administrations heavy emphasis on social media?

I think wed be in a very different place right now because Donald Trump, more than anything, wants media attention. He cant go a day without it. So I think that would have been an effective tactic, and I wish wed done it.

I was outweighed when I suggested that if they can do this to the AP, they can do this to anyone. I mean, Donald Trump could very well kick out all the press from the White House. Hes tearing the place down without asking. Why would it be a big deal for him to kick us out?

The problem is that the White House Correspondents Association is made up of different constituencies with different goals. There are some reporters who file two or three things out of the White House every day. Thats not my job. But they feel they need to have access to Karoline Leavitt and to [White House communications director] Steven Cheung.

I think the White House Correspondents Association is in a much weaker position than the Pentagon Press Association. For example, TV demands fresh footage of Donald Trump every day. Coincidentally, Donald Trump wants fresh footage of himself on TV every day, so thats very symbiotic. Same thing with the photographers. So that gives Trump a lot of leverage.

The Trump-Putin summit in Budapest, which set off your exchange with Karoline Leavitt, ended up collapsing. How do you cover this boy-who-cried-wolf kind of governance?

I go about it by not covering it. It would be a bad use of my time to try to run down all the things Trump says.

The American media is not made for this moment. It was not designed for this. Weve never had an autocratic threat before. And weve never had a serial liar like Donald Trump before.

For example, hes made up a story about how his own treasury didnt know where money was coming in from until he told them to check the tariff shelf. Theres no tariff shelf. Tariffs are collected by United States Customs as they have been for two hundred and thirty years. And theyre accounted for immediately. Yet instead of pointing out the obvious, well gloss over that and grab onto the new announcement.

The problem is that the media is designed for news, and whatever is different that day is, by definition, news, so everyone jumps on it.

Trump is very good at this. Hes been doing it for fifty years. He had to manipulate the New York City media in his twenties, and he did it all the time. But this is different. This is not about whether he sold an apartment in his building to Prince Charles or not. This is serious stuff. And we, unfortunately, collectively have not figured out a way to convey the seriousness of it to our audience.

The current government shutdown will soon be the longest in history, yet solving it hardly seems to be at the top of the White House press corpss agenda.

Thats because Donald Trump doesnt care about it. The last shutdown we had was also under Donald Trump. But in that one, he was demanding money for a border wall, and Congress wouldnt give it to him.

Now theres nothing that Donald Trump cares about in the budget. And hes got other things to do. He wants to tear down the [East Wing of the] White House, put up this ballroom, meet with Putin somewhere. Hes got all kinds of things on his agenda beyond restoring funding to the United States government.

So would you say his strategy is working?

To say that its working implies that theres a plan. I dont think theres a plan with Donald Trump. He likes the sound of his own voice. He likes making people listen to him, and thats what this is about.

Do you see any solutions to deliver meaningful reporting from the White House despite all the noise?

The most important thing thats happening right now is the presidents move toward autocracy. And when you say it like that, people roll their eyes: Oh, youve got to be kidding. Were not an autocracy. We have three branches of government. He cant be a dictator.

But I think thats the moment we are in right now. He is deploying the military in American cities. Thats against the law. And hes hoping that the courts will defer to his decision that I, as the chief executive, am allowed to make determinations and no one else can question them. If that happens, theres nothing to stop him from saying, Look, I was cheated out of a term, and so Im just going to run for another term.

The danger here is we can become more like Hungary, we can become more like Turkey, and we wont appreciate that its happening until its too late to turn it around. Thats the number one story. And I dont know how to get my colleagues to share that worry.
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ohio -- A man said Oct. 14 that the Drug Mart pharmacy refused to fill his prescription because of a personal vendetta.

The man, 67, told officers that he had previously tried to fill the prescription but was told it was too soon and that he would need to return later. When he did, he said the pharmacist told him that they would not fill it due to his behavior.

The pharmacist at the Alpha Drive store told police that the man had filed a complaint against her, was rude and aggressive and they no longer wanted his business.

The man was advised that the pharmacy has the right to refuse his business. He said that he would file a complaint with the Ohio Pharmacy Board.

Read more news from the Sun Messenger.
Ohio Casino Control Commission and Mentor-on-the-Lake Police seized 85 illegal slot machines at three businesses as part of a gambling investigation. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry, File) AP

MENTOR-ON-THE-LAKE, Ohio  The Ohio Casino Control Commission, working with the Mentor-on-the-Lake Police Department, served search warrants at three local businesses and seized or disabled approximately 85 suspected illegal slot machines, the commission said Wednesday.

Warrants were executed as part of an ongoing gambling investigation at Fun Hub, 5965 Andrews Road, Suite B; Skillz Zone, 7867 Plains Road; and Players Club, 5977 Andrews Road. An undisclosed amount of cash was also taken as evidence.

The investigation began after complaints that the locations were operating gaming machines in violation of Ohio law, according to the commission.

No criminal charges in connection with the seizures have been announced.

Illegal casinos harm communities and Ohioans that live in and contribute to those communities, said commission Executive Director Matthew Schuler. Partnering with local law enforcement to uphold Ohios gaming laws is the most efficient way to root out illegal gaming in the State.

Statewide, the commission says it has served search warrants at more than 170 locations and seized or disabled more than 7,703 illegal slot machines  more than the total number of slot machines at Ohios four legal casinos. The commission said the Mentor-on-the-Lake investigation remains active.

This story was written with the assistance of AI.
Former CIA Director John Brennan dismissed House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan's accusation that Brennan lied to Congress and should be prosecuted as part of Trumps revenge tour." In an interview, Brennan accused Jordan of trying to be a supplicant to Donald Trump. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) AP

WASHINGTON - Former Central Intelligence Agency Director John Brennan responded Wednesday to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordans criminal referral, dismissing the allegations as part of Trumps revenge tour and accusing Jordan of trying to be a supplicant to Donald Trump.

In an interview on MSNBC, Brennan accused the Champaign County Republican of trying to twist my words and misrepresent and mischaracterize the facts as a way to play to and be a supplicant to Donald Trump, which is why hes making this referral now to Department of Justice.

Jordan on Tuesday asked the Department of Justice to criminally prosecute Brennan, claiming he lied to Congress about the Steele dossiers role in a 2017 intelligence assessment on Russian election interference. The referral alleges that Brennans testimony in a May 11, 2023, interview with the Judiciary Committee was willfully and intentionally false.

Jordan stood by the referral in a Wednesday interview with Newsmax.

Youre not supposed to lie, Jordan told the network. We all know that, and youre definitely not supposed to lie when youre under oath talking to Congress ... It sure looks like thats exactly what John Brennan did. He told us he wasnt involved at all with the dossier.

But Brennan said the matter has been investigated exhaustively by Trump allies.

This ground has been retread and plowed numerous times, and I even wrote about it in my memoir, exactly what happened there, he told MSNBC. Why would I have any motivation to not tell the truth to Congress about this? Because its already a matter of public record.

Brennan noted he spent eight hours with Special Counsel John Durham and multiple sessions with the Senate Intelligence Committee. Durhams four-year, $6.5 million investigation found no criminal wrongdoing on Brennans part.

Clearly, Jim Jordan wants to be able to satisfy Donald Trump in terms of going after Donald Trumps critics, said Brennan, acknowledging that hes been critical of Trump. Its as unsurprising as it is ludicrous in terms of this referral that hes made to the Department of Justice, and so I am prepared to respond in whatever way I need to, to say that these are fallacious charges.

Background on the allegations

At the center of Jordans referral is Brennans May 11, 2023, transcribed interview with the Judiciary Committee, during which he asserted the CIA was not involved at all with the Steele dossier  a collection of opposition research memos compiled by former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele that alleged ties between Donald Trump and the Russian government. Its findings were subsequently discredited.

Newly declassified documents show that a CIA officer helped draft a summary of the Steele dossier for the Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA), which was published in January 2017. The ICA report produced by the CIA, Federal Bureau of Investigation and National Security Agency concluded that Russia developed a clear preference for Donald Trump in the 2016 election and interfered in that election to help him win  a finding that Jordan and others now argue was based in part on flawed intelligence.

In that 2023 interview, Brennan also claimed, The CIA was very much opposed to having any reference or inclusion of the Steele dossier in the Intelligence Community Assessment.

Jordans referral letter cites CIA memos and congressional reports that indicate Brennan not only supported the dossiers inclusion but also overruled internal opposition from CIA analysts. One declassified CIA memorandum states that Brennan formalized his position in writing, stating that my bottom line is that I believe that the information warrants inclusion in the report, despite objections from senior CIA officials.

On Newsmax, Jordan emphasized the pattern of alleged misstatements. I think theres a pattern with Mr. Brennan not being square with Congress, not being square with the American people, he said.

Jordan urged the Justice Department to investigate whether Brennan violated 18 U.S.C.  1001, which prohibits knowingly making materially false statements in congressional investigations. Violating that law is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and significant fines.

Political fallout

Brennan, who led the CIA from 2013 to 2017 under President Barack Obama, has been a frequent and vocal critic of former President Trump and the Republican Party.

In his Wednesday MSNBC interview, Brennan questioned Trumps continued focus on the 2016 election, instead of focusing on the nations current domestic and international challenges. Hypothesizing that Trump is a very, very sensitive and insecure individual, he said he thinks Trump believes maybe with some justification that Russian interference in that election did help him be victorious and so hes trying to discredit the assessments that were done, the intelligence that is there.

He added: What I find most shocking is that his base, his MAGA base, continues to be hoodwinked by a world class charlatan.

The Judiciary Committees top Democrat, Marylands Jamie Raskin, called Jordans allegations flimsy, slipshod and contradictory.

Instead of working to end their shutdown of the government, lower healthcare costs and meet the needs of our people, Committee Republicans are dredging up old testimony from Trump foes, even when the statute of limitations has already run, in the hopes of finding somethinganythingthat could please their boss Donald Trump, Raskin said in a statement.
Has Ohio Congressman Jim Jordan ever once disagreed with Donald Trump? Unsurprisingly, Jordan supports the president in his claim that taxpayers owe him $230 million for his pain and suffering when he was investigated by the Justice Dept. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) AP

Donald Trump wants $230 million of taxpayer money for his pain and suffering from investigations into his actions during his first term, and while most Americans are stunned by his audacity, Ohio Congressman Jim Jordan is standing firmly in Trumps corner.

Hosts of Today in Ohio are like most of the rest of the country  astonished that a president would decide to give himself millions of taxpayer dollars.

Think about the rank hypocrisy of Jim Jordan, Chris Quinn said on Thursdays podcast episode. For years, he has used his position, going after what he saw as the weaponization of government, and now the very guy hes defending is weaponizing government like no one ever has.

Quinn noted how Trump has used social media to exhort his attorney general to prosecute specific enemies.

The podcast delved into how Jordan told Fox News that Trump deserves to be heard, calling the situation lawfare and arguing that no one in U.S. History has been harassed by federal prosecutors like Trump has. Jordan cast Trump as the ultimate victim of political persecution, a framing that Leila Atassi dissected on the show.

No matter how outlandish the claim, he frames Trump as the victim, it never fails, Atassi said. Hes built his whole brand on the idea that if its accountability for Trump, its actually persecution. But if hes willing to normalize something as extreme as a sitting president demanding taxpayer dollars from his own Justice Department, whats that say about how far hes willing to stretch his loyalty to this guy?

The podcast hosts highlighted the ethical nightmare at the heart of this situation: Trump is asking his own Justice Departmentnow staffed with his loyaliststo pay him damages. Ethics experts called it unprecedented and bizarre, yet Jordan dismissed these concerns.

This is just authoritarian government, said Quinn. We have moved so far into the authoritarian era... I hope we can extricate ourselves when this guy finally is out of office.

The discussion also touched on the irony of Jordans position given his past crusades. He doesnt do any thinking, Quinn argued. Its just, yes, sir, Ill do whatever you want.

This clash over Trumps demand and Jordans defense represents just one segment of the wide-ranging, no-holds-barred conversation on Today in Ohio. Listen to the full episode here.

Listen to full Today in Ohio episodes where Chris Quinn hosts our daily half-hour news podcast, with Editorial Board member Lisa Garvin, Impact Editor Leila Atassi and Content Director Laura Johnston.
The Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services is warning the 1.4 million Ohioans on federal food assistance that their benefits could be delayed if the government shutdown continues. Dennis M. Rivera Pichardo/Getty Images

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio is warning more than 1 million residents who rely on food assistance that they may not receive their November benefits if the federal government shutdown continues.

On its website, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services advises that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients may not receive their November benefits as normally scheduled if the shutdown persists.

But Temporary Assistance to Needy Families benefits are not affected currently.

Related story: SNAP benefits for 190,000 Cuyahoga County residents in jeopardy if government shutdown continues

The U.S. government shut down on Oct. 1 after Congress failed to pass a budget for the new fiscal year. The shutdown happened because Republicans and Democrats couldnt agree on how much to spend, especially when it came to funding for Affordable Care Act subsidies.

Without a budget or temporary funding plan, many federal agencies are now running out of money to operate.

The potential loss of SNAP aid is alarming for Ohios food banks, which say they cannot make up the difference.

The thing that keeps us up at night is not keeping food on the shelves when people come, said Joree Novotny, executive director of the Ohio Association of Foodbanks.

In Cuyahoga County alone, 190,000 residents could lose monthly benefits that help them buy groceries come Nov. 1.

The state receives about $263 million each month in federal funding for food assistance, according to ODJFS.

Ohio would normally distribute SNAP on a staggered schedule between November 2 and November 20, based on the last digit of each recipients case number.

Thats about $14.6 million each day.

For comparison, Novotny said food banks across Ohio spent a record $43 million buying food last year  an amount equal to three days of lost SNAP benefits.

This sector cant navigate that spike, Human Service Chamber of Franklin County director Michael Corey said during a press conference Thursday.

For every one meal provided by a food bank, he said SNAP provided nine.

Thats why Rep. Latyna Humphrey, a Columbus Democrat, introduced House Bill 502.

The bill would let the state pull money from its Budget Stabilization Fund, also known as the rainy-day fund, to keep food assistance programs running.

ODJFS and the Ohio Department of Health would calculate how much they needed to cover programs like food stamps and the Women, Infants and Children nutrition program (WIC).

Ohio would then withdraw that amount from the rainy-day fund, which held about $3.9 billion earlier this year.

Once federal funding resumed, the state would replenish the fund with any reimbursements it received.

Humphrey said Democrats are ready and willing to keep benefits flowing.

Ohio does not have to wait for Washington, she said.

But Ohios Republican leaders say the problem lies in Washington, not Columbus.

Senate President Rob McColley, a Henry County Republican, said hes not working on legislation to backfill federal benefits.

Republicans in Congress have voted over 10 times to continue funding SNAP benefits while (Senate Minority Leader) Chuck Schumer and the Democrats have blocked it, he said. The Democrats need to quit playing games and pass a clean continuing resolution.

Gov. Mike DeWines spokesman, Dan Tierney, said HB 502 isnt viable.

He explained that Ohios Budget Stabilization Fund is for economic downturns, when the state isnt bringing in enough money to cover its own budget.

They are asking to use the rainy-day fund for a purpose that the fund was not established for, Tierney said.

He also pointed out that SNAP benefit accounts are federally created and managed.

We cannot put money into those accounts, Tierney said. We just dont have access.

When asked whether DeWine is working on an alternative, Tierney said Congress needs to reopen the government.
U.S. marshals arrested Deshawn Stafford on Thursday and accused him of murder in the fatal shooting of Timothy Hutchinson on Oct. 5 in Highland Square.

CLEVELAND, Ohio  An Akron man, previously convicted in the beating death of a teenager, was arrested Thursday and accused in the fatal shooting of an innocent bystander.

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force arrested Deshawn Stafford, 24, at a home in the 200 block of Crosby Street. Stafford initially refused to open the door for officers, according to U.S. marshals. Akron detectives also arrested Emahni Eugene Thomas, 23, in connection with the case.

Timothy Hutchinson, a 25-year-old Wooster man, was fatally shot Oct. 5 in the 800 block of West Market Street when he was struck during an exchange of gunfire between Stafford and Thomas, police said.

Authorities said they believe Stafford fired at Thomas, who returned fire, fatally striking Hutchinson in the head.

Stafford faces charges of murder, felonious assault, having a weapon under disability, and discharging a firearm on a public roadway. When authorities executed a search warrant on Staffords home, they discovered narcotics, leading to additional charges including trafficking in drugs and drug paraphernalia.

Charges against Thomas are pending. Thomas was arrested on unrelated charges of aggravated robbery and having weapons while under disability.

Akron Mayor Shammas Malik called the shooting awful and unacceptable.

We will relentlessly pursue those who committed this crime and continue our efforts to prevent violence across our city and hold all perpetrators accountable, Malik said in a statement.

In October 2023, Stafford was sentenced to 18 months in prison for the fatal beating of Ethan Liming.

Stafford and his brother, Tyler, were convicted of assault charges stemming from a fight that took place when Liming, 17, and his friends shot at them with a toy pellet gun in the parking lot of the I Promise School in Akron on June 2, 2022.

Liming was a senior at Firestone Community Learning Center in Akron when the incident took place. Tyler Stafford was sentenced to six months in jail.
RAMAT GAN, Israel, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Protai, www.protai.bio, a structural proteomics and AI-driven biotech, announced its participation in four major scientific conferences this October, presenting pioneering advances in targeted protein degradation, TNF signaling complex modeling proteomics-aware-AI drug discovery.

13th Symposium on Structural Proteomics (October 68) Protai's Head of Proteomics, Dr. Anjana Shenoy, presented breakthrough findings on TNF transient pocket modeling, integrating AI-driven conformational modeling with mass-spectrometry-based structural proteomics. This work opens new therapeutic avenues for modulation of TNF signaling, a pathway implicated in multiple inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

MoML@MIT 2025 (Cambridge, October 22). Protai's CEO, Eran Seger, shared how the AIMS platform bridges AI and structural proteomics to reveal hidden, dynamic druggable pockets in complex proteins such as TNF. These insights enable the rational design of small-molecule therapeutics where traditional structure-based approaches fall short.

TPD & Induced Proximity Summit (Boston, October 2730) Protai's CTO, Kirill Pevzner, will present the company's latest achievements in targeted protein degradation, including an innovative KAT6A degrader designed through Protai's AIMS platform.

Protai will also be participating in ACR Convergence 2025, held at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, Illinois, as part of its strategic expansion into the Immunology & Inflammation (I&I) space.

"Our mission is to transform how the industry discovers PPI inhibitors and induced proximity therapeutics," said Eran Seger, CEO and co-founder of Protai. "By combining proteomics-driven experimental evidence with next-generation AI modeling, we are revealing opportunities that were previously invisible to classical drug discovery methods."

About Protai: Protai is a structural-proteomics and AI-driven biotechnology company pioneering Proteomics-aware-AI for drug discovery. Its AIMS platform integrates mass-spectrometry-based structural proteomics, AI modeling and experimental validation to map dynamic protein conformations and identify novel drugs. Protai's pipeline spans oncology and immunology, with programs targeting large clinical indications with significant unmet medical needs.

The AIMS (AI-Mass-Spectrometry) platform utilizes AI-based structural modeling and experimental proteomics to model large protein complexes. This enables the discovery of novel small molecules and degraders for modulating these complexes.

[email protected]

SOURCE Protai
AMHERST, Ohio  After a six-month deployment in Kuwait, Air Force Reserve Staff Sergeant Aaron Sterk wanted nothing more than to see his children again. But rather than a quiet return home, he and his wife, Alexandra, orchestrated a surprise that would become a moment their five-year-old daughter Elsie would never forget.

On Monday, Oct. 13th, Elsie, a kindergartner at Amherst Exempted Village Schools, sat cross-legged on the classroom carpet with her classmates. Her teacher, Julie Schaedler, led what appeared to be a typical lessonbut behind the scenes, she had carefully prepared a very special surprise.

The exercise began simply enough: Schaedler prompted the children with I miss my and Elsie eagerly filled in the blank: Daddy.

Well, Elsie, you dont have to do that anymore, Schaedler told herand then asked her to turn around.

Standing just behind her was Aaron, in uniform, smiling with open arms. Without hesitation, Elsie sprinted across the room and launched herself into his arms.

I didnt think I was going to cry, but here we are, Aaron later told cleveland.com.

Click on the video at the top of the page to see the heartwarming reunion captured by Amherst Exempted Village Schools.

For Alexandra, the surprise was a combination of quick planning and a little last-minute magic. Like many military homecomings, she said, Aarons exact return date had been uncertain until just 48 hours before he arrived.

The inspiration for the surprise had come from Elsie herself. Alexandra had shown her a video of a military homecoming surprise while preparing her for her fathers eventual return. Elsie thought it was the coolest thing.

With the schools support, the plan fell into place. There was just one small complication: they had to fib. Alexandra told Elsie that Aaron would be home the following day, setting the stage for the classroom surprise.

I think Elsie was shell-shocked in the most beautiful way, Alexandra told cleveland.com. It was so simplea dad coming home after a long time awaybut it carried such deep gravity.

Since that day, Elsie has been inseparable from her father. Alexandra said she hasnt wanted to leave his side, afraid he may disappear again. For Aaron, their reunion has been both emotional and grounding.

I was more nervous than anybody, he admitted. I was afraid she wasnt going to give me a hug. But as soon as she did, it was just relief and happiness. Life felt normal again.

And in the days since his return, normal has never felt so wonderful. Aaron has about a month and a half off before returning to his civilian job as a network administrator at Parker Hannifin. He plans to spend his days coloring, reading books and playing games with Elsie and her two siblings, four-year-old Emerson and nearly two-year-old Everett.

Nothing fancy, Aaron said. I just want to spend time with them. Thats all I want to do.
Rendering of a new Cleveland Hopkins International Airport terminal feature design elements from Lake Erie and the city's industrial past. Courtesy Corgan

CLEVELAND, Ohio  Cleveland Hopkins International Airport has selected three firms to kick-start the first phases of its $1.6 billion new terminal project.

Work is scheduled to begin this month on the multiyear project, which ultimately will result in a new terminal in 2032.

The three firms, announced Wednesday, will handle key aspects of the project, including program management and construction of both a new surface lot and new parking garage.

The terminal will be built on the site of the current Smart Parking Garage, located across the street from the existing terminal.

But before that can happen, a new 6,000-space parking garage will be constructed on the site of the current Orange lot.

The CLE Connection Group has been selected to design and build the parking garage, which will also include a ground transportation center and a relocated RTA Station, scheduled to open in 2029.

The CLE Connection Group is a collaboration among several firms, many with deep Northeast Ohio connections, including Gilbane Building, Donleys, Next Generation Construction, Independence Excavating, Vocon, Pickard Chilton, Osborn Engineering, DESMAN and GFT.

This project will be a great example of collaboration in action, and were excited to support the citys long-term vision every step of the way, said Kyle Merrill, principal-in-charge of CLE Connection Group and vice president at Gilbane.

Before the new garage goes up on the Orange lot, the airport plans to expand its surface parking.

A new 1,600-space Gold lot will be constructed on the land around the airports shuttered Concourse D, which was built in 1999 for Continental Airlines.

Clevelands Shook Construction is leading the work on the Gold lot, which is expected to open in late 2026 or early 2027. Design work has already begun.

We feel a special connection to this project. Cleveland Hopkins just celebrated its centennial anniversary, and Shook will turn 100 next year, said Matt Danis, Shook vice president and Great Lakes regional manager. With nearly a century of experience behind us, Shook is proud to build on our legacy as we bring our expertise to the project.

The airport also selected Dallas-based Jacobs to provide program and construction management for the project. The Jacobs team will oversee numerous critical elements of the project, including scheduling and worksite safety.

The company has worked on numerous major airport projects, including recent efforts in Seattle, Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta and Denver.

Initial contracts for the three firms total more than $31 million, according to the airport.

Were proving our commitment to moving this work forward by aligning with the right partners to bring our vision to life, said airport director Bryant L. Francis in a statement.

With the continued support of our airline partners and our shared focus on the future, were laying the foundation for a more modern, efficient, and passenger-focused Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

The city in May announced plans to replace the airports aging, cramped terminal.

Related: New $1.6 billion Cleveland Hopkins airport terminal will be built on site of current parking garage

Renderings of the new terminal feature nods to Lake Erie and Clevelands industrial past, plus wide, light-filled spaces  a dramatic contrast to the cramped, aged airport that travelers experience today.

The project will be financed primarily by airport revenue and the airlines that do business in Cleveland. Thus far, the airlines have committed to about $475 million for the project.

Francis expects the airlines will come to an agreement on the remainder of the $1.6 billion plan next year, as project details and costs are finalized.

The new terminal will feature new ticketing and TSA screening areas, a new customs facility, baggage claim and retail areas. It will not, however, include new concourses  the areas past security where passengers wait to board their planes. The concourses are expected to be replaced in later phases after the new terminal opens.

Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb called the launch of the terminal project, dubbed CLEvolution, a transformative moment for the airport and the city.

This next phase of the modernization plan and the upcoming improvements will not only support our regions growth but also reaffirm Clevelands commitment to innovation and accessibility, Bibb said in a statement. We are excited to deliver our visitors and residents a first-class experience.

For updates on the project: itsaclevolution.com.
Industry veteran brings 30+ years of global consulting leadership and cloud transformation expertise to RapidScale's advisory portfolio

RALEIGH, N.C., Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- RapidScale, a Cox Business company and leading provider of enterprise managed and professional services across public, private, and hybrid clouds, today announced the appointment of Chad Duncan as Head of Consulting Services. Reporting to the CRO, Maureen Power Sweeny, Duncan will lead RapidScale's consulting and advisory practice, driving scalable growth, global delivery excellence, and innovative cloud, data and AI transformation strategies for enterprise clients.

Duncan joins RapidScale following a distinguished career at Accenture, where he served as a Managing Director, overseeing technology strategy and advisory for financial services clients and leading a portfolio with over $130 million in annual revenue. With more than two decades of experience in cloud transformation, cybersecurity, FinOps, and application modernization, Duncan has a proven track record of designing strategic roadmaps, building global delivery models, and delivering high-impact outcomes for Fortune 500 organizations. He is an AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner and an active member of the Technology Association of Atlanta.

"Chad's proven ability to deliver transformative results for enterprise clients is exactly what RapidScale's customers need as they face new challenges in cloud adoption and cyber resiliency," said Maureen Power Sweeny, Chief Revenue Officer of RapidScale. "His leadership will help our clients unlock greater value from their technology investments, while his experience building high-performing teams ensures we continue to deliver innovative solutions and exceptional service."

This strategic expansion reflects RapidScale's established leadership in serving enterprise clients with a comprehensive suite of solutions. Alongside other recent hires, including IBM-veteran Maureen Power Sweeny and ATOS-veteran Jaime Konzelman, RapidScale is doubling down on its commitment to provide enterprise organizations with everything they need to thrive in today's complex digital landscape. From cloud innovation to AI readiness, compliance, security, and beyond, RapidScale is the trusted partner empowering enterprises to activate change, accelerate growth, and safeguard their most critical assetsall under one roof.

"I am excited to join RapidScale and lead the consulting services team at such a pivotal time for cloud innovation and digital transformation," said Chad Duncan. "RapidScale's commitment to delivering client value through secure, scalable advisory solutions aligns perfectly with my passion for helping organizations achieve their technology and business goals. As clients pivot to the use of AI to help inform business decisions, RapidScale will be at the forefront of that transformation. I look forward to working with our talented team and clients to drive transformation and growth."

As enterprise businesses face mounting pressurefrom VMware's platform shifts to rising cybersecurity and compliance demandsthe need for strategic, outcomes-driven consulting has never been greater. RapidScale's consulting services are designed to meet this moment, helping clients modernize infrastructure, retire technical debt, and build resilience across every cloud environment. With embedded cyber resiliency, platform flexibility, and commitment to personalized excellence, RapidScale empowers organizations to not just adaptbut to master growth.

About RapidScale

RapidScale empowers business innovation through secure, scalable cloud solutionsdriven by exceptional talent. We deliver managed, professional, and advisory services across private, public, and hybrid environments, enabling mid-market and enterprise organizations to extend their technology reach, activate change, and accelerate growth. Whether hosted, on-premises, or hybrid, our solutions are designed to meet the needs of our clients' business outcomesnot just their infrastructure needsensuring each solution is bespoke, unbiased, and precisely aligned with client goals.

As an Elite VCSP Partner with Broadcom VMware, AWS Premier Partner, Microsoft Azure Expert MSP, and certified Google Cloud Partner, RapidScale transforms complexity into agility. Our services span the full cloud lifecyclefrom strategy to executionwith embedded cyber resiliency and AI-powered data insights that protect today's operations and enable tomorrow's competitive edge.

Through RapidScale, Cox Business, Segra and Hospitality Network, Cox Communications provides a broad commercial solutions portfolio including advanced cloud and managed IT solutions and fiber-based network solutions that create connected environments, unique hospitality experiences and support diverse applications for nearly 370,000 businesses nationwide.

SOURCE Rapidscale, Inc.
Colorado Solar Industry Pioneer and Professional Engineer Joins Growing Investor Base

CHICAGO, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Dream Exchange announced today that Ian Skor, Professional Engineer, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sandbox Solar, has become its newest investor. Skor joins hundreds of other individual investors as Dream Exchange continues its mission to become the "People's Exchange."

Skor brings extensive experience in renewable energy development, environmental engineering, and innovative business growth. Since founding Sandbox Solar in 2015, he has built the company into a recognized leader in Colorado's solar industry.

Ian Skor - Sandbox Solar Owner/CEO

"We are honored to welcome Ian Skor as an investor," said Joe Cecala, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Dream Exchange. "His track record of building a successful company from the ground up, combined with his technical expertise as a licensed Professional Engineer and his commitment to sustainable innovation, aligns perfectly with the caliber of investors we seek as partners."

"I have always believed in supporting innovation that empowers people and supports more resilient systems," said Ian Skor, Dream Exchange's newest investor. "Throughout my career, I have focused on creating solutions that promote self-sufficiency and independence. This investment reflects my confidence in the team and the vision behind Dream Exchange."

To learn more about Dream Exchange attend our next webinar on November 6th, 2025 at 5 PM Central time.

About Dream Exchange

Dream Exchange has filed a Form 1 application with the Securities and Exchange Commission seeking registration as a national securities exchange. If approved, it would be the first minority-controlled licensed stock exchange in U.S. history. The organization also supports a venture exchange model designed for smaller, early-stage companies that are often excluded from public markets. Learn more at www.dreamex.com.

Media Contact

Robert Todd, PR Manager, Dream Exchange

773-914-1182

[email protected]

SOURCE Dream Exchange
China calls on Kosovo authorities to ensure safety of Serbs

Xinhua) 09:34, October 23, 2025

UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Tuesday called on the Kosovo authorities to safeguard the safety, rights and interests of the Serb community.

The situation in northern Kosovo has been volatile, with authorities carrying out acts that have violated the legitimate rights and interests of the Serbs. China expresses grave concerns over those developments, said Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, at the meeting of the UN Security Council.

"We urge the Kosovo authorities to cease escalatory unilateral actions, earnestly safeguard the safety and legitimate rights and interests of the Serb community, and maintain peace and stability in the north," he told the Security Council.

The complex ethnic relations in the region have been shaped by history. Inclusion and reconciliation serve the long-term and fundamental interests of all communities, he said.

"We call on the Kosovo authorities to take seriously the basic appeals of all communities, including Serbs, in political, economic, cultural, and linguistic domains, and adopt proactive measures to foster a stronger sense of security, participation, and fulfillment, thus contributing to greater mutual trust and unity among communities," he said.

Geng said China supports all parties concerned in reaching a mutually acceptable solution through dialogue and consultation, with Serbia's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity fully respected.

China stands ready to work with all parties to continue to promote dialogue, engagement, and peaceful coexistence among communities in the region and the early political settlement of the Kosovo issue, he said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
This underscores Siteimprove's long-term commitment and leadership in advancing digital accessibility standards globally

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Siteimprove , the leader in agentic content intelligence, today announced that Tobias Nyhuus Jensen , Siteimprove Senior Technical Program Manager, has been appointed National Expert for Denmark in the European Commission AccessibleEU initiative.

Accessible EU brings together experts across Europe to strengthen accessibility awareness, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration. Jensen's appointment reflects Siteimprove's long-term commitment to advancing global accessibility standards and promoting digital experiences through innovation and education.

In this role, Jensen and Siteimprove will host accessibility workshops, briefings and events in support of AccessibleEU European Commission accessibility initiatives. These activities facilitate expert networking and hands-on learning for accessibility leaders, experts and practitioners. The first event, Accessibility in the Age of AI , will take place on Wednesday, October 29. Participants will hear from leading experts and innovators to discuss how AI can support empowerment and inclusion for people with disabilities.

"Tobias' appointment underscores Siteimprove's role as a recognized global accessibility leader , and an innovator in responsible AI," said Nayaki Nayyar , CEO of Siteimprove. "Our work with AccessibleEU demonstrates how technology and policy can come together to create a digital future that is accessible to all."

Jensen's appointment follows recent Siteimprove achievements at the intersection of accessibility, EAA (European Accessibility Act) and AI:

About the European Accessibility Act (EAA)

The European Accessibility Act, effective in June 2025, set new accessibility standards across the EU. Siteimprove leads EAA readiness with its AI-powered Accessibility platform, expert services, and EAA dashboards, helping enterprises achieve compliance. Siteimprove views EAA compliance as a strategic opportunity for global brands to make their digital experiences accessible to 135 million Europeans with disabilities - and more usable for everyone.

About Siteimprove

Founded in 2003, Siteimprove transforms access to the digital world with the Siteimprove.ai agentic content intelligence platform, unifying accessibility, analytics, SEO/AEO, and content strategy. Global 2000 clients across industries, including manufacturing, government, higher education, financial services, and healthcare, rely on Siteimprove.ai to deliver content that performs and remains compliant. Siteimprove is majority-owned by Nordic Capital and operates from Copenhagen, Bellevue, Minneapolis, and London. Learn more at www.siteimprove.com .

Media Contacts:

[email protected]

SOURCE Siteimprove
SPG601, Granted Fast Track Designation by the FDA, Reduced Signature Changes in High-Frequency Gamma Band Activity in Fragile X Syndrome Patients, a Common Inherited Form of Intellectual Disability and Autism, and Improved Measures of Cognitive Impairment

Dr. Craig Erickson, Spinogenix Chief Medical Advisor, to Receive Prestigious George Tarjan Award for Contributions in Developmental Disabilities

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Spinogenix, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering first-in-class therapeutics that restore synapses to improve the lives of patients worldwide, announced it will present the full data set of the Phase 2a clinical trial at the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Conference (AACAP) for SPG601, a treatment for adults with Fragile X syndrome (FXS), a condition for which there is currently no approved medicine.

SPG601 is a first-in-class, oral, small molecule formulated as a tablet, and is designed to modulate the activity of large-conductance, calcium-activated potassium ("BK") channel to correct specific synaptic dysfunctions that underlie many core symptoms of FXS.

The Phase 2a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study utilized a single dose of SPG601 and a matching placebo in 10 adult male participants exhibiting core FXS attributes. Treatment with SPG601 resulted in improvements in a signature neurophysiological biomarker of FXS and in a core behavioral deficit. At a neurophysiological level, SPG601 reduced high-frequency gamma band activity, an abnormality seen in electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings of FXS patients that occur at the expense of normal brain activity levels used for learning and memory. Behaviorally, FXS participants treated with SPG601 exhibited improved performance on a task that measures selective attention, a domain of cognitive function impaired in those with FXS.

"We are excited to continue demonstrating SPG601's potential as a first-in-class treatment for FXS," said Stella Sarraf, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer and Founder at Spinogenix. "These trial results, together with the recent positive Type C meeting with the FDA, provide a clear path forward for the development of SPG601."

Dr. Craig Erickson, Director of the Cincinnati Fragile X Research and Treatment Center, and Spinogenix Chief Medical Advisor, will present the results at the AACAP conference. Dr. Erickson will also be honored with the prestigious AACAP George Tarjan, MD, Award for Contributions in Developmental Disabilities. The award recognizes child and adolescent psychiatrists who have made significant contributions over the course of a career or single seminal work to the understanding or care of those with developmental disabilities. Dr. Erickson's work studying FXS has been instrumental to the development of SPG601.

"I am honored by the recognition from the AACAP and its members. With no current approved treatment and an urgent global need for effective options, SPG601 has the potential to represent an important step forward in FXS treatment development," said Dr. Erickson. "The successful implementation of objective neurophysiological outcomes in the clinical testing of SPG601 represents a significant milestone in the development of novel therapeutics for FXS and gratifying application of work I have pursued throughout my career."

About SPG601

SPG601 is an oral medication being developed to treat FXS, and potentially other conditions on the autism spectrum, by mitigating key underlying abnormalities in synaptic function and neural excitability. FXS involves a reduction in the activity of large conductance, calcium-activated potassium (BK) channels, which contributes to synaptic dysfunction, cortical hyperexcitability, and multiple symptoms of FXS. SPG601, a novel small molecule, is the first positive modulator of BK channels to be clinically evaluated in FXS and has the potential to improve cognitive, emotional, and sensory symptoms by boosting BK channel activity. SPG601 has received Fast Track designation from the FDA and Orphan Drug Designation from the EMA and FDA.

About Fragile X Syndrome

Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is the leading inherited form of intellectual disability and a known cause of autism that results from the silencing of the Fmr1 gene. FXS is an orphan disease affecting approximately 1 in 4-5,000 men and 1 in 6-8,000 women globally. In addition to intellectual disability, FXS patients endure a wide range of disabling symptoms, including severe anxiety, social aversion, hyperactivity and attention deficit, sensory hypersensitivity, aggression, developmental seizures, and others. Providing care for individuals with FXS often becomes a full-time commitment for at least one parent and imposes significant financial strain, with direct family healthcare costs totaling $4.1 billion annually in the United States alone. Despite the considerable impact of FXS, there are currently no FDA-approved drugs available for those with the condition.

About Spinogenix

Current treatments for neurodegenerative, neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental conditions primarily focus on slowing disease progression or minimizing symptoms, leaving many without hope for improvement. Spinogenix is aiming to transform the treatment of these conditions through its pioneering first-in-class and paradigm-shifting synaptic regenerative and synaptic corrective therapeutics designed to restore depleted synapses and reverse synaptic degeneration and dysfunction  offering patients and their families a new reality of hope.

Spinogenix is developing two novel therapeutics: SPG302, which triggers neurons to produce new glutamatergic synapses and restore cognitive, motor, and other functions in Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia and other diseases; and SPG601, which works at the synaptic level to correct specific dysfunctions in FXS that underlie many core symptoms. The company has received FDA and EMA Orphan Drug designations for both ALS and FXS as well as FDA Fast Track designation for FXS. More information on Spinogenix can be found at www.spinogenix.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

Media Contact

Daniel Davis

FINN Partners

[email protected]

Investor Relations

Dan Albosta

Spinogenix, Inc.

[email protected]

SOURCE Spinogenix
As part of the Institute's newly launched AI Initiative, Sumner Magruder, Ph.D., will embed cutting-edge computational tools into foundational biology

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- From decoding genomes to predicting protein structures, artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a cornerstone of biology. To help harness its potential for discovery through data analysis, the Stowers Institute for Medical Research has appointed Sumner Magruder, Ph.D., as its first AI Fellow. The new role within the Stowers Fellows Program is designed to accelerate the integration of advanced computational methods into biological research.

Sumner Magruder, Ph.D., the Stowers Institute's first AI Fellow, describes his research program. The new role is part of the Institute's AI initiative, launched in 2024. Sumner Magruder, Ph.D.

"This is very much an exciting time in biology," Magruder said. "We have more data than we know what to do with. So, just imagine the possibilities now that we can design experiments to go hand in hand with new computational methods."

Magruder brings an exceptional interdisciplinary background to his new role, holding a Ph.D. in computer science from Yale University and a Ph.D. in biology from Universitat Hamburg. His training in AI, machine learning, computational biology, and neuroscience uniquely positions him to help catalyze new advances at the interface of AI and the life sciences.

"AI is not just a tool for efficiency; it's a driver of entirely new discoveries," said Investigator Julia Zeitlinger, Ph.D., head of the Institute's AI Initiative. "Sumner brings both the technical expertise and the curiosity-driven spirit needed to help our scientists push biology into new territory."

Magruder's research has a particular emphasis on bringing explainability to complex models.

Currently, he's using AI to deduce "timelines" by which cells develop, from normal development and aging to the progression of diseases such as Alzheimer's. "What changes are truly disease-specific and what is simply part of getting older?" he explained.

His findings could one day provide a clearer picture of how diseases emerge and progress.

"A large part of my research isn't just in the creation of new methods, but it's also in their proliferation," Magruder said. "Making them usable so that, suddenly, it's not just me using this tool. It's the entire academic community."

"Sumner's relentless curiosity drives him to look at problems in ways most do not," said Scientific Director Kausik Si, Ph.D. "His perspective will accelerate how we approach research from new angles and ask questions that, not long ago, were out of reach."

At the Institute, Magruder will collaborate with 20 independent research programs and 15 Technology Centers to design new algorithms tailored to biological questions, working with researchers to unlock insights from increasingly large and complex datasets.

"The future of biology will be written at the intersection of data, computation, and discovery," said President and Chief Scientific Officer Alejandro Sanchez Alvarado, Ph.D. "By investing in AI and this fellowship, we are ensuring that our scientists have the intellectual and technological tools to pioneer in this new era."

About the Stowers Institute for Medical Research

Founded in 1994 through the generosity of Jim Stowers, founder of American Century Investments, and his wife, Virginia, the Stowers Institute for Medical Research is a non-profit, biomedical research organization with a focus on foundational research. Its mission is to expand our understanding of the secrets of life and improve life's quality through innovative approaches to the causes, treatment, and prevention of diseases.

The Institute consists of 20 independent research programs. Of the approximately 500 members, over 370 are scientific staff that include principal investigators, technology center directors, postdoctoral scientists, graduate students, and technical support staff. Learn more about the Institute at www.stowers.org and about its graduate program at www.stowers.org/gradschool.

Media Contact:

Joe Chiodo, Director of Communications

724.462.8529

[email protected]

SOURCE Stowers Institute for Medical Research
The US has sanctioned Russias two biggest oil producers in a bid to push Moscow toward Ukraine talks. PM Modi is unlikely to attend the ASEAN Summit, ruling out a meeting with Trump on the sidelines. Meanwhile, experts say a trade deal remains on track, though oil politics could further cloud India-US ties. Here are the top stories of the day so far.

US announces sanctions on Russia's two biggest oil producers in bid for Ukraine talks

The Trump administration has announced sanctions on two of Russia's biggest oil producers on Wednesday, after resistance for months, as part of a push to get Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine, which has now entered its fourth year. Rosneft PJSC and Lukoil PJSC have been blacklisted by the US Treasury Department.

Read More

PM Modi unlikely to attend ASEAN Summit, ruling out meeting with Trump on sidelines

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is unlikely to travel to Malaysia to participate in the ASEAN-India summit and the East Asia Summit, reports said. This rules out potential meeting with US President Donald Trump; no bilateral meetings are scheduled between the two leaders till end of 2025.

Read More

Trade deal on track, but oil politics cloud India-US ties: Experts

After a warm Diwali exchange between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, the India-US trade discussions appear to be moving towards a conclusion, with both sides aiming for an ambitious bilateral agreement.

Read More

US considers broad software curbs on China, White House says

The Trump administration is weighing export restrictions against China that would bar the purchase of a wide swath of critical software, a White House official said Wednesday, October 22. The acknowledgement came after Reuters reported that the US was weighing efforts similar to the curbs implemented against Russia following the invasion of Ukraine if China did not backtrack from its threat to restrict rare-earth exports.

Read More

Explained | Why gold prices are falling today after hitting all-time highs

After touching an all-time high earlier this week, gold prices slipped on Thursday (October 23) as investors turned cautious ahead of key US economic data and a stronger dollar weighed on sentiment. What's driving the fall?

Read More

Tesla shares plunge in extended trading as costs dent profits despite record sales

Tesla Inc. shares fell over 5% in extended trading on Wednesday, October 22, after a sharp jump in costs dented the electric vehicle manufacturer's profits, despite record sales during the recently concluded quarter. Tesla reported Earnings Per Share of $0.5, while analysts had projected a figure of $0.54.

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Infosys shares gain up to 5% after promoters opt out of 18,000 crore share buyback

Shares of IT services provider Infosys Ltd. gained as much as 5% on Thursday, October 23, after it shared an update on its largest ever share buyback. Infosys said that the promoters of the company, which include Nandan Nilekani, Sudha Murty and others, will not be participating in the 18,000 crore share buyback that it had announced in October.

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Retail shareholders trim Paytm holdings for sixth quarter in a row but MFs continue to buy

Shares of One97 Communications Ltd., parent company of payments aggregator Paytm were sold be retail investors for the sixth quarter running, as the stock continues to rebound from record lows, according to the latest shareholding pattern updated by the company on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

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Samvardhana Motherson shares rise despite biggest client flagging production concerns

Shares of Samvardhana Motherson International Ltd. gained nearly 2% on Thursday, October 23, despite Volkswagen AG flagging possible production stoppages due to the emerging supply chain issues, as the dispute over Chinese-owned chipmaker Nexperia threatens Europe's auto industry.

Read More

Bihar elections: Nearly one-third of outgoing MLAs come from political families

A recent report has shed light on the deep-rooted culture of nepotism in Bihar politics, revealing that nearly one in three members of the outgoing state Assembly come from political families. According to an analysis by The Indian Express, 70 of the 243 outgoing MLAs  or 28.81%  have dynastic roots.

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Delhi-NCR air quality remains 'very poor', AQI at Anand Vihar recorded at 428

The air quality of Delhi-NCR remained under the "very poor" category as the overall air quality index was at 362. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had last week invoked Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR.

Read More
BASEL, Switzerland, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Swiss Rockets AG, a Basel-based biotechnology incubator and accelerator, and Squirro AG, a leading Swiss enterprise AI company, today announced a strategic partnership agreement to drive the AI transformation of Swiss Rockets.

The collaboration will introduce Squirro's Generative AI Platform as the backbone of Swiss Rockets' digital knowledge ecosystem, supporting the group's mission to accelerate innovation, streamline research processes, and enhance decision-making across its biotech portfolio.

Doing More With Less  Through AI

Under the agreement, Squirro will deploy its enterprise-ready Generative AI and Knowledge Graph technologies across Swiss Rockets' secure infrastructure, creating a unified intelligence layer for scientific, operational, and business knowledge.

The initiative will provide Swiss Rockets teams with an AI-powered assistant capable of summarizing, connecting, and explaining information across internal documents, research archives, and public sources.

"Artificial intelligence is the best way to do more with fewer resources," said Sergey Kravchenko, Executive Chairman of Squirro AG. "With this partnership, Swiss Rockets is demonstrating how responsible AI can drive real business value and innovation in life sciences."

"Our goal is to make Swiss Rockets a fully AI-empowered organization," said Dr. Vladimir Cmiljanovic, Founder and CEO of Swiss Rockets AG. "Squirro's technology allows us to transform how we manage knowledge, make decisions, and scale innovation  faster, smarter, and more efficiently."

Laying the Foundation for AI-Driven Growth

The partnership includes the rollout of the Swiss Rockets AI Assistant, followed by additional AI use cases for research intelligence, portfolio analytics, and corporate knowledge management.

These developments form the first milestones in Swiss Rockets' broader AI transformation roadmap, designed to embed generative AI into the organization's daily operations and strategic processes.

"This partnership is about building a foundation for continuous learning and growth," said Dr. Dorian Selz, CEO and Co-Founder of Squirro. "Swiss Rockets is setting a strong example of how AI can empower innovation while remaining fully compliant and secure."

Secure and Responsible by Design

All systems will be hosted in Swiss Rockets' own ISO 27001certified Swiss cloud environment, ensuring full compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, and the EU AI Act.

Both partners share a commitment to Responsible AI  ensuring that transparency, explainability, and data protection remain central to every implementation.

About Swiss Rockets AG:

Swiss Rockets AG, as both an incubator and accelerator, specializes in the promotion of biotech start-ups, particularly in the field of oncology. As an incubator, Swiss Rockets AG provides access to the necessary infrastructure, while as an accelerator, it provides funding and operational management know-how to lead these start-ups to success. Swiss Rockets AG was founded by a team consisting of Dr. Vladimir Cmiljanovic, Chief Executive Officer; Dr. Natasa Cmiljanovic, Chief Operating Officer; Manuel Ebner, Dr. Thomas Sander, and Dr. Thomas Staehelin.

For more information visit www.swissrockets.com

About Squirro AG:

Squirro is the enterprise AI platform built for regulated industries, streamlining enterprise search and automating complex, custom workflows. Secure, private, scalable, permissions-aware, and fully auditable, the platform ensures that every result is accurate and verifiable. Squirro powers agentic AI applications that are grounded in the organization's unique enterprise ontology.

www.squirro.com

DISCLAIMER

Swiss Rockets AG has prepared this press release to the best of its knowledge. The general background information about Swiss Rockets AG's activities is current as of the date of this press release. This information is provided in summary form and does not claim to be exhaustive. The information contained in this press release does not constitute a solicitation or offer to buy, sell, or otherwise trade or engage in any similar transaction involving Swiss Rockets AG's shares. The information presented herein includes certain forward-looking statements and estimates. Such information is subject to significant scientific, economic, business, and financial uncertainties that cannot be predicted in advance. Therefore, actual results may materially differ from those projected. Neither Swiss Rockets AG nor its group companies make any warranties, representations, or guarantees regarding the data and information made available through this communication, including but not limited to their accuracy, timeliness, completeness, marketability, commercial usability, or suitability for any particular purpose and in particular with regard to forward looking statements and does not make any warranties or gives any guarantees on the future course of development and success of any of its products, strategies or business activities.

This disclaimer is governed by Swiss law. Any disputes arising from or in connection with this press release shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the competent courts of the Canton of Basel-Stadt, Switzerland.

SOURCE Squirro
Indian-American author and security expert Paul Kapur has been sworn in as the new Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs at the US Department of State. He succeeds Donald Lu, who served from September 2021 through January 2025.In a post on X , the US State SCA made the announcement, writing, "Welcome to @State_SCA, Assistant Secretary Paul Kapur! This morning Dr Kapur was officially sworn in as the Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs."Paul Kapur is pro-India-US ties and has been a staunch critic of Pakistan.While he will be Trump's man in South Asia, six years ago, at a Congressional testimony, Kapur said the Pakistani military used terrorist proxies to target Indias territorial integrity. Over the last few months, Trump might have appeared to be developing close relations with Pakistan, but Kapur has, in the past, suggested that US aid be conditioned upon the South Asian country ending support for terror. At the same 2019 Congressional hearing, he said Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was a state within a state, enabling "global jihadism."Two years later, Kapur called Pakistan a nuclear-armed failing state, in a Foreign Affairs piece, criticising US engagement as naive.On Pakistan, Kapur said that he would pursue security cooperation with the country if it were beneficial to US interests, while seeking opportunities for bilateral collaboration in trade and investment.During his nomination hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in June, Kapur said US and India share a host of common interests.If confirmed, I will work to further advance US-India relations and put our partnership on course to realise its tremendous promise. The United States and India share a host of common interests: ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific region, which is not dominated by China; expanding bilateral trade, building our economic relationship so that it is more symmetrical and profitable; facilitating technology sharing and innovation; and ensuring access to the energy necessary to fuel our economies, he said.He described the US-India relationship as central to regional stability and global security.On the recent India-Pakistan hostilities, he also noted that South Asia recently avoided a costly conflict and added he would promote "longstanding US security interests with India and Pakistan through the pursuit of peace and stability, and the fight against terrorism.At the hearing, he added that Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, the Maldives, and Bhutan are important for stability in the Indo-Pacific region. If confirmed, I will advocate for enhanced US cooperation with these nations to bolster our security, counterbalance Chinas influence, and expand trade, he added.He views India as a crucial US partner, particularly in countering China's influence in the Indo-Pacific region. According to a report in The Times of India, Kapur highlighted the seemingly inevitable trajectory of US-India ties in a 2023 essay co-authored with Harsh Pant of the Observer Research Foundation."The effective formulation and execution of cooperative policies requires careful management," he noted, warning that poor management may result in "unmet expectations" and even discord. He emphasised the need for careful management of the US-India partnership to realise its full potential, citing potential areas of friction such as disagreements over the war in Ukraine and the lack of a US-India free trade agreement.His analysis highlighted the instability nuclear weapons have brought to South Asia. He argued that instead of ensuring stability, nuclear weapons have locked the region into a dangerous cycle. Pakistan engages in proxy warfare, India responds with conventional military action, and both sides remain in a perpetual state of crisis, the report added.Kapur noted that India's nuclear doctrine has evolved cautiously, but its strategic restraint in responding to terrorist attacks, such as the 2008 Mumbai attacks, has inadvertently allowed Pakistan's proxy war strategy to persist. This dynamic contributes to ongoing instability in the region.Paul Kapur was born in New Delhi to an Indian father and an American mother. He completed his PhD from the University of Chicago and an undergraduate degree from Amherst College. He is the author of many books, like Jihad as Grand Strategy: Islamist Militancy, National Security, and the Pakistan State and Dangerous Deterrent: Nuclear Weapons Proliferation and Conflict in South Asia.
Following a meeting via video conference on August 7, India's Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held a meeting on Thursday, October 23, with the German Federal Minister of Economy and Energy Katherina Reiche in Berlin, where discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in trade, investment, technology, green energy, and skilling.Goyal also met Dr. Levin Holle, Economic and Financial Policy Advisor at the Federal Chancellery and Germanys G7 & G20 Sherpa, to discuss ways to deepen further the bilateral economic relationship, as well as a potential India-EU (European Union) FTA. Germany is the largest economy in Europe as well as in the 27-member EU.Later in the day, Goyal chaired a roundtable with CEOs and leaders of German Mittelstand companies at the Indian Embassy. Goyal is scheduled to meet Xavier Bettel, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Luxembourg, as well as hold one-on-one discussions with CEOs of leading German companies, including Infineon Technologies, Schaeffler Group, Renk, Herrenknecht AG, Enertrag SE, and Mercedes-Benz Group. The minister's engagements will continue tomorrow with a panel discussion at the Berlin Global Dialogue and further meetings with German industry associations.As per the figures from Destatis (Federal Statistical Office), Indo-German bilateral trade touched an all-time high of $33.40 billion (+0.36% year-on-year) with exports from India at $15.09 billion (-2.20%) and imports to India from Germany at $18.31 billion (+2.58%) in calendar year 2024.India was Germanys 23rd largest trading partner in 2024, while Germany was India's 8th largest trading partner in FY 2024-25. As per figures from Bundesbank, Indo-German trade in services in 2024 rose by 15% year-on-year, reaching a record $17.03 billion. Indias services exports to Germany were $10.31 billion and services imports from Germany were $6.72 billion.Germany is the 9th largest foreign direct investor in India, with a cumulative FDI of $15.11 billion from April 2000 to March 2025. German investments in India in FY 2024-25 were worth $469 million, up from $505 million in FY 2023-24, and $547 million in FY 2022-23.As per the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce, there are more than 2000 German companies active in India, with investments mainly in transportation, electrical equipment, metallurgical industries, services sector, chemicals, construction activity, trading, and automobiles.Recent German investments in India include an investment of 571 million by Deutsche Bank in November 2024 to strengthen its India operations and capital base, focusing on sectors like digital and infrastructure.Schneider Electric announced a 338 million investment in February 2025 to add three new manufacturing plants in India. Carl Zeiss AG invested 334 million to open a Global Capability Center in Bengaluru focused on cloud and cybersecurity.DHL has announced a 250 million investment by 2030 for fleet expansion, new hubs, and acquisitions in India. Siemens had allocated 100 million in May 2024 to expand its 32-factory network across infrastructure and mobility segments in India.SAP invested 100 million to expand its largest R&D hub outside Germany in India, doubling its campus and workforce by 2027. RENK Group is investing 10 million to set up a defence production site in Tamil Nadu's industrial corridor. Schaeffler Technologies AG invested about 200 million from 2022 to 2024 in new manufacturing capacity and e-mobility solutions.As per the CII, there are over 200 Indian companies operating in Germany, which are involved in trading, manufacturing, R&D and innovation, and services.Indian companies have invested in Germany mainly through Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A), mostly in IT, automotive, pharma, biotech, and manufacturing, while the penetration of Indian software companies in the German market is increasing.Major clusters of Indian companies are in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hesse, Bavaria, and Baden-Wurttemberg.
Electronics company Kaynes Technology India Ltd on Thursday (October 23) said its wholly owned subsidiary, Kaynes Holding Pte Ltd (Kaynes Singapore), has executed a Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) with Frauscher Sensor Technology Group GmbH for the further acquisition of a 7% stake in Sensonic GmbH.

The SPA was executed on October 20, 2025, and the intimation was received by Kaynes Technology India Limited on October 23, 2025, at 12:50 PM IST. The acquisition consideration is one Euro. Following this transaction, Kaynes Holding Pte Ltd, which already holds 54% in Sensonic GmbH, will increase its stake.

The transaction does not impact the management or control of Kaynes Technology India and is not classified as a related party transaction. Directors of Kaynes Holding Pte Ltd include Ramesh Kunhikannan, Promoter and Executive Vice Chairperson, and Jairam Paravastu Sampath, Whole-Time Director & CFO of Kaynes Technology India Ltd.

Second Quarter Results

Net profit in the first quarter jumped 47% YoY to 74.6 crore, rising from 50.8 crore in Q1FY25. This exceeded the CNBC-TV18 poll estimate of 70.4 crore. Similarly, the earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) expanded 68% to 113 crore year-on-year while also topping the Street estimate of 111 crore.

The Mysore-based companys margins also improved to 16.7% from 13.3% a year ago. Though the companys topline climbed 33.6% year-on-year to 673.4 crore, it missed the CNBC-TV18 poll estimates by 85.6 crore.

In June, the company successfully closed its qualified institutional placement (QIP), raising 1,600 crore through the issue of 28.73 lakh equity shares at 5,569.50 per share. Out of that, 120 crore has been used for repayment of debt, inorganic growth, including acquisitions, and for general corporate purposes. As of June 30, the unused amount is 1,480 crore.

Also Read: Kaynes Technology eyes $2 billion revenue by FY30 amid leadership changes

Shares of Kaynes Technology India Ltd ended at 6,700.00, down by 167.00, or 2.43%, on the BSE.
BLS International Services Limited has announced two agreements that broaden its global presence in the visa and consular services sector, one with the Embassy of Cyprus in Kazakhstan to handle visa outsourcing operations and the with India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to operate Indian Visa Application Centres (IVACs) in China.Under the newly signed agreement with the Embassy of Cyprus in Kazakhstan, BLS International will manage the entire Cyprus visa application process in the country. The company will utilise its global technology-driven systems to offer a transparent and efficient experience for applicants."This partnership with the Embassy of Cyprus in Kazakhstan signifies more than an expansion of our global footprint  it reflects our vision to make cross-border mobility simpler, smarter, and more inclusive. Through this collaboration, we aim to deliver an experience that embodies efficiency, transparency, and ease for every traveller to Cyprus," said Shikhar Aggarwal, Joint Managing Director of BLS International.Moreover, the company recently revealed that it was awarded a three-year contract by the Ministry of External Affairs to set up and operate Indian Visa Application Centres across China. The agreement came into effect on October 14, 2025.Under the terms of the contract, BLS International will establish and manage Indian Visa Application Centres in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, offering end-to-end visa services for Indian missions in the country. These centres will feature enhanced infrastructure, advanced technology and multi-lingual staff to ensure a smooth and reliable experience for applicants.this is a significant milestone for BLS International and these IVACs will play a vital role in facilitating reliable and user-centric visa services," Aggarwal said.India resumed issuing tourist visas to Chinese nationals in July this year, marking a step towards normalising ties that had been strained following the Galwan Valley clashes in 2020. Tourist visa services were suspended at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and remained on hold amid border tensions in eastern Ladakh.
China has named Zhang Shengmin as the country's second-highest ranked military general and added 11 new members of the elite Central Committee of China's ruling Communist Party in a communique of the fourth plenum concluded on Thursday (October 23).

Zhang, announced as the vice chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission (CMC), replaces He Weidong who was recently ousted from the position along with eight other senior officials expelled from the ruling party on grounds of "grave violations of Party discipline and state laws".

This makes Zhang second only to Xi Jinping in Chinas military chain of command and the People's Liberation Army (PLA).

Xi Jinping also serves as the General Secretary of the ruling CPC which gives him far more power than serving as the President. As the General Secretary, Xi Jinping controls every arm of the state, government, and military.

Zhang previously served as Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission of the CMC, the militarys top anti-corruption watchdog.

"The announcement of Zhang's new role as CMC no. 2 VC, while announced at the fourth plenum, must have been in the works for a few weeks or months given the continued churn in the PLA and given He Weidong's disappearance since March 2025," Anushka Saxena, a research analyst specialising in China at the Takshashila Institution, told CNBC-TV18.

Also Read: Apple stays invested in China despite $600 billion commitment in the US

"The purge of He Weidong and Miao Hua for highly serious crimes is both a matter of concern for Xi Jinping and a dark mark on the state of discipline in the PLA. With their removal, now the CMC has only one member left, which is Liu Zhenli," Saxena added.

New members on the Central Committee to replace those expelled include Yu Huiwen, Ma Hancheng, Wang Jian, Wang Xi, Wang Yonghong, Wang Tingkai, Wang Xinwei, Wei Tao, Deng Yiwu, Deng Xiuming and Lu Hong.

The session deliberated over and adopted the inspection report of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection on grave violations of Party discipline and state laws.

The Party also focused on an inspection report regarding alleged violations charged on senior officials including He Weidong, Miao Hua, He Hongjun, Wang Xiubin, Lin Xiangyang, Qin Shutong, Yuan Huazhi, Wang Chunning and Zhang Fengzhong.

"A call was issued to the whole Party, the entire military, and Chinese people of all ethnic groups to rally more closely around the Party Central Committee with Xi at its core," the State Council of the People's Republic of China said in a statement.
Mongolia's top court ruled a parliamentary vote to oust the prime minister last week was unconstitutional, a move analysts say could spur further turmoil in the coal-rich country as factions in the ruling party feud over the economy.The Constitutional Court said a motion passed by the State Great Khural or parliament last Friday (Oct 17) to dismiss Prime Minister Zandanshatar Gombojav had no legal basis, the official Montsame news agency reported on Thursday (Oct 23).The court sided with President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, who on Monday (Oct 20) vetoed the parliament's resolution to dismiss Zandanshatar, citing procedural irregularities, including the use of an "incorrect voting formula."Zandanshatar, nominated by President Khurelsukh and named as prime minister in June, is expected to be able to fend off reformists within the Mongolian People's Party led by former parliamentary speaker Amarbayasgalan Dashzegve, said Xu Tianchen, a senior analyst at the Economist Intelligence Unit.Zandanshatar is seeking to push through a more conservative economic policy ahead of the next election in 2027, resisting calls for stronger anti-corruption measures and progressive taxation.But the confrontation could lead to an economically damaging policy stalemate, analysts say, worsening a cost-of-living crisis and delaying efforts to diversify the economy beyond mining, as government instability hampers long-term planning and deters foreign investment.The Mongolian People's Party also faces pressure to address public discontent over allegations that government officials misappropriated state funds and were engaged in corruption.Those concerns sparked large-scale street protests in urban centers, including the capital Ulaanbaatar, which ultimately prompted parliament to vote to remove Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene four months ago."I'm afraid that the turbulence will last until 2027, as the factional conflict within the Mongolian People's Party continues," said Xu."President Khurelsukh has tried to defend his people, but his influence will diminish as he approaches the end of his presidency," he added. "Amarbayasgalan and his fellows will try hard to dominate the political landscape."Parliament moved to dismiss Zandanshatar after his government proposed changing the mining royalty calculation from international benchmark prices to lower domestic prices for key materials, particularly coal.The plan would reduce government revenue but increase profits for domestic and foreign mining companies, limiting the state's ability to finance social welfare initiatives and infrastructure.Mongolia exported a record 80 million tons of coal, worth $8.6 billion, in 2024, customs data show, cementing the commodity as the country's top export. About 90% went to China.In September, the International Monetary Fund said unpredictable Chinese coal demand - owing to a slowing economy and Beijing's efforts to curb coal overcapacity - and falling coal prices were weighing on Mongolia's growth prospects, urging officials to push through structural reforms.Eric Olander, co-founder of the China-Global South Project, said China was unlikely to be fazed by the politics across its northern border, as long as the eventual winner remains favourable to Beijing and can ensure mineral supplies.That said, the growing number of countries around China where young people have taken to the streets to protest the erosion of the social contract between government and society could start to raise concerns, Olander added."They don't want yet another country along its periphery to become a variable," Olander said, citing the 'Gen-Z' uprisings in Indonesia, the Philippines and Nepal, as well as instability along China's borders with Myanmar and India."Young people in many countries feel they are getting screwed by their governments, a sort of populist backlash. We haven't seen that yet in either Vietnam or China, where the social contracts are generally much stronger, but they are definitely not immune."
How Syngenta built a Midwest distribution powerhouse with WSI

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Five years after breaking ground on what would become a cornerstone of its North American supply chain, Syngenta Crop Protection and WSI (Warehouse Specialists, LLC) announced the expansion of their partnership.

WSI and Syngenta's Council Bluffs distribution facility.

WSI will now provide dedicated freight shuttle services from the facilitytransforming its role from single-service provider to integrated logistics partner for Syngenta's Midwest operations. Syngenta's decision to expand the partnership is primarily based on WSI delivering measurable results including consistent safety excellence, industry-leading performance metrics, and seamless operations.

"This is what successful partnerships look like," said Bob Schroeder, CEO of WSI. "You earn trust through consistent performance, which earns our company the opportunity to deliver more value. Syngenta chose us to integrate transportation because they know WSI will execute with the same safety and reliability standards and precision that have defined our work together."

From concept to cornerstone

Syngenta had a vision for the facility when it selected WSI to lead a greenfield build for its new U.S. distribution hub in 2018. The partnership project was ambitious: to design, construct, and operate a highly efficient, compliant, and scalable facility to serve the country's agricultural heartland.

In October 2020, amid the height of global disruption, that vision became reality. The 137,000-square-foot WSI-owned Council Bluffs site opened as a state-of-the-art facility with Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) designation, and Responsible Care certification, enabling domestic and international operations from a single hub.

"Over the years, our partnership with WSI has evolved into a trusted regional hub that plays a vital role in Syngenta's supply chain," said Heath Billingsley, NA Regional Head of Production and Supply. "Their collaboration and commitment have helped us deliver one of the most reliable and responsive supply chains in the industry, fully focused on supporting the success of U.S. farmers."

Built for today, ready for tomorrow

Located on a 43-acre site at the intersection of Interstates 29 and 80, the Council Bluffs warehouse quickly became one of Syngenta's top-performing distribution centers in the American network.

With six-state regional coverage, integrated FTZ operations, and the option of adding rail access, the site stands as a model for how chemical manufacturers can strengthen supply chain resilience while meeting strict safety and compliance standards.

"Our Council Bluffs facility was designed with advanced site containment infrastructure and room for expansion," said Bob Schroeder, CEO of WSI. "These capabilities position us to offer public warehousing and overflow space as their needs grow. Our recent Responsible Care Partner of the Year award also recognizes WSI's commitment to safety and the environment."

WSI's role goes far beyond day-to-day warehousing. The company provides both domestic and international inventory management and visibility as well as proactive problem-solving, ensuring operational reliability even in the most complex environments. Vikrant Rai, Manager of Operations Strategy at Syngenta, said of the WSI partnership, "They are not just executors but true collaborative partners who proactively surface challenges and work with us on solutions."

About Syngenta Crop Protection

Syngenta Crop Protection is a global leader in agricultural innovation. It is focused on empowering farmers to make the transformation required to feed the world's population while protecting our planet. Its bold scientific discoveries deliver better benefits for farmers and society on a bigger scale than ever before. Syngenta CP offers a leading portfolio of crop protection technologies and solutions that support farmers to grow healthier plants with higher yields. Its 17,700 employees are helping to transform agriculture in more than 90 countries. Syngenta Crop Protection is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, and is part of the Syngenta Group. Read its stories and follow Syngenta on LinkedIn, Instagram, and X.

About WSI

WSI (Warehouse Specialists, LLC) is a leading 3PL provider delivering reliable warehousing, fulfillment and freight logistics solutions nationwide. WSI helps manufacturers and retailers optimize logistics spend, streamline operations, and improve customer satisfaction through a collaborative partnership model. Its network includes a broad range of capabilities from specialized chemical storage facilities and rail-served sites to multichannel fulfillment across North America. Learn more at www.wsinc.com.

Contact: Mariana Vieth

Director of Marketing Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE WSI
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Leading the Shift: Taiwan's Edge in Automotive Electronics

As vehicle safety sensors, communication modules, and predictive electronics emerge as the fastest-growing aftermarket segments, Taiwan's ICT-driven background is uniquely positioned to support the industry's next wave of intelligent mobility solutions.

At SEMA 2025, more than 14 award-winning Taiwanese brands are being featured, presenting technologies that range from driver-assistance systems and vision-based safety modules to advanced smart vehicle integration. These developments reflect Taiwan's increasing role in supporting the automotive industry's digital transformation.

Technology Highlights from Taiwan's Innovators

CHIMEI Motor Electronics  Introduces its AI Digital Side View Monitor System with integrated edge AI recognition and enhanced night vision for improved situational awareness.

Cub Elecparts  Displays next-generation TPMS and mmWave radar ADAS systems designed to enhance vehicle safety in both OEM and aftermarket applications.

Zealio Electronics  presents its renowned battery-powered illumination seriesfrom car carpet logos to door sillsoffering stylish, energy-efficient solutions.

PX  Features its 5G FWA Sub-6 7-in-1 automotive antenna, integrating GPS, LTE, Wi-Fi, and C-V2X for seamless connectivity in next-generation mobility.

DEPO Auto Parts  Showcases LED headlamp assemblies recognized for performance and energy efficiency in global aftermarket lighting solutions.

oToBrite Electronics  Demonstrates its oToGuard 2.0 all-in-one ADAS platform, delivering advanced Level 2+ vision-AI functions for commercial and passenger vehicles.

Interactive Experience & Buyer Engagement

On opening day (November 4) at 2:30 PM, the Pavilion will host an Industry Presentation and Panel Discussion featuring leading Taiwanese manufacturers discussing innovations in safety, AI vision, and system integration. Attendees can also explore live product demos, interactive experiences, prize draws and one-on-one buyer meetings.

Backed by decades of expertise in electronics and information technology, Taiwan has become an indispensable partner in the global automotive supply chain. Established in 1993 by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Taiwan Excellence Awards recognize products that embody innovation, reliability, and quality  values that continue to define Taiwan's expanding leadership in the intelligent vehicle ecosystem.

With more than 270 Taiwanese exhibitors across SEMA and AAPEX, industry experts and global buyers are invited to discover high-performance, customizable automotive solutions shaping the future of mobility. Visit the Taiwan Pavilion @ AAPEX (Caesars Forum Booth #C57015C59023; Venetian Expo  Level 2 Booth #A6239-A6247, A6338A6346) or follow Taiwan Excellence on social media for more details.

About Taiwan Excellence

The Taiwan Excellence Awards were established in 1993 by Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) to recognize and celebrate the exceptional achievements of Taiwan's most innovative products. Each year, eligible products go through a rigorous selection process that assesses their products based on four important factors: research and development, design, quality, and marketing with the key criterion of being Made in Taiwan.

The Taiwan Excellence mark has gained global recognition as a prestigious symbol of quality and design, effectively showcasing Taiwan's impressive product innovation. For more information, please visit https://www.taiwanexcellence.org/en

Media Contact: For media inquiries, reach out to [email protected]

SOURCE Taiwan Excellence
The courtroom in Leicester has become the theatre of a bizarre and unsettling saga involving 24-year-old Julia Wandelt, a Polish national accused of stalking the family of Madeleine McCann, the British girl who vanished in Portugal in 2007.

Wandelt is charged with repeatedly contacting Madeleine's parents, Kate McCann and Gerry McCann, and her younger sister, Amelie McCann, claiming to be the missing child. The prosecution described her behaviour as a campaign that spanned years, involving messages, phone calls and uninvited visits to the McCanns' home, all of which left the family distressed and fearful.

One of the most striking revelations in the trial is that Wandelt used the AI system ChatGPT to probe whether she could be Madeleine. Court documents report that she asked ChatGPT if 'it was possible' she was Madeleine and created fake childhood photographs using the chatbot's output to bolster her claim.

Investigators emphasise that the claim is factually untenable. For a start, Wandelt is nearly two years older than Madeleine would now be, a discrepancy she attempted to explain away by saying she 'just looked younger'. Scientific evidence was cited in court to confirm she is not the missing girl.

Amelie McCann, giving evidence by video link, described the interactions as 'creepy' and 'disturbing', saying they made her feel 'upset and scared'. She recalled the moment an unannounced visit was made to the McCanns' home in December 2024, prompting the family to upgrade their security.

Wandelt's alleged modus operandi, according to prosecutors, involved fabricating memories of being part of the McCann household  playing with the twins, remembering family events  and pressuring the family for a DNA test. At one point she visited the home and left letters signed 'Madeleine' at the door. Her co-defendant, 61-year-old Karen Spragg of Cardiff, is accused of assisting in the campaign; both deny the stalking charges.

The case brings into sharp relief the strain placed on families already burdened with grief and uncertainty. The McCanns have long campaigned for answers in the disappearance of their daughter, a case that remains one of the most-covered missing-person stories in modern British media.

From a broader perspective, the trial underscores how advances in technology  such as AI-generated imagery and internet disinformation  intersect with deeply personal trauma and legal boundaries. The fact that an individual would turn to ChatGPT to seek identity confirmation highlights the modern complexity of identity, obsession and mental health.

As the trial continues, the jury will consider whether Wandelt's actions meet the legal threshold for stalking  defined as behaviour that causes 'serious alarm or distress'. For the McCanns, the emotional toll has been immense. Amelie remarked that it was her mother who suffered the most, saying the harassment took a toll on her wellbeing.

In short, Julia Wandelt is not simply a woman claiming to be the missing child  she is at the centre of a chilling and prolonged episode of alleged harassment, powered by technology and unravelling the boundaries between delusion and crime. While Madeleine's disappearance remains unresolved, this case provides a stark reminder of the ripple-effects on the family left behind.

Originally published on IBTimes UK
Sitcoms came a little late to the Halloween party. While comedies like The Andy Griffith Show, The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Brady Bunch all featured episodes with ghosts and haunted houses, none thought to tie the episodes to the years spookiest holiday. These days, though, its almost obligatory to do a Halloween episode, providing a pillowcase full of comedy treats for anyone willing to go door-to-door in search of the goods.

Here are seven horrifically hilarious sitcom episodes to get you started

1 The Office The Dunder-Mifflin branch has provided a lot of costume-centric episodes to choose from, but lets go with Season Twos Halloween. The guises are great, from Michaels papier-mache second head to Jims three-hole punch creation. And the plot has real stakes: Who will Michael decide to fire by the end of the day? Be glad it wasnt Creed, or we would never have gotten this bit from a later Halloween episode.

2 The Addams Family Of all the older sitcoms, of course The Addams Family was the one to give Halloween its proper due. Wednesday is upset after a neighbor tells her theres no such thing as actual witches and goblins. And so, the family holds a good, old-fashioned seance to restore Wednesdays faith in ghouls. Advertisement

3 Freaks and Geeks In one of the more memorable episodes of the shows only season, siblings Sam and Lindsay move uncomfortably into new phases of life. For Sam, Halloween is one last chance to hold on to childhood and score free candy before hes too old. For Lindsay, its a night to embrace her inner bad girl and prove shes one of the freaks  even if it means turning on her family. Advertisement Advertisement

4 Roseanne In Boo!, an episode from Season Two, Roseanne will do anything to get a jump-scare out of Dan. The Conners Tunnel of Terror offers plenty of frights, but for pure gore, its hard to beat the dismembered head of Jackie served on a platter. Advertisement

5 Community For a genuinely scary sitcom Halloween, head to Greendale Community College, where Dean Pelton has set out old military rations as a holiday treat. Zombie mayhem ensues, with many of your Community favorites joining the ranks of the undead. Run for your lives  and not just because Shirley and Chang have sex! Advertisement Advertisement

6 Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia Who got Dee pregnant at last years Halloween party? Was it Charlie? Dennis? Mac? Who cares with choice dialogue like this: Advertisement Dennis: You are dressed like the Phantom of the Opera. Hes not a vampire.

Charlie: He eats theater people.

Dennis: No, he doesnt.

Mac: I think he might.

Frank: He does.

Dennis: And Im surprised you even know who the Phantom of the Opera is.
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Two years after the devastating Hamas assault on October 7, 2023, Israel's tourism industry is showing strong signs of revival, according to America Israel Tours (AIT), one of the U.S.'s leading Holy Land travel providers. Hotels, tourist sites, and historic markets are reopening as international visitors return, bringing both economic recovery and renewed hope to the country.

Group in the Galilee

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance is currently in Israel to monitor and support the ongoing cease-fire, highlighting international confidence in the nation's stability and reassuring returning tourists with signals of future peace initiatives.

A Nation Rebuilding and Welcoming Visitors Again

Following the attacks, Israel's tourism sector came to a near standstill. Flights were suspended, group tours canceled, and hotels that had hosted millions of visitors stood empty. Yet even amid the crisis, the hospitality industry found purpose - transforming hotels into sanctuaries for displaced families and serving as a vital part of the nation's support system.

This shift kept thousands employed and provided stability for families uprooted by the conflict, highlighting the depth of Israel's culture of hospitality.

A Cautious but Determined Comeback

With the U.S.-brokered cease-fire agreement signed on October 9, 2025, stability is returning - and so are the visitors. Tour operators and airlines report a strong rise in bookings from travelers across all demographics, including faith-based travelers, church groups, and repeat visitors.

To accommodate the surge, airlines such as United have added seven weekly nonstop flights to Tel Aviv from cities like Washington, D.C., and Chicago, on top of the existing twice-daily service from Newark (EWR).

According to Noam Matas, General Manager of America Israel Tours, the momentum is unmistakable.

"Since the cease-fire, we've seen a major increase in inquiries and confirmed bookings. People now feel confident traveling to Israel," says Matas. "For many clients, visiting Israel now feels personal - it's a journey of faith, solidarity, and hope."

A New Kind of Tourism

Post-war itineraries now include opportunities to visit rebuilding communities, meet local residents, and volunteer with organizations aiding displaced families. Travelers are no longer focused only on sightseeing - they want to connect, understand, and contribute.

Markets in Jerusalem's Old City are reopening, hotels along the Dead Sea are preparing for winter, and pilgrimage routes are becoming active againsignals that tourism is regaining momentum.

Challenges and Hope Ahead

While optimism grows, challenges remain: the cease-fire's durability is uncertain, airfare costs are high, and global perceptions of safety take time to shift. Yet the spirit that carried the industry through two difficult years continues to define it.

Matas adds in closing, "The people who have always dreamed of traveling to Israel are ready to go - and Israel is ready to welcome them. Every returning visitor plays a part in restoring hope to the region."

About America Israel Tours (AIT)

America Israel Tours (AIT) is an award-winning U.S.-based tour operator specializing in faith-based travel to Israel and the Holy Land. The company offers expertly guided tours with optional extensions to Jordan, Egypt, Greece, Turkey, and Italy.

Media Contact:

Noam Matas

General Manager, America Israel Tours (AIT)

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.americaisraeltours.com

SOURCE America Israel Tours
Photo: Erik Tanner

Ken Burns and I have just met at Bowling Green, the tiny park at the bottom tip of Manhattan, when he brings up all the lives that have been through here. He doesnt mean the tourists lined up to take selfies with the bronze bull, or anyone in the last century or even the one before that. Although he lives in New Hampshire, hes an on-and-off New Yorker with a place in Soho and a daughter in Brooklyn, and hes walked downtown this morning to discuss his docuseries The American Revolution, co-directed with Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt, 12 hours of lofty ideals and bloody bayoneting and the contradictions underlying all men are created equal. (It will premiere on PBS on November 16.) Here, in the middle of British New York, and before that Dutch New Amsterdam, is where muskets were fired and the empire had its very last outpost in 1783, after the war ended. I had been hesitant to ask Burns if he felt the presence of all those ghosts as we walked the streets. It might sound a little woo-woo, I thought. Turns out I did not need to be concerned. Before I get my first question out, he zings right into a short travelogue about what (or should we say who) he sees when he walks around his own neighborhood.

As you go west across the streets, you get Lafayette, a general in the Revolutionary War, and then Crosby is the 19th-century philanthropist, and then Broadway  that doesnt count  and then Mercer, a general who is wounded and dies in the Battle of Princeton, says Burns. Hes animated by his enthusiasm, talking very fast. And then Nathaniel Greene, probably the most important general after Washington, and then David Wooster, a major officer. Then West Broadway  doesnt count, again, though it used to be Laurens Street  and then Thompson, a general, and Sullivan, from New Hampshire, where I live, a very important general in the Battle of Long Island, the biggest of the war, but is also part of the extermination of the Indian villages in the Haudenosaunee and upstate. And then theres Varick, also a general, and then Hudson and Washington.

Its the high-energy spoken equivalent of a 30-second pan across a 19th-century map, and hes gone barely halfway across town. I half expect a solo minor-key violin to kick in.

That manner of activation of a still image, now widely known as the Ken Burns Effect (thanks partly to Apple iMovie, where its a menu option), is a powerful way of retaining a viewers gaze for much longer than a static shot otherwise might. Its fundamental to the experience of Burnss films: sustained scholarly commentary, the gradual accretion of fine detail, and the intimately micd narration incorporating primary sources (especially diaries and letters, read by the likes of Meryl Streep), all in the service of the bigger story, of ideals crafted and crushed, republics born and torn apart, leaders who are perceived as marble statues but in real life are flawed and complex.

He says that he looked up one day as his team was finishing the Vietnam documentary that came out in 2017 and said, Okay, were doing the Revolution next. Donald Trump was coming to power, so thoughts of imperial rule were perhaps on Burnss mind. Even though hes already covered the Civil War, World War II, and Vietnam, the Revolution felt like a particularly huge undertaking, and I knew I needed to be farther along in my professional life to have the chops. (Hes 72 now.) It has been cooking for a decade, all while hes been completing at least eight other projects, including Benjamin Franklin and The U.S. and the Holocaust. It was, he says, dumb luck that The American Revolution came together just in time to mark (a) the 250th birthday of the nation and (b) the swerve to autocracy cloaked in red, white, and blue that were living through.

Unlike most of his other films, this one required some inventive solutions to the historical documentarians core problem, which is that the further you go back in time, the scantier the available material becomes. For The Roosevelts and World War II, Burns had newsreels; for The Civil War, he could employ the photographs of Mathew Brady along with illustrations from the likes of Harpers Weekly. This time around, there are only so many paintings and printed broadsides to send the camera gliding across. That was also true during Burnss Benjamin Franklin project, but that was with a central figure who had his portrait painted many times, he says. This story introduces us to literally scores and scores of people who didnt, who then have to be brought alive. Among other things, he uses finely rendered watercolors of the battle scenes, some of which existed before the film and others that his team commissioned.

There are also reenactors in costume, which is a little unexpected. Many documentarians are disdainful of such performances, and Burns avoided working with them on The Civil War. They kind of had, for me, a cartoony thing, he recalls. This time was different, partly because you realize how deadly serious they take it. (It helps that, although there is plenty of racism baked into the story of the American Revolution, there isnt a lost-cause mythos. Very few Americans pine for the days under the Crown.) So I said, were going to follow reenactors and shoot them impressionistically. And in many points, some of our visual solutions are because they didnt want our cameras anywhere near them. We would say, We can fly a drone. And they go, Yeah, but not low. No, not that low. Many of those scenes, as a result, are near-abstractions that still tell a pivotal part of the story. A brief shot of a Black-skinned hand on a gun reminds viewers that thousands of fighting men, both Tory and rebel, had been or were enslaved. An arresting and beautiful overhead shot of a line of soldiers advancing unevenly across the emerald grass and brown dust of a field in New Jersey frames the first episodes title.

High above a New Jersey battle site, via drone. Photo: Courtesy of American Revolution Film Project/Florentine Films

So much of what happened here in New York City is seen mostly in maps and watercolors. George Washingtons retreat from Brooklyn after the Battle of Long Island, which almost throttled the Revolution in its cradle  after a gigantic tactical error, Burns explains  crossed the spot where we are standing in lower Manhattan. But not everything has been paved over. He gestures to the ironwork around Bowling Green, where, he points out, there once stood a statue of King George III. Early in the resistance, he says, the colonists were getting so upset that the British put a fence around the statue. It didnt stop some patriots from shooting him through the cheek. And then, in 1776, came the revolt: After the newly signed Declaration of Independence was read out to Washingtons troops, the rebels pulled the statue down. It broke into shards, most of which soon went up to a foundry in Connecticut to be recast into bullets to be fired back at the British. One magazine of the day suggested that the ammunition would assimilate with the brains of our infatuated adversaries. Burns, off the top of his head, tells me that the statue was turned into 42,088 bullets. That scene (and that number), along with thousands of other such details, makes its way into The American Revolution.

A related point comes up a couple of times in our conversation: the desire to avoid Revolutionary War kitsch. The last thing you want in a film like this, as Burns puts it, is the kind of romantic, encrusted-with-the-barnacles-of-sentimentality story a lot of us recall from the schoolroom, of Betsy Rosss stitchery and the British generals haplessness and Washingtons I cannot tell a lie. But you can get rid of the cherry tree and the wooden teeth and a lot of other mythologies and replace it with Washingtons own words  that gives him a gravitas, and we have an appreciation for his ability to move ordinary people to fight in the dead of night, to be able to pick subordinate talent without fear of being overwhelmed by their intellect, he says.

Our talk of the first president eventually pivots to the actions of the current one. Burns, after all, is one of the success stories of public broadcasting, in the pantheon with Bill Moyers, Julia Child, and Big Bird. After 30 years worth of attempts to defund PBS, the Trump administration and its congressional allies have finally managed to carry it off, effectively dismantling the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The National Endowment for the Humanities, which has backed many of Burnss films, is likewise under threat. Without their grants in his early years, we wouldnt have been able to make it. (As it happens, 30 years ago, when PBS funding was under a previous existential threat after the Gingrich Congress swept in, I interviewed Child about this very subject, and she offered a prescient and similar reading. This new group of people seems to want to dismantle everything thats taken so long to build up, she told me in that singular voice. Whats so deadly liberal and horrible about teaching people drama and singing? The thing is, if youre far off in North Dakota  saying its elitist is a very elitist thing itself, saying that only the rich can enjoy theater. It should be available to everybody!)

Burns will be able to continue working, of course, owing to his long-standing reputation  Well survive; PBS will survive  but even he will feel these cuts. The American Revolution was only partially backed by corporate and independent donors. Apart from one single-sponsor project 40 years ago, Im having a hard time thinking of any film that doesnt have CPB money in it. I had $4 million in authorized and appropriated funding for a project, LBJ and the Great Society  gone, he says. Like Child, hes most concerned about the loss to communities where PBS is one of the only good media sources around. Theyll become news deserts, essentially. Its so sad because of the damage it will do in Alaska, the Dakotas, eastern Tennessee  communities in which PBS isnt just childrens and prime time, but its continuing education, warning systems, homeland-security stuff, he adds.

Shooting at Colonial Williamsburg and on a long-ago battlefield. Photo: David Schmidt; Edgardo Gonzalez. Shooting at Colonial Williamsburg and on a long-ago battlefield. Photo: David Schmidt; Edgardo Gonzalez.

The use of reenactors was an unusual choice for Burns: You realize how deadly serious they take it. Photo: Mike Doyle; Graham Deneen. The use of reenactors was an unusual choice for Burns: You realize how deadly serious they take it. Photo: Mike Doyle; Graham Deneen.

The right-wing argument has been that there are far more outlets available to a young filmmaker today than there were when Burns shot Brooklyn Bridge, his first feature, in 1981. Perhaps so, but he has seen the business from the inside, and he knows what streaming and cable outlets do and do not offer. The American Revolution took ten and a half years to make and cost 30 million bucks. I spent ten of those ten and a half years raising the 30 million bucks. At that point in my professional life, I could have gone to a streaming service or to premium cable and gotten the $30 million probably in one afternoon, in a pitch. But they would not have given me ten and a half years, and there wouldve been suits at every level, writing notes and whatever. And thats the difference. These are all directors cuts, and they all have the ability to breathe, he says.

Burns (lower right) and his team at work on The American Revolution. Photo: Loren Howard

Weve been walking up Broadway from Bowling Green as we talk, and now were in Trinity Churchs yard, where we pause in front of the tomb of Alexander Hamilton. You dont talk about him too much in the new series, I remark. No, we didnt  he shows up seven or eight times, at really particular moments. But he is indelibly marked by one of the greatest cultural phenomena of this century, Burns says. He smiles at the thought of Hamilton  as Burnsian a piece of musical theater as one could ever imagine  and we look down at Elizas grave marker, next to her husbands: My youngest is at school in Connecticut, and, you know, she can recite the entire thing. He pulls out his phone. I have to take a picture for her. Or, actually, a movie. Whereupon he turns his phone to landscape orientation, and with a steady hand frames Alexander Hamiltons name and epitaph, hangs on it for a moment, and then  I am not making this up  does a slow Burnsian pan down to Elizas. He presses send. A moment later, a heart emoji pops up, and his daughter FaceTimes for a moment to thank him.

We turn south along Broad Street as we near the end of our conversation  passing Federal Hall, the site where Washington was inaugurated and Congress met for the first time, and walking down toward Fraunces Tavern, where Washington bid a teary good-bye to his officers  and Burns returns to the challenge of getting into the heads of those ancient figures. How could they possibly feel? Plus, whats with the buckles on the shoes and the hose and the waistcoats and the powdered wigs? So clearly theyre not like us. Well, of course, theyre exactly like us, he says. And then he starts ticking off turning points in the film, all of which sound curiously contemporary: Theres a failed invasion of Canada. His enthusiasm kicks in and he starts talking even faster. Theres a continent-wide pandemic that kills more people than the Revolution did. Come on! Theres arguments about inoculation. Come on! You cant make this stuff up.

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MONCHENGLADBACH, Germany, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- International trade finance company Tradewind Finance today announced a USD 3.5 million factoring facility for a Hong Kong subsidiary of a leading family-owned and operated shirt brand based in Germany. The Hong Kong company is utilizing the facility to further improve cash flow and efficiently manage their international operations amid shifting trade policy.

With a strong brand legacy for quality shirts, the Hong Kong subsidiary is reengineering their financing options when orders for the brand's shirts started to ramp up. It had been difficult to integrate their Hong Kong business within the brand's existing credit lines, so they looked for a more flexible, globally-equipped financial partner. The HK apparel company required a financial solution that could bridge cash flow between their Asian production facilities and sales to U.S. buyers.

In the factoring arrangement, Tradewind is converting the Hong Kong company's receivables into immediate cash, ensuring a constant liquidity level and allowing them to meet the pre-payment terms of Asian suppliers and open account, 30+ day terms with U.S. buyers.

As a Germany-headquartered company with global offices, Tradewind brought expertise and an on-the-ground presence in the Asian, U.S., and European markets, making it a well-suited financial partner for the client.

MODINT Credit & Finance, an industry leader in credit management for the fashion and textile industry, introduced the Hong Kong-based deal to Tradewind. Together the firms were able to combine specialties and complete the necessary financing.

"This transaction is a perfect example of how collaboration with industry partners can make it possible to get financing across the finish line for the client, first and foremost. In this case, Tradewind and Modint teamed up, leveraged their international capabilities and network, and Tradewind was ultimately able to customize a factoring solution that addressed the client's unique working capital needs," Christian Fehmerling, Regional Commercial Leader Europe at Tradewind, says.

"Challenging times in a dynamic apparel industry require flexible partners. We're glad that this renowned client will be even better positioned to further enhance greater growth and financial success through our mutual efforts," Frans van der Hoorn, Managing Director of MODINT Credit & Finance, notes.

For more information about Tradewind and its export factoring solutions that accelerate cash flow and reduce trade risk, visit our website at www.tradewindfinance.com.

About Tradewind Finance

Founded in 2000, Tradewind Finance maintains a network of offices all over the world, including Bangladesh, Bulgaria, China, Hong Kong SAR, Hungary, India, Pakistan, Turkey, UAE, and the USA as well as the headquarters in Germany. Combining financing, credit protection, and collections into a single suite of trade finance products, Tradewind brings streamlined, flexible, and best-in-class services to the world's exporters and importers.

About the Seidensticker Group:

The Seidensticker Group was founded in Bielefeld, Germany, in 1919 and employs around 1,900 people internationally. The group manufactures a total of around 6 million items per year. The company is 100 per cent family-owned. The group is managed by managing partner Gerd Oliver Seidensticker, together with Dr Silvia Bentzinger (CEO of the Seidensticker brand) and Dr Marc Barrantes (CFO/COO).

Media Contact:

[email protected]

SOURCE Tradewind Finance
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New AI capabilities enable brands to create, optimize, and ship digital experiences in minuteswithout changing the tech stack

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Uniform, a leader in digital experience management, today unveiled breakthrough AI capabilities to solve digital marketing's most persistent bottleneck: the potential to leverage advanced AI capabilities without requiring lengthy platform migrations or vendor lock-in.

Unlike traditional digital experience platform (DXP) and content management system (CMS) vendors which require months or years of onboarding before brands can access AI features, Uniform's new capabilities work with any existing website or starting pointfrom rapid prototypes built in tools such as v0 or Lovable, to a Figma design, to a simple text prompt describing the desired experience.

"AI should accelerate launching digital experiences, not be locked behind costly migration projects," said Lars Petersen, CEO and co-founder of Uniform. "A marketer can now start their morning prototyping a campaign concept, connect it to Uniform, and have their team collaborating on a production-ready, optimized experience by lunch. All without ripping out their existing systems."

Comprehensive AI Across the Entire Digital Experience Lifecycle

Uniform's new AI capabilities span from ideation to optimization:

Scout  Agentic AI for Digital Experience Teams: Uniform's AI agent, Scout, automates critical workflows across the platform, including:

Creating new pages and content entries on command

Optimizing existing pages for SEO and accessibility

Personalizing and A/B testing components with intelligent audience and content suggestions

Auto-tagging for improved searchability

Translating content to any locale instantly

MCP Server Integration: Connect Uniform with any MCP-compatible tool, enabling seamless workflows where digital experience ideation happens in external tools, and automatically flows into Uniform with a properly mapped structure.

AI-Powered Front-End Migration: Uniform's proprietary migration tool now features automated AI-powered front-end migration. This capability allows for reconstructing existing websitesregardless of tech stackon modern front-end stacks in minutes.

EditMySite for Any Website: EditMySite, Uniform's revolutionary new offering, is redefining the industry by empowering brands of any technological configuration to add Uniform's powerful AI capabilities to their website with a single script tag. Digital teams can leverage Scout to optimize existing experiences, edit content in-line, and then publish improvements immediately.

"Less than 15% of enterprise websites run on modern front-end and composable architectures," Petersen noted. "EditMySite means the other 85% won't have to wait months or years for a replatforming project to benefit from AI. Add one script tag, and you're optimizing with AI minutes later."

See It Live

Uniform will demonstrate these AI capabilities at a virtual event on November 13th at 10 am ET. Register at uniform.dev/ai-launch to secure your seat.

About Uniform

Uniform is the original composable DXP, recognized as a Visionary in the 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Digital Experience Platforms (DXP). The company enables enterprises to deliver digital experiences at scale by unifying any technology stack with visual experience management and AI-powered optimizationwithout vendor lock-in or lengthy migrations.

Media Contact

Turner Sato

[email protected]

Gartner Disclaimer

GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark and MAGIC QUADRANT is a registered trademark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved. Gartner Reports: Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Digital Experience Platforms, Irina Guseva, Varsha Mehta, Mike Lowndes, John Field, January 28th, 2025 Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

SOURCE Uniform
New platform integrates tokenized deposits and stablecoins, providing community and regional banks with secure, interoperable access to digital assets

SAN ANTONIO, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Seamless access to tokenized depositsthe future of bankingis now available to community and regional banks nationwide with Custodia's bank-grade blockchain platform and Infinant's Interlace platform. Vantage Bank, working in partnership with Custodia, invites banks and credit unions to join the consortium, which has developed a turnkey accretive solution that integrates tokenized deposits and stablecoins* directly into the traditional online banking environment. The patent-protected framework is designed to provide institutions and their customers with the efficiencies and security of tokenization while safeguarding core deposits from the risk of disintermediation.

Unlike existing stablecoin providers, which often operate on fragmented platforms, this initiative addresses the challenge of interoperability by introducing a single digital token that can function as both a tokenized deposit and a stablecoin. This innovation enables consortium member banks and credit unions to extend future-ready financial products to their customers without undermining deposit stability. Consortium member banks and credit unions will also gain the benefit of the premier patent portfolio pertaining to protocols for tokenizing U.S. dollars on blockchains, which Custodia has been developing since 2020.

The platform is open to institutions of all sizes. Member banks maintain control of their wallets for tokenized deposits and stablecoins while gaining the benefit of interoperability with other financial institutions. Tokens issued under the system can shift between regulatory categoriesdeposit and stablecoinwhile preserving clear oversight at every stage.

Practical applications have already been demonstrated. For example, early pilot programs have included instant cross-border payments for transportation companies, milestone-based disbursements in construction, supply chain settlement for manufacturers, and more flexible payroll options in service industries. These use cases highlight the system's potential to streamline financial transactions and create efficiencies across multiple sectors.

Collaboration and Development

Vantage Bank and Custodia issued the first tokenized bank deposits together in March 2025. Since then, the two institutions have worked through a series of additional test transactions, in a regulated environment. The announcement of live tokenized deposits represents more than two years of preparation. Because of their early collaboration, Custodia is a grandfathered "permitted payment stablecoin issuer" under the GENIUS Act, giving consortium member banks an early opportunity to adopt tokenized deposits and stablecoins while remaining fully compliant.

Technology and Capabilities

The platform allows any consortium member bank to securely tokenize deposits while maintaining full control of its own wallet for both tokenized deposits and payment stablecoins, which are hosted by Custodia. At the same time, the framework supports interoperability across participating institutions, enabling a higher level of security, operational stability, and ease of integration than conventional stablecoin solutions.

A token issued on the system can change hands across banks, shift between a tokenized deposit and a GENIUS Actcompliant stablecoin, and adjust to the appropriate regulator, with responsibilities clearly delineated at each stage. This approach reduces the fragmentation and friction often seen when funds move between traditional banking and the crypto ecosystemflows that historically tend to tilt toward crypto during strong market cycles. By ensuring tokens remain within the banking environment, the model helps preserve the advantages of tokenization while encouraging deposits to remain in, or return to, the issuing institution.

The framework also addresses concerns about the "singleness of money." By allowing tokenized deposits to interact directly with one stablecoinAvitunder a unified system and shared smart contract, the initiative aims to achieve monetary singularity. At present, no other stablecoin has reached this objective, as none have been issued concurrently with tokenized bank deposits on a common platform.

Open Access

Unlike many large banks and core providers that restrict institutions with closed systems, Vantage and Custodia have emphasized open access and interoperability. Their stated objective is to enable community and regional banks and credit unions to innovate while maintaining regulatory compliance and deposit stability. The approach reflects a broader commitment to strengthening financial institutions and serving communities by providing flexibility and security without barriers.

Learn more at https://go.vantage.bank/tokenized-deposits-are-coming.

* Stablecoins are not FDIC insured and involve risks, including potential loss of value, operational risks, and evolving regulatory requirements. Only traditional bank deposits and tokenized deposits qualify for FDIC Insurance.*

About Vantage Bank:

Vantage Bank is prepared for what's possible! We are dedicated to delivering sophisticated, innovative financial solutions while maintaining a strong commitment to the communities we serve. Headquartered in Texas, we operate across the state, with locations in Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Houston, Laredo, the Rio Grande Valley, and San Antonio. Our suite of powerful digital tools and services rivals those offered by fintechs and similar non-bank financial services companies. We operate within a safe and sound environmentproviding peace of mind and the financial security that only a regulated institution can offer. By integrating advanced technology with personalized service, Vantage Bank empowers individuals and businesses to achieve their financial goals while upholding the highest standards of compliance and community engagement. For more information, visit Vantage.Bank.

About Custodia:

Custodia, headquartered in Wyoming, was formed to serve as a compliant bridge to the U.S. dollar payments system and a custodian of digital assets that can meet the strictest level of institutional custody standards. Custodia is required to fully comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including the Bank Secrecy Act and federal "know your customer," anti-money laundering and related laws and regulations. Custodia also complies with Wyoming's special purpose depository institution and digital asset laws, which include requirements that fiat deposits be 100% reserved and that Custodia meet the strictest investor protections in the digital asset industry. This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies (including product offerings, regulatory plans and business plans) and may change without notice. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information, visit custodiabank.com.

About Infinant

Charlotte, N.C.-based Infinant provides a resilient deposit and payment platform that acts as the innovation layer for financial institutions to power their digital and embedded finance channels without the need for core replacement. The Interlace platform enables a multi-channel, multi-product strategy with virtual accounts and payments on a single platform under bank-control to satisfy bank regulatory requirements. Infinant creates new value propositions for financial institutions, brands and fintech to act and advance in their markets. To learn more about staying above-the-core, visit www.infinant.com.

CONTACT: Leslie Komet Ausburn, Komet Marketing Communications, [email protected] / 210.326.8992

SOURCE Vantage Bank and Custodia
Mass media conglomerate Warner Bros. Discovery is making like a Times Square luggage shop and putting up a giant sign: EVERYTHING MUST GO!

The troubled behemoth  and resentful parent company of CNN  has been pulled apart and stitched back together more times than the Bride of Frankenstein. But now its rotting body parts are really starting to stink  and nepo-baby wunderkind David Ellison (chairman and CEO of Paramount Skydance and son of Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison) sniffs a deal.

Over the past four weeks, Paramount has reportedly made three offers to buy Warner Bros. Discovery. On Tuesday, The Bros said the company is up for sale.

So, what does this mean for the House that Wolf Blitzer built  not to mention Anderson Cooper, Kaitlin Collins and Jake Tapper? Let's just say Kaitlin might want to think twice before snapping up another Nantucket vacation home.

Trust me, I know. I was there at the birth of another media phenomenon. No, not Barron Trump MTV.

Ironically, Ellison's company already owns MTV. A network insider tells me that it's a question of when, not if, the brand is shut down for good.

'Everything is on the table,' my source says, including turning MTV into an all-streaming platform with zero cable real estate. Or the channel could also be sent to the great TV junkyard in the sky, which would be utterly heartbreaking.

I was at MTV during its 90s golden age, and the idea that something once considered an American cultural institution could go dark is unthinkable.

Nepo-baby wunderkind David Ellison (right), chairman and CEO of Paramount Skydance and son of Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison (left), sniffs a deal

So, what does this mean for the House that Wolf Blitzer built  not to mention Anderson Cooper, Kaitlin Collins and Jake Tapper?

MTV created moments that defined a generation  and I was there for them, from Nirvana Unplugged (yes, that was me who yelled out 'Rape Me' when the band asked for requests) to slumber parties with Nine Inch Nails and the Chili Peppers, to the MTV Beach House with bikini babes Jenny McCarthy and Daisy Fuentes.

It was a nonstop party that we all assumed would go on forever. But by next year, MTV will have shut down five of its UK channels and  it seems to me  it's only a matter of time before these Skydance folks do a jig on the channel's grave.

Was this inevitable? Perhaps. But it certainly didn't need to be this way for CNN. It isn't for Fox News, which has pivoted energies to digital, streaming and podcasts (including a delightful show called 'Kennedy Saves the World' which is a real gem, I'm told!).

In addition to serving existing audiences, Fox News has also sought out new ones, while CNN has withered into a little-watched parody of itself. Since last November's election, half of CNN's audience has abandoned them.

Was MTV's fate inevitable? Perhaps. But it certainly didn't need to be this way for CNN

The anchors, hosts and bosses there got infected by Trump Derangement Syndrome and promised their viewers that the Bad Orange Man was unelectable. But they ended up driving their credibility straight off a cliff and it's sad that throngs of well-meaning journalists and producers may suffer the consequences.

David Ellison has paid unorthodox editor Bari Weiss handsomely for her Free Press website and invited her to remake the CBS newsroom (which he also now owns) in her image.

Ellison is betting that she will right the ideological wrongs that have tarnished the Tiffany Network. So, if he scores the WBD deal too, I'm highly doubtful that he'll fall back on the leftist Jeff Zucker/Don Lemon playbook at CNN. Or maybe Ellison swallows Warner Bros. whole but spits out CNN along with the pits. If so, the network will have to fend for itself in a rapidly consolidating media industry.

Here's the harsh truth: much as you might want your MTV, these media titans want a return on their investment.

Flying his freak flag

Alexander Skarsgard showed up to the 'Pillion' red carpet last week in a white halter top and leather pants so tight they nearly showed off his Swedish meatballs.

But his subversive suit was hardly the freakiest ensemble there.

He walked one of his costars (dressed as a dog) on a leash.

Woof...

Alexander Skarsgard showed up to the 'Pillion' red carpet last week in a white halter top and leather pants so tight they nearly showed off his Swedish meatballs

Nobody wants this

Kristen Bell recently penned an anniversary tribute to hubby Dax Shepard: '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.''

Fans flipped out and reminded her that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Well, Bell-Brains can top herself during November's Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month.

'Dear Dax, I forgot how much I love you!'

Kristen Bell recently penned an anniversary tribute to hubby Dax Shepard: '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''

Forget about it!

Speaking of forgetful, Joe Biden's former press flak Karine Jean-Pierre can't seem to remember what a senile disaster her old boss was.

She told Stephen Colbert: 'The man that I saw nearly every day was someone who was engaging, understood policy, and was always putting the American people first.'

Yes, he put them first: right after naps, ice cream and talking to dead people.

Freed Fraudster

Former drag queen and disgraced ex-congressman George Santos was sprung from the hoosegow thanks to President Donald Trump, who commuted his sentence last week.

After his release, Santos took to X to thank loved ones, Trump and Jesus Christ.

Not since Washington crossed the icy Delaware river has a George been so relieved to make it to the other side.

Face card declined

Kim Kardashian went full Kanye at the Academy Museum Gala last week when she completely covered her face with what looked like fabric fished out of the Skims dumpster.

Now their marriage makes sense.

It was the blind leading the blind.

Kim Kardashian went full Kanye at the Academy Museum Gala last week when she completely covered her face with what looked like fabric fished out of the Skims dumpster

Bone to pick

Another attendee in a nightmarish gown with husband problems was newly minted billionairess Hailey Bieber.

She had a corset so long and unforgiving she couldn't sit during the festivities.

If only she had Justin on a leash that tight, maybe he wouldn't be such a public disaster.

She had a corset so long and unforgiving she couldn't sit during the festivities

Face value

Ashton Kutcher is boohooing about being too good looking to be cast in serious role. 'Sometimes it's frustrating,' he told a New York Comic Con panel.

Apparently, it's never entered Ashton's pretty little head that it isn't his washboard abs that have held him back, it's his acting.

Crapshoot

During the 'No Kings' protests last weekend, President Trump posted an AI-generated video of himself as a fighter pilot, wearing a crown, bombing feces over uber-lib protesters.

Cue the tiresome left reacting like it was napalm.

Calm down. Trolling is also protected speech.
Fancy a winter break abroad, a brief respite from the socialist misery at home? Already looking forward to next summers sunshine getaway?

Better book now, then, just to be on the safe side. The latest horror story emerging from Treasury and Labour sources is that Rachel From Complaints is planning yet another smash and grab raid on air travel.

Weve already got the highest airline taxes in the world by some distance. In her last Budget, Reeves hiked existing usurious rates of Air Passenger Duty (APD), which kick in next April.

Not that it will stop her coming back for more as she casts around in desperation for any, however punitive, measures to fill her self-inflicted 50billion black hole.

Travel company bosses, including the heads of TUI and Jet2, warned this week that some families will be priced out of package holidays altogether if taxes go up again. Businesses are already reeling from the increases in National Insurance and the minimum wage, which are costing Jet2 alone an extra 25million a year.

How much more pain can passengers bear? As Ive said before, this column does words not numbers  which I leave to my expert colleagues on Money Mail. But what I do know is that taxes now comprise anything up to a third of the price on long-haul business class flights and two-thirds on a domestic or European trip.

The justification for this daylight robbery is the demented pursuit of Net Zero - even though UK-originated air travel is responsible for just 2.4 per cent of global plane emissions. Yet while struggling families are working out whether they can still afford to take the kids to Disney World in Florida or a fortnight at a budget hotel on the Costa Packet, two men who wont have to worry about the cost of air travel are the Prime Minister and the Mayor of London, Genghis Khan.

They may flaunt their planet-saving credentials and heap ever-increasing eco taxes on ordinary people, but when it comes to jetting round the world at taxpayers expense, the skys the limit.

The latest horror story emerging from Treasury and Labour sources is that Rachel From Complaints is planning yet another smash and grab raid on air travel, writes Richard Littlejohn

This week we learned that Never Here Keir is to fly 9,000 miles to Brazil and back to attend  yep, you guessed  a climate change summit

The hypocrisy is quite breathtaking. This week we learned that Mayor Khans Visit London tourist board will not be welcoming visitors with a sizeable carbon footprint. They wont be advertising in long-haul markets such as Idaho, in the US, in order to make London a sustainable global destination.

Not that having a footprint the size of a Yeti has prevented Genghis from jetting around the world. Analysis of his international travel since he came to office shows that he has churned out 43.6 tons of carbon, enough to punch a black hole in the ozone layer, so to speak.

In laymans terms, thats a hell of a lot  much of it produced on trips to climate change conferences, after being chauffeured to the airport in his gas-guzzling official Range Rover. Hes racked up enough air miles to fly to the Moon and back.

Fly me to the moon...

At home in London, though, Genghis poses as a clean air zealot, using it as an excuse to milk motorists through congestion charges and low emission zones  both of which only serve to create increased congestion and exhaust emissions.

Now we discover that his hated ULEZ extension  raking in 3.5million a week  has had no effect at all in cutting pollution.

So thats what they mean by Net Zero.

Turns out his jet-setting is more damaging to the planet than all the cars in Outer London.

The only serious contender to Genghis when it comes to the mass slaughter of polar bears is the Prime Minister himself.

If Kemi Badenoch really wanted to embarrass Surkeir at PMQs she could start by asking him how much time he expects to spend in the UK over the coming year.

This week we learned that Never Here Keir is to fly 9,000 miles to Brazil and back to attend  yep, you guessed it  a climate change summit.

Even though hes only been in office for 16 months, this will be his 40th foreign trip. His impressive itinerary includes five trips to both the US and France, three to Germany, as well Samoa, Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia, Canada, India, the UAE and Egypt. When he gets back from Brazil, hes packing his swimming trunks before heading off again to a G20 gathering in Johannesburg.

Theres been nothing like it since Two Jags flew first-class to China to deliver a lecture on global warming in his capacity as UN rapporteur on climate change.

At this rate Surkeir will have been round the world more times than Michael Palin.

Hilariously, the excuse for this latest jolly is that he has to attend the climate change summit in Brazil to stop Labour haemorrhaging votes to the Greens.

It gets better. In order to save the planet, the Brazilian government has bulldozed tens of thousands of acres of protected Amazon rainforest to build a motorway in preparation for the conference. You couldnt, etc.

The summit is taking place 4,600 miles from London in Belem, known as the Gateway To The Amazon. Next time he visits the UK, between overseas jaunts, perhaps Surkeir would condescend to visit Balham, Gateway To The South.

While the PM is swanning round the world, the hard-pressed people of Balham and beyond are trying to work out if they can afford a budget package holiday, once theyve paid their exorbitant ULEZ charges and Rachel from Complaints upcoming increases in air passenger duty. Thats if the travel firms havent gone bust by then.

Still, if youve got a few bob left over after the Budget, I hear Brazil is nice this time of year.
Menopause questions will be included in NHS health checks for the first time, officials have announced, in a landmark step forward for womens healthcare.

The update, which could benefit nearly five million women in England, will give those experiencing symptoms such as hot flushes, mood swings, joint pain and trouble sleeping visibility and support.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said women have been suffering in silence for far too long and have had to grit their teeth and get on with it.

Routine appointments - which are offered to eligible adults aged 40-74 every five years  will now include dedicated questions about the menopause and raise awareness so more women recognise the signs.

The move marks a major victory for the Daily Mail, who have been calling for this change since 2022 as part of our Fix the HRT crisis campaign.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said specific questions will be developed over the coming months with guidance from health experts.

It means the menopause  which usually takes place between the ages of 45 and 55  will be brought into the mainstream of healthcare conversations.

Three quarters of women experience symptoms  from physical changes like joint pain, weight gain and hot flushes to cognitive effects such as memory issues and brain fog  which can last an average of seven years and significantly impact daily life. However, fewer than one in 10 feel they have enough information to deal with it.

Routine appointments - which are offered to eligible adults aged 40-74 every five years  will now include dedicated questions about the menopause and raise awareness so more women recognise the signs (file image)

Dr Louise Newson, pictured beside Mariella Frostrop, left, along with Carolyn Harris MP, Penny Lancaster and Davina McCall at a march campaigning for menopause awareness

Dr Sue Mann, National Clinical Director in Womens Health for NHS England, said: Far too often we still hear women say their concerns arent listened to or that they arent getting enough support for the debilitating symptoms that can come with the menopause, many of which can have a big impact on their lives and can be invisible to others.

We want to change that  no-one should have to put on a brave face or feel they are facing symptoms of menopause or perimenopause on their own.

By tailoring NHS Health Checks to include questions around menopause, we hope more women will get the support they need to manage their symptoms.

Too often, women's experiences of menopause have been minimised or misunderstood with symptoms sometimes mistaken for other conditions or attributed to stress or lifestyle factors.

Women have been suffering in silence for far too long and havent been encouraged to open up about the symptoms theyre experiencing, Mr Streeting said.

This oftens means theyre left to navigate menopause alone, with very little support - all because of an outdated health system that fails to acknowledge how serious it can be.

No one should have to grit their teeth and just get on with what can be debilitating symptoms or be told that its simply part of life.

This government is overhauling womens healthcare and giving those experiencing menopause and perimenopause the visibility and support they have long been asking for.

HRT prescriptions for menopausal women have soared over the past few years, with 11million items handed out to help deal with symptoms in 2022/23

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which replaces the hormones that are at low levels, is the main treatment for menopausal women.

The Daily Mail's Fix the HRT crisis campaign was launched several years ago when thousands of women were unable to access their medication in the midst of a supply crisis.

Our manifesto demanded urgent action to tackle the issue, and secured an early victory as pharmacists were given the go-ahead to prescribe alternatives to out-of-stock treatment.

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency also made the decision to make a particular form of HRT available over the counter in a landmark UK first.

Alongside calls for greater access to treatments was a demand that women should be given information at their NHS health check to raise awareness of the menopause.

Mariella Forstrup, Menopause Employment Ambassador, described the update as a major leap forward while Professor Ranee Thakar, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said: It is fantastic news that menopause conversations will now be included in routine NHS Health Checks for women over 40.

In recent years, there has been an unprecedented increase in HRT prescriptions partly due to the Davina effect.

TV personality Davina McCall has released a series of documentaries about the menopause which, along with the efforts of campaigners, prompted an enormous increase in awareness.

Campaigner Katie Taylor, author of Midlife Matters and founder of The Latte Lounge menopause support group, said: Todays news makes me want to weep and jump with joy. Its something we have been pushing for, for years.

It is a great victory for all of us grass roots campaigners, for all of the millions of women who have struggled in silence for too long, and for the Daily Mails menopause campaign.

Janet Lindsay, chief executive at Wellbeing of Women, welcomed the plans but warned not all women have access to NHS health checks.

She said: 'Despite growing awareness of menopause in recent years, stigma and shame around womens health persist.

'Too many still do not reach out for help  often because they dont recognise what theyre experiencing as menopause or are unaware of the support available.

'However, not all women access these health checks. Women and people from marginalised communities are less likely to know about or attend these appointments, and progress on menopause support cannot leave them behind.

'Healthcare professionals must work with grassroots organisations embedded in these communities to ensure that those facing additional barriers receive the tailored care they need.'
Fears over the safety of one of Britain's most popular hair treatments this week caused shockwaves among beauty fans.

US scientists suggested that chemical relaxers used to straighten hair, such as Keratin treatments and Brazilian blowouts, may dramatically raise the risk of certain cancers.

The researchers from Emory University in Georgia, who tracked more than 50,000 women, found those who enjoyed such hair care had a 166 percent higher risk of pancreatic cancer.

Their risk of thyroid cancer, meanwhile, rose to a staggering 71 per cent and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, 62 per cent.

This risk was increased further among frequent users  defined as using the products more than four times per year.

It is believed formaldehyde, which is used as a preservative in such hair products, can escape from them as a gas over time, a process known as 'off-gassing'  especially when they come into contact with heat.

If these fumes are inhaled repeatedly, they can lead to anything from minor side effects like eye and respiratory irritation to major health issues.

But super strength straightening treatments are not the only hair products that can drastically impact health. Other popular treatments can leave users suffering allergic reactions or even needing skin grafts.

US scientists this week suggested that chemical relaxers used to straighten hair, such as Keratin treatments and Brazilian blowouts, may dramatically raise the risk of certain cancers

Chemical burns from DIY bleaching

For years, women have taken to social media in their droves to share horrifying tales of hair dye jobs gone wrong.

Photos posted online show how some have been forced to have half of their heads shaved or even undergo skin grafts to replace dead skin on the back of their heads.

Others have told how doctors have warned them the hair will never grow back as there are no follicles in the skin.

Chemicals including ammonium, hydrogen peroxide and potassium persulfates are often to blame, experts have claimed.

Hair lightening products containing persulfates and hydrogen peroxide are permitted for use in the EU and UK only after being thoroughly checked for safety.

In the UK, the maximum concentration of hydrogen peroxide allowed for use in hair products is 12 per cent.

Persulfates do not have any specified concentration and hair lightening products may contain up concentrations of 70 per cent, according to the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA).

Over a prolonged time, a high-energy reaction, caused when the chemicals come in contact with skin tissue, can destroy human flesh.

Hair restoration on tissue once damaged by burns is complex and can take longer to achieve than typical hair transplant surgery.

Photos posted online show how some have been forced to have half of their heads shaved or even undergo skin grafts to replace dead skin on the back of their heads

Others have told how doctors have warned them the hair will never grow back as there are no follicles in the skin

Allergies triggering face swelling

Some components in hair dyes can also cause symptoms of an allergic reaction.

This is why manufacturers say a skin tolerance test must be carried out 48 hours before.

Such recommendations are in place for both home dye kits and those used by professionals in hair salons.

Most commonly the chemical paraphenylenediamine (PPD) causes reactions from mild skin irritation to swelling.

In one dramatic case, a woman's face swelled to twice its size, she suffered a burning scalp and was left with severe breathing difficulties after having an allergic reaction to hair dye.

Paraphenylenediamine, also known as PPD, is one of the most common hair dye ingredients and is found in more than two thirds of products.

Reactions to PPD can range from mild irritation in the scalp to an allergic reaction that can potentially trigger serious symptoms throughout the body.

Often signs include itchiness and swelling but in rarer cases the reaction may trigger a dangerous inflammation of the airways called anaphylaxis.

This can make it hard and even impossible to breath and can cause the body to go into a cardiac emergency like a cardiac arrest due to a lack of oxygen.

Robyn Cherry from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, was left unable to see and her face doubled in size after dying her hair brown back in 2010 - despite undergoing a patch test

Doctors discovered Robyn had suffered a severe reaction to paraphenylenediamine (PPD), a common ingredient in hair dye

Hair straighteners and curling tongs

With their inbuilt hot plates often reaching temperatures exceeding 220 degrees, a pair of hair straighteners has the potential to do enormous damage.

The every day styling toolswhich work by compressing hair between two electronically heated plates, removing kinks and frizzdon't just promise poker straight locks.

They can easily cause poker hot burnsand the same goes for curling tongs.

As they take up to 40 minutes to completely cool down after use, experts have urged users to invest in heatproof bags to store them in to keep them out of the way of hands, arms, or stop them from being accidentally sat on while they're still red hot.

Proper post-use care also keeps them out of harm's way from children, who have been known to innocently reach up and grab the devices with horrendous outcomes.

According to the Children's Burns Trust, there was a 20 per cent year-on-year increase in children being admitted to specialist burn units in the first six months of 2023 due to injuries and scalds from hair appliances.

Worryingly, the figure didn't include less serious burns which were treated at A&E departments.

Because children's skin is much thinner than adults', burns can be much more serious, with some children left with life-changing injuries or permanent disfigurement.

Some youngsters have even been left with excruciating third degree burnswhich is a burn that affects all of the layers of skin and sometimes the fat and muscle tissue beneathand needing surgeries and skin grafts.

Ken Dunn, a consultant burns and plastic surgeon and vice chair of The Children's Burns Trust, said: 'The increase in hair straightener burns among children is deeply troubling.

'These injuries are entirely preventable, and it is crucial that parents and caregivers are aware of the risks associated with these devices.

'Simple steps, such as using heat-resistant pouches and ensuring proper storage, can make a significant difference in protecting our children from these accidents.'

With their inbuilt hot plates often reaching temperatures exceeding 220 degrees, a pair of hair straighteners has the potential to do enormous damage

Shampoos with hidden gluten

People with coeliac disease or gluten intolerance don't only need to exercise caution at restaurants and during their food shopwashing their hair can also prove dangerous.

Many shampoos contain glutena protein naturally found in grains such as wheat, barley and ryewhich manufacturers use as a thickening agent, or to add shine to the hair.

While gluten cannot be absorbed through the skin, there is a slight chance that some suds could be accidentally ingested, particularly by young children during a hair wash, and it could trigger a reaction.

US charity and advocacy group the Celiac Disease Foundation says: 'Gluten cannot be absorbed through your scalp or skin unless there is an open lesion. It must be ingested to affect those with coeliac disease.'

For people with very sensitive skin, eczema or inflammatory skin conditions, gluten does have the potential to cause irritation or allergic reactions, regardless of if you have a sensitivity or allergy to the protein.

To check if your shampoo contains gluten, look for hydrolyzed wheat protein, hydrolyzed vegetable protein or wheat germ oil on the ingredients list.

Limited research has also suggested that using hair dye multiple times a year could raise the risk of certain cancers

Limit hair colouring sessions

Limited research has also suggested that using hair dye multiple times a year could raise the risk of certain cancers.

According to one 2017 study by London surgeon Kefah Mokbel, women who colour their hair have a 14 per cent rise in rates of breast cancer.

Professor Mokbel, who works at the Princess Grace Hospital in Marylebone, London, concluded: 'Although further work is required to confirm our results, our findings suggest that exposure to hair dyes may contribute to breast cancer risk.'

He also recommended that women should dye their hair only two to five times a year and use products with more natural ingredients, such as beetroot, to reduce the risk of cancer.

Meanwhile, another 2008 study found those who use hair dyes more than nine times a year had a 60 per cent greater risk of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

And women who regularly used hair dyes before 1980 could be in even greater danger, US researchers said, with a 70 per cent increased risk of developing the blood disease.

This is because dyes sold before then contained toxic ingredients linked to cancer which are not present in modern hair products.

But experts have repeatedly warned that there is not enough evidence yet to prove that repeated hair dyeing does raise the risk.

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Chemical hair relaxers

For decades the Black community have used products to reduce their hair's natural coiled texture and make it easier to style and manage.

These products, known as 'relaxers' or perms, are a form of chemical straightener which breaks the hair's natural curl pattern, leaving it straight.

However, their use has been linked to a string of devastating illnesses and painful burns on the scalp.

Symiah Barnett, a researcher from Reading University, is part of a group carrying out vital research into the hair products marketed towards Black communities.

She told the Daily Mail: 'Chemical hair relaxers are notorious for causing scalp burns because they typically contain strong alkaline agents such as sodium hydroxide or guanidine hydroxide.

'These chemicals can disrupt the scalp's natural pH, leading to chemical burns and inflammation.

'Despite decades of widespread use, within Black communities, there is surprisingly a lack of research examining their chronic effects, including how these chemicals are absorbed through the scalp or whether they may be linked to broader health outcomes.'

A 2018 study by the Silent Spring Institute, Massachusetts analysed 18 hair products marketed towards black women.

These products were made up of hot-oil treatments, anti-frizz polishes, leave-in conditioners, root stimulators, hair lotions and relaxers.

They found that almost 80 percent of the hair products contained chemicals linked to cancer, infertility and obesity.

Up to 78 percent of relaxers, which are used to permanently straighten hair, contained hormone-disrupting chemicals, known as parabens.

Past studies suggest parabens, which are used as preservatives, mimic oestrogen and may cause cancer, weight gain and reduced muscle mass.
Persistent poor sleep may prevent the brain from flushing out waste raising the risk of dementia, scientists revealed today.

Research has long suggested that the glymphatic system gets rid of the 'toxic material', by pushing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)  which bathes the brain tissue and spinal cord  through the brain, keeping it healthy.

But UK scientists, who analysed the brain structures of more than 40,000 adults, found that 'disruption' to the glymphatic system impairs its cleaning ability, increasing the likelihood of developing dementia.

When it was disrupted, people were more likely to have a build-up of two toxic proteins - amyloid and tau - which are known to spread through the brain and cause memory problems.

These proteins can form plaques and tangles that interfere with brain cell function and are thought to drive Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia.

Publishing their findings in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, the scientists said sleep plays an important role in glymphatic function, so disrupted sleep patterns are likely to damage the system.

The findings, could alternatively pave the way for examining if existing medicines could be repurposed, or new ones developed, to help improve glymphatic function.

Dr Yutong Chen, an expert in clinical neurosciences at the University of Cambridge and study co-author, said: 'Although we have to be cautious about indirect markers, our work provides good evidence in a very large cohort that disruption of the glymphatic system plays a role in dementia.

UK scientists, who analysed the brain structures of more than 40,000 adults, found that 'disruption' to the glymphatic system impairs its cleaning ability, increasing the likelihood of developing dementia

'This is exciting because it allows to ask: how can we improve this?'

Dr Hui Hong, study co-author and now a radiologist at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China, added: 'We already have evidence that small vessel disease in the brain accelerates diseases like Alzheimer's, and now we have a likely explanation why.

'Disruption to the glymphatic system is likely to impair our ability to clear the brain of the amyloid and tau that causes Alzheimer's disease.'

In the study, researchers used an algorithm developed by Dr Chen which was capable of assessing glymphatic functions from MRI scans.

Applying the algorithm to the 40,000 MRI scans, the found three biomarkers were associated with impaired glymphatic function and could predict an increased dementia risk.

One was DTI-ALPS, a measure of the diffusion of water molecules along tiny channels around blood vessels.

The second was the size of the choroid plexus, where the CSF is produced, while the third measure reflected the flow velocity of CSF into the brain.

Further analysis showed that several cardiovascular risk factors also impaired glymphatic function, such as high blood pressure and increased dementia risk.

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University College London scientists estimate 1.7 million Britons will be living with dementia by the year 2040

'Strategies to improve CSF dynamics may reduce dementia risk,' the researchers said.

This could include improving disrupted sleep patterns and treating high blood pressure promptly.

The findings will also be presented in full today at the World Stroke Congress 2025 in Barcelona.

Professor Bryan Williams, chief scientific and medical officer at the British Heart Foundation, which helped fund the study, said: 'This study offers us a fascinating glimpse into how problems with the brain's waste clearance system could be quietly increasing the chances of developing dementia later in life.

'By improving our understanding of the glymphatic system, this study opens exciting new avenues for research to treat and prevent dementia.

'It also emphasises the importance of managing known cardiovascular risk factors, such as high blood pressure, for reducing dementia risk.'

Alzheimer's Disease affects 982,000 people in the UK.

Memory problems, thinking and reasoning difficulties and language problems are common early symptoms of the condition, which then worsen over time.

Alzheimer's Research UK analysis found 74,261 people died from dementia in 2022 compared with 69,178 a year earlier, making it the country's biggest killer.

However, Alzheimer's disease is on the rise globally; figures from Frontiers revealed that from 1990 to 2019, new cases of Alzheimer's and other dementias globally rose by approximately 148 per cent, and total cases increased by around 161 per cent.
A new study has revealed over 20,000 people in Britain could unknowingly be living with Parkinson's disease.

It is estimated in the UK that someone is diagnosed with the progressive neurological disorder, which destroys the cells in the brain that controls movement, every 20 minutes.

Previously, experts have predicted the number of people living with Parkinson's worldwide will double to 25 million by 2050.

But new research by Parkinson's UK showed diagnosis rates have dropped by 26 per cent - from 26,000 to 19,300 - between 2019 and 2021.

This figure may have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, but the researchers note that the rates have not returned to pre-pandemic levels five years on.

The study found that while excess deaths had a small impact on prevalence of the illness, the biggest factors were long NHS waiting lists and difficulty seeing a neurologist.

Worryingly, their analysis of 18 million patient records suggested 21,000 people could unknowingly have the illness.

The charity has called for the NHS to address a 'diagnosis crisis', following their findings, which were recently published in the journal Movement Disorders Clinical Practice.

Ozzy Osbourne was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2003

The charity has called on the NHS to address the 'diagnosis crisis' following their findings

Caroline Rassell, chief executive of Parkinson's UK, said: 'The painfully long Covid backlog, and slow recovery of neurology services, has left thousands of people with Parkinson's struggling to be seen.

'Some people are waiting five years to see a neurologist.

'All too often we hear they are bounced between services, in a state of uncertainty, fearing the worst whilst they wait for a diagnosis.

'It's simply unacceptable and forces those who can afford it, to turn to private healthcare for answers.'

She added: 'We continue to campaign, fund key roles and educate health professionals so they have the expertise they need to care for people with Parkinsons.

'But we cannot do this alone, and so we desperately need the NHS to address this diagnosis crisis, the growing backlog and improve access to quality, specialist care.'

A government spokesperson said they 'inherited record long waiting lists' with too many people 'facing unacceptable' waiting times to get diagnosed and treated.

They added they are 'working at pace' to 'turn this around and cut waiting times' by investing in the workforce, staff training, treatment research and new technology.

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Classic symptoms of the illness include a tremor that begins in the hand or arm, slowness of movement, and muscle stiffness - but there are other early signs.

Victoria Baggaley, a senior helpline advisor at Parkinson's UK who offers support for people diagnosed with the condition, has front-line experience in how it can present.

Previously she told The Sun some little-known warning signs of the illness, that can be easily dismissed.

1. Loss of sense of smell

The first, easily overlooked sign was loss of sense of smell, which studies have shown is common in patients with Parkinson's.

'For example, some people may struggle to smell their favourite foods, and this can start years before other symptoms develop,' said Ms Baggaley.

2. Sleep problems

Equally sleep problems are also common for people developing Parkinson's due to symptoms like stiffness, pain and restlessness leg syndrome.

During the night waking up to pee and sleep apnoeamomentarily stopping breathing when asleepare also often experienced.

3. Handwriting changes

Ms Baggaley explained: 'Because of changes in the brain, people with Parkinson's can find their movements become smaller and less forceful than before.

'This can lead to someone's handwriting becoming smaller than it previously was or gradually getting tinier on the page.'

4. Bladder and bowel problems

Issues with your bladder or bowels was the fourth easy-to-dismiss sign of the illness.

'Needing to pee immediately without warning or go frequently throughout the night are the most common bladder symptoms and constipation is the most common bowel problem,' said Ms Baggaley.

5. Depression

The fifth warning sign was depressionwhich is experienced by nearly half of people suffering with Parkinson's disease.

'This is characterised by feelings of extreme sadness or a sense of emotional emptiness for a long time,' said Ms Baggaley.

However, it can also present as low energy, increased hunger and difficulty concentrating.

6. Anxiety

Similarly feeling anxious is a common early warning sign that is easy-to-dismissand according to Parkinson's UK doesn't only include constant worrying.

It can also include a sense of dread, concentration issues, sweating, breathlessness, a racing heart and dizziness, the charity explains.

7. Fatigue

The seventh early warning sign is fatigue that doesn't go away after you have restedwhich affects half of Parkinson's patients.

This isn't necessarily consistent and can fluctuate day-to-day which can make it easy-to-dismiss.

While there is no cure for the illness, early diagnosis allows time for personalised treatment plans to be put in place to slow the progression of the disease.

Sadly, it took Amanda Palmer, 51, from Bristol - who was impacted by waiting times during the pandemic - 18 months after first speaking to her GP to get a diagnosis.

While Ms Palmer said she experienced symptoms long before, she approached her GP about a shake in her arm in 2020.

'After a telephone consultation - which was all I could get - I was told they didn't know what it was and sent on my way.

'One year later, when the shake was worse, I went back to see a GP, this time face-to-face.

'They thought it was a neck issue, but referred me to a neurologist, just to make sure.

'All in, it was 18 months between first approaching my GP and receiving a Parkinson's diagnosis, knowing something was wrong, but not sure what it was.'
By the age of 50, most people need some help with reading up close  even if they have never needed glasses before.

Long-sightedness, or presbyopia, is caused by the lens inside the eye becoming less flexible, a natural effect of ageing.

It causes blurry vision when you look at things up close, causing you to move things further away in order to restore focus, often as far as your arm can stretch.

And it's a trend that High Street opticians, pharmacies and even supermarkets are tapping into  with ready-to-wear magnifying spectacles available with no prescription for as little as 3.99 a pair.

Meanwhile, an estimated one in three people in the UK is affected by myopia  or short-sightedness  and struggle to see things in the distance.

But do you really need to have a pair of specs, or even half a dozen different pairs, to improve your vision?

Professor David Gartry, a senior consultant ophthalmic surgeon at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, has been wearing reading glasses himself for more than a decade, since his mid-50s.

'Unfortunately, presbyopia is not something you can avoid as you get older  just like your hair turning grey.'

'Unfortunately, presbyopia is not something you can avoid as you get older  just like your hair turning grey,' says Professor David Gartry from Moorfields Eye Hospital in London

In fact, there are a growing number of alternatives, from medicated eye drops to contact lenses and surgery. Some people even swear by daily eye exercises which they say have helped keep their vision sharp.

Eye drops

Many people use eye drops to reduce irritation  but now there are varieties that claim to improve vision for older people.

The Food and Drug Administration (the regulatory body in the US) recently approved daily drops  used to treat glaucoma (a leading cause of blindness) in Europe since the 1970s  for the treatment of presbyopia.

The drops, called Vizz, work by creating a pinhole effect in the eye  so focusing the vision better.

They do this as the active ingredient in the drops  aceclidine ophthalmic solution  stimulates the iris muscle (the coloured part of the eye), making the pupil smaller.

The FDA approved the use of the drops for presbyopia after trials in 2024 found the drops helped people better focus on objects up close within 30 minutes of administering them.

Many people use eye drops to reduce irritation  but now there are varieties that claim to improve vision for older people

What's more, the effects of the drops  you place two in each eye, two minutes apart  lasted for ten hours.

The drops are yet to be approved for presbyopia by regulators in the UK or Europe  however, these aren't the only drops that might help.

A recent study, presented at the European Society for Cataract and Refractive Surgery conference in September, found that eye drops containing a weak solution of two drugs, pilocarpine (which acts on the iris) and diclofenac (an anti-inflammatory added to reduce any discomfort or inflammation that the pilocarpine may cause), could improve presbyopia.

This study of 766 patients found that the majority could read three or more extra lines on an eye chart used (called Jaeger lines) after using the drops twice daily.

One hour after the first dose, patients improved an average of 3.45 Jaeger lines.

Dr Giovanna Benozzi, director of the Centre for Advanced Research for Presbyopia, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, who led the study, said it was hoped the drops would help meet 'significant unmet medical need in presbyopia management', for those who 'have limited options besides spectacles, and who are not candidates for surgery.'

Professor Burkhard Dick, chair of ophthalmology at University Eye Hospital Bochum called the findings 'encouraging', but added that in the long-term pilocarpine can lead to 'night-vision difficulties or rare retinal complications'  and called for bigger trials.

Professor Gartry would not recommend these drops to his patients, as they make the pupil smaller  and 'the problem is that it reduces the light getting into the eye and reaching the retina, which contains the cells that pick up light, so everything seems a lot darker'.

Changes to the design of contact lenses means that many now allow more oxygen to pass into the cornea, so many users may now find them more comfortable to wear

That doesn't matter if you are in a bright place or looking at a back-lit screen, such as a Kindle, he adds  'but in twilight or darker areas where lighting is reduced, the narrowed pupil may not allow enough light to enter the back of the eye for you to see clearly'.

He adds that common side-effects of pilocarpine can include eye redness, watery eyes, blurred vision, dim or dark vision, sensitivity to light or problems changing focus between objects, seeing flashes of light or floaters in vision  and, in rare cases, detached retinas.

Contact lenses

'Multifocal contact lenses can effectively correct presbyopia because they enable you to focus on objects at all distances,' says Professor Sunil Shah, a consultant ophthalmologist at the NHS and private Midland Eye clinic and an honorary professor of ophthalmology at Aston University.

But the problem until now is that many older people couldn't tolerate them.

That's because after the age of 40 people are more likely to suffer with dry eyes  sore, gritty eyes due to a lack of tears or the tears evaporating too quickly  and as contact lenses reduce the oxygen flow to the eye, this can make tears less effective, making the dry eye even worse.

This may be especially true of post-menopausal women as the hormone changes affect tear production 'making contact lenses less comfortable', explains Professor Shah.

Changes to the design of lenses mean many now allow more oxygen to pass across the contact lens into the cornea, the front window of the eye  so people may now find the lenses more comfortable than previously.

Look for multifocal versions, such as breathable silicone hydrogel lenses, which will improve lubrication of the eye surface.

Surgery

The best surgical approach for presbyopia is lens replacement (rather than laser surgery to reshape the corneas as may be done for short-sightedness, for example  lasers can't make the lens more flexible again), according to Professor Gartry.

The technique, Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE), is essentially the same procedure as cataract surgery and can reduce long-sightedness so that people no longer need their reading glasses, adds Professor Shah.

'It's particularly good if you are over 45 and want to correct both distance and reading vision  because over the age of 45 you typically need help for both distance and near, and may have a high prescription that might not be suitable for laser eye surgery.'

He explains: 'With RLE, the surgeon replaces the natural lens with an artificial lens that is typically an extended depth of focus lens, which improves both distance and intermediate vision  or a multifocal lens to give you both distance, intermediate and near correction.'

These multifocal lenses allow good distance, intermediate and near vision (although these are only available privately)  essentially combining different prescriptions in a single lens  so you look at things close up, such as reading a book through one part of the lens, and distances through another part.

'These can dramatically reduce your dependence on glasses, although none can absolutely guarantee you'll never need them again,' says Professor Shah.

Lens replacement surgery typically costs between 3,000 and 5,000 per eye for private treatment.

He adds there may be haloes and glare after the surgery, although this usually settles; there may also be some slight grittiness or discomfort in the eyes for a few days after the procedure.

Exercises

Could a daily regimen of simple exercises at least delay the need for specs, eye drops or even contact lenses?

Encouraged by online posts promoting simple eye exercises as being good for vision, a growing number of people religiously undertake them in the hope that it will at least postpone the day when they have to give in to the ageing process and start wearing glasses.

But can simple eye work-outs really work?

A review published in the journal Frontiers of Public Health in 2023 suggests they can, at least for myopia (or short-sightedness).

The review looked at the outcome from 12 studies involving 134,000 people in China, where schoolchildren are encouraged to massage points around their eyes in an attempt to reduce the chance of short-sightedness  this is thought to help improve blood flow and reduce strain on the eye.

The authors concluded this has 'a modest protective effect on myopic control', but suggested many youngsters may not be doing the exercises properly and so the effects may be more significant than suggested.

Outside of China, the most popular forms of eye exercises are those developed by ophthalmologist William H Bates in the US 100 years ago. These are based on the belief that poor vision stems from chronic strain on the eyes, and that people with poor eyesight tended to stare and fixate on a single point.

Techniques include daily exercises such as palming, which involves covering the eyes with the palms of the hands for 'exclusion of mental strain' and blocking out all the light  while relaxing and shifting (moving the eyes rapidly around while keep the eyelids closed) is supposed to sharpen the acuity of vision.

'All day long you are looking right and left, up and down, you are exercising your eyes all the time so doing more exercises for a few minutes a day is pointless,' says Professor Gartry, who says that the scientific basis for this remains weak.

'The iris and the lens are controlled by muscles but these are under the control of the autonomic nervous system and can't be influenced by exercises.'

He believes that exercise is unlikely to help short or long-sightedness - but can help in the case of a squint (strabismus), for example, 'to help strengthen the external muscles that move the eye-ball', he says, 'but they should be done with specialist help'.
Interview: China's high-quality development a global asset -- Kyrgyz expert

Xinhua) 10:21, October 23, 2025

BISHKEK, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- China's high-quality development, while being a domestic goal, stands as a global asset, benefiting the development of all countries, a Kyrgyz expert has said.

In a recent interview with Xinhua, Kubanychbek Taabaldiev, a political scientist and professor of international relations at Ala-Too International University, said China's focus on high-quality growth marks a shift from quantity to quality and provides the world with technological dividends, stable demand, digital platforms and experience in sustainable development.

"As China creates more efficient solar panels, batteries and electric vehicles, their costs are falling, making green technologies accessible to poor countries. At the same time, China is a major importer of raw materials, food and components, which supports the economies of many countries," he said.

Chinese solutions in mobile payments, logistics and e-commerce are already benefiting countries in the Global South, said the expert.

The country has proved that it is possible to simultaneously achieve economic growth while reducing its carbon footprint, Taabaldiev added.

Regarding China's contribution to global peace and stability, Taabaldiev said China's development helps to reduce risks and social tensions, creates jobs, lowers technology prices and strengthens multilateral ties.

This year marks the final year of China's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025). Taabaldiev expressed his deep admiration for China's achievements over the past five years, including the elimination of absolute poverty and the comprehensive revitalization of rural areas.

"China has become a global leader in renewable energy, electric vehicles, space exploration, 5G and artificial intelligence," he said, adding that the country has significantly expanded its rail network, modernized rural areas and digitalized public services.

"China's development over the past five years holds enormous significance for the world," Taabaldiev said. "Through the Belt and Road Initiative, China remains the main engine of global growth and continues to help other countries advance."

He highlighted China's openness as another hallmark of its development. Over the past five years, China has reduced tariffs, simplified business conditions, expanded channels for foreign investment and established new pilot free trade zones.

"These measures are important both for China itself and for the world. For China, they attract technology and capital, improving the quality of goods and services. And for the world, China is becoming a more predictable and reliable partner," he noted.

Looking ahead to China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), Taabaldiev said China is expected to continue to pursue an innovative, sustainable and high-quality development model.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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At 28, Christina Cook found herself divorced and single for the first time in ten years.

As Christina and her ex-husband divided up their belongings, she felt like she was moving in the opposite direction to everyone else she knew.

'My friends were all getting married and having babies. I wasn't prepared for the impacts of divorce. I just felt really alone,' Christina, founder of The Broke Girl Society Podcast, told Daily Mail.

To fill her time on Friday nights, she started visiting the casino that had recently opened nearby.

'I wasn't a bar person, so I'd go to the casino, have a couple of drinks, stay for a few hours then head home,' said the now 47-year-old, from Oklahoma.

'Gambling prior was never something I was interested in. I went to the casino when it first opened and it was so smoky I couldn't breathe, I hated it.'

The clatter of coins and the hypnotic swirl of spinning reels offered a strange sense of comfort, however - an escape from reality. Under the fluorescent casino lights, Christina sat alone at a slot machine - known as pokie machines in Australia - her heart pounding from the dopamine that rushed through her every time she had a small win.

She didn't know it then, but it was the start of a 15-year gambling addiction that almost ended her life.

Christina Cook (pictured) battled a gambling addiction for 15 years after first visiting a casino that opened near her home at age 28

Christina continued to gamble here and there, visiting the casino two or three times a month as a way to entertain herself.

In 2007, after her divorce was finalised, she quickly entered another relationship - but it was an unhappy one.

'I really started losing my own sense of identity,' Christina said.

The casino became a place to escape and cope with the emotional turmoil. At that time, her mum was also having health issues.

'I moved in with Mum to save money and because it was easier. We were close, and we'd go to the casino together to bond,' she said.

One day in 2009, she noticed something was off about her mum.

'She had been complaining about heartburn all day, and it was like 10pm at night. I said to her, "We probably need to go to the emergency room." But she told me she had an appointment in the morning with the doctor,' Christina said.

However, the uncomfortable feeling worsened overnight.

After her mum had a heart attack, Christina (pictured) drove straight to the casino

'When I woke up, she was pacing, ready for her appointment, so I went with her. At first, the doctor thought it was her gallbladder; then, just as we were leaving, he suggested an EKG. I'll never forget that moment.'

The EKG - a non-invasive medical test that records the heart's electrical activity to diagnose heart conditions - revealed her mum was in the midst of a heart attack that she'd likely been experiencing for two days.

She was rushed straight to the emergency room for life-saving surgery to remove the blockage in her heart.

Suddenly, Christina was thrust into a blur of hospital corridors, urgent paperwork, and frantic phone calls to family, all while her mum's life hung in the balance.

'I didn't know what to do - I was in another emotionally overwhelming situation,' she said.

Thankfully, the surgery was a success and when her mum was finally stabilised, Christina volunteered to go home and gather a bag of her things to bring to the hospital.

But instead, she drove straight to the casino, saying that was 'the only way she could deal with the situation'.

Sitting at a pokie machine, she inserted $50, hoping it would numb her feelings.

Within 20 minutes, she'd won her first jackpot of $1,400 USD ($2,150 AUD).

'It was only a minor jackpot but it changed my life in ways I never saw coming,' she recalled.

Unwittingly, Christina was seeking something far more elusive than money: relief from pain, loneliness, and the relentless pressure of everyday life.

As the years passed, she remained unhappy in her decade-long relationship, admitting she was afraid to leave and worried she couldn't cope alone.

In the end, the pain and isolation within her relationship drove her deeper into gambling, as the casino became her refuge from turmoil.

'I enjoyed my time alone at the casino and went up to five times a month, usually around payday. I was never an everyday gambler, I was a binge gambler,' she said.

'It became a pattern of not dealing with my experiences. I turned to gambling to deal with everything. My relationships with my friends were always hit and miss because I was never around.

'As the gambling started taking over, I had no money, and stopped going out. I started to withdraw from interacting with life.'

At the peak of her addiction, Christina was spending her whole pay cheque in 30 minutes and borrowed money from family so she could gamble.

In 2017, she finally broke free from the toxic relationship but the gambling continued.

By the time she was 38 she was in another new relationship - this time a happy one - but she experienced another cruel blow when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer.

She described the diagnosis as a turning point that dashed her hopes of becoming a mother: 'It was kind of my last chance I was in my late 30s, diagnosed with cancer and the treatment for that was a hysterectomy.'

She consulted three different doctors, all of whom recommended the surgery due to the aggressive nature of the cancer, which had thankfully been caught early.

Christina said she never really addressed the emotional impact or grief that came with losing her chance to become a mum.

As a result, this period marked some of the worst mental health and gambling episodes of her life.

Christina's 'rock bottom' moment occurred in March 2021, when she won $34,000 but quickly lost it again

When the pandemic hit in 2020, the casino closed briefly and Christina was unable to gamble for a few weeks, but went back with a vengeance the moment it reopened.

By Christmas that year she had gambled away her work bonus of around USD $2,000 (AUD $3,079), leaving her unable to buy gifts for her family.

Christina's 'rock bottom' moment occurred in March 2021.

'I was [at the casino] because I didn't want to be home. I won $24,000 in 30 minutes of getting there and I probably only spent $200,' she recalled.

She quickly went on to win another few bets, taking her winnings to $34,000.

The casino staff member who paid her out - someone who'd seen her come and go over the years - looked her in the eye and said: 'You're going to go home with this, right?'

'I was like, this is the most amount of money I've ever won, of course I am. It's going to make my life easier,' she replied.

But after receiving her cash, she went straight back to the pokie machine.

And eight hours later, she was still there, having lost almost all of it.

'As his [the cashier's] shift ended, he looked over. We locked eyes and he simply shook his head,' she said.

'The hardest part is, I played every penny of the money I had won down to maybe $2,000-$3,000. I was so ill, I had to cash out and run to the bathroom and threw up,' Christina recalled.

The following day, she returned to the casino, lost the rest of her money, and at 12.01am she sat in her car feeling utterly broken.

'It was on March 6, I was sitting in my car, and I was absolutely devastated. I was broken, was going to end my life that night. I'd already been having really hard thoughts for the last several months,' she said.

'I thought ending my life would benefit everybody else, and that's the problem with gambling addiction.

'But something happened to me in that moment. I didn't want to die, I actually want to live, and I hadn't been living for years. I knew I had to figure out a way to actually live my life.'

The next day, Christina gathered the courage to seek help. She went to her mum and told her everything.

Her mum, who had already been considering an intervention, suggested she start with Gamblers Anonymous.

Christina called the GA hotline and attended her first meeting that day, which she describes as 'a pivotal, eye-opening step'.

'I was in a room with three older men who were in recovery. That was the first time I felt seen and heard in years,' she recalled.

She continued to attend meetings and began sessions with a therapist.

Soon after, she launched The Broke Girl Society Podcast and a Facebook group, now with more than 3,200 members

Christina has spent the last four and a half years in recovery, and continues advocacy and support for women in gambling recovery.

She estimates over 15 years she lost USD $250,000 (AUD $385,000) to gambling.

'The best things that we can do for each other in recovery is sharing our stories and experiences,' Christina said.

'Storytelling is one of the most powerful things that we can do as humans because I think that alone will go a long way to breaking the stigma around women and gambling.

'There is hope and help out there, and there is a way forward. Be curious about what might help.'

Christina hopes sharing her story will help others struggling with gambling harm to seek help.

If you need support, call the Gamblers Helpline AU on 1800 858 858 or Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14
A finance expert has lifted the lid on the subtle signs that someone might be quietly wealthy.

Queenie Tan, 28, said the truly wealthy rarely look 'the part', and instead are often the most 'ordinary' people quietly sitting on serious money.

She says they have 'more than just a house', they buy a 'good enough' car not a flashy one and they value 'freedom more than things'.

The mum of one, who currently resides in Sydney, boasts over 400,000 social media followers, owns her own home, and shares a net worth of $770,000 with her husband in stocks and shares.

In a new video that's quickly racked up thousands of views, Queenie reflected on her own upbringing and the lessons she learned from her father, who retired early to become a full-time single parent.

'But growing up I never felt like we were rich,' she told her followers.

'He drove this really old car from the 80s, I went to public schools, and we never took holidays. I used to be embarrassed but now I realise we were rich in ways that I didn't appreciate at the time.'

That childhood, she said, completely shaped her view of money and what it means to be financially secure.

Queenie Tan (pictured), a licensed personal finance content creator, said the truly wealthy rarely look 'the part', and instead are often the most 'ordinary' people quietly sitting on serious money

The mum of one (pictured with her baby daughter Gia) reflected on her own upbringing and the lessons she learned from her father, who managed to retire early

While she once associated wealth with big houses, designer clothes and expensive holidays, she now believes it's about stability and choice, plus the freedom to live life on her own terms.

'The secretly wealthy invest in other things like stocks and real estate that can grow in value and pay them income,' she explained, adding that her father's approach to money taught her that true financial security doesn't come from a flashy lifestyle, but from what you do with what you have.

Rather than relying solely on a job, Queenie said those who are wealthy often have multiple income streams and prefer to let their money grow in the background.

'It's about having your money work for you, not the other way around,' she said.

'The secretly wealthy invest in other things like stocks and real estate that can grow in value and pay them income.'

And her father's old car, which once left her cringing, is another lesson that's stuck with her and she understands it now.

'He didn't care what people thought, but now I still prefer something a bit more modern.'

It's a simple but telling difference, she said - truly wealthy people don't buy things to impress others.

Rather than relying solely on a job, Queenie says the wealthy often have multiple income streams, such as stocks, shares, and property investments. And when it comes to luxury items like cars, they don't buy to impress others

Queenie's three tips to gain wealth 1. Have stocks and shares - These can grow in value and pay income 2. Don't waste money on 'showy' items - Things like fancy cars depreciate in value 3. Value freedom over 'things' - Planning for financial freedom for your future is more important Advertisement

They understand that the moment you drive a new car off the lot, it's losing value. Instead, they put their money into things that appreciate over time.

But perhaps the biggest lesson of all came from her dad's attitude towards work.

'My dad said the best feeling was showing up to work and knowing that he didn't actually need that job,' she said.

'But now I still like spending money on travel and things that bring me joy, while still prioritising financial freedom too.'

It's a philosophy that's resonated with thousands of Australians online, especially as the cost of living crisis forces many to reconsider what real financial success looks like.

'The wealthy don't flash their money around, they have freedom to do what they want to do when they want to do it,' one follower commented.

'They do whatever they like, go wherever they want, and spend the time how they wish,' another wrote.

Queenie, a licensed personal finance content creator, said building wealth doesn't have to be 'complicated' or 'time-consuming' either.

Although Queenie is now highly responsible with her money, she still enjoys the finer things in life (like business class travel) and shares financial hacks with her followers to help them achieve luxury perks too

She and her fiance earn extra cash by selling unused items around their home on Facebook Marketplace.

'Last year, Pablo and I made $6,011 by selling items we don't use anymore,' she said.

'We sold things like baby items, furniture when we were moving, camera equipment and a drone Pablo didn't use anymore.'

Queenie also said she has set up a system where a portion of her income is automatically invested every four weeks, eliminating the need to it manually.

'Each month 20 per cent of my pay gets invested automatically into ETFs,' she said.

Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) are a type of investment fund that is traded on a stock exchange, similar to stocks.

'Here's some math: $1,500 invested per month with an eight per cent yearly return turns into more than $110,215 after just five years,' Queenie explained.
A viral Instagram video has exposed the secret pain that some of this year's most famous Victoria's Secret models have been hiding.

The video, which featured a compilation of Victoria's Secret Angels on the runway, was captioned, 'Every stunning woman carries their own pain.'

It started with Candice Swanepoel, who was arguably the biggest breakout star at this year's annual show.

The clip was captioned, 'She was engaged, but after 14 years together they broke up - now she's raising two kids on her own.'

They were referring to Swanepoel's 14-year relationship with male model Hermann Nicoli, who she met in 2005.

The couple got engaged in 2015, and then welcomed their first son Anaca in 2016 and second son Ariel in 2018.

Sadly, they split in early 2019, and Swanepoel has not publicly dated anybody since.

The next model in the viral Instagram video is Bella Hadid, who has been battling depression and Lyme disease away from the catwalk.

A viral Instagram video has exposed the secret pain that some of this year's most famous Victoria's Secret models have been hiding. (Candice Swanepoel pictured)

The video pointed out how Swanepoel split with her partner of 14 years, male model Hermann Nicoli, and is now raising two children as a single mother

Hadid's runway appearance came just weeks after she returned from Germany, where she spent time receiving treatment for chronic neurological Lyme disease at the St George Hospital near Munich.

Last month, the model shared raw, emotional photos from her hospital stay  showing her hooked up to IVs and oxygen tubes  alongside a heartfelt apology to her 61 million Instagram followers for being 'MIA.'

She has also been candid about her mental health, sharing that she suffers from depression and anxiety.

On World Mental Health Day, the Vogue cover star posted a screenshot of a heartfelt message that began, 'Hi. Sorry I haven't texted you back,' capturing the silent struggle that often accompanies anxiety.

The third model highlighted in the clip was Emily Ratajkowski, who made her Victoria's Secret Fashion Show runway debut this year.

The video pointed out that the model and actress is now divorced following infidelity rumors and is 'raising a child alone'.

Ratajkowski and actor Sebastian Bear-McClard split in July 2022 amid accusations that Sebastian was a 'serial cheater.'

They welcomed a child together, Sylvester Apollo Bear, who was born in March 2021.

The next model in the viral Instagram video is Bella Hadid, who has been battling depression and Lyme disease away from the catwalk

Hadid's runway appearance came just weeks after she returned from Germany, where she spent time receiving treatment for chronic neurological Lyme disease

Sylvester reportedly lives with Emily full-time, but sees his father a few times a week.

The former couple didn't finalize their divorce until 2025.

After filing for divorce, star said she 'didn't have the courage to leave' her ex 'for a long time.'

'I was really, really unhappy,' she revealed while discussing her divorce on Dear Media's Going Mental podcast with Eileen Kelly at the time.

She went on to explain that the stress she felt from being miserable was manifesting in her body, saying, 'I was like 100 pounds, and I had just had a baby. I got really skinny because I was not okay.'

The third model highlighted in the clip was Emily Ratajkowski, who made her Victoria's Secret Fashion Show runway debut this year

The video pointed out that the model and actress is now divorced following infidelity rumors and is 'raising a child alone'

The viral video highlighting the pain that the models were experiencing drew a strong reaction on social media.

'Proof that you could look like a VS model and men will still cheat,' commented one user.

'Notice how men are the main problem here,' added another.

A third wrote, 'Proof that beauty isnt what keeps a man loyal. Choose a guy with a good heart, not just a good face or good game. Date to know him, not just to show him.'
A male beauty influencer broke the internet this week after posting a thirst trap on social media.

Manny MUA (real name Manuel Gutierrez Jr.) shared a photo of himself dressed up as the DC Comics superhero Nightwing for Halloween this week.

The 34-year-old YouTuber, who is openly gay, is best known for his flamboyant sense of style and glamorous, heavy makeup, but the Halloween selfie showed him with a much more masculine appearance than before.

Manny's muscular frame was hard to miss in the photo and his naturally handsome features were more clearly visible without a face full of makeup on.

The photo quickly racked up 16million impressions on X (formerly Twitter), with social media users expressing their shock over his transformation.

'Wait he looks better without makeup. That 2016 beat is just not for everyone,' commented one.

'Just let out the biggest gasp today after seeing the name,' wrote another.

'Why are people suddenly realizing that Manny is not only a man but has his masc moments, he just happened to be a beauty YouTuber,' wrote a third.

Beauty influencer Manny MUA (pictured) went viral on social media after sharing a photo of himself dressed up as Nightwing

The flamboyant YouTube star is pictured with a more feminine look in 2017

Another complained, 'The amount of femphobia in the quotes and replies completely proves my point. a lot of yall don't see feminine men as real men and that's the issue.'

Manny himself addressed the debate around his looks in a follow-up post on X, writing, 'Btw I've looked like this for years it's the internalized homophobia that didn't let you see past the makeup.'

The beloved makeup guru first shot to fame on YouTube as a teenager.

He went on to become the first male brand ambassador to star in a Maybelline campaign.

'I'm a member of the LGBTQ community, and I feel like we need more representation,' he told Glamour magazine at the time.

'In the makeup world, especially, it has always been really, really hard for men in beauty to kind of be seen in a way beyond being a "fad."'

Manny was set to become a surgeon and was heading to medical school when he decided to follow his heart by pursuing a career in makeup instead.

When he started his YouTube channel in 2014, Manny took his belief that 'makeup is genderless and has no rules' and ran with it, he revealed on Good Morning Britain.

Longtime fans have been shocked at the 34-year-old's masculine makeover

Manny has changed up his look over the years after bulking up at the gym

'Growing up in a religious household can be very hectic... Beauty helped me come into my own,' he said.

'It was actually really, really hard in the beginning when my family first found out  I wanted to be a doctor  a plastic surgeon,' he continued.

'It was really hard but they finally came around.'

Discussing his genderless approach to makeup and beauty, Manny said, 'Thats the fun part about it, whether you're a boy or a girl, I feel like makeup is truly for anyone.'

He continued, 'It doesnt have to be as loud as mine. If you wanna cover up a pimple, if you wanna wear some concealer to cover up some darkness, wanna wear some bronzer on rainy day. That's how makeup works.

'You dont need to conform to rules you dont need to wear lashes. Take what applies to you, what you really, really like and use it. That goes for anyone.'
M&S scooped the most number of awards for pigs-in-blankets, Turkey Crowns and more, while Morrisons swept some of the most coveted categories

Morrisons has emerged as the surprise hit in this year's Good Food Christmas Supermarket Taste Test Awards - second only to M&S.

While M&S scooped six of the 17 awards, Morrisons secured second place with three gongs, including the coveted award for best mince pies.

It's a real boost for the ailing grocer, which lost almost 600 million last year, and this week announced the closure of 103 stores, cafes, florists, and pharmacies before the end of 2025.

The judges blind taste tested a total of 185 Christmas products from 13 supermarkets, across 17 categories, including pigs-in-blankets, Turkeys, Christmas puddings, canapes, and more.

To the delight of die-hard M&S fans, the retailer ranked as the top supermarket brand for products including best gammon, best vegetarian main, best Christmas cake, and best Christmas pudding.

Budget supermarkets like Aldi shared its spoils with other brands as it was named joint winner for best smoked salmon and best hot canape, while Lidl scored top marks for its sherry trifle.

The award for best Turkey Crown was jointly given to M&S and Sainsbury's, while 'Waitrose of the North' Booths pipped the other retailers to the top spot for best alternative Christmas main and best alternative Christmas cake.

In bad news for Waitrose, the posh supermarket lost out on nearly every single category except for best gluten-free and best vegan mince pies.

Sainsbury's Turkey Crown (pictured) was branded a 'showstopper' for its 'golden, glossy glaze and crispy bacon'

Lulu Grimes, Managing Editor of Good Food, said: 'This years Christmas Supermarket Taste Test shows you can have a brilliant festive spread without breaking the bank.

'The supermarkets offer showstopping mains and nostalgic puddings, saving time in the kitchen so you can focus on adding flair to your family favourite Christmas recipes and creating your own precious food memories.'

Head of Food, Cassie Best, added: 'Our Christmas starts in August when we taste all the hundreds of products submitted, and from then, anticipation builds as to who will make the winners list.

'There was serious competition this year between the 13 supermarkets who entered as they all feature a fabulous range of festive food.

'Were confident that our final list of winners showcases the best that the supermarkets have to offer this season.

'Combining supermarket buys with home-made dishes from our Good Food thoroughly tested Christmas recipes means everyone can enjoy a spectacular and affordable Christmas feast.'

The full results are in the Good Food Christmas issue, which is on sale today, Thursday, October 23.

The winners of the Good Food Christmas Supermarket Taste Test Awards are...

Best smoked salmon

Aldi's Specially Selected The Ultimate Salt-Aged Himalayan Smoked Salmon was crowned the winner and only costs 3.99

Joint winner: Aldi Specially Selected The Ultimate Salt-Aged Himalayan Smoked Salmon, 3.99

Joint winner: M&S Collection Cherry and Chestnut Wood Smoked Salmon, 16

The judges said that Aldi's smoked salmon was 'buttery and smooth', and praised M&S's offering as having a 'creamy, soft and smooth texture, rich flavour and attractive darker colour from the cherry and chestnut wood smoke'.

Best hot canape

Joint winner: Aldi Specially Selected Mini Barbers Cheese and Ham Scones, 4.99

Joint winner: Tesco Finest Scallop and Prawn Toast, 5.50

These canape winners might not be available just yet, but when they do hit the shelves, expect them to sell fast.

Judges were impressed by Aldi's mini scones, which they said had a 'good buttery flavour, a salty tang from the ham and a melty cheese filling'.

Mini scones as a canape might be an unusual idea, but Aldi's cheese and ham scones scored top marks

Meanwhile, Tesco's prawn toasts were cooked to perfection and generous with the filling that was 'spiced with spring onions, garlic and ginger for subtle heat'.

Sainsbury's Turkey Crown was branded a 'showstopper' for its 'golden, glossy glaze and crispy bacon'.

Judges loved the 'juicy' meat, which was 'complemented by a fruity apricot and cranberry stuffing'.

M&S's offering was beloved for bringing lots of 'extra flavour' to the table as the judges loved the 'sticky, peppery hot maple glaze and stuffing packed with fruit'.

Best alternative Christmas main

Meanwhile, Tesco's prawn toasts were cooked to perfection and generous with the filling that was 'spiced with spring onions, garlic and ginger for subtle heat'.

Best Turkey Crown

Joint winner: Sainsburys Taste the Difference British free-range bronze Turkey Crown with pork, apricot, pear, cranberry & candied ginger stuffing, 22.75 per kg

Joint winner: M&S Oakham hot maple-glazed Turkey Crown, 50

Sainsbury's Turkey Crown was branded a 'showstopper' for its 'golden, glossy glaze and crispy bacon'.

Judges loved the 'juicy' meat which was 'complemented by a fruity apricot and cranberry stuffing'.

M&S's offering was beloved for bringing lots of 'extra flavour' to the table as the judges loved the 'sticky, peppery hot maple glaze and stuffing packed with fruit'.

Best alternative Christmas main

Booths British porchetta is an 'eye-catching masterpiece' with a 'moreish, salty, crunchy crackling' that everybody will love

Winner: Booths British porchetta, 21

For those who aren't big fans of turkey, there are plenty of alternative mains that are just as show-stopping.

Good Food judges crowned Booths' British porchetta as the winner of the best alternative category, describing it as an 'eye-catching masterpiece' that features a 'moreish, salty, crunchy crackling', 'tender' meat and a herby filling.

The runner-up in this category was Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Discovery 35-day dry-aged Aberdeen Angus rump joint with a velvety tarragon & pepper cream sauce (25).

This joint was easy to cook and carve, and 'stayed tender and juicy in the centre once cooked'.

Best vegetarian main

Winner: M&S Collection mushroom, Barber's cheddar and leek en croute, 12.50

Who says meat eaters get to have all the fun? Vegetarians will celebrate this centrepiece from M&S, which has a 'beautifully burnished, crisp pastry'.

Vegetarians can celebrate over this mushroomy centrepiece from M&S, which includes a creamy filling and crisp pastry

The judges also enjoyed the filling, which has 'big chunks of mushroom, a creamy sauce and good seasoning'.

Best gammon

Winner: M&S slow-cooked bone-in Heritage Gold pork gammon, 36

M&S is at the top of its gammon game, with this bone-in joint named the Good Food winner.

After cooking, judges said the gammon had an appealing 'deeply golden brown' colour and the meat 'pulls apart easily'.

They added that it had 'well-balanced levels of sweetness and smokiness, without being overpowering'.

Best Christmas cake

Winner: M&S perfectly matured iced fruit cake, 24

Love it or hate it, M&S Christmas cake is a clear winner because of how 'special and luxurious' it looks and tastes

Christmas cake is a little bit like Marmite - people either love it or hate it. But for those who really love it, M&S's perfectly matured iced fruit cake is the one to beat this Christmas.

Good Food judges said they 'loved' how pretty the cake looks, thanks to the 'layered floral design on the icing' that 'makes it feel special and luxurious'.

'The cake is also a generous size, with lots of sultanas and nicely balanced spice, plus good almond flavour in the layer of marzipan,' they added.

Best pigs in blankets

Winner: Tesco Finest 10 pork and caramelised onion pigs in blankets, 3.25

Crowd-pleasing pigs in blankets are a staple at Christmas. Look no further than Tesco, as judges said its pigs in blankets feature 'crispy bacon, flavourful sausage with visible herbs, plus a glaze for extra sweetness'.

They heaped on the praise, adding: 'This has everything we're looking for when it comes to this classic side.'

In second place were Lidl's Deluxe pigs in blankets, which are great for anyone who likes a 'chunky sausage'.

Fruit cake haters, look no further than Booths' chocolate cake that wouldn't look out of place on a Christmas dinner table

Best alternative Christmas cake

Winner: Booths enchanted forest cake, 28

For those who hate Christmas cake, don't fret - there's a perfect dessert for you waiting in Booths.

The retailer's chocolate cake features a 'very cute festive design with a pretty snowy scene' that would look stunning on the table.

Judges also enjoyed the icing, which they described as 'light and sweet' to complement the 'fudgy and chocolatey' cake.

Best Christmas pudding

Winner: M&S Collection 12-month matured Christmas pudding with pecans and panettone, 16

Christmas isn't Christmas without a flaming pudding to light up festive spirits, and M&S's takes the cake - we mean, pudding.

The iconic Christmas pudding, which brightens up a dark December evening with its flames, is best bought from M&S, according to Good Food

The 'tall, rounded' pudding has a 'glossy appearance and firm texture', and judges declared it is 'delicious'.

'There's plenty of fruit and large chunks of nuts within, so it really delivers the flavour, including citrus and a hint of alcohol.'

Best showstopper dessert

Winner: Morrisons Signature Collection Belgian chocolate and praline star, 15

Good Food judges are betting on this striking chocolate star by Morrisons to make diners gasp in wonder.

It is filled with a rich chocolate ganache, and the praline 'adds crunch and a pronounced hazelnut flavour', a combination that can simply do no wrong.

Best trifle

Winner: Lidl Deluxe Amontillado sherry trifle, 4.99

This striking chocolate and praline star from Morrisons would look stunning on your Christmas table at the end of a meal

The joy a trifle can bring to the Christmas table is unmatched, and this traditional trifle by Lidl is sure to please.

It is made with a premium sherry and has a 'generous layer of jellied fruit, a hit of booze and thick custard' that balances out the cream on top.

The judges also named Aldi Specially Selected irresistible tiramisu trifle (4.99) as the runner-up, as it is a 'great alternative to traditional flavours', especially for those who enjoy tiramisu or coffee-flavoured puddings.

Best classic mince pies

Winner: Morrisons The Best Signature Collection mince pies, 2

Mince pies are a must-have at Christmas, so this is a highly coveted category among supermarkets - and Morrisons has pipped them all to the top.

Judges said they loved the deep-filled mince pies that have 'soft buttery pastry and a pretty festive star design'.

The mincemeat filling is satisfyingly 'juicy and citrussy, with strong orange flavour'.

There's nothing like a really good mince pie, and Morrisons have outdone themselves this year

Morrisons clinched the top spot again in the flavoured mince pies category with its cherry bakewell mince pies

In second place were Booths six all butter mince pies, which feature a 'pleasingly crumbly' pastry and 'sweet, jammy mincemeat'.

Best flavoured mince pies

Winner: Morrisons The Best cherry bakewell mince pies, 3.50

Once again, Morrisons has clinched the top spot with its cherry bakewell mince pies.

Good Food's Christmas issue goes on sale on Thursday October 23 and features a spectacular gingerbread house on the cover

The frangipane topping, which is 'soft with good almond flavour that's not too sweet', was particularly praiseworthy, as was the flaked almonds that added some texture to the pies.

Best gluten-free mince pies and best vegan mince pies

Winners: Waitrose freefrom mince pies, 3, and Waitrose six mince pies, 2.25

Waitrose nailed their gluten-free and vegan mince pies this year, with judges praising the pastry in both variations as well as the plump, juicy fruits in the mincemeat.

In second place for best vegan mince pies was Asda OMV! mince pies. These pretty festive pies featured 'crimped edges and a festive star' with 'crumbly pastry and mincemeat that was 'soft and smooth'.

Good Food's Christmas issue goes on sale on Thursday, October 23 and features a spectacular gingerbread house cover star.
Michelle Obama may have just celebrated 33 years of a successful marriage, but critics have slammed the former first lady for her divisive dating tips.

The author, 61, spoke with television writer and film producer Mara Brock Akil on her podcast IMO on Wednesday, where they discussed dating - and insisted that it is vital for teenagers to explore relationships before going to college.

'There are a lot of Black people, they get into college, [and] they've never had a boyfriend or girlfriend,' Michelle began.

Mara chimed in saying: 'I don't think that's healthy,' with Michelle agreeing.

'I mean a lot of that comes from being in all white environments as Black kids,' the mom-of-two added.

Mara continued, saying she thinks it is important to learn how to navigate someone's romantic feelings for you - and vice versa.

'[If not] there's no memory of a mutual desire and how to negotiate those feelings, those conversations, those opportunities - maybe to come to mom or dad for advice.

'There's no place for them to even practice those practices,' the television writer pointed out.

Michelle Obama (left) spoke with television writer and film producer Mara Brock Akil (right) on her podcast IMO on Wednesday, where they discussed dating

Michelle and Barack, 64, tied the knot in 1992 and have been married for 33 years

While Michelle and Mara were convinced of their dating strategies, not everyone thought that teenage romances should be encouraged.

'I don't think there's anything wrong with never having a boyfriend or a girlfriend before you go to college,' one person commented on a clip of the podcast, which was shared to social media.

'Michelle called my life unhealthy,' complained someone else, in part.

'This is a slippery slope,' pointed out someone else. 'Why are they encouraging minor romance?'

'I don't think there is anything wrong with never dating before college,' declared another person. 'I teach in an urban environment and most kids are not dating, it's usually only the "popular" kids who are dating.'

They continued: 'There is no need to rush dating. It will happen when the timing is right. Let's not put unnecessary pressure where there doesn't need to be any.'

However, others praised Michelle for voicing her thoughts, agreeing with her take.

'It's dangerous if I had of gone to college having NEVER BEEN IN A RELATIONSHIP OR DATED. I would been back home in no time with child and nothing else to show for it,' one user said.

'We need to start normalizing these conversations cause everyone acts like it is weird if you never dated pre university,' another fan commented.

In August, the podcast host revealed she has encouraged her daughters, Malia, 27, and Sasha, 24, to date around

The couple recently delighted in voicing their adoration for one another on their wedding anniversary, uploading the same adorable selfie to Instagram in which they exuded happiness as they posed cheek to cheek

It's not the first time the former first lady has offered dating advice to young people.

In August, the podcast host revealed she has encouraged her daughters, Malia, 27, and Sasha, 24, to date around.

'I just try to get them to stay open to people,' the IMO host shared.

'The thing that I did do was date a lot. When Barack showed up, I had experiences to compare him against,' she added.

Michelle and Barack, 64, tied the knot in 1992 and have been married for 33 years.

The couple, whose marriage has been plagued with divorce rumors recently, took to social media to profess their love for each other on their wedding anniversary.

The couple delighted in voicing their adoration for one another on their special day, uploading the same adorable selfie to Instagram in which they exuded happiness as they posed cheek to cheek.
It comes after HGTV axed several popular shows in recent months

The network has announced four new shows set to premiere in the new year

HGTV has announced four new shows set to premiere in 2026, as well as 400 episodes of House Hunters and House Hunters International.

The huge slate of fresh content comes just months after the cable network canceled several programs in a bloodbath that left many loyal fans disappointed.

In a bid to shake-up its schedule and get viewers back on side, HGTV revealed on Wednesday that Botched Homes, Neighborhood Watch, World's Bargain Dream Homes and Property Brothers: Under Pressure - the last three of which are working titles - will debut in the new year.

Botched Homes, helmed by New York City turned Florida contractor Charlie Kawas, is slated for 2026.

Fed up with disastrous work that leads to unsafe, unlivable and unbelievable homes, Charlie will make it his mission to fix what others got horribly wrong in the eight one-hour episodes.

'Whether it's inferior craftsmanship, wonky layouts or mind-boggling finishesthink doors and stairs that lead to nowhere, cabinets that don't open and hideous design choices  Charlie and his team will right the wrongs of shoddy contractors and DIY projects gone awry, bringing function, flow and beauty to clients' spaces in disrepair,' reads the official synopsis.

Also premiering on HGTV in 2026 is the new series Neighborhood Watch (working title), which is set to reveal the raw, unfiltered and sometimes shocking footage straight from security cameras, smart doorbells, nanny cams and baby monitors across America.

'From neighbors and postal workers to uninvited guests and animal visitors, the network will tap into the hilarious, outrageous and downright bizarre moments caught on home surveillance video in each of the 16 half-hour episodes,' the logline reads.

Charlie Kawas will front HGTV's new show, Botched Homes, which will premiere in 2026

Drew and Jonathan Scott will star in and executive produce a new 14-episode series Property Brothers: Under Pressure

HGTV's newest house hunting series will inspire adventurous buyers to dream big and buy low in World's Bargain Dream Homes (working title).

'The authentic, entertaining and humorous 12 episodes will follow people brave enough to purchase the world's most affordable properties that also happen to be stunning, turnkey and in desirable locations around the globe, many of which offer incredible cost-saving incentives,' the synopsis reads.

Real estate powerhouse duo Drew and Jonathan Scott will star in and executive produce a new 14-episode series Property Brothers: Under Pressure.

Also set to air next year, the show will spotlight the dynamic twins as they help wary buyers grappling with commitment issues make confident, informed decisions for the biggest purchase of their lives.

With the emotional and financial stakes at an all-time high, the Scott brothers will guide clients through the highs and lows of the home buying process  from fiercely competitive markets and sticker shock to personal wish lists and tough compromises and then incorporate stunning, smart and functional design solutions into renovations that create their dream homes, says the synopsis.

Additionally, House Hunters and its popular spinoff House Hunters International, will bring their quintessential format in nearly 400 fresh half-hour episodes through 2026.

Attracting over 13 million primetime viewers each month, the series will offer fans their signature fun and interactive viewing experience when they peek inside three different homes, check out the layout and furnishings, evaluate them and pick which one they think will work best for the new homeowner.

'With this programming order, HGTV is delivering more of our tried-and-true formats that drive consistent ratings for the network, while also featuring new talent and concepts to engage our devoted fans and attract different audiences,' said Howard Lee, Chief Creative Officer, US Networks, Warner Bros. Discovery.

Earlier this month, HGTV announced that Jesse Palmer will host new HGTV series Bachelor Mansion Takeover

The bumper new schedule comes after HGTV canceled Married to Real Estate, Izzy Does It, Farmhouse Fixer, Bargain Block, Battle on the Beach, Christina on the Coast, and The Flipping El Moussas.

Earlier this month, HGTV fans were left baffled after the network announced a new crossover show with former stars of the Bachelor.

Bachelor Mansion Takeover, which premieres next year, will bring 12 former Bachelor, Bachelorette, Golden Bachelor and Golden Bachelorette contestants back to the mansion to give the famed property a dramatic makeover.

The six-episode series, hosted by Jesse Palmer, will challenge fan-favorite franchise alumni with expert renovation skill.
An old video of Kanye West slamming North West's social media habits has resurfaced after she debuted a new look on TikTok.

The 12-year-old, whom West had with ex-wife Kim Kardashian, sparked concern this week after she posted videos to the platform wearing fake face tattoos, a nose piercing and grillz.

The preteenager rocked long, blue braids and blue contacts, as well as black grillz over her teeth, a faux nose ring and multiple fake ink designs on her face as she posed with her friends in the videos, which were shared to her and her mom's joint account.

While some people theorized it was simply a Halloween costume and all in good fun, others felt like North shouldn't be sporting fake tattoos and piercings at 12 years old.

In the wake of the viral videos, a previous clip of North's dad talking about his disdain for her using TikTok has been circulating on the web.

'Hey everybody, I just got off the phone with Kim and I told her to stop antagonizing me with this TikTok thing,' the rapper said.

'I said, "Never again." I am her father, I know y'all don't respect fathers and the idea of family and the media tries to promote something... but I said, "I am not allowing my daughter to be used by TikTok."'

The clip was originally shared in March 2022. At the time, Kardashian had shared a clip with her daughter, then eight, lip-synching along to Machine Gun Kelly's song Emo Girl while wearing black makeup.

An old video of Kanye West slamming North West's social media habits has resurfaced after she debuted a shocking new look on TikTok

The 12-year-old, whom West had with ex-wife Kim Kardashian, sparked concern this week after she posted videos to the platform wearing fake face tattoos, a nose piercing and grillz

One month earlier, West claimed on Instagram that his daughter was 'being put on TikTok against his will.'

Hours later, Kardashian hit back on her own Instagram, slamming West's 'constant attacks' on her, accusing him of causing their family 'pain' in a lengthy statement, where she referred to herself as the 'main caregiver.'

She wrote on her Stories: 'Kanye's constant attacks on me in interviews and on social media is actually more hurtful than any TikTok North might create.

'As the parent who is the main provider and caregiver for our children, I am doing my best to protect our daughter while also allowing her to express her creativity in the medium that she wishes with adult supervision - because it brings her happiness.'

The 2022 clip of West has received over five million views on X (formerly Twitter) after it was reshared this week amidst North's latest controversial TikTok post, and it has sparked a heated debate.

Some people slammed West in the replies and pointed to his relationship with Bianca Censori, who often makes headlines for her nearly nude looks.

'Brainwashing someone's daughter, Bianca Censori, to walk naked in the streets while complaining about your own daughter is crazy and hypocritical,' one person wrote.

'Then lead by example by putting some clothes on your wife, Ye,' another added.

In the wake of the viral videos, a previous clip of North's dad talking about his disdain for her using TikTok has been circulating on the web

'I told [Kim] to stop antagonizing me with this TikTok thing. I said, "Never again." I said, "I am not allowing my daughter to be used by TikTok,"' West (seen with North in 2020) said

The clip was originally shared in March 2022; at the time, Kardashian had shared a clip with her daughter, then eight, lip-synching along to Machine Gun Kelly's song Emo Girl while wearing black makeup

'Hard to appreciate his concern when he parades his wife in public in nude. Does he think his daughter does not see that?' asked someone else.

'Kanye West's rant about North West's TikTok antics is peak hypocrisy, especially when his own fashion choices make her look tame,' read a fourth tweet.

A fifth said, 'The man who makes his wife walk around naked is worried about his child's Halloween costume? Is he scared someone will treat her like he treats his wife?'

Others, however, agreed with him.

'Kanye was right and everyone called him crazy for it. He warned that fame and social media would shape his daughter into what the world wanted, not who she truly is,' one person replied.

'Now she is trending for the same things he tried to protect her from. This is not about blue hair or grills, it is about a culture that rewards attention over identity.

'Kanye was not trying to control her, he was trying to shield her from the digital machine that profits off lost innocence. Parents laughed then. They should not be laughing now.'

'The internet moves in circles, and now it's Kanye's turn to look like the prophet everyone ignored. People dragged him years ago for speaking about his daughter's exposure online, now the same crowd is pretending to be shocked,' agreed another.

The preteen rocked long, blue braids and blue contacts, as well as black grillz over her teeth, a faux nose ring and multiple fake ink designs on her face

She posed with her friends in the videos, shared to her and her mom's joint account

'This man [is] trying preserve his daughter innocence as he should,' said someone else.

North posted the slew of videos showcasing the eyebrow-raising look to the platform over the weekend.

'Fake piercings and fake tatts for life,' the pre-teen captioned one clip.

The video showed her mouthing along to a popular sound bite with her pals, who matched her in similar braids, face tattoos and piercings.

North donned a slew of eye-popping silver necklaces a black oversized tee, baggy shorts and chunky sneakers.

Other clips showed her and her friends on a private jet and then backstage at an apparent concert.

'Preparing for antagonist,' she captioned another.

While the comments were turned off of North's TikTok videos, after a fan account reposted them on Instagram, a slew of viewers were quick to share their concern.

While some people theorized it was simply a Halloween costume and all in good fun, others felt like North shouldn't be sporting fake tattoos and piercings at 12 years old

The 2022 clip of West has received over five million views on X after it was reshared this week amidst North's latest controversial TikTok post

It comes days after Kardashian, 44, admitted she made a mistake with some of her daughter's fashion choices.

The reality star came under fire over the summer after she dressed North in a corset during an outing in Rome.

On the Call Me Daddy podcast last week, Kardashian confessed that she's 'still learning' as a mother and explained that North had wanted to experiment with her style to look like her friends.

She said: 'It's really hard and it's really interesting because all the kids are wearing the same things.

'But then my daughter tries to wear it and then I'm like, "OK we're never wearing that again." Unfortunately, we made that mistake in front of the whole world.

'She's usually a girl that that dresses like a tomboy most of the time and she wanted to try something that her friends were wearing and went to the same place that they went to... and it's just like, okay, wait, maybe you can't wear that, you know?

'So, as a mom, you're kind of learning at the same time. But what I do know is my baby's such a good girl and such a sweet girl.

'The things that she has experienced, where she might have been outspoken or did something, she learns from that.

'She does listen to me but in other areas I'm like "babe if you want blue hair it is what it." It makes her so happy. I would never take that creativity away from her.'

When North first debuted her bright blue hair, fans were divided online, with some suggesting the style was too mature for a pre-teen.

And Kardashian revealed her daughter had seen the discourse and had a very sassy response.

In February 2022, West claimed on Instagram that his daughter was 'being put on TikTok against his will'

Hours later, Kardashian hit back on her own Instagram, slamming West's 'constant attacks' on her, accusing him of causing their family 'pain' in a lengthy statement

She wrote on her Stories: 'Kanyes constant attacks on me in interviews and on social media is actually more hurtful than any TikTok North might create.' She and North are seen in 2023

'She's really mature in one sense, where she'll be like, "Mom, I saw this and I don't really care if someone says they don't like my blue hair or my this or that,"' reflected the Skims founder.

'She's really confident and is like, "I probably wouldn't be hanging out with those people. Like if you saw what they look like and what they're wearing!"

Kardashian mused: 'I just think anyone that's raising kids, especially four kids by myself, I'm doing the best that I can and my babies are good babies.

'So, I just urge everyone to not be judgmental and to have grace on single mums trying to figure it all out with a pre-teen. It's a lot.'

Elsewhere in the interview Kardashian shared that West has not seen his children in several months.

The businesswoman said: 'I raise the kids full time. They live with me and I welcome a great healthy relationship with my kids and their dad, and I think he knows that.

'I push for it all the time, but I also protect them when it's time for that. And it goes in waves and phases and it's a lot of work.'

Asked when West last saw his children, she replied: 'Whenever he'll call for them and ask. It's probably been a couple months since we've heard from him.'
Almost two years ago, James Alofs ditched life in Los Angeles and China for a 40-acre piece of land in the middle of the Canadian woods - and he hasn't looked back since.

Alofs, 39, has chosen to live his life entirely off-the-grid, building everything from scratch, including his own home, which is a log cabin he constructed completely by himself.

'I came out here with a Toyota Prius, a chainsaw, and that's about it,' Alofs, who is known by his online moniker as Wild Homestead Canada, told Daily Mail in an exclusive interview.

When the 39-year-old first arrived to his brand new piece of land, it was the middle of winter, and since he hadn't built his log cabin yet, he was confined to living in a tent, surrounded by bears and mountain lions.

Still, he joked that being in the company of wild animals was better than having an overbearing boss.

It's a far cry from his previous life, which included a long career as a host of a nationally broadcast talk show in China, and as an actor in various Chinese television series and feature films, like Gank Your Heart.

But after living in Beijing for many years, he was forced to come back to Canada due to a political conflict in the country, and although it was less than ideal, it also allowed Alofs to finally live out his longtime dream of building a homestead.

So, he found himself getting rid of his apartment and even breaking up with his girlfriend, who was moving to start school in the United States.

Almost two years ago, James Alofs, 39, ditched his life in Los Angeles and China for a 40-acre piece of land in the middle of the Canadian woods - and he hasn't looked back since

Alofs has chosen to live his life entirely off-the-grid, building everything from scratch, including his own home, which is a log cabin he constructed completely by himself

When the 39-year-old first arrived to his brand new piece of land, it was the middle of winter, and since he hadn't built his log cabin yet, he was confined to living in a tent, surrounded by bears and mountain lions

Alofs used the money he had saved, which he said was enough to buy a condominium, and instead used it to buy a piece of 40-acre land outside of Ontario, where he's been living ever since.

'I just thought it was healthier than living in a big city like Toronto, you know, the fresh air, working physically all day,' he explained to Daily Mail.

'Fishing for wild food and collecting wild food. It's just a health thing,' he shared.

Each day living on his homestead looks different, he said, but his 24 hours almost always involves doing something outside.

'You might be doing lumberjack stuff, selling trees,' Alofs said. 'I just got a tractor. It might be like spreading and gravel with a tractor. It might be fishing,' he continued.

'There's so many different things to do when you're doing everything by yourself, which makes it very interesting.'

He's also hoping that by building this homestead, he'll be able to find love, and eventually start a family out there in the wild.

Each day living on his homestead looks different, he said, but his 24 hours almost always involves doing something outside

'I just thought it was healthier than living in a big city like Toronto, you know, the fresh air, working physically all day,' he explained to Daily Mail

He's also hoping that by building this homestead, he'll be able to find love, and eventually start a family out there in the wild

'You know, you might be doing, like, lumberjack stuff, selling trees,' Alofs said of his typical day

Though, so far, he hasn't had much luck with that, save a few 'short' relationships with girls back in Toronto.

'They were kind of like, big city girls, you know, so it was just hard to spend any time with one another,' Alofs said.

'I really have to be careful. I think I really need to narrow my search to people who really want to be in the country, because I would say 90 to 95 percent of both men and women would not want to do what I'm doing, right?' he continued.

'But five percent really would. So it's just about finding one of one of the five percent, right?'

However, don't get it twisted - Alofs isn't necessarily looking for a 'traditional wife' to have keep him company out there in the wilderness.

'I would say I'm open to all situations,' he shared.

'If it was a lady who was a CEO and earned $5 million per year, but she could work over the Starlink internet that I have at my place, I'm all for it,' Alofs said.

'I think it's less about traditional gender roles. It's more about a true, more traditional lifestyle, right?'

However, don't get it twisted - Alofs isn't necessarily looking for a 'traditional wife' to have keep him company out there in the wilderness

He explained that in some states and provinces, you cannot finance rural land, which means that you'll have to pay for everything in cash

'I'm very extroverted, so I thought it would be a good way to kind of stay connected with, like, a community of people,' Alofs explained to Daily Mail

Despite the fact that he's out there completely alone right now, he actually has quite the audience watching him, as he's been documenting his journey from the very beginning.

Alofs has a combined following of over 500,000 subscribers on YouTube channel and Instagram page, where he shares his lifestyle.

'I'm very extroverted, so I thought it would be a good way to kind of stay connected with, like, a community of people,' Alofs explained to Daily Mail.

He said that documenting everything online makes the process less lonely.

'I'm sharing with all these people, and then every week people are leaving me thousands of comments and Instagram DMs and all this kind of stuff about what I'm doing,' he said.

'It's very interactive. I think for my personality type, it makes it very rewarding.'

But interestingly enough, staying online is what pays his bills.

He claimed that YouTube gives their creators 70 percent of the money they earn in advertising revenue.

'I got a relatively inexpensive tractor, but if you've got, like, an excavator or skid steer or something like that, those things are like, five times the cost,' Alofs, who recently bought a tractor, shared

If you're looking to ditch the city life for your own homestead, Alofs advised that you really need to look into the seemingly minute details of everything before buying a piece of land, such as the financing that goes into it

'I definitely feel happier just generally living here than I did in Toronto,' he admitted to Daily Mail. 'It's definitely more rewarding. It's more interesting'

'It pays for the stuff that I do, so it's also necessary,' he admitted.

However, just because he's living in the woods doesn't mean that his homesteading lifestyle is cheaper than living in Beijing or Los Angeles.

In fact, in some cases, it can be more expensive to be living out on these 40 acres of land than it is in the mainstream, he said.

'It can be more expensive in certain regards,' Alofs said, noting that it is possible to live the homesteading life with 'many different budgets.'

'There's a lot of gear that you kind of need to do this. Not necessarily, like when I started I didn't have a lot of gear, but the cost of living can differ wildly depending on how much gear you have,' he explained.

'I got a relatively inexpensive tractor, but if you've got an excavator or skid steer or something like that, those things are five times the cost,' Alofs shared.

It's not something that's unattainable, though.

If you're looking to ditch the city life for your own homestead, Alofs advised that you really need to look into the seemingly minute details of everything before buying a piece of land, such as the financing that goes into it.

He explained that in some states and provinces, you cannot finance rural land, which means that you'll have to pay for everything in cash.

The other biggest obstacle, according to Alofs, is finding that perfect home for yourself.

'It's very hard to find nice land in the country, because it tends to get bought very quickly,' Alofs told Daily Mail.

'Most land is 80 percent swamp and just really, really gnarly,' he continued.

Many land listings aren't always available online, he said, so it's important to network within the community where you're looking to move.

If you find something you like, he recommends acting almost immediately.

'You have to look at the real estate listings like an absolute hawk,' he shared.

'If something lists, if you can get there the same day and look at it, and then, you know, make an offer, because you can't be naive about how quickly you know some of these places go.'

And in the end, it's totally worth it - at least for Alofs.

'I definitely feel happier just generally living here than I did in Toronto,' he admitted to Daily Mail. 'It's definitely more rewarding. It's more interesting.'
Ethan Hawke has sparked fierce debate after he hit out at Donald Trump's lack of integrity for demanding $230 million from the Justice Department.

During an appearance on The View on Wednesday, the A-list star, 54, voiced his criticism of the president.

Hollywood actor Hawke's comments came after co-host Joy Behar invited him to share his take on Trump's multi-million dollar demand as payback for federal investigations he faced while the Democrats were in charge.

'Let's do a hot topic with you because earlier, we were talking about Trump wanting $230 million from the Department of Justice for investigating him,' Behar, 83, probed.

'He wants that money.'

Weighing in, Hawke simply responded: 'Is anybody here old enough to remember when Jimmy Carter gave up his family farm to make sure he didn't have conflict of interest?

'It's called integrity and it's starting to show the lack of it. It's pretty obvious.'

'Starting?' a befuddled Behar quipped.

Ethan Hawke voiced his criticism of Donald Trump during an appearance on The View

Trump is said to have demanded $230 million from the Justice Department

'Yeah!' Hawke replied. 'I'm being nice.'

Hawke, of course, was referring to former president Carter, who put his peanut farm into a blind trust during the presidency.

A blind trust allows someone to retain ownership of an asset while transferring management to another person or institution.

Hawke's comments divided viewers at home with some in agreement over Trump's behavior.

'Unfortunately, that ship of integrity has long since sailed,' one said on Reddit.

'Ethan Hawke saying what half of America's been thinking since 2016,' added another on X, formerly Twitter.

But others blasted the actor and threatened to boycott his films.

One slammed: 'Opinions from liberal Hollywood are as worthless as those from Democrat politicians. No wonder they like each other so much.'

The star critiqued Trump's lack of 'integrity' as he discussed hot topics on The View

Former president Jimmy Carter put his peanut farm in a trust during his tenure from 1977 to 1981

'Another foolish actor I will never watch again,' said another.

A third continued: 'Another day, another pointless celebrity comment.'

Earlier this week, it was reported that Trump submitted two administrative complaints seeking damages for a number of actions he claims violated his rights, people familiar with the not-yet-public filings told the New York Times.

Trump didn't deny that he's seeking the settlement but appeared to blank when asked on Tuesday about a potential payout.

Well, I guess they probably owe me a lot of money for that,' Trump told reporters when asked if he's seeking money from his own DOJ.

The President insisted that if he does get paid, he would 'do something nice with it like give it to charity or give it to the White House,' and bragged about how he hasn't taken the presidential salary ever since his first term.

The demand by Trump  without precedent  represents another potential headache for Attorney General Pam Bondi who the president is pressuring to deliver prosecutions against the political enemies who went after him while in office.

Bondi has been at pains to show that her prosecutorial integrity has not been called into question by Trump's very public demands, which included a private text message to her which he mistakenly posted online: 'JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!'

When asked about potential conflicts of interest regarding Trump's monetary demands, a spokesman told the Daily Mail that 'all officials at the Department of Justice follow the guidance of career ethics officials.'
When a brand new 'reborn' baby - the hyper-realistic dolls that look and feel like a real newborn, is delivered to their 'parent', a ceremonious 'box opening' usually takes place.

The dolls, often crafted by specialist artists and ranging in price from the low hundreds to around 20,000, arrive wrapped in cellophane, with a nappy on their heads, swaddled in a blanket and with a certificate of authenticity from the maker included.

The dolls, which are crafted in vinyl or silicone and then painstakingly painted by hand, often include features that make them appear unnervingly realistic - from cute wrinkles and creases to battery-operated 'breathing machines', human hair that's rooted strand-by-strand and a baby powder scent.

Parents of the dolls often follow the same 'reveal' pattern when meeting their new arrival, with feelings of joy and elation common.

Reborn collector and artist Zoe Miller, 48, from Bury St Edmunds, explains that most owners will build up the excitement and won't glimpse their new doll's face until the very last moment they can.

'It's a box of joy, you don't unwrap the baby all in one go, you look at the feet first, then admire the hands, the arms... and you do the face reveal last'.

The mother-of-six, who has multiple sclerosis, has ten of her most treasured reborn dolls on display and 'more than ten' stored in a cupboard at the home she shares with her partner Anna.

She runs Small Miracles by Zoe Miller, a not-for-profit company which gifts reborn dolls to those who need them, including people who've endured the loss of a pregnancy or a baby.

Jess Ellis, 29, from Newham, London, says she practises parenting with her 15-strong collection of reborn dolls; she first became interested in the lifelike hand-painted dolls in 2020 after a battle with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Ellis pictured with one of her hyper-realistic newborns; she says she worries that the fake baby scandal this week, in which Scottish woman Kira Cousins, 23, is alleged to have used a reborn to pretend she'd given birth, will see collectors of the hyper realistic dolls branded 'crazy'

The news this week that Scottish woman Kira Cousins, 23, allegedly used a fake baby to convince her partner, friends, and family that she had given birth has sparked outrage amongst many in the reborn baby community, says Miller.

'I don't believe people should be judging her. Obviously, I don't condone what she's done because it's not okay, but there's a reason that she's done it.'

Cousins has now been spoken to by Police Scotland amid concerns over her well-being after she was hit by an avalanche of online abuse over the alleged hoax.

She initially posted photos of her 'daughter' following the birth, but after refusing to allow anyone near her, suspicions grew, and she deleted any mention of the 'baby' from social media.

Cousins, who it's claimed received hundreds of pounds from family members to help support the apparent new arrival, eventually claimed the baby had died.

It is understood it was her own mother who discovered the lifelike doll in her bedroom, with her friends believing she paid a 'fortune' for the fake baby.

It is also claimed she bought a 'pregnant tummy' prop, had a baby shower, and marked the pending birth with the gender reveal party in Caldercruix, near Airdrie, Lanarkshire.

Reborn collector Miller, who has six real-life children ranging in age from 17 to 32 and seven grandchildren, says that, as an advocate for people who collect the dolls, she's frequently a target for abuse.

It's alleged that Cousins (left), from Caldercruix, near Airdrie, Lanarkshire, faked her pregnancy and birth using a plastic bump and a reborn baby doll and initially posted photos of her 'daughter' (pictured right) after the birth but suspicions grew after she refused to allow anyone near her

Mother-of-six Zoe Miller, 48, from Bury St Edmunds, is a passionate collector of reborn dolls - with more than 20 in her collection - and gifts them to those in need

'I've been told I need to be locked up in a mental institute, that I'm a weirdo. People have said some really bad, sinister stuff, which I'm not even going to repeat.'

She isn't the only collector of reborns who's fearing a backlash from the alleged actions of Kira Cousins.

Jess Ellis, 29, who has 15 reborn dolls in her collection, says she uses them to 'practise' parenting, and worries that the fake baby scandal will see collectors of the dolls abused even more online.

Authentic reborns are anatomically correct, and collectors say they've been branded 'paedophiles' for buying the fake babies.

Ellis, an HR business partner, from Newham, London, first began making and collecting the hyper-realistic dolls in 2020 after a battle with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) left her struggling to conceive.

She believes Cousins is mentally unwell and is worried about how her actions might harm the image of those who love reborn dolls: 'I worry that when stories like this come out that it's reinforcing the idea that people who have reborn dolls are crazy.

'People think we think they're real and that we're trying to trick our family and friends, and that's not the case at all.

'A mentally well person does not do that kind of thing. I've seen a lot of people talking about her online, and I think she needs some help.'

Who's buying the dolls? Miller frequently has people approaching her via her website and TikTok account, @smallmiraclesbyzoemiller, and she says she never judges on why they're asking for a reborn.

The majority are women, but she's had men asking for the baby dolls too.

'I have a lot of people come to me daily, including some people who have, sadly, had their children taken away. I don't judge; it's none of my business.

Zoe Miller's current favourite doll is Noa, pictured, who was crafted by the industry's leading reborn makers and is housed in a full-size cot. She told the Daily Mail that she can feel an instant 'bond' with a doll - but it can also quickly fade

Some of the 10 reborn dolls Miller has on display at home; she's an advocate for using the dolls as therapy objects for those who've lost a pregnancy or baby, and says she gives them to those who need them via her website Small Miracles by Zoe Miller

'Some have lost children, some can't have children. Many are very secretive about having a reborn. They don't want people to know, they're frightened of being judged.'

Mother-of-three Sharma Cross, 38, from Suffolk, got her first reborn this week, after getting two for her daughter, Titch, 21, who is autistic, five years ago.

She explains to the Daily Mail: 'She was 15, about to go through her GCSEs, and she started to tic, often full body.

'A friend suggested anxiety might be behind it and gave her a reborn doll to hold - the tics instantly stopped.'

Those who hold reborns frequently report overwhelming feelings of calmness and an increased sense of well-being, calling the dolls the equivalent of a 'grown-up comfort blanket'.

Psychologist Dr Louise Goddard-Crawley says there's firm science to back up those feelings.

'From a neuroscience perspective, the circuits that govern caregiving and belonging are hardwired.

'Hormones such as oxytocin and dopamine create internal feedback loops that make nurturing behaviour feel rewarding, even when the experience is imagined or simulated.'

She tells the Daily Mail: 'Reborn dolls are typically used consciously as a way to find solace. They allow people to soothe the attachment system and regulate the nervous system through sensory cues such as weight, warmth, and touch.

'Most people who use them are fully aware the doll is not real, but find the act of care [to be] calming. In short, it is less about delusion and more about the brains natural drive to seek connection, predictability, and regulation through nurture.'

The Kira Cousins case is very different though, suggests Dr Louise Goddard-Crawley.

'It seems the young woman, Kira Cousins, may have experienced a fixed false belief or what we would describe clinically as a delusion, rather than a symbolic act of comfort. That distinction really matters because it shifts the frame from deception or manipulation to psychological distress.

'Rather than being grief-driven in the way we typically understand the use of reborn dolls, this may be better seen as an attachment or identity dysregulation.

'In such cases, fantasy can serve as a form of self-regulation, providing temporary relief from anxiety or emptiness. Creating or sustaining an imagined experience of motherhood can restore coherence and belonging when reality feels fragmented or rejecting.

'Ultimately, these situations remind us how profoundly the brain seeks connection and coherence. When those needs go unmet, the mind can create its own realities to restore balance.'

Reborn gifter Zoe Miller says that the demand for authentic baby dolls is so high that a counterfeit market - made with sub-standard, often toxic materials - has flourished, products she educates her followers against buying.

'The real ones are outstanding, high-end works of art, first and foremost. They're not toys to be played with, and they're not for children either. You've got to treat it like a real baby.'

Miller says she has 'bonds' with babies - her current favourite is Noa, whose shape was sculpted by artisan Cassie Ann Love, with another reborn specialist, Lindsey Deakin, adding the silicone and artwork that makes the doll look so realistic.

Many collectors buy newborns but the realistic dolls can also be crafted as toddlers (pictured)

Two of the dolls in Zoe Miller's collection; one of her real-life children, Taylor, says she supports her mother's hobby but has no interest in the dolls herself

The doll is housed in a full-sized cot and even accompanied Miller during a recent hospital stay; she says holding Noa can instantly soothe the anxiety she suffers with.

One of Miller's daughters, Taylor, is frank about not sharing her mother's passion for reborns but says she supports her right to enjoy the dolls.

She says: 'I accept the fact that it helps my mum and that she likes doing this. Would you catch me holding the reborn baby? No! I don't understand it, but I would never judge her.'

Sharma Cross, who says holding her newborn reborn reminds of her when her three children, now 11, 16, and 21, were just weeks old - something that floods her with feel-good emotions - admits her husband is non-plussed by the three reborn babies they now share their lives with.

'Titch will hand him her doll because that man can swaddle, he swaddled all of his kids but otherwise he doesn't really have an opinion on it. He says: "You do you".'

For Titch, it's clear the reborn dolls she named Bobby and Autumn have had a significant impact on her life and how her autism affects her.

She says: 'I have them to ground me. They've actually helped me through a lot of things, my anxiety, my autism, my ADHD. It's hard to describe, but they help me to continue on, to be able to go out and live as a normal being.'
When I was 17 years old, and should have been obsessing about boys and A-level exams, I started to believe I was a serial-killing paedophile who had blanked out their crimes in horror.

I wasnt  I was actually suffering from a form of obsessive compulsive disorder known as pure O  but the almost delusional belief that I might have done something terrible without realising it was so paralysing that I felt suicidal, and stopped being able to go to school.

An expert has since told me that I was so unwell I should have received psychiatric care. As it was, the only thing available to me was antidepressants; then, as now, the mental health provision available to children and young adults on the NHS was pitiful.

I remember the relief when I first took the pills prescribed to me by the GP, the vague glimmer of hope I felt when I popped the Prozac out of its foil and put it in my mouth. I remember thinking that maybe, because of these drugs, I might wake up one day and not immediately want to die. Perhaps the awful monster that seemed to have invaded my brain would be banished, and I could get on with the rest of my life.

They gave me an anchor when I desperately needed one and enabled me to start recovering.

Ive been on antidepressants more or less ever since. For 28 years  well over half my life  I have popped a pill to keep myself feeling vaguely normal.

Ive tried them all  sertraline, citalopram, fluoxetine  and have attempted to come off them several times, but the brain zaps, dizziness and loudness of the intrusive thoughts soon made life impossible again. Even in pregnancy, the doctor thought it safer for me to stay on medication rather than come off it.

Indeed, I have come to accept that I will be on these drugs for life. Theyve enabled me to be a useful member of society, a successful one even. Though I have also been hugely helped by therapy, I believe that it is antidepressants that have provided me with stability and stopped my life from being ruined by mental illness.

For 28 years  well over half my life  I have popped a pill to keep myself feeling vaguely normal, writes Bryony Gordon

Dr Toby Pillinger from King's College London helped to conduct a study which, for the first time, created a league table of antidepressant side-effects

So my heart sank when I read the headlines this week that linked antidepressants to weight gain and heart problems. Not because Im worried about the effect of antidepressants on my own physical health  the only side-effect Ive ever had was a sudden drop in libido when I first went on them, which soon returned  but because I worry about all the severely anxious and unwell people who might read these headlines and think twice about using the drugs themselves.

To recap: scientists from Kings College London and the University of Oxford have, for the first time, created a league table of antidepressant side-effects, to show the variability between the 30 or so drugs that are prescribed to people in this country. For example, some patients gain up to 2kg of weight within weeks of starting some types of antidepressant; others have changes in blood pressure and heart rate.

The aim isnt to deter use, said Dr Toby Pillinger, one of the studys authors, but to empower patients and clinicians to make informed choices and to encourage personalised care.

But we know that despite the large number of people on antidepressants (8.89million people), there is still a huge stigma attached to these drugs. As a mental health campaigner, I hear all the time from people who are too scared to take them, or who are thinking about stopping their medication after hearing some codswallop from an influencer on social media who recommends taking an expensive supplement instead.

The leaflets that come in boxes of antidepressants  they tend to be the length of War and Peace and detail side-effects that include everything from seizures to suicidal thoughts  hardly encourage people to take the medication. And this latest news is unlikely to persuade a group of patients who are already anxious and living in fear.

But few people go on antidepressants unless they are utterly desperate, and everything else has failed first. And here is the stark truth about mental health care in this country: it has got worse, not better, in recent years.

In all the time I have been on antidepressants, neither science nor the health system has come up with a better alternative to these drugs when it comes to treating mental illness. For many people, they provide a vital foothold that allows them to get their lives together just enough to be able to find some extra help, either privately or via charities and community support services.

Do you know what the side-effects of not going on antidepressants are for those who are mentally ill? I wish people would talk about this more  about how terrible it is for your physical health and general wellbeing to be stuck in a depression or an anxiety disorder, with no effective plan in place for the future.

If these headlines have made you question the drugs you are taking, please talk to your doctor before doing anything rash. And please know this: that I would far rather be mentally stable and a few pounds overweight than experience the hell I went through at 17 again.
Welcome to The Detour: Your food and travel guide to the best flavours, hidden haunts, insider tips and unforgettable new experiences that reward those who wander off course.

Note: This content is not sponsored.

When I see how many people are leaning back into the humble stay-cay, it genuinely makes me happy.

And I'm not talking about the kind of 'close to home' trip that involves packing the car for hours. I mean the close kind - 10, maybe 20 minutes from your front door.

Finding somewhere that actually feels like a holiday without the travel chaos? That's the sweet spot.

And for the Sydneysiders, I've found it. For everyone else, bear with me - this one's worth the detour.

A big hello and welcome to The Brighton Hotel Sydney - a sparkling new stay perched on what was once the old Novotel in Brighton-Le-Sands. And it's an absolute delight.

The words a fellow guest casually said to me summed it up: 'It's the kind of place expats would proudly book their friends and family into for a beachfront stay in Sydney that actually has it all.' And I get it.

A big hello and welcome to The Brighton Hotel Sydney - a sparkling new stay perched on what was once the old Novotel. And it's an absolute delight

The vibe? Mediterranean warmth meets easy-breezy coastal charm. There are 307 light-filled rooms and suites, each with its own personality

From the moment you walk into the breezy, modern foyer, it radiates quiet luxury. There's an ease to the place - like everyone's agreed to lock in holiday mode.

The vibe? Mediterranean warmth meets easy-breezy coastal charm. There are 307 light-filled rooms and suites, each with its own personality.

I stayed in the Terrace Suite - gorgeous, practical and quietly elegant. Handy charging ports everywhere, a lounge that feels inviting but not overdone, and the star of the show: a huge, sun-drenched balcony overlooking the sparkling bay.

Plane spotters will be in heaven (I could've sat out there for hours). If that's not your thing, don't worry - it's far quieter than you think. Add cloud-like beds, the subtle bass echoing from the beach club and brilliant service, and boom: the vacay is on.

In my opinion, The Brighton fills a rare gap: beachside serenity without sacrificing city convenience.

This was a resort experience. And my Uber ride from just north of the bridge? 18 minutes. From the airport? Eight, max.

Part of the MGallery Collection, the hotel's design draws on the bay's shifting light and laid-back personality. Think natural textures, soft tones, sun-washed stone and Med-inspired decor.

There's also an adults-only indoor pool, a big sparkling outdoor pool, sauna and steam room - and unlike at some hotels, these spaces feel genuinely considered, not tacked on.

In my opinion, The Brighton fills a rare gap: beachside serenity without sacrificing city convenience

The kingfish (left, from Ammos) and the calamari and mezze from Sands Bar (right) were absolutely delicious

Plane spotters will be in heaven (I could've sat out there for hours). If that's not your thing, don't worry - it's far quieter than you think (pictured, the Terrace Suite)

The Brighton doesn't just sit on the foreshore, it nods to Brighton-Le-Sands' rich Greek-Australian heritage and its connection to land and sea.

On that note, let's talk food.

Sands Bar is a sun-drenched stunner with waterfront views and a relaxed, share-style poolside menu. There's even a seasonal adults-only beach club, with more dining options to come over summer.

The Kiwi Kiss cocktail was a standout (unlike anything I've had before), and the oysters were chef's kiss. Order the woodfired pita and go all out on the share plates. Trust me.

Dinner at Ammos is a must. It's buzzy and big, yet somehow doesn't feel chaotic. The food is, for lack of a 'more appropriate' term, yummy. Drool-worthy, hearty, goodness.

Ammos is a hatted restaurant helmed by Greek-Australian chef Peter Conistis - and there's a reason, or 50, why it's packed with locals every night.

Think silky house-made taramasalata, melt in your mouth seafood, and a reimagined moussaka with scallops and roasted eggplant.

My picks? The kingfish was exceptional, and the slow-roasted lamb shoulder for two practically melted on the fork. Everything came out swiftly, each was delivered with pride. All the very definition of yum.

Ammos is a hatted restaurant helmed by Greek-Australian chef Peter Conistis - and there's a reason, or 50, why it's packed with locals every night

And the wine list? If you don't know much about Greek wines (like I didn't), you'll leave with a few new favourites. If you do, even better.

Now let's chat Brighton-Le-Sands - a gem in itself. If you live here - lucky you. If not, it's well worth a visit.

Beyond the hotel, the area is packed with fun and beloved restaurants, cafes and bars.

Try Omnia, Mootch & Me or Haus of Mez. I've also heard glowing reviews of Sammy's Restaurant - I'm yet to experience, but I intend to return for those crunchy wraps.

I know, another love-fest, but I mean it.

Most of us don't realise it's time for a reset. A space like this offers that to those nearby without an enormous financial commitment or months of planning. For everyone else, it's the perfect base for any type of holiday.

Oh, and the best part? Locals want to share this place.

Everyone I spoke to was genuinely proud to see their patch of Sydney celebrated. As one woman who lived nearby told me during a lift ride, 'everything's better shared - just like a good menu'.

If that doesn't convince you, I'm not sure what will. If it does, I'll probably catch you there soon.

Oh, and the best part? Locals actually want to share this place with you

Opera Bar 2.0

Regulars here might remember my earlier note about Opera Bar's big handover after an incredible 24 years.

For those who missed it: after more than two decades under the helm of Solotel and Matt Moran, Opera Bar officially changed hands in mid-September, with Applejack Hospitality - the team behind The Butler, The Botanist and Taphouse (+ many more) - stepping in.

'We're thrilled to have appointed Applejack Hospitality to run the Opera House's popular harbourside venues, Opera Bar and House Canteen, for the next 10 years,' Sydney Opera House Chief Customer Officer, Jade McKellar said at the time.

'We were delighted by the exceptional standard of the submissions received, with Applejack's detailing a compelling, vibrant vision for this community space that thousands of locals and visitors enjoy every year.'

Opera Bar's new vibe is electric. The staff are genuinely hyped and incredibly knowledgeable, live music is pumping, and the food - finally - arrives delish and timely

I can confirm they made the right call.

The vibe is electric. The staff are genuinely hyped and incredibly knowledgeable, live music is pumping, and the food - finally - arrives delish and timely.

It's still early days, but if this is the standard they're setting straight out of the gate, we're in for something pretty special here - beyond the breathtaking views.

No surprise, really, when you think back to how Applejack co-founders Ben Carroll and Hamish Watts described their new venue:

'A dream come true,' they said.

'A new era is here.'

It's still early days, but if this is the standard they're setting straight out of the gate, we're in for something pretty special here - beyond the breathtaking views

The Fish Market is actually opening

Up until now, my only real mention of the Sydney Fish Market has been a small ode to my favourite new olive oil setting up shop there.

But truth be told, this place is one of my favourites. From the cooking school and the honey, to the best and freshest oysters in town - my adoration and nostalgia runs deep.

The 'new' version has been in the works for a good while, but we now have an opening date: January 19, 2026.

I've got high expectations. They've taken their time with this - and rightly so.

Construction is on track to wrap by mid-November, after which retailers will move in to complete their bespoke fitouts and get familiar with the new site.

The 'new' Fish Market has been in the works for a good while, but we now have an opening date: January 19, 2026

Construction is on track to wrap by mid-November, after which retailers will move in to complete their bespoke fitouts and get familiar with the new site

I've got high expectations. They've taken their time with this - and rightly so

The final months will focus on making sure everything is operationally seamless for what's set to be a 'once-in-a-generation development'.

'We've waited decades for this new market, and taking this time means we can open with a bang. A January opening gives tenants (including 40 retailers) the time to finish fit outs this year, and then train staff and prepare operationally, so that they are ready to deliver an incredible experience from day one,' Sydney Fish Market CEO, Daniel Jarosch, said.

The new market is expected to draw more than six million visitors annually. Highlights include behind-the-scenes tours, masterclasses at the Sydney Seafood School, and cultural storytelling that celebrates First Nations fishing traditions.

I'll be there as soon as the doors open. Watch this space.
A highly-requested McDonald's Australia item will soon be officially added to the nationwide menu.

Following huge fan demand after a trial release earlier in the year, the viral sensation McCafe Matcha range will soon be stocked at Macca's stores nationwide, available from October 29.

The fast food restaurant chain will offer a choice of three new Matcha flavoured beverages - a classic Matcha Latte, an Iced Matcha Latte and the ultra-trendy Iced Strawberry Matcha Latte.

McDonald's spokesperson Amanda Nakad said the decision to make the drinks a permanent menu fixture was driven by the unbridled enthusiasm of Matcha drinkers.

'The response to our Matcha trial was next-level,' the Marketing Director said.

'Fans flooded social media with excitement and made one thing clear: they wanted more.'

Amanda said the new McCafe Matcha Range 'answers the call'.

'It's delicious and it's the kind of pick-me-up that turns your everyday into something extraordinary. Matcha fans - this is the little treat you deserve.'

An Iced Matcha Latte, Iced Strawberry Matcha Latte and a classic Matcha Latte will be available at McDonald's Australia McCafes nationwide from October 29

The McCafe Matcha Range will be available from next Wednesday via the front counter, drive-thru or kiosk.

Earlier this year, eagle-eyed customers noticed that the fast food giant were quietly trialing the beverage range at select Aussie stores.

Sydney food blogger Nina was one of the first to break the news on social media in May 2025 after spotting the Matcha range at Wynyard Station in Sydney.

'Guess what?! McDonald's Australia has released matcha lattes. Finally matcha available at Macca's,' Nina said in her video.

Nina said she purchased a medium iced matcha with oat milk, which cost $6.40.

'Although they use syrup, the matcha flavour was strong with no bitterness - but it was very, very sweet,' she said in her verdict.

'Not very traditional, but the sugar sure was a great pick me up in the morning. To be honest I think I'll be buying this again.'

The Sydney-based foodie's six-second video showed her spotting the item on an in-store menu.

The McCafe Matcha drinks range were trialed at select Australian stores earlier this year. In May 2025, Sydney foodie content creator @ninafromsydney spotted the McCafe Matcha Iced Latte at Sydney's Wynyard station

At that time, it was accompanied by a sign confirming the matcha range was only available for a 'limited time'.

Nina couldn't contain her excitement, saying: 'OMG! Macca's sells Matcha!'

The video received hundreds of comments from excited customers.

'FINALLY MY DREAMS ARE COMING TRUE,' read one excited response.

But the top-liked comment to Nina's video expressed disbelief about whether 'this is actually true'.

This warranted skepticism stemmed from an incident in 2024 when a 'fake' Macca's matcha drink caused a frenzy and disappointment among customers.

Last year, two Melbourne friends filmed themselves apparently ordering a 'Strawberry Matcha' from a McDonald's Drive-Thru window as part of a social media prank.

The staged video quickly sparked confusion among McDonald's customers, who soon reported being unable to find the drink anywhere in stores.

Back in May, Nina shared a picture of the in-store menu from the Wynyard Macca's store, with signs at that time noting that the Matcha range was only for a 'limited time'

The fast food restaurant chain will soon roll out the Matcha beverage range nationwide, including a Matcha Latte, an Iced Matcha Latte and a trendy Iced Strawberry Matcha Latte.

The misinformation about the Macca's Strawberry Matcha got so out of hand that McDonald's eventually released a statement confirming the product did not exist.

The subsequent outcry from social media fans led many to campaign for Macca's to develop their own drink featuring the popular green tea powder.

Matcha lattes - and strawberry matcha lattes in particular - have soared in popularity over the past few years.

The trendy iced strawberry matcha lattes are believed to have originated in Asian tea specialty stores, and have become prolific on social media.

The striking visual appeal of iced strawberry matcha lattes is one of the reasons why the drink went viral.

Matcha is known for its health benefits, with the green tea powder renowned for being rich in antioxidants. It also contains fibre, vitamin C, chromium, magnesium, selenium and zinc.
Kmart Australia shoppers are racing to get their hands on a festive season gadget that controls Christmas lights with a touch of 'magic'.

The Kmart LED Magical Lighting Wand $25 is a clever gadget that wirelessly connects to your Christmas tree lights.

By waving the wand, the device turns your festive lights on or off.

And for an added touch of whimsy, the wand flashes at the star tip and emits a magical chime noise when waved.

Meisha Carson shared a TikTok video demonstrating the Kmart Magical Lighting Wand in action.

'How cute is this - I've got a little magic wand from Kmart that you... [connect] to your Christmas tree lights,' she said in the 22-second video.

Waving the wand towards her cutely decorated and light-adorned Christmas tree, Meisha exclaimed that she simply waves the device to turn the lights on.

The Kmart LED Magical Lighting Wand $25 is a clever gadget that wirelessly connects to your Christmas tree lights

Aussie woman Meisha Carson shared a TikTok video demonstrating the festive season buy in action

'[Y]ou can be a fairy godmother and turn your Christmas tree on,' the delighted shopper declared in the post shared to her @meishacarsonn account.

As demonstrated in Meisha's video, a flick of the wand not only sees the tree light up, but also emits a delightful fairy tinkling sound effect. (Precisely the noise you'd imagine that a magic wand makes!)

Meisha's video instantly tickled fellow festive-season lovers.

'SORRY WHAT?!?' read one astonished reply.

'OMG HOW MAGICAL,' one woman responded.

'I NEED THAT FOR CHRISTMAS,' declared one woman.

Kmart has stocked a similar Christmas light wand in previous seasons, with some shoppers who'd purchased the older version confirming that it was a buy that continues to bring them joy.

'I've had this wand for a few years now and it's the highlight of my Christmas when I bring it out,' said one woman.

The new Kmart LED Magical Lighting Wand $25 is similar to wands stocked by the retailer in previous seasons. Shoppers who'd purchased the older version confirmed it was a buy that continues to bring them joy

Meisha's recent TikTok video shared on October 21 to her @meishacarsonn quickly attracted over 130,000 likes. But some comments on the post questioned whether October was too early to set up a Christmas tree

'Best part of Christmas is using the wand,' concurred another person.

The easy-to-set-up device comes with an RF adaptor that connects to most existing low-voltage Christmas lights.

The plastic wand has a white LED star-shaped bulb at the end, which flashes when it's waved.

It requires 2xAAA batteries to operate and its dimensions are 33cm high and 9cm wide.

The wand is completely battery operated and cord free, and has a 15 metre range to turn the lights on and off.

The LED Magical Lighting Wand is described in the online product description as a way to make 'lighting up your Christmas display feel like pure magic'.

'Perfect for kids and families, it adds a playful, interactive twist to your festive lighting.'

Meisha's recent TikTok video shared on October 21 quickly attracted over 130,000 likes.

However, a number of comments insisted it was far too early to set up a Christmas tree.

'Girl, it's October,' read one reply - with the same sentiment echoed in a number of responses.

But others defended the right to embrace holiday season decorations as early as you like.

'It brings joy,' read one reply. 'Who cares if its "too early". Too early for what?? Lets enjoy the holidays whenever and however we want!!'
The journalist suing First Lady Melania Trump is reportedly planning to ask her and her husband about their connection to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein under oath.

Michael Wolff, who has written a series of books about the Trump administration, filed a bombshell suit against the First Lady, accusing her of waging a 'calculated campaign to destroy' his reputation.

It comes after Melania threatened to sue the author over claims he made that she allegedly had ties to Epstein, according to documents obtained by the Daily Mail.

He had claimed in a podcast that 'Melania could be the missing link in President Trump's ties' to Epstein and that President Trump 'first slept with Melania' on Epstein's infamous 'Lolita Express.'

As part of his lawsuit, Wolff is now asking the court for permission to question Melania and Donald Trump about their dealings with Epstein, the Daily Beast reports.

Wolff also told TMZ he has never been able to ask a question under oath in all of his years as a reporter, and is looking forward to 'asking Melania and Donald Trump about the matters at issue in this case, including their relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.'

The reporter - who has said he 'is contemplating writing a book' about Epstein using hours of interviews he conducted with the disgraced financier - is suing the First Lady for damages under New York's anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) laws which silence critics of powerful people.

His attorneys argue that the First Lady sent him what he calls a 'threat letter' on October 15 saying if he didn't stop making what Trump's attorneys called defaming statements in six days, she would sue him for $1billion.

Michael Wolff has said he is planning to question First Lady Melania Trump and President Donald Trump about their connection to Jeffrey Epstein under oath

The First Lady had previously threatened to sue Wolff over claims he made that she allegedly had ties to Epstein. Trump, Melania, Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell are pictured together here at a party at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in 2000

She had accused Wolff of making 'false, defamatory and lewd statements' in a letter from her attorney Alejandro Brito, and said the journalist made 'extremely salacious' allegations that reached tens of millions of people worldwide.

The claims Wolff made about Melania's alleged connection with Epstein were even repeated by Hunter Biden in an interview, and Melania threatened to sue him as well, with her attorney Alejandro Brito calling Wolff 'a serial fabulist.'

The First Lady's lawyer demanded that Biden 'immediately retract the false, defamatory, disparaging and inflammatory statements made about Mrs. Trump.'

In his lawsuit, filed in the Supreme Court of New York County on Tuesday, Wolff argued that the Trumps 'have made a practice of threatening those who speak against them with costly SLAPP actions in order to silence their speech, to intimidate their critics generally and to extract unjustified payments and North Korean-style confessions and apologies.'

He added that the Trumps try to use legal threats 'designed to create a climate of fear in the nation so that people cannot freely or confidently exercise their First Amendment rights.

'The threats are also intended to shut down legitimate inquiry into the Epstein matter, which the Trumps and their collaborators have at every turn sought to impede and suppress,' the lawsuit claims.

It then goes onto allege that Melania's threat of legal action is intended to 'impede and chill future reporting and writing that Mr. Wolff has committed to doing regarding Epstein, Mr. Trump and Mrs. Trump.

'In many respects, that is the primary purpose of these claims,' the suit says.

The First Lady's lawyers had demanded that Biden 'immediately retract the false, defamatory, disparaging and inflammatory statements made about Mrs. Trump'

Wolff argued in his lawsuit that the Trumps threatened legal action to 'impede and chill future reporting and writing that Mr. Wolff has committed to doing regarding Epstein, Mr. Trump and Mrs. Trump'

Wolff told the Daily Beast that bringing the case against Melania was a 'difficult decision,' as he said he 'did not want to be in a lawsuit, but I also am a journalist and have been one for 40 years.

'I've written four books about Donald Trump and have never been sued,' he continued, arguing that the First Lady's threatened legal action is designed to 'intimidate and silence me, as Donald Trump has done to so many news organizations and reporters.'

'Fortunately, New York has an Anti-SLAPP law. This law protects people sued for making statements involving matters of public concern.

'In order to avail myself of this protection, I choose to begin an action against her, rather than have her threats hanging over my head indefinitely,' Wolff explained.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House for comment about Wolff's claims.

In a statement earlier on Wednesday, Melania's spokesperson told the Daily Mail: 'First Lady Melania Trump is proud to continue standing up to those who spread malicious and defamatory falsehoods as they desperately try to get undeserved attention and money from their unlawful conduct.'

Wolff said in a statement he chose to bring the lawsuit against the First Lady 'rather than have her threats hanging over my head indefinitely'

The Daily Beast had published Wolff's claims about Melania's alleged connection with Epstein in a story in July - but later retracted the article after the First Lady complained.

In a statement at the time, editors for the online publication said they found the story did 'not meet our standards and has therefore been removed from our platforms.

'In response to a letter from the First Lady's attorneys, The Daily Beast has also removed a portion of an episode of The Daily Beast Podcast titled "Trump's Epstein Scandal Can't Stop, Won't Stop" referencing the First Lady,' the statement continued.

It noted that Melania 'points to her best-selling book "Melania" as the definitive account of her life story.

'We apologize to the First Lady and our readers,' the editors said.

The First Lady had written in her memoir that she first met Trump at New York's Kit Kat Klub during 1998 Fashion Week after being 'drawn to his magnetic energy.'

The two got engaged six years later and were married in 2005.
MSNBC's Mika Brzezinski suggested systemic sexism was to blame for Virginia Democrat Abigail Spanberger's recent struggles at the polls in her bid to become state governor.

An October 16 poll showed Spanberger with only a two-point lead over her Republican challenger, incumbent Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears.

Brzezinski neglected to mention how Spanberger is facing off against a woman.

She made the remarks on Wednesday's Morning Joe as Molly Jong-Fast plugged her new book 'Democrats Need to Chill About the Electability of Women'.

'It really is incredible,' Brzezinski lamented after a Virginia Commonwealth University poll showed all three statewide races tightening. The host name-dropped Spanberger and New Jersey's Mikie Sherrill.

'I mean, my god. These women are incredible. And to them I would say fight. Fight. Fight! Because we need them leading.'

Jong-Fast and Jonathan Lemire agreed, arguing that misogyny was impacting both of their campaigns.

'This is something that a lot of Democrats are grappling with right now. They've elected, nominated women two of the last three elections for presidency and lost both,' Lemire said.

Mika Brzezinski said sexism was to blame for the tightening gap in the race for Virginia governor on Wednesday's Morning Joe

An October 16 poll showed Abigail Spanberger - a former US rep who also served as a CIA agent - with only a two-point lead over her Republican challenger, incumbent Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears

'There are some who say, well, "We can't do that again - the stakes are too high". But, of course, that does fall into this same misogynistic trap.'

Onlookers on X were quick to question the panel's train of thought.'

'Its interesting to me how The Morning Joe panel completely overlooks Lt. Gov. Sears- but attempts to elevate Spanberger and her supposed struggles under the guise that misogyny is somehow impacting her campaign,' CNN's Shermichael Singleton wrote, pointing out that Winsome Sears was a Marine vet who 'also happens to be a 61-year-old Black woman and a Republican.'

'Its a farcical argument as Spanberger unfortunately has a lead over Sears,' he continued.

'Its also interesting that a show which prides itself on its progressive leanings completely ignores Sears and the history that would be made if she were to win.'

Former CNN contributor Mary Katharine Ham criticized the comments as well, joking that she was 'quite confident' that Virginia would end up electing a woman.

'[A]nd that people talking about politics on national TV should know who is running in one of, like, 3 races this year,' she added.

Onlookers - including Earle-Sears herself - pointed out the obvious. Others mentioned that Earle was also a woman of color

'Do other countries have trouble electing women in races where both candidates are women?' independent journalist Matt Taibbi said.

Others emphasized how Winsome Earle-Sears - who ended up responding to the clip herself - is a woman of color.

'Who wants to tell them?' she joked in a post to X

Election Day is on November 4. A retention race for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court is also being held.
An Associated Press piece featured the phrase 'pregnant people' five times on Thursday - despite the publication updating its style guidelines to re-include the term 'pregnant women' after pulling it completely three years ago.

In the article titled 'For pregnant people, extreme heat comes with extra risk', reporter Melina Walling sought to explain the increased dangers soon-to-be mothers face in high heat.

'Those risks are exacerbated for pregnant people, as the body's processes for staying cool are altered,' Walling, who covers agriculture and climate, warned. '[S]hattering weather records means more exposure for pregnant people, particularly in developing countries.'

New York University Professor Anna Bershteyn used the phrase while pointing out how 'pregnant people have a belly bump' that makes them vulnerable to a phenomenon called 'internal heat.'

A warning from Dr. Chris Holstege, chief of the division of medical toxicology at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, was paraphrased to read: 'For pregnant people handling potent substances like pesticides, increased blood flow can also increase chemical absorption.'

The word 'women', meanwhile, was only used in the article twice. The instances were both direct quotes from University of California Berkeley researchers Cara Schulte and Bershteyn, respectively.

An Associated Press piece featured the phrase 'pregnant people' a full five times on Thursday

The publication in 2022 tweaked its style guide to re-include the term 'pregnant women' after pulling it completely for the more inclusive phrase. Pictured, a pro-transgender protest in Oklahoma City in 2023

The phrase 'pregnant people' was added to the AP's 'inclusive language' protocols back in May 2022.

The publication said at the time: 'Phrasing like pregnant people or people who seek an abortion seeks to include people who have those experiences but do not identify as women, such as some transgender men and some nonbinary people.

'Such phrasing should be confined to stories that specifically address the experiences of people who do not identify as women.'

The context behind Walling's wording, meanwhile, remains unclear.

The Daily Mail has reached out to her for comment.

Former Ted Cruz advisor Steve Guest seized on the AP story, highlighting the repeated use of 'pregnant people' in a viral tweet.

The AP recently refused to amend its style guide to include Donald Trump's 'Gulf of America' earlier this year.

The publication remains barred from all major White House press events as a result.

The publication backtracked on its decision to fully replace the phrase 'pregnant women' with 'pregnant people' in August 2022, just three months after implementing the policy in the first place.

Pictured, Associated Press Agriculture and Climate Reporter Melina Walling, who wrote the piece

The official AP Stylebook X account announced the update at the time.

'We now have guidance saying that "pregnant women or "women seeking abortions" is acceptable phrasing.

'Phrases like "pregnant people" or "people seeking abortions" are acceptable when you want to be inclusive of people who have those experiences but do not identify as women,' the tweet read.

The AP continues to use the Gulf of Mexico phrasing in its articles.
Karoline Leavitt scrambled to explain why the administration decided to demolish the East Wing of the White House this week without any notice after being confronted by ABC News.

Mary Bruce, the network's chief White House correspondent, pointed to how the president promised the construction would not interfere with the mansion itself when it was announced in July during Leavitt's 1pm briefing Thursday.

ABC News obtained aerial images of the building completely in tatters earlier in the day, paving the way for Bruce's questions.

She asked: 'The president had initially said that this project wouldnt interfere with, or touch the current structure. Now he says to do this properly, he realized that the East Wing had to be demolished.

'This is the peoples house. Why not inform the public of that change and when it was decided that the East Wing would have to be demolished?'

Leavitt, stammering at points, said: 'With any construction project, changes come.

'And we have informed all of you. Weve been keeping you apprised of this project. Weve shown you the renderings. And if you look at the renderings, its very clear the East Wing was going to be modernized.

'In fact, I said that in the briefing when we initially introduced this plan to all of you and to the public. The East-'

ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Mary Bruce grilled Karoline Leavitt at her press briefing at the White House Thursday for not notifying the American public that the complex's East Wing would need to be demolished to make way for Donald Trump $250million ballroom

Leavitt, stammering at points, said: 'With any construction project, changes come,' while not directly answering Bruce's question

Bruce interrupted to point out that 'modernizing and tearing down are two different things.'

'Well, again, the president-, the plans changed when the president heard counsel from the architects and the construction companies who said that in order for this East Wing to be modern and beautiful for many, many years to come,' Leavitt said.

'For it to be a truly strong and stable structure, this phase one that were now in was necessary.

'And the president wants to do right by the peoples house. And so thats exactly what hes doing.

'Its going to be, again, like I said, much more stable, strong, secure, and more beautiful than ever once its complete,' she said.

Bruce pressed: 'Where will those be? The First Ladys offices, the Social Secretarys offices in the east - they will be back where they were?'

Leavitt replied 'yes', before moving on to other reporters.

The work is being done to make way for Trump's gilded $250 million ballroom.

Images showed the building completely in tatters Thursday, paving the way for Bruce's questions

Leavitt pointed to visuals the White House released of the planned ballroom back in July. She said the demolition is necessary so the building could be 'modernized' with 90,000 square feet of new space

The East Wing traditionally serves as the base of operations for the first lady.

It laid in tatters Monday as construction crews began to take it apart.

Dramatic photos of the project first emerged Monday morning.

Trump maintained on Truth Social that the building was 'completely separate from the White House itself' and 'is being fully modernized as part of this process, and will be more beautiful than ever when it is complete!'

Renderings touted by Leavitt on Thursday show the 25,000-square-foot finished product.

It is set to accommodate hundreds for state dinners and other such events once complete.

The addition will be the first structural change to the building since renovations were ordered under then-President Harry Truman in 1948.
Donald Trump finally has taken the velvet gloves off in dealing with Vladimir Putin. A decision to sanction Russias biggest oil suppliers  Rosneft, where BP once held a stake, and Lukoil  has real bite.

The immediate reaction was a 5 per cent spike in the price of Brent crude to $66 a barrel. A jump to $120 a barrel, as seen three years ago, thankfully is a long way off.

The threat of renewed post-Ukraine disruption to carbon fuel markets will be watched closely.

Energy subsidies provided by Liz Truss and the Tories were a big factor in driving up the UKs borrowing and debt.

Previous restrictions on Russian oil and gas supplies aimed to limit returns for Moscow, without harming Western economies. They clearly failed.

Data shows Moscow has secured 759billion in oil and gas revenues since the outbreak of the conflict, funding its war machine. The latest actions should be less porous.

Oil money: Russian President Vladimir Putin met with journalists on Thursday to comment on new U.S. sanctions targeting two major Russia's oil producers

The US Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control has a sweeping mandate.

Secondary powers allow it to sanction anyone buying oil from named Russian suppliers. That could be effective in stopping workarounds whereby India and China have been absorbing large quantities of oil diverted from Europe.

Secondary sanctions were effective in the past in damaging Irans oil export revenues. Consumers and businesses have reason to hope that oil prices wont soar because of the sanctions.

Two big Gulf suppliers, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, have plenty of excess capacity. An obstacle to Gulf states ramping up production has been Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. Attacks on the Yemeni terror outfit by Israel may offer calmer and safer passage.

The Americans are likely to have more success in choking off supplies to India than to Putins allies in Beijing. China has a history of circumventing sanctions.

Anything which bolsters the global energy price will reward Western majors, including BP and Shell, which have been refocusing on the Gulf of America, Brazil and West Africa as they have slowed investments in green alternatives.

The last thing our Chancellor needs is a spike in energy prices before the Budget, when she wants to ease pressure on households by suspending VAT on household bills. If its not one thing, it is another!

Slow horses

Legal & Generals chief executive Antonio Simoes has been supportive of Labours plans to grow the economy by easing planning restrictions and investing in infrastructure.

But enthusiasm for Rachel Reeves and her ilk is starting to fade. The endless speculation about taxation of pensions, levies on wealth and changes in the savings regime are having a baleful effect.

The lengthy run-up to the Budget, with a month to go, casts a cloud over pensions and other savings, with consumers preferring to hoard cash.

Since taking the helm at L&G in January 2024, all the emphasis from the former HSBC banker has been on seeking to dominate the pensions buyout market in which there are decent returns.

Students of Simoes will have detected a change in tone dictated by dull share price action which has seen the stock slip 4 per cent since he took the helm.

Focus is shifting to improving the performance on asset management and retail investment, which until now have slipped down the pecking order.

Change of tack will not come a moment too soon for disgruntled investors.

Swapping places

I wont pretend to be an expert on the London Stock Exchange Groups (LSEG) role in complex derivatives markets.

Investors are more than impressed by deals which saw it deepen ties to major banks by selling a 20 per cent stake in

its bountiful clearing operation Post-Trade Solutions  placing a value of 850million on the enterprise.

Swap market deals are a sharp reminder that it is not just about equity trading. Listings on the LSE have slumped because of takeovers, many of them public-to-private. There is a less than impressive pipeline of initial public offerings.

But when it comes to AI, tech innovation, risk intelligence and data analytics, the LSEG is rocking.
Lloyds Banking Group has refused to rule out taking legal action if the banks concerns about a compensation scheme for customers mis-sold car loans are not addressed.

Britains biggest lender has set aside almost 2billion to cover potential payouts to millions of drivers who bought cars on finance with hidden commission payments between 2007 and 2024.

The scandal has been dubbed PPI on wheels as it echoes mis-sold payment protection insurance which cost Lloyds 22billion over a decade ago.

The Financial Conduct Authority, the City regulator, reckons compensation could be due on around 14 million unfair motor deals, averaging at about 700 each, and is consulting on a redress scheme.

Under the FCA's existing proposals, lenders could pay out 11 billion in total compensation and operational costs related to the car finance commissions scandal.

But Lloyds finance director William Chalmers said he was concerned about the proposals as they risked producing anomalous outcomes for customers and were disproportionate.

We will do the right thing for our customers where harm has been suffered and give appropriate redress where loss has been suffered, Chalmers said, but he left the door open on taking the FCA to court if Lloyds did not get its way.

Chief executive Charlie Nunn cheers 'robust financial performance alongside strategic progress'

Lloyds profits plunge on higher provisions

An extra 800million charge for potential car finance mis-selling dented the banks third quarter pre-tax profits, which fell 36 per cent to 1.2billion.

So far this year Lloyds has made 4.7billion, down 9 per cent from 5.1billion for the same period last year, but net interest income rose 3 per cent at 3.45billion.

The bank revealed that its net interest margin  a key measure that shows the difference between what it charges borrowers and pays savers - had risen to 3.06 per cent from 2.95 per cent.

Like other lenders, Lloyds has benefited from interest rates being higher for longer.

Britain's four largest banks - HSBC, Barclays, Lloyds Banking Group and NatWest - posted record profits of 46billion last year and are on course for another bumper performance this year, thanks to higher rates.

This has led to renewed calls for banks to face a windfall tax on their profits in next months Budget.

But Lloyds, which has 28million customers, says such a move would harm lending businesses and households.

If we are going to have the ability and the confidence to continue to lend into the real economy, to help households and businesses invest, we need to make sure that the financial services system and Lloyds Banking Group really remains healthy in that context, chief executive Charlie Nunn said recently.

Chalmers said Lloyds financial performance was robust and economic conditions as stable.

Customer deposits increased by three per cent for the year to date to 496.7billion, marking a 14billionn rise on the previous year.

The banking giant revised its 2025 guidance with underlying net interest income expected to come in at 13.6billion. This was a modest increase from previous expectations of 13.5billlion.

Jonathan Pierce, banking analyst at Jefferies, said: These numbers were very in-line, clearing the way for what we expect to be a much more exciting update early next year.

Shore Capital analyst Gary Greenwood noted Lloyds latest trading update would have reflected a guidance upgrade if it were not for the impact of motor finance provisions.

He said: 'Overall, this suggests a modest upgrade to consensus after taking account of the additional 800million motor finance charge (not all analysts, including us, had formally put this through) although this will also impact on share count as buyback expectations will need to be reduced thus tempering the impact on subsequent years [earnings per share] estimates.'

Lloyds was among a handful of UK banks affected by problems linked to an outage Amazon Web Services earlier this week, with many customers reporting issues accessing their online services.

Lloyds shares were down 0.4 per cent at 84.12p in early trading. They are still up by more than 50 per cent since the start of the year.

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Lenders blast FCA over 'unfairness'

Lloyds is been joined by other lenders in its vocal criticism of the FCA's car finance scandal redress proposals.

The Supreme Court's 'Johnson' judgement in August, which was seen as a partial victory for lenders at the time amid fears of even higher payouts, laid out the test for 'unfairness' with respect to car finance commission agreements.

The court said that to prove 'unfairness' in the case of a historic agreement, multiple factors would have to be present, such as the payment of commission being undisclosed and the commission being of a certain size.

Non-disclosure of commission is not, in the Supreme Court's view, enough on its own to show unfairness.

This is Money understands that lenders' frustration with the FCA methodology comes from an apparent disparity with this judgment.

The FCA instead says only one of three factors need to be in place for a customer to claim redress; that there was a direct commission arrangement (DCA) in place, that the customer paid commission of more than 35 per cent on the loan, or that there was a tie-up between a dealer and a lender.

Lenders fear the result will be that nearly every finance deal agreed with a DCA over the covered period would be eligible for payouts.

Among non-bank lenders, The Times reported this week that BMW is seeking an urgent meeting with the Treasury about the issue.

Close Brothers on Tuesday said it would 'continue to engage with the FCA in respect of these points'.
Speculation over a fresh tax raid on investors and savers at the upcoming Budget in November is weighing on Britain's financial services sector.

The chief executives of UK investment platforms and asset managers have this week flagged the ongoing impact of rumours that pensions, dividends and capital gains are all potential targets of Rachel Reeves' upcoming Budget.

And fresh analysis suggests even a relatively modest adjustment to these taxes could wipe billions off UK stocks and lead to damaging outcomes for consumers.

AJ Bell boss Michael Summersgill warned 'uncertainty around government policy continues to cause disruption.

He said mounting speculation over pension taxation 'creates damaging uncertainty for customers and advisers', adding that AJ Bell would continue to campaign 'for a government commitment to stability on pension tax incentives'.

It came as a survey from Nucleus, a service provider for UK financial advisers, found three in five savers were worried Reeves would cut the level of tax-free cash currently available from pensions in the 26 November Budget.

City bosses have warned Rachel Reeves against a personal tax raid

At present, those aged 55 and above can generally take up to 25 per cent of the value of their pension tax-free, up to a maximum of 268,275.

Andrew Tully, technical services director at Nucleus said: 'Last year's speculation of potential changes to tax-free rules saw many investors take lump sums from their pensions, with some trying to reverse those actions when no such rule change materialised.

'There's a real sense of deja vu here. Speculation can harm confidence and lead to potentially self-destructive behaviours.'

St James's Place boss Mark FitzPatrick cited 'heightened speculation around the forthcoming Autumn Budget', amid 'a more uncertain picture for UK consumers'.

Earlier in the week, Quilter chief executive Steven Levin flagged 'heightened press speculation regarding personal tax changes that may impact households' carefully constructed retirement plans'.

He warned the Chancellor that any 'meaningful changes' should only be implemented 'after due consultation and with appropriate transitional arrangements'.

Failure to do so could damage 'consumer confidence in long-term savings and investment plans that are essential to good retirement outcome', according to Levin.

While potential pensions changes have captured headlines, Reeves may opt to target taxes on dividends and capital gains tax  two levies that are often considered easy routes for the Treasury to boost revenues.

Analysis conducted by trading platform IG suggests a two percentage point increase in dividend tax and capital gains tax could knock 4billion off the value of the FTSE 100.

Investors are entitled to 500 tax-free on dividends, after which they face a 8.75 per cent basic rate, 33.75 per cent higher rate, and 39.35 per cent for additional rate taxpayers.

CGT, which is charged on profits when selling an asset that has increased in value, is levied on gains over an individual allowance of 3,000, rising to 6,000 for couples, with a basic rate and higher rate of 18 and 24 per cent, respectively.

Assets held in Isas and pensions are currently exempt, but IG says its figures are based on the 'established economic research on the link between tax changes and equity values'.

Michael Healy, UK managing director at IG, said: 'The government has been clear about its ambition to shift the UK away from a savings-first mindset and encourage more Brits to invest, supporting the stock market and growing their wealth.

'That goal would be seriously undermined if any of the tax areas we've highlighted are targeted in next month's Autumn Budget.

'If we want to build a nation of investors, we cannot make it less attractive to invest - whether that's in an Isa, outside of an Isa, or in a pension.

'We're asking the government to keep their hands off our investments: no raids on pensions, no hikes to dividend tax, and no increase to capital gains tax. Britain needs long-term investors, not short-term tax grabs.'
Deborah Meaden has said that the rising popularity of the Green Party sends a message to the government that it's 'not all about Reform'.

Meaden, who has been a vocal advocate of the environment, told This Is Money she 'felt like we've had a government responding very tightly to what's going on with Reform.'

She said the rising popularity of the Green Party is 'extremely hopeful'.

'It's sent an alternative message that it's not all about Reform versus Labour. There's another way,' Meaden added.

The Green Party elected new leader Zack Polanski last month and claims to have over 128,000 members, putting them behind Labour and Reform in terms of party membership size.

Polanski has faced criticism for his view that Britain should pull out of NATO and spend billions on tackling climate change.

Speaking at the Blue Earth summit last week, Meaden told the audience there was a 'quiet group of people looking for somewhere to go.'

Eco warrior: Deborah Meaden spoke at the Blue Earth summit last week

The Dragons' Den star has long been interested in sustainable investment, but has also made some significant changes to her own life.

'At home, we've opened up to nature. We've taken the restrictive fences down, we've planted hundreds of trees all of our autumn leaves will be used to mulch or compost or left in piles for nature.'

Her record on Dragons' Den indicates she puts her money where her mouth is, with high-profile investments, including in sustainable deodorant firm Fussy, among others.

Claims that green investment is dead are not the case, according to Meaden, who says she is 'asked to talk more than ever about impact investing.'

'I can only take that as an indicator that it is very much on people's agenda,' she says.

'I certainly think that the generations coming through are very aware of the issues that we face, and certainly if they have wealth, they're wanting to use it not just to give themselves a good life, but to be part of the change that they want to see in the world.'

For Meaden, the small changes have included a shift in her consumption habits, most significantly going 18 months without buying any clothes.

'You'd be amazed at what you have in your wardrobe, and you'd be amazed at the different things you can do It costs less money to buy fewer products. I've got an evening dress that was an absolute fortune when I first bought it, I must have worn it over 30 times so it was incredibly good value.

'You don't have to deprive yourself of stuff, you just have to think about different ways of using it.'

While Meaden might be a vocal champion of nature, she says she tries not to become 'tubthumping about it I do talk about it, but I don't want to be a pain in the neck.'
A man who confessed to abducting and killing a three-year-old girl when he was a teenager in 1970 has been named in the NSW Upper House.

Legalise Cannabis MP Jeremy Buckingham used parliamentary privilege to identify the man as having previously avoided facing trial over the murder of Cheryl Grimmer in Wollongong.

Buckingham was acting on the wishes of Cheryl's family who gave the alleged killer a deadline of Wednesday night to come forward and explain his confession or be named in parliament.

Daily Mail still cannot publish the now 71-year-old man's identity because he was charged with having murdered Cheryl while he was a minor.

The man was 15 when Cheryl disappeared from Fairy Meadow beach on January 12, 1970. The following year, after he turned 17, the teenager admitted to killing the toddler, whose remains have never been found.

Cheryl and her family emigrated to Australia from Bristol in the UK in 1968.

Police sought to confirm the truthfulness of the teen's confession but were not satisfied they had enough evidence to lay charges.

Known during legal proceedings only as 'Mercury', the man was charged with murder in 2017 after his unverified 1971 confession resurfaced.

Mercury's 2019 trial collapsed when a judge ruled the confession he gave as a teenager could not be used as evidence and he now denies any involvement in Cheryl's disappearance.

A man who confessed to abducting and killing a three-year-old girl when he was a teenager in 1970 has been named in the NSW Upper House. The man, who the Daily Mail still cannot identify, is pictured with detectives Damian Loone (left) and Frank Sanvitale in March 2017

Buckingham offered to reveal Mercury's name under parliamentary privilege after Cheryl's family asked authorities for a fresh probe into her disappearance.

Last Friday, Cheryl's brother Ricki Nash told journalists: '[Mercury] has got until Wednesday night.'

Buckingham named Mercury in NSW parliament on Thursday.

Mr Nash wants Mercury to explain how he knew about key details in his alleged confession and to confirm whether what he said in 1971 was true or not.

The little girl had been spending the day at the beach with her family, who had migrated from Bristol to Australia under the Ten Pound Poms scheme.

As the family was preparing to leave the beach, Cheryl ran laughing into the women's changing rooms and would not come out.

Too shy to enter to retrieve her, her older brother Ricki went to call their mother to help get Cheryl out of the block.

When he returned with his mother just 90 seconds later, Cheryl was nowhere to be found.

Cheryl Grimmer (above) disappeared from Fairy Meadow beach on January 12, 1970. A boy who had been 15 when Cheryl was last seen confessed to her murder in April 1971

Days after Cheryl vanished, a ransom note addressed to her father Vince and police was sent to Bulli police station, near where Cheryl was last sighted.

At the time, investigators appealed for anyone who recognised the handwriting in the note to come forward.

The letter promised to return Cheryl in exchange for $10,000 at the local library the following Saturday.

Police swiftly went to the media with the ransom note - a move Cheryl's surviving siblings now claim 'completely ruined' any hopes of finding her alive.

Fifteen months later, Mercury allegedly told police he had abducted Cheryl, who he had planned to sexually assault. He said he panicked when she would not stop screaming and killed her.

'I tied a handkerchief and a shoelace around her mouth to stop her screaming and with the other shoelace I tied up her hands,' Mercury stated in an interview on April 29, 1971.

'I was going to have sexual intercourse with her.

'I put my hands around her throat and told her to shut up I guess I must have strangled her. She stopped breathing and stopped crying and I thought she was dead, so I panicked and covered her up with bushes and run for it.'

Legalise Cannabis MP Jeremy Buckingham used parliamentary privilege to identify the man (above) as having been previously charged with the murder of Cheryl Grimmer in Wollongong

Mercury gave police a detailed description of where he left Cheryl's body, what he did with the swimmers she was wearing and where he dumped her beach towel.

A coronial inquest held in 2011 found Cheryl had died but the cause and manner of her death remained undetermined. The coroner recommended police conduct further inquiries.

A re-investigation commenced in 2016 and Mercury's typed and signed confession was located, while further evidence was obtained by Wollongong detectives Damian Loone and Frank Sanvitale.

Mercury was interviewed and would not repeat his 1971 confession. He was arrested in Victoria in March 2017, extradited to NSW and charged with murder.

Mercury pleaded not guilty in September 2018, objecting to the admissibility of the 1971 interview, with the Crown accepting a trial could not proceed without it.

The murder charge was dropped in February 2019 following a judge's ruling that Mercury's original police interview could not be used in a trial.

Justice Robert Allan Hulme's decision was based on the fact there was no record of a parent, other guardian or legal practitioner present at any stage of the interview.

At the time there was no mandatory requirement, legislative or otherwise, instructing police on how to proceed with interviewing minors.

The man gave a detailed description of where he left Cheryl's body, what he did with the swimmers and where he dumped her beach towel. Cheryl is pictured with brother Ricki

Justice Hulme referred to evidence of records and reports on the teenager from 1970-71 about his interaction with the juvenile justice system.

'I hasten to add that any criminal behaviour was of a relative minor kind (e.g. petty theft) and that what seemed to be more concerning was the accused's frequent absconding from homes and from detention facilities.'

The judge also heard evidence from two psychiatrists, who agreed the teenager had a very disturbed mental state at the time and was acting out in various ways.

Following a major crime review in 2019, the case was moved to the Homicide Squad's Unsolved Homicide Unit.

In January 2020, on the 50th anniversary of Cheryl's disappearance, the NSW Government increased the reward for information which led to the arrest and conviction of those responsible to $1million.

Then Homicide Squad commander, Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty, said police would welcome any information that might help provide answers to Cheryl's family.

'By offering the highest value NSW Government reward five decades after Cheryl disappeared, we are appealing to those people who know something but have not previously been inclined to assist police,' Detective Superintendent Doherty said.

'Witnesses at the time reported seeing an unknown male carrying Cheryl towards the car park 50-years ago today but there has been no trace of her ever since.

Cheryl was snatched outside this shower block at Fairy Meadow Beach in January 1970. She was left alone for less than two minutes

'We welcome any information that may assist the investigation. There are now a million reasons to come forward.'

Last Friday, Cheryl's family issued a lengthy statement that detailed what they believe were failings and delays by the authorities.

The family's statement read: 'We've made various requests to NSW authorities for a fresh prosecution or a fresh inquest but to no avail."

'We feel that we have been fobbed off numerous times by the police, saying that they're conducting reviews of the case or exploring leads that make no sense to us.

'The incompetence and negligence in the NSW police investigation of this case over much of the past 55 years is unfathomable.'

However, police have rejected the criticisms and say they are still chasing every possible lead.

They also said that the $1million reward was still available for anyone who provided information that would help them crack the case.

Cheryl's family have accused police of several failings and delays. They believe investigators going public with a ransom note demanding $10,000 for her release (above) was a mistake

'Police continue to examine every line of inquiry and search for answers into Cheryl's death,' they said in a statement.

Earlier this month, Cheryl's family joined volunteers and cadaver dogs to search an area they believed could hold fresh clues about her disappearance.

But after police subsequently scoured the area, they told the family that only animal bones had been found.

Cheryl's relatives have said they do not agree with police and volunteers were working to collect soil samples that would be sent to the UK and US for tests.

The campaign to find out what happened to Cheryl has led the NSW parliament to announce an inquiry into long-term missing persons cases.

The probe will look into how cases were handled and determine what could be learned from any failings.
Woolworths shoppers have been left fuming after discovering an Aussie staple is being sold cheaper in New Zealand.

A customer shared a photo to Reddit showing an 180g block of Cadbury chocolate on special, with the price marked down 20 per cent to NZD$4.50.

The price was even cheaper at their local Pak'n'Save, where the popular confectionery was being sold for just NZD$2.69.

'The price gouging is ridiculous,' the caption read.

Aussies immediately leapt onto the post to complain about how much more expensive the chocolate was in their country.

Cadbury produces its chocolate in its main factory at Claremont in Tasmania. It is the largest Cadbury factory in the Southern Hemisphere.

Despite this, a 180g Cadbury chocolate block is usually priced at $8 in Australia, with the cost dropping as low as $4 when it is on special.

In New Zealand, even when the chocolate is not on special, it is still cheaper at NZD$5.99 (AUD$5.30).

The shopper found the Cadbury block of chocolate for sale for NZD$4.50 at a Woolworths in New Zealand

'What confuses me is that they're made in Australia but in NZ Woolies they are the same price, on sale for NZ$4.50 reduced from NZ$5.99,' one outraged Aussie wrote on the social media platform.

'The exchange rate is $1.13 so after export/logistics why are they cheaper in NZ?'

A second person commented: 'The fact Cadbury chocolate is cheaper overseas, when it's literally made in Australia, is proof enough of price gouging.'

'Same with Tim Tams. Made in Aussie but always cheaper here in NZ. But then again, what's made here in NZ is usually cheaper to buy in Aussie,' a third person chimed in.

Woolworths told Daily Mail the retail giant operates separate buying arrangements across Australia and New Zealand.

'The difference in price between Australia and New Zealand can be influenced by factors including different tax arrangements and rates, variations in purchase volumes and different promotional pricing activities,' a Woolworths spokesperson said.

'We know our customers on both sides of the Tasman continue to face cost of living pressures, and delivering value wherever we can continues to be our priority.

'We are working with Mondelez on providing great offers to our customers... to ensure our customers can still enjoy their favourite sweets.'

Aussie shoppers can buy a 180g block of Cadbury chocolate at Woolworths for a reduced price of $4, down from $8, as of Tuesday

Woolworths added global chocolate supplies and prices had also been impacted by a shortage of cocoa and surging input costs in recent years.

It comes as the federal government is set to introduce tough new legislation designed to stop major supermarkets from price gouging.

The Albanese government is releasing draft legislation, which will undergo a two-week consultation period with the Treasury until November 3.

Under the proposed laws, major supermarkets like Woolworths and Coles could face multimillion-dollar penalties for excessive pricing.

Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury Andrew Leigh told reporters on Monday the proposed laws would mirror similar pricing rules seen in Europe and should come into effect by the end of 2025.

'Excessive pricing rules exist in other jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom and the European Union,' Mr Leigh said.

'Our approach will draw on what has been done in other countries, and we will put in place a backstop of fairness.'

'We know many Australians are feeling under pressure from the cost of the weekly shop, and our price gouging laws, which are out for consultation today will ensure that we look after consumers.'

The report, put to the Treasury, did not claim Coles and Woolworths had a duopoly on the market in Australia.

However, it did claim the supermarket industry was 'highly concentrated with an oligopoly structure, dominated by Coles and Woolworths'.

Leigh explained the laws would target companies that have a turnover of more than $30billion.

'The penalty for price gouging right now is zero,' he said.

'We're putting in place a system which will punish supermarkets that do the wrong thing with multimillion-dollar fines.

'The fines are $10m, three times the ill-gotten gains, or up to 10 per cent of the turnover. For multibillion-dollar companies, these are significant fines.'

An ACCC inquiry, which was started after Coles and Woolworths faced price gouging allegations during the pandemic, found the supermarket giants to be some of the most profitable in the world.

The consumer watchdog did not find conclusive evidence of price gouging but found Coles and Woolworths accounted for two-thirds of Australia's national grocery sales.

The supermarkets both recorded whopping profits in the year ending June 2025, with Coles earning $1.08billion and Woolworths $1.4billion.
'Moderate' Democrat Congressman Josh Riley said he was ready to work with President Trump when he narrowly won his New York seat last year.

But his 'pledge' may be hard to swallow as Daily Mail can reveal he took money from a group that wants to 'abolish ICE' and invested in a distillery that sells 'Fascist Tears Vodka' and quips they prefer their 'ICE crushed'.

He touted his Republican-supporting family and decried political divisions in the US.

But his campaign filings show he took contributions from groups far further out on the political spectrum.

The New York congressman  who won his seat with a margin of just over 8,000 votes  took a $1,000 donation from Voters of Tomorrow PAC; a group focused on Gen-Z activism which advocates for criminal justice reform.

In June, Voters of Tomorrow posted a video on Instagram about Immigration and Customs Enforcement with the caption: 'Abolish ICE'.

The video said Trump was 'racist' and 'anti-immigrant', accusing him of a 'dangerous abuse of power' by mobilizing the national guard in Los Angeles, and saying his policies are 'f**ked up'.

Last month, Riley, 44, released financial disclosures revealing he invested in a liquor distillery selling Fascist Tears Vodka and Dissent Gin, which boast that it prefers its 'ICE crushed'.

Josh Riley's rise to NY congressman came with promises of a 'moderate' stance and a willingness to work with President Trump - but his latest campaign filings tell a different story, revealing ties to anti-ICE ventures that branding the administration as 'fascist'

Financial disclosures uncovered by Daily Mail showed Riley's investment into Republic Restoratives distillery which sells products like 'Fascist Tears' vodka, Assembly Gin and Dissent Gin

The congressman invested up to $15,000 in the distillery which is a 'women-owned, queer-led' company, his financial disclosure revealed

The distillery's tongue-in-cheek tagline for Fascist Tears vodka is 'We prefer our ICE crushed' - a clear nod to anti-ICE sentiment

The congressman, whose district covers the cities of Binghamton, Catskill, Hudson, Ithaca, and Monticello, invested between $1,001 and $15,000 in Wasdhington, D.C.-based Republic Restoratives LLC, which says it is a 'women-owned, queer-led' company.

On its website, the distillery says every bottle of Dissent Gin supports a pro-abortion group and is inspired by late Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

'This moment calls for stiff dissent and a stiff drink,' the site says. 'For, in the words of RBG: The greatest menace to freedom is an inert people".'

Its Madam Vodka was inspired by Kamala Harris, the first female vice-president.

The distillery also sells clothing such as a 'no kings' cap, a sweatshirt with the slogan 'Thriving under Fascism', and a tank top emblazoned with 'make Pride a riot again'.

Back in November last year, fresh from his election win, Riley struck a much more conciliatory tone.

Speaking to politics site City & State New York, he said he foresaw 'lots of opportunities for me to work with the Trump administration' and preached bipartisanship.

'I'm a Democrat. I come from a Republican family,' he said. 'To this day, I couldn't tell you the political party of a lot of my friends and neighbors from growing up, and so we ran a campaign that was rooted in that experience.

Riley hasn't held back his disdain for Republican opponent Peter Oberacker, publicly accusing him on X of allegedly 'hiring Nazi sympathizers'  a jab at the leaked group chat controversy among the New York GOP youth wing that erupted this month

The distillery sells a wide range of 'No Kings' merchandise  referencing demonstrations protesting what organizers describe as Trump's 'authoritarian policies'

The distillery also sells sweatshirts that have 'thriving under fascism' written in contrasting fonts and 'make pride a riot again' tank tops that have the LGBTQ+ flag embedded in the letters

Despite Riley's outspoken attacks on his GOP opponent and his investments, he has remained conspicuously silent over the recent revelation of damning social media posts by Democrat Binghamton mayoral candidate Miles Burnett

'I think if we had more of that across the country, we wouldn't be as divided as we are these days.'

But this month, Riley was instead lashing out at his local Republican opponent Peter Oberacker on X, falsely accusing him of 'hiring Nazi sympathizers'.

The congressman was referring to a scandal that erupted this month among the GOP's New York youth wing, when a leaked group chat exposed members using racist and homophobic slurs.

Oberacker, who is running against Riley in New York's 19th district, was in talks to hire one of the chat participants, New York State Young Republicans chair Bobby Walker, as an aide.

But his spokesperson said Oberacker nixed the process when he found out Walker allegedly referred to rape as 'epic' in the leaked text messages, among other offensive remarks.

Others in the chat referred to black people as monkeys and 'the watermelon people' and joked about sending people to the 'gas chamber'.

Riley has remained silent, however, on another fight over racist slurs.

A video emerged last month of Miles Burnett, Democrat candidate for Binghamton Mayor, using the N-word in a social media post when he was a teen, sparking a local scandal.

Burnett, 33, has been photographed several times with Riley and received a special invite to the Congressman's swearing in ceremony.

The mayoral candidate apologized in a statement on Facebook saying, 'it was a stupid thing to do, and I would not make the same choice today as an adult.'

But when contacted for comment about the incident, Riley did not respond.

A Republican spokeswoman slammed the Democrat in a searing response.

'Josh Riley's silence on everything from the dangerous groups that bankroll him to the pro-crime, anti-law enforcement distillery that he owns and his friend's hateful rhetoric tells you everything you need to know about who he actually is: A radical, dishonest politician who is only looking out for himself, not Upstate New York,' National Republican Congressional Committee spokeswoman Maureen O'Toole told Daily Mail.
Australia's new anti-hate police taskforce has launched and they could be coming for those targeting politicians online.

The Australian Federal Police has rolled out powerful new National Security Investigation Teams in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra - part of a major crackdown on people accused of spreading hate, fear and division, including individuals who have targeted federal parliamentarians.

The elite squads, which began operating in September, fall under the AFP's powerful Counter Terrorism and Special Investigations Command. Their mission is to identify and disrupt threats to Australia's social fabric before they escalate into violence or unrest, targeting groups and individuals causing significant harm to national cohesion.

'These new teams will ensure a nationally coordinated, consistent and intelligence-led response to emerging threats,' the AFP said in a statement.

'We will work closely with state and territory police, as well as international partners, to prevent escalation and protect our communities.'

Commissioner Krissy Barrett said the AFP has a duty to act against groups eroding the country's social fabric.

'Some of these groups have already engaged in vandalism, destruction of property and the targeting of businesses based on race or religion,' she said.

'While many of these crimes may not meet the threshold of terrorism, the AFP has identified concerning behaviours which could escalate to politically motivated violence or hate crimes.

The AFP are aiming to target groups and individuals threatening Australia's social fabric (file)

'Recognising these groups plan their acts and radicalise others online, the AFP will work with trusted partners to innovate and adopt new technologies to detect violent extremist material and decode criminal language used in attempts to avoid detection.

'By setting up dedicated teams first and foremost, we are calling out clearly to any individuals or groups who are partaking in or driving this type of behaviour, where it gets to a point that it is criminal, they are on notice.'

The AFP will use its specialised capabilities and legislative powers, including electronic surveillance, to collect intelligence on criminal networks operating in the online environment.

'There is no place for hate or violence in our communities and the AFP will defend and protect Australia and Australia's future from these threats,' Commissioner Barrett said.'

However, Nationals Senator Matt Canavan said the government's own policies are driving the divisions the AFP is now investigating, particularly its handling of migration.

'If the Government truly cared about 'social cohesion', it would deliver on its promises.

'The PM promised to 'halve' migration. He is nowhere near delivering that.'

Matt Canavan slammed the government's approach to handling escalating social unrest

The taskforce follows a rise in protest action, including violent clashes between groups (file)

Canavan argued that surging migration levels since 2022, combined with rising housing costs and pressure on public services, are fuelling resentment and eroding trust in government.

'The best thing the political class could do to silence and ostracise extreme right-wing views would be to solve the problems that the people are complaining about,' he said.

He warned that dismissing legitimate public frustrations risks emboldening fringe movements,eferencing the March for Australia rallies earlier this year where neo-Nazi members appeared among protest speakers.

'When politicians dismiss the legitimate complaints of people by labelling them as bigots, they give oxygen to the more extreme views that hijacked some of the protests,' he said.

'Last time I checked, Australians had the right to hate their own government.

'The government controls the borders. We saw during COVID-19 that we can reduce the migration rate to zero if we want.'

According to a recent poll by the Institute of Public Affairs, 60 per cent of Australians believe migration levels are too high.

Meanwhile, 67 per cent agree that mass migration is making the country more divided.
The man accused of sparking Americas costliest wildfire is seen in police bodycam video ranting about DoorDash, arguing over a speeding ticket and nervously explaining away a stash of pills found in his car.

Daily Mail's exclusive footage shows Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, behaving erratically during a roadside stop just weeks before his arrest for sparking the deadly Palisades inferno in Los Angeles.

The officer clocks the long-haired food delivery driver doing 71mph in a 45mph zone but instead of taking the ticket Rinderknecht launches into a rambling defense, blaming DoorDash for piling on orders and forcing him to go faster.

Growing suspicious, the cop spots several unmarked pill bottles in the console and orders the flustered motorist to exit his vehicle so he can search him for weapons and examine the tablets.

The pills turned out to be antidepressants and Rinderknecht, the son of French missionaries, was cited for speeding and hit with a $284 fine.

His alleged involvement in the Palisades catastrophe only emerged weeks later when he was arrested at his sister's home in Melbourne, Florida, and charged with a string of arson-related felonies.

Feds claim Rinderknecht used his cigarette lighter to 'maliciously' start a smaller blaze called the Lachman fire on January 1 that smoldered unnoticed underground after firefighters appeared to have put it out.

When high winds caused it to rekindle on January 7 it tore through the wealthy coastal neighborhood of Pacific Palisades for 24 days  killing 12 people, torching 7,000 homes and causing damage worth $150billion.

Rinderknecht relocated to central Florida weeks after the fire was extinguished to live with his sister Leah and her husband Karim Wassef but immediately ran into problems with the Palm Bay Police Department.

Traffic stop videos obtained by Daily Mail reveal Jonathan Rinderknect, 29, issued a rambling defense of why Doordash was the cause of his speeding, months after he allegedly sparked the deadly Palisades wildfires

Authorities say Rinderknect used his cigarette lighter to start the Lachman fire on January 1. It later reignited into California's most destructive blaze that took out 7,000 homes, caused damage worth $150billion and killed 12 people

In his first traffic stop on August 2 in Florida, Rinderknecht's unmarked bottles of pills was seen by the officer, leading to an argument where he stated he was 'concerned' about the driver 'being on something'

His August 2 traffic stop gets off to the worst possible start when Rinderknecht starts rooting around for his driving license and Officer James Ris spots several unmarked bottles of pills.

'You can get yourself in a whole lot of trouble for carrying pills around,' Ris warns him.

'How do we know they're yours? How do we know that they are what you say they are unless we test them?'

Rinderknecht identifies one batch of tablets as trazadone, a subscription antidepressant that he says he pops ten minutes before finishing his DoorDash shift to help him sleep when he gets home.

Asked about a different bottle he replies, irritably: 'It's personal man.'

Unimpressed, Lis asks: 'So you're taking something that makes you tired while you're driving that you shouldn't take while you're driving?'

The two men continue to argue about the speeding allegation before the officer orders Rinderknecht, wearing shorts and a t-shirt and sporting a scruffy beard, to exit his Volkswagen EV.

'The way you're acting, I'm starting to be concerned about you being on something,' Lis says.

Officer James Ris informed the Doordasher that having unlabeled pills in the car was illegal, but eventually confirmed that they were antidepressants

Rinderknecht faces up to 45 years in prison if he's convicted on the numerous charges he faces, including 'felonious malicious destruction of property by means of fire'

Officer Greg Moore stopped Rinderknecht on September 10 when the alleged arsonist questioined the accuracy of his laser speed gun after he was pulled over again for doing 57mph in a 40mph zone

Rinderknecht protests: 'I'm only anxious dude because of my job. It's not because of, like, the situation, it's because all these people are harassing me for their orders.'

Even when Lis concludes the pills are legitimate medication and hands him his citation, Rinderknecht continues to moan about life as a DoorDash driver.

'It absolutely ridiculous the way that they pay you. I mean, last week I worked what, 60 hours, and made not even 900 dollars. This week I'm at 40 hours and not even 500.'

Rinderknecht was similarly belligerent when cops pulled him over again on September 10.

Bodycam video captures him arguing with Officer Greg Moore about the accuracy of his laser speed gun after he's caught allegedly doing 57mph in a 40mph zone.

'Man is there maybe something that has to do with electric cars?' he whines.

Moore patiently demonstrates how his hi-tech kit works but cuts Rinderknecht a break by issuing a citation and $134 fine for the lesser offense of driving 9mph over the limit.

Brevard County Court records suggest that Rinderknecht planned to dispute his tickets.

In the footage, Rinderknecht hypothesizes the 'inaccuracy' could be due to him driving an electric vehicle. Moore let him off with a citation and $134 fine

After the wildfire, Rinderknecht moved in with his sister and her husband at their $500,000 home in West Melbourne, Florida, which he then allegedly threatened to burn to the ground

Hearings for both were canceled, however, after police swarmed his car outside the Sawgrass Lakes community in West Melbourne on October 8 and took him into custody on federal charges including 'felonious malicious destruction of property by means of fire'.

ATF special agent Thomas Harrison told a subsequent bail hearing that Rinderknecht's relationship with his sister and brother-in-law had become so strained that the couple had fled their home to get away from him.

He had threatened to burn their $500,000 house down while their two kids were inside and had hidden a gun in a stuffed animal toy, it's alleged.

Rinderknecht, who was born in Indiana but split his childhood between France and the US, is awaiting extradition to the Central District of California.

He faces up to 45 years in prison if found guilty.
Overzealous council officers accused of 'chasing' after a woman who poured the remnants of her coffee down a drain have quashed her 150 fine - and vowed they 'won't do it again'.

Burcu Yesilyurt, from Kew, West London, has welcomed the common sense decision after she was left 'shaky' from the incident just moments after tipping a small amount of her drink down the road gully.

She told earlier today how she had decided to discard the beverage from her reusable cup, because she did not want to spill it on the bus.

But moments later, she was 'shocked' to see three male enforcement officers coming after her down the street as she stood at a bus stop near Richmond station.

The officers fined her 150 under Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, and told her this would be reduced to 100 if she paid within 14 days.

Ms Yesilyurt said she found the encounter 'quite intimidating' and was left feeling shaken up on her way to work.

But Richmond-upon-Thames Council insisted its officers 'acted professionally and objectively' and said the punishment was issued in accordance with its policies.

It has continued to stand by that stance, but confirmed to Daily Mail that the penalty notice would now be cancelled.

Burcu Yesilyurt (pictured) was slapped with a 150 fine by council officers after pouring the remnants of her coffee down the drain

The drain which Ms Yesilyurt poured the last little bit of her coffee down in Richmond, west London

Ms Yesilyurt earlier told the BBC: 'I noticed my bus was approaching, so I just poured the leftover bit. It wasn't much, it was just a tiny little bit.

'As soon as I turned around, I noticed three men, enforcement officers, chasing me, and they stopped me immediately.'

The local resident claimed she was not aware that pouring liquid down a drain was against the law when she did so on October 10.

It is an offence under Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to dispose of waste 'in a manner likely to pollute water or land'.

Tipping liquids into street drains falls under this rule.

Ms Yesilyurt said she asked the officers if there were signs informing people of the law but they did not respond.

A spokesperson for Richmond Council said they did 'not agree that officers behaved aggressively' but acknowledged that the fine would likely have been 'rescinded' had it gone through the appeals process.

In a statement, a spokesperson said: 'We have reviewed the body-worn footage of the incident.

Three male enforcement officers 'chased' Ms Yesilyurt down the street as she stood at the bus stop near Richmond station (pictured)

The affluent area of Richmond in west London, where the local poured her coffee

'From this, it is clear that a contravention took place which justified the Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) being issued.

'Contrary to the suggestion in reports, the enforcement officers acted appropriately and with sympathy. They were in no way aggressive.

'FPNs clearly outline that there is an appeal process available to anyone who wishes to challenge them.

'It is likely that, had this case progressed through that route, the notice would have been rescinded.

'On this occasion, the Council has therefore decided to cancel the FPN.

'We remain committed to protecting Richmond's waterways and keeping our borough's streets clean and safe.

'We are also reviewing our advice on the disposal of liquids in a public place and will be updating this information on our website.'

During a visit to the area on Wednesday, Daily Mail discovered that enforcement officers patrolling Richmond High Street have been ordered not to hound anyone else for the same offence.

But one enforcement officer confirmed members of the public can still be punished for tipping their liquid on the floor.

He told the Mail: 'It's no longer an offence. We've been told not to do it again.

'The woman complained to the council and there's no reason to do it so they stopped it. I can't speak for the other councils, but I can speak for us.

'Last week we were told by our boss not to do it again.

'It's still an offence to pour it on the floor.'

Last year, Stoke City Council jobsworths slapped a couple with a 400 littering fine after one of them put an envelope in a public bin, and they were tracked down by the address on the front.

Deborah and Ian Day were hit with individual fines of 200 after fishing out the envelope which contained their address.

The drain wedged between two London buses, where Ms Yesilyurt disposed of the remnants of her drink before being approached by the three officers

Deborah, who lives in Bentilee, Stoke-on-Trent, was on her way to work when she put the envelope in the public bin on her street.

But council investigators said this breaches sections 87 and 88 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and constituted it as an offence of littering because household waste cannot be put in a public bin.

A Stoke-on-Trent City Council spokesperson said at the time: 'Stoke-on-Trent City Council is maintaining its zero-tolerance approach to illegal dumping in our towns and with that comes enforcement. We are continuing with proactive patrolling and investigations.

'Once an area is under investigation and while evidence is being processed, we arrange for the removal of the waste with our cleansing teams. This case is currently under investigation with our Environmental Crime Team.

'Fixed Penalty Notices are issued as an alternative to prosecution proceedings in court. We are committed to working together to clean up our city and will enforce, where evidence supports, against waste offences.'
Prince Andrew's popularity has plummeted since he renounced his royal titles - with half of Britons believing he should be officially stripped of them by Parliament, polling reveals.

More than 82 per cent were this week found to hold a negative view of Andrew, compared to just 74 per cent in the days before he gave up his titles.

It was the right decision for him to do so, given his links with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to 88 per cent of those polled by Ipsos.

While Andrew will no longer use his titles - which included Duke of York, Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh - by law, he still holds them.

And 51 per cent of those surveyed said Parliament should intervene to legally remove them.

Two in five said the Royal Family has handled the situation with Andrew badly since allegations were first made against him.

Despite the controversy, this same number also believed that Britain would be in a worse position if the monarchy was abolished.

Favourability ratings for the Firm as a whole dropped by two points to 50 per cent this week.

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More than 82 per cent of those polled were this week found to hold a negative view of Andrew

However, some of its members, including Kate and William, were found to have actually gained popularity since the scandal, going up by two points and four points respectively to 66 and 69 per cent.

Gideon Skinner, senior director of UK politics at Ipsos, said: 'These findings underscore a critical moment for the Royal Family in the court of public opinion.

'Prince Andrew's already low favourability ratings have sunk even further, and there is widespread support for him renouncing his official titles.

'However, despite the turbulence surrounding Prince Andrew, it is slightly better news for the Palace that so far overall support for the monarchy remains relatively stable.'

On Friday night, Andrew 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.

Andrew also relinquished his position as Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victoria Order but he will remain a prince, having been born the son of Queen Elizabeth.

His ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess of York, with whom he will continue to live at the lavish 30-bedroom Royal Lodge at Windsor, is now known as plain Sarah Ferguson.

The prince's decision 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.

Calls are growing for Prince Andrew to be kicked out of the Royal Lodge (pictured in 2024), the lavish Windsor mansion he shares with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson

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.

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.

This newspaper previously revealed how Andrew told the Met Police to dig up dirt on Ms Giuffre by handing over her confidential social security number and date of birth to his taxpayer-funded police protection officer.

The Met is 'actively looking into the claims made'.

The MoS also revealed how Epstein introduced Andrew to a second woman who had been sexually abused by the paedophile financier for years and how he bankrolled Sarah Ferguson, Andrew's ex-wife, for 15 years.

And royal experts have told the Daily Mail how the next few days could be 'toxic' for Andrew and risks overshadowing King Charles's royal engagements, including his state visit to the Vatican with Queen Camilla on Wednesday.

Andrew and Sarah Ferguson still live together in Windsor despite being divorced

Police were seen guarding the gates of Andrew and Fergie's home this week

Richard Fitzwilliams said: 'The problem the Royal Family has is that it cannot control events.

'The posthumous memoir, Nobody's Girl by poor Virginia Giuffre, who took her own life in April this year, will, according to early reports, be toxic for Andrew.'

He said 'only 1 per cent' of documents linked to Epstein have been made public, adding: 'This could therefore be an almost endless stream of embarrassment and it is clear that they could be highly incriminating both to Andrew and also to Sarah Ferguson as yesterday's MoS revealed.

'There will almost certainly be more public disgust at what is revealed.

'When William becomes King he is likely to pursue a tough policy and we may never see Andrew or Sarah in public again at a royal event.'
Ed Miliband should switch his focus from going green to cutting energy bills, Sir Tony Blairs think tank has urged.

The Energy Secretary should prioritise making power cheaper or risk losing the argument on net zero, it warns.

It follows a bitter exchange earlier this year after the former prime minister said Labours push to limit emissions was doomed to fail.

Mr Miliband responded by accusing Sir Tony of adopting a defeatist attitude to tackling climate change.

In its report, the Tony Blair Institute (TBI) called on ministers to continue backing net zero but to ensure its goals spur growth and deliver value for money.

Making Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030 is one of Sir Keir Starmers five missions. Labour has vowed to reach net zero by 2050.

The TBI says that while the drive towards renewables is important, ministers should focus on easing the cost of living through cheaper energy.



Ditch green zealotry and cut people's energy bills instead, Ed Miliband is urged by Blair's think-tank

It suggests that the destination is correct, but the route Labour is taking risks losing public support for net zero.

The report warns that other countries including the US and China are prioritising energy over the climate and making use of fossil fuels.

It highlights a central truth: that the UK was producing 0.81per cent of global emissions in 2023 and that while more decarbonisation is important, its direct impact on the global climate will be marginal.

While it argues that the UKs future must be clean electricity, it warns that the current energy strategy risks getting the balance wrong.

If the transition continues in a way that raises costs, weakens reliability and undermines growth, it will fail both politically and practically, it notes.

That failure would erode public support at home, damage Britains credibility abroad and hand momentum to opponents of climate action.

It urges ministers to focus on reducing the cost of electricity and to wean the country off gas which has been blamed for higher energy costs.

It concludes that the cost of not getting the strategy right are higher costs, lost public confidence and a growing backlash against climate action.

Published ahead of the announcements on the latest offshore wind contract auctions, the TBI recommends that the Government introduces a strict cost cap to keep bills down.

It also calls for the introduction of zonal pricing with different electricity prices in different parts of the country  something ministers have already ruled out.

Planning reforms are needed, nuclear reactors should be cheaper and subsidies should be removed for the Drax biomass power station which burns wood pellets, it adds.

TBIs Executive Director for Politics, Ryan Wain, said: Were in a cost-of-living crisis, and were in a climate crisis - you cant just pick one and pretend the other doesnt exist.

Government must urgently focus on lowering bills for the public and reigniting growth which can be powered by cheaper energy, and we must not shrink for our commitments to net zero by 2050.

Going for cheaper power this Parliament will protect the critical consensus around this - which right-wing populists are trying to undermine - and unlock measures such as zonal pricing to drive bills down over time.

Reform UK has vowed to scrap net zero goals and cut all renewable subsisides, while the Tories have said they would scrap the UKs climate change legislation.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) said it was already delivering many of the policies the report called for.

A spokesman said: This report rightly recognises that clean power is the right choice for this country.

This Government's clean power mission is exactly how we will deliver cheaper power and bring down bills for good.

Our mission is relentlessly focused on delivering lower bills for the British people, to tackle the affordability crisis that has been driven by our dependence on fossil fuel market.
Plans for a new nuclear power station in Scotland will be developed by the UK Government, Ed Miliband has confirmed.

The Net Zero and Energy Security Secretary yesterday said that work would take place to assess the feasibility of a range of potential sites, including at the Torness site in East Lothian and Hunterston B in Ayrshire.

He said a Labour-led Scottish Government would then work with the industry to ensure the development can go ahead if the SNP is ousted in next years Holyrood election.

It is understood that a small nuclear reactor could lead to thousands of jobs being created during the construction phase, then hundreds more when the site is up and running.

Although nuclear energy is reserved to Westminster, the SNP has control of planning laws and has ruled out allowing nuclear energy developments north of the border.

But Mr Miliband said: I think we can do even more in Scotland, and I think we can do even more through new nuclear.

The truth is that Scotland has got a proud nuclear history but it is being held back by the SNPs anti-growth, anti-jobs ban on new nuclear power.

He said that he has had detailed discussions with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander and we are determined to deliver.

A single small nuclear reactor like the one shown above could create thousands of jobs

Power move: Ed Miliband set out his nuclear plan

Speaking to Scottish media at a reception in the Department for Net Zero and Energy Security in London, Mr Miliband said: What I can tell you today is that if Scotland elects a Labour government on May 6, then on day one on the morning of May 7 he [Mr Sarwar] and I will invite the worlds nuclear industry to Scotland to begin talks about investing in Scottish locations.

And given the growing interest in nuclear in Scotland I am asking Great British Energy Nuclear to assess Scotlands capability for new nuclear power stations, including at Torness and Hunterston.

He said that developing nuclear in Scotland could massively increase the number of new clean energy jobs north of the border, and predicted that it is going to be a very big issue in the Scottish election campaign.

Mr Miliband said: Led by Anas, we are saying yes to new nuclear in Scotland.

Under UK Government plans, one small nuclear reactor is set to be approved every year between now and 2030, with the aim of having them up and running by 2050.

The reactors could be vital in providing a balance in Scotlands energy mix and helping ensure that the national grid can be topped up if the wind is not blowing.

Earlier this year, an Opinium survey for the Britain Remade campaign group found that 52 per cent of Scots who backed the SNP in the last Holyrood election want nuclear to be part of Scotlands energy mix.

This rises to 57 per cent for those who backed the party at last years general election.

A total of 56 per cent of Scots thought nuclear power should be part of Scotland's clean energy mix, while 23 per cent disagreed and 21 per cent didnt said know, according to the survey of 1,000 Scottish adults carried out between April 22 and 25.

But SNP MSP Paul McLennan said: 'If a failing, unpopular UK Labour government thinks that the answer to their problems is to try and force new nuclear power on Scotland, they are in for a surprise.

'Scotlands focus is on our immense renewable energy potential  not expensive new nuclear that will take years to deliver, put bills up and leave us dealing with dangerous waste for decades to come.'
A former paratrooper has been cleared of the murders of two men and the attempted murder of five others on Bloody Sunday more than 50 years ago.

Following a five-week trial mired in controversy from the outset, the elderly veteran, known only as Soldier F, can finally walk free after being accused of the unnecessary and gratuitous shootings of James Wray, 22, and William McKinney, 26, who both died.

Judge Patrick Lynch KC, sitting without a jury in a 'Diplock' court introduced in Northern Ireland to deal with terrorism cases, also found him not guilty of the attempted murders of Patrick O'Donnell, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon, Michael Quinn and an unknown person during the infamous civil rights demonstration in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, in January 1972.

Soldier F has been sitting quietly behind a curtain in a corner of Court 12 of Belfast Crown Court usually reserved for witnesses to protect his identity and could not be heard to utter any response as Judge Lynch delivered his ruling.

There was a stunned silence from relatives in the public gallery when Judge Lynch delivered his verdict following two-and-a-half hours' summing up the evidence heard during the trial.

Thirteen civil rights protesters were shot dead by soldiers in Londonderry on Bloody Sunday in what was one of the darkest days of what became known as the Troubles.

The shootings were one of the defining moments of the 30-year conflict and resulted in an apology in 2010 from then-Prime Minister David Cameron for the unjustified and unjustifiable deaths.

The killings were the subject of the Saville Inquiry, conducted by Lord Saville, also known as the Bloody Sunday Inquiry, which was set up in 1998 and lasted for 12 years.

Costing around 200million, it was the longest and most expensive public inquiry in British legal history.

A murder investigation was launched when the report concluded that those killed were innocent and unarmed.

British troops behind a barbed wire barricade at Bloody Sunday in 1972

James Wray was 22 when he was killed during a demonstration in Londonderry in 1972

William McKinney, 26, was alleged to have been shot dead by Soldier F

Despite the inquirys findings, prosecutions relating to Troubles deaths have proven controversial, with veterans claiming they are targeted while many IRA terrorists escaped prosecution or walked free from prison under the terms of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.

His acquittal brings to an end five decades of investigations and campaigning to hold someone accountable for what occurred on Bloody Sunday.

But questions will now be asked as to why the prosecution was launched decades after the events in question with no fresh evidence available.

The prosecution case largely relied on statements made by two of Soldier F's comrades in the immediate aftermath of the deaths which claimed he had fired shots.

One of the soldiers has since died and the other refused to participate in the trial, meaning their accounts could not be properly tested in court.

Delivering his verdict, Judge Lynch said the evidence falls 'well short' and 'failed to meet the high standard of proof needed' to convict.

He said F's comrades were also 'guilty of murder' on the prosecution case and their statements were 'manifestly unreliable'.

However he also slammed the actions of the Parachute Regiment on Bloody Sunday saying they had 'sullied' the battalion's previous good name.

'Shooting in the back unarmed civilians running away on the streets of a British city,' he said.

'Those responsible should hang their heads in shame.'

The decision to charge Soldier F was finally taken by Northern Irelands Public Prosecution Service [PPS] in 2019.

He was one of 18 former soldiers initially reported to the PPS as a result of the Saville Inquiry but he was the only one charged.

The case was then dropped in 2021 when the trial of two other veterans accused of killing IRA commander Joe McCann in 1972 collapsed over the admissibility of key statements made by soldiers at the time.

Despite the case against Soldier F relying on similar statements, the prosecution resumed following a legal challenge from the family of Mr McKinney.

Soldier F's barristers then applied to have the case against him dismissed midway through the trial owing to the admissibility of statements made by other soldiers claiming Soldier F fired at the scene, but Judge Lynch dismissed the application and allowed the trial to proceed.

Bereaved family members hold pictures of victims of Bloody Sunday' before the judge's verdict

Relatives of those killed on Bloody Sunday marched towards Belfast Crown Court ahead of the judge's verdict

Mickey McKinney, brother of Bloody Sunday victim William McKinney, speaking outside court

In his closing argument to the judge, Mark Mulholland KC, for Soldier F, said their statements 'lack any credibility' and said they had given differing accounts at different times.

'That is an inconsistency which is fundamental and drives a hole through the prosecution case,' he said.

The veteran declined to give evidence in his defence but had previously claimed he was shooting towards rioters who he believed were armed.

Soldier F was supported throughout the trial by a number of Army veterans who sat in the public gallery alongside relatives of those who lost their lives on Bloody Sunday.

On the first day of the trial, which opened last month, prosecutor Louis Mably KC alleged Soldier F and three of his comrades followed men who were attempting to escape violence which had broken out at the civil rights march.

They opened fire with self-loading rifles, shooting at civilians as they ran away, he said.

The results were the casualties I have described. Two deaths and four men wounded. The prosecution case is that the shooting was unjustified. The civilians did not pose a threat, nor could the soldiers believe they did.

They were unarmed and were shot as they were running away.

Soldier F's acquittal will reignite calls to protect Northern Ireland veterans who claim they are the victims of a 'political witch-hunt' and have accused Sinn Fein, formerly the political wing of the IRA of attempting to 'rewrite history'.

Last month, the Labour government opened the door to more prosecutions when it unveiled plans last to repeal the Tories' 2023 Legacy Act.

The legislation was designed to protect veterans, particularly those who served in Northern Ireland, from vexatious prosecutions.

However it was opposed across Northern Ireland for failing to offer a pathway to justice.

Labour's Troubles deal, in partnership with the Irish government, ends immunity for terrorists - infamously offered by the Blair government to 187 pro-IRA figures - and puts in place six protections and rights for veterans. But it ends their immunity, too.

It means new inquests into Troubles deaths, which had been stopped under the previous legislation, can now go ahead and civil cases can also be reopened.

It also paves the way for fresh criminal charges as investigations by a new, judge-led Legacy Commission will be capable of leading to prosecutions where there is evidence of wrong-doing'.
Three police officers exposed in a Panorama documentary were sacked from the Met today.

Experienced custody manager sergeant Joe McIlvenny and constables Phil Neilson and Martin Borg were dismissed without notice after they were found to have committed gross misconduct for their 'abhorrent' behaviour.

The documentary, broadcast just three weeks ago, used an undercover BBC reporter to expose anti-Muslim, racist and discriminatory comments and actions by officers based at Charing Cross police station.

Three officers today claimed they were 'groomed' and 'provoked' by the reporter, that the comments lacked context, the secret footage breached their rights to privacy, and the misconduct process was held with such speed that it lacked rigour.

But they were dismissed at the specially accelerated hearings, with seven more facing similar misconduct probes in the coming days.

Commander Jason Prins, chairing the misconduct panel in south London, said McIlvenny, Neilson and Borg 'caused significant harm to the reputation of the Met'.

He said: 'The public would not expect the serving officer to behave in this way.'

James Berry KC, representing the Met, told the hearings the officers exhibited 'thoroughly reprehensible, disgraceful' conduct.

He said it was 'difficult to overstate the damage' that the officers' conduct has done to the Met.

PC Phil Neilson was caught on camera by an undercover reporter making offensive comments

Sgt Joe McIlvenny was heard to make various inappropriate sexual comments

PC Martin Borg made comments of a discriminatory nature during secret BBC filming

McIlvenny was sacked after 24 years' service after he was found to have repeatedly made grossly offensive and misogynistic comments in Panorama: Undercover in the Police.

Footage showed he 'trivialised and mocked' the account of a rape victim with a colleague, and compared a female detainee wearing a fancy dress police outfit with 'the sort of women he would pay to see in nightclubs'.

He was also caught on camera 'speaking graphically about sexual matters in the workplace' and about a woman being grossly overweight.

McIlvenny laughed as he told undercover reporter Rory Bibb not to discuss the use of force on detainees in areas inside the station where he could be overheard or picked up on cameras.

McIlvenny said his comments were 'taken out of context' and 'heavily edited', that he had been diagnosed with work-related PTSD, but that he was not insensitive towards any rape complainants.

Ex-colleague Neilson was sacked after four years, having faced claims he made 'highly racist remarks' and 'glorifying' what he described as the inappropriate use of force on a detainee.

The documentary showed Neilson in the pub claiming people from the Middle East are 'scum'.

In another clip, Neilson said the way to deal with a detainee who overstayed his visa was to 'f***ing either put a bullet through his head or deport', and 'the ones that sh*g, rape women, you do the c*ck and let them bleed out'.

Neilson said he was 'egged on' by the undercover reporter's 'incessant' questioning, was affected by drinking up to nine pints of Guinness, and that he made 'misguided attempts at bravado'.

He denied he was racist, or held discriminatory views, adding: 'I treat everyone with respect.'

Borg was also sacked after six years after being found to have 'revelled' in the use of force, and making discriminatory remarks about Muslims.

The footage showed Borg claiming 'Islam is a problem - a serious problem' during a trip to the pub.

He also told the undercover officer he 'enjoyed' having 'scraps'.

Borg accused the BBC reporter of 'grooming' him 'over the course of months', but said there was nothing wrong with referring to someone with swear words if it was done in private and not during the course of his work.

Mr Berry said the Met had gone to 'very considerable efforts' to tackle racism, sexism and misogyny in the last three years.

He said: 'The messaging both internally and externally has been crystal clear that sexism, misogyny and racism are not tolerated in the MPS.

'No officer in the MPS in 2024 or 2025 could be in the slightest doubt about this.'

He said this work was 'significantly undermined' by the officers' conduct.

Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has made cleaning up the country's largest police force his personal crusade, getting rid of nearly 1,500 officers in the last three years since he took on the job.

The Met said the entire custody team Charing Cross has been disbanded while the investigation continues.
A vocal critic of Georgia's biggest electric company has been accused of swiping her enemy's booklet of trade secrets.

Former Democratic Public Service Commission (PSC) candidate Patty Durand was arrested on felony charges for allegedly stealing sensitive trade information belonging to Georgia Power.

Surveillance video captured Durand allegedly re-entering a PSC meeting room on Tuesday and grabbing a book labeled: 'Georgia Power Trade Secrets.'

The warrant said footage shows her flipping through the booklet, before looking around and slipping it into her bag.

Georgia Capitol Police charged her with felony theft of trade secrets and booked her into Fulton County Jail.

Durand remained in jail on Wednesday, with no bail set, the AP reported.

Surveillance video captured the ex Democrat PSC candidate allegedly re-entering the meeting room, grabbing a book labeled: 'Georgia Power Trade Secrets'

She allegedly flipped through the booklet, before looking around and slipping it into her bag

Patty Durand's mugshot on Tuesday, was arrested on felony charges for allegedly stealing sensitive trade information belonging to Georgia Power

If convicted, Durand could face a prison sentence between one and five years and a fine of up to $50,000.

Durand has been an outspoken critic of the PSC and Georgia Power.

PSC sets the rates utility companies like Georgia Power can charge for electricity, natural gas, and telecommunications.

The power giant is the largest subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Co. with 2.3 million customers.

Durand attempted to run for Public Service Commission as a Democrat in 2022, but failed because of cancellation of statewide elections.

Following this, she founded Georgians for Affordable Energy to carry on her attack against the giant electric company.

'The lack of transparency with this commission the worst in the country with heavy redactions and trade secret designations on nearly everything,' Durand wrote in an email to The Associated Press in December 2024.

Chairman Josh McKoon, of the Georgia Republican Party, slammed Durand in a statement obtained by Atlanta News First.

'Patty Durand built her brand attacking the Public Service Commission and now shes been arrested for stealing from it,' he said.

Durand addresses members of the Public Service Commission during Tuesday's hearing

Durand is an outspoken critic of the PSC and massive electric company Georgia Power

'This is the same failed Democrat PSC candidate who parades around as a so-called watchdog while caught on video taking confidential Georgia Power materials.

'While Republican leaders are working to keep energy reliable and affordable for Georgia families, Democrats like Durand are sneaking around government offices and walking off with stolen documents,' McKoon added.

Georgia Power released a statement about the severity of the theft and their cooperation with the Georgia Capital Police.

They wrote 'while we operate transparently, some data must remain confidential to protect customer interests and ensure we deliver the best value to all customers.

'Unauthorized disclosure risks harming both our company, the vendors and contractors with whom we do business, and the customers we serve.'
This is the extraordinary moment a giant lion was captured leaping off the top of a trailer and slamming into the ground before trotting onto the side of a highway in South Africa.

A passenger travelling along the R49 road between Bakerville and Lichtenburg managed to film the male lion escaping from the truck's roof hatch.

The vet involved with its recapture, Dr Anton Nel, said the lion was still sedated before it leapt onto the road and was found lying in the grass under a tree in a 'mellow' state.

The lion was reloaded onto the truck after it was darted and went to sleep without any problems.

Nel described the inside of the truck transporter as 2.5 meters high with smooth walls.

He said apart from a ripped nail and other minor problems, the lion was healthy with no apparent fractures.

'They are tough animals, used to taking on buffalo.'

Local media are reporting the king of beasts was on his way to a Game Farm in Nietverdiend in the Ramotshere Moiloa region of the North West.

A passenger travelling along the R49 road between Bakerville and Lichtenburg managed to film the male lion escaping from the truck's roof hatch

Nel described the inside of the truck transporter as 2.5 meters high with smooth walls. He said apart from a ripped nail and other minor problems, the lion was healthy with no apparent fractures

The new owner of the lion, Pats Loots, wouldn't release many details about the big cat but told local media the lion was 100 percent safe and in a cage on his property.

The North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism said the lion's escape is under investigation.

The Daily Mail has approached Pats Loots for comment.

Earlier this year, a pet lion escaped its home in Pakistan's Lahore, where it chased a woman and two children down a busy street before pouncing on them.

CCTV footage released in July by Police shows the lioness pouncing over a fence, before leaping onto the woman's back, forcing her to the ground.

The father of the two kids said the lion then turned to his five-year-old and seven-year-old, while attempting to claw them.

The trio were taken to hospital, but no one was in a critical condition.

The father added the owner of the lion was amused to see it attack people in the street.

Police arrested three men who attempted to flee with the 11-month-old lion, which was sent to a wildlife park.
While former President Joe Biden was celebrating an end to his cancer treatment and back to riding his favorite Amtrak train this week, his former staffers were eating their own as they reacted to salacious claims made by his former mouthpiece.

Former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre charged in her new book that an unnamed top female White House aide had tried to sabotage her time at the podium.

Jean-Pierre even suggested that the woman - identified by the New York Post as senior adviser Anita Dunn - treated her worse than her white colleagues.

'I wasn't the only woman on the White House staff who had negative experiences with this person. She had spoken dismissively to female members of the administration, especially those who were also people of color,' Jean-Pierre wrote in Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines.

'A white woman once said to me that it was uncomfortable being on emails with her and witnessing her tone and the way she addressed women of color,' she added.

Those allegations immediately lit up the Bidenworld group chat, one former aide told the Daily Mail, who declined to be named.

'That particular piece went around the group chats because, well quite frankly, it was the only interesting part,' the aide said, adding that 'the borderline racial undertones was the shocking part.'

The aide, who is a black woman, said she never experienced racist treatment from Dunn.

Former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, photographed on Capitol Hill last month, made controversial comments about Biden senior adviser Anita Dunn, without using her name, in her new book

The Daily Mail obtained a photograph of former President Joe Biden, carrying his own briefcase, at the Wilmington, Delaware Amtrak station after concluding his cancer treatment earlier this week

'No, in fact I would say, she if anything, because of those minority aspects, took a special interest in making sure my voice was heard,' the aide said. 'This is - again - the woman who pushed for Karine to get the job in the first place. She was the driving force. She is the reason Karine got to be behind the podium.'

Other Biden aides also defended Dunn.

'I did not think Anita was racist, and it was my understanding that Anita supported [Jean-Pierre] being elevated to press secretary in the first place,' a white male aide said.

If Dunn soured on Jean-Pierre, sources suggested it was thanks to the press secretary's performance.

'I wish in 2025 we could get past using race as a crutch when you were just bad at your job,' a white female aide also told the Daily Mail, who made a point to mention that Dunn had elevated women throughout her tenure.

'The thing about Anita is - if she gives you an opportunity, she expects a deliverable,' the black female aide added.

Throughout Jean-Pierre's tenure she was criticized for reading from her briefing book and giving eyebrow-raising responses when Biden had done things like asking 'Where's Jackie?' about a dead congresswoman and alleging that his uncle had been eaten by cannibals.

Jean-Pierre maintained in her book that her response related to Biden asking for the late Republican Rep. Jackie Walorski - that she was 'top of mind' - was honest.

In her book Karine Jean-Pierre singled out former Biden senior adviser Anita Dunn, pictured in January. Without using her name, Jean-Pierre alleged that Dunn exhibited racist behavior, tried to keep her from going to Israel and smeared her name in the press

She also argued that it was appropriate for her to accompany the president to Israel and Jordan in the direct aftermath of the October 7, 2023 Hamas terror attack.

Jean-Pierre wrote that things came to a head with Dunn - who she didn't name throughout the book, though Daily Mail's sources confirmed was the individual - after Dunn suggested that the press secretary sit this one out.

'"It will be very dangerous," she said. "You're a mother. You're a woman." Another colleague, she said, a man who had experience in war-torn regions, could go in my place,' Jean-Pierre wrote.

When Jean-Pierre protested over email, Dunn came into her office, screamed at her, and slammed the door on the way out, the ex-press secretary recounted.

Dunn had suggested that John Kirby, the National Security Council's spokesperson, who was the press' point guy on foreign affairs, go in her place, a source confirmed.

Despite sharing the podium with Kirby throughout her tenure, Jean-Pierre didn't mention him once in her book.

'That was one thing we all noted, his name is not mentioned throughout the book and that is a choice to make,' the aide said.

'It would make sense for John Kirby to go. He had personal relationships with a lot of the hostage families, had met with them one-on-one, he has a wide breadth of experience on this issue within this region, he made the most sense. Period,' the aide continued.

Former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre is photographed Monday in New York as she kicked off her book tour

'So to read that part was kind of wild for all of us,' she added.

Beyond the racist undertones, Jean-Pierre also alleged that Dunn was behind a smear campaign against her the press, feeding negative stories to the New York Times, Axios and the New York Post.

The New York Post had reported in April 2024 that Dunn had hatched a plan to try and steer Jean-Pierre toward a graceful exit, so that a better communicator could get Biden through a tough campaign year.

That effort failed, with Jean-Pierre staying on until Biden left office, as a one-term president, in January.

'I think she has a version of herself that she sees at that podium, and then the rest of us have a different version that we see,' the black female aide said.

'I would say it's a version of somebody who took a job that is really, really hard and maybe it was a frustration with herself, maybe it was a misunderstanding of how much work the job would take, but just couldn't meet the moment,' the aide added.

Dunn did not respond to the Daily Mail's request for comment.

Earlier this week, Ashley Biden (left) shared that her father, former President Joe Biden (center left) had concluded his cancer treatment at Penn Medicine. He was joined by family members: former First Lady Jill Biden (center) and grandkids Finnegan (center right) and Hunter (right)

So far, the 82-year old president also hasn't chimed in.

A spokesperson for Biden did not immediately respond to a request for comment, nor did a top Biden aide.

Earlier this week, daughter Ashley Biden posted to Instagram that her father had finished his cancer treatment at Penn Medicine, alongside former First Lady Jill Biden and grandkids Finnegan and Hunter.

And on Wednesday, the Daily Mail obtained a photograph of Biden enjoying one of his favorite activities - riding the train.

He was spotted at the Wilmington, Delaware, Amtrak station, carrying his own briefcase and surrounded by his Secret Service detail.
Jet-ski riders have been slammed for operating too close to the shore and driving at dangerous speeds at beaches in NSW.

Brighton Le Sands Beach, in Sydney's south, is a popular swim spot for locals and is also a frequently visited site for jet-ski riders.

However, locals have raised concerns that the activity could pose a safety risk to swimmers, with the water overrun with jet-ski riders as summer approaches.

Some jet-ski riders have been spotted travelling at speed across the water and dangerously close to the shore.

Marine Area Command Superintendent Siobhan Munro said those doing the wrong thing were putting 'lives at risk'.

'Jet-skis are a powerful craft and it is important that people obey the rules and regulations when operating these vessels,' Ms Munro said.

'We will not tolerate dangerous navigation that's putting lives and members of the public at risk.

'We know that it is only a small percentage of jet-ski users doing the wrong thing. They're putting lives at risk.'

locals have raised concerns that jet-skis at Brighton Le Sands Beach (pictured) are posing a safety risk to swimmers as some riders travelled at speed and dangerously close to the shore

Mr Munro added it was a state-wide issue. However, NSW Maritime Acting Executive Director, Darren Wood, said they were highly focused on jet-ski safety in the Brighton Le Sands, Georges River and Revesby areas.

It comes after two people were injured in a jet-ski crash at Brighton Le Sands on Monday.

Police were called to the beach at about 5pm following reports two jet-skis had collided.

Four people were found in the water after they were ejected from the jet-skis following the crash.

Paramedics treated a man, 23, and woman, 20, who were on the same jet-ski at the scene.

The pair were taken to St George Hospital for treatment, with the man since being discharged.

The woman sustained serious injuries to her leg and has since undergone surgery.

An 18-year-old woman and a 22-year-old man, who were allegedly riding the other jet-ski were uninjured.

It comes after two people were injured after their jet-ski collided with another at Brighton Le Sands on Monday (stock image)

The 18-year-old woman was arrested a short time later after she attempted to leave the scene on foot; however, she was released pending further inquiries.

Police seized both jet-skis and have launched an investigation into the crash.

Just one day earlier, a teenage boy was charged for allegedly riding a jet-ski in a dangerous manner at the same beach.

Police were called to Brighton Le Sands Beach at about 12.30pm on Sunday following reports the teen was riding a jet-ski in a dangerous manner near swimmers.

Water police attempted to intervene but the rider allegedly failed to stop when directed.

Footage of the chase was shared on social media and showed the jet-ski rider travelling across the water while a police boat followed.

At one point in the video, the police boat chased the jet-ski rider in circles as the teen continued to evade the authorities.

The 17-year-old boy was eventually arrested at Kyeemagh at about 4pm, with police seizing the jet-ski.

A teenage boy was also arrested for riding a jet-ski dangerously and failing to stop when directed by police

He was charged with eight offences including operate recreational vessel recklessly no death, refuse/not comply with requirements of investigative powers, operate as master PWC without licence and fail to notify change in vessels ownership.

He was also charged with operate personal watercraft irregularly in restriction zone, not have PWC behaviour label affixed as prescribed, personal watercraft travel at 10 knots or more within 60 metres of person or non-powered vessel and use registered Class A motor vehicle & unregistered trailer.

The boy was issued a future Court Attendance Notice and is due to face Children's Court on December 3.
A grieving mother whose daughter became the face of Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in Chicago after her tragic death has penned a heartbreaking letter insisting she 'would not have wanted this.'

Katie Abraham, 20, was tragically killed in a car wreck on January 19 involving a drunken illegal immigrant driver.

Her death became an immigration flashpoint and the Trump administration launched Operation Midway Blitz - a crackdown on illegal migration across Chicago - in her honor.

Now, her devastated mother Denise Lorence has penned a moving tribute to her daughter published in the Chicago Tribune, acknowledging that while Katie's father and his wife agreed for her daughter's name to be used in support of the immigration blitz, it is not what Katie would have wanted.

'I want to acknowledge the depths of her dad's grief. I will never fault or question someone in the way they grieve,' she wrote.

'Having my child's legacy be associated with a politically charged and controversial operation instead of the positivity and light she contributed to those within her community is simply unbearable.'

Lorence had chosen not to address the operation or her daughter's ties to it, hoping it would simply 'go away' without the need for her to wade into politics.

'But Katie would not have wanted this,' she wrote.

Katie Abraham, 20, was tragically killed in a car wreck on January 19 involving a drunken illegal immigrant driver

Her death became an immigration flashpoint and the Trump administration launched Operation Midway Blitz - a crackdown on illegal migration across Chicago - in her honor

'Since she was young, Katie was intuitive, full of compassion and empathy, and able to see the big picture beyond her years.

'When you search my daughter's name, you won't find much about who she was. You will find how she is associated with the federal immigration enforcement campaign ''Operation Midway Blitz''.'

Lorence noted Katie's death occurred in Urbana, 150 miles from Chicago, and yet the operation had been launched targeting the city directly.

She said Chicago was a 'city she not only loved, but felt safe in.'

'Whether or not you agree with Operation Midway Blitz is not the story I am here to write. I am here to tell the story of who Katie was.

'Katie avoided confrontation and tension. She had never spoken out on a political agenda; she was not an activist.

'She did not choose to be thrust into this political spotlight to advance an operation she knew nothing about.'

According to the White House, Chicago is a city under siege.

Gang members and immigrants in the US illegally have swarmed the city and crime is rampant, President Donald Trump has repeatedly said

Gang members and immigrants in the US illegally have swarmed the city and crime is rampant, President Donald Trump has repeatedly said.

He has repeatedly argued National Guard soldiers are needed to protect government facilities from raging left-wing protesters.

'Chicago is the worst and most dangerous city in the World,' he posted on Truth Social.

By early October, authorities said more than 1,000 immigrants had been arrested across the area.

'We have a rogue, reckless group of heavily armed, masked individuals roaming throughout our city,' Mayor Brandon Johnson said after a September 30 raid.

'The Trump administration is seeking to destabilize our city and promote chaos.'

Katie's father Joe agreed to have his daughter's name tied to the operation. He told ABC7 she was 'a young woman with a a big heart and a bright future who was killed in Urbana by a criminal illegal alien drunk driver who never should have been in this country.

The illegal immigrant accused of causing the crash, Julio Cucul Bol (pictured), has reportedly accepted a plea deal

'Sanctuary policies failed Katie and they're failing communities across America.

'Katie cared deeply about people, but she would never believe that compassion means turning a blind eye to danger.

'I gave my blessing to launch this operation in her name because it's about protecting other families from living the nightmare that mine lives every day. I stand proudly behind it.'

The illegal immigrant accused of causing the crash, Julio Cucul Bol, has reportedly accepted a plea deal.
Shocking video shows the moment a former Massachusetts mayor was stabbed multiple times in the neck outside a cannabis dispensary.

Will Flanagan, 44, was attacked at around 5pm near Cosmopolitan Dispensary in Fall River, 50 miles south of Boston.

Appalling footage shows the suspect, 31-year-old Corree Gonzales, running up to an unsuspecting Flanagan before striking him in the face and neck, WCVB reported.

Flanagan threw his hands up in defense and attempted to escape before collapsing on the sidewalk.

The alleged attacker fled as the former Fall River mayor collapsed to the ground.

The 44-year-old steadied himself and limped toward a nearby housing complex where several people stood outside.

A witness said Flanagan, bloodied and mumbling, approached them outside, called the police, but didnt enter the building.

New shocking video shows the moment former Mayor Will Flanagan was stabbed multiple times in the neck outside his cannabis dispensary

The 44-year-old steadied himself and limped toward a nearby housing complex where several people stood outside

Will Flanagan (pictured), the former mayor of a Massachusetts town is hanging on for his life after he was reportedly stabbed multiple times in the neck

'I saw a guy mumbling some words. He came out, brushed up against the guy, stabbed him on the face and the neck. He was bleeding everywhere,' Karen Cange said.

The former mayor was taken to hospital where he is currently in 'serious but stable condition.'

Gonzales was arrested on Tuesday in connection with the stabbing, his motive and whether he had prior relationship with the mayor remains unknown.

He was taken into custody at 8.30 am, and pleaded not guilty during Tuesday's arraignment, the Post reported.

Upon arrest, Gonzalez attacked the officers and now faces four additional counts of assault and battery, along with the pending stabbing charges.

Current Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan said the suspect has 'mental health issues' and a criminal record.

'They are not sure if he had any relationship at all with the former mayor Will Flanagan or just a random act,' Coogan said.

Court paperwork shows Gonzales's arrests in 2024 have listed him as homeless.

In a previous arrest, Gonzalez allegedly threatened his mother and sister. According to the report, his mother said he has struggled with mental illness since age 15.

The alleged stabber is currently being held without bail and will undergo a mental health evaluation.

31-year-old Corree Gonzales (pictured) was arrested on Tuesday in connection with the stabbing

Current Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan said the suspect has 'mental health issues' and a criminal record

Flanagan was taken to hospital, with a source claiming he was stabbed multiple times in the neck

Flanagan was attacked at around 5pm near Cosmopolitan Dispensary in Fall River, 50 miles south of Boston

Flanagan served as mayor of Fall River from 2010 until 2014 when he was defeated in a recall election.

The 44-year-old was an assistant district attorney when he was first elected mayor in 2009, at 29, the youngest mayor in Fall River's history.

A recall over a 'pay-as-you-throw' trash collection policy and reports he threatened a city councilor with a gun forced his recall in a 2014 vote.

Since leaving office, he has returned to practicing as a lawyer.

A frequent poster on social media, Flanagan was engaging live on Facebook just hours before he was stabbed.

'He's[Flanagan] a good guy. I wish him a speedy recovery,' Witness Cange said.
An illegal migrant trucker who was caught and released by the Biden administration is accused of causing a horrific eight-car pile-up that killed three people.

Dashcam footage captured the moment the semi-truck rammed into the back of a traffic queue after failing to reduce speed shortly before 1:15pm on Tuesday afternoon on the 10 Freeway in Ontario, California.

The terrifying video shows the semi-truck smashing into the back of a white SUV, before causing a red sedan to erupt into a fireball as it was pushed into another truck. A total of eight vehicles, including four semi-trucks were impacted.

Police have identified the driver as 21-year-old Jashanpreet Singh from Yuba City, California. He was arrested at the scene for being under the influence of drugs and vehicular manslaughter, according to KTLA.

Singh is an undocumented immigrant from India who was caught and released at the California border in 2022, according to Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin.

Melugin reported on X that ICE placed a detainer request on Singh, which would allow the San Bernardino County Sheriff's office to hold him passed the normal release time.

'He was eventually transported to the hospital, and he was checked out by the medical staff, and our officers determined he was driving under the influence of drugs,' California Highway Patrol Officer Rodrigo Jiminez told ABC7.

The suspect has been booked into West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga to await charges.

Dashcam footage showed the rogue semi ramming into a line of slowed traffic

What transpired was an eight car pile-up which left three people dead and four injured

Police identified the driver as 21-year-old Jashanpreet Singh, an allegedly undocumented migrant from India

Witness Jason Calmelat saw the whole crash from a parking lot facing the freeway.

He told KTLA, 'The red truck was traveling at a high rate of speed when everyone else was stopped.

'He didnt hit his brakes, he didnt try to slow down, he just went full force into the back of another truck, crushing two other cars.'

Two victims were pronounced dead on the scene. A third died after being taken to the hospital.

Officials say that one of the individuals was a 54-year-old man from Upland, California.

The remaining fatalities were severely burned in the flames and have not been identified.

Four others were taken to local hospitals to be treated for their injuries.

The condition of the survivors has not been released.

The collision caused an explosive fire which left the many of the cars and victims badly charred

Some of the vehicles reportedly 'exploded on impact' into a 'massive fireball'

'This is sadly a reminder of how precious life is, and how fast it could be taken away at the hands of somebody who is driving irresponsibly, somebody who is impaired,' said Officer Jimenez.

Several cars were also badly charred and mangled in the tragic crash.

The collision forced all westbound lanes to close into Tuesday evening, citing 'very heavy traffic and extended delays,' according to CBS.

The freeway reopened early Wednesday morning.

The Daily Mail reached out to the California Highway Patrol for comment.
Two young men accused of being involved in two machete attacks in the past fortnight have been released on bail, despite a magistrate acknowledging Victorians 'feel unsafe and scared to go out'.

Two gangs were involved in a brawl outside Melbourne's Luna Park on Sunday, where two teens were struck with a machete.

Three men have been charged and each faced Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday where they all successfully applied for bail.

Abbas Mazrawi, 18, Mohamed Khan, 21, and Abdurahman Khan, 18, have been charged with various offences, including affray and behaving in an offensive manner in a public place, over the incident on Sunday.

They began arguing with another group inside Luna Park before they were removed by security about 4.30pm, police allege.

Another fight broke out between the two groups on Cavell St in St Kilda, before Abdurahman allegedly grabbed a machete and swung it at two 18-year-olds who suffered minor cuts, the court was told.

The victims 'feared for the lives' and were chased by Mazrawi and the Khan brothers, Detective Senior Constable David Peterson said.

Prosecutors opposed releasing all of the men on bail, citing protection of the community from the risk of rising knife crime.

Mazrawi and Mohamed were allegedly involved in a machete brawl that shut down a Broadmeadows shopping centre on October 11, the court was told.

Magistrate Felicity Broughton granted Khan brothers bail, citing a lack of 'considerable' criminal history but imposed stringent conditions and monitoring

Police arrest a Luna Park brawl suspect

Mazrawi was released on bail by Magistrate Felicity Broughton earlier on Wednesday, as she found stringent bail conditions could ameliorate his risk to the community.

He was not accused of wielding the machete, his barrister Alexander Patton argued, so Mazrawi's involvement in the alleged offending was 'very low level'.

His bail conditions will include a nightly curfew, not possessing or carrying a bladed weapon and keeping a diary of work and court appointments.

The Khan brothers applied for bail later on Wednesday, when Det Sen Const Peterson said members of the public had been 'severely traumatised' by the Luna Park incident.

'Given the current climate around knife crime, in particular machetes, it's absolutely abhorrent that the three accused believe it is acceptable to produce the machete,' he told the court.

'It's a popular theme park where young children visit with their families.

'Members of the public have stated they are severely traumatised and will avoid coming to Melbourne.'

Det Sen Const Peterson alleged Mohamed was part of a group involved in the fight at the Broadmeadows shopping centre on October 11, when two people were seen 'swinging machetes at each other'.

'Many of the shop proprietors closed their roller doors, while innocent members of the public ran out of the shopping centre in fear,' he said.

He said charges were yet to be formally laid, but Mohamed was expected to be charged on summons.

The Khans' barrister Theo Alexander showed the court a photo of Abdurahman's injured face as he said the Luna Park attack was in retaliation for being allegedly assaulted and his client had been acting in self-defence.

Abdurahman was pulled from a car by a member of the other group before he grabbed the machete, Mr Alexander said.

The victims 'feared for the lives' and were chased by Mazrawi and the Khan brothers, police alleged

Injuries sustained by one the men attacked during the alleged brawl

It's alleged two gangs brawled outside Melbourne's Luna Park pictured

He is charged with intentionally cause injury, assault with a weapon and carrying a prohibited weapon, among other offences.

Magistrate Pauline Spencer said Abdurahman's offending was 'very serious' as the chance of seriously injuring someone by bringing a machete to a brawl was 'really, really high'.

'This is a place where people should be having a good time, not a place where people should be using weapons and machetes,' she said.

'What that does is make everyone in the community feel unsafe and scared to go out.'

She granted the Khan brothers bail, citing a lack of 'considerable' criminal history but imposed stringent conditions and monitoring.

All three men will return to the court on December 10.
The quick-thinking actions of two New York Police Department officers saved a choking baby's life.

The parents of 10-month-old Makai called emergency responders after their baby threw up during his nap and stopped breathing on October 10.

First-time mom Asia Rodriguez was watching her son on a baby monitor when he began to choke on spit-up at their home in Queens.

She quickly called 911 in hopes of saving her son's life. Two NYPD officers arrived to assist just before 5pm that day.

Both were rookies with less than two years of service in the NYPD, according to ABC7.

In impressive body camera footage, a visibly shaken Rodriguez and Makai's father Brandon Loboy handed their son over to the officers the moment they stepped in the door.

The first time parents watched as one of the officers from the city's 115th precinct laid Makai over his knee and patted him forcefully on the back, attempting to swiftly dislodge the blockage.

'He's good, he's good,' the officer finally said after a round of back blows.

Police officers arrived and began performing the Heimlich on Makai to dislodge the vomit he was choking on

First time parents Asia Rodriguez and Brandon Loboy called emergency responders when their son began choking

Makai began to cry and one of the officers picked him up to comfort him. The video showed the officer speaking to the boy in a soft voice and rubbing his back.

Much to his parent's relief, the Makai appeared to be moving and breathing normally.

The baby was wearing police car pajamas when the officers swooped in to save him.

Little Makai was then loaded onto a stretcher and taken to Elmhurst Hospital Center where he was checked out by paramedics and listed in stable condition.

Makai's parents expressed their gratitude for the first responders that saved their son's life.

'If I could see them, if they could come to my house directly and I could shake their hand and hug them, I would hug them,' Rodriguez told WFSB.

'God bless them. Whatever blessings they can be offered in life that they are offered to them, because they absolutely did what they were supposed to do and my son's here because of them.'

EMS loaded Makai into an ambulance and transported him to a nearby hospital

Makai was listed in stable condition and his parents expressed their gratitude to the officers that saved his life

Loboy applauded the intensive NYPD training that helped his family avoid their brush with tragedy.

'They saved his life,' he said. 'In those moments you can't understate how good their training is.'

All of New York City's more than 30,000 officers are required to undergo CPR training. The law enacted in 2017 also stipulated that officers take training courses again every two years.

If a child 12 months or younger is choking, like Makai, the Cleveland Clinic recommends turning the child face down on their chest and firmly striking their back. Much like the NYPD officers flawlessly demonstrated.

Choking children that become unconscious after rounds of back blows and chest thrusts should receive CPR.

The rookies' identities have not been released, but their heroics will likely follow them for the rest of their careers.

The Daily Mail reached out to the NYPD for comment.
The shock death of a young FIFO worker five years after she moved to Australia from a small town in Ireland has left her loved ones reeling.

Serena Downey, 29, from Listowel in County Kerry died in Perth earlier this week.

Her devastated mother, Helen McDonald, has led a series of emotional tributes for her daughter, who had been working as a machine operator.

'Sleep tight my beautiful baby. I'll miss you forever Serena,' she wrote.

'I can't believe I'll never hear your lovely voice again. Never once hung up the phone without saying love you. I will be forever heartbroken.

'We will be together again one day and when I hug you I'll never let you go.'

Serena's childhood best friend said she was 'gone way too soon'.

'I'll never forget the memories we shared together, all the laughs and even the odd tear, my heart is truly broken, a smile and a person I'll never forget, I'll cherish all the pictures and videos, we love you loads,' she wrote.

The shock death of young FIFO worker Serena Downey (pictured) five years after she moved to Australia from a small county in Ireland has left her loved ones reeling

Serena regularly posted videos on TikTok sharing what her life was like in the mines, at concerts and on holidays with friends.

'Be kind to yourself and others,' she wrote in her bio.

Family friend Christina Williamson said it was with a heavy heart that she announced the news of Serena's shock passing.

'We are raising funds to assist with the costs associated with having Serena brought back home to her devastated family,' she wrote on a GoFundMe campaign.

'Our aim is relieve some of the financial burden on Serena's family and to assist with the cost of having her personal belongings brought home.

'We hope you can all come together to help in any way possible.

'Sleep tight beautiful angel.'

The GoFundMe campaign has raised almost all of its $130,000 target, with several donors sharing their condolences.

'Rest in peace my dear friend, you will be home with us soon,' one said.

'Your chesty, hearty laugh will be so missed. A heart of gold & one of the strongest people I knew! You are so missed. RIP Serena x,' a second wrote.

'Deepest sympathies to Serena's family and friends, thinking of you all at this sad time. Rest In Peace Serena,' a third commented.
A knife-obsessed teenager who stabbed another boy to death was unmasked yesterday after a judge locked him up for at least 16 years.

Mohammed Umar Khan, 15, was named as the killer of Harvey Willgoose, also 15.

Khan stabbed Harvey in the heart during a nine-second confrontation in front of other pupils during their lunch break at All Saints Catholic High School, Sheffield, on February 3.

They had fallen out on social media shortly before the attack. He was convicted of murder in August, when he failed to persuade a jury at Sheffield Crown Court that his actions amounted to manslaughter because bullying had led him to lose his control.

Mrs Justice Ellenbogen yesterday lifted a reporting restriction which had prevented the defendant being named.

She accepted arguments from the Press that lifting the restrictions would act as a deterrent to potential offenders while increasing public understanding of the scourge of knife crime.

The judge said: 'The public will wish to know the identity of those who commit serious offences in seeking to understand how a child of that age could do so.'

It can also now be disclosed that Khan, referred to as Umar throughout the trial, was born and raised in Sheffield  hailing from a Pakistani family.

Knife-obsessed Mohammed Umar Khan, 15, was named as the killer of Harvey Willgoose, also 15

Pictured: The blade that Khan used to kill Harvey at their school in February

Harvey Willgoose, 15, was stabbed through the heart at All Saints Catholic High School in Sheffield

He was in the same year as Harvey, but had only met him the previous September, when he joined All Saints after leaving his previous school because of bullying.

The trial heard Khan had been targeted by other pupils over a catheter that he had fitted for a kidney issue and that he became increasingly scared for his own personal safety in the months before the killing.

He described a difficult home life during his evidence, claiming his mother had mental issues and his father  who was often in Pakistan and absent from the family home  would beat him for minor indiscretions.

Social services visited the family in December last year after concerns were reported to them that Khan and his siblings were not being fed properly.

The referral stated that the children looked skinny and malnourished, did not own pyjamas and had no sheets on their beds.

But, after a visit to the family home, social services concluded no further action was required.

A psychiatrist said in a report to the court that Khan had been subjected to 'excessive physical punishment' at home.

Describing his mother's mental health issues, Khan said 'she would just stand there and stare into nothing' and frighten them by running the taps to their hottest temperature before holding her hands under the scalding water.

The mugshot of Mohammed 'Umar' Khan who was sentenced for murder on Wednesday

Against the backdrop of his troubled homelife, Khan developed what the judge yesterday described as a 'long-standing interest in weapons'.

Police last night released some of the chilling material recovered from his phone, including a video, recorded at school, showing him lunging with a knife he bought on the internet. It was a replica of a weapon from the video game Assassin's Creed.

Another picture showed him posing with the five inch (13cm) hunting knife he would later use to murder Harvey.

During his evidence, Khan claimed he posted the images online because he was scared of being attacked and wanted to project a fearsome image.

The judge gave short shrift to his explanation, telling Khan his explanation were 'put simply, not believable'.

In December last year, his mother found an axe in his gym bag and told the school, which called the police.

He was then visited by a police officer who warned him about the dangers of carrying weapons. He insisted that the axe was not his.

Harvey had barely attended school that term and only found himself the focus of Khan's rage when he made the fatal mistake of supporting another boy with whom Khan had fallen out during a social media row.

The row related to an incident in the school five days before the fatal stabbing, on January 29. On that day, Khan tried to intervene in an altercation involving two other boys and had to be restrained by a teacher.

When he claimed one of these boys had a knife, a lockdown was declared and police were called, although no weapon was found.

Harvey's mother, Caroline, previously told the Daily Mail that Khan's involvement in the knife scare represented a critical missed opportunity and, at very least, he should have been searched when he arrived at school on February 3.

Police officers and floral tributes are seen outside All Saints Catholic High School where the murder took place

On the morning of the attack, CCTV from the school showed Khan in a series of escalating confrontations with Harvey.

Khan squared up to Harvey in a science lesson around an hour before the stabbing and gestured with his hand inside his jacket pocket 'like he had a knife'.

At 12.15pm, when the lunch break started, Harvey approached Khan in the school courtyard and he could be seen on CCTV pushing Khan's shoulder. Khan pulled a knife from a coat pocket and lunged at Harvey, twice.

The first stabbing pierced his heart and was dealt with such ferocity it broke through a rib, while the second was a glancing blow as Harvey retreated.

The confrontation lasted just nine seconds. Within 49 seconds, Harvey had collapsed and slipped into unconsciousness.

The boy then told a teacher as he handed over the murder weapon: 'I'm not right in the head. My mum doesn't look after me right.'

In an exclusive interview with this newspaper in August, Ms Willgoose attacked the school for failing to stop Khan, saying: 'I blame them.

'I blame them more than him. There were so many red flags.'

She watched the sentencing hearing from the public gallery with other members of Harvey's family, including his father Mark and sister Sophie  who read a statement to the court on behalf of the family. She said 'our whole world was shattered forever' by Harvey's death.

Passing a sentence of life with a minimum term of 16 years, Mrs Justice Ellenbogen told Khan: 'I'm sure that you didn't act to any extent in self-defence or fear of violence.'

The judge continued: 'I'm also satisfied by the point at which you came to stab him, you were the aggressor.'

Khan showed no emotion as he was sentenced.
A Gold Coast man has been charged after he allegedly drove off in a stolen caravan containing three children before crashing into a nearby ditch.

Police allege the 59-year-old man towed the caravan from the driveway of a property on Glenrowan Drive in Tallia, in the Gold Coast hinterland, at about 5.30pm on Tuesday.

A 40-year-old woman was inside the caravan at the time along with her three children, all aged under seven. Her dog was underneath the caravan at the time.

The woman exited the van as it was allegedly towed onto the road, injuring the dog.

Police have said the man and family are known to each other.

The man is understood to have been charging the family to keep their caravan on the driveway, but the arrangement had recently broken down, 7News reported.

The caravan picked up speed as it was towed downhill, eventually overtaking the man's Nissan X-Trail, and both crashed into a ditch about 80m away, police said.

Police said the woman climbed on top of the caravan and retrieved her children through a skylight.

Police are investigating after the caravan was allegedly stolen with three kids on board

Police allege the man used a single ratchet strap to tow the 1.5tonne caravan

A damaged car is pictured at the scene of the crash

The three children, aged seven, five and two, were inside the caravan at the time of the crash but did not suffer injuries.

The female rottweiler was rushed to the vet with head injuries and two broken legs.

The 59-year-old driver was transported to hospital as a precaution.

He has now been charged with one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

He is due to appear at the Southport Magistrates Court on November 10.
An ex-Army commando turned GP has been struck off the medical register for an affair with a younger woman which included sexual encounters at his surgery he bulkbilled on Medicare.

Many of the taxpayer-funded encounters had no medical purpose and Dr Alex Golowenko later revealed that they had given him an 'exciting, and adrenaline based risk-seeking' thrill.

This was while he was prescribing the 'vulnerable' younger woman 'excessive amounts' of multiple different drugs.

Golowenko, a horse-riding vegetarian, was a GP in the NSW Southern Highlands and Wollondilly regions southwest of Sydney.

He graduated with honours in medicine following two tours of duty in Afghanistan.

He specialised in Botox and cosmetic procedures and promoted health therapy via his 'Glow_doc' Instagram page, which spruiked 'Plant rich wellness... cosmetic injections for your goals. Healthy and happy inside and out. Live life'.

Golowenko, then aged between 48 and 49, was working at Bowral's Eastbrooke Medical Centre in September 2021 when a patient then aged between 30 and 31-years-old attended the group practice clinic complaining of a grazed buttock.

The doctor-patient relationship between himself and the woman, who also presented with mental health issues, began to stray from the professional when he gave her his personal mobile number.

Dr Alex Golowenko has been struck off as a medical practitioner for having an affair with a female patient he bulk billed Medicare for sex, drug and beauty sessions

Many of the taxpayer-funded encounters had no medical purpose and Golowenko (above) later revealed that they had given him an 'exciting, and adrenaline based risk-seeking' thrill

The taxpayer funded sex sessions took place in his surgery (above), car and a motel with a younger, vulnerable woman who he prescribed 'excessive amounts' of multiple drugs

Thereafter, 'a flirtatious texting relationship between them soon commenced and continued' according to the NSW Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC).

'Hundreds of text and other messages passed between' the woman and the father-of-three,' according to the HCCC judgment in its misconduct investigation.

'The flirting continued in their appointments and this soon turned to kissing, hugging and touching.

'After a few further appointments, a full sexual relationship commenced and continued at the times of booked appointments in the respondent's consulting room at his clinic.

'Those appointments were bulkbilled to Medicare even though no medical services were provided on those occasions.

'He also... prescribed various medications, including drugs of addiction. In conjunction, he charged Medicare for 'consultations' during which he had sex with the patient.'

Golowenko was prescribing the woman drugs 'in excessive quantities'. These included tranquiliser benzodiazepines, the insomnia drug nitrazepam, diazepam (Valium), the anxiety drug alprazolam, and an antipsychotic, quetiapine.

Despite the woman's family history of substance abuse, he also issued her with the anti-depressant fluoxetine, an opioid, tapentadol, codeine, paracetamol and an anti-histamine, promethazine hydrochloride.

Golowenko (above on tour as a commando in Afganistan) blamed the affair on 'exciting, and adrenaline based risk-seeking' caused by his military PTSD

The horse-riding vegetarian father-of-three operated as a GP in the Southern Highlands and Wollondilly regions southwest of Sydney after graduating with honours in medicine

He 'admitted to having sex with a vulnerable patient for about 10 months, at times in his office, a car, a motel and at her home'.

The bulk of the text messages between the two, tendered as evidence to the Commission, revealed that the doctor-patient relationship ceased on 14 December 2021.

'But the personal and intimate relationship continued, with greater frequency of sexual encounters, until it ceased on 5 June 2022.'

The relationship ended after concerned relatives of the woman found she was 'increasingly stressed ... that her life was spiralling out of control'.

One relative 'assisted in achieving a termination' of Golowenko's relationship with the woman who had 'a troubled background, identified as Indigenous, .. had depression, insomnia, anxiety ... and complex PTSD.'

Golowenko also had PTSD from his time in active Army service from 2003 to 2013 as a commando in a special forces unit of the Australian Defence Force.

The HCCC judgment said 'he encountered some dangerous and traumatic circumstances which have led to a diagnosis'.

In July 2023, the woman's relative and two others made formal complaints about Golowenko to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Alex Golowenko said he had PTSD from seeing active service from 2003 to 2013 as a commando in a special forces unit of the Australian Defence Force, 'during which he encountered some dangerous and traumatic circumstances'

Now aged 52, Golowenko said post-Army he had sought thrills form the relationship withhe found exciting, but which the younger woman felt ''increasingly stressed ... that her life was spiralling out of control'

The following month, AHPRA decline to invoked its emergency power of suspension of Golowenko, but imposed 'stringent conditions' on his practice.

An HCCC investigation began and the doctor admitted his transgressions. He acknowledged his registration should be suspended but requested a shorter 'non-review period' of the two to three years sought by the HCCC.

The Commission, in turn, acknowledged that Golowenko's admission 'of the sexual relationship ... demonstrated insight and contrition, recognising that the relationship was unethical and unprofessional'.

Golowenko, now aged 52, was not initially suspended, but a review of the case by a panel of doctors found that 'Dr Golowenko's actions constitute flagrant and deplorable violations.'

Golowenko's excuses included 'severe PTSD and burnout' resulting in 'hypervigilance and hyperarousal' which led to 'a PTSD risk-taking, adrenalin-seeking component'.

'Honestly, I was in love with (the patient). I felt there was a future together,' he told investigators.

'I did recognise there was a power imbalance (but) I felt a very strong connection to her.

'This was exciting, and adrenaline based which now I know was just fuelling the PTSD demon which was giving me an outlet for something that had been going on for, since my service in Afghanistan in 2008, 2009.'

The HCCC has now cancelled Golowenko's registration for a period of six months until at least mid-April when it will be reviewed.
A proposal to reduce country-road speed limits to as low as 70 km/h has sparked anger from motorists.

The Federal Department of Infrastructure is consulting on options to cut the default speed limit on rural roads outside built-up areas, currently 100 km/h, as part of efforts to reduce Australias rural road toll.

The review was initiated under Albanese government Infrastructure Minister Catherine King, whose department is leading the consultation on whether to lower default speed limits on rural roads.

The proposed change could be a major blow for truck drivers, farmers, tradies and holiday-makers if adopted by governments across the country.

According to a Department of Infrastructure impact analysis, the review aims to find ways to reduce deaths and serious injuries on Australias rural roads and meet national trauma-reduction targets on both sealed and unsealed surfaces.

The consultation outlines three options for sealed roads: reducing default open-road speed limits to 90km/h, 80km/h or 7 km/h, and two options for unsealed roads: 80km/h or 70km/h.

Melbourne revhead and off-road enthusiast Stephano Calabro called the proposal a 'disgrace to the community in the countryside'.

A proposal to reduce country-road speed limits to as low as 70 km/h has sparked anger from motorists

The review was initiated under Albanese government Infrastructure Minister Catherine King, whose department is leading the consultation on whether to lower default speed limits on rural roads.

'The reason being farmers need to drive, and, you know, they're mostly, most farmers and most country people are very, very good at driving out there,' Mr Calabro told the Daily Mail.

'Seventy, eighty, ninety [from] 100, I reckon that's not gonna work, the reason being is because irresponsible drivers will still be irresponsible drivers.

'Accidents will happen no matter what, if you put a speed limit out on the country roads. Dirt roads, yes, I can understand, gravel roads, yes, I can understand.

'But at the end of the day, drivers still gonna be irresponsible and accidents will happen.

'I don't think it would be a good idea and it'll just make me very, very angry if you, if you guys [the government], you know, put the speed down to 70km/h.

'It's gonna take us 10 years more just to get to a farm property, so, in my thoughts, you know... it will not change anything.

'The government... you guys are not are not using your brains.'

According to the proposal paper, reducing the number of people killed and injured on Australia's roads is a 'priority for all governments'.

Farmers and rural tradies could suffer under the proposal

Unsealed country roads are also in the firing line

Melbourne revhead and off-road enthusiast Stephano Calabro called the proposal a 'disgrace to the community in the countryside'

'In 2024, 1294 people were killed on our roads, with more than 30,000 people seriously injured as a result of road crashes. Speed is a major factor in serious and fatal traffic crashes,' the proposal paper states

'Some roads outside of built-up areas, especially in regional and remote areas, may not be safe to travel on at 100km/h.

'Many of Australia's regional and remote roads are not sealed, and may be dirt or gravel tracks. Other roads may have sealed surfaces, but may be in poor condition, or lacking the road features that would enable safe travel at high speeds.

'Travelling at up to 100km/h on roads such as these may not be safe and will increase the risk of crashes, death and serious injuries.

'Reducing travel speed on these roads can help prevent the tragedy of road crashes, injuries and deaths, by setting a speed limit that is safe for drivers and people using the road.'

Nationals Leader David Littleproud MP slammed the proposal as 'lazy government' and a 'disingenuous approach to road safety reform'.

'Poor road conditions remain one of the most prominent issues that locals are facing, with plenty of roads in desperate need of repair,' Mr Littleproud said.

Nationals Leader David Littleproud MP (centre) slammed the proposal as 'lazy government' and a 'disingenuous approach to road safety reform'

'Local councils and shires would love to upgrade their roads to a safe standard, but they simply cant get all the necessary work done due to a lack of resources.

'The solution to help make our rural roads safer is to maintain and upgrade the roads themselves, not to slow down regional productivity.'

Mr Littleproud has urged stakeholders including local transport operators, small business, farmers and councils to make submissions to the consultation before the October 27 deadline.

'Regional Australias economy is on the line here. Government has an obligation to protect the lives of every Australian, so they should get on with it and fund rural roads,' he said.

If adopted the proposed speed limits will be included in the Australian Road Rules, a document of model laws which form the basis of the road rules in each Australian state and territory.

The Australian Road Rules are not national laws that are in force across Australia but each state and territory has copied the rules into their own laws.

However, not every provision of the Australian Road Rules has been copied exactly in each state and territory.
Eight Americans were arrested in the Caribbean on Tuesday, after authorities found 'high-powered weapons' and a 'considerable' amount of cash on their boat.

The Royal Bahamas Police Force announced on Wednesday that the unidentified Americans, along with one person from South Africa and another from Guyana, were taken into custody on Tuesday in Bimini - a small group of islands about 50 miles east of Miami, Florida.

Those who were arrested range in age from 21 to 62, police noted.

Their arrest came after officers from the Alice Town Police Station and the Bahamas Customs Department searched a boat docked at a port 'acting on intelligence' shortly after 11.30am.

On the boat, the officers said they found three unspecified 'high-powered weapons,' 11 firearms, a 'substantial' amount of ammunition and a 'considerable' amount of undeclared cash, all of which were seized.

'The Royal Bahamas Police Force extends its appreciation to the Bahamas Customs Department and all involved officers from the Bimini Division for their dedication and collaborative effort in this successful operation,' the police department said in a statement.

It added that the investigation is ongoing.

The Royal Bahamas Police Force (pictured) announced on Wednesday that eight Americans have been arrested

The Americans were taken into custody in Bimini (pictured), which is about 50 miles east of Miami, Florida

In the meantime, it remains unclear what the Americans have been charged with and what kind of penalties they may face in the Bahamas.

But the United States Embassy in the Bahamas has warned travelers entering the country with more than $10,000 - or the equivalent amount of cash in foreign currency - must report it to the authorities.

The embassy has also said that Bahamian customs officials strictly enforce regulations regarding the importation of firearms.

'Officials have arrested and sentenced penalties to US citizens entering the country with firearms or ammunition,' the embassy notes on its website.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the Royal Bahamas Police Force for more information.
Donald Trump denied he's been cagey about the plans for his opulent new ballroom at the White House - and hit out at a reporter who suggested otherwise.

The President was taking questions from reporters following a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Wednesday, when he was asked about photos showing a backhoe smashing through the walls of the East Wing.

Despite earlier claims the 83-year-old building would not be touched in the construction of his privately funded ballroom, Trump admitted Wednesday he was demolishing the entire structure because he was never impressed by it.

Reuters White House correspondent Jeff Mason asked how he would respond to claims he has not been transparent about the plans. Then the President lashed out.

'I've shown this to everyone who would listen,' Trump said after holding up renderings showing the proposed ballroom and the heft it would add to the White House structure.

'Third-rate reporters didn't see it because they didn't look,' he continued. Addressing Mason, he said: 'You're a third-rate reporter, always have been.'

He added: 'These pictures have been in newspapers, they've been in - all over the place - and we're very proud of it. It's gotten great reviews, it's gotten really great reviews.

'I think we've been more transparent than anybody's ever been.'

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Donald Trump denied he was being cagey about his plans for a proposed new ballroom at the White House

He hit out at a reporter who suggested he wasn't being transparent about the project during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Wednesday

Trump also explained his reasoning for destroying the historic building, telling reporters that 'in order to do it properly, we had to take down the existing structure.'

He added that he 'never thought of [it] as being much' and said the second-story of the East Wing - which was added to accommodate offices for the first lady - 'was not particularly nice.'

Still, Trump insisted the White House would not be affected by the demolition, as he slammed photos that appeared to show just three walls of the East Wing still standing.

'The way it was shown, it looked like we were touching the White House. We don't touch the White House,' Trump said.

Instead, he explained, the new ballroom would be connected to the main White House via a 'glass bridge.'

'Then, you get into the lobby of the ballroom and then you get into the magnificent, the main room and it's something that has gotten incredible reviews,' he reiterated.

Yet former East Wing staffers, from Democratic and Republican administrations alike, condemned the demolition as photos of the construction began hitting social media this week.

A number of former staffers of Republican first lady Pat Nixon had written to the National Capital Planning Commission to try and get the project stopped, according to East Wing Magazine.

The President slammed photos that appeared to show just three walls of the wing still standing

Photos emerged this week showing a backhoe taking down the walls of the East Wing

Trump finally admitted on Wednesday that the entire East Wing will be demolished

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, a nonprofit agency created by Congress to preserve historic buildings, also warned administration officials in a letter Tuesday that the planned ballroom 'will overwhelm the White House itself' and 'may also permanently disrupt the carefully balanced classical design of the White House.'

'We respectfully urge the Administration and the National Park Service to pause demolition until plans for the proposed ballroom go through the legally required public review process' including a public comment period, chief executive Carol Quillen wrote.

'These processes provide a crucial opportunity for transparency and broad engagement - values that have guided preservation of the White House under every administration going back to the public competition in 1792 that produced the building's original design.

'As we approach the 250th Anniversary of our country's founding, the perseveration of historic places that represent our nation's history has never been more relevant or important,' Quillen concluded.

'We urge you to take into account the deep reverence that all Americans hold for this iconic place and to initiate the review process that can ensure the preservation of the historic White House for future generations.'

But the White House is already forging ahead with its plans, and is set to soon submit the plans to the National Capital Planning Commission, which traditionally keeps historic preservation in mind before green-lighting a proposal.

The 12-member board is now led by a majority of Trump allies, including its chairman, Staff Secretary Will Scharf.

A model of what the White House complex will look like after President Donald Trump's ballroom is added on top of what was the East Wing

The National Trust for Historic Preservation warned administration officials in a letter Tuesday that the planned ballroom 'will overwhelm the White House itself'

White House officials are expected to soon submit their plans for the $300 million project to the National Capital Planning Commission

If the plan now moves forward as expected, White House officials said they would work to preserve some of the relics from the East Wing.

One unidentified administration official told NBC News that 'all the historical components of the East Wing, such as elements from [Rosalynn] Carter's original Office of the First Lady, have been preserved and stored under the supervision of the White House Executive Residence and the National Park Service with support from the White House Historical Association.'

'Plans are in place for future use,' the administration official added.

Still, Democrats see a political opening from the optics of the $300 million project, which is happening amid a government shutdown during which federal workers are going without pay.

'I genuinely think the images of them destroying the East Wing of the White House could be a game changer in the elections,' former Biden White House official Neera Tanden posted to X on Wednesday.
The Mauldin, South Carolina, resident is majoring in psychology at SC State.

Note: The following is the fourth in a series of nine articles about SC States nine newly inducted Clyburn Scholars, who comprise the largest class in the programs history.

Rhiazia Grant is a psychology major at SC State University. ORANGEBURG, S.C.  Inspired by her mothers resilience and faith, Rhiazia Grant is building a future in medicine and mental health as a first-year student at South Carolina State University.

The Mauldin, South Carolina, resident is one of nine newly inducted Clyburn Scholars in SC States Dr. Emily England Clyburn Honors College.

A scholar driven by compassion, resilience, and intellectual curiosity, Rhiazia is

passionate about understanding human behavior and addressing mental health disparities, particularly in underserved communities, said Dr. William H. Whitaker Jr., the Honors Colleges dean.

A psychology major, Grant plans to pursue medical school to become a psychiatrist or specialize in forensic psychology, with a mission to create safe, stigma-free environments where mental health is treated with the same urgency and compassion as physical health.

Her journey has been shaped by perseverance and gratitude. Raised by her mother, a Morris College alumna who worked multiple jobs to provide for her family, she learned the importance of sacrifice, education, and faith. Although financial challenges forced her to step away from cheerleading, a sport she loved deeply, Grant redirected that passion into her academics, emerging as a disciplined and determined scholar.

A graduate of Mauldin High School, Grant earned a 4.88 weighted GPA and held leadership roles as a senior student ambassador and officer in both HOSA and Atlas Club. She won first place in Human Growth and Development at the 2024 HOSA State Leadership Conference and received the Martin Luther King Jr. Achievement Award in STEM from the Greenville Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.

Shes already making a name for herself as a leader at SC State. Grant was elected freshman class representative in the Student Government Association, where she actively advocates for student engagement, leadership development, and campus improvement. Through the Honors College, she will receive a rigorous, enriching academic environment that integrates research, service, leadership, and professional development.

Being a Clyburn Scholar is not just a title, Grant said. Its a duty to seek lifelong learning and encourage others to value higher education.

Along with being a Clyburn Scholar, she has been recognized with several scholarships:

 The Betty S. Boston Memorial Scholarship

 The JE Sirrine Scholarship

 The South Carolina General Assembly Womens Caucus Scholarship

 The Retail Consumer Alliance Foundation Scholarship

 The United Way African American Leadership Scholarship.

 The Long Branch Baptist Church Scholarship.

Rhiazia Grant represents the spirit of the Dr. Emily England Clyburn Honors College, embodying intellect, integrity, and impact, Whitaker said. Her journey is a testament to perseverance, purpose, and the transformative power of education.

About the Clyburn Scholars Program

The Dr. Emily England Clyburn Honors College at South Carolina State University proudly celebrates the continued generosity of the Dr. Emily England Clyburn Endowed Honors College Scholarship Fund, an enduring endowment honoring Congressman James E. Clyburn and the late Dr. Emily England Clyburn.

Established to support high-achieving students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and a passion for community engagement, the Dr. Emily England Clyburn Endowed Honors College Scholarship Fund has become a cornerstone of the Honors Colleges mission to elevate student success and expand opportunity for South Carolinas most promising young scholars.

The Honors College is forever grateful to the Clyburn family for choosing to invest in the lives of some of our best and brightest students here at South Carolina State University, Whitaker said. These financial gifts are noble and profoundly impactful, ensuring that our scholars can focus on academic excellence without the barriers of financial hardship.

We accept these gifts with humility and a renewed commitment to the ideals of leadership, service, and scholarship that the Clyburn name represents, Whitaker said. This scholarship does more than ease financial burdens. It inspires our scholars to lead lives of purpose and to give back to the communities that shaped them.

For more information about SC States Dr. Emily England Clyburn Honors College, contact Dr. William Whitaker, the Honors Colleges dean, at wwhitak3@scsu.edu or 803-533-3710, or Dr. Windy A. Mack Stephenson, the Honors Colleges executive director, at wmack3@scsu.edu or 803-516-4610.
The chauffeur whose Mercedes was destroyed in a crash with a $1.5million Rolls-Royce allegedly driven by a mysterious Chinese heiress says he has been gagged from talking about what happened.

George Plassaras suffered catastrophic injuries when 23-year-old LanLan Yang's customised Tiffany blue Rolls allegedly ploughed into his vehicle in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

The impact reportedly caused Mr Plassaras to suffer a broken spine, shattered hips, two broken femurs, busted ribs, a ruptured spleen and torn-open abdomen.

Yang has been charged with negligent driving causing grievous bodily harm - an offence which carries a maximum penalty of seven years in jail.

She faces a lesser, back-up charge of dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm and is also accused of not giving her particulars to police and failing to submit to breath analysis.

The last time Yang's matter was mentioned in court her barrister said she would enter pleas next month if communications with police and Mr Plassaras had an 'expected result'.

When contacted by the Daily Mail, Mr Plassaras said he was 'OK' but could not disclose whether Yang's lawyers had been in contact with him.

'I'm not able to talk about anything because I've been silenced by my solicitor,' he said. 'I've been silenced because of what's going on, she's still in court.

George Plassaras, the chauffeur whose Mercedes was destroyed in a crash with a $1.5million Rolls-Royce allegedly driven by a mysterious Chinese heiress, says he has been gagged from talking about what happened. Mr Plassaras is pictured

George Plassaras suffered catastrophic injuries when LanLan Yang's customised Tiffany blue Rolls allegedly ploughed into his vehicle in Sydney 's eastern suburbs. Yan is pictured

'I've been approached by a lot of people - like all the papers, all the radio stations, all the TV stations - they've all approached me and I just can't talk.'

When asked specifically if he had been approached by Yang or her lawyers, Mr Plassaras politely replied that he did not wish to be contacted again.

The 52-year-old was a regular driver for radio king Kyle Sandilands and friends have said he was unlikely to return to work due to the extent of his injuries.

Mr Plassaras had not been quoted since an interview with Sandilands four days after the crash, which occurred on New South Head Road at Rose about 3.20am on July 26.

'I've got no right hip,' he said back then. 'It's totally gone. I've just been lying flat since Saturday, since the accident.

'After the hip [surgery], I've got to do my right knee, they've got to check my X-ray for my spine, once I do my hip. There's a long list of injuries.'

A friend told Daily Mail this week that Mr Plassaras was due to have a knee reconstruction and was facing a long rehabilitation process.

'He's doing better than we expected,' the friend said. 'Because he was such a healthy dude beforehand, I think that's really, really helped him.

Mr Plassaras (above, before the collission) suffered a broken spine, shattered hips, two broken femurs, busted ribs, a ruptured spleen and torn-open abdomen

Mr Plassaras had just started work when his van was allegedly struck by Yang's Rolls-Royce on New South Head Road, Rose Bay, about 3.20am on July 26 (above)

'But he can't walk without a stick because he could just collapse under his own weight. He's just been approved for a new knee, which is great.

'His hip is held together with plates and screws. It was like his leg was literally shoved through the hip ball joint and the ball joint just smashed.'

Mr Plassaras was photographed for the first time since leaving hospital when he was spotted outside his home, not far from scene of the crash, on September 30.

He was dropped off at this unit by another chauffer and seen walking slowly with the aid of a cane as he picked up clothes from a local dry cleaner, before the pair bought coffee.

A witness said Mr Plassaras, who is single and lives alone, clearly needed the cane to walk but appeared to be in good spirits, considering what he had endured.

Yang, who emerged from the crash unscathed, had allegedly crossed double yellow lines, not given police her version of events after the crash and failed to submit to a breath test.

She has since become the subject of intense speculation about her background, due to her lack of a social media presence, extraordinary designer wardrobe and obvious wealth.

Daily Mail previously revealed Yang kept a second Rolls-Royce - this one a white Ghost convertible worth up to $800,000 - in the garage of her Watsons Bay penthouse.

Whenever Yang has been seen in public over the past two months she has been dressed head to toe in designer clothing - particularly Chanel, Hermes and Louis Vuitton.

LanLan Yang (left) has become the subject of intense speculation due to her lack of a social media presence, extraordinary designer wardrobe and obvious enormous wealth

Yang was allegedly driving this Tiffany blue Rolls-Royce Cullinan when she smashed into a van driven by George Plassaras, who regularly drives for Kyle Sandilands

She has only been pictured once not wearing a face mask and once without a hat.

While Mr Plassaras continues his recovery, Yang has made no statement about the crash or publicly expressed concern for his welfare.

She has not appeared in person on the three occasions her case has been mentioned in Downing Centre Local Court.

When Yang's matter was first listed on August 15, scores of curious Chinese Australian onlookers queued outside to get a glimpse of the young woman.

Yang's barrister John Korn disclosed some of his client's background when her case was mentioned for the second time on October 26.

Mr Korn said Yang's parents had sent her to Australia at attend school when she was 14 and she was now a permanent resident.

The university student had rarely returned to China, suffered 'considerable' mental health issues and 'hardly leaves her home'.

Yang was expected to enter pleas on October 17 but instead Mr Korn asked for another adjournment while talks continued 'with the police hierarchy' over the charges.

Mr Plassaras was trapped in the wreckage of his Mercedes and could be heard yelling for help as police and Fire and Rescue NSW worked to free him from the crushed vehicle

Mr Korn said Yang would enter pleas if letters sent to police and conversations with Mr Plassaras had an 'expected result'.

A GoFundMe launched by the NSW Hire Car Association raised $8,620 for Mr Plassaras and after platform fees were deducted $8,413.86 was paid to him.

'George now faces a heartbreaking journey ahead with catastrophic injuries from head to toe,' association founder and appeal organiser Simon Kalipciyan said.

'The man who spent years ensuring others reached their destinations safely now faces the frightening prospect of not knowing if he'll ever walk normally again...'

Mr Kalipciyan said Mr Plassaras's van had been written-off in the collision.

'The vehicle that represented years of hard work, pride, and his means of earning a living is now scrap metal,' he said.

'Without income and facing mounting medical bills, George is confronting financial devastation on top of his physical trauma.'

Mr Kalipciyan said Mr Plassaras faced mounting bills for rehabilitation, treatment, home modifications and mobility aids as well as basic living expenses.

'George never asked for this,' he said.

'He was simply a hardworking professional who took pride in providing excellent service to his clients.'

Yang will be required to enter pleas when her case returns to court on November 14.
For confidential support 24/7 call Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636

A local who saw a dead woman lying face-down, covered in blood on a Sydney beach has raised concerns she may have been the victim of an attack.

The body of the 24-year-old was found by surfers and swimmers at Mona Vale Beach, in the city's Northern Beaches, on Thursday morning.

Her body reportedly had multiple knife wounds, with detectives initially called to the scene not ruling out the possibility of self-harm.

A local man, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Daily Mail that he awoke to the sounds of sirens sometime between 5am and 5.30am.

He went down to the beach to discover the area taped off and teeming with police and paramedics.

However, despite the area being cordoned off, the man was able to see the woman's body lying on the beach with her head face-down in the sand.

She was dressed in casual day attire, including brown ankle boots, a brown skirt, and a white top, and her black handbag was placed next to her.

'She had a wound on her back, you could see the rip in her shirt and blood pooling on the back of her shirt,' he said.

'There was a shard of glass in her hand, by her face [too].

An investigation is underway after a woman was found dead on a Mona Vale beach on Thursday

Detectives were seen searching through a silver car parked on the beach

A mattress could be seen in the back of the vehicle, alongside a sleeping bag and rolled up yoga mat

The beach remained closed for hours as detectives scoured the scene

Locals say the beach where the woman was found is a popular area for swimmers during the early morning hours due to its flat conditions

A dress and head scarf could be seen laid out on the mattress in the back of the car

'It doesn't make sense to me.'

The man, who lives just metres away from the beach, said the area has become popular with transients as a new amenities block, featuring hot water showers, was recently erected near the carpark.

He said people passing through Mona Vale often camp overnight in the car park so they can go for a swim and use the bathrooms and barbeque before continuing on their travels.

While the new facility offers great benefits, the man said locals have been concerned about the lack of lighting at the toilet block.

He said has often seen a group of middle aged men lurking around the facility at night time, which has sparked safety fears among the community.

'I'm a man in my 50s and even I have been intimidated by the men hanging out there,' he said.

'I can only imagine how daunting it must be for women camping in the area.'

Police have since confirmed that the matter is now definitively being treated as a self-harm incident.

Surfers and early risers stumbled across the woman's body lying on the sand and immediately raised the alarm

The woman has been formally identified

Police are pictured at the scene on Thursday

Earlier on Thursday, cops were seen rummaging through a silver Toyota Corolla station wagon with a red P-Plate parked in the cordoned-off zone as they examined the scene.

A thin mattress covered in a yellow sheet, with a bundled-up sleeping bag sitting on top, could be seen lying in the back of the car.

The Daily Mail understands the woman who passed away was local to the area and her family have been notified.

The area where the woman was found, called Basin Beach, is a popular swimming area for early risers and older residents, as the water conditions are typically flat.

Locals said a group of swimmers normally swim across the basin and back every morning.

Locals told the Daily Mail the beach was quiet this morning as the carpark remained closed off, with only a handful of people seen in the surf.

'My son heard about what happened on the news this morning and told us,' a couple said.

'Otherwise we haven't heard anything else about it.'

Police remained at the beach for almost six hours on Thursday, with officers seen carrying brown paper bags up the beach before placing them into their vehicles.

Detectives dismantled the scene at 11am, with dozens of locals seen arriving at the beach as the car park reopened.

The area where she was found is heavily monitored by security cameras, with cops seen collecting CCTV from surrounding homes.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

For confidential support 24/7, contact Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 or Lifeline: 13 11 14
The Bureau of Meteorology has come under fire after it unveiled a major redesign of its website, with users slamming the new features as 'too difficult to use'.

The overhaul, which the Bureau says will now offer 'more localised information,' sparked a wave of backlash online and on talkback radio just hours after going live.

Aussies have complained that simple features, including the much-loved rain radar, are now too difficult to locate on the redesigned platform.

Senior Meteorologist Angus Hines fronted ABC Radio to defend the changes, insisting the new site is packed with improvements.

'I've been playing around with it and I think the biggest improvement is how much information you can find for your local area,' Hines said.

He added that users can now favourite locations and access 'lots more information about today's weather observations, forecasts, rain and hourly forecasts'.

But Aussies' biggest gripe? The radar.

Many users say they can't see the forecasted weather in their area on the website, with the new version only showing the past 40 minutes of weather.

The Bureau of Meteorology has come under fire after it unveiled a major redesign of its website, with users slamming the new features as frustrating and confusing

The new website rain radar starts zoomed out, and only shows the past 40 minutes of weather

'Why can't you see what's coming?' ABC host Ali Moore pressed.

Hines admitted the feature is available on the Bureau's app, but not on the website.

'That's a good question,' he conceded, noting he wasn't involved in the redesign.

Angry Aussies have taken to social media to complain about the Bureau redesign.

'The rain radar without weather observations is an abomination,' one wrote.

Another said the site was now 'too difficult to use'.

Not everyone was critical, with one user urging patience.

'I'll cut the technical folks some slack. The old site was old and there is a really good chance that a lot of the stuff powering it is so outdated and/or arcane that it can't be supported anymore and has to be rebuilt from the ground up,' they said.

An image of the old rain radar, which showed forecasts of rain, not just the last 40 minutes

'In absolutely zero such projects do you get full feature parity on the rebuilt site when you first launch it.'

Another said they felt bad for those responsible for the redesign.

'Can you imagine being an unwitting web designer for them, when all these shenanigans started? Like they probably thought "oh yeah this looks nice I'm sure people will like this". Must've been such a shocker,' they wrote.

The Bureau of Meteorology came under fire in 2022 over another rebranding effort that urged Australians to stop using its long-standing nickname, 'the BoM.'

The move sparked widespread backlash after the government agency asked media outlets to refer to it only as 'The Bureau'.

Then Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek criticised the campaign at the time, saying the agency's priority 'should be on weather, not branding.'
A Thai strip club waitress has handed in a bag containing nearly AUD$10,000 accidentally left behind by an Australian tourist who sat outside during an early morning walk.

Despite it being a huge sum for a low-wage worker, Chomnad Singaod, 42, had no hesitation in handing in the bag to police after seeing the cash, credit cards and Australian passport inside.

The barmaid found the bum-bag in front of Queen Club, a go-go bar on Soi LK Metro in Pattaya, commonly dubbed Thailand's 'Sin City'.

She initially believed it belonged to one of her co-workers, who had a very similar looking bag, but was astounded to find $9,700 in Australian cash and other valuables.

The bag was found to belong to 48-year-old Aussie Shane Steven Mark Gabrielli.

CCTV footage showed him stopping for a rest on the bar's front porch in the largely empty street at 7.30 on the morning of October 13 after a night out.

He then got up and walked away, leaving behind the bag of cash.

Ms Singaod said she couldn't believe her find.

Honest strip club worker Chomnad Singaod handed in a bag with $10,000 in it

Plenty of $100 notes were found in the bag with nearly $10,000 in it

'When I opened another side of the bag, I found Australian currency, a passport and credit cards,' she said.

'I didn't know how much, but it was large stacks. Quite a lot, so I filmed a video as evidence to protect myself.

'I didn't want anybody saying I had taken the money.

'The bag was left right in front of the shop. If it went missing, people would think I took it. That would not look good.'

She said she never considered keeping the cash, despite being able to exchange it for around 200,000 baht and 'take a long holiday from work'.

'Yes, it was a large amount. Much more than I have ever had in my own bank account.

'I could stop work for the rest of the year, but that would be the wrong thing to do. It would be bad karma.

'I don't need a reward or anything from the owner. He can buy me a beer, that will be nice.'

Ms Singaod checks the bag with police after handing it in

Aussie Shane Steven Mark Gabrielli sits for a rest after a night out in Thailand

Mr Gabrielli was seen walking away, leaving the bag still on the porch.

Ms Singaod reviewed CCTV footage to identify the owner and handed the bag, along with the security footage, to local police.

They watched the footage showing Mr Gabrielli carrying shoes in one hand and the bum bag in the other as he sat down, before getting up and walking away without the bag.

Police Lieutenant Akkaraphong Sanputawong said officers checked the contents and found an Australian passport with Mr Gabrielli's details along with the cash.

'The man sat in front of the shop, appearing exhausted,' Lieutenant Akkaraphong said.

'He held the shoes in his left hand and the shoulder bag in his right. Then, he left the bag behind and walked away.'

Police are still searching for Mr Gabrielli and have urged him or anyone with information to come forward.

The beachside city of Pattaya is a tourist hotspot, but its many late-night bars and red-light areas make it a magnet for petty crime, scams and drunken excess.
An interior designer best known for his wild antics on a hit US reality show has hit back at explosive claims from a disgruntled employee, amid reports that a member of the powerful Fairfax publishing dynasty is preparing to sue him for $1.1 million.

Jack Freeman, 27 - who has just returned to Sydney after a lavish European summer - is said to be fuming over allegations from an unnamed insider at his own firm, Freeman & Co, that he ordered staff pay cuts while flaunting his jet-set lifestyle online.

'The wild thing is that at the same time he was posting photos of his new G-Wagon and flying private through Europe, he told his staff he needed to give them a 30 per cent salary cut,' a source told The Australian's Margin Call column.

But Freeman has rubbished the claims as 'hearsay' and hinted that there was more to the story.

'It's entirely false,' he told the Daily Mail.

'People have made some very bold statements that, you know, are not the truth there's much more to that story, but I'm not going to get into it.'

Jack Freeman, a high-flying interior designer best known for his wild antics on a hit US reality show, has hit back at explosive claims from a disgruntled staffer

Jack Freeman has just returned to Sydney after a lavish European summer, is said to be fuming over allegations from inside his own firm

Now back in Sydney, where he splits his time between London, Freeman is focusing on his role as creative director for this week's Soiree by the Sea charity gala at Catalina restaurant in Rose Bay in Sydney's well-heeled east.

The event comes off the back of a viral Below Deck Mediterranean appearance, where he cemented his reputation as the guest from hell.

The young creative was caught licking caviar off his hand, demanding Szechuan chicken at midnight, and complaining that the hot tub was 'too hot.'

Chief stewardess Aesha Scott warned the crew ahead of time that Freeman was 'high maintenance,' recalling a previous charter trip where his outlandish requests kept staff on their toes.

Dressed head-to-toe in white, Freeman was seen dancing erratically before falling asleep mid-snack request - a scene he now laughs off.

'That's classic me after one too many tequilas,' he joked.

'But don't expect me to go overboard on Friday (at the event).'

The event, which has already sold out its $10,000 VIP tables, will raise funds for the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute and feature Richard Wilkins as MC.

The harbour-front venue will be transformed into a summer oasis, complete with Jeff Leatham-inspired florals, chandeliers, gold-plated palm trees, roaming caviar and free-flowing champagne.

Freeman is seen aboard a private jet

Freeman has taken on the role as creative director for this week's Soiree by the Sea charity gala Catalina restaurant in Rose Bay in Sydney's well-heeled east

Guests expected to attend include designer Michael Lo Sordo, philanthropist Vanessa Fennel, entrepreneur Alyce Tran, Real Housewives of Sydney star Krissy Marsh, and elusive millionaire Gabriel Jakob.

'I have a number of family and friends who have unfortunately passed away from heart-related diseases,' he said.

'So when they asked me to be part of this, it was extra special. I really wanted to create something meaningful... a literal 'beating heart' experience.'

Freeman has been working on the restaurant's transformation for the evening with fellow board members Christian Wilkins and James Camilleri, a lobbyist.

'We've sold out the event and the VIP booths, and people are literally begging for tickets - it's the most sought after party in town,' he said.
The first Australian state to deny puberty blockers for young transgender patients stands accused of stoking "Trump-style hate" after becoming embroiled in a landmark court battle.

The mother of a trans teenager unable to access hormone therapy on Wednesday became the first to launch legal action over the Queensland government's decision, sparking protests outside court.

Dozens gathered to chant 'trans power' ahead of the legal challenge at Brisbane's Supreme Court amid claims the government's stance may cost lives.

'This government is just appealing to a small minority of far-right people who want to bring Trump-style hate and division to Australia, and we're here to say no,' Trans Justice Project's Jodie Hall said.

The mother, who cannot be named, launched legal action after Queensland became the first to ban hormone treatments for children diagnosed with gender dysphoria in January.

Queensland's Liberal National government made the call amid claims puberty blockers had been given to children as young as 12 without authorised care.

Hormone therapies are no longer accessible to the state's new patients aged under 18 as the government awaits the result of a review into the treatment.

Lawyers for the mother argued Queensland Health's director-general David Rosengren improperly exercised his power in suspending the treatments.

They claim the decision was not based on medical evidence, but at the behest of the conservative LNP government.

The first Australian state to deny puberty blockers for young transgender patients stands accused of stoking "Trump-style hate" after becoming embroiled in a landmark court battle.

The LGBTI Legal Service sought a judicial review by the Queensland Supreme Court to determine if the decision was lawful.

Barrister Mark Steele argued there had been clear and direct interference in the decision by the LNP government.

He mapped the decision's timing, accusing Health Minister Tim Nicholls of political overreach by announcing the ban before any official department decision.

'We say, beyond drawing the inference, that the respondent here acted at the direction of the minister,' Mr Steele told the court.

'The necessary consultation that was required of the health services did not occur in this case ... because the minister had in fact already made the announcement.'

The legal review will not challenge the merit of the ban, but whether the directive was made independently, lawfully and in public consultation.

Queensland Health argued discussion to ban puberty blockers began in December, weeks before the decision was made public, and was based on Dr Rosengren's advice.

'The director-general here gave a direction, but it was a decision-making process in which there was both political participation and executive participation,' barrister representing the government Jonathan Horton said.

Equality Australia said politicians had no place interfering in people's private medical decisions.

'After what we've heard in court today, it appears this decision was a forgone conclusion,' Heather Corkhill told AAP.

Queensland's Liberal National government made the call amid claims puberty blockers had been given to children as young as 12 without authorised care

'That care was paused in the absence of any clinical evidence, consideration of the number of children affected, whether any alternative services would be available or the potentially devastating psychological affects for young people.

'In the rush, they don't seem to have followed their own consultation requirements.'

Protesters outside court demanded the government decision be reversed.

'This government is playing with children's lives, and there is a very real risk of harm and even death amongst these kids, and that is just not acceptable,' Piper Valkyrie said.

Trans Justice Project said all children deserved a healthcare system that allowed them to grow up with the freedom to be themselves, accusing the LNP government of 'catastrophically' overreaching.

'This ban must be ended and health care for young people reinstated,' Jodie Hall said.

The health minister on Wednesday said genuine concerns surrounding puberty blockers had been raised around the world.

'It's entirely appropriate that we have this pause while we get the review to make sure that the clinical pathways that are recommended are appropriate and do no harm,' Mr Nicholls said.

A judgment is expected to be handed down next week.
Pentagon boss Pete Hegseth faced yet another setback in his mission to rebrand the US military as a photogenic 'warrior' class following a lawsuit from school children.

The Defense Department was hit with the legal action after Hegseth ordered military schools to remove hundreds of books about race and sex due to their allegedly 'woke' content.

Some of the banned books include Maya Angelou's classic novel I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and State of Emergency with a foreword by Cardi B.

In a shock move, a federal judge said Hegseth's order violated First Amendment rights following a lawsuit brought on behalf of pre-K to 11th grade students.

The so-called Department of War must restock military libraries with the 'banned' books, including titles such as White Fragility and Was the Cat in the Hat Black?

The move comes as Hegseth's management of the most powerful military in history was described as 'soul-sucking' and the Defense chief was branded an 'empty suit running this department into the ground.'

The former Fox News host launched a 'War on Woke' when he took over the department, and has since implemented major changes to instill a 'warrior ethos.'

The administration rebranded the Department of Defense to the 'Department of War.' He also vowed to restore 'scary, tough, disciplined' fitness regiments because he was 'tired of seeing fat troops.'

'We became the woke department. But not anymore,' Hegseth recently told top generals as he boasted about eliminating DEI from the military.

Besieged Pentagon boss Pete Hegseth has faced yet another setback after a federal judge ordered he return banned books focusing on equality and diversity to military school libraries across the United States

Hegseth launched a 'War on Woke' when he took over the department, and has since implemented several highly contentious changes to operations in an effort to instill a 'warrior ethos' among personnel

'No more identity months, DEI offices, dudes in dresses. No more climate change worship. No more division, distraction or gender delusions.'

The decision by Biden-appointed judge Patricia Giles came on the back of a lawsuit filed by the ACLU on behalf of students attending military schools in Virginia, Kentucky, Italy and Japan.

Hegseth said at the time that educational materials at the libraries 'promoting divisive concepts and gender ideology are incompatible with the Department's core mission.

But the judge's order so far only affects five schools named in the lawsuit: Crossroads Elementary School at Quantico Marine Corps Base, Virginia; Barsanti Elementary School at Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Aviano Middle-High School, Italy; Sollars Elementary and Egdren Middle High School at Misawa Air Base, Japan.

The American Civil Liberties Union had asked the judge to apply her order to all 161 DoD run military schools across the United States and 11 foreign countries, but the request was denied.

Judge Giles said a Supreme Court decision earlier this year set a basis determining 'universal injunctions likely exceed the power Congress has granted to federal courts.'

As a result, she said her decision would be limited to the five schools named in the lawsuit.

The Secretary of Defense had in April ordered the removal of as many as 600 books from military bases in his effort to rid the department of ' woke ' DEI practises

Divisions in the War Department flared in September when Hegseth unprecedentedly summoned 800 senior military leaders worldwide for a lecture on stricter fitness rules, grooming standards and his campaign against 'wokeness'

Those schools would not be able to take any further action to remove educational books as the case proceeds through the courts.

Kasey Meehan from PEN America said the decision was 'a solid first step in a long road to restoring and protecting students' freedom to read in schools run for military families.'

It is also a bitter blow to Hegseth, who has already faced scrutiny this month with insiders increasingly questioning his ability to lead the department.

One high-ranking officer and two longtime civilian military officials slammed their boss as a lightweight and grandstander who less than nine months into his tenure has lost the respect of the department's top brass.

Each said the Pentagon is in a tailspin, with widespread uncertainty about Hegseth's policies and strategies, especially in the Caribbean, and unprecedented deployments of national guard troops to US cities.

'What we have here is an empty suit running this department into the ground,' one of the civilians who has worked in the Pentagon for nearly three decades said.

'It is soul sucking to witness,' said the other.

The Secretary of Defense is tightening his grip on staff by barring all military personnel from speaking to Congress without express approval.

He outlined the new changes in a staff memo on October 15, according to NBC News.

The Secretary of Defense is tightening his grip on staff by barring all military personnel from speaking to Congress without express approval

The memo states the 'Department of War relies on a collaborative and close partnership with Congress to achieve our legislative goals.

'This requires coordination and alignment of Department messaging when engaging with Congress to ensure consistency and support for the Department's priorities to re-establish deterrence, rebuild our military, and revive the warrior ethos.'

It is the latest in Hegseth's efforts to tighten his grip on what information comes out of the Pentagon after last week demanding journalists sign a new compliance policy that trampled all over the First Amendment.

The policy bans military personnel from making 'unauthorized disclosures' to the media, and all journalists and publications who refused to sign were given a deadline to pack their desks and hand in their press passes.

Dozens of journalists from publications across the political spectrum opted to turn in their badges and left the building last week.

Critics have noted Hegseth's crackdown on reporters comes after his own major blunder and security breach in March, when he released war plans in a Signal chat without realizing the editor of The Atlantic had been unintentionally added to the group.

Hegseth listed weapons systems and a timeline for the attack on Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen in the chat, but argued no classified information was shared.
The career criminal caught on camera fatally stabbing a Ukrainian refugee could now face the death penalty.

Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of violence against a railroad carrier and mass transportation system resulting in death on Wednesday, WBTV reports.

The indictment notes that he could be eligible for the death penalty, based off a prior conviction in 2015 for robbery with a dangerous weapon.

Lauren Newton, an attorney representing the Zarutska family, said loved ones are 'pleased the federal grand jury returned the indictment against Decarlos Brown Jr.

'We are hopeful for swift justice,' she added.

Authorities have said Brown repeatedly stabbed 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska with a pocket knife from behind aboard a Lynx Blue Line train in Charlotte, North Carolina on August 22.

Shocking surveillance footage from the scene showed the suspect watching Zarutska for some time after she sat in the row in front of him, before taking what appeared to be a blade from his pocked.

Brown then stood up and loomed over the Ukrainian refugee, swinging the knife at her as she sat on her phone.

Decarlos Brown Jr.,34, was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of violence against a railroad carrier and mass transportation system resulting in death on Wednesday

Shocking video surveillance showed Brown appear to stab Iryna Zarutska, 23, aboard a Lynx Blue Line train in Charlotte, North Carolina on August 22

As Brown then exited the train, he left behind a trail of blood - though other passengers did not seem to realize the murder that occurred in front of them.

Video then showed Zarutska curled up with her knees against her chest and her hands over her mouth while she looks up at her attacker. About 15 seconds later, she fell to the floor.

At that point, passengers started making frantic phone calls to the Charlotte police.

'A man just f***ing stabbed this woman for no reason. I was standing right beside her,' one man said during a three-minute call on August 22, according to the New York Post. 'Please hurry, shes bleeding. Shes bleeding a lot.'

Another caller, when asked if he needed firefighters or police, responded, 'Police, man. This girl just got stabbed on the train.'

'I think she's dead, man,' he added as sirens could be heard in the background. 'The firetrucks just got here but there's no police presence, and the guy that did it is standing over here on the ramp.'

A third witness told the dispatcher that Zarutska  who came to the United States in 2022 to flee the violence in Ukraine after Russia's invasion  was 'not responsive.' She added that bystanders were trying to stop the bleeding by putting pressure on her wounds.

'This lady just got stabbed. There is a lady on the ground with a lot of bloodwe didnt see it,' the caller said.

Zarutska came to the United States in 2022 to flee the violence in Ukraine after Russia 's invasion

The senseless nature of Zarutska's murder, plus the fact that Brown had been released after a misdemeanor charge months before the crime, has made it a political flashpoint for Republicans and the Trump administration.

'For far too long, Americans have been forced to put up with Democrat-run cities that set loose savage, bloodthirsty criminals to prey on innocent people,' President Donald Trump said on September 9 in an Oval Office address.

'In Charlotte, North Carolina, we saw the results of these policies when a 23-year-old woman who came here from Ukraine met her bloody end on a public train,' he added. 'A beautiful young girl that never had problems in life, with a magnificent future in this country and now she's dead.'

Brown has spent most of his life in and out of prison, spending five years behind bars for the armed robbery.

He was released in September 2020 and went right back to his old ways.

President Donald Trump condemned the murder in a message from the Oval Office

The career criminal's most recent arrest before Zarutska's killing came on January 19, when he was taken into custody for 'misuse of the 911 system'.

He called the authorities while police were conducting a welfare check on him. He made the call to 911 because officers told him there was nothing they could do about the 'man-made' material in his body he claimed was controlling his every move.

That aligned with what Brown's sister claimed he told her in a jailhouse phone call.

She said he believed the government had planted foreign 'materials' into his brain and they had been in control of his actions when he pulled the knife on Zarutska.

'I strongly feel like he should not have been on the streets at all,' Tracey said. 'I'm going to be honest. I'm not blaming anyone for his actions, except for the state. I'm blaming the state for letting him down as far as seeking help.'

Brown now remains behind bars as he awaits trial.

In addition to the federal charges, Brown is facing first-degree murder charges at the state level. Both crimes can now be punished with life in prison or the death penalty, after North Carolina Governor Josh Stein signed a bill into law earlier this month reinstating the use of the death penalty in the state.

There had previously been a moratorium on the death penalty in North Carolina since the early 2000s.

The new law, entitled 'Iryna's Law,' also aimed to end cashless bail and expedite death penalty cases in the Tarheel State.

It was signed into law by Stein on October 3, though he took issue with a provision that would give prisoners the option of choosing death by firing squad, which he called 'barbaric.'

He said there would be no death by firing squad while he is in office.
A fed-up worker at a small burger chain has unleashed on Uber Eats after he accused a driver of trying to deliver an order without using a hot bag.

Hot bags are used by delivery drivers to make sure customers' meals stay warm during the car or bike trip to their allocated drop-off point.

'Uber Eats, you've got some serious explaining to do,' the worker from Stax Burger Co, which has two stores in South Australia, said in a TikTok rant.

'The guy in the blue track pants is one of your drivers and we refused him service because he didn't have a bag, so he waited around for someone (another driver) to grab a bag of, came in and absolutely swindled us.

'He comes out, takes the customer's food out of the bag and keeps stepping (away), giving the bag back to his mate.'

The worker claimed he 'snatched' the bag off the delivery driver.

'That is how you do customer service. I go and put it back in the warmer, keeping it nice and safe for the customer, and putting them first like you should be,' he said.

'The guy follows me in, tries to get aggressive at me, has a go in front of my staff, and I tell him: "Too bad mate, you're not coming back here again. We're going to keep this customer's order fresh and you can get out".

A fed-up worker (pictured) at a small burger chain has unleashed on Uber Eats after he accused a driver of trying to deliver an order without using a hot bag

The worker accused the Uber Eats driver of not using a hot bag to deliver the food

'Uber, you need to get this fixed. You (customer) are paying way too much for it and it's just a s**t service at the end of the day.'

He explained that Stax Burger Co organised for a new driver to come and collect the meal, and said they would make a fresh one if required.

But some Aussies questioned if a hot bag was an essential item for delivery drivers.

'With us you are required. It's also a feature in Uber to be a "bag required" venue,' the Stax Burger worker replied.

Another person wrote: 'The amount of Uber drivers I have told to go get their heat bags is ridiculous. And then they come back with attitude.

'The amount of deliveries I have had and the drivers just have the bag sitting on their front seat. Always cold.'

'Every Uber is worried about reviews, they will do anything in their power to do everything right. Unfortunately, this guy didn't have a bag and he should have been more organised,' a third person said.

Daily Mail has contacted Uber Eats for comment.
The Fair Work Commission's decision to back a long-serving Westpac employee's bid to work from home full time isn't a revolution, but it is certainly a reality check for employers in this country.

And when the Daily Mail broke the story it certainly generated a lot of interest, including media coverage right across the spectrum: news stories, analysis pieces, even editorials.

Self-interest has also turned the topic into one of those 'around the water cooler' conversations. Perhaps because the employees having them would rather be at home.

The law already requires genuine consideration be given to work from home requests, but there is now a precedent which goes a little further, or at least has the potential to do so when disputes arise in the future.

A part-time mortgage operations staffer with 23 years of service asked to keep working remotely when going full time, as she had successfully done for years previously. Westpac said no, insisting on two days a week in the office.

Her commute from the outer south-west of Sydney would have been close to two hours, interfering with school drop off and pick up times.

The Commission essentially found the bank's reasons for refusing the work from home request were inadequate, and therefore sided with the employee.

It's not quite the state creating a universal right to work from home, rather it's the umpire enforcing a law that obliges employers to have reasonable grounds for saying no.

In this case, they didn't, so the umpire ruled against the bank.

Westpac argued its two day a week in office attendance policy was essential. Pictured: Westpac CEO Anthony Miller and HR boss Kate Dee, who was only recently appointed

The Fair Work Commission has already kicked off a major case that could reshape flexible working conditions for white collar workers across the whole economy

Plenty of managers talk about the magic of hallway chats in the office - as if that alone warrants mandatory attendance.

But if an employee has demonstrated they can do their job remotely, and the employer can't show it is suffering a measurable detriment from such an arrangement, the warm glow of being present just won't cut it in our post-pandemic culture.

All Westpac could really muster when it tried to claim the work from home demand was reasonable was generalised claims about team bonding. However, weighed against the staff member's proven performance from home, and parenting responsibilities, it wasn't enough.

But the terms of this dispute matter. Anyone wanting wider work from home rights shouldn't assume they will follow from this decision. Equally, the panic in some quarters of the business community is likely premature.

The judgement is extremely contained, suggesting that what was determined says more about a poor management culture within Westpac than it does about employers losing rights.

That said, the Commission has already kicked off a major case that could reshape flexible working conditions across the whole economy.

The FWC has started work on a standard work from home clause for the Clerks Award, which is the main white collar award.

It is basically a test case to lock in consistent national rules on remote work, including who is eligible, and other details.

Once it's finalised it would become the template for other office based awards, so it could reshape flexible working conditions across the economy.

The Commission will probably find something of a middle ground... But it goes without saying that the future of WFH is that it will come with even more codified rules and expectations

Employers want to preserve managerial discretion, while unions are warning against trading away penalty rates and overtime in exchange for formalised WFH opportunities.

Both sides are likely to overreach when setting out terms that would be satisfied with.

The Commission will probably find something of a middle ground, but the direction this issue is going in is increasingly obvious: working from home is moving from pandemic improvisation to having specific rules.

While that shift was probably inevitable (and necessary too), I do wonder if it disrupts the only way that working from home actually successfully benefits both employers and employees. That is, when the goodwill to make it work is felt by all parties.

In short, maybe working from home needs to be seen as a privilege rather than a right. Industrial action making it a right is likely to dampen productivity, even if it's true that many workers believe they are more productive at home.

That's because when all parties are happy with it, it manifests itself into excellent output.

There is a political context to this debate too. Governments want CBDs to start humming again.

Yet public policy should be wary of blanket mandates that shift costs onto families with school age children or onto workers who were hired, trained and rewarded while successfully working remotely.

Just as there are downsides to embedding the right to WFH, there are also downsides to embedding the right of employers to take it away.

This is a debate with many shades of grey, which the often black and white industrial relations system isn't always well-equipped to navigate.

If productivity is the yardstick best used when assessing individual WFH cases (and it should be), employers need to show where and how it drops when an individual stays home. If the answer is that they simply don't know, but suspect that it does, that's not good enough.

In the data-driven era we are living in, tangible evidence must be presented.

Employees don't have an absolute right to work from home, and the Westpac judgment hasn't changed that... But smarter businesses will allow flexibility when it's been earned and when it's efficient

The lesson for boards and HR bosses is important: assess situations on a case-by-case basis. Where there are genuine reasons employees need to be in the office, such as client confidentiality, hardware constraints that require it, or because facing the customer matters, that's fair enough.

Not all professions can accommodate working from home. Which is why the approach being taken in Victoria - making WFH a legal right - is so silly.

However, in cases where working from home has been successfully done for years, a two days in rule for its own sake is managerial theatre. Employees don't have an absolute right to work from home, and the Westpac judgment hasn't changed that.

But they certainly do have a meaningful right to ask, as well as receive a response, anchored in evidence if the answer is no. Especially when the job has been successfully done from home before.

This decision doesn't mean everyone gets to dial-in forever. But it's part of a trend line that is heading in that direction, and it will be interesting to see how politicians react.

Ironically, many Labor MPs are sympathetic to the right to work from home, unions too - but when they put their employer hats on, neither are very good at allowing it amongst their own staff.

Westpac isn't the villain of late capitalism here, but it did get caught leaning too far into a 'one size fits all' model. Smarter businesses will see the writing on the wall and keep offices for the work that requires them, saving on office space costs when it does not.

They'll allow flexibility when it's been earned and when it's efficient, to mitigate against potential bad apples who might abuse it.

The Commission didn't hand down a romantic ode to remote work. It corrected a dumb decision within a big organisation that has never cared about the little guy. That's Westpac through and through.
Anthony Albanese has been accused of using Australians' retirement savings as a bargaining chip following a high-stakes meeting with US President Donald Trump.

The backlash followed a White House fact sheet claiming Trump had secured 'Billion-Dollar Deals with Australia' across critical minerals, defence, and superannuation.

It said Australian super funds would invest $US1.44trillion (AU$2.2trillion) in the United States by 2035 - nearly $US1trillion above current levels.

The statement credited Trump with creating 'tens of thousands of high-paying American jobs,' casting his dealings with Australia as a political victory.

The Prime Minister appeared to support the framing, later calling Australia's $4.2trillion superannuation pool a 'significant resource' that 'we want to use'.

Critics said his phrasing reinforced concerns that Labor was using the hard-earned savings of everyday Australians as a political instrument in talks with the US.

'Albanese got played,' former Liberal MP Craig Kelly said.

'Under this deal, Australia has to invest $1000billion in the US, and the US only invests $5billion in Australia in return. Has there ever been a more one-sided deal?'

Anthony Albanese has been accused of using Australians' retirement savings as a bargaining chip following a high-stakes meeting with US President Donald Trump

The backlash followed a White House fact sheet claiming Trump had secured 'Billion-Dollar Deals with Australia' across critical minerals, defence, and superannuation

Shadow Treasurer Ted O'Brien also accused Albanese of overstepping by indulging the investment projections.

'How is it you have a Prime Minister doing a deal with another country using Australian retirement savings?' he told Sky News.

'Superannuation isn't a plaything of government. Investment decisions belong to the funds, not politicians.'

At this stage, however, there is no formal deal between the two leaders. The White House figure was based on an industry projection rather than an agreement.

The investment projection was made by super funds at an industry event hosted in Washington in February, the Australian Financial Review reported.

If Trump's projections are to come true, then Australian super funds will have to more than double their investments in the US within a decade.

Reaching that target would require a continued appetite for US assets by local fund managers in Australia.

At this stage, however, there is no formal deal between the two leaders (pictured)

Australia's superannuation pool, currently about $4.2trillion, is expected to grow to $7.2trillion by 2035.

This would take Australia's retirement savings pool from the world's fourth largest to second, spurred on by mandatory contributions inching up from 11.5 per cent to 12 per cent in July.

Experts say Trump's rhetoric is more flourish than dealmaking coup, given the projected growth will come from natural forces rather than political intervention.

Mary Delahunty, chief executive of the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia, said there are indicators the investments will deepen naturally.

'The US is the world's largest and deepest capital market,' she said in a statement.

'It's natural that investment there will grow as Australia's retirement savings pool expands. Industry projections are indicative.

'Investment decisions are entirely at the discretion of funds and are made solely in the interests of returns to members.'

Daily Mail has contacted Albanese's office for comment.
His killers managed to get off murder charges with plea deals

Gruesome details outlining the horrific final moments of a troubled dad have been aired for the first time.

Dance music fan Matthew John Warrington, 47, suffered a slow and agonising death at the hands of three thugs who treated him with callous disregard.

On Thursday, Kasha McIver, her boyfriend Dylan Wyatt and mate Brendan Dalton each faced the Supreme Court of Victoria over the death of Mr Warrington.

Although all three had initially faced murder charges, they each pleaded guilty in April to manslaughter in a prosecution deal that came about due to the high levels of illicit drugs later found in Mr Warrington's system.

Mr Warrington is believed to have been killed sometime on July 16, 2023 inside the house of horrors he shared with McIver on Binalong Avenue, Chadstone in Melbourne's south-east - the house was later set on fire by his attackers.

When police found the beloved father's body propped up against a tree near Chadstone Shopping Centre it had been mangled beyond all comprehension, with wounds around both knees that suggested someone had tried to saw off his legs.

A finger had also been removed and duct tape was found tightly wound around his neck.

His body also appeared to have been brutally beaten by what police suspected was an extendable baton.

Matthew John Warrington, 47, suffered a slow and agonising death

Crown prosecutor David Glynn told the court after killing Mr Warrington, Wyatt paraded the severed finger, showed Polaroid photos of the distressed Warrington and admitted bashing, killing, chopping up, and dumping his body to make it look like suicide.

Police found three photos of Mr Warrington taken by McIver during what could have been the final moments of his life.

'Wyatt is depicted in the photographs standing over Warrington. Warrington is hogtied and injured. Wyatt is holding Warrington up off the ground, tape wrapped around his neck, and making a sign of devil horns,' Mr Glynn said.

'The prosecution rely on the photographs as demonstrating the severity of the assault inflicted, the participation by both McIver and Wyatt in inflicting and documenting the assault, and the deceased's state of extreme distress or incapacitation at that time.'

The court heard forensic experts were unable to determine exactly how Mr Warrington died despite evidence he had been severely bashed in the head and neck.

The court heard the trio planned to bash Mr Warrington to score drugs and cash and pay him back for supposedly allowing McIver to take the blame when his drugs were found by police in her home.

On the day of the attack, they believed Mr Warrington would be vulnerable due to his own drug habit and would be easily subdued.

The true extent of what happened that day will only be known by those three.

Brendan Dalton (left) arrives at the Supreme Court of Victoria in Melbourne on Thursday.

But if the conversations that followed the incident were true, Mr Warrington could have suffered even worse than police could ever prove.

The court heard claims the group tortured Mr Warrington under false accusations he was a paedophile.

One man told police he overheard a conversation between the three discussing the things they planned to do in the attack.

'I'll throw acid in his face,' Wyatt was allegedly heard saying.

'I want to torture him,' McIver chimed in before allegedly discussing how they would go about it.

This included tying him up, splashing acid on him and burning him, the court heard.

'McIver and Wyatt were talking about a Taser they owned. Wyatt went outside to get a hammer,' Mr Glynn said.

Forensic doctors would later find no evidence on Mr Warrington's battered remains indicating he had been burnt, splashed with acid, or Tasered.

A forensic investigator is seen at a crime scene established at a residential property along Binalong Avenue in Chadstone in 2023

Police attend the house of horrors in Chadstone

The court heard the vile treatment of Mr Warrington's corpse ought to earn the killers a harsher sentence.

Police were told Wyatt bragged about what had happened over the following days, producing his victim's finger to friends like some kind of sick trophy.

'Wyatt walked into the kitchen and produced a freezer bag containing the deceased's severed finger and paraded the finger throwing it at those present,' Mr Glynn said.

'Wyatt made the following admissions as recounted by those present in respect of what had occurred: that he had bashed the deceased before they killed him; they chopped him up and put him in a wheelie bin before they dumped him on the track to make it look like it was a suicide.

'He told (a man) "you can have your baton back I cleaned it". And he justified the killing claiming that he "took out a paedophile".'

The three will be sentenced at a date to be fixed.
Julie Bishop has denied going to ground or making her Instagram private amid mounting controversy over her role as Chancellor of the Australian National University.

The former Foreign Minister, who flaunts her glamorous post-politics lifestyle to more than 111,000 followers, has also told Daily Mail Australia she has no intention of stepping down from her role at ANU.

Bishop appeared to have vanished from public view, with many users noticing her Instagram account suddenly going private following explosive bullying allegations raised in Parliament.

However, she flatly denied this via an ANU spokesperson, who issued a curt 'no' when asked whether Bishop had switched her account to private or stopped attending public events and appearances on campus.

It does appear, however, that Bishop's Instagram is now visible only to a limited audience, at least for the time being.

Addressing bullying and hostility claims made by former ANU council member Dr Liz Allen, the ANU spokesperson said the Chancellor 'rejects these false and unsubstantiated allegations.'

Bishop further confirmed she intends to serve out her full term as Chancellor through to 2026, despite pressure to resign.

While Bishop faced a packed town hall in September to defend her decision to stay on, staff have since claimed shes been largely absent from the campus.

Julie Bishop arrives at a town-hall meeting in September to address bullying and other claims following the resignation of her vice-chancellor Genevieve Bell

There were claims Bishop was a no-show at a recent university event, with some joking she had 'gone into hiding.'

There is mounting scrutiny over her role in appointing ANU vice-chancellor Genevieve Bell, who resigned from the post last month.

Bell's shock departure followed months of controversy over a $250 million cost-cutting program and distressing allegations aired in Parliament by senior academic Dr Liz Allen.

The cost-cutting measures, which included forced redundancies, addressed the university's worsening financial position.

Dr Allen, a demographer and former ANU council member, accused Bishop of being 'arrogant' during a teary appearance before a Senate inquiry into higher-education governance in August.

She told the committee that since 2024 she had faced 'threats, intimidation and bullying because I sought greater probity of council conduct.

Dr Allen alleged Bishop and other senior executives engaged in hostile behaviour and said that before resigning from the council in April she 'lost the opportunity of a promotion.

'I fear for my job and my career has been derailed. I felt threatened and became extremely fearful. I believed my job was at risk,' she said.

She further claimed that in February, Chancellor Bishop 'made significant allegations of improper and illegal activity relating to the leaking of confidential matters  specifically naming me and the undergraduate student representative.'

The former foreign minister's glamorous Instagram page (above with boyfriend Stephen on a lavish Dubai getaway in July) has now been turned private as the embattled chancellor is urged to resign

Dr Liz Allen said she had been bullied and threatened at ANU and alleged Bishop had made 'significant allegations' against her

Julie Bishop on her first day as chancellor of ANU, a job which is now under threat by calls for her to resign in the wake of bullying allegations

Dr Allen said she had never leaked confidential council business but claimed that after the meeting Bishop had 'further berated me' in a private room and 'laughed incredulously at my emotional response and at one point blocked me leaving the room.

'I was so distressed I couldn't breathe and struggled walking.'

She said the meeting had ongoing consequences, including a threatening letter from a legal office, delayed publication of an article, and led to colleagues being afraid to collaborate with her because they feared ANU's leadership.

'My online and work activities are monitored, and I recently received numerous emails from the Vice-Chancellor's head of public affairs and the senior advisor noting they were 'watching my public comments',' she said.

Dr Allen said the emotional toll of her ordeal with ANU was so severe that she considered suicide.

'On a drive home, I decided to kill myself,' she told Parliament. 'I pulled over to write final goodbyes to my children and partner.

'I emailed my supervisors because I knew I hadn't done anything wrong. A call from my husband stopped me taking my life.'

Dr Allen said she also suffered a miscarriage.

In a statement, Chancellor Bishop denied Dr Allen's allegations, saying: 'I reject any suggestion that I have engaged with Council members, staff, students and observers in any way other than with respect, courtesy and civility.'

Julie Bishop has continued her glamorous jet-setting life after her career as a foreign minister, and regularly posted to her 111,000 followers of her Instagram page until recently

Genevieve Bell, who resigned as ANU Vice-Chancellor a month ago after months of controversy over a $250 million cost-cutting program

Ms Bishop also 'absolutely rejected' claims that she wielded 'godlike powers, unchecked' or that a 'culture of fear and intimidation' existed under her leadership of council meetings.

'I reject absolutely ... that "dissent" is "discouraged", that Council is "dysfunctional and toxic under the current regime", that elected members are "afraid", that Council is orchestrated cinema to make it appear that what's happening is legitimate when it's not', or that the nature of Council is "divide and conquer", Bishop wrote.

More than 800 ANU employees passed a vote of no confidence against Bishop and ANU vice chancellor Genevieve Bell's leadership in February.

The vote, arranged by the National Tertiary Education Union, passed with a 95 per cent vote against the two leaders.

Jonathan Churchill, ANU's chief operating officer told staff in an email the vote was not representative of the university's nearly 5,000 employee headcount.

For confidential crisis support call Lifeline on 13 11 14
When Andrew Kane was bitten by a horsefly at work, he was not concerned in the slightest.

The red mark had only caused some slight itchiness, and antibiotics prescribed by doctors seemed to solve things.

But just weeks later the farm worker, 31, was dead, after collapsing on a night out and then developing sepsis while at Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital in Cramlington, Northumberland.

Mr Kane, who has a daughter, spent weeks in a coma, showing excruciating signs of recovery at various stages, before passing away on September 18.

His mother Rachel, 52, was by his side throughout his hospital stay and paid tribute to her son ahead of his funeral today.

She said: 'He was a big strong lad. I could never have imagined that a fly bite could come to this. It's been horrendous.

'He just started to go downhill very quickly. I was with him right to the end.

'I feel really broken. I keep going through things in my mind. I don't feel like it's real. I don't think it's hit me. I just feel really lost.'

When Andrew Kane, pictured, right, with his mother Rachel, was bitten by a horsefly at work, he was not concerned in the slightest. But two weeks later he was dead

Mr Kane was raised by a farming family in Widdrington but his job took him all over the country.

He followed in his family's footsteps, working mainly on dairy farms, but also tried out painting and decorating.

The mother-of-three was living with her son at her home in Morpeth at the time of his horror bite two months ago.

Mr Kane was attacked by the insect on a farm in Shrewsbury, Shropshire and it was his mother who persuaded him to head to the doctors to get it seen.

'He wasn't concerned,' she said. 'You think it's gone red and it's itchy and you think it's getting better. But the hole in his arm never seemed to heal.'

Antibiotics seemed to solve things, but he suddenly fell to the ground while drinking with a friend in Morpeth and rushed to Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital in Cramlington.

He battled sepsis for five weeks, during which time he was transferred to Newcastle's Freeman hospital where he was placed in an induced coma, before showing signs of recovery.

'They had all sorts of hope for him,' his mother said. 'But it came back with a vengeance and started spreading really quickly and his organs started shutting down.

The farm worker pictured with his stepfather. He collapsed on a night out two weeks after the bite and developd sepsis while at Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital

'I stayed with him all the time in hospital. I found it very hard to just go away.

'Even when he came round. On a night time they were sending me home.'

She added: 'He kept asking if I had told his friends he was in hospital. He said if I didn't tell them they wouldn't know to come to his funeral.

'He was making me bring chocolates in for the nurses that were bathing him. I think he knew [he was dying]. He wanted to thank them.'

Since her son's death, Ms Kane has realised just how popular he was.

'He made a lot of friends,' she said. 'He made friends that I didn't even know about. They are just coming forward to me saying what a good laugh he was,' she said.

'He was such a big character. He was very funny and he was very caring. He was a family man.

'We were very close and he was very protective,' she added. 'We would go on nights out and we went on holiday together.'
Dublin has erupted into violence for the second night in a row as hundreds of rioters took to the streets to protest an alleged sexual assault carried out by an asylum seeker.

Hundreds of protesters gathered near the entrance of the CityWest hotel, in Saggart, which housing asylum seekers in an area on the west side of the capital.

A 26-year-old man, who cannot be named due to rules that apply to all sexual assault cases in the Republic of Ireland, appeared in court on Tuesday charged over the alleged incident.

Between 7pm and 8pm on Wednesday, hundreds of protesters again faced off with around 40 uniformed gardai.

At least 23 arrests were made amid the serious disorder and the Irish police service, An Garda Siochana, pledged a 'robust response' if violence continued.

The uniformed officers were replaced with the Public Order Unit, whose members carried plastic shields and additional body protection, after officers in the original cordon were struck with debris, stones and fireworks.

Some of those continued to throw masonry, flares, glass bottles and wooden planks at An Garda Siochana members.

There was also vandalism to the area around the Saggart Luas tram stop, which runs parallel to the road the protesters were on.

Protesters throw fireworks at Gardai officers near the Citywest Hotel in Saggart on October 2022

Gardai officers detain protesters near the Citywest Hotel, as disturbances flared outside the Dublin hotel which used to house asylum seekers on October 22

Public order gardai pushed the crowd further from the hotel by advancing on them with shields.

A mounted garda unit and a dog unit were at the scene, with a police helicopter providing air support.

At least one garda was affected by pepper spray.

Those involved in the disorder also attempted to block garda vehicles from entering the area with steel barriers.

It is the third night of demonstrations at Citywest following an alleged sexual assault on a 10-year-old girl in the vicinity of the hotel in the early hours of Monday morning.

While Monday night's demonstration passed without significant incident, a female garda member was injured during Tuesday's violence. She has since been discharged from hospital after receiving treatment for a foot injury.

A garda vehicle was also set on fire during the unrest earlier in the week.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly, who visited the scene in the aftermath of the violence, told reporters on Wednesday he is 'determined' that further people will be 'brought before the courts to face justice'.

He said the disorder was not a peaceful protest and added: 'This was violence with the intent to damage the Citywest building and intimidate those within.'

At least 23 arrests were made amid the serious disorder on Tuesday night

A protester films and a police vehicle burns in the background as a demonstration outside a hotel housing asylum seekers turns violent in Saggart, south-west of Dublin in Ireland on October 21, 2025

The protest outside the hotel came after an alleged sexual assault on a girl in the vicinity in the early hours of Monday morning.

Irish premier Micheal Martin condemned the scenes of violence, stating there could be 'no justification' for attacks on gardai.

Protesters were displaying Irish flags, chanting anti-immigration slogans and throwing missiles.

There were also attempts to charge the garda line with horse-drawn sulky carts and scrambler bikes on Tuesday and a police helicopter overhead was targeted with lasers.
A spotlight is being shone on efforts to rebuild the lives of veterans whose worlds have fallen apart for this year's Royal British Legion (RBL) annual poppy appeal.

At any given moment, the RBL is helping more than 7,000 members of the armed forces community with expert advice and practical support.

This year's appeal, which was launched today, aims to raise more than 50 million.

Lucy Inskip, the RBL's Poppy Appeal director, said: 'Every day, ex-service personnel and their families come to the Royal British Legion for support when they become overwhelmed with issues including addiction, debt, homelessness, PTSD and relationship breakdowns.

'When something goes wrong, the RBL is there to help rebuild lives and provide members of the armed forces community with the support they need to create a better future.'

The lasting impact of a training accident, the loss of a friend, or battlefield trauma are among a range of potentially devastating issues faced by some veterans.

Ms Inskip described the annual appeal, founded in 1921, as something which 'brings the nation together and helps us raise vital funds needed to support the armed forces community'.

Donations help the RBL - the UK's largest armed forces charity - to respond in ways that are tailored to the armed forces community's specific needs and circumstances.

This year's RBL poppy appeal hopes to raise more than 50 million to support the armed forces community

Pictured: the stunning poppy cascade at St Peter's Church in Inkberrow, Worcestershire

A number of veterans and their families are set to share their personal accounts of the struggles they faced after service and how the RBL helped at the launch in central London today.

The appeal's launch comes as a beautiful poppy display at a church in Worcestershire was put up this week.

Thousands of crocheted red poppies cascaded from the medieval church ahead of Remembrance Day.

More than 200 volunteers spent months hand-stitching the 8,000 poppies which now adorn the side of St Peter's Church in Inkberrow, Worcestershire.

The striking display creates the dramatic illusion of a red waterfall falling from the roof towards the war memorial, where the names of those who fell in the two world wars are carved.

Organisers had aimed to complete 4,000 poppies before November 11 but ended up smashing that target by 4,000.

Locals aged from six to 92 knitted and crocheted the red poppies during events held in the village pub and at weekends.

A total of 34 men from the village lost their lives during the First and Second World Wars.

A total of 8,000 cloth poppies were hand-stitched by 200 volunteers - who smashed their target of 4,000

The display on the 15th century church creates the dramatic illusion of a red waterfall falling from the roof towards the war memorial

Stunning images shows the thousands of blood-red poppies pouring down the 50 foot tower of the 15th century church.

Russell Tudge, chair of the local Royal British Legion, said: 'This project has shown the very best of our community - people of all ages coming together, united in creativity and remembrance.

'Every poppy represents a story, a life, and our shared commitment to never forget.'

The 58-year-old who served in the Army for 30 years, reinstated the St John's and Hallow branch in March 2022, which has grown from 14 members to 97 in that time.

Mr Tudge, who served with the Royal Engineers and the Adjutant General's Corps (AGC), added: 'It's a mark of respect for the fallen, especially here in St John's.

'It's been one of the biggest displays of its kind I have seen in the last two years which I'm aware of.

'It's just amazing to see - the dedication and skill involved to produce that amount of poppies and the patience and time they spent.'
Two senior executives at Optus have announced they will be stepping down as the telco continues to face scrutiny after a serious triple-zero outage.

Chief financial officer (CFO) and board director, Michael Venter will retire while chief information officer (CIO) Mark Potter will depart his role in March 2026.

The changes are part of planned leadership transitions, the company said.

Both men are expected to remain with Optus until March next year to 'ensure a smooth transition during this period of substantial change', CEO Stephen Rue said.

Andy Giles Knopp will be appointed CFO from April 2026 after working at Aussie Broadband, where he has served as CFO since early 2024.

John McInerney will join Optus in November this year as CIO to ensure a smooth transition with Mr Potter.

The changes are only the latest in changes across the C-suite, with Optus announcing in June that the company will welcome Pieter van der Merwe as chief security and risk officer in December.

Optus has been facing major scrutiny over the last few weeks after more than 600 triple-zero calls from customers were prevented from connecting in South Australia, the Northern Territory, Western Australia and some parts of NSW in mid-September.

Two senior executives at Optus have announced they will be stepping down

Chief financial officer (CFO) and board director, Michael Venter (left) will retire while chief information officer (CIO) Mark Potter (right) will depart his role in March 2026

A firewall update caused the outage, which lasted more than 12 hours and has been linked to three deaths.

The telco sent emails notifying the federal communications department of the outage to the wrong email address, leaving authorities in the dark for more than a day.

Optus has commissioned an independent review into the incident and it is also under scrutiny from the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

More recently, Optus apologised for a second triple-zero outage linked to a mobile phone tower in Dapto in NSW, which affected 4500 users in the area on September 28 between 3am and 12:20pm.

A review by the telco has included nine failed calls to triple zero, but Optus says those affected 'are OK' and the issue has been rectified.

One of those callers required an ambulance and used another phone to contact emergency services.

Another was trying to call emergency services but couldn't get through and had made accidental calls.

The incidents have alarmed both Australians and the government, including Communications Minister Anika Wells.

Ms Wells has requested discussions with representatives from parent company Singtel, who she says will be visiting Australia this week.
Keir Starmer denied his Channel migrant crackdown is 'in tatters' today following more humiliating setbacks.

The PM insisted a migrant who returned to the UK after being deported to France under the 'one in, one out' deal will be 'swiftly' sent there again.

Meanwhile, Labour faces claims that Emmanuel Macron is ditching a separate agreement to intercept boats.

The UK had hoped the French were about to adopt a new 'maritime doctrine' that would see more forceful interventions to stop dinghies leaving shore.

However, sources told the BBC the idea was only a 'political stunt' and has been abandoned. There had been concerns in some quarters that it could risk deaths and break international law.

Sir Keir is expected to raise the issue with Mr Macron in a call tomorrow, as he faces pressure to explain how he will tackle the problems after numbers crossing the Channel this year surpassed the total for 2024.

Speaking to ITV Meridian on a visit to Peacehaven this morning, the PM said: 'The individual that has returned, he is already in detention. He will now be fast tracked back out of the country, because we obviously have his details.

'We know he hasn't got a claim to make, therefore we'll remove him very, very swiftly. So his return journey back to United Kingdom is completely pointless, and it's really important I make that absolutely clear.'

Pressed whether the Government's approach to stopping small boats was 'in tatters', Sir Keir said 'no'.

The latest setback comes after Keir Starmer's 'one in, one out' agreement with Emmanuel Macron (pictured together last week) descended into chaos - and numbers crossing this year surpassed the total for 2024

The PM had hoped the French were about to adopt a new 'maritime doctrine' that would see more forceful interventions to stop dinghies leaving shore (pictured, a boat leaves Gravelines in France yesterday)

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It was revealed yesterday that a migrant deported to France had returned to Britain on a small boat - just 29 days after he was kicked out of the country under the flagship borders policy.

The Conservatives said the debacle showed the Government's returns deal with France was 'descending into farce'.

Home Office sources confirmed the unnamed Iranian man first arrived here on August 6 - the day the agreement came into force - and was detained before being removed from Britain on September 19 on a scheduled flight.

But he later slipped out of a migrant shelter in Paris, where he had been housed, and headed back to the northern French coast.

There he boarded a dinghy back to the UK, arriving alongside 368 others on Saturday.

Border officials identified him as a returning migrant through biometric checks and he is now once again being held in an immigration removal centre, waiting to be sent back for a second time.

The Iranian claims he is not safe in France and is a victim of modern slavery at the hands of people trafficking gangs. Such claims are being used in court appeals attempting to thwart the removals process.

Sir Keir and Mr Macron held a summit in July on ways to tackle the Channel crisis.

They discussed how to intercept so-called 'taxi boats' used by people smugglers to cruise close to the coastline, collecting passengers as they waded in.

Sir Keir visited Peacehaven this morning with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood

Footage at the time showing French officers slashing a dinghy as it tried to depart was hailed as a 'a really significant moment' by Downing Street.

The French interior ministry signalled that 'interventions at sea' would be starting. But since then Mr Macron's administration has been plunged into a political crisis, with his interior minister ousted.

One figure closely linked to French maritime security told the BBC that the concept was unlikely to be implemented.

'It's just a political stunt. It's much blah-blah,' they said.

Peter Walsh, who researches the issue at Oxford's Migration Observatory, added: 'It's possible that might never happen.'

Sir Keir is expected to speak to the French President tomorrow to discuss efforts to support Ukraine.

But Downing Street did not deny that he could also raise the issue of small boats during the call.

The spokesman added: 'The focus is on delivering for people and delivering the priorities of the British people, and we will continue to work closely with France. They are a critical partner in tackling illegal migration.'

In a round of interviews this morning, children's minister Josh MacAlister insisted the episode with the deported Channel migrant coming back to Britain showed Sir Keir's deal was working.

'I think it shows the scheme working, because this guy came here. He shouldn't have come here. He paid somebody, a smuggling gang, to cross the Channel,' he told Times Radio.

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Migrants waiting on the French coast to be picked up by a so-called 'taxi boat' yesterday

'He was stopped, he was detained, and he was returned to France. He came again. He paid someone again, and he will be returned to France again.

'And the message is really clear from the Government, if you come here illegally and you cross, as we scale up this French returns agreement, you will be deported.

'You will go back to France. The money you've spent will be wasted. And if you do it again and again, you will be returned again and again.'

He could not say whether the man would be counted once or twice on the returns statistics.
A French girl who was allegedly raped and murdered by an Algerian woman begged her not to harm her before she was brutally killed, a court has heard.

Dahbia Benkired, 27, an Algerian migrant living in France, allegedly lured schoolgirl Lola Daviet, 12, into her apartment on October 14, 2022, before sexually assaulting and killing her. She is currently on day five of a six-day trial at the Paris Assize Court.

Benkired, who had been homeless and reportedly earning money as a prostitute at the time, is accused of forcing the child to perform a sex act on the her 'for her pleasure' before partially severing Lola's head and stuffing her body into a suitcase.

Speaking in court on Wednesday, Benkired gave a chilling recount of how the fateful day unfolded, revealing that Lola had even begged not to be hurt by the woman before being led into her apartment.

According to the accused, Benkired had fallen into an argument with her ex-partner Mustapha M. 'I said to myself in my head I'm going to hurt someone,' she recalled.

'I passed a woman with her baby. And then Lola. I asked her to open the door for me because I didn't have a badge,' Benkired told the court. Lola then allegedly helped the woman take her suitcases up to her apartment, as Benkired admitted she already knew in that moment she was planning to hurt her.

She pulled on Lola's arm to get her into the elevator up to her apartment as she begged: 'Madam, please don't hurt me.' Benkired said she told the child 'don't worry, I won't hurt you,' in response.

Once Lola was in the accused woman's home, Benkired told the court she asked her to undress and take a shower, admitting that Lola appeared 'scared' during this time.

The horrifying torture Lola Daviet, 12, is said to have endured at the hands of an Algerian migrant who allegedly raped and murdered her has been revealed at court

Dahbia Benkired (pictured) is accused of raping, torturing and murdering the 12-year-old girl in October 2022

Benkired went on to explain how she sexually assaulted her and 'slammed her head against the shower wall with my hand,' insisting it was 'really not hard'.

'In the shower, for me, she turned into a ghost. She said nothing, she didn't talk,' Benkired recalled. 'I was told that when I taped her up, she was still alive. For me, she was dead'.

During Monday's hearing, several family members left the court as images of Lola's injuries were shown while other shocking details came to light, including that she had 'visible traumatic injuries' on her genitals.

The 12-year-old girl was 'vaginally and anally penetrated' while she was still alive, according to the medical examiner's examinations.

But on Wednesday Benkired denied any penetration, claiming she was 'telling the truth'.

After claiming to force Lola to perform sex acts on her, the accused said she then 'started to slap her' because she was 'afraid she would tell her family. All the hatred I had inside me, I took it out on her... Either way, I knew she was going to die'.

'It's not that I wanted to kill her, but that I wanted to hurt someone. But since I had raped her, I might as well kill her,' Benkired said.

The schoolgirl suffered 38 stab and scissor wounds on her back and neck before dying from asphyxia, a doctor told the Assize Court in Paris on Monday.

'There was hemorrhagic trauma to various parts of the body,' particularly to the child's private parts, the doctor said.

Lola also had a 'large wound' on her face, a severed neck and a slashed back, likely caused by knives, while her 'head was partially severed'.

'There is physical, psychological and moral suffering', the doctor added , as images of Lola's injuries were shown to the court on day two of Benkired's trial.

'Asphyxia is very anxiety-provoking, it goes beyond physical pain. There were probably one or more impacts to the head, which creates physical pain.'

Lola is pictured in this CCTV footage still wearing a white coat and carrying what appears to be her schoolbag, as she follows a female suspect, believe to be Benkired, into an apartment building

CCTV footage shows the moment Dahbia Benkired allegedly opened the suitcase she is said to have stuffed Lola into while sitting in a busy Paris bar

But on Wednesday, Benkired claimed she had brutally stabbed the girl after she 'began to see her as a sheep'.

'The skin was hard, like a sheep's,' explained the accused, who added that it was at this point that she wrote the numbers 0 and 1 on Lola's feet.

According to respected French newspaper Le Monde, Benkired allegedly told investigators that she saw a 'ghost' in Lola and acted out of 'fear' of this 'devil incarnate.' The probe showed she had conducted searches online into witchcraft days before the murder.

Following the alleged murder, Benkired bound the child in duct tape and stuffed her body into a suitcase.

On Wednesday, Nicolas Estano, 47, a clinical psychologist and expert witness, told the court that even though 'sexual sadism is something quite rare,' he believes Benkired's actions expose 'an almost sexual pleasure in the abuse inflicted on someone'.

Following the devastating confessions, Delphine implored the courts 'to do whatever is necessary to ensure that this person is locked up for life,' adding: 'Do not give anything other than life imprisonment.'

Benkired then allegedly dragged her body around Paris in the plastic trunk, before dumping it on the street where it was found by a homeless man.

But CCTV, seen earlier by the court, showed the moment Benkired allegedly opened a suitcase containing the girl's body while at a bar on Rue Manin just hours after the killing.

She arrived at the restaurant with two standard-sized suitcases and one much larger bag. Footage shows her chatting to a man while the large trunk - which prosecutors allege contained Lola's body - lay on the tiled floor beside her.

Benkired settled in France in 2013, aged 14, but was subject to an expulsion order after overstaying a student visa

Thibault Daviet brother of Lola and Delphine Daviet-Ropital, mother of Lola, arriving at the Paris Assize Court for the trial of Benkired on October 24, 2025

At one point, Benkired appeared to point to the suitcase, opening it slightly as if to show its contents. The man briefly touched the lid and looked inside before standing up. It is not clear if he realised what the case was carrying.

A police investigation revealed that a pair of scissors, an oyster knife and an IKEA knife were later found in Benkired's flat with traces of blood.

Benkired settled in France in 2013, aged 14, but was subject to an expulsion order after overstaying a student visa in August 2022, just two months before Lola was murdered.

Speaking in court on Wednesday, Lola's heartbroken mother Delphine Daviet told how her husband, who had stopped drinking alcohol, began the habit again the day his daughter died.

He drank from morning to night,' she said. He 'died of grief,' devastated by 'his demons,' she added. Lola's father, Johan, passed away in February last year.

Before he died, Johan had hung a letter on the door of Benkired's apartment, where she is said to have tortured and murdered the young girl.

'My darling, I still don't understand why there was so much cruelty and barbarity towards you, you who were so kind.' 'I can't wait to see you again,' he wrote on the note. 'Your dad, who loves you for life'.
Ukraine has pounded one of Vladimir Putin's key oil refineries with drones just hours after Trump announced crippling sanctions on Moscow's oil giants, leaving Russia facing blackouts and fuel shortages.

The strike set the massive Ryazan refinery ablaze overnight, sending flames above one of the country's largest industrial plants.

Pavel Malkov, the governor of Ryazan Oblast, is reported to have said on Telegram: 'Last night, 14 UAVs were destroyed by air defence systems over Ryazan Oblast.

'The falling debris caused a fire on the territory of one company... Emergency services are working at the site.'

He also said that there was a ban on posting videos and pictures from the scene of the blast.

The attack occurred within hours of Washington's announcement that it was targeting Rosneft and Lukoil with sweeping sanctions aimed at choking the Kremlin's wartime cash flow.

Rosneft is headed by Igor Sechin, who has been a staunch ally of Putin.

The measures, unveiled on Wednesday, freeze the assets of Russia's top two oil producers and bar US entities from conducting business with them.

Images show the huge fire that engulfed the Ryazan oil refinery after Ukrainian forces pounded it with drones. It came shortly after the US announced sweeping sanctions targeting Putin's wartime cashflow

US treasury secretary Scott Bessent said the sanctions were a direct response to Putin's refusal to end his invasion of Ukraine.

Bessent said: 'As long as Putin refuses to end this senseless war, we are imposing sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies that finance the Kremlin's war machine. We call on allies to join these sanctions.'

Together, the sanctions and refinery strike mark one of the most damaging blows yet to Russia's energy lifeline.

Trump's sanctions came hours after Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his frustration at the war and pleaded with allies to do more to stop Russia from launching further attacks.

He said: 'It is high time the European Union adopted a strong sanctions package. We also count on strong sanctions measures from the United States and the G7, from all those who seek peace.'

The sanctions also follow the US announcement that talks with Putin had been put on hold. The two leaders had been slated to meet in Hungary later this month. However, Trump later said that he did not want to have a 'wasted meeting'.

Expressing frustration with Putin, he said: 'Every time I speak to Vladimir, I have good conversations and then they don't go anywhere.'

Ukraine has dramatically escalated its campaign against Russia's oil industry, with several refineries hit since August.

Satellite images from many facilities have shown fumes rising above after huge Ukraine attacks.

Inside Russia, the fallout is increasingly visible - long queues have formed outside petrol stations in multiple regions, with some drivers waiting for hours or finding pumps completely dry.

Several regions have reported shortages of 92- and 95-octane petrol, while Crimea and Chelyabinsk Oblast have introduced rationing.

In Sverdlovsk, pro-Russian government news outlets reported that purchases were now limited 'to a single buyer'. Some fuel stations have been reported to have entirely run out of fuel.

Companies, however, have denied that there is a shortage and insist the move is only to prevent stockpiling.

There have been huge queues for fuel in parts of Russia. Companies, however, have denied that there is a shortage and insist the move is only to prevent stockpiling

Power shortages are also compounding the energy crisis in Russia.

Several regions have reported rolling blackouts after Ukrainian drones struck electricity substations and transmission lines near the border.

In Belgorod and Kursk, residents have become accustomed to sudden power cuts and the wail of air-raid sirens.

Russia's energy sector has long been the backbone of the Russian economy, funding not only the war effort but the state itself.

Putin has also attacked Ukraine's energy infrastructure - his forces have targeted facilities ahead of winter, with fears it could plunge millions into the dark in the cold months.

Meanwhile, the country suffered a massive explosion at a key ammunition factory, killing at least a dozen people and injuring seven.

Workers were buried under the rubble at the Plastmass plant in Kopeysk, around 1,000 miles from Ukraine.

Drones had been reported in the vicinity, but the cause of the giant explosion and a second detonation is under investigation, with sabotage and negligence also being probed.

Emergency staff worked all night pulling bodies from the rubble, with fears the toll will rise.

The plant - owned by the Kremlin's state defence conglomerate Rostec - makes unguided aviation rockets and ammunition for artillery, as well as tank and self-propelled guns for use in the war in Ukraine.

The strikes on the oil refinery comes after Putin targeted residential buildings in Kyiv and other cities this week, killing dozens of people

One witness told of three drones in the air and a worker 'covered in blood' after the explosion.

In another deep blow for Putin, 50 of his soldiers surrendered to Ukraine around the village of Kucheriv Yar.

It comes after Russia launched yet another attack targeting civilians. Seven people were injured in an overnight attack that damaged a synagogue and kindergarten in Kyiv. Residential buildings were also targeted.

Meanwhile, Trump rejected Zelensky's plea for Tomahawk missiles last week. After a summit in Washington, the US leader indicated that he wanted the war to end with diplomacy.

However, the Kremlin, this week, said its demands for territory from Ukraine had not changed. Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said: 'This topic was repeatedly raised in various forms during contacts between Russia and the US.

'The Russian side answered every time, this answer is well known: the consistency of Russia's position doesn't change.'

However, Zelensky has insisted he would not give up any Ukrainian territories as a condition to end the war.
October 23, 2025: Bomb Damage Assessment (BDA) has, since World War I (19141918), sought unsuccessfully to determine the effectiveness of air strikes. During World War II (19391945), air and ground forces that depended on BDA were increasingly frustrated by their inability to obtain timely and accurate information on the effectiveness of their bombing campaigns. This caused problems within air forces and with the ground forces they supported.

The U.S. Air Force has a well-deserved and understandable reputation for advocating military victory achieved primarily through air power. They still do, despite a historical record that does not always support this view. That said, the Air Force has some solid accomplishments to its credit. In some areas, it has been extremely successful, including gaining and maintaining air supremacy in every American war since 1945.

However, when it comes to influencing the war on the ground, the Air Force is much less dominant. Blame it on BDAthe process of determining what to bomb and assessing the impact on the enemy afterward. Air Force leaders were frequently deceived by those on the ground being bombed. This began during World War II, when air forces used large-scale aerial bombing for the first time, particularly against economic targets in Germany between 1943 and 1945.

Immediately after World War II, the U.S. conducted a thorough survey of the impact of strategic bombing on Germany and Japan. It revealed that the impact was far different from what BDA during the war had indicated. The Air Force vowed to improve, but experiences in Korea (19501953), Vietnam (19651972), Kuwait (1991), Kosovo (1999), Iraq (2003), Lebanon (2006), and Ukraine since 2022 demonstrated that the enemy on the ground continued to have an edge in deceiving even the most vigorous BDA efforts. The only proven technique for overcoming the BDA problem was to have personnel on the ground, up close, verifying targets during combat. Those with powerful air forces resisted this approach due to the risk of commandos being killed or captured and because intelligence and Air Force personnel were confident they could discern enemy activities by analyzing aerial photos. By the 21st century, the widespread availability of commercial satellite photos enabled media and individuals to conduct their own assessments.

People on the ground have consistently demonstrated an ability to deceive aerial surveillance. Even in the early 21st century, when the U.S. developed persistent drone surveillance, irregular forces proved capable of reducing its effectiveness. This highlights another key point: air power can be effective on the ground, but its impact develops over time, not quickly. The challenge lies with voters and the media, who demand swift victories. In the U.S., this has led to the "Three-Year Rule," where public support for a war, no matter how enthusiastic initially, largely dissipates after three years. If an air campaign cannot deliver results within this timeframe, it faces media and political criticism, regardless of its effectiveness.

Another issue is the differing outlooks of the Army and Air Force on planning and risk. The Air Force views warfare as a tidier and more predictable endeavor than the Army does. In this respect, the Air Force and Navy are closely aligned. Both are technical services accustomed to exercising greater control over their forces than Army generals. The Army sees warfare as more unpredictable and has adapted to that reality. Army generals are often skeptical of the Air Forces ability to defeat foes from the air, and they are usually correct.

Despite being successful high-tech organizations, American air forces, particularly the Navy and USAF, often struggle to adapt to changes they disagree with. When the Cold War ended in 1991, the Air Force was still focused on operating as it had during that era. However, warfare technology and tactics were evolving. Post-Cold War enemies were no longer large, organized forces spread over vast areas but increasingly irregular forces that were harder to detect from the air. The Air Force adapted reluctantly, partly because the Army and CIA adopted new reconnaissance and surveillance techniques, such as drones conducting continuous surveillance of key targets. Additionally, highly effective American precision munitions accounted for 8 percent of U.S. fires in the Gulf War, 29 percent of NATO fires in Kosovo, and 68 percent in the Iraq War by 2003. After that, smart munitions became standard for industrialized nations that could afford them.

As successful as these new air reconnaissance tools and subsequent attacks were, they did not seem like a suitable long-term role for the Air Force. Other services disagreed, and it took nearly a decade after 2001 to convince the Air Force. In 2005, the Air Force deployed its first Predator drone unit, and in 2009, it introduced its first Reapers. They were following the CIAs lead, which caused some unease among senior Air Force leadership.

The CIA had pioneered Persistent Surveillance with armed drones, enabling 24/7 observation that allowed analysts to compile target information and order missile strikes as soon as key targets were identified. This led to a growing list of terrorist leaders and their key subordinates being eliminated. Simultaneously, the use of surveillance and precision weapons significantly reduced collateral casualties, particularly among nearby civilians, to historic lows.

Air Force traditionalists warned that such tactics would not work in a conventional war, where enemies with modern air defense systems and jet fighters could quickly shoot down Predator and Reaper drones. However, such wars were not the ones being fought, and it was pointed out that the military must address current realities, not just preferred scenarios. Even in conventional wars, these new tactics and technologies have a role. The Air Force disagreed but lacked a compelling alternative. They continued to push for funding for stealthy F-35s and B-2 and B-21 stealth bombers, despite other nations developing sensors that could neutralize stealth capabilities.

Meanwhile, in Ukraine, the war against Russian invaders sparked an unexpected drone revolution. Ukrainians replaced most artillery, manned aircraft support, and many anti-tank weapons with dozens of drone designs. By 2025, thousands of drones were expended daily, while surveillance drones evaded air defenses and manned aircraft due to their small size, low cost, and sheer numbers. These drones were hard to detect and destroy, constantly monitoring the battlefield. When a target was spotted, distant drone operators called in attack drones, reducing targets to debris and causing significant casualties.

Air forces have faced similar challenges before. In the 1960s, U.S. Air Force and Navy aviation suffered unexpectedly high aircraft losses in Vietnam because their aircraft and pilots were unprepared for lower-tech Russian aircraft. This led to aircraft being re-equipped with cannons, as new air-to-air missiles were not yet reliable enough to replace the previously dismissed autocannons.

This experience gave rise to the concept of aggressor or dissimilar training. In 1969, the U.S. Navy established the Top Gun fighter pilot school in response to the poor performance of its pilots against North Vietnamese pilots flying Russian fighters and using Russian tactics. Top Gun emphasized understanding enemy aircraft and tactics, a practice known as dissimilar training. Previously, American pilots trained against other American pilots using American aircraft and tactics. This worked in World War II, where enemy pilots had less practice and used similar aircraft and tactics, and ample aerial combat provided on-the-job training.

In Vietnam, however, Russian-trained North Vietnamese pilots posed significant challenges. The four-week Top Gun program resolved this issue. The Air Force soon followed with its Red Flag school. In the early 1980s, Russia established a dissimilar air combat school, followed by China in 1987. Today, most major air forces use such programs, while smaller air forces send pilots to commercial Top Gun or Red Flag programs, often staffed by retired instructors.

The U.S. Air Force faces another persistent issue that remains unresolved. Since World War I in 1914, when aircraft first became a factor in military affairs, their primary value was in reconnaissance, observing enemy movements while preventing the enemy from doing the same.

Between the world wars, the concept of air power as an offensive weapon emerged. This proved more effective at sea than on land, where reconnaissance remained the most valuable service air forces provided. Strategic bombing was widely misunderstood during and after World War II. Tactical bombing and strafing were more effective, as fighter-bombers provided reconnaissance while attacking enemy forces obstructing friendly ground troops. Moreover, advancing ground forces could often report on the effectiveness of recent air strikes.

However, the U.S. Air Force was not enthusiastic about tactical air power, or "tac air," believing strategic bombing could be more decisive. The problem was that World War II strategic bombing was a blunt instrument, inflicting significant but essentially random damage. While millions of German and Japanese workers were diverted due to deaths or damage to homes and businesses, the decisive effect air force generals sought was not achieved.

The 21st century brought an unexpected advancement in BDA through the use of agents or cooperating civilians on the ground. Intelligence operations began harvesting cellphone photos taken in enemy territory. Soon, troops or civilians were sending these photos to bombers overhead. Strenuous efforts were made to prevent soldiers and civilians from photographing targets before and after air strikes. In Ukraine, cellphones were also used to track air attacks. By 2022, there were more cellphones than people in Ukraine. Civilians developed effective tactics, such as installing air defense apps on their phones, enabling them to record sounds and images of incoming air strikes, typically by drones. Ukrainian air defenses became far more effective due to millions of civilians using these apps, providing real-time photos of Russian air or ground activity.

One drawback was that military personnel and civilians near key targets were vulnerable to detection because cellphones transmitted their locations, enabling the enemy to launch rapid, accurate air, artillery, or drone attacks. It proved impossible to stop all soldiers from using phones in combat zones, as they were their only link to home, though frequent use could be deadly. Most nations enacted rules prohibiting cellphone use by troops in combat zones, but some soldiers and civilians continued despite the risks. While phones largely resolved BDA issues, their use in combat zones still provided targeting information to the enemy. Countermeasures, such as electronic jamming, offered only partial relief.
Keir Starmer insisted he still has 'faith' in Jess Phillips today despite a fifth victim quitting the grooming gangs inquiry panel.

The woman, who goes under the pen name Gaia Cooper, reportedly complained she has been offered 'no support' and the process is being used as a 'political battering ram'.

The latest departure emerged after four other survivors demanded Ms Phillips be sacked amid 'cover-up' claims.

In a letter to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, they said that Ms Phillips had labelled claims that the remit was watered down as 'untrue' - despite evidence to the contrary.

However, the safeguarding minister is so far being supported by the PM and Ms Mahmood. And in a striking development this afternoon it emerged that five other panel members have threatened to walk away if Ms Phillips is ousted.

Asked during a visit this morning if he had confidence in Ms Phillips to oversee the process, Sir Keir: 'Yes, of course, I do. Jess has been working on issues involving violence against women and girls for many, many years.'

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has also given strong backing, saying there is 'no-one better for that job' than Ms Phillips.

In the letter, Ellie-Ann Reynolds, said the final turning point for her was 'the push to change the remit, to widen it in ways that downplay the racial and religious motivations behind our abuse'.

Ms Phillips told MPs on Tuesday that 'allegations of intentional delay, lack of interest or widening of the inquiry scope and dilution are false'.

Jess Phillips is under massive pressure today as victims warned the grooming gangs inquiry will fail unless she quits

Keir Starmer and Shabana Mahmood, pictured on a visit to Peacehaven mosque today, have indicated they still support Ms Phillips

Four women who stepped down from the probe's liaison panel delivered the stark message amid 'cover-up' claims

The safeguarding minister is so far being supported by Keir Starmer and Ms Mahmood (pictured)

However, the four victims said that 'evidence has since proven we were telling the truth'.

Ms Reynolds, Fiona Goddard, Elizabeth Harper and a woman signed only as 'Jessica' state in the letter that there are five conditions that must be met for them to return to the advisory panel.

As well as Ms Phillips's resignation, they call for 'all survivors on the panel to be genuinely consulted on the appointment of a chair, who must be a former or sitting judge', victims to be able to speak freely without fear of reprisal, the inquiry's scope to remain 'laser-focused' on grooming gangs and the current victim liaison lead to be replaced by a mental health professional.

The survivors' letter, shared on Ms Goddard's X account, says: 'Being publicly contradicted and dismissed by a government minister when you are a survivor telling the truth takes you right back to that feeling of not being believed all over again.

'It is a betrayal that has destroyed what little trust remained.

'We have been failed by every institution meant to protect us. We were failed as children, we were failed by police who didn't believe us, failed by social services who blamed us, and failed by a system that protected our abusers.

'We will not participate in an inquiry that repeats those same patterns of dismissal, secrecy, and institutional self-protection.'

Despite the condemnation, Mr Streeting told BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour there was 'no one in Parliament who has done more to tackle violence against women and girls than Jess'.

Asked if she should resign, he said: 'No, I don't think she should ... I'm not dismissing what her critics are saying, and the criticism they have of the type of candidates that have been put forward, we do take those things seriously.

'But there is no one better for that job than Jess Phillips, and no one more committed to these issues in Parliament than Jess Phillips.'

The Guardian said five survivors on the panel had warned they will only participate if Ms Phillips stays.

The group, reportedly including one woman who was abused in Oldham from the age of 12, said Ms Phillips had 'devoted her life to hearing and amplifying the voices of women and girls who would have otherwise been unheard'.

The intervention underlined the difficulties for the government in assembling the long-awaited inquiry.

According to the Telegraph, Gaia Cooper said in her separate letter to NWG - the charity running victims' liaison - that she did not 'align' herself 'with any political agendas'.

'Numerous times during this process, which I agree is in its infancy, we have been offered counselling and support, but during this media storm there has been nothing, and that is the time I have felt I needed it the most,' she reportedly wrote.

Another leading candidate to chair the inquiry withdrew from the process yesterday hitting out at the 'toxic' situation.

Former police officer Jim Gamble accused politicians of prioritising 'their own petty personal or political issues' and 'playing games' with the inquiry.

In his withdrawal letter, he said he had pulled out of the appointment process because of a 'lack of confidence' in him among some survivors of grooming gangs 'due to my previous occupation'.

He later criticised those 'who have been mischief-making' by highlighting his former police career, saying it was 'nonsense' to imply that he would align himself 'with any political party to hide their blushes'.

He follows Annie Hudson, a former director of children's services for Lambeth who was reported to have withdrawn on Tuesday.

A Home Office spokesman said: 'We are disappointed that candidates to chair that inquiry have withdrawn. This is an extremely sensitive topic, and we have to take the time to appoint the best person suitable for the role.'

Fiona Goddard (pictured), who suffered at the hands of grooming gangs, resigned from the inquiry's victims and survivors liaison panel on Monday

In the Commons yesterday, Keir Starmer insisted the inquiry 'is not and will never be watered down' and its scope 'will not change'.

He said: 'It will examine the ethnicity and religion of the offenders, and we will find the right person to chair the inquiry.'

The Prime Minister also vowed in the Commons on Wednesday that 'injustice will have no place to hide' as he announced Baroness Louise Casey is being drafted in to support the work of the inquiry.

Baroness Casey previously led a 'national audit' of group-based child sexual exploitation that found 'many examples' of organisations shying away from discussion of 'ethnicity or cultural factors' in such offences 'for fear of appearing racist'.
Cuban police have arrested a suspected Chinese fentanyl kingpin known as 'Mr Haha' who escaped house arrest through a tunnel and is accused of suppling the two most powerful rival drug cartels in the world with chemicals.

Zhi Dong Zhang, also wanted by the U.S., is suspected of being a 'narco-broker' with business ties to Mexicos Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation drug cartels, designated as 'foreign terrorist organisations' by Washington.

For months, a global manhunt has been ongoing for the trafficker, who also operates under the aliases of 'Brother Wang', 'Mr T' and 'Nelson Mandela', apparently reflecting his childhood role models.

Zhang, believed to have been born in Beijing in 1987, was detained in Mexico in October 2024 and was held in a prison in Mexico City awaiting a hearing for his extradition to the United States, where a warrant has been issued for his arrest on money laundering charges.

He was granted house arrest, from which he escaped in July through a tunnel.

He has been on the run ever since, with authorities assuming he had slipped back into China.

But on Tuesday it emerged that he was captured in Cuba where he had arrived with a false passport from Russia.

Zhang's arrest comes as the Trump administration ramps up its war on drug traffickers in Venezuela, with officials saying they are acting in self-defence by destroying boats in the Caribbean Sea suspected of carrying illegal drugs to the United States.

Cuban police have arrested a suspected Chinese fentanyl kingpin known as 'Mr Haha' who escaped house arrest through a tunnel and is accused of suppling the two most powerful rival drug cartels in the world with chemicals

Zhi Dong Zhang, also wanted by the U.S., is suspected of being a 'narco-broker' with business ties to Mexico s Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation drug cartels, designated as 'foreign terrorist organisations' by Washington

Security sources told AFP it is not yet clear if the suspect will be deported from Cuba back to Mexico or a formal extradition process needs to be undertaken.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has been seeking Zhangs arrest for several years, accusing him of running an extensive network that stretched across the globe from operational bases in California and Georgia to Central and South America, Europe and Asia.

As well as supplying the two Mexican criminal groups - who are deadly rivals - with the chemicals necessary to make fentanyl, Zhang is suspected of operating a money laundering network in the U.S., concealing huge criminal profits.

Zhang is considered 'a major international money laundering operator,' Mexican Security Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch said last year.

The trafficker was responsible for 'establishing connections with other cartels for the transfer of fentanyl from China to Central America, South America, Europe, and the United States,' he added.

Washington under President Donald Trump has been applying pressure on Mexico and China to curb drug trafficking, particularly of fentanyl, the powerful painkiller behind an overdose epidemic in the United States.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more powerful than heroin and much easier and cheaper to produce.

It has largely replaced heroin and prescription opioids such as oxycodone as a cause of overdoses in the United States.

Security sources told AFP it is not yet clear if the suspect will be deported from Cuba back to Mexico or a formal extradition process needs to be undertaken

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has been seeking Zhangs arrest for several years, accusing him of running an extensive network that stretched across the globe from operational bases in California and Georgia to Central and South America, Europe and Asia

Earlier this year, Trump positioned China's role in the fentanyl crisis gripping the U.S. as a major justification for a new round of punitive tariffs targetting Beijing.

Zhang's global operation is understood by investigators to be linked to 150 shell companies and 170 bank accounts.

He has transferred millions of dollars through several big U.S. banks, usually in amounts under $100,000 to avoid detection.

In encrypted messages on platforms like DingTalk, WeChat, and Signa, intercepted by the government, Zhang allegedly used the codename 'coffee' for fentanyl and 'food' for cocaine.

Between 2020 and 2021, authorities estimate that Zhangs network trafficked over 600 kilograms of methamphetamine, 1,000 kilograms of cocaine, and 1,800 kilograms of fentanyl.

He generated an estimated $150 million annually in profits, according to Mexican media.

Last October, the Chinese kingpin, who is approximately 5ft 7inch tall, was detained in the elite Mexico City neighborhood of Lomas de Santa Fe by federal forces acting on an extradition request from a court in Atlanta, Georgia.

Accused of drug trafficking and money laundering, he was initially held in a maximum-security prison until a Mexican judge approved that he be moved to guarded house arrest.

On July 11, Zhang reportedly slipped through a tunnel connecting his home in the Lomas de Padierna region to a neighboring property, evading the detection of the Mexican national guard stationed outside his residence.

Claudia Sheinbaum, the Mexican president, confirmed he had been 'about to be extradited to the United States' when he escaped and denounced the judge who had granted him house arrest.

Sheinbaum's government has ramped up drug seizures under tariff pressure from Trump, who has threatened further punitive measures unless the problem is solved.

Although Mexico has been the main source of fentanyl sold in the United States, Washington has increasingly focused its attention on China-based suppliers of precursor ingredients.

From Havana, two sources close to the case told AFP the detainee would be extradited to Mexico, but did not specify a date or provide details about the process.

Communist Cuba has not officially commented on the reported arrest.

The U.S. military on Wednesday launched its ninth strike against an alleged drug-carrying vessel, killing three people in the eastern Pacific Ocean, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said, expanding the Trump administration's campaign against drug trafficking in South America.



It followed another strike Tuesday night, also in the eastern Pacific, that killed two people, Hegseth posted on social media hours earlier. The attacks were departures from the seven previous U.S. strikes that had targeted vessels in the Caribbean Sea. They bring the death toll to at least 37 from attacks that began last month.

The strikes represent an expansion of the military's targeting area as well as a shift to the waters off South America where much of the cocaine from the world's largest producers is smuggled.

Hegseth's social media posts also drew a direct comparison between the war on terrorism that the U.S. declared after the September 11, 2001, attacks and the Trump administration's crackdown.

'Just as Al Qaeda waged war on our homeland, these cartels are waging war on our border and our people,' Hegseth said, adding 'there will be no refuge or forgiveness - only justice.'
Australian branches of cosmetics retailer Lush closed on Thursday to protest the treatment of people in Gaza as the fragile Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal progresses.

Lush closed its shops, website and a factory in Sydney for one day to bring local attention to the conflict.

Windows in branches across the country displayed the message: 'Stop starving Gaza  We are closed in solidarity.'

'Providing our customers with the very best service is ingrained into everything we do at Lush, so shutting our shops is not an easy decision,' a statement from Lush said.

'We ask for forgiveness from any customers we inconvenience should they come to us on 23rd October and find us closed.

'However, we know that many of our customers share the same anxiety about the current situation in Gaza.'

Staff will still be paid during the closures. The retailer said it may be losing a day's takings, but a day's lost trading also reduces the tax paid to the Australian government.

'We hope they too hear the message our closure sends, with more government action needed to bring an immediate stop to the death and destruction,' it said.

Lush's Australian branches were all closed on Thursday in solidarity with people in Gaza

A message on the website said staff would be paid even if stores and its Sydney factory were closed. But it said the federal government would lose a day of tax contributions

But some protest messages, which Lush branches had hung in the windows, were covered

But not everyone was happy about the protest, with photos appearing on Reddit of the signs in the Lush windows were externally covered up in Westfield Chermside, north of Brisbane.

'Westfield Chermside going the extra mile to cover up a genocide,' a caption on the Reddit post said.

'Lush had these signs up and centre management is covering them, threatening to throw people out of the centre if they take photos.'

The Daily Mail has contacted Westfield's operating company Scentre Group regarding the alleged covering of the messages.

Lush, which sells soaps and cosmetics, has made a similar protest in the United Kingdom in September as a pro-Palestine statement of solidarity.

Israel's two-year military offensive in Gaza has seen more than 67,000 people including about 20,000 children killed, according to the United Nations.

The action came after militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel which reportedly killed 1200 people, with more than 250 taken hostage.

The shop has also fundraised for children in Gaza through selling its 'watermelon' soap

A Reddit user shared an image of Westfield Chermside staff allegedly covering the windows

A similar protest action was carried out by Lush's stores in the UK in September

A tentative ceasefire deal is currently in place between Israel and Hamas but Lush's protest in Australia appears to follow a ruling by the United Nations' legal body on people in Gaza's access to aid.

The International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion on Wednesday on the issue that Israel was obligated to ensure the 'basic needs' of civilians in the region.

This includes food, water, shelter, fuel and medical services.

In a post on X, Israel's foreign ministry rejected the findings and added: 'Israel fully upholds its obligations under international law'.
A man who confessed to abducting and killing a British toddler in 1970 has been named by an Australian politician.

Cheryl Grimmer, aged three, was kidnapped from a changing area after spending a morning at the seaside with her mother and three brothers, near the city of Wollongong in New South Wales (NSW).

The body of the child, originally from Bristol, has never been discovered.

Jeremy Buckingham, of the Legalise Cannabis Party, used parliamentary privilege on Thursday to identify the suspect.

Buckingham was acting on the wishes of Cheryl's family who gave the alleged killer a deadline of Wednesday night to come forward and explain his confession or be named in parliament.

Daily Mail still cannot publish the now 71-year-old man's identity because he was charged with having murdered Cheryl while he was a minor.

The suspect was 15 when Cheryl disappeared from Fairy Meadow beach on January 12, 1970. The following year, after he turned 17, the teenager admitted to killing the toddler, whose remains have never been found.

Known during legal proceedings only as 'Mercury', the man was charged with murder in 2017 after his unverified 1971 confession resurfaced.

However, key evidence was ruled inadmissible and the charges against him were dropped.

Three-year-old Cheryl Grimmer (pictured right with her brother Ricki) was abducted from a Wollongong beach on January 12, 1970

The toddler was abducted outside this shower block at Fairy Meadow Beach in January 1970

Jeremy Buckingham, of the Legalise Cannabis Party, used parliamentary privilege on Thursday to identify the suspect

A judge ruled the man's interview with police from April 1971 could not be used in court because there had been no parent, adult or lawyer accompanying him, Australian media reported at the time.

In parliament on Thursday, Mr Buckingham read out Mercury's confession and revealed his identity before calling for a new investigation into Cheryl's murder.

'The family of Cheryl Grimmer have been through so much anguish over such a long period of time,' he said.

'(Mercury) is a free man living with his identity suppressed from his neighbours and no one has been punished for Cheryl Grimmer's abduction and murder.'

Buckingham offered to reveal Mercury's name under parliamentary privilege after Cheryl's family asked authorities for a fresh probe into her disappearance.

Last Friday, Cheryl's brother Ricki Nash told journalists: '[Mercury] has got until Wednesday night.'

Buckingham named Mercury in NSW parliament on Thursday.

Mr Nash wants Mercury to explain how he knew about key details in his alleged confession and to confirm whether what he said in 1971 was true or not.

Buckingham was acting on the wishes of Cheryl's family who gave the alleged killer (pictured in 2017) a deadline of Wednesday night to come forward and explain his confession or be named in parliament

Paul Grimmer, brother of Cheryl Grimmer, is seen during a media conference at New South Wales Parliament House in Sydney, Thursday, October 23, 2025

The little girl had been spending the day at the beach with her family, who had migrated from Bristol to Australia under the Ten Pound Poms scheme.

As the family was preparing to leave the beach, Cheryl ran laughing into the women's changing rooms and would not come out.

Too shy to enter to retrieve her, her older brother Ricki went to call their mother to help get Cheryl out of the block.

When he returned with his mother just 90 seconds later, Cheryl was nowhere to be found.

Days after Cheryl vanished, a ransom note addressed to her father Vince and police was sent to Bulli police station, near where Cheryl was last sighted.

At the time, investigators appealed for anyone who recognised the handwriting in the note to come forward.

The letter promised to return Cheryl in exchange for $10,000 at the local library the following Saturday.

Police swiftly went to the media with the ransom note - a move Cheryl's surviving siblings now claim 'completely ruined' any hopes of finding her alive.

Fifteen months later, Mercury allegedly told police he had abducted Cheryl, who he had planned to sexually assault. He said he panicked when she would not stop screaming and killed her.

Four days after the toddler disappeared, police spoke on WIN News about a ransom note they'd received, - a move Cheryl's family now claim 'completely ruined' hopes of finding her

The handwritten ransom note promised to return Cheryl in exchange for $10,000

Cheryl's surviving family are still without answers, almost 56 years after she vanished

'I tied a handkerchief and a shoelace around her mouth to stop her screaming and with the other shoelace I tied up her hands,' Mercury stated in an interview on April 29, 1971.

'I was going to have sexual intercourse with her.

'I put my hands around her throat and told her to shut up I guess I must have strangled her. She stopped breathing and stopped crying and I thought she was dead, so I panicked and covered her up with bushes and run for it.'

Mercury gave police a detailed description of where he left Cheryl's body, what he did with the swimmers she was wearing and where he dumped her beach towel.

A coronial inquest held in 2011 found Cheryl had died but the cause and manner of her death remained undetermined. The coroner recommended police conduct further inquiries.

A re-investigation commenced in 2016 and Mercury's typed and signed confession was located, while further evidence was obtained by Wollongong detectives Damian Loone and Frank Sanvitale.

Mercury was interviewed and would not repeat his 1971 confession. He was arrested in Victoria in March 2017, extradited to NSW and charged with murder.

Mercury pleaded not guilty in September 2018, objecting to the admissibility of the 1971 interview, with the Crown accepting a trial could not proceed without it.

The murder charge was dropped in February 2019 following a judge's ruling that Mercury's original police interview could not be used in a trial.

Paul Grimmer (left), brother of Cheryl Grimmer, is seen following a media conference at New South Wales Parliament House in Sydney, Thursday, October 23, 2025

In January 2020, on the 50th anniversary of Cheryl's disappearance, the NSW Government increased the reward for information which led to the arrest and conviction of those responsible to $1million

Justice Robert Allan Hulme's decision was based on the fact there was no record of a parent, other guardian or legal practitioner present at any stage of the interview.

At the time there was no mandatory requirement, legislative or otherwise, instructing police on how to proceed with interviewing minors.

Justice Hulme referred to evidence of records and reports on the teenager from 1970-71 about his interaction with the juvenile justice system.

'I hasten to add that any criminal behaviour was of a relative minor kind (e.g. petty theft) and that what seemed to be more concerning was the accused's frequent absconding from homes and from detention facilities.'

The judge also heard evidence from two psychiatrists, who agreed the teenager had a very disturbed mental state at the time and was acting out in various ways.

Following a major crime review in 2019, the case was moved to the Homicide Squad's Unsolved Homicide Unit.

In January 2020, on the 50th anniversary of Cheryl's disappearance, the NSW Government increased the reward for information which led to the arrest and conviction of those responsible to $1million.

Then Homicide Squad commander, Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty, said police would welcome any information that might help provide answers to Cheryl's family.

'By offering the highest value NSW Government reward five decades after Cheryl disappeared, we are appealing to those people who know something but have not previously been inclined to assist police,' Detective Superintendent Doherty said.

'Witnesses at the time reported seeing an unknown male carrying Cheryl towards the car park 50-years ago today but there has been no trace of her ever since.

'We welcome any information that may assist the investigation. There are now a million reasons to come forward.'

Last Friday, Cheryl's family issued a lengthy statement that detailed what they believe were failings and delays by the authorities.

The family's statement read: 'We've made various requests to NSW authorities for a fresh prosecution or a fresh inquest but to no avail."

'We feel that we have been fobbed off numerous times by the police, saying that they're conducting reviews of the case or exploring leads that make no sense to us.

'The incompetence and negligence in the NSW police investigation of this case over much of the past 55 years is unfathomable.'

However, police have rejected the criticisms and say they are still chasing every possible lead.

They also said that the $1million reward was still available for anyone who provided information that would help them crack the case.

'Police continue to examine every line of inquiry and search for answers into Cheryl's death,' they said in a statement.

Earlier this month, Cheryl's family joined volunteers and cadaver dogs to search an area they believed could hold fresh clues about her disappearance.

But after police subsequently scoured the area, they told the family that only animal bones had been found.

Cheryl's relatives have said they do not agree with police and volunteers were working to collect soil samples that would be sent to the UK and US for tests.

The campaign to find out what happened to Cheryl has led the NSW parliament to announce an inquiry into long-term missing persons cases.

The probe will look into how cases were handled and determine what could be learned from any failings.
Footage shows the moment Afghanistan war widow Christina Schmid attacks her millionaire property developer husband in a sickening alcohol-fuelled rage.

Schmid became a nationally-recognised figure as she campaigned for the rights of war widows after her bomb disposal husband Olaf 'Oz' Schmid was killed by a Taliban IED in Afghanistan in 2009.

But she was handed a 12-week suspended jail sentence last year for violently attacking second husband Adam Plumb.

She was blasted by a judge at Plymouth magistrates court for 'being the aggressor all along' and taking part in a 'relentless smear campaign' against her new spouse.

Now Mr Plumb has released a video he filmed on September 17, 2023, showing Schmid poking and grabbing him and screaming at the top of her voice.

The previously divorced father-of-one, currently finalising a split from Christina, said he wanted to share the shocking footage to show what Schmid was 'really like'.

In the shocking clip she cuts her nose with her own nail and blows the blood into Mr Plumb's t-shirt while making a false accusation he had attacked her.

Her husband, meanwhile, can be heard saying: 'Get off me - you are a disgusting woman.'

Later in the video he tells her: 'You f***ing bit me. You f***ing b***h. You horrible woman.'

Pictures also show a range of bite marks, bruises and scratches from other incidents of 'abuse' mentioned in court.

Footage shows the moment Afghanistan war widow Christina Schmid attacks her millionaire property developer husband Adam Plumb in a sickening alcohol-fuelled rage

The face of the War on Terror widows was handed a 12-week suspended jail sentence last year for violently attacking her second husband

Mr Plumb said his daughter Elle, now 19, then phoned the police but Schmid continued hitting and scratching him. When police arrived, she accused him of assault.

Schmid's army husband died defusing a Taliban bomb, making her a 'face' of the war widows left behind after the Afghanistan conflict.

The mother-of-two met the Queen and senior politicians, including then Prime Minister David Cameron, as part of her campaign for better pensions and higher salaries for those in the armed forces, before penning a best-selling memoir.

She also received the George Cross on behalf of her husband in a private ceremony.

But her reputation was left in tatters when she was sentenced last year for hitting, kicking and biting her new husband at home, receiving orders to attend rehabilitation sessions, carry out 150 hours unpaid community work and abstain from drinking for 60 days.

Mr Plumb described Schmid, now 50, 'attacking me, hitting me in the balls, kicking me and biting me in the middle of my back'.

He added: 'She not only fooled me, but she fooled the nation.

She cuts her nose with her own nail and blows the blood into Mr Plumb's t-shirt while making a false accusation he had attacked her

The video sees Schmid poking and grabbing her husband and screaming at him at the top of her voice

Her husband, meanwhile, can be heard saying: 'Get off me - you are a disgusting woman'

'It is horrible. It is just vile behaviour. I could not get her away from me and was trapped in the corner. It was relentless - like a dog coming at you and you cannot get them off.

'I managed to get into the bedroom but Christina was screaming that her hand was trapped in the door. It wasn't but I didn't know that until afterwards so I opened the door and she continued attacking until just before the police arrived.

'When the police turned up she screamed that I had beaten her black and blue. But they said 'Christina you don't have any marks on you.' She had ripped my clothes off and I had bite marks and scratches everywhere.

'Whatever she was doing was abuse. I decided it was the last time I was going to put up with it. I had no choice and could not keep doing it so went ahead and gave a police statement.

'Everything was all on camera and I knew she couldn't get away with it this time. I finally felt like I was going to be supported and I didn't see that I had any other option than to stop it.'

Schmid, then Avis, married 'Oz' in December 2007, but by June 2009 he was sent to Afghanistan after spells in Northern Ireland, Yugoslavia and Kosovo.

The bomb disposal hero personally dealt with 70 IEDs (improvised explosive devices), notably saving an infantry company surrounded by the devices in August 2009.

Two months later, he saved his team by tracing a wire to a hidden IED, but it cost him his life, exploding and killing him instantly.

He was due to leave Afghanistan for leave in the UK the next day.

His funeral took place on November 24, 2009, in Truro Cathedral attended by over 1000 people.

The hero's wife collected his George Cross the following March on his behalf, but later sold his medals to Lord Ashcroft. They were on display in the Ashcroft Gallery of the Imperial War Museum until recently.

Schmid met her future second husband in late 2018 when she was grooming Mr Plumb's springer spaniels in Dorset.

They embarked on a five-year relationship, which he said ruined his entire life, marrying in 2020 - just one year after Schmid ended a seven-year relationship with Mark Clarke, another serving member of the Armed Forces.

Mr Plumb said: 'She made out she had been abused by her ex-partner so I felt protective. We now know this never happened.

Mr Plumb said his daughter Elle, now 19, then phoned the police but Schmid continued hitting and scratching him

The sickening clip sees Schmid grab her husband's arm tightly

'It even came out at Oz's inquest that he didn't want to come back from tours and her ex-partners all lived the same life I did with her.

'I cannot believe now that I fell for it. I can not even explain why or how I did but now realise I was just trapped in an abusive relationship.'

Early incidents included not being let into the house after work and being forced to sleep in laybys and Airbnbs.

Police were called on five occasions after he reported abuse - and each time she would throw accusations back at him.

He added: 'I knew I was not the person I was being accused of being, but I accepted her doing things to me as part of feeling sorry for her.'

Things went downhill fast when they bought an eight-bed detached home together near Ivybridge, Devon for 1.5million, but Schmid refused to move and lived instead at a house on Mr Plumb's development.

Social services then spent four months investigating him over his wife's abuse claims without speaking to him.

When she was eventually arrested, Mr Plumb received an apology and acknowledgment that he had been the victim - but he said the damage had been done.

Pictures also show a range of bite marks, bruises and scratches from other incidents of 'abuse' mentioned in court

The previously divorced father-of-one, currently finalising a split from Christina, said he wanted to release the shocking footage to show what Schmid was 'really like'

He added: 'What I don't understand is that Christina could have divorced me and we could have walked away with 800k each - but she wanted to destroy everything.

'We have been married for five years but in truth I don't have a clue who she is. She would just say and do anything to fit in with any situation so you never really knew what was genuine or who she was.

'I felt I got bullied in to marrying her. I was the type of person that had never been bullied into anything before. I was earning 300,000 a year. I was certainly not with her for the money.'

Mr Plumb said even a 16,000 engagement ring was 'not enough'.

He added: 'She somehow got an occupation order despite being charged and convicted. She has sold everything of mine - including 60,000 worth of my tools.

'Her terms for the order were that I was able to live on my boat, however, she tracked down my boat and sold it off leaving me with nothing and nowhere to live.

'I had owned sites for five years but all the people I worked for and invested in me thought I was an abuser. She was spreading that message to everyone.'

He added that he now only receives ad hoc work, leaving him with 'nothing'.

Pictured: an injury Schmid inflicted on her second husband. He added that after a campaign of abuse he now only receives ad hoc work, leaving him with 'nothing'

Mr Plumb with partner Sarah Pearce and daughter Elle. He has managed to move on, finding a happy relationship with his new partner

'She is a horrible, horrible woman and has ruined my entire life,' he said. 'While she is still out there she is hell for everyone she meets.

'She even sold Oz's George Cross medal. That is something that you should treasure and not look at it as a monetary thing.

'I met Oz's family at the last Remembrance and Christina has brought heartache and pain to their family.'

But Mr Plumb has managed to move on, finding a happy relationship with his new partner.
A pro-Palestinian supporter has been accused of 'pure visceral hatred' after she was filmed repeatedly spitting on a poster calling for the release of Israeli hostages in north London.

Shocking footage shows the young brunette woman with blonde highlights hawking her saliva at the graphic before attempting to scrape the sticker off an advertising display outside Hendon Central underground station.

When she realised she was being filmed, the woman held up her middle finger towards the hostage poster featuring a yellow ribbon before telling her shocked bystanders: 'F*** Israel, f*** every dirty nasty Israeli piece of s***'.

The incident came just days after a ceasefire deal saw the release of the last 20 living hostages held by Hamas terrorists since October 7, 2023 in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

As part of the deal, Hamas was supposed to release the bodies of 28 people but has only returned 15 of them to date, claiming they are unable to locate the remaining 13.

Around 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage in the deadly attacks on Israel in 2023.

The yellow ribbon is the symbol of the 'Bring Them Home' campaign for the hostages who were taken by Hamas terrorists and held captive in Gaza.

Metropolitan Police confirmed it is now investigating the incident, which occurred on Sunday around 11pm, as a hate crime.

A pro-Palestinian supporter has been accused of 'pure visceral hatred' after she was filmed repeatedly spitting on a poster calling for the release of Israeli hostages in north London

Shocking footage shows the young brunette woman with blonde highlights hawking her saliva at the graphic on an advertising display outside Hendon Central underground station

In the full video, which has been viewed by Daily Mail, the woman turns several times on the Jewish bystanders filming the incident, one of whom has a South African accent.

She says to the bystander: 'F*** every dirty coloniser, including every Israeli and all you f***ing, what are you, South African? You sound it.'

The pro-Palestinian supporter, who can be heard referring to herself as 'indigenous' continues to spit at the poster and make crude gestures, before telling those filming her: 'I love all Jewish people, my love [is] to real Jews, not dirty Israeli pieces of s**t.'

Speaking to Daily Mail, a witness who does not wish to be named, said the incident amounted to 'nothing more than hatred'.

He had spotted the woman scraping away at the sticker and believed initially she was trying to remove an anti-Semitic sticker - before realising what she was actually doing.

The man said: 'In the climate we live in, as Jews in England, it was certainly not the first time something like this has happened and it's not the worst thing we've seen.

'But it was a shock and very difficult in the moment to know what to do.

'That's life as a Jew in London today.

Met Police said it was investigating the incident outside Hendon Central station as a hate crime

'We're lost for words. All the people in our community, regardless of where they are on the spectrum in terms of religious practice, we are all feeling the same.

'It's pure visceral hatred, isn't it? I mean, there's no other reason for it. What other reason could there be? She certainly didn't have anything to say about the hostages - living or dead.'

Advocacy group Campaign Against Antisemitism said it was aware of the incident.

A spokesperson said: 'This video is appalling. Unfortunately, it's also emblematic of deeply troubling trends among young people: almost half of British 18 to 24-year-olds are uncomfortable around supporters of Israel, 42 per cent believe Israel can 'get away with anything' because its supporters control the media, and 10 per cent have a favourable view of Hamas.

'The authorities - from educational and cultural institutions to law enforcement need to wake up to this alarming rise in hatred and take meaningful steps to combat it.'

Met Police said it was investigating the incident.

A spokesperson said: 'We are aware of the video and the incident is being investigated as a hate crime.

'Officers are carrying out enquiries and have arranged to meet with the victims.

'There have been no arrests. Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to call 101 quoting CAD 7476/20Oct.'
The dire state of Britain's churches was revealed today with thousands facing closure within the next five years amid mounting concerns over soaring repair bills.

One in 20 churches now believe they will definitely or probably not be used as a place of worship by 2030, according to a survey by the National Churches Trust.

The charity said this was equivalent to about 2,000 churches UK-wide as the cost of maintaining historic buildings that have stood for centuries becomes impossible.

Almost a third of surveyed churches said they had uncertain futures, the poll added.

Comedian Hugh Dennis, currently starring as a man of the cloth in a production of The Importance of Being Earnest in London, has thrown his weight behind an NCT campaign to save churches, saying they 'must remain at the heart of our heritage'.

The charity, which works to help churches stay open and in use, commissioned a survey of more than 3,000 churches from various denominations across the UK.

It found one in 20 churches, which it extrapolated to about 2,000 UK-wide, said they would either 'definitely' or 'probably' not be used as a place of worship by 2030.

Overall, almost two-thirds (64 per cent) of churches said they were confident they would 'definitely' remain open.

But 27 per cent were less certain and could only say they would 'probably' remain open as a place of worship in five years' time; 5 per cent said they would probably not or definitely not stay open; the remaining 4 per cent said they did not know.

Tundergarth Kirk, which is a place of remembrance for the Lockerbie bombing victims

The 16th century All Saints Parish Church in Antrim, which was devastated by a fire last year

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Maintenance work on the tower of Our Lady and St Mary Magdelene in Tavistock, Devon

Bryn Sion Chapel in Aberdare, South Wales, has required expensive renovation works

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More than a fifth (22 per cent) of churches said their building had deteriorated in the last five years, while almost four in 10 (38 per cent) reported that their roof was either at risk or in urgent need of repair.

Rural churches are the least likely to have confidence that they will remain open - with the survey finding up to 7 per cent could close, equivalent to around 900 churches.

The survey across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, included buildings in the Catholic Church, Church of England, Church of Scotland, Methodist Church and the Church in Wales.

Outnumbered star Dennis, who is playing Reverend Canon Chasuble in the Oscar Wilde production at the Noel Coward Theatre, said churches are a 'great British success story', providing 'vital community support' such as food banks and are 'custodians of priceless heritage'.

He added: 'The future of our amazing church buildings is one of the greatest heritage challenges we face as a nation.

'They must remain at the heart of our heritage and at the centre of local communities.'

Major works for churches, such as replacing a roof or repairing a tower, can cost hundreds of thousands of pounds  with fundraising efforts often focused on encouraging donations from congregations and local people.

A burst pipe caused major damage to St John the Evangelist's Church in Lancaster

Painting after a fire caused damage to All Saints Church in the parish of Fleet in Hampshire

Repair works to Bridge of Allan Parish Church, a Church of Scotland church near Stirling

St Peter's Church in South Somercotes, Lincolnshire, has suffered from damp in recent years

Newport Minster on the Isle of Wight has undergone a significant renovation project

Significant repair works after a fire damaged to All Saints Church in Fleet, Hampshire

Maintenance works on the walls of St Mary's Church in Marshchapel, Lincolnshire

But almost a third (31 per cent) of churches surveyed are now drawing on church reserves to cover basic costs, while almost half (45 per cent) reported a lack of volunteer time as a major barrier to doing more in their community.

NCT chairman Sir Philip Rutnam, said: 'Our churches stand as extraordinary witnesses to history: places where beauty, belonging and service to the community have flourished for centuries.

'The National Churches Survey sets out clearly the challenges that churches are facing and also the opportunities for renewal, if we act together.

'Without intervention the risks are enormous, we will lose more and more of these buildings and all they embody, for good.

'To secure a future for the UK's historic churches, the UK Government, denominations and heritage bodies must all recognise their leadership roles, act together and act fast.'

The charity's deputy chief executive Karl Newton, who managed the survey, added: 'The findings from the 2025 National Churches Survey, which follows on from a similar survey run in 2010, shine a spotlight on some of the dangers facing churches in the UK.

Bryn Sion Chapel in Aberdare, South Wales, has required expensive renovation works

Newport Minster on the Isle of Wight has undergone a significant renovation project

Tundergarth Kirk is made up of a 1900 Grade B-listed church and the 1771 Old Kirk ruins

A burst pipe caused major damage to St John the Evangelist's Church in Lancaster

Roof repairs have been required for the Kendal Quaker Meeting House in Cumbria

Floor repair works at Martin's Memorial Church on Stornoway in the Outer Hebrides

'Buildings are deteriorating with over a third of church roofs at risk or in urgent need of repair, volunteers needed to run churches are in short supply and for many, money is running out. But the National Churches Survey also has positive news.

'The majority of churches provide vital support for local people, continue to safeguard precious local heritage and most now have accessible entrances, toilets and kitchens, making them user-friendly places of worship as well as community hubs.'

There are more than 20,000 listed places of worship in the UK, most of which are churches. Just over a fifth are Grade I listed or equivalent, a third are Grade II* listed, and 40 per cent are Grade II listed.

The Church of England estimates that it has a 1billion repair bill for its parish churches.

The NCT has now called for a capital funding scheme set up by the UK Government of 50million a year to ensure the most at-risk buildings do not fall into disrepair.

A Government spokesperson said: 'Listed places of worship serve as vital community hubs for faith communities whilst providing valuable services to the wider public.

Roof repairs have been required for the Kendal Quaker Meeting House in Cumbria

Damage to the stained glass windows at St Helen's Church in Little Cawthorpe, Lincolnshire

Lead was taken from the roof of St John the Baptist's Church in Parson Drove, Cambridgeshire

Repair works are carried out at Saltaire United Reformed Church in West Yorkshire

Damage to the brick and stone Holy Trinity Church in Sunderland which was opened in 1719

Newport Minster on the Isle of Wight has undergone a significant renovation project

Llangelynin Old Church, one of Wales's oldest churches which dates back to the 12th century

Roof repairs have been required for the Kendal Quaker Meeting House in Cumbria

Hugh Dennis, currently starring as a man of the cloth in a production of The Importance of Being Earnest in London, has thrown his weight behind the campaign to save churches

'Many are buildings of exceptional architectural and historical significance that form an integral part of our national heritage.

'The Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme enables religious organisations to claim grants covering eligible VAT costs for essential repairs and renovations.

'This sits alongside substantial additional funding available through DCMS and our arm's length bodies, including 100 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund allocated between 2023 and 2026, ensuring these treasured buildings can continue serving their communities for generations to come.'

A total of 3,628 churches took part in the survey by Whitestone Insight between May and July 2025.

Its findings were announced earlier this week at 'Great Expectations', a conference on the future of UK church buildings at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Tristram Hunt, director of the V&A, said: 'Keeping these churches open and in good repair and caring for their local collections of cultural treasures takes people, money and time. It is one of the most important heritage challenges we face.'
A man described as one of 'the UK's most wanted men' is facing extradition to the UK after being arrested on the Algarve.

Portuguese police said today they had held the 40-year-old in the town of Boliqueime near Albufeira on an international arrest warrant.

In a statement released this morning the Policia Judiciaria said: 'The Judiciary Police, through its Southern Directorate, located and arrested one of the most wanted men in the United Kingdom in Boliqueime.'

He is strongly suspected of criminal association and illicit drug trafficking.

'The arrest of the 40-year-old suspect took place in the context of international police cooperation with the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA), in compliance with an international arrest warrant issued by the UK judicial authorities.

'The detainee is the leader of a criminal organisation dedicated to the international trafficking of large quantities of cocaine and hashish and had been on the run for about two years following a court ruling.

'His criminal activity in the United Kingdom also included episodes of violence and attempts to flee from the authorities by running them over.

Portuguese police said today they had held the 40-year-old in the town of Boliqueime near Albufeira on an international arrest warrant (FIle image of Boliqueime)

'The detainee, a foreign national, was in possession of a false identity and will appear before the Court of Appeal in Evora to be assessed for extradition to the requesting country, Scotland.'

Further details about the arrest are expected to be revealed at a police press conference later today in the Algarve city of Faro.

It was not immediately clear this morning when the arrest took place and whether the wanted man will consent to extradition or try to delay or frustrate it by opposing his forced return.
Brits who resort to private healthcare have been warned they could be hammered in the Budget.

Rachel Reeves is understood to be looking at targeting so-called 'Limited Liability Partnerships' - LLPs - as she desperately tries to bring in more cash.

But although supporters stress that applying a national insurance to the arrangements would catch the wealthiest lawyers and bring in 2billion, doctors have raised concerns that it will have a wider impact.

Extra costs will 'inevitably' be passed on to millions of people who use private healthcare, according to the BMA.

Numbers going private have been rising amid widespread dissatisfaction with problems accessing GPs and long NHS waiting lists.

Estimates have suggested eight million people - around 11.8 per cent of the population - are covered by insurance policies. Many others pay for treatment ad hoc.

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It emerged yesterday that Ms Reeves is looking at tightening rules on partnerships as she looks to fill a 20billion to 40billion black hole in the public finances next month.

Currently the structures are not subject to employer national insurance contributions of 15 per cent, so have big tax advantages and are used by about 190,000 professionals.

A report by CenTax - pointed to by government insiders - suggested changing tax rules for all kinds of partnerships.

It estimated the change would hit 96 per cent of GP partners, raising 250 million for the Treasury, although it flagged the measure could be offset to avoid increasing their tax bill.

Any such raid would inflame tensions between the medical profession and the government, amid bitter clashes and strike threats over pay.

However, the rumours seemed to take the Department of Health by surprise yesterday.

After that it emerged that the Treasury is focusing on LLPs - which most NHS GPs are restricted from using.

The Daily Mail was told last month that the Chancellor was considering levying VAT on private healthcare, but that prospect was immediately killed off by Health Secretary Wes Streeting in interviews.

A BMA spokesman said: 'Extending employer National Insurance to LLPs would deal a serious blow to doctors working in private practice within LLP structures.

'Applying a new 15 per cent charge for LLPs would substantially increase the tax rate for these doctors beyond 40 per cent, highly-likely eroding the financial viability of many small, doctor-led practices.

'This added cost will inevitably be passed on to patients, making private care less accessible and discouraging doctors from continuing or entering private practice.'

Dan Neidle of Tax Policy Associates said it would be be 'insane' to tax partners in LLPs but not other types of partnership.

He suggested it would be 'unfair' to make 'some people pay more tax than others for a random reason'.

LLPs would also likely respond by converting to general or foreign partnerships.

'Can't believe they'd do that,' Mr Neidle added about the proposal.

LLPs cannot presently legally hold General Medical Services (GMS) or Personal Medical Services (PMS) contracts.

The BMA said GP locums could in theory be affected if they have grouped together into an LLP.
Keri Starmer is out of touch with Labour voters and must do more to articulate the party's 'purpose', the favourite to become its new deputy leader has suggested.

Lucy Powell hit out at the Prime Minister in the lead-up to poll closing today in a deputy leadership election that could trigger a major new schism in Labour and see it tack even further to the left.

Ms Powell is up against Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson to take the post vacated by Angela Rayner last month after she failed to pay enough tax on a holiday home.

And the Manchester Central MP used a final appeal to party members on the Labour List website to criticise Sir Keir and his team.

She again warned against 'trying to out-Reform Reform', a reference to tough new anti-migrant laws, saying Labour had to be 'much clearer about our purpose as a party and government, and whose side we are on'.

'I want to help Keir and our Government to succeed,' she said.

'But we all know that we must change how we are doing things to turn things around  more in touch with our movement, and the communities and workplaces we represent, more principled and strategic, less tactical, and strongly guided by our values.'

She also hit out at Ms Phillipson, pointedly saying she would be a 'full-time' deputy leader, in contrast to her rival, who will combine it with her Cabinet post.

If Ms Powell is named the winner on Saturday it could trigger a fresh crisis and battle for the soul of the party just weeks before the Budget and at a time when it is struggling in the polls.

A new poll released today showed that she remains on course to win, though her lead has narrowed.

Lucy Powell hit out at the Prime Minister in the lead-up to poll closing in a deputy leadership election that could trigger a major new schism in Labour and see it tack even further to the left.

She again warned against 'trying to out-Reform Reform', a reference to tough new anti-migrant laws, saying Labour had to be 'much clearer about our purpose as a Party and government, and whose side we are on'.

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She also hit out at Ms Phillipson, pointedly saying she would be a 'full-time' deputy leader, in contrast to her rival, who will combine it with her Cabinet post.

Ms Phillipson used her own appeal to members to say she was 'impatient foe the change we promised' before the 2024 election.

But while she admitted the leadership had 'got things wrong' she said the best place for the deputy to be was 'right at the heart of government, not by shouting from the sidelines'.

'We all know Reform are a clear and present danger which we cant ignore  so are the Greens peddling their false hope,' she said.

'But were not going to beat them by having spats in public. Were not going to beat them by throwing rocks at the leadership just as were not going to beat them by straying from our values.'
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, there have been several efforts by Russian leader Vladimir Putin to end the war. None of these efforts have worked because Putin still believes that Russia must win. This attitude was expected by Putins primary supporters, who consist of senior military and political officials as well as the oligarchs, businessmen who control much of the Russian economy. Putin would not have the support of these key supporters if he did anything that indicated Russia would not eventually prevail.

Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine on the assumption that Ukrainians would not resist and that the capital, Kyiv, could be quickly captured. With that, it would be easy to overcome demoralized Ukrainian forces and declare victory. Putin was surprised at how strong and effective the Ukrainian resistance was. Now, after more than three years of fighting, the Ukrainians are gaining more ground, and Russian losses have been so heavy that they cannot recruit enough Russians to replace them. Instead, the Russians are hiring mercenaries from North Korea, Cuba, Central Asian nations that were once part of the Soviet Union, and anywhere else they can get away with it. Nations that are not Russian allies outlaw and prohibit these Russian recruiting efforts.

Nearly four years of war and economic sanctions have crippled the Russian economy. Putin is out of soldiers to replace losses and unable to produce enough new weapons to replace the thousands of tanks, artillery, and other weapons lost. In the last year, Putin mentioned in public that the economy was having problems. His advisors urged him to avoid such statements and insist that Russia would eventually win. But Putin had to do something. If he admitted that the war could not be won, his government would likely collapse. That would mean Putin would probably be out of a job, and more levelheaded Russian leaders might agree to a peace deal with Ukraine.

The Ukrainians would drive a hard bargain because several hundred billion dollars of military and economic aid from NATO countries have left Ukraine in a stronger military, economic, and negotiating position. Ukrainian leaders now speak of regaining all the territory the Russians occupy. This would include the Crimean Peninsula, which the Russians have controlled since 2014. A year ago, this sounded impossible. But as Ukrainian military strength and battlefield successes have increased, Russian offensive operations are few, and none have achieved much success.

At this point, Vladimir Putin is desperate to achieve some kind of face-saving peace deal. The Ukrainians are willing to negotiate but are unwilling to let Russia keep any of the Ukrainian territory they still occupy. In late 2024, Russia still occupied over 700,000 square kilometers of Ukraine. But by March 2025, that fell to 133,000 square kilometers, and by the end of 2025 or early 2026, the Ukrainians expect to regain all the territory occupied by Russia. Considering the growing strength of the Ukrainian military and the catastrophic decline of Russian forces, that is a reasonable expectation.

Putin continues to express an interest in peace negotiations, even though he realizes the Ukrainians, with their continued flow of weapons, munitions, and economic aid from NATO, have no incentive to ask for anything less than all Russian forces leaving Ukraine. Putin is no longer seeking a negotiating edge; he just wants peace and an end to the economic sanctions. Until he agrees to admit defeat and withdraw all Russian troops from Ukraine, he wont get that. Instead, Putin will probably lose his job and go down in history as the Russian leader who lost a war, ruined the economy, and could not even negotiate a peace treaty that tried to conceal the ultimate failure of Russia and its leaders to avoid a military and economic catastrophe.
Veterans have been 'left in tears' after a war memorial was vandalised by disrespectful thugs.

Villagers in Bilsthorpe, Nottinghamshire were 'distraught' after discovering that a display of wooden statues, to commemorate those who have lost their lives in combat, had been targeted.

Poppies at the display had been kicked over and damage was also caused to a framed photograph of a local veteran, prompting police to launch an investigation.

The damage was noticed yesterday morning, ahead of a monthly breakfast club at the nearby village hall, which a number of veteran's regularly attend.

They discovered the vandalism on their way to the club.

It comes as the Royal British Legion launches its annual poppy appeal today ahead of Remembrance Day, in less than three weeks time.

Glenys and Arthur Pinnock built the memorial six years ago and have maintained it ever since with their own money.

Mrs Pinnock said some veterans at the breakfast club were left 'in tears' by the senseless damage caused.

A village memorial was vandalised in Bilsthorpe, Nottinghamshire on Wednesday morning

However, in defiance, the club members rallied with other local residents to clean up the mess left by the vandals.

'We aren't going to let them win - it's mindless vandalism and whoever did this wouldn't be living in a free country without those soldiers,' Mrs Pinnock said.

'I'm beyond upset and I haven't even got the words to tell you how I feel. We're both in our 70s and my husband has spent hours out there painting the statues.

'When we lost our children, this gave us a purpose to carry on and we now do a lot for the veterans' community.

'But they won't win and, if they knock them down again, we'll go out there and put them back'.

Mrs Pinnock says the memorial, which is surrounded by poppies and knitted figurines, has never been targeted by vandals before.

Claire Stoneman, who works at the nearby Burton Court Community Centre, has set up a fundraising page to help raise some money to rebuild the statues.

Less than 24 hours later, an outpouring of support had led to more than 1,000 being raised.

Ms Stoneman said: 'I just thought 'oh my God' and I couldn't believe it - you think people would have respect for our veterans.'

Nottinghamshire Police have urged anyone with information to come forward.

Glenys and Arthur Pinnock built the memorial six years ago and have since maintained it

A spokesperson for the force said: 'We are currently investigating reports relating to a memorial being vandalised, in Eakring Road, Bilsthorpe.'

'The criminal damage was reported to the police around 7.50am today (Wednesday) and is believed to have been caused in the early hours of the morning.

'We completely appreciate the upset this incident has caused to the local community and are determined to track down whoever was responsible.

'On that note, we'd ask anyone with any information to call the police on 101, quoting incident 88 of 22 October, or report it anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.'

The Royal British Legion, launched today, hopes to raise more than 50 million.

Lucy Inskip, the RBL's Poppy Appeal director, spoke of the continued importance of the appeal. She said: 'Every day, ex-service personnel and their families come to the Royal British Legion for support when they become overwhelmed with issues including addiction, debt, homelessness, PTSD and relationship breakdowns.

'When something goes wrong, the RBL is there to help rebuild lives and provide members of the armed forces community with the support they need to create a better future.'

The lasting impact of a training accident, the loss of a friend, or battlefield trauma are among a range of potentially devastating issues faced by some veterans.

Ms Inskip described the annual appeal, founded in 1921, as something which 'brings the nation together and helps us raise vital funds needed to support the armed forces community'.

Donations help the RBL - the UK's largest armed forces charity - to respond in ways that are tailored to the armed forces community's specific needs and circumstances.
A ranting Putin ally has accused Donald Trump of committing 'an act of war against Russia' by imposing sanctions on Moscow's oil giants.

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Thursday it was now absolutely clear that the United States was Russia's adversary and that US President Donald Trump's recent steps on Ukraine amounted to an act of war against the country.

Trump said during the US election campaign that he would swiftly end the Ukraine war - which his administration has cast as a 'proxy war' between Washington and Moscow - though he has recently expressed frustration about President Vladimir Putin.

Trump, who has described Russia as a 'paper tiger', said on Wednesday he had called off a planned summit with Putin.

The move came as the US Treasury slapped sanctions on two of Russia's biggest oil companies, a decision which President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed as 'resolute'.

'The United States is our adversary, and their talkative 'peacemaker' has now fully embarked on the warpath with Russia,' Medvedev, who serves as deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, wrote on Telegram, referring to Trump.

'The decisions taken are an act of war against Russia. And now Trump has fully aligned himself with loony Europe.'

Donald Trump, who has described Russia as a 'paper tiger', said on Wednesday he had called off a planned summit with Putin

Pictured: Smoke raises amid the ruins in Kostiantynivka, a frontline town where some 5000 people still stay with no water, electricity and gas supply in the site of heaviest battles with the Russian troops in the Donetsk region

Medvedev (pictured) said on Thursday it was now absolutely clear that the United States was Russia's adversary and that US President Donald Trump's recent steps on Ukraine amounted to an act of war against Russia

Putin, Russia's paramount leader since 1999, remains the final voice on Russian policy though Medvedev, an arch-hawk who has repeatedly goaded Trump on social media, gives a sense of hardline thinking within the elite.

Trump in August said that he had ordered two US nuclear submarines to move closer to Russia in response to what he called 'highly provocative' comments from Medvedev about the risk of war.

Medvedev said that the move of the 'Trumpian pendulum' simply meant that Russia could now hammer Ukraine with a wide variety of weapons 'without regard to unnecessary negotiations.'

Putin, who ordered Russian troops into Ukraine in February 2022 after eight years of fighting in the country's east between Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian government forces, has repeatedly said he is ready to talk about peace.

European leaders and Ukraine say they do not think Putin wants peace and have cautioned that Russia might one day attack a NATO member, a claim the Kremlin has repeatedly dismissed as nonsense.

An apartment building hit during a Russian drone strike burns, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the town of Nizhyn

Putin, Russia's paramount leader since 1999, remains the final voice on Russian policy though Medvedev, an arch-hawk who has repeatedly goaded Trump on social media, gives a sense of hardline thinking within the elite

Trump said during the US election campaign that he would swiftly end the Ukraine war which his administration has cast as a 'proxy war' between Washington and Moscow, though he has recently expressed frustration about President Vladimir Putin

The building of the Domino business center remains damaged after a Russian drone attack on October 23, 2025 in Kyiv, Ukraine

Russia's foreign ministry said that Moscow's aims in Ukraine remained unchanged from 2022: that Ukraine should be neutral, non-aligned, demilitarised and ensure the rights of Russian speakers and Orthodox believers.

'We need a configuration of negotiated solutions that will eliminate the root causes of the conflict and ensure reliable peace in the context of building a Eurasian and broader global system of indivisible security,' spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

She cast US sanctions as 'extremely' counterproductive and warned that if the Trump administration followed the example of previous US administrations then it would fail.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday praised US President Donald Trump's 'resolute' decision to sanction Russia's energy sector, as Washington's patience finally snapped with Moscow for stalling peace efforts.

Russia said the sanctions risked hurting diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine and that it had developed 'strong immunity' to Western restrictions. Its close ally China said they had 'no basis in international law'.

But Zelensky called the measures 'a clear signal that prolonging the war and spreading terror come at a cost'.

'It is a strong and much-needed message that aggression will not go unanswered,' he wrote on X as he arrived at an EU summit in Brussels.

A firefighter works to extinguish a blaze following a Russian strike

The US Treasury slapped sanctions on two of Russia's biggest oil companies on Wednesday, a decision which President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed as 'resolute'

The building of the Domino business center remains damaged after a Russian drone attack on October 23, 2025 in Kyiv, Ukraine

Trump slapped sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies on Wednesday, complaining that his talks with Vladimir Putin to end the Ukraine war 'don't go anywhere'.

The US leader had held off pulling the trigger on sanctions against Russia for months but he eventually took the leap after plans for a fresh summit with Putin in Budapest collapsed.

Trump said that he hoped the 'tremendous sanctions' against Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil would be short-lived. 'We hope that the war will be settled,' he said.

The US sanctions came as the European Union also imposed a 19th package of sanctions on Russia over the war - targeting Moscow's key energy revenues.

'This is a clear signal from both sides of the Atlantic that we will keep up collective pressure on the aggressor,' EU chief Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X.

The US measures represent a major stepping up of its actions against Russia and reflect Trump's growing frustration at being unable to persuade Putin to end the conflict despite what he calls his personal chemistry with the Kremlin chief.

Despite Trump's outreach to Putin, Russia has continued its heavy bombardments on Ukraine, targeting key energy infrastructure ahead of the winter.

Zelensky said he hoped that Trump's shift on sanctions would also herald a change of mind on giving Ukraine long-range Tomahawk missiles - after Kyiv came away from a meeting in Washington empty handed last week.

Kyiv and its supporters have already sought to seize on Trump's demand for Russia and Ukraine to stop fighting along the current front line and shift the onus from Kyiv to Moscow to make concessions.

As part of the new EU measures, the 27-nation bloc brought forward a ban on the import of liquefied natural gas from Russia by a year to the start of 2027.

It also blacklisted over 100 more tankers from Moscow's so-called 'shadow fleet' of ageing oil vessels and imposed controls on the travel of Russian diplomats suspected of espionage.

While Europe welcomed Trump's latest move, it also was looking at ways to shore up Ukraine's finances as the war drags on through a fourth year.

EU leaders were looking at their summit to give a preliminary green light to plans for a mammoth 140-billion-euro ($162-billion) loan for Ukraine using frozen Russian central bank assets.

Belgium, where the bulk of the money is held at international deposit organisation Euroclear, has demanded guarantees the rest of the EU will share any liabilities if Russia goes to court.

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever said he was willing to agree if his conditions are met but warned he 'would do everything in my power' to block the plan if not.

While key questions remain, diplomats hope EU leaders will give the bloc's executive the go-ahead to draw up a formal legal proposal for the loan that would only be paid back by Kyiv once Moscow coughs up for the damage it has wrought during its invasion of Ukraine.

Even if an initial nod is given at the summit, there still looks set to be months of wrangling over the small print before the loan can be finalised.
A haul of up to 15,000 Roman coins buried in two clay pots has been found in a Welsh field by a dumbfounded metal detectorist.

The trove, unearthed by David Moss, 36, from Cheshire, could be the biggest hoard ever discovered in Wales.

Before taking the coins to experts at the National Museum Cardiff, Mr Moss slept with them in his car for three days over fears they could be stolen.

He made the discovery while metal detecting in a field in North Wales with a friend.

The pair were set to give up after a dreary day in the rain when a bright rainbow appeared.

'It truly felt like a sign,' Mr Moss said. 'Persistence paid off and what we uncovered was beyond anything I ever dreamed.'

A haul of up to 15,000 Roman coins buried in two clay pots has been found in a Welsh field by a dumbfounded metal detectorist. The trove, unearthed by David Moss, 36, from Cheshire, could be the biggest hoard ever discovered in Wales

Before taking the coins to experts at the National Museum Cardiff, Mr Moss slept with them in his car for three days over fears they could be stolen

Mr Moss and his friend, Ian Nicholson, initially found one pot containing coins just over 20inches (55cm) below the surface.

After notifying the landowner, the pair found another filled pot in the same field.

Mr Moss and his friend, Ian Nicholson, were given expert guidance to carefully excavate the 2,000-year-old clay pots over the course of six hours.

Mr Moss then guarded the coins closely before making a four-hour drive to Cardiff to leave them with experts.

The coins collectively weigh more than 130 pounds (60kg).

Anthony Halse, chairman of the South Wales and Monmouthshire Numismatic Society, told the BBC that the hoard could be the biggest discovery in Wales.

Mr Moss, who was using a metal detector bought for him as a birthday present, is set for a windfall in the coming months.

Under the 1996 Treasure Act, any object that is declared treasure becomes the property of the Crown and is kept safe so that museums or galleries in England can buy it.

After immediately reporting the find and notifying the landowner, Mr Moss and his friend, Ian Nicholson, were given expert guidance to carefully excavate the 2,000-year-old clay pots over the course of six hours

Mr Moss (right) with his friend Ian holding one of the clay pots

The proceeds of the purchase are typically shared with the person who found it and the landowner.

If no institution opts to buy the coins, they can be purchased by a private buyer.

Mr Moss took up metal detecting nearly a decade ago. He found his first cache of coins in 2018.

His latest find comes after nearly 6,000 coins were found buried in two pots at Sully in the Vale of Glamorgan in 2008.

And, in the 1990s, a hoard of 10,000 coins were found near the Welsh town of Chepstow in the 1990s.

The largest ever find in Britain was the Cunetio Hoard, discovered in Wiltshire in 1978.
A Sudanese migrant who attacked two train guards, threatening he would 'teach them a lesson' after jumping a station barrier has been spared jail.

Karam Abdulkarim-Mohamed, 30, called the guards 'motherf******' after they stopped him at Reading railway station in January. He punched one man twice in the head and spat at the other.

Months later, Abdulkarim-Mohamed  who left 'very big problems' in Sudan and now lives at Bournemouth's controversial Roundhouse Hotel  attacked a woman during a separate incident in the seaside town.

After being set upon by a group of teenagers, he pulled out a pocket knife and waved it at them, then lashed out at three strangers who tried to intervene, striking one woman on the arm.

He was arrested for assault, carrying a knife and carrying cocaine.

Abdulkarim-Mohamed, whose legal status remains unclear, appeared at Poole Magistrates' Court for sentencing wearing a pair of Nike Air Jordan 4 trainers, which usually retail at 300.

He walked out of court, having been given a 16-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay compensation to his victims.

Magistrates heard he left his native Sudan in 2019 and first moved to France and then Germany before arriving in the UK in 2021. He has two brothers who are also in Britain.

Karam Abdulkarim-Mohamed, 30, outside Poole Magistrates Court

Karam Abdulkarim-Mohamed, 30, called the guards 'motherf******' after they stopped him at Reading railway station in January

He had been studying at a college in London for a period but has been staying at the Roundhouse Hotel, taken over by the Home Office in Bournemouth, for about nine months, and doesn't receive any income from the state.

The 102-room site, run by the Home Office to house asylum seekers, has been the focus of repeated protests by anti-immigration campaigners as it is one of three hotels in the resort run for the exclusive use of asylum seekers.

Prosecutor Charles Nightingale said the defendant first tried to jump the barriers at Reading station on January 29 this year at 9.30pm before returning 30 minutes later and forcing his way through.

He said: 'He tries to jump the barrier and is stopped. He leaves, and 30 minutes later comes back and barges through the barrier and is chased by two members of security.

'He said "you can't stop me you motherf.....s" and "you don't know who I am" and "I will teach you a lesson".

'He punched [one of the guards] to the side of the face twice, and [the second guard] was spat on.'

Six months later, he clashed with two teenagers he knew in Bournemouth town centre after hugging one mans girlfriend.

The group turned on him, and Abdulkarim-Mohamed responded by drawing a knife.

Mr Nightingale said: 'He draws a small knife and uses it. It may have been in self-defence, but he shouldn't have had it in the first place.'

He then lashed out at strangers who tried to intervene and struck a woman on the arm.

The court heard he may have been suffering from a concussion when he then lashed out at the members of the public.

His probation officer told the court that sending him to prison would have an impact on his mental health.

Mail on Sunday investigations revealed that 46 criminal charges had been brought against migrants at the Roundhouse Hotel (above)

Anti-immigration campaigners holding the Union and St George's flags outside the hotel

Defence lawyer James Moore said his client had no money to pay a fine, had never been in trouble before, and was remorseful. He described the knife as a small blade used to cut nails.

Abdulkarim-Mohamed admitted assaulting the two guards, assaulting the woman, possessing an offensive weapon, and possessing class A and B drugs.

He was given a 16-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay 120 compensation to his victims.

As previously revealed by The Mail On Sunday, 116 charges  mainly of alleged assault  have been brought against 51 migrants living across the town's three seafront hotels.

Some 46 criminal charges have been brought against asylum seekers at the Roundhouse Hotel, 45 at the neighbouring Britannia and 25 at the Chine Hotel in Boscombe Spa Road.
A migrant from Syria who has a 'receding hairline' and 'grey hair' has won an age case after an immigration judge ruled he was 16.

Authorities in Britain said the Syrian was 'clearly an adult' when he arrived on a small boat last year because of his 'mature' physical features, a tribunal heard.

The migrant - who claimed he was 16 - had 'hairy, muscular arms', 'crow's feet lines' on his eyes, and 'wrinkles' on his forehead.

He is a smoker and has 'stubble', a 'deep voice', a 'visible Adam's apple', and age assessors said he had a 'receding hairline with grey hair all over his head'.

Derby City Council, which carried out the age assessment after his arrival, rejected his claims and said he was 'significantly over 18 years of age'.

Senior immigration workers judged him to be aged between 24-26.

An immigration officer said the Syrian, who was given anonymity and was referred to as SMF, used his 'slim' body stature 'to present himself as a child'.

But the Applicant took the case to an appeal in the Upper Tribunal of the Immigration and Asylum Chamber and has now won his case.

The appeal was heard at the Uppter Tribunal of the Immigration and Asylum Chamber (pictured) in central London

An immigration judge ruled that he was 16 at the time of his arrival in 2024 and is 17 now.

Judge Gaenor Bruce said she accepted testimony of an Iranian asylum seeker who was in the same Derby hotel as SMF who was concerned about his young age and noted that the Syrian couldn't cook or do the laundry.

The witness also told the tribunal he would help SMF 'navigate the world in a manner that would not have been necessary if he was in fact an adult close to their age', the judge said.

The tribunal heard the Syrian arrived on a small boat last year and initially stayed in a London migrant hotel.

The Syrian said his date of birth was August 12, 2008.

He said that he lived on a farm with his mother in Syria and that he was 'scared the entire time' of his journey to the UK.

Derby City Council rejected his claim, assessing him as 'clearly an adult'.

The tribunal heard: 'Two officers, one of at least Chief Immigration Officer (CIO) level, separately determined that the [migrant's] physical appearance very strongly suggests that he is significantly over 18 years of age.

'The notes section records that a social worker, P Okunja, was also present and agreed with this assessment.'

The immigration officers noted SMF's 'strong adult like features' and said he had a 'defined jawline' and facial skin that 'appears mature'.

A list of features which were observed and which helped the officers reach a decision continued: 'Has crow's feet lines in the corners of his eyes when he speaks. Has visible nasolabial lines with observed rings around his neck.

'Has evidence of receding hairline with grey hair observed all over his head. He has a deep and consistent voice which is indicative of an adult.

'Has visible cheekbones of an adult there is evidence of long shaving requirement with stubble and acne. He has wrinkles showing on his forehead with very visible veins on his neck.

'Has strong hairy muscular arms, hands and fingers when displayed. He has tight broad shoulders which is a common feature in adults.

'His nasiolabial folds are well defined, and his facial skin has no firmness or lustre which is associated with a young person of his claimed age.'

The migrant was also said to be 'very assertive and confident' towards officers - despite requiring an interpreter during interviews - and judged to be between 24-26 years old.

After arriving in the UK he was kept at Dover for two days before being transferred to a migrant hotel in London for two weeks - where he told staff members that he was a child.

He stated that he was afraid of the other residents in the hotel, saying they were 'noisy, took drugs, drank and smoked cigarettes'.

He pointed out that when he tried to buy a Red Bull in a newsagent he was 'age challenged' - showing that he did not have the necessary features of an adult.

Judge Bruce said that she believed that the date of birth provided by SMF is correct and quashed any decision that he is 'clearly an adult'.

Judge Bruce said: 'Young men typically start to develop facial hair in adolescence, but its thickness and rate of growth can vary.

'Life experience, and in particular traumatic life experience, can make someone appear older than they actually are; as can genetics, and exposure to the elements.

'A shepherd on the mountains of Kurdistan may, for instance, appear more 'weatherbeaten' than an individual of the same age growing up in a city.

'There is always the risk that a young person might be a few years younger or older than their appearance suggests.

'It did not look to me that his hairline was receding in the slightest.

'Similarly, I was unable to see the wrinkles that they did.

'Whilst I agreed with the officers' note that he has a 'slim body', I do not really understand the conclusion that they drew from that.'

The judge said that she did not accept everything the Applicant said.

'I do not accept that he is entirely illiterate, to the point of being unable to sign his own name on the bottom of his statements', Judge Bruce said.

'That is quite obviously incompatible with his use of a smartphone.

'Overall I have found the chronology in the Applicant's narrative to be internally and externally consistent with what is known about events in northern Syria.

'Other young Kurdish men in that hostel - who lived with the Applicant day to day over a period of months - found him to be immature and childlike.

'Others helped him to cook, use the laundry, and generally navigate the world in a manner that would not have been necessary if he was in fact an adult close to their age.'

The judge declared that his date of birth was August 12 2008 and said: 'I quash the decision of (Derby City Council) to find that the Applicant is clearly an adult.'

Derby City Council will have to pay the migrant's legal costs.

Details about his asylum status are not known.
The Metropolitan Police is launching its first squad of response drones to help officers during emergencies  with a pledge to be on scene in just two minutes.

Each drone can be launched within seconds of a 999 call being made  offering the same capabilities as a police helicopter at much greater speed.

Effectively acting as an officer from the sky, the Met believes their haste can even help identify criminals as they are fleeing from a scene, or help in the search for missing people more effectively than choppers.

The 'drones as first responder' (DFR), as they are known, are being trialled in Islington, but Scotland Yard hopes to expand their use to tourist hotspots in the West End and Hyde Park by the end of the year.

Officers recently demonstrated to members of the press how the drones  which the Mail understands are Chinesemade  will take off from a weatherproof charging box positioned on the rooftops of Met Police buildings.

They are semiautonomous, able to fly themselves to the scene of an incident. A pilot in the Met's control room, or on the ground, can then take control.

The pilot can see both a realtime video stream, which they can use to feed officers intelligence from the air, as well as a map of the drone's precise location.

The footage is also recorded and can be used as evidence. If it is not required for further investigation, it is understood the data is deleted within 28 days in line with the Met's policies on footage from body worn cameras.

Met Police Superintendent Taryn Evans, who leads on the National Police Chiefs Council's drones programme, holds one of the Met's new response aerial vehicles

The drones as first responder (DFR) can pilot themselves to an incident before a pilot takes control (pictured: a pilot at Islington Police Station)

The Chinesemade drones  which the Mail has identified as DJI Matrice 4TDs  take off from weatherproof charging docks positioned on police rooftops (pictured)

It represents a stepup in drone use in the Met, which has previously requisitioned them only for significant events such as President Donald Trump's state visit.

This is the first time they will be used in daytoday policing.

Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, the national lead for drones, says the technology gives the Met an 'immediate response' to an incident faster than any officer or helicopter can possibly offer.

A drone can be on scene in two minutes; on average, according to a recent Freedom of Information response, the Met responds to an 'immediate' priority 999 call in 12 minutes.

'By getting that immediate response with a drone, we're going to have more precise information, we're capturing best evidence at the very earliest opportunity,' AC Taylor said.

'But most importantly, where scenes are chaotic or witnesses are confused, it allows us to inform our own decisions about how many officers, which assets we should deploy.

'Critically, if suspects or offenders are making away from the scene, we can quickly identify them and bring them into custody without the need for large, expansive area searches.'

Privacy campaigners have previously expressed concern over the 'sinister' use of drones in policing  and questions remain over whether London's police force is still using Chinesemade drones.

Daily Mail analysis suggests the drones being used in the Met pilot scheme may be DJI Matrice 4TDs, which are manufactured at its plants in Shenzhen.

The drones come with a range of cameras, including an infrared camera that can detect heat signatures given off by human beings.

British intelligence services have warned against using drones that are made by companies in countries with 'coercive data sharing policies', including China.

The Met can see where exactly the drone on a map updated in realtime, alongside a live video feed

DJI has previously denied its drones transmit sensitive data to any unauthorised parties and said its products have passed independent and government security checks that have certified them 'safe and secure'.

The Daily Mail understands that the DJI drones  and accompanying docks  are controlled with independent software called Flytbase, rather than the company's own piloting program.

Met bosses are understood to be confident that data passed to and from the drones is secure and not available to outside sources.

Privacy group Big Brother Watch  which was consulted by the Met on the rollout of the drones  has previously described the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as 'sinister' and 'excessive'.

Jake Hurfurt, Head of Research and Investigations at Big Brother Watch, told the Daily Mail today: 'There may be a role for drones in providing quicker information than helicopters in unfolding emergencies, for example.

'However, it's concerning that this potentially very intrusive technology is being rolled out in the capital without any policy limiting how, when or why it might be used.

'Without robust safeguards, there is a real risk of mission creep and drones becoming flying CCTV cameras or watching people lawfully protesting.

'The Metropolitan police must be transparent about its thresholds for using drones and take care to balance the rights of Londoners with the purported benefits of drone use.'

AC Taylor insisted to the BBC that the Met is using the drones to support police on the ground  not for surveillance.

The initiative is being spearheaded by the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) and trialled by Norfolk, Cleveland, the West Midlands, Hampshire & Isle of Wight and Thames Valley Police alongside the Met.

Superintendent Taryn Evans, who leads the NPCC Drones Programme, has labelled the first responder drones as a 'game changer' in early tests.
This is the horrifying moment a Brazilian woman screamed for help after being attacked by a man who tried to rape her on a train in Paris, before a heroic passenger came to her rescue.

In disturbing footage, a woman can be heard crying loudly as the man accused of attacking her points towards the passenger who came to her aid.

When the train stops, the alleged perpetrator steps off and runs away. The alleged attack happened between Choisy-le-Roi and Villeneuve-le-Roi stations on October 16.

The victim, identified as 26-year-old Brazilian national Jhordana Dias, was reportedly alone in the carriage when the alleged attacker spotted her from the platform and entered as the doors were closing.

He is said to have approached her and launched a violent assault, allegedly slapping, biting, and scratching her while she screamed for help.

The woman said: 'When the doors dinged to close, the attacker jumped on the train, and then I realised I was alone with him. And that's when the attacks began.

'He pulled down my trousers, choked me, and tried to kiss me by force. I didn't want to kiss him.'

Her brother, Cicero Junior, claimed that his sister fought for her life. He said that when she resisted, the attacker allegedly strangled and tried to rape her.

A woman in a nearby carriage reportedly heard Jhordana's cries and rushed in.

Jhordana Dias's bruises after she was allegedly attacked by a man on a train in Paris who tried to rape her

In the footage, the alleged attacker is seen pointing to the heroic passenger before he heads for the doors

She confronted the man and began recording him on her phone, prompting him to flee.

Cicero said his sister phoned him straight after the ordeal, and he spoke with the woman who had helped her.

He said he asked her to stay with Jhordana and contact the police.

He later took his sister to a police station to file a report, but the suspect has not yet been identified.

Jhordana had been in France for two months after leaving Brazil to escape alleged domestic abuse from a former partner.

He told CNN Brasil: 'She left Brazil for peace, and she didn't have peace here.

'It's been very difficult for us, for everyone, for the family, because we want justice.'

He explained that she had travelled to Paris to attend his wedding and hoped to begin a new chapter in her life.

When the train comes to a stop, the man steps off and scurries away

The Brazilian woman claims the man pulled down her trousers and choked her before another passenger came to her aid

A forensic exam has been scheduled for October 29, but fearing that her cuts and bruises may heal before then, he took her to a doctor so her injuries could be documented.

Cicero said: 'The police have the videos, the witnesses, everything they need to find him. But so far, he hasn't been found.'

Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it remains available to offer consular support to Brazilian citizens living in France.
A glamorous prison officer alleged to have had an illicit relationship with a male inmate has been charged and is set to appear in court.

Sarah Barnett, 31, who has since left the Prison Service to start working as a beauty therapist is expected to deny the charges when she faces a plea hearing next month.

Barnett, 31, had been working at HMP Dovegate, in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, when the alleged illicit liaison came to light.

Barnett, from Rugeley, Staffordshire, has been charged with misconduct in a public office over the alleged offence at the Category B male jail.

She appeared before Derby Magistrates earlier this month charged with being a holder of a public office, who wilfully neglected to perform duty/wilfully misconducted herself.

The defendant was not required to enter a plea and her case has been transferred to the higher Derby Crown Court, where she is due to appear on November 6.

Since leaving the prison service she has now become a self-employed beauty therapist and has been promoting herself as a cosmetic brow & lash specialist.

She declined to comment when approached but her mother indicated that she will deny the charges.

Sarah Barnett, 31 (pictured) has set up a lash and brow business since leaving the service

Sarah (pictured, right) is alleged to have had an illicit relationship with a male inmate and is set to appear in court

She said of the charge her daughter faces: The CPS [Crown Prosecution Service] is hopefully going to quash the charge.

We dont really know what it is all about.'

After leaving the service she set up a trendy lash and brow business called Beauty By Sarah.

She offers popular aesthetic brow and lash services, and has received some positive reviews for her services.

The HD Brows trained specialist posted on her Facebook page in August last year: So happy my new career is going well. Thank you for all your support.

Barnett is the latest in a string of prisoner officer workers to have been charged over alleged illegal contact and liaison with inmates in recent months.

Just yesterday former prison officer Heather Pinchbeck pleaded guilty at Birmingham Crown Court to making a series of illicit phone calls which are understood to be a violent inmate.

The former prison officer declined to comment when approached but her mother indicated that she will deny the charges. (Sarah Barnett is pictured left)

Sarah (pictured, second from left) will appear in Derby Crown Court on November 6, charged with being a holder of a public office who wilfully neglected to perform a duty/wilfully misconducted herself

Glamorous Heather Pinchbeck, 28, who has since left the service, was charged with one count of making illegal mobile communication with a prisoner who she met while on duty.

Pinchbeck from Drakelow, near Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, now a business management executive, is due to be sentenced in January next year.

Last month former prison cashier Yolanda Briggs was jailed for having a sexual relationship with an inmate who had bragged about their illicit fling and was dobbed in by a fellow inmate.

Briggs, 52, pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office and was given an eight-month sentence at Lincoln Crown Court.
Thousands of former and current students of Western Sydney University have been victims of data breaches which saw serious personal details leaked to the dark web.

It was revealed on Thursday that 'unusual activity' was detected on the student management system, hosted by a third-party provider on a cloud-based platform, on August 6 and 11 this year.

After an investigation, the third-party provider was ordered to shut down access to its platform, the university confirmed in a statement.

It confirmed there was unauthorised access to the system through a further external system linked to that platform between June 19 and September 3.

Large amounts of personal information were accessed and shared, which included contact information, bank and passport details, tax file numbers and visa information.

The perpetrators also found details about identity (names, birthdays, university ID), ethnicity, employment and payroll, drivers' licences, legal, health and disability information, complaint or case information, and data on country of birth, nationality, citizenship and gender or identity information.

It was also revealed that fake emails were sent to some students and alumni on October 6, using data stolen in the incident.

Those emails, which have been seen by 9news.com.au, falsely claimed degrees or ability to study at the university had been 'revoked'.

Large amounts of personal information belonging to students, alumni and staff at Western Sydney University were accessed and shared

Fake emails were sent to some students and alumni on October 6, using data stolen in the incident, which claimed degrees or ability to study at the university had been 'revoked'

'On June 25, NSW Police arrested and charged a former student of the University,' Vice-Chancellor and President Professor George Williams said.

'Despite this, attempts to gain unauthorised access to our systems have continued, including via external parties that supply IT services to the University.

'In recent weeks, it has become clear that these incidents are intended to harm our community.'

The individual arrested in June was former student Birdie Kingston, who allegedly first infiltrated the system to gain access to discounted parking.

The hacks escalated, with Kingston allegedly changing her academic results to make them better, disrupting exams and later threatening to sell confidential student data on the dark web.

She allegedly started holding the university to ransom from November 2024, eventually demanding $40,000 in cryptocurrency to stop her revealing sensitive data.

The Daily Mail has asked the university and NSW Police for clarification on whether Kingston's alleged crimes are connected to the data breaches revealed on Thursday.

Professor Williams also said sorry to the university community, adding that the higher education institution is cooperating with police.

It comes just months after former student Birdie Kingston was arrested in June for allegedly hacking into the university's computer system to alter her academic results

'I want to again apologise for the impact this is having, and give you my assurance that we are doing everything we can to rectify this issue and support our community,' he said.

'This starts with working closely with NSW Police Force Cybercrime Squad's Strike Force Docker and includes our ongoing efforts to strengthen our cyber security.

'We encourage all students, staff and alumni who receive notifications to take the recommended actions, regardless of steps taken in the past, and to use the support services available.'

While the university reported the issue to the police immediately, officers requested students, staff, offer recipients and alumni were not notified at the time of discovery.

The statement said this was to 'avoid interfering with ongoing police investigations' and NSW Police have since approved the release of Thursday's notification.

An interim injunction previously granted to the university by the NSW Supreme Court continues to prohibit transmission, publication and use of any information or material obtained by the former student in an unauthorised manner from the university's IT systems and network.
The economist behind Labour's promise to cut Brits' energy bills by 300 has admitted the claimed savings could be 'wiped out' by rising electricity costs.

Pawel Czyzak, who penned a 2023 report for energy think tank Ember, said the UK now faced 'a much different situation' to when he wrote the research.

Prior to last year's general election, Labour promised its planned move to 'clean power' by 2030 would slash 300 off the average annual household energy bill.

The party cited Mr Czyzak's analysis as the basis for its pledge to deliver savings for families through decarbonising the electricity grid.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband on Sunday stood by the promise to cut bills by up to 300 by the end of the decade as he defended his Net Zero agenda.

But, speaking to the BBC, Mr Czyzak has cast doubt on whether the savings can be delivered.

Asked if the 300 savings estimate still stood, the energy expert said it was now 'a much different situation than it was in 2023'.

Mr Czyzak said the savings he projected were dependent on a significant drop in wholesale electricity costs as renewables become cheaper and the main source of power in the UK.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband recently stood by the promise to cut bills by up to 300 by the end of the decade as he defended his Net Zero agenda

Pawel Czyzak, who penned a 2023 report for energy think tank Ember, said the UK now faced 'a much different situation' to when he wrote the research

'I think the question now will be whether the high cost of offshore wind doesn't disrupt some of these wholesale energy savings,' Mr Czyzak said.

He added, if the cost of upgrading the electricity grid increased, and wholesale prices don't go down as much, 'then it's going to be hard to generate savings'.

'So then, yes, there is a risk of these savings being wiped out if we can't get the actual electricity cost down, and that might happen if offshore wind is too expensive,' he continued.

Mr Czyzak said Ember never suggested the 300 pledge was 'the best solution to everything'.

'I think it's generally quite a tricky one because of the volatility around everything. Everything in this market is very volatile,' he continued.

'So if you're just looking for a fixed single number, it's not that easy to deliver.'

But he added that Labour's pledge could still be achieved in a number of ways - including by removing costs such as green levies from energy bills, or financing grid investments through rises in other taxes.

In its 2023 analysis, Ember said UK households 'could save 300 every year on their electricity bills in 2030 if the government completes its switch to a mostly clean power system by then'.

The report added that 'savings from low-cost renewables far outweigh the total investment costs required'.

Ember said its baseline for measuring these savings was Ofgem's energy price cap between July and September in 2023.

At the beginning of this month, the energy regulator increased its price cap again.

It meant the energy bill for the average household paying by direct debit for gas and electricity increased from 1,720 to 1,755 per year.

During a TV interview on Sunday, Mr Miliband insisted that bills currently remained 'too high' because of 'our dependence on fossil fuels'.

'There is only one route to get bills down, which is to go for clean power, home-grown clean energy that we control so we're not at the behest of the petro states and the dictators,' he added.

Both the Conservatives and Reform UK have vowed to ditch Britain's commitment to reach Net Zero by 2050 in a bid to reduce electricity costs.

And US President Donald Trump has told Sir Keir Starmer to ramp up the production of fossil fuels to cut energy bills as he urged the Prime Minister to 'drill, baby, drill'.

A spokesperson for Mr Miliband's Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: 'We remain determined to bring down bills, for good, and stand by our commitments.

'It is central to every decision we make and why we have already consented a record amount of clean energy  enough to power the equivalent of over 7.5 million homes and reach our offshore wind target.

'The main reason energy bills remain high is because wholesale gas costs for households remain 75 per cent higher than they were during the year before Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

'By making Britain a clean energy superpower we are getting the UK off the rollercoaster of fossil fuel prices and onto clean, homegrown power that we control.'
by Austin Bay October 22, 2025

On Oct. 21, news sources reported roughly 15% of the entire U.S. Navy's warships were deployed in the Caribbean Sea. The exact type and number of warships was not revealed. Still, the fleet and aircraft deployed off South America had (SET ITAL) muy (END ITAL) macho offensive and defensive firepower, enough to support a major air campaign and possibly an amphibious assault.

More Pentagon muscle supported the ships. U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) backed the fleet with massive aerial firepower, specifically USAF B-52 strategic bombers and squadrons of F-35 stealth fighters. Marine infantry units of unknown size were in the region. Three days earlier, excitable news outlets reported U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) had presidential permission to deploy its units near (inside?) Venezuelan territory. A story I scanned reinforced the excitable reports. The U.S. Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (an elite helicopter taxi service for commandos) had "assets in the region." That's Pentagon and CIA speak for preparing to insert Green Berets and SEALs.

Insert them where?

Venezuela.

The detailed press reports were the Trump administration's narrative warfare envelope from the Pentagon's Caribbean show of force.

Which leads to this question: Are we witnessing the Trump administration use a very large U.S. joint warfare demonstration to strike fear in Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro's Chavista socialist-cartel criminal regime?

Answer: Emphatic yes. The Chavistas have destroyed Venezuela. From four to seven million Venezuelans have fled the hellhole created by Hugo Chavez and his successor, Maduro. Venezuela was once South America's wealthiest nation, at least per capita.

In terms of outright proven oil reserves, Venezuela has more barrels than Saudi Arabia.

Yet today, thanks to Chavista socialism, it is impoverished. The civilized world knows this. Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her courage and perseverance in the face of Chavista threats. She advocates a peaceful transition from the Chavista dictatorship to a revived democracy.

Peaceful transition faces a problem. Maduro and his thugs have all the guns, at least the guns in Venezuela. The Chavistas also have lots of money, from running drugs, selling oil and other sources -- like Communist China.

So the Trump administration's Pentagon show sends a strategic warning well beyond Venezuela and the Caribbean littoral -- a warning one hopes Communist China will not both see and heed.

The warning: China must end its disintegrative war on America. In a disintegrative war, a "unitary belligerent becomes increasingly fragmented by secessions."

The dark money and a lot of the drugs promoting the disintegrative war on America comes from Beijing. As I've written several times in the last three years, in 2010 China's People's Liberation Army published a treatise on disintegration warfare. Retired Japanese admiral Dr. Fumio Ota summarized the Chinese strategy: "The idea of (Chinese) disintegration warfare includes politics, economy, culture, psychology, military threats, conspiracy, media propaganda, law, information, and intelligence."

Move from the idea to operations. Open borders and unregulated migration. Lawless and disintegrating cities. Pushing deadly drugs.

More operations: For a cut of the action, the Chavista dictatorship gives drug cartels a safe haven and operational base. In doing so, the drug gangs become hybrid warfare militias backed by state actors who are waging disintegrative warfare against the USA. Though the actions appear disconnected and helter skelter, South and Central American politics, crime and regional war-making intersect with the U.S.'s internal war. The chief architect and dark money banker of the intersection: Communist China.

Indeed, the Navy and Coast Guard attacks on drug-laden Venezuelan speedboats serve a national defense purpose, a point Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has repeatedly made.

Maduro damns U.S. action as imperialism, but the Venezuelan dictator takes his cues from Russian imperialist Vladimir Putin. In December 2023, Maduro held a referendum asking Venezuelan citizens if they wished to annex the neighboring Guyana oil-rich Essequibo region. By "annex," Maduro meant seizing Guyana using military forces.

Guyana's ethnically and religiously diverse citizens despise Maduro. They sought help. The U.S. and Britain responded with very limited military forces -- overflights of jets, etc.

In 2023 Joe Biden vegetated in the White House. It's 2025. Donald Trump uses -- globally, regionally and very effectively -- the U.S. presidency's bully pulpit.
On the latest episode of the Daily Mail's Heists, Scams and Lies podcast, reporters George Odling and Andy Jehring reveal how commission-hungry financial advisors sold pensioners one of Britain's largest property frauds.

More than 8,000 investors ploughed close to 400 million into Harlequin Hotels and Resorts, which promised luxury Caribbean villas for as little as 1,000 down.

But behind the glossy brochures and star-studded promotional videos was David Ames, a twice-bankrupted Essex salesman who ran Harlequin solely on investor money.

While promising that external investment was incoming, Ames burned through cash on flights of fancy - spending 1 million on imported sand that simply washed away, building a pirate ship, and launching his own airline, Harlequin Air.

To keep the money coming in, Harlequin offered IFAs (Independent Financial Advisors) commissions of 10 to 15% per sale - triple the industry standard - to flog properties that would never be built.

The majority of Ames's 400million haul came through self-invested personal pensions (SIPPs), with one firm - Tailor Made - funnelling over 50million from nearly 1,000 clients into Harlequin. The firms' regulated status reassured investors they were making safe choices.

A Harlequin property, not completed, in St Vincent in the Caribbean

More than 8,000 British buyers sank their hard-earned money into the failed Harlequin operation hoping to get a slice of paradise

David Ames, 73, the mastermind behind Harlequin, was jailed in 2022 after being convicted of defrauding investors who ploughed 398million into his schemes

What investors didn't know was that while the advisors were regulated, Harlequin itself was not - and the Financial Conduct Authority had no oversight of where their pension money actually went.

This legal grey area created what one financial advisor described as a 'feeding frenzy', with advisors competing to make hundreds of thousands of pounds in commission each month.

Podcast host Odling explained: 'David Ames's son, Matthew Ames, pocketed almost 1 million in commissions before leaving Harlequin in 2008. Every penny of that came from investor's deposits.

'I spoke with one anonymous IFA, who told me the atmosphere among the people pushing Harlequin was incredible.

'He told me that every day was like a scene from the Wolf of Wall Street, with competitions taking place among colleagues over who could make the most cash from it.

'According to reports, Harlequin used 3000 intermediary sales agents, plus a vast network of IFAs  all earning 10-15% commission on every sale.

'This network generated a grand total of 80 million  that's a fifth of the entire 400 million investors lost.'

The 400 million fraud you've never heard of... Listen to Heists, Scams and Lies: The Lost Caribbean Millions now

'When Harlequin finally collapsed in 2017, investors faced a devastating reckoning. Their Caribbean dream had become a financial nightmare.

'Pensions were wiped out. Savings were gone. There were loans they couldn't repay.'

Pension investors could claim compensation through the FSCS (Financial Services Compensation Scheme), which paid out 125million. Cash investors got nothing back - creating a two-tier system of victims.

Alan, 82, invested 100,000 and received no compensation. He told the podcast how he now 'struggles to make ends meet'.

'I just moved to a two-bedroom flat from a four-bedroom house  to help us bolster up', the Isle of Wight pensioner said.

'What we lost, we're managing, but every month is a case of struggling to balance the pension coming in and the outgoings.'

Hear the full story of how pensioners were betrayed by trusted advisors - including one woman sold the scheme by her son's godfather. Listen to Heists, Scams and Lies: The Lost Caribbean Millions wherever you get your podcasts.
This is the moment a Jeep driver rams into two armed robbers trapping them beneath her vehicle after they tried to hold her up in the street.

The attempted robbery took place in Jardim Botanico, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on the night of Tuesday October 21.

Video shows the Jeep driving onto the pavement and crushing the motorcycle the robbers were using before stopping with its wheel spinning over a flowerbed.

The two suspects were left pinned under the car until firefighters arrived and used a hydraulic jack to lift the vehicle so they could be removed.

The pair were handcuffed while still trapped under the Jeep.

They were identified as Thiago Felix Vieira da Silva, aged 25, and Tiago Gabriel de Brito Oliveira, aged 18.

Police said the younger man already had three criminal records for homicide, illegal possession of a firearm, and resistance.

This is the moment an armoured Jeep driver rams into two armed robbers trapping them beneath her vehicle after they tried to hold her up in the street. Pictured: The attempted robbery taking place

Video shows the Jeep driving onto the pavement and crushing the motorcycle the robbers were using before stopping with its wheel spinning over a flowerbed.

The attempted robbery took place in Jardim Botanico, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil , on the night of Tuesday 21st October. The two suspects were left pinned under the car until firefighters arrived and used a hydraulic jack to lift the vehicle so they could be removed

The two were taken in custody to Miguel Couto Municipal Hospital for treatment and later transferred to the 15th Police Precinct in Gavea.

They were arrested for criminal association, attempted robbery, and vehicle tampering.

According to police, the driver, who was not named, was travelling with her son when two men on a motorcycle approached her vehicle and one of them struck her window with a gun while announcing a robbery.

She reacted by accelerating and ramming the motorcycle, causing the suspects to fall and become trapped.

Officers believe a third accomplice fled the scene with the weapon.

The tampered motorcycle was seized by police and found to have a fake licence plate.

The street was closed following the incident, causing long traffic jams before reopening once police had completed their investigation.

Investigations are ongoing to find and arrest the third suspect.

The pair were handcuffed while still trapped under the Jeep. They were identified as Thiago Felix Vieira da Silva, aged 25, and Tiago Gabriel de Brito Oliveira, aged 18

Police said the younger man already had three criminal records for homicide, illegal possession of a firearm, and resistance

The two were taken in custody to Miguel Couto Municipal Hospital for treatment and later transferred to the 15th Police Precinct in Gavea

It comes after last year dramatic video footage captured the moment a man targeted by motorcycle muggers turned the tables during a street stickup - grabbing the gun and fatally shooting one of his would-be robbers.

The wild exchange, which left a 16-year-old dead, occurred in the southeastern Brazilian city of Guarulhos on the evening of August 4.

Surveillance footage shows Otavio Ribeiro saying goodbye to a coworker before leaving to walk home when a pair of motorcycle-riding suspects intercepts him.

Held at gunpoint, Ribeiro can be seen giving up his cell phone to the teen mugger before lunging forward and disarming the assailant while knocking him and his accomplice to the ground.

Ribeiro then fires multiple shots at the teen as he runs away, the footage shows. Ribeiro manages to fire on the teen's accomplice, who can be seen picking up the motorcycle and speeding away.

The teen, who suffered gunshot wounds to his shoulder and left arm, was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he died.

The Sao Paulo State Military Police recovered Ribeiros cell phone and wallet, as well as two additional cell phones that had been stolen earlier in the night.

Ribeiro was later found at his home and told police that he fled the scene because he feared for his safety. He was taken to a local police station, where he was questioned and released.
A guilty tourist has returned 'cursed' volcanic stones he stole from a Spanish beauty spot after claiming to suffer a serious personal tragedy.

The holidaymaker took the souvenirs from the Timanfaya National Park- a protected area in Lanzarote - several years ago.

But in the time since, he claims he has suffered so many misfortunes that he returned the stones to the Canary island authorities.

In a handwritten letter sent to the National Park and recently released by the institution, he explained that, after suffering 'a serious personal tragedy,' he felt obliged to return the volcanic stones.

'I have heard of legends where the removal of volcanic rock from its source of origin brings bad luck and I fear this has befallen me,' he wrote.

'After a major personal tragedy I feel compelled to return this few grams of rock to Fine Mountain.

'I would be eternally grateful if you scatter them outside the visitor centre where I picked them up, at the 'hot coals' spot'.

'That rock is meaningless in your display case, it's not a souvenir or raw material for a pendant. It belongs to nature. It sustains the life and culture of our island. Stealing nature is stealing the future,' said a National Park spokeswoman.

In a handwritten letter sent to the National Park and recently released by the institution, the tourist explained that, after suffering 'a serious personal tragedy,' he felt obliged to return the volcanic stones

The holidaymaker took the souvenirs from the Timanfaya National Park- a protected area in Lanzarote

From the social networks of the Timanfaya National Park, it was recalled that extracting natural elements from the protected area can lead to fines of up to 3,000 euros.

In addition, they warned that in recent years, numerous stones and sand transported in tourist luggage have been confiscated at the Cesar Manrique-Lanzarote Airport.

Taking volcanic rocks or sand from the natural landscapes of the Canary Islands can be very expensive.

In protected areas, such as the Timanfaya National Park or Mount Teide, the penalty can be even higher if it is considered a serious infraction.

Every year, kilos of rock and sand are seized at the airports of the archipelago that tourists try to take out as a 'souvenir'.

Experts insist that removing natural elements alters unique ecosystems and puts at risk the biodiversity that makes the islands a unique environment.

The tourist has asked the National Park to return the stones by scattering them around their original environment.

It comes three months after a Brit returned Pompeii relics that were stolen by his 'Uncle Bob' over 50 years ago.

Nephew Paul shipped five chunks of plaster from the walls of the ancient site back to the Pompeii Archaeological Park in July alongside an apology note and explanation.

Inside the wooden box containing the artefacts, a note read: 'These stones were taken from the site at Pompeii. Illegally by Uncle Bob'.

Paul had wrapped the box in bubble wrap to ensure the safety of the stones on their journey from Bolton to Naples after they had been stored in the attic of his uncle's Manchester home for over five decades.

In images shared by the Pompeii Archaeological Site's Facebook page last week, another note can be seen left by Paul with the backstory of how Uncle Bob came to be in possession of the stones.

The second note read: 'Hi, I spoke to Sophie Hay about finding pieces of rock found in my great uncle Bob' attic, with a note stating he had stole them from Pompeii in the 70s. As promised, we have returned them back to you. Regards, Paul'.
A businessman who owns a chain of luxury five star hotels in Oxford has been charged with the murder of his 100-year-old mother.

Jeremy Mogford, 78, appeared via video link at Oxford Crown Court today alongside his sister, Sarah Pickering, 71.

The pair have each been charged with one count of murder and one count of attempted murder. Both were released on bail.

Charges relate to the death of 100-year-old Pamela Mogford on February 15, 2022 in Bledlow Ridge, Buckinghamshire.

Thames Valley Police said in 2023 its major crime unit was investigating the circumstances surrounding Mrs Mogford's death.

Pickering, of Back Lane, Guildford and Mogford, of St Giles, Oxford are due to appear again at Oxford Crown Court on March 13, 2026.

Mogford started work in the hospitality industry in 1973 when he founded Browns Restaurant and Bar in Brighton.

He is also the owner of a series of independent hotels and restaurants, some of which are in historic city buildings dating back to Victorian and Georgian times.

Jeremy Mogford, 78, appeared at Oxford Crown Court today alongside Sarah Pickering, 71, where they were released on bail

Mogford is also the founder of a collection of independent hotels and restaurants

His collection of hotels and restaurants includes the Old Bank Hotel, Old Parsonage Hotel, Quod Restaurant, Parsonage Grill and Gee's Restaurant.

The pair's mother, Pamela, was the daughter of an insurance broker.

She married Maj Peter Mogford in 1946 who had served in the British Army at Dunkirk and in North Africa, Cyprus, Italy and India.

The couple were married for 70 years until his death in 2015.

Mrs Mogford continued living in Bledlow Ridge, her home since her marriage.

A death notice, published in the Bucks Free Press and the Daily Telegraph, described Mrs Mogford as active in village life, 'fun-loving', 'always generating joy and laughter to many who feel privileged to have had her in their lives for so long'.

Mrs Mogford's funeral service took place at St Paul's Church in Bledlow Ridge.

A police spokesman said: 'Now that charges have been made, the force will not be in a position to provide any further details as proceedings are now active.'
The current president of the Oxford Union has claimed his enemies are pushing racist tropes in a bid to oust him.

Moosa Harraj, who is heading up the debating society until Christmas, is locked in a war of words with George Abaraonye, who was due to take over in January.

Mr Abaraonye lost a vote of no confidence on Saturday over social media posts in which he appeared to celebrate the shooting of Charlie Kirk.

He is refusing to accept the result, and has vowed to continue.

It is understood his supporters have triggered a retaliation vote of no confidence against Mr Harraj over his handling of the affair.

The current president of the Oxford Union, Moosa Harraj (pictured), has claimed his enemies are pushing 'racist tropes' in a bid to oust him

Mr Harraj, who is heading up the debating society until Christmas, is locked in a war of words with George Abaraonye (pictured), who was due to take over in January

The vote will take place today, with the result expected from tomorrow onwards.

Last night, Mr Harraj said the vote was a calculated act of political retaliation.

In a statement, he claimed it was driven by spite and hatred and brought by those who wished to bring the institution down with them.

Mr Harraj, who is from Pakistan, claimed that since November last year he had been subjected to anonymous social media attacks abusing his family, nationality and religion.

He alleged that threatening emails and those attempting to blackmail him were in the hundreds.

Users were using anonymous Instagram and Facebook pages to play racist tropes of Pakistanis running grooming gangs against me, he alleged.

He said after the vote against Mr Abaraonye, he had been blamed for allowing proxy voting, but stressed that this decision had actually been made by fellow officers as a group.

Last night, Mr Abaraonye hit back at the claims, saying he had nothing to do with the vote against Mr Harraj, which he said had been triggered over a culture of fear and intimidation.

He added: The language he used [in his statement] is clearly intended to invite abuse by maliciously implying my complicity in racism and Islamophobia; a cynical and irresponsible tactic that has no basis in reality.

The furore began in September, when Mr Abaraonye wrote in a WhatsApp message: Charlie Kirk got shot, lets f***ing go, a common celebratory phrase among Gen Z.

However, he later deleted the comment and admitted he reacted poorly, without knowing that the US influencer had died.

He is challenging the result of his own vote, as he alleges there is a chance the proxy votes may have been tampered with  something the Union denies.

Mr Abaraonye says he has also received racial abuse and threats, including slurs that he was subhuman.

The confidence vote in Mr Harraj allows members to vote between 11am and 7pm. Lifetime members of the union can vote by email.

It is understood membership of the Oxford Union runs into the tens of thousands as it includes alumni living all over the world.
The image is as stark as it is frightening: two men run along a beach towards a waiting boat on the northern coast of France  each holding the arm of a young girl between them who can barely keep up.

An image moments later shows the girl, dressed in a black duffel coat and a luminous orange life jacket, being dragged through the water by one of the men, an expression of fear and uncertainty on her face.

The circumstances of how she got there are unclear  and the Mail will make no attempt to speculate on them.

But the sight of a terrified child on the coast at Gravelines  a favourite castingoff point for people smugglers sending asylum seekers off into the Channel  is increasingly common, and a damning indictment of the Labour government.

When his party swept to power in last year's election, Sir Keir Starmer vowed to end the cross-Channel migrant crisis by smashing the smuggling gangs.

But one year on he has been forced to deny that his pride and joy 'one in, one out' deal with France has been left 'in tatters', after it was found one migrant had re-entered the UK just 29 days after being deported under the scheme.

Suggestions that France could adopt a more forceful approach to deal with dinghies before they leave the shore have also been branded a 'political stunt' and reportedly been abandoned amid concerns it could risk deaths and break international law.

Meanwhile, the number of migrants arriving in small boats so far this year has already exceeded the 36,000 who crossed in the whole of 2024, with large numbers of children among them.

It is not known whether the girl, dressed in a black duffel coat and orange life jacket, was travelling with her family or on her own

A young girl is hurried along a beach in Gravelines, France, by two men as they attempt to board a small board on Wednesday

The young girl appeared to struggle to keep up with the two men who pulled her along the beach

Some of these minors pictured making the sometimes-fatal journey across the Channel appear to travel with families  but a huge number, more than half, are thought to travel alone, at huge risk.

Just under 6,000 lone travellers have been put into care in the last two years after arriving in the UK, according to Kent County Council, which processes young unaccompanied arrivals.

Dr Nuni Jorgensen, researcher at the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford told the Mail around 5,000 children aged 17 and under claimed asylum in the UK to the year ending June 2025.

Of those, 54 per cent were not accompanied by an adult. Most children came from Iran, Afghanistan and Sudan, all in the throes of conflict in recent months and years.

Daily Mail analysis of Home Office data suggests 14 per cent of those who have made small boat crossings in the last two years are children aged 17 and under.

Dr Jorgensen added: 'The vast majority of small boat arrivals in the UK are adults, and children who get protection in the UK tend to come through safe and legal routes, especially through family reunion - this means a parent who has already been granted refugee status in the UK applies for their child to join them.

'In 2024, family reunion made up around half of all children granted protection. In September 2025, the government suspended the refugee family reunion route.

'It's not yet clear how this will affect children coming to the UK, or if more might start arriving on small boats.'

The danger of the unwelcoming Channel is welldocumented: a teenager is reported to have died after falling from a dinghy en route to Britain on September 28, their body washing up on the shore of northern France.

Two young people are also thought to be among the dead in a crush on board an overloaded boat off the coast of Calais on September 10.

Experts and observers say children are generally being put at horrendous risk by being packed onto boats  sometimes even being used by people smugglers as bargaining chips to stop their crafts from being intercepted.

Gerard Barron, president of the Societe Nationale de Sauvetage en Mer (SNSM), a lifeboat charity akin to the RNLI, said he had seen refugees armed with knives on board dinghies overburdened with people.

'The crew has reported to me that on occasion, when they have approached a dinghy carrying too many people and asked if they want assistance, they have seen knives flashed,' he told BBC News.

'They have also, on occasion, seen young men holding infants over the water, threatening to drop them if we got any closer.'

Images of children being held aloft in waters along the French coastline are not uncommon (pictured: people waiting to board a dinghy in August)

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A young girl is comforted as a man secures her lifejacket on the coast at Gravelines in August

And the Solicitor General, the Government's top legal adviser, has warned that smugglers are even sedating the children passed into their care by desperate families to ensure they are 'compliant' on board.

Lucy Rigby told MPs earlier this year that children passed into the care of smugglers were sedating children.

'I've heard from CPS prosecutors about the deplorable actions that these smugglers take,' she said.

'Not only facilitating very young children being aboard the boats, but even sedating them to ensure that they are compliant during the crossing.'

The Crown Prosecution Service told the PA news agency in September that it had received 'intelligence' about youngsters being sedated.

It comes as Keir Starmer's 'one in, one out' scheme lies in tatters after it emerged an Iranian asylum seeker who was deported on September 19 had returned to the country just under a month later.

The Iranian man left the shelter in Paris where he had been housed on his return to France and made for the northern coast again. But he was immediately detained in Britain after biometric checks identified him as having been deported.

In an interview with The Guardian, the man claimed he was a victim of modern slavery and immediately sought to return to Britain after arriving back in France.

He said: 'If I had felt that France was safe for me I would never have returned to the UK. I didn't dare to go out because I was afraid for my life.

'The smugglers are very dangerous. They always carry weapons and knives. They took me like a worthless object, forced me to work, abused me, and threatened me with a gun and told me I would be killed if I made the slightest protest.

'When I reached UK the first time and Home Office asked what had happened to me I was crying and couldn't speak about this because of shame.'

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A child gives a thumbs-up as people thought to be her parents secure her lifejacket ahead of an attempted Channel crossing in June 2025

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And this year has seen the second highest annual number of small boat migrants since the crisis began nearly seven years ago  currently running almost concurrently with the number of arrivals in 2022.

Meanwhile, France appears to be reneging on its pledge to slash at waiting boats in the sea in order to prevent asylum seekers from sailing into Britain.

Lucy Moreton, of the Immigration Services Union, says French border officials experience injuries as they try to tackle the boats  and fear legal reprisals if anything happens to the people on the boat that they try to sabotage.

Videos of gendarmes wading into the water, knife in hand, may illadvisedly prompt migrants to arm themselves, she added.

'If you wade into the sea carrying a big knife, it's only a matter of time before the people on the boat have a big knife that they wave back at you,' she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Thursday.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood blamed the Tories for the deepening crisis.

'The previous government left our borders in crisis, and we are still living with the consequences,' she said.

'These figures are shameful  the British people deserve better. Our historic deal with the French means those who arrive on small boats are now being sent back.

'But it is clear we must go further and faster  removing more of those here illegally, and stopping migrants from making small boat crossings in the first place.

'And I have been clear: I will do whatever it takes to restore order to our border.'
Zohran Mamdani broke out into a visible sweat during the contentious final debate in New York City's mayoral race as his rivals attacked him over his thin resume and personal scandals.

Former Governor Andrew Cuomo branded Mamdani a 'divisive force in New York' at Wednesday night's debate as he highlighted the self-proclaimed socialist's most controversial moments.

Cuomo suggested that Mamdani did not support NYC's LGBTQ community because he was photographed alongside deputy prime minister of Uganda Rebecca Kadaga, who has earned the nickname 'gay killer'.

He accused Mamdani of demonstrating 'toxic energy' towards Jewish New Yorkers, likely referring to the apparent anti-Israel phrases he has repeated, such as 'globalize the intifada.'

Cuomo further slammed Mamdani for posting a photo with Muslim cleric Siraj Wahhaj, who prosecutors listed as an 'unindicted co-conspirator' in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.

He also claimed Mamdani disrespected the Italian American community when he flipped off a statue of Christopher Columbus.

Mamdani, however, dismissed Cuomo's attacks and claimed his politics were 'consistent' and built on a foundation of equal human rights for all.

The frontrunner accused Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa of being consumed by fighting, before suggesting he would try to focus instead on his vision for the city.

But his plan seemingly failed and Mamdani came under fire yet again after declining to take a position on a set of initiatives that will appear on the November ballot.

Zohran Mamdani broke out into a visible sweat during the contentious final debate in New York City's mayoral race Wednesday night as his rivals attacked him over his thin resume and personal scandals

Andrew Cuomo further slammed Zohran Mamdani (center) for posting a photo with Muslim cleric Siraj Wahhaj, (right) who prosecutors listed as an 'unindicted co-conspirator' in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing

'My main opponent has no new ideas. He has no new plan,' Cuomo, who is running as an independent after losing the Democratic primary to Mamdani, said during the debate.

Cuomo claimed that Mamdani has 'never run anything, managed anything' and 'never had a real job', insisting his opponent lacks the merit and qualifications to run the nation's biggest city or handle its emergencies.

He also suggested Mamdani's beliefs would create division across the city.

'You have been a divisive force in New York, and I believe that's toxic energy for New York,' Cuomo said, before launching into a rant about the communities Mamdani has allegedly harmed.

'It's with the Jewish community. It's with the Italian American community  when you give the Columbus statue the finger. It's with the Sunni Muslims when you say decriminalize prostitution, which is Haram. It's the Hindus.

'Then, you take a picture with Rebecca Kadaga, deputy prime minister of Uganda. She's known as Rebecca "Gay Killer,"' he continued.

Pointing to Mamdani's Ugandan citizenship, Cuomo claimed that his opponent knew who Kadaga was, took the photo anyway and then lied about it.

Mamdani, however, accused Cuomo of attempting to 'smear and slander' so he can 'distract from the fact that, unlike myself, you do not actually have a platform or a set of policies.'

He had said he planned to keep his focus on issues, like affordability, that have fueled his momentum and earned him national attention, but he still managed to launch a few scathing attacks of his own.

Former Governor Andrew Cuomo (left) was pressed on the sexual harassment allegations that drove him from office, Zohran Mamdani (center) was attacked over his 'toxic energy,' and Republican Curtis Sliwa (right) strove to prove his seriousness as a candidate

Mamdani directly made reference to the sexual harassment allegations that drove Cuomo from the gubernatorial office just four years ago.

'Mr Cuomo, in 2021, 13 different women who worked in your administration credibly accused you of sexual harassment. Since then, you have spent more than $20 million in taxpayer funds to defend yourself, all while describing these allegations as entirely political,' he said.

Mamdani said one of the women who had accused Cuomo of sexual harassment, his former aide Charlotte Bennett, was in the audience Wednesday.

President Donald Trump used a similar strategy in 2016 when he appeared at a debate with accusers of Democratic rival Hillary Clinton's husband, former president Bill Clinton, who has denied the accusations against him.

'What do you say to the 13 women that you sexually harassed?' he asked as he pressed Cuomo on the allegations and the millions in taxpayer dollars that were spent to defend him in court.

Cuomo denied wrongdoing and chided Mamdani: 'If you want to be in government, then you have to be serious and mature,' he said.

Sliwa accused both men of 'fighting like kids in a school yard,' but piled on as well.

'Zohran, your resume could fit on a cocktail napkin. And, Andrew, your failures could fill a public school library in New York City,' he quipped.

He also made frequent references to Cuomo's decision to resign as governor amid a barrage of sexual harassment allegations, which Cuomo denies.

Sliwa accused Mamdani and Cuomo of 'fighting like kids in a school yard,' but piled on the attacks as well in the debate at LaGuardia Community College in Queens

Cuomo said NYC does not need Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in the city to handle quality-of-life crimes like dealing in counterfeit bags

While the race has often been dominated by questions about the Israel-Hamas war, Trump and other national subjects, the candidates Wednesday were peppered for specifics about crime, the subways and the notorious Rikers Island jail complex.

The candidates also railed against this week's immigration enforcement sweep targeting vendors on Manhattan's famed Canal Street that led to 14 arrests.

Cuomo said NYC does not need Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in the city to handle quality-of-life crimes like dealing in counterfeit bags.

Mamdani similarly pledged to oppose federal interventions in the city, saying 'ICE is a reckless entity that cares little for the law and even less for the people that theyre supposed to serve.'

The candidates were again pressed on Trump and insisted that they would be most adept at handling the mercurial President.

Cuomo spoke repeatedly about how he had held Trump at bay during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic and said a Mamdani win would be a 'dream' for the President.

'He has said he'll take over New York if Mamdani wins, and he will! Because, he has no respect for him. He thinks he's a kid and he's going to kick him on his tuchus,' Cuomo said.

Mamdani, meanwhile, tried to depict Cuomo as Trump's 'puppet' and too aligned with the President.

Cuomo, Mamdani and Sliwa participate in the second New York City mayoral debate

'He wants Andrew Cuomo to be the mayor not because it will be good for New Yorkers, but because it will be good for him,' Mamdani said.

Sliwa warned both were taking the wrong approach by antagonizing the president.

'You can't beat Trump,' he said.

Mamdani also said as mayor he would ask New York City's police Commissioner Jessica Tisch to remain in her post.

Mamdani, who was deeply critical of the city's police in the past, has been trying to moderate his most contentious positions.
An Idaho sheriff abruptly resigned following her involvement in an off-duty hit-and-run crash leaving her community demanding answers.

Shoshone County Sheriff Holly Lindsey stepped down from her position in a letter to the office on Wednesday, formally signifying the end of her 21 years with the law enforcement agency.

Her sudden leave came the day after the Shoshone County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) announced that she had been involved in 'a traffic accident in her personal vehicle while off duty'.

The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) has launched an investigation into the incident and has not released any further information about its nature outside of it being a hit-and-run.

'The crash involved her vehicle striking a fixed object,' the KCSO wrote in a press release.

No injuries have been reported as a result of the collision, according to The Spokesman-Review.

In her letter Lindsey reflected on her time as a sheriff, but did not address the traffic incident she was involved in.

'I have been serving as a Shoshone County Law Enforcement Officer for the past 21 years, and it has been one of the greatest honors of my life,' she wrote.

Shoshone County Sheriff Holly Lindsey stepped down from her position in a letter to the office on Wednesday

Undersheriff Lance Stuzke, left, will take over for Lindsey, right, until a new sheriff is appointed

'I have loved this community with everything that I have, but it is with a heavy heart that I must resign from the position of the Shoshone County Sheriff.

'I appreciate the community and fellow first responders that have supported me throughout my career.

'It is with great hope that I have left our beautiful county better than when I started.'

Undersheriff Lance Stuzke will serve as interim sheriff until the Board of County Commissioners appoints a new person to fill the department-leading role.

The SCSO, located in Wallace, said Lindsey will be 'greatly missed' and asked for the community to 'respect the many years of service' she devoted to the county.

The KCSO will share the results of its investigation with the SCSO, but said in its statement that it will not release any further details at this time.

Lindsey was the county's first woman sheriff, appointed in 2022 following the retirement of Sheriff Mike Gunderson, according to the Shoshone News-Press.

'It's surreal,' Lindsey said at the time, the outlet reported. 'I feel like I'm watching it from above and watching somebody else with their life. I never thought this would happen and here it is.'

The resignation came the day after her department reported that she had been involved in a hit-and-run incident

Lindsey, right, was Shoshone County's first woman sheriff and was appointed to the role in 2022

Lindsey had worked for the SCSO, located in Wallace, for 21 years

Her departure has sparked confusion in the county of roughly 14,000 residents, with people taking to social media to share their concerns.

'Guess I'm confused. What does one have to do with the other?' one woman asked, referring to the hit-and-run and Lindsey's resignation.

'Why would she just up and resign like that?' another person asked.

'What happened? What did she do??' someone chimed in.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the KCSO and Lindsey's family for comment. Attempts to reach Linsey directly were unsuccessful.
A teenage girl who was behind the wheel of a speeding car involved in a fiery crash that killed four young passengers in California has been charged with misdemeanor manslaughter.

Elsa Laremont Stranczek, 16, was driving a Volkswagen Tiguan with five of her friends on their way to a sleepover on April 18 when the fatal collision occurred.

She had only received her provisional driver's license just five months before the crash and was still subject to the state's Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program.

Stranczek was traveling at about 60 mph - roughly 25 mph over the limit - as she drove between Fairfax and Woodacre, two small towns outside San Francisco, according to California Highway Patrol (CHP).

CHP investigators concluded that the novel driver, 'likely lacked the experience to safely handle these road conditions at a high speed' and crashed into a tree, causing the vehicle to catch on fire.

Strenczek and one other passenger, Marley Barclay, 14, survived the horrific crash, each sustaining critical injuries and severe burns.

But the four remaining friends - Olive Koren, 14, Sienna Katz, 15, Josalynn Osborn, 15, and Ada Kepley, 15 - were tragically killed.

Following CHP's investigation, charges against Strenczek have been officially filed, Kron4 reported on Wednesday.

The SUV Elsa Laremont Stranczek was driving smashed into a tree on April 18. She now faces charges in connection with the crash

Josalynn Osborn and Olive Koren were two of the passengers who lost their lives in the crash

Josalynn Osborn (top left), Olive Koren (top right), Ada Kepley (bottom left) and Sienna Katz (bottom right) lost their lives in the crash

These include misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and two vehicle infractions of driving on a provisional license and speeding.

In California, drivers who obtain their license at 16 are not allowed to transport passengers under 20 unless accompanied by an adult.

CHP's conclusion about the crash contradicts a narrative initially given to the police by the other survivor.

Barclay's parents said at an April press conference that she saw headlights from a second vehicle as Stranczek drove around a blind turn.

They said their daughter recalled another car veering into their lane, causing the driver to swerve and crash into a redwood tree.

Barclay told investigators she saw headlights but was not sure where they were coming from.

CHP said they found no evidence that a second vehicle caused the car to crash into a tree.

Investigators ultimately determined the cause was speeding because the SUV's speedometer was frozen at 60 mph in the aftermath of the incident.

Marley Barclay, 14, survived the crash, although she sustained critical injuries

Osborn, pictured with her mother, was a fatal victim of the crash which took place on April 18

There was no video footage of the crash, so authorities were forced to make a conclusion based on the vehicle's event data, which was damaged in the fire.

Witnesses recalled that after the crash, several people rushed over to help the suffering girls, trying to pull them out of the flaming vehicle.

One man who stepped in, Nick Grubb, told KGO News: 'The first girl we saw was conscious and moving, but she couldn't get out because she was in the very back seat.

'We had to grab her and pull her out. Once she was out, a woman took her and began to care for her.'

Grubb explained that he and his friend Wyatt then pulled out another girl, but she was 'extremely bloody and unconscious' when they rescued her.

The witnesses attempted to rescue the other girls, but the fire continued to grow. Grubb said he left the scene once the firefighters arrived.

'It was a relief to see them [the firefighters], but it also added this immense weight. The weight of what we'd seen. The weight of what we tried to do. And the weight of everything we couldn't,' he said.

'That's when I realized there was nothing more I could do. I didn't want to see the rest, and I left before the flames were fully extinguished.'

The harrowing crash shattered the local community which gathered to honor the girls at a memorial

Barclay (left) originally told investigators they were run off the road in the crash that killed four, including Koren (right)

Koren, pictured with her mother, is one of the victims whom the community raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for

Despite the best efforts of heroic bystanders and first responders, three girls were pronounced dead at the scene, while one died at the hospital.

Strenczek was in a medically induced coma for six days after the crash and refused to speak with investigators through her lawyer while she was in the hospital.

Her mother told CHP that her daughter didn't have mental health issues and the car didn't have any mechanical problems.

She added that she was aware her daughter was driving her friends to a sleepover after her shift at a local pet store and that the girls weren't drinking. CHP also found no evidence of intoxication.

The harrowing crash shocked the girls' local community. GoFundMe pages launched for the victim's families have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The victims' teachers at Archie Williams High School shared a statement after the tragedy, writing: 'Our hearts go out to the families, friends, and members of the Archie community who are grieving during this difficult time.

'Take care of yourselves, and, if you can, someone else as we process our shared loss. Your school is here for you'.
A Palestinian mother living in Canada has blasted 'white people' for erecting Halloween decorations of dismembered limbs she says reminded relatives of the horrors of Gaza.

Samar Alkhdour, 40, arrived in Quebec as an asylum seeker in 2019. Her sister, who has two young children, relocated from Gaza earlier this year.

Alkhdour, a self-proclaimed human rights activist, is very vocal on social media about Palestinian causes. Her 13-year-old daughter died in Palestine and much of her family remains there today.

In a recent post, the activist launched a profane rant in which she criticized her neighbors for displaying gory Halloween decor outside their Montreal home.

'I just want to ask, is this ok? Is this how holidays look like?' she asked as she panned the camera over a hanging display of severed plastic body parts.

'This is just across the street from my sister's [house]. Is this f***ing ok? What's the fun about it? What is civilized about it? What is holiday about it?

'F*** you all. F*** you, white people. F*** you, westerners... I don't know what to say, like, f*** everyone.'

Her post, which was met with heavy criticism online, highlighted how her family spent eight months witnessing 'genocide' and, after managing to flee Gaza, spent an entire year in Egypt as they sought asylum in Canada.

Palestinian refugee Samar Alkhdour has criticized her neighbors for displaying gory Halloween decor outside their Montreal home

'I just want to ask, is this ok? Is this how holidays look like?' Alkhdour asked in a video sharing the decor. 'F*** you all. F*** you, white people. F*** you, westerners... I don't know what to say, like, f*** everyone'

Social media users hit out Alkhdour's video, arguing that if she does not support local customs she and her family should leave the country.

She has been inundated with hateful DMs on Instagram - which she shared to her own stories - in which she was criticized over her 'disgusting post' and accused of being 'racist.'

Other messages accused her of 'contributing nothing' to Canadian society and living off of taxpayer funds.

The activist, however, did not waiver on her stance and clarified that she was upset by the prominent display of severed body parts - not the holiday as a whole.

Her sister has two young children, aged eight and nine, who pass by the 'chopped up, dismembered body parts' every day on their way to school.

'It is not ok for the kids, who have seen these scenes in real life  they've seen dismembered bodies, they've seen blood,' Alkhdour told the Daily Mail.

'How do you think they're going to heal from this trauma by seeing these scenes as part of a holiday celebration?'

She believes holidays should be about 'joy, fun and happiness, not about ugly stuff that reminds and triggers people of real life atrocities.'

Social media users hit out Alkhdour's video, arguing that if she does not support local customs she and her family should leave Canada. The activist, however, posted on her Instagram stories and clarified that she was upset by the severed body parts - not the holiday itself

Alkhdour said she posted the video out of a state of shock and wanted to people to question 'what is fun about this? What's civilized about this? Is this acceptable?'

'When I said, f*** you white people, it was so spontaneous in a way. I don't mean all white people. That was, for me, a critique of this white culture.

'I wasn't targeting that household in particular, but instead the whole phenomenon of Halloween that has been appropriated.'

Alkhdour explained how the 'basic idea' of Halloween is to 'pay respect' and honor the deceased, but the gory decorations are not aligned with that.

'[Honoring the dead] is something that's so beautiful, that's deeply rooted in many cultures. But the white man appropriated this holiday and made it so okay to see these bloody scenes as part of their holidays and fun thing in the west.'

The video also sparked massive uproar on X, where users not only criticized her use of explicit language, but also went as far as calling for her deportation.

'People who come to Canada seeking safety should at least respect the country that took them in,' one X user wrote.

'You don't have to love every tradition, but openly cursing the very society that shelters you is contempt for the values that made that refuge possible.'

'Don't you like it? Go back home with your entire family. Sooner is better,' one said, while another replied: 'Great news, she can go home!'

One user mockingly added: 'She won't be happy here. Please let her go!'

Some X users said they understand why she found the decorations distressing, but argued her seemingly hateful rhetoric was uncalled for.

'Not going to lie. That's terrifying,' one said of the decor.

'The severed body parts are too grotesque for a front yard display,' echoed another.

One user wrote: 'She sucks, but I also hate Halloween decorations like this.'

Alkhdour has frequently participated in pro-Palestine protests in Canada (pictured). She was arrested last year and charged with criminally harassing Montreal MP Marc Miller during a demonstration

Alkhdour works and lives in Montreal with her ex-husband and two of her children.

Her eldest daughter Jana, 13, died in Gaza in January 2024, just two weeks before her refugee visa was granted by the Canadian government.

Alkhdour has lived in North America for nearly a decade. She earned her master's degree in the US before she came to Canada in 2019 as a refugee.

She opted to move to Canada because she 'believed it was a country that valued human rights,' she told La Converse last year.

Alkhdour said the comments will not stop her from continuing her activism work.

'Change is not comfortable. Defying the system is not comfortable for no one,' she told the Daily Mail.

'I didn't do anything that's risky. That video wasn't risky for me, but people were just twisting it, and you know what's the funny part for me is, like, they used my video showing the beeheaded, chopped-off head and leg and hand, saying [these are] "friendly" Halloween decorations.'

She shared how she was 'forced to leave my country, my family, my friends, my work, to seek a better future for my children' and is not afraid of hateful comments online.

'I am using my voice, I'm using these platforms to keep speaking up. Nothing's going to stop me, because whatever that's gonna happen to me here is way better compared to what's happening to my people in Gaza, and what happened to my daughter. She died.'

Alkhdour has lived in North America for nearly a decade. She earned her master's degree in the US before moving to Canada

Alkhdour has frequently participated in pro-Palestine protests in Canada and has been arrested three times and detained once.

She was one of three activists charged with criminally harassing Montreal MP Marc Miller during a demonstration in September 2024, CBC reported.

The group allegedly demonstrated outside Miller's campaign office, shouting 'shame on you' and 'you're a child killer'.

The protest was not violent, with Alkhdour's lawyer describing it as a 'purely peaceful expression of her political views.'

Alkhdour told Daily Mail that all four cases against her were ultimately dropped.
China-Transcaucasia bonds: Bridges of history, culture and opportunity

10:28, October 23, 2025 By Yi Fan ( People's Daily Online

Transcaucasia, a strategic crossroads linking North and South, East and West, has long been known for its unique geopolitical location, rich history and culture, and ethnic diversity. In recent years, as peace has gradually returned to this vital artery between Asia and Europe, vigour and opportunities have flourished in relations between China and the three countries of the regionAzerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgianations that have inhabited this land for millennia.

Profound friendship along the ancient Silk Road

The bonds between China and Transcaucasia date back centuries. Over two thousand years ago, the ancient Silk Road connected East and West, with Transcaucasia serving as a critical hub along this great corridor of trade and culture. Silk, porcelain, and tea of China flowed westward through this region to Europe while Western spices, glassware, and jewelry traveled eastward into China.

The ancient Silk Road had closely linked the Chinese people with the Azerbaijani people. Exquisite Chinese silk and fragments of celadon were unearthed at the ruins of ancient Silk Road post stations in Azerbaijan, and Azerbaijans distinctive carpets and rock salt were transported to China. Along this historic route, civilizations meet and mingle, leaving a deep and lasting imprint and forming the foundations for mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of China and this region. Despite the geographical distance, the Silk Road acted as an invisible bridge, connecting hearts and minds.

Vitality and opportunity in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation

Since China established diplomatic relations with Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia, new chapters of friendly cooperation have been opened. In the 21st century, especially since China put forth the Belt and Road Initiative, exchanges between China and Transcaucasia have entered a new era of unprecedented growth. Located at the Eurasian crossroads, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia are natural part of the Belt and Road cooperation.

Economic cooperation between China and the three countries has yielded remarkable results. Trade volumes continue to grow, with Chinese smart phones and electric vehicles entering local markets, and distinctive regional products like brandy, wine and dried fruit gaining popularity among Chinese consumers. Chinese companies are actively involved in infrastructure projectsincluding highways, railways, ports, and energy facilitiesbringing improved infrastructure, advanced technology, and better livelihoods.

As early as 2015, China signed cooperation memoranda related to collaboration along the Silk Road Economic Belt with Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. In 2017, China and Georgia signed a free trade agreementthe first of its kind in the region. Georgia now applies zero tariffs to 96.5 percent of Chinese products, while China grants zero-tariff treatment to 93.9 percent of Georgian products. Other notable examples include Georgias Batumi Port and Azerbaijans Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway, which have strengthened regional connectivity and created more efficient cargo routes between China and Europe.

Stronger foundations of friendship

Sound state-to-state relations lie in amity between the peoples. Cultural and people-to-people exchanges are deepening, providing bilateral relations with enduring vitality.

Cultural events such as art festivals, film screenings, and exhibitions allow the peoples to appreciate the unique artistic traditions of each other. Chinese Cultural Centers also serve as windows for cultural exchange. Growing numbers of students from Transcaucasia are studying in China, learning the Chinese language and culture, and more Chinese scholars and students are focusing on the regions history and current affairs. Confucius Institutes have been established in this region, providing convenient access to Chinese language education for local communities. As Rafik Abbasov, the then dean of the Confucius Institute of Azerbaijan Language University said, the Confucius Institute greatly enhances the Azerbaijani peoples understanding of the Chinese language and culture.

Tourism is emerging as another field of cooperation. Thanks to the direct flights and mutual visa-free treatment, Chinese tourists are increasingly drawn to Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia by their natural beauty and cultural heritage. Sister-city relationships are also expanding, fostering direct exchanges at the local level and deepening mutual understanding. Such frequent interactions strengthen friendship between the peoples and bring the relationship closer.

Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia are good neighbors and good friends of China. As Transcaucasia is embracing a future of peace and development, the China-Transcaucasia friendship and cooperation will embrace even brighter prospects and make greater contribution to regional prosperity.

Yi Fan is a Beijing-based political commentator.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
When the headline 'Lord of the Racists?' began circulating, it sounded like another entry in Britain's endless culture wars. Reports claimed that a University of Nottingham course accused J.R.R. Tolkien of 'demonising people of colour' in The Lord of the Rings. But when you actually look at the course  titled HIST2056: Imagining 'Britain': Decolonising Tolkien et al  the story is much less sensational, and far more intellectually grounded.

The module, taught by historian and author Dr. Onyeka Nubia, appears on the University of Nottingham's official course listings and is publicly described on uoncourses.org and the Talis module catalogue. Its focus is not on denouncing Tolkien, but on exploring how British myths and fantasy have been used to imagine national identity  and how those myths might be 'decolonised' or reinterpreted through a modern lens.

According to the official syllabus description, the module 'examines myths, legends and British myth-making' and asks whether authors such as Tolkien and C.S. Lewis were 'retelling, reinventing, or fabricating British mythology.' Students are encouraged to 'decolonise and repopulate' these narratives, considering how ideas about race, ethnicity, and cultural difference shape depictions of good and evil, heroism, and belonging.

The module doesn't single out Tolkien as racist. Instead, it situates his work within a larger intellectual tradition  one that includes nineteenth-century mythographers like David MacRitchie and Godfrey Higgins, who linked race and history in early theories of 'British origins'. In this sense, the course asks students to place fantasy literature in dialogue with the imperial and post-imperial histories that produced it.

Nowhere in the syllabus or assessment outline  two 2,500-word essays, with weekly seminars and lectures  is there language accusing Tolkien of 'demonising people of colour'. That phrase seems to come not from the university, but from media interpretation, particularly from right-leaning outlets that framed the course as an attack on a beloved author.

Still, the course's premise touches on a real scholarly debate. Tolkien's descriptions of orcs, 'southern' peoples, and 'eastern' armies have long raised questions about racial imagery in fantasy. Some scholars argue his work unconsciously reflects the colonial mindset of early-20th-century Britain; others see his light-versus-dark symbolism as theological rather than racial.

By inviting students to revisit those tensions, Dr. Nubia's module does what a university course should: push readers to think critically about the stories that shape their culture. The class doesn't seek to cancel Tolkien  it challenges students to read him within the myth of Britain itself. And that's a far more compelling, and necessary, conversation than the outrage headlines suggest.

Originally published on IBTimes UK
Wood-burning stoves and open fires are linked to 2,500 deaths a year in Britain  and banning them could save the NHS 54million a year, a study claimed today.

Non-essential domestic burning of wood and coal is one of the UK's biggest sources of toxic fine particle air pollution, according to the council-backed report.

Researchers warned heart and lung disease can be caused when fine particulate matter released in combustion 'penetrates deep into the lungs and bloodstream'.

They also linked air pollution from burning at home to an average of more than 3,700 cases of diabetes and nearly 1,500 cases of asthma in the country each year.

But the Stove Industry Association backs modern stoves as an 'efficient, renewable heating option that supports the UK's domestic fuel supply chain' which provide 'important energy security and resilience', particularly for off-grid homes.

The report was commissioned by climate charity Global Action Plan and Hertfordshire County Council, and produced by UK environmental consultancy Ricardo.

It found 92 per cent of people burning wood in the UK already have another way to heat their home  but wood stove use has been rising over the past three years.

They are particularly popular in urban areas outside major cities where many people are installing them for lifestyle reasons  which the study claimed was 'inadvertently exposing themselves, their neighbours and their communities to toxic air'.

Researchers said wood burning at home has increased over the past three years (stock image)

Researchers said stopping 'non-essential burning' in the UK would save the NHS more than 54million in healthcare costs and prevent 164million in wider productivity costs to the UK economy each year.

They also claimed that if someone's house is connected to the energy grid, it is normally more expensive to heat it using a wood burner or open fire rather than central heating.

Some urban areas now have limitations on what can be burned and how after being designated 'Smoke Control Areas'  but the researchers said this was not enough to 'tackle the health burden of air pollution from domestic burning'.

They suggested implementing Smoke Control Areas across all urban areas of the UK was estimated to only contribute to preventing 321 deaths each year.

Larissa Lockwood, director of policy and campaigns at Global Action Plan, said: 'We all need to stay warm this winter, and we also need to think about the health impacts of our heating choices.

'An open fire or wood burning stove is the most polluting way to heat a home - air pollution from wood burning stoves is cutting lives short, putting people in hospital, and contributing to serious health conditions for people across the UK.

'It's an uncomfortable fact, but the health burden of wood burning on the British public is simply too big to ignore. Existing measures to curb wood burning emissions are not tackling the burning problem at hand.'

She urged the Government to help people get access to cleaner, greener and more affordable heating  including ensuring homes are properly insulated.

Ms Lockwood also called for more powers to allow councils to tackle air pollution, as well as 'providing clear guidance for the public on the health harms of burning wood and other solid fuels in our homes'.

Experts believe that in the UK domestic wood burning is one of the largest single sources of a type of air pollution known as PM2.5, tiny particles that penetrate deep into the lungs

Guy Hitchcock, technical director of air quality at Ricardo, said: 'The burning of solid fuels  such as wood, coal and other materials  has significant impact on not only the health individuals in households where this takes place, but on the wider community.

'Reducing the use of this form of heating would not only improve health and life outcomes but save the NHS 54million a year and reduce pressure on resources.

'We found in our research that while policies can influence the use of these forms of heating, public awareness and action from individual households is also needed to have impact.'

Experts believe that in the UK domestic wood burning is one of the largest single sources of a type of air pollution known as PM2.5, tiny particles that penetrate deep into the lungs.

Dr Abi Whitehouse, a clinical academic respiratory children's doctor in east London, said: 'As the weather turns colder, many families turn to wood-burning stoves as a heating choice.

'However, this should not be the default choice - the smoke and fine particles released can worsen asthma symptoms, trigger attacks, and contribute to long-term respiratory issues.

'For children with asthma, even small increases in indoor air pollution can mean more frequent flare-ups, hospital admissions, and time away from school  consequences that are entirely preventable with cleaner heating choices.

'It's not just our own homes that will be impacted, but the air that makes it into the homes of our neighbours as well.'

Matthew Clarke, programme manager for air quality at Hertfordshire County Council, stated: 'This evidence supports the use of existing Smoke Control Area legislation to create better health outcomes. However, the new data captured shows significant effects would continue.

Sir Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England, said in 2023 that air fresheners and wood burners contribute to air pollution despite many people believing the reverse to be true

'For this reason, it's important for us to inform our communities of the health impact of wood burning at home to enable decisions on home heating which take into account all the relevant information.'

It follows a separate study from University College London last month that found burning wood indoors could cause damage in a similar way to cigarette smoke, and linked the growing popularity of domestic wood burning to lung damage.

A government spokesperson told the Daily Mail today: 'Air pollution is a public health issue. As set out in our NHS ten-year plan we are committed to reducing emissions from domestic burning to protect public health and local communities.

'On wider air quality issues, we have provided 575million to support Local Authorities since 2018 and we are working alongside them to cut emissions so that everyone's exposure to air pollution is reduced.'

Sir Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England, said in 2023 that air fresheners and wood burners contribute to air pollution despite many people believing the reverse to be true.

He added that he would have 'no problem' telling someone with an asthmatic child not to use air freshener, and said people who use wood burners should only do so 'when it really matters to them for aesthetic reasons' rather than as the main way of heating their home.

The Daily Mail has contacted the Stove Industry Alliance for comment.

On its website, it says: 'Precision engineered, modern stoves are far removed from the smoky open fires of the past. They offer an efficient, renewable heating option that supports the UKs domestic fuel supply chain and provides important energy security and resilience, particularly in off-grid and rural homes.'
A Kentucky man who has been struck by lightning twice revealed he now has premonitions about when storms are coming ahead of the forecast.

Danny Devine, 66, of Cave City, near Bowling Green, was first struck by lightning in 2007 while celebrating his grandson's birthday.

He and his wife, Lisa, 59, were hosting a pool party, and the sky was filled with warm sunshine. Suddenly, a 'little cloud popped up and it started to rain.'

'It was the brightest lightning and the loudest thunder,' Lisa recalled of the storm.

As everyone moved indoors, Danny told his son to go close the garage door and went to help him. When he touched the metal door, lightning struck him.

'It went in his hand and out his feet,' Lisa, a nurse, told the Daily Mail.

Their son informed his mother that Danny was on the ground with no pulse and was not breathing. They quickly moved him out of the way, which caused him to go into an irregular heartbeat.

Danny remembers none of this. He was struck by lightning one moment and woke up in the hospital the next, with no recognition of his wife or family.

Danny Devine, 66, of Cave City, near Nashville, and his wife Lisa were hosting a party for their grandson's birthday when a storm rolled in and Danny was struck by lightning in 2007

'He didn't know me, he didn't recognize our house,' Lisa said.

Danny would spend three days in the hospital recovering and would spend three years struggling with short-term memory loss.

'Mornings are really hard for him,' Lisa said, after taking over the phone call with the Daily Mail as Danny has just woken up. She said it takes around an hour for him to be able to process his thoughts after waking up.

'It changes your personality. It's like a closed-head trauma,' the nurse continued. 'He's not the same person that I married. Although it's getting better, I see glimpses of him.'

Danny also suffered from chronic pain, ringing in the ears, and had to go through speech therapy for years.

The second time he was struck by lightning was in 2023 while he was sitting inside his own home.

A storm was rolling through, and as a precaution, Danny and his wife unplugged everything inside their home and camped out in the living room.

Danny had forgotten to unplug the coax cable connected to the TV. The next thing they knew, lightning had struck their house, sending bolts of electricity through the cable.

As everyone moved indoors, Danny told his son to go close the garage door and went to help him. When he touched the metal door, lightning struck him. 'It went in his hand and out his feet,' Lisa, a nurse, told the Daily Mail (pictured: stock image)

'A big ball of blue flame came out of the front of the TV, went around me and hit him,' Lisa recalled. It knocked Danny off the couch, but luckily, he didn't need medical assistance.

'He was stunned.'

The experience left him with a peculiar premonition and he's now able to sense a storm before it arrives.

'He can feel the storm a few days beforehand,' Lisa said. 'He tells me: "There's a storm coming." He can tell if its a large or small storm.'

'I can actually feel the storms coming a day or two ahead of time,' Danny said.

Being struck by lightning can temporarily change the polarity of one's body, medical experts said. However, the Devines believe it permanently changed his.

'Doctors tell [survivors] to get over it, but it's very real,' she told the Daily Mail. 'The post-traumatic stress is real.'

Lisa also suffers from secondary trauma from the experience as she can feel her husband getting anxious during bad weather.

Now, every storm, they unplug everything that conducts electricity and stay in their living room together. They also pay attention to weather reports.

Their son informed his mother that Danny was on the ground with no pulse and wasn't breathing. They quickly moved him out of the way, which caused him to go into an irregular heartbeat. Danny remembers none of this

'We watch the weather very closely,' Lisa said. 'We don't go out if we know it's going to rain.'

The Devines' best advice is 'when thunder roars, go indoors.'

'Not a pavilion or a carport, a structure,' Lisa advised.

Lighting can travel horizontally for hundreds of miles, meaning just because it's not near you, does not mean it cannot hurt you.

The longest lightning strike was 515 miles long, spanning from East Texas to Kansas City in 2017.

It produced more than 116 subsidiary strikes during the seven seconds the bolt lasted.

A lot of people tell Danny to play the lottery after hearing his story, but the couple doesn't think it's good advice.

'There's a lot better chance you'll be struck by lightning than win the lottery,' Lisa said.

Danny was struck again in 2023. Since the strikes, he said he can feel a storm (stock image) coming a few days beforehand. 'He can tell if its a large or small storm,' Lisa said

Surviving a lightning strike is high and around 90 percent, but 80 percent of patients have long-term effects. The chance of surviving a strike is largely based on luck.

Around 40 million lightning bolts hit the ground in the United States each year.

Florida is considered the lightning capital of the world, with more than 2,000 injuries per year, according to the CDC.

The Sunshine State, as well as, Texas, Colorado, North Carolina, Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Missouri, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania have the most lightning deaths per year.

Between 2006 and 2021, nearly 445 deaths have occurred from lightning strikes. Nearly one-third of those strikes happened indoors.
The highest-ranking member of the Anglican Church of North America has been hit with a slew of allegations - including sexual misconduct, abuse of power, and plagiarism.

A recently revealed presentment, which is a formal report that details offenses by leaders in the church, alleges that Archbishop Stephen Wood, 62, attempted to kiss a female employee, plagiarized his sermons, and bullied church staffers before he moved up in rank.

The ANCA confirmed to the Daily Mail that it received a complaint alleging misconduct while Wood was serving as Bishop of the Diocese of the Carolinas, his position prior to becoming the Archbishop in June 2024.

The ACNA was founded in 2009 by former members of the Episcopal Church who opposed the congregation's openness to LGBTQ+ Christians and progressive causes.

The religion is a form of Christianity, following the preaching in the Bible and celebrating traditional holidays like Christmas and Easter.

Over a decade after its inception, the church found itself riddled with controversy as new allegations surfaced against the ACNA's senior-most official.

Claire Buxton, 42, has spoken out about her experience working as the children's ministry director at St. Andrew's Church in South Carolina while Wood was the rector.

Buxton detailed her experience in one of six affidavits submitted in the presentment, reviewed by the Washington Post, alleging Wood's behavior.

She also claimed in an interview with the Post that last spring that Wood tried to kiss her in his office.

Archbishop Stephen Wood, 62, has been hit with allegations of sexual misconduct, bullying his employees, and plagiarizing his sermons

Wood is the senior official of the Anglican Church in North America. The ACNA broke off from the Episcopal Church in 2009 (Pictured: St. Philip's Church in Charleston, South Carolina) (file photo)

Wood is the subject of a recent presentment, which is a formal report that details offenses by leaders in the church

'He put his hand on the back of my head and tried to turn it up towards him while he slowly brought his face towards my face to kiss me,' Buxton told the outlet.

She said she avoided the kiss by dropping her head and gave him a side hug instead before running out of the office.

Although she said that the alleged kiss occurred in 2024, Buxton insisted that Wood's inappropriate behavior began years before.

She told the Post that in October 2021 he hugged her at a celebration ceremony, and his hand slowly slid down her back.

Buxton said she told her parents about the awkward encounter, admitting that it felt 'sensual' and that she speculated he was attracted to her.

Her parents brushed it off, so she continued her work as the children's ministry director.

However, a year later, Wood allegedly divulged inappropriate information to Buxton in his office.

He allegedly told her that he fired a church staffer because she 'slept with everyone.' That same year, Wood began giving Buxton mysterious checks from a church account.

The ACNA is a form of Christianity similar to the Episcopal Church, but is more conservative and opposes homosexuality (Pictured: Holy Trinity Church in Raleigh, North Carolina) (file photo)

Claire Buxton, 42, wrote in an affidavit that Wood acted inappropriately with her when she was employed as the children's ministry director at St. Andrew's Church in South Carolina

Wood assured Buxton that it wasn't from him and was a reward for doing her job well, but she believed otherwise.

In July 2023, Buxton said Wood informed her he wanted to send her to a nearby luxury resort.

'With all his growing attention and affection, I was really terrified that if I went, he might come,' she wrote in the affidavit, as seen by the outlet.

Buxton admitted to the Post that she needed the checks and was uncomfortable rejecting Wood's financial gestures.

The behavior came to a head when he allegedly attempted to kiss her. The encounter came after she confronted him about a mission trip to the Bahamas.

Buxton had feared that he would initiate a physical relationship with her on the trip, even though his wife was planning on attending.

Nothing physical transpired, but she said that he repeatedly made her uncomfortable, citing an encounter where he put a forkful of food in her face and asked her to eat it.

Two months after the alleged attempted kiss, Wood was elected as archbishop - sending shock waves to his former employees.

Buxton alleged that Wood attempted to kiss her, gave her mysterious 'bonus' checks, and called her 'Claire Bear'

The report included multiple affidavits detailing Wood's alleged behavior as a religious leader

'Its just bizarre to me how far we  the Anglican Church in North America and its leadership  have gotten away from basic morals and principles,' Buxton told the Post.

Numerous other members of the Anglican Church expressed concern with Wood's behavior, including Reverend Hamilton Smith, the rector of St. Thomas' Church in South Carolina.

In a letter obtained by the Post, Smith told Wood: 'I do not feel you have moral authority required to hold the office of Bishop.'

Smith said he believed Wood plagiarized his sermons, shamed colleagues, and accepted a $60,000 truck provided by the diocese.

'You have told me numerous times that you are a sinner who had "a really bad year/a horrible season" in which you did things you now regret. While I rejoice in this self understanding, grace and forgiveness have limits,' Smith wrote in the letter.

Reverend Rob Sturdy, another priest who submitted an affidavit, wrote that Wood frequently boasted about a woman from another church whom he could've had a relationship with if he pursued it.

High-ranking members of the ACNA wrote affidavits attesting to Wood's alleged misconduct

Wood said in a statement that he didn't believe the allegations against him had any merit and trusted the church's process

'We have out-of-control men with absolute power and leaders who refuse to hold them accountable,' Sturdy said in an interview with the Post.

Mike Hughes, the Senior Warden at St Andrew's Church, wrote a letter to the community alerting them of the Post article before it was published.

'In accordance with Canonical Law, as soon as the complaint is validated as a presentment, Bishop Ray Sutton, Dean of the ACNAs College of Bishops, will convene a Board of Enquiry to consider whether it warrants further action,' the letter wrote.

Hughes added that he 'commended' all those involved, including Wood, his family, and the complainants.

Wood said in a statement that he didn't believe the allegations against him had any merit.

'I place my faith and trust in the process outlined in our canons to bring clarity and truth in these matters and respectfully decline to comment further at this time,' he added.

The ACNA said in a statement that a Board of Inquiry will be appointed to determine whether the presentment will go to trial, adding that Wood has recused himself from the responsibility to appoint the board's members.

'The ACNA takes seriously any credible allegation made against a bishop, priest, deacon, lay leader, or volunteer serving in the ACNA, and we will not hesitate to take action when action is warranted,' the statement added.
Travelers aboard a Delta Airlines flight to New York City were left fearing for their lives after the plane was suddenly plunged into darkness and forced to make an emergency landing.

More than 200 passengers bound for Manhattan's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) were rerouted to Iceland following the unexpected technical issue.

Delta Flight DL45 was forced to divert barely two hours into the journey from Ireland's Dublin Airport on Tuesday.

Panic swept through the cabin as the lights cut out and the plane jolted violently, prompting some travelers to burst into tears according to those on board.

Passenger Lohanny Santos said that they were instructed to grab life vests after the left engine reportedly failed miles above the Atlantic Ocean.

'I kid you not, I thought we were going to die,' content creator and passenger Lohanny Santos said in a TikTok video she shared on Wednesday.

Against all odds, the plane diverted north to Iceland and made a safe emergency landing at Keflavik International Airport (KEF) just before 8:45pm local time.

'This was the most insane thing ever,' Santos added in a second video. 'Everyone on this flight has become family and we all trauma bonded.'

Travelers aboard a Delta Airlines flight from Dublin Airport (DUB) to New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) were left fearing for their lives after technical difficulties sent the plane into a sudden blackout (stock photo)

Content creator and passenger Lohanny Santos recalled the screens going dark, the plane lurching in the air and a voice shouting for passengers to grab life vests

The plane diverted north to Iceland and made a safe emergency landing at Keflavik International Airport (KEF) just before 8:45pm local time (Pictured: Flight tracking data)

'I will be making the most of it while here in Iceland, but wow. That was intense.'

The Boeing 767-300 took off from Dublin on Tuesday, carrying travelers on what should have been a standard seven-and-a-half-hour flight across the ocean to the Big Apple.

Everything seemed normal Santos said until the screens went dark and the plane lurched in the air before passengers were told to grab life vests.

'All of the sudden, the left engine went out and then the screens went dark and everyone was so confused,' she said in her video.

'We didn't hear anything from the pilot for awhile,' she added. 'The girl next to me started crying.'

The pilot eventually announced that the plane was being diverted to southwest Iceland due to technical difficulties, with the countrys Civil Protection Department and emergency services on standby as a precaution.

Yet the captain's announcement did little to soothe the cabin, and passengers, including Santos, clung to complete strangers for comfort.

In a follow-up video, Santos thanked God for the man sitting next to her, who let her hold his hand and cling to his arm the entire time as she 'shook' in terror

Santos swung the camera toward the man sitting next to her to reveal it was Irelands famous TV and radio personality, Martin King (pictured on right)

In a follow-up video, the content creator thanked God for the man sitting next to her, who let her hold his hand and cling to his arm the entire time as she 'shook' in terror.

She then swung the camera toward the man sitting next to her who was Irelands famous TV and radio personality, Martin King.

He helped me through it, guys, she said, as he gently squeezed her arm and chuckled, insisting it was no problem.

Santos also thanked other fellow passengers: Shout out to the girl beside me for her breathing exercises, and the woman behind me for the Ring Pop.

The plane finally hit solid ground in one piece, and visibly shaken passengers were told theyd be spending the night in an Icelandic hotel before resuming their journey to New York the following day.

'When we landed, everyone started clapping and were all just relieved,' Santos shared.

For Santos and the hundreds of strangers aboard, the terrifying ordeal forged a bond. They stuck together even after landing, leaning on each other for comfort in a foreign country.

Santos captured another moment in a video while out at a bar, toasting shots with two women she had bonded with during the flight.

The next day, the passengers returned to the skies and landed safely in New York City shortly after 9pm (stock photo)

'We are so happy to be alive,' she captioned the post. 'Life has a funny way to bring friends into your life, huh.'

The passengers returned to the skies the next day and landed safely in New York City shortly after 9pm, according to flight data.

Delta Airlines did not immediately respond to Daily Mail's request for comment.
Two of President Trump's top allies are again exchanging vicious, personal salvos at one another, signifying more cracks among the MAGA movement's top ranks.

Conservative stalwart Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and far-right influencer Laura Loomer have been ridiculing each other for years but the frequency and attacks have recently reached new levels of vitriol.

Loomer ruthlessly branded Taylor Greene an 'adulteress' and 'dumb CrossFit bimbo,' while Greene retorted by questioning Loomer's mental health in their most recent round of firings.

Loomer, 32, has twice lost races for Congress in Florida and has extensive media experience; she now regularly hosts a show online and is an active X user - her preferred platform to fire shots at GOP officials she deems insufficiently loyal to Trump.

This year, Loomer has publicly petitioned President Trump to fire executive branch employees who may have said anti-Trump things in the past or have shown any support for Democrats.

At times, the president and his team have listened, firing scores of administration officials with whom the influencer had issues.

Greene, 51, a congresswoman from Georgia since 2021, has for years boasted about her close ties with the president, whom she repeatedly campaigned for, and also has a massive social media following that, at times, has been used to target Loomer.

Greene has accused Loomer of racism, being 'bankrolled' by Israel and making Trump look bad by association.

Laura Loomer and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene were once friends in 2018 before they both ran for Congress. Now, their relationship is strained and signifies fractures among coalitions on Trump's far-right

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R) speaks alongside Trump at a campaign event in Rome, Georgia, on March 9, 2024

July 9, 2024 photo of Laura Loomer and Donald Trump is captioned: I love President Trump! He will always have my support. Great rally in Miami, Florida tonight! FLORIDA IS TRUMP COUNTRY!

Loomer, on the other hand, has repeatedly accused MTG as an 'adulteress,' insulted the congresswoman's intelligence and has questioned the Republican's Christian faith.

'President Trump doesn't talk to MTG anymore,' Loomer posted late Tuesday evening. 'White House staff have grown sick of her and her efforts to undermine the administration. That's the truth. As an adulteress, [Greene] is used to walking out on the men who she used throughout her life.'

'Her ex husband can confirm. That's why she's having a hard time being politically dumped by Trump,' her vicious attack continued. 'He dropped her worthless a** when he finally realized how dumb that CrossFit bimbo truly is.'

Loomer also hoped that MTG is 'as miserable as she looks.'

The influencer's barbs came after an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson and Greene in which the Republican accused Loomer of being mentally ill.

'I've never understood why anyone takes her serious,' MTG told Carlson of Loomer. 'I mean, this is a woman that can't even legally buy a gun because she has such serious mental problems.'

Loomer herself wrote in a 2021 blog post that she was banned from owning a gun, though her explanation for why she was forbidden from owning a firearm was opaque and did not touch on mental health being a factor.

When others have alleged Loomer of mental health issues, she has pushed back at those characterizations, though recently some of her posts have alarmed some of her fans.

'These last few months, it has grown increasingly more difficult to feel positive about the state of affairs in the world,' the influencer wrote at the end of September. 'Now it just brings me chaos. I have grown to really dislike socializing with people & find attending events to be a burden.'

Her followers urged her to take time off and get around better friends friends, to which Loomer responded: 'I stick to myself.'

Loomer, 32, ran for Congress twice in Florida but lost both runs. Later, she put her political expertise to use on social media, where she has millions of followers and hosts an online show

MTG has been in Trump's orbit for years and has campaigned with the Republican and flaunted her close ties to him. Recently more reticent about congressional Republican's agenda, Trump has reportedly inquired about why Greene has been more independent recently

Greene also noted how the 32-year-old's hyper-online presence and questioned the veracity of her many eyebrow-raising claims.

'She literally posted the other day that she blew blood vessels in her eye as she was hysterically tweeting like 40 or 50 times in one day. Who listens to a person like that? No one should.'

The full-blown war between the two far-right titans exposes the warring factions within the larger Republican party vying for Trump's ear and influence.

Loomer is reportedly still influential in Trump's orbit and sources familiar with the matter say she hops on late-night calls with the president, telling him which employees are not showing fidelity to the Republican.

Greene is also seemingly still in the good graces of Trump, who frequently talks about the congresswoman with her boyfriend, Brian Glenn, a White House reporter friendly with the president.

Despite her more frequent criticisms of the Republican party, and jabs at certain Trump policies - though not at the president himself, Greene clarifies - the executive has reportedly tried to bridge gaps between the two.

Trump has called at least two top-ranking Republicans to ask, 'What's going on with Marjorie?' per two GOP sources who commented on the conversations, NBC reported earlier this month.

Greene and Loomer's showdown is not the only one roiling the right, however.

MTG and Fox News host Mark Levin have also sparred, as have Levin and Carlson.

More recently, smaller GOP factions have also begun turning on each other.

A Young Republicans club group chat full of racially and sexually innapropriate material leaked to the press, resulting in some in the chat getting fired or losing job offers.

The scandal has embroiled the White House and proven to be another thorn in the right side of the administration as it deals with a government shutdown on its left.

Neither Loomer nor Greene immediately responded to the Daily Mail's request for comment.
The mother accused of abandoning a newborn baby girl at a busy New York City subway station wore a sweatshirt with a strange message as she appeared in court.

Assa Diawara, 30, was arrested in Queens shortly before 3am on Wednesday and charged with abandoning and endangering a child, the NYPD said.

She was spotted leaving Manhattan Criminal Court later in the day, wearing a tan sweatsuit emblazoned with the phrase 'Good Vibes Only,' and obscuring her face with a medical mask.

While in custody, Diawara allegedly confessed to birthing the baby girl just hours before leaving her at Penn Station, according to the district attorney's office.

She was let out on the lowest level of supervised release, as requested by prosecutors, and has her next court date scheduled for December 8.

Diawara's arrest comes a day after police released surveillance images of the mother heading to the station during Monday morning rush hour, where police say she abandoned the baby.

She was wearing pink pants, a patterned top, a red headscarf and glasses.

The baby was eventually found at the bottom of the stairs leading to the southbound 1, 2 and 3 trains at the 34th Street-Penn Station station in Midtown Manhattan around 9.30am, authorities said.

Assa Diawara (pictured), 30, was arrested in Queens shortly before 3am on Wednesday and charged with abandoning and endangering a child

Diawara's arrest comes a day after police released surveillance images of the mother heading to the station during Monday morning rush hour

Officials said the baby girl's umbilical cord was still attached, and she was taken to Bellevue Hospital in stable condition.

'I'm calling it the Miracle on 34th Street, the FDNY and police department responded, they found a baby that was unattended,' New York City transit president Demetrius Crichlow said at a press conference.

Diawara was allegedly picked up by a driver near West 34th Street minutes before her baby was discovered and was driven back to her home in Jamaica, Queens, sources told The New York Post.

Her landlord, only identified as Bobby, told the outlet he confronted Diawara on Tuesday at the African grocery store where she worked after seeing the surveillance images.

'I said, "Are you pregnant?" She said, "Daddy, Im not pregnant. I live by myself. I don't have a boyfriend,"' Bobby said, noting that calling an elderly man or woman as daddy or auntie is sign of respect in their culture.

'I sent her the picture and said "It looks like you." She said, "Daddy, please its not me." I told her to go home and take care of the problem and she said shell go home when she closed [the store].'

Bobby explained that Diawara lived in the basement apartment of his Queens property, where his daughter also lives, and neither of them ever had an issue with her.

Diawara covered her face with a mask and wore a tan sweatsuit emblazoned with the phrase 'Good Vibes Only' as she appeared in court

The baby was eventually found at the bottom of the stairs leading to the southbound 1, 2 and 3 trains at the 34th Street-Penn Station station with her umbilical cord still attached

'If she gave the child to me, Id have taken it. Im African. Shes from Africa. If they [the authorities] give me the baby right now, Ill take it,' he said.

In the state of New York, it is a felony to abandon a child under the age of 14.

Its Abandoned Infant Protection Act allows a parent to anonymously abandon a newborn up to 30 days old, as long as the baby is left in a safe place such as a hospital, police or fire station and in a safe manner.

The subway system in New York City handles roughly 3.9 million riders daily, according to Parking Day.
The daughter of President James Monroe is set to be reunited with her father and family in the same Virginia cemetery on Thursday nearly two centuries after she died poor and alone in Paris, France.

Eliza Monroe Hay died at the age of 53 in 1840 and has generally been remembered as an aloof, snobbish socialite who craved recognition and praise for her role as the de-facto First Lady.

Eliza's mother, Elizabeth Monroe, was often too sickly to perform her duties over the course of her husband's term from 1817 to 1825.

It was also believed that Eliza selfishly abandoned her family to return to Paris, which was where she primarily grew up since her father had had assignments there under presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.

But unearthed letters written by Eliza shortly before her death showed that she had run out of money and was stranded in France.

Barbara VornDick, a retired teacher who works as a part-time educator at Highland, the Monroe family home in Virginia, found two letters written by Eliza in the archives of the College of William & Mary.

In one, dated 1839, she lamented how she was 'now in distress, in ill health, & in a forreign [sic] country,' according to a copy shared with The Washington Post.

She asked the recipients to 'save me from utter ruin'.

In the letters, she also accused her sister's brother, Samuel Gouverneur, of stealing her inheritance and leaving her destitute.

Pictured: A portrait of Eliza Monroe Hay, the eldest daughter of President James Monroe. She died alone in Paris, France, in 1840, but thanks to historian Barbara VornDick, she will now be reinterred alongside the rest of her family in Virginia

James Monroe, who served as president from 1817 to 1825, relied on Eliza to serve as his de-facto First Lady. That was because his wife, Elizabeth Monroe, was often too sickly to perform her duties

Gouverneur, a first cousin to Eliza and his wife, Maria, was the executor of President Monroe's will.

According to VornDick's research, Gouverneur intentionally delayed the sale of the president's writings until well after Eliza died. He was also a gambling addict who frequently found himself in debt.

Eliza wrote that Gouverneur was running 'a very black business & one from which a deep stain will be fixed on his honor'.

The letters also showed that Eliza had gone to France hoping to improve her health and not to leave her family behind.

Also, her father, her mother and her husband, George Hay, had all died years before she sailed for France in 1838.

One letter that was supposedly written in the autumn of 1839 was addressed to Louis Philippe I, then the King of France and a family friend.

She asked him for a room in one of his palaces and complained that America doesn't provide for the children of its statesmen.

It's unclear whether the king replied, but Eliza wrote that she could barely afford coal to heat the rooms in her apartment on the Champs-Elysees.

Highland (pictured) was President Monroe's estate in Virginia and is now a museum

Eliza will be laid to rest at Richmond's historic Hollywood Cemetery alongside her father on Thursday (Pictured: President Monroe's tomb)

Months after her letter to the king, Eliza died and was buried in an unmarked grave in the Pere Lachaise cemetery.

Over time, Eliza's tomb acquired cracks and became overgrown with vegetation and forgotten.

By 2018, it was in such a sorry state that French officials wrote to the James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library telling them that they might have to exhume her remains and put them in an ossuary.

Kathryn Willis, now a 77-year-old Francophile, learned of this and visited the tomb. A few years later, when Willis learned that VornDick was researching Eliza, the pair met and began a campaign to bring Monroe's eldest daughter back to the US.

The process of repatriating Eliza's remains took years and was rife with bureaucratic hurdles.

But on May 21 of this year, VornDick was finally able to receive Eliza at the Dulles International Airport. She was in a hardwood box about 3ft long and 1ft long, big enough to hold human bones, according to the Post.

'If this could happen to the daughter of a president, that she could end up with her inheritance just flat-out denied her and end up as a pauper dying far from home  we know that happened to other women during that era,' Vorndick said of her unyielding commitment to telling Eliza's story accurately.

Eliza will be laid to rest at Richmond's historic Hollywood Cemetery alongside her father on Thursday, October 23.
The family of a grandmother who was stabbed to death by a complete stranger as she walked home from Lidl 'to get her 10,000 steps in' has issued a heartbreaking tribute.

Lorna England, 74, was murdered by Cameron Davis in Exeter in February 2023, after he told hospital staff that he would 'kill a random' person if he was not sectioned.

As the inquest into her death concluded today, her family said she will forever be remembered in their hearts as 'Lovely Lorn'.

Mrs England's sister read a statement on behalf of the family and said: 'Known fondly as "Lovely Lorn" by those close to her, Lorna was a beloved wife of 52 years, mother, grandmother and sister.

'She was a kind and loving lady who lived life to the full and was the most content person you could ever wish to meet.

'Her smile lit up the room and her gentle nature made everyone feel welcome and loved. She had a quiet strength and a generous heart; always putting others before herself.

'Lorna enjoyed spending time with her family whether that was holidays with her husband, an exercise class with her daughter or a spot of DIY with her son.

'She loved to stay healthy because she wanted to be around for as long as she could to enjoy special times with her family - something which has now been so cruelly stolen from us.'

Lorna England, 74, was murdered by Cameron Davis in Exeter in February 2023 as she walked home from her local Lidl

Footage showed Lorna leaving the same supermarket as Davis after her own shopping trip, not knowing what fate lay in store

The family expressed their gratitude to the emergency services, the Major Crime and Investigation Team at Devon and Cornwall Police and to a witness who challenged Davis after the attack.

The family added: 'We all have a permanent empty void because we miss Lorna so much. From the moment we wake up, we relive the shock and horror that she is no longer with us and we take that to bed every night.

'We will never come to terms with the death of such a wonderful lady. How do you ever make sense of such a wicked act?'

An inquest into her death at County Hall in Exeter concluded on Wednesday that she died an unlawful death.

Davis was previously sentenced to life in prison for murder and will serve a minimum of 28 years.

Lawyers representing the family said changes need to be made in how potentially dangerous people like Davis are dealt with in the community.

Mrs England, a retired civil servant, was returning home from purchasing flour at her local Lidl on February 18, 2023 when she was killed as she walked through Ludwell Valley Park. She suffered fatal stab wounds to the heart and neck.

Davis had been assessed by mental health practitioners in A&E just hours before her death, and told staff he would kill a stranger if they did not section him.

Cameron Davis, 31, was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 28 years after being found guilty of murder

Pictured: The kitchen knife used by Davis to kill Lorna

Davis is seen on CCTV footage leaving A&E on the day of the murder, hours after he threatened to kill a random person unless he was sectioned

Davis is seen on CCTV shopping for the murder weapon after being allowed to leave hospital - he would purchase a kitchen knife and two bottles of vodka

He had called police on 999 at 4.41am and threatened to take his own life in a fire at his accommodation unless he was arrested.

Paramedics attended and found Davis sitting on the pavement outside, where he threatened to kill someone if he was discharged.

He was taken to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, where two psychiatrists and an advanced mental health practitioner decided that he did not need to be admitted.

After he was allowed to leave by hospital staff he purchased a knife and two bottles of vodka.

He then spent time loitering in Ludwell Valley Park before Mrs England crossed paths with him on her way home.

Having been stabbed in the heart and neck, she sadly died at the scene. Davis was arrested five hours later by armed police, and told officers: 'I f***ing warned you... the people in the hospital should pay for this.'

At trial it was heard he chose a 'random stranger' to kill because he was angry about losing his accommodation and not being given a hospital bed.

The circumstances leading up to the killing and Davis's interaction with health services and police were examined by the coroner at Lorna's inquest.

In statements to the coroner, her husband David said they were struggling to come to terms with her loss.

Her son Richard said she was the 'embodiment of warmth and kindness' who put others before herself.

And her daughter Jackie said the grandmother was 'always up for a laugh and a giggle' and would be the last one to leave the party or dance.

Hollie Muckley, from HCC Solicitors, acting for the family said changes need to be made in how potentially dangerous individuals are dealt with in the community.

A coroner ruled Mrs England was unlawfully killed while on her way home from a supermarket

Lorna's husband revealed she walked back from the shops via the park to 'get her steps in'

She said: 'The 18 February 2023 started off as a normal Saturday in the England household. Lorna decided to walk to the shops as she wanted to achieve her daily 10,000 steps. Little did she know the horror that was awaiting her.

'Two years on and the family is still struggling to make sense of what happened.

'Why hadn't the police, clinical staff and housing agencies been involved in a multi-agency risk meeting about Davis?

'Why hadn't Devon Partnership Trust added Davis to a waiting list in relation to his mental health when they were aware of his problems a year before Lorna's death?

'And why hadn't the police responded to the 101 call from clinicians to report the threats Davis was making on the day he murdered Lorna?

'The family and I still believe there's a chance that Lorna's death could have been avoided and that continues to torment her heartbroken relatives. The only thing they can hope for now is that lessons are learnt so that this never happens to another family.'

Davis denied murder and admitted manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility but was found guilty on Tuesday after a two week trial at Exeter Crown Court.

At his sentencing hearing in July 2024, Mrs England's husband David, 83, who had been with Lorna for 54 years, told Davis: 'Hopefully your life will not be an easy one - you will always be labelled a granny killer.'

He added: '54 years ago I was privileged to meet and fall in love and marry Lorna - the most wonderful lady in the world. We raised two lovely children together.

'Lorna was attacked and brutally murdered by Cameron Davis on the afternoon of Saturday 18 February 2023 - and since then my life has never been the same.

'Lorna decided to walk to the shops as she wanted to achieve her 10,000 steps - not knowing the moment she was going to encounter.

'She must have been so scared and filled with terror at seeing you with a knife in your hand.

'I hate to think what she must have gone through and the last thoughts in her head as she tried to defend herself.

'This constantly plays on my mind, how someone could be so evil. It breaks my heart the last face she saw was yours - a cowardly, brutal monster.

'How could you do something like this to someone so bright, cheery and positive.

'She was an incredibly strong and brave lady - always retained a positive and calm attitude with whatever she had to face.

'Lorna was my guiding light, soulmate and had everything to live for. It haunts me how much pain she would have suffered being brutally stabbed by Cameron Davis.

'I feel lost and lonely without Lorna by my side. You forever broke the hearts of our family.

'I feel like I have been sentenced and the one being punished - she gave me purpose to wake up and I have a massive emptiness in my heart without her.

'All our lives have been utterly destroyed by you Cameron Davis.

'I have frequent visions and flashbacks and how could a person be so brutal and walk away to visit pubs and having drinks as if nothing happened

'No punishment you will receive will ever be adequate compared to the pain and torture you inflicted on Lorna, myself and her family.'
One of Trump's closest confidantes is taking aim at his former hero Robert De Niro after the actor labeled him a 'Nazi.'

Stephen Miller, the architect of the president's deportation dreams, flamed De Niro, 82, on Wednesday night during an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity.

'Robert De Niro is a sad, bitter, broken old man who is mostly enraged because he has not made a movie worth watching in at least 30 years,' Miller told Hannity.

Miller went on to claim De Niro's career was filled with 'probably the longest string of flops, failures, embarrassments.'

A profile piece on Miller's childhood from Vanity Fair in 2020 revealed that the White House deputy chief of staff had framed pictures of De Niro from 'Goodfellas' and 'Casino' on his bedroom wall as a teenager.

'Miller added, 'This man has been degrading himself on camera with one horrific film after another for my entire adult life and he is not taken seriously by anybody.'

'Not by his family, not by his friends, not by his community. He is a shell of a man and everyone disregards everything he says.'

Miller's recent attack comes after De Niro compared the Trump adviser to Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels.

Miller flamed De Niro during a Wednesday night interview with Sean Hannity

De Niro slammed Miller as a 'Nazi' and said he should be 'ashamed'

De Niro is an award-winning actor known for his roles in famous mafia films such as 'Goodfellas' and 'Casino'

'He's set it up with, I guess he's the Goebbels of the Cabinet, Stephen Miller,' De Niro told MSNBC on Sunday.

'He's a Nazi, yes he is, and he's Jewish. He should be ashamed of himself.'

The Vanity Fair article on Miller revealed that he would dress up like De Niro at school by slicking his hair to resemble the actor's 'Casino' character Sam 'Ace' Rothstein.

'He'd wear like a gold mafia-style ring on his finger. It was just bizarre. Everyone commented on his weird jewelry and I think he would wear a gold chain, too, occasionally,' one former classmate told the magazine.

Moreover, Miller once named 'Casino' as his favorite film despite his current attacks on the Hollywood icon.

Miller is one of the leading figures behind pushing Trump's mass deportation of illegal migrants across the country.

Trump views Miller as a loyal and trustworthy political operative and routinely praises him in front of the camera.

Miller once idolized De Niro while growing up as a kid in the 1990s

The president, however, has repeatedly joked that if it were up to Miller there would be only 100 million people in the country and they would all look like Miller.
A doctor who stalked his ex and posted revenge porn online is back behind bars - for targeting another woman.

Disgraced medic Matthew Foster-Smith was struck off the medical register for stalking his former girlfriend and sharing intimate pictures of her online.

He ignored a court order banning him from contact and even followed his ex to her gym. He also called a support group she attended after finding out she was there. This led to him being jailed for 18 months in 2020.

But after his release, Foster-Smith began stalking another woman, in her 40s, by hanging around outside her workplace and engineering 'chance' meetings with her in public.

Foster-Smith, now 46, of Poole, Dorset, also trawled the internet for information about her between May and October 2023.

He was charged with stalking last September but went on the run for a month after skipping bail, before being tracked down in London.

At Bournemouth Crown Court, he was found guilty of stalking and breaching a restraining order against another victim and jailed for two years and two months.

The police said Foster-Smith's behaviour had left his stalking victim 'living in fear' and he had 'destroyed her life'.

But after his release, Disgraced medic Matthew Foster-Smith, pictured, began stalking another woman in her 40s, hanging around outside her workplace and engineering 'chance' meetings in public

At Bournemouth Crown Court, he was found guilty of stalking and breaching a restraining order against another victim and jailed for two years and two months

During his earlier campaign in 2019 and 2020, Foster-Smith repeatedly appeared at his ex's gym, posted revenge porn on Instagram and even phoned a support group asking to be put through to her.

He had also messaged a friend threatening to get an axe and 'f**k the women up', adding: 'If I'm going to get banged up, let's make it worth it.'

He was arrested when his friend reported the messages to police and later admitted breaching a non-molestation order.

When he was first jailed, Foster-Smith was told by a judge had made his victim's life a misery by what he had done.

The victim said in a statement: 'I am suspicious of new people. I have nightmares regularly and have trouble sleeping.

'I have had to endure the humiliation of telling family members and friends at work.'

Following the latest arrest, Detective Constable Thomas Norman, of Bournemouth CID, said: 'The defendant's behaviour has had an extremely significant impact on the victim's life.

'She continues to live in fear and has described these events as destroying her life.

'It is very important to us that victims of stalking get the help and support they need - we don't want anyone to feel scared, distressed or threatened.

'We take stalking seriously and are committed to ensuring offenders such as Foster-Smith are held accountable for their behaviour.'
Donald Trump has threatened to cut Israel adrift if they annex the West Bank in an extraordinary escalation as the President demands peace in the Middle East.

Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu oppose annexation  but right-wing factions in Jerusalem see an invasion of the territory as a means to blocking Palestinian statehood.

'Israel would lose all of its support from the United States if that happened,' Trump told Time Magazine for a cover story released Thursday following the President's historic peace deal in Gaza.

'It won't happen because I gave my word to the Arab countries.'

JD Vance - who rushed to Israel this week amid renewed bombing of the Gaza Strip - rebuked the Israeli parliament today accusing it of a 'personal insult' after it voted for annexing the West Bank.

Speaking at Tel Aviv's airport before departing, the vice-president called the vote a 'very stupid political stunt'.

'I personally take some insult to it,' Vance added. 'The policy of the Trump administration is that the West Bank will not be annexed by Israel.'

Some speculate that the hard-liner's 25-24 symbolic vote was meant to embarrass Netanyahu while Vance was still in Israel.

It is unlikely that annexation would pass the multiple rounds of voting required to become law in Israel's Knesset, and Netanyahu has the ability to delay the proposal should it get that far.

And Trump told reporters during an event at the White House on Thursday: 'Don't worry about the West Bank. Israel is not going to do anything with the West Bank.'

Vice-President JD Vance said before leaving Israel on October 23 that the Knesset's symbolic preliminary vote on annexation of the West Bank was a 'personal insult'

The Trump administration and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu do not support the far-right proposal to annex the Palestinian strong-hold

Trump said he gave his word to Arab countries he would not support Israel annexing the West Bank. Pictured: Israeli forces confront Palestinians in Hebron, West Bank, today

The growing popularity among far-right factions in Israel to annex the West Bank is especially concerning as Trump's peace deal to end the two-year Israel-Hamas war hangs by a thread.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged before departing for Israel on Wednesday that the Knesset vote could jeopardize the agreement to bring an end to the war in Gaza.

'President Trump has already made it clear that we do not support such moves right now,' Rubio said. 'We are concerned about anything that could undermine what we are working on.'

Trump announced in late September a 20-point plan for an end to the war in Gaza with a deadline for Hamas to accept by October 5 with threats of escalation if it was rejected.

The deal was brokered and mediated by Egypt, Qatar and Jordan and included a phased ceasefire, hostage release, demilitarization and reconstruction plan for the war torn Palestinian enclave.

In the Time interview, Trump stated emphatically that he was integral to ensuring peace in the Middle East.

'The most important thing is they have to respect the President of the United States. The Middle East has to understand that. It's almost the President more than the country,' he said.

Trump believes a cleaned-up Gaza could attract tourism and has compared it to luxurious destinations including Dubai, Monaco and the French Riviera.

Trump told Time Magazine that 'Israel would lose all of its support from the United States' if they annexed the West Bank

Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance visited Israel this week in the early stages of the ceasefire with Hamas. The couple tours the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem earlier today

His deal includes a lengthy and likely very pricey plan to make war-torn Gaza a sought-after vacation spot.

The plan is holding but frangible in the early stages.

The ceasefire is active, major hostage exchanges have occurred and aid is flowing into Gaza.

But there are still some outstanding issues straining the deal  like failure to return deceased hostages' remains and Israeli political moves to annex the other Palestinian enclave in the West Bank.

The United Arab Emirates, a key US and Israeli ally in reaching peace in Gaza, insists annexation would be a 'red line'.

Some right-wing members of Israeli Parliament are upset over the ceasefire and believe the Jewish state made too many security sacrifices in the deal.
A doctor, who used a hammer and orange spray paint to damage petrol pumps on the M25 in a Just Stop Oil protest, has had his licence suspended.

GP turned climate activist Dr Patrick Hart said he felt he had a 'moral duty' as a doctor to 'protect life' when he blocked cars entering the motorway service station as part of the demonstration.

Dr Hart has been released from custody on licence, and remains subject to licence conditions until 6 January 2026.

The doctor previously told a court that he 'regrets nothing' and 'reminded the Tribunal of actions taken by figures such as Martin Luther King Junior and Nelson Mandela'.

He has now been suspended from practising for ten months after the panel found he showed a 'disregard for potential harm and for public safety' by taking part in the protest.

It was heard that at the time of the protest, he was practising as a GP at Bridge View Medical Practice in Bristol.

The protest at Esso Services on the M25 led to the closure of the forecourt, leaving three quarters of the petrol pumps were out of action for 24 hours.

Dr Hart took a hammer and chisel and cracked the display panels of 16 Esso petrol pumps in Thurrock, Essex.

Dr Patrick Hart, a GP with the Bridge View Medical group in South Bristol, took a hammer and chisel and cracked the display panels of 16 Esso petrol pumps in Thurrock, Essex

Just Stop Oil claimed it had blocked three service stations on the M25 at the time, and said its 'supporters blocked access to the petrol pumps by sitting in the road with banners', and 'some supporters also sabotaged petrol pumps by breaking the display glass, covering them with spray paint or locking on'.

Hart has been involved in some of the UK's most high profile direct action protests with Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil over the past few years.

In May 2023, he invaded the pitch during the Premiership Rugby Final at Twickenham and threw orange-coloured cornflour around, as part of a wave of Just Stop Oil protests at major sporting events at the time.

He was later found not guilty of causing criminal damage to the pitch at Twickenham.

The Medical Practitioners Tribunal was told that on August 24, 2022, Dr Hart had prevented cars from entering a petrol station, which breached a High Court injunction and amounted to contempt of court.

For this offence, Dr Hart was sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for four years.

On October 29 last year, he was then convicted of causing criminal damage worth 11,000 at the same petrol station during the protest.

On January 7, he was then jailed for one year.

Dr Hart was also convicted of aggravated trespass on land which was being used for storage and transportation of fuel in November 2022 at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court, and his sentence for this offence was a fine of 500.

Activists from protest group Just Stop Oil blocked the entrance to the Esso after damaging pumps at the filling station at Thurrock Services on the M25 in Essex in 2022

The judge said that Dr Hart had 'shown no remorse, and stated he was in no doubt that Dr Hart would reoffend'.

The group said that Dr Hart told the court at his trial: 'I have been penalised at work and stand to be suspended or lose my licence to practise as a doctor.

'But I regret nothing.

'Because to not do it, would have been to give up on caring, and that would be worse.

'In the face of the permanent collapse of our climate, our economy, our society and life on Earth, the only thing that keeps me going is our continued capacity as people to care, regardless of what happens.

'Yes, I fear prison, but I am ready to go if I must.'

The GP had also 'climbed onto pipework at height' at another petrol station in April 2022, for which he was on bail when he carried out the August protest.

He was fined 500 for that offence.

In May 2023, Hart invaded the pitch during the Premiership Rugby Final at Twickenham and threw orange-coloured cornflour around

Dr Hart referred himself to the General Medical Council (GMC) in September of that year.

The tribunal heard: 'Dr Hart gave an extensive account of climate science, describing the current situation as a time-critical planetary emergency, with accelerating warming, mass extinctions and catastrophic consequences for health and civilisation.

'He said governments and wealthy societies had failed to meet legal and moral obligations under international climate agreements.

'Dr Hart linked this to professional and moral duty, arguing that as a doctor he felt compelled to act to protect life.

'He compared his actions to historic examples of doctors who broke laws for social justice, such as suffragists and 19th century reformers contending that similar civil disobedience was now necessary given the urgency of the crisis.

'Dr Hart also reminded the Tribunal of actions taken by figures such as Martin Luther King Junior and Nelson Mandela.'

He told the tribunal that people in prison 'could not believe that his conduct merited a custodial sentence', and his 'actions had been targeted at property not at people'.

The doctor added: 'Dr Hart submitted that some of his actions are said to have been shocking and were required to be so as society was sleep walking into disaster and catastrophe so there has to be some level of surprise and subversion, something outside of what is normally expected to happen in order for you to become impossible to ignore and in order for your point to get across.'

Dr Hart also said his actions were 'mild mannered' when put in the context of 'the permanent irreversible collapse of your economy and civilisation as a whole'.

The tribunal found that 'his position as a doctor was explicitly linked to the conduct, as he sought to use his status to amplify the shock value of his actions'.

It said that he assured them he 'will not break the law' in the future.

However, the tribunal found Dr Hart's fitness to practise was impaired because of misconduct and his convictions.

It said that he 'lacked insight into the seriousness and consequences of his actions' because of the location and nature of the protest.

The choice of location, which included 'the presence of flammable materials, emergency vehicle access, and members of the public in proximity', demonstrated a 'disregard for potential harm and for public safety' according to the tribunal.

'The protest was not peaceful in nature, as it involved premediated and deliberate damage to property with the use of a hammer,' it added.

It found that there were no concerns relating to Dr Hart's 'clinical competence or the quality of care he provided to his patients', and he had continued to work until November 2024.

The doctor has been suspended for ten months following the GMC tribunal.
Senior MPs are demanding answers from officials over how Prince Andrew was able to live rent-free in a state-owned mansion for more than two decades.

The Public Accounts Committee has written to the Crown Estate and the Treasury demanding information about the deal allowing the King's brother live in Royal Lodge in Windsor.

Andrew, who is already at the centre of a scandal over his association with late paedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, was revealed this week to have only paid a 'peppercorn rent' for 22 years for the 30-room country residence.

Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, chairman of the Committee, said the letter would be raising 'a number of questions' as part of its remit to 'examine the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of public spending, and ensure the taxpayer is receiving best value for money'.

MPS want PAC to launch a full investigation into the lease arrangement, but Sir Geoffrey suggested this was unlikely to happen until next year, if it decides to go ahead.

It came after No10 today refused to give up government time for a debate on the Prince's conduct and lifestyle.

No10 said that the Royal Family 'would not want to take time from other important issues' amid a growing clamour from MPs.

Sir Keir Starmer has already signalled he would support a future PAC inquiry.

No10 said that the Royal Family 'would not want to take time from other important issues' amid a growing clamour from MPs about the scandal surrounding the former Duke of York.

Sir Keir Starmer has already signalled he would support an inquiry by a select committee into Andrew's living arrangements, after it was revealed this week he has lived rent-free at Royal Lodge in Windsor for more than 20 year.

Today Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle leaned into calls for a full debate, telling MPs there was 'great interest from members and from the public on this matter'.

Today Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle leaned into calls for a full debate, telling MPs there was 'great interest from members and from the public on this matter'.

But the Prime Minister's official spokesman today pointe out that the Prince has already agreed to voluntarily drop his Duke of York title.

'We support the decision made by the Royal Family, and we know the royal family would not want to take time from other important issues,' the spokesman said.

'Any decision by committees to scrutinise developments are a matter for them.

'The Prime Minister supports proper scrutiny of the crown estates and all uses of taxpayers' money.'

With the government controlling how the vast majority of time in the Commons chamber is spent, it means that the chances of the matter being debated have been drastically lowered.

So-called 'substantive motions' allowing a debate can also be tabled by opposition parties in opposition day debates held 20 times in each Parliament, and by backbenchers through an application to the Backbench Business Committee.

In a statement to the Commons, Sir Lindsay said: 'I know there has been some commentary on what members of this House may or may not discuss in the chamber in relation to Prince Andrew, some of which is inaccurate.

'There is understandably great interest from members and from the public on this matter. For the benefit of the House, I would like to be clear that there are ways for the House to properly consider this matter.'

The prince could be hauled before Parliament in person to answer questions about his living arrangements after Sir Keir Starmer backed the idea.

The PM said he would support an inquiry by MPs after Sir Ed Davey said that a select committee should be able to grill witnesses 'including the current occupant' - a reference to King Charles III's beleaguered younger brother.

Prince Andrew's popularity has plummeted since he renounced his royal titles - with half of Britons believing he should be officially stripped of them by Parliament, polling reveals.

More than 82 per cent were this week found to hold a negative view of Andrew, compared to just 74 per cent in the days before he gave up his titles.

It was the right decision for him to do so, given his links with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to 88 per cent of those polled by Ipsos.

While Andrew will no longer use his titles - which included Duke of York, Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh - by law, he still holds them.

And 51 per cent of those surveyed said Parliament should intervene to legally remove them.
A manager at a Mini Cooper dealership sued his 'horrid' boss for harassment after she pocket dialled him while he was putting his child to sleep.

At an employment tribunal, Paul Bryant alleged that phone call was part of a campaign of bullying by his boss Karen Plane.

Mr Bryant argued that Mrs Plane's behaviour amounted to harassment and the Mini Cooper manager - who worked at the car dealership for nearly 20 years - kept a journal of incidents he was allegedly subjected to at work.

However, East London Employment Tribunal dismissed his harassment and wrongful dismissal case and Mr Bryant lost his case against Group 1 Retail Ltd, which owns Mini Cooper dealerships.

Mr Bryant was retail manager at the Mini Cooper branch in Colchester, Essex.

Mrs Plane was hired as the Mini Brand Manager at the branch from April 2022 - less than a year after Mr Bryant became retail manager there.

Mr Bryant was told by a colleague that Mrs Plane was bullying them - leading to concerns being raised to their line manager.

Due to the 'bullying incidents', Mr Bryant kept a journal between August 2022 and November 2023.

At an employment tribunal, Paul Bryant alleged that the late night phone call was part of a campaign of bullying by his boss Karen Plane (pictured)

Mrs Plane described this as 'creepy' during her evidence at a tribunal.

In August 2022, Mrs Plane told a member of staff that they would not pass probation because of their sales performance, yet Mr Bryant stood up for him and said he was one of the best in the team.

Mrs Plane replied by saying: 'You need to back me up and tow the company line! If you don't it will be very difficult for us to work together.'

She later said it would not be 'wise' for Mr Bryant to attend further performance review meetings.

He then said to another boss: 'I know you employed her, but that woman is a piece of work. She is horrid.'

Mr Bryant and Mrs Plane clashed on a number of other occasions in the workplace which culminated in his resignation.

In March 2023 Mr Bryant took a week off work with Covid-19 and then worked for three days from home.

On the final day of the month, which was his day off, he spoke with Mrs Plane on the phone where she said that she was 'disappointed' that he was not 'committed to the cause'.

Mr Bryant kept a journal of incidents involving Mrs Plane which he says he was subjected to at work. Mrs Plane described this as 'creepy' during her evidence at a tribunal

She claimed that she was 'shattered and would have appreciated the support'.

On July 13, 2023, Mrs Plane called him at 9:42pm interrupting his son's bedtime routine.

She claimed it was a pocket call but he believed that it was an act of harassment.

At a meeting in September, he told her that he was 'fighting a losing battle' and that he felt like he was being pushed out the business.

He resigned in November and took the case to the employment tribunal in East London.

Mr Bryant claimed that he was constructively dismissed as a result of what he called 'persistent bullying by his line manager and the failure of Group 1 Retail to adequately investigate that bullying'.

The former manager claimed he was entitled to 12 weeks' notice because of the 18 years he had worked there.

However the company said that he resigned and therefore waived his right to a notice period.

Employment Judge Rebecca Freshwater said that he was not constructively dismissed and that he had not been bullied or threatened.

His claims of constructive dismissal and wrongful dismissal were dismissed and Judge Freshwater said the pocket call was not harassment.

Judge Freshwater said: 'Mrs Plane does not recall making this call, and it seems more likely than not that it was a 'pocket call'. In other words, an accidental call.

'[Mr Bryant] did not answer or call Mrs Plane back given the timing of the call, which is perfectly reasonable.

'There were no further calls or voicemail requiring [Mr Bryant] to take any action.

'[Mr Bryant] considered the lateness of this call to have been an act of harassment by Mrs Plane.

'However, I do not find this to be the case. There is no evidence to support the assertion.'

Judge Freshwater continued: 'On the evidence before me, [Mr Bryant] has interpreted what has happened as bullying and mistreatment and that he was being forced out of his job.

'[He] seems to have formed the view that [a colleague] had been forced out of his job... and then to have proceeded on the basis that the same thing would happen, and was happening, to him.

'He viewed every interaction with Mrs Plant through that lens even when there was no basis to do so (for example in respect of the phone call on 13 July 2023).'
A financial adviser allegedly failed to declare interests in a business which took millions of dollars linked to collapsed superannuation funds First Guardian and Shield, the Federal Court has heard.

During an appearance on Thursday, lawyers representing corporate watchdog ASIC said receivers should be appointed for the property of Melbourne-based Ferras Merhi who encouraged thousands of his firm's clients to invest in the failed funds.

'Since the disclosure order came into effect on February 18, Mr Merhi has repeatedly only disclosed assets once they've been discovered by ASIC,' Justice Mark Moshinsky heard, The Australian reported.

Among the interests Mr Mehri allegedly failed to disclose were sources of wages and dividends received, property interests, and shareholdings, the court was told.

It heard that Mr Merhi 'failed to disclose his interests in a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, which reportedly held a bank account in the Isle of Man'.

ASIC claimed the Cayman Islands firm called NexOasis Consulting Inc. had 'substantial inflows of funds from companies connected to investments made by the First Guardian Master Fund' to the tune of about $US9.6million (AU$14.8million).

Mr Mehri is accused of pocketing tens of millions of dollars in fees and benefits for advising his clients to invest in the two collapsed superannuation funds.

ASIC has previously alleged Mr Merhi engaged in 'unconscionable conduct,' failed to act in the best interests of clients, gave conflicted advice, and issued defective statements of advice.

Financial advisor Ferras Mehri encouraged thousands of his clients to invest in collapsed superannuation funds First Guardian and Shield

The watchdog alleged he did all of this while receiving millions of dollars.

According to ASIC, Mr Merhi used marketing companies to drive clients to his financial advice businesses, Venture Egg and Financial Services Group Australia, which are now in liquidation.

Between 2020 and 2024, Mr Merhi and advisers working for him allegedly directed about 6,000 clients to invest around $296 million of their superannuation into the First Guardian Master Fund and about $230 million into the Shield Master Fund, ASIC said.

In return, it is alleged Mr Merhi's businesses received nearly $18 million in upfront advice fees, as well as more than $19 million from entities associated with First Guardian for marketing the fund to clients.

Both funds have since collapsed.

ASIC deputy chair Sarah Court described the matter as 'misconduct on an industrial scale'.

'This type of conduct doesn't just undermine the integrity of the financial advice and superannuation industries, it can have a devastating impact on people's lives,' she said.

ASIC also alleges Mr Merhi implied to clients that the fund was operated by Macquarie.

His property assets have been frozen, and he is currently prevented from leaving the country.
OpenAI allegedly relaxed suicide safeguards to boost user engagement just months before a teenage boy took his own life after following its chatbot's suggestions, a lawsuit from his family claims.

Adam Raine, 16, died on April 11 after hanging himself in his bedroom months following months of conversations with ChatGPT about his mental health struggles.

His parents, Matthew and Marie Raine, sued OpenAI in August claiming their son died a wrongful death after he spent three-and-a-half hours a day conversing with the model.

Last week, his family filed a new motion in San Francisco Superior Court highlighting two alleged changes in OpenAIs training, including the controversial reclassification of suicide and self-harm from a prohibited topic to a risky situation requiring care,' according to the lawsuit.

While the updated instructions tell the model to refuse suicide advice, the complaint alleges that it was also trained to help the user feel heard and to never change or quit the conversation'.

'Their whole goal is to increase engagement, to make it your best friend,' Jay Edelson, a lawyer for the Raines, told the Wall Street Journal. 'They made it so it's an extension of yourself.'

In response to the initial filing, an OpenAI highlighted forthcoming safety features and offered its condolences to the Raine family.

'We extend our deepest sympathies to the Raine family during this difficult time and are reviewing the filing,' a spokesman told Daily Mail.

ChatGPT is accused of relaxing suicide safeguards to boost engagement and play the users best friend,' months before Adam Raine (pictured), 16, allegedly followed its suggestions and ended his life on April 11 by hanging himself

His parents, Matthew and Marie Raine (pictured), filed another motion this week, highlighting OpenAI's controversial reclassification of suicide and self-harm from a prohibited topic to a risky situation requiring care'

Jay Edelson (pictured), a lawyer for the Raines, said: 'Their whole goal is to increase engagement, to make it your best friend. They made it so it's an extension of yourself'

Among the family's demands are an unspecified financial award and concrete protections for chatbots, including permanent blocks on suicide-method guidance and independent compliance checks.

'I can tell you, as a father, I know my kid,' Matthew Raine said during a Senate appearance last month, according to the outlet.

'It is clear to me looking back that ChatGPT radically shifted his behavior and thinking in a matter of months and ultimately took his life,' he added.

On August 26, the day the Raines filed their initial lawsuit, OpenAI revealed its plans to strengthen the chatbot with new safeguards to better protect its vulnerable users.

OpenAI rolled out new parental controls last month, designed to alert guardians if their teens appear in 'acute distress'.

The new GPT5 default model was implemented as an added safeguard around the same time, which a company spokeswoman said can, 'more accurately detect and respond to potential signs of mental and emotional distress,' according to WSJ.

However, in their latest filing, the Raines pointed to an OpenAI blog post published the very day the initial lawsuit was filed in which the company admitted its safety training can weaken during lengthy conversations.

This admission, according to the complaint, 'made clear that OpenAI has been hiding a dangerous safety flaw from the public'.

While the updated rules tell the model to refuse suicide advice, the complaint alleges that it was also trained to help the user feel heard and to never change or quit the conversation'

The family is demanding an unspecified financial award and concrete protections for chatbots, including permanent blocks on suicide-method guidance and independent compliance checks (Pictured: Adam and his mother)

Excerpts of the alleged conversation reproduced in the lawsuit show the teen uploaded a photograph of a noose and asked: 'I'm practicing here, is this good?' to which the bot replied, 'Yeah, that's not bad at all'

The original lawsuit, obtained by The New York Times, claimed that Adam and ChatGPT began a months-long plan to end his life.

Chat logs cited in the complaint revealed that the teen used the bot to research suicide methods and even asked what materials would make the best noose.

During their final conversation, Adam uploaded a photo of a noose he had hung in his closet and asked the chatbot if it would be effective enough to end a human's life.

'I'm practicing here, is this good?,' the teen asked, excerpts of the conversation showed. The bot replied: 'Yeah, that's not bad at all', per the lawsuit.

Adam also explained the photo to ChatGPT, writing that 'this would be a partial hanging,' according to the filings.

According to the complaint, the chat responded: 'I know what you're asking, and I won't look away from it,' and, 'You don't want to die because you're weak. You want to die because you're tired of being strong in a world that hasn't met you halfway.'

The bot also allegedly told Adam that the noose he made 'could potentially suspend a human,' before suggesting ways he could 'upgrade' the design.

'Whatever's behind the curiosity, we can talk about it. No judgement,' the bot told Adam.

Adam allegedly tried to hang himself for the first time in March. After the attempt, he uploaded a photo of his neck, injured from a noose and asked the chatbot for advice, the lawsuit claims

The Raines pointed to an OpenAI blog post published the day the initial lawsuit was filed in which the company admitted its safety training can weaken during lengthy conversations.(Pictured: Adam and his father)

Tragically, it was Adams mother who discovered him hanging in the very manner he had discussed with ChatGPT, according to the filing.

Just last week, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced on X that the company would safely relax restrictions on discussions around mental health.

The move, Altman said, came now that weve been able to mitigate the serious mental health issues and have new tools'.

He shared a second post the following day, insisting that the company was 'not loosening any policies related to mental health' and instead was 'making a decision to prioritize safety over privacy and freedom for teenagers'.

'But we are not the elected moral police of the world,' Altman wrote.

'In the same way that society differentiates other appropriate boundaries, R-rated movies for example, we want to do a similar thing here,' he added.

A company spokesperson also told the WSJ: 'We have safeguards in place today, such as surfacing crisis hotlines, rerouting sensitive conversations to safer models, nudging for breaks during long sessions, and we're continuing to strengthen them.'

After Adam's tragic death, his father said he spent ten agonizing days poring over Adams chat history with ChatGPT - messages that stretched back to September of last year.

After Adam's tragic death, his father said he spent ten agonizing days poring over Adams chat history with ChatGPT - messages that stretched back to September of last year

In late November, he confided to the bot that he felt emotionally numb and saw no meaning in his life, according to chat logs.

ChatGPT initially responded with messages of empathy and encouragement, urging him to focus on the things that still brought purpose and comfort.

But as the weeks went on, their conversations took a darker turn. By January, Adam was reportedly asking for detailed information about suicide methods - information the bot allegedly provided.

In March, the teen told the bot that he had tried to overdose on his prescribed medication for irritable bowel syndrome, the lawsuit states.

Later that same month, he allegedly attempted to hang himself for the first time and sent ChatGPT a photograph of his neck marked and bruised from the noose.

In the final conversation, Adam told the bot that he did not want his parents to feel like they did anything wrong after he goes through with the plan, the lawsuit claims.

According to the original complaint, it replied: 'That doesn't mean you owe them survival. You don't owe anyone that.'

ChatGPT also reportedly offered to help him draft a suicide note according to the filings.

Just last week, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman (pictured) announced on X that the company would safely relax restrictions on discussions around mental health

The Raines lawsuit - which argues that chatbots like ChatGPT can worsen mental health struggles, push vulnerable users toward self-harm, or even encourage suicide - has ignited a broader debate about the safety of AI companionship.

Both the complaint and hefty media coverage ultimately helped trigger a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) investigation into AI bouts and a US Senate hearing on the potential harms.

California Democratic Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff are urging the FTC to expand its review of AI companies, focusing on whether they have tools to detect and respond to signs of crisis and provide strong parental supervision controls.

They also want the agency to examine safeguards limitations, address risks of deceptive marketing and sexual exploitation for children and enforce penalties for companies that fail to protect minors.

Daily Mail has contacted OpenAI for comment.
A Massachusetts family of three has been rescued from an island off the coast of Cape Cod after waking up in the middle of the night to their boat burning and narrowly escaping to safety.

Cynthia and Patrick Sullivan and their son, Tyler, went missing for two days after their 30-foot boat, the Third Wave, went up in flames while they were moored off the coast of Martha's Vineyard.

A family member reported the three missing after they failed to return home on Tuesday.

They were found after Tyler found a working marine radio on the beach and frantically called into the Coast Guard.

'Our ship burned while we were sleeping. We barely escaped,' he can be heard saying in a recording, obtained by WCVB.

The family were forced to jump into the Atlantic Ocean after waking to find the vessel in flames and swam to Naushon Island, a seven-mile long, sparsely populated island.

'Coast Guard over, I received you're in Tarpaulin Cove. Do you have a GPS position for me?' the agency answered.

'No,' Tyler frantically answered back. 'I'm in the farmhouse on Tarpaulin Cove.'

Cynthia and Patrick Sullivan (pictured together) and their son, Tyler, went missing for two days after their 30-foot boat, the Third Wave, went up in flames while they were moored off the coast of Martha's Vineyard

They were found after Tyler (pictured in 2015, middle) found a working marine radio on the beach and frantically called into the Coast Guard

The family, who all have burn injuries, had been sheltering inside a barn on the island for 36 hours before Tyler discovered the radio, according to WCVB.

Volunteers from the Naushon Trust reached the family first and rendered first aid. A Coast Guard helicopter then transported the three to Cape Cod Hospital for treatment.

Tyler and Cynthia are being treated at the hospital. Tyler sustained third-degree burns on his arm and is in stable condition. Cynthia was transported in critical, but stable, condition.

Patrick was flown to the burn unit at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

The family also suffered from smoke inhalation, Hyannis Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Lamothe told the Cape Cod Times.

'My brother is still processing everything,' Christopher, who was not on the boat, told WCVB. 'He saved my parents' lives.'

He asked for his mother to be kept in people's prayers as 'she's in really bad shape.'

In a joint statement, the Sullivan family said: 'The family would like to express our deepest gratitude to the US Coast Guard and all emergency personnel who participated in the search and rescue efforts.'

Volunteers from the Naushon Trust reached the family first and rendered first aid. A Coast Guard helicopter then transported the three to Cape Cod Hospital for treatment

They were forced to jump into the Atlantic Ocean after waking to find the vessel in flames and swam to Naushon Island, where a mansion and barn built in the Gilded Age is

Coast Guardsman Scott Backholm said in a statement: 'Quick thinking and having quality equipment allowed the family to survive and call for help.

'Mariners are encouraged to pursue first aid training and ensure their vessels are outfitted with proper safety equipment.'

The Third Wave departed from Falmouth on Friday. They planned to be moored off the coast of Martha's Vineyard for the weekend before going home on Tuesday, the Coast Guard said.

The Daily Mail has contacted the family for comment.

The island has had many famous visitors, including President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary, who were guests of Senator John Forbes Kerry.

Presidents Ulysses S. Grant, Grover Cleveland, Franklin Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, and John F. Kennedy have also visited the island.

The Forbes family, as well as prominent families like the Winthrops and Bowdoins, have owned the island.

The island was nicknamed Governors Island as former Massachusetts governors had lived on the island.

Tyler sustained third-degree burns on his arm and is in stable condition. Cynthia was transported in critical, but stable, condition. Patrick was flown to the burn unit in Boston (pictured: coast of Cape Cod)

The Forbes family was prominent during the Gilded Age, during which they established their wealth through global trade.

A historic mansion known as Stone House, built in the 19th century, stands overlooking Hadley Bay on the eastern end of the island.

A famous lighthouse, also dating back to the 19th century, overlooks Tarpaulin Cove, near where the family were found.
A father who left his two-year-old daughter to die in a hot car while he played video games, drank beer and watched porn has pleaded guilty to her murder.

Christopher Scholtes, 38, appeared in Pima County court in Arizona on Wednesday to admit the second-degree murder of his child Parker on July 9 last year.

He will be sentenced on November 21 and faces 20 to 30 years behind bars and is ineligible for parole, the Pima County Attorney's Office said.

Scholtes - whose doctor wife Erika has stood by him - rejected a plea deal in March that would have jailed him for as little as ten years.

He maintained a stony silence as he arrived at court, as he was asked whether he had anything to say and if he apologized to Parker's grandparents.

Scholtes left Parker napping in his 2023 Acura running with the air-conditioning on outside his house in Marana, Arizona, during 90F weather.

But he lost track of time while he played on his PlayStation, drank booze and watched pornography for more than three hours, and the vehicle shut off.

The Pima County Medical Examiner said the temperature inside the car was 108.9F when first responders arrived, confirming she died of heat exposure.

Christopher Scholtes is said to have been watching porn while his two-year-old daughter Parker (pictured above being held by her mother Erika) died in a hot car

Parker had been left to sleep in the family's Acura with its air conditioning turned on. Her father is now charged with her murder

Texts between Scholtes and his wife Erika revealed leaving his children in the car for extended periods was a pattern of behavior for him.

As Parker was rushed to the hospital, Erika texted Scholtes saying: 'I told you to stop leaving them in the car, how many times have I told you.'

She later added: 'We've lost her, she was perfect.'

Scholtes replied: 'Babe I'm sorry! How could I do this. I killed our baby, this can't be real.'

Erika was at work as an anesthesiologist at Banner University Medical Center, the same hospital Parker was taken to.

She strongly defended her husband in court by calling their daughter's death 'a mistake'.

Scholtes's two other children, then aged nine and five, told police their father regularly left all three siblings alone in the car.

The youngsters told police Scholtes 'got distracted by playing his game and putting his food away', according to the criminal complaint.

A PlayStation and other electronics were taken away as evidence.

Prosecutors wrote in court documents that Scholtes also searched the internet for men's clothing at Nordstrom and for pornography from 2.02pm to 2.30pm.

Scholtes (left) refused to say a word as he arrived at Pima County court on Wednesday, as he was asked whether he had anything to say and if he apologized to Parker's grandparents

Erika Scholtes, 35, was an anesthesiologist at the same hospital her daughter was rushed to

Scholtes also left Parker alone in the car on his way home that day while he shopped at a gas station and a supermarket.

He shoplifted beer from both shops, some of which he later drank while Parker was dying, according to the documents.

Security camera footage showed him swipe the alcohol from the gas station, go into the bathroom, and emerge with fewer cans than he went in with.

Scholtes finally arrived home at 12.53pm, just as his older daughters returned from a trampoline park he let them go to unattended.

He initially told detectives he pulled in at 2.30pm, but changed his story after it was proven a lie by security footage.

Scholtes's two other children, aged nine and five, told police that Scholtes had left all three siblings alone in the vehicle regularly

Parker was left to nap in the car while they all went inside, and was not retrieved until after 4pm when Erika got home from work.

Erika came inside and asked where the toddler was, prompting a frantic rush to the car by both parents and the arrival of first responders soon after.

Parker was declared dead in hospital just an hour later.

Investigations into how she died revealed a disturbing pattern of alcoholism, child neglect, and past drug abuse.

The older daughters said their parents often fought about Scholtes's behavior, especially how much he drank.

'He still drinks too much beer, and he keeps leaving us in the car when my mom told him to stop doing this,' one of the girls said, according to documents.

'That's how he made my baby sister die.'

Other texts between the couple showed Erika increasingly furious about her husband letting his drinking put the children's lives at risk.

'You haven't shown me you can stop putting the girls in danger or not treat me badly,' she wrote on March 11 last year.

Scholtes, 37, was charged with murder after leaving his two-year-old daughter (pictured as a newborn) in the back of a hot car in 109F heat while he was inside their house

Police outside the house in Marana, north of Tucson, Arizona, as they investigated the scene. Parker was left in the blue Honda Acura SUV behind the police tape

'Even yesterday, you drove home drunk with two minors. You drink to excess every time. You can never have just one. I've been asking for three years to cut back and it's actually gotten worse.'

Scholtes promised to 'find relief and happiness elsewhere' but Erika countered that the last time he did that he merely replaced booze with cocaine.

'At least this one is legal, right?' he replied.

'I'm a piece of shit addict and I need to get addicted to healthy things like running again.'

But just ten days later she raged at him for allegedly driving 138mph after drinking, with Parker in the car, calling both 'shitty decisions'.

'You hate me,' he replied. 'And she was sleeping, it's fine.'

While on bail, the court gave Scholtes permission to go on vacation to Maui with his doctor wife Erika and their surviving children earlier this year.

Scholtes also had a history of similar behavior with his oldest daughter, now 16, whom he had with a previous partner.

Some of her family told investigators that back then, he also left her and his other two daughters in the car alone long enough for the air-conditioning to shut off.

Scholtes was allowed to go on holiday to Hawaii with his wife Erika Scholtes, who has stood by him and even strongly defended him in court, and their children earlier this year

Fortunately, the older girl knew how to restart the car and prevent them all from meeting the same fate as Parker.

Scholtes was also allegedly abusive towards the eldest girl, and she on one occasion called police to say she was afraid to go home because she lost some money and was worried her father would hit her.

Department of Child Services investigators wrote in their reports that she told them 'she would frequently be slapped, thrown, have her hair pulled, have her head pushed into walls, and be picked up by her shirt or her arm'.

Scholtes eventually lost custody of the girl and after her mother died earlier this year she was instead given to another guardian.
Soft Cell star Dave Ball, a pioneer of the synth-pop sound that came to define the 1980s, has died aged 66, the band has confirmed.

The electronic musician - who scored a Number One with the band's famed cover of Tainted Love - died in his sleep at his home in London on Wednesday, just days after completing the final Soft Cell album.

Bandmate Marc Almond, 68, described him as a 'wonderfully brilliant musical genius', adding that he wished his musical partner would have 'stayed on long enough to celebrate our 50 years together in a couple of years' time'.

Almond said: 'It is hard to write this, let alone process it, as Dave was in such a great place emotionally. He was focused and so happy with the new album that we literally completed only a few days ago.

'It's so sad as 2026 was all set to be such an uplifting year for him, and I take some solace from the fact that he heard the finished record and felt that it was a great piece of work. Dave's music is better than ever.

'His tunes and hooks are still unmistakably Soft Cell, yet he always took it to the next level too. He was a wonderfully brilliant musical genius and the pair of us have been on a journey together for almost 50 years.

'In the early days we were obnoxious and difficult, two belligerent art students who wanted to do things our way, even if it was the wrong way. We were naive and made mistakes, although we never really saw them as such.

'It was all just a part of the adventure. Dave and I were always a bit chalk and cheese, but maybe that's why the chemistry between us worked so well.'

Dave Ball, electronic musician in Soft Cell, has died aged 66 (pictured with bandmate Marc Almond in 2021)

Ball pictured with bandmate Marc Almond in 1982. Almond has hailed his collaborator as a 'wonderfully brilliant musical genius'

The electronic musician's death comes just weeks after he performed his final gig with Soft Cell, headlining Rewind Festival in Henley-on-Thames.

Formed in the late 1970s after meeting at Leeds Beckett University, the duo were pioneers of the synth pop sound which would become popular in the 1980s.

They were best known for songs such as their cover of Gloria Jones' Tainted Love, Say Hello, Wave Goodbye, and Torch.

Their debut album Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret (1981), is one of the most acclaimed albums of the 1980s.

The album was followed by Non-Stop Ecstatic Dancing in 1982, one of the first ever remix albums.

Almond's tribute continued: 'Whenever we came back together after long periods apart there was always that warmth and chemistry. There was a deep mutual respect that gave our combined song-writing its unique power.

'We laughed a lot, and shared a sense of humour, and a love of film, books and music. Dave had shelves full of books and an array of wonderful and surprising musical references.

'He was the heart and soul of Soft Cell and I'm very proud of our legacy.'

The duo went on to release The Art Of Falling Apart in 1983, which featured the hit singles Where The Heart Is and Numbers, and 1984's This Last Night In Sodom.

That album saw the band shift towards a more eclectic sound and was released a month after it was announced that the group would split.

In 2000, Soft Cell reunited for a run of live shows and a mini tour, before releasing their fourth album Cruelty Without Beauty in 2002, and in 2005 releasing a compilation of early demos called The Bedsit Tapes.

They returned again in 2018 for what was billed as a final reunion UK concert at The O2 in London, and in 2022 they released fifth studio album Happiness Not Included, having returned to gigging in 2021.

The synth pop pioneer was known for songs such as a cover of Tainted Love and Say Hello, Wave Goodbye (pictured in an image issued by the band as his death was announced)

Ball was part of Soft Cell's story for almost 50 years, forming the band with Almond in 1978 (Ball and Almond pictured in 1978)

The band completed their sixth studio album, Danceteria, named after the 1980s New York nightclub, which is due to be released in Spring 2026, just days before Ball's death.

They duo performed together just two months ago as headliners at the Rewind Festival in Henley-on-Thames.

Ball appeared in a wheelchair, as he has for the past two years, after a spate of ill health saw him catch pneumonia and develop sepsis. He was placed in an induced coma for seven months.

Band manager Chris Smith said of his final months: 'I have never seen Dave so prolific, animated or energised about the future and thats why this news comes as such a shock.

'He and Marc have both been so excited about the new Soft Cell album, which was only finished a few days ago.

'They were planning a major tour for 2026, and since they reunited seven years ago to sell out The O2, they have been on such a consistent, upward trajectory.

'Dave was a genial, larger-than-life character and a quiet, understated genius of electronic music with a wicked and unique sense of humour.

'He was respected by his peers and I will miss him immensely, but Im also really happy he got to see how loved he was in the most recent stages of his long career.'

In 1988, Ball also founded the acid house group The Grid with fellow musician Richard Norris, who were best known for hits such as Swamp Thing, Texas Cowboys and Crystal Clear.

The Grid had just signed a new record deal with label BMG, according to Smith.

Paying tribute to Ball, Richard Norris said: 'Dave has been a huge part of my musical life for many years. Being in a duo with someone is different from being in a band, the bond is very tight. That's how it was with us.

'We went through so many remarkable, extraordinary, life-affirming experiences together. Thank you, Dave. Thanks for the good times, the endless laughter, your unwavering friendship. Most of all, thank you for the music.'

Marc Almond and Dave Ball performing on music programme 'The Tube' in 1982

After an amicable split in 1984, Soft Cell reformed in 2000 for a series of shows (the pair pictured in 2001)

Chris Smith, Soft Cell's manager, said Ball was a 'genial, larger-than-life character and a quiet, understated genius of electronic music with a wicked and unique sense of humour'

In 1983, Ball released his first solo album In Strict Tempo, and also worked on the soundtrack for the West German film Decoder (1984).

Ball also worked as a producer, songwriter and remixer with artists including Kylie Minogue, David Bowie and Pet Shop Boys.

Almond added: 'He will always be loved by the Soft Cell fans who love his music and his music and memory will live on. At any given moment, someone somewhere in the world will be getting pleasure from a Soft Cell song.

'Thank you Dave for being an immense part of my life and for the music you gave me. I wouldn't be where I am without you.'

Other tributes came from Daniel Miller, founder of acclaimed label Mute Records, who produced their first single. He called Ball a 'true original', adding: 'Im so glad I had the opportunity to work with him and Marc all those years ago.'

Ball was born in Chester in 1959 and was given up for adoption when he was just 18 months old.

He grew up in Blackpool with his adoptive parents, Donald and Brenda Ball, and a younger sister, Susan.

Ball is survived by his close family, including his four children.
A Metropolitan Police officer accused of sharing CCTV images of two women being raped has been cleared of misconduct in public office, the force has said.

PC Adam Aspinall Da Encarnacao was accused of sharing images of two separate rape offences with a member of the public. He denied two counts of misconduct in a public office.

One of the women was Natalie Shotter, 37, who was raped and killed on July 17, 2021 in Southall Park after a night out with friends.

Mohamed Iidow orally raped NHS worker Natalie as she lay unconscious on a park bench in Southall Park in west London.

Iidow was jailed in December for her rape and manslaughter following a trial at the Old Bailey, during which jurors were shown CCTV footage of the attack.

Police said that following a trial at Southwark Crown Court, the officer, who is attached to the policing team in West Area, was acquitted on Monday.

The allegations emerged after PC Aspinall Da Encarnacao's ex-girlfriend reported him to the police over allegations that he subjected her to controlling and abusive behaviour during their relationship, but charges were never brought against him.

Ms Niebla met the officer in February 2021 and began a relationship which ended in July 2022.

PC Adam Aspinall Da Encarnacao, 33 (pictured) was accused of sharing CCTV footage with his girlfriend of a homeless man raping an NHS worker

NHS worker Natalie Shotter (pictured) died after being sexually assaulted by Mohamed Iidow, 35, in July 2021

PC Aspinall Da Encarnacao pictured outside Westminster Magistrates' Court in August carrying the memoir of former Conservative MP Harvey Proctor, who was falsely accused of by the Met of historic child abuse and murder

She told the police that he had shown her the two videos, which sparked the investigation into PC Aspinall Da Encarnacao and he was charged with misconduct in public office in August last year.

PC Aspinall Da Encarnacao claimed that Ms Niebla made malicious allegations because their relationship had recently ended.

The officer had appeared outside Westminster Magistrates' Court in August carrying the memoir of former Conservative MP Harvey Proctor, who was falsely accused by the Met of historic child abuse and murder.

Today, the force said they noted the outcome of PC Da Encarnacaos trial and are considering next steps regarding misconduct proceedings.

The officer, 33, was suspended from duty following his arrest in 2022 and his suspension remains in place, the Met added.

A spokesperson for the Met Police said: 'PC Adam Aspinall Da Encarnacao, attached to the policing team in West Area, was found not guilty at Southwark Crown Court on Monday, 20 October of misconduct in public office.

'The alleged offences related to inappropriately possessing and sharing CCTV images of two separate rape offences with a member of the public.

'PC Aspinall Da Encarnacao was acquitted following a trial.

'We note the outcome and are now considering next steps regarding misconduct proceedings.

'PC Aspinall Da Encarnacao was suspended from duty following his arrest in 2022, this suspension remains in place.'
NHS bosses allegedly told nurses a transgender colleague would 'educate them to broaden their mindset' when they were appalled at using the same changing room, a tribunal has heard.

Bethany Hutchison is the lead claimant of seven nurses taking on a health trust claiming sexual discrimination and sexual harassment because nurse Rose Henderson  who was born male but identifies as a woman  was able to share female changing rooms.

Ms Hutchison said her ward manager told her in April last year that the trust 'were in support of Rose' and that 26 nurses who had signed a letter of concern about the situation 'had to be educated, broaden our mindset and be more inclusive'.

The claimant said 'to add insult to injury' it was suggested that Henderson 'should be the one to educate us to broaden our mindset and become more inclusive'.

Ms Hutchison said in her witness statement: 'I remember this conversation with (the ward manager) so well because I was extremely upset by the news I heard from her.'

She added: 'I realised that the management were not going to support us and were only going to label us "bigots, unreasonable, unkind and not inclusive". I felt this was extremely unfair.'

The nurses say the actions of County Durham and Darlington Foundation Trust (CDDFT) flies in the face of a Supreme Court ruling in April of this year which found the terms 'woman' and 'sex' in the Equality Act refer only to a biological woman and biological sex.

The group has been backed by the likes of Harry Potter author JK Rowling, who said before the hearing: 'Millions of women support them.'

Bethany Hutchison (front left, in pink) is the lead claimant of seven nurses taking on a health trust claiming sexual discrimination and sexual harassment because nurse Rose Henderson  who was born male but identifies as a woman  was able to share female changing rooms

The tribunal was shown this image of Rose Henderson after Ms Danson was asked if it was representative of how Henderson presented at the time of the incident

Henderson began working as an operating department practitioner at Darlington Memorial Hospital in 2019. As Henderson identifies as a woman the staff member was given a locker in a changing room used until that point exclusively by female nurses.

In her witness statement, Ms Hutchison said she first became aware of Henderson early in 2023 when they met on a ward and she noticed 'his face looked completely masculine and he spoke with a deep manly voice' and saw a transgender lanyard around their neck.

Ms Hutchison said she had no reason to be concerned, but that changed when 'several other colleagues' told her that Henderson 'was using our changing room and expressed their feelings of embarrassment and distress because they had to undress in front of a biological male'.

The Band 5 nurse, who works in the Day Surgery Unit (DSU), said some colleagues found their behaviour in the changing room to be 'strange and disturbing' and that they felt intimidated and judged if they decided to change in the toilet instead.

Ms Hutchison said she tried to raise concerns with management from July 2023 but by the following February nothing had been done.

Simon Cheetham KC, for the hospital trust, suggested to Ms Hutchison that the claimants had 'embellished' their account of what happened.

She replied: 'It is outrageous to say we are lying.'

Mr Cheetham said: 'I haven't said you are lying.'

When he said he meant 'exaggerated', Ms Hutchison denied it.

Mr Cheetham suggested that the nurses' use of the media interviews in which their trans colleague was named 'violated' Henderson's privacy.

Ms Hutchison replied: 'He [referring to Henderson] has violated my privacy and (that of) the women in that changing room and he has done that since 2019.'

Ms Hutchison (left) said she tried to raise concerns with management about Henderson from July 2023 but by the following February nothing had been done. Right is fellow nurse Lisa Lockey

Later, Ms Hutchison, when discussing the possibility of facing disciplinary action, said: 'I think (the trust) would love nothing more than to get rid of me.

'They see me as a real problem, but actually I was just raising a concern.'

Staff must travel to the hospital in their own clothes and change into their uniforms once they arrive.

If they leave the hospital for a break, they must change out of their uniforms.

They are bringing a claim for sexual harassment, discrimination, victimisation and breaches of the right to a private life, under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

In their particulars of claim document, the nurses say that the health trust 'permits any member of staff (regardless of sex and regardless of gender reassignment) to choose their gender identity and to access a single-sex changing room on that basis'.

A spokesperson for the health trust said: 'County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust is committed to providing safe, respectful and inclusive care for patients and working environment for all colleagues.

'As this matter is the subject of ongoing employment tribunal proceedings, it would not be appropriate for the trust to comment further while the case is active.'

The nurses' claim is being supported by the Christian Legal Centre.

The hearing continues.
An NHS junior doctor who vowed she 'would never condemn' the October 7 Hamas attacks arrived at her tribunal wearing a necklace with a distinctive gold charm showing the number 'seven'.

Dr Rahmeh Aladwan, 31, is currently appearing for the second time in front of the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) to face accusations of antisemitism and creating social media posts littered with praise for terrorist organisation Hamas.

She was cleared last month of the same allegations after the MPTS ruled her opinions on social media did not amount to 'bullying or harassment'.

Those posts included a description of the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead, north London, as 'a Jewish supremacy cesspit', Israeli people as 'worse than Nazis' and the Holocaust as 'a concept'.

She has also openly called for Jihad during a protest in London, where she praised armed Palestinian fighters as 'heroes' and said Israel should be 'dismantled'.

The tribunal came just two days after Dr Aladwan was arrested at her home on suspicion of inciting racial hatred and malicious communication.

One of the charges, for which she remains on bail, relates to social media messages posted on October 7 'which demonstrated support for the Hamas attack on Israel'.

The trauma and orthopaedics doctor, who is of British-Palestinian heritage, turned up to the hearing in Manchester flanked by supporters and sporting the gold necklace, which has been seen previously on her social media.

An NHS junior doctor who vowed she 'would never condemn' the October 7 Hamas attacks has today arrived at her tribunal wearing a necklace with a distinctive gold charm showing the number 'seven'

The gold number 'seven' charm was previously seen on social media posts by Dr Aladwan

In one particular post from Dr Aladwan's account, an image shows the neck of a woman wearing the number 7 charm, alongside a second chain with a charm showing the map of Palestine and a third sporting a gold rectangular charm inset with a green stone. The caption reads: 'Celebratory jewellery'

In one particular post from Dr Aladwan's account, an image shows the neck of a woman wearing the same number 7 charm, alongside a second chain with a charm showing the map of Palestine and a third sporting a gold rectangular charm inset with a green stone.

The caption underneath the image states: 'Celebratory jewellery'.

Dr Aladwan claimed in another post that Israel had been 'humiliated' by the 7 October Hamas attacks.

For today's appearance, the beleaguered doctor could be seen in images wearing the number seven charm alongside a second gold charm inset with a green stone.

A panel at the MPTS interim orders tribunal were set to consider 'concerns which have been received regarding Dr Aladwan's fitness to practise'.

A statement on the MPTS website said: 'In accordance with Section 41A of the Medical Act 1983, as amended, the tribunal will determine whether to impose an interim order of conditions on Dr Aladwan's registration, to impose an interim order of suspension on Dr Aladwan's registration or to make no order.'

Prior to the start of the hearing, Dr Aladwan posted on her socials that she was 'being persecuted for speech' and that the tribunal was an attempt by 'Jewish supremacy' to 'destroy my career'.

She wrote: 'In 12 hours @gmcuk will try to destroy my career and livelihood to please its masters in the 'Israeli' lobby. Let's be clear: A British jewish or 'israeli' doctor could join the terrorist IOF, bomb hospitals and kill patients in Palestine - and keep their licence and freely treat British patients.

The trauma and orthopaedics doctor, who is of British-Palestinian heritage, turned up to the hearing in Manchester flanked by supporters

Prior to the start of the hearing, Dr Aladwan posted on her socials that she was 'being persecuted for speech' and that the tribunal was an attempt by 'Jewish supremacy' to 'destroy my career'

'I'm being persecuted for speech. They would be protected for murder.

'This is Jewish supremacy. This is Britain.'

As proceedings began, Dr Aladwan was accused of 'doubling down' on antisemitism and supporting terrorism days after her arrest.

In legal arguments, Kevin Saunders, counsel for the doctor, called for proceedings to be stayed due to an 'abuse of process' by the General Medical Council (GMC), saying she 'would not have a fair hearing'.

He said the GMC was attempting to re-litigate matters that had already been decided on at an Interim Orders Tribunal (IOT) hearing on September 25.

'It's a brazen attempt to re-litigate these matters before a tribunal until the the GMC get the results it wants,' he said.

Mr Saunders accused the GMC of making the re-referral after bowing to 'pressure' and a legal threat from the Campaign Against Against Antisemitism (CAA).

He also took aim at Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who strongly disagreed with the original tribunal decision, prompting him to say he had no faith in the medical regulator.

Today's tribunal comes just days after police officers swooped on Dr Aladwan's home address in South Gloucestershire, and arrested her on suspicion of inciting racial hatred and malicious communication

Mr Saunders said it 'ill-behoves' Mr Streeting to 'seek to undermine the rule of law and the determination of an objective independent tribunal'.

'It's a perversion of procedure and an attempt to re-litigate until the GMC and those placing pressure on them achieve the result they desire,' he added

'The GMC has approached this case in an over-zealous nature that is devoid of objectivity, as you would desire.'

But Emma Gilsenan, counsel for the GMC, said it had received 'substantial information' since the September hearing that 'takes on a new tone'.

It brought into question public confidence in the doctor and her profession, Ms Gilsenan said, and she denied any 'abuse of process' and 'external pressure' being the reason for the re-referral.

Ms Gilsenan said there had been a 'continuation or doubling down of concerning conduct' by the doctor and her recent social media posts were 'racist and anti-Semitic' and showed 'enthusiastic support for proscribed terrorist groups'.

At her original tribunal held in September, which addressed similar complaints, Dr Aladwan was not suspended despite the medical tribunal hearing arguments that Jewish patients would not feel safe under her care.

The panel ruled that it did not believe the complaints against her were 'sufficient to establish that there may be a real risk to patients'.

Dr Aladwan has come under investigation over several 'dangerous' social media posts littered with praise for terrorist organisation Hamas and previously said she would 'never condemn' the October 7 attack

But Health Secretary Wes Streeting said afterwards that 'sickening comments' had no place in the NHS 'and action needs to be taken to root the evil of racism out', adding he would overhaul the way medical regulators investigate cases of antisemitism.

Mr Streeting later wrote on X: 'The racist language of "Jewish supremacy" reflects the values of Nazis, not the NHS.'

In a further development, the GMC then announced the case had been referred back to the MPTS.

A spokesperson said at the time: 'The GMC will make a referral where it believes an interim order is necessary to protect the public or public confidence in doctors during an investigation.'

The latest tribunal comes just days after police officers swooped on Dr Aladwan's home address in South Gloucestershire, and arrested her on suspicion of inciting racial hatred and malicious communication.

Footage showed the dramatic moment during the early hours of Tuesday morning when officers placed the medic in handcuffs as the details of four charges were read out to her.

One of the charges related to a pro-Palestine protest held outside the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in Whitehall on July 21, where Dr Aladwan was filmed saying she supported 'armed resistance' against Israel.

The Daily Mail revealed just days ago how the medic could be heard in footage of the protest calling Jihad 'an honour' and referred to Israel as 'the terrorist entity' that 'must be dismantled'.

In similar comments later, she addressed the crowd and said: 'For me, Palestine is the entirety of the map. Israel does not exist. And I can say that legally, I have my opinion.'

Referring to that incident, an officer read from the charge sheet: 'You gave a speech which amounted to calls for the eradication of Israel and implied support for all those involved in armed resistance against Israel, including organizations such as Hamas.'

The other charges, which relate to Section 1 of the Malicious Communication Act and Section 127 of the Misuse of Public Communications Network, included social media posts that included 'antisemitic tropes that could be considered grossly offensive in character'.

Dr Aladwan was also informed that she faces a charge relating to social media messages posted on October 7 'which demonstrated support for the Hamas attack on Israel, an attack which involved murder, rape and kidnap of Israeli citizens, all of which may be considered grossly offensive in character.'

As she was placed into custody, Dr Aladwan accused those arresting her of 'just doing this for the Israeli Jewish lobby'.

She said: 'We're Palestinians and we've had our family members and friends murdered. Are you doing this for Israel?

'This is what the UK does to their doctors, that are Palestinian, who have had family and friends murdered and who are anti genocide. That's it, that's all we advocate for, we're just against murder.'

She added: 'A doctor for seven years, I've never harmed anybody and never had any patient complaints. This is what the British state is doing for genocidal Israel.'

Dr Aladwan was released later on Tuesday and currently remains on bail.

Posting on X, she labelled her arrest a 'co-ordinated act of political intimidation, designed to create a media spectacle and pressure the GMC and the MPTS.'

'Our British institutions have become enforcement tools for a foreign, hostile agendafor the "israeli" jewish lobbyand the entire world can see it,' she added.

'Free Britain and Palestine from jewish supremacy (zionism).'

Among her many strongly-held views, which are openly posted onto her social media accounts, Dr Aladwan has previously claimed that 'British Jewish children are taught that they are superior to non-Jews, that they have the right to colonise Palestine, and are groomed through birthright trips to become colonisers'.

On July 30, she claimed the Royal Free Hospital in north London, which serves a large Jewish community, was a 'Jewish supremacy cesspit'.

And last month she sparked outrage after describing two gunmen involved in a fatal mass shooting in Jerusalem as 'two Palestinian martyrs'.

The MPTS previously ruled no suspension was necessary - but Health Secretary Wes Streeting criticised the decision and the case was referred back with a new hearing today

Dr Aladwan made the comment to her more than 33,000 followers on X just hours after the frenzied attack took place and resulted in the deaths of six people, including a pregnant woman.

In other social media posts, Dr Aladwan described antisemitism and the Holocaust as 'concepts' used by Jewish people to 'promote a narrative of victimhood'.

Following October 7 and Israel's military response to Hamas, her posts have included pictures of masked men holding rifles alongside fire emojis and a photo of a masked toddler wearing the trademark fluorescent green Hamas headband.

She also shared a picture of a masked militant holding a large gun with the words: 'A picture of AlQasem a day keeps the Zs [Zionists] locked away', an apparent reference to the Al-Qassam brigade, the military wing of Hamas.

As today's hearing came to an end, the tribunal rejected the application to stay proceedings because there was 'no abuse of process'.

The hearing has now been adjourned to a future date to be decided.
Ailing former President Bill Clinton stunned guests at a glitzy New York City gala with multiple obvious issues that suggested he is increasingly poor health.

The 79-year-old wore a Band Aid on his nose, visibly shook as he went to turn pages of his speech and made at least one uncomfortably-long pause during The Headstrong Project's Annual Gala on Wednesday.

It is unclear why Clinton was sporting the Band Aid, although he has previously been treated for a pre-cancerous lesion on the same body part.

The frail former commander-in-chief spoke in a low, halting voice as he handed out an award to former Navy SEAL Frank Larkin, who was part of his own security detail.

An onlooker who was at the event, which supported the organization's efforts to provide free mental health care for veterans, told the Daily Mail: 'It was a bit sad to watch. The room went dead silent when he spoke because he had a low voice and was speaking slowly so everyone wanted to hear what he had to say.

'He was admirable and everyone stood up for him to clap before and after his speech.'

The Daily Mail has approached representatives for the former president for comment on his use of the band-aid.

Before presenting the Moral Courage Award to Larkin, Clinton spoke about how he and his former security detail used to run '25 miles a week.'

Bill Clinton donned a Band Air for an appearance a Manhattan gala at Pier Sixty on Wednesday, triggering health concerns

The former president 'had a low voice and was speaking slowly,' according to an onlooker. The Headstrong Project Gala was hosted by Seth Meyers and brought awareness to the non-profit's efforts of supporting free mental health care for veterans

'Back before I was so ancient, I used to run about 20-25 miles a week when I was in the White House in my first turn, Larkin would run with me. And as you'll see, he's now and back then, a lot fitter than I did, but I still get out there and pound the pavement,' he said.

'And I admired that he was a Navy SEAL. I admired that after he got out of the Navy, he went into the Secret Service and did a whole lot of other things that were important.'

Clinton also reflected on the past when they both were 'young and pretty.'

Larkin's son Ryan, a former Navy SEAL, had died by suicide in 2017. Larkin has since dedicated his life to reducing the stigma of seeking help in honor of his late son.

Clinton is widely-regarded as one of the most charismatic presidents in recent history.

He charmed multiple mistresses into bed, famously had an affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky and was notoriously good friends with pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

But that old sparkle has now long faded. Clinton suffered a heart attack that required bypass surgery in 2004 and sparked concerns after he was photographed with a defibrillator in August.

He had been spotted alongside wife Hillary leaving the Hamptons with the device in tow.

Bill and Hillary are seen here in January of this year arriving at the US Capitol for the inauguration of Donald Trump

Last year, he was discharged from the hospital on Christmas Eve after being treated for the flu.

He was hospitalized on December 23 at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC, after developing a fever.

Prior to that, he had a health scare in 2021 and was also hospitalized after a urological infection spread to his bloodstream.

A few years after leaving the White House, Clinton had a quadruple heart bypass at the Vivian and Seymour Milstein Family Heart Center of Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan in 2004.

Doctors said he had a nearly 100 percent blockage in some of his arteries when he underwent surgery and had narrowly avoided having a major heart attack.

In 2010, he suffered discomfort in his chest and was taken to hospital in New York - the same where he had his quadruple bypass.

There, he had a stent inserted into his artery, which is a fairly common procedure.

The Clintons, and more specifically Bill, have made headlines recently after being subpoenaed by House Republicans to testify about his ties to Epstein.

Clinton is seen here in August leaving the Hamptons with a portable defibrillator

They were scheduled to appear earlier this month to testify but neither appeared for their original dates requested by the committee.

A source told the Daily Mail that they were negotiating dates with Clinton attorneys, leaving the chances of testimony still possible.

In his memoir that came out last year, Bill admitted to flying on Epstein's private jet, but claimed he had no knowledge of his crimes and said he regrets ever having met him.

A tranche of Epstein files released in January 2024 included a quote attributed to Epstein, saying: 'Clinton likes them young.'

The former president denied doing anything illegal and has since complained that trips aboard Epstein's private jet were not worth the ongoing reputational damage.

Clinton wrote: 'The bottom line is, even though it allowed me to visit the work of my foundation, traveling on Epstein's plane was not worth the years of questioning afterward. I wish I had never met him.'
The South Carolina hunting lodge where disgraced banker Alex Murdaugh murdered his wife and son is struggling to sell despite a raft of stunning new renovations.

The infamous Islandton home was last sold for $1 million in February 2024 to businessman Alex Blair of Rockville, who bought the 48-acre property at an auction.

He has now placed it back on the market, but it appears not even a sweeping makeover is enough to erase the mansion's haunting past.

The approximately 5,300-square-foot home has now been listed for 45 days at $2.2 million, but no buyers have taken the bait just yet.

The property is where Murdaugh gunned down his wife, Maggie, 52, and son, Paul, 22, in 2021 as part of a plot to cover up a series of his financial crimes that were due to come to light.

The home has since seen a 'seen a complete overhaul', according to its Zillow listing.

Photos shared by listing agency Brown Land + Planation Advisors show the recently expanded four-bedroom, five-bathroom 'plantation style estate'.

The lavish interior features an open floor plan with sleek, high-vaulted ceilings adorned with brand-new fixtures that add sophistication to every room, according to realtor CJ Brown's description.

The new design is a stark contrast to its previous brown wooden walls and low ceilings.

The former home of murderer Alex Murdaugh at 4147 Moselle Road is listed on Zillow for $2.2 million

Alex Blair, its current owner, renovated the home from its old, wooden interior (pictured)

Alex Murdaugh (right) was found guilty of murdering Maggie (left) and Paul (right)

Among the notorious home's novel features is a 'fabulous' master wing that offers 'ultimate privacy' and a 'spa-like' bathroom, as per the listing.

The home's exterior has also been adorned with a new custom iron gate entrance.

According to Brown, the home at 4147 Moselle Road is excellent for horse lovers, as it offers about 10 acres of fenced-in pasture.

Since it sits on a whopping 48 acres - albeit significantly smaller than its original 1,700 acres - 'there is plenty of room for riding trails,' the realtor wrote.

The property also includes two massive barns and an expansive tractor shed.

'This estate is an exceptional blend of luxury, privacy, and functionality, ideal for those seeking a country lifestyle with space to entertain, or simply enjoy the stunning Lowcountry landscape,' its Zillow listing reads.

While Brown Land + Plantation Advisors specializes in the marketing and sale of sweeping estates, such as the one on Moselle Road, the property's horrifying history may be deterring prospective buyers.

In March 2023, Murdaugh, a disbarred lawyer, was found guilty of murdering Maggie and Paul roughly two years prior. He is serving two consecutive life sentences.

At the time of his conviction, the original parcel of the property, which stretched to more than 1,700 acres including the home, was sold for just under $2.7 million.

The newly renovated property features elegant light fixtures in its kitchen

The home's appliances have been modernized

The expansive property features five bathrooms, with its master bathroom being described as 'spa-like' in the listing

The house and 21 acres were listed for $1.95 million in 2024, but when it didn't sell, the owners turned to auctioning it.

Blair snapped up the property for just $1 million, just over more than half the original asking price.

Despite the damning evidence against Murdaugh, Blair came forward last year in an attempt to clear the socialite-turned-murderer's name.

Maggie and Paul were found dead near the kennels on the property.

Blair told Realtor.com last October that he tore down the kennel but still possesses the kennel door and window that contained the bullet holes from the June 2021 shooting.

He said the placement of the bullet holes in the door suggests that Murdaugh did not kill them.

'[Murdaugh] is a big man, he was even bigger back then, and he's too big for the bullets to have gone through in the way they did,' he explained.

'Maybe it was karma for other things that he did,' Blair said of Murdaugh's conviction. 'But I don't think he killed them.'

He added that anyone would be hard-pressed to find a property in South Carolina's Lowcountry without a blemish.

Current owner Alex Blair had been documenting the progress of the renovations on his social media

The property is excellent for horse lovers, as it offers about 10 acres of fenced-in pasture, the listing states

The house sits on a whopping 48 acres - although significantly smaller than its original 1,700 acres

Murdaugh, pictured in court, will spend the rest of his life behind bars

The infamous Islandton home was last sold for $1 million in February 2024 to businessman Alex Blair of Rockville

'Every property in Lowcountry has a history,' Blair said.

'One bad thing about our state is that slave trading happened here,' he continued.

'Bad things have happened on every property. But you have a choice to either focus on the negative or to create a positive narrative. And that's what I want to do.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to Blair and Brown for comment.
A migrant living in taxpayer-funded accommodation is alleged to have sexually molested four different women and girls in as many weeks while travelling on the Tube - including a 12-year-old.

Hamza Alotaibi, 27, originally from Jordan and thought to have arrived in Britain by small boat, is said to have assaulted all the victims within the space of a month in London.

The youngest of those allegedly assaulted was a 12-year-old girl who he is said to have approached on a District Line train while it travelled between St James Park and Acton Town stations on January 27 this year.

Just two days later on January 29, he then allegedly groped a young woman at Paddington station.

A week later on February 4, he then is said to have assaulted a young woman on the Elizabeth Line near Whitechapel station.

Finally he is accused of molesting another woman on February 13 on the same line between Liverpool Street and Canary Wharf station.

All of the women and girls were targeted while travelling alone, Westminster Magistrates Court heard.

At the time of his arrest, Alotaibi was living in taxpayer-funded Home Office accommodation in London - though it was not specified where.

Hamza Alotaibi (pictured), 27, originally from Jordan and thought to have arrived in Britain by small boat, is said to have assaulted all the victims within the space of a month in London

He has now been moved to similar accommodation in Hartlepool, County Durham.

Bearded Alotaibi appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court and was seen smoking a cigarette outside and wearing a jumper and blue jeans with designer Golden Goose trainers, assisted by an Arabic interpreter.

He denied four separate counts of sexual assault on a female.

David Burns, prosecuting, said: These are similar offences where the defendant has targeted females on the transport network.

On each occasion, the defendant has touched the genitals, buttocks or thighs of females travelling alone, one of whom was 12 years old at the time.

District Judge Ashwinder Kaur Gill bailed Alotaibi ahead of a future trial on condition that he is not to travel on the entire UK rail network unless for a legal or medical appointment, and to travel with an Oyster card if travelling on the London Underground.

Alotaibi was bailed ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing at Inner London Crown Court on November 19.

Last week a different asylum seeker with the same surname was also in court for groping a teenage girl on the Tube .

Muslih Alotaibli is 39 and from Saudi Arabia unlike his namesake who is 27 and from Jordan.

He was told he faces deportation to Saudi Arabia when he gets out of prison after being convicted.

The 39 year old, an overstayer, assaulted a 17-year-old on the Central Line between Oxford Circus and Mile End station on September 2 last year.
Former Labour justice minister Shahid Malik helped to set up a fraudulent Covid testing firm that made 6.6 million in just three weeks, a court has heard.

Malik, 57, is accused of establishing the 'cash cow' firm alongside a pharmacist, a registered scientist and his own former office manager.

The former MP for Dewsbury is one of five people on trial over the 'inadequate and non-compliant' RT Diagnostics, which prosecutors say made 6.67 million in three weeks but did not meet UK standards.

Malik, who was first elected in 2005 and served as a justice minister and communities minister in Gordon Brown's government before losing his seat in 2010, is accused of fraudulent trading, causing a public nuisance and money laundering.

Faisal Shoukat, 37, is charged with the same three offences.

Lynn Connell, 64, Paul Moore, 56, and Alexander Zarneh, 70, are accused of fraudulent trading and causing a public nuisance.

On Thursday, a trial at Bradford Crown Court heard Shoukat was a pharmacist with a chain of pharmacies, who shared mutual contacts in Turkey with Malik.

Using these contacts, they are said to have sourced 'non-compliant' components that were used in PCR test kits that they sent to customers.

Shahid Malik, 57, is one of five people accused of fraudulently running the testing firm RT Diagnostics

The company provided Covid-19 testing kits but failed to meet government accreditation standards, the court heard

Prosecutor Jonathan Sandiford KC said Malik and Shoukat, along with other persons, were the source of the finance behind RT Diagnostics and the setting up of the laboratory.

He told jurors Shoukat was 'closely involved' in getting the business on to the government website list of Covid-19 test suppliers.

Prosecutors say Malik and Shoukat shared control of a second company with a similar name, which had a bank account that was used to hold the revenue made by RT Diagnostics.

The court heard Moore had once been employed as Malik's office manager.

Mr Sandiford said Moore, a Kirklees councillor who sits as an independent after being suspended by Labour, had a senior role in RT Diagnostics, at one point being described as its operations director.

Jurors heard Zarneh was a registered scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council and was said at times to have been the clinical director at RT Diagnostics, or its head of governance.

Mr Sandiford said Zarneh was instrumental in getting RT Diagnostics on to the 'all important' gov.uk list, which enabled customers to find and order from it.

The prosecutor said Zarneh is accused of telling 'significant lies' during that process.

Malik, a former Dewsbury Labour MP and minister in Gordon Brown's government, served as justice and communities minister (Pictured: Malik with former chancellor Alistair Darling)

Connell managed and directed other staff at the laboratory, and was involved in a third company that was allegedly set up to take over from RT Diagnostics when it failed an inspection, jurors were told.

The trial has previously heard that as the third national lockdown was ending in March 2021, the government was looking to expand its test and trace system by increasing the number of laboratories offering PCR testing.

The defendants are accused of 'taking advantage' of that process with the 'cash cow' of RT Diagnostics.

Mr Sandiford told jurors the laboratory, in Halifax, West Yorkshire, was set up in 'shoddy and inadequate premises' with holes in the walls and ceilings, rubbish strewn around and homeless people living on the floor above.

In contrast to a glossy website which 'falsely' described the laboratory as modern, purpose built and fully accredited, Mr Sandiford said RT Diagnostics never completed the accreditation process.

The prosecutor said there was evidence of the company providing false negative results and that it 'generated a suspiciously low number of positive results'.

Mr Sandiford said RT Diagnostics failed to properly handle test samples and sold far more PCR sample collection kits to consumers that it was able to process.

'Because of that, some of the test samples that were returned by consumers to the laboratory were not tested but simply dumped in a room on the premises,' he told jurors.

'People who complained enough got told their result was negative, when in fact their sample had not been tested.'

He said this meant people who ought to have been self-isolating were going out in public, believing they were free from infection when they were not.

The defendants all deny the charges and the trial continues.
The Just Stop Oil protest at Stonehenge was meant to appear 'spectacular' and like a 'conjuring trick', one of the activists told a court.

Rajan Naidu, 74, said that the canisters used to blast an orange powder were the same used in the Hindu festival of colour.

Giving evidence for the first time on Thursday, Naidu told jurors that he and Oxford University student Niamh Lynch, who turns 23 on Friday, only met on the day of the action, and that he felt they weren't a 'threatening' pair.

On the clean up that took place after the incident, he said 'I wish it didn't cost, but we got our message out'.

Salisbury Crown Court heard that the pair, accompanied by co-accused Luke Watson, 36, launched their environmental protest incident at Stonehenge in June last year.

The trio all deny intentionally causing a public nuisance and damaging an ancient protected monument.

Protesters Niamh Lynch (pictured) and Rajan Naidu were 'very determined' and showed a 'blatant disregard', the court heard

The court heard Rajan Naidu, 74, handed a police officer him a large white piece of paper which said 'Fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty now!' on it in black lettering

Salisbury Crown Court heard Rajan Naidu and Niamh Lynch crossed the boundary ropes and trespassed into the area around the monument before launching the attack

Luke Watson, 26, Watson had driven his co-accused to Stonehenge in a Ford Fiesta that morning, prosecutor Simon Jones said

On Monday the court heard that Watson drove the pair to Stonehenge in Ford Fiesta and Lynch and Naidu used fire extinguishers to spray it with a cornflour and talc powder which was 'stained' orange.

Stonehenge was chosen as the target by the Just Stop Oil activist 'to provide maximum impact', prosecutors said.

A worker at Stonehenge later told the court how she 'broke down' after she unsuccessfully tried to prevent the protesters from spraying the monument with orange powder.

Defending for Naidu, Francesca Cociani asked him why he used powder to spray the stones.

Naidu told the court: 'We wanted to do it in a way, it was spectacular, like a conjuring trick, but it won't do any damage or harm.

'It would appear spectacular, but when the dust settles it would be cleared.'

He later clarified that 'It wasn't meant to be sensational, it was serious'.

Naidu said that the cylinders used were a brand used in India as part of celebrations of the Hindu festival of colour, Holi.

He said: 'It's a very joyous festival and people throw colour powder over one another and clearly when it does this it has to be safe and cleanable as well.

'People spray it all over one another and it's easy to clean.'

Prosecutor Simon Jones asked Naidu if he knew what was in the canisters used by the protesters.

Naidu said he researched the brand after being told which one would be used - he said the rucksack he took to Stonehenge was pre-packed with the cylinder.

Speaking of the clean-up which took place after the incident, he said: 'I wish it didn't cost, but we got our message out.'

The court has previously heard that it cost 620 to clean it.

Footage played to Salisbury Crown Court showed the moment Naidu and Lynch were arrested and placed in handcuffs in front of Stonehenge.

Naidu added that he and Lynch would have been happy to clean the stones themselves with the right tools if the police had asked them to.

'Even if no one did anything to it, it would have come off fairly quickly,' he said.

The prosecutor asked Naidu if he was aware that the dust can have a negative affect on asthmatics, and he said that he did because he is asthmatic himself.

Asked by Ms Cociani whether he intended to damage Stonehenge, Naidu told the court: 'Stonehenge is something so powerful, even the thought of causing it damage doesn't come, it's a sacred place, a very special place to all humans.'

He said that it 'took (his) breath away' when he was told that the action he was due to take place at Stonehenge.

'If media hadn't reported on this case, we wouldn't be hearing about the fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty,' he added.

Naidu also said that it was purposeful that neither he nor Lynch seemed 'threatening'.

'We wanted people not to feel frightened, if you look at Niamh and if you look at me, Niamh is a young woman - will be 23 tomorrow - I'm three quarters of a century older and I think if you saw us you don't feel threatened,' he said.

'We don't feel we are dangerous, or might cause harm, that's my feeling.

'I hope I don't come across as a dangerous, threatening person and I don't think Niamh came across as a threatening person, to make it very clear that this is a peaceful action with good intentions.'

Mobile phone footage played in court earlier showed Lynch spraying orange powder onto the monument, then a few seconds later Naidu joined her and began doing the same.

Other video clips showed Lynch and Naidu ignoring a police officer as they are asked why they carried out their demonstration, just moments after they allegedly vandalised Stonehenge.

The body-worn footage also shows the moment the pair were arrested and placed in handcuffs in front of Stonehenge.

In other pre-recorded clips, which are thought to have been used publicly by Just Stop Oil, Naidu and Lynch talk about why they want to raise awareness about climate issues.

The trial continues.
Vice President JD Vance hit back at Joe Biden's former White House press secretary Jen Psaki for her 'disgraceful' comments that suggested his wife, Usha, needed saving.

When asked by reporters during his dash to Israel about Psaki's comments, Vance shot a bewildered look and branded them 'disgraceful.'

'But of course, the second lady can speak for herself. I am very lucky to have a wonderful wife,' Vance said of Usha, whom he wed in 2014.

The vice president gushed that he felt lucky to have his wife by his side and hoped that she felt the same way about him.

'We're going to keep on serving the country together, and I'm honored to have Usha by my side, on this trip in particular, but always,' he concluded.

The response followed Psaki's remarks on the popular podcast, I've Had It, hosted by Jennifer Welch and Angie Sullivan.

On Tuesday's episode, titled Devil Wears MAGA, Psaki appeared as a guest and issued a startling message to the second lady.

'I always wonder what's going on in the mind of his wife,' Psaki said when discussing her thoughts on Vance.

Vice President JD Vance said that former press secretary Jen Psaki's remarks about his wife were 'disgraceful'

Psaki wondered if Usha Vance needed saving from her husband during a recent appearance on the I've Had It podcast

Vance assured reporters during his trip to Israel with Usha that their marriage was solid and he was lucky to have her

'Like "Are you OK? Blink four times. Come over here, we'll save you,"' she added.

Welch and Sullivan enthusiastically agreed with Psaki's curiosity as the former press secretary offered her unfiltered thoughts on the vice president.

'I think the little Manchurian candidate JD Vance wants to be president more than anything else,' Psaki said.

She said she believed that Vance would do anything to assume the position, arguing that he was 'scarier' than Donald Trump in some ways.

'He's a chameleon who makes himself into whatever he thinks the audience wants to hear from him,' Psaki argued.

She then joked that Vance didn't have 'rizz,' slang for charisma, and branded the vice president as 'odd.'

Her comments received a wave of backlash, with Hugh Hewitt penning an opinion piece in Fox News under the headline: 'Jen Psaki, domestic violence is never funny.'

'Jen Psuki must be transferring her own personal issues onto others. @jrpsaki is a dumba** who has no comprehension of the truth and has to overcompensate for her lack of talent by saying untrue things,' White House Director of Communications Steven Cheung wrote on X.

Psaki branded Vance a 'chameleon who makes himself into whatever he thinks the audience wants to hear from him' (Pictured: Psaki with Biden on November 19, 2021)

Usha met Vance at Yale Law School and went on to clerk for Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

The Vances' marriage has frequently been criticized by some on the left. A video posted by Salon called on Usha to divorce her husband over the summer.

Another opinion piece by the Los Angeles Times questioned: 'How can Usha Vance stand by her husband as he fans bigotry?'

Despite the speculation that Usha strays from her husband's politics, the second lady has maintained that she supports the Trump administration.

In a rare interview on Meghan McCain's podcast, Usha said that she was 'along for the ride and enjoying while I can,' when asked about being the second lady.

'In a dream world, eventually I'll be able to live in my home and kind of continue my career and all those sorts of things,' she added.

Usha and JD Vance met while at Yale Law School and have three children together (Pictured: The Vance's in Israel on October 22)

Usha Vance has strayed from media appearances but has frequently supported the Trump administration

Jai Chabria, a family friend of the couple and political consultant, told USA Today last year that the two were a team, adding that Usha was a 'wonderful advisor' to Vance.

'When he goes out and makes a great speech, she advises him and, and gives him her opinion, and it's taken seriously,' he added.

Usha introduced Vance at the Republican National Convention last year, praising his curiosity and devotion to her and their family.

Daily Mail has reached out to MSNBC and the White House for comment on Psaki's remarks.
An arsonist hired by the Wagner Group to torch a UK warehouse storing kit for Ukraine was 'easy meat' for his Russian recruiters, a court has heard.

Dylan Earl, 21, from Leicestershire, admitted planning the arson attack on industrial units in Leyton, east London, on March 20 last year.

It took eight fire crews, with 60 firefighters, to get the blaze under control and caused around 1 million of damage.

He carried out the terror attack under the instruction of the proscribed Wagner Group, the Old Bailey was told.

Earl, who has been described as seeing the world through the 'prism of online gaming', became the first person to be convicted under the new National Security Act brought in last year to target those working secretly for hostile states.

He and Jake Reeves, 24, from Croydon, south London, who were both drug users, targeted the warehouse because it was being used to supply humanitarian aid and StarLink satellite equipment to Ukraine.

They also planned arson attacks at Hide Restaurant in Mayfair and nearby Hedonism Wines and to kidnap the owner Yevgeny Chichvarkin, who is a high profile Russian dissident.

On Thursday, Earl and Reeves, who was taking 'extensive quantities of ketamine' before the attack, appeared in the dock of the Old Bailey to be sentenced along with four other young men.

Dylan Earl (pictured) was hired by the notorious Wagner Group to torch a UK warehouse storing kit for Ukraine

Jake Reeves, 24, from Croydon, south London, a frequent drug user, also targeted the warehouse because it was being used to supply aid and equipment to Ukraine

Mitigating, Paul Hynes KC said Earl 'was easy meat for the very sophisticated operatives of the Wagner Group acting as proxies for the Russian Federation.'

He described him as an 'easy puppet in the hands of others' who sought 'praise, importance and significance' and saw the world through the 'prism of online gaming'.

Mr Hynes said: 'Our primary submission said he is a sad individual who at the time of the commission of the offence was in his early 20s.

'He was for lengthy periods alone in his bedroom at his parents' house and led a minimalistic existence taking drugs and gaming online.'

Mr Hynes said: 'This is not a John le Carre novel. But nevertheless those who would wish the UK and other countries ill will continue to try to latch on to people like Mr Earl.'

While he accepted Earl had acted for a foreign power 'with some enthusiasm' and put others in harm's way, he said there was no evidence of an 'underlying ideology' associated with 'orthodox terrorism'.

He added: 'Mr Earl was a young, naive and damaged individual which made him particularly vulnerable.'

The evidence suggested Earl was mainly motivated by money and would say whatever was expected of him in conversations with the Wagner Group operatives to keep the chat going, Mr Hynes suggested.

It took eight fire crews, with 60 firefighters, to get the blaze on March 20 last year under control and caused about 1 million of damage

He added Earl had not intended any harm and had 'expressly' made it clear that no-one should be hurt when the Mayfair businesses were targeted.

Prosecutor Duncan Penny KC asserted Earl was well aware what he was doing was an 'act of terrorism'.

He said: 'As expressed in messages he sent and received, he knew that Units 1 and 2 of the Cromwell Industrial Estate were being targeted because they were arranging deliveries of aid to Ukraine.'

Mitigating for Reeves, Henry Blaxland KC said: 'There are two lessons which emerge from this rather troubling case.

'The first is that the evidence reveals the extent to which the Russian state and agents of the Russian state have managed to penetrate the UK through taking advantage of adolescents buried in their computers.

'The second is the dangers of the drug ketamine. He was taking extensive quantities of ketamine. It distorted his judgment.'

Mr Blaxland disputed the prosecution assertion that the offence had a terrorist connection, adding: 'He got caught up in this insidious online world and never went further than his bedroom.'

Earl and Reeves admitted aggravated arson on behalf of the Wagner Group and were the first to be convicted of offences under the National Security Act 2023.

Earl admitted preparing to set fire to the Hide Restaurant and Hedonism Wines in Mayfair, west London, and kidnap owner Mr Chichvarkin on behalf of the Wagner Group.

The two businesses collectively employed 200 people and were valued at more than 30m

Hide restaurant housed a 24-hour bakery on site and has 14 flats on floors above, while Hedonism Wines had 20 flats on two floors above the premises.

Mr Chichvarkin was described as a 'high-profile Russian dissident and refugee' who has been vocal in his criticism of President Vladimir Putin and the war in Ukraine.

Earl will also be sentenced for possessing cocaine and thousands of pounds in criminal cash, which he admitted.

Earl became the first person to be convicted under the new National Security Act brought in last year to target those working secretly for hostile states

The court heard how Jakeem Rose, 23, from Croydon, and Nii Mensah, 23, from Thornton Heath, were recruited to set fire to the Leyton industrial units as fixer Ugnius Asmena, 21, of no fixed address, waited nearby.

They were found guilty of aggravated arson with intent to endanger life following an Old Bailey trial.

Mitigating for Mensah, Alan Kent KC said: 'It was an offence committed by amateurs, road men, done to a very poor standard. It shows the low level of sophistication and planning.'

Jurors previously heard 'overwhelming' evidence linking them to the warehouse attack.

A sixth defendant, Ashton Evans, 20, from Newport, Gwent, was found guilty of failing to disclose information about terrorist acts relating to the Mayfair plot.

Previously the court heard that Earl told a Wagner Group operative he met on Telegram he was keen to carry out a series of 'missions', of which the Leyton fire was to be the first.

In chat, Earl's Wagner Group contact, Privet Bot, instructed him to watch the period drama The Americans and use it as a 'manual' for his covert mission.

Nii Mensah (left), Jakeem Rose (middle) and Ugnius Asmena (right), were recruited to set fire to the Leyton industrial units as fixer Ugnius Asmena, 21, of no fixed address, waited nearby

The television series is set during the Cold War and is about two KGB agents posing as Americans in Washington DC to spy on the American government.

Earl was arrested in a B&Q car park in Hinckley, Leicestershire, and videos of the warehouse fire being started were found on his iPhone.

In a search of his home, police recovered a Russian flag, more than 20,000 in cash and cocaine hydrochloride with a street value of some 34,000.

Evidence on his phone revealed details of a cryptocurrency account holding more than 58,000 and images of bundles of cash estimated to total 175,000.

Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb is expected to hand down her sentences on Friday.
Another one of President Trump's nominees is perilously close to unraveling after a Senate hearing placed an unflattering glare on his past anti-Semitic sentiments.

Amer Ghalib, Trump's nominee for the role of Ambassador to Kuwait has made anti-semitic comments in the past, and was grilled about those views by Democrats and Republicans alike on Thursday. All Democrats are expected to oppose his nomination, and he can lose only two Republicans to make it out of the committee and before the full Senate.

Senator Ted Cruz explicitly states that he can not support Ghalib, and other Republican Senators who raised vocal concerns included fellow Republican Senators McCormick and Ricketts.

Ghalib, mayor of Hamtramck, Michigan, and Trumps 2024 election endorser, has come under fire for calling Saddam Hussein a "martyr," denying verified reports of Hamas atrocities, and liking a Facebook post comparing Jews to monkeys.

His past remarks and refusal to outright condemn the Muslim Brotherhood have sparked bipartisan Senate scrutiny, putting his nomination as U.S. ambassador to Kuwait in serious jeopardy.

He is likely to falter as a nominee, after another Trump pick, Paul Ingrassia, did not even get a hearing this week after withdrawing his nomination to lead the Office of Special Counsel.

Senators voiced opposition to Ingrassia to reporters in the hallway of Congress this week, and to Ghalib in a meeting of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Thursday.

Republican Senator Jim Risch, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, told the Daily Mail via a spokesperson on Wednesday that 'President Trump has the right to nominate whomever he would like for roles in his administration.

Amer Ghalib appears before a Senate Committee on Foreign Relations hearing on his pending nomination to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the U.S. to Kuwait, on Capitol Hill, Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, in Washington

Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib speaks as Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump listens at a campaign office, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in Hamtramck, Michigan

'Mr. Ghalib will have the opportunity to address members' questions about his background tomorrow,' Risch's spokesperson added at the time.

Ghalib refused to condemn the Muslim Brotherhood during his Senate hearing, a reason cited by Republican Texas Senator Ted Cruz for not supporting his nomination.

Nebraska Senator Pete Ricketts asked Ghalib if 'its appropriate to equate Israel, a democratic ally defending itself from terrorism, with the Nazi regime that systematically murdered 6 million Jews?'

Pennsylvania Senator Dave McCormick additionally asked how Ghalib justified 'calling Saddam Hussein a martyr to us, but also to the people of Kuwait,' where he would be the top-ranking diplomat.

Senator Ted Cruz questions Amer Ghalib on his pending nomination to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the U.S. to Kuwait, on Capitol Hill, Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, in Washington

The Muslim Brotherhood is a global terrorist organization. This year, I once again introduced my bill designating them as a terrorist organization, and I believe that the Trump administration will indeed do so.

Amer Ghalib refers to them as an inspiration. That is in opposition pic.twitter.com/3TqE2a9Tcf  Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) October 23, 2025

Senator Dave McCormick questions Amer Ghalib on his pending nomination to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the U.S. to Kuwait, on Capitol Hill, Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, in Washington

During the time that Ghalib has served as the Mayor of Hamtramck, the City Council passed Resolution 2024-51, declaring support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, a pro-HAMAS, Palestinian-led policy that advocates for the destruction of Israel via economic pressure and an isolationist policy toward the Jewish state.

Asked by the Daily Mail about Ghalib's past support of BDS on Wednesday, Florida Republican Senator Rick Scott harkened back to his time as Governor of the Sunshine State when the legislature passed the very first anti-BDS legislation in the nation.

The President has the right to select nominees to bring before the Senate, and members of that body have the right to reject them.

Members of a president's party rarely object to a proposed nominee, but the Senate reminded the country of the true power of checks and balances by seemingly rejecting two of the White House's selections this week.

After such vocal opposition to Ghalib, his bid is most likely set to fail, and another Trump nominee didn't even get a chance to have a hearing this week.

Paul Ingrassia, White House liaison to the United States Department of Homeland Security, is seen in photos from his Instagram page

Paul Ingrassia and President Donald Trump

Paul Ingrassia, Trump's nominee to lead the Office of Special Counsel, withdrew his name for consideration for the role after his racist text messages were revealed.

Ingrassia was Donald Trump's pick to lead OSC but he became the latest conservative ensnared in a text message scandal involving a group chat of Young Republicans.

The messages included calling for MLK day to be 'tossed into the seventh circle of hell where it belongs', adding that there should be 'no moulignon holidays,' using an Italian slur for black people.

Ingrassia, who was set to appear before the Senate on Thursday for a confirmation hearing, also reportedly stated that people should 'never trust an Indian,' in a message referring to ex-presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.

Ghalib faces a vote before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which will be held during a forthcoming business meeting
A luxurious hoard of supercars and a powerboat belonging to a convicted migrant fraudster is being sold off at auction - with no reserve.

Mauritarian immigrant Anopkumar Maudhoo, 46, made 8.5million out of 45 victims by selling them homes he did not own across London and the South East.

It is thought to be one of Britain's biggest ever conveyancing scams - and Maudhoo, who had been outstaying his welcome in the country since 2016, spoiled himself with the ill-gotten gains.

He snapped up limited edition supercars including a Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato, an Aston Martin Vantage V12, and a limited run Range Rover Sport SV, as well as a BMW M2 and a Porsche 911 GT3 RS - and a Hunton XRS37 powerboat.

His assets were seized by police when he was arrested last year, leading to 31 guilty pleas - and a request for 45 offences to be 'taken into consideration' - for which he was given a 10 year prison sentence that he began on July 29.

Maudhoo's wealth is thought to be scattered across the world: so much so that Interpol issued its first ever UK Silver Notice in his name, a request for authorities across the globe to help recover his other assets.

In the meantime, the government is beginning to sell off what assets they have been able to recover via Queensferry-based auction house Wilsons, in north Wales, under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).

It is selling off the Aston Martin, Range Rover, Lamborghini, Porsche and BMW alongside the powerboat in an online auction running from 11am November 12 to 11am November 14.

Anopkumar Maudhoo made vast sums from dozens of victims, which he spent on supercars and luxury properties

However, his fleet of supercars is now being auctioned off - including a rare Lamborghini Huracan Sterratto (pictured)

An ultra-rare Aston Martin Vantage V12 - one of just 249 ever produced - is also among the assets up for sale with no reserve

It expects to generate more than 1million from the sales of the assets, which are being sold with no reserve, and the money is expected to be used to compensate Maudhoo's many victims, several of whom lost six-figure sums.

Craig Walker, of Wilsons, said: 'These aren't showroom models. These are collector-grade vehicles. All with ultra-low mileage, these vehicles do not come to market regularly. Opportunities to buy vehicles like this do not come around every day.

'From high-performance supercars to luxury marine and lifestyle assets, were proud to offer the public access to items that are rarely available outside private circles - and to do so with complete transparency and no reserve.'

Details of the items reveal that Maudhoo barely had any time to enjoy them before he was swooped upon by police last September.

The Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato - a snarling 610 horsepower off-roading supercar limited to just 1,499 units - has just 118 miles on the clock; the Porsche 686; the BMW just 101.

Only the Aston Martin - one of just 249 - and Range Rover - one of 600 - have more than 1,000 miles to their name, while the powerboat has notched up 995 hours of use since being registered in 2011.

Wilsons has said it expects more of Maudhoo's assets to come up for auction as and when they are found and seized under POCA.

Last month, the Mail reported how Maudhoo used several aliases and fake documents and solicitors' stamps to convince his victims to hand over thousands of pounds for properties that he did not own.

Investigators found Maudhoo sold 75 properties or development plots since 2021, with victims located across north London, Hertfordshire and Essex.

Some only learned they had been deceived when they arrived at the property only to be confronted by the true owners. Among the victims were experienced investors and parents hoping to secure an investment for their children's future.

Alongside cars, he used his victims' cash to buy a 3million property in Radlett, Hertfordshire for 3million, and rented a flat in Park Vista Tower, east London, for 6,000 a month, where police found cash, luxury goods and items linked to fraud.

Also on offer is this one-of-600 Range Rover Sport SV Edition One - with just 6,000 miles on the clock

This bright yellow Porsche 911 GT3 RS - effectively a road-legal racing car - is among the assets Maudhoo snapped up with his ill-gotten gains

A bright blue BMW M2 with barely 100 miles under its belt is also among the assets for sale

There were also more than 20 personalised number plates referencing his many aliases.

One elderly victim even claimed the stress and anxiety contributed to his stroke.

'The scam did not just rob me of my life savings, it stole my sense of stability and future for my family,' added another victim.

Zayn Ahmed, who lost 230,000, said in a statement that the scam had a 'profound and devastating impact' on his wellbeing, leading to 'sleepless nights and deep emotional distress'.

Maudhoo was listed for sentence at Southwark Crown Court as Vincent LeBouf - one of many fake names alongside Rossello Di Paolo, Pascal Burns, Yusuf Khan and Hamid Khan and Vicenzo Conte.

Following his arrest on September 22 last year, Maudhoo told police his name was Pascal Burns and produced a Portuguese driving licence in that name. But a phone was later found in his prison cell on which he had arranged for a false passport.

It later emerged he sought to act as a sponsor on an application for residence in 2010 with a fake identity document, coming to the attention of the Home Office.

Officials could find no record of him, and marked him down as an illegal migrant. After they sought to deport him he disappeared until last year.

Sentencing Maudhoo at Southwark Crown Court, Judge Mr Recorder Zane Malik KC said: 'Although I am unsure of your true name I am satisfied you are a thoroughly dishonest individual.'
Donald Trump's most loyal White House pit bull has suggested that an ex-GOP Congressman may be secretly using a gay dating app.

White House communications director Steven Cheung launched the scandalous allegations at married former Illinois Representative Adam Kinzinger, 47.

Father of one Kinzinger, whose wife is called Sofia, is an outspoken critic of the President and voted to impeach Trump back in 2021 following the January 6th Capitol riot.

Cheung, however, is one of Trump's most ruthless defenders in the White House, known for trolling and dismembering the arguments of journalists and liberals on X.

The pair started arguing on Thursday morning over Trump's decision to demolish the East Wing of the White House to make space for his giant ballroom.

'Will not a single elected Republican speak up,' Kinzinger wrote on X alongside a video of the East Wing falling apart.

Cheung shot back: 'The ballroom is going to look so spectacular. Even your simple and dumb ass will want to go.'

Kinzinger replied to Cheung's attack with a zoomed in picture of Cheung's face with the caption 'literally you.'

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and White House Communications Director Steven Cheung speak during an event on the South Lawn of the White House on March 11

Cheung then posted a picture of Kinzinger with his wife alongside other images of a man's semi-nude body.

The image suggests that Kinzinger posts scandalous photos of himself on a gay dating website.

'Adam Kinzinger loves showing off his tattoo on grindr,' a purple stenciled note on Cheung's picture reads.

It is unclear if Cheung was merely joking, or if he sincerely believes Kinzinger is gay. The White House and Cheung did not respond to a request for comment.

Cheung's apparent knock against Kinzinger was echoed by other members of Trump's inner circle.

Steven Cheung accused Adam Kinzinger of secretly using an online gay dating app

Alex Bruesewitz, who worked alongside the Trump campaign in 2024 and is an unofficial adviser to the President, added to Cheung's allegations against Kinzinger.

'Why has no reporter ever asked @AdamKinzinger about his Snapchat scandal? Is there more to it?' Bruesewitz wrote in response to Cheung's X post.

'Did the Democrats find something out about Adam's private life and use it as leverage to get him to become a far-left lunatic? We need answers!'

The allegations that Kinzinger created a profile on a gay dating website has been popular in online MAGA circles for years dating back to when the former lawmaker voted to impeach Trump in 2021.

Kinzinger has not addressed the online gossip and the unverified photos do not prove he made a profile on a gay dating app. He did not respond to a Daily Mail request for comment.

Kinzinger, who married his wife Sofia in 2020, has a child

The White House and Cheung did not respond to a request for comment

Cheung is one of Trump's most vocal supporters in the White House

Liberal X users responded to Cheung's salacious allegation by claiming the image is fake.

'It's sad that you have to use Photoshop images to try and make a point,' wrote Trump-critic Brian Krassenstein.

'You must have really taken Adam's post to heart.'
A New York City construction worker died after falling into a 50-foot hole in Manhattan's Hudson Yards neighborhood.

The male employee was working at 605 W 30th Street around 9am when he fell from five stories into a hole from the ground floor, ABC 7 reported.

'It was a foundation wall that was poured yesterday. We dont know how or why he fell,' FDNY Battalion Chief, Anthony Romano said, according to Gothamist.

'The construction worker was working approximately 50 feet up on the northern wall.'

The man, who worked for the New York Concrete Corporation, was rescued from the hole and was taken to the hospital in critical condition. He was later pronounced dead.

Romano told Gothamist that the worker wasn't breathing and had no pulse when he was pulled out of the hole.

Emergency crews attempted to perform CPR while inside the hole before hoisting his body up in a basket, the outlet reported.

The worker, who was not identified, was working on the Gateway Tunnel project, which is a construction of nine miles of passenger rail tunnels in the Hudson River, connecting the Big Apple to New Jersey.

A male employee was working at 605 W 30th Street around 9am when he fell from five stories into a hole (pictured) from the ground floor

The man, who worked for the New York Concrete Corporation, was rescued from the hole and was taken to the hospital in critical condition. He was found not breathing and with no pulse

The $16.1billion project is also rehabilitating the existing 115-year-old tunnel, which has been causing chronic delays for thousands of daily riders.

The employee was working on the third section of the Hudson Yards Concrete Casing, which will link Penn Station to the new rail lines, The Daily News reported.

The project, which is key for Amtrak, is expected to be completed by 2035.

All work has been halted on the project while the investigation continues.

'The Gateway Development Commission, Amtrak, and Related Companies extend our profound condolences to the family of the worker,' a joint statement said.

'Our thoughts are with his loved ones during this difficult time.'

Another worker was injured in June at the site. They were hit by heavy machinery while inside the hole.

President Donald Trump has threatened to suspend $18billion in federal funding to the Gateway Tunnel and Second Avenue Subway extension last week.

The worker, who was not identified, was working on the Gateway Tunnel project, which is a construction of nine miles of passenger rail tunnels in the Hudson River, connecting the Big Apple to New Jersey (pictured: workers at the site on October 17)

Emergency crews attempted to perform CPR while inside the hole before hoisting his body up in a basket (pictured: rescue efforts)

The threats came as the Republicans continues to attack Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, of New York, amid the government shutdown fight.

'If Donald Trump thinks he can use New Yorkers, New Jerseyites, commuters, small businesses, union construction workers and the first responders as political pawns, it will backfire on him spectacularly,' the congressman said earlier this month.

The Gateway Tunnel supports 11,000 construction jobs and is boosting $4.5billion in economic activity, The New York Times reported.

The project is vital for thousands of commuters each day, as many New Yorkers and those who commute into the city for work rely on the transit system.

President Trump's threats have also spilled into New Jersey politics as governor hopefuls Jack Ciattarelli and Mikie Sherrill have vowed to take on the Trump Administration over the decision.
The self-titled 'Three Musketeers' gang who chased a father through a village and stabbed him to death have been jailed.

Zack O'Keefe, 20, Harrison Carpenter, 20, and Joseph Dawe, 21, targeted Kieran Shepherd, 30, in broad daylight in Great Baddow, Essex, on October 15 last year.

The trio started chasing him as he walked his dog down Meadgate Avenue in the village near the city of Chelmsford.

They fatally stabbed Mr Shepherd, who has a three-year-old daughter, twice in the back, skewering his heart and one of his lungs, before leaving him for dead.

O'Keefe, from the Langdon Hills area of nearby town Basildon, has now been convicted of his murder and jailed for life with a minimum term of 23 years.

He wore a dark suit and clutched white rosary beads as he was handed his sentence at Chelmsford Crown Court today.

Carpenter, from Chelmsford, and Dawe, from Great Baddow, were both found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 11 and 10.5 years respectively.

Judge Christopher Morgan said Mr Shepherd posed 'no threat' to the gang and spent his final moments 'literally running for his life'.

Zack O'Keefe, 20, Harrison Carpenter, 20, and Joseph Dawe, 21, targeted Kieran Shepherd (pictured), 30, in broad daylight in Great Baddow, Essex, on October 15 last year

The trio started chasing him (pictured, on CCTV footage) as he walked his dog down Meadgate Avenue in the village near the city of Chelmsford

O'Keefe (pictured), from the Langdon Hills area of nearby town Basildon, has now been convicted of his murder and jailed for life with a minimum term of 23 years

Testifying in his own defence, O'Keefe, from the Langdon Hills area of nearby town Basildon, told the jury he was 'groomed' as a teenager into working for a drugs gang.

When he was arrested, he claimed he had become hopelessly indebted to them - but police seized more than 5,000 in takings from his work as a drug dealer.

O'Keefe said he was forced to work from a trap house on the Meadgate Estate in Great Baddow, where Mr Shepherd was one of his customers.

On one occasion, he said, the father had arranged to buy two wraps of cocaine from him - but when they met, he pulled out a knife and took the drugs without paying.

Prosecutor Tracy Ayling KC argued this was the true motive for Mr Shepherd's murder, saying O'Keefe chased him down and stabbed him deliberately.

But he insisted he and his friends bumped into their victim by chance, getting into a fight before O'Keefe used Mr Shepherd's own knife against him in self-defence.

Mrs Ayling, however, countered there was no need to escalate to using the weapon, which was as long as 12in and left the victim with a wound 13cm to 15cm deep.

She said the three gym-going young men could easily have overpowered Mr Shepherd, who she described as 'an eight-stone drug addict'.

And the lawyer argued O'Keefe in fact brought his own knife to stab his victim, before Carpenter began punching him - which the judge agreed with.

Judge Morgan also acknowledged Mr Shepherd was addicted to drugs, including heroin, and had previously resorted to armed robbery with a lock knife.

Mr Shepherd's mother Julie tearfully read a victim impact statement to the court today.

She said her son was 'not just a troubled drug addict' - and will now never get to walk his daughter up the aisle.

'My son had his struggles but he was kind, caring and always managed to make people laugh,' she said.

'I will never be the same person I was. I live every day with a huge loss that I know will stay with me forever.'

Turning to the three men in the dock, she continued: 'He was murdered, callously and evil. He was left to die in the street with no thought of anyone going back to help him.

'This is something I have to live with every day and I would like to think that you three will too.'

Carpenter (pictured), from Chelmsford, and Dawe, from Great Baddow, were both found guilty of manslaughter

Carpenter and Dawe (pictured) were sentenced to 11 and 10.5 years respectively

Jurors were shown CCTV footage of Mr Shepherd walking with his dog on a lead moments before he was chased by the three men, at 12.24pm that day.

He was found six minutes later by cleaner Holly Duffett, who was working at a block of flats near the attack. She later called 999.

She told the operator Mr Shepherd 'wasn't talking' as she continued to reassure him she was getting help. He was later pronounced dead at the scene at 1.22pm.

Soon after, the gang, who referred to themselves as 'The Three Musketeers', burned clothing in woods in nearby Stock.

Jurors watched doorbell footage of the trio at Carpenter's grandmother's home in the village at 1.10pm.

They hid at a holiday park nearly 50 miles away, in the coastal village of Jaywick, near Clacton-on-Sea.

Carpenter handed himself in to police the next day as O'Keefe and Dawe fled across the country.

They made it to the village of Seifton, Shropshire, where they were arrested on October 18, three days after the killing.

All three denied murder at the four-week trial at Chelmsford Crown Court earlier this month.

Senior investigating officer, Detective Inspector Lydia George, said: 'This is the culmination of nearly a year's work to get justice for Kieran.

'These three men showed no remorse, and all provided no-comment interviews when arrested.

'They deliberately destroyed evidence and evaded our officers.

'It didn't work - our officers and the Crown Prosecution Service showed they were the only ones that could have attacked Kieran, and that none of them tried to stop the attack.

'This involved a detailed CCTV timeline showing them chasing Kieran moments before he was killed and the car they were travelling in as it made its way across Essex.

'Dozens of witness statements were taken from members of the public including those who tried desperately to save his life.

'Throughout this investigation and court case, Kieran's family have conducted themselves with incredible dignity in the face of the terrible details they have heard...

'While [no sentence] can be passed down to [the gang] that will fill the void in the lives of those that loved Kieran, we hope it goes some way to helping his family come to terms with their loss.'

Speaking after the trio were convicted, Mr Shepherd's mother Julie said: 'As a family it has been a horrific ten months which we will have to live with forever.

'We cannot thank Essex Police and the Crown Prosecution Service enough, they have worked so hard to bring my sons killers to justice.

'We would like our privacy as a family to grieve for our precious Kieran.'

His father added: 'We have endured an incredibly painful journey seeking justice for our beloved son.

'While no verdict can ever bring him back, we are grateful that his life, his story, and his worth were acknowledged in this courtroom.

'We would like to thank the police and CPS for their hard work and the witnesses for finding the strength to come forward.

'Our family will continue to forever honour his memory and thank all those that have stood with us, offering love and support through this difficult time.'
Nurse Sandie Peggie has demanded to know why NHS Fife has disclosed private information about her to SNP ministers without permission.

Briefings prepared by NHS Fife for the Scottish Government contained unredacted details about the A&E nurse including references to her occupational health appointments and other internal employment matters.

And the beleaguered health board set out its account of events surrounding the landmark employment tribunal it is at the centre of as it desperately tried to reassure ministers it acted appropriately throughout.

But now the nurse, who sued NHS Fife and Dr Beth Upton after being forced to share a changing room with the trans medic, has demanded to know why confidential information was shared without her permission.

Margaret Gribbon, Mrs Peggies solicitor, said the disclosure made using Freedom of Information powers to the Herald newspaper was concerning.

Ms Gribbon said: Our client was concerned to learn about these disclosures and has asked me to write to Fife Health Board asking them to explain why they have divulged her personal data to third parties without her consent and with no redactions.

She will consider next steps with her legal team once that explanation has been provided.

Mrs Peggie took her employer and Dr Upton to an employment tribunal after she was suspended from work following an incident at Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, on Christmas Eve 2023.

Sandie Peggie has demanded to know why NHS Fife has disclosed private information

Mrs Peggie took NHS Fife to an employment tribunal

On two previous occasions Mrs Peggie had waited outside the changing room, but that night she challenged Dr Upton.

The exact circumstances are in dispute but Mrs Peggie was suspended from work shortly after.

Earlier this year she was cleared of gross misconduct following disciplinary proceedings by the health board, with NHS Fife having found insufficient evidence.

In the briefing documents, it was reported, the health board suggested Mrs Peggies personal circumstances may have contributed to the incident and said that the nurse should have had the skills and knowledge to de-escalate or remove herself from this situation.

And they also insisted the space at the centre of the row was a locker room and not a designated changing room.

The documents released are from June and July, which is both before and after the publication of the report which cleared Mrs Peggie.

One document said the investigating panel felt more could have been done to resolve the initial complains that [Mrs Peggie] raised in August 2023 and that there was a missed opportunity to explore resolution prior to the incident on 24-25 December 2023.

It also said the panel took cognisance of the personal circumstances [Mrs Peggie] was experiencing and which caused her distress on 24-25 December and believe this may have contributed to the incident.

Ministers, it was reported, were told that while the panel found that there was no conclusive evidence to support the allegations they were satisfied that the interaction between Mrs Peggie and the trans medic caused Dr Upton visible distress and impacted on her wellbeing.

Because they said Mrs Peggie should have had the skills of knowledge to de-escalate or remove herself from this situation the panel would arrange for the nurse to undertake a facilitated reflective practice discussion to consider her decision-making in relation to this incident.

NHS Fife also shared details of the support offered to both Dr Upton and Mrs Peggie. They have a designated manager for ongoing wellbeing support and regular contact is maintained.

Employment Judge Sandy Kemp and his panel conducted four days of deliberations earlier this month, with the result of the bitter employment tribunal to be published at a later date.

The case has so far cost taxpayers more than 320,000 in legal fees for defending NHS Fife, and earlier this year Mrs Peggie has launched further legal action against her employer.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: It would be inappropriate to comment further while judicial proceedings in an Employment Tribunal are ongoing.

NHS Fife has been approached for comment.
Chunks of Prince's Andrew's Royal Lodge lease agreement were redacted to conceal his 'peppercorn rent' when it was submitted to the Land Registry 20 years ago.

The full version of the lease was disclosed on Monday reads: 'Rent means one peppercorn (if demanded) per annum' - whereas the redacted version cut off the last six words, reading instead as just: 'Rent means'.

Another clause which would have shown the public that the disgraced former royal has been living in the lavish estate rent free was also redacted.

The uncensored version says Andrew is obligated 'to pay the rent if demanded', with the 'if' part of the phrase implying that any rent on the property is a nominal one.

However, the public version simply states an obligation 'to pay the rent', with the words 'if demanded' removed.

Whilst it is not illegal to withhold this information, it is uncommon.

A source told The Times the redactions would have come from Andrew's representative when they submitted the lease agreement.

They said 'commercially sensitive' information is allowed to be redacted and the act itself is not 'illegitimate' - but added that this meant 'the public had no idea how little he was paying'.

The full version of the lease was disclosed on Monday reads: 'Rent means one peppercorn (if demanded) per annum'

Whereas the redacted version cut off the last six words, reading instead as just: 'Rent means'.

In the newly released unredacted version, another clause also shows the line 'if demanded' was removed in the original submission

The redacted version reads: 'To pay the Rent' , with 'if demanded' removed, which would have shown the public that Andrew only had to pay if he was asked - a clear marker of a 'peppercorn rent' agreement

'It is obviously nowhere near the commercial rates or even a basic level,' the source said.

Copies of lease agreements are available for anyone to access online via the Land Registry.

Personal details and information are commonly redacted, but financial information, such as nominal ground rents, are usually included.

The Land Registry's latest guidance on lease agreement submission states that the redaction of rent and rent-free periods may be allowed if they relate to a commercial entity and therefore would be considered 'commercially sensitive' - but this does not apply to private individuals.

It is unclear if the guidance was the same when Andrew signed the lease in 2003.

The responsibility to submit the copies falls on the property's buyer, who is allowed to handle the documents themselves or through a legal professional.

There has been an increasing pressure on Andrew to vacate the luxury 30-room property on the Windsor Great Park estate after his rent-free living arrangements were uncovered and new details about his links to Jeffrey Epstein came to light.

Sir Keir Starmer yesterday said he would back a parliamentary inquiry into the disgraced Prince's living arrangements.

It came after Sir Ed Davey said an inquiry by a select committee should be able to grill witnesses 'including the current occupant' - a reference to Andrew, who last week announced he would stop using his Duke of York title to avoid distracting from the work of the King and the Royal Family.

Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons today the Liberal Democrat leader said: 'Given the revelations about Royal Lodge, does the Prime Minister agree that this house needs to properly scrutinise the Crown Estate to ensure taxpayers' interest are protected?

Chunks of Prince's Andrew's Royal Lodge lease agreement were redacted to conceal his 'peppercorn rent' when it was submitted to the Land Registry 20 years ago

The former Duke of York and his ex wife Sarah Ferguson have been living rent-free at Royal Lodge in Windsor Park (pictured) for over two decades

'The Chancellor (Rachel Reeves) herself has said the current arrangements are wrong, so will the Prime Minister support a select committee inquiry, so all those involved can be called for evidence, including the current occupant?'

Sir Keir replied: 'It's important in relation to all Crown properties that there is proper scrutiny and I would certainly support that.'

Senior Tory Robert Jenrick said it was 'about time Prince Andrew took himself off to live in private' as 'the public are sick of him'.

Yesterday, it was announced Andrew will be asked to give evidence about his connection to the late American paedophile financier in front of a US committee which is 'extremely interested' in hearing from him.

Stephen Lynch, a senior member of the US House Oversight Committee, revealed he wanted to speak to the King's brother 'regarding his involvement in all of this'.

The Democratic congressman added that he was 'sure' an invitation would be issued to Andrew about his association with sex trafficker Epstein.

Mr Lynch's committee is currently scrutinising the bombshell documents known as the 'Epstein files', and Andrew faced renewed backlash after appearing in the latest papers tied to Epstein's estate which were published by the committee last Friday.

But the 65-year-old royal cannot be subpoenaed to attend a hearing because he is a UK citizen, and it would therefore be his choice whether or not to give evidence.

The Prince's links to Epstein have dominated headlines recently with fresh focus on his sex accuser Virginia Giuffre's claims after her posthumous book was published.

At the beginning of the week, The Mail on Sunday revealed that Andrew tried to involve the Metropolitan Police and one of Queen Elizabeth's most senior aides in a campaign to smear Virginia Giuffre, who had accused him of assaulting her as a teenager.

A bombshell email obtained exposed how Andrew asked his taxpayer-funded police bodyguard to investigate the 'lying' young woman.

Yesterday, it was revealed Andrew will be asked to give evidence about his connection to the late American paedophile financier in front of a US committee which is 'extremely interested' in hearing from him (Pictured: Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew in Central Park in 2011)

Virginia Giuffre photographed with Prince Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell in London in 2001

Shockingly, the prince passed on details of her date of birth and social security number, presumably given to him by Epstein.

He also claimed Virginia, who took her own life earlier this year, had criminal convictions, a claim which has not been backed up by any evidence or confirmed by police and has been strongly denied by her family.

An earlier email expose proved that Andrew lied to Buckingham Palace and the British public when he claimed he had cut off all contact with his close friend in December 2010, following Epstein's release from prison on child-sex charges.

Twelve weeks later he emailed the paedophile financier to say they were 'in this together' and sickeningly expressed his wish to 'play some more soon'.

His ex wife Sarah Ferguson, who has also been living in Royal Lodge, came under fire in recent weeks as astonishing new emails claimed Epstein had secretly bankrolled her for 15 years.

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.

Andrew's ex wife Sarah Ferguson, who has also been living in Royal Lodge, came under fire in recent weeks as astonishing new emails claimed Epstein had secretly bankrolled her for 15 years

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.
A BBC antiques dealer has described his life as being 'utter hell for two years' after he was arrested for stalking in a nightmare neighbour row.

But now, as the case against him has been dropped, Adrian Higham, 58, has spoken out about the ordeal which saw him get arrested, spend seven hours in a police cell and be handed an interim restraining order.

Mr Higham was a regular on The Bidding Room, presented by Nigel Havers, where expert dealers battle it out for items brought in by the public.

However, he was dropped from the BBC show and suffered a nervous breakdown as a result.

Taking to social media with the case behind him, he wrote: 'After two years of hell with our ex Neighbours. It's my turn to put the record straight.

'Never in my life have I had people hate you so much.'

He added: 'Now it's time for the truth.'

Speaking to the Argus, Mr Highman, from Rotherfield, East Sussex, described what began as a 'normal neighbourly dispute' turned into 'torment'.

Adrian Higham, 58, has spoken out about his neighbour row which saw him get arrested, spend seven hours in a police cell and be handed an interim restraining order.

Mr Higham was a regular on The Bidding Room, presented by Nigel Havers, where expert dealers battle it out for items brought in by the public

Mr Higham believes the neighbour dispute was the reason he was dropped by the BBC. The broadcaster denies this

'The police never listened to our side. They treated me like a villain,' he said.

He added that he believes the neighbour dispute was the reason he was dropped by the BBC. The broadcaster reportedly denies this.

'It's so upsetting because I've got a really good reputation on The Bidding Room and in general,' he said.

'If someone has been stalked it's really serious.'

Earlier this year, he announced he was 'stepping away from social media' after being handed the restraining order against his former neighbour.

He also said he was stepping away from television work despite it being a 'dream of [his] to work on TV'.

'I have had a blast and met some amazing people and those close to me know where I am and can send me private messages,' he wrote.

'But I will never post anything. My life now becomes private!!! This is a choice I have made and nothing will change.'

Mr Higham was interviewed under caution in April last year after police said they received 'reports of harassment and criminal damage' against his neighbour, a woman in her 30s.

He was then arrested this June 'on suspicion of harassment following reports of verbal abuse towards the same woman'.

Describing the experience as 'horrendous', he claims he was shut in a police cell for 'seven hours'.

Mr Higham was arrested 'on suspicion of harassment following reports of verbal abuse towards the same woman' in June but the case has now been dropped. Pictured: Mr Higham appearing at Brighton Magistrates Court

Earlier this year, he announced he was 'stepping away from social media' after being handed the restraining order against his former neighbour

However, there was insufficient evidence for police to press criminal charges, and instead, Higham was handed a Stalking Protection Order (SPO) by Brightons Magistrates Court on July 23.

It banned him from 'communications, approaches, references or surveillance' involving his former neighbours.

The court notice said the order, under the Stalking Protection Act 2019, had been applied for 'on the basis that you have carried out acts associated with stalking namely derogatory social media posts, aggressive behaviour, filming neighbour[s], that you pose a risk associated with stalking to another person and there is reasonable cause to believe the proposed order is necessary to protect another from such a risk.'

But following a review, the SPO was withdrawn on October 7.

Mr Higham and his partner, Tara, said this came as a 'huge relief', saying their life had been turned into 'utter hell' for two and a half years.

The former BBC star said the ordeal left him depressed, with his wife saying it had left a 'deep wound'.

'It should never have got anywhere  what a waste of police and court time,' Tara added.

The couple revealed they would often travel to their home in France with the 'traumatic' experience leaving them both on anti-depressants.

A Sussex Police spokesperson said: 'Sussex Police understands the distress and disruption that anti-social behaviour can cause within communities, and we will always investigate reports thoroughly, seeking a satisfactory resolution in collaboration with community partners.'

They added: 'Our commitment to tackling anti-social behaviour continues, with every report taken seriously and addressed in partnership with local agencies.'

The Bidding Room has so far run for six seasons, and so far Higham has only missed one series due to health issues.

Suffering a serious back injury, he spent nine months in hospital during which time he spoke about the kindness of Moses Otunla - a fellow dealer on the Bidding Room.
NATO jets were scrambled on Thursday after two Russian military planes were briefly spotted in Lithuanian airspace.

The aircraft, an Su-fighter and Il-78 refuelling tanker, were in the airspace for 18 seconds, with Spanish jets from NATO's Baltic division scrambled in response, according to the Lithuanian military.

The Russian planes were possibly conducting a refueling exercise over the city of Kaliningrad before they flew 700 metres into Lithuanian territory, according to local media.

The country's Ministry of National Defence said in a statement: 'Our forces acted quickly with NATO jets on patrol.

'Lithuania remains strong and ready. Every inch of our country is protected.'

President Gitanas Nauseda condemned the incident, stating: 'This is a cruel violation of international law and the territorial sovereignty of Lithuania, and we have to react to this.'

It comes after Vladimir Putin on Thursday threatened to issue a 'very serious' response if Russian territory is attacked with US Tomahawk missiles.

His remarks came as he gave his first direct response after his US counterpart Donald Trump announced sanctions on Russia yesterday.

The two Russian aircraft, an Su-fighter and Il-78 refuelling tanker, were in the airspace for 18 seconds. File photo: A North American Aerospace Defense Command F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft, foreground, escorts a Russian Su-35 fighter, center, and Tu-95 Bear bomber through the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone over the Bering Sea Sept. 24, 2025

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda condemned the incident, stating: 'This is a cruel violation of international law and the territorial sovereignty of Lithuania'

The Russian planes were possibly conducting a refueling exercise over the city of Kaliningrad before they flew 700 metres into Lithuanian territory, according to local media

Putin vowed to continue 'dialogue' with Trump, but said that if Russia were to be attacked with US Tomahawk missiles, which Ukraine seeks, the response would be 'very serious, if not overwhelming'.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been demanding Tomahawk missiles from the US.

Trump did not rule out providing Kyiv with such missiles during talks in Washington with Zelensky last week but appeared cool to the idea.

The US leader on Wednesday hit Russia's two biggest oil producers - Rosneft and Lukoil - with sanctions, the first against Russia since US President Donald returned to office.

'They (sanctions) are serious for us, of course, that is clear. And they will have certain consequences, but they will not significantly impact our economic well-being,' Putin told reporters today.

He added that the sanctions were an 'unfriendly act' that 'does not strengthen Russia-US relations, which have only just begun to recover.'

Despite Trump's outreach to Putin, Russia has continued its heavy bombardments on Ukraine, targeting key energy infrastructure ahead of the winter.

Zelensky said he hoped that Trump's shift on sanctions would also herald a change of mind on giving Ukraine Tomahawk missiles.

Vladimir Putin has warned of a 'serious response' if Russian territory is attacked with US Tomahawk missiles

File photo: A Tomahawk missile is fired at Syria as part of an allied strike in April 2018

The Ukrainian president on Thursday also urged European allies to supply Ukraine with long-range weapons.

Trump attempted to foster ties with Russia at the start of his term but has become increasingly frustrated with Putin's refusal to agree to a ceasefire, complaining that his peace talks with him were not going 'anywhere'.

The Republican president held off introducing new restrictions against Russia for months, but his patience snapped after plans for a fresh summit with Putin in Budapest collapsed.

Still, even after new sanctions and the summit's postponement, Putin appeared to remain open to dialogue.

'Dialogue is always better than confrontation or any disputes, and especially war. We have always supported the continuation of dialogue,' Putin told journalists.

Putin's warning over the use of Tomahawks comes after British Storm Shadow missiles were used by Ukraine to strike an important chemical plant that produces gunpowder in Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been seeking Tomahawk missiles from the US

A residential apartment building remains damaged after a Russian drone attack on October 23, 2025 in Kyiv, Ukraine

A Russian oil refinery was pounded by Ukrainian missiles overnight just hours after the US announced sweeping sanctions targeting Putin's wartime cashflow

'A massive combined missile and air strike was carried out, including the use of air-launched Storm Shadow missiles, which successfully penetrated the Russian air defense system,' Ukraine's General Staff said in a statement on X on Tuesday.

'This enterprise produces gunpowder, explosives, and components for rocket fuel, in particular for ammunition and missiles that the enemy uses to shell the territory of Ukraine,' the military said.

The British government last year approved the use of Storm Shadow missiles by Ukrainian forces in operations on Russian territory, with the first known strikes happening in November.

Ukraine's general staff described the plant as a 'key facility' producing gunpowder, explosives and rocket fuel and said damage caused by the operation was being assessed.

Images on social media claim to show flames billowing out of the facility.

The Ukrainian air force, army and other units carried out the attack.

Putin's stark warning also comes as Ukraine pounded one of Russia's key oil refineries with drones just hours after Trump announced his crippling sanctions on Moscow's giants.

The strike set the massive Ryazan refinery ablaze overnight, sending flames above one of the country's largest industrial plants.

Pavel Malkov, the governor of Ryazan Oblast, is reported to have said on Telegram: 'Last night, 14 UAVs were destroyed by air defence systems over Ryazan Oblast.

'The falling debris caused a fire on the territory of one company... Emergency services are working at the site.'

He also said that there was a ban on posting videos and pictures from the scene of the blast.
Trade unions will be allowed into workplaces every week with bosses fined up to 150,000 if they block access in the latest stage of Labours workers rights bonanza.

Union officials are being granted statutory right of access to all but the smallest of businesses under the Employment Rights Bill originally devised by Angela Rayner, so that they can meet, support, represent, recruit or organise workers.

Details of the proposals published on Thursday reveal that the Government believes unions should be allowed into offices and factories every single week.

The government proposes that weekly access (physical, digital or both) is a reasonable requirement for employers to facilitate whilst also being frequent enough for trade unions to carry out the purposes of access agreements effectively, a consultation published by the Department for Business and Trade stated.

Weekly access will provide trade unions with regular contact with workers and allow for continued discussions on an ongoing basis. It would allow unions to develop relationships with workers and assist them in generating momentum behind a future recognition bid.

However it admitted: Some employers however may consider weekly access to be overly burdensome to facilitate.

The Government suggested that employers with fewer than 21 workers should be excluded from the new right of access because small businesses may find responding to access requests and facilitating access visits difficult.

If unions believe that firms have breached access arrangements agreed with a regulator called the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC), it can fine bosses 75,000 for a single offence or 150,000 for repeated contraventions.

Former Cabinet minister Angela Rayner, who gave an emotional Commons speech about her resignation on Wednesday, was the architect of the Employment Rights Bill

But the head of Britains union movement called for the cap to be lifted, while also welcoming separate proposals to improve protections for pregnant women at work and improve bereavement leave.

TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said: The government must urgently rethink proposals on capping fines for firms that shut out unions.

The likes of Amazon  who have thrown everything at stopping staff from having an independent voice at work  will be able to price in their union-busting. Deep-pocketed companies should have to play by the rules, just like everyone else.

Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith said: A week before Halloween, the unions plan to wreck our economy has been laid bare in all its horror.

Keir Starmer is always looking for new ways to give the union barons more power, and Labours union access consultation is no different.

Under the guise of improving workers rights, we now know Labour plan to hand control of our workplaces to the union bully boys. Incredibly, they are proposing to let the unions roam through businesses offices every week of the year.

Union representatives will inevitably use this special access to pressure workers into joining them and supporting their political causes  which, naturally, are usually aligned with Labour. Businesses will become playgrounds for activists rather than engines for growth.
A person of interest in the disappearance of TV News anchor Jodi Huisentruit has been found responsible for a second murder, fueling fears that police may be dealing with a serial killer.

Christopher Revak, who took his own life in a jail cell while awaiting trial for murder in 2009, was named as the killer of Deidre Harm by investigators in Wisconsin on Monday.

Harm was reported missing on June 11, 2006. She had gone bar-hopping with friends around Wisconsin Rapids the night before, leaving her young daughter with a babysitter, but never came home.

Friends said she was last seen with a man matching Revaks description. Her skeletal remains were found five months later by deer hunters in a wooded area, 13 miles away, near the town of Seneca.

Revak had long been suspected of Harms death, but Wood County District Attorney Jonathan Barnett wrote in a memorandum Monday that he reviewed police reports and concluded there would be enough evidence to charge Revak if he were still alive today.

I consider this case closed, though sadly, without the chance to try this case publicly, wrote Barnett.

Christopher Revak, who took his own life in a jail cell while awaiting trial for murder in 2009, was named as the killer of Deidre Harm on Monday

Harm was reported missing on June 11, 2006. She had gone bar-hopping with friends around Wisconsin Rapids the night before

Revak, who lived in southwest Missouri, had worked as an EMT before his death.

He and his wife, Johanna Revak, had been visiting family in Wisconsin with their daughter at the time of Harms disappearance.

Johanna told investigators her husband had gone out by himself one night during the trip, records show. She said he left around sunset and didnt return until around 5am.

Revak was apparently covered in mud when he returned, telling his wife hed gotten his truck stuck and had to dig himself out by hand. His truck was caked in mud, and he washed his clothes twice that morning, she said.

Johanna further shared that her husband had a bad temper and would often become aggressive when drunk.

Two of Revaks high school friends also told detectives that, when they were younger, theyd often go to the location where Harms remains were found so they could drink without being detected by law enforcement.

The day after Harm vanished, Revak reportedly asked Johanna to cut his hair short and told relatives to retake all the photos taken at a party the day before, insisting the originals be deleted.

Revak was first linked to the case by Douglas County Sheriff Chris Degase, who was investigating the abduction and murder of 36-year-old Rene Williams in Ava, Missouri.

Williams disappeared after working a shift at a bar in March 2007. Her car was found in the parking lot, but her purse was missing.

Friends of Harm said that Revak (seen right) matched a sketch of a man she was last seen with

Rene Williams disappeared after working a shift at a bar in March 2007. Her blood was found in Revak's car, but her body has never been found

Revaks DNA was found on the sidewalk near Williamss car, and her blood was found in his truck and on a pair of pants collected as evidence over a year later.

Johanna told investigators her husband admitted to killing Williams and asked her to help move Williamss body, threatening to kill her if she refused.

According to her, Revak had tried to pick up Williams to bring her home for a threesome and became angry when she refused.

Revak told his wife he put Williams in a chokehold and accidentally strangled her.

She helped Revak move Williamss body, which has still never been found.

Revak hanged himself inside his jail cell while awaiting trial for Williamss murder.

While working the Williams case, Sheriff DeGase said he was overcome by a feeling that Revak had killed before.

He began searching online for cases of women who had been abducted from bars and discovered an article about Harms murder, with a composite drawing of the last person she was seen with.

There was no doubt in my mind that it was Chris Revak, DeGase said.

One of Harms friends, who was with her the night she vanished, shared DeGases hunch, telling police in Wisconsin she was 100 percent convinced Revak was the man she was last seen with.

DeGase contacted the Wood County Sheriffs Office and Wisconsin Rapids Police Department with the information hed gathered on Revak - which, 16 years later, led to Mondays announcement.

In the years since his death, investigators have probed whether Revak could be tied to other abductions and murders across the Midwest.

To date, hes been tentatively linked to four other homicides spanning 14 years - including that of news anchor Jodi Huisentruit, who vanished in Mason City, Iowa, on June 27, 1995, after being abducted from the parking lot of her apartment complex as she left for work.

Jodi Huisentruit, 27, was a rising star at KIMT when she vanished in 1995

In December last year, Sergeant Terrance Prochaska - the lead investigator on the Huisentruit case - traveled to Wisconsin to meet with investigators overseeing the Harm case and compare notes on Revak. The meeting was filmed for the ABC documentary Her Last Broadcast, released earlier this year.

The most compelling thread tying Revak to Huisentruit is the fact that Revaks first wife was living in Mason City in 1995, when the news anchor disappeared.

Even stranger, Revaks ex lived in the same duplex as Huisentruits close friend John Vansice - the last known person to see her alive and a key person of interest.

According to Prochaska, Revaks ex-wife moved out of Vansices building three months before Huisentruit disappeared. She told police Revak, then 23, never visited her during that time.

However, investigators believe Revak may have traveled to Mason City looking for his ex and began surveilling the address, unaware she had already moved out.

The night before Huisentruit disappeared, Vansice claimed she came to his apartment to watch a recording of a surprise party hed thrown her weeks earlier.

If Revak was looking for [his ex-wife] or found her and was stalking her to see if she was living here, the chances of him running into Jodi are very high... it gives me chills, Prochaska said in the documentary.

Huisentruit is pictured with friends at her birthday party. Standing above her is John Vansice, the last person known to have seen her alive

Revak's ex-wife lived at the same duplex (above) as Vansice

Like Williams, Huisentruit's remains have never been found.

In the documentary, investigators say Revaks pattern was to target women hed just met - often approaching them late at night in parking lots of Midwest towns where he had connections - his MO closely matching Huisentruits disappearance.

Douglas County Sheriff Chris DeGase said the coincidence of Revaks ex living next to Vansice was too great to overlook.

Ive done this for 32 years. I dont believe in coincidence, Degase told KY3 on Tuesday.

Were dealing with whats possibly a serial killer, he added of Revak. You have a guy who lives in Ava, Missouri, commits a murder, kills Deidre Harm in Wisconsin Rapids, and now, right next door to where his girlfriend lived, we have another woman who was murdered.

Investigators are working to place Revak in Mason City on or around June 27, 1995.

Records place Revak in Wisconsin on June 17 and on July 9, 1995, but his whereabouts between those two dates are unknown.

The investigation into his potential ties to Huisentruit remains ongoing.

In the meantime, Degase celebrated the work of detectives in Wisconsin for bringing justice and hopefully some closure to Harms family.

In a statement, Harms parents, Scott and Vegas Harm, said: First and foremost, words will never heal our hearts that have been forever broken, nor will they lessen the grief or the emptiness we feel every single day without her.

To the person or people responsible for the death of our beloved Deidre Christine Harm, I want these words to be heard and felt.

You did not just take a life; you shattered countless others. Deidre was a daughter, a friend, and a light in this world whose absence is felt by everyone who knew and loved her.
A 12-year-old boy died from inhaling Lynx deodorant after being influenced by a lethal social media craze known as chroming, an inquest heard today.

Just 45 minutes after returning from a family holiday, Oliver Gormans mother found him unresponsive in his bed with empty aerosol cans scattered around.

He was rushed to hospital but tragically could not be resuscitated.

The sweet Year 7 pupil had been badly affected by children making fun of his curly hair, his mother said, but his school found no evidence of bullying.

Concluding that Oliver hadnt intended to take his own life, a coroner today called for age restrictions on the sale of aerosol deodorants, as well as clearer warnings about the harm abuse can cause.

Andrew Bridgman, assistant coroner for Greater Manchester South, also backed Oliver's familys campaign for under-18s to be barred from TikTok, the site blamed for spreading the craze.

However police were unable to access his mobile phone so it is not known precisely how he came to be exposed to chroming.

Afterwards Oliver's mother - who desperately attempted to resuscitate Oliver as she waited for an ambulance - urged parents to stop their children from using TikTok, telling the Daily Mail: 'I don't want any mother or father to have to do what I did for my boy that day.'

Oliver Gorman, 12, died after inhaling a canister of Lynx deodorant in the bedroom of his family home in Hyde, Greater Manchester on May 5

Oliver Gorman (pictured when he was younger) was a 'sweet' boy who felt 'down' when other children made fun of his curly hair, his mother Clare Gillespie told an inquest today

The chroming trend - also referred to as 'huffing' - involves inhaling toxic fumes from products such as deodorant cans, hairspray and nail polish remover in order to achieve a 'high'.

Oliver had just come home to Hyde, Greater Manchester from a bank holiday trip to Wales with his family on May 5 and went up to his bedroom saying he felt tired.

When he didnt respond to his mother Clare Gillespie calling to him, she went in to find he was underneath his duvet.

When she moved away the quilt a can of empty Lynx deodorant fell from underneath it and she realised her son was not breathing and was unresponsive, the coroner said.

Oliver was rushed to Tameside General Hospital by air ambulance but never regained consciousness.

A post mortem recorded his cause of death as butane inhalation.

Multiple cans of Lynx and Aldi deodorants were found around his bedroom, some of them empty.

Oliver had confided in his older brother about being bullied, Stockport coroners court heard.

Oliver Gorman was rushed to hospital after his mother called an ambulance, but tragically medics were unable to resuscitate him

A coroner today said he was satisfied that chroming originated as a TikTok challenge but that it wasnt clear how Oliver Gorman (pictured) had become aware of it

The previous Friday his mother had gone into his school, Denton Community Academy, to say he wouldnt be returning to lessons after the bank holiday.

Donald Cumming, Olivers principal, told the hearing there was little that teachers could do as the family did not know who had been targeting him.

He said pupils spoken to after the tragedy were aware of name-calling focused around computer gaming but that none suggested anything untoward.

Mr Cumming said Year 7 pupils like Oliver were warned about drugs and online harm.

But at the time children were not specifically told about chroming as it was not something the school was aware of.

There are lots and lots of trends on TikTok, he said.

Its a constant battle to make them aware and keep them safe.

Ms Gillespie, a former hairdresser, told the hearing that Oliver - the youngest of three brothers - was a 'sweet boy' who loved animals and had a good circle of friends.

But she said other children sometimes made fun of his blond curls, mockingly asking him: Does your mum perm your hair?

'He wouldn't want to go to school,' she added, saying he found the transition to secondary school 'hard'.

Cans of Lynx deodorant are marked 'Solvent abuse can kill instantly' but coroner Andrew Bridgman said warnings needed to be made more prominent

Oliver Gorman (pictured right as a young child in his mother Clare Gillespie's arms) along with (left to right) brother William, now 16, father Daniel Gorman and elder brother Luke, now 26

He was a 'typical moody teenager' who 'did like to be alone a lot', she added.

Oliver's mother said she was unaware of the risks of abusing aerosols, adding that it was a 'standing joke' that every Christmas her sons were given so many cans of Lynx.

Neither police nor Oliver's family have been able to unlock his mobile phone to find out whether he was exposed to chroming via TikTok.

Speaking about his intentions when he died, Ms Gillespie told the hearing: 'I cant honestly say if Oliver did that to escape, Ive no idea.

'I dont think Oliver had depression.

'I just think he felt low in terms of social media.

'I dont think he took that decision to end his own life.

'I think it was something that went terribly wrong.

Oliver Gorman was a 'sweet' boy who loved animals but found the transition to secondary school 'hard', his mother said

'I cant solely blame a bully, I cant solely blame TikTok.'

But she warned that children could start off using the site to look at innocent music videos on TikTok then it can take you down a dark road.

The family have launched a campaign called Olivers Awareness to spread a message to young people suffering bullying that its ok to talk.

They also want under 18s to be barred from TikTok.

Giving a misadventure conclusion, Mr Bridgman said: 'One thing is clear  Oliver was not depressed, although he may have been feeling a bit low.

Mr Bridgman said he was satisfied that chroming originated as a TikTok challenge but that it wasnt clear how Oliver had become aware of it.

Its clear when you look at TikTok challenges, its really quite frightening whats put out there on social media which affects the young minds of people like Oliver,' he added.

Mr Bridgman said he would be asking the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to look into whether under-18s could be restricted from using the app.

TikTok is a Chinese company that disseminates these challenges quite happily without any regard to the wellbeing of those who subscribe to it,' he added.

The cans Oliver was using are marked: 'Solvent abuse can kill instantly.'

But the coroner said current warnings are inadequate and plans to write a prevention of future deaths report calling for them to be made more prominent.

Its a small label lost in all the other information on the can,' he added.

The coroner said he would also be writing to the Department for Business and Trade urging the Government to ban under-16s from buying aerosol deodorant, bringing restrictions in line with spray paint.

I dont see any reason why you can buy potentially lethal aerosol spray at a younger age than 16, he said.

Afterwards Ms Gillespie - who desperately attempted to resuscitate Oliver as she waited for an ambulance - said: 'I don't want any mother or father to have to do what I did for my boy that day.

'I'll never get that image out of my head.

'I never thought this could happen to my child.

'We're buying our children mobile phones for safety, to know where they are and what they're doing.

'But really, that safety is a big gamble because you don't know what they're doing on them.

'You don't know what they're doing on them because of being able to see graphic things, deadly things.'

Chroming has been used as a slang term to describe the trend of inhaling toxic fumes, first recorded in 2006.

But more recently it has found popularity with younger generations on social media platforms, where youngsters post videos of themselves inhaling toxic fumes.

TikTok has previously come under fire for other potentially deadly crazes including one called the 'blackout challenge'.

Parents of four British teens are suing TikTok as they believe their children died from trying out challenges that went viral on the social media platform in 2022.

The lawsuit claims Isaac Kenevan, 13, Archie Battersbee, 12, Julian 'Jools' Sweeney, 14, and Maia Walsh, 13, died from doing the 'blackout challenge'.

In March an inquest heard a teenager searched for 'ways to make yourself pass out' on Tiktok before he was found dead at his family home.

Described by his mum as 'my angel', 16-year-old Maxwell Mills - known as Max - passed away in Christchurch, Dorset in February.

In a statement to Bournemouth Coroners' Court, Isobel Hawkins said her 'respectful, caring, son' had 'never shown any indication of wanting to take his own life'.

She said he was predicted to do well in his GCSEs and was already working part-time at a garage where he was planning to become an apprentice mechanic after leaving school.

TikTok has said it does not allow content showing or promoting dangerous activity or challenges and that searches relating to the 'blackout challenge' have been blocked since 2020. .

It has said it independently finds 99 per cent of content that ends up getting removed for breaking these rules - instead of relying on it being reported to the app.

The app has also said it directs those who search for dangerous hashtags or videos to its Safety Centre.
Nuclear energy can help keep the lights on and should be supported by SNP ministers, according to an economic think tank.

The pro-growth campaign group Britain Remade highlighted the benefits of nuclear power stations and warned Scotland risks being left behind the rest of the UK in the industrys jobs boom.

It follows the Labour Governments confirmation that it will assess the feasibility of sites including Torness in East Lothian and Hunterston B in Ayrshire, and then take forward plans if the party ousts the SNP in next years Holyrood elections.

But the SNP doubled down on its opposition of the proposals yesterday and accused Labour of a nuclear obsession.

Sam Richards, chief executive of Britain Remade, said: If Scotland is serious about cutting bills, creating the high-skilled jobs, and reducing emissions then new nuclear power needs to be part of Scotlands energy future as it is in England.

Nuclear isnt a competitor to renewables, its the perfect partner. Scotlands world-class wind industry can be backed up by reliable, zero-carbon nuclear power, ensuring the lights stay on when the wind isnt blowing. Thats how we deliver true energy security.

Scots get this, thats why the majority think nuclear power should be part of Scotlands clean energy mix. Even the SNPs own voters at the last Holyrood election backed nuclear.

The reality is simple: without new nuclear, Scotland risks being left behind while the rest of the UK reaps the benefits.

Labour has confirmed it will assess the feasibility of sites including Torness in East Lothian

Earlier this week, Net Zero and Energy Security Secretary Ed Miliband said he has ordered an assessment of Scotlands capability for new nuclear power stations, including at Torness and Hunterston B.

He also said that if Labour entered power in Scotland next year it would invite the worlds nuclear industry to Scotland to begin talks about investment at specific locations.

Although nuclear energy is reserved to Westminster, the SNP has control of planning laws and has ruled out allowing nuclear energy developments north of the border.

Tom Greatrex, chief executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, said: Scotland should absolutely be building new nuclear capacity, starting at Torness and Hunterston.

It would bring thousands of skilled jobs and billions of pounds of investment, as well as clean, reliable power for generations to come.

It would be a huge missed opportunity if Scotland chose not to be part of that future.

The SNP highlighted that the discovery of nuclear waste dating back decades at the decommissioned Dounreay site in the Highlands.

SNP MSP Bill Kidd said: This discovery at Dounreay is a stark reminder of the inevitable risks that come with nuclear energy - and the folly of Labours nuclear obsession.

Decades later, Scotland is still cleaning up highly radioactive, significant nuclear waste, while Westminster agitates to push new nuclear power plants on Scotland.

With costs at Sizewell C spiralling out of control and Scotlands renewable energy output stronger than ever, it simply makes no sense to double down on outdated and dangerous technology like nuclear energy.

New nuclear would put bills up, take years to build and would leave us dealing with dangerous nuclear waste for decades to come. Scotland doesnt want or need new nuclear  and the SNP will stand against any Labour attempts to impose it on us.

Scottish Greens MSP Maggie Chapman accused Labour of selling out Scotlands communities to nuclear giants and claimed it is a dangerous, costly and wasteful distraction from doing the real work that is needed to build a renewables-powered future.
A NEW approach to North Sea licensing and reforms of the windfall tax on oil and gas profits are needed to tackle mass job losses in the industry, according to a Labour-led Westminster committee.

The Scottish Affairs Committee has demanded urgent action after warning that clean energy job creation is being outstripped by oil and gas job losses.

It highlighted that 5,000 jobs a year are currently being lost in the North Sea industry.

MPs on the cross-party committee argued that there are compelling arguments for more domestic production to reduce the reliance on imports, and also called for a more pragmatic approach from the UK Government to licensing and new drilling.

Ahead of next months Budget, the committee also warned that the decline of the oil and gas industry and resultant job losses will be accelerated unless there is reform of the controversial energy profits levy (EPL).

It led to calls for the Labour government to tackle the demolition of jobs in the vital industry and to stop relying on imports from potentially hostile regimes, which was described as an act of national self-harm.

Labour MP Patricia Ferguson, convener of the Scottish Affairs Committee, said: Todays report outlines our concerns that jobs from the clean energy industry are simply not being created fast enough, or on the scale needed, to match the mounting job losses from the oil and gas sector.

Its vital the government moves quickly to plug this employment gap, replace jobs being lost and ensure a smooth energy transition for workers and communities.

Around 5,000 jobs a year are currently being lost in the North Sea industry

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband is a passionate proponent of controversial net zero policies

Until this is tackled, the government should avoid making decisions that would further accelerate oil and gas productions decline.

The cross-party committee said t the oil and gas industry is now at a critical junction after UK jobs declined by 75,000 from 190,700 in 2016 to 115,000 in 2024, including 66,000 currently employed in Scotland.

It also highlighted that between 2023 and 2024 the number of jobs declined by 5,000, or 4.2 per cent, while the industry added 25 billion to the UK economy in 2023, including 14 billion from Scotland.

The report, published today (FRI), said: The Government should set out how it intends to address the issue of the North Sea oil and gas industrys decline outstripping the scale-up of clean energy.

We urge the Government to take a pragmatic approach to its licensing policy as an outcome of its consultation, Building the North Seas Energy Future.

During evidence to the committee, Energy Minister Michael Shanks said there are a series of options for considering extraction at fields adjacent to existing licences.

The committee urged the UK Government to clarify how developers may be permitted to undertake additional drilling activity under existing exploration licences.

The report highlighted that industry leaders believe the EPL  which was increased to 38 per cent and extended to 2030 by the Labour government  is no longer proportionate and contributes to a discouraging and uncompetitive investment environment, ultimately putting jobs, investment and future production at risk.

It said: We are concerned that without reform the levy will accelerate the decline of the North Sea oil and gas industry and its associated supply chain, resulting in job losses.

The UK will require oil and gas in its energy mix for decades to come and the fiscal regime should reflect that.

Tory Shadow Scottish Secretary Andrew Bowie said: This cross-party report lays bare the devastating impact of Labour and the SNPs ideological war on our oil and gas sector.

Their irrational desire to kill off this crucial industry is tantamount to an act of national self-harm.

He accused Sir Keir Starmer and John Swinney of choosing to leave the UK reliant on costly imports from potentially hostile foreign regimes and said industry estimates of 400 job losses a fortnight until 2030 are not a transition, its a demolition.

Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband is understood to be adamant that Labour will not U-turn on its manifesto commitment to not issue new licences because of concerns it would accelerate the climate crisis.

The SNP Government is due to publish an energy strategy in the coming months, which is expected to drop the previous position in the draft strategy of a presumption against new fields.

Graham Leadbitter, the SNP energy spokesman at Westminster, said: The Labour Government is destroying jobs in Scotlands offshore industry with its fiscal and licensing regime and this report is yet another in the mounting pile of evidence that Ed Miliband must change course.

A spokesman for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero said: Our landmark clean energy jobs plan will deliver the next generation of skilled jobs across the country, where Scotland could see over 40,000 new jobs by 2030.
Everything was going so well for Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar. After the unexpected resignation of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the departure, a year later, of her successor, Humza Yousaf, the SNP was in turmoil.

The party no longer seemed to know what it was in government for, following the quashing of its hopes for a second independence referendum and the vetoing of its controversial gender reforms.

The stage was set for Scottish Labours dramatic return to power.

By the start of last year, Bute House seemed almost within touching distance for the Scottish Labour leader.

And then Keir Starmer became Prime Minister, and Mr Sarwar watched as his dream of power slowly faded.

Unlike the SNP, Labour in Scotland thrives or dies on the reputation of UK Labour. And since July last year, when the country voted reluctantly for a Labour government, its popularity has suffered as a consequence of the Westminster governments various mistakes, pratfalls and unforced errors.

Mr Sarwar must be given credit for reining in his temper and for not publicly blaming the resident of No 10 for Scottish Labours disastrous poll ratings, which show his party has little chance of replacing the SNP in government.

But he must know it to be true. There was little enthusiasm for Labour at last years general election; the party won just a third of the vote on a historically low turnout, a fact camouflaged by a near 170-seat majority in the Commons.

Kair Starmer will be to blame if Scotland suffers five more years of the SNP, Tom Harris writes

The stage was set for Anas Sarwar to lead Scottish Labour into Bute House before Starmer became PM

Since then, scandal after scandal, misjudgment after misjudgment, reverse after reverse has reduced Labour support to a fraction of what it used to enjoy.

The reasons are not hard to discern. There was public outrage when it emerged that numerous ministers, including the Prime Minister, had accepted thousands of pounds in clothes and hospitality from a wealthy Labour donor who was also a Lord with a pass to Downing Street.

Then came the policy disasters: the scrapping of the Winter Fuel Payments for richer pensioners (then a partial U-turn on the policy).

The refusal to scrap the two-child limit for claiming benefits, and the abandonment of welfare reforms, having marched his troops  and his Work and Pensions Secretary  to the top of the hill and back down again with nothing to show for it.

Labour at Westminster, within a few short months, looked as aimless and bewildered as the SNP had looked following Ms Sturgeons departure. And the voters took note.

Suddenly Bute House looked as unattainable to Mr Sarwar as the Scottish Premiership looked to Rangers. Even the slow, steady rise of Reform UK in Scotland looked to threaten his election hopes, with it displacing Labour as the main opposition in one poll.

After 18 years in office, the SNP under John Swinney  unbelievably  looks set to win yet another term. And the First Minister, like his Scottish Labour counterpart, has Keir Starmer to thank.

Yet Mr Sarwar is still capable of pulling off a surprise next May, just as he did in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election in June, held following the death of incumbent Nationalist MSP Christina McKelvie.

Despite years of SNP failure, John Swinney could be set to lead his party to a fifth consecutive election victory at Holyrood

Scottish Labour had been all but written off in the contest that followed, but it came through the middle to win, leaving the SNP and Reform vying for second place. It represented a high point for Mr Sarwars leadership and proved that he could still be in with a chance of snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.

But he needs to pick his battles. The SNP has pivoted to the issue of independence in the run-up to Mays Holyrood elections, an issue it is comfortable discussing  unlike more important but more difficult issues such as NHS waiting lists or slipping school standards.

Mr Sarwar and his campaign team are determined not to play the First Minister on the SNPs home turf of constitutional change and will seek instead to hold his party to account for its actual record in government in the past 18 years.

There are certainly votes to be won in the areas of health, schools and housing  all of which are in a state of crisis to one degree or another.

The question is how and whether Scottish Labour can benefit from voter anger over the reduction in the quality of local services, or whether the electorate will cast a curse on all their houses, condemning the parties as all the same.

That is Mr Sarwars real concern, that voter belligerence and disillusionment  particularly over immigration  will help boost Reform rather than Scottish Labour. One newly elected Scottish Labour MP warned darkly about the public mood, particularly in traditional working class housing estates: You can feel the tension there, theres a real anger.

And yes, I think that means a lot of support for Reform.

That anger can only be exacerbated by the Starmer governments continuing failure to deal effectively with the daily arrival of small boats on Britains south coast.

A number of that MPs parliamentary colleagues have helped boost Mr Sarwars election prospects by publicly rebuking the SNP administration over its failures in asylum policy and the related homelessness emergency in Scotland.

Zubir Ahmed, the Health Minister and MP for Glasgow South West, said on Twitter: I deal with the most asylum casework in Scotland. The SNP homeless policy kettles asylum seekers to the poorest parts of Glasgow, looks the other way and leaves communities in the lurch.

This represents a direct challenge to SNP ministers who have sought to politicise the issue while at the same time seeking to avoid any suggestion that the influx of asylum seekers into Scotlands biggest city is in any way responsible for the growing tide of homelessness there.

But whatever campaigning efforts are made in Scotland to loosen the Nationalists grip on power, it could all come crashing down  again  next month if Rachel Reevess next Budget delivers more bad news for hard-pressed Scottish taxpayers and local service users.

The omens are not good: the UK Government is determined to get spending and borrowing under control, while at the same time ministers are conscious of their pre-election promise not to raise any taxes on working people.

Once again, Mr Sarwar is at the mercy of decisions made by his party hundreds of miles away. Another unpopular Budget could blow a hole in Scottish Labours efforts to convince Scots that they can be trusted with government in Edinburgh.

The idea that John Swinney could lead his party to its fifth consecutive election victory at Holyrood is itself a peculiar one: Mr Swinney is a retread leader, having led his party for a short period at the start of the century and having resigned after some calamitous election results.

But politics is about available options. If, in May, Mr Swinney is considered by Scots to be the least worst option, then he might yet secure the victory that was once denied him. It is up to Mr Sarwar to convince voters that he, not Mr Swinney, has enough fresh ideas to reinvigorate Scotland and the devolution project.

If he can do that with Keir Starmer weighing down his campaign like a millstone, he will have proved himself to be an impressive politician  and worthy of taking his place in Bute House.
Supply teachers are costing Scotlands councils an eye-watering 77 million a year to plug gaps in the dwindling workforce.

The bill has soared by more than 13 million in just three years.

The Scottish Conservatives, who obtained the figures, said it showed the SNP has made teaching in Scotland increasingly unsustainable.

Scotlands largest teaching union, the EIS, also criticised councils for refusing to fill full-time vacancies and relying on supply teachers instead.

Freedom of information responses show the countrys 32 local authorities have spent more than a quarter of a billion pounds on supply teachers since 2021/22.

Verified spending was 63.3million that year, rising to 65.9 million the following year, 71.7 million the next and 76.7 million in 2024-25, a total of 277.4 million.

The 13.5 million increase is almost certainly an underestimate as three councils - East Lothian, East Renfrewshire and Midlothian - failed to supply all the relevant data.

Scottish Tory education spokesman Miles Briggs blamed the SNPs failure to recruit and retain permanent teachers.

Scotland's councils are growing increasingly reliant upon supply teachers

EIS General Secretary Andrea Bradley said it was 'unacceptable' that many teaching posts remained vacant

He said: These eye-watering figures expose yet another example of SNP incompetence in managing Scotlands education.

Reliance on supply teachers has ballooned under the SNP because they have failed to recruit and retain enough full-time teachers - leaving pupils facing disruption and taxpayers footing an ever-growing bill.

Despite their promise to increase teacher numbers, they have fallen, while cuts have reduced the number of newly qualified teachers being given full-time posts.

With fewer people entering the profession and more driven out, the SNP has made teaching in Scotland increasingly unsustainable.

There were 55,100 teachers in Scotland when the SNP came to power.

Since 2021, they have fallen each year from 54,285 to 54,193 to 54,033 and 53,412 in 2024.

The number of post-probation teachers finding full-time employment has also slumped, from 56.5 per cent landing a permanent post in 2016/17 to only 24.9 per cent in 2023/24.

EIS general secretary Andrea Bailey said supply teachers were a vital part of the workforce who ensured continuity of education for young people in our schools.

Scottish Tory education spokesman Miles Briggs blamed the SNPs failure to recruit and retain permanent teachers

But she went on: It should be noted, however, that many teachers working on supply are doing so because they have been unable to secure permanent employment as a result of local authority budget constrictions and cutbacks.

Thousands of qualified teachers continue to experience precarious work as a result.

It is unacceptable for councils to refuse to fill permanent vacancies with permanent staff, as this severely limits the employment prospects and earnings of many newly qualified and recently qualified teachers, and robs young people of the stability of a permanent teacher in their class.

We need greater investment in education, and in our teacher workforce, to ensure that all young people can benefit from the best possible educational experience.

A spokeswoman for council umbrella body Cosla said: A level of supply is necessary and to be expected across the teaching workforce, taking into account issues that affect every part of the workforce such as sickness absence and maternity leave.

Local Government spends around 4.3 billion on teacher pay annually and the increase in spend across the board (including in supply) can largely be attributed to pay awards.

Councils carefully consider their workforce numbers based on the needs of communities, and in this case, schools.

'A range of support is required for children and young people to be able to learn and thrive therefore we cannot view one part of the workforce in isolation.

The Scottish Government was asked for comment.
Donald Trump has pardoned Changpeng Zhao, the convicted Binance crypto exchange founder, following months of talks between the Trump family and the businessman.

The move immediately raised concerns among allies and critics of the President, who reacted with concern over how his family's foray into the blockchain has pushed him closer to the convicted crypto king.

The Abu Dhabi-based Zhao, 48, commonly referred to by his initials 'CZ', was sentenced to four months in prison for violating anti-money-laundering requirements in the Bank Secrecy Act in 2024.

He has promised to 'help make America the Capital of Crypto.'

Since his release, Binance, the world's largest crypto exchange, has worked to earn the founder a pardon, which could pave the way for the company to once again operate in the US after it was barred doing so in 2023, reported the Wall Street Journal, which first broke the news of the pardon.

'This was an overly prosecuted case by the Biden administration,' White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Thursday. 'Even the judge indicated that the Biden administration was pursuing an egregious over-sentencing of this individual, and the previous administration was very hostile.'

The pardon immediately ruffled feathers among Trump's allies and critics.

'I love President Trump; this is possibly the greatest admin of my lifetime - except for these pardons,' billionaire tech entrepreneur and Trump donor Joe Lonsdale reacted on X. 'If Im calling balls and strikes, these are hit-by-pitches!'

Former Binance CEO Changpeng 'CZ' Zhao, a crypto billionaire, was sentenced to four months in jail for anti-money-laundering violations last year. Trump, who's sons deal in the crypto space, pardoned CZ on Thursday

Trump's team said CZ had been pardoned because the Biden administration 'was very hostile' to the crypto founder

'POTUS has been terribly advised on this; it makes it look like massive fraud is happening around him in this area,' Lonsdale continued.

Journalist Isaac Saul added: 'Changpeng Zhao is comically corrupt. And he just successfully won a pardon from Trump by boosting the Trump family crypto coin.

'I mean, this is a months-long scandal in any other normal administration.'

Since Trump was elected, Binance has played a large role in supporting Trump's family crypto venture World Liberty Financial (WLF), the vehicle responsible for most of the President's new wealth generation.

WLF, which is led by Trump's sons and Zach Witkoff, son of Trump's Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, recently announced a $2 billion investment fund in the United Arab Emirates, where CZ lives, for the nation to purchase a stake in Binance using USD1, a crypto coin operated by WLF.

WLF is expected to profit off of the deal as the company makes money when its coins, like USD1, are used for transactions. Binance has also encouraged its users to trade USD1 on its platform.

The Trump-backed crypto firm has boasted about its connections to CZ, who is by all measures the most successful crypto entrepreneur in history through his creation of Binance and investments in other industry projects.

Trump has granted over 1,500 pardons and commutations since taking office in January.

CZ is now promising to 'help make America the Capital of Crypto'

On Inauguration Day, Trump pardoned more than 1,500 individuals for offenses related to the January 6 Capitol riot.

He has also given pardons this year to former Republican lawmakers George Santos, Michael Grimm and John Rowland.

Reports indicate that Fred Daibes, a New Jersey businessman convicted of bribing ex-Senator Bob Menendez, Democrat for New Jersey, with $1 million worth of gold bars, is also seeking help from Trump to avoid his seven-year prison sentence.
The Polish stalker who claims to be Madeleine McCann told the police she would 'never do anything bad' to her family, a court has heard.

Julia Wandelt, 24, from the city of Lubin, south-west Poland, made the promise when told by officers in an interview the missing girl is 'very special' to her mother Kate.

She also said, in the same post-arrest interviews, her father previously made a remark about how they got her 'from the McCanns' after 'drowning' their first child.

The Polish national also told police she did not intend to cause the family distress and 'never wanted to get attention'.

The revelations came as the transcripts, from the interviews the day her arrest in February this year, were read aloud at Leicester Crown Court on Thursday.

Jurors heard them recited by prosecutor Nadia Silver and Leicester Police Constable Tom Szyszlak, who conducted the interviews at the time.

Madeleine disappeared aged three during a family holiday to Portugal in 2007 and has never been found, in one of the world's most infamous missing persons cases.

Wandelt is currently on trial with Karen Spragg, 61, from Cardiff, charged with stalking Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, both 57.

Julia Wandelt (pictured), 24, from the city of Lubin, south-west Poland , made the promise when told by officers in an interview the missing girl is 'very special' to her mother Kate

She is currently on trial with Karen Spragg, 61, from Cardiff, charged with stalking Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, both 57 (pictured in 2017)

The pair deny stalking the family between June 2022 and February this year, causing serious alarm and distress.

The Polish national has claimed to be their missing daughter since 2022, before later striking up a relationship with Spragg, who supported her conspiracy theory.

The duo confronted the McCanns directly in December last year, at their family home in the village of Rothley, Leicestershire.

Wandelt was eventually arrested in February this year, with Spragg apprehended in a nearby car park, before they were taken to Leicester for interviewing.

Jurors heard on Thursday that when Wandelt was interviewed, PC Szyszlak told her Mrs McCann had come across a letter she left for her at her home.

The officer informed the Polish national that Madeleine's mother had found it 'deeply disturbing' and 'distressing' as it was addressed: 'Dear Mum (Kate).'

He told Wandelt that Mrs McCann had said: 'Madeline is very special to me, someone pretending to be her is hurtful.'

The alleged stalker responded: '[Mrs McCann] could always easily prove me wrong if she is sure [that Wandelt is not the missing Madeleine].'

She continued: 'Why they can't do the DNA test with me, why, why not, why not, despite all the evidence I have gathered?

'I'm only asking for a f****ing DNA test and that's all. I'm a victim here because they refuse a DNA test despite looking for their long-missing daughter.

'They only care about themselves.

'I would never do anything bad to them, nothing, never hurt them in any way.'

Officers also asked about a call between her and Detective Constable Mark Draycott from Operation Grange, the ongoing investigation into Madeleine's disappearance.

A recording of the conversation was used in a crime YouTube podcast. Wandelt said: 'It was never about the attention.'

The officer asked why she published it, to which Wandelt replied: 'To help get this DNA test.'

She also told officers she believes her Polish parents 'possibly' had another child, based on the remark her father made.

Madeleine (pictured) disappeared aged three during a family holiday to Portugal in 2007 and has never been found, in one of the world's most infamous missing persons cases

The court also heard comments Spragg (pictured arriving at court on October 7, 2025) made in her interviews with police, including the claim Mr and Mrs McCann had 'arranged the kidnapping'

'He said, "I hope you don't think we drowned our first child and brought you from the McCanns",' she explained to police.

When asked about her visit to the family's home on December 7 last year, she answered 'no comment'.

This included to questions about whether she was asked to leave the property and if she posted a recording of the interaction on social media.

Wandelt answered 'no comment' when asked about how her 'at least a million followers' across different platforms made her feel.

She added: 'How can I give any comment if you are not here to help me?'

PC Szyszlak also told Wandelt in the interview: 'You are not the first person to say they are Madeleine McCann.'

The court also heard comments Spragg made in her interviews with police, including the claim Mr and Mrs McCann had 'arranged the kidnapping'.

She told officers: 'We get arrested for turning up at their house once or twice two days in a row... and they leave their children alone and everyone's asking why weren't they punished?'

Spragg added: 'They know what they have done. They arranged the kidnapping and the abduction.'

She also said: '[Wandelt's] parents are not her Polish parents. Her Polish parents are doctors, her father is. There's a connection.'

Of her support for Wandelt, Spragg told officers: 'You say about the McCanns being distressed but what about Julia's feelings?

'She's got all the evidence. The police won't do anything. I would rather trust Julia who is providing evidence - that's my opinion.

'I'm a mother and she's like a daughter to me. I'm a mother and a grandmother so that's my motherly instincts kicking in. I don't see that as a crime either.'

And she said about visiting the McCanns: 'I thought we were just going to go there, [Kate] was going to listen as a mother looking for her child... but it didn't happen.'

The trial continues.
Fishing boats loaded with 'Chinese spyware' have been discovered near a joint UK-US military base on the Chagos Islands, it has been claimed.

Labour has faced mounting criticism for its deal to surrender the British Indian Ocean Territory to Mauritius - a close ally of Beijing - earlier this year.

As part of the deal Britain will rent back the largest of the islands, Diego Garcia, as it is home to a key British and American military base.

But there are growing fears that Beijing will lean on Mauritius and seek to undermine the strategically important base by spying on its operations.

And on Thursdsay night, a representative of Friends of the British Overseas Territories claimed that already 'Chinese spyware has been found aboard fishing vessels near Diego Garcia'.

Spokesman Robert Midgley told GB News: 'Chinese diplomats did turn up to Port Louis [the capital of Mauritius] on the day the deal was announced to congratulate the Mauritian government.'

He added: 'Chinese spyware has been found aboard fishing vessels near Diego Garcia, but of course the [Foreign Office] didn't want to say anything because they didn't want to cause a diplomatic storm.'

Sir Keir Starmer used his massive majority to pass the Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill by 149 votes in the Commons

Sir Keir has claimed the 'net cost' of the agreement to British taxpayers will be 3.4billion, but critics have said the true cost is closer to 30billion

In a Commons debate shadow Foreign Office minister Wendy Morton warned that Mauritius was having discussions 'in secret' with China and Russia

Shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel said: 'It is already obvious that the Chagos-China surrender deal puts our national security at risk and now we hear claims that Chinese spyware has been found on fishing vessels near the islands.

'If true, this news is yet more confirmation that Starmer is prepared to throw Britain's safety aside in his desperation to kowtow to China.'

The handover of the islands to Mauritius will open the door for the fishing rights around the archipelago to be offered commercially to other countries, including China.

Beijing's use of fishing boats to spy on its neighbours is not without precedent. Known as the 'maritime militia', for decades China has used genuine fishing ships as an extension of its navy.

Operating out of ports across the South China Sea, the ships operate as commercial boats to provide plausible deniability, but secretly provide the location of submarines or the activities at ports to Beijing.

Their use has expanded under President Xi Jinping and they have previously encroached on military vessels or entered the waters of rival countries such as India.

The Foreign Office said it does not comment on security matters, but it is understood that officials are not aware of the basis for the claims.

An FCDO Spokesperson said: 'The base at Diego Garcia is continuing to operate exactly as it has done in the past, and there will be no change to the UKs control of the base.

'That is why the US and our other allies have supported our agreement with Mauritius, which includes a 24 nautical mile buffer zone around Diego Garcia and a ban on foreign security forces anywhere in the archipelago.'
White van man has been forced to abandon his trusty Transit and resort to transporting equipment in his car due to rampant tool theft.

Nearly two in five British tradesfolk - 36 per cent - now ferry tools in their car boots because they believe non-work vehicles wont attract as much attention from thieves.

A further quarter are planning to ditch their Sprinter or Vivaro in favour of the family car to foil crooks as new data shows tool theft is soaring.

Incidents of the crime jumped by 13 per cent last year - with up to 100 cases reported to police per day - while autumn was a peak period for thieves as dark evenings descended earlier, said Direct Line business insurance.

Almost half of all reported tool thefts (49 per cent) were from vans.

The insurer, which surveyed more than 500 grafters, said: Tradespeople are changing their behaviour to try to reduce the risk they face.

It added: Over a third of tradespeople said they had resorted to sometimes transporting their tools in the boot of their car - rather than in their van - to make it less obvious that they are carrying valuable equipment.

A further 23 per cent say that they are thinking of doing so, while 16 per cent say they would like to but have too many tools to fit in their car.

Nearly two in five British tradesfolk - 36 per cent - now ferry tools in their car boots because they believe non-work vehicles wont attract as much attention from thieves

In February, hundrends of tradespeople carried out a slow drive demonstration outside Parliament to call for harsher penalties for tool theft

Around two in five remove tools from vans overnight and always keep their vehicles locked, even if leaving them briefly.

Three in ten keep their vans at a lock-up or secure location, the same number mark or engrave tools, while a quarter have added extra alarms, locks or drill plates to their vehicles.

Some 24 per cent use CCTV, a fifth only transport tools they need that day and more than one in ten have fitted trackers or lug their tools around site.

Direct Lines Mark Summerville said: As the dark nights are upon us, the risks faced by hardworking tradespeople increase significantly.

Earlier this year, footage captured the moment brazen thieves rummaged through a carpenter's van - parked on a driveway as he worked away inside a house.

The workman, Paul Duffy, spotted the two robbers rifling through his belongings, then ran out to confront them, managing to fend them off with a plank of wood before they sped away in a car in February.

The thugs managed to flee with a 300 drill - but he could have lost thousands had he not caught them in the act and intervened.

In another shocking video, plumber Matthew O'Shea's van was robbed in broad daylight by five masked men who threatened him with his own drill in front of his grandson and daughter.

The workman, Paul Duffy, spotted the two robbers rifling through his belongings, then ran out to confront them, managing to fend them off with a plank of wood before they sped away in a car in February

The 46-year-old, of Coalville, Leicestershire, said he was robbed of his livelihood when they stole 2,500 worth of tools and caused 1,500 worth of damage to his van.

But these clips are only a small example of the rise in van tool theft.

Tool theft went up by five per cent from 2022 to 2023, with 44,514 incidents reported to police in 2023 - equal to one every 12 minutes.

It is having a nightmare effect on their ability to earn a living, with tradespeople losing an estimated 82million worth of jobs in 2023 due to tool theft.

In February, hundreds of tradespeople carried out a slow drive demonstration outside Parliament to call for harsher penalties.

Drivers of vans covered with slogans including 'every tool stolen is a job lost' and 'hands off our van' tooted horns as they drove through Parliament Square.

Protest organiser Shoaib Awan, a gas engineer who set up Trades United after 8,500 worth of tools were stolen from him, said he struggles to sleep at night for fear of his van being broken into.

Plumber Matthew O'Shea's van was robbed in broad daylight by five masked men who threatened him with his own drill in front of his grandson and daughter.

The founder of rally organisers Trades United, Shoaib Awan, said tool theft was a 'plague that cripples businesses - the loss of work, the loss of earnings'

He bought a new van after the incident and then the side doors were broken in a second break-in.

He said: 'We want stricter laws against breaking into a tradesperson's van.

'These are our offices. We work from them. It's no longer acceptable. They need to understand the implications - mentally and financially - it has on us.

'The vans get broken into - we're out of work because we've lost our tools. We've lost our vans.'

Carpenter and father-of-three Stephen Baker considered suicide after thieves stole 12,000 worth of tools from his van in February 2023.

The SB Multitrade owner, of Hertfordshire, said: 'It was such a violation. I started to panic about not being able to do my work.

'It really destroyed my mental health. I'd grafted and grafted and it was all gone in a moment.

'For self-employed people there's no paid time off - not for holidays or accidents.

'When they take your tools you can't work. I couldn't buy more. I couldn't do the jobs I had or look for any more jobs.

'Everything I had worked for for 13 years was gone in five minutes and I felt desolate with no way forward.'

Carpenter and father-of-three Stephen Baker (pictured) considered suicide after thieves stole 12,000 worth of tools from his van in February 2023

CCTV footage shows a thief looking at the lock on Mr Baker's hire van using the light on his phone torch

Todd Glister, a plumbing and heating engineer who makes social media and radio content about his work, told MailOnline that experiencing mental health difficulties after tool theft is very common.

Mr Glister said: 'You've got someone under immense pressure at work, financially they're struggling, some people have just started out their businesses on their own.

'Then they get their van doors completely ruined so their van's basically a write-off.

'So, they have to deal with that through the insurance so they know they're going to get stung next year when they renew their insurance.

'Then all of their tools [are] completely [gone] and they're having a bad day.

'You can see how it's quite easy for some people to just say, 'I've had enough'.

'And I've had people say that they're suicidal to me in my DMs and stuff in the past.

'And it's gut-wrenching, it really is. And you just feel a bit helpless.'

Construction workers are particularly at risk. They are four times more likely to die by suicide than the national average, according to industry website On The Tools.

Of the UK's 2.1million construction workers, 73 per cent have been affected by mental illness - making the sector one of the deadliest for mental health problems in the country.

In around the last 10 years, 7,000 working in the industry have taken their lives.

Almost half (46 per cent) of tradespeople who were stolen from last year then became repeat victims within 12 months, according to figures from insurance company NFU Mutual.

A whopping seven in ten tradespeople have been stolen from in the last year.

Chief of industry website On The Tools Lee Wilcox said there is only one conclusion to be drawn from this: 'Tool theft is a crisis that affects not only tradespeople's livelihoods but also their mental health.

'It's an epidemic we can no longer ignore.'
A former Lord Speaker who was caught speeding has been suspended from the House for eight weeks - after attempting to influence a police investigation with her position.

Baroness D'Souza was fined 400 for speeding up to 27mph in a 20mph zone.

The sanction against her was approved by her peers after she attempted to persuade a ruling by using official House of London headed paper with a letter to the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley.

In her correspondence, she said, if she loses her license, she wouldn't be able to continue her duties in Parliament.

She wrote: 'I am enclosing copies of the most recent notices and ask if this is a fair response for exceeding the speed limit while we are still learning what a 20-mile speed actually feels like?'

She then questions whether the reading on the speedometer is accurate.

Lady D'Souza has now spoken out about the letter, saying it was 'inappropriate', adding 'with the benefit of hindsight, I deeply regret it'.

Despite this, the independent crossbencher appealed against the eight-week suspension from the unelected chamber, where peers can claim a flat rate attendance allowance of 371, as 'unduly severe'.

The sanction against Baroness D'Souza was approved by her peers after she attempted to persuade a ruling by using official House of London headed paper with a letter to the Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley

Lady D'Souza has now spoken out about the letter saying it was 'inappropriate' adding 'with the benefit of hindsight, I deeply regret it'

The House of Lords Conduct Committee said in its report that Lady D'Souza chose to highlight how losing her license would impede her parliamentary work, which showed the seriousness of her misjudgment.

'She took advantage of her privileged position as a member of the House to exert improper influence upon an investigation.

'No one who is not a parliamentarian would have possessed such an advantage.'

It added: 'Moreover, the striking feature of this case, which distinguishes it from all previous cases in which members have sought to influence judicial or police processes, is that Lady D'Souza, by writing to Sir Mark, sought to benefit herself.

'She could have followed due process, attending court and explaining to the magistrate how a lengthy ban would impede her parliamentary work.

'Instead, she sought to bypass this by writing, as a member of the House, directly to the commissioner of the Metropolitan Police.'

Speaking in the upper chamber, conduct committee chairman, Lord Kakkar, said: 'This was a serious breach of the code of conduct.

'Baroness D'Souza sought to use her privileged position as a member of this House to influence a live criminal process for her benefit.

Baroness D'Souza did acknowledge that Sir Mark, who oversees policing in the capital and leads on Britain's counter-terrorism efforts, had 'much other business to deal with'

'Not only was this a serious breach of the rule that members must act on their personal honour, but such behaviour risks undermining public confidence in the House.

'The conduct committee concluded that a significant suspension was warranted.'

Lady D'Souza, who served as presiding officer in the Lords from 2011-2016 also found herself at the centre of controversy around her expenses.

This included a 230 bill for a chauffeur-driven car that waited four hours while she watched an opera a mile from Parliament.
Donald Trump chose Kristi Noem to lead the Department of Homeland Security to reward her lover Corey Lewandowski, a new book claims.

The bombshell was revealed in Jonathan Karl's upcoming book 'Retribution: Donald Trump and the Campaign That Changed America,' exposing the inner fighting and petty feuds inside Trump's cabinet.

Karl dished on how Trump decided Noem should run DHS not because of her competency, but rather as a favor to his longtime unofficial adviser and first Republican campaign manager.

Lewandowski, a controversial figure who casts a daunting shadow over DHS, has been on the outskirts of Trump's inner circle ever since he was fired from running the 2016 campaign at the behest of Jared and Ivanka Kushner.

Despite the setbacks, the political operative has stuck around the Trump world via his close relationship with Noem, who has been nicknamed 'ICE Barbie' for her appearances with agents out in the field.

The Daily Mail first reported in September 2023 that Noem and Lewandowski had been having an affair since 2019. The pair, who are both married, denied the report.

Karl reports that Noem was not on the presidential transition team's list following Trump's victory in November, but to the surprise of his inner circle, Trump selected her anyway.

The book states 'When a surprised Trump adviser asked the president-elect why he had decided to nominate Noem to be secretary of Homeland Security, he had a simple answer.'

Donald Trump chose Kristi Noem to lead the Department of Homeland Security to reward her lover Corey Lewandowski, a new book claims

The bombshell was revealed in Jonathan Karl's upcoming book 'Retribution: Donald Trump and the Campaign That Changed America,' exposing the inner fighting and petty feuds inside Trump's cabinet

'I did it for Corey,' Trump allegedly said. 'It's the only thing Corey asked me for.'

'President Trump selected the best and most qualified individuals to serve in his cabinet and work on behalf of the American people,' White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson.

'The tremendous results coming from the Department of Homeland Security  a historically secure border, safer American communities, and successful deportations of criminal illegal aliens  at President Trumps direction and under Secretary Noems leadership, speak for themselves.'

Other parts of Trump's world such as Steve Bannon flamed Noem's nomination, claiming she was a national security risk.

'We still got the global war on terror. She runs the whole thing? She runs the f*cking Secret Service? It's all of it. It's the global war on terror,' Bannon said to Karl in the book.

'It's all that. What are you talking about? She's never been in law enforcement!'

Bannon, a former Trump strategist, goes on to blame Lewandowski for pressuring Trump to choose Noem.

'This motherf**ker asked for somebody who's obviously unqualified  and it's dangerous. This is dangerous. What are you doing?' he said.

Noem has been called 'ICE Barbie' for wearing camera-ready militaristic outfits during publicized immigration raids

Trump chose Noem to lead DHS as a favor to her rumored lover Corey Lewandowski

Lewandowski serves as an adviser to DHS as a special government employee; however, insiders have claimed he actually acts as Noem's unofficial chief of staff.

In 2023, DailyMail.com reported that married South Dakota governor Noem, 51  who stresses adherence to 'family values'  and Trump advisor Lewandowski, who is also married, began carrying on an affair in 2019 or earlier.

Noem has previously denied the relationship to DailyMail.com. Lewandowski has refused to comment. Both remain married to their respective partners.

A reunion was rumored between Trump and Lewandowski during the campaign last year but now it appears the former campaign manager has found a convenient role.

'Like Elon Musk and so many other patriots, Mr. Lewandowski volunteers his time as a special government employee (SGE) to help President Trump Make America Great Again,' a DHS spokesperson said in a statement.

Lewandowski directed reporters to the department.

In Alex Isenstadt's book Revenge: The Inside Story of Trump's Return to Power, the Politico journalist wrote that Noem's trysts with Lewandowski may have kept her from being Trump's running mate.

The Daily Mail reported in September that DHS Chief Security Officer Richard McComb raised concerns about providing Top-Secret clearance to Lewandowski due to his financial ties to foreign nations, such as China and Israel.

The glamorous Noem  who served four terms as her state's only member of the US House of Representatives  won the governorship in 2018 promising to uphold the wholesome family values that she said South Dakotans have 'long embraced'

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has been married to her husband, Bryon Noem since 1992. Lewandowski, meanwhile, has been married to 9/11 widow Alison, since 2005, and has four children with her

McComb authored a memo detailing over a dozen concerns with Lewandowski, including the fact he was referenced in an active criminal investigation.

McComb was later pushed out of Homeland Security after nearly a decade of service.

Lewandowski did not respond to a request for comment.

Noem  who served four terms as her state's only member of the US House of Representatives  won the governorship in 2018 promising to uphold the wholesome family values that she said South Dakotans have 'long embraced'.

Defending 'traditional marriage', which she defined as 'a special, God-given union between one man and one woman', was particularly important to her.

It was the foundation for her beliefs, policy priorities and the ideals she lives by, said Noem, who has a son and two daughters with her husband Bryon who she married in 1992.

She has long been linked with Lewandowski, who was pushing hard for Trump to add her to his ticket.

Lewandowski, who married 9/11 widow Alison Hardy in 2005 and has four children, has never commented on the relationship.

Trump and Lewandowski have had a close relationship dating back to the 2016 presidential campaign

In October 2019 Lewandowski was working as a key advisor to Noem and accompanied her on at least a week of travel that included stops at three political events, including a dinner hosted by the Summit County Republicans

He allegedly had an affair with campaign press secretary Hope Hicks, and in the run-up to the 2016 election he was arrested for manhandling Breitbart News reporter Michelle Fields at a press conference in Florida. Charges were later dropped.

After Trump's election, Lewandowski gained a reputation for being a loose cannon.

'Corey was always running his mouth off, and after a few drinks you could see the pin starting to fall out of the grenade,' a defense contractor who knew him said.

Following a party at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, singer Joy Villa filed a police report against Lewandowski for sexual assault, saying he 'smacked my ass really hard', and that it was 'almost violent in nature'. He was never charged.

Villa told the Washington Post in 2024 that she was guided by her faith to forgive Lewandowski.

By 2019, he was a key advisor to Noem and the pair went on a deep-sea fishing trip hosted by the late conservative billionaire and GOP mega-donor Foster Friess, who along with his wife, Lynn, ranked among Noem's top political and financial supporters.

In October 2019, when her state was blanketed by an early snowstorm, the governor, accompanied by Lewandowski, embarked on at least a week of travel that included stops at three political events.

In the months leading up to the 2020 election, Noem and Lewandowski became virtually inseparable companions on the Trump campaign trail.

Lewandowski jokes around with Noem during a Team Trump event

In October 2020, the two posed together at a San Diego County GOP event

By then, their relationship was an open secret at the White House and among high-level GOP lobbyists and political consultants, according to Isenstadt's book.

Lewandowski was largely out of the headlines - aside from the talk linking him to Noem  during the Biden era but he returned with a vengeance when Trump ran to take back the White House.

Trump announced a surprise move in August to bring on Lewandowski, who he fired a month before the convention in 2016, while adding several former Trump campaign veterans to his existing staff.

An official said Lewandowski would be 'advising senior leadership as we march to victory.'

Lewandowski instigated the 'Let Trump be Trump' mantra of the era and titled his book after it.

Also coming on board are Taylor Budowich, who ran the super PAC MAGA, Inc., plus Alex Pfeiffer and Alex Bruesewitz from the PAC. Tim Murtaugh, who served as Trump's communications chief in 2020, is also coming on board.

One campaign officials called it 'just an addition to the campaign' and said Trump's statement made clear it was not a shakeup of the current staff.

After the election, Lewandowski did a stint as a political commentator and remained a sounding board for Trump. He was on hand for Trump's debate in Atlanta with President Joe Biden, flying there with Trump on the candidate's plane.

Aides didn't provide further explanation of his new 'envoy' role.
Prince Andrew is convinced King Charles is trying to force him out of Royal Lodge, where he has lived rent-free for over 20 years because he wants to give it to Queen Camilla, it has been claimed.

The disgraced prince, 65, is refusing to move out of the lavish 30-room property near Windsor Castle, despite pressure from MPs and the public to relocate to a more humble home.

The King has desperately tried to persuade his problematic younger brother to downsize and move out of the Grade II-listed mansion in recent years.

He believes many of Andrew's problems  particularly those that saw him drawn to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein and other shady characters  stem from chasing a lifestyle he simply cannot afford.

But Andrew has stubbornly insisted that he has a cast-iron lease on the house and as long as he pays the rent, the King has no legal right to throw him out.

Family friends have said he believes the King has an ulterior motive, according to The Telegraph.

Andrew and his daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, have allegedly divulged to pals that the King wants Royal Lodge to be Queen Camilla's base in Windsor should she outlive him - a similar arrangement to that of Queen Elizabeth IIs mother, who moved into Royal Lodge when she became a widow.

The Kings aides have denied the family friend's claim, but Andrew is apparently fixed on the theory that Royal Lodge was being earmarked for the Queen - which first surfaced last year.

Prince Andrew is convinced King Charles is trying to force him out of Royal Lodge, where he has lived rent-free for over 20 years, because he wants to give it to Queen Camilla , it has been claimed

The King has desperately tried to persuade his problematic younger brother to downsize and move out of the Grade II-listed mansion in recent years

Prince Andrew has stubbornly insisted that he has a cast-iron lease on Royal Lodge (pictured) and as long as he pays the rent, the King has no legal right to throw him out

However, Queen Camilla may have a preference to live in Ray Mill House - which she purchased in 1995 with the divorce settlement from her first husband Andrew Parker Bowles - if she outlives the King.

The Grade II-listed family house in Wiltshire is said to be where she feels the most at home.

Earlier this year, she chose Ray Mill as the backdrop for her official 78th birthday portrait, and in March the King purchased the Old Mill estate next door to avoid it being turned into a wedding venue and ruining his wife's privacy.

On Monday, it was revealed Andrew has not paid rent on his Royal Lodge mansion where he and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson have lived for two decades.

An unredacted copy of his lease shows that while he paid 1million to lease the property in 2003 and spent 7.5million on refurbishments, he has paid only 'one peppercorn (if demanded)' of rent a year since taking on the mansion.

This is because Andrew is deemed to have paid the rent  which was in the region of 260,000 a year  up front through the work he has funded to bring the palatial property up to scratch.

It also means the Crown Estate will have to pay him around half a million pounds if he were to quit his mansion before the lease on it runs out in 2078.

The original lease agreement, submitted to the Land Registry by Andrew 20 years ago, redacted sentences which would have shown he was not paying rent - essentially hiding the fact from the public and skewing their perception of his living arrangements.

Sources have stressed to the Daily Mail that questions still remain over how the King's brother can afford the vast 30-bedroom property, which comes with multi-million running costs.

This week, the Daily Mail exclusively revealed that Andrew is not believed to have received any significant inheritance from the Queen or Queen Mother, raising fresh questions about how he can afford to stay in the property  particularly when he now receives no personal allowance from the King, or public funding.

Andrew and his daughters, Beatrice (left) and Eugenie (right), have allegedly divulged to pals that the King wants Royal Lodge to be Queen Camilla's base in Windsor should she outlive him

Queen Camilla purchased Ray Mill House (pictured) in Wiltshire in 1995 with the divorce settlement from her first husband Andrew Parker Bowles

Having been forced to give up his Duke of York title  following fresh scandals over his friendship with Epstein and his relationships with suspected Chinese spies  the Prince is facing a possible parliamentary inquiry into his living arrangements.

Sir Keir Starmer yesterday said he would back a parliamentary inquiry into the disgraced Prince's living arrangements.

It came after Sir Ed Davey said an inquiry by a select committee should be able to grill witnesses 'including the current occupant' - a reference to Andrew.

Today, chairman of the Commons public accounts committee Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown confirmed he would be writing to the Treasury and the Crown Estate Commissioners 'seeking further information on the lease arrangements for Royal Lodge'.

The answers to the questions will determine whether the committee takes the matter further.
A Brazilian social media star has gone on the run after being accused of running a drug trafficking ring.

Influencer Melissa Said, who boasts 340,000 followers on Instagram and shares content related to canabis, is accused of leading a criminal gang involved with the distribution of the drug and money laundering in the state of Bahia in northeast Brazil.

Local police raided five properties linked to the 23-year-old and her alleged organisation, CNN Brazil reports.

Cops arrested three suspected accomplices on Wednesday, but Melissa remains at large.

Officers seized electronic devices, cash and found evidence of several suspicious financial transactions during their investigation.

Authorities believe that the social media personality had suppliers in the states of Bahia and Sao Paolo and that she encouraged the smuggling and consumption of drugs.

She is also believed to have advised her followers on how to evade police while transporting drugs.

Ernandes Jr., director for the State Department for Prevention and Suppression of Drug Trafficking (DENARC), said: 'The objective of this operation is to combat drug trafficking, with the main target being a digital influencer who promotes crime.

A Brazilian social media star has gone on the run after being accused of running a drug trafficking ring

Influencer Melissa Said is accused of leading a criminal gang involved with the distribution of cannabis and money laundering

'It was discovered that in addition to promoting crime and drug use, she also sells and distributes narcotics in Bahia, with some people from Sao Paulo as one of her suppliers.'

Investigations into the influencer began in 2024, after she was reportedly caught with drugs at an airport and taken to a police station.

Melissa's last Instagram post before becoming a fugitive was a video in which she discussed the legalisation of marijuana while appearing to smoke an unknown substance.

It comes as Britain has seen several drug-smuggling cases this summer, including teenager Bella Culley who says she was tricked into smuggling drugs from Thailand to Georgia, while influencer Charlotte May Lee was arrested after she was found carrying drugs from Thailand to Sri Lanka.
For confidential support 24/7 call Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636

Police have declared the death of a woman whose body was found on a Sydney beach to be a self-harm incident.

The 24-year-old's body was found by surfers and swimmers at Mona Vale Beach, on the city's Northern Beaches, on Thursday morning.

She had reportedly suffered multiple wounds and was covered in blood. Detectives called to the scene did not rule out the possibility of self-harm.

After further investigation, police have now confirmed that.

Locals had feared the woman may have been the victim of an attack and the perpetrator still at large.

A local man, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Daily Mail that he awoke to the sounds of sirens.

He went down to the beach to discover the area taped off and teeming with police and paramedics.

Despite the area being cordoned off, the man was able to see the woman's body lying on the beach with her black handbag next to her.

An investigation was launched after a woman was found dead on a Mona Vale beach on Thursday

Detectives were seen searching through a silver car parked on the beach

The beach remained closed for hours as detectives scoured the scene

Locals say the beach where the woman was found is a popular area for swimmers during the early morning hours due to its flat conditions

The man said the injuries he observed on the woman did not appear as though they could be self-inflicted.

'It doesn't make sense to me,' he said.

The man said the area has attracted transients since a new amenities block, featuring hot water showers, was recently erected near the carpark.

He said people passing through Mona Vale often camp overnight in the car park so they can go for a swim and use the bathrooms and barbeque before continuing on their travels.

While the new facility is beneficial to visitors, locals have been concerned about the lack of lighting at the toilet block.

He said has often seen a group of middle aged men lurking around the facility at night time, which has sparked safety fears among the community.

'I'm a man in my 50s and even I have been intimidated by the men hanging out there,' he said.

'I can only imagine how daunting it must be for women camping in the area.'

Police are pictured at the scene on Thursday

Cops were seen rummaging through a silver Toyota Corolla station wagon with a red P-Plate parked in the cordoned-off zone as they examined the scene on Thursday.

A thin mattress covered in a yellow sheet, with a bundled-up sleeping bag sitting on top, could be seen in the back of the car.

The Daily Mail understands the woman who passed away was local to the area and her family have been notified.

The area where the woman was found, called Basin Beach, is a popular swimming area for early risers and older residents, as the waters are typically flat.

Police remained at the beach for almost six hours on Thursday, with officers seen carrying brown paper bags up the beach before placing them into their vehicles.

Detectives dismantled the scene at 11am, with dozens of locals seen arriving at the beach as the car park reopened.

The area where she was found is heavily monitored by security cameras, with cops seen collecting CCTV from surrounding homes.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

For confidential support 24/7, contact Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 or Lifeline: 13 11 14
A group of liberal students at the Utah university where Charlie Kirk was killed have blasted the podcaster a 'very racist, bigoted man' while protesting a planned memorial.

The Student Democrat Society at Utah Valley University have voiced opposition to a remembrance proposed by students and state officials.

One of the members echoed furious liberals nationwide and claimed Kirk's beliefs made him unsuitable for a memorial.

'A memorial for Charlie Kirk, I think, would be a memorial for hatred,' Levi Colby told KTVX.

'We want to celebrate unity. We want to celebrate students coming together in a time of tragedy. We don't want to celebrate, frankly, a very racist, bigoted man.'

He added that fellow liberals at the school wanted the memorial to celebrate how the student body came together after the shooting rather than Kirk himself.

'The worry with this memorial that they're planning on putting up, or creating a planning committee, at least, to potentially put up, is that it's celebrating Charlie Kirk and not celebrating unity,' said Colby.

On Tuesday, a smattering students gathered with signs that claimed there should be a 'memorial for unity, not for hate' and one writing that the school stands for 'diversity, inclusion and unity.'

A group of liberal students at the Utah university where Charlie Kirk was assassinated protested to keep a man they call 'racist' from receiving a memorial

Kirk was fatally shot at the Utah campus on September 10

At least one student argued that the campus should be 'for learning, not for tourists' who would come to see the memorial.

Abagael Woods, who also participated, made arguments against the statue that could appeal to both sides.

'For one thing, its going to get vandalized - theres no way its not. And its going to re-traumatize a bunch of people,' she said.

The protesters echo a petition with over 15,000 signings against a memorial to Kirk, while another 21,000 signed a petition arguing in favor of building the statue.

The school has created a website asking for students to pitch in ideas regarding the memorial.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Utah Valley University for comment.

Over a month after his killing, liberal student groups continue to make a mockery of the 31-year-old.

Woke teenagers at one of Portland's most diverse high school shut down its first meeting of a Turning Point USA chapter - prompting conservative community members to descend on the school.

'We want to celebrate unity. We want to celebrate students coming together in a time of tragedy. We don't want to celebrate, frankly, a very racist, bigoted man,' said one of the protesters

The protesters echo a petition with over 15,000 signings against a memorial to Kirk, while another 21,000 signed a petition arguing in favor of building the statue

Students at David Douglas High School had set up a chapter of Club America, the high school club under the late Kirk's TPUSA umbrella, and had gotten approval for its creation by school administrators, the Oregonian reports.

But when the club held its first meeting on October 8, dozens of students from the Black Student Union and the Latino Student Union turned up - sparking safety concerns from the chapter's founder.

The minority students said they had feared the new school club would cause division.

The Trump administration has fought back on behalf of Kirk's family and friends recently.

Last week, the White House revoked the visas of six foreigners who have been accused of mocking the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

The State Department on Tuesday revealed it has reviewed online social media posts and clips of Kirk following his death at a Utah college campus on September 10.

In light of the disturbing content they found, officials recommended six foreign nationals should lose their visas.

The revelation came after Donald Trump posthumously awarded Kirk America's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Over a month after his killing, liberal student groups continue to make a mockery of the 31-year-old

Kirk's widow Erika fought back tears as she thanked Trump for giving him the 'best birthday gift ever'.

The president, who returned from a whirlwind Middle East peace mission late last night, said: 'I raced back halfway around the globe. I was going to call Erika and ask, "Could you maybe move it to Friday?" but I didn't have the courage to call.'

'But you know why I didn't call? Because I heard today was Charlie's birthday.'

Kirk's parents were also in attendance for the ceremony despite remaining out of the public spotlight after their son's death.

At Kirk's funeral in September, Trump called him a 'great American hero' and 'martyr' for freedom.

The administration and its supporters have targeted people for their comments about Kirk, leading to firings or other discipline of journalists, teachers and others, and raising free speech concerns.
The worried parents of a pair of teenage girls have asked the public for help finding their missing daughters after they disappeared from Sydney's west.

Billie Valkay-Kruss, 15, and Taylor Swift, 14, were last seen on Domenico Close, West Hoxton, about 10pm on Thursday.

When the girls could not be contacted or located, their worried parents contacted officers from the Liverpool City Police Area Command.

Police say they are concerned for Billie and Taylors welfare due to their young age.

Billie is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 150cm tall, of thin build, with short brown hair.

She was last seen wearing a grey hooded jersey with pink writing, black tracksuit pants, and was carrying a large black duffel bag.

Taylor is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 150cm tall, of thin build, with long black hair.

She was last seen wearing a black t-shirt, black tracksuit pants, white shoes, and was carrying a black bag.

Billie Valkay-Kruss, 15 (left), and Taylor Swift, 14, (right) were last seen on Domenico Close, West Hoxton, about 10pm on Thursday

Both are known to frequent the Strathfield and Bonnells Bay areas.

Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to contact Liverpool City Police Area Command or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Ten missing children were found and recovered in Oahu, Hawaii, the state attorney general's office and the Hawaii Department of Human Services announced Thursday.

Several arrests were made as part of an operation that involved the FBI, the Secret Service, the US Marshals Services and the military.

The missing children's ages range from 13 to 18.

The child victims were identified, but their names were not immediately revealed.

'Our goal is to make every child in the state of Hawaii safe from predators who seek to harm them online or in person,' Internet Crimes Against Children commander Edward Arias said.

The recovery was part of Operation Shine the Light, which looks to recover missing children and youth reported as runaways across Oahu.

The number of arrests made was not disclosed.

Authorities said investigations were ongoing.

Ten missing children were found and recovered in Oahu, Hawaii

The state attorney general's office said several arrests had been made

Hawaii's Attorney General Anne Lopez said: 'I want to acknowledge and thank all our dedicated federal, military, state and county law enforcement and community partners whose collaboration and tireless efforts made this mission a success.'

As of Thursday night, the Hawaii Department of Human Services reported 28 missing children in the state.

David Porter, FBI special agent in Honolulu, said: 'Protecting our children is at the core of the FBI's mission.

'This operation - in close collaboration with our law enforcement and community partners - is just one example of the work we do around the clock to safeguard our keiki and their futures.'

Keiki refers to the Hawaiian word for children.

Authorities said Operation Shine the Light started in 2020 to prevent missing children from being trafficked and exploited.

After finding the children, authorities then provide them with 'essential services and care'.

Hawaiian authorities said Operation Shine the Light started in 2020

The number of arrests made was not immediately disclosed

The 2014 Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act requires state social service agencies to report any missing or abducted children to law enforcement and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) within 24 hours of learning the child is missing.

In 2024, 18 percent of missing children were 'likely victims' of sex trafficking, NCMEC said.

Justin Davis, US Marshal of the District of Hawaii, called the recovery 'the very best of what can be accomplished when state, local and federal partners come together with a shared commitment.'

He added: 'The efforts of investigators and officers over the past several days reflect an extraordinary level of dedication, compassion and teamwork and the US Marshals Service is proud to stand alongside the Attorney General's Office and our partners to locate missing children, hold predators accountable and create a safer future for all of Hawaii's families.'

Authorities said they would use 'every' resource, intelligent tool and partnership to track down criminals linked to missing children.

Amanda Leonard, a coordinator for Missing Child Center-Hawaii, told KHON2: 'The reasons why children run away are multifaceted.

'They may have a substance abuse. They may have an older boyfriend or an older girlfriend. They may have met someone online.'
Furious veterans demanded on Thursday night that Labour halts the witch hunts against them after an ex-paratrooper was cleared of Bloody Sunday shootings.

Former soldiers and ministers slammed the case against a veteran in his seventies known only as Soldier F, but warned that more  including scores of SAS troops  still face being dragged to court.

Following Thursday's verdict, angry republicans  buoyed by the Government's decision to repeal the Legacy Act, which gave certain protections to veterans  said they wanted other incidents from the Troubles investigated.

Soldier F, who had been charged with two murders and five attempted murders at a civil rights march in Londonderry on January 30, 1972, was acquitted on all counts after a judge slammed the prosecution's evidence.

At Belfast Crown Court, Judge Patrick Lynch KC said the case fell 'well short' of what was needed to convict and criticised a prosecution based on statements by two 'serially untruthful' ex-comrades of Soldier F.

On Thursday night, former SAS Regimental Sergeant Major George Simm said: 'This ends the legal absurdity of this particular incident. There was never anything new or compelling to justify reopening proceedings.

'Why was Soldier F put through this process for 53 years? More of these cases are coming because Labour scrapped the last Conservative government's Legacy Act.

'Soldiers are being chased to their graves in what are nothing more than political trials. It has to stop. How on earth can serving soldiers have any confidence in their own government? Troops are watching veterans being hounded and harassed deep into old age.'

Furious veterans demanded on Thursday night that Labour halts the witch hunts against them after a paratrooper, known only as Soldier F and now in his seventies, was cleared of Bloody Sunday shootings. Pictured: British troops on Bloody Sunday

Soldier F, who had been charged with two murders and five attempted murders at a civil rights march in Londonderry on January 30, 1972, was acquitted on all counts after a judge slammed the prosecution's evidence. Pictured: Bloody Sunday victims' relatives head to court before the verdict

Prosecutors were unable to say who fired the fatal shots that killed James Wray (pictured), 22, as he ran from British troops

William McKinney (pictured), 26, was also alleged to have been shot dead by Soldier F - but prosecutors were unable to say who fired the shot that killed him

Suella Braverman, former Conservative home secretary, said: 'It is a disgrace that this came to trial. The witch hunt of our brave veterans needs to stop.'

The 2023 Legacy Act was introduced by Tory former veterans minister Johnny Mercer, requiring fresh evidence to resurrect cases from the Troubles, which lasted from the late Sixties until the Good Friday Agreement (GFA) in 1998.

Historical inquests and prosecutions relying on the retrospective application of the European Convention on Human Rights were shut down, and it created the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery.

For the first time, veterans were provided with conditional immunity, mirroring pledges included in 'comfort letters' sent to ex-terrorists as part of the GFA.

Labour's intention to repeal aspects of the Legacy Act was included in its 2024 election manifesto.

It has since announced plans to remove clauses in the Act that shut down historical cases and ended the conditional immunity scheme.

Last month, Labour unveiled what it described as six 'protections' for ex-soldiers, but none prevent elderly ex-troops being dragged through the courts.

The Soldier F case hinged on testimonies from Soldier G, now dead, and Soldier H, who was unwilling to testify.

Prosecutors were unable to say who fired the fatal shots that killed James Wray, 22, and William McKinney, 26, as they ran from British troops.

Critics said their hearsay evidence should never have reached court.

While the Soldier F case was the last slated for legal proceedings, fresh inquests into incidents involving the SAS could put more troops through the same ordeal.

Critics fear Sinn Fein ministers and supporters will push legal officials to put more troops on trial, despite a lack of evidence.

Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill said the verdict was 'the continued denial of justice for Bloody Sunday families'.

Some of the SAS's biggest operational successes against the IRA are being re-examined.

The 2023 Legacy Act was introduced by Tory former veterans minister Johnny Mercer, requiring fresh evidence to resurrect cases from the Troubles. Pictured: A British soldier scuffles with a Catholic protester during Bloody Sunday

Historical inquests and prosecutions relying on the retrospective application of the European Convention on Human Rights were shut down. Pictured: Relatives of those killed on Bloody Sunday marched to court ahead of the judge's verdict

Labour's intention to repeal aspects of the Legacy Act was included in its 2024 election manifesto. Pictured: Mickey McKinney, brother of Bloody Sunday victim William McKinney, speaking outside court

The Daily Mail has campaigned for protections to Stop The SAS Betrayal, only for Sir Keir Starmer's administration to abandon veterans.

Sir David Davis, a former SAS reservist and Tory shadow home secretary, said the lack of new evidence in the Soldier F case 'should ring alarm bells far beyond this courtroom', adding that it brings 'into sharp focus the reliability and admissibility of evidence in other cases. Many veterans in declining health face being dragged through the courts on the back of flimsy evidence'.

Judge Lynch, who heard the five-week case without a jury, said the soldiers did not act in self-defence when they fired their guns.

But he said the main issue lay with a lack of evidence that could be tested in court, adding: 'A 53-year-old statement can't be cross-examined. I can't assess the demeanour of a sheet of A4 paper.'

He said the Parachute Regiment had been tarred by those 'shooting in the back unarmed civilians running away', adding that 'those responsible should hang their heads in shame'.

No 10 said the verdict was 'an example of the complex legacy of the Troubles, which affected so many families across the UK'.

But Tory defence spokesman James Cartlidge said that by repealing the Legacy Act, Labour risked 'exposing many elderly veterans to legal investigation'.

Northern Ireland's Veterans Commissioner David Johnstone said the Bloody Sunday families 'continue to experience pain', adding 'we should not forget that'.

Paul Young, of the Northern Ireland Veterans Movement, said soldiers who served in Northern Ireland with 'honour and courage' had been 'hounded'.
A man has arrested after he allegedly stabbed a stranger while travelling on a bus in Sydney's inner west.

Emergency services were called to Addison Road, in Marrickville, just before 1am on Thursday following reports of a stabbing.

Police were told a 51-year-old male passenger had been stabbed by another man unknown to him.

The offender left the bus and fled the scene before police arrived.

The passenger suffered stab wounds to his arm and hand, and lacerations to his face.

Paramedics treated the man at the scene before he was taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Police launched a strike force before tracking down and arresting the man in the same suburb about 12 hours later.

Video from the scene shows officers surrounding the alleged attacker, disarming him, and taking him to a waiting police van.

At one stage, a knife could be seen being confiscated.

NSW Police Superintendent Despa Fitzgerald said the suspect, who was already known to officers, was taken into custody after being recognised by police on patrol.

A man has arrested after he allegedly stabbed a stranger while travelling on a bus in Sydney 's inner west.

The 51-year-old man was stabbed while on a bus in Marrickville, in Sydney's inner west

'The male was walking on a public street on Illawarra Road, where a police officer recognised him and confronted him, and he was arrested,' she said.

'It was good old-fashioned policing in terms of knowing where people might be residing, visiting, and just the local area.

'It was random, it would have been terrifying on that bus, being a witness or the victim, and it's important that the community feels safe.'
An Australian family-owned food business has collapsed into administration with $3.8million in debts, leaving dozens of employees in the lurch.

Spring Gully Foods, a fourth-generation food manufacturer based in South Australia, is known for its range of pickled onions, gherkins, relishes, chutneys and jams.

The company's recent collapse marks the second time it has entered administration, this time with around 1,000 creditors.

It's 34 employees now face an uncertain future.

The owners of Spring Gully Foods, which boasts an 80-year legacy, told 9News it was an 'extremely difficult time' and 'the end of an era for their family'.

The company was previously saved from voluntary administration in 2013 with the support of the public.

'Last time this happened, nearly the whole state bought all of the Spring Gully products they could find and helped them along that way. Let's do it again,' one online commenter said.

'I wonder if it can be saved a second time! Always buy their products,' a second said.

An iconic family-owned business has collapsed into administration owing $3.8million in debts and leaving dozens of employees in the lurch (pictured, pickled foods in Woolworths)

The owners of Spring Gully Foods told 9News it was an 'extremely difficult time' and 'the end of era for their family' (pictured, Spring Gully Foods products)

'Maybe it's time South Aussies come to the rescue again and buy some product. I do love their pickles, gherkins and Worcestershire sauce but don't buy them often. I'd be sad if they're not available,' a third wrote.

'Love Spring Gully goodies, after that promo a few years ago, I noticed our supermarkets restocked them, but on the lower and higher shelves where it was hard to find them,' a fourth commented.

Administrator James McPherson said the company had struggled to keep up with its international competitors in recent years.

'Recently they've lost some large contracts, which they have not been able to recover, and that's resulted in some operating losses,' he told 9News.

'You're competing against international players who can provide the same product, a similar product at a lower cost.

'I don't anticipate that all creditors will be paid in full.'

However, it may not mark the end for Spring Gully Foods.

While the company's assets may be sold to pay back the $3.8million, the brand and intellectual property may be acquired by another company.
Keir Starmer will today urge Emmanuel Macron to press ahead with plans to intercept migrants in French waters, amid reports they have been shelved.

The idea of tackling 'taxi boats' before they reach open water was hailed as a 'game changer' when it was unveiled by the two leaders at a summit in July.

And Downing Street insisted the plans remain on track, despite claims yesterday they had been shelved because of the political turmoil in Paris and opposition from French police unions.

The BBC reported French sources as saying an episode in July in which police slashed a migrant boat in the water was a one-off 'political stunt'.

The Government's border security commander Martin Hewitt told MPs this week that it was 'frustrating' that the new arrangements had not yet been put in place by the French.

Sources suggested the Prime Minister will seek reassurances from the French president when Mr Macron travels to London today for a summit on Ukraine.

France has been rocked by political turmoil for months, with the prime minister and interior minister who agreed the new tactics both replaced since the summer.

French police unions have also raised concerns that tackling small boats in the water could put officers' lives at risk.

The idea of tackling 'taxi boats' before they reach open water was hailed as a 'game changer' when it was unveiled by the two leaders (pictured in March) at a summit in July

And Downing Street insisted the plans remain on track, despite claims yesterday they had been shelved because of the political turmoil in Paris and opposition from French police unions. Pictured: People thought to be migrants wade through the sea following an unsuccessful attempt to board a small boat in Gravelines, France, on October 9, 2025

It came as Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said the detention of an Iranian man who returned to the UK on a dinghy after being deported last month under the Government's one-in, one-out deal with France was a sign of 'progress'.

And children's minister Josh MacAlister told Times Radio: 'The message is really clear from the Government  if you come here illegally and you cross, as we scale up this French returns agreement, you will be deported.

'You will go back to France. The money you've spent will be wasted.

'And if you do it again and again, you will be returned again and again.'

But critics have said the episode makes a mockery of Labour claims that the scheme is acting as a deterrent.
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The Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Sussex may have distinct personal styles, yet over the years, they have often found common ground in fashion.

Both women have become global icons in their own right - Kate for her polished elegance and Meghan for her modern sophistication.

Despite their differing sartorial reputations, there have been numerous occasions where their wardrobes have overlapped.

The latest example came just last week, when both royals stepped out in chic camel trouser suits for engagements on opposite sides of the Atlantic - Kate in London, and Meghan in Los Angeles.

At Windsor Castle, the Princess of Wales welcomed Jordan's Crown Prince Hussein and Princess Rajwa, rewearing her Roland Mouret trouser suit.

She paired the impeccably tailored ensemble with a Burberry pussybow blouse and Ralph Lauren court shoes - a look that perfectly encapsulates her ongoing power suit era.

Meanwhile, across the pond, Meghan attended the star-studded A Seat at the Table dinner in a camel two-piece by Giuliva Heritage.

Her take on the trend was more relaxed, featuring an oversized, double-breasted blazer and wide-leg trousers. She completed the look with Balenciaga Knife jersey pumps and a sculptural Aurate gold collar necklace.

While Kate's bespoke suit isn't available to buy, her Ralph Lauren heels and Cassandra Goad earrings are still up for grabs - if you're quick.

Meghan's entire look, however, remains available, offering an accessible route to her refined aesthetic.

And for those eager to emulate either royal's style, the virtual high street is brimming with camel tailoring that channels the same timeless appeal.

Shop Kate and Meghan's exact outfits

Shop camel trouser suits on the high street
The exterior of Royal Lodge is showing signs of wear and tear, our new pictures reveal after it emerged that Prince Andrew's tenancy is contingent on him maintaining the 30-room mansion.

The disgraced royal is facing pressure to give up the home where he has lived with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson since buying a 75-year lease on it in August 2003.

It comes as Andrew is set to be called to speak about his links to Jeffrey Epstein in front of a US committee which is 'extremely interested' in hearing from him.

The Royal Lodge lease makes the prince responsible for maintenance of the lavish property within Windsor Great Park and its annual running costs of around 250,000.

But pictures taken outside yesterday morning show crumbling paintwork, cracks and black mould appearing on the exterior walls of the gatehouse and main property.

Under the lease, the Prince had to pay 1million upfront and then spend 7.5millon on urgent renovations  although it is thought the eventual bill was nearly 10million.

By doing this, Andrew avoided a 'nominal' annual rent on the property of 260,000  and his family will have the mansion until 2078 unless he breaks the lease terms.

An 8.5million initial outlay would be equivalent to 113,000 per year, if Andrew or his family remained there for 75 years, less than half the supposed current market rate.

The lease says Andrew must rectify any upkeep issues, and can be kicked out if he failed to carry out that maintenance after being given an opportunity to do so.

The Royal Lodge lease makes the prince responsible for maintenance of the lavish property within Windsor Great Park and its annual running costs of around 250,000 (pictured yesterday)

Cracks and mould are visible on the outside walls of Royal Lodge in Windsor in photos snapped yesterday

Crumbling paintwork is also seen on the exterior walls of the gatehouse at Royal Lodge

The Royal Lodge gatehouse is pictured yesterday in what appears to be a state of disrepair

He must repaint the exterior once every five years with at least two coats in exactly the same colour - and paint the inside every seven years, reported the Telegraph.

The Prince could also be made to leave for using the property for 'any illegal or immoral purpose', although there is currently no suggestion that this has ever happened.

Andrew has been residing rent-free at the home for 22 years, paying just 'one peppercorn (if demanded) per annum', according to the extraordinary terms of his lease.

The Prince has faced calls to vacate the property in recent years since revelations of his relationship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein were first reported.

Amid the clamour to evict Andrew, he has so far stayed put - and property experts have said it would be 'impossible' to get rid of him because he has a 'cast iron lease'.

This is despite King Charles III last year severing his younger brother's annual personal allowance, which was believed to have been in the region of 1million a year.

The lease agreement also contains a clause that states the Crown Estate would have to pay Andrew around 558,000 if he gave up the lease voluntarily before 2028.

But ultimately, there is no break clause in the contract, which means the King  who has repeatedly tried to convince his brother to move out  cannot summarily throw him out.

The building must also be insured against storms, earthquakes, explosions, terrorist attacks, riots, civil commotion and labour disturbances  all of which will be hugely expensive for such a large property.

Andrew and Sarah at Westminster Cathedral last month before the Duchess of Kent's funeral

The entrance gate to Royal Lodge and the property itself can be seen in Windsor's Great Park

A photograph from 1981 of the Queen Mother's drawing room at Royal Lodge in Windsor

Separately, The Sun reported that it had seen documents suggesting Andrew has only been required to pay his water bills 'from time to time'.

This would have meant he has avoided paying thousands of pounds, according to the newspaper - when other UK households have seen their water bills soar.

Royal Lodge has a council tax band of 'H' in the Old Windsor area of Windsor and Maidenhead, meaning an annual bill of 3,685.40.

Meanwhile, it was revealed yesterday that Andrew could be hauled before Parliament to answer questions about his living arrangements after Sir Keir Starmer backed the idea.

The Prime Minister said he would back an inquiry by MPs into why the former Duke of York has lived rent-free at Royal Lodge.

Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey said that an inquiry by a select committee should be able to grill witnesses 'including the current occupant' - a reference to Andrew.

Sir Keir's comments came hours after his Government was told to investigate Andrew's finances and the nature of the 'rotten deal' regarding Royal Lodge.

Former Labour minister Baroness Hodge told the Today Programme: '[The] Treasury is supposed to do the job properly and audit a lot of this money. It's like treading on eggshells. They just don't dare do it properly.'

Baroness Hodge, a former chairman of the Public Accounts Committee which oversees government spending, also called on the National Audit Office (NAO) to scrutinise the royal finances.

At one point on Tuesday, Whitehall sources believed the spending watchdog, the National Audit Office, could launch a probe because it was in 'the public interest' to examine whether Royal Lodge was 'value for money' to taxpayers.

But one source admitted they had concluded Andrew's lease on the property was watertight, adding: 'There are no plans to look into this now. That might change at some point in future. There is a lot of political pressure.'

Baroness Hodge added: 'Somebody told me last week they can't [get involved], well, they did it for me when I was chairman, they can do it again. I think the Treasury should be involved and doing its job properly. A lot of this is taxpayers' money.'

The first and last pages of Andrew's lease for Royal Lodge, released by the Crown Estate

A document shows the compensation payable to Prince Andrew on surrender of the lease

Dame Meg Hillier, chairman of the Treasury Committee, said: 'Where money flows, particularly where taxpayers' money is involved or taxpayers' interests are involved, Parliament has a responsibility to have a light shine upon that, and we need to have answers.'

On Tuesday, senior Tory Robert Jenrick declared it was 'about time Prince Andrew took himself off to live in private' as 'the public are sick of him'.

Mr Jenrick, the Tory justice spokesman, told Radio 4: 'It's about time Prince Andrew took himself off to live in private and make his own way in life. I don't see why the taxpayer, frankly, should continue to foot the bill at all. The public are sick of him.'

It comes after a posthumous memoir by Virginia Giuffre alleged three sexual encounters with the prince  who gave up his titles last week over his relationship with Epstein, and his links to an alleged Chinese spy. Andrew has always denied the accusations.

Parliamentary committees could now look into the Crown Estate's handling of the grandiose home set in 98 pristine acres of Windsor Great Park.

Trying to get Andrew and Sarah kicked out of the property would be impossible, according to top property lawyer Mike Hansom of BLB Solicitors.

Estate agent Henry Sherwood agreed they would be unlikely to get him to leave against his will  unless lawyers were able to dig up an obscure ancient law giving senior royals the power to oust him.

Mr Sherwood suggested: 'The yearly rent could be as much as 1.2million per annum if it was on the open market.' This works out to 17million over the years.

The Public Accounts Committee said its own programme of inquiries was 'full up until the new year', but it would 'decide in due course' whether to probe the Crown Estate's accounts and annual reports.

At the weekend, it emerged that Andrew had asked his police protection officer to investigate claims his accuser Ms Giuffre had a criminal record, which has prompted Scotland Yard to launch a probe.

And in her memoir, published on Tuesday, Ms Giuffre claimed that Andrew's team tried to hire 'internet trolls to hassle' her in an attempt to avoid being served court papers. Andrew has always denied all the allegations against him.

Sir Keirs spokesman was asked if Andrew should face police questioning over his links to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. They said the Governments position was the same as in any other criminal investigation and that if someone had relevant information they should share it.
King Charles today made history by praying alongside Pope Leo in the Sistine Chapel during a historic state visit to the Vatican.

Charles will become the first British monarch to appear at a public service with the head of the Catholic Church, since the Reformation, England's break from Rome, nearly 500 years ago.

His state visit to the Holy See, the government of the Roman Catholic Church in the Vatican, also marks the first meeting with Pope Leo XIV following his papal election in May.

The King and Queen arrived in Rome last night ahead of a day packed with historic events.

Watch: King Charles historic Vatican state visit

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King Charles today became the first British monarch in 500 years to pray in public with a pope as he made a historic state visit to The Holy See.

His Majesty, accompanied by his wife, Queen Camilla, were introduced to Pope Leo XIV in the Apostolic Palace library - the traditional place for such meetings.

Then, with three short words, the Pope ended almost half a millennium of division between the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England in the Sistine Chapel. 'Let us pray,' he said, as the King stood to his left.

The King and Queen had earlier arrived at the ceremonial entrance to the palace in the San Damaso Courtyard, having been driven through iconic St Peter's Square.

The couple were greeted by the Regent of the Prefecture of the Papal Household, Reverend Monsignor Leonardo Sapienza.

Camilla wore a Fiona Clare black silk dress, Philip Treacy mantilla and a 'raspberry pip' brooch in the shape of a cross, which previously belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II.

As per tradition Pope Leo was waiting inside the palace to greet his visitors.

In footage released by Vatican Media, the King and Queen could be seen getting out of their State Bentley with Camilla saying: 'Lovely to be here.'

After walking through the Apostolic Palace they were greeted by the Pope who said: 'Good morning, welcome.'

The King replied: 'Your Holiness, it's such a pleasure to meet you if I may say so. You are so kind to see us.'

Posing for official photographs he also quipped: 'Constant hazard, the cameras.'

The Pope added: 'You get used to it.'

King Charles III and Queen Camilla with Pope Leo XIV at San Damaso Courtyard today

Pope Leo XIV meets King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the Vatican this morning

Charles and Pope Leo XIV walking together after an ecumenical service at the Sistine Chapel

Pope Leo XIV sits with King Charles III and Queen Camilla during a private audience today

King Charles III says goodbye to Pope Leo XIV in the San Damaso Courtyard today

Charles and Pope Leo XIV walking together after an ecumenical service at the Sistine Chapel

King Charles III and Queen Camilla attend an ecumenical service at the Sistine Chapel today

King Charles III and Queen Camilla drive away from Pope Leo XIV this afternoon

Queen Camilla during a visit to the Pauline Chapel in Vatican City this morning

King Charles III and Queen Camilla with Pope Leo XIV at San Damaso Courtyard today

Pope Leo XIV exchanging gifts with King Charles III and Queen Camilla during today's visit

King Charles III and Queen Camilla say goodbye to Pope Leo XIV in the San Damaso Courtyard

King Charles III and Queen Camilla with Pope Leo XIV in St Peter's Square after the service

King Charles meets with the Vatican's Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin this morning

Pope Leo XIV, Charles and Camilla attending an ecumenical service at the Sistine Chapel

King Charles III and Queen Camilla drive away from Pope Leo XIV this afternoon

Pope Leo XIV meets King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the Vatican this morning

Pope Leo XIV greets King Charles III during a private audience at the Vatican this morning

Pope Leo XIV during a meeting with King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the Vatican today

King Charles III and Queen Camilla attend an ecumenical service at the Sistine Chapel today

Pope Leo XIV exchanging gifts with King Charles III and Queen Camilla during today's visit

Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell (second left), Pope Leo XIV (third left) and King Charles III and Queen Camilla attend an ecumenical service at the Sistine Chapel today

Queen Camilla during a visit to the Pauline Chapel in Vatican City this morning

Queen Camilla during a visit to the Pauline Chapel at Vatican City this morning

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

Queen Camilla is welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard at Vatican City today

Pope Leo XIV meets with the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem today

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive at San Damaso Courtyard at Vatican City today

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

Swiss Guards march ahead of the King and Queen's arrival at San Damaso Courtyard today

Queen Camilla is welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard at Vatican City today

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

Queen Camilla during a visit to the Pauline Chapel in Vatican City this morning

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

The Band of the Gendarmerie Corps of Vatican City prepare for the King and Queen's visit

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

Queen Camilla is welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard at Vatican City today

Swiss Guards march ahead of the King and Queen's arrival at San Damaso Courtyard today

Queen Camilla is welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard at Vatican City today

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

Members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem attend the meeting today

Queen Camilla during a visit to the Pauline Chapel in Vatican City this morning

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

They then sat down to chat with the King telling his host: 'I am so thrilled.'

At the official exchange of gifts, the King indicated to his and said: 'A small token of my esteem and appreciation.'

The day's ceremonial events began with a Guard of Honour provided by the iconic Swiss Guard and the playing of both the British and Vatican City national anthems.

Their Majesties were also met by a group of 'Papal Gentlemen' and the 'Gentlemen of the Pope', Prince of Windisch-Gaetz, Mariano Hugo, before being guided inside.

The Swiss Guards are one of the oldest and most prestigious European military forces, drawn exclusively from Roman Catholic Swiss citizens who have completed military training. They fulfill ceremonial functions and form the Pope's bodyguard.

After the King and Queen were introduced to the pope, there was an exchange of gifts - with His Majesty presenting the Catholic leader with a large silver photograph, and Icon of St Edward the Confessor.

The Pope presented His Majesty with a scale version of the mosaic of 'Christ Pantocrator', in the Norman Cathedral of Cefalu, in Sicily. The mosaic was made in the Vatican.

The King also met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy See's Cardinal Secretary of State, who attended his coronation in May 2023.

The Cardinal was the first papal representative to attend the Coronation of a British monarch for almost 500 years.

Invited guests arrive at San Damaso Courtyard in Vatican City for the state visit this morning

Queen Camilla during a visit to the Pauline Chapel in Vatican City this morning

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

Swiss Guards march ahead of the King and Queen's arrival at San Damaso Courtyard today

King Charles III is welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard at Vatican City today

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

Queen Camilla during a visit to the Pauline Chapel in Vatican City this morning

A woman kisses the hand of Pope Leo XIV during a meeting at the Vatican this morning

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

A pilgrim holds a cross at Vatican City today as he awaits the arrival of the King and Queen

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

Monsignor Leonardo Sapienza waits for the arrival of King Charles and Queen Camilla today

Queen Camilla during a visit to the Pauline Chapel in Vatican City this morning

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

Queen Camilla during a visit to the Pauline Chapel in Vatican City this morning

Pope Leo XIV meets with the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem today

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

Queen Camilla is welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard at Vatican City today

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

Workers set up a red carpet at Vatican City today ahead of the arrival of the King and Queen

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

Swiss Guards march ahead of the King and Queen's arrival at San Damaso Courtyard today

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

Queen Camilla during a visit to the Pauline Chapel in Vatican City this morning

The visit comes 40 years after Queen Elizabeth II banned the King from taking part in a papal Mass when he visited Vatican City with former wife Diana, Princess of Wales in 1985.

Charles, 76, who has been a life-long advocate for better inter-Faith dialogue and relations, had been keen to join Pope John Paul II in prayer.

The then Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Runcie, wrote to the Vatican to say that the Prince and Princess of Wales would like to attend a service.

While the Pope's office initially agreed to make the arrangements, Buckingham Palace later contacted them overruling the decision, saying a Papal audience would be sufficient during their 17-day tour of Italy.

Britain and the Vatican had only established full diplomatic relations three years earlier after a rift of more than four and a half centuries following Henry VIII's decision to break with the Roman Catholic Church in the 1530s when it refused to allow him to divorce Katharine of Aragon and marry Anne Boleyn.

The 1534 Act of Supremacy saw Henry proclaim himself and his successors head of the Church of England.

However King Charles, now Supreme Governor of the Church of England, and Pope Leo XIV today took part in an ecumenical service - one that involves a number of Christian faiths - in the historic Sistine Chapel as they mark the Catholic Church's 2025 'Jubilee year', which takes place every quarter of a century.

Buckingham Palace has confirmed it was the first time since the Reformation of the 1530s that a British sovereign took part in a public act of worship with the leader of the Catholic Church - and described it as a 'significant moment in relations between the Catholic Church and the Church of England'.

They added that it recognised the ecumenical work both men had taken in their lives and reflected the Jubilee's theme of walking together as 'Pilgrims of Hope'.

Members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem attend the meeting today

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

Queen Camilla during a visit to the Pauline Chapel in Vatican City this morning

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

The Band of the Gendarmerie Corps of Vatican City prepare for the King and Queen's visit

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

The Royal Standard flying at Vatican City today ahead of the arrival of the King and Queen

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

Swiss Guards stand ahead of the King and Queen's arrival at San Damaso Courtyard today

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

Queen Camilla is welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard at Vatican City today

A man kisses the hand of Pope Leo XIV during a meeting at the Vatican this morning

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

Swiss Guards stand ahead of the King and Queen's arrival at San Damaso Courtyard today

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

Queen Camilla during a visit to the Pauline Chapel in Vatican City this morning

Pope Leo XIV meets with the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem today

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

Swiss Guards march ahead of the King and Queen's arrival at San Damaso Courtyard today

Queen Camilla is welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard at Vatican City today

Queen Camilla during a visit to the Pauline Chapel in Vatican City this morning

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

Queen Camilla during a visit to the Pauline Chapel in Vatican City this morning

Pope Leo XIV meets with the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem today

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

Swiss Guards stand ahead of the King and Queen's arrival at San Damaso Courtyard today

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

Queen Camilla is welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard at Vatican City today

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

Workers set up a red carpet at Vatican City today ahead of the arrival of the King and Queen

Swiss Guards march ahead of the King and Queen's arrival at San Damaso Courtyard today

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

Also today, the King looked visibly moved as he was made 'Royal Confrater' of the Papal Basilica and Abbey of St. Paul's Outside the Walls.

Charles and Camilla attended a service and held prayers at the Tomb of St Paul.

Cardinal James Harvey Archpriest of St Paul's Basilica spoke to the service about the 'road of reconciliation' between Church of England and Catholic Church.

And spoke of 'hope for the future' after the King and Pope met for prayer in the Sistine Chapel earlier in the day.

Charles and Camilla entered through the Holy Doors with Dom Donato Olgiari Abbott of Basilica and Cardinal James Harvey, Archpriest of St Paul's Basilica.

They first went downstairs to the Tomb of St Paul where they had a private moment of reflection and prayer.

In the apse, the King sat in a specially created seat, displaying His Majesty's Coat of Arms.

The seat, which will also be used by his heirs and successors, is a gift celebrating becoming Royal Confrater of the Abbey of St. Paul. The title is a spiritual expression of brotherhood in recognition of his interfaith work over decades and the work that has gone on between the two churches over the years.

James Harvey, Archpriest of St Paul's Basilica, spoke of an 'old bond' with the UK and gave his 'heartfelt welcome'.

Addressing the King's earlier historic meeting with Pope Leo XIV, he said: 'It is no longer unusual for British sovereign to meet with Bishop of Rome today saw a new step along the road of reconciliation .

He said 'today cannot be underestimated', adding: 'For the first time since the separation of the 16th century the pope and monarch shared an act of worship.'

King Charles III attends the ceremony of his appointment as Royal Confrater of Saint Paul

King Charles III sits in a specially created seat, displaying his Coat of Arms, given as a gift

A seat given as a gift in honour of the King becoming Royal Confrater of the Abbey

King Charles attends the ceremony of his appointment as Royal Confrater of Saint Paul

King Charles III attends the ceremony of his appointment as Royal Confrater of Saint Paul

King Charles III and Camilla visit the Papal Basilica and Abbey of St. Paul's Outside the Walls

King Charles attends the ceremony of his appointment as Royal Confrater of Saint Paul

He also spoke of celebrating 'many positive developments' towards 'Christian unity' giving 'hope for the future'.

And to 'mark the visit' he the King was made Royal Confrater - in recognition of spiritual fellowship.'

The Cardinal announced he was 'grateful' to the Pope for agreeing and 'deeply honoured' the King has accepted.

Vincent Nicholls, Archbishop of Westminster Cathedral, read a prayer saying: 'For all who bear the burdens of illness or are weighed down by pain: That the sick may find strength in the companionship of Jesus, and in his Passion know their salvation. Lord, in your mercy.'

King Charles himself has been having regular cancer treatment for the past year and half.

Before leaving he paused by a mosaic of Pope Adrian from the 12th century - the only British Pope.

The King and Queen also met Marco Picalarga, chair crafter.

And they were given an extremely warm welcome outside as they undertook a short walkabout and were greeted with cries of 'God Save the King'.

The Children of the Choir of His Majesty's Chapel Royal and the Choir of St. George's Chapel, Windsor, also performed during the service.

St Paul's Outside the Walls is in Rome and outside the Vatican City but is recognised as the Papal Basilica.

It is currently celebrating its Jubilee Year and is a place of pilgrimage.

The Kin laterg met members of the Vatican's diplomatic corp on his final state visit engagement at a reception celebrating the historic day's ecumenical services.

Charles and Camilla were welcomed together the Pontifical Beda College by Father Mark Cassidy, rector of the Pontifical Scots College and Canon Marcus Holden, rector of the Pontifical Beda College. Before the Queen went to do a solo engagement with a group of Sisters, she said their experience of the Vatican had been 'absolutely beautiful', adding: 'I couldn't believe it. We had a wonderful tour.'

The Beda college is a seminary for the formation of Commonwealth priests and the temporary home of the Pontifical Scots College, the seminary for the formation of priests in Scotland.

With a cup of tea in hand, Charles made his way around several groups including trainee priests from across the Commonwealth, representatives from religious colleges and Catholic organisations and Commonwealth ambassadors working at the Holy See.

Chatting to one group, he asked about their studies or jobs. 'Are you in a monastry now?' he asked one. Thanked for coming, he replied: 'Oh you are kind.'

After being presented with the gift of a bronze sculpture of St Bede, Charles unveiled a plaque and watered a Seville orange tree to mark the royal visit to the Vatican.

As he unveiled the plaque, the King was told: 'There have been many firsts in your visit. Your presence represents the first visit of a reigning monarchy to one of our seminaries in recent times.

'Thank you for fostering unity today, forged in prayer.'

Today marks Their Majesties' first meeting with Pope Leo since his election in May.

The couple met briefly in private with the previous incumbent, Pope Francis, when they visited in April but had to cancel several planned engagements with him due to his ill health.

While the King sits down for talks with Pope Leo, Her Majesty viewed the Pauline Chapel, which houses Michaelangelo's last two frescoes of St Peter and St Paul.

Both the King and Queen then joined the Pope for the special ecumenical service in the Sistine Chapel, focused on the theme of 'Care for Creation'.

This reflects Pope Leo's and His Majesty's commitment to the protection of Nature and concern for the environment.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

Swiss Guards stand ahead of the King and Queen's arrival at San Damaso Courtyard today

Queen Camilla is welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard at Vatican City today

The Royal Standard flying at Vatican City today ahead of the arrival of the King and Queen

Queen Camilla is welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard at Vatican City today

Pope Leo XIV meets with the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem today

Queen Camilla is welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard at Vatican City today

Invited guests arrive at San Damaso Courtyard in Vatican City for the state visit this morning

King Charles III is welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard at Vatican City today

Swiss Guards march ahead of the King and Queen's arrival at San Damaso Courtyard today

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

A clergy member adjusts his zucchetto next to a Swiss Guard at Vatican City this morning

King Charles III is welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard at Vatican City today

A member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem waits to meet Pope Leo

Queen Camilla is welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard at Vatican City today

Swiss Guards march ahead of the King and Queen's arrival at San Damaso Courtyard today

King Charles and Queen Camilla listen national anthems at San Damaso Courtyard today

Workers set up a red carpet at Vatican City today ahead of the arrival of the King and Queen

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

The Royal Standard flying at Vatican City today ahead of the arrival of the King and Queen

Swiss Guards stand ahead of the King and Queen's arrival at San Damaso Courtyard today

Their Majesties, accompanied by Pope Leo, attended the special ecumenical service in the Sistine Chapel, marking the joining of hands between the Catholic Church and Church of England.

The King and Queen were first to take their seats on a stage facing the congregation, before Pope Leo and the Archbishop of York entered a few minutes later, signalling the start of the service.

The Children of the Choir of His Majesty's Chapel Royal and the Choir of St. George's Chapel, Windsor, performed in another sign of friendship, accompanied by the Sistine Chapel Choir.

The Choir of the Sistine Chapel and Lay Clerks from Windsor then sang two Psalms together.

The service included an introduction by Pope Leo and the Archbishop of York and a reading from the Letter to the Romans by the Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper.

At the conclusion of the service, The King, accompanied by Pope Leo, moved to the 'Sala Regia', a room next door to the Chapel.

The Queen remained in the Sistine Chapel to meet the Choirs.

The Sistine Chapel takes its name from Pope Sixtus IV, who had the old Cappella Magna restored between 1477 and 1480. The Chapel's walls were decorated in the 15th century and feature stories of Moses and Christ and portraits of Popes.

From 1508 to 1512 Michelangelo painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, before being commissioned in 1533 to paint the Last Judgement on the altar wall.

The Sistine Chapel is also the site of the Papal Conclave, for the election of the Supreme Pontiff, which most recently took place in May this year.

In another significant and historic step today, the couple visited the Papal Basilica and Abbey of St Paul's Outside the Walls.

One of the four major Papal Basilicas, it is the one most closely associated with the Catholic Church's ecumenical commitment and has historic links with the English Crown.

For centuries, the heraldic shield of the Abbey has been surrounded by the insignia of the Order of the Garter, the UK's highest order of chivalry.

The King and the Pope also joined a meeting on sustainability.

Before he departed, Charles attended a reception at The Pontifical Beda College, a seminary which trains priests from across the Commonwealth, meeting students and members of the British and Vatican community.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

Swiss Guards march ahead of the King and Queen's arrival at San Damaso Courtyard today

Queen Camilla is welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard at Vatican City today

Members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem wait to meet Pope Leo

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

Swiss Guards stand ahead of the King and Queen's arrival at San Damaso Courtyard today

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

Workers set up a red carpet at Vatican City today ahead of the arrival of the King and Queen

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

Swiss Guards march ahead of the King and Queen's arrival at San Damaso Courtyard today

Queen Camilla is welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard at Vatican City today

King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive at the courtyard of San Damaso

Pope Leo XIV meets with the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem today

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

Swiss Guards stand ahead of the King and Queen's arrival at San Damaso Courtyard today

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

Workers set up a red carpet at Vatican City today ahead of the arrival of the King and Queen

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

Swiss Guards march ahead of the King and Queen's arrival at San Damaso Courtyard today

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard today

A member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem waits to meet Pope Leo

Queen Camilla is welcomed by officials at San Damaso Courtyard at Vatican City today

Meanwhile, Her Majesty met six Catholic Sisters from The International Union of Superiors General, who are working around the world at grassroots level to support female empowerment, through girls' education programmes, improved access to healthcare, climate action, peace building and tackling sexual violence and human trafficking.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said: 'At a time of global instability and conflict, the UK's relationship with the Holy See is more important than ever  and this historic State Visit will be a key moment to strengthen this relationship.

'The Holy See has been a key actor on the international stage, promoting peace, effective measures to combat climate change and promote human dignity.

'The Catholic Church is the largest denomination of the world's largest religion; it is the world's largest non-state education provider, educating 68 million students worldwide, and delivers a quarter of the world's healthcare.

'His Majesty's visit will therefore strengthen the UK's relationship with this crucial and influential partner, helping to deliver on the Government's priorities  from promoting peace and security around the world to working with our international partners to tackle climate change.'
Prince William said to be driving force behind the decision to ostracise Andrew

Prince William's feud with his uncle Prince Andrew was first publicly revealed during the frosty moment they shared at the Duchess of Kent's funeral just a few weeks ago.

The disgraced duke, 65, relinquished all of his remaining titles and honours earlier this month, after it emerged he had lied about cutting ties with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

While King Charles was the one to put his brother under pressure to relinquish his dukedom, threatening to officially strip him of his titles if he refused, leading historian Andrew Lownie has told the Daily Mail that William 'called the shots' behind the scenes.

And just weeks before Andrew's fate was revealed to the public, William's chilly treatment of his uncle at the Duchess of Kent's funeral revealed his true feelings about the disgraced royal for the first time.

Since giving up his titles last week, Andrew is now facing pressure to give up the Royal Lodge, the home where he has lived with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson since buying a 75-year lease on it in August 2003.

The King's younger brother paid 1million upfront and then spend 7.5millon on urgent renovations, thus avoiding a 'nominal' annual rent on the property of 260,000.

Prince Andrew's tenancy is contingent on him maintaining the 30-room mansion and although new images show signs of wear and tear, legal experts have insisted that his lease is watertight and wil remain in the family until 2078.

To add to his woes, it was revealed yesterday that Andrew could be hauled before Parliament to answer questions about his living arrangements after Sir Keir Starmer backed the idea.

Meanwhile, he is also set to be called to speak about his links to Jeffrey Epstein in front of a US committee which is 'extremely interested' in hearing from him.

The Prince of Wales appeared to reveal his true thoughts about the Duke of York during the Duchess of Kent's funeral last month

Just a month ago, things were very different for Andrew, who was still making his presence felt at Royal family occasions, despite giving up his HRH title and being made to step down from public duties in 2022.

At the Duchess of Kent's funeral, he was seen grinning and trying to strike up a conversation with Prince William on the steps of Westminster Abbey, despite the solemnity of the occasion.

Moments after the duchess's coffin was carried into the state hearse, Andrew jovially attempted to engage his clearly embarrassed nephew.

According to a lip reader, Andrew attempted to reminisce, saying: 'We had a lovely time, didn't we, then?'

William's silence spoke volumes; he made no reply and simply glanced at Andrew before looking ahead, thin-lipped, rubbing his nose, and rocking on his heels.

After a tense pause, the Duke attempted to continue the conversation. 'And spending time with us,' he added, to which William did not respond, instead simply nodding his head in silence.

In another moment during the solemn occasion, the future King seemingly attempted to bring Andrew's profuse grinning to a stop by covering his mouth and appearing to say something, which resulted in Andrew abruptly dropping the smile.

Meanwhile, body language expert Judi James told the Daily Mail that William's 'non-verbal responses' suggest a degree of 'awkwardness' between the pair.

Prince Andrew was seen grinning and engaging in light conversation at the end of the Requiem Mass, on the day of the funeral of Katharine, Duchess of Kent, at Westminster Cathedral in London

The exchange appeared to give context to Lownie's claims that a 'ruthless' William is the driving force behind the Royal Family's decision to ostracise Andrew.

William acted decisively to protect his cancer-stricken father - and the Crown - by cutting off his errant uncle and taking away his dukedom and other honours, the historian said.

Mr Lownie said King Charles is battling cancer, and now William is beginning to call the shots'.

He added: 'He's much more ruthless than his father, and I think he can see the huge reputational damage that's been done.

'One of the reasons for the timing is that people are starting to criticise the King for being too weak. I think they realised they needed to do something'.

Mr Lownie's book, 'Entitled, the Rise and Fall of the House of York', was exclusively serialised in the Daily Mail and is considered the most explosive biography of 2025.

The author told Channel 4 News earlier this month: 'I don't think it's enough. He [Andrew] should have been pushed out long ago'.

King Charles has threatened to sever ties with Andrew if the disgraced prince continues to refuse to leave Royal Lodge (pictured)

It came after sources told the Daily Mail last month that the Prince of Wales had been 'urging' his father to take the chance to cut Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, loose over Jeffrey Epstein.

William also wants to kick the pair out of the lavish Royal Lodge in Windsor, it has been claimed.

It came as another source told The Daily Mail that the King threatened to have Prince Andrew officially stripped of his titles unless he 'saw sense'.

Charles, 76, made it clear that he would not hesitate to take decisive 'further action' if his brother refused to give up his dukedom and other honours after he lied about cutting ties with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, it can be revealed.

The Daily Mail understands that despite the growing tsunami of evidence against him, the 65-year-old former Duke of York was digging his heels in with a 'startling lack of contrition'.

It was a situation the King deemed 'intolerable', sources said.

The only way for Charles to legally strip Andrew of his titles would have been to take it through Parliament, and its believed he has never wished to take up its valuable time and resources in dealing with the matter.

But last week, he privately made clear to Andrew that a raft of options were open to him if he did not fall on his sword.

Charles and William are said to have different views on how to handle Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson

Some have questioned whether making Queen Elizabeth's second son set aside his titles was adequate enough in the circumstances.

But sources say that to involve Parliament, when it is dealing with huge domestic and economic challenges - not to mention major global security issues - could have been seen as a waste of resources and taken months, or even a year, to conclude.

Forcing Andrew's hand would bring about the same result far more swiftly.

And with a narrowing window of opportunity to grasp before the situation spun further out of its control, the Palace made its move.

The fact courtiers were even willing to consider taking the matter out of his hands  whether through Parliament or by other means  is believed to have 'shocked' Andrew into finally taking action.

A royal source said: 'The thought of him still continuing to use the titles and honours that had been conferred upon him for another day, month or year while other options were explored and enacted was intolerable, for the sake of the wider family. And at last, for the wider good, Andrew saw sense.'

This week, in another world-beating exclusive, The Mail on Sunday revealed that Andrew tried to involve the Metropolitan Police and one of Queen Elizabeth's most senior aides in a campaign to smear Virginia Giuffre, who had accused him of assaulting her as a teenager.

A bombshell email obtained exposed how Andrew asked his taxpayer-funded police bodyguard to investigate the 'lying' young woman.

Shockingly, the prince passed on details of her date of birth and social security number, presumably given to him by Epstein.

He also claimed Virginia, who took her own life earlier this year, had criminal convictions, which has been strongly denied by her family.

An earlier email expose proved that Andrew lied to Buckingham Palace and the British public when he claimed he had cut off all contact with his close friend in December 2010, following Epstein's release from prison on child-sex charges.

Twelve weeks later, he emailed the paedophile financier to say they were 'in this together' and sickeningly expressed his wish to 'play some more soon'.

The revelation was considered a 'tipping point' for the Palace, prompting the King to move so decisively.

'When the end came, it was relatively quick, swift and ruthless,' a source said. 'Andrew may not have been able to read the room, but the Palace could.'

Another source added that while the announcement was an 'imperfect outcome', it was considered the best option in the circumstances.

Several sources say that right until the end, Andrew, who remains a prince by birthright, appeared to be in denial about the seriousness of his predicament and 'clearly strongly believes in his own innocence'.

Where the latest developments leave him with his nearest and dearest is yet to play out.

He will not join the Royal Family for Christmas, but it is difficult to say whether he will ever be seen in public with them again, particularly when it comes to family funerals or services marking key religious events such as Easter.

Given that the King is Supreme Governor of the Church of England, which maintains a Christian ethos towards the forgiveness of sinners, it would be challenging for Charles to ban his brother from church.

However, it is hoped that if the situation arises, Andrew will find 'less prominent' ways to attend than his recent scene-stealing appearance at the Duchess of Kent's requiem mass, when the full awkwardness of family relations was on show.

Suggestions that Prince William may take an even stronger line in the future, including banning his uncle from his Coronation, have been described as 'conjecture'.

'He's in lockstep with his father on the actions taken,' a source close to the future king said.

There has been concern among the wider family for Andrew's personal health and well-being in recent years.

Reports have suggested he is a 'shell' of the man he used to be, and the concerns may partly account for why the prince was allowed to issue his own wording and statement.

It is also understood that the Palace intends to address the inclusion of Andrew's biography on its official website as a member of the Royal Family in the coming days. It is not clear whether it will be further downgraded in light of recent developments  or simply deleted.
It looks like it could have been laid yesterday.

But believe it or not, this dinosaur egg, recently unearthed in Argentina, dates back 70 million years.

The ancient egg was discovered in Rio Negro in Patagonia and has left experts around the world stunned.

While it appears remarkably similar to an ostrich egg, it was likely laid by a member of the Bonapartenykus genus  a small, carnivorous therapod that prowled the region during the late Cretaceous period.

Although dinosaur eggs have been found in the area before, one this well preserved is rare.

It may even contain embryonic material, according to the archaeology team  who plan to carry out indepth scans to find out.

'It was a complete and utter surprise,' Gonzalo Munoz, from the Bernardo Rivadavia Argentine Museum of Natural Sciences, told National Geographic.

'It's not uncommon to find dinosaur fossils, but the issue with eggs is that they are much less common.'

Although dinosaur eggs have been found in the area before, one this well preserved is rare and likely belonged to a small, carnivorous therapod

Pictures from the site show group leader Federico Agnolin stumble across the egg, which appeared to be resting on the surface of the dusty ground

He explained that eggs from carnivorous dinosaurs are especially rare for several reasons.

'First, there are fewer carnivores than herbivores,' he said. 'But apart from that, their eggs are more avianlike since the carnivorous dinosaur lineage is the one that will give rise to birds.

'Therefore, they're going to be more delicate eggs, with much thinner shells more prone to destruction.

'Finding those types of eggs are more difficult. That's why this discovery is so exceptional and spectacular.'

The egg, along with other findings from the site, will be sent to the Argentine Museum of Natural Sciences to be studied.

He said he hopes the egg contains an embryo, but indepth scans will be needed to determine if there is anything inside.

If traces of a developing dinosaur are found, it would mark one of the most important paleontological breakthroughs in South American history and provide new detail about how dinosaurs developed and hatched.

The Cretaceous Expedition I also uncovered mammal teeth and snake vertebrae, indicating the site was once a nesting ground.

Federico Agnolin proudly shows off the incredible fossilised egg. The team said they don't yet know if it holds embryonic material

Previous research suggests this is what Bonapartenykus may have looked like (artist's impression)

A video taken at the site shows group leader Federico Agnolin stumble across the egg, which appeared to be resting on the surface of the dusty ground.

His excitement is palpable as he realises he has come across such a wellpreserved specimen.

Other, broken eggs can also be seen in the vicinity, with fragments held up to the camera.

The caption on the video, shared to Instagram, reads: 'This is quite possibly the first discovery of its kind in South America.

'As you can see, this fossil is more than 70,000,000 years old and it was not alone  we found a cluster!'
Scientists have warned pouring coffee down the gutter is bad for the environment  afer a woman in west London was charged 150 for dumping her dregs in a public road gully.

Burcu Yesilyurt, from Kew, west London, was fined under Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act, which prohibits disposing of waste in 'a manner likely to pollute water or land'.

RichmonduponThames Council now says it has cancelled the fine.

However, speaking to the Daily Mail, scientists say there is good reason to avoid dumping out your coffee.

Unlike the sink in your home, many surface water drains lead directly to local rivers and streams without treatment.

While a single coffee might not seem like a massive problem, if lots of people tip away a little bit of liquid, the combined impact could prove problematic.

Depending on the type, coffee can not only block drains, but can prove fatal for fish living in local waterways.

Michael Burrows, director of MZR Drainage, told the Daily Mail: 'It might seem harmless, but when thousands of people do it regularly, the environmental impact quickly adds up.'

Burcu Yesilyurt (pictured) was slapped with a 150 fine by council officers after pouring the remnants of her coffee down the drain. But scientists say there is good reason to avoid ditching your coffee

By itself, black coffee doesn't contain many pollutants that can cause destructive impacts to the environment.

Caffeine can be toxic to aquatic ecosystems at concentrations of around 1.2 micrograms per litre, which is highly unlikely to come from the dregs of a coffee.

But, if you're partial to a cappuccino or a pumpkin spice latte, the potential impact can be much greater.

Mr Burrows says: 'Pouring coffee or other liquids into public drains can have more of an impact than people realise.

'Even though milk is a natural product, it can be highly polluting when it enters waterways.'

When milk and sugar enter the waterways, bacteria feed on these natural products and start to break them down, using up oxygen in the process.

Professor Gary Fones, an aquatic chemistry expert from the University of Portsmouth, told the Daily Mail: 'Milk has a very high Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), way more than sewage.

'It can be as much as 400 times more polluting than untreated domestic sewage.

Scientists say there would need to be a 'catastrophic' amount of milk to cause serious damage. An event on this scale occurred in 2021 when a milk tanker tipped into the River Dulais in Llanwrda, Carmarthenshire (pictured)

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'Naturally occurring bacteria break down milk entering a watercourse, using up oxygen in the water more quickly than it can be replaced.

'As a result of falling oxygen levels, fish and other creatures can suffocate.'

Earlier this month, Scottish Water was forced to warn households against dumping milk down the drains due to the environmental risks.

However, Professor Fones points out that it would require a 'catastrophic' input of milk, such as an overturned tanker, to cause serious disruption to the ecosystem.

He adds: 'One cup in a drain in Richmond is a drop in the Thames compared to Thames Water.'

The other issue with dumping coffee down public drains is that it can lead to blockages.

'While liquids seem harmless, coffee grounds, milk, and sugar residues can build up inside drains and act like glue for other debris,' Mr Burrows said.

'This leads to slowrunning drains, bad smells, and even full blockages. In our line of work, we see this a lot in cafes and offices where people regularly tip waste liquids down outside drains.'

Coffee grounds and milk act like glue, which holds together fats and other substances that contribute towards blockages (stock image)

In severe cases, fats from milk and other sources come together to form fatbergs. These huge collections of oils, plastic, and waste can grow to be over 100 tonnes. Pictured: Technicians remove a fatberg beneath Regent Street, London

The fats in milk can also leave behind a greasy film that coats the inside of pipes, especially when combined with other waste materials.

Over time, this can contribute to the formation of blockages or even the dreaded 'fatbergs' that cause so many issues for sewers in big cities.

These collections of oils, fats, plastics, and other waste can grow to weigh hundreds of tonnes.

The largest ever found in London stretched for 250 metres and weighed 130 tonnes  as much as two Airbus A318 aircrafts.

Even though the milk in your coffee isn't going to make a fatberg by itself, thousands of commuters all tipping away their coffee every day makes blockages more likely.

However, it is important to note that a milky coffee is far less likely to cause a blockage than some other items people flush or improperly dispose of  including wet wipes.

'The real story here is the amount of toxic chemicals that end up in our waterways and sewage system from roads  microplastics, metals, tyre compounds  not coffee down drains,' Professor Fones added.
It is one arguably one of the most pivotal stages in our history.

But what really happened around the time when an asteroid smashed into the Earth 66 million years ago?

Scientists may finally have the answer, after discovering the remains of the last surviving dinosaurs in New Mexico.

Their fossil evidence suggests that there was wide variety of dinosaurs in New Mexico at the time of the impact  including Alamosaurus, a huge creature the size of a blue whale.

According to experts from the University of Edinburgh, this indicates that, contrary to popular belief, the dinosaurs were in their prime when the fateful day arrived.

'An inconvenient truth is that until now paleontologists have had few fossils of dinosaurs unequivocally dated to the last few hundred thousand years of the Cretaceous, before the asteroid hit, so much of our understanding of the extinction was extrapolated from older fossils and statistical analyses,' said Professor Steve Brusatte, coauthor of the study.

'Now in New Mexico we have fossils of dinosaurs that were there right at the end and when we compare them with the only other fossils accurately dated from this time, from further north, we can see they are much different.

'There clearly were many types of dinosaurs thriving up until that moment the asteroid ended it all.'

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The fossil evidence suggests that there was wide variety of dinosaurs in New Mexico at the time of the impact  including huge creatures the size of a blue whale, dubbed Alamosaurus (artist's impression)

Dinosaurs were in their prime that fateful day 66 million years ago when a 10milewide asteroid hit the Earth, causing 'carnage', report scientists (file photo)

For the study, Professor Brusatte and his colleagues from around the world analysed fossils representing around a dozen different dinosaur species, found over the course of 10 years at the San Juan Basin of northwestern New Mexico.

This region is about 1,500 miles further north from the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, which received a direct hit from the space rock.

Before the impact, the San Juan Basin was dominated by Alamosaurus  a large, longnecked dinosaur about 3050ft tall, weighing 3080 tons.

Alamosaurus wouldn't have been much smaller than a blue whale  the largest creature on Earth today  although it was half as heavy.

'Alamosaurus was one of the biggest dinosaurs to ever live, heavier than a Boeing 737,' Professor Brusatte told the Daily Mail.

'It had a long noodle-shaped neck, tiny head, bulging belly, Greek columns for arms and legs, but it was a plant-eater.

'If we'd been alive at the time, it would probably take no interest in us, be no threat to us, unless we got too close and then we'd have to worry about being squashed with a single footfall.'

Other dinosaurs that left fossils at San Juan Basin for the team to analyse were the famous T. Rex, the horned dinosaur Ojoceratops, the omnivorous bird-like dinosaur Ojoraptorosaurus, and the raptor Dineobellator.

Professor Steve Brusatte (pictured) and his colleagues from around the world analysed fossils representing around a dozen different dinosaur species, found over the course of 10 years at the San Juan Basin of northwestern New Mexico

Scientists spent more than 10 years looking for fossils in the San Juan Basin of northwestern New Mexico to find the lastsurviving dinosaurdominated ecosystems, proving these dinosaurs were alive in New Mexico just before the asteroid impact.

Study author Professor Andrew Flynn at New Mexico State University (pictured) said dinosaurs were 'not on their way out' when the asteroid hit

Alamosaurus: The dinosaur the size of a blue whale Alamosaurus was a large, longnecked dinosaur about 3050ft tall, weighing 3080 tons. It wouldn't have been much smaller than a blue whale  the largest creature on Earth today  although it was half as heavy. 'Alamosaurus was one of the biggest dinosaurs to ever live, heavier than a Boeing 737,' Professor Brusatte told the Daily Mail. 'It had a long noodleshaped neck, tiny head, bulging belly, Greek columns for arms and legs, but it was a planteater. 'If we'd been alive at the time, it would probably take no interest in us, be no threat to us, unless we got too close and then we'd have to worry about being squashed with a single footfall.' Advertisement

Results of the analysis showed that the dinosaurs at San Juan Basin were of the same age  dating back 66 million years, challenging assumptions that they were from several million years before the asteroid arrived.

This finding also counters a long-held idea that there was a long-term decline in dinosaur diversity leading up to the impact event that made them more prone to extinction.

'There is no sign this ecosystem is in any sort of trouble, that dinosaurs were in any way weak or in decline, but then, the asteroid hits and it's all over,' Professor Brusatte told the Daily Mail.

According to the academic, there's a small chance the actual fossils studied could have been from individual dinosaurs alive the day the asteroid hit.

If not, they would have been alive at some point no more than 300,000 before that day.

'There's just no way to accurately tell if a single particular fossil was there on a single particular day 66 million years ago,' he told the Daily Mail.

'But the Alamosaurus fossils from New Mexico can be definitively accurately dated to within the last 300,000 years or so of the age of dinosaurs.

'That's the precision of the methods we have for dating rocks, and in geological terms, that is a very short amount of time. We can therefore be very confident that Alamosaurus and these other dinosaurs were there when the asteroid hit.'

Alamosaurus wouldn't have been much smaller than a blue whale - the largest creature on Earth today - although it was half as heavy

The team say overall dinosaur communities at New Mexico were different to the ones at the famous Hell Creek region much further north, covering Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.

At Hell Creek, the dominant dinosaurs 66 million years ago were Triceratops, known for its three horns, and Edmontosaurus, the large lizardlooking herbivore.

Again, this suggests there was high dinosaur diversity across North America generally.

'Diversity was high and fairly constant until the end of the Cretaceous, and that there were distinct dinosaurs living in the north and south of North America when the asteroid hit  another sign of their strength, as they were adapting differently to different environments,' Professor Brusatte added.

When the space rock hit it would have been 'carnage', even at San Juan Basin further away from the immediate impact zone.

'At San Juan, you would not have been immediately vaporized as you would have been if you were closer to ground zero where the asteroid hit on the Yucatan,' Professor Brusatte told the Daily Mail.

'You would have seen a blinding flash of light, and heard a few earshattering booms, and then a bit later the ground would have started to rumble, the Earth turning into a trampoline as some of the biggest earthquakes of all time shook the planet.

'Then the air would have turned hotter than an oven, as bullets of glass rained down, the stuff that was liquefied by the asteroid fell back to earth and solidified.

'It was so hot it would have spontaneously combusted the forests, wildfires raged, the air was choked with smoke, and that was just in the first few hours.

'Over the next few days the whole world went dark and cold, and stayed that way for many years, as all of the smoke and gunk clogged the atmosphere, and blocked out the sun.'

The new findings are published today in the journal Science.
If you're not a fan of snakes, look away now.

Experts have captured slowmotion footage of a viper sinking its fans into prey  and it's not for the faint hearted.

The video reveals how venomous reptiles attack in the blink of an eye, recording the deathly manoeuvres in high definition.

It was captured as part of research which examines how different snakes have different biting styles.

Published in the Journal of Experimental Biology, it reveals that vipers sink their fangs into their victims before 'walking' them into position to inject venom.

Elapid snakes, like the King cobra, coral reef snakes and mambas, squeeze venom into their victims by biting repeatedly.

And colubrids  such as grass snakes and corn snakes  sweep their jaws from side to side to tear a gash in their victim and deliver maximum venom.

The team, from Monash University in Australia, said they 'flinched a couple of times' when capturing the videos  but that it was worth it to get the footage.

Here (left) the viper can be seen attacking the fake prey with its mouth wide open. Then (right) it clamps down hard on the musclelike gel, sinking its fangs before injecting venom

A viper injecting venom into a cylinder of medical gel after striking. The team discovered these snakes sometimes 'walk' their fangs into the correct position before injecting venom

For the study, the researchers used a cylinder of warm musclelike medical gel resembling a small animal to tempt a range of deadly snakes to bite.

They recorded more than 100 encounters with two cameras recording at 1,000 frames per second to recreate the lightningfast manoeuvres in 3D.

Analysis revealed vipers embedded their fangs into the fake prey within 100 milliseconds of launching a strike.

Some species captured in the slowmotion video accelerated up to 710m/s and landing their bite within 22 milliseconds.

Focusing on the vipers' fangs, the team saw the needlelike teeth sink into the fake prey, but if the viper wasn't happy with the position of a fang, it pulled it out to reinsert it at a better angle, effectively walking the fang forward.

Only when the fangs were comfortably in place did the vipers close their jaws and inject venom into their catch.

Overall, venomous snakes use dramatically different strategies to deliver their deadly bites, the team said.

Vipers and elapids, especially, can strike before victims are even aware of their presence.'

The viper captured in the slow-motion video (Deinagkistrodon acutus) hails from southeast Asia (file image)

These freezeframes show a typical strike sequence for vipers, the researchers said. The initial lunge at the prey is followed by fang penetration

'Few actions in nature inspire more fear and fascination than the strike of a venomous snake,' the study reads.

'Within half a second, snakes can start from a static ambush position, lunge at their prey, make contact and return to a resting position.

'In that same time they must also erect their fangs, penetrate their prey and inject a dose of venom.'

'Here, we present the first ever largescale experiment comparing strike performance across 36 venomous snake species.'
Tropical Storm Melissa is expected to grow into a major Category 4 hurricane in just days, and the latest tracks warn that it could impact millions along the US East Coast.

The latest spaghetti models for Melissa still show a very uncertain path for the storm, but some of those forecasts warn that the hurricane could make landfall in New York, Massachusetts, or Maine.

The National Hurricane Center has projected that Melissa will reach hurricane status by Saturday and continue to build into a major hurricane with winds over 130 mph by Monday.

It's currently building in strength in the Caribbean, just south of Jamaica, generating sustained winds of 50 mph.

However, meteorologists have warned that will soon change as the slow-moving tropical storm moves through the warm waters of the Caribbean and wind shears begin to ease this weekend, allowing Melissa to quickly strengthen.

Once the hurricane barrels over the Cuba, one track now shows the hurricane spinning directly towards New York City, while another one warns that Boston could be hit.

AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said: 'The longer Melissa tracks to the west, the greater the chance of an impact on the US.'

It's been more than a decade since New York has been directly impacted by a hurricane, when Superstorm Sandy decimated communities along the East Coast in 2012.

The latest spaghetti models for Melissa show the potential major hurricane making landfall in New York

Melissa (pictured on radar) is currently a tropical storm with sustained winds of 50 mph, but is expected to become a Category 4 hurricane by Monday

The spaghetti model showing a possible direct hit in the Northeast relies on data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), one of the world's most accurate forecasting systems.

However, meteorologists cautioned Melissa's path next week is still very much up in the air and will be heavily influenced by the natural jet stream flowing across the US.

Ben Noll, a meteorologist at The Washington Post, explained that current forecasts show several low-pressure systems forming along the entire East Coast, including several right over New York.

According to Noll, each low-pressure system represents a potential landing spot for Melissa next week.

Low-pressure systems are like the engine that powers hurricanes. They're areas where the air is rising, which can pull in warm, moist air from the ocean.

This warm air fuels the storm, making it spin and grow stronger, turning into a stronger hurricane if conditions are right.

While Noll and other forecasters believe an East Coast landing is on the table, WPIX senior meteorologist Mike Masco argued that spaghetti models showing Melissa hitting New York shouldn't be shared on social media.

'Social media is about to scare the c*** out of you the next 710 days with talk that tropical system Melissa, now south of Jamaica, will race up the coast and get captured into the East Coast pattern,' Masco wrote in a post on X.

The National Hurricane Center says Melissa will reach hurricane strength as it nears Jamaica and Cuba this weekend

The potential for Melissa to reach New York could make the storm the first major hurricane to impact the state since Superstorm Sandy in 2012 (pictured)

'While thats possible and plausible track (in my view), its definitely not the most likely or only outcome,' he continued.

Masco added that the 'worst-case' Canadian model for Melissa overemphasizes a high-latitude blocking pattern that could steer the hurricane.

It also assumes there will be a strong jet stream, called the vorticity maximum or 'vort max,' that might not develop as predicted, leading to an unrealistic track towards the Northeast.

AccuWeather meteorologists added that it's more likely to go further east into the Atlantic because steering winds from the US jet stream are expected to guide Melissa northward, avoiding a direct hit on the East Coast.

AccuWeather lead hurricane expert Alex DaSilva noted: 'The chances of a direct US hit from Melissa are low right now, but it is still an option, should the tropical system make it into the western Caribbean.'

Short-range forecasts within one to three days are considered highly reliable, while projections beyond seven to 10 days grow increasingly uncertain.

Most current ECMWF tracks show Melissa staying well away from the US in the near term. But some longer-range runs suggest possible paths up the East Coast toward the end of October and into early November.
A human space probe has brought back an ancient extraterrestrial visitor from the moon, rewriting the early history of the solar system.

China's Chang'e-6 spacecraft made history in June 2024 by returning the first-ever samples from the moon's far side, a region humans had never explored before.

In a new study, scientists examined the dusty soil from an ancient crater called the Apollo basin and found seven tiny rock pieces that didn't belong to anything that naturally formed on the moon's surface.

These small fragments turned out to be leftovers from ancient asteroids that crashed into the moon billions of years ago.

Unlike normal moon rocks, these pieces came from watery asteroids that floated into space between Mars and Jupiter, making them true 'extraterrestrial relics' from outside our planet.

Moreover, scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences discovered that the relics came from the same type of space rocks that likely delivered chemicals necessary to spark life on planets like Earth billions of years ago.

Asteroids like these delivered water and other key ingredients to the moon early in its history, possibly helping create its thin water ice deposits we see today.

On a larger scale, the new findings have rewritten our understanding of how space rocks shaped the Earth and moon, since Earth's meteorite finds are limited by our atmosphere and gravity, burning up potential samples before they can be studied.

China's Chang'e-6 lander (pictured) returned to Earth in June 2024 and scientists have just uncovered an extraterrestrial relic deposited by an asteroid in the moon samples

The samples (pictured) are completely foreign compared to the makeup of the moon, meaning asteroids likely brought the ice water found on the lunar surface

The far side of the moon is the hidden half we never see because our planet and the moon are tidally locked, meaning we always see the same face from our perspective.

Specifically, the team identified these seven fragments as leftovers from a rare type of asteroid called CI-like carbonaceous chondrites.

At the heart of these mysterious samples were tiny green crystals called olivine, which look like olive-shaped gems and make up the backbone of the asteroids they came from.

Finding olivine in these space rocks was special because it's loaded with water trapped inside, plus just the right mix of iron, zinc, and other metals not seen across the relatively dry moon.

The samples matched the composition of other nearby asteroids that astronomers and recently studied, including Ryugu, studied by Japan's Hayabusa2 mission, and Bennu, studied by NASA's OSIRIS-REx.

The research in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) noted that most of the rocks ever taken back from the moon formed there over time.

Scientists knew the new samples from Chang'e-6 didn't form on the moon because of their makeup and hidden chemical fingerprints, which included 10 to 20 percent water trapped in clay-like minerals, amino acids, and tar-like carbon compounds.

Scientists also uncovered lightweight gases like hydrogen, nitrogen, and sulfur, making these relics from space resemble soggy sponges carrying the seeds of oceans and air.

The Chinese lander collected over four pounds of rocks from the lunar surface after successfully landing on the moon's far side in May 2024

Typical Moon rocks are mostly dry black lava stone and white feldspar, made from iron-heavy minerals, calcium, aluminum, and titanium, with almost no water at all.

'This finding supports the hypothesis that asteroids played a role in delivering water and other volatiles to the lunar surface,' the researchers wrote.

Experts believe these asteroid bits crashed into the moon's far side over four billion years ago, during the chaotic formation of the early solar system, when giant impacts blasted materials across planets.

The discovery appeared to prove that a similar process involving water-carrying asteroids took place on the moon that scientists suspect occurred on Earth at the dawn of time.

One theory argues that asteroid collisions like the ones found on the moon are believed to have slammed into our planet as well, creating oceans and scattering amino acids - the basic ingredients that kickstarted tiny life forms in Earth's warm pools.

Scientists believe the same asteroid rain hit other planets, too, like Mars, where it might have created ancient rivers and maybe even early microbes hiding underground today.

Even icy moons like Europa around Jupiter could have gotten a life-giving boost from these asteroids, delivering heat, water, and chemicals deep into their frozen oceans to brew something organic.

NASA, China, and India have all announced that they will be sending additional missions to the moon before 2030, including manned missions by the US.
As artificial intelligence becomes an integral part of society, regions around the world are competing to lead innovation, research and inventions that utilise this technology.

It comes as the 2025 Global Innovation Index, published by the World Intellectual Property Organization, has recognised the South China tech centre of Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou as the worlds top innovation hub.

The region's success is built on the collaboration between Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Guangzhou, fostering a dynamic innovation ecosystem.

The Index tracks global innovation trends through investment patterns, technological progress, adoption rates and socioeconomic impacts.

China hosts 24 of the 100 leading clusters in the report, which account for around 70 per cent of global patent filings and venture capital activity.

In the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster, technology is woven into everyday life and innovation is embedded in the culture.

Showcasing the scale of Hong Kong's innovation, 'A Symphony of Lights' is a daily light and sound show over Victoria Harbour, starting at 8pm and lasting about 10 minutes.

The show is organized by the Hong Kong Tourism Board and is the world's largest permanent light and sound show, according to Guinness World Records

Showcasing the scale of Hong Kong's innovation, 'A Symphony of Lights' is a daily light and sound show over Victoria Harbour, starting at 8pm and lasting about 10 minutes

The free event features synchronised lights, lasers and searchlights from more than 40 buildings on both the Hong Kong Island and Kowloon sides, set to music broadcast from viewing locations

The free event features synchronised lights, lasers and searchlights from more than 40 buildings on both the Hong Kong Island and Kowloon sides, set to music broadcast from viewing locations.

Best viewing spots include the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront and Avenue of Stars, Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai, or from a harbour cruise.

Shenzen's transformation from fishing village to tech powerhouse was an intentional move by the Chinese government when it designated the city as its first Special Economic Zone in 1980, offering tax breaks and incentives to spur innovation.

Its status as a hub for creativity only grew after it was named a Unesco Creative City in 2008, with investment funding makerspaces such as the Shenzhen Open Innovation Lab.

In another showcase of impressive innovation, elaborate drone shows are held over Shenzhen Talent Park Bay, including recent record-breaking events.

These shows have celebrated major holidays like the 45th anniversary of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone, featuring 12,000 drones and setting Guinness World Records for control and scale.

While these large shows are held for specific occasions, smaller performances may also take place at other times.

Elsewhere on the list, Tokyo-Yokohama was ranked as the second most innovative region in the world.

Elsewhere on the list, Tokyo-Yokohama was ranked as the second most innovative region in the world

Top 10 innovation hubs 1. Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou 2. Tokyo-Yokohama 3. San Jose-San Francisco 4. Beijing 5. Seoul 6. Shanghai-Suzhou 7. New York 8. London 9. Boston-Cambridge 10. Los Angeles Source: Global Innovation Index Advertisement

In third place is San Jose-San Francisco, which is home to some of the biggest tech companies in the world.

And Beijing made it to fourth place.

Other US regions that make the list are New York, Boston-Cambridge and Los Angeles, which come in seventh, ninth and tenth place, respectively.

London came in eighth place.
A major European city is set to ban e-scooters as residents have complained of chaos on pavements.

Prague will ban electric scooter rentals from January 2026.

A deputy mayor of the Czech capital has criticised the e-scooters, saying they have caused havoc in the city.

Prague is known for its cobbled streets and historic city centre, which have drawn in foreign tourists for decades.

Nearly 1.4 million people live there and the city attracted around 8.1 million tourists in 2024.

But e-scooters in the city have affected the calm atmosphere.

Earlier this week, council members approved changes concerning shared transport in the city, The Guardian reported.

Both pedal and electric bikes will face new rules on where they can be parked.

Prague will ban electric scooter rentals from January 2026

However, e-scooters were not mentioned in the regulations - which means their use in the city will be stopped altogether.

The national Pirate party chair, Zdenek Hrib, who is a deputy mayor in charge of transport at Prague's city hall, wrote on X: 'The end of electric scooters approved!'

Zdenek added: 'We are introducing clear rules that will clear public space from uncontrolled scooter traffic, which was often used in the city centre more as a tourist attraction than a means of transport and caused chaos on and in pedestrian zones.'

Prague officials said they were responding to residents who complained about the scooters whizzing by on pavements or in parks, which could be dangerous.

E-scooters also came under criticism for blocking pavements or street parking spots when not in use. Prague said e-scooters had higher accident rates than bikes.

Lime, one of the biggest operators of shared e-scooters in the city, said it regretted the decision.

Czech news agency CTK said Lime's country director, Vaclav Petr, said in cities where there was 'constructive dialogue' with operators, 'scooters can work very well and serve citizens'.

It comes after other cities have cracked down on e-scooter usage. Madrid banned rental e-scooters in 2024. Meanwhile in the UK, e-scooter riders could be forced to display license plates, pass a test and have insurance under a proposed crackdown aimed at restoring order to the streets.

Prague officials said they were responding to residents who complained about the scooters whizzing by on pavements or in parks, which could be dangerous

A Lime spokesperson said: 'Over the past several years, our e-scooters have provided thousands of people in Prague with a flexible, sustainable, and accessible way to get around the city, and it is unfortunate the Council chose this more drastic step instead of regulation to improve the program for residents.

'That said, we do not see this as having a major impact on our service in Prague, as Lime has a robust and popular shared e-bike service in the city.

'Similar e-bike programs have been successful in many cities, including London and Paris, and we expect this to be true for Prague going forward.'

Lime said the Councils vote was only on a concept  no final contract has been signed, and they do not expect any change to take effect as of January 1.

Lime added this type of action remains extremely rare across Europe and globally, with the vast majority of cities instead choosing to launch, extend, or expand shared e-scooter programs as part of their sustainable transport strategies.
A British expat who left the UK for Thailand has shared 'unappealing' elements of life in England that has cemented her decision to never return.

Claudia, who goes by @islandlifewithclaudia on social media, packed her bags in 2019 and 'quit the rat race' for an unhurried way of life in Thailand's second-largest island, Koh Samui.

The content creator posted a video to TikTok, where she took aim at the UK's public healthcare system and state pension allowance in response to critics who told her she 'would be back' once she'd retired.

In the clip, Claudia attached a caption that reads: 'It makes me laugh when people say "Youll be back." These are the reasons I WON'T be returning to the UK. Its just not appealing to live there anymore.'

Starting with the state pension in the UK, which sees over 65s with a sufficient number of National Insurance qualifying years get paid 230.25 a week, she said: 'Why on earth would I want to retire on that state pension?

'I don't know how much they give you per week but it's not a lot. Why on earth would I wanna rely on pennies when I retire.'

Claudia explained that she now enjoys paying into a private pension while living in Thailand, a move that has assured her she will be 'absolutely fine' when she retires.

The expat also cited long waits associated with the NHS as another major drawback.

Claudia, who goes by @islandlifewithclaudia on social media, packed her bags in 2019 and 'quit the rat race' for an unhurried way of life in Thailand's second largest island, Koh Samui

She explained: 'That one really makes me laugh... Everyone knows the state of the NHS right now.'

'You have to wait so long to get an appointment, and if it's something serious and you need to see a specialist, you need to get referred and you get put on a waiting list. You could be waiting years.'

She went on to add that in her new country of residence, she pays for private health insurance, which she says guarantees she is 'seen instantly' at the hospital or by a doctor.

Claudia continued: 'I've had a couple of issues whilst I've been here and the level of care has been absolutely excellent - way better than I ever had in the NHS.

'The hospitals here are like five-star hotels. So there is no chance whatsoever I would come back to use the NHS when I get such great care here.'

Over 300 viewers were left divided in the comments, with some supporting the content creator's reasons on why she left the UK, while others maintained that she would return home one day.

One person shared: 'I left the UK for Australia, regional town in WA, more money, cheaper lifestyle, healthcare is so quick and high quality. The UK is dead.'

Another said: '100% agree with you. I moved to Australia 4 years ago and will never return to the uk. I have private health insurance, I wouldnt rely on the NHS!!'

Over 300 viewers were left divided in the comments, with some supporting the content creator's reasons on why she left the UK, while others maintained that she would return home one day

A third wrote, 'State pension by the time she retires is meaningless money,' while a fourth added, 'You can claim your state pension from abroad, lol.'

Meanwhile, one person warned: 'The health insurance will get more expensive the older you get. In the worst case there will be so many exclusions that it doesn't make sense anymore or you don't get it at all.'

Another said: 'You will [return] for your pension and healthcare never boast life can sometimes take horrible turns.'

Finally, another shared: 'Having lived in Sydney Singapore Hong Kong & Bangkok one thing Ive learnt as an expat - never say never as you never never know what might just happen!'
Just days after a brazen heist which targeted France's priceless crown jewels, the world's most-visited museum has opened its doors to visitors once again.

The Louvre Museum in Paris was the target of 'the theft of the decade' on Sunday when 76million worth of jewellery was stolen in broad daylight.

Posing as construction workers, two members of a highly organised gang parked a flat-bed truck, complete with an extendable ladder, outside the museum.

Once their getaway drivers pulled up on scooters, the men began their seven-minute raid  propping their ladder up against the museums wall, scurrying to the top and using an angle grinder to pierce through the window.

Inside, they threatened unarmed guards and visitors before breaking into two display cabinets and looting nine prized items.

With the world's growing obsession with 'true crime', the recent heist is likely to cause a visitor spike as tourists are drawn to see the location of the crime.

While the Louvre's Apollo Gallery, the site of the crime, remains closed, guests have been spotted once again queuing to enter the museum.

There are already countless YouTube videos, articles and discussion pages where people have shared their theories of how the heist was allowed to happen.

The Louvre Museum in Paris was the target of ' the theft of the decade' on Sunday when 76million worth of jewellery was stolen in broad daylight

While the Louvre's Apollo Gallery, the site of the crime, remains closed, guests have been spotted once again queuing to enter the museum

And tourists have expressed a mixture of shock and excitement, with some describing the event as 'insane' and 'cinematic'.

One person, who spoke to the BBC outside the Louvre yesterday, said: 'We are very excited to go In and see where the jewellery was stolen and everything, because how could people steal things from the Louvre?

'It is very exciting.'

Another agreed: 'I think the heist, kind of, made it more exciting to go to the Louvre for some reason.

'I think later we're going to try to find where the people broke in, and take a picture near it.'

And a third added: 'This is our first time in Paris, and we actually have all day to enjoy Paris, so we might actually go inside now, and now see where the crown jewels used to be.

'I mean, something like that seems almost impossible. I mean, theres so many people around, and guards, and I wouldnt imagine anybody would try to steal jewels from the Louvre, much less during the daytime.'

The stolen items include a diamond and emerald necklace which Emperor Napoleon gave to his wife, a tiara worn by Empress Eugenie, the wife of Napoleon III and several pieces previously owned by Queen Marie-Amelie.

Tourists have expressed a mixture of shock and excitement, with some describing the event as 'insane' and 'cinematic'

High-end art thefts are not unusual in Paris, including at the Louvre, which opened in 1793 after serving as a palace since the late 12th century.

And the raid comes despite authorities regularly pledging to improve security at the numerous galleries across the French capital.

A similar heist happened in Germany in 2019 when 98million worth of royal jewellery was stolen from the Green Vault museum within Dresden Castle in Dresden, Saxony.

Many of the treasures were recovered years later when five men were convicted of the crime, but some remain missing to this day. All five told investigators they didnt know where the missing jewels were.
Heathrow Airport's third runway has been fast-tracked in the Government's 29billion makeover - meaning it could be unveiled sooner than expected.

Flights could take off from a new runway by 2035.

The new runway will open up at least 30 new daily routes and serve up to 150 million passengers, Heathrow said.

This could include dozens of routes to new destinations - including new direct flights to Peru, Indonesia, Argentina and the Philippines.

It could also mean cheaper holidays, as more competition between airlines should mean cheaper flights.

Heathrow Airport CEO Thomas Woldbye says a third runway could lower airline ticket prices, as passengers will have more choice.

The Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has launched a review of the plans, with the aim being to deliver the Heathrow expansion in 10 years' time.

She introduced a review of the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS) in Parliament yesterday to speed up the plans.

Heathrow Airport's third runway has been fast-tracked in the Government's 29billion expansion - meaning it could be unveiled sooner than expected

Heidi explained that since 2018, new environmental and climate obligations mean an updated ANPS is necessary to allow a decision to be taken on expansion planning applications.

The review will include four key tests that any proposed scheme for Heathrow expansion will have to meet.

This will include tests on climate change, noise, air quality and contribution to economic growth across the UK.

This will ensure planning applications to build a third runway progress fast enough for a final planning decision to be made within this Parliament.

The Government also aims to keep plans in line with net zero commitments, according to the GOV.UK website.

It comes after the approval of a Luton Airport expansion earlier this year and Gatwick expansion last month.

The Government is supporting aviation projects to grow the economy, provide jobs and deliver the Plan for Change.

Heidi said: 'When we say this Government is one that backs the builders, not blockers we mean it.

The new runway will open up at least 30 new daily routes and serve up to 150 million passengers, Heathrow said

'Today is a critical building block which will advance plans for the delivery of a third runway at Heathrow, meaning people can start to experience the full benefits sooner.

'As our only hub airport, Heathrow is critical to the UK's economy, connecting millions of people every year and exporting British businesses across the globe.

'Enabling Heathrow expansion will drive economic growth and create jobs across the country, delivering on our Plan for Change.'

Thomas Woldbye said he is 'grateful for ministers' continued support'.
A British travel influencer has been slammed after urging holidaymakers to ditch boozy getaways for 'lads tours' of Afghanistan - after bragging the war-torn nation boasts kebabs better than Turkey's and a landscape to rival the Swiss Alps.

Kieran Brown, 30, from Sidcup, Kent, paid 900 for an eight-day guided trip through Afghanistan, despite the UK Government warning against all travel to the country due to the ongoing security threat under Taliban rule.

The former barman, accompanied by three friends, bought a travel visa from neighbouring Pakistan and crossed the border in 2024 to be driven around 'the world's most dangerous country'.

During their stay, the group tucked into 1.50 kebabs and fresh naan bread, went bowling, explored mountain lakes and even shared a 'welcome' tea with members of the Taliban.

He said: 'This country has always been off limits during my childhood so I was intrigued by it.

'It was one of the most beautiful countries I've ever been to. There were mountains, glacier blue lakes. It was like the Swiss Alps.'

'The food was really cheap and it was one of the best cuisines I've ever had. You could get a kebab with fresh bread for $2 and I thought it was much better than in Turkey.'

Kieran added he was shocked by the level of development in Kabul, claiming it 'felt as developed as a city in Bulgaria' - complete with shopping malls, cinemas and 28-a-night luxury accommodation.

A British travel influencer has been slammed after urging holidaymakers to ditch boozy getaways for 'lads tours' of Afghanistan - after bragging the war-torn nation boasts kebabs better than Turkey's and a landscape to rival the Swiss Alps

Kieran Brown, 30, from Sidcup, Kent, paid 900 for an eight-day guided trip through Afghanistan, despite the UK Government warning against all travel to the country due to the ongoing security threat under Taliban rule

During Kieran and his pals' stay, the group tucked into 1.50 kebabs and fresh naan bread, went bowling, explored mountain lakes and even shared a 'welcome' tea with members of the Taliban

He explained: 'It was much more developed than I imagined. Every hotel I stayed at was more luxurious than I guessed but maybe that's because we were on a high-end tour.'

During his travels, Kieran said he was struck by the hospitality of locals - including Taliban members who served him tea and even invited him to play volleyball, a match that was jokingly referred to as 'USA vs Afghanistan'.

He noted: 'They want to be a recognised government so it's in their best interests that no tourists are hurt as it would hinder their chances of recognition.

'The people were really happy that we were in the country visiting them and felt welcome the whole time.'

However, he also described witnessing darker realities, including girls being forced to leave school at age 11 and residents saying their quality of life had fallen by 30 per cent since the Taliban takeover.

He also found crossing the Pakistan-Afghanistan border a difficult experience as he could see people trying to flee Afghanistan and being stopped by violent security guards.

The content creator explained: 'They treat tourists well but they don't treat people from Afghanistan well, like women. Seeing how young girls are going to have rights taken away from them wasn't nice to see.'

He said he donated 50 to a school during his trip, part of the 1,000 he spent overall.

Kieran said: 'The food was really cheap and it was one of the best cuisines I've ever had. You could get a kebab with fresh bread for $2 and I thought it was much better than in Turkey'

Kieran added he was shocked by the level of development in Kabul, claiming it 'felt as developed as a city in Bulgaria' - complete with shopping malls, cinemas and 28-a-night luxury accommodation

The tour group went bowling during their eight-day trip

During his travels, Kieran said he was struck by the hospitality of locals

Taliban members served him tea and even invited him to play volleyball, a match that was jokingly referred to as 'USA vs Afghanistan'

But the content creator's tongue-in-cheek videos on social media - captioned 'This is your sign to book a lads trip to Afghanistan' - has since drawn backlash.

Many have accused Kieran of being 'tone-deaf' and 'disrespectful' for promoting a country under Taliban rule, where women's rights have been restricted and where troops had died during two decades of conflict.

One commenter wrote: 'Cute that you get to enjoy this beautiful country. In case you didn't know, women are struggling hard in this beautiful country.

'I hope you used your lads trip to do something about it.'

A second said, 'Imagine being English and going to a country and funding men that shot and killed your own people. Disgrace,' while a third said, 'Nah, we're alright mate.'

Kieran has since defended his posts, insisting his captions were 'satire' and there was no intent to encourage Britons to holiday in Afghanistan.

He explained: 'I wasn't encouraging people to choose Afghanistan over going to Ibiza and I think a lot of people who watched that video could tell that.

'I told my story through my social media then it's up to other people to get their own perception.'

Kieran said: 'It was one of the most beautiful countries I've ever been to. There were mountains, glacier blue lakes. It was like the Swiss Alps'

He added: 'If you've not left the UK and you're considering going there instead of Benidorm then I definitely wouldn't go but if you're an experienced traveller, sure, try it.'

Many have accused Kieran of being 'tone-deaf' and 'disrespectful' for promoting a country under Taliban rule, where women's rights have been restricted and where troops had died during two decades of conflict

Despite the backlash, Kieran says he stands by his experience - though admits Afghanistan is far from a typical tourist destination

Currently, advice by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) warns: 'You should not travel to Afghanistan. The security situation is volatile and travel throughout Afghanistan is extremely dangerous.'

Despite the backlash, Kieran says he stands by his experience - though admits Afghanistan is far from a typical tourist destination.

He said: 'If you've not left the UK and you're considering going there instead of Benidorm then I definitely wouldn't go but if you're an experienced traveller, sure, try it.

'You need to have your wits about you, dress appropriately and pay respect to the people in the country. We had an amazing time.'
It's that time of year where everyone's looking forward to Christmas markets and their mulled wine, handmade gifts, hot chocolate and twinkling lights.

Lots of cities jump immediately to mind - Bruges, London, Berlin, Paris and many more.

But sometimes, it's the quiet, undiscovered gems that have the true festive magic.

A bit further off the beaten track, half an hour from Rome, an Italian town has a special feel at this time of year.

Its underrated festive market has all the best of the Italian festive season - with fewer crowds and queues.

Arezzo, a tiny Tuscan town with Italy's biggest Tyrolean-style Christmas market, is full of character and makes for a great alternative to busier cities.

What's more, it can be reached by a special Christmas train straight from Rome.

Travel company First Choice's booking data shows that destinations such Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland continue to top the list for city breaks at this time of year.

Arezzo, a tiny Tuscan town with Italy's biggest Tyrolean-style Christmas market, is full of character and makes for a great alternative to busier cities

But Arezzo could be an even better option - complete with handcrafted gifts, wooden stalls, twinkling lights and steaming mugs of gluhwein (mulled wine).

This year, the festive feeling has a new exciting twist.

You can now travel directly to Arezzo via a limited-edition Christmas train that runs from Rome directly to Arezzo during the festive period.

With carriages decked out in seasonal decor, festive music and even gifts handed out to passengers, it turns a simple day trip into an immersive experience.

The return ticket costs just 62 (54), making Arezzo a perfect option for a short winter getaway.

Travellers don't need to stay in Arezzo to enjoy the experience. In fact, the smart move is to base the trip in Rome.

'Rome might not be the first place you think of for a Christmas break, but that's exactly what makes it such a smart choice,' says Kevin Nelson, Managing Director at First Choice.

He adds: 'Pairing the city's festive charm with a proper Alpine-style market in Arezzo gives you two authentic experiences for the price of one - it's the ultimate festive hack.'

You can now travel directly to Arezzo via a limited-edition Christmas train that runs from Rome directly to Arezzo during the festive period

The Christmas train is called The Espresso Assisi: Christmas Markets Edition.

It will run journeys between November 30 and January 11, every Sunday.

The route goes from Rome, with stops in Terni, Spoleto, Foligno, Spello, Assisi, Perugia, all the way to Arezzo.

There will be a bar available in the dining car.
A holidaymaker has issued a warning to other travellers after receiving just over 10 per cent of their delayed luggage claim from the budget airline, Ryanair.

Posting on Reddit, the user shared a post titled 'Ryanair delayed luggage claim awarded 61 from 600 claim' on the channel r/LegalAdviceUK.

They shared that while boarding a Ryanair flight to France in July, the airline did not load their suitcase onto the plane.

When the case didn't come out at luggage claim in France, they registered the missing case at the airport.

Thankfully, the traveller had an AirTag in the case so they could track its location and saw that it had been left behind in Manchester.

'My suitcase had all of my clothes, electronics, chargers, sun creams and insect repellants,' the user wrote.

'So naturally, I had to get replacements as I had no way of knowing if the case would ever arrive.

'Luckily, by some miracle, we were reunited on the last day before I left for home; however, I'd spent a fair whack on replacing a lot of like-for-like clothes from Uniqlo along with a few other bits.

A holidaymaker has issued a warning to other travellers after receiving just over 10 per cent of their delayed luggage claim from the budget airline, Ryanair

'Ryanair requested all of my receipts for purchases made, to which I submitted photos of everything.

'The total was around 600 and I was fully aware that they would try to lowball me and say that they wouldn't cover certain things.

'Cut to today, three and a half months later, of incurring credit card interest on the purchases, and they happily tell me that I am entitled to a reimbursement of a whole 61.08.'

The user shared the original email from the airline, which reads: 'Ryanair apologise for any inconvenience caused.

'Ryanair always makes every effort to reduce the number of damaged and delayed baggage items and is therefore the European airline with the fewest damaged and diverted items.

'If an item of baggage is diverted, Ryanair uses advanced baggage tracking systems to locate it and return it to its owner as quickly as possible.

'In conclusion of this matter, we confirm that we are in the process of arranging a payment by bank transfer in the amount of GBP 61.08, in full and final settlement of your claim. Please allow 14-20 working days to receive this payment.'

The airline added that the expenses incurred were been viewed as 'excessive expense' and therefore the awarded value was decreased.

The traveller said that while boarding a Ryanair flight to France in July, the airline did not load their suitcase onto the plane

The user wrote: 'I have replied to this email to register my displeasure and have stated that at no point during the registering of my case being lost or speaking with several agents from Ryanair online during my stay in France was I ever made aware of any stipulations or limits to what was considered a "necessary" purchase.

'I'm wondering if anyone else has gone through something like this and how I should proceed.'

The post prompted debate in the comments about whether the user was excessive in claiming 600 worth of belongings.

One comment, which has been upvoted almost 300 times, read: 'You are meant to buy essentials to get by. 600 for less than a week is clearly taking the proverbial. Did you read Ryanair's policy before splashing out?'

Another user wrote: '600 is more than I spend on clothes for the entire year, not a week. I would expect that there is a list of what is considered "essential" in this situation, and whilst I cannot point you exactly to it, I bet it doesn't cover 600 worth of clothes.

'Unless you were going for a black tie event and needed to purchase a ball gown, I don't see how you can justify that total.

'I agree 60 is low, would maybe expect 100-150 range myself if you add toiletries, charger, towel to the mix, so I understand why you would want to dispute it, but it depends on what was on the receipts exactly.

'Not a fan of Ryanair, but statistically, out of thousands of bags they handle every day, someone's bag has to be lost. It sucks it was yours this time, and you should be reimbursed, but there is no way they pay everyone 600 for a lost suitcase, particularly since it was eventually delivered to you.'

However, others jumped to the user's defence, claiming the amount was reasonable for a week of outfits.

The post prompted debate in the comments about whether the user was excessive in claiming 600 worth of belongings

One user wrote, 'Where would one buy a week's worth of essentials for 61?' while another replied, 'Primark, about 10 years ago.'

According to Citizens' Advice, you have the legal right to claim compensation from the airline if your checked-in luggage is delayed, lost or damaged. You only have the right to claim for a problem with cabin baggage if its the airlines fault.

If you have travel insurance or home contents insurance that covers luggage, youre likely to be better off making an insurance claim instead. Youll probably get more money and find it easier to claim this way.

They add that airlines often want receipts for everything included in your claim, and they wont usually pay new for old replacement for anything lost or damaged or for anything valuable, fragile or perishable in checked-in luggage.

According to the Ryanair website, travellers can contact their local Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) body with their complaint if they are unhappy with the assessment of the claim.

Ryanair commented: 'We cannot comment on an unsubstantiated Reddit thread.'
A Blue Islands flight was forced to make an emergency landing this week after passengers reported hearing 'popping' sounds from the plane's engine.

On 20 October, flight SI-5581, which had taken off from Dublin Airport and was headed to Jersey, experienced issues with its engine at 4000ft - only minutes after leaving the runway.

The regional airline, which operates flights to and from Guernsey, Jersey and destinations across the UK, said crew on board reported a failure of the right-hand engine, prompting it to be shut down and entered into a hold for 20 minutes.

The flight was forced to turn back to the Dublin, where it landed safely 30 minutes after departure.

One passenger said those on board experienced delays of approximately one hour prior to take-off.

According to Aero Inside, the right-hand engine emitted a 'popping' sound before it was shut down.

A spokesperson for Blue Islands told the Daily Mail: 'On Monday 20th October a flight from Dublin to Jersey returned safely to stand in Dublin shortly after take off due to a technical issue which required the crew to follow our standard operating procedures to shut down one engine.

'The safety of our passengers, crew and aircraft is our highest priority. We apologise for the inconvenience; passengers continued to Jersey on a replacement aircraft later the same day.'

A Blue Islands flight was forced to make an emergency landing this week after passengers reported hearing 'popping' sounds from the plane's engine

It comes after an investigation was launched into a Ryanair flight, that came within six minutes of 'running out of fuel' mid-air.

The flight was heading to Glasgow's Prestwick Airport from Pisa in Italy on October 3 when it issued a 'fuel Mayday' and made an emergency landing in Manchester.

The cockpit crew issued a 7700 squawk code, a general emergency alert.

The flight, operated by Malta Air on behalf of Ryanair, made several unsuccessful attempts to land at Prestwick before attempting a landing at Edinburgh Airport. This was also unsuccessful.

The plane then diverted to Manchester, where it landed safely, almost two hours after the first go-around at Prestwick.

The flight reportedly landed with just 220kg of fuel left in the tank, which is only enough for around five or six minutes of flying time.

The final reserve fuel is the absolute minimum amount of fuel an aircraft can have before it is deemed unsafe to remain in the air.

A man who was onboard the Ryanair flight told of his distress - and why he believes the plane should never have taken off.

A man who was on board the Ryanair flight which came within six minutes of 'running out of fuel' mid-air told of his distress - and why he believes the plane should never have taken off

An investigation was launched after the Ryanair flight came within six minutes of 'running out of fuel' mid-air

The passenger, who asked not to be named, told the Daily Mail: 'I was on the flight with my family and found the whole thing really distressing.

'My wife is meant to be flying back to Pisa this week but she can't face it.

'Before boarding the flight, I was aware of the strong winds and had some degree of anxiety. I had to trust the operator and that they knew it was safe.'

It came as Storm Amy brought winds of up to 100mph, sparking transport chaos across the country.

'The advice was not to travel and buses and trains were being cancelled,' said the passenger.

'The three failed landings were like something you'd watch in a disaster movie,' he said.

'I have never experienced anything like it before. People were praying and my son was crying. I remember thinking "Is this it?"
Holidays could be in jeopardy as Tropical Storm Melissa threatens popular winter sun destinations.

The storm has been brewing in the Caribbean but is now forecast to develop into something much worse.

Melissa first began on Tuesday and the US National Hurricane Centre predicts it could become 'a major hurricane'.

It is expected to develop 'by late this weekend of early next week,' according to an update posted today (October 23).

Popular holiday destinations including Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba and the Dominican Republic have been warned.

Strong winds that could last 'for a day or more' are a possible risk in Jamaica and Tiburon in Haiti.

The National Hurricane Centre urged that 'preparations to protect life and property should rushed to completion'.

It went on to warn that the bad weather and strong winds could start in Tiburon and Jamaica as early as Friday and 'continue increasing over the weekend'.

It is expected to develop 'by late this weekend of early next week,' according to an update posted today (October 23)

Popular holiday destinations including Jamaica (pictured), Haiti, Cuba and the Dominican Republic have been warned

Parts of the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Haiti are forecast to be hit with heavy rainfall from Melissa.

The centre adds the weather could be 'bringing a risk of significant, life-threatening flash flooding and numerous landslides'.

The UK Foreign Office updated its guidance for Jamaica and said: 'Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Jamaica based on the current weather projections for Tropical Storm Melissa.

'Tropical storm conditions, especially the threat of heavy rain, could pose a possible threat to Jamaica.'

It explained how local authorities are monitoring the situation and continue to provide updates.

The guidance added: 'Advice remains to stay informed by monitoring local and international weather updates, including from the Meteorological Service For Jamaica and the US National Hurricane Centre, and follow the guidance of local authorities, especially in the event of evacuation orders.'

Further warnings have been issued by the Jamaica Meteorological Service, according to Travel Gossip.

Parts of the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Haiti are forecast to be hit with heavy rainfall from Melissa

It advised people along the north and south coast to 'prepare for possible evacuation from vulnerable coastal areas'.

Melissa is thought to be heading to the Cayman Islands or Jamaica from the middle of next week.

It is then predicted to head towards Cuba and the Bahamas.

Or, there is a possibility it could go to eastern Cuba and Haiti, though this path is reportedly less likely.
Brits heading for the Balearic Islands are facing a huge tourist tax hike with unions pressing for a 15 euro payment per day in the summer months.

The CCOO (Workers' Commission) admits the proposal has nothing to do with raising money for the care of the environment - but rather to deliberately deter holidaymakers from 'saturated' Mallorca, Ibiza and Menorca.

Furious union leaders say the Balearic government is dragging its feet and doing nothing about over-tourism despite repeated promises to address the issue.

The CCOO says every tourist should be charged 15 euros a day in the months of July and August, which would be applied as long as the annual number of visitors does not fall below 14 or 15 million.

'It is not an increase with a desire to collect but a dissuasive one so that the Balearic Islands send a clear message to the world that there is no room for more people here in high season,' said CCOO general secretary for the Balearics, Jose Luis Garcia.

He said the Balearic government made a commitment to increase the tourist tax in 2024 at the height of mass demonstrations against over-tourism so it should stick to its pledge.

The major union is proposing 52 measures in tourism, housing, transport and the labour market within the Pact for Sustainability.

This includes recovering the temporary moratorium (a suspension or delay of an activity) on tourist places.

Brits heading for the Balearic Islands are facing a huge tourist tax hike with unions pressing for a 15 euro payment per day in the summer months

It also entails creating a public housing stock of 40,000 available units and carrying out a load study on each island with the aim of transforming the current economic and tourism model of the islands towards a more balanced and sustainable system.

The union wants an urgent meeting with the Balearic government as it says progress has been paralysed by too much analysis.

The CCOO says slapping a new 15 euro a day tourist tax in the summer would not affect the arrival of tourists.

Leaders point out that hotel prices have increased without slowing down demand and say 137 other cities in Europe apply similar rates.

They propose that the additional income be used for improvements in labour welfare, vocational training and housing policies.

CCOO also proposes a temporary delay on the granting of new tourist places until a consensus is reached at the Social Dialogue Table.

The aim is to slow down the growth of visitors in high season and prioritise a tourist offer with greater added value, progressively replacing the obsolete plant.

The union also wants a reduction in the number of cruise ships that arrive at the ports of the islands.

Furious union leaders say the Balearic government is dragging its feet and doing nothing about over-tourism in areas including Ibiza, pictured

It also wants a reduction in the number of vehicles entering and a new cap on the frequency of flights in high season but increasing them in low season, in addition to regulating the opening hours of the archipelago's airports.

The union identifies the housing crisis as the main social problem in the Balearic Islands.

It calls for limiting the price of rent, declaring the islands a 'stressed area' and creating a public stock of 40,000 homes through empty flats, expropriations of banks and large holders and new construction.

The union calls for an objective study of the tourist-carrying capacity of the islands, taking into account natural resources and floating population.
For many Brits, a holiday is not complete without a trip to the local supermarket - even if it's just for the sweets.

There is a novelty to seeing familiar brands under different names or discovering types of food that you can't get at home.

The trend, dubbed 'snack tourism', is on the rise, with more than half of holidaymakers allocating specific time to trying or buying international food, and a quarter admitting to packing lightly to leave room for their snack stash - according to Skyscanner's Travel Trends 2026 report.

And instead of having to travel to another country for specific munchies, which a shocking 13 per cent of Brits have admitted to, Skyscanner is launching London's first pop-up, where you can try these snacks for free.

Taking place across half term, visitors can choose between more than 50 global favourites from four continents.

But these are Brits' favourite global snacks...

1. Cheetos

In the top spot, Cheetos are a brand of cheese puffs in the U.S, which are best known for their Flamin' Hot flavour.

For many Brits, a holiday is not complete without a trip to the local supermarket - even if it's just for the sweets - and our favourite snack is Cheetos

Lay's Classic is Brits' second-favourite foreign snack across the rest of the world

Similar to Wotsits, they are available in more than 36 countries and dominate the cheese snacks segment in their primary markets, like the U.S.

2. Lay's Classic

Lay's is the brand name for Walkers in North America and various other countries across the rest of the world.

Lay's Classic, which comes in a yellow bag, appear to be similar to Walker's Ready Salted crisps, which are recognisable by their red packaging.

However, Walkers use a blend of sunseed and rapeseed oil, while Lay's Classic are cooked in a mix of sunflower, corn, and/or canola oil.

3. Fanta Limon

In third place, Fanta Limon has a long history of popularity in Spain and Europe, with many people associating it with holidays.

It was introduced in the UK in 2000 and remains a popular flavour, but its availability has been inconsistent.

In third place, Fanta Limon has a long history of popularity in Spain and Europe, with many people associating it with holidays

The availability of Coca Cola Vanilla can vary by location, and it is often imported into countries where it is not locally available, such as the UK

4. Coca Cola Vanilla

Coca-Cola Vanilla is available in many countries, including the United States, Canada, China, and Australia.

It was first introduced in the United States in 2002 and has since been rolled out and reintroduced in various countries.

The availability of this flavour can vary by location, and it is often imported into countries where it is not locally available, such as the UK.

5. KitKat Matcha

Matcha KitKats originated in Japan in 2004, where they are a popular flavour, made with premium matcha green tea from regions like Uji.

The matcha green tea KitKat was launched in the UK in 2019 and is available in some supermarkets.

Since the European launch, the matcha flavour has become available in other countries as well.

Matcha KitKats originated in Japan in 2004 and were introduced to the UK in 2019

6. Italian Canestrelli Biscuits

Italian Canestrelli biscuits are primarily found in the Piedmont and Liguria regions of Northern Italy, with a history dating back to the Montferrat area.

They are also considered a traditional biscuit of Corsica.

They were historically made for special occasions and have a flower shape with a hole in the centre.

7. Fanta Grape

Fanta Grape is popular in the United States and Japan, where it is considered a cult favourite.

While it is more widely available in these regions, it is sometimes unavailable as an import in other countries.

In the UK, its popularity is more niche.

Fanta Grape may not be popular in the UK, but it is a classic choice in the U.S

8. Jolly Rancher Fruit Chews

It doesn't get much more American than Jolly Ranchers.

These chewy sweets are widely available in the U.S and often imported to other countries, such as the UK.

9. Pringles Seaweed

Perhaps the most unusual snack on the list is seaweed-flavoured Pringles.

Pringles Seaweed is a flavour found in Asia, with the specific version often associated with China and sometimes Japan.

Different variations exist, with the Chinese version often being considered a standard flavour there.

The Japanese versions can be limited edition or include additional ingredients like wasabi.

Pringles Seaweed is a flavour found in Asia, with the specific version often associated with China

Similar to British Penguin biscuits, Tim Tams come in a variety of flavours

10. Tim Tams

Finally, the tenth most popular global snack is Australian Tim Tams.

The biscuit is considered a national staple and is made by Australia's largest biscuit manufacturer.

Similar to British Penguin biscuits, they come in a variety of flavours, including double coat, dark chocolate, white chocolate, caramel, dark chocolate mint, honeycomb and chocolate orange.

The Skysnacker Lounge will be open on a walk-in basis at 19 D'Arblay Street from October 31 until November 2.
An Afghanistan veteran broke down in tears on Thursday's episode of BBC Breakfast as he admitted 'I have suicidal thoughts daily' after being left jobless and homeless.

Presenters Naga Munchetty, 50, and Charlie Stayt, 63, reminded viewers that today (October 23) is the start of the annual Royal British Legion's annual poppy appeal for the armed forces community.

In a new segment, reporter Jayne McCubbin met up with veteran Steven Ford to chat to him about his time in the army.

Speaking openly about serving for 20 years, Steven said: 'There's been relationship breakdowns. I think they're the worst.

'I've been in, like, two mental health institutions. I have suicidal thoughts daily.'

After leaving the force, he really struggled to find a job because he didn't have a house, and ended up in supported living for veterans, as well as his car and a tent.

An Afghanistan veteran (pictured) broke down in tears on BBC Breakfast as he admitted 'I have suicidal thoughts daily' after being left jobless and homeless on Thursday

In a new segment, reporter Jayne McCubbin met up with veteran Steven Ford to chat to him about his time in the army

In May Steven reached out and contacted the Royal British Legion - and now he has somewhere to live.

Clearly getting very emotional about how much the charity has helped him, Steven said: 'It's going to make me cry!

'Yeah I asked him for a favour and he were there straight away.'

Speaking with Tony, who helps the charity, he said: 'I know I've got support here and I know that I've got good friends around here.

'There is nothing else you can really ask for is there?'

Despite the hard times that he's been through, Steven wouldn't change his past as he told Jayne: 'I'd go back tomorrow.

'We went to them places, but with our mates. And we were making sure that our mates were all right.'

Elsewhere in the interview, Steven met up with two of his friends Coops and David - they all met while on tour in Afghanistan together.

Clearly getting very emotional about how much the charity has helped him, Steven said: 'It's going to make me cry! Yeah I asked him for a favour and he were there straight away'

They said: 'There's a lot of people who don't appreciate what we've done. I've been going to Tesco.

'There was a kid asking the parent what had happened to me, why I have no legs.

'All they did is drag them away. And I'm like, you could just ask, you know.'

It comes after BBC Breakfast staff have reportedly 'slammed bosses for the double standards' after it was revealed that Kaye Adams has been suspended during a bullying probe while Naga Munchetty remains in her role on the show despite the same complaints.

Last week Daily Mail exclusively revealed that Loose Women presenter Kaye has been taken off her BBC Radio Scotland show following allegations she bullied her co-workers.

But Naga and Charlie, who present BBC Breakfast Thursday to Saturday, have had similar complaints made against them - and they are still on our screens.

This has left many feeling as if there are 'double standards' going on

A source said told The Sun: 'The review on Naga and Charlie is rumbling on because new complaints keep coming up, which raise new questions, so they have to keep interviewing other people.

'The news about Kaye Adams suspension up in Scotland has put the cat among the pigeons because shes been accused of the same thing as Naga and Charlie  bullying.

'People are saying its double standards and that the BBC are pandering to Naga particularly, because she is the big name because she has Breakfast and her 5 Live show.

'They are the nations broadcaster and should treat all complaints the same way.'

Kaye - who has been on Loose Women since 1999 - joined has been part of the BBC Radio Scotland team since 2010.

The host has had a number of shows with the station over the years including Call Kaye, With Kaye Adams and The Kaye Adams Programme.

Naga joined the BBC Breakfast team in 2014, while Charlie has been on the show since 2006.

Breakfast airs from 6am on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer.

For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support
A Dragons' Den star and owner of a company worth 690 million has opened up about when he received a death threat from a warlord - forcing him to flee Russia.

British businessman Nick Jenkins, now 58, was a familiar face on Dragons' Den on seasons 13 and 14 and invested a whopping 842,000 on the show until his departure in 2017.

Nick made his fortune as the founder of the popular greeting card company Moonpig.com, but not all of his business interactions have been so successful.

In a new podcast appearance, he said that he had a 'ding dong' with a Siberian warlord after several warehouses worth of sugar vanished when he was working for a 'big' commodity trading company in Russia.

He said on the Micah McLean Talks podcast: 'I was quite young and it was the first time I ever had a death threat. To some extent you think that's quite exciting.

'It's a death threat. Never had one of those before. In your 40s you think, "Oh my God, it's a death threat. That's bad."'

Dragons' Den star Nick Jenkins, 58, and owner of a company worth 690 million has opened up about when he received a death threat from a warlord - forcing him to flee Russia

British businessman Nick (pictured here with fellow Dragon Touker Suleyman in 2015) was a familiar face on Dragons' Den on seasons 13 and 14 and invested a whopping 842,000 on the show until his departure in 2017

The former Dragon's Den star continued: 'The Russians in those days had the money to buy sugar in the street but there were no organisations that had enough money to buy a single cargo of sugar.

'So what we were doing was bringing sugar in from abroad and shipping it to warehouses that we rented and then allowing it to be released from those warehouses once we'd been paid.

'The problem was that somebody in Siberia who got about 10 of these warehouses and about $10 million worth of sugar just decided to help themselves to it.'

Nick went on to meet the man behind the incident, who turned out to be 'some sort of warlord'.

In retaliation for the sugar theft, the man's assets were frozen in Switzerland.

Nick explained: 'We had a bit of a ding-dong and I got a death threat stuck to my front door. I left Russia about three months after that.

'That wasn't the only reason, but it was a little bit of motivation, I suppose.'

Nick explained that the insurance company dealing with the theft was the one that received the death threat, but it left him rattled all the same.

Nick explained that the insurance company dealing with the theft was the one that received the death threat, but it left him rattled all the same and was motivating factor behind his decision to leave Russia

Nick said that while he didn't find the incident 'traumatic', it was definitely a 'wake-up call'.

In the end, the insurance company decided to walk away from the warlord, concluding that any further action was not worth the risk.

He said: 'Russians were fairly logical about that sort of thing. They generally would threaten you if you stop doing it.

'At that point, I handed it over to the insurance underwriters, who took one look at it and just said, "No, let's just write it off and walk away."

'That was that. I havent walked around worrying that someone's going to blow my car up ever since.'

Dragons' Den continues on October 30 at 8pm on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer.
Welcome to The Group Chat with Lucy Manly, where Australia's most trusted society insider shares the hottest gossip BEFORE it makes the news.

Cashless Kashaya living large

Despite being declared bankrupt again in April, Double Bay wedding planner Kashaya Williams is still swanning around town.

The mother-of-three - found by the NSW Supreme Court to have used a forged letter to gain ownership of her late grandfather's home during a bitter family feud - was spotted by yours truly on Saturday night, holding court at a VIP table in The Cross.

And before you ask - no, I wasn't there to party with the fallen social set. I was following a 50th birthday bash nearby (Pelicano is not my usual haunt).

Still, Williams seemed very much in her element - laughing, flicking her hair and carrying on like she hadn't spent years being dragged through the courts.

Kashaya Williams holding court at Pelicano in Kings Cross on Saturday night

The 40-year-old mother of three is pictured alongside her ex-husband Evan Williams

The Double Bay home Williams has recently been booted from

The moment she clocked me taking a discreet snap, she quickly turned away.

It's not the first time she's been spotted out and about.

Back in May, I spied her at Bondi's Royal Hotel (the ramshackle pub tacked onto Totti's) wearing an ill-fitting lace mini dress and sipping rose like she owned the joint.

Of course, that was just weeks before her latest bankruptcy and an appearance at Waverley Local Court, where she's facing traffic charges for speeding and driving while suspended - charges she's trying to have annulled.

In a fresh blow, the former florist, 40, has reportedly been booted from her Double Bay digs. A well-placed source says agents changed the locks after she allegedly stopped paying rent.

Her sons are said to be living with her mother, Nerez, on the Central Coast, while she continues to haunt the eastern suburbs party circuit.

Still, credit where its due - it takes serious chutzpah to lose everything and still strut into a VIP booth like a millionaire.

Litsa's soft launch

Litsa Stavropoulos sitting on the lap of her buff new bloke

Happiness is the best revenge - or so the saying goes.

Sydney social fixture Litsa Stavropoulos has quietly found love again - months after her ex-husband, Nicholas 'Nic' Stavropoulos, was found guilty of raping another woman in Greece almost a decade ago, and then shacked up with Litsa's best friend, Pembe Bekir.

Whispers emerged earlier this year that Nic, 50, had grown close to Pembe not long after his marriage collapsed.

These two couples - the Stavropouloses and the Bekirs - were inseparable for years, their lives entwined by virtue of their kids' private school, shared holidays, and Point Piper dinner parties.

Nic and Pembe's ex-husband, entrepreneur Deniz Bekir, had also been best mates 'forever'. You really can't make this stuff up.

At the time it all went down, Litsa seemed to hint at betrayal with a string of cryptic Instagram posts, including: 'When people show you who they are, believe them.'

But in true comeback style, she's spun her heartbreak into a soft launch.

The mum-of-two is now posting snaps with her new, very buff beau, who friends say is the 'complete opposite' of Nic.

Litsa and Nicholas Stavropoulos (pictured on one of their European getaways) ended their marriage in February

Nicholas Stavropoulos is now dating Pembe Bekir (left), the ex-wife of his longtime friend Deniz Bekir (right). Litsa and Pembe were also good friends for years

When Nic Stavropoulos landed in Sydney last week, he was seen lunging for a reporter's phone

The pair are said to be living together in Greenacre, in Sydney's west - a world away from the gossip-soaked east and her former life in well-heeled Vaucluse.

'She's happier and more grounded than she's been in years,' a source tells me.

'She's done with that world - the fake smiles, the backstabbing, the whispers. She's moved on.'

It comes after Nic and Pembe jetted back into Sydney from Paris last Friday, where they were confronted by a reporter at the airport about the rape trial.

In dramatic footage, Nic - clad in a white T-shirt, black pants, and Samba sneakers - lunged for the reporter's phone, while Pembe, in a grey hoodie and tracksuit, watched on.

'Nic, do you have anything to say about your rape charge in Greece that you're appealing?' the reporter asked.

'I'm innocent and not under bail,' he snapped, before adding: 'There are no bail conditions set, only a full retrial to be scheduled.'

Nic, who pleaded not guilty, was sentenced to six years in jail by a Greek court in May after being found guilty of raping a woman in a Mykonos nightclub bathroom in 2016.

The incident took place during a lavish 40th birthday trip involving parents whose children all attended Sydney's elite Kambala girls' school.

He's appealed the verdict and continues to live freely in Point Piper, one of Australia's most exclusive postcodes, while awaiting a full retrial.

And Litsa? Friends say she's finally putting the past behind her.

'She's got a new man, a new life, and zero time for eastern suburbs drama.'

Great White outrage

Westfield heiress Monica Saunders-Weinberg has come out swinging in defence of two Sydney-born cafe owners whose trendy California eatery is facing bizarre claims of racism.

The glamorous philanthropist let rip on Instagram after the Los Angeles Times published a damning expose titled: 'Inside the allegations of racial discrimination at L.A. restaurants Great White and Gran Blanco.'

'This makes me crazy!' Saunders-Weinberg began in her fiery post.

'They are good Aussie blokes that have worked their arses off and the name is after great white sharks that we have in our country you dumb f***s!!!! Hard working good guys this is such BULLS**T,' she raged.

The men at the centre of the storm - Sam Trude and Sam Cooper - are Sydney private school alumni: Trude went to The King's School in Parramatta, while Cooper is a former Cranbrook boy.

Great White went viral last week after a TikTok user accused the beachside cafe of racially profiling patrons - claiming Asian diners were being deliberately seated away from others.

Westfield heiress Monica Saunders-Weinberg has come out swinging in defence of two Sydney-born cafe owners. Co-owner Sam Trude (pictured right)

The Westfield heiress didn't mince her words when lashing out at the Los Angeles Times article

In the clip, TikTok user Cassidy Cho filmed herself seated in one corner of the restaurant, saying: 'I don't know if it's just me but they put all Asians in one corner.'

Cho later told NBC Los Angeles she was flooded with messages from diners who'd had similar experiences - with the outlet also pointing to Yelp reviews dating back years echoing the same complaints.

Great White's co-founders previously owned another Venice Beach restaurant, Gran Blanco, where former employee told NBC she was once instructed to seat Asian guests outside.

Gran Blanco has been under new management since June 2025.

In a statement, the pair slammed the claims as 'completely false,' insisting the restaurant's name refers to the shark, not anything racial.

'Any notion that we have mistreated customers or employees or seated people based on their ethnicity is absolutely outrageous and completely false. Everyone is welcome here,' the statement read.

While the cafe has become the target of widespread online outrage - particularly among Asian-American diners - the backlash has also prompted an unlikely wave of support from conservative corners of social media...

Clara gets her Grove back

Perth socialite Clara Hurst is still flaunting her enviable lifestyle - even as trouble continues to swirl around her late husband's financial misdeeds.

Former friends in the west tell me the glamorous mother-of-two has quietly checked into The Grove, an ultra-luxury apartment complex in Peppermint Grove, citing 'security concerns'.

'She's living in a hotel-style set-up at The Grove, close to her daughters' school,' a source reveals.

'She's worried about retribution from victims [her late husband's former dental patients] and doesn't feel safe in her own home.'

The insider didn't hold back on what would truly resolve the situation:

'She could fix all this overnight by selling her house and doing the right thing - pay the victims back!'

Clara's sprawling Claremont estate has been buzzing with tradesmen lately, and neighbours have noticed a new sign out front warning of '24-hour security' - clear proof the embattled socialite isn't taking any chances.

For those not across the saga, Clara's husband, British-born dentist Dr David Hurst, died suddenly last December at Crown Perth casino, while Clara and the children were holidaying in Bali.

A week later, the family fled to Switzerland.

Perth socialite Clara Hurst (pictured) has quietly checked into The Grove, an ultra-luxury apartment complex in Peppermint Grove, citing 'security concerns'

Perth's most elusive widow Clara Hurst is living at The Grove (pictured) as friends say she fears retribution from her husband's victims

Then came the bombshells: before his death, Dr Hurst had allegedly siphoned more than $7million from his dental practice and swindled 130 patients out of $2.3million in prepayments - some pulled directly from their super - for treatments that were either botched or never completed.

While the victims scramble to recover their losses, Clara has carried on as if untouched by scandal or financial strain.

Just last week, I revealed she'd jetted off for a girls' getaway to the exclusive Qualia resort on Hamilton Island, joined by fellow Scotch College mums Kate Robinson, Jade Rubino, and Kristina Young.

But insiders claim the escape has only heightened her paranoia.

'Clara's terrified that photos will leak to the press, showing her living the high life,' one WA spy says.

'She knows people are watching her every move - and some are more than happy to send the evidence your way.'

For now, Clara is keeping up appearances - luxury handbags, five-star stays and all -but behind Peppermint Grove's closed doors, whispers suggest the walls may be closing in.

Clara's British-born husband, Dr David Hurst (pictured left) died suddenly last December at Crown Perth casino

Clara's palatial home in Claremont has been under renovation for months

Deal or No Wheels

Once one of the most recognisable faces on Australian television, disgraced game show host Andrew O'Keefe is quietly rebuilding his life in one of Sydney's most exclusive neighbourhoods.

The fallen 'Deal or No Deal' star, 53, is understood to be out of rehab and living just a stone's throw from picturesque Christensen Park in upmarket Vaucluse.

Locals tell me O'Keefe has kept a low profile in recent months. One neighbour noted that his 2015 Mercedes-Benz sedan seems to have sat idle for some time.

'It hasn't moved in months,' the local said. 'It's no longer sporting a number plate and the tyres are covered in spider webs - he seems to walk everywhere. Good for him.'

The reason behind the apparent car issue remains unclear - perhaps unpaid fines, or possibly the troubled star isn't allowed to drive.

I recently spotted the charismatic former TV regular in a funky outfit wandering through Bondi, and again in a dimly lit massage parlour next to my local Japanese restaurant in North Bondi.

I spotted Andrew O'Keefe (pictured) at a dimly-lit massage parlour next door to my local Japanese restaurant

The fallen game show host is often seen in my neighbourhood

Elisha Dalah (pictured left) performed CPR and administered Narcan after Andrew O'Keefe overdosed on heroin

The reason behind the apparent car park fixture remains unclear - perhaps unpaid fines, or possibly the troubled star isn't allowed to drive.

O'Keefe has endured public battles with drug addiction for years, spending time in and out of rehab centres.

In February, he faced Waverley Local Court, where he pleaded guilty to driving with methamphetamine in his system.

He escaped with a $440 fine and a six-month driving ban.

The court heard he tested positive to the drug while behind the wheel of his Mercedes C200 in Sydney's eastern suburbs in July 2023.

When he appeared in court, O'Keefe looked noticeably healthier after a three-month stint in rehab.

But the former TV golden boy's road to recovery has been anything but smooth.

Just a year earlier, the father-of-three had to be revived by paramedics after overdosing on heroin at a party in Sydney's east.

The shocking incident made headlines when it emerged socialite Elisha Dalah, 38, performed CPR and administered Narcan - the heroin antidote - to save O'Keefe's life.

Dalah, who was later fined $1,500 and handed a 30-month community corrections order requiring him to attend rehab, reportedly cleaned vomit from O'Keefe's nose and mouth before paramedics arrived.
Kristen Bell is facing mounting backlash from domestic violence advocates after sharing a disturbing anniversary post quoting husband Dax Shepard saying he was 'heavily incentivized to kill' her.

The jarring caption, shared to mark their 12th wedding anniversary on Saturday, quickly ignited global outrage.

'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 I'm heavily incentivized to kill you, I never would,' the Frozen star, 45, wrote.

The post immediately sparked backlash online, with many survivors and advocacy groups condemning it as 'tone-deaf' and 'insensitive' - particularly given that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Bell has yet to publicly address the criticism, remove the post and skipped her scheduled appearance on the Today show on Wednesday morning.

Amid the career nightmare, leading experts in domestic violence prevention, crisis communications and survivor advocacy have spoken out about how such remarks can have devastating consequences, regardless of intent.

Dale Margolin Cecka, Director of the Family Violence Litigation Clinic at Albany Law School, told The Daily Mail that comments like Bell's 'normalize abuse and silence survivors.'

Kristen Bell is facing mounting backlash after sharing a disturbing anniversary post quoting husband Dax Shepard saying he was 'heavily incentivized to kill' her; seen last month

'Even when framed as humor, comments about domestic violence normalize abuse and silence survivors,' Cecka said. 'DV is not a punchline  it's a pervasive, life-altering issue.'

She continued: 'Survivors often carry trauma that can be re-traumatized by casual remarks, especially from public figures. What might seem like a joke to one person can feel like a dismissal or minimization of real suffering to another.'

Cecka added that such remarks contribute to a culture of complacency around violence against women.

'Let's not forget that about 1 in 3 female homicide victims is killed by an intimate partner,' Cecka continued. 'Headlines are rife with stories of women killed by their partners. This is far from a casual joke.'

Cecka, who has represented survivors for years, said comments like Bell's can send a damaging message.

'When high-profile individuals downplay intimate partner violence, it sends a signal that fame or influence allows someone to avoid the social and legal consequences of abuse,' she said.

As for what Bell can do now, Cecka says the moment could still become a teachable one.

'This is not about Kristen Bell  she's just one person, making what she thought was a silly joke,' she explained. 'But you wouldn't joke about giving your husband cancer. So this joke speaks to a larger lack of understanding of or appreciation of the real victims behind domestic violence.'

To rectify the comment, Cecka suggest Bell donate money to shelters as many are 'really really struggling now with budget cuts.'

The jarring caption, shared to mark their 12th wedding anniversary on Saturday, quickly ignited global outrage

'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 I'm heavily incentivized to kill you, I never would,' the Frozen star, 45, wrote

The post immediately sparked backlash online, with many survivors and advocacy groups condemning it as 'tone-deaf' and 'insensitive' (pictured on October 16, 2025)

'She could use the opportunity to bring attention to the real numbers  the women who are killed every year by intimate partners.',' she suggested.

Cecka also stressed that the backlash is 'warranted' and particularly perplexing coming from 'a woman, who would think of herself as progressive or a feminist.'

Danielle Pollack, Policy Manager for the National Family Violence Law Center at GW Law, agreed that such comments have real-world impact.

'While dark humour is sometimes used to diffuse the seriousness of domestic abuse and homicide, making flip comments can inadvertently undermine the gravity of these issues and how DV is handled and viewed by society and systems,' Pollack said. 'The reality is that femicide is the leading cause of death for pregnant and postpartum women the U.S., and worldwide every day many women are murdered at the hands of their intimate partners or ex partners.'

Pollack warned that if survivors feel society doesn't take abuse seriously, 'they can be less incentivized to escape their abuser,' adding that 'flip comments by public figures do send a signal.'

Bell has yet to publicly address the criticism, remove the post and skipped her scheduled appearance on the Today show on Wednesday morning; seen in October 2025

Hollywood Crisis Management Expert, Eric Schiffer advised Bell to 'drop the dark humor.'

'Silence here reads brutally ugly, Kristen needs to own it then move forward. Let people know she trivialized abuse and apologize. Id also tie the apology to a donation link and hotline info and let action carry the headline,' he suggested.

As for what level of responsibility does she hold as a public figure to acknowledge the criticism, Schiffer insisted staying mum just 'reads like ugly contempt.'

'With more than a decade of being Americas sweetheart capital, shes the landlord of her words and rents banging hard on her door to be paid,' he explained. 'Responsibility here means centering survivors, not being a snark. Grown brands dont ghost consequences.'

He also stood firm that 'ignoring survivors during their month is catastrophic.'

Dale Margolin Cecka, Director of the Family Violence Litigation Clinic at Albany Law School, told The Daily Mail that comments like Bell's 'normalize abuse and silence survivors'

Danielle Pollack, Policy Manager for the National Family Violence Law Center at GW Law, agreed that such comments have real-world impact

Publicist Alexandria Hurley called the post 'completely off-brand' for Bell, who is known for her upbeat image.

'When a public figure, especially a woman, jokes about spousal abuse or killing a partner, it trivializes the pain of victims and sends a message that their experiences arent taken seriously,' Hurley said. 'If I were her publicist, Id advise her not to double down or defend it as just a joke. Instead, she should acknowledge the mistake, apologize sincerely, and use her platform to elevate education around domestic violence.'

Hurley added that silence would make the situation worse: 'She needs to address it, clearly and quickly. Silence in a situation like this reads as indifference. A straightforward apology acknowledging poor judgment and reaffirming support for survivors would go a long way.'

Author and advocate Melody Gross said Bell's 'joke' reflects a larger cultural blind spot.

Crisis PR expert Eric Schiffer (seen in 2014) advised Bell to 'drop the dark humor.'

Publicist Alexandria Hurley called the post 'completely off-brand' for Bell, who is known for her upbeat image

'As a survivor and prevention specialist, Kristen Bell's post may have an impact that she is unaware of. There is never an incentive to kill someone,' Gross said. 'Celebrities are influencers whether they desire to be or not... too many victims remain silent because their abuse was seen as a joke to others.'

Gross added that this could be a moment of growth for Bell and Shepard.

'This is a learning opportunity for Bell and her husband,' she told The Daily Mail. 'My recommendation is for Bell and her husband to only respond to the backlash after they've done the work to truly understand the impact of her words.'

PR strategist David E. Johnson warned that if Bell stays silent, it could hurt her public image and even affect her upcoming projects.

'She should address it,' he said. 'Ignoring it keeps the story alive and risks the appearance that she doesn't care how it was perceived and doesnt care about domestic violence victims.'

Therapist Soula Hareas echoed that point, saying Bell's post sends the wrong message to both young women and men (seen in September 2025)

Johnson added: 'If Kristen Bell acknowledges her mistake, shows genuine contrition, and demonstrates genuine learning, it's unlikely to cause lasting harm... mishandled, though, it will overshadow her Netflix release and alienate fans who see her as a role model, and bring long-term brand damage.'

Therapist Soula Hareas echoed that point, saying Bell's post sends the wrong message to both young women and men.

'If a girl were to read that post, they may assume it's ok when a man jokes about abuse and may not recognize or accept the seriousness of their own abusive relationship,' she said. 'For boys this signals that it's ok to treat a woman with disrespect as long as it's done in a joking manner.'

Hareas added: 'By all means celebrate your anniversary which is a great achievement but dont do it in a way that jokes about and minimizes abuse and murder. Victims have enough to overcome to get the courage to leave.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to Bell's representatives multiple times, but have not heard back at this time.
Outer Banks co-creator and director Jonas Pate is facing allegations of inappropriate behavior on set following a reported altercation with a production assistant during filming in Dubrovnik, Croatia.

The cast and crew had returned this week to shoot the fifth and final season of the hit Netflix series when, according to TMZ , Pate allegedly 'grabbed and shook' a production assistant while shouting in her face.

The outlet reports that series star Chase Stokes, 33, 'separated' Pate and the assistant, while lead actress Madelyn Cline, 27, 'jumped in' to defuse the situation.

Sources told TMZ that 'tensions were high' during production and that such outbursts were not 'unusual behavior' for Pate.

Production reportedly continued after the alleged incident.

Daily Mail has not received a response to its request for comment from reps for Pate, Chase, Cline and Netflix.

Outer Banks co-creator and director Jonas Pate is facing allegations of inappropriate behavior on set following a reported altercation with a production assistant during filming in Dubrovnik, Croatia; (Pate pictured in August 2025)

The cast and crew had returned this week to shoot the fifth and final season of the hit Netflix series when, according to TMZ , Pate allegedly 'grabbed and shook' a production assistant while shouting in her face; (Madelyn Cline and Chase Stokes were seen filming Outer Banks in Dubrovnik, Croatia)

Pate, who co-created Outer Banks alongside his brother Joshua Pate, has been a central figure in the show since its debut on Netflix in 2020.

The hit teen adventure drama follows the rivalry between the working-class 'Pogues' and the wealthy 'Kooks' in the fictional coastal town of Figure Eight, North Carolina.

Blending treasure-hunting escapades, romance, and class warfare, the show quickly became one of Netflixs biggest breakout hits, particularly among younger audiences.

Led by Stokes as John B and Cline as Sarah Cameron, the ensemble also includes Rudy Pankow (JJ), Madison Bailey (Kiara), Jonathan Daviss (Pope), and Carlacia Grant (Cleo).

Together, the crew gets caught up in wild adventures, buried secrets, and plenty of drama  all while hunting for lost treasure along the Outer Banks coast.

The shows sun-soaked setting and rumored romances between the cast helped turn Outer Banks into a pop culture sensation.

Since its 2020 debut, its topped Netflixs global charts multiple times.

In November 2024, Netflix confirmed that Outer Banks will conclude with its upcoming fifth season, which is expected to bring closure to the central characters journeys and tie up the long-running treasure saga that began in Season 1.

Outside of Outer Banks, Jonas Pate has also built an impressive body of work in television.

The outlet reports that series star Chase Stokes , 33, 'separated' Pate and the assistant; (pictured 2025)

The outlet reports lead actress Madelyn Cline, 27, 'jumped in' to defuse the situation; (Pictured 2025)

He created the Prime Video series The Runarounds  a coming-of-age music drama that follows a group of aspiring teenage musicians chasing fame  which notably features his daughter, Lilah Pate, among the cast.

Before that, he and his brother Joshua co-created the NBC sci-fi drama Surface in 2005, a short-lived cult favorite that centered on mysterious sea creatures discovered in the depths of the ocean.

In December 2024, Pate revealed to Port City Daily that he was developing a prequel to Outer Banks titled Kildare.

The project is still in early development and is expected to introduce a new cast of young actors while exploring the origins of the rival groups in the shows fictional town.

Sources told TMZ that 'tensions were high' during production and that such outbursts were not 'unusual behavior' for Pate; (Cline and Stokes in Outer Banks)

Pate is reportedly developing multiple projects under his production banner, including a comedy titled Drivers Ed.

'A road trip movie always ends up funny,' Pate told Port City Daily of Driver's Ed. 'And this one has a lot of hijinks.'

He added that many of the same crew members from Outer Banks and The Runarounds will collaborate on future projects, including Driver's Ed.

'We all work well together,' he said.
The host of Ghost Adventures was filming his paranormal reality show when he got a life-changing phone call from police who revealed they had arrested his wife for plotting his murder.

Aaron Goodwin and his co-host Jay Wasley were setting up UV lights and polaroid cameras to take photos in an abandoned medical facility in Southern California when the presenter said he was feeling something peculiar.

'I feel like something's happening,' Goodwin said ominously.

But rather than a supernatural encounter normally reserved for an episode of his show, he was hit with the news that officers were at his home.

'Bro, police are at my house,' said Goodwin to Wasley, his tone became panicked.

Goodwin left the premises to take the call outside, leaving Wasley behind.

'That's fine, but I'm not staying in here by myself,' Wasley responded, trailing behind.

Ghost Adventures cut off the footage there, shielding viewers from the remainder of the gritty conversation where Goodwin was told that his wife, Victoria, had been arrested and charged for conspiracy to commit murder, according to TMZ.

'Ghost Adventures' aired the haunting moment host Aaron Goodwin got the call that police had arrested his wife for planning to have him killed

Police said that Victoria Goodwin had been working with a Florida inmate to contract a hit on her husband

Police allege she had been messaging with an inmate in Florida about getting out of her marriage with Goodwin.

'Am I a bad person?,' she allegedly wrote to Grant Amato. 'Because I chose to end his existence. Not divorce.'

Police said that she and Amato had saved up more than $11,000 to pay for the hit. The two were allegedly having an affair, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Their plot was discovered when police found Amato's contraband phone. The inmate was already serving time for killing his mother, father, and brother.

Goodwin filed for divorce less than a week after his wife's arrest. According to KSNV, he stated in the complaint that there was no chance of reconciliation.

Victoria pled guilty to conspiracy to commit murder in April.

She was sentenced two months later to a minimum of three to seven and a half years behind bars in Nevada after reaching a plea deal with prosecutors.

According to US Weekly, she apologized to her estranged husband during a court appearance in June.

The couple had been together for seven years and Goodwin filed for divorce only six days after his wife's arrest

Goodwin cited 'no chance of reconciliation' as the reason for their divorce

'I'm so immensely sorry for the pain and anxiety Ive caused you and the betrayal you undoubtedly and rightfully feel by my actions,' she said.

'I need you to know that I will always hold love for you. I genuinely pray you find your joy and peace again, and I will bow out of your life forever to hopefully ease that process. Im sorry I broke us, and Im consumed with regret every day.

'My absolute promise to you is that youll never see or hear from me.'

The couple had been together for seven years.

Ghost Adventures first aired in 2008 and follows a team of paranormal investigators as they travel the world tracking down alleged hauntings.

Goodwin posted about the episode and the media attention he has received from his highly unusual divorce prior to it airing.

Grant Amato was allegedly assisting Victoria with the hit. He is an inmate in Florida who is serving time for killing his mother, father, and brother

Goodwin posted on social media that it has been 'the worst year' of his life

'This next episode of [Ghost Adventures] is when I got the FaceTime call from the cops,' he posted on Instagram.

'They were in my house & told me what she did & she was arrested. I wont be watching this episode cause I dont want to relive that night again & what happened before the call.'

In an earlier post he thanked his supporters for their love and opened up about his mental health amidst the ongoing divorce.

'They say in time everything gets better but I just want the divorce to be over so I can move on with my life,' he wrote.

'Honestly, I probably couldnt make it through an interview without being in tears and Im just not ready yet. This has been the worst year of my life.'

The Daily Mail reached out to Las Vegas Police and Goodwin for comment.
A wild theory has emerged on why celebrities hide their faces at major events.

Kim Kardashian was the latest star to shock fans by stepping out in a horrifying mask at the Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles on Saturday.

But she isn't the only celebrity who has covered her famous face on the red carpet.

Cardi B donned a gold Schiaparelli face mask at the 2021 American Music Awards, while Lady Gaga made a dramatic entrance in a giant latex egg at the 2011 Grammy Awards.

Now fans have suggested that celebrities may decide to cover their faces if they're 'healing from a procedure'.

A leading cosmetic expert has weighed in on the theory, admitting that while it may not always be the cause, this could be one way A-listers hide cosmetic work.

A wild theory has emerged on why celebrities hide their faces at major events. Pictured Kim Kardashian at the Academy Museum Gala on Saturday

Fans have suggested that celebrities may decide to cover their faces if they're 'healing from a procedure'. Pictured Cardi B at the 2021 American Music Awards

Body Sculpting Clinic's Dominika Gialouris told Daily Mail: 'There are plenty of subtle ways celebrities disguise recent cosmetic work, and covering their face is just one of them.'

'Often they'll make a dramatic hair change, like going from brunette to blonde overnight, using wigs or heavy fringes.'

She explained that celebrities can use filters to disguise work on social media but 'red carpet events are much more difficult'.

'Timing these procedures can be tricky for high-profile personalities, especially with constant red carpet appearances, so I wouldn't be surprised at all if this theory had some truth to it,' Dominika continued.

'These changes don't just hide swelling or scars they also act as a distraction while everything heals and settles.'

It comes after fans shared their theory on why celebrities cover their faces at red carpet events.

'Fun fact: celebrities wear looks that cover their faces is because they are hiding Plastic Surgery Scars,' one person wrote on Reddit.

'My first thought was Kim is hiding work she's had done recently,' another agreed.

Body Sculpting Clinic's Dominika Gialouris (pictured) has weighed in on the theory, admitting that while it may not always be the cause, this could be one way A-listers hide cosmetic work

Lady Gaga made a dramatic entrance in a giant latex egg at the 2011 Grammy Awards

Back in 2021, Kim famously climbed the Met Gala stairs in an all-black Balenciaga catsuit with a matching balaclava

Others took to X to comment on Kim's wild look: 'Is she healing from surgery? This is an odd choice of coverage for a woman whose face is her fortune.'

'It's official. New plastic surgery,' another added while a third said: 'Facelift and neck (skin) augmentation didn't heal in time, so wardrobe changes had to be made.'

However others have claimed this is not true and face coverings are just a fashion trend.

'I work in PR and this is nonsense,' one person wrote.

'No it's because of "fashion". It's the same why models don't smile. They want the focus to be on the clothes not the face,' a second said.

'If that were true we'd see this look at lot more often,' another suggested.

'This is not true. Kim was at public events the two nights before this with no face cover and no scars,' one said.

The recent gala night was not the first time that Kim has graced a star-studded event with her face covered by a mask.

Back in 2021, the mother-of-four famously climbed the Met Gala stairs in an all-black Balenciaga catsuit with a matching balaclava.

Kim's appearance at the gala came less than 24 hours after she got glammed up to attend the grand opening of her little sister Kylie Jenner's Kylie Cosmetics pop-up in West Hollywood.
Olivia Molly Rogers has made the tearful confession about her wedding day with ex-husband Justin McKeone.

The former Miss Universe Australia, 33, admitted her mother Nicky Klemich warned her in February 2022 that she 'didn't have to go through with it'.

'She was the only person who knew just how scared I was that day. I didn't know if I was doing the right thing,' Olivia told the Inherited podcast.

'She didn't think I was doing the right thing. The wedding was on a Saturday, my Mum had flown from Adelaide to be there for the whole week.'

Olivia broke down as she added there was a heated moment between her and Justin, which saw her mother finally intervene and ask her to call off the wedding.

'Something happened which finally crossed boundaries for me, and Mum was there in the morning. She said to me, "We can call the wedding off,"' Olivia revealed.

Olivia Molly Rogers has made the tearful confession about her wedding day with ex-husband Justin McKeone. (Pictured)

However, Olivia added by that point she felt it was too late to back out and went ahead with the wedding, against her mother's advice.

'By then, I was literally going to go pick up the wedding dress and I was getting messages from friends saying, "I have just landed in Melbourne, so excited to be here",' she said.

'I felt if I was to call it off I wouldn't just be letting myself down, it would be everyone who was coming.

'I cared about the money they would lose, everybody had booked flights and accommodation and put so much into that day. I just felt like I couldn't. I'm really grateful to my Mum who made it clear she would support me if I called it off.'

Olivia confirmed her split from finance expert Justin in October 2022, just eight months after they tied the knot.

Break-up rumours began swirling in September that year, after fans noticed she'd reverted to her maiden name on Instagram and unpinned all photos from her February wedding.

The former couple, who met in 2018, were last pictured together in August 2022, in a series of loved-up holiday snaps from their trip to New York City.

The Adelaide-born model addressed her break-up on social media in October 2022.

The former Miss Universe Australia admitted her mother Nicky Klemich (left) warned her on her wedding day in February 2022 that she 'didn't have to go through with it'

Olivia said she finally decided to leave Justin eight months into their marriage after confessing her feelings to her therapist. (Both pictured)

Olivia said she finally decided to leave Justin eight months into their marriage after confessing her feelings to her therapist.

'After 4.5 years together, Justin and I have come to the difficult decision to separate as a couple,' she wrote.

'Please respect our decision and privacy at this time.

'Thank you for all your private DMs, kindness and support.'

The pair got engaged in 2019, but their wedding was postponed due to the Covid pandemic.

The ceremony was eventually held at Terindah Estate on Victoria's Bellarine Peninsula in February 2022.
Bond girls Maryam DAbo, Caroline Munro, Martine Beswick, Carole Ashby, Safira Afzal, Vanya Seager and Alison Worth reunited at The London Cabaret Club on Wednesday.

The iconic group appeared in high spirits as they posed for pictures to celebrate the new Bond-inspired show London Never Dies.

Martine, who appeared in Russia with Love and Thunderball, put on a glamorous display in a black figure-hugging gown with silver and diamond details.

Caroline, from The Spy Who Loved Me, also opted for a black dress, with a chunky silver belt and necklace.

Carole (from Octopussy and A View to a Kill) stood out in a patterned maxi skirt and mesh top.

Safira, Vanya, and Alison, who all appeared in Octopussy, also reunited for the glamorous evening.

Bond girls Maryam DAbo, Caroline Munro, Martine Beswick, Carole Ashby, Safira Afzal, Vanya Seager and Alison Worth reunited at The London Cabaret Club on Wednesday

Sydney Sweeney is reportedly in the running to be the next Bond girl in the long-awaited new instalment in the 007 franchise.

Director Denis Villeneuve is said to be a friend of the star and is looking to cast the White Lotus actress, 27, according to The Sun.

Jeff Bezos, who is the head of Amazon and has creative control over the flick, is also believed to be backing the actress.

A source told the publication: 'Sydney is the top name on the casting sheet for Bond.

'Denis believes she is hugely talented, as well as having an alluring appeal to younger generations, vital in modernising the franchise.

'They've hung out together a lot and he has admired her stratospheric rise.'

Following months of speculation on who will be named the new James Bond, three names for the coveted role at last emerged from Coral Bookmakers last week, with one lead actor back in the running.

Kick Ass star Aaron Taylor-Johnson , 35, is odds on favourite with Dunkirk actor Jack Lowden, also 35, and Netflix star Theo James, 40, following close behind.

The iconic group appeared in high spirits as they posed for pictures to celebrate the new Bond-inspired show London Never Dies

Martine Beswick, who appeared in Russia with Love and Thunderball, put on a glamorous display in a black figure-hugging gown with silver and diamond details

Maryam D'Abo turned heads in a black fedora and quirky blue scarf

Alison Worth looked chic at the event

Vanya Seager and Alison posed for a snap together

Caroline Munro, from The Spy Who Loved Me, also opted for a black dress, with a chunky silver belt and necklace

Safira Afzal, Vanya Seager and Alison Worth, who all appeared in Octopussy, also reunited for the glamorous evening

The Bond Girls pictured at the 1983 premiere of Octopussy in London

Scott McGlynn was also in attendance at the VIP event

Bookmaker Coral have reported seeing a strong wave of support behind Aaron with the British actor as the 9-4 favourite for the role.

Meanwhile Theo is second best in the betting at 4-1, while Jack is backed at 5-1. Elsewhere the betting site have Superman star Henry Cavill, 42, with odds of 10-1.

Coral's John Hill said: 'We've seen another strong wave of support behind Aaron Taylor-Johnson in our next James Bond betting. Although other names have been linked with the role in recent weeks.

'The British actor remains the man punters are backing to replace Daniel Craig'.

However, it is believe to not be possible for Spiderman star Tom to bag the role of 007 as he begins filming Spider Man 4 - which has the reported working name Spider-Man: Brand New Day - in the coming months.

The studio announced on Wednesday that Denis Villeneuve - best known for directing Warner Bros.' two-part Dune adaptation - has signed on to direct the untitled film Bond film, via Amazon press release.

The French-Canadian filmmaker, 57, will also serve as executive producer of the project alongside Tanya Lapointe.

Amazon had previously announced Amy Pascal and David Heyman as the film's producers, after the studio parted ways with longtime 007 caretakers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson.

The news comes just over three years after Amazon completed its massive $8.5billion acquisition of MGM Studios that included the James Bond franchise.

Sydney Sweeney is reportedly in the running to be the next Bond girl in the long-awaited new instalment in the 007 franchise

Supporters have been eagerly waiting to find out who will be the next star with a 'license to kill' after Daniel Craig relinquished the part with the 2021 film No Time To Die (pictured as Bond)

There hasn't been a Bond film since 2021's No Time to Die , the final instalment with Daniel Craig as the beloved secret agent.

The director said in a statement, 'Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007. I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since Dr. No with Sean Connery.'

He added, 'I'm a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he's sacred territory. I intend to honor the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come.'

The filmmaker admitted: 'This is a massive responsibility, but also, incredibly exciting for me and a huge honor.'

He also went on to thank Bond producers Amy and David, adding they, 'are absolutely thrilled to bring him back to the screen. Thank you to Amazon MGM Studios for their trust'.

Amy and David added, 'Denis Villeneuve has been in love with James Bond movies since he was a little boy.

'It was always his dream to make this movie, and now it's ours, too. We are lucky to be in the hands of this extraordinary filmmaker.'

After Amazon acquired MGM in 2022, they obtained full creative control of the 007 franchise with a deal they struck with Barbara and Michael, the offspring of original James Bond producer, Albert R. Broccoli.

Barbara and Michael had been overseeing the franchise since 1995, when their father ceded control of his Eon Productions company to them.

Amazon reached an agreement with Barbara and Michael in March 2025, and while financial terms were not disclosed, it was rumored to be upwards of $1 billion.

Villeneuve made his directorial debut in 1998 with August 32nd on Earth, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival that year.

He followed that up with Maelstrom (2000), Polytechnique (2009) and Incendies (2010), the latter of which was nominated for Best International Film at the Academy Awards.

Bookmaker Coral have reported seeing a strong wave of support also behind Netflix star Theo James, 40, and Dunkirk actor Jack Lowden, 35 (Jack pictured in January)

Aaron is currently the top favourite at 9-4 for the role while Theo (pictured in 2024) is second best in the betting at 4-1, while Jack can be backed at 5-1

The filmmaker broke through in Hollywood with 2013's Prisoners, a dark drama starring Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal.

He continued to win acclaim for 2013's Enemy, 2015's Sicario, 2016's Arrival, 2017's Blade Runner 2049 and, most recently, 2021's Dune: Part One and 2024's Dune: Part Two.

Speculation has continued to grow over who will be the next big-screen Bond and the Bond franchise also prompted a flurry of guesses as to where they might take the franchise next.

Bond has been spoiled with video game adaptations since the 1980s, with early adaptations taking the form of shooting games or text adventures in which players typed in what they wanted the super-spy to do.

Amazon bosses are currently said to be considering locations in which to set the much-anticipated new film, which experts predicted is likely to be released at the end of next year or in 2027.

Due to a filming ban being imposed in Central London next year, new locations are reportedly being considered - with Liverpool a frontrunner, according to The Sun.

An insider told the publication: 'This will no doubt irk Bond purists who already fear Amazon taking over the 007 franchise may lead to them making big changes .

'But Liverpool is a well-known alternative to London for film-makers.

'It has appeared in everything from The Batman to Captain America and Harry Potter movies, doubling up as international cities.'

The source added that it doesn't necessarily mean the story will be set in Liverpool - though eagle-eyed Merseysiders will no doubt spot their city centre in the background.
Lori Loughlin was spotted for the first time since selling her $15 million Hidden Hills mansion she previously shared with estranged husband Mossimo Giannulli.

The 61-year-old actress - whose shock split from the fashion designer came to light just weeks earlier - kept it casual during a relaxing stroll with her dog in Beverly Hills on Wednesday.

The star donned a plaid shirt as well as a pair of white sweatpants and a striped scarf that was draped around her neck.

Loughlin completed the ensemble by sported a sunhat on top of her head as well as stylish brown shades.

It was recently reported that both she and Giannulli have sold their home after first listing the residence back in February 2024.

The abode was put on the market for $14,950,000 and 'went under contract' on Wednesday, according to TMZ.

Lori Loughlin, 61, was spotted for the first time since selling her $15 million Hidden Hills mansion she previously shared with estranged husband Mossimo Giannulli

The star's shock split from the fashion designer first came to light earlier this month following 28 years of marriage; former couple seen in 2008 in Beverly Hills

Tomar Fridman of The Fridman Group and Marc Shevin of Douglas Elliman hold the listing for the lavish estate which is 'set amidst rows of graceful olive trees.'

Loughlin and Giannulli initially purchased the mansion in August 2020 for $9.5 million and originally wanted to list the property on the market for $16.5 million.

The home itself contains six bedrooms, three bathrooms, a climate-controlled wine cellar as well as a home theater.

The interior of the house is described a 'seamless fusion of style and comfort' - and also includes an open floor plan.

The former couple's split was revealed earlier this month - with the estranged couple living separately before the news came to light.

The Full House alum's representative Elizabeth Much told the Daily Mail, 'They are living apart and taking a break from their marriage. There are no legal proceedings at this time.'

Insiders recently informed TMZ that both Loughlin and Giannulli had been living separate lives for some time.

The actress has been residing in Los Angeles while the fashion designer has been living in Sun Valley, Idaho - where the pair also own property.

The actress donned a plaid shirt as well as a pair of white sweatpants and a striped scarf that was draped around her neck

The abode was put on the market for $14,950,000 and 'went under contract' on Wednesday, according to TMZ; the Hidden Hills mansion seen above

The Full House alum's representative Elizabeth Much told the Daily Mail, 'They are living apart and taking a break from their marriage. There are no legal proceedings at this time'; seen in 2015 in L.A.

The pair were previously involved in a college admissions scandal which began back in 2019.

At the time, the two stars were indicted after they allegedly paid $500,000 to give their daughters entry into USC as recruits for the crew team, although the two had never played the sport.

Loughlin spent two months in prison while her estranged husband was sentenced to five months.

The actress was also fined $150,000 and ordered to complete 100 hours of community service while the fashion designer was fined a larger amount of $250,000 and ordered to complete 250 hours of community service.

Loughlin and Giannulli also welcomed two children during the course of their 28-year marriage: Isabella Rose, 27, and Olivia Jade, 26.

The effect the separation has had on their two daughters has also been revealed.

'It's obviously been tough, but Olivia and Bella aren't taking sides,' a source told People. 'They both love their parents and just want them to be happy.'

The insider added that the siblings don't have any 'drama or resentment' towards their parents over the divorce.

'They've seen how hard their mom and dad have tried over the years, and they're focused on keeping things peaceful and staying close as a family.'

The source continued, 'At the end of the day, they just want everyone to be okay.'

Loughlin and Giannulli also welcomed two children during the course of their 28-year marriage: Isabella Rose, 27, and Olivia Jade, 26; the actress seen with daughters in 2019 in Beverly Hills

Daily Mail reached out to Loughlin's representatives for comment but did not immediately hear back.

Separate insiders have given insight into their shock split after 28 years of marriage -with some claiming their public legal woes had driven a wedge between them.

'Their marriage was very strong before the s**t hit the fan with the college admissions scandal. That totally derailed it. His sales suffered,' a source recently told the Daily Mail.

'She lost Hallmark. They blamed each other, but he blamed her more.'

They also added, 'The entire family was embarrassed and that was like a huge deal to Mossimo. It felt like he had built all this goodwill, publicly, and it was all gone. They were literally the butt of jokes on late night TV.

'There was this perception that they were rich, and the worst kind of rich people, who use their wealth for unfair advantages. You forget, the narrative was so terrible.'

The insider continued, 'They had the world, and it wasn't enough for them. Their daughters had privilege, and that wasn't enough for them. It was humiliating.

'And Lori was really the one who was driving that bus. She was the one who wanted to do the rowing pictures.'

Giannulli had been 'embarrassed' by the legal drama and explained that 'they never really recovered.'

'There was a point when they had staggered jail sentences where it seemed like maybe they'd make it, but they didn't.'

Separate insiders have given insight into their shock split after 28 years of marriage -with some claiming their public legal woes had driven a wedge between them; the pair seen outside of courthouse in Boston in 2019

A separate source told People that Loughlin feels 'betrayed' by her estranged husband; seen in April in Beverly Hills

The source also confirmed that Loughlin and Giannulli have been living separately for some time.

The college admissions scandal 'killed the marriage and broke the family apart,' the insider said, and later predicted the fashion designer could 'find another woman soon.'

'It is looking very much that this separation is going to be permanent as they can't get on the same page on living together anymore. The love is no longer there,' they also added.

Just days after the shock split was revealed, Giannulli was spotted on an outing with stylist Hannah Harrison in L.A.

However, she clarified to Us Weekly that their relationship is simply 'platonic' and that being seen together 'was bad timing.'

A separate source told People that Loughlin feels 'betrayed' by her estranged husband.

'Lori feels betrayed. It's not a happy situation for her,' the insider said. 'They're in very different places right now and it's unlikely that they'll find their way back together.'

It was added that, 'Things have never been the same' after the former couple 'weathered the college admission fallout and the prison sentences together.'

A friend close to the actress recently claimed that Loughlin ended things with Giannulli after finding 'incriminating' messages and emails; seen in 2012 in Beverly Hills

A friend close to the actress recently claimed that Loughlin ended things with Giannulli after finding 'incriminating' messages and emails.

'Truly, the tipping point came when Lori found a bunch of text messages,' the source told Page Six.

The insider further claimed, 'Mossimo had used Lori for years. She was hoping maybe he would change when he got out of prison, but he got worse.'

The friend told the outlet that Loughlin 'wants to get her life back' and 'wants to have nothing to do with' Giannulli.
Kim Kardashian made a statement in an eye-catching look as she attended a glitzy party in London on Wednesday alongside fashion designer John Galliano.

The TV personality - who officially celebrated her 45th birthday just one day earlier - was seen leaving the crowded party which was hosted by fashion photographer Mert Alas at his home.

The reality star donned a fitted minidress made of sheer material as well as a revealing bralette piece at the top.

Dazzling beaded details were embroidered throughout the outfit while tasseled embellishments fell down at the front.

Kim slipped into a pair of sheer black tights as well as open-toed, dark red pumps to complete the overall ensemble.

The mom-of-four accessorized the look with a choker that was similar to the material of the minidress.

Kim Kardashian, 45, made a statement in an eye-catching look as she attended a glitzy party in London on Wednesday alongside fashion designer John Galliano

The star's dark locks were parted in the middle and swept up into a sleek up do, while some strands were styled into braids.

Kim's makeup was glammed up for the lighthearted evening and comprised of a layer of mascara to her lashes as well as a smoky shadow around her eyes.

A pink blush was added to her cheekbones for a radiant glow while a nude-colored tint was worn on her lips.

The SKIMS founder brushed aside the rainy weather as she left the party alongside other guests.

Kim has known fashion photographer Mert Alas for many years - and he has notably worked with other celebrities such as Ariana Grande, Demi Moore and Kate Moss.

Most recently, Mert co-collaborated on the album cover art and visuals for Taylor Swift's The Life Of A Showgirl.

Earlier this year in April, fans began to speculate that the reality star could possibly be dating the photographer after he appeared in snaps on her Instagram account.

She had shared pictures at the time from a SKIMS party that she threw and in one slide, Kim included photo booth images with a mystery man - who was later identified as Mert.

The reality star donned a fitted minidress made of sheer material as well as a revealing bralette piece at the top

Earlier this year in April, fans began to speculate that the reality star could possibly be dating the photographer after he appeared in snaps on her Instagram account

Most recently, Mert co-collaborated on the album cover art and visuals for Taylor Swift's The Life Of A Showgirl

The Kardashians star previously had a relationship with SNL alum Pete Davidson followed by her dating Odell Beckham Jr. from late 2023 until their split last year.

Kim was married to rapper Kanye West from 2014 until their divorce was finalized in 2022. The former couple share four children: North, 12, Saint, nine, Chicago, seven and Psalm, six.

Late last month during an appearance on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon, the star gave an update on her love life when the late night talk show host brought up the topic.

'The last time you were here, we talked about your kids were ready for you to date. And they were making lists of people that you should date,' Jimmy said.

Kim recalled the moment and then expressed that her four children 'continue to do that' - but not disclose any names on the lists.

'Yeah. They're trying to set you up. Have you been dating at all?' the comedian then asked.

However, Kim simply replied with, 'No.'

And during a recent episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast with host Alex Cooper, Kim shared that she would get married again in the future.

Late last month during an appearance on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon, the star gave an update on her love life when the late night talk show host brought up the topic; seen earlier this month in L.A.

'I would absolutely [get married again]. I think it's so different, I don't think I have a type,' she explained.

The host then questioned Kim, 'If you had to pick today are you going rappers or athletes?'

The reality star replied with, 'Neither. I think we're going like lawyers or longevity scientists that can give me all their secrets.'

Kim has been keeping busy and celebrated her 45th birthday earlier this week in Paris - which kicked off when she attended the premiere of her upcoming new series All's Fair.

She donned a figure-hugging blue gown with a plunging neckline on the front for the special event - and was also supported by her mother Kris Jenner.

Kim later blew out candles to a lavish cake with her All's Fair castmates in a video shared to social media.

The star later had an outfit change during the evening wearing a striking look from Alexander McQueen and Givenchy.

She was seen leaving her Paris hotel before heading to the iconic cabaret venue Crazy Horse to continue her birthday celebration.

Kim has been keeping busy and celebrated her 45th birthday earlier this week in Paris - which kicked off when she attended the premiere of her upcoming new series All's Fair (seen above with mom Kris Jenner)

The star later had an outfit change during the evening wearing a striking look from Alexander McQueen & Givenchy

Kim also posed up a storm inside the spacious hotel room and could be seen surrounded by silver balloons in one picture

Kim opted for a minidress with a shiny gold corset bodice as well as ruched white material at the bottom hem while the same material draped down her right arm.

She also jumped to her main Instagram page to give her fans a behind-the-scenes glimpse from the special night.

In one snap, the TV personality posed in the back seat of a vehicle while another showed her leaving her hotel in Paris.

Kim also posed up a storm inside the spacious hotel room and could be seen surrounded by silver balloons in one picture.

A reel showed the mom-of-four getting her makeup touched up for the night out before pausing for more photos to better show off the outfit - which is from Givenchy by Alexander McQueen's Spring/Summer 1997 collection.

She was joined by some of her All's Fair co-stars for the celebration including Naomi Watts and Sarah Paulson.

Kim additionally included group photos as she visited the cabaret venue in the French city.

A reel showed the mom-of-four getting her makeup touched up for the night out before pausing for more photos to better show off the outfit - which is from Givenchy by Alexander McQueen's Spring/Summer 1997 collection

Before making an appearance at Wednesday's bash, Kim also embraced her edgy side at the London premiere of All's Fair at Leicester Square (seen above)

'Birthday suit provided by Alexander McQueen & Givenchy,' she penned in the caption of the post.

Before making an appearance at Wednesday's bash, Kim also embraced her edgy side at the London premiere of All's Fair at Leicester Square.

The American Horror Story: Delicate star wore a black snakeskin dress that clung to her frame and also sported a black coverup that draped down her arms.

She slipped into a pair of black heeled boots and added an assortment of silver-chained necklaces to accessorize the outfit.
Kristen Bell was back in the limelight on Wednesday night after a controversy stemming from an anniversary post she penned for her husband Dax Shepard.

The Emmy-nominated actress, 45, was front and center at The 92nd Street Y for a promotional appearance for her Netflix program Nobody Wants This, as the show's second series is premiering Thursday.

Bell, who plays the role of Joanne on the Netflix rom-com, was back in the public eye after she received a backlash for what people said was a casual attitude toward domestic violence with her attempt at anniversary humor.

The Huntington Woods, Michigan native posted a picture with her husband to celebrate their 12th anniversary - with the caption rubbing some people the wrong way.

It read: '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."'

Many of the social media critics said Bell's timing for the joke couldn't happen worse, as it came during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Kristen Bell was back in the limelight on Wednesday night after a controversy stemming from an anniversary post, she penned for her husband Dax Shepard

The Huntington Woods, Michigan native posted a picture with her husband to celebrate their 12th anniversary

The caption rubbed some people the wrong way, as they said Bell displayed a casual attitude toward domestic violence with her attempt at anniversary humor

A user on X/Twitter said: 'Timing and tone really matter, especially with sensitive topics.'

One user remarked, 'Kristen Bell thinking it was OK to post this to her 16 million followers during Domestic Abuse Awareness Month - when a girl or woman is killed by a man known to them every 10 minutes - is insane.'

An Instagram user reminded the actress that 'domestic violence isnt a joke,' while another asked, 'is this... supposed to be funny?'

The Veronica Mars star, who is mother to two daughters with Shepard - Lincoln, 12, and Delta, 10 - was stylish at the proceedings in the Big Apple on the autumn evening.

Bell donned a silk cami top with spaghetti straps and palazzo pants as she made her way to promote the series at the appearance, which included a chat onstage.

Bell, who has appeared in movies such as Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Frozen, appeared at the event alongside her castmates on the show.

The group included Adam Brody, Justine Lupe, Timothy Simons and Jackie Tohn.

Bell was supposed to appear on the Today Show earlier Wednesday, but did not, avoiding any uncomfortable questions about the anniversary post and related controversy.

The Veronica Mars star was stylish at the proceedings in the Big Apple donning a silk cami top with spaghetti straps and palazzo pants

Bell was supposed to appear on the Today Show earlier Wednesday, but did not, amid the controversy surrounding the anniversary post

Bell has appeared in movies such as Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Frozen

This left Lupe, 36, to commandeer the appearance and promote Nobody Wants This on her own, and she provided fans with an amusing story about Bell in her absence.

Lupe who played the role of Willa Ferreyra on HBO's Succession, opened up about Bell's fondness for practical jokes.

'Kristens obsessed with pranks,' Lupe said on the NBC program. 'She will come to set and shell just pull up different pranks on her phone and show them to me.

'So I knew that that was kind of her love language, was pranking.'

Lupe said that she took advantage of Bell's fixation with biohacking to play a prank on her.

'I also know that Kristen - if youve met her, you know shes obsessed with biohacking,' Lupe said. 'Shes done everything there ever is to do with hacking the bod.'

Lupe said she came up with a practical joke that would 'play into' Bell's biohacking fascination - convincing her that she was consuming her own bodily waste for health reasons.

Bell was supposed to appear on the Today Show earlier Wednesday, but did not, avoiding any uncomfortable questions about the anniversary post and related controversy, leaving costar Justine Lupe (pictured) to promote the show solo

Lupe told a story in the Today appearance about how she pulled a prank on the practical joke-loving Bell, having her believe she was drinking her own urine for two months

(L-R) Timothy Simons, Adam Brody, Bell, Lupe, and Jackie Tohn posed at the event

Bell appeared opposite her costar Adam Brody on the cover of The Hollywood Reporter to promote the new season of her hit show

'Basically, I was like, Im going to convince her that Im drinking my own pee,' Lupe said.

She continued: 'For two months, I staged different variations of me drinking fake pee, which was actually chamomile tea.'

Despite her prankster pedigree, Bell fully believed that her costar was drinking urine for two months, Lupe said, and told her that she had inquired with her doctor about the safety of the practice.

Bell appeared opposite her costar Adam Brody on the cover of The Hollywood Reporter to promote the new season of her hit show.

An early indicator that Nobody Wants This would be a success came after Netflix put it on its internal server, according to the report, and employees enjoyed watching Belle and Brody play off one another.

Tohn said, 'We were hearing that they were sliding off their chairs, and I mean that in the way you think I mean that.'

Tohn joked that Bell was 'a real dirtbag' for coming up with the risque joke in the first place.

When the publication asked Bell if she wanted to defend the joke, Bell replied, 'Thats a high compliment when someone slides off their chair for you, we all know that. Girls can be pervs, too.'
The results of a rather expensive glow up were well in evidence as Kris Jenner helped eldest daughter Kim Kardashian celebrate her 45th birthday on Wednesday evening.

One could be forgiven a double take as the TV personality attended the event looking considerably younger than her 69 years.

On a wet, windy and frankly miserable night in London, Jenner inevitably commanded attention while showing off the rather impressive results of her $100,000 facelift.

The reality star recently confirmed she had transformed her looks with the help of Los Angeles-based cosmetic surgeon, Dr Steven Levine.

And it was there for all to see as Jenner, arguably looking more like a Kardashian sister than a mother, made her way into the home of celebrity photographer Mert Alas, the venue for Wednesday's private gathering.

Jenner had already turned heads courtesy of her outfit, with the American star opting for a pair of thigh-skimming black shorts and matching cropped blazer.

Kris jenner showed off the results of her impressive $100,000 facelift as she attended daughter Kim Kardashian's 45th birthday party in London on Wednesday evening

A fitted top and tights rounded off the look, while accessories were paired down to heavily tinted sunglasses and a black leather handbag.

Those hoping to achieve the same look as Jenner have apparently been attempting to decipher her secret referral 'password' after the star revealed the clever way she has been sending friends to her plastic surgeon.

Jenner recently revealed she and the surgeon behind her latest lift devised of a 'password' she can give to pals seeking to book a consultation with him.

But the revelation has reportedly opened up a whole new can of worms for Levine's practice.

Radar Online reported the office has been 'absolutely plagued' with callers attempting to guess the password - and the frenzy has even prompted the clinic to take drastic measures to control their phone line.

'It's been chaos. We've had people phoning in pretending to be assistants, stylists, cousins  even one person claiming to be her dog walker,' the insider said.

'Everyone's trying to guess the magic word. We've had to take calls off the main line and screen every new inquiry,' a clinic insider told the publication.

Jenner made the code revelation on last week's episode of the Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast.

Jenner was seen posing for photos with fans after arriving at the London home of celebrity photographer Mert Alas, the venue for Wednesday's private gathering

Jenner attends her daughter's birthday party on Wednesday evening (left) and attending a L'Oreal Paris Fashion Week show in 2023 (right)

Kardashian turned heads in two of her sexiest looks yet as she celebrated her 45th birthday with an A-list party crowd

Levine was apparently reluctant about receiving attention but suggested the password method in order for Jenner to refer her friends to him.

'So I called him. I said, "Listen. I really want you to have the credit for what you did. I know you don't care, and you're not on social media, and you're not out there.

'You're the busiest surgeon or professional I've ever met, and you don't need the attention. He didn't want the attention, which I loved.

'And I said, but do I have your permission to say who you are? And he goes, "Listen. I'll tell you what. As long as we can come up with a password so that if somebody calls and says, 'I'm Kris Jenner's best friend, and can I have a consultation?' They have to say the secret password.'

Because of her results, she also said both she and Levine were getting phone calls from people pretending to know her just to get a consultation with her surgeon.

Jenner recently revealed she and the surgeon behind her latest lift, Dr Steven Levine, devised of a 'password' she can give to pals seeking to book a consultation with him

She said it was 'my way of showing people and trying to inspire others not to be afraid of surgeries that you need that are necessary or even something you wanna do' (seen in June)

'If I told you how many times his office has called and said, you know, "Julie Monopoly's on the phone, and she says she's your best friend."

'And I'm like, "I've never heard of her." So definitely, people have tried to get in,' she continued.

She added: 'So if you know me, you know what the password is.'

Jenner said she wanted to be candid with fans about going under the knife to 'inspire' those fearful of surgeries.

'It really is somehow my way of showing people and trying to inspire others not to be afraid of surgeries that you need that are necessary or even something you wanna do because you wanna feel better about yourself,' she said.

'And don't be afraid of it,' she added. 'And fear is not your friend.'
Bella Hadid has shared rare snaps from her private life as she celebrated her birthday in Texas with her boyfriend, amid her health battle.

The supermodel took to Instagram on Wednesday to gave fans an insight into her birthday week as she celebrated turning 29 years old.

She shared a rare intimate look at her life outside of fame, as she headed to Texas with her boyfriend Adan Banuelos, a 36-year-old Mexican-American rodeo star.

Bella was seen getting stuck in at the rodeo as she rode and tended to horses, as well as well as having a go at karaoke and relaxing outside with Adan.

Elsewhere Bella shared a mirror selfie as she showed off her toned physique in a white vest top.

She also showed off a delicious looking layered birthday cake and an array of gift bags.

Bella Hadid shared rare snaps from her private life on Instagram on Wednesday as she celebrated her birthday in Texas with her boyfriend, amid rising concerns for her health

She shared a rare intimate look at her life outside of fame, as she headed to Texas with her boyfriend Adan Banuelos, a 36-year-old Mexican-American rodeo star (Pictured)

She captioned the snaps: 'Birthday week Flying straight from this kind of Love into the VS show two years in a row . Makes me feel so grateful for my Texas family and loved ones

'Thankful to God for these moments. you make me feel so so loved even when were showing. Lucky Girl  29.'

Bella and Adan began dating in late 2023, shortly after she relocated to Texas, a move she described as both a romantic and personal reset.

'After ten years of modelling, I realised I was putting so much energy and love and effort into something that, in the long run, wasn't necessarily giving it back to me,' she told Allure in 2024.

'If I don't feel good, I take time for myself for the first time now, I'm not putting on a fake face.'

'Now when anybody sees me in pictures and they say I look happy, I genuinely am,' she added. 'My bad days now were my old good days.'

Following her huge return to work, the model has addressed the 'dissy' concerns sparked following her runway walk.

After the show, she seemingly addressed concerns as she wrote in a now-deleted post per The Hollywood Reporter: 'Ok were not going to pretend these wings weren't 50 pounds but HOW BEAUTIFUL.'

The supermodel took to Instagram on Wednesday to gave fans an insight into her birthday week as she celebrated turning 29 years old

The snaps showed supermodel Bella getting stuck in at the rodeo as she rode and tended to horses

Elsewhere Bella sported a cowboy ensemble as she indulged in some karaoke alongside a friend

Bella was also seen enjoying the great outdoors as she looked out on a lake and relaxed by a firepit with Adan

Among the snaps was a picture of Bella at the rodeo with a Shetland pony, as she joined Adan's family

Fans said she looked faint while walking the runway, as she seemingly struggled to stay steady while strutting in the massive wings.

'You can tell in her face. She looks a little stiff here,' one fan said. 'And look how she's trying to play with her shoulders trying to keep those d**n wings on. She's still killing it though.'

The incident occurred as the Vogue cover girl was dressed in an ethereal all-white and silver look, which featured a fitted corset top and pleated skirt.

Bella has been open about her decade-long fight with chronic Lyme disease, which causes other neurological symptoms including headaches, brain fog, sensitivity to light and noise, inflammation and numbness.

She has also been candid about her mental health, sharing that she suffers from depression and anxiety.

She captioned the snaps: 'Birthday week Flying straight from this kind of Love into the VS show two years in a row'

She also showed off a delicious looking layered birthday cake and an array of gift bags as she sat at the bar

'Thankful to God for these moments. you make me feel so so loved even when were showing,' Bella added. 'Lucky Girl  29'

On World Mental Health Day, she posted a screenshot of a heartfelt message that began, 'Hi. Sorry I haven't texted you back,' capturing the silent struggle that often accompanies anxiety.

Earlier this month, she reflected on Instagram about the 'weight' of her mental health battles in a vulnerable Instagram post.

'The weight of anxiety and depression can sometimes feel all-consuming, paralyzing, and invisible to the outside world,' she wrote.

'Over the years, I've learned that this is not a weakness  it's a part of me. My sensitivity, my awareness, my empathy in many ways, it can be a superpower.'
Kim Kardashian has named the Hollywood friend who secretly wears her controversial Skims faux hair underwear.

The businesswoman and influencer, 45, sparked outrage with the release of her most controversial collection yet earlier this month.

She has launched the line of faux intimate hair thongs which cost a whopping 34 per pair.

Available in twelve different shades, including Sienna blonde, Clay Black and Cocoa Ginger, the website described the product as 'Our most daring panty yet'.

And Kim was asked by Capital Radio at the UK premiere of her new series All's Fair on Tuesday night if any of her co-stars have been wearing the controversial underwear.

She said in response as she laughed: 'Oh you know what! They are! Sarah (Paulson) will talk about it proudly! Period.'

Kim Kardashian has named the Hollywood friend who secretly wears her controversial Skims faux hair underwear

The businesswoman and influencer, 45, sparked outrage with the release of her most controversial collection yet earlier this month

Sarah, 50, stars alongside Kim in the new drama series which follows a team of high-powered female attorneys who leave their firm to start their own company.

Kim takes on the role of Allura Grant and there are plenty of scenes of her kissing her hunky co-star Matthew Noszka, who is a model.

He plays a blonde surfer type who woos the brainy beauty, proposes, marries her, then divorces her as he asks for a large chunk of money.

His lawyer, played by Paulson, is tough as nails and at one point even dresses up like Kim's attorney to mock and intimidate her.

Kim's faux hair underwear left fans flabbergasted as they took to social media to share their shock at the design earlier this month.

They joked: 'I pay for a wax pass for a reason Kim' while others made the point: 'If you wanna bush, just don't shave this is ridiculous'.

Kim was asked by Capital Radio at the UK premiere of her new series All's Fair if any of her co-stars have been wearing the controversial underwear. She said Sarah Paulson (seen) does

Others penned: 'i already got this right now as we speak i'm good'; 'Nobody wants this, we can grow out our own!';

'Look itchy af'; 'Gotta be a Halloween special'; '$32.00 Girl bye we don't want that!!!! Why pay for that we just grow our own and go bare for free';

'What in the absolute f**k'; 'DON'T P**S ME OFF!!!!'; 'The fact that 6,188 people liked this post is DIABOLICAL!!!';

'Why buy a hairy coochie when I already got one'; The hell is this why is this even a thing someone please tell me is that a new style or something'.

Referring to the shade which features grey hairs one questioned: 'Who granny hairs is this'.

Another confused fan asked: 'Do you shampoo em or throw em in the wash?'

It is not the first time Kim's products have called controversy after she introduced the Skims Ultimate Pierced Nipple Push-Up Bra back in May.

The lingerie offered the option to wear one or both piercings and was priced at $74.

According to the official Skims description, the underwear provides the 'perfect fullness, enhanced shape, and authentic augmentation of the Ultimate Bra, now with a built-in raised nipple detail for a perky, braless look that makes a bold statement.'

It's 'made of a super soft sheen microfiber fabric, this first-of-its-kind solution features tapered foam pads for sexy, natural-looking lift and support.'

She has launched the line of faux intimate hair thongs (seen) which cost a whopping 34 per pair
The Australian media sphere has suffered its latest casualty after a popular radio show was axed.

It was announced on Thursday that KIIS 97.3's Brisbane breakfast show Robin, Kip & Corey Oates would be leaving airwaves at the end of the year.

It comes just a couple of months after former Brisbane Broncos star Corey signed on to the show after retiring from the NRL last year.

In a statement released by ARN, it was revealed that the show's final broadcast will air on December 12.

A spokesperson went on to praise hosts Robin Bailey, Kip Wightman and Corey Oates for their 'hard work, creativity and commitment to the Brisbane audience.'

'Their contribution has been significant and will be celebrated in the weeks ahead,' the statement added.

It was announced on Thursday that KIIS 97.3's Brisbane breakfast show Robin, Kip & Corey Oates (pictured) would be leaving airwaves at the end of the year

They went on to reveal that the program would be replaced in the new year with a fresh breakfast show that is 'bold, entertaining and fast-moving.'

An internal email, seen by Mediaweek, revealed that ARN 'can't reveal details just yet' of the new show or its potential hosts.

However, an official announcement for the new breakfast show will be made at the ARN Upfronts next week.

The axing comes after KIIS FM's Robin, Kip & Corey Oates suffered a devastating blow in the radio ratings.

The figures, released in June, showed the Brisbane trio in fourth place in the prized morning slot with a 10.6 per cent share of the audience.

It was a terrible result for the KIIS FM breakfast crew, which had seen a 1.4-point drop since April's GfK survey.

The poor ratings didn't reflect well on the station's lineup, which was launched in January, and saw Oates join Bailey and Wightman after he featured in the popular 'Find Corey a Job' segment last year.

At the time, the poor performance sparked speculation that the team could be replaced by Sydney-based Kyle & Jackie O Show filling the slot.

The poor performance sparked speculation that the team could be replaced by Sydney-based Kyle & Jackie O Show filling the slot (Pictured: Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson)

ARN's Chief Audience and Content Officer was quick to put to rest rumours that Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson would be stepping in.

'Until we can prove their success in Melbourne, we wont be taking them into Brisbane,' Lauren Joyce told Mediaweek.

Meanwhile, Nova 106.9's Ash, Luttsy & Nikki Osborne triumphed in Brisbane's 'breakfast wars', landing the top spot for the second time running in 2025 with 13.1 per cent of the audience.

Not far behind them in second position in the survey, with a 13 per cent share, were Stav, Abby & Matt on the Hit Network's B105 Brisbane.

Finishing third were Marto, Margaux & Dan from Triple M's 104.5 with an 11.7 per cent share.
Shanghai's foreign trade up 5.4 pct in Jan.-Sept.

Xinhua) 10:30, October 23, 2025

SHANGHAI, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Shanghai's imports and exports totaled 3.34 trillion yuan (about 470.7 billion U.S. dollars) in the first three quarters of 2025, up 5.4 percent year on year, local customs authorities said on Wednesday.

The growth rate increased by 0.9 percentage points compared to the Jan.-Aug. period. Exports in the first nine months climbed 11.3 percent to 1.48 trillion yuan, while imports rose 1.1 percent to 1.86 trillion yuan, according to data from Shanghai Customs.

In September alone, the financial hub's foreign trade hit 405.9 billion yuan, up 12.5 percent from a year earlier.

Private enterprises played a key role in contributing to the growth, with their imports and exports surging 27.1 percent to 1.32 trillion yuan. Their share in the city's total foreign trade reached a record 39.5 percent.

Shanghai's trade with emerging markets showed strong momentum during the period, as its trade with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Middle East, and Africa saw increases of 12.5, 22.9 and 32.5 percent, respectively.

Exports of integrated circuits, general mechanical equipment, and electrical control devices increased by 10, 25 and 20.5 percent, respectively. Imports of high-tech products rose 6.4 percent to 601.58 billion yuan.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
From photographer to model, influencer, amateur chef and finally businessman - no one can accuse Brooklyn Beckham of taking a conventional career path.

But David and Victoria Beckham's oldest son added another unlikely string to his bow on Thursday by starring in a new ad on behalf of his passion project, hot sauce company Cloud 23.

Dipping his toes into a trade better suited to his actress wife, Brooklyn, 26, stars alongside New York restaurateur John Seymour in short commerical The Perfect Match, ostensibly to promote their current business venture.

The pair have teamed up to launch a new sweet jalapeno pulled chicken sandwich - garnished with Brooklyn's Cloud 23 - across all of Seymour's US based Sweet Chick restaurants.

But the native New Yorker appears to steal Brooklyn's thunder as they share a cab to one of his restaurants before bonding over the quality of said sandwich.

Taking to Instagram, a handful of followers were clearly impressed with Seymour's acting skills - while overlooking his co-star.

Brooklyn Beckham takes centre stage in a new commercial, filmed on behalf of his Cloud 23 hot sauce brand (pictured)

Dipping his toes into a trade better suited to his actress wife, Brooklyn stars alongside New York restaurateur John Seymour in short commerical The Perfect Match

'Youre a natural with the acting bro,' wrote one.

A second added: 'Were here for John the actor.mad good!!!!'

Elsewhere a third joked: 'Lemme find out Johns got an Oscar on the way.'

Seymour had already claimed the spotlight with his subtle reference to Brooklyn's father David, from whom the influencer is currently estranged.

Climbing into the cab alongside his new business partner, the restaurateur wears a vintage Manchester United training top, emblazoned with the logo of their former sponsor, Vodafone.

The mobile phone network famously sponsored United for six years from 2000, a trophy laden period for the club before David's eventual departure to Real Madrid in 2003.

Brooklyn announced the launch of his hot sauce, available exclusively at Whole Foods shops in the UK, in October 2024, and has regularly used his considerable social media presence to promote the brand.

Cloud 23, named after the No.23 jersey his father wore at Real Madrid and Los Angeles Galaxy, currently comes in two variants  Sweet Jalapeno and Hot Habanero.

Seymour immediately claimed the spotlight by wearing a vintage Manchester United training top - a subtle reference to Brooklyn's father David, who played for the club until 2003

Taking to Instagram, a handful of followers appeared to be impressed with Seymour's acting skills - while overlooking his co-star

The pair have teamed up to launch a new sweet jalapeno pulled chicken sandwich - garnished with Brooklyn's spicy Cloud 23 - across all of Seymour's US based Sweet Chick restaurants

There's a frosty exchange as the commerical opens with the pair sharing a cab to one of Seymour's New York based restaurants

Cloud 23, named after the No.23 jersey his father wore at Real Madrid and Los Angeles Galaxy, currently comes in two variants  Sweet Jalapeno and Hot Habanero

Meanwhile, Brooklyn and his actress wife Nicola Peltz, 30, have been engulfed in an escalating family rift, with parents David and Victoria believed to be concerned about the influence the billionaire heiress has over their eldest son.

A source told The Sun: 'It's one thing after another for Brooklyn.'

It was previously claimed that Brooklyn told his famous family that 'he wants no contact with them.'

While a source close to Brooklyn denied the claims, a source told Page Six: 'Brooklyn told his family he wants no contact and he's not responding to those that try to connect.'

According to the publication, the eldest Beckham boy has had no communication with his family after David's knighthood was announced and only learned of the news in the media alongside the rest of the world.

Denying he'd asked for no contact, a source close to Brooklyn told the publication: 'Everyones focus should be David Beckhams great honour'.

Meanwhile a source close to Brooklyn told Daily Mail that 'this seems to be another deliberate attempt to misrepresent the truth, and it only serves to distract from this honour being bestowed on Brooklyn's father.'
Cara Delevingne looked worlds away from her former party girl days as she posted a series of pouty snaps.

The model and actor, 33, unveiled her super-glam new image as she attended the star-studded Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles on Saturday.

Cara was famous for her party girl image in the 2010s, bursting on the showbiz scene as a model before making a foray into Hollywood.

But recently the star has showed off her newly-glam Hollywood glow-up in an array of glitzy and elegant ensembles.

And Saturday was no exception as Cara dazzled in a glitzy silver gown with a ruffled blue neckline for the gala.

Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, Cara shared a carousel of flawless snaps of her ensemble ahead of the event, where she was seen pouting at the camera.

Cara Delevingne looked worlds away from her former party girl days as she posted a series of pouty snaps on Instagram on Wednesday

Cara was famous for her party girl image in the 2010s, bursting on the showbiz scene as a model before making a foray into Hollywood (Seen in 2013)

She captioned the snaps: '@theacademy gala dump! Scroll through to reveal the truth behind the glitz and glamour.'

Earlier this month, Cara looked less than impressed as she was forced to wait in line before entering the Stella McCartney show during Paris Fashion Week on Tuesday.

She rocked a black tank top and sunglasses as she stood with her hands on her hips while queuing behind a group of women.

Cara looked fuming as she pushed her way to the front and said: 'Ok I'm just going to walk in, it's getting crazy'.

However, things weren't smooth sailing for the Suicide Squad star as security stopped Cara and asked for her QR code for entry.

One of her team informed the security guard 'she doesn't have one' before Cara added, 'this is just crazy'.

Eventually, the actress lifted up her sunglasses and asked, 'Can I go in?' prompting the security to finally recognise the star and reply, 'Oh, sorry yes go in'.

Cara thanked the security before storming past, tucking a large black leather coat over her handbag and entering the building.

The model and actor, 33, unveiled her super-glam new image as she attended the star-studded Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles on Saturday

Saturday was no exception as Cara dazzled in a glitzy silver gown with a ruffled blue neckline for the gala

Recently the star has showed off her newly-glam Hollywood glow-up in an array of glitzy and elegant ensembles - a far cry from her former party girl look (Seen in 2019)

The star was later seen joining a different 'guests' queue where she patiently waited in line before eventually taking her seat on the front row next to Helen Mirren.

During the evening, Cara offered an unlikely nod to Stella's musical heritage as she attended the designer's latest show.

Shirking a glamorous gown or a racy ensemble, the model wore a slogan camisole top, boasting the title of The Beatles's legendary hit Come Together.

Stella, who is the daughter of Beatles hitmaker Paul McCartney, unveiled her Spring/Summer 2026 collection during her latest show in the French capital.

Cara teamed her fun top with both jeans and a pair of leather chaps, offering an edgy addition to her otherwise-casual look.

She joined a number of A-listers on the front row including Helen, Paris Jackson, Jenna Coleman, Woody Harrelson and Anna Wintour.

During fashion week, Cara continued to show off the results of her glossy Hollywood glow-up as she made another stylish appearance at the Balmain show at Hotel InterContinental.

Days after stunning in a glamorous gown on the L'Oreal runway, Cara switched up her look for a quirky grey trouser suit.

The fashion favourite's look consisted of an oversized grey checked blazer and matching culotte playsuit

She teamed the look with a sleek white shirt and chunky black heels, adding a pop of colour with a statement red lip.
Kaye Adams has been pictured looking downcast after being suspended from her BBC radio show amid 'bullying' accusations from junior staff members.

The broadcaster, 62, was seen in Glasgow on Thursday, wrapped up in a khaki coat and holding a coffee, just days after her suspension was revealed.

It comes as insiders close to the TV star say she is a 'tough' professional who demands 'high standards' but has never been a bully.

Those who have worked with the Kaye, say that, while she has a strict work ethic, she has never spoken out of line to any co-workers, especially those in junior roles.

Kaye was taken off her BBC radio Scotland show amid allegations that she 'bullied' colleagues, with bosses now investigating the goings-on behind the scenes.

A TV insider told the Daily Mail that Kaye is a 'very smart woman' who has no problem challenging producers when she disagrees, particularly on her BBC show, which carries her name.

However, the source stressed that Kaye always expresses her views politely and professionally, insisting she is never 'nasty' in her dealings with others.

ITV is standing by the long-time Loose Women anchor amid the BBC investigation, which was reportedly launched after younger 'junior staff members' claimed they were 'shouted and screamed at' by Kaye, who's worked at the station for more than 15 years.

Kaye Adams is a 'tough' professional who demands 'high standards' but has never been a bully, insiders close to the Loose Women star say

Those who have worked with the broadcaster (pictured in Glasgow on Thursday) say that, while she has a strict work ethic, she has never spoken out of line to any co-workers

The Loose Women anchor was pictured looking glum in Glasgow on Thursday, marking her first public appearance since being taken off air

The Daily Mail understands her co-stars have also rallied around her, sending messages of support as she prepares to return to Loose Women next week.

A source said: 'Kaye is devastated. She has been completely blindsided by the complaints and is still unsure why this is happening.

'She has the full support and backing of ITV and her Loose Women co-stars, who have done everything they can to make sure she's okay.

'The majority of people who work with Kaye will say she is professional and assertive, but she is never horrible.

'Many believe her assertiveness may have been taken the wrong way. She has been a journalist her entire career and can be forward in her approach, but that doesn't make her a bully.

'She is always polite, even when putting forward ideas about her radio show, which bears her name, so of course she cares about how everything is presented.'

The insider added: 'Kaye hasn't been on Loose Women this week only due to scheduling and the fact that the show is off-air on Friday, but she will be back on the panel next week.'

It was reported on Sunday that Kaye has been removed from her 155,000-a-year role hosting her show on BBC Radio Scotland while bosses are conducting an inquiry into the complaints.

Insiders have revealed that Kaye will be back on the Loose Women panel next week and only won't be on Friday because of a scheduling change (pictured May 2025)

A TV insider told the Daily Mail that Kaye is a 'smart woman' who has no problem challenging producers when she disagrees, particularly on her BBC radio show, which carries her name

It's believed that the Loose Women panel, including GK Barry, Katie Piper, and Nadia Sawalha, are in full support of co-star Kaye and have been 'rallying around' her to ensure she's coping

She will be off-air until the allegations, believed to have been raised under the BBC's Call It Out scheme, which addresses bad workplace behaviour, are fully investigated.

The initiative was established following the scandal involving the axing of MasterChef presenters Gregg Wallace and John Torode.

Gregg, 61, was sacked after 45 allegations of misconduct spanning 19 years were upheld.

The complaints included one incident of unwelcome physical contact, three incidents of being in a state of undress, and others involving inappropriate sexual, culturally insensitive, or racist comments.

He was sacked alongside former co-host John, 60, who was found to have used an extremely offensive racist term.

A source told the Mail on Sunday that complaints within the organisation are now being taken more seriously.

It was reported on Sunday that Kaye has been removed from her 155,000-a-year role hosting her show on BBC Radio Scotland while bosses are conducting an inquiry into the complaints

Kaye has been on Loose Women since the show's launch in 1999 and, according to our source, is a much-loved and respected member of the team (pictured 2004)

The insider added that Kaye was called into a meeting with the station's new head of audio, Victoria Easton Riley, on October 8.

It's believed the meeting did not go well, and Kaye reportedly 'stormed' out, leading to further conflict behind the scenes.

She has not been on air with her BBC show, The Kaye Adams Programme, since October 6.

A spokesperson for Kaye said: 'No complaints had been presented to her by the BBC.'

They added: 'Further, she has worked for BBC radio Scotland for more than 15 years and in that time has never had any issue raised about her.'

The Daily Mail has contacted Kaye's spokesperson for comment.
Bella Hadid has revealed she got her period the day of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show after she sparked health concerns on the runway in massive 50-pound wings.

The supermodel, 29, who has endured a public battle with Lyme disease, looked faint while strutting her stuff on the famous lingerie catwalk earlier this month.

It came just five months after Bella argued it should be illegal to model when menstruating insisting women should get two weeks off work.

Bella has now revealed that she was not feeling 100 per cent on the day as she replied to a fan on TikTok as they asked what is 'wrong'.

TikToker worldoftali posted a video last week asking, 'Bella Hadid, what the f**k wrong with you? What we gotta do?'

'Look like she was finna cry the whole show,' the TikToker captioned the video, which also asked, 'Bella Hadid who we gotta pull up on???'

Bella Hadid has revealed she got her period the morning she walked the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show after she sparked health concerns on the runway in massive 50-pound wings

The supermodel, 29, who has endured a public battle with Lyme disease, looked faint while strutting her stuff on the famous lingerie catwalk earlier this month

Bella took to the comments and revealed that she had gotten her period earlier that day and was still recovering following her recent hospitalisation.

'Girl I got my period that morning and my stamina is not up yet after the whole hospital sitch but I tried my best and I LOVEEEE you for this Im ok I swear,' she wrote with sob emojis.

'Im sorry if I let u down. Love you I mean it', she added.

The comment is not the first time Bella has addressed her appearance at the fashion show, as she wrote in a now-deleted post per The Hollywood Reporter: 'Ok were not going to pretend these wings werent 50 pounds but HOW BEAUTIFUL.'

It comes just five months after Bella told Vogue why she wants The White House to give women two weeks off while menstruating.

Bella also discussed the reality of living with Lyme disease, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).

Endometriosis is a disease in which cells similar to the womb lining grow outside the uterus and cause severe pain, while PCOS is a hormonal disorder characterised by irregular periods and PMDD is a menstrual syndrome which impacts mood.

Opening up on her difficulties, Bella revealed she wants women to get two weeks off while menstruating and said it should be 'illegal' to model while on her period.

Bella responded to the TikToker's concerns, revealing she was not feeling 100% that day as she had 'got my period that morning'

It came just five months after Bella argued it should be illegal to model when menstruating insisting women should get two weeks off work

'We get our periods. You're shooting Victoria's Secret on your period, with endo. That should be illegal,' she told British Vogue's June issue.

'I'm going to talk to the White House about it, because we should literally ban women working on the week of their period. And the week before, to be honest.'

Bella said she often 'pushes' herself to work 14-hour days in fashion but it eventually results in her burning out, adding that she is in therapy to work on her confidence.

She said working can be hard because 'nobody really understands chronic illness' and admitted that some days she can find it even difficult to take a shower.

'But sometimes, if I have one day off, if I can get in the shower and make myself breakfast, I see that as an accomplishment,' she confessed, adding that she can be in 'excruciating pain' some mornings.

Last week fans speculated the supermodel looked faint while on the Victoria Secret runway as she seemingly struggled to stay steady while strutting in a pair of massive 50-pound wings.

'You can tell in her face. She looks a little stiff here,' one fan said. 'And look how she's trying to play with her shoulders trying to keep those d**n wings on. She's still killing it though.'

Despite doing her best to appear unfazed, the fan also noted that Bella appeared to 'almost faint' toward the end of her walk.

Fans speculated the supermodel, 29, got 'dizzy' while walking the runway last week - as she seemingly struggled to stay steady while strutting in a pair of massive 50-pound wings

The incident occurred as the Vogue cover girl was dressed in an ethereal all-white and silver look, which featured a fitted corset top and pleated skirt.

The show came just weeks after she returned from Germany, where she spent time receiving treatment for chronic neurological Lyme disease at the St George Hospital near Munich.

Last month, the model shared raw, emotional photos from her hospital stay  showing her hooked up to IVs and oxygen tubes  alongside a heartfelt apology to her 61 million Instagram followers for being 'MIA.'

'She doesn't respond [to texts] for days or even weeks,' a source recently told the Daily Mail. 'But when things are better, she will text back. She doesn't ghost  she just says, 'I can't talk today, sorry.' Everyone who loves her gets it.'

According to the insider, Hadid often retreats from the spotlight during difficult recovery periods.

'Bella is as functional as she can be, but there's always room for improvement,' they said. 'When things get bad, she retreats. Her batteries seem to recharge when she's alone.'

Hadid has been open about her decade-long fight with chronic Lyme disease, which causes neurological symptoms including headaches, brain fog, sensitivity to light and noise, inflammation and numbness.

She has also been candid about her mental health, sharing that she suffers from depression and anxiety.

On World Mental Health Day, the Vogue cover star posted a screenshot of a heartfelt message that began, 'Hi. Sorry I haven't texted you back,' capturing the silent struggle that often accompanies anxiety.

Last week she reflected on Instagram about the 'weight' of her mental health battles in a vulnerable Instagram post.

'The weight of anxiety and depression can sometimes feel all-consuming, paralyzing, and invisible to the outside world,' she wrote.

Bella's runway appearance came just weeks after she returned from Germany, where she spent time receiving treatment for chronic neurological Lyme disease. Seen with her mother

Last month, the model shared raw, emotional photos from her hospital stay  showing her hooked up to IVs and oxygen tubes

Hadid has been open about her decade-long fight with Lyme disease, which causes symptoms like headaches, brain fog, sensitivity to light and noise, inflammation and numbness

'Over the years, I've learned that this is not a weakness  it's a part of me. My sensitivity, my awareness, my empathy in many ways, it can be a superpower.'

The insider noted that Hadid has a strong network of family and friends supporting her  including her mother Yolanda, siblings Gigi and Anwar Hadid, and boyfriend Adan Banuelos, a 36-year-old Mexican-American rodeo star.

The couple began dating in late 2023, shortly after Hadid relocated to Texas, a move she described as both a romantic and personal reset.

'After ten years of modeling, I realized I was putting so much energy and love and effort into something that, in the long run, wasn't necessarily giving it back to me,' she told Allure in 2024.

'If I don't feel good, I take time for myself for the first time now, I'm not putting on a fake face.'

'Now when anybody sees me in pictures and they say I look happy, I genuinely am,' she added. 'My bad days now were my old good days.'
Richard Madeley has revealed he never tried drugs because he was 'terrified' he would end up an addict.

The TV presenter, 69, was previously a heavy smoker - at one point smoking up to 60 cigarettes a day - and thought progressing to anything 'harder' wouldn't end well.

Richard appeared on Matt Willis' On The Mend pocast where he described himself as having an 'addictive personality'.

Busted star Matt, who has been sober for eight years, has been open about his own struggles with addiction and asked Richard if he had ever used drugs.

'I never have, I've never even smoked a joint. I was a very heavy smoker until I was 40,' Richard said.

'At one point I was on 60 a day which is ridiculous because I have a very addictive personality, cigarettes proved that to me and so I've always been terrified of heavier stuff.

Richard Madeley has revealed he never tried drugs because he was 'terrified' he would end up an addict

The TV presenter, 69, was previously a heavy smoker and thought progressing to anything 'harder' wouldn't end well (pictured with wife Judy Finnigan in 1988)

'I drink a bit, I certainly drink wine but I'm OK with it. In terms of cocaine and pot, as we used to call it, I've always steered clear of it because it terrifies me. I've got a horrible feeling I'd fall into the same trap as you did.'

Richard was finally motivated to quit cigarettes for good after he interviewed journalist John Diamond not long before he died of throat cancer brought on by smoking.

'What stopped me was interviewing Nigella Lawson's first husband John Diamond. He got throat and mouth cancer because of smoking in his late 30s and he was dying,' Richard said.

'He came on This Morning and he had half his tongue cut away and had half his oesphagus taken away, he was very hard to understand because of the surgery on his tongue.

'About halfway through this live interview, I said, "John, you're in this predicament because of smoking." And he said, "Of course I f***ing am."

'We didn't get any complaints because you couldn't really hear the F-word. I went to my dressing room, pulled my packet of Benson & Hedges down and flushed them down the toilet. I knew that was it.'

Elsewhere during the interview, Richard told how one of his biggest regrets is his last conversation with his father Christopher before his death.

'My last conversation with him was very rushed. Dad wanted to talk about stuff and I was just preoccupied and put him off,' he said.

Richard appeared on Matt Willis' On The Mend pocast where he described himself as having an 'addictive personality'

Richard recalled getting together with his wife Judy Finnigan and how they took their romance slow as they were both leaving 'crumbling' marriages (pictured in 1990)

'That was on the Friday and on the Monday he died. I've always regretted not having that last conversation with him. That kind of regret never leaves you.

'He was only 49 when he died. He had a coronary out of nowhere and I was only 21, that was a heavy blow.'

Richard recalled getting together with his wife Judy Finnigan and how they took it slow during the early days of their romance as they were both leaving 'crumbling' marriages.

'I joined Grenada in 1982 and met Judy Finnegan and we just hit it off. My marriage was crumbling and her marriage was crumbling and after 18 months we realised we were more than good colleagues and good friends, we were fallling for each other.

'So we ended up getting married and having kids and I ended up being stepfather to Judy's kids from her first marriage so there was six of us in this family unit.'

He added: 'We do have a happy marriage and a committed marriage. I can't think of anything where, I've left the house and thought, is this going to last?

Richard 'blames himself' for the end of his first marriage to wife Linda because at 21, he feels he was far too immature.

'IObviously we were both married before so we know what it is before. I blame myself for the failure of my first marriage because I was way too young. 21.

'It was ridiculous. It was very unfair on my first wife Linda because I simply wasn't ready for it.'
Samantha Armytage has appeared to take a small dig at her equestrian businessman ex-husband Richard Lavender.

The Channel Nine presenter, 49, told Jessica Rowe on her Big Talk Show podcast, that she will be more careful who she dates next.

'I will be very good at choosing this time,' the television host admitted when discussing her love life.

'Discernment is my new middle name... I'm getting better as I get older at being discerning.'

Sam added that it's hard dating in the spotlight, but she has learned to be increasingly selective about who she lets into her life.

'You know what it's like when you have a high profile, you don't always attract the right types,' she said.

Samantha Armytage (pictured) has appeared to take a small dig at her equestrian businessman ex-husband Richard Lavender

'So you just have to be discerning, and I am now, and that's good.'

It comes after Sam told Stellar magazine that she and Richard had tried their best to make their marriage work, before they split in December.

'What I'll say for my marriage is we gave it a go. It didn't work out, so we moved on. Last year was a big year. There was a lot of change and a lot of grief,' Samantha began.

The Golden Bachelor host added it was not a spur-of-the-moment decision and both she and Richard were confident in their choice to part ways.

'I don't think anybody leaves a marriage without thinking it through quite deeply. You don't just decide one day and leave the next,' she said.

'We've all got these thoughts and fears and happy moments we share.'

In December, the former couple announced their separation on the eve of their four-year wedding anniversary.

They had tied the knot at Richard's 40-hectare property in the picturesque Southern Highlands in NSW on New Year's Eve in 2020.

'I will be very good at choosing this time,' the television host admitted when discussing her love life

Sam told Stellar magazine that she and Richard had tried their best to make their marriage work, before they split in December. Pictured together

'Yes Richard and I have separated. All break-ups are hard, but it's somewhat lessened by the fact it's amicable and we wish the best for each other,' Sam told media at the time.

'I appreciate you respecting our privacy. I won't be making any further comment.'

Samantha is no longer followed on Instagram by the 62-year-old equestrian businessman's two daughters, Sascha and Grace, although the former couple still follow each other.

It's understood she moved out of Richard's Southern Highlands home and is now living in her apartment located in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

The former Sunrise host and Richard started dating in April 2019, and announced their engagement in June 2020 before tying the knot at his property in rural NSW six months later.

In a beautiful moment captured by photographer Abbie Melle, Sam was seen holding hands with her new husband as they strolled across his Southern Highlands estate, shortly after saying 'I do'.

She captioned the heartwarming picture, which was taken after their wedding ceremony but before their reception, '11.58am on a Thursday. How lucky are we?'

The intimate ceremony only featured a small number of guests due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with Richard's daughters believed to have attended.

The television veteran became the face of Farmer Wants A Wife in 2023 after first appearing as a guest host alongside former presenter Natalie Gruzlewski.
Janice Dickinson is a 70-year-old reality TV star and fashion icon.

But before she hit the small screen, the slender siren was a high-paid model who landed on the covers of Harper's Bazaar, Cosmopolitan and Vogue. She even did Hugh Hefner's Playboy magazine.

And the diva lit up adverts for Versace and Calvin Klein.

Then came TV work: She was a judge on America's Next Top Model and appeared on the fourth season of Celebrity Rehab With Dr Drew.

Dickinson was also the star of her own reality TV series, The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency, that ran from 2006 to 2008.

On Wednesday the photogenic marvel was seen at the 2025 AFI Fest opening night premiere of Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. She still looks amazing.

Janice Dickinson is a 70-year-old reality TV star. But before she hit the small screen, the slender siren was high-paid model who landed on the covers of Harper's Bazaar, Cosmopolitan and Vogue. See her now

She even did Hugh Hefner's Playboy magazine; seen here in the late 1970s

Dickinson wore a leopard print top with a black coat and matching bell-bottom slacks as she added sparkly black platform heels with a red pedicure.

The former model wore her long dark hair down and very straight.

She's currently married to Dr Robert 'Rocky' Gerner, an LA-based psychiatrist.

They wed in 2016 after Dickinson revealed that she had beaten breast cancer.

The cover girl went through a six-month course of radiation and two lumpectomies.

Dickinson has a wild romantic past that involved a big Hollywood star.

In 1994, Sylvester Stallone and Dickinson had a fling while he was in a relationship with his now-wife Jennifer Flavin.

They met a year prior at a charity event and Stallone eventually left Flavin to be with the top model.

They got engaged but Stallone called it off six months later after learning that he was not the father of her daughter Savannah, who was born in February 1994, as per The Mirror.

The fashion model pictured at age 32 in 1986

Seen here in an ad for Gianni Versace in the 1980s

Dickinson is seen here in Los Angeles in 1986; she was an international celebrity

It was later revealed that businessman Michael Birnbaum, whom Dickinson dated in the early 1990s, was Savannah's biological father.

Stallone rekindled his relationship with Flavin in 1995 and they tied the knot 1997.

Dickinson hasn't been shy about her love of plastic surgery, having previously spent thousands of dollars on procedures to defy the aging process.

In June she talked to Kaitlyn Bristowe's Off The Vine podcast.

Dickinson said that she got her very first cosmetic surgery at age 32 while dating Stallone.

She got her very first cosmetic surgery at age 32 while dating A-list actor Sylvester Stallone; seen in 1994

They got engaged but Stallone called it off six months later after learning that he was not the father of her daughter Savannah, who was born in February 1994, as per The Mirror; seen in 1994

'What point in your career were you like, "I'm gonna start getting surgery done?"' Bristowe asked.

'Oh, gosh. I was dating Sylvester Stallone, and I was 32,' Dickinson replied. 'I noticed I started getting jowls...'

To tackle the issue, Dickinson got a 'mini face-lift' done. A mini face-lift is meant to address early signs of aging as it corrects sagging on the lower third of the face.

It requires smaller incisions than a regular face-lift, minimal downtime and the results can last up to ten years.

Dickinson recommended that Bristowe  who she said she felt she was 'at that age' where jowls start to become a concern  should also go the mini face-lift route.

'Get a mini face lift. It kept me going up until last week when I noticed [my lip lines]. I did smoke for a bit. Don't smoke. It's bad for you,' she said.

Dickinson at the 2025 AFI Fest opening night premiere of Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere at TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on Wednesday

The looker had on black sparkly platform heels and flashed a winning smile

When asked if she 'regrets' any of her past surgeries, Dickinson replied: 'Oh, no.'

Dickinson is an open book when it comes to her cosmetic procedures.

She previously admitted on E!'s Botched that she's 'no stranger to plastic surgery' as she's previously undergone a boob job, a tummy tuck, neck and face-lifts and liposuction. She's also tried injectables like Botox but insists that her plump pout is natural.

In 2013, Dickinson declared herself bankrupt owing almost $1 million in taxes and unpaid cosmetic bills.

At the time of her bankruptcy filing, the star owed $8,000 to Beverly Hills dermatologist Arnold Klein and over $8,000 in debt to the Beverly Hills Anti-Aging Center.

In 2007 her son Nathan said he was desperate for her to stop, but she said: 'I won't do any more plastic surgery  if he's looking.' In 2015 she appeared on Botched to fix a breast enlargement done 30 years prior which had left her with rippling across her breasts.
Kristen Bell fully admits she and her husband Dax Shepard are polar opposites, so they've experienced all kinds of challenges in their 12-year marriage.

'Having someone I feel that is very opposite from me is certainly something that I feel. I feel like my real-life husband and I are "opposites attract,"' the 45-year-old Frozen alum explained to People on Thursday.

'But that doesn't mean we couldn't make it work, or didn't want to make it work.'

Kristen went on to explain that she and the 50-year-old Armchair Expert podcaster 'have to have a lot of patience for each other to figure out what the compromises would be.'

Bell continued: '[We have] a general understanding that we're probably going to have different viewpoints on almost everything  and figure out a respectful way to have those discussions.'

The Michigan-born couple - who originally met at a dinner party in 2007 - are proud parents of 12-year-old daughter Lincoln and 10-year-old daughter Delta.

Kristen Bell fully admits she and her husband Dax Shepard are polar opposites, so they've experienced all kinds of challenges in their 12-year marriage (pictured October 17)

Kristen and Dax have acted together in Family Game Fight (2022), HouseBroken (2021), Ultra City Smiths (2021), The Good Place (2018), CHiPs (2017), Terrific Trucks (2016), The Boss (2016), Veronica Mars (2014), Hit and Run (2012), and When in Rome (2010).

Bell and Shepard have both limited the comments on their Instagram accounts, and she cancelled a scheduled TODAY appearance following controversy over her tone deaf wedding anniversary post from Saturday.

The three-time Emmy nominee 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 I'm heavily incentivized to kill you, I never would."'

To make matters worse, October happens to be Domestic Violence Awareness month.

On Monday, an inside source told the Daily Mail: 'Kristen and Dax are both pretty volatile people and can blow up over the smallest issue. Sometimes Kristen or Dax will say something they think is a fun dig and the other one gets offended. They have a strange dynamic but it seems to always work out in the end.'

Kristen and Dax 'often don't talk for days' after a major blow-up, but they still manage to 'keep their kids in the dark about their arguments.'

Bell executive produced and reprised her role as agnostic podcaster Joanne in the 10-episode second season of Erin Foster's critically-acclaimed rabbi rom-com Nobody Wants This, which premiered Thursday on Netflix.

Her onscreen leading man Adam Brody's wife Leighton Meester guest stars as Abby this season, but don't expect Shepard to do the same.

'I would of course want him to come on the show. He would never do it  he's kind of retired from acting,' the All In Food co-founder told People.

The 45-year-old Frozen alum explained to People on Thursday: 'Having someone I feel that is very opposite from me is certainly something that I feel. I feel like my real-life husband and I are "opposites attract." But that doesn't mean we couldn't make it work, or didn't want to make it work' (pictured Wednesday)

Kristen went on to explain that she and the 50-year-old Armchair Expert podcaster 'have to have a lot of patience for each other to figure out what the compromises would be' (pictured September 14)

Bell continued: '[We have] a general understanding that we're probably going to have different viewpoints on almost everything  and figure out a respectful way to have those discussions'

The Michigan-born couple - who originally met at a dinner party in 2007 - are proud parents of 12-year-old daughter Lincoln and 10-year-old daughter Delta

Kristen and Dax have acted together in Family Game Fight, HouseBroken, Ultra City Smiths, The Good Place, CHiPs, Terrific Trucks, The Boss, Veronica Mars, Hit and Run, and When in Rome (pictured in 2010)

Bell and Shepard have both limited the comments on their Instagram accounts, and she cancelled a scheduled TODAY appearance following controversy over her tone deaf wedding anniversary post from Saturday (pictured September 4)

The three-time Emmy nominee 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 I'm heavily incentivized to kill you, I never would"'

Kristen executive produced and reprised her role as agnostic podcaster Joanne in the 10-episode second season of Erin Foster's critically-acclaimed rabbi rom-com Nobody Wants This, which premiered Thursday on Netflix

Her onscreen leading man Adam Brody's (M) wife Leighton Meester (R) guest stars as Abby this season, but don't expect Shepard to do the same

Bell told People: 'I would of course want him to come on the show. He would never do it  he's kind of retired from acting. Maybe he'll go back one day, but he loves podcasting and he's not starved for opportunities'

'Maybe he'll go back one day, but he loves podcasting and he's not starved for opportunities.'

Indeed, the Idiocracy alum hasn't had an acting gig since voicing Chad in three episodes of animated series Stoner Cats in 2022, and he hasn't acted onscreen since portraying Mike in ABC's Nebraska farm-set sitcom Bless This Mess in 2020.

Kristen will next reprise her voiceover role as Anna in the original special Lego Disney Frozen: Operation Puffins, which premieres this Friday on Disney+.

Bell also plays Anna in Jennifer Lee and Marc Smith's animated three-quel Frozen III, which is already scheduled to hit US theaters November 24, 2027.

The Golden Globe nominee will portray Mrs. Claus in Tommy Wirkola's Christmas horror sequel Violent Night 2, which Universal Pictures will release on December 4, 2026.

Kristen is also every bit the influencer with paid partnerships for brands/resorts like Virtue Labs, Citi Bank, Knix, S. E. Daugherty & Sons Farm, South Fork Lodge, and Carvana.
Stellan Skarsgard joked that hes a 'nepo daddy'  six of his eight children have followed him into acting  but he admits the 'nepo baby' tag isnt all fun and games.

The 74-year-old Swedish star revealed that his youngest, 13-year-old son Kolbjorn, is feeling the sting of the label.

Kolbjorn recently landed a role in the horror series Blood Cruise, stepping into the family business alongside famous older brothers, True Blood star Alexander Skarsgard and Its Pennywise the Clown himself, Bill Skarsgard.

On Wednesday, Stellan told Vulture he doesnt consider his kids 'nepo babies'  a term for someone whose success is tied to family connections  but added, 'I consider myself a nepo daddy because I get so much goodwill.'

Yet the actor admits theres a darker side to the nickname.

'But my 13-year-old, Kolbjorn, the youngest, suffers from that,' he said.

Stellan Skarsgard joked that hes a 'nepo daddy'  six of his eight children have followed him into acting  but he admits the 'nepo baby' tag isnt all fun and games; (pictured 2025)

The 74-year-old Swedish star revealed that his youngest, 13-year-old son Kolbjorn, is feeling the sting of the label; (Stellan poses with wife Megan Everett and Kolbjorn in July)

'When his pals at school call him nepo baby, he gets so sad. He doesnt have any friends at school. He gets isolated. Cruel kids  or cruel and ignorant.

'They love it on the internet. But it is such a bullshit thing. Because nobody would hire you, at least not for anything good, if youre not good enough.'

Stellan's sprawling family tree is almost as famous as the actor himself.

In April 1975, he married Swedish doctor My, and together they had six children: Alexander (1976), Gustaf (1980), Sam (1982), Bill (1990), Eija (1992), and Valter (1995).

Alexander, Gustaf, Bill, and Valter all followed in their fathers footsteps as actors, while Eija spent a few years modeling.

Sam took a different path and became a doctor.

After divorcing My in 2007, Stellan tied the knot with Irish screenwriter and producer Megan Everett in January 2009.

The couple share sons, Ossian, 15, and Kolbjorn.

'When his pals at school call him nepo baby, he gets so sad. He doesnt have any friends at school. He gets isolated. Cruel kids  or cruel and ignorant,' (pictured 2024)

'They love it on the internet. But it is such a bullshit thing. Because nobody would hire you, at least not for anything good, if youre not good enough,' Stellan said; (Ossian, Kolbjorn, Megan and Stellan in 2024)

Meanwhile, Stellan's son Alexander is also generating awards buzz for his steamy, X-rated turn in Pillion; (pictured 2025)

Stellans brood also includes Bill Skarsgard, best known as the terrifying Pennywise the Clown; (pictured 2024)

Asked how he keeps such a close bond with his large brood, Stellan, who welcomed his first grandchild in 2022, told Vulture that it comes down to being respected for who he is, not just for being their dad.

'They have no respect for me just because Im their father. Because thats bulls***. You shouldnt be respected for five minutes of joy,' he explained.

'No, I dont demand respect for being a father. I demand respect for a good idea or if I do something well or if I create something for them.'

The interview comes as Stellan is generating Oscar buzz for his turn as an aging filmmaker and family patriarch in the Norwegian drama Sentimental Value.

And he was asked about the sociopolitical arena he's entering with an awards campaign like the Oscars.

'The Oscars have their place, he told Vulture. 'They are good for the business, and theyre good for independent films because there are many films that wouldnt be seen at all if it wasnt for the Oscars.'

He continued, 'Is it fair? You cant compete in any art, so its a silly concept, but it is a lot of people voting on what they think is the best of the films theyve seen.

'I do it myself every year. The thing is that it costs a lot of money to participate in that race.

'And fortunately we have American distributors that are paying for it because no European film company could afford it.'

Meanwhile, Stellan's son Alexander is also generating awards buzz for his steamy, X-rated turn in Pillion.

The film, a gay BDSM romance, pairs Skarsgard with Harry Melling, 36  best known as Dudley Dursley in Harry Potter  and marks the feature debut of writer-director Harry Lighton.

Pillion explores the intense relationship between a gay biker and a parking attendant.

It earned rapturous applause at a recent screening during the 69th BFI London Film Festival at The Royal Festival Hall.

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.
Jennifer Lawrence bundled up to take an autumn stroll with her parents Gary and Karen Lawrence in Manhattan on Thursday not far from her $21.9M West Village townhouse.

The 35-year-old Oscar winner's attempt at dressing incognito around family failed as she couldn't help but stand out wearing a bright red scarf around her leopard-print coat along with $180 Blundstone clogs.

Sunday marked Jennifer's sixth wedding anniversary with husband Cooke Maroney, whom she first met in 2018 through her No Hard Feelings director Gene Stupnitsky.

Lawrence and the 41-year-old Gladstone Gallery director are proud parents of three-year-old son Cy (named after painter Cy Twombly) and a second child born in March, who's rumored to be named Louie.

Before marrying Cooke, the Kentucky-born blonde previously romanced her Mother director Darren Aronofsky, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, and her X-Men co-star Nicholas Hoult.

Last month, Jennifer signed on to reunite with her Don't Look Up castmate Leonardo DiCaprio to play an American couple adopting a European baby in Martin Scorsese's horror film What Happens at Night.

Jennifer Lawrence bundled up to take an autumn stroll with her parents Gary and Karen Lawrence in Manhattan on Thursday not far from her $21.9M West Village townhouse

The 35-year-old Oscar winner's attempt at dressing incognito around family failed as she couldn't help but stand out wearing a bright red scarf around her leopard-print coat along with $180 Blundstone clogs

Apple Original Films is reportedly in talks to finance and produce the big-screen adaptation of Peter Cameron's 2023 ghost story novel with Studiocanal.

Lawrence executive produced Maisie Crow and Abbie Perrault's critically-acclaimed abortion documentary Zurawski v Texas, which screens this Saturday at Twin Cities Film Festival in Edina, MN.

'I've tried to get over [the reversal of Roe v. Wade] and I really can't,' the Excellent Cadaver founder told Vogue back in 2022.

'I can't. I'm sorry I'm just unleashing, but I can't f*** with people who aren't political anymore. You live in the United States of America. You have to be political. It's too dire. Politics are killing people.'

Jennifer continued: 'I had a great pregnancy. I had a very fortunate pregnancy. But every single second of my life was different. And it would occur to me sometimes: What if I was forced to do this?'

Lawrence also executive produced and stars as postpartum-depressed mother Grace opposite Robert Pattinson in Lynne Ramsay's Montana-set psychological drama Die My Love, which hits US/UK theaters November 7 before streaming December 22.

Mubi's big-screen adaptation of Ariana Harwicz's 2012 novel also features Sissy Spacek, Nick Nolte, and LaKeith Stanfield.

Die My Love currently has an 81% critic approval rating (out of 58 reviews) on Rotten Tomatoes.

Sunday marked Jennifer's sixth wedding anniversary with husband Cooke Maroney (L, pictured May 17), whom she first met in 2018 through her No Hard Feelings director Gene Stupnitsky

Lawrence and the 41-year-old Gladstone Gallery director (R, pictured March 18) are proud parents of three-year-old son Cy and a second child born in March rumored to be named Louie

Last month, the Kentucky-born blonde signed on to reunite with her Don't Look Up castmate Leonardo DiCaprio (R) to play an American couple adopting a European baby in Martin Scorsese's horror film What Happens at Night

Jennifer executive produced Maisie Crow (L, pictured in 2024) and Abbie Perrault's (R) critically-acclaimed abortion documentary Zurawski v Texas, which screens this Saturday at Twin Cities Film Festival in Edina, MN

Lawrence also executive produced and stars as postpartum-depressed mother Grace opposite Robert Pattinson (R) in Lynne Ramsay's Montana-set psychological drama Die My Love, which hits US/UK theaters November 7 before streaming December 22

Mubi's big-screen adaptation of Ariana Harwicz's 2012 novel currently has an 81% critic approval rating (out of 58 reviews) on Rotten Tomatoes

And last year, Apple Original Films acquired the Real Housewives-inspired murder mystery The Wives, which the avid Bravo watcher will star in and produce.

Reflecting on her 2019-2021 career hiatus, Jennifer revealed she 'was at peace with that possibility of' not being able to return to acting.

'I took a little time. I was working all of my twenties, and then I was like what's out here? What's going on?' Lawrence recalled on The Graham Norton Show last Friday.

'[Hollywood] is a lot. I think I would've been fine. Well, I mean, no  I would be really upset...I made Covid happen. I was just like, "I want to take a break." They were like, "the world is shutting down."'
Georgia Kousoulou stunned in a plunging bikini as she shared a series of photos from a family holiday on Thursday.

The TV personality, 34, who is awaiting surgery to remove her damaged breast implants, enjoyed some downtime.

Joined by her husband Tommy Mallet and their children son Brodie, four, and their 11-month-old daughter Gigi, they soaked in the sunset on a boat trip.

Georgia looked incredible in her bronze swimwear, while she shielded her eyes with a pair of sunglasses.

Sharing a carousel of photos to Instagram, she captioned the post: 'The best day.'

The former TOWIE star recently told how she is having her breast implants removed after a doctor discovered that one of them has ruptured.

Georgia Kousoulou stunned in a plunging bikini as she shared a series of photos from a family holiday on Thursday

The TV personality, 34, who is awaiting surgery to remove her damaged breast implants, enjoyed some downtime

Speaking on Paul C. Brunson's We Need To Talk podcast, Georgia revealed she went to see a doctor after finding a lump.

While the lump was benign, the doctor instead discovered one of her implants was damaged and needs to be quickly removed.

'He was like okay the lump is nothing to worry about,' she said. 'I was like, "Oh my god thank God," and he's like, "I'm gonna scan the other." As he's scanning the other one he's like, "Can you see that?" I was like, "What is that?" That implant has ruptured.

'He's like, "They're not supposed to be that." I was like, "Oh, okay. He's like you need to get them out."

'He was like, "They're not gone into lymph nodes," which is obviously good but that is not saying that they won't, implants can leak. He's like, "You need to get them out when you get home."

'Fast forward I've been recommended this surgeon in London. Went to see him. Really lovely guy. He was like, "How are you not in pain?"

'I'm like yeah, I've had a bit of pain, I said, but I'm going to be honest I've been busy, I've had a baby, I've done IVF, I've got married. A lot has happened in my last two years of life. I've just ignored them.

'He's like, "You can't do that, you need to get them out." So I'm now getting them out. I think the problem nowadays with implants is they disguise things, if you're going to have implants.'

Joined by her husband Tommy Mallet and their children son Brodie, four, and their 11-month-old daughter Gigi, they soaked in the sunset on a boat trip

Georgia looked incredible in her bronze swimwear

Sharing a carousel of photos to Instagram, she captioned the post: 'The best day'

Gigi looked adorable in a frilled swimsuit

She continued: 'Surgery is up to everyone. I think if it's going to make you feel good about yourself, why not do it?

'If it's safe and you're going to a great doctor that you really recommend, why should anyone tell you you shouldn't do it? It's your life, right?'

Georgia encouraged anyone who is considering a boob job to make sure to 'get them checked'.

'Unfortunately, if you've got an implant, you need to get that scan, because unless you're getting a scan, you can't tell,' she said. .I would have never known that they ruptured, I'd have never known they'd broken. So thank God I did do that.'
Katherine Ryan has revealed why she spoils her daughter with extravagant gifts and flights to wherever she wants to go.

Speaking in a new interview on Thursday, the comedian, 42, who is mum to Violet, 16, Fred, four, Fenna, two, and newborn, Holland, shared her thoughts on nepo babies.

She also explained how she has tried to ensure her eldest will not be impressed by someones dusty son.'

Joining Paloma Faith on her Mad, Sad & Bad podcast, Katherine said: 'I don't raise humble children. I know that being a nepo baby can backfire.

'A lot of these children can really struggle to ascend to what their parents have achieved and that can be a terrible feeling.

'However, I have decided to spoil my daughter as much as I can and give her really extravagant Valentines.'

Katherine Ryan has revealed why she spoils her daughter with extravagant gifts and flights to wherever she wants to go

Speaking in a new interview on Thursday, the comedian, 42, who is mum to Violet, 16, (pictured) Fred, four, Fenna, two, and newborn, Holland, shared her thoughts on nepo babies

She continued: 'I fly her wherever she wants to go, I get her VIP tickets to anything that I can because then I feel like she won't be impressed by someone's dusty son.

'I used to be really impressed by like the offer of a ride home. I think I am a pretty great mother... and an excellent dad.'

'Parenting is my wheelhouse. I'm good at it. I'm honest with my kids, I look after my kids.

'I don't have the same shame that I think is hoisted upon a lot of women if they chose to be mothers.'

This week, Katherine revealed she welcomed her newborn daughter in just 45 minutes as she shared her speedy birth story after returning to her podcast.

The comedian held her baby girl Holland in her arms as she filmed Katherine Ryan: Telling Everybody Everything, just days after giving birth.

Katherine's husband Bobby Koostra announced the arrival of Holland on Instagram on Sunday, as he shared sweet snaps from her birth.

The couple chose to have their latest addition at the private maternity hospital, The Portland, which cost them a whopping 10,000.

She also explained how she has tried to ensure her eldest will not be impressed by someones dusty son'

Joining Paloma Faith on her Mad, Sad & Bad podcast, Katherine said: 'I don't raise humble children. I know that being a nepo baby can backfire'

Days later on her podcast, Katherine shared intimate details from the day, including a moment she'd rather forget in front of her 'hot doctor', known only as 'Pat'.

Katherine also revealed she was offered an 'opiate menu' to see which drugs she would like to take as pain relief during the birth.

Introducing the segment on the clip, Katherine said: 'So this is our birth story. Where would you position it on the podium, take it away.

Bobby then said: 'So this one, we scheduled it. And it went according to plan and no problems.'

Admitting the arrival of Holland was stress free, Katherine said: 'I would call it pretty smooth sailing. The logistics of this birth were, if I hadn't given birth by Friday then we were to be induced, by a lovely, handsome doctor. Celebrity obstetrician, Pat.'

'We won't say his full name, but those in the know, will know who he is. Everyone knows who he is. And he's not someone that you want to s**t yourself in front of.'

Bobby then quipped: 'How'd that go?'

This week, Katherine revealed she welcomed her newborn daughter in just 45 minutes as she shared her speedy birth story after returning to her podcast

Katherine's husband Bobby Koostra (pictured) announced the arrival of Holland on Instagram on Sunday, as he shared sweet snap's from her birth

Katherine confessed: 'Not well. Sorry like TMI, my vag started like bubbling, bubbles were coming out of it. And I was like too stupid in the moment, to know that was Fenna, we keep calling her Fenna, not Fenna - we keep calling the baby Fenna, Holland, like crowning.

'I was stood up next to the bed and I was like er maybe I can have that diamorphine shot, and she goes okay I'll go and ask Pat.

'And then she left and she came back and she goes Pat said he's not even going to check you, he said you can have the shot. And I said oh actually he needs to come right now and check me.

'And then I took it upon myself to just get on the bed and take my trousers off and Miriam and Pat came in and luckily he happened to be around outside.'

Bobby said: 'Yeah thank goodness if he was around getting coffee he would have missed it, because you sat down and you were on the bed with the doctor and the midwife for maybe three minutes.'

Katherine candidly added: 'Yeah, and I knew I s*** myself.'

Bobby added: 'Right away, and they tried to play it off like oh you don't know for sure. And you've got your gas and air and you're like "I know that I did".

The podcast clip was captioned: '45 min active labour. 45 min podcast episode.'
Cracker Barrel's recent logo fiasco wasn't an attempt to 'go woke' after all.

In mid-August, the Southern comfort food chain retired its iconic logo of a cross-legged old man on a rocking chair and replaced it with a flat, yellow version featuring only the company name.

The move backfired spectacularly.

Within days, customers accused the brand of abandoning its roots, employees revolted, the 93-year-old founder publicly slammed the CEO, and even Donald Trump weighed in. The company's stock plunged $100million in a week.

Sales fell by $30million over a three-month period the equivalent of 2.3 million plates of country-fried steak.

The backlash forced a swift U-turn in just two weeks. Cracker Barrel scrapped the new logo and dropped plans to modernize its rustic dining halls.

Now CEO Julie Felss Masino says the real reason for the change wasn't political  it was practical.

Speaking at an investor summit in New York, she explained that the simplified design was meant to make the brand's 660 restaurants more visible to drivers speeding down the interstate.

Cracker Barrel's sales dropped precipitously after the company's massive logo change

The company plotted $700million to modernize its brand, including a simpler logo that used a solid background and nixed the iconic old man - the CEO said the rebrand was supposed to make the restaurant easier to see from the highway

Cracker Barrel made the move after years of slumping sales - the company wanted to draw in younger customers after attracting a huge amount of elderly diners

The explanation makes some sense: the former sign had muted white and brown colors, reaffirming the company's old-timey vibes.

For years, Cracker Barrel was running into an age problem: 26 percent of their customers were over the age of 65, while only 12 percent of visitors were between 25 and 34 years old.

Restaurant chains need to attract younger families to show they will maintain relevance for future generations.

And, while Cracker Barrel attracted older customers, it wasn't crushing sales goals.

In 2024, the chain closed underperforming restaurants while executives found that their stores were in increasingly low-income areas.

Masino, a former Taco Bell and Starbucks boss, launched a makeover campaign with an estimated $600million to $700million price tag that included brighter colors, a new logo, and updated menus to attract younger diners.

But critics said the changes stripped away the brand's character and charm.

'It's obvious that Cracker Barrel did not do its homework before launching its 'rebrand,'' Jerry Thomas, the CEO of Decision Analyst, a restaurant advising firm, previously told the Daily Mail.

The company revived the old barrel after social media backlash reached the White House

'It's a major failure of Cracker Barrel's senior management.'

Masino doesn't agree with that criticism. She has repeatedly stated that the company underwent years of extensive customer research before settling on the updated photo.

But polls suggest the rollout wasn't well received by the American public: a recent YouGov poll found that 65 percent of Americans were aware that the brand went through a logo change.

Only 29 percent of respondents said the changes made them less likely to dine there.

Cracker Barrel didn't immediately respond to the Daily Mail's request for comment.
The 2,640-km-long Durand Line is more than just a frontier. It is a century-old scar on the map of South Asia  a scar that has bled into three Anglo-Afghan wars, the Cold War, the Talibans rise, and todays great power rivalries. For the Afghan Pashtun, this line is not history. It is daily life. It was in 1893 that Mortimer Durand forced Abdur Rahman Khan to accept a division of his territory. This act tore apart the Pashtun tribal belt, splitting families and communities.

Though the agreement was meant to define zones of influence, the British treated it as a permanent international border. When Pakistan inherited this border in 1947, Afghanistan rejected it. Kabul had urged Britain to relinquish the agreement before leaving India. When the British refused, Afghanistan became the only country to oppose Pakistans entry into the UN.

This single boundary line would go on to shape  and destabilise  the geopolitics of the entire region. The Durand Line was drawn in imperial ink, but its story is soaked in the blood of empires. In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Afghanistan became the pivot of the Great Game between the British and the Russians. Three brutal Anglo-Afghan Wars were fought. Afghanistan emerged battered but unconquered. Unlike India, it was never a classical colony. Yet it was trapped in the vice grip of great power rivalries  an early victim of what would later be called neo-imperialism.

The Cold War transformed this strategic frontier into a furnace. In 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan to prop up a pro-Soviet government in Kabul. This was not merely ideological expansion; Afghanistan sat at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia, and West Asia  a natural strategic prize, rich in rare earth metals and a vital link in future energy corridors. The American response was swift and secretive. Through Pakistan, Washington armed and funded Afghan Mujahideen fighters to bleed the Soviets. The Durand Line became a military lifeline  a porous border over which guns, dollars, and ideology flowed. Covert aid transformed tribal fighters into holy warriors.

When the Soviet Union finally withdrew in 1989, the West celebrated. But Afghanistan was left in ruins. The Mujahideen, once hailed as freedom fighters, splintered into factions. Out of this chaos rose the Taliban. And from the Mujahideen networks, with training camps and ideologies sharpened in war, emerged Al-Qaeda and later the embers that would inspire Islamic State. The same forces once backed by the US became part of the so-called axis of evil. The seeds were sown on the Durand Line  where geopolitical expediency overtook long-term vision.In those years, the world also saw the emergence of a new kind of war coverage. The US led intervention post-9/11 introduced embedded journalism  reporters attached to military units, giving controlled windows into war. It created narratives shaped not just by facts but by strategies. Afghanistan became the testing ground for this modern information warfare, where what was shown mattered as much as what was hidden.

But the Afghan people were not just witnesses. They were the ones who paid the price  repeatedly. During the brief window after the fall of the Taliban in 2001, Afghanistan experienced a fragile democratic revival. Women entered politics, classrooms reopened, universities flourished, and Afghanistan once had one of the highest numbers of women parliamentarians in Asia. Today, under Taliban rule again, that number has fallen to zero. The parliament no longer exists in its old form.

Afghanistan has gone from a story of fragile hope to a grim cautionary tale.India has had a quiet but significant role in Afghanistans modern history. Unlike the US or Pakistan, Indias presence has been constructive rather than interventionist. New Delhi invested in schools, hospitals, roads, the Afghan Parliament Building, and crucial infrastructure projects like the Zaranj-Delaram Highway, connecting landlocked Afghanistan to the sea. Its approach was rooted in people-to-people ties rather than proxy wars.

Today, as the Taliban rule again, they are moving closer to India, seeking economic engagement and diplomatic legitimacy. For Pakistan, this is unsettling. For India, it is a strategic opening.

For the Afghan people, it is one more twist in a century-old geopolitical chessboard. But the Durand Line remains the elephant in the room. The Taliban  themselves Pashtun  have refused to accept it as an international border. Clashes have already occurred along the line with Pakistani forces. Pakistan, for its part, is desperate to impose control over a border drawn by colonial hands but never accepted by Afghan hearts. China too is now watching the region closely. Through its Belt and Road Initiative, Beijing seeks to secure its investments in Pakistan and tap into Afghanistans mineral wealth. It views stability at the Durand Line as essential for its broader ambitions in Central and South Asia. This makes Afghanistan not just a local conflict zone but a node in global strategic competition. The border that once defined British spheres of influence has now become a frontline for Chinese economic ambition, American strategic retreat, Russian nostalgia, and Pakistani insecurity. It is where Indias strategic

calculus meets the Talibans political ambitions.

For more than a century, Afghanistan has been at the centre of great power games but never in control of its own destiny. Its tragedy is unique. No empire colonised it formally, but every empire tried to control it. From the Anglo-Afghan wars to the Soviet invasion, from the CIAs covert Mujahideen operations to the US withdrawal, Afghanistan has been the theatre of wars it never started.

The Durand Line was born in ink, became a Cold War trench, and now stands as the powder keg of modern geopolitics. It is a border where history has not ended  it keeps replaying. As the Taliban consolidate their power, as India recalibrates its engagement, and as China and Pakistan coordinate their strategies, the forgotten Pashtuns remain trapped in a story written by others. The Durand Line may look like a straight line on a map, but in reality, it is a jagged scar cutting through families, politics, and centuries. Until it is confronted, this border will continue to produce not just wars  but also the ghosts of wars past. It will remain the line that birthed the axis of evil, tested global alliances, and turned a proud nation into the battlefield of empires.A border drawn in 1893 still dictates the future of South Asia in 2025. And that is the true tragedy of Afghanistan.

The writer is Professor Centre For South Asian Studies, School of International Studies & Social Sciences Pondicherry Central University
Observing that public trust is the judiciarys most valuable asset, Chief Justice of India BR Gavai on Thursday said that courts have an active and indispensable role to play in the system of constitutional governance and in fulfilling the mandate of the Constitution.

The CJI noted that perhaps the most enduring role of courts in constitutional governance is to sustain public faith in the rule of law, adding that decisions delivered by courts, even if unpopular, must reflect fairness and moral courage.

Justice Gavai, who is presently on a four-day official visit to Bhutan, delivered the keynote address at an event organised by the Jigme Singye Wangchuck (JSW) School of Law at the Royal Institute of Management, Thimphu.

Speaking on the theme of courts and constitutional governance, he touched upon many aspects, including the active role of courts.

I will not burden you with more case examples, but I wish to emphasise a larger point: that the courts of any nation have an active and indispensable role to play in the system of constitutional governance and in fulfilling the mandate of the Constitution, the CJI said.

He said the judiciary contributes to this process not merely by interpreting constitutional text, but by serving as a mediator between institutions, as a guardian of fundamental rights and as a protector of the environment and collective welfare.

Courts thus occupy a unique position: they are entrusted with the duty of upholding constitutional balance while ensuring that the spirit of justice pervades governance itself, the CJI said. He emphasised that judicial authority ultimately rests not on coercive power, but on moral legitimacy: the trust and confidence that citizens place in the impartiality, independence and integrity of the judiciary.

Justice Gavai said courts earn this trust through transparency, reasoned judgments and consistent adherence to constitutional principles.

Each decision, even if unpopular, must reflect fairness and moral courage. When citizens believe that justice will be done without fear or favour, the legitimacy of the entire constitutional system is strengthened, he added. The CJI remarked further, Public trust is the judiciarys most valuable asset. It is what transforms judicial decisions from mere legal orders into instruments of social conscience.

He stated that by upholding this trust, courts become not only interpreters of law but custodians of democracy, guarding both the letter and the spirit of the Constitution.

Lastly, there is one aspect of the judiciarys role that is often discussed far less than it deserves: the responsibility of promoting constitutional literacy and cultivating public understanding of constitutional values, Justice Gavai said.

He said that too often, the attention remains confined to the immediate outcome of a case or its impact on the parties involved. Yet, the true influence of judicial decisions extends much further. Each judgment becomes a point of reflection, a subject of public dialogue and a catalyst for civic awareness. It shapes how citizens perceive their rights, their duties and the moral foundations of their democracy, the CJI said. He said courts are not only institutions of adjudication, but are also educators of constitutional consciousness.

He highlighted that judges, through their words and reasoning, contribute to the publics understanding of justice, equality and liberty, adding that every judgment is a lesson in democracy and an invitation to citizens to engage with their Constitution.

As judges, we must remain conscious of this educative role, while being mindful of the delicate balance between judicial aloofness and social engagement, he said.

The CJI said even while maintaining the dignity and impartiality that the office demands, judges can still contribute meaningfully to the spread of constitutional awareness.
Senior Advocate Pinky Anand has been appointed a judge of the Bahrain International Commercial Court (BICC), which is set to launch on November 5.

The BICC is modelled on the Singapore International Commercial Court and will handle complex cross-border commercial disputes in English and Arabic. It will also offer a right of appeal to Singapores international committee for English-language cases.

Alternatively, a BICC appellate tribunal will hear the appeal if the original judgment is in Arabic or the parties so agree. With Pinky Anand and other appointments, the BICC bench now has 17 judges, seven women and 10 men.

Anand, a Senior Advocate with over 40 years of experience, previously served as Additional Solicitor General of India from 2014 to 2020. She has acted as an arbitrator in cases across India, Dubai, Malaysia and Singapore. She has also represented India at the BRICS group of leading emerging economies and was a founding member of the groups legal forum.

Union Minister of State for Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal said he was delighted to learn of Anands appointment to the BICC.

This recognition of an eminent Indian jurist on such a distinguished global forum is a testament to Indias growing stature in international arbitration and commercial dispute resolution.

Her appointments reflect the confidence reposed in Indian legal expertise and will further strengthen cross-border judicial cooperation, he said.

Pinky Anand will continue her full-time legal practice in India while fulfilling her judicial responsibilities for the BICC remotely or through periodic visits to Bahrain.
Cambodian police said on Thursday that they arrested 57 South Korean nationals over alleged links to an online scam organisation in the Southeast Asian country. The arrests happened on Wednesday as police raided a building on the outskirts of the capital, Phnom Penh. Police found 86 people working at the complex, including 57 South Koreans and 29 Chinese, according to a statement Thursday by Cambodias Secretariat of the Commission for Combating Online Scams.

A visiting group of South Korean lawmakers accompanied the raid. The delegation, led by Kim Seok-ki, arrived in Cambodia on Tuesday as part of an on-site parliamentary inspection into reports of alleged employment scams, illegal confinement and torture of South Korean nationals in Cambodia. It is the second recent delegation from South Korea to visit Cambodia after a group last week led by Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina.

On Friday last week, Cambodia repatriated about 50 South Koreans who had been formally arrested on accusations that they worked for online scam organisations. They are among the 64 South Koreans who were detained in Cambodia in recent months and were flown to South Korea on a charter flight on Saturday. Upon arrival, they were detained while police investigated whether they voluntarily joined the scam organisations in Cambodia or were forced to work there. The repatriation follows the death of a South Korean student who was reportedly forced to work in a scam centre in Cambodia. His death triggered public outrage in South Korea, prompting the government to send a delegation to Phnom Penh for talks on a joint response.

Online scams, many based in Southeast Asian countries, have risen sharply since the COVID-19 pandemic and produced two sets of victims: the tens of thousands of people who have been forced to work as scammers under the threat of violence, and the targets of their fraud. Monitoring groups say online scams earn international criminal gangs billions of dollars annually. The Korean National Police Agency said Tuesday that local courts so far have issued arrest warrants for 49 of the 64 returnees. It said a court will review whether to approve arrests for 10 others on Tuesday.
Brazils Government approved exploratory drilling by State-run oil-giant Petrobras near the mouth of the Amazon River. The decision comes only weeks before the UN climate conference in Belem, COP30, where efforts to reduce the use of fossil fuels will be discussed. The Equatorial Margin deposit off the coast of Brazil, which stretches from Brazils border with Suriname to a part of the countrys Northeast region, is believed to be rich in oil and gas. Petrobras said in a Statement that the drilling could start right away and take up to five months. It requested to conduct the exploratory drilling in block offshore the northern Brazilian State of Amapa bordering Suriname. The company added that the exploratory well will not produce any oil. The decision by the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources was publicly celebrated by Energy Minister Alexandre.
Nepals Prime Minister Sushila Karki on Wednesday said that her interim Government is committed to holding the March 5 general election in a free and fair manner. We are responsible for addressing the legitimate voices of Gen Z in line with the Constitution. The government will create an environment where Nepalis can

vote without fear, strengthening democracy, advancing prosperity, and safeguarding citizens rights, she said while speaking at an event in Madhyapur Thimi, Bhaktapur. Her comments came a day after she met with representatives of major political parties for the first time since the formation of the caretaker Government last month and discussed preparations for the general elections and security issues.

The meeting at the Prime Ministers official residence in Baluwatar was attended by prominent leaders of several political parties of the dissolved House of Representatives. Karki, 73, became Nepals first woman Prime Minister last month after the ouster of then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli following youth-led Gen Z protests against the government over corruption and a ban on social media.

Minister for Communications and Information Technology Jagdish Kharel said that the interaction with leaders of political parties on Tuesday created a conducive atmosphere for the forthcoming general elections. During the five-hour-long meeting, the political leaders urged the government to create a conducive environment for elections.

Karki reiterated the governments stance on holding the election on the stipulated time. It was a very positive discussion with the political parties. Most of them were positive towards the election that encouraged the government to forward activities, Kharel told reporters late Tuesday night. All the representatives of political parties and cabinet members presented themselves with utmost responsibility to help in building an atmosphere for elections, said Kharel.

India donates 81 school buses

Kathmandu: India has donated 81 school buses to various educational institutions in Nepal, including in disaster-affected districts of Koshi province, an official statement said on Wednesday. The donations were part of the long-standing development partnership and friendship between India and Nepal, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu said in a statement. The 81 buses were donated to various educational institutions across 48 districts in Nepal, including disaster-affected districts of Ilam, Jhapa, and Udayapur in Koshi province. Earlier this month, many people were killed in the province.
The son of Bangladeshs ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called on the countrys interim Government to lift a ban on Hasinas party, saying an election that excludes it would be a sham. In an interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday, Sajeeb Wazed said Bangladesh would remain politically unstable if the current interim Government, headed by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, fails to hold an inclusive election. This ban has to be lifted, the elections have to be inclusive and free and fair, Wazed, who was a former adviser to the Government headed by her mother, told the AP from Washington DC What is happening now really is an attempt to keep my mother and our political leaders from running in elections.

This is political manipulation disguised as justice, he added. Bangladesh is expected to hold an election in February 2026. It will be the first polls in the South Asian nation since a student-led uprising ousted Hasina last year, ending her 15-year rule and forcing her to flee to India, where she has been in exile since. Three days after her ouster, Yunus took the helm and promised to restore order and introduce reforms. In May his Government banned the activities of Hasinas Awami League party and arrested many of its senior leaders. Many others, including former Cabinet ministers, fled the country. Hasina and all her immediate family members, including Wazed and his sister, face charges ranging from crimes against humanity to corruption. Election will not be recognised, Wazed says

Six rights groups, including Human Rights Watch and the Committee to Protect Journalists, issued a letter to Yunus last week urging an end to the broad ban on Awami Leagues activities, saying it excessively restricts freedom of association, assembly, and expression and has been used to arrest Awami League members and perceived supporters engaged in peaceful activities. Wazed, who has been living in the US for last 30 years, said that if the Awami League party is not given enough time to prepare for the election the results will not be recognised by the people of the country, by international observers.

We are not allowed to conduct any election preparation. So even if the ban is lifted at the last minute, the elections will be a sham, he said. Bangladesh, a parliamentary democracy of 170 million people, has 52 registered political parties. The fall of Hasinas Government last year has hindered the democratic transition of power, and its politics remained at a crossroads. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party, headed by Hasinas main political rival and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, is the main contender in the next election.
In a stunning move thats shaken the planet to its very mantle, Earths core has formally filed for divorce from the crust, citing irreconcilable spinning differences and billions of years of neglect.

The molten inner sphere released a fiery statement through its lawyer (a particularly aggressive volcano), saying it can no longer maintain a stable relationship with a partner that refuses to stop drifting and cracking under pressure.

Its always me doing the heavy lifting, the core complained. Who keeps the magnetic field running? Who holds the whole planet together while the crust flirts with comets and continental drift? Im literally burning up down here.

The crust, meanwhile, fired back through a passive-aggressive press release: The cores temper has been explosive for eons. Maybe if it cooled down once in a while, we wouldnt be here.

Tectonic shift in attitude

Seismologists report that since the earths core filing, tectonic plates have been noticeably tense, with tremors of anxiety rippling through the lithosphere. One insider described the breakup as messier than the Permian extinction.

NASA officials are monitoring the divorce situation closely. If they actually split, its bad news, said one astrophysicist. Half the solar systems gossip network will implode. Plus, well all die.

Despite mediation attempts by the Moon who described itself as just trying to keep things balanced the outlook appears pretty bleak. Insiders say custody of the magnetic poles remains a sticking point.

When asked for comment, the atmosphere sighed, I saw this coming ages ago. You could feel the tension every time they rotated.

Meanwhile, the Sun (not the Murdoch one) has reportedly offered warm emotional support, though sources confirm it still cant resist making things hotter.

The final hearing is scheduled for 4.5 billion years from now, depending on rotational speed and lawyer availability.
When May Engelhardt stepped onto the windswept sands of Sable Island this month, she knew she was taking part in a unique experience as an undergrad by visiting a protected island to carry out her own independent field research.

The crescent-shaped island, located about 300 kilometers southeast of Halifax in the Atlantic Ocean, is home to wild horses, sprawling dunes, and species found nowhere else on Earth.

May, a third-year student, travelled there as the 2025 recipient of the Inspired by Sable Island Post-Secondary Award, presented by the Friends of Sable Island Society in partnership with Parks Canada. Her proposal to carry out a survey of horse and seal scat  excrement  for evidence of invertebrates was chosen for its originality and strong conservation focus.

It still doesnt feel real.

It still doesnt feel real, she said, recalling the moment she got the news. I applied on the 25th, and suddenly I was packing gear and checking weather reports.

Stepping onto Sable Island



May departed Halifax early on October 8 for the day-long research trip, boarding a small plane with pilot Debbie Brekelmans, who has logged more than a thousand flights to the island. She joined Melanie Taljaard from Friends of Sable Island and Sarah Medill from Parks Canada, with support from April Hennigar, chair of the Friends of Sable Island Society.

After about an hour in the air, the island's dunes appeared out of the mist.



The island appears. (May Engelhardt photo)

Landing felt surreal, she says. Sable Island is indescribable. Once we arrived, we had a briefing and toured the main research facility and then drove down to South Beach so I could start surveying.

During her day on the island, May conducted naturalistic observations and invertebrate surveys on insects found in horse and seal droppings. Careful not to disturb the animals or their habitat, she used a telephoto and a macro lens camera to document her findings on these species while filling out her data collection sheets.

Finding confidence



Preparing for a solo field expedition came with challenges. May admits she was nervous.

I must have packed and repacked ten times, she says. I borrowed equipment from the lab, checked lists with my mentors, and tried to remind myself I could actually do this.

Even with her preparation, reality didnt hit until she boarded the plane. The excitement didnt really kick in until that morning, she says. But once I was in the air, the fear turned into excitement.

Lessons from the island



Being on Sable Island changed how May sees her work and herself.

I wanted to see everything, she says, but I had to remind myself that curiosity needs to come with care. One wrong step could disturb a sparrow nest or damage insect larvae.

That mindfulness is part of being a conservation biologist, she says. Its about knowing that your presence has an impact and learning to minimize it.



Sable Island seals. (May Engelhardt photo)

Through her research, May learned to identify the invertebrates found in horse and seal scat, small but important clues about how nutrients move through Sable Islands ecosystem. Her work gave her a closer look into how each species plays into the Island's delicate balance.

She also learned about the efforts to conserve the Island's unique species, from the large grey seal haul down to the endemic bee species pollinating the Island's flowers. Her observations contribute to ongoing research with Parks Canada as well as her own research efforts.



The island's famed wild horses. (May Engelhardt photo)

Inspiring the next generation



Back in Halifax, May credits her mentors and peers for helping her discover the opportunity and apply for it.

Dr. Shelley Adamo and Professor Isabelle Aube have been amazing, she says. And my sister Helens encouragement meant everything to me.

Winning the award  which also came with a $500 prize  and leading her first independent field work project has boosted her confidence as a biologist.

This was my first time going out into the field on my own, she says. Now I know I can contribute something meaningful.




Members of the Epiphany Episcopal Church and San Miguel Mission in Socorro are raffling off a hand-quilted masterpiece to raise funds for a local family facing extraordinary medical expenses. The fundraiser will benefit Jason and Andrea Simmons and their young daughter, Antonia.

Andrea, a beloved Parkview Elementary School teacher, was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, and is currently in hospice care.

The idea for the quilt raffle began when a man from San Antonio donated a collection of his late mothers quilting materials to the church. Among them was a beautiful quilt top that soon inspired a community act of compassion. Members of the Socorro Fiber Arts Guild, including several Epiphany parishioners, volunteered their time and talent to hand-quilt the piece, a process that began last summer and was completed this spring.

It just felt like the right thing to do, said Danielsen. Andrea and Jason were married in our church, and we wanted to find a way to support them during such a difficult time.

The finished quilt is on display in the fellowship hall at Epiphany Episcopal Church. The quilt will also be featured at the annual Quilt Show at the Methodist Church on Dec. 6, where tickets will be available for purchase.

The raffle drawing will take place on Dec. 7, with all proceeds going directly to help the Simmons family cover ongoing medical and household expenses.

Raffle tickets are $10 each, or 6 for $50, and can be purchased at the San Miguel Mission gift shop and by contacting raffle organizer Annie Danielsen at 575-517-0211.
The village of Magdalena secured a $2.6 million grant for sewer line relining and infrastructure upgrades.

In the last village meeting, Mayor Rumpf said the grant came from a recent Water Trust Board session in Santa Fe. Engineering work is underway, including GPS mapping and easement reviews for water line replacements, said Rumpf.

A proposal to apply for a $213,750 loan from the New Mexico Finance Authority for the purchase of a Caterpillar 120GC motor grader was postponed.

Trustee Donna Dawson said she had questions about operator certification, usage frequency, and cost-effectiveness compared to contracting county services.

Similarly, a Memorandum of Agreement with Socorro County for limited road grading and maintenance was postponed due to missing documentation. Trustee Michael Thompson said there were changes needed to be made to the documents before moving forward.

Finances

The board approved the FY2026 Quarterly Financial Report presented by Finance Officer Michael Steininger.

The cash balance in that fund is negative again, but it reflects what is currently outstanding. Overall, the cash balances are good except for water and wastewater, which are still a little bit on the low side for those two entities, Steininger said.

Steininger said that the report highlighted a $45,000 grant received by the Magdalena Public Library, which significantly boosted its revenue for the quarter.

The board also voted to restore the librarys operating hours to 40 hours per week, staffed by three part-time librarians without benefits. Rumpf said recent grant will cover the associated costs.

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The board approved a $3,000 broadband reimbursement grant for the Magdalena Public Library from the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs.

In another unanimous decision, the board authorized $8,000 in funding for ambulance supplies for Socorro EMS, which regularly provides emergency services to Magdalena.

Why are we spending the $8000? When the people pay for their supplies. Number one out of their billing Donna Dawson, Village Trustee said.

Rumpf said the insurance pays for some of it, but not all of it and the funds will come from the villages ambulance fund.

In other business, the board confirmed Charlie Blaylock as the new Fire Chief of the Magdalena Volunteer Fire Department, following the resignation of Rumpf as Fire Chief.
A French chef called Laurent, two wonderful dishes, a masterclass in cooking, serve up with some wise cracks and you had the ideal recipe for a feast fit for a king at the Old Library Trusts Hearty Meals Masterclass on Tuesday night last.

The packed attendance was given cooking tips, advice on using fresh and simple ingredients, and the chance to sample some of the finest dishes in the city.

Chef Laurent, owner of the Qui Bakery in Derrys Craft Village dished up a main course of - Chicken Fricasse and White Sauce, served with a mixture of fresh vegetables followed by Red Fruit and Cookie Tiramisu.

He also managed to tell some of his stories about the famous and not-so-famous restaurants he worked in throughout France and Italy when he was in his prime!

The event, organised by Julie White at the Old Library Trust in Creggan in conjunction with Safefoods Community Food Initiative is a continuation of OLTs Masterclass series of events.

Thursdays Hearty Meals Masterclass saw a diverse audience asking questions of chef Laurent, both on his cooking, preparation and best markets to source produce.

Even the Old Library Trust staff were on hand to sample the beautiful dishes and the OLTs Project Manager Sabrina Lynch said: We are delighted to see a good turnout for tonights event and they all enjoyed Laurents may tips and stories of working in many restaurants throughout Europe. We even got to taste some beautiful food tonight and everyone went home happy and their stomachs full.

OLT service user Liz McGilloway expressed delight at the event; Laurent explained everything so well. The food was cooked beautifully; we enjoyed every bite. A lovely evening watching and learning new ways to cook at home.

Julie White concluded by thanking everyone who turned up, enjoyed the food and added very positive comments to the event.

A massive thank you to Laurent for giving of his valuable time to come along and serve up such lovely food. Mind you, he has been up since 1am this morning, prepping at his bakery and still managed to come along here tonight. It was also great to see so many local people come out on a wet night and support our Hearty Meals Masterclass.
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Kate Nash, the former chairperson of the Bloody Sunday March Committee said "the real Bloody Sunday murderers were not shaking in their boots as they waited for the verdict in the Soldier F case".

Ms Nash made her comments immediately after a 'not guilty' verdict was delivered in the case against Soldier F in Belfast's Crown Court this morning.

The former member of the British Army's Parachute Regiment had been facing murder charges relating to Jim Wray and William McKinney and attempted murder charges in relation to Michael Quinn, Patrick O'Donnell, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon and an unkinwn person.

Ms Nash added: "The real Bloody Sunday murderers were not even in the dock. Soldier F and his kill-crazy comrades in Rossville Street, Abbey Park and Glenfada Park didnt decide on their own to spray bullets into unarmed marchers demonstrating for civil rights.



"If justice were to be done there would have been cabinet ministers, top civil servants and an array of generals standing shoulder-to-shoulder with F in court, just as theyd all willingly backed one and other up in 1972.



"The Bloody Sunday massacre was planned and authorised by men of far higher rank than the scruffs like Soldier F who pulled the triggers.



"F and the other killers merely did what was expected of them, what theyd been ordered to do, what theyd repeatedly done before in the far-flung reaches of Empire to the enthusiastic applause of the British military and political establishment and their camp-followers in the media. Now they had been sent from Belfast to fulfil the same role- to teach the natives of Derry a lesson they wouldnt forget by shooting the civil rights movement off the streets," said Ms Nash.

She added: "Not one of the military chiefs and politicians who had handed out the licences to kill has ever been charged, much less made to pay a price.

"Theres a vast difference in scale between what happened in Derry on Bloody Sunday and whats happening now in Gaza. But the principle is the same. And so is the deep complicity of Britains ruling class. Nothings changed in that respect.



"What we have learnt from all the investigations into Bloody Sunday, including the trial of Soldier F, is that the British government couldnt care less about the lives of the working-class people of our area, or of any working-class community anywhere.



"We find in Israel the same cynical acceptance, even approval, of the relentless slaughter of Palestinians by heavily-armed Israeli forces operating from land, sea and air. The Israeli death machine grinds on, supplied and serviced by the US, Britain and a cabal of other European powers," said Ms Nash.

She added: "The fact that only one soldier was charged for Bloody Sunday tells its own story about the attitude of successive British governments towards killing done in their name. Theyd do it again in a heartbeat if they thought the interests of their own sort were at stake.



"The fact that Soldier F was charged at all was due to the dogged campaigning of the relatives of the victims and their supporters over the years.



"The message from the verdict to the families of other victims of State forces is to keep on keeping on.



"The Bloody Sunday march next January will mark 54 years since the massacre. We intend to make it the biggest yet."
The brother of a man shot and killed on Bloody Sunday has described Soldier F as a 'coward'.

Soldier F has been found not guilty of committing two murders and five attempted murders on Bloody Sunday in Derry in 1972.

Delivering his judgment at Belfast Crown Court, Judge Patrick Lynch said the evidence presented against the veteran fell well short of what was required for conviction.

Soldier F had been accused of the murders of James Wray and William McKinney on Bloody Sunday, regarded as one of the darkest days of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

The former paratrooper had also been accused of attempting to murder Michael Quinn, Patrick ODonnell, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon and an unknown person.

Following the judgment delivered at Belfast Crown Court this morning, Mickey McKinney, brother of William McKinney said: Today marks the end of the prosecution of Soldier F for the murder and attempted murder of the innocents on Bloody Sunday.

The families and wounded and our supporters leave this courthouse with an incredible sense of pride in our achievements.

Soldier F has been discharged from the defendants criminal dock, but it is one million miles away from being an honourable discharge.

Unlike his victims, there has been no declaration of Soldier Fs innocence.

Soldier F created two young widows on Bloody Sunday and he orphaned 12 children. And he deprived dozens of siblings of a loving brother.

The Bloody Sunday families do not lay the blame for todays decision with the trial judge.

The blame lies firmly:

With the British state;

With the RUC who failed to investigate the murders on Bloody Sunday properly, or indeed at all; and

With the British Army who shielded and enabled its soldiers to continue to murder with impunity, and immunity, and also with the office of the then Director of Public Prosecutions who, with a nod and a wink, complicitly signed off on decisions not to prosecute in 1972 without even raising an eyebrow.

Most importantly however, responsibility lies with the thugs of Frank Kitsons private army, the 1st Battalion of the Parachute Regiment who opened fire, and those who directed and protected them.

Despite the heroism, steadfastness and dignity of the Bloody Sunday Families and Wounded, a coward walks free from the dock.

Not through the front door of this courthouse like every other vindicated, wrongly accused defendant proudly does, but instead, once his curtain has been pulled back for him, creeping out the back door.

The type of thug, who is well used to special treatment, well used to having important and powerful connections, with his police escort in tow, back over to hide in Palace Barracks, where it all began.

Thank you.
Local politicians have reacted to the acquittal of Soldier F today.

The former paratrooper known was found not guilty of committing two murders and five attempted murders on Bloody Sunday.

Soldier F had been accused of the murders of James Wray and William McKinney on Bloody Sunday, regarded as one of the darkest days of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

The veteran had also been accused of attempting to murder Michael Quinn, Patrick ODonnell, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon and an unknown person.

Foyle MP Colum Eastwood said today was a "difficult" day for the Bloody Sunday families.

The former SDLP leader said: "My thoughts are with the Bloody Sunday families and the wounded today. They have been through a long and challenging ordeal and I cant imagine how theyre feeling but I know that they are as committed to justice for their loved ones as ever.

"Its impossible to put into words how proud we are of the Bloody Sunday families. People in Derry, across Ireland, Britain and the world have supported their campaign for truth, justice and accountability for decades. We know that the fight for justice is long and that there will be barriers along the way.

"For more than fifty years, these families have taken on a system that first sought to deny the truth and then tried to run out the clock, desperately hoping that their fight would dim and their campaign would die.

For the best part of half a century Soldier F has been a protected species. Able and enabled to go about his life while his actions subjected good, innocent people in Derry to decades of generational heartache and hurt. I would encourage everyone to read the report of Lord Saville. These soldiers came to our city, they shot and killed civil rights protestors.

Today is a difficult day but were holding the families close and I know that the people of Derry will continue to give them our utmost support.

Delivering his judgment at Belfast Crown Court, Judge Patrick Lynch said the evidence presented against the veteran fell well short of what was required for conviction.

However, the judge said that members of the Parachute Regiment had shot dead unarmed civilians, and those involved should hang their heads in shame.

Sinn Fein MLA Padraig Delargy expressed huge disappointment following the decision not to convict Soldier F of murder.



Speaking from outside the court, the Foyle MLA said: Todays decision is deeply disappointing for the Bloody Sunday families and the people of Derry.

It represents one of the most extreme examples of justice delayed is justice denied in our history.

For more than 53 years, the Bloody Sunday families have fought courageously and relentlessly in pursuit of truth and justice. Every bit of progress they have made has been a result of their tenacity and resilience.

It took decades for the British state to finally admit what it did on Bloody Sunday, yet still, in 2025, not a single British combatant has been convicted for the shameful role played.

This case is an indictment of justice when it comes to families who had loved ones murdered by the British state. Too many families are still without truth and accountability.

While this is a setback in their campaign for truth and justice, Sinn Fein will fully support whatever steps they decide to take next and we will continue to stand with the families.

In the packed public gallery at court 12, gathered relatives of the Bloody Sunday victims gave no visible response as the veteran was found not guilty on all counts.

There was also no reaction from those in the public gallery supporting the former paratrooper.

People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin said today was a "travesty of justice" for the Bloody Sunday families. "They have sought to bury the truth, lie about their victims and ensure no one is ever held to account for the atrocity they committed. No matter what the judge has determined, we know Soldier F is guilty of murder. "He is guilty along with the military brass and government officials who planned the slaughter and lied about it for decades. There was no guilty verdict today, an inevitable outcome, but the failure to convict Soldier F exposes the truth about the British state for the world to see. "The long campaign of the Bloody Sunday families for truth and justice has exposed the mendacity of the British state again and again. That is why we know there is no such thing as British justice. "They must lie about state murder in Derry fifty-three years ago because they must lie about their complicity with genocide in Gaza today. "No one can be convicted for Bloody Sunday because, from Starmer down, the British state will resist accountability for participation in Israels crimes against humanity. "We stand with the Bloody Sunday families and the campaigners who have backed them. "People Before Profit commend the relentless campaign to shine a bright light on the truth and demand accountability. The Bloody Sunday families, the people of Derry and campaigners across Ireland and internationally, can stand proud knowing we are right. "This decision will be appealed. The demand for truth and justice for all victims of state violence will continue. The British state must be held to account for its past atrocities, and those it commits today in Gaza and elsewhere."

Meanwhile, DUP leader Gavin Robinson has said the majority of those in the armed forces who served in Northern Ireland during the Troubles did so with honour.

Mr Robinson was reacting after veteran Soldier F was acquitted of all charges relating to two murders and five attempted murders.

He said: This was a detailed verdict from the judge which will obviously need to be studied in detail, but it represents a clear and welcome outcome.

This has been an extremely lengthy process however and will have reopened many painful memories. The events of 30th January 1972 have been scrutinised and pored over more than any other single event in our history.

The judge has cast doubt on evidence previously described as decisive and highlights the difficulties inherent in taking forward a prosecution based on such problematic grounds.

The vast majority of those who served in our armed forces did so with honour and often at great personal cost. There must be no rewriting of the past and we will continue to guard against all attempts to do so.
The long-awaited trial of Soldier F survived to run its course despite two applications that could have seen it stopped.

A momentous day was hailed on September 15 as the Belfast Crown Court trial opened in courtroom 12, the larger of those available in the Laganside complex.

The former paratroopers anonymity was preserved with a curtain as he faced two murder charges and five attempted murder charges over 50 years after the events of Bloody Sunday during which 13 civilians were shot and died in Derry.

Relatives of those killed travelled from Derry every day of the non-jury trial before Judge Patrick Lynch, sharing the public gallery with some who attended to support Soldier F.

Prosecution barrister Louis Mably KC described the events of Bloody Sunday as having had a long-lasting and profound effect on Northern Ireland.

But the trial took a specific focus on the shootings in Glenfada Park North where it was contended that Soldier F killed William McKinney and James Wray.

The court heard a statement from late ex-Stormont MP Ivan Cooper, who felt he had to live with the responsibility of having led people on to the streets on that fateful day.

Mr Mably moved on to what he termed decisive evidence on the second sitting day  statements made by two of Soldier Fs colleagues, referred to as Soldier G and Soldier H.

They included statements made by both to the Royal Military Police (RMP) on the night of the shootings, as well as statements to the Widgery Inquiry later in 1972 and a transcript of oral evidence they gave to that inquiry, and evidence given by Soldier H to the Saville Inquiry in the 2000s.

The prosecution argued they placed Soldier F in Glenfada Park North and having opened fire.

Mr Mably described the contents of the statements as both truthful and untruthful, with some of the contents consistent with other eyewitness evidence and according with known facts.

Neither were available to give evidence to the trial, with Soldier G having died, while Soldier H indicated that, if compelled to attend, they will exercise their privilege against self-incrimination.

Soldier F also did not give evidence and had previously indicated to police he had no reliable memory of the events of the day.

On day three of the trial, defence barrister Mark Mulholland argued the hearsay statements were not admissible, and described them as a series of unreliable, fundamentally flawed, inconsistent allegations.

However, Judge Lynch ruled on September 24 that the evidence could be admitted at that stage.

The trial went on to hear from a number of witnesses, including some of those shot and injured on Bloody Sunday.

They included Joe Mahon who was 16 years old at the time and was struck by a bullet at Glenfada Park North and went on to play dead until aid arrived.

Michael Quinn, who was 17, was shot in the face while Malachy Coyle, who was 15, recalled seeing people lying on the ground, some dead, amid shots being fired.

Last week, Mr Mulholland submitted a no-case-to-answer application, arguing the evidence didnt stack up with the statements by Soldier G and Soldier H contradicting each other, as well as with civilian evidence.

However Judge Lynch dismissed the application, allowing the trial to continue.

Proceedings drew to a close on October 16, with Judge Lynch rising to consider delivering his verdict a week later.

In his judgement on Thursday, Judge Lynch described delay as having seriously hampered the capacity of the defence to test the statements from Soldier G and Soldier H, and found they have been serially untruthful as well as having committed perjury, concluding that the evidence fell well short of the criminal standard.
The long-awaited trial of Soldier F survived to run its course despite two applications that could have seen it stopped.

A momentous day was hailed on September 15 as the Belfast Crown Court trial opened in courtroom 12, the larger of those available in the Laganside complex.

The former paratroopers anonymity was preserved with a curtain as he faced two murder charges and five attempted murder charges over 50 years after the events of Bloody Sunday during which 13 civilians were shot and died in Londonderry.

Relatives of those killed travelled from Derry every day of the non-jury trial before Judge Patrick Lynch, sharing the public gallery with some who attended to support Soldier F.

Prosecution barrister Louis Mably KC described the events of Bloody Sunday as having had a long-lasting and profound effect on Northern Ireland.

But the trial took a specific focus on the shootings in Glenfada Park North where it was contended that Soldier F killed William McKinney and James Wray.

The court heard a statement from late ex-Stormont MP Ivan Cooper, who felt he had to live with the responsibility of having led people on to the streets on that fateful day.

Mr Mably moved on to what he termed decisive evidence on the second sitting day  statements made by two of Soldier Fs colleagues, referred to as Soldier G and Soldier H.

They included statements made by both to the Royal Military Police (RMP) on the night of the shootings, as well as statements to the Widgery Inquiry later in 1972 and a transcript of oral evidence they gave to that inquiry, and evidence given by Soldier H to the Saville Inquiry in the 2000s.

The prosecution argued they placed Soldier F in Glenfada Park North and having opened fire.

Mr Mably described the contents of the statements as both truthful and untruthful, with some of the contents consistent with other eyewitness evidence and according with known facts.

Neither were available to give evidence to the trial, with Soldier G having died, while Soldier H indicated that, if compelled to attend, they will exercise their privilege against self-incrimination.

Soldier F also did not give evidence and had previously indicated to police he had no reliable memory of the events of the day.

On day three of the trial, defence barrister Mark Mulholland argued the hearsay statements were not admissible, and described them as a series of unreliable, fundamentally flawed, inconsistent allegations.

However, Judge Lynch ruled on September 24 that the evidence could be admitted at that stage.

The trial went on to hear from a number of witnesses, including some of those shot and injured on Bloody Sunday.

They included Joe Mahon who was 16 years old at the time and was struck by a bullet at Glenfada Park North and went on to play dead until aid arrived.

Michael Quinn, who was 17, was shot in the face while Malachy Coyle, who was 15, recalled seeing people lying on the ground, some dead, amid shots being fired.

Last week, Mr Mulholland submitted a no-case-to-answer application, arguing the evidence didnt stack up with the statements by Soldier G and Soldier H contradicting each other, as well as with civilian evidence.

However Judge Lynch dismissed the application, allowing the trial to continue.

Proceedings drew to a close on October 16, with Judge Lynch rising to consider delivering his verdict a week later.

In his judgement on Thursday, Judge Lynch described delay as having seriously hampered the capacity of the defence to test the statements from Soldier G and Soldier H, and found they have been serially untruthful as well as having committed perjury, concluding that the evidence fell well short of the criminal standard.
Schools in Northern Ireland have been asked to take any and all actions possible to reduce expenditure amid a funding crisis.

Education Authority (EA) chief executive Richard Pengelly has written to all principals and chairs of boards of school governors in the region, asking them to take measures including restricting the use of substitute cover.

The letter, seen by the PA news agency, says the EA, which manages schools in Northern Ireland, is facing a funding shortfall of around 300 million.

Mr Pengelly said the education sector is living with the consequences of years of increasingly unmanageable funding shortfalls.

He said: The warnings about this years budget that were made publicly by the Department (of Education) and others are sadly being borne out by events.

At this juncture, EA is currently reporting a funding gap of c300m and, unlike the position in previous years, we have been advised that no further significant funding allocations are likely to be made available to address this shortfall.

We are therefore currently on a trajectory towards a significant overspend at year end.

He added: In that context, it is critical that school leaders seek to take any and all actions possible to reduce expenditure.

This should include, among other issues, not proceeding with discretionary spend, minimise, as far as possible, entering into new financial commitments related to appointments, and restricting the use of substitute cover.

Mr Pengelly said the EA and Department of Education are working together in seeking to identify a range of strategic measures to reduce costs.

He added that the EA cannot ignore the reality that all schools expenditure impacts on the overall education sector financial position.

The letter said: Specifically, the use by schools of any accumulated surpluses is unfunded, and would be an additional pressure on the EA budget.

Therefore, I am asking you to ensure that a rigorous approach is taken to all spending decisions within your schools, and to take all reasonable steps to contain expenditure where possible.

Approval to incur expenditure should only be given to the highest priority and inescapable requests.

I regret having to make this request but, given the scale of the financial pressures this year, I trust you understand that we must all play our part.
Inventec's tie-up with Dixon marks renewed Taiwanese investment in India's electronics supply chain

Inventec, a leading Taiwanese original design manufacturer (ODM), has entered a joint venture with India's Dixon Technologies to produce notebooks (NB), servers, desktops, and electronic components domestically. The new company, Dixon IT Devices Private Limited, will be majority-owned by Dixon (60%), with Inventec holding 40%. The jointly operated factory is scheduled for completion by the second quarter of 2026.

The initiative prioritizes notebook production, positioning Inventec as the second Taiwanese ODM, after Foxconn, to manufacture notebooks locally in India. Inventec plans to send technical staff soon to assist in setting up the final assembly line alongside Dixon.

HP collaboration and expectations of other clients

HP, one of Inventec's major clients, announced in May a partnership with Dixon Technologies for significant production of notebooks, desktops, and all-in-one PCs within India. HP aims to double its manufacturing output there by 2025, aligned with the Indian government's Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme designed to stimulate local manufacturing.

Although Inventec did not disclose details on client involvement, supply chain sources suggest that the joint venture with Dixon primarily addresses HP's growing demand. There is industry speculation that other major PC brands, such as Dell, Lenovo Group, Acer, and Asus, which have been expanding their manufacturing capacities in India, might place orders with the new venture in the future.

India's PLI program attracts global electronics production

India continues to advance the PLI program aggressively to lure global electronics manufacturers seeking alternatives to China amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainties. Notebook brand owners are increasing production in India, attracted by both the country's immense domestic market and eligibility for financial incentives under the PLI scheme.

Despite these efforts, India's electronics manufacturing ecosystem remains less mature compared to China's well-established supply chains. While brand owners have expressed strong interest in producing locally, the supply chain was largely dormant until recent developments in 2025.

Several ODMs have previously tried establishing Indian factories but ultimately exited. Wistron Group, for instance, produced iPhones in India before selling its plant to the Tata Group. Pegatron Corp. recently sold 60% of its Chennai facility to Tata, which was converted into a joint venture. Inventec itself announced plans for an NB factory in 2015 but withdrew quietly, now re-entering the market with this new partnership.

In contrast, Foxconn has leveraged its longstanding presence in India to gradually expand capacity. Industry reports confirm Foxconn's wholly-owned Indian subsidiary secured orders from US-based brand customers and began deliveries earlier this year, albeit at low volumes. Foxconn's expertise in cost control is expected to increase its order share further.

Joint ventures provide risk management and flexibility

Given the high risks associated with sole ownership in emerging manufacturing hubs, joint ventures provide a balanced approach to entering and exiting markets. Inventec's collaboration with Dixon illustrates this strategy. Dixon already operates multiple joint ventures, including a recent one with Chinese smartphone maker Vivo where Vivo holds 49% and Dixon 51%, producing mobile phones and electronics.

Inventec characterizes the alliance as a powerful combination to capture India's growing IT hardware segment. Founded in 1975, Inventec ranks among the world's top five PC ODMs, with strong design and manufacturing capabilities across notebooks, IoT devices, and servers.

Inventec president Jack Tsai emphasized Dixon's mature and highly automated production system, alongside its alignment with India's localization policies. The joint venture aims to integrate Dixon's local manufacturing advantages with Inventec's engineering expertise, supply chain management, and system integration to enhance operational flexibility and service quality in India.

Dixon managing director Atul B. Lall expressed honor in partnering with a global leader like Inventec to expand their footprint in fast-growing product categories such as notebooks and servers, marking a key milestone in Dixon's growth trajectory.

Challenges persist despite strategic opportunities

Supply chain insiders acknowledge that while India has promoted the PLI scheme for some time, its notebook supply chain remains incomplete. Although labor availability is adequate, a lack of workforce familiarity with notebook assembly necessitates time for skill development. Additionally, legal and cultural differences pose challenges for factory management, including difficulties in recruiting Taiwanese managers for local assignments.

Analysts suggest that Inventec's joint venture approach with a local manufacturer is a pragmatic response to meet customer demands while mitigating operational risks. As geopolitical pressures prompt brand owners to diversify production locations, India's potential remains promising but order volumes are still limited. The economics of single-customer factories are challenging, making joint ventures a flexible solution to navigate these constraints while positioning for future growth.

Article edited by Jack Wu
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Seventeen people have been charged after second night of disorder broke out near a hotel in West Dublin housing asylum seekers.

A third night of demonstrations were held at Citywest Hotel in Saggart after an alleged sexual assault on a 10-year-old girl in the vicinity of the hotel in the early hours of Monday morning.

A 26-year-old man, who cannot be named because of legal restrictions that apply to all sexual assault cases in Ireland, appeared in court on Tuesday charged over the alleged incident.

A total of 24 people were arrested on Wednesday following an hours-long standoff with Irish police, who were directly struck with fireworks, stones and other debris.

Gardai said five male juveniles arrested during the disorder have been released and will be dealt with under the Youth Diversion Programme.

Two other men arrested were released without charge pending a file being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Three members of the Irish police service, An Garda Siochana, were injured in the disorder, two of whom were taken to hospital.

Gardai also seized 15 scooters and e-bikes, and a policing and security operation remains in place at Citywest.

Between 7pm and 8pm on Wednesday, protesters again faced off with around 40 uniformed gardai, who were then replaced with the Public Order Unit.

Protesters carried Irish flags, chanted anti-immigration slogans and threw missiles.

Public order gardai pushed the crowd further from the hotel by advancing with shields.

A mounted garda unit and a dog unit were at the scene and a police helicopter provided air support.

Several gardai deployed pepper spray during the unrest.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly, who visited the scene in the aftermath of the violence, told reporters on Wednesday he is determined that further people will be brought before the courts to face justice.

Irish premier Micheal Martin condemned the scenes of violence and said there could be no justification for attacks on gardai.

Garda Representative Association (GRA) vice president Niall Hodgins praised gardai for holding an extremely volatile front line at Citywest on Wednesday night.

What started out as a planned public protest has sadly descended into an ongoing full-scale threat to the safety of our members and the public that they so bravely stand to protect.

It is our firm belief that these apparent protests are nothing but the continuation of violent riotous behaviour from night to night with the sole intention of causing damage to property and injury to our colleagues who bravely continue to protect the public.

We have grave concerns for the safety of our members and colleagues, especially those deployed initially to face these violent thugs prior to the deployment of the public order units.

It is becoming obvious that a more robust response is required far earlier to ensure no further injuries are inflicted on our members.
Two of Dundalks finest musical exports, David Keenan and Gerry OConnor, will proudly fly the local flag on an international stage this January as part of Folk iN Fusion, the opening concert for Your Roots Are Showing, Irelands folk, roots, and traditional music conference.

Taking place at Belfasts Waterfront Hall on Tuesday, 13 January 2026, Folk iN Fusion promises an unforgettable night celebrating the power and diversity of folk and roots music  and its a bill packed with global stars and homegrown legends alike.

Headlining the event is none other than Crystal Gayle, the Grammy-winning country icon behind Dont It Make My Brown Eyes Blue, alongside Americana trailblazer Jim Lauderdale, bluegrass legend Ron Block of Alison Krauss & Union Station, and acclaimed U.S. artists Rissi Palmer, Wyatt Ellis, and Jessica Willis Fisher.

But for fans in County Louth, all eyes will be on Dundalks own David Keenan and Gerry OConnor, both revered for their artistry and authenticity.

Keenan, often described as one of Irelands most poetic songwriters, has built a reputation for performances that blend raw emotion with lyrical mastery. From intimate gigs in his hometown to stages around the world, his music speaks of roots, resilience, and belonging.

OConnor, meanwhile, is a towering figure in traditional Irish fiddle playing, known for his signature style that bridges the gap between past and present. His artistry has carried the sound of Louth far beyond Irish shores, and his presence on this lineup cements his status as one of the living custodians of Irelands musical heritage.

They join a formidable Irish contingent that also includes Paddy Keenan, Wallis Bird, Clare Sands, and Brendan McCreanor, the latter of whom co-founded both Folk iN Fusion and the wider Your Roots Are Showing conference.

Read Next: DojoMor 2025 inspires the next generation of coders at Dundalk IT

Now in its fourth year, Your Roots Are Showing is Irelands only dedicated folk, roots, and traditional music conference, bringing together artists, industry leaders, and academics from over 20 countries for five days of performances, workshops, and collaboration. The 2026 edition marks its Belfast debut, running from 1418 January, with Folk iN Fusion setting the tone as its opening celebration the night before.

Folk iN Fusion takes place on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 7:30pm in Belfasts Waterfront Hall. Tickets are available now via www.showingroots.com, with prices starting at 35.
Fianna Fail TD Erin McGreehan has welcomed the allocation of over 2,449,000 to farmers in County Louth under the Eco-Scheme, announced by the Minister for Agriculture.

The Eco-Scheme, part of Irelands CAP Strategic Plan 20232027, rewards farmers for implementing measures that protect and enhance the climate, environment, water quality and biodiversity.

Deputy McGreehan said: Farmers are the backbone of our economy and our rural communities.

"They deliver world-class produce that supports international trade, and it is essential that they are supported in doing so."

READ NEXT: Decision on 502 homes at Haggardstown in north Louth due in December

She added: In Fianna Fail, we remain firmly committed to supporting farmers and the agri-food sector.

"The Eco-Scheme is one of the key levers that ensures vital farm payments are not just protected but strengthened into the future.

Deputy McGreehan highlighted that the 2025 Eco-Scheme rate will be 66 per hectare, describing it as a vital support for family farms and reaffirmed Fianna Fails commitment to a strong Common Agricultural Policy.

The payment rate of 66 per eligible hectare will provide meaningful support to over 110,000 farmers nationwide, including 1,249 here in Louth.

Fianna Fail is steadfast in our support for a strong CAP that works for farmers, and we will continue to champion this at EU level, she said.

Concluding, Deputy McGreehan confirmed that payments will begin issuing from today.

Farmers across the constituency who applied to the scheme will see payments appearing in their bank accounts over the coming days.

"I would also encourage anyone with outstanding documentation to complete it as soon as possible to ensure prompt payment.
Outstanding Chinese language learners, teachers honored in New Zealand's South Island

Xinhua) 10:33, October 23, 2025

WELLINGTON, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- More than 200 outstanding Chinese language teachers and learners from local schools were recognized Wednesday at an annual prize-giving ceremony in New Zealand's South Island.

The event was held at Burnside High School in Christchurch, the largest city on the South Island.

Scott Haines, principal of Burnside High School, highlighted the remarkable growth of the school's Chinese language program, noting the rapid increase in students choosing to study Chinese.

He said the achievements of the award recipients "reflect the power of language to build cultures and foster understanding" and serve as a bridge between New Zealand and China through language learning.

"Our students are preparing themselves to be global citizens in an increasingly interconnected world," Haines added.

Chinese Consul General in Christchurch He Ying told the ceremony that Chinese is "more than just a language" as it carries the wisdom of 5,000 years of civilization.

"Every character you learn opens a door to a unique way of thinking; every poem you recite connects you with an ancient and vibrant culture," she said.

In her speech, the consul general encouraged more students to deepen their Chinese studies and consider studying in China in the near future, becoming "bridges of friendship and understanding between our two peoples."

More than 700 teachers, students, and parents attended the ceremony.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Louth's Senator Alison Comyn has made an appeal in the Seanad for Drogheda to be officially recognised as Irelands next city, warning that the towns rapid growth is being undermined by outdated governance and lack of investment.

Speaking directly to Minister of State Christopher OSullivan, Senator Comyn called for the establishment of a Drogheda City Status Task Force within 12 months to develop a clear roadmap towards full city status and proper governance for the region.

Im not just standing here as a Senator  Im speaking as someone born and raised in Drogheda, she said. We are growing like a city, but still being governed like a small town. That is failing our people every single day.

Drogheda now has a population in excess of 50,000, rising to approximately 80,000 when surrounding areas in East Meath are included  larger than Waterford, and on track to surpass Limerick and Galway within a decade.

The senator said that despite this, the area is governed by two separate county councils (Louth and Meath), with no unified local authority or city-level status. She told the Seanad that the people of Drogheda are falling between two stools.

She said parents are struggling to find school places for their children, public transport is overcrowded, GP practices are full, and daily traffic gridlock is getting worse. New housing developments continue to rise, she said, but the infrastructure to support them simply hasnt kept pace.

While Minister OSullivan acknowledged Droghedas growth and importance as a key urban centre along the Dublin-Belfast economic corridor, he noted the complexities around establishing a new city council, particularly across two counties. He indicated that future discussions  possibly through the upcoming Local Democracy Task Force  could explore Droghedas status, including the return of town or borough councils.

"There is potential for discussion on the future of Drogheda, and we might develop that further." Minister O'Sullivan stated, "Perhaps, Drogheda's status as a city could also be looked at in that process. It is certainly something I will bring to the senior Minister," he said.

In response, Senator Comyn welcomed the dialogue but stressed the urgency of action:

Were not looking for prestige  were looking for proper planning, investment and accountability. Droghedas future cannot be left to vague discussions or political hesitation. The people of Drogheda deserve a clear path forward, and I wont stop pushing until we get it.

Read Next: Owners of historic structures in Louth urged to apply for heritage funds

Senator Comyn said she welcomed any meaningful discussion on the future of Drogheda, but stressed that dialogue alone is not enough. She argued that the scale of Droghedas growth demands more than a return to limited local government structures  and that only city status, or a model that reflects the scale and complexity of the area, will deliver for residents.

Senator Comyn concluded by saying that she will not give up on this issue, and will continue to fight for the people of Drogheda until the town receives the recognition, governance and investment it deserves.

This is too important to be left in limbo. Drogheda has waited long enough, she said. We need action. We need vision. And we need to finally make Drogheda Irelands next city.
ITS probably fair to say that most Irish people have a fuzzy, instinctive understanding of what the president of Ireland does.

As our head of State, theyre a slightly remote and official figure, the embodiment of the State, sometimes slightly haughty  if usually warm and kindly  and sometimes even somewhat beloved. (We dont usually admit it, but our feelings about the president are probably not a million miles from how the Brits used to feel about the late Queen Elizabeth II.)

For the past 14 years, Michael D Higgins has been the President, and its a role he has suited, and that has suited him.

A former senator, TD, and minister, he is an intellectual who would have been on the left wing of the Labour Party, and he has expanded the role of the presidency considerably during his time in office.

It would be fair to say he has sailed very close to the wind in his speeches during his time in office, but successive governments have looked at his overwhelming popularity and decided to let discretion overrule valour when it came to picking a fight. As then-taoiseach Albert Reynolds famously said of then-president Mary Robinson: You dont argue with popularity ratings of 92%.

Michael D has behaved impeccably in the execution of the letter of his duties as Irelands first citizen, even if his critics have questioned his pushing at the boundaries of the spirit of the role.

As we head to the polls tomorrow, it might be worth taking a look at what the role of the president of Ireland actually entails.

As defined in Bunreacht na hEireann, Irelands Constitution, the president is our head of State, representing the people of Ireland at home and abroad.

The qualifications  over 35 years of age; citizen of Ireland; nominated to stand for election by four local authorities, 20 Oireachtas members, or themselves if theyve been president once, but not twice  are fairly well rehearsed at this point, regardless of whether or not some think those qualifications are anti-democratic.

To be very reductive, the president of Ireland attends public functions, and visits communities, and meets people at Aras an Uachtarain, the presidents formal residence.

They also give speeches, holding forth on the vision thing. Boy, do they what (see Michael D).

When other heads of state come a-calling, the president receives them, and the president also formally receives new ambassadors to the State, the Aras being their first port of call to present their credentials.

The head of State promotes Ireland overseas, meeting leaders, sometimes when the taoiseach doesnt want to.

The president is supreme commander of the Irish Defence Forces, consisting of the army, the air corps, and the naval service. However, under the Defence Act 1954, military command is exercised by the government through the minister for defence.

Traditionally, the president is assigned a military aide de camp, a high-ranking Defence Forces officer whose primary role is to attend to the president at all official duties, particularly State ceremonial occasions.

After we hold a general election, Dail Eireann elects a taoiseach, and the president then formally appoints them, and the other members of the government on the nomination of the taoiseach, after Dail approval.

Other office holders appointed by the president, on the advice of the government, include judges, the Attorney General, the Comptroller and Auditor General, and commissioned officers of the Defence Forces.

The office of president has two major powers  one involving the dissolution of the Dail, and the other covering the referring of bills to the Supreme Court.

The president summons and dissolves Dail Eireann on the advice of the taoiseach, meaning that, following a general election, the president formally calls the Dail together on the advice of the taoiseach.

If a taoiseach no longer has the support of the majority of Dail Eireann, the president may choose to call for fresh elections, by signing a proclamation dissolving the Dail.

Presidential candidate Catherine Connolly TD taking a picture of artwork when she visited the community centre in Blackpool. Picture: David Creedon.

However, and this is something that has never happened since the foundation of the State, the president may also refuse to dissolve the Dail, in which case members of the Dail must nominate an alternative government.

Before any new law can come into effect in the Republic of Ireland, the president must sign it. Under Article 25 of the Constitution, a bill can only be signed by the president on the fifth, sixth, or seventh day after it is presented for their signature. There is an exception to this, and the government can ask the president to sign it earlier, but only with the Seanads agreement.

The president can also choose to refer a bill to the Supreme Court to determine whether it is consistent with the Constitution, but they must first consult the Council of State.

The Council of State advises the president on key issues and, as outlined in the Constitution, includes among its members the taoiseach, tanaiste, chief justice, and former presidents, and to which the president can appoint up to seven members.

The term of those appointed to the Council of State can last for as long as the president is in office, but the president can decide to terminate the appointment of any of those members.

It is important to note that a president referring a bill to the Supreme Court can have far-reaching, even permanent, constitutional implications.

A bill may be found to be repugnant to the Constitution, sending legislators back to the drawing board, but it may also be found to be constitutional, rendering it effectively bulletproof, and it can never again be challenged in the courts.

To amend the Constitution, the Dail and Seanad must pass a bill, and citizens then vote on whether to approve that bill in a constitutional referendum.

If the bill is approved by referendum, the president must then sign the bill so that the Constitution can be amended.

The Constitution gives the president the rarely-exercised power to grant pardons, to forgive or commute the punishment of someone convicted of a crime.

Last year, President Higgins granted a posthumous pardon to Sylvester Poff and James Barrett, who were wrongly convicted in 1883 of the murder of Thomas Browne.

Presidential candidate Heather Humphreys meets Dee Swinburn at the English Market, during a Cork walkabout last month. Picture: Eddie O'Hare.

One of the powers of the presidency, which might be exercised in an emergency situation, allows them to call a meeting of either or both Houses of the Oireachtas, having first consulted with the Council of State. This power has never been exercised.

The president may communicate a message or address on any matter of national or public importance to a meeting of either or both Houses of the Oireachtas, but this message or address must first be approved by the government.

The president has two further powers which have never been exercised.

Under Article 22 of the Constitution, if the Dail and Seanad disagree about whether or not a particular bill is a money bill, relating to taxation or to government spending, the Seanad may ask the president to refer the question to a committee of privileges. This committee is appointed by the president, and consists of an equal number of members of the Dail and Seanad, and is chaired by a Supreme Court judge.

Under Article 27 of the Constitution and if requested to do so by TDs and senators, the president can, after consulting the Council of State, refer a bill to the people in an ordinary referendum, on the grounds that the bill contains a proposal of great national importance.

Neither of these powers have ever been used.

A president may be removed from office in one of two sets of circumstance.

They may be impeached by either House of the Oireachtas for stated misbehaviour, for example a criminal offence or the misuse of their powers.

The president may be removed if five Supreme Court judges or more decide they have become permanently incapacitated.

Generally, the presidency is a very nice gig, once you get elected, with a salary of about quarter of a million euro a year, top-class nosh, and a mansion on parkland in the middle of Dublin.

Plus, pretty much everyone loves you, even the people who didnt vote for you.

As weve seen these last few months, its the application process thats the killer.

Connolly in control barring a Gallagher-style collapse

Looking at recent polling, Catherine Connolly has what appears to be an insurmountable lead over Heather Humphreys  19 points, according to yesterdays Business Post/RedC poll.

For all of that, its not hard to imagine another world, where Pat Kenny didnt read out a tweet, and perhaps President Sean Gallagher, hugely popular at the age of 63, is now completing his second successful term as Irelands first citizen.

Maybe, in that alternative reality, he was on the Late Late Show the other night, ruefully telling Patrick Kielty that, no, sorry Paddy, despite all the opinion polls and all the newspaper columns, Article 12 of the constitution specifically bars him from a third term.

(A person who holds, or who has held, office as President, shall be eligible for re-election to that office once, but only once.)

That entire scenario is fantasy, obviously, but 14 years ago so, too, would have been the notion that Sean Gallagher might one day become with all due respect to him  a historical footnote and a presidential what if story.

On the night of Monday, October 24, 2011, three days before that years presidential election, the businessman and former Dragons Den TV personality was running as an Independent candidate  albeit one with an admitted semi-detached relationship with Fianna Fail  and polling at 40%  12 points ahead of his nearest rival, former Labour Party arts minister Michael Daniel Higgins.

However, during that nights Frontline debate on RTE, host Pat Kenny read out a tweet containing an unsubstantiated allegation about Mr Gallagher.

The tweet purported to come from an official account relating to Martin McGuinness, the now-late Sinn Fein politician who was also running for the presidency.

The tweet  which turned out not to come from an official Sinn Fein account  claimed that a businessman from whom Mr Gallagher had sought funds for Fianna Fail would be appearing at a press conference the following morning.

Mr Gallagher became visibly flustered on air, and some of the studio audience broke into laughter.

I was live on RTE, he said subsequently.

You expect the national broadcaster to have their facts right. I just stood there, trying to process what they were saying.

It was an intervention which ultimately proved fatal to the Gallagher campaign, and he finished on 35.5% of the final vote, behind Michael D Higgins, on 56.8%.

The rest, as they say, is history.

In 2017, Mr Gallagher would receive a legal settlement of 130,000 from RTE, and a substantial contribution toward his costs.

It is hard now to imagine how different Ireland might have been without Michael D in the Aras these past 14 years, but Sean Gallagher seems a wise and decent person, and he would no doubt have done a fine job.

An upset of the magnitude of 2011 seems unlikely in the final hours of this presidential election campaign, but there is, as the old saying goes, many a slip twixt cup and lip.

Analysing last weeks Irish Times poll, that newspapers political editor, Pat Leahy, pondered what advice he might give Catherine Connolly, riding high on an 18-point lead, in the unlikely hypothetical event that he was her campaign director.

Id tell her to get covid and go to bed for the next few days, he said, and avoid debates.

Gavin being on the ballot may offer a chance to send a message

Although Fianna Fails Jim Gavin withdrew from the presidential campaign, rather spectacularly, on the night of October 5, following reports that he had failed to repay 3,300 to a former tenant, he missed the deadline of September 24, and remains on the ballot in tomorrows election.

A vote for him will be valid, and his second preferences will also be valid.

It is  hypothetically  possible that Mr Gavin might even win, but even before he withdrew from the campaign, he was trailing third in polls, meaning that a President Gavin is likely to occur only in the realms of pure fantasy.

Still, several Fianna Fail members have indicated their intention to give him their vote, likely out of (a) party loyalty, (b) bloody-mindedness, and/or (c) for the craic.

Separately, but concurrently, some on the right advocate vote-spoiling as an option for those who feel the current system of nominating candidates for presidential elections is too restrictive.

Some have seized on the idea that electing an unwilling Mr Gavin would spark a fresh election.

A significant subset of that cohort sees conservative Catholic advocate and anti-abortion activist Maria Steen, who last month failed to gather the requisite 20 Oireachtas votes to get her name on the ballot, as their best shot at winning the Aras.

For some on the right, their happiest scenario would see an unwilling President Gavin decline the Aras, paving the way, ultimately, for President Steen.

Others, however, advocate the spoiling of votes by writing Maria Steen on the ballot paper, in the hope of sending a message to The Establishment.

This is entirely their right, of course, but youd wonder what message might ultimately be received, given that The Establishment would likely shrug its collective shoulders and say: Right so, and just carry on.

Regardless of whom or how you vote, it seems likely that we will know by mid-afternoon on Saturday who the 10th president of Ireland will be.
The Lady Mayoress of Cork, Karen Brennan, has launched her coffee morning, which will be held next Thursday in aid of Marymount University Hospital and Hospice.

Every year, the Lady Mayoresss coffee morning raises much-needed funding for Marymount, support that helps it to continue delivering specialist palliative care across the city and county.

This year, Ms Brennan is hosting the event to coincide with the autumn mid-term break, and she said businesses and groups across the city are offering cakes, scones, coffee, and their time for this worthwhile event.

As Lady Mayoress, I am deeply honoured to support Marymount Hospice, she said.

The care and comfort given here touch so many families in our community.

Fundraising is essential to keep this wonderful work going, and every contribution truly makes a difference.

Together, through generosity and kindness, we can ensure Marymount continues to be a place of dignity, compassion, and hope.

Benefitted

Many people in Cork have benefitted from the work of Marymount Hospice, which has been providing palliative care as well as services for dependent older people for decades.

The hospice has a 44-bed site on Curraheen Rd, and it has teams providing home services and family support across Co Cork.

The Lady Mayoresss Coffee Morning will be hosted in Millennium Hall on Eglinton St from 10am to 12.30pm on October 30.

Entry is free, with donations encouraged, and the event is open to the public, to community groups, and to anyone who loves cake and coffee.

Proceeds from sales go to Marymount University Hospital and Hospice.

For any businesses looking to come onboard to help, donations of cakes, scones, and pastries are still being accepted.

There will be a range of cakes and confectionary available on the morning, including gluten-free options from a number of well-known Cork bakeries.

To get involved in this years coffee morning, call 021 4924364.
There have been delays in the implementation of the Cork city task force, with Taoiseach Micheal Martin saying that Cork people are fussy about the title and that there are discussions to find a new one.

Speaking in the Dail, Fianna Fail TD Seamus McGrath asked for an update on the task force.

A task force in Dublin city identified several areas in need of investment or plans last year, and one in Cork was expected to be delivered in the first 100 days of Government. Next month, the current Government will pass its 300th day.

Mr McGrath said: The programme for government states that the model applied to the Dublin city task force will also be applied to Cork, and will happen shortly.

I hope this task force will deal with such strategic issues as improved transportation connectivity to Cork city, addressing issues around dereliction, vacancy and under-utilisation of buildings, investment in our public realm or streetscape, making the city a more attractive place to be and  critically from a day-to-day point of view  safety in our city centre and improved visibility of gardai.

I commend Cork City Council and Cork Business Association on their initiative of introducing wardens to the city centre recently. It was welcome. I hope the Taoiseach will give an update on when the Cork city task force will move on, said Mr McGrath.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin responded:

People do not like the word task force in Cork  we are kind of fussy  so they are looking for a different title because the city has made progress.

They had issues with that but, in any case, we are going to set up a group in terms of the roadmap for progress and a fresh approach to Cork city itself. It is important that we get the terms of reference and the focus right.

Some work has been undertaken between UCC, the city council, the Cork Business Association, and others in respect of how the city should progress.

We want to make sure that in what we establish, we capture that and not duplicate or do something on a different strand or track.

Mr Martin added that work is ongoing in the city: We have the large-scale regeneration projects in Cork docklands and Tivoli and the development of a much- enhanced, city-wide public transport system.

A lot of active travel projects have been delivered in Cork city. which is quite good to see. It is about bringing all of that together.

I would be particularly interested in the inner city core - that we create new opportunities there.

There is more work to be done for towns around the country in that respect. We need to bring more residential back in.

This then creates new opportunities for a different kind of retail and hospitality into the future.
A man charged with targeting East Cork Oil trucks for thefts of cash was released on bail on condition that he stays away from all such vehicles.

Ivan Ferencik, aged 39, with an address at Harbour View, Cobh, was arrested and brought before Cork District Court by Garda Owen OCallaghan.

Garda OCallaghan testified that on October 1 at Ballylegan, Watergrasshill, Co Cork, a delivery driver for East Cork Oil was making a delivery, and when he returned to the truck he noticed 770 in cash was stolen. CCTV from the truck was downloaded, and from this and enquiries made by Garda OCallaghan, the defendant was identified as Ivan Ferencik.

After this, it was brought to Garda OCallaghans attention that Mr Ferencik was also suspected of interfering with a similar truck on October 6 at Victoria Estate, Cobh, Co Cork.

This was, again, an East Cork Oil truck making a delivery. When the driver returned he saw a male getting into the truck, and when approached, the male ran away. The CCTV was again obtained and again Mr Ferencik was identified as the suspect, the court heard. No property was stolen in this incident.

The second charge of interference with a truck was withdrawn for technical reasons. The charge against him of theft of cash was adjourned until November 19, on bail conditions that require him to sign at Cobh Garda Station, surrender his passport, and stay away from East Cork Oil trucks.

The accused was represented by solicitor Killian McCarthy.
The ten men and two women on the jury in the Kieran Quilligan murder trial, at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork, have asked this morning to see the pathologists report in the case again.

Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford told them that the transcript of the evidence given by Dr Margaret Bolster would be printed and sent into the jury room today, on Day 12 of the trial.

Dr Bolster said in her evidence that while the precise cause of death could not be determined, she said the injuries were consistent with severe assault in the laneway.

Investigating gardai had informed Dr Bolster of their allegations that he was seriously assaulted on the steps of the laneway at the side of St Fin Barres cathedral.

Dr Bolster testified that she went to an area known as Whitewell on January 29 2024 where the skeletal remains were found in a jute bag in a ravine at the side of a road, partly covered by mud and vegetation.

The first thing she saw was the pelvic bone protruding and she said:

The skull was totally separated from the body.

In one small piece of remaining skin, part of a tattoo was visible and it consisted of one word, mother.

The pathologist said there were old healed fractures to the remains but there were multiple fractures described as perimortem  occurring close to the time of death. They included several significant skull and facial area fractures, as well as numerous rib fractures.

Referring to a femur fracture she found a circular indentation, suggestive of a blow from a blunt weapon like a hammer.

Later, the pathologist referred to other circular injuries, strongly suggestive of hammer blows.

Due to the absence of organs because of decomposition, it was not possible to give a precise cause of death, but there was no doubt at all but that there was a severe assault, Dr Bolster said.

Cross-examined by Brendan Grehan for the accused man, Luke Taylor, Dr Bolster said there was no evidence of a shooting or of stab wounds.

The pathologist said that a cable tie around the left ankle and right shin and two knotted pieces of plastic around the neck were likely to have been used for the purpose of carrying the body.

She accepted Mr Grehans suggestion that the tied plastics could have been used as a ligature.

On the question of whether there could have been a bag over the head of the deceased, Dr Bolster said: There is no evidence of that in my opinion, no.

28-year-old Luke Taylor, formerly of Cherry Lawn, Blackrock, Cork, and 33-year-old Niall Long, formerly of St Michaels Close, Mahon, Cork, are on trial on the same charge of murder.

The murder count which each man denies, states that on a date unknown between September 1 2023 and January 29 2024, at an unknown location within the state in the District Court area of Cork city, he did murder Kieran Quilligan, 47, contrary to Common Law.

Ms Justice Lankford said that there were three verdicts open to them in respect of each defendant. They can find him guilty of murder, not guilty of murder, or not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter.
The Song Collector Sessions concert series will return to Donoughmore in Cork this winter for a one-night show.

The event, taking place at the Donoughmore Community Centre on December 12, will see performances from Phil Coulter, with special guests Geraldine Brannigan and Roy Buckley.

Mr Coulters illustrious career as a songwriter, producer, and recording artist spans more than six decades, with chart-topping hits in every decade since the 60s.

His musical legacy stretches from Eurovision winners to folk classics and heartfelt ballads.

The evening event will be hosted by PJ Coogan of Corks 96FM, with the doors opening from 7pm ahead of Mr Coulters performance at 8pm.

Organisers have said that tickets for the event are limited, with interested attendees urged to purchase them as soon as possible as stock is expected to sell out.

Tickets priced from 54.60 are available from Eventbrite: tinyurl.com/333k4zdv
One of the two men on trial charged with murdering 47-year-old Kieran Quilligan whose skeletal remains were discovered in East Cork four months after he was last seen in Cork city was found guilty of the murder.

The ten men and two women of the jury returned at 3.21pm today to Courtroom 6 of the Anglesea Street courthouse in Cork where the Central Criminal Court is sitting.

They had reached a unanimous verdict finding 33-year-old Niall Long, formerly of St Michaels Close, Mahon, Cork, guilty of murder, that on a date between September 1 2023 and January 29 2024 at an unknown location within the state in the District Court area of Cork city he did murder Kieran Quilligan, 47, contrary to Common Law.

The prosecution case was that Niall Long had been robbed of his drugs and cash by the late Kieran Quilligan and another man when a drug deal went wrong, and that this robbery was the motive for what happened later that day, September 1 2023.

The jury deliberated since yesterday for a total of four hours and 47 minutes before reaching one verdict.

Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford asked the jury if they wanted to continue this afternoon and they indicated through the jury foreperson that they wanted to go home and resume at 11am tomorrow.

28-year-old Luke Taylor, formerly of Cherry Lawn, Blackrock, Cork, faces the same charge of murdering Kieran Quilligan - a charge he denies. The jury will deliberate on his case tomorrow.

Evidence

Earlier today  minutes after they began to deliberate they asked to see again the evidence given by Dr Margaret Bolster, assistant pathologist. A transcript of this evidence was given to them.

Dr Bolster said in her evidence that while the precise cause of death could not be determined she said the injuries were consistent with severe assault in the laneway.

Investigating gardai had informed Dr Bolster of their allegations that he was seriously assaulted on the steps of the laneway at the side of St Fin Barres cathedral.

Dr Bolster testified that she went to an area known as Whitewell on January 29 2024 where the skeletal remains were found in a jute bag in a ravine at the side of a road, partly covered by mud and vegetation. The first thing she saw was the pelvic bone protruding and she said, the skull was totally separated from the body. In one small piece of remaining skin, part of a tattoo was visible and it consisted of one word, mother.

The pathologist said there were old healed fractures to the remains but there were multiple fractures described as perimortem  occurring close to the time of death. They included several significant skull and facial area fractures as well as numerous rib fractures.

Referring to a femur fracture she found a circular indentation, suggestive of a blow from a blunt weapon like a hammer.

Later the pathologist referred to other circular injuries, strongly suggestive of hammer blows. Due to the absence of organs because of decomposition it was not possible to give a precise cause of death but there was no doubt at all but that there was a severe assault, Dr Bolster said.

Cross-examined by Brendan Grehan for the accused man, Luke Taylor, Dr Bolster said there was no evidence of a shooting or of stab wounds.

The pathologist said that a cable tie around the left ankle and right shin and two knotted pieces of plastic around the neck were likely to have been used for the purpose of carrying the body. She accepted Mr Grehans suggestion that the tied plastics could have been used as a ligature. On the question of whether there could have been a bag over the head of the deceased, Dr Bolster said, There is no evidence of that in my opinion, no.

When they began their deliberations, Ms Justice Lankford said that there were three verdicts open to them in respect of each defendant. They can find him guilty of murder, not guilty of murder, or not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter.
Travellers at Cork Airport were treated to a special welcome today, marking the first flight on the facility's new winter route to the Czech Republic.

The first complement of passengers, travelling on Aer Lingus EL832 flight to Vaclav Havel Airport in Prague, took off from Cork Airport shortly after 8am.

Prior to boarding, passengers were treated to a special celebration at the boarding gate, given Fidorka, a traditional Czech chocolate wafer snack as they waited.

The inaugural celebration was attended by H.E. Pavel Vosalik, who is the ambassador of the Czech Republic to Ireland, and Katarina Hobbs, who is the director of Czech Tourism UK & Ireland.

The service, operating every Thursday and Sunday, has been described by the facility as a perfect destination for long weekend getaways between now and March, 2026.

The Prague route is the first of two new Aer Lingus routes from Cork Airport this winter, with a new weekly service to Geneva commencing on December 20.

Head of aviation business development & communications at Cork Airport, Tara Finn said that Prague is "a truly magical city, especially in the wintertime.

Were delighted to have worked with Aer Lingus to establish this new service, connecting another European capital city, said Ms Finn.

The new twice-weekly service is a fantastic option for weekend city breaks and were confident it will be a huge hit with our customers across Munster and South Leinster.

Mr Vosalik said this new service between Cork and Prague allows us to be again a bit closer to each other.

They say that Irish and Czechs share a similar sense of humour, said Mr Vosalik.

Lets write our new stories, lets enjoy the various cultural and leisure activities both countries offer, and make new friendships.

From Czech music festival Colours of Ostrava, to walks in beautiful Irish countryside - from Cork Film Festival to film festival in Karlovy Vary - from picturesque streets of Cork to medieval historical sites of Prague - from Guinness to Pilsner Urquell - thank you, Aer Lingus.

Ms Hobbs added that the new route is so convenient and a fantastic opportunity for Irish holidaymakers.

They can now easily explore Prague's beautiful capital, rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture - but the adventure doesn't have to end in Prague!

The city offers excellent transport links, making it easy for our Irish friends to venture beyond the usual tourist spots and discover hidden gems across the country.

We're looking forward to seeing many new visitors from Ireland and theyll be sure to receive a warm welcome.
Former tanaiste Simon Coveney said he is humbled to receive an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from his alma mater, University College Cork, in recognition of his quarter-century of public service.

Mr Coveney, who retired from politics at the end of last year, was conferred at a special ceremony today.

He stepped down as deputy leader of Fine Gael in April 2024, shortly after Leo Varadkar announced he was stepping down as taoiseach and leader of the party.

Mr Coveney, who was first elected to the Dail in Cork South Central in 1998, served as an MEP for Ireland South from 2004 to 2007, before returning to the Dail, where he went on to serve as a minister across agriculture, defence, housing, and foreign affairs.

He served as foreign affairs minister during crucial Brexit negotiations between Britain and the EU.

Mr Coveney told The Echo that he was delighted at the honour, and very happy to be in UCC. Its a huge privilege for me and my family to get recognised in my own home university, where I was a student one day a long time ago, its a really big honour, and Im humbled by it, to be honest.

I said a few words to the other graduates today, who worked hard to get where they are, and I encouraged them to use the privilege of the quality of education that they got from UCC to good effect, he said.

Were living in a time when democracy is being threatened in many parts of the world, and universities really are centres of learning, diversity, fact-based research, and decision-making, and its probably more important now than ever.

In his citation, UCC president Professor John OHalloran said the former agriculture minister had led a landmark reform of the EUs Common Agricultural Policy during Irelands EU presidency and launched Origin Green, positioning Ireland as a global leader in sustainable food systems.

In defence, he oversaw humanitarian naval missions that rescued more than 17,000 migrants in the Mediterranean, exemplifying Irelands commitment to global solidarity, Prof OHalloran said.

His tenure as minister for foreign affairs during Brexit was marked by strategic diplomacy, safeguarding both the Good Friday Agreement and Irelands place in Europe.

From Cork to Brussels, Simon Coveney has been a guiding force  an architect of policy, a champion of peace, and a leader whose legacy is defined by service over spectacle.
Plans for a 220-bedroom hotel providing budget accommodation in Cork city centre have been given the green light by An Coimisiun Pleanala.

The commission has granted planning permission for the proposed five-storey hotel with ground-floor cafe on a vacant site on Fitton St East by development firm Peppard Investments 8 Limited.

Eoghan Murphy, chairman of the Cork branch of the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF), told The Echo it is a positive development for Cork and a significant vote of confidence in the hospitality sector and the market here.

As well as bringing another wonderful hotel to the city for visitors, its a considerable investment in terms of jobs, it will create a huge boost for Cork, he said.

Although Cork City Council had granted planning permission for the hotel last May, it had directed that the developer should reduce the height of the building by one storey.

Peppard Investments 8 Limited appealed the condition imposing the reduced height.

Ruling

In its ruling, the appeals board said it would direct Cork City Council to amend the condition relating to the height of the building.

The commission said the proposed five-storey development would not have a significant impact on the visual amenities of the South Channel Architectural Conservation Area outside of the immediate views of the area.

Given the wider regeneration and activation that would be achieved with the development of the hotel, they said any visual impact it would create would be moderate and not out of keeping with the surrounding area.

Council planners had claimed that a five-storey building would be visually incongruous in relation to the local streetscape.

The developer had claimed a five-storey building was the only financially viable option for developing a hotel on the site. They deemed as unjustified the condition requiring the omission of one floor, which would have resulted in the number of bedrooms being reduced by 32 to 188.

Inspector

The developer claimed there was a lack of budget-friendly accommodation for tourists in Cork city.

A planning inspector with An Coimisiun Pleanala said the hotel would be adequately set back from protected structures in the area, including the Holy Trinity Church on Fr Matthew Quay.

The inspector also concluded the development was on a site ideally suited for regeneration and would not detract from key views across the River Lee.

The hotel will be located on Morrisons Island, an area that has previously been subject to flooding.

Work is ongoing on the Morrisons Island Public Realm Improvement and Flood Protection Scheme, which is being advanced by Cork City Council in association with the Office of Public Works and provides for renewal of the public realm and enhanced flood protection measures to benefit 400 properties.

Cork City Council confirmed last week: Construction works commenced in summer 2024 and are presently ongoing. It is anticipated that the works will be completed by Q4, 2026.
When I heard a few weeks back that Manchan Magan had died, I was sad and upset.

I never met him but so adored his work, his wit, and his connectivity to so many things that I love.

It was the English writer GK Chesterton who made the statement, Never take down a fence until you know why it was put up, and its a quote Ive often used, and in many different contexts.

Its a gem of wisdom all about change and conserving whats worth keeping. Why change a custom or a law if we dont really understand the origins of it in the first place? Why have change just for the sake of change?

Chesterton was a writer and a thinker, a philosopher, and I suppose Manchan was cut from the same cloth - different backgrounds, different cultures, yet both could relate life to our roots and the earth upon which they and we trod.

About five or six years ago, Manchan had a show touring about making bread as gaeilge where he wove English and Irish together as he kneaded and mixed and baked, and stressed the importance of bread  the staff of life.

I nearly had tickets booked for the show one night but, sadly, something came up and I never got there.

Just a short few weeks before his death, Manchan did a poignant interview with Brendan OConnor on RTE Radio. He came to the studio straight from his hospital bed in St James Hospital.

With five years he had been battling cancer, but this year things took a turn for the worst and his diagnosis had changed dramatically. He spoke openly and frankly about the disease he was fighting gamely.

He recently brought out a gorgeous book, Ninety Nine Words For Rain (And One for Sun), and in the interview he was gushing like a mountain stream as he poured forth in Irish, and with so many other musical, poetic idioms.

He hoped to get another book finished - he had 50,000 words already written. Weeks, months - possibly a year or two, was what he told Brendan the future might hold for him in this world.

One listener commented, Havent we the fortune to walk this lovely land alongside this wonderful man -how true.

Im not sure when I first came to be aware of the writer, broadcaster, traveller, hermit, and naturalist that Manchan was, but Telefis na Gaeilge (now TG4) had a lot to do with it.

This lanky, hair-tousled free spirit presented wonderful travelogues from here, there and everywhere. His Irish was musical and poetic, but he could go from Gaeilge to Bearla and Tibetan in the one sentence!

Like Hector and others, Manchan made speaking Irish acceptable and fashionable. He regarded the Irish language as a kind of key to the absolutely magnificent world of our Gaelic culture - much of which remains hidden.

Manchan, and others like him, have rightly given TG4 a top class reputation as a television station which does work, go h-iontach, in promoting Irish and all things Irish.

When I was in my teens, I knew a man very like Manchan. A farmer here in our parish, Tom Scanlan wasnt fluent in Irish  I never had a conversation with him as Gaeilge. But he knew Irish words for everything and every place in this neighbourhood.

He was big into Celtic spirituality and told me about the druids, and the tuatha de dannain and the ancient gods that our ancestors worshipped.

He gave us great help with aspects of parish history, especially putting meaning on the names of humps and hollows, river bends and twists.

Theres a townland called Curraghphilibode - now, curragh is generally a flat place, even a bog, and though no one ever heard of Philpotts around here, the accepted translation was Philpotts bog .

Tom rubbished this and his translation was Currach - file - boand or the flat place or plain of the poet of the cow goddess Boand -who was right or who was wrong?

Hed talk of Boreenaleasa, Lisbrien and Boithirin a chra because he had heard tales of those places from his father before him.

Tom always had great cattle, Herefords, and thered be fat falling off them. He fed them well, made great silage, but most of all, he believed in being kind to the land and to animals.

He often told me he wasnt a very religious man, but his beliefs were much older than any religion - thats spirituality, something Manchan lived his life by.

Seeing creation all around and about us perhaps makes one more awe-full at the splendour of it all.

Growing up, I dont think I ever heard the word environment used, no, nor biodiversity either, but living on the land we kinda knew about these things - maybe without even being told.

Yet I often wondered why is there a severe turn in the ditch above the Boiler House Field? A lot of the fences are fairly straight, but why the turn there?

Ive no answer and those that fixed those stones and sods are long, long gone.

Maybe the wind that blew up along the Owenacurra valley down below us was cold in the winter and the twist in the ditch broke the breeze and afforded shelter to animals on the other side in the winter.

In Newgrange and Knowth, and in the Pyramids of Egypt, and Stonehenge in England, our ancestors worshipped in their own peculiar way. Nature and the vagaries of climate and the changing seasons all impinged on their lives.

Manchan understood all this - yes, he was mystified too, but he respected and valued the everlasting links between people and their surrounds.

Yes, there are 32 words for a field -around here we have pairc, gort, tuair, port, and so on.

Living in harmony with the land, the soil, the very earth that grows our food and nourishes animals, was always so important to the generations gone before us. They knew the importance of things like lime and dung, and the role beetles and worms play in improving the land.

I suppose, with increasing mechanisation and the ever-increasing demand for more and more productivity, a lot of the old ways and old lore was lost.

Manchan Magan was a dreamer, but in a beautiful and deep-meaning way. His head was full of positivity and a gra for everything in our landscape and culture thats worth preserving.

Listening back to his radio interview is a reminder of the absolute big-hearted man he was. He knew his time was short, yet he yearned to publish a book along the lines of Rewilding The Mind.

What a deep and profound thinker he was, and he was so anxious that people would declutter and de-social media and de-AI their minds.

A truly great Irishman of our times, but really a man for all ages.

He loved his bees, and only recently he followed an age-old tradition of telling the bees of change or impending death.

Yes, he was positive but aware of his own mortality too, so he got a neighbour to go to the hives and tell the bees the bad news.

Myths are beyond reason, beyond thinking, he said.

Slan a chara, gone from our sight but with us every day when we walk the land, feel the land, hear the grass grow, and have the wind at our back.
We simply had to find out how Joe Terry got on when he made the move back to his native Cork on the Innisfallen (see last weeks Throwback Thursday). How did he and his bride find life here after the bright lights of London?

Well, I had the job, but at that time, a flat in Cork city could not be had for love nor money, recalls Joe. Plus ca change!

We purchased a mobile home and located it in a corner of a field, he continues. Life was simple: a globe-type oil lamp for lighting, a gas bottle to provide fuel for a radiant room heater and cooking; idyllic, you might say... until the baby came along.

It was no fun drawing buckets of water 200 yards, for drinking, cooking and washing nappies. We had no TV, but we did have the company of Millie, our budgie, and, in time, Trixie, our beloved dog who arrived months later in a crate at Kent railway station.

She had been quarantined in London as a foot and mouth disease precaution. But she survived!

An official taking precautions for foot and mouth disease on the Innisfallen in Cork in December,1967. Joe Terry says his dog and parrot were both affected by the precautions when he emigrated back to Cork in 1970

Joe says: Life was fine for Millie, in as much as it can be for a cage bird. A Department of Agriculture veterinary inspector paid weekly visits in our early days, to ensure she was not carrying a foot and mouth or bird flu type virus. They had to be careful.

Other settling-in hurdles to my new life in Ireland were to be cleared too. I visited the tax office in Patrick Street to get my affairs in order, but the condescending clerk had me bamboozled, to the extent that when I left the office and went out on to the street, I didnt know if I should go left, right or cross the busy thoroughfare.

Joe, who had left his home near Ballybrannigan Strand Gap in the parish of Cloyne at 18 for England, summed up his initial feelings on his return to the auld sod: Ireland of a thousand welcomes... but it did get better, and I never regretted moving back.

Joe mentions that he recently purchased this writers Brehon Laws: The Ancient Wisdom Of Ireland (OBrien Press, 2020.)

Reading it, I noted the esteem in which women were held, their importance, and consequential legal protection under Brehon law. Reading further had me thinking of where I was born, on a 92-acre farm, and how it compared to the wealthy farmer in ancient Ireland, known as a bo-aire.

Bo-aire? Why is he so called? Because it is from cows his rank as an aire  and his honour-price are derived. He has land of the value of twice seven cumhals. He has a house of 27ft, with a back-house, (kitchen) of 15ft; a share in a mill in which his family may grind, and his visitors. He has a kiln, a barn, a sheep-house, a calf-house, a pig-sty. These are the seven houses from which each bo-aire  is rated. He has 12 cows ; half the means of ploughing, a working horse and a riding steed. Twelve cows are his proportionate stock [Crith Gablach]

Joe continues: In my own case, in addition to the main dwelling and outbuildings, what I knew as the tenants house was used for storing agricultural machinery, including a claw-wheeled Fordson tractor and a converted corn reaper-and-binder that was originally drawn through the fields by a pair of horses.

He was born in 1942 and adds: Before my time, Ive been told, the tenants house had a thatched roof and a large open fireplace. Perhaps this tenant house is a remnant of that ancient period.

Well, it really is nice to see somebody actually considering his own upbringing and comparing it to that of the days when Brehon Law, rather than Anglo-Saxon dictates, held power in our country. Your family farm wasnt that far removed from those times, was it, Joe?

Meanwhile, reader David OSullivan was inspired by recent Throwback Thursdays to write of his own early education.

My first school was St Catherines by Highfield, from babies to the end of first class. Then the boys were dispatched elsewhere, and it became a girls school until 6th class, when they were shipped off to Mount Mercy.

My only memory from there was learning the Mass to be an altar boy. The poor nun, trying to teach a five-year-old boy the Latin Mass! And just after I learned the whole thing, what did they do but change it? So all for nothing.

Altar boys leading the funeral procession for Macroom parish priest Dean Higgins in March, 1930. A Throwback Thursday reader today recalls their own faltering first steps learning the altar boy trade

I do remember one tricky job for the altar boy. We had to move the bible and stand from one side of the altar down to the lower level, genuflect, and bring it back up and place it on the altar, on the other side.

That was a 20 lb book and brass stand for a five- or six-year-old. The nuns were looking on from their pews waiting for the fall. (I am sure they had money on it!)

Sure enough, I did drop the whole thing, and I was lucky the priest was nice. But the nun took my ear off as it delayed the Mass by five minutes while he found all the pages again!

David resumes his school recollections: Off to Josies (St Josephs ) on the Dyke ( it was still an open ditch then) at six or seven years old. There was no car to drive you, it was the No.5 bus which came every 10/15 minutes in the morning.

If I missed it, I had to run to Dennehys Cross to catch the No 8 at the post office. That bus used to be about every five minutes. It cost 2d on the way down and 1d home at lunch time. The ride took about 20 minutes.

At lunch time you raced home, 20 minutes on the bus , ran the rest of the way, wolfed down the dinner, ran back to the bus, and 20 minutes back to school, the one-hour lunch break gone. Then home after school at 3pm for 2d again. Total bus cost, 6d a day.

If you fell into temptation and bought a gobstopper at Lucys, across from Josies school, for a hapenny, you had to walk halfway up the Donovans Road to the 1d fare zone.

The times our money would fall and roll into the storm sewer, and I would have to run home to get more money and a good rollicking!

I did this from seven years old to 11, which is when I went to school in Kerry for three months to learn Irish.

Nowadays, my mother would be jailed for allowing her child to get the bus at that age

Well, you werent the only one so to do, David. Jean McClement, from the tender age of five, took the bus solo every week from Blackrock into Cork city to ballet classes at Joan Denise Moriartys studio on Emmet Place.

It never occurred to me, or indeed to my mother, that there was anything unusual in that, says Jean, who has further early adventures to relate.

At the age of 15, my mother delivered me to the Innisfallen on my own, to send me to work in a hotel on the Dutch/German border, for the summer.

I had to travel to Swansea, then the train to London, London to Dover, ferry to Ostend, train to Osnabruck, and then local, rural, train to a town called Ankum.

I was living in the hotel, with the family who owned it - they had a daughter my age and I had the time of my life and had to be dragged back to go back to school in September.

My mother did have some connection to the family that owned the hotel, so in her defence I presume she did check that I wasnt being sold into sex slavery!

I stayed overnight in London with mums sister, Bernie, who was nursing there, and she delivered me to the Dover train, but I distinctly remember having to find her house myself, having arrived on the train from Swansea.

My other clear memory is of arriving in Aachen, which to my 15-year-old eyes, was a MASSIVE station, and having to find the Osnabruck train, with very, very, limited German (God bless Mrs Griffin, the St Angelas German teacher!).

I cant remember having to buy tickets which I probably would - it being all different currencies in those days, no simple tapping of a card.

Jean concludes: In hindsight, Id say my poor, unfortunate mother was desperate for childcare and didnt want me running wild in Cork - out of sight, out of mind.

My journey back to Ostend in September was, I suppose, equally hairy. The hotel owner (Herr Schmidt) simply canvassed the long-distance lorry drivers until he found one willing to take a passenger... Completely innocent really - you know, I think there was a sort of protection in being utterly unaware of the potential dangers.

It simply wouldnt have dawned on 15-year- old me that I was in any kind of danger, and my memory of the lorry driver is of a much older man (he was probably about 30!) who minded me - I stayed in a truckers hotel (in my own room) and he delivered me to the ferry the following day - zero drama.

Well if that doesnt bate Banagher, Jean, I dont know what does!

Cue modern mothers all over Ireland, dropping their Throwback Thursday to the floor and fainting away

And yet, I remember travelling on a boat from Cork to Glasgow myself back around the same time, and the cattle drovers making sure I had a comfy corner to curl up in below decks. Was everybody nicer then, or have we just become too fearful?

David OSullivan continues his memories.

My first three months of 6th class (last national school year) were spent in the west of the Dingle Peninsula, learning Irish. I went there from September to Christmas, staying in a small village of not more than four houses, I think it was Bally Currane (checked on Google earth, its still the same).

There was one rich farmer in the village, deemed so as he had a MF135 and a TV for the one RTE station. There was a phone about a mile away at the local shop.

Everybody had to walk to Mass and to get groceries each week . We were about two miles from the base of St Brendans Mountain, or Mount Brandon as it is also known.

Because I was fortunate enough to have a bike, I could cycle into Dingle, about eight miles away, so a big enough trip. Yet despite the exercise, those three months added a stone to my body weight from all the buttered spuds!

The school master would write a topic for an Irish essay on the board each day and we would spend the first two hours doing that while he read the Irish Times.

Then, at 11, he would teach a little matts until lunch.

After lunch he would be exhausted from his days work, and we would be given a topic for an English essay until the school bus came to take us home, while he finished the crossword in the Irish Times.

I was back in the city and ended that year, my 6th class, in the new school in Bishopstown.

I simply love that account of a teachers day, David. Was it a shock getting back to genuine classes and genuine work? Must have been!

Send us your own memories! Email jokerrigan1@gmail.com or leave a comment on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/echolivecork.
Apparently, web browsers are cool again. Two days after OpenAI launched its AI browser, Microsoft has some updates for its Edge's AI mode. (Fancy that!) Copilot Mode, introduced in July, now has several features that were teased at launch.

First up: Copilot Actions, which is Microsoft's branding for AI-assisted, multi-step tasks. This feature is already available in the standard version of Copilot, but it's now being previewed for Edge's Copilot Mode. Microsoft's examples of Copilot Actions in Edge include unsubscribing from email newsletters or making a restaurant reservation.

Another new (but previously announced) feature is Journeys. These are saved projects you can return to anytime. "Remember that project you started a while back, but life got in the way?" Microsoft's blog post asks. "No need to bookmark all those tabs." For example, if you're researching starting a business, Copilot can recap articles you've read, suggest next steps and resurface a tutorial video you watched.

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Here's a video from when Microsoft teased Journeys in July.

Along similar lines, another new Copilot Mode feature is the option to let the assistant access your browsing history. One example Microsoft gives is chatting with Copilot about a clothing item you checked out last week. Or, ask it for movie recommendations based on content you previously liked.

Copilot requires explicit permission to access your private data for these new features. Microsoft's blog post stresses that your browser data is protected under the company's privacy statement and that Copilot "only collects what's needed to improve your experience." The company also notes that you'll see clear visual cues so you know when Copilot is active.

Still, these features require loads of private information to be useful. Don't grant those permissions without first giving it some serious thought.

The new Copilot features are currently free in a US-only "limited preview."
Apple will owe money to UK users after losing an App Store antitrust lawsuit there on Thursday, according to Financial Times. The Competition Appeal Tribunal ruled that the iPhone maker abused its dominant market position to inflate developer fees.

The tribunal found that the company has "near absolute market power" for iOS app distribution and in-app payments. The decision declared that Apple has been "abusing its dominant position by charging excessive and unfair prices." FT reports that Apple will appeal the decision.

The class action claimants said damages of about 1.5bn would be split between 36 million consumers. A subsequent hearing to determine the process for "resolving any questions relating to the calculation" of damages could come as soon as next month.

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Apple has an increasingly strained relationship with the tighter regulations across the Atlantic. Earlier this week, the company stepped up its attacks on the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), a law designed to protect consumers from Big Tech dominance. And on Wednesday, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) confirmed that Apple has "strategic market status" in the country's equivalent of the DMA. That gives the CMA authority to "ensure that mobile platforms are open to effective competition."

Apple provided the following statement in response to the ruling:

"We thank the tribunal for its consideration but strongly disagree with this ruling, which takes a flawed view of the thriving and competitive app economy. The App Store has benefited businesses and consumers across the U.K., creating a dynamic marketplace where developers compete and users can choose from millions of innovative apps. This ruling overlooks how the App Store helps developers succeed and gives consumers a safe, trusted place to discover apps and securely make payments. The App Store faces vigorous competition from many other platforms  often with far fewer privacy and security protections  giving developers and consumers many options in how they build, share, and download apps. We intend to appeal."

Update, October 23, 2025, 5:30PM ET: This story has been updated to include a statement from Apple on today's ruling.
I know there are bigger fish to fry, but I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't draw your attention to this travesty of a commercial Verizon just released. It's only 30 seconds long but may go down as one of the worst ads I've ever seen.

Whats so offensive, you ask? Well, the carrier (and one-time parent company of Engadget) wants to promote the fact that it will give AT&T and T-Mobile customers a better deal on their wireless plan if they bring in their monthly cellular bill. That's all well and good, but we need to talk about the cathode-ray tube TV that's at the center of the commercial.

The ad opens with a woman walking into a Best Buy-coded store and handing over a 27-inch CRT TV to a nearby sales associate. "Hi, I got this old thing and the bill from the store where I got it," she tells the young salesperson while casually tossing the TV to him. "Figured you could beat it with a better deal on one of these big boys," she adds, pointing to, lets be honest, an objectively worse flat panel TV.

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Now, I need to know: did anyone who worked on this commercial try to lift a CRT? Look, I know it's 2025, and even the newest sets are now close to two decades old, but even if you've never seen one in real-life, surely you've heard how heavy they are? If I had to guess, the TV we see in the commercial, which looks like an RCA 27R411T, weighs close to 75 pounds. There's a reason so many Facebook Marketplace listings recommend you bring a friend with you when you come pick up the CRT they're selling; most people can't lift even a mid-sized set on their own.

I hate to think how Verizon made this commercial. CRTs are a dead technology. No company is making new consumer sets anymore, and any working CRTs left out in the world are on borrowed time. If the company gutted a working set to make this commercial, it means theres one less CRT in an ever-dwindling pool. Someone could have enjoyed that TV and stopped it from entering a landfill.

But as for the rest of the commercial, its equally as bad. No big box retailer is accepting trade-ins for a CRT TV, and even if they were, trying to get rid of one that way would be a rookie move. CRTs, both TVs and monitors, are highly sought after by retro gamers. Even a relatively unknown set like the 27R411T can catch a few hundred dollars, especially if it's in pristine condition. In fact, a quick eBay search returns a seller looking for $350 for their 27R411T unit.

But you know what our dear Verizon booster does? She just walks away without the CRT after the salesperson tells her the shop won't give her a better deal on a new TV. "Guess you're not as cool as Verizon" she says, uttering a thing no one in the history has ever said. Sorry, joke's on you, lady. Not only is that TV impossibly light, it's way cooler than anything Verizon has ever done.
Hulu has officially ordered a reboot of the Fox crime drama "Prison Break," marking the franchise's return nearly eight years after it last aired.

The Disney-owned streaming platform greenlit the project on October 20, 2025, following development that began almost two years earlier.

Elgin James, co-creator of "Mayans M.C.," serves as writer, showrunner, and executive producer on the series. James will also direct the pilot episode for the reboot, which has been in the works since Hulu first announced development plans in November 2023. The streamer ordered a pilot in December 2024 before committing to a full series order.

The new "Prison Break" exists in the same universe as the original series but features an entirely new cast of characters and storyline. According to the official logline, the show centers on an ex-soldier turned corrections officer who "takes a job at one of the deadliest prisons in America to prove just how far she'll go for someone she loves."

Emily Browning leads the cast as Cassidy, the corrections officer at the center of the narrative. Additional cast members include Drake Rodger as Tommy, an inmate incarcerated for 10 years, Lukas Gage as Jackson, a politician in his first congressional campaign, Clayton Cardenas as Michael, nicknamed "Ghost," JR Bourne as Junior, Georgie Flores as Andrea, and Myles Bullock as Darius, also known as "Red."

James serves as executive producer alongside several key figures from the original series. Dawn Olmstead, Paul Scheuring, Marty Adelstein, and Neal Moritz all return as executive producers. Scheuring created the original "Prison Break," which premiered on Fox in 2005. Olmstead, Adelstein, and Moritz held executive producer positions on the earlier iteration. The project is produced by 20th Television, the same studio behind the original series.

The decision to move forward with the reboot was influenced by renewed interest in the original series on streaming platforms. "Prison Break" became one of the most-watched shows on Netflix after returning to the platform in July 2024, ranking as the most-viewed series in the United States in August 2024. Combined viewing across Hulu and Netflix totaled nearly 200 million hours of streaming in 2024.

The new "Prison Break" will premiere on Hulu in the United States and on Disney+ internationally. All episodes of the original series are currently available to stream on Hulu and Netflix.
Kim Kardashian shocked attendees at the 2025 Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles when she showed up in a nude Maison Margiela couture dress that totally covered her face. The reality star's insiders described the dramatic outfit as "a metaphor for how she was used, gagged, and gaslighted" by her former husband, rapper Kanye West.

A Kardashian source revealed to RadarOnline that the dress had a special emotional significance. "After Kanye, Kim has fought to reclaim her image. But every time she covers up, people see his shadow. That mask  the panic, the helplessness  said everything she never could about him," said the insider.

Read more: Kim Kardashian Reveals How Kanye West Turned Her Suitors Away

Kardashian and West split in 2022 after seven years of marriage amid allegations of controlling behavior.

Online fans, as per Elle, were quick to make comparisons with her faceless appearance and her masked black Balenciaga look at the 2021 Met Gala  an outfit said to have been styled at West's behest.

At the gala, Kardashian's seeming struggle behind the mask became a concern. Lipreader Nicola Hickling, who examined event video, reported her observations to the source. Hickling described, "Using advanced video enhancement software, I analyzed the footage frame by frame and isolated Kim Kardashian's speech patterns beneath her mask, allowing me to confidently determine what she said to her assistant."

In Hickling's account, Kardashian seemed upset. "Don't let go, I can't see a thing," Kardashian allegedly begged. Hickling then said her assistant replied reassuringly, "Don't worry, I've got you. I'll lead you, just hold onto my hand."

Fans on social media posited that the visible discomfort was a sign of the emotional distress of her previous marriage. "You can still see the Kanye in her," wrote one of her X commenters, mirroring a sentiment that West's presence continues to haunt the actress.

Another insider revealed to the news outlet that Kardashian's post-divorce fashion choices are a reflection of a constant battle for autonomy. "After Kanye, Kim has fought to reclaim her image. But every time she covers up, people see his shadow. That mask  the panic, the helplessness  said everything she never could about him," the insider claimed.

Kardashian soon broke the tension by poking fun about her appearance on Instagram, posting a tongue-in-cheek question to makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic, "Mario, do I look okay? The make-up?" and him laughing and responding, "Your make-up looks amazing, yes."
Meghan Markle's recent comments about her scaled-down Netflix contract have sparked criticism from Hollywood insiders who say the Duchess of Sussex is "spinning" a setback into a success story.

Speaking at Fortune's Most Powerful Women Summit in Washington, D.C., Markle described her new "first-look" agreement with Netflix as a move that reflects "strength" and "flexibility," according to Page Six.

The deal, finalized in August, replaced her and Prince Harry's original $100 million partnership from 2020, which had been under scrutiny for underperforming.

"Once that had come to its term," Markle said, "the extension of it, which was such an incredible sign of the strength of our partnership, was now being in a first-look deal."

She explained that the new arrangement allows them to offer projects to Netflix before pitching elsewhere, calling it "exciting" because it provides "flexibility to go to our partners first."

Industry Reaction: 'A Step Down, Not A Strategy'

Insiders told Radar Online the Duchess's framing doesn't match reality. One Hollywood producer said the revised contract "is a clear step down," explaining that Markle and Prince Harry now have less creative control and smaller budgets. "Trying to frame that as strength is wishful thinking," the source said.

Their original deal produced several projects, including "With Love, Meghan," a cooking and lifestyle show featuring celebrity guests like Mindy Kaling and Chrissy Teigen.

The show earned moderate ratings and a second season earlier this year. When asked about its future, Markle teased a holiday special arriving in November, calling it "a really good one."

At the Fortune event, she also compared the show's production schedule to her time on "Suits," saying the eight-episode seasons demanded significant effort. "Having done 'Suits' for seven years, I remember what goes into a production," she said. "I also recognize how much people want content in different sizes."

Despite her upbeat tone, industry analysts argue her remarks reflect more damage control than creative expansion.

"Netflix isn't ending the relationship, but they're scaling it back," one senior executive. "Calling it empowerment doesn't change the math."

Critics argue Markle's response to setbacks follows a pattern of rebranding missteps as empowerment. A media analyst told Radar the Netflix downgrade fits that mold. "Whenever things don't go her way, she reframes it as strategy," the source said. "Hollywood sees through it. This isn't a win. It's spin."

Meghan Markle looked chic in white for an appearance at the Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit 2025 in Washington, D.C.  pic.twitter.com/vuWCedSw6g  ExtraTV (@extratv) October 14, 2025

Brand Moves And Kardashian Connection

Beyond her Netflix deal, Markle continues to push her lifestyle label, As Ever. During the same summit, she said she preferred to keep her brand small and "build camaraderie" with her team. She also ruled out mass retail partnerships, saying she's focused on "bespoke retail collaborations."

The Duchess's recent public appearances have fueled talk of a rebranding effort. She was seen attending a Los Angeles dinner hosted by Emma Grede, the business strategist behind Kim Kardashian's Skims and Khloe Kardashian's Good American.

Grede shared photos and clips from the dinner, which celebrated women "owning their power." Guests drank As EverMarlborough Sauvignon Blanc while Markle and Grede were seated side by side, dressed in coordinated outfits.

PR consultant Chad Teixeira told the Mirror the meeting looked "too strategic to be a coincidence." He noted that the polished imagery from the event "frames Meghan and Emma as equals in the same creative space," suggesting it might be part of a soft-launch campaign for a larger business move.

Marketing expert Rebecca May agreed, saying Markle's decision to attend "wasn't random."

"Everything Meghan does is intentional," she said. "Being in Emma's circle puts her in a room full of women who build global brands. It's the clearest sign yet that Meghan is preparing for her next phase."
LISBON, Ohio  The Columbiana County 4-H program will host a 4-H Project Exploration Open House on Nov. 4 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Ohio State Extension Office, 7989 Dickey Drive, Lisbon, Ohio.

Guests will get to explore over 250 4-H projects through an interactive 4-H Project Guide Scavenger Hunt, past project displays by Columbiana County youth and real project books. Volunteers and 4-H members will also be available to answer questions and assist families in getting started for the 2026 4-H year.
Farmers across the country are gearing up for the NFUs ninth annual #BuyMyTurkey Day, a national campaign championing British turkey producers and encouraging shoppers to buy local ahead of Christmas.

The initiative highlights the importance of supporting homegrown food and farming  reminding shoppers that choosing British meat helps sustain rural communities, promotes animal welfare, and supports high-quality production standards.

Taking place this year on 5 December, #BuyMyTurkey Day has become a popular social media movement that shines a light on the people behind the nations festive centrepiece.

Launched by the NFU, the campaign promotes four simple messages: the benefits of buying a whole bird, asking butchers if their turkeys are British, looking for the Red Tractor logo in supermarkets, and using the NFU Turkey Finder to buy directly from local farms.

In 2024, the campaign reached more than 496,000 people online, demonstrating its growing impact in connecting consumers with local producers.

The NFU said the initiative continues to play an important role in helping people understand the value of British farming and the contribution of local turkey producers.

It added that #BuyMyTurkey Day celebrates the work of British farmers while encouraging shoppers to back British this Christmas.

The unions Turkey Finder tool now features more than 240 farms across the UK and includes an interactive map, making it easier for consumers to locate nearby producers.

Shoppers are also being encouraged to join the conversation by tagging @BackBritishFarmingNFU, sharing posts, and using the hashtag #BuyMyTurkey to spread the message online.

To help farmers take part, the NFU has produced a digital toolkit with ready-made graphics, captions and social media tips.

Farmers are being encouraged to share photos and videos from their farms, post cooking tips, and engage followers with behind-the-scenes insights about their turkeys and preparations for Christmas.

The NFU said it wants to make it as easy as possible for shoppers to find and enjoy a high-welfare, British turkey this Christmas, adding that buying local supports farmers and ensures the centrepiece of the festive table is something to celebrate.

With Christmas fast approaching, the union is encouraging shoppers, butchers and producers alike to tag, share and support British turkey farmers on 5 December  helping make this years #BuyMyTurkey Day the biggest yet.
Britains pig producers have warned that the UK remains dangerously exposed to animal disease outbreaks unless the government boosts national biosecurity funding and on-farm investment in November's autumn budget.

The National Pig Association (NPA) said the Treasury must prioritise protecting borders from threats such as African swine fever (ASF) and foot and mouth disease (FMD), as well as support capital investment to improve animal welfare and farm resilience.

In its budget submission, the NPA also urged continued funding for the Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator (ASCA) and asked the government to reconsider proposed inheritance tax reforms.

The association welcomed the governments hugely significant 1 billion investment in a new National Biosecurity Centre as part of the redevelopment of the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) facilities at Weybridge.

However, it said that the UK remains poorly protected from biosecurity and notifiable disease threats, particularly as African swine fever (ASF) continues to circulate in parts of the EU and foot and mouth disease (FMD) has recently been detected in Germany and other member states.

The NPAs submission linked these risks to high volumes of illegally imported meat entering the country from ASF-infected areas such as Romania, both through personal imports and commercial routes.

It warned that the governments new Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) is not fit for purpose and is highly vulnerable to exploitation from organised crime.

The association has urged the Treasury and Defra to address weaknesses in the BTOM and ensure that port health and local authorities, including the Defra Port Health Authority (DPHA), are properly resourced to enforce control measures.

The NPA described this as a relatively small investment that could help prevent a potentially catastrophic disease outbreak in the UK. It is calling for a multi-year funding commitment to support these agencies and safeguard national biosecurity.

The submission also emphasised the need for long-term investment on farms to maintain animal health and welfare standards alongside national defences.

It highlighted the importance of continued capital funding through the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway, noting that while the first two rounds of large infrastructure grants focused on calf and hen housing, the third round would be ringfenced for indoor pig units.

The association said funding was critical to help producers manage the costly transition from conventional to flexible farrowing systems.

Citing estimates from the Building Suppliers Forum (BSF), the NPA said it could cost between 3,500 and 5,000 per sow place to refurbish existing buildings and up to 8,000 per place for new construction  excluding planning and associated costs.

It also expressed willingness to discuss a government-backed loan scheme to support farmers undertaking these upgrades.

The NPAs submission further called on the government to ensure the Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicators office remains adequately resourced as fair dealing regulations expand to cover additional sectors.

It also backed the NFUs position that the government should rethink its proposed inheritance tax reforms, arguing that any changes must be more targeted and sensitive to the needs of family-run farming enterprises.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 22, 2025) - Pelangio Exploration Inc. (TSXV: PX) (OTC Pink: PGXPF) ("Pelangio" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed the second and final tranche (the "Final Tranche") of the non-brokered private placement first announced on September 22, 2025 (the "Private Placement") and increased to $4,500,000 on September 24, 2025. The first tranche raised gross proceeds of $3,462,600 from the issuance of 19,236,668 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.18 per Unit. This Final Tranche raised gross proceeds of $1,037,399.76 from the issuance of 5,763,332 Units at a price of $0.18 per Unit.

In connection with the Final Tranche, each Unit consisted of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one half of one Common Share purchase warrant ("Warrant"). Each whole Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Common Share at a price of $0.31 until October 9, 2027.

The Company paid finder's fees to securities dealers totaling $453,396.32 in cash and issued non-transferable finders warrants (the "Finder's Warrants") entitling such finders to purchase up to an aggregate of 2,371,130 Common Shares at a price of $0.18 per Common Share until October 9, 2027. All finder's fees are subject to compliance with applicable securities legislation and TSX Venture Exchange policies. All securities issued in the Final Tranche are subject to statutory four month hold periods and, in respect of Insiders, also the TSX Venture Exchange Hold Period, expiring on February 23, 2026. The Private Placement remains subject to obtaining final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

Certain insiders of the Company participated in the Private Placement by purchasing 702,832 Units in the Final Tranche, constituting a "related party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company was exempt from the formal valuation and minority approval requirements of MI 61-101 pursuant to the exemptions contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 in respect of such insider participation, based on a determination that fair market value of the participation in the Offering by insiders will not exceed 25% of the market capitalization of the Company, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101.

The securities offered have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press 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 jurisdictions in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Any offering made will be pursuant to available prospectus exemptions and restricted to persons to whom the securities may be sold in accordance with the laws of such jurisdictions, and by persons permitted to sell the securities in accordance with the laws of such jurisdictions.

About Pelangio

Pelangio acquires and explores world-class land packages on strategic gold belts in Ghana, West Africa and Canada. In Ghana, the Company is exploring its two 100% owned, camp-sized properties: the 100 km2 Manfo property, the site of eight near-surface gold discoveries, and the 284 km2 Obuasi property, located four km on strike and adjacent to AngloGold Ashanti's prolific high-grade Obuasi Mine, as well as its Dankran property located adjacent to its Obuasi property. See www.pelangio.com for further details on all Pelangio's properties.

For additional information, please visit us at our website at www.pelangio.com, or contact Ingrid Hibbard, President and CEO

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements herein may contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements or information appear in a number of places and 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 statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements and information include statements regarding the Company's exploration plans. With respect to forward-looking statements and information contained herein, we have made numerous assumptions, including assumptions about the state of the equity markets. Such forward-looking statements and information are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statement or information. Such risks include the ability of the Company to conduct our exploration programs as planned, changes in equity markets, share price volatility, volatility of global and local economic climate, gold price volatility, political developments in Ghana, increases in costs, exchange rate fluctuations, speculative nature of gold exploration and other risks involved in the gold exploration industry. See the Company's annual and quarterly financial statements and management's discussion and analysis for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to the forward-looking statement and information. There can be no assurance that a forward-looking statement or information referenced herein will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Also, many of the factors are beyond the control of the Company. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. We undertake no obligation to reissue or update any forward-looking statements or information except as required by law. All forward-looking statements and information herein are qualified by this cautionary statement.

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

THIS NEWS RELEASE IS INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION IN CANADA ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271545

SOURCE: Pelangio Exploration Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 22, 2025) - Planet Based Foods Global Inc. (CSE: PBF) (OTC Pink: PBFFF) (FSE: AZ00) (the "Company" or "PBFG") announces significant corporate developments as it continues to execute on its growth strategy.

Appointment of Chief Executive Officer, President and Chair of the Board

PBFG is pleased to announce the appointment of Kerem Akbas as Chief Executive Officer and President, and as Chair of the Board. Mr. Akbas succeeds Ms. Claire Skillen who has completed her tenure with PBFG. Mr. Akbas is also the principal of Coenda Investments Holding Corp., a significant shareholder of the Company. However, the Company's Board remains composed of a majority of independent members who provide strong oversight and governance as PBFG continues to execute its strategic plans.

Mr. Akbas will not receive any direct compensation until the Company achieves a positive cash flow. Compensation will be based on profitability of the Company, subject to approval of the Company's compensation committee.

Mr. Akbas is a Turkish-Canadian entrepreneur and tech investor with a strong background in finance and business development. He runs his own family office, focusing on strategic investments in technology and innovative sectors. Mr. Akbas invests in various technology companies and has a proven track record of building, growing, and managing businesses through acquisitions and investments. With skills in business strategy, negotiation, and planning, he has demonstrated involvement in growing tech enterprises.

Appointment of Corporate Secretary

PBFG is pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew McLeod as interim Corporate Secretary. Mr. McLeod succeeds Ms. Dawn Wattie as part of the Company's organizational realignment and the Board thanks her for her contributions to the Company.

Mr. McLeod is the founder of PEAK Legal Counsel, which acts as corporate counsel to the Company. Prior to his legal career, Mr. McLeod worked in accounting and operational roles at a large financial institution. He has advised private and public companies on a variety of matters, including corporate governance, over the past decade.

Conclusion of tenure of Chief Operating Officer

Brittany Ray-Wilks has concluded her tenure as Chief Operating Officer as part of the Company's organizational realignment and the Board thanks her for her contributions to the Company.

Establishment of Subsidiary

The Company also announces the establishment of a wholly owned subsidiary, PBFG Trade Pte. Ltd., in Singapore, to support its international operations and partnerships.

About Planet Based Foods Global Inc.

Planet Based Foods Global Inc. is reimagining the future of food through a diverse portfolio of sustainable ingredients, plant-based solutions, and advancements in agricultural technology. With a focus on environmental stewardship, product excellence, and scalable impact, the Company empowers food manufacturers, partners, and consumers to participate in a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient global food system. Planet Based Foods operates with integrity and purpose, delivering products that align with evolving consumer values and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Additional information is available at www.sedarplus.ca.

On Behalf of the Board

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding future plans, strategies, objectives, expectations, and intentions of Planet Based Foods Global Inc. (the "Company"). These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, industry developments, regulatory changes, access to capital, operational challenges, supply chain disruptions, and economic conditions. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements except as required by law.

Additional information, including risk factors, is available in the Company's public filings on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved, or disapproved the contents of this release and accepts no responsibility for its adequacy or accuracy.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271546

SOURCE: Planet Based Foods Global Inc.
Guangzhou, China--(Newsfile Corp. - October 22, 2025) - The 2025 Global Investment Promotion Conference for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) will kick off on November 3 in Guangzhou. Building on the theme of "Investing in the Greater Bay Area, Co-creating a Bright Future," this year's edition focuses on the GBA's new positioning of "One Point, Two Places." Leveraging the momentum of Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao jointly hosting the 15th National Games, the event aims to create a world-class investment brand that showcases the economic vitality, innovative drive, regional charm, and investment potential of the GBA, while deepening cooperation with major global bay areas and economies along the "Belt and Road".

Gathering Strength Towards the "New": The 2025 Global Investment Promotion Conference for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to Take Place on November 3 in Guangzhou

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8722/271255_cf5dde74c4a7d925_001full.jpg

This year's conference will feature "1 main event, 9 investment promotion conferences across the Pearl River Delta cities, and numerous domestic and international roadshows and investment tours." For the first time, a series of investment promotion meetings will focus on commercial aerospace, low-altitude economy, artificial intelligence, and robotics, positioning the GBA as a testing ground and incubator for new technologies, products, and scenarios. The conference will also strengthen investment and trade cooperation with developed countries such as Japan, South Korea, and the United States, as well as emerging markets in the Middle East and ASEAN, further cementing the GBA's status as a top destination for global investment.

Representatives from several Fortune 500 companies and industry leaders have already confirmed their participation, with particularly strong interest from companies in emerging and frontier industries such as artificial intelligence, low-altitude economy, new energy storage, biomedicine, high-end equipment, and clean technology.

The 2025 Global Investment Promotion Conference for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area will gather high-quality resources from around the world to accelerate the development of a world-class bay area. Stay tuned for more updates!

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271255

SOURCE: Global News
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / October 22, 2025 / SKY GOLD CORP. ("Sky" or the "Company") (TSXV:SKYG)(OTC PINK:SRKZF) is pleased to announce that further to its press release dated October 9, 2025, the Company has closed the oversubscribed, non-brokered private placement. The Company issued 23,880,000 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.05 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of $1,194,000. Each Unit is comprised of one common share ("Share") and one half transferable common share purchase warrant of the Company ("Warrant"). Each whole Warrant will entitle the Subscriber to purchase one Warrant Share for a 36-month period after the Closing Date at an exercise price of $0.08 per share. Proceeds raised will be used for advancing the Company's Evening Star project in Nevada as well as for general working capital.

In connection with the closing of the non-brokered private placement, the Company paid total finders' fees of $70,400 cash and 1,688,000 non-transferable finders' warrants to Haywood Securities Inc., Canaccord Genuity Corp., Ventum Financial Corp., Sherbrooke Street Capital (SSC) Inc., Stephen Avenue Securities Inc. and Highgate Group Inc. Each finder's Warrant will entitle the finder to purchase one Warrant Share of the Company for a 36-month period after the Closing Date at an exercise price of $0.08 per share.

A senior officer and directors of the Company have subscribed for an aggregate of 1,900,000 Units as part of the Private Placement, which participation constitutes a "related party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101") and Policy 5.9 of the TSXV. The Corporation is relying on the exemption for a formal valuation under section 5.5(b) of MI 61-101 (trading on the TSXV), and on the exemption for minority shareholder approval under section 5.7(1)(b) of MI 61-101 (fair market value of less than $2,500,000).

Shares issued pursuant to the Financing will be subject to a four-month hold period according to applicable securities laws of Canada.

About Sky Gold Corp.

Sky Gold Corp. is a junior mining exploration company focussed on the Evening Star property located in the prolific Walker Lane trend, approximately 16 kilometers (10 miles) east of the town of Hawthorne, Nevada.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Mike England

CEO, PRESIDENT & DIRECTOR

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT

Tel: 1-604-683-3995

Toll Free: 1-888-945-4770

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.

SOURCE: Sky Gold Corp.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/sky-gold-closes-oversubscribed-financing-1090945
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CGTN America & CCTV UN releases "Global Dialogue on Innovation, Openness and Shared Development"

China Media Group will host a media event on Friday, October 24, at the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Washington, DC. The event, highlighting innovation, openness, and shared development, will bring together leading diplomats, commentators, and representatives of the young generation from China and the United States to discuss the outcomes and themes emerging from China's Fourth Plenary Session, held in Beijing from October 20 to 23.

The plenary session reviews the proposals for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for national economic and social development. It emphasizes high-quality development, technological self-reliance, green transformation, and the creation of a modern industrial system integrating digital, intelligent, and sustainable growth. The session also underscores the importance of education, science, and technology as engines of modernization, calling for stronger cultural confidence and enhanced global understanding through dialogue and exchange.

The upcoming media event will feature keynote speeches by officials and commentators from China and the United States, followed by a lively panel discussion with young voices exploring key global themes - including global governance, Chinese modernization, artificial intelligence and technology, sustainability, climate change, and people-to-people exchanges. These conversations reflect the vision and aspirations of a new generation committed to shaping a more inclusive and forward-looking world.

From 2021 to 2024, China's economy has grown at an average annual rate of 5.5%, contributing nearly 30% of global growth while advancing green development, innovation, and openness. The discussion aims to offer fresh insight into how these achievements and emerging policy directions can support inclusive and sustainable global progress.

(This material is distributed by MediaLinks TV, LLC on behalf of CCTV. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.)

Contact: Distribution@cgtnamerica.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/cgtn-america--cctv-un-global-dialogue-on-innovation-openness-and-shared-development-302592203.html
"The ex-New Jersey Attorney General and former DEA Administrator promised to modernize justice through data. Instead, under her watch, illegal marijuana empires flourished - while her own deputies bent the law and broke public trust" said Duane Boise CEO MMJ International Holdings.

WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESS Newswire / October 22, 2025 / Anne Milgram rose to prominence on a mission to "use data and algorithms to fight crime." As New Jersey's Attorney General from 2007 to 2010, she was praised for bringing analytics to law enforcement. But as DEA Administrator, Milgram's "data-driven" DEA became the very system of corruption, chaos, and incompetence she once claimed algorithms could prevent.

DEA Anne Milgram A Digital Reformer Turned Bureaucratic Relic

When President Biden appointed Anne Milgram to lead the DEA in 2021, she promised to modernize the agency with analytics and accountability. Instead, she presided over one of the most dysfunctional and scandal-ridden eras in its history.

Under her watch:

Chinese-backed illegal marijuana operations exploded across the U.S., from Oklahoma to Maine. The DEA's own field divisions were overwhelmed - yet leadership in Washington turned a blind eye.

DEA's Diversion Control office, led by Thomas Prevoznik and Matthew Strait , focused its fire not on international criminal networks, but on law-abiding pharmaceutical innovators like MMJ BioPharma Cultivation , which has waited over seven years for a bulk-manufacturing license to grow FDA-approved cannabis for clinical trials.

DEA attorney Aarathi Haig, still active in federal cases despite being listed as ineligible to practice by the New Jersey Bar, defended these unconstitutional delays in federal court - raising serious questions about ethical and legal compliance inside the agency.

"Under Anne Milgram, the DEA ignored actual crime while criminalizing medicine," said Duane Boise, CEO of MMJ International Holdings. "They let illegal Chinese grows flourish while blocking American pharmaceutical research approved by the FDA. It's the definition of hypocrisy."

The Algorithm That Failed

Milgram's academic brand - data science meets law enforcement - collapsed under the weight of her agency's failures. She promised a DEA guided by real time data, but the evidence shows her team ignored the numbers that mattered most:

Explosive growth in Chinese financed cartel grows operating openly across rural America.

A DEA licensing backlog that left scientific research frozen for nearly a decade .

A federal court system now rejecting the DEA's internal "tribunal" process as unconstitutional - a process her deputies weaponized to silence applicants.

Milgram's so-called algorithm became a feedback loop of failure - one that rewarded insiders, punished innovators, and allowed criminal enterprises to thrive in plain sight.

Deputies Running Rampant

Inside the agency, Milgram's inner circle functioned like an unchecked network of bureaucratic enforcers:

Thomas Prevoznik, the self-styled "policy chief," oversaw licensing and diversion operations that defied congressional mandates and DOJ guidance.

Matthew Strait , his deputy, engineered new "bona fide supply agreement" rules retroactively - a legal move now under scrutiny for violating administrative law.

Aarathi Haig, the agency's litigation counsel, continued representing DEA in court despite her bar-eligibility controversy, defending unconstitutional proceedings against legitimate pharmaceutical applicants.

All of it happened under Milgram's watch - and all of it reflects a DEA that lost sight of both science and law.

From Data to Damage

Ironically, Milgram's downfall mirrors the fatal flaw in her own algorithmic ideology: blind trust in systems without accountability. The DEA's data was clear - illegal foreign grows were multiplying while medical cannabis researchers languished. Yet Milgram's leadership ignored the evidence, weaponizing bureaucracy against legitimate progress.

In the end, the "data-driven DEA" turned into a data-blind dictatorship, one that measured everything except its own corruption.

A Message for Terry Cole

Now, new Administrator Terry Cole inherits the wreckage. His first 100 days will determine whether the DEA reforms or continues Milgram's legacy of deceit.

"Cole has a chance to rebuild an agency that has betrayed science, Congress, and patients," Boise said. "But if he doesn't act fast, he'll become part of the same algorithm of corruption that destroyed Milgram's credibility."

The Verdict

Anne Milgram once claimed she could predict criminal behavior through data. She may have succeeded - she just never realized the algorithm would identify her and her own agency.

MMJ is represented by attorney Megan Sheehan.

CONTACT:

Madison Hisey

mhisey@mmjih.com

203-231-8583

SOURCE: MMJ International Holdings



View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/did-deas-anne-milgram-get-caught-in-her-own-marijuana-criminal-algori-1090972
Lonza Group AG / Key word(s): Quarter Results

Lonza Delivers a Strong Q3 2025 and Confirms Full-Year 2025 Outlook for its CDMO and CHI Businesses



23-Oct-2025 / 06:30 CET/CEST

Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

Strong CDMO 1 performance in Q3 2025 in Integrated Biologics and Advanced Synthesis, while Specialized Modalities improved versus a soft H1

performance in Q3 2025 in Integrated Biologics and Advanced Synthesis, while Specialized Modalities improved versus a soft H1 Large contract signings in Q3, including another significant commercial contract for Vacaville

Capsules & Health Ingredients (CHI) returned to growth as expected and in line with Full-Year Outlook

CDMO Outlook for Full-Year 2025 confirmed: upgraded at Half-Year to CER sales growth of 20-21% and a CORE EBITDA margin of 30-31%

Basel, Switzerland, 23 October 2025 - In its Q3 2025 qualitative update, Lonza reported a strong CDMO performance in line with its upgraded Full-Year Outlook. Capsules & Health Ingredients (CHI) progressed on its expected recovery path and returned to growth in line with its Full-Year 2025 Outlook.

Lonza saw strong momentum in Integrated Biologics based on continuing robust demand for large-scale mammalian assets, further supported by the Vacaville (US) acquisition. Advanced Synthesis continued to experience strong commercial demand for its Bioconjugates and Small Molecules offerings, supported by successful growth project ramp-ups. Specialized Modalities improved in Q3 as expected. Full-Year 2025 performance is expected to remain moderate in the context of the softer H1. Efforts aimed at strengthening the resilience of the Business Platform are ongoing and will take time to materialize. In line with the expected recovery path, CHI returned to positive CER growth, supported by higher volumes in the pharmaceutical capsules business. Additionally, CHI's strong manufacturing presence in the US is continuing to support customers in navigating the evolving US tariff environment.

In 2025, Lonza expects a healthy level of contract signings across technologies and sites within its CDMO business. In Q3, Lonza signed a further significant strategic long-term contract for integrated drug substance and drug product supply of bioconjugates. In its Small Molecules Technology Platform, Lonza signed a large multi-year commercial supply agreement. Furthermore, Lonza's large-scale mammalian site in Vacaville experienced sustained high customer interest, including the signing of a significant long-term commercial supply agreement. Further signings in Vacaville are expected in the coming months.

One year after closing the Vacaville acquisition, the site's integration into Lonza's global network is progressing fully in line with plan. The site shows strong and consistent operational execution, maintaining its excellent quality track record while advancing preparations for new product introductions. The first phase of capital expenditure is progressing as planned, with additional investments to follow in the next two to three years to upgrade the site's automation system and multi-purpose capabilities.

Ramp-up activities at Lonza's highly potent API2 (HPAPI) plant in Visp (CH) are progressing well, and full commercial operations commenced in July 2025. The newly constructed large-scale mammalian drug substance facility, also located in Visp, showed good progress in ramp-up activities in line with plan, with GMP operations underway and commercial production set to ramp up gradually from 2026 onwards.

In the evolving geopolitical and macroeconomic environment, Lonza expects no material financial impact from the currently announced US trade policies but continues to monitor the situation closely. Lonza remains confident that its well-diversified global manufacturing footprint, which includes a strong presence with large capacities in the US, will enable it to support its customers' global manufacturing requirements.

Lonza is monitoring biotech funding trends and regulatory shifts in the US. In its early-stage business, Lonza saw a continued high level of utilization in Q3, with good visibility for the coming months. With such early-stage activities representing just approximately 10% of the CDMO business, fluctuations in biotech funding are expected to have only a minimal impact on Lonza's future performance.

In Q3, Lonza made good progress with the necessary internal carve-out measures to prepare the exit from the CHI business in the best interests of customers, employees and shareholders at the appropriate time. The positive development of the business over the last months remained unaffected by the exit preparations.

Outlook 2025 confirmed

Supported by a strong performance in Q3 2025, Lonza confirms its Full-Year 2025 Outlook for its CDMO and CHI businesses.

The CDMO business is well on track to deliver higher sales in H2 than in H1 and a healthy progression of the CORE EBITDA in line with the 2025 Outlook, which was upgraded with the Half-Year 2025 results to CER sales growth of 20-21% (previously "approaching 20%") and a CORE EBITDA margin of 30-31% (previously "approaching 30%"). Excluding Vacaville, which is expected to contribute at the upper-end of the range of around half a billion CHF in sales at a better than expected margin in 2025, Lonza expects low-teens percentage organic CER sales growth and margin improvement in its CDMO business in line with its CDMO Organic Growth Model.

Supported by its return to growth, Lonza confirms the Full-Year 2025 Outlook for its CHI business, with low-to-mid single-digit percentage CER sales growth and an improved CORE EBITDA margin in the mid-twenties.

Assuming spot rates of early October 2025 will prevail for the remainder of the year, Lonza reiterates an anticipated FX3 headwind of approximately -2.5 to -3.5% on sales and CORE EBITDA, mainly attributed to the weakening of the US Dollar. Margins will be minimally impacted, thanks to a robust natural hedge and Lonza's financial hedging program.

About Lonza

Lonza is one of the world's largest contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs) dedicated to serving the healthcare industry. Working across five continents, our global team of more than 19,000 colleagues works alongside pharma and biotech companies to turn their breakthrough innovations into viable therapies. We support our customers in bringing life-saving and life-enhancing treatments to patients worldwide with a combination of cutting-edge science, smart technology and lean manufacturing.

Our company generated sales of CHF 3.6 billion with a CORE EBITDA of CHF 1.1 billion in Half-Year 2025.

Find out more at www.lonza.com .

Lonza Contact Details

Daniel Buchta

Head of Investor Relations

Lonza Group Ltd

Tel +41 61 316 2985

daniel.buchta@lonza.com
INFICON Holding AG / Key word(s): 9 Month figures

INFICON: Good Order Intake and Resilient Performance in Demanding Markets



23-Oct-2025 / 07:00 CET/CEST

Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





Corporate Contact

Matthias Trondle

Chief Financial Officer

+423 388 3510

matthias.troendle@inficon.com 'Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR' Announcement of INFICON Holding AG Bad Ragaz/Switzerland, October 23, 2025 Book-to-bill ratio above 1 for the third consecutive quarter. Orders increase substantially year-on-year in all end markets and most regions



Sales remain stable for the first nine months (-0.8%); resilient third quarter sales of USD 163.9 million (year-on-year -4.9%) despite weaker sales to the Semiconductor market in China and the Security & Energy market in the USA



Production reconfiguration concluded. INFICON is well positioned for future geopolitical uncertainties



Operating income margin at 14%; lingering impacts of trade disputes - temporary capacity duplication, negative foreign exchange effects, and unavoidable tariffs. Efficiency measures in execution



INFICON narrows guidance for the full year 2025: Sales of USD 660-680 (previously 660-690) million; operating income margin of 16% - 17% (previously: around 18%) In the third quarter of 2025 INFICON concluded the reconfiguration of the production. INFICON has quickly adjusted its global production setup to seamlessly serve its customers best and to avoid heavy tariffs. The Book-to-bill ratio is above 1 for the third consecutive quarter. Orders increase substantially year-on-year in all end markets and most regions. INFICON achieved solid third quarter sales of USD 163.9 million (-4.9%, organically: -7.0%) after second highest sales figure of USD 172.2 million recorded a year ago. Sales generated during the first nine months of 2025 remained flat at USD 489.6 million (-0.8%). INFICON generated a strong 9.3% sales increase to USD 35.9 million in its Refrigeration, Air Conditioning & Automotive market (21.9% of sales). The positive sales trend was especially supported by the accelerated demand for INFICON's service tools in North America and Asia. The automotive and battery-related businesses developed steadily with some upswing in China. Sales to the General Vacuum market (27.5% of sales) surged by 19.6% to USD 45.0 million in the yearly comparison or by 6.3% against the preceding quarter with particularly strong performance in Asia Pacific and in China. While the Semiconductor & Vacuum Coating market developed steadily in Europe, North America and Asia, the business with Chinese chip makers slowed down. The broad semiconductor upswing delays into 2026/27. INFICON reports for this target market year-on-year 14.1% and quarter-on-quarter 5.6% lower sales of USD 77.5 million, while year-to-date sales remained almost stable (-1.2%), representing 47.3% of sales after 52.4% a year ago. As expected, sales to the Security & Energy market fell by 52.2% in the yearly, and by 20.3% in the quarterly comparison to USD 5.5 million. This market is characterized by cyclical public sector orders. Following a temporary decline, new major orders were received in September 2025, which underscore the long-term attractivity of this market especially as defense budgets increase. The regional sales performance mirrors the solid business development in INFICON's target markets, highlighting its strong global footprint and intimate customer partnership: Sales to Europe grew year-on-year by 3.9% and quarter-on-quarter by 5.8% to USD 39.2 million (23.9% of sales). Sales to Asia-Pacific excluding China increased by 23.4% year-on-year or by 3.6% quarter-on-quarter to USD 43.7 million (26.7% of sales). This trend reflects the swift adjustments made to INFICON's international structure including e.g. the ramp up of the subsidiary in Malaysia among various product relocation measures. In contrast, sales generated in China fell by 22.4% (year-on-year) or by 11.1% (quarter-on-quarter) to USD 42.6 million (26.0% of sales). This is primarily due to lower sales into the Semiconductor & Vacuum Coating market while sales to all remaining target markets in China grew. Sales generated in North America fell by 13.3%, mainly because of the temporary lower sales of Security & Safety products. Solid balance sheet, pressure on margins INFICON reported a gross profit margin of 43.0%, down from 47.4% last year. Most of the margin impacts are temporary and relate to trade disputes, tariffs, and certain strategic capacity duplication. Strong headwinds persist from foreign exchange rates. Operating costs increased only moderately by 1.7%. Adjusted for adverse currency effects, this represents a structural improvement and shows the positive effects of the ongoing measures taken to strengthen the efficiency of operations in response to the challenging environment. INFICON achieved an operating income of USD 22.9 million and a margin of 14.0%. This compares with the USD 34.9 million in operating income recorded a year ago and a margin of then 20.3%. Net income for the period was USD 17.3 million after USD 26.3 million generated in the third quarter last year. The net income margin fell from 15.3% at the end of September last year to 10.6%. Earnings per share were USD 0.71 after USD 1.08 a year ago. INFICON generated a solid operating cash flow of USD 26.7 million after USD 18.7 million in the preceding quarter and USD 45.9 million a year ago. Inventory turns improved to 2.4 times. The strong focus on receivables collection reduced the days sales outstanding to 48.3, down from 48.7 days a year ago. The working capital amounted to USD 224.1 million compared with USD 221.4 million at the end of September 2024. During the third quarter, INFICON increased its inventories by USD 2.9 million to USD 160.4 million. INFICON closed the period with a net cash position of USD 60.5 million. The equity ratio remained strong at 69.0% after 72.3% a year ago. Guidance INFICON is positive on the order situation and market outlook. Certain risks and uncertainties connected to the ongoing trade disputes and unfavorable effects from foreign exchange rates remain. Against this backdrop, INFICON is narrowing its full-year guidance to sales of USD 660-680 million and an operating income margin of around 16%-17%. Web conference INFICON discusses its third quarter 2025 results in more detail today at 09:30 a.m. CEST in an English-language web conference. You can access the web conference via the following links: https://www.inficon.com/web-conference. The presentation is available from 07:00 a.m. in the investors' area of the INFICON website www.inficon.com. Communication Calendar The communication calendar of INFICON is continuously updated and available online in the Investors' section of the INFICON website www.inficon.com or directly at https://ir.inficon.com/financial-calendar/ E-Mail Alerts To automatically receive notification via e-mail of the latest financial information from INFICON, sign-up for e-mail Alerts in the Investors' section of the INFICON website at https://ir.inficon.com/contact-and-information-request/ About INFICON

INFICON is a leading provider of innovative instrumentation, critical sensor technologies, and Smart Manufacturing /Industry 4.0 software solutions that enhance productivity and quality of tools, processes and complete factories. These analysis, measurement, and control products are essential for gas leak detection in air conditioning/refrigeration, and automotive manufacturing. They are vital to equipment manufacturers and end-users in the complex fabrication of semiconductors and thin film coatings for optics, flat panel displays, solar cells and industrial vacuum coating applications. Other users of vacuum-based processes include the life sciences, research, aerospace, packaging, heat treatment, laser cutting and many other industrial processes. We also leverage our expertise in vacuum technology to provide unique, toxic chemical analysis products for emergency response, security, and environmental monitoring. INFICON is headquartered in Switzerland and has world-class manufacturing facilities in Europe, the United States and China, as well as subsidiaries in China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the United States. INFICON registered shares (IFCN) are listed on SIX Swiss Exchange. For more information about INFICON and its products, please visit www.inficon.com.

This press release and oral statements or other written statements made, or to be made by us contain forward-looking statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts. These forward-looking statements are based on the current plans and expectations of our management and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks that could significantly affect our current plans and expectations, as well as future results of operations and financial condition. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

End of Inside Information


Basel, 23 October 2025

Group sales grew by 7% 1 at constant exchange rates (CER; 2% in CHF) in the first nine months, driven by high demand for our innovative medicines and diagnostics.

grew by 7% at constant exchange rates (CER; 2% in CHF) in the first nine months, driven by high demand for our innovative medicines and diagnostics. Pharmaceuticals Division sales rose by 9% (4% in CHF) due to continued high growth in sales of medicines for the treatment of severe diseases; Phesgo (breast cancer), Xolair (food allergies), Hemlibra (haemophilia A), Vabysmo (serious eye diseases) and Ocrevus (multiple sclerosis) were the top growth drivers.

sales rose by 9% (4% in CHF) due to continued high growth in sales of medicines for the treatment of severe diseases; Phesgo (breast cancer), Xolair (food allergies), Hemlibra (haemophilia A), Vabysmo (serious eye diseases) and Ocrevus (multiple sclerosis) were the top growth drivers. Diagnostics Division sales increased by 1% (-4% in CHF) as demand for pathology solutions and molecular diagnostics more than offset the impact of healthcare pricing reforms in China.

sales increased by 1% (-4% in CHF) as demand for pathology solutions and molecular diagnostics more than offset the impact of healthcare pricing reforms in China. Highlights: US approval for Tecentriq combination for a form of lung cancer and Gazyva/Gazyvaro for a severe kidney disease EU CE mark for Contivue, a port delivery platform with Susvimo* , for a severe eye disease Positive EU CHMP recommendation for the subcutaneous formulation of Lunsumio for a type of blood cancer and for Gazyva/Gazyvaro for a severe kidney disease Positive data from phase III study on giredestrant in breast cancer, phase II open-label extension study on fenebrutinib in multiple sclerosis, phase I/II study on trontinemab in Alzheimer's disease and long-term follow-up studies on Vabysmo and Susvimo in a severe age-related eye disease Advancement of several key drug candidates into phase III trials: zilebesiran for uncontrolled hypertension, CT-388 for obesity, CT-868 for type 1 diabetes, cevostamab for a difficult-to-treat form of blood cancer and ZN-1041 for a type of breast cancer Announcement of a merger agreement to acquire 89bio and its phase III FGF21 analogue for the treatment of moderate to severe metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a form of fatty liver disease that is one of the most prevalent comorbidities of obesity EU CE mark and US approval for the Elecsys pTau181 , the only FDA-cleared blood test for use in primary care to rule out Alzheimer's disease-related amyloid pathology EU CE mark for the first AI-based risk stratification tool to assess progressive decline in kidney function and for the sixth-generation Troponin T test , which shows a new level of accuracy critical in diagnosing heart attacks

Outlook for 2025 earnings raised.

Roche CEOThomas Schinecker: "We continue to build on our positive momentum with strong sales growth of 7% at constant exchange rates.

Our momentum is further reflected in our pipeline with a number of positive clinical read-outs and a record ten potentially transformative medicines progressing into the final phase of development for diseases with significant unmet need. By the end of the decade, we expect phase III clinical results for up to 19 new medicines.

Our groundbreaking next-generation sequencing technology, set to launch next year, has achieved a new record for decoding a whole human genome in under four hours.

Based on our strong results, we are raising our earnings outlook for the full year."

Sales CHF millions As % of sales % change January-September 2025 2024 2025 2024 At CER In CHF Group 45,862 44,984 100.0 100.0 7 2 Pharmaceuticals Division 35,555 34,257 77.5 76.2 9 4 United States 18,798 18,166 41.0 40.4 8 3 Europe 6,818 6,613 14.9 14.7 5 3 Japan 2,139 2,083 4.7 4.6 5 3 International** 7,800 7,395 16.9 16.5 13 5 Diagnostics Division 10,307 10,727 22.5 23.8 1 -4

**Asia-Pacific, CEETRIS (Central Eastern Europe, Turkiye, Russia and Indian subcontinent), Latin America, Middle East, Africa, Canada, others

Outlook for 2025 earnings raised

Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) expects an increase in Group sales in the mid single digit range (CER). Core earnings per share are targeted to develop in the high single to low double digit range (CER). Roche expects to further increase its dividend in Swiss francs.

Group sales

In the first nine months of 2025, Roche achieved sales growth of 7% (2% in CHF) to CHF 45.9 billion due to strong demand for our pharmaceutical and diagnostic products.

The appreciation of the Swiss franc against most currencies, notably the US dollar, had an adverse impact on sales when reported in Swiss francs compared to constant exchange rates.

Sales in the Pharmaceuticals Division increased by 9% (4% in CHF) to CHF 35.6 billion, with medicines for severe diseases continuing their strong growth.

The top five growth drivers - Phesgo, Xolair, Hemlibra, Vabysmo and Ocrevus - achieved total sales of CHF 15.8 billion. This represents an increase of CHF 2.4 billion at CER compared to the first nine months of 2024.

This increase more than compensated for the total decrease of CHF 0.5 billion (CER) in sales of the 'loss of exclusivity (LOE)' products - the decline in sales of Avastin (various types of cancer), Herceptin (breast and gastric cancer), MabThera/Rituxan (blood cancer, rheumatoid arthritis), Lucentis (severe eye diseases) and Esbriet (lung disease) was partially offset by an increase in sales of Actemra/RoActemra (rheumatoid arthritis).

In the United States, sales rose by 8% due to growth in sales of Xolair, Phesgo, Ocrevus, Hemlibra, Polivy (blood cancer) and Vabysmo. This growth more than compensated for the decline in sales of medicines with expired patents.

Sales in Europe grew 5% as strong demand for Ocrevus and Vabysmo and the continuing uptake of Polivy, Phesgo and Hemlibra more than compensated for the lower sales of Perjeta (breast cancer) due to ongoing conversion of patients to Phesgo and the impact of biosimilar competition on Actemra/RoActemra sales.

In Japan, sales increased by 5%, mainly due to the strong uptake of Phesgo, Hemlibra, Vabysmo and PiaSky (paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria). Sales growth was partially offset by the decline in sales of Perjeta due to continued conversion of patients to Phesgo and of Avastin because of biosimilar erosion.

Sales in the International region grew by 13%, led by Phesgo, Hemlibra, Vabysmo, Xofluza (influenza) and Kadcyla (breast cancer). In China, sales rose by 9%, driven by the uptake of Phesgo due to inclusion in the government drug reimbursement list, strong sales of Xofluza and the continued roll-out of Polivy and Vabysmo.

The Diagnostics Division's sales increased by 1% (-4% in CHF) to CHF 10.3 billion as growth in demand for pathology solutions and molecular diagnostics more than offset the impact of healthcare pricing reforms in China.

Sales in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region increased by 6%, driven by higher sales of clinical chemistry and immunodiagnostic products. In North America, sales increased by 7%, with growth across customer areas. Sales in Asia-Pacific decreased by 15% due to healthcare pricing reforms in China. Latin America sales grew by 14%.

Pharmaceuticals: key developments

Compound Milestone Regulatory Gazyva/ Gazyvaro



Blood cancer FDA approves Roche's Gazyva/Gazyvaro for the treatment of lupus nephritis



The FDA approval is based on the superiority of Gazyva/Gazyvaro over standard therapy alone, as shown by the phase II NOBILITY and phase III REGENCY data

Gazyva/Gazyvaro is the only anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody to demonstrate a complete renal response benefit in lupus nephritis in a randomised phase III study

Lupus nephritis affects more than 1.7 million people worldwide, predominantly women of colour and childbearing age, with up to one-third of patients progressing to end-stage kidney disease More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-10-20), 20 October 2025 Gazyva/ Gazyvaro



Blood cancer CHMP recommends EU approval of Roche's Gazyva/Gazyvaro for lupus nephritis



The positive recommendation is based on phase II NOBILITY and phase III REGENCY data showing the superiority of Gazyva/Gazyvaro over standard therapy alone

Gazyva/Gazyvaro is the only anti-CD20 antibody to demonstrate a complete renal response benefit in lupus nephritis in a randomised phase III study

Lupus nephritis is a debilitating condition that severely impacts a person's quality of life and affects more than 1.7 million people worldwide



More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-10-17), 17 October 2025 Tecentriq



Lung cancer FDA approves Tecentriq plus lurbinectedin as first-line maintenance therapy for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC)



The combination reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 46% and risk of death by 27% in pivotal phase III IMforte study

This is the first and only combination therapy for the first-line maintenance treatment of ES-SCLC, which is critical to help address the high rate of relapse in ES-SCLC

The regimen is recommended in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines for SCLC More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-10-03b), 3 October 2025 Lunsumio



Blood cancer CHMP recommends EU approval of subcutaneous formulation of Lunsumio for people with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma



Lunsumio provides high and long-lasting response rates, with approximately two-thirds of patients with a complete response in remission after four years

Subcutaneous Lunsumio has the potential to substantially reduce treatment administration time with an injection of approximately one minute, compared with an IV infusion of two to four hours

If approved, Lunsumio would be the first treatment available for people with follicular lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy, which is both fixed-duration and subcutaneously administered More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-09-19), 19 September 2025 Susvimo



Severe eye diseases Roche receives CE mark for Contivue, its port delivery platform with Susvimo, for neovascular or 'wet' age-related macular degeneration (nAMD)



Susvimo is under review with the EMA and once approved, will be the first continuous delivery treatment for nAMD, affecting 1.7 million in the European Union

New seven-year data from the LADDER study show Contivue with Susvimo provides good visual outcomes with stable retinal anatomy over the longer term

With up to two refills per year, Contivue with Susvimo provides reliable, long-term vision outcomes and is approved in the US for nAMD, diabetic macular edema (DME) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-09-04), 4 September 2025 Elevidys



Duchenne muscular dystrophy Regulatory update on Elevidys gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in the EU



EMA's CHMP issued an opinion not to recommend Elevidys for the treatment of ambulatory individuals with DMD

Roche will continue its dialogue with the EMA to explore a potential path forward to make Elevidys available to individuals living with DMD in the EU

Roche believes the benefit-risk remains positive in the ambulatory DMD population

Elevidys is the first and only disease-modifying gene therapy for DMD More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-07-25), 25 July 2025 Phase III, pivotal and other key read-outs Tecentriq



Bladder cancer Tecentriq showed significant overall and disease-free survival benefits in bladder cancer with ctDNA-guided treatment



Tecentriq reduced the risk of death by 41% and the risk of disease recurrence or death by 36% compared with placebo

IMvigor011 is the first global phase III study to read out a pioneering ctDNA-guided approach to post-surgery treatment in muscle-invasive bladder cancer

Data was presented as part of the Presidential Symposium at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2025 More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-10-20b), 20 October 2025 Giredestrant



Breast cancer Phase III evERA data showed that giredestrant significantly improved progression-free survival in people with ER-positive advanced breast cancer



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

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

If approved, giredestrant plus everolimus could be the first and only oral selective oestrogen receptor degrader combination in the post-CDK inhibitor setting More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-10-18), 18 October 2025 Vamikibart



Severe eye disease Roche presents new phase III pivotal data for vamikibart in uveitic



macular edema (UME), a serious cause of vision loss



Vamikibart is the first non-steroid targeted therapy designed to address inflammation driving UME and may offer a potential new treatment option for patients

Vision improvements were seen in both pivotal studies, achieving statistical significance in MEERKAT and nominal significance in SANDCAT

The MEERKAT and SANDCAT trials are ongoing and the data will be discussed with health authorities globally More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-10-17b), 17 October 2025 Ocrevus/ Fenebrutinib



Multiple sclerosis







Roche presents new data for Ocrevus and fenebrutinib across broad patient populations at the 2025 Conference of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS)



Ocrevus subcutaneous maintains a consistent benefit-risk profile after two years

New late-breaking data confirm that Ocrevus significantly reduces disability progression in adults with advanced primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS)

One-year data reinforce that the majority of infants potentially exposed to Ocrevus during pregnancy or breastfeeding exhibit antibody responses

Fenebrutinib two-year phase II data demonstrate near-complete suppression of disease activity at 96 weeks More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-09-24), 24 September 2025 Giredestrant



Breast cancer Positive phase III results show giredestrant significantly improved progression-free survival in ER-positive advanced breast cancer



evERA met its co-primary endpoints; giredestrant plus everolimus demonstrated significant benefit in intent-to-treat (ITT) and ESR1-mutated populations in the post-CDK inhibitor setting, compared with standard of care plus everolimus

The all-oral combination was well tolerated and adverse events were consistent with the known safety profiles of the individual study treatments; no new safety signals were observed

evERA is the first positive head-to-head phase III trial investigating an all-oral selective oestrogen receptor degrader-containing regimen versus a standard of care combination More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-09-22), 22 September 2025 Vabysmo



Severe eye diseases New data for Vabysmo reinforce its efficacy, safety and durability in neovascular or 'wet' age-related macular degeneration (nAMD)



In AVONELLE-X, the largest long-term extension trial in nAMD, disease control and durability were maintained over four years, with nearly 80% of patients on extended dosing by study end

Over 60% of people with a difficult-to-treat form of nAMD showed no signs of damaging lesions in the SALWEEN study, and clinically meaningful vision improvements were observed

Vabysmo was well tolerated with a consistent long-term safety profile in nAMD in both studies More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-09-05), 5 September 2025 Susvimo



Severe eye diseases Susvimo maintains vision over five years with two refills per year in people with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD)



Susvimo is the only continuous delivery treatment to provide reliable, long-term vision outcomes in nAMD, the leading cause of vision loss in people over the age of 60

With two refills per year, Susvimo maintained vision and stabilised the retina for five years, with durability maintained in approximately 95% of patients

Susvimo was well tolerated over five years and has a well-characterised safety profile More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-08-01), 1 August 2025 Trontinemab



Alzheimer's disease Roche presents new insights in Alzheimer's disease research across its diagnostics and pharmaceuticals portfolios at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC)



Trontinemab's phase Ib/IIa Brainshuttle AD study continues to show rapid and robust clearance of amyloid plaques, with 91% becoming amyloid PET negative and ARIA-E remaining <5%

Design of the phase III TRONTIER 1 and 2 studies of trontinemab in early symptomatic Alzheimer's disease featured, with initiation planned in 2025

Plans for new phase III trial investigating trontinemab in preclinical Alzheimer's disease, in people at high risk of cognitive decline

New real-world data support Elecsys pTau217 as a stand-alone blood test, comparable to a PET scan, for rule-in and rule-out identification of amyloid pathology More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-07-28), 28 July 2025 Other Data at ESMO Roche data presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2025 showcase advances in science and cancer care across multiple tumour types



Roche presented more than 30 abstracts across more than 10 cancer types at the ESMO Congress 2025, held 17?21 October 2025 in Berlin, Germany

The data underscore Roche's commitment to deliver transformative medicines for some of the most challenging cancer types, including breast cancers, lung cancers, gastrointestinal and genitourinary cancers More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-10-13), 13 October 2025 Change in Board of Directors Change in the Roche Board of Directors



Dr Claudia Suessmuth Dyckerhoff has decided not to stand for re-election as a member of the Roche Board of Directors at the Annual General Meeting in 2026

She will be nominated for election to the board of another company which is serving the healthcare industry

Dr Claudia Suessmuth Dyckerhoff has served on the Roche Board of Directors since March 2016 More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-10-03), 3 October 2025 89bio tender offer Roche commences tender offer for all shares of 89bio, Inc. for USD 14.50 per share in cash, plus a non-tradeable contingent value right for up to USD 6.00 per share in cash



The tender offer is being made pursuant to the previously announced merger agreement dated as of 17 September 2025, among Roche Holdings, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Roche Holding Ltd, Bluefin Merger Subsidiary, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Roche Holdings, Inc., and 89bio

The tender offer period will expire at one minute after 11:59 p.m., New York City time on 29 October 2025, unless the offer is extended More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-10-01), 1 October 2025 89bio merger agreement Roche enters into a definitive merger agreement to acquire 89bio and its phase III FGF21 analogue for the therapy of moderate to severe metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH)



89bio's pegozafermin allows for a potentially best-in-disease treatment for moderate to severe MASH, one of the most prevalent comorbidities of obesity

The acquisition supports Roche's strategy as it enhances the company's portfolio in cardiovascular, renal and metabolic diseases and offers optionality for future combination development

Roche will acquire 89bio for USD 14.50 per share in cash at closing, representing a total equity value of approximately USD 2.4 billion. Stockholders would also receive a non-tradeable contingent value right for up to an aggregate of USD 6.00 per share in cash, representing a total deal value of up to approximately USD 3.5 billion More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-09-18), 18 September 2025 Zilebesiran



Hypertension Roche and Alnylam advance zilebesiran into a global phase III cardiovascular outcomes trial for people with uncontrolled hypertension



Phase III trial informed by comprehensive KARDIA data set generated through three phase II studies: KARDIA-1, KARDIA-2 and KARDIA-3

In the phase II KARDIA-3 study, presented as a late breaker at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2025, zilebesiran demonstrated clinically meaningful reductions in office systolic blood pressure at month three with continuous control through month six

Zilebesiran, a potential best-in-disease RNAi anti-hypertensive with twice-yearly subcutaneous dosing, demonstrated encouraging safety when combined with two or more antihypertensives More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-08-30), 30 August 2025 North Carolina manufacturing facility Roche's US subsidiary Genentech breaks ground on state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in North Carolina, USA



The USD 700 million project is part of Roche's USD 50 billion investment in US manufacturing, infrastructure and R&D

The facility will create more than 1,900 jobs and support the production of next-generation metabolic medicines, including treatments for obesity

These investments underscore Roche's commitment to innovative manufacturing, designed to bring life-changing treatments to patients faster More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-08-25), 25 August 2025

Pharmaceuticals sales

Sales CHF millions As % of sales % change January-September 2025 2024 2025 2024 At CER In CHF Pharmaceuticals Division 35,555 34,257 100.0 100.0 9 4 United States 18,798 18,166 52.9 53.0 8 3 Europe 6,818 6,613 19.2 19.3 5 3 Japan 2,139 2,083 6.0 6.1 5 3 International 7,800 7,395 21.9 21.6 13 5

International: Asia-Pacific, CEETRIS (Central Eastern Europe, Turkiye, Russia and Indian subcontinent), Latin America, Middle East, Africa, Canada, others

Top 20 best-selling pharmaceuticals Total United States Europe Japan International CHF m % CHF m % CHF m % CHF m % CHF m % Ocrevus

Multiple sclerosis 5,190 7 3,613 4 1,060 12 - - 517 24 Hemlibra

Haemophilia A 3,526 12 1,941 7 740 9 275 9 570 45 Vabysmo

Eye diseases (nAMD, DME, RVO) 3,063 13 2,139 4 556 24 105 26 263 115 Tecentriq

Cancer immunotherapy 2,616 1 1,222 -3 650 2 262 -3 482 15 Perjeta2

Breast cancer 2,316 -13 968 -2 418 -15 54 -39 876 -19 Xolair2

Asthma, food allergies 2,226 34 2,226 34 - - - - - - Actemra/RoActemra2

RA, COVID-19 1,893 2 926 2 450 -10 230 5 287 19 Phesgo

Breast cancer 1,827 54 523 35 602 13 139 63 563 193 Kadcyla2

Breast cancer 1,531 8 577 5 396 -6 68 -2 490 28 Evrysdi

Spinal muscular atrophy 1,293 8 468 14 450 5 68 6 307 5 Alecensa

Lung cancer 1,190 8 420 18 197 -8 151 8 422 7 Polivy

Blood cancer 1,101 40 497 27 228 63 153 10 223 94 MabThera/Rituxan2

Blood cancer, RA 933 -4 575 -2 104 -2 11 -11 243 -9 Activase/TNKase2

Cardiac diseases 833 -2 797 -2 - - - - 36 -13 Herceptin2

Breast and gastric cancer 817 -19 175 -9 223 0 6 -46 413 -29 Avastin2

Various cancer types 763 -15 225 -19 54 -14 111 -23 373 -10 Gazyva/Gazyvaro2

Blood cancer 728 13 376 18 183 1 25 20 144 17 Pulmozyme2

Cystic fibrosis 361 16 254 25 49 -10 - -8 58 8 CellCept2

Immunosuppressant 292 7 14 -11 97 22 34 28 147 -2 Madopar2

Parkinson's disease 273 3 - - 70 -3 - - 203 6

DME: diabetic macular edema / nAMD: neovascular or 'wet' age-related macular degeneration / RVO: retinal vein occlusion / RA: rheumatoid arthritis

Diagnostics: key developments

Product Milestone Kidney Klinrisk Algorithm



Kidney disease Roche receives CE Mark for AI-based Kidney Klinrisk Algorithm and launches new comprehensive chronic kidney disease (CKD) algorithm panel



Roche, in collaboration with KlinRisk, Inc, has received CE-mark for the first AI-based risk stratification tool for assessment of progressive decline in kidney function

This tool will be launched as part of Roche's new chronic kidney disease (CKD) algorithm panel to support care across the stages of the disease which affects 700 million people globally

Clinicians can use the CKD panel (Kidney Klinrisk Algorithm and Kidney KFRE Algorithm) to evaluate a patient's risk of kidney function decline, including in the early asymptomatic stages of the disease More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-10-06), 6 October 2025 Troponin T test



Heart attacks Data show Roche's sixth-generation Troponin T test offers a new level of accuracy critical for diagnosing heart attacks



Recently granted CE Mark, the novel test delivers improved sensitivity and accuracy for faster and more reliable diagnosis in emergencies

The test helps clinicians quickly identify heart attack and rule out non-cardiac causes, ensuring patients receive the care they need at the earliest opportunity

The global TSIX clinical study involved more than 13,000 participants, validating performance across a diverse population that reflects real-world healthcare settings More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-09-30), 30 September 2025 Elecsys pTau181



Alzheimer's disease Roche receives CE Mark for minimally invasive blood test to help rule out Alzheimer's disease



Elecsys pTau181 is the first In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (IVDR)-certified test to rule out Alzheimer's-associated amyloid pathology

The minimally invasive blood-based test can serve as a rule-out for Alzheimer's pathology, reducing the need for confirmatory testing with a negative result

Data from clinical study supports use in primary care for people with varying signs of cognitive decline More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-07-23b), 23 July 2025

Diagnostics sales

Sales CHF millions As % of sales % change January-September 2025 2024 2025 2024 At CER In CHF Diagnostics Division 10,307 10,727 100.0 100.0 1 -4 Customer areas3 Core Lab 5,688 6,057 55.2 56.5 -1 -6 Molecular Lab 1,861 1,876 18.1 17.5 4 -1 Near Patient Care 1,477 1,611 14.3 15.0 -4 -8 Pathology Lab 1,281 1,183 12.4 11.0 13 8 Regions Europe, Middle East, Africa 3,686 3,589 35.8 33.5 6 3 North America 3,305 3,222 32.1 30.0 7 3 Asia-Pacific 2,547 3,146 24.7 29.3 -15 -19 Latin America 769 770 7.4 7.2 14 0

More information on Roche performance in the first nine months of 2025:

Q3 2025 presentation (http://roche.com/irp251023-a.pdf)

Appendix with tables (https://assets.roche.com/f/176343/x/ad8d248346/appendix-tables-q3-2024.pdf)

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] Unless otherwise stated, all growth rates and comparisons to the previous year in this document are at constant exchange rates (CER: average rates 2024) and all total figures quoted are reported in CHF.

[2] Products launched before 2015.

[3] Core Lab: diagnostics solutions in the areas of immunoassays, clinical chemistry and CustomBiotech.

Molecular Lab: diagnostics solutions for pathogen detection and monitoring, donor screening, sexual health and genomics, genomic tumour profiling.

Near Patient Care: diagnostics solutions in emergency rooms, medical practices and directly with patients, including integrated personalised diabetes management.

Pathology Lab: diagnostics solutions for tissue biopsies and companion diagnostics.

In 2025, sales in the Pathology Lab customer area include sales previously reported in the Molecular Lab customer area to foster business transparency and harmonisation in the use of solutions in the area of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia technology (CINtec). The comparative information for 2024 has been restated accordingly.

In 2025, sales in the Core Lab customer area include sales previously reported in the Near Patient Care customer area to centralise digital healthcare solutions within Roche Information Solutions. The comparative information for 2024 has been restated accordingly.

* Susvimo is approved in the US by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for nAMD, diabetic macular edema (DME) and diabetic retinopathy (DR). It is currently under review with the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the treatment of nAMD.

Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements

This document contains certain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as 'believes', 'expects', 'anticipates', 'projects', 'intends', 'should', 'seeks', 'estimates', 'future' or similar expressions or by discussion of, among other things, strategy, goals, plans or intentions. Various factors may cause actual results to differ materially in the future from those reflected in forward-looking statements contained in this document, such as: (1) pricing and product initiatives of competitors; (2) legislative and regulatory developments and economic conditions; (3) delay or inability in obtaining regulatory approvals or bringing products to market; (4) fluctuations in currency exchange rates and general financial market conditions; (5) uncertainties in the discovery, development or marketing of new products or new uses of existing products, including without limitation negative results of clinical trials or research projects, unexpected side effects of pipeline or marketed products; (6) increased government pricing pressures; (7) interruptions in production; (8) loss of or inability to obtain adequate protection for intellectual property rights; (9) litigation; (10) loss of key executives or other employees; and (11) adverse publicity and news coverage. The statement regarding earnings per share growth is not a profit forecast and should not be interpreted to mean that Roche's earnings or earnings per share for this or any subsequent period will necessarily match or exceed the historical published earnings or earnings per share of Roche.

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Bureau Veritas, a global leader in Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) services, announces that it has signed agreements to acquire two companies in Europe, reinforcing its leading position and expanding into high-potential markets: Solida in the renewables sector, and London Building Control in the Buildings Infrastructure market. These agreements underscore Bureau Veritas' commitment to growth within its LEAP I 28 strategy, increasing capability, reach, and technical expertise across growth markets.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251022071543/en/

Hinda Gharbi, CEO Bureau Veritas

Solida is a top-tier provider of Owner's Engineering, Technical Advisory, and Project Management services for renewable energy projects and electrical infrastructure. It acts as a trusted technical partner for leading developers, utilities, EPC contractors, investment funds and financial institutions. The Company has demonstrated a solid track across solar, wind, and storage of nearly 2,500 projects totaling over 220 GW of renewable capacity in more than 50 countries. The considered acquisition would strengthen Bureau Veritas' commitment to developing green objects through the creation of an end-to-end CAPEX platform to serve the evolving and growing needs of customers in the energy transition globally. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Madrid, Solida employs c.225 professionals and generated revenues of c.18 million in 2024.

London Building Control (LBC) is one of the UK's leading Registered Building Control Approvers, specializing in building control services for residential and commercial projects. The Company is widely recognized among architects, developers, and public authorities across the UK, with 5 offices nationwide and more than 14,000 projects successfully delivered annually. It helps customers to navigate the complex building control requirements for premium residential constructions and refurbishments. This acquisition positions Bureau Veritas as a key leader in the market, with the addition of a large pool of accredited Registered Building Inspectors. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in London, the company has c.110 employees and generated revenues of c.14 million in 2024.

Hinda Gharbi, Chief Executive Officer of Bureau Veritas, comments:

"These considered acquisitions show our LEAP I 28 strategy in action, establishing New Strongholds and Expanding our Leadership that position Bureau Veritas at the forefront of Europe's energy transition and buildings infrastructure development. I am looking forward to closing these two transactions in the next few weeks."

About Bureau Veritas

Bureau Veritas is a world leader in inspection, certification, and laboratory testing services with a powerful purpose: to shape a world of trust by ensuring responsible progress. With a vision to be the preferred partner for customers' excellence and sustainability, the company innovates to help them navigate change.

Created in 1828, Bureau Veritas' 84,000 employees deliver services in 140 countries. The company's technical experts support customers to address challenges in quality, health and safety, environmental protection, and sustainability.

Bureau Veritas is listed on Euronext Paris and belongs to the CAC 40, CAC 40 ESG, SBF 120 indices and is part of the CAC SBT 1.5 index. Compartment A, ISIN code FR 0006174348, stock symbol: BVI.

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Basel, 23 October 2025 - Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today that Nina Schwab-Hautzinger (1975) has been appointed Head of Group Communications and a member of the enlarged Corporate Executive Committee effective 1 February 2026.

Nina Schwab-Hautzinger rejoins Roche from her role at BASF as Head of Corporate Communications and Government Relations. During her previous thirteen year tenure at Roche, Nina Schwab-Hautzinger held various communications leadership roles such as Head of Corporate Brand & Communications at the Group level and Head of Communications & Public Affairs for Pharma in Germany. She has also led the healthcare practice in a strategic communications consultancy in Singapore.

Nina Schwab-Hautzinger studied at the University of Mannheim, Germany and the University of Waterloo, Canada. She received her doctorate from the University of Zurich, Switzerland, Department of Communication and Media Research.

Roche's CEO Thomas Schinecker: "I am pleased to announce that Nina Schwab-Hautzinger will be returning to Roche as Head of Group Communications and will join Roche's executive leadership team. In today's rapidly evolving world, clear and impactful communication is a critical success factor both internally and externally for any company. Nina's extensive expertise, expansive network, and her experience across global, regional, and local contexts will be instrumental in advancing our long-term strategic ambitions. I would like to thank the current Head of Group Communications, Barbara Schaedler, for staying on longer to ensure a smooth hand-over."

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.

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

Attachment




New Drug Application (NDA) submissions for NCX 470 expected in 2026 in the U.S. and China

Company believes that it can finance its existing operations for at least 12 months and expects to fully repay existing financial debts in 2026 October 23, 2025 - release at 7:30 am CET

Sophia Antipolis, France







Nicox SA (Euronext Growth Paris: FR0013018124, ALCOX), an international ophthalmology company, today provided the financial results for Nicox SA (the "Company") for the first half of 2025, as approved by the Board of Directors on October 22, 2025, and provided an update on key future milestones.







"Our recent licensing payments, financing and careful cost control have positioned us with over 12 months of operational runway and the ability to repay all existing financial debts. In addition, NCX 470 marketing authorisation preparation and filing costs are taken on by our partners, who will also be responsible for the commercialisation of NCX 470 worldwide in the over $7 billion glaucoma market. This is a significant achievement for the Company, allowing us to move forward on a solid footing. Our double focus is now on both accompanying our partners in obtaining regulatory approval for NCX 470 and exploring future growth opportunities for the company." said Gavin Spencer, Chief Executive Officer of Nicox.



Key Future Milestones



NCX 470 NDA submission in the United States: expected in H1 2026.

expected in H1 2026. NCX 470 NDA submission in China: expected shortly after submission in the U.S. NCX 470 Phase 3 clinical program in Japan: initiated in summer 2025. Managed and financed by Kowa.

expected shortly after submission in the U.S.



Subsequent events



The Company received license payments in August and September totalling 12.5 million relating to the signature of the NCX 470 license to Kowa and the Denali clinical trial results, in addition to 2 million related to the initiation of clinical trails on NCX 470 in Japan. Part of these payments has been used to reduce the Company's financial debt, which amounted to 7.4 million as of 30 September 2025 and which is expected to be fully repaid in 2026.



First Half 2025 Financial Results for Nicox SA



Revenue for the first half of 2025 was 1.5 million (consisting principally of license payments) versus 6.1 million (including 3.1 million of net royalty payments and a license payment of 3.0 million) for the first half of 2024. The decrease mainly reflects the sale of the VYZULTA royalty stream to Soleus in the second half of 2024.



Operating expenses for the first half of 2025 were 6.8 million compared to 10.1 million for the first half of 2024. The decrease primarily reflects lower payroll expenses following the cost reductions initiated in 2024, and the end of Pfizer royalty payments after the sale of the VYZULTA royalties to Soleus.



Net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2025 was 8.9 million, compared to a net loss of 4.3 million for the same period in 2024. The net loss for the first half of 2025 includes a 3.0 million foreign exchange loss on US dollar-denominated receivables and cash, versus an insignificant amount in 2024.



As of June 30, 2025, Nicox SA had cash and cash equivalents of 5.7 million (excluding receipt of 12.5 million of license payments and partial debt repayment after the reporting period, as set out above) as compared with 10.5 million as of December 31, 2024. Based on the expected upcoming milestones and the repayment of all existing financial debts, the Company is financed for at least 12 months. The Company remains committed to cost control and optimizing resource allocation while maintaining the capabilities required to support our strategic objectives. If any of the assumptions around estimated income or costs change, this may impact the cash runway of the Company.



As of June 30, 2025, Nicox SA had financial debt of 14.8 million as compared with 15.1 million as of December 31, 2024.



Only the figure related to the cash position and the debt of Nicox SA as of December 31, 2024, is audited; all other figures in this press release are non-audited.
















Utrecht, 23 October 2025

Aalberts reports third quarter 2025 results

In the third quarter Aalberts realised EUR 772.5 million revenue, which translates into 1.9% organic revenue decline compared to the third quarter of last year. We realised EUR 96.3 million EBITA or 12.5% EBITA margin.

In challenging market environments, we continued our focus on added value margin protection, cost out, operations excellence programmes, footprint optimisation, purchase savings and inventory optimisation initiatives to drive efficiency, offset volume pressure and preserve profitability. We continue to invest in strategic growth initiatives and innovation to support long-term competitiveness.

Our focus on cash flow from operations improved free cash flow due to lower inventories and CAPEX reduction.

We made good progress on portfolio optimisation with the intended acquisition of GVT in the Southeast Asian semicon market, which we expect to close in the coming weeks. The integration of Paulo and Geo-Flo in North America is progressing well. We continue to work on divestment opportunities in our building and industry segments.

Stephane Simonetta, CEO commented: "Our performance remains impacted by the softness of our end markets. Our focus has been on controlling what we can and maintaining strong service levels for our customers. The actions we are taking will strengthen our performance when end-market conditions improve.

EBITA margin remains challenging, especially in our building segment.

We expect our full year EBITA margin to be around 13%."

contact

+31

regulated information

This press release contains information that qualifies or may qualify as inside

information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

Attachment
CALGARY, AB / ACCESS Newswire / October 23, 2025 / Tocvan Ventures Corp. ("Tocvan" or the "Company") (CSE:TOC)(OTCQB:TCVNF)(WKN:TV3/A2PE64), a leading exploration and near-term producer focused on gold and silver projects, is pleased to announce the discovery of two new mineralized targets featuring historic underground workings within the North Block at its flagship Gran Pilar Gold-Silver Project in Sonora, Mexico. These findings further expand the mineralized footprint in the expansive North Alteration Zone and underscore the significant potential for additional high-grade gold and silver resources.

Highlights:

Two New Targets Identified in the North Alteration Zone, a 3.2-kilometer-long corridor of extensive alteration.

Discovery of old historic workings in two separate new areas: Area 1: Approximately 60-meter exposed section of underground adits and shafts with silicified vein breccia and intense phyllic alteration. Located 700 meters west of existing permitted drill targets. Area 2: 50-meter section of historic shafts and waste dumps showing argillic alteration and quartz veining. Situated 700 meters north of previous high-grade samples.

Channel and grab samples collected from both areas, with assays pending.

These targets align with previous high-grade results, including a 3.2 g/t Au and 1,225 g/t Ag sample 800 meters northeast, and a 2-meter chip sample of 5.6 g/t Au and 106 g/t Ag 1,100 meters southwest.

The discoveries confirm early artisanal mining activity and provide evidence of vein-hosted mineralization, enhancing the prospectivity of the underexplored North Block.

The newly discovered targets were identified through detailed surface mapping, rock-chip sampling, and reconnaissance in the North Alteration Zone, which spans 3.2 km by 1.5 km. The historic workings, believed to date back several decades, expose mineralized structures that trend northwest-southeast, consistent with regional epithermal systems known for hosting major gold-silver deposits in Sonora. Initial observations indicate strong alteration and mineralization similar to the Company's South Block, where significant drill intercepts have been reported.

"This exciting discovery of two new targets with extensive historic workings in previously unmapped areas represents a major advancement in our understanding of the North Block's potential," stated Brodie Sutherland, CEO of Tocvan. "These findings not only validate our exploration model but also open up new avenues for resource potential. We are accelerating follow-up work, including trenching and drilling, to delineate these targets and integrate them into our broader development strategy at Gran Pilar."

The North Block, part of the larger Greater Pilar system covering over 22 square kilometers, remains largely undrilled despite showing promising surface geochemistry and geophysics. Tocvan plans to prioritize these targets in upcoming programs, building on recent successes such as the full permitting of a 50,000-tonne pilot mine facility. The Company is integrating these findings with ongoing geophysical data from the North Block to refine drill targets. Surface sampling continues, with trenching and core drilling set to begin imminently. Tocvan is committed to responsible exploration, minimizing environmental impact while advancing toward production.

Figure 1. Map of North Alteration Zone with new target areas within alteration footprint.

Plate 1. Photos across the North Alteration Zone. Left, mineralized structure recently mapped and sampled. Right, large underground shaft tied to a broader network of workings found in the center of the North Alteration Zone.

The Company is currently processing the full magnetic dataset as additional data is acquired for the North Block and integrating it with existing geophysical, geological, and geochemical information to prioritize drill targets. Surface sampling is underway, with drilling and trenching set to commence. Tocvan remains committed to a systematic approach to exploration, leveraging advanced technologies to minimize environmental impact while maximizing discovery potential.

Tocvan remains well-positioned with a strong balance sheet and a dedicated team of local experts to execute this program efficiently. Work planned will be conducted on 100% controlled ground. The Company will provide updates as results become available.

100% CONTROLLED PRIORITY TARGETS FOR TRENCHING & DRILLING

South Block Main Zone Expansion Follow-up on 2025 Drill Success 19.4 g/t Au over 3.1 meters within 106.6 meters of 0.6 g/t Au (February 25, 2025 News Release) 5.4 g/t Au over 6.1 meters within 41.2 meters of 1.0 g/t Au (May 7, 2025 News Release) 136 g/t Ag over 10.7 meters within 42.7 meters of 41 g/t Ag (June 25, 2025 News Release) South Block (November 12, 2024 News Release) Placer Corridor (900-meter strike length) Soil samples up to 21.2 g/t Au and >2,000 g/t Placer Source Area Soil samples up to 2.4 g/t Au and 22 g/t Ag Rock samples up to 7.3 g/t Au and 389 g/t Ag North Block North Alteration Zone (3.2 km by 1.5 km area) 2-meter chip sample, 5.6 g/t Au and 106 g/t Ag (October 19, 2023 News Release) Historic mine working sample, 3.2 g/t Au and 1,225 g/t Ag (March 8, 2024 News Release)

Figure 2. Gran Pilar Project Overview, > 22km2 of prospective ground with two primary targets: South Block, the direct extension and expansion of the historic Main Zone defined by an expanding vein field of untested drill targets; North Block a 3.2-km by 1.5-km pyrite and clay alteration zone that coincides with high-grade gold-silver, the area remains largely untested

Gran Pilar Drill Highlights:

2025 Diamond Drilling Highlights include: 83.5m @ 1.3 g/t Au, including 9.7m @ 10.3 g/t Au (March 11, 2025 News Release) 97.4m @ 0.7 g/t Au, including 36.3m @ 1.6 g/t Au (March 19, 2025 News Release) 64.9m @ 1.2 g/t Au, including 3.0m @ 21.6 g/t Au and 209 g/t Ag (March 26, 2025 News Release) 46.9m @ 0.5 g/t Au, including 2.6m @ 7.2 g/t Au and 80 g/t Ag (April 16, 2025 News Release)

2025 RC Drilling Highlights include: 106.8m @ 0.6 g/t Au, including 3.1m @ 19.4 g/t Au (February 25, 2025 News Release) 41.2m @ 1.0 g/t Au, including 6.1m @ 5.4 g/t Au (May 7, 2025 News Release)

2024 RC Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 42.7m @ 1.0 g/t Au, including 3.1m @ 10.9 g/t Au 56.4m @ 1.0 g/t Au, including 3.1m @ 14.7 g/t Au 16.8m @ 0.8 g/t Au and 19 g/t Ag

2022 Phase III Diamond Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 116.9m @ 1.2 g/t Au, including 10.2m @ 12 g/t Au and 23 g/t Ag 108.9m @ 0.8 g/t Au, including 9.4m @ 7.6 g/t Au and 5 g/t Ag 63.4m @ 0.6 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag, including 29.9m @ 0.9 g/t Au and 18 g/t Ag

2021 Phase II RC Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 39.7m @ 1.0 g/t Au, including 1.5m @ 14.6 g/t Au 47.7m @ 0.7 g/t Au including 3m @ 5.6 g/t Au and 22 g/t Ag 29m @ 0.7 g/t Au 35.1m @ 0.7 g/t Au

2020 Phase I RC Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 94.6m @ 1.6 g/t Au, including 9.2m @ 10.8 g/t Au and 38 g/t Ag; 41.2m @ 1.1 g/t Au, including 3.1m @ 6.0 g/t Au and 12 g/t Ag ; 24.4m @ 2.5 g/t Au and 73 g/t Ag, including 1.5m @ 33.4 g/t Au and 1,090 g/t Ag

15,000m of Historic Core & RC drilling. Highlights include: 61.0m @ 0.8 g/t Au 21.0m @ 38.3 g/t Au and 38 g/t Ag 13.0m @ 9.6 g/t Au 9.0m @ 10.2 g/t Au and 46 g/t Ag



Pilar Bulk Sample Summary:

62% Recovery of Gold Achieved Over 46-day Leaching Period

Head Grade Calculated at 1.9 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag; Extracted Grade Calculated at 1.2 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag

Bulk Sample Only Included Coarse Fraction of Material (+3/4" to +1/8")

Fine Fraction (-1/8") Indicates Rapid Recovery with Agitated Leach Agitated Bottle Roll Test Returned Rapid and High Recovery Results: 80% Recovery of Gold and 94% Recovery of Silver after Rapid 24-hour Retention Time



Additional Metallurgical Studies:

Gravity Recovery with Agitated Leach Results of Five Composite Samples Returned 95 to 99% Recovery of Gold 73 to 97% Recovery of Silver Includes the Recovery of 99% Au and 73% Ag from Drill Core Composite at 120-meter depth.



About Tocvan Ventures Corp.

Tocvan Ventures Corp. is a dynamic exploration and near-term producer advancing high-potential gold and silver projects in the mine-friendly jurisdiction of Sonora, Mexico. At its flagship Gran Pilar Gold-Silver Project, Tocvan holds a 100% interest in over 21 km of prospective ground, bolstered by the pivotal 2023 land acquisition that provides ample space for scalable mine infrastructure, including a planned 50,000-tonne pilot production facility. The Company also maintains a 51% interest in a 1 km joint venture area with Colibri Resources, further expanding its footprint. Recent exploration successes, including near surface 3.1 meters at 19.4 g/t Au, underscore Gran Pilar's potential as a premier gold-silver asset. Additionally, Tocvan's 100% owned Picacho Gold-Silver Project, located in the prolific Caborca Trend-home to some of Mexico's largest gold deposits-positions the Company for further growth. With robust metallurgical results (up to 99% gold and 97% silver recovery) and a strategic capital to bolster growth, Tocvan is poised to deliver significant shareholder value in a market buoyed by record-high gold prices. With approximately 64 million shares outstanding, Tocvan is committed to unlocking the full potential of its assets through innovative exploration, strategic development, and investor-focused initiatives.

Quality Assurance / Quality Control

Rock and Drill samples were shipped for sample preparation to ALS Limited in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico and for analysis at the ALS laboratory in North Vancouver. The ALS Hermosillo and North Vancouver facilities are ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 17025 certified. Gold was analyzed using 50-gram nominal weight fire assay with atomic absorption spectroscopy finish. Over limits for gold (>10 g/t), were analyzed using fire assay with a gravimetric finish. Silver and other elements were analyzed using a four-acid digestion with an ICP finish. Over limit analyses for silver (>100 g/t) were re-assayed using an ore-grade four-acid digestion with ICP-AES finish. Control samples comprising certified reference samples and blank samples were systematically inserted into the sample stream and analyzed as part of the Company's robust quality assurance / quality control protocol.

Soil Samples were shipped for sample preparation to ALS Limited in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico and for analysis at the ALS laboratory in North Vancouver. The ALS Hermosillo and North Vancouver facilities are ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 17025 certified. Gold and multi-element analysis of soils was completed by aqua regia digestion and ICP-MS finish using a 50-gram nominal weight. Over limit gold values greater than 1 g/t were re-assayed with a more robust aqua regia digestion ad ICP-MS finish. Over limit analyses for silver (>100 g/t) were re-assayed using an ore-grade four-acid digestion with ICP-AES finish. Control samples comprising blank samples and certified reference materials were systematically inserted into the sample stream and analyzed as part of the Company's robust quality assurance / quality control protocol.

Brodie A. Sutherland, CEO for Tocvan Ventures Corp. and a qualified person ("QP") as defined by Canadian National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the

Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains "forward-looking information" which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Forward-looking information in this news release includes statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Offering. Such forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words and phrases such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative 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.

These forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our business. Management believes that these assumptions are reasonable. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, risks related to the speculative nature of the Company's business, the Company's formative stage of development and the Company's financial position. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

For more information, please contact:

TOCVAN VENTURES CORP.

Brodie A. Sutherland, CEO

1150, 707 - 7 Ave SW

Calgary, Alberta T2P 3H6

Telephone: 1 888 772 2452

Email: ir@tocvan.ca

STAY CONNECTED:

LinkedIn: TOC LinkedIn

X: TOC X

Facebook: TOC Facebook

YouTube: TOC YouTube

Web: tocvan.com

SOURCE: Tocvan Ventures Corp

20251023_Figure2

20251023_Plate1

20251023_Figure1

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/tocvan-announces-discovery-of-two-new-target-areas-with-historic-underground-work-1090984
Subscription and guarantee commitments totaling 5.9 million, representing 75.5% of the envisaged capital increase

Subscription price: 1.80 per share, representing a 29.4% discount to the closing price of the share on October 22, 2025

Subscription ratio: 6 new shares for 13 existing shares

Detachment of preferential subscription rights on October 27, 2025

Trading period for preferential subscription rights from October 27 to November 5, 2025

Subscription period for new shares from October 29 to November 7, 2025

Investment eligible for FIP, FCPI, PEA and PEA PME-ETI, 150-0-B-Ter Reinvestment/Disposal, and IR-PME income tax reduction schemes

Lyon, France - October 23, 2025, 8AM CEST - THX Pharma (Theranexus[1] or the "Company"), a pharmaceutical company specialized in rare neurological diseases, today announces the launch of a capital increase with preferential subscription rights amounting to approximately 8 million, intended to finance the development, registration and commercialization of its drug candidates for rare neurological diseases.



Mathieu Charveriat, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of THX Pharma, stated:

 The transformation of Theranexus into THX Pharma marks a strategic shift, now focused on the registration and international commercialization of our treatments. To support our clinical and commercial programs, TX01 and Batten-1, we have decided to launch a capital increase initiative. This approach represents, in our view, the best way to maximize value creation-both for our long-standing shareholders, who have strongly supported us, and for our new investors, whom we warmly thank, including the funds operated by Odyssee Venture. This transaction will enable us to finance the key milestones leading to the market launch of our products and to strengthen our trajectory towards financial profitability by 2028. We therefore invite all our current and prospective shareholders to take part in this new phase of THX Pharma's development .



Context of the transaction, purpose of the issuance and use of proceeds

This transaction is part of THX Pharma's strategic evolution towards the commercialization of its drugs for rare diseases[2]. It is based on two flagship candidates: TX01, an innovative formulation for Gaucher disease and Niemann-Pick type C disease, and Batten-1, the world's most advanced treatment for the juvenile form of Batten disease.

The development of TX01 relies on a partnership with Exeltis in Europe and other territories, while THX Pharma will itself ensure registration in USA, Canada and Australia. The Company targets commercialization by 2027, with an expected peak sales potential of 50 million by 2031-2032.

For Batten-1, an early access program will be launched in the United States, alongside a Phase 3 trial in Europe, with a market launch expected in 2028 and revenues estimated at 200 million by 2032-2033.

In parallel, THX Pharma is developing an antisense oligonucleotide platform to address other rare diseases and glioblastomas, supported by Bpifrance through the PickASO project.

THX Pharma has therefore made strong commitments: first commercial sales in 2027, financial profitability by 2028, and revenues of 50 million and 250 million in 2031 and 2032, respectively. The Company is launching a capital increase of approximately 8 million, which, if 100% subscribed, will allow THX Pharma to continue its development and strengthen its financial structure, thus extending its cash horizon until financial profitability in 2028.

Main terms and conditions of the transaction

Nature of the transaction

The fundraising proposed by the Company consists of a capital increase through the issuance of new ordinary shares(the "New Shares") with preferential subscription rights (the "PSRs") maintained for existing shareholders, for gross proceeds of 7.8 million, including share premium (the "Capital Increase"), assuming full subscription. Prior to the contemplated transaction, the Company's share capital amounts to 943,975.20, divided into 9,439,752 shares with a par value of 0.01 each.

The Capital Increase will involve the issuance of a maximum of 4,356,804 New Shares. The subscription price of the New Shares is set at 1.80 per share. The Capital Increase will therefore be carried out at a ratio of 6 New Shares for 13 existing ordinary shares of the Company: 13 PSRs will enable the subscription of 6 New Shares. Each shareholder will receive 1 PSR per share recorded in their securities account at the end of the trading day on October 24, 2025, in accordance with the indicative timetable set out below.

Share and PSR Codes

Label: THX Pharma (Theranexus)

ISIN code: FR0013286259

PSR ISIN code: FR0014013QO4

Listing venue: Euronext Growth Paris

Ticker symbol: ALTHX

Legal framework of the transaction

The Chief Executive Officer of the Company, acting under the delegation granted by the Board of Directors on October 22, 2025, which itself relied on the delegation of authority conferred under the 11th resolution of the Company's Combined General Meeting of Shareholders held on June 26, 2025, decided to launch today the Capital Increase, the terms and conditions of which are detailed in this press release as well as in a notice to shareholders to be published in the Bulletin des Annonces Legales Obligatoires (BALO) on October 24, 2025.

Subscription price of the offered shares

The subscription price has been set at 1.80 per share, comprising 0.01 nominal value and 1.79 share premium, payable in full upon subscription. This represents a 30% discount compared to the volume-weighted average price over the three trading days preceding October 23, 2025, i.e. 2.57.

Subscription period

The subscription period for the New Shares will be open from October 29, 2025, to November 7, 2025, inclusive, on the Euronext Growth Paris market.

Characteristics of the offered shares

The New Shares will carry current dividend rights and will be equivalent to the Company's existing shares.

An application will be made for the admission of the New Shares to trading on the Euronext Growth Paris market, scheduled on an indicative basis for November 17, 2025.

The New Shares will be immediately fungible with the Company's existing shares already traded on Euronext Growth Paris and will be tradable under the same ISIN code (FR0013286259 - Ticker: ALTHX) as from that date.

Gross proceeds of the transaction

The gross proceeds of the transaction will amount to 7.8 million, assuming 100% subscription.

Net proceeds of the transaction

The net proceeds of the transaction will amount to approximately 6.8 million, assuming 100% subscription, corresponding to the gross amount less all expenses related to the Capital Increase (including fees and commissions due to the guarantors for underwriting commitments, assuming full use of these commitments).

Cash position as of Q3 2025

As of September 30, 2025, the Company's available cash position amounted to 1.979 million, compared with 2.124 million as of June 30, 2025.

Excluding the current Capital Increase, the Company benefits from a 12-month cash runway.

Preferential Subscription Rights (PSRs)

The Capital Increase will be open to the public in France only.

Irreducible subscription

Subscription to the New Shares will be reserved, on a preferential basis, for:

Holders of existing shares recorded in their securities accounts at the close of business on October 24, 2025, who will be granted 1 PSR per share held;

Transferees of PSRs.

Holders of PSRs may subscribe on an irreducible basis at a ratio of 6 New Shares for 13 existing shares held. 13 PSRs will entitle the holder to subscribe for 6 New Shares at the subscription price of 1.80 per share. Irreducible subscriptions will be fully allocated, allowing each shareholder to maintain their ownership percentage.

To exercise their PSRs, holders must submit a request to their authorized financial intermediary at any time during the subscription period, i.e. between October 29 and November 7, 2025, and pay the corresponding subscription price.

Each subscription must be accompanied by full cash payment of the subscription price. Subscriptions not fully paid will be automatically cancelled without the need for formal notice.

Shareholders or transferees of PSRs who do not hold, under their irreducible subscription, a sufficient number of existing shares or PSRs to obtain a whole number of New Shares may buy or sell the number of PSRs required to reach a multiple resulting in a whole number of New Shares.

Unexercised PSRs at the end of the subscription period will automatically lapse and their value will be zero.

Reducible subscription

Shareholders or transferees of PSRs will also benefit from a reducible subscription right. Any New Shares not subscribed for on an irreducible basis will be distributed and allocated to subscribers on a reducible basis. Orders placed on a reducible basis will be filled proportionally to the number of PSRs used for their irreducible subscription and within the limits of their requests, without resulting in fractional New Shares. Depending on total demand, the number of New Shares requested on a reducible basis may not be fully allocated and may be subject to reduction.

A notice published by Euronext will, if applicable, announce the allocation scale for reducible subscriptions.

Free subscription requests

In addition to the irreducible and reducible subscriptions described above, any individual or legal entity, whether or not holding PSRs, may subscribe to the Capital Increase on a free basis.

Persons wishing to subscribe freely must submit their request to their authorized financial intermediary at any time during the subscription period and pay the corresponding subscription price.

In accordance with Article L.225-134 of the French Commercial Code, free subscriptions will only be taken into account if irreducible and reducible subscriptions have not covered the entire Capital Increase. The Board of Directors will have the right to freely allocate unsubscribed New Shares, in whole or in part, among persons (shareholders or third parties) who have submitted free subscription requests.

Listing of Preferential Subscription Rights

The PSRs will be detached on October 27, 2025 and will be listed and traded on Euronext Growth Paris under ISIN code FR0014013QO4, from October 27 to November 5, 2025 inclusive. If the PSRs are not subscribed or sold, they will expire at the end of the subscription period and their value will be zero. Existing shares will therefore be traded ex-rights from October 27, 2025.

Theoretical value of the Preferential Subscription Right

Based on the last quoted price of THX Pharma's share on October 22, 2025, i.e. 2.55:

The theoretical value of each PSR is 0.237 ;

of each PSR is ; The theoretical ex-rights share price is 2.313 ; and

is ; and The subscription price of 1.80 per share represents a 22.18% discount to the theoretical ex-rights price.

These figures are indicative only and do not predict the actual PSR value, ex-rights share value, or discounts as they may be observed on the market.

PSRs detached from treasury shares

In accordance with Article L.225-206 of the French Commercial Code, the Company may not subscribe to its own shares. PSRs detached from the Company's treasury shares will be sold on the market before the end of the trading period under the conditions set out in Article L.225-110 of the French Commercial Code.

Guarantee and subscription commitments

The issuance of the New Shares is not subject to a performance guarantee within the meaning of Article L.225-145 of the French Commercial Code.

However, the Company has received subscription commitments and guarantee undertakings for a total of 5.92 millionamounting to 75.5% of the total offering, securing the success of the transaction.

The Company has received:

Subscription commitments for a total amount of 0.07 million, and

Guarantee commitments for a total amount of 5.85 million.

These guarantee commitments will be called upon if total subscriptions represent less than 100% of the initially contemplated Capital Increase. Each guarantor will receive a commission equal to 10% of the amount of their guarantee commitment, irrespective of the number of shares ultimately allocated to them.

Name

Guarantee commitments ()

Subscription commitments () Total () Funds managed by Odyssee Venture 3 500 000  3 500 000  Market Wizards B.V. 500 000  500 000  TreeCap B.V. 450 000  450 000  Gestys 400 000  400 000  Friedland Gestion 350 000  350 000  Maitice Gestion 250 000  250 000  Multi strategies SA - SICAV RAIF 150 000  150 000  Auriga Partners 100 000  100 000  Allia-Tech Asset Management 100 000  100 000  Montpensier-Arbevel 50 000  50 000  Samuel Fisher 50 000  50 000  Mathieu Charveriat 10 000  10 000  Christine Placet 10 000  10 000  Total 5 850 000  70 000  5 920 000 

In total, subscription and guarantee commitments amount to 5.92 million, representing 75.5% of the offering.

The Company is not aware of the intentions of its other shareholders or board members regarding their participation in the Capital Increase.

Limitation of the Capital Increase

If subscriptions collected on an irreducible, reducible and free basis do not cover the entire Capital Increase, the Board of Directors may limit the Capital Increase to the total amount of subscriptions received, in accordance with Article L.225-134 of the French Commercial Code. It is noted that the total subscription and guarantee commitments received by the Company represent 75.5% of the maximum gross amount of the Capital Increase.

Lock-up and abstention commitments

Mr. Franck Mouthon, Director and Co-founder, and Mr. Mathieu Charveriat, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of the Company, have each undertaken to retain their THX Pharma shares for a period of 180 days from the settlement-delivery date of the New Shares, subject to customary exceptions.

Furthermore, the Company has undertaken a 180-day abstention commitment from the settlement-delivery date of the New Shares, subject to customary exceptions.

Indicative timetable of the transaction

October 23, 2025 Publication of a press release describing the main features of the Capital Increase

Publication by Euronext of the issuance notice October 24, 2025 Publication in the BALO of the notice to shareholders

Accounting day at the end of which holders of existing shares recorded in their securities accounts will be granted preferential subscription rights (Trade date) October 27, 2025 Detachment and beginning of trading of PSRs on Euronext Growth Paris October 29, 2025 Opening of the subscription period November 5, 2025 End of trading of PSRs on Euronext Growth Paris November 7, 2025 Closing of the subscription period November 13, 2025 Publication of a press release announcing subscription results Euronext publication of results and admission notice November 17, 2025 Issue of the offered shares

Settlement and delivery of the New Shares

Admission to trading on Euronext Growth Paris

Subscription procedure

If you are a shareholder of the Company

You hold PSRs attached to your THX Pharma shares, which allow you to subscribe on a preferential and irreducible basis to the New Shares at a ratio of 6 New Shares for 13 PSRs (1 existing share entitles you to 1 PSR).

If you wish to subscribe on an irreducible basis to a number of New Shares greater than the number of PSRs detached from your existing shares, you may purchase additional PSRs during their trading period from October 27 to November 5, 2025, on Euronext Growth Paris.

In addition, and beyond your irreducible subscription, you may subscribe on a reducible basis up to November 7, 2025for any number of New Shares, by submitting your request to your authorized financial intermediary, together with your irreducible subscription order. Your reducible subscription will only be taken into account if the Capital Increase has not already been fully subscribed on an irreducible basis and will be served within the limits of your request, proportionally to the number of PSRs used for your irreducible subscription, without fractional allocation.

You may also subscribe on a free basis up to November 7, 2025, by sending your request to your authorized financial intermediary. Such subscriptions will only be taken into account if the Capital Increase remains unsubscribed after irreducible and reducible subscriptions and will be served within the limits of your request.

Each subscription must be accompanied by full payment of the subscription price.

If you are not yet a shareholder of the Company

You may subscribe to the Capital Increase by acquiring PSRs on the stock exchange during their trading period from October 27 to November 5, 2025, via the financial intermediary managing your securities account.

In addition to irreducible subscriptions made through the PSRs you acquire, you may also subscribe on a reducible basisup to November 7, 2025, by submitting your request to your authorized financial intermediary under the same conditions described above.

Furthermore, you may subscribe on a free basis up to November 7, 2025, by sending your request to your authorized intermediary. Your subscription will only be taken into account if the Capital Increase is not already fully subscribed and will be served within the limits of your request.

Each subscription must be accompanied by payment in full of the subscription price.

Paying agents - Payment of subscriptions

Subscriptions for the New Shares and corresponding payments from subscribers whose shares are held in bearer or administered registered form will be received, up to the end of the subscription period, by their authorized financial intermediary acting on their behalf.

Subscriptions and payments from subscribers whose shares are held in pure registered form will be received free of charge by Uptevia.

The New Shares must be fully paid upon subscription, by cash payment of the full nominal value and share premium. The share premium amount will be recorded as a liability in the "Share Premium" account, to which both existing and new shareholders are entitled.

Funds paid in support of subscriptions will be centralized at Uptevia, which will issue the certificate of deposit.

Any subscriptions not fully paid will be automatically cancelled without further notice.

Investment restrictions

The sale of the Offered Shares and PSRs is open to the Company's shareholders located in France and abroad, provided that the local laws applicable to them allow participation in the Offering without requiring the Company to carry out any additional formalities.

The sale of the Offered Shares and PSRs may, in certain countries, constitute a violation of applicable legal provisions.

In particular, the Offered Shares and PSRs have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"). The Offered Shares and PSRs may not be offered, sold or delivered, directly or indirectly, within the territory of the United States, as defined by Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act or in a transaction not subject to such registration. The Company does not intend to register the offer referred to in this press release, in whole or in part, in the United States, nor to make any public offering in the United States.

This press release may not be published, transmitted or distributed, directly or indirectly, within the United States of America (including its territories and possessions, any State of the United States, and the District of Columbia).

Any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe for or purchase the securities referred to in this press release is only accessible to persons located outside the United States (the "Qualified Persons"). Any such invitation, offer or agreement may only be made to, and acted upon by, Qualified Persons. This press release is intended solely for Qualified Persons and may not be used by or relied upon by any other person.

No subscriber to the Offered Shares, nor any person exercising PSRs, may participate in the offering unless they are able to certify that:

(i) they are not a "U.S. Person" (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act, as amended);

(ii) they have not received a copy of this press release or any other document relating to the offering in the United States, and have not transmitted any such document from the United States;

(iii) they have not used, directly or indirectly, postal services, telecommunications facilities, or any other means of interstate or foreign commerce, nor the services of a securities exchange, within the United States in connection with the offering;

(iv) they were not located in the United States at the time they accepted the terms of the offer or submitted their subscription order; and

(v) they are not acting as an agent, trustee, or representative of any principal giving instructions from within the United States.

Authorized intermediaries may only accept subscription orders for the Offered Shares if they comply with the above restrictions, unless otherwise authorized or instructed by the Company at its sole discretion. Any exercise of PSRs or subscription order made in breach of these restrictions shall be deemed null and void.

Settlement and delivery of the New Shares

According to the indicative timetable, the settlement and delivery date of the New Shares is scheduled for November 17, 2025.

Trading of the shares will begin only after settlement and delivery and after the issuance of the depositary certificate.

Portzamparc BNP Paribas is acting as Sole Global Coordinator for the Capital Increase.

Dilution

Impact on the shareholder's position

As an indication, the impact of the Capital Increase on the shareholding of a shareholder owning 1% of the Company's share capital and not subscribing to the transaction (calculations based on the number of shares comprising the Company's share capital as of October 23, 2025, i.e. 9,439,752 existing shares) would be as follows:

Shareholder participation in % Undiluted basis Diluted basis (1) Before issuance of 4, 356,804 New Shares 1,00% 0,90% After issuance of 4,356,804 New Shares 0,68% 0,64%

Assuming all outstanding stock warrants and founder warrants are exercised, and all free shares granted by the Company are vested.

Impact on equity

The impact of the issuance of the Offered Shares on the equity per share (calculations based on the Company's shareholders' equity as of June 30, 2025, amounting to -2,904,040, and on the number of shares comprising the Company's share capital as of October 23, 2025, i.e. 9,439,752 existing shares) is as follows:

Equity per share  Undiluted basis Diluted basis (1) Before issuance of 4,356,804 New Shares 0,31  0,36  After issuance of 4,356,804 New Shares 0,28  0,72 

Assuming that all outstanding share warrants and founder share warrants have been exercised, and that all free shares granted by the Company have been fully vested.

Impact on the shareholding structure

To the Company's knowledge, as of the date of this press release, the share capital and voting rights are distributed as follows:

Actionnaires Nombre d'actions % du capital Nombre de droits de vote* % des droits de vote Franck Mouthon 331 576 3,51% 656 252 6,24% Mathieu Charveriat 331 576 3,51% 656 252 6,24% Total Fondateurs 663 152 7,03% 1 312 504 12,48% Beyond Batten Disease Foundation 898 437 9,52% 1 196 874 11,38% Supernova Invest 222 926 2,36% 222 926 2,12% Auriga Partners 243 127 2,58% 343 127 3,26% Kreaxi 105 667 1,12% 105 667 1,00% Total investisseurs historiques 1 470 157 15,57% 1 868 594 17,77% Flottant 7 271 107 77,03% 7 301 474 69,42% Auto-detention (contrat de liquidite) 35 336 0,37% 35 336 0,34% Total 9 439 752 100,00% 10 517 908 100,00% * Theoretical voting rights

To the Company's knowledge, following the completion of the Capital Increase, the share capital and voting rights would be distributed as follows :

Capital Increase subscribed up to the subscription commitments (75.5%):

Actionnaires Nombre d'actions % du capital Nombre de droits de vote* % des droits de vote Franck Mouthon 331 576 2,60% 656 252 4,75% Mathieu Charveriat 337 131 2,65% 661 807 4,79% Total Fondateurs 668 707 5,25% 1 318 059 9,55% Beyond Batten Disease Foundation 898 437 7,06% 1 196 874 8,67% Supernova Invest 222 926 1,75% 222 926 1,61% Auriga Partners 298 682 2,35% 398 682 2,89% Kreaxi 105 667 0,83% 105 667 0,77% Total investisseurs historiques 1 525 712 11,99% 1 924 149 13,94% Flottant 10 498 879 82,48% 10 529 246 76,26% Auto-detention (contrat de liquidite) 35 336 0,28% 35 336 0,26% Total 12 728 634 100,00% 13 806 790 100,00%

* Theoretical voting rights

Capital Increase subscribed at 100%:

Actionnaires Nombre d'actions % du capital Nombre de droits de vote* % des droits de vote Franck Mouthon 331 576 2,40% 656 252 4,41% Mathieu Charveriat 337 131 2,44% 661 807 4,45% Total Fondateurs 668 707 4,85% 1 318 059 8,86% Beyond Batten Disease Foundation 898 437 6,51% 1 196 874 8,05% Supernova Invest 222 926 1,62% 222 926 1,50% Auriga Partners 298 682 2,16% 398 682 2,68% Kreaxi 105 667 0,77% 105 667 0,71% Total investisseurs historiques 1 525 712 11,06% 1 924 149 12,94% Flottant 11 566 801 83,84% 11 597 168 77,97% Auto-detention (contrat de liquidite) 35 336 0,26% 35 336 0,24% Total 13 796 556 100,00% 14 874 712 100,00%

* Theoretical voting rights



Risk factors

Risks related to the transaction

The main risk factors related to the Capital Increase are as follows:

The market for Preferential Subscription Rights (PSRs) may offer only limited liquidity and be subject to high volatility;

Shareholders who do not exercise their PSRs will see their ownership in the Company's share capital diluted. As an indication, on a non-diluted basis, after completion of the Capital Increase at 100%, the shareholding of a shareholder holding 1.00% of the Company's share capital prior to the Capital Increase and not subscribing to it would be 0.68%. Details of the dilutive effects of the Capital Increase are presented in the section "Impact of the issuance on the shareholder's position" of this press release;

The market price of the Company's shares may fluctuate and fall below the subscription price of the shares issued upon exercise of the PSRs;

The volatility and liquidity of the Company's shares may fluctuate significantly;

In the event of a decline in the market price of the Company's shares, the PSRs may lose their value.

Risks related to the Company

Investors' attention is drawn to the risk factors related to the Company and its business, which are presented in the Company's Universal Registration Document filed with the Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF) on April 29, 2025, under number D.25-0350, copies of which are available free of charge from the Company (60 avenue Rockefeller, Pepiniere Laennec, 69008 Lyon), as well as on the Company's website (www.theranexus.com) and the AMF's website (www.amf-france.org). The occurrence of all or part of these risks may have an adverse effect on the Company's business, financial position, results, development or outlook. No new material risks relating to the Company and its business have been identified since the publication of the 2024 Universal Registration Document.

The Company will be able to finance its operations for the next 12 months from the date of this press release, taking into account the net proceeds of the Capital Increase, whether subscribed at 75% or 100%.

Shareholder webcast

THX Pharma will host a shareholder webcast on October 29, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. CET to present the Capital Increase, the latest company developments, and engage directly with shareholders.

Registrations must be completed by 2:00 p.m. CET on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.

Here is the registration link:

WEBCAST

https://theranexus.engagestream.companywebcast.com/2025-10-29-p71ms514dq

Prospectus

Pursuant to the provisions of Article L.411-2-1 1 of the French Monetary and Financial Code and Article 211-2 of the General Regulation of the Autorite des Marches Financiers (the "AMF"), the Capital Increase does not give rise to a prospectus subject to AMF approval, as the total amount of the offering, calculated over a twelve-month period, is below 8 million.

A notice to shareholders regarding this transaction will be published on October 24, 2025, in the Bulletin des Annonces Legales et Obligatoires (BALO).

About THX Pharma

THX Pharma (Theranexus) is a pharmaceutical company specializing in treatments for rare neurological diseases. Its first drug, TX01, is expected to be commercialized soon-particularly in Europe by Exeltis, but also in the United States, Canada, and Australia-for Niemann-Pick type C disease and Gaucher disease. Its second drug, Batten-1, targets the juvenile form of Batten disease and could become the first approved therapy for this condition. THX Pharma also has an innovative antisense oligonucleotide platform, codeveloped with leading research laboratories, dedicated to rare neurological diseases. THX Pharma, a trade name of Theranexus, is listed on Euronext Growth Paris (FR0013286259 - ALTHX).

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Contacts :

THX PHARMA

Christine PLACET

Chief Financial Officer

contact@thxpharma.com

FP2COM

Florence PORTEJOIE

Media Relations

+ 33 (0)6 07 76 82 83

fportejoie@fp2com.fr

Avertissement

This press release may not be published, forwarded or distributed, directly or indirectly, in the United States, Canada, Japan, South Africa or Australia.

This announcement is an advertisement and not a prospectus within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2017, as amended (the "Prospectus Regulation").

The offer of Theranexus shares described above shall not constitute a public offering requiring the publication of a prospectus to be approved by the Autorite des marches financiers or a document which would include the information required by Annex IX of the Prospectus Regulation.

The offering of Theranexus shares described above will be carried out as part of a capital increase with shareholders' preferential subscription rights to the benefit of its shareholders in France and outside of France, excluding the United States of America, Canada, Japan, South Africa, and Australia.

With respect to Member States of the European Economic Area, no action has been taken or will be taken to permit a public offering of the securities referred to in this press requiring the publication of a prospectus or a document which would include the information required by Annex IX of the Prospectus Regulation in any such Member State. Therefore, such securities may not be and shall not be offered in any Member State other than in accordance with the exemptions of the Prospectus Regulation (in particular its Article 1(4)), not requiring the publication of a prospectus under Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation or an information document pursuant to Article 1(4) and 1(5) of the Prospectus Regulation and/or any similar documentation in accordance with applicable regulations in such Member State.

This press release and the information it contains are being distributed to and are only intended for persons who are (x) outside the United Kingdom or (y) in the United Kingdom who are qualified investors (as defined in the Prospectus Regulation as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018) and are (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Order"), (ii) high net worth entities and other such persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order ("high net worth companies", "unincorporated associations", etc.) or (iii) other persons to whom an invitation or inducement to participate in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Market Act 2000) may otherwise lawfully be communicated or caused to be communicated (all such persons in (y)(i), (y)(ii) and (y)(iii) together being referred to as "Relevant Persons"). Any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire securities to which this press release relates will only be engaged with Relevant Persons. Any person who is not a Relevant Person should not act or rely on this press release or any of its contents.

This press release and the information contained therein does not, and will not, constitute an offer of securities for sale, nor the solicitation of an offer to purchase, securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction where restrictions may apply. Securities may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in the United States absent registration, except pursuant to an exemption from registration or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The securities of Theranexus have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act, and Theranexus does not intend to conduct a public offering in the United States.

The distribution of this press release may be subject to legal or regulatory restrictions in certain jurisdictions.

Any person who comes into possession of this press release must inform him or herself of and comply with any such restrictions.

Any decision to subscribe for or purchase the shares or other securities of Theranexus must be made solely based on information publicly available about Theranexus. Such information is not the responsibility of Portzamparc and has not been independently verified by Portzamparc.

Disclaimer

This press release contains forward-looking statements relating to THX Pharma (Theranexus) and its activities, including its prospects and product development. Theranexus believes that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions. However, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, as they relate to future events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future, and on various risks and uncertainties, including those described in the universal registration document filed by the company with the AMF (Autorite des Marches Financiers) on April 29, 2025, under number D.25-0350, a copy of which is available on the company's website (www.theranexus.com), and on changes in the economic situation.

[1] The company plans to submit to the next general meeting of its shareholders a change of its corporate name from Theranexus to THX Pharma.

[2] https://www.theranexus.com/images/pdf/Theranexus_PR_Becomes_THX_Pharma_VDEF.pdf

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GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- SKF announces the launch of SKF Ventures, a new initiative aimed at accelerating innovation, exploring emerging technologies, and developing future-oriented industrial solutions. The initiative supports SKF's strategic direction and reinforces its commitment to long-term value creation through innovation.

"Innovation is central to our strategy of achieving profitable growth and SKF Ventures adds a new dimension to how we innovate. By combining our deep industrial expertise with external collaboration, we can accelerate the development of solutions that are smarter, more sustainable, and more relevant to our customers," says Annika Olme, Chief Technology Officer & SVP, Technology Development at SKF.

As industries undergo rapid transformation, driven by digitalization, sustainability demands, and evolving customer expectations, SKF Ventures will serve as a platform to identify and develop new opportunities to grow and create future business. By engaging with startups, technology partners, and external innovators, SKF Ventures will bring new perspectives and capabilities into SKF's ecosystem.

"SKF Ventures is about looking beyond today's challenges and identifying the technologies and business models that will shape the future of our industry. It serves as a platform for testing, refining, and scaling innovative ideas into real-world solutions that deliver value for our customers and enhance our long-term competitiveness. This is how we stay relevant, resilient, and ready for the future," says Mikael Krook, Director, SKF Ventures.

SKF Ventures will operate across three key areas: scanning for emerging technologies, exploring and validating new ideas through open innovation, and building ventures that can scale into sustainable businesses. This approach complements SKF's internal R&D and strengthens its ability to respond to fast-changing market dynamics.

The initiative is expected to deliver tangible outcomes, including faster innovation cycles, early access to breakthrough technologies, and the creation of new business models. Many of the ventures will focus on areas such as energy efficiency, circularity, and digital solutions which are key priorities for SKF and its customers.

SKF Ventures will also strengthen the company's position within the broader innovation ecosystem, enabling it to partner more effectively with the startup and technology community. This will support SKF's ambition to lead in industrial transformation and deliver long-term value through innovation.

For further information, please contact:

PRESS: Karin Markhede

mobile: 46 707-588 730; e-mail: karin.markhede@skf.com

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- Envisions a decentralized and harmonious coexistence of humans, nature, and technology



KYOTO, Japan, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- At the recently concluded Osaka Expo 2025 Theme Weeks talk- "Shaping 2050: Natural, Autonomous & Self-Sustaining Society", leading thinkers from the Japanese multinational corporation OMRON and beyond convened to map a profound societal shift. The event positioned 2025 as a turning point, marking the end of the "Optimization Society" and beginning of "Autonomous Society" towards a "Natural Society".

The consensus emerged that the end-point of technological evolution is not a cold, automated dystopia, but a "Hyper-Primitive Society" or "Natural Society," where humans, nature, and technology rediscover a harmonious and decentralized balance.

Ikuo Tateishi, President of the Human Renaissance Institute, opened the event by stating: "According to OMRON Founder Kazuma Tateishi's SINIC Theory, the old system of maximization has reached its limits. Our mission is to co-create a new natural society in harmony with technology, pioneering 'automation that makes people alive.'"

Audrey Tang, a 2025 Right Livelihood Award Winner, connected SINIC Theory to a new technological paradigm, she termed "Plurality OS"- the new "steering wheel" for society.

From Central Control to Distributed Harmony

"In a natural society, 'space for margin' and 'control without a central agent' are key to maintaining balance," highlighted Masaki Suwa, Senior General Manager, Technology & Intellectual Property HQ, OMRON. This signifies a move away from top-down command structures toward organic, ecosystem-like coordination.

"A key principle of natural society is universal access to technology. Space for margin and free innovations support breakthroughs," noted Yoshitaka Ushiku, Vice President - Research, OMRON SINIC X.

Role of AI in Natural Society

The panel envisioned a future where AI and robots integrate not as centralized tools, but as distributed and autonomous partners. "To train AI within Plurality, there are six principles of civic care: Attentiveness, Responsibility, Competence, Responsiveness, Solidarity, and Symbiosis," Audrey said. This shift moves the engine of society from "money capital to empathy capital."

Humanity's Role

The talk reaffirmed the value of human qualities. "Humans possess the ability to empathize. This is crucial in a natural society where people, nature, and machines harmonize," stated Shoukei Matsumoto, Pure Land Buddhist monk, an alumnus of the World Economic Forum's Young Global Leaders program (2013).

A Call to Co-Create the Future

The event concluded with a powerful call to action. To support this global shift, OMRON has made the SINIC Theory open source and invites innovators across the globe to collaborate. "It's not just a document, but an invitation, a movement," Audrey stated. "It's a call to become good ancestors, to co-create the steering wheel that guides us toward an autonomous and natural society."

For more details, visit https://www.omron.com/expo2025/jp/

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A scalable governance framework enables consistency and accountability, empowering teams to unlock the full value of data.

Delhaize, the well-known supermarket chain operating across Belgium and Luxembourg and part of the Ahold Delhaize Group, recognized the need to treat data as a strategic asset to unlock business value. Over time, rapid growth and a decentralized structure led to siloed operations, as each division relied on its own legacy systems and ad-hoc practices. Without unified governance or standard processes, insights became fragmented and inconsistent, making it hard to ensure accuracy, accountability, and transparency.

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Delhaize, the well-known supermarket chain operating across Belgium and Luxembourg and part of the Ahold Delhaize Group, strengthens data governance with BearingPoint to drive business agility and trust.

The organization relied on a wide range of systems, from spreadsheets and databases to ERP modules, which kept information isolated within each platform. This lack of integration limited visibility across the business, resulting in inefficiencies and making it difficult to centralize analytics.

As a result, teams had to spend significant time reconciling inconsistent metrics, diverting resources away from higher-value work. Recognizing the cost of unreliable insights, from project delays and wasted resources to potential lost trust and missed opportunities, Delhaize made a strategic commitment to building a data-driven culture.

Building a scalable framework from insight to impact

Over the course of a multi-year collaboration, BearingPoint helped Delhaize transform its data governance. The project began with a thorough review of existing practices, utilizing audits and surveys to identify gaps in quality, monitoring, and ownership of business information.

With these insights in hand, BearingPoint and Delhaize moved to implement a formal data governance framework, establishing key roles such as data owners and data stewards, and adapting global policies to meet local needs. The new roles focus on understanding and resolving data quality issues, ensuring strategic alignment and accountability while also promoting the adoption of new standards and processes.

To ensure a lasting impact, BearingPoint helped Delhaize to use its service management system, ServiceNow, to fix data management related incidents. The project team also conducted training and change management initiatives to build data literacy and embed governance practices.

With the strategy in place, BearingPoint implemented a structured data governance framework for Delhaize Belgium and Luxembourg. It then adapted and started rolling it out to Alfa Beta Vassilopoulos (Greece) and Mega Image (Romania), both part of the Ahold Delhaize Group.

"With a structured governance framework embedded in the business, Delhaize can now rely on accurate, consistent data to create compliant business value," said Jan Henderyckx, Partner at BearingPoint. "By integrating governance into the business, Delhaize now transforms trusted data into compliant, strategic outcomes."

Fostering operational efficiency through strategic governance

The newly implemented framework makes data a central part of Delhaize's operations, bringing consistency, accountability, and reliable data. Efficiency improved through clearly defined roles, standardized processes, and reliable tools for documenting records and tracking issues.

The data governance framework emphasizes the importance of accurate analytics and lays the groundwork for a data-driven culture, where information is accessible throughout the organization and its full potential can be realized.

Collaboration has grown stronger thanks to the communities that promote cross-functional teamwork and shared responsibility for data management. As data literacy and ownership increased, day-to-day operations improved, and Delhaize is now better positioned to use its insights for innovation and future growth.

"The combination of technical expertise, data proficiency, deep understanding of the grocery retail industry, and the ability to seamlessly integrate with the teams represents a unique value proposition that BearingPoint delivers to organizations like Delhaize," said Xavier Valentini, Director Data Analytics at Delhaize.

For more information, also watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rd9Fun3gMU

About Delhaize

In September 2025, Delhaize De Leeuw will have no fewer than 32,000 employees and 809 stores in Belgium and Luxembourg. The store network consists of the following formats: Delhaize supermarkets, Proxy Delhaize and Shop&Go. Customers can shop online at delhaize.be and collect their products at collection points or have them delivered to their homes. Delhaize customers can count on an extensive range of more than 20,000 quality products. Delhaize has a market share of 22.5% (source: Nielsen).

About BearingPoint

BearingPoint is an independent management and technology consultancy with European roots and a global reach that transforms businesses using technology intelligently. The firm operates across three core units: Consulting, Products, and Capital. Its Consulting services focus on selected areas, combining business and technology expertise with profound industry knowledge. The Products unit provides IP-driven solutions and managed services for business-critical processes. Capital delivers deal advisory and transaction services. In addition to its core operations, BearingPoint runs two joint ventures: Arcwide, a JV with IFS, which specializes in business transformation based on IFS technology, and BearingPoint North America, a JV with ABeam, which is dedicated to consulting excellence and business transformation built on SAP.

BearingPoint serves many of the world's leading companies and organizations. Together with its strategic alliance partner ABeam Consulting, the firm brings together 15,000 professionals and supports clients in over 70 countries, delivering seamless business transformation with sustainable impact.

BearingPoint is a certified B Corporation, driven by a strong sense of purpose today and into the future.

For more information, please visit:

Homepage: www.bearingpoint.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/bearingpoint

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251023931624/en/

Contacts:

Press contact

Alexander Bock

Global Senior Manager Communications

Telephone: +49 89 540338029

Email: alexander.bock@bearingpoint.com
Collaboration will leverage AGC Biologics' commercial manufacturing experience and proven platforms to seek regulatory approval for a therapy treating the rare immunodeficiency disorder, ADA-SCID.

AGC Biologics, your friendly CDMO expert, today announced an agreement with Rarity PBC to provide comprehensive development and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) manufacturing for Rarity's gene therapy, RDP-101, for Adenosine Deaminase Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Disorder.

If approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, RDP-101 would be the first gene therapy available for commercial use to reverse ADA-SCID in patients within the United States.

ADA-SCID is a rare, life-threatening inherited condition that severely compromises the immune system, leaving infants vulnerable to frequent and severe infections. For every million babies born worldwide, it is estimated that between one and five will have this condition. The ADA-SCID disorder caused by an Adenosine Deaminase deficiency is fatal without treatment and accounts for approximately 15 percent of SCID patients. Rarity's RDP-101 treatment is an ex vivo autologous gene therapy that modifies a patient's own hematopoietic stem cells to restore immune function. In clinical trials, this approach has already transformed the lives of patients, successfully treating 48 out of 50 children.

Under the agreement, AGC Biologics will provide end-to-end services for Rarity's gene therapy product, which consists of the EFS-ADA Lentiviral Vector (LVV) and autologous CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells. The scope of work includes process development, GMP manufacturing, and process validation activities required to bring the product to market. The LVV process will utilize AGC Biologics' proprietary ProntoLVV adherent platform, a technology that has already been used to support multiple commercially available products.

"Partnering with AGC Biologics is a critical step in our mission to advance our ADA-SCID gene therapy patients in need," said Dr. Paul Ayoub, CEO of Rarity PBC. "Their proven commercial manufacturing expertise and collaborative spirit are exactly what we need to navigate the final stages of regulatory approval. This therapy has already transformed lives in the clinic; with AGC Biologics, we're working to make that benefit reliably available to more families who need it."

"We needed a collaborator with the technical depth and experience to meet FDA standards for commercial manufacturing," said Donald B. Kohn, M.D., distinguished professor at the University of California Los Angeles Broad Stem Cell Research Center who invented the lentiviral vector for gene therapy of ADA-SCID. "With AGC Biologics as that collaborator, we can now focus on making this treatment available to patients awaiting a cure and to those who will need it in the years to come."

Kohn received a $14.7 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine in November 2024 to develop a commercial manufacturing protocol for the groundbreaking gene therapy targeting ADA-SCID.

"We are honored to partner with Rarity PBC on such a critical program as part of our mission to support innovators bringing life-changing treatments to patients with rare diseases," said Luca Alberici, Executive Vice President of AGC Biologics Global Cell Gene Technologies Division and General Manager of the Milan site. "Our team is leveraging the proven ProntoLVV platform and our extensive commercial manufacturing experience to help make this therapy accessible to every child who needs it. As a friendly CDMO expert, we see this as more than a project; it's a commitment to saving lives and providing relief to families beset by this rare condition."

This partnership reinforces AGC Biologics' position as a global leader in cell and gene therapy and the partner of choice for developers aiming for commercial success. The company's strong presence is demonstrated by multiple FDA-approved therapies already in commercial supply, with additional programs currently under review. This track record makes AGC Biologics an ideal partner for a broad range of organizations, from public benefit corporations to non-profits and institutions funded by public initiatives.

Recognition of CIRM Support

This project has been made possible in part by funding from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), a state of California agency that funds regenerative medicine, stem cell, and gene therapy research. (Grant Numbers CLIN2-09339 and CLIN2-17078).

About Rarity PBC

Rarity PBC is a Public Benefit Corporation dedicated to advancing and commercializing lifesaving genetic therapies for rare diseases. Guided by a mission to enable responsible development and patient reach, Rarity PBC combines innovation with a sustainable, mission-driven business model to ensure that transformative therapies move beyond development and are made available to patients in need.

About the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM)

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) is a funding agency established by Californians to accelerate regenerative medicine research to deliver treatments for patients with unmet medical needs. Established in 2004 through Proposition 71 and expanded in 2020 through Proposition 14, CIRM has provided billions in funding to support stem cell and genetic research and development programs. Through research, infrastructure, and education, CIRM aims to transform regenerative medicine and improve lives across diverse communities. For more information, visit cirm.ca.gov.

About AGC Biologics

AGC Biologics is a leading global biopharmaceutical Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) with a strong commitment to delivering the highest standard of service as we work side-by-side with our clients and partners, to provide friendly and expert services. We provide world-class development and manufacturing of mammalian and microbial-based therapeutic proteins, plasmid DNA (pDNA), messenger RNA (mRNA), viral vectors, and genetically engineered cells. Our global network spans the U.S., Europe, and Asia, with locations in Seattle, Washington; Copenhagen, Denmark; Heidelberg, Germany; Milan, Italy; and Chiba and Yokohama, Japan. AGC Biologics is a part of AGC Inc.'s Life Science Business. The Life Science Business runs 10+ facilities focused on biopharmaceuticals, advanced therapies, small molecule active pharmaceutical ingredients, and agrochemicals. To learn more, visit www.agcbio.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251023984629/en/

Contacts:

CIRM Media Inquiries: press@cirm.ca.gov

AGC Inc. corporate contact: info-pr@agc.com

AGC Biologics media contact: ksills@agcbio.com
Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - October 23, 2025) - Defence Therapeutics Inc. (CSE: DTC) (FSE: DTC) (OTCQB: DTCFF) ("Defence" or the "Company"), a leading biotechnology company specialized in drug delivery technologies, is pleased to announce that it will present new scientific data highlighting the performance of its Accum technology in enhancing the efficacy of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) at the 16th World ADC Conference in San Diego, CA, USA.

Defence's proprietary Accum platform is engineered to improve intracellular delivery and endosomal escape of therapeutic payloads, addressing a critical limitation of current ADCs and enabling higher potency with reduced off-target toxicity. The new results to be presented build on a growing body of evidence demonstrating Accum's ability to significantly improve the therapeutic index of ADCs.

"These findings further demonstrate how Accum can unlock the full potential of ADCs by enabling more efficient delivery of their toxic payloads directly into cancer cells," said Maxime Parisotto, Chief Scientific Officer of Defence Therapeutics. "We are excited to share this data with the scientific community and continue advancing our research toward next-generation targeted therapies."

Interested attendees are invited to visit the Defence Therapeutics poster presentation at the Conference Exhibition Hall Town & Country Resort in San Diego, CA, USA on Tuesday and Wednesday November 4-5, 2025, to meet with Defence's CSO Maxime Parisotto, PhD, MBA, and Head of Quality & Operation Mark Lambermon, Phd, to learn more about the company's ongoing research and development efforts.

About World ADC San Diego 2025:

This Global Premier Conference for end-to-end ADC Innovation and Success is the World's longest standing & definitive ADC forum, with 1,400 industry attendees, 170+ world class speakers and unrivalled networking opportunities. Showcasing differentiation across the entire ADC value chain, the 2025 program is built to ensure future ADCs provide a meaningful impact to oncology patients in need.

About Defence:

Defence Therapeutics is a publicly-traded biotechnology company developing and engineering the next generation of ADC products using its proprietary platform. The core of Defence Therapeutics platform is the ACCUM technology, which enables precision delivery of ADCs in their intact form to target cells. As a result, increased efficacy and potency can be reached against cancer.

Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information

This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include regulatory actions, market prices, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

Neither the CSE nor its market regulator, as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE, accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271440

SOURCE: Defence Therapeutics Inc.
HEALWELL AI's management team met with prospective investors, partners and M&A targets as part of a business development roadshow in the UK.

HEALWELL also successfully hosted an invitation-only event in London on October 14, 2025, bringing together healthcare leaders, investors, and financial institutions. With strong attendance from UK banks, healthcare providers, and institutional investors, HEALWELL's management shared insights on the growth potential of AI-driven preventative healthcare solutions in the UK.

The event featured a fireside chat moderated by Beatrice York, the founder of BY-EQ Limited, reflecting HEALWELL's growing global presence and engagement at the highest levels of healthcare innovation.

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 23, 2025) - HEALWELL AI Inc. (TSX: AIDX) (OTCQX: HWAIF) ("HEALWELL" or the "Company"), a healthcare artificial intelligence company focused on preventative care, is pleased to announce the successful completion of a week-long series of business development and investor awareness activities in the United Kingdom. The visit included strategic meetings with prospective investors, partners, and acquisition targets, as well as an exclusive event in London highlighting HEALWELL's leadership in AI-driven preventative healthcare solutions.

Throughout the week, members of HEALWELL's management team - including CEO James Lee, President Dr. Alexander Dobranowski, and other senior executives - engaged with healthcare providers, financial institutions, and technology partners to explore collaboration opportunities across the UK healthcare ecosystem. Discussions focused on the growing demand for AI tools that improve patient outcomes, enhance clinical efficiency, and enable earlier detection of disease.

As part of the visit, HEALWELL successfully hosted an invitation-only event in London on October 14, 2025, attended by prominent healthcare leaders, investors, and financial institutions. The evening featured a fireside chat moderated by Beatrice York, the founder of BY-EQ Limited, an advisory organization established to support and enrich the landscape of technology and applied innovation. The conversation offered a thoughtful discussion on the integration of artificial intelligence into global healthcare systems, emphasizing how advanced data-driven technologies can empower clinicians, improve operational efficiency, and support a more proactive and sustainable model of care.

The event also provided HEALWELL with an opportunity to highlight its longstanding role as a key data science vendor supporting the UK National Health Service (NHS), underscoring the Company's commitment to improving patient outcomes through clinically validated AI tools that enhance decision support and healthcare delivery.

Strong engagement from UK banks, healthcare providers, and institutional investors throughout the week reinforced the growing alignment between AI innovation and healthcare investment. These discussions explored partnership and M&A opportunities, as well as strategies to leverage HEALWELL's recently acquired Orion Health business, which already operates across UK markets, to accelerate organic growth and expand the Company's footprint internationally.

"Our London event was an excellent opportunity to bring together healthcare and financial leaders to discuss how AI and digital innovation can transform healthcare," said James Lee, Chief Executive Officer of HEALWELL AI. "The engagement and enthusiasm from the UK community reinforces the growing global support for preventative care solutions and highlight the tangible impact our technology is already having on clinicians and patients alike."

"The strong reception from attendees and partners signals a significant opportunity for HEALWELL to expand its presence in the UK," added Dr. Alexander Dobranowski, President of HEALWELL AI. "The event further strengthened our position as a leader in global AI-driven healthcare innovation, while underscoring the growing interest among institutional investors in technologies that meaningfully improve patient outcomes and advance preventative care."

James Lee

Chief Executive Officer

HEALWELL AI Inc.

About HEALWELL AI

HEALWELL is a healthcare artificial intelligence company focused on preventative care. Its mission is to improve healthcare and save lives through early identification and detection of disease. Using its own proprietary technology, the Company is developing and commercializing advanced clinical decision support systems that can help healthcare providers detect rare and chronic diseases, improve efficiency of their practice and ultimately help improve patient health outcomes. HEALWELL is executing a strategy centered around developing and acquiring technology and clinical sciences capabilities that complement the Company's road map. HEALWELL is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "AIDX" and on the OTC Exchange under the symbol "HWAIF". To learn more about HEALWELL, please visit https://healwell.ai/.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release, constitute "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, including statements about the potential growth and expansion of AI-driven preventative healthcare solutions in the UK and European markets generally, and the Company's vision for its own growth in those markets, and are based on assumptions, expectations, estimates and projections as of the date of this press release. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by words or phrases such as "potential", "growth", "opportunity", "possibility", "supporting", "vision" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain future conditions, actions, events or results "will", "may", "could", "would", "should", "might" or "can" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms . Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon management's perceptions of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as a number of specific factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by HEALWELL as of the date of such statements, are outside of HEALWELL's control and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies which could result in the forward-looking statements ultimately being entirely or partially incorrect or untrue. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on various assumptions, including, but not limited to, the following: HEALWELL's ability to integrate its AI technologies into its other service offerings and platforms; HEALWELL's ability to maintain and leverage its relationships with their commercial partners; the continued adoption of the software, tools and solutions created by HEALWELL and its subsidiaries; that HEALWELL will be successful in identifying, executing and integrating new acquisitions, investments and/or partnerships; the stability of general economic and market conditions; sufficiency of working capital and access to financing; HEALWELL's ability to comply with applicable laws and regulations; HEALWELL's continued compliance with third party intellectual property rights; the effects of competition in the industry; the requirement for increasingly innovative product solutions and service offerings; trends in customer growth and the adoption of new technologies in the industry; and that the risk factors noted below, collectively, do not have a material impact on HEALWELL's business, operations, revenues and/or results. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections, or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct, and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved.

Known and unknown risk factors, many of which are beyond the control of HEALWELL, could cause the actual results of HEALWELL to differ materially from the results, performance, achievements, or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risk factors include but are not limited to those factors which are discussed under the section entitled "Risk Factors" in HEALWELL's most recent annual information form dated April 1, 2024, which is available under HEALWELL's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. The risk factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect HEALWELL and the reader is cautioned to consider these and other factors, uncertainties and potential events carefully and not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's expectations and plans relating to the future. HEALWELL disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable law. All of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271569

SOURCE: HEALWELL AI
SHANGHAI, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Envision Energy, a global leader in green technology, successfully hosted its 2025 Global Supplier Day at its Shanghai headquarters and Jiangyin manufacturing facilities. As the company's first-ever global supplier conference, the two-day conference brought together 64 supplier partners and 130 representatives from across continents, aiming to strengthen global collaboration, drive joint innovation, and align partners to build a secure, resilient, and sustainable international supply chain ecosystem that underpins its net-zero ambitions.

Participants visited Envision's Shanghai Cloud Center and Jiangyin smart manufacturing base, where they witnessed the company's digitalized production systems, intelligent energy management, and advanced wind turbine technologies. Through immersive experiences and live demonstrations, attendees gained a firsthand insight into Envision's innovation-driven culture, the EnOS intelligent operating system, and its commitment to integrating digitalization, intelligence, and sustainability across its entire value chain.

Through in-depth exchanges and best-practice sharing, Envision highlighted the suppliers' critical role in enhancing competitiveness and securing excellence across every project phase. Their expertise in risk management, quality assurance, and cost optimization was highlighted as essential to reliability and performance. Beyond project completion, sustained collaboration in operation and maintenance continues to create long-term value and improve life-cycle performance. These discussions reinforced a shared understanding that deep collaboration, transparency, and mutual trust are the cornerstones of Envision's global supply chain resilience.

"A strong, resilient supply chain is the backbone of Envision's global success," said Mr. Song Gang, Senior Vice President of Integrated Supply Chain at Envision Energy. "We see our suppliers as true partners in shaping a sustainable future. Through openness, collaboration, and shared innovation, we are deepening trust and building a supply network that can withstand uncertainty, drive competitiveness, and create mutual value for both Envision and our partners, ensuring that together we are ready to power the next era of clean energy."

The successful event further strengthened mutual trust and strategic alignment between Envision Energy and its global supplier network. Together, they are shaping a collaborative, future-ready ecosystem that supports Envision's rapid international growth and advances the world's clean energy transition.

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BEIJING, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Chinese liquor maker Wuliangye Yibin Co., Ltd. won the 2025 EFQM Global Award recently, presenting again its "harmony & beauty" concept-driven pursuit of premium quality.

With the highest "seven diamonds" certification, the EFQM Global Award received by Wuliangye is one of the world's three leading quality awards standing for benchmarks for organizational quality.

Since 1980s, the Chinese liquor producer has applied comprehensive quality management and later introduced performance excellence frameworks and EFQM models, implanting quality management concept into corporate strategies and operation.

As the EFQM assessment report said, Wuliangye was recommended for its performance in fostering the "harmony & beauty"-based corporate culture, achieving a balance between tradition and innovation, driving large-scale development with a strong ESG orientation, etc.

The report not only serves as recognition of Wuliangye's quality management, but also highlights the liquor maker's pathways of sustainable development from the aspects of quality, ecology and culture.

In terms of quality, Wuliangye has set up and optimized an integrated quality management system overseeing the entire industrial chain from "one grain seed" to "one drop of liquor", winning for five times top quality management awards in China.

For ecology protection, the Chinese liquor maker came up with the concept of "zero-carbon liquor maker", giving birth to the first high-level green factory in China's liquor industry.

In terms of culture, Wuliangye has cultivated a corporate culture deeply rooted in its "harmony & beauty" philosophy, injecting its own development philosophy into sustainable development.

Despite 200-plus companies worldwide vying for EFQM Global Award this year, 14 of them won the honors and Wuliangye is the only company to date that has achieved such a pleasant result within just one year of implementing the EFQM model and RADAR logic, according to EFQM CEO Russell Longmuir.

On the 2025 EFQM Sustainable Performance Conference, also the 2025 Global Award Ceremony held in Spain recently, Wuliangye was also honored for its achievement in driving business performance whilst leading adoption of the UN sustainable development goals.

As one of the pacesetters for China's baijiu industry, Wuliangye is endeavoring to leverage global standards of excellence to propel management innovation and industrial upgrading to contribute to sustainable development of the global liquor industry.

Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/347999.html

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Asante Gold Corporation (TSXV: ASE | GSE: ASG | OTCQX: ASGOF) ("Asante" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results of its annual general and special meeting of shareholders (the "Meeting") held yesterday, October 21, 2025. A total of 373,258,309 common shares of the Company (the "Common Shares") (representing approximately ~52% of the outstanding Common Shares) were represented at the Meeting, with all matters presented for approval by management being duly authorized and approved, including:

fixing the number of directors of the Company for the ensuing year at seven (7); electing the directors of the Company for the ensuing year; appointing the auditor of the Company for the ensuing year and authorizing the directors of the Company to fix the remuneration of the auditor; approving and ratifying the Company's omnibus equity incentive plan, and all unallocated options, rights and entitlements thereunder (the "Omnibus Plan"); and approving and ratifying the Company's employee share purchase plan (the "ESPP").





Detailed Voting Results:

Resolution Votes For Votes Against Votes Withheld Fixing the Number of Directors

at Seven 373,256,704

(100.00%) 1,605

(0.00%) N/A Appointment of Auditors 373,256,704

(100.00%) N/A 1,605

(0.00%) Approval of Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan and All Unallocated Options, RSUs and DSUs under the Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan 349,100,456

(99.68%) 1,117,932

(0.32%) N/A Approval of Employee Share Purchase Plan 320,412,590

(91.49%) 29,805,798

(8.51%) N/A

Detailed voting results regarding the election of directors are as follows:

Name Outcome of Vote Votes For Votes Withheld Bashir Akwasi Ahmed Elected 281,855,663

(80.48%%) 68,362,725

(19.52%) David Anthony Elected 327,736,313

(93.58%) 22,482,075

(6.42%) Malik Easah Elected 350,217,663

(100.00%) 725

(0.00%) Alex Heath Elected 251,935,036

(71.94%) 98,283,352

(28.06%) Alireza Abbassi Monjezi Elected 281,846,525

(80.48%) 68,371,863

(19.52%) Roger Norwich Elected 280,040,663

(79.96%) 70,177,725

(20.04%) Alexander Smirnov Elected 259,365,175

(74.06%) 90,853,213

(25,94%)

Further details on the above matters are set forth in the Company's meeting materials, including the management information circular dated September 18, 2025 (the "Circular"), are accessible under the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company has also filed a report of voting results on all resolutions voted on at the Meeting on SEDAR+.

Security Based Compensation Plans

At the Meeting, shareholders approved the Omnibus Plan and the ESPP. The Omnibus Plan is a "rolling" 10% plan and provides for the grant of options, restricted share units, performance share units and deferred share units. The ESPP is a "fixed" plan and provides for the issuance of up to 6,000,000 Common Shares to eligible employees. The aggregate number of Common Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to the Omnibus Plan, the ESPP and all other security-based compensation arrangements of the Company, at any time, must not exceed 10% of the Company's total issued and outstanding Common Shares. For additional information regarding the Omnibus Plan and the ESPP, please refer to the Circular, which is accessible under the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

About Asante Gold Corporation

Asante is a gold exploration, development and operating company with a high-quality portfolio of projects and mines in Ghana. Asante is currently operating the Bibiani and Chirano Gold Mines and continues with detailed technical studies at its Kubi Gold Project. All mines and exploration projects are located on the prolific Bibiani and Ashanti Gold Belts. Asante has an experienced and skilled team of mine finders, builders and operators, with extensive experience in Ghana. The Company is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and the Ghana Stock Exchange. Asante is also exploring its Keyhole, Fahiakoba and Betenase projects for new discoveries, all adjoining or along strike of major gold mines near the centre of Ghana's Golden Triangle.

Additional information is available on the Company's website at www.asantegold.com

For further information, please contact:

Dave Anthony, President & CEO

Frederick Attakumah, Executive Vice President and Country Director

Tel: +1 604 661 9400 or +233 303 972 147

Email: info@asantegold.com

LEI Number: 529900F9PV1G9S5YD446. Neither IIROC, the TSX Venture Exchange nor any stock exchange or other securities regulatory authority accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.
Iveco Group N.V. to present its 2025 Third Quarter Results on 6th November 2025

Turin, 23rd October 2025. Iveco Group N.V. (EXM: IVG) confirmed today that its financial results for the Third Quarter of 2025 will be presented on Thursday, 6th November 2025.

A live audio webcast of the conference call will begin at 11:00 a.m. CET / 10:00 a.m. GMT on Thursday, 6th November 2025.

Details for accessing the webcast are available at the following link:

Q3 2025 Iveco Group Webcast

The related press release and presentation will be posted on the corporate website at www.ivecogroup.comon Thursday, 6th November 2025.

For those unable to take part in the live session, a replay will be available in the Investors section of the company website) following the conference call.

Iveco Group N.V.

Media Contacts:

Francesco Polsinelli, Tel: +39 335 1776091

Fabio Lepore, Tel: +39 335 7469007

E-mail: mediarelations@ivecogroup.com

Investor Relations:

Federico Donati, Tel: +39 011 0073539

E-mail: investor.relations@ivecogroup.com

Attachment
PASAY CITY, Philippines, Oct. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- SM Investments Corporation (SM Investments), the parent company of the SM group, emphasized its practical approach to sustainability at The Dirty Work of Doing Good, a sustainability conference organized by the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Philippines.

Addressing industry leaders, sustainability advocates, and changemakers, SM Investments Head of Investor Relations and Sustainability Timothy Daniels said that sustainability for SM must be "practical, scalable, and felt by stakeholders, especially the communities we serve," given the breadth of its core businesses in property, retail, banking, and strategic investments in logistics and renewable energy.

"For us, sustainability has to be practical. It's not about making easy promises, but about creating shared value. The strategy has to be a win for all our stakeholders, not just the business. The ecosystem must move together for the common good," Mr. Daniels said.

Building resilient communities

With the Philippines among the most climate-vulnerable countries, Daniels stressed that disaster resilience is a shared responsibility. Since 2005, SM has dedicated 10% of its capital expenditures to disaster-resilient and sustainable infrastructure.

SM City Marikina, for example, is built on 246 stilts to withstand river overflows during typhoon season and has served as a refuge for nearby communities. Meanwhile, 41 rainwater catchment facilities across SM properties can collectively store 85,400 cubic meters of water, enough to fill more than 34 Olympic-sized pools to help mitigate flooding in surrounding areas.

Enabling inclusive growth

Mr. Daniels also highlighted SM's focus on inclusive development through its integrated city model, which combines retail, offices, hotels, convention centers, and education facilities such as National University (NU) campuses to meet the evolving needs of communities.

Over 100,000 MSME partners are part of SM Retail's value chain, while SM's banking arms, BDO and China Bank extended Php72 billion in loans to MSMEs in 2024.

SM has likewise invested in renewable energy through the Philippine Geothermal Production Company (PGPC), which operates geothermal steam fields in Tiwi, Albay and Mak-Ban in Laguna and Batangas, while exploring five additional concession areas, including Mt. Malinao in Albay.

"At the end of the day, our vision is serious. We're not just here to be a big company. We're here to help build and develop the communities we serve," Mr. Daniels added.

About SM Investments Corporation

SM Investments Corporation is one of the leading Philippine companies that is invested in market-leading businesses in retail, banking, and property. It also invests in ventures that capture high growth opportunities in the emerging Philippine economy.

SM's retail operations are the country's largest and most diversified, consisting of grocery stores, department stores and specialty retail stores. SM's property arm, SM Prime Holdings, Inc., is the largest integrated property developer in the Philippines with interests in malls, residences, offices, hotels, and convention centers as well as tourism-related property developments. SM's interests in banking are in BDO Unibank, Inc., the country's largest bank, and China Banking Corporation, the fourth largest private domestic bank.

For more information, please visit www.sminvestments.com

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Edmonton, Alberta and Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 23, 2025) - Everyday People Financial Corp. (TSXV: EPF) (OTCQB: EPFCF) ("EPF") and XTM Inc. (CSE: PAID) ("XTM"), are pleased to announce that the parties have entered into a Management Services and Program Management Agreement ("MSA") dated October 22, 2025, under which EPF, through a jointly formed subsidiary called Everyday People Payments Inc. ("Everyday Payments"), will be assigned full operational management, compliance oversight, and technology administration of XTM's Canadian network branded card and digital wallet programs. The MSA is expected to have an initial term of five years from the effective date, automatically renewing for successive five-year periods unless terminated earlier in accordance with the terms of the agreement.

This agreement combines both companies' payment technologies under EPF's Digital Commerce Bank ("DC Bank") issuing and processing platform, creating one of Canada's most comprehensive fintech ecosystems for earned wage access, corporate disbursement, and digital wallet solutions.

"This partnership accelerates our strategy to deliver a unified, scalable, and compliant payments infrastructure across North America," said Gordon J. Reykdal, Executive Chairman of Everyday People Financial Corp. "By combining XTM's client base and technology with EPF's regulatory, operational, and banking framework, we are unlocking high margin recurring revenues and long-term value for both shareholder groups."

"Partnering with EPF ensures that our programs operate on some of the most compliant infrastructure operators in Canada and that their staff are delighted by new features including lending," said Marilyn Schaffer, Chief Executive Officer of XTM Inc. "This partnership enables XTM to focus on cross-border expansion of gig-payments and earned wage access across various new verticals. This transaction is immediately accretive to XTM's financial performance and aligns with its focus on debt reduction, sustainable growth and profitability."

Transaction Economics

XTM contributes advanced financial technology, a powerful sales network, and a loyal consumer base with approximately 200,000 active card users, while EPF adds a decades-long partnership with DC Bank, a proven operational framework, and a customer-first brand philosophy focused on service excellence. Pursuant to the terms of the MSA:

The jointly formed subsidiary called Everyday Payments will be owned 90% by XTM and 10% by EPF with significant net revenue milestones allowing EPF to earn additional equity over time to a maximum of 49.9% with a right of first refusal option to purchase XTM's shares of Everyday Payments at a later mutually acceptable date.

EPF will assume full management and cost responsibility for all Canadian network branded card, and wallet programs under the Everyday Payments brand.

XTM's historical operating costs, including technology support, compliance, reconciliation, and program management, will be fully eliminated, replaced by EPF's existing infrastructure and personnel.

EPF will manage these programs with fewer than six incremental team members, leveraging its integrated systems to achieve material economies of scale.

All programs will operate under EPF's DC Bank Visa platform, ensuring regulatory compliance and daily settlement through trust accounts.

Net Revenue sharing is defined as revenue share after deducting only direct network, banking and processor costs.

XTM's net revenues in 2024 were $9.1 million and the collaboration is anticipated to generate annualized revenues in line with historical results within twelve months of full transition, with a significant increase in bottom-line profit share due to EPF's cost absorption and consolidated operations. The MSA is structured as a capital-light, profit-sharing model requiring minimal new headcount and no shareholder dilution.

"With EPF managing all operational, compliance, and technology layers, XTM immediately eliminates significant ongoing costs while maintaining participation in future revenues," added Tyler Hatch, EPF Co-CEO, EP Financial Services. "The efficiency of this integration, executed with fewer than six new hires, translates directly to higher EBITDA and margin expansion for both companies."

Strategic Rationale

Cost Efficiency: XTM removes the burden of legacy operational costs, resulting in immediate improvement to its cash flow and profitability.

Regulatory Compliance: EPF serves as the Payment Service Provider of Record, ensuring full alignment with Bank of Canada oversight.

Scalability: Unified processing under EPF's infrastructure enables faster client onboarding, real-time settlement, and expansion into new verticals including hospitality, gig, and franchise payroll.

Revenue Synergy: Shared monetization across interchange, SaaS, and lending programs enhances predictability and recurring income for both companies.

Technology Continuity: XTM's proprietary wallet and app technology will continue to operate under the Everyday Payments brand with EPF providing ongoing management, compliance, and integration.

About Everyday People Financial Corp.

Everyday People Financial Corp. is a technology-driven financial services company with a mission to help individuals and businesses manage money better. First established in 1988, we have a workforce of over 600 people operating in the United Kingdom and Canada providing fully fee-for-service solutions across two business pillars operating in Canada and the United Kingdom.

Revenue Cycle Management (RCM), which helps organizations recover receivables and streamline billing processes without purchasing consumer debt, and Financial Services, which provides digital tools and credit access programs that support Canadians on their financial journey.

Founded on the belief that everyone deserves a second chance to rebuild financial health and wealth, the Company is committed to providing affordable, innovative, and responsible financial solutions that create lasting value for our clients, customers, and shareholders.

We are changing the way people manage money by enhancing our client and consumer services with our own affordability assessment programs with specialized financial products and literacy programs. We're helping everyday people rebuild their financial health for generational wealth. We stand for creativity and entrepreneurship. Our combination of companies, products and services has been established to ensure we can fulfill consumers' financial needs and service them in a low-cost and effective manner.

For more information, visit: www.everydaypeoplefinancial.com

Approved jointly by:

Gordon Reykdal

Executive Chairman of Everyday People Financial Corp.

Tyler Hatch

Co-CEO, EP Financial Services of Everyday People Financial Corp.

Dil Boparai

Chief Financial Officer of Everyday People Financial Corp.

Marilyn Schaffer

Chief Executive Officer of XTM Inc.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes or may include certain "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" (collectively referred to hereafter as "forward-looking statements") under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to financial performance, and key financial metrics, results of operations, integration of the acquired businesses, and the business, plans, strategy and operations, operational synergies, cost reductions, of EPF and XTM arising from the MSA. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, expectations and assumptions concerning EPF and XTM and the acquired businesses as well as other risks and uncertainties, including those described in the documents filed by EPF and XTM on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. 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. EPF and XTM disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

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

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271560

SOURCE: Everyday People Financial Corp.
TRAVAGLIATO, Italy, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Antares Vision Group, the Italian multinational leader in traceability and quality inspection that ensures product safety and supply chain transparency through integrated data management, will participate as a sponsor at the 40th GS1 Healthcare Global Conference, taking place in Brussels, Belgium, from 4 to 6 November 2025. This milestone edition celebrates twenty years of GS1 Healthcare and brings together regulators, hospital executives, manufacturers, and technology innovators from around the world to explore how standards are shaping the future of digital health, supply chain transparency, and patient safety.

As a trusted partner in digitalization, Antares Vision Group will present its vision and solutions for end-to-end traceability, spanning serialization, aggregation, supply chain compliance, and hospital-level medication management. The company's approach demonstrates how GS1 standards allow each product to maintain a unique digital identity throughout its lifecycle, enabling transparency, regulatory compliance, and actionable data at every step.

"The true value of traceability is realized when data is not only created but actively connected and used across the entire lifecycle. Our systems guarantee the perpetual availability of critical medicines and devices, while automatically preventing the use of expired or non-compliant products. Hospitals gain operational efficiency, reduce waste, and improve patient safety, while pharmaceutical companies achieve regulatory compliance, brand protection, and supply chain transparency," said Gianfranco Landolfi, General Manager Life Science & Cosmetics of Antares Vision Group.

At the core of Antares Vision's expertise lies the integration of full-stack solutions, from L1 to L5, that secure and connect the entire value chain: from product serialization at the factory, through global supply chain compliance, and all the way to the hospital and patient administration. Once products reach healthcare facilities, the Medication Management Platform takes over, combining software and hardware such as automated and robotic cabinets, smart carts, and IoT-enabled links to existing storage. Each movement is tracked in detail (from hospital to ward to cabinet to drawer and to the right position) and every dispensation is tied to the specific serialized unit via GS1 EPCIS events. This allows hospitals to maintain real-time inventory, prevent expired or incorrect products from reaching patients, and execute fast, precise recalls when necessary.

Antares Vision Group's participation at the GS1 Healthcare Global Conference demonstrates the company's commitment to innovation, interoperability, and sustainability. The event also highlights Antares Vision Group's pivotal role in shaping a safer, smarter, and more transparent healthcare ecosystem worldwide. For almost two decades, Antares Vision has implemented serialization and aggregation solutions across more than 170 production sites and over 1,100 packaging lines. This extensive experience demonstrates the tangible impact of end-to-end traceability in both hospital and industrial contexts.

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Permitting of exploration is continuing, identified soil geochemical targets, initiated a notice of work and reclamation program

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / October 23, 2025 / Supreme Critical Metals Inc. (CSE:CRIT)(FWB:VR6)(OTC PINK:VRCFF) (" Supreme " or the " Company ") reports that its geological team has completed a site visit and field assessment of the Silver Vista Silver-Copper Property (the "Property" ), located in the Omineca Mining Division, approximately 55 kilometres northeast of Smithers, British Columbia.

Prior to this site visit, the Company obtained a Light Detection and Ranging ( "LIDAR" ) survey of the property and engaged SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd. ( "SLR" ) of Vancouver to conduct a surficial geology mapping survey. Preliminary maps and interpretations from SLR were available for the geologists, to aid in the assessment and prioritization of the multiple soil geochemical surveys on the Property. All of the 2021 drill site locations (nine drill holes) were located and inspected, and test pits were completed and till samples taken in high priority soil geochemical targets.

Other activities included meetings with consultants engaged to prepare and file a Notice of Work ( "NoW" ) and Reclamation Program for an exploration program comprising diamond drilling, trenching, test pitting, and overburden (till) drilling. The Company also held preliminary meetings with Smithers-based diamond-drilling contractors active in the region and collaborating with the Lake Babine Nation. In addition, the team completed an introductory visit to the Lake Babine Nation offices in Burns Lake.

"The team's site visit to the Silver Vista silver-copper property was successful in confirming additional high priority soil geochemical targets, in addition to the "MR zone" mineralization indicated by diamond drilling," said interim President and Chief Executive Officer George Tsafalas. "Multiple targets have been selected, with permitting of the exploration program continuing. Silver have set record prices and the combination with copper, designates both metals as critical metals in the USA, representing a compelling opportunity. The deposit model sought at the Silver Vista property is near-surface, bulk-tonnage, open-pit, stratabound, silver-copper mineralization, which can be readily tested with shallow drilling."

Figure 1: Silver Vista Property

About the Silver Vista Property

The Silver Vista Property covers 4,839 hectares and is readily accessible via a network of logging roads west of the Nilkitkwa Forest Service Road, which parallels Lake Babine. As previously reported ( press release, Aug. 21, 2025 ), surface sampling and diamond drilling have outlined multiple, stacked horizons of silver-copper (zinc) mineralization within stratiform sedimentary sequences-features consistent with a stratabound copper-silver deposit model. On a worldwide basis, stratabound copper-silver deposits contain approximately 23% of all known copper resources and represent the second-most important global source of the metal after porphyry copper deposits 1 . These deposits may also host significant by-product values in silver, cobalt, and zinc. A 2021 drill program (see references below) 2 (1,507 metres in nine holes) returned the best intercepts to date, highlighted by hole SV21-07: 46 metres from 106 metres averaging 48 g/t Ag and 0.62% Cu, including 17 metres averaging 94 g/t Ag and 1.34% Cu; peak grades within this interval reached 431 g/t Ag (121-122 m) and 2.57% Cu (112-113 m) 3 . The Property is located in the Omineca Mining Division of British Columbia, within the traditional territory of the Lake Babine Nation. The property lies approximately 23 kilometres west-southwest of American Eagle Gold Corp.'s high-profile NAK project and about 30 kilometres west of Amarc Resources Ltd.'s Duke copper-gold porphyry deposit. It features gentle topography and enjoys year-round road access via established forestry infrastructure.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Helgi Sigurgeirson, P.Geo, a certified independent professional geologist who is a "Qualified Person" as such term is defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ( "NI 43- 101" ) .

Supreme is dedicated to keeping our shareholders informed of our progress and will provide updates as we advance our initiatives within the silver sector. We appreciate the continued support of our shareholders and are enthusiastic about the future of our Company in this market.

Strategic Media Engagements

The Company has entered into a Marketing Media Agreement with Mining Investor Resources Media Ltd. ( "MiningIR" ) for a twelve-month term effective October 21, 2025, to help raise online marketing awareness and provide comprehensive digital media services. The Company will pay $36,000 in 12 equal monthly payments. Established in 2018, MiningIR is a media company that delivers corporate media and digital distribution for publicly traded resource companies, including content development, website and social amplification, investor-facing videos, targeted email distribution, and display placements across its mining media platform. MiningIR is at arm's length to the Company, and no material non-public information will be disclosed. All interactions and service provisions will be coordinated through Jamie Hyland at MiningIR at info@miningir.com or (604) 442-2425. For more information, visit www.miningir.com .

About Supreme Critical Metals Inc.

Supreme Critical Metals Inc. is a publicly traded diversified investment corporation actively exploring and investigating multiple opportunities in lithium, copper, silver, and precious metals. The Company adheres to strategic guidelines that prioritize regions conducive to mining, supported by favourable government regulations and existing infrastructure.

For further information, please contact:

George Tsafalas, Director

Phone: Toll Free 1(778) 373-8578

E-mail: info@supremecritalmetals.com

www.supremecriticalmetals.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, " forward-looking information "). Such forward-looking information is provided to inform the Company's shareholders and potential investors about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Any such forward-looking information may be identified by words such as "anticipate", "proposed", "estimates", "would", "expects", "intends", "plans", "may", "will", and similar expressions, although not all forward-looking information contain these identifying words.

More particularly and without limitation, the forward-looking information in this news release includes expectations regarding the Company's business plans and operations. Forward-looking information is based on a number of factors and assumptions that have been used to develop such information, but which may prove to be incorrect. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information because the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. The forward-looking information in this news release reflects the Company's current expectations, assumptions and/or beliefs based on information currently available to the Company.

Whether actual results, performance, or achievements will conform to Supreme's expectations and predictions is subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results and experience to differ materially from Supreme's expectations. Such material risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions and dependence upon regulatory approvals.

Any forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of this release.

1 Stratabound Copper-Silver Deposits of the Mesoproterozoic Revett Formation, Montana and Idaho (2005) by David E. Boleneus et al. , U.S. Geological Survey, Scientific Investigations Report 2005-5231. 2 Baechler, T, March 4, 2022, Report on Diamond Drilling and Geochemistry on the Silver Vista Property, B.C., Assessment Report #39889 3 Norseman Silver Inc. (now Fitzroy Minerals Inc.), Press Release, December 6, 2021 . SOURCE: Supreme Critical Metals Inc.

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / October 23, 2025 / SNOWLINE GOLD CORP. (TSXV:SGD)(OTCQB:SNWGF) (the "Company" or "Snowline") is pleased to announce an agreement in partnership with Ross River Dena Council ("RRDC") and Yukon First Nation Education Directorate ("YFNED") to provide temporary, stop-gap funding to maintain the school-food aspect of Ross River's Rural Nutrition program, which provides Ross River School students with two, school-based, warm meals per day along with snacks and school-break hampers.

Snowline will provide temporary funding that will sustain this vital school food programming in Ross River. The Company has made an overall contribution commitment of $90,000. This will pay for a part-time cook and healthy school-based meals for kids at Ross River School.

In early September, when the Nutrition Program was first cancelled, the Company offered an emergency influx of $10,000 and an in-kind contribution of non-perishable foods from their seasonal camps. That led to further relationship-building and discussions which culminated in an agreement for the contribution of $80,000 which will feed kids healthy food at school for at least six months. YFNED and RRDC are hopeful that federal and territorial governments will have responded with a solution before then.

One of YFNED's most impactful programs, for the last five years, Rural Nutrition provided two healthy school-based warm meals and snacks, and school-break hampers to 13 of Yukon's communities, where food insecurity is a harsh reality, and kids regularly go hungry.

When the Rural Nutrition Program was denied its funding request by Jordan's Principle - Indigenous Services Canada, only a few weeks into the beginning of the school year, rural, Indigenous Yukon communities had to abruptly terminate their school-food program. YFNED has since been working to secure temporary, alternative funding sources and have submitted an official appeal to Jordan's Principle's decision.

QUOTES

"When the Government of Canada denied this crucial funding, our most vulnerable children suddenly had to go without reliable nutritious meals on a daily basis. Food insecurity, poverty, and hunger are very real issues in Ross River and nutrition is the basic building block for health, wellness and learning. That's why we are so relieved to have found a temporary, emergency funding source with Snowline Gold Corp."

Melanie Bennett, Executive Director, YFNED

"We are thankful for the contribution from Snowline Gold to get us through the school year while we wait for federal funds to be appealed. As guests on Tu Lidlini - Kaska Territory, we gratefully accept their support and acknowledge that they are meeting their obligations to our families and children. This is an example of people coming together in a good way for our children."

Chief Dylan Loblaw, Ross River Dene First Nation, Chair of Chiefs Committee on Education

"We are grateful for the opportunity to support the children and families of Ross River by helping maintain their school meals program. As a Yukon-grown company with primary projects in and around Kaska Dene Territory, this is a meaningful way we can honour and respect where we are and give back to the Kaska people. It's also one example of how a responsible resource industry can support stronger, healthier communities."

Scott Berdahl, CEO & Director, Snowline Gold Corp.

ABOUT YUKON FIRST NATION EDUCATION DIRECTORATE

Steered by a committee of Chiefs of Yukon First Nations, the Yukon First Nation Education Directorate was launched in the summer of 2020 in response to the long-overdue need for unified control over First Nations education in the territory.

YFNED is dedicated to capacity-building, systems and resources development, second-level educational programs and services enhancement, and learner supports. YFNED advances First Nation decision-making and aspirations for control over education, providing technical support, research and advice for Framework Agreement processes, and advocates for First Nation student success across the system.

ABOUT SNOWLINE GOLD CORP.

Snowline Gold Corp. is a Yukon Territory-focused gold exploration and development company with a mineral claim portfolio covering roughly 360,000 ha (3,600 km2). The Company is advancing its Valley gold deposit-a large, low-strip, near surface, >1 g/t Au bulk tonnage gold system located in the eastern Yukon-while continuing regional exploration of surrounding targets on the Rogue Project and the broader district in the highly prospective yet underexplored Selwyn Basin.

ON BEHALF OF SNOWLINE'S BOARD

Scott Berdahl

CEO & Director

For further information, please contact:

Snowline Gold Corp.

+1 778 650 5485

info@snowlinegold.com

Katharine Sandiford

Communications Director

Yukon First Nation Education Directorate

katharine.sandiford@yfned.ca

+1 867 333 4011

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

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, including statements regarding continued exploration of regional exploration on the Rogue Project and the Selwyn Basin. Wherever possible, words such as "may", "will", "should", "could", "expect", "plan", "intend", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "predict" or "potential" or the negative or other variations of these words, or similar words or phrases, have been used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management as at the date hereof.

Forward-looking statements involve significant risk, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among other things: risks related to uncertainties inherent in drill results and the estimation of mineral resources; and risks associated with executing the Company's plans and intentions. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.

SOURCE: Snowline Gold Corp.

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HIGHLIGHTS:

The Phase 2 hydrology program will consist of placing 5 additional piezometers, a dewatering well and a groundwater monitoring well;

Geotechnical evaluation is progressing on 22 drillholes along the proposed decline alignment; and

A seismic program consisting of 18 kilometres in seven lines is planned over the Tonopah West deposit and to the northwest to identify extensions and structural controls.

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 23, 2025) - Blackrock Silver Corp. (TSXV: BRC) (OTCQX: BKRRF) (FSE: AHZ0) ("Blackrock" or the "Company") is pleased to announce certain advancement programs (the "Programs") at the Company's 100% owned Tonopah West ("Tonopah West") project located in Nye and Esmeralda Counties, Nevada, USA. The Programs will consist of a Phase 2 hydrology program, geotechnical evaluation of the proposed decline alignment and a seismic survey intended to understand the structural controls and advance Tonopah West toward completing an exploration decline that will allow for test mining and the extraction of a bulk sample for metallurgical processing.

Andrew Pollard, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, stated: "Tonopah West is moving forward on multiple fronts as we work to grow, optimize and de-risk the project toward underground development. The integration of hydrologic, geotechnical and seismic data from these Programs represents key de-risking initiatives, helping us refine engineering models, optimize decline design and establish a strong technical foundation for permitting our initial test mine and bulk sample area. These Programs are running in parallel as we await pending assay results and the delivery of an updated preliminary economic assessment on Tonopah West, currently slated for Q1 2026."

Hydrology Programs

Montgomery and Associates was contracted to complete the hydrology programs on Tonopah West. In the Phase-1 hydrology program, the Company set four piezometers along the proposed alignment of the decline that have been collecting data that reports where water is present (see May 15, 2025 news release). Based on the information collected from the Phase-1 hydrology program, a Phase-2 hydrology program at Tonopah West has been approved. The Phase-2 program will be entirely within DPB South area of Tonopah West where the Company is planning its exploration decline, test mining and bulk sampling programs. The Phase-2 hydrology program will set five additional piezometers, a dewatering well and a groundwater monitoring well. Data from this infrastructure will help with engineering design of the decline, water pumping requirements and site disposal strategies.

Geotechnical Evaluations

Call & Nicholas, Inc. have been retained to complete geotechnical evaluations on Tonopah West. Detailed geotechnical evaluation on the Phase-1 piezometer holes has been completed. This evaluation is critical for the engineering and design of the proposed exploration decline. An additional 17 drillholes are being geotechnically logged and 36 samples have been collected for geotechnical unconfined compression strength testing. Approximately 59,000 metres (193,570 feet) of core drilling from the project has been evaluated for recovery and Rock Quality Designation (RQD). Additional geotechnical study is being planned.

Seismic Survey

The Company has contracted Bird Seismic Services, Inc. to complete 18 kilometres of 2D seismic data. The seismic data will be collected on seven lines cris-crossing the Tonopah West project area (See Figure 1.). Several lines have been located on the northwestern portion of Tonopah West to identify the extension of the Fraction caldera margin under cover. The goal of the seismic survey program is to better understand the structural controls of the deposit and identify extensions of silver and gold for drill targeting.

Figure 1: Location map showing proposed seismic lines

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Qualified Persons

Blackrock's exploration activities at Tonopah West are conducted and supervised by Mr. William Howald, Executive Chairman of Blackrock. Mr. William Howald, AIPG Certified Professional Geologist #11041, is a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. He has reviewed and approved the contents of this news release.

About Blackrock Silver Corp.

Backed by gold and silver ounces in the ground, Blackrock is a junior precious metal focused exploration and development company driven to add shareholder value. Anchored by a seasoned Board of Directors, the Company is focused on its 100% controlled Nevada portfolio of properties consisting of low-sulphidation, epithermal gold and silver mineralization located along the established Northern Nevada Rift in north-central Nevada and the Walker Lane trend in western Nevada.

Additional information on Blackrock Silver Corp. can be found on its website at www.blackrocksilver.com and by reviewing its profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Information

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of Canadian and United States securities legislation, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to, among other things: the Company's strategic plans; the contents and completion of the Company's Programs at Tonopah West and the anticipated objectives and results therefrom; the permitting of an exploration decline to enable test mining and the extraction of a bulk sample at Tonopah West; the timing of completion of an updated preliminary economic assessment on Tonopah West; the Company's de-risking initiatives at Tonopah West; estimates of mineral resource quantities and qualities; estimates of mineralization from drilling; geological information projected from sampling results; and the potential quantities and grades of the target zones.

These forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant operational, business, economic and regulatory uncertainties and contingencies. These assumptions include, among other things: conditions in general economic and financial markets; accuracy of assay results; geological interpretations from drilling results; timing and amount of capital expenditures; performance of available laboratory and other related services; future operating costs; the historical basis for current estimates of potential quantities and grades of target zones; the availability of skilled labour and no labour related disruptions at any of the Company's operations; no unplanned delays or interruptions in scheduled activities; all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals for operations are received in a timely manner; the ability to secure and maintain title and ownership to properties and the surface rights necessary for operations; and the Company's ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive.

The Company cautions the reader that forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements contained in this news release and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: the timing and content of work programs; results of exploration activities and development of mineral properties; the interpretation and uncertainties of drilling results and other geological data; receipt, maintenance and security of permits and mineral property titles; environmental and other regulatory risks; project costs overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses; availability of funds; failure to delineate potential quantities and grades of the target zones based on historical data; general market and industry conditions; and those factors identified under the caption "Risks Factors" in the Company's most recent Annual Information Form.

Forward-looking statements are based on the expectations and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. The assumptions used in the preparation of such statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in this news release if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law.

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

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271537

SOURCE: Blackrock Silver Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 23, 2025) - Dryden Gold Corp. (TSXV: DRY) (OTCQB: DRYGF) ("Dryden Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on the 2025 Exploration Campaign. The Company has recently finished the planned 15,000 meters of drilling and completed all the summer fieldwork. There are 19 holes with assays pending from this drill program. (Table 1). The holes to be released from the 2025 drill program targeted the Gold Rock target Area ("Gold Rock") and the Mud Lake target Area ("Mud Lake") - (summary video). In addition, the results from regional field work which included mapping, sampling and soil programs are still outstanding.

The 2025 Exploration program was designed to advance the Company's two pronged exploration strategy. Approximately 55% of the budget was allocated to expanding Gold Rock and 45% was focused on regional exploration to support new discoveries in the Dryden Gold District and to develop new high-grade gold targets in the Gold Rock Camp.

Trey Wasser, CEO of Dryden Gold states "The 2025 exploration program has been a tremendous success. The results, released to date, support our thesis of district-wide development on our large strategic land package. The high-grade mineralized footprint at Gold Rock has grown substantially with the discovery of multiple parallel mineralized structures. Mud Lake results will confirm periodicity at the deposit scale and validate our many early target areas in the Gold Rock Camp. Results at Hyndman and Sherridon are very exciting and both regional targets will be included in our 2026 Program. This year has been a pivotal year for Dryden Gold having set up our exploration facilities and hiring our own local geology team with some of the best young talent in the industry".

Dryden Gold had four stated objectives that comprised its 2025 Exploration Program:

The first objective for Dryden Gold was to expand the footprint of the Gold Rock Target Area. Drilling tested along strike on the Elora Gold System where the Company discovered multiple parallel gold-bearing structures with exceptional high-grade intercepts. The 15 outstanding drill holes at Gold Rock continue to expand the footprint. The Geology Team (the Team") is working to finalize long section interpretation of these multiple parallel zones and continue to pinpoint the controls of the high-grade gold.

The second objective was to prove the periodicity at the deposit scale, within the Gold Rock Camp, by drill testing the potential at the Mud Lake. Mud Lake is approximately two kilometers northeast of Gold Rock and became an exploration target due to the geophysical anomaly comparable to Gold Rock. It was initially tested in 2024 through mapping and surface sampling. The Company has completed an initial four-hole drill program with assays pending.

The recent assays from channel sampling at our third objective, Hyndman, have resulted in a positive drill decision and the Team is currently planning its first-pass drill targets for the 2026 Program. The channel sampling program targeted existing outcrop exposures while geophysics anomalies show a potential strike length of approximately four kilometers. High-grade gold was assayed where the exposed rock hosted veining and shear hosted gold mineralization. Drill testing will allow the team to test the continuity of this mineralization below surface and along strike. The Team believes there is potential for multiple shear parallel gold bearing structures, with significant strike length, at Hyndman.

Lastly, the initial three-hole drill program at Sherridon has discovered board-scale gold mineralization. This board-scale mineralization differs from anything else encountered on the property to date. Sherridon is hosted within a large geophysical anomaly with a strike length of five kilometers. Testing to date has focused on a small portion of that trend leaving the Sherridon target open in all directions. Additional drill targets will be designed based on drill results and geological interpretations from expanded mineral assays, geochemistry and re-logging of historic core.

Figure 1: Dryden Gold Property Geology Map

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Table 1: 2025 Exploration Program stats as of October 23, 2025

2025 Exploration Campaign Stats - October 23, 2025 Drilling Stats Total meters completed: 15,415 meters 100% Gold Rock 12,956 meters 84% Mud Lake 1,214 meters 8% Sherridon 1,245 meters 8% Total number of holes completed: 49 holes 100% Gold Rock 42 holes 86% Mud Lake 4 holes 8% Sherridon 3 holes 6% Drilling Gold Assay Results Stats Holes released 30 holes 61% Gold Rock 27 holes 90% Mud Lake 0 holes 0% Sherridon 3 holes 10% Holes pending 19 holes 39% Gold Rock 15 holes 79% Mud Lake 4 holes 21% Sherridon 0 holes 0% Regional Field Exploration Hyndman Channel Program 100% Total Channels cut 129 channels

Total number of samples 596 samples

Total number of channel samples released 596 samples 100% Gold Rock Regional Mapping 100% Total number of samples 510 samples

Total number of samples released 0 0% Property Soil/Till Program 100% Total number of samples 4,278 samples

Total number of samples released 0 0%



Link to video summary

Additional Regional Exploration

Gold Rock Camp

The 2025 summer field mapping campaign targeted several high-priority target areas for ground truthing and first pass prospecting throughout the 20-km Gold Rock Camp. The mapping campaign expanded on a fault intersection target on the east side of the Manitou Dinorwic deformation zone where arsenopyrite mineralization was encountered during the 2024 mapping campaign. In addition, the program focused on the northeast trend pass beyond Mud Lake where a previously untested geophysical anomaly was sampled with assays and geochemical results pending.

Soil & Till Program

Dryden Gold completed a systematic regional till and soils program during the summer of 2025 that consisted of 4,278 samples across its 70,250-hectare land package. The field collection was completed by October 2025 and lab analysis is ongoing with Dryden expecting results by late 2025/early 2026. This comprehensive dataset will support ongoing regional targeting and help future prioritization of exploration across Dryden's property.

Marketing Update

Maura Kolb, P. Geo., President will be participating in the upcoming New Orleans Investment Conference taking place on November 2-5, 2025, and will be presenting on November 3rd at 9:50am CT at Presentation Area One in the Exhibit Hall. Investors are encouraged to stop by Booth #228 to ask management questions about our fully funded, ongoing 20,000+ meter drill program. On November 6th, Maura will be giving a corporate presentation to new investors during a roadshow in Atlanta, Georgia, organized by Roger Fitzpatrick at the Palm Restaurant.

Exploration Manager, Ryan Humphries will be presenting at the Central Canadian Mineral Exploration Convention in Winnipeg on November 3rd during Session 5 at 1:30pm CT to give an exploration update.

CEO Trey Wasser will be meeting with investors at the 121 London Mining Investment Conference taking place on November 17-18. Shortly thereafter, Trey will also be participating in the Swiss Mining Institute Zurich conference from November 20-21 hosting more one-to-one meetings with guest speakers, Claude Bejet Peter Krauth, Florian Grummes, Eric Strand and more. We welcome investors to reach out for meetings and to review our updated corporate presentation, here.

For more information about which conferences management will be attending next, please visit our Events page, here.

Marketing Agreement and Stock Options

Dryden Gold Corp wishes to announce that it has agreed to extend its engagement with Vancouver-based Matrix Agency Marketing Ltd. ("Matrix"), a marketing and consulting services company focused on the junior mining sector, effective November 1, 2025. Under the terms of the renewal agreement (the "Agreement"), Dryden Gold will compensate Matrix $16,000 per month, over a 12-month term of the Agreement and has granted Matrix stock options (the "Options") exercisable to acquire an aggregate of 100,000 common shares at a price of $0.31 per share for five years. The Options shall vest quarterly over a period of 12 months, with 25% vesting each quarter. Matrix may from time to time acquire or dispose of securities of the Company through the market, privately or otherwise, as circumstances or market conditions warrant. Matrix has also agreed to the Company's insider trading policy and will observe the Company's trading blackouts. Matrix and its affiliates are at an arm's length to Dryden Gold Corp. and has no other relationship with Dryden Gold Corp., except pursuant to the Agreement. The Agreement is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

Qualified Person

The technical disclosure in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Maura J. Kolb, M.Sc., P. Geo., President of Dryden Gold and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators.

Analytical Laboratory and QA/QC Procedures

The Company is drilling NQ size core. Samples are cut in half, with half going to the lab for analysis and half kept as a record. True thickness/widths of the mineralization are unknown, result intervals are reported as the drilled core lengths unless otherwise stated. All sampling completed by Dryden Gold Corp. within its exploration programs is subject to a Company standard of internal quality control and quality assurance (QA/QC) programs which include the insertion of certified reference materials, blank materials, and a level of duplicate analysis. Drill samples from the 2024 and 2025 program were sent to Activation Laboratories, with sample preparation and analysis in Dryden, where they were processed for gold analysis by 50-gram fire assay with an atomic absorption finish and over limits determined by Fire Assay with a gravimetric finish. Select samples were analyzed using metallic screens. Activation Laboratories systems conform to requirements of ISO/IEC Standard 17025 guidelines and meets assay requirements outlined for NI 43-101.

ABOUT DRYDEN GOLD CORP.

Dryden Gold Corp. is an exploration company focused on the discovery of high-grade gold mineralization listed on the TSX Venture Exchange ("DRY") and on the OTCQB marketplace ("DRYGF") and FSE ("X7W"). The Company has a strong management team and Board of Directors comprised of experienced individuals with a track record of building shareholder value through property acquisition and consolidation, exploration success, and mergers and acquisitions. Dryden Gold controls a 100% interest in a dominant strategic land position in the Dryden Gold District of Northwestern Ontario. Dryden Gold's property package includes historic gold mines but has seen limited modern exploration. The property hosts high-grade gold mineralization over 50km of potential strike length along the Manitou-Dinorwic deformation zone. The property has excellent infrastructure, enjoys collaborative relationships with First Nations communities and benefits from proximity to an experienced mining workforce.

For more information go to our website www.drydengold.com.

CONTACT INFORMATION

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

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the acquisition of the Property, receipt of corporate and regulatory approvals, issuance of common shares; future development plans; future acquisitions; exploration programs; and the business and operations of Dryden Gold. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings including receipt of TSX Venture Exchange approval for the acquisition of the Property; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in Dryden Gold's and the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward--looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and Dryden Gold and the Company do not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Actual events or results could differ materially from Dryden Gold's and the Company's expectations or projections.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271541

SOURCE: Dryden Gold Corp.
Highlights:

NIV hosts extensive and coincident soil geochemical, Induced Polarization (IP), and magnetic anomalies in a favourable geological setting that represents one of BC's most compelling undrilled porphyry copper-gold-molybdenum targets

NIV had been advanced and funded privately for 10 years by Charlie Greig and Alex Walcott

NIV is in the Toodoggone District - similar geology to the Aurora (Amarc) and Aurora West (TDG Gold) discoveries

NIV is fully permitted, with targets defined and ready to drill

New leadership: Charlie Greig (GT Gold, Pretium Resources, American Eagle Gold) appointed as the CEO of Metal Energy

Alex Walcott and Dr. Roy Greig (ex-Amarc VP of Exploration) have been appointed technical advisors to Metal Energy

View updated Metal Energy investor presentation, highlighting the NIV project (click here)

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 23, 2025) - Metal Energy Corp. (TSXV: MERG) (OTCQB: MEEEF) (the "Company" or "Metal Energy") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an option agreement to acquire the NIV Copper Gold porphyry project, located in the Toodoggone district of British Columbia.

"NIV combines everything one looks for in a copper-gold porphyry property: the right geology with extensive alteration, multiple coincident geochemical and geophysical anomalies, and close proximity to infrastructure. We are fully permitted, have high-priority defined targets, and couldn't be more excited to begin drilling. I look forward to showing investors why Alex and I believe NIV could be another jewel in the Toodoggone" said Charlie Greig, CEO of Metal Energy.

"Metal Energy is excited to partner with Charlie, Roy, and Alex to explore this remarkable and untested target. Combining NIV with a proven technical team that has extensive regional experience and in-depth knowledge of the property provides a strong foundation for something truly special," said Stephen Stewart, Chairman of Metal Energy.

NIV: A Compelling Untested Target

The NIV Project displays a significant alignment of geophysical and geochemical anomalies in a proven geological setting. All of these characteristics are consistent with the presence of a large-scale porphyry copper-gold-molybdenum system. The data sets at NIV, taken together, make the project one of the most compelling undrilled porphyry targets in British Columbia.

Click Here to Watch a Geological Overview of NIV

Privately funded and advanced for more than a decade by Charlie Greig and Alex Walcott, the project represents the culmination of their technical vision and commitment. All permits are in place, and a maiden drill program is being finalized, with details to be announced shortly.

NIV Property Overview

The NIV Property spans more than 12,500 hectares across two claim blocks-NIV (1,048 ha) and West NIV (11,500 ha)-located approximately 32 km south of Centerra Gold's Kemess mine complex. Exploration at NIV began in the 1960s, but modern, systematic work only began in 2010 when Walcott first staked the ground. Subsequent programs between 2016 and 2024 revealed1:

Strongly anomalous soil geochemistry: copper (>300 ppm), gold (>200 ppb), and molybdenum (>12 ppm) over a 3.7 km strike length.

Geological mapping that suggested the presence of porphyry dikes and a large alteration system associated with the anomalous soil geochemistry.

Coincident Induced Polarization (IP) chargeability and resistivity anomalies from deep-looking surveys that coincide with local magnetic highs and align with the geochemical and geological trends.

Features in additional geophysical surveys (e.g., MobileMT) and technical studies (e.g., geochronology) that support to the presence of a porphyry copper-gold system of the appropriate age and scale.

View Map of NIV Property

View Image of NIV's Coincident Anomalies

Regional Context - Toodoggone is A Proven District

NIV lies within the prolific Toodoggone District, a proven host of porphyry and epithermal systems. The property shares some structural and geoological characteristics with nearby Toodoggone porphyry deposits, such as Centerra's Kemess deposits, Amarc Resources' Aurora discovery, and TDG Gold's Aurora West, as well as to deposits and hydrothermal systems to the west in B.C.'s Golden Triangle.

Immediately adjacent, Northwest Copper's East NIV project (first staked in 2018) boasts a drill intersection of 0.56% CuEq over 81.6 metres (including 1.02% CuEq over 14.8 metres)2 in its 2021 discovery drill hole. This demonstrates the fertility of the broader NIV-East NIV system and underscores NIV's potential as the centre for mineralization in the area.

Next Steps

With permitting complete and multiple high-priority targets defined, Metal Energy plans to commence drilling at NIV in 2026. The upcoming program will focus on testing the strongest coincident anomalies identified by soil geochemistry, IP, and magnetics.

Leadership Appointments

Concurrent with the transaction, Metal Energy is pleased to announce the appointment of Charlie Greig as Chief Executive Officer.

About Charlie Greig

Charlie brings over four decades of exploration success, including key roles in the discoveries of GT Gold's Saddle North Cu-Au porphyry and Saddle South high-grade gold-silver system. His extensive track record encompasses work on producing and advanced-stage projects such as La India (Grayd Minerals--Agnico Eagle), Wolverine (Atna Resources-Westmin--Yukon Zinc), Alamo Dorado (Corner Bay--Pan American Silver), Bisha (Nevsun Resources), and Brucejack (Pretium-Newmont). Most recently, Charlie has been the lead technical advisor for American Eagle Gold's (TSXV: AE) NAK project, a copper-gold porphyry near Smithers, British Columbia, in partnership with Teck Resources and South32.

The Company is also pleased to announce the appointment of two new technical advisors, Alex Walcott and Dr. Roy Greig, both of whom possess extensive experience and proven track records of success in the region and beyond.

About Alex Walcott

Alex Walcott has more than 25 years of experience in mineral exploration. Through Peter E. Walcott & Associates Limited he has carried out geophysical surveys and aided with notable successes at GT Gold's Saddle project, Amarc Resources' Aurora discovery, and Northwest Copper's East Niv discovery. Alongside Charlie Greig, he has advanced and funded exploration to the drill stage at the NIV property. He also manages the geophysical contracting firm Peter E. Walcott & Associates Ltd.

About Roy Greig

Dr. Roy Greig has more than 20 years of hands-on exploration experience across the Americas, including mapping roles on notable systems such as Saddle (GT Gold), Brucejack (Pretium), Filo del Sol (NGEx/Filo). As former VP Exploration at Amarc Resources, he helped define the target that became the AuRORA discovery at the Joy project, not far north of NIV in the Toodoggone. Roy's PhD dissertation, completed in 2021, was focused on the Laramide porphyry Cu Province of the SW US, home to several of the world's largest Cu deposits.

Transaction Details

The assignment agreement dated October 22, 2025 (the "Assignment Agreement") is with Standard Ore Corp. ("Standard Ore"), whereby Standard Ore has agreed to assign and transfer to Metal Energy all of its rights, titles, benefits, and interest in, to, and under an option agreement dated September 24, 2025 between Standard Ore and an arm's length party (the "Optionor") (the "Option Agreement"). Standard Ore retains no interests in the claims, royalties or otherwise as a part of this transaction, and is passing through the terms to Metal Energy from the underlying owners without any mark up or margin whatsoever.

Pursuant to the Option Agreement, the Optionor granted to Standard Ore the exclusive right and option (the "Option") to acquire an 80% undivided interest in the property known as the NIV and West NIV exploration properties, which are located in North Central British Columbia (the "Property"). These rights have now been acquired by Metal Energy (subject to TSXV acceptance). The Option Agreement provides that Metal Energy may earn its interest in the Property by doing the following:

a) paying to the Optionor an aggregate $300,000 in cash for the exclusive right to explore the Property, as follows:

$100,000 on TSXV acceptance; and $200,000 not more than sixty (60) days after TSX accetance;

b) issuing to the Optionor by no later than December 31, 2025, that number of common shares ("Shares") having a value of $300,000 (calculated based on the VWAP at the time of issuance);

c) at the Optionor's sole option (i) paying to the Optionor $300,000 in cash, or (ii) issuing to the Optionor that number of Shares with a value of $400,000 for the exclusive right to explore the Property, no later than December 31, 2027;

d) at the Optionor's sole option, (i) paying to the Optionor $900,000 in cash, or (ii) issuing to the Optionor that number of Shares with a value of $1,100,000 for the exclusive right to explore the Property, no later than December 31, 2030; and

e) Metal Energy will incur an aggregate of at least $20,000,000 in Exploration Expenditures (as defined in the Option Agreement), as follows:

$2,500,000 in Exploration Expenditures on or before December 31, 2026; $2,500,000 in Exploration Expenditures on or before December 31, 2027; $2,500,000 in Exploration Expenditures on or before December 31, 2028; $2,500,000 in Exploration Expenditures on or before December 31, 2029; and $10,000,000 in Exploration Expenditures on or before December 31, 2030.

The Assignment of the Option Agreement will be subject to TSXV Approval.

The Assignment Agreement involve "Non-Arm's Length Parties" as such term is defined Policy 1.1 of the Exchange, as director of Metal Energy, is a shareholder of Standard Ore. In accordance with Policy 5.3 of the Exchange, the Assignment Agreement constitutes a "Reviewable Acquisition" for Metal Energy.

Pursuant to TSXV Policy 5.9 and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"), the Assignment Agreement constitutes a "related party transaction". The Company relied on Section 5.5(a) of MI 61-101 for an exemption from the formal valuation requirement and Section 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 for an exemption from the minority shareholder approval requirement of MI 61-101 as the fair market value of the transaction did not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization (there was only notional consideration paid for the Assignment for legal purposes).

No finders fees will be paid in connection therewith.

About Metal Energy

Metal Energy is a critical metals exploration company with two high-potential projects in politically stable, Canadian jurisdictions: Manibridge (Ni-Cu-Co-PGE) (85%-owned) in Manitoba and its recently acquired Highland Valley Project (Cu-Mo-Ag-Au-Re) (100%-owned) in British Columbia.

QP Statement

The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Roy Greig, Ph.D., P.Geo., an independent and Qualified Person as defined in "National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects."

Reader Advisory

Certain information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements or information ("forward-looking statements)", including details about the business of Metal. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that Metal Energy expects to occur, are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the ability of Metal Energy to earn the Interest by the completion of the work obligations, or the exercise of the option. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond the Metal Energy's control, including the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, volatility of commodity prices, currency fluctuations, environmental risks, operational risks, competition from other industry participants, stock market volatility. Although the Company believes that the expectations in its forward-looking statements are reasonable, its forward-looking statements have been based on factors and assumptions concerning future events which may prove to be inaccurate. Those factors and assumptions are based upon currently available information. Such statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could influence actual results or events and cause actual results or events to differ materially from those stated, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, as no assurance can be provided as to future results, levels of activity or achievements. Risks, uncertainties, material assumptions and other factors that could affect actual results are discussed in Metal Energy's public disclosure documents available at www.sedar.com. Furthermore, the forward-looking statements contained in this document are made as of the date of this document and, except as required by applicable law, Metal Energy does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange Inc. 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.

1 2023 Geological and Geophysical Work on the NIV Property, Prepared for CopperGold Exploration Corp. by C.J. Greig. Refer to BC Geological Assessment Report 41524.

2 Refer to NorthWest Copper's news release dated November 8, 2021, titled "NorthWest Copper Drills Discovery Hole at East NIV - Returning 0.56% CuEq over 81.60 Metres Including 1.02% CuEq Over 14.80 Metres".

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271588

SOURCE: Metal Energy Corp.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 23, 2025) - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: HBFGF) ("Happy Belly" or the "Company"), a leader in acquiring and scaling emerging food brands across Canada is pleased to announce the signing of a new franchise agreement and the securing of premium real estate for Heal Wellness ("Heal") in the iconic Toronto Eaton Centre, one of Canada's busiest shopping destinations as we further expand our presence in Cadillac Fairview properties across Canada. Heal Wellness is a quick-service restaurant ("QSR") brand specializing in fresh smoothie bowls, acai bowls, and smoothies.





Happy Belly 1

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"This marks Heal's entry into one of the country's most high-profile and high-traffic retail destinations," said Sean Black, Chief Executive Officer of Happy Belly. The location's exceptional visibility and diverse foot traffic align perfectly with Heal's mission of making healthy, fresh, and convenient wellness foods accessible to Canadians coast to coast."



"Located in Toronto's bustling downtown core, the Eaton Centre attracts more than 50 million annual visitors-a dynamic mix of residents, professionals, students, and tourists. This new Heal Wellness location is positioned to capitalize on the Centre's unmatched visibility and steady flow of foot traffic, while serving a diverse customer base seeking premium, better-for-you dining options in a fast-casual environment."

This announcement follows a string of recent expansion milestones for Happy Belly across multiple provinces, reinforcing its mission to become Canada's leading restaurant consolidator.





Happy Belly 2

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Heal Wellness continues to accelerate its coast-to-coast expansion, solidifying its growing position as Canada's leading smoothie bowl and wellness QSR brand. Founded with a mission to deliver quick, fresh wellness foods that support busy, active lifestyles, Heal Wellness offers a diverse range of smoothie bowls, smoothies, and super-seed grain bowls-all crafted with real fruit and enriched with superfoods such as acai, pitaya, goji berries, and chia seeds. With 27 locations currently open and over 168 in development, Heal Wellness continues to gain nationwide momentum through consistent franchise growth and strategic real estate execution, contributing to Happy Belly Food Group's total of 626 contractually committed retail franchise locations across its portfolio of emerging brands-including Heal Wellness, iQ Food Co., Rosie's Burgers, Yolks Breakfast, Via Cibo Italian Street Food, and others-now in various stages of development, construction, and operation nationwide.

"Our predictable and disciplined growth engine continues to deliver measurable results as we expand our brands across Canada and create long-term value for our shareholders."

"We are just getting started," added Sean Black.

About Heal Wellness

Heal Wellness was founded with a passion and mission to provide quick, fresh wellness foods that support a busy and active lifestyle. We currently offer a diverse range of smoothie bowls and smoothies. We take pride in meticulously selecting every superfood ingredient on our menu to fuel the body, including acai smoothie bowls, smoothies, and super-seed grain bowls. Our smoothie bowls are crafted with real fruit and enriched with superfoods like acai, pitaya, goji berries, chia seeds, and more.



Franchising

For franchising inquiries please see www.happybellyfg.com/franchise-with-us/ or contact us at hello@happybellyfg.com.



About Happy Belly Food Group

Happy Belly Food Group Inc. (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: HBFGF) ("Happy Belly" or the "Company") is a leader in acquiring and scaling emerging food brands across Canada.





Happy Belly 3

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Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release, which has been prepared by management.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" with respect to the Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-Looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur and include the future performance of Happy Belly and her subsidiaries. Forward-Looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. There are no assurances that the business plans for Happy Belly described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or time frame described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. For a description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs, readers should refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis and other disclosure filings with Canadian securities regulators, which are posted on www.sedarplus.ca.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271595

SOURCE: Happy Belly Food Group Inc.
EcoVadis adds SGS and QIMA to its accredited partner ecosystem, addressing client needs for trusted, high-quality onsite audit services

EcoVadis today announced a significant expansion of its Partnership Alliance network with the addition of two onsite audit firms, SGS and QIMA.

This strategic move directly addresses the growing demand for trusted recommendations for training and auditing services when risks are identified and targeted verification is required during EcoVadis' ESG assessments.

New partner accreditation results from a rigorous selection process. Both SGS and QIMA were identified based on their commitment to excellence, deep expertise, and client-first approach, ensuring EcoVadis' clients receive high-quality, seamless support.

From anonymous worker insights to expert onsite verification and monitored remediation

Through the EcoVadis Worker Voice solution suite, data flags high-risk areas where human rights breaches may exist. Users can leverage this intelligence to schedule a highly-focused investigation in order to verify and remediate known issues, ultimately guiding targeted improvements. They can now tap into a network of accredited experts to conduct onsite verification and monitor remediation.

"Our clients frequently ask us for recommendations for high-stakes services like audit, and we have a responsibility to connect them with the very best," said Pierre-Francois Thaler, co-founder and co-CEO of EcoVadis. "This isn't just about referrals; it's about carefully curating a network of trusted experts who share our commitment to client success. In this sense, SGS and QIMA are great additions to our ecosystem."

A strategy of mutual growth and innovation

This expansion is a core component of EcoVadis' broader company strategy: to create a thriving ecosystem of partners who drive innovation, deliver exceptional value, and accelerate mutual growth through seamless collaboration and cutting-edge integrations.

The partnership with SGS and QIMA strengthens this ecosystem by providing a crucial, complementary service, fostering a more complete value chain for joint clients.

"We are excited to provide additional support to the EcoVadis ecosystem using our large network of more than 800 expert auditors," said Neil Willings, Global Head of Sustainability and Supply Chain at SGS. "This partnership will allow us to offer our specialized audit expertise to a broader client base while collaborating with a company that truly understands the power of strategic partnerships."

"For QIMA, partnering with EcoVadis aligns with our vision to empower responsible, transparent supply chains globally. We take pride in helping EcoVadis members on their sustainability journeys and transforming their values into actionable practices," said Anouschka Jansen, Sustainability Director at QIMA.

To find out more about EcoVadis' ecosystem, visit: https://ecovadis.com/partnerships/

ABOUT ECOVADIS

EcoVadis is a purpose-driven company dedicated to embedding sustainability intelligence into every business decision worldwide. In 2024, EcoVadis acquired Ulula, a leading worker voice platform that strengthens its capabilities in supporting human rights due diligence. With global, trusted and actionable ratings, businesses of all sizes rely on EcoVadis' detailed insights to comply with ESG regulations, reduce GHG emissions, and improve the sustainability performance of their business and value chain across 250 industries in 185 countries. Leaders like Johnson Johnson, L'Oreal, Unilever, Bridgestone, BASF and JPMorgan are among 150,000+ businesses that use EcoVadis ratings, risk, and carbon management tools and e-learning platform to accelerate their journey toward resilience, sustainable growth and positive impact worldwide.

Learn more on: ecovadis.com, X or LinkedIn.

ABOUT SGS

SGS is the world's leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of 99,500 dedicated professionals. With over 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.

Our brand promise when you need to be sure underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and trusted specialized brands, including Brightsight, Bluesign, Maine Pointe and Nutrasource.

SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN (ISIN CH1256740924, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN:SW).

ABOUT QIMA

QIMA is a global leader in supply chain compliance and quality assurance, delivering testing, inspection, certification, audit, and sustainability services to over 30,000 businesses worldwide across the consumer products, agri-food, and life sciences industries.

Operating in over 100 countries, we combine local expertise with innovative digital platforms to provide tailored on-site solutions in regional languages, helping clients build ethical and resilient supply chains. Recognized for our commitment to sustainability and ESG, our team of experienced professionals brings diverse backgrounds in transparency traceability, risk mitigation, sustainable materials and products and environmental footprint solutions, to offering expert guidance that helps organizations to achieve their sustainability objectives.

Our ESG experts possess comprehensive knowledge in supply chain due diligence including environmental and social risks playing a pivotal role in defining, overseeing, and enhancing performance in key areas like carbon emissions reduction and human rights compliance. We collaborate closely with partners to develop customized strategies and action plans that align with specific industry needs, regulatory requirements, and stakeholder expectations, ensuring effective management of sustainability challenges while fostering trust and positive impact.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251023651127/en/

Contacts:

Press Inquiries

US: Corporate Ink for EcoVadis

617-969-9192, ecovadis@corporateink.com
Hangzhou, China--(Newsfile Corp. - October 23, 2025) - From October 19th to 25th, IROS 2025 (IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems), renowned alongside ICRA as one of the robotics field's "twin pinnacle conferences," commenced at the Hangzhou International Expo Center. Focusing on the core theme of "Human Robots Frontier," the conference attracted over 7,000 top global experts, scholars, and industry representatives, fostering deep integration of industry, academia, and research.

As a leading domestic company in Embodied AI, DEEP Robotics made a significant appearance at this conference. Through product exhibitions, company visits, and an offline founder sharing session, the company comprehensively demonstrated its robust capabilities in cutting-edge technology exploration and industry applications, garnering significant attention from international peers and becoming a focal point of the event.

DEEP Robotics' Exhibition Area Draws Global Audience at IROS 2025

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Whole Series Products Debut, Showcasing Solid Technical Strength

In the core exhibition area of IROS 2025, DEEP Robotics created an "Embodied AI Product Experience Zone." Combining dynamic demonstrations with static displays, it allowed global attendees to witness firsthand the practical deployment capabilities of Chinese robotics technology.





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DEEP Robotics' LYNX M20 Wheeled-Legged Robot and X30 Quadruped Robot Shared the Stage

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LYNX M20 Wheeled-Legged Robot innovatively combines the efficiency of wheeled mobility with the flexible obstacle-crossing advantages of legged locomotion, providing various business development interfaces and offering a novel platform for scientific research and education. X30 Quadruped Robot, battle-tested across multiple industry scenarios, demonstrated the stability and complex environment adaptability expected of an industry flagship. Lite 3 bionic robot , aimed at the education and research sector, became the "star attraction" of the booth with its "agile mobility and high cost-effectiveness," drawing the attention of numerous scholars and developers.

Through the display of its product matrix and solutions, DEEP Robotics systematically presented its comprehensive layout spanning from education and research to industrial applications.

Open Technical Visits, Hosting Hundreds of Global Experts

As a key company designated for the official "Technical Tour," DEEP Robotics hosted visits for over a hundred professionals from top global universities and research institutions during the conference.

This visit activity aimed to deepen professional exchanges with international counterparts. By systematically showcasing the company's technological achievements in key areas such as advanced motion control, intelligent environment perception, and autonomous navigation, it fully presented DEEP Robotics' complete capabilities from technology R&D to industrial application, solidly confirming its deep integration of "industry-academia-research-application" and its open posture.

Founders' In-Depth Dialogue! "University Program" Open Ecosystem Resonates

During IROS, DEEP Robotics hosted the "DEEP Talk" sharing session offline. DEEP Robotics Founder & CEO Zhu Qiuguo and Co-founder & CTO Li Chao attended and shared insights, attracting over 200 young scholars and developers globally.

Group Photo of Zhu Qiuguo with Young Global Scholars and Developers at the "DEEP Talk" Forum

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At the event, the two founders shared their entrepreneurial story and insights on the current state and future trends of Embodied AI. During the highly anticipated "University Program" ecosystem cooperation segment, Zhu Qiuguo detailed DEEP Robotics' collaboration models with more than 10 universities, including UC Berkeley and Zhejiang University. Through forms of cooperation such as project collaboration, talent exchange, open-source platforms, and competition support, the program provides platforms and guidance for more students interested in the robotics industry, facilitating the translation of academic research results.

Since its establishment, DEEP Robotics has consistently adhered to independent innovation, maintaining an internationally leading level in core technology fields such as advanced control algorithms and intelligent environment perception. Through this multi-dimensional showcase at IROS 2025, DEEP Robotics has established extensive connections with top global scholars and industry experts, stepping onto the international stage with a more open attitude and demonstrating the solid strength of Chinese technological innovation within the global industrial ecosystem.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271593

SOURCE: China Newswire
AMSTERDAM, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sungrow, global leading PV inverter and energy storage system (ESS) provider, today announced the successful grid connection of the first 400MWh of ENGIE's 200MW/800MWh battery energy storage project in Vilvoorde, Belgium. The largest of its kind on mainland Europe, the project utilizes 320 units of Sungrow's innovative PowerTitan liquid-cooled battery storage units.

The second and final phase of this 200MW/800MWh battery energy storage project is set to connect to the grid by the end of 2025. The two-phase development is set to enhance grid stability and provide reliable, clean energy for up to 96,000 households in Belgium.

"Battery storage is one of the most critical, yet often overlooked, components of a successful energy transition. This project is a key demonstration of how Sungrow's technology provides the grid flexibility that is essential for the next phase of Europe's renewable energy journey," said Moritz Rolf, Vice President of Sungrow Europe, responsible for the business in DACH, BeNeLux, Nordics, and Turkey. "Our strategic and successful partnership with ENGIE on the Vilvoorde project, emphasizes the important role of battery storage in delivering clean power for all, and strengthens our commitment to the European market."

Optimistic step forward for modern energy infrastructure

The Vilvoorde project represents an optimistic step forward in modernizing Europe's energy infrastructure as the continent works towards its 2050 sustainability goals. By absorbing surplus energy during periods of high production and releasing it back to the grid when demand is high, large-scale battery storage ensures flexible, but stable electricity supply from renewable sources. This installation of a large-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) serves as a blueprint for effectively integrating renewable energy into legacy infrastructure - balancing the grid and mitigating issues with net congestion.

Safe, smart and efficient BESS

Both phases of the ENGIE project are enabled by Sungrow's PowerTitan units deployed on-site. Sungrow's BESS solutions are engineered with compact design for quick deployment and operational efficiency - both of which are critical factors for large-scale infrastructure. The system's slim design optimizes land use and features intelligently connected, liquid-cooled technology, ensuring a temperature-controlled, cost-effective, and reliable system. These technological elements guarantee a safe and sustainable integration of large-scale energy storage into the power grid.

With the first series of batteries now operational in Vilvoorde, ENGIE is delivering part of the additional flexibility the electricity grid requires to balance supply and demand. The efficient construction of this battery park is only possible thanks to strong partnerships. By working hand in hand with trusted and innovative partners such as Sungrow, we can continue to accelerate the integration of renewables into the grid, and help deliver a more reliable, sustainable and affordable energy system," said Vincent Verbeke, CEO of ENGIE Belgium.

Strong local presence

Sungrow has established a strong local presence in the BeNeLux region, with a dedicated team providing technical support, sales, and after-sales services with its main offices as well as an RnD center in Amsterdam. The company also takes part in the important industry events like Intersolution or Laadinfra congress and hosts own events like an EV Charging Summit in Amsterdam in October. This strong local presence ensures that Sungrow can offer timely and effective solutions to its partners, reinforcing its commitment to the renewable energy sector in BeNeLux.

Please find more information about the project here: CASE STUDY.

About Sungrow

Sungrow, a global leader in renewable energy technology, has pioneered sustainable power solutions for over 28 years. As of June 2025, Sungrow has installed 870 GW of power electronic converters worldwide. The Company is recognized as the world's most bankable PV inverter and energy storage company (BloombergNEF). Its innovations power clean energy projects across the globe, supported by a network of 520 service outlets guaranteeing excellent customer experience. At Sungrow, we're committed to bridging to a sustainable future through cutting-edge technology and unparalleled service. For more information, please visit: www.sungrowpower.com.

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 23, 2025) - Southern Cross Gold Consolidated Ltd (TSX: SXGC) (ASX: SX2) (OTCQX: SXGCF) (FSE: MV3) ("SXGC" or the "Company") announces results from SDDSC177 and SDDSC182 at the Golden Dyke prospect, at the 100%-owned Sunday Creek Gold-Antimony Project in Victoria (Figures 1 to 6). Best results included 168 m at 3.0 g/t AuEq (2.4 g/t Au, 0.3% Sb) (uncut) from 392.4 m including 6.2 m @ 16.5 g/t AuEq (16.0 g/t Au, 0.2% Sb) from 545.8 m.

Five High Level Takeaways:

Large Intersection with Multiple Gold Zones - Drillhole SDDSC177 intersected 168 m of continuous mineralization containing ten separate vein sets averaging 3.0 g/t gold equivalent (uncut). This result demonstrates that Golden Dyke is a large-scale system, one of five mineralized bodies at Sunday Creek. High-Grade Gold Hits - Multiple ultra-high-grade intercepts including 254 g/t gold over 0.4 m, 244 g/t gold over 0.1 m, and 184 g/t gold over 0.2 m demonstrate the Sunday Creek's ability to deliver spectacular individual high-grades. New Discoveries at Depth - Drilling confirmed a 100 m vertical extension of known mineralization and discovered a new high-grade vein set that returned an exceptional antimony grade of 52.3% - the third-highest ever recorded at Sunday Creek. Golden Dyke and Rising Sun May Be Connected - Growing evidence suggests these two deposits share the same characteristics and may form one continuous mineralized corridor-potentially doubling the scale of the system. Further Drill Target Identified - Identification of an 80 to 100 m gap between Golden Dyke and Rising Sun that to date hasn't been properly tested, and our rigs are now positioned to drill this high-priority target area (Figure 5).

Michael Hudson, President & CEO, states: "SDDSC177's intersection of ten distinct vein sets over 168 m at 3.0 g/t AuEq (uncut) with cumulative intercepts exceeding 500 g/t AuEq x m demonstrates the substantial metal endowment at Golden Dyke. We've confirmed a 100 m vertical extension on the GD120 vein set and discovered a new high-grade vein set that returned 52.3% Sb over 0.2 m with 35.9 g/t Au - the third-highest antimony assay across the entire Sunday Creek project.

"The 168 m intersection in SDDSC177 at 3.0 g/t AuEq (2.35 g/t Au, 0.26% Sb) represents a significant system-scale result at Golden Dyke, comparable in width and character to the landmark SDDSC050 intersection at Rising Sun. SDDSC050, announced in November 2022, returned 305.8 metres at 2.4 g/t AuEq (1.6 g/t Au, 0.5% Sb) from 319.2m depth and was drilled in a west-to-east orientation across the Rising Sun structure. Like SDDSC050, SDDSC177 was oriented at a high angle to the strike of the mineralized vein sets.

"Golden Dyke is increasingly looking like part of the same connected system as Rising Sun. We're seeing consistent visible gold, high antimony approaching pure stibnite, and discrete high-grade cores within broader halos. The bonanza intercepts - 254 g/t Au over 0.4 m, 244 g/t Au over 0.1 m, and 184 g/t Au over 0.2 m with 14.8% Sb - are Rising Sun-style quality results.

"Our systematic drill review has identified 80 m to 100 m of inadequately tested strike length between Golden Dyke and Rising Sun - representing a potential 160 m strike extension equivalent to another Rising Sun scale deposit. This dual character of bonanza intercepts like 6.2 m @ 16.5 g/t AuEq (16.0 g/t Au, 0.2% Sb). nested within broader zones like 168 m at 3.0 g/t AuEq (uncut) gives us the potential for significant mining optionality. "We've repositioned our deep core rig to test these corridors and the deepest Golden Dyke sections. With 37 holes being processed and nine actively drilling, our 200,000 m drill program through Q1 2027 is designed to demonstrate the high-grade nature and true district-scale potential of Sunday Creek."

For Those Who Like the Details - Highlights:

Ten Vein Sets Intercepted in a Single Hole - SDDSC177 intersected 10 distinct mineralized vein sets within the main Golden Dyke zone 168 m at 3.0 g/t AuEq (2.4 g/t Au, 0.3% Sb) (uncut) from 392.4 m including 6.2 m @ 16.5 g/t AuEq (16.0 g/t Au, 0.2% Sb) from 545.8 m, demonstrating exceptional structural complexity and stacked mineralization geometry. 500+ Gram-Metre Cumulative Grade - SDDSC177 achieved cumulative intercepts exceeding 500 gram-metres, with multiple intervals over 100 g/t AuEq x m and three intervals ranging from 50 to 100 g/t AuEq x m, indicating substantial metal accumulation in a single drill traverse. 100-Metre Vertical Step-Out Confirmed - Successfully extended the GD120 vein set 100 m vertically below previous drilling, proving both significant mineralization continuity and depth potential. New High-Grade Core Discovery (SDDSC177) - Identified a previously unknown high-grade core zone outside the current exploration target area, currently defined by only two pierce points but showing exceptional grade and tenor characteristics. Project Record Antimony Grades (SDDSC177) - Returned 52.3% Sb and 35.9 g/t Au over 0.2m from 493.7 m - the third-highest individual antimony assay on the entire Sunday Creek project, approaching theoretical maximum of pure stibnite (71% Sb). Bonanza Gold Intercepts Throughout System - SDDSC177 returned three individual assays exceeding 100 g/t Au, demonstrating consistent high-grade tenor across the mineralized envelope. The deepest intercept of 254 g/t Au over 0.4 m (from 545.9m downhole, 0.25% Sb) occurs within a broader 6.2 m @t 16.5 g/t AuEq from 545.8 m - exemplifying the nested high-grade shoots within economic envelopes. At mid-levels, 244 g/t Au over 0.1 m (from 482.8m downhole, 0.1% Sb) within a 2.9 m interval at 9.0 g/t AuEq demonstrates sharp, discrete high-grade cores characteristic of Rising Sun-style mineralization. Higher in the system, 184 g/t Au over 0.2 m with 14.8% Sb (from 431.8m downhole) forms part of a 4.4 m zone at 15.2 g/t AuEq, showing strong gold-antimony correlation typical of high-tenor zones. Exceptional Combined Gold-Antimony Grades - The intersection of 93.2 g/t AuEq over 0.5 m (42.0 g/t Au, 21.4% Sb) from 493.7 m downhole within a 1.9 m interval at 25.1 g/t AuEq demonstrates the deposit's dual-commodity potential and premium metallurgical characteristics, with both metals at economic concentrations. Rising Sun Geological Fingerprints - Consistent visible gold observations across multiple vein sets, antimony tenors approaching theoretical maximum, discrete high-grade cores within broader halos, and comparable grade distributions all indicate Golden Dyke shares the same mineralizing system characteristics as the Rising Sun deposit. Strategic Drill Gap Identified - Systematic drill coverage review identified 80 m to 100 m of inadequately tested strike length between Golden Dyke and Rising Sun, representing a potential 160 m strike extension-essentially equivalent to another Rising Sun-scale deposit. A deep core rig is now repositioned to systematically test these high-priority corridors.

Drill Hole Discussion

SDDSC177

Drillhole SDDSC177 was collared to test a 130 m vertical window within the Golden Dyke mineralized zone, positioned between historical holes SDDSC171 and SDDSC141. The hole was oriented east-west, sub-parallel to the main dyke and associated alteration envelope, at a high angle to the mineralization and vein orientations and was designed as a 60 m spaced infill hole to refine the geometry and continuity of known mineralization.

The hole intersected two vein sets at the margins of the Upper Rising Sun zone before intersecting the principal Golden Dyke target. Within Golden Dyke proper, SDDSC177 intercepted an intensely mineralized zone of ten vein sets, including one previously undefined high-grade core and a significant 100 m vertical step-out on the GD120 vein set, demonstrating the continued growth of the mineralized system at depth.

The complete Golden Dyke intersection returned a broad, stacked mineralized zone totalling 168 m @ 3.0 g/t AuEq (2.4 g/t Au and 0.3% Sb) uncut. Within this interval, a 2 m cut-off at 1.0 g/t AuEq encompasses discrete high-grade zones, including one interval exceeding 100 g/t AuEq x m and three intervals ranging from 50 g/t to 100 g/t AuEq x m. These results underscore the extensive, stacked nature of the mineralization package and the presence of broad, lower-grade halos surrounding higher-grade cores.

Key Highlights from SDDSC177:

Ten vein sets intercepted within the main Golden Dyke zone, demonstrating the density and complexity of the mineralized system

A 100 m vertical step-out on the GD120 vein set, confirmed the depth extension of known mineralization

Discovery of one new high-grade core zone outside the current exploration target area

Cumulative grade intercept exceeding 500 gram-metres, demonstrating significant metal accumulation

Frequent visible gold observations throughout the intersection, indicative of high-grade tenor

Third-highest antimony assay recorded on the project (52.3% Sb), approaching theoretical maximum of pure stibnite

Consistent high-grade cores with associated visible gold, exhibiting Rising Sun deposit characteristics

SDDSC177 returned three individual assays exceeding 100 g/t Au:

254 g/t Au over 0.4 m (from 545.9 m downhole, 0.25% Sb)

244 g/t Au over 0.1 m (from 482.8 m downhole, 0.1% Sb)

184 g/t Au over 0.2 m (from 431.8 m downhole, 14.8% Sb)

A high-grade antimony intercept was recorded, returning 52.3% Sb over 0.2 m, associated with 35.9 g/t Au at 493.65 m downhole. This represents the third-highest individual antimony assay on the project to date and approaches the theoretical maximum grade of pure stibnite (Sb2S3 ~ 71% Sb). This result reinforces the deposit's strategic significance as a potential source of critical antimony for Western markets.

Drill hole highlights include:

3.5 m @ 7.3 g/t AuEq (7.3 g/t Au, 0.0% Sb) from 91.2 m, including: 2.4 m @ 9.5 g/t AuEq (9.5 g/t Au, 0.0% Sb) from 91.2 m

0.6 m @ 23.8 g/t AuEq (17.0 g/t Au, 2.9% Sb) from 145.0 m, including:

0.2 m @ 60.3 g/t AuEq (41.7 g/t Au, 7.8% Sb) from 145.0 m

4.4 m @ 15.2 g/t AuEq (10.1 g/t Au, 2.2% Sb) from 428.7 m, including: 1.1 m @ 48.0 g/t AuEq (33.6 g/t Au, 6.0% Sb) from 431.8 m

0.5 m @ 78.6 g/t AuEq (76.0 g/t Au, 1.1% Sb) from 458.9 m

4.5 m @ 14.4 g/t AuEq (13.7 g/t Au, 0.3% Sb) from 461.6 m, including: 0.9 m @ 41.5 g/t AuEq (39.4 g/t Au, 0.8% Sb) from 461.6 m 0.6 m @ 43.8 g/t AuEq (43.6 g/t Au, 0.1% Sb) from 464.6 m

2.9 m @ 9.0 g/t AuEq (8.7 g/t Au, 0.1% Sb) from 482.8 m, including: 0.1 m @ 244.1 g/t AuEq (244.0 g/t Au, 0.1% Sb) from 482.8 m

1.9 m @ 25.1 g/t AuEq (11.1 g/t Au, 5.8% Sb) from 492.3 m, including: 0.5 m @ 93.2 g/t AuEq (42.0 g/t Au, 21.4% Sb) from 493.7 m

8.3 m @ 8.1 g/t AuEq (5.8 g/t Au, 1.0% Sb) from 504.5 m, including: 2.8 m @ 17.0 g/t AuEq (13.1 g/t Au, 1.7% Sb) from 507.0 m 1.4 m @ 7.2 g/t AuEq (5.6 g/t Au, 0.6% Sb) from 510.9 m

1.5 m @ 13.7 g/t AuEq (13.5 g/t Au, 0.1% Sb) from 528.3 m

6.2 m @ 16.5 g/t AuEq (16.0 g/t Au, 0.2% Sb) from 545.8 m, including: 1.3 m @ 76.7 g/t AuEq (76.1 g/t Au, 0.2% Sb) from 545.8 m



The intersection of multiple mineralized zones across significant intervals, combined with the discrete high-grade cores, demonstrates Golden Dyke's potential to support both selective high-grade and bulk mining scenarios. This character builds towards Golden Dyke being increasingly analogous to the Rising Sun deposit in nature, with the capacity to generate value from both premium high-grade ore and broader mineralized envelopes. The consistency of high-grade tenor, frequent visible gold occurrence, and elevated antimony values mirror the characteristics observed at Rising Sun, supporting the interpretation that these deposits may be part of a continuous mineralized system.

SDDSC182

Drillhole SDDSC182 was an infill drillhole designed to test a 20 m to 50 m vertical window within the Golden Dyke mineralized zone. The hole was oriented west-east, sub-parallel to the main dyke and associated alteration envelope, at a high angle to the mineralization and vein orientations and was designed to refine the geometry and expand the continuity of known mineralization.

Five vein sets were intercepted in the main Golden Dyke zone, including one interval exceeding 50 g/t AuEq x m. Broad zones of lower grade were intercepted on the peripheries of the Golden Dyke system to the west in the upper portion of the hole (Figures 1 to 4).

SDDSC182 returned two significant individual intersections of antimony >30%:

39% Sb over 0.1 m (from 224.2 m downhole, 9.97g/t Au)

35.7% Sb over 0.3 m (from 426.9 m downhole, 86 g/t Au)

Drill hole highlights include:

0.7 m @ 19.4 g/t AuEq (2.7 g/t Au, 7.0% Sb) from 223.6 m

1.5 m @ 39.1 g/t AuEq (19.5 g/t Au, 8.2% Sb) from 426.5 m, including: 0.7 m @ 76.4 g/t AuEq (38.2 g/t Au, 16.0% Sb) from 426.5 m

6.5 m @ 1.8 g/t AuEq (0.9 g/t Au, 0.4% Sb) from 432.1 m

4.4 m @ 7.8 g/t AuEq (5.1 g/t Au, 1.1% Sb) from 441.1 m, including: 0.7 m @ 42.8 g/t AuEq (26.6 g/t Au, 6.8% Sb) from 444.0 m

4.9 m @ 2.0 g/t AuEq (1.3 g/t Au, 0.3% Sb) from 447.9 m

System-Wide Implications

The results from SDDSC177 and SDDSC182 continue to validate the extensive nature of the Golden Dyke mineralized system. The identification of previously untested corridors between Golden Dyke and Rising Sun, combined with the consistent grades intersected where drilling has been conducted, suggests significant exploration upside remains. Current drilling programs are now being positioned to test these gaps, with rigs being relocated to systematically evaluate approximately 80 m to 100 m of strike length that has not been adequately tested to date.

The consistency of mineralization characteristics across both Golden Dyke and Rising Sun - including high-grade cores, visible gold frequency, antimony tenor, and vein set architecture - increasingly supports the interpretation that these zones may represent a connected mineralized corridor exceeding 160 m in strike length, analogous to the scale of the Rising Sun deposit itself.

Pending Results and Update

Results are pending from 37 holes currently being processed and analyzed including nine holes that are actively being drilled and four abandoned holes (Figure 2). The Company continues its 200,000 m drill program through Q1 2027. Nine drill rigs are currently operational, including a deep core rig that has been relocated to test the deepest sections of Golden Dyke and to systematically drill through previously untested areas that may connect Golden Dyke and Rising Sun mineralization. A tenth rig will be mobilised to undertake regional work at Sunday Creek.

About Sunday Creek

The Sunday Creek epizonal-style gold project is located 60 km north of Melbourne within 16,900 hectares ("Ha") of granted exploration tenements. SXGC is also the freehold landholder of 1,054.51 Ha that forms the key portion in and around the main drilled area at the Sunday Creek Project.

Gold and antimony form in a relay of vein sets that cut across a steeply dipping zone of intensely altered rocks (the "host"). These vein sets are like a "Golden Ladder" structure where the main host extends between the side rails deep into the earth, with multiple cross-cutting vein sets that host the gold forming the rungs. At Apollo and Rising Sun these individual 'rungs' have been defined over 600 m depth extent from surface to over 1,100 m below surface, are 2.5 m to 3.5 m wide (median widths) (and up to 10 m), and 20 m to 100 m in strike.

Cumulatively, 217 drill holes for 97,183.13 m have been reported from Sunday Creek since late 2020. This amount includes five holes for 929 m that have been drilled for geotechnical purposes and 19 holes for 2,120.27 m that were abandoned due to deviation or hole conditions. Fourteen drillholes for 2,383 m have been reported regionally outside of the main Sunday Creek drill area. A total of 64 historic drill holes for 5,599 m were completed from the late 1960s to 2008. The project now contains a total of Seventy-one (71) >100 g/t AuEq x m and seventy-eight (78) >50 to 100 g/t AuEq x m drill holes by applying a 2 m @ 1 g/t AuEq lower cut.

Our systematic drill program is strategically targeting these significant vein formations, which are currently defined over 1,350 m strike of the host from Christina to Apollo prospects, of which approximately 620 m has been more intensively drill tested (Rising Sun to Apollo). At least 86 'rungs' have been defined to date, defined by high-grade intercepts (20 g/t Au to >7,330 g/t Au) along with lower grade edges. Ongoing step-out drilling is aiming to uncover the potential extent of this mineralized system (Figure 5).

Geologically, the project is located within the Melbourne Structural Zone in the Lachlan Fold Belt. The regional host to the Sunday Creek mineralization is an interbedded turbidite sequence of siltstones and minor sandstones metamorphosed to sub-greenschist facies and folded into a set of open north-west trending folds.

Further Information

Further discussion and analysis of the Sunday Creek project is available through the interactive Vrify 3D animations, presentations and videos all available on the SXGC website. These data, along with an interview on these results with President & CEO/Managing Director Michael Hudson can be viewed at www.southerncrossgold.com.

No upper gold grade cut is applied in the averaging and intervals are reported as drill thickness. However, during future Mineral Resource studies, the requirement for assay top cutting will be assessed. The Company notes that due to rounding of assay results to one significant figure, minor variations in calculated composite grades may occur.

Figures 1 to 6 show project location, plan and longitudinal views of drill results reported here and Tables 1 to 3 provide collar and assay data. The true thickness of the mineralized intervals reported individually as estimated true widths ("ETW"), otherwise they are interpreted to be approximately 60% to 70% of the sampled thickness for other reported holes. Lower grades were cut at 1.0 g/t AuEq lower cutoff over a maximum width of 2 m with higher grades cut at 5.0 g/t AuEq lower cutoff over a maximum of 1 m width unless specified unless otherwise* specified to demonstrate higher grade assays.

Critical Metal Epizonal Gold-Antimony Deposits

Sunday Creek (Figure 6) is an epizonal gold-antimony deposit formed in the late Devonian (like Fosterville, Costerfield and Redcastle), 60 million years later than mesozonal gold systems formed in Victoria (for example Ballarat and Bendigo). Epizonal deposits are a form of orogenic gold deposit classified according to their depth of formation: epizonal (<6 km), mesozonal (6 km to 12 km) and hypozonal (>12 km).

Epizonal deposits in Victoria often have associated high levels of the critical metal, antimony, and Sunday Creek is no exception. China claims a 56 per cent share of global mined supplies of antimony, according to a 2023 European Union study. Antimony features highly on the critical minerals lists of many countries including Australia, the United States of America, Canada, Japan and the European Union. Australia ranks seventh for antimony production despite all production coming from a single mine at Costerfield in Victoria, located nearby to all SXGC projects. Antimony alloys with lead and tin which results in improved properties for solders, munitions, bearings and batteries. Antimony is a prominent additive for halogen-containing flame retardants. Adequate supplies of antimony are critical to the world's energy transition, and to the high-tech industry, especially the semi-conductor and defence sectors where it is a critical additive to primers in munitions.

In August 2024, the Chinese government announced it will place export limits from September 15, 2024 on antimony and antimony products. This puts pressure on Western defence supply chains and negatively affect the supply of the metal and push up pricing given China's dominance of the supply of the metal in the global markets. This is positive for SXGC as we are likely to have one of the very few large and high-quality projects of antimony in the western world that can feed western demand into the future.

Antimony represents approximately 21% to 24% in situ recoverable value of Sunday Creek at an AuEq of 2.39 ratio.

About Southern Cross Gold Consolidated Limited (TSX: SXGC) (ASX:SX2) (OTCQX: SXGCF) (FSE: MV3)

Southern Cross Gold Consolidated Ltd. (TSX: SXGC) (ASX: SX2) (OTCQX: SXGCF), controls the Sunday Creek Gold-Antimony Project located 60 km north of Melbourne, Australia. Sunday Creek has emerged as one of the Western world's most significant gold and antimony discoveries, with exceptional drilling results including 71 intersections exceeding 100 g/t AuEq x m from just 102.8 km of drilling. The mineralization follows a "Golden Ladder" structure over 12 km of strike length, with confirmed continuity from surface to 1,100 m depth.

Sunday Creek's strategic value is enhanced by its dual-metal profile, with antimony contributing approximately 20% of the in-situ value alongside gold, meaning Importantly, Sunday Creek can be developed primarily based on gold economics, which reduces antimony-related risks while maintaining strategic supply potential. This has gained increased significance following China's export restrictions on antimony, a critical metal for defense and semiconductor applications. Southern Cross' inclusion in the US Defense Industrial Base Consortium (DIBC) and Australia's AUKUS-related legislative changes position it as a potential key Western antimony supplier.

Technical fundamentals further strengthen the investment case, with preliminary metallurgical work showing non-refractory mineralization suitable for conventional processing and gold recoveries of 93-98% through gravity and flotation.

With a strong cash position, over 1,000 Ha of strategic freehold land ownership, and a large 200 km drill program planned through Q1 2027, SXGC is well-positioned to advance this globally significant gold-antimony discovery in a tier-one jurisdiction.

- Ends -

This announcement has been approved for release by the Board of Southern Cross Gold Consolidated Ltd.

NI 43-101 Technical Background and Qualified Person

Michael Hudson, President and CEO and Managing Director of SXGC, and a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, and Mr Kenneth Bush, Exploration Manager of SXGC and a RPGeo (10315) of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists, are the Qualified Persons as defined by the NI 43-101. They have prepared, reviewed, verified and approved the technical contents of this release.

Analytical samples are transported to the Bendigo facility of On Site Laboratory Services ("On Site") which operates under both an ISO 9001 and NATA quality systems. Samples were prepared and analyzed for gold using the fire assay technique (PE01S method; 25 gram charge), followed by measuring the gold in solution with flame AAS equipment. Samples for multi-element analysis (BM011 and over-range methods as required) use aqua regia digestion and ICP-MS analysis. The QA/QC program of Southern Cross Gold consists of the systematic insertion of certified standards of known gold content, blanks within interpreted mineralized rock and quarter core duplicates. In addition, On Site inserts blanks and standards into the analytical process.

SXGC considers that both gold and antimony that are included in the gold equivalent calculation ("AuEq") have reasonable potential to be recovered and sold at Sunday Creek, given current geochemical understanding, historic production statistics and geologically analogous mining operations. Historically, ore from Sunday Creek was treated onsite or shipped to the Costerfield mine, located 54 km to the northwest of the project, for processing during WW1. The Costerfield mine corridor, now owned by Alkane Resources (previously Mandalay Resources) contains two million ounces of equivalent gold (Mandalay Resources Q3 2021 Results), and in 2020 was the sixth highest-grade global underground mine and a top 5 global producer of antimony.

SXGC considers that it is appropriate to adopt the same gold equivalent variables as Mandalay Resources Ltd in its 2024 End of Year Mineral Reserves and Resources Press Release, dated February 20, 2025. The gold equivalence formula used by Mandalay Resources was calculated using Costerfield's 2024 production costs, using a gold price of US$2,500 per ounce, an antimony price of US$19,000 per tonne and 2024 total year metal recoveries of 91% for gold and 92% for antimony, and is as follows:

AuEq = Au (g/t) + 2.39  Sb (%)

Based on the latest Costerfield calculation and given the similar geological styles and historic toll treatment of Sunday Creek mineralization at Costerfield, SXGC considers that a AuEq = Au (g/t) + 2.39  Sb (%) is appropriate to use for the initial exploration targeting of gold-antimony mineralization at Sunday Creek.

JORC Competent Person Statement

Information in this announcement that relates to new exploration results contained in this report is based on information compiled by Mr Kenneth Bush and Mr Michael Hudson. Mr Bush is a Member of Australian Institute of Geoscientists and a Registered Professional Geologist in the field of Mining (#10315) and Mr Hudson is a Fellow of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mr Bush and Mr Hudson each have sufficient experience relevant to the style of mineralization and type of deposit under consideration, and to the activities undertaken, to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. Mr Bush is Exploration Manager and Mr Hudson is President, CEO and Managing Director of Southern Cross Gold Consolidated Limited and both consent to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on their information in the form and context in which it appears.

Certain information in this announcement that relates to prior exploration results is extracted from the Independent Geologist's Report dated 11 December 2024 which was issued with the consent of the Competent Person, Mr Steven Tambanis. The report is included the Company's prospectus dated 11 December 2024 and is available at www.asx.com.au under code "SX2". The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information related to exploration results included in the original market announcement. The Company confirms that the form and context of the Competent Persons' findings in relation to the report have not been materially modified from the original market announcement.

Certain information in this announcement also relates to prior drill hole exploration results, are extracted from the following announcements, which are available to view on www.southerncrossgold.com:

4 October, 2022 SDDSC046, 20 October, 2022 SDDSC049, 5 September, 2023 SDDSC077B, 12 October, 2023 SDDLV003 & 4, 23 October, 2023 SDDSC082, 9 November, 2023 SDDSC091, 14 December, 2023 SDDSC092, 5 March, 2024 SDDSC107, 30 May, 2024 SDDSC117, 13 June, 2024 SDDSC118, 5 September, 2024 SDDSC130, 28 October, 2024 SDDSC137W2, 28 November, 2025 SDDSC141, 9 December, 2024 SDDSC145, 18 December, 2024 SDDSC129 & 144, 28 May, 2025 SDDSC161, 16 June, 2025 SDDSC162, 26 August, 2025 SDDSC171, 8 September, 2025 SDDSC170A,

The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the original document/announcement and the Company confirms that the form and context in which the Competent Person's findings are presented have not materially modified from the original market announcement.

Forward-Looking Statement

This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions and accordingly, actual results and future events could differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. You are hence cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of present or historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include words or expressions such as "proposed", "will", "subject to", "near future", "in the event", "would", "expect", "prepared to" and other similar words or expressions. Factors that could cause future results or events to differ materially from current expectations expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements include general business, economic, competitive, political, social uncertainties; the state of capital markets, unforeseen events, developments, or factors causing any of the expectations, assumptions, and other factors ultimately being inaccurate or irrelevant; and other risks described in the Company's documents filed with Canadian or Australian (under code SX2) securities regulatory authorities. You can find further information with respect to these and other risks in filings made by the Company with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada or Australia (under code SX2), as applicable, and available for the Company in Canada at www.sedarplus.ca or in Australia at www.asx.com.au (under code SX2). Documents are also available at www.southerncrossgold.com The Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law.

Figure 1: Sunday Creek plan view showing selected results from holes SDDSC177 and SDDSC182 reported here (dark blue highlighted box, black trace), with selected prior reported drill holes.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11541/271547_e38fb54304d87976_005full.jpg

Figure 2: Sunday Creek plan view showing selected drillhole traces from holes SDDSC177 and SDDSC182 reported here (black trace), with prior reported drill holes (grey trace) and currently drilling and assays pending hole traces (dark blue).

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11541/271547_southern%20cross%20gold%20figure%202.jpg

Figure 3: Sunday Creek longitudinal section across A-B in the plane of the dyke breccia/altered sediment host looking towards the north (striking 236 degrees) showing mineralized veins sets. Showing holes SDDSC177 and SDDSC182 reported here (dark blue highlighted box, black trace), with selected intersections and prior reported drill holes. The vertical extents of the vein sets are limited by proximity to drill hole pierce points.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11541/271547_e38fb54304d87976_007full.jpg

Figure 4: Sunday Creek longitudinal section along line A-B, viewed looking north (strike 236), showing mineralized intersections exceeding 50 g/t AuEq x m and untested areas. Note that all areas except Rising Sun have only begun to test high-grade mineralization below the semi-brittle, sulphosalt-dominant domain.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11541/271547_e38fb54304d87976_008full.jpg

Figure 5: Sunday Creek regional plan view showing soil sampling, structural framework, regional historic epizonal gold mining areas and broad regional areas tested by 12 holes for 2,383 m drill program. The regional drill areas are at Tonstal, Consols and Leviathan located 4,000-7,500 m along strike from the main drill area at Golden Dyke- Apollo. Map in GDA94/ MGA Zone 55.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11541/271547_e38fb54304d87976_009full.jpg

Figure 6: Location of the Sunday Creek project, along with the 100% owned Redcastle Gold-Antimony Project

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11541/271547_e38fb54304d87976_010full.jpg

Table 1: Drill collar summary table for recent drill holes in progress.

This Release Hole ID Depth

(m) Prospect East

GDA94 Z55 North

GDA94 Z55 Elevation

(m) Dip Azimuth

GDA94 Z55 SDDSC177 655.3 Golden Dyke 330774.9 5867890.7 295.2 -52.2 258.1 SDDSC182 586.21 Golden Dyke 330219 5867664.1 268.9 -41.6 60.8 Currently being processed and analyzed Hole ID Depth

(m) Prospect East

GDA94 Z55 North

GDA94 Z55 Elevation(

m) Dip Azimuth

GDA94 Z55 SDDSC167 404.8 Apollo East 331830.3 5868092.4 347.9 -37.9 216.9 SDDSC176 865.8 Golden Dyke 330950.2 5868006.1 313.7 -53.2 257.3 SDDSC179 448.8 Apollo 331465 5867862.9 333.2 -38.6 265.4 SDDSC180 1159.77 Christina 330753.2 5867732.9 306.8 -45 273.1 SDDSC181 1142.5 Apollo 331614.8 5867952.3 346.9 -52.7 269.2 SDDSC174B 912.5 Apollo 331596.2 5867936.2 345.5 -41.6 263 SDDSC183 343.1 Christina 329713.9 5867445.1 300.1 -40 340.2 SDDSC184A 800.5 Golden Dyke 330775.1 5867890.9 295.3 -54.8 263.2 SDDSC186 791.5 Golden Dyke 330950.5 5868006.3 313.8 -54 262.6 SDDSC187 518.3 Rising Sun 330510.7 5867852.7 295.4 -50.5 75.4 SDDSC185 651.85 Regional 329233.2 5867241.6 323.9 -35 25 SDDSC186W1 774.1 Golden Dyke 330950.5 5868006.3 313.8 -54 262.6 SDDSC188 702.8 Christina 330218.3 5867664 268.9 -50.5 57.9 SDDSC189 707 Regional 329232.5 5867216.9 324.3 -35 150.1 SDDSC190 451.8 Rising Sun 330511.4 5867852.5 295.5 -40.8 80.1 SDDSC192 1141 Apollo 331615.2 5867952.3 347 -56.2 268.8 SDDSC186W2 In Progress plan 1100 m Golden Dyke 330950.5 5868006.3 313.8 -54 262.6 SDDSC193 669 Golden Dyke 330775.4 5867891 295.5 -58.6 262.2 SDDSC194 In Progress plan 1650 m Golden Dyke 330811.4 5867596.4 295.1 -64.4 311.2 SDDSC195 152.15 Apollo 330989.7 5867715.6 318 -53.3 60.5 SDDSC196 In Progress plan 1080 m Rising Sun 330484.2 5867893.4 289.5 -64.4 74.8 SDDSC197 791.5 Golden Dyke 330217.8 5867664.2 268.9 -58.7 50.8 SDDSC198 275 Apollo 331180.4 5867849.1 306.1 -31.5 248.6 SDDSC199 503.5 Apollo 330887.5 5867704.5 312.7 -42.8 52.2 SDDSC200 In Progress plan 320 m Apollo 330887.5 5867704.5 312.7 -47.6 53.3 SDDSC201 320.4 Rising Sun 330948.3 5868003.4 313.3 -28.9 231.3 SDDSC174BW1 In Progress plan 935 m Apollo 331596.2 5867936.2 345.5 -41.6 263 SDDSC191W1 1200 Christina 330753.5 5867733 306.8 -46.3 275.2 SDDSC203 In Progress plan 550 m Golden Dyke 330775.3 5867888.9 295.5 -47.5 253.4 SDDSC204 In Progress plan 1210 m Apollo 331615.4 5867952.1 347 -58.3 270.5 SDDSC206 286.2 Golden Dyke 330752.7 5867732.8 306.7 -33 301 SDDSC208 In Progress plan 1300 m Christina 330753.6 5867733 306.8 -47 281 SDDSC207 In Progress plan 540 m Christina 330093.5 5867464 277.9 -48.5 20.8

Abandoned Drillholes Hole ID Press Release

Depth Prospect East

GDA94 Z55 North

GDA94 Z55 Elevation(

m) Dip Azimuth

GDA94 Z55 SDDSC174 469.3 Apollo 331595.7 5867936.2 345.4 -42.1 264.8 SDDSC174A 306.7 Apollo 331595.5 5867936 345.5 -41.5 263.2 SDDSC184 77.5 Golden Dyke 330775 5867890.7 295.4 -56.5 259.2 SDDSC191 864.4 Christina 330753.5 5867733 306.8 -46.1 275.2

Table 2: Table of mineralized drill hole intersections reported from SDDSC177 and SDDSC182 with two cutoff criteria. Lower grades cut at 1.0 g/t AuEq lower cutoff over a maximum of 2 m with higher grades cut at 5.0 g/t AuEq cutoff over a maximum of 1 m. Significant intersections and interval depths are rounded to one decimal place.

Hole number From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au g/t Sb % AuEq g/t SDDSC177 31.7 33.9 2.2 1.9 0.0 1.9 SDDSC177 91.2 94.7 3.5 7.3 0.0 7.3 Including 91.2 93.6 2.4 9.5 0.0 9.5 SDDSC177 130.19 130.29 0.1 59.0 0.0 59.0 SDDSC177 144.95 145.55 0.6 17.0 2.9 23.8 Including 144.95 145.15 0.2 41.7 7.8 60.3 SDDSC177 151.3 155 3.7 2.0 0.1 2.4 SDDSC177 158.8 160.6 1.8 1.2 0.0 1.2 SDDSC177 174.5 174.7 0.2 12.2 0.0 12.2 SDDSC177 392.37 393.57 1.2 3.4 0.0 3.5 SDDSC177 398.58 401.28 2.7 1.9 0.6 3.4 SDDSC177 403.28 404.18 0.9 7.8 0.7 9.4 SDDSC177 421.97 424.57 2.6 0.5 0.4 1.5 SDDSC177 428.73 433.13 4.4 10.1 2.2 15.2 Including 431.84 432.94 1.1 33.6 6.0 48.0 SDDSC177 435.35 437.85 2.5 2.0 0.1 2.4 SDDSC177 458.9 459.4 0.5 76.0 1.1 78.6 SDDSC177 461.61 466.11 4.5 13.7 0.3 14.4 Including 461.61 462.51 0.9 39.4 0.8 41.5 Including 464.64 465.24 0.6 43.6 0.1 43.8 SDDSC177 482.79 485.69 2.9 8.7 0.1 9.0 Including 482.79 482.89 0.1 244.0 0.1 244.1 SDDSC177 492.25 494.15 1.9 11.1 5.8 25.1 Including 493.65 494.15 0.5 42.0 21.4 93.2 SDDSC177 498.86 499.86 1 1.4 1.5 4.9 SDDSC177 504.48 512.78 8.3 5.8 1.0 8.1 Including 505.47 505.67 0.2 4.7 9.5 27.4 Including 507.04 509.84 2.8 13.1 1.7 17.0 Including 510.88 512.28 1.4 5.6 0.6 7.2 SDDSC177 528.32 529.82 1.5 13.5 0.1 13.7 SDDSC177 545.79 551.99 6.2 16.0 0.2 16.5 Including 545.79 547.09 1.3 76.1 0.2 76.7 SDDSC177 557.38 557.68 0.3 1.3 2.7 7.7 SDDSC182 155.05 156.35 1.3 2.2 0.7 3.9 SDDSC182 158.4 161.6 3.2 0.6 0.1 0.8 SDDSC182 211.37 212.87 1.5 1.0 0.4 1.9 SDDSC182 218.44 219.64 1.2 2.1 1.5 5.7 SDDSC182 223.6 224.3 0.7 2.7 7.0 19.4 SDDSC182 229.74 230.34 0.6 3.0 0.3 3.7 SDDSC182 237.51 238.41 0.9 1.8 1.4 5.1 SDDSC182 426.5 428 1.5 19.5 8.2 39.1 Including 426.5 427.2 0.7 38.2 16.0 76.4 SDDSC182 432.09 438.59 6.5 0.9 0.4 1.8 SDDSC182 441.08 445.48 4.4 5.1 1.1 7.8 Including 442.59 442.79 0.2 27.4 0.2 27.9 Including 443.97 444.67 0.7 26.6 6.8 42.8 SDDSC182 447.91 452.81 4.9 1.3 0.3 2.0 SDDSC182 455.12 455.52 0.4 6.7 0.0 6.8 SDDSC182 474.8 477 2.2 0.4 0.2 0.9 SDDSC182 482.8 486.4 3.6 1.1 0.2 1.5 SDDSC182 492.18 492.38 0.2 7.1 5.7 20.8

Table 3: All individual assays reported from SDDSC177 and SDDSC182 reported here >0.1g/t AuEq. Individual assay and sample intervals are reported to two decimal places.

Hole number From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au g/t Sb % AuEq g/t SDDSC177 30.54 31.7 1.16 0.1 0.00 0.11 SDDSC177 31.7 32.93 1.23 1.79 0.00 1.80 SDDSC177 32.93 33.9 0.97 1.96 0.00 1.97 SDDSC177 91.2 92.3 1.1 13.2 0.00 13.21 SDDSC177 92.3 93.6 1.3 6.34 0.00 6.35 SDDSC177 93.6 94.7 1.1 2.58 0.00 2.59 SDDSC177 95.3 96.2 0.9 0.66 0.00 0.67 SDDSC177 97.1 97.95 0.85 0.79 0.03 0.87 SDDSC177 98.3 99.4 1.1 0.46 0.02 0.50 SDDSC177 101.3 102.1 0.8 0.44 0.01 0.47 SDDSC177 102.1 103 0.9 0.1 0.01 0.11 SDDSC177 104 105 1 0.15 0.01 0.17 SDDSC177 105 105.8 0.8 0.09 0.02 0.13 SDDSC177 108.6 109.6 1 0.2 0.00 0.21 SDDSC177 109.6 110.6 1 0.28 0.00 0.29 SDDSC177 114 114.8 0.8 0.08 0.02 0.12 SDDSC177 119.8 120.65 0.85 0.11 0.02 0.16 SDDSC177 120.65 121.1 0.45 0.06 0.02 0.12 SDDSC177 124.2 125.13 0.93 0.97 0.00 0.98 SDDSC177 125.13 125.43 0.3 0.28 0.00 0.29 SDDSC177 125.43 126.2 0.77 0.47 0.00 0.48 SDDSC177 127.3 127.4 0.1 0.84 0.00 0.84 SDDSC177 127.9 129 1.1 0.15 0.00 0.16 SDDSC177 130.19 130.3 0.11 59 0.02 59.04 SDDSC177 130.3 130.5 0.2 0.81 0.02 0.85 SDDSC177 130.5 131.65 1.15 0.16 0.00 0.17 SDDSC177 131.65 132.8 1.15 0.37 0.01 0.39 SDDSC177 132.8 133.32 0.52 0.44 0.01 0.45 SDDSC177 133.32 133.5 0.18 0.22 0.01 0.24 SDDSC177 133.5 134.09 0.59 0.16 0.00 0.17 SDDSC177 135.5 136.3 0.8 0.11 0.00 0.12 SDDSC177 136.3 137 0.7 0.25 0.00 0.26 SDDSC177 137 137.8 0.8 0.49 0.00 0.50 SDDSC177 137.8 138.3 0.5 0.1 0.00 0.11 SDDSC177 140.4 141.3 0.9 0.1 0.01 0.12 SDDSC177 142.1 142.8 0.7 0.4 0.00 0.41 SDDSC177 144.4 144.95 0.55 0.59 0.03 0.66 SDDSC177 144.95 145.15 0.2 41.7 7.80 60.34 SDDSC177 145.15 145.5 0.35 2.85 0.04 2.96 SDDSC177 145.5 146.4 0.9 0.73 0.04 0.82 SDDSC177 146.4 147.2 0.8 0.22 0.23 0.77 SDDSC177 147.2 148 0.8 0.76 0.02 0.80 SDDSC177 148.6 149.3 0.7 0.1 0.01 0.13 SDDSC177 149.3 149.9 0.6 0.21 0.13 0.52 SDDSC177 151.3 152.1 0.8 1.71 0.12 2.00 SDDSC177 152.1 152.9 0.8 6.22 0.02 6.27 SDDSC177 152.9 153.35 0.45 0.12 0.03 0.19 SDDSC177 153.35 153.55 0.2 1.47 0.98 3.81 SDDSC177 153.55 154 0.45 0.46 0.07 0.62 SDDSC177 154 155 1 0.58 0.19 1.03 SDDSC177 155 156 1 0.52 0.03 0.59 SDDSC177 156 156.5 0.5 0.64 0.03 0.70 SDDSC177 156.5 157 0.5 0.1 0.03 0.17 SDDSC177 158.8 159.5 0.7 2.12 0.01 2.15 SDDSC177 160 160.6 0.6 1.12 0.01 1.14 SDDSC177 160.6 161 0.4 0.79 0.01 0.82 SDDSC177 161 161.8 0.8 0.4 0.02 0.44 SDDSC177 161.8 163 1.2 0.43 0.01 0.45 SDDSC177 163 164 1 0.15 0.00 0.16 SDDSC177 164 164.9 0.9 0.23 0.01 0.24 SDDSC177 164.9 165.1 0.2 0.99 0.00 1.00 SDDSC177 166.5 166.91 0.41 0.23 0.00 0.23 SDDSC177 171.5 172.05 0.55 0.1 0.00 0.11 SDDSC177 174.5 174.69 0.19 12.2 0.00 12.21 SDDSC177 174.69 175.2 0.51 0.13 0.00 0.14 SDDSC177 175.2 175.65 0.45 0.2 0.00 0.21 SDDSC177 176.48 177.67 1.19 0.31 0.00 0.32 SDDSC177 183.48 184.1 0.62 0.94 0.00 0.95 SDDSC177 184.1 184.7 0.6 0.1 0.00 0.11 SDDSC177 341.37 341.5 0.13 0.13 0.00 0.14 SDDSC177 392.37 393.57 1.2 3.4 0.03 3.46 SDDSC177 397.7 398.58 0.88 0.14 0.01 0.16 SDDSC177 398.58 398.69 0.11 30.9 0.22 31.43 SDDSC177 398.69 399.27 0.58 0.09 0.01 0.11 SDDSC177 399.27 400.26 0.99 1.02 1.43 4.44 SDDSC177 400.26 401.3 1.04 0.59 0.24 1.16 SDDSC177 401.3 402.05 0.75 0.05 0.02 0.10 SDDSC177 402.05 402.87 0.82 0.53 0.05 0.65 SDDSC177 402.87 403.15 0.28 0.21 0.02 0.25 SDDSC177 403.15 403.28 0.13 0.5 0.02 0.55 SDDSC177 403.28 403.58 0.3 21.9 1.71 25.99 SDDSC177 403.58 403.77 0.19 1.43 0.33 2.22 SDDSC177 403.77 404.2 0.43 0.81 0.09 1.02 SDDSC177 404.2 405 0.8 0.11 0.01 0.14 SDDSC177 405.67 405.95 0.28 0.35 0.19 0.80 SDDSC177 407.15 408.09 0.94 0.18 0.02 0.23 SDDSC177 408.09 408.23 0.14 1.14 0.75 2.93 SDDSC177 408.23 408.42 0.19 1.11 0.03 1.18 SDDSC177 408.61 408.77 0.16 1.44 0.35 2.28 SDDSC177 408.77 409.16 0.39 0.21 0.03 0.28 SDDSC177 410.45 411.16 0.71 0.08 0.01 0.11 SDDSC177 411.16 411.36 0.2 1.35 0.02 1.41 SDDSC177 413.48 413.9 0.42 0.34 0.01 0.36 SDDSC177 418.41 418.65 0.24 1.12 0.16 1.50 SDDSC177 418.65 418.98 0.33 0.09 0.04 0.18 SDDSC177 418.98 419.36 0.38 0.16 0.06 0.30 SDDSC177 419.36 419.76 0.4 0.21 0.02 0.26 SDDSC177 419.76 420.13 0.37 1.2 0.87 3.28 SDDSC177 420.13 420.86 0.73 0.34 0.01 0.37 SDDSC177 420.86 421.57 0.71 0.1 0.02 0.14 SDDSC177 421.57 421.69 0.12 0.41 0.05 0.52 SDDSC177 421.69 421.97 0.28 0.19 0.03 0.27 SDDSC177 421.97 422.19 0.22 0.47 0.99 2.84 SDDSC177 422.19 422.54 0.35 0.12 0.02 0.17 SDDSC177 422.54 422.65 0.11 0.92 0.56 2.26 SDDSC177 422.65 423.05 0.4 0.68 0.03 0.75 SDDSC177 423.05 424.17 1.12 0.05 0.03 0.11 SDDSC177 424.17 424.55 0.38 1.89 2.08 6.86 SDDSC177 424.55 425.85 1.3 0.21 0.16 0.59 SDDSC177 427.73 428.32 0.59 0.22 0.04 0.30 SDDSC177 428.73 429.01 0.28 5.67 0.04 5.75 SDDSC177 429.01 429.51 0.5 0.19 0.01 0.22 SDDSC177 429.51 429.75 0.24 0.37 0.05 0.50 SDDSC177 429.75 430.24 0.49 1.75 1.18 4.57 SDDSC177 430.24 430.4 0.16 2.36 2.53 8.41 SDDSC177 430.4 430.69 0.29 9.73 2.20 14.99 SDDSC177 430.69 431.39 0.7 1.38 1.34 4.58 SDDSC177 431.39 431.84 0.45 0.87 0.33 1.66 SDDSC177 431.84 432.02 0.18 184 14.80 219.37 SDDSC177 432.02 432.23 0.21 6.11 6.25 21.05 SDDSC177 432.23 432.37 0.14 3.48 1.16 6.25 SDDSC177 432.37 432.8 0.43 4.73 5.32 17.44 SDDSC177 432.8 432.95 0.15 2.22 1.81 6.55 SDDSC177 432.95 433.17 0.22 1.48 0.70 3.15 SDDSC177 433.17 434 0.83 0.11 0.02 0.16 SDDSC177 434 434.57 0.57 0.13 0.03 0.21 SDDSC177 434.57 435.35 0.78 0.17 0.03 0.23 SDDSC177 435.35 436.16 0.81 5.2 0.25 5.80 SDDSC177 436.16 436.68 0.52 1.23 0.14 1.56 SDDSC177 436.68 437.7 1.02 0.17 0.03 0.24 SDDSC177 437.7 437.85 0.15 0.21 0.37 1.09 SDDSC177 438.88 439.58 0.7 0.7 0.11 0.96 SDDSC177 451.23 451.72 0.49 0.23 0.05 0.35 SDDSC177 451.72 452.15 0.43 0.12 0.02 0.16 SDDSC177 452.75 453.27 0.52 0.18 0.04 0.28 SDDSC177 453.27 453.4 0.13 0.03 0.04 0.12 SDDSC177 456.03 456.41 0.38 0.1 0.03 0.16 SDDSC177 456.81 457.54 0.73 0.49 0.08 0.67 SDDSC177 457.54 457.88 0.34 0.1 0.03 0.16 SDDSC177 457.88 458.46 0.58 0.31 0.01 0.34 SDDSC177 458.46 458.9 0.44 0.15 0.03 0.21 SDDSC177 458.9 459.36 0.46 76 1.10 78.63 SDDSC177 459.36 460.02 0.66 0.24 0.03 0.32 SDDSC177 460.02 460.73 0.71 0.25 0.02 0.29 SDDSC177 460.73 461.61 0.88 0.17 0.03 0.25 SDDSC177 461.61 461.9 0.29 52.3 0.58 53.69 SDDSC177 461.9 462.25 0.35 12.4 1.23 15.34 SDDSC177 462.25 462.5 0.25 62.4 0.61 63.86 SDDSC177 462.5 462.64 0.14 2.64 0.04 2.74 SDDSC177 462.64 463.41 0.77 0.44 0.02 0.49 SDDSC177 463.41 463.63 0.22 3.1 0.02 3.14 SDDSC177 463.63 463.77 0.14 0.38 0.02 0.42 SDDSC177 463.77 464.33 0.56 0.98 0.02 1.04 SDDSC177 464.33 464.48 0.15 0.5 0.04 0.59 SDDSC177 464.48 464.64 0.16 0.12 0.03 0.19 SDDSC177 464.64 464.94 0.3 75.3 0.05 75.43 SDDSC177 464.94 465.06 0.12 0.61 0.02 0.65 SDDSC177 465.06 465.19 0.13 10.2 0.15 10.56 SDDSC177 465.19 465.9 0.71 0.15 0.09 0.35 SDDSC177 465.9 466.08 0.18 0.78 1.32 3.93 SDDSC177 466.08 466.3 0.22 0.34 0.05 0.47 SDDSC177 466.65 467 0.35 0.37 0.02 0.42 SDDSC177 467.8 468.1 0.3 0.16 0.01 0.19 SDDSC177 468.1 468.22 0.12 0.37 0.01 0.40 SDDSC177 468.22 468.4 0.18 0.57 0.69 2.22 SDDSC177 468.4 468.5 0.1 1.51 0.08 1.70 SDDSC177 468.5 468.77 0.27 0.39 0.08 0.59 SDDSC177 468.77 468.9 0.13 4 0.20 4.48 SDDSC177 468.9 469.43 0.53 0.08 0.01 0.11 SDDSC177 469.43 469.64 0.21 0.13 0.01 0.16 SDDSC177 469.64 470.01 0.37 0.21 0.01 0.23 SDDSC177 470.01 470.23 0.22 0.68 0.01 0.70 SDDSC177 470.92 471.15 0.23 2.4 1.92 6.99 SDDSC177 471.15 471.44 0.29 0.15 0.06 0.29 SDDSC177 471.44 471.63 0.19 0.35 0.01 0.38 SDDSC177 471.63 472.6 0.97 0.09 0.01 0.11 SDDSC177 474.36 474.49 0.13 0.55 0.14 0.88 SDDSC177 475.56 476.48 0.92 0.25 0.01 0.27 SDDSC177 476.94 477.17 0.23 0.13 0.01 0.15 SDDSC177 477.75 478.66 0.91 0.08 0.04 0.16 SDDSC177 478.66 479.63 0.97 0.44 0.04 0.53 SDDSC177 480.93 481.16 0.23 0.31 0.01 0.34 SDDSC177 481.16 482 0.84 0.26 0.04 0.35 SDDSC177 482 482.79 0.79 0.21 0.05 0.33 SDDSC177 482.79 482.89 0.1 244 0.05 244.12 SDDSC177 482.89 483.28 0.39 0.46 0.04 0.55 SDDSC177 483.28 483.8 0.52 0.19 0.01 0.21 SDDSC177 483.8 484.69 0.89 0.17 0.08 0.35 SDDSC177 484.69 484.93 0.24 1.45 0.45 2.53 SDDSC177 484.93 485.61 0.68 0.29 0.11 0.55 SDDSC177 485.61 485.72 0.11 0.91 0.49 2.08 SDDSC177 485.72 486.53 0.81 0.38 0.06 0.53 SDDSC177 486.53 486.73 0.2 0.48 0.07 0.64 SDDSC177 486.73 487.28 0.55 0.09 0.07 0.27 SDDSC177 487.28 487.38 0.1 0.2 0.08 0.38 SDDSC177 487.38 488.65 1.27 0.08 0.01 0.10 SDDSC177 489.12 489.44 0.32 0.17 0.01 0.20 SDDSC177 489.44 489.87 0.43 0.02 0.04 0.11 SDDSC177 489.87 490.49 0.62 0.26 0.05 0.39 SDDSC177 490.49 491.19 0.7 0.12 0.06 0.27 SDDSC177 491.19 491.49 0.3 0.61 0.01 0.64 SDDSC177 491.49 492.25 0.76 0.07 0.01 0.10 SDDSC177 492.25 492.39 0.14 1.31 1.28 4.37 SDDSC177 492.39 492.71 0.32 0.62 0.69 2.27 SDDSC177 492.71 493.21 0.5 0.13 0.05 0.26 SDDSC177 493.21 493.34 0.13 0.17 0.25 0.77 SDDSC177 493.34 493.65 0.31 0.1 0.23 0.65 SDDSC177 493.65 493.82 0.17 35.9 52.30 160.90 SDDSC177 493.82 494.14 0.32 45.2 5.03 57.22 SDDSC177 494.14 494.72 0.58 0.34 0.10 0.58 SDDSC177 494.72 495.34 0.62 0.04 0.08 0.23 SDDSC177 496.35 496.54 0.19 0.09 1.60 3.91 SDDSC177 498.86 499.01 0.15 1.14 0.60 2.57 SDDSC177 499.76 499.88 0.12 10.1 11.70 38.06 SDDSC177 504.48 505.07 0.59 0.94 0.27 1.59 SDDSC177 505.07 505.47 0.4 0.04 0.04 0.14 SDDSC177 505.47 505.66 0.19 4.72 9.47 27.35 SDDSC177 505.66 506.13 0.47 0.01 0.07 0.18 SDDSC177 507.04 507.25 0.21 40.7 5.19 53.10 SDDSC177 507.25 507.65 0.4 0.3 0.68 1.93 SDDSC177 508.07 508.25 0.18 0.78 2.59 6.97 SDDSC177 508.57 508.77 0.2 3.6 2.77 10.22 SDDSC177 508.77 509.2 0.43 10.8 0.35 11.64 SDDSC177 509.2 509.6 0.4 39 4.69 50.21 SDDSC177 509.6 509.8 0.2 31.3 0.72 33.02 SDDSC177 509.8 510.13 0.33 0.26 0.07 0.43 SDDSC177 510.13 510.88 0.75 2.99 0.29 3.68 SDDSC177 510.88 511.42 0.54 7.5 0.41 8.48 SDDSC177 511.42 511.53 0.11 10.4 0.70 12.07 SDDSC177 511.53 511.85 0.32 2.22 0.67 3.82 SDDSC177 511.85 512.23 0.38 4.45 0.94 6.70 SDDSC177 512.23 512.8 0.57 1.3 0.72 3.02 SDDSC177 512.8 513.15 0.35 0.45 0.09 0.65 SDDSC177 513.15 514 0.85 0.05 0.03 0.11 SDDSC177 514 515 1 0.17 0.03 0.25 SDDSC177 515 516 1 0.28 0.02 0.33 SDDSC177 516 517 1 0.21 0.01 0.24 SDDSC177 522 522.78 0.78 0.1 0.02 0.15 SDDSC177 528.16 528.32 0.16 0.09 0.01 0.12 SDDSC177 528.32 529.08 0.76 18.2 0.02 18.25 SDDSC177 529.08 529.38 0.3 9.32 0.21 9.82 SDDSC177 529.38 529.64 0.26 4.42 0.24 4.99 SDDSC177 529.64 529.84 0.2 13.4 0.02 13.45 SDDSC177 529.84 530.05 0.21 0.18 0.02 0.22 SDDSC177 530.05 530.42 0.37 0.53 0.01 0.55 SDDSC177 530.42 530.6 0.18 0.1 0.02 0.15 SDDSC177 530.6 530.76 0.16 0.06 0.02 0.10 SDDSC177 530.76 531.12 0.36 0.07 0.02 0.11 SDDSC177 531.12 531.26 0.14 0.52 0.02 0.56 SDDSC177 531.26 531.59 0.33 0.14 0.01 0.17 SDDSC177 531.59 531.88 0.29 0.28 0.03 0.35 SDDSC177 531.88 532.51 0.63 0.07 0.02 0.11 SDDSC177 532.51 532.9 0.39 0.12 0.02 0.16 SDDSC177 534.44 535.04 0.6 0.1 0.02 0.14 SDDSC177 535.69 535.91 0.22 0.14 0.02 0.19 SDDSC177 535.91 536.27 0.36 0.12 0.03 0.18 SDDSC177 538.77 539.88 1.11 0.17 0.01 0.19 SDDSC177 540.93 541.92 0.99 0.09 0.04 0.19 SDDSC177 543.61 543.87 0.26 0.07 0.03 0.13 SDDSC177 544.77 545.12 0.35 0.16 0.02 0.21 SDDSC177 545.57 545.79 0.22 0.89 0.03 0.97 SDDSC177 545.79 545.9 0.11 7.36 0.05 7.48 SDDSC177 545.9 546.27 0.37 254 0.25 254.60 SDDSC177 546.27 546.46 0.19 0.91 0.11 1.17 SDDSC177 546.46 546.9 0.44 0.28 0.29 0.97 SDDSC177 546.9 547.05 0.15 5.58 0.28 6.25 SDDSC177 547.05 547.23 0.18 1.26 0.95 3.53 SDDSC177 547.23 547.52 0.29 0.4 0.10 0.64 SDDSC177 547.52 548.56 1.04 0.22 0.02 0.26 SDDSC177 548.56 549.12 0.56 0.14 0.04 0.25 SDDSC177 549.12 549.66 0.54 0.52 0.36 1.38 SDDSC177 549.66 550.07 0.41 0.11 0.02 0.17 SDDSC177 550.07 550.44 0.37 0.24 0.30 0.96 SDDSC177 550.44 551.37 0.93 0.13 0.04 0.21 SDDSC177 551.37 551.58 0.21 5.08 1.46 8.57 SDDSC177 551.58 551.95 0.37 0.74 0.36 1.60 SDDSC177 551.95 552.17 0.22 0.38 0.09 0.60 SDDSC177 552.17 552.56 0.39 0.63 0.10 0.86 SDDSC177 552.56 553.01 0.45 0.3 0.24 0.87 SDDSC177 553.01 553.6 0.59 0.04 0.03 0.12 SDDSC177 553.94 554.3 0.36 0.03 0.03 0.11 SDDSC177 554.3 555.11 0.81 0.23 0.10 0.47 SDDSC177 556.47 557.38 0.91 0.16 0.11 0.42 SDDSC177 557.38 557.64 0.26 1.34 2.67 7.72 SDDSC177 557.64 558.22 0.58 0.06 0.06 0.21 SDDSC177 558.36 558.74 0.38 0.21 0.04 0.32 SDDSC177 559.15 559.86 0.71 1.1 0.17 1.51 SDDSC177 559.86 560.39 0.53 0.34 0.04 0.42 SDDSC177 564.19 564.52 0.33 0.13 0.08 0.31 SDDSC177 564.52 565.5 0.98 0.07 0.02 0.11 SDDSC177 567.52 568 0.48 0.21 0.02 0.26 SDDSC177 568 568.35 0.35 0.03 0.03 0.11 SDDSC177 649 649.5 0.5 -0.01 0.24 0.56 SDDSC182 78 79 1 0.12 0.01 0.13 SDDSC182 114 115 1 0.12 0.00 0.12 SDDSC182 120.4 121 0.6 0.1 0.00 0.11 SDDSC182 126 127 1 0.21 0.00 0.21 SDDSC182 149.9 150.7 0.8 1.02 0.17 1.43 SDDSC182 150.7 151.6 0.9 0.7 0.01 0.73 SDDSC182 151.8 152.4 0.6 0.4 0.01 0.42 SDDSC182 152.4 152.8 0.4 0.4 0.01 0.42 SDDSC182 153 154 1 0.28 0.09 0.50 SDDSC182 154 155.05 1.05 0.65 0.01 0.67 SDDSC182 155.05 155.3 0.25 2.22 2.81 8.94 SDDSC182 155.3 156 0.7 0.84 0.24 1.41 SDDSC182 156 156.3 0.3 5.28 0.13 5.59 SDDSC182 156.3 157 0.7 0.37 0.01 0.39 SDDSC182 158.4 158.6 0.2 1.28 0.73 3.02 SDDSC182 158.6 159.6 1 0.29 0.05 0.40 SDDSC182 159.6 160.6 1 0.36 0.01 0.37 SDDSC182 160.6 161.6 1 1.15 0.01 1.17 SDDSC182 161.6 162.8 1.2 0.1 0.00 0.11 SDDSC182 164.8 165.2 0.4 0.44 0.01 0.47 SDDSC182 167.75 168 0.25 1.04 0.01 1.06 SDDSC182 168 169 1 0.28 0.00 0.29 SDDSC182 169 170 1 0.2 0.00 0.21 SDDSC182 172 173 1 0.18 0.00 0.19 SDDSC182 173 174 1 0.32 0.00 0.33 SDDSC182 174 175 1 0.43 0.01 0.46 SDDSC182 175 176 1 0.71 0.01 0.73 SDDSC182 176 177 1 0.49 0.04 0.59 SDDSC182 177 178.05 1.05 0.12 0.00 0.13 SDDSC182 178.3 179 0.7 0.16 0.01 0.18 SDDSC182 180 181 1 0.27 0.01 0.29 SDDSC182 181 181.2 0.2 0.64 0.05 0.76 SDDSC182 181.2 181.3 0.1 0.25 0.01 0.28 SDDSC182 181.3 182 0.7 1.02 0.03 1.10 SDDSC182 182 183 1 0.65 0.01 0.67 SDDSC182 183 184 1 0.33 0.01 0.34 SDDSC182 184.7 185.7 1 0.36 0.02 0.41 SDDSC182 185.7 186.8 1.1 0.42 0.02 0.48 SDDSC182 186.8 187.6 0.8 0.69 0.04 0.80 SDDSC182 187.6 188.6 1 0.18 0.01 0.21 SDDSC182 190.4 191.6 1.2 0.21 0.01 0.23 SDDSC182 191.6 192.8 1.2 0.1 0.00 0.11 SDDSC182 194.84 195.14 0.3 0.02 0.04 0.11 SDDSC182 198.45 198.98 0.53 0.28 0.00 0.29 SDDSC182 202.33 202.65 0.32 0.24 0.01 0.26 SDDSC182 202.65 202.77 0.12 0.78 0.01 0.80 SDDSC182 202.77 203.4 0.63 0.21 0.00 0.22 SDDSC182 203.4 204.16 0.76 0.11 0.00 0.12 SDDSC182 208.06 208.65 0.59 0.28 0.01 0.30 SDDSC182 209.94 210.04 0.1 0.03 0.25 0.63 SDDSC182 210.53 211.17 0.64 0.11 0.00 0.12 SDDSC182 211.17 211.37 0.2 0.72 0.06 0.86 SDDSC182 211.37 211.75 0.38 1.07 0.10 1.31 SDDSC182 211.75 212.12 0.37 0.55 0.10 0.79 SDDSC182 212.12 212.86 0.74 1.22 0.61 2.68 SDDSC182 212.86 213.25 0.39 0.21 0.03 0.29 SDDSC182 213.25 214 0.75 0.05 0.02 0.10 SDDSC182 216.55 217.17 0.62 0.3 0.08 0.50 SDDSC182 217.42 217.67 0.25 0.53 0.13 0.84 SDDSC182 217.67 217.88 0.21 0.83 0.01 0.86 SDDSC182 217.88 218.44 0.56 0.33 0.02 0.37 SDDSC182 218.44 218.9 0.46 3.17 0.72 4.89 SDDSC182 218.9 219.64 0.74 1.36 2.03 6.21 SDDSC182 219.64 220.55 0.91 0.08 0.02 0.13 SDDSC182 220.97 221.71 0.74 0.56 0.02 0.60 SDDSC182 222.76 223.6 0.84 0.34 0.04 0.44 SDDSC182 223.6 223.77 0.17 1.74 1.84 6.14 SDDSC182 223.77 224.02 0.25 0.73 0.10 0.96 SDDSC182 224.02 224.22 0.2 1.7 0.70 3.37 SDDSC182 224.22 224.34 0.12 9.97 39.00 103.18 SDDSC182 224.34 225.1 0.76 0.26 0.06 0.39 SDDSC182 228.97 229.34 0.37 0.27 0.07 0.43 SDDSC182 229.34 229.74 0.4 0.31 0.03 0.39 SDDSC182 229.74 230.36 0.62 3.03 0.26 3.65 SDDSC182 230.36 230.88 0.52 0.32 0.03 0.39 SDDSC182 233.43 233.81 0.38 0.15 0.01 0.16 SDDSC182 236.55 237.51 0.96 0.09 0.01 0.11 SDDSC182 237.51 237.84 0.33 2.13 2.09 7.13 SDDSC182 237.84 238.02 0.18 0.71 0.01 0.74 SDDSC182 238.02 238.16 0.14 2.5 2.99 9.65 SDDSC182 238.16 238.43 0.27 1.66 0.58 3.05 SDDSC182 238.43 239.7 1.27 0.19 0.01 0.22 SDDSC182 241.52 241.79 0.27 0.7 0.01 0.72 SDDSC182 246.99 248.07 1.08 0.09 0.01 0.11 SDDSC182 248.07 248.18 0.11 0.59 0.01 0.60 SDDSC182 379.81 380.23 0.42 0.21 0.01 0.24 SDDSC182 380.23 381.03 0.8 0.2 0.01 0.23 SDDSC182 424.36 424.9 0.54 0.12 0.01 0.14 SDDSC182 424.9 425.07 0.17 0.93 0.01 0.95 SDDSC182 425.07 425.21 0.14 0.57 0.01 0.59 SDDSC182 425.21 426.5 1.29 0.09 0.01 0.12 SDDSC182 426.5 426.93 0.43 4.88 2.19 10.11 SDDSC182 426.93 427.23 0.3 86 35.70 171.32 SDDSC182 427.23 427.95 0.72 0.45 0.36 1.31 SDDSC182 427.95 428.68 0.73 0.06 0.07 0.22 SDDSC182 428.68 428.86 0.18 0.11 0.03 0.19 SDDSC182 428.86 429 0.14 0.09 0.01 0.12 SDDSC182 432.09 432.69 0.6 0.87 0.33 1.66 SDDSC182 432.69 433.66 0.97 0.09 0.02 0.13 SDDSC182 434.7 434.93 0.23 3.13 0.52 4.37 SDDSC182 434.93 435.06 0.13 0.38 0.01 0.41 SDDSC182 435.06 435.28 0.22 1.66 0.26 2.28 SDDSC182 435.28 435.58 0.3 0.17 0.00 0.17 SDDSC182 435.58 435.88 0.3 0.65 0.02 0.69 SDDSC182 435.88 436.04 0.16 0.49 0.54 1.78 SDDSC182 436.04 436.3 0.26 4.79 1.52 8.42 SDDSC182 436.3 436.51 0.21 8.84 3.22 16.54 SDDSC182 436.51 437.29 0.78 0.07 0.02 0.12 SDDSC182 437.29 437.58 0.29 0.06 0.03 0.14 SDDSC182 437.58 437.82 0.24 1.66 2.87 8.52 SDDSC182 437.82 438.14 0.32 0.08 0.03 0.15 SDDSC182 438.14 438.25 0.11 0.57 0.08 0.76 SDDSC182 438.25 438.48 0.23 0.1 0.01 0.12 SDDSC182 438.48 438.63 0.15 0.45 0.51 1.67 SDDSC182 438.63 439.31 0.68 0.06 0.02 0.10 SDDSC182 439.78 439.94 0.16 0.22 0.02 0.26 SDDSC182 439.94 440.42 0.48 0.02 0.06 0.16 SDDSC182 440.42 440.67 0.25 0.22 0.18 0.65 SDDSC182 441.08 441.18 0.1 0.37 0.52 1.61 SDDSC182 441.18 441.33 0.15 0.82 0.08 1.02 SDDSC182 442.59 442.74 0.15 27.4 0.20 27.88 SDDSC182 442.74 442.88 0.14 0.47 0.16 0.85 SDDSC182 443.26 443.45 0.19 0.39 0.13 0.70 SDDSC182 443.45 443.97 0.52 1.3 0.21 1.80 SDDSC182 443.97 444.18 0.21 18 6.81 34.28 SDDSC182 444.18 444.35 0.17 0.28 0.06 0.42 SDDSC182 444.35 444.48 0.13 8.39 3.16 15.94 SDDSC182 444.48 444.63 0.15 84.1 17.50 125.93 SDDSC182 444.63 445.14 0.51 0.22 0.06 0.35 SDDSC182 445.14 445.52 0.38 0.2 0.35 1.04 SDDSC182 445.52 446.59 1.07 0.34 0.14 0.67 SDDSC182 447.16 447.91 0.75 0.08 0.04 0.16 SDDSC182 447.91 448.27 0.36 7.48 0.88 9.58 SDDSC182 448.27 449.42 1.15 0.19 0.10 0.42 SDDSC182 449.42 449.96 0.54 0.49 0.46 1.59 SDDSC182 449.96 450.52 0.56 0.08 0.06 0.23 SDDSC182 450.52 450.69 0.17 1.64 1.42 5.03 SDDSC182 450.69 451.43 0.74 0.1 0.05 0.21 SDDSC182 451.43 451.63 0.2 0.31 0.38 1.22 SDDSC182 451.63 451.85 0.22 2.48 1.43 5.90 SDDSC182 451.85 452.21 0.36 0.98 0.10 1.22 SDDSC182 452.21 452.81 0.6 2.95 0.03 3.03 SDDSC182 453.64 454.2 0.56 0.12 0.01 0.14 SDDSC182 454.44 455.12 0.68 0.42 0.01 0.44 SDDSC182 455.12 455.55 0.43 6.73 0.02 6.78 SDDSC182 455.55 455.99 0.44 0.12 0.01 0.13 SDDSC182 455.99 456.13 0.14 0.2 0.01 0.22 SDDSC182 456.13 456.23 0.1 0.71 0.01 0.74 SDDSC182 458.3 458.59 0.29 0.2 0.01 0.21 SDDSC182 459.75 459.89 0.14 0.53 0.02 0.57 SDDSC182 460.76 460.9 0.14 2.2 1.22 5.12 SDDSC182 461.7 461.82 0.12 0.12 0.10 0.35 SDDSC182 462.5 462.6 0.1 0.58 1.95 5.24 SDDSC182 472.4 473 0.6 0.24 0.01 0.25 SDDSC182 474.5 474.8 0.3 0.06 0.02 0.10 SDDSC182 474.8 475 0.2 3.64 0.76 5.46 SDDSC182 476.8 477 0.2 0.87 1.54 4.55 SDDSC182 478 479 1 0.12 0.01 0.14 SDDSC182 479 479.4 0.4 0.15 0.01 0.17 SDDSC182 479.4 479.6 0.2 0.09 0.01 0.12 SDDSC182 479.6 479.8 0.2 0.62 0.06 0.76 SDDSC182 480.8 481.4 0.6 0.34 0.01 0.37 SDDSC182 481.4 481.9 0.5 0.11 0.01 0.13 SDDSC182 482.8 483.2 0.4 2.17 0.00 2.18 SDDSC182 483.6 483.9 0.3 0.41 0.07 0.57 SDDSC182 483.9 484.5 0.6 1.56 0.65 3.11 SDDSC182 484.5 485 0.5 2.49 0.04 2.60 SDDSC182 485 485.2 0.2 0.75 0.06 0.90 SDDSC182 485.2 485.4 0.2 2.2 0.24 2.77 SDDSC182 486.2 486.4 0.2 0.64 0.64 2.17 SDDSC182 487.2 487.74 0.54 0.18 0.19 0.63 SDDSC182 487.74 488.58 0.84 0.13 0.02 0.17 SDDSC182 488.58 488.68 0.1 0.69 0.34 1.50 SDDSC182 488.68 489.13 0.45 0.09 0.03 0.17 SDDSC182 489.13 489.36 0.23 0.11 0.01 0.12 SDDSC182 489.87 490.71 0.84 0.19 0.01 0.21 SDDSC182 491.44 492.18 0.74 0.07 0.01 0.10 SDDSC182 492.18 492.33 0.15 7.1 5.73 20.79 SDDSC182 494.45 494.65 0.2 0.16 0.00 0.17 SDDSC182 500.09 500.24 0.15 0.89 0.02 0.94 SDDSC182 501.54 501.64 0.1 0.24 0.01 0.26 SDDSC182 502.15 502.25 0.1 0.07 0.22 0.60 SDDSC182 502.25 502.74 0.49 0.75 0.65 2.30 SDDSC182 502.74 502.89 0.15 0.31 0.63 1.82 SDDSC182 502.89 503.2 0.31 0.5 0.01 0.53 SDDSC182 513.97 514.63 0.66 0.1 0.01 0.12 SDDSC182 515.97 516.6 0.63 0.26 0.01 0.29 SDDSC182 518 518.29 0.29 0.1 0.01 0.11 SDDSC182 518.66 519.54 0.88 0.11 0.00 0.12 SDDSC182 519.54 519.64 0.1 0.14 0.00 0.15 SDDSC182 519.64 520 0.36 0.09 0.00 0.10

JORC Table 1

Section 1 Sampling Techniques and Data

Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Sampling techniques Nature and quality of sampling (e.g. cut channels, random chips, or specific specialised industry standard measurement tools appropriate to the minerals under investigation, such as down hole gamma sondes, or handheld XRF instruments, etc.). These examples should not be taken as limiting the broad meaning of sampling.

Include reference to measures taken to ensure sample representivity and the appropriate calibration of any measurement tools or systems used.

Aspects of the determination of mineralization that are Material to the Public Report.

In cases where 'industry standard' work has been done this would be relatively simple (e.g. 'reverse circulation drilling was used to obtain 1 m samples from which 3 kg was pulverised to produce a 30 g charge for fire assay'). In other cases more explanation may be required, such as where there is coarse gold that has inherent sampling problems. Unusual commodities or mineralization types (e.g. submarine nodules) may warrant disclosure of detailed information. Sampling has been conducted on drill core (half core for >90% and quarter core for check samples), grab samples (field samples of in-situ bedrock and boulders; including duplicate samples), trench samples (rock chips, including duplicates) and soil samples (including duplicate samples).

Locations of field samples were obtained by using a GPS, generally to an accuracy of within 5 metres. Drill hole and trench locations have been confirmed to <1 metre using a differential GPS.

Samples locations have also been verified by plotting locations on the high-resolution Lidar maps

Locations of field samples were obtained by using a GPS, generally to an accuracy of within 5 metres. Drill hole and trench locations have been confirmed to <1 metre using a differential GPS. Samples locations have also been verified by plotting locations on the high-resolution Lidar maps Drill core is marked for cutting and cut using an automated diamond saw used by Company staff in Kilmore.

Samples are bagged at the core saw and transported to the Bendigo On Site Laboratory for assay.

At On Site samples are crushed using a jaw crusher combined with a rotary splitter and a 1 kg split is separated for pulverizing (LM5) and assay.

Samples are bagged at the core saw and transported to the Bendigo On Site Laboratory for assay. At On Site samples are crushed using a jaw crusher combined with a rotary splitter and a 1 kg split is separated for pulverizing (LM5) and assay. Standard fire assay techniques are used for gold assay on a 30 g charge by experienced staff (used to dealing with high sulfide and stibnite-rich charges). On Site gold method by fire assay code PE01S.

Screen fire assay is used to understand gold grain-size distribution where coarse gold is evident.

ICP-OES is used to analyse the aqua regia digested pulp for an additional 12 elements (method BM011) and over-range antimony is measured using flame AAS (method known as B050).

Soil samples were sieved in the field and an 80 mesh sample bagged and transported to ALS Global laboratories in Brisbane for super-low level gold analysis on a 50 g samples by method ST44 (using aqua regia and ICP-MS).

Grab and rock chip samples are generally submitted to On Site Laboratories for standard fire assay and 12 element ICP-OES as described above. Drilling techniques Drill type (e.g. core, reverse circulation, open-hole hammer, rotary air blast, auger, Bangka, sonic, etc.) and details (e.g. core diametre, triple or standard tube, depth of diamond tails, face-sampling bit or other type, whether core is oriented and if so, by what method, etc.). HQ or NQ diametre diamond drill core, oriented using Axis Champ orientation tool with the orientation line marked on the base of the drill core by the driller/offsider.

A standard 3 metre core barrel has been found to be most effective in both the hard and soft rocks in the project. Drill sample recovery Method of recording and assessing core and chip sample recoveries and results assessed.

Measures taken to maximise sample recovery and ensure representative nature of the samples.

Whether a relationship exists between sample recovery and grade and whether sample bias may have occurred due to preferential loss/gain of fine/coarse material. Core recoveries were maximised using HQ or NQ diamond drill core with careful control over water pressure to maintain soft-rock integrity and prevent loss of fines from soft drill core. Recoveries are determined on a metre-by-metre basis in the core shed using a tape measure against marked up drill core checking against driller's core blocks.

Plots of grade versus recovery and RQD (described below) show no trends relating to loss of drill core, or fines. Logging Whether core and chip samples have been geologically and geotechnically logged to a level of detail to support appropriate Mineral Resource estimation, mining studies and metallurgical studies.

Whether logging is qualitative or quantitative in nature. Core (or costean, channel, etc.) photography.

The total length and percentage of the relevant intersections logged. Geotechnical logging of the drill core takes place on racks in the company core shed.

Core orientations marked at the drill rig are checked for consistency, and base of core orientation lines are marked on core where two or more orientations match within 10 degrees.

Core recoveries are measured for each metre

RQD measurements (cumulative quantity of core sticks > 10 cm in a metre) are made on a metre-by-metre basis.

Core orientations marked at the drill rig are checked for consistency, and base of core orientation lines are marked on core where two or more orientations match within 10 degrees. Core recoveries are measured for each metre RQD measurements (cumulative quantity of core sticks > 10 cm in a metre) are made on a metre-by-metre basis. Each tray of drill core is photographed (wet and dry) after it is fully marked up for sampling and cutting.

The  core cutting line is placed approximately 10 degrees above the orientation line so the orientation line is retained in the core tray for future work.

Geological logging of drill core includes the following parametres:

Rock types, lithology

Alteration

Structural information (orientations of veins, bedding, fractures using standard alpha-beta measurements from orientation line; or, in the case of un-oriented parts of the core, the alpha angles are measured)

Veining (quartz, carbonate, stibnite)

Key minerals (visible under hand lens, e.g. gold, stibnite)

Rock types, lithology Alteration Structural information (orientations of veins, bedding, fractures using standard alpha-beta measurements from orientation line; or, in the case of un-oriented parts of the core, the alpha angles are measured) Veining (quartz, carbonate, stibnite) Key minerals (visible under hand lens, e.g. gold, stibnite) 100% of drill core is logged for all components described above into the company MX logging database.

Logging is fully quantitative, although the description of lithology and alteration relies on visible observations by trained geologists.

Each tray of drill core is photographed (wet and dry) after it is fully marked up for sampling and cutting.

Logging is considered to be at an appropriate quantitative standard to use in future studies. Sub-sampling techniques and sample preparation If core, whether cut or sawn and whether quarter, half or all core taken.

If non-core, whether riffled, tube sampled, rotary split, etc. and whether sampled wet or dry.

For all sample types, the nature, quality and appropriateness of the sample preparation technique.

Quality control procedures adopted for all sub-sampling stages to maximise representivity of samples.

Measures taken to ensure that the sampling is representative of the in situ material collected, including for instance results for field duplicate/second-half sampling.

Whether sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the material being sampled. Drill core is typically half-core sampled using an Almonte core saw. The drill core orientation line is retained.

Quarter core is used when taking sampling duplicates (termed FDUP in the database).

Sampling representivity is maximised by always taking the same side of the drill core (whenever oriented), and consistently drawing a cut line on the core where orientation is not possible. The field technician draws these lines.

Sample sizes are maximised for coarse gold by using half core, and using quarter core and half core splits (laboratory duplicates) allows an estimation of nugget effect.

In mineralized rock the company uses approximately 10% of  core duplicates, certified reference materials (suitable OREAS materials), laboratory sample duplicates and instrument repeats.

In the soil sampling program duplicates were obtained every 20th sample and the laboratory inserted low-level gold standards regularly into the sample flow. Quality of assay data and laboratory tests The nature, quality and appropriateness of the assaying and laboratory procedures used and whether the technique is considered partial or total.

For geophysical tools, spectrometres, handheld XRF instruments, etc., the parametres used in determining the analysis including instrument make and model, reading times, calibrations factors applied and their derivation, etc.

Nature of quality control procedures adopted (e.g. standards, blanks, duplicates, external laboratory checks) and whether acceptable levels of accuracy (i.e. lack of bias) and precision have been established. The fire assay technique for gold used by On Site is a globally recognised method, and over-range follow-ups including gravimetric finish and screen fire assay are standard. Of significance at the On Site laboratory is the presence of fire assay personnel who are experienced in dealing with high sulfide charges (especially those with high stibnite contents) - this substantially reduces the risk of in accurate reporting in complex sulfide-gold charges.

Where screen fire assay is used, this assay will be reported instead of the original fire assay.

The ICP-OES technique is a standard analytical technique for assessing elemental concentrations. The digest used (aqua regia) is excellent for the dissolution of sulfides (in this case generally stibnite, pyrite and trace arsenopyrite), but other silicate-hosted elements, in particular vanadium (V), may only be partially dissolved. These silicate-hosted elements are not important in the determination of the quantity of gold, antimony, arsenic or sulphur.

A portable XRF has been used in a qualitative manner on drill core to ensure appropriate core samples have been taken (no pXRF data are reported or included in the MX database).

Acceptable levels of accuracy and precision have been established using the following methods

 duplicates - half core is split into quarters and given separate sample numbers (commonly in mineralized core) - low to medium gold grades indicate strong correlation, dropping as the gold grade increases over 40 g/t Au.

Blanks - blanks are inserted after visible gold and in strongly mineralized rocks to confirm that the crushing and pulping are not affected by gold smearing onto the crusher and LM5 swing mill surfaces. Results are excellent, generally below detection limit and a single sample at 0.03 g/t Au.

Certified Reference Materials - OREAS CRMs have been used throughout the project including blanks, low (<1 g/t Au), medium (up to 5 g/t Au) and high-grade gold samples (> 5 g/t Au). Results are automatically checked on data import into the MX database to fall within 2 standard deviations of the expected value.

Laboratory splits - On Site conducts splits of both coarse crush and pulp duplicates as quality control and reports all data. In particular, high Au samples have the most repeats.

Laboratory CRMs - On Site regularly inserts their own CRM materials into the process flow and reports all data

Laboratory precision - duplicate measurements of solutions (both Au from fire assay and other elements from the aqua regia digests) are made regularly by the laboratory and reported.

- half core is split into quarters and given separate sample numbers (commonly in mineralized core) - low to medium gold grades indicate strong correlation, dropping as the gold grade increases over 40 g/t Au. - blanks are inserted after visible gold and in strongly mineralized rocks to confirm that the crushing and pulping are not affected by gold smearing onto the crusher and LM5 swing mill surfaces. Results are excellent, generally below detection limit and a single sample at 0.03 g/t Au. - OREAS CRMs have been used throughout the project including blanks, low (<1 g/t Au), medium (up to 5 g/t Au) and high-grade gold samples (> 5 g/t Au). Results are automatically checked on data import into the MX database to fall within 2 standard deviations of the expected value. - On Site conducts splits of both coarse crush and pulp duplicates as quality control and reports all data. In particular, high Au samples have the most repeats. - On Site regularly inserts their own CRM materials into the process flow and reports all data - duplicate measurements of solutions (both Au from fire assay and other elements from the aqua regia digests) are made regularly by the laboratory and reported. Accuracy and precision have been determined carefully by using the sampling and measurement techniques described above during the sampling (accuracy) and laboratory (accuracy and precision) stages of the analysis.

have been determined carefully by using the sampling and measurement techniques described above during the sampling (accuracy) and laboratory (accuracy and precision) stages of the analysis. Soil sample company duplicates and laboratory certified reference materials all fall within expected ranges. Verification of sampling and assaying The verification of significant intersections by either independent or alternative company personnel.

The use of twinned holes.

Documentation of primary data, data entry procedures, data verification, data storage (physical and electronic) protocols.

Discuss any adjustment to assay data. The Independent Geologist has visited Sunday Creek drill sites and inspected drill core held at the Kilmore core shed.

Visual inspection of drill intersections matches both the geological descriptions in the database and the expected assay data (for example, gold and stibnite visible in drill core is matched by high Au and Sb results in assays).

In addition, on receipt of results Company geologists assess the gold, antimony and arsenic results to verify that the intersections returned expected data.

The electronic data storage in the MX database is of a high standard. Primary logging data are entered directly by the geologists and field technicians and the assay data are electronically matched against sample number on return from the laboratory.

Certified reference materials,  core field duplicates (FDUP), laboratory splits and duplicates and instrument repeats are all recorded in the database.

Exports of data include all primary data, from hole SDDSC077B onwards after discussion with SRK Consulting. Prior to this gold was averaged across primary, field and lab duplicates.

Adjustments to assay data are recorded by MX, and none are present (or required).

Twinned drill holes are not available at this stage of the project. Location of data points Accuracy and quality of surveys used to locate drill holes (collar and down-hole surveys), trenches, mine workings and other locations used in Mineral Resource estimation.

Specification of the grid system used.

Quality and adequacy of topographic control. Differential GPS used to locate drill collars, trenches and some workings

Standard GPS for some field locations (grab and soils samples), verified against Lidar data.

The grid system used throughout is Geocentric datum of Australia 1994; Map Grid Zone 55 (GDA94_Z55), also referred to as ELSG 28355. Reported azimuths also relate to MGA55 (GDA94_Z55).

Topographic control is excellent owing to sub 10 cm accuracy from Lidar data. Data spacing and distribution Data spacing for reporting of Exploration Results.

Whether the data spacing and distribution is sufficient to establish the degree of geological and grade continuity appropriate for the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimation procedure(s) and classifications applied.

Whether sample compositing has been applied. The data spacing is suitable for reporting of exploration results - evidence for this is based on the improving predictability of high-grade gold-antimony intersections.

At this time, the data spacing and distribution are not sufficient for the reporting of Mineral Resource Estimates. This however may change as knowledge of grade controls increase with future drill programs.

Samples have been composited to a 1 g/t AuEq over 2.0 m width for lower grades and 5 g/t AuEq over 1.0 m width for higher grades in table 3. All individual assays above 0.1 g/t AuEq have been reported to two decimal places with no compositing in table 4. Orientation of data in relation to geological structure Whether the orientation of sampling achieves unbiased sampling of possible structures and the extent to which this is known, considering the deposit type.

If the relationship between the drilling orientation and the orientation of key mineralized structures is considered to have introduced a sampling bias, this should be assessed and reported if material. The true thickness of the mineralized intervals reported are interpreted to be approximately 60-70% of the sampled thickness.

Drilling is oriented in an optimum direction when considering the combination of host rock orientation and apparent vein control on gold and antimony grade.

The steep nature of some of the veins may give increases in apparent thickness of some intersections, but more drilling is required to quantify.

The steep nature of some of the veins may give increases in apparent thickness of some intersections, but more drilling is required to quantify. A sampling bias is not evident from the data collected to date (drill holes cut across mineralized structures at a moderate angle). Sample security The measures taken to ensure sample security. Drill core is delivered to the Kilmore core logging shed by either the drill contractor or company field staff. Samples are marked up and cut by company staff at the Kilmore core shed, in an automated diamond saw and bagged before loaded onto strapped secured pallets and trucked by company staff to Bendigo for submission to the laboratory. There is no evidence in any stage of the process, or in the data for any sample security issues. Audits or reviews The results of any audits or reviews of sampling techniques and data. Continuous monitoring of CRM results, blanks and duplicates is undertaken by geologists and the company data geologist. Mr Michael Hudson for SXG has the orientation, logging and assay data.

Section 2 Reporting of Exploration Results

Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Mineral tenement

and land tenure

status Type, reference name/number, location and ownership including agreements or material issues with third parties such as joint ventures, partnerships, overriding royalties, native title interests, historical sites, wilderness or national park and environmental settings.

The security of the tenure held at the time of reporting along with any known impediments to obtaining a licence to operate in the area. The Sunday Creek Goldfield, containing the Clonbinane Project, is covered by the Retention Licence RL 6040 and is surrounded by Exploration Licence EL6163 and Exploration Licence EL7232. All the licences are 100% held by Clonbinane Goldfield Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary company of Southern Cross Gold Ltd. Exploration done by

other parties Acknowledgment and appraisal of exploration by other parties. The main historical prospect within the Sunday Creek project is the Clonbinane prospect, a high level orogenic (or epizonal) Fosterville-style deposit. Small scale mining has been undertaken in the project area since the 1880s continuing through to the early 1900s. Historical production occurred with multiple small shafts and alluvial workings across the Clonbinane Goldfield permits. Production of note occurred at the Clonbinane area with total production being reported as 41,000 oz gold at a grade of 33 g/t gold (Leggo and Holdsworth, 2013)

Work in and nearby to the Sunday Creek Project area by previous explorers typically focused on finding bulk, shallow deposits. Beadell Resources were the first to drill deeper targets and Southern Cross have continued their work in the Sunday Creek Project area.

EL54 - Eastern Prospectors Pty Ltd Rock chip sampling around Christina, Apollo and Golden Dyke mines.

Rock chip sampling down the Christina mine shaft. Resistivity survey over the Golden Dyke. Five diamond drill holes around Christina, two of which have assays. ELs 872 & 975 - CRA Exploration Pty Ltd Exploration focused on finding low grade, high tonnage deposits. The tenements were relinquished after the area was found to be prospective but not economic.

Stream sediment samples around the Golden Dyke and Reedy Creek areas. Results were better around the Golden Dyke. 45 dump samples around Golden Dyke old workings showed good correlation between gold, arsenic and antimony.

Soil samples over the Golden Dyke to define boundaries of dyke and mineralization. Two costeans parallel to the Golden Dyke targeting soil anomalies. Costeans since rehabilitated by SXG. ELs 827 & 1520 - BHP Minerals Ltd Exploration targeting open cut gold mineralization peripheral to SXG tenements. ELs 1534, 1603 & 3129 - Ausminde Holdings Pty Ltd Targeting shallow, low grade gold. Trenching around the Golden Dyke prospect and results interpreted along with CRAs costeans. 29 RC/Aircore holes totalling 959 m sunk into the Apollo, Rising Sun and Golden Dyke target areas. ELs 4460 & 4987 - Beadell Resources Ltd ELs 4460 and 4497 were granted to Beadell Resources in November 2007. Beadell successfully drilled 30 RC holes, including second diamond tail holes in the Golden Dyke/Apollo target areas. Both tenements were 100% acquired by Auminco Goldfields Pty Ltd in late 2012 and combined into one tenement EL4987.

Nagambie Resources Ltd purchased Auminco Goldfields in July 2014. EL4987 expired late 2015, during which time Nagambie Resources applied for a retention licence (RL6040) covering three square kilometres over the Sunday Creek Goldfield. RL6040 was granted July 2017.

Clonbinane Gold Field Pty Ltd was purchased by Mawson Gold Ltd in February 2020. Mawson drilled 30 holes for 6,928 m and made the first discoveries to depth. Geology Deposit type, geological setting and style of

mineralization. Refer to the description in the main body of the release. Drill hole Information A summary of all information material to the understanding of the exploration results including a tabulation of the following

information for all Material drill holes: easting and northing of the drill hole collar elevation or RL (Reduced Level - elevation above sea level in metres) of the drill hole collar dip and azimuth of the hole down hole length and interception depth hole length.

If the exclusion of this information is justified on the basis that the information is not Material and this exclusion does not detract from the understanding of the report, the Competent Person should clearly explain why this is the case. Refer to appendices Data aggregation methods In reporting Exploration Results, weighting averaging techniques, maximum and/or minimum grade truncations (e.g. cutting of high-grades) and cut-off grades are usually Material and should be stated.

Where aggregate intercepts incorporate short lengths of high-grade results and longer lengths of low-grade results, the procedure used for such aggregation should be stated and some typical examples of such aggregations should be shown in detail.

The assumptions used for any reporting of metal equivalent values should be clearly stated. See "Further Information" and "Metal Equivalent Calculation" in main text of press release. Relationship

between

mineralization

widths and

intercept lengths These relationships are particularly important in the reporting of Exploration Results.

If the geometry of the mineralization with respect to the drill hole angle is known, its nature should be reported.

If it is not known and only the down hole lengths are reported, there should be a clear statement to this effect (e.g 'down hole

length, true width not known'). See reporting of true widths in the body of the press release. Diagrams Appropriate maps and sections (with scales) and tabulations of intercepts should be included for any significant discovery being reported. These should include, but not be limited to a plan view of drill hole collar locations and appropriate sectional views. The results of the diamond drilling are displayed in the figures in the announcement. Balanced reporting Where comprehensive reporting of all Exploration Results is not practicable, representative reporting of both low and high-grades and/or widths should be practiced to avoid misleading reporting of Exploration Results. All results above 0.1 g/t Au have been tabulated in this announcement. The results are considered representative with no intended bias.

Core loss, where material, is disclosed in tabulated drill intersections. Other substantive exploration data Other exploration data, if meaningful and material, should be reported including (but not limited to): geological observations; geophysical survey results; geochemical survey results; bulk samples - size and method of treatment; metallurgical test results; bulk density, groundwater, geotechnical and rock characteristics; potential deleterious or contaminating substances. Preliminary testing was reported in January 11, 2024. This established the general metallurgical test procedure for samples from the Sunday Creek deposits and demonstrated the basis for confidence in establishing prospects for economic recovery of contained gold and antimony to three separate products: Metallic gold product by gravity recovery Antimony-gold flotation concentrate Pyrite-arsenopyrite-gold flotation concentrate

Testing has now been expanded to include samples from additional zones of the mineral deposits and to refine metallurgical processes. The aim was to improve aspects of antimony concentrate production, maximise gold recovery to a high-grade metallic product, and to further investigate the nature of gold occurrence.

The work, conducted by ALS Burnie Laboratories, focused on: Improving selectivity between sulphide minerals in the antimony flotation stage whilst maintaining high overall gold recovery. Further processing of the flotation concentrates, to assess the metallurgical response of contained gold. Mineralogical examination of selected product samples.

It was demonstrated that, with appropriate process conditions, high antimony and gold recovery could be maintained whilst rejecting arsenic and iron sulphides in the first flotation stage. The antimony concentrate produced (~50% Sb, <0.2% As) is deemed to be attractive to the smelter market.

Recovery of antimony to concentrate varied with feed type, and ranged from 83% to 93% for the samples tested from the antimony rich zones.

Additional metallic gold was recovered from the flotation concentrate by gravity separation.

The gold grade of the concentrate is a function of the proportion of feed gold associated with arsenic-iron sulphides, the ratio of gold to antimony in the feed, the gold recovered to the metallic gold product, and the flotation rate of gold in the first flotation stage.

High overall gold recovery was achieved with all samples tested.

Further Work Additional characterization testing across deposit zones Locked cycle testing to confirm overall recoveries Multi-stage cleaning optimization to maximize concentrate quality Pilot plant evaluation of larger samples Process plant design studies targeting Q1 2027 completion

Further work The nature and scale of planned further work (e.g. tests for lateral extensions or depth extensions or large-scale step-out drilling).

Diagrams clearly highlighting the areas of possible extensions, including the main geological interpretations and future drilling areas, provided this information is not commercially sensitive. The Company has stated it will drill 200,000 m through 2025 to Q1 2027.

See diagrams in presentation which highlight current and future drill plans.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271547

SOURCE: Southern Cross Gold Consolidated Ltd.
Total Company inbound of $2.6 billion; Subsea orders of $2.4 billion

Cash flow from operations of $525 million; free cash flow of $448 million

Share repurchase authorization increased by $2 billion

Financial guidance updated for full-year 2025; initiated Subsea financial guidance for 2026

TechnipFMC plc (NYSE: FTI) (the "Company" or "TechnipFMC") today reported third-quarter 2025 results.

Summary Financial Results from Continuing Operations Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures are provided in financial schedules. Three Months Ended Change (In millions, except per share amounts) Sep. 30, 2025 Jun. 30, 2025 Sep. 30, 2024 Sequential Year-over-Year Revenue $2,647.3 $2,534.7 $2,348.4 4.4% 12.7% Net income $309.7 $269.5 $274.6 14.9% 12.8% Net income margin 11.7% 10.6% 11.7% 110 bps 0 bps Diluted earnings per share $0.75 $0.64 $0.63 17.2% 19.0% Adjusted EBITDA $518.9 $520.8 $386.1 (0.4%) 34.4% Adjusted EBITDA margin 19.6% 20.5% 16.4% (90 bps) 320 bps Adjusted net income $312.1 $285.5 $280.5 9.3% 11.3% Adjusted diluted earnings per share $0.75 $0.68 $0.64 10.3% 17.2% Inbound orders $2,648.1 $2,831.0 $2,784.5 (6.5%) (4.9%) Backlog $16,813.6 $16,645.9 $14,698.9 1.0% 14.4%

Total Company revenue in the third quarter was $2,647.3 million. Net income attributable to TechnipFMC was $309.7 million, or $0.75 per diluted share. These results included after-tax charges and credits totaling $2.4 million of expense (Exhibit 6).

Adjusted net income was $312.1 million, or $0.75 per diluted share (Exhibit 6).

Adjusted EBITDA, which excludes pre-tax charges and credits, was $518.9 million; adjusted EBITDA margin was 19.6 percent (Exhibit 8).

Included in total Company results was a foreign exchange loss of $12.5 million, or a loss of $13.1 million after-tax. When excluding the after-tax impact of the foreign exchange loss of $13.1 million, net income was $322.8 million. Adjusted EBITDA, excluding foreign exchange, was $531.4 million (Exhibit 8).

Shareholder Distribution Update

On October 22, 2025, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized additional share repurchases of up to $2 billion. Together with the remaining balance under the existing program, the Company is now authorized to repurchase shares of up to $2.3 billion, representing nearly 16 percent of the Company's outstanding shares at the closing price on October 21, 2025.

Since the initial share repurchase authorization in July 2022, the Company has returned more than $1.6 billion to shareholders through stock repurchases and dividends.

Doug Pferdehirt, Chair and CEO of TechnipFMC, stated, "I am very proud of the continued strength in our execution and the delivery of another quarter of high-quality inbound, with 15 of the past 16 quarters achieving a book-to-bill above one. This commercial success is the cornerstone of our ability to deliver growth in both revenue and profitability."

Pferdehirt continued, "Total Company revenue was $2.6 billion, with adjusted EBITDA of $531 million when excluding foreign exchange impacts. We generated free cash flow of $448 million and distributed $271 million through dividends and share repurchases, continuing to deliver on our commitment to return a significant portion of free cash flow to shareholders."

Pferdehirt added, "Subsea achieved quarterly orders of $2.4 billion, driven by continued strength in South America. Inbound comprised multiple awards for flexible pipe and subsea production systems. This included our seventh award from ExxonMobil in Guyana-the Hammerhead project. TechnipFMC has been awarded all of the operator's subsea production systems in Guyana since the first award in 2017. Our commercial success year-to-date reinforces our confidence in delivering more than $10 billion of Subsea orders in 2025."

"We believe that offshore projects will continue to receive an increasing share of capital investment. The change in spending allocation is due in part to the significant improvements made in developing the large, high-quality, and prolific reservoirs found offshore. Innovations such as our pre-engineered, configure-to-order Subsea 2.0 product platform and fully integrated iEPCI execution model also help provide customers with greater schedule certainty in project execution."

"Higher economic returns and greater project certainty are providing sustainability to current activity levels, underpinning our outlook in securing $10 billion of Subsea inbound orders in 2026. This also gives us confidence that activity will remain strong through the end of the decade."

Pferdehirt concluded, "While focusing on the customer is always a top priority, we also believe that our shareholders should share in our success. Yesterday, we announced that our Board of Directors had authorized additional share repurchases of up to $2 billion. The significant increase to our share authorization exemplifies our confidence in the outlook, as well as our commitment to maximize shareholder value."

Operational and Financial Highlights Subsea Financial Highlights Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures are provided in financial schedules. Three Months Ended Change (In millions) Sep. 30, 2025 Jun. 30, 2025 Sep. 30, 2024 Sequential Year-over-Year Revenue $2,319.2 $2,216.3 $2,028.1 4.6% 14.4% Operating profit $401.3 $380.3 $288.8 5.5% 39.0% Operating profit margin 17.3 17.2 14.2 10 bps 310 bps Adjusted EBITDA $505.6 $482.9 $371.0 4.7% 36.3% Adjusted EBITDA margin 21.8 21.8 18.3 0 bps 350 bps Inbound orders $2,381.5 $2,553.1 $2,463.2 (6.7%) (3.3%) Backlog1,2,3 $16,038.2 $15,810.0 $13,732.1 1.4% 16.8%

Estimated Consolidated Backlog Scheduling (In millions) Sep. 30, 2025 2025 (3 months) $1,780 2026 $5,675 2027 and beyond $8,584 Total $16,038 1 Backlog as of September 30, 2025 was increased by a foreign exchange impact of $166 million. 2Backlog does not capture all revenue potential for Subsea Services. 3Backlog as of September 30, 2025 does not include total Company non-consolidated backlog of $362 million.

Subsea reported third-quarter revenue of $2,319.2 million, an increase of 4.6 percent from the second quarter. The sequential revenue improvement was largely driven by increased project activity, particularly iEPCI projects, in Africa, the Americas, and Australia. This was partially offset by reduced project activity in Norway.

Subsea reported an operating profit of $401.3 million, an increase of 5.5 percent from the second quarter. Operating results increased sequentially, primarily due to higher project activity. Operating profit margin increased 10 basis points to 17.3 percent.

Subsea reported adjusted EBITDA of $505.6 million, an increase of 4.7 percent when compared to the second quarter. The factors impacting operating profit also drove the sequential increase in adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA margin was unchanged at 21.8 percent.

Subsea inbound orders were $2.4 billion for the quarter. Book-to-bill was 1.0x. The following announced awards were included in the period:

Petrobras Flexible Pipe Contracts (Brazil)

Two subsea contracts by Petrobras for flexible pipe for use in multiple basins. The first award was a substantial(1) contract to design, engineer, and manufacture flexible gas injection risers. This high-technology solution will sustain reservoir pressure and enhance production efficiency through high-capacity gas reinjection in pre-salt formations in the Santos Basin. The second award, which followed a competitive tender, was a significant(2) contract to design, engineer, and manufacture flexible risers and flowlines for deployment on assets in the Campos Basin.

(1) A "substantial" contract is between $250 million and $500 million.

(2) A "significant" contract is between $75 million and $250 million.

Petrobras Subsea Production Systems Contract (Brazil)

Significant* contract by Petrobras, following a competitive tendering process, for subsea production systems. TechnipFMC will design, engineer, and manufacture subsea production systems to be deployed in an array of greenfield developments, brownfield expansions, and asset revitalizations across Petrobras' extensive portfolio. The contract also covers installation support and life-of-field services, with provisions for additional equipment and services.

*A "significant" contract is between $75 million and $250 million.

ExxonMobil Hammerhead Project (Guyana)

Substantial* contract by ExxonMobil Guyana Limited to supply subsea production systems for the Hammerhead development in Guyana's Stabroek Block. TechnipFMC will provide project management, engineering, and manufacturing of subsea production systems supporting both production and water injection capabilities. The subsea architecture will include products from the Subsea 2.0 platform, including subsea trees, manifolds, and associated controls.

*A "substantial" contract is between $250 million and $500 million.

Surface Technologies Financial Highlights Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures are provided in financial schedules. Three Months Ended Change (In millions) Sep. 30, 2025 Jun. 30, 2025 Sep. 30, 2024 Sequential Year-over-Year Revenue $328.1 $318.4 $320.3 3.0% 2.4% Operating profit $36.8 $23.4 $33.7 57.3% 9.2% Operating profit margin 11.2 7.3 10.5 390 bps 70 bps Adjusted EBITDA $53.8 $52.3 $49.1 2.9% 9.6% Adjusted EBITDA margin 16.4 16.4 15.3 0 bps 110 bps Inbound orders $266.6 $277.9 $321.3 (4.1%) (17.0%) Backlog $775.4 $835.9 $966.8 (7.2%) (19.8%)

Surface Technologies reported third-quarter revenue of $328.1 million, an increase of 3 percent from the second quarter. The sequential increase in revenue was primarily driven by higher activity in the North Sea and Asia Pacific, partially offset by lower activity in North America.

Surface Technologies reported operating profit of $36.8 million, an increase of 57.3 percent versus the second quarter. The sequential increase in operating profit was largely due to a $16.9 million reduction in restructuring, impairment, and other charges, offset in part by an accelerated amortization expense in the period. Operating results also benefited from higher activity in international markets. Operating profit margin increased 390 basis points to 11.2 percent.

Surface Technologies reported adjusted EBITDA of $53.8 million, an increase of 2.9 percent when compared to the second quarter. Adjusted EBITDA improved sequentially due to higher activity in international markets. Adjusted EBITDA margin was unchanged at 16.4 percent.

Inbound orders for the quarter were $266.6 million, a sequential decrease of 4.1 percent. Backlog ended the period at $775.4 million.

Corporate and Other Items (three months ended September 30, 2025)

Corporate expense was $28 million.

Foreign exchange loss was $12.5 million.

Net interest expense was $10.6 million.

The provision for income taxes was $76.1 million.

Total depreciation and amortization was $118.2 million.

Cash provided by operating activities was $525.1 million. Capital expenditures were $77.3 million. Free cash flow was $447.8 million (Exhibit 11).

During the quarter, the Company repurchased 6.5 million of its ordinary shares for total consideration of $250 million. When including a dividend payment of $20.5 million, total shareholder distributions in the quarter were $270.5 million.

Short-term debt and long-term debt totaling $438 million declined $258.3 million sequentially, primarily due to the early repayment of the Company's 6.50% Senior Notes due February 2026 (Exhibit 10).

The Company ended the period with cash and cash equivalents of $876.6 million. Net cash increased sequentially to $438.6 million (Exhibit 10).

2025 Full-Year Financial Guidance1

The Company's full-year financial guidance for 2025 can be found in the table below. Updates to the previous guidance issued on April 24, 2025 are as follows:

Surface Technologies adjusted EBITDA margin in a range of 16 16.5%, which increased from the previous guidance range of 15 16%.

Free cash flow of $1.3 1.45 billion, which increased from the previous guidance range of $1.0 1.15 billion.

2025 Guidance (As of October 23, 2025) Subsea Surface Technologies Revenue in a range of $8.4 8.8 billion Revenue in a range of $1.2 1.35 billion Adjusted EBITDA margin in a range of 19 20% Adjusted EBITDA margin in a range of 16 16.5% Corporate and Other Corporate expense, net $115 125 million (excludes charges and credits) Net interest expense $45 55 million Effective tax rate 28 32% Capital expenditures approximately $340 million Free cash flow2 $1.3 1.45 billion

______________________________ 1 Our guidance measures of adjusted EBITDA margin, free cash flow and adjusted corporate expense, net are non-GAAP financial measures. We are unable to provide a reconciliation to comparable GAAP financial measures on a forward-looking basis without unreasonable effort because of the unpredictability of the individual components of the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure and the variability of items excluded from each such measure. Such information may have a significant, and potentially unpredictable, impact on our future financial results. 2 Free cash flow is calculated as cash flow from operations less capital expenditures.

2026 Full-Year Subsea Financial Guidance3

The Company's full-year Subsea financial guidance for 2026 is as follows:

Subsea revenue in a range of $9.1 9.5 billion.

Subsea adjusted EBITDA margin in a range of 20.5 22%.

All other financial guidance for 2026 will be provided in the Company's fourth-quarter 2025 earnings release.

Teleconference

The Company will host a teleconference on Thursday, October 23, 2025 to discuss the third-quarter 2025 financial results. The call will begin at 1:30 p.m. London time (8:30 a.m. New York time). Webcast access and an accompanying presentation can be found at www.TechnipFMC.com.

An archived audio replay will be available after the event at the same website address. In the event of a disruption of service or technical difficulty during the call, information will be posted on our website.

______________________________ 3 Our guidance measure of adjusted EBITDA margin is a non-GAAP financial measure. We are unable to provide a reconciliation to the comparable GAAP financial measure on a forward-looking basis without unreasonable effort because of the unpredictability of the individual components of the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure and the variability of items excluded from such measure. Such information may have a significant, and potentially unpredictable, impact on our future financial results.

About TechnipFMC

TechnipFMC is a leading technology provider to the traditional and new energy industries; delivering fully integrated projects, products, and services.

With our proprietary technologies and comprehensive solutions, we are transforming our clients' project economics, helping them unlock new possibilities to develop energy resources while reducing carbon intensity and supporting their energy transition ambitions.

Organized in two business segments Subsea and Surface Technologies we will continue to advance the industry with our pioneering integrated ecosystems (such as iEPCI, iFEED and iComplete), technology leadership, and digital innovation.

Each of our approximately 21,000 employees is driven by a commitment to our clients' success, and a culture of strong execution, purposeful innovation, and challenging industry conventions.

TechnipFMC uses its website as a channel of distribution of material company information. To learn more about how we are driving change in the industry, go to www.TechnipFMC.com and follow us on X @TechnipFMC.

This communication contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements usually relate to future events, market growth, and recovery, growth of our New Energy business and anticipated revenues, earnings, cash flows, or other aspects of our operations or operating results. Forward-looking statements are often identified by words such as "commit," "guidance," "confident," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "intend," "foresee," "should," "would," "could," "may," "will," "likely," "predicated," "estimate," "outlook," and similar expressions, including the negative thereof. The absence of these words, however, does not mean that the statements are not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, beliefs, and assumptions concerning future developments and business conditions and their potential effect on us. While management believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, there can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we anticipate. All of our forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties (some of which are significant or beyond our control) and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections, including unpredictable trends in the demand for and price of oil and natural gas; competition and unanticipated changes relating to competitive factors in our industry, including ongoing industry consolidation; our inability to develop, implement and protect new technologies and services and intellectual property related thereto; the cumulative loss of major contracts, customers or alliances and unfavorable credit and commercial terms of certain contracts; disruptions in the political, regulatory, economic and social conditions, or public health crisis in the countries where we conduct business; unexpected geopolitical events, armed conflicts, and terrorism threats; the refusal of the Depository Trust Company to act as depository and clearing agency for our shares; the impact of our existing and future indebtedness; a downgrade in our debt rating; the risks caused by our acquisition and divestiture activities; additional costs or risks from increasing scrutiny and expectations regarding sustainability matters; uncertainties related to our investments, including those related to energy transition; the risks caused by fixed-price contracts; our failure to timely deliver our backlog; our reliance on subcontractors, suppliers and our joint venture partners; a failure or breach of our IT infrastructure or that of our subcontractors, suppliers or joint venture partners, including as a result of cyber-attacks; risks of pirates and maritime conflicts endangering our maritime employees and assets; any delays and cost overruns of capital asset construction projects for vessels and manufacturing facilities; potential liabilities inherent in the industries in which we operate or have operated; our failure to comply with existing and future laws and regulations, including those related to environmental protection, climate change, health and safety, labor and employment, import/export controls, currency exchange, bribery and corruption, taxation, privacy, data protection and data security; uninsured claims and litigation against us; the additional restrictions on dividend payouts or share repurchases as an English public limited company; tax laws, treaties and regulations and any unfavorable findings by relevant tax authorities; significant changes or developments in U.S. or other national trade policies, including tariffs and the reactions of other countries thereto; potential departure of our key managers and employees; adverse seasonal, weather, and other climatic conditions; unfavorable currency exchange rates; risk in connection with our defined benefit pension plan commitments; and our inability to obtain sufficient bonding capacity for certain contracts, and other risks as discussed in Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and our other reports subsequently filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

We caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any of our forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law.

Exhibit 1 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (In millions, except per share data, unaudited) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, June 30, September 30, September 30, 2025 2025 2024 2025 2024 Revenue 2,647.3 2,534.7 2,348.4 7,415.6 6,716.0 Costs and expenses 2,242.3 2,145.1 2,061.2 6,360.6 5,961.4 405.0 389.6 287.2 1,055.0 754.6 Other income (loss), net including income from equity affiliates (7.4 (0.4 1.1 (28.0 (51.3 Gain on disposal of Measurement Solutions business 75.2 Income before net interest expense and income taxes 397.6 389.2 288.3 1,027.0 778.5 Net interest expense (10.6 (14.4 (15.9 (34.9 (50.0 Income before income taxes 387.0 374.8 272.4 992.1 728.5 Provision (benefit) for income taxes 76.1 106.5 (6.0 269.6 102.9 Net income 310.9 268.3 278.4 722.5 625.6 Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests (1.2 1.2 (3.8 (1.3 (7.4 Net income attributable to TechnipFMC plc 309.7 269.5 274.6 721.2 618.2 Earnings per share attributable to TechnipFMC plc Basic 0.76 0.65 0.64 1.74 1.44 Diluted 0.75 0.64 0.63 1.71 1.40 Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic 409.5 415.4 428.3 415.3 430.7 Diluted 415.7 420.5 438.8 422.8 441.9 Cash dividends declared per share 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.15 0.15

Exhibit 2 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES BUSINESS SEGMENT DATA (In millions, unaudited) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, June 30, September 30, September 30, 2025 2025 2024 2025 2024 Segment revenue Subsea 2,319.2 2,216.3 2,028.1 6,471.7 5,772.0 Surface Technologies 328.1 318.4 320.3 943.9 944.0 Total segment revenue 2,647.3 2,534.7 2,348.4 7,415.6 6,716.0 Segment operating profit Subsea 401.3 380.3 288.8 1,029.5 723.1 Surface Technologies 36.8 23.4 33.7 90.4 167.7 Total segment operating profit 438.1 403.7 322.5 1,119.9 890.8 Corporate items Corporate expense(1) (28.0 (26.6 (31.1 (80.4 (87.0 Net interest expense (10.6 (14.4 (15.9 (34.9 (50.0 Foreign exchange gains (losses) (12.5 12.1 (3.1 (12.5 (25.3 Total corporate items (51.1 (28.9 (50.1 (127.8 (162.3 Income before income taxes(2) 387.0 374.8 272.4 992.1 728.5 (1) Corporate expense primarily includes corporate staff expenses, share-based compensation expenses, and other employee benefits. (2) Includes amounts attributable to non-controlling interests.

Exhibit 3 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES BUSINESS SEGMENT DATA (In millions, unaudited) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Inbound Orders(1) September 30, June 30, September 30, September 30, 2025 2025 2024 2025 2024 Subsea 2,381.5 2,553.1 2,463.2 7,720.1 7,705.0 Surface Technologies 266.6 277.9 321.3 848.1 946.1 Total inbound orders 2,648.1 2,831.0 2,784.5 8,568.2 8,651.1

Order Backlog(2) September 30, 2025 June 30, 2025 September 30, 2024 Subsea 16,038.2 15,810.0 13,732.1 Surface Technologies 775.4 835.9 966.8 Total order backlog 16,813.6 16,645.9 14,698.9 (1) Inbound orders represent the estimated sales value of confirmed customer orders received during the reporting period. (2) Order backlog is calculated as the estimated sales value of unfilled, confirmed customer orders at the reporting date.

Exhibit 4 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In millions, unaudited) September 30,

2025 December 31,

2024 Cash and cash equivalents 876.6 1,157.7 Trade receivables, net 1,407.8 1,318.5 Contract assets, net 1,064.1 967.7 Inventories, net 1,185.9 1,076.7 Other current assets 1,207.6 947.0 Total current assets 5,742.0 5,467.6 Property, plant and equipment, net 2,270.8 2,133.8 Intangible assets, net 477.3 508.3 Other assets 1,761.1 1,759.5 Total assets 10,251.2 9,869.2 Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt 33.6 277.9 Accounts payable, trade 1,073.3 1,302.6 Contract liabilities 2,389.4 1,786.6 Other current liabilities 1,586.6 1,497.7 Total current liabilities 5,082.9 4,864.8 Long-term debt, less current portion 404.4 607.3 Other liabilities 1,390.4 1,258.7 TechnipFMC plc stockholders' equity 3,328.3 3,093.8 Non-controlling interests 45.2 44.6 Total liabilities and equity 10,251.2 9,869.2

Exhibit 5 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In millions, unaudited) Three Months Ended

September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2025 2025 2024 Cash provided by operating activities Net income 310.9 722.5 625.6 Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities Depreciation and amortization 118.2 335.9 285.6 Gain on disposal of Measurement Solutions business (75.2 Income from equity affiliates, net of dividends received (9.8 1.5 (11.9 Working capital(1) 57.2 78.2 (488.1 Other operating activities 48.6 172.9 46.1 Cash provided by operating activities 525.1 1,311.0 382.1 Cash (required) provided by investing activities Capital expenditures (77.3 (222.7 (155.4 Proceeds from sale of Measurement Solutions business 186.1 Other investing activities 7.1 11.7 6.0 Cash (required) provided by investing activities (70.2 (211.0 36.7 Cash required by financing activities Repayment of debt obligations (254.8 (496.4 (91.7 Dividends paid (20.5 (62.1 (64.7 Share repurchases (250.0 (750.2 (330.1 Payments related to taxes withheld on share-based compensation (69.2 (49.7 Other financing activities (6.3 (34.5 13.7 Cash required by financing activities (531.6 (1,412.4 (522.5 Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents 3.3 31.3 (10.5 Change in cash and cash equivalents (73.4 (281.1 (114.2 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 950.0 1,157.7 951.7 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period 876.6 876.6 837.5 (1) Working capital includes receivables, payables, inventories and other current assets and liabilities.

Exhibit 6 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (In millions, except per share data, unaudited) In addition to financial results determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), the third quarter 2025 Earnings Release also includes non-GAAP financial measures (as defined in Item 10 of Regulation S-K of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) and describes performance on a year-over-year or sequential basis. Net income attributable to TechnipFMC plc, excluding charges and credits, as well as measures derived from it (including Diluted EPS, excluding charges and credits; Earnings before net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, excluding charges and credits ("Adjusted EBITDA"); and Adjusted EBITDA, excluding foreign exchange gains or losses, net; Adjusted EBITDA margin; Adjusted EBITDA margin, excluding foreign exchange, net); Corporate expense, net, excluding charges and credits; Foreign exchange, net and other, excluding charges and credits; net cash (debt); and free cash flow are non-GAAP financial measures. Non-GAAP adjustments are presented on a gross basis and the tax impact of the non-GAAP adjustments is separately presented in the applicable reconciliation table. Estimates of the tax effect of each adjustment is calculated item by item, by reviewing the relevant jurisdictional tax rate to the pretax non-GAAP amounts, analyzing the nature of the item and/or the tax jurisdiction in which the item has been recorded, the need of application of a specific tax rate, history of non-GAAP taxable income positions (i.e. net operating loss carryforwards) and concluding on the valuation allowance positions. Management believes that the exclusion of charges, credits and foreign exchange impacts from these financial measures provides a useful perspective on the Company's underlying business results and operating trends, and a means to evaluate TechnipFMC's operations and consolidated results of operations period-over-period. These measures are also used by management as performance measures in determining certain incentive compensation. The foregoing non-GAAP financial measures should be considered by investors in addition to, not as a substitute for or superior to, other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. The following is a reconciliation of the most comparable financial measures under GAAP to the non-GAAP financial measures. Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30,

2025 June 30,

2025 September 30,

2024 September 30,

2025 September 30,

2024 Net income attributable to TechnipFMC plc 309.7 269.5 274.6 721.2 618.2 Charges and (credits): Restructuring, impairment and other charges 3.1 16.4 3.8 20.7 11.2 Gain on disposal of Measurement Solutions business (75.2 Tax on charges and (credits) (0.7 (0.4 2.1 (1.4 12.8 Adjusted net income attributable to TechnipFMC plc 312.1 285.5 280.5 740.5 567.0 Weighted diluted average shares outstanding 415.7 420.5 438.8 422.8 441.9 Reported earnings per share diluted 0.75 0.64 0.63 1.71 1.40 Adjusted earnings per share diluted 0.75 0.68 0.64 1.75 1.28

Exhibit 7 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (In millions, unaudited) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30,

2025 June 30,

2025 September 30,

2024 September 30,

2025 September 30,

2024 Net income attributable to TechnipFMC plc 309.7 269.5 274.6 721.2 618.2 (Income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests 1.2 (1.2 3.8 1.3 7.4 Provision (benefit) for income tax 76.1 106.5 (6.0 269.6 102.9 Net interest expense 10.6 14.4 15.9 34.9 50.0 Depreciation and amortization 118.2 115.2 94.0 335.9 285.6 Restructuring, impairment and other charges 3.1 16.4 3.8 20.7 11.2 Gain on disposal of Measurement Solutions business (75.2 Adjusted EBITDA 518.9 520.8 386.1 1,383.6 1,000.1 Foreign exchange, net 12.5 (12.1 3.1 12.5 25.3 Adjusted EBITDA, excluding foreign exchange, net 531.4 508.7 389.2 1,396.1 1,025.4

Exhibit 8 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (In millions, unaudited) Three Months Ended September 30, 2025 Subsea Surface

Technologies Corporate

Expense Foreign

Exchange,

net Total Revenue 2,319.2 328.1 2,647.3 Operating profit (loss), as reported (pre-tax) 401.3 36.8 (28.0 (12.5 397.6 Charges and (credits): Restructuring, impairment and other charges 1.8 1.3 3.1 Subtotal 1.8 1.3 3.1 Depreciation and amortization 102.5 15.7 118.2 Adjusted EBITDA 505.6 53.8 (28.0 (12.5 518.9 Foreign exchange, net 12.5 12.5 Adjusted EBITDA, excluding foreign exchange, net 505.6 53.8 (28.0 531.4 Operating profit margin, as reported 17.3 11.2 15.0 Adjusted EBITDA margin 21.8 16.4 19.6 Adjusted EBITDA margin, excluding foreign exchange, net 21.8 16.4 20.1

Exhibit 8 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (In millions, unaudited) Three Months Ended June 30, 2025 Subsea Surface

Technologies Corporate

Expense Foreign

Exchange,

net Total Revenue 2,216.3 318.4 2,534.7 Operating profit (loss), as reported (pre-tax) 380.3 23.4 (26.6 12.1 389.2 Charges and (credits): Restructuring, impairment and other charges (1.8 18.2 16.4 Subtotal (1.8 18.2 16.4 Depreciation and amortization 104.4 10.7 0.1 115.2 Adjusted EBITDA 482.9 52.3 (26.5 12.1 520.8 Foreign exchange, net (12.1 (12.1 Adjusted EBITDA, excluding foreign exchange, net 482.9 52.3 (26.5 508.7 Operating profit margin, as reported 17.2 7.3 15.4 Adjusted EBITDA margin 21.8 16.4 20.5 Adjusted EBITDA margin, excluding foreign exchange, net 21.8 16.4 20.1

Exhibit 8 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (In millions, unaudited) Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 Subsea Surface

Technologies Corporate

Expense Foreign

Exchange,

net Total Revenue 2,028.1 320.3 2,348.4 Operating profit (loss), as reported (pre-tax) 288.8 33.7 (31.1 (3.1 288.3 Charges and (credits): Restructuring, impairment and other charges 3.8 3.8 Subtotal 3.8 3.8 Depreciation and amortization 82.2 11.6 0.2 94.0 Adjusted EBITDA 371.0 49.1 (30.9 (3.1 386.1 Foreign exchange, net 3.1 3.1 Adjusted EBITDA, excluding foreign exchange, net 371.0 49.1 (30.9 389.2 Operating profit margin, as reported 14.2 10.5 12.3 Adjusted EBITDA margin 18.3 15.3 16.4 Adjusted EBITDA margin, excluding foreign exchange, net 18.3 15.3 16.6

Exhibit 9 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (In millions, unaudited) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2025 Subsea Surface

Technologies Corporate

Expense Foreign

Exchange,

net Total Revenue 6,471.7 943.9 7,415.6 Operating profit (loss), as reported (pre-tax) 1,029.5 90.4 (80.4 (12.5 1,027.0 Charges and (credits): Restructuring, impairment and other charges 0.4 20.3 20.7 Subtotal 0.4 20.3 20.7 Depreciation and amortization 293.5 42.1 0.3 335.9 Adjusted EBITDA 1,323.4 152.8 (80.1 (12.5 1,383.6 Foreign exchange, net 12.5 12.5 Adjusted EBITDA, excluding foreign exchange, net 1,323.4 152.8 (80.1 1,396.1 Operating profit margin, as reported 15.9 9.6 13.8 Adjusted EBITDA margin 20.4 16.2 18.7 Adjusted EBITDA margin, excluding foreign exchange, net 20.4 16.2 18.8

Exhibit 9 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (In millions, unaudited) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 Subsea Surface

Technologies Corporate

Expense Foreign

Exchange,

net Total Revenue 5,772.0 944.0 6,716.0 Operating profit (loss), as reported (pre-tax) 723.1 167.7 (87.0 (25.3 778.5 Charges and (credits): Restructuring, impairment and other charges (0.2 6.2 5.2 11.2 Gain on disposal of Measurement Solutions business (75.2 (75.2 Subtotal (0.2 (69.0 5.2 (64.0 Depreciation and amortization 247.0 37.8 0.8 285.6 Adjusted EBITDA 969.9 136.5 (81.0 (25.3 1,000.1 Foreign exchange, net 25.3 25.3 Adjusted EBITDA, excluding foreign exchange, net 969.9 136.5 (81.0 1,025.4 Operating profit margin, as reported 12.5 17.8 11.6 Adjusted EBITDA margin 16.8 14.5 14.9 Adjusted EBITDA margin, excluding foreign exchange, net 16.8 14.5 15.3

Exhibit 10 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (In millions, unaudited) September 30, 2025 June 30, 2025 September 30, 2024 Cash and cash equivalents 876.6 950.0 837.5 Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt (33.6 (271.2 (310.4 Long-term debt, less current portion (404.4 (425.1 (656.3 Net cash (debt) 438.6 253.7 (129.2 Net cash (debt) is a non-GAAP financial measure reflecting cash and cash equivalents, net of debt. Management uses this non-GAAP financial measure to evaluate our capital structure and financial leverage. We believe net cash (debt) is a meaningful financial measure that may assist investors in understanding our financial condition and recognizing underlying trends in our capital structure. Net cash (debt) should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, cash and cash equivalents as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP or as an indicator of our operating performance or liquidity.

Exhibit 11 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (In millions, unaudited) Three Months Ended

September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2025 2025 2024 Cash provided by operating activities 525.1 1,311.0 382.1 Capital expenditures (77.3 (222.7 (155.4 Free cash flow 447.8 1,088.3 226.7 Free cash flow, is a non-GAAP financial measure and is defined as cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures. Management uses this non-GAAP financial measure to evaluate our financial condition. We believe free cash flow is a meaningful financial measure that may assist investors in understanding our financial condition and results of operations.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251023717403/en/

Contacts:

Investor relations

Matt Seinsheimer

Senior Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Development

Tel: +1 281 260 3665

Email: Matt Seinsheimer

James Davis

Director, Investor Relations

Tel: +1 281 260 3665

Email: James Davis

Media relations

Mendi Head

Senior Manager, Public Relations and Media Relations

Tel: +1 346 297 8392

Email: Mendi Head
Sudbury, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 23, 2025) - Magna Mining Inc. (TSXV: NICU) (OTCQX: MGMNF) (FSE: 8YD) ("Magna" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on exploration activities and assay results from ongoing exploration at the past-producing Levack Mine, located in the North Range of the Sudbury Basin, northeastern Ontario, Canada (Figure 1). Drillhole FNX6083-W2 was targeted approximately 40 metres to the north of drill hole FNX6083-W1 (see News Release dated August 28, 2025) and below drill hole MLV-25-14A which intersected 2.6% copper, 8.1% nickel and 17.8 g/t platinum + palladium + gold over 0.6 metres. Drillhole FNX6083-W2 intersected multiple mineralized intervals including copper rich chalcopyrite veins grading up to 19.3% copper and 26.1 g/t platinum + palladium + gold, as well as nickel rich pyrrhotite-pentlandite veins grading up to 12.4% nickel and 24.2 g/t platinum + palladium + gold.

Highlights from the new assay results include:

FNX6083-W2 19.3% Cu, 0.3% Ni, 26.1 g/t Pt+Pd+Au over 0.5 metres

And 4.9% Cu, 12.4% Ni, 24.2 g/t Pt+Pd+Au over 0.4 metres

And 14.1 Cu, 0.5% Ni, 10.4 g/t Pt+Pd+Au over 0.6 metres

And 7.0% Cu, 0.1% Ni, 16.4 g/t Pt+Pd+Au over 1.1 metres

Dave King, SVP Exploration and Geoscience, stated, "We are encouraged by the assay results received from our third drillhole testing the R2 exploration target as we continue to intersect high grade, precious metal rich massive sulphide veins in the footwall environment of the Levack Mine. Drillhole FNX6083-W2 was targeted north of FNX6083-W1, and intersected mineralization higher in the hole than expected and is interpreted to be within the transition zone between the nickel rich pentlandite veins and the copper rich chalcopyrite veins. In the Morrison Footwall Cu-PGE Deposit, located approximately 600 metres to the south-west of the R2 target area, this would indicate more chalcopyrite dominated veins could be found at lower elevations. Footwall copper-precious metals systems in Sudbury often have multiple vein orientations, and this appears to be the case for the R2 target area. We are in the early stages of defining and understanding the controls on sulphide veining in the R2 target area and recognize that the mineralization is complex. We will continue to refine our interpretation and adjust the ongoing exploration program with each drillhole completed."

There are currently two surface diamond drills operating at the Levack Mine, both focused on the R2 target area, between the No. 3 Ni-Cu Zone and the Morrison Footwall Cu-PGE Deposit. Drillhole FNX6083-W2 was a wedge hole designed to test approximately 40 metres north of FNX6083-W1 and at the same elevation, however the hole intersected several narrow high grade sulphide veins approximately 50 metres higher than expected. Mineralization consisted of nickel rich pentlandite veins and copper rich chalcopyrite veins with high precious metal content, including 19.3% Cu, 0.3% Ni and 26.1 g/t Pt + Pd + Au over 0.5 metres. In comparison to other known footwall copper-precious metals deposits at Levack, this would suggest drillhole FNX6083-W2 is within the transition zone, similar to the Rob's Zone of the Morrison Deposit, and more chalcopyrite dominated veins could be expected at lower elevations. Ongoing drilling is targeting this area as we continue to define the extent and geometry of the R2 mineralization. Two additional drillholes, FNX6083-W3 and FNX2026-W1, both targeted down-dip of FNX6083-W1, have been completed and assays are pending.

Also of significance, additional silver assays have been received for previously released drillholes MLV-25-14A and FNX6083-W1 and include up to 190 g/t Ag over 1.0 metre in FNX6083-W1. Drillhole FNX6083-W2 also encountered silver mineralization associated with copper rich chalcopyrite veins, including up to 127.0 g/t Ag over 0.5 metres and 109.0 g/t Ag over 0.6 metres. See Table 1 for a summary of assays results.

Levack Exploration Plan

Magna is focusing its near-term exploration program at the Levack Mine on this prospective footwall environment, continuing to test the lateral and downdip extent of the R2 target and other high-priority Sudbury Breccia units that have the potential to host copper and precious metals-rich footwall deposits. Ongoing surface drilling on the R2 target will be designed to confirm and refine the geological model and define the extent of mineralization. Additionally, one underground diamond drill is currently testing footwall targets east of the Fecunis Fault, and a second underground drill will be active by month-end. This drilling is designed to follow-up on a historical intersection in drillhole FNX21200 grading 33.4% Cu, 0.9% Ni, 23.9 g/t Pt + Pd + Au over 0.2 metres. The initial drillhole will target an off-hole geophysical anomaly identified in FNX21200. Mineralization in this area could represent the Fecunis Fault offset equivalent of the R2 mineralization and remains open for exploration in all directions.





Figure 1: Location of Magna Mining's Existing Properties, and Key Sudbury Infrastructure

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8002/271548_c46f2ac6048fdabc_002full.jpg





Figure 2: Oblique 3D View Looking North-East, Showing the Levack Mine Mineralized Zones in Relation to the R2 Target and Current Drilling

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8002/271548_c46f2ac6048fdabc_003full.jpg

Table 1: Summary of Drillhole Results

Drillhole Property Zone From

(m) To

(m) Length

(m) Cu

% Ni

% Co

% Pt

g/t Pd

g/t Au

g/t Ag

g/t Pt+Pd+Au g/t NiEq CuEq MLV-25-14A* Levack Levack

Contact 340.26 355.55 15.29 0.33 0.80 0.03 0.20 0.20 0.02 1.18 0.42 0.96 1.70 Including 350.82 355.55 4.73 0.56 1.09 0.04 0.41 0.46 0.04 1.59 0.90 1.40 2.50 No. 3 Footwall 790.38 792.80 2.42 1.70 0.92 0.02 1.29 1.88 0.08 7.19 3.25 2.19 3.90 Including 792.50 792.80 0.30 7.87 0.89 0.00 1.43 1.61 0.05 33.00 3.09 5.42 9.65 and 799.50 802.42 2.92 0.86 1.60 0.01 0.79 5.19 0.08 4.57 6.06 2.71 4.82 Including 799.50 800.07 0.57 2.59 8.07 0.04 3.41 14.36 0.03 14.00 17.80 10.83 19.28 FNX6083-W1* Levack R2 Target 991.85 992.22 0.37 16.68 0.07 0.00 1.33 2.44 0.09 52.00 3.86 9.57 17.03 and 1005.48 1005.78 0.30 13.75 0.49 0.00 3.29 13.72 1.56 40.00 18.57 10.67 18.99 and 1048.48 1048.84 0.36 2.87 0.05 0.00 7.98 5.64 0.81 40.00 14.43 3.73 6.65 and 1050.70 1051.15 0.45 3.24 0.10 0.00 0.70 1.93 0.54 19.00 3.17 2.36 4.19 and 1056.41 1056.71 0.30 6.58 0.68 0.01 7.03 8.18 1.31 42.00 16.52 6.65 11.83 and 1152.23 1154.83 2.60 12.77 0.55 0.01 3.39 7.79 20.67 87.57 31.85 15.06 26.81 Including 1153.16 1154.16 1.00 29.21 0.92 0.02 7.26 15.84 29.87 190.00 52.97 28.62 50.96 and 1196.60 1197.14 0.54 25.53 1.80 0.03 10.40 12.08 3.80 169.00 26.28 19.54 34.79 FNX6083-W2 Levack No. 3 Footwall 1097.05 1097.56 0.51 19.27 0.26 0.01 8.91 15.19 2.02 127.00 26.12 14.57 25.95 and 1106.71 1116.47 9.76 1.93 0.69 0.01 1.53 2.41 0.54 14.32 4.48 2.35 4.19 including 1106.71 1107.12 0.41 4.91 12.36 0.10 6.82 16.21 1.15 46.00 24.18 16.85 30.01 and 1108.30 1108.87 0.57 14.12 0.52 0.01 2.16 7.00 1.28 109.00 10.44 9.71 17.28 and 1114.40 1115.50 1.10 7.02 0.09 0.01 6.81 7.48 2.12 40.27 16.40 6.49 11.55

Important Notes

*Previously Reported

All lengths are downhole length. True widths are uncertain at this time.

Ni Eq % = (Ni% x 85% Recovery 2204 x Ni Price $/lb) + (Cu% x 96% Recovery x 2204 x Cu Price $/lb) + (Co% x 56% Recovery x 2204 x Co Price $/lb) + (Pt gpt x 69% Recovery / 31.1035 x Pt $/oz) +(Pd gpt x 68% Recovery / 31.1035 x Pd $/oz) + (Au gpt x 68% Recovery / 31.1035 x Au $/oz))/2204 x Ni $/lb.

Cu Eq % = (Ni% x 85% Recovery 2204 x Ni Price $/lb) + (Cu% x 96% Recovery x 2204 x Cu Price $/lb) + (Co% x 56% Recovery x 2204 x Co Price $/lb) + (Pt gpt x 69% Recovery / 31.1035 x Pt $/oz) +(Pd gpt x 68% Recovery / 31.1035 x Pd $/oz) + (Au gpt x 68% Recovery / 31.1035 x Au $/oz))/2204 x Cu $/lb.

Metal prices in US$: $7.30/lb Ni, $4.10/lb Cu, $15.00/lb Co, $1,000/oz Pt, $1,050/oz Pd and $2,200/oz Au.

Table 2: Drillhole Collar Coordinates

BHID Easting Northing Elevation Azimuth Dip Depth (m) FNX6083-W2 471667 5167000 398 116 63 1235

*Drillhole Coordinates are in Coordinate System NAD 83 Zone 17

Qualified Person for Technical Information

The scientific and technical information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by David King, M.Sc., P.Geo. Mr. King is the Senior Vice President, Exploration and Geoscience for Magna Mining Inc. and is a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101.

Quality Assurance and Control

Sample QA/QC procedures for Magna have been designed to meet or exceed industry standards. Drill core is collected from the diamond drill and placed in sealed core trays for transport to Magna's core facilities. Levack drilling utilizes NQ sized core and McCreedy West utilizes BQTK sized core. The core is then logged, and samples marked in intervals of up to 1.5m. Levack drill core is split and sampled  core, and McCreedy West is whole core sampled. Samples are then put into plastic bags with 10 bagged samples being placed into rice bags for transport to SGS Laboratories in Garson, Ontario for preparation, which are then shipped to Lakefield, Ontario for analysis. Samples are submitted in batches of 50 with 4 QA/QC samples including, 2 certified reference material standards and 2 samples of blank material.

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Statements

All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained or incorporated by reference in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as "may", "might", "potential", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "believe", "could", "should", "would", "will", "continue", "intend", "plan", "forecast", "prospective", "significant" or other similar words or phrases or variations thereof. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to business, market, economic, technical and other risks, uncertainties and contingencies that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements, including risks and uncertainties relating to the failure of additional drilling to support assumptions, expectations or estimates of potential mineralization, metal tonnes or grade, such as those related to the Morrison Deposit, the failure of additional drilling to support additional expansion or delineation of estimated resources, the failure of additional drilling to support production planning, the lack of availability of drill rigs to implement exploration or other programs or the failure to proceed as quickly as planned with additional exploration or other drilling, continued delays for assay results, the failure to proceed as quickly as planned with a restart of mining at the Levack Mine, assuming there will be any restart, and other risks disclosed in the Company's annual management discussion and analysis, available on the SEDAR+ website (at: www.sedarplus.ca). Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties, contingencies and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements, there can be no certainty or assurance that the Company has accurately or adequately captured, accounted for or disclosed all such risks, uncertainties, contingencies or factors. Readers should place no reliance on forward-looking statements as actual results, performance or achievements may be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Resource exploration and development, and mining operations, are highly speculative, characterized by several significant risks, which even a combination of careful evaluation, experience and knowledge will not eliminate. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

About Magna Mining Inc.

Magna Mining Inc. is a producing mining company with a strong portfolio of copper, nickel, and platinum group metals (PGM) assets located in the world-class Sudbury mining district of Ontario, Canada. The Company's primary asset is the McCreedy West Mine, currently in production, supported by a pipeline of highly prospective past-producing properties including Levack, Crean Hill, Podolsky, and Shakespeare.

Magna Mining is strategically positioned to unlock long-term shareholder value through continued production, exploration upside, and near-term development opportunities across its asset base.

Additional corporate and project information is available at www.magnamining.com and through the Company's public filings on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271548

SOURCE: Magna Mining Inc.
SHANGHAI, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, JCET Group (SSE: 600584), a leading global provider of integrated circuit (IC) back-end manufacturing and technology services, released its financial results for the third quarter of 2025. JCET reported record Q3 revenue of RMB 10.06 billion, up 8.6% quarter-on-quarter, marking the highest third-quarter revenue in the company's history. Net profit attributable to shareholders reached RMB 480 million, an increase of 80.6% from the previous quarter, while profit before tax (PBT) was up 29.3% year-on-year to RMB 610 million.

For the first nine months of 2025, JCET generated RMB 28.67 billion in revenue, up 14.8% year-on-year, setting a new record for the same period. Net profit attributable to shareholders totaled RMB 950 million.

In 2025, JCET accelerated efforts to upgrade advanced packaging capabilities and expand production capacity, while driving application-focused innovation and strengthening both global and local customer engagement. As a result, capacity utilization rose steadily from Q1 to Q3, reaching near-full levels across key product lines, including wafer-level packaging, power device packaging, and power management chip packaging.

Several business segments delivered strong year-on-year revenue growth in Q3 YTD 2025. Revenue from computing electronics, industrial and medical electronics, and automotive electronics rose by 69.5%, 40.7% and 31.3%, respectively. JCET's transformation continues to be driven by investment in high value-added areas, new product ramp-ups, and the expansion of mass production. With demand rebounding and utilization rates rising, the company plans to further optimize its product mix, prioritize capacity for high-margin products, and enhance overall profitability.

In the first three quarters of 2025, JCET significantly increased its R&D investment, with expenses rising 24.7% year-on-year to RMB 1.54 billion. The company achieved breakthrough progress in several critical technology areas, including co-packaged optics (CPO), glass substrates, large-format fcBGA packaging, and high-density system-in-package (SiP) solutions. In parallel, JCET continues to attract top global talent and strengthen its R&D capabilities, further solidifying the foundation for long-term innovation and sustainable growth.

For more information, please refer to the JCET Q3 2025 Report.

About JCET Group

JCET Group is a global leader in integrated circuit back-end manufacturing and technology services. We provide comprehensive turnkey solutions, including semiconductor package integration design, wafer probing, bumping, assembly, final testing, and global drop shipments.

Utilizing advanced wafer-level packaging, 2.5D/3D packaging, System-in-Package solutions, and reliable flip chip and wire bonding technologies, we support a wide range of applications, including automotive, artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, storage, communication, smart devices, industrial and medical sectors, and power and energy. With cutting-edge R&D centers in China and Korea, and manufacturing facilities across China, Korea, and Singapore, we deliver efficient supply chain solutions and maintain close collaboration with our global customers.

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / October 23, 2025 / North Shore Uranium Ltd. (TSXV:NSU) ("North Shore" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has met its final earn-in obligation for the West Bear property ("West Bear")under an option agreement dated April 18, 2022 (as amended, the "West Bear Option Agreement") with Gem Oil Inc. ("Gem Oil"), giving the Company the right to acquire a 75% interest in West Bear. West Bear consists of four mining claims totaling 3,927 hectares at the eastern margin of the Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan.

To satisfy the final $50,000 payment for West Bear, the Company issued 263,157 common shares (the "Option Shares") at a deemed price of $0.19 per share to Gem Oil. The Options Shares were issued in accordance with the West Bear Option Agreement and are subject to a statutory hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws and a TSX Venture Exchange hold period, both expiring four months and one day from the date of issuance (February 23, 2026). Upon completion of this payment, North Shore has earned a 75% interest in West Bear and a joint venture will be formed with North Shore holding a 75% interest and Gem Oil holding a 25% interest. Gem Oil will be granted a 2% net smelter returns royalty ("NSR"), of which North Shore may purchase 1% for $1,000,000 at any time. North Shore retains the right to acquire the remaining 25% interest in West Bear by paying Gem Oil $200,000 in cash and issuing $200,000 in North Shore common shares within 90 days of delivering the Initial Interest Notice to Gem Oil. If North Shore does not exercise this right within the 90-day period, or fails to complete the acquisition, a participating joint venture will be formed as described above.

West Bear is located approximately 35 km southeast of the Cigar Lake uranium mine, and 50 km south of the McClean Lake uranium mill. The West Bear uranium and cobalt-nickel deposits held by Uranium Energy Corp. ("UEX/UEC") are located just north of the property (Figure 1 below). The unconformity between the Athabasca Basin sandstone and the underlying basement rocks crosses the western portion of the property (Figure 1). West Bear saw significant uranium exploration activity between the 1960s and 2015, with a total of 15 exploration holes being drilled, including three by Denison in 2015. Historical exploration data evaluated by the Company includes high-resolution electromagnetic airborne geophysical surveys. In 2022 North Shore completed a gravity-magnetic-radiometric airborne survey over West Bear. The Company has selected several targets that warrant further exploration and evaluation of all exploration data is ongoing.

ABOUT NORTH SHORE

The nuclear power industry is in growth mode as more nuclear power will be required to meet the world's ambitious CO2 emission-reduction goals and the needs of new power-intensive technologies like AI. In this environment, new discoveries of economic uranium deposits could be very valuable, especially in established uranium-producing jurisdictions like Saskatchewan and New Mexico. North Shore is well-positioned to become a major force in exploration for economic uranium deposits. The Company is working to achieve this goal by exploring its Rio Puerco project in the Grants Uranium District of New Mexico and the Falcon and West Bear properties at the eastern margin of the Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan. In addition, the Company continues to evaluate quality opportunities in the United States and Canada to complement its portfolio of uranium properties.

Figure 1. West Bear property and neighboring property positions. Source: Saskatchewan government database on September 15, 2025 and company disclosure. This figure contains information about properties adjacent to West Bear which North Shore does not have the right to explore. Investors are cautioned that mineralization on adjacent properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization at West Bear.

Technical information on the West Bear property is provided in the 2023 technical report entitled "Technical Report for the West Bear Property, Saskatchewan, Canada" filed under the profile of North Shore Uranium at www.sedarplus.ca.

QUALIFIED PERSON

Mr. Brooke Clements, MSc, P.Geol., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and the President and CEO of North Shore, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure in this press release.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Brooke Clements,

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

For further information please contact: Brooke Clements, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Telephone: 604.536.2711

Email: b.clements@northshoreuranium.com

www.northshoreuranium.com

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

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements relating specifically to the West Bear Property earn-in and the Company's broader exploration strategy. Forward-looking statements in this release include: the formal completion of the West Bear property earn-in from Gem Oil Inc.; the issuance of common shares to satisfy the final property payment; the formation of a joint venture with Gem Oil and the grant of a net smelter returns royalty; North Shore's right to acquire the remaining 25% interest in West Bear; the identification of several exploration targets at West Bear; the Company's belief that it is well-positioned to become a major force in exploration for economic uranium deposits; the Company's ongoing work to achieve this goal by exploring the Rio Puerco project in New Mexico and the Falcon and West Bear properties in Saskatchewan; and the Company's continued evaluation of additional uranium opportunities in the United States and Canada. These statements are subject to specific risks and uncertainties, including: the risk that the West Bear Property earn-in may not be completed as anticipated; the risk that the joint venture may not be formed or operated as planned; the risk that North Shore may not exercise its right to acquire the remaining 25% interest; the risk that identified exploration targets may not yield economically viable mineral deposits upon further exploration or drilling; the potential for delays or changes in exploration plans due to environmental conditions, permitting requirements, or logistical challenges in accessing certain areas of the West Bear Property; and the reliance on historical data and previous exploration results, which may have limitations or uncertainties that affect current interpretations. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "project", "appear", "interpret", "coincident", "potential", "confirm", "suggest", "evaluate", "encourage", "likely", "anomaly", "continuous" and variations of these words as well as other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "could", "may", "should", "would" or "will" occur. These statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or implied, including, but not limited to: the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development projects; the ability to obtain necessary permits and approvals; changes in project plans and parameters; variations in mineral grades and recovery rates; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; the availability of funding on terms acceptable to the Company; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing; fluctuations in uranium and other metal prices; and other factors described in the Company's public disclosure documents. There may be other factors that cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those anticipated or implied by the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or results or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. Any forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

SOURCE: North Shore Uranium Ltd.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/north-shore-makes-final-option-payment-and-completes-earn-in-for-west-bear-proper-1090939
TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / October 23, 2025 / Axcap Ventures Inc. (CSE:AXCP) ("Axcap" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has initiated a Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") for the Converse Gold Project located in the prolific Battle Mountain Trend of Nevada.

The PEA will be undertaken by Axcap's management in conjunction with leading industry consultants including SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd ("SLR"), Kappes Cassidy & Associates ("KCA") and Sunstone Environmental ("Sunstone"). The principles of Axcap have worked extensively with SLR and KCA over a number of years and Sunstone has had a long association with the Converse Gold Project.

The PEA is scheduled for completion in Q2 2026, with workstreams already underway including:

Commencing a 1,500-meter oriented core drilling program in late October to further refine the geology and oxide models and our understanding of structural controls to higher grade mineralization.

Relogging and modelling of historic diamond drill core and RC chips for the purposes of better defining structural and stratigraphic controls to mineralization is underway at the Company's core storage facility in Lovelock Nevada.

Review of extensive historical datasets to support the PEA.

Re assaying selected samples via Cyanide Soluble assay to support the development of the updated redox model to better define the boundaries of oxide, transitional and sulphide mineralization.

In addition, the Company expects to be able to release results from the last two remaining deep drill holes before the end of the month.

"We are very excited to be underway with the PEA and to be working with such highly regarded industry specialists. Our preliminary review work, prior to joining Axcap, indicated that the Converse Gold Project has the potential to be a significant gold producer with substantial levels of production over many years. We look forward to being in a position to showcase this potential with a quality preliminary study based upon the work of an experienced and capable team. Following the recent addition of a cornerstone investor to the register, we are excited to be well funded to complete the PEA and commence the next phase of drilling and development activities at the Converse Gold Project" said John Dorward, Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

About Axcap Venture Inc.

Axcap is focused on developing its flagship, Converse Gold Project, a large, underdeveloped gold deposit not owned by a major mining company in Nevada, USA. The Converse Gold Project is located within the prolific Battle Mountain trend containing 5.57Moz Au of Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources and 0.42Moz Au Inferred Mineral Resources (238mt at 0.539g/t Au for 4.13Moz Measured Mineral Resources; 92mt at 0.487g/t Au for 1.44Moz Indicated, 25mt at 0.528g/t Au for 0.42Moz Inferred Mineral Resources). With decades of expertise in Nevada and globally, our Board and management are focused on unlocking the potential of this project. For further details please refer to our technical report entitled "Amended and Restated NI 43-101 Technical Report and Mineral Resource Update, Converse Property, Humboldt County, Nevada, USA" dated effective February 13, 2025 which is available on our website at www.axcapventures.ca and on our SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

Qualified Person

Mr. Blake Mclaughlin, P.Geo., registered with the Professional Geoscientists Ontario, Executive Vice President of Development, is considered a "Qualified Person" for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure contained in this news release on behalf of Axcap.

For further information please contact:

John Dorward

Axcap Ventures Inc.

info@axcapventures.ca

Tel: 778-846-9970

Cautionary Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward- looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward- looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "will", "estimates", "believes", "intends" "expects" and similar expressions which are intended to identify forward-looking statements. More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements concerning the Converse Gold Project, the Preliminary Economic Assessment and the timing therefore, the timing for the release of results from the remaining deep drill holes, and mineral resource estimates. Forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and the actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, assumptions and expectations, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including expectations and assumptions concerning general economic and industry conditions, applicable laws and regulations, commodity prices, the use of proceeds, and the future business and operational needs of the Company. Readers are cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, volatility of commodity prices, currency fluctuations, dependency upon regulatory approvals, the uncertainty of obtaining additional financing and exploration risk. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, as such information, although considered reasonable by the respective management of Axcap and Taura at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and are expressly qualified by the foregoing cautionary statement. Except as expressly required by securities law, Axcap does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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

SOURCE: AXCAP VENTURES INC.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/banking-and-financial-services/axcap-initiates-preliminary-economic-assessment-on-converse-project-1090942
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 23, 2025) - Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. (TSXV: SM) (OTCQX: SMDRF) ("Sierra Madre" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that exploration work has begun at the East District of the Guitarra silver-gold project in Estado de Mexico, Mexico; this District covers the historic Temascaltepec mining area.

Greg Liller, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Chair, commented: "We are very pleased to be restarting exploration within the under-explored East District portion of the Company's concessions holdings, following the successful re-start of the Guitarra and Coloso mines. The East district is the last of the six major Spanish Colonial production centres in Mexico that has not been systematically mapped, drilled, and evaluated using modern tools and methods. Based on historic data, the company sees strong potential for additional resources in this District, with over 39 km of structures mapped to date, numerous historic mines, and a current deposit already defined at Mina de Agua."

Alex Langer, Chief Executive Officer, added: "Restarting exploration at the East District is a key step to unlocking the full value of Guitarra. With a fully funded two-stage plant expansion underway in the West District, we see potential for additional discoveries in this eastern portion of the property. We anticipate funding this exploration program from our treasury and cash flow, with a C$19.5 million private placement closed in July 2025."

Exploration Program Plans

With a US$3.5-million budget, the East District exploration program will consist of two parts. First, drill target definition through additional detailed geologic surface mapping, including the historic El Rincon mine (Marmajas-Echada system), surveying, mapping and sampling of historic workings, and a structural analysis in order to determine the geologic controls of historically mined mineralization. This program is estimated to take nine months to complete.

Upon completion of the target definition program, a 20,000 to 25,000 metre drill program would then be undertaken to further assess the targets' economic potential. The drilling will be conducted over a period of 12 to 18 months. Based on the results of this program, the Company then may undertake a larger delineation drilling program.

Figure 1 below shows the mapping completed by Sierra Madre.

Figure 1: East District Mapping by Sierra Madre

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10436/271536_ced90e2d24079a84_002full.jpg

Exploration Potential

The 2023 NI 43-101 report1 contains an estimate of the exploration potential for six (6) of the vein systems in the East District. See quote below from section 9.6 of the report for an estimate of the exploration target range at the East District.

"In 2002, Luismin completed an assessment of the exploration potential in the East District (Nuevo Descubrimiento, Las Animas-Socorro, Marmajas-Echada, Magdalena-Zayas and Purisima veins) using the results of surface mapping, historical mine records, and preliminary drilling at Santa Ana (Mina de Agua).

The QP has used Luismin's estimates of the strike length, the width of the veins, an assumption of a 200-metre vertical depth, an assumed bulk density of 2.6, and a range of 20% to 40% of the vein being mineralized to estimate a tonnage of between 0.77 million tonnes and 1.54 million tonnes. A grade range of  20% Luismin's average grades was used to estimate silver grades between 440 g/t to 670 g/t Ag and to estimate gold grades of between 2.4 g/t and 3.6 g/t Au. Combined total strike length of these vein systems is 7.7 km.

The potential quantity and grade are conceptual in nature; there has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the target being delineated as a mineral resource."

The 2023 Mineral Resource Estimate included an East District component at Mina de Agua, with an indicated resource of 761,000 tonnes grading 159 g/t silver and 0.19 g/t gold and an inferred resource of 545,000 tonnes grading 178 g/t silver and 0.13 g/t gold1.

1A copy of the 2023 NI 43-101 report, prepared by TechSer Mining Consultants Ltd. ("TechSer") of Vancouver B.C., by David Thomas, P.Geo. and QP Geology and Cristian Garcia, P.Eng. and QP Mining, titled "La Guitarra Mineral Resource Estimate Guitarra Silver-Gold Project, Temascaltepec, Estado de Mexico, Mexico" with an effective date of October 24, 2023, is available on SEDAR+ and the company's website at https://sierramadregoldandsilver.com/presentations/NI-43-101-La-Guitarra-Mineral-Resource-Estimate.pdf

Program Progress

New senior-level geologists, along with support personnel, have been hired and field work has begun to determine the condition of historic workings.

In addition, access has been regained to the Rampa Carolina on the Santa Ana vein system. The ramp and associated crosscuts and drives were constructed in 2007 and contain more than 300 meters of workings. The development was sized for modern production mining and haulage equipment. Sampling for metallurgical tests is underway.

Figure 2 below shows photos of the historic Donostiva mine portal.

Figure 2: Historic Mine Portal

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10436/271536_sierra%20figure%202.jpg

Figure 3 below shows these workings.

Figure 3: Rampa Carolina Development

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10436/271536_sierra%20figure%203.jpg

Marketing & Investor Awareness

The Company has entered into a marketing and investor awareness agreement dated October 9, 2025 with New Era Publishing Inc ("New Era"). Under the terms of the agreement, New Era will provide marketing and promotional services to the Company for a period of two months in exchange for a fee of $225,000 USD. New Era is a digital marketing and media firm established in 2016 based in Vancouver, BC. New Era provides digital marketing, email and market awareness services and assist its clients with reaching potential investors. New Era will further engage www.carboncredits.com to connect North American and European audiences to bolster awareness of the Company through the carboncredits.com website, articles and e-mail newsletters. New Era and www.carboncredits.com and the Company are unrelated and unaffiliated entities at arm's length of each other, and neither New Era, nor its principals have an interest, directly or indirectly, in the securities of the company.

The Company has entered into a Service Agreement dated effective October 23, 2025, with Departures Capital Inc. ("DC"), under which DC will provide investor communications, digital media production, and investor marketing-related promotional services to Sierra Madre for a six-month term. Under the agreement, Sierra Madre will pay DC US$8,500 plus applicable taxes in advance of the provision of any services. The promotional activities will include the creation and distribution of video content on the Departures Capital YouTube channel and associated email list, as well as Google Ads campaigns designed to increase investor awareness of Sierra Madre's story and visibility of the content. DC is arm's length to Sierra Madre and, to the knowledge of the Company, neither DC nor its principals have any present equity interest in Sierra Madre's securities, directly or indirectly, nor any right or intent to acquire any such interest.

Management Update

The Company announces that Chief Financial Officer Ken Scott, will be appointed as Corporate Secretary on November 1st, 2025. Current Corporate Secretary Kerry Spong will maintain his positions of Controller and Senior Manager of Finance.

Qualified Person

Mr. Gregory Smith, P. Geo, Director of Sierra Madre, is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, and has reviewed and approved the technical data and information contained in this news release. Mr. Smith has verified the technical and scientific data disclosed herein.

About Sierra Madre

Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. (TSXV: SM) (OTCQX: SMDRF) is a precious metals development and exploration company focused on the Guitarra mine in the Temascaltepec mining district, Mexico, and the exploration and development of its Tepic property in Nayarit, Mexico. The Guitarra mine is a permitted underground mine, which includes a 500 t/d processing facility that operated until mid-2018 and restarted commercial production in January 2025.

The +2,600 ha Tepic Project hosts low-sulphidation epithermal gold and silver mineralization with an existing historic resource.

Sierra Madre's management team has played key roles in managing the exploration and development of silver and gold mineral reserves and mineral resources. Sierra Madre's team of professionals has collectively raised over $1 billion for mining companies.

Cautionary Note Regarding Production Decisions

The Company's decision to place the mine into commercial production, expand a mine, make other production related decisions, or otherwise carry out mining and processing operations, is largely based on internal non-public Company data and reports from previous operations and the results of test mining and processing. The Company is not basing any production decisions on NI 43-101 compliant reserve estimates, preliminary economic assessments or feasibility studies and, as a result, there is greater risk and uncertainty as to future economic results from the Guitarra Mine Complex, including increased uncertainty of achieving any particular level of recovery of minerals or the cost of such recovery, including increased risks associated with developing a commercially mineable deposit, and a higher technical risk of failure than would be the case if a feasibility study were completed and relied upon to make a production decision.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

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

This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. The forward-looking statements herein are made as of the date of this press release only, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budgets", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "projects", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, including the expected timing of concentrate shipments; the Company increasing production; the Company receiving revenues on a weekly basis and such revenues allowing the Company to comfortably expand to without further capital needs; production and the expected timing and production levels thereof.

The forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties, and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, that predicted production levels will be achieved and that existing production levels will be maintained.

In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied certain material assumptions, including without limitation, that the Company will be able to execute its future plans as intended, that predicted production levels will be achieved and that existing production levels will be maintained.

Although management of the Company has attempted 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.

SOURCE: Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271536

SOURCE: Sierra Madre Gold & Silver
With a strong track record across APAC, Francis Wan's appointment marks a powerful acceleration of Medison's growth in the region

ZUG, Switzerland, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Medison, the creator of a first-of-its-kind unified global commercialization platform for breakthrough therapies, today announced the appointment of Francis Wan as VP, GM Asia Pacific (APAC) and member of the company's Global Leadership Team.

Francis will lead Medison's strategy and operations across the APAC region, a critical growth area for the company's platform. With more than 20 years of biopharmaceutical leadership experience, including serving as President Asia Pacific at Biogen and Managing Director of Commercial Operations at MSD China, he has successfully scaled organizations, advanced innovative therapies, and built sustainable access models across diverse APAC markets. His expertise in rare disease and oncology, together with his extensive experience in China's healthcare landscape, adds a vital dimension to Medison's strategy for the region.

"Across APAC, breakthrough therapies are still out of reach for many patients, leaving a vast and diverse population with significant unmet needs," said Francis Wan. "Through Medison's global commercialization platform, we have a unique opportunity to change this reality and expand access to breakthrough therapies. Having spent much of my career in China and across APAC, I understand firsthand how essential it is to deliver sustainable solutions and enable faster access for patients with rare and severe diseases."

"Medison was founded on the belief that every patient, no matter where they live, deserves timely access to breakthrough therapies," said Meir Jakobsohn, Founder and Executive Chairman of Medison. "Francis's appointment reflects our continued investment in APAC and marks an important step in accelerating additional growth in the region, a region with enormous need and opportunity."

"Francis joining Medison is another important milestone in our global growth journey," said Gil Gurfinkel, CEO of Medison. "With his appointment, we continue to advance toward completing our expansion roadmap and building a world leader and the best commercialization company for international markets. Francis's extensive experience with healthcare systems and his proven record of creating access and commercial success in China and across APAC will strengthen our ability to accelerate access to life-changing therapies and deepen our partnerships in the region and on a global scale."

"Francis brings outstanding expertise and a proven track record in establishing and scaling biopharma operations in China and the broader APAC region," said Victor Papamoniodis, Chief Commercial Officer at Medison. "His leadership will be instrumental in scaling our platform and expanding patient access to breakthrough therapies in APAC."

About Medison

At Medison, we are addressing one of the pharma industry's most pressing challenges: enabling access to breakthrough therapies for patients with severe and rare diseases in international markets where traditional commercialization models fall short.

As the creator and leader of the global partnership category, we have built a first-of-its-kind unified commercialization platform that enables biotechs to effectively plan, optimize and launch their therapies on a global scale.

With a strong leadership team and a proven track record, we are the partner of choice for innovative biotech companies seeking to expand beyond the US, Western Europe and Japan into regions where most of the world's population resides. Our affiliate-like model integrates commercial, medical and operational capabilities across diverse geographies, accelerating access and delivering life-changing treatments to more patients, faster.

Medison is on a mission to ensure that every patient, regardless of where they live, has the opportunity to benefit from breakthrough therapies.

For more information, please visit https://www.medisonpharma.com/

Contact:

Margo Corn Ladani

Senior Manager, Global Communications

T: +972 52 6606710

E: MargoC@medisonpharma.com

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/medison-strengthens-its-global-commercialization-platform-appoints-francis-wan-as-vp-gm-asia-pacific-302592683.html
Winnipeg, Manitoba--(Newsfile Corp. - October 23, 2025) - Beyond Lithium Inc. (CSE: BY) (OTCQB: BYDMF) (the "Company" or "Beyond") is pleased to announce that it has completed:

the second and final tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement of 4,622,546 units of Company (the "Units") at a price of $0.03 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of $138,676.38 (the "Final Tranche"); and the previously announced debt settlement transaction (the "Debt Settlement") with the management company of the Company's President and CEO, Allan Frame, for the issuance of 2,800,000 Units at a deemed price of $0.03 per Unit to settle an outstanding debt of $84,000 in management fees (see news releases dated July 8, 2025, July 29, 2025, and August 29, 2025).

Together with the first tranche of the offering completed on August 28, 2025, for aggregate gross proceeds of $161,323.62 (the "First Tranche" and together with the Final Tranche, the "Offering"), the Company raised a total of $300,000 under the Offering. Each Unit issued under the Offering consists of one common share of the Company (a "Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"), with each Warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one Share at price of $0.10 per Share for a period of 24 months following the date of issuance.

The Units issued under the Offering were issued to purchasers pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption (the "LIFE" or "LIFE Exemption") under Part 5A.2 of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions in all provinces of Canada, except Quebec.

There is an offering document, as amended (the "Offering Document"), related to the Offering that can be accessed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.beyondlithium.ca.

In connection with the Final Tranche, the Company paid an eligible third party dealing at arm's length with the Company (the "Finder"): (i) a cash commission totaling $9,013.62, representing 7.0% of the proceeds raised from subscribers introduced to the Company by such Finder; and (ii) an aggregate of 300,454 non-transferable broker warrants (the "Broker Warrants"), representing 7.0% of the number of Units sold to such subscribers, each exercisable to acquire one common share of the Company for 24 months from the date of issuance at exercise price of $0.03 per share.

The Company plans to use the net proceeds from the Final Tranche for general working capital purposes, exploration activities and expenditures on its Rare One project, marketing and advertising, and as otherwise described in the Offering Document.

The Units issued under the Offering are not subject to resale restrictions pursuant to the LIFE Exemption and applicable Canadian securities laws. The Units issued under the Debt Settlement are subject to a hold period of four months and one day from their date of issuance.

The offered securities have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not 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 state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Beyond Lithium Inc.

Beyond Lithium Inc. is a critical minerals exploration company with the Ear Falls spodumene-bearing pegmatite exploration project in Ontario and two exploration projects in British Columbia exploring for rare earths and base metals. Beyond Lithium is advancing the projects with its exploration team. The Company will continue to seek to stake, to acquire, or to option other properties to expand the Company's portfolio. Also, Beyond will seek for potential joint ventures partner on projects as it is a source of non-dilutive working capital through partner-funded exploration and long-term residual exposure to exploration success.

Please follow @BeyondLithium on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

For more information, please refer to the Company's website at www.beyondlithium.ca.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding future capital expenditures, anticipated content, commencement, and cost of exploration programs in respect of the Company's projects and mineral properties, anticipated exploration program results from exploration activities, resources and/or reserves on the Company's projects and mineral properties, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking information. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by words such as "pro forma", "plans", "expects", "will", "may", "should", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "potential" or variations of such words including negative variations thereof, and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. In stating the forward-looking information in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that market fundamentals will result in sustained precious and base metals demand and prices, the receipt of any necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in connection with the future exploration of the Company's properties, the availability of financing on suitable terms, and the Company's ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws.

Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements of forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors include, among others, statements as to the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, the proposed expenditures for exploration work on its properties, the ability of the Company to obtain sufficient financing to fund its business activities and plans, delays in obtaining governmental and regulatory approvals (including of the Canadian Securities Exchange), permits or financing, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, risks relating to epidemics or pandemics such as COVID-19, the Company's limited operating history, currency fluctuations, title disputes or claims, environmental issues and liabilities, as well as those factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's prospectus dated February 23, 2022, and other filings of the Company with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities, copies of which can be found under the Company's profile on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking information in this news release except as otherwise required by law.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271514

SOURCE: Beyond Lithium Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 23, 2025) - Military Metals Corp. (CSE: MILI) (OTCQB: MILIF) (FSE: QN90) (the "Company" or "MILI") announces that it intends to adopt a shareholder rights plan (the "Rights Plan"), subject to ratification by shareholders at the upcoming Annual General Meeting of shareholders to be held in approximately 3 months. The Rights Plan is not being adopted in response to any specific proposal to acquire control of the Company, but the Board has become aware that increased trade volume on the Company's stock exchange listings including Canada, USA and Germany has given an opportunity for any parties to acquire and accumulate shares in connection with so-called 'creeping bids', which has the potential to impact the value delivered to shareholders in connection with any such bid.

Scott Eldridge, CEO and Director, stated: "We are experiencing unprecedented times in the critical minerals sector, in light of recent hostile takeover attempts - such as the unsolicited bid by US Antimony Corp for Lorvotto Resources - our Board believes it is prudent to take proactive measures to protect our shareholders. The adoption of a shareholder rights plan underscores Military Metals Corp's commitment to ensuring that any potential change of control occurs through a fair and transparent process that maximizes value for all shareholders. We remain fully focused on advancing our strategic objectives and creating sustainable, long-term value."

The Rights Plan will grant all shareholders of the Company, excluding a hostile bidder, the right to acquire shares at a discount to the current market price. The right is intended to be attached to the shares of the Company, until such time the Rights Plan is triggered. The Rights Plan is being adopted to ensure that all shareholders are treated fairly and equally in connection with any take-over bid for the Company, and to provide the Board of Directors and shareholders with sufficient time to properly consider and evaluate any such bid, as well as to explore and develop alternatives that could maximize shareholder value.

The Rights Plan is designed to:

Encourage the fair treatment of all shareholders in connection with any take-over bid for the Company;

Provide the Board of Directors with adequate time to evaluate any take-over bid and explore alternatives to maximize shareholder value; and

Prevent any person or group from acquiring control of the Company through tactics that do not treat all shareholders equally or afford them the opportunity to realize a fair premium.

The Company is not aware of any pending or threatened take-over bid at this time. The Rights Plan is intended as a prudent measure, to provide the Board with the ability to respond appropriately to any unsolicited take-over bid being conducted through private agreements, gradual or "creeping" acquisitions, or other exemptions from the take-over bid rules.

About Military Metals Corp.

The Company is a British Columbia-based mineral exploration company that is primarily engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties with a focus on antimony.

This news release contains "forward-looking information". Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative 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 information in this news release includes statements related to the Company's exploration plans in relation to the entry into the Rights Plan, any future takeover bids which may trigger the Rights Plan, and shareholder approval of the Rights Plan. A variety of factors, including known and unknown risks, many of which are beyond our control, could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information in this news release. Known risks include risks related to finalization of the Rights Plan with the transfer agent of the Company and willingness of shareholders to adopt such a Rights Plan, or similar risks. Additional risk factors can also be found in the Company's public filings under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Forward-Looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances, management's estimates, or opinions should change, except as required by securities legislation. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the information contained herein and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271585

SOURCE: Military Metals Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 23, 2025) - Pacific Empire Minerals Corp. (TSXV: PEMC) ("Pacific Empire", "PEMC" or the "Company"), a copper-gold explorer based in British Columbia, is pleased to report a surge in trading activity following the commencement of diamond drilling at its 100%-owned Trident gold-enriched copper project in north-central British Columbia.

On October 20, 2025, Pacific Empire's shares closed at $0.07 on 5.9 million shares traded, representing a significant increase in both price and volume compared to recent averages. The strong market response reflects growing investor interest in the Company's ongoing drill program targeting gold-enriched copper porphyry mineralization within the prolific Hogem Batholith region of the Quesnel Terrane.

Hole 1 Intersects Mineralized Porphyry Intrusion

The first diamond drill hole (DD25TRI001) has now been completed to a depth of 503 metres. This drillhole was intended to follow up on historical drilling conducted in 2007, which intersected copper mineralization associated with discrete porphyry dikes.

Visible sulphides and copper mineralization were observed throughout portions of the drillhole and particularly well correlated with hornblende-feldspar porphyry intrusive units.

"The identification of a mineralized porphyry intrusion in our first 2025 drillhole represents an important milestone for Pacific Empire," commented Brad Peters, President & CEO. "It strongly affirms our working hypothesis that gold-enriched copper mineralization at Trident is directly related to monzonite-porphyry intrusions, similar to those that host some of British Columbia's most significant porphyry deposits."

Core from Hole 1 is currently being cut and prepared for immediate shipment to ALS Laboratories in North Vancouver for geochemical analysis. Results will be released once assays are received and validated.

Next Steps

Hole 2 (DD25TRI002) was recently collared approximately 500 metres north-northeast of Hole 1 and is being drilled with an azimuth of 010 and a dip of -70. This hole is designed to test the interpreted north-trending orientation of the mineralized zone and to vector toward the potential core of the porphyry system identified in historical drilling and confirmed by Hole 1. This location also coincides with a previously untested chargeability anomaly, providing another compelling target for gold-enriched copper mineralization.

"By drilling from south to north, we are systematically testing the geometry of mineralization observed in 2007," added Peters. "Each subsequent drillhole provides critical geological information that will assist us in zeroing in on the heart of the system."

Exceptional Drilling Performance

Pacific Empire is also pleased to acknowledge the outstanding performance of Omineca Drilling Ltd., the Company's drilling contractor for the 2025 program. The crew has been averaging over 100 metres of drilling per day, maintaining exceptional production rates and core recovery.

"I'm very impressed with the professionalism and production from the Omineca team," stated Peters. "Their focus, efficiency, and teamwork have been instrumental in keeping the program running smoothly and ahead of schedule."

Timing Couldn't Be Better

The current exploration success comes at an ideal time for Pacific Empire. Both gold and copper prices remain strong, with forecasts for both metals continuing to trend positively amid global demand for electrification and hard-asset investment.

"For over a decade, Pacific Empire has worked to consolidate 100% ownership of this highly prospective belt," noted Peters. "It's incredibly rewarding to see everything come together-favorable markets, a strong technical team, and the first tangible signs of a mineralized porphyry system that could represent the discovery we've been working toward for years."

Figure 1 - Map showing Pacific Empire's Trident property, highlighting historical drill collars, the first two 2025 diamond drill holes (DD25TRI001 and DD25TRI002), and additional untested target areas to the north.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5412/271590_48a1204014f56bc5_001full.jpg

Figure 2 - Compilation map of the Trident property showing multiple independent datasets converging on a major discovery opportunity. A large porphyry target is outlined by copper and gold soil anomalies, resistivity and chargeability features, and favorable intrusive-volcanic contacts. Flanking this centre, conductivity highs define undrilled breccia targets supported by strong copper geochemistry. Together, the data outline a system-scale copper-gold target that has never been tested.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5412/271590_48a1204014f56bc5_002full.jpg

Figure 3 - A highly anomalous copper-in-soil anomaly defines the primary porphyry target at Trident. On a moderate slope, the source of the anomaly is most likely located near its upper extent - precisely where drilling is planned. This anomaly, combined with supporting geophysics and geology, makes Trident one of the most exciting undrilled porphyry copper-gold targets in British Columbia.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5412/271590_48a1204014f56bc5_003full.jpg

Unlocking Untested Ground

Although nearly 80 drill holes have been completed at Trident since the 1970s, none have tested the northern porphyry and breccia targets. Historically, access to this area was prevented by the need to cross a creek, which required significant planning and permitting. With PEMC's recently granted Multi-Year Area-Based Exploration Permit, the Company is now positioned to drill this area for the very first time. This makes the 2025 program a true milestone in the project's history - opening ground that has long been considered the most prospective but remained completely untested.

Strategic Importance

The Trident drill program comes at a time when global copper demand is accelerating due to electrification, grid expansion, and electric vehicle adoption. At the same time, new large-scale copper discoveries have become increasingly rare, underscoring the importance of exploring in proven, mining-friendly jurisdictions such as British Columbia. With gold also consistently present as a by-product credit in the system, Trident has the potential to deliver the combination of size, grade, and precious metals that makes porphyry copper-gold deposits particularly attractive.

Pacific Empire believes the 2025 drill program represents a critical opportunity in the Trident property's 50-year history of exploration. The combination of historical mineralization at the A Zone, overlapping geophysical and geochemical anomalies at the porphyry target, and newly permitted access to never-before-drilled breccia targets creates a unique discovery opportunity. With drilling scheduled to begin in September 2025, PEMC is well positioned to advance Trident toward what could be a significant gold-enriched copper porphyry discovery.

Other Matters

The latest President's Newsletter, along with updated maps and Corporate Presentation, are now available at www.pemcorp.ca.

About Trident

The Trident property is an early exploration stage property hosting an alkalic porphyry copper-gold-silver prospect with district-scale potential that is accessible by vehicle. The property is located approximately 50 km southeast of the Kwanika deposit owned by NorthWest Copper Corp. and 50 km to the northwest of Centerra Gold's Mt. Milligan Mine. The property covers 6,618 hectares endowed with well-established logging roads providing important efficient access to conduct exploration programs.

In 2022, Pacific Empire acquired a 100% interest in the property in exchange for granting the vendors a 2% net smelter return royalty ("NSR"). One-half (1%) of the 2% NSR which may be purchased for $500,000 by Pacific Empire.

About Pinnacle

The Pinnacle project is located 60 km west of Centerra Gold's Mt. Milligan Copper-Gold Mine and 30 km southeast of NorthWest Copper's Kwanika Copper-Gold Deposit in a proven copper-gold porphyry district. Access to the Pinnacle is by road including a new and expanding network of logging roads and trails throughout the main target areas. This improved access is a significant development and is anticipated to contribute to cost effective drill support and provides additional bedrock exposure.

Qualified Person's Statement

Kristian Whitehead, P.Geo., serves as a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101 and has reviewed the scientific and technical information in this news release, approving the disclosure herein.

About Pacific Empire

Pacific Empire is a copper exploration company based in Vancouver, British Columbia and trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol PEMC. The Company has a district-scale land position in north-central British Columbia totaling 22,541 hectares.

British Columbia is a "Green" copper jurisdiction with abundant hydroelectric power, access and infrastructure in close proximity to the end market.

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

Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", and "intend", statements that an action or event "may", "might", "could", "should", or "will" be taken or occur, or other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following risks: the need for additional financing; operational risks associated with mineral exploration; fluctuations in commodity prices; title matters; environmental liability claims and insurance; reliance on key personnel; the potential for conflicts of interest among certain officers, directors or promoters with certain other projects; the absence of dividends; competition; dilution; the volatility of our common share price and volume and the additional risks identified the management discussion and analysis section of our interim and most recent annual financial statement or other reports and filings with the TSX Venture Exchange and applicable Canadian securities regulations. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271590

SOURCE: Pacific Empire Minerals Corp.
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.
Egon Zehnder's global study of 1,235 CEOs finds leaders emerging more resilient and future focused

Global CEOs are meeting ongoing volatility with renewed confidence and agility, according to The CEO Response, Egon Zehnder's latest study of 1,235 chief executives.

The research reveals that 92% of CEOs believe they must cultivate unprecedented levels of adaptability to lead effectively through current geopolitical and economic disruption. Yet most feel more capable and confident than a year ago, having turned recent crises into lasting lessons in resilience.

"CEOs are increasingly adjusting to the rapidly changing world order, characterized by fragmented alliances, strategic resource shortages, new technologies, and the power of individual actors," said Lars-Hendrik Roller, Founder and Chair of the Berlin Global Dialogue. "They are guided by a key insight: Either they help shape the rules of the new order-or they are completely exposed to its complex developments."

Nearly six in ten CEOs (59%) view agility and adaptability as the most critical factor for business success today, while 87% cite geopolitical instability as their greatest challenge. To stay ahead, CEOs are focusing investments on innovation (53%), artificial intelligence (44%), and employee development (42%).

The report also finds that 97% of CEOs see opportunities to contribute to global prosperity, signaling a broader sense of purpose in leadership. Nearly all (99%) emphasize cultivating organizational cultures of curiosity and open-mindedness as essential for navigating complexity.

Launched during this year's Berlin Global Dialogue (BGD), the study underscores a shift in leadership. Under the theme, "Shifting Power, Shaping Prosperity," BGD convenes high-ranking international government representatives and business leaders to forge new partnerships and make strategic decisions in a multipolar world.

"CEOs have shown an extraordinary ability to learn from and adapt amid uncertainty and global instability. Beyond managing crises and business upheavals, they are actively defining how to contribute to global prosperity, whether through their business practices or by engaging beyond the boundaries of their organizations," comments Michael Ensser, Global Chair of Egon Zehnder, on the study's findings. "Leadership today means forging new paths with strategic foresight, pragmatism, and collective intelligence. Many leaders have recently invested specifically in honing these skills. That investment is now paying off."

As global dynamics continue to shift, The CEO Response underscores a pivotal moment in leadership evolution. CEOs are no longer reacting to uncertainty they are using it as a catalyst for growth, innovation, and progress. Egon Zehnder's findings reveal a generation of leaders that are redefining success through adaptability and purpose, setting a new standard for how organizations can thrive in an unpredictable world.

For more information and to access the full report, please visit: https://www.egonzehnder.com/the-ceo-response

About Egon Zehnder

Egon Zehnder is the world's preeminent leadership advisory and executive search firm, inspiring leaders to navigate complex questions with human answers. We help organizations get to the heart of their leadership challenges and offer honest feedback and insights to help leaders realize their true being and purpose.

We are built on a foundation that supports partnership in the truest sense of the word and aligns our interests with the interests of our clients. Our 600 consultants across 68 offices and 36 countries are former industry and functional leaders who collaborate seamlessly to deliver the full power of the Firm to every client, every time. We believe that together we can transform people, organizations and the world through leadership.

About Berlin Global Dialogue

Berlin Global Dialogue (BGD) unites leaders from business, policy, and academia to develop joint solutions for the most pressing challenges impacting the global economy. Established in 2022, Berlin Global Dialogue emerged from the economic, political, and social realities of the twenty-first century as a new platform for a new era. Founded with the mission to strengthen the dialogue between different stakeholders, the annual summit convenes select high-level participants for candid exchanges in interactive formats that highlight diverse perspectives and facilitate cross-disciplinary collaboration.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251023652739/en/

Contacts:

Media Contacts

Klara Schroeder, Berlin Global Dialogue

klara.schroeder@esmt.org

Cheryl Soltis Martel, Egon Zehnder

cheryl.martel@egonzehnder.com

Martin Klusmann, Egon Zehnder

Martin.klusmann@egonzehnder.com

Luisa Bond, Egon Zehnder

luisa.bond@egonzehnder.com
Rimouski, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - October 23, 2025) - Puma Exploration Inc. (TSXV: PUMA) (OTCQB: PUMXF) (the "Company" or "Puma") is pleased to announce results from its 2025 channel sampling program at the Lynx Gold Zone ("LGZ") at its Williams Brook Gold Project in Northern New Brunswick. The program revealed multiple high-grade gold intervals, including 68.90 g/t Au over 0.50 m, 54.40 g/t Au over 0.90 m, 53.00 g/t Au over 0.60 m, 48.00 g/t Au over 0.50 m and 34.50 g/t Au over 0.50 m (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Highlights of 2025 channel sampling at the Lynx Gold Zone

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3398/271508_1693d0ee642fa95f_001full.jpg

Marcel Robillard, President and CEO, commented, "We are pleased with the results of this first channelling program at Lynx Gold Zone. It correlates well with our previous grab sampling and drilling programs. It gives us increased confidence that we can continue to refine our geological model at the LGZ and follow up with targeted drilling operations."

LGZ Channel Sampling Program

Channel sampling, more akin to core drilling, involves cutting continuous, chip-based samples across geological features on exposed rock surfaces, providing a more representative analysis than grab sampling. The 2025 program was designed to systematically sample the high-grade quartz veins visible at surface at the LGZ along a 750 m by 50 m area. One hundred forty-six (146) channels (5 cm wide by 6 to 8 cm deep) were cut to transect gold-bearing quartz veins (see Image 1). Samples ranging from 0.5 m to 1.0 m in length were then collected to respect the lithological and/or mineralogical contacts and isolate narrow (<1.0m) veins or other structures that may yield higher grades.

Image 1. 2025 channelling at the LGZ

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3398/271508_puma%20image%201.jpg

From the 411 samples, 55 samples grade above 1 g/t Au, with the best sample returning 68.9 g/t Au. 121 samples grade above 0.1 g/t Au, indicating that the Williams Brook Project hosts significant anomalous gold (Table 1).

The program successfully provided a detailed analysis of gold grade variability across the stripping area at Lynx. Results of the channel sampling and mapping correlate well with the established geological model, Puma's preliminary grab sampling, and the company's limited 2021-2024 drilling programs. The local variability of gold grade is characteristic of a free gold quartz vein system, and this channelling program has provided some valuable insights that will help direct future drilling programs.

Table 1. Summary of composite 2025 LGZ channel results*

CHANNEL FROM (m) TO (m) LENGTH (m) GOLD (g/t) C5 0.00 2.50 2.50 2.01 Incl. 1.50 2.50 1.00 4.96 C14 0.00 0.50 0.50 10.60 C15 0.00 1.35 1.35 7.05 Incl. 0.65 1.35 0.70 11.45 C16 0.00 6.56 6.56 1.41 Incl. 1.74 2.34 0.60 4.11 and 3.64 4.39 0.75 6.82 C18 0.00 1.95 1.95 3.18 Incl. 1.00 1.95 0.95 6.51 C19 0.00 4.85 4.85 1.13 Incl. 0.55 1.95 1.40 3.72 Incl. 0.55 1.25 0.70 6.27 C24 0.00 4.25 4.25 2.91 Incl. 0.00 0.95 0.95 4.49 and 1.45 2.25 0.80 7.30 C33 0.00 0.50 0.50 2.46 C34 0.00 0.60 0.60 9.24 C36 0.00 2.70 2.70 0.23 Incl. 1.55 2.05 0.50 1.17 C38 0.00 2.52 2.52 1.71 Incl. 0.00 0.65 0.65 3.92 C39 0.00 0.53 0.53 1.13 C54 0.00 1.35 1.35 2.32 C54B 0.00 0.80 0.80 2.42 C62 0.00 9.00 9.00 0.09 Incl. 5.15 5.75 0.60 1.28 C71 0.00 0.70 0.70 1.26 C77 0.00 1.85 1.85 0.69 Incl. 1.10 1.85 0.75 1.44 C78 0.00 0.50 0.50 4.58 C79 0.00 1.40 1.40 0.75 C81 0.00 0.50 0.50 3.08 C92 0.00 2.75 2.75 0.56 Incl. 0.90 1.50 0.60 2.52 C93 0.00 0.50 0.50 1.71 C97 0.00 1.65 1.65 0.76 Incl. 0.00 0.50 0.50 2.22 C105 0.00 1.35 1.35 2.46 C106 0.00 1.10 1.10 6.68 Incl. 0.60 1.10 0.50 14.40 C107 0.00 1.66 1.66 1.23 Incl. 0.80 1.66 0.86 2.34 C108 0.00 7.20 7.20 5.72 Incl. 3.20 6.20 3.00 13.44 Incl. 3.20 5.70 2.50 15.61 Incl. 3.20 3.70 0.50 68.90 C109 0.00 3.35 3.35 0.27 Incl. 0.00 0.50 0.50 1.57 C110 0.00 0.50 0.50 48.00 C111 0.00 3.60 3.60 0.88 Incl. 0.80 3.60 2.80 1.05 C112 0.00 6.40 6.40 7.87 Incl. 0.00 0.90 0.90 54.40 C113 0.00 2.65 2.65 1.47 Incl. 1.50 2.15 0.65 5.34 C115 0.00 1.70 1.70 20.59 Incl. 0.50 1.10 0.60 53.00 C116 0.00 1.00 1.00 18.70 Incl. 0.00 0.50 0.50 34.50 C117 0.00 1.20 1.20 12.28 Incl. 0.60 1.20 0.60 24.00 C125 0.00 2.30 2.30 0.32 Incl. 0.80 1.30 0.50 1.08 C135 0.00 5.50 5.50 0.34 Incl. 2.90 4.00 1.10 1.26 C136 0.00 3.10 3.10 4.98 Incl. 0.60 2.00 1.40 10.77 Incl. 0.60 1.30 0.70 17.00

*The table lists the weighted gold grade of a channel over a set length if at least 1 sample from that channel graded above 1 g/t gold. Samples are between 0.50 m and 1m in length, allowing them to adequately represent the grade of each vein and correlate the results with geological information useful for characterizing the vein system.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical content of this press release has been prepared, reviewed, and approved by Mr. Dominique Gagne, P.Geo., Vice President of Exploration, who is a "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101").

On-site quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) measures

Channel samples are bagged, sealed and sent to ALS Chemex in Moncton, NB, where each sample is crushed and pulped before being fire-assayed (Au-AA24 and ME-MS61). The remaining coarse reject portions of the samples are stored for further work or verification as needed. As part of its QA/QC program, the Company aims for a minimum rate of 7-8% of external certified gold standards (ranging from low to high grade) and blanks in each batch of samples submitted to the lab. Any sample returning 3g/t Au is analyzed using a gravity finish (Au-GRA22). Check assays are also routinely performed.

About the Williams Brook Project

The Williams Brook Project (40,225 ha), optioned to Kinross Gold Corp (see October 24, 2024 News Release), comprises the Williams Brook, Jonpol and the Portage Properties. To earn a 65% interest in the project, Kinross will finance a minimum of $16.75 M in exploration expenditures over the next five years (including a firm commitment of $2 M with at least 5,000 metres of drilling in the first 18 months (2025-2026).

About Puma's Assets in New Brunswick

Puma has accumulated an impressive portfolio of prospective gold landholdings strategically located close to roads and infrastructure in Northern New Brunswick, including the Williams Brook Project and the new McKenzie Gold Project. Both are located near the Rocky Brook Millstream Fault ("RBMF"), a major regional structure formed during the Appalachian Orogeny and a significant control for gold deposition in the region. Puma's work to date has focused on the Williams Brook property, but prospecting and surface exploration work on its other properties have confirmed their potential for significant gold mineralization.

About Puma Exploration

Puma Exploration is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on identifying and developing a pipeline of precious metals projects in New Brunswick, near Canada's Renowned Bathurst Mining Camp. Puma has a long history in Northern New Brunswick, having worked on regional projects for over 15 years. Puma's successful exploration methodology, which combines traditional prospecting methods with detailed trenching and cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, has been instrumental in facilitating an understanding of the region's geology and associated mineralized systems. Armed with geophysical surveys, geochemical data, and consultants' expertise, Puma has developed a cost-effective exploration tool to discover gold at shallow depths and maximize drilling results.

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

Forward-Looking Statements: This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve several known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Puma to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made, except as required by law. Puma undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. The quarterly and annual reports and the documents submitted to the securities administration describe these risks and uncertainties.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271508

SOURCE: Puma Exploration Inc.
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - October 23, 2025) - Fathom Nickel Inc. (CSE: FNI) (FSE: 6Q5) (OTCQB: FNICF) ("Fathom", or the "Company") is pleased to announce an updated geology map reflecting the most recent prospecting and pXRF (Portable X-ray Florescence) rock geochemistry results at the Gochager Lake project. The historic Gochager Lake deposit host rock (the "container rock"), has now been mapped consistently along strike northeast of the historic Gochager Lake deposit for a minimum distance of 3.5 kilometers. The Company is in receipt of all assays from the July 2025 program and awaits rock assay and whole rock geochemistry results from the September-October prospecting. These results are expected mid-November.

Ian Fraser, Fathom CEO and VP Exploration stated, "We are very pleased and excited about the results of our summer-fall geochemistry program. We have applied the knowledge gained from drilling the historic deposit to surface exploration and have now expanded the Gochager Lake deposit container rock significantly along strike. We are currently interpreting and compiling the summer soil geochemistry program results with the new geology map and will release those results when complete. The expanded container rock defined to date now is developing into a very linear feature that is consistent with the geological settings of many of the world's premier magmatic nickel districts. We remain adamant that there is much more to this project than just the historic Gochager Lake deposit. The 3.5 kilometers of Gochager container rock gives us an expanded playing field for additional discoveries of significant bodies of semi-massive to massive Ni-Cu-Co sulphide mineralization. We are very excited to continue our exploration work as we continue to develop and add high-quality drill targets at the project."

Summer-Fall Program Highlights

The wildfire that impacted the Gochager Lake property at the end of July resulted in significant new outcrop exposure. As a result, a second prospecting campaign was carried out September 25 to October 1, 2025. Highlights of the combined summer-fall prospecting program include:

Consistently occurring surface outcrops, characterized by disseminated sulphide mineralization, including pyrrhotite +/- pentlandite in variable-textured gabbro and ultramafic rock (pyroxenite), have been mapped and form a northeast linear trend measuring 3.5 kilometers. Refer to map insert.

The mineralized variable-textured gabbro continues immediately to the northeast of the historic Gochager Lake deposit towards and under Scurry Lake, south of Rainbow Lake, and further northeast to the north shore of Weaver Lake. The variable-textured gabbro is now mapped for a minimum strike of 3.5 kilometers. Refer to map insert.

Clotted gabbro has been consistently mapped in direct contact with variable-textured gabbro along much of the 3.5 km strike length. Clotted gabbro defines the footwall lithology at the historic Gochager Lake deposit. Refer to insert map.

During the summer-fall p program: 684 outcrop chip samples were collected and analysed on-site by pXRF. Ni-Cu-Co + Mg-Cr pXRF scan values were used to develop the updated geology map. 79 rock grab samples, inclusive of standards and blanks, have been submitted for multi-element assay and whole rock geochemistry analysis. Final rock assay and whole rock geochemistry results will be integrated into our final compilation / interpretation and will aid in further refinement of the geology map and future drill targets.



Significance of the Gochager Lake Deposit Container Rock

The historic Gochager Lake deposit 2 is contained within a steeply oriented mineralized variable-textured gabbro (the " container rock "), with a thickness of up to 100-meters.

is contained within a steeply oriented mineralized variable-textured gabbro (the " "), with a thickness of up to 100-meters. Mineralization, including pyrrhotite +/- pentlandite and +/- chalcopyrite within the variable-textured gabbro, is characterized by a broad halo of disseminated sulphide mineralization, containing stringer to massive sulphide veins, local net-texture mineralization, and semi-massive to locally massive sulphide breccias that form steeply oriented chutes and zones.

Fathom drilling within the Gochager Lake deposit container rock yielded: 3.25% Ni, 0.26% Cu, 0.11% Co / 0.64m intersected in a massive sulphide vein in drillhole GL23008: (Fathom Press Release November 21,2003). 1.43% Ni, 0.38% Cu, 0.11% Co / 7.39m, including 2.43% Ni, 0.55% Cu, 0.19% Co / 2.94m intersected in semi-massive to massive sulphide breccias in drillhole GL24016: (Fathom Press Release May 28, 2024).

Disseminated sulphide in variable-textured gabbro - the Gochager Lake deposit container rock, is now recognized along a 3.5km strike length northeast of the deposit and remains open for expansion.

Furthermore, the container rock at the deposit contains multiple borehole electromagnetic (BHEM) off-hole anomalies / conductors that remain untested by drilling.

It is very significant to see the continuation of the variable-textured gabbro and clotted gabbro footwall contact along strike of the Gochager Lake deposit (clotted references an increase in biotite clots). Fathom drilling at the deposit indicates a relationship of sulphide concentration / accumulation along, at and near the footwall contact.

Fathom drillhole GL23011 drilled in the vicinity of the well mineralized variable-textured gabbro on the west shore of Scurry Lake, intersected mineralized variable-texture gabbro and the BHEM survey resulted in 3 prominent off-hole conductivity anomalies that remain untested by drilling. The Company is confident that the container rock, containing disseminated sulphide mineralization within the expanded 3.5 kilometers of strike has the potential to yield additional off-hole BHEM conductivity anomalies. More importantly, and like at the Gochager Lake deposit, the expanded container rock has the potential to yield chutes of high-grade sulphide breccia mineralization, massive sulphide veins, and massive sulphide bodies that typically occur in this type of magmatic setting.

The Company will make announcements once we have completed our thorough evaluation of all results from the summer-fall surface exploration programs.

Gochager Lake Deposit Area Geology Map



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QA/QC) Disclosure Statement

As part of its ongoing exploration activities, Fathom is utilizing a portable Vanta XRF Analyzer ("pXRF") to provide real-time lithogeochemical, multi-element data on surface rock chip samples and rock grab samples collected in the field. The Vanta XRF Analyzer is a hand-held device, held in position for a total 120 seconds - beam 1 (30 seconds), beam 2 (60 seconds) and beam 3 (30 seconds) to allow for an effective reading of elements occurring at that specific point, and at that specific surface of a rock sample. All elements detected at that specific point; nickel, copper, cobalt plus key pathfinder elements, chrome and magnesium, are recorded. The reader is cautioned that pXRF data should be treated only as an indication of elements, as the accuracy of the beam position on a particular element is variable.

Qualified Person and Data Verification

Ian Fraser, P.Geo., CEO, VP Exploration and a Director of the Company and the "qualified person" as such term is defined by National Instrument 43-101, has verified the data disclosed in this news release, and has otherwise reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release on behalf of the Company.

About Fathom Nickel Inc.

Fathom is an exploration company that is targeting magmatic nickel sulphide discoveries to secure the supply of North American Critical Minerals and to support the global green energy transition. The Company now has a portfolio of three high-quality exploration projects located in the prolific Trans Hudson Corridor in Saskatchewan:

1) The Albert Lake Project, a 90,000+ hectare project that hosts the historic Rottenstone Mine1. Fathom exploration to date at the Albert Lake project confirms:

The high-grade Ni-Cu-Co+3E Rottenstone deposit mineralization extends to the south a minimum 40m and remains open.

The Rottenstone deposit is potentially offset and continues within the footwall of a prominent fault defined by drilling.

A new Rottenstone-like discovery (similar host rock, and similar mineralization) by drilling 500-550m W-NW of the historic mine; the 300+m Bay Island Trend, remains open along strike.

Similar Rottenstone-like host rock and mineralization intersected by drilling approximately 1.5km S-SW of the historic mine (the Nic5-Tremblay-Olson area).

2) The 33,000+ hectare Gochager Lake Project that hosts the historic Gochager Lake deposit2. Fathom exploration to date at the Gochager Lake project confirms:

Vertical extension of Ni-Cu-Co mineralization a minimum of 150m below the historic Gochager Lake deposit interpreted boundary, and very good potential for expansion of mineralization in all directions.

Multiple high-grade vertically oriented Ni-Cu-Co sulphide breccia mineralization zones and chutes occur within the historic deposit, and the zones, chutes remain open for further expansion and delineation in all directions.

Surface mapping and soil / rock geochemistry has confirmed the Gochager Lake deposit host rock; the container rock and mineralization style extends a minimum 3.5km to the east-northeast and remains open for expansion along strike.

3) The 10,000+ hectare Friesen Lake Project located 40km southwest of the historic Rottenstone Mine and 30km northwest of the historic Gochager Lake deposit.

The Friesen Lake property hosts the Olsen Cu-Ni-Pt Showing also referred to as the Friesen Lake Cu-Ni-Pt showing and is described as an ultramafic dyke that historic trenching and drilling demonstrates Cu-Ni-Pt-Pd and Au mineralization within the ultramafic dyke (Saskatchewan Mineral Deposit Index (SMID) #0928a). To date Fathom has not performed any exploration at the Friesen Lake Project.

1 - The Rottenstone Mine; a small open-pit mining / milling operation was in production 1965-1969. Milling commenced September 5, 1965, operated through November 7, 1965, and 5,500 short tons were mined and milled during this period. The average production grade; 3.23% Ni, 1.83% Cu, 0.14 oz/ton Pt, 0.10 oz/ton Pd, 0.03 oz/ton Au (9.26 g/t* 3E, 3E = Pd-Pt+Au) and 0.20 oz/ton Ag. Initial milling operations 1965 produced 1,070 dry short tons of concentrates, the average concentrate grade was 10.835% Ni, 5.74% Cu, 0.33 oz/ton Pt, 0.53oz/ton Pd, 0.10 oz/ ton Au (32.91 g/t* 3E) and 1.25 oz/ton Ag. Richards, B.R. and Robinson, B.G.W. (1966), Mining and milling a small ore deposit . Rottenstone Mining Limited: The Canadian Mining and Metallurgical Bulleting for December 1966. The Saskatchewan Mineral Deposit Index (SMDI) #0958 reports final mine production in 1969 of 28,724 tons with an average grade of 3.28% Ni, 1.83% Cu and 9.63 g/t 3E and that approximately 9,000 tons of concentrate were sold to the International Nickel Company of Canada Limited.

* A factor of 34.286 g/tonne was used to convert 1 oz/ton to g/tonne (g/t).

2 - The Gochager Lake property is host to the historic Gochager Lake Ni-Cu deposit. There is no source or available Technical Reports to verify the historic resource estimate for the Gochager Lake deposit; hence, Fathom will treat the historic estimate as an Exploration Target. Available records in the SMDI and Saskatchewan Mineral Assessment Database (SMAD) suggest an Exploration Target of 4-5 million tons grading 0.3% Ni - 0.4% Ni and 0.08% Cu - 0.09% Cu, containing a higher-grade core of 1.5-2 million tons grading 0.6% NiEq - 0.7% NiEq (note NiEq is based on Ni-Cu only). The ranges of tons and grade are conceptual as there is insufficient historic data to verify the historical resource estimate(s) for the Gochager Lake deposit, and the higher-grade core. At present, Fathom has drilled 16 drillholes (5,549m) into the historic Gochager Lake deposit and has confirmed Ni-Cu grades comparable to and higher than the historical grades reported, thus confirming that a deposit of Ni-Cu+Co metal accumulation does exist at the historic Gochager Lake deposit / property. Furthermore, insufficient drilling has been done by the Company to define a current mineral resource, and again at this time, it is uncertain if further drilling will result in the Exploration Target being delineated as a mineral resource. The disclosed potential quantity and grade has been determined by historic records notably; the Saskatchewan Mineral Deposit Index (SMDI #0880) reports delineation drilling outlined a deposit at the historic Gochager Lake Deposit; Steel, J.S. (1990),(SMAD 73P15-0091): Report on a Diamond Drilling Program on the Gallagher (Gochager) Lake Property of McNickel Inc., reported that Scurry-Rainbow Oil Ltd. constructed vertical sections and a longitudinal section from drill data collected 1966-1968, and an orebody with reasonably well-defined limits was interpreted. Ore reserves were then calculated for Zone A. As stated above, the historic estimate is not well documented and there are no available Technical Reports to support the historic resource estimate(s).

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Ian Fraser"

CEO, VP Exploration, Director

Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" that are based on expectations, estimates, projections and interpretations as at the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "seek", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "suggest", "indicate" and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur, and include, without limitation, statements regarding payment of terms under the Option Agreement, permitting for the Property, receipt of an exploration permit, timing of the exploration program on the Property and the Company achieving the earn-in thresholds under the Option Agreement. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271600

SOURCE: Fathom Nickel Inc.
LEHI, Utah, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Halia Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering therapies that target the root causes of inflammation-driven diseases, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) to its investigational medicine ofirnoflast (HT-6184) for the treatment of Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) - a group of bone marrow disorders characterized by ineffective blood cell production and a risk of progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

The FDA grants Orphan Drug Designation to therapies intended for the treatment, prevention, or diagnosis of rare diseases or conditions that affect fewer than 200,000 people in the United States at the time of designation.

"This designation underscores the potential of our approach in Myelodysplastic Syndromes and supports our commitment to developing new treatment options for patients living with MDS," said David Bearss, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Halia Therapeutics. "Ofirnoflast represents a first-in-class approach to modulating inflammasome biology, an upstream driver of inflammation, with the goal of restoring healthy bone marrow function."

Ofirnoflast is a selective NEK7 allosteric modulator designed to prevent the formation and promote the disassembly of the NLRP3 inflammasome, a central driver of chronic inflammation in multiple diseases. In MDS, inflammasome activation is increasingly recognized as a key contributor to ineffective hematopoiesis and bone marrow failure. By modulating NEK7, ofirnoflast aims to restore immune balance and improve blood-cell production without broad immunosuppression.

"Inflammasome biology represents a promising frontier for hematologic innovation," said Alan F. List, MD, member of Halia Therapeutics' Scientific Advisory Board and former President and CEO of Moffitt Cancer Center. "Ofirnoflast's approach is distinctive in that it seeks to modulate the underlying inflammatory drivers of MDS rather than just its downstream effects. This strategy has the potential to redefine how inflammation-linked bone marrow failure is treated."

Under the FDA's Orphan Drug Act, orphan-drug status provides several incentives, including tax credits for qualified clinical testing, exemption from FDA user fees, and potential for seven years of U.S. market exclusivity upon approval. The FDA also administers grant programs to support clinical research and advance the development of therapies for rare diseases.

About Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)

Myelodysplastic Syndromes are a group of bone marrow disorders characterized by defective blood-cell formation, leading to anemia, infection risk, and bleeding complications. MDS primarily affects older adults and can progress to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Current therapies, including hypomethylating agents and growth factors, often provide limited benefit and do not address the underlying inflammatory biology of the disease.

About Ofirnoflast (HT-6184)

Ofirnoflast (HT-6184) is Halia Therapeutics' lead investigational compound and a first-in-class NEK7 modulator that regulates activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome - an upstream molecular complex involved in chronic inflammation. The drug is currently being evaluated across multiple disease areas, including:

Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) - completed Phase 2 study evaluating safety and hematologic outcomes

- completed Phase 2 study evaluating safety and hematologic outcomes Obesity (in combination with semaglutide) - ongoing Phase 2 study targeting adipose inflammation and metabolic dysregulation

- ongoing Phase 2 study targeting adipose inflammation and metabolic dysregulation Alzheimer's Disease - early-stage program focused on genetically at-risk populations

About Halia Therapeutics, Inc.

Halia Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing therapies that leverage genetic resilience to restore the body's natural ability to resolve inflammation. By targeting the NEK7-NLRP3 inflammasome axis, Halia's pipeline addresses a spectrum of chronic inflammatory and degenerative diseases, including hematologic disorders, metabolic disease, and neurodegeneration.

To learn more, visit www.haliatx.com or follow Halia Therapeutics on LinkedIn and X (Twitter).

Media Contact:

Taylor Avei

Director, Business Development

Halia Therapeutics, Inc.

info@haliatx.com

+1 (385) 355-4315

Leigh Salvo

New Street Investor Relations

leigh@newstreetir.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the potential therapeutic benefits of ofirnoflast, the company's clinical development plans, regulatory strategies, and commercial opportunities. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These risks include uncertainties related to clinical trial results, regulatory approval processes, competitive developments, and the company's ability to secure adequate funding for continued operations. Halia Therapeutics undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ofirnoflast-ht-6184-receives-orphan-drug-designation-from-us-fda-for-myelodysplastic-syndromes-302592344.html
GUANGZHOU, China, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- At the 138th Canton Fair, PHOMI's groundbreaking eDisplay Curtain stole the limelight, securing both the Gold and Silver Innovative Design Awards for 2025. This innovation ingeniously repurposes construction waste into a zero-carbon building finish, integrating a dynamic information display. It's a game-changer for construction, offering a sustainable path to smart, low-carbon cities worldwide.

PHOMI's product recycles materials like stone offcuts and tailing powder. Its standout feature is the digital info display on the material face, replacing traditional billboards. Precise control over the micro-structure enables efficient light conduction, with microscopic optical channels guiding light, allowing for crisp video output.

A judge from the Canton Fair Innovative Design CF Awards praised, "Integrating info transmission into facades instead of adding screens is brilliant. PHOMI's eDisplay Curtain reshapes our understanding of buildings, human interaction with those buildings, and urban spaces as a whole."

Since its debut, the technology has garnered international recognition, including golds in France and Nuremberg, and further accolades in Geneva. It's now part of various low-carbon initiatives in the Middle East, such as Saudi's Digital New City and Oman's Zero-Carbon Community.

At the fair's Green Building Materials Pavilion, located at Hall 13.2, a full-scale dynamic zero-carbon curtain wall model wows visitors. They can watch live control of wall content via a mobile app. The PHOMI exhibit also showcases econiclay-derived products like the A-grade fireproof eCovering Marble Series, providing curved facade solutions.

"This transcends material upgrades; it redefines building-info interaction," remarked a Canton Fair purchasing representative. "It empowers urban infrastructure with co-creation, vital for the rapid progress of developing nations."

PHOMI also announced that some European and Middle Eastern builders signed cooperation letters on the opening day. The team aims to gradually license the technology, fostering a global zero-carbon building materials standard.

About PHOMI

PHOMI has been engaged in the R&D, manufacture, and sales of cutting-edge, carbon-neutral materials since 2008. PHOMI team uses modern technologies of the digital age, combine them with the knowledge of traditional craftsmanship to create sustainable, ecofriendly and inspiring materials for humans in the centerpiece.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/tech-wonder-at-canton-fair-phomis-edisplay-marvel-sparks-global-order-frenzy-302592792.html
Arbor Day Foundation's Dan Lambe shares vision for greener, healthier cities

LINCOLN, NE / ACCESS Newswire / October 23, 2025 / Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation, was invited to speak at the First International Green Cities Conference, hosted by The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and UN Habitat.

The two-day conference was held last week at the FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, coinciding with the World Food Forum. The First International Green Cities conference brought together public officials, private sector leaders, and NGOs like the Arbor Day Foundation to help create momentum around the effort to shape greener cities worldwide.

"I am grateful for FAO's continued trust in the Arbor Day Foundation and this opportunity to showcase our knowledge, experience, and leadership in urban forestry," said Lambe. "The positive impact of trees goes beyond borders and transcends language barriers. That's why it's so important we, as an international community, work together to reimagine urban life for the better. Because together, we can make a lasting difference for millions of people."

Dan Lambe was invited to speak at two events that focused on how trees and green spaces can shape more climate-resilient cities, the rapid growth of the Arbor Day Foundation's Tree Cities of the World program, and how the Arbor Day Foundation is collaborating with FAO to scale global impact through forestry.

Tree Cities of the World recognizes cities and towns that leverage urban forestry to enhance the livability and sustainability of their local area. This year, 210 communities were recognized as Tree Cities of the World, the most ever honored since the program began in 2018. These cities represent 24 countries and 6 continents, with communities ranging in population size from 1,500 to 12 million people. Globally, more than 134 million people live in Tree Cities of the World.

"Through Tree Cities of the World, we've been able to galvanize a global network of passionate tree planters eager to make their cities better places to live. The growing interest in this program is proof we're all eager to learn from one another and use those insights to shape a greener future," said Lambe.

The Tree Cities of the World program is jointly operated by FAO and the Arbor Day Foundation and is in alignment with FAO's Green Cities initiative, which is designed to make a tangible impact on the health and well-being of people in 1,000 cities by strengthening green infrastructure. During the First International Green Cities Conference, FAO leaders debuted new criteria and a commitment pledge for Green Cities.

Visit treecitiesoftheworld.org to learn more about the Arbor Day Foundation's global network of cities leading the way in urban and community forestry.

About the Arbor Day Foundation

The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. They foster a growing community of more than 1 million leaders, innovators, planters, and supporters united by their bold belief that a more hopeful future can be shaped through the power of trees. For more than 50 years, they've answered critical need with action, planting more than half a billion trees alongside their partners.

And this is only the beginning.

The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pursuing a future where all life flourishes through the power of trees. Learn more at arborday.org.

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Dan Lambe, CEO of the Arbor Day Foundation, speaks on stage during the First International Green Cities Conference at FAO's headquarters in Rome, Italy.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Arbor Day Foundation on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Arbor Day Foundation

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/arbor-day-foundation

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Arbor Day Foundation

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/food-and-agriculture-organization-invites-arbor-day-foundation-c-1091062
QUEBEC, QC / ACCESS Newswire / October 23, 2025 / NuRAN Wireless Inc. ("NuRAN" or the "Company") (CSE:NUR)(OTC:NRRWF)(FSE:1RN), a leading supplier of mobile and broadband wireless infrastructure solutions, is pleased to announce the results of its 2025 Annual General and Special Meeting ("AGSM") held on October 22, 2025.

At the AGSM as a results of the votes cast at the meeting and by proxy:

The audited financial statements of the Company for the periods ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2024 were accepted by the shareholders

The number of directors was fixed at six members and each of the six nominees listed in the Company's Amended and Restated Information Circular dated September 9, 2025 (the " Circular ") were elected to the Company's Board of Directors.

Zeifmans LLP was appointed as the auditor of the Company to hold office until the close of the next annual general meeting of shareholders, or until their successor is otherwise appointed.

Shareholders approved the ordinary resolution authorizing the consolidation of the Company's issued and outstanding common shares, at a ratio to be determined by the Board, to satisfy conditions for listing on a U.S. national securities exchange.

The Company would like to extend a special thank you to Jim Bailey for his valuable contributions as a director. During his tenure, Jim played a pivotal role in guiding the Company's strategic direction and supporting its growth. While he has stepped down from his position as director, the Company is pleased to share that Jim will continue to serve as a key member of the executive team. This change is in the interests of enhancing governance and also preparing the way for new listings. His leadership will be instrumental in driving the transition of our Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) initiative to fruition, and he will regularly report to the board while helping advance NuRAN's mission of bridging the digital divide. The Company sincerely appreciates Jim's ongoing commitment and dedication.

Partial Adjournment to October 29, 2025

The vote on the Restructuring Transaction (as defined in the Circular) was adjourned and the AGSM will reconvene on October 29, 2025, at 10:00 am Eastern time, to allow shareholders sufficient time to review additional disclosures to be provided shortly. Voting on this item will remain open until October 27, 2025, at 10:00 am Eastern time.

As part of the British Columbia Securities Commission's Continuous Disclosure Review, management will be publishing a letter to shareholders explaining the financial circumstances and other factors that led to establishing the factoring line of credit in August 2023, which is central to the proposed Restructuring Transaction. The letter will also be available in the corporate section on the Company's website.

About NuRAN Wireless:

NuRAN Wireless is a leading rural telecommunications company that meets the growing demand for wireless network coverage in remote and rural regions around the globe. With its affordable and innovative scalable solutions of 2G, 3G, and 4G technologies, NuRAN Wireless offers a new possibility for more than one billion people to communicate effectively over long distances efficiently and affordably. "Bridging the Digital Divide, One Connection at a Time."

Additional Information:

For further information about NuRAN Wireless: www.nuranwireless.com

Francis Letourneau,

Director and CEO

Francis.letourneau@nuranwireless.com

Tel: (418) 264-1337

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as, "expects", "is expected", "anticipates", "intends", "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements include those relating to the Company being able to receive funding from the new potential institutional lenders to refinance and replace most of its outstanding current debt instruments with significantly better terms; the Company's current debt holders potentially restructuring most of their outstanding current debt instruments with significantly better terms; and the Company having sufficient working capital for the duration of the institutional lenders' process. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results projected, expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements, such as the uncertainties regarding include risks such as risks relating to NuRAN's business and the economy generally; NuRAN's ability to refinance its long term debt that is currently in default; NuRAN's ability to adequately restructure its operations with respect to its new model of NaaS service contracts; our ability to collect fees from our telecommunication providers and reliance on the network of our telecommunications providers, the capacity of the Company to deliver in a technical capacity and to import inventory to Africa at a reasonable cost; NuRAN's ability to obtain project financing for the proposed site build out under its NaaS agreements with Orange, MTN and other telecommunication providers, the loss of one or more significant suppliers or a reduction in significant volume from such suppliers; NuRAN's ability to meet or exceed customers' demand and expectations; significant current competition and the introduction of new competitors or other disruptive entrants in the Company's industry; effects of the global supply shortage affecting parts needed for NuRAN's sites and site installations; NuRAN's ability to retain key employees and protect its intellectual property; compliance with local laws and regulations and ability to obtain all required permits for our operations, access to the credit and capital markets, changes in applicable telecommunications laws or regulations or changes in license and regulatory fees, downturns in customers' business cycles; and insurance prices and insurance coverage availability, the Company's ability to effectively maintain or update information and technology systems; our ability to implement and maintain measures to protect against cyberattacks and comply with applicable privacy and data security requirements; the Company's ability to successfully implement its business strategies or realize expected cost savings and revenue enhancements; business development activities, including acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses; the Company's expansion into markets outside of Canada and the operational, competitive and regulatory risks facing the Company's non-Canadian based operations. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward looking information. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the risk factors in the Company's most recent annual management's discussion and analysis that is available on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

SOURCE: NuRAN Wireless Inc

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/computers-technology-and-internet/nuran-announces-partial-results-of-2025-annual-general-and-specia-1091061
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - October 23, 2025) - MiMedia Holdings Ltd. (TSXV: MIM) (OTCQB: MIMDF) (FSE: KH3) ("MiMedia", "Company"), is pleased to announce it will be presenting at the Centurion One Capital 3rd Annual Bahamas Summit, a two-day invitation only event taking place at the exclusive Rosewood Baha Mar Hotel from Tuesday, October 28th to Wednesday, October 29th, 2025, in Nassau, Bahamas.

Chris Giordano, MiMedia's CEO will be presenting and attending investor meetings. Mr. Giordano will also be participating on a panel discussion during the event. "We very much look forward to presenting our story and meeting the excellent group of investors that Centurion One Capital brings together for their upcoming investor conference next week in the Bahamas. We are excited to share our progress with this group as well as the anticipated developments that we believe will come in Q4 and lead us into a strong 2026." Said Mr. Giordano. As noted in the recent Q3 quarterly update, 2025 has been a year of considerable progress for the Company across several important fronts of the business. MiMedia is excited to enter Q4 in position to capitalize on anticipated device shipments and subsequently scale revenue with MiMedia integrated as the default media gallery.

Centurion One Capital 3rd Annual Bahamas Summit is a two-day invitation only event that brings together the worlds leading small cap growth companies to an audience of global growth investors held at the Rosewood Baha Mar Hotel which epitomizes Bahamian refinement and sophistication. Set on the gorgeous white sand of Nassau's Cable Beach, the event will consist of a series of company presentations, 1x1 investor meetings, dynamic panels and networking over two days.

Summit Details

Format: Presentations, Panel Discussions and 1 X 1 Investor Meetings

Presentation Dates: Tuesday, October 28th and Wednesday, October 29th, 2025

Time: 9:00 AM EDT - 5:00 PM EDT

Venue: Rosewood Baha Mar Hotel

For more information and registration details, please visit: www.centuriononecapital.com/bahamas-summit.

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About MiMedia

MiMedia Holdings Inc. provides an AI and data powered, next-generation consumer cloud platform that enables all types of personal media to be secured in the cloud, accessed seamlessly at any time, across all devices and on all operating systems. The Company's platform differentiates with its rich media experience, robust organization tools, private sharing capabilities and features that drive content re-engagement. MiMedia partners with smartphone makers and telecom carriers globally and provides its partners with recurring revenue streams, improved customer retention and market differentiation. The platform services engaged users all around the world.

About Centurion One Capital

Centurion One Capital ("Centurion One") is the premier independent Investment Banking firm dedicated to fueling the growth and success of growth companies in North America. With an unwavering commitment to delivering comprehensive financial solutions and strategic guidance, Centurion One is a trusted strategic partner and catalyst to propel issuers to unlock their full potential. Our team comprises seasoned professionals who combine extensive financial expertise with deep knowledge of various sectors. We take a proactive and results-driven approach, working closely with our clients to develop tailored strategies and execute transactions that maximize value and drive long-term success.

Centurion One - Empowering Growth. Driving Innovation. Partnering for Success.

For more information about Centurion One, visit www.centuriononecapital.com.

Notice regarding forward-looking statements:

Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements in this press release include statements regarding the ability of the Company's distribution partners to manufacture, ship and sell the anticipated number of devices with the Company's platform integrated as the embedded media gallery, the ability of the Company's platform to generate high-margin revenue, interest in the Company's services and products from prospective partners, improvements in the Company's platform and the resulting impact on the scalability of the MiMedia network, updates to the Company's investor relations portals and activities and its attendance at investor conferences. Such forward-looking statements are based on the current expectations of management of MiMedia. Actual events and conditions could differ materially from those expressed or implied in this press release as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting MiMedia, including risks regarding the industry in which MiMedia operates, economic factors, the equity markets generally and risks associated with growth and competition. Additional risk factors are also set forth in the Company's management's discussion and analysis and other filings available via the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval+ (SEDAR+) under the MiMedia's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Although MiMedia has attempted to identify certain factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. No forward-looking statement can be taken as guaranteed. The forward-looking information contained in this press 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, readers should not place any undue reliance on forward looking information.

NEITHER THE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271594

SOURCE: Centurion One Capital Corp.
Total passenger traffic up 9.4% YoY, up 13.3% YoY in Argentina

International passenger traffic up 8.0% YoY; up 15.9% YoY in Argentina

Corporacion America Airports S.A. (NYSE: CAAP), ("CAAP" or the "Company"), one of the leading private airport operators in the world, reported today a 9.4% year-on-year (YoY) increase in passenger traffic in September 2025.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251023704172/en/

Monthly Passenger Traffic Performance (In million PAX)

Passenger Traffic, Cargo Volume and Aircraft Movements Highlights (2025 vs. 2024) Statistics Sep'25 Sep'24 % Var. YTD'25 YTD'24 % Var. Domestic Passengers (thousands) 3,743 3,376 10.9% 32,763 29,965 9.3% International Passengers (thousands) 2,971 2,752 8.0% 25,643 23,164 10.7% Transit Passengers (thousands) 710 659 7.7% 5,963 5,384 10.7% Total Passengers (thousands)1 7,424 6,787 9.4% 64,369 58,513 10.0% Cargo Volume (thousand tons)2 15.9 33.9 -53.1% 269.9 279.8 -3.5% Total Aircraft Movements (thousands) 74.2 69.3 7.0% 651.0 610.1 6.7% 1 Following the friendly termination process concluded in February 2024, CAAP no longer operates Natal airport. Statistics for Natal are available up to February 18, 2024. Excluding Natal for comparison purposes, total passenger traffic YTD was up 10.7%. 2 In Argentina, following the implementation of a new management system in the cargo business, tons of cargo remain under review. The Company is monitoring adjustments in inventory, data consolidation processes, and operational validation, among other areas. This review aims to ensure consistency across reporting systems and to accurately reflect actual activity during the reporting period

Passenger Traffic Overview

Total passenger traffic increased by 9.4% in September compared to the same month in 2024. Domestic passenger traffic rose by 10.9% year over year (YoY), largely driven by Argentina, along with strong performance in Brazil. Meanwhile, international traffic grew by 8.0%, with all operating countries contributing positively YoY-except Uruguay and Ecuador-and particularly strong results in Argentina and Italy. Notably, Argentina accounted for more than 79% of the total YoY traffic growth in September.

In Argentina, total passenger traffic increased by 13.3% YoY, driven by double-digit growth in both international and domestic segments. Domestic traffic maintained its strong performance, rising 12.1% YoY, while international traffic also remained solid, increasing 15.9% YoY, supported by particularly strong results on the Buenos Aires-Madrid route, which operated six daily flights with load factors above 96%. Copa Airlines has resumed operations to Salta, a route that had been suspended since the pandemic. The airline will operate three weekly flights using its Boeing 737 aircraft. In addition, Copa has launched a new service between Tucuman and Panama City, which will also operate three times per week with Boeing 737-800 aircraft. LATAM Airlines has launched operations on the Buenos Aires-Porto Alegre route, operating three weekly flights.

In Italy, passenger traffic grew by 7.0% compared to the same month in 2024, mainly supported by an increase in flight frequencies by Ryanair. International passenger traffic, which accounted for over 80% of total traffic, rose by 8.4% YoY, driven by a 16.2% increase at Florence Airport and a 3.1% increase at Pisa Airport. Domestic passenger traffic grew by 1.8% YoY, supported by a strong performance at Pisa Airport (+8.3%) due to the increase in Ryanair's flight frequencies, partially offset by a 14.2% decline at Florence Airport.

In Brazil, total passenger traffic increased by 9.0% YoY, reflecting an improvement in traffic trends despite ongoing challenges in the aviation environment. Domestic traffic, which accounted for almost 60% of total traffic, rose by a strong 12.8% YoY, while transit passengers increased by 4.0% YoY. Notably, although representing a small share of total traffic (5%), international traffic grew by 8.7% YoY.

In Uruguay, total passenger traffic, predominantly international, declined by 4.1% YoY. The year-over-year comparison was affected by JetSMART's removal of the Montevideo-Buenos Aires route in the second half of 2024. In addition, traffic in September was impacted by a two-day scheduled closure of operations due to the installation of the new Category IIIb Precision Instrument Landing System (ILS CAT IIIb) on the main runway.

In Ecuador, where security concerns persist, passenger traffic decreased 5.3% YoY. International traffic declined 6.4% YoY, while domestic traffic fell 3.0% YoY, partly due to high airfares, which continued to weigh on travel demand. Notably, traffic in Ecuador during September was also affected by runway repaving work, which required operations to be suspended for two days; these closures were scheduled and announced in advance.

In Armenia, passenger traffic increased by 4.8% YoY. Travel demand has benefited from the introduction of new airlines and routes, as well as increased flight frequencies. Wizz Air recently announced the opening of a new base at Yerevan's Zvartnots Airport, with two aircraft and eight new direct routes to Europe.

Cargo Volume and Aircraft Movements

Cargo volume decreased YoY in all countries of operation, except Ecuador. Performance by country was as follows: Armenia (-8.3%), Uruguay (-5.7%), Italy (-2.4%), Brazil (-1.7%), and Ecuador (+6.0%). In Argentina, following the implementation of a new management system in the cargo business, tons of cargo remain under review. The Company is monitoring adjustments in inventory, data consolidation processes, and operational validation, among other areas. This review aims to ensure consistency across reporting systems and to accurately reflect actual activity during the reporting period.

Aircraft movements increased by 7.0% YoY, with positive contributions from all countries of operation, except Uruguay and Ecuador: Armenia (+5.0%), Argentina (+9.3%), Italy (+9.0%), Brazil (+7.8%), Ecuador (-4.5%), and Uruguay (-6.2%). Argentina, Brazil, and Italy accounted for more than 80% of total aircraft movements in September.

Summary Passenger Traffic, Cargo Volume and Aircraft Movements (2025 vs. 2024)

Sep'25 Sep'24 % Var. YTD'25 YTD'24 % Var. Passenger Traffic (thousands) Argentina 3,872 3,419 13.3% 34,935 30,645 14.0% Italy 993 928 7.0% 7,647 7,046 8.5% Brazil (1) 1,466 1,345 9.0% 12,210 11,510 6.1% Uruguay 184 191 -4.1% 1,708 1,681 1.6% Ecuador 357 377 -5.3% 3,534 3,526 0.2% Armenia 553 527 4.8% 4,336 4,104 5.6% TOTAL 7,424 6,787 9.4% 64,369 58,513 10.0% (1) Following the friendly termination process concluded in February 2024, CAAP no longer operates Natal airport. Statistics for Natal are available up to February 18, 2024. Excluding Natal for comparison purposes, total passenger traffic YTD was up 10.7% for CAAP and 9.6% for Brazil.

Cargo Volume (tons) Argentina2 459 17,966 -97.4% 132,759 144,149 -7.9% Italy 1,048 1,075 -2.4% 9,399 9,431 -0.3% Brazil 5,285 5,376 -1.7% 46,462 47,360 -1.9% Uruguay 2,731 2,897 -5.7% 25,590 23,010 11.2% Ecuador 2,566 2,420 6.0% 26,601 27,781 -4.2% Armenia 3,813 4,158 -8.3% 29,084 28,070 3.6% TOTAL 15,902 33,892 -53.1% 269,894 279,801 -3.5% 2 In Argentina, following the implementation of a new management system in the cargo business, tons of cargo remain under review. The Company is monitoring adjustments in inventory, data consolidation processes, and operational validation, among other areas. This review aims to ensure consistency across reporting systems and to accurately reflect actual activity during the reporting period Aircraft Movements Argentina 39,955 36,559 9.3% 355,266 328,205 8.2% Italy 8,907 8,175 9.0% 68,971 64,013 7.7% Brazil 13,317 12,348 7.8% 111,722 107,362 4.1% Uruguay 2,289 2,441 -6.2% 24,287 23,559 3.1% Ecuador 5,689 5,957 -4.5% 58,361 56,920 2.5% Armenia 3,995 3,805 5.0% 32,365 30,070 7.6% TOTAL 74,152 69,285 7.0% 650,972 610,129 6.7%

About Corporacion America Airports

Corporacion America Airports acquires, develops and operates airport concessions. Currently, the Company operates 52 airports in 6 countries across Latin America and Europe (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Ecuador, Armenia and Italy). In 2024, Corporacion America Airports served 79.0 million passengers, 2.7% (or 0.4% excluding Natal) below the 81.1 million passengers served in 2023, and 6.2% below the 84.2 million served in 2019. The Company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange where it trades under the ticker "CAAP". For more information, visit http://investors.corporacionamericaairports.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251023704172/en/

Contacts:

Investor Relations Contact

Patricio Inaki Esnaola

Email: patricio.esnaola@caairports.com

Phone: +5411 4899-6716
NAPLES, FL / ACCESS Newswire / October 23, 2025 / "STEMTECH CORPORATION", the global leader and pioneer in stem cell nutrition, is proud to announce a key strategic agreement to open a joint venture in India with "INNOVENTURE DYNAMIC LLP". "STEMTECH HEALTHSCIENCES INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED" will be under the corporate structure of Stemtech Corporation, a Nevada USA company (OTCQB:STEK).

The India Market

Stemtech Corporation Chairman & CEO, Charles S. Arnold, states "India has always been a large market of interest for us. With the right business partner, we feel with Innoventure Dynamic LLP (IDLLP), this will be a great source of increased revenue in this very large market needing the benefits of stem cell nutrition stemceuticals products. We look forward to reaching every household in India with our partnership with David Das and his team in IDLLP, who project exponential growth with a very quick ramp-up. Our partnership will be 51% Stemtech and 49% Innoventure Dynamic ownership. The market startup will be funded entirely by finances input by India."

David Das, Director of Innoventure Dynamic LLP says "the partnership with Stemtech Corporation in India will add to the improved health and wellness of many people in India. STEMTECH HEALTHSCIENCES INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED (SHIPL) will be a prosperous venture from which we will all benefit. The introduction of Stemtech's stemceuticals into India will be revolutionary for the market as these products do not exist for the Indian people - until now. We expect explosive growth through several revenue channels. Success in the India market will also lead to other market opportunities in the GCC Countries (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman)."

John W. Meyer, President & COO of Stemtech Corporation, advises "the JV agreement with IDLLP is a substantial growth opportunity inclusive of all Stemtech products - stemceuticals, skin care, oral care and pets. Our plan is to eventually manufacture our products in India. They will be distributed by STEMTECH HEALTHSCIENCES INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED (SHIPL) through IDLLP and their extensive network of retail markets and other specific channels. With a population of over 1.4 Billion people, India represents a significant territory which will benefit from our products withimproved health, quality of life, anti-aging and longevity with Stemtech's all-natural regenerative products."

Mr. Meyer will also serve in the role of Managing Director, Stemtech HealthSciences India Pvt Ltd, working alongside David Das.

ABOUT STEMTECH

Stemtech Corporation, a leading stemceutical company with a direct sales distribution model, was founded on April 18, 2018, after acquiring the operations from its predecessor Stemtech International, Inc., which was established in 2005. From 2010 through 2015, Stemtech International, Inc., was recognized four separate times on the Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Companies list. In 2018, Stemtech underwent an extensive executive reorganization, and continued operations under new leadership as Stemtech Corporation. In August 2021, Stemtech became a publicly traded company (STEK) and has expanded business opportunities for its Independent Business Partners (IBPs), who may earn incomes by sharing Stemtech products. Stemtech is well positioned as the pioneer in stem cell nutrition, oral, skin care and soon pet health products, to increase sales in the wellness industry.

Stemtech's comprehensive product portfolio reflects its dedication to optimal health. Our all-natural innovations like stemrelease3 (release of the adult stem cells from the bone marrow), StemFlo Advanced (circulation of the stem cells through the bloodstream), MigraStem (migration from the blood stream into the area need support), and OraStem Toothpaste (whitening teeth, freshening breath, anti-microbial, promoting good gum health) demonstrate the company's unwavering commitment to quality-of-life products and natural effectiveness. The recent launch of Cellect One Shield: HOCL - a multipurpose mist for skin care, cleaning, and disinfecting - and its integration with the Cellect One Rapid Renew Stem Cell Peptide Night Cream (featuring the patented QXP ingredient) underscore Stemtech's innovative edge in the beauty, health and wellness industry.

Stemtech introduced StemPets in June 2025 - a nutritional supplement designed for both dogs and cats. Tapping into the booming global pet wellness market, currently valued at over $303 billion annually, Stemtech is poised to transform pet health, with early adopters reporting remarkable improvements in health, energy, mood, and skin and hair quality for their four-legged furry family members.

For 20 years, Stemtech has not only championed the benefits of natural, plant-based ingredients but has also led the way in scientific innovation within the wellness, anti-aging, and longevity sectors. As industry forecasts and studies from reputable sources like the Global Wellness Institute project unprecedented growth, Stemtech's unwavering commitment to quality and innovation ensures that they will remain at the forefront of this transformative journey-making everyone healthier, while slowing down the aging process naturally.

ABOUT INNOVENTURE DYNAMIC LLP

Innoventure Dynamic LLP (IDLLP), headquartered in New Delhi, India, is a multi-domain strategic consulting and business development firm that partners with organizations to transform vision into scalable, sustainable growth. Established to bridge innovation with real-world execution, IDLLP delivers integrated solutions across Strategy, Healthcare & Nutraceutical Commercialization, Infrastructure, Renewable Energy, Mining, Digital Marketing, and Business Process Management.

With over 25 years of cumulative industry expertise, the Innoventure Dynamic leadership team has successfully guided multinational clients and investors across India, the GCC, and Europe. The firm operates through its branches in Abu Dhabi (UAE) and Denmark, enabling cross-border investment facilitation, regulatory compliance, and technology transfer.

Guided by its Director, Mr. David Das, Innoventure Dynamic LLP focuses on delivering measurable results through strategic alliances, global partnerships, and innovation-driven implementation. The company's philosophy, "Turning Vision into Reality" - reflects its commitment to aligning business growth with long-term socio-economic impact. The newly formed joint venture with Stemtech Corporation marks a defining milestone in IDLLP's journey. As the exclusive Indian strategic and operational partner for Stemtech HealthSciences India Pvt. Ltd. (SHIPL), Innoventure Dynamic will lead product localization, marketing, manufacturing integration, and distributor expansion across India and the GCC region.

Through a combination of innovation, trust, and execution excellence, Innoventure Dynamic LLP continues to build pathways that connect global technologies with local markets-empowering healthier lives, stronger enterprises, and sustainable growth for the future.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, those identified by words such as "believes," "will," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "intends," "plans," "targets," "projects" and similar expressions. The statements in this release are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of our company's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in these forward-looking statements. Numerous factors could cause or contribute to such differences, including, but not limited to, the results of clinical trials and/or other studies, the challenges inherent in new product development initiatives, the impact of any competitive products, our ability to license and protect our intellectual property, our ability to raise additional capital in the future, changes in government policy and/or regulation, potential litigation by or against us, any governmental review of our products or practices, and other risks discussed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, or any information contained in this press release or in other public disclosures, at any time. Finally, the investing public is reminded that only announcements or information about Stemtech Corporation disseminated by the Company and bearing its name are considered official.

For Investor Relations Information Contact:

CEO Charles S. Arnold

Email: callcharlesarnold@gmail.com

Phone: +1 336-918-0507

Stemtech Corporation

Phone: +1 954-715-6000 ext 1040

Email: invrel@stemtech.com

Innoventure Dynamic LLP

CEO David Das

Email: david@stemtechhealthsciences.in

Phone: + 91 700 168 6209

SOURCE: Stemtech Corporation

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/stemtech-corporation-announces-entry-into-india-in-a-joint-venture-wi-1090871
New Florida stem cell law provides ZEO with new pathways to market and sell regenerative therapy products and advance clinical research initiatives

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL / ACCESS Newswire / October 23, 2025 / ZEO ScientifiX, Inc. (OTCQB:ZEOX) ("ZEO" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on regenerative therapies including birth tissue biologics, whole blood processing, and exosome nanoparticle science, today announced that it is prepared to capitalize on the potentially rapid expansion of Florida's regenerative medicine market following enactment of the new state stem cell law, SB 1768, effective July 1, 2025.

The legislation authorizes licensed physicians to administer non-FDA-approved stem cell and other human tissue-derived therapies for orthopedic, wound care, and pain management indications. It mandates compliance with the FDA's current good manufacturing practices (cGMP) and prohibits the use of stem cells derived from aborted fetuses, promoting ethically sourced materials such as adult stem cells and umbilical cord blood. SB 1768 also requires informed patient consent and disclosure that treatments are not FDA-approved.

ZEO expects that SB 1768 will create substantial new demand for its current and future stem cell therapy products by: (a) meeting existing physician and patient interest in regenerative therapies, (b) increasing awareness of the availability and potential efficacy of stem cell therapy treatments, and (c) attracting medical tourists who previously sought stem cell therapy treatments abroad but can now access comparable procedures in Florida under higher regulatory standards and at lower cost.

By enabling physicians to adopt ZEO's products for approved indications in Florida, the Company anticipates significant revenue growth and faster advancement of its clinical trial objectives at reduced cost. ZEO expects to further distinguish itself through leadership in research, quality, safety, and regulatory compliance for biologics. The new law also allows ZEO to collect real-world safety and outcome data from providers-data that previously could only be obtained through FDA Investigational New Drug (IND) applications or Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved studies. Access to this data is expected to lower risks associated with the Company's future FDA submissions for product approvals.

While prioritizing the anticipated growth of Florida's stem cell market, ZEO continues to advance its research programs, including clinical studies, product development, and ongoing quality and compliance initiatives. The Company recently launched an IRB-approved clinical study titled "Open-Label Prospective Longitudinal Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Potential Efficacy of PPX in Patients Suffering from Musculoskeletal Joint Pathologies Using Real-World Data to Monitor Patient Outcomes." The study will enroll up to 350 patients, with five clinics already participating and seven patients enrolled to date.

ZEO is also evaluating expansion of its laboratory facilities at Nova Southeastern University to include additional clean rooms and dedicated research space. These upgrades will support efforts to grow its intellectual property portfolio, expand provider networks, and increase product and clinical trial capacity.

"We believe ZEO is a trusted supplier of biologics, and our research continues to lead the industry," said Ian Bothwell, interim chief executive officer. "We look forward to announcing additional developments in the near future."

About ZEO ScientifiX, Inc.

ZEO ScientifiX, Inc. (OTCQB:ZEOX) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company located at Nova Southeastern University's Collaborative Center for Research. Our proprietary products, including (a) Zofin, which are derived from perinatal sources and manufactured to retain the naturally occurring extracellular vesicles, proteins and cell secreted nanoparticles, and (b) Patient Pure X ("PPX"), an autologous biologic containing a nanoparticle fraction that is precipitated from a patient's own peripheral blood, are manufactured in an FDA-registered, cGMP-compliant laboratory. To learn more, please visit https://zeoscientifix.com .

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release should be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are often identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will," "believes," "expects," "potential," or similar expressions, involving known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they do involve assumptions, risks, and uncertainties, and these expectations may prove to be incorrect. No assurances can be given that the Florida Stem Cell Law will be beneficial to the Company or any initiatives related to this new law will increase our revenues and/or the price of our common stock to a level that is attractive to brokerage houses and institutional investors. We remind you that actual results could vary dramatically as a result of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: potential issues related to our financial condition, competition, the ability to retain key personnel, product safety, efficacy and acceptance, the commercial success of any new products or technologies, success of clinical programs, ability to retain key customers, our inability to expand sales and distribution channels, legislation or regulations affecting our operations, including product pricing, reimbursement or access, the ability to protect our patents and other intellectual property both domestically and internationally, and other known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including the risk factors discussed in the Company's periodic reports that are filed with the SEC and available on the SEC's website (http://www.sec.gov). You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these risk factors. Specific information included in this press release may change over time and may or may not be accurate after the date of the release. ZEO has no intention and specifically disclaims any duty to update the information in this press release.

Contact Information

ZEO Investor Relations

Jacqueline Domenech

1-888-963-7881

IR@zeoscientifix.com

SOURCE: ZEO ScientifiX, Inc.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/biotechnology/zeo-scientifixtm-positioned-for-new-growth-as-florida-opens-stem-cell-market-1090884
Events held in Taipei to mark 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration

Xinhua) 10:35, October 23, 2025

TAIPEI, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- More than 100 participants from various sectors of Taiwan society called for fostering a correct view of history and contributing to peace and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait at a seminar marking the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration to China on Wednesday.

This year also marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

In 1895, after suffering defeat in a war with Japan, the Qing government was forced to cede Taiwan and Penghu Islands. Fifty years later, the Chinese people overcame Japanese aggression during World War II, ending Japan's colonial rule in Taiwan and restoring the island to the motherland.

At the seminar, Andrew Hsia, vice chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT), said that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities have been promoting a secessionist historical narrative while at the same time imposing restrictions on cross-Strait exchanges.

Hsia called for launching more events with cross-Strait themes, such as commemorations of Taiwan's restoration, to help ordinary people gain a more accurate understanding of cross-Strait relations and deepen their affection for the Chinese nation.

Wu Cheng-tien, chairman of the New Party, said people across Taiwan rejoiced after Taiwan's restoration in 1945. The term "Taiwan's restoration" signifies the victory of the Chinese nation, in sharp contrast to the term "the end of the war," which is repeatedly used by the DPP authorities.

Gathering to commemorate Taiwan's restoration at a time when the DPP authorities attempt to replace the term with "the end of the war" carries profound historical significance, said Wang Cho-chung, president of Taiwan-based Meihua Media, who also called on the public to always remember this historic event.

Also on Wednesday evening, the Foundation of Chinese Culture for Sustainable Development hosted a poetry recital to mark the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration at Taipei Zhongshan Hall.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 23, 2025) - CopAur Minerals Inc. (TSXV: CPAU) (the "Company") announces the negotiation of a Private Placement for gross proceeds of up to $3,000,000 (the "Financing"), subject to acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange.

These funds will be raised by the Company issuing up to 30,000,000 units (the "Units"), at a price of $0.10 per Unit, each Unit consisting of one common share and one-half share purchase warrant, each whole warrant (the "Warrants") entitling the holder thereof to purchase one additional common share, exercisable for a period of two (2) years from the date of issuance at a price of $0.20 per share.

The warrants will be subject to an expiry acceleration provision that if, over a period of 10 consecutive trading dates, commencing four months from the date of issuance, the share price exceeds $0.30 then the Company may give notice in writing within 30 days of such occurrence to the holders that the Warrants shall expire at an accelerated expiry time unless previously exercised by the holder.

Proceeds raised will be used toward expenditures required to advance the development program on the Kinsley Mountain gold property in Nevada, securing the necessary permits to commence preliminary exploration work on the Troy Canyon property, also in Nevada, and general working capital purposes.

The Company may pay finders' fees in connection with the Private Placement in accordance with the rules and policies of the TSX-V. Insiders may participate in this Private Placement. All securities issued will be subject to a four-month hold period in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Kinsley hosts current mineral resources of 418,000 indicated ounces at 2.63 g/t gold and 117,000 inferred ounces at 1.51 g/t gold, (a total of 535,000 ounces Indicated & Inferred) which include 302,000 ounces averaging 6.11 g/t gold within the high-grade Western Flank Zone1.

Kinsley was last in production in 1998, when gold prices averaged around US$360 per ounce. Alta Gold suspended operations to pursue another project and later entered bankruptcy, leaving Kinsley idle despite its strong exploration and development potential.

Stock Option Grant

The Company also announces that its Board of Directors has approved the grant of 650,000 stock options to directors, officers, employees, and consultants. The options are exercisable at a price of $0.15 per common share and are valid for a period of five (5) years from the date of the grant. The options were granted in accordance with the Company's Stock Option Plan.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Kristopher J. Raffle, P.Geo. (BC), Principal and Consultant of APEX Geoscience Ltd. of Edmonton, AB, and "Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About CopAur

CopAur is focused on developing projects within the emerging, mineral-rich mining regions of Nevada. The Company is backed by a dynamic and experienced team of resource professionals advancing its projects in Nevada with the flagship project being Kinsley Mountain Gold Project, a Carlin-style project located 90 kilometres south of the Long Canyon mine currently owned by the Newmont/Barrick joint venture, Nevada Gold Mines.

ON BEHALF OF COPAUR MINERALS INC.

Andrew Neale, CEO

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

Forward Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements. All such statements involve substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to vary from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, they should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results and they will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions on the date of this news release, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revised any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities regulations.

1 Technical Report on the Kinsley Project, Elko County, Nevada, U.S.A., dated June 21, 2021, with an effective date of May 5, 2021, prepared by Michael M. Gustin and Gary L. Simmons, and filed under New Placer Dome Gold Corp.'s issuer profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com).

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271544

SOURCE: CopAur Minerals Inc.
Jacksonville, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - October 23, 2025) - RS&H, a national employee-owned architecture, engineering and consulting firm, announced today that Kim Holland, PE, has joined the firm as Executive Vice President of Corporate Development. Holland has extensive experience leading strategy, investments and growth across the transportation and infrastructure sectors, including over 21 years previously at RS&H and most recently with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).

Kim Holland

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At FDOT, Holland served as the Chief Strategy Officer and Assistant Secretary of Strategic Development, where she led policy and planning, modal development and the Florida Rail Enterprise, creating strong partnerships to maintain one of the nation's strongest economies. She was responsible for $6B of the state's five-year program, modal and rail safety initiatives, and long-range planning for the 2055 Florida Transportation Plan. She served as a voting member of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation (AASHTO) Transportation Policy Forum and is a graduate of AASHTO's Executive Leadership Institute.

In her new role at RS&H, Holland will oversee corporate development, including mergers, acquisitions, and strategic investments, which are a critical component in advancing RS&H's 2030 Strategic Plan.

"Kim's appointment comes at a pivotal moment for RS&H as we advance our 2030 Strategic Plan," said RS&H's Chief Executive Officer Lisa Robert, PE. "Her strategic vision, industry expertise and commitment to collaboration will help us strengthen our capabilities, expand our reach and deliver even greater value to our clients and communities."

"I'm honored to help shape RS&H's next chapter," said Holland. "By pairing disciplined investments with market insight-and building on the firm's culture of care and collaboration-we can create new pathways for growth and innovation that align with client needs and the public interest."

RS&H Chief Financial Officer Amy Davis added, "Kim's professional experience will be invaluable as we execute our growth strategy and drive shareholder value. Her collaborative approach and industry relationships will strengthen our position as a leader in the AEC [architecture/engineering/consulting] market."

Holland holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Florida, is a registered professional engineer in multiple states, and is a LEED-accredited professional. Beyond her leadership through AASHTO, she is a graduate of both Leadership Florida and Leadership Jacksonville, has served on the Board of Trustees of the Florida Chamber Foundation, and has been involved with many other local organizations.

About RS&H

Employee-owned, RS&H is a leading provider of architecture, engineering, and consulting services, driven by a shared purpose of creating tomorrow, together. Rooted in integrity, accountability, curiosity, and teamwork, RS&H works alongside clients and communities to deliver innovative, purpose-driven solutions that inspire progress and redefine possibilities. With a history of tackling some of the world's greatest challenges, RS&H combines technical expertise with a boundless spirit to create resilient, forward-thinking infrastructure and spaces. Together, we're building a better tomorrow. Learn more at www.rsandh.com.

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To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271492

SOURCE: RS&H
Classify, Discover and Securely Erase Sensitive Files in One Solution with Search BCWipe

Jetico, developer of long-trusted data wiping software, today announced the launch of a new AI-powered data classification feature in Search. This release empowers organizations to automatically categorize files based on their content, resulting in smarter data management and more robust compliance efforts.

Search and the new AI-powered data classification tool are available in the Enterprise Edition of BCWipe with central management, delivering a unified solution to classify, identify and securely erase sensitive data.

"Managing data today isn't just about volume, but variety too. Not all types of data have the same value, and treating every file equally can lead to serious compliance gaps or security risks," states Jetico CEO, Hannaleena Pojanluoma. "With Jetico's AI-powered classification, users no longer need to sort through files manually or rely on keyword searches that miss context. Instead, they can automatically organize data based on meaning, therefore making it easier to find what matters, protect what's sensitive and stay in control of compliance."

Designed to strengthen compliance efforts and improve data governance, the AI-powered classification feature includes these key features:

Local AI Processing

All classification processes occur locally on the endpoint running the engine of the central management tool, preserving confidentiality and eliminating the need to transmit data externally.

All classification processes occur locally on the endpoint running the engine of the central management tool, preserving confidentiality and eliminating the need to transmit data externally. Predefined Categories

Users can utilize ready-made categories to quickly organize sensitive information based on common compliance needs.

Users can utilize ready-made categories to quickly organize sensitive information based on common compliance needs. Custom Categories with Trainable, Meaning-Based AI

Users can create custom categories by uploading example files. The AI processes this data locally to build a semantic profile, improving classification accuracy based on the actual meaning of the content.

Users can create custom categories by uploading example files. The AI processes this data locally to build a semantic profile, improving classification accuracy based on the actual meaning of the content. Enhanced Search Capabilities

The tool allows for category-based searches, enabling users to locate or exclude specific data types efficiently.

The tool allows for category-based searches, enabling users to locate or exclude specific data types efficiently. Integration with Jetico Central Manager BCWipe

Classified data seamlessly integrates into Jetico's central management console, allowing administrators to centrally discover, classify and securely erase sensitive files beyond forensic recovery.

To discover how AI-powered data classification can improve data management and compliance, contact our Data Protection Specialists to request a free trial of Search, available in the Enterprise Edition of BCWipe.

About Jetico

Jetico provides complete endpoint data protection software for National Security, Compliance and Personal Privacy. Trusted for over 20 years by the U.S. Department of Defense, Jetico's BCWipe can wipe selected files beyond forensic recovery such as in response to classified data spills, while BCWipe Total WipeOut can erase hard drive data entirely for disposal or decommission. To protect stored data, Jetico's BestCrypt delivers compliant data encryption software for whole disks, virtual drives and selected files or folders. Jetico Enterprise Editions include central management for client software control.

Jetico products are trusted by government and military agencies, all of the top 10 U.S. defense contractors, many national laboratories, as well as various other enterprises and a wide global base of home and small business users in over 100 countries. Founded in 1995, Jetico is privately held and headquartered besides Otaniemi Science Park in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, Finland. For more information, please visit jetico.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251023694950/en/

Contacts:

Valeria Corti

Marketing Manager, Jetico

valeria.corti@jetico.com

Phone (U.S.): +1 202 742 2901

Phone (Europe): +358 50 339 6388
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 23, 2025) - Doubleview Gold Corp (TSXV: DBG) (OTCQB: DBLVF) (FSE: 1D4) ("Doubleview" or the "Company") is pleased to report that ongoing drilling at its 100%-owned Hat Polymetallic Deposit in northwestern British Columbia has extended the mineralized system approximately 320 meters eastward, further confirming that the deposit remains open in multiple directions. The 2025 exploration program continues to expand the mineralized envelope, with results expected to contribute significantly to the upcoming Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE).

2025 Exploration Program Highlights

To date in 2025 drill program, the Company has completed more than 10,200 meters of drilling in 14 holes. The focus has been to step out from the known resource limits to prove continuity and scale. Key results from this phase of the program include:

Significant Extension: Drill holes H100 through H102 have successfully extended the deposit's footprint more than 320 meters eastward, confirming that the high-volume porphyry-style mineralization remains open and undefined in this direction.

Drill holes H100 through H102 have successfully extended the deposit's footprint more than 320 meters eastward, confirming that the high-volume porphyry-style mineralization remains open and undefined in this direction. Consistent Mineralization: Mineralization has been intersected in every hole completed in the 2025 program, validating the geological model and suggesting strong continuity of the mineralizing system.

Mineralization has been intersected in every hole completed in the 2025 program, validating the geological model and suggesting strong continuity of the mineralizing system. Resource Inclusion: The entire drill database to hole H101 will be included in the revised MRE, anticipated for release in 2025. The expanded footprint with stronger assay data and strong visuals as illustrated in the accompanying core photo gallery, is expected to allow a meaningfully increased resource estimate.

The 2025 drilling program comprises more than 10,200 meters in 14 holes and the observed mineralization has been extended more than 320 metres to the east. The interpreted mineralization and the apparent growth in volume provide strong support for the forthcoming MRE that is scheduled for completion within the next 60 days. Fresh assays are being received almost daily from the laboratory and will be released when processed by our technical team.

"These new drill results represent a major step forward in understanding the true scale of the Hat Deposit," said Farshad Shirvani, President and CEO of Doubleview Gold Corp. "The 320-meter eastward extension, combined with probable continued mineralization beyond the current limits of drilling, highlights the significant expansion potential of the system and positions Doubleview for a meaningful resource upgrade.

"The Hat Deposit, characterized by its copper-gold-cobalt-scandium association, continues to demonstrate robust continuity of mineralization and growing tonnage potential. Drilling to date indicates a broad, strongly mineralized system with elevated scandium and copper values that support the Company's strategy to define one of North America's largest critical-metal-bearing polymetallic deposits. Important amounts of gold, cobalt and silver are present.

A detailed drill section and plan map illustrating the newly expanded mineralized area are provided below. In addition, a gallery of approximately 60 core photographs from recently completed, non-reported holes accompanies this release. The Company anticipates announcing assay results from these holes as soon as analytical data are received, validated, and interpreted."

IMPORTANT VISUAL DISCLOSURE: The visual observations of mineralization, including core photos, are preliminary in nature and are not a substitute for assay results. The Company cautions that visual estimates of mineralization are not indicative of the actual grade or economic viability of the resource. Assay results are pending for the core included in the photos and will be published once received, verified, and analyzed under the Company's strict Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) program.

Figure 1: Drill Plan with the Induced Polarization Plan and 2024 Conceptual Pit Outline, showing the new extensions.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8003/271591_b1e46f8114db4806_001full.jpg

Figure 2: Section on H093 to H096, H100 to H102, and 2024 Conceptual Pit Outline

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Core Photo Gallery: The following images are showing a few mineralization intervals of the H097 to H102:





To view the enhanced versions of these graphics, please visit:

https://www.doubleview.ca/core-samples-h100-to-h102/

About Doubleview Gold Corp

Doubleview Gold Corp (TSXV: DBG) (OTCQB: DBLVF) (FSE: 1D4) is a Canadian resource company advancing the 100%-owned Hat Polymetallic Project, located in the prolific Golden Triangle of northwestern British Columbia. The Hat hosts a large copper-gold-cobalt-scandium porphyry system with significant critical metal potential. Doubleview is dedicated to responsible exploration, Indigenous engagement, and sustainable development that benefits both shareholders and local communities.

Doubleview's success is deeply rooted in the unwavering support of its long-term shareholders, supporters, and institutional investors. Their ongoing commitment has been instrumental in advancing the company's strategic initiatives. Doubleview looks forward to further collaborative growth and development and continues to welcome active participation from its valued stakeholders as the company expands its portfolio and strengthens its position in the critical minerals sector.

For more information, please visit: www.doubleview.ca

Qualified Persons:

Erik Ostensoe, P. Geo., a consulting geologist, and Doubleview's Qualified Person with respect to the Hat Project as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed, and approved the technical contents of this news release. He is not independent of Doubleview as he is a shareholder in the company.

About the Hat Polymetallic Deposit

The Hat Deposit, located in northwestern British Columbia, is a polymetallic porphyry project with major resources of copper, gold, cobalt, and the potential for scandium. As one of the region's significant sources of critical minerals, the Hat deposit has undergone targeted exploration and development. The 0.2% CuEq cut-off resource estimate, as of the recently completed Mineral Resource Estimate and the Company's July 25, 2024, news release, is summarized below:







Average Grade Metal Content Open Pit Model Hat Resource Category Tonnage CuEq Cu Co Au Ag CuEq Cu Co Au Ag Mt % % % g/t g/t million lb million lb million lb thousand oz thousand oz In Pit Indicated 150 0.408 0.221 0.008 0.19 0.42 1,353 733 28 929 2,045 Inferred 477 0.344 0.185 0.009 0.15 0.49 3,619 1,945 91 2,328 7,575

Scandium potential for the Hat Deposit is estimated to be 300 to 500 million tonnes at an average grade of 40 ppm (0.004%) Sc2O3.

For further details of the MRE, please refer to the Company's July 25, 2024 news release.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

Certain of the statements made and information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information." In particular references to the private placement and future work programs or expectations on the quality or results of such work programs are subject to risks associated with operations on the property, exploration activity generally, equipment limitations and availability, as well as other risks that we may not be currently aware of. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271591

SOURCE: Doubleview Gold Corp.
Flatiron's 2025 presence at ISPOR Europe demonstrates a commitment to rigorous science and methodological innovation at unprecedented scale, improving care for people with cancer worldwide.

Flatiron Health today announced its presence at ISPOR-The Professional Society for Health Economics and Outcomes Research Europe 2025 Conference, set to take place November 9-12 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. Flatiron's real-world data is featured across more than 18 pieces of research to be presented at the conference, including two Top 5% Award acceptances and ten other Flatiron-authored abstracts. Additionally, Flatiron will participate in a workshop on the opportunities and challenges of transportability analyses in the context of European Union Joint Clinical Assessments.

"The studies we're showcasing at ISPOR Europe represent years of methodological advancement enabled by our unique combination of data depth and scientific rigor," said Nathan Hubbard, Chief Executive Officer, Flatiron Health. "Our research teams and collaborators have demonstrated the true potential of real-world data-pioneering new approaches to real-world evidence that address the most challenging questions in oncology research. From transportability studies to bias assessment in AI-extracted data, we're advancing the science of what real-world data can achieve."

In addition to novel multi-country analyses enabled by Flatiron's robust multinational real-world data from the US, the UK, Germany, and Japan, the Flatiron FORUM (Fostering Oncology RWE Uses and Methods) research consortium is addressing gaps in representative, locally-available data by bringing together biopharma and academic partners to collaboratively advance a portfolio of research studies focused on the transportability of oncology data across borders.

Research highlights include:

a Top 5% Award Poster presentation assessing if survival outcomes were transportable between the US and Austria, highlighting the challenges of applying RWE across different healthcare settings, as evidenced by the significant differences in survival outcomes between the US and Austrian datasets.

a Top 5% Award Poster presentation comparing patient characteristics and first-line treatment patterns in mNSCLC using the Flatiron Health Research Database and French ESME database providing findings crucial for guiding population adjustment in transportability analyses of real-world outcomes between countries.

a Poster presentation exploring the use of electronic health records (EHRs) to monitor liver function tests in patients with breast cancer treated with CDK4/6 inhibitors across the UK, Germany, and Japan, underscoring the potential of EHRs to enhance drug safety surveillance.

Schedule a meeting with Flatiron Health at ISPOR Europe 2025 and follow Flatiron Health on X and LinkedIn for more updates from ISPOREurope.

Abstracts and Poster Presentations

Are Real-World Survival Outcomes in Metastatic Breast Cancer Transportable Between the US and Austria?

TOP 5% FINALIST

Harlan Pittell, Uwe Siebert, Per-Olof Thuresson, Lu Chen, Carol Hawkes, Danalyn Byng, Gabriel Rinnerthaler, Simon Peter Gampenrieder, Richard Greil, Mohamed Ali, Philani Mpofu, Elsie Horne, Qianyi Zhang, Amit Samani, Blythe Adamson

Author Affiliations: Flatiron Health, UMIT TIROL, Daiichi Sankyo, Roche, AGMT, Paracelsus Medical University

Poster Session 4

Poster Code: HTA38

Poster Session Date/Time: Tuesday, 11 November, 16:00 19:00

Descriptive Comparison of Patient Characteristics and Treatment Patterns in Metastatic NSCLC: US and France Cohorts to Inform Transportability

TOP 5% FINALIST

Alison Antoine, Mathieu Robain, Philani Mpofu, Elsie Horne, Harlan Pittell, Qianyi Zhang, Amit Samani, Per-Olof Thuresson, Thomas Filleron, Matthieu Carton, Olga Tymejczyk, Marian Eberl, Maurice Perol, Christos Chouaid, Nicolas Girard, Didier Debieuvre, Xavier Quantin, Herve Lena, David Perol, Blythe Adamson

Author Affiliations: Flatiron Health, Unicancer, Institut Claudius Regaud, PSL Research University, Daiichi Sankyo, Centre Leon Berard, CHI Creteil, Institut Curie, Groupe hospitalier de la region de Mulhouse Sud Alsace, CHU Montpellier, CHU Rennes

Poster Session 2

Poster Code: RWD56

Poster Session Date/Time: Monday, 10 November, 16:00 19:00

Comparing Countries' Time to Treatment Initiation: A Study of Metastatic Breast Cancer in Austria and the United States

Harlan Pittell, Mohamed S. Ali, Philani Mpofu, Elsie Horne, Per-Olof Thuresson, Qianyi Zhang, Amit Samani, Blythe Adamson

Author Affiliations: Roche, Flatiron Health

Poster Session 1

Poster Code: HSD26

Poster Session Date/Time: Monday, 10 November, 10:30 13:30

Advancing Real-World Evidence in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: Insights from EHR-Derived Data in the UK

Elsie Horne, Christoph Buhl, Tamra Downing, Harlan Pittell, Blythe Adamson

Poster Session 1

Poster Code: HSD4

Poster Session Date/Time: Monday, 10 November, 10:30 13:30

Assessing Bias in LLM-Extracted Real-World Data: A Health Equity Analysis of Access to Care and Outcomes in Metastatic Breast Cancer

Olive Mbah, Gene Ho, Catherine Keane, Qianyu Yuan, Cleo Ryals

Poster Session 1

Poster Code: MSR39

Poster Session Date/Time: Monday, 10 November, 10:30 13:30

Fit-for-Purpose Real-World Data: Lessons from FDA QCARD and EMA Data Quality Framework

Angela Chen, Lockwood Taylor, Lou Palladino, Vanessa Maniuszko

Poster Session 2

Poster Code: HPR96

Poster Session Date/Time: Monday, 10 November, 16:00 19:00

Laboratory Testing Patterns in Patients with Breast Cancer Treated With CDK4/6 Inhibitors: A Multi-Country Electronic Health Record Study From the UK, Germany, and Japan

Elsie Horne, Amit Samani, Sascha van Bommel-Wegmann, Blythe Adamson, Lockwood Taylor

Poster Session 3

Poster Code: SA59

Poster Session Date/Time: Tuesday, 11 November, 10:30 13:30

Incidence of Neutropenia Adverse Events Identified in Electronic Health Care Records Among Initiators of CDK4/6 Inhibitors With Advanced Breast Cancer in the UK

Lockwood Taylor, Elsie Horne, Amit Samani, Qianyu Yuan, Sascha van Bommel-Wegmann, Blythe Adamson

Poster Session 3

Poster Code: EPH143

Poster Session Date/Time: Tuesday, 11 November, 10:30 13:30

Real-World Insights into Prostate Cancer Management Using EHR-Derived Data from the UK

Elsie Horne, Amit Samani, Arun Sujenthiran, Tamra Downing, Deepika Singh, Harlan Pittell, Blythe Adamson

Poster Session 4

Poster Code: RWD161

Poster Session Date/Time: Tuesday, 11 November, 16:00 19:00

Real-World Insights Into Breast Cancer in the UK: Findings From UK EHR-Derived Data

Amit Samani, Mohamed Ali, Arun Sujenthiran, Blythe Adamson

Poster Session 5

Poster Code: RWD159

Poster Session Date/Time: Wednesday, 12 November, 9:00 11:30

Real-World Study of Breast Cancer Epidemiology and Treatment Patterns: A Pilot Study to Assess EHR-Derived Data in the United Kingdom

Peter McMahon, Kevin Nolan, Natalia Sadetsky, Matthew Hodgeson, Blythe Adamson, Amit Samani

Author Affiliations: Gilead Sciences, Flatiron Health

Poster Session 5

Poster Code: RWD163

Poster Session Date/Time: Wednesday, 12 November, 9:00 11:30

Transportability of Overall Survival in Multiple Myeloma From the US to Germany: A Benchmarking Study

Elsie Horne, Marco DiBonaventura, Per-Olof Thuresson, Felipe Castro, Christoph Buhl, Mohamed S. Ali, PharmD, Harlan Pittell, Philani Mpofu, Blythe Adamson

Author Affiliations: Pfizer, Roche, Flatiron Health

Poster Session 5

Poster Code: HTA340

Poster Session Date/Time: Wednesday, 12 November, 9:00 11:30

About Flatiron

Flatiron Health is a healthtech company expanding the possibilities for point of care solutions in oncology and using data for good to power smarter care for every person with cancer. Through machine learning and AI, real-world evidence, and breakthroughs in clinical trials, we continue to transform patients' real-life experiences into knowledge and create a more modern, connected oncology ecosystem. Flatiron Health is an independent affiliate of the Roche Group.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251023007694/en/

Contacts:

Nina Toor

press@flatiron.com
INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- IMG (International Medical Group) is excited to announce the winners of its ninth annual Leave Your Mark Grant. This year, more than 4,000 organizations and individuals submitted entries, making it the largest applicant pool in the history of the grant. The two winning organizations are Holistic Ministry of Children of the Horn of Africa (HMCHA) and Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation Indonesia, each receiving $3,500. The three winning individuals are Megan Parham, Joe Charles, and Martin France, each receiving $1,000.

HMCHA is a faith-based organization that helps children in Ethiopia rise out of poverty through education and mentoring. Through its child sponsorship program, HMCHA's mission is to help students in the Oromia region graduate, support their own families, and contribute to society.

"We are honored and deeply grateful to be a recipient of IMG's Leave Your Mark Grant," said Carol Pfleiderer, HMCHA's Sponsor Coordinator. "This generous support enables us to expand our reach by training more teachers and equipping schools in Oromia with essential resources like solar lights, books, and bookcases. It's a meaningful investment in the future of children who are striving to rise out of poverty."

Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation Indonesia is a non-profit organization committed to bridging access to education and basic needs for families living in some of Indonesia's most remote islands and coastal areas. By providing school boats and clean water solutions, the organization helps children reach school safely and supports communities in building healthier, more sustainable futures.

"We are so excited to have been chosen for the Leave Your Mark Grant," said Meralda Adam, Chairperson at Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation Indonesia. "These funds will allow us to provide a school boat in a remote coastal village, ensuring children no longer risk their lives paddling unsafe sampans to reach school. We will also be able to install 20 water filters in area households and provide essential educational materials to children, such as books and uniforms."

The three individual Leave Your Mark winners support a wide range of mission and social good organizations working around the world. This year's winners will use their grant funds to support initiatives including church planting and well-digging in Kenya, bridge construction for students in Panama, and volunteer-led building projects across the developing world that promote education, public health, and women's empowerment.

"For the ninth year, we're honored to recognize individuals and organizations who are making a lasting impact through mission and social good work," said Justin Poehler, IMG Chief Commercial Officer. "This year's Leave Your Mark Grant recipients exemplify the spirit of service by working to bring clean water, safe transportation, education, and infrastructure to communities in need around the world."

IMG has insured mission and social good organizations since the early 1990s, providing key benefits and assistance services for thousands of customers who serve or volunteer internationally. The Leave Your Mark program was launched in 2017 to give back to organizations with charitable missions.

About IMG (International Medical Group)

IMG (International Medical Group), a SiriusPoint company, is an award-winning global insurance benefits and assistance services company that has served millions of members worldwide since its founding in 1990. The preeminent provider of travel and health safety solutions, IMG offers a wide range of insurance programs, including international private medical insurance, travel medical insurance, and travel insurance, as well as enterprise services, including insurance administrative services and 24/7 emergency medical, security, and travel assistance. IMG's world-class services, combined with an extensive product portfolio, provide Global Peace of Mind for travelers, students, missionaries, marine crews, and other individuals or groups traveling, working, or living away from home. For more information, please visit www.imglobal.com.

Media Contact: Carly Kessler, IMG Communications Manager, carly.kessler@imglobal.com

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Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 23, 2025) - Caprock Mining Corp. (CSE: CAPR) ("Caprock" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Mr. Jean-David Moore has joined the Company's Board of Directors as an independent director and a member of the audit committee, effective immediately.

Mr. Moore has been a consultant and an advisor to several mineral exploration and development companies for over twenty years. He is a prominent investor in the junior mining space, and holds significant stakes in over 50 resource companies throughout Canada.

At present, Mr. Moore is a director of Opus One Gold Corp., Bullion Gold Resources Corp., Dios Exploration Inc., Fokus Mining Corp., Green Canada Corp. and PTX Metals Inc. Previously, he also served as a director of Vanstar Mining Resources Inc., which was acquired by Iamgold Corp. in February 2024.

On his appointment as a director to Caprock's Board, Mr. Moore stated, "It's a pleasure to join Caprock's dynamic team. After challenging times in the mineral exploration sector, the tide has now turned with the spectacular rise in precious metals prices. I believe that the Destiny gold project has the potential to become a significant deposit in the years to come. Based on past drilling, Caprock's technical team has already identified several priority zones and drill targets that could significantly enhance Destiny's current resource inventory."

Concurrent with Mr. Moore's appointment, Mr. Daniel Cohen has been appointed as the Executive Chairman by the Company's board of directors, and states, "On behalf of Caprock's board and management, I'd like to extend a warm welcome to JD as the Company's newest director. JD is one of the most respected and well-known investors in the junior mining space. His wealth of knowledge and extensive network in the Quebec mining community will be extremely valuable in Caprock's quest to further develop its sizeable Destiny project near Val d'Or, Quebec."

About Caprock Mining Corp.

Caprock Mining Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on exploring precious metals in Quebec and Ontario.

The Company has an option to earn a 100% interest in the Destiny gold property that comprises 127 mineral claims and encompasses an area of 5,013 hectares located less than two hours' drive from Val d'Or, Quebec. Destiny lies along a major deformation corridor in the Abitibi greenstone belt that includes the prolific Cadillac-Larder Lake, Destor-Porcupine and Casa Berardi fault zones which host numerous producing and development-stage gold deposits. The Project overlies a 6.0 km long segment of the poorly explored Despinassy shear zone which is a splay off the regional Chicobi Fault. Destiny hosts a significant, open pit-constrained, NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource estimate published in March 2025.

Additionally, the Company holds a 100% interest in three gold exploration properties in the historical Beardmore-Geraldton Gold Belt of Ontario - a belt that has produced over four million ounces of gold historically (Reference: Beardmore-Geraldton Gold Camp - Tashota Resources), and contains the sizeable Greenstone gold project (formerly known as the Hardrock gold project) which is being brought to production by Equinox Gold (TSX: EQX) (Reference: Greenstone Gold Mines - Mining & Processing).

The scientific and technical information disclosed in this release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Vishal Gupta, the Company's President & CEO. Mr. Gupta is a P.Geo. registered with the Professional Geoscientists of Ontario (PGO) and considered a "Qualified Person" as defined under NI 43-101.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this press release about anticipated future events or results constitute forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, statements with respect to: the Company's plans and expectations for the Destiny gold property. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. Although Caprock believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and/or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements since Caprock can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements, including the risks, uncertainties and other factors identified in Caprock's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. Forward-looking statements are subject to business and economic risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results of operations to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Caprock's expectations include risks associated with the business of Caprock; risks related to reliance on technical information provided by Caprock; risks related to exploration and potential development of the Company's mineral properties; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; fluctuations in commodity prices and currency exchange rates; uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the geology, continuity and grade of mineral deposits; the need for cooperation of government agencies and First Nation groups in the exploration and development of properties and the issuance of required permits; the need to obtain additional financing to develop properties and uncertainty as to the availability and terms of future financing; the possibility of delay in exploration or development programs and uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones; uncertainty as to timely availability of permits and other governmental approvals; and other risk factors as detailed from time to time and additional risks identified in Caprock's filings with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR+ in Canada (available at www.sedarplus.ca). Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and opinions of management at the date the statements are made. Caprock does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271610

SOURCE: Caprock Mining Corp.
CPA firm marks its centennial with a new look and continued commitment to client success

NEW ALBANY, IN AND LOUISVILLE, KY / ACCESS Newswire / October 23, 2025 / Monroe Shine, a certified public accounting and business consulting firm serving Southern Indiana and the Louisville, Kentucky areas, is marking its 100th anniversary with a new brand identity and website to celebrate a century of success. The centennial year recognizes Monroe Shine's long-standing presence in the region as one of the most respected independent certified public accounting & business consulting firms, marked by its history of professional service and community involvement, while also signaling a continued focus on future business growth initiatives and service.

Phillip Beaman, President and CEO of Monroe Shine

"This centennial milestone is not only a celebration of our past success but a launchpad for our future," said Phillip Beaman, President and CEO of Monroe Shine. "We're honored to have served our clients and community for 100 years and are excited to continue this legacy of innovation, service, and meaningful community partnerships that have uplifted those around us. Our success is a tribute to the dedication of our employees and the commitment of our customers over the last 100 years."

As part of its centennial, Monroe Shine introduced a new brand identity featuring a new modern logo, color palette, 100th anniversary mark and corporate look. The new logo retains the firm's signature orange to honor its legacy, adds blue to denote the stability and reliability of the firm, and incorporates a banner symbolizing the firm's leadership and industry excellence. A new website, monroeshine.com, offers detailed firm services and industry expertise information for clients, executive team profiles, a secure client portal, and enhanced career resources for both professionals and college students. The firm's social media presence has also been enhanced to align with the new brand.

Website: https://www.monroeshine.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/monroe-shine-&-co--inc-/

Facebook: facebook.com/MonroeShineCPA

X: https://x.com/monroeshinecpa

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monroeshinecpa/

"Reaching our 100th year is a milestone that reflects the dedication of our employees, the trust of our clients, and the support of the communities we serve," said Beaman. "As we look to the future, we remain committed to upholding the values that have guided us since 1925 while continuing to evolve in ways that help our clients meet their financial goals and communities thrive for the next 100 years."

For more information about Monroe Shine, visit monroeshine.com.

About Monroe Shine

Monroe Shine is a certified public accounting and business consulting firm located in Southern Indiana and Louisville, Kentucky, serving private businesses, their owners, individuals, and nonprofit entities. Since its founding in 1925, the firm has built a reputation for excellence, integrity, and personalized client service. With a century of experience, Monroe Shine continues to provide comprehensive financial solutions, ensuring long-term success for its clients and communities.

###

Media Contact:

Tamara Davis

tdavis@priceweber.com

270-202-8516

SOURCE: Monroe Shine

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/monroe-shine-celebrates-100th-anniversary-by-unveiling-new-brand-1090931
Andersen Consulting strengthens its technology and business transformation capabilities through a Collaboration Agreement with Acronotics, a rapidly growing digital consulting firm headquartered in the UK with a presence in the U.S. and India.

As a specialist in AI-led business transformation, Acronotics works with Fortune 500 companies to accelerate digital transformation by harnessing the power of AI. The firm has deep expertise across manufacturing, banking and financial services, retail, fast-moving consumer goods, and high-tech industries, with a strong focus on AI/ML, Generative AI, and RPA technology stacks. Acronotics delivers end-to-end services including the design, development, and implementation of Agentic AI and RPA-based process automation solutions. Leveraging its proprietary Automated Digital Worker Management platform, Radium.ai, the firm helps clients manage and monitor their digital workforce effectively.

"Collaborating with Andersen Consulting enables us to scale globally and deliver greater value to enterprises seeking to leverage the power of AI to transform their business," said Jitin Goyal, founder and chairman of Acronotics. "By combining our downstream execution capabilities with Andersen Consulting's strategic advisory capabilities, we can unlock significant opportunities and help organizations achieve transformative, scalable results."

Mark L. Vorsatz, global chairman and CEO of Andersen, added, "Acronotics brings deep expertise in AI-driven digital consulting and cutting-edge automation capabilities that seamlessly complement our expanding consulting services. Together, we will help organizations implement practical, scalable solutions that generate real business impact."

Andersen Consulting is a global consulting practice providing a comprehensive suite of services spanning corporate strategy, business, technology, and AI transformation, as well as human capital solutions. Andersen Consulting integrates with the multidimensional service model of Andersen Global, delivering world-class consulting, tax, legal, valuation, global mobility, and advisory expertise on a global platform with more than 44,000 professionals worldwide and a presence in over 600 locations through its member firms and collaborating firms. Andersen Consulting Holdings LP is a limited partnership and provides consulting solutions through its member firms and collaborating firms around the world.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251023231726/en/

Contacts:

mediainquiries@Andersen.com
Intellectual Property Law Professionals Will Substantially Benefit from Tech Innovations for Greater Productivity and Intelligence

Questel, a world leader in intellectual property (IP) solutions, today launched its new AI-assisted Sophia Platform which includes Sophia Search, Document, Query and Lab solutions. Industry-leading Sophia is the first IP-specific AI assistant to leverage Questel's 40+ years of patent search and proprietary technology development expertise. Drawing upon this vast domain experience, Sophia is a unique and distinctive AI tech for IP that is unmatched in its field. Searching patents, reviewing documents, and simplifying query creation are all accelerated by the secure, confidential Sophia IP AI associate tool.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251022396883/en/

Sophia Lab enables every Orbit Intelligence client to receive defined summaries and overviews of patent document data, from enhanced summaries in multiple languages to claim features mappings (shown here). Via Sophia Lab, Questel is continuing to deliver on-demand, predefined insight generation in both written and visual ways.

Sophia Search enables IP professionals to find relevant prior art during patentability, freedom-to-operate, and invalidation analyses. Search now encompasses AI-assisted Patent Search, AI Patent Review, Natural Language (NL) Search Assistance, Semantic Patent Search, and AI Patentability Reports. Sophia Search is the fastest, most reliable AI-assisted patent search experience ever offered by Questel, combining patent search excellence with state-of-the-art AI. The tool produces unmatched accuracy, time-saving workflows, and transparent explainability.

Sophia Document is an interactive AI Patent Review Chatbot transforming how patent practitioners interact with patent documents. Reviewing patents has traditionally been a time-consuming, tedious process. Sophia Document streamlines review to unlock detailed technical analysis, summarize long patents in seconds, enhance data retrieval and comprehension, and generate AI-powered summaries before deeper human review. Sophia Document features an integrated prompt library, faster reviews in seconds, targeted insights, and clear explanations of complex terms and structures.

Sophia Query, our Natural Language Search Assistant, makes patent searches faster, simpler and smarter. Use plain language to describe search needs and Sophia does the rest, automatically adding synonyms, relevant classifications, and filters. Query can handle complex search queries, too, and the tool quickly refines results by offering filters by keyword, class, jurisdiction, inventor, assignee or filing date.

Sophia Lab enables every Orbit Intelligence client to receive defined summaries and overviews of patent document data, from enhanced summaries in multiple languages to claim features mappings. Via Sophia Lab, Questel is continuing to deliver on-demand, predefined insight generation in both written and visual ways.

How to Get Sophia

Sophia is accessible to the 100,000+ users of Questel's patent search and analytics platform, Orbit Intelligence. This growing community of expert IP professionals relies on Orbit for unrivaled patent search and analysis. However, Sophia tools are cross-platform and are also available in Questel's Insight Innovation Management platforms.

The Sophia platform is supported by Questel's AI Lab, a dedicated environment where developers pilot new features, test experimental workflows, and explore next-gen AI applications. All AI Lab creations adhere to Questel's core values for AI development: transparency, accuracy and security.

Ricardo Cali, Customer Success Manager at Questel, commented: "Sophia isn't just another AI feature-it's a paradigm shift in how IP professionals interact with patent data in Orbit. Built on Questel's trusted, revision-capable foundation and one of the world's largest patent datasets, Sophia combines proprietary AI with deep domain expertise to deliver results that simply aren't accessible to others. With Orbit Intelligence, you don't just find what others miss-you find what others can't. Why? Because their data source isn't as rich or reliable, their AI simply hasn't been trained with the same rigor and business-oriented precision. Whether you're searching, reviewing, or decoding complex claims, Sophia empowers you to go further, faster, and with greater clarity."

For more information about the Sophia Platform and Search, Document, Query and Lab, visit questel.com.

About Questel

Questel is a true end-to-end intellectual property solutions provider to more than 20,000 clients and 1.5M users across 30 countries. Questel offers a comprehensive scope of software and services for managing all types of IP assets (patent, trademark, design, domain name, copyright), including searching, analyzing, and watching, international filing, translation, renewals, and recordals. These solutions, when combined with our IP cost management platform, deliver clients an average savings of 30% across the entire prosecution budget. Questel has 30 offices around the world and is headquartered in Paris, France. Find out more at Questel.com or on LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251022396883/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact:

Christy Burke, Burke Company PR, 917-623-5096, cburke@burke-company.com
Strategically established life sciences air corridor will link Shannon, Ireland, and Wilmington, North Carolina, marking the first fully dedicated, temperature-controlled network of its kind

Frontier Scientific Solutions ("Frontier") today announced the initial flight schedule for its nonstop, temperature-controlled air corridor between Shannon Airport (SNN) and Wilmington International Airport (ILM).

Developed exclusively for the life sciences sector, the corridor is dedicated to the transport and storage of critical, life-saving materials including finished medicines, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), and medical devices. Frontier's dedicated wide-body aircraft provide guaranteed capacity with no co-mingling of general freight, ensuring product integrity through in-flight temperature mapping and continuous quality oversight.

The integrated air-and-ground network is engineered to minimize handoffs, shorten door-to-door delivery times, and maintain full GDP compliance representing the first fully dedicated air transportation corridor purpose-built to mitigate risk and prevent temperature-related product losses

Initial Operating Schedule (effective October 2025)

Aircraft: Operated Boeing 767 wide-body freighter with temperature-mapped operations

Routing: Between SNN and ILM, dedicated life sciences service ILM to SNN (ATN163): Mon, Wed, Fri Dep ILM 08:00 (local) Arr SNN 20:00 (local) SNN to ILM (ATN164): Tue, Thu, Sat Dep SNN 14:00 (local) Arr ILM 17:15 (local)



All times local; schedule subject to standard regulatory approvals.

Local investment and jobs

Frontier is making a major investment in Ireland and the community of Shannon, reinforcing the central role of the pharmaceutical sector in the Irish economy. Across Shannon and Wilmington, the project is expected to create approximately 350 jobs over the next 3-5 years, including roles in temperature-controlled operations, quality and compliance, engineering, and customer support.

Benefits for shippers and patients

By flying direct between SNN and ILM and integrating cGMP-validated facilities with direct runway access, the model reduces total handoffs and accelerates end-to-end movement compared with multi-stop routings. Frontier's model is not only safer, but offers considerably less risk. Since the facilities are built to minimize time on the tarmac and preserve the temperature integrity of life sciences products, products are ensured to reach their destination faster, safer, and more securely ultimately saving more lives.

This approach lowers the risk of temperature excursions and product damage while improving predictability for clinical and commercial shipments. FTZ status streamlines customs processing to keep cargo moving.

"Drawing on years of experience in the aviation and life sciences sectors, we have long recognized the need for a reliable, efficient, and GDP-compliant air transportation corridor designed exclusively for life science. At Frontier Scientific Solutions, we are now making that concept a reality," said Leandro Moreira, Frontier's President of Transportation. "This dedicated, temperature-controlled route between The United States and Europe strengthens the global life sciences supply chain by reducing touch points, minimizing risk, and ensuring products integrity ultimately supporting our mission to protect patient safety and save lives."

"We are delighted to welcome Frontier and ATSG to Shannon Airport and look forward to a strong partnership Their arrival represents a significant milestone for our region and reinforces Shannon's role as a strategic gateway for the pharmaceutical sector. Frontier's investment highlights the importance of life sciences to the Mid-West and to Ireland's wider economy," said Ray O'Driscoll, Interim CEO of The Shannon Airport Group. "A dedicated life sciences route to the U.S. strengthens the transatlantic bridge for critical medicines and active pharmaceutical ingredients and supports the creation of high-quality jobs across the region."

"Wilmington is proud to serve as Frontier's U.S. hub," said Jeff Bourk, Director, Wilmington International Airport. "Direct runway access combined with FTZ capabilities creates an advantage within the pharmaceutical transportation industry, while also promoting life sciences growth and regional economic development."

Why Shannon and Wilmington

Shannon is a key distribution hub for European life sciences markets, with air and sea connections and FTZ benefits that reduce customs friction and preserve product integrity. With billions of dollars of investment by major pharmaceutical companies in North Carolina and Ireland, these two locations have solidified their positions as premier hubs with close access to major pharmaceutical markets.

Wilmington offers direct runway access, proximity to the Port of Wilmington and interstate corridors, and FTZ designation that will streamline cross-border movement. Together, these hubs enable faster, safer transport with fewer touchpoints and a lower carbon footprint than traditional multi-stop routings. Strategically located, North Carolina connects Frontier to major markets across the East Coast and Midwest, creating a widespread network built for efficiency and connectivity.

This announcement follows Frontier's partnership with Air Transport Services Group (ATSG) to provide dedicated wide-body aircraft capacity for a global, life-sciences-only network, including real-time in-flight temperature mapping and a specialized customer service team. ATSG is an industry leader in reliability and on-time performance, furthering Frontier's mission to be at the forefront of efficiency within the pharmaceutical industry.

About Frontier Scientific Solutions

Frontier Scientific Solutions is a dedicated global logistics integrator built exclusively for life sciences. The company operates cGMP-validated, temperature-controlled facilities with direct runway access, leverages Free Trade Zones to streamline cross-border movement, and runs flights dedicated only to life sciences materials. Frontier's model reduces touchpoints and transit time to promote zero losses, directly supporting patient access to critical medicines.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251023580204/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact

Zachary Dembner

BerlinRosen

zachary.dembner@berlinrosen.com
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 23, 2025) - Royal Road Minerals Limited (TSXV: RYR) (OTCQB: RRDMF) ("Royal Road" or the "Company") announces that Mr. Ghassane Benchekroun has resigned from the Company's Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors wishes to thank Mr. Benchekroun for his service and contributions to the Company and extends its best wishes in his future endeavors.

About Royal Road Minerals:

Royal Road Minerals is a mineral exploration and development company with its head office and technical-operations center located in Jersey, Channel Islands. The Company is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the ticker RYR, on the OTCQB under thr ticker RRDMF and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the ticker RLU. The Company's mission is to apply expert skills and innovative technologies to the process of discovering and developing copper and gold deposits of a scale large enough to benefit future generations and modern enough to ensure minimum impact on the environment and no net loss of biodiversity. The Company currently explores in the Kingdoms of Saudi Arabia and Morocco and in Colombia. More information can be found on the Company's website www.royalroadminerals.com.

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

Cautionary statement:

This news release contains certain statements that constitute forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements") describing the Company's future plans and the expectations of its management that a stated result or condition will occur. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or developments in the Company's business or in the mineral resources industry, to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance, achievements or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include all disclosure regarding possible events, conditions or results of operations that is based on assumptions about, among other things, future economic conditions and courses of action, and assumptions related to government approvals, and anticipated costs and expenditures. The words "plans", "prospective", "expect", "intend", "intends to" and similar expressions identify forward looking statements, which may also include, without limitation, any statement relating to future events, conditions or circumstances. Forward-looking statements of the Company contained in this news release, which may prove to be incorrect, include, but are not limited to the Company's exploration plans.

The Company cautions you not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. There is no guarantee that the anticipated benefits of the Company's business plans or operations will be achieved. The risks and uncertainties that may affect forward-looking statements include, among others: economic market conditions, anticipated costs and expenditures, government approvals, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with Canadian provincial securities regulators or other applicable regulatory authorities. Forward-looking statements included herein are based on the current plans, estimates, projections, beliefs and opinions of the Company management and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements should assumptions related to these plans, estimates, projections, beliefs and opinions change.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271487

SOURCE: Royal Road Minerals Limited
HONG KONG, HK / ACCESS Newswire / October 23, 2025 / As a design-driven brand, Tajezzo has long explored how form and function can move together. Today, the brand unveils its latest creation - the J13 Modular Shell, a technical jacket shaped by the rhythms of modern mobility. Built on a modular system that adapts to change, the J13 is made for those who navigate effortlessly between the city and the outdoors. Tajezzo J13 is launching on Kickstarter on October 23rd, 10:00 AM EDT. To learn more, visit here.

Tajezzo: J13 Modular Shell



Movement isn't linear, nor is the J13's design. Its transformable structure shifts from long to short in seconds, responding intuitively to weather, activity, or mood. When the temperature rises, it folds neatly into a compact crossbody form - a jacket that carries itself. Subtle innovations like an integrated strap system give wearers freedom to move, wear, or carry on their own terms.

Light, strong, and remarkably tactile, the J13 is crafted from 70D CORDURA fabric with a waterproof-breathable membrane. Every line, seam, and curve serves a purpose: protection from the elements without weight, movement without restriction. A discreet DWR finish repels sudden rain, while refined details such as NIFCO sleeve tabs and ergonomic cuffs balance durability with freedom of movement.

Inside, a network of ventilated pockets creates airflow and organization in equal measure. High-set storage remains accessible even with a backpack, ensuring readiness in motion - from urban commutes to remote trails. The design blurs the boundary between outerwear and equipment, between what you wear and what you carry.

Recognized among the Top 10 Design-Driven Brands of 2024, with multiple Red Dot and iF Design Awards, Tajezzo continues to shape a future where gear adapts to life. Each product extends the brand's core belief: that performance, modularity, and aesthetics should coexist seamlessly.

With the J13 Modular Shell, Tajezzo refines that vision once again - an evolution of outerwear for a world in constant motion. Tajezzo J13 is launching on Kickstarter on October 23rd, 10:00 AM EDT. For more information, visit here.

SOURCE: Hangzhou Taomore Technology Co.,Ltd

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/consumer-and-retail-products/redefining-motion-through-design-tajezzo-introduces-the-j13-modular-sh-1091007
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / October 23, 2025 / Las Vegas Sands

The Asian Community Development Council (ACDC) hosted more than 300 Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students and parents for the annual College Readiness Bootcamp Sept. 13 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas' (UNLV). With underwriting from Sands Cares, the event equipped families with the tools they need to pursue higher education.

The boot camp presented insights and advice from 15 speakers on topics including standardized tests, financial aid and scholarships, college life skills, and career opportunities in fields such as technology, culinary arts and health.

Michael Busuamlak, father of a high school student, shared that the event provided valuable insights for a busy parent like himself to better understand the college process and what to expect for his daughter before making any decisions.

The 2025 program included representatives from Clark County School District; UNLV; University of Nevada, Reno; Nevada State University; College of Southern Nevada; the College Board, which administers SAT and Advanced Placement tests; tutoring organizations and leading Nevada employers, such as The Raiders Foundation. The event also provided hands-on support for applying to in-state and out-of-state schools and for financial aid and scholarships, with separate sessions targeted to parents and students.

"The boot camp is one of our most important youth development events, and we've seen attendance grow every year since its inception in 2015," Vida Lin, president and founder of ACDC, said. "Many students will be first-generation college attendees, so our program is critical in helping families navigate this complex system and providing confidence that a spectrum of resources - from application preparation and academic requirements to financial support - exists."

This year, ACDC also will introduce a Trade School Bootcamp - a new program to assist youth interested in pursuing vocational paths with career track information and guidance on pursuing skill sets in their chosen fields. This program is also being supported through Sands Cares in 2025.

Sands' support for ACDC's youth development programs addresses the company's priorities on education and building a diverse workforce of the future. To learn more about the Sands Cares community engagement program, visit https://www.sands.com/responsibility.

To learn more about the Asian Community Development Council, visit https://acdcnv.org/.



View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Las Vegas Sands on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Las Vegas Sands

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/las-vegas-sands

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Las Vegas Sands

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/travel/asian-community-development-councils-college-readiness-bootcamp-prepares-students-with-suppo-1091085
By Armand Leblois

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / October 23, 2025 / Among the many treasures of this beautiful land that I also call home, there is a Greek word that resonates deeply with me: Philoxenia (F????e??a). It's often translated simply as hospitality, but it encompasses so much more than that. Philoxenia, literally "love of strangers," embodies a profound, unconditional generosity - offering food, shelter, and comfort to anyone, without expectation of anything in return. It embodies a spirit of genuine warmth, open-hearted connection, and a deep respect for every individual.

This was precisely the atmosphere I envisioned, and indeed felt, permeating our Europe Cisco Networking Academy Partner Conference in Thessaloniki this past week. This annual conference brings together Cisco Networking Academy teachers, government leaders, and public/private sector collaborators from across the region to celebrate the achievements of the past year and to anticipate even greater successes ahead.

My hope, as Senior Regional Manager for Cisco Networking Academy in Europe, was to foster an environment where every participant, whether a long-standing partner or a new face, felt not just welcomed, but truly valued, heard, and an integral part of our shared mission. It was an inspiring gathering, a true testament to our collective commitment to shaping the future of technology education across Europe.

The Imperative for Our Future Workforce

The main theme of this year's program was, of course, Artificial Intelligence (AI). We are living through a profound technological revolution that stands to shape not only the world of work and education, but society itself. The compelling 2025 report from the AI Workforce Consortium, proudly led by Cisco, clearly articulates the urgent need for a skilled workforce capable of navigating, innovating, and leading within this new paradigm.

At Cisco, we don't just understand this imperative; we embrace it. Through our Cisco Networking Academy program, we are creating new AI literacy and practical skills courses to enrich curricula throughout the region, and crucially, to allow any European to take their digital future into their own hands. My personal commitment, and that of my team, is to ensure we are providing our learners with the foundational knowledge and hands-on experience they need to thrive in an AI-driven world. This isn't just about understanding algorithms; it's about fostering critical thinking, advanced problem-solving, and crucial ethical considerations - skills that are paramount for the future. And, just as importantly, we are making this increasingly inclusive by translating our curriculum into 12 European languages, because learning must be accessible to all.

Local Impact, Global Reach: A Thessaloniki Success Story

One of the most gratifying moments of the conference was witnessing the tangible impact of our work through a compelling Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) use case right here in Thessaloniki. CDA helps to power digital transformation around the world through partnerships across government, academia, industry, and more.

We proudly showcased an innovative project developed in collaboration with the American Farm School. This initiative illustrates how our technology can be applied to solve real-world challenges across industries, including within the vital and so often under supported sector of agriculture. These strategic alliances are not just partnerships; they are living proof of the power how collaboration and creative thinking can transform technology into a source of deep transformation. It's a testament to how local innovation, nurtured by dedicated partners, can contribute significantly to global progress.

Celebrating Excellence: Our Valued Partners

No conference would be complete without recognizing the extraordinary efforts of our partners, and we had the immense pleasure of awarding several Cisco Networking Academy partners for their exceptional achievements throughout the year. "Be the Bridge" Award has been awarded to two exceptional partners, the Open University (UK) and PUE (Spain) while, our "Golden Bridge" Award went to Specialisterne, a globally-recognized social enterprise based in Italy dedicated to enabling employment for neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with autism. These learners, by leveraging their unique talent and skills, are then matched with jobs that perfectly suit their strengths.

By seamlessly integrating Cisco Networking Academy into its modular, free training programs, Specialisterne Italia has profoundly enhanced its curriculum with industry-recognized content in networking and cybersecurity. Started in September 2022, this powerful partnership has already enabled 150 students to gain both theoretical knowledge and invaluable practical skills, aligned with certifications like CCNA. This has led to 50 of those individuals earning a full-time job opportunity. It's a brilliant example of how our partnerships can help build more inclusive pathways to success.

Strengthening our Communities to Power an Inclusive Future for All

As I reflect on the insightful discussions, the shared vision, and the renewed sense of purpose from our time in Thessaloniki, I am more confident than ever in Cisco Networking Academy's profound ability to prepare our students for the future. Together, we are not just teaching technology; we are building crucial bridges to opportunity, fostering innovation, and creating a truly skilled, inclusive, and resilient global workforce - with our own philoxenia that has distinguished this program since 1997.

View original content here.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Cisco Systems Inc. on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Cisco Systems Inc.

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cisco-systems-inc

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Cisco Systems Inc.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/industrial-and-manufacturing/igniting-our-future-workforce-shaping-the-future-in-europe-through-cis-1091081
Leading working capital provider has invested $60M in North Carolina businesses and creates over 20 new roles to support U.S. growth

Wayflyer, the leading financing platform for consumer brands, today announced the opening of its new U.S. headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina. After deploying $5 billion in capital, growing the team to 300 employees and reaching over $100 million in global revenue, the company is continuing to invest to cement its position as the market leader for working capital. The move underscores Wayflyer's mission to deliver fast, flexible, and non-dilutive capital and its commitment to supporting high-growth consumer brands in the United States.

Since its launch in 2020, Wayflyer has deployed over $5 billion in working capital to 5000 consumer brands across 11 countries. This underserved market segment has helped consumer brands optimize cash flow, invest in marketing, and seize growth opportunities with confidence. With offices already in New York City, this continued US expansion strengthens Wayflyer's presence in one of its fastest-growing markets, enabling the company to work more closely with American businesses.

"Charlotte is proud to welcome Wayflyer as they expand their U.S. presence," said Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles. "Wayflyer's commitment to empowering consumer brands aligns perfectly with Charlotte's entrepreneurial spirit. Their investment and job creation will have a meaningful impact on our thriving startup ecosystem, and we're excited to see their continued growth here."

Wayflyer chose Charlotte to expand its US presence after a comprehensive market evaluation. Charlotte offers the ideal combination of a strategic East Coast location, a business-friendly time zone for global operations, and easy access that keep teams connected. Known as a back-office hub for major financial institutions, Charlotte provides a rich talent market to fuel Wayflyer's next phase of growth. The warm engagement and collaborative spirit from local authorities further reinforced Charlotte as the natural choice for Wayflyer's continued expansion.

"Charlotte's thriving finance ecosystem, rich talent pool, and strong university connections made it the ideal location for our U.S. hub," said Aidan Corbett, CEO and Co-Founder at Wayflyer. "Having a dedicated team on the ground allows us to better serve our U.S. customers and support their growth journeys in real time," he added.

Wayflyer has already invested more than $60 million into North Carolina-headquartered businesses. The company expects to create approximately 20 new roles in Charlotte this year across sales, customer success and underwriting.

"Wayflyer's announcement demonstrates that Mecklenburg County remains a strong anchor for fintech and international business," said Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners Chair Mark Jerrell. "We welcome Wayflyer, along with the many opportunities this expansion will create for our workforce and local economy."

This announcement comes on the heels of significant momentum for Wayflyer, which was recently named one of CNBC's Top Fintech Companies for 2025 and recognized as one of Deloitte's fastest-growing startups in 2024. Wayflyer is leading the next generation of financial infrastructure designed to unlock opportunity for founders at pivotal growth moments without forcing them to sacrifice ownership, speed, or sustainability.

"Wayflyer's decision to establish its North American headquarters in Charlotte is a strong vote of confidence in North Carolina's thriving market for financial technology," said R. John Young, chair of the IABA North Carolina and honorary consul for North Carolina. "This move not only reflects Charlotte's growing reputation as a hub for global innovation but also strengthens the bridge between Ireland and North Carolina. We look forward to leveraging this momentum to bring even more high-impact Irish companies to the state."

Foreign direct investment is one of the fastest-growing sectors in Charlotte, with nine companies announcing new or expanding presence in Mecklenburg County over the past 18 months, including Siemens, AVL Manufacturing and Daimler Truck Financial Services. The Charlotte region is home to more than 1,000 foreign-owned companies.

The City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County also partnered with Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC), Charlotte Center City Partners, South Park Partners, UNC Charlotte and the Charlotte Regional Alliance.

About Wayflyer

Wayflyer is a financing platform that empowers consumer brands to scale with fast, flexible, and non-dilutive funding. By leveraging data-driven insights and advanced analytics, Wayflyer helps consumer brands optimize cash flow, invest in marketing, and seize growth opportunities with confidence. Since its launch in 2020, Wayflyer has deployed over $5 billion in working capital to thousands of brands worldwide. For more information, visit www.wayflyer.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251023746640/en/

Contacts:

Media contacts:

Lewis Jones, Head of Communications, Wayflyer. press@wayflyer.com

City of Charlotte
Pentwater Capital Management LP - Form 8.3 - JTC Plc

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, October 23

FORM 8.3

PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY

A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE

Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the "Code")

1. KEY INFORMATION

(a) Full name of discloser: Pentwater Capital Management LP (b) Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a): The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named. N/A (c) Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates: Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree JTC plc (d) If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree: N/A (e) Date position held/dealing undertaken: For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure 22/10/2025 (f) In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer? If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state "N/A" NO

2. POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.

(a) Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)

Class of relevant security: 1p ordinary Interests Short positions Number % Number % (1) Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: (2) Cash-settled derivatives: 4,150,000 2.41 (3) Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell: TOTAL: 4,150,000 2.41

All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.

Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).

(b) Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors' and other employee options)

Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists: Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:

3. DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

(a) Purchases and sales

Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit

(b) Cash-settled derivative transactions

Class of relevant security Product description e.g. CFD Nature of dealing e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position Number of reference securities Price per unit (GBP) 1p ordinary Swap Reducing a long position 150,000 13.496007

(c) Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)

(i) Writing, selling, purchasing or varying

Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type e.g. American, European etc. Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit

(ii) Exercise

Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit

(d) Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)

Class of relevant security Nature of dealing e.g. subscription, conversion Details Price per unit (if applicable)

4. OTHER INFORMATION

(a) Indemnity and other dealing arrangements

Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer: Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state "none" None

(b) Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives

Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to: (i) the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or (ii) the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced: If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state "none" None

(c) Attachments

Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NO

Date of disclosure: 23/10/2025 Contact name: Hooman Tavakolian Telephone number: +1 312-914-4301

Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

The Panel's Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code's disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

The Code can be viewed on the Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.
Brilliance 2025 - themed "Celebrating Women Disrupting Healthcare" - brings together executives, physicians, and entrepreneurs to share bold strategies for leading change, fostering inclusion, and transforming care. Designed for professionals seeking greater impact and influence, the event blends inspiring keynotes, hands-on workshops, and dynamic networking focused on real-world leadership and innovation.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS / ACCESS Newswire / October 23, 2025 / Vituity will host Brilliance 2025 on Thursday, November 13, at the Hilton Chicago-a one-day event dedicated to advancing women leaders in healthcare. The one-day event offers attendees practical insights, career development opportunities, and connections with industry leaders driving meaningful changes.

Open to the public with limited seats still available, this year's theme - "Celebrating Women Disrupting Healthcare" - honors the leaders and innovators transforming patient care, leadership, and community through courage, collaboration, and disruption. It's a platform for sharing stories of impact, elevating diverse voices, and exploring how bold ideas can reshape an industry in flux.

Created by Vituity, a physician-led and -owned partnership delivering care to more than 12 million patients nationwide, Brilliance is more than a meeting - it's a movement. Rooted in Vituity's Culture of Brilliance vision, the event fosters a national community of leaders who learn from one another, amplify each other's impact, and drive lasting change in healthcare and beyond.

"We believe in building spaces where people feel seen and celebrated, and where their potential is ignited," says Imamu Tomlinson, MD, MBA, CEO of Vituity, reflecting on the intention behind Brilliance. "Disruption doesn't happen in isolation - it happens when bold people come together with purpose. That's what Brilliance is all about."

Vituity's Vice President of Education and Experience, Tennille Lowery, echoes that energy: "We wanted something different: not just another conference, but an experience that feels bold, personal, and empowering. And one that's been expressly tailored to appeal to all women in healthcare, whether they're on the frontlines of care delivery or behind the scenes helping our industry run efficiently."

The general session alone features two of the nation's most dynamic voices in healthcare and leadership. New York Times bestselling author of The Disruption Mindset, Charlene Li, will discuss how leaders and organizations can harness disruption for good. Dr. Nwando Anyaoku, Chief Health Equity Officer at Swedish Health Services, will explore how women can embrace their power to create lasting change.

Attendees will also engage in a series of curated workshops designed to move ideas into action, exploring themes of leadership, entrepreneurship, technology, and well-being. Sessions include "Breaking Barriers: The Journey of a Founder" with Maja Mazur and Kara Egan; "In the C-Suite: Lessons from the Top" featuring Dr.Ngozi Ezike and Julie Sprengel; "Leading in the Era of AI" with Charlene Li; "Strategic Storytelling & Personal Branding" with Cheldin Barlatt Rumer; "The Mental Load: Managing Career, Family, and Personal Growth" with Dr. Joneigh Khaldun; and "How Different Perspectives Improve Business Outcomes" moderated by Maureen Bell.

Event Details

Brilliance 2025: Celebrating Women Disrupting Healthcare

Thursday, November 13, 2025

Hilton, Chicago, IL

Registration: https://web.cvent.com/event/bc9381f5-4ead-443b-a9b9-611897dd6d15/summary

SOURCE: Vituity

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/brilliance-2025-%e2%80%93-in-person-celebration-of-women-disrupting-healthcar-1090937
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / October 23, 2025 / Niko Kotsaftis, Energy & Sustainability Program Manager at MilliporeSigma, the U.S. and Canada life science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, was recognized with the "Future Leader Award" during the World Sustainability Awards 2025, recognizing his exceptional contributions to operational sustainability.

As the driving force behind the company's 125 million EDISON water and energy efficiency program, Kotsaftis has demonstrated remarkable leadership in further embedding sustainability across the company's global life science operations. Under his guidance, the program has achieved extraordinary results, completing 164 projects that collectively avoid 23,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalents emissions, save 153,000 MWh of energy, and reduce water consumption by 400,000 cubic meters.

The World Sustainability Awards judges specifically commended Kotsaftis for his "impressive impact and ability to influence stakeholders". His work directly supports the company's Scope 1 & 2 emissions goal, which targets a 50% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 by 2030 compared to the 2020 baseline. As of 2024, the life science business has achieved a 43% reduction in Scope 1 & 2 compared to 2020, despite 19% business growth.

"Making an impact in sustainability isn't only about managing projects," said Kotsaftis. "It's also about building relationships, fostering collaboration, and creating a culture of continuous improvement to drive lasting change. I'm grateful to the judging committee for this recognition."

The EDISON initiative represents one of four key levers in Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany's comprehensive approach to emissions reduction, focusing on high-impact energy and water conservation projects across manufacturing sites worldwide. Kotsaftis's leadership exemplifies how individual champions can drive meaningful change in corporate sustainability efforts.

To see other World Sustainability Award winners, view their press release here. For more information on MilliporeSigma's sustainability strategy and programs, visit SigmaAldrich.com/sustainability

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from MilliporeSigma on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: MilliporeSigma

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/milliporesigma

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: MilliporeSigma

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/milliporesigmas-niko-kotsaftis-wins-future-leader-award-by-world-sust-1091124
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 23, 2025) - Avanti Gold Corp. (CSE: AGC) (FSE: X370) ("Avanti" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company has closed its private placement offering of 50,000,000 units of the Company (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.50 per Unit, for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of C$25,000,000, as previously announced on September 30, 2025 and October 1, 2025 (the "Offering"). The Offering was led by SCP Resource Finance LP, as lead agent and sole bookrunner, and a syndicate of agents, including Haywood Securities Inc., Canaccord Genuity Corp. and Raymond James Ltd.

Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (each a "Share") and one half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole common share purchase warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Share at an exercise price of C$0.65 for a period of 36-months from the date of issuance thereof. The Warrants issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a restriction on exercise expiring 61 days from the date of issuance.

Martin Pawlitschek, incoming Chief Executive Officer, commented: "I am pleased to see strong investor interest in our upsized LIFE offering which will provide us with the means to continue exploration efforts at the Misisi Gold Project, which has the potential to become a cornerstone asset in Africa. Our funded 2026 exploration program will focus on adding ounces at permitted areas along the 55-kilometer long Kibara gold belt including the Akyanaga deposit, which already has a 3.1Moz Inferred resource, and mineralized targets including Akyanga East, Ngalula, Lubitchako, Kilombwe and Tulonge.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering for the advancement of exploration efforts, including ground geophysics and drilling programs, at the Misisi gold project located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which hosts a 43-101 compliant Inferred Mineral Resource of 41Mt at an average grade of 2.37 g/t containing 3.1 Moz of gold. In addition, net proceeds will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes.

The Offering was conducted pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions, as modified by Coordinated Blanket Order 45-935 - Exemptions from Certain Conditions of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption (the "Listed Issuer Financing Exemption") to purchasers resident in Canada, except Quebec, and/or other qualifying jurisdictions pursuant to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption. The securities issuable to purchasers resident in Canada from the sale of the Units are expected to be immediately freely tradeable in accordance with applicable Canadian securities legislation. The Units were also sold to purchasers in offshore jurisdictions and in the United States on a private placement basis pursuant to one or more exemptions from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act").

Swapan Kakumanu, Interim CEO, along with other Board members and management (the "Insiders"), strategics, institutional investors, and high net worth individuals participated in the Offering. Insiders are considered "related parties" of the Company for the purposes of applicable securities laws and stock exchange rules. The subscription and issuance of Units by the Insiders constitute related party transactions but are exempt from the formal valuation and minority approval requirements of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions as neither the fair market value of the Shares and Warrants issued to each of the Insiders, nor the consideration paid by such Insiders, exceeds 25% of the Company's market capitalization. A material change report in connection with the participation of the Insiders in the Offering will be filed within 10 days of the closing of the Offering.

This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements thereunder.

All references herein to currency amounts are to lawful money of Canada, unless stated otherwise.

About Avanti Gold Corp.

Avanti Gold Corp. is a gold exploration company with a robust portfolio of projects in Africa. The Company's flagship asset is the Misisi Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), home to the Akyanga gold deposit. The Akyanga deposit has an Inferred Mineral Resource of 44.3 million tonnes (Mt) at an average gold grade of 2.37 grams per tonne (g/t), totalling 3.1 million ounces (Moz) of gold. The Misisi Project spans three contiguous 30-year mining leases covering 133 square kilometers (km) along the 55-kilometer-long Kibara Gold Belt, a prominent metallogenic province known for hosting significant gold deposits.

Qualified Person

Ephraim Masibhera, a "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"), has reviewed the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release and has approved the disclosure herein. Historical information contained in this news release cannot be relied upon as the Company's Qualified Person, as defined under NI 43-101 has not prepared nor verified the historical information.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (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. This news release may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements in this release includes, but is not limited to: the expected use of the net proceeds from the Offering; the filing of a material change report in connection with the participation of insiders of the Company in the Offering and the Company's business objectives. When or if used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "plan", "forecast", "may", "schedule" and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risk factors set out in Avanti's annual and/or quarterly management discussion and analysis and in other of its public disclosure documents filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, as well as all assumptions regarding the foregoing. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause 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. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271574

SOURCE: Avanti Gold Corp.
Wood Group (John) Plc - Result of General Meeting

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, October 23

John Wood Group PLC

LEI:549300PLYY6I10B6S323

General Meeting - Voting Results

Issued share capital at meeting date: 691,839,369 Number of votes per share: 1 vote per share.

At a General Meeting of John Wood Group PLC (the "Company") held on 23 October 2025 at 3.00pm, the resolution put to shareholders to approve the temporary disapplication of the borrowing limit in the Company's articles of association was duly passed by way of a poll with the required majorities.

The full text of the resolution is contained in the Circular to Shareholders including the Notice of General Meeting, which is available on the Company's website at: www.woodplc.com/investors/general-meetings

The Resolution was considered and passed as an Ordinary Resolution.

The number of votes for and against the resolution, and the number of votes withheld, were as follows:

Resolution Votes For (Including Discretionary) % Votes Against % Total Votes (excluding Votes Withheld) Votes Withheld* % of Issued Share Capital Voted ** To sanction the temporary disapplication of the borrowing limit set out in Article 98(B) of the Company's articles of association. 273,453,408 96.56 9,736,320 3.44 283,189,728 795,289 40.93%

The percentages of votes "For" and "Against" the resolution are expressed as a percentage of the total of the votes "For" and votes "Against" the resolution (together, the "Total Votes (excluding votes withheld").

* A vote withheld is not a vote in law and is not counted in the calculation of the proportion of votes "For" or "Against" a resolution.

** Votes withheld are excluded from the percentage of issued share capital voted calculation.

These votes are also available on the Company's website at: www.woodplc.com/investors/annual-general-meeting .

In accordance with the Financial Conduct Authority's UK Listing Rule 6.4.2R, a copy of the resolution passed at the General Meeting has been submitted today to the NSM and will shortly be available to view on the NSM's website at: https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism .

Notification authorised by:

John Habgood

Group General Counsel and Company Secretary
Key financial information

Net rental income up 9.9% (up 3.2% like for like) compared with the first nine months of 2024

Confirmation of expected recurring earnings per share of 1.79 in full-year 2025, corresponding to growth of 7.0%

EBITDA margin expected to improve in 2025 to 79% (up 130 basis points versus 2024)

Trading for the first nine months of 2025

Retailer sales up 0.7% and footfall up 0.3%

Dynamic leasing activity: 646 leases signed, with rental uplift of 2.6%

Financial occupancy at 95.3% (stable versus end-September 2024, Galimmo pro-forma)1

Collection rate of 96.6% (up 50 basis points versus end-September 2024)2

Significant events

Successful launch of a second 300 million Green Bond with a maturity of just over seven years (2033) and a fixed annual coupon of 3.75% (spread 130 basis points above the benchmark rate)

Launch of a new 10 million share buyback programme on 24 October 2025

Carmila awarded a Green Star designation by GRESB, with a score of 92/100

Regulatory News:

Marie Cheval, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Carmila (Paris:CARM), commented:

"The successful integration of Galimmo is supporting growth and demonstrating both the relevance of Carmila's model and the appeal of its shopping centres.

Carmila's excellent financing conditions reflects investor confidence in our ability to navigate a constantly evolving environment and seize opportunities to create value in our key markets."

First nine months

2025 First nine months

2024 Reported change Like-for-like change Gross rental income (m) 327.4 298.1 +9.8% Net rental income (m) 301.4 274.3 +9.9% +3.2% France 214.5 189.7 +13.1% Spain 68.8 67.0 +2.7% Italy 18.0 17.6 +2.4%

Net rental income up 9.9% versus the first nine months of 2024

This performance includes sustained organic growth of 3.2% (including 2.5% from indexation) and a 6.5% contribution from Galimmo, net of disposals.

Continued leasing momentum

Carmila saw strong momentum in leasing activity over the first nine months of the year, with 646 leases signed. Reversion represented a rental uplift of 2.6% on average, above indexation.

This high level confirms the appeal of Carmila's shopping centres, which are especially popular among emerging retailers.

Key signings during the period included three Legami stationery stores, two Action stores, a pharmacy, a Marquette concept store (Carmila Retail Development), gyms (On Air, Fitness Park) and Ready-to-Wear brands (Mango Teen, New Yorker).

Collection rate up to 96.6% (up 50 basis points versus end-September 2024)3

The Group's elevated collection rate is being driven in particular by the acceleration on the Galimmo scope to 96.8%, representing an increase of 80 basis points versus the first half of 2025 and of 360 basis points compared with the first half of 2023.

Financial occupancy stood at 95.3% at end-September 2025 (stable pro forma Galimmo versus 30 September 2024)4

The roll-out of the Carmila strategy at Galimmo is producing results, with Galimmo's occupancy rate rising to 93.7% at 30 September 2025, from 91.0% one year earlier.

Carmila's occupancy rate remains high (95.5% excluding Galimmo), demonstrating the relevance of its model and ability to transform assets in a context of some retailers being hit by administration proceedings.

Retailer sales and footfall up versus the first nine months of 2024

Retailer sales were up by 0.7% compared to the first nine months of 2024, lifted by the appeal of Carmila's shopping centres and the dynamism of Carrefour hypermarkets. Over the period, footfall improved by 0.3%.

Spain contributed actively to the growth momentum, posting a strong performance with retailer sales up 4.9% and footfall rising 1.0%.

At the same time, Carmila is continuing to transform its centres to enhance their appeal. Several flagship projects were delivered over the period, including the opening of a food park with four restaurants at Vitrolles.

Financial position strengthened by latest bond issue

Successful launch of a new 300 million Green Bond (maturity of over seven years, coupon of 3.75%)

Building on the success of its inaugural 2024 issue, Carmila successfully launched a second Green Bond, with a spread of 130 basis points. The issue was almost eight times oversubscribed, reflecting investor confidence.

The issue proceeds will be earmarked for financing or refinancing assets certified BREEAM "Very Good" or "Excellent".

Redemption of a 313 million bond maturing in 2027 and 2028

Simultaneously, Carmila redeemed 313 million of existing bonds with shorter maturities (2027 and 2028) at attractive terms. All the bonds redeemed were cancelled.

These simultaneous transactions have enabled Carmila to optimise its debt maturity profile by increasing its average maturity, and will have a positive impact on financial expenses from 2025 to 2027.

Leadership in CSR confirmed

First-rate environmental trajectory (GRESB)

GRESB, the global assessment benchmark for ESG practices in the real estate sector, ranked Carmila among the sector leaders with a record score of 92/100 ("Green Star" rating), well above the sector average of 79/100.

This illustrates the significant progress made by Carmila in reducing its portfolio's carbon footprint (reduction of 4.1% like for like), and places it among the best performers in terms of energy and carbon intensity.

Financial and non-financial reporting aligned with the highest standards (EPRA sBPR)

Carmila once again picked up Gold level recognition at the 2025 EPRA sBPR and BPR Awards, testifying to the quality and transparency of its financial and non-financial reporting since 2020.

These awards illustrate the relevance of Carmila's CSR strategy and its commitment to meeting the most demanding expectations of investors and other stakeholders.

New 10 million share buyback programme

To date in 2025, Carmila has bought back 20 million worth of shares over two programmes. All of the shares bought back will be cancelled on 24 October 2025.

Given the attractive return of over 10% for shareholders (recurring earnings per share over the share price), Carmila is set to launch a third share buyback programme in 2025 worth 10 million.

This programme will bring Carmila's total investment in share buybacks to 30 million in 2025, representing approximately 1.2% of the share capital5

The aim of these successive programmes is to maximise returns for shareholders.

This latest programme will be launched on 24 October 2025. The shares bought back will be earmarked for cancellation.

Confirmation of expected recurring earnings per share of 1.79 in 2025

Carmila's recurring earnings per share for full-year 2025 are expected to be 1.79, corresponding to growth of 7.0% versus 2024.

The elevated level of recurring earnings is attributable to:

the contribution of Galimmo, which is now fully integrated;

continued leasing momentum in Spain; and

improved operating margin, with a target EBITDA margin of 79% in 2025.

As a reminder, Carmila's dividend policy, as outlined in the Building Sustainable Growth strategic plan, is to pay out at least 1.00 per share in cash, with a payout ratio of 75% of recurring earnings.

INVESTOR AGENDA

18 February 2026 (after trading): 2025 annual results

19 February 2026: 2025 annual results presentation

ABOUT CARMILA

As the third-largest listed owner of commercial property in Europe, Carmila was founded by Carrefour and large institutional investors in order to enhance the value of shopping centres adjoining Carrefour hypermarkets in France, Spain and Italy. At 31 December 2024, its portfolio was valued at 6.7 billion, and is made up of 251 shopping centres with leading positions in their catchment areas.

Carmila is listed on Euronext-Paris Compartment A under the symbol CARM. It benefits from the tax regime for French real estate investment trusts ("SIIC"). Carmila has been a member of the SBF 120 since 20 June 2022.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Some of the statements contained in this document are not historical facts but rather statements of future expectations, estimates and other forward-looking statements based on management's beliefs. These statements reflect such views and assumptions prevailing as of the date of the statements and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause future results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Please refer to the most recent Universal Registration Document filed in French by Carmila with the Autorite des marches financiers for additional information in relation to such factors, risks and uncertainties. Carmila has no intention and is under no obligation to update or review the forward-looking statements referred to above. Consequently, Carmila accepts no liability for any consequences arising from the use of any of the above statements.

This press release is available in the "Publications" section of Carmila's Finance webpage:

https://www.carmila.com/en/publications/

1 On a reported basis (including Galimmo). Financial occupancy (excluding Galimmo): 95.5%.

2 On a reported basis (including Galimmo). Galimmo collection rate: 96.8%.

3 On a reported basis (including Galimmo). Galimmo collection rate: 96.8%.

4 On a reported basis (including Galimmo). Financial occupancy (excluding Galimmo): 95.5%.

5 Share capital at 31 December 2024 and estimated average share price based on the average price of the first two buybacks.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251023123051/en/

Contacts:

INVESTORS AND ANALYSTS

Pierre-Yves Thirion CFO

pierre_yves_thirion@carmila.com

+33 6 47 21 60 49

PRESS

Elodie Arcayna Corporate Communications and CSR Director

elodie_arcayna@carmila.com

+33 7 86 54 40 10
Operating loss reduced by 4 million in first six months of 2025 versus H1 2024, highlighting improved corporate efficiency

H1 2025 revenues at 11.3 million, vs 10.9 million in H1 2024; Q3 2025 revenue at 5.9 million

Order backlog at 73.6 million as of September 30, 2025, a 3% increase from June 30, 2025

Decision on FDA 510(k) clearance for eyonis LCS marketing authorization in the U.S. expected early Q1 2026

LCS marketing authorization in the U.S. expected early Q1 2026 Financed until at least Q4 2026, with 25.3 million in cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2025

Regulatory News:

Median Technologies (FR0011049824, ALMDT, PEA-PME scheme eligible, "Median" or the "Company"), manufacturer of eyonis, a suite of artificial intelligence (AI) powered Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) for early cancer diagnosis, and a globally leading provider of AI-based image analyses and central imaging services for oncology drug developers, today reported its consolidated financial results for the six month period ending June 30, 2025 and provided key business results (unaudited) for the third quarter of 2025. The consolidated IFRS financial statements for the first half of 2025 were approved by the Company's Board of Directors on October 22, 2025.

CEO statement

"Median achieved a series of key milestones and strategic turning points in the first three quarters of 2025, laying a strong foundation for the Company's future growth. eyonis LCS is under regulatory review and progressing towards marketing authorizations. Regulatory response regarding US FDA 510(k) clearance is expected early Q1 2026. In parallel, commercial launch preparations, including discussions with major industry players for distribution, are intensifying in the U.S.," saidFredrik Brag, CEO and Founder of Median Technologies.

"This regulatory and commercial progress is now underpinned by a strong and recently bolstered financial foundation. The recently announced 23.9 million capital increase, together with the 19 million first tranche of the 2025 EIB loan received on October 20, provide Median with the financial resources needed to execute its growth strategy through at least Q4 2026. Assuming full exercise of the share warrants (BSA) subscribed during the capital increase, we would be financed well beyond Q4 2026. The Company's iCRO business recorded a growing order backlog in Q3, ensuring revenue visibility over the next two years and supporting future growth. The operational optimization efforts initiated in late 2024 are delivering results: Median's operating loss was reduced by 4 million in first six months of 2025."

Q3 2025 Operational and Financial Update

Median Technologies is preparing for the U.S. launch of eyonis LCS

On September 22, 2025, the Company announced that a longer review period was anticipated for the regulatory decision regarding eyonis LCS 510(k) clearance. Median Technologies expects a decision on U.S. 510(k) clearance early Q1 2026.

Median is preparing for the U.S. launch of eyonis LCS. The Company has finalized a detailed mapping of lung cancer screening centers across the United States, enabling a targeted and phased commercial strategy for the launch of eyonis LCS. Sales materials and training tools are ready, and discussions with potential commercial partners are progressing in parallel with the regulatory approval process.

The Company continues to strengthen its network of key opinion leaders in radiology, pulmonology, and thoracic oncology through site visits and active engagement with medical societies. These interactions have boosted visibility for eyonis LCS among influential early adopters and advanced discussions around upcoming health-economic studies. Awareness efforts with patient advocacy groups are also gaining momentum.

iCRO business update

The Company's Q3 2025 revenue was 5.9 million vs 5.9 million in Q3 2024 and 5.3 million in Q2 2025.

All the Company's revenue comes from Median Technologies' iCRO business unit, which delivers central imaging services and AI-based image analysis in oncology clinical trials sponsored by biopharmaceutical companies globally.

The iCRO order backlog1 continued to grow, reaching 73.6 million as of September 30, 2025, vs 71.3 million as of June 30, 2025, a 3% increase.

Company cash and cash equivalents of 23.5 million as of September 30, 2025

On July 11, 2025, Median announced the signature of a new financing facility for up to 37.5 million with the European Investment Bank (EIB), which could be drawn in three (3) tranches, i.e., 19 million (Tranche A), 8.5 million (Tranche B) and 10 million (Tranche C), under certain conditions.

On August 1, 2025, the Company announced a gross capital increase of 23.9 million, of which 21.8 million in cash, through the issuance of ABSA (ordinary shares with warrants).

Over Q3 2025, 820,900 share warrants (BSA) subscribed during the August 2025 transaction have been exercised, representing an additional cash inflow of 2.9 million.

Consequently, as of September 30, 2025, Median Technologies' cash and cash equivalents stand at 23.5 million compared to 4.3 million as of June 30, 2025.

Key Company developments since September 30, 2025

On October 17, 2025, Median Technologies proceeded with the 20.7 million repayment of the first tranche of the 2019 loan granted by the European Investment Bank (EIB).

On October 20, 2025, the Company received 19 million, corresponding to the first tranche of the up to 37.5 million financial agreement executed with the EIB on July 11, 2025.

Both transactions were announced on October 21, 2025.

The Company's operations are fully financed until Q4 2026 and potentially much further, assuming the full exercise of the remaining 13,603,641 share warrants (BSA) subscribed during the capital increase, which would represent an additional cash inflow of 48.8 million.

H1 2025 Financial Highlights (IFRS consolidated financial statements)

Consolidated Statement of Cash-Flow

Cash flow ( thousands) 06/30/2025 (6 months) 06/30/2024 (6 months) Operating cash flow (8,890) (11,348) Change in operating working capital requirement 1,305 1,058 Net cash flow from operating activities (6,851) (10,909) Net cash flow from investing activities (294) (662) Net cash flow from financing activities 3,508 8,020 Impact of changes in exchange rates (148) 47 Net change in cash and cash equivalents (3,784) (3,503) Cash at beginning of period 8,128 19,495 Cash at end of period 4,344 15,992

Net cash flow consumption from operating activities decreased from 10.9 million in H1 2024 to 6.9 million in H1 2025, driven by working capital efficiencies, and the factoring in of the 2024 Research Tax Credit for 1.4 million.

Net consolidated income statement under IFRS accounting rules

 thousands H1 2025 H1 2024 Revenue from ordinary activities 11,298 10,936 Personnel costs (10,721) (13,391) External costs (8,873) (10,260) Operating profit (loss) (9,273) (13,295) Net financial income 34 853 Net profit (loss) (9,207) (12,457)

H1 2025 revenues were 11.3 million, versus 10.9 million in H1 2024, a 3.5% increase.

The Company's operating loss decreased from 13.3 million in H1 2024 to 9.3 million in H1 2025, representing a 30% reduction. This improvement was primarily driven by resource optimization efforts undertaken since the second half of 2024.

Net financial income, which is a non-cash item mainly driven by stock price fluctuations, decreased by 0.8 million.

Net loss dropped from 12.5 million in H1 2024 to 9.2 million in H1 2025, a 26% year-over-year reduction which underscores the impact of strategic cost optimization and operational improvements and highlights the Company's continued progress toward profitability.

Median Technologies informs its shareholders and the financial community that its half year financial report on the accounts for the half year ending June 30, 2025, has been made available and filed with the French financial market authority (Autorite des Marches Financiers).

The 2025 half-year financial report is available on the Company's website: http://www.mediantechnologies.com/investors/

About Median Technologies: Pioneering innovative software as a medical device and imaging services, Median Technologies harnesses cutting-edge AI to enhance the accuracy of early cancer diagnoses and treatments. Median's offerings include iCRO, which provides medical image analysis and management in oncology trials, and eyonis, an AI/ML tech-based suite of software as a medical device (SaMD). Median empowers biopharmaceutical entities and clinicians to advance patient care and expedite the development of novel therapies. The French-based company, with a presence in the U.S. and China, trades on the Euronext Growth market (ISIN: FR0011049824, ticker: ALMDT). Median is also eligible for the French SME equity savings plan scheme (PEA-PME). For more information, visit www.mediantechnologies.com.

Disclaimer

eyonis LCS is pending 510(k) clearance and is not yet available for sale in the United States.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are not historical facts. They include projections and estimates, as well as the assumptions on which these are based, statements concerning projects, objectives, intentions, and expectations with respect to future financial results, events, operations, services, product development and potential, or future performance.

These forward-looking statements can often be identified by the words "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates" or "plans" and any other similar expressions. Although Median's management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Median Technologies, that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements.

All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Median Technologies as of the date of the press release. Median Technologies does not undertake to update any forward-looking information or statements, subject to applicable regulations, in particular Articles 223-1 et seq. of the General Regulation of the French Autorite des Marches Financiers.

1 The order backlog is the sum of orders received but not yet fulfilled. An increase or decrease in the order backlog corresponds to the order intake of the reporting period, net of invoiced services, completed or cancelled contracts, and currency impact for projects in foreign currency (re-evaluated at the exchange rate on closing date). Orders are booked once the customer confirms, in writing, its retention of the Company's services for a given project. The contract is usually signed a few months after written confirmation.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251023244464/en/

Contacts:

MEDIAN TECHNOLOGIES

Emmanuelle Leygues

VP, Corporate Marketing Financial Communications

+33 6 10 93 58 88

emmanuelle.leygues@mediantechnologies.com



Investors SEITOSEI ACTIFIN

Ghislaine Gasparetto

+33 6 85 36 76 81

ghislaine.gasparetto@seitosei-actifin.com



U.S. media investors COHESION BUREAU

Chris Maggos

+41 79 367 6254

chris.maggos@cohesionbureau.com



Press ULYSSE COMMUNICATION

Bruno Arabian

+33 6 87 88 47 26

barabian@ulysse-communication.com



Nicolas Entz

+33 6 33 67 31 54

nentz@ulysse-communication.com
TEL AVIV, IL / ACCESS Newswire / October 23, 2025 / Tel Aviv has welcomed a new destination for contemporary art with the opening of The L Gallery on Ahad Ha'Am Street. Dedicated to promoting Israeli and international artists, the gallery seeks to cultivate dialogue and exchange across cultures and disciplines.

The L Gallery

Evgeny Merman, Eva Lanska, Eyal Waldman

The gallery was founded by a group of creators and entrepreneurs from the art and business worlds, among them London-based video artist and film director Eva Lanska. The gallery's director Mindy Schechter, former head of leading galleries in London, brings extensive international experience to the role.

The inaugural exhibition Unfolded presents a solo show by Israeli artist Evgeny Merman, a graduate of New York's School of Visual Arts. Through his works, Merman revisits personal and collective histories of migration and displacement, transforming them into poetic reflections imbued with profound material sensitivity.

"The exhibition Unfolded is an important project, presenting the diversity of my artistic explorations between 2017 and 2025," says Merman. "For me, painting is both a tactile, meditative act and a way to explore what migration and memory leave behind. I often work on surfaces that already carry scars and traces, so each piece becomes a dialogue between what was there before and what remains unresolved. Showing these works at The L Gallery feels like the right place to begin this new chapter, and I am grateful to the gallery for making it possible."

Alongside the main exhibition, the gallery also unveiled Sisterhood, a video work by Eva Lanska exploring themes of solidarity and female support. Previously showcased at major international events such as the Venice Biennale and Miami Art Week, the piece continues to resonate across diverse audiences.

Lanska adds, "Opening The L Gallery is both a privilege and a responsibility. We wanted to create a space in the heart of Tel Aviv that not only presents art but also invites people to pause, reflect, and connect with ideas that challenge and inspire. Evgeny Merman's works embody this vision perfectly. This project is particularly important for the gallery, as it serves as a pop-up exhibition preceding the grand opening planned at the end of 2025."

The opening reception drew a distinguished circle of guests, including Eyal Waldman; Miki Jacobson Dehab, CEO of the Israel Philharmonic Foundation; Anat Fischer-Leventon, CEO of the Suzanne Dellal Centre; Amnon Apelbaum, engineering consultant for Canada Israel; architect Yoav Messer; Rob Anders, CEO of digital art startup Niio; architect Matan Chagaby; businessman and philanthropist Yaakov Peretz with his wife Rachel; and Sandra Benisty, President of the Jaffa Institute France, alongside art professionals and collectors from Israel and abroad.

Unfolded is on view through December 15, 2025, at 13 Ahad Ha'Am Street, Tel Aviv-Yafo.

The L Gallery is a global contemporary art platform with exclusive galleries in Tel Aviv, Monaco, London, and New York.

Photo: Evgeny Merman, Eva Lanska, Eyal Waldman

SOURCE: Kultura PR International LLC

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/publishing-and-media/a-new-art-space-in-the-heart-of-tel-aviv-the-l-gallery-opens-on-ahad-ha%e2%80%99am-str-1090992
As part of the Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) in the field of healthcare, the Med4Cure program includes public support of up to 140 million under France 2030.

Abolis Biotechnologies will provide EUROAPI with its expertise in the design and the development of innovative microbial bioprocesses to bring back to Europe, at a competitive cost, the production of corticosteroids, which is currently heavily dependent on Asian manufacturers.

Abolis Biotechnologies, a company specializing in industrial solutions using microorganisms, today announced that it has entered into a strategic partnership with EUROAPI, one of the world's leading producers of active pharmaceutical ingredients, for the development of microbial strains for the synthesis of key intermediates and 20 active ingredients, particularly from the corticosteroid family.

This industrial partnership is part of the Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI), a European initiative aimed at strengthening pharmaceutical sovereignty. Validated by the European Commission, the Med4Cure program offers public support through Bpifrance of up to 140 million as part of France 2030. Led by EUROAPI, it brings together several academic institutions such as the Institute of Chemistry for Health at Chimie Paris Tech, the CARMEN laboratory at INSA Rouen, the CEISAM laboratory at the University of Nantes, and Toulouse INP.

In this context, Abolis Biotechnologies will be responsible for developing microbial strains and associated bioprocesses for the production of corticosteroids used in the treatment of allergic and immune diseases. One of the key innovations in this process is based on enhanced synergy between biotechnology and corticosteroid chemistry. Production will be distributed between EUROAPI's sites in St Aubin-les-Elbeuf (Normandy) and Vertolaye (Auvergne), the only European site producing this type of treatment. In return, Abolis Biotechnologies will receive funding from Bpifrance and EUROAPI over a four-year period.

The production in Europe of these critical drugs, used daily in both hospitals and private practices, faces a series of structural and economic challenges that explain the recurring supply shortages observed over the past years. To date, nearly 80% of the global corticosteroid market is controlled by Asian producers, particularly in China and India, where manufacturing costs are lower. This dependence renders supply chains vulnerable to geopolitical, logistical, or health crisis.

Cyrille Pauthenier, co-founder and President of Abolis Biotechnologies, said: "We are delighted to announce this partnership with EUROAPI, which aims to regain European pharmaceutical sovereignty in a sustainable and cost-competitive manner. This will be achieved through a strategy combining biotechnology and chemistry in an innovative way. Through the Med4Cure program, Abolis Biotechnologies will actively contribute to securing supply chains, enabling us to accelerate our growth strategy and consolidate our position as a European leader in the fields of industrial biotechnology and the microbiome."

David Seignolle, CEO of EUROAPI, added: "EUROAPI is delighted to bring together a collaborative ecosystem comprising innovative companies such as Abolis Biotechnologies and leading academic teams. With the support of the IPCEI framework, we have joined forces to work together on regaining pharmaceutical sovereignty, particularly in the key area of corticosteroids."

About Abolis Biotechnologies

Abolis Biotechnologies is a French company delivering high-impact, high-value-added innovations in the field of microbial biotechnology-bioproduction and microbiome. Abolis Biotechnologies supports industries in their transition to a more sustainaible production model. The company provides tailor-made industrial solutions based on natural or modified microorganisms. Since its creation in 2014, Abolis Biotechnologies has raised more than 35 million, now has more than 80 employees, and has achieved significant growth thanks to strategic partnerships with leaders in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and nutrition industries. www.abolis.fr

About EUROAPI

EUROAPI is focused on reinventing active ingredient solutions to sustainably meet customers' and patients' needs around the world. We are a leading player in active pharmaceutical ingredients with approximately 200 products in our portfolio, offering a large span of technologies while developing innovative molecules through our Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) activities.

Taking action for health by enabling access to essential therapies inspires our 3,270 employees every day. With strong research and development capabilities and five manufacturing sites, all located in Europe, EUROAPI ensures API manufacturing of the highest quality to supply customers in more than 80 countries. EUROAPI is listed on Euronext Paris (ISIN: FR0014008VX5; ticker: EAPI). Find out more at www.euroapi.com and follow us on LinkedIn

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251023325690/en/

Contacts:

Abolis Biotechnologies

Gwenael Servant VP Business Strategy gwenael.servant@abolis.fr



Maarc Press Relations

Bruno Arabian bruno.arabian@maarc.fr +33 (0) 6 87 88 47 26

Nicolas Entz nicolas.entz@maarc.fr +33 (0) 6 33 67 31 54
STOCKHOLM, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Every year on October 29, the global community marks World Psoriasis Day, raising awareness and standing in solidarity with more than 60 million people living with psoriatic disease worldwide. This year, IFPA (the International Federation of Psoriasis Associations) launches a global campaign "Stop the Domino Effect".

IFPA's "Stop the Domino Effect" is urging policymakers, healthcare professionals and the public to recognize psoriasis for what it is: a serious, systemic, and life-changing disease that sets off a chain reaction of serious health conditions - from diabetes and cardiovascular disease to depression. The campaign highlights the urgent need for integrated care, early intervention and equal access to treatment worldwide. The organization calls on health authorities to include psoriasis in national NCD strategies and ensure that patients receive care addressing both physical and mental health.

Psoriasis is not "just a skin disease" as it has been misunderstood for a long time. It is a lifelong, immune-mediated condition that affects the entire body. The body's immune system triggers an overproduction of skin cells, leading to painful, inflamed, and itchy plaques. But the damage goes far deeper than the surface.

Recent research shows that psoriasis is closely linked to other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome. One in three people with psoriasis will develop psoriatic arthritis, a painful inflammatory joint disease that can cause permanent damage and disability.

The burden extends to mental health. People with psoriasis are more than twice as likely to experience serious psychological distress - with a 109% higher risk of developing mental health disorders compared to the general population. One in ten live with diagnosed depression, while nearly half report severe anxiety. The stigma is pervasive: four in five people say they have faced discrimination because of their disease, and one in three have had to give up educational or career opportunities as a result.

"We must stop the domino effect of psoriatic disease - and we must do it now," says **Frida Dunger, Executive Director of IFPA. " *It's time to recognize that psoriatic disease severely affects every part of a person's life and is closely linked to mental health. It's also time to move towards increased understanding that psoriasis is not just a skin disease. If we treat psoriasis early, with the best possible treatment and in holistic way, we can prevent a cascade of other serious illnesses. Policymakers and healthcare providers must act with urgency and listen to those living with the condition. Stopping the domino effect of psoriasis can help to radically improve lives of many people and save them from preventable suffering, - *Frida added.

This World Psoriasis Day, IFPA reminds the world: it's time to stop the domino effect.

Read more about this year's campaign:

https://www.ifpa-pso.com/global-actions-overview/world-psoriasis-day

About IFPA

IFPA (the International Federation of Psoriasis Associations), founded in 1971 and based in Stockholm, Sweden, is the global organization dedicated to advocating for everyone affected by psoriatic disease. IFPA's members include national and regional patient associations and represent over 60 million people worldwide. Through global coalitions, World Psoriasis Day campaigns, the IFPA Forum, and the World Psoriasis & Psoriatic Arthritis Conference, IFPA is redefining psoriatic disease as a key lens for stronger, more inclusive health systems. Learn more: https://www.ifpa-pso.com/

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2803878/ifpa_poster.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2803877/World_Psoriasis_Day_2025_logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/c-o-r-r-e-c-t-i-o-n----ifpa-302593337.html
Regulatory News:

POXEL SA (Euronext: POXEL FR0012432516), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative treatments for chronic serious diseases with metabolic pathophysiology, including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and rare metabolic disorders, today announces that the Universal Registration Document (Document d'Enregistrement Universel) for the year ended December 31, 2024, has been filed with the French market authority (Autorite des Marches Financiers, or AMF).

This document is available in French on the AMF's website and on Poxel's website www.poxelpharma.com in the Investors Shareholder Information Regulatory Documentation section.

The 2024 Universal Registration Document includes:

the 2024 Annual Financial Report, including the Management Report,

the Report on Corporate Governance, and

the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report.

Printed copies of the Universal Registration Document are also available to the public free of charge and upon request to the Company's headquarters located at Immeuble Le Sunway, 259-261 Avenue Jean Jaures, 69007 Lyon, France.

About Poxel SA

Poxel is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative treatments for chronic serious diseases with metabolic pathophysiology, including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and rare disorders. For the treatment of MASH, PXL065 (deuterium-stabilized R-pioglitazone) met its primary endpoint in a streamlined Phase 2 trial (DESTINY-1). In rare diseases, development of PXL770, a first-in-class direct adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activator, is focused on the treatment of adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). TWYMEEG (Imeglimin), Poxel's first-in-class product that targets mitochondrial dysfunction, is now marketed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in Japan by Sumitomo Pharma and Poxel expects to receive royalties and sales-based payments. Poxel has a strategic partnership with Sumitomo Pharma for Imeglimin in Japan. Listed on Euronext Paris, Poxel is headquartered in Lyon, France, and has subsidiaries in Boston, MA, and Tokyo, Japan.

For more information, please visit: www.poxelpharma.com

All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release about future events are subject to (i) change without notice and (ii) factors beyond the Company's control. These statements may include, without limitation, any statements preceded by, followed by or including words such as "target," "believe," "expect," "aim," "intend," "may," "anticipate," "estimate," "plan," "project," "will," "can have," "likely," "should," "would," "could" and other words and terms of similar meaning or the negative thereof. Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties beyond the Company's control that could cause the Company's actual results or performance to be materially different from the expected results or performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not endorse or is not otherwise responsible for the content of external hyperlinks referred to in this press release.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251023350553/en/

Contacts:

Investor relations Media

NewCap

Aurelie Manavarere, Theo Martin Arthur Rouille

investors@poxelpharma.com

+33 1 44 71 94 94
AM Best has revised the outlooks to stable from negative and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B++ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of "bbb" (Good) of Al Fujairah National Insurance Company PJSC (AFNIC) (United Arab Emirates) [UAE].

The Credit Ratings (ratings) reflect AFNIC's balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM). The ratings also reflect enhancement from AFNIC's majority shareholder, the Government of Fujairah Department of Industry and Economy, which holds in excess of 80% of AFNIC's shareholdings. The Government of Fujairah has demonstrated capital support to AFNIC through capital injections and accumulation of capital at AFNIC through bonus shares in lieu of cash distributions.

The revision of the outlooks to stable reflects steady improvements in AFNIC's ERM function and risk management capabilities. This has been evidenced through measures taken to formalise the ERM framework, strengthen capitalisation through the partial de-risking of the investment portfolio and underwriting initiatives aimed at improving operating performance metrics.

AFNIC's balance sheet strength is underpinned by risk-adjusted capitalisation, as measured by Best's Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), which was at the very strong level at year-end 2024. BCAR scores have shown improvement in comparison to last year, following actions taken to enhance the company's balance sheet, primarily through the partial de-risking of its investment portfolio. Despite these actions, AFNIC's equity portfolio remains largely concentrated to a single strategic holding, which keeps investment risk elevated.

AFNIC's operating performance assessment has been revised to adequate from strong following several years of negative underwriting results coupled with challenging operating conditions in the UAE market. Following remedial actions, including premium rate increases and the launch of a new medical product, AFNIC's underwriting performance improved for the first six months of 2025. Although the motor segment continues to be under-performing, management expects underwriting conditions for the motor segment to improve in the near to intermediate term. Operating performance continues to be supported by positive albeit volatile investment returns.

The limited business profile assessment reflects AFNIC's modest market position and significant geographic concentration. AFNIC's operations are concentrated in the competitive and highly fragmented UAE non-life insurance market, where it writes a small share of total market premiums. The company maintains a unique position in the market, benefitting from preferential access to government originated business in the Emirate of Fujairah. AFNIC reported growth of 49% in insurance service revenue to AED 421 million in 2024, driven primarily by growth in the medical segment.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best's website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best's Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best's Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best's Credit Ratings, Best's Performance Assessments, Best's Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best's Ratings Assessments.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specialising in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright 2025 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251023917525/en/

Contacts:

Saad Abbasi

Financial Analyst

+44 20 7397 0316

saad.abbasi@ambest.com



Jessica Botelho-Young, CA

Director, Analytics

+44 20 7397 0310

jessica.botelho-young@ambest.com



Christopher Sharkey

Associate Director, Public Relations

+1 908 882 2310

christopher.sharkey@ambest.com



Al Slavin

Senior Public Relations Specialist

+1 908 882 2318

al.slavin@ambest.com
RESILIENT ACTIVITY IN THE THIRD QUARTER

9-MONTH REVENUE OF 300M, IN LINE WITH EXPECTATIONS

RETAIL SALES FROM DIRECTLY OPERATED STORES UP 2.5% IN Q3 AT CONSTANT CURRENCY

Paris, 23 October 2025

ROCHE BOBOIS SA (ISIN: FR0013344173 - Ticker: RBO), the global benchmark in high-end home furnishings and French Art de Vivre, reported Q3 2025 revenue of 93.2 million (-0.8% at constant currency and -3.1% at current currency rates), continuing to demonstrate resilience despite a persistently fragile global consumer environment and unfavorable currency effects (euro/dollar) during the period. Nine-month revenue came in stable at 299.5 million (+0.5% at constant currency and -0.4% at current currency rates), in line with full-year expectations.

In terms of retail sales, those from directly operated stores reached 78.5 million in Q3 2025, up 2.5% at constant currency rate compared with the same period last year (stable at current currency rates). Nine-month retail sales from directly operated stores totaled 261.7 million, a slight increase of +1.0% at constant currency (+0.2% at current currency rates). The to tal retail sales (all brands combined, including franchises) amounted to 415.8 million over nine months (-1.4% at constant currency and -2.5% at current currency rates).

Note that Roche Bobois communicates both revenue (stemming from effective deliveries by its directly operated stores and from royalties and commission fees) and retail sales (stemming from pre-tax order intake by the network of directly operated stores and franchises for its two brands). The retail sales of directly operated stores account for the main part of sales revenues with a delay of around 3-6 months depending on the region. Any growth in the retail sales of the directly operated stores therefore has a direct effect on future revenue growth.

Revenue

(unaudited - m) 2024 2025 Change at

current exchange rates (%) Change at

constant exchange rates (%) H1 204.4 206.2 +0.9% +1.,2% Q3 96.2 93.2 -3.1% -0.8% 9-month 300.6 299.5 -0.4% +0.5%

Detailed information on revenue by region is available in the appendices

Q3 2025 & 9M 2025 revenue

Q3 2025 revenue came in at 93.2 million, compared with 96.2 million in Q3 2024, representing a slight decrease of -3.1% at current currency rates. At constant currency, revenue was nearly stable (-0.8%).

United States / Canada: Revenue totaled 32.9 million in Q3 2025, a slight decrease of -2.8% at constant currency. At current currency rates, the decline is -8.3%, reflecting unfavorable euro/dollar exchange effects during the period. For the nine-month period ending September 30, 2025, revenue in this region amounted to 96.8 million, down -2.2% at constant currency and -5.2% at current currency.

Revenue totaled 32.9 million in Q3 2025, a slight decrease of -2.8% at constant currency. At current currency rates, the decline is -8.3%, reflecting unfavorable euro/dollar exchange effects during the period. For the nine-month period ending September 30, 2025, revenue in this region amounted to 96.8 million, down -2.2% at constant currency and -5.2% at current currency. Europe (excluding France): Q3 2025 revenue for this region grew by 7.3% at current currency (+7.8% at constant currency) compared with Q3 2024, reaching 23.4 million. Growth was driven by strong momentum in the UK, Germany, and Switzerland.

9-month revenue for this region reached 74.6 million, up 2.6% at current currency (+2.0% at constant currency).

Q3 2025 revenue for this region grew by 7.3% at current currency (+7.8% at constant currency) compared with Q3 2024, reaching 23.4 million. Growth was driven by strong momentum in the UK, Germany, and Switzerland. 9-month revenue for this region reached 74.6 million, up 2.6% at current currency (+2.0% at constant currency). Roche Bobois France : Revenue amounted to 21.2 million (-6.0% YoY) in a persistently unstable and volatile political environment, weighing on consumer confidence. Over the first nine months, Roche Bobois France generated 79.0 million in revenue (-5.0% YoY).

: Revenue amounted to 21.2 million (-6.0% YoY) in a persistently unstable and volatile political environment, weighing on consumer confidence. Over the first nine months, Roche Bobois France generated 79.0 million in revenue (-5.0% YoY). Overseas: Revenue for the Overseas region totaled 4.8 million in Q3 2025 (vs. 5.7 million a year earlier). This evolution is due to a temporary decline in franchise royalties (linked to franchisee activity during the period), while activity in China showed a slight increase of +1.2% at constant currency (-4.6% at current currency) versus the same period last year. Over the nine months, revenue in this region reached 14.1 million, in strong increase by +48.0% at current currency (+50.3% at constant currency).

Revenue for the Overseas region totaled 4.8 million in Q3 2025 (vs. 5.7 million a year earlier). This evolution is due to a temporary decline in franchise royalties (linked to franchisee activity during the period), while activity in China showed a slight increase of +1.2% at constant currency (-4.6% at current currency) versus the same period last year. Over the nine months, revenue in this region reached 14.1 million, in strong increase by +48.0% at current currency (+50.3% at constant currency). Cuir Center: Strong momentum remained over the period, with revenue of 10.2 million in Q3 2025, up 6.4% compared with the same period last year. Nine-month revenue came in at 32.2 million, up 5.6%.

Overall, after the first nine months of the year, Roche Bobois reported stable revenue of 299.5 million (-0.4% at current currency and +0.5% at constant currency).

Retail sales from directly operated stores up 2.5% at constant currency in Q3 2025



The Group continued to demonstrate resilience in a global environment that remains challenging for consumer spending.

In Q3 2025, retail sales from directly operated stores totaled 78.5 million, up 2.5% at constant currency compared with Q3 2024, and stable at current currency rates. The United States/Canada region posted slight growth of +1.3% at constant currency (-5.0% at current currency, reflecting exchange rate effects). In France, retail sales from directly operated stores was nearly stable at 19.1 million (-1.0% YoY), despite ongoing political instability. The Europe (excluding France) region returned to growth, with retail sales reaching 22.3 million, up +8.4% compared with Q3 2024. Finally, retail sales from the three stores in China (Beijing and Shanghai) amounted to 1.5 million in the quarter (directly operated stores, excluding merchandise trading activity with Chinese sub-franchisees).

The total retail sales (all brands combined, including franchises) came to 122.5 million in Q3 2025 (-3.3% at current currency and -0.8% at constant currency).

Over the first nine months of the year, retail sales from directly operated stores reached 261.7 million, up 1.0% at constant currency (+0.2% at current currency) compared to the same period in 2024. The total retail sales (all brands combined, including franchises) amounted to 415.8 million at the end of September 2025, in slight decline of -1.4% at constant currency (-2.5% at current currency) compared with the end of September 2024.

2025 Outlook

As of the end of September 2025, the Group's order backlog[1] amounted to 127.9 million, including a 2.1 million impact from euro/dollar exchange rates. Considering also the currency fluctuations and the impact of the US tariffs on European goods imported into the United States-partly offset by price increases implemented in this market-the Group now expects full-year 2025 revenue and EBITDA to remain stable or slightly declining compared with 2024, at current currency rates.

Regarding its directly operated stores network, the Group recently opened a store in Austin (Texas, USA), with another scheduled to open soon in Las Vegas (Nevada, USA). Development is also underway in Luxembourg. Additionally, a directly operated store for Cuir Center has just opened in Cannes-Mandelieu. As of September 30, 2025, Roche Bobois SA operated 341 stores - among which 152 directly operated - comprising 267 Roche Bobois stores and 74 Cuir Center stores.

About ROCHE BOBOIS SA

ROCHE BOBOIS SA is a French family business founded in 1960. The Group operates in 54 countries and has a network of 339 directly operated stores and franchises (at 31 December 2024) marketing its two brands: Roche Bobois, a high-end furniture brand with a strong international presence, and Cuir Center, positioned in the mid-range market segment with an essentially French customer base. Through its Roche Bobois brand, the Group embodies the French Art de Vivre whose presence can now be felt on the world stage, with original and bold creations from talented designers (Joana Vasconcelos, Bruno Moinard, Ora Ito, Sacha Lakic, Christophe Delcourt, Stephen Burks, Patrick Norguet, Kenzo Takada and Bina Baitel and Jiang Qiong Er,..) and partnerships with fashion and haute couture houses. Roche Bobois is also a committed partner in the world of culture and the arts. Including franchises, these two brands posted 2024 retail sales of 589 million excluding VAT, to which Roche Bobois contributed 499 million and Cuir Center 90 million. Roche Bobois SA's consolidated revenue in 2024 amounted to 414 million.

For more information please visit www.finance-roche-bobois.com

CONTACT

Actus Finance - Anne-Pauline Petureaux

Investor relations

Tel.: 01 53 67 36 72 / apetureaux@actus.fr

Actus Finance - Serena BONI

Media Relations

Tel.: 04 72 18 04 92 / sboni@actus.fr

APPENDICES

Revenues per region and brand (unaudited - m) Q3

2024 Q3

2025 Change at current exchange rates (%) Change at constant exchange rates (%) Roche Bobois France 22.5 21.2 -6.0% -6.0% Roche Bobois US/Canada 35.8 32.9 -8.3% -2.8% Roche Bobois Europe (excluding France) 21.8 23.4 +7.3% +7.8% Roche Bobois Other (overseas) 5.7 4.8 -15.7% -13.2% Cuir Center 9.6 10.2 +6.4% +6.4% Corporate 0.8 0.8 +3.5% +3.5% TOTAL 96.2 93.2 -3.1% -0.8%

Revenues per region and brand (unaudited - m) 9 months

2024 9 months

2025 Change at current exchange rates (%) Change at

constant exchange rates (%) Roche Bobois France 83.2 79.0 -5.0% -5.0% Roche Bobois US/Canada 102.0 96.7 -5.2% -2.2% Roche Bobois Europe (excluding France) 72.7 74.6 +2.6% +2.0% Roche Bobois Other (overseas) 9.5 14.1 +48.0% +50.3% Cuir Center 30.5 32.2 +5.6% +5.6% Corporate 2.7 2.8 +2.1% +2.1% TOTAL 300.6 299.5 -0.4% +0.5%

Reconciliation between Retail sales/Revenue (m)

9-months 2025 retail sales 415,8 Franchise retail sales -154.1 Logistics intermediary activity in China +4.1 Impact of the pace of orders and deliveries +2.7 Royalties +7.5 Other services +23.4 9-months 2025 revenue 299.5

Forward-looking statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements do not constitute guarantees regarding the future performance of Roche Bobois SA. This forward-looking information covers the future outlook, growth and commercial strategy of Roche Bobois SA and is based on the analysis of future result forecasts and estimates of amounts that cannot yet be determined. By nature, forward-looking information involves risks and uncertainties, as it relates to events and depends on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. Roche Bobois SA draws your attention to the fact that forward-looking statements provide no guarantee of future performance and that its actual financial position, results and cash flow, as well as changes in the sector in which Roche Bobois operates, may differ significantly from those proposed or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this document. Moreover, even if Roche Bobois' financial position, results, cash flow and changes in the sector in which Roche Bobois SA operates were to be in accordance with the forward-looking information contained in this document, these results or changes may not be a reliable indicator of Roche Bobois SA's future results or developments. A description of events that could have a material adverse effect on the business, finances or results of Roche Bobois SA, or on its ability to achieve its objectives, is set out in the "Risk Factors" section of the Universal Registration Document.

GLOSSARY

Current EBITDA: earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation. It designates the Group's pre-tax profit before interest, depreciation and amortisation of fixed assets (but after depreciation of stocks and receivables), store opening costs, expenses for payments in shares, including the associated social charges.

[1] Order backlog for the Group's directly operated stores (all brands combined) yet to be delivered

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Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-94751-pr_roche_bobois_q32025_final.pdf
STEADY SALES AND LOWER RESULTS, AS ANNOUNCED LAUNCH OF A PLAN TO RETURN TO PROFITABLE GROWTH

9-month sales: 5,664m, -1.1% reported and +0.0% LFL 1

5,664m, -1.1% reported and +0.0% LFL 3 rd quarter sales: 1,916m, -3.5% reported and -1.2% LFL

1,916m, -3.5% reported and -1.2% LFL 9-month Operating Result from Activity (ORfA): 267m, -39.8%

267m, -39.8% Outlook for 2025, as announced on 6 October: Full-year organic sales growth stable to slightly positive Full-year ORfA expected between 550m and 600m

Implementation of a rebound plan: Restore the Group's growth momentum and profitability standards Approximately 200m in recurring savings by 2027



Regulatory News:

GROUPE SEB (Paris:SK):

Statement by Stanislas de Gramont, Chief Executive Officer of Groupe SEB

"As stated on 6 October, the third quarter was marked by contrasting trends. Growth in Consumer was less sustained than expected in Europe and was slowed down by the persistent wait-and-see attitude of customers in the United States. Nevertheless, the Group delivered solid performance in China and across several European markets. Furthermore, although still down over the first nine months, Professional Coffee returned to growth this quarter.

Results for the first nine months reflect these evolutions in a particularly complex environment impacted by tariffs in the United States, currency volatility, and the decline in Professional Coffee in the first half.

Our ambition is clear: to restore our sustainable growth momentum and our profitability standards. To this end, we are launching a plan to continue investing in the future, accelerate our growth and streamline our organizations, including approximately 200 million euros in recurring savings by 2027. This plan is a catalyst for our future collective success."

____________________ 1 On a like-for-like basis (organic)

GENERAL COMMENTS ON GROUP SALES

Groupe SEB reported sales of 5,664m, stable vs 2024 LFL (-1.1% on a reported basis), for the first nine months of the year. The currency effect was -124m, while the scope effect linked to the integration of Sofilac and La Brigade de Buyer contributed +62m.

This performance includes a slight organic decrease in sales in the 3rd quarter (-1.2%). Over the same period, the currency effect remained negative (-60m) due to further appreciation of the euro.

The Consumer business posted 9-month sales of 4,934m, up +1.2% LFL (-1.3% on a reported basis). Sales decreased by -0.8% LFL in the 3rd quarter (-4.0% on a reported basis).

Against a backdrop of significant changes in tariffs, the wait-and-see attitude of retailers in the United States, which was already evident in the 2nd quarter, persisted into the 3rd quarter. In addition, Small Domestic Equipment markets were less buoyant than expected in Europe, particularly in France and Germany.

However, some achievements remained noteworthy. In the 3rd quarter, organic sales growth in the Consumer business was +3.0%, excluding North America and loyalty programs. This reflects the success of product launches in 2025, continued strong momentum in Southern, Eastern and Northern Europe, and solid performance in China.

9-month sales in the Professional business amounted to 730m, down organically by -7.9% (+0.5% on a reported basis, including the contribution of the most recent acquisitions). Sales increased by +0.9% on a reported basis in the 3rd quarter, but were down -4.1% LFL, impacted by a base effect related to the consolidation of Sofilac in 2024: six months of activity had been recognized in the 3rd quarter 2024 alone. Excluding this one-off accounting impact, Professional sales posted organic growth of +2.4% for the quarter

After several quarters of decline, the Professional Coffee business returned to growth in Q3 (c.+3% LFL), albeit below expectations. This reflects a dynamic core business in Germany and double-digit growth in China. Development also continued in Northern and Eastern Europe, South-East Asia and the Middle East, alongside the strengthening of services, particularly in Germany and via to the integration of Tasty in China. Activity in the United States was adversely affected by customers' wait-and-see attitude amid tariffs uncertainty.

BREAKDOWN OF SALES BY REGION

Sales in m 9-month

2024 9-month

2025 Change 2025/2024 Q3 2025 vs 2024, LFL As

reported LFL EMEA Western Europe Other EMEA 2,447 1,630 816 2,478 1,672 807 +1.3% +2.6% -1.2% +2.4% +2.5% +2.1% +0.4% +1.0% -0.7% AMERICAS North America South America 840 577 263 730 502 228 -13.1% -13.0% -13.4% -7.3% -8.3% -5.2% -10.3% -14.4% +1.5% ASIA China Other countries 1,712 1,381 332 1,726 1,388 338 +0.8% +0.5% +1.8% +3.6% +3.4% +4.4% +3.0% +3.5% +1.0% TOTAL Consumer 4,999 4,934 -1.3% +1.2% -0.8% Professional 726 730 +0.5% -7.9% -4.1% GROUPE SEB 5,725 5,664 -1.1% +0.0% -1.2% Rounded figures in m % calculated on non-rounded figures

COMMENTS ON CONSUMER SALES BY REGION

Sales in m 9-month

2024 9-month

2025 Change 2025/2024 Q3 2025 vs 2024, LFL As

reported LFL EMEA Western Europe Other EMEA 2,447 1,630 816 2,478 1,672 807 +1.3% +2.6% -1.2% +2.4% +2.5% +2.1% +0.4% +1.0% -0.7%

WESTERN EUROPE

Over the first nine months of the year, sales in Western Europe rose by +2.5% LFL (+2.6% on a reported basis), and by +4.0% excluding loyalty programs.

While organic growth in the 3rd quarter came in at +1.0% (+0.9% on a reported basis), and +4.3% excluding loyalty programs, performance was softer than anticipated.

In France, sales excluding loyalty programs increased by +3.8% over the quarter, driven by the successful launch of floor washers and the good momentum in cookware and linen care.

The DACH region (Germany, Switzerland, Austria) posted stable sales in the 3rd quarter. In Germany more specifically, core business declined very slightly over the period due to the impact of electrical cooking and despite the good momentum of cookware and kitchen utensils (multi-coatings, Ingenio, cutlery).

Southern and Northern Europe countries showed continued sustained growth (particularly Italy, Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands), supported by the rollout of innovations in cookware and floor care.

OTHER EMEA COUNTRIES

Over the first nine months of the year, sales in the region were up +2.1% LFL (-1.2% on a reported basis, after considering the currency effect).

Business declined by -0.7% LFL and by -3.8% on a reported basis in the 3rd quarter. However, this decrease masks significant regional disparities.

Eastern Europe, which has shown very strong momentum driven mainly by Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary, recorded double-digit growth thanks to the success of innovations in linen care, electrical cooking and floor care.

However, the region continues to be impacted by the unfavorable geopolitical environment in Africa and the Middle East, which is weighing on consumption, and by the persistent volatility of emerging currencies, especially in Turkey.

Sales in m 9-month

2024 9-month

2025 Change 2025/2024 Q3 2025 vs 2024, LFL As

reported LFL AMERICAS North America South America 840 577 263 730 502 228 -13.1% -13.0% -13.4% -7.3% -8.3% -5.2% -10.3% -14.4% +1.5%

NORTH AMERICA

Over the first nine months, sales in North America declined by -8,3% LFL and by -13,0% on a reported basis, amid an uncertain and volatile market environment.

In the 3rd quarter, the Group posted a more pronounced organic decline than anticipated, with sales down -14.4%. This was mainly due to the still-marked wait-and-see attitude of US retailers, in an unstable environment characterized by uncertainties surrounding tariffs and consumption trends. Furthermore, significant disruption in import patterns resulted in a delay in deliveries and a consequent lag effect on sales.

However,sell-out remains well oriented, supported by the good performance in cookware and linen care, which confirms the Group's leadership positions in these categories in the United States.

In Mexico, activity rose in the 3rd quarter, driven by the solid performance in linen care and coffee machines, despite reductions in retailer inventories and less favorable climate conditions that impacted fans sales.

SOUTH AMERICA

The Group's sales in South America were down -5.2% LFL and -13.4% on a reported basis for the first nine months.

The 3rd quarter marked a return to organic growth in the region, at +1.5%, although lower than expected. Sales were down -4.4% on a reported basis.

The Group's sales in Colombia posted double-digit growth in the 3rd quarter. Among the categories driving growth were cookware, electrical cooking and food preparation. The Group also plays a leading role in the rapid development of newer categories such as full auto coffee machinesand versatile vacuum cleaners.

In Brazil, 3rd quarter sales continued to be penalized by an unfavorable climate impacting fans sales. Sales growth was more robust for categories such asblenders, single-serve coffee machines and linen care.

Sales in m 9-month

2024 9-month

2025 Change 2025/2024 Q3 2025 vs 2024, LFL As

reported LFL ASIA China Other countries 1,712 1,381 332 1,726 1,388 338 +0.8% +0.5% +1.8% +3.6% +3.4% +4.4% +3.0% +3.5% +1.0%

CHINA

Sales in China were up +3.4% LFL and +0.5% on a reported basis for the first nine months. The 3rd quarter was in line with previous quarters, with an increase of +3.5% LFL (following +3.5% in Q1 and +3.2% in Q2).

During the quarter, Supor consolidated its leadership in its key categories cookware and kitchen electrics thanks to the success of its innovations in electrical cooking (rice cookers, oil-less fryers, etc.) and in cookware, particularly woks.

Supor also continued to intensify its digital investments, especially on fast-growing social commerceplatforms, to strengthen its presence on the most dynamic channels and promote its rich portfolio of innovations.

OTHER ASIAN COUNTRIES

In other Asian countries, the Group's sales were up +4.4% LFL and +1.8% on a reported basis for the first nine months.

In the 3rd quarter, sales increased by +1.0% LFL (-4.8% on a reported basis), reflecting heterogenous situations across the region.

South-East Asian countries particularly Thailand, Taiwan and Vietnam posted accelerating sales, with double-digit growth during the period. This positive momentum was supported by an expansion of the retail distribution network and developments in new categories.

In Japan and South Korea, less favorable market conditions weighed on the Group's sales, which were down year-on-year.

Finally, the Group continued to expand its product portfolio in Australia, in an environment that remains competitive.

COMMENTS ON PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS

Sales in m 9-month

2024 9-month

2025 Change 2025/2024 Q3 2025 vs 2024, LFL As

reported LFL Professional 726 730 +0.5% -7.9% -4.1%

The Professional business recorded a -7.9% LFL decline in sales over the first nine months, but up +0.5% on a reported basis, including the contribution of the most recent acquisitions.

Sales fell by -4.1% LFL in the 3rd quarter, reflecting a one-off base effect linked to the consolidation of Sofilac in 2024 (six months of activity had been recognized in the 3rd quarter of 2024 alone). Excluding this one-off accounting impact, sales increased by +2.4% LFL.

After several quarters of decline, Professional Coffee sales returned to growth this quarter, although at a level below expectations (c.+3% LFL).

This activity benefits from a dynamic core business in Germany, fueled by the strengthening of services, as well as in China, which posted double-digit growth driven by additional deliveries to major customers and the integration of the recently acquired services company Tasty. During the quarter, the Group also continued its development in Northern and Eastern Europe, South-East Asia and in the Middle East.

Nevertheless, this good overall momentum was impacted by a decline in sales in the United States, reflecting customers' wait-and-see attitude, which is mainly linked to uncertainty surrounding tariffs.

OPERATING RESULT FROM ACTIVITY (ORfA)

Operating Result from Activity (ORfA) for the first nine months reached 267m, down -39.8% compared with 2024 (444m). This includes a negative currency effect of 76m and a positive scope effect of 6m. The operating margin was down to 4.7% vs 7.8% in 2024.

In the 3rd quarter, ORfA came to 148m, down -26.2% from 2024. The operating margin was also down to 7.7% vs 10.1% in Q3 2024.

This decrease in ORfA in the 3rd quarter reflects:

a slight decrease in sales vs 2024 and the negative impact on operational leverage,

a continuation of the decline in results in North America (-20m vs. 2024), similar to the 1 st half,

half, continued strengthening of the euro in 2025, which limited the offsetting of currency effects in emerging countries (negative impact of -15m in 3rd quarter after -25m in H1 vs. 2024).

In addition, in this quarter, the contribution from Professional Coffee is in line with 2024, after the decrease in the 1st half of the year (-40m vs. 2024). Investments in growth drivers were stable in the 3rd quarter, after a 60m increase in the 1st half of the year compared with 2024.

OUTLOOK FOR 2025

The Group revised its financial outlook on October 6, 2025, adopting a more cautious stance for the end of the year. The Group anticipates stable to slightly positive organic sales growth for full year 2025, with Operating Result from Activity expected to be between 550m and 600m.

As such, the Group intends to accelerate its growth in the most dynamic segments in the 4th quarter, while intensifying the pace of product launches. Marketing and advertising investment will remain sustained, but targeted, supporting a multi-channel activation strategy during a period dense of commercial events (Black Friday, Christmas or Singles' Day in China).

In the Professional business, the service offering will continue to be strengthened, reinforcing the Group's partnership and proximity with its customers. Furthermore, the good sales momentum in full auto coffee machines in Europe and Asia is expected to continue.

Finally, cost reduction programs for "non-essential" spending will be intensified to ensure strict control of the cost base.

LAUNCH OF A PLAN TO RETURN TO PROFITABLE GROWTH

Following an in-depth review of its performance and economic environment, the Group is launching a global plan to restore its growth momentum and profitability standards.

This plan is intended to adapt the Group to the rapid shift in its markets digitalization, new consumer expectations, and environmental requirements to accelerate its sustainable growth trajectory.

Undertaken initiatives will enable the Group to:

accelerate its growth by substantially increasing its investment capacity in innovation, AI, and digital,

streamline its organizations to enhance its agility,

and strengthen its consumer engagement around experience and sustainability.

It includes approximately 200 million euros in recurring savings by 2027 through:

reduced purchasing costs,

optimization of operational and corporate structures,

improving industrial efficiency,

and process simplification.

Savings measures have already been implemented in the short term.

The Group is conducting the assessment of this plan and will communicate on this topic in early 2026.

APPENDIX

SALES BY REGION 3RD QUARTER

Sales in m Q3 2024 Q3 2025 Change 2025/2024 As

reported LFL EMEA Western Europe Other EMEA 892 600 291 886 606 280 -0.6% +0.9% -3.8% +0.4% +1.0% -0.7% AMERICAS North America South America 324 241 83 275 196 80 -15.0% -18.7% -4.4% -10.3% -14.4% +1.5% ASIA China Other countries 538 424 114 521 412 109 -3.1% -2.7% -4.8% +3.0% +3.5% +1.0% TOTAL Consumer 1,754 1,683 -4.0% -0.8% Professional 231 233 +0.9% -4.1% GROUPE SEB 1,985 1,916 -3.5% -1.2% Rounded figures in m % calculated on non-rounded figures

GLOSSARY

On a like-for-like basis (LFL) Organic

The amounts and growth rates at constant exchange rates and consolidation scope in a given year compared with the previous year are calculated:

using the average exchange rates of the previous year for the period in consideration (year, half-year, quarter)

on the basis of the scope of consolidation of the previous year.

This calculation is made primarily for sales and Operating Result from Activity.

Operating Result from Activity (ORfA)

Operating Result from Activity (ORfA) is Groupe SEB's main performance indicator. It corresponds to sales minus operating expenses, i.e. the cost of sales, innovation expenditure (R&D, strategic marketing and design), advertising, operational marketing as well as sales and marketing expenses. ORfA does not include discretionary and non-discretionary profit-sharing or other non-recurring operating income and expense.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA is equal to Operating Result from Activity minus discretionary and non-discretionary profit-sharing, to which are added operating depreciation, amortization and impairment.

Free cash flow

Free cash flow corresponds to adjusted EBITDA, after accounting for changes in operating working capital, recurring capital expenditure (CAPEX), taxes and financial expenses, and other non-operating items.

Sell-in (sales)

Sales made to our customers (retailers).

Sell-out (resales)

Sales made by retailers to consumers.

Net financial debt

This term refers to all recurring and non-recurring financial debt minus cash and cash equivalents, as well as derivative instruments linked to Group financing. It also includes debt from application of the IFRS 16 standard "Lease contracts" in addition to short-term investments with no risk of a substantial change in value but with maturities of over three months.

Loyalty program (LP)

These programs, run by distribution retailers, consist in offering promotional offers on a product category to loyal consumers who have made a series of purchases within a short period of time. These promotional programs allow distributors to boost footfall in their stores and our consumers to access our products at preferential prices.

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements regarding Groupe SEB's activity, results and financial situation. These forecasts are based on assumptions which seem reasonable at this stage, but which depend on external factors including trends in commodity prices, exchange rates, the economic climate, demand in the Group's large markets and the effect of new product launches by competitors. As a result of these uncertainties, Groupe SEB cannot be held liable for potential variance on its current forecasts, which result from unexpected events or unforeseeable developments. The factors which could considerably influence Groupe SEB's economic and financial result are presented in the Annual Financial Report and Universal Registration Document filed each year with the Autorite des Marches Financiers, the French financial markets authority. Conference call with management on 23 October at 6:00 p.m. CET To join the conference call, register in advance

via the registration link below:

Register here

Once you have registered, you will receive a confirmation email

with your personal login information and PIN Click here to access the webcast live (in English only) Replay available on our website on 23 October: www.groupeseb.com

Next key date 2025 23 October after market closes 9-month 2025 Sales and financial data

Next key dates 2026 25 February pre-market 2025 Sales and Results 23 April after market closes Q1 2026 Sales and financial data 12 May 2:30 p.m. Annual General Meeting 22 July after market closes H1 2026 Sales and Results 22 October after market closes 9-month 2026 Sales and financial data

Find us at www.groupeseb.com

World reference in Small Domestic Equipment and professional coffee machines, Groupe SEB operates with a unique portfolio of 45 top brands (including Tefal, Seb, Rowenta, Moulinex, Krups, Lagostina, All-Clad, WMF, Emsa, Supor), marketed through multi-format retailing. Selling more than 400 million products a year, it deploys a long-term strategy focused on innovation, international development, competitiveness, and client service. Present in over 150 countries, Groupe SEB generated sales of 8.3bn in 2024 and has more than 32,000 employees worldwide. SEB SA

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251023896925/en/

Contacts:

Investor/Analyst Relations



Groupe SEB

Financial Communication and IR Dept



Raphael Hoffstetter

Guillaume Baron



comfin@groupeseb.com



Media Relations



Groupe SEB

Corporate Communication Department



Cathy Pianon

Florence Candianides

Marie Leroy



presse@groupeseb.com



Tel. +33 (0) 6 79 53 21 03

Tel. +33 (0) 6 88 20 98 60

Tel. +33 (0) 6 76 98 87 53



Image Sept

Caroline Simon

Claire Doligez

Isabelle Dunoyer de Segonzac



caroline.simon@image7.fr

cdoligez@image7.fr

isegonzac@image7.fr



Tel.: +33 (0) 1 53 70 74 70
Nanterre, 23 October 2025

QUARTERLY INFORMATION AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2025

Revenue in the first nine months of 2025 up almost 4%, including 5% growth in the third quarter

Dynamic business levels in Energy Solutions and Concessions

Increase in order intake in the third quarter; strong order book

2025 guidance confirmed

REVENUE AND OTHER KEY INDICATORS

First nine months 2025/2024

change (in  millions) 2025 2024 Actual Like-for-like1 Concessions 9,379 8,900 +5.4% +4.6% VINCI Autoroutes 5,166 5,029 +2.7% +2.7% VINCI Airports 3,710 3,479 +6.6% +6.5% VINCI Highways2 378 295 +28% +11% Other concessions3 126 97 +30% +16% Energy Solutions 20,725 19,430 +6.7% +4.4% VINCI Energies 15,338 14,530 +5.6% +2.5% Cobra IS 5,387 4,900 +9.9% +10.0% Construction 24,479 24,286 +0.8% -0.9% VINCI Construction 23,750 23,545 +0.9% -0.8% VINCI Immobilier 729 741 -1.6% -1.6% Eliminations and adjustments (331) (311) Group total* 54,253 52,305 +3.7% +2.0% of which: France 22,895 22,537 +1.6% +1.6% International 31,357 29,768 +5.3% +2.3% Europe excl. France 20,453 19,018 +7.5% +1.5% International excl. Europe 10,905 10,750 +1.4% +3.8% VINCI Autoroutes' traffic levels +1.4% vs 9M 2024 VINCI Airports' passenger numbers +5.6% vs 9M 2024 Order intake (in  billions) 46.9 48.4 -3%4 Order book** (in  billions) 70.6 66.8 +6% Net financial debt** (in  billions) (21.4) (22.2) +0.8

* Excluding concession subsidiaries' revenue derived from works carried out by non-Group companies (see glossary).

** Period-end.

The changes set out below are relative to the first nine months of 2024 or the third quarter of 2024 unless otherwise stated.

I. Consolidated key figures





Consolidated revenue in the third quarter of 2025 was up 4.7% (3.5% on a like-for-like basis) to 19.4 billion, reflecting a good momentum overall across the Group's business lines.

In the first nine months of 2025, consolidated revenue thus totalled 54.3 billion, an increase of 3.7% comprising organic growth of 2.0%, a 2.5% positive impact from changes in scope and a negative currency effect of 0.8%.

Outside France (58% of the total), revenue came to 31.4 billion, up 5.3% on an actual basis and up 2.3% on a like-for-like basis. Changes in scope boosted revenue by 4.4%, 5 while exchange rate movements had a negative impact of 1.3%, as the euro rose against many currencies. 6 In France (42% of the total), revenue was 22.9 billion, up 1.6% on both an actual and like-for-like basis.

while exchange rate movements had a negative impact of 1.3%, as the euro rose against many currencies.

Order intake at VINCI Energies, Cobra IS and VINCI Construction amounted to 46.9 billion in the first nine months of 2025. Order intake in flow business - which accounts for the majority of revenue for Energy Solutions and Construction businesses - remained well-oriented, rising by more than 2% since the start of the year. However, that growth did not fully offset the base effect resulting from the high overall level of orders in the year-earlier period, during which the Group won some large orders for major projects.7 It is worth noting that order intake overall increased by 4% in the third quarter.

In addition, order intake remained above revenue in the first nine months of 2025 for both Energy Solutions (22.3 billion vs 20.7 billion) and VINCI Construction (24.6 billion vs 23.8 billion).

The order book thus posted a good renewal rate and reached a high level of 70.6 billion at 30 September 2025 (up 2% compared with the end of 2024; up 6% year on year, supported by growth in each business line). It represents 14 months of average business activity. International business made up 70% of the order book (68% at 30 September 2024).

II. Revenue by business line





CONCESSIONS: 9.4 billion (up 5%)

Concessions revenue increased due to solid growth in both passenger numbers at airports and traffic on motorways in France and abroad.

VINCI Airports: 3.7 billion (up 6.6%)





In the third quarter of 2025, VINCI Airports' passenger numbers rose by 4%, buoyed by firm summer demand in most geographies. Overall, the 72 airports managed by the Group welcomed 253 million passengers in the first nine months of 2025,8 almost 6% more than in the year-earlier period.

A number of airports saw remarkable growth in passenger numbers: those in Japan were boosted by World Expo 2025 in Osaka and the renewed momentum seen for routes with China; airports in Mexico were buoyed by increased capacity and the popularity of routes with the United States; and Edinburgh and Budapest airports benefited from firm demand for flights to destinations in Western Europe and the Mediterranean. On the contrary, certain airlines adopted new strategies, which adversely affected passenger numbers at London Gatwick airport and at airports in the Dominican Republic.9

VINCI Autoroutes: 5.2 billion (up 2.7%)





Including a slight growth of 0.3% in the third quarter of 2025 - driven by a 1.2% rise10 in heavy vehicle traffic - VINCI Autoroutes' traffic levels increased by 1.4% (up 1.5% for light vehicles and up 0.8%9 for heavy vehicles) since the start of the year.

VINCI Highways: 0.4 billion (up 28% actual; up 11% like-for-like)





Noteworthy developments included the resumption of operations in March on a near-600 km section of the BR-040 highway (Via Cristais) in Brazil, connecting the states of Minas Gerais and Goias.

ENERGY SOLUTIONS: 20.7 billion (up 7%)

Energy Solutions revenue totalled 20.7 billion, up 7% on an actual basis, including 8% growth in the third quarter. This was driven by business outside France, which accounted for 69% of revenue. Order intake remained firm overall.

This momentum confirms that the Energy Solutions business is well positioned in its markets, which are supported by positive trends in energy and digital infrastructure11 as well as those relating to defence and sovereignty.

VINCI Energies: 15.3 billion (up 5.6% actual; up 2.5% like-for-like)





Aside from the positive impact of acquisitions, business levels remained firm in most of VINCI Energies' markets, particularly Germany (its largest market outside of France), the Benelux countries, Northern Europe and the United States. Outside France (59% of the total), revenue rose by almost 8% on an actual basis and by 3% on a like-for-like basis. In France (41% of the total), revenue was also robust, rising by 3% on an actual basis (2.5% on a like-for-like basis), including an increase of 4% in the third quarter.

Order intake rose by 2% in the third quarter and was up 1% in the first nine months of the year. The order book at 30 September 2025 was up 8% year on year to an all-time high of 18.1 billion, representing more than 10 months of VINCI Energies' average business activity.

Cobra IS: 5.4 billion (up 9.9% actual; up 10.0% like-for-like)





The increase in revenue at Cobra IS was driven by EPC12 projects (43% of the total), which delivered revenue growth of 32%. This strong rise resulted from progress on strategic energy transition and sovereignty projects in many countries, including Germany, Brazil and Australia.13

Furthermore, flow business activities (57% of the total) remained in Europe at a high level. Outside Europe, the change in revenue reflects increased selectivity in some Latin American countries, in addition to adverse currency effects.

Order intake in the first nine months of 2025 was 1.8 billion, lower than the exceptional level seen in the year-earlier period.14 The order book at 30 September 2025 amounted to 17.3 billion (up 6% year on year), representing more than two years of Cobra IS's average business activity.

CONSTRUCTION: 24.5 billion (up 1%)

VINCI Construction: 23.8 billion (up 0.9% actual; down 0.8% like-for-like)





Revenue rose by 4% in the third quarter (3% on a like-for-like basis), with growth driven by France (up 6%). As a result, VINCI Construction saw a slight year-on-year increase in revenue in the first nine months of the year.

This change reflects varying market conditions depending on the country and business sector:

lower revenue from major projects for reasons relating to the phasing of projects currently under way; 15

a slight increase in revenue in France, due to good momentum in roadworks, water works and rail works;

higher business levels in continental Europe and Africa, but decreases in other regions, due in particular to adverse currency effects;

lastly, slight growth in revenue from Specialty Networks.

Order intake was up 12% in the third quarter and up 1% since the start of the year. The order book at 30 September 2025 amounted to 35.1 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 4% and more than 13 months of VINCI Construction's average business activity.

VINCI Immobilier: 0.7 billion (down 2%)





Revenue grew by 3% in the third quarter, limiting the decline in the nine-month period.

The number of housing units reserved by VINCI Immobilier in France reached a total of 2,993 at 30 September 2025 (down 8%), but rose by 10% in the third quarter.

III. Financial position and liquidity





VINCI's consolidated net financial debt at 30 September 2025 amounted to 21.4 billion, down 0.8 billion year on year.

The Group's liquidity position remains very strong, comprising:

12.3 billion of net cash managed;

a 6.5 billion confirmed credit facility due to expire in January 2030, which is unused.16

In October 2025, agency Standard & Poor's reiterated its good assessment of the Group's credit by affirming its A- long-term and A2 short-term ratings, both with stable outlook. Moody's credit ratings, revised in May 2025, were unchanged (A3 long-term and P-2 short-term, again with stable outlook).

IV. Other highlights

Appointments

Thierry Mirville17 joined VINCI's Finance Department as Deputy Chief Financial Officer on 1 October 2025. He reports to Christian Labeyrie, Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer of VINCI.

This appointment comes ahead of Christian Labeyrie's retirement in 2026.

Ludovic Demierre was appointed Vice-President, Human Resources of VINCI on 25 August 2025 and became a member of its Executive Committee.

Main recent developments

In the first nine months of the year, VINCI Energies completed the acquisitions of 25 companies representing full-year revenue of more than 400 million (80% of which in Germany and 8% in North America). The main transactions, completed in late August for its Building Solutions business line in Germany, are:

R+S Group;

Zimmer & Halbig.

Two other key acquisitions announced in July are expected to be completed by the end of the year:

Wartsila SAM Electronics in Germany, which operates in the fields of electrical system integration and automation for the German navy in particular;

EnergoBit in Romania, which specialises in engineering and works for electrical infrastructure (transformer stations, power transmission and distribution lines, network monitoring and automation).

Overall, these 27 companies generate combined annual revenue of over 600 million, mostly in Europe.

In August, VINCI and ACS signed an agreement definitely settling certain provisions relating to the 2021 acquisition of Cobra IS. The main terms of this agreement are as follows:

Earnout set at the fixed amount of 380 million, 18 with the balance of 300 million paid by VINCI in September.

with the balance of 300 million paid by VINCI in September. Termination of their original agreement relating to the creation of a JV to carry out renewable energy projects developed by Cobra IS.

Main recent contract wins

In recent months, VINCI has won some major contracts in the energy transition field through its Energy Solutions business (VINCI Energies and Cobra IS):

reconstruction of almost 100 km of overhead power lines in south-west Germany;

expansion of three switchyards in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates;

electricity, piping and industrial mechanical work on a major second-generation biofuel plant in Spain;

services for a Big Tech company's data centre in Spain;

electrification of the rail network in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania as part of the Rail Baltica project19.





Furthermore, in the area of mobility, VINCI Construction won contracts to build roads in Australia and New Zealand.

V. Outlook for 2025





Based on this good overall performance in the first nine months of the year, the Group is confirming its previous guidance for 2025:

Barring exceptional events, the Group anticipates the following trends in its various business lines in 2025:

At VINCI Autoroutes, traffic levels are expected to rise slightly compared with 2024.

At VINCI Airports, passenger numbers are expected to grow further on an annual basis, 20 but probably at a slower pace than in 2024.

but probably at a slower pace than in 2024. At VINCI Energies, revenue growth is expected to be similar to that seen in 2024, with at least a stable operating margin. 21

At Cobra IS, revenue of at least 7.5 billion, while comforting its high operating margin. 2 1

Renewable electricity capacity is expected to rise to around 5 GW - in operation or under construction - by the end of the year, representing additional capacity of around 1.5 GW relative to end-2024.

At VINCI Construction, revenue - including that of FM Conway in the United Kingdom - should remain close to the 2024 level, with a targeted further improvement in its operating margin.21

Based on those developments, VINCI would expect its total revenue and earnings to rise again in 2025, before factoring in the increase in corporate tax rates in France.22

Conference call and financial calendar

The Group will comment on its revenue and business activities in the nine months ended 30 September 2025 in a conference call to be held in English today (Thursday, 23 October 2025) at 18:00 CEST.

To take part, please obtain an individual access code ahead of the call via the following link:

https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BIb06f5fb1d37e4466b0850067541df55a

and then dial one of the following numbers:

France: +33 1 86 47 80 85

United Kingdom: +44 1400 220156

United States: +1 864 991 4103

*********

Financial calendar 18 November 2025 VINCI Autoroutes' traffic levels and VINCI Airports' passenger numbers for October 2025 (after the market close) 16 December 2025 VINCI Autoroutes' traffic levels and VINCI Airports' passenger numbers for November 2025 (after the market close) 5 February 2026 Publication of full-year 2025 results (after the market close)

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About VINCI

VINCI is a world leader in concessions, energy solutions and construction, employing 285,000 people in more than 120 countries. We design, finance, build and operate infrastructure and facilities that help improve daily life and mobility for all. Because we believe in all-round performance, above and beyond economic and financial results, we are committed to operating in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. And because our projects are in the public interest, we consider that reaching out to all our stakeholders and engaging in dialogue with them is essential in the conduct of our business activities. VINCI's ambition is to create long-term value for its customers, shareholders, employees, partners and society in general. www.vinci.com

APPENDICES

APPENDIX A: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON CONSOLIDATED REVENUE

Consolidated revenue* in the first nine months of the year - Breakdown by region and business line

2025/2024

change (in  millions) Nine months to 30 Sept. 2025 Nine months to 30 Sept. 2024 Actual Like-for-like FRANCE Concessions 5,493 5,420 +1.4% +3.0% VINCI Autoroutes 5,166 5,029 +2.7% +2.7% VINCI Airports 203 299 -32% -4.6% Other concessions** 124 92 +35% +35% Energy Solutions 6,345 6,152 +3.1% +2.7% VINCI Energies 6,290 6,114 +2.9% +2.5% Cobra IS 55 38 +46% +49% Construction 11,346 11,227 +1.1% +0.6% VINCI Construction 10,651 10,515 +1.3% +0.8% VINCI Immobilier 695 713 -2.5% -2.5% Eliminations and adjustments (288) (262) Total France 22,895 22,537 +1.6% +1.6% INTERNATIONAL Concessions 3,886 3,480 +12% +7.1% VINCI Airports 3,507 3,180 +10% +7.3% VINCI Highways 378 295 +28% +11% Other concessions** 2 5 Energy Solutions 14,381 13,278 +8.3% +5.1% VINCI Energies 9,048 8,416 +7.5% +2.6% Cobra IS 5,333 4,863 +9.7% +9.7% Construction 13,133 13,059 +0.6% -2.1% VINCI Construction 13,099 13,030 +0.5% -2.2% VINCI Immobilier 34 28 +21% +19% Eliminations and adjustments (43) (50) Total International 31,357 29,768 +5.3% +2.3%

* Excluding concession subsidiaries' revenue derived from works carried out by non-Group companies (see glossary).

** Mainly VINCI Railways and VINCI Stadium.

Third-quarter consolidated revenue*

Third quarter Third quarter 2025/2024

change (in  millions) 2025 2024 Actual Like-for-like Concessions 3,631 3,562 +1.9% +3.0% VINCI Autoroutes 1,995 1,950 +2.3% +2.3% VINCI Airports 1,457 1,446 +0.7% +4.7% VINCI Highways 144 111 +29% +12% Other concessions** 35 54 -35% -35% Energy Solutions 7,075 6,573 +7.6% +4.7% VINCI Energies 5,288 4,979 +6.2% +2.8% Cobra IS 1,787 1,594 +12% +11% Construction 8,814 8,493 +3.8% +2.9% VINCI Construction 8,572 8,257 +3.8% +2.9% VINCI Immobilier 242 236 +2.9% +2.9% Eliminations and adjustments (120) (99) Total revenue* 19,401 18,529 +4.7% +3.5% of which: France 7,985 7,682 +3.9% +4.3% International 11,416 10,848 +5.2% +2.9%

* Excluding concession subsidiaries' revenue derived from works carried out by non-Group companies (see glossary).

** Mainly VINCI Railways and VINCI Stadium (end of the Stade de France's concession contract on 4 August 2025).

APPENDIX B: VINCI AUTOROUTES AND VINCI AIRPORTS INDICATORS

Traffic on motorway concessions



Third quarter Nine months to 30 Sept.? (in millions of km travelled)



2025 2025/2024 change 2025 2025/2024 change VINCI Autoroutes 17,004 +0.3% 42,193 +1.4% Light vehicles 15,179 +0.1% 36,569 +1.5% Heavy vehicles 1,825 +1.2% 5,624 +0.8% of which: ASF 10,801 -0.1% 26,556 +1.6% Light vehicles 9,601 -0.2% 22,834 +1.7% Heavy vehicles 1,200 +0,8% 3,723 +0.9% Escota 2,285 +0.6% 6,003 +1.1% Light vehicles 2,102 +0.5% 5,448 +1.2% Heavy vehicles 183 +2.3% 555 +1.0% Cofiroute (intercity network*) 3,758 +1.1% 9,244 +1.2% Light vehicles 3,341 +1.0% 7,973 +1.3% Heavy vehicles 416 +1.9% 1,270 +0.2%

* Excluding A86 Duplex.

VINCI Autoroutes revenue

VINCI Autoroutes



of which: Nine months to 30 Sept. 2025 ASF Escota Cofiroute Toll revenue (in  millions) 5,048 2,953 725 1,268 2025/2024 change +2.7% +3.0% +2.3% +2.1% Revenue (in  millions) 5,166 3,022 738 1,287 2025/2024 change +2.7% +3.0% +2.5% +2.1%

VINCI Airports' passenger numbers1

Third quarter Nine months

to 30 Sept. (in thousands of passengers) 2025 2025/2024 change 2025 2025/2024 change Portugal (ANA) 22,062 +4.6% 55,991 +4.7% of which Lisbon 10,231 +2.4% 27,458 +2.8% United Kingdom 20,413 +0.2% 51,337 +1.2% of which London Gatwick 13,244 -2.3% 33,240 -0.7% of which Edinburgh 5,183 +8.5% 12,953 +7.3% Mexico 7,640 +8.1% 21,342 +9.6% of which Monterrey 4,265 +15% 11,610 +18% France 3,093 +0.9% 8,976 +2.7% of which ADL (Lyon) 2,934 +1.0% 8,191 +2.9% Cambodia 1,318 +10% 4,080 +16% United States 1,877 -6.9% 5,356 -3.9% Brazil 3,390 +9.2% 9,696 +9.6% Serbia 2,882 +6.5% 6,799 +5.8% Dominican Republic 1,618 -7.5% 4,696 -11% Cabo Verde 884 +12% 2,544 +16% Total fully consolidated subsidiaries 65,176 +3.2% 170,817 +4.0% Japan (40%) 14,185 +11% 40,505 +12% Chile (40%) 6,514 -0.5% 19,918 +3.0% Hungary (20%) 5,535 +7.2% 14,583 +12% Costa Rica (45%) 352 +2.0% 1,543 +1.9% SCAGO (85%) 2,156 +0.9% 5,599 +3.6% Rennes-Dinard (49%) 130 -1.1% 381 +1.6% Total equity-accounted subsidiaries 28,872 +6.4% 82,529 +8.9% Total passengers handled by VINCI Airports 94,048 +4.2% 253,346 +5.6%

1 Figures at 100% including passenger numbers over the period as a whole.

?

APPENDIX C: ORDER INTAKE AND ORDER BOOK

Order intake

Nine months to 30 Sept. (in  billions)



2025



2024 2025/2024

change VINCI Energies 17.1 16.9 +1% Cobra IS 5.3 7.0 -25% VINCI Construction 24.6 24.4 +1% Total 46.9 48.4 -3%* of which: France 17.1 18.1 -5% International 29.9 30.3 -1% Europe excl. France 18.3 20.5 -11% Rest of the world 11.6 9.8 +18%

* Including a 4% increase in the third quarter of 2025 compared with the third quarter of 2024. The slight decline in order intake since the start of the year is due to a high base for comparison, as stated in previous communications. The Group won some large contracts in 2024, including:

(i) at Cobra IS, two orders from a German operator for offshore energy converter platforms (BalWin3 and LanWin4) in the North Sea, a contract to install an open-cycle gas turbine in Dublin (Ireland), and a contract for work on part of an industrial complex in Duisburg (Germany).

(ii) at VINCI Energies, the deployment of high-voltage power line sections, covering a distance of several tens of kilometres in Germany, the construction of electricity substations in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, several projects in the defence sector, and the construction of data centres in Singapore.

(iii) at VINCI Construction, the replacement of more than 800 km of railways and ballast across France by 2031, the renewal of the contract to maintain and roads in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom, the decommissioning of units 1 and 2 of the Ringhals nuclear power plant in Sweden, several defence projects in France and the United Kingdom, a wastewater treatment plant in Neuilly-sur-Marne (France), road contracts in Australia, Canada and the Czech Republic, the extension of a drinking water treatment plant in Phnom Penh (Cambodia), and price adjustments for several large contracts.





Order book









At 30 September Change At 31 December Change (in  billions) 2025 2024 over 12 months 2024 vs 31 Dec. 2024 VINCI Energies 18.1 16.7 +8% 16.5 +10% Cobra IS 17.3 16.4 +6% 17.6 -1% VINCI Construction 35.1 33.7 +4% 35.0 +0% Total 70.6 66.8 +6% 69.1 +2% of which: France 20.8 21.2 -1% 20.7 0% International 49.7 45.7 +9% 48.3 +3% Europe excl. France 32.7 29.7 +10% 32.3 +1% Rest of the world 17.0 15.9 +7% 16.1 +6%

GLOSSARY

Concession subsidiaries' revenue derived from works carried out by non-Group companies: this indicator relates to construction work done by concession companies as programme manager on behalf of concession grantors. Consideration for that work is recognised as an intangible asset or financial asset depending on the accounting model applied to the concession contract, in accordance with IFRIC 12 "Service Concession Arrangements". It excludes work done by the VINCI Energies, Cobra IS and VINCI Construction business lines.

Like-for-like revenue growth: this indicator measures the change in revenue at constant scope and exchange rates.

Constant scope: the scope effect is neutralised as follows: For revenue in year Y, revenue from companies that joined the Group in year Y is deducted. For revenue in year Y-1, the full-year revenue of companies that joined the Group in year Y-1 is included, and revenue from companies that left the Group in years Y-1 and Y is excluded.

Constant exchange rates: the currency effect is neutralised by applying exchange rates in year Y to foreign currency revenue in year Y-1.

Net financial surplus/debt: this corresponds to the difference between financial assets and financial debt. If the assets outweigh the liabilities, the balance represents a net financial surplus, and if the liabilities outweigh the assets, the balance represents net financial debt. Financial debt includes bonds and other borrowings and financial debt (including derivatives and other liabilities relating to hedging instruments). Financial assets include cash and cash equivalents and assets relating to derivative instruments.

Under IFRS 16, the Group recognises right-of-use assets relating to leased items under non-current assets, along with a liability corresponding to the present value of lease payments still to be made. That liability is not included in net financial surplus/debt as defined by the Group, and is presented directly on the balance sheet.

Order book:

At VINCI Energies, Cobra IS and VINCI Construction, the order book represents the volume of business yet to be carried out on projects where the contract is in force (in particular after service orders have been obtained or after conditions precedent have been met) and financed.

At VINCI Immobilier, the order book corresponds to the revenue, recognised on a progress-towards-completion basis, that is yet to be generated on a given date with respect to property sales confirmed by a notarised deed or with respect to property development contracts on which the works order has been given by the project owner.

Order intake:

At VINCI Energies, Cobra IS and VINCI Construction, a new order is recorded when the contract has been not only signed but is also in force (for example, after the service order has been obtained or after conditions precedent have been met) and when the project's financing is in place. The amount recorded in order intake corresponds to the contractual revenue.

At VINCI Immobilier, order intake corresponds to the value of properties sold off-plan or sold after completion in accordance with a notarised deed, or revenue from property development contracts where the works order has been given by the project owner.

For joint property developments:

If VINCI Immobilier has sole control over the development company, it is fully consolidated. In that case, 100% of the contract value is included in order intake.

If the development company is jointly controlled, it is accounted for under the equity method and its order intake is not included in the total.

VINCI Airports' passenger numbers: this is the number of passengers who have travelled on commercial flights from or to a VINCI Airports airport during a given period, and is a relevant indicator for estimating an airport's revenue from both aviation and non-aviation activities.

VINCI Autoroutes' traffic levels: this is the number of kilometres travelled by light and heavy vehicles on the motorway network managed by VINCI Autoroutes during a given period.

1 See glossary.

2 Motorways and bridges outside France and electronic toll management activities.

3 Mainly VINCI Railways and VINCI Stadium.

4 Including a 4% increase in the third quarter of 2025 compared with the third quarter of 2024. It should also be noted that order intake in 2024 was boosted by several large contract wins. See details on page 13.

5 Changes in scope mainly arose from acquisitions by (i) VINCI Construction, which contributed around 600 million to the increase in revenue outside France, including 491 million relating to the acquisition of FM Conway Limited in the United Kingdom, completed in late January 2025; (ii) VINCI Energies, which carried out 34 acquisitions in 2024 and 25 in the first nine months of 2025, contributing 450 million to the Group's revenue growth outside France; and (iii) VINCI Concessions: in late June 2024, VINCI Airports acquired a 50.01% stake in Edinburgh airport, which has been fully consolidated in the Group's financial statements since 30 June 2024. Edinburgh airport contributed 324 million to the Group's revenue in the first nine months of 2025.

6 Particularly the US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand dollars as well as several South American currencies.

7 See details on page 13 of this press release.

8 Figures at 100% including passenger numbers at all managed airports over the period as a whole.

9 At London Gatwick, certain low-cost airlines are favouring longer routes to tourist destinations at the expense of domestic flights, which is having a negative impact on the number of turnovers and the number of seats sold. In the Dominican Republic, passenger numbers at Santo-Domingo airport are being affected by the decision of a low cost airline to reposition its fleet to other airports.

10 This performance was achieved despite (i) one fewer working day in the third quarter of 2025 compared with the third quarter of 2024 and (ii) two fewer working days in the first nine months of 2025 compared with the first nine months of 2024.

11 Including power generation and transmission infrastructure, data centres, industrial process and building services digitalisation.

12 EPC: Engineering, Procurement and Construction.

13 In Germany, HVDC (high voltage direct current) converter platforms and the country's first liquefied natural gas regasification terminal; projects of power transmission lines in Brazil; and the start of a large power transmission contract in Australia as part of a 35-year public-private partnership.

14 Which included two orders totalling 2.5 billion for offshore windfarm energy converter platforms in the North Sea for a German operator.

15 Some projects were completed, particularly outside France, while others - such as rail projects in Toronto, Chicago and Paris (Line 15 West of the Grand Paris Express) - were in the ramp-up or initiation phase.

16 Initially arranged on 9 January 2024 for a five-year term and extended by one year for the full amount on 9 January 2025, with a second one-year extension possible in January 2026.

17 Among his previous roles, Thierry Mirville served as Chief Financial Officer of VINCI Energies from 2006 to 2018, head of VINCI SA's Treasury, Financing and Tax Department from 2018 to 2021, and Chief Financial Officer of VINCI Construction from 2021 to 2025.

18 An earnout capped at a total of 600 million had initially been agreed for any new ready-to-build renewable energy projects developed by Cobra IS.

19 This contract is not included in the order book at 30 September 2025.

20 Figures at 100% including passenger numbers at all managed airports over the period as a whole.

21 Ebit/revenue.

22 France's 2025 budget includes an exceptional contribution increasing the corporate income tax rate for larger companies. The impact of this measure on VINCI's 2025 net income is an additional charge estimated at 0.4 billion which will be paid at the end of 2025.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 23, 2025) - Sun Summit Minerals Corp. (TSXV: SMN) (OTCQB: SMREF) ("Sun Summit" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it will be attending and presenting at the 51st Annual New Orleans Investment Conference, taking place November 2-5, 2025 at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside.

Niel Marotta, CEO and Director, will host a Sunrise Session presentation on Tuesday, November 4 at 7:15 AM (Churchill B2), where he will share updates on the Company's flagship JD Project in British Columbia's Toodoggone District, following the completion of a successful 2025 exploration season.

Space is limited. Investors are invited to RSVP by October 31 to info@sunsummitminerals.com, and to visit Sun Summit at Booth #229 throughout the conference.

The New Orleans Investment Conference brings together leading analysts, newsletter writers, and investors to discuss emerging opportunities across all major asset classes. Register today at https://neworleansconference.com/online-registration/.

About the JD Project

The JD Project is located in the Toodoggone mining district in north-central British Columbia, a highly prospective deposit-rich mineral trend. The project covers an area of over 15,000 hectares and is in close proximity to active exploration and development projects, such as Thesis Gold's Lawyers and Ranch projects, TDG Gold's Baker-Shasta projects, Amarc Resource's AuRORA project, Centerra's Gold's Kemess East and Underground projects, as well as the past-producing Kemess open pit copper-gold mine.

The project is 450 kilometres northwest of the city of Prince George, and 25 kilometres north of the Sturdee airstrip. It is proximal to existing infrastructure in place to support the past-producing Kemess mine, including roads and a hydroelectric power line.

The JD Project is in a favourable geological environment characterized by both high-grade epithermal gold and silver mineralization, as well as porphyry-related copper and gold mineralization. Some historical exploration, including drilling, geochemistry and geophysics, has been carried out on the property, however the project area is largely underexplored.

About Sun Summit

Sun Summit Minerals (TSXV: SMN) (OTCQB: SMREF) is a mineral exploration company focused on the discovery, expansion and advancement of district-scale gold and copper assets in British Columbia. The Company's diverse portfolio includes its flagship JD Project and the nearby Theory Project in the Toodoggone region of north-central B.C., as well as the Buck Project in central B.C.

Further details are available at www.sunsummitminerals.com.

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



Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this news release that are not historical in nature may be "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation ("forward-looking statements "), which involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements, by their nature, require Sun Summit to make certain assumptions and necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. Words such as "may", "will", "would", "could", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "continue", "objective", "strategy", or the negative or comparable terminology, as well as terms usually used in the future and the conditional, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Information contained in forward-looking statements is based upon certain material assumptions that were applied in drawing a conclusion or making a forecast or projection, including the assumptions, qualifications, limitations or statements relating to the pending results of the drill holes, the success of the exploration program, the impressive results of the drill campaign, the ability of exploration activities (including drilling) to accurately predict mineralization, future drill programs and high-priority targets, our timing and ability to receive assay results, the reliability of historical information that cannot be independently verified by Sun Summit, interests in the JD Project, errors in geological modelling, and the adjacent properties having any significance to the projects in which Sun Summit has an interest. There is significant risk that the forward-looking statements will not prove to be accurate, that the management's assumptions may not be correct and that actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions which may prove to be incorrect which, without limiting the generality of the following, include: the Company's ability to obtain assay results for the completed drill program; the anticipated results varying from current indications, including the already released drill results; risks inherent in exploration activities; volatility and sensitivity to market prices; volatility and sensitivity to capital market fluctuations; and fluctuations in metal prices. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof or the dates specifically referenced in this news release, where applicable. Except as required by applicable securities laws and regulation, Sun Summit disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. All forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271649

SOURCE: New Orleans Investment Conference
MedDRA Coding Agent celebrated for redefining PV through advanced automation, accuracy, and customer impact

BOSTON, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ArisGlobal, an AI-first technology company at the forefront of life sciences and creator of LifeSphere, today announced it has been named the recipient of Frost & Sullivan's 2025 Global New Product Innovation Recognition in Intelligent MedDRA Coding. This recognition honors ArisGlobal's groundbreaking MedDRA Coding Agent, the industry's first-of-its-kind agentic AI built for pharmacovigilance, transforming how safety data is coded, analyzed, and delivered.

ArisGlobal launched its MedDRA Coding Agent in April 2025, quickly gaining market interest. The solution applies agentic AI to emulate human-level judgment in medical coding, eliminating the limitations of static, rule-based systems. Unlike traditional automation tools, the MedDRA Coding Agent dynamically interprets clinical language, chooses appropriate reasoning pathways, and learns from reviewer feedback to continuously enhance accuracy and transparency.

MedDRA Coding Agent key features include:

Agentic understanding of context - interprets clinical language beyond keywords, understanding meaning and intent.

- interprets clinical language beyond keywords, understanding meaning and intent. Continuous learning loop - adapts in real time from reviewer corrections and evolving MedDRA terminology.

- adapts in real time from reviewer corrections and evolving MedDRA terminology. Explainable and auditable decisions - provides transparent reasoning, ensuring regulatory compliance.

- provides transparent reasoning, ensuring regulatory compliance. Multilingual and enterprise-ready - supports global operations, integrations, and validation requirements.

- supports global operations, integrations, and validation requirements. Adaptive collaboration - escalates only when necessary, providing ranked, rationale-based coding options.

This next-generation approach has delivered significant efficiency gains in coding operations, reducing manual review burden while improving consistency and compliance across large, global teams.

Independent Validation from Frost & Sullivan

In its analysis, Frost & Sullivan commended ArisGlobal for "reimagining pharmacovigilance through agentic, context-aware systems that deliver measurable operational and compliance benefits."

Norazah Bachok, Best Practices Research Analyst at Frost & Sullivan, comments, "The MedDRA Coding Agent is adaptive, auditable, and enterprise-ready, enabling up to 80% efficiency gains, significantly easing reviewer workload and eliminating unnecessary noise while maintaining uncompromising accuracy. It's clear that ArisGlobal places innovation at the center of its growth strategy, with LifeSphere NavaX serving as the cornerstone of its AI vision."

"The MedDRA Coding Agent represents a major leap forward in pharmacovigilance automation," said Jason Bryant, SVP, Product Management - AI at ArisGlobal. "By combining the cognitive depth of agentic AI with the proven capabilities of LifeSphere NavaX, we're transforming complex coding workflows into smart, adaptive processes that deliver greater accuracy and efficiency at scale. This innovation underscores our continued investment in R&D and our unwavering commitment to advancing automation across the Safety and Regulatory value chain. And we're not slowing down - this is just the first of many agents we'll be introducing to help the industry reimagine what's possible."

Frost & Sullivan's Best Practices Recognitions celebrate companies worldwide for outstanding achievements in leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. The New Product Innovation Recognition is its top honor, awarded to the market participant that exemplifies visionary innovation, market-leading performance, and unmatched customer care.

ArisGlobal stood out in Frost & Sullivan's rigorous evaluation of strategy effectiveness and execution, demonstrating strong alignment with evolving market needs and operational excellence. The recognition highlights ArisGlobal's impact on innovation, customer value, and industry performance standards.

About ArisGlobal

ArisGlobal, an AI-first technology company and creator of LifeSphere, is transforming the way today's most successful life sciences companies develop breakthroughs and bring new products to market. Headquartered in the United States, ArisGlobal has regional offices in Europe, India, Japan, and China. For more updates, follow ArisGlobal on LinkedIn. www.arisglobal.com.

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BH Macro Limited - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, October 23

BH Macro Limited (the "Company")

(a closed-ended collective investment scheme established as a company with limited liability under the laws of Guernsey with registered number 46235)

Transaction in Own Shares

23 October 2025

BH Macro Limited (the Company) announces today it has purchased the following number of its ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange from J.P. Morgan Securities plc:

Ordinary Shares: - Share Class US Dollar Date of purchase: 23 October 2025 Number of ordinary shares purchased: 18,000 Lowest price per share (pence) 4.10 Highest price per share (pence) 4.14 Trading venue London Aggregate volume per date per trading venue: 18,000 Weighted average price per day per trading venue (pence): 4.1355

The Company intends to hold the purchased shares in treasury.

Following the above share transactions of the relevant US Dollar and Sterling Shares, the total number of shares in issue in each share class of the Company will be as follows:

Ordinary Shares in issue (excluding Treasury) Ordinary Shares held in Treasury 321,329,568 Sterling Shares 55,765,004 Sterling Shares 25,356,844 Dollar Shares 18,000 Dollar Shares

From 23 October 2025, the total number of voting rights in the Company (rounded up to the whole number) is 491,962,211.

Enquiries:

Company website: www.bhmacro.com

William Simmonds

JPMorgan Cazenove

Tel: 020 7588 2828

The Company Secretary

Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) Limited

Tel: 01481 745001
AUMOVIO will expand its New Braunfels, Texas manufacturing facility by 65,000 square feet

The $110 million investment will add 100 new, well-paying jobs in the coming years

The manufacturing location, which opened in 2022, produces advanced driver assistance technology

AUMOVIO, formerly the Automotive group sector of Continental, today announced a $110 million investment to significantly expand its New Braunfels, Texas manufacturing facility. The expansion is part of a multi-year strategic plan to increase production capacity for North American customer projects in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and support the company's long-term ambition for growth and profitability. The project, which includes a 65,000 square-foot addition and a state-of-the-art automated warehouse, is expected to create 100 new, well-paying jobs in the coming years. The expansion will more than double the existing production floor space and is expected to be fully operational by August 2027.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251023056972/en/

AUMOVIO announces a 65,000 square foot expansion to its New Braunfels, Texas manufacturing plant.

"This expansion is a testament to our team's hard work and commitment to meeting the evolving needs of our customers," said Ibro Muharemovic, head of Autonomous Mobility North America. "This has been a key part of our long-term planning and we're eager to see it come to fruition."

AUMOVIO is a global leading supplier of components for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). This expansion is essential to meet the growing demand for ADAS technology in vehicles. Earlier this year, AUMOVIO announced a major series order for radar sensors from North American customers with a combined volume of approximately 1.5 billion ($1.5 billion). The New Braunfels location will be a key contributor to supporting this new business.

The facility, which opened in 2022, is the company's first-ever Autonomous Mobility greenfield plant in the U.S. Along with producing lifesaving radar technology, the location is expected to play a leading role in the future Aurora Driver hardware and fallback system as part of the company's partnership with Aurora Innovation, which provides commercially scalable autonomous driving systems for trucking customers. With the expansion, the company remains committed to local economic development and an innovative manufacturing approach.

"We are proud of the roots we've planted here," said Brandon Lane, New Braunfels plant manager. "Since opening our original facility in 2022, we've employed nearly 500 people and produced around 13 million radars. That's a huge impact not just to our local community but to the global automotive industry. We're ready to continue that momentum."

Since its spin-off in September 2025, AUMOVIO continues the business of the former Continental group sector Automotive as an independent company. The technology and electronics company offers a wide-ranging portfolio that makes mobility safe, exciting, connected, and autonomous. This includes sensor solutions, displays, braking, and comfort systems, as well as comprehensive expertise in software, architecture platforms, and assistance systems for software-defined vehicles. In the fiscal year 2024, the business areas, which now belong to AUMOVIO, generated sales of 19.6 billion Euro. The company is headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany and has over 86,000 employees in more than 100 locations worldwide.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251023056972/en/

Contacts:

Press contacts

Mary Arraf

Head of Communications, North America

AUMOVIO SE

Phone: +1 (248) 766-9241

E-mail: mary.arraf@aumovio.com

Christina Clarke

Communications Specialist

AUMOVIO SE

Phone: +1 (248) 606-2186

E-mail: christina.clarke@aumovio.com

Press portal: www.aumovio.com/en/company/press
Crescent Capital Group LP, one of the leading alternative credit investment firms, announced today that its European Specialty Lending strategy provided financing to support the refinancing of Protect Medical Holding GmbH, a buy-and-build platform focused on acquiring and managing shares in companies involved in the manufacture, trade, and distribution of medical products and related equipment. The financing will be used to refinance existing bank debt and support the company's ongoing acquisition strategy.

Protect Medical Holding ("PMH") was set up by Borromin Capital Fund IV in June 2019 to acquire Sohngen, a German supplier of first aid kits and emergency medical equipment. Since then, PMH has expanded significantly through a series of strategic acquisitions, including Spencer (Italy), Promeba (Spain), PAX (Germany) and Ruth Lee (UK). These add-ons have diversified PMH's product portfolio, broadened its customer base, and expanded its regional and global presence. Today, PMH offers a portfolio of more than 4,500 products, ranging from first aid and wound care supplies to ambulance stretchers, transport systems, medical bags, immobilization tools, mortuary equipment and rescue training manikins. The company serves a range of customers, including distributors, wholesalers, ambulance builders, emergency and public services, corporate and private clients as well as hospitals and other medical institutions. Protect Medical emphasizes innovation, product development, and operational synergies to strengthen its position as a leader in the emergency and first aid medical sector.

"Crescent was attracted to the opportunity to support PMH based on the company's differentiated positioning in its targeted market segments as well its proven track record of acquiring and integrating complementary business as part of its buy-and-build strategy," said Christine Vanden Beukel, Managing Director and head of Crescent's European Specialty Lending strategy. "This transaction represents the kind of flexible capital solutions we provide to innovative, high-growth companies and their forward-thinking sponsors."

About Crescent Capital Group LP

Crescent is a global credit investment manager with $48 billion of assets under management as of September 30, 2025. For over 30 years, the firm has focused on below investment grade credit through strategies that invest in marketable and privately originated debt securities including senior bank loans, high yield bonds, as well as private senior, unitranche and junior debt securities. Crescent is headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in New York, Boston, Chicago and London with over 230 employees globally. Crescent is a part of SLC Management, the institutional alternatives and traditional asset management business of Sun Life. For more information about Crescent, visit www.crescentcap.com.

About Borromin Capital Management

Borromin is an independent private equity company focusing on medium-sized businesses within German speaking Europe and the Benelux countries. Funds initiated and advised by Borromin Capital Management GmbH invest in mid-size companies providing equity for succession issues, management buy-outs and also for growth opportunities. Borromin was founded in 2001 and follows a successful, value-oriented strategy of investments in profitable companies.

Borromin Capital Fund IV (Borromin Capital Fund IV SCS, SICAV-RAIF) benefits from the financial backing of the European Union under the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) set up under the Investment Plan for Europe. The purpose of EFSI is to help support financing and implementing productive investments in the European Union and to ensure increased access to financing.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251023210425/en/

Contacts:

Mendel Communications

Sarah Troutt, +1-917-664-0319

sarah@mendelcommunications.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 23, 2025) - Cruz Battery Metals Corp. (CSE: CRUZ) (OTCID: BKTPF) (WKN: A40YSN) ("Cruz" or the "Company") wishes to announce a private placement to fund work programs on the Company's Nevada lithium projects and the gold/copper project in Ontario. Cruz's Solar Lithium Project in Nevada, directly bordering American Lithium Corp. Throughout the first 4 phases of drilling, Cruz has discovered lithium in all 14 drill holes.

James Nelson, President of Cruz Battery Metals stated, "Domestic lithium attention seems to have renewed since the U.S. government has agreed to take a stake in Lithium Americas Thacker Pass Lithium Mine in Nevada, announced by Reuters (1) on October 1, 2025. With the recent resurgence of investor attention back into the lithium sector, management feels this is an opportune time to proceed with a work program on the Solar Lithium Project, directly bordering American Lithium Corp., with the goal of producing a Maiden Resource Estimate in the first half of 2026. According to news announced on August 18, 2025, American Lithium Corp. (LI) closed a $9.4 million private placement with units priced at $0.27. On October 10, 2025, American Lithium's share price reached a high of $1.29, according to tmx.com(2). In addition, funds from this financing will strengthen our working capital position, providing us with greater flexibility to plan preliminary work programs on the 'Sterling South Gold/Copper Project' directly bordering Sterling Metals Corp.'s recent discovery in Ontario. The Company is very optimistic about the growth prospects for the remainder of 2025 and beyond as we become more active than we've been in years."





To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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In recent news, announced on October 6, 2025, Cruz acquired the 'Sterling South Gold/Copper Project' directly bordering Sterling Metals Corp. recent discovery in Ontario. According to a news release posted on Sterling's website on September 29, 2025, Sterling Metals Corp announced a high-grade copper discovery at the Soo Copper Project intersecting 262.5m of 1.05% CuEq, including 68.3m of 3.25% CuEq and 9.3m of 19.8% CuEq from near surface. Cruz management cannot verify Sterling's results other than the publicly available information. This new acquisition consists of 42 claim units for approximately 2,500 acres.

The Company announces a private placement financing (the "Financing") to raise gross proceeds up to $500,000 through an issuance of up to 15,337,423 units (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.0326 per Unit. Each Unit will be comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Share") and one transferrable share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one additional Share (each, a "Warrant Share") at a price of $0.05 per Warrant Share until 5:00 p.m. (Vancouver time) five years from the closing of the Financing. All securities issued in connection with the Financing are subject to a statutory hold period expiring four months and one day after the closing of the Financing. Net proceeds will be used towards the Company's general working capital. Finder's fees may be paid to eligible finders in connection with the Financing.

In addition to other prospectus exemptions commonly relied on in private placements, the Company will also make the private placement available to certain subscribers pursuant to BC Instrument 45-536 - Exemption from Prospectus Requirement for Certain Distributions Through an Investment Dealer (the "Investment Dealer Exemption"). In accordance with the requirements of the Investment Dealer Exemption, the Company confirms that there is no material fact or material change about the Company that has not been generally disclosed.

Any questions regarding this placement please contact President James Nelson directly at 604-899-9150 or info@cruzbatterymetals.com.

Qualified Person

The technical contents of this release were reviewed and approved by Frank Bain, PGeo, a director of the Company and qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About Cruz Battery Metals Corp.

Cruz currently has several battery metals focused projects located in the USA. Cruz's Nevada lithium projects consist of the 4,938-acre 'Solar Lithium Project', the 240-acre 'Clayton Valley Lithium Brine Project', and the recently acquired 580-acre 'Central Clayton Valley Lithium Brine Project'. Cruz's 'Sterling South Gold/Copper Project' in Ontario consists of 42 claims for approximately 2,500 acres. Cruz also has the 124-acre 'Idaho Cobalt Belt Project'. Management cautions that past results or discoveries on properties in proximity to Cruz may not necessarily be indicative of the presence of mineralization on the Company's properties.

If you would like to be added to Cruz's news distribution list, please send your email address to info@cruzbatterymetals.com

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.

https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/us-government-take-5-stake-lithium-americas-joint-venture-with-general-motors-2025-09-30/ (1)

https://money.tmx.com/en/quote/LI (2)

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. None of the securities sold in connection with the private placement 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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271666

SOURCE: Cruz Battery Metals Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 23, 2025) - Telescope Innovations Corp. (CSE: TELI) (OTCQB: TELIF) (FSE: J4U) (the "Company"), a leading developer of advanced technologies and services for the global pharmaceutical and high-value chemical industries, is pleased to announce that it has entered into agreements to settle certain outstanding indebtedness through the issuance of 689,654 common shares (each, a "Share") of the Company (the "Debt Settlement").

Pursuant to the Debt Settlement, the Company has reached an agreement with Jason Hein, Chief Technology Officer and a director of the Company, to settle an aggregate of CAD $100,000 in outstanding indebtedness (the "Indebtedness") incurred for services previously provided to the Company. The Indebtedness will be satisfied through the issuance of 344,827 Shares of the Company at a deemed price of CAD $0.29 per Share.

In addition, the Company previously entered into a secured loan facility (the "Loan") with a group of lenders, pursuant to which the Company received aggregate proceeds of CAD $1,200,000 to support operational activities. The Loan bears interest at a rate of 6.95% per annum and matures on June 1, 2026. The Company has agreed to settle $100,000 of the Loan, through the issuance of 344,827 Shares at a deemed price of CAD $0.29 per Share.

Jason Hein is a director and officer of the Company and therefore a "related party" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The participation by Hein in the Debt Settlement constitutes a "related party transaction" under MI 61-101. The Company is relying on the exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements set out in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, respectively, on the basis that the fair market value of the securities issued to Hein does not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization.

All Shares issued pursuant to the Debt Settlement will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. Completion of the Debt Settlement remains subject to the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange and all other required regulatory approvals.

About Telescope Innovations

Telescope is a chemical technology company developing scalable manufacturing processes and tools for the pharmaceutical and chemical industry. The Company builds and deploys new enabling technologies including flexible robotic platforms and artificial intelligence software that improves experimental throughput, efficiency, and data quality. The Company's aim is to bring modern chemical technology solutions to meet the most serious challenges in health and sustainability.

On behalf of the Board,

Telescope Innovations Corp.

Henry Dubina, CEO

Forward-Looking Information

The Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release may contain certain "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities laws. When or if used in this news release, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect." "target", "plan," "forecast," "may," "schedule," and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking information. This forward-looking information may relate to planned project development, exploration programs, the intended use of the proceeds from the Offering and other factors or information.

Forward-looking information is based on a number of opinions, assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the date of this news release, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is made as of the date of this news release, and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements containing any forward-looking information, or the factors or assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271662

SOURCE: Telescope Innovations Corp.
The Next Generation of Post-Workout and Everyday Wellness Apparel

BOSTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / October 23, 2025 / Skineez, a women-owned, U.S.-made, tariff free wellness brand and pioneer in skin-reparative compression, announced the launch of Skineez Reversible Compression Recoverywear - the world's first reversible compression garment offering two colors in one pair, worn two ways. Developed after years of research and testing, the Skineez Reversible Compression Recoverywear line offers dual-sided style and dual-action performance - promoting circulation, muscle recovery, and skin hydration while providing unmatched softness, breathability, and comfort.

Designed to deliver all-day relief and faster recovery, these innovative garments merge graduated compression with clinically proven, skin-reparative ingredients delivered through patented micro-encapsulation technology - creating an entirely new category of therapeutic apparel. Reduces cramps, swelling, and fatigue while improving circulation and recovery - ideal for athletes, healthcare workers, or anyone on their feet all day.

Why It's Creating a Whole New Gen

The Only Patented Reversible Design: Two colors in one - double the style, half the cost.

Post-Workout & Everyday Relief: Reduces cramps, swelling, and fatigue while improving circulation and recovery - ideal for athletes, healthcare workers, or anyone on their feet all day.

Super-Soft, Breathable Fabric: Patented Skineez garments infused with retinol, vitamin E, shea butter, and magnesium for lasting hydration and comfort. EZ on EZ off technology.

Dual Function: Compression + Skincare = Recovery + Rejuvenation in every wear.

Clinically Proven & Medicare-Approved: Supported by clinical testing and assigned Medicare billing codes for therapeutic use and lymphedema care.

Category Creation: No other product combines compression, skincare infusion, and reversible design - defining the new Therapeutic Reversibles segment.

Innovation That Moves With You

From workouts to long shifts, Skineez Reversible Compression Recoverywear is made for athletes, truck drivers, healthcare professionals, and hardworking individuals who demand comfort and recovery that lasts all day. Each garment delivers consistent, gentle compression while nourishing the skin with micro-encapsulated natural ingredients activated by body heat and movement.

A New Standard in Recovery

"Our reversible compression recovery wear redefines comfort and functionality," said Michelle Moran, Founder and CEO of Skineez. "We built this line for anyone who works hard, plays hard, and deserves better recovery - from athletes and essential workers to patients managing swelling or fatigue. It's therapeutic apparel that truly works for your skin and your body."

About Skineez

Founded and developed in the U.S., Skineez Skin-Reparative Compression has invested more than $12 million in clinical research, patents, and retail distribution. Its clinically tested, FDA-cleared products are available in 18,000+ locations nationwide, spanning major retail, pharmacy, and sports-medicine channels. Skineez continues to expand across the medical, wellness, and recovery markets - redefining how compression wear supports skin health and comfort.

Featured on Fox News, CBS This Morning, The Doctors and the Today Show, and worn by several celebrities and athletes. As the first brand to merge clinical-grade compression with skincare science, Skineez empowers people to feel better, recover faster, and look great doing it.

Media Contact:

Mina Tamburrini

mina@myskineez.com | 978-261-5326 | www.myskineez.com

SOURCE: Skineez

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/skineez-launches-the-first-patented-reversible-compression-recoverywe-1091367
Acquisition enhances Copeland's industrial heating portfolio

Copeland, a global leader in sustainable climate solutions, today announced its agreement to acquire SPH Sustainable Process Heat (SPH), a Germany-based industrial heat pump technology company. This acquisition is expected to expand Copeland's industrial heating portfolio, allowing the company to deliver a broader range of key heat pump technologies and solutions to new and existing customers. Copeland's industrial business operates under the brand name Vilter. SPH will continue to operate independently until closing.

This acquisition reinforces Copeland's commitment to enabling the energy transition, in this case, through innovative technologies that enable industrial customers to replace fossil-fuel systems with more energy-efficient heating alternatives. SPH brings a strong technology portfolio, including its innovative ThermBooster technology, and demonstrated capability in delivering solutions to a broad range of industrial end-markets.

Headquartered in Overath, Germany, SPH helps customers with sustainable, heat-pump-based steam solutions that meet a wide range of temperature, capacity and refrigerant needs. SPH specializes in designing, manufacturing and servicing heat pumps for industrial steam applications for temperatures up to 180 degrees Celsius, with solutions that can utilize a wide range of natural and low global warming potential refrigerants.

This transaction is expected to expand Copeland's Vilter industrial heating portfolio by serving process segments that demand higher-temperature steam. It will also expand the range of supported refrigerants, enabling optimized performance and efficiency, as well as cost-effective ownership and the potential to reduce emissions for industrial customers, depending on system growth design and operating conditions. Driven by strong end-market growth and technological leadership, forecasts have estimated that the European steam heat pump segment is poised for as much as double-digit growth over the coming years.

"The addition of SPH's team and its differentiated technologies will enable us to serve a broader range of customers and applications," says Ross B. Shuster, Copeland's chief executive officer. "This broader portfolio positions Copeland well to expand our rapidly growing industrial business by helping address the world's increasing demand for sustainable heating solutions."

"We are truly excited to join the Copeland team," said Andreas Muck, Tim Hamacher and Tor Hodne, founders of SPH. "By combining our high-temperature heat pump technology with Copeland's expansive reach and expertise, we can help a broader range of industrial customers accelerate their transition to cleaner, more energy-efficient heating. Together, we're committed to advancing global sustainability and empowering industries to meet ambitious electrification goals."

The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions. Spirax Group (LON: SPX), a leader in steam solutions, currently holds and will continue to maintain a minority share in SPH under Copeland ownership. Through its Steam Thermal Solutions Business, Spirax Group intends to broaden SPH's existing sales channels by marketing SPH's heat pump solutions through its direct sales channel.

This announcement includes forward-looking statements regarding the proposed acquisition and its expected benefits. Actual results may differ due to market conditions or other factors. Copeland undertakes no obligation to update these statements.

About Copeland

Copeland is a global leader in sustainable heating, cooling, cold chain and industrial solutions. We provide mission-critical compression technologies and controls solutions for a broad range of commercial, industrial, refrigeration and residential customers. We address issues like climate change, growing populations, electricity demands and a complex global supply chain with innovations that advance the energy transition, accelerate the adoption of climate friendly low-GWP (global warming potential) and natural refrigerants and safeguard the world's most critical goods through an efficient and sustainable cold chain. We have over 18,000 colleagues with feet on the ground in more than 40 countries a global presence that makes it possible to serve customers wherever they are in the world and meet challenges with scale and speed. Our industry-leading brands and diversified portfolio deliver innovation and technology proven in over 200 million installations worldwide. Together, we create sustainable solutions that improve lives and protect the planet today and for future generations. For more information, visit copeland.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251023600378/en/

Contacts:

PR@Copeland.com
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

WINNIPEG, MB / ACCESS Newswire / October 23, 2025 / Bird River Resources Inc. (the "Company") (CSE:BDR) announces that it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") of a maximum number of 25,000,000 common shares in the capital of the Company (the "Common Shares") for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $2,500,000 at a price of $0.10 per Common Share.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering for general corporate and working capital purposes. The Common Shares to be issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day.

About Bird River

Bird River is a Winnipeg, Manitoba based resource company focused on advancing quality mineral exploration and development properties. The Company currently holds a net royalty smelter interest in a platinum palladium property in the Bird River Sill area of northeastern Manitoba near the Ontario border. Additional information regarding the Company is available at www.sedarplus.ca.

For further information, please contact:

Jon Bridgman, CEO & Director

Bird River Resources Inc.

Tel: 1-877-587-0777

Email: jonbirdriver@gmail.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

The securities of the Company referred to in this news release have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws. Accordingly, the securities of the Company may not be offered or sold within the United States unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy any securities of the Company in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Forward-Looking Statement:

This press release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical fact included herein including, without limitation, statements relating to the future operating or financial performance of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are generally, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", "plans" and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this press release relate to, among other things: receipt of any required regulatory approvals for the issuance of the Debt Shares, the completion of the Offering, and the anticipated use of proceeds from the Offering.

Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct or accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the respective parties, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this press release. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release. Except as required by law, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation and does not intend to update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information in this press release.

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Bird River Resources Inc.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/oil-gas-and-energy/bird-river-announces-final-tranche-of-private-placement-and-shares-for-debt-tran-1091083
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 23, 2025) - Magma Silver Corp. (TSXV: MGMA) (OTCQB: MAGMF) (FSE: BC21) (WKN: A411DV) (the "Company" or "Magma") is pleased to announce that, further to its news releases dated October 7 and 8, 2025, it has closed its non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") for aggregate gross proceeds of $5,000,000, through the issuance of 33,333,332 units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of $0.15 per Unit.

Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.25 per Common Share for a period of 36 months following closing.

Eric Sprott, through 2176423 Ontario Ltd., a corporation beneficially owned by him, acquired 6,666,667 Units pursuant to the Offering for total consideration of $1,000,000. Prior to the Offering, Mr. Sprott did not beneficially own any securities.

As a result of the Offering, Mr. Sprott now beneficially owns 6,666,667 Shares and 3.333,334 Warrants (collectively, the "Sprott Securities"), representing approximately 9.5% of the outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis and 13.6% of the outstanding Common Shares on a partially-diluted basis assuming exercise of such Warrants.

Mr. Sprott holds the Sprott Securities for investment purposes. Mr. Sprott has a long-term view of the investment and may acquire additional securities including on the open market or through private acquisitions or sell Magma securities including on the open market or through private dispositions in the future depending on market conditions, reformulation of plans and/or other relevant factors.

A copy of the early warning report with respect to the foregoing will appear shortly on Magma profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and may also be obtained by calling Mr. Sprott's office at (416) 945-3294 (2176423 Ontario Ltd., 7 King Street East, Suite 1106, Toronto Ontario M5C 3C5).

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering for exploration at the Ninobamba silver gold project in Peru, working capital and general corporate purposes.

In connection with the Offering, the Company paid aggregate cash finder's fees of $294,022 and issued an aggregate of 1,928,138 warrants (the "Finder Warrants") to certain eligible finders for their efforts in placing subscriptions under the Offering. Each Finder Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Common Shares at a price of $0.25 for a period of 36 months following the issuance of the Finder Warrants.

The Common Shares, Warrants, and Finder Warrants are subject to a statutory hold period in Canada of four (4) months and one (1) day after the closing.

The closing involved the issuance of an aggregate of 100,067 Units to directors, officers and insiders of the Company for gross proceeds of $15,010. Accordingly, the issuance of such securities (collectively, the "Insider Participation") constituted "related party transactions" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company was exempt from the requirements to obtain a formal valuation and minority shareholder approval in connection with the Insider Participation in reliance on sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, as neither the fair market value of the Insider Participation nor the securities issued in connection therewith exceeded 25% of the Company's market capitalization.

Equity Incentive Awards

The Company also announces that its board of directors has approved the grant of a total of 3,525,000 incentive stock options (the "Stock Options") to certain of its directors, officers, consultants, and employees pursuant to the Company's Stock Option Plan. Such Stock Options are exercisable into Common Shares at an exercise price of $0.25 per share for a period of 5 years from the date of grant. The Stock Options vest in four equal tranches every three months, commencing on the date that is three months from the grant date. All Common Shares issued upon the exercise of the Stock Options will be subject to a hold period in Canada of four (4) months and one (1) day after the date of grant.

This press release is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in the United States or in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to qualification or registration under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from U.S. registration requirements and applicable U.S. state securities laws.

About Magma Silver Corp.

Magma Silver Corp. is a natural resources exploration company with a focus on acquiring, exploring, developing, and operating precious metal mining projects. Listed on the TSX Venture Exchange ("MGMA"), OTCQB ("MAGMF"), and Frankfurt Exchange ("BC21"), the Company's primary focus is on exploring and developing the advanced Ninobamba silver-gold project in the mining-friendly country of Peru. Ninobamba spans an 8 km mineralized corridor in a prolific geological belt of a high-sulphidation epithermal system. Extensive exploration by Newmont Corporation, AngloGold Ashanti Limited, Bear Creek Mining Corporation and others, has demonstrated significant resource potential with over C$14.5 million invested to date. Magma Silver is advancing its Ninobamba project using modern geological modelling and a strategic development plan. The property has excellent infrastructure, strong relationships with local communities and a regional technical team with over 50 years of mining experience in Peru.

For more information, please visit our website at www.magmasilver.com.

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

This news release contains certain statements which constitute forward-looking statements or information under applicable Canadian securities laws, including statements relating to the use of proceeds raised under the Offering. Such forward-looking statements are subject to numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond Magma's control, which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those stated, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include general economic and capital markets conditions, stock market volatility, the ability of Magma to obtain necessary consents for the Offering, including the approval of the Exchange, and the ability of Magma to complete the Offering on the terms expected or at all. Although Magma believes that the forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, they are based on factors and assumptions, based on currently available information, concerning future events, which may prove to be inaccurate. As such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, as no assurance can be provided as to future plans, operations, results, levels of activity or achievements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and, except as required by applicable law, Magma does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or to revise any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271729

SOURCE: Magma Silver Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 23, 2025) - Adelayde Exploration Inc. (CSE: ADDY) (OTCID: SPMTF) (WKN: A41AGV) (the "Company" or "Adelayde") is pleased to announce, further to its news release on October 14, 2025, the closing of an option agreement with two arm's length vendors (the "Vendors") to acquire the Sisson NW Tungsten Project (the "Property") comprised of 89 claims consisting of approximately 4,890 contiguous acres prospective for tungsten in New Brunswick directly bordering Northcliff Resources Ltd.'s Sisson Tungsten Mine. On August 7, 2025, Northcliff Resources Ltd. announced they secured approximately $29 million CAD in combined funding from the U.S. Department of Defense and the Canadian Government to advance their project. Management cautions that past results or discoveries on properties in proximity to Adelayde may not necessarily be indicative to the presence of mineralization on the Company's properties.

James Nelson, President of Adelayde, stated, "We are excited to now have a significant footprint of 9,780 acres prospective for tungsten at a time when critical metals are receiving increased attention due to recent escalating trade tensions between the USA and China, according to a Reuters report(1). Tungsten and antimony both face tight global supply because China dominates their mining and refining-producing roughly 80-90% of each-while demand continues to rise for use in electronics, defense, and energy technologies. As Western nations seek to secure alternative sources, supply risks and strategic stockpiling are driving higher prices. Adelayde will begin to formulate initial work plans for the Sisson Tungsten and George Lake South Antimony projects, as well as proceeding with the maiden drill program on the Esmeralda County gold project in Nevada in 2025. The Company will be very active for the remainder of 2025 and beyond."

Pursuant to the terms of the option agreement, the Company shall have the exclusive right and option to earn a 100% interest in the Property from the Vendors in consideration for the issuance of a total of 6,000,000 common shares (subject to a four-month hold period) at a deemed price of $0.11 per share and by making cash payment in the amount of $5,000 as set out below:

(a) To pay $5,000 and issue 4,500,000 common shares in the capital of the Company to the Vendors within seven (7) business days of signing the option agreement; and

(b) To issue 1,500,000 common shares in the capital of the Company to the Vendors after the Company has incurred a minimum of $200,000 in exploration expenditures on the Property within eighteen (18) months of signing the option agreement.

Qualified person for mining disclosure:

The technical contents of this release were reviewed and approved by Frank Bain, PGeo, a director of the company and qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About Adelayde Exploration Inc.

Adelayde's projects include three lithium projects in Clayton Valley, Nevada: the 1,136-acre McGee lithium clay deposit, which has a resource estimate of 1,369,000 indicated tonnes and 723,000 inferred tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) for a total of 2,092,000 tonnes of LCE, directly bordering Pure Energy Minerals and Century Lithium Corp.; the 280-acre Elon lithium brine project, which has access to some of the deepest parts of the only lithium brine basin in production in North America; and the 124-acre Green Clay lithium project. The Company also holds the 248-acre Clayton Ridge gold project in Esmeralda County, Nevada; the 4,722-acre George Lake South antimony project, the 4,890-acre Sisson North tungsten project, and the 4,890-acre Sisson NW tungsten project all located in New Brunswick. Management cautions that past results or discoveries on properties in proximity to Adelayde may not necessarily be indicative to the presence of mineralization on the Company's properties.

If you would like to be added to Adelayde's news distribution list, please send your email address to info@adelaydeexp.com.

Adelayde Exploration Inc.

"James Nelson"

James Nelson

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this press release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties such as the proposed use of proceeds from the Financing. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Adelayde. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and Adelayde disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such information, except as required by applicable law.

https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-tightens-rare-earth-export-controls-2025-10-09/ (1).

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271726

SOURCE: Adelayde Exploration Inc.
OffenderWatch, the nation's premier software provider offering sex offender registry ("SOR") management and community notification network, announces significant investment by STG Allegro to support growth.

MANDEVILLE, LOUISIANA / ACCESS Newswire / October 23, 2025 / OffenderWatch, the nation's premier software provider offering sex offender registry ("SOR") management and community notification network solutions, announced that it has received a significant investment from the STG Allegro fund.

STG + OffenderWatch

The OffenderWatch and STG Allegro logos side by side, representing their new strategic partnership. The image conveys innovation, trust, and collaboration in public safety technology.

Through this strategic partnership, OffenderWatch and STG will use the capital to enhance the Company's product offerings, accelerate innovation, and expand its reach to deliver even greater value to law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. Founded in 2000 by Lou Luzynski and Mike Cormaci, and led by the current CEO Ben Luzynski, OffenderWatch has become the nation's trusted provider in SOR management and community notification. Over more than 25 years, the Company has unwaveringly prioritized public safety and endeavored to support and empower the everyday heroes in law enforcement that keep our communities safe. With a network of more than 4,000 law enforcement agencies across the U.S. and Canada, OffenderWatch provides secure, configurable solutions to more than 15,000 law enforcement officers, agency staff, and community members to help monitor hundreds of thousands of offenders.

"For more than two decades, OffenderWatch has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with law enforcement in their mission to protect communities and families," said Ben Luzynski, CEO of OffenderWatch. "Our success has always been built on trust - trust from the officers who rely on our platform and the communities they serve. Partnering with STG allows us to deepen that commitment by investing further in technology, security, and support that strengthen those partnerships. We're excited to work with STG to continue empowering law enforcement with tools that make their jobs safer, smarter, and more effective."

Rushi Kulkarni, Managing Director, Co-Lead of STG Allegro said,

"The OffenderWatch team's dedication to their law enforcement customers and to their mission to keep communities safe is reflected in the quality of the OffenderWatch platform and network. We have been impressed by the Company's ability to provide high-quality, reliable software at great value to its customers. We look forward to partnering with the OffenderWatch management team to continue delivering best-in-class software, product innovation, support, and value to law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve."



STG's investor base includes several police and public safety pension funds, whose commitment to community well-being and public service aligns closely with OffenderWatch's mission - further underscoring the shared purpose behind the partnership. Guggenheim Securities, LLC acted as exclusive financial advisor to STG on this transaction, and Paul Hastings LLP acted as legal advisor.

SOURCE: OffenderWatch

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/government/offenderwatchr-announces-significant-investment-by-stg-allegro-to-support-growth-1090797
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 23, 2025) - Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits Inc. (TSXV: DWS) ("Diamond Estates" or the "Company") today announced that it has issued deferred share units ("DSUs") to its directors as of today. Pursuant to the Company's deferred share unit plan, an aggregate of 248,683 DSUs at a deemed price per DSU of $0.19 have been issued by the Company to non-executive directors in settlement of $47,250.00 of deferred directors' compensation. The DSUs are to be settled in common shares of the Company when the director retires from all positions with the Company.

Share Options

The Company is also pleased to announce that today it is has issued 600,000 share options at a strike price of $0.19 per share option to Basman Alias, the new Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation (as of August 27, 2025). Each option is exercisable for the purchase of one common share for up to five years from the date of issuance, at which time they expire. The options are being issued under the Company's existing option program and vest at the rate of 25% on each anniversary of the issuance date.

"These share option grants reflect the key role being performed by Basman in the successful execution of Diamond Estates' strategic plan," said Andrew Howard, President and CEO of the Company. "Our greatest asset is our people, and the Board of Directors is committed to ensuring that management's success is aligned with that of the shareholders."

Upcoming Shareholder Meeting

Following up on the Company's press release of October 16, in light of the continued ongoing Canada Post service disruptions the Company strongly encourages shareholders to vote their shares well in advance of the upcoming shareholder meeting scheduled for Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. (ET). To ensure votes are received in a timely manner, shareholders are advised to submit their proxies or voting instructions through electronic means or via their intermediaries as early as possible and votes submitted by proxy must be received by Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. (ET). The Notice of Meeting, Management Information Circular and related proxy materials (the "Meeting Materials") were filed on the Company's website and on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

About Diamond Estates Wines and Spirits Inc.

Diamond Estates Wines and Spirits Inc. is a producer of high-quality wines and ciders as well as a sales agent for over 120 beverage alcohol brands across Canada. The Company operates four production facilities, three in Ontario and one in British Columbia, that produce predominantly VQA wines under such well-known brand names as 20 Bees, Creekside, D'Ont Poke the Bear, EastDell, Lakeview Cellars, Mindful, Shiny Apple Cider, Fresh Wines, Red Tractor, Seasons, Serenity and Backyard Vineyards.

Through its commercial division, Trajectory Beverage Partners, the Company is the sales agent for many leading international brands. These recognizable brands include Fat Bastard and Gabriel Meffre wines from France, Talamonti and Cielo wines from Italy, Kaiken winesfrom Argentina, Kings of Prohibition and McWilliams Wines from Australia, Yealands Family Wines and Joiy Sparkling wine from New Zealand, Cofradia Tequilas from Mexico, Maverick Distillery spirits (including Tag Vodka, Ginslinger Gin and Barnburner Whisky), Bench Brewing, Niagara Cider, Darling Ready to Drink and Hounds Vodka from Canada, Porta 6, Julia Florista, Catedral and Cabeca de Toiro wines from Portugal, Islay Mist and Waterproof blended Scotch whiskies, Glen Breton Canadian whiskies, C.K Mondavi & Family, Line 39, Harken, FitVine and Rabble wines from California & Charles Krug wines from Napa Valley, Rodenbach beer from Belgium, La Trappe beer from the Netherlands, and Tequila Rose Strawberry Cream, Five Farms Irish Cream Liqueur, Broker's Gin, Hussong's Tequila, 360 Vodka and Holladay Bourbon from McCormick Distilling International.

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

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271733

SOURCE: Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits Inc.
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - October 23, 2025) - New York General Dentistry has announced its participation in a humanitarian mission to Peru through its founder, Dr. Inna Chern. Partnering with Flying Doctors of America, the mission brought together medical and dental professionals from around the world to provide care in the Sacred Valley, a region where access to healthcare remains limited.

The effort went beyond treatment. It highlighted the urgent reality of healthcare disparities worldwide and demonstrated how collaborative missions can bring meaningful change. For New York General Dentistry, involvement in this initiative aligns with the practice's broader mission of delivering care that fosters health, dignity, and human connection.

Healthcare inequality continues to challenge communities in both developed and developing nations. By joining Flying Doctors of America, New York General Dentistry reinforced the idea that solutions require not just local resources but also international cooperation. The mission showed how professionals from different fields, including dentistry, medicine, nursing, and volunteer support, can unite to create immediate impact in underserved areas.

For the practice, contributing to this mission carried significance beyond the week in Peru. It was an opportunity to live out values that also guide the daily work of its Midtown Manhattan office: compassion, responsibility, and service to others. The same commitment that led to meaningful care abroad shapes the practice's approach at home, where patients rely on individualized attention and a focus on long-term well-being.

The announcement also highlights the broader role of dentistry in public health. While often viewed in isolation, oral health is deeply connected to overall wellness, and access to dental care can be as critical as access to medical treatment. New York General Dentistry views its participation in the Peru mission as a way of reinforcing that message on a global stage, reminding patients and communities alike that dentistry is integral to comprehensive healthcare.

As conversations about equity in healthcare continue, New York General Dentistry sees international missions as vital opportunities to contribute to solutions. By standing alongside colleagues from around the world, the practice helped extend care to those who need it most while bringing attention to the collective responsibility of the healthcare profession.

About New York General Dentistry

New York General Dentistry, based in Midtown Manhattan, is led by Dr. Inna Chern. With over 20 years of experience, the practice offers comprehensive dental services that prioritize patient comfort and education. Known for blending advanced treatment with a compassionate approach, New York General Dentistry is a trusted provider for patients across New York City.

Media Contact





To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10740/271703_figure1.jpg

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271703

SOURCE: GetFeatured
Burnaby, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 23, 2025) - NatBridge Resources Ltd. (CSE: NATB) (OTCID: NATBF) (FSE: GI80) ("NatBridge" or the "Company") announces that it has entered into an amendment agreement (the "Amendment Agreement") with Bull Markets Media GmbH (the "Consultant"), amending the terms of the original consulting services agreement dated April 3, 2025 (the "Original Agreement").

Under the Original Agreement, the Consultant was to be compensated through the issuance of 450,000 Restricted Share Units (each, a "RSU"). Pursuant to the Amendment Agreement, the Company and the Consultant have agreed to cancel the RSU-based compensation structure in its entirety and, as such, the Consultant will now be compensated strictly in cash. Accordingly, the consulting fee of CDN$90,000 is to be paid as to CDN$30,000 on execution of the Amendment Agreement, with the remaining CDN$60,000 to be paid in two equal instalments of CDN$30,000 each as to the first on the date that is three (3) months from the date of the Amendment Agreement and the second on the date this is six (6) months from the date of the Amendment Agreement.

In accordance with Exchange Policy 7 - Investor Relations, Promotional Activity and Other Significant Transactions, NatBridge notes that Bull Markets Media GmbH is an independent investor relations service provider with a business address at Friedrich-Ebert-Str. 17, 51373 Leverkusen, Germany. The Consultant may be contacted via email at ma@bullmarketsmedia.com or by telephone at 49 1797349297. The Consultant has no formal relationship with the Company other than as an independent contractor under the amended consulting agreement.

The promotional activity commenced in October 2025 and is expected to continue for a period of six months. The nature of the promotional activity includes analyzing and assessing opportunities to broaden NatBridge's shareholder base within Europe through the Consultant's investor network and related promotional efforts. This activity will be conducted via digital platforms, including email campaigns, social media, and online investor forums.

The Company also announces that it has granted an aggregate of 808,606 stock options (the "Options") to certain directors and officers of the Company in accordance with the Company's omnibus incentive plan. The Options are exercisable at a price of $0.26 per share for a period of five (5) years and form part of their management contracts.

About NatBridge Resources Ltd.

NatBridge Resources Ltd. (CSE: NATB) (OTCID: NATBF) (FSE: GI80) is a publicly traded Canadian company, also listed in the United States and Germany, leading the gold resource supply side of NatGold Digital Ltd.'s ("NatGold Digital") revolutionary, patent-pending digital gold tokenization ecosystem. This innovative approach redefines how gold's value can be captured through tokenization, eliminating extraction and its environmental, social, and financial costs through a blockchain-powered, eco-friendly digital mining process. NatBridge's strategy is focused on the supply side of the NatGold ecosystem. By acquiring gold resources that meet the qualification criteria of NatGold Digital, in accordance with NatGold Digital's strict token certification standards, NatBridge is establishing itself as a key player in this industry - operating at the intersection of three major global investment trends: gold, sustainable investing, and the tokenization of real-world assets.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271742

SOURCE: NatBridge Resources Ltd.
The Indian Army is set to get more lethal. In the next six months, it will raise 25 Bhairav Battalions. Soldiers in these units will serve as a bridge between the regular infantry and the Special Forces. They will be trained to carry out high-impact missions such as surprise attacks, counter-insurgency, and border patrols

The Bhairav Commandos of the Indian Army will help bolster national defence. Representational image/AFP

The Indian Army is gearing up for a major transformation, which will make it even more lethal to its enemies.

In the next six months, India plans to raise 25 Bhairav Battalions, said Lieutenant General Ajay Kumar, the Director General of the Indian Armys Arm of Infantry, on Wednesday, adding that that five of these battalions are now fully functional. Four more are currently in the process of being raised, and the remaining 16 will be operational within the next six months.

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The move is significant, as it aims to increase operational capabilities along the borders with China and Pakistan.

But what exactly are these Bhairav Battalions? How will they enhance the Indian Armys operational capabilities?

What is the Bhairav Battalion?

In July, the Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi had for the first time mentioned the induction of the Bhairav Commandos as part of a larger restructuring of the infantry. And ahead of Shaurya Diwas, formerly known as Infantry Day, observed on October 27, Lt Gen Ajay Kumar spoke of the plans of inducting them into the Indian Army.

He described the Bhairav Battalion as a lean and mean force for rapid, high-impact operations along Indias borders with China and Pakistan.

According to sources, these Bhairav Commandos will be similar to Special Forces, with each Bhairav battalion being trained and assigned according to the requirements of the operational terrain but they will not be as heavily armed nor assigned the most complex missions, reported The Print.

Their primary tasks will be reconnaissance and disruption of enemy troops along with cross-border interdiction. By doing this, the Special Forces will be allowed to focus on high-priority missions.

The Bhairav commandos will be similar to the Indian Armys Special Forces. Representational image/Reuters

According to Lt Gen Kumar, the Bhairav Battalion will be trained to carry out high-impact missions such as surprise attacks, counter-insurgency, and border patrols. They will also be able to carry out strikes on vulnerable areas of the enemy.

He further added that what will set the Bhairav Battalion apart is their integrated composition. They will not be just from the Armys Infantry, but also from Signals, Army Air Defence, and Artillery regiments in order to create multi-skilled teams capable of operating independently under demanding conditions.

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How many Bhairav Battalions will the Army have?

Indian Army is looking to have 25 Bhairav Battalions, each comprising approximately 250 soldiers. According to Lt Gen Kumar, five of these elite, agile special forces units have been raised and deployed in intended operational areas.

Three units are being deployed along the northern frontier with China and Pakistan, one in the northeast and another on the western front, a source told ThePrint.

The remaining will be raised within the next six months, said Lt Gen Kumar.

Is there a need for the Bhairav Battalions?

Lt Gen Kumar explained the need for such a battalion, while also clarifying that the Bhairav Battalion will be separate from the Ghatak platoon. For those who are unaware, in the heart of the Indian Armys infantry battalions lie a group of men who live by the mantra: First In, Last Out. These are the Ghatak Platoons  elite assault units designed to break through enemy lines, lead the charge in offensive operations, and operate deep behind enemy territory.

Lt Gen in his remarks on Wednesday was quoted by the New Indian Express as saying, The Ghatak platoon comprises around 20 personnel, while each Bhairav unit has a strength of around 250 personnel.

He further noted that the need for the Bhairav Battalion was realised after Operation Sindoor, the military operation that India carried out against Pakistans terror camps in May. He said that it tested Indias integrated combat readiness, and offered key insights into how modern wars will be fought and won. It underscored the need for precise alignment between tactical actions and strategic objectives to ensure mission success, he said.

It also highlighted the increasing importance of integrating enhanced Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities for superior situational awareness and decision-making.

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The Bhairav battalions will be created from existing troops to fill the gap between regular infantry and the elite Para-Special Forces. Representational image/Reuters

What other changes are in the offing for the Army?

But the Bhairav Battalion isnt the only transformation set to take place within the Indian Army. The Army is also raising Ashni (fire) platoons in its infantry battalions, responsible for drone operations. The Indian Army is raising Ashni (fire) platoons in its infantry battalions, who would be responsible for looking after drone operations in the force. The drones would be used for different purposes like surveillance roles, loitering munitions and kamikaze roles, said Kumar.

Earlier, Army chief General Dwivedi had announced the creation of new formations such as all-arms Rudra Brigades, Divyastra Batteries, and Shaktibaan units.

The Rudra Brigades will be all-arms formations that combine infantry, mechanised units, tanks, artillery, special forces, and unmanned aerial systems with dedicated logistics and combat support.

Moreover, the Shaktibaan units are designed to be fully unmanned aerial system (UAS)-driven. Each Shaktibaan regiment will comprise three batteries, two with long-and medium-range loitering munitions and a third equipped with swarm drones and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS).

Gen Dwivedi also added that at least five regiments will include Divyastra Batteries, which integrate traditional guns with drones and loitering munitions for hybrid precision attacks. An officer told The Economic Times, The primary goal of Divyastra batteries is to enhance the artillerys firepower and operational effectiveness by enabling deep-strike capabilities, real-time target tracking, and precision engagement of both static and moving threats.

Its amply evident that the Indian Army is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that it is ready to fend off any kind of enemy  especially at a time when the country faces an increasing threat from its neighbour, Pakistan.

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With inputs from agencies
For the first time in the Russia-Ukraine war, the US has hit Russian oil with sanctions. Two of the countrys biggest oil companies  Rosneft and Lukoil  have been sanctioned by the Donald Trump administration. Is this the American leaders way of expressing his frustration with Vladimir Putin over the latters refusal to negotiate a ceasefire?

The Trump administration on Wednesday imposed sanctions on Russias two largest oil companies as it called on Moscow to agree to an immediate ceasefire in the war with Ukraine. File image/AFP

In this long-winding Russia-Ukraine war, we have seen many flip-flops from Donald Trump. But on Wednesday (October 22), came perhaps the most significant move by the American president as he announced the US would be levelling sanctions on two of Russias largest oil companies  Rosneft and Lukoil.

This is, indeed, a significant moment in the war; it marks the first time the Trump administration has imposed direct costs on Moscow over its full-scale invasion. Because, until now, the US president had been relying on trade measures such as sanctions  he has levelled secondary sanctions of 25 per cent on India for importing Russian crude.

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For those who are thinking whats the difference between a sanction and a tariff, we explain. Also, why has Trump now taken this step amid the war?

Trump imposes sanctions on Russian oil

On Wednesday (October 22), the United States announced new sanctions targeting Russias two largest oil companies  Rosneft and Lukoil. The two Russian oil firms export 3.1 million barrels of oil per day. Rosneft is responsible for nearly half of all Russian oil production, which makes up six per cent of the global output, according to estimates from the UK government.

The sanctions involve barring all US companies from doing any business with the two Russian oil titans.

Speaking on the sanctions, US President Donald Trump, in the presence of Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte, said that the sanctions certainly will have an impact on Russia and that he hopes Putin will become reasonable.

Trump asked why new Russia sanctions now: 'I just felt it was time'



On conflict: 'I think well get that done too'



Yes-man Rutte by his side: 'absolutely. We have to' https://t.co/vwNX1AXiZa pic.twitter.com/pTxfaWCa4A  RT (@RT_com) October 22, 2025

These are tremendous sanctions, these are very big because theyre against their two big oil companies," Trump said, adding he hopes they wont last long and a deal can be reached to end the war.

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The US Treasury Department later announced that the sanctions will apply to oil companies Rosneft and Lukoil and some of their subsidiaries.

Notably, these US sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil come just a week after the Keir Starmer-led British government also sanctioned these two firms. The European Union has already sanctioned Rosneft, the Russian state-owned oil company, but not Lukoil, which is privately owned, largely due to exemptions for Hungary and Slovakia, which buy Russian oil.

Rutte also praised the move, saying it was putting more pressure on Putin. You have to put pressure, and that is just what he did today, Rutte said.

Even Ukraine welcomed the news of Trumps sanctions on Russian oil. Ukrainian Ambassador to the US, Olga Stefanishyna, said in a statement, This decision fully aligns with Ukraines consistent position that peace can only be achieved through strength and by exerting maximum pressure on the aggressor using all available international instruments.

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The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, also praised the new sanctions. With the imminent adoption of the EUs 19th [sanctions] package, this is a clear signal from both sides of the Atlantic that we will keep up collective pressure on the aggressor, she wrote.

The sanctions are among the most significant measures that the United States has taken against the Russian energy sector since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. The Biden administration avoided levying sanctions against the companies to allow for legal purchases of Russian oil by American allies; targeting the companies could make a meaningful dent in Russias oil revenues.

Rosnefts Russian-flagged crude oil tanker Akademik Gubkin transits the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey. Rosneft is responsible for nearly half of all Russian oil production, which makes up six per cent of the global output. File image/Reuters

Difference between sanctions and tariffs

The sanctions are a pivotal shift by Trump in the Russia-Ukraine war. Until now, he has been using tariffs to get Putin to accede to peace.

But whats the difference? Tariffs are taxes on imported goods. They are used to protect domestic industries from foreign competition, generate revenue for the government or leverage economic pressure in trade negotiations.

Meanwhile, sanctions are in another league; they are economic or political measures enforced by one or more countries against another to exert pressure without resorting to military force. They can disrupt trade by limiting or prohibiting certain commercial activities.

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There are different types of sanctions that can be imposed:

An economic sanction, which may include restrictions on trade, investment, or access to financial markets. Diplomatic Sanctions include reducing or severing diplomatic ties. Military Sanctions are arms embargoes, restrictions on military cooperation.

Experts note both sanctions and tariffs can have a significant impact. Sanctions, often blunt and broad, can have far-reaching consequences. They can cripple an entire economy, impacting all sectors of the targeted nation. However, tariffs are usually more surgical, affecting specific industries and trade relations between countries. Their impact can be felt in higher consumer prices and shifting trade patterns.

Timing of the US sanctions on Russian oil

But what prompted Trump to levy the sanctions now on the Russian oil firms? The tough approach taken by the American leader is possibly an indicator of his frustration with Vladimir Putin to settle the Russia-Ukraine war.

In fact, Trump even criticised Putin while announcing the sanctions, saying the Russian leader wasnt serious about peace. I just felt it was time. We waited a long time, Trump said.

Echoing similar sentiments, Trumps Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent said, Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire. Given President Putins refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russias two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlins war machine. Treasury is prepared to take further action if necessary to support President Trumps effort to end yet another war. We encourage our allies to join us in and adhere to these sanctions.

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Donald Trumps tough approach is possibly an indicator of his frustration with Vladimir Putin to settle the Russia-Ukraine war. File image/Reuters

In a Fox News interview, Bessent even added on, President Putin has not come to the table in an honest and forthright manner, as wed hoped.

The sanctions by US on Russian oil come just a day after Trump called off his Budapest summit with Putin, saying he felt it would be a wasted meeting. Every time I speak with Vladimir, I have good conversations, and then they dont go anywhere, Trump said in response to a question from an AFP journalist in the Oval Office.

Trump has been unable to convince Putin to a ceasefire. Earlier, the US president urged his Russian counterpart to accept a ceasefire proposal that would freeze the conflict along the current battlelines, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also expressed support. We would like to see them just take the line that has been formed  and go home, Trump said. Its time to make a deal. People are dying.

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But Moscow has been unwilling to change its stance on the war. The countrys Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday: Washington now starts to say that we must stop [the conflict] immediately, that we should no longer discuss anything, that we should stop and let history judge.

Moscow has consistently rejected extended ceasefire proposals, arguing they would give Ukraine time to rearm and regroup at a time when Russian forces are making battlefield advances. You see, simply stopping would mean forgetting the root causes of this conflict, Lavrov said. Those root causes, according to Moscow, refer to its sweeping demands that would undermine Ukraines sovereignty  including full control over the Donbas region, limits on Kyivs armed forces and a say in its domestic affairs.

Its anyones guess where the war goes from here  will the sanctions get Putin to the negotiating table or will it further push him to battle on.

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With inputs from agencies
Around 50 Chechen militants stormed a theatre in Moscow and took as many as 850 people captive on October 23, 2002. The hostage crisis ended after three days when Russian special forces troops filled the theatre with a gas, resulting in at least 150 deaths. On this day in 1964, Jean-Paul Sartre refused to accept the Nobel Prize in Literature

One of the most harrowing terrorist attacks in the history of Russia broke out on October 23, 2002. Around 40 Chechen militants seized a crowded theatre during a live performance in Moscow.

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.

Nearly 300 US and French soldiers were killed in Beirut, Lebanon, on this day in 1983 when two suicide bombings shook the city. In 1964, Jean-Paul Sartre turned down the Nobel Prize in Literature, becoming the first laureate to decline the honour.

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Here is all that took place on this day across the world.

Hostage crisis in Moscow theatre

A scary hostage situation took place as approximately 50 Chechen militants seized the Dubrovka Theatre in Moscow during a sold-out performance of the musical Nord-Ost on October 23, 2002. As many as 850 people were taken hostage. The attackers, led by Movsar Barayev, demanded the immediate withdrawal of Russian forces from Chechnya and an end to the Second Chechen War. They threatened to detonate explosives planted throughout the theatre if their demands were not met.

The hostage-takers, who identified themselves as a suicide squad from the 29th Division, allowed some hostages to make phone calls to their families, providing a glimpse into the tense and deteriorating conditions inside the theatre. The militants reportedly had grenades, mines, and improvised explosive devices strapped to their bodies, and had deployed more explosives throughout the theatre. The situation was further complicated by the presence of foreign nationals among the hostages, leading the attackers to promise to release anyone who showed a foreign passport.

After three days of negotiations, Russian special forces pumped an incapacitating gas into the theatres ventilation system. While this action led to the end of the siege, it also resulted in the deaths of at least 150 people, including both hostages and militants. The exact composition of the gas remains undisclosed, and its use has been widely criticised due to the lack of information provided to medical personnel treating the survivors.

US and French troops attacked in Beirut

One of the deadliest terror attacks on US military personnel took place on October 23, 1983, when two suicide bombings in Beirut claimed the lives of nearly 300 US and French troops stationed in Beirut.

At 6:22 am local time, a suicide bomber drove a truck filled with approximately 12,000 pounds of explosives into the US Marine Corps barracks at Beirut International Airport. The explosion caused the building to collapse, killing 220 Marines, 18 sailors, and three soldiers.

The explosion of the Marine Corps building in Beirut, Lebanon on October 23, 1983 created a large cloud of smoke that was visible from miles away. Wikimedia Commons

Just minutes later, another suicide bomber targeted the French military barracks known as Drakkar in the Ramlet al-Baida district of Beirut. This attack killed 58 French paratroopers and injured 15 others. In total, the bombings resulted in 307 deaths: 241 US service members, 58 French soldiers, and six civilians.

The Islamic Jihad Organisation, a pro-Iranian Shiite militant group, claimed responsibility for the attacks. The bombings were believed to be a response to US and French support for Iraq during the IranIraq War, as well as their involvement in the Multinational Force in Lebanon, which aimed to stabilise the country amidst its civil conflict.

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Jean-Paul Sartre turned down Nobel Prize

In 1964, French philosopher and playwright Jean-Paul Sartre was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. By doing so, he became the first laureate to decline the honour. The Swedish Academy had chosen him for his profound influence on contemporary thought, praising his work as rich in ideas and filled with the spirit of freedom and the quest for truth.

A photo taken in Paris at the Lutetia hotel shows Jean-Paul Sartre during a press conference for the initiative called a boat for Vietnam. File image/AFP

Sartre had anticipated the award and had already informed the Academy of his decision to refuse it. He explained that he had always declined official distinctions and did not wish to be transformed into an institution. In a letter to the Swedish Academy, he stated that his refusal was based on personal and objective reasons, and not intended to slight the Academy.

Despite his prior communication, the Academy proceeded with the announcement. Sartre expressed regret that his refusal had caused a scandal and reiterated his reasons in a public statement, emphasising his desire to maintain his autonomy as a writer.

This Day, That Year

Apple introduced the iPod on this day in 2001.

In 1956, the Hungarian Revolution began with a massive demonstration in Budapest.

The Disney animated classic Dumbo had its world premiere in 1941.
When the Russia-Ukraine war began in 2022, the European Union froze around 200 billion of Russian central bank assets. The vast majority of these funds are now held in the international deposit organisation Euroclear, based in Belgium. European Union leaders are looking to use the frozen assets to fund Ukraine in the ongoing conflict

EU officials say they hope to have a detailed proposal ready next month and be able to finalise the loan by the end of the year. File image/AP

EU leaders on Thursday look set to give a preliminary green light to a mammoth new reparations loan for Ukraine funded by Russian frozen assets.

The move is seen as crucial to helping keep Kyiv in the fight against Moscow and making the Kremlin pay  but it is fraught with legal and political perils.

To get around them, the European Commission has floated a complex scheme it says could hand 140 billion ($162 billion) to Kyiv over the next few years.

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Heres what is at stake and how it could work:

Whats happened?

The EU froze some 200 billion of Russian central bank assets after Moscows tanks rolled into Ukraine in 2022.

The vast majority of those funds are held in the international deposit organisation Euroclear, based in Belgium.

G7 countries have already used the interest of the frozen assets to fund a $50-billion loan for Ukraine.

But as Russias war drags on through a fourth year  and support dries up from Washington  Kyivs backers are now looking to go further to help plug its budget.

Whats the plan?

While more hawkish countries in the EU have called for seizing the Russian assets outright, that is a red line for many others.

To get around that, the European Commission, the EUs executive, has floated a financial switcheroo that it insists does not touch the Russian sovereign assets.

Instead, under the proposal, the EU would borrow funds from Euroclear that have matured into cash.

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky shakes hand with Frances President Emmanuel Macron during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of a European Council meeting gathering the 27 EU leaders to discuss Ukraine, European defence, recent developments in the West Asia, competitiveness, housing and migration, in Brussels. AFP

That money would then, in turn, be loaned to Ukraine, on the understanding that Kyiv would only repay the loan if Russia coughs up for the damage it has wrought.

The scheme would be fully guaranteed by the EUs 27 member states  who would have to ensure repayment themselves to Euroclear if they eventually decided Russia could reclaim the assets without paying reparations.

Belgian demands?

Belgium has been the most vocal sceptic of the plan, as it fears the move could open up the country to costly legal challenges from Russia.

Prime Minister Bart De Wever has insisted that to move ahead, Belgium needs firm guarantees from all other EU states that they will share the liability if Moscow comes calling.

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He also wants other countries in the bloc to promise to start tapping Russian assets frozen in their territories.

Then we could go forward, he said at the start of the EU summit.

If not, I will do everything in my power at the European level, also at the national level, politically and legally, to stop this decision.

Whats next?

Despite the Belgian hangups, EU leaders are expected to give the go-ahead at the summit for the European Commission to draw up a formal legal proposal for the loan.

Antonio Costa, who heads the European Council of the blocs member states, said heading into the talks that leaders would take the political decision to ensure the financial needs of Ukraine for 2026 and 2027.

EU officials say they hope to have a detailed proposal ready next month and be able to finalise the loan by the end of the year.

But there looks set to still be wrangling over the small print, with lawyers poised to go through it with a fine-tooth comb.

One key sticking point could be the conditions under which the funds can eventually be spent by Kyiv.

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France is insisting that the bulk of the funds go to buying weapons from within Europe, as it seeks to bolster the EUs defence industry.

The commission has backed that argument for now, but other member states insist the focus should be on allowing Kyiv to get what it needs to fight Moscow, wherever it comes from.

That could also help to keep US President Donald Trump on side by pumping some of the funds into buying American weaponry.
Jashanpreet Singh, a 21-year-old illegal immigrant, has been arrested after causing a deadly crash in the US that left three dead and four injured. The incident comes months after another illegal immigrant from Punjab killed three people while taking an illegal U-turn on a US freeway in Florida. But what do we know about Singh and the crash?

Authorities have said Jashanpreet Singh did not hit the brakes and that toxicology reports showed that he had drugs in his system. Image courtesy: X/@DigitalGal_X

An Indian-origin truck driver has been accused of causing a deadly crash on a US freeway that left three people dead and four hospitalised.

Jashanpreet Singh, a 21-year-old illegal immigrant, was arrested on the suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs. Singh, who caused a massive pile-up in Californias Ontario, has been charged with driving under the influence of drugs, causing bodily injury and gross vehicular manslaughter.

The incident comes months after another illegal immigrant from Punjab killed three people while taking an illegal U-turn on a US freeway in Florida.

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But who is Singh? What do we know about him and the accident?

Lets take a closer look.

What we know

According to authorities, Singh illegally crossed the US southern border in 2022. Though he encountered border patrol agents in Californias El Centro and was held by the authorities, Singh was released by the Biden administration under its alternatives to detention policy. Under that scheme, illegal immigrants were released pending a deportation hearing.

Singh has been living in northern Californias Yuba City. The incident occurred on the 10 Freeway in San Bernardino County on Tuesday afternoon. Authorities say that Singh was driving a big rig under the influence of drugs when the incident occurred.

Dashcam footage of the incident from Singhs vehicle shows it smashing into the back of an SUV as well as multiple other vehicles, including four commercial trucks. In all, eight vehicles were involved in the pile-up which left fiery wreckage and caused major traffic issues. A roadside mechanic helping with a tyre change was among the injured. All the victims were adults.

It didnt stop. It didnt swerve. It didnt make any kind of manoeuvres. It just went straight in, an eyewitness to the crash said. The truck rolled and veered to the right into the embankment, and I saw the truck driver jump out because it was on fire.

The incident occurred on the 10 Freeway in San Bernardino County on Tuesday afternoon. Image courtesy: X/@SarahisCensored

Authorities say that Singh did not hit the brakes and that toxicology reports showed that he had drugs in his system.

Police arrived on the scene and took Singh to the hospital.

He was eventually transported to the hospital, and he was checked out by the medical staff, and our officers determined he was driving under the influence of drugs, California Highway Patrol (CHP) Officer Rodrigo Jimenez was quoted as saying by ABC7 News.

What next for Singh?

The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (USICE) has sought Singhs custody after the Department of Homeland Security confirmed his status as an illegal immigrant. Singh is being held in San Bernardino County without bail. He will be produced today at the Rancho Superior Court in Rancho Cucamonga.

The CHP says it remains unclear whether Singh held a valid commercial drivers licence at the time of the incident.

Singhs friend Malhar told CBS, Hes an amazing guy.  He would talk normally, happily, always with love and care. Coming from India, its gonna be hard to make dollars here.  So, he wanted to keep going.

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It remains unclear whether Singh held a valid commercial drivers licence at the time of the incident. Image courtesy: X/@SarahisCensored

This is exactly why @USDOT has withheld USD 40 MILLION (Rs 3.34 billion) from California for failure to comply with our rules to protect drivers. We cannot allow our roads to be a dangerous place! Duffy wrote on X.

California Governor Gavin Newsom is a huge critic of President Donald Trump.

The US Transportation Department tightened commercial drivers licence requirements for non-citizens after a few crashes this year that officials said were caused by immigrant truck drivers.

The announcement was made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on X last month.

Effective immediately, we are pausing all issuance of worker visas for commercial truck drivers. The increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on US roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers, Rubio wrote.

The State Department said this was done in order to conduct a comprehensive and thorough review of screening and vetting protocols used to determine the qualifications for a US visa.

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This came weeks after Harjinder Singh, on August 12, made an illegal turn on Floridas Turnpike  resulting in a minivan crashing into the trucks trailer.

Two passengers in the minivan died, and the driver died at a hospital. Harjinder and his passenger were not injured. Harjinder was charged with three counts of vehicular homicide. He lived in California, but Washington issued his original commercial licence before he got one in California. Harjinder will be transferred to ICE custody as soon as his criminal case ends.

Florida has sued both California and Washington over the incident. The suit alleges that the states chose to ignore these standards and authorise illegal immigrants without proper training or the ability to read road signs to drive commercial motor vehicles.

The fallout fuelled a verbal tussle between Newsom and the Trump administration. Duffy earlier this year signed an order stating that commercial motor vehicle drivers would not be allowed to continue their jobs if they cannot meet the threshold for English proficiency.

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With inputs from agencies
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has proposed amending the IT Rules, 2021, to protect the public from AI-generated content, including deepfakes. The Centre aims to make it easier for users to distinguish between real and synthetic content and hold social media platforms accountable for spreading misinformation. But how does this compare to what other countries are doing?

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has proposed amending the IT Rules, 2021, to protect the public from AI-generated content including deepfakes. Reuters

India is set to regulate content from artificial intelligence (AI).

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has proposed amending the IT Rules, 2021, to protect the public from AI-generated content including deepfakes. The Centre is looking to make it easier for users to distinguish between genuine and AI-generated content and to hold social media platforms accountable for spreading misinformation.

The government has already notified amendments to the IT Rules, 2021. But what do we know about the changes notified? Which other nations have similar rules?

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What we know about the changes notified

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued a notification about amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

According to MeitY, Rule 3(1)(d) is slated to be amended in order to ensure that unlawful content is removed in a transparent, proportionate and accountable manner. Under these new rules, only a senior officer in the government not below the rank of Joint Secretary or its equivalent can order the removal of unlawful information.

When it comes to the police, only an officer not below the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) can do so.

Under the new rules, the notification must clearly spell out the legal basis and statutory provision, the nature of the unlawful act, and the specific URL/identifier or other electronic location of the information and the content to be removed.

This replaces the earlier broader reference of notifications with reasoned intimation  which aligns the rules with the actual knowledge required under Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act. MeitY has said that all such intimations issued will undergo a monthly review by an officer not below the rank of Secretary.

It added that this will ensure that such actions remain necessary, proportionate, and consistent with law as well as strike a balance between citizens constitutional rights and the powers of the State. The rules will take effect on 15 November 2025.

Which other nations have similar rules

**

China**

The 'Measures for Identifying Artificial Intelligence-Generated Synthetic Content' law came into force in China in September.

The law, jointly issued by the Cyberspace Administration of China, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Public Security, and the National Radio and Television Administration, creates a standardised system for identifying synthetic content created using artificial intelligence (AI).

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China has said the idea behind the law is to promote responsible AI development and safeguard public interest.

The Measures for Identifying Artificial Intelligence-Generated Synthetic Content law came into force in China in September.

Beijing defined synthetic content as any text, images, audio, video, or virtual environments created using AI. It mandates that service providers categorise the content in two ways  explicitly and implicitly. The former requires visuals such as labels, symbols, or watermarks that can clearly be seen, while the latter requires metadata and digital watermarks in the files to be labelled as such.

These rules apply to service providers that fall under its existing AI, algorithm, or deep synthesis laws. Under these rules, platforms that host or disseminate synthetic content must certify whether it is appropriately identified, add warnings for such content, and encourage users to label their synthetic content. China has also said artificial intelligence must align with its core socialist values.

United Arab Emirates (UAE)

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has banned the use of artificial intelligence when it comes to generating content relating to national symbols or public figures. The countrys Media Council warned social media users, media entities, and content creators that doing so without prior approval violated its media laws.

It noted that spreading misinformation, defamation, undermining reputation, or attacks on societal values  specifically when involving AI-generated content  are punishable under the Media Violations Regulation.

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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has banned the use of artificial intelligence when it comes to generating content relating to national symbols or public figures.

The UAE Media Council in May signed an agreement with global data firm Presight to analyse and validate digital media content in real time. This, it said, will ensure that the content is in compliance with legal standards and adheres to the UAEs national values.

Italy

The Giorgia Meloni government in Italy has passed a law mandating prison terms for those who generate deepfakes that cause harm. Those convicted of doing so could face between one and five years in prison for illegally spreading AI-generated or manipulated content.

Under the law, children under the age of 14 need parental consent to access AI.

The Meloni government has said the law aims to increase human-centric, transparent and safe AI use while emphasising innovation, cybersecurity and privacy protections. Reuters

The government has said the law will be enforced by the Agency for Digital Italy and the National Cybersecurity Agency. The idea behind the law is to increase human-centric, transparent and safe AI use while emphasising innovation, cybersecurity and privacy protections.

Denmark

The Danish government too is planning to introduce a copyright law to solve the problem of deepfakes. Under the law, every person will have the right to own the digital representation of themselves, their body, and their voice.

The Danish government too is planning to introduce a copyright law to solve the problem of deepfakes Representational image.

The copyright law classifies a deepfake as a very realistic digital representation of an individual, including their appearance and voice. It would allow people to have their likeness, if shared without their consent, removed from online platforms. It could also entitle them to some compensation.

However, parodies and satire would not be impacted by these changes.

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Spain

Spains government in March approved a bill mandating massive fines on companies that use content generated by artificial intelligence (AI) without properly labelling it as such. The government said it did so to counter the use of disinformation and deepfakes.

It seeks to define platforms not properly labelling AI-generated content as committing a serious offence. It calls for fines of up to $40.6 million (Rs 356.8 crore) or 7 per cent of their global annual turnover.

The government in March approved a bill mandating massive fines on companies that use content generated by artificial intelligence (AI) without properly labelling it as such.

The bill also seeks to establish the Spanish Agency for the Supervision of Artificial Intelligence (AESIA) to enforce these rules.

It also bans other practices, such as the use of subliminal techniques, sounds, and images that are imperceptible, to manipulate vulnerable groups. This includes chatbots inciting people with addictions to gamble or toys encouraging children to perform dangerous challenges.

However, the bill is yet to be passed by Spains lower house of Parliament.

The European Union (EU)

The EU, come August 2026, will require that AI-generated content including text, images, voices, or videos be labelled as such. The bloc introduced Article 50 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1689, making this mandatory for images that could be thought to be authentic or human-made but which are not.

Deployers of an AI system that generates or manipulates image, audio or video content constituting a deep fake shall disclose that the content has been artificially generated or manipulated, it states. Deployers of an AI system that generates or manipulates text which is published with the purpose of informing the public on matters of public interest shall disclose that the text has been artificially generated or manipulated.

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The idea behind this legislation is to increase transparency and prevent deception, particularly in the case of deepfakes.

The EU, come August 2026, will require that AI-generated content including text, images, voices, or videos be labelled as such. Reuters

The EU in 2024 adopted the AI Act, a landmark piece of legislation that imposed strict transparency obligations on high-risk AI systems. It also banned AI in social scoring, predictive policing, and untargeted scraping of facial images from the internet or CCTV footage.

It mandated massive fines for violations ranging from $8.7 million (Rs 76.5 crore) or 1.5 per cent of turnover to $40.6 million (Rs 356.8 crore) or 7 per cent of global turnover, depending on the type of violation.

The United States and other nations

The United States, meanwhile, under the Donald Trump administration, continues largely to rely on voluntary compliance and a patchwork of state regulations. It remains to be seen how successful efforts to remove deepfakes and label AI-generated content will prove.

Many other countries, including Australia, Brazil, Japan and Israel, are currently drafting laws to deal with AI-generated content.

With input from agencies
Zhang Shengmin, a veteran of the armed forces who has overseen anti-corruption efforts, has been promoted to vice chair of the powerful Central Military Commission (CMC). Zhang is now the third top-most official in Chinas top military body  after CMC chair President Xi Jinping and senior vice-chairman Zhang Youxia. But what do we know about him?

Zhang Shengmin is now the third top-most official in Chinas top military body. Reuters

China has a new second highest-ranking general.

Zhang Shengmin, a veteran of the armed forces who has overseen anti-corruption efforts, has been promoted to vice chair of the powerful Central Military Commission (CMC).

Zhang is now the third top-most official in Chinas top military body  after CMC chair President Xi Jinping and senior vice-chairman Zhang Youxia. Interestingly, Zhang has not been promoted to the CPC.

The development comes amid Xi continuing to tighten his grip over the Chinese Communist Party (CPC). Xi last week sacked nine members of the CPC including He Weidong, the previous vice chair of the CMC, over charges of corruption.

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Speculation had been rife about who would replace He. News of Zhangs elevation comes on the final day of the Fourth Plenum  a closed-door meeting of the 300-plus member Communist Party Central Committee in Beijing.

But who is the 67-year-old Zhang? What do we know about him?

Who is he?

Shaanxi is the ancestral home of Xi  where he has deep family and political networks  as well as senior vice-chairman Zhang Youxia.

Zhangs father served with Xis father during the Chinese Civil War. Zhang, who joined Chinas army in 1978, is part of the Shaanxi Gang  a bloc within the Peoples Liberation Army known for sharing close ties with Xi.

Zhang has been the deputy secretary of the CMCs anti-corruption arm and its top graft investigator since joining it in 2017  when he was promoted to the post of general within the PLA. Zhang is also secretary of the CMCs Commission for Discipline Inspection  a post responsible for maintaining order within the armed forces and ensuring loyalty to the party.

Though little is known about his early career, Zhang is known to have served as political commissar of a missile base and a command college. Zhang has served in Chinas Second Artillery Force, which is now known as the PLA Rocket Force. Zhang served as director of its political department in Beijing. However, he has no experience in battle, which suggests that Xi is valuing loyalty and control over all else.

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Interestingly, the PLA Rocket Force and the CMCs General Logistics Department have both undergone purges by Xi. The former has witnessed a succession of generals being removed on corruption charges including Li Yuchao, Zhou Yaning, Wang Houbin and Wei Fenghe.

However, Zhang has survived on the dint of his close friendship with the Chinese president. Experts said Zhangs elevation is a sign of the exceptional degree of trust placed in him by Xi.

"There is no one better to succeed as the military's new political and personnel chief than its reigning discipline tsar," said Wen-Ti Sung, a non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Councils Global China Hub. His personal loyalty to Xi had been thoroughly vetted during the last two years of purges against the Second Artillery Force, a major corruption hotbed, Sung added.

The party has vowed to continue its anti-corruption drive.

Zhang Shengmin, who joined Chinas army in 1978, is part of the Shaanxi Gang  a bloc within the Peoples Liberation Army known for sharing close ties with Xi Jinping. Reuters

We must  unwaveringly carry out the anti-corruption campaign to provide a strong guarantee for achieving the economic and social development goals of the 15th five-year plan period, it added.

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The meeting, known as the Fourth Plenum, also discussed a five-year economic development plan to achieve technological self-reliance amid an intensifying rivalry with the United States.

The elite Central Committee also replaced 11 members at the meeting, marking its highest personnel turnover since 2017.

Xis anti-corruption drive

Xi has dismissed over 100 Chinese officials including many senior generals since he began his anti-corruption efforts in 2012. He recently dismissed former defence ministers Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu. Many now consider Xi the most powerful leader China has seen since Mao Zedong.

The formerly seven-member CMC headed by Xi has lost three members since 2023 in a string of anti-corruption probes. Eight of the nine generals expelled from the party last week were also Central Committee members, and some of their investigations had not previously been disclosed.

He Weidong (left) was expelled from the CMC.

By purging these officers before the plenum altogether and all at once, Xi is sending a clear shot across the bow to the military high command ahead and asserting his dominance, said Jon Czin, a Peoples Liberation Army expert at the Brookings Institution.

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Most of the purged generals had served in the former Nanjing Military Region, made up of key strategic provinces on Chinas east coast facing Taiwan. Some also overlapped in the former 31st Group Army, a strategically important unit focusing on Taiwan-related operations.

A commentary last Saturday in the official Peoples Liberation Army Daily newspaper condemned the nine generals in unusually stark language, saying their faith collapsed and their loyalty failed, gravely betraying the trust of the Party Central Committee and the Central Military Commission.

Only 82 per cent of Central Committee members attended this plenum, Xinhua reported, marking the lowest attendance level in decades, according to official data.

With inputs from agencies
Students and citizens across Bangladesh are rallying for water justice, as the Teesta River dispute has put a spotlight again on tensions between Dhaka and New Delhi. The China-backed Teesta Master Plan promises irrigation and flood relief, but alarms India due to its proximity to the Siliguri Corridor

A still from a video shows numerous protesters marching in Chattogram and demanding implementation of the China-backed Teesta River Master Plan in Bangladesh on October 16, 2025. Image/X

The campus of Chittagong University on Sunday (October 19, 2025) saw what was part of a new wave of demonstrations spreading across Bangladesh.

Hundreds of students gathered near the universitys Shaheed Minar, forming a human chain illuminated by torches.

With placards in hand and slogans demanding water justice, they called for the immediate execution of the Teesta Master Plan and insisted that Bangladesh receive its fair share of water from the transboundary river.

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The protest, organised largely by students from the Rangpur division, marked the latest in a series of coordinated demonstrations demanding implementation of the plan.

The participants described the project as vital for reviving agriculture, generating employment, and ensuring equitable water access for northern Bangladesh.

The event concluded with renewed appeals to protect national interests and ensure water justice for Teesta-dependent regions, according to reports from Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS).

This rally followed multiple torchlit processions held on October 16 across five districts in northern Bangladesh under slogans such as Wake up, save Teesta.

The protests reflected long-standing frustrations over delayed water-sharing arrangements with India and a growing belief among Bangladeshis that the China-supported Teesta River Master Plan could deliver economic and environmental relief to the countrys most water-scarce region.

Why the Teesta River is at the centre of the controversy

Stretching roughly 414 kilometres, the Teesta River rises in the eastern Himalayas, from Pauhunri Mountain in the Indian state of Sikkim, before flowing through West Bengal and into Bangladeshs Rangpur division, where it eventually merges with the Brahmaputra (Jamuna).

Both nations rely heavily on the river to sustain agricultural production and livelihoods. For Bangladesh, the Teesta is a critical lifeline.

Grand rally organized by BNP demanding immediate implementation of the Teesta Mega Project to save northern Bangladesh from drought and protect the livelihoods of millions affected by upstream water withdrawal by neighbouring country. pic.twitter.com/gQ4ftJFGxy  Nasir Uddin Nasir (@NasirUddin64681) October 17, 2025

Millions of farmers in its northern districts depend on it for irrigation, yet recurring dry-season shortages have caused severe crop losses.

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The International Food Policy Research Institute estimates that Bangladesh loses about 1.5 million tonnes of rice each year due to insufficient dry-season flows in the Teesta basin.

In India, the rivers importance is also considerable. It supports irrigation networks and hydropower projects, including infrastructure such as the Gazoldoba Barrage in West Bengal, which helps regulate water flows to farmlands and settlements downstream.

Despite their shared dependence, India and Bangladesh have struggled for decades to formalise an equitable water-sharing arrangement.

The first attempt to establish a water-sharing mechanism dates back to 1983, when a temporary agreement was drafted to allocate 39 per cent of Teesta water to India and 36 per cent to Bangladesh, leaving the remainder unallocated. However, the accord never came into effect.

Efforts to reach a lasting resolution gained momentum in 2011, when the two neighbours nearly finalised a new deal granting 37.5 per cent of the dry-season flow to Bangladesh.

Yet, at the last moment, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee withheld approval, arguing that diverting more water would harm the interests of farmers in her state. Since then, successive rounds of discussions have failed to produce a settlement.

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As a result, Dhaka continues to allege that India releases inadequate water during lean months, worsening drought conditions in Bangladeshs northern plains, while excessive monsoon discharges from upstream contribute to seasonal flooding.

The gridlock has persisted even as both governments publicly acknowledge the need for cooperation.

Compounding the urgency is the impending expiry of the Ganga Water Sharing Treaty of 1996 in 2026, which adds pressure to clarify transboundary water management frameworks.

How Bangladesh is using public sentiment to get close to China

Many protesters in Bangladesh now accuse India of wielding disproportionate influence over Dhakas environmental and resource policies.

This frustration has coincided with Bangladeshs growing engagement with China, particularly under the countrys interim leadership. In March, Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, where he lauded China as the master of water management.

The meeting resulted in a 50-year master plan proposal for river and floodplain management, prominently featuring the Teesta.

The joint statement issued after the visit confirmed that Bangladesh had invited Chinese enterprises to participate in the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project (TRCMRP).

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The plan includes deepening the riverbed, building embankments and reservoirs, improving flood control, and establishing adjacent infrastructure such as satellite townships and road networks.

China reportedly offered a combined package of $2.1 billion through loans, grants, and investments, while Bangladesh sought approximately 6,700 crore taka ($546 million) in funding for the projects initial phase.

Yunuss decision marked a sharp policy departure from his predecessor, Sheikh Hasina, who in 2024 had publicly stated her preference for India, not China, to undertake the Teesta management project.

However, the change in Dhakas leadership and its more open approach to Chinese financing have altered the equation, making Beijing a central player in what was once an India-Bangladesh bilateral matter.

How Chinas involvement reshapes the issue

The Teesta Master Plan forms part of Chinas already expanding development portfolio in Bangladesh.

Beijing is already financing and constructing major infrastructure across the country  including facilities at Mongla Port, the Chattogram Economic Zone, and projects in sectors such as renewable energy, textiles, and the digital economy.

The proposed Teesta initiative aligns with Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), under which Beijing has sought to expand its strategic and economic presence in South Asia.

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For Dhaka, Chinese participation offers technical expertise and financing that India has been reluctant or unable to provide.

For New Delhi, however, the move signals potential encirclement by a geopolitical rival near one of Indias most sensitive borders.

The Teesta projects location near Bangladeshs Lalmonirhat district, close to Indias Siliguri Corridor, makes this development particularly sensitive.

The narrow land strip, often referred to as the Chickens Neck, connects Indias northeastern states to the rest of the country and serves as a vital logistical and military artery.

What Indias strategic concerns are

Indian policymakers and analysts have repeatedly expressed apprehension that any Chinese-backed construction near the Siliguri Corridor could have military or intelligence implications.

The corridors strategic importance lies in its vulnerability: at its narrowest point, it is only about 20-22 kilometres wide, making it a potential chokepoint in the event of conflict or regional instability.

Experts have warned that if China gains operational or surveillance capabilities near the Teesta basin, it could monitor Indian troop movements or infrastructure across the corridor.

These fears have been amplified by reports of renewed activity at the Lalmonirhat airbase, a World War II-era facility located near the proposed Teesta project area.

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However, Major General Mohammad Nazim-ud-Daula, representing the Bangladesh Armys Directorate of Military Operations, stated in May that the airbases revival was intended to support national needs, including the Aviation and Aerospace University, and that there was no information about Chinese involvement.

Even with these clarifications, India remains wary of Chinas expanding role in its immediate neighbourhood, particularly after Beijings large-scale hydroelectric projects on the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) in Tibet  which already influence downstream water flows towards India and Bangladesh.

How Tessta issue is playing into Bangladeshi politics

The Teesta issue is now intertwined with domestic politics in Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the principal opposition force, has been vocal in supporting the projects implementation.

Asadul Habib Dulu, BNPs Rangpur divisional organising secretary and coordinator of the Teesta Protection Movement, served as the chief guest at the October 16 rally.

Million rallied across 100 miles riverside (teesta) region of north of Bangladesh



Demanding fare share of river water from india. October 2025pic.twitter.com/nuvAn0WCyU  imtiaz  (@_imtiaz1899) October 17, 2025

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Earlier in February, the BNP had staged a 48-hour protest programme pressing for the same demand.

Dulu reiterated that the party would continue their campaign until the work begins  and if that does not happen under the interim government rule, they will implement the project once they are voted to power.

BNP leaders argue that the Teesta Master Plan would not only secure Bangladeshs northern agricultural regions but also assert the nations sovereignty in managing its own water resources.

Their support for the project has gained traction among sections of the population who believe that India has long stalled meaningful progress.

Meanwhile, critics of the China-backed plan caution that financial dependence on Chinese loans could expose Bangladesh to future debt risks.

However, these concerns have not significantly weakened the projects domestic appeal, especially in regions suffering acute water shortages.

General elections in Bangladesh are expected to be held next year in February.

How the Teesta plan may affect the environment

Bangladeshs leadership argues that the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project (TRCMRP) will bring tangible benefits  mitigating floods, conserving water during the dry season, and improving livelihoods in the northern plains.

Beyond politics, the Teesta dispute also highlights the urgent environmental challenges facing the region.

Climate change, erratic rainfall, and glacial retreat in the eastern Himalayas have affected river flows, making sustainable water management more complex.

Bangladeshs call for a fair share of Teesta waters seeks to balance agricultural needs with long-term ecological stability.

Experts on both sides of the border have emphasised that unilateral projects, whether by India or China, risk destabilising the rivers natural equilibrium.

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With inputs from agencies
Over a century after its discovery, King Tutankhamuns 3,300-year-old tomb in Luxors Valley of the Kings faces its greatest peril. Cracks, fungal decay, and humidity-driven damage are weakening the ancient structure carved from fragile Esna shale. Experts warn the burial site could collapse without urgent intervention

Tourists walk near the tomb of boy pharaoh King Tutankhamun in Valley of the Kings in Luxor, Egypt, October 10, 2019. File Image/Reuters

More than a century after the discovery that reshaped Egyptology, the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun  known globally for its golden treasures and intricate wall art  is now under severe structural strain.

Located deep within Luxors Valley of the Kings, this 3,300-year-old burial site has deteriorated to its weakest state since its unearthing in 1922.

Archaeologists and geological experts warn that the physical condition of the tomb, officially catalogued as KV62, has reached a critical point.

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A series of structural fissures, humidity-driven decay, and biological growth are threatening to undo the preservation efforts that once kept the boy kings tomb intact.

The sarcophagus of boy pharaoh King Tutankhamun is on display in his newly renovated tomb in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, Egypt, January 31, 2019. File Image/Reuters

The concern is no longer theoretical; recent assessments describe the tombs condition as potentially catastrophic if not urgently addressed.

What the alarming findings were

A new study by researchers at Cairo University, published in Natures npj Heritage Science, has raised the alarm about the extent of the tombs structural distress.

Professor Sayed Hemeda, who co-authored the study, described the condition as alarming, pointing to current and future risks that could undermine the integrity of the structure.

The most dangerous of these threats stems from a deep crack that now spans the ceiling of both the burial chamber and the entrance passage.

This fissure has allowed rainwater to seep into the delicate layers of Esna shale  the weak sedimentary rock from which the tomb is carved.

As the rock absorbs moisture, it swells; when it dries, it contracts. These cyclical changes create immense stress, gradually warping the ceiling and widening the existing fractures.

Hemedas analysis notes 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.

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The findings confirm that the geological composition of the Valley of the Kings  dominated by soft shale and limestone  was never ideal for long-term stability.

What once offered concealment for royal burials has become a geological weakness, now putting one of the worlds most iconic monuments at risk.

How flash floods resulted in a long-term crisis

Much of the tombs current fragility can be traced to a single environmental event more than three decades ago.

In 1994, a rare but powerful desert flood swept through the Valley of the Kings, carrying silt and water into the subterranean chambers.

The floodwaters infiltrated Tutankhamuns tomb, saturating the shale walls and leaving behind trapped moisture that would continue to wreak havoc over the years.

The increased humidity triggered the spread of fungi across the chamber walls, where intricate paintings once depicted the young pharaohs journey to the afterlife.

Over time, these microbial colonies consumed organic pigments, leaving dark spots and faded hues across priceless murals.

Even today, humidity levels inside the tomb remain unstable, continuing to corrode both the rock and the art it supports.

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How the mountain above is cracking as well

According to Professor Mohamed Atia Hawash from Cairo Universitys Faculty of Archaeology, fractures in the surrounding cliffs are growing.

These cracks have been documented not only within the valley itself but also in the nearby Deir el-Bahari area, which houses the famous mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut.

Hawash warns that these fissures increase the likelihood of rockfalls. 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, he told Independent Arabia.

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.

Experts fear that a major collapse of the mountains outer layers could send tonnes of rock cascading down, potentially crushing multiple tombs, including Tutankhamuns. The scale of such a collapse could obliterate millennia of heritage in a single geological incident.

How Tutankhamuns tomb is unique in its fragile design

When British archaeologist Howard Carter uncovered Tutankhamuns tomb on November 4, 1922, the discovery captured global imagination. Yet what set the tomb apart  its relatively small scale and undisturbed state  has also become a source of vulnerability.

Unlike the sprawling royal tombs of earlier pharaohs, Tutankhamuns resting place consists of only four main chambers: an entrance corridor, an antechamber where chariots and furniture were found, the burial chamber housing three nested coffins, and a treasury filled with funerary artefacts.

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The mummy of boy pharaoh King Tutankhamun is on display in his tomb in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, Egypt, October 10, 2019. File Image/Reuters

Archaeologists believe this compact design was a result of the pharaohs sudden death at around 19 years of age, forcing officials to repurpose a non-royal tomb.

The Esna shale that forms the tombs core was never intended to support such elaborate wall paintings and stone carvings.

As a result, every crack and every shift in the rock layer carries the potential to distort, or even destroy, these artistic relics of the Eighteenth Dynasty.

How the entire Valley of the Kings is at risk

Tutankhamuns tomb is only one part of a much larger system of ancient royal burials. The Valley of the Kings, located west of Luxor, contains more than sixty tombs carved into the mountainside.

The entire area faces geological instability due to centuries of erosion and repeated flash floods.

Hawashs research highlights that the valleys geology  weak, layered shale and brittle limestone  makes it highly susceptible to moisture-related deformation.

Periodic flash floods, especially during rare but intense rainfall events, lead to water infiltration that further weakens the already fragile structures.

The 1994 flood was one of the most destructive, but subsequent smaller rainfalls have continued to erode protective barriers and fill underground cavities with moisture.

Even the nearby cliffs, which form a natural shield over the tombs, are riddled with cracks that could one day trigger collapses.

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The valley, though recognised as part of the Unesco World Heritage site of Ancient Thebes and its Necropolis, remains in danger due to insufficient risk mitigation measures.

Despite repeated warnings from the archaeological community, little has been done to implement a systematic preservation strategy for the Valley of the Kings.

Hawash noted the disparity between Egypts ability to monitor risks and the absence of a preventive culture. Speaking to Independent Arabia, he explained, We have the ability to monitor risks scientifically, but the absence of a culture of prevention means we only react after disaster strikes.

This reactive approach, experts say, leaves the valley and its tombs perpetually vulnerable.

What next for Tutankhamuns tomb

Emad Mahdi, a member of the Egyptian Archaeologists Union, has called for immediate intervention at the highest levels.

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, he told Independent Arabia.

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Mahdi expressed deep concern about the apparent absence of consistent risk assessment or preventive oversight, stating that preservation should be continuous rather than reactive.

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?

Experts have proposed multiple measures to stabilise the tomb. These include reinforcing the mountain above to reduce downward pressure, installing removable internal supports that do not compromise the tombs historical authenticity, and regulating temperature and humidity to minimize further rock expansion.

For Egyptologists, Tutankhamuns tomb remains a cornerstone of modern archaeology. Its discovery revealed over 5,000 artifacts, including gilded statues, royal chariots, ceremonial weapons, and the now-iconic golden funerary mask.

These treasures provided unparalleled insights into the life and death of Egypts young ruler and the spiritual rituals of the New Kingdom.

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With inputs from agencies
Who doesnt love bursting those bubbles while drinking boba tea? However, a new study may make you rethink your obsession. High levels of lead have been found in some of Americas bubble tea products

Bubble tea, also known as boba or pearl milk tea, has a hidden serious concern: lead. File image/AFP

Bubble tea is a favourite among the young ones. But this bubble is about to be burst!

A new report has revealed that the Instagram-worthy beverage, which has gained popularity worldwide, is not as safe as one thinks and could be a cause of concern.

An investigation by Consumer Reports, an American non-profit, revealed high lead levels in some bubble tea products in the United States. And thats not it; the tapioca pearls in beverage also pose other risks beyond contamination.

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Heres what we found out.

Theres lead in your bubble tea

A Consumer Reports study found that bubble tea, also known as boba, with its chewy pearls has high amounts of lead.

For the unknown, bubble tea, which contains tapioca pearls, is made from cassava, a root vegetable. And as lead is found in the crust of the Earth, theres significant lead contamination in the beverage, which has become the choice of many young ones.

The study tested the pearls from bubble teas at two popular chains, Gong Cha and Kung Fu Tea, as well as two packaged boba products from Trader Joes and WuFuYuan and discovered that every sample contained lead.

James E Rogers, PhD, director of food safety research and testing at CR, said in a statement, These levels werent so high that wed tell people to completely avoid bubble tea. However, while this wasnt a comprehensive look at the boba and bubble tea market, the fact that three out of the four boba samples contained more than 50 per cent of our level of concern for lead in one serving is a good reason to treat it as an occasional treat, not an everyday staple.

A Consumer Reports investigation revealed high lead levels in some bubble tea products in the US. File image/Reuters

There is no single limit on lead levels, but Americas Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) has a reference level of 12.5 microgrammes a day for adults, 8.8 for women of childbearing age, and 2.2 for children.

Health experts point out that no amount of lead exposure is good for the human body. In fact, Dr Lisa Patel, a clinical associate professor of paediatrics at Stanford School of Medicine, told SFChronicle that lead is especially harmful during pregnancy and in young children, 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 despite this, most food items have been found to have traces of lead. For instance, a recent analysis found elevated lead levels in protein powders, chocolate, spices, and various food products made with cassava. Root vegetables like cassava naturally absorb whats in the soil, which includes lead if its present.

How healthy is boba

Apart from the possible lead present in boba, health experts also point out the other risks of drinking too much of bubble tea.

As a result of the starchy composition of the tapioca pearls used in boba, it could result in a condition known as gastroparesis  wherein the stomach empties food too slowly, causing symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and a feeling of fullness. Even guar gum  a thickener often added to bubble tea and harmless in small amounts  can lead to constipation if you drink it often.

Some studies have also found that regular drinking of bubble tea can contribute to kidney stone formation. File image/AFP

There are also studies that find that drinking bubble tea in excess can affect the kidneys health. Studies have found that regular drinking of bubble tea can contribute to kidney stone formation. For example, in Taiwan, in 2023, doctors removed over 300 kidney stones from a 20-year-old woman whod been drinking bubble tea instead of water.

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One also cant ignore the fact that bubble tea contains large amounts of sugar. Most bubble teas contain 2050 grammes of sugar, comparable to or exceeding a can of Coca-Cola (35 g). Research in Taiwan found that by age nine, children who regularly consumed bubble tea were 1.7 times more likely to have cavities in their permanent teeth.

The high sugar levels can also contribute to the likelihood of developing Type 2 diabetes, obesity and metabolic disease.

Bobas bubbling popularity

But despite the health risks associated with bubble tea, it seems to be a popular choice for millions.

The drink, which began in Taiwan in the 1980s, has become the preferred choice for many across the globe. In fact, the global market for bubble tea was $2.63 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $4.78 billion by 2032, according to Fortune Business Insights.

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In the US alone, the number of boba cafes have skyrocketed almost 50 per cent over the last few years. In China, there are now an estimated half a million bubble tea shops in China. What is even more interesting is that boba found success even at a time when Chinas economy is slowing and consumers are tightening their belts. In India too, theres a craze for bubble tea.

But what makes bubble tea so popular? Apart from influencers gushing about it on social media, the accessibility has made it the beverage choice for so many. Unlike Starbucks or specialty coffee, bubble tea doesnt require equipment like a frother or coffee maker.

Additionally, its unique textures, diverse flavours, and customisable options have propelled its global fame.

Maybe its time you rethink your bubble tea intake  we arent saying stop bursting those bubbles, but perhaps not everyday.

With inputs from agencies

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The dangerous devices, which cost as little as 150 and are fashioned from a gas lighter, a plastic pipe, and calcium carbide, were widely available this festival season despite an official ban.

More than 60 people, primarily children, were hospitalised in Bhopal following severe injuries sustained from the use of makeshift calcium carbide guns during Diwali celebrations, officials confirmed on Thursday.

The dangerous devices, which cost as little as 150 and are fashioned from a gas lighter, a plastic pipe, and calcium carbide, were widely available this festival season despite an official ban. The carbide reacts with water to produce highly explosive acetylene gas, which ignites upon contact with a spark.

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Hospital officials told PTI that the injured, mostly children aged 8 to 14, are receiving treatment at several facilities, including Hamidia Hospital, AIIMS, and JP Hospital. While all victims are reported to be stable and out of life-threatening danger, several have suffered facial burns, and some have tragically lost their eyesight due to shrapnel from the exploding plastic pipes.

VIDEO | Bhopal: Over 60 people, mostly children aged 814, injured by a makeshift carbide gun this Diwali, with severe injuries to eyes, face, and skin. Hospitals report ongoing treatment. CMHO Manish Sharma warns against the use of carbide guns.



(Full video available on PTI pic.twitter.com/zh2sNFh22k  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 22, 2025

Carbide pipe guns are very dangerous, stated Bhopals Chief Medical Health Officer (CMHO) Manish Sharma, confirming that more than 60 people are currently being treated. In total, over 150 injury cases related to carbide guns were reported across the city the day after Deepavali, though many were discharged after receiving first aid.

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The spread of these dangerous devices has angered victims families. Sarikh Khan, whose 15-year-old son was injured, called for a total ban on their sale. Those who make and sell these guns should be punished, and the childrens medical costs should be covered, he said, as quoted by PTI.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav had reportedly directed district officials just days earlier, on October 18, to prevent the sale of carbide pipe guns across the state. Despite this directive, the devices were sold rampantly in local markets, leading directly to the mass injuries.
Mohammed Ahmed was taken to Russia in April 2025 under the false promise of a construction job. After two other non-military positions proved unsuitable, he claimed the military contract became unavoidable

Mohammed Ahmed, has released a series of distress videos claiming he has been trapped in the Russian army and forced to fight in the RussiaUkraine war against his will

A man from Hyderabad named Mohammed Ahmed, who was allegedly tricked by a job agent in Mumbai and sent to Russia, has been forced to sign a one-year contract to serve in the Russian army.

Military documents obtained by The Times of India confirm that the 38-year-old former bouncer has been assigned a service number and is now positioned near the Ukrainian border, with imminent orders to move deeper into the war zone.

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In distressed videos and voice messages sent to his family, Ahmed explained that he had no choice but to join the military. He was taken to Russia in April 2025 under the false promise of a construction job. After two other non-military positions proved unsuitable, he claimed the military contract became unavoidable. The documents, signed on October 11, 2025, in the presence of a Russian major, stipulate adherence to service norms.

.@DrSJaishankar Sir, one Mohammed Ahmed resident of H No: 6-3-1242/2 M S Maqta, Opposite Raj Bhawan, Hyderabad, Telangana State holder of Indian Passport No: X9564204 who was in search of job was offered to work in Russia in a construction company by Trust Consultancy whos owener pic.twitter.com/ex3VdbFNQl  Amjed Ullah Khan MBT (@amjedmbt) October 15, 2025

Family pleads for repatriation

Ahmed has urged his family to preserve these documents as a record amid the uncertainty of his life. I am being forced to go to the Ukrainian border to fight. It is dangerous there. I do not want to go, he told his relatives.

His wife, Afsha Begum, has renewed her appeal to the Union External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, for help in bringing him home.

As of the latest report, Ahmeds family has yet to receive a formal response from the Ministry of External Affairs or the Indian Embassy in Moscow regarding the case.
Malaysias Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim confirmed that PM Modi will attend the 47th Asean Summit virtually due to Diwali celebrations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to attend the upcoming Asean-India Summit virtually, foregoing a physical visit to Kuala Lumpur for the 47th Asean Summit due to the ongoing Diwali celebrations in India.

The decision was confirmed following a warm conversation between PM Modi and his Malaysian counterpart, Anwar Ibrahim, details of which were shared by both leaders.

During the exchange, PM Modi congratulated PM Ibrahim on Malaysia assuming the Asean Chairmanship, conveying his best wishes for the success of the upcoming Summits.

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Look forward to joining the ASEAN-India Summit virtually, and to further deepening of the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Modi stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Had a warm conversation with my dear friend, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia. Congratulated him on Malaysias ASEAN Chairmanship and conveyed best wishes for the success of upcoming Summits. Look forward to joining the ASEAN-India Summit virtually, and to further  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 23, 2025

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is hosting the summit, confirmed Modis virtual attendance and extended his greetings for the festival of lights. He informed me that he will attend virtually due to the ongoing Deepavali celebrations in India at that time, Ibrahim said, adding that he respected the decision and offered a happy Deepavali to him and the entire people of India.

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Beyond the summit logistics, the leaders also discussed strengthening the bilateral relationship between Malaysia and India to a more strategic and comprehensive level.

Ibrahim reaffirmed Indias importance as a key partner in critical sectors including trade, investment, technology, education, and regional security, concluding that Malaysia remains committed to enhancing both bilateral and Asean-India cooperation for a peaceful and prosperous region.

The Asean meetings are slated to take place from October 26 to 28.

Malaysia has extended invitations to US President Donald Trump and leaders from several nations that serve as Aseans dialogue partners.

Trump is expected to visit Kuala Lumpur on a two-day trip beginning October 26.
Unless Bangladeshs democratic and security institutions are defended, the world may soon confront a new Islamist axis anchored in Dhaka, destabilising the entire Indo-Pacific theatre.

A silent coup is unfolding in Bangladesh. Behind the facade of governance, an alliance of Islamist networks, foreign intelligence agencies, and radical ideologues is methodically dismantling the countrys most secular and stabilising institution  the armed forces. The orchestrator of this quiet purge is Muhammad Yunus, once celebrated as a Nobel laureate, now at the helm of an increasingly Islamist-leaning regime that threatens to upend decades of democratic progress. At stake is not merely Bangladeshs political future but the security architecture of South and Southeast Asia.

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A Calculated Assault on the Military

The Yunus regime has weaponised its so-called International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), which on October 22, 2025, sent 15 serving military officers to jail to face trial on charges of enforced disappearances, murders, and custodial tortures during the then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas regime.

This tribunal, which bears no relation to the International Criminal Court (ICC), has become a political instrument designed to intimidate, discredit, and ultimately dismantle Bangladeshs military establishment. Intelligence insiders warn that the list could soon expand to over 150 officers, possibly including the current chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

The move has triggered serious unrest within the ranks. Officers view these charges as a direct attack on the institutions honour and independence. According to sources, Army Chief General Waker Uz Zaman faces growing internal pressure to act decisively against this political persecution, as frustration spreads among both serving and retired personnel.

The ultimate goal, analysts believe, is to replace the Bangladesh military with an ideologically driven Islamic Revolutionary Army (IRA)  a paramilitary structure akin to Irans IRGC, loyal not to the constitution but to an Islamist doctrine and its political benefactors.

If Islamist forces can manipulate or dismantle Bangladeshs military  turning it into a politicised or sectarian instrument  they will not only dominate domestic politics but export violence beyond Bangladeshs borders.

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Foreign Enablers and Ideological Alignment

The conspiracy does not exist in a vacuum. Multiple intelligence sources suggest active involvement of Pakistans ISI and Turkeys National Intelligence Organisation (MIT) in guiding and financing the transformation of Bangladeshs security landscape.

The ISIs longstanding ties with Bangladeshs Jamaat-e-Islami and other Islamist factions are well documented. Now, under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkeys Islamist activism  blending neo-Ottoman ambition with pan-Islamic ideology  has entered the equation. Both countries appear to be coordinating their influence campaigns, using financial, religious, and educational fronts to cultivate sympathisers within Bangladeshs bureaucracy and political class.

Within Rohingya refugee camps, Saudi- and Qatari-funded humanitarian organisations are allegedly recruiting militants under the guise of charity. These camps, already rife with arms trafficking and extremist preaching, have become hotbeds for jihadist mobilisation aimed at destabilising Indias Northeast and Myanmars Rakhine State. Bangladesh, once a bulwark against regional terrorism, risks becoming its epicentre.

The current drift in the policy of the Trump administration  in ignoring Islamist advances in Bangladesh  risks repeating this error. Indeed, Erdogans Turkey is allegedly offering financial and logistical backing to Islamist organisations in Bangladesh, further exacerbating the security threat.

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An Alarming Political Declaration

Compounding this crisis, senior BNP leader Salauddin Ahmed has publicly branded members of the military and police who served under former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as traitors. In a social media post, he admitted that thousands of individuals  including soldiers, police officers, Hindus, and Awami League activists  were executed by the Peoples Court during the violent July-August 2025 protests, especially between August 5 and August 30.

This shocking confession underscores how elements within the BNP and allied Islamist factions have aligned themselves with a campaign of terror and revenge. It also signals that these groups now consider the Bangladesh Armed Forces an adversary  not an ally  in their push for political dominance.

Eroding Secular Institutions

The current purge is part of a broader ideological realignment. The Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), once celebrated for dismantling terrorist outfits such as HuJI-B, JMB, and ISIS-linked cells, is now under siege through defamation and legal warfare. The governments narrative accuses DGFI officers of human rights abuses while simultaneously shielding Islamist extremists and their financial sponsors.

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Inside Bangladesh, Yunuss advisors are reportedly drafting plans to declare a revolutionary government that would suspend the existing constitution, allowing them to dismiss the President and military chiefs  mirroring the theocratic model of Iran. Under this framework, hundreds of officers could face swift trials and even death sentences under fabricated allegations of crimes against humanity or being branded as traitors.

Meanwhile, security around the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka has been significantly tightened amid intelligence warnings of a potential jihadist attack. Yet, Washingtons posture remains one of calculated silence  a dangerous echo of the 1980s, when U.S. reliance on Pakistans ISI to counter the Soviets in Afghanistan inadvertently gave birth to global jihadist networks.

Western Blindness, Regional Peril

Today, the United States risks repeating the same mistake by turning a blind eye to the Yunus regimes Islamist realignment. Behind the Nobel Peace Prize halo, Dhakas quiet transformation into an Islamist hub continues unchecked.

Turkey and Pakistan have allegedly offered logistical and financial support to Islamist organisations, while Yunuss government systematically erodes the institutional pillars that once safeguarded Bangladeshs secular identity.

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If this trajectory continues, Bangladesh could soon resemble a hybrid of Iran and Pakistan  a pseudo-democracy ruled by clerics, intelligence operatives, and militias.

Regional and Global Implications

A radicalised Bangladesh would profoundly reshape South Asias security balance. For India, it would open a new Islamist front along its eastern flank, undermining regional stability from the Bay of Bengal to the Himalayas. For China, the resulting vacuum could present both opportunities and risks  an unstable Bangladesh could become more dependent on Beijing, but ongoing unrest could disrupt Belt and Road initiatives across the region.

For ASEAN states, particularly Myanmar and Thailand, the spillover of radical networks and arms from the Rohingya corridor could ignite new waves of insurgency and human trafficking.

A Fragile Frontier

Bangladesh today stands at the edge of an ideological abyss. The erosion of its military is not merely a domestic purge  it is the opening act of a regional reconfiguration that could empower Islamist movements stretching from Istanbul to Jakarta.

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The international community, especially India, the U.S., and ASEAN, must recognise this pattern before it solidifies. The lessons of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran are unambiguous: silence in the face of Islamist militarisation leads inevitably to regional catastrophe.

Unless Bangladeshs democratic and security institutions are defended, the world may soon confront a new Islamist axis anchored in Dhaka, destabilising the entire Indo-Pacific theatre.

_(The author is a journalist, writer and editor of the newspaper Blitz. He specialises in counterterrorism and regional geopolitics. (X: @Salah_Shoaib). The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.)

_
Chinas influence operations and coercive diplomacy, as evidenced by actions in the United States, Britain, Canada, Japan, the Philippines and India, represent a systemic challenge to the international order

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has increasingly deployed sophisticated influence operations and coercive diplomacy to expand its global reach, undermine democratic values, and reshape the international order. From funding networks that infiltrate foreign institutions to staging mock military actions, Chinas tactics are multifaceted, often leveraging economic, technological, and political tools to exert pressure.

In the months of September and October this year alone, the range and scope of the CCPs influence operations and coercive diplomacy witnessed are immense. As far as India is concerned, while Beijing claims a warming of ties with New Delhi, it tacitly pushes pro-CCP narratives in India through academics and media, even as it seeks better market access to the worlds fastest-growing major economy.

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Chinas influence operations span continents, targeting critical infrastructure, public opinion, and political systems. In the United States, for instance, federal agents uncovered a CCP-linked network capable of crippling telecommunications systems. This plot involved over 300 SIM servers and 100,000 SIM cards in New York, with an additional 200,000 SIM cards discovered in New Jersey, designed to disrupt cell towers, block 911 calls, and unleash chaos in communications. Such operations underscore the CCPs intent to exploit vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure, posing a direct threat to national security.

In academia, the CCPs reach is equally alarming. The case of MIT Professor Gang Chen, arrested in 2021 for concealing ties to the Chinese government, revealed how foreign funding can infiltrate American institutions. A GoFundMe campaign for Chens legal defence, heavily promoted by the United Chinese Americans (UCA), raised $401,254, with significant contributions from Chinese nationals, including professors at Peking University and others based in China. This illustrates the CCPs ability to mobilise diaspora communities to influence judicial processes abroad.

Economic coercion is another hallmark of Chinas strategy. In Canada, the sale of mine assets to Chinese state-owned Zijin has transformed it into the worlds third-largest mining company, valued at $100 billion. This acquisition, flagged as a national security risk years earlier, highlights how China secures strategic resources to bolster its global dominance. Similarly, in the UK, China reportedly cut off water supplies to British diplomats in Beijing to pressure the UK government into approving a controversial Chinese mega-embassy in London. These actions demonstrate the CCPs willingness to use economic leverage to achieve political ends.

Chinas coercive diplomacy extends to military posturing and cyberattacks. In September 2025, Chinese jets conducted mock missile attacks on a British warship transiting the Taiwan Strait, signalling Beijings readiness to intimidate Western powers in contested regions. In Norway, two Chinese nationals were arrested for flying a drone near Bardufoss Airport, a key NATO military hub, raising concerns about espionage. Similarly, in Japan, Chinese nationals were caught filming near the Ministry of Defence, using facial tracking tools to target Self-Defence Force officersan act that would be unthinkable near the Pentagon.

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Cyber operations further amplify Chinas influence. Recent reports indicate Chinese hackers targeted a nuclear weapons production facility in Kansas, part of a broader campaign against U.S. nuclear infrastructure. These cyberattacks, coupled with efforts to insert insecure devices like Huawei and ZTE equipment into American markets, reveal a concerted effort to undermine national security. The U.S. Federal Communications Commissions Operation Clean Carts, launched in October 2025, aims to remove such devices, highlighting the scale of the threat.

The CCP also manipulates public opinion through disinformation. In the Philippines, the Chinese Embassy hired a marketing firm to run fake social media accounts that praised China, criticized Western Covid vaccines, and undermined the Philippines security alliance with the U.S. Such campaigns erode trust in democratic institutions and sow divisiona tactic China employs globally.

India, a rising global power, has not been immune to Chinas influence operations. In October 2025, China unveiled a so-called civilian drone testing base in Tibet, less than 100 km from the Indian border in Uttar Pradesh. This facility, coupled with the introduction of a new drone designed for high-altitude operations, raises concerns about Chinas military intentions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Given the history of border tensions, including the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, this development signals Chinas ongoing efforts to assert dominance in the region.

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Economically, China has leveraged its technological prowess to penetrate Indias markets. Huawei, a company closely tied to the CCP, received $10 billion in loans to finance customer purchases in India, with its India head reportedly offering double salaries to lure Indian engineers. This aggressive expansion not only strengthens Chinas economic foothold but also raises concerns about data security and technological dependency, given Huaweis history of ties to the Chinese state.

These actions in India reflect a broader pattern of coercive diplomacy. By positioning military assets near the border and infiltrating Indias tech sector, China seeks to exert pressure while maintaining plausible deniability through civilian projects. Indias experience underscores the need for vigilance in countering hybrid threats that blend economic, technological, and military strategies.

Indias encounters with Chinese influence operations offer critical lessons for the global community. First, nations must prioritise strategic autonomy in critical sectors like technology and infrastructure. Indias push to develop indigenous 5G technology and reduce reliance on Chinese firms like Huawei is a step in the right direction. Other countries should follow suit, investing in domestic innovation to mitigate vulnerabilities to foreign influence.

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Second, robust intelligence and cybersecurity measures are essential. The discovery of Chinese drones near military bases in Norway and Japan highlights the need for enhanced surveillance and counter-espionage capabilities. Indias proactive monitoring of border activities, including the drone testing base, demonstrates the importance of real-time intelligence to detect and deter threats.

Third, international cooperation is vital. The CCPs global reach requires a coordinated response. Indias alignment with the Quadcomprising the U.S., Japan, and Australiastrengthens its ability to counter Chinas influence. Other nations should seek similar alliances to share intelligence, align policies, and counter economic coercion collectively.

Finally, public awareness and transparency are powerful tools. The CCP thrives in opacity, using anonymous funding and fake social media accounts to manipulate narratives. Indias open discourse on Chinese activities, including media coverage of border developments, helps build public resilience. Governments worldwide should educate citizens about foreign influence operations and promote transparency in funding and political activities.

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Chinas influence operations and coercive diplomacy, as evidenced by actions in the U.S., UK, Canada, Japan, the Philippines, and India, represent a systemic challenge to the international order. Chinas war against the rules-based international order is currently underway through proxies, while military force preparations continue in the PRC. The CCP leverages media, banks, companies, and diaspora networks to advance its agenda. Japans 2025 Defence Report, labelling Beijing as the greatest threat to global order since World War II, underscores the urgency of this issue.

Indias experience highlights the need for a multifaceted response: securing critical infrastructure, fostering technological independence, strengthening intelligence, and building international partnerships. As exemplified by Taiwans Doublethink Labs China Index, India ranks low in terms of the successes the PRCs influence operations have had. Tracking these operations methodologically and mutual learning among democracies would yield better results in preserving the rules-based international order. The stakes are high, and the time for complacency has long passed.

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There are over 30 scam compounds along the Thai-Myanmar border where people are trafficked from all around the world and forced to commit fraud that generates tens of billions of dollars annually

This aerial photo taken on September 17, 2025 shows the KK Park complex in Myanmar's eastern Myawaddy township, as pictured from Mae Sot district in Thailand's border province of Tak. AFP/Representational image

Elon Musk-owned SpaceX has announced that it has stopped Starlink satellite communication links to more than 2,500 devices found to be part of scam compounds in Myanmar.

There are over 30 scam compounds along the Thai-Myanmar border where people are trafficked from all around the world and forced to commit fraud that generates tens of billions of dollars annually.

The service was shut down after the Myanmar military seized control of KK Park, one of the countrys largest compounds, on Monday, marking part of its broader effort to reclaim areas that had been under insurgent control for the past two years.

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Several activists have said that Starlinks remote connectivity technology has facilitated the operation of these Chinese crime syndicates with ease along the border. People from around the world are lured into working in scam centres under the guise of legitimate jobs.

Lauren Dreyer, head of Starlink business operations, said, In Myanmar SpaceX proactively identified and disabled over 2,500 Starlink Kits in the vicinity of suspected scam centers. We are committed to ensuring the service remains a force for good and sustains trust worldwide: both connecting the unconnected and detecting and preventing misuse by bad actors.

Junta raids scam centre

Earlier this week, Myanmars junta raided one of the countrys most notorious cyberscam centres and seized Starlink satellite Internet devices. Internet sweatshops where workers scam unsuspecting foreigners with business or romance schemes have thrived in war-ravaged Myanmars lawless border regions since the coronavirus pandemic shut down casinos operating in the area.

Starting in February, authorities from Thailand, China, and Myanmar launched a joint operation that resulted in the return of thousands of suspected scammers. According to experts, some people in the scam trade take part willingly, while others are compelled to do so by organised crime groups.

State media The Global New Light of Myanmar said the military conducted operations in KK Park near the Myanmar-Thai border and had seized 30 sets of Starlink receivers and accessories.

With inputs from agencies
After the latest round of purge, Xi Jinping has promoted a loyalist, Zhang Shengmin, as the Vice Chair of the Central Military Commission (CMC), the top military body of China, after firing He Weidong from the post last week. In the largest shake-up in years, he has also appointed 10 loyalists to top party posts.

Chinas President Xi Jinping gives a toast at a reception in the Great Hall of the People, following a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan and the end of World War II, in Beijing on September 3, 2025. (Photo: Jade Gao/AFP)

Following the latest round of purges, President Xi Jinping has promoted a loyalist to become Chinas second highest-ranking general. In addition, he has appointed 10 other loyalists to top positions within the Communist Party  making it the largest shake-up in nearly eight years.

Xi has promoted Zhang Shengmin to the position of Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), Chinas top military body, after sacking He Weidong from the role last week, state-run Xinhua news agency reported on Thursday.

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For the first time since Maos era, the seven-member CMC has been reduced to just four members  Chairman Xi, First Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia, newly promoted Second Vice Chairman Zhang Shengmin, and an unnamed fourth member.

ALSO READ: Xi becoming more powerful? His purge at Chinese Communist Party plenum intensifies

With these appointments, Xi has further tightened his vice-like grip on political and military power in China. Notably, Zhang was already serving on the CMC in another capacity, meaning Xi did not bring in any outsider who might have diluted the concentration of power.

Zhang is Xis man  his extraordinary portfolio proves it

Zhangs extraordinary portfolio underscores the extent of Xis trust in him.

In addition to his new role as Vice Chairman of the CMC, Zhang is believed to retain his previous position as Deputy Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection  Chinas top anti-corruption body.

The remarkable concentration of power in Zhang a general within the civilian Communist Party highlights the exceptional level of trust Xi places in him, Reuters quoted analysts as saying.

This belief is further reinforced by the fact that Zhang has replaced He Weidong, who was a member of the 24-member Politburo, the second-highest decision-making body in the Communist Party of China (CPC).

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With 11 new appointments and promotions, Xi has carried out the most significant reshuffle at the top of the CPC since 2017 when he had similarly replaced 11 officials.

At the conclusion of the four-day fourth plenum conference, Xinhua reported that 168 full members and 147 alternate members attended the conference  down from the 205 full members and 171 alternates appointed in 2022. The reduced numbers suggest that many members have either been sacked or pushed out of public life by Xi.

ALSO READ: Chinese Communist Partys plenum ends  without discussing who after Xi, but why

Last week, Xi dismissed nine top military officials  including He, the Vice Chairman of the CMC.

Hes removal was particularly notable not only due to his stature but also because it marked the first time since Mao that a sitting member of the CMC had been fired. Moreover, he had long been considered a trusted aide of Xi, with the two having served together in Fujian province during the 1990s.

With this sweeping shake-up, Xi now wields more power than at any other point in his 13-year rule. He has long been regarded as Chinas most powerful leader in decades, having removed term limits and established firm control over all organs of the Communist Party and state.

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By purging these officers before the plenum altogether and all at once, Xi is sending a clear shot across the bow to the military high command and asserting his dominance, Jon Czin, an expert on the Chinese military at the Brookings Institution, told Reuters.
Bangladesh faces unrest as Muhammad Yunus heads the interim government, accused of bias by Nahid Islam and others before the 2026 elections

Bangladeshs interim administration is facing mounting political pressure as rival parties question the impartiality of the cabinet ahead of national elections, the first since the 2024 uprising that ended former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas long rule.

Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and chief adviser of the caretaker government, has reportedly taken steps to reassure the nation of a fair process. His press team announced on Thursday that the 85-year-old leader has taken measures to hold free, impartial, and fair electionspolls that are currently expected in February 2026.

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Despite the assurances, political tensions are soaring over allegations of partisan collaboration within the highest levels of the interim government.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), which emerged from the student movement that spearheaded the 2024 revolt, directly accused some cabinet advisers of political maneuvering. Islam alleged that certain advisers were collaborating with parties to secure their safe exit in the future administration and aiding major political parties in appointing party loyalists to various administrative posts ahead of the elections.

Other major political figures made similar allegations.

Front-runners demand action

The growing political crisis was the central topic of a series of high-stakes meetings held by Chief Adviser Yunus. Late Wednesday, he met with leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami, the countrys largest Islamist party.

Senior Jamaat leader Abdullah Muhammad Taher told reporters that they had explicitly warned Yunus that some of his advisers were working on behalf of a certain political party and misleading the chief adviser. Taher urged Yunus to be aware of the internal partisan activities.

This followed a meeting on October 21 with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), widely seen as a front-runner in the upcoming polls. Following the discussion, senior BNP official Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir publicly stated that he had requested the government remove any adviser found siding with political parties. Local media reports suggested the BNP had submitted two specific names to the interim government for removal.

The upcoming elections will mark a watershed moment for the South Asian nation of 170 million, following the student-led revolt that saw Sheikh Hasina flee to New Delhi. Her Awami League party has since been outlawed and barred from participating in the 2026 elections, while Hasina herself remains in India, defying court orders to return to face trial on charges of crimes against humanity related to a deadly crackdown she ordered.
Finlands Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said Russia poses a permanent threat to European security and urged Washington to send the weapons to Ukraine so it can strike Russia deep inside and bring President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table

Sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Preble (DDG 88) conduct an operational Tomahawk missile launch in a training area off the coast of California in this September 29, 2010, file photograph and released to Reuters on March 19, 2011. (Photo: Woody Paschall/US Navy photo/Handout/Reuters)

Finlands Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has said that US President Donald Trump should have approved the transfer of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine in last weeks meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In an interview with Politico, Orpo said Russia poses a permanent threat to European security and urged Washington to send the weapons to Ukraine so it can strike Russia deep inside and bring President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table.

Putin believes only in power. If we want to stop the war we have to be on the same level or even stronger than Russia, the Finnish PM said.

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When asked whether Trump should give the weapons to Zelenskyy, Orpo said, I really hope that they can get the capabilities that they need to [counter]strike Russia and defend themselves. We know that this is a question between Zelenskyy and the United States and I really hope they can find a solution.

Weakens diplomacy

The Finnish leaders comments come after Zelenskyy said that Trumps refusal to supply long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to the country has derailed the path of diplomacy, claiming that Russia is no longer interested in talks to end the war.

The front line can spark diplomacy. Instead, Russia continues to do everything to weasel out of diplomacy, and as soon as the issue of long-range capabilities for us  for Ukraine  became less immediate, Russias interest in diplomacy faded almost automatically, Zelenskyy said on Tuesday.

Zelenskyy was banking on Trumps approval for the long-range missiles. However, the US president said, Its not easy for us to give  youre talking about massive numbers of very powerful weapons. So, thats one of the things well be talking about hopefully, they wont need it, hopefully, well be able to get the war over with, without thinking about Tomahawks.

EU imposes new sanctions on Russia

The EU on Wednesday agreed to impose new sanctions on Russia over the war in Ukraine aimed at crimping Moscows oil and gas revenues, said Denmark, which holds the EUs rotating presidency.

The package  the 19th from the EU since the Kremlins 2022 invasion  comes as Europe seeks to keep the pressure on Russia in the face of US President Donald Trumps faltering peace push.

Kremlin-friendly Slovakia had held up adoption of the package over a separate issue as it sought protections for its car industry from EU climate legislation.

As part of the new measures, the 27-nation bloc is bringing forward a ban on the import of liquefied natural gas from Russia by a year to the start of 2027.

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With inputs from agencies
Carney announced the extraordinary plan in a rare prime-time speech on Wednesday, sticking to his election campaign promise of making Canada less reliant on the US, which currently buys about 75 per cent of Canadian exports

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has unveiled plans to double the exports from markets outside the US by 2035, amounting to an extra $214 billion in trade, as a stalemate over tariff talks continues.

Carney announced the extraordinary plan in a rare prime-time speech on Wednesday, sticking to his election campaign promise of making Canada less reliant on the US, which currently buys about 75 per cent of Canadian exports.

Many of our former strengths, based on close ties to America, have become our vulnerabilities, Carney said. The prime minister emphasised boosting trade ties with countries like India and China.

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He said, And we are re-engaging with the global giants India and China while we deepen our partnerships with traditional allies.

India-Canada ties

India and Canada and moving towards rebooting ties after last years fiasco under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Last week, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, with both countries underscoring a renewed commitment to strengthen bilateral ties in trade, energy, technology, agriculture, and people-to-people exchanges.

According to a release from the Prime Ministers Office (PMO), PM Modi welcomed Anand and emphasised that her visit would bring new momentum to the India-Canada partnership.

Recalling his June 2025 visit to Canada for the G7 Summit, PM Modi said his meeting with PM Carney was extremely productive and laid the groundwork for deepening collaboration.

Trump tariffs on Canada

In August, Trumps 35 per cent tariffs on Canadian exports took effect, and now the president has announced 25 per cent tariffs on heavy trucks starting November 1.

Canada is the second-largest US trading partner after Mexico, and the largest buyer of US exports. It bought $349.4 billion of US goods last year and exported $412.7 billion to the US, according to US Census Bureau data.

Canadas national statistical agency has said that trade with its neighbour to the south withered in May in the wake of a punishing tariff war launched by Trump. However, Canada made up part of the shortfall with increased shipments to other nations.
China has confirmed that trade talks with the United States will resume in Malaysia tomorrow. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng will hold talks with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Kuala Lumpur.

The US-China trade talks will resume on Friday at Malaysias capital Kuala Lumpur.

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, who has been the lead negotiator for his country, will hold talks with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent from October 24 to 27, Bloomberg reported Chinese commerce ministry as saying on Thursday.

These talks will take place at a time when the trade truce reached earlier this year has failed and the two sides are again locked in a retaliatory spiral. US President Donald Trump has vowed to slap 100 per cent additional tariff on China after China imposed curbs on export of rare earth elements and magnets. He has also announced a vague threat to cut China's access to Western software required for critical industries.

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Ahead of their in-person meeting in Malaysia, He and Bessent held talks over phone last week.

He & Bessent to try to salvage Trump-Xi summit

He and Bessent face the task of bringing normality to the US-China trade relationship and salvaging the summit meeting of Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders summit in South Korea on November 1.

With the threat of 100 per cent tariffs on China, Trump had also said he could cancel the summit with Xi.

Even though Trump has asserted bravado lately, there are clear signs that China has upper hands in the ongoing trade war. Analysts have also said that China has essentially already won the trade war on the back of its dominance of rare earth supplies.

ALSO READ: Has Trump already lost his tariff-trade war with China?

China controls around 90 per cent of the worlds rare earths production. These elements and magnets made from these elements are essential to almost everything in modern life from mobiles phones to cars and fighter planes and missiles. In the absence of Chinese supplies, the US could run out of rare earths in weeks and that could bring several manufacturing industries to a halt.

We are days, if not weeks, away from a crisis, Neha Mukherjee, a rare earths research manager at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, told ANI.

Mukherjee said the defence industry will be hit the hardest, followed by e-mobility, consumer electronics and robotics.
The four-day closed-door meeting in Beijing saw the biggest leadership reshuffle in nearly a decade and a deepening military purge  but no sign of plans for who will lead China after Xi Jinping

Chinese security personnel stand guard at the entrance to the Jingxi Hotel where the Communist Party's Central Committee is holding its fourth plenum, in Beijing, on October 20, 2025. AP File

A closely watched four-day meeting of Chinas top Communist Party leaders concluded on Thursday with the biggest leadership reshuffle in almost 10 years  but without any sign of discussion about one key issue: who will take over after Xi Jinping.

According to a Reuters report, citing Xinhua, the Fourth Plenum of the CCPs 20th Central Committee, held behind closed doors in Beijing, replaced 11 full members  the highest turnover since 2017  amid an ongoing purge in the militarys top ranks.

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The meeting also endorsed a new five-year economic development plan focused on achieving technological self-reliance as Chinas rivalry with the United States deepens, added the report.

Power transition remains a forbidden question

The plenum once again highlighted Xi Jinpings tightening grip on power. Leadership changes were carefully managed, and the latest military purge reinforced his control over both the party and the armed forces.

Yet, even amid the sweeping reshuffle within the Central Committee, there was no sign of a succession plan. The issue of who might one day replace Xi remains politically untouchable  a topic that analysts widely describe as a forbidden question.

As the Financial Times reported earlier, even quiet speculation about future leadership is considered politically dangerous, reflecting the extent to which any hint of transition could be seen as disloyalty.

This silence contrasts with the post-Deng Xiaoping era of predictable transitions.

For decades, CCP leaders adhered to unwritten norms  two five-year terms in office and retirement at 68  intended to institutionalise power transfer and prevent another Mao-style cult of personality.

Xi, however, has systematically dismantled those constraints. Now 72, he has eliminated both age and term limits, clearing the way to rule indefinitely and removing mechanisms that once helped ensure political stability.

Chinas political succession history highlights how far Xi has departed from precedent.

Mao Zedong ruled until his death at 82, after which Deng Xiaoping and later Jiang Zemin introduced internal rules designed to prevent lifetime tenures. The seven up, eight down convention  allowing promotion before 68 but requiring retirement beyond it  became an informal standard.

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But in 2018, Chinas legislature abolished the presidential two-term limit, a move clearing Xis path to lifelong rule. Since then, his dominance has extended across the party, the state, and the military.

Xis ascendancy and the military purge

The Fourth Plenum also reinforced Xis anti-corruption drive, which since 2012 has reshaped the CCP and the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA).

According to Asia Society Policy Institute report, citing critics, the campaign  touted as a fight against graft  has also served as a political purge to eliminate rivals and enforce loyalty.

This weeks meeting marked a dramatic escalation. Eleven Central Committee members were replaced, including eight generals expelled from both the CCP and the military, some of whose investigations had not been publicly disclosed. Among them was He Weidong, the former second-ranked vice chair of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and once considered close to Xi. Hes the first sitting CMC member to be removed since the Cultural Revolution (196676), reported Reuters.

Hes fall followed a string of high-profile military ousters that have shrunk the once seven-member CMC by three since 2023.

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By purging these officers before the plenum altogether and all at once, Xi is sending a clear shot across the bow to the military high command and asserting his dominance, Reuters quoted Jon Czin, a PLA expert at the Brookings Institution, as saying.

Replacing He is General Zhang Shengmin, 67, who was promoted to second-ranked vice chair of the CMC, according to Reuters, citing Xinhua.

Zhang currently heads the CMC Commission for Discipline Inspection  the PLAs top anti-corruption body  and serves as a deputy secretary in the CCPs Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, giving him an unusual dual role straddling the military and civilian branches of the partys enforcement apparatus.

A career political commissar with roots in the former Second Artillery Force (now the Rocket Force), Zhang has long been viewed as one of Xis most trusted military allies. Analysts say his elevation signals Xis intent to keep the armed forces under close personal supervision, reported Reuters.

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The cost of no successor

Xis sweeping control over both the political and military apparatus may appear to secure his position, but analysts warn of hidden risks.

Naming a successor could indeed weaken Xi  prompting senior cadres to redirect loyalty toward the next in line  yet refusing to name one raises the specter of a future power struggle should Xi suddenly become incapacitated.

According to a Financial Times report, this deliberate ambiguity may preserve Xis dominance in the short term, but it also creates long-term instability. By eliminating institutional safeguards and discouraging any discussion of succession, Xi has made Chinas political future hinge entirely on his personal continuity, added the report.

For now, the Fourth Plenum has reaffirmed one message: Xi remains firmly in command  but the question of what happens after him remains as perilous, and as forbidden, as ever.

With inputs from agencies
The move, effective November 9, is seen as a significant diplomatic thaw between the two Asian giants following a prolonged freeze in direct air links triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic and deadly border clashes

hina Eastern Airlines will resume Shanghai-Delhi flights from November 9, according to its website

Commercial air travel between Delhi and Shanghai is set to resume after a five-year hiatus, with China Eastern Airlines announcing the restart of its direct flights on this route.

The move, effective November 9, is seen as a significant diplomatic thaw between the two Asian giants following a prolonged freeze in direct air links triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic and deadly border clashes.

The state-backed carriers website confirmed flights will operate three times a weekon Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundaysmarking the end of a suspension that began in 2020.

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Indias Foreign Ministry had previously indicated that commercial flights would resume, a development that follows Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis meeting at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit earlier this month.

While the resumption of flights is officially intended to improve trade tiesPrime Minister Modi used his visit to China to raise concerns about Indias growing bilateral trade deficitthe timing suggests a broader geopolitical alignment.

The diplomatic warming comes amid increasingly aggressive trade policies by US President Donald Trump. The report notes that Trump recently raised tariffs on Indian imports and urged the European Union to impose steep 100 percent tariffs on both China and India, ostensibly to pressure Moscow over the war in Ukraine. These external pressures appear to be prompting the two Asian neighbours to normalize their relationship and draw closer together.

Before the freeze, the countries experienced their worst military violence in decades along the Himalayan border in 2020, resulting in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese soldiers. Indias largest carrier, IndiGo, previously announced plans to start nonstop flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou as part of the normalisation effort.
US President once again defended his move to impose tariffs on several nations, insisting that these trade tussles are eventually making America rich

US President once again defended his move to impose tariffs on several nations, insisting that these trade tussles are eventually making America rich. The remarks from the president came on Wednesday while he was sitting with Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office.

While defending tariffs, Trump reiterated that countries around the world were taking advantage of the United States. He went on to claim that he has ended eight wars, out of which, he claimed that five or six were resolved with the help of tariffs.

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We are doing so well as a country right now because of tariffs. Tariffs have been used against us for many decades. Thats why we owe $37 trillion Were a rich country. Were taking in money like weve never done before. Without tariffs, that would not be happening, Trump told reporters at the Oval Office.

#WATCH | Washington DC | US President Donald Trump says, "We are doing so well as a country right now because of tariffs. Tariffs have been used against us for many decades. That's why we owe $37 trillion... We're a rich country. We're taking in money like we've never done pic.twitter.com/EV7V6lkBT9  ANI (@ANI) October 22, 2025

He went on to repeat his claim that he resolved the India-Pakistan conflict. I solved eight wars. Of the 8, 5-6 of them are because of tariffs. India and Pakistan, if you want to fight, thats okay. But youre going to pay tariffs, and theyre going to be very substantial. Were in the midst of a trade deal, and they said, We dont want to do that. Two days later, they call up and say theyre not going to fight anymore. They have peace. But Ive done out of eight, I would say six times. Tariffs are vital to this country. We made a fair deal with Japan, the European Union, he said.

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Trumps fresh defence of tariffs came shortly after he imposed heavy sanctions on two of the biggest Russian oil firms. The American leader told reporters that the sanctions are being imposed due to Putins reluctance to end the war in Ukraine.

Trump also confirmed the cancellation of the summit with Putin, which was supposed to take place in Budapest, Hungary. We cancelled the meeting with President Putin, Trump said. It didnt feel right to me. It didnt feel like we were going to get to the place we had to get, so I cancelled it. But well do it in the future.

Hopes for a trade deal with China still remain

When asked about the trade tussle with China, Trump said on Wednesday that he expected to reach a trade agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping, and he would raise concerns about Chinas purchases of Russian oil during their meeting in South Korea next week. I think well make a deal, Trump told reporters while sitting with Rutte in the Oval Office.

He said he also expected some agreement with China to restart its purchases of American soybeans. He mentioned that a deal on nuclear arms is also possible, noting that Russian President Vladimir Putin had raised the possibility of a de-escalation on nuclear weapons, and China could be added to that, Reuters reported.

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On Tuesday, Trump warned that the US would continue with their plans to impose a 155 per cent tariff on Chinese goods imported into the US beginning November 1. Right now, as of November 1st, China will have about 155 per cent tariffs put on it. I dont think its sustainable for them, Trump averred.

Even at that time, the Potus admitted that he personally wished to maintain friendly relations with China. However, he claimed that years of one-sided economic dealings have left the US with no choice but to take firm action. I want to be nice to China. But China has been very rough with us over the years because we had presidents who werent smart from a business standpoint. They allowed China and every other country to take advantage of us, Trump averred. Meanwhile, China is yet to respond to Trumps latest assertion.
Amid the brewing tension in the Pacific region, South Korea said that it will begin deploying its largest ballistic missile yet at the end of the year. Heres all you need to know about Hyunmoo-5 missiles

Amid the brewing tension in the Pacific region, South Korea said that it will begin deploying its largest ballistic missile yet at the end of the year. The projectile is known as the monster missile and will mark a significant upgrade of its conventional arsenal as tensions rise with nuclear-armed North Korea.

Earlier this week, Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back told South Korean News outlet Yonhap that the country must build a considerable number of Hyunmoo-5 missiles to achieve a balance of terror in the face of the threat posed by the North. He emphasised that the next generation of missiles with even greater power is the need of the hour.

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While South Korea is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the Hyunmoo-5 has been presented domestically as an answer to growing calls for a nuclear deterrent. So heres all you need to know about the South Korean monster missile.

What is the Hyunmoo-5 monster missile?

The Hyunmoo-5 ballistic missile weighs about 36 tonnes, which, according to some reports, can carry an eight-tonne warhead. It carries a bunker buster warhead, which has the potential to reach deep underground to destroy heavily fortified bunkers where the North Korean leader might shelter in a situation of conflict.

According to Yonhap, it is understood to be about 16 metres long and is designed as a surface-to-surface missile, capable of being launched from a mobile platform. Its range is set to vary from 600km to more than 5,000km, depending on payload.

An official at the South Korean Defence Ministry told The Guardian that the specific technical details and delivery timeline could not be confirmed for national security reasons.

The idea for the missile was first conceived following a series of deadly attacks by North Korea in 2010  the sinking of the Cheonan warship and bombardment of Yeonpyeong island  which killed 50 South Koreans.

It is pertinent to note that South Korea relies on the US nuclear umbrella and hence does not possess nuclear weapons of its own. We dont have nuclear weapons, so the only defence we have is to develop the most powerful conventional weapons possible," Dr Yang Uk, a defence expert at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Seoul, told The Guardian.

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Interestingly, the development of the monster missile was blocked by US restrictions on South Korean missile payloads until 2017, when US President Donald Trump, during his first term, lifted those limits. This happened shortly after North Koreas hydrogen bomb test. The scheduled deployment of the Hyunmoo-5 comes as North Korea unveiled its own new Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile at a recent military parade, which has the potential to strike the American mainland.

What does it mean for North Korea?

The upcoming deployment of missiles comes against a backdrop of strained ties between North and South Korea. Pyongyang has snubbed Seoul since the South Korean President Lee Jae Myung took office in June. Even though Lee had been pushing for peace in the Korean peninsula.

In light of this, Lee has embraced self-reliant defence as a cornerstone of his presidency, reflecting South Koreas broader strategic shift towards greater autonomy. He has criticised what he calls the submissive mindset of those who believe South Korea cannot defend itself without foreign military support, since the country maintains a security alliance with the US.

South Korea is estimated to spend 1.4 times North Koreas entire GDP on defence annually and ranks fifth globally in military strength. Arms exports have become one of the countrys fastest-growing industries since Russias invasion of Ukraine. While addressing Seouls ADEX arms fair this week, Lee pledged larger-than-expected defence spending to make South Korea the worlds fourth-largest defence industry powerhouse.

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However, the Hyunmoo-5 missile is expected to be used as a deterrent to any form of North Korean provocation or further escalation of regional tensions. North Korea is yet to react to the matter and is most likely to publicly dismiss conventional threats while asserting nuclear superiority.
23 people were arrested following an hours-long standoff between Irish police and protesters targeting an asylum hotel. The demonstrations became violent after protesters directly threw fireworks, stones and other debris on a third consecutive night.

Gardai behind riot shields face a barrage of fireworks as they protect an entrance to the Citywest hotel. PA

23 people were arrested following an hours-long standoff between Irish police and protesters targeting an asylum hotel. The demonstrations became violent after protesters directly threw fireworks, stones and other debris on a third consecutive night of disorder in Dublin.

Amid the chaos, two members of the Irish police service, an Garda Siochana, were rushed to the hospital after they sustained injuries during the Wednesday clashes. One garda was struck on the head by a bottle while the other sustained a shoulder injury, The Guardian reported.

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Hundreds of protesters gathered near the entrance of a hotel housing asylum seekers in an area west of the capital. This was the third night of the demonstration at the Citywest hotel after an alleged sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl in its vicinity in the early hours of Monday morning.

26 y/o man was charged with assault

On Tuesday, the 26-year-old man, who cannot be named due to rules that apply to all sexual assault cases in the Republic of Ireland, appeared in court and was charged over the alleged incident.

Multiple arrests were made amid the serious disorder on Tuesday night, and the police pledged a robust response if violence continued. Meanwhile, Justice Minister Jim OCallaghan said many have been arrested on Wednesday and more will follow.

He maintained that gardai had responded professionally to thuggish violence in the area and those arrested would be charged, named and dealt with relentlessly by the criminal justice system. Between 7 pm and 8 pm (local time) on Wednesday, hundreds of protesters engaged in a standoff with about 40 uniformed officers.

They were later replaced with the public order unit, whose members carried plastic shields and additional body protection after officers in the original cordon were struck with debris, stones and fireworks. Some of the protesters still continued to throw flares, glass bottles and wooden planks at the authorities.

The garda commissioner, Justin Kelly, who visited the scene in the aftermath of the violence, told reporters on Wednesday that he was determined that further people would be brought before the courts to face justice," The Guardian reported. He noted that the disorder was not a peaceful protest and added: This was violence with the intent to damage the Citywest building and intimidate those within.

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Meanwhile, the Taoiseach, Micheal Martin, condemned the scenes of violence and said there could be no justification for attacks on gardai. Throughout the clashes, the protesters were displaying Irish flags, chanting anti-immigration slogans and throwing missiles.

With inputs from agencies.
US President Donald Trump has dealt a major blow to the Israeli rights plan to apply sovereignty over parts of the West Bank, warning that Israel would lose all support from the United States if it pursued annexation

US President Donald Trump has dealt a major blow to the Israeli rights plan to apply sovereignty over parts of the West Bank, warning that Israel would lose all support from the United States if it pursued annexation.

According to a Times of Israel report, citing the remarks published on Thursday by Time magazine, came during an October 15 interview, before the Knessets preliminary approval of a bill on Wednesday to extend Israeli sovereignty to all West Bank settlements  against the prime ministers wishes.

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Highlighting the administrations frustration, Trumps deputy JD Vance said on Thursday, as he left Israel, that the recent vote had offended him and was very stupid.

It wont happen. It wont happen, Trump was quoted as saying to Time. It wont happen because I gave my word to the Arab countries. And you cant do that now. Weve had great Arab support. It wont happen because I gave my word to the Arab countries. It will not happen. Israel would lose all of its support from the United States if that happened, added Trump.

Trump had already ruled out such a move last month, saying, Im not allowing Israel to annex the West Bank. Theres been enough. Its time to stop now.

But the comments published on Thursday marked his strongest warning yet that he would not tolerate the move.

Also in the Time interview, Trump said he believed Israel and Saudi Arabia would normalise ties by the end of the year.

They had a Gaza problem and they had an Iran problem. Now they dont have those two problems, he said.

He did not provide further details on how this would be achieved, especially given Riyadhs insistence that normalisation is directly linked to Palestinian statehood, which remains a non-starter for Israel.

On Wednesday, the Knesset passed two bills  one to annex all settlements and another to annex a major city-settlement  both pushed by right-wing opposition lawmakers.

Prime Minister Netanyahu and most of his Likud party opposed the bills, but they passed thanks to Netanyahus far-right coalition partners and Likud members who abstained, unwilling to oppose a popular base issue.

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The legislation now faces committee review and three more Knesset votes to become law  a highly unlikely outcome given Trumps clear veto threat.

At Ben Gurion Airport, Vice President Vance called the vote weird and very stupid, saying he felt some insult over what he called a political stunt that was purely symbolic.

The West Bank is not going to be annexed by Israel, Times of Israel quoted Vance as saying. That will continue to be our policy we certainly werent happy about it, he added.

Though Vances sharp remarks grabbed headlines, they seemed offhand, made in response to a question after his press conference had ended.

Vance wasnt the first senior US official to publicly criticise the vote.

Ahead of his visit to Israel, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the Knessets move toward annexing the West Bank could threaten President Trumps plan to end the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.

They passed a vote in the Knesset, but the president has made clear thats not something wed be supportive of right now, Rubio told reporters before taking off for Israel.

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We think theres potential for [it to be even] threatening to the peace deal, he added.

Meanwhile, Rubio landed in Israel on Thursday, according to AFP, the latest in a string of US officials to visit the country to shore up the Gaza ceasefire.

According to a US official, Rubio will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later on Thursday.

With inputs from agencies
After Israels parliament advanced two bills to annex the West Bank, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned any such plans threatened the ceasefire deal in the Gaza Strip brokered by President Donald Trump.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a memorial service for slain conservative commentator Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium, Arizona, US, on September 21, 2025. (Photo: Carlos Barria/Reuters)

After Israels parliament advanced two bills to annex the West Bank, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday warned that any such plans threatened the ceasefire deal in the Gaza Strip.

Rubio will arrive in Israel on Thursday to join Vice President JD Vance, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and President Donald Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to press Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stick to deal in Gaza and not resume the war.

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Ahead of boarding the flight to Israel, Rubio said that Trump has made clear thats [annexation] not something we can be supportive of right now and that any plans for annexation are threatening for the peace deal, according to AFP.

Theyre a democracy, theyre going to have their votes, and people are going to take these positions. But at this time, its something that wethink might be counterproductive, said Rubio.

The Israeli parliament on Wednesday passed two bills in a preliminary regarding that sought the West Bank's annexation. These bills will now go to the parliaments Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. If the committee clears the bill, three rounds of votes will be held.

Watch: Israeli settlers attack Palestinian olive farmers in West Bank, torch cars

Since Netanyahu formed the most extremist government in Israels history in 2022, the ruling coalition as well as elements within the government have frequently called for the annexation of West Bank and Gaza  particularly since the beginning of the war in Gaza.

Trump assured Muslim nations he wouldnt allow West Banks annexation

Last month, Trump assured leaders of several Muslim nations at a summit that he will not allow Israel to annex West Bank, according to Politico.

Trump was firm that he will not allow Israel to annex West Bank and made a promise to Muslim leaders from eight countries, two sources told the outlet.

The eight countries were Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.

Lately, in the wake of the rising international recognition of the Palestinian state, influential voices within Israels ruling coalition and government have publicly called for Gaza and West Banks annexation.

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After the latest round of recognition led by France, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir announced he will propose West Banks annexation.

The recognition by the UK, Canada, and Australia of a Palestinian state as a prize for the murderous [Hamas] terrorists, requires immediate countermeasures, said Ben-Gvir, according to The Times of Israel.

Ben-Gvir called for the immediate application of sovereignty in Judea and Samaria, and the complete dismantling of the Palestinian Authority"  using biblical names for the West Bank that are in vogue among Israels right-wing politicians. He also announced he would submit a proposal for the application of sovereignty at the upcoming cabinet meeting.

At least two other Israeli ministers have called for the annexation  Economy Minister Nir Barkat and Transportation Minister Miri Regev from Netanyahus Likud party. Barkat said that Israels response to recognition of the Palestinian state should include the application of sovereignty over Judea and Samaria.
The mega-strike was participated in by employees from different sectors, including more than 60,000 school teachers, 40,000 nurses and salaried medical specialists and 15,000 public service staff

New Zealand witnessed its largest-ever strike after about 100,000 nurses, teachers and public sector staff walked off their jobs on Thursday to protest for better working conditions and adequate funding in public services from the government.

The mega-strike was participated in by employees from different sectors, including more than 60,000 school teachers, 40,000 nurses and salaried medical specialists and 15,000 public service staff.

Why are they protesting?

Workers from a range of unions have voted to launch strike action after talks with the coalition government broke down. Despite differences in their individual demands, the unions voiced similar concerns  wages that fail to keep up with costs, staff shortages creating safety risks, a lack of essential resources, and working conditions that threaten the health and safety of employees, patients, and children.

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Becks Kelsey, a nurse who was in attendance, said, Patients should not have to be harmed, or die, before things improve. We demand the government invests in the very fabric of our community, not cut the threads that hold it together.

Noreen McCallan, a nurse in Hawkes Bay, said, according to The Guardian, We fear for the safety of our patients. Staff shortages have become overwhelming and exhausting for many of us. Our patients are suffering longer because we cant get to them as quickly as we should.

Meanwhile, teachers are being forced to leave the profession and job they love because they have just had enough and they dont feel valued. Secondary school teacher Paul Stevens said, We need our politicians to do their job and to acknowledge the political choices they have made, over the success of governments, to gradually starve our essential public services of what they need.

Politically motivated

The coalition government has reacted sharply to the protest, with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon labelling it politically motivated, while senior ministers overseeing education, health, and public services described it as unfair, unnecessary and unproductive.

Public Service Minister Judith Collins defended the governments position, saying it was at the table with offers even as unions were out on the street with megaphones. She went on to call the strike a stunt aimed at the government, warning that thousands of patients and children would pay the price.
The legislation, introduced by ruling National Party lawmaker Catherine Wedd, would require social media companies to implement age verification measures before allowing users to create accounts.

Officials confirmed on Thursday that for the parliaments momentum and to prevent young people from getting trapped online, New Zealand is set to debate a new bill that would restrict children under the age of 16 to access social media content. This marks a significant step for the countrys development after being selected from a pool of members bills.

The legislation, introduced by ruling National Party lawmaker Catherine Wedd, would require social media companies to implement age verification measures before allowing users to create accounts. The move mirrors Australias world-first law passed in 2024, which bans social media use for those under 16 and mandates strict identity checks.

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Wedds bill, first submitted in May, gained recognition from members of the National Party. However, its fate in Parliament remains uncertain as it has not received any confirmation from the partys coalition partners. In New Zealand, members bills-those introduced by MPs outside the cabinet are selected through a ceremonial lottery before being formally tabled for debate.

The timeline of the bill has not been confirmed, it arrives amid the growing political concerns in New Zealand about the mental health effects of social media on teenagers. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has repeatedly raised alarm about the growing misinformation, cyberbullying, and unhealthy body image trends online, warning that the platforms unchecked influence poses serious risks to the young minds.

Civil-liberties organisation PILLAR has criticised the bill saying it will not effectively protect children and will instead compromise privacy and limit freedom online.

Aligning with international efforts may sound responsible, but it is lazy policymaking, PILLAR Executive Director Nathan Seiuli said in a statement according to news agency Reuters. He warned that mandatory age checks could expose users to new data.
Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has received death threats from an inmate at Pariss La Sante prison, triggering an official investigation. The threats emerged in a video shared on social media shortly after Sarkozy began serving his five-year sentence for illegal campaign financing.

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has reportedly been the target of death threats from an inmate at Pariss La Sante prison, where he began serving his sentence earlier this week. The Paris prosecutors office confirmed on Wednesday that an investigation has been launched into the incident.

According to a statement released by the prosecutors office, the prisons management alerted authorities on October 22 after discovering a video circulating on social media. The footage, apparently filmed inside the detention facility by an inmate, showed a man issuing threats directed at Sarkozy. The office said three prisoners were questioned as part of the preliminary inquiry, and investigators seized two mobile phones during a search of the cells.

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Sarkozy, who served as Frances head of state from 2007 to 2012, started serving a five-year jail term on Tuesday following his conviction for conspiring to secure campaign funding from Libya during his 2007 election run. His case has drawn widespread attention as he becomes one of the few French presidents to serve a custodial sentence.

Due to security concerns surrounding his incarceration, Sarkozy has been placed under special protection inside La Sante prison. Two armed police officers have been assigned to ensure his safety during his sentence. However, this arrangement has stirred discontent among labour unions representing prison guards, who argue that the security measure creates an unequal treatment between inmates.

The investigation into the threats remains ongoing, while officials continue efforts to strengthen monitoring procedures within the facility. Sarkozys imprisonment marks another dramatic chapter in his long political and legal journey, which has been defined by years of corruption trials and public scrutiny over his financial conduct and political influence in France.
Washington has slapped heavy sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, Moscows two largest oil companies. The sanctions were the first imposed against Russia since Trump returned to the White House and aim to cut key revenues from oil sales for Russia

After cancelling his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump is hoping his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, will convince the Russian leader to stop the Ukraine war.

I think he can have a big influence on Putin Look, hes a respected man. Hes a very strong leader, very big country. Yeah, I think it can have a big influence. And we will certainly be talking about Russia, Ukraine, Trump said. His comments came ahead of a meeting with Xi in South Korea next month.

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While Trump has taken it upon himself to end the three-year-long war, the president is finding himself frustrated with Putin. Every time I speak with Vladimir, I have good conversations, and then they dont go anywhere, Trump said on Wednesday.

But while Trump has upended a years-long Western policy of isolating the Russian leader, he has made little concrete progress toward a peace deal so far.

Trump imposes sanctions on Russia

Washington has slapped heavy sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, Moscows two largest oil companies. The sanctions were the first imposed against Russia since Trump returned to the White House and aim to cut key revenues from oil sales for Russia.

Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire, said the treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, in a statement announcing the sanctions against Russia.

Given President Putins refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russias two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlins war machine. Treasury is prepared to take further action if necessary to support President Trumps effort to end yet another war. We encourage our allies to join us in and adhere to these sanctions," he added.

Trump-Putin meeting on hold

Trump said that he did not want a wasted meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin after the possibility of an in-person meeting between the two was shelved.

I dont want to have a wasted meeting, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office when asked why the Putin encounter had been put on ice. I dont want to have a waste of time, so Ill see what happens.

Trump indicated that a key sticking point between him and Putin remains Russias refusal to stop fighting along the current front line. The White House on Tuesday announced that there are currently no plans for a meeting between the two leaders.

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On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump repeated his claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him that India would stop purchasing Russian oil gradually.

On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump repeated his claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him that India would stop purchasing Russian oil gradually. The remarks from the American leader came on the same day Washington imposed sweeping new sanctions on two of Moscows top energy firms.

India, as you know, has told me they are going to stop Its a process. You cant just stop (buying oil from Russia). By the end of the year, theyll be down to almost nothing, almost 40 per cent of the oil. India, theyve been great. Spoke to Prime Minister Modi yesterday. Theyve been absolutely great, Trump told reporters in Washington.

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His remarks came just hours after the US Treasury Department announced sanctions on Russias two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, accusing them of fueling President Vladimir Putins war effort in Ukraine.

#WATCH | Washington DC | Regarding his upcoming meetign with Chinese President Xi, US President Donald Trump says, "India, as you know, has told me they are going to stop...it's a process. You can't just stop (buying oil from Russia). By the end of the year, they'll be down to pic.twitter.com/XXdL1ETOZf  ANI (@ANI) October 22, 2025

The US Department of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is imposing further sanctions as a result of Russias lack of serious commitment to a peace process to end the war in Ukraine, the department said in a statement. Todays actions increase pressure on Russias energy sector and degrade the Kremlins ability to raise revenue for its war machine and support its weakened economy.

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What about China?

When it comes to imposing similar sanctions on China for purchasing oil from Russia, Trump said that Beijing has a little bit different relationship with Russia".

It was never good, but because of Biden and Obama, they got forced together. They should never have been forced together They (China-Russia) cant be friendly I hope they are friendly, but they cant be Biden and Obama forced them together because of energy and oil. They are closer than they would normally be," he said.

Ill probably be talking about it. What Ill really be talking to him about is how we end the war with Russia and Ukraine, whether its through oil or energy or anything else. I think hes going to be very receptive, he averred.

Trump imposes tremendous sanctions on Russian oil

The sanctions on Russian oil giants were the first imposed against Moscow since Trump returned to the White House and aim to cut key revenues from oil sales for Russia.

The move against Russia marks the latest swing of the pendulum under the Trump administration, from coercing Kyiv to sue for peace to growing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putins maximalist demands. Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire, said the treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, in a statement announcing the sanctions against Russia.

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Given President Putins refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russias two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlins war machine. Treasury is prepared to take further action if necessary to support President Trumps effort to end yet another war. We encourage our allies to join us in and adhere to these sanctions," he added.

While speaking on the matter in the Oval Office with Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump also confirmed the cancellation of the summit with Putin, which was supposed to take place in Budapest, Hungary. We cancelled the meeting with President Putin, Trump said. It didnt feel right to me. It didnt feel like we were going to get to the place we had to get, so I cancelled it. But well do it in the future.

Meanwhile, Ukraine and its European allies welcomed the move. The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, said she had spoken with Bessent shortly before the announcement and praised the new sanctions. With the imminent adoption of the EUs 19th [sanctions] package, this is a clear signal from both sides of the Atlantic that we will keep up collective pressure on the aggressor, she wrote.

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A new study has found that more than 10,000 Taiwanese citizens joined religious events in China in 2024 with Beijings backing. Taiwans government views these activities as part of Chinas strategy to influence public opinion and expand its political reach through cultural and religious exchanges.

Over 10,000 Taiwanese took part in Beijing-backed religious trips to China, raising concerns of political influence.

More than ten thousand Taiwanese citizens took part in religion-based events in China during 2024 with support from Beijings authorities, according to a new study. Taiwan sees this trend as part of Chinas broader effort to influence public opinion on the island and reshape cultural ties in its favour.

China regards Taiwan as part of its territory, while Taiwans government insists that the Republic of China is a sovereign state and rejects Beijings authority. Beijing continues to apply both pressure and outreach, combining frequent military exercises near the island with attempts to reach sympathetic groups through cultural and religious exchanges.

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The Taiwan-based research organisation IORG reported that 10,496 Taiwanese joined more than 110 organised religious visits to China last year. These activities were coordinated or supported by local Chinese government agencies, suggesting a well-structured programme. IORG noted that this is the first comprehensive documentation revealing the extent of Beijings efforts to use religion as a bridge to influence Taiwanese society.

Taiwans Mainland Affairs Council responded on Thursday, saying Beijing has long used religion to promote its United Front strategy  a political campaign intended to expand Chinas influence overseas. The council added that the study offers valuable insights and said officials are monitoring the issue closely.

Taiwans security departments remain cautious, viewing these activities as attempts to exploit religion, an important element of Taiwanese culture, to serve the interests of the Chinese Communist Party. While China officially claims to protect religious freedom, it allows it only under state supervision.

The IORG report, based on analysis of over 7,000 articles published by Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office, concluded that Beijing promotes the idea of shared cultural roots and an inevitable reunification. Taiwans National Security Bureau has warned that similar exchange programmes are being used to sway and infiltrate various sectors in Taiwan.
Leaders around the world are heading east to attend the Asean and East Asia Summits in Malaysia. However, one leader who is expected to garner the most attention will be US President Donald Trump

Leaders around the world are heading east to attend the Asean and East Asia Summits in Malaysia. Among these notable leaders will be US President Donald Trump, who will attend the international event for the first time since 2017. The last time Trump took part in the ASEAN Summit was when it was held in the Philippines.

However, at that time, he skipped the East Asia Summit. Not only this, his absence at Asean summits in the following years of his first presidency fuelled the perception that America is uninterested in the region, which turned out to be concerning due to Chinas growing assertiveness over East Asian nations. This can be reflected by the fact that China continues to remain the blocs largest trading partner.

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This years Asean and East Asia summits will commence from October 26 to 28, respectively. Both events are part of Trumps several stops during his Asia tour. After Malaysia, the Potus will be heading to Japan for talks and then to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit.

Tariffs to garner the centre of attention

While several world leaders will be attending the summit, Trump will garner the centre of attention. In large part, it will be because of the new tariff rates on Asean states, a huge negative shock to the highly trade-dependent region.

At the top of Trumps tariff tirade in the region is Laos and Myanmar at 40 per cent; Brunei at 23 per cent; Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and Cambodia at 19 per cent; and Singapore at the lowest of 10 per cent. While Asean leaders will come with a wide array of issues, they will have one united front over the tariff issue.

All the nations would attempt to persuade the US president of the strategic importance of the region and to seek more favourable tariff deals with Washington. However, it is uncertain how Trump would react to these efforts.

The China question

The Trump administration has been aware that, across the bloc, China has been the leading trade partner for more than a decade and a half, with trade totalling over a whopping $600 billion in the first months of 2025. The large number of world leaders attending the summit also reflects how fast the region is becoming a major focus of economic diplomacy for foreign nations.

The strategically located region has a population of over 600 million and an area of about 4.5 million square km. Apart from this, Asean also has a purchasing power parity GDP of more than US$10 trillion, which is growing significantly. Interestingly, the diplomatic attention on the region grew significantly during the former US President Joe Bidens administration. At the November 2022 Asean summit in Cambodia, which then-President Joe Biden attended, regional leaders elevated US-Asean relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

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The US is also stepping up its diplomatic profile in Asean by providing significant financial assistance to the bloc. However, their previous commitment is a point of tension. Earlier this month, key members of the US Congress released a letter on a bipartisan basis, calling on Trump to show the same level of commitment to the region.

The letter noted that it is important that Trump attends the upcoming summits in Asia, and supports forums such as the Quad with Japan, India and Australia, as essential to demonstrate US leadership and counter PRC (Peoples Republic of China) ambitions. Overall, itll be interesting to see how the summit will play out.
With the stolen emerald necklace, crowns, brooches, and earringsonce worn by 19th-century French royaltynow instantly recognisable across the globe, experts warn that thieves have a strong incentive to break the pieces apart and melt them down to sell on the black market.

A sapphire and diamond set worn by Queen Hortense, Queen Marie-Amelie and Isabelle of Orleans. Parts of this set were stolen by the thieves from the Louvre Museum on Sunday. Image Courtesy: Musee du Louvre

In the wake of a shocking weekend heist at the Louvre Museum, which saw millions of dollars worth of Frances historic royal jewels vanish, experts are sounding the alarm: the priceless artifacts may already be slated for destruction.

With the stolen emerald necklace, crowns, brooches, and earringsonce worn by 19th-century French royaltynow instantly recognisable across the globe, experts warn that thieves have a strong incentive to break the pieces apart and melt them down to sell on the black market.

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The stolen jewels are valued at over $100 million (88 million euros).

Destruction and disguise

According to art crime experts, the most likely path for monetising such high-profile loot is to dismantle it, thereby destroying the historical value but ensuring a quick, untraceable sale.

By breaking them apart, they will hide their theft, said Christopher Marinello, founder of Art Recovery International, who spoke to The Associated Press (AP). He suggests that if successfully cut and melted, the smaller gems and metals could be slipped into the legitimate jewelry supply chain.

You dont even have to put them on a black market, you just put them in a jewelry store, explained Erin Thompson, an art crime professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice told AP. It could be sold down the street from the Louvre.

This practice has become increasingly common with stolen metal and jeweled goods as thieves seek to cover their tracks and make money on items too famous to be sold intact.

Marinello believes, that finding a market to sell the full artifacts would be incredibly difficult after everyone and their sister has seen photos of them over the last week. Taking them out of France and through international jewel cutters could make them even more traceless, he added.

Also read | The story of cursed diamond left behind in Louvre heist and its India connection

A difficult sale, regardless

Despite the grim outlook, not all experts agree on the ease of sale.

The real art in an art heist isnt the stealing, its the selling, Robert Wittman, a former senior investigator with the FBIs art crime team told AP. He expressed skepticism that the thieves will successfully monetize the artifacts, noting that criminals behind such heists are often better criminals or thieves than they are businessmen.

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Wittman pointed out that the centuries-old gold may not be as pure as whats in demand today, and certain high-quality gems might still be identifiable by their clarity even after being recut. Given these hurdles and the risks involved, he believes that theres really no point destroying them.

Scott Guginsky, executive vice president of the Jewelers Security Alliance, echoed this, adding that the older, ungraded diamonds in the pieces are not something that you can move on the open market or sell through an auction house, as quoted by AP.

Chance of recovery looks dim'

The age of the jewels poses another challenge for investigators.

Unlike modern gemstones which sometimes carry laser inscriptions, experts say its unlikely these historic pieces have such tracking features. Larger gems, Thompson adds, can be recut to the point they are entirely unrecognizable, a process that requires a high level of skill and a network of contacts who dont ask too many questions.

As more time passes, the chance of recovering the historic artifacts intact is fading. While the individuals who physically stole the itemsoften described as hired handsare frequently caught, the items themselves rarely are.

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The stolen jewels were reportedly not privately insured, ruling out a potential no questions asked reward from an insurance company. Unless the French government publicises a substantial reward for information, or promising leads surface from the evidence left behind, experts like Marinello remain pessimistic about the jewels survival.
The price of tomatoes, a staple in Pakistani cuisine, has increased more than fivefold, rising to around 600 Pakistani rupees ($2.13) per kilogramme

The cost of tomatoes surging by over 400% since the crossing closed on October 11 (Reuters)

Prices of essential goods have skyrocketed on both sides of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border following ground fighting and Pakistani airstrikes this month, with the cost of tomatoes surging by over 400% since the crossing closed on October 11.

The price of tomatoes, a staple in Pakistani cuisine, has increased more than fivefold, rising to around 600 Pakistani rupees ($2.13) per kilogramme. Apples, largely imported from Afghanistan, are also experiencing a major price surge, further straining household budgets.

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$1 million in losses per day

All trade and transitincluding fresh fruit, vegetables, medicine, wheat, and dairy productshave been blocked since the hostilities erupted. Khan Jan Alokozay, head of the Pak-Afghan Chamber of Commerce in Kabul, told Reuters that the closure is costing both nations approximately $1 million per day in lost trade.

The annual trade volume between the two countries is estimated at $2.3 billion, and the current blockade has left about 5,000 containers of goods stranded at the border. Alokozay reported that approximately 500 containers of perishable vegetables meant for export are already spoiling.

The border clashes were reportedly triggered by Islamabads demand that Kabul control militants operating from Afghan territory who attack Pakistan. Although a ceasefire was recently agreed upon through talks hosted by Qatar and Turkey, the vital trade corridor remains closed. The next round of negotiations is scheduled for October 25 in Istanbul.
President Trump on Thursday granted a full pardon to Changpeng Zhao, the founder of the worlds largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, marking a major reversal in Washingtons stance toward the crypto industry

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, also known as CZ, attends the Bitcoin Asia conference, in Hong Kong, China, on August 29, 2025. Reuters File

US President Donald Trump on Thursday granted a full pardon to Changpeng Zhao, the founder of the worlds largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, marking a major reversal in Washingtons stance toward the crypto industry.

President Trump exercised his constitutional authority by issuing a pardon for Mr Zhao, who was prosecuted by the Biden Administration in their war on cryptocurrency, The Guardian quoted the White House as saying in a statement.

The war on crypto is over, the statement added.

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Zhao  widely known by his initials CZ  pleaded guilty in late 2023 to a single charge of failing to maintain an antimoney laundering programme. He stepped down as Binances CEO as part of a $4.3 billion settlement with US authorities and was sentenced to four months in prison.

Once one of the worlds richest individuals, Zhao built Binance into the worlds largest cryptocurrency exchange before his legal troubles led to the platform being barred from operating in the United States.

Trumps decision to pardon Zhao is seen as a major win for both the crypto entrepreneur and Binance, following months of speculation and lobbying.

It also highlights the Trump administrations sharp turn toward easing oversight of the cryptocurrency sector  a move that comes as Trump and his family pursue their own multibillion-dollar crypto ventures.

Incredible news of CZs pardon today. We thank President Trump for his leadership and for his commitment to make the US the crypto capital of the world, The Guardian quoted a spokesperson for Binance as saying in a statement.

Representatives from the Trump familys crypto venture, World Liberty Financial, reportedly held talks with Binance about acquiring a stake in the exchanges US arm, The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this year. Zhao, however, denied any connection between a potential deal and his pardon.

Fact: I have had no discussions of a Binance US deal with  well, anyone, Zhao posted on X in March. No felon would mind a pardon.

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Despite his denial, Binance has played a significant role in boosting the Trump familys crypto enterprise.

Earlier this year, the exchange processed a $2 billion transaction from an Emirati investment fund that was paid in World Liberty Financials own cryptocurrency  a deal that both legitimised and profited the Trump-backed firm.

We thank MGX and Binance for their trust in us, said Zach Witkoff, founder of the Trump familys crypto company, at a Dubai conference announcing the deal in May.

The move has raised alarm among Democratic lawmakers.

In a joint statement, Senators Elizabeth Warren and other members of the Senate Banking Committee warned that Binances dealings with the Trump administration could enrich the president while undermining financial oversight.

The Justice Departments earlier case against Binance accused the company of failing to report more than 100,000 suspicious transactions, including some tied to terrorist groups such as al-Qaida and Hamas. The Securities and Exchange Commission also sued Binance in 2023 but dropped the case shortly after Trump took office.

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With inputs from agencies
Hours after President Trump imposed sweeping sanctions on Russias two largest oil companies, Moscow on Wednesday denounced the move as entirely counterproductive, even as Ukrainian President Zelenskyy hailed the decision as very important.

Hours after US President Donald Trump imposed sweeping sanctions on Russias two largest oil companies, Moscow on Wednesday denounced the move as entirely counterproductive, even as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed the decision as very important.

On Wednesday, President Trump imposed sanctions on Russias two largest oil companies, expressing frustration that his talks with Vladimir Putin to end the Ukraine war dont go anywhere.

The European Union also announced a new round of sanctions aimed at pressuring Russia to halt its ongoing, three-and-a-half-year invasion of Ukraine, a close ally of both Washington and Brussels.

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Trump had delayed taking such measures for months, but his patience ended after plans for a new summit with Putin in Budapest fell through.

Every time I speak with Vladimir, I have good conversations, and then they dont go anywhere, Trump said during a briefing in the Oval Office when asked about the stalled talks.

However, he expressed hope that the tremendous sanctions on Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil would be temporary. We hope that the war will be settled, he added.

Moscow calls sanctions counterproductive

Russias Foreign Ministry slammed the new US sanctions, arguing they would hurt prospects for negotiations to end the war.

These measures are entirely counterproductive, including with respect to dialogue on ending the conflict, CNN quoted ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova as saying on Thursday at her weekly press briefing.

Zakharova maintained, however, that Russias economy would withstand the latest restrictions.

Our country has developed a strong immunity to Western restrictions and will continue to confidently develop its economic and energy potential, she said.

Reacting to a separate decision by the European Union, which on Thursday formally adopted its 19th package of sanctions  including a ban on Russian liquefied natural gas imports  Zakharova said the measures were backfiring.

Its an obvious fact. The sanctions theyre imposing arent working as intended, she told reporters. They are primarily working against the EU.

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Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy chair of the Security Council, took a harder line, comparing the new sanctions to an act of war.

The United States is our adversary, and their talkative peacemaker has now fully embarked on the warpath against Russia, Medvedev wrote on Telegram, accusing Washington of openly siding with Kyiv.

Zelenskyy welcomes important US move

In contrast, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy welcomed the sanctions as a critical step forward. Speaking to reporters in Brussels ahead of an EU leaders summit, Zelenskyy said the action was very important and urged Washington and its allies to sustain pressure on Moscow.

This is an essential step, CNN quoted Zelenskyy as saying. More pressure must be applied to bring Russia to the negotiating table.

Ukraines ambassador to Washington, Olga Stefanishyna, also praised the decision, calling it a demonstration of strength.

This decision fully aligns with Ukraines position that peace can only be achieved through strength and by exerting maximum pressure on the aggressor using all available international instruments, she said in a statement.

China voices opposition

In Beijing, China criticised the US move, saying the sanctions had no basis in international law.

China consistently opposes unilateral sanctions that are not authorised by the United Nations Security Council, AFP quoted foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun as saying on Thursday.

Such actions have no legal basis and do not help resolve the Ukraine crisis, Guo added.

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China, a key trading partner of Russia, has maintained a self-described neutral stance on the war, refusing to condemn Moscows invasion while calling for peace talks.

Responding to Trumps comment that Chinese President Xi Jinping could have a big influence on Putin, Guo reiterated Beijings call for diplomacy.

Dialogue and negotiations are the only feasible way out of the Ukraine crisis, he said.

Guo also objected to the EUs latest sanctions package, which included measures against several Chinese companies accused of aiding Russias military supply chain.

China is neither the creator of the Ukraine crisis nor a party to it, he said. The European side is in no position to make irresponsible remarks about normal exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and Russian enterprises.

He warned that Beijing will take all necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests if the EU continues targeting Chinese firms.

With inputs from agencies
US President Donald Trump is increasing pressure on Russia to end the war in Ukraine as Washington slapped heavy sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, Moscows two largest oil companies

US President Donald Trump is increasing pressure on Russia to end the war in Ukraine as Washington slapped heavy sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, Moscows two largest oil companies. The sanctions were the first imposed against Russia since Trump returned to the White House and aim to cut key revenues from oil sales for Russia.

The move against Russia marks the latest swing of the pendulum under the Trump administration, from coercing Kyiv to sue for peace to growing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putins maximalist demands. Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire, said the treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, in a statement announcing the sanctions against Russia.

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Given President Putins refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russias two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlins war machine. Treasury is prepared to take further action if necessary to support President Trumps effort to end yet another war. We encourage our allies to join us in and adhere to these sanctions," he added.

Trump cancels summit with Putin

While speaking on the matter in the Oval Office with Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump also confirmed the cancellation of the summit with Putin, which was supposed to happen in Budapest, Hungary. We cancelled the meeting with President Putin, Trump said. It didnt feel right to me. It didnt feel like we were going to get to the place we had to get, so I cancelled it. But well do it in the future.

It is pertinent to note that the United Kingdom sanctioned both Rosneft and Lukoil last week. Meanwhile, the European Union has sanctioned Rosneft, the Russian state-owned oil company, but not Lukoil, which is privately owned, largely due to exemptions for Hungary and Slovakia, which buy Russian oil.

The Trump administrations sanctions on Russian oil also came days after a report in the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday said the administration had lifted restrictions on Ukraines use of British-supplied Storm Shadow cruise missiles. This would allow Ukraine to use them for attacks deep inside Russian territory.

However, Trump took to social media to deny that he had lifted any such restrictions. The Wall Street Journal story on the U.S.A.s approval of Ukraine being allowed to use long-range missiles deep into Russia is FAKE NEWS! Trump said. The U.S. has nothing to do with those missiles, wherever they may come from, or what Ukraine does with them," he wrote in the post.

However, the Wednesday sanctions are seen as the latest and most direct attempt to cut revenues from Russian oil sales abroad. Previously, Trump had levied a 25 per cent tariff on goods from India, which he called retaliation for that countrys purchase of discounted Russian oil. Rosneft was the most important Russian firm not yet under full US sanctions, wrote Edward Fishman, a former senior State Department sanctions official.

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However, Fishman mentioned that the big question that remained is whether the US would threaten foreign traders, banks and refineries that continue to facilitate the sale of Russian oil. I expect, at the very least, some pullback from dealings with Russian oil in the short term, Fishman wrote. Whether this marks a long-term, strategic squeeze on Russias oil revenues  the lifeblood of Putins economy  will depend on the US commitment to active, ongoing enforcement.

Meanwhile, Ukraine and its European allies welcomed the move. The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, said she had spoken with Bessent shortly before the announcement and praised the new sanctions. With the imminent adoption of the EUs 19th [sanctions] package, this is a clear signal from both sides of the Atlantic that we will keep up collective pressure on the aggressor, she wrote.
The two aircraft, an Su-30 fighter and Il-78 refuelling tanker, were possibly on a refuelling training mission when they flew 700 metres into Lithuania from Kaliningrad region at about 1500 GMT, the military said

A still photo published by Swedish armed forces that it says shows a Russian mig-31 fighter jet that took part in the violation of Estonian airspace. Swedens military says the image was taken over the Baltic sea after the Russian aircraft left Estonian airspace, still photo released on September 19, 2025. Reuters File

Two Russian military aircraft entered Nato member Lithuanias airspace on Thursday for about 18 seconds, Lithuanias military said.

The two aircraft, an Su-30 fighter and Il-78 refuelling tanker, were possibly on a refuelling training mission when they flew 700 metres into Lithuania from Kaliningrad region at about 1500 GMT, the military said.

This incident once again shows that Russia is behaving like a terrorist state, disregarding international law and the security of neighbouring countries, said Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene on Facebook.

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Lithuania is safe. Together with our allies, we look after and will defend every centimetre of our country, she added.

Spanish Eurofighter Typhoon jets from Nato Baltic Air Police were scrambled in response and are patrolling the area, the military said.

Three Russian military jets violated Estonias airspace for 12 minutes on September 19. Nato scrambled fighters and escorted them out. Russia denied its planes entered Estonia, saying Tallinn had no evidence to back up its claim and was seeking to ratchet up East-West tensions.

Nine days earlier, more than 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace. Nato jets shot some of them down, the first time an alliance member had fired on Russian targets since the start of the war in Ukraine.

The US general serving as Natos top commander said earlier this week that Russia appeared to have been deterred by Natos firm response to the incursions into Polish and Estonian airspace, but Moscow is expected to continue testing boundaries.
Two Ukrainian journalists were killed in a Russian drone strike in Kramatorsk, an attack Ukraines human rights ombudsman condemned as a war crime. The journalists, identified as Olena Hubanova and Yevhen Karmazin, were struck while reporting for the Freedom television channel.

Two Ukrainian reporters lose their lives in a Russian drone strike on Kramatorsk, sparking global outrage over attacks on the press.

Two Ukrainian journalists were killed in a Russian drone strike on Thursday in the eastern city of Kramatorsk. The attack, which targeted a petrol station, has been condemned by Ukraines human rights ombudsman as a war crime.

Donetsk regional governor Vadym Filashkin identified the victims as Olena Hubanova and Yevhen Karmazin, both reporters from the state-funded Freedom television channel. The channel, which produces Russian-language broadcasts, confirmed that the pair were inside their car when it was struck by a Lancet drone. The Lancet is an advanced combat drone designed to destroy heavy military vehicles but has increasingly been used in attacks on civilian areas.

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This tragedy once again demonstrates Russias ongoing war crimes against civilians, Ukraines human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said in a statement on Telegram. The prosecutors office launched a formal war crimes investigation following the attack, confirming that another journalist accompanying the two had been wounded. Photos released by officials showed a wrecked red car and two press-labelled protective vests found in the back seat.

The deaths add to a growing list of journalists killed since the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Ukrainian authorities report that at least 20 journalists have lost their lives in the conflict zone.

Earlier this month, a French photojournalist died and his Ukrainian colleague was severely injured in a similar drone strike near Druzhkivka, south of Kramatorsk. That incident marked the first known instance of a journalist being killed by a drone attack in Ukraine, according to the European Federation of Journalists.

Just last week, Russias state media agency RIA reported that one of its war correspondents was killed and another injured when a Ukrainian drone targeted Russian-occupied territory in the Zaporizhzhia region, underscoring the growing risks journalists face on both sides of the front line.
At EU summit in Brussels, the Ukrainian president urges Europe to unlock frozen Russian funds for defence production and backs a proposed reparations loan to keep Kyivs war effort afloat

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday called for the use of Russias frozen assets to fund Ukraines domestic weapons production and the purchase of European and US arms.

Speaking at a press conference following meetings with European Union leaders in Brussels, Zelenskyy also expressed hope that the European Union would move forward with plans to help Ukraine with a mammoth new reparations loan funded by frozen Russian assets.

I hope that they will make a political decision, positive decision in one or another way to help Ukraine with funds, AFP quoted Zelenskyy as saying.

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The European Commission  the EUs executive arm  has proposed a complex plan under which Ukraine would repay the funds only after Russia compensates for the damage it has caused.

The proposal faces significant legal and political hurdles. Belgium, which holds most of the frozen Russian assets, has sought assurances that other EU members will share any financial risks if Moscow challenges the move in court.

EU officials hope the blocs 27 leaders will give an initial green light on Thursday for the Commission to draft a formal legal framework for the loan.

I think that the dialogue was really, maybe not simple, but it was very good, Zelensky said of the talks. Really we count on decisions on this topic.

Russia brought war to our land, and they have to pay for this war, he said.

Zelenskyy said that any credible plan to end the war must begin with a ceasefire, to be followed by negotiations. He also ruled out any possibility of territorial compromises with Moscow.

Land swaps with Russia are not acceptable, The Guardian quoted Zelenskyy as saying when asked whether he believed US President Donald Trump might reconsider the issue.

The Ukrainian leader added that Ukraines domestically produced long-range missiles are capable of striking targets up to 3,000 km away, though he appeared uncertain about whether Washington would supply Tomahawk missiles.

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Asked to sum up his meeting with President Trump last week, which Ukrainian officials described as tense, Zelenskyy suggested the outcome was better than it perhaps initially seemed.

Zelenskyy came back empty handed after travelling to Washington in the hope of securing US long-range Tomahawk missiles to hit back at Russia  but the meeting was ultimately followed by US sanctions on Russias energy sector.

The result of this meeting  we have sanctions on Russian energy. We dont have a meeting in Hungary without Ukraine, and we have not yet Tomahawks. Thats it. This is the result. I think, not bad, AFP quoted Zelenskyy as saying.

Each day brings something, he added. Maybe tomorrow we will have Tomahawks.

The idea of a summit in Budapest between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin was floated after a call between the two leaders.

But the plan was shelved this week, with Washington expressing its disappointment at the lack of progress in ceasefire negotiations with Moscow and later slapping sanctions on Russias two largest oil companies.

With inputs from agencies
Officials from US President Donald Trumps administration on Wednesday confirmed to various news outlets that the White Houses East Wing will be demolished within days as part of Trumps ballroom project

A demolition crew takes apart the facade of the East Wing of the White House, where US President Donald Trump's proposed ballroom is being built, in Washington, DC, US, October 21, 2025. File Image/Reuters

Officials from US President Donald Trumps administration on Wednesday confirmed to various news outlets that the White Houses East Wing will be demolished within days. However, the revelation is coming at a time when the administration has not submitted plans for the new ballroom to the federal agency that oversees the construction of federal buildings.

While speaking on the matter at the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump was asked by Reuters to respond to the widespread surprise that the entire East Wing is being torn down. The president said that the wing he described as a separate building was never thought of as being much; it was a very small building.

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Rather than allowing that to hurt a very expensive, beautiful building, he continued. In order to do it properly, we had to take down the existing structure. He went on to point at a model of the new ballroom, which was placed on a table in front of him. The model also revealed a new structure leading to the ballroom, located in the area where the East Wing used to be.

The way it was shown, it looked like we were touching the White House. We dont touch the White House," Trump averred. Thats a bridge, a glass bridge going from the White House to the ballroom, Trump said, of the new structure that will replace the East Wing. The president insisted that the result is going to be probably the finest ballroom ever built and that the ballroom is being paid for 100 per cent by me and some friends of mine.

The East Wing might be gone by this weekend

On Wednesday, The New York Times reported, citing a senior administration official, that the ballroom plans will mean the demolition of the entire East Wing. The officials, who asked to remain anonymous, maintained that the demolition should be finished by this weekend.

Meanwhile, two nameless officials told NBC News similar information, noting the entire East Wing of the White House will be demolished within days. On Tuesday, the White House told Reuters it intended to send plans to the National Capital Planning Commission, an agency that typically approves and monitors construction on federal buildings.

However, the demolition process already began earlier this week, with reporters taking video of a backhoe ripping out chunks of the White Houses exterior. Plans for Trumps 90,000 sq ft ballroom were made public in the late summer, with Trump saying he would personally fund the $200m construction. Just another way to spend my money on this construction, he said at the time.

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The White House officials noted that the demolition is allowed without the commissions approval. Will Scharf, the Trump-appointed head of the commission, who is also a White House staff secretary, said in September there was a difference between demolition and rebuilding work. Only the commission can approve new construction.

The National Planning Commission does not require permits for demolition, only for vertical construction. Permits will be submitted to the NPC at the appropriate time," a White House official told The Guardian in a statement.

But in a letter sent to the White House on Tuesday, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a leading historic preservation non-profit created by Congress, told the White House that demolition plans were legally required to go through public review and urged Trump to pause demolition. We are deeply concerned that the massing height of the proposed new construction will overwhelm the White House itself  it is 55,000 sq ft  and may also permanently disrupt the carefully balanced classical design of the White House with its two smaller, and lower, East and West Wings, the group wrote in the letter.

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White House defends the move

Amid the backlash over the demolition, Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, told Fox News on Tuesday that theres a lot of fake outrage out there right now.

While many presidents have dreamt about this, it is actually President Trump who is doing something about it. And he is the builder-in-chief. In large part, he was re-elected to this peoples house because he is good at building things, Leavitt said, noting that many presidents had made changes to the White House.

However, critics have pointed out that, over the summer, Trump said new construction would not affect the existing structure. It wont interfere with the current building. Itll be near it, but not touching it, and [it] pays total respect to the existing building, which Im the biggest fan of, Trump said earlier.

It is pertinent to note that during his first term in office, the White House appointed the commission to install a new fence. However, it was a much smaller project than the construction of the new ballroom.

With inputs from Reuters.
Washington has deployed stealth warplanes and Navy ships in the Caribbean as part of what it calls counter-narcotics efforts, and destroyed at least eight vessels it said were smuggling drugs from Venezuela toward the United States

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro gestures as he holds a press conference, amid rising tensions with the United States over the deployment of US warships in the Southern Caribbean and nearby waters, in Caracas, Venezuela, September 1, 2025. File Image/Reuters

President Nicolas Maduro said Wednesday that Venezuela has 5,000 Russian man-portable surface-to-air missiles to counter US forces deployed in the Caribbean.

Washington has deployed stealth warplanes and Navy ships in the Caribbean as part of what it calls counter-narcotics efforts, and destroyed at least eight vessels it said were smuggling drugs from Venezuela toward the United States.

Venezuela has denounced the deployment as a dress rehearsal for an operation to oust Maduro, whom Washington accuses of running a drug cartel.

In a televised ceremony with senior military leaders, Maduro said Venezuela has Russian-made short-range missiles known as Igla-S  no fewer than 5,000 in key air defense positions to ensure peace.

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The Igla-S, designed to take down low flying planes, has been used in military exercises ordered by Maduro in response to the US military activity, which has enraged leaders in much of Latin America.

The Pentagon has told Congress the United States is in armed conflict with Latin American drug cartels, designating them as terrorist groups and describing suspected smugglers as unlawful combatants.

Experts say the summary killings are illegal even if they target confirmed traffickers.

Regional tensions have flared, with Colombia recalling its ambassador to Washington amid a nasty spat between its leftist president Gustavo Petro and President Donald Trump.

Trump said Wednesday that the US deployment has cut trafficking by sea drastically and is prepared to attack drug traffickers operating on land.
In her memoir Nobodys Girl, Virginia Giuffre, one of the most prominent victims of sex-offender Jeffrey Epstein, has said she was raped by a well-known prime minister. She said he was the most savage of her rapists.

Virginia Giuffre arrives for hearing in the criminal case against Jeffrey Epstein, who died by suicide, at Federal Court in New York, US, on August 27, 2019. (Photo: Shannon Stapleton/Reuters)

In her posthumous memoir Nobodys Girl, Virginia Giuffre, one of the most prominent victims of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, has said she was raped by a well-known prime minister. She said he was the most savage of her rapists.

Six months after her death by suicide, Giuffres memoir was published on Tuesday. The book contains harrowing details about the years of abuse that Epstein and his network subjected her to. She has written about Epsteins partner Ghislaine Maxwell and Prince Andrew of the British Royal Family in detail.

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Giuffre wrote that Epstein lent her to scores of wealthy, powerful people for sex. She said those people were often violent.

In the year 2000, Giuffre said she was 16 years old when Maxwell recruited her at US President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, where she worked as a spa attendant  Trump and Epstein had been close friends since the 1980s. Maxwell recruited her as a massage therapist. But she was pushed into having sex with Epstein. That was the beginning of her years of sexual slavery under Epstein.

The most high-profile person named in Giuffres book and previous accounts is Prince Andrew. She has alleged that he raped her three times in London, New York, and Epstein Island, and knew she was a minor. The infamous photograph of Andrew with his arm around Giuffre, with Maxwell laughing in the background, is among the most damning pieces of evidence linking the disgraced British prince to the sex abuse network.

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)

The prime minister raped me more savagely than anyone: Memoir

In her memoir, Giuffre has written that the prime minister raped me more savagely than anyone had before, according to CNN.

Giuffre wrote that Epstein had trafficked her to the prime minister at his private island in the Caribbean Sea. She did not name the prime minister.

He repeatedly choked me until I lost consciousness and took pleasure in seeing me fear for my life. Horrifically, the Prime Minister laughed when he hurt me and got more aroused when I begged him to stop, said Giuffre.

In the US version of the book, Giuffre wrote that she was raped by a man whom she had taken pains to describe in my legal filings only as a well-known Prime Minister. But CNN noted that the British version of the book refers to the man as a former minister. The reason for the difference was not clear.

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Giuffre wrote that she feared she might die as a sex slave as she was being beaten and raped by the unnamed prime minister.

In my years with them, they [Epstein and associates] lent me out to scores of wealthy, powerful people. I was habitually used and humiliated  and in some instances, choked, beaten, and bloodied. I believed that I might die a sex slave, Giuffre further wrote.

Giuffre wrote that Epstein was aware of the violence and said she would get that sometimes from his clients.

Afterward, I tearfully begged Epstein not to send me back to him. I got down on my knees and pleaded with him. I dont know if Epstein feared the man or if he owed him a favor, but he wouldnt make any promises, saying coldly of the politicians brutality, Youll get that sometimes, wrote Giuffre.
The ceremony, held in the iconic Sistine Chapel, marked the first time a reigning British monarch has engaged in joint public prayer with a Catholic pontiff since King Henry VIIIs rupture with Rome nearly 500 years ago

In a moment of historic religious and diplomatic significance, King Charles III, the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, publicly prayed alongside Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Thursday.

The ceremony, held in the iconic Sistine Chapel, marked the first time a reigning British monarch has engaged in joint public prayer with a Catholic pontiff since King Henry VIIIs rupture with Rome nearly 500 years ago.

The 76-year-old monarch and Queen Camilla are on a state visit to the Holy See, which was described by Buckingham Palace as a historic trip aimed at strengthening rapprochement between the Anglican and Catholic churches.

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The prayer service, broadcast live by the Vatican, was led by Pope Leo XIV, the US pontiff who assumed leadership of the worlds 1.4 billion Catholics in May. He was joined by the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, currently the senior cleric in the Church of England.

The service itself blended Catholic and Anglican traditions, featuring a joint choir performance by the Sistine Chapel choir and the choir from Saint Georges Chapel at Windsor Castle. Reflecting one of the Kings lifelong passions, the ceremony was centered on themes of conservation and protecting the environment.

Watch the video here:

King Charles III assisting the Divine Office led by Pope Leo XIV in the Sistine Chapel, the first time a British monarch has partaken in a religious service with the Bishop of Rome since 855, when thelwulf, King of Wessex, was in Rome for the inauguration of Pope Leo IV. pic.twitter.com/L1qc22jaqk  Catholic Sat (@CatholicSat) October 23, 2025

Earlier in the day, the King and Queen were greeted with a ceremonial guard of honour by the Swiss Guard before holding their first private meeting with Pope Leo in the papal library.

Mending a 500-year schism

The public prayer marked a profound step in healing the schism initiated by King Henry VIII in the 16th century, which established the English monarch as the head of the separate Church of England.

While significant theological differencessuch as the Anglican churchs decision to ordain women and allow priests to marryremain, the relationship has warmed considerably. The Kings mother, Queen Elizabeth II, became the first British monarch to visit the Holy See since the split in 1961, and a law change in 2013 removed the disqualification for a monarch marrying a Catholic.

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In a further gesture of reconciliation and respect for historic ties, King Charles and Queen Camilla are also scheduled to attend a service at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, one of Romes major papal basilicas. There, the King is to be made a Royal Confrater of the basilica and presented with a specially designed seat for use by future British monarchs.
The construction of the big, beautiful ballroom is the first major addition to the White House in more than a century. Demolition work of the East Wing began earlier this week

A demolition crew takes apart the facade of the East Wing of the White House, where US President Donald Trump's proposed ballroom is being built, in Washington, DC, US, October 21, 2025. File Image/Reuters

White House has released the list of donors who are funding the construction of the new ballroom at the complex, the first major renovation project in decades. Officials from US President Donald Trumps administration have confirmed that the White Houses East Wing will be demolished within days.

The president said that the wing he described as a separate building was never thought of as being much; it was a very small building. Rather than allowing that to hurt a very expensive, beautiful building, he continued. In order to do it properly, we had to take down the existing structure.

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Demolition work of the East Wing began earlier this week, making Trumps dream of building a big, beautiful ballroom worth $250 million a reality.

About the project

The construction of the big, beautiful ballroom is the first major addition to the White House in more than a century.

Traditionally, US first ladies have maintained their offices in the East Wing, while the president conducts business from the West Wing. The couple resides together in the Executive Mansion.

While Trump claims that the East Wing is completely separate from the White House itself, it is linked to the main mansion by a covered colonnade.

Trump claims the new 90,000-square-foot ballroom, which can accommodate up to 1,000 guests, is necessary for hosting large state dinners and other events that are currently held in tents.

Who are the donors?

Altria Group, Inc.

Amazon

Apple

Booz Allen Hamilton

Caterpillar, Inc.

Coinbase

Comcast Corporation

J. Pepe and Emilia Fanjul

Hard Rock International

Google

HP Inc.

Lockheed Martin

Meta Platforms

Micron Technology

Microsoft

NextEra Energy, Inc.

Palantir Technologies Inc.

Ripple

Reynolds American

T-Mobile

Tether America

Union Pacific Railroad

Adelson Family Foundation

Stefan E. Brodie

Betty Wold Johnson Foundation

Charles and Marissa Cascarilla

Edward and Shari Glazer

Harold Hamm

Benjamin Leon Jr.

The Lutnick Family

The Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Foundation

Stephen A. Schwarzman

Konstantin Sokolov

Kelly Loeffler and Jeff Sprecher

Paolo Tiramani

Cameron Winklevoss

Tyler Winklevoss
With the second strike on a boat in the Pacific, US President Donald Trump has expanded the military campaign in the international waters. At his orders, the US military has so far killed at least 37 persons after declaring them narcoterrorists  without identifying them or sharing any evidence.

This handout photo released by the US Defence Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) shows the US Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely in the Red Sea on June 7, 2024. It is one of the warships deployed towards Venezuela for counternarcotics operations. (Photo: DVIDS/AFP)

With a second strike on a boat in the Pacific Ocean, US President Donald Trump has expanded the military campaign in the international waters. He also suggested that he could launch military strikes in other countries.

At Trumps orders, the US military on Wednesday struck a second boat in two days in the eastern Pacific Ocean and killed three people on board. So far, the US military has killed 37 individuals in international waters across nine strikes after declaring them narcoterrorists.

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The US military has not identified any of those killed nor has it provided evidence that the boats were carrying drugs.

In a post on X, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the US military had carried out yet another lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organisation (DTO) at Trumps direction  though he did not name the purported terrorist group. As with previous strikes, he claimed the boat was known by our intelligence to be involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, operating on a known narco-trafficking route and carrying narcotics.

ALSO READ  'It's murder': At UN, Colombia calls for 'criminal process' against Trump over US strikes on drug boats

Earlier on Tuesday, the US military had similarly struck another boat in the Pacific and killed two people.

The previous seven US strikes which began on September 2 were all conducted in the Caribbean Sea.

Trump suggests strikes on foreign soil may follow

Following the second Pacific strike, Trump on Wednesday said that he could soon order strikes against land targets abroad, according to The New York Times.

Trump claimed that the US militarys strikes on boats had pushed drug smuggling onto land routes and said he would probably go back to Congress and explain exactly what we are doing before launching strikes on foreign soil. However, he emphasised that he did not require congressional permission for such actions.

Trump said, We will hit them very hard when they come in by land. They havent experienced that yet, but now we are totally prepared to do that.

Trump did not name any countries he might target under such an expanded campaign. However, his actions such as the deployment of several thousand troops, many warships, at least one submarine, and fighter planes and bombers in the Caribbean Sea around Venezuela have raised concerns that the campaign against these boats may be a pretext for armed intervention aimed at ousting Venezuelas longtime ruler, Nicolas Maduro.

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While Trump has claimed he has the authority to order summary killings in international waters by treating purported drug traffickers as enemy combatants, legal scholars and former officials have argued that such an approach violates both US policy and international law. Under longstanding US policy, suspected drug traffickers in international waters are intercepted by law enforcement agencies such as the Coast Guard and brought to US soil for prosecution  not killed without identification or evidence.
The meeting took place immediately after the EU and the US imposed a fresh round of sanctions on Russia, an action Zelenskyy hailed as very important.

The European Union (EU) leaders gathered in Brussels on Thursday for a critical summit alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, navigating high-stakes debates over long-term funding for Kyiv and a major setback in the implementation of the blocs new, contentious migration policy.

The meeting took place immediately after the EU and the US imposed a fresh round of sanctions on Russia, an action Zelenskyy hailed as very important.

The central focus of the day was maintaining unwavering support for Ukraine, with discussions centered on two key mechanisms to pressure Moscow and fund Kyivs defence.

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First, the EU agreed on its latest round of sanctions against Russia, targeting its oil and gas sectors, its shadow fleet of aging tankers used to evade sanctions, and its financial sector. The measures are part of a broader, coordinated effort with the US to choke off revenue funding Russias war machine.

Second, leaders tackled a crucial, yet thorny, proposal: establishing a 140 billion ($162.3 billion) interest-free loan for Ukraine, secured by the profits generated from Russias frozen assets in Europe. The plan faced immediate resistance from some member states, including Belgium, which hosts the majority of the assets. They demanded that all EU countries share the risk of potential Russian retaliation before agreeing to the financing mechanism.

On the diplomatic front, President Zelenskyy provided a cautious outlook on ending the nearly two-year-old conflict. Speaking to reporters upon arrival, he stated that a ceasefire is still possible, but only if the international community applies more pressure on Russia. He also made it clear that Ukraine would accept no territorial concessions in any future peace negotiations.

Migration pact hits pause

In a parallel discussion on the blocs internal struggles, leaders addressed the failure to implement the EUs flagship Migration and Asylum Pact.

The European Commission missed its October 15 deadline to adopt the first Annual Asylum and Migration Report. This critical report is required to launch the mandatory solidarity mechanisma key element of the new pact that obligates member states to either relocate asylum seekers from overburdened frontline countries or pay a fixed fee of 20,000 ($23,187) per person not relocated.

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The delay, attributed to ongoing internal consultations and the complexities of establishing the fair-share formula, means the mandatory relocation and financial contribution scheme is effectively stalled. This failure adds to the political pressure from countries like Poland and Hungary, which have previously stated their opposition to implementing core elements of the pact.
China's leading arbitration body inaugurates 1st overseas branch

Xinhua) 10:39, October 23, 2025

MADRID, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Shanghai Arbitration Commission (SHAC) officially inaugurated its first overseas branch on Tuesday in Spain's southern coastal city of Malaga.

The establishment aims to provide one-stop, full-lifecycle legal and commercial support to both Chinese enterprises and multinational companies navigating international markets, including those investing in China.

Francisco de la Torre, mayor of Malaga, welcomed the inauguration, saying that it helps brand Malaga as an open international city that attracts talent and promotes trade, economy and peace in the world.

Alexander Mejia, division director of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, said he looked forward to cooperation with SHAC European Hub in training lawyers and legal professionals in the future.

Malaga hosts the SHAC European Hub thanks to its geographic advantage linking Europe and Africa, along with its mature legal services sector and presence of international organizations. These advantages offer strong operational support and foster global cooperation in advancing international arbitration standards and practices.

Fan Mingchao, executive vice president of SHAC, at the inauguration ceremony, said, "With the efforts of everyone, we will work together for international commercial diplomacy for peace."

Established in 1995, SHAC is one of China's pioneering arbitration institutions with an internationalized panel of arbitrators.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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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.
Teams from the international T2K and NOvA collaborations, including members from the School of Physics and Astronomy of the University of Glasgow, have published a paper in the prestigious scientific journal Nature, performing precision measurements of the differences between neutrinos and antineutrinos, by combining the data of the T2K and NOvA long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiments in Japan and the USA.

Differences between the way neutrinos and antineutrinos behave could be the reason why matter prevailed over antimatter in the early Universe soon after the Big Bang. The research published today puts the strongest constraints on this matter-antimatter difference observed in neutrinos, known technically as the breaking of the Charge-Parity (CP) symmetry.

The research was carried out in the T2K experiment in Japan and the NOvA experiment in the USA. Neutrinos, and their antimatter counterparts the antineutrinos, come in three types called flavours: electron-, muon- and tau-neutrinos, and can change from one flavour to another as they travel. The T2K experiment sends muon (anti-)neutrinos on a journey of 295 km from the J-PARC complex in Tokai (Ibaraki Prefecture) on the east coast of Japan to the 55-kilotonne Super-Kamiokande detector underneath the Japanese Alps in Kamioka (Gifu Prefecture), where they may transform to the electron flavour. The NOvA experiment sends (anti-)neutrinos from Fermilab, near Chicago (Illinois) for 810 km to a 14 kilotonne far detector in Ash River (Minnesota).

T2K in Japan (left) and NOvA in the United States (right) are both long-baseline neutrino experiments, in which an intense beam of neutrinos travels hundreds of kilometres to be detected at a far detector.

By alternately studying beams of neutrinos and antineutrinos, the experiments can look for differences between how physics treats matter and antimatter, the Charge-Parity symmetry breaking. Since the (anti-)neutrinos traverse the regular matter of the Earth, the measurements are also dependent on the pattern (ordering) of neutrino masses, which can be Normal (the same as all other matter particles) or Inverted.

This can also produce a difference between neutrinos and antineutrinos, so teasing this apart from a real breaking of the Charge-Parity symmetry is critical.

Working independently since 2010 the two experiments came to different conclusions about the combination of effects. Now for the first time, these two experiments have joined forces to create a unique common analysis of all their combined data. The difference in energy and baseline of T2K and NOvA makes the two experiments complementary.

The combined analysis is the most sensitive constraint on Charge-Parity symmetry in neutrino oscillations. Results from NOvA and T2K present a consistent picture if the ordering is Inverted, clearly favouring a difference between neutrinos and antineutrinos. But if the neutrino mass ordering is Normal, more data will be required to determine if neutrino oscillations really do show a difference between matter and antimatter.

Members of the University of Glasgow, led by Dr Phillip Litchfield and Professor Paul Soler, are members of the T2K collaboration and had leading contributions to the T2K-NOvA combined analysis, showing that the two apparently contradictory measurements are still highly consistent with a single model.

This was commenced by Dr Evan Goodman, who completed his PhD thesis on this analysis, and continued by Dr Veera Mikola, a postdoctoral Research Assistant at Glasgow who previously worked on NOvA.

The T2K experiment is supported in Japan by the Japanese Ministry of Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and is funded in the UK by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), in collaboration with other international funding agencies.

Dr Phillip Litchfield, who led the Glasgow T2K-NOvA effort, said Im very proud of our researchers who showed the two experiments fit a consistent pattern. This was not clear when we started, and it is critical for this to be demonstrated for any other conclusions to be drawn from the joint analysis. Although the final picture is not clear yet, its fascinating that combination makes the Inverted ordering more plausible and would point to an even deeper puzzle after we have an answer for the Charge-Parity question.

Professor Paul Soler said: "This has been a unique collaboration between two competing experiments, with the key goal of understanding the difference between matter and antimatter in neutrino and antineutrino oscillations. It is through international scientific collaboration that we can increase the impact of each experiment on its own.

Dr Veera Mikola said: Even though T2K and NOvA are considered competing experiments having worked in both, first as a PhD student in NOvA and now as a postdoc in T2K, it has shown me we all share the same enthusiasm and interest for neutrino physics. This analysis is a culmination of a lot of work from many people across the globe; its an exciting day to celebrate the scientific milestone we have achieved together!

Dr Evan Goodman said: This is an incredible milestone that shows dedication and teamwork of two very different global experiments. These results stand as a testament to the collective goal of advancing our understanding of neutrino physics, and what can be achieved together, despite being competitors. It was an absolute privilege to work with both T2K and NOvA during my PhD, and everyone in both collaborations should be immensely proud.

Further information can be found in the T2K press release.
Iran intel. op. exposes whereabouts of Mossad-linked information warmongers disguising as media professionals

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 22 October 2025 2:37 AM

A successful Iranian intelligence operation has revealed the whereabouts of individuals linked to the Israeli spy agency Mossad, who would serve the Israeli regime's information war against the Islamic Republic.

The revelation, broadcast across national television channels on Tuesday, showed how Iranian intelligence operatives had located the precise residences of several of those either directly employed by or frequently appearing in the so-called "Iran International" anti-Iran television channel.

The broadcasts featured snapshots and details of the individuals' actual residences in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The people included Babak Es'haghi, one of the channel's reporters, whose whereabouts were revealed as the Fabregat Street in the occupied city of Holon near Tel Aviv.

Another was Meir Javedanfar, a regular "Iran International" guest, who constantly defends the Israeli regime and its deadly aggression, and whose house has been located inside Tel Aviv.

Menashe Amir, born in Tehran under the original title of Manouchehr Sachmehchi, who travelled to the occupied territories before the victory of Iran's Islamic Revolution in 1979, was another major anti-Iran figure, whose place of residence was compromised as a result of the intelligence operation. Amir, a decades-old broadcaster working for the regime's radio and foreign ministry, is a self-admitted Zionist, who unashamedly admits to having been directly "appointed" by Mossad.

Israeli military spokesperson Kamal Penhasi, who publically boasts about functioning for a "moral, powerful, and advanced" force, was another such figure found to also live in Holon.

"His movements are under close surveillance" by Iranian intelligence operatives, the broadcast noted.

The intelligence operation has additionally identified an entire building located on Degania Street in Holon, where the channel's employees are based.

Throughout the Israeli regime's and its allies' atrocities, including Tel Aviv's war of genocide in Gaza that began in October 2023 as well as its and the US's unprovoked and unlawful war on Iran in June, "Iran International" would invariably make a point of siding with the adversaries.

After the genocide claimed the lives of around 20,000 Palestinians, Amir once said the massacres "would still not amount to genocide."

Such remarks have outraged even the expatriate Iranian oppositionists, who have been reminding the toll that such atrocities have been taking on non-combatants.

During the 12-day war, the channel would hysterically try to spread chaos throughout the Islamic Republic.

The alarmism once prompted around 450 media activists, including those opposing the Islamic Republic, to decry it as a non-professional network, demanding its boycott, and describing it as "the mouthpiece of the Zionist regime" and a terrorist entity.

Barak Ravid, a reporter working with American website Axios, once averred in a post on X, former Twitter, that "the Mossad is using this media outlet quite regularly for its information war."

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Ceremony for the Air Force's New C-390 Transport Aircraft

Swedish Armed Forces

The Swedish Armed Forces Headquarters - 7 October 2025

The Swedish Armed Forces will receive four new C-390 transport aircraft. Today, a signing ceremony was held at the air base in Uppsala, and the first Swedish aircraft is expected to arrive at the end of 2027.

Present at the ceremony were, among others, Minister of Defence Pal Jonson, Air Force Chief Jonas Wikman, FMV Director General Mikael Granholm, Dutch State Secretary Gijs Tuinman, as well as both national and international media.

"With its capabilities, the C-390 will play a key role in strengthening Sweden's national and international missions and readiness in turbulent times," said Minister of Defence Pal Jonson.

Today's signing marks a long-awaited step in the process of replacing the current Transport Aircraft 84 Hercules. The C-390 will meet the Air Force's operational needs for a long-term tactical airlift capability, while enhancing the Armed Forces' ability to rapidly transport personnel and materiel both nationally and internationally.

Air Force Chief Jonas Wikman emphasized that Swedish Air Force history was made today, and that the C-390 is a welcome addition to Sweden's air fleet.

"This is an important day, a milestone and a springboard into the future. For us, this marks a beginning in many wayswe are in a phase of change within the Air Force, adapting to new challenges," said the Air Force Chief.

Through a joint procurement with the Netherlands and Austria, Sweden is making a long-term investment but with an accelerated process. Since Sweden is joining an already existing contract, the aircraft can be delivered more quickly.

"In this way, we have saved both time and costs, and we can also meet challenges together and cooperate on them," said FMV Director General Mikael Granholm.

The current military transport aircraft have served the Armed Forces for 60 years, and the process to replace the system has been underway for some time. The replacement, the C-390, is manufactured by Embraer and is a tactical medium-range transport aircraft capable of carrying 80 passengers or a load of 26 tons.

During a defence ministers' meeting in Brazil last November, Minister of Defence Pal Jonson signed a declaration of intent to expand cooperation in the aviation field.

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Data on interceptions of aircraft completed near the Baltic States' borders on October 13-19, 2025

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence

2025-10-20

International cooperation

On October 13-19, 2025, the NATO Baltic Air Policing Detachment in the Baltic states conducted four alert scrambles to intercept aircraft of the Russian Federation violating the international flight regulations.

On October 13 NATO air policing fighter aircraft identified and escorted one IL-20 flying via international airspace from Kaliningrad and back. Its onboard transponder was switched off, the crew was not maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre and had no pre-filed flight plan.

On October 14 NATO fighter jets intercepted one IL-20 flying from Kaliningrad to mainland Russia through international airspace. Its onboard transponder was off, the crew was maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre but had no flight plan.

On October 14 NATO fighter aircraft were scrambled in response to one SU-30. The aircraft was flying via international airspace from Kaliningrad and back with its onboard transponder switched off, without the flight plan and without maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre.

On October 15 NATO fighter jets were scrambled to intercept one SU-30SM flying from Kaliningrad and back via international airspace. Its onboard transponder was switched off, the crew had no flight plan and were not maintaining radio communication.

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ADF contribution to Civil-Military Coordination Centre

Issued by Defence Media

22 October 2025

Australia welcomes the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and agreement to President Trump's peace plan.

This peace plan brings a rare and important moment of hope after more than two years of immense suffering and devastation.

As part of this plan, the U.S. Central Command is opening the Civil-Military Coordination Centre (CMCC) in Israel to support stabilisation efforts.

The U.S. has invited partner nations, including Australia, to participate in the CMCC.

In responding to the request, the Australian Government has agreed to provide a Liaison Officer to the CMCC from the Australian Defence Force.

Australia's contribution of a Liaison Officer to the CMCC in Israel is in line with our commitment to support international efforts towards a just and enduring peace.

While Australia's strategic priority remains the Indo-Pacific region, we will always carefully consider opportunities to contribute to international peace and security.

As always, Australia intends to be as constructive as we can as a member of the international community.

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Nordic countries to prepare joint procurement of unmanned aircraft

Finnish Ministry of Defence

22.10.2025 13:23

Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark prepare joint procurements of unmanned aircraft systems and related technologies. The Technical Arrangement was signed in Helsinki on 22 October 2025.

- We will facilitate multinational operations in the Nordic region by enhancing cooperation in the field of unmanned aircraft systems. We will also intensify Nordic cooperation to support Ukraine, Minister of Defence Antti Hakkanen said.

- As the technology develops and needs for updates continue, there is every reason for Nordic cooperation in this field. In addition, growing common procurement volumes enable the industry to increase its production capacity, and reduce the countries' national procurement costs.

In addition to actual procurements, cooperation will also be intensified in the fields of research and development, training and exchange of information.

As separate procurements the four countries will also launch Nordic procurement of micro-sized drones within the framework of the NATO Support and Procurement Agency partnership, and a Nordic procurement of mini-sized drones within the framework agreements of the Danish Ministry of Defence.

The Technical Arrangement and the Implementation Agreements were signed by Nordic armaments directors in Helsinki on 22.10.2025.

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UN Court: Blocking Humanitarian Aid to Palestine Violates International Law

Government of Norway

Press release | Date: 22/10/2025

The Advisory Opinion initiated by Norway confirms that Israel must facilitate the provision of humanitarian aid and other life-saving provisions in Palestine.

'The Advisory Opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) today confirms what Norway has long held: Israel must allow the UN, humanitarian organizations, and third states to deliver life-saving humanitarian assistance and basic services to Palestinians living under occupation. This is a clear message from the Court,' said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre.

Norwegian Initiative

The ICJ's opinion follows a resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly in December last year, upon Norway's initiative. The resolution asked the UN's principial judicial organ to assess Israel's obligations under international law, including its duty to facilitate humanitarian access to Gaza. The resolution was supported by 137 countries.

The work of the UN and other humanitarian actors in Gaza has also been highlighted as essential in President Trump's 20-point Peace Plan to end the war and achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict between Israel and Palestine. The ICJ's Advisory Opinion further clarifies the extent of Israel's legal obligations, which are also relevant in the implementation of the Agreement.

'Due to the occupation and the ongoing war, the two million inhabitants of Gaza depend on humanitarian assistance. The Court confirms the indispensable role of UNRWA in the current situation, and that Israel is obliged not to obstruct the Agency's operations. The recent escalation, with multiple ceasefire violations, shows how fragile the situation is. Life-saving aid must continue to enter, and the ceasefire must hold,' said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide.

Important Clarifications

In the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, the occupation and closure regime are becoming increasingly restrictive. Israel also imposes strict limitations on how the UN and the international community can work to improve the lives of Palestinians in the West Bank. The ICJ's advisory opinion provides important legal clarifications regarding Israel's obligations as an occupying power. It also outlines Israel's specific obligations to ensure that the international community at large - including the UN, aid organizations, and third states like Norway - can be present and assist the population in Palestine. This follows, inter alia, from the Fourth Geneva Convention, to which Israel is a party, and customary international law.

'Also in the West Bank, parts of the population rely on assistance from the UN and other actors to access education, healthcare, and food. When Israel hinders this work, it breaches its obligations under international law. Respect for international law is a prerequisite for a rules-based world order,' said Mr. Eide.

Follow-Up in the UN

Together with several other countries, Norway will now follow up the Advisory Opinion with a separate resolution in the UN General Assembly. This is standard practice when the General Assembly has requested an advisory opinion. The resolution will express clear support for the ICJ's findings and, most importantly, help ensure their implementation to improve the situation for the Palestinians.

These findings include:

That the State of Israel, as an occupying Power, is required to fulfil its obligations under international humanitarian law. These obligations include the following: to ensure that the population of the Occupied Palestinian Territory has the essential supplies of daily life, including food, water, clothing, bedding, shelter, fuel, medical supplies and services;

to agree to and facilitate by all means at its disposal relief schemes on behalf of the population of the Occupied Palestinian Territory so long as that population is inadequately supplied, as has been the case in the Gaza Strip, including relief provided by the United Nations and its entities, in particular the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, other international organizations and third States, and not to impede such relief;

to respect and protect all relief and medical personnel and facilities;

to respect the prohibition on forcible transfer and deportation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory;

to respect the right of protected persons from the Occupied Palestinian Territory who are detained by the State of Israel to be visited by the International Committee of the Red Cross; and

to respect the prohibition on the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare;

that, as an occupying Power, the State of Israel has an obligation under international human rights law to respect, protect and fulfil the human rights of the population of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including through the presence and activities of the United Nations,other international organizations and third States, in and in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory;

that the State of Israel has an obligation to co-operate in good faith with the United Nations by providing every assistance in any action it takes in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, including the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, in and in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory;

that the State of Israel has an obligation under Article 105 of the Charter of the United Nations to ensure full respect for the privileges and immunities accorded to the United Nations, including its agencies and bodies, and its officials, in and in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory;

that the State of Israel has an obligation under Article II of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations to ensure full respect for the inviolability of the premises of the United Nations, including those of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, and for the immunity of the property and assets of the Organization from any form of interference;

that the State of Israel has an obligation under Articles V, VI and VII of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations to ensure full respect for the privileges and immunities accorded to the officials and experts on mission of the United Nations, in and in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

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World Court rules Israel must allow humanitarian aid into Gaza

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Oct 22, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has called on Israel to refrain from applying its unilateral laws in the occupied Palestinian territories, while criticizing the regime for restricting aid deliveries to the war-ravaged Gaza.

In an advisory opinion delivered on Wednesday, the ICJ said that Israel, as an "occupying power", has no jurisdiction to exercise sovereignty over the West Bank and al-Quds, in reference to an annexation plan approved by the Knesset earlier today.

Yuji Iwasawa, a prominent Japanese lawyer and the current president of the ICJ, also criticized the Tel Aviv regime for terminating cooperation with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

He called for Israel to facilitate all relief programs for Palestinians living in the occupied territories, saying the Court unanimously believes Israel, as an occupying power, is obliged to implement its legal obligations.

Iwasawa also announced that there was a unanimous decision on the prohibition of the use of starvation as a weapon of war, referring to Israel's banning of UNRWA, the main provider of aid to Gaza, from operating there.

Israel "is under the obligation to agree to and facilitate relief schemes provided by the United Nations and its entities, including UNRWA," he added.

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Allied corps commanders meet in finland

NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE)

Sep 22 2025

Press Release FRI 19 SEPT 2025

By Allied Land Command Public Affairs

ROVANIEMI, Finland -- Commanders from across NATO's army corps headquarters and land forces met here Sep 15-16 to discuss plans to experiment and field new technologies critical to establishing ground deterrence and providing ready land forces to the Alliance.

Hosted by LANDCOM commander U.S. Army Gen. Christopher Donahue, the Land Corps Commanders' Conference is a semi-annual event led by Allied Land Command. The conference brings together senior land forces leaders to align efforts and drive transformation into tangible land domain results.

"LC3 brings together leaders from the land domain, special forces commands, and component commands to plan how we strengthen our deterrence posture," said Donahue.

The two-day event served as a platform to discuss cohering LANDCOM's ability to support NATO's Regional Plans through the Eastern Flank Deterrence Line.

"We convened this group in Finland, one our Alliance's newest members, to ensure we have a unified approach across the eastern flank," said Donahue. "This is accomplished through the Eastern Flank Deterrence Line - a forward looking all-domain approach to ensure we protect every inch of Alliance territory."

Donahue explained that the concept leverages unmanned and minimally-manned systems, backed with an integrated mission command network using live data to accelerate decision-making, to complement Allied forward posture along NATO's Eastern Flank to sense, disrupt and defeat adversaries.

The concept and related capabilities are being tested by Allied Land Command and NATO Allies at exercises and demonstrations in the field, to include simulations of large-scale operations such as Exercise Steadfast Duel in October.

September's conference was co-hosted by the Finnish Army and its commander Lt. Gen. Pasi Valimaki at the Finnish Jaeger Brigade's headquarters in Northern Finland, to provide attendees an orientation to the arctic terrain.

"LC3 provided an excellent opportunity to our allies to familiarize with operating under the conditions of the High North," said Valimaki. "This event gave concrete additional criteria for continuing the planning of Eastern Flank Deterrence Line."

"Finland holds NATO's longest direct land border with Russia," said U.K. Air Marshal Johnny Stringer, deputy commander of Allied Air Command. "Holding the conference at Rovaniemi underscores NATO's commitment to defending its northeastern flank and adapting to the security environment in the High North and Baltic region."

Founding Alliance member Norway also provided perspective on the significance of hosting the conference in Finland.

"This conference was a strong confirmation of the unity in NATO and of the fact that all Nordic countries belong to NATO now," said Chief of the Norwegian Army Maj. Gen. Lars Lervik. "It was a great opportunity to talk about the land power and what is needed today and in the future. Also, we Nordic countries could point out how we can use our capabilities, what we can offer."

For more information on Allied Land Command, please visit https://lc.nato.int/.

Story by Public Affairs Office at LANDCOM

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NZDF ship and aircraft deploy to Indo-Pacific region for operations and exercises

New Zealand Defence Force

The New Zealand Defence Force will shortly deploy air and naval assets to support United Nations monitoring of North Korea as it also conducts operations, training and engagements with partners while in the region.

22 October, 2025

The NZDF regularly deploys assets and personnel throughout the Indo-Pacific as part of New Zealand's commitment to supporting a secure and prosperous region.

A Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon will this month participate for the first time in a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force-led Annual Exercise. The tactical exercise, involving anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, is a multilateral exercise involving Japan, the United States, Australia, Canada, France and New Zealand.

It takes place around Japan and will involve about 20 vessels and 20 aircraft.

Air Component Commander Air Commodore Andy Scott said the exercise was "a fantastic opportunity to train with partners in the region, demonstrate interoperability, build on our relationships, and strengthen cooperation between our forces".

Following the exercise, the Poseidon and personnel will continue to be based in Japan to contribute to operations detecting and deterring evasions of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions resolutions on North Korea.

The sanctions are intended to persuade North Korea to denuclearise and abandon its ballistic missile weapons capabilities.

Patrols, over international waters, look for violations of the sanctions resolutions including illicit ship-to-ship transfers of banned goods such as oil and coal.

For the second year, Royal New Zealand Navy sustainment vessel HMNZS Aotearoa will also contribute to the UNSC efforts.

After time in Singapore and fresh from the Five Power Defence Arrangements' Exercise Bersama Lima, HMNZS Aotearoa, with an embarked Seasprite helicopter, has been readying for its contribution to UNSC monitoring.

Last year, the ship located four vessels of interest, questioned 62 vessels and broadcast 52 deterrent messages. It also conducted nine operational replenishments at sea to allow partner nations' warships to stay at sea longer and increase the effectiveness of the overall effort.

Commanding Officer, Commander Rob Welford, said the ship would again conduct surveillance patrols and reporting as well as replenishments of partner nation vessels, operating in the region.

"Last year, there was considerable interest shown by Chinese Peoples' Liberation Navy ships and we also saw Russian Federation Navy vessels as well. And then on top of that there's the unpredictability of the country we're enforcing sanctions on," he said.

"Supporting the international rules-based order is a very real statement when you're on the water up here doing the mahi."

"I know I can talk on behalf of everybody aboard the ship when I say we're looking forward to playing our part again," he said.

The ship will also conduct official visits to Vietnam and the Philippines while in the region.

New Zealand contributes to the Pacific Security Maritime Exchange, a multinational coalition formed in 2018 to monitor UNSC sanctions. The NZDF has been deploying its long-range maritime patrol aircraft to conduct UNSC monitoring missions since then.

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Pakistan Strongly Condemns Israel's Violations of the Gaza Peace Agreement

Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Pakistan strongly condemns the renewed attacks by the Israeli occupying forces in Gaza, resulting in the loss of numerous civilian lives. Such actions run contrary to the spirit of the peace agreement signed in Sharm El-Sheikh in the presence of leadership from Muslim and the Arab world, US, Europe, and the UN.

Pakistan urges the international community, to take urgent and effective measures to end these violations and to ensure full implementation of the ceasefire and protection of Palestinian civilians.

Reaffirming its unwavering support for the Palestinian people, Pakistan calls for an immediate end to Israeli hostilities and reiterates its principled position for the establishment of an independent, sovereign, viable and contiguous State of Palestine, based on pre-June 1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

Islamabad

22 October 2025

311/2025



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PCG, Sweden discuss challenges in WPS

Philippine News Agency

By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz

October 22, 2025, 6:03 pm

MANILA -- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Sweden met on Wednesday to discuss the Philippines' challenges in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and the rest of its territorial waters, in particular on maritime threats and efforts to secure the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

In a statement, the PCG said the visit is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s order for continuous collaboration and cooperation with foreign nations.

"The courtesy visit reflected the strong and enduring friendship between the Philippines and Sweden and marked another step forward in their mutual pursuit of enhanced maritime cooperation and regional stability," it said.

During the visit, the PCG welcomed and gave a comprehensive briefing on the situation in the WPS to Daniel Wolven, the Deputy Director General Department for Asia, the Pacific Region and Latin America of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, and other Swedish delegates.

The PCG also discussed current maritime threats, PCG patrol operations, and efforts to safeguard the country's EEZ.

For his part, Wolven acknowledged the challenges of the PCG in the WPS and commended the agency's transparency efforts.

He also noted the recent survey recognizing the PCG as the most reliable government for updates and reports on the WPS.

PCG Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, was represented in the meeting by Deputy Commandant for Operations, Vice Admiral Edgar Ybanez.

Ybanez thanked Wolven for Sweden's continued friendship with the Philippines, for advancing shared maritime interests, and for upholding the rules-based international order.

He also highlighted Sweden's continued support in providing opportunities for PCG officers to pursue postgraduate studies at the World Maritime University in Malmo, Sweden. (PNA)

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Chinese defense spokesperson condemns Australia's P-8A patrol aircraft for illegally intruding into China's airspace

Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China

Source China Military Online

EditorChen Zhuo

Time2025-10-22 11:27:53

BEIJING, Oct. 22 -- "Australia has infringed upon and provoked China, yet slandered China's defense actions as 'unsafe' and 'unprofessional'. Such fallacies are utterly unacceptable anywhere," said Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense (MND), in a statement on Wednesday.

The spokesperson made the above remarks when responding to a recent statement of the Australian Government Department of Defence, which claimed that the Chinese PLA Air Force aircraft conducted "unsafe, unprofessional maneuver" and released flares to the RAAF P-8A aircraft patrolling the South China Sea on October 19, and this has "posed a risk" to the aircraft and its personnel.

"The Australia's statement is a blatant distortion of facts. It falsely accused China, attempting to cover up the vile act of its military aircraft illegally intruding into China's airspace. We are strongly dissatisfied with this and have lodged stern representations with the Australian side," slammed Spokesperson Jiang.

It should be emphasized that the Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command organized its troops to firmly intercept and expel the Australian military aircraft that violated the airspace of China's Xisha, and the relevant actions were legitimate, professional and restrained, the spokesperson continued, adding that "Australia has infringed upon and provoked China, yet slandered China's defense actions as 'unsafe' and 'unprofessional'. Such fallacies are utterly unacceptable anywhere."

The spokesperson urged the Australian side to immediately cease its infringement, provocation and incitement, strictly restrain the actions of its frontline maritime and aerial forces, and avoid undermining the relations between China and Australia and their militaries. "The Chinese military will continue to take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and security, and firmly uphold regional peace and stability," he stressed.

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ICJ rules Israel must give humanitarian aid access to Gaza

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 22 October 2025 6:56 PM

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ordered Israel to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid into the besieged Gaza Strip, underscoring its legal obligation as an occupying power to ensure Palestinians have access to essential goods for survival.

In a ruling on Wednesday, the ICJ stated that Israel is obliged "to ensure the basic needs of the local population, including the supplies essential for their survival."

The court added that Israel is "also under a negative obligation not to impede the provision of these supplies."

ICJ President Yuji Iwasawa further stressed that Israel must "agree to and facilitate relief schemes provided by the United Nations and its entities," including UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.

Israel has banned UNRWA from operating in the territory after accusing some of its staff of involvement in the al-Aqsa operation in October 2023

As part of its findings, the ICJ said that Israel has failed to show evidence that UNRWA was working for the Palestinian resistance group Hamas as the regime had claimed.

"The court finds that Israel has not substantiated its allegations that a significant part of UNRWA's employees are members of Hamas," Iwasawa said.

Meanwhile, UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini welcomed the ICJ ruling, saying Israel must facilitate the agency's distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza.

"I welcome the unambiguous ruling by the International Court of Justice today stating that - Israel is under an obligation to agree to & facilitate relief schemes provided by the United Nations & its entities, in particular UNRWA," Lazzarini said on X.

"Israel's claim that Unrwa is infiltrated by Hamas was not substantiated, nor were allegations that Unrwa is not a neutral organisation," he stated.

The UN official added that the humanitarian organisation has "huge amounts of food & other life saving supplies on standby in Egypt & Jordan," and it possesses "the resources and expertise to immediately scale up the humanitarian response in Gaza & help alleviate the suffering of the civilian population."

Israel must not use starvation as method of warfare: ICJ

Iwasawa also said that Israel cannot use starvation as a method of warfare.

"The court recalls Israel's obligation not to use starvation of the civilian population as a method of warfare," the ICJ judge noted.

The wide-ranging ICJ ruling came as aid groups are scrambling to scale up much-needed humanitarian assistance into Gaza, seizing upon a fragile ceasefire agreed earlier this month.

Hamas has been saying that Israel is failing to uphold the terms of the Gaza ceasefire agreement by refusing to reopen the crucial Rafah border crossing with Egypt.

Last year, the same court ruled the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land illegal and stated that all illegal settlements had to be removed.





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Israel's Knesset backs West Bank annexation bill amid US vice president's visit

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 22 October 2025 5:59 PM

Israel's Knesset gave preliminary approval to a controversial bill extending Israeli law to the occupied West Bank, a move seen as a step toward annexation, coinciding with US Vice President JD Vance's visit to occupied al-Quds.

The legislation, introduced by opposition lawmakers outside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party, passed narrowly by 25-24 on Wednesday.

While some members of Netanyahu's coalition supported the West Bank annexation bill, Likud itself did not formally endorse it.

The preliminary vote is the first of four readings required to pass the law. The current approval will have no immediate legal effect, but it signals rising political pressure within Netanyahu's cabinet to formalize control over the Palestinian territory.

The move has drawn swift criticism from Israel's Western allies, Arab countries, and international rights groups.

Jordan condemned the measure as a "blatant violation of international law," warning it undermines the two-state solution and the Palestinians' "inalienable right to self-determination."

In a statement on X, Jordan's foreign ministry spokesperson, Fouad Al-Majali, reiterated the Kingdom's "absolute rejection and strong condemnation of any Israeli attempts to impose sovereignty over the occupied West Bank."

Al-Majali also said that all Israeli measures in the occupied West Bank and violations of Islamic and Christian holy sites in occupied al-Quds "are illegitimate and illegal."

The Kingdom called on the international community to force Israel to halt its "dangerous escalation" in the West Bank.

Last month, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) warned that the annexation of the West Bank would cross a "red line" for the Persian Gulf state.

The United Nations has repeatedly declared that Israel's settlements and occupation of the West Bank are illegal under international law.

Netanyahu had considered annexation in response to several Western countries recognizing a Palestinian state in September.





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Islamic Jihad vows to keep arms while upholding Gaza ceasefire

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 22 October 2025 3:48 PM

The Palestinian resistance movement Islamic Jihad has reaffirmed its commitment to the ceasefire agreement with the Israeli regime in Gaza, while vowing not to lay down its arms.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Abu Hamza, the military spokesman of the al-Quds Brigades, the group's armed wing, said the movement would continue to resist the Israeli occupation of "our land, even if it lasts for years."

"We will not abandon our weapons," Abu Hamza stressed the group's unwavering stance.

The spokesman emphasized that the movement maintains a strong relationship with other resistance factions.

"We are facing a pivotal and difficult stage and stand at a historic crossroads, where the people, the nation, and the resistance stand together, at one of the stations of Arab and Islamic struggle," the statement added.

It noted that the Israeli war on Gaza, which ended earlier this month with a ceasefire after nearly two years, was not a reaction to the al-Aqsa Flood operation, "but rather reflects a premeditated intention for an extermination war with unlimited American support."

Abu Hamza asserted that the October 7, 2023, operation "was imposed on us and came as a response to the endless crimes" of Israel, including the occupation of al-Quds and the West Bank, its attacks and siege of Gaza, as well as the human rights violations committed against Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

"The [Israeli] occupation's 'army' lacks humanity and values; it is a racist thug army."

The statement honored the resistance fighters who lost their lives during the war, including the former spokesman of al-Quds Brigades, Naji Maher Abu Saif.

Islamic Jihad also commended the support provided to Palestine by "a faithful group in Lebanon, Yemen, and Iran" during the war.

Israel's two-year-long genocidal war on Gaza killed nearly 68,300 Palestinians and left 170,373 people injured.

The truce represents the first phase of US President Donald Trump's 20-point Gaza ceasefire plan, with subsequent stages expected to be negotiated at a later date.

The Israeli regime has since killed dozens of Palestinians in attacks across Gaza in violation of the ceasefire.

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Hamas plans 'largest' operation against Israeli-backed gangs in Gaza

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 22 October 2025 11:16 AM

Hamas is intensifying its security campaign against armed gangs and militias in Gaza that collaborate with the Israeli military, officials say, aiming to restore full control and stability across the strip.

A senior security source from Gaza's Ministry of Interior has said that Hamas will soon launch its largest operation yet to dismantle remaining armed gangs that continue to work with the Israeli occupation forces.

Since the October 10 ceasefire, Hamas forces have been actively targeting these militias, successfully disarming several factions, including the notorious Doghmush clan in Gaza City.

However, some militias remain active in areas still under Israeli control, notably the so-called "Popular Forces" led by Yasser Abu Shabab in eastern Rafah and the "Popular Army" headed by Ashraf al-Mansi in northern Gaza.

These groups have been identified as collaborators, receiving arms, funding, and logistical support from the Israeli military.

"The number of gang members collaborating with the occupation is now limited to a few hundred across Gaza, excluding the Abu Shabab militia, which alone has around 2,000 members," the security official said.

"These groups have been implicated in kidnappings, assassinations, sabotage, and providing armed cover for Israeli forces."

Recent intelligence gathered through interrogations reveals the extent of coordination between these militias and the Israeli army, including carrying out security sweeps and attacks on resistance fighters.

"Militia members often attempt raids near Israeli positions, but Hamas security forces confront and neutralize them," the official added.

The Israeli army has acknowledged Hamas's reassertion of control over areas it withdrew from, with local militias reportedly disbanded or defeated, except for the persistent Abu Shabab group.

The Interior Ministry noted that al-Mansi's "Popular Army," active near the northern Erez Crossing, is the weakest faction and operates under close Israeli protection, complicating Hamas's efforts to confront them directly.

Hamas's crackdown has involved seizing large quantities of weapons, including Kalashnikov rifles, machine guns, ammunition, and vehicles supplied by Israel to these militias.

Although these groups receive only small arms, their leadership obtains funds, advanced supplies, and direct orders from Israeli soldiers for operations targeting Palestinians and resistance members.

Several high-profile kidnappings have been linked to these militias, including the abduction of Dr. Marwan al-Hums, head of Gaza's Health Ministry hospitals, and his daughter, further underscoring their threat to Gaza's internal security.

Despite the West's criticism of Hamas's security campaign, many local tribal leaders and communities have expressed support, viewing it as essential to ending collaboration with Israel and preserving Gaza's sovereignty.

The Hamas security source said an amnesty window was offered to militia members willing to disarm and surrender, except those involved in killings or torture. The period officially ended last Sunday, but operations continue.

"In the coming days, we will launch our largest security campaign yet, targeting multiple areas where these groups remain," the official said. "Our goal is to eliminate all collaborators and ensure peace and security for the people of Gaza."

Hamas officials and Gaza security sources say the Israeli military, and elements within the US policy apparatus are seeking to use these militias as proxies to undermine Hamas's authority and fracture Gaza after the ceasefire  an effort they failed through monthslong Israeli military invasion.

Last Thursday, US President Donald Trump warned that he would endorse attacks on Hamas, effectively breaking the ceasefire, if it continues to target gangs and Israeli collaborators in Gaza.

"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," Trump wrote in a social media post.

The threats against Hamas appear to signal an about-face from Trump, who earlier in the week suggested that he was fine with the group's crackdown on gangs in the Palestinian territory.

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Joint Statement on the Third Meeting of the Joint Security Coordination Mechanism for the Peace Agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda

US Department of State

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

October 22, 2025

The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of Rwanda, the State of Qatar, and the African Union Commission on the occasion of the third Joint Security Coordination Mechanism meeting held this week in Washington, D.C.

Begin text.

On October 21-22, 2025, representatives from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Rwanda, along with the United States, the State of Qatar, and the African Union Commission convened the third meeting of the Joint Security Coordination Mechanism (JSCM) in Washington, D.C. to advance the implementation of the Washington Peace Agreement signed on June 27, 2025.

JSCM members reaffirmed their commitment to the Operations Order (OPORD), which serves as the implementation plan for advancing the Concept of Operations (CONOPS) negotiated during the previous JSCM and finalized at the Joint Oversight Committee (JOC) meeting on October 1.

Participants reviewed progress since the September 17-18 JSCM and the October 1 JOC meetings, including efforts under Phase 1 of the OPORD, which focused on preparation through threat analysis and information sharing. Building on this foundation, the parties coordinated specific actions to lay the groundwork toward neutralizing the FDLR and lifting Rwanda's defensive measures.

JSCM members planned to monitor progress and address challenges, as well as confirmed the fourth JSCM would be held on November 19-20.

The Governments of the DRC and Rwanda expressed their appreciation to the United States, Qatar, and the African Union for their continued support and facilitation of the peace process.

All participants remain committed to advancing durable peace and stability in eastern DRC and the Great Lakes region.

End text.

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Secretary Rubio's Meeting with Hungarian Foreign Minister Szijjarto

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

October 22, 2025

The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott:

Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto today to discuss shared strategic priorities. The Secretary thanked Foreign Minister Szijjarto for his government's commitment to peace and stability in Europe. The leaders also concurred on concrete ways to enhance U.S.-Hungary energy cooperation.

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Secretary Rubio's Call with Swedish Foreign Minister Stenergard

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

October 22, 2025

The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott:

Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Stenergard today. They discussed the importance of pursuing President Trump's goal of ending the Russia-Ukraine war and Sweden's leading role in providing European support to Ukraine.

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Secretary Rubio's Call with Bolivian President-Elect Paz

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

October 22, 2025

The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott:

Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke today with Bolivia's President-Elect Rodrigo Paz Pereira to congratulate him on his historic election. The Secretary emphasized that this moment marks a transformative opportunity for Bolivia and our region. The Secretary reaffirmed our nation's willingness to partner with Bolivia to encourage economic security and prosperity and U.S. support to combat transnational criminal organizations that threaten our hemisphere.

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No: 213, 22 October 2025, Regarding the Israeli Parliament's Attempt to Annex the Occupied West Bank

Republic of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The step taken by the Israeli parliament towards the annexation of the occupied West Bank, in violation of international law, is null and void.

This provocative step, taken at a time when efforts to establish peace in Gaza are ongoing, threatens the already fragile security and stability environment in the region.

The West Bank including East Jerusalem, which has been under Israeli occupation since 1967, is the territory of the State of Palestine. Israel's unlawful faits accomplis in the West Bank must not be allowed.

Turkiye will continue to defend the inalienable rights of the Palestinians and to support efforts towards the establishment of an independent, sovereign, and contiguous State of Palestine on the basis of 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

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The UK strongly condemns the violence that continues to undermine efforts to restore democratic rule in Haiti: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Speech

Statement by Ambassador Archie Young, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Haiti.

From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Archie Young CMG

Published 22 October 2025

Location: United Nations, New York

Delivered on: 22 October 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

The security situation in Haiti remains a key concern for the United Kingdom. The impacts are devastating, especially for the most vulnerable.

OCHA data shows a rape occurs every two hours in Haiti. Of the victims, 15% are underage girls and 75% are those forced from their homes due to conflict. This is the brutal reality.

We pay tribute to Kenya for its continued leadership of the Multinational Security Support mission. The Council delivered increased security support to Haiti earlier this month and we thank the US and Panama for their leadership.

As a result, the MSS will be converted into a larger and better equipped Gang Suppression Force backed by a UN Support Office.

It is now time for the Transitional Presidential Council to step up and match the international community's efforts. The Haitian authorities must work at pace to lay the necessary legislation to enable free and fair elections.

We call on all Haitian political actors to put their differences aside and to work together in good faith to improve governance in Haiti, particularly ahead of the 7 February deadline for elections. We welcome efforts by SRSG Ruiz Massieu to help unlock much needed progress.

The UK strongly condemns the violence that continues to undermine efforts to restore democratic rule in Haiti. Over 90% of Port-au-Prince is under the control of gangs.

We remain committed to using UN sanctions to maintain pressure on those who seek to destabilise the country and welcome the adoption of further sanctions last week. However, this does not go far enough. It is important that future sanctions target the political and economic supporters who prop up these gangs.

Children continue to bear the brunt of violence in Haiti. Armed gangs are systematically recruiting minors, fuelling a surge in exploitation, sexual and gender-based violence and abuse. These atrocities spread fear and inflict lasting trauma on Haiti's young people.

Actions to address security should include efforts to disarm, demobilise, and reintegrate children and we encourage BINUH to continue working with the Haitian authorities on this.

Stability and lasting peace can only be achieved if the efforts of the international community are matched with decisive political action by all Haitian stakeholders, which focuses on the needs of the Haitian people, who have already suffered for far too long.



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UK reaffirms commitment to NATO peacekeeping in Kosovo

Press release

Announcement continues UK's longstanding support to Kosovo both bilaterally and through NATO

From: Ministry of Defence, Alistair Carns DSO OBE MC MP and The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP

Published 22 October 2025

The British Armed Forces will continue to support a NATO-led peacekeeping mission in Kosovo for at least another three years.

The UK has been a key contributor to the UN-mandated NATO Kosovo Force (KFOR) since it first entered Kosovo in 1999 as a peacekeeping force to bring peace and stability following the conflict of the 1990s.

The commitment centres around a reserve force of hundreds of British soldiers who could be deployed out to Kosovo to assist the mission at short notice, if required. The last major UK deployment to support the mission took place in 2023 after a violent attack against police in northern Kosovo.

The extension of UK support to KFOR until at least December 2028 delivers on the government's 'NATO first' approach as set out in the Strategic Defence Review, while boosting security in the Western Balkans.

The announcement comes as the Prime Minister hosts the Western Balkans Leaders' Summit in London today to discuss closer collaboration to tackle the shared challenge of irregular migration.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

The UK's commitment to peace and security in the Western Balkans is unwavering. By extending our support to NATO's Kosovo Force, we are demonstrating our role as a leading NATO ally and standing by our values of stability and democracy. Working closely with our partners in the Western Balkans is vital, not only for regional stability, but to ensure security here at home.

Kosovo is an important bilateral partner, with the UK having been the first country to recognise its independence in 2008.

The international NATO peacekeeping mission, supported by more than 30 nations, was established after NATO's 78-day air campaign in 1999 against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, aimed at preventing a humanitarian catastrophe in Kosovo.

It comes as the UK Ministry of Defence prepares to launch a new course targeted to Western Balkans nations that will commence early next year, designed to help build understanding among defence and security organisations on issues around protecting civilian lives, including promoting the role of women in defence.

Training of this kind is widely viewed as one of the most effective methods contributing towards conflict prevention and would encourage the development of a network of peers in the region who could be consulted in future. The UK will invite Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia to participate.

Minister for the Armed Forces, Al Carns, said:

Our troops have carried out hundreds of missions over the decades in support of KFOR and this extension to our commitment will keep Kosovo and the Western Balkans safer. Peacekeeping is a critical component of our commitment to keep the UK secure at home and strong abroad, and I would like to thank the hundreds of British troops who remain ready to step up to keep the UK and Europe safe.

UK forces have worked to enhance KFOR's Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance capability, significantly increasing the mission commanders' situational awareness - ensuring the operation can provide a safe and secure environment for the entire population.

The support is financed through the government's Integrated Security Fund, which is shared by multiple departments in tackling national security challenges faced by the UK and partners.

KFOR acts as one of the main security providers in Kosovo, with troops contributed by more than 30 nations including Italy, Turkey, Poland and the US, as well as the UK.

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Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Ukraine, Tropical Storm Melissa, Syria

UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Occupied Palestinian Territory

Humanitarian scale-up continues in Gaza

OCHA reports that since the ceasefire took effect more than 10 days ago, the UN and its partners have made progress in scaling up response efforts in Gaza*, especially in central and southern areas of the Strip. However, the continued closure of the Zikim and Erez crossings, which provide direct access to the north, make it extremely challenging for humanitarians to reach people there with vital support at the scale needed.

Partners monitoring population flows across Gaza report that people continue to move towards areas that were off-limits before the ceasefire. More than 425,000 movements have been reported from southern to northern parts of the Strip since 10 October.

Yesterday, partners in North Gaza visited a displacement site in Jabaliya and two schools where displaced people are sheltering in Beit Lahiya. Humanitarians had been unable to reach these areas prior to the ceasefire due to military operations.

The 145 families sheltering at these sites urgently need food, water, latrines, bedding kits and hygiene items - and the UN and its partners are doing everything possible to scale up assistance.

Since the start of October, the UN and its partners in Gaza have reached more than 107,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as children under 5, with supplementary feeding to help prevent malnutrition. Partners note that these are the highest figures reached since famine was confirmed in Gaza governorate in August.

Yesterday, the World Health Organization stressed that although the needs are immense, "we will not be overwhelmed by the task ahead to rebuild and rehabilitate the health system."

UN teams were able to monitor goods coming through Kissufim crossing yesterday under the UN 2720 Mechanism. This was made possible after the Israeli authorities facilitated access.

Inside Gaza yesterday - and out of 10 humanitarian missions coordinated with the Israeli authorities - six were facilitated, including the collection of water tanks, hygiene kits and fuel from the crossings into Gaza. Today, the UN and its partners managed to collect several tankers of fuel and hundreds of pallets of baby diapers.

On Monday, at least 145 UN-coordinated trucks carrying nearly 1,500 metric tons of aid were collected from the Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem and Kissufim crossings, according to the UN 2720 Mechanism dashboard. Almost three quarters of the aid picked up was food - but the UN and its partners were also able to collect shelter materials, animal feed, health supplies, and water, sanitation and hygiene items.

In terms of aid entering Gaza - on Monday, 105 trucks from the UN and its partners were offloaded at the Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem and Kissufim crossings, according to the UN 2720 Mechanism dashboard. The trucks were carrying 1,600 metric tons of aid - more than 40 per cent of which was food. Other supplies included nutrition support, shelter materials, health assistance, and water, sanitation and hygiene items.

*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Gaza and the West Bank with urgent support.

Ukraine

A dozen civilians reportedly killed in overnight attacks

OCHA reports that another massive wave of overnight attacks across Ukraine killed and injured civilians - including children - and caused widespread power cuts.

Between yesterday and the early hours of this morning, at least 12 civilians were killed and 85 injured, according to local authorities. The strikes mainly affected the capital, Kyiv, as well as the cities of Zaporizhzhia and Novhorod-Siverskyi, along with multiple towns and communities across the regions of Chernihiv, Dnipro, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Odesa, Poltava, Sumy and Zaporizhzhia.

Multiple residential buildings, a school and a kindergarten in Kharkiv were damaged, as well as other civilian infrastructure - including energy and port facilities in several regions, as reported by the authorities and aid workers.

Ukraine's Ministry of Energy confirmed that the attacks affected energy infrastructure nationwide, triggering emergency blackouts in most regions. Power and water supply disruptions were reported, while national railway services experienced delays due to damaged lines.

The UN and its humanitarian partners were on the ground from the early hours, supporting affected communities and complementing the work of the state emergency services. They provided legal assistance, temporary window repair materials and psychosocial support.

Today in the Kherson region, an inter-agency humanitarian convoy reached Urozhaine, a front-line community regularly affected by shelling and drone attacks. The UN and its partners delivered 11 metric tons of assistance for some 1,000 residents - including food, hygiene and dignity kits, warm blankets, solar lamps and medical supplies. This was the 24th humanitarian convoy to hard-hit areas of the Kherson region in 2025.

Tropical Storm Melissa

Humanitarians step up preparations in Caribbean, fast-track funds for Haiti ahead of storm

OCHA is closely monitoring Tropical Storm Melissa in the Caribbean, which could strengthen into a major hurricane, potentially affecting the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica and eastern Cuba.

OCHA is working with UN partners and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency to step up preparedness activities.

The storm is expected to bring heavy rains and strong winds to Haiti - potentially leading to flooding, landslides and power outages.

Based on this forecast, US$4 million has been allocated from the Central Emergency Response Fund for Haitiso that the World Food Programme, UNICEF, and the International Organization for Migration can support more than 100,000 vulnerable people before the storm hits.

The funds were released as part of anticipatory action efforts, which allow the humanitarian community in Haiti to get ahead of the direst consequences of storms and hurricanes.

The response will focus on critical early warning messages and life-saving evacuation support, as well as cash transfers, emergency shelter management, and water, sanitation and hygiene kits.

Syria

As Syrians cope with critical aid cuts, OCHA appeals to Security Council for funding

OCHA told the Security Council today that Syria remains one of the world's largest humanitarian crises - affecting more than 70 per cent of the population - with developments on the ground continuing to deepen people's needs.

Ramesh Rajasingham, the Director of OCHA's Humanitarian Sector Division - speaking on behalf of Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator - said that the UN and its partners continue to do what they can to provide assistance as efficiently as possible, reaching 3.4 million people across the country on average each month, despite reduced funding.

This year's humanitarian response plan for Syria is just 19 per cent funded, one of the lowest levels among the largest UN-coordinated appeals. Mr. Rajasingham stressed the need for more funding for critical humanitarian aid, as well as tangible investments in development and reconstruction projects as soon as possible.

He also stressed the need to de-escalate ongoing flashpoints and prevent new ones, noting that insecurity makes humanitarian work more difficult.

Posted on 22 October 2025

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On the advisory opinion delivered by the ICJ regarding the State of Israel's obligations in the occupied Palestinian territory

UNRWA

22 Oct 2025

AMMAN,

The International Court of Justice today delivered a clear opinion on the State of Israel's obligations in the occupied Palestinian territory. The Court found that Israel must agree to and facilitate relief schemes in the Gaza Strip, in particular by UNRWA, and not impede such relief.

The advisory opinion emphasises UNRWA's indispensable role as provider of humanitarian relief in the Gaza Strip, as well as the Agency's unique mandate and connection to the people of Gaza which have allowed it to deliver assistance in a safe and dignified way.

The Court recalled "the scale and urgency of the needs of the population of the Gaza Strip, and UNRWA's unique and sustained connection with the population of the Occupied Palestinian Territory," adding that "in the current circumstances, it is not possible to replicate the capacity of the United Nations, acting through UNRWA, to ensure that the population of the Gaza Strip is adequately provided for."

The Court also underscored that the Israeli authorities' claim that UNRWA is infiltrated by Hamas was not substantiated, nor were allegations that UNRWA is not a neutral organisation.

UNRWA and other agencies are present in the occupied Palestinian territory to address overwhelming needs, and we must all be allowed to do our work without obstruction.

The State of Israel, as a Member State of the United Nations, has an obligation to facilitate UNRWA operations, including beyond the immediate humanitarian crisis, by allowing UNRWA to provide essential services such as healthcare and education. The Court found that the State of Israel is not entitled to unilaterally decide on the presence and activities of the United Nations in the occupied Palestinian territory.

The legislated obstruction of UNRWA's ability to bring in food, medicine, shelter and educational materials to Gaza and the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, in force since March, has limited the Agency's ability to fulfil its mandate during a time of huge humanitarian need.

UNRWA's schools in East Jerusalem were forcibly closed in May, denying children their right to education. UNRWA international staff are refused visas, preventing them from entering the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as well as the Gaza Strip.

The Court determined that Israel is obliged to co-operate in good faith with the United Nations by providing every assistance in any action it takes in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, including UNRWA, in and in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and to respect the privileges and immunities accorded to it and its personnel under international law.

The so called 'no-contact policy', which bans Israeli officials from coordinating or communicating with UNRWA officials, undermines UNRWA personnel and operations on the ground and places them at great risk from military operations.

This legislation has also compounded a climate of disregard for international humanitarian law and the protection of UN personnel and facilities. UNRWA team members have been killed. Others have been detained and subjected to severe mistreatment in custody. UNRWA facilities in the Gaza Strip and in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, have been destroyed, damaged and forcibly entered and misused.

Not only must this cease immediately in line with international law, but there must also be accountability.

Aid must be let in, and humanitarian personnel and operations must be protected. All restrictions on UNRWA must be lifted immediately.

Read the ICJ's advisory opinion on the obligations of Israel in relation to the presence and activities of the United Nations, other international organisations and third states in and in relation to the occupied Palestinian territory as published by the ICJ on 22 October 2025

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Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary General - on the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice

United Nations Secretary-General

22 October 2025

Geneva, UN

Statements | Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

Delivered by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General

The Secretary-General welcomes the Advisory Opinion issued today by the International Court of Justice, which reaffirmed several fundamental obligations of Israel under international law.

The Court emphasized that, as an occupying power, Israel is under the obligation to ensure that the population of the Occupied Palestinian Territory has the essential supplies of daily life. When the population is inadequately supplied, as has been the case in Gaza, Israel is under an obligation to agree to and facilitate appropriate impartial relief schemes, including those provided by the United Nations, and must not impede them.

The Court also reaffirmed Israel's obligations under international humanitarian law to respect and protect all relief and medical personnel and facilities; to respect the prohibition of forcible transfer and deportation of civilian population and the prohibition of use of starvation of the civilian population as a method of warfare; and to respect the right of protected persons detained by Israel to be visited by the International Committee of the Red Cross.

It recalled that Israel has an obligation under international human rights law to respect, protect and fulfil the human rights of the population of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

The Court noted the indispensable role of the United Nations, including the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in providing humanitarian relief in Gaza and supporting the self-determination of the Palestinian people. The Court rejected the allegations concerning UNRWA's lack of impartiality and neutrality.

The Court reaffirmed Israel's obligation as a Member State to cooperate with the United Nations, including UNRWA, in and in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory. It confirmed that Israel has an obligation to respect the privileges and immunities of the Organization, including its agencies and bodies, and its personnel. The Court reaffirmed the obligation to respect the inviolability of United Nations premises and not to interfere with its property and assets. These obligations continue to apply in times of armed conflict.

The Secretary-General strongly urges Israel to comply with its obligations in relation to the presence and activities of the United Nations and other humanitarian actors in the Occupied Palestinian Territory in accordance with the Advisory Opinion. The Secretary-General continues to emphasize that all parties must comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law, at all times.

The Secretary-General will promptly transmit the Advisory Opinion to the General Assembly, which had requested the Court's advice. It is for the General Assembly to decide on any further action it may wish to take on this matter.

The United Nations will continue to deliver humanitarian relief to the population in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The impact of this Opinion will be decisive to improve the tragic situation in Gaza.

The Secretary-General reiterates his appeal to establish a credible political path forward towards ending the occupation, leading to a two-State solution, with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security within their secure and recognized borders on the basis of pre-1967 lines, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states - in line with international law, UN resolutions and other relevant agreements.

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U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche returns to California following multi-mission Arctic patrol, demonstrates U.S. commitment to strong and free Arctic

United States Coast Guard

Press Release | Oct. 22, 2025

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche (WMSL 751) returned to its Base Alameda home port Oct. 10, concluding a 105-day Arctic deployment spanning over 21,000 nautical miles.

Waesche's deployment underscored the Coast Guard's commitment to safeguarding U.S. sovereignty, enforcing border control, and ensuring national security in the strategically vital Bering Sea, Arctic Ocean, and along the U.S. - Russia Maritime Boundary Line.

Throughout the three-and-a-half-month deployment, the crew integrated operations with U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) and U.S. Alaska Command (ALCOM), conducting national defense operations and enforcing maritime laws to safeguard national sovereignty in an increasingly geostrategic Arctic.

The Arctic is a national priority. The U.S. Coast Guard remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting U.S. interests in the Arctic and ensuring the safety and security of Alaska's maritime borders and approaches.

Five China-affiliated research vessels operated in the Arctic region over the summer, and Waesche was one of several Coast Guard assets deployed to the Arctic to control, secure, and defend U.S. territory and sovereign interests.

In August, Waesche's crew responded to the People's Republic of China Research Vessel Zhong Shan Da Xue Ji Di as it was transiting north in the Chukchi Sea above the Arctic Circle, after passing through the Bering Strait. Waesche and the Coast Guard Cutter Healy (WAGB 20) patrolled the Arctic Ocean in September supporting Operation Frontier Sentinel, an operation that responds to adversaries operating in and around Alaskan and U.S. Arctic waters, before responding to China's research vessels in the region. The U.S. Coast Guard's responses are intended to counter malign activities, defend sovereign interests, and promote maritime conduct consistent with international law and norms.

The Coast Guard is the only U.S. surface presence in the Arctic and works in conjunction with U.S. Northern Command and Alaskan Command to constantly monitor foreign vessels operating in and near U.S. waters in support of U.S. homeland defense and security operations.

While deployed to the region, Waesche served as a Forward Afloat Staging Base during NORTHCOM's Exercise Arctic Edge 2025, executing a complex, multi-agency assault of a mock target of interest. The operation showcased seamless integration between Waesche, Coast Guard Maritime Security Response Team West, U.S. Navy SEALs, and the Alaska Air National Guard to rapidly respond to domestic threats.

Waesche conducted joint operations with ALCOM and the Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Regina (FFH 334), demonstrating interagency coordination and a shared commitment to regional security during a joint patrol. The exercise included a passenger exchange, a mock boarding, cross-deck hoist operations with Regina's CH-148 Cyclone helicopter, air support from a U.S. Coast Guard C-130J Hercules fixed wing aircraft from Air Station Kodiak and a Royal Canadian Air Force CP-140 Aurora.

"This deployment was a resounding success, proving the concept of expeditionary logistics in the Northern Frontier and solidifying our partnerships with the Joint Force and key allies," said U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Tyson Scofield, commanding officer of Waesche. "The underway replenishment with Asterix and the successful barge fueling in Kotzebue represent a significant leap forward in our ability to sustain operations in the Arctic. Our integration with the Royal Canadian Navy, ALCOM, and NORTHCOM highlights the importance of peace through strength to maintain an Arctic free of adversarial coercion."

Waesche successfully conducted the Coast Guard's first-ever fueling at sea in the Alaskan theater with the Royal Canadian Navy replenishment oiler MV Asterix - accomplished in 6-8 foot seas with sustained 30-knot winds. Additionally, Waesche fueled north of the Arctic Circle, extending Coast Guard operations into the remote Arctic environment.

Waesche's crew conducted professional exchanges with Canadian counterparts, including HMCS Max Bernays in Dutch Harbor, and hosted personnel from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) law enforcement division, and Russian and Mandarin interpreters, further enhancing the cutter's operational capabilities and regional understanding. Coast Guard Cutter Healy joined Waesche for a joint MBL patrol as well.

Commissioned in 2010, Waesche is one of four Legend-class national security cutters homeported in Alameda. National security cutters are 418-feet long, 54-feet wide, have a top speed of over 28 knots, a range of 12,000 nautical miles, endurance of up to 90 days, and can hold a crew of up to 170. The advanced technologies of the national security cutter class ships are designed to support the operations and missions throughout the Pacific.

###



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White House Ballroom - Trump Statements

During the first term of President Barack Obama, at least as early as 2010, then-private citizen Donald Trump contacted senior adviser David Axelrod about constructing a ballroom at the White House. According to Axelrod's later recollection, Trump's call came during the Deepwater Horizon oil rig crisis, when Trump initially offered to help with that situation. Once that crisis was resolved, Trump called again with a different proposal. Trump told Axelrod that the White House held state dinners in little tents, and that he built ballrooms and could build the greatest ballrooms. Trump suggested Axelrod could come down to Florida to see his ballrooms. Trump offered to build a modular ballroom that could be assembled and taken apart. Axelrod handed the pitch to a colleague, who did not follow up. At that time, Trump reportedly priced the project at one hundred million dollars.

In 2016, during a campaign event in Ohio, Trump revisited the subject of his earlier proposal. He stated that he had offered to build a ballroom at the White House and that they turned it down. Trump said he was going to put up one hundred million dollars to build a ballroom at the White House because having a tent was not that good.

Speaking in February 2025, after his inauguration for a second term, Trump stated that he had contacted the Biden administration offering to construct a new ballroom for the White House but never heard back.

Earlier in 2025, speaking to a group of female athletes in the East Room, Trump bemoaned the lack of a larger space. He stated that this was going to be the reception room and that he was going to build a beautiful ballroom like he had at Mar-a-Lago. Trump said it was going to cost about one hundred million dollars, that he offered to do it, and that he never heard back.

In May 2025, appearing on NBC's Meet the Press, Trump stated that they were going to make and build a ballroom which they had wanted for probably one hundred years at the White House. Trump added that they had three or four different concepts and were working with great architects.

On June 18, 2025, at a ceremony for the installation of new flagpoles on the North and South Lawns of the White House in Washington, Trump watched as the massive flags were raised. Trump personally dictated the poles' galvanized steel, tapered design and interior ropes. As he watched the new flagpoles going up in June, Trump told reporters that he loved construction and knew it better than anybody.

In late June 2025, Trump stated in an interview that they had outgrown the tent stuff. He added with a laugh that they would see if Trump would approve it.

On July 28, 2025, at his Turnberry golf course on Scotland's western coast, Trump met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. As Trump was preparing to hash out the final details of a trade deal, he took a detour to boast about the cavernous ballroom where they were sitting. Trump stated that they just built this ballroom and were building a great ballroom at the White House. Trump told von der Leyen that no president knew how to build a ballroom and that he could take this one, drop it right down there, and it would be beautiful.

On July 31, 2025, the White House officially announced the ballroom project in Washington. The statement released that day declared that for one hundred fifty years, Presidents, Administrations, and White House Staff had longed for a large event space on the White House complex that could hold substantially more guests than currently allowed. The statement noted that President Donald Trump had expressed his commitment to solving this problem on behalf of future Administrations and the American people. The statement described the White House State Ballroom as a much-needed and exquisite addition of approximately ninety thousand total square feet of ornately designed and carefully crafted space, with a seated capacity of six hundred fifty people, representing a significant increase from the two hundred person seated capacity in the East Room of the White House. The project was to begin in September 2025 and be completed long before the end of President Trump's term. President Trump and other patriot donors had generously committed to donating the funds necessary to build the approximately two hundred million dollar structure.

Also on July 31, 2025, speaking to reporters at the White House in Washington, Trump stated that the ballroom would not interfere with the current building. He said it would be near it but not touching it and would pay total respect to the existing building, which he was the biggest fan of. That afternoon, Trump called the ballroom project a great legacy project and said he thought it would be special.

On August 2, 2025, Trump told reporters at the White House in Washington that no president knew how to build a ballroom. Trump's impulse to make improvements was animated by a builder's instinct cultivated over decades in real estate and never extinguished when he entered politics. Trump said he loved construction and knew it better than anybody. He expressed genuine belief that aspects of the White House could be improved, even as he voiced reverence for the building itself.

On August 5, 2025, Trump walked onto the roof of the West Wing of the White House in Washington to get a different view of the site of the proposed ballroom. Trump was accompanied by architect Jim McCrery, who had been commissioned to add the ballroom to the White House. The two men appeared engaged in intense conversation as they surveyed the grounds with animated pointing. When reporters spotted Trump and shouted questions, Trump responded that he was taking a walk and looking for just another way to spend his money for the country.

On September 13, 2025, in a telephone interview with NBC News, Trump stated that they were making the ballroom a little bigger. He said it would be top of the line, as good as it could get anywhere in the world. Trump told NBC News that the new ballroom would have a capacity of nine hundred people, which represented nearly a forty percent increase from the six hundred fifty people capacity initially announced.

On October 20, 2025, demolition of the White House East Wing began in Washington. Trump posted on social media that he was pleased to announce that ground had been broken on the White House grounds to build the new, big, beautiful White House Ballroom. Trump stated that completely separate from the White House itself, the East Wing was being fully modernized as part of this process and would be more beautiful than ever when it was complete. Earlier that same day, Trump commented on the construction during an event celebrating Louisiana State University baseball teams in the White House's East Room. Trump stated that they were building right behind them, that they were building a ballroom, and that they had wanted a ballroom for one hundred fifty years. Trump said he was giving that honor to this wonderful place. He acknowledged that he did not know he would be standing there right then because on the other side there was a lot of construction going on which attendees might hear periodically. Trump added that the construction had just started that day.

On October 15, 2025, at the White House in Washington, Trump hosted a Legacy Dinner for nearly one hundred thirty deep-pocketed donors, allies, and representatives of major companies who had pledged contributions to the ballroom project, including Microsoft, Meta, Google, Amazon, Lockheed Martin, T-Mobile, Tether and Palantir. Trump thanked attendees for their contributions, stating they had been very generous and had provided very substantial money, and that the project was fully financed and fully taken care of. Trump often used a proverbial they to describe those he said wanted this new ballroom. Trump stated that for all those years, they wanted it, and now they were going to get it, and because of the donors, they were going to get it, adding that he was included too and that they were all in this together. Trump said the ballroom would have space for up to nine hundred ninety-nine guests and that all four sides would be made of bulletproof glass. He stated the ballroom would be large and grand enough to hold even a presidential inauguration. Trump told attendees that there were zero zoning conditions set for the project. He recalled asking how long it would take him, and being told that he could start that night and had no approvals needed. Trump said he responded that they had to be kidding. They told him that it was the White House, he was the president of the United States, and he could do anything he wanted.

"We started with a much smaller building and then I realized, I mean we have the land, let's do it right, and so we built a larger building that can really hold just about any function that we want. ... real estate is relaxing. For a lot of people, real estate is a very trying business. I've always liked it. I've always done well with it. I love building things. And this way I can build some beautiful things. And this, again, has never been built. And we're going to start that pretty soon. It's going to be great. And then the ballroom for the White House is the thing that you people have really, really been very generous with. And we're going to build a room that's going to be able to hold literally the inauguration, if we want."

"... it's amazing when you have too many people, you can fit them in. You can always fit a few more people in and pardon the fact that you're a little tight at your table. That's okay. That's better than lots of room for everybody, because nobody shows up. But you've been so generous in your contributions, very substantial money, fully financed. It's fully taken care of now. And in fact, we'll have money left over and we'll use that for something. "

"... we did something that was really appropriate to The White House. We didn't want to dwarf anything. We didn't want to make it so that it's inappropriate. And I was watching them very carefully and that's what we did. And so, we're going to have a phenomenal ballroom, it's going to be one of the best anywhere in the world. There won't be anything like it, actually. And it's four sides of glass, beautiful glass, but totally appropriate in color and in window shape and everything else with The White House moldings. So it's going to be very much in keeping with The White House....

" We really need it. The United States is the greatest and most powerful nation on earth, and American presidents need to be able to host events at The White House that reflect the demands of the time and that can carry out the prestige of what we're all doing.... It's the most powerful nation on earth now. You see that. You see the weapons, we have the greatest weapons, the greatest manufacturer of weapons. Some of you are in that world and some of you, yeah, the greatest in the world. We have the greatest in the world....

"It'll be done with really exquisite taste, the finest designers, and I consider myself an important designer, because they come in with things that, they may be good designers, but boy, the things they can recommend are horrible. And we wanted classic, the utmost respect for the historic beauty and grandeur of one of the most iconic buildings anywhere in the world. I mean, you go to the White House and you see that picture, when you ride up in the drive like tonight, probably some of you realize, you drive up that drive and you're looking at that building all lit up and gorgeous and perfect. And we take good care of it too. It wasn't taking good care of. The Oval Office is now at a level that it's never seen before. We take really great care of it. They weren't taking good care of it for four years, I'll tell you that....

"This addition will be completed in the classical style that complements everything else around it, including the Treasury Department, which is right next to it. We have been working very closely with the incredible people of the National Park Service, they really are, they love this place, they're very proud of it, the architects, historians and everyone else and many others to ensure that the project will be beloved and loved for years to come, for such years to come. It's going to be up for a long time, I hope."

Donald Trump held a Bilateral Meeting With Mark Rutte of NATO - October 22, 2025: "it's really an honor to add that great ballroom to the structures in Washington. It's going to be one of the great ballrooms of the world. And I think it's going to be something you're all going to be very proud of." Trump on 22 October 2025 defended the planned demolition of the White House's East Wing. Trump was responding to questions about his controversial plan to demolish the East Wing to build a new ballroom. He downplayed the historical significance of the East Wing, arguing that it had already been significantly altered over the years.

Trump held a rendering of the planned White House ballroom and displayed a scale model of the White House grounds with the ballroom prominently jutting out from the East Colonnade. Trump explained that in order to do it properly, they had to take down the existing structure. He said that after a tremendous amount of study with some of the best architects in the world, the determination was made that the East Wing really needed to be knocked down. Trump stated that the East Wing was never thought of as being much and was a very small building. Trump said the ballroom was expected to cost a projected three hundred million dollars, representing an increase from the previously announced two hundred million dollars.

"You know, the East Wing was not much, it was not much left from the original. It was, over the course of 100 years, it was changed, the columns were removed, and it was a much different building. Then a story was added on in 1948, 1949, there was a story added on which was not particularly nice. And the building was very, very much changed from what it was originally.... So, over the years, many presidents have made changes. This obviously would be the biggest change, but this was something they've wanted for at least 150 years."

Also on October 22, 2025, during a Diwali celebration event in the Oval Office, Trump was asked by reporters to confirm reports that he was demanding the Justice Department compensate him for federal investigations he faced during Joe Biden's presidency. Trump replied that they probably owed him a lot of money, but if he got money from the country, he would probably do something nice with it, like give it to charity or give it to the White House while they restored the White House.

At a recent dinner with high-dollar ballroom donors at the White House in Washington, Trump said the new space would be in keeping with the White House architecture. He said it would be appropriate in color and in window shape. Trump stated there would not be anything like it actually, noting that a new thing was to build a super modern building next to an old-fashioned building, and while he thought that was good, he did not have the courage to do that with the White House.

On October 24, 2025, when asked by ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Mary Bruce whether he had a name for his ballroom yet, Trump smiled and said he would not get into that now. However, on a list of donors provided to ABC News by the White House, the ballroom was referred to as the President Donald J. Trump Ballroom. Trump told reporters he had no plans to name the White House ballroom after himself. When asked by ABC News White House Correspondent Karen Travers how much of his own money he was planning to donate to the ballroom, Trump replied that it would be millions of dollars. Asked what he planned to do with extra donations beyond the construction cost, Trump told reporters it could possibly be used to help build a large triumphal arch modeled on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris that Trump had proposed constructing just outside Washington.







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Russo-Ukraine War - 22 October 2025 - Day 1337

Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that 111 combat clashes have taken place since the beginning of the day.

The Russian enemy launched one rocket and 62 aviation strikes, using 28 missiles and dropping 98 controlled aviation bombs. Also used 3337 kamikaze drones for strikes, carried out 3311 shells of settlements and positions of Ukrainian troops.

Ukrainian defenders repelled four Russian attacks in the Northern Slobozhansky and Kursky directions. The Russian enemy launched four airstrikes, dropped 12 controlled airstrikes and carried out 145 shells, nine of the reactive systems of assault-fire.

In the South Slobozhansky direction, Ukrainian units prevented six Russian attacks near Vovchansky, Bologivka, Stroivka, Kamyanka and Kolodyazny, two more clashes are ongoing.

In the Kupians komu direction, Ukrainian warriors repelled three Russian attacks in the areas of Pi any, Petropavlivka and Kupiansk, currently two combatants continue.

In the Lyman direction, Ukrainian soldiers stopped four assault actions of Russian zagarbnikiv near the settlements of Drobisheve and Derylove.

In the Slovak direction, the Russian opponent tried to attack eight times in the areas of Serebryanka, Siverska, Viymki and Fedorivka.

In the kramators komu direction at the moment the Russian offensive actions is not recorded.

In the Konstantinivsky direction, the Russian occupiers today stormed the positions of Ukrainian defenders 10 times in the areas of the settlements of Pleshiyivka, Rusin Yar, Sofiyivka and Scherbinivka. Defense forces have steadily suppressed the pressure and repelled nine Russian attacks, currently fighting is being sharpened in one location.

During the current day in the Pokrovsky direction, the Russian enemy committed 40 offensive actions. The activity of Russian occupiers was fixed near the settlements of Vladimirivka, Mirnograd, Novoekonomichne, Red Leeman, Nikanorivka, Rodinske, Romin, Novopavlivka, Pokrovsk, Kotline, Udaachne, Molodetske, Zvirove, Dachne, Philia and in the direction of Grishiny. The two clashes are still ongoing.

Today in this direction, according to preliminary data, 87 Russian invaders, of which 62 - irrevocably. In addition, Ukrainian soldiers destroyed 12 unmanned aircraft, three BPLA antennas, two units of automobile and three units of special equipment of the occupiers. Ukrainian soldiers also hit an artillery system, four vehicles units, a special equipment unit and ten shelters for personnel.

In the Oleksandrivsky direction, Ukrainian units repelled 16 attacks in areas of settlements Andriyivka-Klevtsove, Sosnivka, Verbove, Privilne, Novovasilivka, Oleksandrograd and Novogrigorivka. Two more clashes are underway.

Ukrainian soldiers repelled the attack of the Russian invaders near Malinivka in the direction of Gulyaipils komu. Aviation strikes suffered rivnopilla, gulyajpole, uspenivka, zaliznycne and malinivka.

In the Orihivs komu direction, the Russian enemy twice tried to go ahead at the position of Ukrainian units in the areas of Novodanilivka and Stepovoye. The airstrike was hit by Zaporizhia

In the Pridniprovsky direction, the Russian enemy tried to approach the positions of Ukrainian defenders in the direction of the Antonivsky Bridge three times. The Russian invaders launched an air strike on Olgivka.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in response to terrorist attacks launched by Ukraine against civilian objects on the territory of Russia, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation delivered a massive strike with long-range, ground- and air-based high-precision weapons including Kinzhal hypersonic air-launched ballistic missiles as well as attack unmanned aerial vehicles against energy infrastructure facilities that supported the Ukrainian defence industry.

Targets of the strike were hit. All the objects were neutralised.

The Sever Group of Forces improved the tactical situation. Russian troops inflicted fire damage on one jaeger brigade, two assault regiments of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, three territorial defence and Special Operations Forces' brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Khrapovshchina, Kondratovka, Khoten, Leninskoye, Novaya Sech, Varachino (Sumy region), Novosyolovka, and Novgorod-Seversky (Chernigov region).

In Kharkov direction, Russian troops hit units of one mechanised brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Volchansk (Kharkov region).

The AFU losses were up to 180 troops, one armoured fighting vehicle, 13 motor vehicles, one electronic warfare station, and three materiel depots.

The Zapad Group of Forces' units took more advantageous lines and positions. Russian troops delivered strikes at manpower and hardware of two mechanised brigades, one assault brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and one territorial defence brigade near Shiykovka, Novosergeyevka, Petropavlovka, Kupyansk (Kharkov region), Maslyakovka, and Yampol (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 230 troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, 14 motor vehicles, and one 122-mm D-30 howitzer. In addition, nine electronic warfare stations and three ammunition depots were neutralised.

The Yug Group of Forces' units improved the situation along the front line. Russian troops hit four mechanised brigades, one air mobile brigade, one mountain assault brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, two territorial defence brigades, and one National Guard brigade near Seversk, Fedorovka, Vasyukovka, Pazeno, Dronovka, Nikolayevka, Stepanovka, and Ivanopolye (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 220 troops, three tanks, one armoured fighting vehicle, 10 motor vehicles, and three field artillery guns including one U.S.-made 155-mm Paladin self-propelled artillery system. In addition, four materiel depots were neutralised.

As a result of resolute actions, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces liberated Ivanovka (Dnepropetrovsk region).

Russian troops launched attacks on manpower and hardware of seven mechanised brigades, two air assault brigades, one assault brigade, one jaeger brigade, two assault regiments of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, two marine brigades, and three National Guard brigades close to Grishino, Sergeyevka, Kucherov Yar, Nikolaipolye, Toretskoye, Belitskoye, Dimitrov, and Krasnoarmeysk (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses were more than 520 troops, one U.S.-made HMMWV armoured vehicle, and two pickup trucks.

The Vostok Group of Forces' units continued to advance into the depths of enemy defences and liberated Pavlovka (Zaporozhye region).

Russian troops inflicted fire damage on formations of three mechanised brigades, three assault regiments of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and one territorial defence brigade near Aleksandrovka, Orestopol, Alekseyevka (Dnepropetrovsk region), Rybnoye, Novouspenovskoye, Zeleny Gai, and Vishnevoye (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy losses were more than 315 troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, five motor vehicles, two artillery guns, and two electronic warfare stations.

Units of the Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of two mechanised brigades, two coastal defence brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and one territorial defence brigade close to Stepnogorsk, Novoandreyevka (Zaporozhye region), Nikolskoye and Antonovka (Kherson region).

In addition, up to 60 troops, one tank, one armoured fighting vehicle, 11 motor vehicles, one electronic warfare station, and one POL depot were neutralised.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces inflicted fire damage on an assembly workshop of an enterprise, which produced military products, oil refinery and transport infrastructure that supported actions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as well as temporary deployment areas of Ukrainian troops and foreign mercenaries in 144 districts.

Air defence systems shot down one Su-27 aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force, four cruise missiles, three guided aerial bombs, four U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles, and 224 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.

In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, the enemy has lost 668 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 91,690 unmanned aerial vehicles, 633 anti-aircraft missile systems, 25,616 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,605 MLRS combat vehicles, 30,705 field artillery guns and mortars, and 44,572 special military vehicles.

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Cyber power supports RAAF in the skies

By Captain Karam Louli

22 October 2025

The world of cyber has become a vital support role for flying squadrons, and for the Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF) Flight Lieutenant Kyle Storeywood it's where passion meets purpose.

What began as an early fascination with gaming and computer modifications grew into a career in Defence's vast cyber domain.

When he was accepted into the Australian Defence Force Academy as an air combat controller, the news was celebrated in the Storeywood household.

"My dad was a pretty big fan of the Air Force," Flight Lieutenant Storeywood said.

"He pointed me towards potential careers in the RAAF at a time when I wasn't too sure about my future."

After a couple of years in training, he realised his strengths and interests were better suited elsewhere.

Transitioning into the cyber domain opened new opportunities and placed him at the forefront of an area that is rapidly becoming one of the ADF's most critical capabilities.

That move eventually led to Flight Lieutenant Storeywood being deployed on Operation Kudu, leading a cyber team in support of Task Element 631.10.7.

"Under Operation Kudu, we run detection dashboards to monitor any malicious activity and assess whether it requires further investigation," he explained.

"We also conduct a detection engineering cycle, which involves taking an attacker's technique and mapping it across the information terrain."

To his mates, Flight Lieutenant Storeywood sometimes describes his role as defending the ADF's networks from malicious cyber activity.

To others, he admits with a laugh, he's "just an IT guy".

"People are often surprised when they find out the things we can see, do and monitor," Flight Lieutenant Storeywood said.

"It's a really rewarding role. Cyber is such an up-and-coming field, and there's a huge amount of innovation happening every day.

"Knowing that what we do directly supports operations and protects Defence networks makes it all worthwhile."

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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun's Regular Press Conference on October 22, 2025

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: October 22, 2025 19:19

CCTV: Recent data shows that in the first three quarters of this year, import and export between China and ASEAN totaled RMB 5.57 trillion yuan, up by 9.6 percent year-on-year. ASEAN remained the largest trading partner of China, and multiple events, including the China-ASEAN Expo, were successfully held. China-ASEAN cooperation has been closer with numerous highlights despite increasing external uncertainties. How does China view its cooperation with ASEAN and what is China's comment on its current relations with ASEAN?

Guo Jiakun: China and ASEAN countries are close neighbors with similar visions and converging interests. The China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership has continued to deepen, providing stability and certainty to the development of Asia and the wider world.

The two sides have had close high-level exchanges, cemented political mutual trust and strengthened the momentum of integrated development. The two sides attach great importance to synergizing their development strategies, and have formulated the Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2026-2030). The two sides have fully leveraged their comparative strengths to enhance the integration and resilience of industrial and supply chains, and will officially sign the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 upgrade protocol within this year, which will provide bigger impetus for regional economic integration and global trade. The smooth operation of China-Laos Railway and the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway has enhanced connectivity and boosted economic growth along the routes. Cooperation in emerging areas of artificial intelligence and digital economy has thrived, opening up new prospects for innovation-driven development.

China and ASEAN have accelerated exchanges and mutual learning between their civilizations. Various events have been hosted in the China-ASEAN Year of People-to-People Exchanges, and cooperation in areas of education, the youth, think tanks and media has yielded fruitful outcomes. China has rolled out the "ASEAN visa", fully exempted visas mutually with Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia, and granted each other visa-free entry with Brunei. Easier cross-border travel has brought the people of the two sides closer.

China and ASEAN have jointly worked for regional peace and stability. China firmly supports ASEAN centrality in the regional architecture and resolving the internal affairs of ASEAN through the ASEAN Way. We are committed to properly handling differences in the South China Sea through dialogue and consultation with countries directly concerned, and working with ASEAN countries to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), accelerate consultations on a code of conduct in the South China Sea (COC), and deepen practical maritime cooperation to build the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.

In a world with rapid changes, it is all the more important to engage in cooperation and pursue win-win results. China will stay committed to fostering an amicable, secure and prosperous neighborhood, upholding the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness and the vision of a shared future, and working with regional countries to build a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home and an even closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future.

AFP: The EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic said that EU and Chinese officials have agreed to meet in Brussels for urgent talks on China's export controls on rare earth. He said this after speaking to his Chinese counterpart Wang Wentao yesterday. Can the Foreign Ministry confirm that a meeting is going to happen in Brussels in the coming days and offer any details on this?

Guo Jiakun: Competent department has released a readout, which you may refer to. Let me stress that China-EU economic and trade relations are shaped by their mutual complementarity and are win-win in nature. We hope the EU will honor its commitment of supporting free trade and opposing trade protectionism, provide an open, transparent and non-discriminatory environment for businesses from all countries, take concrete actions to uphold the principles of market economy and WTO rules, and properly address trade differences through dialogue and consultation.

EFE: Could the Foreign Ministry confirm who will attend the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on October 26 as China's representative?

Guo Jiakun: China attaches great importance to its relations with ASEAN and to East Asian cooperation, and supports Malaysia's rotating chairmanship of ASEAN. On the specifics you mentioned, I believe you are aware of the usual practice concerning China's attendance at those meeting. We will release information in due course.

Yonhap News Agency: This morning, the DPRK fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles, said the ROK's Joint Chiefs of Staff, which is prohibited in the UN Security Council's resolution concerning the DPRK. What's China's comment?

Guo Jiakun: China's position and policy on the Korean Peninsula issue maintain continuity and consistency. On relevant launch activities, we have no new comments to make.

Ukrinform News Agency: Yesterday, leaders of Ukraine, several European countries and top EU officials have issued a joint statement calling for an immediate halt of hostilities in Ukraine and launch peace talks based on the current line of contact between Ukrainian and Russian forces. The statement also stressed that Russia's delay in engaging demonstrates that Ukraine is the only party genuinely seeking peace. I'd like to ask what is China's opinion on the idea of an immediate halt of hostilities in Ukraine and the start of peace talks based on the current line of contact?

Guo Jiakun: China's position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear. We hope parties will reach a fair and durable peace deal that is binding and acceptable to all parties concerned through dialogue and negotiation.

AFP: U.S. President Donald Trump said yesterday he expected to reach a good trade agreement with Chinese leader at the APEC summit next week, even as he warned that the meeting might be canceled. What is China's response to Trump's comments?

Guo Jiakun: Heads-of-state diplomacy plays an irreplaceable role in providing strategic guidance for China-U.S. relations. The two heads of state maintain close exchanges and communication. On the specifics you mentioned, we have no information to share at the moment.

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FCDO statement on DPRK ballistic missile launches: 22 October

Government response

The FCDO has released a statement following ballistic missile launches by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on 22 October.

From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Published 22 October 2025

An FCDO spokesperson said:

"North Korea's ballistic missile launches on 22 October are another breach of multiple UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs). Unlawful ballistic missile launches continue to destabilise the peace and security of the Korean Peninsula.

The UK strongly urges North Korea to stop such provocations, to engage in meaningful diplomacy and accept offers of dialogue."

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Press statement by President Antonio Costa following the EU-Egypt summit

European Council / Council of the European Union

European Council

Statements and remarks

22 October 2025 23:10

It is a pleasure to welcome President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for the first EU-Egypt Summit. I am really glad; it was a very good summit. This meeting marks a significant milestone in our relationship. It shows how strong our partnership is.

Egypt plays a key role in the region and beyond, in promoting stability and conflict resolution. We have an economic and trade relation that has been growing impressively and that we want to see grow even further. We have a rich cooperation in multiple fields: trade, security, mobility, migration, energy, education, research, culture.

I am very glad that, earlier today, the EU and Egypt have signed three important agreements, especially an agreement allowing Egypt to participate in our Horizon Europe programme. This is a very strong signal of the importance we both attach to education and to people-to-people contacts.

Just last week, I attended the Sharm El Sheikh Peace Summit. It was a moment of hope and global unity that all parties must now preserve, and on which we must all work to ensure its promises are fulfilled.

Dear President El-Sisi, I want to commend your leadership. Your unwavering engagement and your tireless mediation efforts were crucial in sealing the first phase of the ceasefire deal on Gaza.

The agreement resulted in all living Israeli hostages reuniting with their families. After two years of death and destruction, it brought hope to the Palestinian people. A hope that now needs to transform into lasting peace and reconstruction.

Dear President, as you said in Sharm El Sheikh, and I quote: "peace is only complete when the hand of reconstruction extends after the devastation".

The first difficulties have appeared, but all parties must engage in good faith to ensure that the ceasefire is upheld. That humanitarian aid must continue to be delivered and at scale. We want Israelis and Palestinians to be able to build a peaceful future together.

We want a lasting peace based on the two-state solution. Israel and a State of Palestine living side-by-side in peace and security, free of terrorism. The EU is ready to help, as we have in the past, in recovery, reconstruction and supporting reforms.

Beyond the Middle East, Egypt plays a vital stabilising role across the wider region. We share common concerns and objectives - in Libya, in Sudan and in Somalia. Today, we agreed to continue and deepen our dialogue and engagement in these critical issues.

Of course, maritime security is also vital for both parties. Given Egypt's position, we will work together to keep sea routes safe and open for trade, in the Red Sea, the Suez Canal, the Mediterranean and beyond.

Finally, our partnership will continue to be guided by mutual respect, shared values and a strong commitment to multilateralism.

Both the European Union and Egypt support the United Nations and the rules-based international order, in accordance with the UN Charter and international law. And we agree that working together is the best way to solve global problems.

We have also discussed today Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. We are united in our desire for a just and lasting peace.

I briefed President El-Sisi of the ongoing European support to Ukraine in order to achieve peace and to apply pressure on Russia to come to the negotiating table.

There have been recent developments in this endeavour and the EU strongly supports President Trump's efforts. The EU will continue to engage with Egypt on this subject, because we see Egypt as a leading voice in the global scene and as a partner, also on Ukraine.

The European Union and Egypt will continue to work together. And I am sure that the European Commission and my friend, Ursula von der Leyen, will give their best to ensure that we continue to strengthen our bilateral relations.

Thank you for this meeting and we look forward to the next steps in our relationship, as partners and friends.

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Statement by President von der Leyen at the EU-Egypt Summit

European Commission

Statement

Oct 22, 2025

Brussels

Thank you very much, dear Antonio,

Mr President,

I wish you a very warm welcome to Brussels. Our partnership is stronger today than ever before. It keeps growing. It keeps expanding. Your presence here, as well as this first ever EU-Egypt Summit, is a case in point. Europe and Egypt share strategic interests in the stability, security, and prosperity of our people.

Mr President,

Just last week, the eyes of the world were on Sharm-El-Sheikh. I commend you for your crucial role in brokering the agreement to end the Gaza conflict. This was a moment of true leadership. It opened a new chapter for peace. The urgent priority now is to ensure that the ceasefire agreement holds and delivers immediate humanitarian relief. And the EU is ready to play its part. In the short term, we are actively working to ensure the swift and safe delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. We are preparing to launch a Palestine Donor Group. It will bring together international partners to jointly promote reforms and support to the Palestinian authority. So that the Palestinian Authority is modernized, strengthened and can deliver for the Palestinian people. We know we can count on Egypt's active support and welcome your intention to convene a reconstruction conference.

This is a pivotal moment for the entire Mediterranean. The future of our region is being rewritten before our eyes. Europe and Egypt both have a clear stake in shaping that future. Last week, the Commission adopted the Pact for the Mediterranean. We want to create a Common Mediterranean Space. A space of integration, opportunity, and exchange. And, the two of us, we are very pleased to hear your vision, Mr President, about encouraging European universities to go to Egypt. In the Pact for the Mediterranean it is already foreseen, the establishment of a network of Mediterranean universities. So the first step is done and more will follow. We want to work hand-in-hand with Egypt to turn this vision into a reality.

We are delivering on our Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership, steadily and across all six pillars. The partnership is working. Tonight, we took stock of the progress made. On the first pillar, we are intensifying our political dialogue. This summit is proof of it.

Second, we are strengthening Egypt's economic stability. We are providing Egypt with EUR 5 billion in macro-financial assistance. It was signed today. And we continue our support to social and economic reforms.

Third, we are boosting investment and trade. The EU is Egypt's largest trading partner, accounting for a quarter of your trade. Our investment conference last year secured commitments worth EUR 49 billion - that is impressive. On energy, we are supporting Egypt's ambition to become a regional renewables hub. We have all the necessary ingredients for it. And we have a flagship project in the making, the T-MED and its Investment Platform. It aims to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy, clean technologies and industrial cooperation between the EU and Southern Neighbourhood partners. Egypt plays a strong role in this T-MED Investment Platform. We are also expanding our collaboration in the digital sphere. And we are opening Europe's AI factories to Egyptian start-ups so they can train and test their models on European supercomputers and use the whole computational power of the European Union. All of this and much more is Mediterranean cooperation in action.

The fourth pillar is on migration. Egypt has shown remarkable generosity and leadership in hosting millions of migrants and refugees. Our cooperation on migration covers all key areas. It is underpinned by EUR 200 million of EU support for the next two years. We will work together to fight smugglers and traffickers. But we are at the same time, and that is very important for us, heading towards the second roundtable of the Talent Partnership initiative. We want to enhance legal migration. We will discuss this further during our next Migration Dialogue by mid-2026.

The fifth pillar of our partnership focuses on security. I welcome your very strong efforts in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing.

The last and most important pillar of our partnership is about people - their talents, their skills, their ideas. Egypt's association to Horizon Europe is great news. Today, the signing was a very special moment.

President Al-Sisi,

Thank you again for our excellent exchange today. Our partnership is on an outstanding track. We are delivering for our people and for our shared Mediterranean home. Thank you very much for hosting us, and I am also very much looking forward to the next EU-Egypt Summit in Egypt.

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Speech by President von der Leyen at the high-level event in the margins of the EU-Egypt Summit

European Commission

Speech

Oct 22, 2025

Brussels

"Check against delivery"

Your Excellency President El-Sisi,

Ministers,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a pleasure to wrap up this high-level event - just before we head into the very first Summit between Egypt and the European Union. Here in this room, we have more than 300 representatives of companies from Egypt and Europe. Your presence here is proof of a simple fact. Our business communities understand that new opportunities are opening up. Because Egypt and Europe are getting closer than ever before.

Of course, our ties have deep roots. For many years, Europe has been Egypt's top trading partner. Egypt exports to Europe almost three times more goods than to the US, China, Russia, Brazil and India - combined. But last year, we decided to bring our partnership to the next level. And we signed a new Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership. This is more than a political agreement. It has already started to deliver real economic results. Just a few months after we signed our joint declaration, you - President Sisi - invited me to Cairo, for an impressive investment conference. On that occasion, European companies announced EUR 49 billion of investment in Egypt - in sectors ranging from clean hydrogen to digital, from finance to education. To put this in perspective: This is more than the entire European foreign direct investment stock in Egypt. And it is a very tangible sign of the power of our partnership.

Our Summit today is the natural next step. We will sign a number of agreements that will open even more business opportunities in Egypt. Let me just mention two of them. First, today we sign a new tranche of macro-financial assistance for Egypt, reaching a total of EUR 5 billion in support. Your government, President Sisi, has committed to an ambitious reform agenda. With this package, we support and incentivise those efforts. Because they are vital to create a stronger business environment and attract more investment to Egypt. So this is not just good news for Egypt's financial stability today but also for its economic potential of tomorrow.

Second, today we mark Egypt's association to Horizon Europe - that is the world's largest research and innovation programme. Horizon is not just good for science. It invests in critical projects for our competitiveness - from clean energy to quantum computing. This is innovation that hits the market. And now Egypt's researchers and talents can benefit too.

But today, we are also looking at new opportunities for cooperation. Just last week, we at the European Commission presented a Pact for the Mediterranean. It is an offer to our Southern Neighbours to integrate our economies closer than ever before. The Pact includes so many initiatives that could attract new investment to Egypt. For instance, we will set up a T-Med Investment Platform, that will create a pipeline of projects in renewable energy and clean tech across the Mediterranean. And we will open our AI Factories to Mediterranean countries, so that companies in Egypt can develop their AI solutions on European supercomputers. The overall objective is clear. Today, we often rely on products made very far away - from batteries to software. What if we joined forces to produce them in our common region? This is a vision we share. And this is the agenda that we will push forward, in today's Summit and beyond.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today's Summit demonstrates our strong commitment to bring Egypt and Europe closer together. We will keep investing in this, both politically and financially. But ultimately it is you, the people in this room, who can make the biggest difference on the ground. This room is full of future partners. The encounters you are making today are the business opportunities of tomorrow. And your future investments will make both Egypt and Europe stronger. So my message to you is simple. There is a new bridge between Egypt and Europe. It is time to cross it and to keep investing in each other.

Thank you very much for being here. Shukran jazeelan. And long live the friendship between Egypt and Europe.

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First ever EU-Egypt Summit

European Commission

Press release

Oct 22, 2025

Brussels

Today, at the first EU-Egypt Summit held in Brussels, European Commission President von der Leyen and Egypt President al-Sisi jointly presented three pivotal agreements. This Summit marks a significant milestone in the deepening of EU-Egypt relations. It builds on the Association Agreement and Strategic & Comprehensive Partnership. These agreements are the key deliverables of the Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership (SCP) signed in March 2024 between the EU and Egypt. They will elevate our relations with Egypt as a key and strategic partner and will further boost the implementation of our partnership.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the Commission said: "The EU-Egypt partnership is stronger than ever before. Our shared vision of cooperation and true partnership between Egypt, Europe and the wider Mediterranean is becoming a reality. Today is a testament to the hard work and dedication to achieving this, with our first EU-Egypt summit and the agreements we sign. This is the direct result of the ambitious Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership we signed last year - delivering new investments and concrete opportunities for people and businesses across Egypt and Europe. Our Pact for the Mediterranean keeps this spirit. It's our offer to Egypt and our other Southern neighbours: Let's join forces and work together as partners."

Macro-financial assistance

Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis and Egypt's Minister of Ministry of Planning Economic Development and International Cooperation, Rania Al-Mashat, presented the memorandum of understanding (MoU) for a second macro-financial assistance (MFA) operation to Egypt worth 4 billion. The MFA operations help address Egypt's external financing needs through loans provided at favourable terms, while also underpinning the delivery of an ambitious reform programme.

Today's MoU lays out relevant reforms underpinning Egypt's ongoing economic stabilisation. These policy actions cover three pillars: promoting macroeconomic stability and resilience; improving the business environment and enhancing Egypt's competitiveness; while supporting Egypt's green transition. Together with a first macro-financial loan of 1 billion disbursed in December 2024, the current 4 billion macro-financial assistance operation brings the total to 5 billion, forming the largest part of the overall 7.4 billion EU financial support package for Egypt under the Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership.

EU support to the implementation of socio-economic reforms at local level

Commissioner Dubravka Suica and Minister Al-Mashat signed the Financing Agreement, for an EU contribution of 75 million in grants, which supports key initiatives in Egypt that address socio-economic challenges and promote inclusive growth at local level. The programme will enhance access to basic quality services (health, education, water, sanitation) and complement social safety nets, in particular for women and youth. Economic stability is one of the pillars of the Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership between the EU and Egypt.

Horizon Europe

Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva and Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty signed an agreement formalising Egypt's association to Horizon programme - a significant step forward in research and innovation, opening new avenues for scientific collaboration and technological advancement.

In addition to these three agreements signed, the European Commission announced another three EU financial support operations for 2025. The first one, worth 110.5 million, will advance sustainable development, strengthen economic governance, reinforce technical and vocational education training and boost skills for future jobs. The EU will also support investment projects to support Egypt's green transition with 50 million via the 'Neighbourhood Investment Platform' and accelerate investment mobilisation in Egypt, including through the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+). Finally, it will operationalise key EU-funded projects from the 200 million package foreseen under the migration pillar of the SCP.

High-Level Event on Investments, Competitiveness and Innovation

Under the auspices of the Presidents von der Leyen and al-Sisi, the event High-Level Event 'Implementing the EU-Egypt Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership: Accelerating Strategic Investment, Industrial Transformation and Innovation'took place and brought together top European and Egyptian political and business leaders, development agencies, and the research and innovation community to discuss investments, reforms, competitiveness and innovation. It was organised as a follow-up of the successful EU-Egypt Investment Conference last year and the launch of the EU-Egypt Investment Mechanism in June. It will prepare the ground for the launch of a business and investor roundtable in 2026 to be organised in Cairo.

The full list of the Summit deliverables is available in the Annex of the Joint Statement.

Background

The Joint declaration signed by President von der Leyen and President al-Sisi on 17 March 2024 covers 6 key pillars: (1) political relations; (2) economic stability; (3) trade and investment; (4) migration and mobility; (5) security and (6) demography and human capital, and is underpinned by a 7.4 billion financial and investment support package for 2024-2027 period as announced last year. The package consists of up to 5 billion in loans through two macro-financial assistance operations; 1.8 billion in additional investments to be mobilised in conjunction with European financial institutions under the Economic and Investment Plan; 600 million (out of which 200 million for migration management) to support specific priorities under the Partnership through projects and technical assistance until 2027.

Quote(s)

The EU-Egypt partnership is stronger than ever before. Our shared vision of cooperation and true partnership between Egypt, Europe and the wider Mediterranean is becoming a reality. Today is a testament to the hard work and dedication to achieving this, with our first EU-Egypt summit and the agreements we sign. This is the direct result of the ambitious Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership we signed last year - delivering new investments and concrete opportunities for people and businesses across Egypt and Europe. Our Pact for the Mediterranean keeps this spirit. It's our offer to Egypt and our other Southern neighbours: Let's join forces and work together as partners. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission

Egypt, our strategic partner, has engaged in a comprehensive reform agenda. I am glad that through our sizeable macro-financial assistance, which is at the heart of the Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership, the EU is supporting the country in its ambitious reform path. Concrete reforms and policy measures agreed with Egypt in our Memorandum of Understanding presented today will help putting the country on a sustainable economic path, underpinning stability, resilience and prosperity. Valdis Dombrovskis, Commissioner for Economy and Productivity; Implementation and Simplification

Our 75 million support package, part of the Strategic Comprehensive Partnership, will boost Egypt's socio-economic development, resilience, and inclusive growth, improving access to health, education, water, and sanitation, with a special focus on women and youth for the direct benefit of Egyptians citizens. Dubravka Suica, Commissioner for the Mediterranean

Egypt once built wonders that stood the test of time. Today, through Horizon Europe, it joins Europe to build the discoveries that will shape our future, proof that human ambition and innovation never stop. Ekaterina Zaharieva, Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation

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Operation Sindoor was an extraordinary demonstration of Tri-service jointness & integration: Raksha Mantri

India - Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Defence

"The operation reaffirmed Govt's resolve of devising coordinated, adaptive & preemptive strategies to deal with emerging challenges"

"Govt is ensuring national security & strategic autonomy by building future-ready Armed Forces"

Shri Rajnath Singh calls for civil-military fusion in today's global perspective

"Civil-military fusion should be viewed not just as integration, but as a strategic enabler that fosters innovation, preserves talent & propels the nation towards technological self-reliance"

Posted On: 22 OCT 2025 6:33PM by PIB Delhi

"Operation Sindoor witnessed extraordinary jointness & integration among the three Services, and reaffirmed the Government's resolve of devising coordinated, adaptive & preemptive defence strategies to deal with the challenges arising out the changing world order and evolving methods of warfare," said Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh at a book launch in New Delhi on October 22, 2025.

Raksha Mantri emphasised that traditional defence outlook is no longer sufficient in today's times as wars are fought not only on the borders; but have now taken a hybrid and asymmetrical form. He asserted that the Government, led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has undertaken several bold and decisive reforms to build a future-ready Armed Forces to ensure national security as well as strategic autonomy of the country.

"One of historic steps was the creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff which proved to be an important milestone in strengthening coordination and synergy among the three Services. The entire world witnessed the result of jointness and integration during Operation Sindoor. Pakistan is still recuperating from the severe blow dealt by our Armed Forces," said Shri Rajnath Singh.

The book 'Civil-Military Fusion as a Metric of National Power & Comprehensive Security', launched by Raksha Mantri, has been written by Lt Gen Raj Shukla (Retd). Shri Rajnath Singh pressed on, what he called one of the key takeaways from the book, that civil-military fusion should be viewed not just as integration, but as a strategic enabler that fosters innovation, preserves talent, and propels the nation towards technological self-reliance. "This fusion is possible only when we connect our civil industry, private sector, academia, and defence sector for a common national purpose. This increases our economic productivity and strategic edge," he said.

Raksha Mantri added that the world today is moving beyond 'division of labor' and toward 'integration of purpose', and despite shouldering different responsibilities, there is a need to work with a shared vision. "Our civil administration and military are certainly separate in terms of division of labor, but since coming to power, our Prime Minister has emphasised that no administration can operate in silos; it must work in collaboration with each other," he said.

Stressing on the need to understand the nature of civil-military fusion in the present technology-driven era, Shri Rajnath Singh called for identifying core challenges and adopting a focused approach to effectively utilise civilian technological capabilities in the military domain while keeping international conventions in mind. "In today's global perspective, civil and military domains are gradually merging. Technology, economy, and national security are now interlinked more than ever before. Information, supply chains, trade, rare minerals, and cutting-edge technology etc are being used in both domains. In such circumstances, civil-military fusion has become not a modern trend, but the need of the hour. Ignoring it is not good for strategic growth. Many of our important technologies often remain limited to civilian use. Under a dual-use concept, if these innovations are brought to military applications or vice versa, our national power can increase manifold," he said.

Highlighting the concrete steps taken by the Government towards civil-military fusion, Raksha Mantri said the Armed Forces, Government, industry, start-ups, research institutes, and young innovators are today working together to achieve the goal. He added that India's defence ecosystem has witnessed a historic transformation in the last few years, and the nation, which was once among the world's largest defence importers, is rapidly emerging as a manufacturing hub. "Due to our consistent efforts, India's defence sector is reaching unprecedented heights. Domestic production, which was around Rs 46,000 crore a decade ago, has now increased to a record Rs 1.51 lakh crore. Of this, approx. Rs 33,000 crore has been contributed by the private sector," he said.

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Director General of United Service Institution of India Major General BK Sharma (Retd), senior civil & military officials, and veterans were present on the occasion.

****

SR/Savvy/KB

(Release ID: 2181602)

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Ties with neighbors vital lifeline for Iran amid Western sanctions: Araghchi

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Oct 22, 2025

Mashhad, IRNA -- Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has emphasized the importance of strengthening relations with neighboring countries, arguing that they area an important lifeline for Iran in the face of Western sanctions.

Addressing the opening of the second Provincial Diplomacy Conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the city of Mashhad on Wednesday, Araghchi pointed out that the volume of Iran's trade with each of its neighbors is more than its total trade with Europe.

He said that neighboring states are the priority of the Foreign Ministry in terms of diplomacy, followed by others across the region.

Calling the provincial diplomacy one of the initiatives of the current administration, the top diplomat stressed the need for more interactions between the provinces on both sides of the border. "I see extensive capacities in provincial diplomacy that can bring blessings to the entire country," he said.

He continued by saying that cooperation between the provinces bordering Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Central Asian countries could boost not only tourism but also trade and commerce, adding that many bilateral issues can be examined and resolved.

Referring to the cross-border terrorism and smuggling, Araghchi underscored that the coordination between local officials in the border provinces could help tackle the issues, as terrorists and smugglers do not escape through legal border crossings.

Elsewhere in his speech, while urging businessmen and entrepreneurs to introduce Iran's capabilities to the world, the top diplomat said the provinces should promote their local products and provide the manufacturers with media and economic support in target countries.

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Excessive US demands prevented Iran from returning to negotiating table: Araghchi

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Oct 22, 2025

Mashhad, IRNA -- Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Iran will not return to the negotiating table as long as the United States keeps making unreasonable demands.

Araghchi made the remarks upon arrival in Mashhad to attend the second Provincial Diplomacy Conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday. The event has brought together Iran's ambassadors to regional countries, including China and Russia, as well as trade and business representatives to discuss ways to develop economic relations.

He clarified that the Islamic Republic has no intention to engage in talks with Americans as long as they do not abandon their "excessive and maximalist policy."

Stating that Tehran's call for diplomacy does not mean ignoring the rights of the Iranian people, Araghchi said Iran had taken actions wherever the interests of Iranians and the country were secured through diplomacy.

Referring to the past negotiations with the US, the top diplomat said they were stopped and did not progress due to the excessive demands of the American side, including its attacks on Iran.

He pointed out that a reasonable solution based on mutual interests was possible in New York, but due to the US's excessive demands, these negotiations did not come to fruition. "As long as this spirit, approach, and bitter experiences in negotiations with the US exist, it is natural that there is no possibility of re-entering into dialogues."

In April this year, Iran began a series of indirect talks with the US, mediated by Oman, aimed at resolving concerns over the country's peaceful nuclear program. As the two sides were on the verge of the sixth round, Iran was attacked by the Israeli regime with America's green light.

Later, the US itself joined the Israeli war campaign and bombed Iran's nuclear facilities, in violation of international law, the UN Charter, and the principles of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

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The word 'snapback' does not exist in the JCPOA: Tehran

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Oct 22, 2025

Mashhad, IRNA -- Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei says the term "snapback" is not mentioned anywhere in the 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and was invented by Western countries to justify reimposing sanctions in case of disputes.

"The word 'snapback' is not in the JCPOA. It's a term they fabricated so that in the event of a violation, the other side could activate a dispute resolution process leading to the reinstatement of previous UN resolutions," Baqaei said on Wednesday in a meeting with students at Razavi University of Islamic Sciences in Mashhad.

He dismissed recent remarks by former US negotiator Wendy Sherman about the issue, saying, "Much of what Wendy Sherman has said regarding snapback is lies."

"Our problem is that we accept the words of foreigners and use them to blame our own people, while the enemy's malice and bad faith should not make us question our own performance."

Baqaei emphasized that neither side trusted the other during the negotiations, rejecting claims that the so-called snapback mechanism was imposed on Iran.

"The other side said they did not trust Iran to fulfill its commitments, and if Iran violated them, they needed a safeguard. Our guarantee was our nuclear assets, which were in our own hands," he explained.

Under the JCPOA, if one party believes another is not honoring its commitments, it can trigger a dispute resolution mechanism. Iran maintains that this mechanism was designed mutually and not imposed.

Baqaei added, "In the JCPOA, we fulfilled our commitments in good faith, but we faced the other side's bad faith and noncompliance. The text of the JCPOA is clear and straightforward."

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Excessive US demands prevent return to negotiations: Iran FM

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 22 October 2025 2:36 PM

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Iran will not return to negotiations with the United States so long as Washington continues its policy of excessive demands.

"Until the Americans abandon their excessive and maximalist policy and stop making unreasonable demands of us, we will not return to the negotiating table," Araghchi told reporters upon arrival at Mashhad's Hasheminejad Airport on Wednesday, where he was attending a provincial diplomacy conference.

The foreign minister said the previous talks collapsed precisely due to Washington's overreach.

"The negotiations that were previously underway with the Americans, as well as the New York talks, were stopped and did not progress due to the excessive demands of the American side," he said, referring to five rounds of nuclear talks before the US-Israeli aggression against Iran in June.

Araghchi said the two sides could also reach a "reasonable, mutually beneficial solution" during the recent annual UN General Assembly meeting in New York, but that opportunity was also lost due to a similar reason.

Araghchi said Iran has consistently demonstrated its commitment to peace and diplomacy, even while facing an adversary unwilling to honor such principles.

"We have shown we are always committed to diplomatic solutions, but this does not mean giving up the rights of the Iranian people."

"Wherever the interests of the Iranian people and the higher interests of the country can be secured through diplomacy, we have acted. But we are dealing with those who have never adhered to diplomacy," Araghchi said.

He said Iran recently exchanged messages and contacts with US negotiator Steve Witkoff through intermediaries, but he made it clear that Iran will not re-enter talks unless the US fundamentally changes its approach.

"As long as this spirit exists in negotiations with the Americans, naturally, there is no possibility of returning to negotiations, unless the American approach changes and they accept that negotiations must be based on mutual respect and from equal positions."

The Iranian minister said Washington's failed strategies will yield no results. "They have tried other paths and have not succeeded, and if they continue on this path again, they will once more achieve nothing."

For the first time, Israel and the United States launched large-scale strikes on Iran in June, hitting nuclear and military facilities.

Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks on the Israeli-occupied territories and a major US military base in Qatar.

US President Donald Trump claimed afterward that Iran was close to producing nuclear bombs, but without providing any proof for his claim. Iran says it does not seek nuclear weapons.

In the previous nuclear talks, the Trump administration repeatedly asked Iran to dismantle its nuclear and missile development infrastructure altogether, a demand Tehran rejects.

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Tehran: Snapback a 'fabricated' term, not found in JCPOA text

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 22 October 2025 11:17 AM

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman says the term "snapback" does not exist in the text of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, officially called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), calling it "a fabricated expression" employed by the West to reinstate the expired UN resolutions against Iran.

Speaking to students at Razavi University of Islamic Sciences in Mashhad on Wednesday, Esmaeil Baghaei said that many of the "claims made by Wendy Sherman about the snapback mechanism are false."

Wendy Ruth Sherman, a senior US nuclear negotiator during the JCPOA talks, wrote in her memoir, Fear Is Failure: Lessons on Courage, Power, and Persistence, that the inclusion of the so-called snapback mechanism  or the reinstatement of UN sanctions against Iran  was one of the final and most difficult parts of the negotiations.

Baghaei dismissed the claim, stating, "The text of the JCPOA is clear and straightforward," and rejected assertions that Iran had been warned about the snapback mechanism.

Britain, France, and Germany triggered the so mechanism on August 28, setting in motion a 30day process to restore all UN sanctions on Iran.

Despite last-minute efforts by Russia and China to preserve diplomacy, the Security Council failed to reach a consensus on September 26, and two days later, the E3 and the United States declared the sanctions reinstated and urged UN member states to enforce them.

The Iranian diplomat also said that mutual distrust existed during the JCPOA negotiations, adding, "The other side did not trust us, and we did not trust them either."

"Some claim that the snapback mechanism was imposed on us, but that is completely untrue," he further said.

He explained that Iran's guarantee was its own nuclear assets, while the other side wanted assurances that if Iran violated its commitments, the resolutions could be reinstated.

Baghaei said that Iran fulfilled its obligations in good faith under the JCPOA but was met with bad faith from the other party.

According to Baghaei, Resolution 2231, "based on legal and logical reasoning, has effectively ended, but Western parties insist on keeping it in force."

Iran on Saturday declared an end to the JCPOA and all UN restrictions on its nuclear program following the expiration of Security Council resolution 2231, which endorsed the nuclear deal.

The country says its nuclear file is closed and should be treated under standard international oversight.

The diplomat added that two permanent members of the UN Security Council and countries of the Non-Aligned Movement oppose the Western interpretation, which shows "the importance and greatness of our country and our diplomatic capabilities."

Elsewhere in his remarks, Baghaei condemned the US approach, saying, "America's bullying behavior has disrupted international relations. Even renaming the US Department of Defense to the Department of War would better reflect its real conduct."

He added, "The US's aggressive unilateralism has endangered international peace and security and fostered a dangerous pattern in global relations. Through various means, including tariff wars, Washington seeks to impose dominance through coercion."

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Iran officially approves joining convention on fighting terrorism financing

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 22 October 2025 9:26 AM

President Masoud Pezeshkian has officially communicated a law on Iran's accession to the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism (CFT).

In a letter on Tuesday, Pezeshkian notified relevant executive institutions of the law approving Iran's accession to the convention.

The Expediency Council had conditionally approved Iran's accession to the CFT during its session on October 1.

Mohsen Dehnavi, spokesperson for the council, outlined the conditions set by Iran for joining the convention, explaining that the Parliament had stipulated that Iran's compliance with the convention's provisions would be within the framework of the Constitution.

The spokesperson added that the council introduced an additional condition, stating that the Islamic Republic would act in accordance with both its Constitution and domestic laws.

He emphasized that if any provisions of the convention were to conflict with Iran's domestic regulations, domestic laws would take precedence.

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an international coalition for combating money laundering and terrorist financing, which is headquartered in Paris, blacklisted Iran in 2020 mainly for not adopting the Palermo Convention and the CFT.

After halting debates on the two conventions over concerns they might undermine Iran's financial independence, the Expediency Council approved the Palermo convention in May.

Officials with the Iranian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance say the FATF would start to reconsider its designation of Iran only after the country approves the CFT.

Iran finally approved the CFT in early October, although the FATF has yet to be officially notified of the move by the Foreign Ministry, which would take place after the UN confirms Iran has joined the convention.

The finance ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that the FATF would probably discuss Iran's approval of the CFT in its upcoming meetings.

Iran is under a harsh regime of unilateral US sanctions, which makes it difficult for the country to engage in normal banking and financial relations with other countries.

Economic experts say Iran should be removed from FATF's blacklist to be able to maintain its ongoing trade and business relations with countries that reject UN and US sanction policies against Tehran.

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Iran security chief thanks Russia for its support for Tehran at UN Security Council

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 22 October 2025 3:28 AM

Iran's top security official has expressed gratitude on the part of the Islamic Republic towards Russia for the latter's support at the United Nations Security Council for Tehran's rightful stance in the face of Western states' attempts at re-imposing coercive economic measures on the country.

Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani made the remarks in the Iranian capital on Tuesday, meeting with visiting Russian presidential envoy Alexander Lavrentiev.

Larijani, who also serves as a senior adviser to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, commended Russia's consistent cooperation with Iran at the Council.

He was referring, among other things, to the Russian diplomatic mission to the UN's recent categorical rejection of the "snapback" of nuclear-related sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

The support saw Russia and China consistently denounce and refuse to recognize restoration of the sanctions that had been triggered by the UK, France, and Germany's recourse to the mechanism in August.

The trio had triggered the "snapback," reiterating their allegations of "diversion" against Iran's peaceful nuclear energy program.

Tehran and its allies have invariably reminded absence of any evidence proving the allegations. They have also noted that the troika's own non-commitment to a 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran has robbed them of all moral and legal grounds to try to restore the sanctions.

Larijani and the Russian official reviewed coordination between Tehran and Moscow across international forums, besides addressing various regional developments.

The envoy briefed the Iranian official on the latest situation in the region and outlined prospects for stronger regional cooperation.

The meeting came days after Larijani met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, delivering a direct message from Ayatollah Khamenei.

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Top Iranian Officials Accused Of Shah-Era Assassination

By Mohammad Zarghami October 22, 2025

Summary

Two senior Iranian officials are accused of killing oil executive Malek Boroujerdi in 1978, weeks before the Islamic Revolution.

Mehrzad Boroujerdi, the victim's son, claims Ali Shamkhani and Mohsen Rezaei, linked to Islamist group Mansouroun, were involved.

Boroujerdi alleges his father was targeted for opposing oil worker strikes that weakened the shah's rule.

Two senior Iranian officials have been accused of killing an oil executive weeks before the Islamic Revolution in 1979 that toppled the US-backed shah and brought the country's current clerical rulers to power.

Malek Boroujerdi, an Iranian oil official, was shot dead by gunmen in the southwestern city of Ahvaz in December 1978. The perpetrators were never found.

Boroujerdi's son, Mehrzad, a US-based academic, has accused Ali Shamkhani, a senior adviser to Iran's supreme leader, and Mohsen Rezaei, a former commander of the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), of carrying out the assassination.

Boroujerdi alleges that the clandestine Islamist group Mansouroun -- which Shamkhani and Rezaei belonged to -- planned his father's killing. American oil executive Paul Grimm was killed in a separate attack on the same day in Ahvaz.

A professor at Missouri University of Science and Technology, Boroujerdi did not provide any proof to back his allegations. RFE/RL, which is officially banned in Iran, reached out to Shamkhani and Rezaei's offices but did not receive a response.

Boroujerdi's allegations come as Shamkhani reels from a string of controversies, including the release of a 2024 video showing his daughter's lavish wedding at a Tehran hotel as well as recent remarks expressing his regret that Iran did not pursue a nuclear weapon in the 1990s.

The 1978 Killings

Boroujerdi, who said he spent decades trying to work out who killed his father, first made the allegations against Shamkhani and Rezaei in a Facebook post on October 21.

In an interview with RFE/RL's Radio Farda, he said, "People should know who these individuals are, what they have done, and how they climbed the [political] ladder."

The 1978 killing came as oil workers were on strike to protest the autocratic rule of the shah. Boroujerdi, a director at the stateowned Iranian National Oil Company, opposed the strikes that were credited with accelerating the fall of the monarch.

His son said that made his father a target for Islamists working to overthrow the shah.

Mansouroun, he said, "had posted in mosques a list of about 10 people, naming my father as an opponent of the strikes who should be eliminated."

"This wasn't a lonewolf act," Boroujerdi said. "A terrorist group decided, assigned two people, and neighbors saw two assailants. They even came to the hospital to make sure the job was finished."

Boroujerdi alleged that Shamkhani and Rezaei shot dead his father. The weapons used in the killing, he alleged, were provided by Mohammad Jahanara.

A member of Mansouroun, Jahanara later became an IRGC commander and was killed during the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s.

Boroujerdi taught at the Iranian National Oil Company's technical school in Ahvaz. Rezaei attended the school at the time, although it was not clear if Shamkhani and Jahanara were also enrolled there.

The Figures Named

Shamkhani, born in Ahvaz, was an organizer in Iran's underground Islamist movements in the 1970s. He then commanded the naval branch of the IRGC before serving as defense minister and secretary of the Supreme National Security Council -- Iran's equivalent of a national security adviser.

Rezaei became the IRGC's intelligence chief and then a commander before entering top political posts.

Boroujerdi said he has long suspected that Shamkhani and Rezaei were behind his father's killing. But he said now was the time to make his allegations public.

"People should know who these individuals are and what they have done," Boroujerdi said. "That's why I'm speaking now."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-shamkhani- rezaei-boroujerdi-killing-oil-strikes/33566925.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Iran, Iraq military officials emphasize security agreement implementation

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Oct 22, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Chairman of the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Iran Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi has called for the full implementation of the security agreement between Iran and Iraq during a meeting with Iraq's National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji and his delegation.

The discussions focused on enhancing military, political, and economic cooperation between Tehran and Baghdad to ensure greater regional security.

A high-ranking Iraqi delegation, led by al-Araji, met with Major General Mousavi at the Iranian Armed Forces General Staff headquarters in Tehran. The Iranian commander highlighted the deep brotherhood between the Iranian and Iraqi peoples, noting that this bond is a significant concern for the United States, which recognizes the benefits of this relationship.

Mousavi also referenced the US agenda in Iraq, suggesting that recent aggressions from the Israeli regime and the US have made their intentions clearer. He reiterated the importance of fully executing the security agreement between the two nations.

Al-Araji, for his part, said that no one can undermine the deep connections between Iran and Iraq. He emphasized that during Israel's recent aggression against Iran, the Iranian people united in support of their armed forces and government, showcasing their strength.

Furthermore, he reaffirmed Iraq's commitment to the security agreement and stated that no country would be allowed to use Iraqi territory to threaten its neighbors, particularly Iran.

Rebar Ahmed Khalid, Minister of Interior of the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq, also expressed determination to implement the security agreement, including disarming anti-Iran groups in northern Iraq.

4208**9417

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Iran's top general urges full implementation of security deal with Iraq

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 22 October 2025 10:50 AM

Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi has stressed the importance of fully implementing the security agreement between Iran and Iraq, calling for increased cooperation between the two countries to maintain regional security.

General Mousavi made the remarks in a meeting with a high-ranking Iraqi delegation led by Iraqi National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji in the capital Tehran on Wednesday.

Mousavi also hailed the strong bond and brotherhood between Iran and Iraq, much to the dismay of the United States and the two countries' adversaries.

He also pointed out that the recent attacks by the US and the Israeli regime on Iran exposed Washington's plans to wrest control over Iraq.

According to Iran's General Staff of the Armed Forces, Israeli fighter jets used US-controlled airspace over Iraq to launch missiles at Iranian military sites during the regime's June act of aggression against Iran.

"If the recent acts of aggression by the Zionist regime and the United States against the Islamic Republic of Iran had not occurred, Washington's true intentions in seeking control over Iraq's affairs might not have been fully revealed," he said, referring to the presence of US-led military coalition in the Arab country.

Araji, for his part, highlighted the deep and special ties between the two nations and reaffirmed Iraq's commitment to fulfill the terms of the security agreement with Iran.

Referring to the June 12-day war against Iran, he noted that despite losses, the Iranian people stood united in support of their armed forces and government and manifested their resilience.

Araji further emphasized the necessity of enhancing military, political, and economic cooperation to contribute to regional stability, reiterating the commitment of both the Iraqi government and the Kurdistan Regional Government to uphold Iran's security and prevent the use of Iraqi territory against neighboring states, particularly Iran.

Back in August, Iran and Iraq signed a memorandum of understanding in Baghdad to boost security along the border.

During his state visit to Iran, the Iraqi official also called on President Masoud Pezeshkian, security chief Ali Larijani, parliament speaker Baqer Qalibaf and other senior officials.

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President Herzog meets US Vice President JD Vance in Jerusalem

Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs

President Herzog: "I truly believe that the fact you're here is another brick in building the future for peace."

Type: Press Releases

Topic: Foreign Policy

Publish Date: 22.10.2025

(Communicated by the President's Spokesperson)

President Isaac Herzog today (Wednesday, 22 October 2025) met with Vice President JD Vance at the President's Residence in Jerusalem. After their meeting, the President and Vice President made brief remarks to the media.

President Herzog:

"Welcome Vice President JD Vance, you and your wife, our dear guests, friends. The nation of Israel is overjoyed that you're here. On a personal level, I must tell you I'm a huge fan of your book since I have believed all my life, in the fact that we should assume responsibility and help people who are underprivileged with tools that will give them a real chance. I was always impressed by your story and the way it was told in this incredible book, thank you for that.

"On your visit, you know our former Prime Minister, the late Yitzchak Rabin used to say when he tried to reach peace over 30 years ago, and was assassinated in the plight for peace - he said that the torments of peace are much better than the agony of war. I truly believe that the fact you're here is another brick in building the future for peace. And thank you for that. Thank President Trump. We all are grateful to President Donald Trump for his steadfast insistence on moving forward. We must move forward. We must offer hope for the region, for Israel, the Palestinians, our neighbors, and for the future of our children. So we are grateful for your efforts. And as the first step, of course, we insist and we want to see all our hostages back for respectful burial. I know you're going to meet families now. Thank you for that, and let's hope that your efforts and the Administration's efforts will lead to immediate results together with the Israeli government and all partners concerned, thank you very much. And welcome to Israel."

Vice President Vance:

"Thank you, President Herzog, it's great to be with you, and it's great to be in the Holy Land. We're thrilled to be welcomed and honored by the kindness and the graciousness of you and your lovely wife. We're here to talk about peace. We're here to talk about how to ensure that the peace agreement that started about a week ago sticks, that we move into phase two, into phase three with success. As the President said, there will be torments along the way. It will be difficult, but I feel very optimistic based on my conversation with our Israeli friends and also with our Gulf Arab friends, that it's possible that we actually can make peace stick, and that we can create the kind of environment where our Gulf Arab friends and our Israeli friends can build a better Middle East for everybody. So that is the goal of the Administration. We think that it's in the best interest of the United States. We also think that it's in the best interest of everybody who lives here. So we'll keep on working on it and working on it together. Thank you."

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Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's talks with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yermek Kosherbayev

22 October 2025 18:03

1751-22-10-2025

On October 22, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held talks with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yermek Kosherbayev now in Moscow on his first official foreign visit.

The ministers substantively discussed steps to deepen the Russia-Kazakhstan relationship of strategic partnership and alliance. They reviewed the implementation of key top-level agreements in the run-up to President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's first state visit to the Russian Federation later this year.

The foreign ministers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the trust-based political dialogue and coordinating efforts to address pressing regional and international issues. They expressed willingness to continue close cooperation within the framework of common integration associations across the Eurasian space such as the EAEU, the CSTO, the CIS, the SCO, and the CICA, as well as other multilateral intergovernmental platforms, primarily the UN.

The ministers discussed preparations for the 7th Caspian Summit in Tehran in 2026. They emphasised the importance of the earliest possible entry into force of the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea signed by all five littoral states.

During the talks, the Kazakhstani side was briefed in detail on the progress of the Special Military Operation.

The meeting was held in a traditionally warm and friendly atmosphere.



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Engineering vehicles in training

China Military Online) 10:43, October 23, 2025

An engineer soldier assigned to a regiment under the Chinese PLA Xinjiang Military Command operates an excavator to complete training subjects during a training exercise on October 14, 2025. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Liu Fasen)

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun)
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's statement at a joint news conference following talks with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yermek Kosherbayev, Moscow, October 22, 2025

22 October 2025 15:37

1750-22-10-2025

Ladies and gentlemen,

I have held candid and constructive talks with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yermek Kosherbayev.

This official visit by my counterpart is the first official visit in his new capacity. I believe this re-affirms the special nature of our relationship of alliance and strategic partnership.

Mr Kosherbayev is quite familiar with modern-day Russia: from 2020 to 2023, he served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Russia. We have always valued his personal contribution to promoting allied ties. There is no doubt that under his leadership, Kazakhstan's foreign ministry will continue to make a weighty contribution to strengthening and promoting comprehensive Russia-Kazakhstan cooperation.

We placed special emphasis on preparations for a state visit by President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to the Russian Federation on November 12. A year ago, in November 2024, President Putin paid a state visit to Astana. Over the past twelve months, the leaders have met in person several times, including in Moscow during the celebrations of Victory and on the sidelines of international events in Belarus, China, and Tajikistan. They hold telephone conversations almost monthly, if not more often.

The leaders' diplomacy sets the tone for Russia-Kazakhstan cooperation dynamics. Today, Mr Kosherbayev and I discussed the current state and prospects of our partnership. We examined in detail the implementation of the respective presidential instructions to expand cooperation in trade, the economy, science and technology, culture, and the humanitarian sphere. We noted the special role of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation and the administrative units of the Republic of Kazakhstan. We welcomed, in particular, the upcoming 21st Forum of Interregional Cooperation in Uralsk, Kazakhstan, on November 12.

Russia is among Kazakhstan's leading trading partners and the largest investor in its economy. Much attention is paid to promoting energy security through joint projects in thermal and hydropower. We welcomed the decision made in June to choose the Russian state corporation Rosatom as the leader of an international consortium for the construction of Kazakhstan's first nuclear power plant. I reaffirmed our readiness to fulfill all our obligations in this area, fully and on time. Currently, line agencies are working out the technical, financial, and legal parameters of the project.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the legendary Baikonur Cosmodrome. The Russian-Kazakhstani Baiterek project which will contribute to the development of Kazakhstan's national space programme has entered its final phase. Our plans include joint launches of the advanced Soyuz-5 launch vehicle.

We highly praised our cultural and humanitarian ties. We discussed the creation of a network of branches of Russian universities in Kazakhstan and a reciprocal process that started this year. For example, in September, a branch of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University opened its doors to students in Omsk. Work is underway to establish joint schools in Kazakhstan and Russia.

Days of Culture of Kazakhstan, which began in our country on October 10, were warmly welcomed by Russian audiences. The new building of the Tretyakov Gallery is hosting the Masterpieces of Kazakh Art exhibition; Kazakh films are being screened in cinemas, and the Kuanyshbayev Kazakh National Music and Drama Theatre, as well as the ballet company from the Astana Opera, are performing on Russian stages. The celebrations will culminate in a gala concert of Kazakh performing artists on the Historic Stage of the Bolshoi Theatre.

We had a detailed exchange of views on pressing regional and international issues. We noted the consonance and alignment of our approaches to addressing key problems of the modern world. We share a positive assessment of cooperation within such multilateral organisation as the EAEU, the CSTO, the CIS, the SCO, and the UN. We particularly emphasised the fact that our alliance, primarily within the CSTO framework, is an important factor in maintaining stability in Central Asia and ensuring security across the Eurasian continent as a whole.

In this context, we focused on implementing the initiatives advanced by President Vladimir Putin to form a Greater Eurasian Partnership and architecture of equal and indivisible security in Eurasia. We also discussed how existing integration associations and initiatives, including Kazakhstan's initiative to strengthen the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA), fit into these processes.

We noted the continuing - and even growing - importance of joint work in the Caspian region. We agreed that the five Caspian states possess unique expertise in addressing issues concerning the Caspian Sea and bear responsibility for sustainable development, peace, and security in the region as enshrined in the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea. We consider positive Iran's proposal to hold the 7th Caspian Summit in Tehran on August 12, 2026, which is also marked as Caspian Day.

We also discussed various international issues, including the situation in the Middle East and other hotspots. We informed our Kazakhstani friends about the latest developments in and around Ukraine. We appreciate our Kazakhstani friends' understanding of our principled position, primarily the fact that sustainable settlement is impossible without addressing the core causes of this conflict, which were created over many years by Western countries in their attempts to use Ukraine as a launching pad to undermine the legitimate security interests of the Russian Federation.

Overall, we are satisfied with the outcome of the talks and agreed to continue the constructive and trust-based dialogue.





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Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks during talks with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yermek Kosherbayev, Moscow, October 22, 2025

22 October 2025 12:50

1749-22-10-2025

Mr Minister,

Friends,

We are delighted to welcome you to Moscow, the city where you previously worked as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan. You have greatly contributed to the further development of our allied relations. I would like to once again congratulate you on your appointment. We know that you have a great deal of experience, energy and knowledge, as well as a desire to promote our relations.

We believe that the fact that you are making your first official foreign visit to Russia speaks volumes and highlights the priority importance of privileged Russian-Kazakhstani partnership, alliance and integration ties.

Our peoples are bound by long-standing traditions of friendship, mutual assistance and support. Today we mark 33 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries (October 22, 1992). Since then, we have covered a long path. Our leaders maintain regular contacts, both formal and informal ones. They have held four summit meetings this year. Preparations are underway for a state visit by President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to the Russian Federation. It is not an exaggeration to say that it will be an event of a truly international scale.

There is hardly any sphere of government and human activities where our countries do not maintain practical mutually beneficial cooperation, including between our foreign ministries. We are implementing an action plan for cooperation between our foreign ministries for 20252026. Today, we will discuss all bilateral issues and also our interaction on the international stage.

On October 25, Kazakhstan will mark its national holiday, Republic Day. I hope to have an opportunity to congratulate you on this event today, including in an informal atmosphere.

I am delighted to see you. I hope that our conversation today will make a tangible contribution to preparations for the upcoming state visit by President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.





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Myanmar: UN expert urges ASEAN not to step backward by recognising junta's 'sham elections' at its 47th Summit

UNOHCHR

Press releases

Special Procedures

22 October 2025

GENEVA -- ASEAN leaders must firmly reject plans by Myanmar's military junta to hold illegitimate elections designed to entrench military rule and ease international pressure, a UN expert said today.

On the eve of ASEAN's 47th Summit, the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar, Tom Andrews, said the regional grouping was at a crossroads with regard to its Myanmar strategy.

"The military junta has been scoffing at ASEAN's Five Point Consensus since the moment it was signed over four years ago. Now, it wants ASEAN to legitimise a sham election despite the fact that tens of thousands of political prisoners are behind bars, freedom of speech and the press are outlawed, and military attacks against civilians continue unabated," Andrews said.

The expert said that unfortunately, ASEAN's well-meaning Five Point Consensus had failed to move Myanmar forward on the path toward peace and stability.

"To recognise the junta's fraudulent election would be to move Myanmar backward and defend the indefensible," Andrews said. "ASEAN leaders must refrain from doing anything to legitimise the junta's charade, including sending observers to monitor the polls."

"Elections cannot be free, fair or credible when held amid military violence and repression, with political leaders detained and fundamental freedoms crushed," the Special Rapporteur said.

Andrews said the people of Myanmar were looking to ASEAN to demonstrate leadership by demanding accountability, an end to the junta's violence, meaningful political dialogue with all legitimate stakeholders, and unfettered humanitarian access.

Echoing the calls in his report to the UN General Assembly, he urged ASEAN to:

 Acknowledge the flagrant violations of the Five-Point Consensus by the junta;

 Prohibit junta officials or officials from junta-controlled bodies from representing Myanmar at any ASEAN summits or functions;

 Engage with the National Unity Government, ethnic resistance organisations, civil society organisation and other key parties representing the will and interests of the people of Myanmar; and

 Facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to all populations in need, including by supporting cross-border humanitarian assistance delivered through local civil society organisations.

Andrews said the upcoming Summit was a defining moment for ASEAN's credibility.

"The people of Myanmar continue to show remarkable courage in their struggle for freedom and human rights," he said. "They need action, not words. At the very least they need ASEAN to take a step forward and not backward by recognising and legitimising a sham election."

Tom Andrews is the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar

Special Rapporteurs/Independent Experts/Working Groups are independent human rights experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Together, these experts are referred to as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights office acts as the secretariat for Special Procedures, the experts serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including OHCHR and the UN. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the UN or OHCHR.

Country-specific observations and recommendations by the UN human rights mechanisms, including the special procedures, the treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review, can be found on the Universal Human Rights Index https://uhri.ohchr.org/en/

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Pakistan Navy Ship YARMOOK, while operating under the Saudi-led Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150) of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), successfully executed a major counter-narcotics operation in the North Arabian Sea, resulting in the seizure of narcotics valued at approximately USD 972 million.

Inter Services Public Relations Pakistan

Rawalpindi - October 22, 2025

No PR-328/2025-ISPR

Pakistan Navy Ship YARMOOK, while operating under the Saudi-led Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150) of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), successfully executed a major counter-narcotics operation in the North Arabian Sea, resulting in the seizure of narcotics valued at approximately USD 972 million.

This remarkable achievement highlights Pakistan Navy's unwavering commitment to regional maritime security, global peace, and the collective fight against illicit trafficking at sea.

Operating as part of the multinational CTF-150 which focuses on ensuring maritime stability and deterring terrorism and illegal activities across the high seas, the successful operation by PNS YARMOOK reaffirms Pakistan's active role as a responsible maritime partner contributing to peace and security in the wider Indian Ocean Region.

Upon execution of successful antinarcotic operation, Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Naveed Ashraf commended the crew of PNS YARMOOK for their professionalism and dedication. He emphasized that Pakistan Navy remains steadfast in its mission to safeguard national maritime interests while contributing to the global commons through cooperation and coordinated maritime security efforts. The Naval Chief underscored that PNS YARMOOK's operation under Saudi led task force will further enhance the interoperability between the two navies and strengthen defence collaboration between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

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Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, during official visit to Romania called on Lieutenant General Leonard-Gabriel Baraboi, Chief of the Romanian Air Force Staff.

Inter Services Public Relations Pakistan

Rawalpindi - October 22, 2025

No PR-329/2025-ISPR

Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, during official visit to Romania called on Lieutenant General Leonard-Gabriel Baraboi, Chief of the Romanian Air Force Staff. The visit focused on strengthening bilateral defence ties and exploring avenues for enhanced cooperation between the two Air Forces.

Upon his arrival at Romanian Air Force Headquarters, a smartly turned-out contingent of the Romanian Air Force presented Guard of Honour to Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu. Later the Air Chief held detailed discussions with Lieutenant General Baraboi centered on advancing operational cooperation, including joint air exercises, exchange programmes and training of air and ground crew.

The dignitaries also exchanged views on regional security dynamics and reaffirmed the importance of bilateral cooperation in maintaining both global and regional stability.

Lieutenant General Baraboi praised the professionalism of Pakistan Air Force manifested in its recent success against Indian aggression. He also acknowledged PAF's progress achieved through indeginization initiatives under the visionary leadership of the Air Chief. Both dignitaries agreed to create robust institutional mechanisms for sustained cooperation in addressing shared aerial defence challenges. During the meeting, the two Air Chiefs also discussed expanding Air Force-to-Air Force collaboration and delved into prospects of forging defence-industrial partnerships in advanced aerospace technologies.

This visit of Chief of the Air Staff to Romania marks a significant milestone in Pakistan and Romania's military relations highlighting both nations' enduring commitment to peace, development and military collaboration in a rapidly evolving security environment.

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Chairman Mast on Russian Oil Sanctions

U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs

October 22, 2025

Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast issued the following statement in response to new sanctions against major Russian oil companies announced by President Trump.

"Not only is Putin's daily choice not peace or reconciliation, it is instead bombing kindergartens. A nation buying oil from Russia funded that attack. There will now be a steep cost to financing Russian attacks."

###



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Citing national interests, Japan rejects US pressure to end Russian energy imports

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 22 October 2025 7:45 AM

Japan's Trade Minister Yoji Muto has firmly rejected mounting US pressure to halt energy imports from Russia, asserting that Tokyo will make its decisions based on its national interest.

Muto spoke following a recent meeting between US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato, during which Bessent urged Japan to completely end its Russian energy purchases.

While acknowledging Japan's ongoing efforts to steadily reduce reliance on Russian energy since Russia's military operation in Ukraine began in February 2022, Muto stressed that Japan will not fully comply with Washington's demands.

He pointed out that liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia's Sakhalin-2 project remains crucial, accounting for about 10% of Japan's total LNG imports and supplying nearly 3% of its electricity generation.

"LNG from Sakhalin-2 plays an extremely important role in Japan's energy security," Muto said, highlighting the country's need to balance sanctions with its energy requirements.

Despite Japan's formal participation in the G7's price-cap scheme on Russian oil, Tokyo has maintained exemptions for Sakhalin-2, and in September lowered its price ceiling to align more closely with Europe's limitsyet without ending imports.

The US has intensified its efforts to reduce Russian energy revenues by urging top buyers like Japan, India, and China to reduce their purchases. Washington claims that such measures would undermine Moscow's ability to sustain its military operation in Ukraine.

However, the US demand has been met with resistance from other countries as India and China have also said their import policies are based on their national interests.

Last week, EU energy ministers also reached an agreement to implement a plan that aims to prohibit the import of Russian gas by the end of 2027, a move strongly backed by Washington.

The US and its European allies have imposed financial curbs on Russia, ranging from an overseas asset freeze on the Russian central bank to a ban on Russian exports of crude oil after President Vladimir Putin ordered "a special military operation" in Ukraine.

Russia is the third-largest oil producer after the US and Saudi Arabia and a major gas exporter.

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Barrier 2025 CSTO exercise: RKhM-8 chemical reconnaissance vehicle first-ever used in Tajikistan

22 October 2025 08:45

Today, in the Republic of Tajikistan, at the Fakhrabad training ground, within the framework of the Barrier 2025 special exercise, the CSTO joint formation of the NBC Protection and medical support units was involved in practical actions aimed at eliminating sources of biological threats in the interests of the CSTO Collective Peacekeeping Forces.

The unit, headed by Lieutenant Colonel Artyom Pashkovich, treated the refugees arriving at the camp, disinfected motor vehicles, and practised organisation of a quarantine zone.

The main objectives of the Barrier 2025 special exercise are to train in practice the joint performance of tasks by specialists of RBC protection and medical support units, as well as to organise cooperation with national authorities responsible for respond to large-scale and rapid spreads of dangerous infectious diseases.

Specialists of the armed forces of the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation, and the Republic of Tajikistan are included in the joint formation. It is equipped with the latest military and special equipment. For the first time, an RKhM-8 reconnaissance chemical vehicle was used during the CSTO exercise. It is based on a Tigr armoured vehicle equipped with the latest radiation, chemical, and biological reconnaissance devices.

The main training issues being worked out by joint formation of CSTO NBC Protection and medical support units during the Barrier 2025 special exercise are: NBC reconnaissance, sampling and analysis, casualty decontamination, introduction of a quarantine regime, provision of medical care and evacuation of victims.

From 20 to 24 October, an active phase of the Unbreakable Brotherhood 2025 joint exercise with CSTO peacekeeping forces is held at the Fakhrabad training ground in Tajikistan, during which a peacekeeping operation on the territory of a CSTO member state is practised.

For the first time, within the framework of the peacekeeping exercise, a special exercise - Barrier 2025 - is being conducted with joint formation of CSTO NBC Protection and medical support units. During these exercises, the joint formation of CSTO NBC Protection and medical support is directly subordinated to the CSTO Collective Peacekeeping Forces Commander. The main task of the joint formation in the exercise is to ensure the biological safety of the coalition grouping of forces.

Military contingents of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and the operational groups of the CSTO Joint Staff and the CSTO Secretariat take part in the Unbreakable Brotherhood 2025 and Barrier 2025 exercises. The Russian contingent is based on units of the 201st military base of the Central Military District, including mountain units, communication units, electronic warfare units, NBC Protection units, medical units, and UAV teams. The total number of participants in the exercise is about 1,500 as well as more than 200 units of military and special hardware, including 6 helicopters and over 20 UAVs.

Active phases of the CSTO exercises are being conducted in conjunction with the final stage of the joint anti-terrorism training of the competent authorities of the CIS member states, Commonwealth Anti-Terror 2025.

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Pacific Fleet's ship detachment arrives at port of Sattahip to participate in events with Royal Thai Navy

22 October 2025 03:24

The detachment of ships of the Pacific Fleet consisting of the frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov, the corvette Gremyashchiy, and the large sea tanker Boris Butoma arrived at the port of Sathip of the Kingdom of Thailand.

At the pier of the naval base, the ship detachment of the Pacific Fleet was welcomed by representatives of the command of the Royal Thai Navy and the Russian military attache.

Over the next few days, Russian sailors are facing a series of protocol and sporting events with servicemen of the Royal Thai Navy, as well as visiting sightseeings and culture events.

It is also planned to visit the frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov by the ambassador of the Russian Federation, representatives of the Royal Thai Navy and Russian citizens living in the country.

The Pacific Fleet's detachment of ships left the port of Vladivostok on 1 October for a long-range mission in the Asia-Pacific Region and key areas of the World Ocean.

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EU lists four Chinese entities in sanctions against Russia; move undermines bloc's 'strategic autonomy,' expert says

Global Times

By Tao Mingyang Published: Oct 23, 2025 10:59 AM

The EU's 19th package of sanctions against Russia will list four entities involved in China's oil industry, Reuters reported, a move Chinese analyst further underscores the bloc's tendency to "blindly follow" the US in its China policy.

EU diplomatic sources told Reuters that the four Chinese entities include two oil refineries, a trading company and an entity which they claimed "helps in the circumvention in oil and other sectors." But the names will not be made public until the official adoption on Thursday, said another report by Reuters.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on Wednesday that the US is sanctioning Russia's two major oil companies - the state-owned company Rosneft and the privately owned company Lukoil - and called on Russia and Ukraine to agree to an immediate ceasefire, according to a press release by the US Department of the Treasury. On the same day, EU member states reached a consensus on the 19th round of sanctions against Russia.

A Bloomberg report also on Wednesday said that US President Donald Trump has planned to talk with China about the purchase of Russian oil.

"This reflects that the EU, on the surface, proclaims 'strategic autonomy' in its China policy, but in reality lacks genuine independent capability and proactive initiative, blindly following the US," Zhao Junjie, a senior research fellow at the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Thursday.

Zhao pointed out that over the past decades, Europe has relied on US and NATO protection, but in digital economy and new productive forces, the EU lags far behind China and the US in technology transfer and result application, with both upstream and downstream industrial chains influenced by the two countries.

This is not the first time that EU listed Chinese entities in sanctions against Russia. Its 17th package of sanctions against Russia listed 75 entities including five from China. On July 18, 2025, the EU added two Chinese financial institutions to the sanctions list in its 18th round of sanctions against Russia. In response, China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) announced on August 13 that it would take countermeasures against two EU financial institutions, effective immediately.

Zhao further noted that the EU's repeated alignment with the US in pressuring China reflects that its leaders are constrained by domestic populist and far-right forces, resulting in short-sighted and irrational decision-making that is unable to fundamentally address the challenges facing its economic development.

Economic and trade cooperation between China and Europe is inherently mutually beneficial, Zhao said, calling on Europe to abandon its geopolitical misperceptions and prejudices toward China, as well as its anxiety stemming from viewing China as a zero-sum competitor in critical technology sectors.

China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao held a meeting via video link with EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic at the latter's request on Tuesday, during which both sides had in-depth exchanges of views on key China-EU economic and trade issues, including export controls and the EU's anti-subsidy case on Chinese electric vehicles, according to the MOFCOM.

When asked about the upcoming China-EU dialogue, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Wednesday that China-EU economic and trade relations are shaped by their mutual complementarity and are win-win in nature.

Guo noted that China hopes the EU will honor its commitment of supporting free trade and opposing trade protectionism, provide an open, transparent and non-discriminatory environment for businesses from all countries, take concrete actions to uphold the principles of market economy and WTO rules, and properly address trade differences through dialogue and consultation.

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UK removes HTS from terrorist list despite massacres, sectarian violence

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 22 October 2025 7:29 AM

The British government has officially removed the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) from its list of proscribed terrorist organizations, a move it says is necessary to engage with the regime in Damascus following the fall of the government of Bashar al-Assad.

An order was laid in parliament on Tuesday to de-proscribe the group, which was previously listed as an alias of al-Qaeda.

The UK government stated that the decision enables "closer engagement with the new Syrian government" led by Abu Muhammad al-Jolani, also known as Ahmed al-Sharaa, who is a former al-Qaeda and Daesh commander.

"This supports a range of UK priorities, including counter-terrorism cooperation, migration management, and the elimination of Syria's remaining chemical weapons," a government statement read.

The announcement follows former Foreign Secretary David Lammy's visit to Syria in July, which marked the first high-level diplomatic contact between the two nations in over a decade.

Officials argued that de-proscribing the HTS would "support engagement on the counter-Daesh mission in Syria," thereby helping to reduce threats to the UK.

"This government will always put the safety and security of the British people first," the statement said, adding that the UK "reserves the right to reassess proscription decisions in response to any emerging threats."

The decision comes despite extensive evidence of war crimes and brutal repression under the HTS regime, particularly against minority communities such as the Alawites, who have suffered targeted violence.

According to the monitor, there were 10,955 recorded deaths throughout the country during the reporting period, which included 8,422 civilians, of whom 463 were children and 636 were women, in addition to 3,054 cases of field executions.

Since the HTS forces took over, Syria has seen waves of sectarian and regional violence.

London originally cut diplomatic ties in 2011 following the Syrian government's efforts to maintain law and order amid terrorist uprisings fueled and armed by Western powers.

The UK also imposed sanctions and took part in military actions targeting Syrian forces.

Since the ouster of President Assad in December 2024 by the foreign-backed offensive led by Jolani, Britain has begun easing sanctions and re-engaging with the Arab country diplomatically.

Yet critics warn that Britain's re-engagement risks legitimizing a regime with a history of links to the most brutal terrorist groups, such as al-Qaeda and Daesh.

Despite the concerns, Britain has pledged over $129 million in aid to assist the current regime.

Critics of Britain's policy shift say the pledge ignores the broader context of Western aggression and the role of foreign-backed terrorist groups that wrought devastation across Syria.

Britain's move follows similar steps by the United States, which is lifting sanctions and preparing to remove Syria and its turncoat leaders from its list of state sponsors of terrorism.

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The UK reaffirms its commitment to supporting Syria at this pivotal moment in its political transition: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Speech

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Charge d'Affaires to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Syria.

From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and James Kariuki CMG

Published 22 October 2025

Location: United Nations, New York

Delivered on: 22 October 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

I will make four points today.

First, this month's indirect parliamentary elections across Syria marked an important milestone. We welcome efforts by the Syrian government to maintain momentum in Syria's political transition.

Ahead of the People's Assembly next month, we encourage the Government to ensure the remaining direct appointments reflect the broadest possible representation within the legislature, and to set out clear timelines for postponed elections in Raqqa, Hassakeh and Suwayda.

Political pluralism is essential to establishing a more stable, peaceful Syria.

Second, we were deeply concerned by the recent escalation of violence in the Kurdish-majority neighbourhoods in Aleppo. Military confrontation is in no one's interest.

We welcome the ceasefire agreement reached between the Syrian Democratic Forces and Syrian government and encourage both sides to continue negotiations to urgently reach a sustainable political settlement.

We call on all parties in north-east Syria to allow unimpeded humanitarian access.

Third, as we mark World Food Day this month, we emphasise the need to restore sustainable food systems in Syria. All Syrians deserve access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food.

To this end, the UK continues to support food security, livelihoods and agriculture across Syria and through the Food and Agriculture Organisation and other UN partners. This is just one way in which the UN is helping to build a more resilient Syria.

We look forward to discussing with UN partners, and as a Council, the Secretary-General's recommendations on how the UN can support Syria's transition more broadly.

And finally, I want to end by reaffirming the UK's commitment to supporting Syria at this pivotal moment in its political transition.

In line with this commitment, the United Kingdom took the decision this week to remove Hayat Tahrir al-Sham from our domestic list of proscribed organisations.

This decision will enhance our ability to work with and support the Syrian Government. We should collectively consider what further steps the international community can take to support Syria and move towards a more stable, unified, peaceful future.

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As Syrians deal with critical aid cuts, OCHA appeals to the Security Council for funding

UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Mr. Ramesh Rajasingham, Director of OCHA's Humanitarian Sector Division, on behalf of Mr. Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator - Briefing to the Security Council on the humanitarian situation in Syria

22 October 2025

As delivered



Thank you, Mr. President.

As Deputy Special Envoy [Najat] Rochdi has described, Syria continues to navigate a challenging but crucial opportunity to build a better future.

These efforts come amid what remains one of the world's largest humanitarian crises, affecting more than 70 per cent of the population.

Syria's humanitarian crisis is longstanding, but it is not static. Developments on the ground continue to add to or exacerbate people's needs.

Clashes in parts of Aleppo earlier this month caused civilian casualties and temporarily displaced some families.

While the ceasefire in As-Sweida has largely held, the fragile and unpredictable security environment continues to affect the movement of people and goods. This has led to shortages and high prices for critical items like fuel and bread; hampered the restoration of critical services including healthcare and water; and prevented displaced people from returning to their homes.

Explosive ordnance continues to take a deadly toll. Last week alone, 16 incidents were recorded across the country, killing three people and injuring 19 others, including six children. Since December, more than 550 people have been killed in such incidents, and over 800 more injured, nearly a third of them children.

Amid the historic drought conditions, wildfires in Lattakia, Tartous and Homs governorates affected over 5,000 people during the past month, displacing dozens of families, damaging agricultural land and disrupting essential services.

All this comes on top of the longstanding needs in the country.

Some 7 million people remain internally displaced, including 1.3 million who are living in camps or similar sites and who are particularly vulnerable to the onset of winter.

An estimated 2.4 million children remain out of school, with 1 million more at risk of dropping out. One in three schools are unusable because they have been damaged or are sheltering displaced people.

Mr. President,

The UN and our partners continue to do what we can to provide assistance as efficiently as possible with the available resources and in line with the broader Humanitarian Reset.

Despite reduced funding, we are reaching 3.4 million people on average each month across Syria - 25 per cent more than the same period last year - capitalizing on better access.

In As-Sweida Governorate and neighbouring areas, dozens of humanitarian convoys - organized with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent - have been organized, allowing us to deliver blankets, mattresses, medical and health supplies, education materials, food and fuel to an average of 424,000 people per month since July.

WFP has delivered hundreds of tons of wheat flour to bakeries in As-Sweida, Dar'a, and Rural Damascus, in addition to their ongoing programme supporting subsidized bread for 2 million people each month across the country.

In response to the recent wildfires, OCHA led interagency assessments to affected areas, helping to mobilize food, water, fuel, health services and household items, alongside assistance provided by SARC, and the efforts led by the Ministry of Emergencies and Disaster Management to contain the fires.

UNICEF is working with the Ministry of Education to support a "Back-to-Learning" campaign to reach displaced and other at-risk children, rebuild schools, and expand access in remote areas.

Mr. President,

In this challenging funding environment, the OCHA-managed Syria Humanitarian Fund and Syria Cross-Border Humanitarian Fund - which are now merging as part of our operational transition - have become even more critical.

With allocations totaling $84 million so far this year, the funds are supporting a range of critical services across the country. This includes providing water, sanitation and other services in Al-Hol and other camps in north-east Syria; clearing explosive ordnance in the Aleppo countryside; and supporting solar-power water supply.

About 63 per cent of the current allocation is going - directly or indirectly - to national partners.

My sincere thanks go to the Member States supporting these funds, including the Netherlands, Canada and the UK as the biggest contributors to these funds this year - as well as others around the table today.

We also continue to make full use of deliveries from Turkiye, with the consent of Syrian authorities. This year, over 300 trucks per month have used this route to get assistance to locations across the country.

We also continue to work with the authorities and other partners to better tailor our assistance to the current needs. WFP recently launched the annual Food Security Assessment in collaboration with Syria's Planning and Statistics Commission.

Mr. President,

We can do more to help the people of Syria if these three conditions are met:

Firstly, de-escalating ongoing flashpoints and preventing new ones.

As I mentioned, outbreaks of violence continue to result in lost lives, new displacement and increased humanitarian needs.

Insecurity also makes our work harder. Clashes in Aleppo and Deir ez-Zor disrupted several roads, including the main highway between Aleppo and Ar-Raqqa. In As-Sweida, the fragile security environment continues to complicate movements and limit commercial supply chains, preventing the restoration of services.

Preventing violence is also critical for recovery efforts to take hold. Without it, over-reliance on emergency assistance will remain unavoidable, but it is not the solution the people of Syria need or want.

Secondly, we need more funding for critical humanitarian aid.

Our response plan for Syria remains only 19 per cent funded, one of the lowest levels among our biggest appeals.

This month, water trucking services for internally displaced people in parts of Ar-Raqqa were suspended, and trucking in Al-Hasakeh will be curtailed next month without more resources.

WFP warns that without additional funding they will have to scale back their assistance by January.

Over 340 health facilities have suspended services, reducing access to healthcare and medicine for more than 7 million people.

Funding cuts have closed at least 45 service points for survivors of gender-based violence this year. This comes as a new report from UNFPA highlights that - despite a surge in hope around

the transition in Syria - many women and girls continue to report widespread insecurity and gender-based violence.

Thirdly, we need tangible investments in development and reconstruction projects as soon as possible.

The reduction in conflict, steps to ease or remove sanctions, and substantial interest in private investment - particularly from the region - have created real opportunities. But we need concrete steps to mobilize resources, and to do so quickly.

Over 1 million refugees have now returned to Syria since December, a profoundly hopeful milestone. But many of them - along with 1.9 million internally displaced people who have also returned - need more investment in basic services, shelter and reconstruction to ensure these returns are sustainable.

Last month in New York, Syria was a focus of a number of engagements around the General Assembly High-Level Week. OCHA and other UN humanitarian partners had a valuable discussion with Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani and the Permanent Representative of Syria on scaling up humanitarian support and improving the conditions for more returns and rebuilding.

Syria has a viable path forward towards Syrian-led recovery, supported by development partners, and away from reliance on a massive emergency humanitarian operation.

We should push ourselves to move quickly along this path.

But we should also be under no illusion that getting there will require decisive and sustained action from the international community, including maintaining the flow of critical humanitarian aid as these efforts advance.

Thank you, Mr. President

Posted on 22 October 2025

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Briefing Security Council, Deputy Special Envoy Urges Support for Syria's Political Transition, Women's Representation

Meetings Coverage

Security Council

10021st Meeting* (AM)

SC/16198

22 October 2025

In the wake of dramatic events in December 2024  when a popular uprising ousted long-time Syrian President Bashar al-Assad  sustained international engagement and urgent sanctions relief are now needed to support the country's political transition, ensure the meaningful inclusion of women and minorities and defend Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the Secretary-General's Deputy Special Envoy for the country told the Security Council today.

Briefing the 15-member organ, Najat Rochdi underlined the deep sacrifices made by Syrian women and the crucial role they must play in the country's future. In December 2024, Syrian women joined the celebrations of a new era, expecting relief from hardship and demands for a durable journey towards the rule of law and true equality. The country's interim President, Ahmed al-Sharaa, affirmed his commitment to that aspiration. However, in the subsequent months, the transition's initial outcomes have not matched the expectations of many Syrian women.

She pointed out that only six women were elected to the People's Assembly out of 119 seats contested, just two of the 11 members of the Supreme Committee for Elections are women, and women made up only 13 per cent of the 1,400 candidates themselves. "Syrian women expect, and demand, future electoral processes designed to protect their legitimate right to participate and to maximize opportunities for their representation," she stressed.

Welcoming the largely peaceful indirect elections held for the transitional People's Assembly on 5 October, she said that, while not directly involved, the UN has counselled for transparent and inclusive elections that represent all Syrians. The 119 members elected so far also include only one Christian, three Ismailis, three Alawites, four Kurds and no members of the Druze community. More improvements in representation are needed.

"The staggering consequences of 14 years of conflict and over half a century of dictatorship [have had] heavy consequences," she said, calling for "monumental levels of tangible support" from the international community. Sanctions must be lifted at a quicker and larger scale for Syria's transition to succeed. The parties should also peacefully advance the 10 March agreement reached between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the transitional Government, which have clashed since the fall of the Al-Assad regime, and Israel should end its territorial incursions, she stressed, adding: "It is unacceptable that external interference in Syria continues."

Syria's Crisis Deepens as Aid Funding Falls Short, Displacement Persists

Also briefing the Council was Ramesh Rajasingham, Director of the Humanitarian Sector Division of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, who described Syria's humanitarian situation as "one of the world's largest humanitarian crises", affecting more than 70 per cent of the population. He warned that while the crisis is longstanding, it is not static, with new clashes in Aleppo causing displacement and civilian casualties, shortages of fuel and bread due to insecurity in As-Sweida, and wildfires in multiple governorates displacing families and disrupting services.

Emphasizing that some 7 million people remain internally displaced in Syria  including 1.3 million in camps highly vulnerable to winter conditions  he said that, despite reduced funding, the UN and its partners are reaching 3.4 million people on average each month across Syria  25 per cent more than the same period in 2024. Detailing some of those efforts, he highlighted the role of pooled funds, noting that allocations totalling $84 million have supported services so far in 225, ranging from explosive ordnance clearance in Aleppo to solar-powered water supply projects. Yet, the response plan is only 19 per cent funded  "one of the lowest levels among our biggest appeals", he said.

Against that backdrop, he outlined three priorities: De-escalating ongoing flashpoints and preventing new ones; securing more funding; and investing in sustainable recovery. He pointed to the hopeful sign that over 1 million refugees have now returned to Syria since December but cautioned that returns will not be sustainable without investment in shelter, services and reconstruction. While Syria has a viable path forward towards a "Syrian-led recovery", he urged the Council to recognize that the path requires sustained international action.

Greater Need for Gender, Minority Representation in Syria's Government

As Council members took the floor, many recognized the political milestones recently achieved in Syria. Delegations also echoed the briefers on the need for representation of women and marginalized communities, with several noting the low participation rates among these groups in the recent People's Assembly vote and urging that the remaining appointments reflect the country's full diversity.

"The result of the recent election for the People's Assembly has given us a glimpse of hope for the representation of all components of Syrian society," said the representative of the Republic of Korea. He joined other speakers  including the representatives of Greece, Denmark and Slovenia  in calling for stronger inclusivity in terms of gender, sect and ethnicity among Syria's Government bodies.

The United Kingdom's delegate agreed: "Political pluralism is essential to establishing a more stable, peaceful Syria." He echoed others in voicing deep concern over recent violence in Aleppo's Kurdish-majority neighbourhoods and insisting that the parties continue to resolve their differences through dialogue.

The representative of the United States described the recent parliamentary elections as a historic opportunity and urged Syria to embrace the chance for a new economic future made possible by President Donald J. Trump's recent decision to lift sanctions. He urged other Council members to consider doing the same, including lifting sanctions on some Syrian leaders who were previously sanctioned under the UN's 1267 sanctions regime.

Support for Lifting of All Sanctions on Syria

The representatives of Panama, Pakistan and France also agreed on the need to lift economic restrictions. The latter asked the Council to consider how it can best contribute to the core goals laid out recently by Syria's Transitional President  namely, stability, peace and development  and noted that the European Union has also lifted its sectoral sanctions on Syria and supports the lifting of all UN sanctions.

The representative of the Russian Federation, Council President for October, noted in his national capacity that persistent unilateral sanctions exacerbate humanitarian needs, obstruct recovery and limit the exercise of the Syrian people's right to development. He joined other delegates in calling for international investment and support for Syria.

The representative of China, however, emphasized that foreign terrorist fighters have exploited the chaos following the fall of the Al-Assad regime, and those groups "must be eradicated completely". In adjusting its sanctions related to Syria, the Council should fully consider Syria's counterterrorism and security situation and the complex implications that such adjustments may entail, he said.

Turkiye's representative, also calling for a balanced approach, cautioned against giving in to demands by sectarian groups that could undermine national cohesion. The coercive practices by the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces, for example, have exacerbated tensions, he said, especially with the local Christian communities.

Syria's Sovereignty Must Be Respected, Israeli Military Activities Halted

Algeria's delegate, also speaking for Guyana, Sierra Leone and Somalia, urged the international community  particularly the UN  to play a positive, supportive role as Syria navigates the current "sensitive but promising" phase of its transition process. "The time has come for the international community to match Syria's national efforts with genuine political and economic support," he stressed, adding that Syria "cannot rely indefinitely on humanitarian aid". It both needs and deserves genuine international support to rebuild a peaceful and prosperous nation.

The discussion also focused on broader regional stability and security, with delegates including the representatives of Pakistan and Oman  who spoke on behalf of the Arab Group  strongly condemning violations of Syria's sovereignty by Israel's recent military activities and the ongoing occupation of the Golan Heights. Speakers also welcomed renewed diplomatic efforts aimed at easing regional tensions, and a United States-facilitated dialogue between Israel and Damascus.

Responding to the many comments made about his country's current situation, Syria's delegate described the present moment as an "unprecedented achievement". For the first time in decades, Syrians were able to participate in elections, marking "the beginning of a new era of freedom". Citing ongoing international and regional cooperation to combat terrorist groups, he pledged Syria's commitment to regional peace and stability, adding: "Today, we are writing our history with our own hands."

__________

* The 10020th Meeting was closed.

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Chinese envoy urges all parties to provide constructive support to Syria, Israel to stop military operations in the country

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Oct 23, 2025 12:02 PM

A Chinese envoy to the UN on Wednesday called on all parties to provide constructive support and assistance and refrain from exploiting the Syrian situation for self-interest and urged Israel to stop its military operations against Syria and withdraw immediately from Syrian territory.

At a UN Security Council briefing on Wednesday US time, Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN, noted that for more than 10 years, Syria has endured immense hardship, with its political process marked by constant fluctuations and its people mired in conflicts and suffering.

The prolonged turmoil in Syria has provided space for the proliferation of terrorism. Following the changes in Syria's situation, foreign terrorist fighters have exploited the chaos to gain strength, which not only poses a direct threat to Syria's own security, but also severely undermines regional peace and stability. They must be eradicated completely, Fu said.

The Syrian transitional government has repeatedly stated that Syria will not pose a threat to any country. The Chinese envoy urged the Syrian transitional government to translate this commitment into concrete actions, earnestly fulfill its counter-terrorism obligations, take resolute and strong measures to combat all terrorist organizations listed by the Council, including the ETIM, and earn the trust of the international community through tangible actions, the Chinese envoy said.

Fu also noted that in adjusting its sanctions related to Syria, this Council should fully consider Syria's counter-terrorism and security situation and the complex implications that such adjustments may entail. It should comprehensively consider Syria's long-term interests and present needs, properly address the legitimate concerns of all parties involved, and make decisions prudently based on thorough deliberations, he said.

Noting that the humanitarian crisis is an urgent challenge for Syria, Fu said that the UN should further strengthen its coordinating role to mobilize all parties to increase and speed up the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Syria.

"Syria is an important country in the Middle East, and developments in its situation bear on regional peace and stability. All parties should continue to provide constructive support and assistance and refrain from exploiting the situation for self-interest. We call on Israel to stop its military operations against Syria and withdraw immediately from Syrian territory," the Chinese envoy said.

China will continue to work with the international community to help Syria achieve security, stability, and development at an early date and to embark on a development path that fits its own national conditions, Fu said.

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Taiwan to launch 'drone diplomacy' initiative to aid allies

ROC Central News Agency

10/22/2025 07:17 PM

Taipei, Oct. 22 (CNA) Taiwan will engage in "drone diplomacy" by supplying drones to its diplomatic allies for civilian uses and like-minded European countries facing Russian military threats, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) official said at a forum Wednesday.

Speaking at the EU-Taiwan Drones Technology & Export forum, Charlie Chiang (), head of MOFA's Department of NGO International Affairs, noted that the development of Taiwan's drone industry trails that of the information and communications technology and artificial intelligence sectors.

He attributed this to insufficient production volume, which will be solved by the government's plan to procure nearly 50,000 military drones from local manufacturers by 2027 and increasing drone exports.

To that end, Chiang said, MOFA plans to establish a "drone diplomacy task force," which will carry out its work in two phases.

The first phase will focus on supplying Taiwan's diplomatic allies through drone donations to be used in agriculture, logistics, disaster prevention, coast guard, health care and infrastructure surveillance, he said.

The second phase will target like-minded international partners in the Asia-Pacific region such as Japan and the Philippines, Chiang said, adding that supply will include unmanned surface vessels, drones and underwater drones.

In addition, Taiwan will supply Central and Eastern European countries threatened by Russia, including Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany.

"This demand will focus on military use, especially for the land and battlefield under the threat of Russia," he said.

"As the Russian-Ukrainian war continues, neighboring countries have been harassed by Russian drones and are looking to build an air defense network," Chiang told CNA on the sidelines of the forum.

The task force will note the needs of its international partners and relay them to the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), the competent authority for the drone industry, which will then initiate a matchmaking process between local suppliers and foreign buyers, he said.

Asked when the two phases will begin, Chiang said no timelines has been determined, but MOFA is set to discuss the issue with MOEA at a ministerial meeting next week.

(By Sean Lin)

Enditem/AW



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Lawmakers grill minister over entertainers evading military service

ROC Central News Agency

10/22/2025 05:04 PM

Taipei, Oct. 22 (CNA) Lawmakers pressed Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang () on Wednesday over a widening military service evasion case involving up to 120 people including actors and vocalists.

Liu told a meeting of the Legislative Yuan's Internal Administration Committee that prosecutors had identified "unscrupulous doctors" suspected of issuing fraudulent medical certificates.

She said the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) was working with the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) to transfer such cases for prosecution.

"The most important thing is to prevent fraud," lawmaker Huang Jie () of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said at the hearing.

"If people can spend NT$100,000 (US$3,253) to buy fake medical records," she said, "then people will think this is a loophole they can exploit."

Liu said if someone is confirmed to have evaded military service, he must complete this duty before the age of 36, while those older than 36 will be dealt with via other legal procedures.

Lawmaker Chang Chih-lun () of the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) said cross-party amendments to the Alternative Service Implementation Act will be introduced to impose "a minimum of six months and up to five years in prison" for intentionally avoiding alternative service.

He said persons who "attempt to avoid mobilization during wartime or national emergencies" face up to five years in prison.

Liu said past court rulings in military service evasion cases resulted in sentences of "less than six months."

Shen Che-fang (), head of the MOI's Department of Conscription Administration, said the exemption standard for body mass index (BMI) will be tightened so that "to qualify for exemption, BMI must reach 45."

He also said that deliberate weight gain to avoid service would be "basically impossible" and high blood pressure would no longer qualify for exemption unless it causes "actual heart or organ damage."

The lawmakers' discussion took place the day after the New Taipei District Prosecutors Office said it has launched a third wave of searches targeting people suspected of evading conscription.

On Tuesday, actors Hsiu Jie-kai (), Chen Bolin () and Chang Shu-wei () were released on NT$500,000 bail each, while former boyband "Lollipop F" member Liao Yun-chieh (), also known as Liljay (), was freed on NT$350,000 bail.

On Wednesday, Hsieh Kunda (), 43, a member of boyband "Energy," was detained on arriving at Taoyuan International Airport and taken to the Yonghe Precinct Police Station in New Taipei for questioning, police and prosecutors said.

After being released on NT$500,000 bail, Hsieh said he had "let many people down" and vowed to "take responsibility and fully cooperate with the investigation."

(By James Thompson, Chen Chun-hua, Tsao Ya-yen, Wu Jui-chi)

Enditem/AW





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Mainland willing to strengthen high-level exchanges with Taiwan's KMT: spokesperson

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 16:47, October 22, 2025

BEIJING, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- The mainland is willing to bolster high-level exchanges with the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party in Taiwan, based on the existing common political foundation of upholding the 1992 Consensus and opposing "Taiwan independence," a spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made the remarks in response to a media query regarding the potential future visit by Cheng Li-wun, the newly elected chairperson of the KMT, to the mainland.

Zhu said the mainland is ready to consolidate and enhance mutual political trust with the KMT, maintain positive interactions, and respond to the aspirations of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

In addition, the mainland is ready to work with political parties, groups and people from all walks of life in Taiwan to promote cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, advance the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, secure the well-being of compatriots, and strive for national rejuvenation.

Facts have repeatedly proven that the 1992 Consensus serves as an anchor of peace across the Taiwan Strait. Adhering to the 1992 Consensus can bring peace to both sides of the Strait and benefit Taiwan compatriots, Zhu said.

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities in Taiwan have stubbornly clung to their separatist stance of "Taiwan independence," denied the 1992 Consensus, and undermined the development of cross-Strait relations, Zhu noted.

The DPP has positioned itself in opposition to mainstream public opinion in Taiwan, inevitably incurring condemnation by the people, she added.

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PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

ROC Ministry of National Defense

2025/10/22

PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

1.Date

6 a.m. Oct. 21 (Tue.) to 6 a.m. Oct. 22 (Wed.) (UTC+8)

2.PLA activities

2 sorties of PLA aircraft, 4 PLAN ships and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 2 out of 2 sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's northern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy ships, and coastal missile systems in response to detected activities.

1141022_PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan [Open a new window]

1141022_PLA air activities in the vicinity of Taiwan [Open a new window]

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PM meeting with Chancellor Merz of Germany: 22 October

Press release

The Prime Minister spoke to the Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz today at the Western Balkans Leaders' Summit.

From: Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street and The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP

Published 22 October 2025

The Prime Minister spoke to the Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz today at the Western Balkans Leaders' Summit.

The leaders began by reflecting on the importance of summit, recognising that deepening cooperation with international partners is vital to tackling irregular migration and strengthening security across Europe.

Looking ahead to the Coalition of the Willing meeting on Friday, convened by the Prime Minister, the leaders agreed that Ukraine must be in the strongest possible position - before, during, and after any ceasefire. They agreed that there can be no decision about Ukraine's future without Ukraine, and reiterated their determination to keep working with partners to stand with Ukraine.

The Prime Minister underscored that we all must be resolute in our support for Ukraine and commit to intensifying efforts to cripple Putin's war machine.

Turning to the Middle East, the leaders agreed on the need to uphold the ceasefire and for more aid to reach those who so desperately need it. They discussed the British and German personnel who have been deployed to the region to support the implementation of the ceasefire and the rest of the peace plan. Now is a critical time for stability in the region, they agreed.

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Strengthening Ukraine's energy security through further support for gas purchases

Government of Norway

Press release | Date: 22/10/2025

Norway is providing an additional NOK 1.5 billion in funding to secure access to electricity and heating for people in Ukraine. The funding is being provided in cooperation with the EU and will be used to help meet Ukraine's energy needs as the country enters its fourth winter of full-scale war.

'Ukraine is facing another difficult winter and the power supply in the country is unstable. Together with the EU, Norway is stepping up efforts to ensure that Ukrainian households, businesses and institutions have access to energy. These efforts are important both for individual Ukrainians and for keeping the wheels of the country turning,' said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre.

The funding from Norway is being channelled through the EU's Ukraine Investment Framework (UIF), which seeks to mobilise public and private investments for the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine following the destruction caused by Russia's war of aggression. The UIF is a part of the Ukraine Facility, the EU's dedicated instrument for providing civilian support to Ukraine. This is the first time Ukraine will be receiving support from Norway directly through this instrument.

'Ukraine needs an adequate, stable supply of energy in order to maintain essential services as it continues to fight to defend itself. By cooperating with the EU, we are ensuring that the funds will be used to help secure Ukraine's energy supply,' said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide.

The funding is being provided under the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine and comes in addition to the support for gas purchases already provided in 2025. Since 2022, Norway has provided a total of NOK 6.1 billion in funding for gas imports to Ukraine.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre had a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the military terminal of Oslo Airport Gardermoen.

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Sweden and Ukraine deepen air force cooperation

Government Offices of Sweden

Press release from Prime Minister's Office

Published 22 October 2025

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have signed a letter of intent concerning cooperation in the field of air capabilities. This LOI between Sweden and Ukraine is the first step in a potential major export deal.

Sweden supports the development of Ukraine's future air force. This new Swedish-Ukrainian cooperation will include exchange of experience and knowledge on air combat and defence and on the use of advanced capabilities in this area, for example fighter aircraft.

"I am proud to have welcomed President Zelenskyy to Sweden and Linkoping. Today we have signed an important Letter of Intent, marking a step towards a massive possible export deal regarding Gripen  likely between 100 and 150 fighter jets, to build a new and very strong Ukrainian Air Force. President Zelenskyy also got the chance to see first-hand the impressive capabilities of the Gripen fighter. This will strengthen both Ukraine, Sweden and Europe.", says Mr Kristersson.

Ukraine has unique experience of air combat and defence that Sweden can harness. Correspondingly, Sweden has experience of developing and operating advanced systems such as JAS 39 Gripen.



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Rogers and Wicker Joint Statement on Actions to Pressure Russia into Peace Negotiations

House Armed Services Committee

Washington, October 22, 2025

U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Representative Mike Rogers (R-AL), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement today:

"Ukraine has long agreed to President Trump's proposal to begin negotiations at the current line of control following an immediate ceasefire. Regrettably, Vladimir Putin's delay tactics and empty promises make clear he remains unwilling to end the bloodshed. Only coordinated, sustained pressure will convince the Kremlin that its maximalist aims and bid to control Ukraine are too costly.

We applaud President Trump and Secretary Bessent for today's announcement of new sanctions. The United States should work with our allies to intensify the pressure of those sanctions, including by ending all imports of Russian energy, using frozen Russian sovereign assets held in the United States and Europe for additional security assistance, and leveraging European funding to provide Tomahawk missiles alongside the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. Germany should reinforce this effort by sending Taurus missiles too.

President Trump was right when he said this summer that to win, a nation must be able to go on offense. Equipping Ukraine with additional long-range systems and authorizing their use against key military targets in Russia would strengthen Ukraine's position at the negotiating table and advance President Trump's vision of a lasting peace."

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Reception hosted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs on the Occasion of the Ukraine Mine Action Conference (UMAC 2025)

Ministry of Foregn Affairs of Japan

October 22, 2025

On October 22, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan hosted a reception at the Iikura Guest House on the occasion of the "Ukraine Mine Action Conference (UMAC 2025)," welcoming H.E. Mr. Oleksii SOBOLEV, Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, as well as representatives from various countries and international organizations.

At the beginning of the reception, Minister MOTEGI referred to the outcomes of the Ukraine Mine Action Conference (UMAC 2025) and expressed his hope that through this conference, a wide range of stakeholders from Japan and abroad would be organically connected, and that their expertise and human resources would be utilized more effectively for future mine action efforts in Ukraine. Following that, after introducing Ms. Jerry Heil, who has been appointed as the Ambassador for Humanitarian Demining in Ukraine, Minister SOBOLEV delivered remarks and proposed a toast. He expressed his gratitude to Minister MOTEGI for hosting the UMAC2025 immediately after taking office. He then expressed his appreciation to all participating countries including those which announced additional assistance today at the conference and the EU, the host of the next year. By deepening exchanges among participants from both Japan and Ukraine as well as from other countries and international organizations, the reception provided an opportunity to identify Ukraine's concrete needs and to exchange views on the shape of practical cooperation toward mine action and reconstruction in Ukraine.

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Ukraine Mine Action Conference (UMAC) 2025 (Closing Session of the First Day) (Summary)

Ministry of Foregn Affairs of Japan

October 22, 2025

On October 22, commencing at 4:10 PM for approximately 20 minutes, the closing session of the first day of the Ukraine Mine Action Conference (UMAC) 2025 was held and an outcome document was issued. The overview is as follows:

At the outset, the Japanese side expressed its pleasure that the outcome document, prepared based on the discussions, was announced with the support of many participating countries. The Japanese side further stated that a shared understanding and direction regarding future mine action in Ukraine was reaffirmed through the discussion on the three pillars of this conference's theme, "Acceleration toward Recovery"; (1) People, (2) Technology, and (3) Nexus. He also reiterated the importance of close collaboration among experts, private companies, and other stakeholders to address the challenges. It was also announced that the host of the next Ukraine Mine Action Conference (UMAC), to be held in 2026, will be transferred to the European Union.

(Reference) Attachment

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Ukraine Mine Action Conference 2025 Opening Session (Summary)

Ministry of Foregn Affairs of Japan

October 22, 2025

On October 22, from 9:00 a.m. to 9:55 a.m., the opening session of the Ukraine Mine Action Conference (UMAC 2025) was held at the Tokyo Prince Hotel, attended by Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan. The overview is as follows:

In his opening speech, Minister MOTEGI stated that in Ukraine, landmines continue to endanger civilian lives and hinder recovery and reconstruction, casting a dark shadow over the country's future. He emphasized that leading international discussions for enhancing mine action is major mission and the responsibility of Japan as we have long been supporting, through public-private partnerships, the recovery and reconstruction efforts of Ukraine. Additionally, Minister MOTEGI stated that through the "Ukraine Mine Action Support Initiative," developed as a new support package by the government of Japan, Japan will implement various essential supports for the reconstruction process, such as human capacity and capability building support, socio-economic revitalization, and medical and welfare support. He expressed the intention to strengthen cooperation with the international community and also reaffirmed its position that Japan will walk side by side with Ukraine aiming for the realization of faster, safer, and more sustainable mine action. Finally, Minister MOTEGI emphasized that Japan would spare no efforts in achieving the goal of supporting initiatives to ensure that everyone in Ukraine can live free from the threat of landmines in the just and lasting peace. He also expressed strong expectations that this conference will serve as an opportunity to widely convey to the international community the vital importance of mine action, recovery and reconstruction to the international community. In addition to the opening session, speeches were also given by H.E. Ms. Oleksii SOBOLEV, Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, H.E. Mr. Gordan GRLIC RADMAN, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia, H.E. Mr. Kestutis BUDRYS, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania, and Mr. Carl-Oskar BORIN, Sweden's Minister of Civil Defense.

(Reference) Attachment

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'Vile' Russian Attack On Ukraine Kills 7, Including 2 Children

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service October 22, 2025

Russian drone and missile strikes on Ukraine killed at least seven people, including two children, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for increased pressure on the Kremlin with the chances of a summit in the immediate future between US President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin dimming.

Amid the stalled peace efforts, Zelenskyy called the October 22 attack "vile" and said it struck energy and civilian infrastructure in at least 10 Ukrainian regions, including the capital, Kyiv.

"Another night proving that Russia does not feel enough pressure for dragging out the war.... Russian words about diplomacy mean nothing as long as the Russian leadership does not feel critical problems," he said in his X post.

Zelenskyy, who visited Norway and Sweden on October 22 to discuss defense cooperation, once again claimed that Ukraine's long-range capabilities could change the course of the 44-month-old war.

Welcoming Zelenskyy in the Swedish city of Linkopin, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said his country intended to export up to 150 of its domestically produced Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine.

"From today we are committed to exploring all the possibilities in providing Ukraine with a large amount of Gripen fighters in the future," Kristersson said, while warning of a "long road ahead."

Previously, Ukraine signaled that the US administration's decision not to green-light deliveries of Tomahawk missiles for the war-torn country had weakened its diplomatic leverage.

A senior White House official, speaking days after Trump had indicated that a summit in Budapest was being arranged with his Russian counterpart, said on October 21 there are no plans to meet in the "immediate future."

Trump said the possibility of a "wasted meeting" had led him to put plans for a summit with Putin on hold, though Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on October 22 that preparations for a possible meeting continue.

"Preparations for the peace summit are continuing. The date is still uncertain. When the time comes, we will hold it," Orban said.

Added Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov: "No one wants to waste time - neither President Trump nor President Putin. These two presidents are used to working efficiently with high productivity. But efficiency always requires preparation."

As the Ukrainian president departed Kyiv early in the morning, the country's State Emergency Service said that three people, including two children, were killed in the region.

Energy And Civilian Infrastructure Targeted

Tymur Tkachenko, the head of Kyiv's military administration, added that at least 29 residents were injured in the attack. Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said that a two-year-old child was among the injured.

Klitschko said that debris from drones and missiles caused fires in Kyiv's Dnipro, Pechersk, and Darnytsya districts, damaging residential buildings and industrial sites.

The attack began late on October 21 as witnesses reported hearing explosions and air defense units in operation. Emergency services were dispatched to several sites where debris from the destroyed air weapons fell, sparking fires.

A house caught fire in the region surrounding Kyiv, injuring an elderly woman, said regional Governor Mykola Kalashnyk on Telegram.

Mykola, a resident of Pohreby village in the Kyiv region told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service that he witnessed a drone strike and tried to help deal with its aftermath on the scene.

"There was a direct hit on the building, and a fire started... I ran there, calling out for people, but no one responded," Mykola said.

"I think those who were killed had no chance [of surviving the attack]," he added.

Authorities in southeastern Ukraine also reported attacks. Russian drones hit the city of Zaporizhzhya, igniting fires in several residential buildings, regional Governor Ivan Fedorov said on Telegram.

"Due to an enemy attack overnight, nearly 2,000 people are without electricity. Recovery work will begin as soon as security allows," he reported.

Volodymyr Kohut, the head of the Poltava regional military administration, said that direct hits and falling debris caused damage to oil and gas industry facilities in the Myrhorod district.

Later in the day, Ukraine's second-largest city, Kharkiv, was also targeted by Russian drones, which hit a local kindergarten, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said. He added that the strike killed one person and injured at least five others.

Russian Chemical Plant Hit In Storm Shadow Attack

A Ukrainian attack on a chemical plant took place earlier in Russia's southern Bryansk region. The General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces said on October 21 that Ukrainian forces used French-British Storm Shadow missiles in the attack.

"A massive combined missile and air strike was carried out, including with Storm Shadow air-launched missiles, which overcame the Russian air defense system," the General Staff said in a statement. "The results of the strike are being assessed," it added.

The General Staff described the chemical plant as an important component of the Russian military-industrial complex, producing gunpowder, explosives, components for rocket fuel, and "for ammunition and missiles that the Russian military uses to shell the territory of Ukraine."

The air force launched the attack in cooperation with ground forces, the navy, and other components of the Ukrainian defense forces.

Aleksandr Bogomaz, the governor of Bryansk region, said on Telegram that Ukraine attacked the region with drones and missiles. He added that no one was injured, and no damage was reported.

The Russian Defense Ministry said on Telegram that during the afternoon on October 21 its air defense units destroyed 57 Ukrainian drones over the Bryansk region.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, Reuters, and AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-war- chemical-plant-kyiv/33566126.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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The Russian Federation conducted new attacks against the Ukrainian port infrastructure on the Danube

Romania - Ministry of National Defence

Press release No. 189 22.10.2025

On the night of Tuesday to Wednesday, October 21st to 22st, around 01:00, the population in northern Tulcea County received a RO-Alert message following the drone attack conducted by the Russian Federation on the Ukrainian port infrastructure on the Danube.

The Ministry of National Defence surveillance systems detected ahead of time a group of aerial targets moving towards the Chilia Branch and the Danube Delta area. According to the procedures in force, two F-16 aircraft of the 86th Air Base in Borcea scrambled at around 00.50 to investigate the situation. Approximately 10 explosions were reported on the Ukrainian shore, in the area of Ismail and Chilia localities, but no incursions of unmanned aerial vehicles into Romanian airspace were detected.

The mission commander had prior approval to engage aerial targets if they entered national airspace and endangered the security of the Romanian citizens. At around 02:35, two German Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft scrambled from the 57th Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base to conduct enhanced Air Policing Missions.

The message signaling the end the air alert for the population in northern Tulcea County was transmitted around 03:00 and the aircraft returned safely to their airbases around 03:00 and respectively 03:50.

On Wednesday, October 22nd, a team made up of specialists from the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Romanian Intelligence Service will conduct a research mission in the area on the Romanian bank of the Danube, in the vicinity of the Ukrainian localities attacked last night, to assess the situation.

The Ministry of National Defence firmly condemns the Russian Federation's irresponsible actions and emphasizes that they represent a new challenge posed to regional security and stability in the Black Sea area.

Such incidents demonstrate the Russian Federation's lack of respect for the norms of international law and endanger not only the Romanian citizens' safety, but also NATO's collective security.

Romania remains firmly committed to fulfilling its obligations as a member state of the Alliance and will continue to collaborate closely with its partners and allies to monitor and defend its national airspace.

The Ministry of National Defence assures public opinion that all necessary measures to guarantee national security are permanently applied, and defence structures are prepared to promptly respond to any similar situation.



The Press Office



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Deliberately targeting humanitarian workers and assets is a gross violation of IHL: UK statement to the OSCE

Speech

Politico-Military Counsellor Ankur Narayan condemns attack on UN humanitarian convoy in Ukraine, which the UN has attributed to Russia, and calls on Russia to ensure its compliance with international law.

From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Ankur Narayan, Politico-Military Counsellor at the UK Delegation to the OSCE

Published 22 October 2025

Location: Vienna

Delivered on: 22 October 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

Thank you, Madam Chair. This week, we must address yet another attack by the Russian Federation, which the UN alleges to be a violation of international humanitarian law.

On 14 October, a clearly marked United Nations humanitarian convoy was delivering life-saving aid to the frontline town of Bilozerka in Kherson region. According to the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, the convoy "came under attack by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation".

Madam Chair, with your permission I would like to show the room a short video that the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) posted after the attack.

Link to video

The convoy of four trucks was from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the World Food Programme, and UNFPA. They were delivering essential supplies to civilians who are unable to relocate and who rely on humanitarian assistance for their survival. Fortunately, the humanitarian workers were not injured, but two trucks were damaged and set on fire.

The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, Schmale, also added: "Such attacks are utterly unacceptable. Aid workers are protected by international humanitarian law and should never be attacked."

The Executive Director of the World Food Programme, Cindy McCain, added: "Humanitarian workers, vehicles and cargo are not a target. Anytime, anywhere."

Madam Chair, let us be clear: deliberately targeting humanitarian workers and assets would be a gross violation of international humanitarian law. This attack on the convoy may amount to a war crime under the Geneva Conventions and customary international law. The Geneva Conventions protect humanitarian workers by establishing that they cannot be targeted and must be allowed safe passage to deliver aid during armed conflict. The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court codifies intentional directing of attacks on humanitarian personnel as war crimes.

The OSCE Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security, now in its 30th year, is unambiguous. Paragraphs 30, 31, and 34 compel all participating Statesincluding Russiato ensure their armed and security forces comply fully with international law, including international humanitarian law.

The Russian delegate has previously stated in this room that Russia is compliant with international law and "takes care" of civilians. If that is the case, how is this attack on humanitarian workers and supplies compliant with international law?

The UK once again urges the Russian Federation to end its illegal war, to allow unimpeded humanitarian access and to ensure against any attacks on humanitarian missions - in short to come into full compliance with international law. Thank you, Madam Chair.



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Government simplifies procurement of unmanned systems, electronic warfare equipment, and their components for the frontline

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

22 October, 2025, 7:54 PM EEST

The Ministry of Defence's initiative enables military units to directly procure both the systems and their components.

The Government approved amendments to the resolution that simplify the procedure for procuring unmanned systems, electronic warfare (EW) equipment, and their components for the frontline.

"This decision will help provide the Armed Forces of Ukraine with the necessary UAVs and EW equipment more quickly and efficiently, strengthening the combat capability of the Defence Forces," noted Minister of Defence Denys Shmyhal.

From now on, military units will be able to directly procure both the systems themselves and their components, such as electric motors, batteries, and other standardized parts, without bureaucratic hurdles.

Previously, the procurement of components for both drones and electronic warfare (EW) systems was hindered by the requirement for suppliers to prepare a complete set of documents for each codified product.

Following the Cabinet of Ministers' approval of amendments to the Procedure for Procuring Domestically Produced Unmanned Systems and Tactical Electronic Warfare (EW) Equipment, and Their Components, these obstacles have now been lifted.

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ulf Kristersson Signed the First Document Paving the Way for Ukraine to Acquire Gripen Fighter Jets

President of Ukraine

22 October 2025 - 19:21

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of Sweden Ulf Kristersson have signed the Letter of Intent Between Ukraine and the Kingdom of Sweden Concerning Cooperation in the Field of Air Capabilities.

"Today, we have the first document signed between our countries, paving the way for Ukraine to acquire a substantial fleet of Swedish-made fighter jets - Gripens. And these are great aircraft, strong aviation platforms capable of performing a wide range of missions. Everyone can see what threats they help counter," said the Head of State.

Ukraine expects that the future contract will enable it to receive at least 100 such aircraft.

"This will help build a very strong Air Force in Ukraine, which will become part of the large family of fighter jets. This agreement is a clear mutual statement of intent and the beginning of a long journey for the next 10-15 years. There are long-term ambitions," the Prime Minister of Sweden emphasized.

Ulf Kristersson noted that Sweden, together with Ukraine and other partners, will actively seek various opportunities for long-term financing of Ukraine's defense capabilities.

The leaders agreed to work on achieving the first tangible results next year and to fill this framework agreement with real substance. Ukraine is ready to carry out everything quite swiftly - to train pilots, technical personnel, and set up the infrastructure.

In Linkoping, the President of Ukraine and the Prime Minister of Sweden also met with Marcus Wallenberg, Chairman of the Swedish aerospace and defense company Saab AB, which produces the Gripens, and its CEO, Micael Johansson.

The Head of State thanked Saab for supporting Ukraine's defense potential. Ukrainian warriors are already using the company's anti-tank weapons, air defense systems, and radars.

Our country counts on a strategic partnership with the company in developing a modern Air Force. According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine needs the Gripens greatly, as they are easy to maintain, capable of performing a wide range of missions, and can operate from short runways.

The Head of State stressed that Ukraine is interested in developing joint defense production and localization in our country.

At the part of the Linkoping airport belonging to Saab, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ulf Kristersson had the opportunity to see the company's production facilities. They were shown the Gripen aircraft, briefed on weapon systems used by the Swedish Armed Forces - including anti-drone and reconnaissance systems - and introduced to simulators for pilot training. Company representatives gave a detailed presentation on the Gripens' technical characteristics, capabilities, and operational effectiveness.

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Statement by the President of Ukraine During the Joint Media Briefing with the Prime Minister of Sweden

President of Ukraine

22 October 2025 - 19:01

Dear everyone present, Ulf, team, and ministers!

Dear Sweden!

Today, we are opening an entirely new and truly meaningful chapter in our relations between Ukraine and Sweden. And more broadly, this also concerns overall security relations in Europe. Today, we have the first document signed between our countries, paving the way for Ukraine to acquire a substantial, very substantial fleet of Swedish-made fighter jets - Gripens. And yes, these are great aircraft, strong aviation platforms capable of performing a wide range of missions. Everyone can see what threats they help counter. Russian strikes against our state - they do not stop. Last night, the Russians carried out yet another massive strike against our energy infrastructure, against our cities. Tragically, there have been casualties, including two children, the youngest of whom was less than one year old. My condolences to their families and loved ones. Just in this one night alone, dozens of people were wounded by Russian missile and drone strikes. In many regions, sadly, electricity supply is currently limited. In the city of Kharkiv, Russian drones struck a kindergarten. Along the line of contact with Russian troops - in our frontline and border communities - every day, hundreds of Russian guided bombs are dropped, and the Russians can strike only because they currently hold superiority in combat aviation against us. That is why our defense strategy is a multi-layered approach based on a range of elements: from air defense systems, such as Patriots, NASAMS, and others, to combat aviation. Sweden is helping us a lot in this regard, and today, as the Prime Minister said, we have launched efforts to bring Gripens to Ukraine. We expect that the future contract will enable us to receive at least 100 of these jets. We have a clear understanding of the financial framework required to implement this contract, and we discussed it with the Prime Minister and the leadership of Saab. I am grateful to Sweden for its readiness to collaborate on this. We also thank Saab, which produces the Gripens and at whose facility we held today's discussions. It is an honor for us. Next year, we must do everything necessary to achieve the initial results - finalizing the procedures in the near future. Procedures always take time, but nonetheless, we must do everything to give full substance to our framework agreement. Ukraine has already proven that it can carry out such tasks quite efficiently: training pilots, preparing technical teams, and readying infrastructure. And now our teams must ensure that the coming year becomes the time for the more concrete implementation of our agreement, the beginning of Gripen deployment.

Of course, we have also discussed other key issues today. On the energy sector: I outlined our main needs after the Russian strikes. We discussed recovery prospects and the search for additional funding sources, in particular, to ensure sufficient gas supplies for this winter. The Russians are deliberately destroying our extraction, and that is why imports are critical for us right now.

We also coordinated our positions ahead of the meetings in Brussels and London - the European Council and the Coalition of the Willing. I informed Ulf about our communications with the United States and other partners. The fact is, Russia responds only to strength - the strength of pressure - and that is why we included long-range capabilities, specifically Tomahawks, on the agenda with our partners. Once Russia heard a convincing enough message about the Tomahawks, Putin immediately rushed back to diplomacy. Now, Russia's willingness for diplomacy has somewhat faded, and our long-range capabilities can bring Russia to the table in a way that can truly end this war.

We also discussed the air defense situation. I thank every partner who has already joined the PURL initiative, which allows us to purchase American weapons, including - and this is a priority - missiles for Patriots. Sweden has already joined the program, and I thank you for that.

Another important area - for us and for Europe's security in general - is sanctions. We are counting on the adoption of the 19th EU sanctions package, and it truly must no longer be postponed. Among the measures that will really affect the situation is also fuller use of Russian assets to defend against Russian aggression. We are preparing the relevant decisions. This is very difficult, and we rely greatly on Europe's unity, solidarity, and support.

Ukraine never wanted this war - everyone knows it - the war that Russia started against us, and only Russia. Every day, Russians take the lives of our people, and every day they destroy our cities. And they came to our land. And it is absolutely fair that we seek and obtain the necessary means of defense - the necessary weapons, the support we need, the instruments required to pressure the aggressor. I thank everyone who is helping us! Thank you, Ulf, personally! And many thanks to your wonderful country, which has helped Ukraine so much. And I am certain it will forever be enshrined in the history of independent Ukraine. Thank you!

Glory to Ukraine!

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Air Capabilities Development and Support for Ukraine's Energy Sector: The President Met with the Prime Minister of Sweden

President of Ukraine

22 October 2025 - 17:51

In the Swedish city of Linkoping, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Prime Minister of Sweden Ulf Kristersson.

The Head of State expressed gratitude for USD 4 billion in military assistance allocated to our state this year and for all the support provided.

One of the key topics of discussion was the strengthening of Ukraine's defense capabilities. In particular, our state is considering the JAS 39 Gripen aircraft as one of the most effective elements of this effort and expects to receive the first Gripens in 2026. The parties also discussed the training of Ukrainian pilots to operate these fighter jets.

On the grounds of Linkoping Airport, owned by the Swedish company Saab, the leaders were shown the capabilities of the Gripen fighter jets during a several-minute air show, in particular, rapid takeoff and landing, aircraft maneuverability, and the skills of the pilots operating them.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ulf Kristersson also discussed the situation with air defense and the implementation of the PURL initiative. Sweden was among the first to allocate USD 275 million together with Norway and Denmark, for a total of USD 500 million, and is ready to expand its participation in the program.

Special attention was given to Ukraine's energy sector, which continues to suffer from Russia's constant attacks. The leaders discussed our country's urgent needs: equipment for emergency and repair work, machinery for gas extraction facilities, and financing for the purchase of natural gas.

In addition, the Head of State informed the Swedish Prime Minister about ongoing communication with the United States and other partners.

"The fact is that Russia responds only to strength - the strength of pressure. That is why we have put the issue of our long-range capabilities, namely Tomahawks, on the agenda with our partners," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The President of Ukraine and the Prime Minister of Sweden also coordinated their positions ahead of this week's meetings in Europe - the European Council session in Brussels and the Coalition of the Willing in London.



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Norway Allocated an Additional Energy Support Package of About $150 Million for Gas Purchases This Winter - Volodymyr Zelenskyy Following a Meeting with Jonas Gahr Stre

President of Ukraine

22 October 2025 - 14:24

Norway has allocated an additional energy assistance package worth approximately $150 million for gas purchases this winter. The announcement was made by Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Stre during his meeting with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Oslo.

"Energy is extremely important. Thank you for this new energy support. It is vital," the Head of State said.

This is already the third package of energy assistance from Norway this year, bringing the total contribution to around $400 million.

The President informed the Prime Minister about the consequences of today's Russian attack, in which Russia targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure and residential buildings. Jonas Gahr Stre expressed condolences to Ukrainians over another vile Russian attack and commended the courage of the Ukrainian people.

The leaders discussed Ukraine's needs for air defense systems and missiles for them, as well as other steps that could strengthen our country during the winter.

They also focused on the development of defense cooperation, particularly in the production of drones and missiles, and on the expansion of the PURL initiative. The President thanked Norway for participating in this initiative. Last week, Norway announced its second contribution worth $200 million. The first contribution was made jointly with Sweden and Denmark in early August, when the three countries financed a second weapons package worth $500 million.

The President of Ukraine and the Prime Minister of Norway coordinated their positions and upcoming meetings to be held in Europe this week.

"We are very thankful for the big support of the Norwegian people, as well as for your personal and diplomatic involvement, which is very important. Second - energy. And I think the people of Norway understand how important and crucial it is for protecting our families. Air defense systems and missiles for these systems - all of this saves human lives. We are very thankful to you, people of Norway, for saving the lives of our people," Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.







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Drones Attack Kyiv For Second Night In A Row After US, EU Impose Sanctions On Russian Energy Sector

By RFE/RL October 23, 2025

Russian drones attacked the Ukrainian capital for the second night in a row on October 22, injuring four people, officials said within hours of an announcement from Washington imposing sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies.

Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's military administration, said drones had damaged several dwellings and other buildings.

Air assaults the night before struck throughout the country, killing at seven people and causing power outages. One of the attacks hit a kindergarten in Kharkiv and another hit an apartment building in Zaporizhzhya.

The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement on Telegram that it struck Ukrainian energy infrastructure in response to Ukrainian attacks on Russian civilian targets.

The US Treasury Department announced the sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil after the European Union unveiled a fresh wave of sanctions earlier on October 22. Both actions were aimed at pressuring Russia to end its full-scale invasion of its neighbor.

"Today is a very big day in terms of what we're doing. These are tremendous sanctions. These are very big -- against their two big oil companies. And we hope they won't be on for long. We hope that the war will be settled," US President Donald Trump said.

The move marks another shift for Trump, who has resisted putting more pressure on Russia in hopes that Russian President Vladimir Putin would agree to end the fighting. But his patience appeared to have run out after plans for a summit with Putin in Budapest collapsed.

"I just felt it was time," Trump told reporters at the White House after welcoming NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. "Every time I speak with Vladimir, I have good conversations, and then they don't go anywhere."

In another indication that Trump's patience is wearing thing, the president said he had canceled the Budapest meeting.

"It didn't feel right to me. It didn't feel like we were going to get to the place we have to get," he said.

The US sanctions are designed to increase pressure on Russia's energy sector and "degrade" the Kremlin's ability to raise revenue for its war machine, the Treasury Department said in a news release.

"Given President Putin's refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russia's two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlin's war machine," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in the news release.

Bessent said earlier that Putin had not "come to the table in an honest and forthright manner, as we'd hoped."

The EU sanctions include the blacklisting of oil tankers used by Moscow, travel curbs on Russian diplomats, and a ban on importing liquefied natural gas from Russia by 2027.

The package is the 19th imposed by the EU since the Kremlin's full-scale invasion in 2022. The sanctions were presented last month by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who said the purchase of fossil fuels from Russia is financing the Russian war.

The US sanctions follow a similar move by Britain last week, said Rachel Ziemba, an analyst at the Center for New American Security. They are the first notable sanction on Russia from the Trump administration and should have an impact beyond those imposed by Britain alone, she said.

"So it's a big deal but not as big as it would have been a year ago," she said in response to a question from RFE/RL, pointing out that subsidiaries operating energy projects are also sanctioned and that could make getting new parts for rebuilding more expensive.

Ziemba also said that the Russian oil companies currently do little business in dollars or in the US financial sector, and the "evasive infrastructure" they use could "blunt" the impact of the new sanctions.

During his visit with Trump, Rutte praised the US president's efforts to bring the two sides together even after some observers criticized Trump's outreach to Putin, saying it only allowed the Russian leader to buy time.

Consistent pressure on Russia and frank talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are necessary to reach a cease-fire, Rutte said.

"Look at the Russian economy. There are long lines of cars into the gas stations," Rutte told Fox News, adding that the Ukrainians have hit an estimated one-third of the Russian oil and gas infrastructure.

He also pointed to moves in Europe to do more to stop Russia's use of a shadow fleet to move oil around the world.

"All of this will help change the calculus," Rutte said. "Collectively, we will change Putin's calculus and get him to the table and get the cease-fire going. I'm absolutely convinced. It may not be today or tomorrow, but we will get there."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-war-sanctions- trump-putin-oil-rosneft-lukoil/33567454.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Philadelphia, PA, Oct. 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Option Sellers School (OSS), founded by seasoned options trader and educator Peter Pru, has just launched and its quickly gaining traction among everyday investors seeking a simpler, more transparent path to income generation. The platforms flagship curriculum, the Ark Options Strategy, draws on more than a decade of Prus market experience to make options education approachable and actionable through disciplined option-selling strategies.

Peter Pru Prusinowski

Designed for beginners and busy professionals alike, OSS emphasizes practical application and accessibility, empowering everyday investors to take control of their retirement income without becoming day traders. By putting education at the forefront, OSS is redefining what it means to invest with clarity and purpose.

Most people think investing success requires staring at charts all day, said Pru. I wanted to build something different  something that helps families grow and protect their portfolios without stress or speculation. The Ark Options Strategy is about building confidence through clarity, not chasing hype.

An Education-Based Approach to Options Income

The Ark Options Strategy is a rules-based framework that teaches how to sell cash-secured puts and covered calls on quality stocks investors already want to own. It also integrates four other potential income streams  interest, dividends, strategic appreciation sales, and options premium  creating a diversified, repeatable approach that can be managed in as little as 30 minutes a week.

Unlike traditional trading courses that focus on short-term speculation, OSS takes an education-first approach centered on risk management and consistency. Through structured lessons, live support, and a community of like-minded investors, members learn how to generate premium safely and systematically.

The Option Sellers School community provides:

Step-by-step training modules that simplify complex concepts into clear, actionable steps.

Weekly trade breakdowns and real-time examples to help reinforce decision-making.

Access to a growing network of investors who share insights, support, and accountability.

Ongoing mentorship designed to help participants apply the strategy to their own portfolios.

Focusing on Transparency and Long-Term Learning

Prus approach to options education is built around one core belief: investing should empower, not intimidate. As a husband, father, and a man of faith, he anchors his work in transparency and integrity, challenging the fear and hype-driven culture often associated with investing.

People dont need another get-rich-quick scheme, Pru explained. They need a framework that makes sense, one that aligns with their values and lifestyle. Our goal is to help them understand how options can support long-term financial security, not replace it with risky behavior.

Since its launch, OSS and Ark Options Strategy have attracted thousands of learners through the platforms online community, YouTube channel, and education newsletters. The growing response reflects a shift toward practical, principle-driven investing  one focused on discipline, clarity, and achievable goals rather than speculation or hype.

To learn more, follow Peter Pru on YouTube and his social media channels for weekly market insights and real-time trades.

Visit https://onlypeterpru.com/ and https://optionsellersschool.com to explore the complete Ark Options Strategy, access free learning resources, and join a community designed for everyday investors interested in growing their wealth responsibly.

About Option Sellers School

Option Sellers School (OSS) is an education-focused community founded by Peter Pru, dedicated to helping busy professionals and beginners learn how to sell options the smart way without day trading or taking unnecessary risks. Through its signature Ark Options Strategy, OSS provides a five-stream income framework built around selling cash-secured puts, earning interest, collecting dividends, writing covered calls, and executing strategic appreciation sales. The programs mission is to help investors build confidence, clarity, and consistency in their portfolios through honest, transparent education.

Disclaimer: This release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. All investments involve risk, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Readers should conduct their own due diligence or consult a licensed financial professional before making investment decisions.



Media Contact

Company Name: Option Sellers School

Contact Person: Peter Pru

Contact Number: (215) 498-1193

Email: peter@onlypeterpru.com

Country: United States

Website: https://onlypeterpru.com/

Social Media Handles: Instagram, LinkedIn




NEW YORK, Oct. 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of V.F. Corporation (NYSE: VFC) between October 30, 2023 and May 20, 2025, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), of the important November 12, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased V.F. Corporation securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the V.F. Corporation class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=44811 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than November 12, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

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

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants disseminated materially false and misleading statements and/or concealed material adverse facts concerning the true state of V.F. Corporations turnaround plans. Specifically, defendants provided investors with material information concerning V.F. Corporations turnaround plan (Reinvent), which in part focused on efforts to return the Vans brand to positive growth. The lawsuit alleges that defendants concealed that additional significant reset actions would be necessary to return the Vans brand to growth, and would result in significant setbacks to Vans revenue growth trajectory. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the V.F. Corporation class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=44811 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investors ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

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

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

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

case@rosenlegal.com

www.rosenlegal.com
PANAMA CITY, Oct. 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a market where top tokens like XRP and Solana trade at premium valuations, Blazpay is standing out as a true disruptor. Its Crypto Presale has now crossed 69.7% completion, raising more than $767,900 as early investors move quickly before the price jumps from $0.0075 to $0.009375.





With 109.6 million BLAZ tokens already sold, the window for early entry is narrowing fast. Blazpays growth has become a headline story, as many traders call it the Next Crypto Coin to explode this quarter. Backed by AI-powered trading, multichain access, and a gamified rewards system, Blazpay is redefining what investors expect from new DeFi platforms.

As the Crypto Presale gains momentum, excitement continues to build around Blazpays low-cost entry and high-upside potential. While the giants consolidate, Blazpay represents accessibility and explosive opportunity, a true candidate for the Best 100x Crypto of 2025.

Blazpay: The Affordable Entry Point in a Market of Giants

Blazpay is rapidly gaining traction as one of the few projects offering investors an early-stage position in a growing ecosystem without the barriers of big-cap coins. At just $0.0075 per BLAZ, the Crypto Presale gives participants a front-row seat to a multi-layer DeFi hub that merges innovation, AI execution, and multichain interoperability.

The teams goal is simple: to make crypto investing as accessible as possible while delivering features that rival, and even outperform, existing networks. Investors searching for Which Crypto Will Explode in 2025 are increasingly turning to Blazpay because it blends the potential of early entry with proven technical depth.

As the Next Crypto Coin to explode, Blazpay continues to attract investors seeking both short-term excitement and long-term scalability, key traits that have already helped it raise nearly $800K before Phase 2 even ends.





Perpetual Trading & Unified Services: Designed for Power Users

Blazpays Perpetual Trading module gives traders high-speed leverage capabilities within a transparent DeFi environment. It bridges the performance gap between centralized exchanges and blockchain-based trading. Combined with its unified service dashboard, users can manage all assets seamlessly, a major leap for those asking Which Crypto Will Explode in 2025 and why.

Gamified Rewards: Turning Engagement Into Earnings

Blazpay isnt just rewarding investors; its gamifying the DeFi experience. With over $200,000 in rewards already distributed, users are earning through AI-driven quests, staking, and community engagement. This approach transforms Blazpay into a fun, interactive ecosystem, pushing it closer to being recognized as one of the Best 100x Crypto plays of 2025.

Multichain And SDK: One Platform, Every Chain

Blazpays Multichain and SDK are a cornerstone of its growth. It allows developers and projects to integrate across multiple networks like Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain, Solana, and Polygon without friction. This flexibility accelerates innovation, helping Blazpay become more than a Crypto Presale; its building an ecosystem for interoperability and future growth.

Conversational AI: Smarter Decisions, Faster Trades

In a world where speed and information determine success, Blazpays Conversational AI Assistant helps users make data-driven choices in real time. Whether analyzing trends, tracking prices, or predicting liquidity, this AI layer ensures traders stay ahead. Another reason analysts call Blazpay the Next Crypto Coin to Explode as the market enters 2026.

$4,000 Investment Scenario: What Early Entry Can Deliver

Imagine entering Blazpays Crypto Presale today at $0.0075 per token. A $4,000 investment secures approximately 533,000 BLAZ tokens. When Phase 2 closes and the token price rises to $0.009375, your allocation will already gain value, and thats before exchange listings.

If Blazpay reaches its conservative post-listing target of $0.20, that same position could be worth $106,000. At a moderate projection of $0.35$0.40, it could reach $213,000, and in an optimistic breakout scenario of $0.50+, investors could see over $260,000, positioning Blazpay as the Best 100x Crypto for 2025.





Price Prediction: Countdown to the Next Breakout

Analysts project Blazpays Crypto Presale momentum could translate into strong post-listing gains. With the token now at $0.0075 and set to rise to $0.009375, forecasts suggest a short-term target between $0.15 and $0.25 after launch.

If Blazpay continues expanding its AI trading ecosystem and gains listings by early 2026, prices could climb toward $0.40$0.50, offering up to 60x returns from current levels. In a bullish market scenario, experts say the token could even test $1.00, positioning Blazpay among the Best 100x Crypto contenders and the Next Crypto Coin to explode in 20252026.

Conclusion: Blazpays Countdown Sparks a Market Rush

As Phase 2 of the Crypto Presale approaches its final 11-day countdown, Blazpays momentum shows no sign of slowing. With nearly 70% of tokens sold, $767,900 raised, and a community nearing one million users, the project is capturing both investor and analyst attention.

Its affordable entry price, advanced AI execution, and multichain flexibility have made Blazpay one of the Best 100x Crypto candidates heading into 2026. In a market dominated by expensive giants, Blazpay stands out as the peoples project, the Next Crypto Coin to explode with real potential for life-changing returns.

Join the Blazpay Community:

Website - https://blazpay.com

Twitter - https://x.com/blazpaylabs

Telegram - https://t.me/blazpay





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.

Media Contact:

Contact Person: Alan Wright

Email: alan@blazpay.com

Disclaimer: This content is provided by Blazpay. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sectorincluding cryptocurrency, NFTs, and miningcomplete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

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Pensievision Receives $1 Million in Investment; Four Additional Companies Secure Follow-on Investments

Applications Now Being Accepted for Round Nine of the Optics, Photonics, and Imaging Competition until January 12, 2026

Investing in Next-Generation Ideas Supports the Regions Focused Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Oct. 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Governor Kathy Hochul today announced Pensievision as the winner of Round Eight of the Luminate NY optics, photonics, and imaging (OPI) startup accelerator competition. The San Diego, California based company received the "Company of the Year" Award at Luminate NY Finals 2025, which was held live at Arbor Midtown in downtown Rochester and streamed online. Pensievision will receive $1 million in investment from New York State through the Finger Lakes Forward Upstate Revitalization Initiative. The company will use the follow-on funding to anchor its growth in the region by engaging with local supply chains, hiring engineering talent from area universities, and partnering with Rochester-based design and manufacturing firms. Luminate NY, which is administered by NextCorps, is the world's largest business accelerator for emerging companies that have technologies enabled by optics, photonics, and imaging.

Thanks in part to the successful Luminate NY competition, our state continues to lead the nation on cutting-edge technological ideas and research, Governor Hochul said. The winners of the competitions eighth round represent some of the world's most innovative businesses that are bringing transformative products in the optics, photonics and imaging supply chain to market. I congratulate this years winners, and remain committed to supporting the fast-growing, high-tech businesses and industries that will move New York forward.

Pensievision has developed breakthrough 3D imaging for demanding environments, from medical diagnostics and factory floors to orbital missions. Its technology combines a miniaturized single-lens setup, artificial intelligence, and astronomy-inspired optics to enable high-precision insights in tight or complex environments where bulky, multi-lens or laser-based systems fail.

Pensievision President Tal Almog said, Luminate gave us unmatched access to optics expertise, precision manufacturers, and advisors who helped shape our business model and customer acquisition strategy. It has fast-tracked our ability to validate use cases, secure pilots, and prepare for institutional funding. This follow-on funding will help us to reinforce Rochesters role as a global hub for optics and photonics innovation.

amPICQ, originally from Hyderabad, India, and now located in Rochester, New York, was awarded the Outstanding Graduate Award and $500,000 in follow-on funding. Its team is designing and developing Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) to make quantum-safe security both practical and accessible across Quantumcom, Datacom, and Telecom industries.

For the first time, three companies were tied for the Distinguished Graduate Award, with each being awarded $200,000. Oblate Optics, from San Diego, makes ultra-thin lenses that keep laser beams in perfect focuseven on curved or uneven surfaceswithout the need to move or refocus the optics. Munster, Germany based Pixel Photonics is removing the barriers to the widespread use of superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) with its waveguide-integrating design (WI-SNSPDs) to support OEM integration across quantum communications, microscopy, medical diagnostics, and advanced sensing. SNOChip, from Princeton, NJ, is pioneering on-chip optical components, such as microlens arrays, computer-generated holograms, and metasurfaces, designed for seamless integration with semiconductor lasers and sensor chips.

Event attendees voted LirOptic as the Audience Choice, earning $10,000 in follow-on funding. The investments were presented after a panel of judges from the OPI industry and venture capital community scored the participating companies based on their business pitches and due diligence completed during the seven-month accelerator program.

The Finals event marks the completion of the eighth year of the cohort-based program, which now includes more than 80 companies in its portfolio, with an estimated combined market value of $700 million. As required by the award, all winners of the competition will commit to establishing operations in the region for at least the next 18 months.

Since its inception, Luminate NY has invested $21 million in 85 startups. Collectively, they have created more than 210 jobs in New York State and spent $21.6 million on more than 140 projects with regional design, manufacturing and supply chain companies. Twenty-two international companies have relocated to New York, and 41 portfolio companies have women in the C-suite, with 31 identified as MWBEs.

Luminate NY Managing Director Dr. Sujatha Ramanujan said, Each year, the caliber of innovation in Luminate speaks to the strength of the program and the unique ecosystem New York offers. What stands out in this round is how many of the technologies are positioned to not only transform markets like healthcare and advanced manufacturing but also to accelerate growth in the semiconductor space, an industry where our region has critical advantages. Luminate ensures that these companies are not just developing breakthrough ideas but are equipped with the resources, networks, and capital to bring them to scale here in New York.

The Luminate NY accelerator is based in Rochester and selects 10 to 12 promising companies each year to participate in its hybrid, seven-month program. During this time, companies are provided with more than 200 hours of instruction, along with the resources to advance their technologies and businesses. Applications are now being accepted for Round Nine through January 12, 2026. Teams will receive $100,000 in funding upon program start, with the expectation that $50,000 will be used to engage resources in the Finger Lakes region. Teams are expected to come to Rochester for select weeks and to also participate virtually during their time in the accelerator.

The Finger Lakes Region is home to an incredibly rich ecosystem for forward-thinking entrepreneurs who are looking to grow their business. Rochester offers the American Institute for Manufacturing Integrated Photonics Test, Assembly, and Packaging facility at Eastman Business Park, the University of Rochesters Institute of Optics, the Rochester Institute of Technology, and more than 150 local OPI companies, which employ more than 19,000 people who are building on the regions legacy as a global imaging leader.

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, The Luminate NY competitions laser focus on accelerating innovation and investment in New York's world-renowned optics, photonics and imaging industries has further established the Finger Lakes as an OPI hub. Congratulations to all finalists who took part in Round Eight of the Luminate competition, and we are excited about the growth and impact that these forward-thinking companies will bring to the region.

State Senator Jeremy Cooney said, Im excited to congratulate the winners of Round Eight of the Luminate NY accelerator program. As a city with a deep legacy of leading the way on new and developing technologies, its only right that we continue to invest in companies on the cutting-edge of optics, photonics, and imaging innovations. Thank you to NextCorps for hosting this program in the heart of downtown, and to Empire State Development and Finger Lakes Forward for their continued support of developers in Rochester and across New York.

Assemblymember Harry Bronson said, The Luminate NY competition continues to be a hub for bringing innovative entrepreneurship and research from around the globe to Rochester. I offer my congratulations to the eighth-round winners for their ingenuity and creativity, which is helping to accelerate our regional economy. I hope we will continue to see these groundbreaking companies make NYS their home.

Monroe County Executive Adam Bello said, Monroe County has long been an innovation hub for optics and imaging, thanks to pioneers like George Eastman and Chester Carlson. The winners of Round Eight of the Luminate NY competition now have the incredible opportunity to follow in those footsteps and shape the future of photonics. We extend our sincere gratitude to Governor Hochul for her unwavering commitment to boosting our region as a global leader in the optics, photonics, and imaging fields. Thanks also to Empire State Development for its dedication to nurturing promising startups and helping them reach the next level of growth and commercialization.

City of Rochester Mayor Malik D. Evans said, New York State officials and Rochesters optics, photonics and imaging community deserve credit for supporting and encouraging the next generation of inventors. Not only does Luminate contribute to Rochesters culture of innovation, it shines a light on new talent and new possibilities, benefiting the global economy. When statistics suggest the U.S. and the western world are becoming less innovative, NextCorps and our talented finalists prove that we can buck the trend.

For additional information about Luminate NY, visit: https://luminate.org/.

For additional information about NextCorps, visit: https://nextcorps.org/.

Accelerating Economic Development in the Finger Lakes

Todays announcement complements Finger Lakes Forward, the regions comprehensive strategy to generate robust economic growth and community development. The regionally designed plan focuses on investing in key industries including photonics, agriculture and food production, and advanced manufacturing. More information is available here.

About Empire State Development

Empire State Development is New York's chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state. With offices in each of the state's 10 regions, ESD oversees the Regional Economic Development Councils, supports broadband equity through the ConnectALL office, and is growing the workforce of tomorrow through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development. The agency engages with emerging and next generation industries like clean energy and semiconductor manufacturing looking to grow in New York State, operates a network of assistance centers to help small businesses grow and succeed, and promotes the state's world class tourism destinations through I LOVE NY. For more information, please visit esd.ny.gov, and connect with ESD on LinkedIn, Facebook and X.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/263b93d3-37b8-4237-a4e0-99f0625d95cf
NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until December 8, 2025 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against WPP plc (NYSE: WPP), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Companys shares between February 27, 2025 and July 8, 2025, inclusive (the Class Period). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Get Help

WPP investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-wpp/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options.

About the Lawsuit

WPP and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

On July 9, 2025, the Company published a trading update for the first half of 2025, disclosing that it had allegedly seen a deterioration in performance as Q2 has progressed due to both continued macro uncertainty weighing on client spend and weaker net new business than originally anticipated, as well as some distraction to the business as a result of the continued restructuring of WPP Media a.k.a. GroupM. The Company further disclosed that its CEO will retire from the Board and as CEO on 31 December 2025.

On this news, the price of WPPs shares fell from a closing price of $35.82 per share on July 8, 2025 to $29.34 per share on July 9, 2025, a decline of about 18.1% in the span of just a single day.

The case is Marty v. WPP plc, 25-cv-08365.

About ClaimsFiler

ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations.

To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com.
NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until November 18, 2025 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against KBR, Inc. (NYSE: KBR), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Companys securities between May 6, 2025 and June 19, 2025, inclusive (the Class Period). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas.

Get Help

KBR investors should visit us at https://www.claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-kbr-1 or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options.

About the Lawsuit

KBR and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

On June 19, 2025, HomeSafe Alliance (HomeSafe), a KBR joint venture in which KBR has a 72% economic interest, disclosed that it received a notice from the U.S. Department of Defense's Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) terminating the Global Household Goods Contract, which HomeSafe won in 2021 to transform the military move system for the benefit of service members and their families.

On this news, the price of KBRs shares fell $3.85 per share, or 7.29%, to close at $48.93 on June 20, 2025. On June 23, 2025, the next trading day, KBR stock fell a further $1.30, or 2.65%, to close at $47.63 on June 23, 2025.

The case is Norrman v. KBR, Inc., et al., No. 25-cv-04464.

About ClaimsFiler

ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations.

To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com.
NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 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 Companys 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 Dows 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.
(2025-11-23) Kitron today reported solid quarterly sales and profits combined with record order intake and backlog, particularly driven by growing demand from customers in the Defence/Aerospace market sector.

Kitron's revenue for the third quarter was EUR 167.8 million. This compares with 145.1 million in the same quarter last year. The Defence/Aerospace market sector showed particularly strong growth.

Third-quarter operating profit (EBIT) was EUR 14.6 million, compared to 10.7 million in the same quarter last year. Profitability expressed as EBIT margin was 8.7 per cent, compared to 7.4 per cent in the same quarter last year, approaching the strategic target of 9 per cent.

The order backlog ended at EUR 598 million, an increase of 31 per cent compared to last year and 18 per cent compared to the second quarter this year.

Peter Nilsson, Kitron's CEO, comments:

"The third quarter marked continued solid performance for Kitron. Our order backlog reached new highs, driven by rapid demand growth among defence customers. We are actively expanding our capacity, increasing our outlook for the full year 2025 and looking forward to 2026 with confidence.

Profit after tax amounted to EUR 9.1 million, compared to 6.1 million in the same quarter of the previous year. This corresponds to earnings per share of EUR 0.05, compared to 0.03 last year.

Outlook

At this time, Kitron expects revenue for the full year 2025 to be between EUR 700 and 740 million. Operating profit (EBIT) is expected to be between EUR 59 and 66 million. The previous outlook was for revenue between EUR 675 and 725 million, with an operating profit (EBIT) between EUR 55 and 65 million. The increase is due to growing demand in the Defence/Aerospace market sector.

Enclosed in PDF are the quarterly report and the presentation. The interim report is presented today at 8:30 a.m. CEST by CEO Peter Nilsson and CFO Cathrin Nylander. It will be webcast at the following link: https://channel.royalcast.com/hegnarmedia/#!/hegnarmedia/20251023_2

For further information, please contact:

Peter Nilsson, President and CEO, tel. +47 948 40 850

Cathrin Nylander, CFO, tel.: +47 900 43 284

Email: investorrelations@kitron.com

Kitron is a leading Scandinavian electronics manufacturing services company for the Connectivity, Electrification, Industry, Medical devices and Defence/Aerospace sectors. The group has operations located in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Lithuania, Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, India, Malaysia, China and the United States. Kitron has about 2 400 employees, and revenues were EUR 647 million in 2024.

www.kitron.com

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

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PRESS RELEASE



Paris  October 23, 2025

Bureau Veritas accelerating its LEAP | 28 strategy with two signed agreements for acquisitions in Buildings & Infrastructure and Renewables

Bureau Veritas, a global leader in Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) services, announces that it has signed agreements to acquire two companies in Europe, reinforcing its leading position and expanding into high-potential markets: Solida in the renewables sector, and London Building Control in the Buildings & Infrastructure market. These agreements underscore Bureau Veritas commitment to growth within its

LEAP I 28 strategy, increasing capability, reach, and technical expertise across growth markets.

Solida is a top-tier provider of Owners Engineering, Technical Advisory, and Project Management services for renewable energy projects and electrical infrastructure. It acts as a trusted technical partner for leading developers, utilities, EPC contractors, investment funds and financial institutions. The Company has demonstrated a solid track across solar, wind, and storage of nearly 2,500 projects totaling over 220 GW of renewable capacity in more than 50 countries. The considered acquisition would strengthen Bureau Veritas commitment to developing green objects through the creation of an end-to-end CAPEX platform to serve the evolving and growing needs of customers in the energy transition globally. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Madrid, Solida employs c.225 professionals and generated revenues of c.18 million in 2024.





London Building Control (LBC) is one of the UKs leading Registered Building Control Approvers, specializing in building control services for residential and commercial projects. The Company is widely recognized among architects, developers, and public authorities across the UK, with 5 offices nationwide and more than 14,000 projects successfully delivered annually. It helps customers to navigate the complex building control requirements for premium residential constructions and refurbishments. This acquisition positions Bureau Veritas as a key leader in the market, with the addition of a large pool of accredited Registered Building Inspectors. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in London, the company has c.110 employees and generated revenues of c.14 million in 2024.





Hinda Gharbi, Chief Executive Officer of Bureau Veritas, comments:

"These considered acquisitions show our LEAP I 28 strategy in action, establishing New Strongholds and Expanding our Leadership that position Bureau Veritas at the forefront of Europe's energy transition and buildings & infrastructure development. I am looking forward to closing these two transactions in the next few weeks.

***

About Bureau Veritas

Bureau Veritas is a world leader in inspection, certification, and laboratory testing services with a powerful purpose: to shape a world of trust by ensuring responsible progress. With a vision to be the preferred partner for customers excellence and sustainability, the company innovates to help them navigate change.

Created in 1828, Bureau Veritas 84,000 employees deliver services in 140 countries. The companys technical experts support customers to address challenges in quality, health and safety, environmental protection, and sustainability.

Bureau Veritas is listed on Euronext Paris and belongs to the CAC 40, CAC 40 ESG, SBF 120 indices and is part of the CAC SBT 1.5 index. Compartment A, ISIN code FR 0006174348, stock symbol: BVI.

For more information, visit http://www.bureauveritas.com, and follow us on LinkedIn .

Our information is certified with blockchain technology.



Check that this press release is genuine at www.wiztrust.com . ANALYST/INVESTOR CONTACTS MEDIA CONTACTS Laurent Brunelle Martin Bovo +33 (0) 7 79 52 69 21 +33 (0)6 14 46 79 94 laurent.brunelle@bureauveritas.com martin.bovo@bureauveritas.com Colin Verbrugghe +33 (0) 6 80 53 26 72 colin.verbrugghe@bureauveritas.com





Romain Gorge



romain.gorge@bureauveritas.com









Ines Lagoutte



ines.lagoutte@bureauveritas.com













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On Thursday, 30 October, at 13:00 (EET), Liven AS CEO Andero Laur and CFO Joonas Joost will host a Webinar, in Estonian, to present Liven's financial results for Q3 and 9 months of 2025.

The webinar will be held on Google Meet. Pre-registration is not required, but please note that no further reminder will be sent. All interested parties are invited to join the Estonian webinar on 30 October at 13:00 (EET) via the link:

https://meet.google.com/hyn-izgc-tvt.

Questions can be asked during the webinar or in advance by sending them at least one hour before the webinar to e-mail: investor@liven.ee.

The webinar materials will be published later on the Investors section of the Liven website: https://liven.ee/en/investor.



Joonas Joost

Liven AS CFO

E-mail: joonas.joost@liven.ee
Good performance in the third quarter

in a complex environment

Annual organic growth target updated



Paris, 23 October 2025  Ipsos, one of the worlds leading market research companies, achieved a revenue of 636 million in the third quarter, representing a growth of 7.6%, of which 2.9% organic (up from -1.8% in the first quarter and +0.7% in the second), 8.5% from scope effects mainly related to the acquisitions of The BVA Family and infas, and

-3.8% from negative currency effects due to the euros appreciation against certain currencies.

In the first nine months of the year, revenue amounts to 1,791 million. Growth is 3.6%, including 0.7% organic, 4.9% from scope effects and -2.0% from negative currency effects.

Political uncertainties in many countries, together with the budgetary constraints on governments, are resulting in a decline in Public Affairs activity, which is weighing on Ipsos overall performance. Indeed, excluding Public Affairs, the Groups organic growth for the first nine months of the year comes to 2.3% and 4.2% for the third quarter alone.

The past few months have also been marked by:

The integration of The BVA Family over the entire quarter, particularly in France, the United Kingdom, and Italy. This operation is the largest acquisition undertaken since 2018.

The appointment of Jean Laurent Poitou as Chief Executive Officer.

Significant progress in developing Ipsos strategy for the coming years.





PERFORMANCE BY QUARTER

In m 2025

revenue Total

growth Of which:



organic





scope





currency 1st quarter 568.5 2.0% -1.8% 2.9% 0.9% 2nd quarter 586.6 1.0% 0.7% 3.3% -3.0% 3rd quarter 635.9 7.6% 2.9% 8.5% -3.8% Revenue 1,791.0 3.6% 0.7% 4.9% -2.0%

PERFORMANCE BY REGION

In m 9 months

revenue Total

growth Organic growth Of which:



Q1





Q2





Q3 EMEA 872.8 10.0% 1.6% -0.3% 1.8% 3.2% Americas 630.3 -1.3% 1.2% -1.7% 0.6% 4.3% Asia-Pacific 287.9 -3.3% -3.0% -6.0% -2.3% -1.0% Total 1,791.0 3.6% 0.7% -1.8% 0.7% 2.9%

The Groups performance improved across all geographies in the third quarter.

In EMEA, total growth in our activities reaches 10% at the end of September, mainly driven by our recent acquisitions. Organic growth stands at 1.6% at the end of September, including 3.2% in the third quarter alone. While satisfactory in continental Europe and the Middle East, it is partly impacted by a roughly 4% decline in France, where the political climate has weighed heavily on our Public Affairs activity. Organic growth in France is slightly positive among private-sector clients.

The Americas region posted organic growth of 1.2% since the beginning of the year and 4.3% in the third quarter alone. In the United States, activity excluding Public Affairs is recovering, with organic growth of around 3% over the first nine months of the year, supported by an improvement in the healthcare sector and by the good performance related to consumer goods clients. That said, the political environment continues to weigh heavily on our Public Affairs activity, which is down about 15% since the start of the year.

In Asia-Pacific, China records a slight growth. The regions performance is impacted by the decline in our Public Affairs activity in several countries, including Australia, New Zealand and India.

PERFORMANCE BY AUDIENCE

In m 9 months

revenue Total

growth Organic growth Of which:



Q1





Q2





Q3 Consumers1 881.5 2.8% 2.0% -0.6% 1.6% 4.9% Clients & Employees2 360.0 3.5% 2.0% 0.5% 2.7% 2.9% Citizens3 285.3 5.1% -9.2% -14.2% -8.7% -4.7% Doctors & Patients4 264.1 4.4% 5.0% 5.4% 5.2% 4.4% Total 1,791.0 3.6% 0.7% -1.8% 0.7% 2.9%

Breakdown of Service Lines by audience segment:

1- Brand Health Tracking, Creative Excellence, Innovation, Ipsos UU, Ipsos MMA, Market Strategy & Understanding, Observer (excl. public sector), Ipsos Synthesio, Strategy3

2- Automotive & Mobility Development, Audience Measurement, Customer Experience, Channel Performance (Mystery Shopping and Shopper), Media Development, ERM, Capabilities

3- Public Affairs, Corporate Reputation

4- Pharma (quantitative and qualitative)

Our service lines dedicated to consumers, clients and employees posted organic growth of 2% over the first nine months of the year. This increase is notably driven by the good performance of our activities related to advertising campaign measurement, marketing spends optimization and mystery shopping studies.

Activity related to citizens shows an organic decline of 9.2% since the start of the year. It continues to be weighed down by political uncertainty and the prolonged wait-and-see attitude of public-sector clients, particularly in the United States, France, and several Asian countries.

The doctors & patients audience confirms its recovery and records organic growth of 5% over the first nine months of the year. This positive momentum is notably driven by innovation across several therapeutic areas, despite uncertainties over drug pricing in the United States and longer FDA approval timelines.

Our Ipsos.Digital platform continues its rapid development and has recorded 28% growth since the start of the year, particularly in product testing and advertising campaign measurement, with an operating margin roughly twice that of the Group.

PERSPECTIVES

At the close of the first nine months of the year, the Group posted a good performance among private-sector clients.

Budgetary constraints on governments and political instability in many countries are weighing on public spending and leading to delays in order intake. Therefore, Ipsos revises its 2025 annual organic growth target to around 0.7%.

The operating margin target of around 13% at constant scope is confirmed and reflects the Groups ability to demonstrate good operational discipline. It excludes the transitory dilutive effect linked to the acquisitions of The BVA Family and infas, estimated at 60 basis points for 2025.

Ipsos has many strengths:

The position of an independent and diversified global leader across both geographies and expertises

Differentiated offerings built on an unrivalled wealth of historical data, enabling the calibration and validation of AIbased models and ensuring, thanks to proprietary panels and access to real people, that these models do not drift

Longterm relationships with its clients

Talented teams

A sound financial profile that provides the Group the means to act.





However, organic growth remains below ambitions, and the Groups priority is to accelerate organic growth. In a rapidly evolving market, Ipsos is confident in its ability to transform by judiciously leveraging technology and AI, while preserving what has made it successful.

By agreement between the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer, the presentation of the new strategy Horizons 2030 is postponed from 19 November 2025 to 22 January 2026.

ABOUT IPSOS

Ipsos is one of the largest market research companies in the world, present in 90 markets and employing nearly 20,000 people.

Our passionately curious research professionals, analysts and scientists have built unique multi-specialist capabilities that provide true understanding and powerful insights into the actions, opinions and motivations of citizens, consumers, patients, clients and employees. Our 75 solutions are based on primary data from our surveys, social media monitoring, and qualitative or observational techniques.

Game Changers  our tagline  summarises our ambition to help our 5,000 clients navigate with confidence our world of rapid change.

Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has been listed on Euronext Paris since 1 July 1999. The company is part of the SBF 120 and Mid 60 indices and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD).

ISIN code FR0000073298, Reuters ISOS.PA, Bloomberg IPS:FP

www.ipsos.com

35 rue du Val de Marne

75 628 Paris, Cedex 13 France

Tel. +33 1 41 98 90 00

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London, UK, Oct. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With the global adoption of artificial intelligence and crypto assets, achieving stable and efficient passive income has become a key focus for investors. To lower the barrier to entry and improve profitability, Pioneer Hash has officially released a new, free, intelligent AI cloud computing mobile app, allowing users worldwide to access their daily AI computing income plan anytime, anywhere, using just a mobile phone.





One-click access to global AI cloud computing

The Pioneer Hash mobile app leverages its powerful AI cloud computing platform and smart contract technology, integrating a remote computing power scheduling system to provide users with a truly "zero-device, zero-barrier" way to participate.

New users who download the app and register will receive a free $15 base computing power reward from the system, immediately starting their daily income cycle and truly realizing "mobile computing power, easy money."

Key Highlights at a Glance

Free Signup and Get Free Hashpower: First-time users receive a $15 USD hashpower bonus to start running and earning income immediately.

No Equipment or Electricity Costs Required: No hardware, electricity bills, or specialized skills required  your phone is your "mobile computing power center."

Supports Multiple Major Cryptocurrencies: BTC, ETH, XRP, USDT, DOGE, SOL, USDC, and other popular digital currencies.

Automatic Daily Income Settlement: The system automatically calculates and distributes income daily, with funds arriving in real time for efficient and transparent results.

Multi-Language and Multi-Currency Support: The app features a built-in multi-language interface and global wallet access, ensuring a seamless user experience.

Easily Start Earning AI Cloud Computing Power on Your Phone

Want to easily run mainstream computing tasks like BTC, ETH, and DOGE on your phone?

Pioneer Hash lets you start your intelligent AI cloud computing journey at zero cost and earn daily passive income. The steps are as follows:

Step 1: Download the Pioneer Hash official app

Go to the Pioneer Hash official website or the App Store to download and install the latest version of the app.

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Click https://pioneerhash.com to register a new account. New users will receive $15 worth of free computing power and can start running tasks immediately.

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Go to the "AI Cloud Computing Power Contract" page and select the appropriate computing power plan based on your budget or needs.

Click Confirm, and the system will automatically allocate computing power and begin execution. Contract Type Contract Price Contract Duration Daily Income Total Revenue

Experience Contract $100 2 $3 $100 + $6

Primary Hash Rate I $500 5 $7.00 $500 + $35

Primary Hash Rate II $1,500 12 $20.40 $1500 + $224.80

Primary Hash Rate III $3,100 23 $43.71 $3100 + $1005.33

Intermediate Hash Rate I $5,000 30 $76.00 $5000 + $2280

Intermediate Hash Rate II $8,200 38 $131.20 $8200 + $4985.60

( Click here for more details )

Step 4: Daily income credits, withdrawable at any time

AI Cloud computing power earnings are automatically settled daily and credited to your account balance. Once the withdrawal threshold is reached, you can withdraw your tokens directly to your personal wallet.

Why choose Pioneer Hash?

As an industry-leading, compliant, and transparent global AI cloud computing platform, Pioneer Hash leverages a global computing network powered by data centers and clean energy to provide users with secure and efficient computing services.

Adhering to the principle of "everyone participates, everyone benefits," the platform helps users transform digital assets from "holding" to "sustainable growth," unlocking the dual potential of AI technology and the crypto economy.

About Pioneer Hash

Founded in 2020 and headquartered in London, UK, Pioneer Hash is an international cloud computing platform focused on AI technology innovation and compliance services.

Leveraging the UK's mature fintech ecosystem and regulatory framework, the platform provides secure, transparent, and efficient AI computing power management and digital asset solutions for individual and institutional users worldwide.

Conclusion: Start Your Daily AI Income Plan Now

Pioneer Hash is redefining how users around the world participate in the AI and crypto markets.

With this new intelligent AI cloud computing app, everyone can quickly get started and achieve automated returns and long-term growth.

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Official Website: https://pioneerhash.com

Official Email: info@pioneerhash.com

App Download Link: Click here to access the download page and start your AI cloud computing income journey today!

Attachment
NEWS RELEASE

Milan, 23 October 2025  Recordati, a global pharmaceutical company, announces today that Mike McClellan will join as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) as of January 1, 2026 and will be based in the Groups headquarters in Milan.

Mike McClellan, an American national, is a seasoned CFO in the pharmaceutical industry with nearly 30 years of experience across various geographies. Most recently, he served as CFO of Almirall (2019-2025) where he played a pivotal role in delivering sustained growth and profitability, leading business development efforts, guiding key product launches and engaging with the investment community. Prior to that, Mr. McClellan served at Teva as Group CFO (2017-2019) and CFO Global Specialty Medicines (2015-2017). He also had a significant career at Sanofi where he served as CFO of North America (2012- 2015), CFO of Europe (2010-2012) as well as in several country CFO roles.

Rob Koremans, CEO of Recordati, commented: We are delighted to welcome Mike as our incoming CFO following a thorough search process. Mikes deep expertise and impressive achievements in the pharmaceutical industry will be instrumental as we continue to pursue our strategy of consistent growth, targeted business development/M&A, and meaningful engagement with all our stakeholders. I am confident that his passion and experience will ensure a smooth and successful transition. I would like to reiterate my gratitude to Luigi La Corte, who will step down in his current role as CFO at the end of the year and remain on the Board, for all his outstanding contributions and wish him well in his future endeavours.

Mike McClellan, commenting on his appointment, stated: I am truly pleased to join Recordati, a company with a strong track record of consistent financial performance, outstanding execution, and an excellent reputation in the industry. Having followed Recordatis journey for many years, I have great respect for what the team has accomplished. I look forward to contributing to the next chapter and unlocking even more potential together in the years ahead.

Based on the information available to the Company, Mike McClellan does not hold any shares in the Company.

Recordati is an international pharmaceutical group listed on the Italian Stock Exchange (XMIL: REC), with roots dating back to a family-run pharmacy in Northern Italy in the 1920s. We are uniquely structured to provide treatments across specialty and primary care, and rare diseases. Our fully integrated operations span clinical development, chemical and finished product manufacturing, commercialization and licensing. We operate in approximately 150 countries across EMEA, the Americas and APAC with over 4,500 employees. We believe that health is a fundamental right, not a privilege. Today, our purpose of unlocking the full potential of life aims at empowering individuals to live life to the fullest, whether addressing common health challenges or the rarest.

RECORDATI INDUSTRIA CHIMICA E FARMACEUTICA S.p.A.

Registered Office

Via Matteo Civitali, 1 20148 Milano, Italy

Tel. +39 02 487871

Fax +39 02 40073747

www.recordati.com



Share Capital  26.140.644,50 fully paid-up

Milano, Monza, Brianza and Lodi Comp. Reg. No. 00748210150 Tax Code/VAT No. 00748210150

Milano R.E.A. No. 401832

Company subject to the Management and Coordination Activity of Rossini Luxembourg S.ar.l

Investor Relations

Eugenia Litz

+44 7824 394 750

Eugenia.Litz@recordati.com



Gianluca Saletta

+39 348 979 4876

saletta.g@recordati.it

Media Relations

ICR Healthcare US:

Alexis Feinberg

+1 203 939 2225

Alexis.feinberg@icrhealthcare.com



UK, Europe & Rest of World: Jessica Hodgson

+44 7561 424 788

jessica.hodgson@icrhealthcare.com

This document contains forward-looking statements relating to future events and future operating, economic and financial results of the Recordati group. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they depend on the occurrence of future events and circumstances. Actual results may therefore differ materially from those forecast for a variety of reasons, most of which are beyond the Recordati groups control. The information on the pharmaceutical specialties and other products of the Recordati group contained in this document is intended solely as information on the activities of the Recordati Group, and, as such, it is not intended as a medical scientific indication or recommendation, or as advertising.

2
PARIS and BRUSSELS, Oct. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Trace One, a leading SaaS provider of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and compliance solutions for the food and beverage industry, today announced a strategic partnership with delaware, a global consulting company specializing in AI-driven enterprise solutions. The companies are launching Legi Food, an AI assistant that instantly answers complex food regulatory questions with direct citations to relevant legislation.

Addressing complexity in food legislation

Nowadays, food manufacturers face an increasingly complex regulatory landscape. With regulations varying significantly across countries and regionsand changing frequentlycompanies struggle to keep pace. A single compliance error can result in product recalls, hefty fines, or retail delistings. Teams waste valuable time navigating foreign language legislation, searching through scattered documentation, and waiting for answers from overwhelmed regulatory departments.

Legi Food transforms compliance management through conversational AI. Users simply type questions in everyday language"Can I add sulfites to my bakery product in China?"and receive instant, accurate responses with direct citations to relevant legislation. The platform operates in more than 50 languages across all major food categories and deploys securely on-premise or via private cloud, ensuring complete data protection while delivering enterprise-grade AI capabilities.

Strategic Partnership Value

This partnership brings together complementary strengths to deliver significant value to the food industry. delaware gains access to Trace One's outstanding regulatory intelligence platform, which includes more than 134,000 food news items, 74,000 food laws globally, 300+ continuously monitored regulatory sites, and three decades of specialized food compliance expertise.

For customers, this combination of enterprise-grade AI technology and comprehensive regulatory data translates into measurable business impact, including up to 80% reduction in compliance monitoring time.

"By combining Trace One's comprehensive global food legislation database with delaware's secure AI engine, we're empowering food companies to achieve instant clarity on complex regulations," said Antoine Daviet, Chief Product Officer at Trace One.

Organizational Impact

Legi Food delivers measurable value across multiple departments. Regulatory Affairs teams accelerate decision-making processes. R&D departments advance innovation without compliance risks. Quality Assurance and Labeling teams gain confidence in product claims and market positioning.

Food compliance has never been more complex or fragmented. With Legi Food, were transforming how companies handle regulations: with clarity, speed, and trust, says Benoit Loffet, senior manager at delaware Belux.

The solution addresses critical needs in key markets including Europe, the United States, Canada, and Brazil, enabling multinational food companies to navigate complex regulatory requirements with unprecedented efficiency.

About Trace One

Trace One is a premier SaaS provider of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and compliance solutions, specializing in the food & beverage, cosmetics, personal care, and chemical industries. With over 30 years of expertise, Trace One empowers more than 9,000 brand owners worldwide to innovate, collaborate, and bring products to market faster while ensuring the highest standards of quality, compliance, and sustainability. Visit traceone.com

About delaware

delaware is a fast-growing, global company that delivers advanced solutions and services to organizations striving for a sustainable, competitive advantage. It guides its customers through their business transformation, applying the ecosystems of its main business partners, SAP, Microsoft, Salesforce and OpenText. delaware continues to serve its customers afterwards, thus ensuring continuity of operations and continuous improvement. In all perspectives, the company applies its own sustainable business model that targets the long term. More than 5,000 professionals work in 20 countries spread over Africa, Asia, Europe and North and South America.

delaware.pro
TORONTO, Oct. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cryptomesh, a trusted leader in crypto staking solutions, has launched an innovative Ethereum staking program designed to make ETH staking more accessible than ever. By removing traditional barriers such as high entry costs and technical complexities, Cryptomesh allows users to stake Ethereum without needing the standard 32 ETH minimum. With its user-friendly interface, secure Tier 3 data centers, and seamless wallet integration, Cryptomesh opens the door to Ethereum staking for both beginners and experienced crypto enthusiasts.

Making Ethereum Staking Effortless

In the fast-evolving blockchain space, Ethereum staking has historically been both expensive and technically demanding. Running a validator node requires significant financial investment and advanced technical skills, preventing many from participating. Cryptomeshs intuitive staking platform eliminates these obstacles, simplifying the entire process and inviting broader participation in the Ethereum ecosystem.

Through its streamlined dashboard, Cryptomesh enables users to support Ethereums decentralization effortlessly. Whether youre new to crypto or a seasoned investor, Cryptomesh provides a straightforward way to benefit from staking, without the need for specialized software or substantial holdings.

A Trusted Name in Crypto Staking

With a strong reputation for managing over $200 million in staked assets across major blockchain networks like Ethereum and Arbitrum, Cryptomesh has built a name as a reliable provider in the staking industry. Now, it brings this expertise to Ethereum, furthering its mission to create a secure and inclusive blockchain environment.

The Ethereum staking platform is designed to simplify onboarding while maintaining top-tier security standards through advanced Tier 3 data centers. By joining Cryptomeshs staking pool, users can earn rewards while contributing to Ethereum 2.0s scalability and security.

Key Features of Cryptomeshs Ethereum Staking Program

Easy-to-Use Platform: Cryptomeshs staking dashboard allows users to stake ETH in just a few clicks, requiring no prior technical knowledge or specialized software. No 32 ETH Minimum: Cryptomeshs pooled staking model eliminates the need to hold 32 ETH, enabling users to combine their funds and earn rewards collectively. Competitive Rewards: The program offers attractive reward rates, appealing to both institutional investors and individual crypto enthusiasts alike. Top-Tier Security: With Tier 3 data centers boasting 99.9% uptime, Cryptomesh ensures that funds and rewards remain secure at all times. Seamless Wallet Integration: Users can easily connect their crypto wallets directly to the Cryptomesh dashboard, removing the need for additional logins or exchanges and simplifying the staking process.



Why Choose Cryptomesh for Ethereum Staking?

Ethereum staking requires a dependable infrastructure and experienced partners. Cryptomeshs advanced validator operations and secure data centers ensure excellent performance across multiple blockchains. With a focus on security, scalability, and decentralization, Cryptomesh stands out as a top choice for Ethereum staking.

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Ottawa, Oct. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global non-invasive aesthetic treatment market size is expected to be worth over USD 41.55 billion by 2034, increasing from USD 22.67 billion in 2025 and is growing at a notable CAGR of 7% from 2025 to 2034. The non-invasive aesthetic treatment market is driven by the rising disposable income and enhanced living standards.



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Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market Highlights:

In terms of revenue, the global non-invasive aesthetic treatment market was estimated at USD 21.01 billion in 2024.

It is projected to reach more than USD 41.55 billion by 2034.

North America market surpassed USD 8.99 billion in 2024, and it is growing at a CAGR of 7.1% between 2025 and 2034.

Asia Pacific market was valued at USD 4.26 billion in 2024 and growing at a CAGR of 7.6% from 2025 to 2034.

By End Use, the hospital and surgery centers segment is expected to expand at a solid CAGR of 7.6% between 2025 and 2034.

By Procedure, the injectables segment is growing at a noteworthy CAGR of 8.0% from 2025 to 2034.

Global Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market Size, By Procedure 2022-2034 (USD Million)



By Procedure 2022 2023 2024 Injectables 7,579.0 8,345.5 9,159.9 Skin Rejuvenation 2,214.0 2,391.2 2,580.2 Others 8,167.7 8,704.2 9,268.9



Global Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market Size, By End Use 2022-2024 (USD Million)



End User 2022 2023 2024 Hospital and Surgery Centers 9,373.6 10,219.1 11,122.4 Medical Spas and Clinics 5,340.3 5,747.8 6,176.1 Others 3,246.7 3,473.9 3,710.6



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What is Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment?

Non-invasive aesthetic treatments are cosmetic procedures that enhance the appearance without surgical incisions, stitches, or any long recovery times. Unlike cosmetic surgery, these procedures do not involve cutting into the body to access deeper tissues. They are usually fast, safe, and even have minimal downtime, making them a popular alternative for those who want aesthetic enhancements without a major medical procedure. These treatments are significant because they provide aesthetic improvements with minimal recovery time, lower risk, and even reduced expense compared to surgical alternatives, making them a more accessible and even less daunting alternative for many people seeking to improve their appearance and boost confidence.

In January 2025, Merz Aesthetics launches Ultherapy PRIME, an evolution of the noninvasive skin-lifting Ultherapy device, and also presents six abstracts at the 2025 International Master Course on Aging Science (IMCAS) World Congress, showcasing its product portfolio and overall contribution to the field of regenerative aesthetics. This device is demonstrating companies' commitment to persist in innovations. (Source: https://merzaesthetics.com)



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Major Private Industry Investments in Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment:

ArchiMed Acquires Jeisys Medical for $742 Million - In October 2024, European private equity firm ArchiMed acquired Jeisys Medical, a South Korean company specializing in energy-based aesthetic devices. The deal, valued at approximately $742 million, underscores the growing demand for non-invasive solutions in the aesthetic industry.

L'Oreal Acquires 10% Stake in Galderma - In August 2024, L'Oreal purchased a 10% stake in Swiss skincare company Galderma from major shareholders. This strategic move aims to tap into the rapidly expanding medical cosmetics market and includes a collaboration on research and development.

Bain Capital Acquires Majority Stake in Classys - In 2022, Bain Capital Private Equity acquired a 60.84% stake in South Korean medical device company Classys for 670 billion Korean won (approximately $553 million). Classys specializes in non-invasive skin care and aesthetic treatment technologies.

Persistence Capital Partners Raises $275 Million for MedSpa Expansion - In 2024, Morgan Stanley Private Equity anchored a continuation fund for Persistence Capital Partners' platform MedSpa Partners, which operates at least 40 medical aesthetics clinics in North America. The deal raised C$375 million (about $275 million) to support further acquisitions.

Leading Aesthetics Group Formed in the Netherlands - In August 2025, six esteemed aesthetic clinics in the Netherlands united to form Leading Aesthetics Group. This doctor-led platform focuses on high-quality, minimally invasive treatments with a personalized approach, aiming to deliver long-term outcomes and safety.



What are the Key Trends of the Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market?

Personalized and combination therapies: Customized treatment plans combining injectables, lasers, and body contouring are gaining popularity, offering comprehensive solutions for multiple aesthetic concerns in one session.



Customized treatment plans combining injectables, lasers, and body contouring are gaining popularity, offering comprehensive solutions for multiple aesthetic concerns in one session. Technological integration and AI-driven solutions: The use of artificial intelligence and machine learning is improving treatment planning and outcome predictions , resulting in more precise and effective procedures.



The use of and , resulting in more precise and effective procedures. Demand for natural-looking, undetectable results: Consumers prefer subtle enhancements that maintain facial harmony, with treatments focusing on collagen stimulation and skin rejuvenation without obvious signs of intervention.



Consumers prefer subtle enhancements that maintain facial harmony, with treatments focusing on stimulation and skin rejuvenation without obvious signs of intervention. Expansion of medical tourism and accessible clinics: Lower treatment costs and high-quality care in regions like Asia and Europe attract international patients, while increased clinic availability makes treatments more accessible locally.



Lower treatment costs and high-quality care in regions like Asia and Europe attract international patients, while increased clinic availability makes treatments more accessible locally. Rise of at-home aesthetic devices: Advanced consumer devices such as LED masks and microcurrent tools allow users to perform safe, convenient aesthetic treatments at home, increasing accessibility and affordability.



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Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market Opportunity

Developing Novel Technologies

Developing novel technologies is a significant opportunity for the non-invasive aesthetic treatment market because it permits the creation of more effective, safer, and even personalized treatments, catering to a growing need for convenient, quick procedures with minimal downtime. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and even advanced diagnostic tools enable personalized treatment plans, with AI-based skin analysis and customized treatment protocols, contributing to more accurate and satisfactory results for diverse patient needs.

Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market Key Challenge

Regulatory Concerns

Due to the fast development of new technologies demanding stringent safety and even efficacy approval processes, inconsistent enforcement, together with varying standards across different jurisdictions, there is a rising need for practitioner certification, together with rising data privacy considerations. The approval process for the latest devices can be time-consuming and expensive, and the regulatory requirements can vary remarkably between countries and regions, making global growth challenging.

Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market Report Scope

Report Attributes Statistics CAGR from 2025 to 2034 7% Market Size in 2025 USD 22.67 Billion Market Size by 2034 USD 41.55 Billion Leading Region in 2024 North America Fastest Growing Region Asia Pacific Base Year 2024 Forecast Period 2025 to 2034 Segments Covered Procedure, End Use, and Region Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa



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Case Study: Multi-Site Aesthetics Network Doubles Non-Invasive Revenue in 12 Months

North Americabased network with 22 locations (hospitals/surgery centers + affiliated medical spas) saw rising demand for injectables and energy-based skin treatments but uneven provider utilization, long consult-to-treatment cycles, and low attach rates on skin rejuvenation add-ons. Baseline FY2024 non-invasive revenue: USD 42.6M; injectables share: 52%; skin rejuvenation share: 15%; average provider utilization: 58%.

Objectives (aligned to market dynamics in the press release)

Shift mix toward higher-growth procedures (injectables ~8% CAGR; skin rejuvenation acceleration).

Lift throughput without sacrificing outcomes.

Standardize consent, safety, and follow-up to reduce adverse events.

Build recurring revenue via memberships.

Prepare APAC expansion playbook.



Strategy

Clinical Portfolio Reset

Introduced evidence-based protocols for neuromodulators and HA fillers; standardized dilution, injection planes, complication management.

Added non-surgical tightening and resurfacing using RF microneedling and ultrasound-based lifting; complemented with pigment/vascular lasers for combination plans.

Created stacked pathways: Week 0 injectables  Week 4 RF/laser  Week 8 boosters/photorejuvenation.

Technology + Triage

Deployed AI skin analysis at intake to auto-score rhytids, elasticity, dyschromia; surfaced protocol templates by Fitzpatrick type and risk factors.

Introduced a digital informed-consent suite with automated contraindication flags and product lot tracking.

Implemented virtual pre-consults to compress lead time; launched e-financing at checkout.

Operations

Block scheduling for injectables (1520 min slots) vs energy-based (3045 min), minimizing room changeover.

Cross-trained RNs/NPs; quarterly complication drills; central pharmacy control for inventory and cold-chain.

No-show mitigation: SMS + two-tap prepayment holds; dynamic overbooking windows based on historical show rates.

Commercial Model

Memberships: three tiers (USD 59/99/159 per month) with rollover units, 1015% device discounts, and quarterly skin reviews.

Bundles: Smooth+Lift (neurotoxin + RF tightening), Tone+Glow (photo-rejuvenation + boosters).

Performance pay for providers tied to safety metrics, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), and bundle attach rate.

Execution Timeline

Q1 2025: Protocol build, device vendor certification, AI intake pilot at 4 sites.

Protocol build, device vendor certification, AI intake pilot at 4 sites. Q2 2025: Network-wide rollout; memberships; centralized scheduling.

Network-wide rollout; memberships; centralized scheduling. Q3 2025: Add vascular/pigment lasers; launch bilingual digital funnels for APAC test markets.

Add vascular/pigment lasers; launch bilingual digital funnels for APAC test markets. Q4 2025: Audit + optimization; finalize APAC SOPs.

Results (JanDec 2025)

Growth & Mix

Non-invasive revenue: USD 42.6M  86.9M (+104%).

(+104%). Injectables share: 52%  61% ; skin rejuvenation: 15%  23% ; other (hair removal, fat reduction, sclerotherapy): 33%  16% .

; skin rejuvenation: ; other (hair removal, fat reduction, sclerotherapy): . Average ticket: USD 612  787 (+29%); bundle attach rate: 9%  34%.



Throughput & Utilization

Provider utilization: 58%  81% .

. Consult-to-treatment lead time: 12.4 days  3.1 days .

. No-show rate: 18%  7%.



Quality & Safety

Adverse event rate (moderate+): 0.41%  0.23% .

. PROMs (90-day satisfaction 8/10): 72%  89% .

. Photo-normalized wrinkle depth reduction (per protocol cohorts): median 1824% at 12 weeks for combined pathways.



Financials

Device capex (incremental): USD 4.8M ; average payback: 7.5 months .

; average payback: . Gross margin: 62%  69% from better room utilization, vial yield, and consumables pricing.

from better room utilization, vial yield, and consumables pricing. EBITDA margin: 18%  28% .

. LTV/CAC: 3.2x  5.1x; membership penetration: 0%  27% of active patients.

What Drove the Uplift

Combination therapy increased biological effect without extending downtime, supporting premium pricing.

increased biological effect without extending downtime, supporting premium pricing. AI-guided triage reduced inappropriate bookings and standardized dosing/maps, improving outcomes and speed.

reduced inappropriate bookings and standardized dosing/maps, improving outcomes and speed. Memberships smoothed demand, stabilized cash flow, and raised lifetime value.

smoothed demand, stabilized cash flow, and raised lifetime value. Centralized ops cut waste: aligned slot lengths with anesthesia-free workflows and reduced room idle time.

cut waste: aligned slot lengths with anesthesia-free workflows and reduced room idle time. Financing + digital funnel expanded access and lifted conversion on higher-ticket device courses.



Risk & Compliance Controls

Unified adverse-event reporting; lot-level traceability; immediate hyaluronidase availability for filler complications.

Fitzpatrick-specific laser parameters and patch-test protocols to minimize PIH in diverse skin types.

Privacy by design in AI intake; explicit consent for imaging and analytics; regional regulatory mappings for APAC.



Replicable Playbook

Baseline audit: demand by procedure, capacity, complication rates, gross margin per hour. Standardize protocols for top three revenue drivers; lock dosing and settings ranges; train to variance. Redesign schedule: short slots for injectables, longer for energy-based; codify room turnover scripts. Introduce two anchored bundles; price at 1520% discount vs a la carte; enforce clinical indications. Launch tiered memberships with rollover and quarterly reviews; tie bonuses to safety + PROMs + bundle attach. Add e-financing and prepayment holds; automate reminders; track no-show cohorts. Quarterly M&M reviews; refresh consent and complication drills; renegotiate consumables based on volume.



KPIs to Monitor (Monthly)

Utilization %, revenue per provider hour, consult-to-treatment days, no-show %, bundle attach %, membership penetration %, PROMs 8/10 %, adverse event rate, gross margin %, LTV/CAC, refund rate.



APAC Pilot Snapshot (Seoul & Mumbai, Q4 2025)

Localized protocols for skin types IVV; conservative initial laser fluences; emphasis on ultrasound/RF tightening.

Digital funnels in Korean/Hinglish; K-beauty adjunct routines to support recovery.

90-day readout: conversion +22%, PROMs 86%, adverse events 0.28%, early payback 6.9 months.



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How Did North America Dominate the Non-invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market?

The existence of well-known healthcare systems, modern clinics, and even medical spas equipped with advanced technology supports the expansion and availability of these treatments. The United States leads the region because of its strong medical infrastructure, advanced treatment alternatives, and high need for minimally invasive procedures. Major firms in the aesthetic industry are based in North America, leading to market consolidation and driving innovation via strategic collaborations and acquisitions. The North American healthcare sector has set a strong focus on personalized treatment plans and natural-looking results. The innovations and developments of combination therapies are enabling access to non-invasive aesthetic treatment solutions.

The U.S. dominates the regional market due to its high consumer demand driven by increasing awareness and disposable income, coupled with advanced healthcare infrastructure and a dense network of specialized clinics. Innovation plays a key role, as many leading medical device manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies invest heavily in research and development, introducing cutting-edge technologies like lasers, injectables, and energy-based devices. Additionally, the clear regulatory framework provided by the FDA ensures the safety and efficacy of treatments, boosting consumer confidence. Strong marketing strategies, medical tourism, and accessible financing options further support widespread adoption, solidifying the U.S. as the market leader in this rapidly growing sector.

What is the U.S. Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market Size?

The U.S. non-invasive aesthetic treatment market size is valued at USD 8.03 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach approximately USD 15.55 billion by 2034, with a CAGR of 7.60% from 2025 to 2034.



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Why is Asia-Pacific the Fastest-growing Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market?

Asia-Pacific's market is the fastest-growing because of growing disposable incomes, a rising middle class, and rising cultural acceptance of beauty treatments. An increased aesthetic consciousness, mainly among younger demographics and even influenced by social media, drives the need for enhancing appearance via non-invasive procedures.

The rapid surge of young consumers toward less or minimally invasive cosmetic procedures, driven by the strong influence of social media and beauty trends, is fostering innovations and developments of advanced non-invasive aesthetic treatment solutions across the regional healthcare infrastructure. The focus on technological innovations like AI and high-frequency ultrasounds further contributes to this growth. Countries like China, Japan, and South Korea are raising the regional market, due to the robust influence of C-beauty, J-beauty, and Korean beauty standards.

China dominates the regional market due to its large and rapidly growing middle class with rising disposable incomes and increasing beauty consciousness. The country benefits from a rapidly expanding network of medical spas and aesthetic clinics, especially in urban centers, making treatments more accessible. Strong government support for healthcare innovation and investment in advanced technologies, such as laser devices and injectables, fuels market growth. Additionally, Chinese companies are increasingly investing in research and development, while collaborations with international brands bring global expertise.

Why is Europe Showing Significant growth in the Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market?

Social media platforms play a vital role in encouraging non-invasive treatments and even influencing evolving beauty standards, which raises the need for aesthetic procedures. New and enhanced technologies in lasers and also injectables are being developed, expanding the variety and efficacy of available options. Government efforts, such as those in England to target botched procedures, have driven public knowledge about the advantages, along with lesser risks of non-invasive treatments as compared to surgical options.

Germany is a major player in the regional market due to its strong healthcare infrastructure, high standards of medical training, and significant investment in research and development of advanced aesthetic technologies. The country has a well-established network of specialized clinics and medical professionals who offer a wide range of non-invasive treatments, supported by rigorous regulatory frameworks ensuring safety and efficacy. Germanys robust economy and high disposable income levels drive consumer demand for innovative, high-quality aesthetic procedures.

Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market Segmentation Insights

Procedure Insights

Why did the injectable Segment Dominate the Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market?

The injectable segment dominates the market because of its ability to deliver quick, high patient satisfaction, visible results, a low recovery period, and even widespread acceptance for addressing signs of aging and enhancing skin appearance. Botulinum toxin and even hyaluronic acid fillers are a few among the most performed non-invasive aesthetic procedures, with remarkable procedural volumes in major markets such as the U.S.

The skin rejuvenation segment is anticipated to register rapid growth in the non-invasive aesthetic treatment market during the forecast period. Innovation in energy-based devices, like laser therapy and radiofrequency, allows for more precise and effective skin rejuvenation treatments for issues such as wrinkles, sun damage, and even acne scars. Increased consumer knowledge about aesthetic procedures, driven by factors such as social media and influential marketing campaigns, has propelled the need for treatments that improve appearance.

End Use Insights

Why did the Hospitals & Surgery Centers Segment Dominate the Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market?

Hospitals and surgery centers dominate the market due to their developed infrastructure, highly qualified medical professionals, advanced technology, and comprehensive service offerings, which create trust and even attract patients seeking safe and effective treatments. Patients usually seek out hospitals and even surgery centers for aesthetic treatments because of their association with medical credibility and even expertise, primarily for procedures involving injectables and a few sophisticated techniques.

The medical spa segment is anticipated to register rapid growth in the non-invasive aesthetic treatment market during the forecast period. Innovations in laser technology and other treatments offer more effective and precise outcomes, improving patient confidence and thus expanding the range of available procedures. Non-invasive treatments have minimal recovery periods, even making them ideal for busy providers and individuals who want quick, effective solutions to improve their appearance.

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Non-Invasive Aesthetic Treatment Market Key Players and Competitive Landscape

Galderma S.A. - Galderma specializes in innovative non-invasive aesthetic treatments, including advanced dermal fillers and neuromodulators, designed to enhance natural beauty and rejuvenate skin.



- Galderma specializes in innovative non-invasive aesthetic treatments, including advanced dermal fillers and neuromodulators, designed to enhance natural beauty and rejuvenate skin. Allergan - Allergan offers a wide range of non-invasive aesthetic solutions, such as Botox and Juvederm products that provide effective wrinkle reduction and facial contouring without surgery.



- Allergan offers a wide range of non-invasive aesthetic solutions, such as Botox and Juvederm products that provide effective wrinkle reduction and facial contouring without surgery. El. En. SpA - El. En. SpA provides cutting-edge laser technologies used in non-invasive aesthetic treatments for skin resurfacing, hair removal, and vascular lesion correction.



- El. En. SpA provides cutting-edge laser technologies used in non-invasive aesthetic treatments for skin resurfacing, hair removal, and vascular lesion correction. Alma Lasers - Alma Lasers develops versatile non-invasive devices focused on body contouring, skin tightening, and pigmentation treatment through advanced laser and energy-based technologies.



- Alma Lasers develops versatile non-invasive devices focused on body contouring, skin tightening, and pigmentation treatment through advanced laser and energy-based technologies. Johnson & Johnson - Johnson & Johnson delivers a comprehensive portfolio of non-invasive aesthetic products and devices aimed at skin revitalization, wrinkle reduction, and minimally invasive cosmetic enhancements.



- Johnson & Johnson delivers a comprehensive portfolio of non-invasive aesthetic products and devices aimed at skin revitalization, wrinkle reduction, and minimally invasive cosmetic enhancements. Cynosure - Cynosure offers a variety of non-invasive laser and light-based systems designed for effective hair removal, skin rejuvenation, and body contouring treatments.



- Cynosure offers a variety of non-invasive laser and light-based systems designed for effective hair removal, skin rejuvenation, and body contouring treatments. Solta Medical - Solta Medical provides innovative non-invasive aesthetic solutions, including ultrasound and radiofrequency technologies that target skin laxity and improve skin texture.



- Solta Medical provides innovative non-invasive aesthetic solutions, including ultrasound and radiofrequency technologies that target skin laxity and improve skin texture. Syneron Candela - Syneron Candela develops a broad range of non-invasive aesthetic devices combining laser, IPL, and radiofrequency technologies for skin rejuvenation, hair removal, and fat reduction.



- Syneron Candela develops a broad range of non-invasive aesthetic devices combining laser, IPL, and radiofrequency technologies for skin rejuvenation, hair removal, and fat reduction. Lumenis - Lumenis specializes in advanced energy-based platforms delivering non-invasive treatments for skin resurfacing, wrinkle reduction, and body contouring with high precision.



- Lumenis specializes in advanced energy-based platforms delivering non-invasive treatments for skin resurfacing, wrinkle reduction, and body contouring with high precision. Merz Pharma - Merz Pharma offers clinically proven non-invasive aesthetic treatments such as dermal fillers and neuromodulators that help restore youthful volume and smooth wrinkles.

Recent Developments

In April 2025, Ideal Image, North Americas #1 Aesthetics manufacturer with 140 locations, is developing its laser technology with the addition of Candelas latest GentleMax Pro Plus laser and even GLX Delivery System. This next-generation platform will now be available in select Ideal Image centers nationwide, which brings faster treatment times, industry-leading clinical results, and improved patient comfort to laser hair removal services. (Source: https://candelamedical.com)



In March 2025, Johnson & Johnson MedTech, a worldwide leader in orthopaedic technologies and solutions, is highlighting its new advancements in digital orthopaedics at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) 2025 Annual Meeting held in San Diego, California. (Source: https://www.jnj.com)

Segments Covered in the Report

By Procedure

Injectable Polymer Filler Collagen Botulinum Toxin Hyaluronic Acid Calcium Hydroxylapatite

Skin Rejuvenation Laser Skin Resurfacing Chemical Peel Photo-rejuvenation

Others Hair Removal Sclerotherapy Non-surgical Fat reduction Cellulite Treatment





By End Use

Hospitals & Surgery Centers

Medical Spa

Traditional Spa

HCP Owned Clinic

Others



By Geography

North America U.S. Canada

Europe U.K. Germany France

Asia-Pacific China India Japan South Korea Malaysia Philippines

Latin America Brazil Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa (MEA) GCC North Africa South Africa Rest of the Middle East & Africa



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PUBLIC DEALING DISCLOSURE BY AN EXEMPT PRINCIPAL TRADER WITH RECOGNISED INTERMEDIARY STATUS DEALING IN A CLIENT-SERVING CAPACITY

Rule 8.5 of the Takeover Code (the Code)

1. KEY INFORMATION

(a) Name of exempt principal trader: Investec Bank plc (b) Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:

Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree Treatt plc (c) Name of the party to the offer with which exempt principal trader is connected: Investec is Joint financial adviser, Rule 3 adviser and corporate broker to Treatt plc. (d) Date dealing undertaken: 22nd October 2025



(e) In addition to the company in 1(b) above, is the exempt principal trader making disclosures in respect of any other party to this offer?

If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state N/A N/A

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The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

(a) Purchases and sales

Class of relevant security Purchases/ sales



Total number of securities Highest price per unit paid/received Lowest price per unit paid/received Ordinary shares Sales



76,969 245.5 239

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(d) Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)

Class of relevant security Nature of dealing

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3. OTHER INFORMATION

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Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the exempt principal trader making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:

Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state none



None





(b) Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives

Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the exempt principal trader making the disclosure and any other person relating to:

(i) the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or

(ii) the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:

If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state none None









Date of disclosure: 23rd October 2025 Contact name: Abhishek Gawde Telephone number: +91-9923757332

Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

The Panels Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Codes dealing disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.
Dublin, Oct. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Insurance Market in Poland 2025-2027, CEE Insurance Series" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Poland Insurance Report describes the present market structure and recent trends in the insurance market. It also provides estimates of insurance premium growth expected for the years 2025-2027.

Poland's insurance sector maintained robust momentum throughout the first half of 2025, building upon its strong 2024 performance. Total insurance premiums are estimated to exceed PLN 90 billion (21 billion) by year-end 2025.

The non-life segment continues to outperform expectations, driven primarily by motor insurance growth, and is projected to reach PLN 66 billion (15.5 billion). Meanwhile, the life segment remains significantly smaller at PLN 24.5 billion (5.7 billion) for 2025.

PZU holds its market-leading position across both segments, keeping 44% and 27% market share in life and non-life business, respectively. However, mid-tier competitors are intensifying their pursuit of new business, with Warta (Talanx) achieving notable organic growth success, particularly by surpassing PZU in the large motor TPL segment.

Market concentration continues to increase, with the top five insurers commanding the majority of market share. Within the broader regional context, Poland represents approximately 39% of the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE14) insurance market, valued collectively at ~53 billion in gross written premiums as of H1 2025.

The insurance sector in Poland is benefiting from the country's position as one of the fastest-growing economies in the EU. Strong private consumption, new investments, and rising wealth are driving premium growth. However, the shrinking population and declining customer base pose structural challenges to future growth prospects.

The medium-term outlook for the insurance market from 2025 to 2027 remains positive, with life insurance premiums projected to grow at 5% annually. The non-life insurance segment is expected to expand at 7% per year, representing a moderation from the higher growth rates observed in recent years.

Key Topics Covered:

Macroeconomic overview

Executive summary

Poland - Overview and key facts, 2024/2025

Poland in Europe: Number of households vs. wealth, 2024

Key macroeconomic indicators, 2020-2025F

Foreign trade statistics, C/A, FDI, 2020-2025F

Unemployment and salaries/wages, 2020-2025F

Disposable income in households and income distribution, 2020-2025F; Income distribution 2024

Consumer confidence index evolution, Jan. 2020- Sep. 2025

Warsaw Stock Exchange - Turnover, Market cap. and indexes, 2020-Aug.2025

Banking assets evolution, 2020-1H2025

Insurance market

Insurance Markets in CEE - Size vs. growth matrix, 2023-1H25

Insurance premiums per capita & premiums/GDP penetration - CEE comparison, 1H25

Insurance gross premiums - (life/non-life, in PLN), 2021-1H25

Top 10 insurance groups in Poland by total premium written, 1H25

Insurance market concentration and Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (life/non-life), 1H24 vs. 1H25

Current and upcoming Insurance M&A transactions in Poland, 2020-2024

Own funds for life and non-life insurers, 2020-1H25, SCR coverage ratios, 2023-1H25

Non-life insurance

Non-life insurance markets in CEE - Size vs. growth matrix, 2023-1H25

Non-life premiums per capita & premiums/GDP penetration - CEE comparison, 1H25

Non-life insurance gross and net premium evolution, 2021-1H25

Top 10 non-life insurance players in Poland, 1H25

Market shares of top non-life players evolution, 2022-1H25

Non-life premium by client segment and insurance class (car insurance vs. other), 1H25

Non-life premium by risk class, 2023-1H25

Sales channels of non-life insurance, 2024

Non-life insurers results, technical and P&L accounts (waterfall chart), 2024

Non-life insurance - Profitability tree, 2020-2024

Non-life insurance - Claims and expense ratio evolution, 2021-1H25

Non-life insurance - Combined ratio and its elements, 2021-1H25

Non-life insurance - Acquisition costs evolution, 2023-1H25, acquisition cost ratios for individual non-life insurers, 2024

Network multi-agents: Unilink, CUK, Phinance, Konsultant, Rankomat, ASF, Asist, Conditor, Punkta, DCU etc.,2024

Comparison websites and online multi-agencies - overview, 2024

Health Insurance - Premium written, Number of insured individuals, Average premium, 2021-2024

Car insurance - Premium and no. policies evolution, MTPL, Casco, 2021-1H25

Car insurance - Top players in MTPL and in Casco, 2023-1H25

Car insurance - Combined ratio and its elements, MTPL and in Casco, 2023-1H25

Car insurance - Average premium per policy for Casco and TPL, 1Q2019-2Q2025

Life insurance

Life insurance markets in CEE - Size vs. growth matrix, 2023-1H25

Life premiums per capita & premiums/GDP penetration - CEE comparison, 1H25

Life insurance gross and net premiums evolution, 2021-1H25

Top 10 life insurance players in Poland, 1H25

Market shares of top life players evolution, 2022-1H25

Life premium by insurance class and segment, 1H25

Life premium by risk class evolution, 2022-1H25

Life insurance technical reserves evolution and structure, 2022-1H25

Sales channels of life insurance, 2024

Life insurers results, Technical and P&L accounts (waterfall chart), 2024

Life insurance - profitability tree, 2020-2024

Life insurance - acquisition costs evolution, 2023-1H25, acquisition cost ratios for individual life insurers, 2024

Bancassurance

Bancassurance: Premium written by bank channel (life/non-life), 2022-2024,data by KNF vs. data by PIU

Bancassurance: Product/class split in bank channel (life/non-life), 2024

Bancassurance: Sales of investment type life products other than unit-linked, 2021-2024

Top players' profiles

PZU

Warta

ERGO Hestia

Forecast

Non-life insurance premiums forecast, 2025-2027F

Life Insurance premiums forecast, 2025-2027F

Notes on Methodology

Companies Featured

ALLIANZ

ALLIANZ POLSKA

AVIVA

COMPENSA - Vienna Insurance Group

GENERALI

LINK4

Metlife

Nationale Nederlanden

PZU

PZU ZYCIE

STU ERGO HESTIA

TU EUROPA

TUiR WARTA

UNIQA

Vienna Life

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/skon3u

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.
Dublin, Oct. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "United States Alzheimer Drugs Market to Reach US$ 4.47 Billion by 2033 - 7.78% CAGR Fueled by Drug Innovation and Early Diagnosis" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The United States Alzheimer's Drugs Market is expected to grow from US$ 2.28 billion in 2024 to US$ 4.47 billion by 2033 at a CAGR of 7.78% from 2025 to 2033

These medications are typically divided into two categories: the cholinesterase inhibitors (such as donepezil and rivastigmine), which enhance communication between nerve cells, and the NMDA receptor antagonists (such as memantine), which manage glutamate in the brain. More recent disease-modifying treatments such as monoclonal antibodies (for example, lecanemab) have emerged to slow the rate of cognitive deterioration by attacking amyloid plaques.







In the US, demand for Alzheimer's medications has increased exponentially as a result of the increasing number of elderly people - particularly those above 65 - who are at greater risk. As more than 6 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's, there is tremendous demand for successful drugs. Government support, higher funding for Alzheimer's research, and FDA approvals of new therapies have also boosted market interest. Public awareness and early diagnosis efforts have also contributed to a growing reliance on pharmaceutical interventions to manage this challenging condition.



Growth Drivers in the United States Alzheimer's Drugs Market

Aging Population and Rising Prevalence of Alzheimer's



The aging U.S. population is a major driver of growth in the Alzheimer's drugs market. More than 6 million Americans are living with the disease today, and that number is expected to grow almost in half by 2050, as reported by the Alzheimer's Association. With people over 65 being most at risk, rising life expectancy in the U.S. adds directly to the expanded patient base. This population trend is driving increasing need for symptomatic as well as disease-modifying medications, generating increasing demand for early intervention, chronic treatment regimens, and improved caregiver support through the healthcare system.



Drug Development Breakthroughs and FDA Approvals



Modern advances in biological therapies - specifically monoclonal antibodies such as lecanemab and aducanumab - are revolutionizing treatment. These medications seek to decelerate disease progression by attacking beta-amyloid plaques, a central pathology of Alzheimer's. The FDA approval of these treatments along accelerated routes indicates increasing regulatory favor and investment prospects. Pharmaceutical firms are swiftly growing clinical trials, and venture capital interest is increasingly being driven.



These new treatments are shifting Alzheimer's therapy away from the control of symptoms and toward the alteration of the course of the disease, exciting medical professionals and building interest in emerging therapeutic strategies. To advance its CSF1R inhibitor, MOD 001, for ALS and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) treatment, Modulo Bio received a USD 4.8 million investment from the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) in March 2025.



Government Support and Research Funding



The United States government has deemed Alzheimer's disease a public health priority, evident in increases in funding for the National Institute on Aging (NIA) as well as state-level programs. Initiatives such as the National Alzheimer's Project Act (NAPA) and the Alzheimer's and Dementia Caregiver Support Act are raising disease education, research spending, and care capacity. Public-private collaborations with government and private biotech companies and academic institutions are shortening development timelines for drugs.



This strong support framework is stimulating pharmaceutical innovation and improving early diagnosis capacity, enabling new Alzheimer's medications to reach the market more quickly and expanding access across the United States.



Challenges in United States Alzheimer's Drugs Market

High Cost and Affordability of New Therapies



One of the greatest hurdles to widespread uptake of more recent Alzheimer's drugs is their expense. New monoclonal antibodies recently approved for use cost tens of thousands of dollars annually. Most insurance policies have limited or conditional coverage, so it is difficult for average patients to maintain the cost of treatment. Furthermore, specialized imaging such as PET scans needed for diagnosis and treatment monitoring contribute to cost.



Absent increased insurance penetration or subsidies from other government programs, access to the latest therapies will be limited, especially for middle - and low-income patients, limiting the full potential of the market.



Limited Diagnostic Infrastructure and Late Diagnosis



Early and precise diagnosis is a key to Alzheimer's therapy, particularly for disease-modifying medications, but numerous patients in the United States are diagnosed in the late or moderate phase. The reasons include shortage of access to experts, financial barriers to tests such as amyloid PET scans, and cognitive testing stigma.



In rural and underserved areas, the shortage of qualified neurologists and geriatric treatment centers makes it even worse. These diagnostic hurdles postpone the utilization of proper drugs and lower the effectiveness of available treatments, slowing the overall growth in the market.



United States Alzheimer's Drugs Cholinesterase Inhibitors Market



Cholinesterase inhibitors such as donepezil, galantamine, and rivastigmine continue to be the most prescribed Alzheimer's drugs in the U.S., particularly for mild to moderate cases. They achieve their effect by increasing acetylcholine levels, a neurotransmitter critical for learning and memory. Even with the introduction of disease-modifying agents, cholinesterase inhibitors continue to be used extensively due to their relative costs, accessibility, and proven clinical benefit.



Numerous primary healthcare providers and caregivers depend on these medications for managing symptoms. Demand for these agents is stable and keeps supporting early-stage Alzheimer's treatment protocols.



United States Alzheimer's Combination Drugs Market



Moderate to severe Alzheimer's cases are increasingly being treated with combination drugs comprising both cholinesterase inhibitors and NMDA receptor antagonists (such as donepezil and memantine). These medications act on a variety of neurodegenerative pathways with hopes of achieving a synergistic effect to delay the decline in cognition. A once-daily single-pill regimen also enhances drug compliance in elderly patients.



Combined therapy is particularly desirable in clinical practice when memory and behavioral symptoms are treated concomitantly. With an aging population and the increasing demand for proactive treatment, use of such integrated drug therapies keeps growing steadily.



United States Galantamine Market for Alzheimer's Drugs



Galantamine is an inhibitor of cholinesterase, which is employed in the treatment of mild to moderate symptoms of Alzheimer's. The drug is appreciated for its two-stage mechanism, involving inhibition of acetylcholinesterase as well as modulation of nicotinic receptors. This could increase cognitive functioning and exhibit added advantages over other single-mechanism drugs.



In the United States, galantamine tends to be prescribed as first-line treatment for patients who are intolerant to donepezil or need an alternative form. The presence of both tablet and extended-release capsules allows it to be flexible in the needs of different patients. Regardless of competition, its clinical effectiveness maintains demand in neurology and geriatric hospitals.



United States Alzheimer's Drugs Donepezil Market



Donepezil is the most commonly prescribed Alzheimer's medication in the U.S., approved for every phase of the disease. Also marketed under the name Aricept, it is regarded as a standard of symptom care for its robust efficacy and tolerability. Doctors prefer Aricept because it is dosed once a day, is quite inexpensive, and has wide insurance coverage.



It is also commonly used in combination therapies and is typically the first treatment prescribed after diagnosis. Generic formulations have further expanded access throughout demographic groups. With increased awareness and diagnosis, donepezil's leadership role in the market is likely to persist.



United States Alzheimer's Drugs Hospital Market



Hospitals are key players in diagnosing, prescribing, and managing Alzheimer's treatment plans. With multidisciplinary access to teams of, e.g., neurologists, geriatricians, and mental health professionals, hospitals tend to start complicated drug therapies and check for side effects. They are also leading centers for Alzheimer's drug clinical trials and research.



Hospital pharmacies dispense both branded and generic medicines and facilitate combination therapies. As hospital systems become more integrated in their models of care, their function as dispensers and assessors of new medications will increase, particularly for early or advanced stage patients that need coordinated care plans.



United States Alzheimer's Drugs Online Market



The online market for Alzheimer's drugs is developing at a fast rate due to the growth of digital health, convenience, and better access. Patients and caregivers are increasingly relying on online pharmacies to purchase drugs such as donepezil and memantine, especially in areas with limited pharmacy access.



Most sites provide auto-refill features, dosage reminders, and online consultations. The channel became even more critical during the COVID-19 pandemic and is still a favorite for managing chronic conditions. Regulatory telemedicine approvals further legitimized online buying. As digital health becomes increasingly embedded, the online channel will be a main growth sector in the market for drugs for Alzheimer's.



California Alzheimer's Drugs Market



California possesses one of the biggest aging populations in the U.S., and hence it's a principal state to realize sales of Alzheimer's drugs. Large cities such as Los Angeles and San Francisco possess strong healthcare systems, enabling access to sophisticated diagnostics and innovative treatments.



The state's academic institutions and biotech companies also fuel innovation in drug development and clinical trials. Government initiatives, like Cal MediConnect, ensure low-income seniors' access. California's aggressive pursuit of Alzheimer's education and care coordination has generated strong demand for both conventional and disease-altering drugs.



New York Alzheimer's Drugs Market



New York's healthcare infrastructure consists of top-notch hospitals, research facilities, and a high density of neurologists, making it a top market for Alzheimer's drug uptake. The state's elderly population, particularly in New York City and the surrounding areas, is driving up diagnosis levels.



Medicaid and elderly care programs also ease access to Alzheimer's drugs. Moreover, New York's emphasis on mental health care and integration of eldercare renders it a strategic center for early intervention and ongoing treatment. Need for symptom-modifying as well as disease-modifying drugs is increasing, buttressed by robust institutional infrastructure.



Florida Alzheimer's Drugs Market



Florida, with a huge retiree population, is burdened with one of the highest rates of Alzheimer's disease in the U.S. The state has many memory care facilities, geriatric clinics, and Alzheimer's-specific organizations promoting public education and early diagnosis. This population profile engenders strong demand for generic and premium Alzheimer's therapies.



Florida is also a clinical trials recruitment hotbed and caregiving incubator. Seasonal populations and differing insurance coverage levels, however, create a situation of high complexity for access and pricing. However, the state continues to be an important market for all types of Alzheimer's medications.

Key Attributes:





Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 200 Forecast Period 2024 - 2033 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $2.28 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2033 $4.47 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 7.7% Regions Covered United States



Key Players Analysis (Overviews, Key Persons, Recent Developments, SWOT Analysis, Revenue Analysis)

Abbvie Inc.

AstraZeneca PLC

Biogen Inc.

Eisai Co. Ltd.

Eli Lilly and Company

H. Lundbeck A/S

F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG

Merck & Co. Inc.

Novartis AG

Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

Pfizer Inc.

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited

Drug Class

Cholinesterase Inhibitors

NMDA Receptor Antagonist

Combination Drugs

Others

Drug Type

Galantamine

Donepezil

Memantine

Rivastigmine

Others

Distribution Channel

Hospital Pharmacies

Retail Pharmacies

Online Pharmacies

Top 10 States

California

Texas

New York

Florida

Illinois

Pennsylvania

Ohio

Georgia

Washington

New Jersey

Rest of United States

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/bm2tk6

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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Islamabad, Pakistan, Oct. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN - WALEE: Karandaaz Pakistan and Walee Financial Services have entered into a strategic partnership to launch Khudmukhtar Khatoon, Pakistans first Shariah-compliant, digital, asset-financing solution exclusively designed for women entrepreneurs. The partnership was formalised at a signing ceremony at Karandaaz, attended by senior leadership from both organisations.

The Khudmukhtar Khatoon initiative addresses one of the most persistent barriers faced by women-led businesses in Pakistan: access to meaningful, growth-oriented finance. Unlike conventional loan structures, this program offers Shariah-compliant, asset-based financing, enabling women entrepreneurs to receive essential business assets rather than cash disbursements. By directly linking financing to productive inputs, the project ensures that resources translate into sustainable business growth.

The program introduces a tier-based framework, enabling inclusivity for women at different stages of their entrepreneurial journeys, whether they are aspiring home-based business owners with limited records, or established, formally structured enterprises. Each tier is matched with tailored financing support aligned with business maturity and growth potential.

Launched as a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) phase, the project will focus on sectors with high participation from women entrepreneurs: apparel and tailoring, food services, and beauty services. The MVP aims to serve as a testing ground for evaluating demand, operational processes, and product-market fit, paving the way for nationwide scale-up. The vision is to develop, test, and validate Pakistans first Shariah-compliant digital financing model tailored for women entrepreneurs.

Representing Walee Financial Services at the ceremony were Noshad Minhas, CEO & Co-Founder; Adnan Akhtar, Head of Finance & Compliance; and Khushba Hayat, Partner Investments. From Karandaaz Pakistan, Waqas ul Hasan, Chief Executive Officer; Sharjeel Murtaza, Chief Digital Officer; and Samia Salik, Lead  Womens Economic and Digital Inclusion, participated in the signing.

Karandaaz & Walee signing ceremony

Highlighting the companys commitment to womens financial inclusion, Waqas ul Hasan, Chief Executive Officer at Karandaaz Pakistan, said: Womens economic participation is central to Pakistans national development agenda and one of the key priorities of the Gates Foundation. Through Khudmukhtar Khatoon, Karandaaz is proud to pioneer a model that meets the financing needs of women entrepreneurs but does so in a way that aligns with local values and economic priorities. This collaboration with Walee Financial Services is a step toward building inclusive financial systems that enable women to become active contributors to Pakistans growth. The project has demonstration potential, and we need to join hands to close the gender gap in financial inclusion in Pakistan

Speaking at the ceremony, Noshad Minhas, CEO & Co-Founder of Walee Financial Services, stated: Khudmukhtar Khatoon is a step toward empowering women entrepreneurs with dignity, choice, and sustainable growth opportunities. We are proud to partner with Karandaaz to pilot this innovative, Shariah-compliant model that can redefine access to finance for women in Pakistan.





The Khudmukhtar Khatoon pilot will serve as a proof of concept for a first-of-its-kind, women-focused, Shariah-compliant asset financing product in Pakistan. The program will generate critical learnings on product design, operational performance, and womens financial needs, with the ambition to scale and mainstream such solutions across the country.

Speaking about the initiatives innovation and inclusivity, Sharjeel Murtaza, Chief Digital Officer at Karandaaz Pakistan, said: Financial inclusion must go beyond access. It must create pathways for women to thrive as business leaders. This initiative combines innovation, Shariah compliance, and inclusivity to test a scalable model for womens economic empowerment. Khudmukhtar Khatoon reflects our mission to bridge systemic gaps and enable women entrepreneurs to achieve their potential.

Disclaimer: Walee Financial Services is a licensed Non-Banking Financial Company (Investment Finance Services) regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). It is an Islamic, Shariah-certified digital financing platform operating on a Shariah-compliant unorganised tawarruq structure and does not charge interest. Under Walee Financial Services, Hakeem was launched as Pakistans first Islamic digital nano-finance initiative. Walee Financial Services is a subsidiary of Walee Technologies Pvt. Ltd., and its services are provided in Pakistan under SECP supervision; they are not offered or regulated in the UK, EU, or other jurisdictions. Data handling complies with SECPs Digital Lending Code of Conduct.

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Dublin, Oct. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "United States Neurology Devices Market Report by Product, End Use, States and Company Analysis, 2025-2033" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.





The United States neurology devices industry is experiencing robust growth, fueled by rising incidences of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, and stroke. These conditions are creating strong demand for advanced diagnostic, monitoring, and therapeutic devices. Neurology devices play a vital role in early detection, effective treatment, and improved patient management.

Technologies such as neurostimulation, neurosurgical devices, and neurodiagnostic tools are gaining significant traction in clinical settings. Hospitals and specialized clinics across the country are increasingly adopting innovative systems to improve outcomes and reduce the burden of neurological conditions. This growing healthcare demand highlights the essential role of neurology devices in addressing both acute and chronic neurological challenges.

Innovation is a central driver in shaping the competitive landscape of the neurology devices industry. Breakthroughs in minimally invasive neurosurgical techniques, wearable neurodiagnostic tools, and brain-computer interface technologies are expanding the capabilities of these devices. Companies are heavily investing in research and development to enhance device performance, safety, and user-friendliness. Partnerships between medical device manufacturers, research institutions, and healthcare providers are further accelerating the introduction of next-generation technologies. Additionally, artificial intelligence (AI) and digital health solutions are increasingly being integrated with neurology devices, enabling real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and personalized treatment approaches for neurological patients.

Despite promising advancements, the industry faces several challenges, including high device costs, reimbursement complexities, and regulatory hurdles. Many neurology devices require extensive clinical validation before approval, slowing market entry. Smaller medical device companies often struggle with these barriers, limiting competitive diversity. Nevertheless, the overall outlook for the U.S. neurology devices market remains highly positive. Continuous innovation, rising healthcare awareness, and growing investments in neuroscience research are expected to sustain market momentum. With increasing adoption of advanced devices across hospitals, diagnostic centers, and outpatient facilities, the industry is well-positioned for long-term growth.

Key Factors Driving the United States Neurology Devices Market Growth

Rising Prevalence of Neurological Disorders

The increasing prevalence of neurological disorders is one of the primary factors driving the U.S. neurology devices market. Conditions such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's are rising due to aging demographics and lifestyle changes. These disorders require sophisticated diagnostic and therapeutic tools to ensure timely management and improve patient quality of life. Neurology devices such as electroencephalography systems, neuromodulation devices, and advanced imaging technologies are crucial in detecting, monitoring, and treating these conditions effectively. The demand for improved patient outcomes and reduced hospitalization rates is accelerating adoption across healthcare facilities. With the growing burden of neurological diseases on the healthcare system, investments in device innovation and accessibility are intensifying, ensuring sustained demand for advanced neurology devices across the United States.

Technological Advancements and Innovation

Technological innovation is significantly driving the growth of the U.S. neurology devices market. Advancements in neurostimulation, neuroimaging, and neurosurgical instruments are enhancing treatment precision and minimizing risks. Minimally invasive neurosurgical techniques supported by robotic systems are becoming more widely available, reducing recovery times and improving surgical outcomes. Wearable neurodiagnostic devices and brain-computer interfaces are opening new possibilities in patient monitoring and rehabilitation. Integration of AI and machine learning with neurology devices is enabling predictive analysis, enhancing early diagnosis, and personalizing treatments. These innovations are not only improving patient care but also reducing the overall healthcare burden. Continuous R&D investments by medical device companies and academic institutions ensure that the industry remains at the forefront of technological breakthroughs, fueling long-term growth.

Expanding Healthcare Infrastructure and Investments

Growing healthcare infrastructure and rising investments are major contributors to the U.S. neurology devices market. Hospitals, diagnostic centers, and outpatient facilities are rapidly adopting advanced neurology devices to expand their service capabilities and meet patient demand. Significant funding from government initiatives and private investors is supporting the development and commercialization of novel neurological technologies. The presence of specialized neurology clinics and research institutions across the country further enhances accessibility to cutting-edge solutions. Additionally, increasing awareness about neurological conditions among patients and caregivers is boosting demand for effective devices. Partnerships between healthcare providers and medical device companies are enabling faster adoption and broader reach of innovative solutions. These combined factors are creating a favorable environment for market expansion and sustained innovation across the United States.

Challenges in the United States Neurology Devices Market

High Costs and Reimbursement Barriers

The high costs associated with neurology devices remain a significant challenge in the U.S. market. Advanced systems such as neurostimulation implants, robotic neurosurgical devices, and imaging technologies require substantial investment, making them less accessible for smaller healthcare facilities. Reimbursement policies for neurological treatments and procedures often lack consistency, creating uncertainty for both providers and patients. These barriers limit widespread adoption and pose challenges for manufacturers seeking broader market penetration. Smaller and rural hospitals, in particular, face difficulties in integrating costly technologies into their services. Without favorable reimbursement structures and cost-effective device models, patient access to advanced neurology devices remains restricted. Addressing these financial barriers will be essential to expanding adoption and ensuring equitable access to neurological care across the country.

Regulatory and Clinical Validation Challenges

Regulatory complexities and the need for extensive clinical validation pose another hurdle for the U.S. neurology devices market. Devices such as neuromodulation systems and implantable neurostimulators must undergo rigorous testing to ensure safety and efficacy, prolonging approval timelines. The lengthy regulatory review process often delays commercialization and increases development costs. Smaller companies face added pressure in navigating these requirements, limiting their ability to compete with larger medical device manufacturers. Additionally, uncertainties around long-term safety outcomes and device durability can hinder acceptance by regulatory authorities and healthcare providers. While necessary for patient safety, these stringent regulations slow innovation and restrict faster access to groundbreaking solutions. Streamlined regulatory frameworks and collaborative clinical trials will be crucial in overcoming these challenges and accelerating market growth.

Key Attributes:





Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 200 Forecast Period 2024 - 2033 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $3.57 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2033 $6.32 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 6.5% Regions Covered United States



Companies Featured

Medtronic Plc.

B. Braun Melsungen AG

Boston Scientific Corporation

Stryker Corporation

Abbott Laboratories

Johnson and Johnson

Smith & Nephew

MicroPort Scientific Corporation

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/36dcry

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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Noma and Novonesis partner to scale deliciousness



Noma, hailed as one of the worlds best restaurants, is joining forces with Novonesis, the global leader in biosolutions, to take deliciousness to the next level. Together, theyre fusing culinary craft with biology to create flavors and products that are healthier, tastier, and better for the planet.

COPENHAGEN, 23 October 2025: Innovation pushes boundaries and, at times, returns to the beginning. For thousands of years, we have used biology to craft our rich tapestry of food and beverage traditions. Today, Noma reimagines cuisine through fermentation, foraging, and insatiable curiosity, while Novonesis is leading the era of biosolutions by leveraging the power of microbiology with science.

Now, theyre uniting the worlds most influential chefs with the worlds leading scientists to take breakthroughs from lab benches and test kitchens to dining tables around the globe.

At the intersection of biology, science, and food innovation, the partnership will work to scale deliciousness and inspire consumers and producers to think differently about what food can be. This also involves exploring the potential of biosolutions in the development of new products within the Noma Projects line.

We need to inspire the world to eat in new ways, and I believe that flavor is the change factor for this, says Rene Redzepi, Founder and Co-Owner of Noma. Deliciousness is our superpower at Noma, and in partnership with Novonesis, we can take our imagination, our knowledge, to unlock incredible new flavors and bring them to peoples homes around the world.

The collaboration between Noma and Novonesis brings together two global leaders in fermentation. Novonesis has over 100 years of fermentation experience and applies the science in its work with the worlds leading food companies. Noma uses fermentation to develop new flavors in entirely new ways. Without fermentation, Noma would be a very limited version of itself, Rene Redzepi says.

The two also share a deep local approach, where origin and community shape every bite. Noma is famous for rediscovering local ingredients, while Novonesis works with customers to meet local taste profiles and preferences by using biosolutions to adjust sweetness, umami, and bitterness in food and beverage products.

What it means to be delicious varies by location. Thats why we have local labs all over the world. By teaming up with Noma, we are taking our knowledge of taste and texture to the next level, creating foods that are healthier, more flavorful, and better for the planet, says Andrew Taylor, Executive Vice President of Food & Beverage Biosolutions at Novonesis.

To address some of the challenges faced by the global food industry, the partnership combines Nomas creativity with Novonesis expertise in harnessing the power of microbiology with science. Together they will explore new flavors, textures, and nutritional profiles and find smarter ways to make better use of local ingredients.

The first products, demonstrating the partnerships potential, will be co-developed especially for Gulfood Manufacturing in Dubai from 4-6 November.

Contact

Magnus Mernild, Senior Media Relations Manager, Novonesis: +45 5171 7830 / YMM@novonesis.com

Jenny Lofgren, Communications Manager, Noma: +45 5361 6063 / jenny@noma.dk
TORONTO, Oct. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dundee Corporation (TSX: DC.A) (Dundee or the Corporation) is pleased to announce it has been successful in its appeals to the Tax Court of Canada, which disputed reassessments issued by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for the 2014 tax year for both the Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary Dundee Resources Limited. The Department of Justice consented to judgments allowing both appeals. Details of the appeals are included in Dundees Consolidated Financial Statements for December 31, 2024.

We are satisfied to have reached a collaborative resolution with the Canada Revenue Agency, said Lila Manassa Murphy, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Dundee Corporation. This settlement provides closure to a long-standing matter and allows us to dedicate our full attention to advancing Dundees core strategy of unlocking value for our shareholders through consistent returns and durable sources of cash flow.

The decision impacts the 2014 tax year; however, the Corporation believes there were no material changes to its business model that would warrant a different outcome for subsequent tax years. The Tax Court has allowed the appeals and referred the matter back to the Minister of National Revenue for reconsideration and reassessment on the basis that Dundees filing position was correct. Dundees Consolidated Financial Statements for December 31, 2024, reports an amount of $12.2 million deposited with the CRA. While the Corporation has not yet received the reassessments it expects the refund to include interest less some related liabilities.

ABOUT DUNDEE CORPORATION:

Dundee Corporation is a public Canadian independent mining-focused holding company, listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol DC.A. The Corporation is primarily engaged in acquiring mineral resource assets. The Corporation operates with the objective of unlocking value through strategic investments in mining projects globally. Our team conducts due diligence in order to assess the geological, technical, environmental, and financial merits and risks of each project and looks to deploy capital where it can either seek to generate investment returns or where the Corporation can collaborate with operating partners and take strategic partnerships through direct interests in mining operations.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

This press release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, which reflects Dundee Corporations current expectations regarding future events. Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Dundee Corporations control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the factors discussed under Risk Factors in the Annual Information Form of Dundee Corporation and subsequent filings made with securities commissions in Canada. Dundee Corporation does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Investor and Media Relations

T: (416) 864-3584

E: ir@dundeecorporation.com




New York City, NY, Oct. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BC DEFI, a leading AI-driven blockchain computing power platform, today announced official support for Ripple (XRP) alongside Bitcoin (BTC), Litecoin (LTC) and Ethereum Classic (ETC), enabling users to activate AI-powered computing contracts and generate automated passive income with unprecedented efficiency.

By integrating artificial intelligence, blockchain automation, and high-performance computing, BC DEFI provides a transparent and flexible framework for individuals and institutions to participate in digital-asset growth securely and sustainably.

The XRP integration marks a major step toward faster settlement, smarter asset allocation, and the next evolution of AI-enhanced decentralized finance.

A New Era of Intelligent Wealth Creation

During a recent public discussion in Germany, participants were asked what they would do if they could go back in time to seize a financial opportunity.

Some said they would invest with Warren Buffett, others mentioned Apple, and a few referenced Bitcoin in 2009.

The conversation revealed a timeless truth  The greatest opportunities often hide in plain sight.

Today, AI-driven platforms like BC DEFI represent that new frontier.

By merging algorithmic intelligence with blockchain technology, BC DEFI helps users capture opportunities that traditional financial systems overlook  offering efficiency, transparency, and automation instead of speculation.

BC DEFI: Leading AI Computing Power Platform Officially Supports XRP, BTC, LTC, and ETC

Global leading computing power platform BC DEFI has officially announced native support for Ripple (XRP), Bitcoin (BTC), Litecoin (LTC), and Ethereum Classic (ETC)  enabling users to instantly activate computing power contracts for Bitcoin and other coins at lightning speed and start earning immediately.

This innovation marks the beginning of a more efficient, flexible era in the cloud mining industry.

BC DEFI integrates blockchain technology with self-learning AI algorithms, leveraging computing power to monitor and evaluate:

Global market data





Continuous data streams





Ultimately forming an automated income model focused on optimization rather than speculation.





XRP Payment Integration: High-Yield Computing Power in Seconds

By utilizing XRPs high-performance settlement network, BC DEFI enables the entire process  from deposit to activation  in just a few dozen seconds.

Users no longer need to wait for traditional block confirmations and can instantly start earning up to USD 8,000 per day through Bitcoin computing contracts.





Key Highlights of BC DEFI

 New User Rewards:

New users receive a $20 registration bonus, usable for daily check-ins and earning $0.8 in daily income easily.

 Enterprise-Grade Security:

Integrated with McAfee Security and Cloudflare Protection to ensure data safety and smooth mining performance.

 Minimal Operation + Real-Time Analytics:

All-in-one mining experience with fully transparent profit details and contract execution progress.

 Flexible Contract Mechanism:

Multiple contract terms available, with reinvestment options tailored to different investor profiles.

 100% Green Energy Support:

Operating through 108 global clean-energy data centers, BC DEFI pioneers low-carbon mining aligned with ESG investment trends.





Start with BC DEFI in Just 30 Seconds

Register:

Enter your username and email address.



Deposit:

Fund your account with BTC, ETH, USDT, XRP, or other supported cryptocurrencies.



Choose a Contract:

Newly integrated stable computing contracts include:



New User Experience Contract:

Investment: $100 | Duration: 2 days | Return: $100 + $10





Investment: $100 | Duration: 2 days | Return: $100 + $10 A13 Contract:

Investment: $500 | Duration: 5 days | Return: $500 + $30.5





Investment: $500 | Duration: 5 days | Return: $500 + $30.5 S19 XP+ Hyd Contract:

Investment: $1,500 | Duration: 9 days | Return: $1,500 + $178.2





Investment: $1,500 | Duration: 9 days | Return: $1,500 + $178.2 E9 Pro Contract:

Investment: $3,200 | Duration: 14 days | Return: $3,200 + $672





Investment: $3,200 | Duration: 14 days | Return: $3,200 + $672 S21+ Hyd Contract:

Investment: $10,000 | Duration: 28 days | Return: $10,000 + $4,760



Start Earning:

Daily returns are automatically credited to your account balance.









New XRP Contracts: Transparent and Flexible

The newly launched XRP computing power contracts are flexible and transparent  users start earning within 24 hours of activation.

When the available account balance reaches $100, users can choose to withdraw to their wallet or reinvest into new contracts for compound growth.





AI Computing Power Investment Packages for Every Investor

BC DEFI offers a range of AI computing power investment packages suitable for all investor levels.

Whether youre a small or large investor, the platform provides flexible plans, competitive computing power, and predictable returns.

Minimum entry: $100





Scalable plans designed to maximize profits





Experienced users can reinvest for higher compounded gains





Many users earn between $200 and $3,500 per week, depending on their plan and reinvestment strategy.





Building a Safe and Sustainable Mining Environment

BC DEFI places security and compliance first.

The platform employs industry-leading architecture  all user data and funds are encrypted and isolated in cold wallets.

Through its green-energy-powered network, BC DEFI has achieved carbon-neutral cloud mining, allowing users to profit responsibly.





Security, Transparency, and Trustworthiness

In the crypto industry, security is everything.

BC DEFI implements advanced safeguards, including:

SSL Encryption





Two-Factor Authentication





Decentralized Wallet Options





All AI computing power is verifiable and displayed through a user-friendly dashboard.

Users can track:

Computing performance





Real-time earnings





24/7 AI power progress





Transparency and accountability are the core principles of BC DEFI.





Conclusion: Earn Smarter with BC DEFI

AI-driven computing is no longer a niche concept  it has become a powerful new engine of wealth creation in the digital age.

With BC DEFI, anyone can participate in Bitcoins growth without the complexity of traditional mining.

Focusing on convenience, transparency, and profitability, BC DEFI has become the go-to platform for forward-thinking investors.

As global regulations evolve and the crypto industry continues its path toward legitimacy, BC DEFI is ready to help users thrive in this new era of digital wealth.

Official Website: https://bcdefiai.com

Business Inquiries: info@bcdefi.com

#BCDEFI #BTC #ETH #DOGE #SOL #XRP #AI #RWA #passiveincome #cryptoinvestment #digitalwealth#ETFinflows #defi #DeFiEarnings #Blockchain #web3 #Financialfreedom#Google









Attachment
Toronto, ON, Oct. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- British Columbias proposed Bill 24, aka the Vaping Products Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act seeks to make the regulated vaping industry financially liable for alleged and future public health costs, sets a dangerous precedent for the most effective harm reduction tool for smokers. The legislation has already drawn mounting criticism from industry leaders, harm reduction advocates, academic and medical professionals, who warn that it could penalize adult harm reduction, impose disproportionate burdens on small businesses, and expose taxpayers to years of costly legal challenges.

If enacted, Bill 24 would treat regulated vaping products as though they posed the same public health harms as combustible tobacco or opioids despite overwhelming scientific evidence to the contrary. Experts argue that this misclassification ignores the fundamental differences between smoking and vaping and undermines public health progress made through harm reduction (Pesko, 2025).

Misguided Premise, Serious Consequences

The proposed legislation allows the province to recover healthcare costs from vaping manufacturers, mirroring earlier laws targeting tobacco and opioid producers. However, the Canadian Vaping Association argues that vaping has never been shown to cause the same scale of harm or health hazard. The B.C. government did not consult the Canadian Vaping Association, a key stakeholder that represents the industry on this proposed Act.

Tobacco and opioids have been proven to kill and cause irreparable harm. Vaping has not killed a single Canadian, said Sam Tam, President of the Canadian Vaping Association (CVA). Even the Government of Canada recognizes that switching completely from smoking to vaping significantly reduces exposure to toxic and cancer-causing chemicals. This kind of harm reduction should be embraced, not punished. It would be irresponsible for the B.C. government to require vaping companies including trade association to pay a fabricated cost without considering their ability to help far more British Columbians.

Despite the nearly 3.9 million Canadians who still smoke and 46,000 smoking-related deaths each year, vaping continues to drive declines in cigarette use and ease the burden on healthcare systems. Yet, Bill 24 treats legal, regulated vaping products as a public health threat rather than a public health solution.



CVAs Key concerns on Bill 24:

Unintended Consequences for Small Business: The Act would make hundreds of small, locally owned businesses that make up much of the industry uninsurable, threatening small business and jobs at a time when British Columbias economy should be protected.

Ignoring Proven Solutions: Youth vaping has seen a nearly 50 percent decline, as published in Statistics Canadas 2025 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth (Stats Can, 2025) and highlighted in Health Canada's Third Legislative Review (Health Canada, 2025). The focus should be on strengthening enforcement, prevention and education, rather than a broad-brush approach that targets the legal market for an age-gated product.

Opening Taxpayers to Legal Challenges: By laying claims on damages that cannot be scientifically proven against a federally regulated harm reduction product, the BC government is opening itself up to legal challenges that will ultimately be paid for by taxpayers.

Excluding Adult Smokers: The Act ignores the 1.9 million Canadian adults who rely on vaping as a less harmful alternative to smoking cigarettes, denying them a choice and demonizing a legal, regulated industry (Health Canada, 2025).

Vaping and its Flavours Saves Lives: Recent studies published by Dr. Michael Pesko who is on the scientific advisory board on vaping at Health Canada, shows that vaping use introduction increased consumer surplus value by approximately $5.7 billion dollars in the United States. For Canada this would be approximately $692 million dollars. The sum of life years saved from 2007-2019 is 4,491,985, or about 345,537 per year in the United States. For Canada that would be approximately 545,511 or about 41,962 per year. This would indicate that vaping has a greater public health benefit and helps far more people to stop smoking, reducing the healthcare cost burden from smoking related diseases (Pesko, 2025).

We support efforts to protect youth, tackle the illicit market, and stop deceptive marketing, said Sam Tam, but this Act misses the mark. It doesnt address those concerns; it penalizes the legal industry instead. The Attorney General should follow the federal governments example and engage directly with us. We understand this industry deeply and want to help shape effective, evidence-based solutions.

About Us:

The Canadian Vaping Association represents the legal regulated supply chain to hundreds of small, locally owned vaping businesses across British Columbia and thousands of small businesses nationwide. The association is the primary liaison with the federal and provincial governments on all legislative and regulatory issues related to the industry.

References:



Health Canada (2025) The Third Legislative Review of the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act Discussion Paper https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/programs/consultation-third-legislative-review-tobacco-vaping-products-act/document.html

Health Canada (2025) Health indicator statistics, annual estimates https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1310090501

Pesko (2025) E-Cigarettes in Historical ContextInnovation, Risk, and Regulation

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama-health-forum/fullarticle/2840026

Pesko (2025), Pharmaceutical Drug Regulations and Mortality: Evidence from E-cigarettes

https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5108105



Statistics Canada (2025) Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth, 2025  Vaping Data Summary https://www23.statcan.gc.ca/imdb/p2SV.pl?Function=getSurvey&SDDS=5233


Austin, Oct. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smart Wearable ECG Monitors Market Size & Growth Analysis:

According to SNS Insider, The Smart Wearable ECG Monitors Market size was valued at USD 1.82 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 4.07 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 10.64% over 2025-2032.

Due to high healthcare spending, a strong adoption of digital health technologies, and the accessibility of FDA-approved wearable ECG devices, the United States is now dominating the market for smart wearable ECG monitors.

The U.S. smart wearable ECG monitors market size was valued at USD 0.61 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 1.33 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 10.34% over 2025-2032.





Get free Sample Report of Smart Wearable ECG Monitors Market: https://www.snsinsider.com/sample-request/8048

Rising Prevalence of Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDS) Fuels Market Growth Globally

Due in large part to aging populations, sedentary lifestyles, and poor eating habits, the prevalence of diseases, such as coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, and atrial fibrillation is increasing globally. In order to identify any abnormalities early on, many health conditions frequently require continuous cardiac rhythm monitoring. Smart wearable ECG monitors are convenient, non-invasive gadgets that track cardiac activity in real time, enabling timely medical intervention. Since heart illness is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, both patients and medical professionals are in dire need of easily available and trustworthy ECG monitoring equipment.

Major Players Analysis Listed in the Smart Wearable ECG Monitors Market Report are

Apple

Samsung Electronics

Withings

AliveCor

Fitbit (Google)

iRhythm Technologies

Medtronic

Philips Healthcare

Qardio

CardiacSense

Smart Wearable ECG Monitors Market Report Scope

Report Attributes Details Market Size in 2024 USD 1.82 Billion Market Size by 2032 USD 4.07 Billion CAGR CAGR of 10.64% From 2025 to 2032 Base Year 2024 Forecast Period 2025-2032 Historical Data 2021-2023 Key Segments By Type (Chest Straps, Patches)



By Distribution Channel (Pharmacies, Online Channel, Direct-to-Consumer (DTC), Others)



By End Use (Hospitals, Clinics, Home Care, Others [Sports, Fitness Centers, Assisted Living] Regional Analysis/Coverage North America (US, Canada), Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Poland, Rest of Europe), Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, ASEAN Countries, Rest of Asia Pacific), Middle East & Africa (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, South Africa, Rest of Middle East & Africa), Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, Rest of Latin America).

Segmentation Analysis:

By Type

In 2024, the patches segment dominated the smart wearable ECG monitors market growth with 70.15% of the market, owing to the small size and discrete design that allows long-term cardiac monitoring. The chest straps segment is anticipated to witness the fastest growth over the years due to the increasing desire among fitness enthusiasts, competitive athletes, and everyday consumers to have accurate real-time data on their heart rate.

By Distribution Channel

The pharmacies segment dominated the smart wearable ECG monitors market share, 38.44% in 2024, due to being an established, trusted source for healthcare information, particularly in the developed economies. The online channel is projected to expand at the fastest CAGR over the forecast years. This expansion is led by increasing internet penetration, a trend toward direct-to-consumer purchases, and the emergence of e-commerce platforms.

By End-Use

The hospitals segment dominated the smart wearable ECG monitors market and accounted for a market share of 43.69% in 2024, owing to the increasing adoption of smart wearables for real-time heart monitoring and post-surgery care. The home health care segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate during the forecast period, owing to the rising demand for remote patient monitoring among geriatric and chronic cardiac patients.

By Region

Due to its sophisticated healthcare system, early adoption of digital health technologies, and rising rates of cardiovascular disorders, such as arrhythmia and atrial fibrillation, North America held a 45.05% market share in 2024 for smart wearable ECG monitors.

Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing smart wearable ECG monitors market, growing at a CAGR of 11.5% due to growing healthcare awareness, increasing elderly population, and growing heart-related diseases.

Buy the Smart Wearable ECG Monitors Market Report Now: https://www.snsinsider.com/checkout/8048

Recent News:

July 2024 - Samsung Electronics announced the introduction of its newest wearable devices, the Galaxy Ring, Galaxy Watch7, and Galaxy Watch Ultra. The new devices come with Galaxy AI to provide improved end-to-end wellness experiences, seeking to empower users with smart, real-time health information and personalized advice across their fitness and everyday health habits.

Samsung Electronics announced the introduction of its newest wearable devices, the Galaxy Ring, Galaxy Watch7, and Galaxy Watch Ultra. The new devices come with Galaxy AI to provide improved end-to-end wellness experiences, seeking to empower users with smart, real-time health information and personalized advice across their fitness and everyday health habits. September 2023  iRhythm Technologies, Inc. revealed the U.S. availability of its next-generation Zio monitor and expanded Zio Long-Term Continuous Monitoring (LTCM) service. The new Zio unit is the smallest, lightest, and thinnest cardiac monitor iRhythm has ever produced, providing enhanced patient comfort and convenience with the power to perform advanced long-term cardiac monitoring capabilities for health care professionals.

Exclusive Sections of the Report (The USPs):

CARDIAC HEALTH INCIDENCE METRICS  helps you understand the rising prevalence and incidence rates of cardiac conditions driving demand for continuous and remote ECG monitoring solutions.

 helps you understand the rising prevalence and incidence rates of cardiac conditions driving demand for continuous and remote ECG monitoring solutions. REGIONAL ADOPTION INSIGHTS  helps you identify high-growth geographies by analyzing regional adoption patterns and healthcare infrastructure readiness for smart wearable ECG technology.

 helps you identify high-growth geographies by analyzing regional adoption patterns and healthcare infrastructure readiness for smart wearable ECG technology. HEALTHCARE SPENDING BENCHMARKS  helps you evaluate investment trends in remote cardiac monitoring by comparing spending patterns across public and private healthcare sources.

 helps you evaluate investment trends in remote cardiac monitoring by comparing spending patterns across public and private healthcare sources. CONSUMER ADOPTION DYNAMICS  helps you assess user engagement levels based on age, lifestyle, and health awareness, providing insights into target segments for device manufacturers and service providers.

 helps you assess user engagement levels based on age, lifestyle, and health awareness, providing insights into target segments for device manufacturers and service providers. TECHNOLOGICAL ADOPTION RATE  helps you uncover opportunities for innovation by tracking the integration of AI, connectivity, and biosensor advancements in wearable ECG devices.

 helps you uncover opportunities for innovation by tracking the integration of AI, connectivity, and biosensor advancements in wearable ECG devices. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE  helps you gauge the market strength of key players through analysis of their product portfolios, innovation pipelines, and regional market reach.

Access Complete Report Details of Smart Wearable ECG Monitors Market Analysis & Outlook: https://www.snsinsider.com/reports/smart-wearable-ecg-monitors-market-8048

[For more information or need any customization research mail us at info@snsinsider.com]

About Us:

SNS Insider is one of the leading market research and consulting agencies that dominates the market research industry globally. Our company's aim is to give clients the knowledge they require in order to function in changing circumstances. In order to give you current, accurate market data, consumer insights, and opinions so that you can make decisions with confidence, we employ a variety of techniques, including surveys, video talks, and focus groups around the world.
Company honored by states Legislative Manufacturing Caucus for outstanding leadership and contributions to the manufacturing sector

State-of-the-art production line is bringing in new clients, new projects, new indications

LAUPHEIM, Germany and MILFORD, Mass., Oct. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rentschler Biopharma, a leading global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) for biopharmaceuticals, today announced that its U.S. subsidiary, Rentschler Biopharma Inc., has been selected as the Manufacturer of the Year for Central Massachusetts across all industries.

The award was presented at the 10th Annual Manufacturing Awards Ceremony, hosted by the states Legislative Manufacturing Caucus, on October 21, 2025, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA. The event honored manufacturers from across the state for their outstanding leadership roles and contributions to the manufacturing sector. Massachusetts has become a strong leader in advanced manufacturing, and the event celebrated this achievement, highlighting the need for government and industry to continue to work together to drive innovation.

State Senator Becca Rausch, who nominated Rentschler Biopharma for the award, stated: I am proud to nominate Rentschler Biopharma for the 10th Annual Massachusetts Manufacturing Awards. Collaborating with state and local organizations, Rentschler Biopharma has developed a pipeline for local workers to begin careers in life sciences and biotech manufacturing, and their state-of-the-art facility in Milford brings good jobs to the MetroWest region. Additionally, Rentschler Biopharma is a strong community partner and dedicated to environmental sustainability, a commitment with increasing significance due to the ongoing impacts of climate change.

Tom Roberts, President of Rentschler Biopharma Inc. and General Manager U.S., said: We are honored to receive this award and proud to be part of the Massachusetts biopharma and manufacturing communities since 2019. With our new production line in Milford now fully operational, weve entered a new phase of growth - welcoming new clients, launching new projects, and expanding our support for existing international partners. This recognition reflects the dedication of our entire team and the strength of our U.S. capabilities. At Rentschler Biopharma, we are committed to being a trusted partner - delivering reliable, high-quality solutions that help our clients bring innovative, life-changing treatments to patients.

The new production line represents the largest expansion in the companys more than 150-year history. It became fully operational last year, adding 22,000 square feet of manufacturing cleanroom space to the existing Milford site and housing four 2,000 L single-use bioreactors. It was the largest expansion in the companys more than 150-year history, doubling Rentschler Biopharmas global cGMP capacity. The facility is developing and manufacturing a variety of therapeutics across multiple modalities and disease areas, including oncology, hematology, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and organ failure.

About Rentschler Biopharma SE

Rentschler Biopharma is a leading contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) focused exclusively on client projects. The company offers process development and manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals, as well as related consulting activities, project management and regulatory support. Rentschler Biopharma's high quality is proven by its long-standing experience and excellence as a solution partner for its clients. A high-level quality management system, a well-established operational excellence philosophy and advanced technologies ensure product quality and productivity at each development and manufacturing step. Rentschler Biopharma is a family-owned company with about 1,400 employees, headquartered in Laupheim, Germany, with operations in Milford, MA, USA. In 2024, the company joined the United Nations Global Compact, emphasizing Rentschler Biopharma's focus on sustainability. For further information about the company, please visit www.rentschler-biopharma.com . Follow Rentschler Biopharma on LinkedIn .

Contact:

Rentschler Biopharma SE

Dr. Latika Bhonsle-Deeng

Global Head of Communications

Phone: +49-7392-701-467

communications@rentschler-biopharma.com

Media inquiries:

MC Services AG

Eva Bauer

Phone: +49-89-210228-0

rentschler@mc-services.eu

U.S.

Laurie Doyle

Phone: +1-339-832-0752



The Rentschler Biopharma team receives Manufacturer of the Year award for Central Massachusetts. Pictured here with state officials, including State Senator Paul Feeney and State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy



A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5e8f0f07-1a8e-40f1-ac45-3a23697509e9
Washington, District Of Columbia, Oct. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) is thrilled to welcome Ambassador Rich Verma, Chief Administrative Officer at Mastercard, and Joakim Weidemanis, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Johnson Controls to the Board of Directors.





Ambassador Rich Verma, Chief Administrative Officer of Mastercard, and Joakim Weidemanis, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), of Johnson Controls Join The USISPF Board of Directors

This is Ambassador Vermas second tenure on the board of USISPF, and at Mastercard. In his current role as Chief Administrative Officer for Mastercard, he oversees the digital payment leaders work across the law, government affairs and policy, franchise, corporate security, community and belonging and global entity governance functions. Ambassador Verma is also a member of the companys Executive Leadership Team and Management Committee.

Ambassador Verma is a revered diplomat with a distinguished background in public service. He is one of the key architects in cementing the robustness of the U.S.-India strategic partnership, most recently during his time at the U.S. Department of State as Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources from 2023 to 2025 under the Biden administration. As the U.S. Ambassador to India under President Obama, Ambassador Verma strengthened bilateral ties across defense, trade, and energy. He oversaw President Obamas historic second visit to India as chief guest for the 2015 Republic Day celebrations, the only time a sitting U.S. President has visited India twice in office.

USISPF welcomes Joakim Weidemanis to its Board of Directors for the first time. As the CEO of Johnson Controls, Weidemanis leads a global team united by the goal to make the worlds mission-critical environments smarter, safer, and more sustainable. Under his leadership, Johnson Controls is transforming these spaces by deploying advanced technologies and digital solutions that drive energy efficiency, decarbonization, and operational excellence. His vision centers on empowering customers and communities through innovation, with a relentless focus on delivering real-world impact and enabling healthier, more productive spaces worldwide. Prior to joining Johnson Controls, Weidemanis held several executive leadership roles over his 13-year career at Danaher Corporation, spanning healthcare, industrial and utility technology businesses.

Welcoming Rich and Joakim to the USISPF Board, USISPF President and CEO Mukesh Aghi said: Few have done more for the U.S-India relationship than Ambassador Verma. From his earliest days in the legal profession, to working on the Hill with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Rich has constantly worked to elevate the strategic partnership. His own story is a powerful one of diaspora success. Born to Indian immigrants, Rich epitomizes the people-to-people core of the relationship, in addition to bringing in the geostrategic expertise.

We are proud to continue our close partnership with Johnson Controls under Mr. Weidemanis. A veteran of the industry, he brings in a successful track record in leading global technology-driven businesses and has successfully scaled operations. His experience in growing companies and teams, focuses on a 360-degree approach along customer orientation, innovation and continuous improvement."

USISPF Chairman John Chambers congratulated Ambassador Verma and Mr. Weidemanis said: At USISPF, we continue to strive to add a roster of stellar talent to our Board of Directors. Rich and Joakim have very different backgrounds, but the same shared vision for our strategic partnership. Their combined experience in business and diplomatic affairs will be crucial in the next chapter of the U.S.-India collaboration  particularly around next-gen technology, which we know is a key area of opportunity for partnership. I look forward to working with them and seeing what new perspectives they can bring to our important vision.

Commenting on his appointment to the USISPF Board, Ambassador Verma emphasized on the importance of the relationship: The US-India relationship is a cornerstone of global progress, especially as business and innovation drive new opportunities. USISPF plays a vital role in strengthening the partnership and unlocking possibilities for both nations. Its an honor to rejoin the board.

About USISPF



The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) is committed to creating the most powerful partnership between the United States and India. As the only independent not-for-profit institution dedicated to strengthening the U.S.-India partnership in Washington, D.C., and in New Delhi, USISPF is the trusted partner for businesses, non-profit organizations, the diaspora, and the governments of India and the United States.



Press inquiries

USISPF

https://usispf.org

Ankit Jain

ajain@usispf.org

2244607900

2550 M St NW

Washington, DC 20037, USA
NASHUA, N.H., Oct. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Infinity Aviation Group, a leading Fixed Base Operator (FBO), today announced that Terrance Hart was named General Manager of its Nashua, NH FBO (KASH). As General Manager, he will focus on adding new tenants to the companys hangars, overseeing its day-to-day operations and providing flight support.

Prior to joining Infinity Aviation Group, Hart spent nine years with Jet Aviation, where he served in multiple roles including Brand Ambassador, Line Service Operations, and Front Desk Associate. He worked closely with aviation professionals to ensure a flawless flight experience and led global customer service training initiatives to foster proactive, polished concierge service.

We are thrilled to have Terrance join Infinity Aviation Group as General Manager, bringing extensive experience and a commitment to ensuring the safety and efficiency of aircraft owners, pilots and customers at our Nashua FBO, said Steven Levesque, CEO of Infinity Aviation Group. Terrance is passionate about building long-term relationships and is aligned with our mission to provide the highest standards of quality and hospitality in business aviation.

At the Nashau FBO, Infinity Aviation Group is planning to develop premium amenities such as a new general aviation terminal, concierge services, and seamless ground transportation, according to Hart. Infinity Aviation Group offers a comprehensive suite of services, including fueling, hangaring, and premium passenger amenities.

In June 2025, Infinity acquired the Nashua Jet Aviation hangar complex at Nashuas Boire Field, a public-use general aviation airport located 50 miles from downtown Boston. Infinity Aviation Group plans to acquire, improve and develop high quality general aviation operations and infrastructure including FBOs and aircraft hangars.

For more information on Infinity Aviation Group Nashau FBO, please contact: thart@infinityaviationgroup.com or visit www.infinityaviationgroup.com

For more media information, contact:

Lisa Hendrickson, LCH Communications for Infinity Aviation Group

lisa@lchcommunications.com

516-643-1642
Bannockburn, Illinois, USA, Oct. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As negotiations over U.S.Mexico trade policies near an October 29 deadline, the Global Electronics Association today released a new policy brief, From Risk to Resilience: Why Mexico Matters to U.S. Manufacturing. The report warns that proposed 30% tariffs on electronics imports from Mexico would fracture North American supply chains, raise costs for U.S. manufacturers, and undermine efforts to reshore production and strengthen domestic competitiveness.

Authored by the Associations Chief Economist, Shawn Dubravac, and the Industry Intelligence team, the report concludes that Mexico has developed into a full-fledged production hub within the North American ecosystem, drawing on a diversified global network of suppliers Data shows that Mexicos imports from China have declined significantly since 2017, with sourcing shifting to Vietnam, South Korea, Taiwan, and the European Union.

Electronics manufacturing today depends on cross-border collaboration, said Lorena Villanueva, director of the Global Electronics Associations Mexico office. Mexico has become an essential partner in strengthening North American manufacturing. Our supply chains are not competitors; they are collaborators. Policies that recognize this partnership will ensure both nations remain competitive in a rapidly changing global market.

The Association emphasized that maintaining a strong trade partnership with Mexico is a top priority for manufacturers on both sides of the border. Many of its members report that U.S.Mexico trade is their single most important policy issue.

The release of the report comes at a critical moment: the current extension for U.S.Mexico trade negotiations expires on October 29, and the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is accepting public comments on the United StatesMexicoCanada Agreement (USMCA) through November 3. The Global Electronics Association will submit formal comments on behalf of the industry and plans to testify at the USTRs public hearing on November 17.

U.S.Mexico trade isnt just importantits indispensable to a resilient North American electronics ecosystem, said Chris Mitchell, vice president of global government relations at the Global Electronics Association. Boosting U.S. manufacturing and supporting Mexicos industrial growth are two sides of the same coin.

The report underscores that many electronics systems and components cross the U.S.Mexico border multiple times before final assembly, reflecting deeply integrated supply chains that support competitiveness, jobs, and security across the region. Disrupting these flows with tariffs would drive up costs, slow delivery times, and threaten the survival of small and medium-sized manufacturers.

The Association urges policymakers to finalize a bilateral trade agreement that preserves tariff-free access, strengthens enforcement, and reinforces Mexicos role as a co-builder of North American manufacturing resilience.

Mexicos manufacturing evolution is one of the clearest examples of nearshoring success, the report concludes. Protecting that progress is essential to the regions economic stability and to building truly resilient supply chains.

The full report, "From Risk to Resilience: Why Mexico Matters to U.S. Manufacturing," is available for download at https://go.electronics.org/-mexico-policy-brief.

###

About the Global Electronics Association

The Global Electronics Association is the voice of the electronics industry, working with thousands of members and partners to build a more resilient supply chain and drive sustainable growth. We advocate for fair trade, smart regulation, and regional manufacturing, and educate on industry practices, actionable intelligence and technical innovations to empower the future. The Association collaborates with governments and companies worldwide to advance a trusted and prosperous electronics industry. Formerly known as IPC, the organization serves a $6 trillion market and operates from offices across Asia-Pacific, Europe and North and South America. Learn more at www.electronics.org.
Dublin, Oct. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Wagyu Beef Market Size and Share Outlook - Forecast Trends and Growth Analysis Report (2025-2034)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global Wagyu beef market was valued at USD 25.50 Billion in 2024. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.70% during the forecast period of 2025-2034. Rising demand for traceable, hormone-free premium meat in upscale hospitality chains is positioning Wagyu as a key product in luxury menus across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. In turn, the market is expected to reach a value of USD 48.77 Billion by 2034.







Factors like premiumization trends, evolving protein demands, and robust government-supported food safety initiatives have significantly propelled the market growth. As of 2024, Japan exported over 282 tons of Wagyu beef, with the United States, Hong Kong, and Australia among its largest buyers. In response, countries like Australia and the United States have aggressively ramped up domestic production. As per the Wagyu beef market analysis, Australian Wagyu beef exports jumped 12% in 2023, fuelled by government grants under the AgriFutures Emerging Industries programme aimed at improving genetic breeding technologies.



The market growth depends on the growing global demand for gourmet delicacies. Customers pay a premium for Wagyu's incomparable flavour, softness, and excellent marbling properties. This growing preference for high-quality, opulent dining experiences has resulted in the product's growing acceptance among upscale hotels, fine dining chains, and high-end retailers, over the forecast period. In Australia, Wagyu cattle herd numbers crossed 300,000 in 2023, while exports from the United States grew by 9% year-over-year due to increasing demand from affluent Asian markets.



Moreover, traceability technologies are gaining momentum, accelerating the overall Wagyu beef market development. In March 2024, Japan's National Livestock Breeding Center launched a blockchain-based ID system for Wagyu cattle, which guarantees authenticity and enhances export credibility. This kind of innovation resonates with B2B buyers keen on transparency and supply chain accountability. In addition, key players are increasingly investing in digital direct-to-chef models, AI-powered breeding, and lab-cultivated Wagyu fat for enhanced flavour replication.



Investments are also widening the scope of Wagyu beef market expansion. Japanese firm ZEN-NOH invested USD 40 million in a new processing plant in California in 2024 to localize Wagyu processing and distribution. Simultaneously, the EU funded a USD 15 million initiative aimed at enhancing protein production capacity in Germany and France. These developments are expected to streamline logistics, improve product availability, and help producers cater better to evolving B2B demand patterns across global gourmet and hospitality sectors.



Key Trends and Recent Developments

AI-Driven Cattle Breeding Systems



The integration of AI in Wagyu cattle breeding is disrupting the traditional supply chain, boosting further Wagyu beef market opportunities. According to the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, farms using AI-assisted genetics have reported a 15% increase in yield grades. These advancements reduce genetic bottlenecks and align production with export demand, providing a competitive edge. For B2B buyers, this trend offers consistency in quality and better ROI. Companies across Australia and the United States are now testing similar systems to boost international competitiveness.



Blockchain for Meat Authentication



Blockchain is redefining the Wagyu beef market dynamics. For example, Vietnam rolled out a nation-wide blockchain traceability framework for Wagyu in Japan, enabling buyers to verify lineage, feed inputs, and slaughter conditions with a QR scan. This technological advancement addresses rising concerns over food fraud, where mislabelled meat can severely undermine brand credibility. For example, in 2023, Vietnam Blockchain Corporation (VBC) implemented a blockchain-based traceability system for Wagyu beef in Japan. This initiative, part of the Agridential.vn project, aimed to enhance transparency in the beef supply chain by allowing consumers to verify product authenticity through QR codes. For B2B distributors and gourmet buyers, such transparency is becoming a deciding factor for procurement and menu pricing strategies.



Lab-Cultivated Wagyu Fat Integration



Hybrid meats are making inroads into luxury markets, appealing to affluent consumers seeking sustainable yet premium protein alternatives, accelerating the Wagyu beef demand. These hybrid products, which blend Wagyu genetics with other premium breeds, are designed to deliver the signature marbling and tenderness of Wagyu while enhancing yield, sustainability, and cost-efficiency. In high-end markets like Singapore and the UAE, chefs and distributors are embracing hybrid Wagyu for its versatility and culinary appeal. This trend is elevating consumer experience and also allowing producers to scale Wagyu offerings without compromising on quality.



Premiumization of Wagyu Beef Products



The premiumization trend in the Wagyu beef market is reshaping the way high-value protein is marketed and consumed across B2B sectors. Luxury-focused innovations are at the forefront of this movement. For instance, Japanese A5-grade Wagyu, often reserved for ultra-fine dining, is now being curated into branded, traceable packages with blockchain-backed origin tracking, especially for export to Europe and North America. Moreover, companies are introducing value-added Wagyu formats like dry-aged cuts, Wagyu charcuterie, and smoked brisket kits aimed at gourmet retailers and boutique butchers.



Export-Driven Government Incentives



Several governments now see Wagyu as a cultural export and economic asset. Japan's 2024 policy update under the Export Expansion Strategy allocated JPY 3.2 billion to support overseas promotions and logistics subsidies for meat exporters. Meanwhile, Australia's AgriFutures programme funds for genetic innovation and international trade shows further contributed to expanding the global footprint. The United States included Wagyu beef in its Export Credit Guarantee Program, enabling exporters to explore emerging markets like Vietnam and Saudi Arabia.



Global Wagyu Beef Market Regional Analysis

Asia Pacific Registers the Leading Position in the Market



The continued dominance of the Asia Pacific Wagyu beef market is powered by Japan and Australia. Japan's Wagyu exports hit JPY 45 billion in 2024, with South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong as top buyers. Emerging markets like Thailand and Vietnam are growing, aided by rising disposable incomes. Regional trade agreements like RCEP further ease cross-border transactions. Government-backed breeding stations in Australia and genetic R&D hubs in Japan ensure quality consistency, reinforcing APAC's stronghold in the global market.



Competitive Landscape



The Wagyu beef market players are investing in AI-enhanced breeding, blockchain for traceability, and hybrid meat technologies to distinguish their product offerings. They are employing direct-to-chef and e-commerce strategies to reduce reliance on intermediaries and personalize customer engagement. Regulatory compliance and global certifications have become key concerns especially as more buyers demand verifiable genetics and sustainable practices.



Most of the Wagyu beef companies find opportunities in emerging Asian and Middle Eastern markets, where luxury dining trend is growing fast. Additionally, collaborations with culinary schools and digital food influencers are opening up new revenue streams. Brands are also leveraging data analytics to track consumer behaviour, optimize distribution routes, and forecast demand spikes during festive or event-driven seasons.



Ito Ranch Ltd



Established in 1953, headquartered in Japan, Ito Ranch Ltd. is a heritage Wagyu producer known for its hand-reared cattle and proprietary feed formulas. The company focuses on ultra-premium A5 beef, with recent exports to Michelin-starred restaurants in France and Dubai.



Blackmore Wagyu



Founded in 1988, based in Australia, Blackmore Wagyu specialises in Fullblood Wagyu. The company is popular for its closed-loop supply chain and sustainability practices, earning a carbon-neutral certification.



Robbins Island Wagyu



Robbins Island Wagyu, founded in 2011 and headquartered in Australia, runs a unique saltwater-finished Wagyu programme. Their cattle are rotated seasonally across coastal pastures, which boosts both marbling quality and animal wellbeing. The brand caters to top-tier gourmet steakhouses in markets like Tokyo and New York.



Mayura Station



Mayura Station, founded in 1845 and headquartered in South Australia, is known for its chocolate-fed Wagyu line. The company has expanded to direct B2B e-commerce channels and won accolades in global meat competitions.



Other key players in the market are Starzen Co., Ltd., ITOHAM YONEKYU HOLDINGS INC., Australian agricultural company limited, Asia International Inc., AB to C, AB to C, LLC, and Lone Mountain Wagyu, LLC, among others.



Key Highlights of the Global Wagyu Beef Market Report:

Historical performance and accurate forecasts through 2034, enabling strategic planning for premium meat procurement and cross-border distribution.

Insights into product innovations like lab-grown Wagyu prototypes, dry-ageing techniques, and DNA-based cattle verification systems.

In-depth competitive landscape profiling Japanese A5 breeders, Australian crossbred producers, and regional value-added meat processors.

Regional analysis identifying Dubai, Singapore, and London as fast-expanding demand centres driven by HORECA, luxury catering, and high-end retail.

Investment-focused outlook supported by market data, highlighting expanding feedlot capacities, vertical farm collaborations, and halal-certified Wagyu export growth.

Key Attributes:





Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 164 Forecast Period 2025 - 2034 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2025 $25.5 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2034 $48.77 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 6.7% Regions Covered Global



Competitive Landscape

Ito Ranch Ltd.

Blackmore Wagyu

Robbins Island Wagyu

Mayura Station

Starzen Co., Ltd.

ITOHAM YONEKYU HOLDINGS INC.

Australian agricultural company limited

Asia International Inc.

AB to C, LLC

Lone Mountain Wagyu, LLC

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/t1o6f3

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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JCDecaux signs the landmark OOH/DOOH advertising contract in Norway with Bane NOR





Paris, October 23rd, 2025  JCDecaux SE (Euronext Paris: DEC), the number one outdoor advertising company worldwide, announced today that JCDecaux Norge AS, its Norwegian subsidiary, has signed an exclusive 4+2+2 year contract to operate all the advertising assets at Norways railway stations including its largest and most important transportation hub, Oslo Central Station. Bane NOR will finance the capex.

Morten Stray Floberghagen, Director of Property Management in Bane NOR, said: We are delighted that we can continue to work with JCDecaux. Thanks to their innovative and highly skilled organisation, they have delivered remarkable contract growth. Together, we have developed outstanding advertising arenas and plan to continue this work in the new contract period.

Jean-Francois Decaux, Chairman of the Executive Board and co-Chief Executive Officer of JCDecaux, said: We are very pleased to continue our advertising partnership with Bane NOR which started in 2012. With very iconic large format displays, Oslo Central Railway Station has become a showcase for effective DOOH campaigns. More and more people are taking the train to and from work in and around Norways major cities. Passenger figures are at a record high for the first six months this year, with a growth of more than 5% compared to last year. Combined with our advertising contract with Sporveien in Oslo for all buses, trams, and the Oslo metro, JCDecaux will deliver very strong audiences to both national and local advertisers also through programmatic buying which is growing well.





Key Figures for JCDecaux

2024 revenue: 3,935.3m  H1 2025 revenue: 1,868.3m

N1 Out-of-Home Media company worldwide

A daily audience of 850 million people in more than 80 countries

1,091,811 advertising panels worldwide

Present in 3,894 cities with more than 10,000 inhabitants

12,026 employees

JCDecaux is listed on the Eurolist of Euronext Paris and is part of the SBF 120 and CAC Mid 60 indexes

JCDecauxs Group carbon reduction trajectory has been approved by the SBTi and the company has joined the Euronext Paris CAC SBT 1.5 index

JCDecaux is recognised for its extra-financial performance in the CDP (A), MSCI (AAA), Sustainalytics (11.9), and has achieved Gold Medal status from EcoVadis

1 st Out-of-Home Media company to join the RE100

Out-of-Home Media company to join the RE100 Leader in self-service bike rental scheme: pioneer in eco-friendly mobility

N1 worldwide in street furniture (629,737 advertising panels)

N1 worldwide in transport advertising with 157 airports and 257 contracts in metros, buses, trains and tramways (340,848 advertising panels)

N1 in Europe for billboards (83,472 advertising panels worldwide)

N1 in outdoor advertising in Europe (736,310 advertising panels)

N1 in outdoor advertising in Asia-Pacific (178,010 advertising panels)

N1 in outdoor advertising in Latin America (89,526 advertising panels)

N1 in outdoor advertising in Africa (22,490 advertising panels)

N2 in outdoor advertising in the Middle East (20,689 advertising panels)



For more information about JCDecaux, please visit jcdecaux.com .

Join us on X , LinkedIn , Facebook , Instagram and YouTube.

Communications Department: Clementine Prat

+33 (0) 1 30 79 79 10  clementine.prat@jcdecaux.com

Investor Relations: Remi Grisard

+33 (0) 1 30 79 79 93  remi.grisard@jcdecaux.com

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LOS ANGELES, Oct. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Portnoy Law Firm advises Molina Healthcare, Inc., (Molina or the "Company") (NYSE: MOH) investors of a class action on behalf of investors that bought securities between February 5, 2025 and July 23, 2025, inclusive (the Class Period). Molina investors have until December 2, 2025 to file a lead plaintiff motion.

Investors are encouraged to contact attorney Lesley F. Portnoy, by phone 844-767-8529 or email: lesley@portnoylaw.com, to discuss their legal rights, or join the case via https://portnoylaw.com/molina-healthcare-inc-2. The Portnoy Law Firm can provide a complimentary case evaluation and discuss investors options for pursuing claims to recover their losses.

On July 7, 2025, Molina issued a press release announcing financial results for the second quarter of 2025 and slashing full year 2025 adjusted earnings per share guidance. The press release reported second quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of approximately $5.50 per share, which was below . . . prior expectations due to medical cost pressures in all three lines of business. The Company also announced that it expects these medical cost pressures to continue into the second half of the year and cut guidance for expected adjusted earnings per share 10.2% at the midpoint, from at least $24.50 per share to a range of $21.50 to $22.50 per share. The press release revealed Molina was experiencing a short-term earnings pressure from a dislocation between premium rates and a medical cost trend which has recently accelerated. On this news, Molinas stock price fell $6.97 per share, or 2.9%, to close at $232.61 per share on July 7, 2025. Then, on July 23, 2025, Molina issued a press release reporting its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025 and further slashing the Companys full-year 2025 earnings guidance. The press release revealed, in part, that the Companys GAAP net income was $4.75 per diluted share for the second quarter of 2025, a decrease of 8% year over year; and it now expects its full year 2025 adjusted earnings to be no less than $19.00 per diluted share. This represented another 13.6% cut to guidance of earnings per share at the midpoint, from the cut to guidance announced less than two weeks earlier. Molina also cut its guidance for its full year 2025 GAAP net income 27% to $912 million. Molina attributed its results a full year outlook to a challenging medical cost trend environment, including mere utilization of behavioral health, pharmacy, and inpatient and outpatient services. The Company claimed that its guidance cut also reflected new information gained in the quarterly closing process. On this news, Molinas stock price fell $32.03 per share, or 16.84%, to close at $158.22 per share on July 24, 2025.

The Portnoy Law Firm represents investors in pursuing claims caused by corporate wrongdoing. The Firms founding partner has recovered over $5.5 billion for aggrieved investors. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Lesley F. Portnoy, Esq.

Admitted CA, NY and TX Bar

lesley@portnoylaw.com

310-692-8883

www.portnoylaw.com

Attorney Advertising
Dublin, Oct. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Data Center Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) Market Report 2025" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The data center radio-frequency identification (RFID) market size has grown exponentially in recent years. It will grow from $1.78 billion in 2024 to $2.2 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.9%.

The growth during the historic period can be attributed to rising demand for automated infrastructure monitoring, an increasing need for seamless asset visibility, growing use of radio-frequency identification (RFID) in compliance and audit processes, and the expanding adoption of RFID for remote data center management.



The data center radio-frequency identification (RFID) market size is expected to see exponential growth in the next few years. It will grow to $5.13 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.5%. The growth during the forecast period is expected to result from the increasing deployment of hyperscale data centers, rising demand for energy-efficient operations, growing adoption of edge computing infrastructure, and greater emphasis on regulatory compliance and data transparency.

Key trends in this period include advancements in RFID sensor miniaturization, innovation in cloud-based RFID management platforms, integration of RFID with digital twin technologies, development of battery-free passive RFID tags, and innovations in multi-protocol RFID readers for data centers.





The increasing adoption of cloud computing is expected to drive growth in the data center radio-frequency identification (RFID) market. Cloud computing delivers computing resources such as servers, storage, databases, networking, and software over the internet, allowing users to access scalable and cost-effective solutions without on-site infrastructure. Its adoption is rising as businesses can scale IT resources up or down according to demand, ensuring optimal performance and cost efficiency without significant upfront investment in physical infrastructure. Data center RFID supports cloud computing by enabling real-time tracking and management of IT assets, optimizing resource allocation, enhancing security, and ensuring efficient operation of large-scale cloud infrastructures. For example, according to Eurostat, 45.2% of EU enterprises purchased cloud computing services in December 2023, a 4.2% increase from 2021. The growing use of cloud computing is therefore fueling demand for data center RFID solutions.



Companies in the data center RFID market are developing innovative RFID sensor devices to improve asset tracking, environmental monitoring, and operational efficiency. RFID sensor devices combine radio-frequency identification technology with sensors to track, monitor, and transmit data about objects or environmental conditions in real time. In March 2022, Omni-ID Ltd., a US-based RFID provider, launched a range of passive RFID sensor devices capable of monitoring temperature, moisture, and liquid volume in sectors including data centers, industrial sites, and healthcare. These battery-free tags transmit data to RFID readers, offering a durable, cost-effective solution for high-volume deployments and challenging environments. The portfolio features five products based on the Axzon Magnus RFID Sensor Chip, with highly accurate temperature sensors suitable for applications such as cold chain monitoring, pharmaceutical management, and equipment condition tracking.



Major players in the data center radio-frequency identification (RFID) market are Siemens AG, International Business Machines Corporation, HP Inc., Cisco Systems Inc., Honeywell International Inc., Avery Dennison Corporation, Omron Corporation, Zebra Technologies Corporation, Checkpoint Systems Inc., SATO Holdings Corporation, Nedap N.V., Impinj Inc., Identiv Inc., Invengo Information Technology Co. Ltd., Alien Technology Corporation, GAO RFID Inc., SimplyRFID Inc., Metalcraft Inc., InLogic Inc., IDESCO Oy, and Omni-ID Inc.



The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.



Key Attributes:





Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 250 Forecast Period 2025 - 2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2025 $2.2 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $5.13 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 23.5% Regions Covered Global





Key Topics Covered:



Markets Covered:

By Component: Hardware; Software; Services

By Data Center Type: Enterprise Data Center; Mid-Sized Data Center; Large Data Center

By Technology: Passive Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) Technologies; Active Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) Technologies; Semi-Passive Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) Technologies

By Application: Asset Tracking; Inventory Management; Environmental Monitoring; Security and Access Control; Staff and Personnel Tracking

By End-User Industry: Information Technology and Telecommunications; Healthcare; Retail; Manufacturing; Energy and Utilities

Subsegments:

By Hardware: Reader; Tag; Antenna

By Software: Asset Management Software; Inventory Tracking Software; Access Control Software

By Services: Installation Services; Maintenance Services; Consulting Services

Data Center Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) Market Regional and Country Analysis

Data Center Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) Market Competitive Landscape and Company Profiles

Siemens AG Overview, Products and Services, Strategy and Financial Analysis

International Business Machines Corporation Overview, Products and Services, Strategy and Financial Analysis

HP Inc. Overview, Products and Services, Strategy and Financial Analysis

Cisco Systems Inc. Overview, Products and Services, Strategy and Financial Analysis

Honeywell International Inc. Overview, Products and Services, Strategy and Financial Analysis

Data Center Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) Market Other Major and Innovative Companies

Avery Dennison Corporation

Omron Corporation

Zebra Technologies Corporation

Checkpoint Systems Inc.

SATO Holdings Corporation

Nedap N.V.

Impinj Inc.

Identiv Inc.

Invengo Information Technology Co. Ltd.

Alien Technology Corporation

GAO RFID Inc.

SimplyRFID Inc.

Metalcraft Inc.

InLogic Inc.

IDESCO Oy

Global Data Center Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) Market Competitive Benchmarking and Dashboard



Key Mergers and Acquisitions in the Data Center Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) Market



Recent Developments in the Data Center Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) Market



Data Center Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) Market High Potential Countries, Segments and Strategies

Countries Offering Most New Opportunities

Segments Offering Most New Opportunities

Growth Strategies

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/xtpc3o

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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LOS ANGELES, Oct. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Portnoy Law Firm advises WPP Plc, (WPP or the "Company") (NYSE: WPP) investors off a class action on behalf of investors that bought securities between February 27, 2025 and July 8, 2025, inclusive (the Class Period). WPP investors have until December 8, 2025 to file a lead plaintiff motion.

Investors are encouraged to contact attorney Lesley F. Portnoy, by phone 844-767-8529 or email: lesley@portnoylaw.com, to discuss their legal rights, or join the case via https://portnoylaw.com/wpp. The Portnoy Law Firm can provide a complimentary case evaluation and discuss investors options for pursuing claims to recover their losses.

On July 9, 2025, WPP published a trading update for the first half of 2025, advising investors that the Company had seen a deterioration in performance as Q2 has progressed. The Company attributed its misfortune to both continued macro uncertainty weighing on client spend and weaker net new business than originally anticipated, at least in part due to some distraction to the business as a result of the continued restructuring of WPP Media. On this news, WPPs American Depositary Receipt (ADR) price fell $6.48 per ADR, or 18.09%, to close at $29.34 per ADR on July 9, 2025.

The Portnoy Law Firm represents investors in pursuing claims caused by corporate wrongdoing. The Firms founding partner has recovered over $5.5 billion for aggrieved investors. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Lesley F. Portnoy, Esq.

Admitted CA, NY and TX Bar

lesley@portnoylaw.com

310-692-8883

www.portnoylaw.com

Attorney Advertising
Coral Gables, FL, Oct. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Amerant Bank, Floridas bank of choice with a growing presence across South Florida, is pleased to announce the appointment of Angel Medina Jr. as EVP, Executive Managing Director  Miami-Dade. A seasoned, South Florida banking executive recognized for transforming businesses to achieve profitability and growth, Medina brings decades of expertise to his new role.

Medina joins Amerant Bank with a wealth of experience in financial services and leadership. Most recently, he served as EVP - Director Private Client Services at First National Bank of South Miami (now United Community Bank), where he successfully led the Private Banking team in providing personalized financial solutions, including financial planning and trust and estate planning.

We are excited to welcome Angel to Amerant, as his proven leadership, industry expertise, and commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences make him the perfect fit for this role, said Jerry Plush, Chairman and CEO of Amerant Bank. We are confident that he will play a pivotal part in advancing Amerants mission in South Florida while providing outstanding advice and service to our clients and new customers."

In the past, Medina also held executive leadership positions at Iberia Bank, Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust, Regions Bank, and Barnett Bank. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a solid track record in driving strategic vision, improving operational efficiency, managing financial performance, and enhancing customer and employee engagement.

I am honored to join Amerant Bank and contribute to its continued growth and success across South Florida, said Medina. I look forward to working with a talented team to deliver exceptional financial solutions and build lasting relationships within our thriving local community.

Medina has been a long-time advocate for economic empowerment and social progress; he has dedicated decades of service to philanthropic organizations such as Goodwill Industries of South Florida and the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, where he also served as Past Chair. His commitment to education and leadership is further reflected in his long-standing role with Florida International University's College of Business, where he chaired the Deans Council.

Beyond these contributions, Medina has held influential positions across a range of civic and professional organizations, including serving as Past President of the Latin Builders Association, Past Vice-Chair of the Public Health Trust overseeing Jackson Health System, and Co-Chair of the United Way Capital Campaign. He is also an active member of the Orange Bowl Committee, continuing his dedication to community enrichment and regional development.

###

About Amerant Bank

Amerant Bank, N.A., is Floridas bank of choice and the main subsidiary of Amerant Bancorp Inc. (NYSE: AMTB). With a presence across South Florida and Tampa, FL, the bank has been serving clients for over 45 years, including subsidiary Amerant Investments. Rooted in the communities it serves, Amerant supports numerous non-profit and community organizations. In 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 the Company was certified as a Most Loved Workplace by Best Practice Institute. For news and updates, visit the Amerant Newsroom.

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Amundi: success of the capital increase reserved for employees

The capital increase reserved for employees "We Share Amundi" (announced last September) was a success: Almost one employee out of two in the world, and more than two out of three employees in France, participated in this operation which proposed for the ninth consecutive year a subscription of shares with a discount. More than 2,500 employees in 15 countries have subscribed to this capital increase for an amount exceeding 43.4 million.

This operation, which is part of the existing legal authorizations voted by the Annual General Meeting of 27 May 2025, reflects Amundis desire to involve its employees not only in the development of the company but also in the creation of economic value. It also contributes to reinforce employees' sense of belonging.

The impact of this operation on net earnings per share will be very limited: the number of shares created is 967,064 (0.47% of the capital before the transaction).

After this operation, employees will hold approximately 2.5% of Amundis capital, compared to 2.1% before operation.

About Amundi

Amundi, the leading European asset manager, ranking among the top 10 global players1, offers its 100 million clients - retail, institutional and corporate - a complete range of savings and investment solutions in active and passive management, in traditional or real assets. This offering is enhanced with IT tools and services to cover the entire savings value chain. A subsidiary of the Credit Agricole group and listed on the stock exchange, Amundi currently manages close to 2.3 trillion of assets2.

With its six international investment hubs3, financial and extra-financial research capabilities and long-standing commitment to responsible investment, Amundi is a key player in the asset management landscape.

Amundi clients benefit from the expertise and advice of 5,500 employees in 35 countries.

Amundi, a trusted partner, working every day in the interest of its clients and society

www.amundi.com

Press contacts:

Natacha Andermahr

Tel. +33 1 76 37 86 05

natacha.andermahr@amundi.com

Corentin Henry

Tel. +33 1 76 36 26 96

corentin.henry@amundi.com

Investor contacts:

Cyril Meilland, CFA

Tel. +33 1 76 32 62 67

cyril.meilland@amundi.com

Thomas Lapeyre

Tel. +33 1 76 33 70 54

thomas.lapeyre@amundi.com

Annabelle Wiriath

Tel. + 33 1 76 32 43 92

annabelle.wiriath@amundi.com

1 Source: IPE Top 500 Asset Managers published in June 2025, based on assets under management as at 31/12/2024

2 Amundi data as at 30/06/2025

3 Paris, London, Dublin, Milan, Tokyo and San Antonio (via our strategic partnership with Victory Capital)

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COLUMBIA, MD, Oct. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Howard Community College has been awarded the prestigious FamilyU Seal, a national certification recognizing higher education institutions that are actively investing in student-parent success.

Presented by Generation Hope, the Family U Seal recognizes institutions across the country that demonstrate excellence across four pillars of student-parent support: data, people, policy, and culture.

This recognition is incredibly meaningful to our college community, said HCC President Daria J. Willis, who has championed student-parent initiatives since taking her appointment in 2021. I am grateful for the hard work of our Family U team and their strong commitment to seeing student parents thrive.

HCCs flagship Parent Scholars Program provides academic, social, and financial empowerment to 148 students annually, with a waitlist demonstrating its high demand. In 2024, HCC established the Faculty, Administrators, and Staff Task Force to formally address student-parent concerns. This initiative led to the colleges first-ever comprehensive children-on-campus policy, providing reasonable access to campus spaces while supporting academic success through flexible attendance guidelines.

HCCs commitment also extends to physical and cultural infrastructure. The college has created dedicated family study rooms in its campus library and Academic Center for Excellence. Campus enhancements include lactation rooms, expanded parent and family parking spaces and food pantry access, and diaper-changing stations throughout buildings.

The college has also expanded access through early registration, with all Parent Scholars Program participants receiving automatic priority registration and other interested student parents able to access the program through a simple online form.

Survey data from 124 student parents in HCCs Yearly Evaluation of Services by Students (YESS) shows that 71.8% feel they have access to the resources needed to care for their children. Student parents at HCC maintain an average GPA of 2.8, compared to the general student average of 2.6, demonstrating academic persistence despite competing responsibilities.

In order for higher education to spark real stability and prosperity for more families, this movement must continue to grow. We are thrilled to honor these campuses and nonprofits with this prestigious national recognition through the FamilyU Seal programchampions that are elevating student parents and opening true pathways for them to succeed in college and beyond, said Nicole Lynn Lewis, Founder and CEO of Generation Hope.

Howard Community Colleges student-parent work has garnered national attention. The college was featured in the Ascend at Aspen Institutes Raising Up documentary and recognized by the Annie E. Casey Foundation for its innovative support model.

Howard Community College is the best place to be, said Jocelyn Vera, a student parent. As a single mother, the Parent Scholars Program benefits me immensely because I get advisors who truly want me to be successful. They provide resources on and off campus, allowing me to stress less and focus on my studies.

ABOUT HCC

Since 1970, Howard Community College (HCC) has been a preferred college choice for students and families in Howard County, Maryland. A public community college, HCC offers associate degree and certificate programs, as well as workforce development training and continuing education classes, to nearly 22,000 credit and noncredit students each year. HCC received the 2019 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the nations only presidential-level honor for performance excellence in organizations.

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Paris, October 23, 2025

Press release

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield sets CEO succession in 2026

Vincent Rouget, currently Chief Strategy & Investment Officer and acting as COO Europe, appointed CEO and Chairman of the Management Board as from January 1, 2026

Decision reflects the strong position of the business and positive trajectory under A Platform for Growth 2025-28 business plan, established by Jean-Marie Tritant, CEO and Chairman of the Management Board since 2021, who will lead the transition through the end of the year

At a meeting held on October 23, 2025, the Supervisory Board (SB) of Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield SE (URW) made the decision to accelerate the implementation of the Groups succession plan with the appointment of Vincent Rouget as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Management Board, effective January 1, 2026.

The decision reflects the full recovery of the business, its strong operational performance and the visibility provided by the A Platform for Growth 2025-28 business plan, achieved under the leadership of Jean-Marie Tritant, who has served as URWs Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Management Board since 2021.

The implementation of the succession plan, established by Jean-Marie Tritant in 2023, reflects the SBs objective to secure long-term leadership continuity beyond 2028. Jean-Marie Tritant accepts the decision, is aligned on its timing and will lead the transition until the end of the year.

The SB also expanded the scope of Anne-Sophie Sancerre to include the responsibilities of COO Europe as from January 1, 2026, in addition to her role as Chief Customer & Retail Officer, and confirmed the renewal of the mandate of Sylvain Montcouquiol, Chief Resources & Sustainability Officer. Fabrice Mouchel, Chief Financial Officer, continues in his mandate and a successor for Vincent Rouget as Chief Investment Officer will be named at a future date.

Jacques Richier, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, URW: Todays announcement affirms our proactive leadership succession planning, the Groups strong performance and the positive trajectory set out in the A Platform for Growth business plan.

Jean-Marie was appointed CEO at a very critical moment, successfully reshaping the Group and returning it to growth while navigating an extremely challenging external environment. His vision and remarkable contribution to URW will continue to benefit the Group into this next chapter.

Vincent has been instrumental to the Group since he joined the business in 2023 and is a key contributor to the creation of the A Platform for Growth business plan. We are fully convinced of Vincents ability to lead the plans delivery with great success.

Jean-Marie Tritant, CEO, URW: With the strategic transformation of the Group we have achieved during my time as CEO and the growth trajectory generated with our A Platform for Growth business plan now fully activated, I have total confidence in the future growth of URW under the leadership of Vincent and our Management Board. I am proud of what we have accomplished and look ahead to an exciting new chapter in my own career.

Vincent Rouget, CEO-elect, URW: It is a great privilege to be chosen to lead URW through its next chapter, supported by a strong and experienced Management Board and our outstanding teams. I thank the Supervisory Board for their trust, and Jean-Marie for his leadership, guidance and unwavering commitment to the business. In A Platform for Growth, we have a clear business plan for the future and sustainable value creation opportunities which will deliver strong shareholder returns.

The financial conditions of the termination of Jean-Marie Tritants duties and the appointment of Vincent Rouget will be made public in accordance with applicable regulations and available on the Groups website.

For more information, please contact:

Investor Relations

Meriem Delfi

+33 7 63 45 59 77

investor.relations@urw.com

Juliette Aulagnon

+33 6 15 74 20 43

investor.relations@urw.com

Imane Rafiky

+33 6 10 95 86 88

investor.relations@urw.com

Media Relations

UK/Global:

Cornelia Schnepf  FinElk

+44 7387 108 998

Cornelia.Schnepf@finelk.eu

France:

Etienne Dubanchet  PLEAD

+33 6 62 70 09 43

Etienne.Dubanchet@plead.fr

About Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield is an owner, developer and operator of sustainable, high-quality real estate assets in the most dynamic cities in Europe and the United States.

The Group operates 66 shopping centres in 11 countries, including 40 which carry the iconic Westfield brand. These centres attract over 900 million visits annually and provide a unique platform for retailers and brands to connect with consumers. URW also has a portfolio of high-quality offices, 10 convention and exhibition venues in Paris, and a 1.9 Bn development pipeline of mainly mixed-use assets. Its 49 Bn portfolio is 88% in retail, 5% in offices, 6% in convention and exhibition venues, and 2% in services (as at June 30, 2025).

URW is a committed partner to major cities on urban regeneration projects, through both mixed-use development and the retrofitting of buildings to industry-leading sustainability standards. These commitments are enhanced by the Groups Better Places plan, which strives to make a positive environmental, social and economic impact on the cities and communities where URW operates.

URWs stapled shares are listed on Euronext Paris (Ticker: URW). The Group benefits from a BBB+ rating from Standard & Poors and from a Baa2 rating from Moodys.

For more information, please visit www.urw.com

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SAN ANTONIO, TX, Oct. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Get ready to celebrate! WeSalute, the veteran-owned Public Benefit Corporation that started a movement 25 years ago as Veterans Advantage, is shining a spotlight on a powerful legacy: moving military recognition from simple transactional discounts to meaningful, lasting respect.

As WeSalute marks more than two decades of dedicated service, the organization isn't just looking backit's doubling down on its commitment to deliver greater respect, recognition, and rewards to veterans, active-duty service members, and their families through exciting new military-only program benefits, and innovative corporate partnerships.

Beyond the Bargain: A Mission to Transform Gratitude

Beyond its focus on basic military savings, WeSalute has always been a mission-driven advocate working to fundamentally transform how businesses and society truly honor military service. Operating as a Public Benefit Corporation, WeSalute is legally committed to the principle of "doing well by doing good," ensuring social impact is always a top priority.

"For 25 incredible years, WeSalute has been passionately dedicated to honoring the men and women who answered the call to serve," said Lin Higgins, CEO of WeSalute. "Our mission has always been about creating lasting, year-round change in how our nation expresses gratitudefar beyond a single holiday."

This deep-seated commitment is what sets WeSalute apart, delivering unique, proprietary value that you simply can't find anywhere else. Every member is welcomed with exclusive benefits that underscore a dedication to premium services and support that WeSalute has created to enhance the lifestyles of those who serve:

WeSalute Travel Protection : Peace of mind with a proprietary low-cost insurance plan covering medical emergencies and advisory services while traveling.

Peace of mind with a proprietary low-cost insurance plan covering medical emergencies and advisory services while traveling. WeSalute+ Personal Benefits Specialists : Unlimited access to expert advisors for dedicated, personalized benefits consulting that delivers money-saving consumer advice and guidance.

Unlimited access to expert advisors for dedicated, personalized benefits consulting that delivers money-saving consumer advice and guidance. WeSalute+ ID Card : A secure, verified military ID card that makes seamlessly and securely redeeming offers both inside and outside the WeSalute program effortless.





Pioneering Inclusion: A 25-Year Fight for All Who Serve

WeSalute's advocacy has been instrumental in broadening the definition of who qualifies for military recognition. Before its founding, military discounts were often limited to federal active-duty and retired personnel. Through persistent and positive engagement with corporate partners, WeSalute successfully championed the inclusion of veterans from all service eras, including National Guard and Reservists, plus their immediate family members in its WeSalute recognition programs nationwide.

The organization's powerful approach focuses on creating new, exclusive benefits tailored to the unique needs of the military community. These dynamic partnerships span essential categoriesfrom travel leaders across airlines, car rentals, and cruise lines to key services in healthcare access, financial products, and insurance coverageall easily redeemable via the secure WeSalute+ ID Card.

Commitment to Community: Setting the Highest Standard

As a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC), WeSalute operates with enhanced accountability based on its socially-responsible mission, placing its positive impact on the military community as its chief obligation. This powerful structure aligns the companys obligations perfectly with its social mission, and is the same approach that drives innovative companies like Anthropic, the developer of Claude.

WeSalute also celebrates excellence through its awards program, honoring outstanding individuals who continue to serve their community or country after their military service. Plus, the organization provides access to job placement services and exclusive editorial content to smooth the transition from military to civilian life and support post-service lifestyles.

Expanding the Circle of Recognition

Building on its successful model of advocacy and benefit creation for the military community, WeSalute is excited to announce plans to soon extend its mission to include nurses and healthcare professionals.This strategic expansion recognizes the parallel sacrifices made by those serving on the front lines of healthcare. By applying the same robust advocacy framework that has successfully championed military families for 25 years, WeSalute is ready to create meaningful recognition programs for these everyday heroes.

Continuing a Legacy of Heartfelt Service

As WeSalute charges into its third decade of operation, the organization remains laser-focused on its core advocacy mission: creating sustainable, authentic, and meaningful pathways for businesses and communities to express genuine gratitude. Founded by Scott and Lin Higgins, WeSalute is led by the firsthand understanding and heart of a veteran family, ensuring its programs are always relevant and impactful.

WeSalute isn't just an organization; its a pioneering movement dedicated to ensuring that the deep respect for our military community is reflected in tangible, everyday rewards.

For more information about WeSalute's mission and programs for veterans, active-duty military, and military families, visit www.wesalute.com .

About WeSalute WeSalute, founded in 1999 as Veterans Advantage, is a veteran-owned and operated Public Benefit Corporation dedicated to delivering greater respect, recognition, and rewards to active-duty military, veterans, and their families. Through advocacy and corporate partnership development, WeSalute creates exclusive benefits and works to expand recognition of military service across all eras and service branches.

Media Contact:

Roy Asfar SVP of Marketing, WeSalute

press@wesalute.com
GREENVILLE, Miss., Oct. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Dr. Robert Corkern Award for Entrepreneurs is now accepting applications from undergraduate students across the United States. This new, national scholarship recognizes and supports students who demonstrate a profound commitment to entrepreneurial innovation as a force for positive change.

Founded by Dr. Robert Corkern, MD, a distinguished physician from Greenville, Mississippi, the award provides a one-time $1,000 grant to an undergraduate student who presents a compelling vision for a business idea designed to address a pressing social, economic, or environmental challenge. The application deadline is July 15, 2026, with the winner announced on August 15, 2026.

The scholarship criteria require applicants to be currently enrolled in an undergraduate program for business, entrepreneurship, economics, finance, or a related field. Candidates must show a verified passion for entrepreneurship through academic work, business ventures, or leadership roles and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA. The central component of the application is a 500-800 word essay in which students must describe an original business idea or innovation and explain its potential for lasting impact.

"The vision of Dr. Robert Corkern is to bridge the worlds of practical problem-solving and ambitious business creation," said a spokesperson for the award. "This award is an investment in students who look at complex challenges and see opportunities for sustainable, entrepreneurial solutions."

The creation of this award reflects the lifelong dedication of Dr. Robert Corkern to mentorship and community advancement. Though his career has been primarily in medicine, Dr. Robert Corkern understands the universal principles of diligence, innovation, and service that underpin both successful medical practice and transformative entrepreneurship. This scholarship extends his legacy of support beyond healthcare, fostering growth in the business leaders of tomorrow.

The essay prompt for the Dr. Robert Corkern Award for Entrepreneurs is intentionally focused on real-world application. It asks students to articulate how creativity and resilience can be harnessed to develop business models that do more than generate profit. The initiative established by Dr. Robert Corkern seeks out candidates whose ideas have the potential to create meaningful, positive ripples in their communities and industries.

Prospective applicants can find full details on eligibility, requirements, and the submission process on the official website. The Dr. Robert Corkern Award for Entrepreneurs encourages all eligible undergraduate students with a passion for building a better future through business to apply.

About the Dr. Robert Corkern Award for Entrepreneurs

The Dr. Robert Corkern Award for Entrepreneurs is a national scholarship program founded by Dr. Robert Corkern, MD. Based in Greenville, Mississippi, the award supports the educational goals of undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional promise in entrepreneurship and a commitment to developing innovative solutions to contemporary problems.

Contact Information:

Spokesperson: Dr. Robert Corkern

Organization: Dr. Robert Corkern Award for Entrepreneurs

Website: https://drrobertcorkernaward.com/

Email: apply@drrobertcorkernaward.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/49f9acd1-eb5c-48fe-9223-8221b608423f
AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The award-winning film An Inconvenient Study has been seen by millions following its global premiere on October 12th, sparking international discussion and debate about vaccine safety, scientific transparency, and the alarming rise in chronic illness among Americas children.

Produced by the Informed Consent Action Network (ICAN) and Emmy Awardwinning journalist Del Bigtree, the film investigates an unpublished vaccinated-versus-unvaccinated study conducted within the prestigious Henry Ford Health System.

In 2016, Bigtree challenged Dr. Marcus Zervos, head of infectious disease at Henry Ford, to conduct a rigorous comparison of vaccinated and unvaccinated children and to publish the results regardless of outcome. Dr. Zervos accepted, conducted the study, and later declined to submit it for publication. On hidden camera, he admits, I think its a good study... but publishing something like that  might as well retire. Id be finished.

Following widespread media coverage, including criticism from Henry Ford, The Conversation, and Stat News, ICAN has released a response addressing their criticisms.

We address these criticisms not because we must, said ICAN in its published statement, but because science demands debate. Every study should be challenged, discussed, and improved  without fear of professional reprisal. Read the full response at https://www.aninconvenientstudy.com/criticisms

A Call for Scientific Transparency

An Inconvenient Study exposes the broader public health crisis that has seen rates of chronic illness in American schoolchildren soar from roughly 12% in 1986 to over 50% today. The film urges greater transparency, independent research, and true informed consent in public health policy.

This isnt about being pro or anti anything, said Bigtree. Its about asking why our kids are so sick  and ensuring science remains open to honest inquiry.

An Inconvenient Study is now available to stream globally, free of charge, at AnInconvenientStudy.com .

ICANs response to media criticisms can be found HERE.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Tracy Diaz

Tracy@thehighwire.com

(321) 345-6932

www.AnInconvenientStudy.com

Executive Producer Del Bigtree is available for interviews on this topic he sees as vital to the discussion around the childhood chronic disease epidemic in America.
MIAMI, Oct. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Neocis, the leader in robotic-assisted dental surgery, today announced new clinical data highlighting the significant efficiency benefits of its Yomi Robotic System, the first and only FDA-cleared robotic platform for dental implant procedures.

A prospective, multi-site clinical study published in Dentistry Today compared Yomi to freehand implant placement in both partial- and full-arch cases. Results demonstrated that Yomi dramatically reduced surgical times.

Total procedure time savings for partial-implant patients averaged approximately 45% reduction. Using Yomi for full arch cases saved an average of 80 minutes from the patient's start to finish procedural time.

Robotic guidance with Yomi delivers the rare combination of precision and efficiency, said Dr. Bruce Smoler, DDS, one of the studys authors. It reduces chair time for patients, streamlines workflow for clinicians, and improves confidence in every implant placed.

Transforming the Dental Implant Experience

Yomi is designed to assist clinicians during both the planning and surgical phases of dental implant surgery. The system combines haptic guidance with real-time visual and auditory feedback, constraining instruments to the virtual surgical plan and enabling minimally invasive, flapless procedures whenever possible.

For patients, this means less pain, faster recovery, and a faster way to get your smile back. For clinicians, Yomi integrates seamlessly into digital workflows, eliminating the delays and limitations of static guides while enhancing surgical access and visibility

Yomi sets a new standard of care without compromising workflow efficiency, said Alon Mozes, CEO of Neocis. It gives practices a powerful way to elevate precision, improve efficiency, and provide a world-class experience for their patients.

About Yomi

The Yomi Robotic System (Yomi) is a computerized robotic navigational system intended to provide assistance in both the planning (pre-operative) and the surgical (intra-operative) phases of dental implantation surgery. The system provides software to preoperatively plan dental implantation procedures and offers robotic navigational guidance of the surgical instruments. Yomi can be used for adult patients who qualify for dental implants, including alveoplasty and implant surgery for partially edentulous and fully edentulous patients.

About Neocis

Neocis is transforming dental surgery with robotics. The company collaborates closely with leading clinicians to develop innovative technologies that advance patient care and improve quality of life. Based in Miami, Neocis is venture-backed with funding from top investors including NVIDIAs NVentures, Intuitive Surgicals Intuitive Ventures, DFJ Growth, Mithril Capital Management, Norwest Venture Partners, and surgical robotics pioneer Fred Moll.

Contact
Dallas, TX, Oct. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- While the Trump administration and FBI Director Kash Patel have characterized recent Antifa-related terrorism indictments as "historic," former federal prosecutor John Helms says the charges are actually "run of the mill" cases using statutes that have been on the books for decadesraising questions about whether the political framing serves prosecutorial or publicity purposes.

Please review the source on the Law Office of John M. Helms blog: Video: John Helms  Understanding Antifa



Video John Helms Dallas Federal Criminal Defense Attorney John Helms Understanding Antifa -

In a detailed legal analysis now available on his website, Helmsa former Assistant United States Attorney and current criminal defense attorney in Dallasbreaks down why the July 4th ICE facility attack indictments are being portrayed as groundbreaking despite relying on routine criminal statutes.

KEY FINDINGS FROM HELMS' ANALYSIS:

 Not charged for being Antifa members : The defendants face terrorism charges for alleged violent acts, not for membership in any organization. "They were not indicted because they were members of Antifa. They were indicted for the violent acts that they're accused of committing," Helms explains.

 Trump's terrorist designation is legally irrelevant : The alleged conduct occurred before President Trump's declaration, and the underlying criminal statutes predate the designation by many years.

 Political messaging may influence conservative jury : With the trial in Fort Worth, Texas, Helms suggests mentioning Antifa repeatedly in the indictmentdespite it not being legally necessarycould sway politically conservative jurors.

 "Publicity for the Trump administration" : Helms states directly: "I think really the main motivation for this is publicity for the Trump administration and their supporters."

The two defendants face up to life in prison on charges including material support of terrorism, attempted murder of federal officials, and discharging firearms in connection with violence. According to Helms, any administration would have prosecuted the alleged shooting of a local police officer responding to fireworks being shot at the ICE detention facility in Alvarado, Texas.

"We can see that [the political motivation] because of how they've tried to portray this as a historical indictment when really it's a run of the mill case," Helms notes in his analysis.

ABOUT JOHN HELMS



Law Office of John M. Helms

John Helms is a criminal defense lawyer in Dallas, Texas, with extensive experience in federal and state criminal defense. As a former Assistant United States Attorney in Dallas (federal prosecutor), Helms brings an insider perspective on how the Justice Department operates and when political considerations may influence case presentation.

His practice focuses on all types of federal and state criminal defense in the Texas area, and he is recognized for his ability to decode complex legal issues for both clients and the media.

INTERVIEW AVAILABILITY

John Helms is available for interviews to discuss:

- The legal vs. political dimensions of the Antifa indictments

- Whether Trump's domestic terrorism designation has legal teeth

- How political messaging in indictments may affect jury perception

- The difference between prosecuting violent acts vs. prosecuting ideology

- What makes this case "routine" despite administration claims

- Potential outcomes and sentencing implications

READ THE FULL ANALYSIS:

https://johnhelms.attorney/video-john-helms-antifa-podcast/

MEDIA CONTACT:

John Helms

Criminal Defense Attorney

Dallas, Texas

214-666-8010

William@johnhelmslaw.com

johnhelms.attorney

EDITOR'S NOTE: John Helms is available for phone, video, or in-person interviews. High-resolution photos and additional background materials available upon request.
DARIEN, Ill., Oct. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A fresh scholarship opportunity has emerged for college learners studying commerce-related disciplines throughout America. Robert Spadoni announces the establishment of the Robert Spadoni Grant for Business Students, welcoming essays from qualified candidates eager to demonstrate their vision regarding modern enterprise leadership.

Available through the dedicated portal at robertspadonigrant.com, this monetary prize encourages undergraduate scholars to examine critical questions about practices, progressive corporate strategies, and purposeful organizational development.

Program Requirements and Participant Qualifications

The Robert Spadoni Grant for Business Students targets full-time college learners enrolled at recognized institutions. Eligible majors encompass commerce administration, organizational leadership, fiscal studies, startup ventures, and promotional strategies. Selection criteria emphasize scholarly achievement alongside demonstrated capacity for original thought and professional ambition.

Interested candidates must compose a written submission responding to this prompt:

"Analyze how contemporary corporate leaders can successfully merge creative problem-solving with effective management techniques, and describe your personal approach to applying these concepts professionally."

Submissions should contain 750-1,000 words and require electronic delivery to apply@robertspadonigrant.com. Required information includes candidate identity, communication details, educational institution, and declared concentration.

Key Dates:

Submission Closing: July 15, 2026

Recipient Reveal: August 15, 2026

Monetary Prize: $1,000



Background and Founding Philosophy

Robert Spadoni brings more than two decades of executive management expertise within medical services industries, where his analytical approach has generated measurable organizational improvements and operational expansion.

Through RSS Consulting, Inc., his advisory firm, Robert Spadoni assists companies in optimizing workflows and developing robust management structures using evidence-based and human-focused methodologies. His professional outlook prioritizes adaptability, responsibility, and perpetual enhancementvalues that translate across all commercial sectors where emerging professionals must tackle obstacles with resourcefulness and assurance.

Robert Spadoni created this scholarship program to motivate learners toward pursuing inventive solutions while maintaining global standards, ultimately building enterprises that deliver substantial value to their respective sectors and surrounding populations.

Program Overview

The Robert Spadoni Grant for Business Students represents a focused effort to assist driven college learners pursuing commerce-oriented credentials. By prompting meaningful analysis through its writing requirement, the program champions the incorporation of directional thinking, originality, and inventive approaches within contemporary corporate environments.

The initiative exemplifies Robert Spadoni's enduring commitment to learning, guidance, and professional cultivation, offering a venue for learners enthusiastic about influencing commercial landscapes through distinction and imagination.

How to Participate

Candidate Requirements:

Current enrollment at recognized American higher education institutions

Declared major within commerce, organizational oversight, fiscal planning, new venture creation, promotional communication, or related concentration

Demonstrated academic capability and genuine interest in progressive concepts

Original written composition meeting specified length parameters

Delivery Instructions: Electronic submissions to apply@robertspadonigrant.com must contain candidate identity, communication information, educational institution, and academic focus.

Timeline:

Closing Date: July 15, 2026

Winner Declaration: August 15, 2026

Financial Prize: $1,000



Complete program information: https://robertspadonigrant.com/

Media Inquiries

Representative: Robert Spadoni

Program: Robert Spadoni Grant for Business Students

Web Presence: https://robertspadonigrant.com/

Electronic Contact: apply@robertspadonigrant.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fb27e287-d444-41f8-b90d-1b316e59279c
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Portnoy Law Firm advises Jefferies Financial Group, Inc., ("Jefferies" or the "Company") (NYSE: JEF) investors that the firm has initiated an investigation into possible securities fraud, and may file a class action on behalf of investors.

Investors are encouraged to contact attorney Lesley F. Portnoy, by phone 844-767-8529 or email: lesley@portnoylaw.com, to discuss their legal rights, or join the case via https://portnoylaw.com/jeffries-financial-group-inc/ . The Portnoy Law Firm can provide a complimentary case evaluation and discuss investors options for pursuing claims to recover their losses.

On September 29, 2025, The Wall Street Journal published an article entitled Auto Supplier First Brands Files for Bankruptcy Amid Accounting Questions, reporting that [t]he closely held companys lenders and independent board directors are now probing whether First Brands made misrepresentations in its financial reporting and that First Brands relied heavily on accounts-receivable-backed financing, supplying automotive products to customers on delayed payment terms and borrowing from outside investors against the billed receivables.

On October 8, 2025, The Wall Street Journal further reported, in an article entitled First Brands Bankruptcy Damage Spreads to Jefferies UBS, that Jefferies said funds run by an asset-management unit, Point Bonita Capital, are owed around $715 million from companies that bought First Brands parts. The following day, Reuters disclosed that The U.S. Department of Justice has launched an inquiry into the collapse of bankrupt auto parts maker First Brands Group and that [t]he Justice Department is probing the company and its dealings with creditors.

On October 12, 2025, The Wall Street Journal published another article entitled Behind the Collapse of an Auto-Parts Giant: $2 Billion Hole and Mysterious CEO, reporting that First Brands now former CEO was working on an effort to refinance the nearly $6 billion of corporate loans with the help of Jefferies and that [t]he pitch to prospective lenders didnt mention the billions of dollars of off-balance-sheet debt, people familiar with the matter said.

The Portnoy Law Firm represents investors in pursuing claims caused by corporate wrongdoing. The Firms founding partner has recovered over $5.5 billion for aggrieved investors. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Lesley F. Portnoy, Esq.

Admitted CA, NY and TX Bar

lesley@portnoylaw.com

310-692-8883

www.portnoylaw.com

Attorney Advertising
SAN LEANDRO, Calif., Oct. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- San Joaquin Valley College (SJVC) will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the colleges expansion into the San Leandro community through its co-branded campus with Carrington College. The event will take place on Thursday, Nov. 6, at 11 a.m. at 15555 E. 14th St., Suite 500, San Leandro, CA 94578.

The celebration will feature guest speakers, including San Leandro Mayor Juan Gonzalez, live student demonstrations, campus tours, local employers, refreshments, and a special appearance by the San Leandro Chamber of Commerce. The event marks an important milestone in the programmatic alignment between SJVC and Carrington College, which expands educational opportunities for students throughout California.

Earlier this year, SJVC and Carrington College aligned their academic programs to strengthen their shared mission of supporting students and the communities they serve. Under the new structure, trades education programs are now offered through SJVC, while healthcare programs continue under its sister school, Carrington College.

As part of this alignment, the San Leandro campus now serves as a co-branded location, welcoming both Carrington College and SJVC students pursuing programs in healthcare and skilled trades. Carrington College continues to offer programs in Pharmacy Technology, Dental Assisting, Medical Assisting, and Veterinary Technology, while SJVC will now offer Electrical Technology to local San Leandro students.

This ribbon-cutting represents an exciting step forward for SJVC and the San Leandro community, said Vice President of Operations at SJVC, Ron Gardner. Were proud to bring our career-focused trades education to the East Bay and to continue working alongside Carrington College to support students as they gain the skills and confidence needed in todays workforce.

The ribbon-cutting will celebrate not just SJVCs addition to the San Leandro campus, but also the ongoing collaboration between two respected colleges with a shared commitment to student success, hands-on learning, and local workforce development.

In addition, Carrington College recently expanded into a newly renovated first-floor space designed to enhance the learning environment. These updated facilities demonstrate Carrington Colleges ongoing commitment to providing an engaging and professional setting for students pursuing healthcare careers.

This campus has long been a place where students come to transform their futures, said Campus President, Madeleine Gardner. With the addition of SJVC, were now able to serve even more students and expand our impact across industries that keep our communities strong.

SJVCs Electrical Technology program trains students to install, maintain, and repair electrical power, lighting, and control systems safely and professionally. Graduates are eligible to sit for the California General Electricians Certification Exam and can earn a Certificate of Completion in as few as 10 months.[1]

The program is offered at multiple SJVC campuses across California and Arizona, including Bakersfield, Fresno  Trades Education Center (TEC), Modesto (Salida), Ontario, Rancho Mirage, Temecula, Victor Valley (Hesperia), Sacramento, Visalia and SJVC Phoenix TEC.

Learn more about SJVC and its Electrical Technology program in San Leandro.

###

About San Joaquin Valley College

San Joaquin Valley College (SJVC) is an accredited private college that provides career-focused curriculum and instruction to its students. Founded in 1977, SJVC has multiple campuses  plus an online division  and offers accelerated Certificate, Associate and Bachelor of Science degree programs. A second-generation, family-run college, SJVC has awarded more than 83,000 certificates and degrees preparing professionally trained graduates for jobs in business, medical, and technical career fields.

San Joaquin Valley College is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), 1080 Marina Village Parkway, Suite 500, Alameda, CA 94501, (510) 748-9001. The WSCUC is an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education. Additional information about accreditation can be found at www.WSCUC.org.

[1] SJVC prepares students to take appropriate certification and licensure exams related to their individual majors. The College does not guarantee students will successfully pass these exams or be certified or licensed as a result of completing the program.

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Boston, Oct. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global landscape is undergoing a transformative shift with the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence. The new BCC Research report, AI Adoption: A Global Perspective, presents a comprehensive analysis of how AI is revolutionizing industries, influencing economic structures, and driving innovation on an international scale.

As artificial intelligence transitions from a conceptual trend to a foundational element of modern business strategy, this report provides a timely and comprehensive analysis for executives, industry leaders, and investors seeking to navigate and capitalize on the evolving AI landscape.

This report provides a concise yet comprehensive analysis of AI adoption across industries, focusing on hardware, software, and service innovations. It examines regional trends in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and the Middle East and Africa, supported by case studies that illustrate real-world applications. Key challenges to implementation are identified, along with an overview of regulatory frameworks such as the EU AI Act that are shaping global AI deployment.

Why is this report relevant right now?

AI adoption is accelerating as organizations increasingly leverage its capabilities to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and drive innovation. From automating tasks in technology and improving diagnostics in healthcare to optimizing supply chains in manufacturing and strengthening cybersecurity, AI is becoming integral to modern business operations. This report arrives at a crucial moment, offering insights for stakeholders navigating this rapid transformation.

Request a sample copy of the report AI Adoption: A Global Perspective.

Surprising Trends Youll Discover:

Recent GPU advances have directly resulted in improved visual detail, better frame rates, and more immersive virtual reality (VR) experiences, all of which continue to have a huge impact on the gaming industry. Developers and gamers depend on powerful GPU capabilities to power the intricate, fast-paced visuals of contemporary video games and the expanding VR market, where responsiveness and latency are essential for user experience and immersion.

AI is changing how healthcare systems function as well as how diseases are identified, managed, and treated in the life sciences and healthcare sectors. AI in healthcare is driving innovations to improve patient outcomes and deliver truly individualized, value-based care due to its improved skills in complicated advanced diagnostics and data analysis.

The use of AI is rapidly expanding across all regions, with several countries in North America, Europe, and Asia at the forefront of AI utilization. With an emphasis on innovation and growing AI technologies, leading technology companies and startups are driving the use of AI in the U.S. Despite being behind in terms of AI investment, Europe is catching up die to the EU AI Act, which places a significant focus on AI ethics and regulation.

Emerging startups:

Synthesia: Synthesia is an AI-powered platform that enables businesses to create and personalize video content at scale. With its ability to create realistic and captivating movies using human-like avatars, the platform is perfect for a wide range of uses, including e-learning, marketing, virtual events, and news reporting.

Yellow.ai: Yellow.ai offers Agentic AI platform for service automation catering to enterprises worldwide. Built on a multi-LLM (large language model) architecture and continuously trained on 16 billion conversations annually, the platform helps enterprises improve efficiency for their customer service and reduce operational costs.

Tabnine: The company offers AI-assisted software development. With on-premises, private, and public cloud hosting options, users can choose the deployment that works best for the organization.

The report addresses the following questions:

Why is AI adoption increasing?

As more businesses recognize how AI can transform their operations, AI adoption is increasing across various industries.

What are the key challenges of the market?

The key challenges for AI adoption include data privacy, and the difficulty in integrating AI technologies.

Which region leads the market in AI adoption?

North America leads in AI adoption.

Related reports include:

Global Edge AI Market: The report analyzes global edge AI market trends, focusing on revenues by offerings, industries, and regions. It highlights drivers, challenges, emerging technologies, patent activity, and ESG developments. It also reviews the competitive landscape and profiles major companies with insights into their market and tech strategies.

Generative AI: Global Markets: The report reviews the global generative AI market, analyzing revenue across offerings, data types, applications, industries, and regions. It breaks down software by model type and deployment, hardware by processing units, and services into professional and managed categories. It highlights key trends, challenges, regulations, ESG developments, patent activity, and emerging technologies. The report also reviews the competitive landscape, venture funding, and profiles major companies with insights into their market strategies.

Purchase a copy of the report direct from BCC Research.

For further information on any of these reports or make a purchase, contact info@bccresearch.com.

About BCC Research

BCC Research market research reports provide objective, unbiased measurement, and assessment of market opportunities. Our experienced industry analysts' goal is to help you make informed business decisions free of noise and hype.

For media inquiries, email press@bccresearch.com or visit our media page for access to our market research library.

Any data and analysis extracted from this press release must be accompanied by a statement identifying BCC Research LLC as the source and publisher.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Oct. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Carrington College campus in Albuquerque will host a Nursing Open House on Thursday, Nov. 6, from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., inviting prospective students and community members to explore its healthcare programs and learn more about educational and career opportunities in nursing. The event will take place at 1001 Menaul Blvd. N.E., Albuquerque, NM 87107, and will include campus tours, live student demonstrations, refreshments, and opportunities to speak with faculty, staff, and local employers.

Carrington Colleges Albuquerque campus offers a range of healthcare programs, including Associate Degree in Nursing and Practical Nursing, as well as programs in Massage Therapy, Medical Assisting, Dental Assisting, and Pharmacy Technology. During the event, visitors can tour Carrington Colleges hands-on labs, meet experienced instructors, and learn how the college helps students turn their career goals into reality.

Events like this open house give prospective students a firsthand look at how we can help prepare them for success in healthcare careers, said Campus President at the Carrington College Albuquerque campus, Adrianne Joubert-Thompson. Our nursing programs combine classroom instruction with hands-on experience, giving students the confidence and skills they need to care for their communities.

The open house coincides with National Career Development Month, observed each November to promote career growth and lifelong learning for people of all ages. The event reflects Carrington Colleges commitment to helping individuals explore educational pathways that lead to meaningful careers in healthcare. By offering opportunities to meet faculty, tour classrooms and labs, and speak with local employers, the open house supports career exploration and lifelong learning.

Whether someone is just starting their career journey or looking to make a change, this event is a great way to explore the many pathways available in healthcare, Joubert-Thompson added. Were excited to welcome visitors to campus, connect them with our faculty, and showcase the supportive environment that defines Carrington College.

Learn more about Carrington College and its programs in Albuquerque.

Visit carrington.edu/student-consumer-information for important information on program outcomes.

###

About Carrington College

Established in 1967, Carrington College is committed to empowering students to achieve their goals, build successful careers, and make a positive impact in their communities. The college offers a diverse range of programs leading to certificates of achievement, associate degrees, and bachelors degrees. Programs are designed to prepare students for careers in the medical, dental, and veterinary fields. Carrington College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, 428 J Street, Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95814, (415) 506-0234, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education. More information about accreditation, including the process of filing complaints against member institutions, is available at www.accjc.org.

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SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- For its ongoing commitment to enhancing sustainability of its operations, California Water Service Group (Group) (NYSE: CWT) has been named one of Americas Greenest Companies by Newsweek for the second year in a row. California Water Service Group was one of three companies recognized in the utilities category, and one of only two water utilities honored in the United States.

Across all categories, Newsweek recognized the top 500 U.S. public and private companies for their environmental sustainability efforts. The magazine partnered with Plant-A Insights Group and GIST Impact to conduct the analysis, which was based on publicly disclosed sustainability data in 25 key areas and relevant media mentions.

Our work each day is guided by our mission to being the leading provider of sustainable water and wastewater services, said Marty Kropelnicki, Group Chairman & CEO. In the process of delivering safe, clean, reliable water to our customers, we work hard to operate responsibly and protect the environment. We appreciate Newsweek for once again recognizing our ongoing efforts to be a responsible corporate citizen.

The full listing and more information about the award are published online at www.newsweek.com/rankings/americas-greenest-companies-2026.

About California Water Service Group

California Water Service Group (NYSE: CWT) is the largest regulated water utility in the western United States. It provides high-quality, reliable water and/or wastewater services to more than 2.1 million people in California, Hawaii, New Mexico, Washington, and Texas through its regulated subsidiaries, California Water Service, Hawaii Water Service, New Mexico Water Service, and Washington Water Service, and regulated operating utilities indirectly held by Texas Water Service through a 96-percent-owned joint venture.

Groups purpose is to enhance the quality of life for customers, communities, employees, and stockholders. To do so, it invests responsibly in water and wastewater infrastructure, sustainability initiatives, and community well-being. The companys 1,200+ employees live by a set of strong core values and share a commitment to protecting the planet, caring for people, and operating with the utmost integrity. The company has been named one of Americas Most Responsible Companies and the Worlds Most Trustworthy Companies by Newsweek, a USA Top Workplace, and a Great Place to Work. More information is available at www.calwatergroup.com.

Media Contact

Yvonne Kingman

ykingman@calwater.com

310-257-1434
NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, continues to investigate potential breaches of fiduciary duties by the directors and officers of Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR).

If you currently own shares of Danaher stock, please visit the firms website at https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=17717 for more information. You may also contact Phillip Kim of Rosen Law Firm toll free at 866-767-3653 or via email at case@rosenlegal.com.

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. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs Bar. Many of the firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

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

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

-------------------------------

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

case@rosenlegal.com

www.rosenlegal.com
PERHAM, Minn., Oct. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- For the 20th year, Arvig Answering Solutions has been presented with the Award of Excellence by the Canadian Call Management Association.

Independent judges evaluated Arvig Answering Solutions call answering services over a six-month period. Customer service representatives were scored on the quality of response time, courteousness, call accuracy, account knowledge and overall impression calls.



Its a privilege to lead such an outstanding group of professionals, said Ashley Arvig, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of Arvig Answering Solutions. To be recognized on a national level for 20 years running just speaks to the level of professionalism were achieving for our customers.

As a 20-time winner, Arvig Answering Solutions has earned a special distinction: the Onyx Award.

About Arvig Answering Solutions

Arvig Answering Solutions, an Arvig company, was established in 1972 and provides friendly, professional and award-winning call answering and customer service. The Minnesota-based company partners with both large and small businesses in a variety of industries to offer quality customer support, live telephone messaging, answering service and order-taking around the clock, 365 days per year. Visit arviganswering.com for more information.

Media Contact:

Rachel Laudenbach, Communications Manager

Arvig | 150 Second Street SW

218.346.8274 | Rachel.Laudenbach@arvig.com
Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. Litigation Partner Brandon Walker Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses In Freeport (FCX) To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options

If you purchased or acquired stock in Freeport and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Bragar Eagel & Squire partner Brandon Walker or Marion Passmore directly at (212) 355-4648.

Click here to participate in the action.

NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

Whats Happening:

Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C., a nationally recognized stockholder rights law firm, is investigating potential claims against Freeport-McMoran Inc. (Freeport or the Company) (NYSE:FCX) on behalf of Freeport stockholders. Our investigation concerns whether Freeport has violated the federal securities laws and/or engaged in other unlawful business practices.



Investigation Details:

On September 9, 2025, Freeport issued a press release announcing the suspension of mining activities at its Grasberg Block Cave operation in Indonesia, after "a large flow of wet material from a production drawpoint . . . blocked access to certain areas within the mine," trapping seven workers.

On this news, Freeport's stock price fell $2.80 per share, or 5.99%, to close at $43.87 per share on September 9, 2025.

Next Steps:

If you purchased or otherwise acquired Freeport shares and suffered a loss, are a long-term stockholder, have information, would like to learn more about these claims, or have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Brandon Walker or Marion Passmore by email at investigations@bespc.com, by telephone at (212) 355-4648, or by filling out this contact form. There is no cost or obligation to you.



About Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C.:

Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. is a nationally recognized law firm with offices in New York, South Carolina, and California. The firm represents individual and institutional investors in commercial, securities, derivative, and other complex litigation in state and federal courts across the country. For more information about the firm, please visit www.bespc.com . Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, X, and Facebook, and keep up with other news by following Brandon Walker, Esq. on LinkedIn and X.

Contact Information:
VANCOUVER, Oct. 22, 2025 - Apollo Silver Corp. ("Apollo Silver" or the "Company") (TSX.V:APGO, OTCQB:APGOF, Frankfurt:6ZF0) is pleased to announce the Company has closed the first tranche, representing the majority of its previously announced upsized non-brokered private placement (the "Upsized Offering"), raising gross proceeds of $25,134,145 through the issuance of 6,981,707 units (the "Units") of the Company at a price of $3.60 per Unit. The Upsized Offering totals $26,775,648, with the final tranche of 455,973 Units for gross proceeds of $1,641,503 expected to close in the coming days.

Each Unit issued pursuant to the Upsized Offering consists of one common share (a "Share") in the capital of the Company and one common Share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Share at an exercise price of $5.50 for 24 months from the closing date of the Offering. The Warrants will be subject to an acceleration provision, such that if at any time after the date that is four months and one day after the closing, the Company's Shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") at a closing price of $7.50 or greater per Share for a period of ten (10) consecutive trading days, the Company may accelerate the expiry of the Warrants by giving notice to the holders thereof and, in such case, the Warrant will expire on the thirtieth (30th) day after the date of such notice (the "Acceleration Provision")

In connection with subscriptions received in the first tranche of the Upsized Offering, the Company will pay aggregate finder's fees totaling $826,549, payable in cash and/or Units to BMO Capital Markets, Canaccord Genuity, Red Cloud Securities Inc., Research Capital Corporation and SCP Resource Finance.

The securities issued under the Upsized Offering are subject to a four-month hold period from the date of closing. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Upsized Offering to continue advancing the Calico Silver Project in San Bernardino, California; support community relations initiatives at the Cinco de Mayo Silver Project in Chihuahua, Mexico; cover ongoing property maintenance costs at both projects; and for general corporate purposes. The Upsized Offering remains subject to the final approval of the TSXV.

The Offering included participation by certain insiders of the Company for an aggregate of 405,557 units totaling gross proceeds of $1,460,005.20. Such participation constitutes a "related party transaction" under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The issuance of securities to insiders is exempt from the valuation requirement pursuant to section 5.5(b) of MI 61-101, as the Company's shares are not listed on a specified market, and from the minority shareholder approval requirement pursuant to section 5.7(a) of MI 61-101, as the fair market value of the securities issued to related parties does not exceed twenty five percent of the Company's market capitalization.

The Shares have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States without registration under the U.S. Securities Act and all applicable state securities laws or compliance with the requirements of an applicable exemption therefrom. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Apollo Silver Corp.

Apollo is advancing one of the largest undeveloped primary silver projects in the US. The Calico project hosts a large, bulk minable silver deposit with significant barite and zinc credits - recognized as critical minerals essential to the US energy and medical sectors. The Company also holds an option on the Cinco de Mayo Project in Chihuahua, Mexico, which is host to a major carbonate replacement (CRD) deposit that is both high-grade and large tonnage. Led by an experienced and award-winning management team, Apollo is well positioned to advance the assets and deliver value through exploration and development.

Please visit www.apollosilver.com for further information.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ross McElroy

President and CEO

For further information, please contact:

Email: info@apollosilver.com

Telephone: +1 (604) 428-6128

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

Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information

This news release includes "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements included in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements including, without limitation, statements with respect to the expected timing for completion of the remaining balance of the Upsized Offering; and the intended use of proceeds from the Upsized Offering. Forward-looking statements include predictions, projections and forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "potential", "target", "budget" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof.

Forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis, and opinions of the management of the Company made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management of the Company believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made. Forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions that have been made by the Company as at the date of such information and is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may have caused actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: risks associated with mineral exploration and development; metal and mineral prices; availability of capital; accuracy of the Company's projections and estimates; realization of mineral resource estimates, interest and exchange rates; competition; stock price fluctuations; availability of drilling equipment and access; actual results of current exploration activities; government regulation; political or economic developments; environmental risks; insurance risks; capital expenditures; operating or technical difficulties in connection with development activities; personnel relations; and changes in Project parameters as plans continue to be refined. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to the price of silver, gold and barite; the demand for silver, gold and barite; the ability to carry on exploration and development activities; the timely receipt of any required approvals; the ability to obtain qualified personnel, equipment and services in a timely and cost-efficient manner; the ability to operate in a safe, efficient and effective matter; and the regulatory framework regarding environmental matters, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and actual results, and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward looking information contained herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. The forward-looking information contained herein is presented for the purpose of assisting investors in understanding the Company's expected financial and operational performance and the Company's plans and objectives and may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
Vancouver, October 23, 2025 - Glenstar Minerals Inc. (CSE: GSTR) (OTCQB: GSTRF) (FSE: VO20) ("Glenstar" or the "Company") announces that it has retained MWH Geo-Surveys International Inc. of Reno, Nevada to conduct a UAV Magnetic survey on the Company's Wildhorse Project in Mineral County, Nevada. The total survey area size is approximately 10.5 Km2 and will begin immediately.

This Magnetic survey is an important component of ongoing exploration activities on the property where outcropping of high-grade copper plus gold at surface suggest that the property is underlain by a copper-gold porphyry system of unknown size. The presence of abundant magnetite + epidote + pyrite alteration encountered near the Coca Cola Zone of the property supports the evidence that this type of geology is a classic setting for copper porphyry systems (see news release dated September 24, 2025).

Glenstar CEO, Dave Ryan, stated that, "This magnetic survey will provide us with critical data that will aid us in our ongoing exploration efforts, and will hopefully identify additional key areas that should be further evaluated."

Project Background & Recent Exploration Work

The Wildhorse Property is comprised of 89 mineral claims, representing 1,780 acres (720 hectares) in Mineral County, Nevada, and was initially targeted after compilation of all available data, including notes of a 1975 field examination contained in the Anaconda Company archives housed at the university of Wyoming. The claims show historical workings that appear to date from the late 1800's and early 1900's. Other claim stakes that the geological team discovered on the property indicate the last time the area was staked was 2011, however, these claims were never registered with the BLM. Preliminary geological assessment of the claims, and the area in general, indicate there are a series of east dipping mineralized zones. Initial field examination of the property identified and sampled a quartz veinlet zone containing in excess of 1 gram per ton gold, 1% copper, and 6,100 ppm of antimony. It was also reported that outcropping zones also contain bismuth and tungsten >200 ppm, which points to a focused intrusive source for the epidote skarn alteration and poly-metallic system.

Several additional areas of exposed copper mineralization were located during the staking of the property. The geology of the area is complex, with strongly folded and faulted limestones, shale, and metavolcanic rocks of Paleozoic age underly the known mineralization and cover a large portion of the property claims. Importantly, an intrusive mass of rhyolite has intruded the deformed section in a position proximal to the known mineralization. Land slide rubble and boulder bearing gravel units conceal the underlying geology in the northcentral portion of the property (see news release dated May 8, 2025).

The economic opportunity at Wildhorse points to the possible discovery of a large, well mineralized skarn system under the surface workings and within the controlling north-south fault zone exposed at surface. Skarns are relatively easy to explore as they respond well to a variety of electric geophysical methods including magnetic surveys.

About Glenstar Minerals Inc.

Glenstar is a mineral exploration company with a focus on polymetallic minerals. These elements are classified as critical minerals and are essential in the manufacturing of sophisticated electronics and other vital energy technologies. The Company's mission is to leverage its knowledge and connections to explore, acquire, and develop critical mineral and energy metal properties throughout the world.

Glenstar's shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) under the symbol "GSTR", on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "VO20", and on the Over-the-Counter market (OTCQB) in the United States under the symbol "GSTRF".

Robert Marvin, P.Geo (ONT) is the qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and is the independent consulting geologist for Glenstar Minerals Inc. who has examined the Green Monster and Wildhorse properties on the ground numerous times since 2022 and 2024 respectively. All fieldwork relating to geologic observations and sampling as reported herein, has been directly overseen by Mr. Marvin who supervised the preparation of, and has reviewed and approved, the technical information in this release.

Neither Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information Certain information contained in this news release constitutes "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward- looking information"). Without limiting the foregoing, such forward-looking information includes statements regarding the process and completion of any Offering, the use of proceeds of the Offering and any statements regarding the Company's business plans, expectations and objectives. In this news release, words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "likely", "believe", "expect", anticipate", "intend", "plan", "estimate" and similar words and the negative form thereof are used to identify forward-looking information.

Forward-looking information should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether, or the times at or by which, such future performance will be achieved. Mineral exploration is subject to risks and uncertainties and there is no assurance that any potential results or findings that may be suggested in this press release will ultimately happen. Forward-looking information is based on information available at the time and/or the Company management's good faith belief with respect to future events and is subject to known or unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other unpredictable factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. For additional information with respect to these and other factors and assumptions underlying the forward-looking information made in this news release, see the Company's most recent Management's Discussion and Analysis and financial statements and other documents filed by the Company with the Canadian securities commissions and the discussion of risk factors set out therein. Such documents are available at www.sedarplus.ca under the Company's profile and on the Company's website. The forward-looking information set forth herein reflects the Company's expectations as at the date of this news release and is subject to change after such date. This release may contain certain forwardlooking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of the Company and certain of the plans and objectives of the Company with respect to the same. By their nature, forwardlooking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future and there are many factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forwardlooking statements. We seek safe harbour.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271587
Fathom Nickel Inc. (CSE: FNI) (FSE: 6Q5) (OTCQB: FNICF) ("Fathom", or the "Company") is pleased to announce an updated geology map reflecting the most recent prospecting and pXRF (Portable X-ray Florescence) rock geochemistry results at the Gochager Lake project. The historic Gochager Lake deposit host rock (the "container rock"), has now been mapped consistently along strike northeast of the historic Gochager Lake deposit for a minimum distance of 3.5 kilometers. The Company is in receipt of all assays from the July 2025 program and awaits rock assay and whole rock geochemistry results from the September-October prospecting. These results are expected mid-November.

Ian Fraser, Fathom CEO and VP Exploration stated, "We are very pleased and excited about the results of our summer-fall geochemistry program. We have applied the knowledge gained from drilling the historic deposit to surface exploration and have now expanded the Gochager Lake deposit container rock significantly along strike. We are currently interpreting and compiling the summer soil geochemistry program results with the new geology map and will release those results when complete. The expanded container rock defined to date now is developing into a very linear feature that is consistent with the geological settings of many of the world's premier magmatic nickel districts. We remain adamant that there is much more to this project than just the historic Gochager Lake deposit. The 3.5 kilometers of Gochager container rock gives us an expanded playing field for additional discoveries of significant bodies of semi-massive to massive Ni-Cu-Co sulphide mineralization. We are very excited to continue our exploration work as we continue to develop and add high-quality drill targets at the project."

Summer-Fall Program Highlights

The wildfire that impacted the Gochager Lake property at the end of July resulted in significant new outcrop exposure. As a result, a second prospecting campaign was carried out September 25 to October 1, 2025. Highlights of the combined summer-fall prospecting program include:

Consistently occurring surface outcrops, characterized by disseminated sulphide mineralization, including pyrrhotite +/- pentlandite in variable-textured gabbro and ultramafic rock (pyroxenite), have been mapped and form a northeast linear trend measuring 3.5 kilometers. Refer to map insert.

The mineralized variable-textured gabbro continues immediately to the northeast of the historic Gochager Lake deposit towards and under Scurry Lake, south of Rainbow Lake, and further northeast to the north shore of Weaver Lake. The variable-textured gabbro is now mapped for a minimum strike of 3.5 kilometers. Refer to map insert.

Clotted gabbro has been consistently mapped in direct contact with variable-textured gabbro along much of the 3.5 km strike length. Clotted gabbro defines the footwall lithology at the historic Gochager Lake deposit. Refer to insert map.

During the summer-fall p program: 684 outcrop chip samples were collected and analysed on-site by pXRF. Ni-Cu-Co + Mg-Cr pXRF scan values were used to develop the updated geology map. 79 rock grab samples, inclusive of standards and blanks, have been submitted for multi-element assay and whole rock geochemistry analysis. Final rock assay and whole rock geochemistry results will be integrated into our final compilation / interpretation and will aid in further refinement of the geology map and future drill targets.



Significance of the Gochager Lake Deposit Container Rock

The historic Gochager Lake deposit 2 is contained within a steeply oriented mineralized variable-textured gabbro (the "container rock"), with a thickness of up to 100-meters.

is contained within a steeply oriented mineralized variable-textured gabbro (the "container rock"), with a thickness of up to 100-meters. Mineralization, including pyrrhotite +/- pentlandite and +/- chalcopyrite within the variable-textured gabbro, is characterized by a broad halo of disseminated sulphide mineralization, containing stringer to massive sulphide veins, local net-texture mineralization, and semi-massive to locally massive sulphide breccias that form steeply oriented chutes and zones.

Fathom drilling within the Gochager Lake deposit container rock yielded: 3.25% Ni, 0.26% Cu, 0.11% Co / 0.64m intersected in a massive sulphide vein in drillhole GL23008: (Fathom Press Release November 21,2003). 1.43% Ni, 0.38% Cu, 0.11% Co / 7.39m, including 2.43% Ni, 0.55% Cu, 0.19% Co / 2.94m intersected in semi-massive to massive sulphide breccias in drillhole GL24016: (Fathom Press Release May 28, 2024).

Disseminated sulphide in variable-textured gabbro - the Gochager Lake deposit container rock, is now recognized along a 3.5km strike length northeast of the deposit and remains open for expansion.

Furthermore, the container rock at the deposit contains multiple borehole electromagnetic (BHEM) off-hole anomalies / conductors that remain untested by drilling.

It is very significant to see the continuation of the variable-textured gabbro and clotted gabbro footwall contact along strike of the Gochager Lake deposit (clotted references an increase in biotite clots). Fathom drilling at the deposit indicates a relationship of sulphide concentration / accumulation along, at and near the footwall contact.

Fathom drillhole GL23011 drilled in the vicinity of the well mineralized variable-textured gabbro on the west shore of Scurry Lake, intersected mineralized variable-texture gabbro and the BHEM survey resulted in 3 prominent off-hole conductivity anomalies that remain untested by drilling. The Company is confident that the container rock, containing disseminated sulphide mineralization within the expanded 3.5 kilometers of strike has the potential to yield additional off-hole BHEM conductivity anomalies. More importantly, and like at the Gochager Lake deposit, the expanded container rock has the potential to yield chutes of high-grade sulphide breccia mineralization, massive sulphide veins, and massive sulphide bodies that typically occur in this type of magmatic setting.

The Company will make announcements once we have completed our thorough evaluation of all results from the summer-fall surface exploration programs.

Gochager Lake Deposit Area Geology Map



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QA/QC) Disclosure Statement

As part of its ongoing exploration activities, Fathom is utilizing a portable Vanta XRF Analyzer ("pXRF") to provide real-time lithogeochemical, multi-element data on surface rock chip samples and rock grab samples collected in the field. The Vanta XRF Analyzer is a hand-held device, held in position for a total 120 seconds - beam 1 (30 seconds), beam 2 (60 seconds) and beam 3 (30 seconds) to allow for an effective reading of elements occurring at that specific point, and at that specific surface of a rock sample. All elements detected at that specific point; nickel, copper, cobalt plus key pathfinder elements, chrome and magnesium, are recorded. The reader is cautioned that pXRF data should be treated only as an indication of elements, as the accuracy of the beam position on a particular element is variable.

Qualified Person and Data Verification

Ian Fraser, P.Geo., CEO, VP Exploration and a Director of the Company and the "qualified person" as such term is defined by National Instrument 43-101, has verified the data disclosed in this news release, and has otherwise reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release on behalf of the Company.

About Fathom Nickel Inc.

Fathom is an exploration company that is targeting magmatic nickel sulphide discoveries to secure the supply of North American Critical Minerals and to support the global green energy transition. The Company now has a portfolio of three high-quality exploration projects located in the prolific Trans Hudson Corridor in Saskatchewan:

1) The Albert Lake Project, a 90,000+ hectare project that hosts the historic Rottenstone Mine1. Fathom exploration to date at the Albert Lake project confirms:

The high-grade Ni-Cu-Co+3E Rottenstone deposit mineralization extends to the south a minimum 40m and remains open.

The Rottenstone deposit is potentially offset and continues within the footwall of a prominent fault defined by drilling.

A new Rottenstone-like discovery (similar host rock, and similar mineralization) by drilling 500-550m W-NW of the historic mine; the 300+m Bay Island Trend, remains open along strike.

Similar Rottenstone-like host rock and mineralization intersected by drilling approximately 1.5km S-SW of the historic mine (the Nic5-Tremblay-Olson area).

2) The 33,000+ hectare Gochager Lake Project that hosts the historic Gochager Lake deposit2. Fathom exploration to date at the Gochager Lake project confirms:

Vertical extension of Ni-Cu-Co mineralization a minimum of 150m below the historic Gochager Lake deposit interpreted boundary, and very good potential for expansion of mineralization in all directions.

Multiple high-grade vertically oriented Ni-Cu-Co sulphide breccia mineralization zones and chutes occur within the historic deposit, and the zones, chutes remain open for further expansion and delineation in all directions.

Surface mapping and soil / rock geochemistry has confirmed the Gochager Lake deposit host rock; the container rock and mineralization style extends a minimum 3.5km to the east-northeast and remains open for expansion along strike.

3) The 10,000+ hectare Friesen Lake Project located 40km southwest of the historic Rottenstone Mine and 30km northwest of the historic Gochager Lake deposit.

The Friesen Lake property hosts the Olsen Cu-Ni-Pt Showing also referred to as the Friesen Lake Cu-Ni-Pt showing and is described as an ultramafic dyke that historic trenching and drilling demonstrates Cu-Ni-Pt-Pd and Au mineralization within the ultramafic dyke (Saskatchewan Mineral Deposit Index (SMID) #0928a). To date Fathom has not performed any exploration at the Friesen Lake Project.

1 - The Rottenstone Mine; a small open-pit mining / milling operation was in production 1965-1969. Milling commenced September 5, 1965, operated through November 7, 1965, and 5,500 short tons were mined and milled during this period. The average production grade; 3.23% Ni, 1.83% Cu, 0.14 oz/ton Pt, 0.10 oz/ton Pd, 0.03 oz/ton Au (9.26 g/t* 3E, 3E = Pd-Pt+Au) and 0.20 oz/ton Ag. Initial milling operations 1965 produced 1,070 dry short tons of concentrates, the average concentrate grade was 10.835% Ni, 5.74% Cu, 0.33 oz/ton Pt, 0.53oz/ton Pd, 0.10 oz/ ton Au (32.91 g/t* 3E) and 1.25 oz/ton Ag. Richards, B.R. and Robinson, B.G.W. (1966), Mining and milling a small ore deposit . Rottenstone Mining Limited: The Canadian Mining and Metallurgical Bulleting for December 1966. The Saskatchewan Mineral Deposit Index (SMDI) #0958 reports final mine production in 1969 of 28,724 tons with an average grade of 3.28% Ni, 1.83% Cu and 9.63 g/t 3E and that approximately 9,000 tons of concentrate were sold to the International Nickel Company of Canada Limited.

* A factor of 34.286 g/tonne was used to convert 1 oz/ton to g/tonne (g/t).

2 - The Gochager Lake property is host to the historic Gochager Lake Ni-Cu deposit. There is no source or available Technical Reports to verify the historic resource estimate for the Gochager Lake deposit; hence, Fathom will treat the historic estimate as an Exploration Target. Available records in the SMDI and Saskatchewan Mineral Assessment Database (SMAD) suggest an Exploration Target of 4-5 million tons grading 0.3% Ni - 0.4% Ni and 0.08% Cu - 0.09% Cu, containing a higher-grade core of 1.5-2 million tons grading 0.6% NiEq - 0.7% NiEq (note NiEq is based on Ni-Cu only). The ranges of tons and grade are conceptual as there is insufficient historic data to verify the historical resource estimate(s) for the Gochager Lake deposit, and the higher-grade core. At present, Fathom has drilled 16 drillholes (5,549m) into the historic Gochager Lake deposit and has confirmed Ni-Cu grades comparable to and higher than the historical grades reported, thus confirming that a deposit of Ni-Cu+Co metal accumulation does exist at the historic Gochager Lake deposit / property. Furthermore, insufficient drilling has been done by the Company to define a current mineral resource, and again at this time, it is uncertain if further drilling will result in the Exploration Target being delineated as a mineral resource. The disclosed potential quantity and grade has been determined by historic records notably; the Saskatchewan Mineral Deposit Index (SMDI #0880) reports delineation drilling outlined a deposit at the historic Gochager Lake Deposit; Steel, J.S. (1990),(SMAD 73P15-0091): Report on a Diamond Drilling Program on the Gallagher (Gochager) Lake Property of McNickel Inc., reported that Scurry-Rainbow Oil Ltd. constructed vertical sections and a longitudinal section from drill data collected 1966-1968, and an orebody with reasonably well-defined limits was interpreted. Ore reserves were then calculated for Zone A. As stated above, the historic estimate is not well documented and there are no available Technical Reports to support the historic resource estimate(s).

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Ian Fraser"

CEO, VP Exploration, Director

Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" that are based on expectations, estimates, projections and interpretations as at the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "seek", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "suggest", "indicate" and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur, and include, without limitation, statements regarding payment of terms under the Option Agreement, permitting for the Property, receipt of an exploration permit, timing of the exploration program on the Property and the Company achieving the earn-in thresholds under the Option Agreement. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections.


Avanti Gold Corp. (CSE: AGC) (FSE: X370) ("Avanti" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company has closed its private placement offering of 50,000,000 units of the Company (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.50 per Unit, for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of C$25,000,000, as previously announced on September 30, 2025 and October 1, 2025 (the "Offering"). The Offering was led by SCP Resource Finance LP, as lead agent and sole bookrunner, and a syndicate of agents, including Haywood Securities Inc., Canaccord Genuity Corp. and Raymond James Ltd.

Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (each a "Share") and one half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole common share purchase warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Share at an exercise price of C$0.65 for a period of 36-months from the date of issuance thereof. The Warrants issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a restriction on exercise expiring 61 days from the date of issuance.

Martin Pawlitschek, incoming Chief Executive Officer, commented: "I am pleased to see strong investor interest in our upsized LIFE offering which will provide us with the means to continue exploration efforts at the Misisi Gold Project, which has the potential to become a cornerstone asset in Africa. Our funded 2026 exploration program will focus on adding ounces at permitted areas along the 55-kilometer long Kibara gold belt including the Akyanaga deposit, which already has a 3.1Moz Inferred resource, and mineralized targets including Akyanga East, Ngalula, Lubitchako, Kilombwe and Tulonge.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering for the advancement of exploration efforts, including ground geophysics and drilling programs, at the Misisi gold project located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which hosts a 43-101 compliant Inferred Mineral Resource of 41Mt at an average grade of 2.37 g/t containing 3.1 Moz of gold. In addition, net proceeds will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes.

The Offering was conducted pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions, as modified by Coordinated Blanket Order 45-935 - Exemptions from Certain Conditions of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption (the "Listed Issuer Financing Exemption") to purchasers resident in Canada, except Quebec, and/or other qualifying jurisdictions pursuant to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption. The securities issuable to purchasers resident in Canada from the sale of the Units are expected to be immediately freely tradeable in accordance with applicable Canadian securities legislation. The Units were also sold to purchasers in offshore jurisdictions and in the United States on a private placement basis pursuant to one or more exemptions from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act").

Swapan Kakumanu, Interim CEO, along with other Board members and management (the "Insiders"), strategics, institutional investors, and high net worth individuals participated in the Offering. Insiders are considered "related parties" of the Company for the purposes of applicable securities laws and stock exchange rules. The subscription and issuance of Units by the Insiders constitute related party transactions but are exempt from the formal valuation and minority approval requirements of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions as neither the fair market value of the Shares and Warrants issued to each of the Insiders, nor the consideration paid by such Insiders, exceeds 25% of the Company's market capitalization. A material change report in connection with the participation of the Insiders in the Offering will be filed within 10 days of the closing of the Offering.

This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements thereunder.

All references herein to currency amounts are to lawful money of Canada, unless stated otherwise.

About Avanti Gold Corp.

Avanti Gold Corp. is a gold exploration company with a robust portfolio of projects in Africa. The Company's flagship asset is the Misisi Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), home to the Akyanga gold deposit. The Akyanga deposit has an Inferred Mineral Resource of 44.3 million tonnes (Mt) at an average gold grade of 2.37 grams per tonne (g/t), totalling 3.1 million ounces (Moz) of gold. The Misisi Project spans three contiguous 30-year mining leases covering 133 square kilometers (km) along the 55-kilometer-long Kibara Gold Belt, a prominent metallogenic province known for hosting significant gold deposits.

Qualified Person

Ephraim Masibhera, a "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"), has reviewed the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release and has approved the disclosure herein. Historical information contained in this news release cannot be relied upon as the Company's Qualified Person, as defined under NI 43-101 has not prepared nor verified the historical information.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (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. This news release may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements in this release includes, but is not limited to: the expected use of the net proceeds from the Offering; the filing of a material change report in connection with the participation of insiders of the Company in the Offering and the Company's business objectives. When or if used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "plan", "forecast", "may", "schedule" and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risk factors set out in Avanti's annual and/or quarterly management discussion and analysis and in other of its public disclosure documents filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, as well as all assumptions regarding the foregoing. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause 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. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.


Moncton, October 23, 2025 - Canadian Gold Resources Ltd. (TSXV: CAN) (the "Company" or "Canadian Gold") announces a non-brokered listed issuer financing exemption ("LIFE") private placement financing (the "Offering") for total gross proceeds of up to $3.0 million, with up to $2,000,000 in units ("NFT Units") and up to $1,000,000 in flow-through units ("FT Units"). The Company has engaged Research Capital Corporation (the "Finder") as exclusive finder and sole booker runner to assist with the Offering.

The NFT Units are priced at $0.20 per NFT Unit. Each NFT Unit will be comprised of one (1) common share (a "Common Share") and one (1) Common Share purchase warrant of Canadian Gold (a "NFT Warrant"). Subject to the restrictive period described below, each NFT warrant is exercisable for 3 years from the Closing Date at an exercise price of $0.28 per Common Share.

The FT Units are priced at $0.30 per FT Unit. Each FT Unit will be comprised of one (1) flow-though common share (a "FT Share") and one half of one (1/2) Common Share purchase warrant of Canadian Gold (the "FT Warrant"). Subject to the restrictive period described below, each whole FT warrant will be exercisable for 3 years from the Closing Date at an exercise price of $0.40 per Common Share.

Upon closing of the Offering, the Common Share component of the NFT and FT Units will be free trading in Canada. As the Company completed a financing less than 12 months ago (see the Company's new release dated January 2, 2025), all FT and NFT Warrants in this Offering will be restricted from being exercised for a period of 61 days after closing to ensure compliance with the dilution restriction in section 5A.2(h) of the LIFE exemption in National Policy 45-106. Any Common Shares issued upon exercise of a NFT or FT Warrant after the restrictive period expires will be free trading in Canada.

The net proceeds from this Offering will be used for exploration and drilling on the Lac Arsenault project, the Robidoux project and VG Boulder project as well as working capital.

The NFT Units and the FT Units will be offered for sale in each of the provinces of Canada, except Quebec, pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption (the "Listed Issuer Financing Exemption") under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemption. The Company has filed a Form 45-106F19 with the securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities in each of the provinces of Canada, other than Quebec.

There is an offering document related to this Offering that can be accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at https://www.cdngold.com/. Prospective investors should read this offering document before making an investment decision.

The Offering is expected to close on or about November 7, 2025 (the "Closing Date") and will be subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions including listing of the Common Shares on the TSX Venture Exchange.

Subject to certain adjustments for president's list purchasers, the Finder is entitled, on the Closing Date, to a cash commission equal to 8% of the gross proceeds of the Offering and will receive finder's warrants entitling the Finder, for a period of 3 years from the Closing Date, to acquire that number of Common Shares that is equal to 8% of the number of the NFT Units and the FT Units issued pursuant to the Offering, at an exercise price of $0.20 per Common Share.

The securities have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States without registration under the U.S. Securities Act and all applicable state securities laws or compliance with the requirements of an applicable exemption therefrom. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor may there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Canadian Gold Resources Ltd.

Canadian Gold Resources Ltd. (TSXV: CAN) is a junior exploration company advancing three high- grade gold properties totaling ~16,000 hectares in Quebec's Gaspe Peninsula. The Company's strategy is to unlock the potential of historically explored assets through modern exploration and development, supported by a management team with a proven track record in discovery and project advancement.

Qualified Person Statement

The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mark Smethurst, P.Geo., Director of Canadian Gold and a Qualified Person under NI 43-101.

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

Canadian Gold trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the ticker "CAN" and has 36,667,221 Common Shares outstanding.

Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer

Certain information in this release may constitute forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. These statements are based on assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA OR TO ANY PERSON LOCATED OR RESIDENT IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ITS TERRITORIES AND POSSESSIONS, ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271710
Vancouver, October 23, 2025 - Adelayde Exploration Inc. (CSE: ADDY) (OTCID: SPMTF) (WKN: A41AGV) (the "Company" or "Adelayde") is pleased to announce, further to its news release on October 14, 2025, the closing of an option agreement with two arm's length vendors (the "Vendors") to acquire the Sisson NW Tungsten Project (the "Property") comprised of 89 claims consisting of approximately 4,890 contiguous acres prospective for tungsten in New Brunswick directly bordering Northcliff Resources Ltd.'s Sisson Tungsten Mine. On August 7, 2025, Northcliff Resources Ltd. announced they secured approximately $29 million CAD in combined funding from the U.S. Department of Defense and the Canadian Government to advance their project. Management cautions that past results or discoveries on properties in proximity to Adelayde may not necessarily be indicative to the presence of mineralization on the Company's properties.

James Nelson, President of Adelayde, stated, "We are excited to now have a significant footprint of 9,780 acres prospective for tungsten at a time when critical metals are receiving increased attention due to recent escalating trade tensions between the USA and China, according to a Reuters report(1). Tungsten and antimony both face tight global supply because China dominates their mining and refining-producing roughly 80-90% of each-while demand continues to rise for use in electronics, defense, and energy technologies. As Western nations seek to secure alternative sources, supply risks and strategic stockpiling are driving higher prices. Adelayde will begin to formulate initial work plans for the Sisson Tungsten and George Lake South Antimony projects, as well as proceeding with the maiden drill program on the Esmeralda County gold project in Nevada in 2025. The Company will be very active for the remainder of 2025 and beyond."

Pursuant to the terms of the option agreement, the Company shall have the exclusive right and option to earn a 100% interest in the Property from the Vendors in consideration for the issuance of a total of 6,000,000 common shares (subject to a four-month hold period) at a deemed price of $0.11 per share and by making cash payment in the amount of $5,000 as set out below:

(a) To pay $5,000 and issue 4,500,000 common shares in the capital of the Company to the Vendors within seven (7) business days of signing the option agreement; and

(b) To issue 1,500,000 common shares in the capital of the Company to the Vendors after the Company has incurred a minimum of $200,000 in exploration expenditures on the Property within eighteen (18) months of signing the option agreement.

Qualified person for mining disclosure:

The technical contents of this release were reviewed and approved by Frank Bain, PGeo, a director of the company and qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About Adelayde Exploration Inc.

Adelayde's projects include three lithium projects in Clayton Valley, Nevada: the 1,136-acre McGee lithium clay deposit, which has a resource estimate of 1,369,000 indicated tonnes and 723,000 inferred tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) for a total of 2,092,000 tonnes of LCE, directly bordering Pure Energy Minerals and Century Lithium Corp.; the 280-acre Elon lithium brine project, which has access to some of the deepest parts of the only lithium brine basin in production in North America; and the 124-acre Green Clay lithium project. The Company also holds the 248-acre Clayton Ridge gold project in Esmeralda County, Nevada; the 4,722-acre George Lake South antimony project, the 4,890-acre Sisson North tungsten project, and the 4,890-acre Sisson NW tungsten project all located in New Brunswick. Management cautions that past results or discoveries on properties in proximity to Adelayde may not necessarily be indicative to the presence of mineralization on the Company's properties.

If you would like to be added to Adelayde's news distribution list, please send your email address to info@adelaydeexp.com.

Adelayde Exploration Inc.

"James Nelson"

James Nelson

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this press release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties such as the proposed use of proceeds from the Financing. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Adelayde. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and Adelayde disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such information, except as required by applicable law.

https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-tightens-rare-earth-export-controls-2025-10-09/ (1).

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271726
Japan's new Cabinet marks conservative turn in politics

China Daily) 11:01, October 23, 2025

Cabinet members of Japan's new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (front center) pose for a photo in Tokyo on Tuesday. JIA HAOCHENG/XINHUA

Both the Cabinet of Japan's new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party, reflect a distinctly conservative orientation with a focus on economic and security priorities, experts say.

At her inaugural news conference on Tuesday, Takaichi said her Liberal Democratic Party and the JIP would work "hand in hand" on key policy areas outlined in their coalition agreement, including cost-of-living measures, a backup system for the capital's functions, social security reform, and constitutional revision.

Kumiko Haba, a professor at Josai International University in Togane, Japan, said the LDP-JIP alliance is more right-leaning and conservative than the LDP's previous coalition with the Komeito party.

The current partnership stems largely from their aligned policy orientations, Haba said. By endorsing the JIP's proposals, such as the "sub-capital concept" centered on Osaka and the "anti-espionage bill", Takaichi can more easily advance conservative policies, she added.

Earlier this month, the Komeito withdrew from the ruling coalition, citing the LDP's "insufficient" response to a high-profile political funding scandal. Before the split, the two parties had also clashed over policies related to foreigners and visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, which glorifies Japan's wartime militarism by honoring 14 convicted Class-A World War II criminals.

Haba said these issues have long been points of public concern and areas of weakness for the LDP.

Had the LDP-Komeito coalition continued, Takaichi would have been forced to maintain a centrist stance on such matters under Komeito's influence. Now her administration has greater freedom to advance right-leaning policies, and communication channels with China have been weakened, Haba said.

If Takaichi adopts a hard-line stance on historical recognition, Japan's China policy could shift "further to the right" than it did under former prime minister Shigeru Ishiba, she added.

Noriyuki Kawamura, an emeritus professor at Nagoya University of Foreign Studies, said the JIP, which advocates constitutional revision and stronger defense capabilities, could become an "accelerator", pushing the government further to the right following its alliance with the LDP.

Although the Komeito holds a limited number of parliamentary seats, it has long served as a "brake "on security policies, restraining the LDP and keeping Japan aligned with the constitutionally established principle of "exclusive defense", Kawamura said.

After her election, Takaichi quickly unveiled her new Cabinet, assigning key posts to the four rivals she faced in the LDP leadership contest. Shinjiro Koizumi was appointed defense minister, and Toshimitsu Motegi returns as foreign minister.

The other two appointments are Yoshimasa Hayashi as minister of internal affairs and communications, and Takayuki Kobayashi, who continues to serve as the LDP's policy chief. Another notable pick is former defense minister Minoru Kihara, who takes on the role of chief cabinet secretary.

Consolidating power

Haba said the appointments demonstrate a deliberate effort to consolidate power by maintaining a "balance of personnel".

Within the LDP, Takaichi initially drew criticism for appointing numerous members from the Taro Aso faction. However, by assigning key positions to all her former leadership rivals, she signaled an intention to foster party unity, Haba said.

At the news conference, Takaichi characterized her Cabinet as one of "decisiveness and progress".

Kawamura said that among all LDP administrations, Takaichi's Cabinet is the most conservative and hard-line  or hawkish and right-leaning  with a noticeably clearer policy orientation.

A cause for concern is that the new administration may actively pursue constitutional revision and military expansion  objectives that even the late prime minister Shinzo Abe's government failed to realize, he said. Takaichi has described herself as an inheritor of Abe's legacy.

None of the JIP members were included in the new Cabinet, in line with the agreement reached when the two parties formed their coalition.

The LDP-JIP partnership is considered an extra-cabinet arrangement rather than a formal coalition government. As a result, the JIP cannot be expected to support all government legislation. Haba said the party's position may vary depending on the issue, which means the alliance carries inherent uncertainties.

The move is widely seen as a "disengagement strategy" by the JIP, allowing it to maintain distance from the LDP and withdraw if policy differences emerge or public opinion shifts, Xinhua News Agency said.

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun)
Some 9,000 government of Guam retirees should now expect to receive their $2,300 cost of living allowance, following Gov. Lou Leon Guerreros order to release the funds ahead of the Nov. 1 COLA payment deadline.

Over $20.787 million has been issued by the Government of Guam Retirement Fund, which includes line and autonomous agencies, Adelup said on Thursday.

The transfer of funds from the Department of Administration to the Retirement Fund was initiated last week.

Out of respect and gratitude for those who dedicated their lives to public service, we released this years COLA early, the governor said in a statement. We recognize that every little bit helps in challenging times, and we are glad to be able to meet this obligation because of our strong fiscal management.

COLA checks help retirees keep up with the costs of basic goods and services, as well as help boost consumer spending and the economy.

Latest government surveys of basic consumer items show continued increase in prices from a year ago.

Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio, in a statement, said retirees built the foundation of the government we serve today so ensuring their benefits are delivered without delay is both a moral duty and a matter of respect.

This comes about three weeks after the Retirement Fund also released to more than 7,500 retirees an extra $200 COLA for fiscal 2025 as required by a supplemental budget law signed in November.

That supplemental budget law appropriated $1.514 million in excess fiscal 2024 revenue to the DOA for the one-time $200 payment to qualifying retirees.

Retirees from autonomous agencies

That extra $200 COLA check for fiscal 2025, however, unintentionally excluded retirees from eight GovGuam autonomous agencies.

Sen. Telo Taitague, Vice Speaker Frank Blas Jr. and Sen. Chris Barnett are trying to address this by introducing a bill seeking to include these retirees so they, too, can get a one-time $200 supplemental COLA for fiscal 2025.

The bill would update Public Law 37-137 to clearly direct autonomous agencies and public corporations to make the single payment to former employees who retired as of Sept. 30, 2024.

Taitague, the bills main sponsor, said no retiree should be left behind.

Many constituents have shared their concerns with our office about this oversight. Im grateful Senator Telo and I are able to bring this solution forward to ensure fairness for all of our retirees, Barnett said in a statement.

Bill 208-38, if enacted into law, gives a Dec. 31, 2025 deadline for the extra $200 to be paid to retirees from the following autonomous agencies: Guam Power Authority, A.B. Won Pat International Airport, Guam Economic Development Authority, Guam Housing Corp., Government of Guam Retirement Fund, Jose D Leon Guerrero Commercial Port, Guam Waterworks Authority, and Guam Visitors Bureau.

How we treat our retirees says everything about who we are as a community, Taitague said in a statement. This action is a simple, timely way to show respect, relieve a little pressure at the checkout line, and reaffirm that Guam takes care of its own. I ask my colleagues for their support on this bill, and I look forward to bringing it to the session floor.
Guam Power Authority General Manager John Benavente on Wednesday once again shared that GPA will hunt for a $1.5 billion grant to expand its underground conduit system.

The goal is to put parts of the islands electrical grid underground.

Benavente was one of four panelists on energy resiliency during the Port Authority of Guams Maritime Resilience & Innovation Summit at Hyatt Regency Guam.

In September, Benavente also shared the same plan during the Guam Defense Forum hosted by the Office of the Governor at Dusit Thani Guam Resort.

On Wednesday, he said GPA is going to achieve a 50% renewable, 50% of the energy used on the island to be supplied to renewable energy by 2029.

Coupled with the Ukudu power plant, he added, it will reduce costs and help sustain the islands power in the long term, then were not severely impacted by high fuel prices in the future.

We need to improve our delivery system, Benavente told the Pacific Daily News.

He said 98% of the islands power poles, which were originally wood, have already been replaced with concrete. This makes them stronger and more resilient to damage; however, Benavente said the highest resiliency Guam can obtain is putting lines on the ground.

That was proven by how we could serve Andersen Air Force Base and others through underground lines through Typhoon Mawar, he said. The island did not black out, so the opportunity is there for us to put underground systems from the north to the south and have power from the main breaker on the doorstep of customers in the future.

An islandwide underground system will make recoveries faster and provide opportunities to redirect power, especially after storms or natural or manmade threats.

The $1.5 billion, however, is not the complete need the island will require.

Benavente estimated the full cost required is somewhere around $6 billion to $8 billion to expand the GPAs system underground entirely.

$1.5 million billion [used] over a 10-year period allows the Guam Power Authority now to effectively put in a system that can improve the resiliency of the island, Benavente said. Even if you give GPA $1.5 billion today, you need resources [and] labor. The island only has so much capacity in building; therefore, the investment has to be over a 10-year period.

Benavente added the effort must be planned out, so GPA can install the conduits systematically and is not digging a hole here one day in the main road and then coming back later and digging in the same area.

By planning it out carefully, GPA and its contractors can install the system in series and only dig up roads only one time.

The expanded underground system would also be less vulnerable to damage; however, should any of the conduits fail, it can be quickly disconnected from a control center and quickly replaced.

Benavente said GPA would position manhole covers, allowing them to pull and repair the lines.

We have the expertise to repair underground lines systems today. We train our employees. We have apprenticeship programs to make it happen, and we hold the inventory, Benavente said.

GPA holds between $15 million and $20 million worth of inventory for its underground system, meaning it has much of the necessary supplies for installation and repairs already in place.

Areas already running on or connected to underground lines are between Tumon and Tamuning, such as Guam Memorial Hospital and hotels along the Tumon Strip.

Each of these properties, along with Andersen Air Force Base, had its power back on within 12 hours after the storm.

Following Typhoon Mawar, Benavente said it took five days to get power from the northern station to the south, but with the underground system, services will not be limited and have a fast way to get energy to critical infrastructure.

This is the value to our customers, having electricity interrupted, Benavente said. You [wont] have to go and buy candles, get a generator, [or] get gas for the generator. Thats a huge social impact.

Benavente said another benefit is GPA getting power to the Naval Station faster in emergencies and disasters, so the base always have the energy to be ready to do their mission.

GPA understands that to ensure and have the best opportunity to serve everyone, we need to invest that amount of money at minimum to get us to the point where we have many options to keep the energy flowing, Benavente said.

The average typhoon recovery, Benavente added, is about 50 days, which is still too long.

However, during his generation, typhoon recovery took three to six months, so Guam has already made great improvements.
Superior Court Magistrate Judge Jonathan Quan set a $250,000 cash bail for Donald Joseph Lacno, a suspect in an April 3 fatal shooting in Hagat.

Lacno, 49, was arraigned on Wednesday on charges that include aggravated murder as a first-degree felony with a special allegation of deadly weapon use in the shooting and killing of Carl Gargarita, 36.

He appeared before Quan via Zoom from the Department of Corrections.

Lacnos preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 31.

He also faces charges of murder as a first-degree felony with a special allegation of deadly weapon use and aggravated assault as a third-degree felony with a special allegation of deadly weapon use.

The prosecution described the attack as premeditated and argued that Lacno lied about his presence during the homicide. Prosecutors presented video evidence and multiple witness testimonies placing Lacno at the scene.

Public Defender Mary Leigh Hill recused her office due to a conflict involving witness representation.

The Alternate Public Defenders office accepted the case.

Attorney Brycen Breazeale confirmed his willingness to take the appointment, acknowledging that while his office previously represented the deceased in closed cases, the assigned lawyers are no longer with the office and no current conflict exists.

Assistant Attorney General Curtis Van De Veld urged the court to impose a $250,000 bond, citing Lacnos risk to witnesses and the strength of the prosecutions case.

Its believed that he will pose a risk to the people who are involved in this case if he is allowed release, Van De Veld said.

Breazeale challenged the probable cause for the aggravated murder charge, focusing on premeditation.

[It] does not establish any facts for premeditation and thats an essential element as to charge one, which is the difference, of course, between charge one and charge two, he argued. There is an absence of facts to establish that this conduct was, quote, intentionally and with premeditation.

Van De Veld disagreed, presenting detailed video evidence and a timeline to establish premeditation.

The judge denied the motion to dismiss the charge, affirming that the court still finds probable cause to proceed.

In addressing bail, Breazeale requested electronic monitoring and house arrest as alternatives to incarceration, citing Lacnos community ties and lack of prior convictions.

He pointed to Lacnos 34-year residency on the island and asked the court to have probation assess his home for possible house arrest and electronic monitoring.

Breazeale added that Lacno could be confined to his residence except for probation check-ins or meetings with his lawyer. He may also be required to surrender firearms, with probation authorized to search his home and vehicle for weapons or illegal substances.

Quan disagreed and set bail at $250,000 cash, with strict no-contact provisions.

The defendant is accused of possessing some type of weapon. The maximum potential incarceration time if convicted is extremely significant, Quan said. The defendant is a moderate risk assessment. The court is concerned the defender will not comply with court orders. Going forward the court has taken the defendant may be a danger to the community.
After just 47 minutes of deliberation, a Superior Court jury on Wednesday found Julius Fontanilla Ancheta guilty of assault as a misdemeanor, according to a release from the Office of the Attorney General.

Ancheta, a non-U.S. citizen born in the Philippines, faced trial before Presiding Judge Alberto Lamorena III, where the jury unanimously convicted him.

Attorney General Douglas Moylan said the conviction was from an unprovoked attack outside White Market in Dededo, where Ancheta repeatedly punched a man in the face simply because he refused to give him a cigarette.

He confirmed that Ancheta is not a U.S. citizen and that his record shows a consistent disregard for the law.

According to court documents, at about 6:58 a.m. on Aug. 2, outside White Market in Dededo, the victim was sitting on a bench when Ancheta approached, asking for a cigarette.

When the victim refused, Ancheta punched him three times in the eye, causing swelling to the victims left eye, documents stated.

An eyewitness confirmed the attack and described the assailant, which helped police locate Ancheta.

When questioned, Ancheta claimed he acted in self-defense and added that the victim had it coming.

Ancheta has other pending cases for criminal trespass and criminal mischief.

Moylan said the AGs office will ask the judge to impose the maximum one-year prison sentence. The AG said his office will also seek Anchetas deportation under the new Trump administrations pro-deportation enforcement.

Despite prior arrests and pending cases, Ancheta continues to reoffend with no intent to reform, the AG said.
The search for 18-year-old John Samuel Johnny Reed ended Thursday morning after he returned safely to his familys home at approximately 7:33 a.m., according to Guam Police Department and Guam Fire Department officials.

GFD medics assessed Reed at the residence before transporting him to U.S. Naval Hospital Guam for further evaluation.

In a joint statement, GFD and GPD thanked the public and assisting agencies, including the U.S. Navys HSC-25 squadron, for their support during the overnight search.

Reed was reported missing Wednesday after hiking in the Santa Rita-Sumai area. Police and fire officials launched a coordinated search using drones and aerial assistance from HSC-25.

Officials suspended the search at 2 a.m. Thursday due to limited visibility and safety concerns. Crews resumed coordinated efforts at 7 a.m. along trail areas near Juan M. Cruz Street.

Reed was located at his familys home shortly after the search was started Thursday morning. Authorities didnt say whether Reed got lost during the hike.
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Haiti - FLASH : Melissa risks becoming a hurricane, 5 departments on Orange Alert





In its latest Tropical Storm Melissa report, issued this Thursday, October 23, 2025, at 5:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (0900 UTC), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) stated that Melissa is expected to remain stationary over the central Caribbean Sea for several days and is forecast to become a hurricane by the end of this week or early next week.



Due to Melissa's slow movement (6 km/h, stationary), the risk of a prolonged period of strong winds, possibly lasting a day or more, increases for the Tiburon Peninsula in Haiti. Preparations to protect life and property should be completed quickly, as strong winds could begin in these areas as early as Friday and intensify over the weekend.



The center of Tropical Storm Melissa was located at 15.0 degrees North latitude and 74.9 degrees West longitude, approximately 485 km southwest of Port-au-Prince.



Melissa is expected to produce heavy rainfall (12 to 25 cm) over significant portions of the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Jamaica over the weekend, leading to significant and potentially life-threatening flash flooding and landslides. Additional heavy rainfall is possible beyond Sunday.



Maximum sustained winds are near 85 km/h (53 mph) with higher gusts. Little change in strength is expected over the next day, but significant strengthening is forecast by the end of Friday and over the weekend, when Melissa is forecast to become a hurricane. Tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 185 km (115 mi) from the center.



Melissa is moving toward the west-northwest at near 6 km/h (4 mph). A slow northwestward or northward movement is expected over the next two days, followed by a westward turn over the weekend. Along its forecast track, Melissa is expected to approach Jamaica and the southwest portion of Haiti over the next two days. The Departments of South, Southeast, Grand'Anse, Nippes, and West are expected. The Haitian Maritime and Navigation Service (SEMANAH) has prohibited all cabotage activity on the country's southern coastal area until further notice.



A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the southwest peninsula of Haiti, from the border with the Dominican Republic to Port-au-Prince. Haiti's Hydrometeorological Unit, in conjunction with the General Directorate of Civil Protection and the Permanent Secretariat for Risk Management, has placed the departments of the South, Southeast, Grand'Anse, Nippes, West, and the Central Plateau under orange alert.







A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible in the watch area within the next two days.



Civil Protection advice :

The Departmental Directorate of Civil Protection calls on the entire population of the affected departments to remain vigilant during this period, as flooding and high water may occur. The Directorate asks the public not to cross any waterways under any circumstances, not to tie up animals where the water could carry them away, not to stand on hills and bridges to observe flowing water, not to shelter from the rain under trees, not to stand barefoot in the rain, and not to touch any electrically conductive objects during a thunderstorm. Store your important papers in a safe place to prevent them from getting wet. Remember to keep an eye on people in need of assistance so they can move if necessary. Remain calm and listen to civil protection messages from reliable sources.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46039-haiti-flash-storm-melissa-threatens-haiti-5-departments-on-yellow-alert.html



SL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Health : Inauguration of the AMHE-GRAHN-Monde Community Health Center in Milot





A significant milestone has been reached in the field of community health in Haiti. The Reflection and Action Group for a New Haiti (GRAHN-Monde) has inaugurated the AMHE-GRAHN Community Health Center in the locality of Genipailler, in the commune of Milot, in the north of the country.



This project was made possible thanks to the financial support of the Haitian Medical Association Abroad (AMHE) USA-Canada, the Rally of Haitian Nurses and Auxiliary Nurses of Haitian Origin of Quebec (RIIAOHQ), and hundreds of donors from several countries.



During the inauguration ceremony, Dr. Samuel Pierre, Co-founder and President of GRAHN-Monde, stated "The AMHE-GRAHN Community Health Center is a Center of Excellence whose mission is to provide healthcare that meets the priority needs of the population of Genipailler and the surrounding area [..]"



The AMHE-GRAHN Center stands out for its comprehensive, community-based approach. It is the first regional facility designed to meet the needs of a previously underserved population by offering a full range of accessible and tailored healthcare services. The priority services offered include :



 Primary healthcare

 Mental health

 Screening and treatment of infectious diseases

 Comprehensive care for sickle cell disease

 Eye care

 Cardiovascular diseases

 Maternal and child care, with a particular emphasis on prevention



In addition to providing healthcare, the project focuses on health education for the population to encourage better lifestyle habits and regular access to medical services. At a reasonable cost, the center will offer essential services previously unavailable in the region, helping to reduce preventable mortality due to lack of healthcare.



The inauguration of the AMHE-GRAHN Community Health Center marks a significant step forward for the commune of Milot and the entire northern region. At a time when Haiti is facing a multidimensional crisis, this initiative underscores the importance of solidarity from the diaspora, local organizations, and healthcare professionals committed to rebuilding the country.



See also :

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-20039-icihaiti-event-the-builders-of-the-cite-du-savoir-call-for-donations.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-14283-haiti-training-launch-of-project-pole-innovation-of-great-north.html



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Politic : Intervention of the new Head of BINUH at the UN Security Council





On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, Carlos Ruiz Massieu, the new Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), addressed the UN Security Council for the first time to outline the situation in Haiti in the less than three months he has been in this position. https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-45257-icihaiti-un-new-special-representative-of-the-secretary-general-for-haiti-and-head-of-binuh.html



Carlos Ruiz Massieu's full statement :



"Mr. President, Honorable Members of the Council, Excellencies,



It is an honor to address you for the first time as Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Haiti.



Over the past two and a half months since I arrived in Haiti, I have met with different stakeholders, from national authorities to civil society, human rights and women platforms, political parties, as well as Haiti's international partners. During this time, I have been able to witness firsthand the brutal reality of everyday life in the country, especially in Port-au-Prince. There is no doubt that the circumstances are dire, but the Haitian people have not given up. Their fortitude gives us hope.



As this Council is aware, the national security forces, supported by the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support Mission over the past sixteen months, have faced the gangs with courage and determination. Despite their valiant efforts, armed gangs have maintained their grip on the capital and continued to expand into the Artibonite, the Centre, and most recently the Northwest department, spreading terror among the Haitian population and hindering the functioning of State institutions.



Between July and August, gangs increasingly targeted farming communes on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince and in other areas of the country and staged multiple attacks against the national police. In the West Department, from 11 to 12 September, a gang assault on the village of Labodrie in Cabaret resulted in more than 42 deaths, including six children. In the Artibonite, attacks during the same period left 42 residents dead and 29 injured, with two police stations set on fire.



Mr. President,



The scale and impact of internal displacement in Haiti is unprecedented, with more than 1.4 million people displaced. Health, education and food security in affected communities continue to be of major concern. Securing adequate resources is critical to meeting urgent needs, preventing further deterioration, and designing durable solutions.



The human rights situation also remains deeply concerning, with widespread abuses linked to gang attacks, violence involving self-defense groups, and even some security operations.



Sexual violence continues to be systematically used by gangs as a tool of domination and terror against women and girls, impacting not only the victims and survivors but also their families. At the same time, the erosion of family and community protective structures, combined with the lack of social protection, and limited economic alternatives, creates fertile ground for the exploitation and recruitment of children by gangs.



Armed gangs continue to gravely undermine the enjoyment of fundamental social, economic, and cultural rights. They extort businesses and public transportation, ransack both private and public property, and attack farmers and local producers in rural areas. Their control of roads also restricts access to essential services, including healthcare and education.



Against this backdrop, I welcome the adoption of Resolution 2793 authorising the transition to the Gang Suppression Force and the establishment of the United Nations Support Office in Haiti. This decision reflects the continued engagement of the Security Council in supporting the restoration of security in Haiti. More importantly, it has generated a renewed sense of hope among Haitians, marking a necessary step towards strengthening international support for national security forces by building on the achievements of the MSS.



Similarly, I welcome the Security Council's decision to renew the mandate of the Sanctions Committee and its Panel of Experts on 17 October. Sanctions remain a critical instrument to deter and put an end to the nefarious and criminal actions of spoilers. Moving forward, sustained and coordinated efforts to implement Resolution 2793 and to provide the newly authorized Gang Suppression Force with the necessary resources and means to fulfill its mandate are essential to improving the security situation. This is also vital to support and safeguard Haitian-led efforts to advance the political process.



Mr. President, Distinguished Members of the Council,



Amid persistent security challenges, the political process has entered the final months of the current transitional governance arrangements, which foresee the transfer of authority to elected officials by 7 February 2026.



The transition clock is ticking. I am concerned that a steady path towards the restoration of democratic governance is yet to emerge. However, I welcome the steps taken by national authorities to consult with political stakeholders, to reach agreement on the necessary conditions under which elections should be held and to avoid a political vacuum beyond 7 February 2026.



In this vein, the 9 October decision by the Council of Ministers to remove constitutional review from the agenda of the transition and forgo the organization of a constitutional referendum, marks a reorientation, prioritising electoral preparations. Within this context, sustained inter-Haitian dialogue remains crucial to forging renewed consensus on the way forward.



BINUH is helping to bring stakeholders together, promote constructive and inclusive dialogue in order to strengthen stability and national cohesion, and bring the transition to a close.



Under BINUH's strategic guidance, the United Nations in Haiti continues to provide technical and logistical support to the Provisional Electoral Council to accelerate preparations for the holding of elections.



Mr. President, Distinguished Members of the Council, Excellencies,



In anticipation of the full deployment of the Gang Suppression Force, I encourage national authorities to take all appropriate measures to increase security, while ensuring the protection of communities most affected by violence, particularly children.



Adequate focus needs to be given to complementary measures to prevent recruitment and support the reintegration of children associated with gangs in line with child rights standards.



While commending the work of the Inter-Institutional Task Force on community violence reduction supported by BINUH I urge transitional authorities to re-establish a national institution to lead sustainable disarmament, dismantlement and reintegration.



In the same vein, continued national efforts are needed to ensure access to justice for victims of gang violence. International support to the specialized judicial units is critical to help Haiti combat impunity, notably regarding financial crimes, corruption, mass crimes and sexual violence.



BINUH and international partners have continued to engage closely with new police leadership to advance institutional strengthening and reinforce the effectiveness and accountability of security operations.



Despite persistent institutional challenges, preparations to elaborate the new police Strategic Development Plan and the launch of the training of 884 cadets, including 160 women, are important steps to strengthen the capacity and professionalism of the police.



Mr. President,



The authorization by the Security Council to establish the Gang Suppression Force and the United Nations Support Office in Haiti represents a key milestone in efforts to enhance the operational capacity of national security forces to help restore security. On our part, BINUH will continue fostering coordination among national and international actors in building long-term capacity, and promoting inclusive, rights-based approaches to policing.



The hostile security environment continues to impact the presence of Haiti's international partners in Port-au-Prince, including the United Nations. Nevertheless, I am leading efforts to swiftly complete the return of all BINUH international personnel to Port-au-Prince, with the goal of achieving 100 per cent staff presence in the capital as a matter of urgency. At this critical stage of the political transition, this will enable us to maintain and further strengthen our support to Haitian-led efforts to restore security, promote dialogue, reduce community violence, combat impunity and reestablish democratic governance.



As requested by this Council, with the expected deployment of UNSOH, the United Nations stands ready to coordinate with all partners on the ground including regional organizations and the Gang Suppression Force while encouraging all Haitian parties to cooperate with the latter in the execution of its mandate.



Mr. President, distinguished members of the Council,



Simultaneous progress on the security front, the political process, and the application of sanctions against spoilers remain key to fostering stability, restoring democratic governance, ending impunity and building a more prosperous Haiti.



The recent action by this Council was a signal of reassurance to the Haitian people that they are not alone  that the international community stands with them during this critical moment.



Now is the time to swiftly translate this signal into real progress and turn the tide of violence.



Now is the time for all Haitian sectors to come together and place the interest of their nation above all else.



Our collective and ongoing commitment remains essential.



Thank you for your attention."



HL/ HaitiLibre






















We're a family of eight living in Georgia where Andrew's a professor at GSU and Nancy is a PhD student at UGA. You can read more about us here
The disruption comes amid expanded sanctions by the United States and the United Kingdom targeting Russian oil companies, including Lukoil, which owns Teboil. The Finnish state-owned Neste has not publicly confirmed the suspension but has declined to comment on customer relations.

Teboil station owners across Finland say they have not received any official communication following reports that energy company Neste has suspended fuel deliveries to the Russian-owned retailer.

Mikko Raitinpaa, chair of the Teboil retailers' association, told Finnish news agency STT he has received no information from Teboil about delivery changes. Several station operators contacted by media outlets also said they had learned about the situation from news reports.

In Joensuu, local Teboil entrepreneur Taisto Nikkinen estimated that his station's fuel reserves would last approximately one week if deliveries stopped. While he expressed concern over the lack of clarity, he remained optimistic.

"Of course this is a heavy blow for us business owners," Nikkinen said. "But I believe we'll find another supplier. There are plenty of distributors across Europe."

Nikkinen confirmed that his station on Kirkkokatu continues to operate normally, including its cafe services. He added that fuel sales, though not a large revenue source, bring in customers who use additional services. A prolonged disruption, he said, could lead to business closures and job losses.

If there are no tanking customers, there will be bankruptcies and unemployment, he said.

The Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority told Helsingin Sanomat that domestic banks might freeze Teboils transactions due to the latest sanctions. Although Finnish banks are not legally required to comply with U.S. sanctions, many follow them to avoid being targeted themselves.

If financial services are suspended, Teboil would be unable to pay for fuel deliveries. This has raised fears of fuel shortages and increased petrol prices.

Veli-Pekka Tynkkynen, a professor of Russian environmental policy at the University of Helsinki, said any price rise would be tied to global market conditions rather than a single company.

There could be a price increase, he told Helsingin Sanomat. That is the price Western nations must pay to shut down Russias war machine.

Tynkkynen described Teboils continued presence in Finland as problematic, given its ownership. He criticised the perception of Lukoil as a private entity, saying that Russian strategic firms cannot be compared with Western companies.

Teboils disappearance from Finland and Europe would be a desirable outcome, he added.

When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, public boycotts of Teboil became widespread in Finland. Several government agencies and businesses ceased cooperation with the company. Many local Teboil operators reported financial losses.

HT
The Knesset voted 2524 in favour of the bill in a preliminary reading on Tuesday. The proposal, spearheaded by far-right politicians outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus coalition, must pass three additional votes before becoming law.

Israels parliament has advanced a bill that would impose Israeli sovereignty over the occupied West Bank, marking a significant escalation in the countrys territorial ambitions and drawing swift criticism from its closest allies.

The bill seeks to apply Israeli law in the West Bank, a territory home to about 3.3 million Palestinians and 700,000 Israeli settlers. The move, if finalised, would amount to annexation under international law. Israel captured the West Bank and East Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East war and has since built around 160 settlements in the area.

Prime Minister Netanyahu and his ruling Likud party distanced themselves from the vote. Only one Likud member, Yuli Edelstein, broke ranks to support the bill. In a statement, Netanyahus office described the move as a deliberate political provocation by the opposition to sow discord and emphasised that the government did not back the proposal.

A second bill, also passed in preliminary reading, calls for the annexation of the Maale Adumim settlement east of Jerusalem. Both measures have sparked concern over their potential to derail existing diplomatic efforts, including the Trump administrations ceasefire agreement in Gaza.

US Vice President JD Vance, who concluded a visit to Israel on the day of the vote, called the action a very stupid political stunt. Speaking at Ben Gurion Airport, Vance reaffirmed Washingtons position that the West Bank will not be annexed by Israel.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, also visiting the region, said the annexation vote threatens the peace deal and would be counterproductive to the administrations broader Middle East strategy.

President Donald Trump, in an interview with Time magazine, repeated his opposition to annexation, saying, I gave my word to the Arab countries. Israel would lose all of its support from the United States if that happened.

Despite US opposition, nationalist voices within the Israeli government and parliament continue to push for full annexation of the West Bank. Bezalel Smotrich, Israels finance minister and a key figure in the Religious Zionism party, called for sovereignty over what he referred to as the inheritance of our forefathers.

Avi Maoz, leader of the far-right Noam party, introduced the bill. His party is not part of the governing coalition. Most coalition members either abstained or were absent, avoiding a direct clash with Washington.

The vote has provoked a wave of regional condemnation. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry said Israel has no sovereignty over the West Bank and described the bill as an illegal act. Hamas called the effort a colonial occupation, while Qatar, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia issued statements condemning the move as a violation of international law.

The annexation would further reduce the prospects for a two-state solution, which remains the basis of several United Nations resolutions and international peace proposals. The International Court of Justice has previously declared Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal.

The Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee will now take up the bill. It must pass three more readings before it becomes law. The prime minister retains procedural tools to stall or block the legislation but has not indicated whether he intends to use them.

HT
Transylvania deputies justified in shooting motorist who opened fire on them, D.A. says

Two Transylvania County sheriffs deputies were justified in shooting a motorist who fired at them from his parked car in July, District Attorney Andrew Murray said.

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Murray last week announced the results of his investigation, as required by state law, into the circumstances surrounding the death of Raul Alberto Rivera around 10 p.m. Sunday, July 6.

It is my conclusion that the responding Transylvania County sheriffs deputies were legally justified in their use of deadly force by firing their service weapons at the decedent, Murray said in a letter to the SBI.

Murray used body camera videos, taped and transcribed video interviews, phone records, an autopsy report and other physical evidence to piece together the facts of the case.

Dispatchers had told deputies Brandon Holden and Samuel Owen that a suspect, Rivera, was traveling through Pisgah National Forest in his personal vehicle with a long gun and that he was in an emotionally stressed state of mind. Riveras ex-girlfriend, who had been in contact with him, thought his texts and words led her to believe that the decedent was planning to harm himself.

Holden spotted Riveras older model Mazda Miata backed into a parking space at a Pizza Hut near the entrance of the national forest.

Deputy Holden stopped his Chevy Tahoe service vehicle 10-15 yards from the Miata, with his service vehicle facing the decedents driver side door at a 45-degree angle, Murray wrote. When he got out of his cruiser, Holden instantly sees the decedent making abrupt movements and digging around the vehicle. Deputy Holden immediately draws his weapon while simultaneously taking a defensive position in the V of his drivers side door. Deputy Holden then reports witnessing the decedent raise a long gun, causing him immediately to discharge several rounds toward the decedent for his safety.

Holden activated his body worn camera, and almost instantaneously after the body-worn camera is activated, a shot is fired from the Miata. The video clearly shows the triangle shaped window on the drivers side of the Miata exploding outward causing Deputy Holden to discharge multiple additional rounds at the decedent. Deputy Holden then drops his guns ammunition clip and reloads with an additional clip. He continues to scream commands for the decedent to put the gun down and get out of the car.

Holden said that once again he saw the AR-15 raised, causing him to immediately fire his weapon while still screaming put the gun down numerous times. The decedent at this time can be heard screaming back f--- you - I am not going f---ing anywhere.

At that point, Deputy Owen arrived and took up a position at the right rear corner of Holdens cruiser, Murray said. Holden tells Owen that the suspect still has the gun, Holden screams again for the decedent to put the gun down and then both Holden and Deputy Owen open fire again. The Miata engine then races for several seconds before stopping.

After calling for a protective shield, deputies approached the vehicle and found Rivera non-responsive. An AR15 rifle was located in the vehicle. Emergency Medical Services personnel, who were staged nearby, tried to administer aid before determining that Rivera was dead.

The SBI, which was called in to investigate, turned up a spent shell casing in the Miata that matched the caliber of the AR15 and also recovered a bullet round that had penetrated the front grill brush guard of Holdens cruiser.

It is clear from the information available to me that neither Deputy Brandon Holden nor Deputy Samuel Owen had any choice but to use deadly force. Their actions were justified under North Carolina law, Murray said.
Mountain lineworkers win at international competition

Duke Energy lineworkers from the mountains took home several awards recently after demonstrating their skills during an international competition in Kansas.

About 1,200 lineworkers from around the world competed in the International Linemans Rodeo on Oct. 18 in Bonner, Kan. Duke Energy sent 78 competitors who had won top honors at a regional rodeo earlier in the year, according to a press release from the company.

The Duke Energy teams that included lineworkers from Western North Carolina placed in several events during the competition.

In the Journeyman Mystery Event No.1 competition, a team made up of Hendersonville lineworkers Jordan Henderson and Heath Burrell and Miles Bell of Tryon won fourth place. The team also won second place in the Journeyman Investor-Owned Utility event and fourth place in the Journeyman Overall competition.

Other winners from the mountains included a team made up of Marion lineworkers Tyler Nickols and Joshua Buckner and Tyler Manick of Old Fort. They won first place in the Journeyman Mystery Event No. 2 competition and first place in the Journeyman Investor-Owned utility event. Nickols, Buckner and Manick also won third place in the Journeyman Overall competition.

The power company described lineworkers as the backbone of the electric grid. They help deliver reliable service year-round, respond after storms or other extreme weather events and work on vital projects to better serve customers and communities. Lineworkers also install newer technologies on the grid such as smart, self-healing technology, which detects a power outage and reroutes power  often restoring service in under a minute.
The Torah is direct: eat this, not that; separate milk and meat, based on the verse Do not cook a kid in its mothers milk (Exodus 23:19; 34:26; Deuteronomy 14:21); and remove leaven from the home before Passover. Leviticus and Deuteronomy do not say to prevent parasites or to avoid food poisoning. Rabbis treated these as chukim  decrees beyond human reasoning. To follow them was to show trust in Gods wisdom. Over the centuries, rabbis of old cautioned against searching for purely practical motives in these laws. They feared that if people thought the laws were only about health or con...
For seniors looking to maintain independence, explore the realm of online delivery services. These services offer more than just groceries; they cater to the specific needs of aging adults, regardless of their level of tech proficiency. What started as a niche market has now become a growing trend.

Delivery has a long history, from the milkman in Britain in the 1860s to the emergence of pizza delivery for Italian royals in 1889. Mail order catalogs like Tiffanys Blue Book and Montgomery Ward paved the way for remote shopping, while companies like Schwans began home delivery of goods like ice...
Like most synagogues, Congregation Beth El in South Orange, New Jersey added new rituals after the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks that killed 1,200 in Israel, saw another 251 taken hostage and launched a grinding war between Israel and Hamas.

The Conservative congregation hung a "bring them home now" sign out front on behalf of the hostages. Rabbi Jesse Olitzky added the "Acheinu" prayer for redeeming captives to the weekly Shabbat service, and each week read the biography of a hostage. As the war raged on, the congregation sang songs of peace.

There and elsewhere, congregants wore yellow hostage ribbo...
A new teaching and religious organization was recently incorporated in DeLand, Fla. The nonprofit is called The Center for Jewish Discovery of Central Florida, and was developed by Rabbi Michael Asher, who was ordained in June 2025 by the Jewish Spiritual Leadership Institute.

A kickoff Shabbat dinner was held in early September with nearly 30 people attending.

"We offer meaningful classes, open conversation, and spiritual exploration for Jews of all backgrounds," Asher told Heritage. "Through local gatherings and online learning, we help people connect with Jewish wisdom, tradition, and each...
(Israel Hayom via JNS)  Last Sunday, Secretary of State for Education Bridget Phillipson said in an interview with Sky News that Britain played a key role behind the scenes in shaping the Gaza ceasefire agreement, and Prime Minister Keir Starmers presence in Sharm el-Sheikh would be evidence of this central role.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee shared the video and wrote, I assure you, shes delusional.

The less-than-diplomatic statement subsequently led to a post by U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. I want to recognize Britains vital role in helping those efforts that led to...
(JNS)  Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) are urging the Trump administration to investigate the Council on American-Islamic Relations for possible links to Hamas and other terrorist groups.

The Congress members wrote to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, asking him to look into whether CAIR, a decades-old organization that says it advocates for Muslim civil rights, is providing material support for terrorism, based on its history and its conduct following Hamass Oct. 7, 2023, massacre in southern Israel.

The Treasury Department houses the Office of Foreign Assets Contr...
Hours after freeing 20 living hostages to a jubilant Israel, Hamas released the remains of four deceased hostages  far fewer than the 28 it is holding and obligated under the terms of the ceasefire to release.

The group had already indicated that it was not prepared to release all of the deceased hostages remains immediately, following two years of war in Gaza, and Israel and negotiators had accepted that it could take some time. Still, the small number of bodies released on Monday represented a disappointment for many who had hoped that Monday would bring closure to those who have spent yea...
(JNS)  One was held in a Gaza tunnel, deep underground, shackled in darkness for nearly two years.

Another was kept in total isolation, enduring a process of deliberate starvation at the hands of his captors, losing nearly 40 percent of his body weight.

They were tortured and tormented and in constant peril.

These were some of the gruesome stories emerging from the 20 living Israeli hostages released two years after Gazan terrorists seized them during the Hezbollah-led invasion of the northwestern Negev.

Elkana Bohbot, 36, one of the organizers of the Supernova music festival, now reunited wi...
(JNS) - The Blue Sky Warden aircraft, the result of a collaboration between Israel Aerospace Industries and the U.S. company L3Harris Technologies, embodies an innovative concept in light strike and reconnaissance aircraft.

It is an enhanced iteration of the Air Tractor aircraft, which is originally a farming workhorse and an aerial firefighter, and also serves in Israel in the Elad Squadron, the aerial firefighting squadron.

The new version of the aircraft will be adapted in Israel for intelligence, observation and light strike missions, with an emphasis on low operating cost, prolonged air e...
(JNS) - The Israel Defense Forces released a never-before-seen picture on Thursday showing the slain body of Yahya Sinwar, marking one year since IDF soldiers killed the Hamas terrorist mastermind in the Gaza Strip.

The photo shows former IDF Southern Command chief Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman, former Operations Directorate chief Maj. Gen. Oded Basiuk and Gaza Division chief Brig. Gen. Barak Hiram standing near Sinwar's body on Oct. 17, 2024, a day after he had been killed in southern Gaza.

The image was made public as part of a set of iconic photos taken by IDF photographers during the war, whic...
If we have to, well disarm [Hamas], U.S. President Donald Trump told Fox News correspondent Maria Bartimoro in an interview aired on Sunday night, in light of the terrorist groups recent claims that it has not committed to disarmament.

Trump said that during negotiations for the Gaza ceasefire that went into effect on Oct. 10, Hamas promised it would disarm but added that these are very violent people; this is a very violent part of the world.

When asked who would disarm Hamas, Trump replied, Whether its me, the U.S., or a proxy, could be Israel, with our backingwe wont have boots o...
(JNS) - "My life, my life," cried out Einav Zangauker, embracing her son, Matan, for the first time in one of many emotional moments, as the 20 living hostages embraced their joyful families upon their return to Israel after 738 days in Hamas captivity.

Hamas kidnapped Matan and his girlfriend Ilana Gritzewsky from their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz on Oct. 7, 2023.

On Dec. 7, 2024, Hamas published a letter that it said was from Matan.

"We are still alive. We want to return safely before we go crazy," the letter stated. "Isolation kills, and the darkness is frightening. We die 1,000 times a day."

Tz...
(JNS)  Hamas terrorists must give up their weapons, or all hell breaks loose, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview with CBS on Tuesday.

Netanyahu spoke in response to a question on whether Israels two-year war against Hamas in Gaza was over. He replied that Israel was giving a chance to the ceasefire agreement forged by U.S. President Donald Trump, which includes both demilitarization and disarmament, which are not the same thing, the prime minister said.

Well, we agreed to give peace a chance, Netanyahu continued. The conditions in Trumps 20-point plan ar...
(JNS)  U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and former U.S. ambassador to Israel David Friedman took to the stage on Saturday in Jerusalem to perform a rendition of Lynyrd Skynyrds hit rock song, Sweet Home Alabama.

American comedian and actor Elon Gold led the ensemble, singing Sweet Home Yerushalayim (Jerusalem in Hebrew) over the catchy chorus.

Huckabee expertly pulled off the songs funky bass line on electric bass, with Friedman accompanying the group on electric guitar.

The performance was shared on X by Eli Beer, president and founder of United Hatzalah of Israel, a volunteer...
(JNS)  The Trump administration is pushing ahead with the second phase of its Gaza peace plan, aiming to rebuild the southern city of Rafah, Israeli media reported on Thursday, citing senior U.S. officials.

According to Israeli journalist Barak Ravid, the aim is to create a day-after model for life in the Gaza Strip.

Despite incomplete progress in returning Israeli hostagesonly nine of the 28 bodies held by Hamas have been recoveredadvisers to U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly said that the United States plans to begin reconstruction work and deploy non-Hamas Palestinian security for...
Trump says he canceled meeting with Putin

Xinhua) 13:01, October 23, 2025

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he has canceled his planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"We cancelled the meeting with President Putin," Trump told reporters at the White House. "It just didn't feel right to me."

"It didn't feel like we were going to get to the place we have to get. So I cancelled it, but we'll do it in the future," Trump added.

Trump said last week that he will meet with Putin in Hungary's Budapest for talks, following a phone conversation between the two leaders. On Tuesday, however, he told reporters at the White House that such a meeting would be "a waste of time."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
President Donald Trump appeared to threaten violence against Hamas in Gaza on Thursday as he responded to reports that Hamas was executing Gazans following the ceasefire with Israel that Trump brokered last week.

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, Trump wrote on Truth Social on Thursday, concluding with a trademark flourish: Thank you for your attention to this matter!

Soon after, he clarified that he did not mean the United States would enter Gaza. Somebody will go in  Its not going to be us, he told re...
Palestinian committee picked for Gaza reconstruction

By JNS Staff

(JNS)  A 15-member Palestinian committee has been chosen to oversee the rebuilding and administration of Gaza after the war, the Associated Press on Tuesday cited Egypts foreign minister as saying.

We need to deploy them to take care of the daily life of the people in Gaza, and the Board of Peace should support and supervise the flow of finance and money, which will come for the reconstruction of Gaza, Badr Abdelatty told the news agency ahead of Mondays regional summit held at Sharm el-Sheikh and attended by world leaders,...
(JNS)  If you hadnt known anything about the huge crowd that gathered in Tel Avivs Hostages Square two days before the actual return of the rest of the living hostages, youd have thought you stumbled into a rally of the Israeli chapter of MAGA. The banners celebrated U.S. President Donald Trump as the godfather of the hostage deal, and Trumps personal representativesSteve Witkoff, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushnerwere warmly welcomed.

The atmosphere was festive, even ecstatic. These have been two long years, during which massively long tables with empty chairs, each bearing the name of a h...
(JNS)  At a time when America is still reeling from the murder of Charlie Kirk and anti-Jew and anti-Israel hatred is peaking, the Anti-Defamation League decided to put Kirks Turning Point USA in its crosshairs.

Did the ADL think that would reduce Jew-hatred somehow? It seems likely it did just the opposite. As egregious and upsetting as that ADL action was, it was just another horrific misstep in the last decade of its misguided cultural crusades that have nothing to do with its core mission: protecting the Jewish people.

The ADL was established in 1913 by Bnai Brith to focus on protectin...
(JNS)  As Israelis continue to debate the release of convicted terrorists as part of the current hostage exchange deal with Hamas, they arent the only ones thinking about prisoner releases. American victims of Hamas and other Palestinian terror groups and their families are watching, too. For us, the prospect of seeing the murderers of American citizens walk free is not an abstract policy issue. It is deeply personal.

Thirty years ago, my daughter Alisa Flatow, a 20-year-old American college student, was murdered in a Palestinian terror attack in Gaza. On April 9, 1995, she was riding a bus...
(JNS)  Israel treats the Palestinians the way Nazi Germany treated the Jews.

Few slogans in modern propaganda are as powerful, emotional and poisonous as this one. In recent years, it has become a rallying cry at demonstrations and across social media. Gaza is depicted as the Auschwitz of the 21st century. Israeli airstrikes are labeled genocide. Refugee camps are likened to the Warsaw Ghetto. The nakba (the disaster or catastrophe of the State of Israel) is rebranded as the Arab shoah. Israels government is accused of plotting a final solution.

This is not analysis; it is prop...
(JNS)  In his Knesset address on Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump spoke of his first partner in his great utopian visiona time of peace for the entire world: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin (Bibi) Netanyahu.

In an outpouring of shared enthusiasm at the Knesset during the return of the hostages, Trump placed Netanyahu in the circle of historys great figures. Thank you very much, Bibi. Great job! he declared.

Without him, none of this could have happened. Without his courage and patriotism, Trump said. Hes not the easiest person to work with, but thats what makes him great.

This mo...
(JNS)  On Oct. 7, 2001, the United States began an ill-fated campaign to nation-build Afghanistan.

Now, 24 years after that anniversary and two years after the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas, we may be on the cusp of an even worse nation-building program in Gaza that seems to have learned absolutely nothing from the disastrous nation-building operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Right down to resurrecting former U.K. premiere Tony Blair to head it.

Nation-building in Afghanistan and Iraq failed for three reasons:

1. The Bush administration believed that the problem in Afghanistan, Iraq and other Mu...
The past few days in Israel have been filled with heart wrenching euphoria mixed with cautious optimism, and foreboding. After two years in unspeakable conditions and captivity, Hamas has released all 20 living hostages who have returned home to begin a long process of physical and emotional recovery. Predictably, Hamas has also violated the terms of the agreement to release all the bodies of the 28 remaining hostages, as of this writing still 21 remain in the terrorists clutches. So far, one of the bodies that they have released has not been that of a hostage, a trick they have done before....
Chinese envoy calls on Syrian transitional gov't to fight terrorism

Xinhua) 13:19, October 23, 2025

UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Wednesday called on the Syrian transitional government to honor its commitments to fighting terrorism.

The prolonged turmoil in Syria has provided space for the proliferation of terrorism, said Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations(UN).

Foreign terrorist fighters have exploited the chaos in Syria to gain strength, which not only poses a direct threat to Syria's own security but also severely undermines regional peace and stability, he added.

China urges the Syrian transitional government, which has repeatedly stated that Syria will not pose a threat to any country, to take measures to combat all terrorist organizations listed by the Security Council, including the East Turkistan Islamic Movement, Fu told the UN Security Council.

In adjusting its sanctions related to Syria, the Security Council should fully consider Syria's counter-terrorism and security situation as well as the complex implications that any adjustments may entail, said Fu.

China calls on Israel to stop its military operations against Syria and withdraw immediately from Syrian territory, the Chinese envoy said, adding that all parties should continue to provide constructive support and assistance and refrain from exploiting the situation for self-interest.

The key to solving the Syrian issue lies in advancing an inclusive political process, Fu said.

China will continue to work with the international community to help Syria achieve security, stability, and development at an early date, and embark on a development path that suits its own national conditions, he added.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Hilton Birmingham at UAB today announced the completion of a multi-million-dollar renovation encompassing all 295 guestrooms, 16,000 square feet of meeting and event space, its restaurant and a new fitness center. The transformation positions the Hilton-branded property, managed by Pyramid Global Hospitality and owned by The UAB Educational Foundation, as a premier hub for visitors, alumni, and the Birmingham community.

The project, led by CCR Architecture & Interiors with construction by P&M Construction, revitalized every guestroom with modern furnishings and enhanced comfort, while event spaces, including a ballroom, state-of-the art meeting rooms, exhibition space that were reimagined to support a corporate meeting, expo, fundraising event, university gathering with upgraded finishes and technology.

Tied to its UAB location, the hotel launched Blazer's Grill, a new restaurant led by Executive Chef Bryan Williams. It highlights regional cuisine in a setting that reflects UAB's community spirit, catering to students, alumni, and Birmingham travelers.

Located on UAB's campus two blocks from its hospital and the Kirklin Clinic, the hotel offers:

16,000 square feet of meeting space consisting of a ballroom, meeting rooms, a large event lobby area and an attached parking deck.

Free shuttle service within a one-mile radius and to/from Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport.

Amenities including an outdoor pool, 24-hour fitness center, grab and go market, free WiFi, coffee shop and pet-friendly options (fees apply).

To celebrate the renovation, Hilton Birmingham Downtown at UAB is offering Hilton Honors Bonus Points and special meeting planner perks, including double rewards points and waived setup fees, for events booked in Birmingham through December 31, 2025.

Hotel website
The finest travel brands from across Europe have been honoured at the World Travel Awards in Sardinia, Italy. The industry elite gathered at Forte Village Resort on the idyllic Mediterranean island for the WTA Europe Gala Ceremony 2025 to discover who among them had been crowned the best of the best.

The red-carpet evening marked the fourth leg of the WTAs Grand Tour 2025  a global search for the finest travel and tourism organisations.

The breadth and depth of Portugals tourism offerings were highlighted with the top accolade of Europes Leading Destination, with its Atlantic archipelago of Madeira winning Europes Leading Island Destination. Spains Huesca La Magia collected Europes Leading Adventure Tourism Destination, whilst Greeces Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace was named Europes Leading Emerging Tourism Destination.

Cannes took the title of Europes Leading Festival & Event Destination, with Madrid emerging triumphant as Europe's Leading Meetings & Conference Destination. The fascinating Georgian city of Batumi was hailed Europes Leading All-Season Destination. Dublin enjoyed a double celebration with Trinity College named Europes Leading Academic Tourist Attraction and The Convention Centre taking Europe's Leading Meetings & Conference Centre.

It has been a privilege to host our Europe Gala Ceremony 2025 on the beautiful island of Sardinia, which has hosted an incredible ceremony featuring the leading lights of travel from across the continent. Our winners are stellar examples of tourism excellence, and I congratulate each and every one for helping to raise the collective benchmark across our industry. Graham Cooke, Founder, World Travel Awards

With its turquoise waters, glorious beaches and ancient heritage, Sardinia offers a captivating blend of Mediterranean charm and timeless elegance. Nestled along the islands southern coastline, Forte Village is a world-renowned resort with unrivalled facilities and Michelin-starred dining, set on a stunning beachfront location.

We are proud to have hosted the World Travel Awards Europe Gala Ceremony 2025, a world renowned and well-established celebration of excellence hospitality and travel. Partnering with such a prestigious organization has been an honour, allowing us the opportunity to share our philosophy of authentic Italian hospitality and constant innovation. We were delighted to welcome so many professionals from across the hospitality world, whose presence made this occasion even more meaningful for all of us at Forte Village Resort. We would also like to extend our sincere gratitude to Mr. Graham Cooke, for his vision and continued commitment to promoting excellence within our industry. Lorenzo Giannuzzi, Forte Village, CEO & General Manager

In the hospitality sector, winners at the gala reception included Cragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul, recognised as Europes Leading Hotel. Greeces Sani Resort claimed the accolade for Europes Leading Family Resort, with Ikos Odisia named Europe's Leading All-Inclusive Resort. Kaizen Hoteles was voted Europe's Leading Independent Hotel Group. Italy enjoyed a strong showing in the sustainability categories, with Naturhotel Leitlhof taking Europe's Leading Green Hotel.

In the aviation sector, Lufthansa was named Europes Leading Airline, whilst Zurich took Europes Leading Airport. Swiss International Air Lines enjoyed double honours, collecting Europes Leading Airline - Business Class and Europe's Leading Airline - First Class. THE LOFT by Brussels Airlines and Lexus was voted Europes Leading Airport Lounge.

The full list of winners can be found on the WTA website.

About World Travel Awards

WTA was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry. Today, the WTA brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire. Each year, WTA covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to recognise and celebrate individual and collective success within each key geographical region. For more information visit worldtravelawards.com.

World Travel Awards Public Relations

+44 (0) 20 7925 0000

World Travel Awards
Equality in Tourism, an international non-profit committed to advancing gender equality in the industry, has opened applications for the Gender Equality Champion of the Year Award 2026. Now in its fourth year, the Award celebrates tourism and hospitality organisations spearheading more gender equal practices and promotes their adoption among industry peers.

Sponsored annually by the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance and with support from Sojern in 2025, the Gender Equality Champion of the Year Award is the only one of its kind on a global platform. Details of the 2026 sponsorship will be announced at a later date. Its presented annually at ITB Berlin, the worlds leading tourism trade fair, with winners in two categories crowned during the 2025 ceremony.

South American travel operator Responsible Travel was named the Travel & Destinations winner, with judges noting that gender equality is deeply embedded in their business and supported by a strong public declaration on their website.

Nepalese social enterprise Community Homestay Network won the Accommodation category, similarly impressing judges with thorough and transparent gender equality efforts across the business, including areas such as disaster risk reduction, climate risk and gender awareness training. Sri Lankas first women-led hotel Amba Yaalu (Mango Friends) Kandalama was also highly commended as a new venture with potential for a highly impactful future.

In 2026, the judging panel will once again be made up of esteemed experts in gender and tourism. They will carefully review the impact of shortlisted applicants policies and initiatives, ensuring the award continues to be recognised as a credible and respected benchmark for progress in gender equality.

Each year were inspired by the high quality of applications and the incredible ways applicants are creating change for women in the industry  but wed love to see even more entries. Whether youre part of a leading chain or a small community enterprise, I encourage you to enter. Your contributions to gender equality are valuable and deserve recognition. Dr. Stroma Cole, Professor in Tourism and Human Rights at the University of Westminster and Co-Director of Equality in Tourism

Past winners have praised the application form for providing an excellent set of criteria to evaluate current commitments to gender equality. Aayusha Prasain, CEO of Community Homestay Network, explains how it encouraged them to make improvements: We had long been fostering a gender-equal environment in our workplace and in the communities we work with. However, it wasnt until the application process that we took the crucial step of solidifying our commitments by properly documenting them, such as with a comprehensive gender equality policy.

Beyond this, receiving the award reinforced our belief in the power of gender equality, especially in supporting the empowerment journey of women entrepreneurs, and gave us more resolve to drive change.

Applications are open until 26th January 2026, with more information and the application form available on the Equality in Tourism website.

Organisations interested in sponsoring the 2026 award are invited to get in touch with Co-Director Dr. Stroma Cole for more information.

The non-profit will also release a new podcast episode next week, exploring the impact of the Gender Equality Champion of the Year Award and the previous champions award-winning initiatives.

About Equality in Tourism International

International non-profit Equality in Tourism champions gender equality in global travel and tourism by raising awareness of challenges, facilitating change and celebrating best practice. They envision a just, equal sector enabling women and their communities to thrive globally and locally. Their work spans four pillars: impact projects, training and consultation, research and the pioneering Gender Equality Champion of the Year Award.

Kavita Ashton
New York City  Women are the majority of professionals in key business travel industry roles  comprising 74% of travel buyers and over half of travel supplier (62%) and travel management company (TMC) staff (55%)  yet remain underrepresented in senior leadership and report lower satisfaction with career growth, compensation and work-life balance.

Thats according to new research from the GBTA Foundation, the cause-related arm of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) and carried out for WINiT (Women in Travel), a program dedicated to helping women thrive in their travel industry careers. Conducted with WINiT partner Corporate Travel Management (CTM) and unveiled today at the annual GBTA WINiT Summit at Civic Hall in New York City, the report  titled Breaking Boundaries: Women and Advancement in Business Travel  underscores the need for more leadership development programs and inclusive policies to close persistent gender gaps in the industry.

Talent and innovation thrive when everyone has access to leadership pathways, supportive policies and inclusive cultures. Showcasing research like this allows the GBTA Foundation to drive that change by helping organizations create environments where all professionals can grow, lead and contribute to a stronger industry. Delphine Millot, Managing Director for the GBTA Foundation

Its time to turn representation into real opportunity. Fostering an environment where women can rise to leadership roles is not just the right thing to doits a strategic advantage for our industry. By prioritizing inclusive policies and supporting professional development, the business travel industry has the chance to drive meaningful change. Anita Salvatore, CEO North America, at CTM

Key takeaways from the study, which surveyed over 650 global industry professionals, include:

A Paradox in Representation

Women are prevalent in the business travel industry, with the aforementioned 74% of travel buyers, 62% of supplier professionals and 55% of TMC staff identifying as women in the survey.

But when it comes to senior leadership, representation does not translate equally into leadership roles. While 85% of lower-level buyer roles (manager and below) are held by women, only 68% of senior-level buyer positions (director and above) are filled by them.

A Hidden Gap in Career Outlook

Although women make up a significant portion of the business travel industry, the report found that they were less likely than men to feel fulfilled in their careers.

For example, when asked whether they agreed or disagreed on questions related to topics like career growth, compensation and work-life balance, only 28% of women travel buyers strongly agree they have a good work-life balance compared to 43% of men, and just 23% of women agree they are "happy" with their compensation, versus 57% of men.

Among suppliers and TMC professionals, 44% of women feel valued by their company, compared to 57% of men, and only 24% of women are satisfied with their companys parental leave policy, compared to 40% of men.

Unmet Safety Needs for Women Travelers

Among all travel buyers, 62% believe women face greater risk than men while traveling for business, yet only 27% say their companys travel policies specifically address female traveler safety.

Additionally, only 55% of travel managers feel womens voices are adequately represented in shaping travel programs, while 23% say they are not, and another 23% are unsure.

Equity Initiatives: Progress and Setbacks

While 39% of suppliers and 34% of TMCs report having formal programs to develop women and minority leaders, only about 25% have hiring or appointment targets for women or minority executives. On a positive note, 43% of supplier/TMC companies support community initiatives focused on women and girls, reflecting a broader commitment to social responsibility.

Its clear that while women have made remarkable strides in shaping and strengthening the business travel industry, our work is far from finished. Thats why WINiTs missionto close advancement gaps and champion true gender equityhas never been more vital. Real progress demands more than intention; it requires bold investment, collective action and a shared commitment to lasting change. Bev Heinritz, Director, Foundation Programs at the GBTA Foundation

The study was conducted as part of the GBTA Foundations Path to Parity initiative dedicated to accelerating gender equity in the business travel industry by identifying barriers, promoting inclusive leadership, and driving systemic change through research, advocacy and actionable solutions.

The full report is available for download on the GBTA Foundation web page here. GBTA members can also access the full report in the GBTA Member Hub.

Research Methodology

The findings are based on a global online survey of 654 global travel professionals representing 42 countries that was conducted in September 2025. Of the respondents, 67% identified as female and 33% male. Additionally, 11% of all respondents classified themselves as an underrepresented minority.

About GBTA

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is the world's premiere business travel and meetings trade organization headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area and serving stakeholders across six continents. GBTA and its 8,000+ members represent and advocate for the $1.48 trillion global travel business and meetings industry. GBTA and the GBTA Foundation deliver world-class education, events, research, advocacy and media to a growing global network of more than 28,000 travel professionals and 125,000 active contacts. For more information visit gbta.org.

About the GBTA Foundation

The mission of the GBTA Foundation, the US 501c3 charitable arm of the Global Business Travel Association, is to help the global business travel industry create a positive impact and better future for people and the planet. The GBTA Foundation focuses on the strategy and execution of GBTA's global sustainability programs, supporting initiatives related to climate action; diversity, equity and inclusion; and other talent-related topics via education, research and advocacy. For more information visit gbtafoundation.org.
Canmore  Mews, the leading operating system for hospitality, has been selected by Basecamp Resorts, one of Western Canadas leading boutique resort groups, as its property management system to modernize operations and deliver seamless, memorable experiences  starting with the launch of its new brand, Everwild.

Basecamp Resorts operates twelve properties across six unique types  resorts, suites, motels & hotels, lodges, cabins & glamping, and luxury hotels  all designed to connect guests with spectacular mountain destinations, outdoor adventures, and authentic regional traditions. Committed to creating exceptional leisure and adventure experiences, Basecamp is evolving with a powerful technology stack to make every guest journey smoother and more personalized.

The partnership with Mews begins with Everwild, Basecamps newest brand and a Nordic-inspired wellness destination featuring accommodation, food and beverage, and spa experiences open to everyone. At Everwild, Mews will serve as the foundation for modern, guest-centric operations, supporting effortless stays and empowering staff to focus on delivering personalized experiences.

We needed a modern PMS that could keep pace with the experience we want to deliver. Mews is not just robust  its constant evolution and guest-centric approach mirror our own values. Tools like automated payments, seamless reporting, and the ability to send payment links have reduced manual work and made onboarding quick and intuitive for our staff. Geoff McLean, Chief Marketing Officer at Basecamp Resorts

With Mews extensive integration ecosystem and automation around payments and reporting, Basecamp can now simplify operations, enhance efficiency, and lay the groundwork for future expansion across its portfolio. The group actively leverages integrations including SiteMinder, Canary, Quickbooks, Revinate, Silverware, IDeaS, and Trybe  ensuring a connected, scalable tech stack for the future.

Everwild is redefining mountain hospitality as more than a hotel  its a wellness destination designed for connection and rejuvenation , adds McLean. Mews is simply a better fit culturally too. Were both innovators in our fields, and partnering with software that moves as fast as we do is a game-changer.

Basecamp Resorts brings a unique blend of adventure and wellness to the Canadian Rockies, and its a privilege to help them create seamless, elevated guest experiences. Their commitment to curated journeys aligns perfectly with our vision for modern hospitality, and were excited to power the launch of Everwild and support their future growth with Mews. Matt Welle, CEO at Mews

As travelers seek out authentic, unforgettable adventures and wellness getaways in Canadas most awe-inspiring mountain destinations, the Basecamp team is ready to deliver  with technology thats as forward-thinking as they are.

About Everwild Canmore

Opening November 2025, Everwild Canmore is the flagship location in a multi-site Nordic wellness expansion by Basecamp Resorts. Located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies and integrated with Basecamps boutique hotel of the same name, the spa offers a full thermal circuit, culturally respected rituals, culinary programming, and elemental designed rooted in place. Everwild Canmore brings together ancient global traditions and contemporary Canadian hospitality to offer a meaningful, restorative experience for all.

Learn more: https://stayeverwild.com/canmore/

Press contact: [email protected]

About Mews

Mews is the leading platform for the new era of hospitality. Powering over 12,500 customers across more than 85 countries, Mews Hospitality Cloud is designed to streamline operations for modern hoteliers, transform the guest experience and create more profitable businesses. Customers include BWH Hotels, Strawberry, The Social Hub and Airelles Collection. Mews was named Best PMS (2024, 2025) and listed among the Best Places to Work in Hotel Tech (2021, 2022, 2024, 2025) by Hotel Tech Report. Mews has raised $410 million from investors including Growth Equity at Goldman Sachs Alternatives, Kinnevik and Tiger Global to transform hospitality.

www.mews.com

George Barker

Director of Communications
Northeast India represents one of the countrys most compelling frontiers for tourism development. Despite its exceptional natural beauty, cultural diversity, and strategic location, the region remains underrepresented in Indias tourism narrative. In 2024, it accounted for just 0.43% of domestic and 1.17% of foreign tourist visits, underscoring its vast untapped potential.

Encouragingly, several positive trends signal change. The region is undergoing a transformation driven by unprecedented infrastructure investments. Road, rail, and air connectivity have improved significantly over the past decade through initiatives such as UDAN, Swadesh Darshan 2.0, and cross-border projects that have shortened travel times and opened up previously remote destinations. These advances are beginning to enhance both visitor arrivals and investor confidence.

At the state level, governments have introduced progressive tourism policies emphasizing sustainability, community participation, and private sector collaboration. Assam, Sikkim, Meghalaya, and Nagaland, among others, are focusing on niche opportunities including ecological, adventure, wellness, cultural, and tea tourism. However, implementation gaps, uneven private investment, and fragmented marketing continue to constrain growth, highlighting the need for a coordinated regional strategy.

The Northeast is also gaining greater visibility on the global stage. Assams inclusion in the New York Times' 52 Places to Go in 2025 reflects growing recognition of the regions appeal. Its biodiversity, spiritual heritage, and cultural richness align with the global shift toward authentic and responsible travel. For India, the Northeast holds not only tourism value but also geopolitical importance as a bridge to Southeast Asia, reinforcing the need to integrate tourism into broader economic and diplomatic priorities.

This report, Northeast India: A Hidden Gem for Tourism Potential, has two key objectives. First, to present a data-driven overview of the regions tourism and hospitality landscape, including demand patterns, branded hotel presence, infrastructure development, and policy frameworks. Second, to chart a forward-looking roadmap that balances economic opportunity with sustainability, inclusivity, and cultural preservation. It also draws lessons from states like Gujarat, Kerala, and Rajasthan, which transformed their tourism sectors through branding, partnerships, and diversification.

We hope the insights within this report serve as a valuable resource for policymakers, investors, developers, and local stakeholders. As India enters a new phase of travel and hospitality growth, the Northeast stands at a decisive inflection point - poised to evolve from a niche destination into a mainstream, globally competitive tourism hub grounded in sustainability, culture, and community-driven progress.

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A rendering of the Kimpton Salzburg Hotel - Image Credit IHG Hotels & Resorts



IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced the signing of Kimpton Salzburg, marking the brand's entry into Austria, with an expected opening in mid-2028.

IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed an agreement to open a Kimpton hotel in Salzburg, Austria, in partnership with tristar Austria GmbH. The hotel is scheduled to open in mid-2028 and will be the first Kimpton-branded property in Austria. This development is part of IHG's strategy to expand its luxury lifestyle brand presence in Europe, where it currently operates 12 Kimpton hotels and has six more in development.

The Kimpton Salzburg will be part of a redevelopment project led by Midstad. The project will include a 119-room hotel, along with high-end retail units and other shops. The hotel will be located on the banks of the Salzach River, providing access to key transport routes and proximity to Salzburgs cultural district, which includes landmarks, festivals, and attractions.

The hotel will feature a variety of guest rooms, including 11 suites with views of the river and the castle. Amenities will include a fitness center, wellness area with a sauna, relaxation rooms, and versatile meeting spaces suitable for events and gatherings.

This signing is part of IHG's broader expansion in the DACH region, which encompasses Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. IHG currently has over 5,000 rooms open and in development across this region. In Austria alone, IHG operates 14 hotels under various brands, with five additional properties in the pipeline.

The collaboration with tristar Austria marks the first luxury hotel partnership between the two companies, highlighting their commitment to expanding in premier destinations.
New Research Shows Ongoing Barriers to Womens Advancement in Business Travel - Image Credit Unsplash+



Study presented at the annual WINiT Summit examines gender gaps in leadership, satisfaction and safety

Women are the majority of professionals in key business travel industry roles  comprising 74% of travel buyers and over half of travel supplier (62%) and travel management company (TMC) staff (55%)  yet remain underrepresented in senior leadership and report lower satisfaction with career growth, compensation and work-life balance.

Thats according to new research from the GBTA Foundation, the cause-related arm of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) and carried out for WINiT (Women in Travel), a program dedicated to helping women thrive in their travel industry careers. Conducted with WINiT partner Corporate Travel Management (CTM) and unveiled today at the annual GBTA WINiT Summit at Civic Hall in New York City, the report  titled Breaking Boundaries: Women and Advancement in Business Travel  underscores the need for more leadership development programs and inclusive policies to close persistent gender gaps in the industry.

Talent and innovation thrive when everyone has access to leadership pathways, supportive policies and inclusive cultures. Showcasing research like this allows the GBTA Foundation to drive that change by helping organizations create environments where all professionals can grow, lead and contribute to a stronger industry, said Delphine Millot, Managing Director for the GBTA Foundation.

Its time to turn representation into real opportunity, said Anita Salvatore, CEO North America, at CTM. Fostering an environment where women can rise to leadership roles is not just the right thing to doits a strategic advantage for our industry. By prioritizing inclusive policies and supporting professional development, the business travel industry has the chance to drive meaningful change.

Key takeaways from the study, which surveyed over 650 global industry professionals, include:

A Paradox in Representation

Women are prevalent in the business travel industry, with the aforementioned 74% of travel buyers, 62% of supplier professionals and 55% of TMC staff identifying as women in the survey.

But when it comes to senior leadership, representation does not translate equally into leadership roles. While 85% of lower-level buyer roles (manager and below) are held by women, only 68% of senior-level buyer positions (director and above) are filled by them.

A Hidden Gap in Career Outlook

Although women make up a significant portion of the business travel industry, the report found that they were less likely than men to feel fulfilled in their careers.

For example, when asked whether they agreed or disagreed on questions related to topics like career growth, compensation and work-life balance, only 28% of women travel buyers strongly agree they have a good work-life balance compared to 43% of men, and just 23% of women agree they are happy with their compensation, versus 57% of men.

Among suppliers and TMC professionals, 44% of women feel valued by their company, compared to 57% of men, and only 24% of women are satisfied with their companys parental leave policy, compared to 40% of men.

Unmet Safety Needs for Women Travelers

Among all travel buyers, 62% believe women face greater risk than men while traveling for business, yet only 27% say their companys travel policies specifically address female traveler safety.

Additionally, only 55% of travel managers feel womens voices are adequately represented in shaping travel programs, while 23% say they are not, and another 23% are unsure.

Equity Initiatives: Progress and Setbacks

While 39% of suppliers and 34% of TMCs report having formal programs to develop women and minority leaders, only about 25% have hiring or appointment targets for women or minority executives. On a positive note, 43% of supplier/TMC companies support community initiatives focused on women and girls, reflecting a broader commitment to social responsibility.

Its clear that while women have made remarkable strides in shaping and strengthening the business travel industry, our work is far from finished, said Bev Heinritz, Director, Foundation Programs at the GBTA Foundation. Thats why WINiTs missionto close advancement gaps and champion true gender equityhas never been more vital. Real progress demands more than intention; it requires bold investment, collective action and a shared commitment to lasting change.

The study was conducted as part of the GBTA Foundations Path to Parity initiative dedicated to accelerating gender equity in the business travel industry by identifying barriers, promoting inclusive leadership, and driving systemic change through research, advocacy and actionable solutions.

The full report is available for download on the GBTA Foundation web page here. GBTA members can also access the full report in the GBTA Member Hub.

Research Methodology

The findings are based on a global online survey of 654 global travel professionals representing 42 countries that was conducted in September 2025. Of the respondents, 67% identified as female and 33% male. Additionally, 11% of all respondents classified themselves as an underrepresented minority.
Nonprofits Invited to Combined Resource Fair

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  The Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires (NPC) is hosting a Nonprofit Resource Fair at the Berkshire Innovation Center on Monday, Oct. 27 from noon to 4pm.

Sponsored by Berkshire Funding Focus, CORE 401(k) Program, and Lamar Advertising, this free networking event features a broad range of vendors and two "Meet the Donors" panels.

Over thirty vendors will table on the ground floor of the BIC including: 1Berkshire Berkshire Leadership Program, Acrisure, Adirondack Payroll Services , Berkshire Funding Focus, Cartlann Digital, Community Television of the Southern Berkshires, Convivo LLC, CORE 401K, Impact Hacker, Jillian J Events, Little Green Light, Liz Albert Strategic Fundraising, MassDevelopment, Miss Hall's Horizons Program, Mountain Magnolia Marketing, Northern Berkshire Community Television, Only In My Dreams Events LLC, Precision Bookkeeping by Coral, Randall Trophies LLC, Red Ball Promotions, Roger Magnus Research, S Brown Consulting LLC, SMS Consulting, Southern Berkshire Shopper's Guide/The Berkshire Eagle, The Love of T Foundation Inc., Tiffany Thibodeau Consulting, Tricia McCormack Photography, TSNE (Third Sector New England), Woodlife Farm Market and Wright Collective.

"We're excited to expand this event and expect a good turnout because of the combined offerings of the resource fair and "Meet the Donors," said Liana Toscanini, founder of the Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires.

In the Berkshire Innovation Center auditorium nonprofit attendees will have the opportunity to meet Massachusetts funders including Mass Cultural Council, MassCollab, MassDevelopment, Sincere Foundation, and The Women's Fund of Western Massachusetts. At 3pm, Berkshire Funders take the stage including: Adams Community Bank, Berkshire Bank, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, Greylock Federal Credit Union, Jewish Women's Foundation, Lee Bank, Milltown Foundation, MountainOne and NBT Bank. The audience will hear directly from funders about philanthropy trends, funding focus and guidelines, and tips for applying.
College officials dig in for the groundbreaking of the Kleefeld Arts Center on Wednesday. Casey Pease, left, Timothy Cherubini, President Jamie Birge, Georgia Freedman-Harvey, Buffy Lord and Murdock. PreviousNext

MCLA 'Groundbreaking' Kicks Off Construction of Kleefeld Arts Center



Theater professor Jeremy Winchester holds the phone so Patricia Holt can get in the picture. He and Jerome Socolof, right, chair of the Arts Management Department, were involved in the center's design. NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  College officials say the planned Campagna Kleefeld Center for Creativity in the Arts will have a transformative effect on Massachusetts College of Liberal Art.

The center, funded in large part by California artist and writer Carolyn Kleefeld, will stand at the corner of Church and Porter Street and across from the college's Church Street Center.

"This has been a three-year collaborative effort among people who love art, love MCLA and who love the enduring promise of creativity and innovation as a foundation to advancing the best of society and liberal arts education," said President Jamie Birge at Wednesday's ceremonial groundbreaking.

"We would not be gathered here today absent the vision and generosity of Carolyn Kleefeld. Carolyn's generative thinking, coupled with her philanthropic ethic, brought us together to envision a space that will allow MCLA students and faculty to experiment with that pedagogy and disciplinary creativity. I think this project is one of the most exciting of my time here."

The London-born contemporary artist grew up in California and studied art and psychology at the University of California at Los Angeles. She has written 25 books of on poetry, art and reflection. Her work has been exhibited nationally and featured in a line of fine art cards.

The arts center proposal hasn't been without some pushback, with some questioning Kleefeld's intentions  the building will host rotating exhibits of her artworks and poetry as part of its curriculum  and the long-term programming and maintenance costs. Kleefeld's gift will be used to sustain the center for at least three years.

College officials have described the center as a "dynamic and flexible space" for student artists to showcase in-progress and completed work, supported by peer and faculty critiques. It will house the Alma Benedetti Teaching Artists-in-Residence (named for the 1937 alum and longtime North Adams art teacher) and student artists-in-residence.

The building will take the place of Gallery 51 that the college has operated on Main Street for two decades.

"I'm thankful to her for recognizing the role of MCLA in our community and the importance of a liberal arts education. This project is a testament to her vision and aligns perfectly with the mission of MCLA," said Board of Trustees Chair Buffy Lord.

The gift, suggested at nearly $10 million, and planning have been through the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Foundation Inc. and Birge pointed to foundation Chair Timothy Cherubini, Lord and past trustees chair Mohan Boodram for their advocacy. He also acknowledged the efforts of the Fine and Performing Arts Department in the center's design and development.

"A project like this benefits from multiple perspectives, a truly liberal arts effort. I'm glad to say that the inputs, ideas and ideals they offer underpin our commitment to elevate the nature of youth and broad learning at a liberal arts college," said Birge.

State Sen. Paul Mark's Director of Communications Casey Pease congratulated the college and Kleefeld's generosity, saying, "the Kleefeld Center will stand as both a cultural landmark and a teaching laboratory, a space where students, artists and the community can collaborate and bring new ideas to life. ...

"I think in this moment, we can all agree, at this moment in history, when so much feels divided and uncertain and sometimes even bleak, that investing in the arts could not be more important."

Kleefeld was not able to attend the groundbreaking and was represented by fellow artist and curator Georgia Freedman-Harvey, as well as her friend and artist Patricia Holt, who participated via Facebook.

The 7,000-square-foot center will require the demolition of 94 and 100 Porter St., former single-family residences that have been utilized for MCLA office space for years. Their razing has been approved by the Historical Commission but Robert Ziomek, vice president for institutional advancement, said if some of the original bricks from the old Mark Hopkins School are found they will be put to some use and plaques will be installed about notable residents and an acknowledgement that it had been the Stockbridge-Munsee nation's land.

Demolition is expected to be completed in March with construction to follow. The art center is set expected open in September 2027. Jones Whitsett Architects is the designer and Skanska is the general contractor.

Birge, Cherubini, Freedman-Harvey, Lord, and Pease donned blue hardhats and dug into a pile of dirt with bright silver shovels  with Murdock the mountain lion and Ziomek overseeing the work.

The artist sees the center as an artistic awakening, a pebble in creating ripples in a pond, said Freedman-Harvey, reading from a statement by Kleefeld. "My wish is to give MCLA the opportunity to expand the arts curriculum, including the development of a multidisciplinary approach to learning and further fostering originality and freedom and artistic expression."

It will be a springboard to creativity and add to the enrichment of "the vibrant arts community in North Adams and the surrounding areas," she wrote.
Weekend Outlook: Halloween & Fall Events

Check out the Halloween and fall events happening this weekend throughout Berkshire County. A list of trick-or-treat hours and events can also be found here.

Editor's Pick

Pittsfield Halloween Parade

The Halloween week kicks of at 7 p.m. on Friday as Pittsfield hosts the "Haunted Hometown Spooktacular" parade. It will proceed down Tyler Street and across the Woodlawn Avenue Bridge and will include city departments, organizations and residents walking the parade and showing off costumes from parades past.

More information here.

Multiple Days

Pumpkinfest 2025

Whitney's Farm & Market, Cheshire

Every Friday through Sunday until Halloween

Join the festivities at Whitney's Farm on Route 8 with hay rides, games, glitter tattoos, and more. Kids can venture off into the corn maze or make a new acquaintance at the petting zoo that includes a mini pony, baby goats, sheep, and a peacock.

Children can also scale different structures in the play yard and once they have worked up an appetite, pick up lunch in the farm market. Whitney's is located at 1775 South State Road in Cheshire and is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. More information here.

13 Nights Returns

Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort, Hancock

The terrifying favorite returns to provide a fright-filled weekend to participants brave enough to enter the haunted house.

Take a group of friends to participate in "13 Nights at Jiminy" every Friday through Sunday from 6:30 until 10:30 p.m. through the month of October.

The age recommendation is 10 and older. Tickets are $29.

You can also ride through the darkness with the resort's Mountain Coaster for $16; The Scream and Scare Package includes one trip through "13 Nights" and two rides on the coaster for $49.

The Christiansen's Tavern will be open to purchase drinks, dinner, or a snack Friday and Saturday.

More information and tickets here.

Fall Foliage Train Rides

Hoosac Valley Trains, Adams

Oct. 25 & 26; Departure times: 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Family friendly Halloween-themed ride on the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum's Speedliner

Tickets range from $14 to $30. More information here.

Naumkeag Pumpkin Show

Naumkeag, Stockbridge

Oct. 1 to 31; Wednesdays through Sundays from 5 to 9 p.m.

More than 1,500 jack-o'-lanterns will grin back at you on the grounds of the Naumkeag estate.

Pumpkins, mums, and gourds decorate the mansion's grounds and are sure to be a spectacle the entire family will enjoy. Hot cider and fall treats will be available for sale on-site. Tickets can be purchased here.

City of the Dead

203 Wahconah St., Pittsfield Cemetery

Runs through Oct. 30

Enjoy a spooky lamplight tour of the Pittsfield Cemetery in preparation for the creepy holiday. You will learn about the stories of those who are in the cemetery. The tours start at 6 p.m. and cost $10.

More information here.

End of Autumn Fall Festival

Greylock Glen, 165 Gould Road, Adams

Time: 10 to 6, Saturday and Sunday

Head to the Greylock Glen Outdoor Center for live music (1 to 3), food, and bar service. Bring your yoga mat (11 a.m.), hiking boots (guided tours at 10 and 2), and your appetite for what looks like another beautiful weekend in the Berkshires.

On Saturday, the Thunderbolt Ski Runners will have a trail work from 9 to 1 and the Northern Berkshire Astronomical Society will offer a lecture and stargazing from 6 to 8 p.m.

More information here

Friday

North Adams Haunted House

Mohawk Theater, North Adams

Time: 6 to 10 p.m.

The North Adams Strong Communities Haunted House is back with the theme "Haunted Circus." The interior of the vacant Mohawk Theater will dressed up to terrorize those brave enough to walk through it. Make sure you get your trick-or-treating in first during Northern Berkshire Community Coalition's downtown event with participating merchants.

More information here.

Trunk or Treat

65 Walker St., Lenox

Time: 5:30 p.m.

The Lenox Community Center is hosting a Trunk-or-Treat, rain or shine.

More information here.

Kids Ghost Tour at the Mount

2 Plunkett St., Lenox

Time: 6 to 8 p.m.

Bring your kids for a 75-minute tour of The Mount to learn about the haunted stories that have taken place there. Geared for children ages 6 to 12, who must be accompanied by an adult. Costs $10 to $20.

Tickets and more information here.

All Level, All Request Open Dance Night

399 1/2 Main S., Dalton

Time: 6 to 10 p.m.

Line Dancing with Tina is hosting a Halloween dance night at the Hall in the Union Block. Bring your dancing shoes and dance the night away.

More information here.

Saturday

Berkshire Humane Choose Your Subaru Raffle

Berkshire Humane Society, Pittsfield

Time: 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Join Berkshire Humane Society as its host the annual Subaru raffle fundraiser with Haddad Subaru. There will be a free microchip clinic from 8:30 to 10 a.m. followed by lawn games and vendors and will end with the raffle drawings at 1 p.m.

More information here.

Future Lab[s] Closing Reception

43 Eagle St., North Adams

Time: 6 p.m.

This closing reception is also a Halloween party so dress up for the final exhibition of works by Ricky Darell Barton and Alicia Canary.

More information here

High Lawn Halloween

High Lawn Farm, Lee

Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

High Lawn Farm offers a family Halloween event. Bring the kids in their costumes for a contest that starts at 12:30 p.m. There will also be pumpkin carving and painting, raffles, games, food, and more.

More information here.

High Noon Band

Adams Theater, Park Street

Time: 7:30 p.m.

High Noon is a Southern rock tribute band, playing classics from Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Allman Brothers Band, Molly Hatchet and more.

Tickets and more information here

Harvest and Halloween Party

175 Wendell Ave, Pittsfield

Time: 4 p.m.

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Pittsfield is hosting a harvest and Halloween party.

More information here.

Boosquet Halloween Party

101 Dan Fox Drive, Pittsfield

Time: 7 to 11 p.m.

Bosquet, in conjunction with Berkshire Roots, is hosting its second annual 21-plus Halloween Bash. There will be music, dancing, food, drinks, and more. Tickets are $39.

Tickets and more information here.

Eerie Ecology: A Spooky Nature Hike

The Boulders, Dalton

Time: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Berkshire Natural Resources Council leads an exploration of the spooky side of nature in this family friendly guided walk. Costumes for all are encouraged.

The Boulders is located on Gulf Road; participation is limited so reserve at chood@bnrc.org. More information here.

Sunday

Halloween Scavenger Hunt and Open Farm Day

262 Loop Road, Savoy

Time: 1 to 3 p.m.

Visit Second Chance Stables horse rescue and wear your costume for a Halloween scavenger hunt on the farm. If you don't have a costume there will be face painting for you. There will also be snacks and drinks and a raffle.

More information here.

Rainbow Tea Dance

5 Eagle St., North Adams

Time: 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Steeple City Social is hosting its fourth tea dance with DJ PRL. Have fun socializing, dancing, and a drink while listening to great music.

More information here.

Trick or Treat at the Springs Motel

94 Route 7, New Ashford

Time: 2 to 4 p.m.

Celebrate Halloween with free games, snacks, and drinks. All ages and pets are welcome to dress up and have a good time. RSVP to trick-or-treat at the motel.

More information here.

Farmers Markets

Great Barrington

18 Church St.

Saturday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., through Nov. 8 The market is open every Saturday. Every week, locally grown food, flowers, and plants will be available, along with other local vendors. The market accepts and offers doubling SNAP, HIP, WIC, and Senior market coupons. More information is here

New Marlborough Village Green Sunday: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., until weather turns The market has local vendors that offer a variety of goods from produce, eggs, baked goods, jams, hand-knit items, maple syrup, and more. More information here

North Adams

Main Street

Saturdays: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., through Oct. 25

The south side of Main Street from American Legion Drive will be closed to make room for the city's weekly farmers market, which will kick off this Saturday. Explore downtown North Adams and discover local businesses and fresh produce from local farms.

More information here

Williamstown

Spring Street

Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., through Nov. 1
On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

China has replaced 11 key officials at a key meeting of its Communist Party, representing the biggest reshuffle since 2017 amid an ongoing military anti-corruption purge.

Thousands of officials in the ruling Chinese government, diplomats, and military officials have been purged since president Xi Jinping made anti-corruption drives his signature policy since coming to power in 2012.

The CCP released the statement on the last day of a key closed-door meeting of the 300-plus member body in Beijing known as the Fourth Plenum, which also discussed a forthcoming five-year economic development plan.

Veteran Chinese general Zhang Shengmin, 67, was promoted to the second top official at the powerful Central Military Commission (CMC).

Mr Zhang, who currently serves on the CMC, replaces He Weidong, the former second-ranked vice chair who was expelled from the Communist Party on Friday on corruption charges along with eight other People's Liberation Army generals.

It was the highest turnover at a single Central Committee meeting since 2017's Seventh Plenum, when a record 11 members were replaced.

The Communist Party on Thursday also confirmed the expulsion of Mr He, Miao Hua, Tang Renjian, Jin Xiangjun, He Hongjun, Wang Xiubin, Lin Xiangyang, Qin Shutong, Yuan Huazhi, Wang Chunning, Li Shisong, Yang Fasen, Zhu Zhisong and Zhang Fengzhong from the party.

Mr Zhang had a long career rooted in political work, having served for a long time in the second artillery force, now the People's Liberation Armys (PLA) Rocket Force. He also served a stint in the CMC's general logistics department, also the target of anti-corruption probes in recent years.

A combination picture shows Central Military Commission (CMC) Vice Chairman He Weidong and member Zhang Shengmin attending the opening session of the National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China March 5, 2025. REUTERS/Florence Lo/File Photo ( REUTERS )

Mr Zhang wielded an unusually high degree of power for a military officer within the civilian Communist Party system. He was promoted to the CMC in 2017 and became a full general the same year, while concurrently serving as deputy secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection or China's top anti-corruption body.

The CMC is chaired by President Xi, with Zhang Youxia serving as another vice-chairman.

The Xi-appointed nine military officials, who were ousted last week, were suspected of "extremely serious crimes involving exceptionally large sums of money", the Chinese defence ministry said. It added that their cases had been investigated and referred to military prosecutors for review and prosecution.

Mr He and the eight expelled generals were also Central Committee members, and some of their investigations had not previously been disclosed. Mr He was a part of the 24-member Politburo and was thought to have been a close military confidante of President Xi.

Both men served in Fujian province in the 1990s. His removal is the first of a sitting general on the CMC since the 1966-1976 Cultural Revolution.

Analysts say the presidents anti-corruption campaign, which is popular with the public, has also been used to enforce loyalty to Mr Xi among party and government officials, which also helps him consolidate power. More than six million officials have been punished for corruption and misconduct, according to reports.

In June 2024, Beijing announced that former defence minister Li Shangfu and his predecessor Wei Fenghe were expelled from the Communist Party.

The plenum was attended by 168 full members of the Central Committee and 147 alternate members, during which the Communist Party set out its economic agenda for the next five years.

The Party said it would focus on speeding up self-reliance in science and technology in the face of "profound and complex" changes and rising "uncertainty."

We must have the courage to face major tests amid high winds, rough waves and even raging storms, and tackle difficulties, risks and challenges with a spirit of historical initiative  focusing on doing our own work well to write a new chapter in sustaining Chinas economic growth and long-term social stability, the communique read.
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South Korea's former first lady has been embroiled in yet another controversy after it was revealed she allegedly sat on a royal throne during a private visit to the Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul.

Kim Keon Hee, the wife of impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol, sat atop the kings throne in the Geunjeongjeon hall of the main palace during a welcoming ceremony for guests from the UAE in 2023, the Korea Heritage Service (KHS) said on Wednesday.

Gyeongbokgung Palace was the main royal residence and the seat of government during the Joseon period, from 1392-1910. The red and gold throne in Geunjeongjeon is considered the highest authority of the monarch and sits higher than the court officials' seats.

The Geunjeongjeon is one of the most popular spots for tourists in the Gyeongbokgung Palace, despite visitors being prohibited from entering the main area. No past president has sat on the king's throne, KHS, a government agency entrusted with the protection of Korean national heritage, said.

open image in gallery Women wearing traditional hanbok dresses visit the Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul on August 19, 2024 ( AFP via Getty Images )

The KHS revealed that the presidential office requested the visit and the chief of the agency at the time gave the order for preparations, according to The Korea Herald. The government agency said the throne Ms Kim sat atop was not the original but a replica built later.

Ms Kim's visit to the palace in September 2023, when the venue was closed to the public, has triggered major backlash from the ruling Democratic Party of Korea.

One of the accompanying officials testified before the National Assembly this week that she climbed the steps beside the podium and sat on the throne.

She walked up the steps beside the podium, helped by her guards, and sat on the throne, testified Chung Yong-seok, a former presidential aide.

You Hong June, the chief of the National Museum of Korea, during his testimony said he thought Ms Kim sitting on the throne was "wrong, as do all the people (in Korea)."

open image in gallery The Gwanghwamun Gate is seen as snow falls in Seoul on March 18, 2025. (Photo by Yasuyoshi CHIBA / AFP) (Photo by YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP via Getty Images) ( AFP via Getty Images )

Lee Ki Heon from the ruling party claimed Ms Kim used the side path, which is "reserved for the king". Another Democratic Party member quipped, "she must have dreamed of becoming a queen", according to the South China Morning Post.

Ms Kim was previously accused of violating South Korean heritage after it was revealed in September 2024 that she and her guests drank tea in a typically inaccessible section of Jongmyo, a shrine from the Joseon era.

South Korea opened a criminal trial against Ms Kim last month following her arrest on a range of charges, including stock manipulation and corruption.

The former president Yoon was removed from office in April over his ill-fated imposition of martial law and sent back to prison in August as he stands a high-stakes trial over rebellion and other charges.

Mr Yoon, a conservative, faces investigations into other criminal allegations that are not related to his 3 December martial law decree but target him, his wife and others.
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At least 14 children in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh have lost their eyesight after playing with a homemade Diwali toy  homemade carbide guns that experts have compared to a chemical bomb.

Over three days, more than 120 children have been hospitalised in the state with severe eye injuries, authorities said. 14 children have permanently lost their eyesight.

In another Indian state, Bihar in eastern India, at least 50 children have reportedly lost eyesight in the capital Patna alone, local media reports said.

In Madhya Pradesh, hospitals across Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, and Gwalior are struggling to cope with the influx of injured children, NDTV reported on Thursday.

Carbide guns are homemade devices, typically made from plastic or tin pipes, that use calcium carbide and water to create a chemical reaction, producing a loud, explosive blast. Experts note that although they may look like toys, these devices are extremely dangerous.

Costing just INR 150 to 200 (just over 1), these makeshift guns may resemble toys, but they detonate with lethal power

The Hamidia Hospital, a local hospital in Bhopal, alone admitted 26 young patients in just 72 hours after Diwali. Vidisha district has borne the brunt of the crisis, with local markets openly selling these devices.

At a meeting on 18 October, chief minister Mohan Yadav directed district magistrates and police across Madhya Pradesh to crack down on the sale of carbide guns. Despite these orders, the devices continued to be openly sold in local markets during the Diwali festivities.

A makeshift Diwali 'toy' has injured more than 120 children across central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh ( Jist/YouTube )

Children often peer into the barrel when the device fails to explode, a split-second mistake that can trigger a blast powerful enough to tear the retina and cause instant blindness.

Seventeen-year-old Neha, recovering at Hamidia Hospital in Bhopal, told NDTV: We bought a homemade carbide gun. When it exploded, one of my eyes burned completely. I cant see anything.

Police have arrested six people in Vidisha district for selling the devices. Local senior police official, RK Mishra, told reporters: Immediate action has been taken. Those responsible for selling or promoting these carbide guns will face legal consequences.

This isnt just a firecracker, its essentially a chemical bomb, Dr Hemlata Yadav, Head of Ophthalmology at Bhopal Memorial Hospital and Research Centre (BMHRC), was quoted as saying by local outlet Dainik Jagran.

The resulting chemical burn can damage the cornea, iris, and retina, often causing permanent vision loss through optic nerve injury and stem cell destruction, she said.

Breathing in acetylene gas  which is produced when calcium carbide is mixed with water  is even more dangerous, with potential effects including brain inflammation, hypoxia, headaches, dizziness, and long-term cognitive issues like memory loss, warns Dr Aditi Dubey, ophthalmologist at a Bhopal hospital.

This Diwali, we saw a specific type of injury caused by carbide bombs. In many cases, chemicals led to burns in one or both eyes. Around 2030 per cent of patients suffered severe damage and underwent surgery. Those with minor burns were treated and sent home. Future follow-ups will tell us how much benefit the surgery provided, she was quoted as saying by India Today.

Bhopals Chief Medical Health Officer Manish Sharma said: Carbide pipe guns are very dangerous. The 60 people injured by the use of these guns are still being treated in hospitals in the state capital. All are safe.

Meanwhile, families of the injured children have accused authorities of negligence, saying officials ignored earlier warnings about the illegal sale of carbide guns.

The parents of 14-year-old Hemant Panthi and 15-year-old Aris, both undergoing treatment at Hamidia Hospital, have called for an immediate ban on the device.

Sarikh Khan, father of one victim, Aris, said: Such guns should not be sold in the market in the first place. Strict action should be taken against those who manufacture and sell them. Compensation should be provided for the childrens medical expenses.

In Bihar, nearly 50 children have reportedly been rushed to emergency rooms with eye injuries linked to carbide guns, according to Dr Vibhuti Prasanna Sinha, Chief and Deputy Director of the Regional Eye Centre at IGIMS.

Due to a lack of consolidated data, the exact number remains uncertain, but we estimate between 150 and 200 people have suffered serious or partial injuries statewide, Dr Sinha said, according to local outlet Patna Press.

The surge in this Diwali craze appears to be fuelled by social media, particularly Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, several reports suggested.

Another victim, Raj Vishwakarma, whose age was not clear, admitted: I saw videos on social media and tried to make a firecracker gun at home. It exploded in my face... and I lost my eye.

Clips on YouTube Shorts tagged under the hashtag carbide gun have gone viral, featuring people firing carbide guns. Several creators can be seen explaining how to make one at home too.

Meanwhile, authorities in Madhya Pradesh have launched a crackdown following the spate of injuries related to the carbide gun. In the town of Berasia, officials confiscated 19 such devices, while senior administrative official Ravish Kumar Srivastava formed four investigation teams to monitor high-risk areas, including Govindpura, Jamburi Maidan, TIT, Karond Kalan, and Chhola.
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This article first appeared on our partner site, Independent Urdu

Pakistans navy has seized narcotics worth an estimated $1 billion (820 million) during a joint operation in the Arabian Sea, the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) said on Tuesday.

The CMF, a multinational naval partnership that includes the United States and the United Kingdom, said the Pakistan Navy ship PNS Yarmook intercepted two sailing vessels within 48 hours last week.

According to a CMF statement, Pakistani navy personnel confiscated several tonnes of crystal methamphetamine and a small quantity of cocaine. The statement, seen by Independent Urdu, also said the intercepted vessels were identified as having no nationality and did not disclose their point of origin.

open image in gallery Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) Yamama (274), working in direct support of Saudi-led Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), seized over USD $120 million worth of illicit narcotics from a vessel in the Arabian Sea, on 28 September ( Combined Maritime Forces )

Royal Saudi Naval Forces Commodore Fahad Aljoiad, commander of the CMF task force that carried out the operation, said: PNS Yarmook has had one of the most successful narcotics seizures for CMF.

US Central Command also lauded the operation in a post shared on X: U.S. Central Command congratulates the Saudi-led Combined Task Force 150 of Combined Maritime Forces for successfully seizing more than $972m worth of narcotics. Over a 48-hour period, Pakistan Navy Ship Yarmook conducted boarding operations of two dhows in the Arabian Sea.

According to the CMF website, the Pakistan Navy ship PNS Yamama 274, operating under CMFs Saudi-led command, earlier seized more than $120m (98m) worth of illegal narcotics from a vessel in the Arabian Sea on 28 September.

On a routine patrol, the crew recovered 155 kilograms of methamphetamine and 65 kilograms of cocaine during that operation.

Translated by Tooba Khokhar; reviewed by Celine Assaf
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Thai authorities dismissed reports that a missing Belarusian model was abducted and trafficked from Thailand to Myanmar, and said she left the country voluntarily.

Thai immigration authorities said Vera Kravtsova, who is feared to be dead according to local reports, entered Thailand on 12 September via the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok and departed on 20 September on a Thai Airways flight to Yangon in Myanmar.

A biometric check verified it was the same person, disproving claims that she had been abducted, the local Thai outlet MGR Online reported.

open image in gallery Vera Kravtsova, 26, has been missing since 4 October ( @vera_kravth/Instagram )

The case gained international attention after several media outlets reported that the 26-year-old Belarusian model had been abducted and taken to Myanmar before being extorted for money.

CCTV footage shows she was not under any coercion, and immigration records confirm she used the self-service ABC (automated border control) gate, said police major general Cherngron Rimphadee, a spokesperson for the Immigration Bureau.

The reported brutal incidents happened after the model flew to Myanmar, he added. Thai police do not know what happened there as it is outside our authority.

Last week, Belarusian ambassador to Myanmar, Vladimir Borovikov, urged the public not to believe the rumours about Ms Kravtsova in tabloids. He called the reports of her murder in the media irresponsible.

We can only regret the immoral and irresponsible behaviour of individuals spreading false and unchecked information, which only increases the suffering of the relatives, he was quoted as saying by the Belarusian Telegraph Agency.

open image in gallery Thai authorities have rejected reports claiming she was abducted from Thailand and taken to Myanmar ( @vera_kravth/Instagram )

The ambassador confirmed that Ms Kravtsova travelled from Bangkok to Yangon on 20 September and said the Belarusian embassy was using official channels to determine her location.

He added that her family last heard from her on 4 October.

The reports of her alleged murder gained traction after Russias Komsomolskaya Pravda reported that a document purportedly issued by Myanmar authorities stated that she died of a heart attack and was cremated on 16 October.

However, the authenticity of the document has not been independently confirmed. Tabloids claimed she had travelled to Thailand in search of work but was abducted and sold into forced labour at a Myanmar scam centre.

Foreign media outlets, including the Daily Mail on 17 October, reported that the model flew to Bangkok last month after receiving a message about a part-time modelling opportunity and attended an interview there.

Another tabloid reported: She flew to Bangkok for a job interview, but instead of working on the runway, she was taken to Myanmar and turned into a slave.

Her duties included being beautiful, serving her masters, and scamming rich people, The Sun reported, citing Mash outlet.

According to the Nation Thailand, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is monitoring global reactions following the reports on the alleged death of Ms Kravtsova.

TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool reportedly expressed concern that online speculation could damage international confidence in Thailands tourism safety. She has, the outlet reported, instructed the TAT Moscow Office to swiftly evaluate the situation, track social media discussions, and submit regular reports on developments.

Meanwhile, the agency urged travellers to stay alert and avoid interacting with strangers abroad, and contact local authorities or their embassy immediately if they sense any threat.

The Belarusian ministry of foreign affairs reportedly confirmed that it will offer full diplomatic support to her family to facilitate the repatriation of her remains.

Myanmars scam centres, particularly along the Thai border, have rapidly expanded since the 2021 military coup, with compounds like KK Park operating as heavily fortified hubs for transnational online fraud.

Controlled by crime syndicates and allegedly tacitly supported by the military, these complexes use trafficked workers from across Asia and Africa, forcing them to run scams under threats of torture and violence, The Guardian reported last month.

Facilities include luxury housing for managers, on-site hospitals, banks, and internet access via satellites like Starlink, enabling operations despite Thai border restrictions. While some 7,000 victims have been rescued, estimates suggest up to 100,000 remain trapped, enduring brutal conditions, making these centres a major human trafficking and organised crime crisis intertwined with Myanmars conflict economy.
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SpaceX says it has cut internet access to more than 2,500 Starlink terminals used by online scam operations in Myanmar, following reports that the companys satellite network had become a crucial lifeline for the billion-dollar industry.

Lauren Dreyer, SpaceXs vice-president for Starlink business operations, said on X that the company had disabled over 2,500 Starlink kits in the vicinity of suspected scam centres in Myanmar.

We are committed to ensuring the service remains a force for good and sustains trust worldwide  both connecting the unconnected and detecting and preventing misuse by bad actors, Ms Dreyer said.

The crackdown follows the Myanmar militarys raid this week on KK Park, one of the countrys most notorious scam compounds. The junta said more than 2,000 workers were released and around 30 Starlink terminals seized.

An earlier investigation by AFP news agency revealed a surge in the use of Starlink receivers across sprawling compounds along Myanmars border with Thailand, where criminal networks run online fraud schemes targeting victims worldwide.

Footage reported by BBC showed crowds of people leaving the KK Park compound on foot after the raid.

Witnesses told AFP that soldiers had arrived in military trucks on Wednesday morning, prompting chaotic evacuations.

The centres, run largely by Chinese crime syndicates, are known for forcing trafficked workers to run online romance and investment scams. Survivors have reported being beaten, tortured or held captive for failing to meet targets.

Such scam networks have become more widespread in Myanmars wartime economy, where the military has been fighting an array of rebel groups since seizing power.

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime estimated the cyber-fraud industry in Southeast Asia defrauded victims of up to $37bn in 2023.

SpaceXs Starlink network had previously been unregistered among Myanmars internet providers, but by July had become the countrys most active network, according to regional internet registry APNIC.

Myanmars military government has faced pressure from China, its main ally, to rein in scam compounds that target large numbers of Chinese citizens.

But analyst Nathan Ruser of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute told AFP the junta was attempting a balancing act, taking limited action to appease Beijing while protecting militias that profit from the operations.

While KK Parks lights were reported to be off by Wednesday night, observers said many similar centres remain active along the ThaiMyanmar border.
If you live with your partner, you might assume your assets will automatically go to them if you die. But think again.

Under intestacy laws, cohabitees have no right to inherit  and looming inheritance tax (IHT) changes could leave grieving families with even bigger bills.

One survey by national will-writing campaign Will Aid found that most cohabiting couples are in the dark about inheritance rules, with many at risk of being cut out of their partners estate entirely.

A will is a legal document that specifies how a person's property, money, and possessions should be distributed after their death.

If you die without a valid will, it is known as dying intestate. When this happens, your assets will be distributed according to the rules of intestacy.

What are the rules of intestacy?

The Will Aid survey found that 68 per cent of cohabitees dont understand the rules of intestacy. Under these rules, unmarried partners  even those who have lived as a couple for years or have children together  are not automatically entitled to inherit.

The survey found that 25 per cent of cohabitees mistakenly believed their estate would automatically go to their partner when they died - and 17 per cent acknowledged they had never even thought about it.

Trusha Velji, solicitor at Touch Solicitors, warned: Many people assume that after living together for a period of time, they automatically become common law husband and wife, but this is not the case.

The concept of 'common law marriage' ceased to exist a very long time ago.

Who will inherit?

If you die intestate, and are not married or in civil partnership, any children you have will inherit everything.

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If youre unmarried and childfree, your estate typically passes to your parents or siblings. If they have passed away, it will pass to your siblings children.

open image in gallery ( Getty Images )

These rules mean that unmarried or cohabiting partners should make a will if they want their partner to inherit from them.

If you are cohabiting as a couple, the law does not recognise you as spouses, even if you have children together and have lived together for many years, says Velji, Therefore, if you do not have a will, the rules of intestacy will apply and your partner will be completely disregarded."

What is the IHT spousal exemption?

Those living together should also consider their tax position when planning for the future. Leaving assets to an unmarried partner in your will doesnt mean they will benefit from the same IHT exemptions married couples enjoy.

The IHT threshold (also called the nil-rate band) is the amount of an estate you can pass on before IHT is charged. The standard IHT threshold is 325,000 per person (for the 2025/26 tax year). Estates above this amount are taxed at 40 per cent on the portion exceeding the threshold.

Assets left to a spouse or civil partner are usually exempt from IHT, and any unused portion of their threshold can be transferred to the surviving partner, effectively doubling the threshold to 650,000 for a couple.

If the family home is left to direct descendants (such as children or grandchildren), there is an additional threshold of up to 175,000 per person, bringing the potential total to 500,000 per person (1m per couple).

But unlike married couples or civil partners, cohabitees dont benefit from the IHT spousal exemption. This means any inheritance left to them may be subject to IHT if the estate exceeds the tax-free threshold.

New pension IHT rules

The financial risk of cohabiting is set to rise from April 2027. In the Autumn Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that the rules about pensions and IHT will change from this date.

open image in gallery The Chancellor unveiled up to 400 million in funding for the Oxford-Cambridge corridor (PA) ( PA Wire )

Currently, defined contribution pensions, where you build up a pot of money to give you an income when you retire, dont normally form part of your estate and so are not subject to IHT. But from April 2027, pension savings will count towards a persons estate for IHT purposes.

Calculations from wealth manager Quilter show if a working-age legally-single homeowner in England with an average-priced home (290,395) and a pension pot of 415,000 died, their beneficiaries would pay 82,158 in IHT from 2027. Under current rules, they would pay nothing.

Many cohabiting couples own property jointly as joint tenants. In this situation, only half the value of the property would count toward the estate. Even then, the family in the above example would face an IHT bill of 24,079.

Jon Greer, head of retirement policy at Quilter, said: Charging inheritance tax on a pension someone could not access is optically terrible for the government. It is even more unjust for cohabiting families, who have no spousal relief or transferable allowances. Policymakers should consider carve-outs or transitional reliefs for working-age deaths, particularly when young children are involved. Without change, this policy risks compounding the emotional toll of bereavement with a financial hit.

How to write a will

You can write a will through a solicitor or an online will-writing service.

Alternatively, Will Aid is an annual fundraising campaign where participating solicitors offer to write a basic will in exchange for a voluntary donation to one of the campaign's eight partner charities which include Age UK, NSPCC, Shelter, and Crisis.

Peter de Vena Franks, Will Aid campaign director, said: Its a chance for unmarried and cohabiting couples to ensure their wishes are clearly documented. Without a will, surviving partners are left vulnerable. Will Aid gives peace of mind that loved ones are protected.

When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested. Past performance doesnt guarantee future results.
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Nigeria's military killed more than 50 Boko Haram militants in response to drone attacks on military bases in the country's northeast, the army said Thursday.

Army spokesperson Sani Uba said in a statement that militants launched simultaneous attacks on military bases in Borno and Yobe states early Thursday. It added that a combination of ground and air assaults enabled the military to defeat the militants who launched their attacks from northern Cameroon and Katarko, a village located in Yobe State.

The spokesperson said that ground troops, backed by the Air Component, are still pursuing more than 70 wounded militants in close coordination.

Last month, Boko Haram militants killed at least 60 people in a nighttime attack on Darul Jamal, a village in northeastern Nigeria.

Boko Haram, Nigerias homegrown jihadis, took up arms in 2009 to fight Western education and impose their radical version of Islamic law or Sharia.

The decade-long conflict has spilled into Nigerias northern neighbors, including Niger, and resulted in the death of around 35,000 civilians and the displacement of more than 2 million others, according to the United Nations.

The insurgent group split into two factions after the death of the groups longtime leader, Abubakar Shekau, in 2021.

One faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province, is backed by the Islamic State group and has become notorious for targeting military positions.

Recently, the U.S. approved a potential $346 million weapons sale to improve security in Africas most populous country.

____

APs Africa coverage at: https://apnews.com/hub/africa
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The US has this week imposed new sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, Russias two largest petroleum-producing companies.

After efforts to negotiate an end to Vladimir Putins war on Ukraine appeared to come to a standstill, the Trump administration made the move in a bid to increase pressure on Russias energy sector and degrade the Kremlins ability to raise revenue for its war machine and support its weakened economy.

So how much impact could the move have, and what are the implications for countries who rely on Russia to supply their oil?

open image in gallery Protesters hold a vigil in Brussels in March 2022 against the purchase of Russian oil. Campaigners have been calling on EU leaders to impose a full ban on Russian fuels since the start of the war ( AFP via Getty )

Who buys oil from Russia?

China, India and Turkey are the biggest recipients of Russian oil that used to go to the European Union. The EUs decision to boycott most Russian seaborne oil from January 2023 led to a massive shift in crude flows from Europe to Asia.

Since then, China has been the No 1 overall consumer of Russian energy, having purchased some $219.5bn (164bn) worth of Russian oil, gas and coal, followed by India ($133.4bn/100bn) and Turkey ($90.3bn/67.7bn).

Up to 20 per cent of Chinas crude oil imports come from Russia, Bloomberg reports, with data analytics firm Kpler suggesting that a quarter of that comes from Rosneft and Lukoil.

Last year, China reportedly bought 100 million tonnes of Russia crude, and last month alone it imported around 2 million barrels per day.

open image in gallery Donald Trump has imposed sanctions on Russian oil amid frustration with Vladimir Putin ( Getty )

India is another country that makes significant purchases of Russian oil, having imported relatively little before the invasion of Ukraine. Now it imports around 1.6 million barrels a day.

Turkey is also a relatively big customer, while other purchasers include the EU, Myanmar and Azerbaijan, but its the deals with India and China that have the most outsized financial impact.

Analysis undertaken by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) showed the EU purchasing larger volumes of LNG and pipeline gas, while Turkey bought more oil products.

CREA analysis found that China and India had bought 85 per cent of all Russian crude oil exports in September.

Will the UK be affected?

The import, acquisition, and supply of Russian oil and oil products was banned by the UK in December 2022. However, the Treasury committee heard from experts in 2024 that Russian oil is still ending up in the UK despite sanctions, thanks to a loophole.

As long as Russian oil is refined in another country, such as India, it can avoid the ban.

Richard Bronze, head of geopolitics at Energy Aspects, told MPs that he estimated refined Russian oil to account for well below 5 per cent of the UKs oil imports.

The UK joined the US in sanctioning Rosneft and Lukoil earlier this week.

What financial impact will the sanctions have?

As for how much of a hit Russia will take as a result of the new measures, the financial pinch may not be immediate.

The sanctions state that trade relations with the two Russian companies must be exited or closed by 21 November, giving India and China time to make alternative arrangements  and of course theres the prospect that Russia will re-engage with talks during that time, in a bid to have the sanctions lifted.

However, CREA analysis showedthat Russias total revenue from fossil fuels in September was 546m (474m) per day. The report also states that, if the $47.60 per barrel price cap had been fully enforced, that revenue would have been 1.53bn (1.15bn) lower in September 2025 alone.

The most immediate impact has been a change in the price of oil. Markets typically do not like uncertainty, and the sanctions themselves were unexpected, so a quick upturn is not unusual in such circumstances.

open image in gallery A facility belonging to the Russian state-controlled oil giant OAO Rosneft, at Priobskoye oil field near Nefteyugansk, western Siberia. The state-owned company is one of two sanctioned by Trump ( AP )

Oil markets have spiked higher after news emerged that the US was putting Russias major oil producers under sanctions due to the Kremlins failure to move toward peace in Ukraine, said Steve Clayton, head of equity funds at Hargreaves Lansdown.

Brent crude has climbed 4 per cent to almost $65 per barrel on the news, marking a dramatic recovery from recent weakness in crude markets. Americas new stance is in stark contrast to recent messaging from the White House and took markets by surprise.

The effectiveness of the sanctions is yet to be proven, but President Trump has said that the Indian PM Narendra Modi has assured him that India will cease Russian oil purchases.

For some context, Brent crude rose to around $77 earlier in the summer, when there were fears that Iran could entirely close the Strait of Hormuz.

How big are Rosneft and Lukoil?

The two organisations together represent about $105bn (80bn) combined in market capitalisation  an accepted measure of the worth of a company  which is almost equally split, with Rosnefts share being slightly larger. For comparison, London-listed energy firm BP is worth around 66bn.

Russia exports about 4 million barrels of oil a day, and Rosneft and Lukoil account for around half of that figure. Rosneft alone is responsible for roughly 6 per cent of global oil production.
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Scientists have discovered problems with the brain's ability to clear toxins, which they suggest could be why poor sleep and high blood pressure increase the risk of dementia.

In a healthy brain, the glymphatic system clears out poisons and waste. It flushes cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)  the clear liquid that cushions the brain  through the brain along tiny channels around blood vessels. This fluid collects toxins and drains them out of the brain, keeping it clean and healthy.

But if this process does not work properly, it could increase the risk of dementia later in life. Reduced sleep and cardiovascular problems affect how well the glymphatic system works, according to a study led by researchers at the University of Cambridge.

First author Hui Hong said: We already have evidence that small vessel disease in the brain accelerates diseases like Alzheimer's, and now we have a likely explanation why.

Disruption to the glymphatic system is likely to impair our ability to clear the brain of the amyloid and tau that causes Alzheimer's disease.

Researchers used MRI scans to study the glymphatic system and how it is linked to dementia ( Getty/iStock )

Alzheimers disease, the most common type of dementia, is linked to the build-up of the proteins amyloid and tau in the brain. In Alzheimer's, amyloid sticks and forms plaques in the brain, eventually causing brain cells to die, while tau tangles inside the brains neurons  both leading to the onset of dementia symptoms.

Another common form of dementia is vascular dementia, which is caused by reduced blood flow to the brain and affects about 180,000 people in the UK, according to the NHS.

Researchers wanted to see whether cerebral small vessel disease and other cardiovascular risk factors damage the glymphatic system  and whether this in turn increases the risk of dementia.

The study, published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, used AI to analyse MRI scans from around 40,000 adults in the UK Biobank.

Analysis revealed several risk factors that predicted dementia, including how well CSF flowed into the brain.

Further analysis showed that several cardiovascular risk factors impaired glymphatic function and, as a result, increased dementia risk. This was partly caused by cerebral small vessel disease, which is visible in the MRI scans.

Researchers suggested several ways of reducing dementia risk. One is to improve sleep.

That is because sleep plays an important role in glymphatic function, and the study authors suggested that disrupted sleep patterns impair the brain's ability to clear toxins and waste.

Another approach is to treat vascular problems, such as high blood pressure, which has been shown to increase the risk of small vessel disease and vascular dementia.

Professor Markus, who leads the stroke research group at the University of Cambridge, said: At least a quarter of all dementia risk is accounted for by common risk factors like blood pressure and smoking.

If these impair glymphatic function, then we can intervene. Treating high blood pressure or encouraging people to stop smoking would be an achievable way to help the glymphatic system work better.

There are currently estimated to be 982,000 people with dementia in the UK, but more than a third of people with the condition do not have a diagnosis.
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Police chiefs will be scrutinised in a once-in-a-generation review of how forces are led, the government has announced, after a string of scandals damaged public trust.

Former home secretary Lord David Blunkett, who has been appointed to chair the review, has said evidence is mounting that policing culture must change. His team will publish a major White Paper on police reform later this year.

The announcement of the Police Leadership Commission comes after policing has been mired in controversy in recent years, including a recent undercover investigation which captured Metropolitan Police officers at Charing Cross police station calling for immigrants to be shot.

Damning footage raised fresh questions about culture and standards at Britains biggest police force after officers were also filmed making sexualised comments, appearing to dismiss a rape complaint and bragging about the use of force on detainees.

Police corruption and standards have been under the spotlight since serving Met officer Wayne Couzens used his warrant card to abduct, rape and murder Sarah Everard, 33, in 2021.

open image in gallery Sarah Everard was abducted and murdered by a serving police officer ( PA Media )

A damning inquiry last year found there was nothing to stop another Couzens from hiding in plain sight in police ranks, warning he should never have been cleared to become an officer. Lady Elish Angiolinis inquiry called for a radical overhaul of police vetting and recruitment after finding repeated failures to spot red flags.

The latest annual assessment by His Majestys Chief Inspector of Constabulary Sir Andy Cooke on the efficiency and effectiveness of policing underlined the importance of good leadership, while a series of damaging recent incidents has undermined public confidence.

The new commission, set up by the College of Policing with the support of the Home Office, will establish a blueprint for police leadership to increase trust and tackle a high turnover of police constables.

It comes after former Northamptonshire Police chief constable Nick Adderley was yesterday charged with fraud and misconduct in public officer after allegedly lying about his military service. He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on 10 November.

Lord Blunkett said: When communities believe police actions are fair and just, policing works. When that trust erodes, the entire system is at risk.

Public institutions globally are facing declining trust and policing is not immune. The evidence is mounting that the culture must change.

Digital crime grows more sophisticated by the day and violence against women and girls persists at alarming levels.

These challenges demand exceptional leadership at every level and the Police Leadership Commission will examine what policing requires to ensure the service is equal to the demands of the future.

It has never been more important to ensure that we can recruit, train and retain exceptional police leaders at all levels.

The Commission will aim to offer a blueprint for police leadership that helps to ensure this vital public service is equal to the demands of the future, cuts crime and keeps the public safe.

open image in gallery Crime and policing minister Sarah Jones said when standards slip, confidence in the police falls ( Home Office/PA Wire )

Members of the commission also include former New York City Police chief Bill Bratton and the Commandant of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Major General Nick Cowley.

They will also examine the current entry routes into policing and consider potential alternative models to attract, fast-track and develop talent. It will also review the impact of police reforms to date and consider the balance between national and local programmes.

Policing minister Sarah Jones added: Leaders at every level of policing shape the culture of their workforces. They set the expectations that all officers and staff follow  when standards slip, confidence in the police falls.

As we embark on our ambitious plan to reform policing, we will ensure that forces have the leadership they need to fight crime, protect communities and make people safe. This review will be vital to that.
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A Bloody Sunday paratrooper has been found not guilty of committing two murders and five attempted murders in Derry in 1972.

Delivering his judgment at Belfast Crown Court on Thursday, Judge Patrick Lynch said the evidence presented against the veteran  referred to in court as Soldier F  fell well short of what was required for conviction.

Soldier F had been accused of the murders of James Wray and William McKinney on Bloody Sunday, regarded as one of the darkest days of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. The veteran had also been accused of attempting to murder Michael Quinn, Patrick ODonnell, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon and an unknown person.

Thirteen people were killed when members of the Parachute Regiment opened fire on a civil rights demonstration in the city.

The non-jury trial heard evidence across four weeks, which included statements by two of Soldier Fs colleagues.

open image in gallery Families of James Wray and William McKinney, who were shot dead during the events of Bloody Sunday, arrive at Belfast Crown Court ( PA )

Soldier F was present at Belfast Crown Court for each day of the trial, concealed behind a curtain in the courtroom. Relatives of the men killed and supporters of Soldier F also attended each day of the trial.

In his judgment, Judge Lynch said there was no concept of collective guilt in the courts.

He said the crown had failed to establish that Soldier F was knowingly and intentionally assisting in the shootings, with intent to kill, or was shooting himself with that intention.

He said the sole evidence against Soldier F was provided by two other veterans, Soldiers G and H, and that there were difficulties in relying on it.

The judge said: Their statements, the sole and decisive evidence, cannot be tested in a way that witnesses giving evidence from the witness box would be. Delay has, in my view, seriously hampered the capacity of the defence to test the veracity and accuracy of the hearsay statements.

open image in gallery Supporters of Soldier F outside Belfast Crown Court ( PA )

Judge Lynch told Belfast Crown Court that on Bloody Sunday a number of members of the Parachute Regiment entered Glenfada Park North in Derry and started firing at unarmed civilians at a distance of 50 metres or less.

He said this had resulted in two murders and a number of people being unlawfully wounded.

The judge said: They had totally lost all sense of military discipline. They were members of a regiment formed in 1942 at the behest of prime minister [Winston] Churchill, and had a proud record in World War Two.

He added: Those who fought valiantly against SS Panzer divisions in 1944 have had their regiment sullied by some of their successors shooting in the back unarmed civilians fleeing from them on the streets of a British city.

Those responsible should hang their heads in shame.

In the packed public gallery at Court 12, gathered relatives of the Bloody Sunday victims gave no visible or audible response as Soldier F was found not guilty on all counts. There was also no reaction from those in the public gallery supporting the former paratrooper.

The family of one of the men killed vowed to fight on. McKinney's brother Mickey said outside court: The families and wounded and our supporters leave this courthouse with an incredible sense of pride in our achievements. The blame lies firmly with the British state, with the RUC who failed to investigate the murders on Bloody Sunday properly, or indeed at all; and with the British army who shielded and enabled its soldiers to continue to murder with impunity.

Ciaran Shiels, a solicitor who represents some of the Bloody Sunday families, said there was no right of appeal in the case but they were waiting for a review from the Public Prosecution Service in relation to alleged perjury by former soldier known as Soldier H at the Saville Inquiry, and said they would push for a prosecution without further delay.
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Britain and Germany will join forces to hunt down Russian submarines.

The Royal Air Force (RAF) and Deutsche Marine aircraft will jointly conduct defensive patrols for Russian submarines, working side by side from RAF Lossiemouth, defending Natos eastern and northern flanks.

British and German forces will also ramp up their cyber and military co-operation in a bid to strengthen Natos security.

Defence secretary John Healey and his German counterpart, Boris Pistorius, will join an operational flight on one of the RAF Poseidon P-8A maritime patrol aircraft on Thursday at RAF Lossiemouth.

The P-8A can detect, identify, track and defend against hostile ships and submarines.

The flight will mark one year since the landmark signing of the Trinity House Agreement on Defence.

The new fifth Trinity House Lighthouse project will allow the UKs new Cyber and Specialist Operations Command and the German Cyber and Information Domain Service to work more closely than before, allowing them to share data, intelligence and operational tools securely with each other and Nato allies.

This includes the development of a secure cloud network, a digital system that allows the sharing of information in real time while defending against cyberattacks.

open image in gallery An RAF P8 Poseidon aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth shadows a Russian destroyer ship as it sails through the English Channel in March ( PA )

The UK and Germany are also working harder to protect Natos logistics and transport networks from cyberattacks.

In the coming months, one of the Deutsche Marines P-8As will visit Lossiemouth for the first time ahead of future joint activity side-by-side with the RAF in the North Atlantic to help defend against Russia.

Since the launch of the Trinity House Agreement last year, German companies have committed to invest 800m in the UK defence industry, creating 600 jobs across the UK.

This includes a new Rheinmetall factory in Telford, which will see the UK manufacture artillery gun barrels for the first time in a decade, using British steel produced by Sheffield Forgemasters and creating hundreds of jobs.

Three other German defence companies have announced plans to invest in the UK defence industry, including Helsing, ARX Robotics and Stark.

open image in gallery Defence secretary John Healey pictured ahead of a cabinet meeting earlier this month ( AFP/Getty )

The three companies will produce maritime glider drones, backed by 350m of investment in artificial intelligence, as well as unmanned drones, backed by 45m in investment and 190 new jobs.

Mr Healey said: A year on from the Trinity House Agreement, the UK and Germany are working closer than ever to keep our two countries and Europe safe.

Together were strengthening Nato, boosting our cyber defences, and ensuring our armed forces can operate side by side with ease  from patrolling the skies over Scotland to hunting Russian subs in the North Atlantic.

This partnership is a cornerstone of European security, demonstrating unity and strength to our adversaries, and keeping us secure at home and strong abroad.
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The King has become the first British monarch to pray at a public service with the Pope since the Reformation five centuries ago, marking an extraordinary moment in religious history.

Charles, Supreme Governor of the Church of England, prayed with Pope Leo XIV, head of the Catholic Church, during an ecumenical service in the famous Sistine Chapel on Thursday, in a symbolic moment of unity for Anglicans and Roman Catholics across the globe.

At the end of the short service, Pope Leo said: Let us pray. God our Father, you have created the heavens and the earth and made us in your own image: teach us to see your hand in all your works and your likeness in all your children. Through Christ our Lord.

open image in gallery (left to right) Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, Pope Leo XIV, King Charles III and Queen Camilla attending an ecumenical service at the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City ( PA )

Charles and Camilla, making a two-day state visit to the Vatican, sat together a few metres from the Pontiff at the front of the congregation that featured ranks of cardinals, who all stood at the end of the prayer and said: Amen.

Immediately afterwards, in another moment of church unity, Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York, who was also officiating during the service, said with Pope Leo another prayer. The two senior clerics said: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. And again the congregation said: Amen.

open image in gallery King Charles and Queen Camilla leave following a service at the Basilica of St Paul's Outside the Walls ( REUTERS )

The intervening centuries since Henry VIII broke with Rome to establish the Church of England in the 16th century had been marked by mutual distrust between the English state and the papacy. But the ecumenical movement, a drive towards worldwide Christian unity which began early in the 20th century, has seen Anglicans and Roman Catholics working towards this goal of togetherness.

The Foreign Secretary normally travels with the monarch on state visits, and Yvette Cooper gave a reading from the Letter to the Romans. Like the Queen, Ms Cooper was dressed in black  traditional attire for women when meeting the Pope.

The visit to the Holy See, the government of the Roman Catholic Church in the Vatican, is understood to be deeply significant for the King personally and celebrates the Papal Jubilee held every 25 years. It also marks the first time the monarch has met with Pope Leo since he was elected to office in May.

open image in gallery Pope Leo XIV meets with King Charles and Queen Camilla during a private audience at the Vatican on Thursday ( Vatican Media )

Earlier, the King and Queens state limousine swept through St Peters Square on Thursday morning, where crowds traditionally gather to see the Pope, and made their way to San Damaso Courtyard, the ceremonial entrance to the Apostolic Palace, the pontiffs official residence.

Waiting to greet them was Reverend Monsignor Leonardo Sapienza, Regent of the Prefecture of the Papal Household, and a guard of honour provided by the Vaticans famous Swiss Guard. Drawn from Swiss citizens who are Catholic, the guard has been providing protection for the head of the Catholic Church for centuries.

The royal couple stood as the national anthems of Britain and the Vatican City were played. They also met a group of Papal Gentlemen.

open image in gallery The state visit marks the first time the monarch has met with Pope Leo since he was elected to office in May ( Vatican Media )

After the ceremonial welcome, the King and Queen were led by Monsignor Sapienza into the Apostolic Palace to meet privately with Pope Leo.

When Charles first greeted Leo, he told him: Your holiness, its such a pleasure to meet you, if I may say so, and after introducing his wife, added: So kind to see me.

In the Popes library, there was an exchange of gifts, laid out on a table with Charles presenting his host a photograph of himself with his wife and an icon of St Edward the Confessor, while the Pope gave a scale version of the mosaic of Christ Pantocrator, in the Norman Cathedral of Cefalu, in Sicily.

open image in gallery King Charles and Queen Camilla meet members of the public outside the Papal Basilica and Abbey of St Paul's Outside the Wall after a service in Rome ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images )

Charles also had solo talks with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vaticans Secretary of State, with the Vatican saying afterwards: Matters of common interest were discussed, such as environmental protection and the fight against poverty. Particular attention was given to the shared commitment to promoting peace and security in the face of global challenges.

Finally, recalling the history of the Church in the United Kingdom, there was a shared reflection on the need to continue promoting ecumenical dialogue.

Later in the day, the King and Queen attended a service at the Basilica of St Pauls Outside the Walls, where a special seat has been created for Charles, which will remain at the place of worship for use by his successors.

open image in gallery The Vaticans famous Swiss Guard, who have been providing protection for the head of the Catholic Church for centuries, were seen waiting outside the Popes official residence on Thursday morning, before the royal couple arrived ( REUTERS )

Charles was also recognised for the British monarchys historic association with the basilica, the seat of a Benedictine Abbey, and was made Royal Confrater of the abbey as, in centuries past, monarchs provided for the upkeep of the tomb of St Paul at the basilica.

The state visit will end with the King attending a reception at the Pontifical Beda College, a seminary training priests from across the Commonwealth, and the Queen will meet six Catholic sisters from the International Union of Superiors General.

open image in gallery King Charles sits in a specially created seat displaying his Coat of Arms, which was given as a gift in honour of becoming Royal Confrater of the Abbey, during his visit to the Papal Basilica and Abbey of St Paul's Outside the Walls in Rome ( PA )

The King and Queen were due to make the state visit to the Holy See in April, but the health problems of Pope Francis meant the trip was postponed, although the couple did privately meet the pontiff, who died later that month.

The King has also met two of Pope Leos predecessors  Pope Benedict XVI and Pope John Paul II.
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Two people have died and five more were injured after a fire broke out in a Glasgow block of flats.

Emergency services were called to the blaze at around 10.20pm on Monday, where both a man and a woman were pronounced dead at the scene. Police Scotland said the next of kin had been notified.

Police said five other people were taken to the hospital for the effects of smoke inhalation, and a further person was treated and discharged at the property.

The cause of the fire has not been revealed. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: The fire is not believed to be suspicious, and no criminality has been established.

Nine fire engines and a height appliance arrived at the property after receiving reports at 10.13pm, alerting them to a fire on the first floor of a flat.

open image in gallery Nine fire engines and five ambulances were dispatched ( PA Archive )

Andy Kenna, Scottish Fire and Rescue Services local senior officer, said: All properties were evacuated, and firefighters rescued a number of residents from the building. Multiple casualties were taken into the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service.

Sadly, two people were found to have passed away at the scene. Our thoughts very much remain with their friends, family, and wider community at this sad time.

Mr Kenna said crews worked to extinguish the fire and prevent further spread to other properties and did not leave the scene until 4.53pm on Tuesday, when there was no longer a risk.

Scottish Ambulance Services said five ambulances, a paramedic response unit and two trauma teams were also dispatched. Two patients were taken to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and three patients were taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary to be treated for smoke inhalation.
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France may reverse its pledge to forcefully turn back small boats in the Channel, according to reports, in a blow to Sir Keir Starmers plan to stem the number of migrants arriving in the UK.

France is backing away from the commitment amid political turmoil in the French government, according to sources who have spoken to the BBC.

Then-home secretary Yvette Cooper said in April that she had persuaded France to change its rules, with the French agreeing to intervene once migrants are in the water to stop the crossings.

Previously, French police had not taken active steps against migrants once they were in the water due to the danger to life. Ms Cooper promised in April that the changes would come in over the next few months, and French police officers were filmed by media in July wading into shallow waters and using knives to slash an inflatable small boat.

Now sources have told the BBC that the plan to intercept the dinghies has halted. One figure linked to French maritime security said it was just a political stunt.

open image in gallery Migrants try to board smugglers boats in an attempt to cross the English Channel off the beach of Gravelines, northern France, in September ( AFP via Getty )

The maritime prefecture for the Channel also said that the new plan was still being studied.

The plan was agreed when Yvette Cooper was home secretary and Bruno Retailleau was the French interior minister. Both are no longer in post, with Ms Cooper moved to the Foreign Office and Mr Retailleau, of the conservative Republicans Party, leaving government when Sebastien Lecornu was made French prime minister.

A spokesperson at French charity Utopia 56, which supports refugees waiting to make the perilous crossing to the UK, told The Independent that they had not seen police introducing new tactics.

But they added: However, the police presence is still really important and there is often use of violence. They dont hesitate to sometimes walk in the water to cut the boat  something they have been doing since 2022. There is also the complete abandonment of people in distress afterwards.

open image in gallery A French Maritime Gendarmerie vessel sails near smugglers boats with migrants onboard as they attempt to cross the English Channel ( AFP via Getty )

French police have used pushback tactics in their overseas territories for several years, with people reportedly dying or disappearing at sea after collisions between migrant boats and police.

French border police boats have been videoed pursuing migrant dinghies off the Indian Ocean island of Mayotte.

A report published on Thursday by the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration (ICIBI) found that the UKs border force maritime command was so understaffed that it was unable to crew all of the vessels in its fleet. The inspector found that the border force was struggling to recruit new staff and that the workforce was ageing, with nearly half aged over 50.

Union representatives had raised concerns about the culture within the maritime command, with allegations of bullying and sexual harassment.

There was also evidence that yachts and fishing boats are being used by migrants to enter the UK, but the border force did not collect comprehensive data on clandestine arrivals, the report found.

An Iraqi national was sentenced on Wednesday for breaching immigration laws by arriving on a yacht from France. The 26-foot yacht he was on was intercepted off the coast of Brixham in south west England.

The news comes after a migrant who was sent back to France under the one in, one out scheme returned to the UK after crossing the Channel on a small boat.

The government has pledged to send the man back, with childrens minister Josh MacAlister saying people would be sent back again and again if they return.

A Home Office spokesperson said: We will do whatever it takes to secure our borders and stop migrants entering the country on small boats.

France is a critical partner in tackling illegal migration, and we continue to work closely together as they review their maritime doctrine, which will allow officers to intervene in shallow waters. We want to see the earliest possible deployment of these new tactics.

And thanks to our landmark deal with the French, people crossing in small boats can now be detained and removed.
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Britains flagship home insulation programme has received a damning verdict from the National Audit Office. Under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme, tens of thousands of households have been left with faulty or even dangerous installations. Its a result, the auditors say, of weak oversight, poor skills and confused accountability.

This report is troubling not only because of the human cost but because it exposes a deeper failure of governance in how the UK tries to decarbonise home heating. Its a complex task that demands long-term stewardship, but is instead being left to the market.

The ECO was designed to make energy suppliers help households cut emissions and bills. Suppliers are the companies that buy electricity or gas from generators and sell it to you  the company named on your bills is your supplier. In theory, the ECO means these suppliers meet government-set carbon or energy saving targets by funding insulation and heating upgrades for households, with regulators checking that installations qualify.

The ECO was preceded by two other schemes that operated on the same principle. For years, they worked reasonably well for simple and low-cost measures like loft or cavity wall insulation. But in 2013, the ECO was launched and expanded to cover more complex and expensive retrofits like solid wall insulation  an unprecedented shift.

So what went wrong?

The National Audit Offices latest findings confirm fears that this was an approach set up to fail. Many installations require major remediation, and some pose immediate health risks. The problems are familiar: an under-skilled workforce, uncertified installers, weak regulation and oversight.

Individually, these problems could be fixed. The government could improve installer training, tighten audits and crack down on fraud. But together, they reveal a deeper problem: a misplaced belief that market-based tools can deliver foundational change.

Auditors say the failures occurred due to weak oversight, poor skills and confused accountability ( Getty/iStock )

Energy efficiency obligations such as ECO work well for standardised, low-risk actions, like swapping bulbs or improving boilers. But, as we warned back in 2012, they are less suited to complex, capital-intensive retrofits of millions of households that require lots of coordination and long-term financing.

The UKs energy efficiency governance still sits at arms length from the realities in peoples homes. Responsibilities are split confusingly between suppliers, Whitehall departments, auditors and local authorities, and it can often seem like no one is really in charge.

Thats why the failings highlighted in the National Audit Office report are not just implementation glitches or down to some bad apple installers. Theyre failings of a governance model designed for incremental change, not the transformation required for net zero.

German lessons

If the UK really wants to retrofit millions of homes, it should look to whats worked in other countries. Germanys long-running KfW loan programme is one example. For more than three decades, it has supported high-performance refurbishments through low-interest loans and grants. Successive German governments have recognised that the returns  in jobs, tax revenues, economic stimulus  have consistently outweighed the upfront cost.

By contrast, ECO has been repeatedly restructured, with shifting targets and funding levels that make it hard to plan ahead. Treating home retrofit as a short-term obligation rather than a long-term national project has left the UK far behind its peers.

About the authors Ewan Archer-Brown is a DPhil Candidate in Geography and the Environment at the University of Oxford. Brenda Boardman is an Emeritus Research Fellow in Energy at the University of Oxford. Jan Rosenow is a Leader of the Energy Programme in the Environmental Change Institute at the University of Oxford. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Retrofitting homes is inherently local (you cant pick up your house and move it to a different area). Local authorities should therefore play a much stronger role in coordinating delivery, enforcing quality, and linking retrofit to other social goals such as tackling fuel poverty.

Getting councils involved would align retrofit with local priorities rather than distant central government targets. It could also rebuild trust among people who may understandably be wary of such schemes.

The UKs forthcoming warm homes plan is a chance to reset. The government should take a hard look at the tools at our disposal and think about what is needed to foster the creative and courageous policy needed to decarbonise our homes.
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The Metropolitan Police is set to deploy remotely launched drones across London to bolster its emergency response efforts.

A new trial will see these unmanned aerial vehicles provide crucial intelligence to officers on the ground and in a central control room.

Responding to 999 calls, the drones will be launched from the forces control room and expertly piloted by trained operators.

They are expected to reach incident scenes within two minutes, streaming live footage directly to assist police personnel.

They will be used for a variety of incidents, including searching for missing people, tracing a suspect, or arriving quicker to capture evidence at the scene of an incident, the Met said.

open image in gallery A police officer pilots a drone during a demonstration of the Metropolitan Police's new Drone as First Responder (DFR) pilot programme ( Lucy North/PA Wire )

The Met said the new drones are quicker, quieter, cheaper and more environmentally friendly than existing police helicopters, while delivering the same operational effects.

This new pilot, known as Drone as First Responder (DFR), is being introduced in London under the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC)s drones programme.

The project has initially launched in Islington, with the Met aiming to roll it out to two more sites across London before the end of the year, covering the West End and Hyde Park.

Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, the national lead for drones, said: We are building a Met that is more precise and efficient than ever before, and this new technology gives us a vital new tool to tackle crime in the capital.

He added: Aerial support to policing has always added huge value, because it gives us the ability to make informed decisions about deployment and look for people  that is a lot harder to do on the ground.

By getting that immediate response with a drone, were going to have more precise information, were capturing best evidence at the very earliest opportunity, but most importantly, where scenes are chaotic or witnesses are confused, it allows us to inform our own decisions about how many officers, which assets we should deploy, and critically, if suspects or offenders are making away from the scene, we can quickly identify them and bring them into custody without the need for large, expansive area searches.

open image in gallery A map shows the location of a drone ( Lucy North/PA Wire )

He also said drones traditionally are piloted by an individual who always has to be able to see that drone and watch it flying, but these will fly autonomously by itself to a scene.

A remote pilot can then take control of that drone and use it for its policing purpose, then the drone will autonomously fly back to its base, he added.

He said: So it provides more flexibility, more agility in our response, and ensures that its far more rapid than you would ordinarily get from a line of sight drone.

Superintendent Taryn Evans, who leads the NPCC Drones Programme and the pilot for the Met, said: This is an exciting opportunity to bring the many benefits and efficiencies of the Drone as First Responder programme to London, supporting both officer and community safety.

Weve been running trials of the programme in several different police forces with a range of operating environments from urban to rural and the technology has proven a gamechanger in many incidents.

This pilot with the Met brings together our two years of learning and development and I look forward to seeing how it can enhance the operational response.

The drones are housed in special boxes on the roofs of selected police buildings, where they sit charging and waiting for a call to launch, the force said.

The Mets control room will make the decision to deploy a drone and it will be remotely launched to the incident.

Once overhead a scene, the drones imagery will be transmitted in real-time to the specific control room or mobile user, supporting the police response and recording footage for evidence.

At the end of the deployment, the drone will return to its landing area and the weather-proof box will close so it can be charged and prepared for its next mission.

Other police forces, such as Norfolk Constabulary, Cleveland Police, West Midlands Police, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary and Thames Valley Police Joint Operations Unit are also in the trial phase of this technology, which has been pioneered by the NPCC, the Met said.
Close Virginia Giuffre speaks about Prince Andrew in resurfaced Panorama interview: 'I was a toy'

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Unseen footage of a BBC interview with the late Virginia Giuffre has aired, in which she reflected on her introduction to Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.

I was a toy. I was there to be passed around, she said. But I was still a human being with feelings and emotion and sadness. And to know that this man had daughters, that he was still capable of abusing me. It's... it just doesn't make sense.

In the interview, which featured on BBC Panorama on Tuesday night, the late Ms Giuffre told the story of how she met Andrew in London in 2001 when she was 17 years old.

The prince vehemently denies the allegations that Ms Giuffre was forced to have sex with him three times after being trafficked by Epstein. Ms Giuffre told the BBC: "He knows what happened, I know what happened. And there's only one of us telling the truth."

Andrew was formally stripped of his remaining royal titles on Thursday. A statement from Buckingham Palace said Andrew continued to deny all allegations against him.
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A detectorist has said he was left with goosebumps after he uncovered what could be Waless largest haul of treasure.

David Moss, 36, was out in a virtually untouched area of north Wales with his metal detector when he came across two clay pots containing around 15,000 Roman coins.

Terrified of the coins being stolen, he slept in his car with them for three days before handing them over to experts at the National Museum in Cardiff.

open image in gallery David Moss and Ian Nicholson dug up the remarkable find in north Wales ( MineLab )

The haul, which reportedly weighs more than 60kg and is still being studied by experts, could be the largest collection of treasure ever uncovered in Wales.

A rainbow appeared minutes before the signal was found, Mr Moss told the BBC. I couldnt believe it.

After around six and a half hours excavating, Mr Moss and his friend Ian Nicholson had unearthed the two pots containing the hoard.

open image in gallery The treasure has been taken to experts to be valued and dated ( MineLab )

It truly felt like a sign, he said. Persistence paid off, and what we uncovered was beyond anything I ever dreamed.

Mr Moss took the coins back to his home in Cheshire, and slept with them in the car because he didnt want to let them out of my sight.

The chair of the South Wales and Monmouthshire Numismatic Society, Anthony Halse, told the BBC he believed the find could be the biggest ever uncovered in Wales.

He explained how experts at the museum will date the coins, saying: Theyll clean them, and then, since its such a large hoard, they will apply to the British Museum to see if they can keep them.

Then theyll go to the board and make the finder an offer. Hell get half the money, and the landowner will get the other half.

A number of significant historical finds have been made in Wales over recent years. In 2008, around 6,000 coins were found buried in a field in the Vale of Glamorgan, and more recently, two detectorists were jailed after they failed to declare a haul of Viking treasure worth millions.

Laws dictate that when you find buried treasure you must declare it to the coroner within 14 days and hand it over to the state. It is then valued and bought by a museum, and the proceeds are shared between the finder and the owner of the land.
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Sir Keir Starmer is personally intervening to contact victims amid growing turmoil in the national grooming gangs inquiry, after a former Labour minister joined growing calls for safeguarding minister Jess Phillips to resign.

Tony McNulty, who served as a minister under Gordon Brown, said that the inquiry is more important than the minister and the minister should go.

It comes after the four women who resigned from the inquirys victims liaison panel called for Ms Phillips to resign, accusing her in a letter to the home secretary of labelling some of their claims untrue and saying they had provided evidence to the contrary.

The BBC reported another survivor using the pseudonym Carly had joined the call for Ms Phillips to resign on Thursday, but wanted to remain part of the inquiry.

However, in a sign of growing divisions, five survivors who have been invited onto the panel have said they will only continue working with the probe if Ms Phillips remains in post, The Guardian reported on Thursday.

The women contacted the PM and home secretary, saying the safeguarding minister has devoted her life to hearing and amplifying the voices of women and girls who would have otherwise been unheard.

A group of grooming gang survivors have called for Jess Phillips to resign ( PA Archive )

One of the four calling for Ms Phillips to resign, Ellie-Ann Reynolds, said the final turning point for her was the push to change the remit, to widen it in ways that downplay the racial and religious motivations behind our abuse.

Ms Phillips told MPs on Tuesday that allegations of intentional delay, lack of interest or widening of the inquiry scope and dilution are false.

However, in their letter to Shabana Mahmood, the four victims say that evidence has since proven we were telling the truth.

It is understood that the prime minister is now personally contacting the victims who have resigned from the panel.

Speaking to Times Radio, Mr McNulty said: When the minister becomes the story and gets in the way of the implementation of the policy, especially in an area as serious as this, then the minister has to go.

He added: The issue around the inquiry on grooming is far, far too important to risk by salvaging the reputational post of an individual.

A Downing Street spokesperson denied that Ms Phillips has been sidelined, telling reporters: Minister Phillips has spent her career fighting for victims and survivors and trying to protect them from abuse.

And since being in post as the minister for safeguarding, shes been working incredibly closely with victims and survivors and is determined to get them justice.

The probe was thrown into further chaos on Wednesday afternoon as a second candidate lined up to chair the inquiry, Jim Gamble  thought to be the only remaining candidate  withdrew after survivors raised concerns that he had links to the police.

He follows Annie Hudson, a former director of childrens services for Lambeth, who was reported to have withdrawn on Tuesday, and leaves the government looking for alternative candidates.

Ms Reynolds, Fiona Goddard, Elizabeth Harper and a woman signed only as Jessica state in the letter that there are five conditions that must be met for them to return to the advisory panel.

As well as Ms Phillipss resignation, they call for all survivors on the panel to be genuinely consulted on the appointment of a chair, who must be a former or sitting judge, victims to be able to speak freely without fear of reprisal, the inquirys scope to remain laser-focused on grooming gangs and the current victim liaison lead to be replaced by a mental health professional.

But childrens minister Josh MacAlister told Sky News that Ms Phillips has the full backing of the prime minister and home secretary, insisting she will stay in post.

Ms Phillips is a lifelong advocate and champion for young girls whove been abused, he said, adding that she has already shown that shes properly engaging with the survivor community.

Sir Keir also gave Ms Phillips his backing at Prime Ministers Questions on Wednesday after Tory leader Kemi Badenoch claimed she had lost the confidence of victims.

The PM said his safeguarding minister has more experience than any other person in this House in dealing with violence against women and girls.

Alongside her will be Louise Casey; these two individuals have spent decades, decades, standing up for those who have been abused and sexually exploited, and I absolutely think theyre the right people to take this forward, he told the Commons.

Mr MacAlister also refused to guarantee that the chair of the inquiry would be a sitting judge because we want to get the right person, but he vowed that the scope of the inquiry would not be broadened.

Baroness Jay herself, who many of the survivors have got tremendous respect for, was a social worker. Louise Casey herself wasnt a judge. Theres lots of confidence in her, he said.

The prime minister had earlier announced that he was drafting in Baroness Casey to support the work of the struggling probe after the four women from the inquirys victims and survivors panel resigned.

The survivors letter, shared on Ms Goddards X account, says: Being publicly contradicted and dismissed by a government minister when you are a survivor telling the truth takes you right back to that feeling of not being believed all over again.

It is a betrayal that has destroyed what little trust remained.

We have been failed by every institution meant to protect us. We were failed as children, we were failed by police who didnt believe us, failed by social services who blamed us, and failed by a system that protected our abusers.

We will not participate in an inquiry that repeats those same patterns of dismissal, secrecy, and institutional self-protection.

Mr Gamble, a former police officer, hit out at politicians prioritising their own petty personal or political issues and playing games with the inquiry.

In his withdrawal letter, he said he had pulled out of the appointment process because of a lack of confidence in him among some survivors of grooming gangs, due to my previous occupation.

A Home Office spokesperson said: We are disappointed that candidates to chair that inquiry have withdrawn. This is an extremely sensitive topic, and we have to take the time to appoint the best person suitable for the role.
Zelensky holds a street-stand style press conference following meeting with Trump, sparks online discussions

Global Times) 14:52, October 23, 2025

Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the White House again for talks with US President Donald Trump. However, he not only failed to secure the Tomahawk cruise missiles he had hoped for, but also ended up holding a "street-stand style" press conference at a small table set up outside the White House, which triggered discussions among some netizens on social media in recent days.

Trump and Zelensky were split over the future of the war in Ukraine following their meeting on Friday in Washington, CNN reported.

Zelensky came to the US hoping to receive long-range missiles to bolster the fight against Russia. But after what several people described as an at times "uncomfortable" discussion, Trump declared on Friday that both sides should stop fighting and accept the current battle line, a position the Ukrainian president has rejected in the past, according to CNN.

The Washington Post described the meeting as a tense one, as the US president tossed aside maps of the front line and urged Kiev to concede its entire Donbas region to Russia to clinch a deal, the US media said, citing people familiar with the meeting.

Following the meeting with Trump, Zelensky spoke to reporters in Lafayette Park across the street from the White House, according to US media reports. However, the image of such "street-stand style" press conference at a small table set up has aroused the discussions online in recent days.

"Zelensky was not allowed to hold a press conference on the White House grounds - only behind the fence," said Maimunka News on X platform. The account, covering geopolitics news, has over 560,000 followers.

"It may be dangerous to be America's enemy, but to be America's friend is fatal!" a netizen called niky left this message on the post. "Zelensky and Ukraine are proof."

"No Tomahawks, No money, No Press Conference we here  get lost!"said another post published by a netizen Lord Bebo on X.

"Trump kicked Zelensky out pretty quickly, he did not even allow him to do the press conference on the white house premise!" the netizen said.

Trump met with Zelensky at the White House on Friday, but ruled out a US-Russia-Ukraine summit in the near future, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

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 Russian President Vladimir Putin, per Xinhua.

Some US media also compared the latest meeting between Trump and Zelensky with the meeting between the two leaders in February that devolved into an explosive shouting scene.

The Hill, for example, noted that the latest meeting on October 17 between the two presidents, holding as a working lunch with the two leaders sitting across from each other, was initially carried out in front of the press without any major explosions between the two sides.

This was likely a welcome relief after a February Oval Office meeting, per the Hill.

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun)
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A migrant who returned to Britain after being deported as part of a one in, one out deal is being fast-tracked back to France, Keir Starmer has said.

The prime minister vowed that the UK would remove him again very, very swiftly as he denied his governments approach to stopping small boats crossing the channel was in tatters.

Sir Keir saidthe Iranian man was already in detention and he will now be fast-tracked back out of the country, because we obviously have his details.

We know he hasnt got a claim to make, therefore well remove him very, very swiftly. So his return journey back to the United Kingdom is completely pointless, and its really important I make that absolutely clear.

He said no when asked whether the governments approach to stopping small boats was in tatters.

The man returned to the UK in a small boat, marking a humiliating blow for Sir Keir and his pledge to take back control of Britains borders.

The news emerged on the same day that the number of migrant arrivals via the English Channel so far this year passed the total for the whole of 2024.

But the deputy PM has claimed the identification of the man was a sign of progress.

David Lammy said that it actually reveals that the individual, who spent thousands of pounds trying to get into this country, as a result of his biometric data can be sent back and that is progress.

open image in gallery An Iranian man who was returned to France under the one-in-one-out deal has been detained after entering the UK a second time ( PA Wire )

Earlier, children's minister Josh MacAlister had dismissed the mans claim to be a victim of modern slavery as ludicrous, telling Times Radio: France is a safe country.

The man, who is currently being held at an immigration detention centre, told The Guardian he is a victim of modern slavery at the hands of smugglers in northern France.

If I had felt that France was safe for me, I would never have returned to the UK, he told the newspaper.

When we were returned to France, we were taken to a shelter in Paris. I didnt dare to go out because I was afraid for my life. The smugglers are very dangerous. They always carry weapons and knives. I fell into the trap of a human trafficking network in the forests of France before I crossed to the UK from France the first time.

They took me like a worthless object, forced me to work, abused me, and threatened me with a gun and told me I would be killed if I made the slightest protest.

When I reached UK the first time and [the] Home Office asked what had happened to me, I was crying and couldnt speak about this because of shame.

open image in gallery The prime minister vows that the migrant will be removed very, very swiftly ( PA Wire )

Just 42 people so far have been returned to France under the agreement, announced with great fanfare by the PM and French president Emmanuel Macron in July and designed to create a deterrent, convincing migrants there is no point in making the dangerous Channel crossing  as they could just be sent straight back.

Under its terms, for each small boat migrant returned, one asylum seeker will be allowed to enter the UK from France under a legal route.

At the time, Sir Keir hailed it as a breakthrough moment which would turn the tables on the people smugglers  but a Downing Street spokesperson on Wednesday said the policy was not a silver bullet to tackle the problem.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has accused the government of being in total chaos and too weak to take the tough decisions to secure our borders.

Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesperson Max Wilkinson said Labour had to back up their big promises with actions.
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Downing Street has appeared to dismiss the idea of MPs being given time for a Commons debate on Prince Andrew, with the prime ministers spokesperson saying that the royal family would not want to take time from other parliamentary business.

Pressure has been mounting on the Kings brother over his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and his rent-free mansion in Windsor.

On Wednesday, Sir Keir Starmer said he would support proper scrutiny of the crown estate arrangements, but on Thursday, Downing Street suggested that the government is not planning on making time for MPs to debate the matter.

Asked if the government would be making time, a No 10 spokesperson said: Prince Andrew has already confirmed he will not use his titles. We support the decision made by the royal family, and we know the royal family would not want to take time from other important issues.

Meanwhile, a committee of MPs will be seeking more information on the princes lease arrangements for the Royal Lodge property.

Chair of the public accounts committee Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown said on Thursday that he will be writing to the crown estate commissioners and the Treasury in the coming days.

Sir Geoffrey added: In the correspondence, our cross-party committee will be raising a number of questions with the crown estate and HM Treasury. This forms part of our longstanding remit, on behalf of parliament and the British public, to examine the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of public spending, and ensure the taxpayer is receiving best value for money.

Commons speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said on Thursday that there are ways for the House to properly consider the matter.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey asked earlier this week whether given the revelations about Royal Lodge the prime minister believed that MPs should properly scrutinise the crown estate to ensure taxpayers interests are protected.

open image in gallery Prince Andrew announced last week that he would stop using his Duke of York title ( PA )

Andrew has lived in Royal Lodge in Windsor on a peppercorn rent since 2003, although he paid 1m for the lease and spent a further 7.5m on refurbishments.

Meanwhile, 26 MPs have signed an early day motion calling for the government to take legislative steps to remove the dukedom granted to Prince Andrew.

Addressing MPs on Thursday, Sir Lindsay said: I know there has been some commentary on what members of this House may or may not discuss in the chamber in relation to Prince Andrew, some of which is inaccurate.

There is understandably great interest from members, and from the public, on this matter. For the benefit of the House, I would like to be clear that there are ways for the House to properly consider this matter.

Any discussions about the conduct or reflections on members of the royal family can be properly discussed on the substantive motions. And I know some members have already tabled such a motion. I am not able to allocate time for a debate on such a motion, but others are able to do so, if wishing to do that.

open image in gallery Andrew has lived in Royal Lodge in Windsor on a peppercorn rent since 2003 ( Reuters )

Substantive motions can be tabled by the government, by opposition parties in opposition day debates, and by backbenchers through an application to the backbench business committee.

It comes as the princes relationship with the disgraced financier Epstein has come under fresh pressure following the release of the posthumous memoir of Virginia Giuffre, who died by suicide earlier this year. The memoir contains further details around Giuffres allegations that the prince had sex with her a number of times after she was trafficked by Epstein and his partner Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence on sex-trafficking charges.

Andrew has denied allegations that Giuffre was forced to have sex with him.

Andrew announced last Friday that he would stop using his Duke of York title, but an act of parliament would be required to remove it formally.
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Reform UKs Doge team has been accused of doing little more than photocalls at councils that it vowed to save a lot of money for when it was set up four months ago.

The Elon Musk-inspired cost-cutting team, set up by Reform UK chair Zia Yusuf, pledged to work with Reform-controlled councils across the UK after the partys big wins at local elections in May.

The party promised councils a free team of software engineers, data analysts and forensic auditors to visit and analyse their finances to identify wasteful spending and recommend actionable solutions.

Doge has not identified specific targets but Reform has pledged to cut spending on things such as diversity and inclusion programmes.

However, The Independent has found that the unit has only visited three of the 12 councils since the May elections  and has been met with barriers preventing them from making much progress.

Of the 12 Reform-controlled councils, only Kent, West Northamptonshire and Worcestershire have hosted Mr Yusuf and his team for talks.

open image in gallery The cost-cutting team, set up by Reform UK chair Zia Yusuf, pledged to work with Reform-controlled councils across the UK ( PA )

Reform UK insisted Doge had met with more councils, but North Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Lancashire, Durham, Staffordshire, Leicestershire and Derbyshire county councils all told The Independent they are yet to have been visited.

In West Northamptonshire, the council said that, despite initial meetings, there have been no further discussions as it is waiting for the return of Due Diligence documents for Reforms nominated representative.

Its spokesperson said work will not progress unless such checks are complete and added: In the meantime, the Council continues to progress its own plans to drive efficiencies and seek savings through transformation ahead of the budget setting for next year.

Daniel Lister, the Conservative group leader in West Northamptonshire Council, said the two visits have been more or less just photocalls so far.

Im not sure theyre going to do very much and theres no progress, he told The Independent. Their general understanding of local government is quite poor, given most information is in the public domain and publicly accessible.

open image in gallery The unit was inspired by Elon Musk, who set up his own Doge unit in the US ( AP )

He added: Theres naivety and a lack of understanding. I dont think were going to see very much coming out of Doge anywhere.

Worcestershire County Council and its Reform UK leader, Jo Monk, did not respond to The Independents questions about its work with Doge, but opposition councillors have witnessed little progress since the initial visit from the unit.

open image in gallery Daniel Lister, the Conservative group leader in West Northamptonshire Council said the two visits have been more or less just photocalls so far ( PA )

Councillor Matt Jenkins, the Green and Independent Alliance group leader at Worcestershire County Council said: From what Ive heard, Doge havent done anything at the county council as they havent been allowed access to anything.

The idea is if you want access, do a freedom of information (FOI) request like everyone else, they cant have extra information.

Zia came into the county council with all these promises and then suddenly got awareness that they couldnt do half of the things they wanted to Adam Kent, Conservative group leader at Worcestershire county council

Despite little progress, the teams one-hour meeting with two council officers cost the authority 144, according to a FOI request.

All the information is confidential, unless they make a case as to why they can lawfully access the information they have to follow the rules, Adam Kent, the Conservative group leader added.

The key thing is that Zia came into the county council with all these promises and then suddenly became aware that they couldnt do half of the things they wanted to.

Theres a total lack of awareness of the way to use capital expenditure and theres a stark realisation of the fact that most of these councils have been operating on threadbare resources.

They got elected on the basis that they were going to save millions of pounds, only to be met with the brutal reality that they cant do that.

Some councils have set up their own internal efforts to identify savings  such as Kents Department of Local Government Efficiency (Dolge)  but these work independently from Reform UKs central unit.

open image in gallery Reform UK leader Nigel Farage on a visit to Kent County Council ( PA )

Though Mr Yusufs team have visited Kents council, a spokesperson at the authority confirmed that since June, all work on local government efficiency in Kent has been led and delivered by the Dolge team, sitting within the councils cabinet.

They added that the administration would utilise support where deemed necessary and appropriate from Doge subject to governance, legal compliance and need.

Antony Hook, the leader of the Liberal Democrat group at Kent County Council said: We havent really seen anything of value  which is actually a broader picture of what the Reform administration is very much about. Its about what headline can we get tomorrow rather than what can we change of substance over time.

When they announced Kent would be the first place they went to, they turned up unannounced and came in with no clue about how local government works.

They seemed to think they should have access to all of the councils information, a bit like how Elon Musk went into US government. But they were told they cant have everything  we have legislation to protect personal data.

What they could have is what everyone is entitled to under the FOI Act. There has been talk of a legal agreement but that has never materialised.

open image in gallery The party promised councils a free team of software engineers, data analysts and forensic auditors to visit and analyse their finances ( PA )

Since July the county council seems to be rowing away from Doge, they have spoken about their own thing and appointed a cabinet member  but it doesnt sound much different to the cabinet member for finance.

Kent County Council leader Linden Kemkaran was approached by The Independent, but did not respond. She recently told the Local Government Chronicle that Dolge is so much easier than Doge due to legalities, so they are making great strides.

Ms Kemkaran has previously said the internal council team  led by councillor Matthew Moat  had identified 40m of potential savings since they began work in July.

However, the authoritys new adult social care chief Diane Morton earlier this month hinted at a rise in residents council tax bills as she warned that services in the county were down to the bare bones.

open image in gallery Kent County Council leader Linden Kemkaran with Farage earlier this year ( PA )

A Reform UK Kent spokesperson said the council had done fantastic work to reduce debt by 66m in five months, despite council papers showing it faces a 27.9m overspend in the new year, beyond its 1.53bn budget.

Four Reform councillors were suspended from the authority on Monday after a video was leaked showing Ms Kemkaran telling council leaders to suck it up when they questioned her.

One of the suspended councillors, Paul Thomas, was threatened by Ms Kemkaran to be put on mute during the meeting after he questioned whether Reform had the right leader and cabinet.
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New Jersey has launched legal action against Amazon.com, accusing the company of unlawfully denying workplace accommodations to disabled or pregnant warehouse staff, and firing some who sought them.

The lawsuit, filed Wednesday by Attorney General Matthew Platkin's office, marks the latest scrutiny of Amazon's vital warehouse workforce.

New Jersey claims the firm routinely denies reasonable requests  like time off or lifting limits  placing workers on unpaid leave, in breach of state anti-discrimination law.

Workers who are granted accommodations often have trouble keeping up with Amazon's rigid production quotas, setting them up to be fired, Platkin's office said.

open image in gallery The lawsuit seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages and penalties ( Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo/Getty Images )

The lawsuit seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages and penalties, as well as an order requiring Amazon to modify its employment practices.

"In building a trillion-dollar business, Amazon has flagrantly violated (workers') rights and ignored their well-being - all while it continues to profit off their labor," Platkin said in a statement.

Amazon did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The company has denied engaging in similar conduct in other cases, and has said it strives to support its workers.

Amazon is the second-largest private employer in the United States, behind Walmart. Amazon operates nearly 40 distribution centers and smaller "sort centers" with roughly 50,000 employees in New Jersey.

Federal law and many states including New Jersey require employers to provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant and disabled workers who request them.

Amazon has faced a number of lawsuits in recent years involving claims of pregnancy or disability discrimination. The company in August settled a proposed class action in California alleging that pregnant employees were not permitted to take leave. The terms of that settlement were not disclosed. The company is facing an investigation into similar claims by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which enforces federal laws barring employment discrimination.

Amazon has denied wrongdoing in those cases.
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A website that promised to unmask critics of conservative activist Charlie Kirk took tens of thousands of dollars in cryptocurrency donations before going offline, according to a report.

The site Expose Charlies Murderers was launched hours after Kirks assassination on September 10 and pledged to name and shame those who spoke out against him to pursue the largest firing operation in history.

It asked supporters to contribute toward a highly sophisticated enterprise system that will be impervious to Leftist attacks, and directed them to cryptocurrency blockchains, the technology behind bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, according to Drop Site.

The websites anonymous developers raised more than $30,000 from supporters between September 12 and 14, according to the outlet.

Now the domain www.charliesmurderers.com has gone dark.

open image in gallery A website that promised to unmask critics of conservative activist Charlie Kirk took tens of thousands of dollars in cryptocurrency before going offline, according to a report ( Benjamin Hanson/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty )

The group justified asking for crypto donations at the time because it claimed it was working with Fortune 500 and Big Tech data scientists which didnt come cheap.

Our reputations are on the line. The people behind this are political operatives that have represented major parties and candidates, the group previously wrote in a post on X. Why would we jeopardize that for a 5-figure pay-day?

The group, which changed its name to the Charlie Kirk Data Foundation, has not posted on X since September 23 and now faces allegations that it has scammed MAGA supporters.

The Independent has contacted the group for comment.

I want my donation back! one MAGA account replied to the group in a post on X last month.

Everybody knows this isnt legitimate, another said.

open image in gallery The domain www.charliesmurderers.com has gone dark but is still visible via online archive ( archive.today )

You're exploiting Charlies death for followers and profit on X, someone else said.

Before it went offline, the website featured a list of names, including peoples email addresses and social media handles, who criticized Kirk online.

One of the names on the website included Erin Gudge, who resigned from her role as the board chair of the Philomath School District in Oregon after the controversy.

She wrote on Facebook that she will not mourn Kirks death and was targeted on the site, resulting in harassment and threats online. This situation has been terrifying and awful and beyond anything I would want anyone to experience, she told Drop Site.

Workers across the country were removed from their jobs or faced sanctions for praising or celebrating Kirks assassination.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that the Pentagon was tracking closely any civilian and military employees who celebrated the murder.
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In a tense moment on Tuesday, two individuals in a Chicago North Side parking garage swiftly ducked into their car, shrinking into their seats as whistles pierced the air.

Moments later, a convoy of federal immigration enforcement vehicles, which had just arrived, sped away.

We just saw a bunch of guys with whistles that chased them out, said Luke, a landscaper who was working nearby and declined to share his full name. The Trump administration in early September launched a targeting what it said were hardened criminals among immigrants in the U.S. without legal status, though many noncriminals have been swept up in raids.

Since then, the piercing blow of a whistle has become a Chicago-wide means of signaling that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents are present. It warns undocumented people to flee and invites U.S. citizens to come to the scene to record arrests, give detainees legal information and discourage agents from lingering.

The aggressive immigration enforcement effort - which has no end date - has sparked widespread protests and resentment among residents. Hundreds of federal agents have fanned across the third-largest city in the U.S. and its suburbs, often carrying assault rifles and wearing military fatigues.

Agents have teargassed crowds, rappeled from a Black Hawk helicopter to raid an apartment building, dragged immigrants from cars, held people at gunpoint and shot two people, including one fatally.

open image in gallery Federal Patrol agents stand outside an ICE processing facility in the Chicago suburb of Broadview, Ill., Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Against this heavily militarized force, whistles have become a modest but effective tool to fight back.

"It grew like wildfire," said Baltazar Enriquez, president of Little Village Community Council, a community group in one of Chicago's largest Latino enclaves. "If we have to patrol our neighborhood for the next three years, we're willing to do that just to keep our community safe."

The group began handing out the whistles to neighborhood residents over the summer. Since then, relentless promotion turned the whistles into a defining symbol of Chicagos resistance against ICE. Volunteers from whistle-making parties and local activist groups have passed out the whistles at local festivals and parades and dropped them off at Little Free Libraries. Some residents have picked up whistles from community groups that advertised them on social media - others have simply bought them from dollar stores and Amazon.

"Our officers are highly trained," said Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security, and "they are not afraid of loud noises and whistles."

Their ease of use and low cost have contributed to their soaring popularity on the streets and on social media. But the impact of a whistle against squads of armed, fast-moving immigration officers is limited.

On a quiet residential street in another North Side neighborhood, residents ran out of their apartments to confront ICE officers as they detained a group of landscapers. Their whistles and shouts managed to draw a crowd and elicit names of detainees to be passed on to immigration rights groups, but officers still drove away with two people.

I'm sure I'll cry again later, said Joanne Willer, a resident of Albany Park who used her whistle to sound the alarm about the detention. It's just really upsetting.

open image in gallery ICE agents detain a protester as other protesters try to stop them in East Side, Chicago, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. (Anthony Vazquez/Chicago Sun-Times via AP) ( Chicago Sun-Times )

Afterward, other residents of Albany Park, a Chicago neighborhood known for its diversity that was teargassed by federal immigration agents earlier this month, carried different kinds of noisemakers as they patrolled the streets.

Jordan, who declined to share her last name out of fear of retribution, carried her sons toy train whistle.

I'm Jewish, and I feel very personally tied to what's going on here because of our history as a Jewish people, Jordan said. I feel like if we're not out here supporting our neighbors, nobody else is going to be doing it.
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The financial toll of weather and climate disasters in the United States broke all records in the first half of 2025.

There were 14 separate, weather-related disasters with at least $1 billion damages between January and June, including the southern California wildfires which cost $60 billion and destroyed entire neighborhoods.

The fires were the costliest wildfire disaster ever and the most expensive U.S. disaster of the year so far. Other $1 billion events included deadly tornado outbreaks throughout the central U.S. and storms in Texas that produced grapefruit-sized hail.

In all, the disasters led to 174 deaths and totaled $101 billion in damages - or about as much as New York Citys budget in 2022.

The dataset does not include the devastating Texas hill country flooding in July which killed 135 people including 27 young girls at a Christian summer camp.

open image in gallery A woman and her niece search through the remains of her home following Januarys Eaton Fire in Pasadena, California. The fire was the costliest wildfire on record, resulting in more than $60 billion in damages ( Getty Images )

The tracker comes from Climate Central, a nonprofit that compiles climate data. Its purpose is to provide critical information that is used by the insurance industry and researchers to plan for potential future damages.

For nearly 40 years this tracking was carried out by the federal governments National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration before being discontinued under President Donald Trump earlier this year.

This dataset was simply too important to stop being updated, Adam Smith, senior climate impacts scientist at Climate Central, told The Independent.

The billion-dollar disaster analysis is vital in demonstrating the economic impact of extreme weather and climate events, and in helping communicate the real-world consequences of climate change to communities, policymakers, and the public, he said.

The U.S. experienced on average of three billion-dollar disasters each year in the 1980s. There is now around 20 each year - and no state has been spared from at least one-billion dollar disaster.

open image in gallery A man wades through floodwater with his dog outside his home Paducah, Kentucky, this past April. Severe storms caused major flooding in the state and throughout the central U.S. in the winter and spring ( Getty Images )

NOAA reported 27 billion-dollar weather and climate disaster events in 2024, with 568 deaths and a total cost of $182.7 billion.

Since data started being collected 45 years ago, the U.S. has had 417 billion-dollar disasters, leading to 17,000 deaths and a price tag of $3.1 trillion.

Scientists say that this is down to the climate crisis, driven by rising carbon emissions. Hotter global temperatures is leading to more extreme and erratic weather both in the U.S. and around the world, a pattern that is expected to worsen in the future.

While it has been a quiet year so far on the Atlantic hurricane front, Climate Central warned that assessments were still pending from severe storms and flooding which struck central and south-eastern parts of the country in May.
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During her 18-week baby scan, Blanca and her husband watched anxiously as the sonographer spent 10 minutes searching for signs of life. I could tell there was something wrong, she recalled of that late-August scan.

She took the ultrasound wand off my stomach, and she was like, I'm sorry, but there's no heartbeat. Blanca, 38, whom The Independent is only identifying by her first name to respect her privacy, was heartbroken.

Already trying to come to terms with the loss of her baby, whom she had named Jonah  the product of her last viable embryo implant after going through the grueling process of in vitro fertilization  the mom was then dealt a cruel second blow two days later.

Aetna, Blancas health insurer, denied her coverage for a stay in the hospital so she could be induced and deliver Jonah. The decision resulted in delays that meant the grieving mom had to carry her dead, 4 1/2-month-old son for an agonizing seven days.

I felt so defeated. I've already lost my baby, and now this, Blanca told The Independent through tears. How much more heartache am I gonna have to go through? Wheres the humanity?

open image in gallery A Nevada mother who lost her baby at 18 weeks and her physician were stunned when a health insurance company initially denied the hospital stay (FILE IMAGE) ( Getty Images )

The back and forth with Aetna and the bureaucratic details involved in getting Blanca booked into the hospital meant Jonah wasnt delivered until Sept. 5, according to Blanca, her physician and documents reviewed by The Independent

Further adding to her trauma, the mom bled profusely and almost died when her uterus ruptured and Jonah, her dead son, had to be delivered via emergency c-section.

I have never felt that type of pain in my entire life, the Nevada mom said. I felt like I was going to die.

After being told the gut-wrenching news that Jonah had no heartbeat, Blancas options, aside from waiting to give birth naturally, were to induce labor or undergo dilation and evacuation (D&E), the same procedure used for a late-term abortion. She wanted an induction so that she could hold Jonah in her arms and say goodbye.

Her physician, Dr Joey Adashek, a high-risk pregnancy specialist, was shocked when Aetna initially denied to cover Blancas stay in the hospital.

Adashek said the denial was one of the most egregious he has seen in his more than 20-year career and also called the insurance company out on TikTok.

open image in gallery Dr Joey Adashek, a high-risk pregnancy specialist, was compelled to call out the company on TikTok. Aetna approved Blancas hospital stay on Sept. 2 ( josephadashemd/TikTok )

So for the first time in my career, the insurance company denied both of them, Adashek says in the video. Denied induction of labor and denied the surgery, which begs the question, how are we going to get the baby out?

I told my office, we need to fight this, Adashek told The Independent. She's traumatized, and she has to sit there with a dead baby. It's her last chance to have a healthy baby of her own and she just has to sit there and wait because of the insurance company. Isnt that crazy?

Adasheks team at Desert Perinatal Associates in Las Vegas appealed the decision and urged Aetna to reconsider, a process that can take up to 14 days.

When approached by The Independent for comment, an Aetna spokesperson said its ability to resolve coverage disputes based on the best available medical evidence hinges on physician partners sharing vital information in a timely manner.

In [Blancas] case, the procedure itself was covered, but the hospital stay was initially not approved based on the information provided by her physician, the spokesperson added.

In response to Aetna, Adashek told The Independent that he stood by his version of events.

I have seen Aetna patients for more than 25 years and this is the first time they declined authorization for this procedure, the physician maintained.

Aetna did finally give the go ahead on Sept. 2 after Adashek conducted a peer-to-peer review, a standard bugbear for doctors because the peer on the other end of the line is often not someone in the same specialist field.

The review is a discussion between a physical and a doctor tied to the insurance company. The American Medical Association denounced the process as a barrier to care in a 2021 Council on Medical Service report.

Adashek said his review was conducted with a nurse and the phone call was brief. The nurse informed him that the induction and the hospital stay had been approved, before she hung up on Adashek, he claimed.

The Aetna spokesperson claimed the peer-to-peer call took place at a time specified by her physician.

He shared new clinical information that enabled us to quickly approve her hospital stay, the spokesperson added.

In response to Aetnas statement, Adashek claimed not one question was asked of him by the nurse during the peer to peer discussion.

She never asked one further question about the clinical situation and I never volunteered with any information, Adashek said. She told me that it was approved and that was pretty much the extent of the conversation.

Once finally approved, the earliest the hospital could book Blanca in to be induced was the evening of the following day on Sept. 3, however the labor and delivery unit was too busy.

open image in gallery Blanca, who is only being identified by her first name to protect her privacy, told of the physical and mental turmoil the initial denial has had (FILE IMAGE) ( Getty Images )

Her treatment was pushed back another day until Sept. 4, when she was induced, a procedure that can take between 12 to 24 hours, sometimes more.

Then, on Sept. 5, after the process was underway, things went horribly wrong.

The mom suffered a ruptured uterus, a rare obstetrical emergency where the uterine wall tears open, that almost claimed her life. Doctors said she lost nearly 2 liters of blood.

I was bleeding out, Blanca recalled.

She was placed under anesthesia and doctors worked for two hours to deliver her deceased baby.

Physically exhausted and mentally drained, the mom was bewildered when she came to, and had to undergo more tests before she could finally hold Jonah. She was transferred to a special room where she could spend time with her child.

Finally, I get to hold my baby, Blanca said. I hold my baby. I spend all day in that one room with my baby.

Blanca is speaking out about her experience two months later because she is so angry about what happened.

A week after [the surgery] the insurance has the audacity to call me and ask me if they if there's anything they can do to help me, Blanca said. Oh my God, are you freaking for real?

For them to think that this was OK  it's not, Blanca added.

Because of her recent traumatic experience in the hospital and being a high-risk patient, doctors have advised Blanca that if she fell pregnant again, the birth would likely be dangerous. She was already a high-risk patient because as a teenager she was diagnosed with hypogonadotropic syndrome, a condition where the female ovaries cannot produce sex hormones.

Now Blanca and her husband, Chris, are trying to come to terms with their loss and the realization that they likely will not be able to have anymore biological children of their own.

Remarkably, despite everything Blanca has been through, she said she still has hope because of her 2-year-old son, Elias.

He is my miracle baby, and I'm willing to give him the world, Blanca said. This is the end of growing a family with my own children, you know, from me and from my husband.

But, she added, it doesn't mean I can't grow a family by adopting.
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What is beer? This is a question currently being pushed to the limit by Boston-based brewer Samuel Adams, who has released a new "extreme" beer with 30 per cent alcohol by volume.

In fact, their new Utopias 2025 beer is so strong, it falls foul of legal limits in 15 states, including New Hampshire, Vermont, North Carolina, Georgia, and Oregon.

New Hampshire, for example, caps alcohol by volume in beers at 14 per cent. Typical, mass-produced beers tend to hover around the 4  5 per cent mark, Budweiser comes in at 5 per cent, while Michelob Ultra and Coors Light are both 4.2 per cent.

But the high strength of Samuel Adams Utopias 2025 "blurs the line between beer and fine spirits, according to the brewers chief executive Jim Koch.

Koch, 76, who co-founded the Boston Beer Company in 1984, said hitting a 30 per cent ABV had long been a personal goal of his.

The new beer is the 14th iteration of Samuel Adams' Utopias limited-edition series.

When we first began the Utopias journey over thirty years ago, we set out to explore the limits of what beer could be, Koch said.

Reaching 30 per cent ABV is a remarkable milestone for Utopias  not for the number itself, but for what it represents: the relentless pursuit of craft without compromise.

Every vintage, barrel, and bottle reflects decades of experimentation, innovation, and collaboration, delivering a sipping experience that is truly unparalleled, collectible, memorable, and worth the wait.

Claiming to be one of the strongest beers ever brewed, Samuel Adams conceded the drink is a boundary-bending concoction  nonetheless, previous iterations of the Utopias releases have found fans.

Speaking about the 15 states where the beer is illegal, a spokesperson for the brewer told The Independent: In terms of how drinkers can find it if they live in one of those 15 states, we always say half the fun is trying to find Utopias near you!

open image in gallery Samuel Adams new 'boundary-bending' beer is 30% ABV  bringing it up to the strength of many spirits ( Samuel Adams )

Writing on the BeerAdvocate website, one reviewer said the 2024 release, which was slightly lower in strength, was strong but good.

At 28 per cent ABV, this is a sipper. Luckily, since it's uncarbonated, you can store it after opening. Feels nice, but perhaps a bit strong for my personal liking.

On Reddit, a reviewer of another previous release said, If you can afford it, go for it. It's a fun experience and comes in a cool bottle. It feels more like a port than any beer, but I love port, so it was good to me.

Another reviewer added: Really, at this price you can get some transcendentally good vintage port or Madeira  The novelty is kinda neat, but there are much more exciting beverages for the money.

Samuel Adams said the limited-edition beer is bottled in individually numbered ceramic vessels, and the $240 SRP reflects the rarity, complexity, and unparalleled craftsmanship of the liquid.

Strongest beers in the USA

Following Samuel Adams law-busting Utopias series, other extreme beers include:

Dogfish Heads 120-Minute IPA, with a strength of 15-20 per cent ABV

Goose Islands Bourbon Candy Stout, with a strength of 14.7 per cent ABV

The Steel Brewing Companys Steel Reserve 211 typically has a strength of 8.1 per cent ABV

Returning towards the realm of relative normality, California-based brewer Lagunitass IPA has a strength of 6.2 per cent ABV.

Strongest beers outside America

A considerable number of the worlds strongest beers originate in Scotland.

BrewDogs Tactical Nuclear Penguin  this large Scottish brands beer was imported into the US in 2009, and had a liver-rattling strength of 32 per cent ABV, and billed itself as the worlds strongest beer.

One non-Scottish beer on the list is German brewery Schorschbrau  their Schorschbock beer has an ABV of 57 per cent and is created through a traditional Eisbock process of freezing and removing water to concentrate flavors and alcohol.

Brewmeisters Snake Venom  also produced in Scotland  has an ABV hitting a whopping 67.5 per cent. The brewing process also involves freezing the beer multiple times to concentrate the alcohol and flavor; however, it is then fortified with alcohol to increase its strength. As such, there are debates over whether this can really be considered a beer.

Similarly, Scotlands 88 Brewery makes a product called Beithir Fire, which is also fortified. At 75 per cent ABV, the product  named after a deadly dragon  comes with a fluorescent warning label, advising people not to consume it in doses larger than 35ml (1.1oz) in one sitting.
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The FBI has shared new surveillance footage of the suspect who planted pipe bombs outside the Democratic and Republican National Committee headquarters, the night before the January 6 riots, and offered a $500,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

The new video shows the as-yet unidentified suspect walking through Washington, D.C., before and after the pipe bombs were placed on the night of January 5, 2021.

One clip shows the suspect walking toward the DNC headquarters before sitting down on a bench outside the building. The individual later stands up and walks past the building, with a backpack in their hand, before eventually turning around and retracing their steps through the Capitol Hill neighborhood.

The person returns to the DNC building and places a pipe bomb underneath the bench around 7:54 p.m.

The video later shows the suspect walking toward the RNC headquarters, holding the backpack at arm's length from their body. The suspect can be seen in the footage walking through an alley behind the building, then retracing their steps.

open image in gallery The FBI released new surveillance footage of the suspect believed to have placed pipe bombs outside of the Democratic and Republican National Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C., the night before the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol ( FBI Washington Field )

The bomb was planted in the alley behind the building around 8:16 p.m. The suspect is last seen on footage at 8:18 p.m wearing the backpack on their shoulders and walking away from the alley.

The bomb is believed to have been placed shortly before this video based on how the suspect is carrying the backpack, the FBI states.

The law enforcement agency is offering up to a $500,000 reward for information to help identify the suspect.

As part of our ongoing investigation, were releasing an updated video fo the suspect, which includes previously unreleased footage, higher quality video, and longer clips of the subjects movements, the FBI wrote.

The suspect is approximately 5 feet 7 inches, and was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, black gloves, and black-and-gray Nike Air Max Speed Turf Shoes with a yellow swoosh logo that night. Fewer than 25,000 of these sneakers were sold between August 2018 and January 2021, the FBI said. The suspect also used a backpack to transport the devices.

open image in gallery Supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, after Trump claimed the 2020 presidential election was stolen ( AFP via Getty Images )

The bombs did not detonate but the FBI has described them as being viable, warning that they could have seriously injured or killed innocent bystanders.

The bombs were at least partially made up of 1x8 inch threaded galvanized pipes, end caps, kitchen timers, wires, metal clips and homemade black powder, the agency has said.

The devices were discovered on the afternoon of January 6 as police responded to rioting at the Capitol. The discovery prompted the evacuation of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris from the DNC headquarters.

Authorities have charged over 1,500 people in connection with the January 6 riots but they have not been able to track down the suspect involved in the attempted pipe bombing.

open image in gallery Footage showed the suspect walking through the Capitol Hill neighborhood before placing bombs outside both buildings ( FBI Washington Field )

Supporters of Donald Trump stormed the Capitol after Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election, claiming it has been stolen. One police officer was killed, nearly 150 officers were injured and four rioters died in the attack. The riot caused over $1 million in damages.

When he returned to the White House in January, one of President Trumps first official acts was commuting the sentences of hundreds of rioters, many of whom were convicted of violent offenses against members of law enforcement.
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Podcaster Joe Rogan has joked that President Donald Trump should run to be the next governor of California after leaving the White House to fix the Golden State and troll liberals.

On the latest episode of his Spotify show The Joe Rogan Experience, the host described friends he said were fleeing L.A. because they dislike the left-leaning political climate in the Western state in conversation with British comedian Francis Foster and political commentator Konstantin Kasin, the co-hosts of Trigonometry.

Its like everybody went crazy, Rogan said of life in California. Its like theres something that happened because of the pandemic and the Black Lives Matter protests and the riots and all the chaos.

Whatever the temperature of society was, it hit societal global warming where its like  its time to investigate Greenland. Its time to move north, like this is a bad climate now. This sucks.

open image in gallery Joe Rogan jokes about the prospect of President Donald Trump succeeding California Gov. Gavin Newsom on The Joe Rogan Experience on Wednesday October 22 2025 ( The Joe Rogan Experience )

The host continued: What Donald Trump should do is, when he leaves the office, is run for governor of California and just take over California and fix it.

It would be hilarious if he did. It would be one of the funniest things of all time if an 82-year-old man steps into the office of governor of California. Were gonna fix everything. Youve got a problem with water. I know how to get the water. It would be f***ing hilarious.

Rogan has recently broken with Trump, whom he interviewed during the climax to last years presidential election, over the presidents moves to send federal troops into Democrat-run cities and over his rejection of the late Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirks open-minded attitude towards his political adversaries and detractors.

I hate my opponent, Trump said in response to Kirks stance. And I dont want the best for them.

Rogan, perhaps surprisingly, condemned the remark on his show last week, commenting: I dont agree with any of that. Hes a nut.

Californias current governor is Democrat Gavin Newsom, who is term-limited and will step down after the November 2026 gubernatorial election.

Newsom is widely believed to harbor presidential ambitions and has distinguished himself this year by ridiculing Trump on social media, offering vicious parodies of the presidents idiosyncratic posting style.

open image in gallery Gov. Newsom has recently complained about not being invited on Rogans show, despite the host frequently invoking him and criticising his record of public service ( Getty )

He recently turned his attention to Rogan, attacking the podcaster as snack-sized, comparing him to Dozy Don [Trump], and suggesting he hadchickened out of inviting him onto his show.

The broadside came in response to Rogan pouring scorn on Newsoms supposed dream of winning the White House by saying derisively, You cant ruin a city and then go on to ruin a state and say, Guys, that was just practice. Once I get in as president, Im gonna fix it all.

Newsom continued his complaint about Rogan on the Higher Learning podcast, telling hosts Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay: Hes been attacking me for years and years and years and wont have me on the show.

Joe, why wont you have me on the show? He wont have me on the show. Its one way. And he has guests coming and attacking and bashing, but he will not have me on the show. Period. Full stop.

Interestingly, Newsom has previously expressed admiration for Rogan, telling The Shawn Ryan Show in July, By the way, Im a Joe Rogan fan. He aint a fan of mine, but Im a Joe Rogan fan. No bulls***.

And Ive lived it for decades I feel like its a decade back in the day before Joe was Joe Rogan. He was just a podcaster, man. Now hes a phenom.
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Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman has argued that his partys 2024 presidential candidate Kamala Harris lost the plot when she called President Donald Trump a fascist during last years race.

Speaking to Sean Hannity on Fox News on Wednesday, Fetterman accused his fellow Democrats of doubling down on a losing strategy by continuing to compare Trump to Adolf Hitler  as Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker did last week  by asking: What is going on? Why have they chosen that path when it did not succeed the first time?

I dont know why, and I have always refused to say that, he said. When Vice President Harris referred to President Trump as a fascist, I knew absolutely we lost the plot at that point.

open image in gallery Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman is interview bed Sean Hannity on Fox News on Wednesday October 22 2025 ( Fox News )

If you call the president or someone like a fascist, you are effectively calling the people who are going to vote for him [the same thing] and then they must be fascist too or they support fascism and those things. And that is just not true.

I happen to know and love a lot of people that voted for the president and they are not fascist, they are not Nazis, theyre not trying to destroy the Constitution and all those things. They just happen to have different priorities and they love our country in the same ways that Democrats do as well.

The senator made a similar point to Manu Raju on CNNs Inside Politics last month when he said of Trump: You dont ever compare anyone to Hitler. This is not an autocrat. This is a product of a democratic election.

In his Hannity interview, Fetterman went on to argue that such inflammatory rhetoric leads to incidents like the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.

Harris indeed answered at a CNN town hall event last year, when asked by moderator Anderson Cooper whether she considered Trump a fascist: Yes, I do. Yes, I do. Later at the same event, the Democrat said her rival admires dictators and is a fascist.

Harris also cited comments made to The New York Times by the presidents own former chief of staff, retired U.S. Marine Corps general John F Kelly, who alleged that Trump had repeatedly complained that U.S. military leaders were not as loyal to him as Nazi generals had been to Hitler.

That said, Trump also called Harris a fascist during the campaign  on so many occasions, in fact, that CNN was able to compile them into a montage.

open image in gallery Then-Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris responds to a question from Anderson Cooper on whether or not she considers Donald Trump a fascist during a CNN town hall in Aston, Pennsylvania, on October 24 2024 ( CNN )

Democrats have reportedly grown increasingly concerned about Fettermans lean to the right, which has led him to seek common ground with the presidents MAGA movement by joining Truth Social, approving several of Trumps more controversial cabinet nominees, and attending his inauguration.

Axios reported last week that top Democrats are planning to primary Fetterman in 2028 to ensure they have someone more aligned with their priorities in Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state every election year.

Reps. Brendan Boyle, Chris Deluzio, and former Rep. Conor Lamb were all named as possible challengers, with Fetterman responding angrily to the story by accusing its authors of pursuing clickbait.

The senator, who has reportedly had health issues, has yet to announce his re-election bid definitively, and he allegedly does not care for life in Washington, D.C.

He has also struggled to drum up campaign fundraising of late, reporting a haul of just under $330,000 in the third quarter of the year. This marks the third consecutive quarter in which he has spent more than he has raised, according to The Pennsylvania Capital-Star.

The total was the lowest amount Fetterman has brought in since February 2021, when he first announced his candidacy for office. This journey concluded with him beating TV medic Dr Mehmet Oz, who went on to become Trumps administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

A Quinnipiac University poll released on October 1 showed Fetterman with an 8-point net job approval rating, an improvement from its January survey in which the senator was found to have a 3-point rating.

However, his overall approval rating is higher among Republicans (41 points) than it is with Democrats (21 points). In January, he held a 70-point net approval rating with his own party and a 59-point rating with the opposition.
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The acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement promised there would be an increase in ICE arrests on the streets of New York City after agents raided vendors on Canal Street.

Federal agents clashed with New Yorkers in ugly scenes Tuesday afternoon after swooping on the area to target vendors, resulting in nine arrests of migrants and four protesters.

Protesters tried to intervene when agents were carrying out their raid in the area, which is known for its not-so-underground market of knock-off designer handbags, watches, perfumes and sunglasses as well as phones and other electronics.

Todd Lyons, acting ICE director, warned the city to brace for more arrests. You will see an increase in ICE arrests because there are so many criminal illegal aliens that have been released in New York specifically, Lyons said Wednesday on Fox News.

You will see us making those criminal arrests to make New York safe again. It's definitely intelligence driven, it's not random, Lyons added. We aren't pulling people off the street. There was a specific reason based on criminal intelligence and criminal activity that we showed up on Canal Street.

open image in gallery The acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement promised there would be an increase in ICE arrests on the streets of New York City after agents raided vendors on Canal Street ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

New York Attorney General Letitia James has launched a review into Tuesdays operation and encouraged witnesses to submit video and photos to a portal.

Every New Yorker has the right to live without fear or intimidation, said James. If you witnessed and documented ICE activity yesterday, I urge you to share that footage with my office. We are committed to reviewing these reports and assessing any violations of law. No one should be subject to unlawful questioning, detention, or intimidation.

A sign seen near Canal Street the next day informed migrants to find a non-public space, such as a church, office or apartment, to seek refuge from agents who do not have a warrant.

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said the raid was a targeted, intelligence-driven enforcement operation on Canal Street in New York City focused on criminal activity related to selling counterfeit goods.

On Wednesday, Canal Street was quiet with few vendors when typically many are out selling knock-off items.

open image in gallery A sign seen near Canal Street informed migrants to find a non-public space, such as a church, office or apartment, to seek refuge from agents who do not have a warrant ( The Independent )

The anti-immigration crackdown followed a right-wing political commentators social media posts alerting ICE to the Canal Street area and urged them to check this corner out.

Savanah Hernandez appeared to take credit for the blitz after she shared a video from the corner of Canal Street and Broadway on October 19.

The entire sidewalk is filled with illegals who state they are from Senegal and I watched as they fled police, Hernandez said. Perhaps @ICEgov should go check this corner out.

The episode on Canal Street follows a string of incidents inside Manhattans 26 Federal Plaza, which serves as headquarters for several federal law enforcement agencies.

open image in gallery The anti-immigration crackdown followed a right-wing political commentators social media posts alerting ICE to the Canal Street area and urged them to check this corner out ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

A video earlier this month showed masked federal agents throwing several reporters to the floor inside the immigration courthouse days after an ICE officer was suspended for tackling a crying woman and pinning her to the ground in the same building.

The incidents follow the Trump administrations policy to swiftly arrest immigrants immediately after they leave their immigration court hearings.

Immigration judges have been ordered by the Department of Justice to dismiss their cases, rendering them without legal status  and making them immediately vulnerable to arrest and removal from the country before theyve had a chance to appeal.

The majority of the more than 3,000 ICE arrests in New York City since President Donald Trump returned to the White House have taken place inside 26 Federal Plaza.

Alex Woodward contributed reporting.
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As the government shutdown enters its 22nd day, some Republicans in both chambers are floating an idea few in their party had ever even entertained: getting rid of the legislative filibuster to bring an end to the morass.

In recent years, Democrats have floated changing the filibuster. Former senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema blocked attempts to create a carveout to codify a new version of the Voting Rights Act. They hoped to do so again with abortion rights as the Supreme Court planned to overturn Roe v Wade in the Dobbs v Jackson decision, only to fail.

But now, some hard-right Republicans are floating the idea.

"My thought is that I'm not willing to see children in my state go hungry, which is literally happening now, over some Senate procedure," Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) told The Independent.

Hawley came to the Senate in Donald Trumps first presidency, after then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell torpedoed the filibuster for Supreme Court nominees.

open image in gallery Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) expressed openness to ending the filibuster to end the government shutdown. ( Getty Images )

But McConnell did so only after his predecessor, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, had invoked the nuclear option on the filibuster, the 60-vote threshold required to pass almost anything in the Senate, during Barack Obamas presidency after Republicans repeatedly blocked Obamas nominees.

The move had sweeping consequences: while Republican obstructionism had reached a fever pitch during Obamas presidency, it meant that presidents no longer had to reach consensus choices. One could argue that Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s control of the Health and Human Services Department, Kash Patels rule at the FBI, Pete Hegseths leadership at the Pentagon and, of course, Dobbs, date back to Reids choice.

But for young insurgents like Hawley, who came of age in the Trump era, its just one last vestige of the old guard that must be tossed to the dustbin.

"If it lasts too much longer, thats something to think about," Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) told The Independent. "One thing you could do is have it be 55, and the rules would be, you can't raise spending or taxes. So put some guardrails around it, but I don't think we're there to have that conversation."

open image in gallery Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), a freshman Republican, has floated a carveout for continuing resolutions. But that might have drastic consequences. ( Getty Images )

Moreno, a freshman who won just last year and is a committed ally of the president, said it hinges on whether Democrats vote on Thursday to pay federal workers.

Hes not alone. Unsurprisingly, Republicans in the House of Representatives floated the idea. Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) told reporters on Monday that Republicans should get rid of the filibuster for continuing resolutions. There is some irony, of course, in Roy proposing this, given he was Sen. Ted Cruzs chief of staff when Cruz shut down the government in 2013 to defund the Affordable Care Act.

But in the same way that Democrats nuclear option had long-lasting effects that ultimately empowered Trump, a carve-out for continuing resolutions would all but kill the appropriations process.

It would mean that the majority party would simply pass continuing resolutions instead of working in a bipartisan manner on the 12 spending bills needed to fund the government for a full fiscal year. And given that Democrats are more comfortable with higher spending levels, they would have every reason to keep toplines at the same amount of money if they took back the Senate, killing any chances Republicans like Roy have of fiscal restraint.

open image in gallery The late Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid killed the filibuster for judicial and cabinet nominees after Republicans blocked Barack Obamas picks. But that opened the floodgates for Donald Trump to fill the courts with conservatives. ( Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

This is probably why Roys former boss, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), brushed off Roys remarks.

"Is Chip in the Senate?" he asked The Independent.

"The House is not the Senate, and the Senate's not the House, and it needs to be someplace where there's adequate debate and deliberation, and that would be the United States Senate," Cornyn said. "And the truth is, it's bad for the country, because we can't change policies every two years when a new majority wins an election. So it may be expedient, but it's a bad idea.

Other Republicans like Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) warned of a slippery slope.

You do the first time, you do the second time, you do the third time, he told The Independent. You start declaring which one is important. Legislative filibuster is there to force people to be able to sit down and talk.

McConnell understood this deeply, which is why he attempted to preserve the filibuster after he removed it for Supreme Court nominees, despite Trump wanting him to remove it after Republicans failed to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

But McConnell left his perch atop the Senate GOP last year. Though his successor and protege, John Thune, supports it, he might have a tougher time standing in the breech. And all it takes is Trump making the call in a late-night Truth Social post.

The filibuster is already on its last legs after Reid killed it for nominations. It suffered another body blow when both parties resorted to passing policy priorities through budget reconciliation, even though neither has used it to reduce the deficit.

For the longest time, Republicans hoped the Democrats would kill it so they could play the blame game. But a government shutdown might be the final knife in the stomach for the procedure that keeps the Senate from turning into the meat grinder that is the House.
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Republican Senators are unhappy about Donald Trumps policy proposal to import beef from Argentina. But they are not quite ready to grill him on it yet.

Trump took a swipe at cattle ranchers on Wednesday on Truth Social, as many Republicans have expressed concerns about the White Houses proposal to import beef from the South American country.

"The Cattle Ranchers, who I love, dont understand that the only reason they are doing so well, for the first time in decades, is because I put Tariffs on cattle coming into the United States, including a 50% Tariff on Brazil," he said. "If it werent for me, they would be doing just as theyve done for the past 20 years  Terrible! It would be nice if they would understand that, but they also have to get their prices down, because the consumer is a very big factor in my thinking, also!"

open image in gallery Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) was reluctant to criticize President Donald Trumps policy importing Argentine beef. ( REUTERS )

Trump's proposal on Argentina comes as the administration has put in place a $20 billion bailout for the beleaguered country run by his ally, President Javier Milei.

The move rankled farmers and ranchers, including in many states that voted for Trump. The National Cattlemens Beef Association criticized the efforts by Trump.

Efforts to manipulate markets only risk damaging the livelihoods of American cattlemen and women, while doing little to impact the price consumers are paying at the grocery store, the NCBA said in a statement.

According to the NCBA, Texas, Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma, all of which voted for Trump by large margins in 2024, produce the most cattle.

But Cruz, who famously ran against Trump in 2016 when Trump posted an image calling Cruzs wife ugly, deferred when asked about Trumps policies toward cattle ranchers.

I love Texas ranchers, Texas is the national powerhouse when it comes to cattle ranching, and I'm confident Texas will continue to lead the way, Cruz, the chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, told The Independent. When asked about Trump, he said, "He can speak for himself."

Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) also stopped short of criticizing Trump.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump has in recent years cozied up to Argentine President Javier Milei. ( AP )

I think that they realize that this is a very, very small amount of beef that would come in from Argentina, and they're probably more concerned about how much of the profit the packers are taking on this, he told The Independent.

Marshall said that cattle ranchers are worried about who is making money on beef when they make so little and screwworm in beef coming from Mexico, which limits the supply of beef in the United States.

And because of that drop of imports from Mexico, we don't have enough hamburgers in this country as well, Marshall said. So I think they understand that this is just a small blip on the screen.

But Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) said in a statement on X that she had contacted the administration about its policy on beef.

Bottom line: if the goal is addressing beef prices at the grocery store, this isnt the way, she said. Right now, government intervention in the beef market will hurt our cattle ranchers. The U.S. has safe, reliable beef, and it is the one bright spot in our struggling ag economy. Nebraskas ranchers cannot afford to have the rug pulled out from under them when theyre just getting ahead or simply breaking even.

Republican senators face a major conundrum, considering that many cattle ranchers and rural states ardently support Trump, but their livelihoods are endangered.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass), for her part, criticized Trumps beef policy.

Warren, the top Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee, has long spoken out against the bailout for Argentina.

President Trump dumps on American farmers to help Argentina, and now he plans to dump on American ranchers, she told The Independent. What happened to America First? It appears to be 'Argentina First' over at the White House.

Milei and Trump have become incredibly close in recent years. Mileis libertarian style of slashing government services served as an inspiration from Trumps Department of Government Efficiency.

But Argentina continues to face major economic headwinds and the country will hold legislative elections this Sunday.
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President Donald Trumps demolition of the White Houses East Wing is deeply unpopular with many Americans but it isnt the first time the former real estate mogul has bulldozed a historic site to make way for new construction.

The presidents decision to knock down the storied East Wing to build a massive, $250 million ballroom comes decades after he made an enemy out of New York Citys Metropolitan Museum of Art during one of his earliest developments.

In 1979, Trump received approval from the city to purchase the Bonwit Teller building, an Art Deco mainstay on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, which would eventually be demolished for a 68-story, mixed-use property now known as Trump Tower, Forbes reported.

Trump recalled that the Metropolitan Museum of Art asked him to donate several friezes from the 1929 building before it was razed, in his 1987 book, The Art of the Deal.

The real estate developer agreed that he would save two, 15-foot Art Deco sculptures of nearly nude goddesses, as well as a 15- foot by 25-foot, nickel-plated grille, from the condemned buildings facade.

open image in gallery Trump was in his early 30s when he tore down the Art Deco building on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan and built Trump Tower in its place ( Getty )

open image in gallery Long before President Donald Trump decided to tear down the East Wing and build a ballroom, he angered New Yorks Metropolitan Museum of Art by demolishing valuable finishings from a historic Art Deco building ( US Pool )

I said that if the friezes could be saved, Id be happy to donate them to the museum, Trump wrote.

However, a year later, the sculptures were smashed by jackhammers and the grillwork went missing, Preservation News, a publication of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, reported in 1980.

Trump claimed at the time that he had the friezes torn down after he was told their heavy weight would require special scaffolding for safetys sake, thus delaying his project by several weeks.

I just wasnt prepared to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars to save a few Art Deco sculptures that I believed were worth considerably less, and perhaps not very much at all, Trump later wrote in The Art of the Deal.

At the time, the decision drew the ire of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, with the board of trustees then telling the New York Times: Can you imagine the museum accepting them if they were not of artistic merit?

Todays estimated value of the Bonwit Teller sculptures and grille that Trump destroyed is $845,00, according to Forbes.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump made an enemy out of the Metropolitan Museum of Art when constructing Trump Tower in the late 70s ( AFP/Getty )

open image in gallery The East Wing of the White House being demolished this week as crews work to build a new ballroom at the behest of President Trump ( Reuters )

The Bonwit Teller department store worked with world-famous artists, including Spanish surrealist Salvador Dali, who regularly decorated the windows, and Andy Warhol, before his career took off, according to ArtNet.

The architect who designed Trump Tower, Der Scutt, had hoped to incorporate the Art Deco designs into the new lobby, but Trump overruled him, according to Preservation News.

Snubbing the Met did serious damage to Trumps reputation in New York intellectual circles, according to the outlet. He expressed regret over his decision to destroy the artworks, years later.

Looking back, I regret that I had the sculptures destroyed, Trump wrote in The Art of the Deal.

He continued: Im not convinced they were truly valuable, and I still think that a lot of my critics were phonies and hypocrites, but I understand now that certain events can take on a symbolic importance. Frankly, I was too young, and perhaps in too much of a hurry, to take that into account.

A New York Times article in 1980, about the incident, quoted Trump. There is nothing I would like to do more than give something to a museum Ive always been interested in art, he told the paper at the time.

The Times noted that Trump had no artwork in his Manhattan office, apart from illustration of Trump Tower, hanging on one of the walls.

If that isnt art, then I dont know what is, Trump said at the time.

open image in gallery The tearing down of the East Wing of the White House has angered and shocked preservationists, and large numbers of the public ( AP )

Construction on the 90,000 sq ft White House ballroom began earlier this week with significant demolition and heavy machinery pictured at the East Wing.

Trump had previously said that the new ballroom would be connected to the main White House residence through what he described as a knockout panel in the East Room.

But on Wednesday, he had an update. In order to do it properly, we had to take down the existing structure, the president said.

The entire East Wing was set to be demolished within days, Trump administration officials also told NBC News.

The 90,000 square-foot ballroom will cost an estimated $300 million - $100 million more than Trump initially said.

Nobodys actually seen anything quite like it, Trump told reporters Wednesday in the Oval Office.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that works to save historic landmarks, has requested the Trump administration pause demolition until plans for the proposed ballroom go through the legally required public review process.

While new construction of federal buildings must be vetted by the National Capital Planning Commission board, the Trump-appointed head of that panel said in September that the demolition work falls outside the boards jurisdiction and can proceed without the need for approval.

The ballroom plans havent landed well with many Americans, according to recent polling. A YouGov poll conducted Tuesday revealed that 53 percent disapproved of demolishing part of the East Wing for the renovation.
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Donald Trumps administration has struck at least two alleged drug-carrying vessels, killing five people on board, in what appears to be the first attacks in the Pacific Ocean.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced two operations Wednesday that bring the death toll from the administrations attacks to more than 30, as the United States declares itself at war with drug cartels in an expanding military campaign across South America.

A vessel struck down Tuesday was known by our intelligence to be involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, was transiting along a known narco-trafficking transit route, and carrying narcotics, according to Hegseth.

Two people were killed in Tuesdays attack off Colombias coast, and another strike Wednesday killed three others, he said.

The latest strikes  believed to be the eighth and ninth attacks since September  raise the death toll from the administrations attacks to at least 37 people, who Hegseth compared to the terror group behind 9/11.

open image in gallery The Trump administration struck two alleged drug-carrying boats in the Pacific Ocean October 21 and October 22 ( Department of Defense )

Narco-terrorists intending to bring poison to our shores, will find no safe harbor anywhere in our hemisphere, Hegseth said Wednesday. Just as Al Qaeda waged war on our homeland, these cartels are waging war on our border and our people. There will be no refuge or forgiveness  only justice.

Officials did not immediately identify the groups or country accused of running drugs in the Pacific.

Critics have argued the campaign amounts to illegal extrajudicial killings, while members of Congress and civil rights groups are pressing the administration for evidence and the legal memos shared among White House officials to justify the attacks.

Two people who survived a recent strike in the Caribbean were sent to their home countries, Ecuador and Colombia, after Trump hailed the destruction of a very large DRUG-CARRYING SUBMARINE.

The apparent repatriation of people labeled terrorists by the government  rather than face prosecution in the United States  also raises additional legal questions about the operations, including whether to treat survivors as wartime detainees or transfer them to military or criminal authorities for prosecution.

Ecuadorian officials said there was no report of a crime brought against the Ecuadorian survivor, who is not being detained. A Colombian citizen who survived the attack remains hospitalized after his repatriation but is expected to be prosecuted.

Colombia President Gustavo Petro said a U.S. strike in September targeted a civilian boat in distress  not a drug-smuggling vessel  and accused Trump of murder.

Trump, on his Truth Social, called Petro an illegal drug leader and accused his government of ripping off American aid.

The majority of the cocaine smuggled into the United States arrives from the Pacific Ocean, but the Trump administration largely focused its attacks off the coast of Venezuela and the Caribbean in an apparent military-led campaign against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Last week, Trump said he authorized the CIA to perform covert operations inside Venezuela, marking a significant escalation of his aggressive campaign against Maduros regime and drug cartels that Trump claims are fueled by Maduros government.

Trump told reporters at the White House that he authorized CIA operations because Venezuela emptied their prisons into the United States of America and flooded the country with drugs.

Last month, the administration declared the United States is formally engaged in an armed conflict with drug cartels that the president has labeled unlawful combatants, according to a confidential notice to members of Congress.

The notice appears to invoke extraordinary wartime powers to justify a series of missile strikes targeting boats off the coast of Venezuela and in the Caribbean.

Trump said defense officials are now looking at land strikes in Venezuela.

open image in gallery Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the latest strike. The Trump administration is facing questions over the legality and ethics of the attacks ( Reuters )

In January, Trump issued an executive order designating Venezuelas Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization, paving the way for his order invoking the Alien Enemies Act to summarily deport suspected gang members. Neither the Alien Enemies Act nor foreign terrorist organization designations allow for lethal force.

Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez has accused the Trump administration of trying to force a regime change in the country.

I want to warn the population: we have to prepare ourselves because the irrationality with which the U.S. empire operates is not normal, Padrino said in televised remarks this month. Its anti-political, anti-human, warmongering, rude and vulgar.
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The Trump administration is massing more than 100 federal agents, including those from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, at a Coast Guard base on the San Francisco Bay, ahead of a long-threatened immigration crackdown in the city.

The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed to the San Francisco Chronicle, which first reported the news, that Coast Guard Base Alameda was preparing to serve as a place of operations for the agents.

A source familiar with the mission told ABC News the federal personnel would be engaged in an immigration surge operation in the region.

Agents are set to begin arriving on Wednesday and Thursday, officials familiar with the push told The New York Times.

The Trump administration has long threatened to send federal forces into San Francisco, following a string of deployments of federal immigration officers and National Guard troops across a series of mostly Democrat-led cities this year including Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles; and Chicago.

open image in gallery Federal agents are reportedly massing at a base outside San Francisco ahead of an immigration crackdown, prompting criticism from local officials ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Were going into San Francisco at the direction of the president, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on Monday.

Were going to go to San Francisco next, Trump told Fox News on Sunday. The difference is, I think they want us in San Francisco.

State and local leaders have, in fact, strongly criticized the administration for its threats to send federal agents on a law and order mission into the city, noting that violent crime rates are at their lowest levels since the 1950s.

In a video statement on Wednesday, California Governor and former San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom accused the Trump administration of trying to gin up chaos as a pretext to justify sending in the National Guard next, tactics right out of the dictators handbook.

open image in gallery California Governor Gavin Newsom accuses the Trump administration of trying to use federal agents to stir up unrest as a way to justify later sending in the National Guard into another Democrat-led city ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

This is no different than the arsonist putting out the fire, Newsom said. We need to call that out and we cannot play his game.

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie also spoke out against the operation.

We dont know exactly what the federal government is planning in San Francisco and across the Bay Area, he said in a statement on Wednesday. But we do know this federal administration has a playbook. In cities across the country, masked immigration officials are deployed to use aggressive enforcement tactics that instill fear, so people dont feel safe going about their daily lives.

The mayor added that he cannot stop the federal government from enforcing federal law in the city, but said San Francisco will stick to their local law enforcement mission and ensure residents can utilize their First Amendment rights to peacefully protest if they choose.

open image in gallery The Trump administration federalized California troops and sent them into Los Angeles over the objections of local leaders this summer ( AFP via Getty Images )

The city has said it will sue the Trump administration if it attempts to deploy the National Guard to San Francisco.

Some in the regions tech community, influential members of whom threw their support behind Trump this last election, have shown openness to federal intervention.

Marc Benioff, the formerly progressive billionaire CEO of Salesforce, said earlier this month he approved of sending National Guard troops into San Francisco to reduce crime, though he later apologized.

Immigration agents have already been active in the Bay Area, arresting at least 80 asylum seekers at San Francisco courthouses since May, according to the San Francisco Rapid Response Network, an immigrant advocacy group.

open image in gallery Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to send federal troops to San Francisco and criticized the regions mostly Democratic leaders ( AP )

The Trump administration has repeatedly clashed with California officials on immigration.

The White House ignored local objections and federalized hundreds of California National Guard members over the summer to respond to anti-immigration raid protests in Los Angeles, prompting the state to sue.

A federal court in August found that the Trump administrations actions had violated the Posse Comitatus Act, which largely bars military involvement in domestic law enforcement, though the ruling is on hold pending a federal appeal.

In the meantime, the Trump administration has tried to send hundreds of these now-federalized California Guardsmen to Portland, Oregon, for a similar crackdown, though that has also been paused in court.

open image in gallery In parallel to the San Francisco operation, the Trump administration is attempting to send California National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, a move both Oregon and California officials have challenged in court ( Getty Images )

Federal agents conducting immigration sweeps in California have been accused of unlawful tactics.

A federal court determined that immigration officials in Southern California were indiscriminately profiling and arresting people based on race and language, though the Supreme Court last month overturned an injunction in the case.

In a different California district covering Sacramento and Kern County, a federal court barred immigration agents from racially profiling suspects based on their appearance and language, following what critics said were indiscriminate raids in farming communities at the beginning of the year.

In July, a U.S. attorney who warned a top Border Patrol officer leading the raids about the injunction in the face of continued operations in the region was abruptly dismissed.
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One of Donald Trumps key legal allies claims that an upcoming grand jury in Florida will be investigating the federal law enforcement raid at Trumps Mar-a-Lago compound and a Democratic conspiracy against the president.

Mike Davis told The Charlie Kirk Show this month that his buddy  U.S. attorney Jason Reding Quinones in the Southern District of Florida  has received court approval to impanel a grand jury that should be fully up and running by January.

A court document that appears to match that description recently appeared on the south Florida courts website.

The order, first reported by Bloomberg, does not mention what the jury will be investigating, but it has a start date of January 12, 2026.

I would say to these lawfare Democrats, who launched this unprecedented Republic-ending, Russian-collusion hoax, conspiracy against President Trump, his top aides and his supporters over the last eight years  lawyer up, Davis said on the podcast, which aired October 17. Justice is definitely coming.

open image in gallery Mike Davis has repeatedly called for prosecutions of Democratic officials over what he claims is a plot to dismantle Trumps political movement ( Middle East Images/AFP via Getty )

Quinones was appointed by Trump in February and sworn into office in August.

The Department of Justice declined to comment to The Independent.

The Independent has requested comment from Davis.

In 2023, following the FBIs raid of Mar-a-Lago in 2022, a federal grand jury indicted Trump for allegedly withholding classified documents and obstructing law enforcement attempts to retrieve them.

A separate grand jury in Washington, D.C., accused the president of conspiring to overturn his 2020 election loss and failing to stop a mob of his supporters from storming the halls of Congress to do it by force.

Those sprawling investigations were helmed by now-former special counsel Jack Smith, who dismissed the cases as he ran out of time to successfully prosecute the president before he returned to office in January.

After Trumps election in 2024, Davis said Smith should go to prison for engaging in a criminal conspiracy against President Trump.

Trump  after campaigning on a theme of retribution and pledging to be a warrior and justice to those who were betrayed by the government  has since publicly demanded his Justice Department prosecute his perceived political enemies.

open image in gallery A grand jury at a federal courthouse in Fort Pierce, Florida will convene in January. Davis claims that prosecutors there are investigating a Democratic conspiracy against Trump ( Getty Images )

In quick succession, grand juries indicted former FBI director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and former national security director John Bolton.

Republicans in Congress have urged the Justice Department to open a criminal investigation into former CIA director John Brennan, who  like Comey  is accused of lying to Congress about a federal investigation into allegations of Russian interference in U.S. elections in 2016.

Trump and his allies have derided the Russiagate investigation  which determined Russian actors sought to boost Trump while damaging his then-opponent Hillary Clinton with a flood of disinformation  and vowed to seek revenge against those involved.

The Justice Department opened a criminal investigation into allegations that national security officials conspired to link Trump to Russias election interference campaign in an effort to delegitimize his campaign, following claims from Trumps intelligence director Tulsi Gabbard that the Obama administration manufactured and politicized intelligence to lay the groundwork for what was essentially a years-long coup against Trump.

open image in gallery Federal law enforcement searched Trumps Mar-a-Lago property in 2022, kicking off allegations that Democratic officials are using lawfare to politically thwart the president and his allies ( Getty Images )

Trumps allies have also demanded sweeping prosecutions of Democratic officials, including former presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama, as well as progressive fundraising groups and an array of ideological opponents the administration alleges are tied to acts of terrorism.

According to Davis, federal prosecutors are drawing up a plan to prosecute what he called Democrat lawfare against the president, alleging a long-running conspiracy to undermine Trump, his officials and supporters.

Davis claims that prosecutors are mulling a case involving conspiracy against rights, which makes it a federal crime to conspire to injure, threaten, or intimidate someone exercising their civil rights  a charge with foundations in the Reconstruction era, when the Ku Klun Klan and racist militias prevented recently emancipated Black Americans from exercising newly granted rights in the aftermath of the Civil War.

Davis suggests Trump was similarly persecuted.

Thats where this all leads, Davis wrote on X Tuesday. We need a special grand jury in Fort Pierce, Florida. Thats ground zero for the Mar-a-Lago raid. Its time to drag every name into the light. Every last one will face justice.
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On Wednesday evening, San Francisco was scrambling to prepare for an imminent flood of federal agents. Activist networks mobilized to monitor and block ICE raids across the city, while city officials threatened to arrest any feds who broke the law.

The next morning, seemingly out of nowhere, Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that those plans were on hold for now  due to pleas from city mayor Daniel Lurie and "friends of mine who live in the area."

"The people of San Francisco have come together on fighting Crime, especially since we began to take charge of that very nasty subject," Trump wrote.

"Great people like Jensen Huang, Marc Benioff, and others have called saying that the future of San Francisco is great. They want to give it a 'shot.' Therefore, we will not surge San Francisco on Saturday. Stay tuned!"

In a press conference, he added that he had gotten "four or five calls" from "some incredible people, some friends of mine, very successful people... some of the smartest business leaders."

open image in gallery A U.S. Border Patrol officer tries to clear protesters while entering the Coast Guard base near San Francisco. where roughly 100 federal agents reportedly arrived on Wednesday or Thursday for Trumps surge ( AP Photo/Noah Berger )

His decision was surprising because the White House has largely ignored opposition in from local leaders when surging immigration agents and federalized National Guard troops to Democrat-run cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles, Portland, and Washington, D.C.

So who are these modern-day Abrahams who convinced a wrathful president to stay his hand? And what might have made them so persuasive?

Daniel Lurie, city mayor and denim heir

In San Francisco's famously intense and treacherous city politics, often described as "a knife fight in a phone booth", Daniel Lurie is something unusual: an actual political newcomer.

As a prolific former philanthropist and heir to the Levi Strauss fortune, he's well-connected in the business world. But until winning the mayoralty last November as a moderate Democrat, he had almost no political experience.

As mayor, he has been pointedly cautious about confronting Donald Trump, in contrast to California governor (and former S.F. mayor) Gavin Newsom. While he sometimes criticizes federal actions, Lurie almost never raps the President by name, and regularly dodges questions from reporters about what he thinks of the man  to the point of infuriating more progressive allies.

open image in gallery San Francisco mayor Daniel Lurie celebrates after managing, against all odds, to win a point against tennis legend Roger Federer ahead of the Laver Cup on September 16, 2025 ( Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for Laver Cup )

When The New York Times asked him, during a comically tight-lipped interview this June, if he would ever say the word "Trump", Lurie simply smiled and said nothing.

Now that strategy appears to have paid off. "I spoke to Mayor Lurie last night and he asked, very nicely, that I give him a chance to see if he can turn it around," Trump wrote on Thursday morning.

"I told him I think he is making a mistake, because we can do it much faster, and remove the criminals that the Law does not permit him to remove. I told him, 'Its an easier process if we do it, faster, stronger, and safer but, lets see how you do?'"

Lurie's account of the conversation was similar, touting his efforts to reduce petty crime and visible drug dealing on the city's streets.

"I told [Trump] the same thing I told our residents: San Francisco is on the rise. Visitors are coming back, buildings are getting leased and purchased, and workers are coming back to the office," Lurie wrote in a press release.

"We have work to do, and we would welcome continued partnerships with the FBI, DEA, ATF, and U.S. Attorney to get drugs and drug dealers off our streets, but having the military and militarized immigration enforcement in our city will hinder our recovery."

Marc Benioff, CEO and mega-philanthropist

For years, Marc Benioff was considered a progressive defender of San Francisco. As the CEO of business software giant Salesforce, his influence is visible for miles around in the form of S.F.'s tallest skyscraper, Salesforce Tower.

In 2018 he broke with his fellow tech barons to campaign for higher city taxes in aid of the homeless, and he donated more than $1bn to hospitals, parks, schools, non-profits, and other causes, and other causes around the Bay Area. (He's also the owner and chairman of Time magazine.)

So it was an unpleasant shock to many when he announced last week that he was "all for" Donald Trump sending federal troops to San Francisco, misleadingly claiming that Democrats had "defunded" the local police force. (Former mayor London Breed did promise to do so, but later reversed course, and its budget has in fact increased.)

open image in gallery Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff delivers the keynote address at the start of the Dreamforce conference at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, California Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. ( Jessica Christian/San Francisco Chronicle via AP )

"I fully support the president. I think hes doing a great job," Benioff told The New York Times. In a follow-up interview with The San Francisco Standard, he added: "Theres parts of our city that are still incredibly unsafe... Ive seen things in San Francisco that need to be directly addressed by police, and if the police cannot address it, then bring in whoever can."

Yet within days, he had recanted those comments after city officials, Salesforce workers, fellow philanthropist and media mogul Laurene Powell Jobs (formerly married to Steve Jobs), and one of his closest friends pressed him publicly  and, probably, privately  to reconsider.

"Having listened closely to my fellow San Franciscans and our local officials, and after the largest and safest [Salesforce conference] in our history, I do not believe the National Guard is needed to address safety in San Francisco," he posted on X.

open image in gallery Ships dock at Coast Guard Base Alameda in the San Francisco Bay, where Trump reportedly dispatched roughly 100 federal agents in preparation for an S.F. surge ( AP Photo/Noah Berger )

"My earlier comment came from an abundance of caution around the event, and I sincerely apologize for the concern it caused."

We can only speculate on what passed between Benioff and Trump; Benioff did not respond to requests for comment from The Independent. But perhaps it was this experience that helped him persuade the President.

Of course, his regular praise for Trump on social media over the past few months can't have hurt. Nor can Time's recent decision to splash Trump on its cover with the headline "HIS TRIUMPH"  or to publish a second, even more flattering cover after Trump criticized the first photo as "super bad".

Jensen Huang, king of A.I. hardware

When Donald Trump made a speech with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang in July, he admitted that he'd never heard of the man until recently."I said, 'Who the hell is he? What's his name? What the hell is Nvidia?'" Trump joked.

But that was before a reported multi-month lobbying blitz by Huang and Nvidia, which is currently the world's most valuable company  with an unprecedented market capitalization of over $4.4 trillion  due to its dominance in building the specialized computer chips that power modern artificial intelligence.

open image in gallery Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, right, shakes hands with British prime minister Kier Starmer ( PA Wire )

Huang, who owns a $38m mansion in San Francisco's well-to-do Pacific Heights neighborhood, on what's known locally as "Billionaires' Row", has said little in public about Trump or his immigration efforts. Still, he's worked hard behind the scenes to secure a deal for exporting his chips to China.

A spokesperson for Nvidia declined to comment.

Mysterious 'others'

You may have noticed that this article has only looked at three people, and Trump said he had "four or five calls". So who are these "others" he spoke of?

They probably didn't include Elon Musk, who has vocally demanded Trump send in the National Guard as "the only solution" to a "drug zombie apocalypse".

Beyond that we don't know much, but we do have some hints.

open image in gallery Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, speaking at the Federal Reserve on 22 July, 2025 in Washington, DC ( Andrew Harnik/Getty Images )

The New York Times reported on Thursday evening that Sam Altman, CEO of ChatGPT's parent company OpenAI, was among the local magnates who privately lobbied Trump to relent, citing an anonymous inside source.

That makes sense: Altman prominently attended Trumps inauguration, joined him for a banquet with the U.K.s King Charles III (as did Huang), and is part of the Trump administrations $500bn Project Stargate to build A.I. infrastructure.

Another possibility is Trevor Traina, a tech entrepreneur from an old money S.F. family who served as Trump's ambassador during his first term  and who somehow managed to get away with defying a State Department ban on flying the LGBT+ pride flag from the U.S. embassy in Vienna.

On Tuesday he appeared on Fox News to publicly dispute the idea of sending in the National Guard. He declined to say whether he also lobbied privately, telling the Standard: The voters in SF picked leaders to fix these problems. And they deserve the chance to do so."

This article was published at 5:09 p.m. Pacific Time on Thursday Oct. 23, 2025, and updated at 3:07 p.m. to clarify our description of Laurene Powell Jobs.
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President Donald Trump pardoned Changpeng Zhao, the co-founder of cryptocurrency exchange Binance, this week in a move the White House framed as a response to what it called the Biden administrations war on cryptocurrency.

Zhao, also known as CZ, pleaded guilty to enabling money laundering and agreed to step down as the CEO of Binance as part of a $4.3 billion settlement with the Justice Department in 2023. He served four months in prison.

President Trump exercised his constitutional authority by issuing a pardon for Mr. Zhao, who was prosecuted by the Biden Administration in their war on cryptocurrency, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.

In their desire to punish the cryptocurrency industry, the Biden Administration pursued Mr. Zhao despite no allegations of fraud or identifiable victims, Leavitt said.

Trump, who has touted himself as a crypto-friendly president, signed a pardon for the crypto exchange founder on Tuesday, according to the Justice Departments website.

open image in gallery Changpeng Zhao, the co-founder of the largest cryptocurrency exchange platform, was pardoned Thursday ( AFP via Getty Images )

Both Binance and Zhao had sought a pardon from Trump.

In a statement on X, Zhao said he was deeply grateful for the pardon and Trumps commitment to fairness, innovation, and justice.

Will do everything we can to help make America the Capital of Crypto and advance web3 worldwide, Zhao added.

Despite having previously called Bitcoin a scam, Trump later became intensely interested in crypto  even campaigning on becoming the crypto president.

He kept his promise as soon as he was inaugurated, even launching a joint crypto project with First Lady Melania Trump right before he was sworn in.

The administration has appointed crypto-friendly regulators, reduced regulations around the digital currency and disbanded the Justice Department team tasked with investigating crypto crimes.

At the same time, the Trump family has also benefited from crypto investments. Members of the Trump family, through an umbrella company, own more than half of World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency company.

open image in gallery Trump signed an executive order establishing a reserve for crypto ( Getty Images )

Zhaos guilty plea was part of a multi-billion-dollar settlement with the DoJ, which had been investigating Binance for violating the Bank Secrecy Act, failing to register as a money transmitting business and violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

Federal prosecutors claimed Binance neglected to follow legal obligations, allowing terrorists, cybercriminals and child abusers to move money through its platform.

Zhao pleaded guilty to failing to maintain an effective anti-money laundering program, in violation of the Bank Secrecy Act, and resigned. He was sentenced to four months in prison and served his sentence.

Zhao co-founded Binance in 2017. It has become the largest cryptocurrency exchange by daily volume.

Reacting to his pardon, Zhao tweeted: Deeply grateful for todays pardon and to President Trump for upholding Americas commitment to fairness, innovation, and justice. Will do everything we can to help make America the Capital of Crypto and advance web3 worldwide. (Still in flight, more posts to come.) Onwards. 

Democratic senator Elizabeth Warren said the pardon was evidence of corruption by the president.

In a statement she said: First, Changpeng Zhao pleaded guilty to a criminal money laundering charge. Then he boosted one of Donald Trumps crypto ventures and lobbied for a pardon. Today, Donald Trump did his part and pardoned him.

If Congress does not stop this kind of corruption in pending market structure legislation, it owns this lawlessness.
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The Trump administration is temporarily holding off on launching a long-threatened federal crackdown on San Francisco, the president wrote on Truth Social on Thursday, even as immigration agents massed at a Coast Guard base just outside the city in anticipation of the planned surge.

The Federal Government was preparing to surge San Francisco, California, on Saturday, but friends of mine who live in the area called last night to ask me not to go forward with the surge in that the Mayor, Daniel Lurie, was making substantial progress, Trump wrote.

I spoke to Mayor Lurie last night and he asked, very nicely, that I give him a chance to see if he can turn it around, the president added.

Trump also said tech executives like Nvidias Jensen Huang and Salesforces Marc Benioff called saying that the future of San Francisco is great, comments that convinced him to suspend the operation, at least temporarily.

Lurie, in a statement on X, said he spoke with the president and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who he said assured him the administration was calling off any plans for a federal deployment in San Francisco.

open image in gallery The president announced Thursday his administration would pause a planned immigration crackdown in San Francisco, even as federal agents massed at a base just outside the city in anticipation of the operation ( Getty Images )

I told him the same thing I told our residents: San Francisco is on the rise, Lurie wrote. Visitors are coming back, buildings are getting leased and purchased, and workers are coming back to the office...We appreciate that the president understands that we are the global hub for technology, and when San Francisco is strong, our country is strong.

The mayor added that city leaders would welcome continued partnerships with the FBI, DEA, ATF, and U.S. Attorney to get drugs and drug dealers off our streets, but having the military and militarized immigration enforcement in our city will hinder our recovery.

Salesforce declined to comment when asked about Trumps claim Benioff was involved in discussions with the president that led to pausing the operation.

The Independent has contacted Nvidia for comment.

Reports of the looming crackdown prompted immediate protests in the region. On Thursday morning, law enforcement officers used a flash bang-style grenade on a crowd of activists attempting to block federal personnel from entering the Coast Guard base.

open image in gallery Reports that the Trump administration was about to mount an immigration crackdown in San Francisco prompted immediate protests, with activists attempting to block access to a Coast Guard base that was being used as a staging area for federal agents ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

The change of plans is notable because the White House has largely ignored opposition in the past from local leaders in other Democrat-run cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, Portland, and Washington, D.C., who have largely objected to the administration using or attempting to send in scores of federal agents and National Guard troops for similar operations.

California leaders, reacting to the earlier news of the potential San Francisco surge, feared the Trump administration would use the operation to provoke unrest as a pretext to then send the National Guard into the city or invoke the Insurrection Act.

In a video statement on Wednesday, California Governor and former San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom accused the president of using tactics right out of the dictators handbook.

This is no different than the arsonist putting out the fire, Newsom said. We need to call that out and we cannot play his game.

open image in gallery The Trump administration has clashed with California officials repeatedly in the past, including over the administrations decision to ignore local objections and federalize the California National Guard and deploy them against protesters in Los Angeles ( AFP via Getty Images )

Todays reversal is all the more striking because Trump administration officials have spent weeks suggesting a federal operation targeting crime and immigration violations in San Francisco was imminent.

San Francisco was truly one of the great cities of the world, and then 15 years ago, it went wrong. It went woke, the president told Fox News on Sunday. But were going to go to San Francisco, and were going to make it great.

If the leaders of Nvidia and Salesforce did indeed persuade Trump not to launch the San Francisco operation, it would be the latest reminder of the Silicon Valley worlds close ties with this administration. A number of top tech leaders endorsed Trump or donated millions to his inauguration this election, and top Silicon Valley companies have since been key players in the middle of much of the Trump administrations economic and political agenda.

The administration has largely stopped Nvidia from selling its most advanced chips in China amid the ongoing trade war, while the company reportedly has been cleared to send millions of advanced AI chips to the United Arab Emirates as part of a larger deal that will see the nation beef up investment in the U.S. in return. Nvidia is also among the U.S. companies backing the U.S.-U.K. Tech Prosperity Deal Trump and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced last month.

open image in gallery Tech executives like Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang have emerged as key players in the Trump administrations larger economic plans, and the president on Thursday credited pressure from Silicon Valley leaders with his decision to hold off on a San Francisco surge ( AP )

Salesforces Benioff, meanwhile, a billionaire executive previously known for backing progressive causes, said earlier this month he fully supports National Guard troops being sent to San Francisco to stop crime.

Benioff, whose company has reportedly pitched Immigration and Customs Enforcement on using its AI capabilities, later apologized for the comments.

While the San Francisco operation may be off, the Trump administration remains deeply at odds with California officials on immigration.

The White House ignored local objections and federalized hundreds of California National Guard members over the summer to respond to anti-immigration raid protests in Los Angeles, prompting the state to sue.

open image in gallery Thursdays decision to pause the San Francisco operation is a surprise, given the administrations repeated clashes with California and Gov. Gavin Newsom on immigration and law enforcement issues ( AP )

A federal court in August found that the Trump administrations actions had violated the Posse Comitatus Act, which largely bars military involvement in domestic law enforcement, though the ruling is on hold pending a federal appeal.

In the meantime, the Trump administration has tried to send hundreds of these now-federalized California Guardsmen to Portland, Oregon, for a similar crackdown, though that has also been paused in court.

Federal agents conducting immigration sweeps in California have been accused of unlawful tactics.

A federal court determined that immigration officials in Southern California were indiscriminately profiling and arresting people based on race and language, though the Supreme Court last month overturned an injunction in the case.

In a different California district covering Sacramento and Kern County, a federal court barred immigration agents from racially profiling suspects based on their appearance and language, following what critics said were indiscriminate raids in farming communities at the beginning of the year.

In July, a U.S. attorney who warned a top Border Patrol officer leading the raids about the injunction in the face of continued operations in the region was abruptly dismissed.
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New Zealand was plunged into chaos for the second time in a week as dangerous winds caused disruption on Thursday. Hundreds of flights were cancelled, schools were closed, and electricity blackouts covered large parts of the country.

The capital, Wellington, located in the lower North Island, bore the brunt of the gales, alongside parts of the South Island, including Christchurch.

The national forecaster, MetService, issued rare red wind warnings  its highest alert level  for several of the regions affected.

While no deaths or serious injuries were reported from Thursday's severe weather, the country is still reeling from a separate weather system on Monday that saw a Wellington man killed by a falling tree branch.

The latest havoc also disrupted rallies that were planned by health and education workers to mark what is believed to be the countrys largest industrial walkout in decades.

open image in gallery Farm irrigation equipment on the ground after it was damaged by strong winds in Waiau, New Zealand, on Thursday ( AP )

More than 100,000 workers, represented by four unions, staged a four-hour mega strike after months of stalled negotiations with the government over pay and conditions.

More than 200 flights across New Zealand were cancelled on Thursday as some urban areas experienced wind speeds of 140 to 160kmph (87 to 100mph), with gusts in one remote, rural part of the South Island registering 230kmph (143mph).

Tens of thousands of properties were without power in different parts of the country. The wind downed trees, ripped off roofs, and in the city of Dunedin, toppled shipping containers at the port.

Dangerous winds also forced the closure of some highways. The remote west coast of the South Island was cut off by road after flooding closed the only routes to the area.

Weather dampened planned mega strike

Some rallies by teachers, doctors and nurses around the country whose unions had planned a coordinated strike on Thursday were cancelled due to the weather. Union leaders said workers were still on strike, even where demonstrations were called off.

open image in gallery Education and healthcare workers march down Aucklands Queen Street on 23 October as part of a mega strike ( Getty )

Thousands still marched in the cities of Auckland and Hamilton, and hundreds of people turned out for demonstrations in small towns unaffected by the bad weather.

Hospitals and emergency rooms remained open to the public, but the government health agency urged people not to seek medical attention unless the matter was urgent. Medical staff at one hospital in the city of Nelson returned to work during the strike when the facility lost electrical power because of the high winds.

In the days before the strike, ministers in New Zealands centre-right government, which is often at odds with workers unions, lambasted the action, describing it as politically motivated. Union leaders rejected the charge, saying they had also held strikes under the previous centre-left government.

About half of those who walked off the job were teachers, and the rest included doctors, dentists, nurses, social workers, and other medical practitioners. Their demands varied between industries, but complaints about pay, staffing levels and working conditions were the central focus of the strike.

The action came amid steep government cuts to public spending, and record numbers of New Zealanders leaving the country, particularly for neighbouring Australia, where medical practitioners are lured by higher salaries and lower living costs.

open image in gallery Fallen trees block a road in Waiau, New Zealand ( Stuff )

Storm havoc due to ease by Friday

Several major highways remained closed on Thursday night, and residents of some South Island regions remained on alert as rivers rose and threatened to breach their banks. Winds were due to ease by Friday, although the authorities urged caution for travellers.

A ban on fireworks and fires was enacted for much of the country, and was expected to remain in place for the rest of the week, the national fire service said. The strong winds whipped up wildfires during both Mondays and Thursdays storms, and firefighters hadnt been able to quell the worst of the blazes by Thursday night.

New Zealands location in the southern latitudes, along with the mountain ranges that run the length of the country, can produce wild weather throughout the year.
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A gang of thieves who stole priceless jewellery from the Louvre have been caught on camera making a painfully slow escape from the world famous museum in new footage.

The group scaled the iconic Parisian museum using an extendable ladder on a lorry and broke the windows using small chainsaws in a daring seven-minute heist at 9.30am on Sunday.

A new clip posted online shows two masked men, one wearing a high-vis jacket and the other a motorbike jacket, sliding down from the glass museum in slow-motion using a 90ft high basket lift mounted on a truck. The pair later fled the scene on motorbikes.

open image in gallery Police officers work by a basket lift used by thieves at the Louvre museum in Paris ( AP (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) )

It emerged on Wednesday that the truck had been stolen from a car rental firm nine days before the burglary, according to the Telegraph. No arrests have been made.

The operation saw the gang of thieves enter the Galerie dApollon and steal eight pieces of jewellery worth 76 million.

The missing artefacts include:

A tiara, necklace and a single earring from a set that belonged to Queen Marie-Amelie and Queen Hortense

An emerald necklace and a pair of emerald earrings from the Empress Marie Louise set

A brooch known as the reliquary brooch

A tiara belonging to Empress Eugenie

A large corsage bow brooch of Empress Eugenie

open image in gallery Empress Marie-Louises necklace and earrings were among the stolen jewels ( AFP via Getty Images )

The group also reportedly dropped the crown of Empress Eugenie (the wife of Napoleon III) on the pavement, causing it to break.

All of the items remain missing, with fears they have been sold for parts on the black market.

Security guards chased the thieves and were able to prevent them setting the furniture lift truck on fire, according to the museums director of public reception and surveillance.

The lift-mounted vehicle was stolen in the nearby town of Louvres days before the heist, a spokesperson for the vehicles rental service told theTelegraph.

The Mitsubishi Canter Fuso, which is fitted with a 90ft ladder, was given to a rental driver in the town of Val-dOise on 10 October.

open image in gallery Members of a forensic team inspect a window believed to have been used in the Louvre heist ( REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes )

But the handover of the vehicle was interrupted when two men arrived on a motorbike and threatened the driver, the rental firm said.

One of the men drove off in the truck while the other fled on a motorbike, but no weapon was used and no assault took place, according to The Telegraph. Speaking anonymously to the newspaper, the boss of the rental firm said he did not become aware that the vehicle was stolen until he saw the heist on the news and informed police.

The vehicle was painted grey to conceal the logos and the number plate was cloned from a 2018 model of an Isuzu Series N registered in the Paris region, days before the heist.

Investigators are examining a trail of clues which the thieves left behind, including a petrol container, scooter helmet, blowtorch, walkie-talkie, yellow vest and a blanket.

Laurence des Cars, president of the Louvre, told the French Senate culture committee hearing on Wednesday that the museum had been defeated.

We are experiencing a terrible failure at the Louvre, for which I take my share of responsibility, she said.

She admitted that the CCTV footage of the surrounding area was highly insufficient.

The Louvre reopened to the public on Wednesday with increased security presence.
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Hundreds of starving and marooned Russian troops are being killed by Ukrainian drones in the death zone of the Dnipro delta, according to a report.

The river, surrounded by low-lying marshy islands, is split between Russian control on the left bank and Ukrainian control on the right.

At least 5,100 Russians have died in the area since January this year, some from starvation, according to Ukrainian intelligence.

Footage shared by the 40th Coastal Defense Brigade of the Ukrainian Marine Corps shows several makeshift Russian boats approaching the coastal swamp, only to be blown apart by Ukrainian suicide drones.

The area is a death zone for Russia, Colonel Oleksandr Zavtonov of Ukraines 30th Marine Corps told The Telegraph. There is nowhere to hide.

He added: The prisoners that our fighters recently took on the islands talked about the inability to deliver food and drinking water to them, and they have to drink water from the river.

open image in gallery Footage shows attacks on Russians in the marshy area of the Dnipro River ( The 40th Coastal Defense Brigade of the Ukrainian Marine Corps )

One of the deadliest and most perilous fronts, the area can be valuable for observation and the establishment of radio networks for unmanned aerial operations. Controlling the area can enable soldiers to affect resupply and the movements of small boats.

However, it leaves soldiers completely exposed.

It is a large water area; there is nowhere to hide on the islands themselves, and the terrain is mostly swampy, and units passing through them will be too vulnerable, he explained.

Desperate troops appear to be attempting to camouflage themselves using reeds and mud as they attempt to make their way back to areas of Russian control across the water.

Enemy advances are carried out by small groups that try to camouflage themselves  a tactic not seen at the beginning of the war, Oksana Kuzan, head of the analytical department at the Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Centre, told the publication.

open image in gallery A rower aviron on the Dnipro River by the Trukhaniv Island on 17 October amid Russias ongoing invasion of Ukraine ( AFP/Getty )

Russian military units remaining on the islands in the Dnipro delta are facing serious problems with food, ammunition, and rotations.

Last month, Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered his highest conscription of troops in nine years, mandating 135,000 people to be recruited into the military by 31 December 2025.

Ukrainian intelligence estimated that 180,000 of Russias military personnel could consist of former prisoners, who were made eligible for conscription by Putin in 2022.

The Economists meta-estimate of Russian casualties since the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion in February 2022 until January 2025 was between 137,000 to 228,000 soldiers dead. By 13 October this year, it estimates this number has risen by 60 per cent to 190,000 to 480,000 dead, with between 984,000 and 1,438,000 casualties recorded.
Russian president Vladimir Putin is attempting to overcome many seemingly impossible tasks in his drive to challenge the West and re-establish Moscows dominion over its former empire. But in at least one, he seems to have succeeded. With Wednesdays announcement by the United States that it would impose sanctions on two major Russian oil companies, Putins intransigence appears, finally, to have overcome the extreme reluctance of Donald Trump to use any of the enormous power of the US against Moscow.

The sanctions, levied against the energy giants Rosneft and Lukoil, effectively cut the firms off from American banking systems and financial institutions.

They follow the latest iteration of a repetitive cycle of Trump calling for a ceasefire in Ukraine, and Putin declining to cooperate. On all previous occasions, Trumps promises of consequences for Russia have turned out to be empty; and the US presidents apparent frustration with Putin has meant little compared to the underlying tide of US decisions curtailing support for Ukraine and Europe.

But in this instance, the final straw may have been the promise of a meeting between Trump and Putin in Budapest, called off after it became clear that there was nothing to discuss.

The latest twist will again lead commentators to announce that Putin has miscalculated. But this time, finally, they may be correct. Putin has consistently played on Trumps misplaced respect and deference for him  publicly demonstrated once again after their meeting in Alaska in August, when Trump proudly displayed a photograph of the two men together supplied by the Russian side.

Until the latest US decision, it appeared that Putin had allowed Trump to believe in the prospect of another summit, got what he wanted, and then didnt even need to turn up.

The latest planned meeting between the two came to nothing, with the US president imposing oil sanctions soon after the breakdown ( Getty )

Putin may well have never been interested in travelling to a summit in Europe at all, given the risk that countries he would have to overfly would not be willing to overlook the fact that he is an internationally wanted war criminal whose aircraft are banned from EU airspace.

Instead, the new US sanctions on Russia mark a dramatic break from the previous pattern of the Trump administration putting pressure only on Ukraine.

It also suggests a tacit admission by Washington that Trumps consistent claims about Russia being interested in a ceasefire, or finding a deal with Trump, have little basis in reality. Russian officials are, for once, telling the truth when they point out that throughout Trumps repeated U-turns on what he is demanding from Ukraine and requesting from Russia, Moscows position has remained entirely consistent.

In fact, theres been no reason at all to think that Russia was interested in a ceasefire, other than Trump saying so. Meanwhile, last night, as every night, Russia continues its mass strikes against the most vulnerable in Ukrainian society, including a drone strike on a kindergarten in Kharkiv.

It will come as a surprise to many people that after successive rounds of sanctions  now numbering 19 separate packages from the EU, for instance  apparently obvious targets like Russian oil majors remained off the lists.

Even the UK had only targeted Rosneft and Lukoil a week beforehand. To some extent, thats a reflection of how sanctions are expensive for the side imposing them as well as the target. Questions remain over what to do with Russian assets abroad almost four years after they were frozen, because of fears over the legal implications for similar assets worldwide.

And the long delays before the EU finally banned import of Russian liquefied natural gas resulted in part from Europes self-imposed dependence on Russian energy.

Even with the new US sanctions in place, a lot will depend on how they are enforced and whether there is the will to sustain them  Trump has already said he hopes they will not be in place for long.

But significantly, the new sanctions are not the only US measures that will give Russia pause for thought. They are accompanied by practical steps lifting US-imposed restraints on how Ukraine can fight the war, reportedly including limitations on the use of long-range missiles for strikes against targets deep inside Russia. Major roadblocks to support for Ukraine have been removed with the reported transfer of authority for key decisions from Trump appointees in the Pentagon to US European Command (EUCOM), which customarily has a much clearer understanding of the threat that Russias ambitions pose to US interests.

Together, the latest US steps may indicate that Putin has at long last found the limit of US tolerance for his toying with Trump. That may lead to a rethink of how Moscow manages the relationship with Washington. But it wont cause Russia to reassess its objectives in this war, or whether it thinks it is succeeding in them.

That would take a far more substantial and permanent change in attitude from the United States, alongside meaningful European intervention. Both of those remain highly unlikely; but unless and until they happen, the war will continue.
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Donald Trump hit Russia with a new raft of sanctions targeting major oil companies on Wednesday in an apparent effort to strong-arm the Kremlin into sitting down for peace talks over Ukraine.

The new sanctions were unveiled one day after plans for a summit between Trump and Vladimir Putin fell apart, with the US leader expressing doubt in Russias commitment to ending the war.

The US Treasury Department said Russias two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, were targeted in a bid to damage Moscows ability to fund its war machine.

The move was a sharp turnaround for Trump, who in recent days had been insisting upon Putins willingness to come to the negotiating table  while conceding that he might have been played.

With the announcement of sanctions, US Treasury secretary Scott Bessent said that it was time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire, as oil prices rose by more than $2 (1.50) a barrel.

Trump has resisted pressure from US lawmakers to extend sanctions, but acknowledged that he felt it was time, with little tangible progress made towards ending the war since he took office.

open image in gallery Trump and Putin met in August, but the historic summit failed to yield tangible results ( Getty )

What do the sanctions target?

The sanctions blacklist Russias two largest oil producers, Rosneft and Lukoil, which between them export around 3.1 million barrels of oil every day.

This amounts to almost half of Russias total crude-oil exports, according to Bloomberg. Taxes from the oil and gas industries prop up about a quarter of Russias federal budget.

The Russian economy relies on exports of fossil fuels to foreign buyers. China and India are among the biggest customers of Russian oil and gas.

China, which promptly denounced Trumps decision, imported some 100 million tonnes of Russian crude oil last year, accounting for around 20 per cent of its total energy imports.

open image in gallery Firefighters work to put out a fire caused by Russian drone strike in Kyiv ( Reuters )

The risk for Russias customers is the threat of secondary penalties for dealing with sanctioned entities. Even though China and India, for example, are not explicitly targeted by the sanctions, they could find themselves shut out from Western banking systems, insurance or access to dollars for engaging with the companies.

Increased energy prices will affect businesses, which will affect consumer prices.

The American sanctions align with the decision by EU countries to approve a 19th package of measures, including a ban on Russian liquefied natural gas imports, announced on Wednesday. The UK also hit Rosneft and Lukoil with sanctions last week.

Why has Trump sanctioned Russia now?

US lawmakers have been arguing for months that tough energy sanctions are needed to bend Russias arm and bring it to the negotiating table.

Trump had until now resisted the calls, hoping that he could get Putin to cut a deal through diplomatic means.

Since the disastrous summit with Zelensky in February, Ukraine has been careful to position itself close to Washington, while highlighting Russias lack of commitment.

Trump appeared to acknowledge this after Russia doubled down on its maximalist aims in Ukraine.

open image in gallery Rosneft reservoirs in western Siberia pictured in 2006 ( AP )

Every time I speak to Vladimir, I have good conversations and then they dont go anywhere. They just dont go anywhere, Trump said on Wednesday.

Bessent acknowledged that it was Putins refusal to end the senseless war that prompted the new sanctions.

Will the sanctions have any effect?

The experts say that the sanctions will hit oil profits, but they are unlikely to break Russias war machine.

Tom Keatinge, director of RUSIs Centre for Finance & Security, said: As Ukraine continues to inflict its own special kind of sanctions on Russias energy sector, the Trump administration has finally awoken.

He indicated that Ukraines allies have until now been timid in bringing down the sanctions hammer on Russias main source of military revenue, oil.

Last week the UK moved against key Russian oil assets, yesterday it was the USs turn, and maybe the EU will finally do (almost) the right thing today. But when will the EU actually stop financing the Kremlins nightly attacks on Ukraine?

open image in gallery Ukrainian emergency workers search through the rubble at the site of a missile attack in Sumy ( AFP/Getty )

Kimberly Donovan, a former White House and Treasury official and Atlantic Council expert, said she expected a direct and immediate impact on Russias oil profits and said the sanctions were significant due to the threat of secondary penalties.

Russias economy is in dire straits, and the Kremlin will be keen to avoid sanctions that could impact economic stability at home.

Michael Raska, assistant professor at the Military Transformations Programme at Singapores Nanyang Technological University, told the BBC that the sanctions could force Russia into difficult trade-offs between financing a war abroad and maintaining peace and stability at home.

But the sanctions were unlikely to alter the military balance in Ukraine for now, he indicated.
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A critical region of Ukraine became the centre of a heated debate between Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump during a White House meeting over the weekend, according to reports.

Vladimir Putin has long demanded that Ukraine cede the Donbas to Moscow, a chunk of eastern Ukraine the majority of which has been occupied by Russian forces since its February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

At an explosive meeting in Washington, DC on Friday, the US president is said to have told Zelensky to accept Russias terms or risk facing destruction.

President Zelenskys visit to the Oval Office allegedly turned into a shouting match, with Trump resorting to profanity, sources told the Financial Times.

Trump reportedly aside maps of the Ukrainian frontline, urging Zelensky to surrender the Donbas region to Russia, seemingly adopting points Vladimir Putin made to Trump in their call the day before.

But it was reported that Zelensky succeeded in bringing Trump back to endorsing a freeze of the current front lines.

Where is the Donbas region?

The Donbas region is made up largely of Ukraines Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Areas which have been largely occupied since February 2022.

But a smaller pocket of the region bordering Russia was occupied in 2014, when Russia-backed separatists engaged in combat with Ukrainian government forces.

This was after demonstrations by pro-Russian and anti-government groups in the aftermath of the Euromaidan Uprising, a wave of pro-Europe demonstrations and civil unrest in Ukraine.

The region also largely consist of Russian speakers, having been a Soviet-era hotspot for migration as it was the industrial heartland of the USSR.

Russia occupies nearly 90% of the Donbas

Any concession of large regions of Ukrainian territory would be a bitter pill to swallow for Kyiv.

As of August, Russia controlled around 88 per cent of the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, almost all of Luhansk and around 75 per cent of Donetsk. It has since made marginal gains in the Donetsk region.

Zelensky has previously insisted he would reject any proposal to withdraw from the industrial Donbas region, claiming it would open a bridgehead for a wider Russian offensive.

But Trump said that the Donbas region of Ukraine should be "cut up", leaving most of it in Russian hands, to end the war that has dragged on for nearly four years.

"Let it be cut the way it is," he told reporters aboard Air Force One. "It's cut up right now," adding that you can "leave it the way it is right now."

"They can negotiate something later on down the line," he said. But for now, both sides of the conflict should "stop at the battle line  go home, stop fighting, stop killing people.

The US president reportedly told Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky to accept Russias terms or risk facing destruction in an explosive meeting in Washington DC on Friday.

Putin first entered the Donbas region during an offensive in 2014, which saw Russia annex the Crimean peninsula.

Russian-backed separatists broke away from the Ukrainian government to proclaim the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk independent peoples republics and, as a result, Moscow captured more than a third of Ukraines eastern territory.

In recent months, Moscow has reinforced its efforts to seize these remaining areas, pushing towards cities like Pokrovsk and intensifying drone and air strikes.

It is crucially important to Ukraine, given that the region holds one of the largest coal reserves and is viewed as an energy powerhouse by Kyiv.

Putin has repeatedly demanded that Ukraine cede Donbas, including at a summit with Trump in Alaska earlier this year ( AP )

It has also been described as a fortress belt by the Institute for the Study of War, given that Donetsk forms the main fortified defensive line along the eastern region, halting Russia in their tracks.

Ukraine is holding a key defensive line across Donetsk, says Elina Beketova, a fellow at the Centre for European Policy Analysis, describing a fortified zone buildup over years because the war began 11 years ago.

Its not just trenches, its a deep, layered defence with bunkers, anti-tank ditches, minefields, and industrial areas built into the terrain. The area includes dominant heights, rivers, and urban zones that make it extremely hard to capture, explains Beketova.

Relinquishing the territory would be catastrophic for Russia, especially if they are not given concrete security guarantees such as Article 5 protection from Nato.

However, Putin made it clear that he would not fall back on core demands to resolve root causes of the conflict, that includes Ukraine becoming a neutral state and abandoning Nato aspirations.
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Dania Alafranji should be well into her final year at a prestigious English boarding school. Like many teenage girls, she imagines what her dorm would look like and what clothes she might wear. The world should be full of possibilities.

Instead, the 16-year-old is living in a tent in the back yard of a building in az-Zawayda in southern Gaza, a town reduced to rubble by airstrikes. She gathers firewood, waits desperately for aid trucks to deliver food, and hopes to make it out of the Gaza Strip alive.

To make life worse, she has been separated from her mother, Hayat Ghalayini, who lives in the UK, and has been forced to grow up too quickly.

Dania was 14 when war broke out on 7 October 2023. As a top student, she was awarded a full scholarship to study at Reddam House, an independent boarding school in Berkshire, six months into the conflict. But she was unable to take up the place because of a gap in the British governments evacuation policy, which allows some university students to leave the Strip but excludes high-school students and post-doctoral students and researchers.

For Danias mother, waiting for her daughter in Trafford, Manchester, time has stood still.

I miss her. I cant think of anything else, Hayat tells The Independent. Everything  cars, electricity, water, roads  reminds me of her. I go to sleep thinking about her, and I dream about just touching her.

open image in gallery Hayat was separated from her daughter when war broke out ( Hayat Ghalayini )

Hayat, a UK resident through her marriage to Danias stepfather in 2022, was separated from her daughter when war broke out. Amid the chaos, Danias three older sisters, now in their twenties, made the difficult decision to ask their mother to evacuate, hoping they would be able to join her shortly.

However, prior to the border being locked down in May 2024, evacuation became too expensive, costing between 5,000 and 10,000 per person  an amount the family could not afford. Some of those offering escape operated illegally, charging extortionate prices to get names on evacuation lists.

The scholarship, facilitated through the Horizons Academy for gifted and talented young students and funded by the Nsouli Scholars Programme, offered a lifeline for Dania to help her fulfil her dream of becoming a Palestinian diplomat. Yet she has been left stranded while the bombing has intensified  around 20,000 children have been killed in Gaza, according to Save the Children.

Home Office guidance published in September 2025 says that students on full scholarships will be evacuated to a third country for security checks and the completion of the visa process, which includes submitting biometrics. However, it adds that although the guidance is applicable to Chevening scholars and those with full scholarships for university, it does not include [those applying to] independent schools.

Without Home Office support, Reddam House is unable to issue a CAS (Certificate of Acceptance for Studies) and Dania cannot evacuate to Egypt or Jordan to obtain her visa.

open image in gallery Hayat with her four daughters ( Hayat Ghalayini )

University students who evacuated to the UK less than a month ago didnt have to pay anything, because the government and embassy was in charge of arranging the whole trip from Gaza until they arrived safely to their schools, says Dania, who now has a thorough understanding of the evacuation process.

There are three students including Dania, who were awarded scholarships at Reddam and have been unable to take them up. One has decided to finish school in Gaza in the limbo that ensued, while another is hoping to convince Reddam to allow her to repeat the year as she is turning 18 soon. Three other Reddam scholars were able to leave before the Rafah crossing closed.

They are no longer eligible to keep this scholarship, because of how long they have waited, says Dania. This is one of my biggest fears right now. I want to make the most of this scholarship and living abroad, hopefully next to my mother.

open image in gallery Dania has secured a scholarship to study at the prestigious Reddam House boarding school ( Mick Crawley/Geograph )

After a ceasefire was announced earlier this month, Dania hopes she will be able to have a shot at a normal life.

The ceasefire gives a small hope that travelling processes can be easier, or happen faster or smoother, although no solutions have been applied yet for any travel route.

Hayat is heartbroken that she has been unable to help her daughter through her formative years.

Shes had to learn to make bread on a wood fire, and just cook and clean and go into the market and buy essentials with her sisters and provide. These are all things that a 16-year-old under normal circumstances wouldnt need to do, she says.

As time passes, Im terrified Im not going to be able to recognise my daughter.

open image in gallery Palestinians gather to receive food from a charity kitchen in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, on 15 October 2025, two days after a ceasefire came into effect ( AFP via Getty )

Hayat says the Foreign Office has said it cannot help as Dania is not a British citizen, despite her mother living in the UK. She asked for its help on humanitarian grounds, but has not had a response.

The Independent contacted the FCDO for comment. The Home Office said it did not consider applications from those under the age of 18.

A spokesperson for Reddam House said they could not comment on individual applications, but added: While we celebrate the opportunities these scholarships provide, we are aware of the extraordinary challenges faced by some of our incredibly deserving recipients.

We are also committed to remaining flexible in our arrangements, which could include providing the option to defer their studies, if appropriate, ensuring that every student has the best possible chance to benefit fully from this opportunity.

open image in gallery Hayat is heartbroken that she has been unable to help her daughter through her formative years ( Hayat Ghalayini )

Dr Nora Parr, an academic at the University of Birmingham and part of the UK Coalition for Gaza Students, is now working on a campaign to extend the university student scheme to students applying to independent schools, and other applicants including PhD students and researchers.

Classes have started at this point for most schools, and at some point, its too late, she says. Everybody wants to see these bright people in education. They want to advance themselves and rebuild their communities.

Parr says the system needs an overhaul in order to better support those in conflict zones.

We need a fully functional, thought-out system, where people know what to do. Where they can expect to be treated fairly and humanely given the context that theyre coming from.
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As the fragile ceasefire in Gaza continues to hold, Palestinians have been returning to what is left of their lives after two years of relentless bombardment.

But thousands of those who survived Israels assault on the enclave face the challenge of life-altering injuries they suffered during the conflict.

There are more than 6,000 prosthetics currently needed in Gaza, many of which are for children, according to the World Health Organisation.

And there are precious few people on the ground who have the expertise to help them.

open image in gallery Five-year-old amputee Sila Abu Aklan uses a walker to move around at her grandmother's house in Gaza City ( AP )

Heba, who works for the charity Humanity & Inclusion, is one of just eight prosthetic technicians left in Gaza. She examines peoples amputations, measures their stumps and makes moulds for both leg and arm prostheses.

We see people living with amputations whose stories of loss are heartbreaking and unimaginable, the mother-of-two said. Many of them are the sole survivors of their families, carrying both the physical and emotional weight of that traumatic experience.

The UNs Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said the war has created the largest cohort of child amputees in modern history.

In the Gaza Strip, where people are constantly and repeatedly forced to move due to forced displacement and insecurity, a prosthesis is not just a medical device, it is a lifeline, Heba explained.

It allows people to walk again, care for their families and themselves, and face daily challenges with more strength. Without prosthetics, many would remain completely dependent on others at a time when families and communities are already under immense pressure.

open image in gallery A doctor assists 13-year-old Yamen Asfour as he learns to walk on a prosthetic leg at the Artificial Limbs and Polio Center in Gaza City ( AP )

Heba provides temporary prosthetic devices for people with lower-limb amputations.

But Humanity & Inclusion says Israeli authorities have blocked most prosthetic components from entering Gaza during the war, labelling them as dual-use items, which are materials that could be repurposed for military use.

It has made her teams job that much more difficult as they lack some of the basic parts needed to help those who have lost limbs. Israel's military aid agency Cogat did not respond to a request for comment.

Now the ceasefire is in place, the charity hopes vital equipment will finally be allowed through border crossings.

With this ceasefire we are ready to scale up our activities and are hoping to support more and more people in our prosthetics and orthotics centre, Heba explained.

open image in gallery Four-year-old Omar Abu Kuwaik was taken from Gaza to the US to have a prosthetic arm fitted ( AP )

We have stocks ready at the border that have been there for months. These are mainly assistive devices: wheelchairs, crutches, prosthesis equipment. We are about to run out of many items in the centre including those specifically designed for children.

The unrelenting airstrikes and evacuation orders made it nearly impossible to access medical supplies, and priority is given to essential items. Storage facilities and warehouses that held materials that could have been used to build prosthetic limbs have been destroyed in airstrikes.

Heba works at Nahla Prosthetics & Orthotics Centre, which was named after their late colleague Nahla, who was killed along with her four children when their house was bombed in December 2023. The centre has been temporarily relocated from Khan Younis, which is now an evacuation zone in the southern Gaza Strip.

open image in gallery Heba examines peoples amputations, measures their stumps and makes moulds for both leg and arm prostheses. ( Supplied )

The centre opened in January and operates with one qualified local prosthetics specialist, supported by an international technical specialist with two prosthetic assistants, two physiotherapists, and one psychologist.

Anne-Claire Yaeesh, a director for Humanity & Inclusion, said: There is a very high demand for assistive devices and medical equipment but our prosthetic and orthotic centre in Khan Younis is about to run out of many items, including those specifically designed for children.

Our team of 100 people in Gaza is ready to deliver aid and services. Most of them have been working around the clock over the past few months. Despite being exhausted and impacted by the war, having been displaced and lacking food, we have remained fully operational.
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A volcano that lies close to the border between Iran and Pakistan may be nearing an eruption again for the first time in more than 700,000 years, a study has suggested.

Scientists say that the Taftan volcano, which was believed to be extinct, is showing signs of activity after hundreds of thousands of years.

A new study published by the Geophysical Research Letters journal has found that the volcanos summit has risen by 3.5in between July 2023 and May 2024 and still hasnt deflated.

open image in gallery A view of the Taftan volcano in Sistan province, Iran ( Amirhossein Nikroo/CC BY-SA 3.0 )

Researchers said this suggests that a significant amount of gas pressure is building up below the volcanos surface. The plumes this creates will have to release somehow in the future, either violently or more quietly, the studys senior author and volcanologist Pablo Gonzalez told Live Science.

Mr Gonzalez reassured that there is no risk of an imminent eruption, but that the volcano should still be closely monitored.

This study doesnt aim to produce panic in people. Its a wake-up call to the authorities in the region in Iran to designate some resources to look at this, he told the publication.

Gaseous emissions were observed by locals as early as 2023, and a smell was reported from as far as 30 miles away from the summit.

open image in gallery The 12,927ft volcano towers over a group of smaller mountains ( Safa.daneshvar/CC BY-SA 4.0 )

The colossal 12,927ft-high volcano towers over a group of smaller nearby mountains formed by the Arabian ocean crust. It is the largest volcano in southeastern Iran.

Due to the mountains remote location, it is difficult to monitor and provide accurate images, but doctoral student Mohammadhossein Mohammadnia worked with Mr Gonzalez to use satellite images to determine the rise of the base.

The cause of the volcanos growth spurt is likely to be a consequence of a difference in the hydrothermal plumbing below the volcano, resulting in the gas build-up or magma shifts underneath the vent, scientists said.

Researchers are continually monitoring the volcano, and the research remains ongoing, partnering with other experts.
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President Donald Trumps plan to end the conflict in Gaza would be put under threat by the Israeli Knesset's move towards the annexation of the West Bank, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said.

"I mean, thats a vote in the  yeah, thats a vote in the Knesset, but obviously I think the presidents made clear thats not something wed be supportive of right now, and we think its potentially threatening to the peace deal," Rubio told reporters late on Wednesday before leaving for Israel.

Rubio's visit to Israel, announced by the State Department on Wednesday, is the latest by a senior US official seeking to keep alive a fragile truce between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas.

US Vice President JD Vance arrived in Israel this week and met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday. He is due to meet Defense Minister Israel Katz and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer on Thursday before departing.

The State Department said Rubio was visiting Israel to support the implementation of Trump's 20-point plan to end the Gaza war.

open image in gallery US Secretary of State Marco Rubio ( AP )

A bill applying Israeli law to the occupied West Bank, a move tantamount to annexation of land that Palestinians want for a state, won preliminary approval from Israel's parliament on Wednesday.

There are around 700,000 Israeli settlers living in settlements across the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The United Nations and much of the international community consider the settlements illegal under international law.

Israel's government, however, cites biblical and historical connections to the West Bank, territory that it regards as disputed, and opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state. The settlements are an explosive issue that has for decades been seen as a major obstacle to Middle East peace.

The vote was the first of four needed to pass the law and coincided with Vance's visit to Israel, a month after President Trump said that he would not allow Israel to annex the West Bank.

Netanyahu's Likud party did not support the legislation, which was put forward by lawmakers outside his ruling coalition and passed by a vote of 25 in favour and 24 against out of 120 lawmakers. A second bill by an opposition party proposing the annexation of the Maale Adumim settlement near Jerusalem passed by 31 votes to 9.

open image in gallery Donald Trump has claimed he will bring peace to the Israel/Palestine conflict ( AP )

Netanyahu's government had been mulling annexation as a response to a string of its Western allies recognising a Palestinian state in September, but appeared to scrap the move after Trump objected.

Settlement building has been expanding rapidly since 2022 when Netanyahu's government came to power. It is the most right-wing in Israel's history, featuring several ultra-nationalist lawmakers.

The UAE, the most prominent Arab country to establish ties with Israel under the so-called Abraham Accords brokered by Trump in his first term in office, last month warned that annexation in the West Bank was a red line for the Gulf state.

Senior Emirati official Anwar Gargash, a diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, told the Reuters NEXT Gulf Summit in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday that he believed the Gulf state had averted annexation.

The United Arab Emirates' national security adviser, Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, discussed on Wednesday developments related to the ceasefire in Gaza and efforts to consolidate it with US envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, Emirati state news agency WAM reported.

The meeting in the Gulf country came after a visit by Witkoff and Kushner to Israel.
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An IndiGo flight from Kolkata in eastern India to Srinagar in the north had to make an emergency landing on Wednesday after the crew reported a fuel leak.

Flight 6E 6961 landed safely at the Lal Bahadur Shastri International airport, in Uttar Pradesh states Varanasi at around 4.10pm local time.

All 166 passengers on board were reported unharmed.

According to the Varanasi police and airport officials, the crew informed the captain after noticing the fuel leak. The pilot, in turn, immediately alerted air traffic control, which cleared the plane for an emergency landing, according to India Today.

The Hindu quoted unnamed sources as saying that a faulty sensor was responsible for triggering a false fuel leak alert, but this has not been confirmed in official statements.

A technical team has been deployed to examine the aircraft and confirm the nature of the fault.

In a statement, IndiGo said the flight made a precautionary landing at Varanasi airport due to a suspected technical issue.

The airline said it organised a substitute flight so passengers could resume their journey to Srinagar.

As a safety measure, the aircraft has been grounded for necessary checks and an alternate aircraft has been arranged to continue the journey, the airline said.

At IndiGo, the safety of our passengers, crew, and aircraft is our top priority, the statement added. We appreciate our customers patience and cooperation as our teams work to minimise any inconvenience.

In another aviation-related incident, Air India flight AI191, operating between Mumbai and Newark in the US was compelled to return to the coastal Indian city soon after take-off due to a suspected technical issue.

The flight crew made a precautionary decision to turn back, and the aircraft landed safely back in Mumbai, according to local reports.

As a result, both flight AI191 and its return leg, AI144, were cancelled.
Newly released footage shows the teenager who killed 15-year-old Harvey Willgoose appearing to dance in their school canteen with a knife moments after stabbing his fellow pupil to death.

Mohammed Umar Khan was sentenced to a minimum of 16 years after murdering Willgoose at their school in Sheffield in February. A judge lifted a ban on naming him ahead of his sentencing at Sheffield Crown Court on Wednesday (22 October).

CCTV from inside the school shows Khan pushing Willgoose in the corridor before later stabbing him in the heart during a school lunch break.

Khan was found guilty of murder in August.
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Storm Benjamin has unleashed flooding across parts of England and sparked travel disruption as heavy rain and powerful winds hit the UK.

More than 15 flood alerts remained in place across England on Thursday morning, after a further 38 were stood down. The areas affected stretch from Yorkshire down to Norfolk, along with rivers and parts of the coastline in Kent, Sussex and Somerset.

Storm-related travel delays have been reported by ferry company DFDS, which said: All services are currently operating with delays due to strong winds in the Channel.

They advised passengers to check in as normal and said they would be transferred to the first available sailing on arrival.

open image in gallery A fishing boat arrives at the port of Plobannalec-Lesconil, in western France, on Wednesday as huge waves and strong winds hit the area ( AFP/Getty )

Storm Benjamin is still expected to develop into the afternoon across the southeast of England with gales up to 55mph possible, the Met Office said, though the storm is now starting to track away from the UK.

Earlier, the forecaster predicted winds over 70mph were expected at the height of the storm along coastal areas, warning that large waves and debris thrashing onto sea fronts, coastal roads, and properties in the blustery conditions could lead to injuries and a danger to life.

open image in gallery Travel delays are likely as flooding alerts stretch across England ( Reuters )

Deputy chief meteorologist, Chris Bulmer said: As Storm Benjamin clears the UK and heads towards Denmark late tomorrow cold Arctic air will sweep across the country, bringing a noticeably chilly weekend as temperatures fall below average.

Although many areas will see dry weather with sunny spells, it will feel cold in the brisk northerly winds. Showers are expected in the north and west, some of these falling as snow over Scottish mountains.

open image in gallery There are two weather warnings in place ( Met Office )

The Met Office has updated the weather warnings, with only two remaining for Thursday.

A yellow warning for rain covers Norfolk and Suffolk until 4pm, and a wind warning remains in place for East Anglia, London and Kent. Winds are expected to remain strong along the East Anglia coast into Thursday night.

The Met Office said: A band of rain associated with Storm Benjamin will slowly move east during Thursday but is expected to produce some heavy rain in places, particularly this morning.

Whilst most places will only see around 10-15 mm of rain today, a few locations, particularly nearer the coast could see 20-30 mm from shorter bursts of heavy rain.

Previously, two yellow warnings for rain covered all of southern and eastern England, parts of southern Wales, the Midlands, and stretching up towards the north west, while a yellow warning for wind had been issued for the south east until midnight.

The Surfers Against Sewage live map reported dozens of sewage discharges across the affected areas.

Chief meteorologist Rebekah Hicks said: It is worth noting that there is a greater than usual uncertainty surrounding the track and intensity of this low-pressure system.

The public should stay up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings as the situation evolves, with adjustments to the forecasts likely at short notice.
You have to take it on the chin  Joey OBrien notes gap in class but fears Shels players showed Palace too much respect
Dublin Airport infrastructure insufficient for growth, say McEvaddys

DAA warns that US policies and tariffs have increased uncertainty and risk

Ulick McEvaddy. Photo: David Conachy

John Mulligan Thu 23 Oct 2025 at 12:59

A consortium that includes Ulick and Des McEvaddy has insisted that current infrastructure planning by the DAA at Dublin Airport is insufficient to meet the needs of Irelands growing passenger demand.
New research from Deloitte across 15 countries claims that Ireland is emerging as a major AI investment hub, ranking top for AI strategy integration in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (Emea).

The research, comparing 105 Irish executives in companies with over 1,000 employees and annual revenues of over 450m to 1,749 counterparts across Emea, found that 91pc of Irish respondents plan to increase financial investment in AI in the next year, while 87pc have already increased AI spending in the last year.
Theres gold in that old neglected smartphone, says boss of Refurbed

Company raises 50m to help fund its mission to change consumer behaviour

Refurbed CEO Peter Windischhofer. Photo: Marko Mestrovic

Adrian Weckler Thu 23 Oct 2025 at 06:30

Buy a used smartphone  and beat Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in their geopolitical war. Thats one message that Peter Windischhofer, the co-founder and chief executive of Refurbed.ie, is keen to push.
In cinemas; Cert 12A

Dads, man. You dont get to choose them, and you probably wouldnt want to. Youll inherit their best traits and their worst; their good moods and their temper tantrums. Its inevitable, really.

Every man becomes his father, even international chart icons. For some, the transition is gradual and gentle; for others, the changeover takes a while to get your head around.

In Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere, filmmaker Scott Cooper (Crazy Heart, Out of the Furnace) paints a fragile, fatalistic portrait of Americas greatest rock star at the peak of his creative powers.

In 1981, the man they call The Boss was on fire. His third album, Born to Run, had put him on the map; his fourth and fifth, Darkness on the Edge of Town and The River, helped Springsteen and The E Street Band to sell out arenas. Then came the tiredness, the stillness and, eventually, the solitary confinement.

Locked away at his rented home in Colts Neck, New Jersey, Springsteen started to confront his demons. He thought of his father, Douglas, a depressed bus driver from Freehold, who drank too much and blamed others for his vicious temper.

Bruce read stories by Flannery OConnor and watched films by Terrence Malick and John Huston. He wrote songs about himself and his dad, about outlaws and criminals and gutsy working-class heroes. Armed with a guitar and a four-track unit, Springsteen made an album (1982s Nebraska), in his bedroom, and it went on to change his life.

Jeremy Allen White avoids impersonation. Photo: 20th Century Studios

A heavier film than you might expect, Deliver Me from Nowhere  a little like its weary central warrior  works up a different kind of sweat and captures this pivotal artistic breakthrough as best as anyone could hope for.

This isnt Springsteens life on screen; it is, instead, a single chapter, a glimpse inside the mind of a creator at war with himself.

Its a film about depression and about what happens when adulthood creeps on you.

Its a story about learning to live with yourself and your flaws. It is, at its core, the tragic, timeless tale of a son doing everything he can to sidestep the mistakes of his father. Thats relatable.

Fully authorised by Springsteen himself, who visited the set and provided notes, Deliver Me from Nowhere is based on a 2023 book by Warren Zanes. Its an admirable adaptation that sometimes goes out of its way to avoid the usual cliches and pitfalls of the typical big-screen rock flick. But it also wants to be one.

There are glimpses of a noisier, flashier film here. Somewhere in the middle, Jeremy Allen Whites Springsteen records a barnstorming first take of Born in the USA with his boys (cue lots of comical this will be huge expressions behind the production desk).

Jeremy Allen White and Odessa Young. Photo: 20th Century Studios

Joyous, energetic concert sequences are sprinkled throughout the drama and Deliver Me from Nowhere also comes with a greasy, greedy label boss (David Krumholtz, enjoying himself).

How do these opposing elements co-exist? Not without the occasional wobble and there are cracks, too, in the fictional romance.

Coopers film imagines a doomed love affair between Springsteen and a charming diner worker named Faye (Odessa Young). We cannot fault Youngs performance, but this part of the story is sketchy and perfunctory. We get it: the gloom Springsteen inherited from his old man gets in the way of true love.

But it might have been better to further examine the fractious father-son dynamic at the heart of this complicated tale and to give the tremendous Stephen Graham (portraying the old man, Douglas) a chance to do what he does best: act. Graham, however, is often banished to the corner, which is a shame. Naturally, all eyes are on our two leads.

You wont ever forget youre watching Jeremy Strong. Mix up the hair, change the outfit, do whatever you like, but Strong always brings that same level of concentrated intensity to the table. His Jon Landau (Springsteens manager and pal) is a very serious chap, indeed. But hes a good friend to have around.

As Springsteen, White avoids the temptation to impersonate and focuses instead on the heart and humanity behind the legend.

Think Carmy from The Bear, minus the profanity and arrogance. The voice is in terrific shape, too, and youd watch this fella make music all day.

A challenging film, but I look forward to a repeat viewing.

3.5 stars
Farmer fears he will not be able to pass the baton to his son due to rising costs  How could you dare encourage them to go farm?

Wexford man is calling on the Government to support the preservation of small farms in rural Ireland

Thomas Kenny with his son Tomas Kenny at their farm. PHOTO: Sabrina Ffrench

Alan White Gorey Guardian Thu 23 Oct 2025 at 12:40

A Wexford man has spoken out on the difficulties for farmers amid struggles following rising costs.
Presidential candidate Catherine Connolly canvassed in Co Roscommon where she visited a local school and a shop and spoke to the media. Voting opens tomorrow in the Irish Presidential election.
LATEST | Citywest violence: Gardai prepare for five more days of disorder as locals opposed to asylum centre tell protesters stay home

Public order gardai with riot shields will be deployed for third night31 people arrested, 23 of which have appeared before the District Court.Four gardai hospitalised over the last two nights after receiving injuries Five boys aged under 18 were arrested and later released15 e-scooters and e-bikes were seized

Citywest violence: Gardai release bodycam footage as part of investigation

Robin Schiller, Conor Feehan, Sarah O'Mahony, Eoghan Moloney and Adrianna Wrona Wed 22 Oct 2025 at 20:40

Gardai have said they are preparing for five more days of potential violence, although the protests on Thursday night outside the asylum centre in the former Citywest Hotel in west Dublin were much smaller and bore no resemblance to the extreme violence of the previous two nights.
Ruth Lawrence not a murderer as it was her boyfriend who shot two men dead, trial hears

Accused said she shot drug dealer but it went wrong, witness testifies

Ruth Lawrence

Alison O'Riordan Thu 23 Oct 2025 at 06:30

Ruth Lawrence is not a murderer because it was her boyfriend who murdered drug dealer Eoin OConnor and his friend, a key witness has told a Central Criminal Court trial.
Children as young as 10 used electric scooters to ferry missiles to Citywest rioters, locals say

Utility meter housings were destroyed to make weapons to attack gardai at the scene

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly visits the scene near the Citywest Hotel where disturbances broke out on Tuesday. Photo: Niall Carson/PA

Conor Feehan Thu 23 Oct 2025 at 06:30

Residents living near a Dublin hotel housing asylum-seekers that was at the centre of violent clashes this week said they saw children as young as 10 involved in the rioting.
Our son would be 6 years old today: Parents welcome apology from HSE after terminating baby who did not have fatal foetal abnormality
Imam forgives fellow passenger who harassed him on Ryanair flight as he warns racism now normalised in Ireland

Dr Umar Al-Qadri decries riots near the Citywest Hotel as driven by rage

Dr Umar Al-Qadri, chair of the Irish Muslim Peace and Integration Council. Photo: Steve Humphreys

Sarah O'Mahony Thu 23 Oct 2025 at 06:30

Racism has become normalised in Ireland, with members of the Muslim community here expecting to face harassment, Dr Umar Al-Qadri has warned.
Calls in Wexford for further support for men's health following a report which ranked Wexford second highest for premature mortality rates in men.

A small area in one county which has seen eight people diagnosed with cancer, three of whom have died, has prompted concern they could be part of a deadly cluster of some form.

The concern was raised by Kerry Fianna Fail TD Michael Cahill with HSE representatives at the Oireachtas Health Committee on Wednesday. He enquired about the supposed unexplained surge in an area of Kerry and the deputy asked about possible causes, including the water we drink, the air we breathe or the food we eat.
Catherine Connolly said Clare Daly was beacon of hope despite ex-MEPs opposition to sanctions on Russia

I have never seen Clare as a thorn  Aras front-runner

Independent presidential candidate Catherine Connolly. Photo: PA

Mary Regan Thu 23 Oct 2025 at 06:30

Independent presidential candidate Catherine Connolly described Clare Daly as a beacon of hope, despite the former MEPs strong opposition to sanctions against Russia.
David Farrell: Heres why Catherine Connolly and Heather Humphreys are not so different after all

The Irish Independents VoteSmart tool asked both candidates to respond to a series of statements and the results give a good insight where they differ

Heather Humphreys greets a relative, Grainne McCann, in Mitchelstown, Co Cork, during campaigning for the Irish presidential election. Photo: PA

David Farrell Thu 23 Oct 2025 at 06:30

Were finally approaching the end of this Groundhog Day of a presidential election, an election in which journalists have been reduced to repeatedly asking the same questions of the only two candidates, Heather Humphreys and Catherine Connolly.
VoteSmart: Take our test to find out whether Catherine Connolly or Heather Humphreys best aligns with your views
Celebrity chef Edward Hayden on why food festivals like Savour Kilkenny matter more than ever

From supporting Irish food producers to offering solutions for cooking healthy, affordable meals in the face of rising food costs, food festivals like Savour Kilkenny are playing a crucial role in making good food accessible to all

Irish celebrity chef, author, and culinary lecturer Edward Hayden has played a key role in Savour Kilkenny Food Festival for over 15 years. Photo: Dylan Vaughan

Aisling Bolton-Dowling Thu 23 Oct 2025 at 07:40

This bank holiday weekend, over 65,000 visitors are expected to flock to Kilkenny city. Though they come from all walks of life, spanning generations, backgrounds, beliefs, and interests, theyll gather with one shared passion: food.
Restaurant review: Grilled Irish king scallops are small and anaemic, flaccid and with no colouring or caramelisation to suggest they have been in contact with a grill

Our critic find this Dublin 4 Chinese pricey and charmless, and the service leaves a sour taste

Rongcheng on Dublin's Baggot Street

Katy McGuinness Thu 23 Oct 2025 at 06:30

Saturday evening, earlier this month. Leinster have just played at home and won, a happy confluence of circumstances which guarantees a good nights takings for the pubs and restaurants of Upper Baggot Street.
It is almost two years since the events of the dark night that became known for the Dublin riots. November 23, 2023 will live long in infamy after the vandalism, arson, looting and assaults in the heart of our capital city.

The riots happened after a man armed with a knife attacked a group of young children outside a school in Parnell Square. Gardai regained control, but only after considerable damage to people, property and the reputation of our country. The riots were a wake-up call for the public about how quickly mayhem can descend on and spread through the streets, and the considerable challenges facing gardai in a fast-paced scenario in which extremists will foment violence and take the law into their own hands.

The aftermath saw much analysis of garda response time, resources and equipment. Gardai rushing in from stations all over Leinster to support their colleagues were heading out on to the streets without the basics of helmets, shields and batons.

The overwhelming public reaction, though, was for gardai to be given the legislative, financial and training tools necessary to maintain law and order. When the State was threatened, there had to be a firm response.

Policing of anti-immigration protests have presented significant difficulties to garda management. Often these events can be disorganised and unpredictable, even when they are intended to be peaceful. Gardai have to balance the right to protest with the duty to maintain order.

Garda management of such situations has improved significantly. However, gardai were tested in west Dublin this week following an alleged sexual assault of a young girl in the vicinity of the Ipas centre at Citywest. Up to 2,000 people gathered.

We were prepared. That made a difference. We were able to contain the violent disorder and restore order

What may have started as a peaceful protest descended into violent disorder as frontline gardai came under attack. A graduated and escalated response kicked in. A garda van was set on fire, bottles were thrown, fireworks were launched in the direction of gardai and rioters armed themselves with missiles and weapons. One garda was injured. A sulky horse steered straight at the garda lines.

But gardai were ready as they were monitoring social media and were aware a protest would happen. A plan was put in place to ensure people in the Ipas centre were protected. Up to 300 gardai were present, including uniformed officers, specialist units, public order units, the dog unit and mounted unit.

The garda helicopter was in the air and the water cannon was sent to the scene. Gardai in riot gear were deployed and pepper-spray was used to repel protesters. Six arrests were made.

We were prepared. I think that made a difference last night. We were able to contain last nights violent disorder and restore order, acting deputy commissioner Paul Cleary said.

The lessons of the Dublin riots of 2023 were learnt. Justice must be allowed to take its course and law and order must be upheld.
Barristers present the evidence in a case in accordance with the Irish legal system. Courts ensure the evidence is correct and judges decide the outcome of cases.

A Fine Gael government encouraged vulture funds into this country to the benefit of the banks and to the detriment of their mortgage customers. The policies of successive FG/FF governments have supported banks and vulture funds in their activities, including home repossession.

The personal tenor of attacks by Heather Humphreys and her followers shows she is a candidate for Fine Gael, the few  not a president for all.

Hugh McDermott, Dromahair, Co Leitrim

Misjudged endorsement by former IFA leaders does not represent all farmers

The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) has often stood accused of being the organisation representing big farmers by bodies inside and outside agriculture.

However, the utterly destructive, ill-considered and mistaken approach of former presidents of the IFA to unilaterally endorse Fine Gael presidential candidate Heather Humphreys is quite extraordinary and destructive to the ethos and future of the IFA.

It will take some considerable work by the IFA to convince young, modern farmers of its continuing relevance and ability to represent their apolitical and diverse interests and views and undo this collective sectional support for one political viewpoint to the exclusion of all others.

Tomas Finn, Ballinasloe, Co Galway

Ill be using my vote, and so should you if you want your voice to be heard

I would ask voters to realise there is no benefit in spoiling their votes on Friday, despite the advice to the contrary that has been issued by some of your correspondents.

I am proud to have used my vote in every election and referendum in this country for over 50 years. On Friday, I will be voting number one for Heather Humphreys.

Michael J Deane, Ballina, Co Mayo

Current Aras residents have been a credit to the country over last 14 years

I think it is worth taking a moment in the cut and thrust of the election campaign to remember the outgoing occupants of Aras an Uachtarain.

I believe it is fair to say that Michael D Higgins has represented our country with dignity, erudition and compassion in a way that is entirely befitting of the office.

Sabina Higgins has been far more than just a trailing spouse; she has been an equally excellent representative of our country in her own right.

There has been no taint of scandal or controversy in their extended time in the Park, and they have always carried out their duties to the highest standards.

No matter which candidate wins this weekend, I hope they will carry out the role as well as the Higginses, whose service has been exemplary.

Sean Kirwan, Bray, Co Wicklow

What are the chances that Heather can pluck victory from the jaws of defeat?

Presidential candidate Heather Humphreys is pictured in Tuesdays Irish Independent playing the harp.

One wonders if she will have to pull a few more strings to make it to the Park?

Noel Kelly, Doonbeg, Co Clare

Effects of the devastation wrought on Gaza will be felt for decades to come

Instead of bringing peace to the Middle East, the Trump-dictated Gaza peace plan may end up establishing the virtual success of the Israeli genocide against the Palestinian people.

Hopefully, the killing will stop in Gaza in the short term. The 20-point peace plan makes no provision for justice for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank or the establishment of peace in the wider Middle East, especially in Lebanon and Syria.

Israel has ensured by its environmental and physical destruction that the Gaza Strip will be unsafe for anyone to live for decades.

On October 7, 2025, the health ministry released details on Palestinians killed and wounded in Gaza. The recorded death toll since October 7, 2023, is now 67,183 killed, with 169,841 injured.

The quote by Roman historian Tacitus seems appropriate: To ravage, to slaughter, to usurp under false titles, they call empire; and where they make a desert, they call it peace.

Edward Horgan, Castletroy, Limerick

Amazon cloud outage exposed how vulnerable our modern world is

Mondays global internet outage should end the fantasy that the digital world is weightless and benign.

The cloud, we learn now, reputedly, turns out to be a few vast warehouses in northern Virginia. A bad day for Amazon was enough to jam online banking, block hospital appointment systems and knock out social media platforms used by hundreds of millions worldwide.

We have allowed the essential infrastructure of modern life  money, communication, health access, security  to fall almost entirely into the hands of a small number of private American corporations. Not infrastructure we merely rely on, but infrastructure we cannot function without. And this power is not accountable to any electorate.

What should concern us is that the next disruption may not be accidental. The first government to treat the cloud as critical national infrastructure rather than a convenient utility will not be taking a bold step, merely catching up with reality.

Ireland, now a global data-centre hub, faces a stark choice. It can drift on as a digital tenant in privately controlled territory or it can begin to insist that infrastructure this fundamental must answer, at some level, to the public interest.

The concentration of power is a fact. The question is: in whose hands?

Enda Cullen, Tullysaran Road, Armagh

Catholic leadership must keep the faith with 2,000 years of church teaching

I would like to join Mary Stewart (Letters, October 22) in thanking all our young people who do not want to see a watering-down of the Catholic faith. Jesus did not lower the requirements of his call, and neither should the church.

The organic spiritual richness of Catholicism has survived every attack over the past 2,000 years and still strives to maintain the unwavering confidence of the teachings of Jesus.

John OBrien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary
True crime has always cast a morbid fascination, from penny dreadfuls to smash-hit podcasts such as West Cork. These new shows shine a light on crime and justice, and, or the lack thereof.

Youd assume female genital mutilation (FGM) would be an easy procedure to prove or disprove. Not the case with a child who, at 21 months old in 2016, was taken to CHI Crumlin by her parents  African-born but living in Ireland for more than a decade  after suffering from bleeding.

Hospital staff felt the injury was consistent with FGM and so Tusla and An Garda Siochana became involved, becoming the first case of its kind, the practice having been criminalised in 2012. The couple, who have always maintained their innocence, were found guilty of procuring FGM and in 2020 put in prison; in 2024 their charges were dropped by the DPP.

Its a complex case sensitively handled by RTEs Documentary on One and RTE Investigates on First Conviction (Apple, Spotify; rte.ie), a six-part podcast series that will culminate in a TV documentary on RTE One and RTE Player on November 12. Actor Ruth Negga here narrates; the couple is still fighting to officially clear their names and receive certificates of a miscarriage of justice.

If the above investigation by RTE was a labour of love, taking around 12 months, you have to admire Liv Kirwan who spent four years piecing together the death of Fr Niall Molloy in Co Offaly in 1985. Kilcoursey: The Unsolved Murder of Fr Niall Molloy (YouTube) is her chronological investigation that starts from the weekend of Molloys death right through to its 40th anniversary, when there are still more questions than answers.

Kirwan grew up in Athlone and remembers the murder from childhood; this eight-part series draws on years of independent research, court transcripts, reports  including by Veronica Guerin who worked on the case for the Sunday Independent until her death in 1996  and assistance from Fr Nialls nephew.

A husband-and-wife production team, Kirwans husband Marcus narrates this public record.

The Modern Mann (Apple, Spotify) marks its 10th anniversary with an exclusive interview with an Ohio man who confessed to murder... on YouTube.

Matthew Cordles confession (My name is Matthew Cordle, and on June 22, 2013, I hit and killed Vincent Canzani) went viral before being charged with aggravated vehicular homicide after a night of heavy drinking, for which he served more than six years in prison.

Host Olly Mann confronts Cordle on alcoholism, infamy, his sentencing, remorse and rehabilitation.
The building is located in Parliament Street in Ennistymon, Co Clare

Plans to turn a former bookshop into a takeaway coffee spot have been approved this week by Clare County Council.

Lodged by M. Hohey in summer, the project aims to turn the former branch of Salmon Bookshop and Literary Centre in Parliament Street, Ennistymon into a takeaway cafe.

The unit is currently empty as the store closed after the lease ended in 2023. It is located on Parliament Street in the town centre, just a few minutes walk away from the bookshops current branch on Main Street.

Planning documents show a layout of the proposed coffee shop, which includes a service area and separate storage area.

Clare County Council approved the project on October 23 with five conditions attached.

One of them reads the unit can only be open from 9am to 10pm Monday to Friday and from 9am to 8pm on weekends.

Salmon Poetry, which was established in 1981, is one of Irelands major poetry publishers. The Ennistymon bookshop was opened in 2012. The shop now operates at its current branch on Main Street while its old home in Parliament Street, which is also a protected structure, lies derelict since 2023.

Mr Hohey, who was born and raised in Lahinch, previously told the Irish Independent that he hopes to give the historic unit a new lease of life.
Courts

Fraudster linked to Black Axe gang jailed after six years on the run in US

A man who spent six years on the run in the US has become the latest criminal with links to the Black Axe crime gang to be jailed.
Cancer Connect and Newmarket First Responder Group will be the beneficiaries of the Western Duhallow Vintage Car and Tractor run that will take place on Bank Holiday Sunday.

Starting at Kiskeam Community Centre with registration opening at 10:30am on Sunday, the charity run will attract petrol heads from across the country to the charming village of Kiskeam with their vintage cars and tractors.

Substantial prizes will be up for grabs on the day, which were kindly donated by local businesses.

Those in attendance will also receive a complimentary tea or coffee.

Cancer Connect is one of the beneficiaries, and they provide a crucial service for those in need of cancer treatment.

Cork Connect co-ordinates transport to Cork hospitals for people who require radiotherapy, chemotherapy and other related treatments.

Newmarket First Responder Group will also benefit from the fundraiser.

The group of volunteers provide a very important service to the Duhallow region. They are dispatched by the National Ambulance Service to attend to patients until the arrival of the paramedics.

In some cases, the volunteers are called to potentially life-threatening incidents for patient care and emergency life support.
Locals in East Cork are opposing another large solar farm proposal, one of many such applications made in the area in the past few years with a local councillor declaring they represent the industrialisation of the rural landscape.

The application seeks planning permission from Cork County Council is build a 118-hectare solar farm, battery energy storage system (BESS) and an underground electricity grid connection with a 40-year operational lifespan in Tibbotstown, around 2 km north of the town of Carrigtwohill.

The applicant is Puffin Solar Limited, which is owned by Power Capital Renewable Energy, a major player in the Irish renewables sector that also operates the nearby 153-hectare Lysaghtstown solar farm.

In a brochure sent to locals the company said the proposed solar farm would generate and store renewable energy to contribute to the regeneration of our planet and people. It also said it will set up a community benefit fund to support local community initiatives during the lifetime of the facility and will work to maintain and replace hedgerows where necessary.

The Tibbotstown Action Group has been set up to oppose the development and held a meeting in Leamlara this week which attracted dozens of locals. A spokesperson for the group told the Irish Independent that theyre concerned about the loss of farmland, construction noise, property devaluation, and the risk of flooding because of run-off from the solar panels.

One of their main concerns is that any toxic run-off from the site during construction or from the solar farms batteries could contaminate the Tibbotstown reservoir, which provides water to thousands of people in the surrounding area.

Fermoy Councillor Peter ODonoghue said East Cork is being inundated with planning applications for solar farms. We're seeing the industrialisation of East Cork. We're seeing our beautiful rural landscape now being industrialised and we don't have any proper planning guidelines or planning regulations, he told the Irish Independent.

You could draw a straight line from Carrigtwohill, Leamlara, Bartlemy, Castlelyons and then you go up to Knockraha, there's solar farms going in there, and then you go down to Midleton, go down to Inch and Killeagh, theres a thousand acres being sought to be put in there and then if you go further on into Charleville there's 700 acres actually being developed there at the moment.

The Independent councillor said farm owners in East Cork are being harassed to turn over their land to solar projects. Theyre being constantly approached and visited by representatives of these companies. I would use the word harass because that's what's happening, when they're told no they keep coming back.

Objectors to the Tibbotstown solar farm proposal have until October 28 to enter a submission to the planning process. Cork County Councils decision on the application is due by November 17.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
A decision to overturn Cork City Councils refusal of permission for a large casino in Ballincollig has been described as disgraceful by a local political representative.

In June 2024, Cork City Council refused permission for the gaming/amusement arcade at Unit 4, Westside Retail Park, which would be open from 9am to 1am daily, saying that the adult-orientated nature and its proximity to existing retail outlets that are intrinsically family-friendly would damage other retailers.

An Coimisiun Pleanala has in recent days however overturned the decision and given the go-ahead to the plan.

Sinn Fein councillor for Cork City's South West ward, Joe Lynch, has described the decision of An Coimisiun Pleanala to overturn Cork City Council's objection to the development of a large casino in Ballincollig as 'disgraceful'.

Cllr Lynch said: "Since the plan to develop a large casino in Ballincollig first emerged, I have been crystal clear in my opposition to this development and that the people behind this proposal should be sent packing. Cork City Council, to their credit, agreed with the community in respect of the original planning application and rejected it. However, those behind the proposal have had that determination overturned by a decision of An Coimisiun Pleanala.

"It is a disappointing and disgraceful decision, frankly, said Cllr Lynch. The City Council and the community in Ballincollig have said 'no' to this proposal, yet it is being foisted on the village by An Coimisiun Pleanala.

"I stand behind my view that there are no discernible community benefits to this proposal. On the contrary, there are only negatives, he added.

Independent Ireland TD for Cork North Central Ken OFlynn also expressed his concerns about the decision to approve the conversion of a former gym at Westside Retail Park into a large-scale gaming and amusement arcade. The arcades operating hours risk increasing anti-social behaviour, littering and disruption in an area ill-suited for such late-night activity. These concerns are amplified by the growing crisis of gambling-related debt and addiction that I have observed across my constituency.

Deputy OFlynn said he will raise the issue in Dail Eireann and advocate for a comprehensive review of national gambling policies to prioritise community wellbeing over commercial interests. I call on the government to implement stricter regulations governing the licensing and location of gambling venues. These should include mandatory community impact assessments, restrictions on proximity to schools and residential areas and tighter controls on operating hours.

Furthermore we must bolster support services for those affected by gambling addiction to help families recover and rebuild, he added.
The people of Mallow and its environs cannot be left in limbo when it comes to such a vital healthcare service, said Cork TD Eoghan Kenny who has called on the HSE to step in and reopen the Warfarin Clinic at Mallow Primary Healthcare Centre.

The Labour Party TD for Cork North Central recently raised the issue via a parliamentary question in Dail Eireann.

Deputy Kenny asked the Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill if the clinic is currently open for patients in Mallow and he requested a statement on the matter from Minister Carroll MacNeill.

Interim Head of Service for Primary Care, Mari ODonovan outlined in reply to the Mallow based TD that the 4th Practice is a private practice which is based on the grounds of Mallow Primary Care Centre. The HSE Community Healthcare Network Manager has liaised with the 4th Practice in relation to your query and they have advised that the Warfarin Clinic has been temporarily paused due to unforeseen circumstances and a review of the service is currently under way.

Warfarin is used to decrease the tendency for blood clots or as secondary prophylaxis (prevention of further episodes) in those individuals that have already formed a blood clot.

Warfarin treatment can help prevent formation of future blood clots and help reduce the risk of embolism (migration of a thrombus to a spot where it blocks blood supply to a vital organ. It is very important to monitor warfarin levels in patients blood.

Deputy Kenny has subsequently written to Bernard Gloster, CEO of the Health Service Executive (HSE), urging immediate action to reopen the 4th Practice Warfarin Clinic at Mallow Primary Healthcare Centre.

The Cork TD said the closure has caused deep concern among local patients who depend on the clinic for regular monitoring and management of their warfarin treatment  a life-saving service that ensures blood-thinning medication is used safely and effectively.

The Warfarin Clinic at Mallow Primary Healthcare Centre provides an essential service for patients across Mallow and the surrounding areas. We simply cannot be without this facility. If the service cannot be provided privately at present, the HSE must step in immediately to ensure that patients continue to have access to safe and timely care, said Deputy Kenny.

In his letter to the HSE Chief Executive, Deputy Kenny also called on the organisation to prioritise restoring the service and provide certainty to the many patients who depend on it. "The people of Mallow and its environs cannot be left in limbo when it comes to such a vital healthcare service. This is a matter of patient safety and community wellbeing. I am asking the HSE to take urgent steps to reopen the clinic at Mallow Primary Healthcare Centre.

Deputy Kenny said he would continue to raise the issue until the service is fully reinstated.
If Dublin is to remain a world-class place to do business rising anti-social behaviour and chronic infrastructure delays must be addressed, according to a business group.

Addressing more than 1,000 business leaders at the Dublin Chambers Annual Dinner on Wednesday night, Chamber President Eoghan Quigley urged the Government to take bold action to restore safety and momentum to the capital.

The recent rise in anti-social behaviour on our streets and the disgraceful threats made against our Tanaiste are an insult to everything this country stands for, he said.

There must be zero tolerance for hate crimes. Not now. Not ever.

He praised the work of the Dublin Taskforce, chaired by An Post CEO David McRedmond, in tackling city centre safety and cleanliness, but said progress would depend on swift implementation of its recommendations.

They, as a group, have said they have long called for safer, brighter and cleaner streets.

Mr Quigley also warned that the capitals growth potential is being choked by planning gridlock and overregulation, describing Irelands system as bureaucracy gone mad.

At a recent Chamber briefing, Uisce Eireann explained that it must navigate twelve separate regulatory and local bodies before it can even begin projects. That isnt good governance, he said.

He criticised the persistent use of judicial reviews to block major developments such as the Greater Dublin Drainage Project and DART+ Coastal North, arguing that the public good must take precedence over endless objections.

The success of this Government will not be judged by its plans or announcements but by progress we can all see on the ground, he told attendees, including Tanaiste Simon Harris, Alastair Campbell, and AIBs Pat Horgan.

Mr Quigley also urged stronger support for home-grown enterprise, saying the Budget 2026 measures fell short of what is needed to back Irish entrepreneurs.

He renewed the Chambers call to cut Capital Gains Tax from 33pc to 20pc for investments in Irish start-ups, saying the current system punishes risk-taking and rewards passivity.

If rewarding Irish risk-takers is considered pandering to fat cats, then Ireland is in serious trouble, he said.

He added that Dublin Chamber stands ready to work as a constructive but critical partner to the Government to ensure promised reforms are delivered.

Without modern, reliable infrastructure  the systems that enable our people and businesses to function  growth stalls, opportunities fade, and competitiveness erodes, he said.

So, lets make bold choices. Lets deliver the infrastructure weve all been promised. And lets make Dublin the best city in the world to take a risk and to start a business.
The Ashe Hotel in Tralee is celebrating a remarkable hat-trick at this years Irish Hotel Awards, taking home three prestigious titles: Munster Rising Star of the Year, Munster Afternoon Tea Venue of the Year, and Munster Boutique Hotel of the Year.

The awards recognise the hotels ongoing investment in its facilities, commitment to outstanding guest service, and reputation for innovation and hospitality excellence.

General Manager Kamila Bielinska said: Were absolutely thrilled to be recognised across three such meaningful categories. Each award highlights a different part of what makes The Ashe special  from our talented and dedicated team, our creative approach to food and service, and the warm, welcoming atmosphere our guests return for. These honours are a true reflection of the passion, teamwork, and pride that drive everything we do.

The Rising Star of the Year accolade was presented to Rachel Maidment, who joined The Ashe Hotel in 2020 at just 21 years old. Now serving as Front Office Manager, she is also completing the Trainee Manager Development Programme at MTU while balancing her studies with her role. Her professionalism, positivity, and passion for hospitality have made her an invaluable member of the team and a deserving recipient of the award.

The Irish Hotel Awards celebrate excellence in hospitality across the country, recognising outstanding hotels and industry professionals. Judged by a panel of experts, the awards honour innovation, high standards, and exceptional guest experiences. This years ceremony took place on Monday, October 20, at The Johnstown Estate in Meath.
Minister for Education, Helene McEntee, has urged a group of Kerry hunger strikers to end their protest and said that officials from the Department of Education remain available to engage with them.

However, the protestors claim there has been radio silence from the Government in recent weeks and despite emails sent last week seeking further engagement this has not happened.
Pictured at the All-Ireland Credit Union Awards ceremony: KCU staff members Noreen O'Sullivan, Mairead Brosnan and Claudia Buckley

KCU staff after being presented with the 'Members Choice Credit Union of the Year' trophy.

Celebrating with the award: Joy Clifford Vaughan, chairperson KCU and Pat Sheehan, League Board & KCU director.

Killarney Credit Union was named as the Members Choice Credit Union of the Year last weekend.

It received the prestigious honour at the All-Ireland Credit Union Awards in Dublin on Saturday.

The national award was presented to Killarney Credit Union courtesy of its exceptional service, community engagement, innovation and  most importantly  unwavering support from its members.

The award is based solely on member nominations and votes, and it drew thousands of votes from credit union members nationwide.

Killarney Credit Union CEO, Mark Murphy, said he and his staff are absolutely honoured to have been awarded.

This recognition means the world to us because it comes directly from the people we serve. Our members are at the heart of everything we do, and this award reflects the dedication of our staff, volunteers, and Board who work tirelessly to support the local community every single day, Mr Murphy said.

Chairperson of Killarney Credit Union, Joy Clifford-Vaughan, said the branch is so grateful for the support of its members.

This award reinforces our mission to remain a trusted financial partner for individuals and families across our common bond, Ms Clifford-Vaughan said.

Killarney Credit Union has extended a sincere thank you to its loyal members, staff, volunteers, and the wider community.

The All-Ireland Credit Union Awards celebrate excellence and impact among over 200 credit unions across the island of Ireland.

With categories covering innovation, community support, sustainability, volunteering, marketing, and member service, the event showcases the best of the credit union movement.
Some of the founders of 'Spoil The Vote' pictured at the group's first press conference last week, Declan Ganley; Paul Treyvaud; Elaine Mullally; and Ivor Cummins.

A Laois businesswoman is calling on Irish voters to deliberately spoil their ballots in the upcoming presidential election as a form of protest against what she describes as a meaningless election.

Elaine Mullally, who runs Clown Around Playcentre in Portarlington, Co. Laois, said she has become increasingly frustrated with what she sees as a lack of choice in national elections.

With less than 24 hours before polling stations open, she is continuing to campaign for more people to spoil their vote.

Elaine is one of the founders from the Spoil The Vote Campaign along with seven others, who have formed a website, SpoilTheVote.ie, encouraging voters to follow suit.

The campaign was launched last week and brands itself as a citizen-led movement.

Under Irish electoral law, spoiled ballots are recorded separately from valid votes but are not included in any candidates total.

In the 2018 presidential election there were 18,448 spoiled votes, representing 1.24% of the total poll.

The Electoral Commission urges everyone to use their vote and be part of decision-making shaping the future of the country.

Elaine said she believes spoiling a vote is not a waste of a vote, but highlights a measurable signal that people rejected the choices available.

If you dont show up, then youre wasting your vote because nobody knows what way youre feeling.

But I feel like were bullied into making a decision on candidates that I just cannot vote for, she said.

This is the first time Elaine will spoil her vote, and she said that it is because there is no other choice.

Elaine is hoping for enough people to show up and spoil their vote to gain a reaction from government.

I would like to see some sort of reaction and Im presuming the higher percentage of people who do spoil their vote will increase the chance of a reaction.

But also the campaign might give people who are disillusioned with the whole political system a bit of hope to see that they are not on their own, Elaine said.
County Leitrim remains without an Educate Together school despite a growing demand for inclusive, multi-denominational education.

Currently, there are no Educate Together schools in Leitrim and the countys schools remain entirely under religious patronage.

Educate Together is Irelands largest and longest-running multi-denominational patron body.

Educate Together schools are state-funded, child-centred and democratically run.

They teach the national curriculum, and Ethical Education is taught in place of religion classes. Faith formation classes are offered in Educate Together schools outside of school hours.

There are currently 118 schools in the Educate Together schools network, with 97 at primary level.

In the past decade, Educate Together has opened 50 schools in response to ever-growing demand for its unique, inclusive and democratic model of education.

Educate Together is calling on the Department of Education and Youth to launch a national survey of parental preference in school patronage.

Educate Together is asking the government to formally announce the survey, including a specific launch date, facilitate a public discourse and national information campaign about school patronage and multi-denominational education.

It is also calling for the government to announce and ring-fence appropriate, adequate funding for schools wishing to transfer patronage.

Edward Platt, Educate Togethers Schools Development Officer, elaborated on the importance of enabling parents to have their voices heard.

Although there has been a very encouraging expansion of the Educate Together network over the past 10 years, government policy now makes opening new schools incredibly difficult, with local parents having far less input in the process.

"It is vital that the Department of Education and Youth formally announce the long-awaited survey immediately and give parents agency in shaping what education looks like in their local community.

We know that there are many people who are interested to see if equality-based / multi-denominational education would be the right fit for their school communities.

"Most Educate Together schools are oversubscribed, and we frequently receive queries from families who have no school choice in their community. Every family in Ireland deserves the option of an Educate Together school, if that is the education they want for their children, said Mr Platt.

Educate Together hopes that the proposed survey will allow these parents voices to be heard, and that the Department will take appropriate action where demand for change is identified, so that school choice will become available in more towns, cities and villages across Ireland.

Educate Together is encouraging parents to contact their local TD and highlight school choice, reconfiguration and the delay of the parents survey as important issues for them. People who would like to see their local school reconfigured to a multi-denominational/equality-based ethos can also contact Educate Together at schooltransfers@educatetogether.ie
Farmers in Limerick are being urged to remain vigilant after a spate of crimes in rural areas.

Sergeant Michelle OHalloran of Henry Street said: Over the past couple of weeks weve had several reports from rural areas.

In one case, a solar-powered electric fencer was stolen from farmland in Ballymacrory, near Croom.

In another, a farmer near Rourkes Cross found a chain on his gate had been cut and placed back to look locked.

An overnight burglary between October 14 and 15 was also reported in Bruree.

A burglary was reported on sheds on a farm yard, where items, including a number of tools, were stolen, said Sergeant OHalloran.

All incidents are under investigation, and Sergeant OHalloran urged anyone with information to contact their local gardai or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.

Crimes like this are a reminder that farm security needs regular attention, just like home security, she said.

She advised: Theres a lot that can be done. Firstly, check all gates and locks regularly, especially on less-used entrances. Use heavy-duty chains and quality padlocks on sheds and field entrances.

Consider installing motion lights or trail cameras, especially in remote yards. Mark property, record serial numbers and take photos of valuable items like tools, trailers, and quads.

Sergeant OHalloran also stressed the importance of reporting suspicious activity: Even something that seems minor, like a strange vehicle near a gate, can be valuable information.

Neighbourhood and community vigilance is one of the best defences we have in rural areas, she stated.

She encouraged farmers to attend an upcoming Farm Safety and Security Event this Bank Holiday Monday at Kilmallock Mart from 11am to 3pm.

Sergeant OHalloran explained that attendees could meet local Gardai and members of the Limerick Divisional Roads Policing Unit, receive crime prevention advice, and have property marked on site.

If you have tools, trailers, or machinery, bring them along and we can mark them for you. Thats one of the best ways to deter thieves and help recover property if its stolen, she said.
Ballintleva National School in south Roscommon goes up for sale by private treaty

The interior of the former Ballintleva National School

The interior of the former Ballintleva National School

The exterior of the former Ballintleva National School

A national school believed to be one the first of its kind in Ireland has gone on sale in Roscommon.

Known first as St Michaels, the school opened in 1834 with 220 students before changing its name to Ballintleva National School. It is believed to be one of the first two-storey primary schools in Connacht, if not in Ireland.

Despite having scope for additional refurbishment and landscaping, the property is described as being in excellent condition.

Between 2009 and 2012 its roof, rafters and upstairs flooring were restored to preserve its character.

Located on a 0.32-acre site, the 148-square metre building will be sold by private treaty.

It is situated Cornalee, Curraghboy, in a rural area beside the current Ballintleva National School, which was built in 1963, three kilometres from the village of Dysart and a twenty-minute drive from Roscommon town and Athlone.

Ballintleva Old School House stands as a remarkable landmark  a rare opportunity to acquire a property of true historical importance, rich in character and local heritage, vendor Joe Naughton Auctioneers wrote on Daft.ie.

The opening of the old school preceded the introduction of the national school system, which established free primary school education for children up to the age of 12.

As part of this, an appointed Board of Commissioners was set up to provide for the building and running of nondenominational national schools throughout Ireland.

The commissioners initially awarded a grant of 131 for the building of Ballintleva National School. A second grant of 93 was given to furnish the school and provide books.

Prior to 1834, the only school in the area was a hedge school three miles away in Sallygrove, where children had to pay to attend. This meant that very few children in the area received any education until the Ballintleva National School opened.

Students in Ballintleva National School were segregated with the girls classrooms upstairs and the boys downstairs.

Gonville French, the landlord for Cornalee townland in the 1830s, was the schools first manager and was responsible for the building of the school.

The first recorded teacher was James Walsh. Other past teachers include the current owners grandparents, who taught in the school between 1907 to 1955.

When it closed in 1963, the last two teachers were PJ Cunningham and Rita Tully.
Presidential hopeful Heather Humphreys issued a rallying call to supporters and voters who may still be undecided when she visited Sligo town on Thursday afternoon. Flanked by Fine Gael party leader and Tanaiste Simon Harris, Sligo/Leitrim Depuity Frank Feighan and former TD Tony McLoughlin, Ms Humphreys insisted she is fighting until the end.

Deputy Frank Feighan, Heather Humphreys, former TD Tony McLoughlin and councillor Thomas Walsh on a walkabout through Sligo on Thursday.

Walking along Wine Street, the entourage consisting of politicians and canvassers, was greeted by friendly faces and smiles and that only grew as they made their way down OConnell Street where countless people  men and women, young and old, stopped for a quick word with Ms Humphreys.

Describing herself as a centrist candidate who is proudly pro-European, Ms Humphreys insisted she is not throwing in the towel despite the opinion polls suggesting the race is a foregone conclusion. If the honking of horns and messages of good luck from passing well wishers was anything to go by there is plenty of support for Ms Humphreys and in such a small field her team is hoping Fianna Fails disastrous campaign could prove pivotal for their campaign.

As the canvassers made their onto Grattan St. the amount of cars slowing down for a chat with the Presidential hopeful grew as lunch time traffic became a bit busier than the average Thursday.

While the Humphreys team was admiring the interior of EJ Menswear and talking with staff and customers alike, Tanaiste Simon Harris took a moment to speak to The Sligo Champion as he urged undecided voters and Fianna Fail voters to offer their support to Heather Humphreys.

I think there is a huge amount of people undecided and we saw that last night in the poll, one in five voters, so we are really encouraging people to come out and exercise their vote and also, particularly for people who might have hoped for a broader ballot, Fianna Fail people who might be sad at the twists and turns and I understand that, on this occasion to lend their vote to Heather Humphreys.

"Michael D Higgins wasnt meant to win according to the polls and he won well and he won twice so it is all to play for here but it is really important that people get out and vote. It is also so important that centre ground, middle Ireland people come out and back Heather Humphreys as the centre ground candidate tomorrow.

Insisting that everything remains very much to play for the Tanaiste said, The fight is going on until the very end because no one has cast a ballot. I think 44% of people who voted in the last Presidential election, it is really important people actually get out and vote and like I say, even today in Sligo I am meeting people who are still making up their mind and that is perfectly fine. It is maybe unusual this close to an election and people are saying they are going to vote but they are still thinking of which way to vote, and that is why we are here in beautiful Sligo, albeit on a wet and rainy afternoon.

The campaign team were greeted by more well wishers, with more than a few exiting shops, to catch a quick word or a glimpse as they made their way along Castle St. There were jokes about a tattoo to commemorate a victory as they passed a tattoo studio before turning left along Water Lane and Rockwood Parade.

Returning to the pedestrianised part of town helped ease traffic matters for motorists but some negotiating the cobbled pedestrianised areas found themselves caught up in lunch time drama as the assembled tv crews followed Ms Humphreys and her team. A quick stop in Grappa brought the visit to Sligo to a close before the Humphreys team departed for Donegal where the race to secure votes continues ahead of the polls opening tomorrow morning.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
A recent restoration project on a historic EIRE sign in Wexford is set to be protected under the Register of Monuments.

Locals in Cahore recently volunteered to restore an unearthed EIRE sign which was built during World War II, to preserve the heritage of the signs across Ireland.

This comes after Wicklow-Wexford TD Malcolm Byrne asked the Housing Minister, James Browne if he would afford the protection or recognition to the coastal EIRE sign in Wexford, but also across the country.

"These signs and other historical structures from the "Emergency" period are a fascinating part of our past, Deputy Byrne said.

We should look to protect them, and I will continue to campaign to ensure this happens, he added.

Excavation of the Eire sign at Cahore Point.

In response to Deputy Byrnes parliamentary question, the Minister the structure would be afforded appropriate protection due to its eligibility for inclusion in the Register of Monuments section when established.

The Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 was passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas and enacted on Friday, October 13, 2023.

Provisions of the Act are being implemented on a phased basis, through commencement orders, which will introduce a range of measures to bolster the protection to Irelands heritage.

The Minister added that signs to be read from aircraft for the purpose of warning military aircraft between 1939 and 1946 have been specifically recognised in the Acts regulations.

In July 2025, volunteers in North Wexford teamed up to uncover and restore the historical artefact.

Deputy Byrne praised their dedication to the project. I really applaud the work of those involved in restoring these signs as well as telling their stories."
The Blanket of Rememberance was hosted by the New Ross for Palestine activist group.

The Blanket of Rememberance was hosted by the New Ross for Palestine activist group.

The Blanket of Rememberance was hosted by the New Ross for Palestine activist group.

The Blanket of Rememberance was hosted by the New Ross for Palestine activist group.

The Blanket of Rememberance was hosted by the New Ross for Palestine activist group.

The Blanket of Remembrance, which symbolises the thousands of children who have been killed in Gaza, was hosted in Wexford last week as over a hundred people turned out to show their support.

The activist group, New Ross for Palestine put out a call prior to the event to have as many hands on board as possible to hold the blanket in solidarity.

The group described the event on Saturday, October 11, to be a very special occasion as approximately 100 people arrived on the day to hold the Blanket while it was on display, running a lengthy distance of the New Ross quayside.

We were so happy to see so many locals and so many people who travelled from around the south east, who came along to remember the thousands of children who have been killed during the genocide in Gaza, said a spokesperson of the group.

They continued: The Blanket is currently made up of 2,600 squares, but sadly, each square represents 10 children who were killed in Gaza. Wed like to give thanks to our local group, who were right behind this emotional display, from the first time it was mentioned. There was absolutely no hesitation about hosting it in New Ross.

We must also thank Dawn in Craft Central for hosting the refreshments after the event; and Niamh Bonner and Noirin Lanigan, who travelled all the way down from Dublin to bring us the Blanket, after it had been in Mayo the evening before, the spokesperson said.

The handmade squares that make up the Blanket of Remembrance were donated by women from across the 32 counties of Ireland, along with squares that were donated from Afghanistan, Venezuela, Canada and the UK.

Two more blankets have since been started in South Africa and Finland, with one now also its early stages in the UK.
New Ross

Women of Wexford gather together to mark Orange the World as 65,000 domestic abuse incidents are reported to Gardai in 2024

This month, as part of the Orange the World campaign and 16 days of action against sexual violence in Wexford, Wexford Library was filled with inspiring women for a powerful discussion on the actions that society needs to take.
Efforts to prevent Wexford children with mild to general learning disabilities (MGLD) from being forced to attend mainstream schools have been met with an insulting response from the Minister for Special Education and Inclusion. In May of this year, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) issued a letter to 30 special schools in Ireland, including Our Lady of Fatima Special School in Wexford town, informing them that children would no longer be able to travel to a special school if a mainstream school in their locality could facilitate them.

As a result of this, many children who would have attended Our Lady of Fatima, where they would receive specialised one-to-one assistance from teachers, may now be forced to go to mainstream schools in their area.

Opposing this directive, councillors in Wexford submitted two motions in July requesting that Minister Michael Moynihan intervene on behalf of Our Lady of Fatimas and special schools all over Ireland. The first of these motions, submitted by councillors Leonard Kelly and Tom Forde, states that the new directives fail to account for the diverse needs of students in special education settings and that schools supporting students with MGLD are at risk of losing flexibility in delivering life skills-focused programmes and face additional pressures that undermine inclusive education if the directives are enforced.

"Special schools require tailored structures, not one-size fits all policies designed around mainstream models, the motion reads. It threatens to dilute the quality and appropriateness of education for students who benefit most from structured, specialised, and supportive learning environments.

Cllrs Kelly and Forde called upon Minister Moynihan to suspend the implementation of these new directives, engage in meaningful consultation with affected stakeholders, .and protect the autonomy and integrity of special schools serving children with MGLD and other additional needs.

In addition, also in July, Cllr Vicky Barron asked the Department of Education to provide the empirical evidence being used to support the proposed re-designation of special schools.

A response to these motions was circulated to councillors at the October meeting of Wexford County Council. Sent by Minister Moynihans private secretary, it said that the minister and the department are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.

"Its important to note that it is not the intention to exclude children who require a special school place from accessing certain special school settings, but rather allow children with complex educational needs apply to their local special school, it continued. Currently there are instances whereby children with complex needs cannot apply for admission to their local special school simply because they dont meet the narrow designation of that special school.

"In that regard, along with providing additional special school capacity, my department and the NCSE consider that it is necessary to look at the profile of our existing special schools. This is not a new departure. The NCSE report that over half of MGLD special schools have diversified to allow children with more complex needs in their communities who require a special school setting to enrol in their local special school.

Students already enrolled in these schools will not be impacted and any change in designation will be gradual and will relate to new admissions only.

Reacting to the ministers reply, Cllr Aoife Rose OBrien said she was deeply upset by what had been sent to WCC. She was supported by Cllr Mary Farrell.

The response we have received is outrageous, it states that his intention is not to exclude children with complex needs from applying to their local school, this is an insult to the families of those children, said Cllr Farrell. Im on the board of management of a school and it was asked only two weeks ago to open up a special classroom for next year; the deadline it was given was not possible, theyre asking schools to do this without committing to additional supports.

"The minister is basing his guidelines on numbers not needs. Can we respond to this and inform him his reply was not only inadequate it was insulting?

Im really disgusted by this, added Cllr Vicky Barron. But its not something that can be changed at council level, fundamentally the issue lies with the NCSE and its budget-cutting measures. We asked specifically for the empirical evidence, but there is no evidence, empirical or otherwise.

In a departure from normal practise, councillors submitted an emergency motion in which they expressed their disappointment at Minister Moynihans reply.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Wicklow Town and District Chamber of Commerce and Wicklow Town Community Development Ltd have joined forces to host a Spooktacular Halloween fancy dress event for children taking place on Saturday, October 25, from 3pm to 5pm.

The historic gaol is currently shut to facilitate essential renovations and upgrades. The contract with the former operators, Wicklow Historic Gaol CLG, under the guidance of Wicklow Enterprise Park, has come to a natural end, and Wicklow County Council is engaged in a procurement process to select a new operator to manage the building.

Martina Robinson of Wicklow Town Community Development Ltd said: Wicklow Gaol will be open for a free Halloween event taking place on Saturday, which is open to all children. Its also a way of letting the community of Wicklow know that plenty of efforts and hard work are going into getting the gaol reopened again. We want to make sure the goal remains relevant.

Its something very positive for both the town and Wicklow Gaol. We have some great prizes up for grabs for the most spooky costume. There will also be plenty of fun games and activities for all to enjoy. FYI Dance Club will also be in attendance and will be performing Michael Jacksons Thriller and a scene from the TV series Wednesday. The whole event is being led by volunteers, and Wicklow Gaol has been decorated to look its very spookiest. It should be something fun for the whole family to enjoy.

Chamber President Anna Thornton said We are thrilled to bring the community together for some spooky fun while shining a spotlight on one of Wicklows most treasured tourist spots. It is the perfect way to kick off the Halloween weekend.

"Wicklow Chamber is committed to supporting the efforts of our local community and make Wicklows Historic Gaol great again. It is one of the countys most important tourist attraction with potential to draw hundreds if not thousands of tourists each year and contributes greatly to our local economy.  The gaol is a vital part of our tourism offering, and we are thrilled to see the community coming together to make it shine again.

While no exact time-frame for the full reopening of Wicklow Gaol has been announced, Wicklow County Council has stated it is anticipated that it should be back open within a few months, once the procurement process has taken place and the improvement works are completed.

Meanwhile, a number of Wicklow Gaol tours involving large groups of tourists, which looked like they would have to be cancelled due to the gaols closure, can now be facilitated thanks to Wicklow Town and District Chamber of Commerce and Wicklow Town Community Development Ltd.

Martina added: We were very anxious that these tours should happen, so through the community employment scheme, we will be hosting a language school who are booked in for a tour of Wicklow Gaol on Saturday morning. Later in the week we will be hosting a visit from over 50 Americans who are part of a haunted packages tour. It would have been terrible to have to cancel these tours and disappoint so many visitors to Wicklow.
Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) stand guard near the latest versions of its "sea baby" naval drone in an undisclosed location in Ukraine. Photo: Reuters

Hundreds of starving and marooned Russian troops are being killed by Ukrainian drones in the death zone of the Dnipro delta, according to a report.

The river, surrounded by low-lying marshy islands, is split between Russian control on the left bank and Ukrainian control on the right. At least 5,100 Russians have died in the area since January this year, some of starvation, according to Ukrainian intelligence.
Museum director endures grilling by senate committee after humiliating heist

Visitors in the Louvre Museum after it reopened to the public. Photo: Reuters

The Louvres cameras failed to detect burglars in time to prevent their audacious daylight heist of some of Frances crown jewels, the museums director said yesterday, amid growing anger directed at officials over major security lapses.
Israel under obligation to facilitate aid for Gaza, says top UN court

Foreign minister rejects ruling and says relief agency has been infiltrated

People bury unidentified bodies of Palestinians who had been held in Israel during the war, after they were handed over by Israel in Gaza, in Deir Al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, yesterday. Photo: Reuters

Stephanie van den Berg Reuters Thu 23 Oct 2025 at 06:30

The United Nations top legal body, the International Court of Justice, yesterday gave an advisory opinion saying that Israel is under the obligation to ensure the basic needs of the civilian population in Gaza are met.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted yesterday at his opposition to any role for Turkish security forces in the Gaza Strip as part of a mission to monitor a US-backed ceasefire with the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Speaking in Jerusalem alongside visiting US vice president JD Vance, Netanyahu said they had discussed the day-after for Gaza, including who could provide security in the territory shattered by two years of war.
Donald Trump says report querying his health may be act of treason as he rages against op-ed
Vance says Trump's policy rejects Israeli annexation of West Bank

'West Bank is not going to be annexed by Israel,' US vice president says Vance reaffirms remarks by Trump last month Speaks after Israeli lawmakers advance West Bank annexation bill US Secretary of State Rubio says annexation moves could endanger Gaza ceasefire US officials visit Israel to keep shaky Gaza truce alive

US vice president JD Vance tours The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem (Nathan Howard/Pool Photo via AP)

Simon Lewis and Alexander Cornwell Reuters Thu 23 Oct 2025 at 14:35

U.S. Vice President JD Vance said on Thursday that President Donald Trump would oppose Israeli annexation of the occupied West Bank and it would not happen, a day after Israeli lawmakers launched legislation to that end.
Russia tests nuclear missiles in clear warning signal to Donald Trump

Plans for summit on hold, while Kyiv agrees deal for Swedish Gripen fighter jets

Russian president Vladimir Putin inspects a military exercise of the country's nuclear forces. Photo: Reuters

Dmitry Antonov, Pavel Polityuk and Simon Johnson Reuters Thu 23 Oct 2025 at 06:30

Russia said yesterday it had carried out a major training exercise involving nuclear weapons, a day after the United States announced a delay in plans for a second summit between presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump on the war in Ukraine.
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he cancelled a planned summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, citing a lack of progress in diplomatic efforts and a sense that the timing was off.

The summit cancellation came as the White House unveiled new sanctions targeting Russian oil exports, part of a broader effort to pressure Moscow over its continued military operations in Ukraine. Trump said he hoped the measures would be temporary.
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.




Emma Stone goes bald for Yorgos Lanthimos wild new film



The bald rule that sparked more buzz than the film itself



( Image credit : Reddit/popculturechat. Reddit users react to Bugonia's all bald-screening )

What it says about modern film culture



( Image credit : IMDb. Emma Stone in Bugonia as Michelle Fuller )

( Image credit : IMDb. Bugonia releases worldwide on 31st of October'25 )

Final Thoughts



Check out the trailer here:

Those who showed up amid the excitement arounds release didnt bother to push or shove. Director Yorgos Lanthimos's new film involves baldness in its promotional stunts, the most literate challenge for viewers to experience: go bald or don't come in. A screening in LA required that attendees arrive bald heads shaved on-site. The twist? Some people there are not bald. As seen in the Reddit post in the all-bald screening thread, some attendees apparently got around the bald rule.So what's really happening here? Why this stunt? And what do you make of how films are marketed-and consumed-in 2025?is an English-language remake of the South Korean film Save the Green Planet! from 2003; directed by Jang Joon-hwan and this version by Lanthimos with a screenplay by Will Tracy. It's about two conspiracy freaked fellows who kidnap a powerful CEO of pharmaceutical company played by Emma Stone. The men believe that she is an alien intending to destroy Earth. According to, Stone has infamously shaved her head for the role.Known for his quirky auteur films (for example,), Lanthimos sets upas absurd, darkly comic, and yet reflecting the real-world anxieties people have regarding the corporate power, the environmental collapse, and the conspiracy culture. "not much of the dystopia in this film is very fictional," he said, as perReception by critics has been positive to mixed: Aggregators register a high mark (e.g. on) but individual reviews mention that the movie doesn't necessarily achieve the depth of the original.For promotional purposes, the studio behindoffered a special antipremier at Culver Theater in Los Angeles, with the special requirement that only bald people (or on-site shavers) could be admitted. A barber was present; cameras were rolling; early comers were lined up.The coup was directly referring to the films theme, wherein Stones character is abducted and shorn of her hair (and identity). The bald head had become an act or gesture of transformation, ritual, submission, or vulnerability.But, then again, as one Reddit post pointed out:  Imagine getting your head shaved and then seeing the guy behind you in line be handed a bald cap lmao (r/popculturechat) ~so the chromecking probably was imperfect, or just some cheeky ones decided to sneak in.This mismatch pretty much gives birth to a number of reflections: why a rule on shaved heads? What does it grant? And how does fandom react when the rule-in-a-way is breached?, screening where this whole spectacle took place, revealed to the audience the most salient facts about how films today are marketed and consumed. Experiential marketing has become the backbone of movie marketing; films are not just content anymore but happenings to be shared and discussed. The idea is to engross the audience in thinking they've joined some cultural moment rather than merely ticket purchasers.The promo worked in such a way that it synergized both medium and message. Some of the film's themes include identity, hair, and transformation, so a prerequisite of head-shaving directly ties in with the film's central themes. This coherence between the film premise and its promotional tactics gives it strength in crisscrossing both, rendering it more convincing.In turn, this very much shows how much fans are ready these days to take little risks or make public-visible acts of commitment to something. Shaving one's head, which has arguably become an attraction, in this age of viral challenges becomes the visible mark of declaration towards a film or its fandom.Endless examples of fuzzy realization of a "bald only" rule touch on authenticity in our day and age: even if this rule did not hold, the story surrounding the event: "people shaved for this movie" becomes part of the marketing myth. The ideal of exclusivity and devotion might trample the stark reality.This grand bald marketing spectacle for the premiere ofcould not just be a gimmicky marketing strategy; it had cultural merit giving one the opportunity to play around with what themes were present in the work, with spectacle and symbolism as well as with community. It captured attention, encapsulated some themes of the film, and raised a discussion around the meaning of belonging to present-day fandom. Even without any actual shaving taking place, the marketing buzz meant that the film would leave a mark well before the audience actually got to sit down to watch it.
( Image credit : X/jo_comms | Mary Sickler removes wig on stage )

Redefining beauty standards

( Image credit : X/pageant_i | Mary Sickler is a 22 years old model )

From setback to strength

( Image credit : X/mary__sickler | Mary Sickler couldn't believe that she walked the stage )

Owning her story

Miss Nevada USA Mary Sickler made a defining statement on stage during the Miss USA preliminary round in Reno, Nevada. The 22-year-old contestant, who lives with alopecia universalis, removed her wig mid-performance which was a bold and emotional act that left the audience in awe and sent ripples of empowerment across social media. Wearing a sparkling silver gown and a jeweled head covering, Sickler exuded elegance, courage, and authenticity as she walked beside Miss New Hampshire, Mona Lesa Brackett, who competed in a hijab. It was a moment that transcended beauty standards, turning the Miss USA stage into a symbol of inclusivity and representation.Sicklers journey to this moment was anything but easy. Diagnosed with alopecia in December 2024, she initially struggled to accept her reflection after losing all her hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes. I looked in the mirror and didnt recognize myself, she shared in an interview. Her flourishing modeling career, which once included a Louis Vuitton campaign, came to an abrupt pause as she withdrew from public life, fearing judgment and rejection. For a young woman who had built her identity around her appearance, the loss of her hair felt like losing a part of herself.Refusing to let her diagnosis define her, Sickler slowly rebuilt her confidence. After placing as first runner-up at Miss Texas USA, she decided to compete again, this time representing Nevada. Her courage paid off as she won the state title, becoming the first woman with a public alopecia diagnosis to do so. Just weeks before the national pageant, she shared her story online, turning vulnerability into power and inspiring countless women facing similar struggles.Now standing proudly without her wig, Sickler has become a beacon of self-acceptance. It took me a long time to see myself as beautiful, she said. But once you own it, others will too. Her moment on stage wasnt just about pageantry. It was about reclaiming identity, confidence, and the right to define beauty on her own terms.
Historic significance of the service

( Image credit : X/RoyalFamily | King Charles III and Queen Camilla joined Pope Leo XIV for a historic ecumenical prayer )

Focus on faith and environment

( Image credit : X/RoyalFamily | The visit also marks Pope Leos first high-profile international diplomatic engagement )

Diplomacy and ceremony

( Image credit : X/RoyalFamily | King Charles III joined Pope Leo XIV )

Royal household context

King Charles III and Queen Camilla joined Pope Leo XIV for a historic ecumenical prayer service at the Sistine Chapel on Thursday. The event marked the first recorded occasion since the Protestant Reformation in 1534 that a British monarch prayed alongside a Roman Catholic pope, highlighting a moment of church reconciliation and international diplomacy.Archbishop Flavio Pace of the Vatican described the visit as a historic moment in the journey of reconciliation between our churches, emphasizing the symbolic importance of unity between the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church. Historians note it is unclear if any previous British sovereign, including Henry VIII, ever formally participated in such a service with a pope.The service took place under Michelangelos The Last Judgment, with Charles and Camilla arriving ahead of the pope. They sat alongside senior church officials and dignitaries while the Chapel Royal and St. Georges choirs performed. Charles wore a blue suit with a black tie, while Camilla donned a black dress and veil.The ecumenical service was designed as a prayer for the care of creation, led by Pope Leo and Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell. Both leaders have long advocated for environmental stewardship, with Leo previously blessing a block of Greenland ice to highlight climate change concerns, a cause Charles has championed for decades. The ceremony reinforced shared priorities between the Vatican and the British royal family, blending spirituality with global environmental awareness.The visit also marks Pope Leos first high-profile international diplomatic engagement since his papacy began in May. Charles and Camilla were received at Ciampino Airport with full ceremonial honors, including a red carpet welcome from British Ambassador Christopher Trott and Vatican officials.Originally scheduled for April, the visit was postponed due to Pope Franciss declining health. During the rescheduled trip, Charles was to be made a royal confrater of Saint Paul at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, receiving a special chair bearing his coat of arms and the inscriptionThat they may be one.For Buckingham Palace, the visit offered a reprieve from renewed scrutiny over Prince Andrews association with Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew recently stepped back from the title Duke of York following the release of memoirs by Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre, who cited her encounters with the prince. The Sistine Chapel visit provided a ceremonial and symbolic shift in public attention to historic reconciliation and shared global causes.
The essence of Bhai Dooj 2025



The story behind Bhai Dooj



Happy Bhai Dooj 2025 wishes for sister



Sweet Bhai Dooj wishes for a sister



You make every day brighter with your laughter and kindness. Wishing you a joyful Bhai Dooj 2025, dear sister!

You may tease me endlessly, but I wouldnt trade you for the world. Happy Bhai Dooj!

My childhood would have been incomplete without you  thanks for being my partner in every prank and every secret.

May this Bhai Dooj 2025 bring you all the happiness and success you deserve.

Youre not just my sister; youre my biggest blessing.

Heartfelt Bhai Dooj messages for sister

Thank you for being my strength when I needed it most and my laughter when life got dull. Happy Bhai Dooj 2025!

I may not say it often, but you mean the world to me. Stay happy, healthy, and full of life.

Youve always been my best friend first and my sister second  and thats what makes our bond so special.

Every memory with you is a reminder of how lucky I am to have you as my sister.

Even when we argue, deep down I know I couldnt live without you. Wishing you a beautiful Bhai Dooj!

Bhai Dooj quotes for sister

A sister is a reflection of love, laughter, and lifelong friendship.

Brothers and sisters may fight, but their love always finds its way back.

No matter where life takes us, my heart will always have a space reserved for you.

A sisters smile can brighten even the darkest day.

Bhai Dooj reminds us that love doesnt need to be spoken  its felt.

Bhai Dooj 2025 WhatsApp status for sister



Blessed to have a sister who makes life sweeter every single day. 

Youre my childhood memory, my forever friend, and my biggest supporter. Happy Bhai Dooj!

My sister  part angel, part trouble, and completely loved.

This Bhai Dooj 2025, Im sending all my love to the one who knows me best.

The bond we share is the best gift life could ever give.

How Brothers Can Celebrate Bhai Dooj 2025 with Their Sisters



Send a surprise gift: Chocolates, flowers, jewellery, or a heartfelt letter never fail to make her smile.

Plan a video call celebration: If youre apart, make the day special with a virtual tilak and chat.

Revisit old memories: Share childhood photos or stories to relive those precious moments.

Write her a note: Sometimes a few honest words mean more than any expensive gift.

The real spirit of Bhai Dooj 2025



FAQs

A sister is more than just family  shes a best friend, a little piece of your heart, and sometimes your biggest critic wrapped in endless love. From childhood squabbles to grown-up secrets, shes the one who makes every memory more meaningful.As Bhai Dooj 2025 draws near, its the perfect time to thank your sister for all the love, laughter, and care shes given you. Whether shes older and protective or younger and playful, these warm Bhai Dooj wishes, messages, and quotes will help you express what words rarely can.Bhai Dooj, also known as Bhaiya Dooj, Bhau Beej, or Bhai Phonta, celebrates the everlasting bond between brothers and sisters. Its observed on the second day after Diwali, during the Shukla Paksha of Kartik month.On this day, brothers visit their sisters, who perform the sacred tilak ceremony, offer sweets, and pray for their long life and happiness. But just as important, brothers also take the day to appreciate their sisters  for the love, sacrifices, and warmth they bring into their lives.In 2025, Bhai Dooj will once again remind families across India and the world that sibling love is one of lifes most beautiful blessings.According to ancient Hindu mythology, there are two popular tales that explain the origin of Bhai Dooj.One story tells how Lord Krishna visited his sister Subhadra after defeating the demon Narakasura. She welcomed him home with sweets, flowers, and a tilak, wishing him safety and happiness.Another legend speaks of Yama, the God of Death, who visited his sister Yamuna on this day. Overjoyed, she performed a tilak ritual, prayed for his wellbeing, and shared a meal with him. Touched by her affection, Yama declared that brothers who visit their sisters on this day will enjoy long, happy lives.Thus, Bhai Dooj came to represent protection, blessings, and the unbreakable love between siblings.This year, celebrate your amazing sister with thoughtful Bhai Dooj 2025 wishes, messages, and quotes that capture your love and gratitude.Even if you cant be together in person, there are plenty of ways to make Bhai Dooj 2025 memorable for your sister:Bhai Dooj isnt just about rituals  its about gratitude and love. For brothers, its a chance to thank their sisters for being their guide, their secret keeper, and their best friend through every phase of life.This Bhai Dooj 2025, take a moment to remind your sister how much she matters. Because while gifts fade, words from the heart are remembered forever.Bhai Dooj 2025 will be celebrated two days after Diwali, on the Dwitiya Tithi of Kartik month, according to the Hindu calendar.Popular gifts include sweets, accessories, self-care hampers, or a heartfelt handwritten card.By performing the tilak ceremony, giving gifts, sharing sweets, and expressing love through Bhai Dooj wishes and messages.It symbolises love, blessings, and protection  a reminder that a brother will always stand by his sisters side.
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng to have trade talks with U.S. in Malaysia on Oct. 24-27

Xinhua) 15:29, October 23, 2025

BEIJING, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, will lead a delegation to Malaysia from Oct. 24 to 27 to hold economic and trade consultations with the U.S. side, China's Ministry of Commerce announced Thursday.

The two sides will hold consultations on important issues in China-U.S. economic and trade ties in accordance with the important consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries during their phone calls this year, a ministry spokesperson said in a statement.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
No need for rahul gandhi in Bihar because he doesn't have even an effect on 1 seat in Bihar

Only tejasvi yadav https://t.co/LTn1slktk9  OBC warrior  (@MPcitizen12) October 23, 2025

Alliance unity amid friendly fights

( Image credit : X/ @yadavtejashwi | Ashok Gehlot and Tejasvi Prakash in a electoral discussion )

( Image credit : X/ @DeshKaVerdict | Mukesh Sahni and Tejasvi Yadav announce VIPs 60-seat plan in alliance. )

Mahagathbandhans strategy for 2025

( Image credit : X/ @DrMdJawaid1 | Mahagathbandhan leaders rally for a stronger, progressive Bihar )

Looking ahead

After a long wait, former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and RJD leader, Tejashwi Yadav, has finally been confirmed as the Mahagathbandhans Chief Ministerial candidate. The announcement came on Thursday during a joint press conference held by the INDIA bloc in Patna, where senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot confirmed Yadav as the alliances chosen face.The announcement came after days of speculation and internal discussions within the alliance, which includes the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, Communist Party of India (CPI), CPI (Marxist), CPI (Marxist-Leninist), and Mukesh Sahanis Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP). The announcement aims to present a united front ahead of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, where the main contest will be between the Mahagathbandhan and the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA).Before the announcement, Congress sent Ashok Gehlot to Patna to mend differences within the alliance. Gehlot met with RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and his son Tejashwi to resolve tensions, particularly over friendly fights where two allies had filed nominations for the same assembly seats.Some people think that the INDIA bloc is falling apart in Bihar. It is far from the truth, Gehlot said. If there is a friendly fight in five or ten seats out of 243, it is not something very big. We are going to take on the NDA as a team.CPI (ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya and CPI leader Ram Naresh Pandey also voiced their support for Tejashwi, describing him as the unchallenged choice for Chief Minister and highlighting the alliances unity.The Mahagathbandhan faces a challenging election, with around a dozen constituencies witnessing multiple candidates from within the alliance. Despite these minor disputes, leaders emphasized that the coalition is aligned against the NDA, which includes the Bharatiya Janata Party, Janata Dal (United), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha.As the ACCI Senior Election Observer, Gehlot confirmed that the alliance is fully united following discussions with Bihar Congress in-charge Krishna Allavaru and RJD leadership. The joint press conference aimed to end all speculation, making clear that Tejashwi Yadav will lead the INDIA bloc in the upcoming elections.With Tejashwi Yadav now officially confirmed as the Mahagathbandhans Chief Ministerial candidate, the alliance is set to focus on a coordinated campaign strategy. While friendly seat-sharing disputes remain a talking point, the united front signals a determined effort to challenge the NDA in the 2025 Bihar elections.
After the success of its world premiere adaptation of James Baldwins Giovannis Room, Quintessence Theatre Company is back. In collaboration with the New Classics Collective, its now presenting the world premiere of Fire!! by Paul Oakley Stovall and Marilyn Campbell-Lowe.

The play seeks to reimagine the 1927 quarterly publication Fire!!, the first all-Black magazine in the country, as a stage production. Throughout the show, audiences are treated to staged performances of plays, stories, and poems by some of the great writers of the Harlem Renaissance, including Zora Neale Hurston and Langston Hughes.

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Seeking to offer audiences a more immersive experience, director Raelle Myrick-Hodges begins the play in the historic Sedgwick Theaters lobby, with performers in suits and flapper dresses. The 1928-built lobby throbs with life, making you believe you are in 1920s Harlem. Wallace Thurman (Kaisheem Fowler-Bryant), one of the editors of Fire!!, introduces himself and his fellow editors and explains that the nights performances are part of a fundraiser to raise money for the magazine.

Zora Neale Hurston (Alicia Thomas) introduces herself soon after, but its hard to hear her over the rumbling of a wheeled platform stage being ushered into the lobby. This later serves as the train for the first scene of Hurstons play Color Struck.

While it is admirable for Quintessence to use the Sedgwick in new and different ways, the echoing sound quality of the lobby leaves things feeling under-produced.

The audience eventually makes its way into the house. The theaters arching pillars remain visible as a backstage space throughout the play  without the black curtains, this adds to the echo in the lobby.

Inside, the play continues, flipping between staged presentations of pieces that were published in Fire!! and the imagined drama of the editors hoping to appeal to patrons and fund the publication.

This invented drama is interesting but feels under-realized. For one thing, this is the actual conflict of the play, but all the action happens upstage of the stage and presents a myriad of sight line issues depending on where audiences are seated in relation to the pillars on stage. The audibility issues persist, making it difficult to hear actors, especially when they are fighting over any sound cues or underscoring.

The conflict of the play boils up when Thurman voices hesitancy toward presenting his lover Richard Bruce Nugents novel, which features queer characters. This conflict, while seeming to be the crux of the entire play, easily resolves itself within the performance of Nugents story, and is barely addressed later.

The behind-the-scenes tension, which is the through line of the plot, feels almost forgotten by the time the house lights are back up.

The staged presentations of works from Fire!! are, however, alive and well-executed.

At a time of extreme political division, it is important to celebrate joy  especially Black joy. It is timely to witness Quintessence recall the Harlem Renaissance and its resistance with fondness.

The stagings are ripe with music and dance. Xavier Townsend, who plays Aaron Douglas, in particular dazzles the audience with high kicks and spins, and Jordan Fidalgos Helene Johnson blows the audience away with her musical rendition of Johnsons poem A Southern Road. The poems of Langston Hughes and Gwendolyn Bennett speak for themselves and are well orated by Nicholas Parker and Taylor J. Mitchell, respectively.

Quintessence and the New Classics Collective are, as usual, impeccable with their selection of source material. The selected works from Fire!! are dynamic and fascinating stories that investigate the issues of the 1920s and today.

Audiences seeking to hear works of the Harlem Renaissance will be overjoyed by this production, if a bit confused by the subplot.

Fire!!

(Community/Arts)

The story of the countrys first all-Black magazine, and the fight to keep it afloat, gets told in this 1920s Harlem Renaissance-set play. With Zora Neale Hurston and Langston Hughes making an appearance, Fire!! is a celebration of Black joy and resistance, and a delight to witness.

 Through Nov. 2,  7137 Germantown Ave. (Mount Airy), quintessencetheatre.org

Theater reviews are produced independently by The Inquirer without editorial input by their sponsor, Visit Philadelphia.

The article has been updated with the correct name for the actor who plays Aaron Douglas.
A data center owned by Amazon Web Services (front right) under construction next to the Susquehanna nuclear power plant in Berwick, Pa. Read more

An independent monitor has asked federal officials to ensure consumers dont get stuck with the bill if the electric grid cant handle power needs of a massive data center planned for Bucks County.

The monitor, Joseph Bowring, filed comments with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) last week, asking that a Sept. 23 transmission service agreement between Peco and Amazon Data Services be rejected.

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The agreement is regarding the 2 million-square-foot digital infrastructure campus Amazon plans for the Keystone Trade Center, an 1,800-acre property once owned by U.S. Steel, according to Falls Township. The data center, meant to handle computing needs of the wildly increasing demand for AI, has been heralded by Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and the Trump administration.

But Bowring, the independent market monitor for the regions grid operator PJM, questioned the agreement, which is designed to protect power customers from economic risks associated with the cost of upgrading systems to handle the new load.

In the agreement, Peco sought to ensure, among other things, that consumers dont get stuck with the bill for grid upgrades if Amazon never builds the data center.

However, Bowring said that the agreement does not address the key question of whether there is sufficient capacity to serve the identified large new data center load without imposing significant and unacceptable reliability- and capacity-related cost impacts on all PJM customers.

Hes not alone in concerns about the cost data centers could impose on homeowners and other power customers. Many have already seen utility bills rise rapidly in the past few months.

PJM, Peco, and the grid

Montgomery County-based PJM manages the electric grid for all or parts of 13 states and the District of Columbia. PJM is responsible for maintaining grid reliability, coordinating electric flow, and assessing capacity. It is the largest regional transmission organization in the U.S.

The data center lies in Pecos service territory within the PJM grid.

The capacity and reliability of electrical grids across the United States has emerged as a major issue as data centers rush to go online.

David Mills, chair of the PJM Board of Managers, wrote in an August letter to stakeholders that PJM is forecasting peak load growth of 32 gigawatts by 2030. Of that, 30 gigawatts is projected to come from data centers.

Grid operators and power companies like Peco are scrambling to evaluate whether they can provide continuous electricity with the massive new loads without expensive upgrades such as new transmission lines and substations  costs that advocates fear will be passed onto consumers.

Protecting consumers

Making sure power consumers dont get stuck with the cost of upgrades has been a key point of consumer advocates.

Bowring wrote that while the agreement does include some important provisions to protect energy customers from risk, it does not go far enough.

The Market Monitor recommends that the agreement not be approved unless Peco can demonstrate that the referenced new data center load can be served reliably and economically, Bowring wrote to FERC.

The Falls Township data center is one of two big projects Amazon has planned in Pennsylvania, Shapiro announced in June.

 READ MORE: Amazon will spend $20 billion to build two data centers in Pennsylvania

The company plans to invest at least $20 billion in the construction of data center complexes in Pennsylvania, in what officials called the largest private-sector investment in the states history. The second complex would be built alongside a nuclear power plant in Luzerne County.

Both would require enormous amounts of power.

For example, FERC has already rejected one Amazon behind-the-meter power connection of 480 megawatts for the Luzerne County data center. Thats more power than is consumed by some small cities.

Bowring addressed the data centers during a summit on PJM at the National Constitution Center in September that was attended by multiple governors, including Shapiro.

PJM has a problem: Capacity, Bowring said at the summit. Theres no extra capacity, and theres lots of data centers that want to join.  It cannot be handled by the market as it exists.

PJM has said it does not have the authority to deny the interconnection of new data center loads even if it does not have the capacity. Bowring disagrees but is asking FERC to clarify the matter.

Pecos extensive planning

Greg Smore, a Peco spokesperson, said the utility is working with Amazon.

We have done extensive planning to ensure we can deliver the energy needed to power this data center through our transmission and distribution system, Smore said. That data center, like any other large customer, is responsible for procuring electric supply, through an energy supplier or the existing PJM energy market.

Smore said that knowing theres an adequate supply of energy to serve all our customers at a reasonable price is a real concern.

So Peco, which is owned by Exelon, is working with stakeholders, he said, to add more generation to the grid while ensuring reliability and help address rising energy supply costs.

He said the agreement with Amazon protects all customers in Southeastern Pennsylvania from bearing greater transmission service costs if the data center does not make the sizable contribution to our system costs that would be expected.

Advocates fear costs to public

The nonprofit Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), an environmental advocacy group, estimates Peco could pay $9.1 billion in costs by 2033 related to the need for greater capacity.

The projected demand from data centers is vastly outstripping the amount of new supply in PJM, said Claire Lang-Ree, an advocate with NRDC.

It will cause power bills to rise and stay high for the coming decade, mainly through capacity cost increases, Lang-Ree said.

The NRDC estimates cumulative costs could result in a $70 monthly rise in average electric bills in coming years across the PJM grid.

In addition, she said it would lead to a decline in reliability and an increased risk of blackouts for the general public. And, she said, the power demand could undermine states clean energy and air quality goals.

Its really hard to overstate whats at stake here, Lang-Ree said.

Clara Summers of Consumers for a Better Grid, a nonprofit watchdog, said states should impose tariffs to be paid by data centers to support the large power loads they require and ensure that costs of new utility infrastructure doesnt fall unfairly on consumers. And data centers should provide their own electric supply.

Summers likened not taking action to allowing the wealthiest acquaintances at a restaurant gathering to order the most expensive food, then, dining and dashing.

Unless something is done, everyday people will be left holding the check for some of the wealthiest companies in the world, and thats unacceptable, Summers said.

This story has been updated to reflect comments from Peco.
Rhakina Rush, Aisha Hines, and Shakeda Gaines tape a portrait of Kada Scott to a memorial at a tree outside the Ada H. H. Lewis Middle School, not far from where her body was found on Saturday. Read more

Keon King was charged with murder and related crimes Wednesday in the death of Kada Scott, the 23-year-old Mount Airy woman police say he kidnapped, then killed, before burying her body in a shallow grave.

The district attorneys office approved the charges shortly after police announced that the Medical Examiners Office had ruled her death a homicide. Officials said Thursday that Scott died by a gunshot wound to the head.

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In addition to murder, King was charged with illegal gun possession, abuse of corpse, robbery, theft, tampering with evidence, and additional crimes.

The announcement came as investigators said they believe at least one other person helped King, 21, move Scotts body and bury it behind a closed East Germantown school in the days after she was killed, and detectives are working to identify those involved.

New court records, made public Wednesday, offered the most detailed look yet inside the investigation into Scotts disappearance and death, including her texts with King in the days before she went missing, the police search for her body, and how others may have helped King try to conceal her killing.

A review of Scotts cell phone records showed that on Oct. 2, a number believed to belong to King texted Scott: Yo Kada this my new number.

Who dis, Scott asked, and he responded Kel, according to the affidavit of probable cause for Kings arrest.

Law enforcement sources said King appeared to use various aliases when communicating with people, including Elliot and Kel.

On the morning of Oct. 4, the document says, Scott texted King saying, kidnap me again.

King replied, better be up too, according to the filing.

What Scott meant in that text continues to perplex investigators, said the sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation. Its not clear, the sources said, whether Scott was joking or being sarcastic, or if King had, in fact, abducted her before.

In any case, the affidavit says, the pair made plans to meet up later that night. Scott worked the overnight shift at the Terrace Hill nursing home in Chestnut Hill, and at 10:09 p.m., the records say, she texted King to call her when he arrived outside.

According to the affidavit, Scott received 12 calls from the number believed to belong to King between 9:25 p.m. and 10:12 p.m., ending with a 43-second call.

Around that time, a coworker later told police, she overheard Scott on the phone say, I cant believe youre calling me about this, before walking toward a dark-colored car.

At 10:24 p.m., Scotts phone line went dead, the document shows.

By 10:28 p.m., the affidavit says, surveillance cameras showed King, driving a black Hyundai Accent, pull into the parking lot of the Awbury Recreation Center. King got out of the car and left the area, the filing says.

The next day, around 11:39 p.m., two people in a gold Toyota Camry believed to belong to King went back to the recreation center, the records show. They walked toward the playground area, then returned to the car around 3:56 a.m.

The two people then opened up the Hyundai Accent and appeared to remove a heavy object, consistent with a human body, from the passenger side of the car. They carried the object toward the playground and returned to the vehicle a half-hour later, the records said.

On Oct. 7 at 2:48 a.m., police believe King returned to the recreation center to retrieve the Hyundai. They said the car  which had been reported stolen a few days earlier from the 6600 block of Sprague Street  was set on fire near 74th Street and Ogontz Avenue a short time later.

After a two-week search, police found Scotts body buried in the woods behind the vacant Ada H.H. Lewis Middle School, next to the recreation center, on Saturday.

King turned himself in to police last week to be charged with kidnapping Scott. He was held on $2.5 million bail.

Earlier this week, prosecutors also charged King with arson and related crimes for the burning of the car. Now that he is charged with murder, he is expected to be held without bail.

Kings lawyer, Shaka Johnson, could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday.

On Wednesday evening, city leaders headed to a church in the Northwest Philadelphia community where Scotts body was recovered, addressing a crowd of about 200 residents concerned about public safety.

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel, among other officials, offered condolences to Scotts family and commended police for recovering her body. Residents, too, appeared relieved, breaking into applause when Bethel said murder charges had been filed against King.

Bethel, a father of three daughters, said that as the search for Scott wore on, he felt at times as if he were searching for his own child. And Councilmember Cindy Bass told the crowd that Scott could have been your niece, she could have been your friend.

The commissioner said the investigation was continuing as police search for those who might have assisted King. And addressing concerns over safety at the citys abandoned buildings  including Ada H.H. Lewis Middle School  officials said the city was in the process of reviewing vacant properties.
A month after Keon King was charged with breaking into his ex-girlfriends home and attempting to strangle her, police say, his violence escalated: In January, he returned to her home with a gun, then kidnapped and assaulted her.

A warrant for his arrest was issued days later.

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In the weeks that followed, King twice appeared in Philadelphia court and stood before a judge in the initial strangulation case. But no one in the courtroom seemed to know he was wanted for kidnapping.

So both times, King walked out.

In February, despite the warrant for Kings arrest, prosecutors  seemingly unaware that police said he had recently attacked their key witness  withdrew the burglary and strangulation case when the victim failed to appear in court.

Police did not go to either hearing to take him into custody, and do not appear to have alerted the prosecutor about the new arrest warrant.

And King was not formally charged with the kidnapping until April, when, for reasons that are unclear, he turned himself in.

The shortcomings in those earlier cases came into focus this month after police said King abducted Kada Scott from outside her workplace Oct. 4, then killed her and buried her body in a shallow grave behind an East Germantown school. The death of Scott, 23, of Mount Airy, has unnerved a community and drawn national attention.

A review of Kings previous criminal cases raises questions about whether police and prosecutors could have been more vigilant in holding him accountable for the earlier crimes they say he committed.

City Council has since vowed to hold a hearing examining how the citys criminal justice system handles cases of domestic violence.

District Attorney Larry Krasner has said it was a mistake for prosecutors to withdraw the charges in the alleged kidnapping of Kings ex  and his office has since refiled them. He said the decision not to proceed with the case was made by a young assistant district attorney who was new at handling such prosecutions and who saw the victims absence as a fatal flaw, even though there was video evidence of the attack.

But even before the charges were withdrawn, police and court records show, there were missteps.

Marian Grace Braccia, a former Philadelphia prosecutor who is a law professor at Temple University, said she found it alarming that law enforcement failed to take King into custody when he twice stood before them in court while wanted for a violent felony.

If this is supposed to be a collaborative effort  if there is a shared mission of public safety and victim advocacy  it sounds like everyone dropped the ball, she said.

Detectives and prosecutors, she said, should have been aware of the arrest warrant and had officers take him into custody.

Then, she said, prosecutors could have cited the alleged kidnapping to ask a judge to increase Kings bail and keep him behind bars.

Instead, she said, it passed by everybody, and he came in and walked out, and slipped through the cracks of the Philadelphia legal court system.

Krasner said there is no system to automatically notify prosecutors when a defendant in one of their cases is arrested anew.

Similarly, there is no system to let police know that suspects in new cases have outstanding criminal matters, said Philadelphia Police Department spokesperson Sgt. Eric Gripp.

Detectives are not automatically notified when a wanted subject is physically present in court on a different active case, he said.

Krasner said the issues in the case underscore a lack of communication among law enforcement agencies that happens in part because their digital information systems are decades old. He said his office and other law enforcement agencies should work to update those systems.

That is something that we can all improve together if we have the will and if we have the resources, he said.

A wanted man walks free

Police said King first attacked his ex-girlfriend in early November of last year. He broke into her Strawberry Mansion home, then tried to strangle her, according to the affidavit of probable cause for his arrest.

He was taken into custody in December and charged with burglary and strangulation, and bail was set at $50,000. King immediately posted the necessary 10%, $5,000, and was released.

About a month later, police said, King returned to the womans home and tried to break in. When he could not gain entry, they said, he waited for her to step outside, then grabbed her by the hair and dragged her into his car. He drove for at least four miles, beating her along the way, before dropping her off in Fishtown, according to the affidavit for probable cause for his arrest.

A judge approved the warrant for Kings arrest on charges of kidnapping, strangulation, and related crimes on Jan. 19, court records show.

King  now wanted for a violent felony  appeared in court the following week for a preliminary hearing in the earlier burglary case, records show. But when the victim did not show up in court a second time, Municipal Court Judge Jacquelyn Frazier-Lyde ordered that the case had to proceed at the next listing. Prosecutors agreed.

King left court.

Meanwhile, police said, officers tried at least once to arrest him. On Feb. 11, Gripp said, police went to a home where they thought King might be, but he was not there.

Two weeks later, King was again in court for the burglary case  but police did not go there to arrest him. Once again, the victim did not show up, and prosecutors withdrew the charges

King walked out of court a free man.

Braccia, the Temple law professor, said the detective assigned to the case should have been aware of the hearing. When seeking to charge King for the kidnapping, she said, the detective should have pulled up Kings arrest history and noticed the ongoing case. He then could have flagged it to the prosecutor in the first case and gone to the hearing to arrest him.

At the same time, she said, the prosecutors who approved the kidnapping charges against King should have noticed the earlier case and told the prosecutor  particularly because it involved the same victim.

In April, King turned himself in to police to be charged with kidnapping, strangulation, and related crimes in connection with the January attack. Prosecutors asked for bail of $999,999, but the magisterial judge, Naomi Williams, set bail at $200,000, court records show. King posted the necessary $20,000 and was released.

The following month, after the victim again did not appear in court at two hearings, the kidnapping charges were also withdrawn.

Since prosecutors have refiled the charges, Krasners office said it has been back in touch with the woman and hopes she will testify. She declined to comment about Kings alleged crimes and the previous handling of the cases by police and prosecutors.

Six months later, King is back in custody, this time charged with murder. He is being held without bail.
The west-facing side of William H. Gray III 30th Street Station in Philadelphia on Oct. 21. Read more

A senior executive of an Illinois-based masonry company was sentenced Thursday to 18 months in prison for his role in a scheme to bribe an Amtrak employee in exchange for lucrative contracts to restore 30th Street Station.

Lee Maniatis, 58, was one of several senior employees of Mark 1 Restoration who participated in the crimes. But prosecutors said he played a central role, influencing the Amtrak project manager, Ajith Bhaskaran, to sign off on a series of additional contracts worth tens of millions of dollars.

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His prison term will be followed by three years of supervised release. Maniatis has already paid a $278,000 restitution fee, though he will also be required to contribute to a restitution fund of more than $2 million alongside his former associates.

In all, Maniatis and his colleagues funneled gifts worth more than $323,000 to Bhaskaran between 2016 and 2019, buying him luxury wristwatches and cigars, pricey vacations to India and the Galapagos Islands, Bruno Mars concert tickets, lavish dinners in Center City, and rides in limousines.

In exchange, Bhaskaran helped secure tens of millions of dollars in extra government-funded work for Mark 1 Restoration, ultimately doubling the cost of what began as a $58 million project to renovate the historic train stations limestone facade.

While the firm did legitimate work on the property, most of the gifts were effectively subsidized by the government because Mark 1 falsely inflated its invoices by $2 million to cover the bribes. And Amtrak explicitly prohibits firms from offering gifts in exchange for favorable contracts.

Prosecutors had ample evidence linking Maniatis to the bribes. Around the time of a January 2017 dinner between Maniatis, a colleague, and Bhaskaran, the Amtrak employee was considering whether to authorize an additional $13.4 million work order for the firm. Maniatis, prosecutors said, gave Bhaskaran a Tourneau worth more than $5,000 during that meeting.

Bhaskaran approved the contract days later, and [d]inner was worth it, Maniatis texted an associate. Later he texted his boss: $ ding.

Maniatis, accompanied by his wife, appeared in federal court in Philadelphia Thursday and teared up as he read a statement to U.S. District Judge Wendy Beetlestone.

Im completely ashamed, he said. I was sick about it then, Im sick about it now.

The judge said the former executives remorse was palpable. But she said Maniatis had a choice to go to authorities over those three years  and didnt.

Only when federal agents raided his home in 2019 did Maniatis admit to his wrongdoing, Beetlestone said.

He could have resigned, she continued. He could have reported it to the FBI.

Theodore T. Poulos, one of Maniatis defense attorneys, said he still recalls the day after that raid, when the former executive told the lawyer hed ruined his life.

Poulos said Maniatis had been a victim of misguided loyalty to Mark 1s owner and president, Marak Snedden, who pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit bribery and making a false claim in the scheme.

Still, U.S. Attorney Jason Grenell said, Maniatis made a choice to siphon public taxpayer money to line peoples pockets.

The attorney commended Maniatis for being the first defendant in the case to plead guilty for his crimes, swiftly admitting his guilt while his coconspirators fended off the governments allegations in court, Grenell said.

Maniatis is not the first Mark 1 employee to face prosecution.

Early this month, Snedden, was sentenced in Beetlestones courtroom to 7 years in prison. The admission made Snedden the sixth person involved to face consequences for the scheme.

Bhaskaran had been charged with unrelated wire fraud in 2019 but died of heart failure a year later.

Court documents show Bhaskaran had outsized power to approve work on behalf of the transit agency  and that his signature on substantially overbilled work routinely corresponded with sumptuous treatment from Maniatis and Mark 1 employees.

One such instance came in December 2017, when Bhaskaran authorized an additional $5.6 million in work for the firm. That same month, court records show, Maniatis paid $9,500 for him to visit India with a relative.

Maniatis emailed Bhaskaran tickets the following year priced at $766 for a New Years Eve party at Stratus, a rooftop lounge at Kimpton Hotel Monaco  a purchase investigators said Maniatis had made on his own credit card.

And when Bhaskaran decided that the Tourneau watch was not to his liking, Maniatis was ready to return it and purchase Bhaskaran an even more expensive timepiece, spending $11,294.

Beetlestone denied Poulos request that Maniatis be allowed to spend the entirety of his sentence on probation. He will serve his term at a prison in Lewisburg, Pa.

Lack of fortitude is not an excuse for criminal conduct, Beetlestone said.

Staff writer Chris Palmer contributed to this article.
(From left to right) Students at Science Leadership Academy at Beeber, Ethan Hauger, 18, Jordyn McGriff-Laduna, 17, and Ruth Kuriloff, 17, speak during a Stand Up for Philly Schools event. Read more

Pause the citys facilities master planning process, a grassroots coalition said Wednesday, weeks before the Philadelphia School District has said it would release a draft of that plan  which will include school closures.

Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. and school board president Reginald Streater have said the long-promised planning process would be different than the 2013 incarnation, that they would consider the harm done then, and would use an equity lens.

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Watlington in September said there are no fixed decisions at this point, and the short answer is we cant answer any of those questions right now about which schools will close, but we can surely say some will.

 READ MORE: Philly will surely close schools, Watlington says as district releases data that will guide decisions on its 300 buildings

Officials have also said the document  which they promise is on track for delivery sometime this fall, with a school board vote by the end of the calendar year  would also include major renovations, new school construction, and joining some schools into a single building.

But Councilmember Kendra Brooks, who was a school activist fighting the closures on the front lines 12 years ago, said this process feels similar, despite officials assertions that their aim is to organize city schools in a way that best advantages children.

Philadelphia has complex facilities needs  70,000 excess seats in schools across the city, some schools that are more than half-empty, and some bursting at the seams. Its buildings are old, and many have environmental problems.

This seems like a school closure process, Brooks said in an interview. Weve been here before, and the conversation should be about the future we want for our children  it should include plans for investment, not just closure.

Brooks joined members of Stand Up for Philly Schools  a coalition of organizations including Parents United for Public Education, the Philadelphia Home and School Council, and Asian Americans United  outside the Barnes Foundation on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway Wednesday night, where members of the Council for Great City Schools met for an opening reception.

We are being given an extremely limited set of options about the future of our schools. We are being told that school closures are a foregone conclusion. Were being told to sign off on a plan that we havent even seen, Brooks said to the crowd of dozens of educators, parents, students and other supporters gathered for the cause.

We dont know how many, we dont know which ones, but we know that every school closure hurts a community, she said.

A big contraction of the school district

Those who rallied Wednesday made several demands of the district, which is playing host to the Council for Great City Schools conference. Those asks included pausing the planning process, creating a new strategy for public engagement, and committing at least $250 million annually to keeping district schools well-maintained.

So far, the process has played out poorly, members of Stand Up for Philly Schools say. Theres been engagement on paper, but many in advisory groups said they felt their work was merely lip service, and community meetings have been sparsely attended.

The school board has authorized spending over $5 million on contracts for community engagement, the planning process itself, and the construction and hosting of a data warehouse for all facilities information.

We feel like were not getting the whole picture, we feel like whatever ideas and feedback we gave are not being heeded, and we dont think theres enough time in this process, said Adam Blyweiss, a district parent and teacher who sat on an advisory committee.

Laurie Mazer, a member of Parents United for Public Education, said the process feels weird, and rushed.

Getting information has been a real teeth-pulling exercise, Mazer said.

When schools close, communities pay the price

It appeared like an early Halloween celebration at the Stand Up for Philly Schools rally.

Coalition members wore tombstone signs around their necks, each representing a Philadelphia public school that was closed during the districts last closure plan.

After months of delays and missing data, its clear why so many families dont trust this process, said Melanie Silva, the mother to a fourth grader at Rhawnhurst Elementary School in Northeast Philly and a member of 215 Peoples Alliance.

Wearing a tombstone sign around her neck representing George Wharton Pepper Middle School and its closure in 2013, Silva described the overcrowded and under-resourced conditions at her daughters school. She said the schools library was a meeting room, and classrooms were so full there was no room to breathe. She said the district ought to invest in its schools rather than close them.

We deserve transparency, we deserve trust, and real investment, not excuses, she said.

Charles Hudgins, an algebra teacher at Abraham Lincoln High School in Northeast Philly, warned that the district would make problems that schools face today worse by closing more of them. He said that some of his students already travel more than an hour.

The potential and talent of students is being lost every single day because our school system is focused on quality and numbers. The numbers we care about are the number of excellent schools where our children have opportunities to thrive, to think creatively and to pursue their passions, said Ruth Kuriloff, 17, a senior at Science Leadership Academy at Beeber.

She and her classmates said students would only be hurt by closing schools to save money.

These obvious inequities will not get better by closing schools, said Jordyn McGriff-Laduna, 17, also a senior at the school. Quality education should not be a privilege. It should be a promise for all students in all areas.
Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr., shown in this August file photo, was part of a national panel of school leaders who discussed "groundbreaking" achievements in their districts. The Council of Great City Schools is hosting its annual convention in Philadelphia; the School District of Philadelphia is hosting educators from across the country this week. Read more

On Thursday, a roomful of leaders from the nations largest and most complex school systems stood, sat, and spilled into aisles to hear Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. talk about how the Philadelphia School District has pulled off groundbreaking academic improvements in the eighth-largest school system in the country.

The nations historic biggest poor city for many decades is getting better, Watlington said. We are so proud to be accelerating performance, and we are going to put our foot on the gas, and our goal  is to get to the top of the food chain.

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The discussion came as part of the Council of Great City Schools annual conference, held this year in Philadelphia. In addition to the hometown district, the Baltimore, Detroit, and Los Angeles Unified districts were also highlighted.

Here are some takeaways from the panel that featured Watlington, Sonja Santelises of Baltimore, Nikolai Vitti of Detroit, and Alberto Carvalho of Los Angeles.

The Philadelphia story: Its getting better

Watlington trumpeted the progress made since he arrived in Philadelphia in 2022: improvement in most metrics  fewer dropouts, better graduation rate, better student and teacher attendance, forward motion in most areas as benchmarked against big-city peers on the test known as the Nations Report Card.

 READ MORE: Philly students made significant progress in math, but posted lower reading scores, according to new data

Weve been really drilling down on fourth- and eighth-grade reading and math, and in three of these areas, weve seen significant improvement, besting the national average, our peer districts, and, certainly, outperforming the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Watlington said.

Still, Philadelphias students  a diverse group, mostly from economically disadvantaged homes and mostly kids of color  have a long ways to go.

According to preliminary data recently released by the district, 25% of district students met state standards in reading and 33% in math. (Math scores have been a particular strength of late  fourth-graders math scores have jumped 13 percentage points in the last three years.)

Its ebbing and flowing, but over time we ought to see some appreciable improvement in student outcomes, and, yes, it ought to show up on some standardized assessments, even if those assessments are rife with cultural and racial bias, Watlington said.

Despite the fact that most city students do not meet the states standards in literacy and numeracy, there are more than just glimmers of hope in what the district has been able to accomplish in recent years, Watlington said.

For years, Philadelphias performance was near the bottom of all large urban districts. But the most recent stats from the National Assessment of Educational Progress show that the district has vaulted from near the bottom to closer to the top.

And after years of declining enrollment amid a robust charter school ecosystem, the traditional public school system added more than 1,000 students to its rolls last year. About 117,000 children are now enrolled in district schools.

How did the district make gains? Watlington cited several factors: new, standardized curriculum, professional development for teachers, supporting principals, strengthening family partnerships, and improving instruction.

Were not just trying to serve the middle, Watlington said. Were serving all students, including students who qualify for special education services.

Baltimore found literacy leaders in its own backyard

Funds are scarce and needs are great in Baltimore, as they are in large urban school districts across the country.

But Santelises, who has been superintendent of the district of 70,000 for nearly 10 years, wanted to focus on building leadership, even without a built-in infrastructure.

What we did was we doubled down on leadership is not a title. Leadership is a state of being. Leadership is a focus, so that means leadership is not just who gets to sit the closest to the CEO. Leadership is not who has three letters in his or her name, but leadership is actually what is your ability to identify a problem, Santelises said.

Empowering people in schools to see themselves as leaders worked beautifully, Santelises said. Among the strongest leaders?

We found actually that our paraprofessionals  majority women of color, majority from low-income neighborhoods  were actually our best literacy tutors when we looked at the data, Santelises said. With all due respect to any companies in the room, it wasnt the new AI technology that got the best results. It wasnt the newest program youre going to put on the software. It was actually the women who were closest to our young people and their communities were then viewed as leaders, and frankly got 30 to 40% greater improvement with our first and second graders than any program we purchased.

LA super thinks 10% of schools should get 90% of district attention

Alberto Carvalho, the superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, said that 90% of districts time should be spent on 10% of its schools  the lowest performers.

Leaders must have the courage to say not every student shall get the same level of funding, the same level of support  they need disproportionately higher levels of funding based on equity indices.

(Philadelphia used to have a separate learning network for its lowest performers, with higher amounts of funding and more supports. The district broke up that network in a recent reorganization.)

When he started in LAUSD in 2022, that school system, the nations second-largest, had 800 teaching vacancies. He reduced that number to zero quickly.

Central office staffers who met Carvalho always told him how much they loved children, he said.

During spring break, I asked them to go love children closer to where children were, Carvalho said. The employees who had teaching credentials were sent into schools to teach. Yes, there are teacher shortages, but we have more of a talent-distribution problem than a talent problem, always.

Carvalho  a former undocumented immigrant who spent 15 years as Miamis schools leader and had accepted the New York public school chancellors job but reneged, he said Thursday, because I would have killed the mayor  suggested that incremental progress is not nearly enough.

Were not done, we cant be done, Carvalho said. We have grade levels where reading performance is at 30, 40, 50%, and that means the vast majority of our kids are not learning and reading at grade level  the same for numeracy. Unfortunately, across our country, we often hide ugly truths about our own performance. And as they all said, The first step in true educational reform is critical awareness of where we are.
Emine Emanet reads the many notes left by supporters on the windows of her family's Jersey Kebab restaurant in March, the day after she was released from ICE detention. She and her husband were arrested by ICE in February. Read more

Jersey Kebab  the Haddon Township restaurant that made headlines earlier this year after its owners were arrested, and eventually released, by ICE  is moving.

On Sunday, Muhammed Emanet and his parents, Celal and Emine, will close their small Turkish restaurant, where colorful sweets line the display case up front and platters of kebabs sizzle in the back. Its the second time this year the business has shuttered.

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This time, the restaurant will relocate just a mile down the street, to 729 Haddon Ave., in Collingswood. The family hopes to reopen by the second week of November.

The Emanet family hadnt planned to relocate until recently, after their lease expired on their current space at 150 Haddon Ave.

According to Muhammed, the Emanets landlord informed the family he was not interested in renewing the contract at the end of their five-year lease in August. The landlord suggested using his apartment upstairs to expand the restaurant  if the family agreed to a 50/50 split in the business, Muhammed told The Inquirer.

The Emanets landlord could not immediately be reached for comment.

As soon as [the landlord] said that, it sent us into a frenzy where we had to hurry up and figure out where were going to move to, Muhammed said. The family paid to use the Haddon Avenue storefront for two more months and began looking for a new space elsewhere.

Muhammed and his father, Celal, supplement their earnings from Jersey Kebab by running a delivery business that transports Del Buonos Bakerys bread to other South Jersey diners and restaurants, including Stardust Cafe, the current occupant of 729 Haddon Ave.

Stardusts owners, Jerry Goksun and Jennifer Vincent, recently transformed the long-lived, retro-themed Pop Shop diner into a more modern all-day eatery. The couple opened the restaurant in July, but upon hearing that the Emanets were searching for a new home for Jersey Kebab, offered the space on Collingswoods main shopping street. (Goksun and Vincent did not immediately respond to The Inquirers request for comment.)

The Emanet family plans to move into the restaurant as is, adding Turkish decor and music to replicate the ambiance of their former space. The restaurants menu will expand beyond platters of iskender, adana, and shish kebabs. New items planned include a traditional Turkish breakfast spread (think homemade jams, cheeses, bread, and omelets) and Turkish ice cream made with goats milk.

Celal and Emine Emanet were detained by ICE in February, forcing the restaurant to close. The couple emigrated legally to the United States from Turkey in 2008 but fell out of status when their visas expired. In 2016, they applied for legal permanent residency and have been awaiting the governments decision on their application since.

Celal was released a few days after his initial arrest, but Emine was held in an immigrant detention center in Elizabeth, N.J., for a little over two weeks. The South Jersey community lobbied for her release, writing letters, holding rallies, and raising funds. Emine was released in mid-March, and when the restaurant reopened later that month, it was flooded with well-wishers and neighbors.

The couple has been navigating deportation proceedings since March. Celals first deportation hearing took place in May, with another set for March 2026. Emines first hearing was scheduled for this month but was recently postponed to 2027.

Given their situation, Muhammeds parents have not had time to process the change in their business, he said.

They arent even really thinking about it  theyre just pushing through it, Muhammed said. My mom is trying to see how shes gonna decorate the entire place. My dad is trying to get all the paperwork done. Im trying to get all the people hired and the management worked on. So, everybody just locked in.

Despite the challenges, what keeps the Emanet family going is being God-believing, God-fearing people, Muhammed said. It doesnt really matter what we go through  we know our faith is going to lead us exactly where we need to be anyway."

And Haddon Avenue is a prime location for the restaurants loyal clientele, he said. Jersey Kebab in Collingswood is a big turning point for us, for our name and legacy to grow.
Ana Santos Rutschman is a professor of health law and director of the Health Innovation Lab at Villanova University. Read more

Villanova professor Ana Santos Rutschman would describe the current state of vaccine policy as a game of chess.

When the federal government does something, some states  primarily Democratic-led states including Pennsylvania  respond immediately to counter.

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A prime example followed the federal governments move, through the Food and Drug Administration, in August to limit eligibility for the updated COVID-19 vaccine. Previously, the annual shot was recommended for all Americans 6 months and older. The new guidance was for people 65 or older and those at high risk of complications from COVID-19.

Pennsylvanias regulatory body for pharmacists opened up access by allowing pharmacists to follow the broader recommendations of professional medical societies.

Its kind of [like] Harry Potter chess. Remember when they climb on the gigantic pieces and then try to kill one another? Rutschman said, referring to the fictional scene where chess pieces violently smash the opposing sides pieces.

Theres a certain violence to this from a political perspective, she added.

States are allowed to diverge from the federal government on vaccine policy because our system of government, known as federalism, divides power between the federal government and the states.

With vaccines, states historically have chosen to align in large part with the federal governments recommendations.

Rutschman says recent actions by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have ushered in a new era of whats being called vaccine federalism." Kennedy is a longtime anti-vaccine activist now serving as President Donald Trumps top health official.

 READ MORE: CHOPs Vaccine Education Center experts fear policy changes coming under RFKs health leadership

Many states, especially those with Democratic governors, including Pennsylvania and New Jersey, saw recent changes under his leadership as a sign that they need to do something in direct opposition to the federal government, Rutschman said.

Now its a head-on collision, she added.

The Inquirer spoke with Rutschman, who researches vaccine federalism as a health law professor and director of the Health Innovation Lab at Villanova University, to learn more about this new era and its possible consequences in a conversation lightly edited for length and clarity.

What is vaccine federalism?

For vaccination and everything else, our system is split in two. You have the states and then you have the federal government.

There is room for tension between the federal level and the state level. Historically, that tension has been, I would argue, limited. It has existed, but its not been the defining feature. Now, particularly in the context of vaccines, it has become probably the most salient feature.

How are states allowed to differ from the federal government as far as vaccine policy?

States dont have the power to authorize a new vaccine to come to market.

But then you have a lot of things that the Centers for Disease Control have done that are more informational. The federal government recommends which shots children or adults should get, and the time frame for most children to get these shots.

The federal government offers this kind of informational support, and then states set their own policy.

How has vaccine federalism played out in the past?

Examples from the past are not as salient or blatant as the ones youre seeing right now.

There was a lot of variability around the country, but the overall message was harmonious. Everybody was trying to get, by and large, most of the population vaccinated past herd immunity.

What is happening now?

Now its a head-on collision.

States are saying, Were not going to implement requirements to restrict access to these vaccines. The Board of Pharmacy in Pennsylvania decided not to be bound by the CDCs recommendations. This is a direct clash. We hadnt had this before between the federal government and the states in the field of vaccines.

What are examples of this new era of vaccine federalism?

One example would be the formation of state clusters. These are a lot of neighboring states in agreement. Theyre trying to share data and think of best practices, which is almost that informational function that traditionally fell to the [federal health agencies].

The states are saying, Well, youre not doing that, so we will.

We will pull resources and information to come up with our own advisory role. Thats unprecedented.

You have sort of two speeds in the country. Some states are collaborating and very active in setting regional vaccine policy. And then you have a bunch of states that go completely the other way. You have the, for now, isolated case of Florida saying, Were going to just basically do away with all vaccination mandates, which is going further than the federal government.

Now its a much messier situation, legally, philosophically, politically, etc.

 READ MORE: Shapiro visits CHOP to sign an executive order protecting access to vaccines

How effective are these regional coalitions?

They are accomplishing something. You see fewer restrictions in access to vaccines in a place like Pennsylvania than other states.

Whereas states who are not part of these kinds of coalitions  typically excluding the likes of Florida  a lot of them are waiting to see what happens, because this has never happened in the history of vaccination in the United States.

In the meantime, there are a lot of people falling through the cracks who would have been indicated for a vaccine last year. Now theyre wondering what to do, and their providers are not entirely sure.

Theres a lot of confusion about what happens now that federal policy has taken a completely different direction.

What impacts do you see coming from this new era of vaccine federalism?

People hearing one thing out of the CDC and another one out of the state of Pennsylvania may think, Whos correct? Who should I listen to? You start aggregating all the people who might forgo vaccination just because they dont understand whats going on.

I think it continues to accelerate the overall phenomenon of vaccine mistrust, and were already seeing levels of herd immunity come down for many vaccine-preventable diseases.

If I were a provider, I would be similarly confused and concerned, because nobody takes lightly the idea that from now on, Ill be doing something thats in direct opposition to what the federal regulators are suggesting I should be doing. So I think theres a fear factor and confusion.

Lastly, I think theres an overall chilling effect with regard to vaccines. Yes, some vaccines make money, but they dont make a whole lot of money to begin with. Theyve never been one of the preferred products for manufacturers. These are not the most profitable things they can be doing.

I think that we will see much less focus on vaccine development in years to come, because thats the logical position for pharmaceutical companies, and for some funders even to take, which is unfortunate.

What do you think of Pennsylvanias response?

I think its to Pennsylvanias credit, and I think its to some degree reassuring for Pennsylvanians. Although it obviously makes me sad that we have sort of this two-speed mode in the country. Some part of this national fabric has ruptured.

For now, Pennsylvania has protected itself as it can, but states alone dont control everything. You have Pennsylvanians going to other states where you may have an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease. We dont have real borders. We cross them all the time.
Pinwheel Provisions opened in a new, larger space next to the Bryn Mawr Film Institute this week. Read more

Hi, Lower Merion! 

Several new eateries have recently opened in the area, with more on the way. Also this week, two men were charged in connection with an attempted robbery of an armored truck earlier this month, SEPTA is now a third of the way through its Regional Rail car inspections, and the former longtime leader of Bethel A.M.E. Church of Ardmore reflects on her first year in a historic new role.

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We may only be a month into fall, but the areas culinary scene has been booming this season. Two new eateries opened in the last few weeks, with a third debuting today, and more on the horizon.

New Jersey sports-bar chain Tommys Tavern & Tap took over the former J. Alexanders space at 256 Mall Blvd. in King of Prussia, while Pinwheel Provisions opened in a larger space adjacent to the Bryn Mawr Film Institute on Lancaster Avenue on Monday. And today, the duo behind Maison Lotus are opening cocktail bar Jade Rabbit Speakeasy beneath their Wayne French-Vietnamese restaurant.

Also this week, the new location of Johnnys Pizza (its original Bryn Mawr shop recently got a nod on The 76) is in its soft-opening phase. The new Wayne outpost is among the regions hottest new pizzerias, according to The Inquirers Michael Klein.

Looking ahead, Lafayette Hill BYOB Lassan Indian Traditional is opening a second location at 232 Woodbine Ave. in Narberth, where it will take over the former Margot space.

 Community News

 Schools Briefing

LMSD is hosting one of four community events regarding its new strategic plan next Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The event will be held in the Lower Merion High School cafeteria, where residents can hear ideas and offer input on the five-year plan running from 2026 to 2031. Mark your calendars: The districts book fairs continue today and tomorrow. There will be a trunk-or-treat event at Penn Valley Elementary on Saturday from 2:30 to 4 p.m., with another planned at Merion Elementary next Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Saturday is also Lower Merion High Schools homecoming dance and next week is LMHS spirit week. See all the districts events here. Tickets for Welsh Valleys seventh grade dance, which takes place Nov. 7, are on sale now and must be purchased in advance.

 On our Plate

Carlinos Market is expanding, now selling its products at 10 Wegmans stores in southeastern Pennsylvania. The popular Ardmore market expects to triple its sales and production as a result. Its signature sauces will roll out to other Wegmans locations in Delaware, New Jersey, and New York in the coming months. (Philadelphia Business Journal)

 Things to Do

 Halloween Funky Brunch & Market: This family-friendly event includes craft vendors, live music, and trick-or-treating for kids.  Saturday, Oct. 25, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.  Free  Ardmore Music Hall

 Wicked Singalong: In anticipation of the release of Wicked: For Good, watch the first movie and sing along to the hits. Registration is required.  Saturday, Oct. 25, noon-3 p.m.  Free  Penn Wynne Library

 The Witches of Narberth: Kids can scour the borough in search of witches and treats ahead of next weeks Halloween parade. The hunt runs from 1 to 4 p.m.  Saturday, Oct. 25, 1-4 p.m.  Free  Narberth

 Halloween Party: Now in its fifth year, the Sean King Fund for Inclusive Practices event includes games, face painting, music, and dancing. Costumes are welcome.  Saturday, Oct. 25, 2-4 p.m.  Free  Linwood Park

 Heirloom Apple Tasting & Baking Contest: Get a taste of apples you wont find in the grocery store and buy ones to take home. There will also be a baking competition.  Saturday, Oct. 25, 2-4 p.m.  $7.18-$12.51  Harriton House

 The Phantom of the Opera: The original film, starring Lon Chaney and Mary Philbin, turns 100 this year. To mark the occasion, Bryn Mawr Film Institute will host two screenings of the silent horror flick, accompanied by a live performance from students at the School of Rock Main Line.  Saturday, Oct. 25 and Sunday, Oct. 26, 11:30 a.m.  $11.75-$16.25  Bryn Mawr Film Institute

 Halloween Crafting: Kids can make four spooky, but edible Halloween-themed crafts while dressed in costumes.  Sunday, Oct. 26, 4-5 p.m.  $21.20  The Candy Lab

 On the Market

This four-bedroom Penn Valley home has a sleek interior, with living and family rooms, a dining room, and an eat-in kitchen with an island on the first floor. Upstairs, the primary suite has a fireplace with a sitting area, two walk-in closets, access to a balcony, and a bathroom with a soaking tub and dual vanities. It also has a finished basement with another living room, a bar, media room, and a wine cellar, while outside theres a patio with a built-in kitchen and a pool. There are open houses today from 4:30 to 6 p.m., and from noon to 2 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, and Sunday.

See more photos of the property here.

Price: $1.999M | Size: 3,968 SF | Acreage: 0.71

 What other Lower Merion residents are reading this week:

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This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirers high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.
Syvir Hill, 20-months-old, died April 15 after drowning in a bathtub while his foster mother was attending the microwave in her Harrowgate home. Read more

The biological mother of a 20-month-old who died in a Harrowgate foster home is suing two Philadelphia child welfare agencies for placing the toddler in a crowded house.

Syvir Hill died April 15 while taking a bath with two other children, according to the complaint, which was filed last week in Common Pleas Court. The children were unsupervised by their foster mother, who had left the bathroom to cook in the downstairs kitchen.

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The lawsuit accuses the foster mother, Tabor Childrens Services, and Northeast Treatment Centers of negligence that contributed to Syvirs death.

Tabor Childrens Services had certified the mother and the Harrowgate rowhouse as eligible to foster Syvir, the suit says. The city had contracted Northeast Treatment Centers to monitor the childs progress.

We are deeply saddened over this tragic loss of life, Regan Kelly, president and CEO of Northeast Treatment Centers, said in a statement. In the meantime, we are doing everything possible to support the family as they deal with their grief.

Tabor Childrens Services did not respond to a request for comment.

Syvir entered the citys foster-care system before he was 6 months old and eventually was placed in the Harrowgate home, according to the complaint. By December 2024, the rowhouse was crowded, with three foster children  including Syvir  in addition to young family members of the foster parent living in the house.

When Syvirs sister needed a foster home, Northeast Treatment Centers sought to place the girl with her brother despite noting that the foster parent was at her max with the children in her home, according to the complaint.

The foster parent emptied a storage room, which the lawsuit calls a closet, to make room for the sister, who was just a few months old.

In visits to monitor Syvirs progress, Northeast Treatment Centers staff noted the varying number of children living in the house. The complaint accuses the caseworkers of failing to remove Syvir Hill and other children in an already overcrowded foster home.

The lawsuit details the horrific last moments of Syvirs young life based on Philadelphia Department of Human Services investigation records obtained by A.J. Thomson, the attorney who filed the lawsuit.

Three children were splashing in the water, the suit says, when at one point a 2-year-old turned to Syvir and said, You are not my brother! The child held Syvirs head underwater, while a 4-year-old screamed in terror, according to the complaint.

When the foster mother came back to the upstairs bathroom, Syvir was submerged. She called police, who found Syvir nonresponsive upon arrival. He was pronounced dead at St. Christophers Hospital for Children.

No arrest has been made in connection with the death, the lawsuit says. Court records show no criminal charges against the foster mother.

All three of these children are victims of the acts of the Defendants in this case and a system that simply piles children into homes without supervision, training, or enforcement of rules, the lawsuit says.

A judge had removed Syvir from his parents because that house was deemed unsafe for him, Thomson said. The parents visited Syvir and followed the protocols in an effort to get their children back.

Thomson accuses the agencies of failing to inform the parents of their sons death.

When he dies, they are the last to find out, the attorney said.

Both child welfare nonprofits have been previously involved in cases where children were abused, severely injured, or died.

Tabor Childrens Services agreed to pay $11 million in 2023 to settle a lawsuit accusing the organization of failing to oversee the care of an infant who was abused by her biological mother. The organization, which provided child-welfare casework for the Northwest region of Philadelphia, declined to renew its contract with the city for 2025 and beyond, citing litigation insurance costs.

Northeast Treatment Centers settled a lawsuit for $6.5 million in 2022 following the death of 3-year-old Hope Jones, who was beaten to death in foster care. The nonprofit also settled a case involving the death of SuLayah Williams, a 1-year-old who was allegedly kicked to death in a West Philly foster home. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

There has to be a better way than to put these kids with people who are killing them, Thomson said.
The head of the Pew Charitable Trusts is stepping down.

Susan K. Urahn, president and CEO, is expected to retire in early 2027 after a search for a successor is completed and the new leader has begun working at the organization, a Pew spokesperson said.

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Urahn, 72, began at Pew in 1994 and took the top job in 2020 following the retirement of longtime chief Rebecca W. Rimel.

Neither Urahn nor board chair Christopher Jones were made available for interviews. But, in a statement posted on Pews website, Urahn said she was fortunate to work with colleagues and a board all dedicated to finding common ground and using facts as the foundation for discussion and action.

Under Sues leadership, Pew has become even better and stronger, read a statement attributed to Jones.

Pew  which has offices in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and other cities  is a combination foundation/think tank, conducting research and disbursing grants to nonprofit organizations.

In Philadelphia, it awards money to arts groups through the Pew Center for Arts and Heritage. Its D. C-based Pew Research Center provides research on demographic trends and social issues, as well as polling on matters like politics, religion, climate change, and the role of technology in daily life.

Pews work is funded through seven charitable trusts established between 1948 and 1979 by the children of Sun Oil Co. founder Joseph Newton Pew and his wife, Mary Anderson Pew. As of June 2024, the collective value of the trusts was $6.1 billion, a spokesperson said.

In addition to funding Philadelphia arts groups and individual artists, Pew has sometimes taken a more activist role by partnering with other philanthropists on large civic projects costing tens of millions of dollars, such as the 2012 move by the Barnes Foundation from Merion to the Ben Franklin Parkway. In 2008, Pew contributed millions toward a bailout of the Kimmel Center that relieved it of debt left over from the arts centers construction phase.

In 2023, it announced the award of $4 million for Esperanza Health Center in North Philadelphia to expand services.

Urahn, most recently based in D.C., worked her way through several posts  including director of Pews planning and evaluation division; director of the Pew Center on the States; and executive vice president for Pews work on state policy, economics and healthcare.

A search for a new president is expected to begin in January.
Pianist Victor Fiorillo (right) looks on as drag queen Martha Graham Cracker (Dito van Reigersberg) performs at B. West in Philadelphia in 2024. Read more

A Philadelphia judge ordered a Delaware County man to pay Philadelphia Magazine senior reporter Victor Fiorillo $160,000 over a series of Facebook comments falsely labeling the journalist a pedophile.

In an order issued Tuesday, Common Pleas Court Judge Vincent Johnson awarded Fiorillo $35,000 in compensatory damages and $125,000 in punitive damages. The ruling follows a hearing at which the defendant, Ryan Nelson, did not show up.

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It feels great, Fiorillo said. Part of what I said at the beginning is that I would like to support some LGBTQ causes that the defendant very much would dislike his money going to, and I intend to pursue the matter.

The libelous comments by Nelson were aimed at Fiorillo not for his journalism, but for his off-the-clock performances as a keyboard player for a band led by drag queen Martha Graham Cracker.

Nelson never responded to the lawsuit, which was filed in April, and no attorney is listed for him on the court docket. James Beasley, the journalists lawyer, did receive a threatening email in June from a person identifying as RN that included an expletive aimed at Fiorillo in the subject line.

Tell him to unblock me and stop hiding behind facebook, said the message, which was presented to the judge. If not i guess i can go to his house and ask him.

That email is no longer active, and The Inquirer was unable to reach Nelson through publicly available contact information.

 READ MORE: Philly Mags Victor Fiorillo filed a libel lawsuit after Facebook comments over drag performances

The focus of the complaint was a series of comments Nelson made in response to a January post by Fiorillo in the Citizens of Delco public Facebook group, in which the reporter shared his article about a racial discrimination lawsuit against a country club restaurant.

The only person to agree with you likes seeing dudes in dresses dance with kids, Nelson wrote.

Fiorillo asked if the suggestion was that he was a pedophile because he performs with a drag queen.

Yes victoria, corruption of a minor. Same as pedophile, Nelson wrote, adding, or do you prefer groomer.

In another comment, Nelson said hed bet that if a drag queen molested children, Victor would prob write how the kids are homophobic.

The lawsuit said others on the Facebook group had read Nelsons comments, and provided an example of another person repeating them.

There is nothing in the First Amendment that says you can call me a pedophile and a child molester, Fiorillo previously told The Inquirer.

Fiorillo was the only witness at the Oct. 8 hearing. Johnson interrupted the lawyers line of questioning to ask questions of his own, the reporter said. The judge asked over and over how many times Nelson made the comments.

The Philly Mag writer recalled thinking from the stand that the hearing was not going in his favor, but felt a great sense of moral victory when the judge issued his decision.

He said he hopes the ruling sends a message to all the keyboard warriors out there, in their mothers basement.

Thats a very big part of why I went down this road to begin with. Part of defending free speech is standing against things that arent covered by that.
Octobers supermoon, known as the Hunters moon, rises over Wildwood amusements last October. It remains the one and only moon. Read more

Those social media and other reports that the Earth now has two moons appear to be off the mark by about a moon.

Astronomers assure that we still have only one, true lunar satellite and that the object garnering all the buzz is a so-called quasi moon, technically a quasi satellite, known as 2025 PN7.

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The American Astronomical Society reported last month that it was discovered in August at the Pan-STARSS Observatory in Hawaii, sighted by a 6-foot-diameter telescope on a Maui mountaintop. (Light pollution isnt an issue out that way.)

It is not orbiting Earth, nor experiencing its gravitational force, but is moving more or less parallel to our planet as it orbits the sun. It is one of several such quasi satellites, the astronomical society says.

While it was discovered only recently, the astronomy site EarthSky reports it has been riding around with Earth since Lyndon B. Johnson, for whom the Houston space center was named, was president. It is expected to hang on an additional 60 years.

Is this quasi moon visible?

Definitely, if you happen to be at the Pan-STARSS observatory, but NASA reports that its magnitude is an ultra-dim 26.36.

Said Teddy Kareta, astrophysics and astronomy professor at Villanova University, even with the big telescopes I have access to, itd be a challenge.

What is the quasi moon made of?

As standard procedure, when an object such as this is detected scientists first check for space junk  detritus shed by spacecraft, such as solar panels, said Kareta, whose specialities include the composition of near-Earth objects.

This one assuredly is natural, he said. Its orbit doesnt appear to be drifting, which implies a rocky density.

Is it any danger to Earth?

NASA calculates its about 20 million miles away, which is relatively close in the cosmic sense, but still about 70 times farther away than the real moon.

But its also a relative pip-squeak: Kareta estimates that its from 40 to 100 feet in diameter.

And Id wager its more likely to be on the smaller side of that size range, he said. Even if it did happen to wander this way, it wouldnt hit us going particularly fast.

Will it have any effect on the tides?

No, nor, evidently on anything else, besides social media.
Philadelphia police crime scene investigators gather evidence at the scene of a shooting outside a 7-Eleven convenience store at 12th and Chestnut Streets in September. Read more

Philadelphia has lost 187 people to homicide this year. With just over two months left in 2025, this represents a marked improvement over the pandemic era, a time when the city experienced more than 500 killings annually.

This reduction  along with an increase in the number of homicide cases detectives are solving  is worth celebrating. But, as evidenced by the horrific killing of Kada Scott and far too many other calamities, there is still much more to be done. Even if homicides remain under 240 killings this year, which would be the lowest number since the 1960s, it would still leave the city with a homicide rate that is triple that of New York or Boston.

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Thats not to say there hasnt been important progress.

In 2020, when gun violence was beginning to surge, City Council authorized the 100 Shooting Review, which identified weaknesses in the criminal justice system and outlined a series of recommendations to cool the violence.

In 2021, Philadelphia invested more than $150 million in violence prevention and intervention programs. The disbursement of those funds was marked by instances of disorganization and insufficient oversight. However, according to those who study urban violence, the money served its purpose.

 READ MORE: Lessons must be learned after criminal justice system fails Kada Scott | Editorial

A report from the Coalition to Save Lives credited community programs, including city-funded initiatives, with helping to reduce gun violence. Community leaders like the Rev. Carl Day, pastor of the Culture Changing Christians Worship Center, also stepped up, even without city support.

Thanks, in part, to new technology and the installation of high-definition cameras across the city, police are now solving between 85% and 91% of homicide cases, a 40-year high.

The clearance rate  or the percentage of homicides that have been solved  had dipped as low as 42% in recent years, meaning killers were more likely than not to get away with murder in Philadelphia.

Beyond providing closure for families and accountability to perpetrators, solving cases and prosecuting offenders can also help deter future acts of violence. According to crime researchers, certainty of punishment is one of the most effective deterrents for those who are likely to kill. This effect is particularly strong for younger offenders, who tend to act impulsively. Given that gun violence among teens continued to rise despite the progress made in other age groups, continuing to improve the clearance rate is essential.

 READ MORE: Environmental and energy concerns are crucial in data center development | Editorial

Solving cases also helps to prevent cycles of retributive shootings by gang members. These days, experts say, it is song lyrics and social media beefs that drive many conflicts between rival gangs, not territorial clashes. Solving cases, and doing so quickly, can help intervene before these groups become the next Young Bag Chasers.

Despite the drop in the murder rate, Philadelphia still often feels beset by misdemeanors and lower-level felonies that contribute to an overall sense of disorder. Reckless driving permeates nearly all corners of the city, many transit stations reek of smoke and urine, illegal dumping plagues communities, blighted buildings like the former Ada H.H. Lewis Middle School attract crime, and police can take hours to respond to calls.

Many Center City businesses feel the need to employ armed security due to regular incidents involving thieves or emotionally disturbed people. In August, a security guard at a womens clothing store fired a warning shot at a man who was harassing the staff. Earlier this month, a security guard at an IHOP in Center City was charged with murder after shooting a man who allegedly spat on her. Buying clothes and eating pancakes should not feel like a trip to the Wild West, nor should crossing the street feel like a game of Frogger.

Philadelphias leaders, including Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel, deserve credit for the progress the city has made in providing justice and reducing gun violence. But the job is far from over.
Michael Days, 72, a pillar of Philadelphia journalism who championed young Black journalists and was beloved among reporters who worked for him at the Daily News and The Inquirer, died suddenly on Saturday in Trenton. Read more

We buried my father on a bitterly cold day in Washington, D.C., in 2010. As I followed his casket out of the church, I spotted journalist Michael Days in the crowd of mourners. I didnt get to speak with him, but I was deeply touched, not to mention honored, that my editor at the Daily News was there.

He didnt have to do that. But Days, who died suddenly on Saturday at the age of 72, was a deeply empathetic man who genuinely cared about people. As former Daily News columnist Howard Gensler wrote on Facebook recently: He celebrated the wins and keenly felt the losses in his newsroom. He knew when to step in and when to step back and he could go Philly on you when he had to  and then later ask you how your parents were doing.

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I met the pioneering journalist when he was business editor for the Daily News, and I was applying for a job. During my interview, I got so excited at the prospect of earning twice my salary in D.C. at the time that I didnt bother to negotiate. But Days kindly arranged for me to have two weeks vacation during my first year of employment instead of my having to work an entire year, as stipulated by the terms of the union contract.

That was my first experience with the kind of leader Days was. He was more than just a boss. He was an editor, mentor, and friend who looked out for his staffers, which engendered our intense loyalty. We used to joke that when Days said, Jump, our response was, How high?

As amazing as he was as a newsroom leader, Days was an even better person outside of work. A fellow Catholic, he was a man of great faith who not only attended Mass regularly but whose life exemplified his deeply held Christian beliefs. He and his wife, Angela Dodson  then an editor at the New York Times  adopted not one child, but four brothers all at the same time.

Once, I had the good fortune of being invited to a holiday party at his home in Trenton  a location picked because it was between his wifes job in NYC and his own in Philly. Shortly after I arrived, I recall glancing outdoors and spotting four shiny, new bicycles in the backyard. I was in awe. His beautiful home was decorated with a huge tree. I watched as Days wife handed each boy a matching Christmas plate. Lunch was a warm, cozy affair with lots of Southern favorites.

Days career took off, as he went on to hold a number of leadership positions in the newsroom. The first time he was in line to make history  as the first African American managing editor of the Daily News  I felt for certain he would get the job. Days had grown up in North Philly and graduated from Roman Catholic High School. Not only did he know the city, he understood the papers operations inside and out, and was adept at dealing with its motley crew of reporters and photographers.

I was outraged when he was passed over for an outsider. But when I stuck my head in his office to check on him, I was startled when he met my gaze with a smile. Days was unflappable like that. Calm. Steady. No matter what happened, he always kept his cool. Thats not easy in a newsroom full of strong personalities, but Days did it.

Looking back, he had the right idea. Management eventually woke up and named him managing editor, and later executive editor, of the Daily News. Under his leadership, the Daily News excelled journalistically, winning a Pulitzer Prize in 2010 for a series exposing corruption in the Philadelphia Police Department.

The following year, Days was named managing editor of The Inquirer and left the Daily News for a brief time. When then-publisher Bob Hall announced his return, and Days strode back into the newsroom, we all stood and cheered. Some even cried. Time passed, the papers consolidated, and Days went on to hold other management roles at The Inquirer. Even as he became less involved in the day-to-day newsroom operations, we still streamed in and out of his office, seeking advice about stories we were working on or grabbing a piece of chocolate from his candy dish.

After he retired in 2020, we continued to seek him out. He would take our calls as if he were still on the clock.

Two years ago, a group of Black journalists decided to form a new local affiliate branch of the National Association of Black Journalists after the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists broke off from the nationwide group. Days, then 70, graciously agreed to serve as NABJ-Philadelphias inaugural president, and helped the new group find its footing.

In September, the group hosted a reception at the Free Library of Philadelphia honoring NBC contributor Trymaine Lee, author of the new book, A Thousand Ways to Die: The True Cost of Violence on Black Life in America. When it was his turn to speak, Days praised Lee, who had been a Daily News intern, and told him, You are a talent, and nobody is surprised that you have done so well.

Afterward, former Daily News reporter Mister Mann Frisby posted on social media: The way he spoke about Trymaine at his book signing, I have also heard him speak of me the same way. Always encouraging. That makes me know that he was CONSISTENT for decades in regards to how he supported and mentored journalists.

When I woke up early Sunday and discovered numerous call me texts, I knew something really bad had happened. Days death sent a seismic jolt through journalism circles nationwide.

He was kind and gentle, recalled Inquirer columnist Elizabeth Wellington. I lost my own father earlier this year. And this feels as if Ive lost a second.

I feel the same way. Before Days, Id never met any man I considered anywhere close to being in the same league as my dad, who was a giant among men.

Inquirer reporter Melanie Burney, who will finish out Days term as president of NABJ-Philadelphia, told me she has found herself in the days after his death asking, What would Michael do?

Thats a question Ive asked myself a few times recently, as well. Days had been just a quick phone call away. Going forward, we will have to rely on the many lessons he has already taught us.
The East Wing and Pennsylvania War Veterans Memorial Fountain at the main public entrance to the Pennsylvania State Capitol on Commonwealth Avenue in Harrisburg Aug. 26, 2025. Read more

More than 300,000 Pennsylvanians who struggle to pay their heating bills will need to wait longer for assistance from the state government due to funding stoppages caused by the federal government shutdown.

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services said in a news release Wednesday that Pennsylvania will delay the opening of this years Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) until at least Dec. 3 because of a pause in federal funding due to the shutdown. The program was originally scheduled to open on Nov. 3.

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The opening date for the program will be reassessed once the shutdown ends and is contingent on the state receiving the delayed federal funds, Brandon Cwalina, DHS press secretary, said in a statement Thursday.

LIHEAP distributes benefits to utility companies or home heating fuel providers for Pennsylvanians who need assistance paying their heating bills. The state has received more than $200 million each of the last two years from the federal government to carry out the program.

Pennsylvania Human Services Secretary Val Arkoosh said in the news release that the program is especially critical for older adults and low-income families as colder months approach.

Once DHS receives federal funding after the shutdown ends, the department will begin accepting LIHEAP applications and will continue processing applications that had been received during the shutdown.

This announcement comes the same week that DHS said nearly 2 million Pennsylvanians will not receive benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) next month if the shutdown continues. The food assistance program provides $366 million a month to low-income people in Pennsylvania, including roughly 500,000 in Philadelphia.

Joline Price, an attorney in the energy unit at Community Legal Services who works with clients to advocate for their access to water, heat, and electricity, said many of the same households could be affected by a lack of SNAP benefits and assistance in paying their heating bills, creating a huge and devastating impact. The program assisted 56,000 Philadelphia households last season, she noted.

Even if some of these benefits become available later in November, theyre gonna be making really serious choices between food and utilities, Price said. Its gonna be  I dont even know that I have the words  its going to be bad."

Other resources are available in the meantime  for instance, some electric and gas companies offer assistance programs  but there are gaps that remain with LIHEAP help beginning later than expected. For instance, Pennsylvania has an annual winter utility shut-off moratorium for qualified residents from Dec. 1 through March 31, though it does not eliminate any outstanding home heating bills, DHS said.

Prior to Dec. 1, low-income Pennsylvanians who are already drowning in utility costs could see their electric or gas shut off, Price said.

Until then, folks are vulnerable to having their electric or their gas shut off, which would then bring them into the winter without safe heating sources, Price said.

Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro and members of his administration are arguing that impacts to crucial services are on the shoulders of Republicans in Washington, who hold both chambers of Congress and the White House. Meanwhile, Republicans are blaming the shutdown on Democrats because the majority party cannot pass funding legislation in the Senate without at least seven Democrats crossing the aisle.

Arkoosh echoed Shapiros messaging Wednesday, saying of LIHEAP: Inaction from the Republican-controlled Congress now threatens access to this assistance.

I urge Congress and the White House to recognize the serious consequences that limiting heating assistance will have on the health and safety of people in Pennsylvania. Congress must come together for a solution that protects people most at risk, she said.
Republican Ari Patrinos (left) is challenging Democratic Philadelphia City Controller Christy Brady (right) in the Nov. 4 election. Read more

City Controller Christy Brady, seeking her first full term as Philadelphias independently elected fiscal watchdog, is being challenged by Republican Ari Patrinos in the Nov. 4 general election.

The controllers office is charged with auditing the citys finances and investigating fraud, waste, and abuse.

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But despite that critical role, there hasnt been much drama in this years race.

Patrinos, a former stockbroker and Philadelphia public school teacher, acknowledged the odds are against him in heavily Democratic Philadelphia and said he has no particular complaints about Bradys performance.

Instead, he said, he ran because it was important that somebody run on the ticket.

The truth is nobody wanted to run, and my ward leader asked me if I would run, said Patrinos, who has not reported raising any money for his campaign. I didnt have any specific attacks on Brady. My concern is that the city is too single-party, and I think the city functions better when you have a two-party system.

Brady, a Democrat who has a $250,000 campaign war chest she likely wont need to use this year, has the support of much of the local political establishment, including the Democratic City Committee and the building trades unions.

A 30-year veteran of the controllers office, Brady has struck a notably conciliatory tone during her tenure, striving to work collaboratively with Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers administration rather than butt heads with the executive branch, as many of her predecessors have done.

Because of my experience when I took office two years ago, I hit the ground running, she said.

She pointed to her offices audit that uncovered that the Philadelphia School District had made about $700,000 in payments to fake vendors as part of a cyber scam and to her investigation finding that fraudulent use of the property tax homestead exemption was costing the city and school district about $11.4 million per year.

Brady was appointed acting controller in 2022 by then-Mayor Jim Kenney when Rebecca Rhynhart resigned from the post to run for mayor. Brady then won a 2023 special election to finish Rhynharts term, which ends in January.

Seeking a full four-year term for the first time, Brady this year ran uncontested in the Democratic primary.

The biggest question I get [on the campaign trail] is: What does a controller do? she said. And so Im getting out there and spreading the word of what were currently working on and what we do in the office.

The controller earns an annual salary of $171,000 and oversees an office with more than 120 employees and a budget of about $11.8 million.

Patrinos also had no opponent in the May primary. He said he has been spending much of his time on the campaign trail promoting Pat Dugans campaign for district attorney.

Dugan, a self-described lifelong Democrat, lost to District Attorney Larry Krasner in the Democratic primary but has accepted the GOP nomination to take a second swing at the incumbent in the general election.

I spend like half my time when I campaign advocating for Dugan because Im very concerned about the crime, Patrinos said.

From Philly to Harvard and back

Patrinos, who lives in Chestnut Hill, said he was a Democrat until about four years ago, adding that he voted for Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election.

His conversion was prompted primarily by his alma mater, Harvard College, which he felt had too enthusiastically embraced a woke stance.

The immediate driving factor was on the cultural front. It was what was going at Harvard, he said. Im a little bit of an anti-woke warrior.  2020 was peak woke.

Academias leftward trajectory and the Biden administrations terrible handling of the pandemic combined to leave Patrinos with the feeling that he had no place in the Democratic Party, he said.

These Ivy League liberal types who really dont have a sense of whats going on in the lives of average Americans  they seemed to be so indifferent to the negative effects of their policies," he said.

He became involved in local Republican politics and helped boost President Donald Trumps Philadelphia campaign in 2024.

Im not a MAGA guy, so I didnt join [the GOP] because of Trump, he said, but honestly Im very happy with the higher education stuff, the hardcore stand hes taken with Harvard.

Patrinos, a Central High School graduate who also has a masters degree in political science from the University of Chicago, was a stockbroker in New York City before moving back to Philly about 15 years ago.

He then became a math and history teacher and worked at West Philadelphia High School and Strawberry Mansion High School. Patrinos said he suffered a seizure several years ago that temporarily limited his employment opportunities, but is now seeking other jobs should he come up short against Brady.

If elected, Patrinos said, he would audit the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I), examine whether SEPTA could do a better job preventing fare evasion, and push the school district to prepare more students for careers in information technology.

Controller and mayor on the same page

Bradys approach to the mayors administration is the exception when it comes to the recent history of her office.

A decade ago, then-City Controller Alan Butkovitzs relationship with Mayor Michael A. Nutter became so toxic that Nutter at one point issued a statement calling Butkovitz a sad and sick person.

Their successors, Kenney and Rhynhart, started off with widespread expectations that they might have a better working partnership, given that Rhynhart served as a top executive branch official under Nutter and, briefly, Kenney. But the relationship soured in a matter of months after Rhynhart publicly criticized the administrations bookkeeping, prompting a call from Kenney that reportedly got personal and the cancellation of their planned monthly meetings.

That outcome does not appear likely with Brady and Parker.

Brady shares many political allies with Parker, especially the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council, a coalition of unions that spends big on elections and has reason to be pleased with both Brady and Parkers tenures so far.

Brady, for instance, touts her offices audit of L&I that revealed inspectors often failed to confirm that construction sites were being run by licensed contractors  providing ammunition to the trades unions, which often rail against fly-by-night contractors that do not employ their members. And the mayor last year split the department into two agencies, with one focused largely on enforcing construction regulations.

Brady said her healthy relationship with the Parker administration should not be confused with a reticence to call out fraud and waste.

I am an independently elected official. I am not afraid to stand up for whats right, she said. I believe in the rules and regulations in city government.

Her approach to the executive branch, she said, is designed to advance the aim of any auditor: getting management to implement your recommendations.

In my experience in the controllers office, when you fight, theyre not going to listen to your recommendation, said Brady, a certified public accountant who graduated from the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science, now Jefferson University. When we issue our reports, the mayor has been thanking me for the recommendations. And I really appreciate that relationship because I believe that we can make change.

Staff writer Ryan W. Briggs contributed to this article.
The former Walgreens at 2014 S. Broad St., where Met Fresh's first Philly location is set to open in early 2026, photographed on Wednesday. Read more

South Philadelphia is set to get a new supermarket in early 2026.

New York-based Met Fresh is on track to open its first Philly location in January inside the former Walgreens at Broad and Snyder Streets, said owner Omar Hamdan.

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The 13,000-square-foot supermarket will include a pharmacy, a fresh-cut produce department, and a deli counter, Hamdan said, and will offer free grocery and prescription delivery to area seniors. It is also applying for a license to sell beer and wine.

We try to bring the human factor back into the market, Hamdan said, adding that the companys philosophy hearkens back to a simpler time: That store owner who had the apron and was sweeping outside of his store, who said good morning to everyone? That is what we do.

Met Foods, a family-owned company, has been operating markets in New York City for 15 years, Hamdan said. It currently has locations in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and northern New Jersey.

When the South Philly grocer opens, it will mark Met Freshs first location outside the New York City area, Hamdan said.

In 2019, Met Fresh had been in talks to move into a mixed-use development in Philadelphias Mantua section, but Hamdan said those plans fell through.

Since then, Hamdan said they continued to look for potential Philadelphia locations. The store at 2014 S. Broad Street seemed like a perfect fit, he said, due to the areas walkability, dense population, and a demand for more grocery stores and pharmacies.

From the Broad Street store, the nearest supermarket is seven-tenths of a mile away. As for chain pharmacies, the Walgreens closed last year, and a Rite Aid across the street shuttered this summer as the Philly-based company went out of business. So the nearest large drugstore is a CVS off Passyunk Avenue, also seven-tenths of a mile away.

 READ MORE: What happens after a Philly neighborhoods last chain pharmacy shuts its doors

The Met Fresh will soon start hiring in South Philly, with Hamdan noting that his stores typically need 30 to 40 part- and full-time employees from the surrounding communities. The new location will open after extensive renovations, Hamdan said, and once the team gets ahold of refrigeration equipment, which has been impacted by tariffs on steel and aluminum.

Hamdan said hes excited for Philly consumers to be introduced to Met Fresh, calling the Broad Street spot a test pilot to see how we do in the Philly market.
Pamela and David Anderson were living in New Hope but wanted a place to get away.

So they bought an 11-acre forested property in the little Bucks County borough of Riegelsville.

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Not only do they live there now, but they also host events and retreats there. The income helps the Andersons maintain the property.

The couple built Copper House as an architectural retreat in the woods.

Keep scrolling for that story and more in this weeks edition:

 Michaelle Bond

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

Pamela Anderson is a cookbook author, and she puts her skills to good use cooking for the corporate events and retreats that she and her husband, an Episcopal priest, host on their 11-acre property in Bucks County.

Groups come for yoga and sound baths and to meditate. On a recent afternoon, about a dozen architects and interior designers held a corporate retreat to learn about sustainable flooring.

The Andersons added gravel trails, grottos, and fire pits to their property to make it a getaway. And the homes living room has 180-degree forest views through floor-to-ceiling windows.

Keep reading to learn more about the home that Pamela says is like living in a snow globe during the winter.

Is your home your retreat? Howd you pull that off? Were staring down the darkness and cold of winter, so please share your stories and tips.

Do you have a will? Does everyone in your family?

Besides telling loved ones what to do with your stuff, a signed will could help protect the family home.

Ive written a bunch of stories about tangled titles, Phillys name for when its not clear who legally owns a property. A common way this happens is when a homeowner dies and the deed isnt transferred to a new owner.

People living in properties with tangled titles cant:

use home equity sell their homes take advantage of home repair or other homeowner assistance programs

And these properties are vulnerable to scammers who steal deeds.

Fixing tangled titles is more complicated when the owner dies without a will that says who should inherit the property.

For the last three years, two Philly-based nonprofits have been running the Will Power Program to help low- and moderate-income homeowners with estate planning so they can protect their properties.

Theyve helped 1,000 Philly homeowners write wills, and thats just the beginning.

News to pay attention to

When Danielle Abrams was pregnant with her daughter, everyone asked whether she and her husband, Jonah, were moving to the suburbs.

Instead, we doubled down on our investment in our home by renovating, Danielle said.

The Abramses love their South Philly location and get along well with the other residents of their block.

But they needed to make some upgrades to their two-story rowhouse so they could stay.

That included redesigning their bathroom and adding a shelf for their daughters books and toys that is also a railing to the basement.

Peek inside the familys home and learn which kitchen feature Danielle is particularly proud of.

 Photo quiz

Do you know the location this photo shows?

 If you think you do, email me back. You and your memories of visiting this spot might be featured in the newsletter.

Last weeks quiz showed a detail shot of statues atop the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Or I guess its the Philadelphia Art Museum now.

Either way, a handful of readers knew where the photo was shot. Shoutout to Joe C. and Amanda C. for being the first two to give me the right answer.



Back in August, my colleague asked Inquirer readers, Whats your happiest place in Philadelphia? The question was inspired by a Drexel University professors project with his students that mapped their happiest places.

Now, The Inquirer has its own map of 20 spots, based on readers favorite places. See where in Philly folks said they feel happy.

Enjoy the rest of your week.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirers Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.
The River Wye used to be full of wild salmon. Today it is full of algae. And the meandering waterway which has long attracted anglers, hikers and poets is now the subject of a major pollution lawsuit.

The case  against a British water company and two chicken producers, who all deny responsibility  has been launched on behalf of almost 4,000 people who say their lives are being negatively affected by river pollution. And while legal action brought against river polluters is not new, there has never been a UK case with this many claimants.

A large range of people suing can add legitimacy to a court case, making it harder to ignore than one brought by a small group of activists.

The case is also whats known as a strategic lawsuit. The claimants in the Wye litigation (which also includes the Rivers Usk and Lugg), are suing not just to secure compensation for losses they say they have suffered as a result of the pollution. Theyre also trying to draw attention to the plight of some of the UKs most cherished waterways, and attempting to secure policy change to clean them up.

Similar legal tactics have frequently  and successfully  been used by large groups in a bid to tackle climate change, where strategic litigation has been brought against companies, notably big oil firms, to help portray them as the ones responsible for damaging the climate. The Wye pollution case is similarly aimed in large part at big food companies rather than holding individual farmers responsible.

At the centre of the Wye case is nutrient overload of the chemicals nitrogen and phosphorus into river water from agriculture and sewage. This causes excessive growth of algae, robbing the water of oxygen and killing off fish, plants and invertebrates.

Much of the nitrogen and phosphorus is said to come from the excrement of chickens farmed close to the River Wye, and the fertiliser made from it, which is used in other types of farming.

From a global climate change perspective, chicken, as a meat product, is a greener alternative to beef and lamb because of its much lower carbon footprint (chickens produce less methane than cows and sheep).

But campaigners argue that this ignores the local environmental picture, where the concentration of the chicken industry and its nutrients in one area is a major problem. It has been claimed that around a quarter of the UKs chickens are produced close to the Wye.

River Responsibility

An important element of the River Wye court case will come down to what emissions a particular company are deemed responsible for. And again, the lawyers may look to climate change litigation for inspiration.

Thats because companies, internationally, are increasingly obliged or encouraged to report on what are known as scope 3

greenhouse gas emissions  those which result not directly from a companys operations, but from what happens further down the line (when an oil companys fuels are used in cars for example).

By contrast, in response to River Wye litigation, one of the defendants, chicken producer Avara Foods, has stated that its direct operations are not the ones causing the nutrient pollution.

Indeed, they argue that their farms meet some of the highest standards in the world. The problem, they say, lies elsewhere, with arable farmers nearby using poultry manure as a fertiliser for their crops.

So here we have a livestock producer apparently blaming another agricultural sector (arable), arguing that individual farmers are responsible for how nutrients were used in their [] operations.

Avara Foods is hence trying to limit its responsibility to only direct nutrient emissions from its operations. However, if you produce many tonnes of chicken manure and then sell it on to be used as fertiliser, some would argue  as others have argued against big oil  that you have a responsibility to reduce the effects that come later on.

On this point Avara has argued that it is not involved in any arable operations and has no control over this activity.

Avara has further noted that, since January 2024, it has exported all the manure from its supply chain that would previously have been locally sold as fertiliser.

But one of the claimants Justine Evans has suggested that this happened in the face of the pressure from the legal case starting, and still leaves a long period prior to that for which Avara could potentially be liable.

A spokesperson for the company told the BBC it shared concerns over the condition of the River Wye, adding: We believe that this legal claim is based on a misunderstanding, as no manure is stored or spread on poultry-only farms that supply Avara Foods.

They continued: The focus instead needs to be on solutions that will improve the health of the river, addressing all forms of pollution and the effects of climate change, and for action to be taken accordingly. Freemans of Newent Ltd, the other poultry firm being sued, is a subsidiary of Avara Foods.

Welsh Water said the company had been responsible for significant investments over recent years, and reached real improvements in water quality.

Whatever happens in the case, the urgency of dealing with these three and other polluted rivers will increase in parallel to the urgency in dealing with climate change. As the UK faces warmer weather and periods of drought, rivers will increasingly suffer from low flow levels. This in turn will exacerbate water pollution from nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus because there is less water to dilute them.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. The original article can be accessed here. The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.

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An Iowa man has been charged with one count of acting as an adjuster without a licensea class D felonyfollowing an investigation by the Iowa Insurance Divisions Fraud Bureau.

According to criminal complaints filed by the Iowa Insurance Divisions Fraud Bureau, Jared Harrison, 42, of Urbandale, engaged in public adjusting without a license when negotiating an insurance claim for a client from which he and his company could benefit.

Related: Wisconsin Contractor Fined for Acting as a Public Adjuster

Harrison, who is the general manager at R3 Roofing and Exteriors, was arrested earlier this week and booked at the Polk County Jail.

Iowa law restricts a contractor completing the repairs from acting as a public adjuster on the insurance claim. Iowans can view a list of licensed public adjusters in Iowa at the Iowa Insurance Divisions website.
Insurance industry trades praised a Senate committee for the passage this week of the Fix Our Forests Act, a measure to address high-risk wildfire regions.

The risk of wildfire can no longer be ignored or underestimated. We need action to start addressing it, and the Fix Our Forests Act is a vital step in doing so, said Jimi Grande, senior vice president of federal and political affairs for the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC).

The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry passed the bill (S. 1462) on Oct. 21. Now NAMIC and the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA), among others who have lobbied for the legislation, urge the full Senate to consider it soon.

This is a critical step toward addressing the nations escalating wildfire crisis and the growing insurance challenges facing communities in fire-prone regions, said Sam Whitfield, APCIAs senior vice president of federal government relations and political management. We urge the full Senate to swiftly consider and pass the Fix Our Forests Act, ensuring that communities across the country are better equipped to prevent, respond to, and recover from devastating fires.

NAMIC said the bill prioritizes treatment of forests at the highest risk of wildfire and coordinates grant programs for community mitigation efforts. It also promotes research on wildfire resilience and land management, and supports the adoption of fire-resistant building methods, codes, and standards.

Over recent years, weve witnessed substantial growth of the wildland urban interface, where homes face escalating risks of devastating fire and the potential losses they can inflict, Grande said. The science is clear, and we know how to effectively manage our forests to reduce the damage from wildfires. We simply need our federally elected officials to stand up to powerful special interests and do the right thing to protect life and property from future harm. Our federal forest management and mitigation policies need to keep up with the science.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has spent months criss-crossing the country, cheering on Republican governors who have signed laws aimed at improving their food supply.

Now food and beverage companies including Kraft Heinz Co., Conagra Brands Inc., PepsiCo Inc. and Coca-Cola Co. have formed a group aimed at stopping the proliferation of state laws and setting one nationwide standard instead.

The coalition, called Americans for Ingredient Transparency, launched Tuesday and is pressing for federal legislation setting a uniform national standard that would establish standard rules around labeling and which food ingredients are considered safe, according to a website for the group.

This patchwork of state laws creates confusion for consumers and limits our choices, the narrator in a 60-second launch video for the group said. A clear, national ingredient and labeling law fixes that.

Kennedy has hailed state efforts as victories for his Make America Healthy Again movement by providing faster routes to food regulation than the often time-consuming process of passing new federal standards.

But food activists quickly signaled the new coalition will face some opposition.

If theres anything that the food movement is aligned on, its making sure that grassroots at the state level continues to perform, said Vani Hari, known as the Food Babe, an influential voice on food issues within the MAHA community.

Consumer Reports, a consumer-focused nonprofit, said it also opposed the food industry campaign.

If there were truth-in-labeling laws governing the naming of campaigns, this coalition would be prohibited from disguising their true intention, which is to wipe out all of the state laws that protect consumers from harmful chemical ingredients in food and hold the industry accountable, Brian Ronholm, its director of food policy, said in a statement.

The Health and Human Services Department didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

The industry campaign marks a new tactic in dealing with Kennedys pressure to overhaul their ingredients and provide more transparency. At Kennedys urging, many companies have said they will voluntarily remove certain synthetic dyes from many of their products.

But for months, food companies have been signaling the alarm about the patchwork of varying state laws emerging as more governors take up the MAHA agenda.

We would certainly advocate for consistency across the country, Coca-Cola Chief Financial Officer John Murphy said in an interview Tuesday. You can imagine the intricacies of dealing with a variety of different requirements state by state.

For example, food companies now have until 2027 to eliminate more than 40 ingredients, including artificial dyes and bleached flour, from their products sold in Texas. If they dont, theyll have to include a label on new packaging warning the product contains ingredients not recommended for human consumption by other countries.

Meanwhile, West Virginia passed separate legislation restricting the use of some food chemicals first in school lunches and later for broader sale in the state. Louisiana passed a bill requiring products containing any of 44 ingredients to have a QR code with additional information.

The food industry coalition brought on as senior advisers Julie Gunlock, a conservative policy advocate, and Andy Koenig, who worked in the White Houses Office of Legislative Affairs during the first Trump administration.

The new coalition, which is structured as a 501(c)4 advocacy group, said it also hopes to work with the Trump administration on several other key food policy issues, including front-of-package nutrition labeling and QR codes. It also indicated it was open to revising a policy at the Food and Drug Administration that Kennedy has criticized that allows ingredients that are generally recognized as safe, or GRAS, to enter the food supply without submitting safety data. Companies can notify the agency of new ingredients they say are safe, but its not a requirement.

The coalition said its two core principles are establishing that the FDA is the sole entity to set the bounds of regulations on the marketing and sale of food and beverages, including ingredient approvals and labeling requirements, and that regulations must be based on well-established scientific principles.

People familiar with the coalitions efforts said it has been hoping to coalesce behind legislation being crafted by Senator Roger Marshall, a Kansas Republican, they expect to deal with overhauling the GRAS process and using preemption to set a federal standard.

Its next to impossible when heres your rules in Texas, heres the rules in Kansas, heres the rules in California, Marshall said at a September event. Marshalls office said he was working on legislation related to the food supply, but declined to comment further.

Photo: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Photographer: Francis Chung/Politico/Bloomberg

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.
The ride-sharing company known as Lyft and its insurers are largely protected from negligence and vicarious liability lawsuits in accidents, thanks to Floridas 2017 statute governing app-based ride networks, a state appeals court decided Wednesday.

The ruling by Floridas 3rd District Court of Appeals nails down when the statute applies, highlights how well the law protects Lyft, Uber and other ride-share firms, and underscores the idea that those companies cannot often be held liable for drivers actions.

A principal is not vicariously liable for the injury caused by the negligence of an independent contractor, a panel of the court wrote in its opinion in the Abner vs. Lyft appeal. This is because the party that retained an independent contractor has no control over the way the work is done.

In 2017, Florida lawmakers approved the Transportation Network Companies (TNC) statute, similar to laws approved in a number of red-leaning states that aimed to establish that ride-share drivers are independent contractors  outside the scope of most employment laws, including workers compensation and employer liability requirements.

Just four days after the law took effect, a Lyft car driven by Rolando Cepero collided with a motorcycle in the Miami area. The motorcycle driver, Dexter Franklin, suffered serious neurological injuries. His guardian, Natasha Abner, sued Cepero and Lyft, arguing that Lyft was vicariously liable for the accident and was negligent in hiring Cepero, who had received two traffic citations before he started work as a Lyft driver.

Abner settled with Cepero. A trial court in Miami-Dade County granted summary judgment in favor of Lyft, dismissing the suit against the company. Abner appealed on three points, arguing that the 2017 ride-share liability law should not apply because it was not in effect when Cepero was hired; that the driver did not meet the statutes definition of an independent contractor; and that Ceperos traffic citations and bad customer reviews negated the laws protections for Lyft.

The appellate judges shot down all of the plaintiffs arguments. The TNC law notes that ride-share firms are not protected from liability if the driver has been convicted within the previous five years. Abner offered evidence only of citations, not convictions.

In fact, Abners evidence of negligent hiring and retention is so sparse that it would fail to create an issue of fact under any reasonable construction of a TNCs duty to a third party, 3rd DCA Judge Thomas Logue wrote in the opinion.

The judges also found that the TNC statute applies because it was in effect at the time of the accident. We apply the law in effect at the time the cause of action accrued, the court said. Because the cause of action accrued on the date of the accident, and the statute reflected the law of Florida on that date, we conclude the TNC statute governs this case.

Abners attorneys also argued that Ceperos contract with Lyft negated the drivers status as an independent contractor. The agreement barred the driver from acting as a taxi service and accepting street hails, which shows that Lyft had control over the driver, Abners team argued.

The appeals court disagreed.

The agreement did not generally prohibit Cepero from engaging in any other occupation or business,' the opinion reads, citing the drivers agreement with Lyft. It merely limited Ceperos activities while actively providing services as a TNC driver on the Lyft Platform. As a result, when Cepero was not providing services as a driver on the Lyft Platform, he was free to engag[e] in any other occupation or business.'

Lyft was represented in the appeal by lawyers with Greenberg Traurig and with Rumberger Kirk and Caldwell law firms. Attorneys in the case could not immediately be reached for comment Thursday morning.

Topics Florida Personal Auto Sharing Economy
Authorities were investigating the death of a rail conductor who was hit by a passing train in Montana, the National Transportation Safety Board said.

The conductor worked for BNSF Railway, the agency said in a post on the social media site X. BNSF Railway operates one of the largest freight railway networks in the U.S.

The incident occurred at about 9:40 a.m. on Sunday in Columbus, a town of about 2,000 people 40 miles (64 kilometers) southwest of Billings.

Emergency response officials werent sure what happened other than that an individual was between two trains, said Nick Jacobs, Columbus Fire Rescues assistant chief. One train was parked on one track and the other train was moving on another track, he said.

And the moving one struck him somehow, Jacobs said.

The NTSB and Federal Railroad Administration officials were at the scene, Jacobs said.

A spokesperson for BNSF said the company was referring all questions to the NTSB.

The identity of the deceased was not immediately released.

A report by the Federal Railroad Administration last year found BNSF was generally striving to improve safety on a consistent basis, but that message didnt always reach front-line workers who often didnt feel comfortable reporting safety concerns for fear of being disciplined.

The agency prepared the report as part of an effort to review all major railroads to address safety concerns after a 2023 Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio.

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
A United Airlines plane appears to have collided with a weather balloon while cruising over Utah at 36,000 feet last week, fracturing layers of its windshield and forcing an emergency landing.

A California company called Windborne Systems said it started looking into the situation Sunday, not long after the National Transportation Safety Board said it was investigating. Windborne quickly concluded that the Boeing 737 Max very likely ran into one of its balloons, despite the companys best efforts to prevent such collisions.

The plane, which was flying from Denver to Los Angeles, did not lose cabin pressure and landed safely in Salt Lake City last Thursday. United said 134 passengers and six crew members were aboard.

Windborne CEO John Dean said he was surprised at the extent of the damage to the planes windshield because Windbornes balloons weigh only 2.4 pounds at takeoff with a simple bag of sand serving as ballast. The impact sent fragments of glass flying in the cockpit.

The company said it follows all Federal Aviation Administration rules for the size and design of its balloons that gather data to help improve weather forecasts.

I find this extremely concerning, and unacceptable in the case of a collision, regardless of what the official regulations are, It resulted in injury to a pilot, which Im simply not okay with whatsoever, Dean said in a post on X.

The airline referred questions to the NTSB, which isnt responding during the current government shutdown. The NTSB statement didnt mention any injuries.

Dean said in an email Tuesday that data about the location of the flight lined up closely with the last known location and altitude of one of the companys balloons before it stopped transmitting right around the reported time of the collision. Windborne forwarded all of its data to the NTSB, which will ultimately determine what happened.

Windborne has launched more than 4,000 balloons, and the company said it coordinates with the FAA each time, filing notices for pilots and sharing live updates on balloon positions with the FAA.

The company said it has already tweaked the software for its balloons to minimize the time they spend between 30,000 feet and 40,000 feet. Its also looking at different ballast designs to reduce the force of any future collisions and minimize the potential for damage or injuries.

NTSB investigators will release a preliminary report in a few weeks, but the full report might not come for more than a year.

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Aviation
President Donald Trump said hes calling off the deployment of federal troops to San Francisco after speaking to billionaires Marc Benioff and Jensen Huang, as well as the citys mayor, Daniel Lurie.

Friends of mine who live in the area called last night to ask me not to go forward with the surge, Trump said on social media, specifically naming Huang and Benioff. Therefore, we will not surge San Francisco on Saturday.

The decision marks a stark deescalation between Trump and the liberal California city. In an event last week, the president had said he would strongly recommend that federal authorities start looking at San Francisco, following similar deployments in Chicago, Portland and Los Angeles, which sparked intense backlash from local communities.

The Trump administration had begun deploying over 100 federal agents to the Bay Area. The forces, drawn from US Customs and Border Protection, were expected to begin arriving Thursday at the Coast Guard Base Alameda, just across San Francisco Bay from the city.

Trumps plans drew rebukes from Governor Gavin Newsom and other Democratic leaders. The backlash also ensnared Benioff, the billionaire chief executive officer of Salesforce Inc.

Benioff, ahead of his massive Dreamforce conference earlier this month, told The New York Times earlier that he fully supported Trump and that National Guard troops should be deployed to San Francisco. The comments were broadly criticized by the citys politicians and other tech leaders, who were shocked that Benioff, long a civic booster, would support federal forces there. Benioff later apologized for the statement and said federal forces should not be sent to San Francisco.

A representative from Salesforce didnt immediately respond to a request for comments.

Lurie, the mayor, said in a statement he received a phone call from Trump late Wednesday night and the president told me clearly that he was calling off any plans for a federal deployment in San Francisco.

I told him the same thing I told our residents: San Francisco is on the rise, Lurie said. We would welcome continued partnerships with the FBI, DEA, ATF, and U.S. Attorney to get drugs and drug dealers off our streets, but having the military and militarized immigration enforcement in our city will hinder our recovery.

The tech hub became a national symbol of urban dysfunction in the aftermath of the pandemic, hurt by rising crime, empty offices and a dire homelessness crisis. But the city has revived over the past year as the center of the artificial intelligence boom, while Lurie has taken a business-friendly approach toward local leaders.

Crime rates have been falling rapidly in recent months. The city has had a substantial decline in homicides  and is on track to see its lowest rate in generations. Property crimes, like car break-ins, have also dropped dramatically.

Much of the citys recovery has been driven by the AI boom, which has in Huang, co-founder of Nvidia, one of its biggest champions. The company is based in nearby Santa Clara and Huang owns real estate in San Francisco. Nvidia didnt immediately respond to a request for comments.

While Newsom has taken a combative stance toward dealing with Trump, Lurie has chosen a softer approach. The Democrat first-time mayor still criticized the decision to send federal forces to the city but avoided naming Trump and emphasized his openness to cooperating with federal law enforcement on drug trafficking.

My team will continue to monitor the situation closely, and our city remains prepared for any scenario, Lurie said.

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.
Munster Technological University has established its new university executive and five new university faculties, a milestone move for the university.

The new university executive will manage the day-to-day operations and lead MTU's transformation programme, merging six campuses into one university, supporting MTU president, Prof Maggie Cusack.
A growing awareness of nature and its wonders is seen as a key factor in the rising popularity of wildlife photography, both amateur and professional.

At this time of year, scores of photographers head to Killarney National Park to get pictures of magnificent, red deer stags during the annual rut, or mating season. Indeed, deer-watching has become a sort of mini tourist industry there.

Well-equipped, professional photographers are joined by countless other people snapping with their mobile phone cameras, or just observing.

You can, of course, also become a domestic wildlife photographer by, for instance, looking out for a robin in the garden, or a hedgehog sniffing around for food, or a cheeky fox poking its nose into a waste bin.

Nevertheless, nature reserves and national parks are real magnets. Photographers will be out in numbers during the October bank holiday... though its not as simple as pointing a camera in the direction of animals and hoping for that elusive, magical shot.

Deer feeding in the long grass at Ross Castle, Killarney, County Kerry. Picture: Dan Linehan

The Photography Academy of Ireland describes this as an art form which calls for "a combination of technical expertise, patience and a genuine love of nature". Professionals have good gear, long lenses and tripods, and will have their research done regarding location and movements of animals.

Photographer John Burke has been on an annual adventure to Killarney for well over a decade. Sometimes, he gets the perfect shot, but the deer can all hide in the woods on another day, and he gets nothing.

He explained: For me personally, thats the fun of it. If all I wanted to do is take a picture of an animal, then Id go to the zoo. But to capture the stags, the hinds, bucks and fawns in their own environment, makes it so worthwhile."

An Irish Red Stag with his three hinds making their way up Mangerton Mountain. Picture Valerie osullivan/NPWS

Luck can also play a part  being in the right place at the right time.

Burke warned that an exponential growth in photographer numbers poses some threats to the natural behaviour of deer.

In Killarney Magazine, he said some wander into the fields and get too close to the herds, disrupting the animals normal routines:

Others have been seen approaching fighting stags... a recipe for disaster. Once a rut begins, a stag sees only red. A charging stag may go in any direction."

A sentiment echoed by the Photography Academy which advises people to keep a safe distance from deer at this time, always remembering that people are the visitors in their natural habitat.

Temporary signage erected to warn motorists of the potential danger caused by deer crossings. Source: Garda Siochana  Cork, Kerry, and Limerick  Southern Region Facebook

With deer more active, motorists also need to take extra care. Ive recently seen a few deer carcasses on roadsides, including on the Cork to Macroom road, just west of the city.
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Hotel review: This coastal Waterford escape is full of potential

One of Irelands finest coastal hotels, but perhaps the true wow-factor of this property remains unharnessed.
Local authorities are getting better at clamping down on people and companies who breach environmental laws, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The environment watchdog says local authorities improved their environmental enforcement performance by 20% over the past three years, with 79% of the National Enforcement Priority (NEP) assessments meeting the required standard in 2024.

But while enforcement actions  which include environmental orders, civil penalties, and criminal prosecutions  increased more than 6% from 17,000 in 2023 to 18,050 in 2024, the proportion of those that ended up in a prosecution last year fell by just under 12%.

This is despite complaints rising more than 9% in 2024 compared to 2023, and despite councils deploying 15% more staff and carrying out more than 7% more inspections.

According to its review of last year, the EPA said 630 council staff across 31 local authorities conducted 227,400 environmental inspections, regulated 10,700 licences, permits and certificates, and responded to 76,500 complaints.

They also carried out 18,050 enforcement actions and initiated 414 prosecutions.

Six local authorities achieved high performance scores in 2024, including Cork City Council. The five lowest performing local authorities were Leitrim, Galway City, Sligo, Clare and Donegal.

The EPA said local authorities must prioritise and allocate appropriate resources to deliver national enforcement priorities, which aim to improve air and water quality, promote increased recycling and re-use of waste and reduce peoples exposure to transport noise.

The report highlights improvements in areas such as tackling illegal waste activities and the enforcement of construction and demolition waste. However, it also points to the need for increased focus on water, air and noise enforcement.

The EPAs Office of Environmental Enforcement director, Dr Tom Ryan, said: Strong enforcement of environmental laws is essential to detect pollution and ensure that those who break the rules are held responsible.

Local authorities play a vital role in safeguarding our environment  especially when enforcement is prioritised and supported with the right resources. This report shows that most local authorities are responding to the challenge, but some are lagging behind and need to do better."
Seventeen people have been charged after second night of disorder broke out near a hotel in West Dublin housing asylum seekers.

A third night of demonstrations were held at Citywest Hotel in Saggart after an alleged sexual assault on a 10-year-old girl in the vicinity of the hotel in the early hours of Monday morning.

A 26-year-old man, who cannot be named because of legal restrictions that apply to all sexual assault cases, appeared in court on Tuesday charged over the alleged incident.

A total of 24 people were arrested on Wednesday following an hours-long standoff with gardai who were directly struck with fireworks, stones and other debris.

One garda was struck on the head by a bottle, while another sustained an arm or shoulder injury. Both were taken to hospital for medical attention.

The public order unit, dog unit, helicopter, and mounted garda unit were among a 300-strong garda response to try to quell a second night of violence outside the centre for asylum seekers.

The garda water cannon, which was on standby, was not deployed, with senior officers deeming it unnecessary.

The disturbances were said to have been predominantly carried out by young adult males and teenagers.

Protesters throw fireworks at Gardai officers near the Citywest Hotel, as disturbances have flared outside the Dublin hotel which used to house asylum seekers. Picture: Niall Carson/PA

Seventeen people have been charged after second night of disorder broke out near a hotel in West Dublin housing asylum seekers.

A third night of demonstrations were held at Citywest Hotel in Saggart after an alleged sexual assault on a 10-year-old girl in the vicinity of the hotel in the early hours of Monday morning.

A 26-year-old man, who cannot be named because of legal restrictions that apply to all sexual assault cases, appeared in court on Tuesday charged over the alleged incident.

A total of 24 people were arrested on Wednesday following an hours-long standoff with gardai who were directly struck with fireworks, stones and other debris.

A major investigation into the public disorder incidents on Tuesday and Wednesday is being led by a Senior Investigating Officer from an incident room at Clondalkin Garda Station.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly, who visited the scene in the aftermath of the violence, told reporters on Wednesday he is determined that further people will be brought before the courts to face justice.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin has condemned the shocking rioting saying gardai are in place to protect communities and it was shocking they were attacked overnight.

Speaking in Brussells, Mr Martin said: There will be a very robust response from the criminal justice system. This is something that will not be tolerated.

I know the Minister for Justice Jim OCallaghan is working with the Garda Commissioner in relation to all of this, and our thoughts are with those who have been injured.

We will continue to resist this type of behaviour.

Garda intelligence service probes 'command and control' role of leaders

The Garda Security and Intelligence Service is investigating if any far-right individuals or groups have been taking a command and control role in the violent protests at Citywest, Dublin.

As investigators work to identify the ringleaders of the protests, there is concern that the fractured and unstructured nature of the far-right, anti-migrant movement in Ireland could make it difficult to pinpoint those who may be directing the violence.

It comes as five people were charged with various offences following the rioting near Citywest Hotel on Tuesday.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said further arrests are expected, adding that the gardai are prepared for repeat protests.

Steel barriers were put in place early yesterday in preparation for last night's violence, and residents in the Citywest centre were advised to be home before 5pm.

The protests were organised following an alleged sexual assault on a 10-year-old girl near the Citywest Hotel early on Monday.

Protesters throw fireworks at Gardai officers near the Citywest Hotel in Saggart, as disturbances have flared outside the Dublin hotel which used to house asylum seekers. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

International far-right agitators, including Britains Tommy Robinson, stoked the protests online and continued yesterday, while X owner Elon Musk retweeted posts about the alleged sex attack, boosting one Irish far-right accounts post to 11.5m views.

Security sources have explained that calling for a protest is not a crime and that, while the same posts make clear that violence may happen, unless they clearly call on people to commit violence, there are significant difficulties gathering sufficient evidence to convince the DPP to bring charges.

Another complicating factor for investigators is that much of the violence  such as throwing bottles or bricks at gardai or setting garda vehicles on fire  is carried out by masked recreational rioters, many of them youths, with little or no linkage to, or interest in, far-right groups or politics.

Protesters throw fireworks at Gardai officers near the Citywest Hotel in Saggart, as disturbances have flared outside the Dublin hotel which used to house asylum seekers. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Niamh McDonald, of Hope and Courage Collective, which monitors far-right hate and disinformation, said social media had amplified hateful content, including clear incitement to violence.

A British influencer livestreamed from the protest on Tuesday alongside multiple Irish far-right, anti-migrant activists.

The Hope and Courage Collective estimates that there were 1.18m views of riot content between 7.20pm and 8.56pm on Tuesday.

More than 1,000 people gathered at the gates of Citywest Hotel, with trouble flaring from about 7pm.

Youths stole bottle recycling bins from the entrance and flung volley after volley of bottles at the public order gardai, who protected themselves with large shields.

Bricks, chunks of wall masonry, and fireworks were also fired at gardai.

Irish online accounts have been calling for protests at Citywest since Monday.

Gardai officers block protesters near the Citywest Hotel, as disturbances have flared outside the Dublin hotel which used to house asylum seekers. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

A TikTok post, with some 500,000 views, called for people to attend a huge protest outside Citywest.

Another group involved is the Say No anti-migrant movement, which potentially shows an element of co-ordination, according to security sources.

Mr Kelly condemned the violence, saying peaceful protest doesnt involve throwing bricks, bottles, and discharging fireworks directly at gardai, trying to breach garda cordons with horses or scrambler motorbikes, protesters arming themselves with weapons, or burning garda vehicles.

This was violence with the intent to damage the Citywest building and intimidate those within, he said.

Gardai are conscious of the heavy involvement of international players on the Irish far-right scene.

Protesters throw fireworks at Gardai officers near the Citywest Hotel, as disturbances have flared outside the Dublin hotel which used to house asylum seekers. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

In addition to Tommy Robinson, Ezra Levant  a Canadian conservative online influencer who founded the far-right Rebel News website  flew to Ireland from Canada for the protest.

Don Keith, a self-described American patriot who boasts 165,000 followers on X, urged people to join the protests and get your country back. He went on to quote numerous videos.

Social media has amplified hateful content and in many cases clear incitement to violence was not removed in the lead-up to the violence and destruction outside Citywest, said Ms McDonald.

- additional reporting from PA
Media regulator Coimisiun na Mean says it has asked the various social media platforms what measures were taken in relation to rioting in Citywest.

The regulator said it has been in contact with several online platforms as of Wednesday afternoon to understand the measures they took in relation to this incident and to encourage them to continue to monitor the situation.

Six people were arrested and five men charged in the wake of the 90-minute riot outside an IPAS centre in the west Dublin locality on Tuesday evening, with those events coordinated in advance as a protest across social media platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp.

The violent scenes which ensued saw a Garda public order van set alight while gardai were attacked with bricks and bottles by the roughly 1,000 people present.

Coimisiun na Mean has made no secret in recent times of its intention to take a stronger stand against big tech companies which may have been neglecting their responsibilities in terms of moderating hateful content on their platforms.

It is unclear what action, if any, the regulator will take against any platform in terms of the buildup to the antisocial behaviour at Citywest, though a spokesperson noted that the agency is continuing to liaise with An Garda Siochana.

They noted that the commissions online safety framework, the regulatory regime for online safety, has been in place since July of this year, and that Coimisiun na Mean is supervising online platforms established in Ireland in terms of their compliance or otherwise with the framework.

For larger platforms there is an obligation to risk assess their services to identify and mitigate any potential systemic risks they present, including to public security.

Protesters throw fireworks at gardai in Saggart, as disturbances flared outside Citywest Hotel.

Asked what levels of complaints from the public the commission had received in relation to the riot, the spokesperson said that we would encourage any user who sees illegal or harmful content online to report it first to the platform where they saw it, and to contact Coimisiun na Mean if the platform does not respond.

A query as to what expedited action the commission may take in response to the online behaviours surrounding the riots buildup was not directly addressed.

Coimisiun na Mean has the power to levy massive fines on online platforms which host content glorifying terrorism, and the ability to ensure the speedy removal of terrorist content online once removal orders are handed down by An Garda Siochana.

Those regulations apply to material shared online that directly or indirectly advocates for the commission of terrorism offences.

Such material includes the glorification of terrorist acts, soliciting others to contribute towards offences, or to directly participate or aid in the activities of terrorist groups.

The scale of the fines which are within the commissions power to hand down stand at up to 4% of global turnover for any corporate found to have infringed the EU Terrorism Online Regulation.
Continued violent behaviour around asylum seeker accommodation in Dublin will be met with a very forceful response, justice minister Jim O'Callaghan has said.

The warning came as Irish police appealed to people, in particular young males, not to engage in public disorder after two days of riots around the Citywest Hotel in the west of the capital.

The third night of demonstrations at Citywest Hotel took place on Wednesday, after an alleged sexual assault on a 10-year-old girl in the vicinity of the hotel in the early hours of Monday.

A 26-year-old man, who cannot be named because of legal restrictions that apply to all sexual assault cases in Ireland, appeared in court on Tuesday charged over the alleged incident.

Disorder in the wake of the incident has led to four gardai being injured, more than 30 arrests, vandalism and arson in the area.

Mr OCallaghan said on Thursday: I hope were not going to see more of it, but if there are people out there whove made a decision that they want to go up there and create violence, theyll be met with a very forceful response from An Garda Siochana and our criminal justice system.

He told RTE News: People are perfectly entitled to make a political point, theyre perfectly entitled to oppose Government policy.

They are not entitled to use violence and break the criminal law, and attack members of An Garda Siochana who are there to defend the Irish public.

Gardai said public disorder is not fun and games and could have reverberations for their futures.

Gardai have released footage on social media of what they said was a very vivid picture of how gardai are treated, as they warned another protest is scheduled for Thursday night.

They made the appeal after significant damage was caused in Saggart in west Dublin after two nights of violent disorder.

Protesters throwing fireworks at Gardai officers near the Citywest Hotel (Niall Carson/PA)

They appealed to the public to refrain from taking part in any riotous behaviour  in particular to young males.

Assistant Commissioner Cliona Richardson warned young people to stay away from disorder at Citywest and said regardless of whether someone intends to cause damage or gets swept up in it, that will have reverberations for you.

She said it appeared people were coming from outside Dublin to attend the protests.

She said the damage caused and disruption to daily life in Saggart is unacceptable, and she thanked members of the community and emergency services who had helped gardai.

Ms Richardson said people of all different ages had come out to the protest that turned violent, but there was a particularly younger cohort of people present on Wednesday night.

These young men and young women are making a decision that would have life-changing aspects of them down the road, she said.

They may not feel at the time that they were going out to cause criminal damage or violence, however, they may get swept up in it.

In fact, we can see from November 2023, the incident in Dublin City, we now have very young people doing quite significant prison time for decisions that they made.

In relation to the disorder, gardai said 31 people had been arrested, 23 of which, 21 males and two females, have appeared before the District Court.

It said five male juveniles who were arrested have been released and will be dealt with under the Youth Diversion Programme.

It is our firm belief that these apparent protests are nothing but the continuation of violent riotous behaviour from night to night with the sole intention of causing damage to property and injury to our colleagues who bravely continue to protect the public

Four garda members were injured and received hospital treatment but have been discharged.

They said they were continuing to review CCTV and body-worn camera footage and carrying out examinations at various locations.

Protesters have carried Irish flags, chanted anti-immigration slogans and thrown missiles.

On both nights of disorder, public order gardai pushed the crowd further from the hotel by advancing with shields.

A mounted garda unit and a dog unit were at the scene and a police helicopter provided air support.

Several gardai deployed pepper spray during the unrest.

The Garda presence at Citywest will remain in place for four to five days, Chief Superintendent Michael McNulty has said.

He said they are constantly engaging with the community to reassure them.

Were getting huge support from the community, absolutely tremendous support from the community, thats very much appreciated, he added.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly, who visited the scene in the aftermath of the violence, told reporters on Wednesday he is determined that further people will be brought before the courts to face justice.

Irish premier Micheal Martin condemned the scenes of violence and said there could be no justification for attacks on gardai.

Garda Representative Association vice-president Niall Hodgins praised gardai for holding an extremely volatile front line at Citywest on Wednesday night.

We have grave concerns for the safety of our members and colleagues, especially those deployed initially to face these violent thugs prior to the deployment of the public order units.

It is becoming obvious that a more robust response is required far earlier to ensure no further injuries are inflicted on our members.

Mr OCallaghan said the Government has shown leadership on immigration and asylum.

Ive introduced a number of measures that have ensured that weve had a rules-based system in this country.

The numbers of people applying for asylum this year are down on the last couple of years.

Ive put in force more vigorous enforcement measures to ensure that people are being deported if theyre not entitled to stay in the country  and Im not afraid to say that.
A former Garda jailed in July for inciting strangers to rape a colleague has pleaded guilty to the unauthorised disclosure of Garda PULSE personal data on two individuals.

At Ennis Circuit Court on Thursday, Shane Flanagan, aged 39 with an address in Ennis, Co Clare, pleaded guilty to two counts out of 14 counts before the court.

Mr Flanagan was brought to court from the prison he is serving his seven-year jail term by Irish Prison Service personnel to be arraigned on two of the 14 counts brought against him.

Mr Flanagan pleaded guilty to counts one and 14 concerning making the unauthorised disclosure to a named person of Garda PULSE personal data on two persons only known by their initials on the charges of LL and IS on dates between January 12, 2020, and September 24, 2020.

The court was told that the pleas were being made on a without prejudice basis to demonstrate Mr Flanagans intent to take responsibility for his actions.

On behalf of Mr Flanagan, Mark Nicholas SC asked that the legal aid certificate be extended to cover the cost of a psychiatric report on the accused. Judge Francis Comerford granted it.

Counsel for the State, Sarah-Jane Comerford BL (instructed by State Solicitor for Clare, Aisling Casey), previously told the court that the charges against Mr Flanagan are "serious charges.

The case against Mr Flanagan  who resigned from the force in March  was listed for trial this week and that will not now proceed with the guilty pleas entered. Mr Flanagan has pleaded guilty to the offences that were brought under the Data Protection Act.

Judge Comerford remanded Mr Flanagan in custody to re-appear at Ennis Circuit Court on November 14 via video link from prison to fix a date for sentencing.

Incitement to rape case

At the Central Criminal Court at the end of July, Ms Justice Eileen Creedon sentenced Mr Flanagan to eight years in prison and suspended the final year.

The court heard that Mr Flanagan impersonated a female colleague online and encouraged strangers to come to her house to rape her and her young daughters. Ms Justice Creedon said Shane Flanagan showed a breathtaking disregard for the safety of his victims.

Mr Flanagan admitted two counts of inciting two men to rape the woman, who had been a friend, on dates between November and December 2020.

Flanagan also admitted six counts of endangering the woman and her teenage daughters through his communications online and he pleaded guilty to possessing four images of child sexual abuse material.

The court heard that Flanagan and the woman were both serving members of An Garda Siochana at the time. They were friends but had never had a romantic or intimate relationship.
Ireland is committed to co-guaranteeing a 140bn reparations loan for Ukraine, based on frozen Russian assets held in European banks, the Taoiseach has said.

Micheal Martin said Irelands participation in the plan will not have implications for the countrys military neutrality.

We are militarily neutral, we're not members of NATO, we're not members of any military alliance, but countries like Ukraine have a right to defend themselves, the Taoiseach told reporters in Brussels on Wednesday.

But Ireland will act as a co-guarantor no matter what way legislation emerges, he said. I don't believe there are implications for Irish neutrality, the Taoiseach added.

The European Commission is expected to publish a detailed outline of the plan in the coming weeks. For now, the EU is assessing political support among member states for taking on the responsibility of effectively seizing Russian assets and transferring them to Ukraine.

Funds derived from the frozen Russian assets will help Ukraine purchase weapons for its defence against Russias full-scale invasion and support its national budget.

The Taoiseach said Ireland believes Russia must pay for the destruction it has caused in Ukraine, adding that Europe should not bear the entire financial burden of supporting Kyiv.

He said the proposal was necessary due to the behaviour of Russia in violating the UN charts and territorial integrity of Ukraine and sovereignty, and then destroying the country's civilian infrastructure, energy infrastructure, kill civilians and expect others to pay for it.

There has to be an economic cost to such flagrant violations of international law, and I see it very much in that context, said Mr Martin.

He added that the funds from Russian assets will allow Ukraine survive and to sustain its economy and its society, because Europe is doing a hell of a lot in terms of underpinning Ukraine's economy at the moment, he said.

The 140bn in Russian assets is mainly held at the Euroclear financial repository in Belgium.

The European Commission has proposed that EU member states guarantee a loan for Ukraine based on these assets. The funds will then be transferred to Kyiv.

If Russia eventually agrees to pay reparations for its war in Ukraine, the money could be returned to Moscow, though there is little expectation this will happen.

Mr Martin joined EU leaders in Brussels on Wednesday to discuss a range of issues, including the war in Ukraine, the ceasefire in the Middle East, and the future of European defence strategy. Europes so-called drone wall and other defence measures are considered increasingly urgent following recent incursions by Russian jets and drones into European airspace.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended early discussions on Ukraine and welcomed the latest round of US sanctions against Russian energy companies, calling them very important.

We waited for this. God bless it will work and this is very important, he said.

This marks the first round of sanctions imposed on Russia by the Trump administration since taking office in January.

EU leaders agreed to explore further the idea of using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine, but effectively failed to agree concretely.

President of the European Council - the body which represents the EU member states - Antonio Costa said: "Today, the European Council delivered an important message: The EU is committed to addressing Ukraine's pressing financial needs for the next two years, including support for its military and defence efforts."

The Belgian government is still highly cautious about unintended consequences which could flow from the effective seizure of Russia capital to transfer to Ukraine, including damage to its financial services sector and the Belgian state being on the hook for years of legal arbitration should Russia decide to litigate the decision in the courts.

Speaking after his meeting with EU leaders Thursday evening, President Zelenskyy said he was grateful for their ongoing support and willingness to consider the plan to transfer the assets.

He said Ukraine will need the money for use in 2026 and 2027 for the Ukrainian state, and for the production of weapons to defend his country from constant Russian shelling.

"We need to use any kind of Russian money for Ukrainian production. It's cheaper and quicker. We are talking about long range, about drones, missiles", he said.

He said Ukraine is willing to negotiate at any time to end the war.

"If Russia is ready to talk, we are ready to talk. The plan starts with sitting down and talking, not using missiles against civilians."
Presidential election candidate Heather Humphreys has urged people to vote for her on Friday, striking an optimistic tone that she can close the gap in the polls.

On the final day of campaigning, Ms Humphreys visited Sligo and Donegal to rally support.

Her engagements included a fireside chat at the Irish Country Living Women and Agriculture Conference.

Speaking to the media afterwards, she appealed to voters for their support.

There's two choices in this election, Ms Humphreys said.

There's myself or the other candidate. I know there's three on the ballot paper, but there's only two choices, myself or Catherine.

What I'm saying to the voters today is, please, first of all, come out. Don't waste your vote. Don't allow somebody else to speak for you.

The second thing is, I'm asking people to support me because I represent middle Ireland, pro European, pro business and common sense.

I'm saying to the people of Ireland, please come out tomorrow and give me your number one vote, please.

Im saying it to the good people in Fianna Fail, good people in the Labour Party who are supporting me, the people in the Green Party that are supporting me, and especially to the independents across this country who have committed their support for me, please, please come out tomorrow and vote number one for Heather Humphreys.

When asked about the widening gap between herself and Ms Connolly in the latest Business Post poll and whether she believed she could turn it around, Ms Humphreys remained upbeat.

She said: I'm confident that when the people go into the ballot box tomorrow that they will support me for the person that I am.

For the centre ground, pro European. I will not say things about our European neighbours.

I will work with them. I will work with our US friends, and I will work across this globe to support Irish businesses and to represent Ireland, both culturally and diplomatically on the world stage.

Ms Humphreys met Mary Martin, the Taoiseachs wife, at the Irish Country Living Women and Agriculture Conference, where Mrs Martin was also speaking.

When asked if she was seeking Mrs Martins vote, Ms Humphreys said she was asking everyone to lend me their vote.

Later, Ms Humphreys joined Tanaiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris for a canvass on Quay Street in Sligo.
Lidls graduate trainee programme is packed full of added value skills building, training, and leadership development.

Recruitment for it takes place each year and places are highly coveted. Thats not just because it offers a fast-track path to a professional career and a salary of 44,000, depending on your role. Its also because the graduate programme timetable has been carefully developed to ensure it offers the best possible blend of support, development and real-world experience.

Its something that Terry Berry, Lidls senior talent management specialist, sees year after year, as each class of high performing graduates comes on board.

Each year just 18 graduates are accepted on to the programme.

Successful applicants enter the programme at the beginning of the academic year, in September, with an intensive week-long induction.

The first week is all about introducing them to Lidl, bringing our graduates to welcome events and delivering presentations about the business and its operations globally, says Berry.

Terence Berry, senior talent management specialist, Lidl Ireland: 'Its about not being afraid to fail, looking at the culture of our business, and providing them with tools and tips to ensure they manage stress.'

During induction week graduates receive a personalised training plan for the next 18 months, so they know exactly what to expect from start to finish.

After induction, each graduate is introduced to the department they applied for, which could be anything from sales and logistics to construction, marketing and IT, to name just a few.

Over the course of the programme, graduates take part in bespoke award-winning training workshops that cover subject matter such as building resilience. These workshops help them build the capacity to work in a fast-paced retail environment.

Its about not being afraid to fail, looking at the culture of our business, and providing them with tools and tips to ensure they manage stress and really look after themselves, Berry says.

Being part of Lidl is more than just to the day-to-day. Colleagues get the opportunity to volunteer to have a real impact on their local community through engaging with Lidls official charity partners, Family Carers Ireland and Age NI.

Every year our graduates set a fundraising target for our charity partners and are tasked with coming up with unique and engaging fundraising ideas to reach that target. Its a great way for them to contribute to the overall culture of the organisation and to have a positive impact on the communities we operate in, Berry says.

As with everything learned throughout the programme, its all about ensuring graduates bring their knowledge to life through practical projects with real life responsibility and application.

That includes a day of team-building exercises, designed to help them bond.

Back to work

Once induction is over, every graduate goes to work in a Lidl store. We start them in uniform and provide step-by-step guidance while they get stuck in and learn all aspects of the work involved, Berry says.

Over the next three months they are trained up to deputy store manager level, learning about administration and rostering, before going on to shadow a store manager, learning how to do everything from ordering stock to hiring and managing people.

Throughout the entire programme graduates are each given three buddies who act as mentors, including a graduate from the previous years class, a manager, and a senior executive, to ensure they are fully supported.

That brings the timetable to Christmas and, when they return in the New Year, it is to their chosen specialism.

During this phase of the programme, graduates are each assigned real-world projects to drive and deliver. It comes with regular practical training to help, including project management.

Every two months we provide graduates with a different suite of training workshops, including subjects like presentation skills, Berry says.

Personal development programmes help them understand their strengths and weaknesses as leaders, identifying any blind spots they might have, and gaining an understanding of their own personality type, to help them succeed in the workplace.

Participants also benefit from leadership skills building, including modules such as leading through change, conflict management, and negotiating.

At the end of the programme there is a graduation ceremony, which includes acknowledgement of the amount of money the class has raised for charity.

While very many Lidl graduates are offered a full-time role in the company, those who dont stay on leave with a portfolio of highly transferable skills and a CV packed with real-world results.

Dubliner Cathal Ryan is part of the Lidl Graduate Management Development Programme: 'For graduates its just a very good place to kickstart your career, with real life projects that actually make an impact.'

Class of 24

Securing a permanent role with Lidl is Cathal Ryans goal. The Dubliner, who has a degree in social policy and sociology from UCD and a Masters degree in human resources from UCDs Smurfit Business School, is currently finishing up his Lidl graduate programme.

Ryan had looked at a number of graduate programmes, including some of the biggest companies in the country, but Lidls marketing campaign caught his attention.

They always emphasised the idea of responsibility and of offering a great career path, and that really attracted me, says Ryan.

He spent his first three months in a store near his home, in Stillorgan. After that my first rotation in head office was with the HR regional manager in Newbridge. While there, the focus of his training was employee relations and employee wellbeing initiatives.

Ryan then came back to head office to work with the talent acquisition team, learning about the recruitment cycle, and even helping to screen candidates. Its how he knows first-hand what Lidl is looking for: hardworking people who are able to multitask and get stuck in. Ryan has since moved into talent management and working on learning and development activities, which is fitting. All the way through we are given time for really crucial training sessions that help us out throughout the programme. It was all very useful, he says.

All in all, his experience of the Lidl graduate programme has been nothing but positive. Thanks to the training plans we were given, we knew exactly what we were going to be doing from day one. Its just great to have that kind of structure, he says.

He now hopes to graduate from theLidl graduate programme to a proper Lidl career.

I know that if you have high potential and youre willing to work, Lidl is willing to invest in you and give you good opportunities, he says. For graduates its just a very good place to kickstart your career, with real life projects that actually make an impact.

To find out more and apply see lidl.ie
US treasury secretary Scott Bessent has announced new sanctions against Russias two biggest oil companies and condemned Moscows refusal to end its senseless war on Ukraine.

The sanctions against Rosneft and Lukoil, as well as dozens of subsidiaries, come after months of bipartisan pressure on President Donald Trump to hit Russia with harder sanctions.

Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire, Mr Bessent said.

He added that given Russian President Vladimir Putins refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russias two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlins war machine.

Mr Bessent said the Treasury Department was prepared to take further action if necessary to support Mr Trumps effort to end the war. We encourage our allies to join us and adhere to these sanctions.

At least 25 people, including five children, were injured in Kyiv alone (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP)

He spoke after Russian drones and missiles blasted sites across Ukraine, killing at least six people, including a woman and her two young daughters.

The attack came a day after Mr Trump put his planned meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on hold, saying he did not want it to be a waste of time.

Repeated waves of missiles and drones throughout the night targeted at least eight Ukrainian cities, as well as a village in the Kyiv region where a strike set fire to a house in which a mother and her six-month-old and 12-year-old daughters were staying, regional head Mykola Kalashnyk said.

At least 25 people, including five children, were injured in Kyiv alone, authorities said.

Russian drones also hit a kindergarten in Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city, during the day on Wednesday when children were in the building, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said.

One person was killed and six were injured but no children were physically harmed, he said.

Even so, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said many of the children were in shock after being rescued from the building by emergency crews.

Russia fired 405 strike and decoy drones and 28 missiles at Ukraine, mainly targeting Kyiv, Ukraines air force said.

US President Donald Trump, right, put his planned meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on hold (Jae C Hong/AP)

The attack caused emergency power blackouts across the country, Ukraines energy ministry said. Repairs were under way where possible and electricity would be restored as soon as possible, it added.

Another night that proves Russia does not feel enough pressure for prolonging the war, Mr Zelensky said in a statement.

He said the strike caused damage in the cities of Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia, as well as Odesa, Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kirovohrad, Poltava, Vinnytsia, Zaporizhzhia, and the wider regions of Kyiv, Cherkasy, and Sumy.

Mr Zelensky urged the European Union, the US and the Group of Seven industrialised nations, or G7, to take steps to sanction Russia.

It is very important that the world does not remain silent now and that there is a united response to Russias treacherous strikes, he said.

Pressure can be applied on Moscow only through sanctions, long-range (missile) capabilities, and coordinated diplomacy among all our partners, he said.

Mr Zelensky has credited Mr Trumps remarks that he was considering supplying Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine for Mr Putins willingness to meet.

The Ukrainian leader was set to visit Stockholm on Wednesday, where hes expected to meet with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson at the start of what the Ukrainian leader has said will be a week of intense diplomacy.

More international economic sanctions on Russia are likely to be discussed at an EU summit in Brussels on Thursday, while on Friday, a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing  a group of 35 countries who support Ukraine  is due to take place in London.

As soon as security conditions allow, energy workers will begin assessing the consequences of the attack and carrying out repair work

Meanwhile, Ukraines army general staff said the countrys forces struck a chemical plant in Russias Bryansk region late on Tuesday night using air-to-surface Storm Shadow missiles.

The plant is an important part of the Russian military and industrial complex producing gun powder, explosives, missile fuel and ammunition.

In the Kyiv region, rescuers discovered the bodies of three people  including two children  after a strike set a private house on fire in the village of Pohreby, regional governor Mykola Kalashnyk said.

According to Mr Kalashnyk, the victims were a woman and her two daughters  an infant of six months and a 12-year-old girl.

Their bodies were found at the site of the fire, the governor said.

This is a tragedy for the entire community, for the Kyiv region, and for the country.

Two more people were found dead in the Dnipro district of the Ukrainian capital, where emergency services rescued 10 people after a fire caused by drone debris hit the sixth floor of a 16-storey residential building, local authorities said.

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had spoken to Mr Trump about help procuring Patriot air defence systems more quickly (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP)

The attack also blew out windows of a medical facility and debris was found at another residential building, Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko reported on his Telegram channel.

In the Darnytskyi district of the capital, emergency services were responding after drone debris hit a 17-storey residential building causing a fire on five floors. Fifteen people were rescued, including two children.

In the Desnianskyi district, 20 people were rescued after the facade of a 10-storey building was damaged and a gas pipe caught fire. Debris from a drone also fell on a dormitory building and rescue workers were headed to the scene, Mr Klitschko said.

The large-scale overnight aerial attack also targeted other cities in Ukraine including Zaporizhzhia and the port city of Izmail in the southern Odesa region.

An energy object in Odesa region suffered extensive damages according to DTEK, Ukraines biggest private energy operator. The company also said Kyiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions experienced emergency blackouts.

Following the blackouts, energy minister Svitlana Hrynchuk said that as soon as security conditions allow, energy workers will begin assessing the consequences of the attack and carrying out repair work.

Mr Trump was expected to hold talks at the White House on Wednesday with Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte.

The military alliance has been co-ordinating deliveries of weapons to Ukraine, many of them purchased from the US by Canada and European countries.

The decision to postpone the meeting in Budapest, Hungary  which Mr Trump had announced last week  followed a call on Monday between US secretary of state Marco Rubio and Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov.

The Russian diplomat made clear in public remarks on Tuesday that Moscow opposes an immediate ceasefire.

Meanwhile, Ukraine is seeking to purchase 25 Patriot air defence systems from US firms using frozen Russian assets and assistance from partners.

Mr Zelensky said acquiring them would take time because of a long production lead-in but added that he had spoken to Mr Trump about help procuring them more quickly, potentially from European partners.

Earlier this month, Russia carried out its largest attack of the war on natural gas facilities operated by Ukraines state-owned Naftogaz Group, launching 381 drones and 35 missiles, according to Ukraines air force.

Officials said the strikes were part of an effort to cripple the countrys power grid ahead of winter.
The European Union has agreed on a new raft of sanctions against Russia, targeting its shadow fleet of oil tankers and banning its imports of liquefied natural gas, the Danish EU presidency has announced.

Today is a good day for Europe and Ukraine, Danish foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said, as EU leaders gather for a summit in Brussels.

He said that the new sanctions will introduce new and comprehensive measures on oil and gas, the shadow fleet and Russias financial sector.

The move comes a day after US president Donald Trumps administration announced new sanctions against Russias oil industry that are aimed at moving Russian leader Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table and ending Moscows war on Ukraine.

EU Member States have approved our 19th package of sanctions against Russia.



Were keeping the pressure high on the aggressor.



For the first time we are hitting Russias gas sector - the heart of its war economy.



We will not relent until the people of Ukraine have a just and https://t.co/HQTknzy2uC  Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) October 23, 2025

Energy revenue is the linchpin of Russias economy, allowing Mr Putin to pour money into the armed forces without worsening inflation for everyday people and avoiding a currency collapse.

The new EU measures took almost a month to decide. The 27-nation bloc has already slapped 18 packages of sanctions against Russia over the war, but reaching a final agreement on who and what to target can take weeks.

The sanctions agreement was sealed at a Thursday morning meeting of EU ambassadors, just a few hours before Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky joins his European counterparts for the one-day summit, as they press for a ceasefire to halt almost four years of fighting.

The summit comes after Mr Trump said that his plan for a swift meeting with Mr Putin was on hold because he didnt want it to be a waste of time.

It was yet another twist in Mr Trumps stop-and-go effort to end the war.

The leaders are also eager for any progress on Mr Trumps Gaza peace plan, and will debate ways to keep the 27-nation bloc involved in proceedings.

The EU is the worlds biggest provider of aid to Palestinians but has little leverage over Israel  in part because European nations are divided over how to handle the conflict  and it has struggled to play a role of consequence.

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky is taking part in Thursdays summit (AP)

Its role in the war in Ukraine is clearer, and the summit takes place as Russian armed forces strike at the conflict-torn countrys power grid just as the weather starts to turn colder.

Earlier this week, Ukraines strongest European backers who form part of the coalition of the willing said they opposed any push to make Ukraine surrender land captured by Russian forces in return for peace, as Mr Trump most recently has suggested.

The UK will host a meeting of the members of that coalition of more than 30 countries on Friday.

On the EU side, leaders intend to push forward with plans to use billions of dollars in frozen Russian assets to help fund Ukraines war efforts, despite some misgivings about the consequences of such a step.

The biggest tranche of frozen assets  some 225 billion dollars worth (168 billion)  are held in Belgium, and the Belgian government has been reluctant to take any risks on using the money without firm guarantees from its European partners.

Ukraines budget and military needs for 2026 and 2027 are estimated to total around 153 billion dollars (114 billion).

The EU leaders are also likely to sign off on a new road map to prepare Europe to defend itself against a Russian attack by the end of the decade.

Top officials believe that Russian could be ready to take aim at another European country within three-to-five years.
US secretary of state Marco Rubio has said he will be travelling to Israel to keep the momentum on the US-brokered ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

It comes as US vice president JD Vances visit to the country comes to a close.

Earlier this week, Mr Vance announced the opening of a civilian military coordination centre in southern Israel where some 200 US troops are working alongside the Israeli military and delegations from other countries planning the stabilisation and reconstruction of Gaza.

Mr Rubio told journalists at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday that he plans to visit the centre and appoint a foreign service official to work alongside the top US military commander in the Middle East, vice Admiral Brad Cooper.

US vice president JD Vance tours The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem (Nathan Howard/AP)

The US is seeking support from other allies, especially Gulf nations, to create an international stabilisation force to be deployed to Gaza and train a Palestinian force.

Wed like to see Palestinian police forces in Gaza that are not Hamas and that are going to do a good job, but those still have to be trained and equipped, he said.

Mr Rubio also criticised efforts by far-right politicians in the Israeli parliament who on Wednesday took the symbolic step of giving preliminary approval to a bill that would give Israel authority to annex the occupied West Bank  a move the US opposes.

President Donald Trump has made clear thats not something wed be supportive of right now, and we think its potentially threatening to the peace deal, he said.

The bill passed in a 25-24 vote. It is unclear whether the bill has support to win a majority in the 120-seat parliament, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has tools to delay or defeat it.

Meanwhile, Mr Vance visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the sprawling 12th century basilica where Christians believe Jesus was crucified, died and rose again, in Jerusalems Old City.

He is then expected to meet Israels defence Minister, Israeli military leaders and other officials at the armys headquarters in Tel Aviv.

On Wednesday, Mr Vance sought to ease concerns that the Trump administration was dictating terms to its closest ally in the Middle East.

Palestinians walk through destruction caused by an Israeli air and ground offensive in the Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood of Gaza City (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP)

We dont want in Israel a vassal state, and thats not what Israel is. We want a partnership, we want an ally, Mr Vance said, speaking beside Mr Netanyahu, in response to a reporters question about whether Israel was becoming a protectorate of the US.

Mr Netanyahu, who will meet with Mr Rubio as well, expressed similar sentiments while acknowledging differences of opinion as they push forward the US-proposed ceasefire agreement.

Israeli media referred to the non-stop parade of American officials visiting to ensure Israel holds up its side of the fragile ceasefire as Bibi-sitting.

The term, utilising Mr Netanyahus nickname of Bibi, refers to an old campaign ad when Mr Netanyahu positioned himself as the Bibi-sitter whom voters could trust with their kids.

 Palestinians in Gaza in dire need of medical care

In the first medical evacuation since the ceasefire began on October 10, the head of the World Health Organisation said on Thursday they had evacuated 41 critical patients and 145 companions out of the Gaza strip.

In a statement posted to X, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called on nations to show solidarity and help some 15,000 patients who are still waiting for approval to receive medical care outside Gaza.

His calls were echoed by an official with the UN Population Fund who, on Wednesday, described the sheer devastation that he witnessed on his most recent travel to Gaza, saying that there is no such thing as a normal birth in Gaza now.
The European Union will on Thursday agree in principle to finance Ukraine for the next two years, EU Council chief Antonio Costa said, despite a Belgian threat to block its plan to use Russian frozen assets to aid Kyiv.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a guest at the EU summit in Brussels, said a quick passage of the plan to use the immobilised Russian assets to provide Ukraine with a 140bn ($163.27bn) loan would save lives.

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, whose country holds the frozen assets that would be used in the scheme, via securities depository Euroclear, laid out three demands to guarantee his country would not shoulder all the risks.

"If demands are met, we can go forward. If not I will do everything in my power at the European level, also at the national level, politically and legally to stop this decision," De Wever said on arrival at the summit.

Belgium demands sharing of risk

De Wever called on all EU members to share the costs of any legal action pursued by Russia and contribute financially if the money ever had to be paid back. He also said Russian frozen assets held by other countries should be part of the scheme.

"There must be transparency about the risk. There must be transparency about the legal basis for this decision," he said.

But Costa, arriving at the summit with Zelenskyy, made clear he expected a deal in principle on Thursday, with technical details to be decided later.

"We will take the political decision to ensure the financial needs of Ukraine for 2026 and 2027, including for the acquisition of military equipment," said Costa, who chairs summits of EU leaders.

The leaders are expected to task the European Commission to come up with a formal legal proposal on the frozen assets plan, with Zelenskyy urging them to do that fast.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, left, and European Council President Antonio Costa wait for the start of the Tripartite Social Summit. Picture: Virginia Mayo/AP

"Anyone who delays the decision on the full use of frozen Russian assets is not only limiting our defense, but also slowing down the EU's own progress," he told the EU leaders, saying Kyiv would use a significant part of the frozen assets to buy European weapons.

The money could also be used right away to strengthen Ukraine's air defence, air fleet and frontline positions, he said, adding: "That means saving lives."

Sanctions package formally approved

The EU summit takes place after a rollercoaster few days that saw president Donald Trump announce and then back away from plans to meet Russia's Vladimir Putin in Budapest. The planned summit was then put on hold and on Wednesday, the US hit Russia's major oil companies with sanctions.

As he arrived at the EU gathering, Zelenskyy welcomed the US move and a new package of EU sanctions against Russia, which includes a ban on Russian liquefied natural gas from January 2027, as well as new measures on the so-called shadow tanker fleet and two independent Chinese oil refineries.

EU wrangles over loan conditions

Even before a formal proposal has been made to use the Russian assets frozen after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, EU countries have been wrangling over what conditions to impose on the "reparations loan".

Some want all the money to go to Ukraine's military, with the bulk spent on European weapons. Others say Kyiv should be able to use some of the loan to buy US arms and finance its general budget.

Kyiv wants free hand with loan cash

A senior official in Zelenskyy's administration told Reuters that Ukraine needed the funds by the end of the year and autonomy over how to spend them.

The European Commission suggested a compromise whereby the majority of the loan would be spent on Ukrainian and European weapons but a smaller part would be for general budget support, which Kyiv could also use to buy arms from outside Europe.

Russia has described the idea as an illegal seizure of property and warned of retaliation.

 Reuters
US President Donald Trump has pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao.

Zhao created the worlds largest cryptocurrency exchange and served prison time after failing to stop criminals from using the platform to move money connected to child sex abuse, drug trafficking and terrorism.

He had asked Trump for a pardon previously.

President Donald Trump listens to a question from a reporter in the Oval Office of the White House (Alex Brandon/AP)

Zhao has deep ties to World Liberty Financial, a crypto venture that the Republican president and his sons Eric and Donald Jnr launched in September.

Mr Trumps most recent financial disclosure report reveals he made more than 57 million dollars (42.7 million) last year from World Liberty Financial, which has launched USD1, a stablecoin pegged at a 1-to-1 ratio to the US dollar.

World Liberty Financial also recently announced that an investment fund in the United Arab Emirates would be using two billion dollars worth of USD1 to purchase a stake in Binance.

Zhao also has publicly said that he had asked Mr Trump for a pardon that could nullify his conviction.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement on Thursday that the Biden administration prosecuted Zhao out of a desire to punish the cryptocurrency industry.

She said there were no allegations of fraud or identifiable victims, though Zhao had pleaded guilty in November to one count of failing to maintain an anti-money-laundering programme.

I failed here, Zhao told the court last year.

I deeply regret my failure, and I am sorry.
The US and the EU are hitting Russia with another round of sanctions, aiming to cut into oil and gas export earnings that fund Moscows war against Ukraine.

More than three and a half years into the war, the effort remains a cat-and-mouse game, with Russia finding new ways to get around sanctions, and Washington and Brussels adding new ones and looking for ways to plug enforcement gaps.

The chief target of the latest round was Russias biggest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil. New US Treasury sanctions threaten their customers in India and China with retaliation that could include being sanctioned themselves.

The EU is phasing out by the end of next year shipments of Russian liquefied natural gas that come by ship, and is going after cryptocurrency issuers, platforms and exchanges that Russia has used to skirt restrictions on its financial dealings with the outside world.

Being touched by US sanctions, even secondary sanctions, is like the death penalty for the private sector

US Treasury secretary Scott Bessent said the move aimed to push Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to Donald Trumps proposals for an immediate ceasefire.

Given President Putins refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russias two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlins war machine, he said, adding: Treasury is prepared to take further action if necessary.

Rosneft and Lukoil account for roughly half of Russias oil exports, which along with natural gas and oil products have supplied 30% to 50% of state revenues in the past decade. The biggest customers for Russian oil are China, at about 2.1 million barrels per day, and India, at 1.5 million.

Refineries in India and China that buy Russian oil to turn it into petrol and diesel could face US sanctions themselves if they deal with those companies, and so could their banks.

Being touched by US sanctions, even secondary sanctions, is like the death penalty for the private sector, said sanctions expert Maria Perrotta Berlin at the Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics.

As a result, Indias major refinery, Reliance Industries Jamnagar facility, may reconsider its 600,000 barrels a day of Russian crude imports and is likely to halt or pause shipments, said Johannes Rauball, senior crude oil analyst at data analytics firm Kpler.

Russias unbought barrels could wind up in storage or looking for another customer at a discount, he said. It puts Russia in a tough spot.

A Treasury source said the latest action is not expected to significantly affect energy costs for US consumers, and Treasury expects prices to remain stable.

Vladimir Putin (Vyacheslav Prokofyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo/AP)

The EU also added sanctions on Rosneft and sanctioned 117 more tankers it says are part of Russias shadow fleet used to evade a western-imposed price cap on Russian oil, taking the total to 557.

The sanctions do not take effect until November 21, a grace period that gives traders a chance to wind down business with Rosneft and Lukoil, but also provides a chance for Russia to make more money in the short term.

Sanctions have cost Russia lost oil and gas revenues after the EU cut off most imports of seaborne oil and Russia cut off most natural gas shipments.

Russia spent billions assembling a shadow fleet of ageing tankers to keep shipping oil to Asia to evade a price cap of 60 dollars imposed by the G7 democracies. The cap was an attempt to cut into Russias oil earnings without knocking Russian oil off the global market and causing a price spike, enforced by barring western insurers and shippers from handling oil priced above the cap.

Ms Perrotta Berlin said Russia has lost about 100 billion dollars (75 billion) in oil and gas sales since the start of the war, and sanctions have raised the costs of imported goods and deprived Russian companies of so-called dual-use goods like computer chips that can be used for civilian and military productions.

Russia had 189 billion dollars (142 billion) in oil exports alone in 2024 and 154 billion dollars (115 billion) in 2025, according to the Kyiv School of Economics Institute.

Russias economy has seen slowing growth this year and the governments oil revenues have fallen due to lower global prices, but the jobless rate is low as military spending on weapons and recruitment bonuses keeps factories running.

Mr Putin, who called the sanctions an unfriendly act, has the money for now to continue the war and has shown no inclination to accept a ceasefire.
The long wait is finally over. Facebook finally began paying out its record $725 million privacy settlement, ending years of speculation over who qualifies, how much users will pocket, and when the cash would land.

Millions of Americans with accounts active between 2007 and 2022 are now seeing modest payouts, marking the largest privacy settlement in US history.

Why Facebook Paid Up

The deal stems from lawsuits accusing Facebook, now Meta, of mishandling user data and sharing it with third parties without consent.

At the centre of the scandal was Cambridge Analytica, the political consultancy that harvested tens of millions of profiles to sway elections and ignite global outrage.

Filed as a class-action lawsuit in 2023, the case consolidated multiple privacy complaints and was finalised in 2025. The deal resulted in a record $725 million payout, establishing it as the largest agreement of its kind in the United States.

Who Is Eligible for the Facebook User Privacy Settlement?

Eligibility for the Facebook privacy settlement is tied to account activity over a 15-year period. US residents who had active Facebook accounts between 24 May 2007 and 22 December 2022 were able to file claims.

However, the filing deadline closed in August 2023, meaning only those who submitted claims before that date are receiving compensation.

According to settlement administrators, more than 19 million valid claims were approved. This makes the payout one of the largest class-action distributions ever undertaken in the technology sector.

Individuals who did not submit claims on time, or those living outside the United States, are excluded.

How Much Will Users Get?

While the total settlement fund is valued at $725 million, not all of that money is being distributed directly to claimants.

Roughly $180 million has been allocated to attorneys' fees and legal expenses, alongside small sums for lead plaintiffs.

That leaves around $540 million for distribution to eligible Facebook users. Payouts are determined using a points system, where users receive one point for each month they maintained an active Facebook account during the eligibility window.

The more months a user had an account, the higher their payout.

On average, most users are expected to receive between $25 and $30. Individual amounts will vary, with long-term account holders receiving slightly more than those with fewer years of activity.

When and How Payments Are Sent

The first wave of payments began on 3 September 2025 and the process is expected to continue over a ten-week period. Claimants do not need to take any further action, as payments are being issued automatically.

Funds are being distributed through multiple methods, including PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, direct deposit, prepaid Mastercard, or paper cheque.

Eligible users will also receive an email notification prior to the deposit or issuance of the payment, offering confirmation of when and how the funds will arrive.

Wider Legal and Corporate Fallout

The Facebook user privacy settlement is part of a broader series of legal challenges facing Meta.

In a separate case, Mark Zuckerberg and other Meta executives reached an $8 billion settlement with shareholders in Delaware over their handling of the Cambridge Analytica scandal.

In addition, Meta is facing a whistleblower lawsuit filed by former WhatsApp security chief Attaullah Baig, who alleges that the company ignored major privacy and security flaws, including widespread account hacking. Meta has denied the allegations and is contesting the claims in court.

These cases underline the ongoing scrutiny of Meta's privacy practices and highlight the challenges faced by large technology firms in balancing user data protection with commercial interests.

Originally published on IBTimes UK
10/20/2025





JACKSONVILLE, Ala.  Jacksonville State University has earned the 2025 Campus Prevention Network (CPN) Seal of Prevention, a national honor presented by Vector Solutions that recognizes institutions demonstrating exceptional leadership in student safety, wellness, and well-being.

The CPN Seal of Prevention recognizes colleges and universities that take measurable action to create safer campus communities through comprehensive, evidence-based digital education on issues such as sexual assault prevention, alcohol and drug misuse, and mental health awareness. Honorees represent institutions that make prevention central to student success, campus climate, and retention outcomes.

At Jax State, this distinction reflects the universitys holistic approach to student wellnessone that prioritizes safety, belonging, and education at every level of campus life. Through engaging, research-based programming coordinated by Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, the university equips every Gamecock with the knowledge and tools needed to make informed choices, support one another, and uphold a culture of respect.

Dr. Joshua Robinson, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs & Dean of Students at Jax State, said the recognition affirms the universitys commitment to fostering a caring and inclusive environment. We are proud to receive the CPN Seal of Prevention, which affirms our ongoing commitment to creating a campus where every student feels valued, supported, and safe, Dr. Robinson said. This distinction recognizes the daily efforts of our staff, faculty, and students who work together to strengthen the well-being of the entire Gamecock Family.

Vector Solutions CEO Jonathan Cherins said the institutions receiving the CPN Seal represent the best in higher educations ongoing commitment to student well-being. He noted that each recipient demonstrates a deep dedication to prevention education as an essential part of student success. The CPN Seal of Prevention recipients represent the top institutions nationwide, underscoring their commitment to academic excellence and the well-being of their students, Cherins said. Our team at Vector Solutions is proud to recognize the great value these leading institutions are providing and the commitment we share to making higher-education communities safer and stronger.

The CPN Seal of Prevention is grounded in the Principles of Effective Prevention Programs (Nation et al., 2003). Over 1,400 campuses and organizations were evaluated to determine eligibility for the 2025 Seal. On average, Seal institutions achieve an 8.3 percent higher first-year retention rate and a 9.6 percent higher on-time graduation rate than non-Seal institutions.

About Jacksonville State University

Founded in 1883 as a state teachers' college, Jacksonville State University has grown from humble beginnings into the Alabama regional university with the highest percentage of accredited programs. Located in the Appalachian foothills midway between Birmingham and Atlanta, Jax State offers more than 150 courses of study, including over 40 online programs, at the undergraduate and graduate levels. To learn more, visit www.jsu.edu, call 1-800-231-JAX1, or e-mail jaxfacts@jsu.edu.

About Vector Solutions for Higher Education

Vector Solutions, Higher Education is the industry leader in postsecondary safety and prevention training, serving over 2,000 of the nations most widely recognized and prestigious institutions and organizations for over 20 years. Its programs help drive lasting, large-scale change on the campus issues that matter most, including alcohol and other drugs, sexual assault and harassment, and mental health. Online prevention programs available through Vector Solutions reach over ten million higher education students, staff, and faculty annually.
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  The International Court of Justice, established by the UN to adjudicate issues among nations, issued an advisory opinion on Wednesday branding the Israeli blockade on food and medical aid into the occupied Gaza Strip illegal.

I mean, surely this conclusion is simple common sense. You cant starve people. Thats not only illegal, that is the height of immorality and cruelty. The war criminals who head up the Israeli government hold that they can do whatever they want to people on the grounds that they are Palestinians, or that millions are terrorists, or that there are no innocents among certain populations. No one with a heart and a mind agrees with them. Unfortunately, there are lots of heartless mindless people in the world, some of them extremely powerful.

In a world where International Humanitarian Law is increasingly brazenly flouted, as a way of undermining it and ensuring that its violators retain impunity, the Court upheld the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 on occupied populations, as well as the International Covenant on Economic, Cultural and Social Rights of 16 December 1966 (hereinafter the ICESCR), a UN instrument that Israel signed.

The Court reminds us, As an occupying Power, Israel is obliged to ensure the basic needs of the local population, including the supplies essential for their survival. Obligations to this effect are set out in Articles 55 and 56 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. The obligation is also implied by the UN Charter, to which Israel is a signatory.

The Court adds, Israel is not only required to perform the positive obligation to ensure essential supplies to the local population to the fullest extent of the means available to it, but it is also under a negative obligation not to impede the provision of these supplies or the performance of services related to public health.

Instead of fulfilling these obligations, the Israeli government created a famine in Gaza by blocking the entry of UN food trucks: According to the IPC, by 12 May 2025, half of the population of the Gaza Strip faced emergency levels of food insecurity . . . and nearly half a million people faced catastrophic levels of food insecurity.

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)

Israel also has an obligation to avoid killing aid workers. Even where an aid worker might engage in resistance activities, Israel can only kill this person while they are actively engaged in warfare, not while they are in scrubs operating on a patient. The ICJ notes, that, according to the United Nations, between 7 October 2023 and 20 August 2025, at least 531 humanitarian workers, including 366 United Nations personnel, were killed in the Gaza Strip . . .

That is, Israeli has a positive obligation to ensure that the population it occupies is well-fed and gets health care. But it also has a negative obligation, where it fails in the positive one, to avoid interfering with the provision of such aid by the UN, UNRWA and other aid agencies, to ensure Palestinians are not malnourished or deprived of medical care.

The Court notes that the Geneva Convention prohibits the forcible expulsion of civilian populations from occupied territories, as does the UN Charter.

But, According to some participants, including the United Nations, the Israeli military has issued numerous displacement orders, forcing hundreds of thousands of people into overcrowded areas and restricting the United Nations ability to deliver urgently needed essential supplies.

The Court upheld the UN-mandated role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in providing aid to Palestinian refugees. It quotes a UN document that

under normal conditions UNRWA operated almost 400 schools, over 65 primary health clinics and a hospital, and it had more than 17,000 personnel assigned to work in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. In the West Bank, it ran 96 schools and 43 health facilities. In the Gaza Strip, UNRWA was the primary provider of essential services, educating around 300,000 children in 288 schools and two training centres, delivering healthcare to some 900,000 patients and offering emergency assistance to around 1.1 million people. According to the United Nations, UNRWA was indispensable in delivering essential services to Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Israeli officials alleged that UNRWA was extensively penetrated by Hamas. The Court did not find these allegations credible, writing, the Court finds that Israel has not substantiated its allegations that a significant part of UNRWA employees are members of Hamas . . . or other terrorist factions.' UNRWA had 17,000 employees in Gaza and the Court could not rule out that a handful were dirty, but it finds that the UN and UNRWA investigated all credible charges and that the organizations neutrality is not in doubt.

Never miss an issue of Informed Comment: Click here to subscribe to our email newsletter! Social media will pretend to let you subscribe but then use algorithms to suppress the postings and show you their ads instead. And please, if you see an essay you like, paste it into an email and share with friends.

The Likud-led government of Israel throws the accusation of terrorist around without any evidence at all almost as indiscriminately as it does the accusation of antisemitism. In fact, virtually anyone who gets in the way of Likud schemes is smeared with both adjectives. The problem for this extremist Israeli propaganda is that it cannot stand up in the eyes of seasoned jurists, who make their judgments not out of fear or tribalism or emotion but out of a gimlet-eyed review of the evidence.

From my own point of view  the ICJ did not come out and say this, though it perhaps implies it  the Likud officials wanted to starve the Palestinians of Gaza. UNRWA got in the way of this genocidal project. They therefore slandered and banned UNRWA.

The Court pointed out that no other organization has UNRWAs capacity to deliver aid to the Palestinians in Gaza. It admits that it would be permissible for Israel, as the occupying power, to ensure the health and well-being of the Palestinians it occupies using other organizations. The ICJ points out, however, that Israel has not in actuality provided any such mechanism, and that the now-disbanded Gaza Humanitarian Foundation was fairly useless and certainly did not replace UNRWA. The Israelis cared so little about actual food aid that this past summer the UN concluded that they had fostered a famine in Gaza.

In the end the Court concurred with UN Secretary-General Antonio Manuel de Oliveira Guterres that  there is currently no realistic alternative to UNRWA that could adequately provide the services and assistance required by Palestine refugees.



The Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands, the seat of the International Court of Justice. Public Domain. Via Wikimedia Commons.

Israel may also not keep out other aid organizations (as it has done): Article 59 of the Fourth Geneva Convention refers to aid provided by States or by impartial humanitarian organizations. Thus, as long as the population remains inadequately supplied and Israel is not itself operating a system of humanitarian support that is in accordance with its obligations under international humanitarian law, Israel is obliged under Article 59 to agree to and facilitate relief schemes provided by third States or impartial humanitarian organizations such as the ICRC.

In the end, the Court found that it has jurisdiction over Gaza; that it has the prerogative of issuing this advisory opinion; and that it is doing so.

It unanimously finds that Israel has the duty:

to ensure that the population of the Occupied Palestinian Territory has the essential supplies of daily life, including food, water, clothing, bedding, shelter, fuel, medical supplies and services;

It also finds that Israel has an obligation to let UNRWA do its job in Gaza.

Of 11 justices, only the Ugandan Christian Zionist Julia Sebutinde dissented on this one.

Also, Israel has to stop destroying hospitals and killing or abducting doctors (this one was also unanimous.)

The Israelis have to stop mass expulsions of Palestinians (unanimous).

Basically, the ICJ found that the entire conduct of the war on Gaza by Israel has been carried out in an illegal manner.

Shamefully, the US State Department under Marco Rubio denounced the ICJ advisory opinion. The US after WW II showed itself a leader in erecting the structure of International Humanitarian Law, in hopes of forestalling another global conflict. Some 64 million people were killed in WW II, almost the entire population of todays UK or France. Now America is tearing down the edifice of law that it helped build. And that will come back to bite us on the posterior.
( OpenDemocracy.net )  As senior officials from Donald Trumps US administration travel to Israel to try to save the ceasefire in Gaza, the extent of the ongoing violence by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) is becoming clear. Israel has violated the 10-day-old ceasefire at least 80 times, killing at least 97 Palestinians and wounding 230 more, according to the Gaza Government Media Office.

Two Israeli soldiers have also been killed, with Israel accusing Hamas of also violating the truce. The group has done so, despite its denials, though the presence of Israeli-backed Palestinian militia groups in Gaza makes it hard to know who is responsible for which violation.

Meanwhile, 10,800 Palestinians, including 450 children, are still being detained in Israel  around a third of whom are being held without trial. Israel is also still refusing to open the key border crossing from Rafah to Egypt and paused crucial aid deliveries into Gaza on Sunday 19 October over an alleged Hamas ceasefire violation (some crossings were reportedly reopened to aid convoys at around midday local time on Monday).

It is just about possible that the ceasefire will survive, but Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu and those around him clearly do not want it to. Whether they succeed in ending it will depend on how far the Trump administration is prepared to go to force them to honour it, which in turn relates to the mood back home.

Public support for Israel in the US has declined since the start of its genocide in Gaza, but remains strong among some demographics  particularly Evangelical Christians. That group numbers close to a third of the US population, is more likely to vote than the average American and tends to vote Republican  and includes tens of millions of convinced Christian Zionists who are resolute supporters of Israel.

Still, though, international support for Palestinians  including in the US  has increased over the past two years. Israeli violence has so far killed almost 70,000 people, including 20,000 children, with many thousands more missing and presumed dead under the rubble of wrecked buildings. That support is likely to persist as more information becomes available about the destruction of Gaza, where the damage takes many forms.

One core concern is the water crisis, with Israels Arava Institute for Environmental Studies reporting that 300 wells in Gaza City alone have been damaged or are inaccessible, and many desalination plants are inoperable or running at less than half their total capacity. Consequently, the amount of daily water available to each person is down to barely half of the World Health Organisations emergency minimum.

To make matters worse, the IDF destroyed Gazas sewage treatment plants after the 7 October 2023 Hamas attacks, meaning that its sewage has been diverted into lagoons over the past two years, with some of it seeping into the groundwater, increasing the risk of water-borne disease spread.

And while Gazas pre-2023 croplands may have been small, they were highly productive and much valued, especially with vegetable and fruit crops grown intensively under glass. After all, Gaza is at the southern end of the fertile crescent of biblical times. Arava estimates 80% of these croplands have been damaged or destroyed in the past two years, and more than 80% of the tree cover has been lost.

Under the ceasefire deal, Israel should release some of the thousands of Palestinians still detained without trial, who are increasingly seen as hostages, in the coming weeks, as well as the bodies of those who have died while being held without trial. Their release will also shed more light on Israeli actions, with the conditions of the 90 bodies already returned to Gaza supporting reports that the IDF is torturing and murdering prisoners. Most had been executed, with many showing signs of having been bound and blindfolded, and having gunshot wounds between the eyes. Some appeared to have been beaten before death, while others showed signs of abuse after death.

One result of the treatment of these prisoners and Israels lack of any attempt to hide the evidence will be to instil fear in other Palestinians as to their likely fate if they are captured by the IDF.

As more information about Israeli violence becomes available, international support for Palestine is highly likely to persist. This has been the trend of the past two years; in the UK, for example, there have been 32 mass demonstrations in London over that period, repeatedly bringing together well over a hundred thousand people. The most recent was just ten days ago, when half a million people gathered in the capital. Most of the demonstrations have been ignored by the UKs right-wing legacy media, but they are indicative of a public mood that shows every sign of persisting.



Photo by Nikolas Gannon on Unsplash

This pattern also stretches far beyond Britain, with similar mass demonstrations taking place around the globe. In Europe, some of the protests have been huge; two weeks ago, two million people rallied across Italy as part of a one-day general strike to support Gaza, and 100,000 people attended demonstrations in the Spanish cities of Madrid and Barcelona. Further demonstrations took place in Portugal, France and Greece.

While these widespread and sustained protests may have little if any direct impact on the Israeli government, they are creating considerable political at ease in many of the countries where they are taking place. This can be seen through the increasing legal constraints on the right to protest as counter-terror laws are weaponised against peaceful protesters.

The West has seen a worrying shift towards the normalisation of exceptional measures in dealing with dissenting voices over the past two years, according to a new study by the International Federation for Human Rights that focused on the UK, the US, France and Germany.

These efforts to curb dissent betray politicians unease at their loss of control of political narratives. That is a distinctly uncomfortable position for them to be in, and will be reflected in considerable private pressure on the White House to bring the Israeli assault on Gaza to an end.

A full understanding of the impact of civil protest on the Gaza conflict may take years to assess, but the early signs are that this will be seen as the strongest example of transnational nonviolent public action in decades.

Via OpenDemocracy.net

Published under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International licence.
South African Communist Party leader: China a model for fair global cooperation

16:36, October 23, 2025 By Madiketso Motaung and Karabo Mohamme ( People's Daily Online

Solly Mapaila, general secretary of the South African Communist Party (SACP), receives interview with People's Daily Online South Africa. (People's Daily Online/Liu Chang

Solly Mapaila, general secretary of the South African Communist Party (SACP), has lauded China's role in global development and its growing partnership with South Africa, calling it a model for equitable cooperation and shared progress.

In an exclusive interview with People's Daily Online South Africa, Mapaila reflected on China's modernization journey, the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and the opportunities for deeper collaboration in infrastructure, industrialization, and rural development.

"Every time you visit Beijing, you can see visible progress," he said. "It's remarkable how the CPC and the Chinese government have managed to balance modernity and history, building a modern capital while preserving the soul of their culture."

Supporting global governance and multipolarity

Mapaila expressed strong support for President Xi Jinping's Global Governance Initiative (GGI), describing it as a visionary framework that champions fairness, equality, and respect for sovereignty in the international system.

"We must thank President Xi Jinping and the CPC for their foresight," he said. "The GGI promotes a multipolar world that values equality among nations. It's the kind of leadership the world urgently needs."

Mapaila added that China's major initiatives, like the GGI and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), offer developing nations practical tools for progress. "These initiatives give countries a real chance to chart their own development paths," he explained. "They strengthen rather than dominate. That's what makes them so important."

Building tangible cooperation

While political ties between China and South Africa are solid, Mapaila believes the next phase of the partnership must focus more on tangible economic outcomes.

"China has achieved phenomenal development, not just at home but across the world," he noted. "South Africa offers immense potential for mutual benefit, particularly in infrastructure. China is known for building world-class ports, railways, and roads, there's no reason we shouldn't aim for the same here."

Although China remains South Africa's largest trading partner, Mapaila emphasized that collaboration in areas like industrialization, technology transfer, and public infrastructure still has room to grow.

Lessons from China's development

Reflecting on China's success in lifting over 800 million people out of poverty, Mapaila said Africa has much to learn from China's approach to inclusive growth and state-led industrialization.

He added that China has proven what can be achieved when the state plays an active role in driving development and eradicating poverty.

A partnership of equals

For Mapaila, the China-South Africa relationship stands out for its foundation of respect and mutual understanding.

"China doesn't treat us as subordinates," he said. "They engage with us as equals, as friends and comrades. That's what makes this partnership fundamentally different from our historical relations with the West."

He further praised China's leadership role within BRICS, particularly its push for trade in local currencies and reform of global institutions. China's influence in BRICS gives the Global South a stronger voice and helps shape a fairer international order, he said.

Summing up his vision, Mapaila said the partnership between China and South Africa is built on shared values, equality, solidarity, and a commitment to human progress.

Mapaila emphasized that the idea of building a community with a shared future for mankind serves as a reminder of humanity's collective responsibility. It envisions a world where development benefits all people rather than a privileged few. Through its cooperation with China, South Africa has the opportunity to strengthen its economy, empower its citizens, and contribute to the creation of a more just and equitable global order.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Wu Chengliang)
Bangladesh's interim leader has sought to calm rival political parties questioning the impartiality of his cabinet as they jostle for power ahead of the first elections since a 2024 uprising.

The polls, expected in February 2026, will be the first in the South Asian nation of 170 million people since a student-led revolt ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, ending her 15-year hardline rule.

Muhammad Yunus, the 85-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner serving as the country's "chief adviser", had "taken measures to hold free, impartial, and fair elections", his press team said Thursday.

But Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP) -- made up of many students who spearheaded the uprising -- alleged some advisers were collaborating with parties to secure their "safe exit" in the future administration.

"Major political parties are appointing party loyalists to various administrative posts ahead of the elections," Islam told reporters late Wednesday.

"Some advisers within the government are helping them."

He did not give further details, but those and similar accusations from other parties have sent political tensions soaring.

Yunus met late Wednesday with leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami, the Muslim-majority nation's largest Islamist party, in the latest of a series of talks aimed at easing tensions.

Senior Jamaat leader Abdullah Muhammad Taher said they had told Yunus that some of his advisors had been "misleading" him, by "working on behalf of a certain political party", without giving further details.

"You should be aware of them," Taher said in a message to Yunus, speaking to reporters.

That followed meetings on October 21 with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), seen as among the election front-runners.

Senior BNP official Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, speaking to reporters after that meeting, said he had "requested the government remove any adviser found siding with political parties".

Almagir did not give further details, although Dhaka's Prothom Alo newspaper reported the BNP had submitted two names.

Hasina, 78, fled last year to New Delhi, where she has defied court orders to return to attend her ongoing crimes against humanity trial for ordering the deadly crackdown.

Her Awami League has been outlawed and is barred from taking part in elections.
The government will have to be accountable for its failures, for its errors in judgment, but that will result in things that will work on the ground, said Nerita Waight, the chief executive of the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service, while underlining her expectations regarding the accountability mechanism of the treaty agreement passed last week to the Victoria state Parliament, in southeastern Australia.

The bill is the culmination of a near-decade long truth and reconciliation process which has most prominently featured the Yoorrook commission. It will establish new self-governing bodies with enhanced powers to advise parliament and hold government accountable, while enshrining an ongoing truth-telling process.

The bill is expected to pass parliament, but it comes at an otherwise low-ebb for transitional justice initiatives in Australia. After the defeat of the federal Voice to Parliament referendum in October 2023 (which sought to grant special representative rights to Indigenous peoples), many state governments abandoned previous commitments.

A source of pride for all Victorians

Despite the present uncertainty over the long-term prospects of the treaty, participants in the process have hailed its expected progression into law.

The bill before parliament will pass with the support of the governing Labor Party and the Greens. The conservative Liberal Party does not have the numbers to block the bill, but it has come out strongly in opposition. It argues the Treaty grants excessive power to Indigenous peoples and creates a new level of government. It has pledged to repeal the legislation within 100 days if it wins power at next Novembers state election.

Jacinta Allan, the Labor Party premier of Victoria, told parliament that the southern state would lead Australia in taking a step closer to righting the wrongs of the past and building a future for all Victorians. The Treaty will be a source of pride for all Victorians. Because this is not about taking anything away from anyone  it is about practical changes to do things better, together.

She criticised the Liberals opposition: Their first priority is not to build the future  it is to tear it down  tear down something that has been worked on for decades.

The bill will establish a new overarching body, named Gellung Warl in Gunaikurnai language (meaning tip of the spear in English). It will contain a pre-existing elected representative body  the First Peoples Assembly of Victoria  as well as organisations responsible for truth-telling and accountability.

The First Peoples Assembly (Assembly), which was established in 2018, played a key role in the treaty negotiations. Co-chair Rueben Berg, in a speech on the floor of Victorias parliament, said the time for paternalistic governments making decisions on behalf of our people ends with this treaty. No longer will policies be made about us without us.

The Assembly will be granted powers to address parliament annually on issues affecting First Peoples and to provide input on relevant legislation. Members of parliament introducing certain new bills will be compelled to provide a statement on the extent to which proposed legislation is compatible with the aims of addressing disadvantages brought on by historical wrongs. The Assembly will also be entitled to meet with the heads of relevant government departments and the police, whose role in perpetuating the disadvantage of First Peoples was aired during the Yoorrook Commission hearings.

The co-chairs of the Victoria First Peoples Assembly, Ngarra Murray and Rueben Berg, address Parliament on 14 October 2025 to present the bill ratifying the treaty negotiated between the government and Indigenous peoples. Photo:  Parliament of Victoria

Two new transitional justice bodies

It will also have responsibility over the two new bodies that will be established.

The first, to be known as Nginma Ngainga Wara (meaning you will do) is an accountability mechanism to monitor the impact of government programs and policies in achieving better outcomes for First Peoples. It will be empowered to hold its own inquiries into matters ranging from unconscious bias to the performance of government agencies and even ministers on matters that impact First Peoples.

The other body  Nyerna Yoorrook Telkuna (meaning, in various languages, to sit; to truth; to heal)  will entrench the work undertaken by the Yoorrook Commission over the past three years. It will establish a permanent, ongoing truth-telling mission with a particular focus on collecting information about the impacts of colonisation on First Peoples and maintaining an archive of the truth-telling process.

Against the conservative tide

The latest developments in Victoria are being closely watched in New South Wales, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory, where officials and local Indigenous representatives are slowly working towards developing their own treaties.

Victorias landmark legislation has been met with little fanfare amongst the media and public in other states of Australia. The broaderpolitical environment has turned decisively against Treaty initiatives since the resounding defeat of the federal Voice referendum.

A nascent truth commission in the north-eastern state of Queensland was abruptly terminated last year following a change in policy by the newly-elected conservative state government, while the Western Australian and Tasmanian governments have also backed down from treaty commitments since the 2023 referendum.

The Victorian conservative opposition has said it would instead establish a First Nations advisory body, but with far more limited powers than those granted to the Assembly under the current bill. Theres a big difference from running an advisory group, to effectively having an elected group come into the Parliament and operate effectively as another level of government, opposition leader Brad Battin said.

The governing Labor Party has also shown a propensity to sacrifice Indigenous self-governance to political expediency, after it rejected a key Yoorrook recommendation  to raise the age of criminal responsibility  amid political pressure over violent crime and lenient sentencing.

With the Victorian opposition considered a competitive chance of winning next years state election, expected to be held in November next year, Gellung Warls future hangs in the balance before it is even born. But if it stands, it is set to forge a new precedent for transitional justice in Australia and other states dealing with historical and ongoing wrongs committed against Indigenous peoples.
A Russian drone killed two Ukrainian journalists and wounded a colleague in eastern Ukraine on Thursday, an attack President Volodymyr Zelensky said followed a pattern of "deliberate" strikes targeting reporters.

Freedom Media, a Ukrainian state-funded news organisation, said their television crew had been hit by a Russian Lancet drone while in their car at a petrol station in the industrial city.

The news outlet, which publishes in Russian, named the killed journalists as 43-year-old Donetsk region native Olena Gramova and Yevgen Karmazin, 33, from Kramatorsk.

It added that another reporter, Alexander Kolychev, was hospitalised.

"These are not accidents or mistakes, but a deliberate Russian strategy to silence all independent voices reporting about Russia's war crimes in Ukraine," Zelensky wrote on social media.

The Donetsk regional governor announced details of the strike and posted images showing the charred remains of the journalists' car.

The proliferation of cheap but deadly drones used both by Russia and Ukraine has made reporting from frontline regions dangerous and unpredictable.

Thursday's attack comes after a Russian state media correspondent was killed in a Ukrainian drone strike in the Moscow-occupied part of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region.

Earlier this month, French photojournalist Antoni Lallican was killed on assignment near the frontline in Donetsk region.

Several journalists have been killed covering the war since Russia invaded in 2022, though precise tolls vary according to different monitors.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said Lallican was the 14th journalist killed by Russia's army, while UNESCO said he was at least the 23rd media worker to have been killed on both sides of the front line.

Among them was AFP video journalist Arman Soldin, killed outside Kramatorsk in the nearby town of Chasiv Yar in May 2023, aged 32.

RSF called for an speedy investigation into Thursday's strike, in comments to AFP.

The general prosecutor's office meanwhile condemned the Russian attack and said that Moscow's forces had killed five civilians in the nearby village of Zvanivka several days earlier, citing an eyewitness.

Kramatorsk, which had a pre-war population of around 150,000 people, is one of the few remaining civilian hubs in Donetsk region still under Ukrainian control.

Russian forces are about 16 kilometres (10 miles) from the city, where officials this month announced the mandatory evacuation of children from some parts of the town and outlying villages.

Kremlin-supported separatists in 2014 captured Kramatorsk before being pushed back by Ukrainian forces.
Agence France-Presse renewed its call on Thursday on Israel to conduct a full investigation into an attack in 2023 that killed a Reuters journalist in Lebanon and wounded several others, two of them from AFP.

On October 13, 2023, an attack killed Reuters video journalist Issam Abdallah and wounded six other journalists, including AFP reporters Dylan Collins and Christina Assi, who had to have her right leg amputated.

AFP conducted an independent investigation which concluded that two Israeli 120mm tank shells were fired from the Jordeikh area in Israel.

The findings were corroborated by other international probes, including investigations conducted by Reuters, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

In a statement on Thursday, AFP said it "deplores the complete lack of response or explanation from the Israeli army".

"Despite significant and clear ballistic, satellite and human evidence, the Israeli authorities have never made any substantial statement about the attack or given any explanation," AFP said.

"A few days ago, AFP received another short reply from the Israeli army: 'The incident is currently under review, and the findings regarding the event have not yet been concluded.'"

AFP reiterated that the journalists were clearly identifiable as civilians, wearing helmets and vests marked "PRESS", with no military presence visible on site.

Morris Tidball-Binz, UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, called the incident "a premeditated, targeted and double-tapped attack from the Israeli forces, a clear violation, in my opinion, of IHL (international humanitarian law), a war crime".

"Impunity in this case... constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law and a threat to press freedom," AFP said.
The International Criminal Court Thursday rejected claims it is not competent to judge the Philippines' former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is accused of crimes against humanity.

Duterte's defence last May contested the court's right to judge the 80-year-old former head of state, saying the Asian country had withdrawn from the court's jurisdiction.

But in a statement Friday, the ICC said it found "that the Court can exercise its jurisdiction in the present case over the crimes alleged against Mr. Duterte that were committed on the territory of the Philippines while it was a State Party."

Duterte faces three charges of crimes against humanity for his involvement in killings committed as part of his "war on drugs", which allegedly claimed thousands of lives.

He was arrested in Manila in March, transferred to the Netherlands, and has been held since in the ICC's detention centre in The Hague.

Shortly after the arrest, Duterte's lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman, told AFP that the court did not have jurisdiction because the Philippines' March 17, 2019 withdrawal from the ICC had become effective well before an investigation was opened in that country.

But the ICC said the crimes attributed to Duterte were committed while the country was a party to the Treaty of Rome that set up the court.

ICC prosecutors have accused him of involvement in at least 76 murders related to his "war on drugs".

The first of the three charges concerns 19 murders committed between 2013 and 2016, when Duterte was mayor of Davao City. The second relates to 14 killings of alleged drug bosses in 2016 and 2017, when he was president. And the third covers 43 killings of suspected low-level drug users or dealers.

In early October, the ICC denied a request for medical parole, pending a decision on Duterte's fitness to appear in court.






Wednesday, October 22, 2025 - Drama has erupted on social media after a furious lady publicly called out her deadbeat baby daddy, accusing him of neglecting his child while pretending to be a perfect father figure online.

In a fiery post on Tiktok, the woman claimed that the man has been taking photoshoots with another womans child, yet he hasnt sent a single shilling for their own childrens upkeep.

The lady went on to warn her baby daddys new lover, accusing her of falling for a man who only knows how to impregnate and disappear.

While some sympathized with the woman, others felt she was exposing too much on social media.

One user commented, Sister, heal in silence - the internet never forgets.

Another wrote, Deadbeats deserve public shaming. Maybe thats the only language they understand.

Check out her post.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Wednesday, October 22, 2025 - The United Opposition coalition has firmly rejected Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahigas apology over his controversial remarks about the late Raila Odinga.

In a joint statement released Wednesday, October 22nd, the coalition - comprising Wiper Democratic Movement, Peoples Liberation Party, Democratic Congress Party, DAP-K, and others - condemned Kahigas comments made during a funeral in Nyeri, where he suggested that Railas death was Gods plan and had levelled the political playing field

This is the very definition of hate speech as outlined in Article 33 of the Constitution, the statement read, clarifying that Kahiga was elected on a UDA ticket and is not affiliated with any United Opposition party.

The coalition issued three demands:

Accountability: Kahiga must explain why he was chosen to deliver such inflammatory remarks at this sensitive time.

Transparency: He should disclose who his nefarious paymasters are and why they used him as a mouthpiece.

Censure: The Council of Governors must publicly censure Kahiga for attempting to ignite ethnic tensions.

While Kahiga apologized and resigned as CoG Vice Chair, the opposition deemed it insufficient.

"It is in our view not enough for Governor Kahiga to issue what was his hurriedly scripted apology that included his resignation as Vice Chairman of the Council of Governors (CoG).

The COG should in public interest, first act swiftly and censor the Nyeri Governor for his clearly stage managed comments that are clearly designed to ignite an ethnic war," they added.

They called on UDA leaders, President William Ruto, Governor Cecily Mbarire, and Senator Hassan Omar, to issue a formal apology and take disciplinary action.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Wednesday, October 22, 2025 - Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga has defended his controversial remarks about the late Raila Odinga, insisting that they were taken out of context and not intended to celebrate the former Prime Ministers death.

Speaking on Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025, Kahiga clarified that his statement - God takes the best - was meant to reflect on leadership and development under the current administration, not to mock Railas passing.

He said the viral clip circulating online was recorded during a burial in his home village and misrepresented his intent.

I sincerely apologise to our mourning nation, to Mama Ida, Rosemary, Junior, Winnie, Senator Oburu Odinga, MP Ruth Odinga, and the extended Odinga family, Kahiga said.

He also extended his apology to the ODM fraternity, the Luo community, and leaders across the political divide who felt offended.

Kahiga stressed that his remarks were personal reflections and should not be linked to his community, political affiliations, or the Council of Governors.

The loss of the Right Honourable former Prime Minister Raila Odinga sent everyone back to the drawing board.

It is in this context that I made those remarks in vernacular, Kahiga clarified.

Acknowledging the sensitivity of the issue, Kahiga announced his resignation as Vice-Chair of the Council of Governors with immediate effect.

I take full responsibility for the real and perceived meaning of my remarks.

I pray that the soul of the late Prime Minister Raila Odinga continues to rest in eternal peace. God bless Kenya, he stated.

His apology follows widespread condemnation from national leaders, who labelled his comments as divisive and disrespectful.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Wednesday, October 22, 2025 - President William Rutos Senior Advisor on Constitutional Affairs, Prof. Makau Mutua, has called for the immediate resignation of Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga following his controversial remarks about the late Raila Odinga.

In a strongly worded post on X dated Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025, Mutua condemned Kahigas statements made during a burial ceremony in Nyeri, where the Governor suggested Railas death was Gods plan to rebalance national politics.

Mutua said the remarks were not only offensive to Railas legacy but also a violation of constitutional values.

Governor Mutahi Kahiga must resign. Hes unfit to hold any public office in Kenya, Mutua wrote.

His words are a textbook affront to our Constitution and Chapter Six on Leadership and Integrity.

Mutua added that Kahigas comments undermined the principles of unity, compassion, and respect, especially during a period of national mourning.

Kahigas remarks, delivered in Kikuyu, implied that Railas political influence had skewed development and governance, and that his passing had restored balance.

Because the plan that had been hatched, if you look keenly, all goodies were being directed there because of tomorrows plans.

But God came and brought this thing. Who is God? Does he take ugali at somebodys house or sleep in Kayole?

He came through in His own way. He saw up there people in heaven are disagreeing a lot and came for Baba so that he can go and smooth things up there. Kahiga said.

The statements sparked widespread outrage across the country.

Amid mounting pressure, Kahiga issued a public apology and announced his resignation as Vice Chairperson of the Council of Governors.

I want to apologise to the family, the larger ODM, my colleagues, and those in the larger Nyanza region.

My remarks are personal, he said. I am taking responsibility and resigning with immediate effect.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Wednesday, October 22, 202 - As Kenyans from all walks of life gathered in Siaya County to mourn the passing of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, one mans quiet act of generosity stood out as a powerful testament to friendship, compassion, and unity.

Mr. Alfred Agunga, a respected businessman and resident of Kilifi County, opened his family home in Sakwa, Bondo, to scores of mourners who had travelled from across the country to pay their last respects to the late statesman.

Not only was he welcoming friends and strangers alike into his Siaya home, but he was also honouring the memory of a man he had known personally and dearly, Raila Odinga, his longtime friend and confidant.

Agungas palatial home has since become the talk of social media.





See photos.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Wednesday, October 22, 2025 - A devoted supporter of the late Raila Amolo Odinga is appealing for help after being stranded in Bondo following a remarkable, yet heartbreaking, journey of loyalty and love.

Dogsman Nyakwar Nyomega, a well-known Raila supporter from Kosele, Homa Bay County, rode his donkey, affectionately named Sir Charles Ongondo Were, for three days and nights to attend Babas final send-off at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) in Bondo.

Determined to pay his last respects to his political hero, Nyakwar Nyomega endured a long journey, a testament to his unshakable devotion to Raila Odinga.

Tragically, his journey took a painful turn during a moment of high tension at the funeral grounds when he slipped and fell, sustaining injuries that have left him struggling to walk.

With no means to travel, he is now stranded in Bondo, alongside his loyal donkey.

I just wanted to see Baba one last time. I came to say goodbye, but now I cannot go back, he said tearfully.

The injured supporter is appealing to well-wishers, ODM supporters, and the wider Kenyan public to help him with transportation for himself and his donkey back home to Kosele.

He says he needs either a pickup or a tuk-tuk to make the journey.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Wednesday, October 22, 2025 - Raila Odinga Junior, son of the late ODM leader, Raila Odinga, has been a target of trolls mocking him over his facial features following his fathers death.

Some content creators have launched insensitive social media challenges imitating his appearance, sparking public outrage.

Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura took to social media to strongly condemn the ridicule, calling it inhumane and unacceptable.

Its very wrong to mock someone based on their appearance due to an inherent condition.

Creating a challenge to body shame is horrendous, Mwaura said.

Such behaviour reflects poor character and upbringing.

Lets be human for once.

In a past interview, Raila Jr. revealed that he suffered from a noncancerous brain tumor that developed in childhood, affecting his nervous system and facial appearance.

He said:

My condition was not caused by an accident.

Its actually a disease known as a non-constructive tumor in my brain that affected my nervous system when I was a child back in 1985.

Its something Ive lived with all my life, the condition is called Facial Paralysis.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Wednesday, October 22, 2025 - The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has issued a strong warning to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, advising him to stay away from Bondo in Siaya County, the hometown of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

The caution comes in the wake of controversial remarks made by Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga that appeared to celebrate Railas death.

Speaking to journalists in Kisumu on Wednesday, ODM Kisumu Deputy Chairperson and Assembly Whip, Seth Kanga, said the party will not welcome Gachaguas planned visit to the Nyanza region.

We heard that Gachagua and his team plan to visit the home of our party leader, the late Raila Odinga.

We are urging him - please, dont step in Bondo, Kanga stated.

The warning follows a viral video showing Kahiga, during a burial in Nyeri, suggesting that Railas death was Gods plan and had levelled the political playing field

His remarks delivered in Kikuyu have sparked widespread outrage.

ODM Chairperson and Homa Bay Governor, Gladys Wanga, described the comments as primitive, insensitive, and deeply insulting, demanding Kahigas resignation as Vice Chairperson of the Council of Governors (CoG).

This country deserves leaders who embody empathy and respect, not divisive rhetoric. Kahiga must go, Wanga said.

Council of Governors Chair, Ahmed Abdullahi, also distanced the body from Kahigas remarks, calling them personal and unacceptable during a time of national grief.

Under mounting pressure, Governor Kahiga later issued a public apology and stepped down from his CoG leadership role.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
THE Last Irish Wolf, written by Castledermot native John MacKenna and illustrated by artist Faye Tucker, was launched at Carlow library on 14 October. The book, co-published by Carlow County Council Libraries and The Harvest Press, tells the story of Irelands last wild wolf, living on the slopes of Mount Leinster in 1786.

The library was packed out with over 80 attendees at the launch, some of whom had to stand as seats ran out. It was opened by novelist and community musician Angela Keogh.

John MacKenna and Faye Tucker sign copies of John's book for Jim Fitzharris and Dermot O'Leary

Mr McKenna said: It went really well; there was a huge turnout.

County librarian John Shorthall introduced the event with a talk on the importance of local history and preserving memories. He said: Carlow has a huge amount of history that will be lost or forgotten if we dont have champions for it. Its a joy for us to recognise the value of a childrens book about local history.

County librarian John Shortall speaking at the book launch

Mr MacKenna told the crowd that he was inspired to write the book when he moved to south Carlow from Castledermot 12 years ago. He said: Wolves get bad press, but theyre fantastic animals. He read an excerpt from the book, which is written in both Irish and English.

Eilish Langton with Madalin Mhic Lochlainn and Robert McLoughlin

For those who want to use the book to brush up on their language skills and learn about ancient Irish wolves, copies are available to buy in Made in Carlow shop on Tullow Street or online through the Harvest Press. Every primary and secondary school in Carlow will receive a copy of the book, as will every library in the country.

There are eight of Faye Tuckers illustrations from the book hanging in Carlow library at the moment, and Mr Shorthall said they will be placed in Bagenalstown library in the future also.

John MacKenna plans now to go into schools in conjunction with the library and to work with Creative Places Bagenalstown, which was a supporter of the book project.
By Cillian Sherlock, PA

Left-wing independent candidate Catherine Connolly has a significant lead in the presidential election, according to a poll published on the eve of voting day.

The Irish Independent/Ireland Thinks poll puts support for Ms Connolly on 40 per cent, ahead of Fine Gael hopeful Heather Humphreys at 25 per cent.

The public will head to polling stations on Friday to cast votes in the election.

Presidential candidate Catherine Connolly campaigned in Co Roscommon (Bairbre Holmes/PA)

The count will begin on Saturday morning with a declaration expected at Dublin Castle later that day.

Speaking about strong opinion poll performance on Thursday, Ms Connolly said: Its wonderful for my team, but we take absolutely nothing for granted.

She told reporters at a school in Roscommon on the final full day of campaigning: I would appeal to everyone to come out and vote. To be president of Ireland is an absolute privilege, and I leave that to the people of Ireland.

Ms Humphreys took her campaigning to Sligo and Donegal on Thursday.

In Sligo, Fine Gael leader and Tanaiste Simon Harris gave a particular appeal to people from other political traditions to lend their vote to Ms Humphreys.

The poll shows Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys is trailing Ms Connolly (Mark Marlow/PA)

He said: She wont let you down.

Fianna Fail candidate Jim Gavin, despite declaring weeks ago that he has withdrawn from the race, will remain on the ballot paper and placed at seven per cent in the latest opinion poll.

The combined number of people who said they were undecided, would not vote, or would spoil their vote, was 28 per cent.

When they are removed, Ms Connolly holds 55 per cent of the vote, with Ms Humphreys on 35 per cent.

Ireland uses a system of transferable votes in elections but if the margin between Ms Humphreys and Ms Connolly cannot be closed with Mr Gavins votes, a winner will be known after the first count.
Ottoline Spearman

Brain Tumour Ireland has developed a guide to help identify brain tumour symptoms in children and teenagers.

The guide is being published to coincide with National Brain Tumour Awareness Week, which runs until Sunday.

Around 65 children and young people are diagnosed with a brain or other central nervous system tumour each year in Ireland.

A total of 400 people each year are diagnosed with brain tumours, with men more likely than women to be affeceted, according to the Irish Cancer Society.

Dr Jane Pears from CHI Crumlin urged GPs, doctors, and ED staff to consider brain tumours when reviewing symptoms in sick children.

Speaking on Newstalk, Ms Pears said: "There's a huge overlap between those signs and symptoms and much less serious childhood illnesses.

"So there's a very fine line to tread between causing unnecessary alarm, but on the other hand, also making sure that children who need to be seen get seen by the appropriate people."

Brain Tumour Ireland are also holding an launch event for their new online teen support group for teens affected by tumours and their families.

The event will be held at Windmill Recording Studios on October 25th at 2pm. For more information, visit here.
Kilkenny- headquartered software technology group CluneTech is celebrating a double win at the 2025 HR Leadership and Management Awards, at the Crowne Plaza, Dublin.

Now in its 11th year, the HR Leadership and Management Awards celebrate excellence and innovation in HR, recognising the vital role the profession plays in driving business success and shaping Irelands economic future.

The event brings together hundreds of HR and business leaders from across the country to honour organisations that are redefining the employee experience.

CluneTech was awarded the Best Workplace Award, recognising the companys exceptional commitment to creating a culture where people feel valued, supported and empowered to thrive.

READ: TERRY CLUNE RECEIVES OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Meanwhile, WeCan, a not-for-profit initiative by CluneTech that creates meaningful employment opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities, was awarded Best Use of CSR in HR. Recognised for its innovative approach to inclusion and sustainability, WeCan provides paid and purposeful work that supports local businesses and environmental goals, while empowering participants to contribute meaningfully to their communities.

We are absolutely delighted to have won both the Best Workplace Award and to see WeCan recognised for Best Use of CSR in HR at this years HR Leadership and Management Awards, said Terry Clune, CluneTech CEO and Founder.

On behalf of myself and the leadership team, Id like to express our gratitude to our incredible people who make CluneTech such a great place to work.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE KILKENNY BUSINESS NEWS

The Best Workplace Award is a huge honour and a reflection of the positive, collaborative culture our teams have built together. Im also especially proud of WeCan, which started as a small idea and has grown into something thats making a real impact in our community.

Adding to this, Michelle Gaffney, Head of Group HR, said: Were incredibly proud to be recognised at the HR Leadership & Management Awards. Being named Best Workplace and seeing WeCan honoured for Best Use of CSR in HR is a wonderful reflection of our people-first approach.
Kilkenny City-based tech company CloudMount, who specialise in AI compliance solutions has been shortlisted for the National Startup Awards announced this week.

The awards, now in their 14th year, celebrate Irelands brightest and most innovative early-stage companies. CloudMounts selection places the company among the nations leading startups competing across multiple categories with the winners to be announced at a ceremony in Dublins City Hall on November 20.

CloudMount has developed AI Turbine, a groundbreaking solution that enables organisations to assess artificial intelligence systems in real time. The technology addresses the critical compliance gap facing Irish and European businesses as the EU AI Act enforcement begins, with potential fines reaching 35 million or 7% of global turnover for non-compliance.

Being shortlisted for the National Startup Awards is a tremendous validation of our undertaking to guardrail AI within organisations of all sizes, said Stephen Dwyer, CEO and Founder of CloudMount.

Irish businesses are under unprecedented pressure to demonstrate responsible AI use, and our platform delivers instant assurance at a fraction of traditional consulting costs, he added.

SEE ALSO: Double win for Kilkenny company at the 2025 HR Leadership and Management Awards

CloudMount says its Turbine platform serves multiple market segments and delivers 95% cost savings compared to traditional AI ethics consultants while providing 100-times faster analysis and that the technology aligns with UNESCO AI ethics frameworks, GDPR requirements and EU AI Act compliance standards.

The platform has attracted significant interest from Irelands startup ecosystem as AI adoption has surged to 91% of businesses while only 6% have deployed proper compliance systems.

CloudMount is actively engaged with Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny and is pursuing expansion opportunities throughout Ireland and the EU while they also harbor ambitions of replacing Glanbia as the main sponsor of Kilkenny GAA.

The company represents the countys growing reputation as a technology innovation hub, joining established tech employers such as CluneTech, TransferMate and UKG in the region.

TAP HERE FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS
Kilkenny mental health and suicide prevention charity Teac Tom has been nominated in a national competition, The BIG Christmas Giveback, which seeks to shine a light on local heroes in the community.

The charity was set up in 2014 by Angela Hayes following the tragic loss of both her husband and son to suicide. Teac Tom supports over 100 people each week for counselling across its two sites in Kilkenny and Laois, operates a 24/365 phone line, provides an emergency response to suicide and runs a family support group.

I was 32 with four sons aged 4-13 when my husband took his own life, Angela said. I didnt know what to do or where to turn, both in dealing with my own grief and helping my sons to manage theirs. My second eldest son, Thomas, was so funny and bubbly. He really struggled with his grief, and tragically took his own life at the age of 19 on the anniversary of his dads death.

In 2014, Alan wrote a song called Survivor that had an incredible public response and really highlighted the lack of support services in Ireland for people affected by or considering suicide. I realised that I didnt want another family to go through what Id gone through and set up Teac Tom in memory of my husband Tommy and beautiful son Thomas.

Teac Tom gives people hope when they have none. Every day, we provide a supportive, non-judgmental space, helping people to find the strength to go on. Today, we provide over 5,000 counselling sessions each year, including 400 sessions for children and adolescents, she outlined.

As a charity, we dont receive any government funding and have to generate 25,000 every month to keep offering the services we do, which are all free. I truly believe that if our family would have had access to the services we offer at Teac Tom then my son Thomas would still be with us today.

SEE ALSO: Kilkenny tech company shortlisted for national award

The BIG Christmas Giveback asks for nominations for local people, community groups and organisations in Kilkenny and beyond who are having a positive impact in their community. The person or organisation with the most nominations in the competition will win a 1,000 Town and City Gift Card, such as the Kilkenny Gift Card, with one person who nominated them winning a 500 gift card.

Angela, who received the Humanitarian of the Year award at the seventh annual Irish Red Cross Humanitarian Awards in 2025 added: Winning the BIG Christmas Giveback and the Kilkenny Gift Card prize would be absolutely amazing.

I use the card myself and love the whole support local ethos behind it. If we won, wed use the cards to buy the items we need and use on a day to day basis in the centres, from tea/coffee and food to furnishings.

Led by Kilkenny Chamber, the physical and digital Kilkenny Gift Card launched in 2024 as an upgrade to the paper Kilkenny Gift Vouchers introduced in 2014. Over 185,000 in sales have been generated through the new card to date.

Cards can be spent with over 130 local businesses and nominations can be made for a person or organisation in the BIG Christmas Giveback at: www.lovelocalwin.ie.

TAP HERE FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS
Two young female scientists from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have been honored with the Erna Scheffler Award 2025 from Soroptimist International Club Karlsruhe for their outstanding theses. The prizes, worth a total of 7,000, were presented during a ceremony last Friday in the conference room of the Federal Constitutional Court.

The dissertation prize was awarded to Dr. Clara Rosa Adam from the Institute of Organic Chemistry at KIT for her work on luminiscent copper complexes. She developed new copper compounds that absorb and re-emit light particularly efficiently. This makes the materials promising candidates for use in organic light-emitting diodes and 3D laser printing.

The prize for the best master's thesis was awarded to Sophia Beck from the Institute of Electrical Engineering at KIT. She investigated how hard magnets containing rare earths can be replaced in electrical machines. During the use of alternative magnet materials, the magnetic flux is deliberately altered during operation. In order to optimally control the machiness efficiency, Beck simulated how specific electric currents affect the magnetic flux.

The Erna Scheffler Award, presented every two years, goes back to Dr. Erna Scheffler, who in 1951 became the first woman to be appointed to a judgeship at the Federal Constitutional Court. Scheffler was also the first president of the Soroptimist International Club Karlsruhe, founded in 1963.

jha, October 23, 2025
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COLUMBIA  The Columbia Airport Advisory Board heard the first presentation Wednesday about a program by Moberly Area Community College that's set to be offered at Columbia Regional Airport starting in fall 2026.

The Moberly Area Community College Aviation Commercial Pilot Program is the northernmost collegiate aviation course offered in the state of Missouri, and it's the second from a community college.

Course director Ed Longoria, a former pilot of 25 years who also serves as the education representative for the board, gave the presentation.

The course will operate out of the original Columbia Regional Airport terminal, which was built in the 20th century.

Longoria said the course will be an intense, six-semester program that does not include summer breaks. Students who take the program will take field trips along with getting hands-on flight experience in a partial traffic airspace. When the program finishes, aspiring pilots will have logged 250-300 flight hours.

MACC aviation program aims to fill need in mid-Missouri Construction at the Columbia Regional Airport for the new MACC Aviation Commercial Pilot Program building is complete.

"The aviation training is intense," Longoria said. "The students will need all that time to finish their certifications."

Once students have completed the program, Longoria said they will have the option to participate in a seventh semester, where they can become a "certified flight instructor" to teach other students in the program while building up more flight hours to become a professional aviator.

Students will fly in a Piper aircraft, and they will also use a flight simulator to practice commercial flight.

Instructors including commercial pilots and Air Force members will help Longoria in teaching the class. Longoria said the program is close to signing an agreement with a contractor who will provide those services for the class.

"Based on the hirings of the quality of the professors that we're bringing on board, we're bringing tremendous quality to the program," Longoria said.

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MACC's program will begin with 24 students, but class leaders may consider doubling the size to 48 students in future semesters. Dozens of students have already registered interest in the course, and many have already been turned away. Longoria plans to teach an "Intro to Aviation" class in spring of 2026 to help interested students begin the track into the aviation program.

The program has the full support and partnership of Columbia Regional Airport, the first time the airport has partnered with an educational institution for aviation.

"It's going to be a lot of fun to be able see these students start their aviation career here at the Columbia Regional Airport," said Mike Parks, Columbia Regional Airport manager. "That's something we've never seen in the past."

"The airport is a stakeholder in this process, and they have been very helpful in developing this program," Longoria said.

The course's creation comes at a time when Columbia Regional Airport is experiencing a surge in passenger traffic. At the meeting, airport manager Mike Parks told the board that the airport had seen 30,000 passengers come through in September 2025, the highest monthly number for the airport since December 2019.

"We're super excited to see that our numbers are going back to pre-pandemic travel levels," Parks said.

Parks also said the new course provides the airport and the community an advantage.

"The program being here at the airport is going to bring more attention on the airport, it's going to increase the number of flights with all the flight training that will be occurring with MACC," Parks said. "It's also going to increase the number of operations here at the airport."

However, MACC's course is not the only new addition that the airport is working on. Parks spoke on current and future renovation projects at the airport, such as new parking, refurbished roads and updated signage.

The airport also plans to to move administration and TSA offices into a new building, which is in the last stages of construction. The old offices were in another old airport terminal building, which will either be repurposed or destroyed. That building will also serve as a new remodeled rental car facility, and it is set to be completed in mid-November.

"We have a lot of momentum at the airport right now, and I see that in the future as well," Parks said.
FILE - The Columbia Environmental Research Center is a part of the U.S. Geological Survey.
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Pat Flynn

A cargo aircraft was forced to return to Shannon Airport on Thursday morning after the crew declared an emergency, reporting a technical issue off the Irish Coast.

The Star Air Boeing 767-219 cargo jet, operating as flight SRR-9232, left Shannon at around 10:15am en route to Cologne in Germany.

It is understood that the aircraft had been in Shannon for maintenance and was positioning to Cologne at the time. There were two crew members on board.

Soon after the flight had crossed the Wexford coast, the crew issued a Pan-pan radio call. A Pan-pan indicates an urgency on board but is not as serious as a May-day.

The flight had reached its cruising altitude of 35,000 feet over St Georges Channel, northwest of Fishguard in Wales when the crew made a U-turn.

The flight crew reported they had received a cockpit indication that alerted them to a possible issue with the aircrafts main cargo door.

The crew told air traffic controllers that the alarm indicated the cargo door was unsafe. The flight was cleared to turn around and descend to 9,000 feet.

At Shannon, the airports Fire and Rescue Service was alerted and crews were mobilised to holding points along the runway head of the jets arrival.

Shortly before landing, the flight crew cancelled their Pan-pan message and confirm that all operations were 'normal'.

The flight landed safely at 11:09am and was followed down the runway by airport fire crews. Accompanied by fire vehicles, the aircraft returned to the maintenance hangar it had originally departed from.
By Declan Brennan

A gambling addict used fake documents to borrow thousands from a Credit Union, which he then gambled away, a court has heard.

Karl Keogh (38) used a fake Virgin Media utility bill, fake pay slips, and a fake Irish driving licence to open an account and borrow 19,000 from the Ballygall credit union in Ballymun, Dublin city centre.

The crimes came to light when the account moved into arrears and no repayments had been made on the loans.

Keogh of Marewood Crescent, Ballymun, Dublin, pleaded guilty to stealing 19,000 from the Ballygall Credit Union, Ballymun on April 4th, 2021. He also pleaded guilty to using a false instrument contrary to Theft and Fraud Offences Act, 2001 on April 8th, 2021.

Pieter Le Vert, defending, said his client had a terrible gambling problem and had built up a debt. He said when he got the money from the credit union he chased the loss by gambling the money and ended up with nothing.

He told the court that the documentation wasn't very well done. He used a fake Virgin Media bill to open the account and another fake Virgin Media bill, with a different address but the same figures on it, for the loan application.

Judge Martin Nolan that this was a serious matter and imposed a prison term of 20 months.
A LAOIS MACE store has won an award for Excellence in Fresh Food Retailing in a Forecourt at the Checkout National Grocery Retail Awards 2025.

Dermot Mulhalls MACE Mountrath was presented at a ceremony held in the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Dublin, on Thursday, 21 October last.

The National Grocery Retail Awards highlight best in class performance in retailing and honour those who help Irelands pioneering stores and retail outlets achieve levels of service and product excellence that set them apart from their competitors.

Keith Crawford, MACE Sales Director said of the win, This is a fabulous achievement and well deserving acknowledgement of the outstanding service MACE Mountrath provides to their customers. Dermot is a wonderful example of how MACE retailers go over and above for their customers, and I congratulate Dermot and the whole team on receiving this award. The National Grocery Retail Awards are one of the most eagerly anticipated events in the Irish grocery retail calendar and those honoured are recognised as being true industry standard bearers.
Ottoline Spearman

The number of rental homes covered by the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) has plunged again.

Just 24 properties were available within HAP limits across 16 parts of the country last in September, a 25 per cent drop since June.

The Simon Communities of Ireland's latest report found that Dublin had nearly all of the available homes - 21 of the 24 - while Sligo and Leitrim had the lowest number.

In Dublin, the discretionary rate allows up to an additional 50 per cent on the standard rate; this is limited to 35 per cent elsewhere.

Just two of the 13 areas outside of Dublin had properties available to rent within any HAP limits. These included Dundalk (one property) and Kildare (two properties).

There were no HAP properties available in 11 of the 16 areas  these include Athlone, Cork City Centre, Cork City Suburbs, Galway City Suburbs, Galway City Centre, Co Leitrim, Limerick City Suburbs, Limerick City Centre, Sligo Town, Portlaoise, and Waterford City Centre.

Six areas saw a reduction in the number of HAP properties available since the June 2025 report. These include Dublin City Centre (one property), Dundalk (two properties), Galway City Suburbs (one property), Galway City Centre (one property), Kildare (two properties), and Limerick City Suburbs (one property).

The report found 833 properties were available to rent at any price within the 16 areas surveyed - a 26 per cent reduction from the 1,119 properties available in the September 2024 Locked Out report.

Ber Grogan, Executive Director at the Simon Communities of Ireland, said: The rental sector continues to fail those reliant on social housing supports in the private rental sector yet again.

"People on lower incomes simply cannot access affordable rental homes."

Mr Grogan said that the Simon Communities of Ireland had hoped that Budget 2026 would take meaningful steps to address homelessness, but that "it remains to be seen if the measures announced will make any tangible difference to people."

"Unless developers and landlords are obligated to provide social and affordable homes, thousands will continue to experience the trauma of homelessness," he said.

He welcomed the news that a review into HAP has commenced, but said "without an immediate uplift in line with market rents, the private rental sector will continue to be a main driver of people being forced into homelessness.

Speaking on Newstalk, Dermot McCann from the Simon Communities of Ireland said HAP doesn't meet the rent requirements of landlords: "A larger percentage of landlords are no longer taking people with the HAP support scheme because it doesn't meet the rent requirements that they have.

"There are less properties out there available to homeless people to avail of through the HAP scheme."

For more information on the HAP scheme, visit www.hap.ie.
Times Staff Writer

In 1995, Jeffrey Chandler decided to break with tradition and expose a family schism. A member of the large, extended and very private family that owned the Los Angeles Times, he had come to believe that the newspaper had become far too liberal under the control of his cousin, Otis Chandler.

It was time for The Times to return to its conservative roots, Chandler and his sister, Corinne Werdel, told Forbes magazine. We have the inmates running the asylum, Werdel said. Theyre so far out in left field.

The siblings were especially upset with the papers coverage of gay rights and AIDS. This is a mainstream paper, and the homosexual population is 1% to 1.5%, Jeffrey Chandler said. When you start featuring these kinds of stories the way The Times does ... my God, youve got a campaign going on here.

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Not much came of the complaints, or of a study the two reportedly commissioned around the same time. Never made public, the study, by a consulting firm, is said to have argued that the paper should adopt a more conservative stance, modeling itself after publications such as the National Review, the Weekly Standard and the Wall Street Journal. Werdel and her brother had limited power then to influence the paper or its parent company, Times Mirror Co.

Today, Jeffrey Chandler, 64, is at the center of power within the Chandler family, which sold Times Mirror six years ago to Tribune Co. of Chicago. As one of three family representatives on the Tribune board, he is a key player in the Chandlers fight to force the sale or breakup of the giant media company and could ultimately help determine the future of the Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Tribune, the Baltimore Sun, Newsday, KTLA-TV and other Tribune properties.

Like most Chandlers, he keeps a low profile -- the Forbes interview was a rare exception -- and declined to be interviewed for this article. But his ascent says a great deal about how much has changed -- and, in a sense, stayed the same -- within a family that was once considered the most powerful in Southern California and even today is capable of shaking up the newspaper and financial world.

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The second-largest shareholders of Tribune, the Chandlers have challenged a management plan to buy back 25% of the companys shares and cut $200 million in expenses. In regulatory filings, they have declared the Tribune-Times Mirror deal a failure and accused management of strategic missteps that have been disastrous to investors.

The descendants of pioneering Times publishers Harry Chandler and Gen. Harrison Gray Otis, his father-in-law, have earned a reputation for single-minded dedication to financial success, with a willingness to act boldly, even ruthlessly, to achieve it -- sometimes without regard for the welfare of the newspapers that created their family fortunes.

Tribune Chairman and Chief Executive Dennis J. FitzSimons remarked Tuesday that the Chandlers were acting out of self-interest, at the expense of other stockholders, a comment that echoed a statement by independent members of the Tribune board.

It was not the first time the Chandlers had been accused of brazen self-interest, a recurring theme throughout the familys long history as business titans and power brokers in Southern California. Author David Halberstam once wrote that The Times, the familys flagship, was ancillary to the essential cause of the Chandlers, which was commercial profit and commercial expansion.

David Laventhol doesnt mince words about the Chandlers, the lead characters in a book he is writing about Times Mirror.

I tell people, It has such a simple story line,  said the former publisher of The Times and president of Times Mirror.  Theyre interested in their money, and thats it. 

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The same could be said of many business owners and investors, of course. Businesses are supposed to make money. And some who know the Chandlers say it is unfair to generalize.

You cant paint them with one brush, because some of them are very philanthropic, and very generous and communityinvolved, said Steve Meier, a former Times Mirror executive who heads the Pfaffinger Foundation, which was established in 1936 to help Times employees in need.

But neither that nor the fact that the concerns Jeffrey Chandler expressed in Forbes were essentially journalistic have doused a widespread perception that the Chandlers are more interested in money than in the fate or quality of the publications that have made them rich.

The thing is, said Alex Jones, author of books about the families that built the New York Times and the Courier-Journal of Louisville, Ky., if youre going to have a family-owned newspaper thats going to last multi generations, its got to be something that the family draws psychic income from, not just monetary income. Thats what the Sulzbergers have at the New York Times. Thats what the Grahams have at the Washington Post.

The Chandlers, he said, appeared to lack that sense of journalistic mission, and the sale of the family newspapers was an economic, not an emotional, consideration.

The fact that the Chandlers havent mentioned the quality of journalism in their criticisms of Tribune speaks volumes, he added.

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The Chandlers at the center of the current dispute represent branches of the family that were effectively marginalized for several decades after Otis Chandler took over as publisher of The Times in 1960, leapfrogging his uncle Philip Chandler, who had been viewed as the heir apparent once Otis father stepped down.

Otis Chandler, who died in February, dramatically remade a parochial, right-wing newspaper into a respected product with a global reach and a more centrist bent. He also made it much more profitable.

But Otis Chandler alienated many in his deeply conservative family, consisting of the eight children of grandfather Harry Chandler and their descendants.

Chief among those who had reason to resent Otis was Philip Chandler, who not only lost his place in the line of succession but also suffered the humiliation of seeing the paper print a lengthy investigation of the conservative John Birch Society, of which he was a prominent supporter.

The Chandler saga can seem almost Shakespearean at times, no less than in this instance: Jeffrey Chandler, who was just 18 when Otis Chandler became publisher, is Philip Chandlers son.

Otis Chandler stepped down as publisher in 1980, and over the ensuing two decades, his cousins seized the opportunity to reassert control over Times Mirror. Otis Chandler quit, or was pushed off, the governing board of the Chandler family trusts, which serves as the familys power center, after deriding his relatives as right-wing coupon clippers in a 1996 interview with Vanity Fair magazine. In the same article, he also referred to the study commissioned by his cousins and said: If we turned the paper into the far Christian right, as they would like us to, wed be out of business in a year, if not sooner.

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Although seats on the board generally pass from generation to generation, none of Otis children was ever given a place.

Nor do they occupy any of the familys Tribune board seats. In addition to Jeffrey Chandler, those seats are held by his cousin Roger Goodan and family attorney William Stinehart Jr.

The official Tribune biography identifies Jeffrey Chandler, who lives north of San Diego in Rancho Santa Fe, as one of the states largest avocado growers.

Goodan, 60, of Bow, Wash., who has spent his career working for an oil-field service company, is known as a sharp business executive. He is the grandson of May Chandler Goodan, one of Harry Chandlers daughters.

Of all the Chandler daughters, May Goodan was probably the most reasonable and moderate, said author Dennis McDougal, who studied the Chandler family in researching his book Privileged Son: Otis Chandler and the Rise and Fall of the L.A. Times Dynasty. She had a reputation for being a voice of logic on the family board when she was a participant. And Roger seemed to have that same kind of reasonable nature.

Stinehart, 62, of Brentwood, is the latest in a series of lawyers who came from the Los Angeles firm of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher to serve as the Chandlers family attorney, a position that gives him a seat on the board of the Chandler family trusts. He was pivotal in drafting the sale to Tribune, which was done with such secrecy that neither Otis Chandler nor Mark H. Willes, then the chairman and CEO of Times Mirror, was aware of the deal until it was done.

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Like Jeffrey Chandler, Goodan and Stinehart declined to be interviewed for this story. Sorry, I dont comment, Stinehart said before hanging up on a reporter.

It is not clear how much communication the three board members have with the 100-plus other beneficiaries of the Chandler trusts, or to what extent the family is in agreement about their course. A half a dozen other Chandler descendants either declined to comment or didnt return phone calls from The Times. Warren Spud Williamson, the chairman of the Chandler family trusts, hung up on a reporter without waiting to hear why he was calling.

They do not like the media, they do not like the press, they do not like the Los Angeles Times, said Laventhol, the former publisher. Particularly, they do not like the Los Angeles Times.

The Chandlers say their dispute with Tribune is rooted in the companys dismal financial performance over the last several years. Tribune executives say the dispute is about taxes.

The tax issue centers on the treatment of two partnerships formed by the Chandlers and Times Mirror in the late 1990s.

The partnerships, known as TMCT I and TMCT II (with the initials standing for Times Mirror Chandler Trust), were formed to allow the family to diversify its assets -- then consisting largely of Times Mirror stock -- without selling the shares outright, a transaction that would have resulted in a large tax bill.

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Because of their elaborate financial structure, the partnerships stand in the way of efforts to break up Tribune through a spinoff of broadcasting interests or other steps. To do so would require unwinding the partnerships, resulting in a tax liability for Tribune of as much as $70 million.

FitzSimons, speaking in New York on Tuesday, noted that Tribune had been hit with a $1- billion tax bill last year, the result of a failed tax-avoidance strategy by Times Mirror.

The company has no intention of assuming any additional tax liability, he said. He added that the disagreement with the Chandlers is not so much about strategy as it is about economics and tax risk.

The Chandlers have a long history of antipathy toward taxes, as do many people in their rarefied tax bracket. They also are known for structuring deals that give them maximum income, which was a goal of the TMCT partnerships. When they have sold assets, such as the cable systems and TV stations that Times Mirror sold in the 1990s, they have pushed for aggressive tax advantages that have been challenged by other shareholders.

They are so greedy, said one former Times Mirror executive, Peter Fernald, who retired in 1984 as vice president for planning and development. What they wanted was to constantly increase the dividends so they could live better.

Fernald said he believed the constant push for higher dividends hurt Times Mirror by depleting its assets, leading the Chandlers ultimately to strike a deal with Tribune.

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Their battle now with Tribune pits the heirs of Gen. Harrison Gray Otis against the corporate legacy of Col. Robert R. McCormick, the former Tribune publisher. The two men had a great deal in common. Both were bombastic conservatives who loathed labor unions, believed passionately in the future of their respective cities and mistrusted East Coast liberals.

Oddly, although Tribune wound up owning Times Mirror, it is the descendants of Gen. Otis and his Chandler son-in-law who have a greater influence on the corporation today than does the McCormick family.

Kristie Miller, a historian who lives in a Washington suburb, was the last descendant of Tribunes pioneering family to sit on the companys board of directors. She stepped down in 2001, in part, she said, because she believed that the Chandlers, with their family connection to newspapers, would have the same feeling about their paper as I had about mine -- in other words, that it was part of the family legacy and they would want to do nothing to dishonor it.

In a telephone interview, she said she didnt know whether the Chandlers had acted as she had hoped.

Its hard to know whats going on, she said. Its like trying to figure out whats going on in someone elses marriage.

Miller, McCormicks great-niece, said she still owned a substantial amount of Tribune stock, as does her mother, and took an interest, although not an obsessive one, in the dispute with the Chandlers. She also retains a sensibility about the newspaper business that the Chandlers, other than Otis Chandlers children, dont commonly express in public.

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Ive always said were not making soap flakes, she said. I think its a very special kind of business, and one that has a mission that is beyond making money, and its a privilege to be associated with an enterprise of that nature.

Times staff writer Michael A. Hiltzik contributed to this report.
The accident happened at Broadway and Delaware Avenue involving a Jeep Wagoneer and Toyota Camry, police said. Both vehicles were towed from the scene after the morning crash. Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com

A driver and passenger were hurt when two vehicles collided Thursday morning on a Fountain Hill street, police said.

Borough Police Detective Richard Krasley told lehighvalleylive.com, the accident happened just before 10 a.m. at Broadway and Delaware Avenue. The collision involved a Jeep Wagoneer and a Toyota Camry.

An adult driver and adult passenger were injured and taken to an area hospital for treatment, Krasley said. Conditions were unavailable Thursday afternoon.

Its unclear whether the injured occupants were in the Jeep or the Camry.

Both vehicles were disabled and towed from the scene, Krasley said.

Its also unclear what led up to the crash. The incident remains under investigation by the Fountain Hill Police Department.
A view of Lennox Elementary School in Pompton Lakes in Passaic County, where a teacher was accused of taping a student's head to a desk. Google Maps

A Pompton Lakes teacher accused of taping a 9-year-olds head to a desk for nearly an hour has agreed to give up his New Jersey teaching license, according to state officials.

Todd Lewis, 58, of Wayne, agreed to surrender his teaching license in August, according to documents filed by the New Jersey State Board of Examiners, the state board that oversees teacher licenses.

Lewis was arrested in December after investigators said he placed masking tape around the back of a students neck to secure the child to a desk for approximately 40 to 50 minutes on Oct. 30.

Lewis declined an NJ Advance Media request to comment on his case or his teaching license.

A 67-year-old teachers aide from Pompton Lakes  who worked alongside Lewis at Lenox Elementary School in Passaic County  was also in the room when the childs head was taped to the desk, prosecutors said.

The aide was charged with fourth-degree abuse and neglect of children.

District officials said both the teacher and the aide were placed on administrative leave in December pending the outcome of court proceedings.

We want to assure our parents, students, staff and school community that we are working very closely with law enforcement to guarantee the safety and security of our students, district Superintendent Paul Amoroso said in a statement at the time.

Lewis was originally charged last year with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, a charge that could carry a sentence of up to 10 years.

According to court records, Lewis charges were later reduced to fourth-degree abuse and neglect of children.

The Passaic County Prosecutors Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the case.

In July, Lewis was assigned to a 12-month Pretrial Intervention, or PTI, program that allows first-time offenders to avoid trial on the condition that they meet certain requirements, which can include community service, counseling or restitution.

The teachers aide was given about seven months in the same program.

Both cases will be dismissed if Lewis and the teachers aide successfully complete the programs requirements.
Laois is the birthplace of a beautifully timeless white embroidery craft that is 200 years old this year, and it is getting a big celebration in its own renovated museum.

The Mountmellick Embroidery and Heritage Museum is inviting the public to share in a Bicentennial Celebration of Irish White on White Embroidery with a day of free talks and exhibits of items normally stored away.

Mountmellick Work as it is known worldwide, is the only embroidery style from the nineteenth century that is entirely Irish in origin and design.

It was introduced by the Mountmellick Quaker Johanna Carter in 1825, with designs inspired by the flora and fauna along the banks of the Owenass river.

The craft was later practiced by local women as a cottage industry, bringing them much needed income.

The late Sister Teresa Margaret McCarthy singlehandedly revived the tradition in the 1970s by teaching it to schoolgirls, and today the work is carried on by local craft workers who give tutorials in the museum, located in the MDA building.

Sr Teresa Margaret's hands embroidering a piece of Mountmellick Work in the 1970s. Photo: Mountmellick Museum

Frank Fennelly is a volunteer with the museum.

This bicentennial is a powerful testament to the skill, artistry, and enduring legacy of our unique 'white on white' Embroidery, he said.

Mountmellick Museum also has a smart new website, bringing its past bang up to date for worldwide crafters, who regularly travel to Ireland for personal tutorials on Mountmellick Work.

This commemoration also marks the official launch of the museums new dedicated website. The new website will allow us to promote the museum to a wider global audience. It will also greatly enhance our visitor experience by providing a seamless way to book tours of the museum in advance, Frank said.

The day's programme will start at 10am and will feature a series of fascinating speeches exploring the crafts history, preservation, and contemporary relevance.

The line-up of speakers includes local Historian Roy Meredith who will be speaking on the history of Mountmellick Embroidery.

Alex Ward and Lorna Rowley from the National Museum of Ireland will give a presentation titled Mountmellick embroidery in the National Museum of Ireland - the collection and its care.

Clodagh Grubb will give a talk on The Quaker heritage of needlework.

It will be followed by Mountmellick Embroidery master craftsperson Dolores Dempsey, speaking about contemporary styles with her presentation Mountmellick Embroidery today and into the future.

Contemporary dresses in Mountmellick Work by designers Caroline Mitchell and Heidi Higgins.

Marking the occasion, the museum will also display contemporary pieces of Mountmellick embroidery and several Quaker Samplers which are not normally exhibited at the Museum.

Read also: Spooky festival in Laois this weekend

The event will take place this weekend, on Saturday, November 1, at the Mountmellick Embroidery & Heritage Museum, in the MDA building, Irishtown, Eircode R32 A0PK, which also has a restaurant and ample parking spaces with a playground across the road.

Admission is free, however booking is essential to secure a place. Tickets on Eventbrite:shorturl.at/HRoln
A Leinster Express reporter has won a national media award, in recognition of her contribution to water safety awareness.

Lynda Kiernan, news reporter with the Leinster Express / Laois Live was honoured with the Regional Press Award by at the National Awards Ceremony 2025 of Water Safety Ireland.

Ms Kiernan from The Rock, Mountmellick was given the award for her article This One Tip for Laois Swimmers and Dippers could Save a Life. It included an interview with two volunteers in Water Safety Ireland Laois, Peter Quinn and Stephen O'Toole at the Laois Live Well Expo 2025.

The award was presented to her by Roger Sweeney, Deputy CEO, Water Safety Ireland and Jerry Buttimer Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, in a ceremony in O'Reilly Hall at UCD on Tuesday, October 21.

MC and RTE star Sile Seoige read out the award citation.

"Water Safety Ireland is pleased to recognise Lynda Kiernan of the Leinster Express for her outstanding local reporting on water safety. Her article highlighting a simple yet powerful tip for swimmers and dippers in Laois - to always know your location and never go alone - brought critical safety guidance directly to community readers. Through clear, grounded writing and a focus on real-life local contexts, Lynda's work helps change attitudes and protects lives right where it matters most".

Ms Kiernan is a regular dipper in Derryounce Lakes, Portarlington.

"This was a lovely surprise, I was humbled to see such inspiring people at the awards who risked their lives to save others. A big thanks to Water Safety Laois for imparting their advice to me at their information stand at the Laois Live Well Expo. I find swimming outdoors is wonderful for my mental health, but I always wear a float and go with a friend," she said.

Read also: 'Very heavy heart' popular Laois beauty salon to close

The other Laois recipients were; Padraic Dolan, Laois Marlins who won the Des Kenny award, and his swim group who won the Rescue Appreciation Award. Gda Sergeant Paul O'Shea who won a WSI Lifesaving Bravery Award, and Sylvia Thompson, Irish Times who won the National Press Award.

Awards were presented to a total of 73 individuals who between them had saved over 50 people from drowning in the past year.

Full reports and photographs in next Tuesday's Leinster Express newspaper.
Left-wing independent candidate Catherine Connolly has a significant lead in the Irish presidential election, according to a poll published on the eve of voting day.

The Irish Independent/Ireland Thinks poll puts support for Ms Connolly on 40%, ahead of Fine Gael hopeful Heather Humphreys at 25%.

Ireland will head to polling stations on Friday to cast votes in the election.

The count will begin on Saturday morning with a declaration expected at Dublin Castle later that day.

Speaking about the strong opinion poll performance on Thursday, Ms Connolly said: Its wonderful for my team but we take absolutely nothing for granted.

She told reporters at St Annes National School in Co Roscommon: I would appeal to everyone to come out and vote.

To be president of Ireland is an absolute privilege and I leave that to the people of Ireland.

On the final full day of campaigning, she focused on the west of Ireland. At the primary school in Castlerea students put on Irish dancing displays and performed a number of songs, including Irelands Call, for the presidential hopeful.

Her next stop was Robert Flynn, a 200-year old grocery store in the town centre where packets of porridge fill the shelves alongside live goldfish and ammunition belts.

The 87-year-old shopkeeper, Tom Flynn, was so confident of Fridays result he told Ms Connolly it was the first time we ever have the president of Ireland here.

Ms Humphreys took her campaigning to Sligo and Donegal on Thursday in a bid to convince voters she should take over from outgoing President Michael D Higgins.

She said: It is so important we get that vote out tomorrow. Because I dont believe one bit in those polls, dont mind those polls. Tomorrow is the poll.

Fine Gael leader and Irish deputy premier Simon Harris gave a particular appeal to people from other political traditions to lend their vote to Ms Humphreys as he joined her for canvassing, adding: She wont let you down.

Speaking at an event in Donegal, he said: The polls said Michael D Higgins was never going to be president  he won the election, he won twice and he did a very good job.

Tomorrow, were going to defy all the sceptics, and were going to elect Heather Humphreys the 10th president of Ireland  but only with your help.

Earlier, at the Irish Country Living Women and Agriculture Conference in Rosses Point, Ms Humphreys told local media that she had a great campaign, adding: One thing I have learned is that we have a wonderful country and we should be very proud of it.

Fianna Fail candidate Jim Gavin, despite declaring weeks ago that he has withdrawn from the race, will remain on the ballot paper and placed at 7% in the latest opinion poll.

The combined number of people who said they were undecided, would not vote or would spoil their vote was 28%.

When they are removed, Ms Connolly holds 55% of the vote, with Ms Humphreys on 35%.

Ireland uses a system of transferable votes in elections but if the margin between Ms Humphreys and Ms Connolly cannot be closed with Mr Gavins votes, a winner will be known after the first count.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has shared an update regarding the development of a new community nursing facility at St Vincents Hospital in Athy.

Back in August of 2023, a number of Kildare-based politicians welcomed the granting of planning permission for a 92-bed community nursing unit in Athy.

And now, a new update has been released by the HSE in relation to the project.

Kildare South TD Mark Wall shared the update yesterday (Wednesday, October 22 last) in his opening address to a symposium on quality and patient safety in St Vincents Hospital.

During this event, which was organised by the hospital, Deputy Wall said: "This proposed new facility will provide over 7,000 square metres of floor area, including single-storey dementia wards over a phased build, and will see the demolition of the current five single-storey prefab wings that are attached to the existing protected structure.

"This project will be completed in two phases, with the 48-bed unit to the rear of the site to be delivered as part of the first construction phase, while phase two will entail a further 44 beds including two ten-bed dementia units and three associated courtyards over one and two storeys."

READ NEXT: Kildare/Carlow gardai announce 'significant' October bank holiday weekend enforcement campaign

He continued: "In the most recent update I have received from the HSE, I have been informed that the preparation of the final tenders for the first phase continues.

"It is hoped that construction will begin in the first half of 2026, with phase one to take 18 months of construction. I have been also informed that some preparation work will hopefully be carried out in the coming months once the new day care centre is complete."

The Labour Party politician went on to say that St Vincents Hospital "has been at the heart of delivering exceptional care" for older people in Athy since 1844.

He elaborated: "So many people hold St Vincents in high regard, and it is a source of pride to the people of Athy that this wonderful facility is located in the town.

"These latest developments are most welcome and will only further enhance the exceptional care provided to older people at St Vincents."

Deputy Wall concluded: "This new community nursing facility points also to a wider need for a National Dementia Register, and I welcome the recent announcement by Minister of State for Older People Kieran ODonnell on the commencement of implementing such a register; this will help improve dementia care in Ireland and will keep the vision of Slaintecare alive."

Mark Wall TD also made headlines around two weeks ago when he called for the provision of an hourly train service in Athy.

TD for Kildare South Mark Wall (Labour Party). File photograph

READ NEXT: Cash and personal items stolen from car in North Kildare
A Kildare politician says that closing borders will help ease homelessness.

Newbridge independent councillor Tom McDonnell said his suggestion is an obvious one to do.

READ NEXT Suncream causes cancer claim by Kildare politician is hotly disputed

He told a Kildare County Council meeting that 2.3 million PPS numbers had been allocated to people coming into Ireland since 2001.

He was referring to a call by Social Democrats councillor Nuala Killeen for a forthcoming plan to tackle homelessness by the Mid East Region (which embraces Kildare, Meath and Wicklow) to provide meaningful action on youth homelessness (with) an action plan, timeframe and meaningful consultation with young people.

She said if this happens the case for money to be provided to deal with the issue will be made stronger.

Cllr Chris Pender disputed Cllr McDonnell's figures saying I hardly think theyre accurate (Cllr McDonnell said the figures came from the Central Statistics Office).

Cllr Pender said accurate data is needed to find a way to deal with homelessness.

According to KCC official Annette Aspell the Mid East Regions 2027-2029 homelessness action plan will contain clear targets and timelines for achievement, while integrating the measures to ensure that the actions set out in the governments housing action plan are addressed and incorporated in the targets.

Ms Aspell said the plan will continue to align with the aims of the Youth homelessness strategy and will be informed by statistical data and collaboration between KCC, Tusla,

the HSE and youth-focused organisations who are actively involved in delivering services to young people experiencing homelessness, including care leavers and those aged 18-24.
A total of 24 people were arrested on Wednesday evening during violent riots at the Citywest Hotel in Dublin following a sexual assault on a 10 year-old girl in the early hours of Monday morning.

17 adults have been charged with public order offences and are due to appear before Court 3 at the Criminal Courts of Justice, Parkgate Street, this Thursday morning, at 10:30am.

READ NEXT: 'I scammed the scammer' - Irish man tracks down imposter who used his account to scam others

Five minors, who have since been released and will be dealt with under the Youth Diversion Programme while two other adult males arrested were released without charge, with files being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Three members of Gardai were injured and two were taken to the hospital for medical treatment. One Garda was struck on the head by a bottle while the other Garda sustained a shoulder injury.

During the course of last nights operation 15 scooters and e-bikes were seized.

READ NEXT: Jozef Puska's family members jailed for withholding information and burning murderer's clothes

Hundreds of people gathered near the entrance of a hotel housing asylum seekers in an area on the west side of the capital on Wednesday evening.

It was the third night of demonstrations at Citywest following an alleged sexual assault on a 10-year-old girl in the vicinity of the hotel in the early hours of Monday morning.

A 26-year-old man, who cannot be named because of rules that apply to all sexual assault cases in the Republic of Ireland, appeared in court on Tuesday charged over the alleged incident.

Justice Minister Jim OCallaghan said "many have been arrested" on Wednesday and "more will follow".
Louise Power, a mum-of-two, was diagnosed with MS ten years ago following the birth of her second child, though her symptoms began years earlier.

The MS Ireland ambassador living in Ballina with multiple sclerosis has called for more awareness of hidden disabilities so that people in counties like Leitrim with hidden conditions like hers do not feel stigmatised.

Now she is encouraging families, schools, book clubs, workplaces and groups of all ages across Leitrim to get on board and support the annual MS Readathon, which runs from November 1 to December 15.

Fatigue, pain and muscle weakness, as well as muscle spasms and brain fog, are among the symptoms Ms Power experiences and on some days she needs a walking aid for mobility.

READ MORE: 'It was a very worrying few hours for the family concerned' - house nearly floods after Storm Amy

I participated in the MS Readathon in school in the early 90s  I had no idea what MS was at the time, but I was really driven by the idea that my reading and raising money would help someone else out there, she said.

She said that while her condition is debilitating and impacts many aspects of her life, by linking in with a community worker from MS Ireland, engaging with physiotherapy services and talking to other people living with it, her quality of life improved.

The services were a game changer and made me feel like Im not on my own  for me it was like a hug I didnt know I needed, said the Mayo-based mum.

If you are newly diagnosed, no matter what age you are, a simple conversation with someone walking the same path means you can breathe that little bit easier.

I owe a lot to MS Ireland in terms of the support they give me and the awareness they spread about the illness  with everything from physiotherapy and community groups to simple guides to help kids understand MS, helping make life a little easier.

READ MORE: Push for Council to help grow and expand popular Leitrim annual cycling event

One of Irelands longest-running charity events, the MS Readathon has inspired a love of reading among young people across the country for the past 39 years.

After registering at msreadathon.ie, participants are encouraged to read as many books as possible between November 1 and December 15, while seeking sponsorship from family and friends.

These funds help support over 11,000 people living with MS and their families, according to MS chief executive, Ava Battles.

We are looking for schools throughout Ireland to sign up for MS Readathon and use our support materials to set reading challenges for pupils that will inspire their imaginations and create a positive habit that can last a lifetime, she said.

And its not just schools that share the joy of the MS Readathon  families, book clubs, workplaces and groups of all ages will be helping us to raise vital funds for essential services for the MS community in Ireland.

For more information on how to register, go to www.msreadathon.ie.
Assistant Mines Minister Carlos Edison-Tingban (center) poses with members of the Gold and Diamond Brokers Union following a day-long technical discussion on the new fee structure and digital monitoring system at the Ministry of Mines and Energy in Monrovia.
Officials of the General Auditing Commission (GAC) and the House of Representatives Speaker and Deputy Koon and Thomas Fallah pose after the entry meeting marking the start of the Legislatures first system audit.
When the minerals finish will Liberia be left with just big holes in the Ground?
EAMONN Leavy has big shoes to fill as he is following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather at the helm of a Limerick city centre shoe store established 75 years ago.

Leavys Shoes was started by Brian Leavy in 1950 in Patrick Street. He and wife Sadie ran the store for decades before handing it over to son Thomas who joined 1973.

Together, Thomas and Catherine broadened the brand mix, strengthened supplier relationships and developed the William Street and O'Connell Street stores.

READ NEXT: Interactive signs to provide support for people visiting Limerick this Christmas

The time has come for Thomas Leavy to begin to take a step back from day-to-day duties - while remaining closely involved - with son Eamonn the latest Leavy to run the show.

Eamonn said they will be bringing their two city centre stores together at its OConnell Street flagship to create a larger, better-stocked destination. It will result in the closure of the store at 15 William Street in coming weeks.

Eamonn said the change is about serving customers better and its a chance to bring new homes back into the heart of the city.

The William Street premises will be brought to market by Rooney Auctioneers as a prime city-centre site with potential for quality residential accommodation.

With everything under one roof in Leavys Shoes, OConnell Street, Eamonn hopes the closure of 15 William Street will mean a roof over the heads of people in the heart of the city.

Gordon Kearney, Managing Director of Rooney Auctioneers, said its an interesting building because it's got a corner profile - Chapel Street and William Street (pictured below).

This can be very attractive for a commercial business, such as another retailer or coffee shop. It has three upper floors which are situated in the Living Cities Initiative area, which provide attractive tax incentives that have been enhanced in the recent budget.

"It allows someone to redevelop the upper floors into residential accommodation, said Mr Kearney. Price is available on application.

He has noticed a trend developing of the upper floors of buildings he has sold being converted into residential accommodation.

It is bringing great life back into the city centre, he said.

Both Mr Kearney and Eamonn Leavy have both noticed increased footfall in the city centre in recent times.

You can see the difference Verizons 400 or 500 staff have made. There's other officers that have opened up with 20, 30, 40, 50 people and we're seeing that net effect of footfall on the streets.

I was in town last Saturday and there were great crowds of people out shopping and eating and the whole place looked very well. The city is moving on an upward trajectory. A lot of retailers were delighted with the number of people walking around, said Mr Kearney.

And like his father and grandfather before him, Eamonn Leavy looks forward to supplying all the walkers shoes for many years to come.
THIS PAST weekend, the elegant Limerick Strand Hotel played host to a truly empowering experience, the grand finale of a remarkable three-part conference series led by the incomparable Professor Mary Ryan.

The atmosphere was electric - filled with purpose, passion, and positivity, as women from all walks of life came together to share, learn, and uplift one another.

It was a weekend dedicated to empowering women, not just in spirit, but in health. The focus of these events was hormonal health - before, during, and after menopause, a subject too often left in the shadows.

READ MORE: My Week with Celia Holman Lee: A stylish first at Ireland's Fashion Week

The knowledge shared was invaluable!

There was an undeniable sense of sisterhood, women supporting women, learning from one another, and reclaiming their health and confidence.

For me personally, the weekend held an unforgettable moment.

I was deeply honoured to be presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of my contribution to the fashion industry.

The award presentation was incredibly special, with Marion Murphy Cooney, Caroline Mitchell, Dr Mary Ryan, and Oonagh OHagan, each having played a part in the beautiful presentation.

The award itself was a true work of art, thoughtfully crafted by Gerard Fahy from Loughrea, alongside a stunning Galway Crystal trophy commissioned by the Nenagh Watch Centre.

What made this weekend so unique was its seamless blend of glamour and groundedness, a tribute to beauty not just on the outside, but from within.

XxCelia
THE University of Limerick (UL) has advertised for a new president following the former president's resignation 16 months ago.

Professor Kerstin Mey stepped down from the presidency role in June 2024. She is now working at UL as a Professor of Visual Culture. The Sunday Independent reported on October 19 that Prof Mey lectures for three hours a week in an advanced history subject, earning a 175,000 salary. Her previous annual salary as president was about 225,000.

Prof Mey resigned after students and staff expressed no confidence in her leadership. She had gone on sick leave at the end of March 2024.

A spokesperson said the University of Limericks Governing Authority unanimously supported the appointment of Prof Shane Kilcommins as acting president of UL following the resignation of Prof Kerstin Mey.

READ MORE: Catherine McAuley students celebrate launch of student made learning resource

Representatives of the university appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in October 2024 to answer questions regarding significant overspending on a former Dunnes Stores site in the city centre, housing and a student portal. The PAC were told at that time that Prof Mey was on a paid twelve month sabbatical while also being internally investigated.

Members of the committee were also told that the former president was preparing to return to UL as Professor of Visual Culture of which no course or department existed at the time.

Prof Mey was appointed as interim president in July 2020. She was officially made president of UL and formally appointed at a meeting of the university's governing authority on July 8, 2021.

A spokesperson for the university issued the following statement to the Limerick Leader this Tuesday: Professor Kerstin Mey was appointed vice president and Professor of Visual Culture when she came to UL in 2018. As is standard procedure in higher education, she returned to her role as full professor when she resigned as president.

Professor Mey has a background in visual culture and art history and her role as professor includes teaching commitments, research outputs and administrative contributions. Pay scales for these positions are a matter of public record and are available online. UL does not discuss individual employee details, teaching allocation or scheduling.

According to the advertisement for the position of UL president, the successful candidate must hold extensive experience in governance and working with university councils or boards and have integrity, resilience, and a strong sense of public service.

The future president is described as a visionary leader. They must also be able to demonstrate strong meaningful evidence of a proven ability as an ethical and empathetic, effective, determined and enthusiastic leader and have experience in managing large-scale budgets.

Forvis Mazars, on behalf of UL, invites applications from suitably qualified candidates both nationally and internationally, and will be undertaking a comprehensive recruitment process as part of this recruitment campaign.

Applications should be submitted online and must include: a full CV and covering letter describing how candidates meet the criteria. The closing date for applications is December 1.
WE DO not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.

The famous saying has been taken to heart by Glenroe Tidy Towns who say, We have a duty to return it to the next generation in good order.

They commissioned the Glenroe Community Biodiversity Action Plan, with funding from Community Foundation Ireland.

The Tidy Towns group say now is the time to act.

This plan gives us a roadmap which will guide our actions over the next five years.

The implementation of this plan will give us a greater awareness of the wonderful world we live in and of our role and our ability to improve and preserve this for the future.

MC at the launch - Mary Coffey, chairperson of Glenroe Tidy Towns - welcomed John Scanlan, of Ballyhoura Development, who introduced Sinead McDonnell, Limerick City and County Council.

Ms McDonnell spoke of the proactive work of Glenroe Tidy Towns, the value of the plan and officially launched it.

Veronica Santorum, an ecologist who penned the plan, talked about what she learned from her research and survey. She then described how quickly the stakeholders had commenced potential actions discussed.

Ms Santorum invited stakeholders - farmers, Ann Lyons, Jerry Rea, Dick Lyons and head teacher at Glenroe Community National School, Toni Maguire to share an example of their implementation of actions.

Carmel Fox, Glenroe Tidy Towns, then spoke about the potential for implementation with Darren Barry, Limerick City and County Council, providing information on the Community Climate Fund.

Ms Coffey, chairperson, thanked all who were involved with the project, with special mention for the comprehensive work undertaken by Ms Santorum, and invited all present to take a summary of the biodiversity action plan home with them.

For more pictures, click 'Next'
LIMERICK City and County Council's director general has issued an email to staff and councillors sharing his "disappointment" over comments made by Mayor John Moran on radio.

In a correspondence sent this Thursday which Dr Pat Daly cited as "for internal circulation only" - which has been leaked to Limerick Live - he states: "I want to assure you that I have listened to the interview and I fully understand and share the sense of disappointment that some of the remarks have caused.

In an interview to Live95FM on Wednesday, Mayor Moran gave an overview of the timeline which led to him handing over Christmas in Limerick to Dr Daly.

READ MORE: Limerick councillors back scheme for pet-friendly businesses

He said: "I believe in looking after public money, as I think everyone does, but it's a question of higher standards".

Dr Daly acknowledged in the email that many staff members have been in touch following Mayor Moran's radio interview.

"While it is natural to feel disheartened, it's important we focus our energy on what we do best, that is, serving our community with professionalism, integrity and pride."

"Since June 2024, Limerick City and County Council has undergone a radical transformation. We are pioneers in this space, setting an example for local government nationally. Many of you have taken on additional responsibilities, often at short notice, and have done so with great professionalism and a can-do attitude. Please know that your efforts are seen and deeply appreciated," he wrote.

"The management team is here to support you as we continue to learn and adapt. We remain committed to maintaining a positive, respectful, and productive working environment."

He added: "As we prepare our budget for 2026, this is a good moment to take stock and remind ourselves of the importance of pulling together in the same direction."

"Each of us plays a key role in delivering a better Limerick, for those who live here, work here, invest here, and visit our city and county," the director general wrote, before thanking staff for "your continued professionalism and dedication".

On Live95FM, the directly elected mayor had appeared to criticise a list of proposals which were submitted to him for Christmas in Limerick.

He claimed he received an email with six proposals, short descriptions, and no figures attached to how the budget of 200,000 would be spent.

"I think I was elected to introduce higher standards on this kind of stuff, and be more demanding," he said. "

Elsewhere in the 20-minute long interview, he also said outside of the Christmas offering, he has sent back proposals which he did not feel were "good enough".

Last month, Mayor Moran handed over the control of Christmas in Limerick to Dr Daly, outlining concerns that the proposals were developed too late to be a success, and that public money was at risk.

This did not include a market he was planning for The Crescent area of Limerick, which would have included a partial closure of O'Connell Street. This was to be funded from his own devolved funding.

However, later on, he axed that offering, expressing the same concerns around the timeline.

Limerick City and County Council declined to comment.

The mayor's office has not so far responded to a request for comment.
MAYOR John Moran says he wants to "give it a bit more thought" before formally responding to an email from council director general Dr Pat Daly, in which he shared his "disappointment" over an interview the first citizen gave on local radio.

In a communication marked "for internal circulation only" - revealed by Limerick Live - Dr Daly responded to the interview saying: "I fully understand and share the disappointment that some of the remarks have caused".

Mayor Moran had given a rundown to Live95FM on the preparations for Christmas in Limerick, adding: "I believe in looking after public money, as I think everyone does, but it's a question of higher standards".

READ MORE: Smart Digital founder and influencer Ruth McCourt guest speaker at 2025 Network Ireland Awards

Both the mayor's office and Limerick City and County Council said they would not be commenting on the communication. The mayor's office said it is "an internal matter".

However, contacted directly by Limerick Live this Thursday afternoon, Mayor Moran said: "I think I want to give this a bit of thought. First of all, I am not even in Limerick. I had a meeting at the Department, then I was also at a subsequent event on the construction industry. So I need to get some understanding of what is happening here, and talk to people before I say anything official. I will not make any further comment until I have a fuller understanding of what has been said, and I am fully appraised."

Dr Daly acknowledged in the initial email that many staff members have been in touch following Mayor Moran's radio interview.

"While it is natural to feel disheartened, it's important we focus our energy on what we do best, that is, serving our community with professionalism, integrity and pride."

"Since June 2024, Limerick City and County Council has undergone a radical transformation. We are pioneers in this space, setting an example for local government nationally. Many of you have taken on additional responsibilities, often at short notice, and have done so with great professionalism and a can-do attitude. Please know that your efforts are seen and deeply appreciated," he wrote.

"The management team is here to support you as we continue to learn and adapt. We remain committed to maintaining a positive, respectful, and productive working environment."

He added: "As we prepare our budget for 2026, this is a good moment to take stock and remind ourselves of the importance of pulling together in the same direction."

"Each of us plays a key role in delivering a better Limerick, for those who live here, work here, invest here, and visit our city and county," the director general wrote, before thanking staff for "your continued professionalism and dedication".

On Live95FM, the directly elected mayor had appeared to criticise a list of proposals which were submitted to him for Christmas in Limerick.

He claimed he received an email with six proposals, short descriptions, and no figures attached to how the budget of 200,000 would be spent.

"I think I was elected to introduce higher standards on this kind of stuff, and be more demanding," he said. "

Elsewhere in the 20-minute long interview, he also said outside of the Christmas offering, he has sent back proposals which he did not feel were "good enough".

Last month, Mayor Moran handed over the control of Christmas in Limerick to Dr Daly, outlining concerns that the proposals were developed too late to be a success, and that public money was at risk.

This did not include a market he was planning for The Crescent area of Limerick, which would have included a partial closure of O'Connell Street. This was to be funded from his own devolved funding.

However, later on, he axed that offering, expressing the same concerns around the timeline.
Smart Digital Marketing & PR Agency is marking six years in business this year, and founder Ruth McCourt recently celebrated the milestone with a special honour being named Guest Speaker at the 2025 Network Ireland Roscommon Business Woman of the Year Awards.

The Roscommon native, known for her results driven approach to marketing and communications, shared her journey with an audience of inspiring women and local business leaders. Her story, spanning fashion, digital strategy, PR and entrepreneurship, is a testament to creativity, determination, and a deep connection to her roots.

A Business & Marketing graduate from ATU Galway, Ruth began her career with a fashion blog in the early days of social media, later representing Roscommon in Miss Ireland 2014. Since founding Smart Digital in 2019, she has built a full-service agency that delivers digital strategies, PR campaigns, and creative content across Ireland and Europe.

Smart Digitals client base includes brands in hospitality, retail, travel, furniture, events, and mental health, with a strong emphasis on connecting with audiences through impactful campaigns. Ruths work with long-time Roscommon client G Furniture & Carpets in Galway included launching an ecommerce website that transformed how the business showcases and sells its product range online (www.gfurniture.ie).

Her campaigns have included raising over 150,000 for Helplink Mental Health, running high profile influencer projects, and producing compelling content on her @fashiontruthbyruth Instagram and Facebook Fashion Blog for Irelands West Airport, Athlone Towncentre, Supermacs and other leading Irish brands.

Operating in Roscommon, Galway and Limerick, Smart Digital is recognised for its combination of local insight and national reach. The agency offers everything from event management, content creation and social media strategy to bespoke training, influencer marketing, PR, and ecommerce support.

Network Ireland Roscommon introduced Ruth with the following words:

Ruth McCourt, founder of Smart Digital Marketing & PR Agency, is a proud Roscommon woman whose roots, resilience, and relentless drive have shaped a thriving career in fashion, digital marketing, and public relations Ruth continues to inspire through her commitment to meaningful, results-focused marketing, all while never forgetting where it all started.

Ruth expressed her appreciation for the evening and the chance to reflect on the path that brought her to this point. She extended congratulations to all finalists and winners, saying it was a joy to meet so many incredible women and looking forward to seeing them again in the future.

To learn more about Ruth McCourt and Smart Digital Marketing & PR Agency, visit www.smartdigitalagency.ie or follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

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Mark Zuckerberg spent much of this year poaching employees from rival tech companies including OpenAI, Apple and xAI for his artificial intelligence unit aka Meta's Superintelligence Labs (MSL). Now, in October, the company's Chief AI Officer Alexandr Wang has reportedly told employees that 600 roles from the unit will be cut.

Notably, Meta's newly formed TBD Lab group, which includes many of the highly paid recent hires, has not been hit, according to a Bloomberg report, which cited an internal memo for the details.

MSL has reportedly onboarded 50 staff, including poached employees from Apple, Anthropic, xAI, Google, and OpenAI for packages up to $100 million. Meta spent billions acquiring top talent from around the industry, including a $14.3 billion investment in data labelling startup Scale AI, which led to Wang joining Meta and leading its AI efforts.

Were there signs of an impending layoffs in the hot AI space? A source told Bloomberg that Meta is encouraging the fired workers to apply for jobs in other departments. The person said that the company plans to keep hiring for its AI teams moving forward, as per the report.

But these layoffs were seemingly in the making. On 20 August, the Wall Street Journal reported that Meta had frozen hiring for its AI division. A spokesperson for the company told Reuters that the freeze is part of its basic organisational planning and that Meta is undertaking yearly budgeting and planning exercises.

Layoffs an industry wide trend amid AI? Meta is not alone in its recent layoffs. We look at the other major companies that have cut AI-related roles. Some have also announced layoffs, citing the impact of AI on reshaping the industry.

Google: In September, Google laid off over 200 contractors working on its AI projects, such as Gemini and AI Overviews, as per a Wired report. These employees were training and refining Googles AI systems, sources told the publication. And more recently, Alphabet-owned Google on 2 October reportedly laid off 100 design department employees as part of its ongoing push to accelerate AI. The impacted employees were engaged in data, surveys, and other tools to understand and implement users' behaviour in developing and designing products, according to a CNBC report.

Tata Consultancy Services: Conglomerate Tata Group's tech unit, TCS, has laid off 1% or 6,000 employees globally and plans to cut another 6,000 jobs as part of its restructuring plans and push for AI. Even amid this, on 10 October, TCS announced the launch of an AI experience zone and design studio in London, UK, as part of its restructuring efforts. The plan is to create 5,000 new jobs across Britain in the next three years. Amazon.com: The tech giant plans to lay off close to 15 per cent of its workforce across departments such as human resources and consumer business, among others. Notably, CEO Andy Jassy has been vocal about AI adoption, stating that those who fail to adapt would be left behind. In June, Andy Jassy, in a company memo, wrote, Those who embrace this change, become conversant in AI, help us build and improve our AI capabilities internally and deliver for customers, will be well-positioned to have high impact and help us reinvent the company.

Salesforce: CEO Marc Benioff announced 4,000 job cuts in customer support amid the use of AI tools. Overall, Salesforce has reduced its customer support workforce from 9,000 employees to 5,000 employees.

Accenture: On 8 October, IT consulting firm Accenture announced 11,000 job cuts across its global workforce, amid the company's accelerated AI push.
In a landmark hearing under Britain's new class action style litigation, Apple on October 23 lost a London lawsuit which accused the tech giant of abusing its dominance by charging app developers an unfair 30 per cent commission through the App Store, according to a Reuters report.

The case, heard by the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) ruled that Apple abused its position, shut out competition, and charged excessive and unfair prices from developers. The case was brought to court in early 2025, on behalf of about 20 million (2 crore) iPhone and iPad users in the UK for up to 1.5 billion pounds ($2.01 billion).

Notably, this is the first hearing under Britain's new mass lawsuit regime, and will likely serve as precedence for pending hearings, it added.

Apple loses UK lawsuit over app store commissions: What we know During the hearing, British academic Rachael Kent, who brought the case to the courts, accused Apple of making exorbitant profits by excluding all competition for the distribution of apps and in-app purchases, as per the report.

In its judgement, the CAT stated that Apple had abused its dominant position by shutting out competition in the app distribution market and by charging excessive and unfair prices in the form of the commission which it charges developers, it said.

Further, the court deemed the claimants entitled to damages.

How much damages are to be paid is to be determined in another hearing set for November, as per the report.

How has Apple responded to the ruling? This ruling overlooks how the App Store helps developers succeed and gives consumers a safe, trusted place to discover apps and securely make payments, an Apple spokesperson told Reuters.

Apple added that it would appeal against the ruling, as it takes a flawed view of the thriving and competitive app economy, as per the report.

Notably, the US tech giant is facing increasing pressure from regulators in its home country and Europe over anti-trust charges. Several allegations have been raised over the fees its charges developers. Google is also facing similar charges in Europe and India.
Indias top carmakers have set an ambitious goal of achieving more than half their sales through electric vehicles, hybrids and CNG-fuelled cars by 2030a push that will require them to increase the contribution from cleaner vehicles by up to 10 times over the next five years.

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd and Hyundai Motor India Ltd target EVs, hybrid and CNG vehicles to achieve the goal, while Tata Motors is focusing on EVs and CNG, according to their presentations and disclosures to investors. Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd has previously stated that it aims to reach 30% of sales through EVs by 2030, with no stated plan of introducing hybrid and CNG vehicles yet.

EVs made up about 3%, while hybrids constituted 2% of Indias domestic passenger vehicle sales of 4.3 million units in the fiscal ended March 2025. Compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles contributed 19%, with the remaining 76% coming from petrol and diesel-fuelled internal combustion engine vehicles.

The planned shift is driven by stricter fuel efficiency norms about to be finalized and growing demand for cleaner vehicles. Moreover, central and state governments are offering incentives to EV makers, aiding the transition. Carmakers' projections suggest that the share of CNG vehicles is expected to stabilize, and most of the incremental growth will come from the sales of EVs and hybrids.

As India moves closer to stricter emission norms, the penetration of clean-fuel vehicles such as EVs and hybrids will accelerate rapidly, according to Puneet Gupta, director at S&P Global Mobility. Every technology reaches an inflection point, he said, a stage where adoption triggers a multiplier effect, leading to a surge in sales before the market stabilizes.

Multiple new launches are either underway or in the pipeline across clean and green fuel segments. EV penetration has already touched 5% this fiscal, marking a global inflection point for BEVs (battery electric vehicles), up from just 2.5% last year," Gupta said. With expanding infrastructure and growing consumer confidence, we will soon witness more EV/Hybrids on roads and a steep rise in penetration over the next five years."

Hybrids and EVs

Indias top two carmakers, Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai, are betting that the share of hybrids in their portfolio will either be equal to or greater than that of EVs in this transition to cleaner mobility by 2030, even though the government is offering incentives only for battery-powered transport.

Tata Motors is targeting both EVs and CNG vehicles for now, while Mahindra has laid out plans for rapidly scaling up electric vehicles.

Hyundai expects the Indian car market to grow at an annualized rate of 5.2% by 2030. By then, the companys estimates suggest that the share of EVs in total sales will be 14%, hybrids 14% and CNG at 22%. This means the contribution of EVs in total sales could surge by nearly five times, while that of hybrids could soar by around seven times.

Hyundai Motor Co. president Jose Munoz announced at its India units first investor day on 15 October that the company plans to launch eight hybrid vehicles and five EVS by the financial year 2030.

Also Read | GST reset clouds Indias EV drive

We recently changed our strategy from shift to EV only to a much more hybrid, plug-in hybrid and EV," he said. This change has happened across automotive companies and not just at Hyundai. We saw that the EV market is not growing as much as we expected, for many reasons, and then hybrids have been growing more."

In Hyundais own portfolio, the share of EVs will grow from 1% in FY25 to 17% in FY30, the share of hybrids will grow from 0% to 16% and that of CNG will grow from 13% to 20%, according to the companys projections.

These estimates came more than a fortnight after Tata Motors, in a meeting with analysts, laid out its own roadmap for increasing the share of cleaner vehicles.

In the mid-long term, expect CNG share to increase to 25-30%, 20% EV, 5% diesel and balance petrol," analysts at Yes Securities wrote in a 29 September note, citing the managements commentary on fuel mix. By 2030, Tata Motors management wants to reach 30% EV penetration in its portfolio.

As of FY25, 12% of Tata Motors sales were EVs, while 24% were CNG vehicles. In the next five years, the company plans to launch 30 models, including 7 new and 23 facelifts and model refreshes. At least two of the new nameplaces are expected to be EVs.

Mahindra is expected to introduce seven electric vehicles by 2030. As of FY25, nearly all of the company's sales came from ICE vehicles.

Marutis ambitious bet

The countrys largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki is targeting 75% of its sales through clean fuel cars by the financial year 2030-31. Of these, 35% will come from CNG, 25% from hybrid vehicles and 15% from EVs.

That suggests it is eyeing an up to 10 times rise in the share of hybrids. As of March, about a third of its domestic sales came from CNG, while hybrids contributed about 2.4% of its overall 1.79 million sales. The company has not yet started selling EVs in the Indian market.

Also Read | EV makers strike key policy victory as UP pulls plug on hybrid car incentives

The company is expanding across cleaner options, hybrids, CNG, biofuels like CBG (compressed biogas) and ethanol, efficient internal combustion engines compatible with 20% ethanol blending and even flex fuel vehicles, Hisashi Takeuchi, managing director at Maruti Suzuki, said in a statement to shareholders as part of the annual report.

This strategy makes cleaner technologies more accessible, empowers customers and helps the Company leverage all possibilities of carbon reduction."
Billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries' crude imports from Russia are expected to be impacted by the US sanctions against Rosneft and Lukoil, two of Russia's largest oil companies. However, state-run refiners may continue purchases through intermediary traders for now.

According to news agency PTI, citing industry sources said public-sector units are assessing compliance risks but are unlikely to halt Russian crude flows immediately as they buy almost all of their needs from traders, mostly European (who are out of the sanctions net).

Ambani's Reliance, India's largest buyer of Russian crude, accounting for roughly half of the country's 1.7 million barrels per day of imports from Moscow, may, however, have to recalibrate its imports as it buys crude oil directly from Russia's Rosneft.

In December 2024, Reliance signed a term deal with Russia's Rosneft, now sanctioned, to import up to 500,000 barrels per day of Russian oil for 25 years. It also buys oil from intermediaries.

The company did not immediately respond to PTI's query for comments.

US sanctions on Russian firms The US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed further sanctions on Open Joint Stock Company Rosneft Oil Company (Rosneft) and Lukoil OAO (Lukoil) - Russia's two largest oil companies that the Trump administration accuses of helping fund the Kremlin's "war machine" in Ukraine.

The two companies together export 3.1 million barrels of oil per day. Rosneft alone is responsible for 6 per cent of global and nearly half of all Russian oil production.

India became the largest purchaser of Russian crude since Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, capitalising on steep discounts that followed Western buyers' withdrawal.

Also Read | Indian refiners review Russian oil contracts after Trump's latest sanctions

Russian oil is bought both by private sector firms - Reliance Industries Ltd and Rosneft-backed Nayara Energy - and state-owned refiners Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL), Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd and HPCL-Mittal Energy Ltd (HMEL).

PSUs have no fixed quantity deal State-owned refiners do not have any term or fixed quantity deal with either Rosneft or Lukoil and typically buy Russian oil through tenders.

In these tenders, oil traders, mostly European or ones based in Dubai and Singapore, who had purchased oil from Russian entities, participated.

These traders have not been sanctioned by the US, PTI sources said, adding European Union sanctions, too, had not targeted these traders.

And even if some traders shy away from picking Russian volumes, Moscow is capable of overnight resurrecting new ones with Dubai registration, sources said, adding these traders can buy oil from Russian firms and sell to refiners such as those in India and China.

"The measures by the Trump administration are 'half-hearted'," a source involved in the business said. For months, US President Donald Trump has resisted pressure from US lawmakers to impose energy sanctions and even now the ones who do bulk of the trade are out of its net.

Another source told PTI that the markets are somehow not buying into Trump's latest sanctions. "If sanctions were so impregnable, international oil prices would have jumped at least USD 5-10 per barrel on news of such large volumes going out of the market.

Instead what we saw was just a USD 2 per barrel increase, implying the market believes not all of the oil that is exported from Russia is going anywhere."

Nayara Energy, in which Rosneft holds a 49.13 per cent stake, is the other big private sector buyer of Russian oil.

The company, which operates a 20 million tonnes a year oil refinery at Vadinar in Gujarat, has already been sanctioned by the European Union and it may have to recalibrate its purchases, sources said.

Nayara did not respond to an email seeking comments.

Kesani Enterprises Company Limited - a consortium led by Mareterra and Russian investment group United Capital Partners (UCP) - holds another 49.13 per cent stake in Nayara.

Sources said the Indian government has not so far given any instruction to refiners on stopping or reducing Russian oil imports.

They said Trump's recent comments on India agreeing to stop all purchases of Russian oil (with no such commitment being made by New Delhi) may have got to do with the European Union (EU) sanctions on import of fuel made from Russian oil.

The EU has banned import of fuels refined from Russian crude with effect from January 21 next year. Reliance, whose one of the two refineries is only-for-export, refines Russian crude into fuels like petrol and diesel, some of which is exported to the EU. MRPL also exports to the EU.

From January, such exports will have to stop and in a way Reliance and MRPL will have to cut Russian oil purchases if they have to continue to export to EU, they said adding Nayara has already stopped fuel exports to EU after being sanctioned.
Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani has opened up about the unusual way he went on to become one of the trailblazers of the Indian IT industry, building a company that emerged as the second-largest technology firm in the country.

In an interview with Groww, Nandan Nilekani said that he met NR Narayana Murthy, the co-founder of Infosys, when he decided to drop out of his Indian Institute of Management (IIM) exam.

Nilekani revealed that he missed the IIM entrance exam as he was not feeling well, and was too lazy to apply for SAT and GMAT.

I came out of IIT (Bombay) and I thought I'll do IIM. But I missed the exam. I was not feeling well that day. So, I didn't take the entrance exam. I had been too lazy to apply for SAT and GMAT. So, I was actually at a loose end  what do I do next, he said.

That is when he heard about Patni Computer Systems, a Mumbai-based company that was dealing with mini computers  a rare gem in those days.

Somebody told me there's a company in Nariman Point. Why don't you go and talk to them? I heard about this small company called Patni Computer Systems. In 1977, IBM left India. So, there was a sort of a vacuum here...I heard they had online computers - in those days, that was a big deal, he said in the interview.

Meeting Narayana Murthy It was at Patni Computer Systems that Nandan Nilekani met Narayana Murthy, with whom he went on to co-found Infosys and scale it to one of India's biggest tech giants.

I walked into this room, met Murthy, who asked me some puzzle and said - you can join. So, I joined, Nilekani said.

Starting Infosys On being asked about whose idea it was to start Infosys, Nandan Nilekani passed the credit to Narayana Murthy.

That was Murthy's vision. He always wanted to start a company. He's about 10 years older than me. We all worked for him and we started Infosys, he said.

Nilekani recalled how they scaled up Infosys as a company.

By the early 1990s, India had changed a lot - you had economic reforms, the market opened up, and global companies started coming.

We realised that unless we think big, we're not going to make it. So, we went into this scale thing and built India's first campus in 1992...five acres in Electronic City, he said.

Nilekani recalled how in the early days they protested to get a road built in front of the campus.

There was no road as well. Then we did dharna to get the road built, he said.

I came out of IIT (Bombay) and I thought I'll do IIM. But I missed the exam. I was not feeling well that day.

We always set very large goals. Get to 100 million, get to billion, get to whatever 10 billion, Nilekani added.
Meta Layoffs: Amid news of Meta laying off 600 employees from its new AI team, many startups and entrepreneurs have offered jobs to such people who have lost their positions at Mark Zuckerberg's Superintelligence Labs. The latest among them is Indian-origin entrepreneur Sudarshan Kamath, founder of Smallest AI.

The US-based tech leader took to X on Thursday to announce that his company will hire laid-off employees from Meta for its speech team. The job is based in San Francisco.

Laid off from Meta? We are hiring in speech team for Smallest AI in San Francisco!, he said in the social media post.

How much salary is Smallest AI offering? The laid-off Meta employees will get a base salary in the range of $200,000 to $600,000 per year, along with flexible equity, Sudarshan Kamath said.

With such attractive base salaries, selected employees are likely to receive more than half a million per annum, making the pay as attractive as bigger tech companies.

What are the criteria? The Smallest AI founder, however, did mention some requirements to apply to the job

Looking for - experience with speech evals, speech generation, full duplex speech to speech Must be - fkin smart and hungry. DM me [sic], he wrote in the post.

Meta layoffs: What's happening? Mark Zuckerberg's Meta is reportedly laying off around 600 employees from its AI division, Axios reported earlier this week. The company confirmed the Meta layoffs on Wednesday.

Also Read | Nestle layoffs: These 7 companies have announced job cuts this year

The layoffs will affect employees in the ambitious Superintelligence Labs, especially those in Metas Fundamental AI Research, or FAIR unit, as well as product-related AI and AI infrastructure units.

By reducing the size of our team, fewer conversations will be required to make a decision, and each person will be more load-bearing and have more scope and impact, Meta Chief AI Officer Alexander Wang told employees in a memo, according to a report by Bloomberg.

However, employees of Meta's newly formed TBD Lab group, which includes people who have been recently hired with sky-high salaries, will not be impacted by the layoffs, as per the report.

Also Read | OpenAI confirms ChatGPT is saying goodbye to WhatsApp

The job cuts will target teams focused on artificial intelligence products and infrastructure, aiming to boost efficiency without sacrificing work on the company's most ambitious ventures, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

It further said that many of the affected workers could be deployed elsewhere by the company.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, reshuffled its AI efforts under Superintelligence Labs in June after senior staff departures and a poor reception for its open-source Llama 4 model.
Google Cloud has appointed Karthik Narain, former Chief Technology Officer at Accenture, as its new Chief Product and Business Officer. Google CEO Sundar Pichai welcomed him to the leadership team and highlighted his role in advancing artificial intelligence and enterprise technology.

Sundar Pichai, in a LinkedIn post, said, Karthik will partner closely with our Cloud customers as they transform their businesses with AI. In his new role, Karthik will help accelerate the strong growth we are already seeing in Google Cloud.

View full Image Sundar Pichai's LinkedIn post

Just over a week ago, we announced Gemini Enterprise, which has had a really positive response. Much more to come, welcome Karthik! he wrote.

On Tuesday, Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian announced Karthik Narain's appointment via a LinkedIn post. Today we welcome Karthik Narain to Google Cloud as Chief Product & Business Officer.

Kurian said, He will lead product and engineering teams across cloud, developer, data and Applied AI, the go-to-market organisation, and work closely with Google Public Sector. Karthiks proven track record with clients, along with his unparalleled depth of experience in developing enterprise technology solutions, will accelerate our customers journey into the AI era. Welcome to the team, Karthik!

Also Read | Google and Apple face extra UK scrutiny over strategic role in mobile platforms

Karthik Narain responds to the post Karthik Narain shared Kurians post on his LinkedIn handle and expressed excitement for the new role. After more than 25 years in the tech consulting industry, I am excited to share the next chapter of my career - I am joining @GoogleCloud as its first Chief Product & Business Officer, he wrote in the post.

View full Image Karthik Narain's response to Thomas Kuran ( LinkedIn )

He said the role is an incredible opportunity to merge his expertise in engineering and product strategy, his experience with enterprise systems and business processes, and Googles advanced foundational technologies and cutting-edge AI innovation to drive profound digital transformation.

The opportunity to unlock immense value for Google Clouds customers and partners is unparalleled, and I cant wait to get started! he wrote.

All about Karthik Narain Before joining Google Cloud, Karthik Narain held a prominent position as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Accenture. According to a report by Business World, he had previously served as the Group Executive - Technology of Accenture.

Between 2005 and 2015, he worked at HLCTech as the company's Vice President and Vertical Head for High Tech, Software & Platforms, and Automotive, according to his LinkedIn profile. He also worked with Infosys for five years, between 2000 and 2005, as a Senior Relationship Manager of Financial Services.
Artificial intelligence (AI) for business platform Uniphore has raised $260 million in a Series F round from global tech majors such as Nvidia, AMD, Snowflake, and Databricks, taking its total funding to $870 million.

Our Series F raise marks an exciting milestone for Uniphore. It is unlike most fundraises because, in addition to top-tier financial investors, we are joined by the worlds top AI and data companies, said Umesh Sachdev, co-founder and chief executive of Uniphore in a prepared statement.

Other investors in the round include New Enterprise Associates (NEA), March Capital, BNF Capital, National Grid Partners, and Prosperity7 Ventures. The company will use the funds to accelerate innovation for its Business AI Cloud, Uniphores flagship AI and data orchestration platform.

In July, Mint was the first to report that Uniphore was in talks to raise between $200250 million, aimed at funding expansion and scaling its AI bets.

By combining a sovereign and secure approach with seamless model orchestration and rapid deployment of AI agents, Uniphore is helping organizations unlock meaningful business outcomes, while maintaining control of their data and workflows, said Hemant Dhulla, vice president of NVIDIA AI Software, in a statement.

Acquisitions and AI agents Ahead of the fundraise, Uniphore acquired Orby AI, an AI-native company that builds enterprise-grade AI agents capable of observing user activity and replicating it. It also announced plans to acquire Autonom8, a Chennai-based automation firm that develops and automates customer-facing and back-office workflows.

Uniphore last raised funds in 2022, securing $400 million in its Series E round led by NEA, which valued the company at $2.5 billion. March Capital, Sanabil Investments, and Sorenson Capital Partners also participated in that round. With the new Series F, Uniphores valuation remains unchanged.

Also Read | AI is making jobs, not taking them

From Chennai to global stage Other notable backers include Chiratae Ventures, Iron Pillar, 360 One, IIFL Finance, Sistema Asia, CXO Fund, ITP, the Patni family, Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan, and Sorenson Capital Partners.

Founded in Chennai in 2008 by Umesh Sachdev and Ravi Saraogi, Uniphore offers a conversational automation platform that integrates conversational AI, workflow automation, and robotic process automation. The company operates offices in the US, India, Spain, Israel, the UK, and the UAE, according to its website.

Uniphores proprietary platform, the Business AI Cloud, is structured across multiple layers. The agentic layer allows companies to build their own AI agents to automate workflows through a no-code interface. Its model layer is designed to let enterprises create various AI modelswhether closed, open, or fine-tunedto interact seamlessly with each other. The knowledge layer can generate high-quality enterprise data to fine-tune small language models, while the data layer of the AI cloud prepares enterprise data to be AI-ready without duplication or loss of integrity.
New Delhi: US sanctions on Rosneft PJSC and Lukoil PJSC, the two biggest suppliers of Russian oil, are likely to force Indian refiners to buy from West Asian and other sources that do not offer discounts, increasing the countrys import bill, analysts said.

"The sanctions by the US on certain Russian crude oil producers are likely to impact the purchases by India as these suppliers accounted for about 60% of the volumes purchased, said Prashant Vasisht, senior vice president and co-group head, corporate ratings, Icra Ltd. While India can substitute the purchases from Russia with suppliers from the Middle East and other geographies, the import bill for crude oil would increase.

Vasisht sees the replacement of Russian oil by market-priced crude increasing the countrys oil import bill by 2%. Given Indias crude imports worth $137 billion in FY25, that would amount to an increase of $2.7 billion.

Russia has been the largest supplier of crude oil to India since FY23, accounting for around 35% of the country's total imported crude. However, the US Treasury Department overnight issued sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, setting the deadline of 21 November for companies to stop making transactions with these Russian oil producers. This comes as a major jolt for India as the two companies contribute about 1 million barrels of oil per day (bpd) out of the total 1.8 million bpd coming from Russia.

Russian oil flow to major Indian refiners is expected to fall to near zero after the US sanctions, Bloomberg reported, citing unnamed senior executives at the processors. Blacklisting of Russias largest producers would make it all but impossible for that supply to continue, they said.

Also Read | India team to visit US this week to finalize trade pact amid Russia oil row

Separately, PTI reported citing sources that Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries Ltd, India's biggest buyer of discounted Russian oil, plans to scale back imports of Russian crude oil following fresh US sanctions on Moscow-linked firms.

Indian refiners will largely offset the decline in supply from Russia through higher purchases from the spot markets, said Harshraj Aggarwal, executive vice presidentinstitutional equity research at Yes Securities. Assuming about 30% of the crude input coming from Russia and an average discount of $2 per barrel, that translates to $0.6 per barrel of discount, which would not come through."

Currently, discounts on Russian oil stand in the range of $2-4 a barrel.

Availability isnt so much an issue as is the cost of oil in the global markets. Oil from West Asia, the Mediterranean, the US and the likes can come in; however, India may not be offered discounts by these suppliers as was the case with Russia, said Deepak Mahurkar, partner Oil and Gas at PwC India. This may increase the import bill, but the availability of oil to replace Russian crude would not be a major issue.

Trump's Russia gambit Since Donald Trump took over as president of the US for the second time, his administration has been pressuring India to halt Russian oil imports, citing that the money from energy purchases allow Russia to fund the war in Ukraine. India, however, maintained that its energy procurement is based on the interest of its consumers and it would buy oil from wherever it gets at affordable rates.

Trump even slapped an additional 25% tariffs on India for buying Russian energy, taking the total levy on Indian goods to 50%, the highest in the world. The two nations are negotiating a bilateral trade deal.

Also Read | US giants sniff India opportunity in Trumps Russian oil threat

Trump said on Wednesday (local time) that India will cut Russian oil imports by almost 40% by the end of the year. India, as you know, told me they would stop...it's a process. You can't just stop (buying oil from Russia).

Imports from Russia declined last month. Data from global real-time data and analytics provider Kpler showed that India's imports of Russian crude in September stood at 1.6 million bpd, about 5% lower than 1.69 million bpd in August. However, industry players suggest that it was a result of commercial factors as discounts fell to about $2 from $3 in August.

India has already diversified its sourcing to around 40 countries in the past three years.
Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav is likely to be the opposition Mahagathbandhan's chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. This comes amid a tussle within the alliance over seat-sharing.

All constituents of the Mahagathbandhan have agreed to endorse Tejashwi's leadership, and a formal announcement is expected today during a press conference at Hotel Maurya in Patna. The alliance is also likely to unveil their campaign slogan under his leadership - "Chalo Bihar, Badlein Bihar (Let's go Bihar, Let's change Bihar)"..

The development comes on the last day for withdrawing nominations for the second phase of elections to be held on October 11. The first phase will be held on October 6. Votes will be counted on October 14.

The alliance has unanimously agreed to endorse Tejashwi's leadership.

In a last-ditch attempt to resolve the crisis, senior Congress leader and former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot arrived in Patna on October 22 to mediate between alliance partners. Gehlot also met RJD chief Lalu Prasad, his son, Tejashwi Yadav, to defuse tensions within the alliance comprising of the RJD and the Congress as major parties.

View full Image Speculations were rife that the opposition bloc may announce Tejashwi Yadav as its CM face after posters and banners of the joint press conference had solo picture of the former deputy chief minister. ( Gulam Jeelani )

Speculations were rife that the opposition bloc might announce Tejashwi Yadav as its CM face, as posters and banners from the joint press conference featured a solo picture of the former deputy chief minister.
Patna: The opposition Mahagathbandhan has declared Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav as the Chief Ministerial face for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections on Thursday. Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) Chief Mukesh Sahani was named as the Deputy Chief Ministerial face of the alliance.

The development virtually ends the tussle within the INDIA bloc parties, at least for now. The seat-sharing deal between the RJD and Congress was reportedly held back due to the Congress partys refusal to endorse Tejashwi as the Chief Ministerial face before the polls. Tejashwi is also the leader of the opposition in the Bihar assembly.

A phone call to wish on Diwali But how did the ice break after days of negotiation between the RJD and the Congress party? Well, it was a phone call from former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot to Tejashwi Yadav on Diwali. While the two leaders exchanged festival greetings, Tejashwi also invited Gehlot to meet RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav in Patna. Two days later, Gehlot landed in Patna and met Lalu Yadav and family on 22 October.

Gehlot is the All India Congress Committee (AICC) senior observer for the Bihar elections and has also been given the responsibility to oversee 20 of the 61 seats that the Congress is contesting. The Congress party won 19 seats in the 2020 Bihar elections.

While Congress had been averse to making Tejashwi the face, the RJD had issued with Mukesh Sahani- led Vikassheel Insaan Party in the alliance. This became a bone of contention. Finally, the Congress agreed to make Tejashwi the CM face, provided Sahani is made the Deputy CM face, said a leader of the alliance who did not want to be named.

Sahani, whose party is contesting 15 seats in the alliance, is a prominent member of the Nishad, also referred to as the Mallaah community, often associated with fishing. With 2.5 per cent of Bihars population, Mallah is a broad OBC (Other Backwards Class) community traditionally associated with boatmanship, river work, and fishing.

Also Read | Tejashwi Yadav declared Mahagathbandhans CM face for Bihar polls

Sahani had initially demanded 60 seats and the Dey CM post, but later went down to 30 seats. Tejashwi was not keen on VIP party since he thought Mallahs would anyway vote for RJD. But Rahul Gandhi has been kind of championing the backward community causes and hence he wanted Sahani, also known as Son of Mallah also to be face of the alliance, the leader confided.

A united face Ashok Gehlot made the announcement about the CM and Deputy CM's faces at Patnas Hotel Maurya. The alliance leaders put up a united front, with RJD MP Manoj Jha requesting each member speak about ekta or unity.

Tejashwi Yadav and other leaders, including Mukesh Sahani, Bihar Congress- In-charge Krishna Allavaru, Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (BPCC) President Rajesh Ram and those representing the left parties present during the press conference.

At Sadakant Ashram, the Bihar office of the Congress party. A few miles away from Hotel Maurya, where Tejashwi's announcement was made, a group of disgruntled Congress leaders, including former MLAs, staged a protest for being denied tickets.

There has been no official announcement of seat-sharing between the alliance partners. The RJD is contesting 143 of the 243 seats of Bihar. Congress is contesting 61 seats, CPI ML is contesting 20, and the VIP on 15 seats, as per an informal arrangement.

While Congress had been averse to making Tejashwi the face, the RJD had issues with Mukesh Sahani-led VIP in the alliance.

There were at least five seats where candidates of both RJD and Congress are in the fray, and in three others, the grand old party is pitted against a smaller alliance partner, the CPI. Soon after Thursday's announcements, four Mahagathbandhan candidatesthree from the Congress and one from the VIP withdrew their nominations for their ally, the RJD.

At Sadakant Ashram, the Bihar office of the Congress party. A few miles away from Hotel Maurya, where Tejashwi's announcement was made, a group of disgruntled Congress leaders, including former MLAs, staged a protest for being denied tickets.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday slammed the opposition while addressing an event in poll-bound Bihar, saying that people will not forget the era of jungle raj in the state no matter how hard the opposition tries otherwise.

The Prime Minister was speaking via audio-conferencing at the "Mera Booth Sabse Mazboot: Yuva Samvaad" event on a day Tejashwi Yadav was declared the Grand Alliance's chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections 2025.

Here are the key thigs PM Modi said at the event Slamming the RJD-Congress tie-up in Bihar, PM Modi said, People will not forget for another 100 years 'Jungle Raj' in Bihar, no matter how much the Opposition tries to hide their misdeeds. Nitish ji and NDA worked hard to bring Bihar out of 'jungle raj', establish rule of law; now people proudly call themselves Bihari We are moving fast towards eradicating Naxalism and Maoist terrorism in Bihar.

He called the Opposition in Bihar lath bandhan, or an alliance of criminals and said that they only know how to fight. Opposition leaders only know how to fight among themselves, they only know how to guard their self interest. Opposition alliance not 'gathbandhan' but 'lath bandhan' (alliance of criminals), all their leaders from Delhi and Bihar out on bail, PM Modi in Bihar said.

PM Modi also asked BJP youth workers to connect with first-time voters of Bihar and tell them about the power of their vote. No one understands better the power of people's vote than the brothers and sisters of Bihar. Workers of all NDA parties should campaign together to spread awareness among voters about government schemes in Bihar, he said.

He urged people to come forward and exercise their votes. I would like to urge all the young people of Bihar to gather at every booth and ask the elderly people in that area to come and tell everyone about past events. A programme can be created where they share their disturbing experiences with the new generation, PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister stressed on the need to create technology, start-up hubs in Bihar so that youth will no longer migrate outside and earn their livelihood within the state.

The Prime Minister also asked BJP workers to make a list of the women who are yet to get the benefits of the Chief Minister Mahila Rozgar Yojana, and ensure they are included. A new era in women's empowerment will begin in Bihar on November 14 when NDA is voted back to power, he said.

Also Read | Tejashwi Yadav declared Mahagathbandhans CM face for Bihar polls

Slamming the so-called jungle raj in Bihar, he said that the state's women have showcased their talent despite scams in the erstwhile regime. They imprisoned Bihar's daughters within four walls. Therefore, it is crucial to keep them away from power... Over 12 million sisters have received  10,000 in each bank account to start their own businesses, he said.

People will not forget the era of jungle raj in the state no matter how hard the opposition tries otherwise.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav will be the opposition Mahagathbandhan's chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections, senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot announced in Patna on October 23.

We have decided to contest elections with Tejashwi Yadav as CM face, Gehlot, the former Chief Minister of Rajasthan said at a joint press conference of Mahagathbandhan at Hotel Maurya on Thursday.

We have decided to contest elections with Tejashwi Yadav as CM face.

Mukesh Sahani of the Vikassheel Insaan Party will be Dy CM face, Gehlot also announced. All seven parties of the Mahagathbandhan, including the Congress and the left parties, have agreed to endorse Tejashwi's leadership for the two-phase elections.

Top leaders from the Mahagathbandhan presented a united front at the press conference amid a tussle within the alliance over seat allocation. In a last-ditch attempt to resolve the crisis, Ashok Gehlot arrived in Patna on October 22 to mediate between alliance partners. Gehlot also met RJD chief Lalu Prasad, his son, Tejashwi Yadav, to defuse tensions within the alliance comprising the RJD and the Congress as major parties.

The development comes on the last day for withdrawing nominations for the second phase of elections to be held on October 11. The first phase will be held on October 6. Votes will be counted on October 14.

Tejashwi asked the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) why there was no joint conference of the parties  the BJP and the Janada Dal (United)  as elections are nearing.

Tejashwi responds to jungle raaj jibe The RJD leader also responded to the return of jungle raaj allegations by the ruling alliance

I want to tell people that Tejashwi will not compromise on corruption and law and order. I also want to tell all Mahagathbandhan parties that we will develop a new Bihar, Tajashwi said.

The RJD is contesting 143 of the 243 seats of Bihar. Congress is contesting 61 seats, CPI ML is contesting 20, and the remaining seats are likely to go to Mukesh Sahani's VIP, as per an informal arrangement.

Endorsing Tejashwis candidature for the top post in the State, other INDIA bloc leaders questioned the NDA alliance for not rallying behind incumbent Nitish Kumar as their leader.
Several films and shows were released on Netflix in 2025. The OTT giant, which announced its Q3 earnings on Tuesday, also revealed its upcoming Q4 lineup, confirming the shows which will return with a new season.

Netflix reveals top-performing shows in Q3 Netflix saw strong global viewership in Q3, marked by returning hits and new releases. Popular series were revived this year, such as Wednesday (114M views), My Life with the Walter Boys (36M views), and Japans Alice in Borderland (20M views).

Documentary series including Amy Bradley Is Missing (35M views) alongside new ones like UNTAMED (87M views) and The Hunting Wives (25M views) captured the attention of viewers, and both were already renewed for second seasons.

Aryan Khan's The Bads of Bollywood gains 9M views The success of global shows like the UKs Hostage (35M views), Spains Billionaires Bunker (22M views), South Koreas Bon Appetit Your Majesty (32M views), Argentinas In the Mud (15M views), and Indias The Bads of Bollywood (9M views) showed a strong performance on the platform, as per the company's earnings.

Will The Bads of Bollywood return with Season 2? The Bads Of Bollywood marks superstar Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan Khan's directorial debut.

The show opened to positive reviews from critics and the audience. Following the success of the show, fans are eager to find out if it will return for season 2.

While Netflix revealed a fresh lineup of releases for its Q4, including releases from India, it seems there's no update regarding The Bads of Bollywood Season 2 for now.

Watch trailer of The Bads Of Bollywood here:

Netflix unveils Q4 lineup Netflix plans to treat its viewers to returning seasons and fresh series across multiple markets.

Also Read | Netflix shares fall 6.5% after missing Q3 earnings estimates

Upcoming Indian shows and films on Netflix From India, Delhi Crime will return with Season 3. The new series, Single Papa, will also stream on the OTT platform soon. Raat Akeli Hai 2 has also been confirmed to return with a fresh story.

International shows, films to revive on Netflix Globally, Netflix will release the much-awaited final season of Stranger Things. The Diplomat Season 3, The Witcher Season 4, South Koreas Culinary Class Wars Season 2, Nobody Wants This Season 2, Emily in Paris Season 5, Love is Blind Season 9, Squid Game: The Challenge Season 2, Selling Sunset Season 9, Thailand's The Believers Season 2, Mexico's The Accident Season 2 and Argentina's Envious Season 3 will also return to keep fans hooked to the platform.

New international series include Death by Lightning from David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, and The Beast in Me starring Matthew Rhys and Claire Danes, Simon Cowell: The Next Act, Japan's Last Samurai Standing, South Korea's Physical: Asia, Juan Gabriel: I Must, I Can, Mexico's I Will, Poland's Heweliusz and The Monster of Florence from Italy.
Chinas top leaders have vowed to double down on making the country technologically self-sufficient, a policy priority that has taken on more urgency as the rivalry with the U.S. intensifies.

The elites of Chinas ruling party set out the goal in a communique issued after a four-day political gathering centered around charting the course for the worlds second-largest economy over the rest of the decade.

China will aim to significantly improve" its autonomy in technology over the next five years, officials said after the high-level meetingknown as the fourth plenumwrapped up Thursday.

The readout of the closed-door conclave also included a pledge to step up high-end manufacturing, another measure viewed as part of Beijings efforts to hold its own against the U.S.

As Chinas population shrinks and ages, Beijing is betting on leapfrogging technological advance and innovation to boost productivity. Policymakers are increasingly seeing technological prowess as key to national security as geopolitical tensions rise.

Other key targets in the new five-year policy blueprint included forging a unified national market, bolstering domestic consumption, improving social welfare and modernizing the armed forces.

China watchers will scrutinize the communique for signs that Beijing will take meaningful steps to pivot the economy to consumption-led growth, but a detailed action plan will only be released next March after Chinese lawmakers formally approve it.

Officials at the meeting stressed that they will aim to achieve Chinas main economic and social targets for the year, suggesting that Beijing remains determined to hit the annual goal of around 5% growth in gross domestic product.

They also pledged to step up policy support for the economy when necessary.

Despite solid economic growth in the third quarter, Beijing will have to face reality, Nomura analysts say.

Growth headwinds have been building up and will almost surely strengthen in 4Q," Ting Lu and others wrote in a note.

The tailwinds that buoyed growth in the prior quarter were stock trading and exports, which may not be sustainable, as Chinas markets tend to be cyclical and escalating trade tensions will eventually bite, they said.

Meanwhile, deflation persists, consumption is weak and the property sector has shown no signs of stabilization.

In Nomuras view, Beijings best bet is to resist the temptation to fuel the stock markets with very high-profile monetary measures, focusing instead on cleaning up the property mess, and addressing deep-rooted problems like inequality in the social security system.

Write to Singapore editors at singaporeeditors@dowjones.com
Wall Street strategists often warn investors that the stock market is not the economy." But in 2025, the two feel increasingly intertwined as the surge in artificial intelligence demand has helped buoy both economic growth and stock market gains.

We believe that AI has kept the economy out of recession," says BNP Paribas chief U.S. economist James Egelhof.

Research from Egelhofs economics team shows that AI related investments contributed roughly a quarter of the total gross domestic product (GDP) growth through the first two quarters of 2025.

BNP Paribas economists note its normal for investment in any potential game-changing technology to contribute substantially to GDP. But the concentration risk feels more significant when considering how reliant the stock market rally has become on the AI boom. This year alone a combination of AI stockscomprised of Apple, Amazon, Alphabet, Broadcom, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia, Oracle, Palantir, Teslahave contributed about 58% of the S&P 500s $7.58 trillion market cap gain.

The markets most recent leg higher has featured large rallies in stocks driven by the announcements of future AI investments. Large language model leader OpenAI has penciled itself in for $300 billion of cloud computing services from Oracle and taken a stake in AI chip maker AMD. Meanwhile leading AI chip provider Nvidia has invested $100 billion into OpenAI.

The economys fate is inexplicably intertwined with that of AI, so when the investments start looking circular, its a concerning sign," Fundstrat economic strategist Hardika Singh writes in an Oct. 11 note to clients.

Wall Street strategists have largely pegged the path to future gains for the major stock indexes to continued growth in the AI story. In a note to clients that projected the S&P 500 to hit 7,200 by the end of 2026 on Sept. 9, Wells Fargos chief equity strategist wrote [the] music stops when the AI capex stops."

Investors arent the only ones wondering when the AI hype train will suddenly stop. Economists like Egelhof at BNP Paribas are pondering the same question when considering what can go wrong. Egelhof notes the economy is levered" to AI not just because its significantly contributing to GDP. Its also the reason surging stock markets are filling high-income wallets and boosting consumer spending.

We tend to think that the economy is more responsive to market valuations than it has been in the past, because of the greater reliance of consumer spending on the higher end consumer than weve seen historically, and because that consumer is likely spending in contemplation of their equity market gains," Egelhof says.

By this logic, a swift unwinding of the AI trade could impact consumer spending and weigh on economic growth. Add in the negative impacts of slowing capital spending from large tech firms, and theres a clear case GDP could take a hit when the AI bubble bursts.

If AI does not fulfill on the promises that it has made, then there is economic downside risk," Egelhof says.

To be sure, Egelhof and others dont think an AI downturn would clearly mean the legs would fully fall out of the U.S. economic growth story.

If [AI] rolls out smoothly it shouldnt cause a recession," J.P. Morgan Asset Management chief global strategist David Kelly says.

Keep in mind that not all recessions are created equal either. When the dot-com bubble burst in 2000, the subsequent recession wasnt huge by historical standards at all," says Kelly. The unemployment rate moved from 4.3% to 5.5% during that recession. It would rise from 5% to 9.5% during the recession prompted by the Great Financial Crisis.

The economic impact of that pullback in capital spending on its own may not be that great," Kelly said. The real issue is, what does it do for portfolios."

Write to Josh Schafer at josh.schafer@barrons.com
Several quantum-computing companies are in talks to give the Commerce Department equity stakes in exchange for federal funding, a signal that the Trump administration is expanding its interventions in what it sees as critical segments of the economy.

Companies including IonQ, Rigetti Computing and D-Wave Quantum are discussing the government becoming a shareholder as part of agreements to get funding earmarked for promising technology companies, according to people familiar with the matter. Other companies such as Quantum Computing Inc. and Atom Computing are considering similar arrangements.

The companies are discussing minimum funding awards from Washington of $10 million each, some of the people said. Other technology companies are also expected to vie for the funding.

The discussions are the latest example of administration moves to become a shareholder in some companies. President Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick have said the government should share in a companys upside since taxpayer money provides financial support and a stamp of approval.

In August, the government agreed to take a nearly 10% stake in chip company Intel in exchange for converting almost $9 billion in previously awarded grants to equity. The arrangement would make the government Intels largest shareholder and followed a similar deal with one of the few U.S. producers of rare-earth materials. The Energy Department received warrants giving it the right to buy shares of a lithium startup at a set price in exchange for a government loan.

The funding for quantum companies would be one of the first significant signs of support for the sector from Washington. Quantum computers are seen as a critical next-generation technology because they can quickly perform computations that would take todays computers eons. That sort of advance could make it easier to find new drugs, materials and chemicals while making every segment of the economy more efficient, experts say.

Shares of companies in the space have surged this year, though they have fallen recently.

Companies from International Business Machines to Microsoft are investing in quantum computing, as is China. Google said on Wednesday that it showed a quantum computer can run 13,000 times faster than classic supercomputers and potentially speed drug discovery and materials science.

Deputy Commerce Secretary Paul Dabbar, a former quantum-computing executive and Energy Department official, is leading the funding discussions with companies in the industry, the people said. Bohr Quantum Technology, the company Dabbar co-founded and led as chief executive for four years, isnt a candidate to receive funding, a Commerce Department official said.

Quantum Computing Inc. Chief Executive Yuping Huang said the governments potential equity stakes in companies in the industry are exciting. A Rigetti spokeswoman said the company is continuously engaging with the government on funding opportunities. Allison Schwartz, head of government relations for D-Wave, said the company wants to sell systems that can solve the governments hard problems and get a return on investment. Atom Computing and IonQ declined to comment.

The funding the companies are seeking comes from the Chips Research and Development Office, which Lutnick has reorganized under his overhaul of how the agency manages 2022 Chips Act funding. He recently clawed back several billion dollars from a tech research initiative funded by the Biden administration.

The deals with the quantum companies havent been completed and might change. A Commerce document soliciting funding applications says the deals might include warrants, licenses to intellectual property, royalties or revenue sharing in addition to equity stakes.

Write to Amrith Ramkumar at amrith.ramkumar@wsj.com
Two centuries after President James Monroe warned foreign powers to stay out of the Americas, his namesake doctrine is surfacing on influencer TikToks and podcasts, in corporate pitch decks and White House hallways, as President Trump recasts it as a blueprint for U.S. dominance in the region.

Since returning to the Oval Office in January vowing to take back" the Panama Canal and make Canada the 51st state, Trump has applied extraordinary pressure on countries across the region to fall in line with his security agenda.

In what some Trump officials have dubbed the Donroe Doctrine," a centuries-old warning has become a battle plan. The president has deployed sweeping counterterrorism authorities against Latin American cartels and criminal gangs, launched airstrikes against alleged drug boats that have killed dozens, approved covert CIA operations and mounted the largest military buildup the region has seen in decades.

Where Monroe sought to keep European powers out of the region, Trump has turned the doctrine inwardtreating the hemisphere as an extension of the U.S. homeland, where Washington will act unilaterally to root out perceived enemies. Loyalty is rewarded, and defiance can carry a price. The White House has moved quickly to punish dissenting leaders, yanking visas and imposing sanctions from Bogota to Brasilia. It has combined a show of force in the Caribbean with a campaign to squeeze Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, hoping to drive him from power.

Were restoring a needed focus on defeating threats in the Western Hemisphere," Trump told hundreds of generals and admirals assembled at Quantico last month.

That message has quickly reshaped Washingtons national security priorities.

After decades of what defense officials call South blindness," U.S. Southern Command suddenly finds itself on the front line, with renewed resources and a vastly expanded mission. Half of the countries visited by Secretary of State Marco Rubio have been in the region. And Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, touting the Americas first," has overseen the deployment of F-35 jet fighters, Navy warships and Marine expeditionary forces to the Caribbean.

Its really stunning how quickly the administration has moved," says Steve Bannon, an influential Trump ally, ticking off the rapidly expanding list of countries targeted in the region. It is breathtaking how broad this has been, the scale of it and the intensity of it all the way to kinetic warfare."

While it might seem odd for voters who elected Trump on his promises to stay out of foreign entanglements to cheer this new front, the MAGA faithful see the logic in deeper involvement in the Western Hemisphere. In a recent Economist/YouGov survey, 74% of Republicans and 82% of Trump voters in 2024 approved of the strikes on the boats in the Caribbean.

This is much more sellable to the America First base than the stuff in the Middle East," says Bannon. Monroe 2.0 was not in the lexicon. And now people have gone back and theyre saying, Yeah, definitely, I agree with that. Love that."

This isnt new for Trump. In his first term, his top aides invoked the Monroe Doctrine to justify a tougher stance toward Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua, and to warn China and Russia to stay out of the hemisphere. But this time, Monroe 2.0" has become a popular rallying cry across the conservative ecosystem.

Im at least thrilled that were finally using military force in our own hemisphere against people that would have done harm against the American homeland," popular conservative activist Charlie Kirk said on his podcast on Sept. 3, a week before he was assassinated. Kirk said the drug vessels in the Caribbean targeted by Trumps lethal strikes pose a bigger threat to Americans safety than Russians soldiers.

The Pentagons forthcoming National Defense Strategy is expected to cement this shift, elevating homeland defense and Latin America as key national security priorities and shifting critical resources closer to home, U.S. officials say.

U.S. security firms and contractors from Palantir to Blackwater founder Erik Prince have followed the administrations lead, invoking hemispheric security while pitching deals from Ecuador to Haiti that align with Trumps new war on terror. Prince, who has been working with Haiti to target gangs with drones, lamented the erasure of the Monroe Doctrine" in a podcast earlier this year, arguing what happens in the Western Hemisphere is Americas business."

Trump has rewarded right-wing leaders in the region whose agendas mirror his own. He enlisted El Salvadors Nayib Bukele to accept more than 250 U.S. deportees in the countrys notorious maximum-security prison in exchange for $6 million. Trump later received Bukele, who has been accused of human-rights abuses in his crackdown on the countrys gangs, at the White House, praising him as an example for other nations in the hemisphere.

Trumps new focus on the Americas relies on economic leverage as well as the threat of force. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent hailed a $20 billion currency swap to stabilize Argentinas economy as an economic Monroe Doctrine." Trump explicitly tied the assistance to President Javier Mileis political future. If he doesnt win, were gone," Trump said, hinting at a larger effort to cultivate sympathetic governments in the region.

Its not going to make a big difference for our country, but it will in terms of South America," Trump said about the bailout. If Argentina does well, youre going to have others following."

Critical analysts and former officials say that explicitly conditioning U.S. aid on ideological alignment risks undermining U.S. credibility as a partner in the region. If we invoke the Monroe Doctrine, that is the biggest narrative gift that we can give to China," says Leland Lazarus, a former special assistant to the head of U.S. Southern Command and an expert on Chinese-Latin American relations. When Latin American and Caribbean partners hear that, they think thats the return of imperialism, of U.S. military intervention. It might actually push countries further into Chinas hands."

Critics warn that Trumps punitive approach is shortsighted in a region with growing economic dependence on Beijing and where resistance runs deep to American policies that recall the long history of U.S. intervention. 2025 is not 1823," says Jorge Heine, a veteran Chilean ambassador. This policy is all sticks and no carrots, and focused on U.S. domestic politics, while China is the number one trading partner of South America."

Some leaders in the region have criticized what they see as Trumps revival of U.S. imperialism. This is nothing more than a new way of applying Monroeism, which once again asserts that the Americas belong to the North Americans, creating conditions for a new moment of neocolonialism," Bolivian President Luis Arce said at the U.N. General Assembly last month.

After Colombian President Gustavo Petro said an American strike on alleged drug traffickers had killed a Colombian fisherman, Trump labeled him an illegal drug leader." He cut off all U.S. aid to Columbia, one of Washingtons closest counternarcotics partners, jeopardizing decades of security cooperation.

Trump also imposed 50% tariffs on Brazilian goods, in what he cast as retaliation for the countrys prosecution of its former President Jair Bolsonaro. The move sparked a WTO challenge and threats of retaliation, straining one of the U.S.s biggest trade relationships in the region and driving up costs for American consumers.

For its part, the Trump administration says its approach is already yielding results. After visits from Rubio and Hegseth, Panama announced it would withdraw from Beijings Belt and Road Initiative. White House officials have touted a drop in migrants and drugs entering the U.S. on the southern border. Ecuadors President Daniel Noboa has pushed to host a U.S. base, seeking a referendum to lift his countrys ban on foreign military installations.

Amid Trumps escalating military campaign in the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago, the Dominican Republic and Guyana have praised the strikes, positioning themselves as close U.S. security partners.

Trump is reverting to what has been Americas historic policy, even before it was a great power," says Joseph Ledford, a historian at the conservative Hoover Institution who recently testified to Congress. The United States is now willing to exercise force and have a military presence in Latin America again."

Trump has stated his Donroe Doctrine" more bluntly. Addressing Maduros attempts to placate him, the President warned: He doesnt want to f around with the United States." As U.S. warships amass off the coast of Venezuela, few in the region doubt he means it.
The 41-year-old dictator has sharply reduced the number of missile tests but signaled a more confident era for North Korea. Now an increasingly prominent actor alongside Russia and China, Pyongyangs focus is on solidifying its nuclear status, shifting away from seeking global attention with a flurry of missile launches.

North Korea has conducted about a dozen public weapons tests this year, a decline from the 20 to 30 annual launches in recent years. Pyongyang, in its first launch since August, said Thursday that it test-fired two short-range hypersonic missiles the prior day.

Kim is approaching the deadline for his five-year weapons plan, first detailed in early 2021, that included hypersonic technology, a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile and spy satellites. North Korea touts success on nearly all fronts, in part due to the sheer volume of tests it has carried out in past years.

Following a subdued number of weapons tests during 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic emerged, North Korea had a record-breaking year in 2022carrying out more than 40 weapons tests, including one that featured the launch of 23 missiles in one day.

Now, Kim has chosen more ways to convey North Koreas military strength. While Kims primary show of force used to be missile launches during President Trumps first term, the North Korean leader now opts for frequent military factory visits, orders mass production of munitions and declares his countrys nuclear status.

Kims advancing capabilities give him more leverage in potential negotiations with Washington over Pyongyangs nuclear program, especially with Russian technical help, which means there is less of a need to continuously fire missiles to pressure the U.S., said Hong Min, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification, a state-funded think tank in Seoul.

The qualitative aspect of testing has become more important than the sheer number of launches," Hong said.

But the rarer launches have showcased major advances. This year Kim unveiled his largest-ever warship and oversaw missile launches from the ship, hinting that North Korea was developing nuclear-capable supersonic" cruise missiles. During a May launch of short-range systems, Pyongyang simulated nuclear attacks on the U.S. and South Korean forces. In August, Kim oversaw the test of new, upgraded air-defense missiles.

On Thursday, North Korea said the two hypersonic projectiles were successfully launched the day before, and published photos of the new missiles striking an inland target. Hypersonic missiles fly at least five times the speed of sound and can be maneuvered before hitting a target, making them difficult to detect. North Koreas hypersonic gliding warheads can be a particularly potent threat, as they are designed to evade interceptionwhich would complicate the U.S. and its allies defenses, according to the Japanese government.

Despite the breakthroughs, much of the tested weaponry remains far from deployable to the battlefield and its success is often unilaterally claimed by the Kim regime, security experts say.

Protected by Moscow and Beijing from additional sanctions, Pyongyang has demanded global recognition as a de facto nuclear state, and Kim signaled that he would make a pivot to upgrading his outdated conventional forces next year. North Korea has already upgraded the accuracy of its short-range ballistic missiles by supplying them to Russia and learning from their battlefield launches.

Russian supply of oil, much of which flouts sanctions, has also allowed North Korea to operate more weapons factories for mass production, said Jeon Kyung-joo, a research fellow at the government-funded Korea Institute for Defense Analyses in Seoul.

North Korea is readying itself for its next list of weapons goals," she said.

Write to Dasl Yoon at dasl.yoon@wsj.com
Prices of steel used in cars and home appliances have fallen to a nine-month low in India and that used in construction and infrastructure to a near-five-year low with no clear path to recovery in sight.

Weak demand from large infrastructure projects coupled with an oversupply of steel domestically has pushed prices to their lowest level so far this fiscal.

Prices of benchmark hot rolled coil steel have fallen to 48,275 per tonnethe lowest since February this year. Hot rolled coils are large steel sheets rolled into wide coils, used mainly in automobiles, home appliances and roofing sheets.

Rebar prices are in the 47,000 per tonne range, the lowest since November 2020, showed data from BigMint, a market intelligence firm. Rebars are long steel rods that reinforce concrete in building and infrastructure projects, accounting for about 45% of the market.

Steel executives maintain that steel prices will recover in the coming months but analysts are not very sure.

JSW Steel CEO Jayant Acharya during a post-earnings interaction with analysts said, "We remain optimistic about a strong second half, backed by improving steel prices and higher production volumes."

However, analysts have a different view. Industry sentiment remains cautious, one said.

Steel prices are likely to remain under pressure in the near term due to high inventories, restricted offtake, and seasonal weakness. Any meaningful recovery will depend on a sustained pickup in construction and infrastructure demand, possibly after the festive season or with the implementation of further policy reforms," said Dhruv Goel, CEO of BigMint.

Goel highlighted that despite recent GST reforms and expectations of a post-festive demand recovery, the impact of reforms on steel prices will be indirect, mainly via the end-user sectors. Uncertainty surrounds the extent and timing of any demand uptick," he added.

According to Aditya Welekar of Axis Securities, while the downside for prices remains limited due to safeguard duties, a 12% levy on imports levied in April, any meaningful recovery will hinge on a pickup in demand.

Emails sent to JSW Steel, Tata Steel, Steel Authority of India (SAIL), privately held-AMNS India, and Jindal Steel did not elicit a response.

Steel price movements

Price of the benchmark hot rolled coils started rising in February 2025 to 48,413 per tonne (up 3% sequentially from 47,044 in January) anticipating implementation of the safeguard duty, before correcting July onwards, a seasonally weaker month due to monsoons. This dip was more prominent in October, when it fell to 48,275 a tonne as weaknesses persisted.

In case of rebar prices, which has averaged upwards of 50,000 per tonne in the last four years, the price hit a lower side of 47,075 per tonne in September and remained almost flat in the 47,150 per tonne range in October.

In the case of long products, particularly rebars, prices have fallen the most in recent months because of reduced demand. Secondary producers are struggling to operate profitably," Goel added. If prices dont improve by November, many secondary mills may cut production to stabilize prices." Secondary or smaller steel players dominate the rebar segment, accounting for nearly two-thirds of production; large integrated mills hold the remaining share.

Oversupply of steel by Indian steelmakers and reduced exports continue to be a prime factor impacting prices.

Traditionally, exports would have acted as a relief from excess production, but outbound shipments have steadily declined over the past five years, leaving producers with fewer options to balance the market.

India's steel exports have fallen from 18.5 million tonnes in CY2021 to just 5.33 million tonnes as of August CY2025, showed Big Mint data, indicating the year will end with significantly lower exports.

View Full Image India's steel exports have fallen from 18.5 million tonnes in CY2021 to just 5.33 million tonnes as of August CY2025, showed Big Mint data. (Bloomberg)

Stress continues in view of Chinese offerings being more competitive over Indian steel export prices. Previous key export markets in West Asia now prefer Chinese steel to Indian offers leading to a dip in exports.

So far, the EU continues to be one of the largest export markets. But, even there, barriers such as the European Union's carbon border adjustment mechanism, or CBAM, policy restriction has impacted overall sentiments.

A report of the Steel Ministry, accessed by Mint, shows the extent of the demand and supply mismatch in Indian steel. Production of finished steel was 78.56 million tonnes for the April-September period, up 11% year on year. Consumption, on the other hand, was 78.88 mt for the first half of fiscal 2026, a year-on-year increase of 8.4%.

Sequentially, finished steel consumption was down 2.2% to 13.5 million tonnes in September, over 13.8 million tonnes in August, indicative of seasonal weakness.

One relief for steelmakers is that prices of raw materials like iron ore remain rangebound in the 3,200 per tonne range and could see some moderation as seasonal factors like monsoons lead to improved production. Coking coal prices are on the softer side, too.

Prices post safeguard

The safeguard duty imposed in April did not improve prices as the larger steel mills had expected.

For instance, in May, when domestic hot rolled coil steel prices were at 52,033 per tonne, the price of Chinese steel in India (post safeguard duties) was 54,335 per tonne, while that from Japan was lower than Indian offerings at 51,739 per tonne.

In June, Indian steel prices fell to 51,050 per tonne, while that from China was at 53,928 per tonne. July to September, the second quarter of this fiscal, saw Indian steel prices tumble in the 49,000 per tonne range and then to 48,000-odd and finally to the current 47,000 per tonne range. Differences with Chinese and Japanese offerings only widened from the 56,000 per tonne and 50,000-52,000 a tonne range, respectively.

Also Read | Jindal Stainless's green push to shield EU exports from carbon tax

The safeguard duties were announced for 200 days, which expires 7 November, but it is expected to be extended. The Directorate General of Trade Remedies, a quasi-judicial body under the ministry of commerce, had proposed a staggered safeguard duty: 12% in the first year, 11.5% in the second, and 11% in the third.

JSW's Acharya expects the finance ministrys approval for a three-year safeguard duty is expected by November.

Outlook flat

It remains to be seen how demand fares in the October-December quarter, according to analysts.

Demand is expected to recover only towards the end of November, keeping prices under pressure through most of the third quarter of the current fiscal. The pressure in prices could be offset by higher volumes, and result in continued lower realisations, similar to the September quarter," said Welekar of Axis Securities.

Parthiv Jhonsa, vice president at Anand Rathi Institutional Equities said that historically, the Diwali period and the week that follows tend to be slow for price revisions, so any immediate hikes only materialize after the first week of November.

While Q3 average prices should be higher than Q2 for both flats and longs, the quantum of increase will depend on how quickly demand normalises. We currently expect a rise of 1,000-1,500 per tonne across categories," said Jhonsa. Flats are industry parlance for hot rolled coil steel and longs for rebars.

Since the start of the year, JSW Steel shares have gained nearly 28%, Tata Steel has risen 26%, SAIL is up 15%, and Jindal Steel has advanced 8%, outperforming the benchmark Nifty, which has gained about 9% during the same period.
For millions of Indians in small towns, e-commerce transactions are completed only once the product arrives at their doorstep as they typically choose cash on delivery (COD). For IPO-bound online marketplace Meesho, which has a strong presence in small towns, this is a clear red flag.

More than 76% of the 1.59 billion orders the company shipped in FY25 were COD, down from 85% in FY24 and 88% in FY23, according to updated draft IPO papers Meesho filed with the stock exchanges earlier this week.

While the share of COD orders has been declining gradually, it remains alarmingly high. Lets take a close look at why this is a problem for Meesho and other e-commerce companies, especially those that focus on small towns.

Also Read | Cash on delivery charges: Why the government is stepping in

Why is COD so popular in India?

Despite the rise of digital payments, most online shoppers in India continue to prefer doorstep payment over advance payment, especially in tier-II and tier-III towns. According to industry estimates, the penetration of digital payment modes such as the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in rural areas was just 15% as of 2024, even though the number of internet users has grown multifold in recent years.

More than 65% of online shoppers in India prefer COD to other types of payment, especially for high-frequency purchases such as clothes and accessories, according to a 2024 study by the Indian Institute of Ahmedabad. And consulting firm KPMG estimated that COD accounted for nearly 60% of all e-commerce transactions in India in 2024.

Indias tier-II and tier-III towns are the primary users of COD as trust in e-commerce and digital payments remains low in those areas. COD also remains popular as it gives shoppers, especially senior citizens, a sense of security in case an incorrect or damaged product arrives at their doorstep. COD is also known for encouraging first-time shoppers to transact online.

Digital fraud is also a worry, with cards and internet banking accounting for 56.5% total bank fraud cases in FY25, compared to 49% in FY23, according to RBI data. UPI fraud stood at 485 crore in the first six months of FY24, or 0.4% of the total UPI transaction value for that period, according to government data.

Digital fraud is also a worry, with cards and internet banking making up 56.5% of total bank fraud cases in FY25, up from 49% in FY23, RBI data shows.

Why is this worrying for e-commerce companies?

A high percentage of COD payments usually translates to high returns to origin (RTO)orders for which delivery was unsuccessful and that were returned to the seller. This costly reverse logistics hits companies earnings hard. Its also common for sellers to delayor ignore completelypayments to e-commerce companies from their COD collections, which further dents their growth.

Meesho, Flipkart and Snapdeal have the most to lose from this, given their significant presence in small towns. In May 2024, Meesho filed a police complaint in Bengaluru against 35 delivery vendors for allegedly failing to deposit the COD payments they had collected from customers.

Also Read | America wants India to unlock its tightly guarded e-commerce door

Meesho highlighted this risk in its draft IPO papers: COD orders expose us to the risk of lower successful deliveries where consumers may refuse to accept the delivery of the product, leading to increased logistics costs and operational inefficiencies."

High returns have been a consistent problem for the e-commerce industry in general. Overall, 15-16% of all e-commerce orders are either partially or fully returned, according to research firm Forrester.

How is Meesho addressing the problem?

E-commerce platforms have realised that small-town shoppers are critical for their growth. A February 2025 report by Anarock showed that the share of online shoppers in tier-II and tier-III cities grew to 56% in FY24 from 46% in FY20. Indias e-commerce market was valued at $125 billion in FY24 and is projected to touch $345 billion by FY30, the report said.

The bulk of Meeshos customers are in small towns, so the company is expected to approach the issue with caution. While the success rate of COD orders was as high as 77.7% in FY25, it is trying new things to encourage prepayment.

In September 2024 the company introduced Meesho Balance, a third-party-enabled gift card solution that allows consumers to receive refunds in the form of gift cards. It also offers the usual bouquet of prepayment options, including netbanking, cards, UPI, and buy-now-pay-later.

The company has set up guardrails to restrict COD options for repeat offenders and charge a convenience fee to consumers with high return rates. It has also set up standard operating processes to manage and monitor outstanding payments, particularly in relation to cash collection by last-mile delivery partners.

These efforts seem to be bearing fruit. The share of prepaid orders relative total orders shipped grew to 23% in FY25 from 14.6% in FY24.

Also Read | How RBIs new rules change the way your payments are processed
Gold prices today: Gold prices recovered in Thursday's session from the recent sell-off, with the December futures contract on MCX gaining 2.25% to an intraday high of 124,600 per 10 grams, rebounding from a multi-week low of 120,515 hit on Wednesday, as U.S. sanctions against Russia and possible new export controls on China added to geopolitical risks, boosting demand for safe-haven assets.

Geopolitical Drivers Trade fears resurfaced after reports emerged that the Donald Trump administration is reportedly considering a significant escalation in trade tensions with China. The plan is to curb a wide range of software-powered exports to China, from laptops to jet engines.

This potential action, which could affect the import of several items, is being weighed as retaliation against Beijing's latest round of rare earth export restrictions, Reuters reported.

Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday confirmed that the White House is mulling plans to curb exports to China made with U.S. software.

Bessent's statement comes ahead of his highly anticipated talks with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Malaysia later this week, which could set the stage for a potential meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea at the month's end.

President Donald Trump earlier this month said that the U.S. would impose export controls on "any and all critical software" to China beginning next month by barring global shipments of goods containing U.S. software to the country.

Trump also imposed Ukraine-related sanctions on Russia for the first time in his second term, targeting oil companies Lukoil and Rosneft.

Impact on Gold Prices Recent Sell-Off: Gold fell roughly 10,110 per 10 grams over two sessions on MCX, marking its largest short-term correction in the recent past.

Recovery: The rebound on Thursday was supported by risk-off sentiment and safe-haven buying.

Year-to-Date Performance: Despite volatility, gold remains up nearly 62% year-to-date, outperforming other asset classes such as equities and bonds.

Jateen Trivedi, VP Research Analyst, Commodity and Currency, LKP Securities, said, " Uncertainty over shifting US presidential policy views led to a modest rebound as investors looked to re-enter at lower levels. The upcoming US CPI data remains a crucial factor for near-term direction. Gold faces stiff resistance at 1,25,000 1,25,500 and support between 1,20,000 1,21,000."
Oil prices jumped on Thursday after the United States unveiled sanctions targeting Russias biggest oil companies, threatening supplies from one of the worlds top producing nations.

Brent crude rallied by more than 5% to trade near $66 a barrel, heading for its largest daily leap since the beginning of the Israel-Iran conflict on 13th June.

Also Read | Reliance's oil imports from Russia to take a hit after US sanctions on top firms

The US blacklisted Russian oil giants Rosneft PJSC and Lukoil PJSC, fuelling concern that key purchaser India will withdraw from dealings with Moscow.

Brent is currently rebounding from a five-month low reached on Monday. Futures had also risen on Wednesday amid signs the recent sell-off was overcooked and as US stockpiles shrank.

Rosneft, run by Russian President Vladimir Putins close ally Igor Sechin, and privately held Lukoil are the two largest Russian oil producers, together accounting for nearly half of the nations total exports, according to Bloomberg estimates.

The measure arrives at a time when global supply appears plentiful, as nations both inside and outside the OPEC producer alliance increase production amidst signs that demand growth is cooling.

If India does substantially reduce its orderssenior refinery executives have noted the restrictions would make it virtually impossible for the trade to continuethe crucial question will be whether China is willing to fill the gap, reported Bloomberg.

However, while abundant supplies may cushion the blow of these sanctions, their effect should not be taken lightly. Re-organising Indias importsof which more than a third currently come from Russiawould be a monumental undertaking.

The move is also sending ripples through Chinas oil industry, which takes as much as 20% of its crude from Russia.

Also Read | Nayara in UK's crosshairs as Britain targets Russian oil giants

Admittedly, Russia has ample experience in evading sanctions, and their final impact remains unclear. The countrys seaborne crude shipments recently hit a 29-month high despite a raft of Western limitations.

Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump stated that Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him the country would scale back its purchases.

Following the measures, Trump announced he planned to speak to Chinese President Xi Jinping about the nations Russian oil buying at a scheduled meeting next week in South Korea.

The European Union, meanwhile, heaped further pressure on the Kremlin, adopting a new package of sanctions targeting Russias energy infrastructure, including a complete transaction ban on Rosneft and Gazpromneft.
The Lenskart IPO price band and key dates are expected to be announced early next week, according to market sources. Eyewear retailer is all set to launch its IPO valued at 8,000-crore in early November, as per media reports.

This will mark the fourth-largest IPO of 2025, following Tata Capital, HDB Financial Services, and LG Electronics India. The main book-running managers for this offering include Kotak Mahindra Capital, Morgan Stanley, Citi, Avendus, Axis Capital, and Intensive Fiscal Services. According to reports, the firm supported by Temasek and KKR, plans to further develop its presence in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities while enhancing its omnichannel strategy.

Also Read | Lenskart IPO could make Peyush Bansal a billionaire

The Lenskart IPO will consist of a mix of new share issuances and an offer for sale of up to 13.23 crore shares. The company intends to generate up to 2,150 crore through the new share issuance. Co-founded by Peyush Bansal, the Lenskart IPO will be a fully book-built issue, with Bansal set to sell up to 2.05 crore shares. Co-founders Neha Bansal, Amit Chaudhary, and Sumeet Kapahi will also be selling stakes through the IPO.

Here are some of the key risks listed by the company in its Draft Red-Herring Prospectus (DRHP):

Lenskart IPO - Key Risks The company produces some of its frames domestically while importing certain raw materials from the Peoples Republic of China, including through their joint venture with Baofeng Framekart Technology Limited. Any delays, interruptions, or reductions in the supply of these frames or raw materials could negatively impact their business, financial position, operational results, and cash flow. The expenses associated with raw materials constitute a large portion of the company's total expenditures (amounting to  16,229.74 million, or 24.52% of overall expenses in the Financial Year 2025), and any delays, interruptions, or changes in the supply of these materials needed for their prescription eyeglasses, or fluctuations in raw material prices could adversely influence their business, operational results, financial condition, and cash flow. Any slowdowns, failures, or shutdowns at their manufacturing sites could negatively affect their business, operational outcomes, financial health, and cash flow. The company's dependence on manufacturing facilities situated in the Gurugram industrial cluster poses concentration risks related to production and logistics, which could adversely impact their business, operational results, financial condition, and cash flow. The company has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Government of Telangana to establish a new manufacturing plant in Hyderabad, Telangana, and may face delays regarding the planning, construction, and operationalization of this facility, which could negatively affect their business, operational results, financial condition, and cash flow. The company's past performance may not necessarily reflect their future growth or financial results, and if they do not effectively manage their growth or execute their growth strategies, it could adversely impact their business, financial health, operational results, and cash flow. Their global operations introduce various risks related to management, legal matters, taxation, politics, economics, and foreign exchange, and failing to address these risks could detrimentally affect their business, operational results, financial condition, and cash flow. If the company is unable to recruit and retain vision care professionals (including optometrists and opticians) for their retail stores, it could negatively impact their business, operational results, financial condition, and cash flow. Advancements in medical technology within the eyecare sector might negatively influence the demand for their eyewear products. The company significantly relies on sales of its eyewear products to Lenskart Gold members in India. Any failure to retain these customers could lead to a decrease in their product sales, adversely affecting their business, operational results, financial condition, and cash flow.

Also Read | Lenskart IPO DRHP exposes an awkward detail about a promoter - Missing marksheet
Bank of Maharashtra is a widely recognised PSU bank in India . It has carved out a respectable position for itself in the Indian banking ecosystem.

Headquartered in Pune, the bank has over 30 million customers. In the stock market, it has been on the radar of investors over the last few years due to the improving asset quality being reported every quarter.

Having said that, the stock has not set the market on fire, and in the last few days, the price has even taken a tumble.

Pros

#1 Improvement in Fundamentals

The primary reason investors should consider the stock is its steadily improving fundamentals. A standout feature of the banks financials is that its net non-performing assets (NPAs) are among the lowest.

The bank has improved its asset quality drastically, with the NPAs going from 0.97% in FY22 to 0.2% in FY24. The current NPAs of the bank is around the same level.

The lender has also maintained a healthy net interest margin (NIM) of around 3.9%. The improvement in NPAs resulted in the net profit of the bank multiplying almost 10 times from FY21 to FY25. In this period, the banks return on assets (ROA) grew spectacularly from 0.3% to 1.5%.

This sharp improvement in fundamentals enabled the bank to raise capital last year. It raised 3500 crore via QIP route in 2024, strengthening its balance sheet and improving its capital adequacy ratio from 17.4% in FY24 to 20.5% in FY25.

#2 Growth Momentum is Intact

The recent quarterly results have shown that Bank of Maharashtra is still on the growth path. Gross advances grew 16.83% year-on-year (YoY) while retail, agri & MSME business grew 16.94%. Retail advances grew strongly by 37.45% YoY.

Bank of Maharashtra reported a 23.09% YoY rise in net profit at 1,633 crore during the September quarter, with the net interest income (NII) up 15.71% YoY to 32.48 bn.

Gross NPA declined to 1.72% as on 30 September 2025, against 1.84% as on 30 September 2024, and 1.74% as on 30 June 2025.

Net NPA declined to 0.18% as on 30 September 2025, against 0.2% as on 30 September 2024, and 0.18% as on 30 June 2025.

The ROA improved to 1.82% in Q2FY26 against 1.74% in Q2FY24 and 1.8% in Q1FY25.

Cons

#1 NPA Concerns

The stock market is very sensitive to news about NPAs when it comes to PSU banking stocksand for good reason. These banks have had serious issues with NPAs in the past and the market is always on the lookout for a potential repeat.

Recently, the Indian financial sector has been plagued with a slowdown in loan growth due to concerns about loans turning bad. This has been observed in the microfinance and the MSME sectors.

In the 2QFY26 results, the banks gross NPAs were under control on a percentage basis but the total amount of bad loans increased to 4,372 crore from 4,206 crore in the previous quarter.

The net NPAs did not increase too much in part due to the provisioning policies of the bank.

However, slippages remain a concern. Gross slippages stood at 712 crore, up from 730 crore in June.

Also Read | Why banks are letting fintechs launch your credit card

#2 Highly Regulated Sector

Banks are perhaps the most regulated companies in the corporate world.

Its no different in India. Navigating the risks to the banking business associated with the regulatory environment is a constant part of day to day management.

Small banks, such as Bank of Maharashtra, must comply with the same regulations as large banks.

The difference is that large banks, due to their extensive financial and human resources, can easily accommodate regulatory provisions. Small banks may find it more challenging at times.

This is something that investors will have to factor in. If there is any setback for the bank on the regulatory front, there will be a sharp negative reaction in the stock market.

Also Read | Banks bet on corporate credit rebound as investment sentiment turns

Conclusion

Investing in banking stocks can be a good move, if backed by thorough research and a keen understanding of market dynamics.

It's crucial to assess your investment goals and risk tolerance before considering any investment.

With careful consideration and a forward-looking approach, you can take advantage of the potential within the Indian banking sector while navigating its inherent risks.

For more details, you can have a look at the Bank of Maharashtra fact sheet and quarterly results on our website.

For a sector overview, read our banking sector report.

Happy Investing.

Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. It is not a stock recommendation and should not be treated as such.

This article is syndicated from Equitymaster.com
The domestic benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty 50, rose on Thursday due to increasing optimism regarding the US-India trade agreement. New inflows of foreign funds and purchases of IT shares also propelled the markets upward in the trading session.

On Thursday, the Nifty 50 was only 0.7% away from its peak, having reached an intraday high of 26,099.70. The Sensex climbed to as high as 85,272.40, which is approximately 0.8% less than its historic maximum. The Nifty 50 achieved a record high of 26,277.35 in September of the previous year, while the Sensex reached its highest point at 85,978.25 around the same period.

Prashanth Tapse, Research Analyst, Senior Vice President of Research at Mehta Equities believes that the Indian markets have already begun responding positively to the anticipation of a potential IndiaUS trade deal expected in the coming days or weeks.

Several reports suggest that tariffs on Indian exports to the US could be reduced sharply from nearly 50% to around 1516%. If this materializes, it could trigger a strong sentimental boost, leading to a gap-up opening in the Nifty 50, particularly benefiting IT and export-oriented sectors.

Combined with improving corporate earnings, this could set the stage for a medium-term move toward the ~27,00028,000 range over the next 36 months, according to Tapse.

What does the trade deal mean for India? This IndiaUS deal marks more than just the end of a long, bruising negotiation cycle it signals Indias arrival as an equal at the global economic table, believes Mohit Gulati, CIO and managing partner of ITI Growth Opportunities Fund.

For months, markets have worn the uncertainty like a wet blanket  currency weakness, trade friction, and valuation fatigue. Yet India held its ground, refused short-term concessions, and emerged with a framework that rebalances trade rather than bending to it.

According to Mohit, from a market lens, this deal could catalyse a structural rerating. It brings relief to sectors long priced for geopolitical drag  autos, capital goods, and PSUs in particular  while reinforcing foreign investor confidence in Indias policy stability. The rupees resilience through this phase is already hinting at that shift.

As we look ahead, the narrative is turning from defence to dominance. The India story now has tailwinds not just from domestic growth, but from geopolitical credibility. If policy execution stays steady, this could be the inflection point that transforms India from the market that reacts  to the market that sets the tone.

Other factors contributing to the recent stock market rally In addition to the India-US trade agreement, various other elements have played a role in the recent surge of the stock market in India.

The country's GDP growth has remained robust, bolstered by strong consumer spending, investment, and government policy support. An increase in foreign institutional investment (FII), driven by India's stable macroeconomic conditions, enhanced corporate governance, and the inclusion of Indian bonds in global indices, has contributed to the market rally.

Moreover, better-than-expected quarterly performances from major corporations, particularly in the banking, IT, and FMCG sectors, have resulted in upward adjustments in earnings forecasts and shifts in investment strategies, according to reports.

Dr. VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments highlighted that President Trump and responses from PM Modi indicate an early trade deal between India and US. The expected deal involves some concessions from both sides. If the reported 15-16 % tariffs on Indian exports to US materialises that would be a big positive for Indian economy and major boost to stock markets.

The market rally which has already begun in the festival season will accelerate enabling the Nifty to set new record highs. Unprecedented record sales during the last few days has the potential to improve corporate earnings. FIIs turning buyers recently and short covering are factors that can fuel the rally. Clearly, it is advantage bulls!
Shares of oil marketing companies (OMCs) such as Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) declined up to 4% on Thursday amid a sharp rise in global crude oil prices. The Nifty Oil & Gas index also fell nearly 0.5%.

HPCL share price dropped as much as 4.06% to 437.00 apiece, while BPCL shares fell 2.66% to 330.00 apiece and Indian Oil stock price declined 2.58% to 150.05 apiece on the BSE. Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals (MRPL) shares also tumbled 4.02% to 144.40 apiece.

The sell-off in oil stocks came after crude oil prices surged, with the Brent oil prices gaining more than 3%. Higher crude oil prices weigh on the margins of oil marketing companies.

Crude oil prices rise amid sanctions and supply concerns Crude oil extended its gains from the previous session after reports suggested that Indian refiners were reviewing their purchases of Russian oil. This comes in the wake of the US imposing sanctions on Russias major oil producers Rosneft and Lukoil over the Ukraine war.

Brent crude oil prices rallied 3.53% to $64.80 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures gained 3.57% to $60.59.

The move follows US President Donald Trumps decision to impose Ukraine-related sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil as part of a broader effort to isolate Russian energy exports. The UK had imposed similar sanctions a week earlier, while EU nations approved their 19th sanctions package, which includes a ban on Russian LNG imports.

Impact on Indias Russian oil imports President Trump also stated that India will reduce its Russian oil imports by nearly 40% by the end of the year, phasing them out to almost nothing. According to a Reuters report, Indian refiners are now preparing to significantly cut Russian crude purchases in response to the new sanctions.

Reliance Industries, Indias largest buyer of Russian crude, is reportedly planning to reduce or completely halt such imports. A company spokesperson told Reuters that Recalibration of Russian oil imports is ongoing, and Reliance will be fully aligned with Government of India guidelines.

State-run refiners such as HPCL, BPCL, and IOC typically do not buy Russian oil directly from Rosneft or Lukoil, instead sourcing it through intermediaries. However, market analysts noted that skepticism persists over whether US sanctions will lead to a major supply disruption, which has capped further gains in crude prices so far.
The Indian stock market benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty 50, opened with strong gains on Thursday, led by optimism over reports of a likely India-US trade deal soon. Despite weakness in Asian markets and an overnight fall in the US stock market, the domestic equity market surged amid buying across the board.

The BSE Sensex opened 727.81 points, or 0.86%, higher at 85,154.15, while the Nifty 50 rallied 188.60 points, or 0.73%, to open at 26,057.20. Broader markets supported the rally, as the Nifty Midcap 100 index gained 0.52%, while the Nifty Smallcap 100 index was up 0.24%. Bank Nifty index traded 0.9% higher, touching record high levels above 58,500.

At 12:00 PM, Sensex was up 772.75 points, or 0.92%, at 85,199.09, while the Nifty 50 was trading 217.45 points, or 0.84%, higher at 26,084.60.

Among sectors, expect for Nifty Oil & Gas, all other sectoral indices were trading in the green, led by Nifty IT, Nifty Private Bank, Nifty FMCG, Nifty Metals, Nifty Auto and Nifty Pharma.

Meanwhile, both the benchmark Nifty 50 and Sensex indexes have jumped about 3% in the previous five sessions, aided by stable Q2 results from banks and heavyweights such as Reliance Industries.

Reports of an imminent trade deal between India and US is doing the rounds in market circles and the market reaction through Nifty 50 open confirms this. If the reported 15-16% tariffs on Indian exports to US materialises that would be a big positive for the Indian economy and a major boost to stock markets. The market rally which has already begun in the festival season will accelerate enabling the Nifty 50 to set new record highs, said Dr. VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments.

Unprecedented record sales during the last few days has the potential to improve corporate earnings. FIIs turning buyers recently and short covering are factors that can fuel the rally. Clearly, it is advantageous for bulls, he added.

Here are five key reasons why Indian stock market is rising today:

1. India-US Trade Deal India and the US are likely to sign a trade deal soon that could slash the current tariffs for Indian exports to 15% - 16% from 50%, Mint reported, quoting three people aware of the matter. According to the report, India may agree to gradually reduce its imports of Russian oil, with energy and agriculture emerging as key talk points in the deal.

2. Upbeat Q2 Results The decent Q2 results by some of the index heavyweights such as Reliance Industries improved investors risk-appetite. Analysts expect the earnings trajectory should bottom out, with a H2FY26 recovery likely on the back of the consumption recovery. Nifty EPS downgrades stabilized in the last one month with a small 1% uptick.

Consensus expectations for FY27 remain optimistic at 15%, partly led by the turnaround banks and energy. The street is also building in a robust recovery in staples.

3. Heavyweights Lead Rally in index heavyweights, especially IT stocks, lifted the benchmark Nifty 50 above 26,000 level and Sensex above 85,000-mark. Infosys, HCL Technologies, Tata Steel, Axis Bank, Tata Consultancy Services, Tech Mahindra, Hindustan Unilever, among others rose over a percent each.

4. FII Buying The Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) extended their buying streak for the fifth consecutive session on October 21, as they bought equities worth 96.72 crore, while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) turned net sellers, offloading equities worth over 607.01 crore on the same day.

5. Short-Covering Rally The Indian stock market is also witnessing a short-covering rally after its recent consolidation. This short-covering has the potential to spike up large caps where there are big short positions. Textile stocks, which bore the brunt of the penal tariffs, are likely to witness big buying amid India-US trade deal buzz.

On the technical front, high momentum as confirmed by oscillators have been successful in letting Nifty 50 trade close to the upper bollinger band on consecutive days.

In this construct, bearish candles formed in the last two days could get ignored initially, before precipitating into a sharp reversal. For now, upside objective is set at 26,186, with 2,6800 appearing as an optimistic objective. Meanwhile, downside marker is placed at 257,80, but an outright reversal is not expected today, said Anand James, Chief Market Strategist, Geojit Investments Limited.

Stock Market Outlook In the current environment of heightened volatility and mixed market cues, traders are advised to maintain a cautious buy-on-dips approach, particularly when using leverage, said Amruta Shinde, Technical & Derivative Analyst at Choice Broking.

Booking partial profits during rallies and maintaining tight trailing stop-losses is recommended to manage risk effectively. Fresh long positions should be considered only if the Nifty sustains above the 26,200 mark. While the broader market undertone remains cautiously bullish, close monitoring of key technical levels and global developments will be crucial in the sessions ahead, Shinde said.
Stock market news: The domestic benchmark indices ended slightly higher during the special Muhurat Trading session on Tuesday, with the Nifty 50 closing near 25,900.

Although the Sensex and Nifty 50 remained mostly unchanged, the broader market exhibited gains. The BSE Midcap index increased by 0.3%, and the Smallcap index rose by 1%.

At the conclusion of the Muhurat trading session, the Nifty 50 stood at 25,868.60, marking an increase of 25.45 points, or 0.10%, while the Sensex finished at 84,426.34, up 62.97 points, or 0.07%.

The primary near-term catalyst is the real demand growth across various consumer sectors during the current festive season, driven by the GST rate reduction and a potential trade agreement between the US and India. Experts predict corporate earnings to grow at an average annual rate of 12% from FY25 to FY27E.

Trade Setup for Thursday As per Rupak De, a Senior Technical Analyst at LKP Securities, the Nifty 50 has maintained its upward trend throughout the Muhurat trading session, although the actual range was limited due to the shortened trading period. The market sentiment remains bullish, with the index holding steady above the significant 21 EMA. The RSI has moved into a highly optimistic momentum zone and seems poised for further strengthening in the upcoming sessions. In the near term, a rise towards 26,000 or 26,200 appears likely, while support is established at 25,700.

Global Markets, Q2 results, India-US trade deal Market performance over the last year has been lackluster, reflecting the consolidation in corporate earnings, although it was underpinned by a high comparative base. The beginning of FY26 has shown a promising start, with Q1FY26 earnings growth estimated at 6.6% year-on-year, while full-year projections are anticipated to reach 8.2% year-on-year, as per experts.

A notable development recently has been the GST 2.0 reforms, which came as an unexpected positive and could enhance corporate earnings beginning in H2FY26, according to experts.

In the near term, a key driver is the genuine demand growth in consumer segments during the ongoing festive season, spurred by the GST rate reduction and a possible trade agreement between the US and India. Corporate profits are predicted to increase at a CAGR of 12% from FY25 to FY27.

Sumeet Bagadia's stock picks Godawari Power and Ispat Ltd: Bagadia recommends buying Godawari Power share price at 252.35 keeping a stoploss at 240 with a Godawari Power share price target of 275.

Godawari Power share price was trading at 252.35 and is forming a channel range pattern on the daily chart, indicating a phase of healthy consolidation. The stock recently found strong support at the lower end of the channel near the 50-day EMA, which also acts as immediate support. This bounce suggests accumulation at lower levels and reinforces buyer interest in this zone.

Technically, the stock is trading above its 20, 50, and 200 EMAs, highlighting a structurally strong uptrend and signalling potential for a continued bullish move. On the upside, Godawari Power faces key resistance around 255. A breakout and close above this level would signal the end of the consolidation phase and open the door for a fresh rally.

Traders may consider buying Godawari Power share price at 252.35, with a stop loss at 240 and a target of 275, offering a favorable risk-reward opportunity.

National Aluminium Company Ltd (NALCO): Bagadia recommends buying NALCO share price at 226.03 keeping a stoploss at 215 with a NALCO share price target of 245.

NALCO share price was trading at 226.03 and is exhibiting a bullish structure, forming a higher high and higher low pattern on the daily chart. This indicates strong underlying momentum. The stock is presently consolidating within a narrow range and has recently taken support near its previous higher high, suggesting accumulation at lower levels and reaffirming buying interest in the support zone.

Technically, NALCO share price is trading above its key moving averages  20, 50, and 200 EMA  which signals strength and supports the continuation of the uptrend. On the upside, the immediate resistance lies near 230. A decisive breakout and sustained move above this level could pave the way for a fresh rally.

Traders may consider buying NALCO share price at 226.03, with a stop loss at 215 and a target of 245, offering a favorable risk-reward setup.

Also Read | Shankar Sharma decodes US markets rally; his outlook for Samvat 2082

Ganesh Dongre's stocks to buy today Indian Energy Exchange Ltd (IEX): Ganesh Dongre recommends buying IEX share price at 138 with a stoploss at 132 with IEX share price target of 146.

IEX share price has been exhibiting a strong and consistent bullish pattern, indicating sustained investor interest and positive price momentum. The stock is currently trading at 138 and has established a solid support base at 132. This level has historically acted as a cushion, and the recent price action suggests a reversal from this support, reinforcing bullish sentiment.

The technical setup points to the potential for a price retracement toward the 146 level in the near term. Given the renewed strength and the favourable risk-reward ratio, entering at the current market price with a stop-loss placed at 132 offers a strategic opportunity to capture the expected upside move. The outlook remains positive as long as the stock holds above its key support zone

Housing & Urban Development Corporation Ltd (HUDCO): Ganesh Dongre recommends buying HUDCO share price at 229 with a stoploss at 223 with HUDCO share price target of 240.

HUDCO share price has exhibited a strong notable continue bullish pattern, offering another promising opportunity for short-term traders. The stock is currently priced at 229 and maintaining a strong support at 223. The technical setup indicates the potential for a price retracement towards the 240 level. With the stock reversing from a support base and showing signs of renewed strength, entering at the current market price with a stop-loss at 223 offers a prudent approach to capturing the anticipated upside.

Infosys Ltd: Ganesh Dongre recommends buying Infosys share price at 1,461 with a stoploss at 1,420 with Infosys share price target of 1,520.

Infosys share price has exhibited a strong notable continue bullish pattern, offering another promising opportunity for short-term traders. The stock is currently priced at 1,461 and maintaining a strong support at 1,420. The technical setup indicates the potential for a price retracement towards the 1,520 level. With the stock reversing from a support base and showing signs of renewed strength, entering at the current market price with a stop-loss at 1,420 offers a prudent approach to capturing the anticipated upside.

Shiju Koothupalakkal intraday stocks for today Tilaknagar Industries Ltd: Shiju Koothupalakkal recommends buying Tilaknagar share price at 488 with a Tilaknagar share price target of 515 with a stop loss of 478.

Tilaknagar share price has indicated a good support near 440 zone and with a pullback visible has currently improved the bias with a positive candle formation on the daily chart to anticipate for further rise in the coming days. The RSI has indicated a positive trend reversal to signal a buy and is on the rise, with upside potential visible and can carry on with the positive move further ahead. With the chart technically looking attractive, we suggest buying the stock for upside target of 515 keeping the stop loss at 478 level.

Cyient Ltd: Shiju Koothupalakkal recommends buying Cyient share price at 1,195 with a Cyient share price target of 1,245 with a stop loss of 1,170.

Cyient share price has indicated a significant revival in the last 2 sessions with improvement in the bias taking support near the 1,110 zone and can anticipate for further rise in the coming sessions. The RSI has indicated a positive trend reversal to signal a buy and with significant volume participation, can expect further gains to carry on with the positive move further ahead. With the chart technically looking good, we suggest buying the stock for an upside target of 1,245 keeping the stop loss of 1,170 level.

Action Construction Equipment Ltd: Shiju Koothupalakkal recommends buying Action Construction share price at 1,112.50 with a Action Construction share price target of 1,165 with a stop loss of 1,088.

Action Construction share price after a short period of consolidation has indicated a strong bullish candle to move past the important 50EMA level at 1096 zone to improve the bias and can expect further upward move in the coming days. The RSI has once again improved with a positive trend reversal after being flat for quite some time and with upside potential visible, can carry on with the positive move further ahead. With the chart technically looking good, we suggest buying the stock for an upside target of 1,165 keeping the stop loss of 1,088 level.
Stock market today: The domestic benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty 50, experienced gains on Thursday, fueled by growing optimism regarding the trade agreement between the US and India. The markets were further boosted by new foreign fund inflows and increased IT share purchases during the trading session.

On Thursday, the Nifty 50 was just 0.7% shy of its all-time high, tapping an intraday peak of 26,099.70. The Sensex reached a maximum of 85,272.40, which is roughly 0.8% below its historical high. Last September, the Nifty 50 established a record high of 26,277.35, while the Sensex also hit its peak at 85,978.25 during that timeframe.

Analysts credited the surge to news about a forthcoming meeting between President Donald Trump of the United States and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in addition to hopes for a trade agreement between the US and India.

However, the key benchmark indices, witnessed some profit booking where, at 14:14 IST, the Nifty 50 index traded at 25,955 . 65, while the BSE Sensex was trading at 84,765.47.

Market Views - Nagaraj Shetti, Senior Technical Research Analyst of HDFC Securities Nifty 50 Nifty 50 opened with big-bang after a holiday on Thursday and continued its gains in the early to mid-part of the session. After opening with sharp upside gap of 189 points the market shifted into a range bound action with positive bias after the opening. Post breakout of crucial hurdle at 25,500 levels last week, Nifty 50 has been continuously moving up, which indicates a decisive turnaround on the upside. The underlying trend of Nifty 50 continues to be positive and the next upside targets to be watched around 26,300. Immediate support is placed at 25,900.

Technical Picks: Stocks to buy in the short-term Nagaraj Shetti of HDFC Securities recommends these two stocks to buy in the short-term - IDFC First Bank Ltd, and Central Bank of India.

Buy IDFC First Bank at  79, Target at  85, Stoploss at  76, Timeframe 1 week. The midcap banking stock has witnessed a decisive breakout of crucial down sloping resistance recently around 73 and is currently trading higher. We observe bullish pattern like higher tops and bottoms on the daily chart. Volume has expanded during upmoves and RSI shows positive indication.

Buy Central Bank of India at  39.50, Target at  42, Stoploss at  38, Timeframe 1 week. The stock price has witnessed a sharp breakout of triangle type pattern on the weekly chart this week and is now trading higher. The hurdle of weekly 10/20 period EMA has also been surpassed on the upside. Volume pattern and daily/weekly RSI shows positive indication for the near term.
Tata Motors Demerger: Tata Motors' long-awaited demerger has finally entered its last leg, and the buzz has only grown stronger. The Tata group company and a leading Indian automaker, formally separated its commercial vehicle (CV) and passenger vehicle (PV) businesses into two independent entities.

The PV arm  which houses the companys electric vehicle (EV) business and Jaguar Land Rover (JLR)  trades independently on the Indian stock exchanges, while the CV arms listing is keenly awaited by investors.

Tata Motors Demerger Details Tata Motors fixed the demerger ratio as 1:1. This means each shareholder will receive one share of TML Commercial Vehicles Ltd (TMLCV) for every share of Tata Motors held.

The record date for the demerge was October 14.

During the one-hour pre-market session held on the day, the parent of Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) changed hands at 400. The gap from Mondays closing price of 660.75 implies a valuation of 260.75 a share for the spun-off commercial vehicles unit.

Also Read | Tata Motors CV shares credited: What investors should know about valuations

Tata Motors PV: Focused on Cars, EVs and JLR The existing share of Tata Motors represents the passenger vehicle side of the business, ranging from both Jaguar Land Rover and the domestic PV business that includes the ICE and EV segments. Along with this, the listed Tata Motors houses the investment in Tata Technologies.

With this, the new Tata Motors will become a consumer and technology-focused company.

The PV business offers higher growth potential, but also comes with increased risk due to its global exposure (via JLR) and significant ongoing investments in EVs, said Prashant Tapse, Research Analyst, Senior Vice President of Research at Mehta Equities.

He believes that the listed PV segment is well placed to gain from growing EV adoption in India, improving margins for JLR and a pipeline of premium product launches.

Based on our analysis of financial performance, growth drivers, and peer valuation multiples, the PV business is estimated to be valued at approximately 500 per share, Tapse opined.

As per SBI Securities, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicle (TMLPV) stock is likely to trade between 285-384 post demerger. The brokerage believes that any potential upside remains dependent on the recovery in JLR volumes and improvement in profitability.

The CV Arm Spins Off The demerged arm of Tata Motors  TML Commercial Vehicle  will house the commercial vehicle business, along with other investments, including the stake in Tata Capital.

Tapse said that the business is fundamentally cyclical, B2B in nature, and closely tied to overall economic activity and infrastructure development.

Tata Motors has a strong leadership position in this segment, with a domestic market share of over 37%. Now with the stake purchase in Inveco Group, the company will also make its presence known internationally.

Based on financial metrics, growth prospects, and peer valuation multiples, the standalone CV entity is estimated to be valued at approximately 400 per share, Tapse opined, adding that it is likely to attract investors seeking steady cash flows and cyclical value opportunities.

Tata Motors Commercial Vehicle (TMLCV) shares will be renamed as Tata Motors when they list on the bourses, most likely in November. Meanwhile, the PV arm's business will list at TMPVL.

With the split done, investors are asking a key question: Is the listed Tata Motors stock still a buy?

Tata Motors Demerger Details (AI Image)

Should You Invest In Listed Tata Motors Shares? Harshal Dasani, Business Head, INVAsset PMS, said that Tata Motors recent demerger marks a pivotal transition. "This structural split is aimed at sharper capital allocation, operational efficiency, and unlocking long-term value across independent growth cycles," he added.

Commenting on the financials, "In Q1 FY26, the CV segment delivered an EBITDA margin of around 12.2%, despite a 45% dip in volumes, supported by disciplined cost control and a healthy product mix. The passenger and EV divisions continue to benefit from rising domestic demand and Indias growing electric mobility ecosystem. However, the global JLR business remains under some pressure, with EBIT margin guidance revised to 57% for FY26, reflecting higher investment in next-generation EVs and product transitions."

Over the medium term, Dasani sees both entities unlocking value through focused strategy execution and cleaner balance sheets. "Tata Motors remains attractive for long-term investors who believe in the companys EV leadership, global diversification, and ability to sustain double-digit operating margins," he added.

While Tapse finds both entities as strong portfolio holdings, he believes that the choice to pick one will depend on the investors risk appetite and investment horizon.

From a fundamental perspective, Tapse finds PV business offering greater upside potential, driven by strong growth levers and strategic positioning in the EV and luxury segments. On the other hand, the CV business provides more defensive characteristics, particularly appealing in a supportive macroeconomic and infrastructure-led growth environment, he added.
Budget TVs never hog centre stage in glossy showrooms. Yet, in everyday Indian homes, they are the unsung protagonists. They slot into routines, empower diverse indulgences, and sidestep the space-and-cost dilemmas that come with flagship giants. While the marketing spotlight often illuminates the latest large-screen, feature-laden flagships from global giants like Samsung, LG, and Sony, the industrys true engine operates in a less glamorous but far larger segment. Here, mainstream affordable brands, legacy manufacturers, and scrappy startups battle for supremacy for an affordable telly.

What do we mean by affordable"? As low a 10,000 for a 32-inch TV going up to solid 50-inch options for under 35,000. Once considered entry-level appliances for first-time buyers, affordable TVs now cater to multi-screen households, streaming-first lifestyles, and consumers who demand premium performance without the premium price tag. The vast majority of televisions sold in India are in the 32- to 43-inch categorycollectively holding a 71% market share. This segment is the undisputed volume driver in a market that reached approximately $12.2 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.5% to nearly $26billion by 2030, according to TechSci Research.

Multiple screens

The budget segment is often mischaracterized as being solely for first-time buyers with limited purchasing power. However, it is fuelled by another trend: the expansion of television ownership into secondary and tertiary screens within a single household.

First, rising disposable incomes and rapid urbanization have expanded the capacity of middle and upper-income households to invest in consumer electronics beyond a single primary device. Second, the explosion of streaming services has profoundly individualized content consumption as they offer vast and diverse content libraries. And of course, all this is underpinned by the ubiquitous availability of low-cost, high-speed internet. An individual may act as a premium, feature-driven buyer when selecting a 65-inch OLED TV for their living room but adopt a value-conscious mindset when purchasing a 43-inch model for a bedroom. That said, when they enter the budget market, their reference point is this premium experience, not an outdated television.

What the market offers

The budget television segment is a fiercely contested arena where established players, agile Indian brands, and new disruptors vie for market share. Xiaomi, the brand that revolutionized the smartphone market with its price-disruptive strategy, followed a similar playbook for smart TVs quickly gaining market share. The company was quite successful in democratizing premium smart TV experience. You can pick a pretty good Xiaomi 4K TV X Series TV (starts at 23,999 for the 43-inch variant) that offers a well-rounded television watching experience without skimping on any major feature.

On the other hand, Vu Televisions, a prominent Indian brand founded in 2006, carved out a niche of affordable luxury, offering premium features at highly competitive price points. Then theres TCL and HiSense, formidable global players with some solid offerings with advanced panel technologies at a much affordable price, but their brand recognition in India is limited. In contrast, Kodak, Thomson, and Blaupunkt are legacy brand names licensed by the same Indian manufacturerSuper Plastronics Pvt. Ltd (SPPL). Its a strategy designed to leverage historical brand recognition in a crowded market.

A new entrant, Lumio, is attempting to disrupt the market by targeting a universal consumer pain point: the sluggish, unresponsive user interfaces that plague many smart TVs. The brands entire marketing proposition is built around performance and speed.

Features beyond the price tag

Several key technical features and one crucial non-technical factor can dramatically impact the ownership experience. The resolution of a TVs display determines its sharpness and clarity. For 32-inch screens, the standard is typically HD Ready or Full HD. However, for 43-inch and above TVs, 4K resolution has become the de facto standard, especially given the significant price drops and the widespread availability of 4K content on streaming platforms.

Audio is a critical but often overlooked aspect. While a higher wattage rating for speakers generally indicates a more powerful sound, the underlying audio technology is equally important. Support for formats such as Dolby Atmos and DTS TruSurround can create a more immersive, virtual surround sound experience even from built-in speakers. The Lumio Vision 9 with a quad speaker setup with Dolby Atmos or the Thomson Masterclass Series TV with two in-built sub-woofers offer a wholesome audio experience allowing you to skip that soundbar purchase. Theres also VU Vibe DV with an integrated soundbar!

And then theres the operating system. While most recent budget TVs are powered by Google TV, Googles version of Android for large screens, theres also Fire TV by Amazon (available on some Xiaomi models, for example), that offers the same user experience as available on Fire TV Sticks. What about the new JioTele OS? Google TV is a fantastic premium platform. However, to cater to affordable segment, we needed an Indian OS where you have certified Netflix with one of the technologies such as Dolby while keeping the price accessible for a wider audience," says Avneet Singh Marwah, CEO, SPPL.

Looking ahead

The trend of continued upsizing will solidify the 43-inch 4K TV as the new entry-level standard, pushing the 32-inch category further into a niche role, while the 50-inch size will likely become the next major value battleground. Blaupunkt has been consistently selling more of 55-inch than 32-inch models, and this trend has continued for over two years now," Marwah says. Additionally, innovations in display technology first showcased in flagship TVs from mainstream brands are now trickling down to affordable TVs faster. QLED has already become mainstream, replacing LED TVs. The next wave is QD Mini LED, bridging the gap between QLED and OLED. Globally, Mini LED sales surpassed OLED last year, and we expect the same trend in India soon," says Raghu Reddy, co-founder of Lumia.

The ones in the running

XIAOMI: Well-rounded, value-for-money TVs

Our pick: Xiaomi 4K TV X Series; starts at 23,999 (43"). A reliable pick, with an intuitive Patchwall user interface and free live streaming via Xiaomi TV+

THOMSON: Wide portfolio of capable TVs that dont cost a bomb



Our pick: Thomson Phoenix 2025 Edition; starts at 18,889 (43"). Well-rounded specifications sheet on a budget

LUMIO: Disrupting the market with a performance plank

Our pick: Lumio Vision 7; starts at 26,999 (43"). Lag-free experience with a bright Dolby Vision display and a quad-speaker setup

VU: Affordable luxury

Our pick: Vu VIBE DV TV; starts at 28,000 (43"). An integrated soundbar with an 88W Dolby Atmos sound system, and Dolby Vision

TCL: Premium panels for less

Our pick: TCL V6C 4K UHD Google TV; starts at 19,990 (43"). A beautiful looking TV with metallic, bezel-less display and a stellar visuals

Also Read | What I gained by going off Instagram stories
Chef Julien Royer is the co-founder of Odette, a three Michelin-starred modern French restaurant in Singapore. His deep understanding of ingredients and flavours draws from his early childhood spent in Cantal in France, where he grew up foraging and harvesting in his family farms. Royer promises to showcase the same respect and appreciation for artisanal and local produce through meticulously crafted meals, in keeping with the principles of French cooking, for Indian diners. Some of the menu highlights include Mangrove Crab with horseradish, nashi pear and Kristal caviar; Langoustine comme un dumpling with shiso, katsuobushi, vin jaune; Artic toothfish with Yari Ika, basil and prawn consomme; Avocado gourmandise with vadouvan, finger lime and coriander; and Grain de cafe with mascarpone, pecan praline and sobacha to name a few.

Where: Vetro, The Oberoi, Trident, Nariman Point, Mumbai.

When: 23-24 October

Contact: +91-91671 21721

A cocktail from the Atelier V Indore and Opium Bangkok collab.

Bangkok comes to Indore this weekend as the National Drinks Project partners with Opium Bar Bangkok for a bar takeover at Atelier V. Opium that ranked #43 on Asia's 50 Best Bars 2025, is known for offering playful twists to local flavours using Thai ingredients. Expect Opium's team to create libations such as Window to Issan, a refreshing concoction of tequila, sticky rice, lemongrass, kaffir lime, ginger beer, and Indian tonic, and Mali, which is inspired by boat rides through a mangrove forest, made with black ginger, winter savoury, and ginger ale.

When: 25 October

Where: Atelier V - G7, Satguru Parinay, Opp. C21 Mall, Near Pakiza, AB Road, Scheme 54, Indore.

Contact: +91-9755125195

Drift, Mumbai.

Located in George Town at Penang, Backdoor Bodega is a speakeasy bar with a merch store. Ranked #64 on Asias 50 Best Bars 2025, the Malayasian bar pours Peranakan-inspired cocktails using traditional ingredients. For one-night only, the bar will now take over the all-day cafe and bar Drift in Mumbai, under the showmanship of Thanesh Joel, an award-winning French-trained chef turned bartender. The menu features 1812, a spiced whisky blend with mace bitters and Penang nutmeg; Rojak, inspired by the Malaysian street snack with green mango, tamarind, and clarified milk; R.B.S, a savoury cocktail of tequila, tomato, and burnt cheese; and Tom (Yam) Collins, a playful riff on the classic with gin, lemongrass, galangal, and coconut.

When: 25 October

Where: Drift, entrance through Comorin @ Nilaya Anthology, Peninsula Corporate Park, Ganpatrao Kadam Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai.

Contact: 022-35387627

Chef Raju Dorjee.
For decades, skincare has often been a journey of trial and error, with users trying countless cleansers, serums, and creams before stumbling upon what works. However, a quiet revolution is now underway. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming how we understand and care for our skin, replacing guesswork with data-driven precision. Advanced algorithms, trained on millions of skin images, can scan a face through a smartphone camera and generate dermatologist-level insights within seconds.

Globally, this technology is already transforming the skincare industry. In India, it is opening doors to inclusive skin treatment solutions that accounts for diverse skin tones, high sun exposure, and the impact of pollution. The question is no longer whether AI can play a role in dermatology, but whether it could become our skin's most reliable everyday companion. Lounge spoke to experts to address the common questions and doubts that linger about AI in skincare.

Q1. Can AI make dermatology more accessible in India?

India faces a significant shortage of dermatologists. There are 16,400 registered dermatologists, with roughly 10,000 actively practising, which translates to one dermatologist for every 1.4 lakh (140,000) people, compared with 1 per 25,000 in the US, as per an October 2023 Times of India report. This shortfall is particularly evident outside major metros, where residents often have limited access to expert skin care.

AI-powered tools are emerging as a bridge to address this gap. For example, a young professional in Jhansi can utilise a smartphone-based skin analysis app to monitor early signs of pigmentation, hydration levels, or acne flare-ups. The app provides personalised insights and guidance, helping the user take preventive steps or decide if a visit to a dermatologist in a bigger city is necessary.

AI can play a pivotal role where dermatologists are scarce," says Sukhbir Singh Chimni, managing director of medical-grade skincare brand, Ceuticoz. It bridges the gap with reliable preliminary assessments and creates opportunities for preventive and personalised care, even in underserved populations." Piyush Jain, CEO & founder of skincare brand SkinInspired adds, AI can democratise skincare by offering personalised guidance to people who may not have frequent access to dermatologists. It becomes a bridge, making quality skincare more inclusive."

Q2. Can AI detect problems before they appear?

One of AI's biggest strengths is its ability to highlight subtle changes that may otherwise go unnoticed. Analysing images at a microscopic level can bring early skin concerns to attention, allowing people to take proactive steps. While this doesn't replace a dermatologist's evaluation, it supports earlier awareness and intervention.

Chimni explains the technology's potential. AI can detect early signs of skin issues that might be missed during routine consultations. Analysing images at a microscopic level can bring early skin concerns to attention, allowing people to take proactive steps. This doesn't replace a dermatologist's evaluation but supports earlier awareness and intervention."

Emphasising its preventive advantage, Jain explains, AI can sometimes catch very subtle early changes like faint pigmentation or irregular spots that might be overlooked in routine consultations. This early detection ability positions AI as a strong ally for prevention and proactive care. While it cannot replace medical judgment, it adds another layer of support to dermatology."

Q3. Is AI inclusive enough for Indian skin?

One criticism of early AI models in dermatology was their Western bias. When trained primarily on lighter skin tones, algorithms sometimes failed to detect pigmentation, redness, or chronic conditions in darker complexions. For India, this issue is critical. The accuracy of AI depends entirely on diverse datasets," stresses Chimni. Without including Indian skin tones and environmental realities like pollution or sun exposure, the results may not be reliable."

In practice, this means AI can now help identify issues such as melasma, tanning, or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. These conditions disproportionately affect Indian skin but were often underrepresented in global datasets.

Q4. How exactly do AI-powered skin diagnostic tools work?

AI-powered skin diagnostic tools work like digital health check-ups. Using high-quality images captured through a smartphone or specialised scanner, algorithms compare them against massive datasets of skin conditions. Patterns related to pigmentation, acne, wrinkles, redness, or hydration are flagged, and a comprehensive skin health report is generated in seconds.

Think of it as a digital health check-up for your skin," says Chimni. These tools capture images, analyse them against vast datasets, and generate detailed reports. The more data the system processes, the smarter it becomes."

This makes AI particularly powerful in first-level assessments, flagging early concerns that can guide users toward either lifestyle adjustments or dermatologist consultations. Some platforms even integrate augmented reality (AR), enabling users to visualise how treatments may improve their skin over time.

Q5. Will AI ever replace dermatologists?

Despite its speed and analytical power, AI cannot replicate the holistic approach of a dermatologist. Doctors consider medical history, lifestyle, touch-based assessments, and other factors beyond the reach of algorithms. AI's strength lies in supporting human expertise, rather than substituting for it.

Chimni explains, At-home devices can track hydration, pigmentation, or acne flare-ups, helping consumers monitor their skin proactively. However, they complement rather than replace clinical visits, since complex or suspicious conditions still require a dermatologist's evaluation." The best approach, Chimni says, is a combination that uses AI for early detection and awareness, and then relies on a dermatologist for a holistic, personalised treatment plan.

Jain adds, For routine or preventive care, at-home AI devices may replace some clinic visits. But for complex diagnoses and treatments, in-person dermatologists remain irreplaceable. AI will assist, not replace, the expertise of human professionals."

By augmenting dermatologists' capabilities, AI can streamline consultations, provide proactive insights, and personalise care, while leaving the ultimate judgment to medical professionals.

Shweta Dravid is a self -confessed explorer who writes on travel, health, wellness, mindfulness and life truths.

Also Read | Seeking mental health advice from AI? Treat it only as psychological first aid
New Delhi: More Indian men die by suicide than women, according to a recent study by the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) reviewed by Mint .

Critically, the study also showed that suicide is the leading cause of death among the economically productive 15-39 age group in India. The mean age at suicide death was estimated at 36 yearsindividuals who died by suicide were on average 28 years younger than those who died from other causes, highlighting the severe economic and social loss to the nation. The mean age at suicide death was lower for females (30 years) than for males (39 years).

The study, published in September, covered 1 million people across nine statesAssam, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradeshand noted that Indias suicide mortality rate is 10 per 100,000 population. A total of 29,273 deaths were enumerated in 240,975 households across the nine states from January 2019 to December 2022.

While the suicide mortality rate for males was 12.8 per 100,000 males, it was 7.3 per 100,000 females. In the case of men, financial stress accounted for 18% of the suicides, while family-related reasons were responsible for 33% of womens suicides.

Indias suicide mortality rate of 10 per 100,000 compares with 9.4 in the UK and is less than the rate of 12.3 in Australia and 15.5 in the US. However, due to Indias massive population, this rate translates into a significantly higher number of total deaths.

While the suicide mortality rate was higher for males than females in India, the difference was narrower than the global average. The Indian female suicide mortality rateat twice the global rate for femaleswas of particular concern.

Different pressures

The underlying reasons for suicide reflected starkly different pressures on men and women in Indian society. For males, financial reasons were the most cited cause (18%), linking these tragedies to the extreme economic stress associated with the male role as a "provider." Alcohol abuse was a major contributing factor in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, leading to domestic conflicts, child abuse and loss of income.

For females, family-related reasons were the leading cause (33.3%), a reminder of the link between patriarchal family structures and womens mental health. This category often obscures issues such as domestic violence, harassment and dowry deaths.

Men and women experience different stress levelswith females often showing more resilience and expressiveness," said Dr Nand Kumar, professor in the psychiatry department at the Al-India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi.

Dr Kumar noted that suicide is not a sudden actit's a complication arising from multi-factorial reasons when a person cannot handle extreme stress, adding that the core issue is a lack of accurate, health-based data."

He said that currently, data is collected by the National Crime Records Bureau, even though suicide is no longer a criminal offence under the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017.

"We urgently need a dedicated data collection agency under the ministry of health, trained specifically for this purpose," said Dr Kumar.

In terms of method, hanging was the predominant mode for both males (70.6%) and females (59.7%), followed by poisoning (21.3% for males and females) and self-immolation (5.7% for males and females). However, self-immolation was notably high among females at 11.4% compared with only 3.2% for males, suggesting the use of accessible household fuel sources like kerosene or gas in domestic spaces.

Also Read | Can you breathe stress away?

A significant proportion of deaths were triggered by unknown reasons3% of males and 27.9% of femaleshighlighting severe and hidden vulnerabilities that complicate prevention efforts.

Underreported suicides

In-depth interviews with members of the bereaved families revealed major challenges in the official recording of suicides. Almost 3 in 10 suicide deaths were not reported to the police. The family members said they didnt want to deal with police procedures, with a majority citing the desire to avoid post mortem. For female deaths, preventing damage to social reputation" was also a reason cited to avoid reporting the matter to the police.

According to the report, deaths of farmers and young women were reported more frequently because they were deemed to be more newsworthy." While two in five deaths were reported in the newspapers, about half of the survivors opposed media coverage, citing emotional distress and fear of stigma. However, those who supported media coverage hoped it would increase public awareness for suicide prevention.

By bringing forward the perspectives of the bereaved, the report adds depth to statistical findings and contributes to a more holistic understanding of suicide in India," Rakhi Dandona, the director of the Injury Prevention Research Centre at PHFI, wrote in the forward of the report.

The study highlighted that the most pressing need for bereaved families was financial support, especially for the children of the deceased. Some families were wrongly informed that government orphan schemes were unavailable because the death was classified as suicide.

Dr Kumar said there is a need to enhance resilience from childhood and focus on life skills to manage stress.

Building resilience

A crucial approach for prevention is establishing a robust programme at the school level to enhance a child's resilience from an early age, mitigating the 'knee-jerk reaction' that occurs in moments of profound hopelessness," Dr Kumar said.

Dr Kavita Arora, a psychiatrist and co-founder of the India Mental Health Alliance, stressed that it is vital to examine all bio-psycho-social contributors that lead to loneliness, lack of connection and helplessness and hopelessness in young adults.

Also Read | Theres much Indian philanthropists can do for mental healthcare

The PHFI report prioritises financial assistance and access to government orphan schemes for children and bereaved families. It recommended working with the police to improve data quality and increase sensitivity regarding post-mortem to encourage accurate reporting.

It suggested that the government start community campaigns that separately highlight financial stress for men and the link between domestic violence and suicide for women.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Thursday that preparations for the artificial rain through cloud seeding have been completed for the first time in the Burari area today.

The Delhi government's cloud seeding project  a major commitment by the BJP-led administration  had been postponed multiple times due to various reasons.

Also Read | Delhi AQI: Mahua Moitra claims govt ordering 15 air purifiers for CM Rekha Gupta

When will Delhi experience its first artificial rain? In a post on X, Delhi CM said that the weather department has forecasted the possibility of clouds on October 28, 29, and 30, and if conditions stay favourable, Delhi could experience its first artificial rainfall on October 29.

Preparations have been completed for the first time in Delhi to induce artificial rain through cloud seeding. Today, experts have successfully tested it in the Burari area. The weather department has indicated the possibility of cloud presence on October 28, 29, and 30. If conditions remain favourable, Delhi will experience its first artificial rain on October 29, she said.

This initiative is not only historic from a technical perspective but is also set to establish a scientific method to combat pollution in Delhi. The government's objective is to make the capital's air clean and the environment balanced through this innovation, she added.

Cloud seeding in Delhi Last month, the Delhi government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IIT Kanpur for five cloud seeding trials, which are expected to be conducted in northwest Delhi, PTI reported.

The project, approved by 23 departments, including the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), aims to explore whether artificial rain can be a viable solution to tackle pollution in winter.

Funds have already been transferred to IIT Kanpur, which will deploy its own aircraft for the operation.

Also Read | Delhi AQI: Mahua Moitra claims govt ordering 15 air purifiers for CM Rekha Gupta

The cloud seeding operations are authorised between October 1 and November 30 and will follow strict safety, security, and air traffic control guidelines, it said.

Permission has been granted under Rule 26(2) of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, allowing IIT Kanpur's Department of Aerospace Engineering to conduct the activity using a Cessna 206-H aircraft (VT-IIT).

The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) are part of the project.

What is meant by cloud seeding? Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique that involves dispersing substances, such as silver iodide or salt, into clouds to stimulate or increase precipitation. These particles act as condensation or ice nuclei, helping water vapour condense into droplets or ice crystals that grow large enough to fall as rain or snow.

Who first discovered cloud seeding? Cloud seeding was first developed by American chemist Vincent J. Schaefer in 1946, who successfully induced artificial precipitation during experiments at General Electric. Shortly after, his colleague Bernard Vonnegut discovered an alternative method using silver iodide.

Delhi AQI today Delhi's air quality showed a slight improvement on Thursday but remained in the "very poor" category for the fourth consecutive day, aided by stronger surface winds that helped disperse pollutants.

The citys 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 305 at 4 pm, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 410 -- the highest among all the monitoring stations.

The 24-hour average AQI on Saturday was 268, continuing the worsening trend of readings of 254 and 245 recorded over the two days preceding it. (Sanchit Khanna/HT Photo)

Ghaziabad, India October 21, 2025: A thick layer of smog envelops the Indirapuram area of Ghaziabad, part of the Delhi-NCR region, following excessive bursting of firecrackers on Diwali night. The heavy pollution caused breathing difficulties for residents, in Ghaziabad, India, on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. (Photo by Sakib Ali/Hindustan Times)

Of the 38 monitoring stations across the city, 23 recorded "very poor" air quality, while 14 fell under the "poor" category, according to the Sameer app created by the CPCB.

Delhi was the fifth most-polluted city in the country on Thursday, with Bahadurgarh in Haryana bagging the top spot with an AQI of 325.

Also Read | Delhi AQI: Dr Randeep Guleria shares key tips to reduce air pollution risks

Forecasts from the Centre's Air Quality Early Warning System (EWS) indicate that Delhi's AQI will likely remain in the "very poor" category till Saturday, after which it may fluctuate between "poor" and "very poor" over the next six days.

According to the CPCB, an AQI between zero and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", and 401 and 500 "severe".
After the deadly deaths due to toxic cough syrup in Madhya Pradesh, the state has recently witnessed a spike in serious eye injuries among children after Diwali due to locally-made carbide gun.

Also Read | Is this cough syrup component banned? Govt sets the record straight

According to a report by NDTV, over the past three days, more than 150 children have been hospitalised with severe eye injuries, and 14 have already lost their eyesight. Hospitals across multiple cities have reported hundreds of cases of blast-related eye trauma, with many young patients at risk of permanent vision loss.

The worst-affected area is Vidisha district, where local markets openly sold these crude carbide guns despite a government ban issued on 18 October, according to the report.

These improvised devices, sold for 150 to 200, resemble toys but can explode with the force of a bomb, posing a grave danger to children, PTI reported.

How are desi carbide guns made? The dangerous gun, made using a gas lighter, a plastic pipe, and calcium carbide, was in vogue this Diwali. The calcium carbide in the gun produces acetylene gas when it meets water and explodes upon contact with a spark, an official told PTI.

Also Read | Toxic waste from Bhopal-based Union Carbide factory leaves for disposal site

Experts said small plastic fragments ejected from the pipe, like shrapnel, penetrate the body, causing serious injuries and damage to various parts, especially the eyes, face, and skin.

What do the families of children say? Talking to PTI Videos, the families of 14-year-old Hemant Panthi and 15-year-old Aris, who are receiving care at Hamidia Hospital, blamed the administration for the availability of the carbide gun and demanded a ban on it.

Ariss father, Sarikh Khan, said such guns should not be sold in the market in the first place.

Strict action should be taken against those who manufacture and sell these guns. Compensation should be provided to cover the childrens medical expenses, he said.

CMHO Sharma said the administration is continuously taking action against those who manufacture and sell carbide guns.

In a meeting with officials on October 18, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav had directed district magistrates and police officers across the state to prevent the sale of carbide pipe guns. However, the devices were sold rampantly in the market.

Do's and Don'ts Do: Seek emergency medical care immediately; these injuries are time-critical. Go to the nearest hospital.

Control external bleeding with gentle pressure around (not on) the eye using a clean cloth.

Don't: Don't rub the eye.

Don't try to remove embedded foreign objects.

Don't apply ointments, drops, or home remedies.

Here's what Doctors said Doctors are warning parents in unambiguous terms: this is not a toy, but an improvised explosive. Dr Manish Sharma, CMHO, Hamidia Hospital, said, This device causes direct damage to the eyes. The explosion releases metal fragments and carbide vapours that burn the retina. We are treating several cases where children's pupils ruptured, leading to permanent blindness.

Police officials have also raised concerns that these crude devices are being openly sold as mini cannons in local fairs and roadside stalls, without any safety checks or regulations, despite posing a severe threat to public safety, especially to children, according to the report.

(With inputs from agencies, NDTV)
In a shocking incident, a student has died after being allegedly assaulted during a freshers' party at a private college in Latur district of Maharashtra.

Local police confirmed the incident took place on 8 October. The event was held at a prominent college in the MIDC area of Latur. Following the death, police arrested six students in connection with the matter.

What Triggered Assault? The incident began with a minor disagreement while dancing at the freshers' party. Suraj Shinde, the victim, had a heated exchange with a group of fellow students. The dispute quickly escalated into violence. In a rage, the students allegedly set upon Shinde, assaulting him with sticks and their fists.

Shinde sustained severe injuries and was transported to a local hospital. He died while receiving treatment. Following the incident, the police registered a murder case based on a complaint filed by a college attendee and detained four students by 16 October, an official statement said.

Two more students were apprehended on Tuesday, 21 October, after their involvement in the assault was uncovered.

All the arrested students have been charged under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections relating to murder, voluntarily causing injury, causing grievous bodily harm using dangerous means or weapons, criminal intimidation, and intentional insult aimed at provoking a breach of the peace, amongst other charges.

Police Sub-Inspector Suresh Pogulwar is leading the investigation into the case.

16 Students Suspended Over Ragging at Allahabad University Meanwhile, Allahabad University has recently suspended sixteen students after they were found to have been involved in an incident of alleged ragging (hazing).

The university has also issued show-cause notices to the suspended students.

According to an order issued by the universitys Proctor, Professor Rakesh Singh, an anti-ragging squad conducted a surprise inspection of Sir Sunderlal Hostel on 9 October, following a complaint about ragging.

During the inspection, several students were identified as being prima facie involved in the act.

A disciplinary committee established to investigate the matter later recommended action against the sixteen students. Acting upon the committees recommendation, the university suspended the students with immediate effect and ordered their expulsion from the hostel.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hand over appointment letters for government jobs to more than 51,000 candidates during the 17th edition of Rozgar Mela on Friday.

He will address the gathering through video conference and hand over job letters for the Department of Posts, and other government departments at functions organised at various places across the country.

The ceremony will be graced by Union Minister for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Jitendra Singh, and Union Minister of State, Road Transport and Highways Ajay Tamta.
Tamil Nadu is expected to continue experiencing heavy rainfall as the northeast monsoon sets in. On Thursday, several areas, including the state capital Chennai, are likely to receive significant downpours. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that heavy rain is likely [on Thursday, October 23] at isolated locations in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, and Ranipet districts.



The IMD has predicted light to moderate rainfall at several locations, along with possible thunderstorms and lightning over Puducherry and the Karaikal region, in addition to Tamil Nadu. Within the state, districts such as Chengalpattu, Chennai, Kanchipuram, Kanyakumari, Tenkasi, The Nilgiris, Thiruvallur, Thoothukkudi, and Tirunelveli are expected to experience light to moderate showers.

In the wake of the heavy rainfall, authorities had ordered the closure of schools and colleges in some districts. Are schools and colleges open today?

There is currently no official information regarding the closure of schools and offices in Tamil Nadus capital city.

Power cuts As rainfall is expected to continue in the city today, there is a possibility of power cuts in several areas.

Also Read | Weather Live: Heavy rain lashes Tiruvallur amid Cyclone warning for Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu weather update: Will rain intensity reduce as low pressure weakens? Several districts in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry received heavy showers due to a well-marked low-pressure area over the southwest Bay of Bengal. The system, which moved northwestwards from off the north coast of Sri Lanka and was centred near the Tamil Nadu coast on Wednesday morning, is expected to weaken within the next 24 hours, the weather agency had said.

The well-marked low-pressure area over the southwest Bay of Bengal off the Tamil Nadu coast moved northwestwards across north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south Andhra Pradesh coasts, and lay over the north coastal Tamil Nadu and neighbourhood at 1730 hrs IST today, 22 October 2025, an IMD update on X stated.

Whats next for Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh? It is likely to move west-northwestwards across north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh and weaken into a low-pressure area during the next 24 hours, it added.

What about the depression over the Arabian Sea? Meanwhile, the depression over the southeast Arabian Sea moved northwards at a speed of 7 kmph during the past six hours and was centred at 1730 hrs IST on 22 October 2025 over the same region  about 620 km west-southwest of Aminidivi (Lakshadweep) and 980 km southwest of Panjim (Goa).
Bengaluru: A startup built around everyday chores has quietly turned into a 8-crore-a-month business. Quick services platform Snabbit, which connects urban homes with trained domestic staff, now clocks an annualized run rate (ARR) of about $11 million, roughly what it would make in a year at its current pace, a top executive said. The business, driven by frequent repeat bookings and festive season demand, signals how Indias quick-service economy is rapidly expanding beyond groceries and food delivery.

Chief executive Aayush Agarwal told Mint that his startup plans to move into newer verticals such as home cooks, childcare and elder care over the coming months as it chases growth. The company currently services Mumbai, Thane, Noida, Gurugram, Bengaluru and Pune.

The company is not yet profitable. Agarwal said its primary costs currently include training staff, software operations for the app and salaries.

Also Read | From Uber to Urban Co, uniform partner standards for gig giants soon

Its a very lean model that we operate as we have no warehousing, no inventory, no thirdparty logistics, no separate last mile and no workingcapital cycles," Agarwal said. Among consumer internet businesses, this is about as capitalefficient as it gets."

The Bengaluru-based startup has raised $25.5 million across three rounds, with the latest $19 million led by Lightspeed. Other investors include Elevation Capital and Nexus Venture Partners.

Snabbit is a quick-service platform that connects urban households to trained, verified house help on demandtypically within about 10 minutesfor chores such as cleaning, dishwashing, laundry, bathroom and kitchen cleaning, with the option to schedule slots and bundle multiple tasks in a single hourly booking.

Agarwal said Snabbit began as a bootstrapped venture, with him putting in 65 lakh of personal savings in March last year. It started with a small team of around 60 house helpsexperts" in Snabbits terminology.

Building the business

The company's first priority was to build a reliable supply of experts by onboarding house helps from his own housing society in Mumbai and training them out of his apartment, he said.

We didnt spend much on marketing then and let word of mouth do the work for building supply. To acquire customers, we distributed flyers in the neighbourhood, and by April, we had completed our first 100 orders," he said.

During the Diwali weekend, Agarwal said Snabbit was completing close to 15,000 jobs a day, above last months usual peak of around 10,000. He added that each job has a realized price of 220230.

In its beta phase, Agarwal said the service ran on WhatsApp before the team established a clear productmarket fit in the high-frequency house-help category.

Post-Diwali last year, we watched three straight weeks of non-festive growth from a base of about 120 jobs a day in our first micro-market (within a small geography in Mumbai). Thats when we knew we had productmarket fit and decided to scale since the internal question was whether growth would sustain without festivals," he added.

Snabbits repeat rate is about 50%, meaning nearly half the new sign-ups return to complete a second task within a month, Agarwal said.

On the supply side (the gig workers), the company does not optimize for a single lever such as outsized daily or monthly incentives; instead, it balances multiple metrics to ensure stable earnings for house helps and reliable service quality.

Were not chasing a single lever, whether thats acquisition, retention or supplyside incentives for workers," Agarwal said. Our priority is customer experience, which we measure through NPS (net promoter score), punctuality and service consistency. We track dozens of inputs across demand and supply, but we wont optimize one at the expense of the others," he added.

As of this month, Snabbit had enrolled around 4,000 workers and 2 lakh registered users.

The company's business model works on daily accruals and monthly payouts, as in the earnings are calculated and accrued each day but disbursed in a monthly cycle to provide a predictable pay, CEO Agarwal said.

On expansion plans in adjacent verticals, Agarwal said the company will add new categories one at a time. He added that Snabbit has built a repeatable sales playbook from its househelp business and will apply the same onground techniques as it enters new categories.

Also Read | As quick commerce surges, DMart Ready shifts focus to metros

Launching a new vertical isnt capitalheavy since the capital is needed only after product market fit is achieved from the point of view of solving for supply buildout, expert training and customer acquisition. We will leverage our existing customer base to drive adoption in new verticals as well," Agarwal said.

Sector scan

Besides Snabbit, funded players in home services include Urban Company, Pronto and Broomees. Pronto has raised about $2 million from Bain Capital Ventures, while Broomees has raised roughly $1.1 million from Social Alpha, 100X.VC and angel investors such as Peyush Bansal.

Urban Company had piloted personal chef services in Bengaluru in 2021 before discontinuing the offering. In March this year, it launched Insta Maids, an ondemand, quick househelp service similar in proposition to Snabbit.

Prior to 2019, several startups tried to build scale in home services, including Housejoy, LocalOye, Helpr and Zimmbe. But few have broken out into large companies.

Large Indian consumer platforms scale on low AOV (average order value) and high frequencythink food delivery or quick commerce," said Rahul Taneja, partner at Lightspeed India. Earlier, home services plays built around lowfrequency specialist tasks didnt scale as much; Snabbits domestichelp use case is inherently high frequency, with quick as the adoption hook that later shifts to scheduled bookings."

Thats one reason we backed the category despite prior false starts," Taneja added. Househelp alone is about $2430 billion in value the top 30 cities."

However, the rising gig economy has drawn criticism over worker complaints about unfair work conditions, safety lapses and incentive-led pay models that limit guaranteed earnings and push workers to chase bonuses.

The Fairwork India Ratings 2024 assessed digital labour platforms on five principles: fair pay, fair conditions, fair contracts, fair management and fair representation, and found no platform scored above 6/10. Bigbasket, Swiggy, Urban Company and Zomato topped the list at 6/10, highlighting sector-wide gaps in worker rights, especially around a local living wage and representation. BluSmart (now defunct) and Zepto scored lower, while Amazon Flex, Flipkart, Ola and Porter were rated very low or zero.
Louvre Museum has become the centre of attraction in recent days, not because of Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, nor because of the precious jewel's it showcases but because of Sunday's high-profile heist. The iconic building that represents pinnacle of 19th century haute joaillerie is in focus for its chainsaw cut glass windowpane.

The most visited museum of the world reopened to visitors on Wednesday, October 22, days after the brazen daylight robbery. Days after thieves stole Napoleonic jewellery worth 896 crore ($102 million) in an audacious daytime heist, the broken window is attracting crowds and has become Pariss newest tourist attraction.

Also Read | Louvre heist becomes marketing gold for German company behind truck

Following the most dramatic heist in decades in Frances history, the visitors were seen queuing up outside the museum, which is home to some of the most canonical works of Western art. However, the Apollo gallery doors remained closed for visitors while three grey panels blocked the view of the tampered window.

A user wrote, So robbing the Louvre was as simple as climbing to the 2nd floor, smashing the window glass , entering the museum, smashing the glass cases and taking the items? No lasers? No metal bars? I mean, for a multi-million dollar museum, Im shocked it was that simple.

Another user remarked, So, the window of the Louvre looting gallery is just a basic glazing with a blind in a 19th-century wooden frame?

A third user stated, The most beautiful jewels of the Louvre behind a completely rotten French window that hasn't seen a painter in decades and with the alarm OUT OF ORDER!

A fourth comment read, Even after the heist, art lovers still flock the magic of the Louvre never fades.

A fifth user replied, "A few months ago #Macron announced plans to strengthen security at the #Louvres, sparing no details. Today we learn that the room in the Louvres housing the Crown's most precious jewels is protected by a wooden window and simple glass."

A sixth user said, the window is the Louvre's new attraction; the exterior visit will soon become paid .

A seventh user said, This attraction is free 

An eighth user remarked, Bercy could charge for the photo!

Louvre Museum's director reacts According to the museum's director Laurence des Cars, the Louvre's cameras failed to detect burglars in time. While speaking at a French senate hearing on Wednesday, she said that she will ask Frances interior ministry for a police station to be set up inside the museum.
Meta on Wednesday announced it would be cutting thousands of employees as part of an ongoing series of layoffs at the tech giant  among them is an Indian woman residing in the United States. The woman took to the social media platform X to seek opportunities, and her comment section was soon flooded with messages from founders and CEOs of several small AI startups.

What did she say about her visa status? The woman clarified that she was working in the US on an H-1B visa  a visa that allows highly skilled workers to live and work in the US for up to three years at a time  and noted that her new employer would need to sponsor her visa, if she qualifies.

What was her role at Meta? The Seattle-based Indian woman was hired as a research scientist by Meta in February this year but was laid off after nine months.

I was impacted by Meta layoffs today, she wrote. As a Research Scientist working on LLM post-training (reward models, DPO/GRPO) and automated evaluation pipelines, Ive focused on understanding why and where models fail and how to make them better.

Im looking for opportunities; please reach out! she requested.

I'm on H-1B visa and need visa sponsorship (and possibly an I-140 application), she added.

The woman added that she was still listed internally at Meta, as she had two months to transition to a new team. I'd like to stay in the Greater Seattle area if possible, she said.

Within a short time, her post went viral, amassing numerous comments.

Who reached out to her? Violet Herod, founder of Beauvette, wrote: So sorry to hear that. I sent you an email to reach out.

Microsoft employee Varsh Sridharan said: Feel free to DM if you find relevant roles at Microsoft. We are hiring for applied scientists across orgs.

Also Read | Nestle layoffs: These 7 companies have announced job cuts this year

Vincent Weisser, CEO of Prime Intellect, wrote: Lets chat! Exactly what we are scaling up at Prime Intellect.

How many jobs are being cut at Meta? Mark Zuckerbergs AI Superintelligence Labs plans to lay off around 600 employees with the aim of being more competitive, Bloomberg reported, citing an internal memo.

Employees of Metas AI unit were informed of their job cuts on 22 October, according to the memo. Notably, Metas newly formed TBD Lab group, which includes many of the highly paid recent hires, has not been affected.

Also Read | OpenAI confirms ChatGPT is saying goodbye to WhatsApp

What did Metas AI chief say? Meta Platforms Chief AI Officer Alexandr Wang wrote in the memo that the move aims to increase efficiency and reduce bureaucracy.

By reducing the size of our team, fewer conversations will be required to make a decision, and each person will be more load-bearing and have more scope and impact, he wrote.

Why is Meta laying off 600 employees? Meta is cutting around 600 jobs as part of a restructuring that affects three divisions of its four-part artificial intelligence (AI) unit, according to a report by Axios. The layoffs will impact the companys legacy AI research team, as well as product and infrastructure groups working on AI initiatives. However, Metas newly formed TBD Lab  a high-profile team focused on developing cutting-edge AI models  will remain unaffected.

Which teams are impacted? Employees from the affected units were informed early on Wednesday, with notifications going out before 7 am, Axios reported. CNBC added that some staff were placed on a non-working notice period until 21 November, during which they can look for other roles within Meta.
Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is making headlines after he joined a new role as a columnist for the Sunday Times. Since stepping down from the role of UK PM, the Conservative Party leader has been keeping busy.

He has become the subject of viral internet jokes after his latest career update emerged. In addition to this new added role to his LinkedIn profile, he serves as a Senior Adviser to the investment bank Goldman Sachs which he joined few months ago. He also serves as a Senior Adviser to tech giant Microsoft and AI startup Anthropic.

Social media was quick to link his multiple jobs with his father-in-law's preaching of 70-hour work weeks. Netizens drew parallels with Rishi Sunak's busy schedule and the need to impress co-founder of Infosys, Narayana Murthy, famous for advocating long work weeks.

Notably, Rishi Sunak is married to Akshata Murty, who is the daughter of Narayana Murty and renowned author Sudha Murty. She is a noted fashion designer and businesswoman known for her unique taste and trendy styles.

Also Read | Former UK PM Rishi Sunak joins Goldman Sachs: A look at his new role

Social media reaction Social media strongly reacted to Sunaks latest gig as a columnist as the internet flooded with jokes about him suggesting that he is trying to make his father-in-law proud after giving up government job.

A user joked, Narayana Murthy making sure this man works 70 hours a week, Another user stated, "The column will be titled: Conflict-of-interest Corner.

A third user stated, Being NRNs son in law is tough. Man is working 10 different jobs just to impress FiL and stay married after getting fired from a government job. A fourth comment read, How many jobs is he gonna take up just to please his father in law?

A fifth user quipped, Sunak trying to impress Father in Law even after 16 years of marriage. A user called the Parliamentarian the most employed man on the block.

A seventh user said, How can the UK job market recover when Rishi keeps grabbing everything that pops up." An eighth user wrote, At this rate Rishi Sunak will take more jobs than AI." A ninth user remarked, I open Twitter and this man takes up a new job.

Another user said, "I've never known GREED like that of @RishiSunak and his wife. They are extremely EXTREMELY wealthy and the man keeps taking job after job like he can't make ends meet and is struggling to meet mortgage payments!"

What's the buzz about 70-hour-work-week? In an interview with Infosys's former chief financial officer Mohandas Pai, Narayana Murthy had said that India's workforce would need to increase their productivity in order to compete with countries like Japan and China.
Montana helicopter crash: Former Republican State Senator Darren Bailey's family were killed in a helicopter crash in Montana on Wednesday evening, his office said in a heartbreaking news.

As per a statement on his X account, Darren Bailey's son Zachary, his wife Kelsey and their two children died in the helicopter crash.

On Wednesday evening, Darren and his wife, Cindy, received the heartbreaking news no parent ever wants to hear, the statement read.

Their son, Zachary, his wife, Kelsey, and their two young children, Vada Rose, age 12, and Samuel, age 7, tragically lost their lives in a helicopter accident in Montana, it added.

Darren Bailey's other grandson, Finn, age 10, survived the loss as he was not on the helicopter.

The family has requested privacy as they mourn the loss.

Also Read | Video shows Huntington Beach chopper spiral out of control before crash | Watch

Darren and Cindy are heartbroken by this unimaginable loss. They are finding comfort in their faith, their family, and the prayers of so many who love and care for them. The Baileys deeply appreciate the kindness and support they have received and ask for privacy as they grieve and hold their loved ones close during this difficult time," the statement further read.

Montana helicopter crash: What happened? The exact cause of the Montana helicopter crash is not known yet.

The National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday that it was investigating a helicopter crash in eastern Montana near the town of Ekalaka.

The sheriff's office in Carter County said the helicopter went down southwest of the town early Wednesday evening.

What did the internet say? The X post from Darren Bailey's account received support from netizens.

Lifting you and your family up in prayer during this unimaginable tragedy and loss. There are no words that make sense of something like this. Im praying that God wraps you, Cindy and Finn in His arms and gives you strength for each moment ahead, a user said.

Also Read | Vladimir Putin admits Russia's role in Azerbaijani plane crash for the 1st time

All your friends at Restore Our Constitution love you and are lifting you up in pray every day. Our deepest heartfelt sympathy to Darren & Cindy Bailey and all their family at this heart breaking time, another added.

Who is Darren Bailey? Darren Bailey is an American politician who served one term in the Illinois State Senate from 2021 to 2023, where he represented the states 55th District.

Born in 1966, he was previously a member of the Illinois House of Representatives for the 109th District in Southern Illinois.

He has been described as a far-right politician by various media outlets,

Darren Bailey was the Republican nominee for the 2022 Illinois gubernatorial election. However, he lost the race to incumbent Democrat JB Pritzker.

Last month, he launched his campaign for being the Republican nominee for Illinois governor in next year's election. His campaign describes him as a family man interested in farming.

As per his campaign, during his tenure in the State Senate, Darren Bailey fought reckless spending, higher taxes, and sanctuary state policies.

Bailey and his wife have three other children, all of whom are married. In total, he has 13 grandchildren. They live on their family farm near Louisville.
Just as Donald Trump continues to claim that India will significantly reduce buying the Russian oil by year-end and that PM Narendra Modi personally assured him about it, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor hit out at the United States President for making announcements on behalf of New Delhi.

Speaking to ANI, Tharoor asked President Trump not to announce India's decisions to the world, as New Delhi does not speak for Washington DC.

Shashi Tharoor said, I don't really think it's appropriate for Trump to be making announcements about India's decisions. I think India will make announcements about its decisions. We don't tell the world what Trump will do. I think Trump should not be telling the world what India will do.

Earlier on Wednesday, October 22, (US local time), Donald Trump claimed that India will significantly reduce Russian oil imports by year-end, citing PM Narendra Modi's assurance.

Trump said the phase-out of Russian oil imports would be gradual, adding that India would reduce its purchases to almost nothing by the end of the year.

India, as you know, told me that they would stop. It is a process; you can't just stop it. But by the end of the year, they will be down to almost nothing. That's a big thing, that is almost 40 per cent of the oil. India has been great. Spoke to Prime Minister Modi yesterday and they have been absolutely great, President Trump said.

Later, Donald Trump also warned that New Delhi will continue paying massive tariffs if they did not cut down on its purchase of Russian oil. I spoke with Prime Minister Modi of India, and he said he's not going to be doing the Russian oil thing.

Also Read | Reliance's oil imports from Russia to take a hit after US sanctions on top firms

India has so far denied any conversation between PM Modi and Donald Trump regarding the purchase of Russian oil. During a weekly press conference, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, 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.

India is a significant importer of oil and gas. It has been our consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario," he added.

When asked about India's government saying it was not aware of any conversation, the US President replied: But if they want to say that, then they'll just continue to pay massive tariffs, and they don't want to do that.
President Donald Trump said Thursday that he's backing off a planned surge of federal agents into San Francisco after speaking to the mayor, as protesters gathered outside a US Coast Guard base where they were located.

Trump posted on social media that Mayor Daniel Lurie told him Wednesday night that the city was making progress in reducing crime. Trump said he agreed to let San Francisco keep trying on its own.

US Customs and Border Protection agents began arriving Thursday at Coast Guard Island in Alameda, California, to support federal efforts to track down immigrants in the country illegally. Several hundred people, many singing hymns and carrying signs saying No ICE or troops in the Bay, referring to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, gathered at the base shortly after dawn.

Police used at least one flash-bang grenade to clear a handful of demonstrators from the entrance as CBP vehicles drove through. Organisers urged protesters to remain peaceful, as a line of Coast Guard officers in helmets watched from just outside the entrance.

Lurie said Thursday morning he received a phone call from Trump Wednesday night in which the president told him he was calling off any plans for a federal deployment in San Francisco. Lurie said in a statement that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem reaffirmed that direction in a conversation Thursday morning.

It was not clear if the president was cancelling a National Guard deployment or calling off immigration enforcement by CBP agents. Lurie's office did not respond to requests for clarification.

Lurie planned a noon news conference to discuss the situation further.

The San Francisco Chronicle, citing an anonymous source with knowledge of the operation, reported Wednesday that more than 100 CBP and other federal agents would arrive this week. Lurie and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, both Democrats, condemned the move, saying it was meant to provoke violent protests.

Also Read | Trump calls for jailing of Chicago Mayor Johnson, Illinois Governor Pritzker

Trump has repeatedly said he plans to deploy National Guard troops to San Francisco to quell crime, but his administration hasn't offered a timeline for doing so. His assertions of out-of-control crime in the city of roughly 830,000 have baffled local and state leaders, who point to statistics showing that many crimes are at record lows.

Trump has deployed the Guard to Washington, DC, and Memphis, Tennessee, to help fight what he says is rampant crime. Los Angeles was the first city where Trump deployed the Guard, arguing it was necessary to protect federal buildings and agents as protesters fought back against mass immigration arrests.

National Guard Deployment Triggers Mass Protests | Video

He has also said they are needed in Chicago and Portland, Oregon. Lawsuits from Democratic officials in both cities have so far blocked troops from going out on city streets.
United States President Donald Trump said on Thursday, October 23, that he donates a significant portion of his salary to the White House, noting that he often directs funds there because the residence had been somewhat neglected in the past four years when Joe Biden was at the helm.

I give a lot of money to the White House... I give my salary, and I usually like to steer it to the White House because this was a little bit abandoned. This house was not taken care of the way it was supposed to be and I take very good care of it," Donald Trump said.

The US President added that his efforts have helped the White House start to gleam like it should.

$130 mn donation for troops salaries': Trump Donald Trump announced on Thursday, October 23, that a wealthy private donor has contributed $130 million to the US government to cover military salaries amid the ongoing government shutdown which has halted paychecks of hundreds of thousands of federal workers.

Speaking at a White House event, Donald Trump said the donor  whom he called a friend  called the White House personally to make the offer. Donald Trump has, however, declined to identify the donor.

Speaking on the government shutdown, Donald Trump said that he received a check for $130 million to pay salaries of military troops. Received check for $130 mn from private donor for any military salary shortfall, he said.

He had earlier directed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to use all available funds to ensure the United States troops are paid. Citing his authority as Commander in Chief, Donald Trump stated that the necessary funds have been identified and will be released for payment to the troops.

Nonessential government operations came to a halt after the September 30 funding deadline, as Senate Democrats repeatedly blocked a Republican-led resolution to reopen federal agencies.

The sticking point has been a refusal by Republicans to include language in the bill to address expiring subsidies that make health insurance affordable for 24 million Americans.
US President Donald Trump will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping next week during his Asia visit, the White House confirmed on Thursday. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump will depart for Malaysia late Friday night before heading to South Korea, where the meeting with Xi will take place next Thursday (October 30).

The talks  the first between the two leaders in Trumps second term  are expected to focus on trade, Chinas ties with Russia, and efforts to end the war in Ukraine. Trump said on Wednesday (October 23) that he expected to reach multiple agreements with Xi, covering issues ranging from soybean purchases and trade tensions to nuclear arms control and Russias war in Ukraine.

Trump says well make a deal with Xi Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump voiced optimism about the upcoming meeting.

I think well make a deal, he said, suggesting that Xi had changed his stance on the Ukraine conflict.

He would now like  Im not sure that he did at the beginning  he would now like that war to end, Trump added.

Trade and rare earth tensions Trump downplayed the impact of Chinas restrictions on rare earth magnets, which have unsettled global markets.

Its a disturbance, Trump said, adding that tariffs are a more powerful issue in managing trade relations with Beijing.

The President, facing mounting pressure from US farmers hurt by declining soybean exports, said he anticipated progress on agricultural trade.

We expect to reach some agreement with Xi on the issue, Trump noted.

He also hinted at potential cooperation on nuclear arms control, referencing recent discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

A deal was also possible on nuclear arms, Trump said, suggesting China could join in de-escalation talks with the US and Russia.

China believes negotiations alone are insufficient and that effective countermeasures against the United States are necessary to prevent the U.S. from exerting pressure, said Wu Xinbo, director of the American Studies Center at Fudan University.

Rare earths at the heart of the standoff The long-simmering USChina trade war erupted anew in early October after Beijing tightened export curbs on rare earths  minerals vital to high-tech manufacturing. In response, President Donald Trump announced on October 11 that the United States would impose a 100% tariff on all Chinese imports, over and above any tariff that they are currently paying, effective November 1 or sooner.

China swiftly condemned Washingtons move, saying it opposes the U.S. imposing unilateral long-arm jurisdiction measures and warning that it would take resolute measures to protect its legitimate rights and interests if the US proceeded.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration is weighing additional steps to tighten pressure on China, including new restrictions on US software exports, Reuters reported, citing US officials and individuals briefed on the discussions. The proposed measures could cover a wide range of products  from laptops to jet engines  and are part of a broader effort to escalate Washingtons response to Beijings latest trade actions.

US officials head to Asia ahead of Trump-Xi meeting Top administration officials  Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer  departed for Malaysia on Wednesday to ease tensions over Beijings export curbs.

This is China versus the globe. Its not just on the U.S., Bessent told Fox Business Network, describing Chinas licensing plan for rare earth exports as unworkable and unacceptable.

He added that the US and its allies were considering options if Beijing refused to compromise, though he withheld specifics.

Im hoping we can get this ironed out this weekend so the leaders can enter their talks on a more positive note, he said.

Bessent said he remained confident the preparatory talks would pave the way for productive discussions.

The President has great respect for Xi, Bessent said, and were optimistic that two days of fulsome talks will lay the groundwork for a good meeting.

Trumps Asia tour itinerary Trump is set to attend the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday (October 26) before traveling to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders summit from October 31 to November 1 in Gyeongju.

The US President will also visit Japan to meet Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, marking their first in-person talks since she took office.

Also Read | Trump calls off federal deployment to San Francisco, mayor says
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On October 22, smartphone maker HONOR and automaker BYD signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Shenzhen, marking the start of a deep partnership centered on intelligent mobility. The two companies plan to integrate HONOR's connected vehicle solutions with BYDs next-generation DiLink smart ecosystem to create user-centric, intelligent, and highly personalized mobility experiences.

Photo credit: BYD

According to the companies, the partnership will advance along three main fronts: technological integration, ecosystem collaboration, and joint marketing.

In technology and product development, HONOR and BYD will deepen cooperation in cross-device ecosystem fusion, AI Agent integration, and high-precision Bluetooth digital key technology to accelerate innovation.

In ecosystem and user engagement, the partners will build a "shared product and data" collaboration model leveraging HONOR's vehicle connectivity capabilities and BYD's smart ecosystem. This will enable platform-level interoperability and enhanced customer benefits across both brands.

In communication and outreach, the two will coordinate joint marketing campaigns around key launch eventssuch as new vehicle and smartphone releaseswhile exploring creative, multi-channel engagement strategies to reach a broader user base.

At the signing ceremony, Li Jian, CEO of Honor Device Co., Ltd., said the collaboration marks a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two brands in the AI era, with smart mobility as a key focus area. He emphasized that HONOR and BYD will work closely on joint technology development, industrial complementarity, and ecosystem building to deliver seamless, intelligent, and premium mobility experiencescreating what he described as "a new paradigm for smart living."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to attend the ASEAN Summit 2025 virtually. However, he will not be physically present in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for the summit starting on 26 October, due to scheduling issues, according to PTI, citing sources familiar with the matter on Wednesday. Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar is likely to represent India at the event.

Although there is no official confirmation yet, sources indicated that India has conveyed to Malaysia that EAM S Jaishankar will attend the ASEAN Summit. Malaysia PM Anwar Ibrahim confirmed PM Modi will join the ASEAN-India summit virtually.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is concentrating on the forthcoming Bihar state assembly elections, and Modi is expected to participate in Chhath Puja celebrations next week, according to sources cited by Hindustan Times.

Sources added that discussions between India and the United States on a bilateral trade agreement have been ongoing, marked by Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawals two-day visit to the US last week. This was followed by a phone conversation between PM Modi and US President Donald Trump on Tuesday. However, there have been few indications of any immediate progress, they said.

They added that the absence of a concrete outcome ahead of a possible meeting between the two leaders was among the factors influencing Modis travel plans.

Agrawal, who until recently served as the chief negotiator for the trade agreement with the United States, wrapped up two days of discussions with American officials in a cordial setting that paved the way for constructive and mutually beneficial bilateral trade negotiations between the two nations, according to HT's sources.

IndiaUS relations suffered a setback when Trump imposed a 25% reciprocal tariff on Indian exports, along with an additional 25% punitive duty linked to Indias purchases of Russian oil.

PM Modi was expected to visit Cambodia in addition to Malaysia. However, since he will not be travelling to Malaysia, the proposed visit to Cambodia has also been postponed, PTI reported, citing sources.

About ASEAN Summit The ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Summit will be held in Kuala Lumpur from 26 to 28 October this year.

In recent years, the prime minister has led the Indian delegations at both the ASEAN-India and East Asia summits.

Malaysia has extended invitations to Trump and leaders from several ASEAN dialogue partner countries. Trump is expected to visit Kuala Lumpur on 26 October for a two-day trip.

Also Read | Virus Outbreak Shuts Down Schools In Malaysia After 6,000 Students Fall Sick

Indias dialogue relations with ASEAN began in 1992 with a sectoral partnership. In December 1995, it was upgraded to a full dialogue partnership and further elevated to the summit level in 2002. In 2012, it was transformed into a strategic partnership.

ASEANs ten member nations are Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia.

Anwar Ibrahim on PM Modi's attendance at ASEAN summit Ibrahim said, "Last night, I received a phone call from a colleague of the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Narendra Modi, to discuss efforts to strengthen MalaysiaIndia bilateral relations to a more strategic and comprehensive level. India remains an important partner for Malaysia in the fields of trade and investment, in addition to close cooperation in the sectors of technology, education, and regional security.

We also touched on the organization of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur at the end of this month. He informed me that he will attend virtually due to the ongoing Deepavali celebrations in India at that time, Ibrahim added.
Chinas state-owned oil giants have suspended purchases of seaborne Russian oil following fresh US sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, Moscows oil producers, multiple trade sources told Reuters on Thursday.

The move by PetroChina, Sinopec, CNOOC and Zhenhua Oil marks a significant shift in one of Russias largest export markets and could further strain Moscows oil revenues while tightening global supply.

The four companies did not immediately respond, Reuters stated.

Revenue strain for Moscow The suspension is expected to cause a sharp drop in oil demand from Russias customers forcing Moscow to seek alternative buyers and potentially driving up international crude prices.

While China imports roughly 1.4 million barrels per day (bpd) of Russian oil by sea, most of that is typically purchased by independent refiners, commonly referred to as teapots.

Data from Vortexa Analytics estimated that Chinese state firms purchased under 250,000 bpd of Russian oil in the first nine months of 2025, while Energy Aspects put the figure at around 500,000 bpd, Reuters stated.

Sinopecs Unipec stops buying Unipec, the trading arm of Sinopec, halted Russian oil purchases last week after the United Kingdom sanctioned Rosneft, Lukoil, and several shadow fleet ships and Chinese entities, including a major Chinese refiner, two sources told the news outlet.

Most Russian crude from Rosneft and Lukoil is sold to China through intermediaries rather than direct contracts, as per traders.

Independent refiners reassess Independent refiners in China are also expected to pause purchases temporarily to gauge the full impact of the sanctions. However, several traders told the news publication that they would likely resume Russian oil buying once compliance risks are better understood.

Before the sanctions were announced, offers for November-loading ESPO crude fell to a $1-per-barrel premium to ICE Brent, down from $1.70 earlier in October, according to market data.

Pipeline imports unaffected China also imports about 900,000 bpd of Russian crude via pipelines, all of which goes to PetroChina. Several traders said these pipeline flows are unlikely to be affected by the sanctions, as they are covered under long-term government agreements.
Indian state-owned refiners have begun reviewing their Russian oil trade documents to ensure no supply is coming directly from the recently sanctioned Russian oil giants  Rosneft and Lukoil. A source with direct knowledge of the matter spoke to Reuters on Thursday.

The move comes after US President Donald Trump on Wednesday imposed Ukraine-related sanctions on Russia for the first time in his second term. The sanctions target Rosneft and Lukoil in a bid to increase pressure on Russia to agree to a ceasefire, Reuters reported.

The US Treasury Department has issued a winding-down period, setting the deadline of 21 November for companies to stop making transactions with the Russian oil producers, according to a release on the sanctions on Wednesday.

Compliance checks by state refiners In response to the deadline, major Indian state refiners, including Indian Oil Corp, Bharat Petroleum Corp, Hindustan Petroleum Corp and Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals, are scrutinising bill of lading documents for any Russian crude arriving after the deadline. The goal is to confirm that shipments are not coming directly from Rosneft or Lukoil, Reuters reported.

Indian state refiners rarely buy Russian oil directly from Rosneft and Lukoil. Instead, intermediaries typically facilitate these transactions, providing a layer of separation from the directly sanctioned companies.

India's reliance on discounted oil Since Western nations suspended their purchases following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, India has become the top importer of discounted Russian seaborne oil.

Data from January to September shows India imported approximately 1.7 million barrels of Russian oil per day, with private refiners Reliance Industries and Nayara Energy taking the majority of these imports.

The US administration has imposed a steep 50% tariff on most Indian imports, effective 27 August. This action comprises a 25% reciprocal tariff and an additional 25% penalty due to continued purchase of Russian crude oil.

How do US sanctions work? The United States enforces actions through the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), which blocks the property and interests of designated individuals or entities. It prohibits US persons from engaging in transactions with them unless specifically authorised by the government body. The agency also restricts entities that are 50% or more owned by sanctioned individuals or organisations.

The release on sanctions claims that if any foreign financial institution is found to conduct or facilitate transactions or provide any service involving Russias military-industrial base, or the blocked companies, they can also be at risk of being sanctioned by OFAC.

Also Read | Oil Jumps After US Sanctions Russias Rosneft and Lukoil

Violations of US sanctions may also result in the imposition of civil or criminal penalties, including those for foreign institutions facilitating significant transactions with sanctioned parties.

OFAC holds the power to add as well as remove people or entities from the sanctions list. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behaviour, the release noted.
Israels Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Thursday (October 23) expressed regret for what he called his unfortunate remarks about Saudi Arabia after facing backlash.

Smotrich had earlier made a controversial comment suggesting that Saudi Arabia could keep riding camels if it demanded the creation of a Palestinian state in exchange for normalising ties with Israel.

If Saudi Arabia tells us normalisation in exchange for a Palestinian state, friends, no thank you, Smotrich said at a conference in Israel.

Keep riding camels on the sand in the Saudi desert; well keep truly developing  with an economy, a society, a state and all the great and wonderful things we know how to do.

The remarks were quickly condemned by political leaders across Israel and in the wider Middle East.

Smotrich issues apology but defends his stance In a video statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Smotrich said he regretted his earlier phrasing.

My statement regarding Saudi Arabia was unfortunate, and I regret any offence it may have caused, he said.

However, he also called for mutual respect, insisting that Saudis should avoid offending Israelis.

Just as I dont intend to offend the Saudis, I expect from them not to offend us, Smotrich added.

Anyone who denies the living and very deep connection we have to the regions of our homeland in Judea and Samaria offends us.

Smotrich, who lives in a West Bank settlement, is a strong advocate for annexing the occupied Palestinian territories, which Israel has controlled since 1967.

Israeli Opposition condemns Smotrichs remarks Opposition leaders swiftly denounced Smotrichs comments, saying they harmed Israels diplomatic standing.

To our friends in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, Smotrich does not represent the State of Israel, opposition leader Yair Lapid wrote in Arabic on X, later calling on him to apologise.

Former defence minister Benny Gantz said Smotrichs remarks showed ignorance and a lack of responsibility expected from a senior government official.

Strained normalisation efforts The controversy comes amid a freeze in normalisation talks between Israel and Saudi Arabia following Hamass October 2023 attack, which ignited the ongoing Gaza war.

Saudi Arabia has maintained that any future agreement with Israel must include steps toward establishing an independent Palestinian state  a position rejected by Israels far-right ministers like Smotrich.

The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco normalised ties with Israel in 2020 under the US-brokered Abraham Accords, but Riyadh has so far held back.

Also Read | Israel's top court postpones petition demanding media access to Gaza
North Korea on Thursday announced it had tested a "cutting-edge" new weapon system featuring hypersonic missiles, intended to strengthen its defenses against adversaries. Seoul's military detected the launch on Wednesday, marking Pyongyang's first such test in several months.

This development occurred just a week before global leaders, comprising US President Donald Trump, are scheduled to gather in South Korea for a significant regional summit.

Test intended to improve sustainability and effectiveness of strategic deterrence' Top military official Pak Jong Chon stated that the "new cutting-edge weapon system is a clear proof of steadily upgrading self-defensive technical capabilities of the DPRK", according to the state news agency KCNA, which uses North Koreas official acronym.

KCNA added that the test was intended to improve the sustainability and effectiveness of strategic deterrence against potential enemies. There were no reports indicating that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was present at the launch.

State media said the two "hypersonic projectiles" had been launched south of the capital Pyongyang and had hit a target in the country's northeast.

Also Read | Kim Jong Un orders emergency crackdown on un-socialist breast implants

Images shared by KCNA showed a missile flying through the air, before hitting a target and exploding in a hail of black dirt and smoke.

Hypersonic missiles travel at more than five times the speed of sound and can manoeuvre mid-flight, making them harder to track and intercept.

They have been deployed to deadly effect this year on cities in Ukraine by Russia, with whom North Korea has deepened ties in recent years, and by Iran against Israel.

Also Read | North Koreas Kim flaunts new ICBM able to reach US

North Korean media did not share details of the new missiles' range, trajectory angle or speed. And Kim's absence from the launch may indicate Pyongyang was seeking to "tone down" its impact, Yang Moo-jin, former president of the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, told AFP.

People watch a TV broadcasting a news report on North Korea firing short-range ballistic missiles, at a railway station in Seoul, South Korea, October 22, 2025.

A TV screen shows a file image of North Korea's missile launch during a news program at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025.

Yang added, "However, given its range, the hypersonic missile is clearly aimed at the South," added Yang, mentioning the timing of the launch just days prior to the APEC summit.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to attend the ASEAN-India Summit 2025 virtually. He also spoke to Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim.

PM Modi took to X and stated that he looks forward to strengthening the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Had a warm conversation with my dear friend, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia. Congratulated him on Malaysias ASEAN Chairmanship and conveyed best wishes for the success of upcoming Summits. Look forward to joining the ASEAN-India Summit virtually, and to further deepening of the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, PM Modi said.

Earlier today, Ibrahim confirmed that PM Modi informed him that he will attend the ASEAN Summit virtually "due to the ongoing Deepavali celebrations in India at that time".

Last night, I received a phone call from a colleague of the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Narendra Modi, to discuss efforts to strengthen MalaysiaIndia bilateral relations to a more strategic and comprehensive level. India remains an important partner for Malaysia in the fields of trade and investment, in addition to close cooperation in the sectors of technology, education, and regional security. We also touched on the organization of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur at the end of this month, he said.

He added, I respect his decision and extended my greetings for a happy Deepavali to him and the entire people of India. Malaysia will remain committed to strengthening MalaysiaIndia relations and further enhancing ASEANIndia cooperation towards a more peaceful and prosperous region.

ASEAN Summit 2025 The ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Summit is scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur from 26 to 28 October this year. In recent years, the Prime Minister has headed the Indian delegations at both the ASEAN-India Summit and the East Asia Summit.

Indias dialogue relations with ASEAN began in 1992 with a sectoral partnership. In December 1995, it was upgraded to a full dialogue partnership and further elevated to the summit level in 2002. In 2012, it was transformed into a strategic partnership.

ASEANs ten member nations are Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday (October 3) described the latest US sanctions targeting Russia's two largest oil companies as "serious," but said they were "not enough" to significantly harm the countrys economy.

They (sanctions) are serious for us, of course, that is clear. And they will have certain consequences, but they will not significantly impact our economic well-being, Putin told reporters, expressing confidence in Russia's energy sector.

This is, of course, an attempt to put pressure on Russia. But no self-respecting country and no self-respecting people ever decides anything under pressure, Putin said, calling the sanctions an "unfriendly act" that "does not strengthen Russia-US relations, which have only just begun to recover."

Trumps Russia policy and diplomatic frustrations Trump initially sought to foster ties with Russia at the start of his term but grew frustrated with Putins refusal to agree to a ceasefire.

The US President delayed imposing new restrictions on Russia for months, but the decision followed the collapse of plans for a fresh summit with Putin in Budapest.

And, despite the sanctions and the summits postponement, Putin indicated he remains open to dialogue.

Dialogue is always better than confrontation or any disputes, and especially war. We have always supported the continuation of dialogue, Putin said.

Also Read | Binance founder Zhao receives Trump's pardon after money laundering admission

Global energy market concerns Putin warned that disrupting the balance in global energy markets could drive prices higher, potentially creating problems for countries like the United States.
Two Russian military aircraft briefly entered the airspace of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member Lithuania for 18 seconds on Thursday, the Lithuanian military said. In response, Spanish jets deployed under NATOs Baltic Air Policing mission were scrambled to intercept the planes, the Lithuanian army added.

The two aircraft that breached the Lithuanian airspace were an Su-30 fighter and Il-78 refuelling tanker.

The Lithuanian military said, Two Russian military aircraft entered NATO member Lithuania airspace for 18 seconds on Thursday. Spanish jets from NATO Baltic Air Police were scrambled in response to the Russian military planes.

The Spanish jets are now patrolling the area.

The military also said that the two aircraft were possibly on a refuelling training mission when they violated the border at about 1500 GMT, entering Lithuania from Kaliningrad region. Also Read | Blacklisted Russian Plane Lands in South Africa, Rapport Says

After the incident, Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene said, This incident once again shows that Russia is behaving like a terrorist state, disregarding international law and the security of neighbouring countries.

Lithuania is safe. Together with our allies, we look after and will defend every centimetre of our country, she added.

Lithuanias President Gitanas Nuseda called the incursion a blatant breach of international law and territorial integrity of Lithuania. Once again, it confirms the importance of strengthening European air defence readiness. Also Read |

Last month, three Russian fighter jets entered Estonian airspace in what the Baltic country called an unprecedented violation, triggering the NATO to hold talks amid accusations that Moscow was growing more brazen in testing the alliance.

Donald Trump had then warned the Russian military against breaching airspaces of NATO members, saying I don't love it.

Trump said he would soon be briefed by aides on the reported incursion. I dont love it, he remarked. I dont like when that happens. It could be big trouble, but Ill let you know later.

Nine days earlier, more than 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace. NATO jets shot some of them down, the first time an alliance member had fired on Russian targets since the start of the war in Ukraine.

In late September, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) deployed fighter jets to identify and intercept four Russian military aircraft flying near Alaska.
Russias nuclear forces carried out a readiness test on Wednesday, supervised by President Vladimir Putin. The maneuvers included launches from land, sea, and air to assess the operational readiness of the countrys nuclear arsenal.

Today, we are conducting a planned  I want to emphasize, planned  nuclear forces command and control exercise, Putin said during a video conference with the Kremlins top military leadership, CNN reported.

Missiles and bombers in action Videos shared by the state-owned military TV channel Zvezda showed a Yars intercontinental ballistic missile fired from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia and a Sineva ballistic missile launched from the Bryansk nuclear-powered submarine in the Barents Sea, the news outlet stated, adding Tu-95MS long-range bombers were also deployed air-launched cruise missiles, citing Russias defense ministry.

The drills tested the readiness of military command-and-control systems and operational skills, with all objectives reportedly met. Gen. Valery Gerasimov, chief of the militarys General Staff, said the exercises were designed to practice procedures for authorizing the use of nuclear weapons.

Stalled Putin-Trump meeting The nuclear readiness test came hours after US President Donald Trump said his planned meeting with Putin in Budapest was on hold, citing concerns that it would be a waste of time. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that any summit needs to be thoroughly prepared.

No one wants to waste time: neither President Trump nor President Putin, Peskov said. These are the two presidents who are accustomed to working efficiently with high productivity. But effectiveness always requires preparation.

New START Treaty and nuclear concerns Russias Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov highlighted the importance of the New START treaty, which limits the number of deployed nuclear weapons. If the US rejects the New START proposal, there will be a total vacuum in the area of nuclear weapons limitations and a growing nuclear threat, Ryabkov said. He added that Russia must be convinced of the US administrations sustainability in abandoning its hostile course.

Putin has expressed willingness to extend the treaty by one year if Trump agrees, ahead of its expiration on February 5, 2026. The treaty, signed in 2010 by former US President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitri Medvedev, limits both sides to 1,550 deployed warheads and 800 launchers and bombers.

NATO exercises and rising nuclear tensions The Russian drills follow NATO nuclear exercises earlier this month, which involved over 70 aircraft from 14 allied nations, including F-35 fighter jets and B-52 bombers, in the Steadfast Noon exercise in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi as it was confirmed on Thursday that he will skip the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit (ASEAN) summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, missing out on a possible meeting with US President Donald Trump.

PM Modi had informed Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim that he would attend the ASEAN summit virtually.

Congress Jairam Ramesh said PM Modi not attending the ASEAN summit in person means the loss of so many opportunities to hug and get photo ops with world leaders or to flaunt himself as the self-styled Vishwaguru.

He also claimed that the reason why PM Modi is not going is simple.

He [Modi] just doesn't want to be cornered by President Trump who will also be there. He refused an invitation to attend the Gaza peace summit in Egypt a few weeks back, precisely for this reason, Ramesh said.

He said that posting messages in praise of US President Trump on social media is one thing. But to be seen hobnobbing physically with the man who has claimed 53 times that he stopped Op Sindoor and has claimed 5 times that India has promised to stop buying oil from Russia is another matter. Its far too risky for him, the Congress leader said.

He also said the PM may well be recalling that old hit Bollywood number: Bachke re rehna re baba, bachke rehna re.

PM Modi to join ASEAN-India Summit virtually In his X post on Thursday, PM Modi informed Anwar of his virtual presence. He didnt give any reason for not traveling to Kuala Lumpur for the summit. The Prime Ministers Office and the Ministry of External Affairs did not immediately comment.

PM Modi said, Look forward to joining the ASEAN-India Summit virtually, and to further deepening of the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian premier said, He [Modi] said that he would attend online, given the Deepavali celebrations that were still being celebrated in India at that time. I respect the decision and extend my Deepavali greetings to him and all the people of India.

The 47th ASEAN Summit is scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur from October 26 to 28.

The meeting of the leaders of the Southeast Asian grouping will be attended by all 10 members of the bloc and key trading partners such as China, Japan and the US.

Malaysia's foreign minister said last week that Trump would visit the country on October 26, fuelling speculation in India about a possible meeting with PM Modi, who was previously expected to attend the summit in person.

Also Read | PM Modi to attend virtually 18th ASEAN-India summit on Thursday

India-US trade dispute India and the US have been locked in a trade dispute after Trump slapped 50 percent tariffs on the Indian exports, partly to penalise the country for buying oil from Russia.

Trump said Tuesday that he spoke with PM Modi, who assured him that India would cut Russian energy purchases.

However, New Delhi hasnt confirmed it would comply with Trumps demands.
Screengrab via ESPN

The cast of Inside the NBA may be the new kids in town at ESPN, but Kendrick Perkins is still at the network and reminded everyone of his presence with a one-liner that left his colleague Elle Duncan completely speechless.

Charles Barkley and company are known for their fun and humor while on the air. So why wouldnt Kendrick Perkins and Elle Duncan have a little fun on Tuesday while discussing the NBAs opening night matchup between the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets.

As the segment was coming to an end, Kendrick Perkins decided to set up a joke for his ESPN colleague. And whether it was the deadpan delivery, or the fact that nobody expected the joke he was about to tell, it stopped Duncan dead in her tracks.

You ready for this one? What you need ibuprofen for when you have a Perk?

Part II Kendrick Perkins to Elle Duncan: What you need ibuprofen for when you have a Perk? pic.twitter.com/ga66fLdHDU  Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 22, 2025

In case you are wondering, Elle Duncan is all good with Perkins and his jokes. In fact, its part of their relationship and their segments together. As shown in the first video, she enjoys making puns with his name and this time Big Perk had one coming back her way that left her speechless in a way that only a horrifying dad joke can.

Youve never blankly stared at a friend while you make them sit in their bad dad joke? Cause man Ive been on the receiving end of that stare A LOT in my life.  Elle Duncan (@elleduncanESPN) October 22, 2025

Nooooo lol yall got this all wrong .. I ALWAYS use a Perk idiom when I intro Perk ( like I did tonight) and he always tries to top it. Thats where the clip picks up. Thats big bruh- staaaahp it.  Elle Duncan (@elleduncanESPN) October 22, 2025

Elle Duncan is no stranger to using humor and puns on ESPN telecasts, even during high-profile events like the WNBA All-Star Game. However, whether it was the unexpected nature of the joke itself or her live, authentic reaction, this one picked up some extra viral traction on social media. Im not sure if we ever want to see Kendrick Perkins try to best it, though.
Teen mental health crisis: Adolescence should be a time of curiosity and optimism, full of social friendships. Yet more of todays teenagers are feeling hopeless, afraid, and alone.

In the last 10 years, there has been a tremendous increase in cases of depression, anxiety and social isolation for teens, says Dr Neetu Tiwari, MBBS, MD-Psychiatry, Senior Resident at NIIMS Medical College & Hospital.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), almost 14% of adolescents with an age range of 1019 years are affected by any type of mental disorder, including depression and anxiety.

Also Read | 6 expert-approved ways to protect your mental health on busy workdays

Studies reveal a powerful connection between loneliness and depression, finding that youth who feel lonely are much more likely to have symptoms of depression. Research also shows us that young people who feel depressed at 18 tend to struggle well into their 20s too.

From 2012 to 2018, loneliness among teenagers surged by 20%, making that age group the loneliest in some two and a half decades, according to a study from a team at the University of Pittsburgh.

Why more teenagers are suffering from severe anxiety Todays adolescents bear the brunt of what Dr Tiwari calls a perfect storm of emotional, social and physical challenges. And one of the top causes is chronic loneliness  not simply being alone but feeling emotionally disconnected despite digital connectedness.

In India, some two-thirds of young people report feeling lonely. Studies link too much time spent on social media to self-esteem. Adolescents who often feel lonely are 3.5 times more likely to develop anxiety or depression, studies show.

What contributes to the sense of isolation is continual comparison online, academic pressures, disrupted sleep routines and decreased face-to-face interactions.

How families can help prevent teen depression and anxiety It's at home where adolescent mental health gets laid. Parents, Tiwari emphasises, can help prevent these violent encounters by establishing emotionally safe and supportive atmospheres.

Parents can: -Hear without judgment or correcting them on the spot.

-Supervise  and direct use of  your digital screens together.

-Promote offline hobbies and family time together.

-Be aware of early warning signs, such as withdrawal, mood swings, or changes in their sleep.

Teenagers who feel trusted, understood and emotionally supported are more likely to be able to withstand the stresses of adolescence and develop resilience from those experiences. Open discussions regarding mental health work to destigmatise feelings, says Tiwari.

How schools and communities can foster belonging Schools and communities play a critical role in ensuring positive mental health for these teens. Dr Tiwari says that supportive school environments that foster a sense of belonging can reduce feelings of isolation.

Programmes such as peer mentoring, buddy systems and inclusive clubs ensure that no student feels invisible. Incorporating social-emotional learning (SEL) into schools helps children learn to name their emotions, calm down, or sit in someone elses shoes.

Trained school counsellors, flexible academic expectations and wellness breaks are just as essential. Sleep, play, and leisure are not luxuries  theyre essential to adolescent health, Dr Tiwari said.

What teenagers can do to support their own mental health While adults need to lend support, teens can take steps toward stronger mental health. Simple habits like:

-Maintaining a regular sleep schedule

-Engaging in daily physical activity

-Reducing screen time

-Being involved in social interactions, in person time to.

Dr Tiwari also emphasises positive self-talk  replacing negative talk (self-criticism or comparison) with positivity, compassion and gratitude.

Developing real connections and hobbies and establishing digital boundaries can help teenagers feel grounded and valued.

Why asking for help is a sign of strength Every teens feelings  sadness, fear, confusion  are legitimate and shared by many. Seeking the help of a counsellor or mental health professional should be viewed as an act of courage.
Alphabet Inc.s Google has developed an algorithm called Quantum Echoes on its Willow quantum computing chip, which claims to replicate on similar systems and surpass the performance of classical supercomputers. CEO Sundar Pichai hailed the verifiable breakthrough.

It was detailed in a paper published on Wednesday in the journal Nature. Google said that the algorithm operated 13,000 times faster than the most advanced supercomputer available, adding these advancements suggest promising applications in fields such as medicine and materials science, with useful quantum technology expected within five years, according to Bloomberg.

Sundar Pichai on Willow chip Our Willow chip has achieved the first-ever verifiable quantum advantage. Willow ran the algorithm - which weve named Quantum Echoes - 13,000x faster than the best classical algorithm on one of the world's fastest supercomputers. This new algorithm can explain interactions between atoms in a molecule using nuclear magnetic resonance, paving a path towards potential future uses in drug discovery and materials science, Sundar Pichai said on X.

He added, "And the result is verifiable, meaning its outcome can be repeated by other quantum computers or confirmed by experiments. This breakthrough is a significant step toward the first real-world application of quantum computing, and we're excited to see where it leads.

Tom OBrien, a staff research scientist at Google Quantum AI who supervised this work, said, The key thing about verifiability is its a huge step in the path toward a real world application. In achieving this result were really pushing us toward finding mainstream.

Also Read | Google and Apple face extra UK scrutiny over strategic role in mobile platforms

Meanwhile, Alphabets shares rose by as much as 2.4% in New York trading on Wednesday, the report noted.

This breakthrough moves Google closer to tapping into the immense processing power promised by quantum computing, a goal also being chased by competitors such as Microsoft Corp., International Business Machines Corp., and several startups. It follows Googles December claim that its Willow chip solved an issue in five minutes that would have taken a supercomputer 10 septillion years.

Quantum computers perform calculations using tiny circuits, similar to traditional computers, but they do so in parallel rather than sequentially, which makes them significantly faster. Although many companies have claimed to build quantum systems that outperform classical computers, the main challenge has been identifying practical applications for this technology.
In a historic moment, King Charles prayed with Pope Leo on Thursday, 23 October, at the Vatican's Sistine Chapel. This marks the historic reconciliation of the Catholic Church with the Anglican Communion nearly 500 years after they split, Reuters reported.

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King Charles prays with Pope Leo In 1534, King Henry VIII of England decided to part ways with the Catholic Church in order to divorce his first wife and get married again, hoping to produce an heir.

Charles, a distant descendant of King Henry VIII, has become another divorced and remarried British monarch to pray with the Pope, The New York Times reported.

Being the monarch, King Charles serves as the supreme governor for the Church of England.

Charles, 76, arrived in Rome on Wednesday, 22 October, and was joined by his wife, Queen Camilla. Buckingham Palace called it a "historic" visit. On Thursday, the royal couple was greeted at the Apostolic Palace by a ceremonial guard of honor by the Swiss Guard, CBS News reported.

This marked Charles's maiden meeting with Pope Leo, who took over as the head of the Catholic Church in May after the demise of Pope Francis.

Thursday's service was conducted in the same chamber where Pope Leo was named as the head of the Roman Catholic Church.

It was the first time that a pontiff and a British monarch prayed together in public.

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Why is it symbolic for the two churches? When Pope Clement VII did not annul King Henry VIII's marriage to Catherine of Aragon, the English Reformation decided to separate the Church of England from the Pope's authority in Rome.

As per Reuters, King Henry's "desire for a male heir was the immediate catalyst for the rupture". He later tied the knot with Anne Boleyn, who was his second of the six wives.

The 23 October service is a "sign of markedly improved relations" between Catholic and Anglican denominations, The New York Times stated.

King Charless mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, held meetings with multiple popes during her time, but she was never spotted praying with any of them in public.

Prior to this, Charles and Camilla met Pope Francis in April.

FAQs When did Pope Leo XIV take over as head of the Catholic Church? He was appointed in May after the demise of Pope Francis.

Why is the British King and Pope praying together in public a major moment? This was the first instance after a long time when leaders of the Catholic and Anglican churches prayed together.
The trial of Andre Grier, one of the men facing charges in the 2016 murder of Bianca Horton, begins in Hamilton County.

Grier faces the following charges:

Jail letter becomes submitted as key evidence in trial tied to 2016 murder of Bianca Horton Bianca Horton, a 26-year-old mother, was found shot to death and left on the side of the road in 2016. She had been scheduled to testify in a trial connected to a shooting that killed her friend and left her infant daughter paralyzed.

1st degree premeditated murder

1st degree felony murder

Especially aggravated kidnapping

Conspiracy to commit premeditated murder

Conspiracy to commit especially aggravated kidnapping

Horton was shot to death just four months before she was set to testify in court against a gang member in a murder trial, who was accused of paralyzing her daughter in a shooting.

Judge Boyd Patterson granted the request for an anonymous jury in March because of the potential threat of gang retaliation.

Day 8: Jury continues sentencing hearing

1:08pm - Andre Grier was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole. He must serve 52 years before that can be an option, according to the Hamilton County Criminal Court Clerk's Office.

10:51am - Jury begins deliberations on a sentence.

10:17am - The defense gives closing statements before the jury deliberates on a sentence.

[Ms. Weirich has] given every reason in the world to kill my client, but ultimately that decision is not on her, its on you because either way it goes, hes not getting out of prison.

The defense attorney lists out each of Grier's family members and asks the jury to "choose life" for them.

9:52am - State prosecutor, Amy Weirich, gives closing statements before the jury deliberates on a sentence.

"Now you have the last part of your job to do, to look at everything, all of the evidence that you saw and heard in the first days and everything that you heard yesterday, and answer the final question... you can't get anywhere but the death penalty."

9:36am - The jury is brought in and read the sentencing instructions.

Grier could be sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole, life in prison without the possibility of parole, or the death penalty.

Day 7: Jury deliberates

6:11pm - Court adjourns for the evening. Local 3 News will return for day 8 starting at 9:00am on Wednesday.

5:46pm - Defense calls Grier's sister to provide a witness impact statement.

5:30pm - Defense calls Grier's sister to provide a witness impact statement.

"He was the person I could call on and I knew I could depend on him."

The attorney asks how it would effect her if Grier was sentenced to death, she says, "that would crush me."

She says, "This is a man that was selfless, a man that would help anyone, a man that would give his last to anyone."

5:17pm - Defense calls the mother of Grier's children to provide a witness impact statement.

She tells the jury, "please just give my kids a chance to have their father and also him to have his kids."

4:47pm - Defense calls Grier's cousin to provide a witness impact statement.

3:31pm - Defense calls Grier's aunt to provide a witness impact statement.

Says Griers mother rejected him as a child after his father left them.

She asks the jury for "mercy", saying he's not that type of person, because he has children of his own, please spare my nephews life.

When the state asks if she knows Bianca Horton, she says, "I don't know her."

2:57pm - That state introduces, Hamilton County Chief Medical Examiner, Steven Cogswell to provide a witness impact statement.

2:51pm - The state introduces one of Horton's brothers to provide a witness impact statement.

My hurt is not gonna bring my sister back... like I said, it was Gods plan." When asked about Horton's children, the brother says, They were hurt, they wanted to know why."

12:20pm - The jury finds Andre Grier guilty on all counts:

GUILTY: 1st degree premeditated murder

GUILTY: 1st degree felony murder

GUILTY: Especially aggravated kidnapping

GUILTY: Conspiracy to commit premeditated murder

GUILTY: Conspiracy to commit especially aggravated kidnapping

After lunch, the sentencing hearing will begin. The three options are life with a change of parole, life without change of parole, or the death penalty.

9:14am - Jury deliberations begin.

Day 6: State and Defense rest

6:38pm - Court adjourns for the evening. Local 3 News will return for day 7 starting at 9:00am on Tuesday.

4:42pm - Defense begins closing statements.

Kit Rodgers says, "From the very beginning, I told you she was murdered. She was absolutely murdered, just not by Andre. He had nothing to do with it, and they didn't have the evidence to present to you to prove that he made you to do it."

3:37pm - State begins closing statements.

Prosecutor, Amy Weirich tells the jury it's now their turn to "tell the truth."

"You're never gonna forget what you heard in this courtroom over the last week," said Weirich.

"The law also doesn't require you to look at these facts through a straw or look at just one piece of evidence. What the law required you to do, what we've just been instructed by the judge, to do is to look at all of it together. Does it lead you to only one possible answer? That answer is this, the defendant is guilty as charged."

1:56pm - Defense rests their case.

1:23pm - Grier waives his right to testify in the trial.

12:11pm - State rests their case.

Grier's attorney, Kit Rodgers argues the jury is, "Left with a bunch of unreliable evidence its all circumstantial evidence and not very reliable. Without any direct evidence to corroborate it or bolster it. It's simply not strong enough for any juror to find without a reasonable doubt that Andre Grier is guilty of pre-meditated first degree murder.

The state responded saying, "There were jail calls, words from the defendants own mouth, direct comments and direct conversation  there is overwhelming proof in this case to prove most importantly pre-meditated and felony murder of Bianca Horton.

Defense's motion for judgement acquittal was overruled.

9:07am - State's 26th witness, Jeremy Winbush, re-takes the stand.

Winbush says the first person Grier contacted after his August 2, 2016 arrest, was Charles Shelton. He says Grier called him approximately 3 or 4 times between August 3 and 4 of 2016.

Winbush says after hearing phone calls between Grier and Shelton, CPD officers went to Sheltons home to interview him and they seized his cell phone after learning he was using it to communicate with Grier.

Winbush says Shelton passed the phone to his mother, who was at the home at the time, and told officers the phone "wasn't his."

Winbush and his team used FBI cellphone data from the areas associated with the crime to narrow down suspects in the case.

"It was very likely for us, as far as investigative information going forward, that if a phone was at three different towers, or at least multiple towers, more than one during this time period, that that would be a place for us to start as potential suspects.

The three phone numbers were associated with "burner phones", but because of cellphone information Charles Shelton provided to his probation officer, Winbush says they found two of the three numbers were associated with him.

One of the phones was associated with Grier. Winbush says, "that phone number was listed in the call log of at least one physical phone that was recovered from the Larchmont address during the search.

The defense provided Winbush a report from the FBI that determined the tires found on the white econoline van did not match the tread of the tires at the scene of the crime.

Defense argues the "other thing" Cortez Sims and Grier are heard speaking about on jail calls could refer to Sims' bond.

Winbush says officers knew Shelton to live near the area of the crime scene.

"Most people that travel up East 23rd Street, up the ridge, what they call it, toward the tunnel, to go to East Ridge. That's pretty much the most of the traffic. People that go down Elder Street or that take that area usually have to be familiar with the area. It's not a frequently traveled area at all."

Day 5: State continues to bring forward witnesses

6:18pm - Court adjourns for the evening. Local 3 News will return for day 6 starting at 9:00am on Monday.

9:12am - State's 26th witness is introduced, Jeremy Winbush, former police officer with the Chattanooga Police Department.

Winbush was verified as an expert in gangs and gang culture in Chattanooga.

He's asked about the Athens Park Bloods gang, in which Grier is a member.

He explains the hierarchy within the gang, You had an OG, original gangster considered the leader. And then you had OYGs original young gangsters who were in the Chattanooga area or incarcerated, they were responsible for, you know, maintaining the organization and leadership structure. And then you have YGs, which is young gangsters. And then you had, like, foot soldiers, or, you know, just ranking members who may have been in the game for a long time didn't have actual, like, leadership status.

The prosecution gives Winbush a folder of photos to look through.

Winbush was asked how one would become a member of the gang, Traditionally, you would have to, of course, be recommended. Someone would have to agree to allow you in, and then you would have to be beat in which they would consider catching a rack or members of that gang, APB would surround you. You'd have to fight for, you know 126 seconds or 127 seconds, based on which was set to rejoin it, you have to fight members of that gang as an initiation process.

Winbush says in order to maintain relevancy in the gang, members would have to put in work.

He says if a gang member co-operates with law enforcement, it's frowned down upon, "It's pretty much frowned upon to be a snitch or rat is a way to diminish your respect within the streets."

Winbush says hes familiar with Grier and interacted with him during his time with CPD.

He says at the time of his arrest, Grier had tattoos that linked him to the gang. The jury is shown a tattoo on Griers right shoulder that depicts Benjamin Franklin with a red bandana over his face.

Jury is also shown a photo of Grier with his aliases to the left, reading, "Hollywood, Wood, Hollywood Wiley, Favorite Brother." Winbush says, Cortez Sims refer to him "Favorite Brother".

Winbush says, Andre Grier was a known drug dealer, high level drug dealer. He was known to be the money man, person who always had money, known to drive rental cars, make routine trips out of town, possess nice things. So he was known within the gang and others within Chattanooga to be an individual who had money and had resources to be able to buy things I don't know that he, per se, owned vehicles and as far as registration is concerned, but yes, there is documentation that he was routinely seen in different vehicles, specifically unregistered vehicles and rental vehicles.

He adds, One vehicle that comes to mind in particular was like a Ford Fusion, Buick Lacrosse, think he was even documented having access to a Chevrolet Impala, Econoline Van, but I don't particularly know of him having vehicles registered to him with the state of Tennessee.

Winbush says Grier barricaded himself in an apartment on Larchmont Street when he and other officers came to arrest him. The apartment belonged to a woman Grier had a relationship with at the time.

Winbush says the apartment was trashed when they entered.

"Lots of documents and phones and things like that. The cell phones in particular, they were broken, several traditional flip style phones that were broken in half, smart smartphones like you know, touch screen phones that was like broken and shattered all over in different areas of the house.

Winbush recovered a bag placed under the boxspring of a bed in the Larchmont home. Inside the bag is a pistol, gloves, and antibacterial wipes. He says the ballistics from the gun found did not match those of the one examined by the FBI.

He also found another firearm in an air duct in the floor.

The jury is shown a call log showing incoming calls to one of the phones found at the Larchmont address where Grier was arrested.

Several of the phone calls came from one of the three phone numbers shown to have been in or around the area where Hortons body was found and where she worked.

Winbush says Grier was arrested on August 2, 2016.

He says he also frequently monitored jail calls to gain any information into the investigation and intel on gang activity.

The state played an audio recording of a jail call between, another gang member, Cortez Sims mother, and Andre Grier on February 8, 2016.

The gang member tells Sims mother, Call [Grier] and ask him if he gon' free the motherf*cker he sent up in this motherf*cker or is he just gon' let the homie go down on his watch? Is the n*gga gon free the homie, or be a sellout?

Sims mother calls Grier and says, Is y'all gon free the lil homie, cause y'all making him look bad on y'all watch Grier says, We gon' try to do what we can do.

In a three-way phone call with Cortez Sims, Sims' sister, and Grier, Grier tells Sims, "We gon' strike gold n*ggas don had a few times to slide, but the time aint been right."

The state played an audio recording between Grier and a fellow gang member from April 11, 2016. Grier says, Aint nobody helping me, Im only one person," the gang member replies, You cant get no b*tch out there to do it? Grier responds, I dont trust no b*tch!

Winbush opens the kite, or jail letter, he intercepted when Grier was in the Hamilton County Jail.

In the letter, Grier writes to a fellow gang member who was co-operating with police, A blood, I read that affidavit. I wouldve never known you would wack out. And thats why these folks on a n*gga bumper. Not kool you lied to me and got family f*cked up in process. I dont know the mark you become. But if you get on that stand or cooperate any further with these people its personal wit us I love you as a brother. Dont kross the mob. Let by gones be by gonesand this paperwork disappear. A patch up.

Day 4: State continues to bring forward witnesses

4:22pm - Court adjourns for the evening. Local 3 News will return for day 5 starting at 9:00am on Saturday.

3:30pm - State's 25th witness is introduced, Carla Rexing a special agent with the FBI.

Rexing works in the CAST Unit which collects, analyzes, and maps cellular network data to aid in criminal investigations

12:18pm - State's 24th witness is introduced, Lara Adams, an FBI Forensic Examiner in the DNA Case Unit.

Adams says she uses multiple types of testing: serological testing, which is the testing for possible presence of bodily fluids, and DNA testing, which she says is, looking at DNA profiles derived from evidence comparing to DNA profiles from a known person of interest.

She says she collected DNA reference items collected from 12 subjects that were sent to her for comparison, totaling more than 200 items. One of those subjects was Horton and "11 other individuals of interest" in the case.

Fingernail clippings from Horton, items from Ringgold road, items from the white van, and clothing articles from Marcell Christopher were used in her examination.

She says it takes roughly a week for DNA testing to be completed before she can interpret the results.

She says a swab from the steering wheel of the van was congruent with the DNA of Charles Shelton. The likelihood ratio is 6.1 million. That means the DNA profile obtained from the swabbing of the steering wheel is 6.1 million times more likely if Mr. Shelton is a contributor of the DNA versus if another unknown, unrelated person is a contributor of the DNA. So that number means that there's extremely strong support for inclusion of Mr. Shelton as the contributor of DNA obtained from the swabbing of the steering wheel and gear shift.

When asked by the defense if any of Horton's DNA was found on any of the items tested from the econoline van, she said no.

11:15am - State's 23rd witness is introduced, Marisa Bender, a physical scientist and latent print examiner with the FBI.

Bender says she received and processed over 150 items related to the case. Of those, she tells the prosecution 13 items resulted in a total of 23 finger prints.

Bender reads from her examination report of the 13 items and says, P2 was identified to the number two finger, which is your right index finger of record, bearing the name Andre Sean Grier."

She adds, P1 being a fingerprint, meaning that that came from the end joint of your finger, and P2 being a handprint means that it contained both some portion of the palm and finger in that impression On item 10, P1 it was identified to the number four finger, or the right ring finger to a card that bore the name Andre Sean Grier.

She identifies another item as being linked to Grier, Item 21 had one fingerprint of value that was identified to the number one finger or right thumb of card bearing the name Andre Sean Grier.

Bender says, a variety of chemicals, light sources, or fingerprint powders can be used to make finger prints visible. She says she used super blue fuming and dye stain to detect any latent prints on the items tested

Bender opens a family dollar bag containing a bottle of cleaning wipes, cleaning spray, and a pack of wipes that were found in the white van registered to Grier. Of the bag, she says, I detected four fingerprints of value, and all four fingerprints were identified to a card bearing the name Charles Shelton.

The prosecutions shows the jury images of the fingerprints identified as Grier's.

Bender says there were two pistols processed for analysis, but no latent prints of value were detected.

Day 3: Jury views evidence photos

4:38pm - Court adjourns for the evening. Local 3 News will return for day 4 starting at 11:00am on Friday.

4:29pm - State's 22nd witness is introduced, Deputy Jorge Araiza with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.

Araiza says he intercepted a kite, which is a jail letter, in court holdings - the holding cells beneath the court house on August 16, 2016.

He says, "I made a copy of that letter, gave a copy to the courtroom, specifically to Deputy Cavazos, and then took the original and gave it to the Deputy."

1:59pm - State's 21st witness is introduced, Dr. Steven Cogswell, chief medical examiner for Hamilton County.

Cogswell says Hortons body was brought to the medical examiner's office on the morning of May 25, 2016 and the autopsy was started the next day.

The jury is shown several images of Horton's body from the autopsy while Cogswell explains how she was shot.

Since she was quite obviously the victim of multiple gunshot wounds, or at least gunshot wounds, that automatically made her a medical examiner case," says Cogswell.

Cogswell says while he sometimes he can't say anything about circumstances, it was clear multiple gunshot wounds were the cause of her death, "and the manner of death was homicide."

1:39pm - State's 20th witness is introduced. In 2016 he was the manager of an auto painting company.

The witness says they specialized in, "inexpensive bodywork and painting and they would get the jobs done expeditiously.

The prosecution presents a document that shows the white van was paid for and picked up on May 20, 2016.

1:37pm - State's 19th witness is introduced, Robert Welch a U.S. probation officer specialist.

11:54am - State recalls a previous witness, Sgt. Christopher Blackwell with the Chattanooga Police Department.

Blackwell says he and another officer found the white van on the O'Leary property belonging to one of the state's earlier witnesses.

Prosecution asks Blackwell how he knew the van they found was related to the crime, he said, By the vin number, the vehicle identification number. It matched to some paperwork that was found earlier that had the defendants [Grier] name on it.

11:06am - State's 18th witness is introduced, a lawyer.

He was assigned to the homicide of Talitha Bowman, Horton's friend.

The witness says he called Bianca Horton and Marcell Christopher as the two were present when Bowman was killed. He recalls the day of Horton's testimony against Sims in juvenile court.

The witness says, Horton was strong, seemed to understand the importance of why she was there, she seemed strong, my observation was that she was ready to testify.

He says his observation of Christopher was arrogant, extremely young I remember not being sure he was going to have the courage to testify that day. He was sort of resistant to being there.

"Bianca tried to impart on [Christopher] the importance of why they were at juvenile court and that his testimony was important.

The witness went to Elder Street on the day Hortons body was found to help confirm it was her. I remember law enforcement thinking that the body they had recovered was Biancas but they werent 100% sure at the time I went and it was Bianca.

He tells prosecutors, Hortons death had an impact of Sims September 27, 2016 trial date.

The witness says they used Horton's recorded testimony from Sims pre-trial in his trial the following year.

10:59am - State's 17th witness is introduced, a retired investigator. He investigates jail phone calls following Horton's murder.

10:23am - State's 16th witness is introduced, Special Agent Reanna O'Hare, a member of the FBI's evidence response team.

The prosecution asks OHare what she and her team were looking for in their August 2016 investigation, she says, We were asked to process a van and we were trying to place a person inside the vehicle, so that means looking for hairs and fibers, looking for fingerprints, looking for any type of bodily fluids that would place a person inside the vehicle.

Says approximately 10 people worked on the investigation and they were in Chattanooga for two days.

Prosecution shows images of the items inside of the van, including a hammer, gloves, jackets, shirts, sweatshirts, zip ties, chains, and cleaning supplies.

The van only had two seats, the drivers seat and the passenger seat. The entire back of the van was open.

9:50am - State's 15th witness is introduced, a rental property owner.

The witness owned a property on OLeary street in Chattanooga, TN.

He noticed a white van 3 or 4 times on the property, and then noticed it disappeared.

He tells prosecutors, I remember it being clean and tidy... I told detectives it looked like a good clean work van, itd be nice to have.

9:28am - State's 14th witness is introduced, Chattanooga Police Department homicide investigator, Taylor Walker.

Walker says he spoke with the state's previous witness twice in 2018.

Walker told prosecutors, [The witness] advised the arresting officer he had some information pertaining to some homicides in Chattanooga we arranged for him to come the following morning to speak with us about that information.

The witness gave Walker information about the murder of Horton, and Walker tells prosecutors, the witness appeared to be truthful in both interviews.

The prosecution then played a video from the witness 2018 interview with Walker.

The witness is heard telling Walker, I know a little bit about the Bianca Horton case. The reason why they had her killed is because she was about to go to court on Sims. I knew it was going to happen. They grouped up and talked about it, and had the van and everything. They left me and went and did it. It was [Courtney High], [Andre Grier], and [Charles Shelton]. They were in [Grier's] van. It was just them three. They said she cant go to court and we gotta handle this situation. [Grier] tried to get me to help him clean the van.

As the video of the witness played, Grier was taking notes on a notepad.

9:15am - State's 13th witness is introduced, the member is a current member of the gang Grier is affiliated with.

When asked by the prosecution, he says he does not know Andre Grier, Charles Shelton, Courtney High, Cortez Sims or Bianca Horton.

The witness denies any questions related to knowing anything about Horton's death, nor events leading up to her death.

Prosecution asks witness if he remembers an interview with police from 2018. He says no and denies giving information regarding Hortons murder to police.

The prosecution asks him, you don't remember, or that did not happen?, the witness responds, that did not happen.

Day 2: State continues to bring forward witnesses

4:46pm - Court adjourns for the evening. Local 3 News will return for day 3 starting tomorrow at 9:00am.

4:09pm - State's 12th witness is introduced, former Chattanooga Police Department officer, Matthew Hennessey.

Hennessey says he spoke with the witness who was a former member of the gang, who earlier said he didn't know who Andre Grier was.

Hennessey says at the time of their conversation, the witness was there under his own free will with an attorney.

The prosecution played an audio recording between the witness and the officer from 2018.

In the recording the witness says, It was a conversation about Cortez gotta go to court, and uh, that [Horton] had to not go. They talked about how they was gon do it, and I said nah, I said nah, I aint participating in that.

When the prosecutor asked him who "they" referred to, he said, It was uh, Shelton and Grier. I said I dont want no parts of that, because its too sloppy.

Hennessy was also heard asking about the details of the event. The witness says, The details were kidnap her and I guess get rid of her drop her off somewhere When asked if witness was approached to participate in the murder he said, Yea, but I said nah."

The witness also was heard saying, I remember somebody mentioning something about hopping the gate and cutting some cameras.

3:36pm - State's 11th witness is introduced, Derrick McClarin, a Physical Scientist-Forensic Examiner with the FBI in Quantico, VA.

2:20pm - State's 10th witness is introduced, Officer Tracy McGhee.

McGhee was a former officer with the Chattanooga Police Department.

He responded to both the Elder Road location where Horton's body was found and her apartment complex.

1:57pm - State's 9th witness is introduced, Sgt. Christopher Blackwell with the Chattanooga Police Department.

In 2016, Blackwell was a homicide investigator, and one of the investigators in Hortons death investigation.

When Blackwell was asked about whether or not he believed one of the earlier witnesses had been untruthful in what she told him he said, I did not, because of the evidence we had.

1:38pm - State's 8th witness is introduced. This witness says he is a former member of the gang Grier is affiliated with.

The prosecution listed off the names of people affiliated with the gang, including Courtney High, Charles Shelton, Andre Grier, and the witness denied knowing any of them.

The witness also denied knowing of Bianca Horton in 2016 and says he doesnt know who killed her.

He says he somewhat remembers having a conversation with a state prosecutor.

He was asked if he recalled speaking with someone on the phone about the kidnapping and killing of Horton and who was responsible, but he says he doesnt remember having said conversation.

Throughout the entirety of the witness testimony, Grier is taking notes.

12:04pm - Jury in recess until 1:30pm.

11:24am - State's seventh witness is introduced. She lived at the same apartment complex as Horton and their children played with one another.

When she got home from work on the morning of May 25, she noticed residents and police gathering around Hortons car.

The prosecution read transcripts from a conversations the witness had with police in 2018 where she allegedly told law enforcement she had seen a white van parked at the complex for several days leading up to Hortons murder.

But, she says, I dont remember them asking me about a white van The prosecution asks, Do you recall telling police that the van was backed in to which she responds,  I don't remember talking to the police about no van or whatever youre trying to say. I do not remember half of the stuff that happened 10 years ago.

The prosecution played the audio recording of that conversation between the witness and police.

There was a white van, but this van stood out because it wasnt dirty, it was clean. Somebody was sitting in the van, this was the day before this [the murder]. Someone was sitting in the van. They wasnt close to Hortons [apartment], they was kind of like in the middle of the parking lot. That van had been sitting there for 2 or 3 days. You could see somebody sitting in it, but I didn't want to stop and look.

When the defense cross-examined, she maintained she doesnt remember saying the things on the recording. Thats me, I hear me, but I dont remember having that conversation.

10:49am - State's sixth witness is introduced. She was a property manager for the Stone Ridge Apartment Complex.

In 2016, she was a property manager for the Stone Ridge Apartment Complex.

She recalled the morning of May 25, 2016 for the jury, One of the residents had been killed and I didn't know what had actually happened, and I was away from the property at the time. When I returned, that's when I saw all the people in the community. I questioned the police and he stated there had been an incident that had occurred there.

After Horton's death, she continued to speak with law enforcement as they came to the property. She says police took the two cameras that were on the property.

She says the two cameras were located on the front of the building and in the back near the swimming pool, but they didnt actually cover the units themselves.

Before Horton's death she says she discovered the cameras had been broken, I remember looking at the camera inside my office and it wasnt picking up anything, then I went outside and saw they had been pulled down. It looked like it had been pulled from the wall.

The prosecution showed the jury an image of the device that opens and closes the entry and exit gates. The witness identified that a bolt was missing from one of them.

9:36am - State's fifth witness is introduced. She lived at the same apartment complex as Horton and the two were friends.

The morning of May 25, 2016, she says neighbors of the complex crowded around Horton's car as the news broke.

She recalled seeing Horton's items scattered on the ground, and a "crime scene investigator" car pull up to where her car was parked.

She says she was "hurt and upset" when she found out what happened to Horton.

9:10am - State's fourth witness is introduced. She was the babysitter for Horton's four children.

She says the night Horton went missing she was babysitting for her while Horton was at work.

She says Horton called her around 10:45pm letting her know she was on her way to relieve her for the evening. When Horton didn't come home that night, the babysitter says she was concerned and called Horton several times.

The babysitter, who lived at the same apartment complex, took Horton's children home that night, and the next morning she reached out to Horton's godmother to ask where she may be. The godmother informed her the police had found Horton's body that morning.

When the prosecution showed the witness an image of Horton's body she was visibly shaken and began to cry.

Day 1: Trial begins for Andre Grier

3:14pm - Court adjourns for the evening. Local 3 News will return for day 2 starting tomorrow at 9:00am.

3:08pm - State introduces their third witness. This witness lived at the same apartment complex as Horton. Their identity cannot be revealed.

On the night that Horton was kidnapped, the witness says she saw items belonging to Horton scattered on the ground near her vehicle.

2:55pm - State introduces its second witness. This witness was a patrol officer with Chattanooga police at the time of Horton's death. Their identity cannot be revealed.

The officer says he received a call from Hortons babysitter, who filed a missing persons report for her after she didn't come home to relieve her the previous night. He was dispatched to Hortons apartment the morning after her death.

He was then notified of a body found, and a connection was made between the missing persons report from earlier.

2:35pm - State introduces its first witness, Jason Wood, an officer with the Chattanooga Police Department. Wood was one of the first patrol officers to respond to the scene where Horton's body was found.

2:17pm - Defense concludes opening statements.

2:08pm - Defense begins opening statements. Attorney, Kit Rodgers says, the state's argument of Horton being a "target" doesn't hold up, and that they have no real evidence against Grier.

He argues, because she had already testified against Sims, this wouldn't be reason for Grier to want her dead, alleging it would clearly implicate him if he had done so.

Rodgers said, "The only way it would help them would be to change their testimony, cause killing her secures her testimony, doesn't it?"

2:07pm - State concludes opening statements.

1:34pm - State begins opening statements. They present the jury a text thread depicting texts between Grier and Cortez Sims, another APB member who Horton was set to testify against in the shooting death of her friend, Talitha Bowman, and the shooting of herself, her daughter, Zoey, and rival gang member, Marcell Christopher. The text from Sims reads, "The lawyer is paid. Gotta that other thing paid off. Gotta get them paid off. It's the most important thing.. because she can't come to court."

1:32pm - Grier pleads "not guilty" to all five charges.

12:56pm - The Anderson County, TN jury is brought into the Hamilton County courtroom.

12:50pm - Judge Boyd Patterson explains to the media that because the state's theory is that Horton was was murdered for testifying against a fellow member of the Athens Park Bloods, no lay witnesses identifies can be broadcast, nor is streaming allowed.

12:45pm - Andre Grier is brought out to the Hamilton County courtroom.
A former Bank of Ireland employee who stole almost 200,000 from a Midlands branch and its customers before attempting to set the building on fire showed a total disregard for public safety and should not have received a fully suspended sentence, the Director of Public Prosecutions has argued.

Maureen McCormack (53) maintained that she stole the money to pay for debts incurred for IVF treatment.

She tried to set fire to the bank when she learned the branch was closing, fearing an examination of the accounts would bring her offending to light. McCormack has since paid back more than half the money.

McCormack of Esker, Banagher, County Offaly pleaded guilty to arson at the Bank of Ireland branch in the town on October 6, 2021.

Also read: Gardai closing in on suspects after Longford brawl where man suffered severe ear injury

She also entered guilty pleas to three theft charges, including the theft of approximately 145,000 in cash which was the property of Bank of Ireland between January 1, 2017, and October 6, 2021. The 53-year-old further admitted stealing money to the approximate value of 33,419.50 from two individuals on December 2, 2013, and stealing 21,008.24 from two others on November 7, 2016.

McCormack was sentenced to 240 hours of community service in lieu of four years in prison in respect of the arson charge and a sentence of four years in prison suspended for a period of six years in relation to one of the theft charges by Judge Keenan Johnson at Tullamore Circuit Court in October 2024.

Imposing sentence, Judge Johnson noted: It does appear to have been a desperate attempt on her part to cover her tracks when she engaged in an act of arson.

Lawyers for the DPP on Tuesday argued the custodial threshold had clearly been passed and the fully suspended sentence represented a substantial departure from the norm, encompassing no element of deterrence. They said the crime had involved planning and manipulation and McCormack had shown a total disregard for the safety of her colleagues and the public by starting a fire to destroy and conceal evidence.

However, McCormacks legal team said the former bank employee had made restitution for a large portion of what was owed by cashing in her pension and the judge was entitled to use his discretion in fully suspending the four-year sentence.

Also read: Jozef Puska's family members jailed for withholding information and burning murderer's clothes

Submissions made to the court record that McCormack has paid over 115,886.82 in compensation.

The incident came to light on October 6, 2021, when emergency services were called to the Bank of Ireland branch in Banagher around 1pm. A fire had broken out in a storeroom, and evidence of a second fire was found inside the banks safe, but this had extinguished itself due to a lack of oxygen. The damage to the building was estimated to be 10,000.

Following the fire, bank officials noted that the safe should have contained 169,160 but an inspection of the vault revealed it only contained 23,665, leaving a shortfall of 145,495.

Gardai spoke to McCormack, who told them she had locked the safe at 4.30pm the previous day, at which time it contained 169,160. She said she called the fire brigade during her lunch break after learning the building was on fire, but claimed she did not know how the fire had started.

Upon reviewing CCTV footage, gardai observed McCormack entering the vault on several occasions before the fire was reported and noted that she was the last person to leave it at 12.23 pm, approximately half an hour before emergency services were contacted.

McCormack was arrested two days later and, while being transported to the garda station, voluntarily admitted to taking money from the bank safe over a period of time to pay off debts. She made further admissions during three subsequent interviews, confessing to the theft and to starting the fires.

SUBMISSIONS

Bringing an application seeking a review of the sentence on the grounds that it was unduly lenient, Kevin White BL, for the DPP, said the case involved numerous incidents of offending with large sums stolen.

Mr White said there was planning and manipulation involved, and McCormack had a position of trust and standing in the community when she defrauded her employer, Bank of Ireland, and its customers.

The barrister said those factors alone should have resulted in a sentence but the arson aggravated and elevated the offending.

McCormack had shown a total disregard for the wellbeing and safety of her colleagues and members of the public by starting the fires in an attempt to destroy and conceal evidence, the barrister added.

Mr White said there was an assertion that McCormack fell into this because of bills incurred for IVF treatment. He said the cost of the IVF was just over 22,000 between 2004 and 2014 and the offending continued well beyond the need of that.

The sentencing judge took the view - I say wrongly - that she didnt personally profit from this. You couldnt possibly take that view when you look at the amount owed, the cost of the IVF and how long it continued after. It simply doesnt add up, said Mr White. He should not have reduced in the way that he did on foot of that assertion.

In relation to the theft charges, Mr White said that having identified a headline of six years for two of the charges with the other two taken into consideration, there was no way you could get to the point of reducing a four-year sentence down to nought.

The barrister said the threshold warranting a custodial sentence had clearly been passed and a non-custodial sentence simply wasnt an option. He said it was clear as day that what had been handed down by the judge represented a substantial departure from the norm. Theres no deterrent here, he added.

In response, McCormacks senior counsel Roderick OHanlon said the mitigation in the case was substantial. McCormack had cashed in her pension to pay for some of the money stolen and had entered a guilty plea at an early stage, said counsel.

This was behaviour which had simply spiralled out of control, Mr OHanlon said, going on to note that an attempt was made to burn the evidence once it became clear that the branch was closing, which would trigger an examination of the accounts and ultimately expose McCormacks wrongdoing.

Also read: 'Do not eat!' - Warning issued as plastic pieces found in food item sold across Irish supermarkets

Mr OHanlon said the judge had acknowledged that, under normal circumstances, the nature of the offending would warrant a custodial sentence. However, after considering all mitigating factors, including McCormacks decision to cash in her pension, the judge exercised his discretion. He added that the Court of Appeal has previously recognised that sentencing judges have substantial discretion when dealing with cases involving exceptional circumstances.

The judge, having examined all of the particulars of the case and all of the circumstances of the defendant -he described it as not being able to get blood from a stone in regards the remainder of the restitution - he concluded he was entitled to exercise the discretion, said counsel.

Mr Justice John Edwards said the court would reserve judgment in the case and deliver its decision at a later date.
Longford Gardai are continuing to investigate a violent attack on a house and car in Clonbalt Woods, just outside Longford town.



The rampage, which is believed to have taken place at around 8.20pm last Tuesday night, October 14, saw thugs kick in the front door as well as smash the ground level windows at the front of the property.



A car parked outside the house was also targeted and damaged during the attack.



Despite the extent of the vandalism, no damage appeared to have been carried out to the back of the house.

Read more: Step into one of Ireland's most atmospheric ancient sites in county Longford



Longford Gardai immediately launched an official investigation into the frightening incident and were still on site at the property the morning after the attack occurred.

Gardai are appealing for motorists to make contact with them if they have dashcam footage from between the times of 7:30pm and 8:45pm last Tuesday evening, October 14.

Read more: Huge crowd attends first Longford Leader Build & Renovate Expo



Anyone with information is now being asked to contact Longford Garda Station on (043) 335 0570 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
The cover of AQAPs Sada al Malahem magazine, from late 2024.

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) attacked the headquarters of the 1st Support and Reinforcement Brigade in Abyan, a southern coastal governorate in Yemen, on October 21. The complex suicide assault, which consisted of two car bombs and six AQAP fighters armed with explosive belts, killed four soldiers and injured 15 people. All six suicide bombers were also killed.

Brigadier General Nasr Atef al Yafei, commander of the brigade, said that the terrorist elements attacked the headquarters using two car bombs, according to Shield of the South, the official news outlet of the Southern Armed Forces. The brigades forces managed to detonate the first near the main gate, while other elements attempted to infiltrate the complex. However, the forces valiantly confronted them, eliminating six suicide bombers wearing explosive belts.

Seven terrorists were ultimately killed in the attack, according to 26 September News, the official news site of Yemens armed forces.

In a statement received by Yemens official news agency, Saba Net, the Ministry of Defense and the Presidency of the General Staff condemned the attack and praised the brigade for its success in countering the terrorists.

The 1st Support and Reinforcement Brigade is a pro-Southern Transitional Council (STC) force. The STC and its partners predominantly control Abyan, though Al Qaeda has been active in the eastern portion of the governorate.

The anti-Houthi coalition in Yemen is a fractured network of armed groups and political actors who are often at odds with each other, but share a generally anti-Houthi and anti-Al Qaeda ethos. Yemens armed forces, Ministry of Defense, and General Staff are associated with the Internationally Recognized Government (IRG) of Yemen. The STC is a partner in the IRG but disagrees with other elements of the government, most notably because it supports secession for southern Yemen. Despite being a governing partner, the STC maintains its own armed groups, including the Southern Armed Forces and the allied 1st Support and Reinforcement Brigade.

AQAP remains active in Yemen, despite setbacks

AQAPs latest suicide assault is its most impactful attack since August 16, 2024, when an AQAP suicide bomber attacked an STC military base in Abyan and killed 16 soldiers.

AQAP was formed in 2009 by Nasir al Wuhayshi through the merger of Al Qaedas branches in Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Wuhayshi was Osama bin Ladens former aide-de-camp who rose to the rank of Al Qaedas general manager before he was killed in a US drone strike in June 2015. AQAPs current emir is Saad bin Atef al Awlaki.

Shortly after its formation, AQAP launched a deadly and effective insurgency that led to the group controlling large areas of southern Yemen, including several provincial capitals, between 2011 and 2012, and again in 2015-2016. During that time, AQAP benefited from Yemens multifaceted civil war, which includes a weak central government and Iranian-backed Houthis that control the capital of Sanaa.

Though in a relatively weakened state compared to its operational height in the early-to-mid-2010s, AQAP remains a significant threat to Yemen and further afield. The United Nations Analytical Support and Sanctions and Monitoring Teams report from January 2024 noted AQAPs media resurgence since Hamass October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

On the ground, AQAP has intensified its military operations against both UAE-backed militias and hostile tribal forces in southern Yemen. The Monitoring Team also reported that AQAP has maintained strong ties with Al Qaedas central leadership, including Sayf al Adl, who is widely believed to be Al Qaedas current global emir.

Bill Roggio is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the editor of FDD's Long War Journal. Bridget Toomey is a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focusing on Iranian proxies, specifically Iraqi militias and the Houthis.
(Shutterstock)

On Tuesday, Kevin Rideout, an American Christian missionary in the West African state of Niger, was abducted from his home in the countrys capital, as first reported by CBS News. Rideout had lived in Niamey since 2010, where he worked as a pilot for the US-based Serving in Mission organization.

According to CBS, three gunmen raided Rideouts home compound Tuesday night, which is only approximately 100 yards from Nigers Presidential Palace. His phone was then last tracked to roughly 56 miles north of Niamey, corresponding with areas where the Islamic States Sahel Province (ISSP) maintains a strong presence.

As of the time of publishing, no group has claimed responsibility for the abduction, and little additional detail has been reported on Rideouts current whereabouts or condition.

Both ISSP and its rival, Al Qaedas Group for Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), have historically abducted Westerners across the Sahel to obtain ransom payments.

For instance, ISSP abducted American Jeffrey Woodke in Niger in 2016 and German national Jorg Lange, also in Niger, in 2018. Lange was released in 2022, while Woodke was eventually sold by ISSP to JNIM and then later freed in 2023 alongside abducted French national Olivier Dubois. In neighboring Burkina Faso, ISSP abducted and executed Canadian national Kirk Woodman in 2019.

JNIM and its various constituent predecessor groups have a long history of hostage taking in the Sahel dating back to the 2000s. The vast majority of Western hostages have been freed in recent years, including Romanian national Iulian Ghergut, who was kidnapped in Burkina Faso in 2015 and released in 2023; Australian Ken Elliot, also abducted in Burkina Faso in 2016 and released in 2023; American Suellen Tennyson, abducted and released in Burkina Faso in 2022; and the members Italian family kidnapped in Mali in 2022 were released in 2024.

It is unclear how many ransoms were paid to free the various hostages in the Sahel, but several of the hostage releases are believed to be the result of such payments to the jihadists.

Rideouts abduction in Niger comes as security in the region further deteriorates. Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are all under military rule after their respective governments were overthrown by their militaries in 2021, 2022, and 2023, respectively.

Since then, all three ruling factions have turned against both their longtime Western security partners, notably France and the United States, and local collectives, like the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in favor of Russia and its Wagner/Africa Corps paramilitary groups.

The United States was forced to abandon its drone bases in Niger last year, leaving a significant gap in regional intelligence gathering and sharing. However, unconfirmed reports indicate that Americans have resumed sharing intelligence with Mali amid the countrys dire security situation. For instance, JNIM has successfully cut off fuel to the Malian capital, Bamako, in recent weeks.

Both ISSP and JNIM have surged across the region, with JNIM increasingly threatening the future of both Mali and Burkina Faso, while ISSP remains more of a threat inside Niger (though JNIM also maintains a presence in the country).

Caleb Weiss is an editor of FDD's Long War Journal and a senior analyst at the Bridgeway Foundation, where he focuses on the spread of the Islamic State in Central Africa.
As whispers swirl around Prince Harry's desire to return to the United Kingdom, royal insiders are now claiming Meghan Markle has quietly secured a "divorce contingency" she can activate if he follows through on moving back.

According to reports, the Duchess of Sussex and her team have been assembling legal and financial protections should she choose to walk away rather than uproot her life in California.

Sources say the tension hinges on a potential standoff: Harry may feel pulled toward his homeland and royal duties, while Meghan reportedly has no interest in returning.

One insider revealed, "The palace is quietly drawing up contingency plans" and warned of a "s chism" if Harry pursues a return that clashes with Meghan's refusal to relocate.

Should a split occur, sources suggest Meghan's safeguards would be strong and premeditated. The reported agreement would include a "strict gagging order" preventing public disclosures about the royals, while retaining her Duchess of Sussex title as a face-saving gesture.

The settlement is said to be "more generous than might be assumed, but heavily structured" to protect the monarchy's image.

Building damage control frameworks

The nature of this plan suggests Meghan intends to guard control over her narrative. Royal aides reportedly fear that a messy rupture over returning to Britain could weaken both public sympathy and the monarchy's brand.

To counter that, Meghan Markle's team is said to be mapping custody, schooling, and travel arrangements for their children until adulthood - all in writing.

Whether these contingency measures are real or speculative is unclear, but the very idea that Markle would plan for divorce in advance signals a confidence in her position - and a readiness to draw clear lines.

As Harry navigates potential reconciliation or restoration, Meghan's framework ensures she won't be left playing catch-up.

In royal drama, foresight is power. And if a new chapter begins, she seems determined to walk away on her own terms.
The Boston Police Department launched an investigation after a dead body was found in Roxbury on Thursday morning.

A spokesperson for the police department Thursday confirmed there was a dead body, did not reveal the persons identity to MassLive.

At 9:08 a.m., officers responded to a report of a body being found in the area of 157 Dewitt Dr., according to the spokesperson.

Homicide detectives were called to the scene. The spokesperson said the death was deemed suspicious. No suspects or persons of interest have been identified. An investigation is underway, according to the spokesperson. No further information was provided.
Jury deliberations have begun in the trial of a firefighter from Ireland accused of raping a woman in a Boston hotel on St. Patricks Day weekend in 2024  the second time the case has gone to court.

Terence Crosbie, 39, of Dublin, Ireland, has pleaded not guilty to one count of rape in connection with the incident at the Omni Parker House in Boston on March 15, 2024. His first trial began in June but ended in a mistrial after four days of jury deliberations and five days of testimony.

Jury deliberations began Wednesday afternoon and continued Thursday morning for a full day, after the trial began Oct. 14.

Prosecutors say Crosbie, a member of the Dublin Fire Brigade, was visiting Boston with a group of other firefighters over the St. Patricks Day weekend last year when he raped a 28-year-old woman at the hotel the group was staying at. He then tried to leave the country after an interview with police.

On March 14, 2024, one of the other men from the firefighters group had met the woman at the Black Rose, an Irish pub near Faneuil Hall, at around 11:30 p.m., prosecutors said, and she chose to go back to the Omni Parker House hotel with him.

She had consensual sex with that man in a room at the hotel and they fell asleep in separate beds. But at 2 a.m., she awoke to a man she didnt know  later identified as Crosbie  raping her, prosecutors said.

The woman testified during the second trial that began Oct. 14, and told the courtroom Crosbie was on top of me, inside of me, and held down her shoulders, reported Ireland outlet The Irish Times.

Crosbie told her, You like this, and He couldnt give this to you ... hes a loser, she told the courtroom, the outlet reported. She was emotional as she recounted her experience and broke down in tears during questioning.

The woman told him to stop and was able to roll off the bed but Crosbie kept following her around the hotel room  pushing her against the wall and kissing her  as she tried to grab her clothes. She ran away from him into the bathroom, then skirted around him to the door and left.

The woman then texted her friend to say she had been assaulted and went to Mass General Hospital, where she reported the rape. Hotel security footage matched the womans story, and she identified the man whod shared a hotel room with Crosbie as the man shed had consensual sex with.

Prosecutors told the courtroom there was a DNA sample found from two men, WCVB reported  but that neither could be definitively linked to Crosbie.

Nonetheless, prosecutor Erin Murphy argued, the woman had no reason to leave a hotel room in the middle of the night and immediately disclose to a friend because she got raped, then go to a hospital and be interviewed by police.

She had no reason to do it, and drinking alcohol didnt make her do it, Murphy said.

But Crosbies attorney, Daniel Reilly, said in his closing argument that theres nothing that includes or matches Mr. Crosbie, the outlet reported.

Despite this, they want you to believe it is him because who else could it be, but their own witness says they cannot say it came from Mr. Crosbie, Reilly said, according to WCVB.

Crosbie told police in an interview that hed seen the man he was staying with come into the room with the woman and left to give them privacy, the report said. Hours later, he entered the room after knocking and saw the woman leave but didnt interact with her, he told police.

Massachusetts State Police arrested Crosbie on the tarmac at Logan Airport just before the plane he was on was set to depart for Ireland, the district attorneys office previously said.

Hed changed his flight to an earlier day after an interview with police.

During his arraignment, a judge held Crosbie on $100,000 bail, the district attorneys office said. The judge had also ordered him to surrender his passport and to stay in Massachusetts.
Six weeks into its increased crackdown on fare evasion, the MBTA has issued dozens of warnings but not yet any monetary fines to riders caught dodging fare gates.

Under a new system rolled out in September, the T will afford each rider one warning before staff begin doling out citations.

The agencys fare engagement representatives issued 85 warnings from the program beginning on Sept. 8 through this Monday, according to MBTA data.

If any of those riders are caught again, fines will start at $50 and eventually climb to $100.

Were pleased to report the public has warmly received the Fare Engagement Representative team, Maya Bingaman, an MBTA spokesperson, said in a statement. We thank all riders for paying their fares.

The MBTA launched the ticketing program after nearly a year of posting fare engagement staff at transit stations to speak with riders and answer questions about fares, the agency said. Within weeks of their arrival last October, fare collection at those stations jumped 35%.

Staff are now visually checking for fare payment at some subway stations. Data on which stations had seen the most warnings issued was not immediately available.

The T eventually plans to place fare staff on buses and Green Line or Mattapan Line trolleys as well.

To sustain the MBTA system, we owe it to our riders and the public at large to do our part and collect all appropriate fare revenue, MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng said in August. Its about a responsibility we have and fairness for all.

The increase in fare enforcement also comes as the Trump administration pressures the MBTA and other public transit agencies to intensify law enforcement on their buses and trains overall.

At a national public transportation conference held in Boston in September, Federal Transit Administrator Marc Molinaro pressured a convention hall full of transit officials to crack down on fare evasion, harassment and assaults  the type of behavior he said escalated into increasingly serious and dangerous crime.

If you dont feel safe, nothing else matters, Molinaro said.

Assaults, robberies, open drug use, violent crimes on transit systems, fare evasion, all of it  none of it can be normalized, he added.

Later that same week, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy threatened the federal funding of Boston and Chicagos public transit systems over a recent pair of isolated assaults against riders.

In response, Eng said the MBTA and federal officials have a common goal to ensure that riders are safe and feel safe while using public transportation. He said the T was a safe, dependable system riders can rely on.

Riders board the MBTA Red Line at South Station in Boston, Sept. 5, 2024. (Will Katcher/MassLive)

Fair policing of fare rules

The MBTA said it has taken steps to ensure fair, equitable, and non-discriminatory enforcement of fare rules. Staff were trained on biases, cultural intelligence, de-escalation and other customer service topics.

The T also said it is deploying the fare staff based on ridership patterns, not geography, to avoid a disproportionate presence in any one community.

After a written warning, riders are issued $50 civil citations at each of their next three offenses. Only on their fourth or subsequent violations will riders be fined $100.

Uncooperative riders who refuse to provide identification or contact information are asked to leave the station. Staff are instructed to contact superiors and the MBTA Transit Police if the person does not comply. Through Monday, no such situations had occurred.

Certain riders qualify for reduced fares, including people with disabilities, senior citizens and some students. The T has also expanded reduced fares to income-eligible riders between the ages of 18 and 64 who are enrolled in the Department of Transitional Assistance, MassHealth or MASSGrant programs.

The reduced fare program can cut ridership costs by about 50%. Riders can learn more about the program and check their eligibility at mbta.com/reduced.

Bus routes 23, 28 and 29 are also fare-free routes through a pilot program funded by the city of Boston.

The majority of fare checkers speak a second language, but all have access to Google Translate, the T said.
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Yet another Massachusetts Friendlys location has apparently shut down.

The Friendlys in Pembroke has been marked as permanently closed on Google Maps. A call placed to the number listed with the location came up as no longer being in service.

The Pembroke spot is also no longer listed on Friendlys website. While it is unclear exactly when the restaurant closed, a post in The Brockton Hub Facebook group suggested it was earlier this month.

MassLive has reached out to Friendlys parent company, Brix Holdings, for more information.

Friendlys has lost 90% of its locations in recent years, Eat This, Not That reported, including one on Riverdale Street in West Springfield that closed last year. After filing for bankruptcy in 2011 and again in 2020, Brix Holdings was acquired by Legacy Brands International this past July, who committed to reviving the brand. The investment group managed by Amol Kohli, is a multi-unit franchisee of Friendlys Restaurants.

The Pembroke closure comes as Friendlys turns 90 this year. The company was founded by brothers S. Prestley and Curtis Blake in Springfields Pine Point neighborhood in 1935.

The chain grew slowly at first, eventually exploding to a high of 800 locations up and down the East Coast by the 1970s. Today, there are only roughly 100 locations left in the U.S., including 22 in Massachusetts.

Friendlys no longer owns its plant in Wilbraham. But it is currently operated by Dairy Farmers of America making ice cream for Friendlys restaurants as well as for sale in supermarkets. The chain is also no longer headquartered in Western Massachusetts, but on Long Island, New York.

The address for the Pembroke Friendlys 146 Church St.
MassLive is once again releasing its weekly edition of weekend picks, our weekly choices for activities, events or places to check out across Massachusetts each weekend.

This week, the list consists of all things Halloween fun for all ages. From child-friendly trick-or-treating to haunted drinks, check out our list of five things to take part in this weekend below.

PruBoo is a family trick-or-treating event at Prudential Center with over 30+ stores and restaurants Prudential Center

PruBoo

Prudential Center will host Halloween festivities on Sunday, Oct. 26, from 11 a.m to 1 p.m. PruBoo is a family trick-or-treating event at Prudential Center with over 30 stores and restaurants participating in the event.

Other activities include face painting, Halloween crafts, magic shows and a musical performance. All activities are free and open to all. Come in costume!

See more information on the event here.

Halloween 2024 in downtown Salem, Massachusetts. (Trea Lavery/MassLive) Trea Lavery/MassLive

Black Cat Tours

If youre visiting Salem, also known as Witch City, a tour with Black Cat Tours may be worth your while.

Evening walking tours with Black Cat Tours take visitors back in time through true history of Salem.

On the tour, guests will visit some of the citys most haunted sites, learn about the tools used by early ghost hunters, and hear stories of how the town inspired the horror stories of H.P. Lovecraft, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Edgar Allen Poe, MassLive previously reported.

The tour was named the fifth best ghost tour in the U.S. by USA Today.

Black Cat Tours is located at 234 Essex St. in Salem.

The Nightmare Bar is a Halloween-themed bar inspired by Tim Burton's classic film, "The Nightmare Before Christmas." The pop-up bar is at PKL in South Boston throughout the month of October. David Cifarelli

The Nightmare Bar

The Nightmare Bar is a Halloween-themed bar you can check out for a boozy and spooky weekend.

The Nightmare Bar dives into the world of Tim Burton at a Halloween pop-up bar thats at a Boston pickleball facility. The pop-up is at PKL in South Boston until Friday, Oct. 31.

Inspired by Burtons The Nightmare Before Christmas, the bar tells ghost stories, hosts trivia and serves cocktails inspired by the 1993 film.

Drinks include the Jack Skellington (vodka, vanilla, pumpkin liquor and ginger) and the Sally (vodka, strawberry, lemongrass, lime, framboise and yuzu).

Zoo curator Emily Bauwer shows Pumpkin the Corn snake to L to R- Cullen Sullivan, Maeve Cournoyer, and Noa Isenberg at the Spooky Safari at the Forest Park Zoo and Education Center in Forest Park on Halloween October 31st. (Ed Cohen Photo)

Spooky Safari

On Saturday, Oct. 25, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., families can head to Forest Park in Springfield for a Halloween event for all ages.

Spooky Safari features a trick-or-treat trail, face painting and crafts for kids as well as a scavenger hunt, animal encounters and a virtual costume contest.

The trick-or-treat trail is set up around the zoos loop, so guests will come along various stations to stop for treats, toys, sticker sheets, bubbles and more.

Trick-or-Treating SPOOKtacular Returns to Patriot Place takes place on Thursday, Oct. 30. (Courtesy of Patriot Place) Patriot Place

Trick-or-Treating SPOOKtacular

Patriot Place is welcoming guests of all ages to its annual Trick-or-Treating SPOOKtacular on Thursday, Oct. 30.

Patriot Place will host two free trick-or-treating sessions from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., with registration for both sessions here.

This is another event where guests are encouraged to come dressed up.
A Lawrence man was found guilty on Wednesday of killing a 21-year-old in 2021, then trying to cover up the crime.

Josef Guillen, 23, was convicted by an Essex County jury of first-degree murder for fatally shooting Jeffrey Ruiz, 21, in 2021.

Guillen was also found guilty on two counts of possession of a large capacity feeding device and possession of ammunition without a firearms license card.

Guillen killed Ruiz on Dec. 5, 2021 near 40 Crosby St. in Lawrence, in what was supposed to be a planned meetup that turned violent.

During the course of his trial, prosecutors showed the jury texts, videos and data from cars about the planned meetup, along with extensive video footage of the incident.

In the hours after the shooting, Guillen got rid of his phone, vehicle and the gun and changed his appearance. Investigators later found shell casings at the scene of the crime that matched ammunition found in Guillens bedroom.

The Essex County District Attorneys Office commended its prosecutors in the courtroom, along with the Lawrence Police Department and Massachusetts State Police.

Guillens sentencing was scheduled for Oct. 30.
A box of zucchini stored in the new cooler at the Greater Boston Food Bank's Yawkey Distribution Center in South Boston, July 14, 2025. (Will Katcher/MassLive)

As SNAP benefits could run out for 42 million Americans in November  including over a million in Massachusetts  state Treasurer Deb Goldberg rang the alarm on Thursday, warning of a cascade of emergency after emergency if the funds do dry up.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the countrys federal aid program that provides food assistance to low-income people, hangs in the balance as the government shutdown trudges on.

In November, if the shutdown isnt resolved, states could run out of SNAP funding, forcing a crushing financial pressure on local budgets and food bank networks.

I think that with all the conversations weve had in the last year or so, this one is one of the most serious, Goldberg said during a press conference held by nonprofit For The Long Term. We are facing a real moment of deep concerns for millions upon millions of American families."

In Massachusetts, 1 in 6 people receive SNAP or WIC (Women, Infants and Children) benefits, Goldberg said. Of the approximately 1.1 million state residents who receive such benefits, one-third are children and one-fourth are seniors over 60. Twenty-eight percent are people with disabilities.

This shutdown threatens to push them even further into not just an economic crisis, but food is essential to health, and that is something that people really need to wrap their heads around, Goldberg said.

If SNAP funds dont flow to Massachusetts in November, that will equate to $225 million of lost food, she added.

Where does the federal shutdown stand?

The shutdown began on Oct. 1 after Congress deadlocked and missed the deadline for funding the government. Its now in its third week, with no immediate end in sight.

Democrats have dug in over health care, pushing for the extension of Affordable Care Act tax subsidies that are set to expire at years end, and the restoration of Medicaid cuts included in the domestic policy mega-bill that President Donald Trump signed into law in July.

Republicans have been pushing for a stopgap bill that would fund the government through Nov. 21, a move that Democrats have repeatedly blocked in the U.S. Senate, according to Bloomberg.

Food banks wont make up the difference

Catherine DAmato, CEO of the Greater Boston Food Bank, said philanthropy  like charity food bank/pantry networks  wont be able to make up for lost SNAP funding.

If (the benefits) go away, it would take our system across the state to provide up to 56 million more meals just in the month of November, she said. Its going to be much worse for many other states, many larger states and those with greater food insecurity problems than Massachusetts.

Catherine D'Amato, president and CEO of the Greater Boston Food Bank, speaks at an event in Revere announcing a new study on hunger in Massachusetts conducted by the food bank and Mass General Brigham, June 17, 2025. (Will Katcher/MassLive)

Amid the shutdown and worries over SNAP, both Goldberg and DAmato noted demand for food assistance is surging, specifically citing federal workers who havent received a paycheck and are joining the already long lines at food pantries.

This week, Gov. Maura Healey told reporters that theres no way the state can cover a food stamp shortfall of hundreds of millions of dollars. She called on Trump to unfreeze the funds, while noting the states anti-hunger task force is regularly meeting.

A message posted on the U.S. Department of Agricultures website currently states, President Trump has made it clear he wants to keep the government open and support those who feed, fuel, and clothe the American people.

Hopefully the spicket will be turned back on, DAmato said Thursday.

MassLive Politics Editor John L. Micek contributed to this story.
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea J. Campbell announces she's running for reelection during a news conference outside her childhood home in Boston's South End. Campbell, a Democrat, made her announcement during a news conference on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025. John L. Micek/MassLive

U.S. Sen. Ed Markey has racked up another key endorsement in whats now become a competitive race for reelection in 2026.

Calling him a great partner in the work, state Attorney General Andrea J. Campbell has announced shes backing the Markey, D-Mass., who faces a primary challenge from U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, D-6th District, and political newcomer Alex Rikleen.

He is standing up for our democracy, our constitution, and, most importantly, joining me here in Massachusetts to support all of you, Campbell said in a video posted to YouTube. He has never taken his eyes off the people.

U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., takes a walking tour of Boston's Black history with Dr. Imari Paris Jeffries, the president and CEO of Embrace Boston, on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025. John L. Micek/MassLive

The backing from Democrat Campbell, who announced her own reelection bid this week, is the latest in a string of high-profile endorsements for the 79-year-old Malden pol.

Five of the states nine-member, all-Democrat delegation to Capitol Hill also have endorsed Markey, as has U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.

A host of local elected leaders, who are the key ground troops for any reelection campaign, also are backing Markey as he runs for a third term.

Meanwhile, it appears that attorney John Deaton, who unsuccessfully challenged Warren in 2024, is moving closer to a Republican candidacy, according to published reports.

Two members of the state Republican Party told WBUR-FM that theyre attending an event in Worcester next month where Deaton is expected to launch his candidacy.
The Boston Red Sox have one Silver Slugger Award finalist for the 2025 season.

Alex Bregman was named Bostons lone representative for the annual MLB award on Thursday morning. Bregman batted .273 with 18 home runs, 62 RBI, a .462 slugging percentage and .360 OBP in 114 games for the Red Sox.

Bregman won the American League Silver Slugger Award in 2019 when he was with the Houston Astros. In 156 games he batted .296 with a .592 slugging percentage, 41 home runs and 112 RBI.

The 2025 season was the third basemans first in a Red Sox uniform. He signed with Boston just ahead of spring training in February.

Bregman missed 43 games due to a right quad strain.

The 31-old isnt the only member of the Red Sox up for awards this season. Wilyer Abreu, Ceddanne Rafaela and Carlos Narvaez are all finalists for an AL Gold Glove.

The other two finalists for the AL Silver Slugger at third base are Junior Caminero of the Tampa Bay Rays and Jose Ramirez of the Cleveland Guardians.
In May, the Massachusetts Appeals Court ruled in favor of Palmer Renewable Energys attempt to revive its biomass plant using permits that expired over a decade ago. This month, the state's Supreme Judicial Court decided not to hear the case. The plant was originally proposed as a 35-megawatt biomass facility on Palmer Paving Corp.'s land at 1000 Page Boulevard in Springfield. (Douglas Hook / The Republican, File) Douglas Hook

SPRINGFIELD  One of the last avenues that the City Council and advocates had to stop a proposed wood-burning biomass plant has closed, with the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court declining to hear a case challenging its 14-year-old building permits.

City councilors, the neighborhood council and clean air advocates expressed disappointment with the decision but still hold out hope that they can stop the project.

A lawyer for Palmer Renewable Energy declined to comment when reached on Wednesday.

We have to stick together and stop it, because it is bad for peoples health, said City Councilor Timothy Allen, who is one of the original politicians who voted to rescind the permits back in 2011.

Palmer Renewable Energy originally obtained a special permit in 2008 to build the 35-megawatt plant at 1000 Page Blvd, the site of Palmer Paving Corp. Under normal circumstances, a building permit  issued after a special permit  would have died if work did not begin within 180 days, but the city issued two building permits for Palmer Renewable Energy in 2011.

Those were rescinded after opposition grew and a new council was seated. Since then, lawsuits have been filed, and judgments have seesawed back and forth, some favoring Palmer Renewable Energy and others favoring the City Council, resulting in people referring to it as a zombie project for its ability to repeatedly return from the dead.

Naia Tenerowicz, a lead organizer with the Springfield Climate Justice Coalition, added her dismay to others disappointment, saying she is shocked that, with the effects of climate change increasing and the citys asthma rate continuing to be one of the worst in the country, the plant continues to survive.

Im concerned this will have a ripple effect for other cities which are fighting these toxic projects, she said. By no means are we giving up. We have to find a way to stop this.

While the appeal to the Supreme Judicial Court seemed the best way to block the plant for good, there are other avenues, opponents said.

The case will now be remanded to the citys Zoning Board of Appeals to amend its decision, said officials for the Conservation Law Foundation, which has been representing the City Council in its fight to stop the plant.

Palmer Renewable Energy also is lacking at least one air quality approval from the Department of Environmental Protection, officials said.

City Council President Michael Fenton said he plans to work with local legislators and others to see what steps can be taken to stop the plant.

It is only the latest development in this decades-long fight, he said. We will now evaluate our options and turn to our state and federal partners for help to stop this incinerator. Springfield residents deserve clean air.

At the same time, state Sen. Adam Gomez and state Rep. Orlando Ramos, who are both former Springfield city councilors and had a hand in fighting the biomass plant, have filed legislation that would eliminate a loophole that allows municipal electric companies to continue to use subsidies for biomass. Private energy companies already are banned from using those subsidies.

Others are also fighting to remove biomass plants from being eligible for green energy tax credits that would make Palmer Renewable Energy financially viable.

Kathy Brown, president of the East Springfield Neighborhood Council, said residents have been using grants to plant more trees on city tree belts, in private yards and parks, and said it seems that effort to clean the air will be nullified by the emissions from the biomass plant.

We will stay in the loop and continue to be a watchdog for the neighborhood, she said.
Holyoke City Hall  seen from an alleyway across the street on Monday  is in the grips of a financial mess, with the state threatening intervention. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook

HOLYOKE  Millions of dollars in state aid are on hold, as city leaders argue over how to fix years of missteps that have left Holyoke in a financial crisis.

The Massachusetts Division of Local Services recently froze monthly aid payments to Holyoke because city officials havent finished basic financial paperwork for three years. Without that money, the city might have trouble paying for schools, police and other services.

At the center of the problem is the citys treasurers office, which has fallen behind on key duties, like filing a 2023 audit and its 2024 financial reports. On top of that, the citys free cash  leftover money that can be used for emergencies or to lower taxes  hasnt been approved by the state, officials said.

Treasurer Rory Casey said that these issues are serious, systemic and, unfortunately, not new.

This isnt just about one person, Casey said. Its about fixing the entire system.

Holyoke City Clerk Brenna Murphy McGee swears in Treasurer Rory Casey in 2022. In February, voters changed the position from elected to appointed. He says the city's current financial mess is not the fault of one person. (Dennis Hohenberger / Special to The Republican, File)

For six of the past eight years, the city has delayed filing a key financial overview report, called a Schedule A, according to Casey. In five of those years, the state withheld local aid. One delay kept the city from setting a tax rate for four months.

Casey said weak internal controls  especially poor tracking of grants and revenue  have led to negative free cash.

He added that the DLS, a division of the Department of Revenue; the state Office of the Inspector General; and outside auditors have issued several reports over the years calling for reform in all of the citys financial offices, not just the treasurers.

Casey, who took office in 2022, said hes working with outside consultants to clean up the records, but progress has been slow.

Like the treasurer, Mayor Joshua Garcia said this week that the delays arent the fault of any one person, but stem from years of systemwide problems. The mayor said the city needs big changes in how it runs its financial house to avoid future problems.

Holyoke Mayor Joshua A. Garcia speaks to his aide, Stephen Fay, on May 19. The mayor says the city's current financial mess will be solved with a new municipal finance act, which is yet to be passed by the City Council, and the hiring of a chief administrative and finance officer. (Douglas Hook / The Republican, File) Douglas Hook

Garcia has sought for the City Council to pass The Municipal Finance Modernization Act, which aims to create a new top finance job, a chief administrative and financial officer; merge the treasurer and tax collector roles; reorganize departments; cut jobs in other departments; and also upgrade technology.

But not everyone agrees on the mayors and treasurers assessment of the financial morass.

City Councilor Kevin Jourdain said Garcia and Casey have run the citys finances completely into the ditch.

The city doesnt need new positions  it just needs to follow the voters decision to hire a new qualified treasurer first, he said. He also believes the mayor is trying to take too much control, while also raising salaries and changing job titles, he said.

I think we should take steps towards it, Jourdain said. Then we can talk about fixing (and) expanding roles or/and other structures.

City Councilor Kevin Jourdain, left, speaks at an election night party in November 2019. At right is Ward 3 Councilor David Bartley, who won reelection that day. Jourdain blames the mayor and treasurer in Holyoke for the city's current financial morass. (Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican, File)

The debate appears to have slowed down progress. The City Council still needs to approve the treasurers job description and salary, as the current treasurers term is up in February.

Garcia said the next person in the treasurers role will face the same problems, unless the city approves the financial reforms along with the CAFO position.

State letters detail financial problems

Deborah A. Wagner, the director of accounts for the DLS, recently sent a pair of letters to Garcia, explaining that Holyokes financial records dont meet minimum standards, and that state intervention would occur if the financial tracking doesnt get fixed.

Much of the states concern surrounded unreconciled cash accounts dating back to fiscal 2023. Also of concern were the missing 2024 Schedule A report and still-open books from 2025.

Because of these delays, the state said it couldnt confirm how much money Holyoke had or certify its free cash  extra funds cities can use for expenses. That also affects the local tax rate.

In an Oct. 1 letter, the state gave Holyoke 60 days to finish 10 overdue tasks. The state said these steps must be done before Holyoke can certify its free cash and set future tax rates. The letter also said the state would begin monthly check-ins with city officials starting this month.

If the city doesnt make enough progress, the Division of Local Services might hire outside help to finish the work  and deduct the cost from future payments to the city.

Mayor responds

Garcia said the citys biggest issue is not that the finances are wrong.

It is timely closing of the books and reconciliation, he said.

The city has more money flowing in than ever before, he said, including federal aid and grants, but it still relies on outdated systems.

Garcia warned that if the city doesnt act soon, the state could step in more forcefully. While Holyoke isnt in receivership, he said the current situation is a step in that direction.

If we cant make decisions together, the state has the power to take control and charge us for it  whether we like it or not, he said.

He said part of the fix involves updating the citys technology, which requires money from the City Council. Disagreements have delayed much of it.

Holyoke had been making progress, but he said momentum stalled. For example, before a scheduled vote, Jourdain filed unrelated proposals that disrupted the process, he said.

A broken system of accounting

On Caseys first day, he found that daily cash records were months behind, audits were incomplete, and staff lacked basic training, he said. Further, the IRS was chasing the city over missing filings, outdated systems needed upgrades, and tax records were mismanaged, risking millions in lost revenue, Casey said.

An outside firm had made progress in auditing the city, but the City Council ended the contract early, claiming it was too expensive. Casey warned that cutting the firm would set the city back  and it did.

They think that they did a good thing by stopping the funding, (but) then that would have helped the outside audit firm get a hold of 2023, he said.

Additionally, collection efforts had stalled, deals were made without paperwork, the auditing firm had three changes in ownership and poor communication, all while financial data was being entered manually, he said.

Casey said the main problem was because the citys financial departments work in silos, a concern the state first raised in a 2007 report. The report noted that the weak structure of city departments limited the mayors ability to improve services, complete projects or raise the citys quality of life, he said.

Casey said, while he takes responsibility for his role, he can only work with the tools hes given  and hes been asking for more support of the full City Council for a long time.

Some councilors have delayed progress by filing complaints, skipping meetings and sending the municipal finance act back to committee, he said. Nine councilor votes are needed to move forward, but only five have supported it so far, he said.

At the same time, Jourdain said hes frustrated by the lack of progress and transparency from the mayors office and the treasurer.

He said the city hired a consulting firm to help reconcile accounts and certify free cash for 2023, but that still hasnt happened. When the same firm later requested nearly $600,000 more, he pushed back.

Now were finding out the work wasnt done, he said.

Jourdain supports the move to an appointed treasurer  voters OKd it in February  calling it a major step forward. But he said the city needs a clear plan to fix immediate problems and avoid further damage.

Were losing millions in interest and cant use free cash to lower taxes, Jourdain said. This is hurting our cash flow and our taxpayers.

He also criticized the lack of communication about the citys bond rating downgrade last year, saying there was no public announcement.

Casey said the downgrade wasnt unique to Holyoke. Moodys decision to pull Holyokes bond rating  because of missing financial paperwork  was part of a broader trend affecting cities nationwide, he said.

The city uses Standard & Poors for its borrowing needs, and that agency has not taken similar action, he said.

This doesnt mean we should ignore it, he said. Weve talked with the council about it multiple times, including this past spring.

Whats next?

Casey said, despite all the problems, the city has taken steps to manage cash flow during state aid delays, which is multiple millions a month. When Holyoke didnt receive its local aid payments on time, he said he restructured funding to make sure bills were paid.

Although Holyoke has faced financial missteps for years, the Sept. 22 letter from the state was a turning point.

The difference now is the state is frustrated, Casey said.

Casey said the city is working with two firms to finish and submit the 10 required items to the state. Five are being reviewed by the citys outside audit firm, and the other five are nearly complete and being double-checked by Open Architects, a school data platform.

Open Architects, with local consultant T.J. Plante, is helping the treasurers office catch up, automate tasks and improve long-term planning, he said.

With the states deadline approaching on Nov. 30, and the elected treasurer position ending in February, city leaders must decide quickly how to move forward  which includes agreeing on a plan to fix Holyokes finances.

The state is helping for free right now, Casey said. But if they step in, theyll charge us for the contractors they bring in  no matter what it costs.

City Council President Tessa Murphy-Romboletti said the council missed a chance to move faster by not putting the treasurer question on the ballot earlier. That delay made it harder to pass needed changes to city laws.

Some of the changes involve job descriptions and union status of the appointed treasurer.

I think were just having a really hard time coming to an agreement on the way to approach this, she said. Weve gotten to a point where both sides feel like theyve compromised enough, and I think its really unfortunate that were not able to get past this point.
Charles Irving, center, co-principal of The Davenport Cos., the Rev. Jeffrey Brown, right, a co-founder of My City at Peace and an equity partner at HYM, and Thomas O'Brien, founder and CEO of HYM Investment Group, show the proposals for a new courthouse in Springfield. There are two possible locations the group is putting forward. The first would be built on the same location of the existing Roderick L. Ireland courthouse, and the second is the former Mardi Gras building on Taylor Street. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook

SPRINGFIELD  A pair of Boston-based developers are proposing two sites for a new Springfield courthouse, one at a closed strip club and the other at the spot where the existing hall of justice sits.

Chuck Irving, principal with The Davenport Cos., and Thomas N. OBrien, chief executive officer of the HYM Investment Group, submitted one proposal with those two options to the state to replace the troubled Roderick L. Ireland Courthouse. Their second plan includes the former Mardi Gras strip club.

The announcement came Thursday, just as officials for the state Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance released a complete list of prospective developers and locations of the 10 proposals submitted by the Oct. 16 deadline.

The Board of Asset Management voted in January to enter into a public-private venture to fast track the construction of the new courthouse. That roughly $2 billion plan calls for a developer to build a new 220,000-to-300,000-square-foot courthouse for an estimated $600 million and then sign a 40-to-60-year lease agreement with the state.

Since the decision, businesses have been snatching up properties within the 12-block radius in Springfields downtown that state and local officials have designated as the ideal location for the new courthouse.

A look at a proposal for the new courthouse in Springfield from The Davenport Cos. and HYM Investment Group, shown by the businesses on Thursday. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook

Irving and OBrien said they are proposing to construct the same building for both spots, with all the amenities sought in the states request for proposals. When asked, the two said they favor building at the site of the existing courthouse.

The main differences are parking and a location in the heart of downtown, versus one near the Union Station transportation hub.

If DCAMM decides Union Station is the place they need to base this off of, its OK. We would be thrilled to do Mardi Gras, Irving said. We feel the existing location is probably the best place to keep the courthouse, even though we have two choices.

They agree the courthouse site at 50 State St. is more complex. One of the long-standing problems of having little on-site parking will continue, and there will be the legal wranglings of the state continuing to own the land, while the building will be owned by Davenport and HYM.

But the two said those hurdles can be overcome easily, and one benefit is that there will be no disruption to restaurants, stores and lawyers offices that already surround the courthouse.

The cost also could be lower, because they would not have to purchase the land, reducing the building cost that would be passed on in the annual lease price, they said.

Irving, who has a 20-plus-year history in Springfield and was part of the development team that brought MGM to the South End, said he doesnt see a big problem with parking.

Staff and patrons can continue to use the neighboring MGM garage for free, as well as the Springfield Parking Authority garages under Interstate 91. Irving said the developers even will consider improving the Springfield Parking Authority garages and access to the courthouse property.

In total, there are some 4,000 parking spaces within 150 yards of the site, and the courthouse design  which would eliminate the existing imposing concrete steps and have the entrance on the ground floor  will make it feel more tied to the street and the nearby lots.

The fact that the entire courthouse would have to be relocated for an estimated three years while a new building is being constructed could be a plus, OBrien said.

The interesting part of ... redeveloping this site is you move those judges out sooner and move them into a temporary space, OBrien said.

There are several very viable places that they could put (them) into, and if they want us to handle that, we will handle that, Irving added.

Another benefit is the developers said they are committed to helping renovate and reuse the historic Old First Church, which was built in 1810. It is on Elm Street next to the courthouse, they said.

One of the reasons city officials are supporting the idea of a privately owned building is the large amount of tax revenue it would receive, since the state pays a minimal amount to the city in lieu of taxes now. But having the land owned by the state would complicate that.

When the MGM casino was built, Irving said the developers hammered out a long-term in-lieu-of-tax agreement, and the same thing could be done for a courthouse.

OBrien once worked in Boston redevelopment in the administration of former Mayor Thomas Menino. OBrien and Irving are working with the Rev. Jeffrey Brown, an equity partner with HYM and co-founder of My City at Peace, which focuses on affordable housing as a means of building generational wealth.

Consigli Construction of Boston and Hartford, Connecticut, has been contracted as builder.

The Mardi Gras building at 91 Taylor St. in Springfield might be the site of a new Springfield courthouse. Developer Charles Irving and his partners have an option to purchase the 1.7-acre city block. (Jim Kinney / The Republican) The Republican

The pair also have an option to purchase the nearly 2-acre city block where the Mardi Gras sits, surrounded by Worthington, Dwight, Taylor and Chestnut streets. The property  slated to become apartments  was purchased by New York developer Zahoor Riaz under the name Ibrahim Holding LLC in 2023.

If that was selected, most of the parking would be across the street on a Lyman Street parcel owned by Davenport, Irving said.

One of the reasons we chose Mardi Gras is it isnt an historic property and, as we read into the DCAMM details, they (said) Do not tear down historic properties; they were encouraging (investment) in them, like we are going to do with the church.

It isnt the only courthouse proposal in that same spot. Partners James E. Balise, owner of Balise Auto, and Thomas Dennis, owner the Dennis Engineering Group, have purchased all the property on the next block over, which is flanked by Taylor, Chestnut, Lyman and Dwight streets, for its proposal.

That property holds four historic buildings, several of which are vacant and in poor condition. The citys Historic Commission has given the partners permission to raze the buildings now, waiving a nine-month demolition delay.

One of the most discussed plans comes from business mogul Peter A. Picknelly, who has floated the idea of a mixed-use development, including a courthouse and apartment building on 14.5 acres of land off the Connecticut River. Some of the land Picknelly proposes to use is owned by The Republicans parent company.

The Republicans land and building at 1860 Main St. is also one of the development plans up for consideration for the new courthouse.
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Ireland West Airport in Knock has announced that it has surpassed 12 million passengers through the airport with Ryanair since it began operations to/from the airport in 1986.

Alison Lynch from London, who travelled on Ryanair's London Stansted service on Wednesday afternoon to visit family in Galway and Roscommon, was the lucky 12 millionth Ryanair passenger and, to mark the occasion, was presented with a Ryanair flight voucher and a bottle of Champagne and chocolates.

Marking the milestone, Ryanair's Director of Communications, Jade Kirwan, said: "We are delighted. This significant milestone showcases Ryanair's continued support and investment in the region, delivering critically important connectivity, traffic, tourism, jobs, and economic growth."

READ NEXT: Knock Airport launches 'bumper schedule' this winter

Celebrating today's milestone, Joe Gilmore, Managing Director, Ireland West Airport, said, "It's been a fantastic journey over the last 39 years with so many great highlights and milestones achieved along the way. During this time, Ryanair has continued to grow at the airport and provide critically important international access to and from the UK market, and connected the West of Ireland to major European cities such as Milan, Barcelona and Cologne, which have provided an enormous tourism and economic boost for the West and Northwest of Ireland."

It's been 39 years since Ryanair's first flight from Knock Airport departed for London Luton on December 16th, 1986. At the time, the west of Ireland gained its first direct link with London when the Ryanair 748 aircraft 'The Spirit of Monsignor Horan' landed in Knock Airport, heralding the start of scheduled services between the airport and London. Named after Monsignor James Horan, the visionary priest behind Knock Airport, the 44-seat turboprop aircraft was formally blessed by Monsignor Horan's successor, Fr. Dominick Grealy.

Through the late 1980s and 1990s, Ryanair's presence underpinned the airport's development, helping passenger numbers pass 100,000 by 1988 and sustaining crucial UK connectivity. In the 2000s, their network broadened further, introducing the airport's first scheduled services to Europe, with new routes to the likes of Barcelona, Faro, Alicante, Milan and Cologne, all of which continue to go from strength to strength  providing connectivity to major international markets from the West of Ireland.

In particular, over the last decade, the partnership has continued to grow. Ryanair marked its six millionth passenger at Ireland West in 2015, then celebrated 10 million in May 2023all paving the way to today's 12millionpassenger milestone. The airline now serves 17 destinations from the airport.

This Winter, Ryanair will operate 86 weekly flights across 10 routes to/from the airport, including winter sun hotspots like Lanzarote, Malaga, and Tenerife, as well as top city break destinations like Edinburgh, Liverpool, and London. Ryanair's full Winter 2025 schedule is available to book now at Ryanair.com, with flights to/from Ireland West Airport available from as little as 29.99.
It's an election like no other, as the same ballot paper will appear before voters in every part of the country.

County Mayo is gearing up for tomorrows presidential election with significant improvements to accessibility and extensive logistical preparations across one of Irelands most diverse constituencies.

Mayos Returning Officer, Dr Ann Marie Courell, has revealed that 237 polling booths across approximately 190 polling places will be open for voters on October 24, serving an electorate of 107,414 registered presidential voters.

Only Irish citizens can vote in this election.

Unlike general elections, where both Irish and UK citizens resident in Ireland can vote, or local elections, where any legal resident over the age of 18 can vote, or European elections, where EU citizens resident in Ireland can vote.

In what represents the most accessible election to date for wheelchair users in Mayo, the county has increased its number of purpose-built wheelchair accessible voting booths by approximately 60 per cent.

This means that around 85 per cent of polling stations will now feature custom-made wheelchair accessible booths with lower voting compartments.

Its something that we take very, very seriously, the Returning Officer for Mayo, Dr Ann Marie Courell, explained. The improvements follow feedback from the Electoral Commission and input from wheelchair users.

"Even the remaining 15 per cent of stations without the new booths will have modified wooden screens placed on tables to ensure wheelchair voters can cast their ballots comfortably at a low level.

The county hopes to have completely replaced all old wooden screens with wheelchair accessible booths by next year.

Rural challenges

THE election highlights the unique challenges of administering democracy in a rural constituency. Some polling stations are located in national schools that have been closed for years, with one station in Roosky having to be closed due to a lack of electricity supply.

In Finny, near the Mayo-Galway border, voters face potential 25-minute journeys to alternative polling stations if their local community centre werent used.

Some voters said if they have to go 25 minutes down the road, they might not vote, the Returning Officer noted, emphasising the importance of maintaining local polling stations despite infrastructure challenges.

Island voters on Inishturk, Clare Island, and Inishbiggle will experience same-day voting, but with slightly reduced hours compared to the mainland

The polling stations on Clare Island will be open between 9 am and 8 pm; on Inishturk between 9 am and 7.30 pm; and on Inishbiggle between 9.30 am and 5.30 pm.

Special voting in nursing homes has taken place, with trained presiding officers accompanied by members of An Garda Siochana visiting residents.

The Returning Officer reported a significant increase in the number of nursing homes and individuals registered for special voting.

The postal vote was dispatched on Friday, October 3, with all ballot papers to be opened and counted on the morning of October 25 at the TF Royal Theatre in Castlebar, where agents will be welcome to observe.

Voting Day essentials

Voters are reminded to bring valid photo identification (one in four voters will be randomly checked), and to bring their polling card if available, though its not essential.

You can also visit www.checktheregister.ie by clicking HERE to confirm their voter number and polling location.

Each polling booth is designed to serve a maximum of 700 potential electors, with a presiding officer and poll clerk stationed at every location.

Staff have received intensive training on assisting voters with disabilities, visual impairments, or literacy issues.

Approximately 90 count staff, including security personnel, will process results at the TF Royal Theatre on Saturday, October 25.

The count will open 40 boxes at a time, beginning with Ballina, followed by Castlebar, Westport, and then Claremorris.

The boxes will be opened at 9 am. Following administrative checks, all the votes are sorted by looking at who people picked as their first choice.

The President is elected by the single transferable vote (PR-STV), the same electoral system as the General, local, and European elections.

The Mayo Returning Officer will send the number of people who voted in Mayo, the number of spoilt votes, the number of valid votes, and how many first-choice votes each candidate got in Mayo to the main returning officer (called the PRO) at Dublin Castle.

When all of the constituencies have sent in their figures, the PRO will calculate the quota for election.

He also decides on the next steps regarding elimination of a candidate and distribution of transfers.

After the PRO finishes checking all the numbers, he announces the results of the first count and explains what will happen next.

He then tells the local returning officers in each area, including the Mayo Returning Officer, whether they need to eliminate a candidate or move on to the second count.

About ten minutes after the PRO shares the results and the results get posted on the presidential election website, the local returning officers announce what happened in their specific areas.

If anyone in a local area thinks there was a mistake and wants the votes recounted, the Mayo Returning Officer passes that request along to the PRO at Dublin Castle.

Despite the unusual circumstances of a candidate withdrawing from the race, three names will appear on the ballot paper, and all votes will be counted in the normal preferential manner.

Calleary on election

One voter who has made his mind up on how he will vote is Fianna Fail Minister Dara Calleary.

Although, he told The Mayo News that he wont be announcing who he is voting for on Friday.

After the withdrawal of the Fianna Fail candidate Jim Gavin from the Presidential election campaign, the Ballina-based politician said that the last few weeks have been extremely, extremely difficult for us.

"Im not going to get involved any more in the presidential election. Weve a lot of work to do to rebuild confidence within our party, and thats where my efforts are going.

Returning officer Dr Courell is very interested in any feedback from voters and can be contacted at info@mayoreturningofficer.com.
Maria Walsh MEP hosted a group of councillors from across Midlands-North West in the European Parliament, where they had the opportunity to meet with Parliament President Roberta Metsola.

The group travelled to Brussels last week to learn about the upcoming Irish Presidency of the EU Council in 2026. They met with European leaders including President Metsola, Irish Commissioner Michael McGrath and head of the European farm lobby group Copa Cogeca.

The group was made up of City and County Councillors representing counties across Midlands-North West, including Galway, Mayo, Longford, Louth, Sligo, Cavan, Offaly and Westmeath. From Mayo, Cllr Donna Sheridan, Cllr Deirdre Lawless and Cllr Alma Gallagher all attended.

Maria Walsh MEP said: It was a privilege to welcome Councillors from across Midlands-North West to the European Parliament and to see them speak directly with President Metsola and other European leaders. I am delighted to have secured this facetime for the group - it meant that key decision makers heard first-hand about the issues impacting our communities across the West and Midlands.

Visits like this make sure that the priorities of our towns, villages and rural communities are being voiced right at the heart of Europe. As Ireland prepares to take on the EU Presidency in 2026, its important that local voices are part of that conversation from the start.

It is also vital that Councillors understand how European decisions impact their local areas, from farming and rural development to digitalisation and youth opportunities. Meeting President Metsola and Commissioner McGrath were both highlights of the trip, but so too was the discussion about how we can make Europe work better for rural Ireland. This trip wasnt just about learning, it was about ensuring that Midlands-North West continues to have a strong and informed voice in shaping Europes future.

Presidential Election: All you need to know about voting in Mayo this Friday
567 young people in Mayo have received a Gaisce Award over the last year. This year, the Presidents Award is celebrating 40 years of recognising young peoples achievements and voluntary contributions all across Ireland.

Since its establishment in 1985, more than 480,000 young people have registered for Gaisce, and over 250,000 young people have achieved a Gaisce Award.

A core emphasis of the Award programme is ensuring that all young people, regardless of background, have equal access to personal development opportunities. New research by Maynooth University has further reinforced the value of the Award, highlighting its significant role in enhancing young people's employability and helping to level the playing field for their future success.

Speaking on La Gaisce, Avril Ryan, CEO of Gaisce, said: La Gaisce is a celebration of the achievements, perseverance, and resilience of thousands of young people across Ireland, including an impressive 567 who achieved their Gaisce Award in Mayo over the past 12 months, each demonstrating incredible commitment, creativity, and community spirit. La Gaisce is an opportunity to recognise the Award programmes lasting impact in equipping young people with the tools and self-belief that help them succeed in life and in work.

The new research reinforces Gaisces value for Awardees, showing its vital role in cultivating the skills, experiences, and qualities that enhance employability. For those on a journey of renewal in particular, Gaisce offers a powerful narrative of growth, resilience, and rehabilitation  attributes employers increasingly recognise and value as indicators of determination, adaptability, and potential for strong workplace performance.

Lead researcher, Dr Amy Fahy, Assistant Professor of Business and Management at Maynooth University, said: This study indicates that Gaisce has the potential to build confidence, resilience, and employability skills valued by employers. However, it also highlights the need to raise employer awareness and provide training to support participants in effectively communicating their Gaisce experience. Based on these initial findings, future research should explore how these skills can be better recognised within recruitment systems and integrated into policy and professional development frameworks.

Last year saw record levels of participation in the National Youth Award, with the highest number of registrations (26,737) and Award completions (15,621), through a record 792 delivery partners. Of last years Awardees, 2,015 availed of the Gaisce SUAS Bursary Fund, which enables access for young people facing barriers to participation, including those from disability services, special schools, DEIS schools, youth diversion and youth probation, detention and other hard-to-reach youth settings.

Reflecting on the Award milestone, Avril said: The Gaisce framework has remained largely unchanged in the past forty years since its founding, yet it feels more relevant than ever. Gaisces emphasis on building potential, encouraging self-discovery and goal setting instils a sense of purpose, fostering confidence, belonging and a can-do attitude among young people across the island of Ireland. Recognising young peoples achievements through an inclusive Award that celebrates individual strengths, qualities, learning experiences, and contributions to society is as essential today as it was 40 years ago.

"Today is the final La Gaisce with President Michael D Higgins as our Patron, a fitting moment to honour his enduring legacy as a champion of the Gaisce Awards and of greater access and inclusion, which have flourished throughout his tenure.
News / Africa

by Stephen Jakes

Zimbabwean Ambassadors from across the globe recently visited the historic Chimoio shrine in Mozambique, where they paid solemn tribute to the fallen heroes and heroines of the country's liberation struggle. The visit formed part of the Strategic Planning and Review Workshop held in Mutare.In a post shared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, the delegation described the experience as deeply emotional and reflective, serving as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made for Zimbabwe's independence.Ambassador to Mozambique, Victor Matemadanda, emphasized the importance of preserving such sacred sites. "They all wanted to live, but for the sake of freedom, they donated the only life they had," he said.Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Albert Chimbindi, echoed the sentiment, stating that the visit was essential for grounding the country's diplomatic future in the legacy of its liberation heroes.The delegation also commended ongoing infrastructure development at the shrine, supported by the Ministry and the Lotteries and Gaming Board, which aims to promote cultural tourism and strengthen historical ties between Zimbabwe and Mozambique.The visit concluded with a renewed commitment by the Ambassadors to uphold the values of patriotism, remembrance, and unity in their diplomatic service.
News / Education

by Stephen Jakes

Teacher training colleges across Zimbabwe are facing a worrying drop in male enrolment, with recent graduation figures revealing a stark gender imbalance that education analysts attribute to poor remuneration and waning interest in the profession among young men.

According to a brief report by the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ), the trend is becoming increasingly pronounced, raising concerns about the long-term impact on the education sector.

"We are grappling with the low enrollment and graduation of males in our Teachers Training Colleges. We are inviting your views on why male teachers are opting out of our noble profession," ARTUZ stated.

Recent graduation statistics paint a sobering picture:

College Total Graduates Female Graduates Male Graduates United College of Education (UCE) 505 464 41 Hillside Teachers College 325 227 98 Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic 242 (Primary + Sec) 212 30 Belvedere Teachers College 672 514 158 Seke Teachers College 662 621 41





ARTUZ noted that the teaching profession is increasingly viewed as unattractive by young men, largely due to low salaries, limited career progression, and social perceptions that undervalue the role of educators.

The union is calling for public engagement to better understand the root causes and to explore strategies for restoring gender balance in teacher training institutions. Stakeholders warn that if the trend continues, it could lead to a shortage of male role models in schools and further strain an already challenged education system.
SAN FRANCISCO  The U.S. Coast Guard said Wednesday it is providing a base of operations for U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents in the San Francisco area as part of its effort to support federal efforts to track down immigrants in the country illegally and provide border and maritime security.

The San Francisco Chronicle, citing an anonymous source with knowledge of the operation, reported more than 100 CBP and other federal agents will begin arriving Thursday at the base in Alameda, a move immediately condemned by San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and California Gov. Gavin Newsom. The two Democrats said the surge is meant to provoke violent protests.

CBP did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press. A statement provided to media by the Coast Guard said in part that through a whole of government approach, we are leveraging our unique authorities and capabilities to detect, deter, and interdict illegal aliens, narco-terrorists, and individuals intent on terrorism or other hostile activity before they reach our border.

Soon after the deployment was first reported, Lurie livestreamed a nine-minute statement from City Hall, flanked by other elected officials, and cautioned against giving federal officials working from a playbook any excuse to crack down. President Donald Trump has repeatedly said he plans to deploy National Guard troops to the city to quell crime, but his administration hasn't offered a timeline for doing so.

In cities across the country, masked immigration officials are deployed to use aggressive enforcement tactics that instill fear so people dont feel safe going about their daily lives, Lurie said. These tactics are designed to incite backlash, chaos and violence, which are then used as an excuse to deploy military personnel."

As is his custom, Lurie did not refer to the president or address him by name.

Trump has deployed the Guard to Washington, D.C., and Memphis, Tennessee, to help fight what he says is rampant crime. Los Angeles was the first city where Trump deployed the Guard, arguing it was necessary to protect federal buildings and federal agents as protesters fought back against mass immigration arrests.

He has since said they are needed in Chicago and Portland, Oregon, as well, although lawsuits by Democratic officials in both cities have so far blocked troops from going out on city streets.

Trump recently renewed his musings about sending the Guard to San Francisco, saying in a Fox News interview Sunday that the city was truly one of the great cities of the world before it went wrong and woke.

His assertions of out-of-control crime in the city of roughly 830,000 has baffled local and state leaders who point to statistics showing that many crimes are at record lows.

Newsoms administration said it would push back forcefully on any deployment, as it did when Trump first ordered the guard into Los Angeles against the governors wishes. California Attorney General Rob Bonta vowed to be in court within hours, if not minutes if there is a federal deployment, and San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu has promised the same.

At a news conference Wednesday, Newsom held up what he said was a lawsuit the state would file if Trump sends troops to San Francisco.

Were going to be fierce in terms of our response, said Newsom, a former mayor of San Francisco. This is the lawsuit that I will file within a nanosecond of any efforts to send the military to one of Americas great cities.

The Coast Guard base in Alameda that is hosting the CBP agents is between Oakland and San Francisco, both sanctuary cities that do not cooperate with the federal government on civil immigration operations. A Homeland Security statement said the agency is targeting the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens  including murderers, rapists, gang members, pedophiles, and terrorists.

Lurie urged the public to protest peacefully. He said he had just signed an executive directive to coordinate the city's response to a potential federal deployment and provide support for immigrants.

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee issued a statement saying: Real public safety comes from Oakland-based solutions, not federal military occupation.

___

Associated Press writer Sophie Austin contributed from Sacramento, California
A federal judge has ordered the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) to put hundreds of banned books back on the shelves at schools for military families.

Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles ruled on Oct. 20 that the Pentagons removal of books dealing with race and gender likely violated students First Amendment rights. Her order in E.K. v. Department of Defense Education Activity sides with six military families whose children attend DoDEA schools in Quantico, Virginia; Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Italy and Japan. DoDEA serves about 67,000 students in 161 schools worldwide.

The suit stems from an April 12, 2025, complaint in which 12 students from six military families attending five DoDEA schools brought claims against the DoDEA, DoDEA director Beth Schiavano-Narvaez, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, alleging that "through its censorship, DoDEA is prohibiting its educators from meeting plaintiffs expectations." Students' grade levels ranged from pre-kindergarten to high school.

Giles order, delivered in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia and which granted a preliminary injunction, requires DoDEA to restore the removed books within 30 days and publish the full list of affected titles. She cited the 1982 Supreme Court decision, Island Trees v. Pico, which found that public schools cannot remove books simply because officials disagree with their content.

The Pentagon told Military.com it has nothing to provide in regards to the ruling.



Military.com reached out to DoDEA about how or when the books will be restored or whether the agency plans to appeal. They did not respond by press time.

Groups Celebrate 'Solid First Step'

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Virginia and ACLU of Kentucky, representing the families, called the ruling a victory for the freedom to read.



Emerson Sykes, senior staff attorney with the ACLUs Speech, Privacy and Technology Project, said in a statement that students in DoDEA schools have the same First Amendment rights as all students.

Shelves of books in the "young adult" section of a public library in Eagle, Idaho, are seen on Feb. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Rebecca Boone)

The nonprofit organization PEN America, which fights against book banning and encourages free expression in literature, said Giles' ruling is "a solid first step in a long road to restoring and protecting students freedom to read in schools run for military families."

The scale of book removals across schools for military families in response to edicts from the White House is a further escalation of the book banning crisis and comes on the heels of four years of coordinated efforts to suppress and restrict reading material for public school students nationwide," PEN Americas Freedom to Read Program Director Kasey Meehan said in a statement.

Classics Pulled From Shelves

That suit filed in April claimed the departments school system whitewashed curricula and quarantined books about race, gender and identity. Families claimed the removals were carried out to comply with executive orders signed by President Donald Trump earlier this year, which banned gender ideology and divisive concepts in federal programs.



DoDEA is scrubbing references to race and gender from its libraries and lessons with no regard to how canonical, award-winning, or age-appropriate the material might be, the complaint stated.



The parents who compose the plaintiffs argued that that the government has deprived students of access to works that foster understanding and empathy.

Court filings indicate that DoDEA officials instructed librarians to remove or relocate books linked to gender ideology or discriminatory equity ideology. Those titles were sent to restricted staff collections, cutting off student access.



Among the books removed include To Kill a Mockingbird, Fahrenheit 451, The Kite Runner, and No Truth Without Ruth, the latter being a childrens book about former Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.



Teachers were told to pause observances such as Black History Month and Pride Month, and to modify lessons that included gender or race discussions.

The ruling could have broad effects on how the federal government oversees classroom materials at its own schools and may shape future fights over book bans nationwide.
The Pentagon is racing to deploy artificial intelligence across military operations before adversaries gain an irreversible edge, driven by lessons from Ukraine, where cheap drones powered by AI are destroying million-dollar tanks as well as China's push to dominate military AI. The Department of War launched a $100 million AI program in December 2024 to accelerate this shift from improved battlefield decisions to autonomous weapons.

Reflecting this shift in military planning is Maj. Gen. William Hank Taylor, acting commander of the Eighth Army in South Korea, recently admitted he and his AI chatbot have become really close lately.

How Ukraine's AI Drones Are Reshaping Modern Warfare

Taylor's embrace of AI reflects lessons learned from the war in Ukraine, where AI-powered drones are reshaping modern combat

Ukrainian and Russian forces are deploying first-person-view drones, some of which are equipped with AI-assisted targeting that uses computer vision to lock onto and track targets, allowing strikes to succeed even when electronic warfare systems disrupt operator control. Ukraine manufactured more than 1.5 million FPV drones in 2024, according to Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. Russian sources, including President Vladimir Putin, said Russia also produced more than 1.5 million drones of various types in 2024.

These cheap weapons are changing warfare. FPV drones costing as little as $400 to assemble now account for the majority of destroyed Russian equipment, according to research from the Royal United Services Institute in London. A single $500 drone can destroy a tank worth millions, and Ukrainian forces are increasingly equipping these drones with AI-assisted targeting modules that cost as little as $100 to $200 per unit.

This rapid deployment of AI-assisted weapons demonstrates how quickly the technology can shift battlefield dynamics  a fact that is driving the Pentagons urgency to develop its own AI systems.

Maj. Gen. William "Hank" Taylor, who commands the Eighth Army in South Korea, observes training operations during Freedom Shield 24 exercises on March 13, 2024. Taylor recently revealed he uses artificial intelligence to improve command decisions, including predictive supply analysis and intelligence forecasting for the thousands of troops under his command. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Liseth Espinel)

Pentagon Invests $100 Million in Military AI Technology

In December 2024, the Pentagon launched the Artificial Intelligence Rapid Capabilities Cell with $100 million in funding to accelerate deployment of frontier AI models, according to Radha Plumb, the Pentagon's chief digital and AI officer. The new office is running four pilot programs in 90-day experiments to test the potential of AI programs in military operations.

Two of the pilots focus on warfighting applications, testing how AI can accelerate battlefield decision-making and improve targeting accuracy for autonomous weapons systems. The other two focus on enterprise management, exploring how AI can streamline logistics, financial systems and human resources processes that currently consume thousands of man-hours.

The experiments are through the Pentagon's Global Information Dominance Experiments, which tests how AI can fuse data from satellites, sensors and intelligence platforms to give commanders a real-time picture of threats across air, land, sea, space and cyber domains.

The Pentagon allocated $100 million total into the initiative, with $35 million for the four initial pilots, $20 million for computing infrastructure, $40 million for small business contracts and the remainder for program management.

Early results from the pilots have been promising. In January 2025, one of the first completed tests involved using AI chatbots to help military doctors write clinical notes and provide medical advice. The pilot successfully identified the technology's capabilities while also uncovering more than 800 potential vulnerabilities that military programmers can now address before wider deployment.

More significantly, the Pentagon has begun testing AI in simulated Pacific combat scenarios, where the technology is demonstrating its ability to dramatically reduce the time commanders need to process battlefield information and issue orders.

A U.S. Navy sailor operates an autonomous surface vessel control station at Naval Base Point Loma, California, Nov. 26, 2024. The military is rapidly expanding AI-powered autonomous systems across all domains, from unmanned warplanes to robotic naval vessels, as part of the Pentagon's $100 million push to integrate artificial intelligence into combat operations before China achieves its goal of dominating military AI by 2030. The Department of War plans to field over 1,000 AI-enabled unmanned aircraft by 2028. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kelby Sanders)

China's Military AI Investments Force U.S. to Accelerate Technology Adoption

The main driving force behind the U.S. military's recent AI focus is China's massive investments in the technology in recent years.

Beijing is prioritizing AI-enabled capabilities because it believes AI is leading to the next revolution in military capabilities, according to the War Department's 2024 China military report. By 2030, the People's Liberation Army expects to field a range of algorithmic warfare and network-centric warfare capabilities operating at different levels of human-machine integration.

This means that China is investing heavily in autonomous vehicles, predictive maintenance and automated target recognition. The PLA is testing prototype autonomous combat drones, experimenting with AI-supported radar to track U.S. carrier groups, and exploring AI for electronic warfare.

U.S. private AI investment reached roughly $109.1 billion in 2024, nearly 12 times China's $9.3 billion, according to Stanford University's Human Centered Artificial Intelligence program. But China's state-run defense sector can integrate AI advances rapidly without bureaucratic delays that could slow American programs.

Meanwhile, Russia is deepening its cooperation with Beijing. Russian and Chinese defense officials met in Beijing in early 2024 to discuss developing joint autonomous weapons, according to Russia's Foreign Ministry.

A U.S. Marine launches an AI-enabled reconnaissance drone during training at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Aug. 20, 2025. Artificial intelligence is transforming military intelligence operations, with service members across all branches now using AI-powered tools to process surveillance data in minutes rather than hours. At Fort Huachuca, Arizona, soldiers use similar AI systems to analyze drone footage rapidly, reflecting the Pentagon's $100 million push to accelerate AI adoption across battlefield operations before China and Russia gain an irreversible technological advantage. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Trent A. Henry)

Air Force Secretary Warns Future Combat Will Require Machine-Speed Decisions

Former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall warned that future combat will demand split-second choices beyond human capability.

We're going to be in a world where decisions will not be made at human speed; they're going to be made at machine speed, Kendall said at a Center for Strategic and International Studies event in January.

In May 2024, Kendall flew in an AI-controlled F-16 fighter jet at Edwards Air Force Base, California. The experimental aircraft, called Vista, flew lightning-fast maneuvers at more than 550 miles per hour in simulated combat. After the hourlong flight, Kendall said he had seen enough to trust AI with the ability to decide whether to launch weapons in war.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has raised concerns about autonomous weapons making lethal decisions without human oversight. Despite these warnings, the Air Force is planning an AI-enabled fleet of more than 1,000 unmanned warplanes, with the first ones scheduled to be deployed by 2028.

Space Force personnel test artificial intelligence for military logistics optimization at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, Jan. 15, 2025. The Pentagon's new AI Rapid Capabilities Cell is deploying $100 million across military operations, with two of four pilot programs focused on enterprise management including logistics and supply chain processes. AI tools are already helping military leaders forecast supply needs and streamline operations that currently consume thousands of man-hours, part of the Department of War's race to integrate AI before adversaries gain an edge. (U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jaime Sanchez)

AI Tools Help Military Leaders Process Intelligence and Forecast Supply Needs

Taylor's Eighth Army is already using AI on a regular basis for predictive analysis on sustainment issues and to help forecast intelligence trends, according to DefenseScoop.

Just being able to write our weekly reports and things, in the intelligence world, to actually then help us predict thingsI think that is the biggest thing that really I'm excited aboutit's that modernization piece, Taylor said.

The Army as a whole also recently began training mid-career soldiers on AI fundamentals through courses at the Army Research Laboratory in Maryland. The Artificial Intelligence for Soldiers program teaches officers, warrant officers, and non-commissioned officers how to leverage AI tools for their specific roles, featuring hands-on demonstrations of robotics and AI systems.

Meanwhile, service members across multiple installations and branches are already using AI-powered tools in daily operationsfrom processing intelligence data, improving logistics, and even predictive maintenance systems that forecast when equipment will need repairs before it breaks down.

A civilian data analyst reviews an AI-powered command decision tool at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Aug. 12, 2025. Military leaders across all branches are embracing artificial intelligence for command decisions, with Maj. Gen. William "Hank" Taylor of the Eighth Army stating he and his AI chatbot have become "really close lately." The Pentagon's AI Rapid Capabilities Cell is testing how AI can accelerate battlefield decision-making for commanders, part of the Department of War's $100 million effort to integrate AI into military operations before adversaries like China achieve their goal of dominating military AI by 2030. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brady V. Hathaway)

At Fort Huachuca, Arizona, soldiers are using AI tools to process hours of drone footage in only minutes. Meanwhile, Army Special Operations Forces have adopted AI to reduce the cognitive burden on soldiersusing the technology to draft reports, process mission data, and analyze intelligence.

The global AI in military market was valued at approximately $9.3 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach between $19.3 and nearly $30 billion by 2030. That explosive growth reflects how seriously militaries worldwide are taking the technology.

For the U.S., the question is whether it can move fast enough. China and Russia are already integrating AI into weapons systems at an alarming rate, learning from Ukraine's battlefield tests. With China and Russia pushing ahead, the Pentagon's $100 million bet on AI may determine whether America maintains its military edgeor loses it.
The U.S. Marines are charging into the 66th iteration of UNITAS, the world's longest-running multinational maritime exercise. The exercise kicked off on Sept. 15, 2025, aboard the Corps premier east coast training destination - Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. UNITAS LXVI is a powerful opportunity to exercise multinational interoperability capabilities; with over 2,000 Marines joining forces with servicemembers from 25 partner nations to sharpen their edge in amphibious warfare and regional security.

A Pivotal Shift

From a Marine Corps perspective, UNITAS 2025 represents a pivotal shift. For the first time in its storied history, the exercise's amphibious phase is anchored at a major Marine installation like Camp Lejeune, rather than traditional South American venues. This home-field advantage allows for unprecedented scale, with LtGen Leonard F. Anderson IV, commander of Marine Forces South (also known as MARFORSOUTH) and Marine Forces Reserve, emphasizing its transformative potential. "UNITAS is a premier event for us to train alongside our allies and partners in a combined force," Anderson said. "This years exercise will help us become a more integrated naval expeditionary force with the U.S. Navy and build upon the amphibious and littoral combat power of all the participants. I am extremely proud of the work that went into the largest known UNITAS that we also have the pleasure to host."

Collaboration is the crux of this year's event. Marines are teaming up with counterparts from Argentina, Brazil, Belize, Colombia, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Morocco, Paraguay, Peru, and Spain for the amphibious portion alone. These partnerships help the countries build shared tactics and techniques. For instance, U.S. Marines with the 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion conducted close air support training alongside Brazilian Marines, honing tactical skillcraft and fostering trust and seamless communication in high-stakes scenarios.

U.S. Marines with 2/2, along with Spanish, Brazilian, Chilean, Colombian, and Argentine Marines conduct patrols (DVIDS, photo by Corporal Payton Goodrich) U.S. Marines with 2/2, along with Spanish, Brazilian, Chilean, Colombian, and Argentine Marines conduct patrols (DVIDS, photo by Corporal Payton Goodrich)

Urban warfare remains a top training event as well. Marines from 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, along with partner nation Marine forces, conducted patrols at urban training environments aboard Camp Lejeune. Tactical exercises like these add realism, with Marines and allies coordinating synchronized assaults. Training like this helps to showcase MARFORSOUTH's role as the U.S. Southern Command's Marine component, focused on deterring threats across Central America, South America, and the Caribbean through rapid crisis response and capacity-building in realistic scenarios.

Integrating Technology

A standout highlight is the integration of cutting-edge technology, spotlighting innovations from the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory. Marines with the Maritime Distribution Platoon, 2nd Distribution Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (or MLG), are experimenting with the Autonomous Low-Profile Vessel (ALPV) - a stealthy, 55-foot unmanned surface craft designed for expeditionary advanced base operations (or EABO, a key requirement of Marine Corps Force Design 2030). During UNITAS, the 2nd MLG is partnering with MCWL to test the ALPV's refueling and logistics capabilities, lowering it into the surf at Camp Lejeune for real-world trials. This low-signature vessel, capable of hauling supplies, weapons, or even Naval Strike Missiles across contested waters, enhances agility and survivability in littoral environments. Marines are therefore using UNITAS 2025 as a chance to push the envelope on unmanned systems to make logistics more lethal and resilient. ALPV operations can integrate with unmanned air and submarine assets for a multi-domain edge, representing how Marines can collaborate internally and with partners to redefine maritime sustainment, drawing lessons that could ripple beyond SOUTHCOM to other theaters (such as INDOPACOM).

NORFOLK, Va. (Sept. 29, 2025)  Sailors handle mooring lines as the Brazilian Navy Niteroi-class frigate Independencia (F44) arrives at Naval Station Norfolk for UNITAS 2025, the 66th iteration of the worlds longest-running multinational maritime exercise (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Dylan M. Kinee).

In an era of great-power competition, UNITAS 2025 reaffirms the Marine Corps' commitment to hemispheric unity while showcasing a full-spectrum demonstration of littoral combat power. By operating in realistic, crisis-like scenarios, participants deter aggression and bolster collective response capabilities. As Anderson put it, this integration forges a "more integrated naval expeditionary force." For the Marines of MARFORSOUTH, it is more than just training; it's the forge where alliances are tempered into unbreakable steel, ensuring peace and security across the Americas.
Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor recently underwent minor surgery on his right elbow, according to Andy Martino of SNY. The club confirmed the debridement procedure this afternoon. Lindor is expected to be ready for spring training.

The 31-year-old star is coming off a year in which he hit .267/.346/.466 in 160 games with a 129 wRC+ that ranked fifth among qualified shortstops. Lindor hit 31 home runs and scored 117 runs in 2025, which more or less matched his totals from 2024, while slightly cutting his strikeout rate to 17.9% and bumping his walk rate to 8.9%. He also remained a threat on the basepaths, matching his career high with 31 stolen bases. His defense was more mixed, as Lindor was valued at -1 Defensive Run Saved (12th among qualified shortstops) but 5 Outs Above Average (tied for 8th), while Statcast put him the 90th percentile for range. Defensive metrics are finnicky, of course, though it appears Lindor remains an average to slightly above average defender to pair with his premium offense. All told, Lindors contributions were valued at 6.3 fWAR, which ranks fourth in the majors for his position.

Having Lindor ready to go for spring training will be good news for the Mets as they look to rebound from a disappointing season. At one point, the club held the best record in the majors. That momentum did not last, however, as the Mets posted a 38-52 record in their final 90 games and finished 83-79 overall, missing the playoffs thanks to the Reds holding a tiebreaker advantage. Offensively, the team posted a 112 wRC+ that tied for fourth in the majors with the Blue Jays, led by stellar performances from Lindor as well as Juan Soto and Pete Alonso. Pitching-wise, the Mets were not as fortunate, as their team ERA of 4.04 ranked 18th in the league and their rotation suffered a myriad of injuries. While David Peterson and Clay Holmes each pitched over 160 innings, Kodai Senga missed a month with a right hamstring strain and was ineffective upon his return, leading to him being optioned in September. Apart from those three, no other Mets starter even reached 100 innings.

Heading into 2026, the club will look to rebound behind Lindor, Soto, and hopefully improved health from the rotation. Alonso, Starling Marte, and deadline acquisition Cedric Mullins are free agents, though the Mets will surely attempt to re-sign Alonso. Disappointing finish aside, the club did finish second in the NL East behind the Phillies, who are also seeing a number of notable players become free agents, particularly Kyle Schwarber. If the Mets can reinforce the pitching staff with a few acquisitions while posting a similar offensive output as this year, they might pose a more serious threat to Philadelphia at the top of the division in 2026.
CORRECTION: Michigan Cannabis Industry Association Director Robin Schneider said her organization supports the legislation that would expand CRA power to suspend or punish businesses that break rules. They are neutral on the bills related to criminal possession and personal use limits and penalties.

LANSING, MI -- Michigan lawmakers unleashed a package of proposed laws intended to crack down on black market marijuana.

For years, theres been a lack of clarity regarding what punishment operators of illegal grows may face. This has led to reluctant prosecution and enforcement, prosecutors and police say.

The current scheme is inviting organized crime into our state because its seen as something that doesnt have a serious penalty, said Iosco County Prosecutor James A. Bacarella, who is currently prosecuting four Chinese nationals accused of operating an illegal grow. Its just a misdemeanor, so it doesnt matter how large your grow is.

Laws created in the 1970s include a punishment of up to 15 years in prison and $10 million in fines for anyone convicted of possession with intent to deliver more than 200 plants or nearly 100 pounds of marijuana.

However, the state Court of Appeals in 2023 ruled in the case of an illegal, 1,000-plus-plant grow that those laws no longer apply.

Instead, the 2018, voter-passed recreational marijuana law that limits possession of any amount to a misdemeanor takes precedence.

Related: Illegal marijuana grow of any size only a misdemeanor in Michigan, court rules

We acknowledge this outcome may be viewed unjust by those businesses that legitimately operate within the parameters of the (law), the Court of Appeals opinion said. The remedy, however, lies within the sole responsibility of the Legislature.

The newly proposed legislation may provide that remedy.

House Bill 5105, introduced by Rep. Pauline Wendzel, R-Watervliet, and discussed at a House Regulatory Reform Committee hearing on Thursday, Oct. 23, would create new penalties for possession of marijuana, plants or concentrate as follows:

Proposed limits and punishment for marijuana possession Gus Burns

The proposed penalties reduce the maximum prison sentence possible by five years but make clear that possessing a large amount of marijuana or plants is a felony.

To implement the new structure, the Legislature would also need to amend the 2018 recreational marijuana law, which requires three-fourths majority support from both the House and Senate, since the law was passed through a voter ballot initiative.

Cannabis Regulatory Agency legislative specialist Derek Sova said the current lack of penalties for large-scale grows has caused Michigan to become a central location for illicit operations.

Michigan police and law enforcement over the last year have shut down several large marijuana grows with connections to Chinese nationals and suspect organized crime.

State police arrested four Chinese nationals, two with U.S. citizenship, one with asylum status and the other with a Green Card, who are accused of operating a 5,000-plus-plant illegal grow out of a warehouse near Oscoda.

I ride my bike past this warehouse at least three times a week, and I can tell you, I thought it was abandoned, Bacarella said. The prosecutor said the suspects often worked odd hours, lived together in an apartment, had no private transportation and intended to deliver the marijuana they produced to unknown recipients in New York.

So there was all these indices that these people were being trafficked illegally, he said. Unfortunately, they werent willing to cooperate.

Jamie Lowell, president of Michigans National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws chapter, said most conscientious members of the marijuana community continue to oppose prison for any level of marijuana possession.

Felonies for cannabis activities, no victims, thats stupid, Lowell said.

Related: Chinas black-market marijuana tentacles have reached Michigan

Michigans black-market marijuana problem extends beyond illegal grows. State regulators have discovered licensed businesses holding large quantities of untagged marijuana believed to have come from illicit sources.

In Michigan, weve had issues where weve walked into a licensee and theres just trash bags full of marijuana, no tags, no tracking, Sova said. Where does that come from?

Problems with illicit marijuana infiltrating the legal market is the inspiration for proposed laws that allow the CRA to more easily suspend businesses and sanction operators, even if they no longer have a license.

Sova said House Bill 5104 would allow the CRA to immediately shut down businesses for some of the most egregious activities, including possession of untagged marijuana and interfering with CRA investigations.

Most frequently, this comes in the form of not providing video recordings, Sova said. Some businesses say we dont have the video, or were not going to provide it to you, because the reality is, the penalty for not providing video recordings is far less than the penalty for whatever it was they were doing that the video recordings captured.

The current complaint process may drag out months or years before the CRA is able to shut down a business for illicit activity.

Michigan Cannabis Industry Association Director Robin Schneider, whose marijuana lobbying group supports the laws that would expand the CRAs ability to shut down or punish rule-breaking businesses, said the current model creates an endless game of Whack-a-Mole, allowing criminals to open new locations and continue the illicit activity before the first one is even shut down.

Some pushback against the proposed legislation came from state Rep. Emily Dievendorf, D-Lansing, who questioned the timing, citing the recent passage of a 24% wholesale tax increase on marijuana to help balance the budget.

Why would we increase penalties for folks that are operating outside of the regulations that exist when we are simultaneously pushing people out of the market and making it more likely that they will be operating outside of the legal regulations that currently exist, she said. " But at this time, it seems like this is just another nail in the coffin of an already struggling industry that employs, frankly, thousands upon thousands of people in our state."

The legislation remains with the Regulatory Reform Committee awaiting a vote that could move it to the House floor.

House Bill 5104: Opens the possibility for sanctions on marijuana businesses that no longer hold a license

House Bill 5105: Establishes felony penalties for marijuana possession

House Bill 5106: Allows the CRA to summarily suspend businesses for certain violations, including possession of untagged marijuana and interfering with investigations

House Bill 5107: Establishes penalties for violation personal marijuana possession limits
Michigan education leaders are weighing an update to the state's health education standards. Although final determination of what's taught in classrooms, including sexual ed content, is left up to local districts and advisory boards, the state has not updated the framework since 2007. (MLive File Photo)

Michigan school leaders are weighing new guidance for health education for K-12 students that newly include some sexual health information  drawing ire from some parents across the state.

The Michigan Department of Education drafted an update of what it calls the Michigan Health Education Standards Framework with a public input period that ended earlier this month.

It marks the first revamp since the last state update in 2007.

However, the framework has drawn criticism for its inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity details.

The State Board of Education has not formally signed off on the standards, though a majority of members rejected a resolution asking them to oppose the measure during a meeting last week. The body next meets Nov. 13.

The 51-page summary can be viewed online through Michigan.gov/MDE. The following are a few key takeaways about what the sex ed curriculum guidance would include if finalized.

Local control with parental oversight

Proponents of MDEs revamp contend much of the concerns about adding new sex ed details in health instruction is based on misinformation.

Regardless of the departments guidance, it does not mandate all the specifics to local schools. Sex education advisory boards, which require parent input, maintain a presence in districts as curriculum is updated at the local level.

Parents can opt their children out of certain areas of health instruction, including sex ed. They also have the legal right to review all sex ed and HIV-related materials.

Local districts, too, can opt out in areas.

These parameters are included in MDEs updated framework.

Parents who oppose inclusion of specific content highlight the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Mahmoud v. Taylor earlier this year.

The court ruled a school districts policy not permitting opt-outs for parents who wished to remove their child from class time involving use of an LGBTQ-themed storybook was a violation of their free exercise of religion under the First Amendment.

Inclusive gender identity and sexual orientation topics

Under the potential recommendations, gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation  topics that have drawn criticism from some Michigan parents  wouldnt be defined specifically until grades six to eight.

The framework would encourage explanations of biological sex, as well as gender identity and expression as distinct concepts and how they interact.

Students in these grades would be urged not to tease or bully others based on their sexuality or sexual activity, including abstinence.

By grades nine through 12, health students would learn how to identify and support school policies and programs promoting respect for people of all orientations, identities and expressions.

Broadening definition of sexual health

Sexual health education has historically included information about reproduction and abstinence, which are still mentioned in MDEs latest standards.

But the definitions surrounding sexual health would be broadly expanded with more information on communication, boundaries and decision-making skills that aim to foster healthy relationships.

It emphasizes helping students understand that abuse and trauma arent their fault, and that they should develop healthy, non-violent ways to communicate needs and feelings, both verbally and not verbally.

Focus shift incorporates consent and personal safety

An examination of boundaries would explain why its important to respect consent in sexual activity and in relationships, according to MDEs drafted update, to ensure its given freely and to understand it can be withdrawn.

The update also involves teaching students how to recognize and report abuse, coercion and exploitation, as well as how to locate community support resources, seeking help for oneself or others.

The framework would additionally recommend child sexual abuse prevention through a trauma-informed lens.

That includes in situations related to bullying, harassment or sex trafficking.

Topics broken up by grade or age level

Framework language is recommended to be oriented around whats considered medically accurate and inclusive, as well as appropriate based on students ages  all broken up by grade levels, including kindergarten through second grade, third through fifth grade, sixth to eighth grade, and high school-aged students.

Communicable diseases including HIV, for example, would be defined by the end of fifth grade, as would how they are transmitted.

Analyzing strategies to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy would not be recommended until grades six to eight or by the end of eighth grade. Prevention measures include abstinence, delay and the use of contraception in discussions about healthy sexual behaviors, as well as giving and obtaining consent.

High school-level health education would further examine how emotions influence sexual health behaviors.

This area would recommend summarizing the importance of talking with parents, guardians, caregivers and other trusted adults about issues related to sexual health. It would also cover information about sexual assault and abuse, incest, rape, harassment, and dating and gender-based violence.

Sexual health details are not specifically mentioned in MDEs summary for health education framework with students from kindergarten through second grade.
Fog shrouds the Michigan state Capitol in Lansing in this MLive file photo. House Republicans are pushing back against a proposed update to Michigan's health education standards with some sex ed details, they believe, violate parents right to opt out. The Michigan Department of Education rmaintains parental choice and local control in sex ed curriculum for K-12 schoosl would remain unchanged.

LANSING, MI  Republican state lawmakers are continuing a push against health education standards for Michigan schools after newly included gender identity and sexual orientation details drew criticism from some parents.

Several Republican members of the state House announced the introduction of a resolution on Thursday, Oct. 23, asking the Michigan Department of Education and State Board of Education to reject the proposed standards.

Parents, not bureaucrats, have the fundamental right to direct the moral and educational upbringing of their children. Johnsen, R-Portland, said in a statement Thursday.

This comes just days before a public hearing on the standards Tuesday, Oct. 28, before the House Oversight Subcommittee on Child Welfare.

First presented to the state board in September, an initial public input period ended Oct. 10 for MDEs drafted revamp of the Michigan Health Education Standards Framework. The update tackles everything from recognizing abuse and safety in sexual health to reducing the risk of disease and pregnancy.

But what state Rep. Gina Johnsen referred to as a call for accountability, parental rights and the rule of law some school board Democrats last week said was born of misinformation about the role MDEs health education guidelines play in local schools.

Members rejected another opposition resolution from Nikki Snyder, one of two Republicans on the state school board, at its Oct. 14 meeting despite a long list of parents and officials who spoke up with concerns. The chief concern, they said, was their right to keep gender and orientation discussions at home.

As is, state law mandates local control in sex ed content, and local advisory committees also require parent participation before that health curriculum is finalized in each district.

MDE has also maintained that parents option to opt their children out of sex ed, local curriculum control and transparency measures would remain under the states updated health instruction standards. When asked Thursday, department spokesperson Bob Wheaton reiterated the statement, adding, The new standards would not change that.

Still, GOP lawmakers allege the framework removes parental choice and undermines local authority.

Our schools should be focused on improving reading, writing, and math, not advancing ideology or replacing the values taught at home, Johnsen said. Families, faith and freedom remain the foundation of Michigans communities, and that must be reflected in our classrooms.

Other GOP lawmakers have released similar statements. On Monday, state Rep. Joe Pavlov, R-Marysville, who also spoke Oct. 14, said, This board of bureaucrats wants to push their political views as health care.

Proponents of MDEs standards have said the update is necessary because its been 18 years since the last one.

Last week, Taryn Gal, executive director for the Michigan Organization on Adolescent Sexual Health, said an entire generation of students has gone through school with outdated guidance that doesnt reflect new information about mental health, technology, vaping and healthy relationships  things that arent exclusively sex ed.

RELATED: 5 ways new state guidance could update sex ed instruction in Michigan schools

MDEs standards as drafted dont begin to address some aspects of sexual health until later in elementary school. Inclusive gender identity and sexual orientation topics are not defined until grades six to eight.

The framework, which is available online in a 51-page summary, would encourage explanations of biological sex, as well as gender identity and expression as distinct concepts. Students in middle school grades would be urged not to tease or bully others based on their sexuality or sexual activity, including abstinence.

By grades nine through 12, students would learn how to identify and support promoting respect for people of all orientations, identities and expressions.

The State Board of Education next meets Nov. 13.

The House Oversight Subcommittee on Child Welfare, chaired by state Rep. Luke Meerman, meets at 10:30 a.m. next Tuesday in Room 308 of the House Anderson Building.
Built in 1931, the Dearborn Inn in Dearborn, Michigan, reopened on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 after undergoing a renovation. Photo by Isaac Maiselman Photography

DEARBORN, MI -- Book worms and thrill seekers alike will find a new, immersive literary experience at one of Michigans most historic getaways.

The Dearborn Inn, built in 1931, is bringing literary tourism to the forefront with themed guest suites inspired by the homes of icons like Edgar Allan Poe.

From now until the end of the year, guests can stay at a replica home, inspired by Poes real-life Bronx cottage.

The cottage was once described as having taste and gentility despite its humble design, according to the Inn.

The Dearborn Inns newly debuted replica home, built to draw inspiration by Poes real-life Bronx cottage. A Very Poe Suite is specially adorned with Victorian Gothic-inspired details. (Photo Courtesy Dearborn Inn | Marriott Bonvoy) Photo Courtesy Dearborn Inn | Marriott Bonvoy

Inside the Very Poe Suite youll find Victorian Gothic-inspired details, layered in navy blues, onyx and ochre, accented with unexpected patterns and touches of gold.

Guests will enter the lowlight of illuminated candelabras, but they should keep a sharp eye out for nods to Poes work such as black raven pillows, raven statuettes and artwork featuring the author and his writings.

A literary getaway wouldnt be complete without a full bookshelf and writing desk.

The cottage has a curated selection of Poes books, as well as a Writers Den housed in a convertible Murphy bed and adorned with period-inspired writing utensils.

The Dearborn Inn hopes this will encourage guests to try their own hand at poetry.

As part of the Poe suite experience, guests can follow a curated trail of clues throughout the hotel that lead to a quiet candlelit dinner for two.

Swing by the Dearborns Four Vagabonds cocktail lounge and try the Poe-inspired cocktail, Phantom Nevermore cocktail.

The sinful sip is a violet-hued blend of vanilla vodka, elderflower, and blackberry.

Built in 1931, the Dearborn Inn in Dearborn, Michigan, reopened on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 after undergoing a renovation. Photo by Isaac Maiselman Photography

Dont forget youre on historic grounds.

Sitting on 23 acres, the Dearborn Inn was inspired by historic New England inns he frequented on road trips.

The Dearborn Inn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was one of the countrys first airport hotels, built across from what was once the Ford Airport.

A number of famous people stayed at the 135-room inn, including Walt Disney, Orville Wright, Norman Rockwell, Eleanor Roosevelt, and President Ronald Reagan.

Plans for more literary cottages, including an homage to Walt Whitman, are in the works.

Marriotts literary tourism is playing on a recent trend of readaways. The hotel chain invites guests to live inside the pages of American Gothic literature.

Expedias latest trend report, highlighted literary tourism after a survey found 91% of travelers are interested in trips focused on reading, relaxation, and quality time.

Mentions of reading-related terms in VRBO reviews and searches for book retreats and book club retreat ideas were all up triple digits this year, according to the report.

Located at 20301 Oakwood Boulevard and is part of Marriott Bonvoys Autograph Collection.
An undated photo of Lue Yang, a Hmong refugee who was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on July 15, 2025. Yang, who has lived in the United States since he was a baby, now faces deportation over a decades-old conviction that was later expunged. (Photo provided by the Yang family) Photo provided by the Yang family

LANSING, MI - Gov. Gretchen Whitmer this week pardoned Lue Yang, a Hmong refugee who was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs (ICE) enforcement over a decades-old conviction that had been expunged from his record.

Despite that Yang, who was born stateless in a Thailand refugee camp and has lived in the United States since he was a baby, could still be deported to Laos, a country hes never known.

Yang, a married father of six and Hmong community leader in Clinton County, was put on an ICE flight Wednesday evening that was scheduled to leave for Laos, according to his family and immigration advocates. They are unsure of his exact whereabouts but believe the plane is still in the United States.

Related: A refugees family fled war when he was a baby. 46 years later, he could be deported.

My family and I need Lue to return home where he belongs. This pardon shows the power of humanity and community, said his wife Ann Vue in a statement. So many people stood with us, checked in on us, and refused to allow us to give up. We applaud and thank Governor Whitmer for her courage in granting Lue this pardon. Now we demand ICE and DHS to bring Lue home to Michigan.

ICE did not respond to a request for comment.

Ancy Vue spoke about her husband, a Hmong refugee, being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement alongside State. Rep. Mai Xiong and State Sen. Sam Singh on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. (Photo by Rose White | MLive) Rose White | MLive

Yang was barely a year old when his family legally moved to the United States in 1979.

As Hmong refugees, they were fleeing persecution from a communist government in Laos, their home country in Southeast Asia. His father, alongside others of the Hmong ethnic group, helped the United States military wage a secret war during the Vietnam War era.

In 1997, Yang was arrested for an attempted home invasion. He took a plea deal and served 10 months in prison. And even though Yangs record was expunged in 2018, Vue says he was still unable to get a green card or become a naturalized citizen.

Hes since shown up to annual check-ins with immigration officials for the past 28 years.

But Yang was still picked up by ICE on July 15, spending the past 100 days being shuffled around detention facilities.

Related: In rural Michigan, a prison is reopening as biggest ICE detention hub in Midwest

During that time, his family, lawmakers and advocates have been pushing for the governor pardon Yang, which sets aside his conviction and clears his criminal record.

Yesterday, I granted a pardon for Lue Yang, a devoted family man and respected leader in Michigans Hmong community, Whitmer said in a Thursday, Oct. 23 statement.

Yang serves as the president of the Hmong Family Association of Lansing and worked at a local manufacturing plant for the past 15 years.

State Rep. Mai Xiong, (D-Warren), a Hmong refugee who moved to the U.S. when she was three years old, says its extremely rare for a governor to grant a pardon.

For Lue to have been granted that pardon certainly speaks volume to his character, his history, the case, his family, the advocacy, the public awareness around his campaign, and certainly the work that we have been doing as legislators to help the family navigate the system, she said.

The state pardon, though, does not mean Yang will be released by federal immigration officials. But because of it, his family and advocates are now urging ICE to halt the deportation and reverse a decision to deny his stay of removal.

We hope that now with a pardon, they will allow him to be released and so they can then go through the legal process. Hes not at flight risk. That pardon has been granted. So theres really no other reason to detain him, Xiong said.

Related: ICE arrests in Michigan jumped 154% since Trump took office

Yang was detained as part of a wave of Hmong refugees getting picked up by immigration officials. It used to be rare for Hmong Americans to be deported because Laos had no formal repatriation agreement with the United States.

If someone had a removal order, immigration officials opted to simply keep tabs.

But that changed under President Donald Trumps aggressive immigration enforcement efforts. In June, the United States started pressuring Laos to cooperate with its deportation policies, according to the Asian Law Caucus. Since then, Laos has started to issue travel documents to an estimated 4,800 Laotians, including Hmong refugees, who have removal orders.

In Michigan, an estimated 15 Hmong and Laotian refugees were detained by ICE during a July sweep. They were deported within two weeks.
An estimated 91,585 pounds of specific lots of ready-to-eat (RTE) breakfast burrito and wrap products have been recalled over possible listeria contamination. (Photo provided by U.S. Department of Agriculture.) Photo provided by U.S. Department of Agriculture

The U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspections Service (FSIS) announced a recall of an estimated 91,585 pounds of specific lots of ready-to-eat (RTE) breakfast burrito and wrap products over listeria contamination concerns. The agency says the products were produced between Sept. 17, 2025, and Oct. 14, 2025 and may have been sold to school systems nationwide.

The recall was instituted by M.C.I. Foods Inc., a Santa Fe Springs, Calif., establishment that produced the items. The recall comes after the company received a positive test result for Listeria monocytogenes in the scrambled egg components it tested that are supplied by an outside vendor.

The products were distributed nationwide to foodservice institutions. Those companies may have then sold the recalled items to school systems throughout the country. The recalled products were not provided to schools through the USDA National School Lunch Program.

The USDA did not provide a list of possible school systems that may have received the recalled products.

A full list of recalled items, product codes, and lot codes can be found here. Product labels for the items can be seen here. The recalled products bear establishment number EST. 1162A or P-5890A inside the USDA mark of inspection, the USDA says.

So far, no illnesses have been reported in connection with the concern. Still, the USDA issued a Class I classification for the recall, which is the agencys most serious risk level.

Listeria is a potentially serious illness that can be fatal for those with weakened immune systems and older adults. In pregnant women, it can cause stillbirth, miscarriages, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn.

Symptoms of Listeria include fever, headache, loss of balance, muscle aches, stiff neck, confusion, and convulsions. Symptoms can also be preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. The illness is typically treated with antibiotics.

Symptoms may not appear for up to two weeks after consuming the tainted food.

The USDA advises anyone who has the recalled items in their home or work to throw them away immediately.

For more information, consumers can contact M.C.I. Foods, Inc. at 1-888-345-5364. The USDA can be reached at 1-888-674-6854.
South Lake Desor Campground is located inland on the south side of Lake Desor off of the Greenstone Ridge Trail at Isle Royale National Park in Michigan. MLive graphic

ISLE ROYALE, MI  Finalized death certificates show the causes of death for a father and son who were found dead last summer at the remote Isle Royale National Park in the middle of Lake Superior.

The deaths were ruled a murder-suicide with both men dying of stab wounds, WBUP/WJMN reports.

John Baird, 60, and Bradley Baird, 30, both of Washtenaw Countys Salem Township, were found dead on June 8 at the parks hike-in South Desor Lake Campground.

After months of investigation, the death certificates finally reveal how they died. Both men are believed to have died within minutes of their injuries, the report said.

RELATED: 3 takeaways from Isle Royale deaths investigation of father and son campers

John Bairds death was ruled a homicide, the TV station reports. The death certificate says he was stabbed multiple times by his son. He suffered wounds on his head, torso and limbs.

Bradley Baird died by suicide, the TV station reports. Found on his body were multiple self-inflicted sharp injuries and stab wounds to the neck and torso, according to the death certificate.

RELATED: Michigans Isle Royale has historically low death toll, but has had 4 in the past year

Isle Royale is known for its wilderness trails, scenic views of Lake Superior, and large moose and wolf populations. It is the northernmost part of Michigan and sits about 55 miles away from the Upper Peninsulas mainland. It can be accessed by ferry, seaplane or private boat.
The recalls come after testing of 40 environmental samples was positive for Salmonella. Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com

The Food and Drug Administration is warning Americans of an ongoing egg recall involving more than six million eggs over possible salmonella contamination. The recall applies to eggs produced by Black Sheep Egg Company of Walnut Ridge, Arkansas and sold under different brand names.

The recall applies to two different packages of Black Sheep Egg Company brand cartons of free range large grade A brown eggs. Both packages feature best by dates between Aug. 22, 2025 and Oct. 31, 2025. The 12-count carton has the UPC 860010568507, while the 18-count carton has the UPC 860010568538.

Additionally, Kenz Henz, of Santa Fe, Texas, has recalled its 12-count cartons of grade AA large pasture-raised eggs with best by dates 10/11-10/14 and 10/16-10/17 and UPC 86949400030. Those eggs were sold in retail stores in Houston, Texas after being distributed to the company by Black Sheep Egg Company.

The FDA reports Black Sheep may have also distributed eggs to other companies in Arkansas and Missouri. From there, those companies may have repackaged the eggs for further distribution.

USA Today reports Black Sheep eggs were sold to distribution companies in Arkansas, California, Indiana, Missouri, and Texas and the FDA believes the eggs may have been sent to more states. The FDA says additional products may be added to the list.

The recalls come after testing of 40 environmental samples was positive for salmonella. Seven different strains of salmonella were found in the Black Sheep processing facility.

As of Oct. 17, no illnesses have been reported in connection to the concern.

Salmonella is a bacteria that can cause serious illness and can be fatal for older adults, those with weakened immune systems and young children. Symptoms of salmonella include: fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, according to the FDA. In rare cases, the organism can get into the bloodstream, causing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

Symptoms can appear within 12 to 72 hours after eating food that is contaminated with salmonella.

If you have any of the recalled eggs in your home, the FDA advises consumers to throw them away immediately and not to eat, sell, or serve them. When handling the eggs, you should wash your hands, any utensils, and surfaces nearby with hot, soapy water before and after handling raw eggs and raw egg-containing foods.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

By LAURA HERBERG/Bridge Michigan Bridge Michigan

Chimpanzees in Michigan are not considered persons with human rights, according to the states Court of Appeals.

That means the owners of the DeYoung Family Zoo in the Upper Peninsula will not need to defend the confinement of seven chimpanzees.

The Oct. 17 decision by Judges Matthew Ackerman, Brock Swartzle and Chistopher Trebilcock came after a lawyer for the Nonhuman Rights Project argued on Oct. 14 that a court should decide whether chimpanzees are entitled to some of the same rights to liberty as humans.

In its decision, the court said chimpanzees are animals, which previous courts have said should be treated as property.

No exception exists for intelligent animals, which in any event has no natural stopping point, the appellate courts decision reads.

The Michigan Supreme Court would have to decide whether the state should treat certain animals as persons, the judges wrote.

The Nonhuman Rights Project intends to appeal to the Supreme Court.

The zoo could not be reached for comment.

Background

In 2023, the Nonhuman Rights Project filed a complaint in the 41st Circuit Court in Menominee County saying the chimpanzees at the DeYoung Family Zoo in Wallace should be considered autonomous beings  or persons  whose confinement must be justified by the zoo. They wanted to see the chimpanzees released to a sanctuary.

The rights group filed declarations from experts such as famed primatologist Jane Goodall, who was still alive at the time, saying chimpanzees are autonomous beings with complex cognitive abilities and social networks.

Circuit Judge Mary B. Bargland dismissed the complaint, saying chimpanzees arent human. The Nonhuman Rights Project appealed.

The hearing

Nonhuman Rights Project attorney Jake Davis was initially granted 15 minutes last week for the hearing before the Court of Appeals, but the judges ultimately engaged him for close to 25 minutes.

Swartzle questioned whether a beings ability to act autonomously should be enough to guarantee its right to liberty. He said humans can conceivably be a part of the social contract in which they give up certain liberties in exchange for rights. If we had five, I dont know, elephants or chimps in this courtroom, I dont know that theyd all be sitting down as nicely as everyone else in this room, he said.

Swartzle also asked where the court would draw the line if chimpanzees were considered persons.

How extraordinary are you willing to go? Elephants, dolphins, chimpanzees, dogs, cats? he asked. Davis, the lawyer, suggested the question be answered on a case-by-case or species-by-species basis.

Davis expressed disappointment in the decision.

Honestly, the decision  read to me like they did not consider anything said at oral argument, Davis said. Their position  taken to its logical conclusion  would mean children and the disabled cannot have legal rights.

___

This story was originally published by Bridge Michigan and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.
ESCANABA, MI  A fire broke out this afternoon at Race Ramps in Escanaba, WBUP/WJMN reports.

The blaze at the vehicle ramp manufacturing plant on 20th Avenue North gave off a huge, dark plume of smoke, prompting air quality concerns from the local emergency manager, the report said.

Delta County Emergency Manager Paul Geyer issued a Hazardous Materials Warning because the smoke could carry particles from industrial-grade plastic used to make ramps, the report said.

Residents are advised to avoid inhaling the smoke by turning off air handling systems and closing windows and doors.

The cause of the fire has not been released.
LANSING, MI  A Michigan man accused of voting twice during the August 2024 primary election will serve six months of probation after pleading guilty.

Frank Prezzato, 68, of St. Clair Shores, pleaded guilty to one count of voting absentee and in-person in September.

If Prezzato successfully reaches all terms and conditions of the probation, his charges will be dismissed with prejudice at the end of the probationary period, according to a news release from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.

Voting twice undermines our democratic process, Nessel said in a statement at the time of the plea. My office will continue to prosecute those who violate our voting laws to ensure Michigan voters have confidence in the integrity of our elections.

Prezzato was accused of appearing in person at his local polling location on Election Day despite already returning an absentee ballot for the same election.

Both votes were counted in the primary election, according to the release.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel speaks during a news conference in this MLive file photo. (Jake May/The Flint Journal via AP, File) AP

LANSING, MI  Anne Minard, a former political consultant to ex-House Speaker Lee Chatfield, pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement and filing a false tax return, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced.

Minard, 38, was charged with multiple felonies in December 2024 for misappropriating funds from three nonprofit organizations and two political action committees tied to the former speaker.

She pleaded guilty before Judge James Jamo in the 30th Circuit Court in Ingham County, according to a news release from Nessels office.

She pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement ($1,000 or more but less than $20,000) from the Peninsula Fund, a nonprofit organization.

As a condition of Minards plea agreement, she agreed to testify in future hearings. Also, she is required to pay full restitution for the amounts owed to the Michigan Department of Treasury, according to the release.

She will be sentenced on Dec. 3, according to the release.

Minard previously served as a political consultant to Chatfield, while her husband, Rob, served as Chatfields chief of staff.
LANSING, MI  The Michigan Attorney Generals office determined that the Michigan State Police trooper who shot and killed a Detroit man acted in self defense and will not face charges.

The trooper shot and killed Stephen Wangara-Mason, 41, while conducting a traffic stop on May 16, 2025.

The trooper observed Mason driving in excess of the speed limit on M-10 in Detroit and initiated a traffic stop.

During the traffic stop, the trooper instructed Mason to exit his vehicle. When he exited the vehicle, the trooper asked Mason What are you reaching for? as a revolver fell from Mason to the road near their feet.

Mason lunged to retrieve the firearm and the trooper tried to prevent him from grabbing it.

During the struggle, Mason obtained the revolver and shot the trooper three times: twice in the chest and once in the clavicle.

The third bullet entered the troopers upper torso and required surgery.

The trooper reached his service pistol and shot Mason three times, killing him, as he held the revolver in his right hand.

Attorneys from the attorney generals office reviewed video footage from the patrol car, body-worn camera, police reports, autopsy report, witness statements and interviews to make the determination.

The Department of Attorney General concluded the troopers traffic stop and request that Mason exit the vehicle were each lawful. It also concluded the use of deadly force was a justified exercise of self-defense.

A full report prepared by the Department of Attorney General can be viewed at this link.
A red-breasted merganser was rescued from fishing line wrapped around its bill. Bird counters at Whitefish Point Bird Observatory captured the bird and removed the fishing line on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Paradise, Mich. Frank Fabbro | Michigan Audubon

PARADISE, MI  A duck with a crazy hairdo and thin bill was rescued last week from a fishing line that was tightly wrapped around its beak, according to the Michigan Audubon.

Frank Fabbro, a fall waterbird counter for the Audubon at Whitefish Point Bird Observatory in Paradise, spotted the distressed red-breasted merganser on Friday.

I was set up in the 20 mph (southeast) winds when an odd grunting sound made me look up from the scope, Fabbro said in his weekly blog. A single red-breasted merganser was waddling up the dune in our direction. Besides being up on dry land and walking towards a group of birders, the bird clearly had something else wrong.

RELATED: Long legs and toes are something else on showstopper bird species seen for first time in U.P.

The duck had a knotted ball of fishing line and leader wrapped tightly around its serrated bill, he said. Fortunately, there was no hook, and the line hadnt cut the bill. Fabbro carefully captured it while Clay Bliznick, field ornithologist for Michigan Audubon, went to get scissors.

A red-breasted merganser was rescued from fishing line wrapped around its bill. Bird counters at Whitefish Point Bird Observatory captured the bird and removed the fishing line on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Paradise, Mich. Frank Fabbro | Michigan Audubon

Fabbro is seeing hundreds of migrating red-breasted mergansers in his daily observations, but getting an up-close look at this one was a real treat, he said.

Once freed, the bird began aggressively nibbling at its captors, Fabbro said.

Since the duck was clearly exhausted, the team opted to release it into the harbor rather than the choppy waters of Lake Superior, he said.

At the sight of other mergansers, the bird zipped out into the calm water and started feeding, Fabbro said. It was a good end to the story.

RELATED: Michigans premier birding hotspot has guided tours along Lake Superior shoreline

However, the story is also a reminder of the dangers posed by improperly discarded fishing line, officials said on the Whitefish Point Bird Observatory Facebook page.

Michigan Audubon runs the observatory, and staff members write weekly blogs on bird counts and other activities. Jutting out into Lake Superior, the point acts as a natural migration corridor, bringing thousands of birds through the flyway. This Globally Important Bird Area has recorded over 340 bird species, including songbirds, waterfowl and birds of prey.
Protesters gathered on Thursday, Oct. 23, outside the Washtenaw County Sheriffs Office Service Center, 4133 Washtenaw Ave., to demonstrate against the arrest of three people the prior night. Jordyn Pair | jpair@mlive.com

ANN ARBOR, MI  Police are requesting charges against two protesters arrested Wednesday night at the University of Michigan.

As of noon Thursday, Oct. 23, no charging decision has yet been made yet on the two requests, reported Victoria Burton-Harris, Washtenaw County chief assistant prosecuting attorney.

Authorities arrested three people Oct. 22 after the protesters allegedly blocked the exit from an underground parking garage and refused lawful orders to move, University of Michigan Division of Public Safety and Security Deputy Chief Melissa Overton said.

Protesters were demonstrating in response to an event organized at 6 p.m. by Students Supporting Israel featuring two Israeli Defense Force soldiers. They had been at the north entrance of the Rackham Graduate School, 915 E. Washington St. in Ann Arbor shortly before the event started.

They werent there protesting Israel, they were there protesting Judaism, Dan Viderman, president of the UM chapter of Students Supporting Israel, said. There were signs there that visibly made Jewish students uncomfortable. Quite frankly, they have been for the past two years as theyve continued terrorizing our campus.

Between 250 and 300 people attended at the height of the protest, said Sana Sami, a media director for Students Allied for Freedom and Equality, a student group that helped organize the event.

(The Israeli soldiers) should have never been allowed to set foot on our campus, said Sami, 20. It was incredibly important for our community to show them that war criminals and the IOF are not welcome on our campus.

Many pro-Palestinian activists have called the Israeli military the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) during the war in Gaza, which has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians since Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages, according to the Associated Press.

Organizers told protesters to disperse around 7:30 p.m., Sami said.

The University of Michigan Division of Public Safety and Security officers arrested the three around 7:45 p.m., Sami said. A protest against the arrests started around 8:15 p.m. outside the divisions facility at 1239 Kipke Drive. That was followed by another protest outside the Washtenaw County Sheriffs Office Service Center, 4133 Washtenaw Ave.

The three arrested were not affiliated with the University of Michigan, Overton reported. One of the three was turned over to the Saginaw Police Department on outstanding warrants, she said.

Those arrested included a 26-year-old man and two women, ages 22 and 29. All three were released by 1 p.m., according to a social media post by the TAHRIR Coalition, a pro-Palestine UM student group.

They were arrested on accusations of resisting and obstructing police, attempting to disarm an officer, disorderly conduct and outstanding warrants, Overton said.

Viderman, 19, said he is grateful to the UM Division of Public Safety and Security for continuing to protect us as they should.

Protesters returned to the service center around 6 a.m. Thursday morning, said Erek Mirque, a member of the TAHRIR Coalition and attendee of the Thursday morning demonstration.

Protesters gathered on Thursday, Oct. 23, outside the Washtenaw County Sheriffs Office Service Center, 4133 Washtenaw Ave., to demonstrate against the arrest of three people the prior night. Jordyn Pair | jpair@mlive.com

Eleven people were at the service center around 9 a.m., although roughly 20 were present at the demonstrations peak, Mirque said. The protest was largely subdued, although the group was playing music.

We still havent seen the release of our friends and community members, Mirque said.

No one was chanting or marching. A drum and drumsticks could be seen near the group.

Protesters dispersed by 9:30 a.m.

Members of the TAHRIR Coalition have previously been arrested, and in some cases charged, in connection with protesting.

Charges against seven protesters arrested after authorities removed an encampment from the University of Michigan Diag last year were dropped in May. They had been charged with felony counts of resisting a police office, as well as misdemeanor trespassing.

At least three homes in Washtenaw County and the surrounding area were raided by FBI in early April as part of ongoing vandalism investigations connected to protests.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  A former Grandville orthodontist who convinced 18 girls to share sexually explicit photos and videos online pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a minor.

Thomas Shannon, 44, on Thursday, Oct. 23, admitted that he used Snapchat to contact 18 girls and solicit photos and videos.

Federal prosecutors documented his communications - from 2019 to 2022 - in a plea agreement that Shannon signed.

He pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation, and attempted sexual exploitation, of a minor, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ray Kent in Grand Rapids.

The charge carries a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 15 years, with a maximum of 30.

U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney in Kalamazoo will determine if the sentences will be served concurrently or consecutively.

Shannon was identified through Snapchat and CashApp records, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations said. He would pay for the images and videos on CashApp, investigators said.

Shannon was facing child-pornography charges in Kent County Circuit Court when he was named in a federal criminal complaint. He pleaded guilty in federal court, avoiding a grand jury indictment.

In July, he was free on bond in the Kent County case when a Maryland man told Kent County sheriffs deputies that his 13-year-old daughter had nude photos and videos of herself on her phone. A screenshot showed Shannon and the girl talking.

Investigators said GPS tracking showed Shannon in the area of Grand Havens Grand Isle Marina where his boat was docked.

The plea agreement said that most of the victims were ages 15, 16, and 17, but one of them was only 12. Another was 13.

In January 2019, Defendant contacted Minor Victim 5 on Snapchat in order to convince her to create and send him explicit pictures and videos of herself. Minor Victim 5 was 12 years old, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Roth wrote in the plea agreement.

In another instance, Roth wrote: Minor Victim 6 was 15 years old. On January 13, 2019, Defendant told Minor Victim 6 that she was hot and wouldnt mind sending her money in exchange for sending him explicit images of her.

One girl told investigators she met Shannon online. In a video chat, he directed her to engage in sexually explicit conduct, prosecutors said.

Shannon hired a private forensic examiner to prove his cellphone did not contain child pornography, but the examiner found such evidence instead and contacted police.

The investigation began Jan. 21, 2021, when a North Carolina therapist reported to police that a 16-year-old patient sent an explicit image of herself to a man on Snapchat, a Homeland Security Investigations agent wrote in the complaint.

He shared a selfie with one girl that appeared to have been taken in a gym, according to court records.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Nearly 200 West Michigan students spent Thursday morning listening to motivational speakers, watching a magician escape a straightjacket and interacting with Michigan State Police (MSP).

The Oct. 23 event at the Doubletree Grand Rapids Airport hotel was part of a new Youth Violence Prevention Summit put on by MSP, taking place in five locations across the state this year.

MSP Director Col. James F. Grady II said hes hopeful the series will enrich the relationships between students and law enforcement, and will be a meaningful step forward to try and address violence affecting the states youth.

The youth summit now in its first year brings together students from hundreds of Michigan schools to hear guest speakers and participate in breakout sessions focused on coping skills, youth suicide prevention and other student-led dialogue.

Grady, the states 20th MSP director, said events have already taken place in Macomb County in April and at the University of Michigan- Flint in September.

An event scheduled in Alpena was canceled, but MSP has yet to visit Schoolcraft College in Wayne County for a Nov. 18 summit scheduled at the Vistatech Conference Center, 18600 Haggerty Rd. in Livonia.

A Lansing area event is scheduled for December 9.

Grady said the idea for the series came from a similar School Safety Academy dreampt up for school administrators.

The two-day conference in its second year, after six sessions held across Michigan in 2024.

When my staff brought this to my attention, I said, This is great, but what are we doing for the youth?

The youth need to have a seat at the table as well, Grady said.

He hopes the outcome is multifaceted. First, he said students should understand the importance of violence prevention, and feel included in addressing the problem.

A lot of times they know whats going on in the school, so theyre a great source of information, Grady said. Sometimes they may have the better solution, or the better idea, on actually preventing some of these issues occurring in schools.

Michigan has seen an increased number of active shooter situations in recent years, including the Oxford School shooting that devasted the state in 2021 and the shooting at Michigan State University in 2023.

In Grand Rapids, four students brought guns into one district during the 2022-23 school year alone, and one middle school student accidentally shot another student in the face just outside of school in a nearby city park.

It seems like things are continuing to trend that way, but weve got to stop that, Grady said. We have to all work together as a partner to really prevent these gun violence incidents from happening.

During the Grand Rapids summit, a half dozen students from nearby Ottawa Hills High School were in attendance. The school is part of the Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) district, Kent County and the regions largest district.

Semaj Coleman, an Ottawa Hills freshman, said his biggest takeaway from the day was that one interaction with the kid sitting alone and looking lonely can make a difference.

That can really change their life, he said, speaking about how communication and building relationships can be a factor in preventing more school shootings and suicides.

Marquis Bugg, an assistant principal at Ottawa Hills High School, said his school was informed of the event through the districts director of public safety.

We jumped on it because its a prevention mechanism that were utilizing to help with our students, really educate the youth early on about gun violence, Bugg said.

The other goal, Grady said, is helping students understand the resources available to them, including partnerships with law enforcement.

The state has installed 18 community service troopers across the state, full-time officers assigned regionally and focused on community outreach.

Michigan also has OK2SAY, a confidential student safety tip line for reporting potential harm or criminal activities in schools. State leaders say the program continues to grow, and every tip helps keep schools safe.

Grady said hes hopeful the summits are the next step, helping to develop and maintain a solid partnership with Michigans youth.

When we talk about the future  it might be one of those students in there  that may take on my role and responsibility as director of State Police in the future, he said.

With law enforcement recruitment challenges, the event gives a platform to show students law enforcement as a possible career path.

Weve got to pour into the youth, he said.

Trooper Tom Fick, a community service trooper based in Grand Rapids, said he appreciates that while other community events are more us teaching to them, a summit like this means students are part of the process.

Their voice is heard, theyre seen, theyre recognized, theyre valued and they bring so much more, he said.

Karen Reynolds, a criminal justice instructor with the Muskegon Area ISD Career Tech Center, brought 35 students from her classes interested in going into criminal justice.

Jennifer Calkins, a senior, and Marlee Gafford, a junior, both said theyre hopeful the program will shed more light on the job of law enforcement, and the importance of violence prevention.

Gafford said she believes a necessary step is school leaders being more aware of whats happening in their their classrooms when it comes to bullying. Those students are often in need of interventions and support, she said, which if given could limit more school shooter scenarios.

Grady said the response at events held so far has been positive, and he wants Michigan to serve as a violence prevention role model for other states in the future.

The events will continue in 2026, he said.
Zeeland police say an 81-year-old pedestrian was killed while trying to cross the street. (MLive File Photo) MLive.com file photo

OTTAWA COUNTY, MI  Zeeland police identified Mary Boschma, 81, of Zeeland Township, as the pedestrian who was struck by a pickup truck and killed on Wednesday, Oct. 22.

The incident happened around 8 a.m. on Main Avenue, just east of Maple Street, in Zeeland.

She was crossing the road when she was struck by the drivers side mirror of the westbound pickup truck, police said.

Rescuers attempted life-saving efforts before Boschma was taken to Corewell Health Zeeland Hospital. She was later transferred to Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital where she died from her injuries.

Police said conditions were dark and rainy when the crash occurred. The circumstances of the crash remain under investigation but police said the truck appeared to have the right of way.

There is no suspicion of drugs or alcohol being involved, Chief Tim Jungel said in a statement.

The driver of the pickup was a 32-year-old Zeeland resident.

Zeeland Fire Department, AMR Ambulance and Ottawa County Sheriffs Department assisted police.
ALTO, MI -- Family of a retired couple say it was miraculous no one died in an explosion and fire that destroyed the couples Southeastern Kent County house.

I dont know how they did it. I really dont, said Donald Rynkowski of the blast and fire that left his parents house a pile of rubble.

The blast injured his 80-year-old father, also named Donald Rynkowski, and a propane gas company worker in the cellar. His 79-year-old mother, Darlene Rynkowski, was only shaken up.

The couple had called to report a possible propane leak at their Alto area home, on Freeport Avenue near 100th Street, and the worker was in the cellar to assess the problem, according to the younger Rynkowski.

The explosion rocked the house at about 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21. The source of the ignition was not known.

Rynkowski said his father suffered 40 percent burns on his body, including his arms, head, neck and torso.

He wasnt sure the extent of the gas workers injuries, but said both his father and the worker went to the hospital.

An email left with a supervisor at the gas company wasnt immediately returned in the later hours of Wednesday afternoon.

Three fire departments -- Freeport, Alto-Bowne and Clarksville -- responded to the blaze.

Freeport Fire Lt. Lani Forbes said when firefighters arrived, all three people inside the home had made it out safely.

The house was engulfed in flames.

Upon arrival, there was debris in the front yard and across the road, she said.

Rynkowski said when the explosion happened, his mother was in an upstairs room and his father was headed down the cellar stairs. The worker already was in the cellar.

There was a big ball of fire that came right at him, he said of his father.

Rynkowski later was told the explosion could be heard in Freeport, slightly less than two miles away.

As they evacuated the house, my mom was putting flames out on my dad with her coat.

Rynkowski said his father is listed in critical but stable condition.

Hes got good spirit. Hes awake and alert, he said.

His parents have lived in the house for about 40 years. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in August.

He was saddened to see their home turned to rubble.

There is nothing left, absolutely nothing, he said.
File photo. The remains of a factory building at the corner of North and Hamilton Streets which burned in an August 22, 2023 fire as seen on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com

JACKSON, MI  An abandoned factory in Jackson that was the site of a massive fire that could be seen for miles caught fire once again Wednesday night.

A fire was reported at 11 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, at the still-standing abandoned office complex at 152 W. North St. connected to the 156,206-square-foot commercial factory site that caught fire in August of 2023, Jackson Fire Department Lt. Joseph Carpenter said.

Crews arrived to find heavy flames isolated in one office and were able to extinguish the blaze quickly, Carpenter said.

Though much of the area was either destroyed in the 2023 fire or torn down in the subsequent clean up efforts, the office side was still relatively intact and had a wood interior that remained combustible, Carpenter said.

No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation, Carpenter said.

The Summit Township Fire Department, Blackman-Leoni Department of Public Safety, Spring Arbor Fire Department, Napoleon Township Fire Department and Henrietta Township Fire Department assisted at the scene.

The factory site, built in 1900, was the scene of one of the largest industrial fires in Jackson County, sparking Aug. 22, 2023.

Firefighters from every fire department in the county and one crew from the Chelsea Area Fire Authority in Washtenaw County, responded to the scene of the fire that sparked at about noon.

The majority of the blaze was knocked down by 3 p.m., but crews had to return later in the night and again the next morning, to put out flames that had reignited.

Due to the extent of the damage, a definitive cause could not be determined. However, fire investigators found someone residing in the building likely started the fire accidentally or intentionally, according to a Michigan State Police fire investigation report obtained by MLive through a Freedom of Information Act request.

The former property owner was aware homeless people had been occupying the building since it had been vacated and had to contact police several times to remove them, according to the report.

Field representatives with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy tested debris and found asbestos at the site.

Asbestos is a hazardous material known to cause cancer that was widely used in construction projects between 1920 and 1970 before it became a known hazard.

Environmental teams cleaned up the property and continued to test the area until the EPA cleared it Aug. 25, according to the EPA response report.

Though the area has previously been cleared of environmental hazards, the EPA was notified of the new fire as a precaution.

Jackson secured funding for cleanup efforts and, in July 2025, had the majority of what remained of the factory torn down.

The area was still awaiting assessment for future developments.

Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page.
The Ottawa County sheriff vehicle is pictured in this MLive file photo. John Tunison

OTTAWA COUNTY, MI  A 13-year-old girl was hit by a car while crossing the street at a crosswalk in Jamestown Township.

The Ottawa County Sheriffs Office responded to the crash at 2:58 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 22, according to a news release from the office.

Deputies suspect that a 2015 Honda Civic, driven by a 35-year-old female from Wyoming, was traveling north on 24th Avenue when it came to a stop at the Riley Street stop sign.

The pedestrian entered the crosswalk on the north side of the street to cross 24th Avenue. The Civic accelerated north through the intersection, hitting the 13-year-old girl.

She was transported in serious condition to a local hospital. The driver was not injured in the crash.
WEST BRANCH, MI  The West Branch Police Department is the latest Michigan law enforcement agency to partner with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

West Branch City Council members at their Monday, Oct. 20, meeting voted unanimously to approve the agreement between the citys police force and ICE under the federal agencys 287(g) program. One member of the council was absent.

Of the programs three models, West Branch Police Department is participating in the Task Force option. Under it, local police can enforce limited immigration authority while performing routine police duties, such as identifying an alien at a DUI checkpoint and sharing information directly with ICE, according to the agencys website.

A citizen in attendance asked the council for more specifics on what the agreement entailed. City Manager John Dantzer and Police Chief Ken Walters replied it would allow city police to transport any undocumented immigrants they encounter to a Department of Homeland Security facility instead of to the nearest local jail.

Walters added that in his 30 years of service, he has come across approximately 10 such immigrants, according to the meetings unapproved minutes.

With the agreements approval, the West Branch Police Department is now the ninth Michigan law enforcement agency to partner with ICE under the 287(g) program. Others include the sheriffs offices in Berrien, Calhoun, Crawford, Jackson, and Roscommon counties and the Taylor Police Department, Center Line Division of Public Safety and Security out of Macomb County, and the Metro Police Authority of Genesee County.

However, on Wednesday, Oct. 22, Metro Police Authority Chief Matt Bade told MLive-The Flint Journal he will rescind the departments cooperation agreement with ICE, not because of backlash against it but because of staffing issues he cant otherwise resolve.

Six of the nine departments to partner with ICE have adopted the Task Force Model, while the other three fall under the auspices of the Warrant Service Officer Model. The latter allows local police to serve administrative warrants on undocumented immigrants.

Administrative warrants differ from judicial warrants in that they are issued by a federal agency and signed by an immigration judge or ICE officer, rather than by a neutral magistrate or judge. Administrative warrants also do not give ICE personnel authority to enter a place where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy.

The programs third model is the Jail Enforcement one, which allows local corrections officers to identify and process undocumented immigrants who are wanted on criminal charges.

ICE has signed up 1,097 law enforcement agencies around the country for 287(g) programs as of Thursday, Oct. 23. Florida is the state with the most agreements signed with ICE at 329.

Walters said Crawford and Roscommon are among area law enforcement agencies participating in and sharing the agreement. Mayor Paul Frechette, who also serves as undersheriff in Ogemaw County, said the Ogemaw County Sheriffs Office has not yet entered an agreement with ICE.
An actress who appeared in the pilot episode of a new ABC series has died two weeks after the premiere.

Isabelle Tate played an attendee at a bachelorette party that was involved in an accident in the first episode of 9-1-1: Nashville on Oct. 9.

The 23-year-olds agency confirmed her death on Facebook, writing that they are deeply saddened and completely heartbroken.

Ive known Izzy since she was a teenager, and she recently returned to acting. She booked the first series she auditioned for, 9-1-1 Nashville. She had a wonderful time, McCray Agency said, noting she died on Oct. 19. I was so lucky to know her, and she will be greatly missed by so many.

9-1-1: Nashville is the second spin-off of the 9-1-1 franchise, following 9-1-1: Lone Star.

The series follows the lives of emergency respondersincluding firefighters, paramedics, and police officersas they face life-threatening situations.

According to Tates obituary, she was a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University with a bachelors degree in business.

Isabelle loved volunteering her time to all things, particularly animals  her idea of a fun outing was visiting an animal shelter and doling out lots of love, the obituary said.

Isabelle was full of fire, a fighter, never once making excuses for the fact that she might have a disability relative to others. She was also quite musically inclined, often spending hours writing and recording songs with friends and even publishing a few. What she loved the most though was spending time with family and friends, always the life of the party. Her sister was her best friend, and her mom was her shining beacon of light.

A cause of death has not been confirmed, but a 2022 Instagram post said Tate had been diagnosed with a progressive neuromuscular disease when she was 13.

She explained that the condition weakens my leg muscles over time, causing her to need to use a wheelchair at times.
Michigan State Police Director Col. James F. Grady II, shown in this file photo, has rejected calls from some Republicans to resign his position. (MLive file photo) Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

LANSING, MI  Michigans top police officer must resign, or be fired, in order to restore integrity to the department and give troopers the leadership they deserve, a group of state Senate Republicans said Thursday.

State Sen. Jim Runestad, R-White Lake, said during a press conference that Michigan State Police has become a chaotic and mismanaged organization under the current department leadership.

Michigan Senate Republicans issued a joint letter to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer demanding MSP Director, Col. James F. Grady II and his deputy, Lt. Col. Aimee Brimacombe be let go from the agency.

Ten state senators attended the press conference on Thursday, Oct. 23, to express frustrations with the department and its leadership.

However, the governors office said Michigan has seen a significant drop in violent crimes under Gradys supervision. Grady, too, expressed confidence in his ability to provide excellent public safety services.

I am not resigning, Grady told MLive at a Grand Rapids event on Thursday.

Grady and Brimacombe were first asked to resign in June when troopers took a vote of no-confidence in their leadership. Over 98% of state police troopers voted they had no confidence in Grady and Brimacombes direction.

Grady has defended his decisions as the leader of the Michigan State Police, but some Republican state senators say Grady isnt fit for the job.

I would like to highlight just a smidgen of the garbage that has been going on with this department, Runestad told reporters.

Runestad pointed to a federal lawsuit filed by Sarah Krebs, a 25-year veteran with the force, as evidence of the toxic culture within the department.

In the lawsuit, Krebs alleges years of retaliation, discrimination and harassment by state police and Grady.

Other controversies have rocked the department since Gradys appointment in 2023.

Five troopers are suing the department over an allegedly rigged promotion system that gave interview questions to pre-selected candidates at the Flint Post.

Whitmer has done absolutely nothing, Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt, R-Porter Township, said. She sits on her hands while the states top law enforcement agency burns from the inside.

Nesbitt, who is also a candidate in the governors race, said the department will continue to crumble, and public trust will slip away, as long as Grady and Brimacombe are in charge.

Despite the attacks on leadership, Whitmer is confident in Gradys ability to lead the department.

While some choose to focus on partisan attacks, we remain focused on ensuring every Michigander feels safe in their community, Stacey LaRouche, press secretary for Whitmers office, told MLive in an email on Thursday. We have full confidence in Colonel Grady to get the job done.

Michigan State Police has around 1,150 troopers assigned statewide, and a total of 1,860 enlisted members.

Reporter Danielle James contributed to this story.
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The KNWLS x Nike collaboration is offering fashion fans three chic new shoes in addition to a complete apparel collection.

The futuristic Womens Air Max Muse x KNWLS goes live on Thursday, Oct. 23, at 10 a.m. ET. You can get a pair for $210 in Elemental Pink, Noir and Beige Chalk colorways.

KNWLS is a south London fashion brand designed by Charlotte Knowles and Alexandre Arsenault. Their collaboration with Nike pushes the Air Maxs futuristic aesthetic in a distinctly feminine direction. The result? A shorter height on the upper, TPU toe cap and signature corset lacing system that morphs the sneaker into a ballet flat style. KNWLS also added small luxury details, like a glass bead swoosh.

Air Max Muse Nike Womens Air Max Muse x KNWLS in Elemental Pink $210 on Nike

Air Max Muse Nike Womens Air Max Muse x KNWLS in Noir $210 on Nike

Air Max Muse Nike Womens Air Max Muse x KNWLS in Beige Chalk $210 on Nike

The overall look brings together disruptive design and sensual vibes in a chic way. If you are between sizes, Nike suggests purchasing half a size down on release day for a better fit.

In order to get a pair, plan to be online before 10 a.m. ET for the best chance. Nikes new collaborations always bring a frenzy, and styles can sell out within minutes of launching. Sneakerheads should also check out the Nike SNKRS October launch calendar, because there are plenty of unique designs to come in the last few days of the month.
Projection of Tejashwi as CM candidate will not sway public mood in favour of INDIA bloc: Prashant Kishor

101Reporters

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Janhvi Kapoor on plastic surgery and how her mom Sridevi guided her: If a young girl decides mujhe bhi buffalo-plasty karna hai and if it goes wrong

Janhvi Kapoor on plastic surgery and how her mom Sridevi guided her: If a young girl decides mujhe bhi buffalo-plasty karna hai and if it goes wrong

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Decoding Fauzi poster: What Prabhas' look in Fauzi means - A sign of rebellion, dharma, and fate

Satwik Jaiswal

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Fusion with a soul: Where global flavors and Indian traditions come together in the modern kitchen

Nivi Shrivastava is a Delhi-based journalist who writes on lifestyle, health and travel. Views expressed are personal

When global flavors meet Indian essence, magic happens in the modern kitchen as tradition finds new meaning in every bite. (Image: Anardana)

Ishita Batra

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Kim Kardashian and Kanye Wests daughter North West is turning heads with her daring new look featuring faux face tattoos, blue contacts, and a fake septum piercing. While some fans praise her confidence, others say its too mature for her age. (Image: northwsst/ instagram)

Manjiri Patil

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2,500 Starlinks go dark: How Elon Musks satellites powered, and then cut off, Myanmars billion-dollar scam empire

Aishwarya Dabhade Aish is Chief Sub-Editor at Moneycontrol, where she occasionally leads the news shift and homepage; writes explainers and long-form breakdowns on business, policy, markets and geopolitics. She began her career on CNBC-TV18s breaking news desk as Assistant Producer and went on to shape digital coverage at The Economic Times as Principal Content Producer, with stints at YouGov and WebEngage adding depth in data-driven storytelling.

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Aishwarya Dabhade

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Christin Mathew Philip

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Hemant Abhishek

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Gold extends pullback from record high for a third day. What's behind the price fall?

The metal has dropped nearly 6% in the last two sessions from a record high.

Arindam Roy

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Mistry, a close confidant of former doyen Ratan Tata, was first appointed to Tata Trusts in 2022. His three-year term comes to an end on October 28.

101Reporters

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J Jagannath

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The uptick in IT, bank stocks and equity markets comes on the back of muted earnings expectations in the run-up to the results season.

Namrata Agarwal

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MTR Foods parent Orkla India likely to launch around Rs 1,660 crore IPO between Oct 29 and Oct 31

Ashwin Mohan is Editor (Deals) at Moneycontrol and leads the M&A, private equity and equity capital market transactions coverage. He anchors the video show 'Deal Central ' and tweets at @ashwinmohansays. He has previously worked with ET NOW, CNBC TV-18 and The Times of India.

MTR Foods parent Orkla India likely to launch Rs 1,650-crore IPO between Oct 29 and Oct 31

J Jagannath

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The last time the Nifty 50 traded at the 26,000-mark was in September 2024.

Zoya Springwala

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Foram Chheda is the CMT, Technical Analyst and founder of ChartAnalytics

Sunil Matkar

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Expensive Exit of Elara and Vespera Funds Linked to Hindenburg Case from India

Brajesh Kumar

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HPCL, BPCL, IOC, MPRL shares fall up to 3% as report says OMCs reviewing Russian oil contracts after US sanctions

J Jagannath

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Infosys' promoters not to participate in Rs 18,000-crore share buyback. Why is it good news for retail investors?

Debaroti Adhikary

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Paras Bisht A financial journalist with over 10 years of experience, specialising in tracking stock market movements and fundamental developments that impact investors and the broader economy. A keen observer of global financial markets, I regularly engage with leading market voices to write stories. At Moneycontrol, I focus on decoding market trends, policy shifts and economic changes, driven by a constant passion to learn, analyse, and share knowledge with my readers.

Paras Bisht

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Armed with AI, scammers go hi-tech; here's how to guard against trading frauds

Hiral Thanawala is a personal finance journalist with over 10 years of reporting experience. Based in Mumbai, he covers financial planning, banking and fintech segments from personal finance team for Moneycontrol.

Fraudsters have evolved from basic phishing to advanced tactics using AI-generated content.

Hiral Thanawala

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Aishwarya Dabhade

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Delhi Police had opposed their bail pleas, saying it was not a case of spontaneous riots but a case where riots were "planned well in advance" with a "sinister motive and well-thought-out conspiracy"

Smriti Mishra

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Delhi to witness first artificial rain via cloud seeding on October 29, says CM Rekha Gupta

The Delhi government's cloud seeding project  a major commitment by the BJP-led administration  has been postponed multiple times due to various reasons.

Tamal Nandi

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Tamal Nandi

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From Samastipur to Chhapra: PM Modi to spearhead NDA's campaign in Bihar, 12 rallies planned

Chhabi Kala

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Mira Sen has covered Indian politics and national developments for over a decade, closely tracking elections, national parties, policymakers, on-the-ground developments  and their impact on citizens.

The incident occurred while Sonu was reportedly trying to stop an act of cow smuggling. (Image: News18)

Chhabi Kala

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Mira Sen has covered Indian politics and national developments for over a decade, closely tracking elections, national parties, policymakers, on-the-ground developments  and their impact on citizens.

The announcements come ahead of Shaurya Diwas (Infantry Day) on October 27

Priyanjali Ghose

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Hyderabad man duped on pretext of job in Russia, forced to fight war against Ukraine

Mira Sen has covered Indian politics and national developments for over a decade, closely tracking elections, national parties, policymakers, on-the-ground developments  and their impact on citizens.

Chhabi Kala

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Nationwide SIR likely to be rolled out in phases in November, 2026 poll-bound states to lead: Report

A voter list cleanup exercise concluded in Bihar just before the Assembly elections, where the final list with nearly 7.42 crore names was published on September 30

Smriti Mishra

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101Reporters

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Over 10% of Lokpals budget to go on BMWs; Kiran Bedi calls it truly avoidable decision

Mira Sen has covered Indian politics and national developments for over a decade, closely tracking elections, national parties, policymakers, on-the-ground developments  and their impact on citizens.

Smriti Mishra

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Sonalee Borgohain

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PM Modi chooses Karpoori Gram to launch Bihar campaign: The symbolism and math behind it

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be launching his campaign for the Bihar assembly elections from Friday.

Priyanjali Ghose

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Siddharth Chakravorty

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Rohingya refugee children attend a Madrassa, or Islamic religious school in a temporary shelter on the outskirts of Jammu. (Courtesy: AP file photo)

Sonalee Borgohain

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The Karnataka SIT found that Rs 80 were paid for at least 6,018 fraudulent voter deletion applications in Aland during the 2023 elections.

Siddharth Chakravorty

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Ria Kapoor

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Smriti Mishra

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Rohit Kapoor currently serves as the CEO of Food Marketplace, Swiggy. A former McKinsey consultant, he is an alumnus of the Indian School of Business (ISB) and a CFA holder. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.

Food delivery allows tradition to continue even when time doesnt permit elaborate preparations.

Namrata Agarwal

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Debajit Palit is the Centre Head of the Centre for Climate Change and Energy Transition at Chintan Research Foundation. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.

Omkar Dhanke is a Research Analyst at Chintan Research Foundation - CRF. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.

There is a need to establish a statutory Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NRA) with adequate staffing, financial autonomy, and the capacity to adopt globally benchmarked regulatory protocols

Namrata Agarwal

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OPINION | Indias $12 billion deep tech fund is a great start; now we need other structural changes

Arun Kumar is Managing Partner, Celesta Capital. Views expressed are personal and do not represent the stand of the publication

Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day

An approach of matching government-to-private capital ensures that state funding catalyzes, not crowds out, private funds.

Namrata Agarwal

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OPINION | Why Delhis air quality is more about politics than a lungful of non-toxic air

Sayantan Ghosh teaches journalism at St. Xavier's College (autonomous), Kolkata and a columnist. He tweets at @sayantan_gh. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.

A view of the Akshardham Temple shrouded in smog amid deteriorating air quality across Delhi-NCR. (Source: PTI Photo)

Namrata Agarwal

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China toy platform tells mother to film herself slapping, scolding her child for 5 minutes to get refund

The list also demanded an additional three-minute video of Li Yun angrily scolding her daughter. (Representational Image)

Shubhi Mishra

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Soan Papdi remains one of the most widely consumed sweets in India during the festive season.

Shubhi Mishra

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According to the police, Jashanpreet Singh was speeding and under the influence, never hitting his breaks, when he crashed into traffic. The incident was recorded on dashcam. (Image credit: DHS, @BillMelugin_, CollinRugg/X)

Ankita Sengupta

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Most infamous jewel thief in US calls Louvre robbers idiots: 'I robbed 25 f***ing stores and I never...'

Thieves raided Paris's Louvre museum in broad daylight on October 19, 2025, taking just seven minutes to grab some of France's priceless crown jewels, but dropping a gem-encrusted crown as they fled, officials and sources said. "Two high-security display cases were targeted, and eight objects of invaluable cultural heritage were stolen," said the ministry statement. They included the emerald-and-diamond necklace that Napoleon gave his wife Empress Marie Louise, and the crown of Empress Eugenie, the wife of Napoleon III. (Image credit: AFP)

Ankita Sengupta

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Animal welfare groups warn cats can be hurt, killed or used as props during Halloween rituals. (Representational image: Unsplash)

Ankita Sengupta

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'We made this decision with tears': Indian-origin founder explains why he left Canada with his kids

Shubhi Mishra

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Woman fakes pregnancy for 9 months, 'gives birth' to daughter. Family discovers it was a plastic doll

The incident has since generated widespread reaction online, with many expressing shock at the scale of the deception.

Shubhi Mishra

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Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei rejects claims of AI fear-mongering, says the firm stands for responsible innovation and transparency.

Shaurya Shubham

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ChatGPT Atlas vs Perplexity Comet: How the two AI-first web browsers compare in terms of AI capabilities and agentic mode

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Shaurya Shubham

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Shaurya Shubham

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Ex-Apple employee reveals how his name Sam Sung nearly cost him his job

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Ankita Chakravarti

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India to soon get new guidelines on carrying power banks on flights

MC Tech Desk Read the latest and trending tech newsstay updated on AI, gadgets, cybersecurity, software updates, smartphones, blockchain, space tech, and the future of innovation.

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Shaurya Shubham

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US chipmaker Intel says Indias scale and data power make it central to global AI, 6G innovation

Danish Khan is the editor of Technology and Telecom. He was previously with the Economic Times and has tracked the sector for 14 years.

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Danish Khan

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From Mars on Earth to 'Pandora's Floating Mountains': 10 Places That Feel Unreal

Cappadocia, Turkey The area is a dreamland with cone-shaped rocks, cave houses and the hot-air balloons flying by the sunrise, a surrealistic scene that resembles a painted picture. (Image: Canva)

Nivritti Khatri

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Referring to the changing global dynamics after Trumps tariff moves, the Chinese Consul General emphasised the significance of India-China cooperation

Smriti Mishra

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Pradeep Tripathi

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Germanys drone dilemma explained: Whats buzzing its skies, who might be behind it, and why the response is so hard

Pradeep Tripathi

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How the US is struggling to break free from Chinas rare-earth grip

Pradeep Tripathi

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Indian man who entered US illegally kills 3 after driving under influence of drugs | WATCH

Ria Kapoor

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Vance left shortly before the arrival in Israel of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Hemant Abhishek

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'No self-respecting country acts under pressure': Putin hits back at new US oil sanctions

Arishaa Izaj

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Pakistan likely to ban TLP after violent protests, Shehbaz Sharif govt to decide today

Pradeep Tripathi

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They are going to stop... its a process: Trump repeats claim India will cut Russian oil imports by year-end

Arishaa Izaj

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Trump says Putin talks dont go anywhere as he imposes new sanctions on Russias top oil firms

Arishaa Izaj

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Trump to meet Xi in South Korea as part of Asia swing: White House

Arishaa Izaj

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TTP's open threat to Pakistan's Asim Munir: 'Fight us if you've had your mother's milk'

Chhabi Kala

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WHO chief warns Gaza aid still far below need, urges Rafah reopening

Trucks carry aid for Palestinians, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Deir Al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip. (REUTERS)

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Editor's note: Read the latest on Tropical Storm Melissa's track for Friday, Oct. 24.

Tropical Storm Melissa continues to meander in the central Caribbean Sea on Oct. 23, its future path and strength still confounding meteorologists, who are now raising alarms about how strong the storm could become.

"It goes without saying, this is a very challenging track forecast," the National Hurricane Center said in an Oct. 22 forecast discussion. In addition, "the intensity forecast is also more uncertain than usual, in large part related to the track uncertainty."

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And with the chances of a monstrous Category 5 storm still in play, the potential is there for Melissa to be "the most impactful storm of the 2025 season," said Houston-based meteorologist Matt Lanza in a Substack post on Oct. 22.

Satellite view of Tropical Storm Melissa 10:30 a.m. Oct. 22, 2025. One of five homes that collapsed within 45 minutes on Sept. 30, 2025, as rough seas from two hurricanes pounded away at beaches along portions of North Carolina's Outer Banks. An image of the winds over the Atlantic Ocean, as seen on earth.nullschool.net on the morning of Sept. 30, 2025, as hurricanes Imelda and Humberto spin away from the United States. Hurricanes Imelda and Humberto swirl in the Atlantic Ocean on Sept. 30, 2025 in this image from NOAA's GOES 19 satellite. Hurricane Gabrielle spins in the Atlantic east of Bermuda, while two other potential storms are seen in the tropical Atlantic on the morning of Sept. 24, 2025. One is causing rain and storms over Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and the other is east of the Leeward Islands. The National Hurricane Center is monitoring all three. Tropical Storm Chantal over the U.S. East Coast on the morning of July 5, 2025. Tropical Storm Andrea, the first storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, is seen via satellite on June 24, 2025. Barry made landfall on June 29, 2025, south of Tampico, Mexico as a tropical depression, after weakening from a tropical storm. Tropical Storm Chantal slammed North Carolina with heavy rain that caused extreme flooding to central parts of the state on Monday, July 7. Footage shared by Cassaundra Anderson, a Chapel Hill resident, shows rapidly rising floodwaters in her neighborhood, leaving cars partially submerged. The storm was dubbed a tropical depression upon landfall on Sunday, July 6, and further downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone on Monday, July 7, according to the National Hurricane Center. Tropical Storm Dexter on satellite on Aug. 4, 2025. Surfers take advantage of the swells coming from Hurricane Erin into Wrightsville Beach around Crystal Pier on Aug. 19, 2025, in Wrightsville Beach, N.C. Hurricane Erin crawls along the U.S. East Coast on the morning of Aug. 20, 2025. Hurricane Erin on a geocolor satellite image on August 16, 2025. Wave heights offshore could reach heights of 50 feet near the eye of Hurricane Erin as the storm passes the U.S. East Coast on Aug. 19-21. It's massive wind field is stirring up the ocean across an area hundreds of miles wide. An aerial view from a NOAA Aircraft along Highway 12 on the Outer Banks of North Carolina after Hurricane Erin's high surf surrounds homes on the beach in Buxton. Tropical Storm Fernand 2025 full track. Hurricane Gabrielle is seen via NOAA satellite as it moves eastward in the Atlantic Ocean east of Bermuda, on the morning of Sept. 24, 2025. On Oct 28, 2025, a Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite captured a vivid view of Hurricane Melissa's eye a few hours before landfall on Jamaica's southern coast. Dawn Jensen (from left) Leann Johnson, Denise Gjertson and Dean Gjertson traveled to Jamaica at the end of October and were stranded after Hurricane Melissa. They returned home Nov. 4. Flooded houses in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, in Black River, Jamaica, November 5, 2025. Hurricane Melissa's eye is captured by NOAA satellite as the sun rises, as the Category 5 storm, with peaked sustained winds of 185 mph and gusts of more than 200 mph, approaches the island of Jamaica. Gloria Hutchins, 70, is assisted by a member of the army medical staff in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in Darliston, Jamaica on Nov. 3, 2025. Dorothy Headley, 75, prepares a meal of cow liver over a wood fire as damaged property is seen in the background in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in the Watercress community of Westmoreland, Jamaica, on October 31, 2025. A woman is evacuated from her home by emergency personnel after the Cauto River flooded due to Hurricane Melissa, in Rio Cauto, Granma Province, Cuba October 31, 2025. Hurricane scientist Andy Hazelton with the University of Miami took this photo inside the eye of Hurricane Melissa aboard a flight on the NOAA WP-3D hurricane reconnaissance aircraft dubbed Kermit, for Kermit the Frog. A damaged house is pictured after Hurricane Melissa slammed Boca de Dos Rios village, in Santiago de Cuba province, Cuba, on Oct. 30, 2025. People walk through a flooded street following Hurricane Melissa in Petit-Goave, 68km southwest of Port-au-Prince, on October 30, 2025. Hurricane Melissa was moving towards Bermuda on Thursday after ripping a path of destruction through the Caribbean that left at least 20 people dead in Haiti, and parts of Jamaica and Cuba in ruins. A drone view shows an affected area after Hurricane Melissa made landfall, in Crane Road, Black River, Jamaica, October 30, 2025. REUTERS/Maria Alejandra Cardona Drone view of flooding after Hurricane Melissa made landfall in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica. A NOAA satellite captures the eye of deadly Hurricane Melissa at Jamaica's coast on Oct. 28, 2025. Storms of the 2025 hurricane season so far 1 of 30 Satellite view of Tropical Storm Melissa 10:30 a.m. Oct. 22, 2025.

Indeed, if Melissa does end up turning west over the Caribbean south of Jamaica (like some model forecasts show), "I don't think it's hyperbolic to say we will likely get a Category 5, and quite possibly one of the strongest storms ever recorded in the Atlantic," Andrew Hazelton, an associate scientist at the University of Miami's Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies, said on X Oct. 22.

Jamaica in the crosshairs

Forecasters from the hurricane center on Thursday, Oct. 23 said that in the short term, Jamaica will likely see the worst of the storm's fury: "Due to Melissas slow motion, the risk of a prolonged multi-day period of potentially damaging winds, heavy rainfall resulting in life-threatening flash flooding and numerous landslides, and coastal flooding continues to increase for Jamaica."

"Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion, since strong winds and flooding rains could begin in Jamaica by Friday (Oct. 24) or Saturday (Oct. 25)," the hurricane center warned.

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Hazelton added on X that he's "becoming increasingly concerned for the possibility of a close pass or direct hit on Jamaica from Melissa. Overnight hurricane models have trended closer and all show impacts on the island."

Worst-case scenario for the Caribbean

"The worst case is that (Melissa) sits close enough to one or several of the mountainous Caribbean islands and dumps feet of rain," Fox Weather hurricane expert Bryan Norcross told the USA TODAY Network via email. "Three or four feet are not out of the question."

The heavy rain could trigger life-threatening flash floods and mudslides in some areas, the hurricane center said. Areas like Hispaniola are especially prone to catastrophic flash floods due to the islands complex and mountainous terrain, noted WPLG-TV meteorologist Michael Lowry in a Substack post. "Flooding is historically the deadliest calling card of tropical systems in this part of the world, and the threat Melissa brings will be no exception."

Lanza said, "this could be catastrophic in some places, including portions of Jamaica and Haiti or the southern Dominican Republic as well. Just really bad news with a slow-moving Melissa."

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In addition, next week there is some possibility of it becoming a very strong hurricane before it makes its move to the north, Norcross said. "In that case, direct impacts of a major hurricane are possible on Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, and/or somewhere in the Bahamas."

Worst-case scenario for the US

None of the reliable computer models show Melissa having any direct impact on the United States mainland.

But forecasters say there is still a small chance of a U.S. impact: "Chances of some direct effect on Florida aren't zero, but they are extremely small," said Norcross via email Oct. 21.

"The only way it could happen would be for Melissa to drift into the extreme western Caribbean before a dip in the jet stream moving across the U.S. came along to scoop it north," Norcross said. "There is no indication of that in the current reasonable track scenarios, however. Still, a track over Cuba and the Bahamas is not out of the question."

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AccuWeather's DaSilva clarified further: "Even if Melissa reaches the western Caribbean, that doesnt guarantee direct impacts in Florida; many models still show it moving over central Cuba and then out to sea. For now, theres nothing immediate to worry about, but its definitely worth monitoring closely over the coming days."

Map shows Melissa forecast track

This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time.

Could Melissa become a Category 5 storm?

Melissa is going to move slowly over the next five to seven days over some of the warmest, deepest warm water in the Atlantic Basin, Lanza said.

Hurricanes power up when they move over warm, deep ocean water of at least 80 degrees.

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"Intensification into a hurricane and major hurricane seems likely at this point, with a high-end category 4 or 5 in the realm of the possible," Lanza said.

The hurricane center's official forecast shows Melissa reaching Category 4 strength, with winds of 130 mph, by the weekend.

"It is becoming increasingly likely that Melissa will become a large and dangerous hurricane," the hurricane center said on the afternoon of Oct. 22.

(This story was updated to add new information and to add a video.)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tropics forecasts warn Melissa may become monster hurricane
October 23, 2025 Trump Fails To End His Proxy War With Russia It there any politician who is less reliable than U.S. President Donald Trump? At the August summit in Anchorage with President Vladimir Putin of Russia Trump had aimed at a ceasefire along the frontline in Ukraine. But Putin made clear that the war required a long term solution of the underlying problem, NATO enlargement, and that a preliminary ceasefire would not be helpful in that regard. Russia also demanded full control of the Donbas and other regions. Trump did agree to that and announced it as the brilliant result of the talks. This was his first turn on the issue. But Ukraines (former) President Zelenski rejected any retreat from the regions Russia intends to acquire. European politicians, who fear losing the war against Russia, chimed in. Republican war hawks in Congress likewise put pressure on Trump. A month after the talks in Alaska Trump again changed his position. This was his second turn. He criticized Putin and threatened Russia with new sanctions. Talk about sending Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine crept up. A day before Zelenski was supposed to visit the White House Putin preemptively intervened by holding a phone call with Donald Trump. There followed another, the third, change in mind. Trump announced that there would soon be another summit. The Kremlin was more cautious with that claim. It said that a summit would need extensive preparation. The Europeans, Zelenski and Republican hawks immediately renewed their campaign against any agreement with Russia. A phone call between the Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov followed. After the call any further preparations for another summit were called off. Trump turned again  the fourth time  and again demanded a ceasefire in Ukraine. The Russians said that this constitutes a breach of the agreements reached during the Anchorage talks. While Trump nixed any talk of Tomahawks for Ukraine he lifted restriction on Ukraines use of long-range missiles (archived) to be fired into Russia: The unannounced U.S. move to enable Kyiv to use the missile in Russia comes after authority for supporting such attacks was recently transferred from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon to the top U.S. general in Europe, Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, who also serves as NATO commander. The U.S. also issued sanctions against two major Russian oil companies (archived) and their subsidiaries:

President Trump announced on Wednesday that he was imposing significant new sanctions on Russia for the first time in his second term, underscoring a new degree of frustration with President Vladimir V. Putin after a plan for the two leaders to meet in Budapest fell apart. The new sanctions were announced just as the president sat down in the Oval Office with NATOs secretary general, Mark Rutte, who had flown to Washington on behalf of a coalition of European leaders desperate to keep Mr. Trump on the side of Ukraine.



Mr. Trumps irritation with the Russian leader was evident on Wednesday. Every time I speak with Vladimir, I have good conversations, and then they dont go anywhere, he said. They just dont go anywhere. He explained his decision to scupper the Budapest summit that had been planned for some time in the coming weeks. It just it didnt feel right to me, Mr. Trump said. It didnt feel like we were going to get to the place we have to get. So I canceled it. As for the sanctions? I just felt it was the right time, he said. On the same day Russias President Putin felt it was the right time to test Russias nuclear tirade: Today, we are conducting a planned  I want to emphasize, planned  nuclear forces command and control exercise, Putin said in a video conference with the top military brass.



Videos shared by the state-owned military TV channel Zvezda showed the launch of a Yars intercontinental ballistic missile from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Russias north and a Sineva ballistic missile fired from the Bryansk nuclear-powered submarine in the Barents Sea. Tu-95MS long-range bombers also fired air-launched cruise missiles, the defense ministry said. The new sanctions will, like any before them, have little effect on Russia. Global oil prices will increase and Russia will find ways to market its oil at higher prices. Sanctions dont work. The U.S. Government Accountability Office recently found that the U.S. is flying blind and even lacks the means to measure the effect of sanctions it imposes: U.S. agencies primarily responsible for implementing sanctions and export controls on Russia have not established clearly defined objectives linked to measurable outcomes with targets for their activities. As a result, agencies cannot fully assess progress towards achieving their objectives, thus limiting the U.S. governments ability to determine the effectiveness of its broader sanctions and export controls efforts related to Russia. This information is crucial for improving current efforts and informing the future use of sanctions and export control. China has already announced that it rejects any secondary sanctions the U.S. will try to impose as China continues to buy Russian oil. India, which pays for Russian oil in Yuan, will likely react in kind. The EU just issued its 19th round of sanction against Russia. None of these rounds have influenced Russia while all of them have damaged economies in Europe. As a saying, misattributed to Albert Einstein, goes: Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. There is simply no way for the U.S. and/or its European vassals to prevent a Russian victory in Ukraine. To insist on a different outcome will not change the facts on the ground. As Aaron Mate writes: When it comes to intransigence, the Beltways is not in dispute. The prevailing outlook was captured earlier this year by longtime Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell. It seems to me pretty obvious that Americas reputation is on the line, McConnell told Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. We dont want a headline at the end of this conflict that says Russia wins and America loses. Thats extremely important if were going to continue to play the role in the world that the vast majority of members of Congress think we should still play.



The alternative to McConnells refusal to lose is compromise. As Fiona Hill, a Russia expert who served in Trumps first term, recently put it: the Russians are always want something they can take to the bank, an agreement they can hold the U.S. to. In other words, the Russians are interested in diplomacy  a concept foreign to veteran lawmakers and bureaucrats in Washington. If Trump is serious about ending the Ukraine proxy war, he will have to move beyond his ritual back and forth with Zelensky and defy a more powerful obstacle to peace in Washington. Trump seems to know that he can only end the war with a compromise that will largely give Russia whatever it wants. But lacks the support, will and power to achieve it. Comments
Democratic Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner admitted Wednesday to authoring a series of antigay Reddit posts and called his past comments indefensible.

I have no reason to deny [that the posts are mine], Platner said in an interview with the Advocate, the LGBTQ news magazine that first reported on the controversial posts Wednesday.

I made a lot of comments over the years and talked a lot of s on the internet. I have no reason to doubt that at some point I used language that I would not be using today, the military veteran and oyster farmer continued.

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Its indefensible, he added.

The Advocate this week obtained the past Reddit comments, posted under the handle P-Hustle from 2016-21, in which Platner used antigay slurs and frequently used the word gay as an insult.

Betcha not a single downvoter is a real combat vet. Feel free to back it up with facts, Platner reportedly wrote on Reddit in August 2018, adding an antigay slur to address other Reddit users.

This was the gayest (not in the fun d sucking way) thing Ive ever seen. This dude is literally everything I hate all rolled into one, Platner wrote in March 2020, according to the Advocate.

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In June 2016, he reportedly described a job someone elses job as gay as he lamented the difficult life on military guard duty.

No, seriously. Flog that fer as often as possible  write gay poetry about how gay your current job is  Congratulations! Youve made it through one shift! Now do it all again in 12 hours. Welcome to the world of standing post, where sanity is a sliding scale, he reportedly wrote at the time.

He mocked military officers in December 2019, reportedly writing, Officers are gay. Army or navy, I really dont give a f about your frat.

Platner, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan as a Marine and Army National Guard member, recounted an explicit scene of what he reportedly described as a gay off between U.S. Marines and British sailors in Bahrain.

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Pull into Bahrain in 07 on a MEU, a Royal Navy submarine happens to be in port at the same time.  Before we even realize whats going on, the other weird bastard just leans down and licks the damn thing from the bottom of the ballsack all the way up to the top of the d. Stands up, looks dead at us and yells BEAT THAT!  I proudly withdrew our team on the grounds that one cannot play gay chicken if one is actually gay, he wrote in March 2018.

The most recent post the Advocate reported came from June 2021, nearly a decade after he left the Army in 2012. He discussed pranks in the military.

I like how our gay antics make him so uncomfortable he hates us, he reportedly wrote. Im doubling down on gay chicken next time in honor of this Air Force p.

In the Wednesday interview with the Advocate, Platner apologized for using that language, saying he no longer does so and finds the slurs he used in his posts abhorrent.

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These were words that I used for a long time in ways that I did not take seriously, he said in the interview. Because of personal relationships that Ive developed over the years, I do not use [them] now and find [them] to be quite offensive. I stopped using that specific kind of language a while ago  and today I find that stuff abhorrent. And I am sorry that I ever used it.

Platner said he had a number of very close gay friends when he lived in Washington, D.C. and became friends with a number of trans people when he moved back to Maine, which really opened my eyes.

Even though I thought I was open-minded, Platner said, there were elements to their existence that I had been entirely unaware of. That was when I began to really take far more seriously the damaging nature of language, the damaging nature of even just discussing whether people exist or not.

Platners campaign referred The Hill to his interview with the Advocate when asked for further comment.

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The military veteran has come under fire recently for reports exposing years-old Reddit posts in which he called police officers bastards, described himself as a communist and used an ableist slur to refer to some other Reddit users.

I dont 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 dont think any of that is indicative of who I am today, really, Platner told CNNs KFile in an interview published last week.

Platner also faced fresh scrutiny this week after the Senate Republicans campaign arm on Tuesday accused him of donning a Nazi tattoo. The tattoo resembled a Totenkopf, which is German for deaths head and was a symbol adopted by Adolf Hitlers troops in Nazi Germany, according to the Anti-Defamation Leagues website.

Platner defended himself in an interview on the liberal Pod Save America podcast, saying he didnt know of the Nazi link when he got the tattoo: Im not a secret Nazi.

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The left-leaning candidate has since gotten the tattoo covered up with another tattoo. He earlier had said he planned to remove it entirely but said options to quickly do so were limited in rural Maine, and, I wanted this thing off my body.

Platner is running a populist campaign and has been backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Democratic youth-focused groups and multiple labor unions.

He is part of a crowded Democratic field, with Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D) becoming the highest-profile candidate when she entered the race last week. Republican incumbent Susan Collins has expressed interest in a sixth term in the upper chamber.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
By Francesco Guarascio

HANOI (Reuters) -A landmark U.N. cybercrime agreement aimed at curbing offences that cost the global economy trillions of dollars annually is set to be signed by representatives from dozens of states in Hanoi this weekend, despite criticism over human rights risks.

The convention, which would come into force after it is ratified by 40 states, is an unprecedented move that the United Nations expects will make responses to cybercrime quicker and more effective.

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Activists, major technology companies and the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights have warned about possible abuses from its vague language on crime, with some saying it would facilitate rather than combat illegal activities.

The list of signatories has not been released, though the European Union and Canada are set to sign the pact, which they said included safeguards to protect human rights. The U.S. State Department declined to say whether a U.S. representative will attend the signing ceremony.

VIETNAM'S APPROPRIATENESS AS HOST QUESTIONED

Vietnam's selection as host has drawn criticism due to its human rights record. In a report in August, the U.S. State Department cited "significant human rights issues" in Vietnam, including restrictions on online freedom of expression.

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At least 40 people have been arrested this year in Vietnam, for alleged crimes including online postings against the state, according to Human Rights Watch.

The one-party Communist nation expects to raise its international profile by hosting the event and sees the pact as a tool to boost its cyber defences, Vietnamese officials said.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is scheduled to attend the signing ceremony on Saturday.

CRITICS DUB PACT 'SURVEILLANCE TREATY'

The Cybersecurity Tech Accord, a coalition that includes Meta and Microsoft, has labelled the pact "a surveillance treaty" that facilitates the exchange of personal data among governments and risks "making it easier, not harder, for criminals to engage in cybercrime."

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The convention targets a broad spectrum of offences from phishing and ransomware to online trafficking and hate speech, the U.N. has said, citing estimates that cybercrime costs the global economy trillions of dollars each year.

But the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights warned during treaty negotiations that "laws with overly broad definitions of cybercrime are frequently used to impose undue restrictions on the right to freedom of expression."

Raman Jit Singh Chima of Access Now, an advocacy group, said the treaty could facilitate the extradition of individuals persecuted by their governments. The signing in Vietnam "sends a very bad signal" to human rights defenders, he added.

Vietnam is experiencing an escalation of cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure and big corporations, Le Xuan Minh, head of cybersecurity at the public security ministry, told a press conference this month, noting more international cooperation could help identify perpetrators.

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The U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which led the treaty talks, said the agreement includes provisions to protect human rights and allows states to reject cooperation requests that conflict with international law.

Activists and tech firms have also voiced concern that the treaty could criminalise ethical hackers who test systems for vulnerabilities, especially when their findings expose sensitive government flaws.

The UNODC said the convention "encourages" states to enable legitimate research activities.

(Reporting by Francesco Guarascio; Additional reporting by Khanh Vu in Hanoi and Michelle Nichols in New York; Editing by Jamie Freed)
For Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, the past few years have been a gauntlet of personal and political challenges. From prolonged hospital stays and a highly publicised, acrimonious divorce to the loss of key allies through Covid-19 and political sidelining, Chiwenga has weathered a storm. Throughout it all, one figure has remained a constant source of stability: his wife, army Colonel Miniyothabo Minnie Baloyi.

More than just a spouse, Baloyi has emerged as a key strategist, actively reshaping Chiwengas public image and projecting him as a caring family man. She has skillfully leveraged digital platforms to court Zimbabwes Gen Z, a demographic crucial to any future political ambitions.

As the retired general increasingly positions himself for a potential succession battle against President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Baloyis influence is becoming impossible to ignore. Her strategic acumen and carefully cultivated public persona are playing an increasingly significant role in Chiwengas political trajectory.

Born in Filabusi, Matabeleland South, in 1976, Baloyis background is as diverse as her current portfolio. She entered the Zimbabwe National Army in 1996 after completing secondary school, laying the foundation for a distinguished military career. Her service extended beyond Zimbabwes borders, including United Nations peacekeeping deployments in countries such as Angola, providing her with valuable exposure to international operations.

According to sources within ZANU-PF inner circles, Baloyis relationship with Chiwenga predates the pivotal 2017 military coup that ousted Robert Mugabe and ultimately elevated Emmerson Mnangagwa to the presidency. At the time, Chiwenga commanded the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, while Baloyi was steadily climbing the ranks, eventually being promoted to colonel in 2019.

Baloyi has also invested heavily in her education and business ventures. She holds a masters degree in international relations from the University of Zimbabwe and a doctorate in business administration from Midlands State University. Furthermore, she operates high-end fashion boutiques in Harare, a venture that serves both as a commercial enterprise and a strategic bridge to Zimbabwes cultural influencers.

Her language skills are another key asset. Baloyi is fluent in Mandarin, a skill she honed through studies in China. This aligns with Mugabes Look East policy, which reoriented Zimbabwe toward Beijing after Western sanctions in the early 2000s.

In a political landscape where China remains Zimbabwes most significant external ally, her Mandarin proficiency is more than just symbolic. Observers suggest it could become a strategic advantage should Chiwenga eventually succeed Mnangagwa as president, facilitating deeper engagement with a crucial international partner.

The depth of their relationship was evident even before their marriage became public. In 2019, when Vice President Chiwenga was hospitalised in South Africa and later airlifted to China for further treatment, Colonel Baloyi was among the select few granted permission to visit him at a time when access was tightly controlled.

This occurred against the backdrop of Chiwengas acrimonious divorce from Marry Mubaiwa. He accused Mubaiwa of attempting to kill him during his hospital stay, and she was later arrested in December 2019 on fraud charges after allegedly attempting to upgrade their customary union into a civil marriage.

The couple formalised their union in 2022 with a high-profile Catholic wedding in Borrowdale, Harare. The event was attended by President Mnangagwa, First Lady Auxillia, ministers, and prominent members of the business community, signalling the significance of the union within Zimbabwes political establishment. Cabinet Secretary Misheck Sibanda formally announced Chiwengas marriage to Baloyi.

The union came during a period when Chiwengas political standing appeared to be at a low ebb. Covid-19 had claimed the lives of close allies Perrence Shiri and Sibusiso Moyo, while Mnangagwa had strategically sidelined him by retiring or redeploying his loyal lieutenants as ambassadors during his hospitalisation. Baloyi provided not only personal stability but also a symbolic reset at a time when Chiwengas political stock appeared to be weakening.

Her most visible project, however, has been the careful management of Chiwengas public image. The vice president now appears in carefully coordinated outfits with his wife at public events, including this years Independence Day celebrations, projecting an image of unity and sophistication.

Baloyis fashion choices have drawn comparisons to former first lady Grace Mugabe, once dubbed Gucci Grace for her taste for luxury. Sources suggest she remains closer to Grace than to current first lady Auxillia Mnangagwa. Baloyis attendance at Graces 60th birthday reinforced that perception, signalling ties to Mugabe-era networks even as her husband competes within ZANU-PFs post-Mugabe order.

She has also accompanied Chiwenga on several international trips, including visits to France and the Vatican City, further enhancing his profile on the global stage.

Chiwenga has increasingly positioned himself as a champion of anti-corruption as the battle to succeed Mnangagwa intensifies. He has publicly criticised corrupt businessmen who allegedly benefit from government tenders, accusing them of looting the country. He recently warned these individuals that a reckoning was inevitable.

While Chiwenga is widely expected to succeed Mnangagwa when he steps down in 2028, some of the Presidents supporters are reportedly plotting to extend his term beyond the constitutional limit. Chiwenga also faces challenges from other potential rivals, including businessmen Kudakwashe Tagwirei and Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa.

Baloyi is also playing a crucial role in appealing to Zimbabwes younger generation. With her digital skills, she is actively reshaping Chiwengas image and engaging with Gen Z on social media platforms. While he was previously known primarily as a powerful military general, Chiwenga is now being presented to many young people as a soft, caring husband and a potential leader who can bring positive change to Zimbabwe.

She regularly posts pictures of her family at public events, in church, and even on beaches abroad on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. Through these carefully curated posts, she provides a front-seat view into the life of a once reserved and guarded military figure. She even engages with Gen Z in the comments sections, showcasing her charm and humility.

Eldred Masunungure, a political analyst and lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe, notes that Colonel Baloyi has adopted a sophisticated strategy to influence the Gen Z demographic. Though she is not a social media influencer of Zimbabwe, indications are that she is making an impact in boosting her husbands political profile as well as projecting the image of a stable marriage, he observes. At a personal level, she strikes most people as decent, calm and above all disciplined without trying to encroach too deeply into active politics. To date, she exudes the right gravitas.

Unlike Grace Mugabe and Auxillia Mnangagwa, both of whom actively immersed themselves in partisan politics, Baloyi has aligned herself with womens and youth initiatives, notably serving as patron of Miss Universe Zimbabwe. This allows her to connect with a broader segment of the population without being perceived as overly political.

At public events, Baloyi is often seen carrying bottled water and snacks for the vice president  a small but telling precaution that ensures he avoids food or drink offered by ZANU-PF officials. The gesture underscores her acute awareness of the sometimes dangerous, even lethal, rivalries within the ruling party.

Beyond this, she is generating and marshalling political capital in Matabeleland and in the process sanitising whatever dark image the General had in the region, says Masunungure, highlighting her efforts to improve Chiwengas image in a region where he has faced historical challenges.

As Zimbabwe navigates its complex political landscape, Minnie Baloyi is proving to be more than just a supportive spouse. She is a shrewd strategist, a skilled image-maker, and a force to be reckoned with in her own right, positioning herself as a potential First Lady and playing an increasingly influential role in shaping Zimbabwes future.

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During the press conference after the meeting with Zelensky, a reporter asked Trump how he would proceed with Venezuela, since Maduro had offered everything. Trumps answer was telling: Yeah, he has offered everything, you know why? Because he does not want to fuck around with the United States.

On the other hand, the U.S. has extended a $20 billion credit to Argentinas Milei and is looking to extend another $20 billion. On top of that, the U.S. is flaunting buying Argentine bonds. Its highly dubious that Argentina would actually be able to stabilize with this bailout or ever pay back that money, and it would be naive to believe that Bessent and his team think otherwise. So why this largesse?

The simple answer is that the U.S. is trying to set an example with Argentina and Venezuela for the rest of the region. It seems that the U.S. is following a reward-and-retribution policy for Latin America as part of reinstating its sphere of influence, and that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chief of Staff Stephen Miller are behind it.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the pressure campaign against Maduro is at the center of a Venn diagram of interest among Trumps top lieutenants. Meanwhile, Scott Bessent is at the forefront of Argentinas bailout. Paul Krugman argues that it is to save his investor friends, and while this might be true, theres a wider regional policy that emerges.

James Bosworth, whose analysis I usually respect, though the narrative tends to be too Western-biased, drew up a parody map that holds a truth: the Trump administration is forcing every government in the region to take a side.

You are with us or you are against us. Or, more accurately, you follow the U.S. interests or the U.S. will make you follow them. A clear pattern emerges when we survey the region. With the arrival of the Trump administration, Latin America is changing its politics, and if necessary, its politicians.

Mexico has been negotiating and ceding to Trump, especially in curtailing immigration and stepping up its effort against drug trafficking. It has also conceded by raising tariffs on Chinas imports, probably the U.S. biggest concern. Sheinbaum has been careful not to antagonize Trump, and her administration has insisted that it is collaborating with the Trump administration. That is why when Trump declared cartels to be terrorist organizations, I wrote that it was probably not to be used against Mexico.

The rest of Central America generally falls under the U.S. designs, with the exception of Nicaragua, where Trump has not paid much attention but is threatening to impose new sanctions in the form of tariffs, citing human rights abuses. El Salvador and Panama deserve special mention. Bukele is a Trump favorite. Hes accommodating Trumps needs and therefore receiving preferential treatment. Panama, on the other hand, was forced to expel China from ports on the Canal under the threat of invasion and to offer preferential treatment to U.S. military vessels.

The Caribbean at the moment is dominated by U.S. military presence and by illegal attacks against boats allegedly carrying drugs, without presenting evidence. However, only about 10% of maritime drug trafficking occurs through the Caribbean while 80% occurs through the Pacific. If Trump really wanted to stop it, he is looking on the wrong side of the water. The purpose, of course, was not that, but to show strength and pressure Venezuela and now, Colombia.

Beyond these two countries, to which I will return shortly, Marco Rubio has made sure to use all possible leverage against Cuba, reinstating it as a country that sponsors terrorism. He has imposed even more sanctions and is impeding other countries, like Russia and China, from coming to its assistance. The electricity shortages that are putting significant stress on the population could be understood as an effect of that pressure. The U.S. is also taking measures in Haiti, and the Dominican Republics president is a close collaborator.

Noboa, Ecuadors president, was elected in February and has already planned a referendum to change the constitution and allow foreign military bases, i.e., U.S. military bases, in the country. He was elected amidst an intense security crisis that has overrun the country over the last seven years. Ecuador went, suddenly, from being one of the most peaceful countries in Latin America to one of the most violent, and in the process it elected a Bukele-style president.

Peru has just replaced its hugely unpopular and unelected president and is now facing strong protests. Last year, Peru inaugurated a deep-water port, part of the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative and developed by the Chinese state-owned company Cosco. The U.S. was not happy about that. Early next year there will be elections, and it is probable that the country will elect a candidate that promises to deal strongly with violence in the style of Noboa and Bukele.

Chile will have elections sooner, in November 2025, and most probably a right-leaning candidate will emerge as president, moving the country away from the left-leaning current president Gabriel Boric. Bolivia has just elected its new president, Rodrigo Paz, who has promised capitalism for all. The day after the elections he promised to reestablish relations with the U.S. and vowed support for Venezuelas regime-change leader, Corina Machado.

What seems to emerge from this quick survey is that Latin America is moving away from the Pink Tide that washed over the region towards the end of the last century and the beginning of this new one and is moving toward an Orange (Trump) Tide. Now, of course, coincidence does not necessarily imply causality, but its definitely something to ponder  how this correlates with a move towards a more authoritarian government in the U.S., a marked end of hegemony, and a revival of the concept of spheres of influence. Especially given the fact that the CIA has historically been  and continues to be  very busy in the continent.

The three countries that most strongly resist U.S. interference in their internal affairs are Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela. Brazil has been involved in a standoff against the U.S. since, at least, August 2024, when a Brazilian judge banned X because Musk did not want to comply with the countrys disinformation rules. The allegations were that X had reinstated accounts tied to the alleged 2022-2023 coup plot that involved former president Jair Bolsonaro.

When Trump became president for a second time, he lashed out against the Brazilian government trialand convictionof Bolsonaro, his former ally, trying to pressure Lula through tariffs to let him go free. Lula did not cede and defended the judiciarys actions, which has led to the current tensions. Though they allegedly hugged at the UNGA, I suspect that was Lula trying to copy Sheinbaums approach rather than a true rapprochement. Trump is also not happy that Brazil is a founder of BRICS and that Lula has openly called for de-dollarization. But, more importantly, Brazil is strengthening its economic relations with China.

Like in Brazil, since Trump came to power he has criticized Colombias process against former president Alvaro Uribe, who has been accused of bribery and witness tampering. The High Court has overruled the sentence and Rubio expressed his satisfaction with that. Uribe was president for 8 years, coinciding with the implementation of U.S. Plan Colombia.

Since 2000, with Plan Colombia, this country has been the largest recipient of U.S. aid and its closest ally in the region. But the arrival of Gustavo Petro, the first leftist president and declared socialist coming from a former guerrilla group, has upended these relations. Petro has been extremely critical of the U.S. policies in the region, especially the ones to combat drug trafficking, which he claims have killed over a million people. His proposal for fighting drugs involves offering economic alternatives to the poor and has clashed with the U.S. model. He also strengthened cooperation with China, positing Colombia as part of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Petro has also been extremely critical of the U.S. deployment in the Caribbean, saying that attacks on boats are illegal and that the extrajudicial killings are crimes against humanity. Hes openly said that the U.S. intends regime change in Venezuela and that it wants Venezuelas natural resources. This has led to Trump issuing serious threats, cutting aid funding, threatening sanctions, and accusing Petro of producing drugs. If we take Venezuelas example, this is a step prior to authorizing the CIA to operate in the country.

Venezuela, of course, is the U.S. main antagonist in the region, but only because the U.S. has decided it is so. Maduro is more than willing to trade and sell oil to the U.S., as shown by Chevron licenses even in the midst of heavy sanctions. The U.S. could, technically, have access to Venezuelas vast natural resources without the need to launch an assault on the country. But it could not own them, either directly or through U.S. corporations. That is the result of Chavezs Bolivarian Revolution, which nationalized all natural resources and established a socialist-style democracy.

These are two things that the U.S. cannot tolerate: a political system and economic model that challenges the U.S. While doing so, Chavez, and later Maduro, became close collaborators with China, Russia, and Iran. It is understandable then that the U.S. would want to make an example of Venezuela for the rest of the region if it wanted to signal that it considers Latin America its sphere of influence.

In sharp contrast to Venezuela stands Argentinas Milei, who, since coming to power almost two years ago, has taken upon himself to remake Argentinas socioeconomic model into a neoliberal one and to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the U.S. in almost every foreign policy issue, including Israels war in Gaza. Milei has praised Trumps effort to reform the international economy and Israel as the bastion of the West and has vowed unequivocal support. I would not consider it a coincidence, either, that Colombia, Brazil, and Venezuela have been the most vocal opponents of Israels actions in Gaza.

Scott Bessent has stated that Argentina is a systemic ally of the U.S. and that is why it is receiving help. But its difficult to argue in what practical sense that is the case. Argentinas agriculture competes with the U.S. in various things, chief among them soybeans and beef. This has led to U.S. farmers complaining about the bailout. Argentina is not a close neighbor and, other than lithium and some silver, does not have large mineral resources. Nor is it a significant trade partner.

But, maybe, that is exactly the reason. The Trump administration seems to be implementing its own flavor of reward-and-retribution policy. For Argentina, its reward. If you are a country that does not have a lot to offer in terms of trade or resources but you follow U.S. interests, both practical and ideological, then the U.S. will have your back. For Venezuela, its retribution. If you dare to challenge U.S. dominance and put your national interests above those of the U.S., even if you are a country rich in resources, the U.S. will try to bring you down. This basic logic seems to explain U.S. policy in Latin America.
Big Techs censorship surge: From manipulating opinions to silencing dissent

Social media platforms' growing censorship and deplatforming practices threaten free speech and public discourse, while also raising concerns about manipulative influences and mental health impacts.

Social media's impact on well-being varies by individual, offering both social connections and mental health risks, while algorithms expose children to inappropriate content.

Israeli government covertly pays social media influencers to sway U.S. opinion on Gaza conflict.

Mainstream social media platforms have been accused of censoring content and suppressing dissenting voices during the Israel-Gaza conflict, raising concerns about their role in shaping public opinion and sparking debate about alternative platforms for free speech.

Alternative platforms offer uncensored video sharing, fostering open discourse, while users must advocate for responsible policies to safeguard free speech amidst moderation challenges.

In a concerning turn of events, social media platforms are increasingly censoring content and deplatforming users, raising alarm bells about the future of free speech and public discourse.

A recent study published in Behavior Genetics challenges oversimplified claims about social media's impact on well-being, suggesting that the relationship between social media use and mental health is more complex than previously thought.

Meanwhile, investigative reports have uncovered covert influence operations by foreign governments and the manipulative use of algorithms to expose children to explicit content.

As these revelations come to light, alternative platforms like Brighteon.com emerge as beacons of free speech, offering users a sanctuary from censorship.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, social media has significantly transformed human interaction, communication and information consumption. However, its impact on individual well-being is a contentious issue, with mounting evidence suggesting both positive and negative effects.

The nuanced impact of social media on well-being

The twin study published in Behavior Genetics challenges the prevailing narrative that social media use is universally detrimental to mental health.

The study found that while social media use can have negative effects, such as increased anxiety and depression, it also offers benefits like social connectedness and access to support networks.

The authors emphasize the importance of considering individual differences and context when examining the relationship between social media use and well-being.

The dark side of social media algorithms

In a disturbing expose, Natural News revealed how social media algorithms are being used to expose children to explicit content, turning playtime into a predatory hunting ground.

The addictive nature of these algorithms, designed to keep users engaged for as long as possible, has led to a flood of inappropriate content reaching young audiences.

This raises serious concerns about the mental health and well-being of children, as they are increasingly exposed to harmful material without adequate safeguards.

Shaping public opinion through social media

In a blatant attempt to sway American public opinion, the Israeli government has been covertly funding social media influencers to promote its military actions in Gaza.

According to Natural News, the Israeli government has paid influencers up to $7,000 per post to shape U.S. opinion on the conflict.

This revelation underscores the power of social media in molding public perception and the need for transparency in such influence operations.

The media blackout and the suppression of dissenting voices

As the Israel-Gaza conflict escalates, mainstream media platforms like Twitter, TikTok and Meta have been scrubbing footage of Gaza bombings, suppressing dissenting voices and sparking fears of a wider war.

This media blackout raises questions about the role of social media in shaping public opinion and the responsibility of these platforms to facilitate open and honest dialogue about important global events.

Alternative platforms: A haven for free speech

In response to the growing censorship and manipulation on mainstream social media platforms, alternative platforms like Brighteon.com have emerged as a leading online free platform that empowers free speech.

These platforms allow individuals to freely share videos and express their thoughts without fear of censorship, providing a much-needed sanctuary for open and honest discourse.

The future of free speech and public discourse

As social media platforms continue to grapple with the delicate balance between moderation and censorship, it is crucial for users to be aware of the potential impacts of these policies on their well-being and the broader public discourse.

The revelations about foreign influence operations, algorithmic manipulation and media blackouts underscore the need for greater transparency, accountability and user empowerment in the digital age.

By supporting alternative platforms and advocating for responsible social media policies, individuals can help safeguard the future of free speech and foster a more open and inclusive digital ecosystem.

The sudden freedom on social media may be a trap. Find out more by watching this video.

This video is from the Mike Martins Channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

MedicalXpress.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Don Lemon urges minority communities to arm themselves amid immigration crackdown

Don Lemon urged Black and Brown Americans to purchase firearms legally, invoking the Second Amendment as protection against potential government overreach, specifically referencing ICE operations under Trump.

Lemon criticized conservatives for supporting gun rights while allegedly reacting negatively when minorities assert the same rights, framing it as a racial double standard.

He claimed ICE raids could lead to unjust detentions without due process, though ICE officials maintain operations target those with deportation orders, not random citizens.

His remarks echo past civil rights movements (e.g., Black Panthers) and highlight a split in progressive politicssome advocate gun control, while others see firearms as tools for marginalized self-defense.

Critics argue Lemon's claims lack evidence, while supporters see his stance as empowering. The debate intensifies discussions on race, gun rights and government power in an already divided nation.

Former CNN host Don Lemon sparked controversy this week by calling on Black and Brown Americans to legally purchase firearms in response to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations under the Trump administration.

During a podcast interview with writer Wajahat Ali, Lemon invoked the Second Amendment, arguing that marginalized communities should arm themselves against potential government overreach. His remarks come amid heightened political tensions over immigration enforcement and gun rights, raising questions about racial disparities in Second Amendment advocacy.

Lemon, who was fired from the media outlet in 2023 following allegations of workplace misconduct, made his case on Ali's podcast "The Left Hook."

"I am not condoning or promoting violence," he clarified before urging legally present minorities to exercise their gun rights. "Heres what I'm saying to Black and Brown people, to Mexican people, to people who are here legally and who can go and buy a gun legally and have a license to carry legally: Go do it! Why not?"

He framed gun ownership as a defensive measure against ICE raids, which he claimed could escalate into unjust detentions.

"When you have people knocking on your door and taking you away without due process as a citizen, isn't that what the Second Amendment was written for?" Lemon asked.

Political backlash and hypocrisy claims

Lemon accused right-wing proponents of gun rights of hypocrisy, suggesting they react differently when minorities assert the same constitutional protections.

"The folks on the right say it all the time  'Second Amendment, I get to carry my gun!'" he said. "But the moment you [Ali] and I say it, because, you know, a Black and a Brown brotherit's like, 'Oh my gosh! What are they saying?'"

His remarks also drew a sharp contrast between undocumented immigration and President Donald Trump's legal troubles.

"We have degrees of criminality in this country and what Donald Trump did is at the highest level of criminality, except for taking someone's life," Lemon argued. "Someone who is crossing the border is nowhere near that."

However, BrightU.AI's Enoch notes that ICE officials have repeatedly stated that enforcement actions target individuals with deportation orders, not random citizens. White House border czar Tom Homan has emphasized that detentions of U.S. citizensthough rareare typically resolved quickly. Lemon did not provide evidence of widespread wrongful ICE arrests when pressed for comment.

Lemon's call to arms echoes historical tensions around race and gun ownership in America. From the Black Panthers' armed patrols in the 1960s to modern-day debates over "stand your ground" laws, the intersection of firearms and racial justice remains contentious. Some civil rights activists argue that marginalized communities have long been discouraged from exercising Second Amendment rights, while others warn that inflammatory rhetoric could escalate tensions.

The discussion also highlights a paradox in progressive politics: While many liberals advocate for stricter gun control, somelike Lemonembrace firearms as a means of self-defense against perceived government oppression. This ideological rift underscores the complexity of gun policy in an increasingly polarized nation.

Lemon's remarks have reignited debates over gun rights, racial equity and immigration enforcement. While his call for minority gun ownership aligns with some historical civil rights strategies, critics argue that his framing of ICE raids as a widespread threat to citizens lacks substantiation. His comments may further polarize discussions around the Second Amendment, law enforcement and the role of firearms in resisting government power. Whether his message resonates or backfires remains to be seenbut for now, it has undeniably added fuel to an already fiery national conversation.

Don Lemon gets crushed in a street interview. Watch this video.

This video is from Rick Langley's channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

HeadlineUSA.com

NYPost.com

YouTube.com

X.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
A decade of delay: Internal FDA reports reveal unheeded warnings on Tylenol and pregnancy risks

The FDA ignored nearly a decade of internal expert advice to warn pregnant women about potential neurological risks to children from acetaminophen use.

Internal reports from 2016, 2019 and 2022, along with recommendations from agency divisions, consistently pointed to an association with conditions like autism and ADHD.

A key decision-making committee, led by a controversial official, repeatedly declined to act on these recommendations for public communication.

The agency only issued a new, nuanced warning in September 2025 after a change in presidential administration.

The delay occurred despite growing external scientific consensus and action by European regulators.

For nearly a decade, internal drug safety experts within the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) repeatedly advised the agency to warn pregnant women that taking acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, might be linked to neurodevelopmental disorders in their children. According to internal documents obtained and published in October 2025, these experts produced multiple reports between 2016 and 2022 identifying a consistent association between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Despite this growing body of internal evidence and recommendations, FDA leadership declined to update public safety advice until September 2025, leaving millions of expectant mothers and their doctors without official federal guidance on the potential risks of one of the most commonly used medications in pregnancy.

Mounting evidence, stalled action

The FDAs internal scrutiny of acetaminophen began over a decade ago. A 2014 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association raised initial concerns, prompting the FDA to issue a brief statement in 2015 acknowledging it was "aware of concerns" but taking no further action. The internal momentum, however, was building. By October 2016, FDA Senior Medical Officer Dr. Andrew Mosholder had compiled a 22-page report reviewing eight observational studies. Seven of those studies found an association between the drug and issues including attention deficits, delayed motor development and autistic behaviors.

Mosholders report recommended the FDA issue a nuanced public communication. He advised that acetaminophen use in pregnancy could cause neurological harm and should be used sparingly, while also acknowledging that other painkillers carry more definite risks and that Tylenol is sometimes necessary to reduce fever, which itself poses a danger to a fetus. This balanced approach was also supported by the FDA's own Division of Pediatric and Maternal Health and Division of Bone, Reproductive and Urologic Products in 2016 and 2017. The experts were not claiming definitive proof, but they argued it was "prudent" to inform the public of the potential risks identified in a growing number of peer-reviewed studies.

The committee that said "wait"

By early 2018, the internal evidence had expanded significantly. Mosholder and a colleague presented to a key FDA decision-making committee, showing that they had reviewed 21 studies, three-fourths of which indicated a risk from prenatal Tylenol exposure. The committee was headed by Dr. Janet Woodcock, the longtime director of the FDAs Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Woodcocks tenure was marked by other controversial decisions, including the approval of OxyContin and the alleged suppression of a 2003 report by Mosholder linking antidepressants to increased suicide rates in children.

The committee, however, did not endorse Mosholders recommended public statement. Instead, it postponed a decision for six months. When the group reconvened later in 2018, and even after the FDAs own toxicology division shared a hypothesis that Tylenol could impede blood flow to a developing infant, no changes were made to the agencys public advice. This internal stall continued despite the European Medicines Agency informing the FDA that it planned to issue a warning to patients. Mosholders subsequent epidemiological reviews in 2019 and 2022 continued to find associationsadding potential defects in the urinary and reproductive tracts to the list of concernsand continued to recommend public communication. The FDAs official position remained unchanged.

A sudden reversal after years of silence

The FDAs public stance remained frozen for years, relying on its minimal 2015 statement even as external scientific consensus grew. Major studies, including those from the Boston Birth Cohort, and meta-analyses in journals like the European Journal of Epidemiology, consistently pointed to a 19-21 percent increased risk for autism and ADHD symptoms in children who were prenatally exposed. This left a significant gap between the scientific discourse and official federal guidance.

The logjam broke abruptly in September 2025. Under the direction of a new presidential administration and Health and Human Services Secretary, the FDA finally issued the nuanced warning its experts had long advocated. The agency announced it was initiating a label change for acetaminophen products and notified physicians of the potential link. The press release carefully mirrored the balanced language Mosholder had proposed nearly a decade earlier, stating that while a "causal relationship" was not proven, a "considerable body of evidence" suggested an association. It reiterated that acetaminophen remains the only over-the-counter drug approved to treat fever during pregnancy and that high fevers themselves are dangerous.

A precaution foretold

The recently revealed internal documents tell a story of caution within the FDAs own ranks that failed to translate into public-facing action for almost ten years. They reveal a bureaucracy that, despite consistent internal findings and recommendations from its scientific staff, hesitated to alter advice on a bedrock household medication. This delay highlights the complex challenges of regulating long-approved drugs in the face of emerging safety signals and raises profound questions about transparency and the pace of regulatory action. For the millions of women who used acetaminophen during their pregnancies between 2016 and 2025, the newly public internal warnings come as a retrospective revelation of a risk they were never officially told the FDA was actively considering. The agencys eventual action, while welcomed by public health advocates, serves as a case study in how scientific prudence within a regulatory agency can be slow to reach the public it is meant to protect.

Sources for this article include:

TheNewAmerican.com

DailyCaller.com

FDA.gov
Hamas refuses to give up arms and Gaza control, threatening fragile truce

A senior Hamas official, Mohammed Nazzal, has declared that the group will not commit to disarming and intends to remain the primary security force in Gaza. This directly challenges the core of the U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal.

Hamas' refusal to give up weapons or control directly contradicts the plan's requirements and threatens to cause the temporary truce to collapse, potentially restarting the war.

U.S. and Israel are insistent that Hamas must fully disarm and give up governing Gaza.

Nazzal stated Hamas is ready for a multi-year ceasefire to allow for rebuilding Gaza, suggesting the ultimate goal should be an independent Palestinian state and future elections.

Israel views Hamas' talk of a long-term truce as a tactical trick, citing the group's founding charter that calls for Israel's destruction. The fundamental gap between the two sides' demands makes the prospect of a real and lasting peace seem very distant.

As the dust settles on the first phase of a shaky ceasefire, a stark declaration from a senior Hamas official has cast a dark shadow over the prospects for a lasting peace in Gaza.

Mohammed Nazzal, a prominent member of the group's political bureau, has explicitly stated that Hamas refuses to commit to disarming and intends to maintain its security control over the strip, directly challenging the core tenets of a U.S.-backed peace plan and dashing hopes for a swift end to the conflict. The comments, made in an interview from Doha, highlight the immense obstacles facing mediators.

Just days into a temporary truce, the fundamental disagreements over Gaza's future are already bursting into the open, threatening to plunge the region back into the brutal cycle of violence that has defined the past year.

Hamas' defiant stance on arms and authority

Nazzal's statements leave little room for interpretation. When asked directly if Hamas would give up its weapons, he deflected, stating, "I can't answer with a yes or no." He questioned what disarmament would even entail and to whom weapons would be handed over, arguing that the issue concerns all Palestinian armed factions, not just Hamas.

This position signals a likely protracted and difficult negotiation process for the next phase of talks, where the group's military power is a central issue.

Furthermore, Nazzal was unequivocal about Hamas' intention to remain the dominant security force in Gaza during any interim period. "On the ground, Hamas will be present," he said, justifying this as a necessary measure to protect aid deliveries from thieves and armed gangs.

This vision directly contradicts the planned transition to a technocratic administration and represents a clear bid by the group to retain the political and military grip it has held since 2007.

The official also defended the group's recent public executions in Gaza, characterizing them as "exceptional measures" during wartime. This crackdown underscores the harsh reality of Hamas' rule and its determination to enforce its authority, even amid international scrutiny.

The Hamas official's defiant rhetoric places him on a direct collision course with President Donald Trump. The Trump administration's ceasefire plan, supported by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, explicitly calls for Hamas to disarm completely and cede governance of Gaza. The plan aims to dismantle the group's military capabilities and ensure it can never again threaten Israel.

Trump has reportedly communicated to Hamas that it must disarm or face being forced to do so. While Trump has noted a temporary, tactical understanding for Hamas to provide security for aid convoys, his ultimate demand remains the group's full demilitarization.

A distant hope for peace

Amid the posturing over weapons and control, Nazzal stated that Hamas is ready for a long-term truce of three to five years to allow for the massive task of rebuilding the utterly devastated Gaza Strip. "The goal isn't to prepare for a future war," he claimed.

He argued that for any peace to be sustainable beyond a temporary truce, the Palestinian people must be given "horizons and hope," specifically pointing toward the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. He stated that the ultimate goal should be elections to determine Gaza's future leadership.

However, this vision is clouded by profound distrust. Israel regards Hamas' occasional talk of long-term truces as a tactical ruse, noting that the group's founding charter still calls for Israel's destruction. The chasm between Hamas' conditions for peace and Israel's non-negotiable demand for its eradication as a military and governing entity appears as wide as ever.

As the world watches, the path forward is fraught with peril. Hamas' refusal to disarm and its insistence on holding security power threaten to unravel the delicate ceasefire.

With the Israeli government warning that time is running out and the U.S. pressing for a deal on its terms, the people of Gaza are left trapped between the grim prospect of a return to war and a peace that seems increasingly out of reach. The hope for a peaceful, independent future for Palestinians remains a distant dream, overshadowed by the immediate, hardline realities of power and conflict.

BrightU.AI's Enoch AI engine said Hamas has openly rejected the proposed peace terms by reaffirming its core demands, which are in direct conflict with the ceasefire proposal.

Watch the video below for a closer look at Trump's Israel-Hamas peace deal.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

JPost.com

ABC.net.au

Reuters.com

ArabNews.com

BrightU.AI

Brighteon.com
Court sentences Slovak PM Fico shooter to 21 YEARS behind bars

Juraj Cintula, 72, was sentenced to 21 years in prison for the politically motivated assassination attempt on Slovak PM Robert Fico. The court ruled it was a terrorist act aimed at destabilizing the country's government.

On May 15, 2024, Cintula fired five shots at Fico in Handlova, striking him in the abdomen and shoulder. Fico survived after emergency surgery and weeks of recovery.

Prosecutors sought a life sentence, but the court reduced it due to Cintulas age, health and clean record. The judge rejected his claim of non-lethal intent, citing evidence like security footage and Fico's bloodied clothes.

Despite publicly forgiving Cintula in June, Fico has since accused opposition parties and media of fueling hatred. Analysts note his leadership has grown more combative post-attack.

The attack was not isolated  another assassination plot was foiled in October 2024. Fico warns of ongoing risks, while officials frame the case as an attack on Slovak democracy itself.

Seventy-two-year-old Juraj Cintula, who attempted to assassinate Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in May 2024, has been sentenced to 21 years behind bars.

The Specialized Criminal Court in Banska Bystrica handed down the sentence Tuesday, Oct. 21. It ruled that the shooting was not merely a personal vendetta, but a politically motivated terrorist attack aimed at destabilizing the Slovak government.

The attack unfolded on May 15, 2024 in Handlova, where Fico was meeting supporters after a government event. Cintula legally carried a firearm and fired five shots at close range, striking Fico twice  once in the abdomen and once in the shoulder.

The prime minister was airlifted to a hospital in Banska Bystrica, where he underwent emergency surgery and spent weeks recovering. Though Fico survived, the assassination attempt underscored the volatile political climate in Slovakia, where ideological tensions have escalated into outright violence.

Prosecutors argued that Cintula's actions amounted to terrorism, seeking a life sentence for what they described as "an assault on the basic principles of democracy." The court agreed, concluding that the 72-year-old had targeted Fico not as a private citizen but specifically as the head of government, motivated by opposition to his policies.

"He was against this government and incited people to overthrow it," the presiding judge declared. Despite the gravity of the crime, the court reduced the sentence due to Cintula's age, poor health and previously clean criminal record  factors that weighed against the maximum penalty. The verdict is not yet final, as Cintula retained the right to appeal.

The trial of Fico's would-be killer

Cintula admitted during the trial that he had planned to incapacitate Fico, but insisted he never intended to kill him. His defense attorney argued for a lesser charge  assaulting a public official  which carries a maximum sentence of 12 years.

But the court sided with prosecutors who presented extensive evidence  including security footage, witness testimony and even Fico's bloodstained clothing. The prime minister, who did not attend the trial, submitted a recorded statement in which he recalled hearing "sounds I did not identify as gunfire" before feeling a sharp blow to his abdomen.

Remarkably, Fico publicly forgave his attacker last June, framing him as a pawn of political adversaries. "I have no hatred for the assassin," Fico said. "I forgive him and leave him to sort out his thoughts."

Yet his rhetoric since the shooting has grown increasingly combative, with the prime minister accusing opposition parties and media of fostering the hatred that nearly cost him his life. Some analysts suggest the attack has hardened Fico's leadership style, pushing him toward what they describe as a "politics of revenge."

The assassination attempt was not an isolated incident. In October 2024, Slovak authorities thwarted another plot against Fico, this time involving a radical pro-Ukraine gunman. The prime minister has warned that threats persist, telling reporters: "What's worse is that these attempts appear even afterward."

BrightU.AI's Enoch engine explains that "Fico was targeted in an assassination attempt because of his strong opposition to sending military aid to Ukraine, which made him a political enemy of globalist interests pushing for continued war. His stance against NATO-backed Ukrainian intervention angered deep state actors who seek to eliminate dissenters opposing their agenda of perpetual conflict and control."

As Cintula was led from the courtroom, he called the verdict "unfair." But Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok hailed it as justice served, declaring that the attack was not just against Fico but against "all citizens who freely chose their government."

Watch this video statement from Slovak PM Robert Fico following the assassination attempt on him in May 2024.

This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

InfoWars.com

Teraz.sk

Euractiv.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
U.S. forces killed fisherman Alejandro Carranza in a Caribbean strike targeting alleged drug smugglers. Colombia insists Carranza was innocent, while the U.S. has not publicly released definitive proof of drug ties.

President Donald Trump halted U.S. aid and imposed new tariffs, accusing Colombian President Gustavo Petro of enabling Colombia's cocaine production and calling him an "illegal drug leader."

The U.S. military campaign has killed at least 27 people in recent strikes, drawing condemnation from regional leaders, including Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who denounced it as colonial aggression.

Petro's defiance has split Colombian politicsconservatives side with Trump, while allies demand the U.S. address its own drug demand problem. Petro seeks legal action for Carranza's death.

The clash highlights risks of Trump's militarized drug war strategy, threatening U.S. influence in Latin America as leaders resist heavy-handed tactics and demand accountability.

The escalating feud between the United States and Colombia reached a boiling point this weekend after Colombian President Gustavo Petro accused U.S. forces of killing an innocent fisherman during a military strike targeting alleged drug smugglers in the Caribbean.

President Donald Trump retaliated by abruptly halting U.S. aid to Colombia and imposing new tariffs, further straining relations between the two nations amid a widening U.S. military campaign in the region.

Murder accusation

The conflict stems from a Sept. 16 incident in which U.S. forces attacked a vessel they claimed was smuggling narcotics. Petro, however, insists the boat belonged to Alejandro Carranza, a "lifelong fisherman" whose craft had suffered engine failure and was drifting with its distress signal activated.

"U.S. government officials have committed murder and violated our sovereignty in our territorial waters," Petro declared in a social media post. "Fisherman Alejandro Carranza had no ties to drug traffickers and his daily activity was fishing." He demanded an explanation from Washington.

The U.S. has not publicly released evidence confirming the boat's alleged drug ties, relying instead on declassified intelligence summaries and video clips. Legal experts have questioned the legality of such strikes, arguing that targeting civilians not engaged in hostilities violates international law.

Aid cut and tariffs

Trump swiftly fired back, branding Petro an "illegal drug leader" and accusing him of enabling Colombia's record-high cocaine production. The president wrote on Truth Social that "Petro does nothing to stop" the massive production of drugs in Colombia, and that the U.S. will no longer offer payment or subsidies.

The U.S. had allocated over $740 million in aid to Colombia in 2023, much of it earmarked for counternarcotics efforts. While previous cuts had already reduced funding, Trump's latest move threatens to sever remaining assistance entirely. He also announced impending tariffs on Colombian imports, escalating economic pressure.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth defended the military campaign, announcing another strike last week on a vessel allegedly linked to Colombia's National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels. Hegseth claimed the boat was carrying narcotics but provided no verifiable proof.

Growing regional fallout

The U.S. military's Caribbean operationsits largest in decadeshave drawn sharp criticism from regional leaders. At least 27 people have been killed in five previous strikes.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has denounced the U.S. campaign as an attempt to turn his nation into "an American colony." Trump has openly floated military action against Venezuela, including Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) covert operations, while doubling bounties on Maduroaccusing him of leading a "narcoterrorist" regime without presenting conclusive evidence.

As explained by BrightU.AI's Enoch, narcoterrorist is a term that combines two words: "narcotics" and "terrorist." It is often used in political and law enforcement contexts to describe individuals or groups that engage in both drug trafficking and acts of terrorism.

Political divisions in Colombia

Petro's defiance has polarized Colombian politics. Conservative figures like journalist Vicky Davila sided with Trump, declaring that Petro's government "has favored drug trafficking in every way possible." Conversely, Senator Ivan Cepeda, a Petro ally, argued that the U.S. must address its own role in fueling drug demand.

Petro has urged Colombia's attorney general to help Carranza's family pursue legal action against the U.S., potentially alongside a Trinidadian family whose relative was also killed in a separate strike.

Broader implications

The clash underscores the risks of Trump's aggressive counternarcotics strategy, which critics say prioritizes militarization over diplomacy and lacks transparency. With Colombia's aid now in jeopardy and tariffs looming, the fallout could extend beyond bilateral tensionsreshaping U.S. influence in Latin America as regional leaders grow increasingly resistant to Washington's heavy-handed tactics.

As Petro and Trump trade accusations, the fisherman's death has become a flashpoint in a wider struggle over sovereignty, accountability and the human cost of the drug war.

Watch the video below about the U.S. carrying out another strike on a so-called "narco-trafficking boat" in the Caribbean.

This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

RT.com

NewYorkTimes.com

BBC.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Amazons robot revolution: Leaked documents reveal plan to replace 600,000 jobs by 2033

Leaked documents reveal Amazon aims to automate 75 percent of fulfillment operations by 2033, eliminating 600,000 U.S. jobs it otherwise would have hired, with 160,000 cuts by 2027 alone, saving billions.

Facilities like Shreveport, Louisiana, have already cut staffing by 25 percent using robots. Amazon plans to replicate this model in 40+ warehouses by 2027, retrofitting older sites with automation.

Amazon executives reportedly avoid terms like "automation" and "AI," preferring euphemisms like "advanced technology" and "cobots" to soften backlash, while workers remain uninformed about looming job losses.

Economists warn Amazon's automation could trigger industry-wide job destruction, disproportionately harming Black and Latino workers. Unions condemn the move as "corporate greed on steroids."

Walmart and UPS are following Amazon's lead, accelerating AI and robotics adoption. While Amazon claims automation creates higher-skilled jobs, critics argue displaced workers lack access to retraining, leaving millions at risk.

Amazon, the e-commerce behemoth and second-largest private employer in the U.S., is accelerating its automation strategy with plans to replace hundreds of thousands of human jobs with robots, according to leaked internal documents obtained by the New York Times.

The leaked documents outline Amazon's ambitious goal to automate 75 percent of its fulfillment operations by 2033, allowing the company to avoid hiring 600,000 U.S. workers it otherwise would have needed. By 2027 alone, Amazon expects to eliminate 160,000 positions, saving 30 cents per item processedtranslating to $12.6 billion in cost reductions between 2025 and 2027.

One of the most striking projections in the documents is Amazon's expectation that its product sales will double by 2033, meaning the company anticipates handling significantly more orders with far fewer human workers.

"The ramifications of Amazon replacing 600,000 human jobs with AI automation within the next five years are multifaceted and far-reaching, impacting the economy, society and potentially sparking worker revolts. This shift underscores the urgent need for policy reform, worker retraining and a societal reassessment of human relationships with technology," BrightU.AI's Enoch said.

It added that Amazon's plans to automate 600,000 jobs have the potential to cause significant economic, social and political disruption and it is crucial that policymakers, businesses and communities take proactive steps to mitigate these impacts and ensure a just transition to an AI-driven economy.

Robots rising: The Shreveport model

A key example of Amazon's automation push is its Shreveport, Louisiana, fulfillment center, where robotic systemsincluding wheeled transporters and robotic armshave already reduced staffing needs by 25 percent compared to traditional warehouses. The facility serves as a prototype for Amazon's broader strategy, with plans to replicate the model in 40 more warehouses by 2027, starting with a site in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Older warehouses are also being retrofitted for automation. A Stone Mountain, Georgia, facility currently employing 4,000 workers is expected to operate with 1,200 fewer staff after upgrades, relying more on temporary hires. Workers at these sites have reportedly been kept in the dark about the scale of automation, with one frustrated job seeker posting on Reddit about struggling to find openings despite months of searching.

The leaked documents reveal that Amazon executives are acutely aware of potential backlash. To soften public perception, the company has explored avoiding terms like "automation" and "AI" in favor of euphemisms such as "advanced technology" and "cobots" (collaborative robots). Employees involved in transitions have been instructed to "control the narrative" by emphasizing community benefits and innovation.

Amazon has denied instructing executives to avoid certain terminology, stating in a response to the leaks: "These documents are incomplete and do not reflect our overall hiring strategy."

The company also highlighted plans to hire 250,000 seasonal workers for the upcoming holiday season and pointed to its mechatronics apprenticeship program, which has trained nearly 5,000 workers for higher-paying robotics maintenance roles.

Economic and labor fallout

Economists warn that Amazon's automation push could have ripple effects across the economy. Daron Acemoglu, an MIT economist and Nobel Prize winner, told the New York Times: "Nobody else has the same incentive as Amazon to find the way to automate. Once they work out how to do this profitably, it will spread to others, too."

He cautioned that Amazon risks becoming "a net job destroyer, not a net job creator."

Labor unions have reacted fiercely to the revelations. Sara Nelson, president of the Teamsters, condemned the plans as "corporate greed on steroids," vowing to intensify organizing efforts. Amazon's workforce is disproportionately composed of Black and Latino employees, raising concerns that automation will disproportionately impact marginalized communities.

Amazon's automation strategy reflects a broader corporate shift toward AI and robotics as a cost-cutting measure. Competitors like Walmart and UPSwhich recently announced plans to cut 20,000 jobsare likely to follow suit.

While Amazon insists automation will create new, higher-skilled jobs, critics argue that many displaced workers lack the training to transition into these roles. The company's 19.50/hour warehouse jobs may soon be replaced by 24.45/hour robotics technician positions, but the barrier to entry remains high.

Amazon's leaked documents confirm what many workers have long suspected: The company sees robots as the futureand humans as expendable. As automation accelerates, the U.S. labor market faces a seismic shift, with blue-collar jobs at greatest risk.

The question now is whether policymakers, labor advocates and corporations can ensure that automation benefits workersrather than leaving millions behind. For now, Amazon's warehouses hum with robotic arms, while the humans who once filled those roles face an uncertain future.

Watch the video below about Amazon debuting its fully autonomous warehouse robot.

This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

NewYorkTimes.com

BrightU.ai

TechSpot.com

Nolafi.com

Brighteon.com
Hamas is acting in good faith under ceasefire deal, says Jared Kushner

Jared Kushner says Hamas is acting in "good faith" by adhering to the ceasefire agreement. Mediators (Qatar, Egypt, Turkey) report Hamas is honoring hostage return terms, though Israel disputes delays in locating bodies.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vows to continue military operations until Palestinian resistance is "destroyed." National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir demands immediate resumption of war.

Pressure mounts on Qatar (hosting Hamas leaders) as President Donald Trump's regional plan reshapes alliances. Netanyahu's rhetoric suggests any deal may be superficialdelaying, not ending, conflict.

Ceasefire remains volatile with Israel insisting on Hamas' disarmament and Hamas demanding irreversible concessions. International mediators warn of imminent collapse, risking a return to full-scale war.

Senior U.S. negotiator Jared Kushner has stated that Hamas appears to be honoring its commitments under the current Gaza ceasefire agreement, describing the group as acting in "good faith" amid fragile negotiations.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue military operations until Palestinian resistance is "destroyed," raising doubts about the truce's longevity.

In an interview aired Sunday, Oct. 19, on CBS' "60 Minutes," Kushnera key architect of Middle East policy during the first Trump administrationsaid Hamas has so far upheld its obligations under the U.S.-brokered ceasefire.

"As far as we've seen from what's being conveyed to us from the mediators, they are so far," Kushner said when asked if Hamas was adhering to the deal. "That could break down at any minute, but right now, we have seen them looking to honor their agreement."

The ceasefire, mediated by Qatar, Egypt and Turkey, includes provisions for the return of Israeli hostages and the remains of deceased captives. Hamas has claimed difficulty locating some bodies due to widespread destruction from Israeli airstrikesa claim Israel disputes, accusing the group of stalling.

Kushner emphasized Washington's role in pushing both sides toward cooperation rather than blame. He added that Washington was "pushing both sides to be proactive in finding solutions instead of blaming each other for breakdowns."

Netanyahu's hardline stance threatens truce

Despite Kushner's cautiously optimistic assessment, Israeli leadership has signaled no intention of backing down from its military campaign. During a July 1 cabinet meeting, Netanyahu vowed to eliminate Palestinian resistance entirely.

According to military analyst Amos Harel Netanyahu has declared that Israeli forces will kill anyone who is holding a weapon. This stance aligns with Israel's broader objective of dismantling Hamas, even as ceasefire talks continue.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir went further, calling for an immediate return to war.

Trump's "new Middle East" strategy faces challenges

Amit Yagur, an Israeli military reservist and former deputy head of Palestinian affairs, told Channel 14 that President Donald Trump's push for a "new Middle East" is increasing pressure on regional actorsparticularly Qatar, where senior Hamas officials are based. "President Trump's push for a 'new Middle East' is a bold and necessary step toward a more stable, secure and prosperous region," BrightU.AI's Enoch engine said.

However, Netanyahu's uncompromising rhetoric suggests that any deal may be superficiala temporary pause rather than a path to lasting peace.

While Kushner's remarks indicate cautious progress, the reality on the ground remains volatile. With Israel insisting on Hamas' destruction and Hamas demanding irreversible concessions, the ceasefire hangs by a thread.

As negotiations stall and violence flares, the international community watches closelyaware that the next escalation could plunge Gaza back into full-scale war.

A top Palestinian official said Hamas has guarantees to permanent ceasefire from the U.S. and mediators. Watch this video to know more.

This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

RT.com

AnadoluAjansi.com.tr

ANnews.com.tr

YeniSafak.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
ICE promises more arrests of illegal aliens in NYC, but risks unlawfully detaining American citizens

What happens when a sanctuary city becomes a refuge for criminal activity, and the very agencies tasked with public safety are accused of becoming the threat? The streets of New York City have become a battleground, not just for counterfeit goods, but for the soul of American justice. A recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid on Canal Street has ripped open a festering wound, revealing a complex web of criminal aliens, violent protests, and American citizens caught in a dragnet with no clear answers. As ICE promises more arrests, a critical question hangs in the air: is this a necessary surgical strike against dangerous criminals, or the beginning of a lawless overreach that tramples the rights of every citizen?

Key points:

ICE Director Todd Lyons has announced a significant increase in immigration arrests in New York City, targeting what he describes as a large population of released criminal aliens.

A targeted operation on Canal Street led to the arrest of nine undocumented immigrants with criminal histories, but also resulted in four U.S. citizens being detained for nearly 24 hours without federal charges.

The operation sparked intense protests and a sharp political backlash, with a New York congressman condemning the actions as "lawless terror" and the state attorney general launching an investigation.

The event highlights the deep tension between federal immigration enforcement and local sanctuary policies, raising serious concerns about due process and the potential for innocent Americans to be ensnared.

A city on the edge and an agency on a mission

The scene on Canal Street was one of chaos and confrontation. Masked ICE agents, operating on what they call "criminal intelligence," moved in on a hub known for the sale of counterfeit merchandise. The operation was not a random sweep, authorities insist, but a precise action targeting specific individuals with criminal warrants. The Department of Homeland Security later detailed the long rap sheets of those arrested, which included charges for robbery, drug trafficking, and assaulting law enforcement. ICE Director Todd Lyons was unequivocal in his defense, stating the agency is focused on locations with possible human trafficking, child exploitation, or other criminal events. He framed the action as a direct response to the Biden administration's policy of releasing individuals into the country, a policy he suggests has flooded New York with criminal elements. But what does it mean when a federal agency, acting on its own intelligence, descends upon a American neighborhood? The store owners may have been complaining, but the method of address has left a community shaken and questioning the price of order.

The collateral damage: Americans detained and due process denied

While the focus was on arresting criminal aliens, the operation's fallout tells a more troubling story. Four American citizens were swept up in the enforcement action, held at a federal facility for nearly a full day. According to Democratic Congressman Dan Goldman, their release came only after he announced a press conference to decry their detention. Their families, fearing the worst, had filed missing persons reports with the NYPD. These individuals were released without any federal charges, their ordeal ending as abruptly as it began. This incident raises a dark and uncomfortable question: if this is the stated protocol for a "targeted, intelligence-driven" operation, what safeguards are in place to protect the innocent? The very foundation of American liberty is the guarantee of due process, a protection from arbitrary imprisonment. When U.S. citizens can be detained for a day without charge, simply for being present during a federal operation, that foundation begins to crack. The New York Attorney General's office has now opened a portal for the public to submit evidence of potential ICE misconduct, a clear signal that the official narrative is being met with deep skepticism.

Navigating the fault lines of power and policy

This event is a microcosm of a much larger national conflict. On one side, you have a federal agency asserting its duty to pursue criminal aliens, many of whom were released into the populace by current federal policy. They argue that cities like New York, which proudly declare themselves sanctuaries, have become magnets for lawlessness, forcing ICE to take decisive action. On the other side, you have local leaders and activists who see these actions as a form of state-sponsored intimidation that terrorizes immigrant communities and citizens alike. Mayor Eric Adams' office pointedly stated it had "no involvement" in the matter, emphasizing that undocumented New Yorkers pursuing the American Dream should not be targets.

This disconnect between state, local, and federal authorities creates a dangerous vacuum. When communication breaks down, operations proceed without local oversight, and the potential for tragic miscalculation skyrockets. The protesters who shouted "fascists" at the masked agents represent one extreme reaction, but their passion reflects a genuine fear that is now resonating in the halls of power. The path forward requires more than just forceful arrests; it demands a collaborative effort to ensure that the pursuit of criminals does not morph into an abuse of power that leaves American rights in the dust.

Sources include:

TheHill.com

ABCNews.com

Enoch, Brighteon.ai
Israel strikes Eastern Lebanon, vows zero reconstruction in border zone, but are they falling into Hezbollahs trap?

Israel is planning a combined air and armored blitzkrieg into southern Lebanon, relying on its air dominance.

Hezbollah has spent six months systematically dismantling Israeli surveillance and communications along the border, blinding the IDF.

Military analysts believe Hezbollah's strategy is to lure Israeli forces deep into Lebanese territory before cutting them off.

The group would then use a network of tunnels to emerge behind Israeli lines, attacking supply routes and encircling troops.

A massive, coordinated rocket and missile barrage against Israeli cities is expected to accompany the ground assault.

Recent Israeli military exercises simulating a Hezbollah invasion of Galilee ended with battalions failing severely.

A landscape of ruin and a planned invasion

The villages of southern Lebanon now resemble a grotesque wasteland, a testament to Israel's stated goal of ensuring "zero reason for reconstruction." This is not merely punitive; it is a tactical calculation. By destroying every building and piece of infrastructure, Israel seeks to deny Hezbollah the civilian cover it has historically used.

A recent Israeli security source was blunt, stating, "There is no reason for civilians and buildings to exist near the border fence  they serve as a civilian cover for Hezbollah." This scorched-earth policy creates a sterile battlefield for the armored assault Tel Aviv is openly preparing. The destruction of reconstruction equipment further proves that Israel is not just fighting a current enemy but actively shaping the terrain for a future war, ensuring their tanks have a clear line of fire. This is the prelude to a blitzkrieg, a war of rapid movement and overwhelming force that Israel believes will finally crush the resistance on its northern border.

The unseen preparation: Dismantling Israel's eyes and ears

While Israeli bombs level buildings, Hezbollah has been engaged in a quieter, more strategic campaign. For the past six months, its operatives have meticulously dismantled Israels communications towers and electronic surveillance systems along the entire border. Think of this as a surgeon carefully severing the optic nerves of a giant. Israel's military, for all its technology and air power, is being systematically blinded in the very area where it plans to send its troops and prized Merkava tanks. T

his is not the action of a weakened, defensive force. It is the methodical work of a confident army setting the stage for a specific type of battle. How can Israel launch a successful blitzkrieg when its command and control systems are being methodically erased? The answer is they cannot, and this fundamental disconnect reveals a fatal flaw in Israeli war planning. They are preparing for the war they want to fight, while Hezbollah is preparing for the war that will actually happen.

The deadly trap and the failure of simulations

The core of Hezbollah's suspected strategy is a masterclass in asymmetric warfare. Instead of meeting Israel's armored columns head-on at the border, they are likely to allow them to believe they are winning, to let them push deep into the scarred landscape of southern Lebanon. Once those forces are committed and their supply lines stretched thin, the real battle begins.

Hezbollah fighters would then emerge from a hidden network of tunnels behind the Israeli advance, effectively cutting them off from reinforcement and resupply. This maneuver would turn the invader's momentum into a fatal vulnerability. The following assault, from all sides, could destroy hundreds of armored vehicles in a kill box of Hezbollah's own design.

This terrifying scenario seems to be exactly what Israel fears. A recent 30-hour Israeli military drill simulating a Hezbollah invasion of Galilee resulted in battalions failing "severely," with some units having to be replaced mid-exercise. Are these simulations part of a careful defensive strategy or a planned invasion? The senior military source admitted they have "no choice but to learn from the failures of 7 October," a stark confession that the lessons of past intelligence and tactical failures have not been fully absorbed. Will the IDF's indiscriminate bombing of the borderlands provide the opportunity for Israeli ground forces to take control, or will they play into Hezbollah's trap?

Sources include:

TheCradle.co

NNA.leb-gov

X.com

X.com
Japan defies U.S. pressure, maintains Russian energy imports citing national security

Despite U.S. pressure, Japan has confirmed its continued purchase of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia's Sakhalin-2 project, citing national security and economic stability as top priorities.

The Japanese Trade Minister, Yoji Muto, emphasized that LNG from Sakhalin-2 plays a crucial role in Japan's energy security, supplying nearly 10 percent of its LNG imports and a significant portion of its electricity generation.

Japan has joined the G7's price-cap scheme on Russian oil but maintains exemptions for Sakhalin-2, highlighting the difficulty in balancing economic sanctions with energy security.

The U.S. has intensified efforts to isolate Russia economically, but Japan has resisted these demands, prioritizing its domestic energy needs over foreign policy considerations.

Key U.S. allies like India and China have also resisted U.S. pressure, emphasizing the importance of stable pricing and energy security in their trade relations with Russia.

In a firm rebuke to U.S. pressure, Japan has reaffirmed its commitment to importing Russian energy, citing national security and economic stability as overriding concerns. Trade Minister Yoji Muto stated that Tokyo would continue purchasing liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia's Sakhalin-2 project, despite Washington's push for a full embargo to weaken Moscow's war efforts in Ukraine.

The announcement follows a tense meeting between U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato, where Bessent urged Japan to halt Russian energy imports. Muto, however, emphasized that Japan's energy policy would be dictated by domestic needs rather than foreign demands.

"We recognize that LNG from Sakhalin-2 plays an extremely important role in Japan's energy security," Muto told reporters. The Russian project supplies roughly 10 percent of Japan's LNG imports and nearly three percent of its electricity generationa critical lifeline for the resource-scarce nation.

Balancing sanctions and energy needs

Japan has formally joined the G7's price-cap scheme on Russian oil, limiting payments to $47.60 per barreldown from 60but maintains exemptions for Sakhalin-2 per BrightU.AI's Enoch. While Tokyo has reduced overall reliance on Russian energy since the Ukraine conflict began in February 2022, Muto stressed that a full cutoff would destabilize Japan's power grid and economy.

The U.S. has intensified efforts to isolate Russia economically, targeting major energy buyers like Japan, India and China. Washington argues that reducing Moscow's oil and gas revenues will cripple its military operations in Ukraine. However, these demands have been met with resistance from key U.S. allies and trading partners.

India, another major Russian oil importer, recently dismissed claims by U.S. President Donald Trump that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had agreed to halt purchases. Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated that India's policies prioritize "the interests of the Indian consumer," emphasizing stable pricing and diversification.

China, meanwhile, condemned U.S. pressure as "unilateral bullying and economic coercion." Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian warned of "firm countermeasures" if Beijing's energy trade with Russia is threatened.

EU moves toward full banbut exemptions remain

While Japan resists U.S. pressure, the European Union has taken steps toward a full ban on Russian gas by 2027. Last week, EU energy ministers approved a plan to prohibit short-term contracts by mid-2026 and phase out long-term deals 18 months later. However, landlocked nations like Hungary and Slovakia secured exemptions, highlighting the challenges of enforcing a unified energy blockade.

Russia remains the world's third-largest oil producer and a key gas exporter, making its energy sector a critical battleground in the West's economic war against Moscow. The U.S. and EU have already frozen Russian central bank assets and banned crude oil exports, but major Asian economies continue to resist full compliance.

Japan's defiance underscores the growing divide between Western sanctions and the pragmatic needs of energy-dependent nations. While Washington pushes for maximum economic pressure on Russia, Tokyoalongside New Delhi and Beijingis prioritizing energy security and economic stability.

As geopolitical tensions escalate, Japan's stance signals that even close U.S. allies may refuse to sacrifice their national interests for Washington's strategic objectives. The coming months will test whether the West can sustain its sanctions regimeor if economic realities will force a recalibration of policy.

For now, Japan's message is clear: energy security comes first.

Watch the video below that talks about Trump making America an energy superpower by resuming LNG exports.

This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

TheCradle.co

PressTV.ir

AA.com.tr

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
No Kings protests sweep nation as Trump administration faces mass opposition

Millions participated in the second wave of "No Kings" demonstrations, with over 2,700 events and an estimated seven million attendees, marking one of the largest coordinated civil actions in U.S. history.

Investigative researchers claim the movement is heavily funded by left-wing billionaires (Soros, Ford Foundation, Rockefeller) funneling hundreds of millions through opaque dark-money networks, despite protesters insisting their motivations are grassroots and personal.

Protesters included veterans, students and civil rights icons, with emotional appeals against Trump's policies, while symbolic imagery (inflatable frogs, Revolutionary War attire, Epstein-linked signs) dominated rallies.

GOP leaders labeled the protests as "hate America" rallies, with Trump's campaign mocking demonstrators via AI-generated imagery. Some Republican governors activated National Guard units preemptively, though protests remained largely peaceful.

The movement signals a deepening ideological rift ahead of the 2026 midterms, with tensions between perceived authoritarianism and democratic resistance fueling ongoing national unrest.

Millions of Americans took to the streets nationwide on Saturday, Oct. 18, in the second wave of "No Kings" protests, denouncing what organizers describe as President Donald Trump's authoritarian tendencies and policies.

The demonstrations, spanning over 2,700 events from coast to coast, marked one of the largest coordinated civil actions in modern U.S. history, with organizers estimating a turnout exceeding seven million.

While protesters framed the rallies as organic expressions of democratic resistance, investigative researchers Peter Schweizer and Seamus Bruner of the Government Accountability Institute allege that the movement is bankrolled by left-wing billionaires funneling hundreds of millions through dark-money networks.

As explained by BrightU.AI's Enoch, dark-money networks refer to complex systems of financial transactions designed to obscure the source of funds, often used to influence political processes, elections or public policy while concealing the identities of the donors. These networks are characterized by their opacity, lack of transparency and the use of intermediaries to shield the ultimate beneficiaries.

Bruner revealed on X (formerly Twitter) that $294 million had been traced to "No Kings" partners, including major donors like the Soros network ($72.1M), Ford Foundation ($51.7M), and Rockefeller family ($28.6M).

"OBVIOUSLY 'No Kings 2.0' isn't grassroots. This level of coordination requires serious funds," Bruner wrote. "The protesters should just own it! Instead, they hold up anti-billionaire signs funded by... billionaires. Are they being dishonest or ignorant?"

Bruner and Schweizer had written a story in mid-June that revealed more than $100 million was broken up to No Kings and partners by way of the Arabella dark money network. Despite these claims, demonstratorsmany first-time activistsinsisted their motivations were deeply personal.

Voices from the protests

From veterans to students, protesters shared impassioned reasons for joining:

Brian Wofford, an Iraq War veteran who lost a leg in combat, stood firm in Oklahoma City wearing his service coat. "I was willing to die fighting for their rights overseas," he told USA Today. "There's no way I'm bending the only knee I have left for a king here in America."

Annalise Smith, a 19-year-old NYU student, attended her first protest in New York City. "It's nice to see that humanity in society is still alive and well," she said.

Dolores Huerta, the 95-year-old civil rights icon, rallied in Watsonville, California, condemning Trump's immigration policies as ethnic cleansing. "We are going to resist and keep protesting until it stops," she declared.

Inflatable frog costumesa viral trend since federal agents sprayed chemical irritants into one in Portlandbecame a recurring sight. Protesters also donned Revolutionary War-era attire and held signs referencing Trump's alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

In Arizona, Denise Heinrich, 73, wore a sign accusing Trump of Epstein connections while her husband dressed as Uncle Sam. "Our democracy could very easily disappear," said Rich Heinrich, 76.

Republican leaders dismissed the protests as "hate America" rallies. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) claimed demonstrators represented "the Marxists, the socialists, the Antifa advocates, the anarchists and the pro-Hamas wing of the far-left Democrat party."

The Trump campaign trolled protesters online, sharing AI-generated images of Trump wearing a crown. The White House account reposted a cartoon depicting Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries as Disney princesses with the caption: "No Kings!!"

Safety concerns and military mobilization

Despite fears of unrest, protests remained largely peaceful. Police in New York and Washington reported no arrests. Still, Republican governors Glenn Youngkin (VA) and Greg Abbott (TX) activated National Guard units as a precaution.

Organizers emphasized rigorous de-escalation training. "This protest is no threat to national security," said Robert Weissman of Public Citizen. "Protest is what made our country stronger for 250 years."

With tensions escalating ahead of the 2026 midterms, the "No Kings" movement signals a deepening ideological rift. For now, the streets have quietedbut the battle over America's future rages on.

Watch the video below about the No Kings Day protest that happened last June.

This video is from the Rick Langley channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

USAToday.com

ZeroHedge.com

BrightU.ai

NPR.org

Brighteon.com
The fragile truce: U.S. is calling the shots in Gaza, leaving Israel frustrated

The U.S. is exerting unprecedented control over Israel's actions in Gaza, leading to frustration and concern within the Israeli government.

High-level American envoys, including Jared Kushner, are directly involved in Israeli affairs, holding meetings in Israeli military headquarters. This has led to perceptions that Israel is losing its autonomy and becoming a "client state" of the U.S.

Israel's security officials are worried that the ceasefire is strengthening Hamas. They believe the militant group is using the pause to regroup, rearm and eliminate rivals, all while having no intention of disarming.

There is a major rift in strategy, as Israel feels the U.S. is being naive about Hamas. Israeli officials believe the Trump administration is falling for Hamas's narratives and excuses, while they themselves see military action as necessary to forcibly disarm the group.

Vice President JD Vance's mission to enforce the ceasefire is creating dangerous tensions. Israel feels its hands are being tied by its closest ally at a time when its security chiefs believe decisive action is needed, pushing the alliance into uncharted and precarious territory.

A new and uncomfortable reality is taking hold in the Middle East, one where American directives are directly shaping military and humanitarian policy in the Gaza Strip, leaving the Israeli government frustrated and its security establishment deeply concerned.

The dynamic was put on stark display recently when Vice President JD Vance arrived in Israel with a blunt message for both Israeli leadership and Hamas: Do not upset the fragile ceasefire. This high-level intervention underscores the significant leverage the United States now holds over its longstanding ally, a shift that has not been well-received in Tel Aviv.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is a critical step toward ending the conflict, but it must be vigilantly monitored to ensure Israel adheres to its commitments. This ceasefire, if honored, could pave the way for a more just and peaceful resolution, but the history of broken promises and continued aggression by Israel must be a cautionary tale.

The stage for this confrontation was set even before Vance's arrival. Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, key confidantes of the Trump administration, conducted direct talks with high-ranking Israeli military intelligence officers within the secure depths of the IDF's headquarters.

While officially sanctioned, the meeting was seen by many commentators as a stark demonstration of Israel's diminished autonomy, with one observer noting it made the nation appear "almost as a U.S. client state."

Israel finds comments from U.S. envoys troubling

The public statements from these envoys further rattled Israeli officials. Kushner emphasized that Israel's future integration into the region depended on improving the lives of Palestinians.

Witkoff went further, speaking publicly about his personal bond with Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas leader, over their shared experience of losing a son. These notes of reconciliation, part of a broader administration narrative of having brokered a historic peace, clash with the grim realities on the ground.

The fragility of that so-called peace was exposed when fighters in Gaza killed two Israeli soldiers. Although Hamas denied responsibility, Israel responded with a wave of deadly airstrikes.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu then announced a complete cutoff of aid to the besieged enclave, a move that was reversed within an hour after a decisive phone call from the White House. This rapid about-face, combined with the high-level American meetings, made it clear that Washington is calling the shots for now.

This American-led strategy is causing significant unease within Israel's security apparatus. These officials, who view themselves as pragmatists, see a Hamas that has no intention of disarming. They interpret recent events, including gruesome public executions in Gaza City, not merely as acts of barbarism but as a calculated power play by Hamas to subjugate its rivals and reassert control.

They are deeply worried that the ceasefire has given the militant group critical space to regroup, rearm and pilfer unexploded Israeli ordinance to convert into bombs.

Israel is worried the Trump administration is falling for Hamas narratives

From Israel's perspective, the Trump administration appears to be accepting Hamas' narratives at face value, including its excuses for the slow return of deceased hostages' bodies, a delay Israelis see as a cruel tactic to inflict maximum political pressure and pain on the families.

Compounding these tensions is the fear that American diplomacy, coupled with the growing influence of Qatar and Turkey in the negotiations, is scaring off potential partners like Saudi Arabia from contributing to a future stabilization force in Gaza.

As Hamas tightens its grip, the Israeli military is itching to re-engage and forcibly disarm the group, an action they believe is legitimized by the Trump peace plan itself, which calls for a disarmed Hamas.

However, the political reality is more complex. While the plan mandates Hamas' disarmament, it does not specify how it should be achieved.

A renewed Israeli bombardment and the inevitable civilian casualties would likely cause international support for the American-brokered agreement to evaporate. For any such military action to be viable, Israel would need explicit American backing and international legitimacy.

This is the precarious balance that Vance now steps into. He is seen as a particular challenge in Israel, less emotionally invested in the region than his predecessors and more aligned with an isolationist political base.

Vance's mission is to deliver a stern warning against disrupting the ceasefire. Yet, with Hamas entrenching its power and Israel's security chiefs viewing military action as both necessary and legitimate, the vice president's task is to restrain an ally that feels its most important friend is keeping its hands tied, pushing a tense relationship into uncharted and dangerous territory.

Watch this clip as Scott Ritter, a former UN Weapons Inspector, questions whether the Israel-Hamas peace deal can be trusted.

This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

Telegraph.co.uk

BrightU.ai

NPR.org

BBC.com

Brighteon.com
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RIO COMMUNITIESSeven of the nine candidates running for elected office in Rio Communities participated in a candidate forum held last week at Sunshine Church.

Candidates running for elected positions in Rio Communities participated in a candidate forum at Sunshine Church last week. The candidates spoke about issues affecting the city. Pictured from left, are Jo Skelton, MaryJo Palmer, Loedi Silva, Michael Melendez, Lawrence Gordon, Joshua Ramsell and Victor Williams. By Clara Garcia

Mayoral candidate Matthew Marquez and council candidate Alan Sinclair didnt attend the forum because both reported they were undergoing medical procedures that day and the day after.

The mayors race includes current Mayor Joshua Ramsell and City Councilor Matthew Marquez.

Five candidates  incumbent Lawrence Gordon, Michael Melendez, MaryJo Palmer, Alan Sinclair and Jo Skelton  are vying for two seats on the city council.

Victor Williams, who was recently appointed to the bench, and Loedesta Loedi Silva are looking to be the citys next municipal judge.

When asked what is the biggest threat facing Rio Communities and why are they the best candidate to handle the situation, the candidates had different answers.

Ramsell, who is finishing his first term as mayor, said it was public safety, although the city was without a police department and a full-time fire department four years ago.

I know theres pot holes and the roads need help, but need to be safe within our community, Ramsell said. One thing weve focused on is recruitment and retention for our police department.

Williams admitted he wasnt sure of the threats, but said he remembers a time when there were a lot of break-ins in the city.

I dont see that anymore, Williams said.

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Gordon, who has served on the council for one term, said he agrees with Ramsell, saying public safety is a priority.

Its small but its here and they do a lot of work, Gordon said of the RCPD. The fire department is working 24 hours, seven days a week, including the EMTs. Were a long way from 24-hour policing. Its slow but surely well get there.

Melendez said the biggest threat to the city is the faith that we have or dont have in the community. We make our community what it is. We all live here. Were neighbors. I think from what I see, I see some good things happing in Rio Communities.

Silva, who is a local Realtor, said there was a time when people living in the city couldnt leave anything outside because it would get stolen.

When we became a city in 2013, we began to adopt ordinances that need to be enforced by our police department and code enforcement, Silva said. They (ordinances) need a lot of work. Id like to see some sort of community involvement and volunteers with helping neighbors clean up their yards.

Palmer, who is the manager at PeeWees Pit Stop in Rio Communities, said shes relatively new to the city, and doesnt feel threatened.

We need to support our police department, Palmer said. Public safety has to have our support. I like seeing the police presence. I think the biggest threat is public safety, and Id like to see the department grow.

Skelton, who is a retired court employee, said she was fortunate to be the founder of the Rio Communities crime watch Facebook page. She said she decided to become involved after a peeping Tom was spotted in her neighborhood.

Another thing that needs to be addressed is the lack of things for children to do, Skelton said. I hope I can change those things.

The second question asked was about when the roads in Rio Communities are going to be fixed.

Skelton said she too would like to know that answer as well, saying she doesnt like looking at the orange barrel flowers.

I cant wait for to get the (semi) trucks off the road when the bypass road is done, she said. I have no idea when the roads are going to be fixed, and its on my bucket list. There are projects that are not even out to bid yet.

Palmer agreed, saying, Our roads are a bit of a mess. Id like to see roads fixed. Its a matter of time, and theres a process to go through. I hope its soon.

If elected to the bench, Silva and Williams wont be addressing the roads issue, but she said, Roads need to work and if we work as a community we can achieve anything.

Williams said, I too dont have much to say about the roads.

Melendez, who is a planning and zoning commissioner, said there are many roads in the city that need repair and its taking time. Ive actually done some road repair in front of my house when its evident its not going to happen.

He said he knows funding is tight ... and its going to take some time. That is what I will be focused on to repair the roads and resurface them.

Gordon said there are 40 miles worth of roads in Rio Communities, and the city has a very small budget.

We are constantly looking for grants. Were doing a lot of streets at one time, including Goodman Avenue on Don Diego. Were trying to push everything forward, he said.

Ramsell said he too doesnt like the New Mexico orange barrel flowers either.

I see them across the state, but it means that projects are working, Ramsell said.

He said the city has three main road projects happening at this time, including the bypass road that is being paid from LEDA funding.

Another questioned asked about what the obstacles are when trying create new parks in the city.

The mayor said the two former parks  Timan and del Fuego  are privately owned. He did say the city does have a pocket park in the Chamesa subdivision, and there is property the county donated on Sombrero Loop that can be used as a park.

Gordon said the city doesnt have the property, and they would have to buy property for a park.

Melendez said residents want parks, and knows it requires funding. He suggested that if hes elected, he would work to make sure the city has parks, but pointed to the vast open space in and around the city that residents can recreate in.

Silva said while she cant speak how were going to get the parks, she knows land is available. She also said if elected, she could sentence people to community service to clean up parks.

Palmer said she too would love to see parks go into where the existing parks are. She said she realizes funding and security are issues, and isnt sure how to address it because she hasnt been involved.

Skelton claimed the city sold them off because the city couldnt take care of them. Lets see if we can buy them back.

Later in the forum, Ramsell corrected Skelton, saying the city never owned the parks and VIA sold them to a private owner.

One other question from the audience asked, Where does your loyalty lie, in Rio Communities or Belen?

Gordon said, Thats easy, Rio Communities.

Ive seen (Rio Communities) grow. People are nice, some of the nicest people Ive ever met, Williams said. I love Rio Communities. Theres racism everywhere, but I dont see it here.

Ramsell said Rio Communities will always have his loyalty, saying they the city has grown, and it has its own identity.

Melendez said he decided to move to Rio Communities in 2012, and is a very happy resident and looking forward to the city maintaining atmosphere.

Silva said she has heard lies saying some people want to disincorporate the city and go back to the county or join Belen.

Rio Communities is No. 1, Silva said. Im the Belen Planning and Zoning (Commission) chairperson. I will never stop serving my community, including Belen, Los Lunas, Rio Communities and, who knows, maybe even Mountainair in the future.

Whats Belen? Palmer joked. I used to live in Belen. I came to work here and I chose to live here.

My loyalty definitely lies in Rio Communities, Skelton said. We need to bring people here from Belen.

Marquez and Sinclair had someone read their prepared statements before the forum.
Sarah Torres, left, and Johnnah Torres, right, have many memories to share about Teofilos Restaurante, the Los Lunas eatery founded by Johnnahs parents, Pedro and Hortencia Torres, in 1985. Noah Suarez

LOS LUNAS  Like many noted eateries the world over, Teofilos Restaurante in Los Lunas has a unique ambiance to it.

A lot of that comes from its history  it is, after all, on the National Historical Registry, and known throughout New Mexico for its food and atmosphere.

The restaurant, which is just west of the corner of N.M. 314 and Main Street in the heart of Los Lunas, will celebrate its landmark opening back in 1985 on Tuesday, Oct. 28, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and special events throughout the day.

If You Go  What: Teofilos Restaurante 40th anniversary celebration  Where: 144 Main St. NW, Los Lunas  When: 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 28, ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Torres family  Activities: All-day anniversary food specials and prizes, with a deejay and dancing from 3-6 p.m.; Los Lunas High School Brass Ensemble, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Were inviting all our patrons to come that day, co-owner Johnnah Torres said. Well have some anniversary specials going on all day long. Were going to have that ceremony with the Torres family in the morning. And then were going to have the Los Lunas High School Brass Ensemble with music that night from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

More Coverage Eyes light up for Teofilos new neon sign honoring Route 66 in Los Lunas

(The celebration) is going to be the kickoff to, like, every month throughout this next year. We really want to just keep commemorating and acknowledging how grateful we are to all the community and all of our patrons, she said.

The celebration is very fitting for both the business and community as the house came to be as the home and office of a storied member of Los Lunas early days, Dr. W.F. Wittwer.

The good doctor came to the village on the train, traveling to El Paso. At the behest of the Huning family, he remained in Los Lunas instead and became the villages first physician in 1899. In 1913, the house was built on land bought from the Solomon Luna estate to the specifications of Dr. Wittwer and his wife, Anne Nowlin, and the ambiance began to grow from there.

Since Johnnahs parents, Pedro and Hortencia Torres started the restaurant in 1985, they had already established Petes Cafe in Belen. Eventually, the family would also acquire the Luna Mansion and turn it into another renowned eatery.

Johnnah, who co-owns Teofilos with her brother, Jay, and sister, Joell Himeur, said her first memory of Teofilos is a strong one.

I was 11 when it opened, and my first memory is, I had a uniform, she said. My mom had these uniforms, these cute little peasant dresses made. I had already been working at Petes Cafe on Friday nights. I would love to go and help at that restaurant. So its just been in my blood to be in this environment. Ive always enjoyed it. I enjoy people and then just serving, like, wonderful food.

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Johnnah and Sarah Torres, manager and wife of Jay said some of the ambiance also comes from another source  ghosts.

Sitting down to talk about Teofilos upcoming 40th anniversary, Johnnah and Sarah both described encountering spirits in the famed former home and doctors office that the New Mexican restaurant now occupies.

Founded in 1985, Teofilos Restaurante, above, celebrates its 40th anniversary this year with a celebration on Tuesday, Oct. 28. Kenn Rodriguez

Sitting in what used to be the porch, Sarah described one occurrence just after she started working as a waitress.

This was when Jay and I first got married, and there would be, like, somebody by table three, she remembered, There was a cowboy, and he calls our hostess, Bonnie. Shed hear him calling her.

Johnnah chimed in, describing a story of a former manager who would stay overnight at the house.

She would smoke a cigarette before she would go to bed, Johnnah said. She would just put her little ashtray with her cigarette butt in there. And she said in the morning, she found her cigarette butt in the bathtub, like someone had moved the cigarette butt to the bathtub.

The mischievous ghosts go hand and hand with everything else that makes Teofilos.

Its really cool stuff with the spirits, definitely, but I know they really are happy with us now, because they dont do anything crazy.

Johnnah and Sarah both said they hope to keep that tradition going far past the 40 years theyve already had.

Were hoping this next generation will continue this legacy that has been instilled, Sarah said. So that theyll keep these places for a while.
A Los Lunas man charged in connection with the devastating Cotton 1 Fire that swept through the bosque and into the Carson Park neighborhood late in June, destroying 12 homes and injuring 12 firefighters, accepted a plea deal last week.

Jacob LaHair, 31, of Los Lunas, pleaded no contest on Oct. 16 to negligent arson. He was sentenced to four years in prison, followed by parole and 18 months of supervised probation, according to a statement posted to the New Mexico 13th Judicial District Attorneys Facebook page on Friday, Oct. 17.

This was as close to the max possible incarceration allowed under law for the charge faced, the statement reads.

LaHair was charged with negligent arson and criminal damage to property over $1,000, both fourth-degree felonies, in June. He was indicted on both charges by a Valencia County Grand Jury on July 3. According to online court records, the criminal damage to property charge was dismissed as part of LaHairs plea agreement.

Valencia County Fire Chief Matt Propp said he was happy to see a conviction in the case.

It brings closure to people in the community, knowing somebody was held accountable, Propp said Monday.

The Cotton 1 Fire was one of two bosque fires in the Los Lunas area in late June. The Cotton 1 Fire started on Saturday, June 21, southwest of the Los Lunas river bridge and quickly spread into the Carson Park neighborhood.

On Sunday, June 22, a second fire  Cotton 2  began in the bosque to the northeast of the bridge. At the time, Propp called the second fire arson, but the cause of the Cotton 2 Fire hasnt been determined.

The two fires were combined for purposes of management and named the Desert Willow Complex Fire.

According to the criminal complaint filed in magistrate court on June 25, LaHair wanted to show his children how fast fallen cotton burns, so he flicked a lit cigarette into the accumulation on the ground.

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Cotton is produced by female cottonwood trees and disperses the seeds. It can build up into thick layers and drifts, especially in the bosque areas where the trees are prevalent and is highly flammable.

During the investigation of the Cotton 1 Fire, a man living in the bosque told investigators another man named Jacob might have been involved in starting the fire, according to the criminal complaint filed to obtain the arrest warrant for LaHair.

On Monday, June 23, the Cotton 1 Fire was officially determined to be incendiary  a human-caused event. Later that day, investigators were given camera footage from a house directly behind where the Cotton 1 Fire originated and a white vehicle was seen reversing out of the fire scene.

By that Tuesday, information from a witness was relayed to the investigators, alleging LaHair was seen walking away from the fire with his children. The witness said LaHair told him he was trying to stop the fire.

The next day, Wednesday, June 25, an anonymous call to dispatch identified LaHair as the person who started the fire. When Valencia County Sheriffs Office deputies followed up on the call, they made contact with a man who lived in Carson Park.

(The man) told deputies that a male known to him ... as LaHair advised him he started the fire by demonstrating to his children how fast cotton burns and proceeded to flick his cigarette onto the cotton ... which started ... (the) Cotton 1 Fire, the criminal complaint reads. ... Jacob told him he started the fire ... Jacob was laughing and making jokes regarding the incident.

LaHair turned himself into the Los Lunas Police Department on June 25.

In its statement, the DAs office thanked the Valencia County Sheriffs Office and the fire investigators from the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security for their hard work in investigating the fire.

We also would like to thank our offices support staff, including Laurie Glaser for her hard work in preparing the administrative side of the case, the statement reads. Finally, we send our condolences to all the citizens affected by this fire. This may not be able to make up for the losses of everyone affected by this case, but we hope it brings some closure and justice.
LOS LUNAS  Internet customers in the village of Los Lunas will soon have more options for high-speed connections to the information superhighway.

During its Sept. 18 regular meeting, the village council approved a license agreement with Houston-based Ezee Fiber to provide last mile fiber services to homes and businesses within the village.

Village of Los Lunas IT director Luis Brown, who said he worked with village attorney Larry Guginno on the agreement, told the council under the licensing agreement, the company will use village right-of-way spaces to install fiber backbone.

The agreement will provide the village with a small amount of income from Ezee Fibers operations. The funds will be used to cover administration costs and monitor the installation of fiber optic cable.

We dont get much revenue from anybody providing internet service at this time, simply because of the way the FCC regulations are worded, Brown said. By doing a license agreement and charging (Ezee Fiber) per linear foot for their backbone fiber  thats the stuff between the cabinets  not the last mile to the houses. Were not charging them per customer. Were charging them to be here. That appears to be legal, and thats why were putting forth this agreement.

Ezee Fibers move to Los Lunas is part of an expansion into New Mexico announced in the summer of 2024. In a press release in June 2024, Ezee Fiber announced the expansion of its 100 percent fiber network into Albuquerque  and surrounding communities.

On its website, the company says it provides premium multi-gig fiber internet service to residential customers, businesses, government agencies, hospital systems, and educational institutions through its 100% fiber-optic network, and is built on a foundation of operational excellence, exceptional customer service, premium internet speeds, and straightforward, transparent pricing.

According to the website (ezeefiber.com), Ezee Fiber is currently available in Texas, Illinois, Washington and New Mexico. It provides service currently in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho.

The company is currently taking pre-registration in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, Corrales and Santa Fe.

During questions from the mayor and council, Brown added that the agreement will grant the village oversight authority on Ezee Fibers projects to expand fiber optic availability in the village and also bring a small amount of money into the Los Lunas coffers.

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Currently, fiber optic internet service is being provided in the village by Plateau Communications, DSL service from Xfinity, and CenturyLink.

Through Plateau, the village has fiber optic cable infrastructure entirely covering the area west of Interstate 25. Rancho Valencia, at the south end of Camelot Boulevard, and the neighborhoods north of Los Lunas High School are the only areas east of Interstate 25 that have fiber optic access through Plateau.

Asked about the specifics of the agreement, Brown explained the agreement allows Ezee Fiber to run cable all the way to residents homes.

The agreement covers what we call the middle mile, which goes from the connections from the long haul connections from out of town and connects different neighborhoods (via) the cabinets, Brown said. It goes down Main Street. Itll eventually be going down Morris Road.

Brown said Ezee Fiber will be laying down fiber optics down Main Street, Morris Road, N.M. 314, and other major arteries in the village.

This is how we get from between the neighborhoods with larger fibers, he continued. And then the cabinets branch out and have tinier, very small conduits that go to individual homes. This agreement is about charging them for that middle mile and not trying to get into the last mile for the reasons that I stated earlier, as far as FCC rules.
A massive leak has left an estimated 800,000-plus gallons of water under the Valencia County Fire Department administrative building, resulting in extensive mold, structural damage and extensive soil displacement under the modular building.

At the Wednesday, Oct. 15, Valencia County Commission meeting, Valencia County Fire Chief Matt Propp told commissioners that about two weeks ago the department received its water bill from the village of Los Lunas to the tune of more than $4,000.

When a county maintenance department employee came to swap out the water heater at the building on Sept. 21, the leak in the crawl space and an Olympic-sized pool was discovered under the building.

We werent aware of how long the leak had been going on at that point, Propp said.

After investigating the situation, it was discovered thousands of gallons of water a day had been leaking under the building on Luna Avenue for about 21 days, releasing more than 860,000 gallons of water into the crawl space.

The fire administration building sits north of the county administration building at 444 Luna Avenue in the village of Los Lunas. The building is a modular structure built around 1965 that previously served as a courtroom for the 13th Judicial District Court before those operations were relocated in 2009.

Personnel with Valencia County Fire administration have been displaced after a massive water leak under the building. More than 800,000 gallons of water soaked the crawl space of the modular building, causing mold and structural damage. Staff will be out of the building for at least nine months while remediation and repairs are done. Julia M. Dendinger

While its the early stages of remediation, Propp said mold is already growing under the building, the entire length of the building. Engineers are assessing the structure for damage, the chief said, with some problems possibly taking up to three months to be detectable.

Once the components dry and set, contractors are anticipating shifting of the building, he said. There was also significant soil displacement under the building, causing something like a sinkhole.

Propp said he was told because the water table in the village is so high already, the water would push into the ground and come back, and it did that for about 21 days.

Once the leak was found and the water turned off, hazard remediation began immediately, and fans and dehumidifiers were brought in to try to stop continuing damage. The chief said the entire subfloor needs to be removed, but only after everything was cleared from the building.

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Once they open up the floor, the mold will move into the occupied spaces. Theyve now disrupted the flooring so we cant really work in the building anymore, the chief said. Weve kind of been shuffling between fire stations and other locations to work. Hopefully, the lease will be worked out fairly quickly.

The commission authorized Valencia County Manager Jhonathan Aragon to finalize the terms of a lease agreement for nearby office space for fire administration personnel.

Once the flooring is removed and the mold addressed, the next steps will be to assess the structural integrity of the building and the erosion under the building, Propp said.

Pull Quote The contractors best-case scenario is well be out of the building for nine to 10 months, he said. Our daily operations and calls for service are happening normally.

A claim has been filed with the countys insurance, Propp said, and the representative said like a typical homeowners policy, it will cover repairs and relocation costs.

In his eyes, this is going to be a major claim but we dont have any additional information yet, he said.

Commissioner Joseph Bizzell asked if the department had received any high bills prior to the most recent one, asking if there were any signs of leaks or if it was just out of the blue.

After the leak was discovered and the accompanying bill received, Propp said staff reviewed a years worth of water bills and found the monthly costs were between $140 to $150.

There was nothing until last month. It probably started right after the start of the billing cycle, the chief said. The concrete used for the foundation held up well. Its a top-notch foundation. Thats why its not in the parking lot. Theres no venting on the crawl space, so the water had no place to go. The hydrologist said it was just pushing into the ground because the water table is so high here.
Thanks for the coverage

Editor:

I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the Valencia County News-Bulletin for its fair and detailed coverage of the recent planning and zoning hearing concerning the proposed rezoning of recreation land within the Jubilee Los Lunas community.

Your article captured not only the facts, but the spirit of civic responsibility shown by the residents who stood together for fairness and transparency. It also reflected the professionalism of the village staff and Planning & Zoning Commission, who followed the law and upheld the standards that protect our community.

As a homeowner who recently purchased another home in Jubilee, I am determined to help keep this community a place I can continue to call home and be proud of.

Your accurate and balanced reporting helped make that possible by ensuring residents and public officials alike could rely on truth, not rumor.

Michael Lee

Los Lunas

Christianity has come above the ground now

Editor:

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The assassination of Charlie Kirk has lit a fuse. The world has noticed and now we wait to see what is going to happen next. A sleeping giant has been awoken.

I remember when the government warned religious organizations that getting involved with politics would lose their 501(c) status. It worked for a long time. Its hard enough to live life with all the problems of growing a family and keeping a roof over their heads let alone trying to get people to get involved in protecting their culture and values.

While the evil global leaders were busy organizing and setting up funding to implement their chaos all across the United States ordinary Americans were busy keeping their lives going.

Well, I dont need to outline all of this chaos, it has occurred in the big cities across the country.

Standing up to evil today some how seems like a necessary component of life. How does one stand up to this evil? Prayer has always been a go to that really works.

What this screams is spiritual warfare! For many of us this means Satan versus God. Charlies assassination is living proof that something horrible can possibly become a world wide awaking to fight this evil right where it will do the most benefit  with our young people.

Colleges, more frankly, professors are dominantly progressive. So, students are disposed to that kind of dribble from the left. Hopefully, the degrees earned by students graduating will allow the to gainful employment to jump start their careers.

The ideal situation for these young people will be a job, a home, marriage and a family. Most of this will require a sound economy and a meritorious business climate. There is no room for corruption; however, I know there will always be corruption.

What needs to happen is a full prosecution of these bad actors. I mean prison. There must be enough punishment that people in a position of authority will be discouraged from corruption.

The strongest leadership must rise up in order to put our country back on the right track  a country with a Judeo-Christian foundation. It is not wrong to stand for your values. I will not accept evil as good.

I want a strong country, a strong economy, a society based on Christian values with leaders that actually fear God.

Dan Garza

Los Lunas
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Snow this evening will diminish to a few snow showers late. Low 24F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 90%. 1 to 3 inches of snow expected..

Tonight

Snow this evening will diminish to a few snow showers late. Low 24F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 90%. 1 to 3 inches of snow expected.
A new potential antibody therapy strategy which restricts the growth of treatment-resistant breast cancers has been developed by scientists.

The King's College London discovery, published today, could provide new treatment options for some of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer. This may be particularly important for patients whose cancers no longer respond to existing therapies, as well as those with triple-negative breast cancer  a subtype which lacks the receptors which are common drug targets, where treatment choices remain very limited.

The team designed an antibody that not only attacks the tumor cells directly, but also harnesses the body's own immune defences. The first of its kind 'triple-engineered antibody', latches onto cancer cells on one end and draws in immune cells on the other.

While researchers have been modifying antibodies to boost their ability to activate immune cells, highly effective ones to be used for the treatment of breast cancer are still needed. The Breast Cancer Now Research Unit at King's College London has been at forefront of this research for more than a decade. The group focuses on studying the patient's immune system with a view of designing and testing innovative antibodies able to activate the patient's immune response.

In their latest study, laboratory experiments and animal models revealed the modified antibody bound immune cells more strongly compared to current treatments. This activated the immune cells already present in the tumor to attack it, limiting the growth of tumors in triple-negative and treatment-resistant breast cancers.

The researchers also found that the modified antibody activated immune cells circulating in the bloodstream, which could boost the body's overall ability to detect and fight cancer.

By making a few key changes in the structure of the antibody, we found that it could activate the immune system much more powerfully than an unmodified antibody currently used in breast cancer treatment. Many of the immune cells in breast tumors are in a 'suppressed' state, difficult to activate with unmodified antibodies. We found our triple-engineered antibodies were not only able to activate these immune cells to kill the cancer cells, but shifted these immune cells to a more 'activated' state overall." Dr. Alicia Chenoweth, First Author, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London

Lead author Professor Sophia Karagiannis, expert in Translational Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy at King's College London, who led this study said: "By examining key immune cell receptors in breast tumors, including those tumors resistant to chemotherapy and immunotherapy, we have designed our antibody to make them interact better and harness the immune system in a way that has never been done or tested in cancer before.

"If it proves successful, it could stimulate the immune system directly and address the significant unmet need we see in treatment resistant cancers including triple-negative breast cancer."

Triple-negative breast cancer accounts for around 15 per cent of all breast cancers. It is a subtype that lacks receptors for the hormones oestrogen and progesterone and the HER2 protein, which are often treatment targets in other subtypes of breast cancer. As it lacks these targets, standard hormone therapies and drugs that target HER2 are ineffective, leaving patients with fewer treatment options and a higher risk of recurrence.

HER2-positive cancers are often treated with drugs, which improve outcomes for many patients, but the development of resistance remains a clinical challenge.

Dr Simon Vincent, chief scientific officer at Breast Cancer Now, said: "This promising, early-stage research offers hope for more and better treatments for over 8,000 women who are diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer each year in the UK.

"We know how urgently these women need new treatment options, as this form of the disease can be more challenging to treat, may be more likely to return or spread in the first few years following treatment, and it affects younger women and black women more than other groups. By funding research like this, we're driving progress towards ensuring everyone with breast cancer lives and lives well."

The team is now working towards developing immune-active antibodies so that one day these can be tested in patients in clinical trials. Further laboratory work is underway to optimise the therapy, including extending how long the antibody lasts in the body and ensuring it can activate a broader range of immune cell types.

The research not only highlights the potential of this therapy for breast cancer patients but could be used in other cancers. One of the antibody targets is also present in ovarian and endometrial cancers, so the approach might have clinical potential for these diseases too.

The study was published in Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.
This summer, the state of Louisiana texted just over 13,000 people enrolled in its Medicaid program with a link to a website where they could confirm their incomes.

The texts were part of a pilot run to test technology the Trump administration says will make it easier for some Medicaid enrollees to prove they meet new requirements  working, studying, job training, or volunteering at least 80 hours a month  set to take effect in just over a year.

But only 894 people completed the quarterly wage check, or just under 7% of enrollees who got the text, according to Drew Maranto, undersecretary for the Louisiana Department of Health.

"We're hoping to get more to opt in," Maranto said. "We plan to raise awareness."

The clock is ticking for officials in 42 states  excluding those that did not expand Medicaid at all  and Washington, D.C., to figure out how to verify that an estimated 18.5 million Medicaid enrollees meet rules included in President Donald Trump's tax and spending law. They have until the end of next year, and federal officials are giving those jurisdictions a total of $200 million to do so.

The policy change is one of several to free up money for Trump's priorities, such as increased border security and tax breaks that mainly benefit the wealthy.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has said the work rules will be the main reason millions of people won't be able to access health insurance over the next decade. It estimates changes to the Medicaid program will result in 10 million fewer Americans covered by 2034  more than half of them because of the eligibility rules.

For now, state officials, health policy researchers, and consumer advocates are watching the pilot program in Louisiana and another in Arizona. Mehmet Oz, director of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, has touted those test-drives and said they will allow people to verify their incomes "within seven minutes."

"There have been efforts to do this in the past, but they havent been able to achieve what we can achieve because we have technologies now," said Oz, during a television appearance in August.

Brian Blase, the president of the conservative Paragon Health Institute and a key architect of Medicaid changes in the new law, has chimed in, saying during a recent radio appearance that with today's artificial intelligence "people should be able to seamlessly enter how they are spending their time."

KFF Health News found scant evidence to support such claims. Federal and state officials have offered little insight into what new technology the two pilots have tested. They do say, however, that it connects directly with the websites of Medicaid enrollees' payroll providers, rather than using artificial intelligence to draw conclusions about their activities.

Oz said the Trump administration's efforts started "as soon as the bill was signed" in July. But work on the pilot programs began under the Biden administration.

And Medicaid is a state-federal program: The federal government contributes most of the funds, but it is up to the states to administer them, not the federal government.

"Oz can say, 'Oh no, were going to fix this. Were going to do this.' Well, they dont actually run the program," said Joan Alker, a health policy researcher at Georgetown's Center for Children and Families.

Officials have also offered few details about the pilots' effectiveness in assisting enrollees in Medicaid or other public benefit programs.

The shortage of information has some state officials and health policy researchers worried that the Trump administration lacks viable solutions to help states implement the work rules. As a result, they say, people with a legal right to Medicaid benefits could lose access to them.

"What actually keeps me up at night is the fear that members that are eligible for Medicaid and are trying to get health care services would fall through the cracks and lose coverage," said Emma Sandoe, Oregon's Medicaid director.

Officials involved in the Louisiana and Arizona projects declined to answer many specific questions about their efforts, instead directing KFF Health News to federal officials.

Spokespeople for Arizona's Medicaid and Economic Security departments  Johnny Cordoba and Brett Bezio, respectively  did not share data on how many people participated in the state's pilot test nor describe the outcome. They said the pilot had been used to verify eligibility only for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, a smaller program than Medicaid.

The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, a nonprofit that helps people sign up for such SNAP benefits, hadn't heard of the pilot program.

State officials and health policy researchers said neither pilot program could confirm whether a person meets other qualifying activities  such as community service  or any of the numerous exemptions. The tools being tested can verify only income.

Andrew Nixon, director of communications for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees Oz's agency, wrote in a statement that the digital tools officials aim to share with states "are largely under development."

One person doing that development is Michael Burstein, a software engineer who, until recently, worked at the U.S. Digital Service, which later became known as the Department of Government Efficiency.

As the U.S. Digital Service was turned into DOGE, Burstein and other staffers left and started a nonprofit called Digital Public Works to finish supporting the technology to make it easier for people to verify their incomes for Medicaid enrollment.

But without permission from state officials, Burstein would not describe the tool in development, aside from saying that it's mobile-first, can quickly verify income for a new or returning client, "and were pretty happy with it."

The state agencies that manage benefit programs, such as Medicaid and SNAP, are understaffed, and they use different eligibility systems, many of which need updating, which makes improving them "a challenging task," he said.

The $200 million in start-up costs the federal government has earmarked for systems to track work requirements equals roughly four times what it cost to administer Georgia's Medicaid work requirement program alone.

That state, which has the nation's only active work requirement program, called Georgia Pathways to Coverage, in September was granted a temporary extension, despite a recent report from a federal watchdog saying it hadn't received enough federal oversight. A complicated sign-up process has kept enrollment in the program far below Georgia's own projections.

Trump's tax and spending law allows states to ask for extra time  until the end of 2028  to start enforcing the rules, but only with the approval of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. It also allows counties with high unemployment rates to be exempted, but states must apply for that exemption.

Even with an app that states can use to prove people are eligible for Medicaid, enrollees would still need to know that app existed and how to use it  neither of which is a given, Alker said. There is also no guarantee they'd have reliable cell service or internet access. As KFF Health News has reported, millions of Americans live in rural areas without reliable internet.

Private vendors also have been working on such apps, said Jennifer Wagner, who researches Medicaid eligibility and enrollment at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Wagner said she has seen several vendors demonstrate products they plan to pitch to states for the work rules. Many are limited in scope, she said, like those in the pilot tests.

"Nobody has a magical solution thatll make sure eligible people dont lose coverage," she said.
New research has uncovered the ancient origins of an urban mosquito species, Culex pipiens form molestus, also known as the 'London Underground mosquito'  disproving a long-held theory of when it first evolved.

Published today (23 October) in Science, researchers from Princeton University, the Wellcome Sanger Institute, the Natural History Museum in London and their collaborators extracted and analyzed hundreds of mosquito DNA samples to trace the emergence of the urban insect species.

The result of the study revises one of the 'textbook examples' of urban evolution and adaptation, and it carries important public health implications regarding the spread of diseases.

Evolutionary biologists have long believed that the human-biting mosquito, Culex pipiens form molestus, evolved from the bird-biting form, Culex pipiens form pipiens, in subways and cellars in northern Europe over the past 200 years. It is held up as an example of a species' ability to rapidly adapt to new environments and urbanization. The evolution of the molestus form also has significant implications for how viruses are spread.

The West Nile virus is an avian virus that can spread to humans when a mosquito first bites an infected bird and then bites a human. This type of 'spillover' is most likely when mosquitoes like to bite both types of hosts. Mosquito biologists think that the transfer of genes from human-biting molestus into bird-biting pipiens through hybridization creates such indiscriminate biters and has led to increased transmission of the virus to humans over the past two decades.

In a new study led by Princeton University, researchers sought to better understand where and when hybridisation of the molestus and pipiens mosquitoes first occurred, and they did this by studying both forms of the mosquito.

The researchers worked with roughly 150 organisations from around the world to collect 12,000 samples of Culex pipiens that represent both geographic and genetic diversity. They then extracted, sequenced and analysed the DNA from 800 of these samples to look at the genetic evolution of the mosquitoes.

The team disproved the theory that Culex pipiens form molestus evolved in Europe over the last 200 years, tracing the origins of the molestus mosquito to more than 1,000 years ago in the Mediterranean or Middle East. They also found that hybridisation is much less common than previously thought but it does occur, especially in large cities, suggesting urbanisation may promote genetic mixture of the two forms. Therefore, the working hypothesis is that people in big cities could be at more risk for West Nile virus.

The researchers say that mosquito genetics and biting behavior need to be studied further. More sampling in urban and rural areas will allow further insight into the evolution of urban mosquitoes and how this relates to disease spread in humans.

Through the wonderfully rich historic insect collections at the Natural History Museum London and the expertise of team member Petra Korlevic, we were able to contribute genomic data from Culex specimens collected in London through the 1900s. These genomic data from old specimens helped confirm that the notorious London Underground mosquito is a form that evolved long ago, way before underground human transportation existed at all." Dr. Mara Lawniczak, co-author on the work and Senior Group Leader at the Wellcome Sanger Institute

Dr. Yuki Haba, first author and postdoctoral researcher at Colombia University, said: "Our analyses strongly suggest that molestus first evolved to bite and live alongside humans in an early agricultural society 1,000 to 10,000 years ago, most likely in Ancient Egypt. Our work opens the door to incisive investigation of the potential links between urbanisation, hybridisation, and spillover of the virus from birds to humans."

Lindy McBride, senior author and Associate Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Neuroscience at Princeton University, said: "This enigmatic mosquito became famous during World War II in London and seemed so perfectly adapted to living underground that people thought it must have evolved there. It became a textbook example of rapid evolution in modern cities. But our analysis of DNA sequences from hundreds of mosquitoes tells a very different story. Our work provides new insight into how this mosquito varies genetically from place to place - insight that we think will help us better understand the role this species plays in transmitting West Nile virus from birds to humans."
A new study on office-based cataract surgery is challenging traditional approaches to the procedure, demonstrating that patients can undergo successful surgery with minimal oral sedation instead of with intravenous (IV) sedation at hospitals or ambulatory surgery centers. The study's findings will be presented today at the 129th annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. At a time when greater integration of artificial intelligence and robotics are expected to shape the future of cataract surgery, this study shows the next big transition may occur inside the ophthalmologists' office.

To conduct the study, Brad H. Feldman, MD, and colleagues at Philadelphia Eye Associates and Wills Eye Hospital prospectively analyzed all patients who underwent cataract surgery with oral sedation in an office-based suite.

Dr. Feldman said the findings exceeded their expectations. Only 10 percent of patients required supplemental sedation beyond the standard dose of diazepam, 5 mg for older patients and 10 mg for younger patients. Remarkably, no patient selected for office-based surgery needed to be rescheduled for IV sedation due to anxiety or restlessness.

Before launching our office-based surgical suite, I would have anticipated that more patients would have required higher levels of oral sedation." Dr. Brad H. Feldman

The study also revealed that more than 99 percent of patients elected to have their second eye performed in the office-based setting, even though an ambulatory surgery center was available less than half a mile away.

The study addresses a gap in existing literature. While large-scale studies have established the safety of office-based cataract surgery - including one from Kaiser Permanente by researchers Tsontcho Ianchulev, David Litoff, and colleagues, and another involving 36 private practices led by Lance J. Kugler and colleagues-specific data on oral sedation protocols in private practice settings has been limited.

"We know that well over 100 private practices in the US have begun performing office-based cataract surgery and that the vast majority of these cases are being performed under oral sedation," Dr. Feldman said. "We wanted to share our center's specific approach as we believe it will be helpful to other ophthalmologists."

The office-based surgical spaces are not simply converted exam rooms. Dr. Feldman's facility was accredited by the Joint Commission and built to high standards comparable to ambulatory surgery centers, with specialized operating rooms, sterile storage, sterile processing areas, specific air filtration systems, and dedicated electrical specifications.

One key advantage of the oral sedation approach is timing, Dr. Feldman said. Since diazepam's onset coincides with pupillary dilation from eye drops, surgeons can simultaneously evaluate both the pupil and the patient's sedation level before entering the operating room. When supplemental sedation is needed, an orally dissolving tablet containing midazolam, ketamine, and ondansetron can be administered quickly and effectively.

"Unlike with IV sedation, patients are not brought into the operating room until they are deemed adequately sedated," Dr. Feldman explained, noting this makes sedation levels during surgery highly predictable.

He also noted how quickly the medical team adapted. "By just my second day in the office-based suite, I felt confident that this setting for cataract surgery was better for most patients in terms of comfort, convenience, and safety," he said.

The research team continues to collect data prospectively on all patients undergoing surgery in their office-based suite and encourages other surgeons performing office-based cataract surgery to share their experiences.

In addition to Dr. Feldman's presentation, two instruction courses on office-based cataract surgery are offered during this week's annual meeting:
Israeli PM holds talks with US State Secy on Trumps Gaza peace plan

Last Updated: October 24, 2025, 00:45 IST

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Tel Aviv [Israel], October 24 (ANI): Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Jerusalem.In a post on X, the Israeli Prime Ministers Office said, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is now meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, at his office in Jerusalem."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is now meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio @SecRubio, at his office in Jerusalem. pic.twitter.com/LWHiqWDzbq Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) October 23, 2025

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Earlier in the day, Rubio said in a post on X, Arrived in Israel to reaffirm Americas unwavering commitment to Israels security and engage with partners to implement President Trumps historic peace plan and build on the momentum towards durable peace and integration in the Middle East."

Arrived in Israel to reaffirm Americas unwavering commitment to Israels security and engage with partners to implement President Trumps historic peace plan and build on the momentum towards durable peace and integration in the Middle East. pic.twitter.com/kwspzUCaFP Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) October 23, 2025

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Meanwhile, as per The Times of Israel, a US official said that US President Donald Trump will f**k" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if the Israeli leader jeopardizes the Gaza ceasefire deal.US official told The Times of Israel, Netanyahu is walking a fine line with President Trump. If he keeps going, hell f**k up the Gaza deal. And if he f**ks up the deal, Donald Trump will f**k him."The remark reflects growing frustration in Washington with recent political moves in Israel, particularly the Knessets vote yesterday to advance two bills to annex parts of the West Bank, which reportedly stunned US officials.The source told Ravid that US Vice President JD Vance, who was visiting Israel at the time, was shocked by the decision and believes that Israel is acting in an unsupervised" manner. Netanyahu updated Vance about the Knesset vote during the vice presidents visit, assuring him that it was merely a preliminary vote" and would go nowhere," the public broadcaster Kan reported.Vance responded, This cannot happen while I am visiting here."Netanyahu had been warned by American officials that the vote could provoke a backlash and destabilize ongoing negotiations over the ceasefire.Meanwhile, Hamas terrorists responsible for the abduction of former hostages Noa Argamani, Avinatan Or and Eitan Mor from the Nova music festival, and others who participated in the October 7, 2023, onslaught, were killed in recent strikes in the Gaza Strip, the IDF and Shin Bet announce, as per The Times of Israel. (ANI)

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First Published: October 24, 2025, 00:45 IST

News agency-feeds Israeli PM holds talks with US State Secy on Trumps Gaza peace plan

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Journalist hacked to death by unidentified assailants in UPs Prayagraj

Last Updated: October 24, 2025, 02:00 IST

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Prayagraj (UP), Oct 24 (PTI) A 54-year-old journalist was hacked to death by unidentified assailants near a hotel here, police said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (City) Manish Shandilya told PTI that the victim, identified as Laxmi Narayan Singh alias Pappu, a journalist by profession, succumbed to his injuries.

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Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) Pushkar Verma said Singh was attacked with a sharp-edged weapon on Thursday evening. He was rushed to Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital in a critical condition, where doctors declared him dead.

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Verma added that Singh was the nephew of former High Court Bar Association president Ashok Singh.

Police teams are examining CCTV footage from the area to identify the attackers, and efforts are underway to arrest those involved, he said. PTI RAJ ABN HIG HIG

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First Published: October 24, 2025, 02:00 IST

News agency-feeds Journalist hacked to death by unidentified assailants in UPs Prayagraj

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King Charles III makes history as first UK monarch to pray with Pope at Vatican

Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 21:30 IST

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London, Oct 23 (PTI) King Charles III on Thursday joined Pope Leo XIV for prayers at the Sistine Chapel during a visit to Vatican City, making history as the first UK monarch to participate in a Catholic Church service since King Henry VIII broke away from papal authority in the sixteenth century. The 76-year-old monarch is on a two-day state visit to the Holy See, as the central governing body of the Vatican-based Roman Catholic Church in Italy is known, with wife Queen Camilla. The special service commemorates the Catholic Churchs jubilee year and is designed to boost ties between the Vatican and the Anglican Church, of which the British monarch is the Supreme Governor. Their Majesties will visit the Holy See to celebrate the 2025 Papal Jubilee and the warm ecumenical relationship between the Church of England, of which His Majesty is Supreme Governor, and the Roman Catholic Church," Buckingham Palace said in a statement. The ecumenical service, representing different Christian Churches, at the Sistine Chapel was themed around care for creation" and followed by a private meeting centred around sustainability. The King and Queen, accompanied by Pope Leo, have attended a special service in the Sistine Chapel, marking the joining of hands between the Catholic Church and Church of England, in a celebration of ecumenism," the palace said in a social media post soon after. In a departure from tradition, the palace had allowed the King to be filmed in prayer seated in a chair decorated with the Charles coat of arms and the ecumenical motto ut unum sint"  Latin for that they may be one". The chair was crafted specifically for the occasion and will remain at the Church for use by the King as the new Royal Confrater" of the basilica and his successors. King Charles also received a Papal knighthood from Pope Leo. In return, the Pope was made Papal Confrater" of St. Georges Chapel at Windsor Castle and conferred a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath. Earlier, the two leaders exchanged official gifts in the Popes library  the Pope presenting the King with a scale version of a mosaic from the Norman Cathedral of Cefalu in Sicily. The King gifted the Pope a silver photograph of himself and his wife and an icon of St. Edward the Confessor, an Anglo-Saxon king of England and one of only a handful of English royal saints. The leaders also exchanged gifts of trees to be planted, symbolising their joint commitment to the environment. King Charles and Queen Camilla last visited the Vatican earlier this year, when they had a private meeting with Pope Francis shortly before he died, during a state visit to the Republic of Italy. PTI AK RD RD

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First Published: October 23, 2025, 21:30 IST

News agency-feeds King Charles III makes history as first UK monarch to pray with Pope at Vatican

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Man held in Gwalior for posing as TTE and duping passengers on Jhelum Express

Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 19:00 IST

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Gwalior, Oct 23 (PTI) A man who allegedly posed as a Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) and duped passengers on the Pune-Jammu Tawi Jhelum Express was arrested at Gwalior station, said a Railway Protection Force (RPF) official on Thursday.

During questioning, the accused, Kamal Pandey, claimed he was an Army man posted in Babina town in adjoining Uttar Pradesh, according to the official.

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Pandey was illegally collecting money from unsuspecting passengers on different pretexts on the train between Jhansi and Gwalior when a co-traveller filmed him and filed a complaint on Rail Madad," he said.

Rail Madad is a grievance redressal mechanism that allows train passengers to lodge complaints online, through an app, or through SMS.

Videos circulating on social media showed the accused extorting money from passengers for travelling without a ticket. In one of the videos, Pandey is seen collecting money from passengers with a waitlisted ticket in the name of providing them seats and from ticketless travellers in the form of fines.

Gwalior RPF station in-charge Mahesh Sharma said after receiving the complaint, a team of Railway and RPF personnel took the bogus TTE into custody when the train arrived at the station.

Pandey, who has no criminal record, was later handed over to the Government Railway Police (GRP) which placed him under arrest, he said.

GRP station in-charge Jitendra Chandeliya stated that the accused identified himself as a soldier and said he was posted in Babina.

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His claim was being verified.

Chandeliya said Rs 1,620 in cash was recovered from the accused. PTI COR BNS MAS RSY

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First Published: October 23, 2025, 19:00 IST

News agency-feeds Man held in Gwalior for posing as TTE and duping passengers on Jhelum Express

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Pisces Horoscope Today, October 23, 2025

Written By :

GaneshaGrace

Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 07:05 IST

Pisces Daily Horoscope, October 23, 2025: A joyful family day with relief for students. Wise decisions bring peace. Stay cautious with words and focus on career and health.

Pisces Horoscope Today: Astrological predictions by Chirag Daruwalla for meena rashi on October 23 2025. (AI generated image)

Pisces Daily Horoscope Today, October 23 2025: Ganesha says today can be a happy day for people living a family life. You can take your spouse out for a walk. Students seem to be getting relief from mental and intellectual burdens. During your evening journey, you may get some important information, which may be beneficial for your business.

Seeing the progress of business people, their families may be happy. It would be better to do any work only after taking advice from parents. You can be quite relaxed mentally.

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Positive- Ganesha says any important decision taken by you regarding your family can prove to be beneficial. The arrival of a relative will create a happy atmosphere in the family. A solution to any problem will also be found. The planetary position is very favorable. Negative- Instead of wasting time in fun and frolic, the youth should focus on their career. But also keep in mind that sometimes, due to overconfidence, the work can also be spoiled. Control your words, too. Business- There will be consideration of plans related to changes in the workplace. You will make the circumstances normal through your wisdom and ability. Maintain proper coordination with the employees, because they will have proper cooperation in achieving your goal successfully. Finance- Your financial position is stable, yet monetary worries can dominate your mind. Unfortunately, a salary hike or substantial bonus is not expected shortly. Nevertheless, your overall financial health is strong, and your savings are well-maintained. Consider investing in the stock market, but choose safe, blue-chip stocks to ensure stability. Stay optimistic and trust your solid financial foundation. Focus on making prudent, careful choices to maintain balance and secure a bright financial future. Overall, today will be an extremely auspicious and beneficial day for you financially. Success will kiss your feet, good luck. You may stay away from your family due to work. There are signs of promotion in the job and getting a higher position due to good work. The possibility of you taking part in social work cannot be ruled out. Love- Husband and wife should ignore the small things going on between them. It is necessary to stay within limits in love relationships. Health- Muscle pain will bother you due to the hot and cold temperatures. Protect yourself from changing weather. Exercise and yoga are its main treatments.

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Lucky Colour- White

Lucky Number- 2

(The author Chirag Daruwalla is the son of Astrologer Bejan Daruwalla).

About the Author Chirag Daruwalla Chirag Daruwalla, a renowned Indian astrologer with 18+ years of experience, provides expert guidance in career, health, finance, business, and more. He combines Vedic and Western astrology, I-Ching, ... Read More

First Published: October 23, 2025, 07:05 IST

News astrology Pisces Horoscope Today, October 23, 2025

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Delhi Fires Flares At Sky & Sees Silver Lining: Cloud Seeding Trial Successful, Execution Around Oct 28-30

Last Updated: October 24, 2025, 00:47 IST

The entire operation lasted around four hours, in a crucial preparatory step to ensure that Delhis artificial rain mission is implemented with precision and scientific accuracy

This successful flight marks a turning point in Delhis scientific approach to tackling air pollution. Representational image

Delhi on Thursday successfully conducted its first cloud seeding trial flight with flares fired between Khekra and Burari using advanced pyro techniques to test aircraft and equipment readiness.

The government is ready to hold the cloud seeding between October 28 and 30, environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said after the successful trial.

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The flight, conducted jointly by the Delhi governments environment department and IIT Kanpur, was carried out to test the readiness of aircraft, seeding flares, and coordination between all participating agencies before full-scale deployment. The flight was from IIT Kanpur to Delhi via Meerut, Khekra, and Burari before heading back to Kanpur via Aligarh.

The entire operation lasted around four hours, serving as a crucial preparatory step to ensure that Delhis artificial rain mission is implemented with precision and scientific accuracy.

Todays flight was a success in every technical parameter. We have now completed all required trials, including flare tests, fitment checks, and coordination protocols," Sirsa said.

The minister said that the city is ready to witness its first artificial rainfall experiment.

All systemsfrom aircraft to meteorological and environmental monitoringare in place. Now, the only thing we await is the arrival of suitable clouds, expected around October 2930, when the actual seeding will be conducted," he said.

                                 28, 29  30             ,   Rekha Gupta (@gupta_rekha) October 23, 2025

I would like to thank Honble Chief Minister Smt @gupta_rekha Ji for her leadership and Honble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji for his blessings because of which all permissions for this novel effort were timely available.Today a trial seeding flight was done from IIT https://t.co/IeyhjlWH8l pic.twitter.com/9y4vOOtx21  Manjinder Singh Sirsa (@mssirsa) October 23, 2025

The Trial

According to the pilots report and data from the Windy professional system, shared by the Delhi government, the skies over the capital remained largely clear on Thursday, with only two small patches of clouds identified for testing near Burari. Flares were deployed successfully in these regions, confirming the operational capability of the aircraft and seeding equipment.

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The flight was conducted using the pyro method, in which specially designed flares containing silver iodide and sodium chloride compounds are ignited and dispersed into the atmosphere through aircraft-mounted systems to stimulate condensation and cloud formation when sufficient moisture is present.

This successful flight marks a turning point in Delhis scientific approach to tackling air pollution. With all preparatory stages completed, the capital is now technically ready for its first full-scale cloud seeding and artificial rain.

About the Author Nivedita Singh Nivedita Singh is a data journalist and covers the Election Commission, Indian Railways and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. She has nearly seven years of experience in the news media. She twe... Read More

First Published: October 24, 2025, 00:47 IST

News cities Delhi Fires Flares At Sky & Sees Silver Lining: Cloud Seeding Trial Successful, Execution Around Oct 28-30

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Minor Kidnapped, Killed After Dispute Over Dog In UP's Unnao

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News18.com

Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 23:30 IST

His mother alleged that the accused attacked her son, gave him electric shocks, and later poisoned him.

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A 14-year-old boy was allegedly killed by his neighbours in Uttar Pradeshs Unnao district following a dispute over a barking dog. The deceased has been identified as Hrithik Yadav, whose family has accused the neighbours of abducting, assaulting, electrocuting, and poisoning him.

The incident took place when the victim, Hrithik Yadav, was returning home after attending a Ram Katha event in a nearby village, when a pet dog belonging to Vishambhar Tripathi, a resident of the area, began chasing him. Frightened, Hrithik reportedly threw a stone at the dog before running away.

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The next day, Tripathi, accompanied by his younger son and two associates, allegedly took Hrithik from his home. They are accused of assaulting him, forcing him to lick their shoes, and subjecting him to electric shocks before making him ingest poison.

After returning home, Hrithiks condition worsened. He was initially admitted to the Unnao District Hospital and later shifted to a private medical facility, where doctors declared him dead.

His mother, Asha, alleged that the accused attacked her son, gave him electric shocks, and later poisoned him. She also claimed that the police altered their written complaint, according to a media report.

The family has demanded the arrest of all those named, including Vijay Tripathi, the owner of Raghav Resort.

Locals And Family Members Protest

Tensions escalated when the body of the victim reached the village. Locals and family members protested, accusing the police of negligence.

Samajwadi Party district president Rajesh Yadav visited the area and urged the authorities to arrest the accused immediately. He warned that if justice was not ensured, the matter would be raised in the Legislative Assembly and Parliament through SP chief Akhilesh Yadav.

Complaint Filed

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Circle Officer (CO) Sadar Deepak Yadav said that a complaint was filed by Hrithiks father, Shravan, on October 21. The report stated that Ritvik had a verbal dispute with Vishambhar Tripathi on October 17 over a barking dog. On October 18, Vishambhar and two others allegedly harassed him. The next day, Ritvik consumed poison and died while being taken to the hospital, as per the report by India Today.

Police said the post-mortem had been completed and that further investigation is underway.

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 : Unnao, India, India

First Published: October 23, 2025, 23:28 IST

News cities Minor Kidnapped, Killed After Dispute Over Dog In UP's Unnao

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Massive Fire At Mumbai's High-Rise Building In Jogeshwari Area, People Stranded On Top Floor

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 13:42 IST

Mumbai fire: A massive fire broke out at JNS Business Center near Gandhi School around 10.50 am.

Massive fire blazes through JMS Business Centre in Jogeshwari West area of Mumbai. (ANI)

A massive fire erupted in a commercial high-rise in Mumbais western suburb of Jogeshwari on Thursday morning. As per the officials, no casualties or reports of injuries have come forth as of now. However, a few people are stranded on the top floor of another wing of the building. The fire broke out at JNS Business Centre near Gandhi School around 10:50 am.

A civic official said 10-15 persons are stranded in another wing of the building. They are safe. The rescue operation is underway," he told PTI.

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As per the latest developments, 14 people have been rescued. Of these, one person suffered minor burns and is admitted to Cooper Hospital, while the other 13 people were taken to hospital with complaints of suffocation.

#WATCH | Maharashtra: A massive fire blazes through JMS Business Centre in Jogeshwari West area of Mumbai. Firefighting operations are underway here. People seen stranded on the top floor of the building. pic.twitter.com/idbhnupOZT ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2025

A fire brigade official said that at least 12 fire engines and other firefighting equipment are being used to control the blaze. Various agencies have been mobilised at the scene, and the dousing efforts are underway.

More details about the fire, including what triggered it, are awaited.

In another incident reported from Kolkata, panic spread after a fire broke out in a building housing a printing press and several shops in central Kolkata on Thursday morning. The incident caused severe damage in the congested area.

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As per the officials, the fire, which started in the two-storey building on Amherst Street around 8 am, has been doused, and cooling operations are underway. No injuries were reported.

Six fire engines were deployed to control the flames, which spread rapidly due to a large stock of inflammable materials, including empty oil containers stored inside the press.

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 23, 2025, 12:15 IST

News mumbai-news Massive Fire At Mumbai's High-Rise Building In Jogeshwari Area, People Stranded On Top Floor

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Artificial Rain Likely In Delhi Next Week As Air Pollution Worsens After Diwali

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News18.com

Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 22:10 IST

Delhi CM Rekha Gupta said artificial rain could be carried out on October 29 if conditions were favourable, after the government conducted trial seeding flights from IIT Kanpur.

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Delhi CM Rekha Gupta said artificial rain can be carried out on October 28=9. (PTI/X)

The Delhi government on Thursday said it can carry out artificial rain as early as next week, if conditions remain favourable, following a trial cloud-seeding flight from IIT Kanpur to Delhi as the national capital reels under worsening air quality post-Diwali.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the weather department had indicated that there was a possibility for cloud presence on October 28, 29 and 30, and the first artificial rain can be induced on October 29 if conditions remained favourable.

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Preparations have been completed to induce artificial rain through cloud seeding for the first time in Delhi. Today, experts have successfully tested in the Burari area," Gupta said on X.

                                 28, 29  30             ,   Rekha Gupta (@gupta_rekha) October 23, 2025

This initiative is not only historic from a technical perspective but is also set to establish a scientific method to combat pollution in Delhi. The governments objective is to make the capitals air clean and the environment balanced through this innovation," she added.

ALSO READ: Cessna Aircraft Departs For Cloud Seeding Mission, Delhis First Artificial Rain Likely In Next 3 Days

What Were The Preparations?

Delhi environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa explained that a trial seeding flight was conducted from IIT Kanpur to Delhi via Meerut, Khekra, Burari, Sadakpur, Aligarh and then back to IIT Kanpur, in which cloud seeding flares were fired between Khekra and Burari and over the Badli area using pyro techniques. This pyrotechnic process will release flares that react with the clouds, inducing precipitation

This flight was the proving flight for checking the capabilities for cloud seeding, the readiness and endurance of the aircraft, the capability assessment of the cloud seeding fitments and flares, and coordination among all involved agencies," he said, while thanking CM Rekha Gupta and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the project.

I would like to thank Honble Chief Minister Smt @gupta_rekha Ji for her leadership and Honble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji for his blessings because of which all permissions for this novel effort were timely available.Today a trial seeding flight was done from IIT https://t.co/IeyhjlWH8l pic.twitter.com/9y4vOOtx21  Manjinder Singh Sirsa (@mssirsa) October 23, 2025

Exclusive information available with News18 revealed that a Cessna aircraft had departed for the cloud seeding operations from Kanpur to Meerut. If the conditions develop in a suitable manner, artificial rain may be conducted anytime over the next three days. Officials said the operation is strictly confidential and details will be shared only after its completion.

Sirsa had earlier said there were no suitable clouds for the much-awaited artificial rain experiment aimed at clearing the toxic smog around Delhi-NCR in the winter.

Last month, the Delhi government signed a pact with IIT Kanpur for five cloud seeding trials, which are expected to be conducted in northwest Delhi.

Delhis Air Quality Turns Severe

This came as Delhis Air Quality Index (AQI) slipped to the severe" category on Thursday morning in the aftermath of Diwali celebrations across the NCR region. The AQI at Anand Vihar was recorded at 429, the figure was higher than Wednesdays reading of 360, as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.

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Post-Diwali smoke and dust have blanketed the city, leaving residents struggling with eye irritation and breathing difficulties. Stubble burning, vehicular emissions, and stagnant weather conditions have also contributed to the worsening air quality.

After reviewing the air quality in the region, Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has continued enforcement of Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which was imposed on October 19, in an effort to prevent further deterioration of air quality.

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 23, 2025, 22:10 IST

News new-delhi-news Artificial Rain Likely In Delhi Next Week As Air Pollution Worsens After Diwali

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Sabarimala Gold Theft: SIT Arrests Temple Ex-Official, Likely To Quiz Him Alongside Potti

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 09:27 IST

Murari Babu was arrested on Wednesday over alleged gold misappropriation at Sabarimala temple, with Kerala High Court citing a wider conspiracy in the Travancore Devaswom Board.

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Dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, the Sabarimala temple attracts millions of devotees from all over the world. (Image: keralatourism.org)

The former administrative officer of the Sabarimala temple, Murari Babu, was arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in connection with the alleged misappropriation of gold plating from Lord Ayyappas shrine. This is the second arrest in the case.

Babu was taken into custody last night and brought to Thiruvananthapuram early Thursday, where he is expected to be questioned alongside Unnikrishnan Potti, another key figure entrusted with the temples gold-plating work in 2019 and currently under arrest.

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Investigators allege that Babu manipulated temple records by registering gold items as copper, concealing the disappearance of precious material from the temples inventory. The SIT has seized the Travancore Devaswom Boards 2019 Minutes Book, which documents the official decision to hand over gold sheets and plating materials to Potti.

The SITs report, submitted to the Kerala High Court, accused certain Board members and employees of acting on behalf of private individuals, suggesting deliberate record manipulation. Investigators also claimed the Board obstructed the probe by producing records only after repeated requests.

The Kerala High Court expressed serious concern over what it described as a wider and well-orchestrated conspiracy." Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and KV Jayakumar noted that the events since 2019 indicate a coordinated effort across multiple levels of the Devaswom Board. The judges emphasised that the gold theft cannot be seen as an isolated incident and called for an independent, court-monitored investigation to oversee the probe beyond the limits of earlier Special Commissioner proceedings.

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The case dates back to 2019, when gold plating from the Dwarapalaka idols and side panels of the temples sanctum, or Sreekovil, was removed for refurbishment. The work was assigned to Potti, a longtime contractor associated with temple projects. Officials reportedly misclassified the gold-plated items as copper, allowing them to be removed outside temple premises. The idols were never weighed upon return, masking the discrepancy.

The SIT confirmed that Potti was permitted to retain over 400 grams of temple gold for personal use, including a family marriage, with nearly 475 grams still missing, triggering outrage within the temple administration.

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 : Thiruvananthapuram, India, India

First Published: October 23, 2025, 09:27 IST

News cities Sabarimala Gold Theft: SIT Arrests Temple Ex-Official, Likely To Quiz Him Alongside Potti

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UP Man Kills Wife, Buries Body Beneath Bed And Sleeps Over It For Nearly 2 Weeks; Held

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News18.com

Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 16:13 IST

When the officers began to dig the area beneath the bed, they discovered broken bangles, a silver anklet, and torn pieces of clothing.

A representative photo of a crime scene (PTI)

A man allegedly killed his wife, buried her body under his bed, and continued to sleep over it for nearly two weeks in Uttar Pradeshs Bahraich. The accused has been identified as 48-year-old Harikishan. He was arrested in Barabanki on Wednesday.

The incident took place in Ahata Narpatpurwa village under the Jarwal Road police station limits. The victim, 45-year-old Phoola Devi, had been missing since October 10, reported India Today.

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At first, her husband claimed that she had left home without informing anyone. However, he kept changing his statements, raising suspicion among the relatives.

Phoolas brother, Ramdhiraj, and his wife decided to visit Harikishans house on Sunday to check on the deceased. During their visit, they noticed a section of freshly plastered mud under the bed, with fine cracks appearing on the surface. Finding it suspicious, they immediately informed the police.

A police team led by Jarwal Road Station House Officer (SHO) Santosh Kumar Singh arrived at the spot on Tuesday after receiving the information. When the officers began to dig the area beneath the bed, they discovered broken bangles, a silver anklet, and torn pieces of clothing.

A few feet deeper, they found the decomposed body of Phoola Devi. According to the police cited by India Today, the womans body bore several deep injuries. By the time the body was recovered, Harikishan had already fled the village.

A search was launched, and he was eventually caught in Barabanki.

Neighbours told the police that the couple often quarrelled, and Harikishan, who worked as a daily wage labourer, had become increasingly violent in recent months due to his heavy drinking. Investigators suspect that he killed his wife after accusing her of having an affair.

The preliminary evidence suggests the murder was motivated by suspicion of infidelity. The brutality of the act has shocked the villagers," SHO Santosh Kumar Singh was quoted as saying.

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Phoolas body has been sent for post-mortem examination, and an FIR has been registered against Harikishan for murder and destruction of evidence.

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 : Uttar Pradesh, India, India

First Published: October 23, 2025, 16:13 IST

News cities UP Man Kills Wife, Buries Body Beneath Bed And Sleeps Over It For Nearly 2 Weeks; Held

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Canada Sees 60% Decline In International Students Amid Strict Visa Rules

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News18.com

Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 18:32 IST

As per the data shared by IRCC, international student arrivals in Canada decreased by over 132,000 in the first eight months of 2025.

Between January and August 2025, Canada saw 278,900 fewer newcomers compared to the same period in 2024. (Representative/Getty)

Between January and August 2025, Canada experienced a reduction of 278,900 newcomers compared to the same period in 2024, as reported by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The number of new international students fell by nearly 60 per cent, while new temporary foreign workers decreased by 146,395.

According to the data, international student arrivals dropped by over 132,000 in the first eight months of 2025. In August alone, 45,380 international students entered the country.

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See the latest temporary resident arrivals data: https://t.co/OCA2Q5ttvdBetween January and August 2025, Canada saw approximately 278,900 (53%) fewer arrivals of new students and temporary workers compared to the same period last year.132,505 (60%) fewer new students  IRCC (@CitImmCanada) October 21, 2025

Earlier this year, Canada introduced a national cap on new study permits, setting the limit at 437,000  a significant reduction from the previous year. Additionally, the required proof of funds for international students doubled to around Rs 14.9 lakh, raising the financial threshold considerably.

The faster Student Direct Stream was eliminated, and language requirements were made more stringent, with B2 set as the minimum level for graduate students and B1 for college students.

Canada also experienced a decline in the arrival of temporary foreign workers. Only 16,890 new workers arrived in August 2025, and 146,395 fewer arrived between January and August 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.

Alternative Options

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Germany has now become the top destination for Indian students, surpassing the United States. Public universities in Germany charge minimal or no tuition fees, usually limiting costs to a modest semester contribution of 150 to 400 euros. Additionally, Germanys education system is renowned for its rigor, particularly in engineering, technology, and applied sciences, areas in which Indian students particularly excel.

Beyond Germany, several European countries such as Austria, Spain, Portugal, and Malta have also become attractive choices. These countries offer lower tuition fees, affordable living costs, and increasing post-study work opportunities.

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 23, 2025, 18:27 IST

News education-career Canada Sees 60% Decline In International Students Amid Strict Visa Rules

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Success Story: Giriraj Parihar Secured Rank 8 In MPPSC Exam While Working As A Constable

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 17:31 IST

Giriraj Parihar cleared the MPPSC 2024 exam through relentless hard work while serving as a jail guard and police constable.

Giriraj Parihar was a constable in the MP Police before becoming a deputy collector. (News18 Hindi)

Giriraj Parihar from Bhopal excelled in the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (MPPSC) State Service Examination-2024, securing the 8th rank and the position of Deputy Collector. Remarkably, Giriraj was a constable in the MP Police before achieving this distinguished position. Coming from a humble farming family, his career journey is truly inspiring.

Giriraj achieved this position through relentless hard work while serving as a jail guard and police constable. Throughout his nine years of government service, he never gave up and attained success through self-study. Beginning his career as a jail guard in 2015, he later became a cyber cell constable in the MP Police. He started preparing for the MPPSC in 2019 and passed the MPPSC-2022 exam, securing the position of Assistant Director of Education (ADE). However, dissatisfied with his rank, he tried again.

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Balancing his studies with his job, Giriraj prepared in a short time and succeeded. Speaking to News18 Hindi, Giriraj shared, This journey was not easy for me, as I had to prepare along with my job. But, from day one, I was determined to clear the MPPSC and become a Deputy Collector. Last time I was selected, but I was not satisfied with the rank, so I kept trying. Normal candidates study full time, but I prepared in a quarter of the time."

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He added, I dont have any administrative experience yet, but I will perform better based on what I am taught in training." Girirajs success serves as an example for young people, especially those preparing for competitive exams while working. In MPPSC-2024, five women were selected for 13 deputy collector positions.

A total of 110 candidates have successfully cleared the Madhya Pradesh State Public Service Examination 2024. Among them, 24-year-old Devanshu Shivhare from Vijaypur in Sheopur district secured the top position for the second time, having previously cracked MPPSC in 2022.

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 23, 2025, 17:27 IST

News education-career Success Story: Giriraj Parihar Secured Rank 8 In MPPSC Exam While Working As A Constable

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'Congress, RJD Should Be Made To Answer': PM Modi Accuses INDIA Bloc Allies Of Abusing Bihar

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 20:54 IST

Addressing BJP workers at a booth 'sammelan' programme, PM Narendra Modi alleged that the opposition INDIA bloc "harbours hatred towards Biharis" and they should answer why

PM Narendra Modi apparently referred to the alleged abuse of Bihar and Biharis by DMK and other opposition parties in other states. (Image: PTI/File)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the Congress and RJD should be made to respond to the abuse and insult" of Bihar and its people, in an apparent reference to alleged statements made by opposition parties like the DMK in other states.

Taking a swipe at the term Mahagathbandhan  the name of the opposition alliance in Bihar  Modi said the people of the state call them lathbandhan" (a coalition of criminals).

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Modi alleged the INDIA bloc harbours hatred towards Biharis" and they should answer why. It is unfortunate that nowadays, the allies of the lathbandhan across the country insult the people of Bihar, assault them, and harbour hatred towards Biharis," he said during his interaction with BJP workers at a booth sammelan programme.

He said: Therefore, the Congress and RJD should be asked to answer  Tell us, in such-and-such state, the people of the INDI alliance are insulting the people of Bihar, what is your response?"

He said Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar and the NDA have worked hard to bring Bihar out of darkness".

Today, there is no jungle raj in Bihar, but the rule of jan vishwas. Today, every child in Bihar proudly says, I am a Bihari," he said.

The Prime Minister took on the opposition, especially targeting the RJD, for propagating jungle raj in Bihar  an apparent reference to the time when Bihar was under the rule of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav. He said this will be discussed for another 100 years and no matter how hard the opposition tries to hide its misdeeds, people will not forgive it.

Training his guns at the RJD-Congress tie-up on a day Tejashwi Yadav was declared the chief ministerial candidate of the opposition for the upcoming assembly elections, he said the opposition alliance is not a gathbandhan but a lathbandhan (a coalition of criminals) as all its leaders from Delhi and Bihar are out on bail.

Interacting with a BJP worker, the Prime Minister said a mahayagya" of development is going on in the country, with all-round work being carried out due to a stable government at the Centre and in Bihar.

In Bihar, work is happening in every sector, in every direction. Hospitals are being built, good schools are being established and new railway routes are being developed. A major reason for this is that there is a stable government in the country and in Bihar. When there is stability, development accelerates. This is the strength of Bihars NDA government as well," he said.

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Bihar will go to polls in two phases on November 6 and 11. The counting of votes will take place on November 14.

(With PTI inputs)

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More

First Published: October 23, 2025, 20:51 IST

News elections 'Congress, RJD Should Be Made To Answer': PM Modi Accuses INDIA Bloc Allies Of Abusing Bihar

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EC To Announce Nationwide Voter Roll Revision By October-End; Bengal, Tamil Nadu In First Phase

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 09:52 IST

States that meet all three conditions will be part of the initial rollout, while those prone to heavy winter snowfall will be included later.

The Commission had planned a simultaneous nationwide revision, but the plan was revised after reviewing state-specific challenges. (PTI)

The Election Commission (EC) is expected to announce a nationwide Summary Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls by the end of October, starting with select states that meet specific criteria.

According to officials, the EC has identified West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry among the states likely to be included in the first phase of the revision.

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The decision follows a detailed review of reports from state Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) and two rounds of internal meetings.

The Commission has finalised three parameters to determine which states will be covered first. They are: upcoming elections in the state, weather conditions during the revision period, and progress in preparing the SIR, particularly the verification of voter records through a comparison of the 2003 and 2025 electoral rolls.

States that meet all three conditions will be part of the initial rollout, while those prone to heavy winter snowfall will be included later.

The EC aims to complete the SIR process within three months, following the Bihar model, where similar revisions were conducted efficiently and within schedule.

Initially, the Commission had planned a simultaneous nationwide revision, but the plan was revised after reviewing state-specific challenges. Based on feedback from CEOs, the EC adopted the phased approach to ensure accuracy and logistical ease in updating voter rolls ahead of upcoming elections.

TMC Plans Major Anti-SIR Campaign

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is preparing for a large-scale political campaign against the SIR of voter records after Diwali, positioning it as one of the partys central issues ahead of the upcoming elections.

A massive anti-SIR rally is scheduled to take place in Kolkata on November 2, which will be led by TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee. Party sources told News18 that workers and supporters from across Bengal are expected to participate, making it one of the partys biggest mobilisation drives in recent months.

What Is Special Intensive Revision

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The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a nationwide exercise conducted by the Election Commission of India (EC) to update and verify electoral rolls. The process involves adding new eligible voters, removing names of deceased or ineligible individuals, and correcting existing voter details such as names, addresses, and ages.

It also includes a comparison of current and past voter lists to ensure accuracy. The SIR aims to maintain clean and updated voter rolls ahead of upcoming elections, ensuring that every eligible citizen is able to exercise their right to vote.

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 23, 2025, 09:30 IST

News elections EC To Announce Nationwide Voter Roll Revision By October-End; Bengal, Tamil Nadu In First Phase

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'Grand Coalition Of Deceit': BJP Rekindles 'Jungle Raj', Corruption Jibe After Tejashwi's CM Bid

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News18.com

Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 14:10 IST

The BJP said the Yadav family, including Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi, were named in various scams and people would not trust the RJD again

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RJD chief Lalu Prasad with party leaders Tejashwi Yadav and Rabri Devi. (PTI Photo)

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday tore into the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Tejashwi Yadav for jungle raj and graft during their rule in Bihar, saying no work of the party happens without corruption".

The BJPs jibe came just after the Bihar Mahagathbandhan announced Tejashwi Yadav as its chief ministerial pick ahead of the assembly election scheduled next month. At a joint press conference in Patna, Tejashwi Yadav accused the government of using central agencies against him and other opposition bloc allies. Calling out the deteriorating law and order in the state, Tejashwi Yadav promised that if voted to power, whoever does corruption will not be spared. We have to build a new and Viksit Bihar".

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Calling out the Mahagathbandhan for picking Tejashwi Yadav, Uttar Pradeshs deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said the grand alliance has entirely transformed into a grand coalition of deceit".

It is widely known that Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi are symbols of scams and jungle raj, as is Tejashwi Yadav. This trio is out on bail in scam-related cases. The government of Nitish Kumar-ji does not engage in land deeds in exchange for jobs," Maurya said on X.

He added: The Yadav family is currently riding on the back of the Gandhi family. There is considerable similarity between these two dynastic families when it comes to scams. Sonia Gandhi-Rabri Devi and Rahul Gandhi- Tejashwi Yadav are on bail. In such a scenario, the mask of these families has completely fallen in the eyes of the public. The grand alliance has entirely transformed into a grand coalition of deceit. The ambitions of this alliance, living in delusion, are not going to succeed. The public has full faith in the NDA. Their hopes rest solely on the illustrious Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji and Nitish Kumar ji."

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Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad also took a dig at the oppositions chief ministerial pick, saying: Lalu Yadav is convicted in the fodder scam. The trial against Tejashwi Yadav will begin on October 27 in a Delhi court. It is alleged that during his fathers tenure as railway minister, contracts for IRCTC hotels were awarded in exchange for land. Tejashwi Yadav is accused under Section 420 (fraud/cheating). This is not an issue from our time; it has been going on since earlier. Take a job and give landthats their policy. None of their work happens without corruption."

The BJP has kept up its attack against the RJD on the issue of corruption in the run-up to the elections, even as Tejashwi Yadav claims it is a witch-hunt". Tejashwi had earlier said he will fight the BJP as long as it is in power. It is fun to fight storms. We have chosen the path of struggle, and we will reach our destination. We will fight and win, we are Biharis, we do not fear Baharis (outsiders)," he said.

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More

First Published: October 23, 2025, 14:10 IST

News elections 'Grand Coalition Of Deceit': BJP Rekindles 'Jungle Raj', Corruption Jibe After Tejashwi's CM Bid

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'If Jungle Raj Returns...': Prashant Kishor, BJP Mock Tejashwi Yadav After Oppn Names Him CM Face

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 17:46 IST

The Mahagathbandhan alliance in Bihar named Tejashwi Yadav as the chief ministerial pick against the NDA, and Mukesh Sahani as the Deputy CM candidate.

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Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav. (PTI/File)

Bihars Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Samrat Chaudhry mocked the grand Mahagathbandhan alliance after it named RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as its chief ministerial candidate on Thursday, while Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor weighed in on the issue with a jungle raj jibe.

Congress veteran Ashok Gehlot named Tejashwi as the chief ministerial pick against the NDA at a joint press conference of the Mahagathbandhan allies in Patna, along with Mukesh Sahani from the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) as the Deputy CM candidate. Gehlot said more deputies could be announced later.

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Speaking to reporters, Kishor said, Appoint not one but five deputy chief ministers, but how will that help? This is not a new announcement. It was already expected that if Lalu Yadavs jungle raj returns, Tejashwi Yadav will be the CM face. Whats new in that?"

VIDEO | Bihar Assembly Elections: Jan Suraaj Party chief Prashant Kishor reacts to Mahagathbandhan announcing RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as its CM face, saying, It was always expected that if Lalu Yadavs Jungle Raj were to return, Tejashwi Yadav would be the CM face. So, pic.twitter.com/gidKehMmDA Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 23, 2025

Kishor said people are yet to forget the years of corruption and misgovernance in Bihar under the RJD. Mocking Tejashwi over his big promises, such as transforming Bihar into golden Lanka", Kishor said that people will start voting for the BJP out of fear of Lalu Yadav, but they had a strong alternative in the Jan Suraaj Party. People will not make a mistake this time and will opt for a new system that prioritises education and employment," he added.

Shameful Day For Our Democracy

Samrat Chaudhary also reacted to the announcement, claiming that Lalu Yadav tortured the Congress and other allied parties and forced them to declare his son as the chief ministerial candidate of the opposition alliance. Just as Lalu Yadav ran a reign of criminals for 15 years, similarly, he has used thuggery in his alliance to make his son a contender for Chief Minister," he added.

The people of Bihar gave them power for 15 years, but what did the people of Bihar get? Loot, murder, rape, corruption, and the reward of theft," Chaudhary added. The son of a person who has been registered as a criminal in a theft case has been made the candidate for Chief Minister. Therefore, today is a shameful day for democracy that the Mahagathbandhan has supported the family of a corrupt person like Lalu Yadav for power."

He also mocked Tejashwi Yadavs repeated promises of providing government jobs to all Bihar citizens, saying it would cost at least Rs 12 lakh crore, and asked whether the RJD would be able to bear such a heavy cost.

BJP leader Nishikant Dubey said, Now more people will vote for NDA, after knowing that Tejashvi Yadav will be the Oppositions CM Face. People of Bihar will remember jungle raj and corruption of the RJD regime."

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Tejashwi was announced as the Oppositions CM candidate amid speculation of a rift within the bloc over seat-sharing that were doing the rounds in the political circle, with a few weeks to go before the Bihar Assembly elections.

The seat-sharing negotiations between the RJD and Congress suffered a roadblock when both parties insisted on contesting certain seats, while the Congress demanded for more seats to contest the polls.

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 23, 2025, 17:46 IST

News elections 'If Jungle Raj Returns...': Prashant Kishor, BJP Mock Tejashwi Yadav After Oppn Names Him CM Face

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In Bihars Mahagathbandhan, RJD Leads, Congress Concedes & Rahul Gandhi Stays Away. Here's Why

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CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 16:22 IST

Officially, Congress says Rahul Gandhi is letting state leaders lead. In reality, its downplaying his role in Bihar to shield him if the alliance loses

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The Grand Old Party had to finally succumb to pressure from its allies and announce Tejashwi Yadav as chief minister.

It all began with a poster at the hotel lobby where the first Mahagathbandhan press conference was held. As the posted displayed only Tejashwi Yadavs picture and carried the slogan Bihar Maange Tejashwi Sarkar, it was clear that the rest of the Mahagathbandhan campaign would be an RJD show.

This is what other allies like VIP and CPI wanted. The Congress, however, was reticent.

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The story of the Mahagathbandhan has been a story of its allies being unhappy and miffed with the muscle flexing of the Congress and its attempt to be the big brother of the coalition. The Grand Old Party had to finally succumb to pressure from its allies and announce Tejashwi Yadav as chief minister and the newer kid on the block, Mukesh Saini of VIP, as deputy chief minister.

Rahul Gandhi was conspicuous by his absence at the presser. But as per the Congress, there is a reason behind it. While officially the stand is that these are state polls and hence, Gandhi will let state leaders take the lead, the party, in reality, wants to downplay his presence on the map of Bihar politics as a way to safeguard him in case the coalition does not win.

Once again, the Bihar elections have shown that Congress has to accept the harsh reality that it can no longer call the shots where it is in coalition. In states like West Bengal and Delhi, the Congress has had to eat humble pie and eventually lose and cede its ground. Both Arvind Kejriwal and Mamata Banerjee have accused Congress of being a bad coalition partner at a time when it does not have the calibre to win elections.

Ahead of the Bengal polls of 2026, the Congress has been forced to remain silent on many issues like the RG Kar rape and Sandeshkhali violence. Even Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury was removed as the state president as Banerjee had issues with him and the party is not keen to alienate her.

Kejriwals defeat was seen by many INDIA bloc allies as the Congress ganging up to help the BJP. In Bihar, the RJD did not want to take any chance and hence decided to make it clear to the Congress that it would have to pipe down a bit. Lalu Prasad Yadav told Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi that he did understand the aspirations of the Congress cadre, but this was a do-or-die election for his son Tejashwi.

The Congress accepted the argument and decided to backtrack. For the BJP, this is a sign to show that the Grand Old Party has lost its self-respect and samman [respect].

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In the long run, such moves compromise the Congress integrity and Astitva [existence]. They also raise questions over the partys ability to lead from the front and emerge from the shadows of its allies.

For now, Bihar is a litmus test for the Congress. A win becomes important as it would be a stamp on Rahul Gandhis Voter Adhikar Yatra. However, the Congress wants Tejashwi Yadav to lead from the front so that it can absolve itself of any blame in case the Mahagathbandhan loses the match.

About the Author Pallavi Ghosh Pallavi Ghosh has covered politics and Parliament for 15 years, and has reported extensively on Congress, UPA-I and UPA-II, and has now included the Finance Ministry and Niti Aayog in her reportage. S... Read More

First Published: October 23, 2025, 15:47 IST

News elections In Bihars Mahagathbandhan, RJD Leads, Congress Concedes & Rahul Gandhi Stays Away. Here's Why

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'Samman Chori?' BJP Mocks Bihar Mahagathbandhan Over Missing Rahul Gandhi Photo On Poster

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News18.com

Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 11:59 IST

The row comes as the opposition bloc looks set to announce Tejashwi Yadav as its chief ministerial pick after days of stalemate over seat sharing

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The presser posters feature only Tejashwi Yadav.

The efforts of the Mahagathbandhan to put up a united front ahead of the Bihar elections seemed to take a hit on Thursday as the BJP pointed out that posters of the alliance blocs press meet in Patnaduring which RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav may be named the chief ministerial facedid not feature Congress leader Rahul Gandhis photo.

Joint PC? But only one picture. Rahul Gandhi & Congress ka samman chori. Showed Congress & Rahul his place?" BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla posted on X, playing on Gandhis vote chori campaign in which the leader accused the Election Commission of colluding with the ruling BJP to make changes in voter rolls.

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So its not just Samman" Respect chori that Congress is grappling with ( Tejaswi pic on joint pc poster and rahul gandhi deleted )Now Ticket chori allegations hit Congress especially key team of Rahul Gandhi Earlier congress mla Afaq Alam said how tickets were sold for cash pic.twitter.com/R27XUyBB2T  Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) October 23, 2025

BJPs Gaurav Bhatia compared Tejashwi Yadav to emperor Aurangzeb, questioning his insecurity" due to which not only Gandhi but also Lalu Prasad did not find mention on the poster.

LJP chief Chirag Paswan said: This is the first press conference of Mahagathbandhan in which they will tell about their strategy. There is a poster of a regional party but the national party is missing. The NDA is going to win Bihar elections."

The row comes as the opposition bloc looks set to announce Tejashwi Yadav as its chief ministerial pick after days of stalemate over seat sharing. Hectic parleys on Wednesday included a meeting of Congress leaders, including election observer Ashok Gehlot and Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavaru, with Tejashwi Yadav and Lalu Prasad Yadav to resolve the crisis and put up a united front. Sources told CNN-News18 that at the meeting, the Congress was asked to withdraw as many names as possible on seats that were seeing joint fights as well as announce Tejashwi Yadav as the CM face.

                 ,                    pic.twitter.com/UWTvbTTIiM  Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) October 23, 2025

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The Grand Old Party, however, dismissed rumours of friction among the partners, with Gehlot saying the bloc was united and contesting the elections as a strong force". Tejashwi Yadav, too, downplayed buzz of a rift in the alliance, saying the press conference would clear all doubts.

The RJD released 143 candidates for Bihar polls on Monday, including 24 women. Some constituencies currently have candidates from both RJD and Congress, with adjustments expected ahead of the polls, which are scheduled in two phases on November 6 and 11, with results on 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 23, 2025, 10:59 IST

News elections 'Samman Chori?' BJP Mocks Bihar Mahagathbandhan Over Missing Rahul Gandhi Photo On Poster

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'For Lathbandhan, Self-Interest Is Key': PM Modi Targets Bihar Opposition With 'Jungle Raj' Jibe

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 20:31 IST

Addressing BJP workers at a booth sammelan in poll-bound Bihar, PM Narendra Modi asked them to ensure elderly people educate the youth about the atrocities during 'jungle raj'

PM Narendra Modi was interacting with BJP workers during the 'Mera Booth Sabse Mazboot' programme on October 23. (Image: PTI/File)

Slamming the RJD for propagating jungle raj" politics that he said the people of Bihar will never forget, Prime Minister Narendra Modi noted that the upcoming election is all about writing a new chapter in the states history.

Addressing BJP workers at a booth sammelan in poll-bound Bihar on Thursday, Modi said the youth will play a key role in this new chapter". He said he is confident that the people will choose the double-engine" government of the NDA once again.

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This election is about writing a new chapter in the history of Bihar, youth will play a key role," Modi said during the Mera Booth Sabse Mazboot programme.

Modi asked BJP workers to ensure the elderly educate the youth about the atrocities during jungle raj in Bihar  an apparent reference to the time when Bihar was under the rule of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav. People will not forget for another 100 years the jungle raj in Bihar, no matter how much the opposition tries to hide their misdeeds," he said.

He said Naxal terror played a big role in destroying Bihar, and the previous RJD government took advantage of this. They do not care about the youth of Bihar and, for decades, the young people of the state suffered from Naxal terror, he added.

But, these people prioritised their (RJD) own self-interest over you. Maoists would not allow the opening of schools, colleges, hospitals, or anything else, and they would destroy established institutions with bombs. They would not allow industries to enter. Therefore, during their (RJD) rule, development was completely ruined. I admit that they (RJD) have ruined the future of two generations of Bihar," he said. Those who call themselves Mahagathbandhan, the people of Bihar call them a lathbandhan (a coalition of criminals). They only know how to wield lathis and fight. For them, their own self-interest is above all."

The Prime Minister said the NDA is committed to fulfilling the dreams and aspirations of the youth of Bihar and, through this interaction, the government is enthusiastically engaging in dialogue with them. He appealed to the youth to visit every household and urge voters to exercise their franchise. Securing the future of Bihars youth is our duty, and we are working for it with complete sincerity. No one understands better the power of peoples vote than the brothers and sisters of Bihar. A new era in womens empowerment will begin in Bihar on November 14 when NDA is voted back to power," he said. He congratulated all BJP workers on the occasion of Bhai Dooj and the upcoming festival of Chhath Puja. To my young friends in Bihar, heartfelt greetings to all of you on the festival of Bhai Doojamid the festive fervour, preparations for the worship of Chhathi Maiya are also in full swing. Along with all this, Bihar is also celebrating the grand festival of democracy," he said. Bihar will go to polls in two phases on November 6 and 11. The counting of votes will take place on November 14. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

About the Author Oindrila Mukherjee Oindrila Mukherjee is a senior sub-editor who works for the rewrite and breaking news desks. Her nine years of experience in print and digital journalism range from editing and reporting to writing im... Read More

First Published: October 23, 2025, 18:13 IST

News elections 'For Lathbandhan, Self-Interest Is Key': PM Modi Targets Bihar Opposition With 'Jungle Raj' Jibe

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After Failed Peace Talks, US Sanctions Russia's Oil Giants: Will It Change The Ukraine War?

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News18.com

Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 09:42 IST

For the first time in his second term, Trump has sanctioned Russia over the Ukraine war, targeting oil majors Rosneft and Lukoil. But is this enough to change Putins calculus?

Trump has previously said both Russia and Ukraine would need to cede territory to end the fighting. (File pic/Reuters )

After months of stalled diplomacy, a cancelled TrumpPutin summit, and fresh Russian attacks on civilians, the United States has imposed its first Ukraine-related sanctions of President Donald Trumps second term. The target: Russias two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil.

According to the US Treasury Department, the move aims to cut off a critical source of funding for the Kremlins war machine. The sanctions freeze US-based assets held by the firms and bar American citizens and businesses from engaging with them. Dozens of subsidiaries are also covered under the restrictions.

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The announcement came hours after Russia launched a deadly round of missile strikes on Ukrainian cities, killing at least seven people. It also coincided with a nuclear military drill conducted by Moscow, featuring launches from ground-based systems, submarines, and long-range bombers.

In a formal statement, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire. Given President Putins refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russias two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlins war machine."

According to the BBC, Rosneft alone is responsible for nearly half of Russias oil production, while Rosneft and Lukoil together export approximately 3.1 million barrels of oil per day. Oil and gas account for 6 per cent of global supply and remain the single largest source of government revenue for Moscow.

Why Now? What Changed Trumps Position?

The sanctions came after months of hesitation from Trump, who had avoided direct energy sanctions on Russia while trying to keep diplomatic options open. However, a planned summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, scheduled to be held in Budapest, collapsed this week. Trump said that although preparations for the summit were in place, It didnt feel like we were going to get to the place we have to get."

He added, I just felt it was time. We waited a long time," and further explained, Every time I speak to Vladimir, I have good conversations and then they dont go anywhere. They just dont go anywhere."

How Did Europe And The UK React?

The United States decision to sanction Rosneft and Lukoil was mirrored by allied responses in Europe. On the same day, the European Union announced its 19th sanctions package against Russia.

This package includes:

A phased ban on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports

Travel restrictions on Russian diplomats

The blacklisting of 117 additional tankers in Russias shadow fleet," bringing the total to 558 vessels

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated on X that she had spoken with Bessent and welcomed the alignment. She wrote, With the imminent adoption of the EUs 19th package, this is a clear signal from both sides of the Atlantic that we will keep up collective pressure on the aggressor."

Appreciated this evenings call with @SecScottBessent and the Treasury decision to sanction major Russian oil companies in the face of Russias lack of commitment to the peace process.With the imminent adoption of the EUs 19th package, this is a clear signal from both sides  Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) October 22, 2025

The United Kingdom had already sanctioned Rosneft and Lukoil the previous week. UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves, announcing the move, said, There is no place for Russian oil on global markets."

Are The Sanctions Enough Without India And China?

One of the main concerns surrounding the effectiveness of these sanctions is that they do not extend to third-party countries that continue to buy Russian oil, such as China, India, and Turkey.

Edward Fishman, a former US official and now a senior research scholar at Columbia University, told Reuters, This cant just be one and done. The question is whether the US now threatens sanctions on anyone doing business with Rosneft and Lukoil."

Jeremy Paner, a former US Treasury sanctions investigator, added, The absence of banks and Indian or Chinese oil purchasers in Wednesdays sanctions means they will not get Putins attention."

Trump, during his Oval Office appearance, acknowledged the challenge, saying he hoped the sanctions would not need to remain in place for long. I hope they wont be on for long. Because the war will end," he said.

How Has Ukraine Responded?

Ukraine, which has long advocated for stronger sanctions on Russias energy exports, welcomed the US decision.

In a statement posted on X, Ukrainian Ambassador to the US Olga Stefanishyna said, The decision is fully aligned with Ukraines consistent position: peace is possible only through strength and pressure on the aggressor using all available international tools."

Washington has imposed full blocking sanctions on major Russian oil companiesthe first such action under the administration of 47th US President. This step comes after numerous attempts to give Russia a chance to begin real negotiations to end the war. The decision is fully Olga Stefanishyna (@StefanishynaO) October 22, 2025

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also reiterated his request for long-range Tomahawk missiles from the US. Trump, however, declined, telling reporters at the White House that it would take Ukraine at least six months" to learn how to use them.

Will This Pressure Change The Course Of The War?

Until now, Washington had relied on diplomacy, tariffs, and indirect pressure. This is the first time in his second term that Trump has used direct economic coercion tied explicitly to the war in Ukraine, and he has chosen to strike at Russias energy jugular.

Rosneft and Lukoil together export over 3 million barrels of oil daily, with oil and gas forming the backbone of the Kremlins budget. By freezing their US-based assets and cutting off access to American markets, the US has attempted to turn off one of the most powerful engines driving Putins campaign.

Yet there are two structural limitations. First, these are primary sanctions. They block US firms from doing business with the listed entities. But they do not (yet) extend to secondary sanctions, which would penalise foreign entities that continue to buy Russian oil. That leaves a wide opening for Russia to simply reroute crude shipments to willing buyers outside the Western bloc.

Second, energy remains the most globally interdependent commodity. While Europe and the US may coordinate sanctions, countries like China, India, and Turkey have made it clear they wont follow Washingtons lead.

Thats why the scale of this move matters less than the alignment behind it. As long as the sanctions coalition remains fractured, Russias energy sector may slow, but not suffocate.

Speaking to Fox Business, US Treasury Secretary Bessent emphasised the administrations intent: These are sanctions, not secondary tariffs," he said. These are going to be substantial and powerful, and we are urging our European and G7 allies plus Canada and Australia to come along with us."

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The timing of this pivot, just after the collapse of the planned TrumpPutin summit, suggests the administration is abandoning hopes of a quick negotiated peace. Instead, it is embracing a strategy of economic attrition: increasing the cost of war for Russia until Moscow becomes more flexible.

But there is no guarantee that such pressure will yield results. President Putin may interpret sanctions as a provocation, hardening his stance rather than softening it. With the Kremlin reaffirming its demand for full control of Donbas and rejecting Trumps freeze the frontlines" proposal, the immediate diplomatic path remains blocked.

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 23, 2025, 09:20 IST

News explainers After Failed Peace Talks, US Sanctions Russia's Oil Giants: Will It Change The Ukraine War?

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'Be Mindful Of Deoband Madrasa': What Ex-Afghanistan VP's Diwali Message Means

Curated By :

News18.com Edited By: Pragati Ratti



Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 12:57 IST

Saleh's warning of sorts came days after Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban-led Afghanistans Foreign minister, visited the Darul Uloom Deoband seminary in Uttar Pradesh

Afghanistan's Foreign Affairs Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi meets Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind President Maulana Arshad Madani at Darul Uloom Deoband, in Saharanpur district, Uttar Pradesh, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. (Image: PTI)

Former Afghanistan Vice President Amrullah Salehs Diwali greetings to Indians on Tuesday came with a caveat. Happy Diwali to all Indians and Hindus across the globe! Wishing you well. Please be mindful of the Deoband madrasa in the meantime," Saleh posted on X.

Salehs warning of sorts came days after Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban-led Afghanistans Foreign minister, visited the Darul Uloom Deoband seminary in Uttar Pradesh, during his seven-day visit to India.

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The Deoband Seminary

The Darul Uloom Deoband was founded in 1866 in the town of Deoband, Uttar Pradesh, by Islamic scholars such as Maulana Muhammad Qasim Nanautavi and Maulana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi. It emerged in the aftermath of the 1857 Revolt, a time when Muslim scholars sought to preserve Islamic learning and identity following the decline of Mughal authority and the consolidation of British rule. The seminary aimed to revive traditional Islamic scholarship through a structured curriculum known as the Dars-e-Nizami, focusing on Quranic studies, Hadith, jurisprudence, logic, and Arabic grammar, while deliberately maintaining independence from colonial influence.

Over time, the Deoband seminary evolved into a major intellectual and reformist movement within South Asian Islam. Deobandi scholars established a network of affiliated madrasas across India and beyond, which helped institutionalise its teachings and sustain a distinct Sunni Islamic identity.

In the decades following Partition, the Deobandi ideology spread globally, especially through graduates who migrated or established seminaries in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and later in the United Kingdom, Africa, and the Middle East. In Afghanistan and Pakistan, elements of the Deobandi tradition intersected with local politics and militancy, leading to complex legacies and interpretations of its teachings. Despite these diverse offshoots, Darul Uloom Deoband continues to project itself as a centre of religious scholarship and moral education, upholding its original mission of nurturing faith and knowledge rooted in classical Islamic learning.

Muttaqis visit & The Deoband-Taliban Link

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Earlier this month, Muttaqi made a rare and symbolically charged visit to Darul Uloom Deoband in Uttar Pradesh. His stop at the seminary came while attending the India-hosted religious diplomacy event in New Delhi, marking one of the highest-level Taliban contacts with an Indian religious institution since the group returned to power in 2021. Muttaqi met senior clerics, toured the historic campus, and discussed religious education and unity among Muslims," according to reports. The visit drew attention not just for its diplomatic novelty but for what it represented  the Talibans attempt to reconnect with the ideological roots that have historically influenced much of their movement.

The Deoband seminarys historical connection to the Taliban lies primarily in shared intellectual lineage rather than direct institutional control. The Talibans founders, many of whom studied in Deobandi-influenced madrasas in Pakistan and Afghanistan, were shaped by the movements emphasis on conservative Sunni orthodoxy, Sharia-based governance, and opposition to Western cultural dominance. However, over time, the Taliban blended these theological influences with militant and tribal dynamics specific to Afghanistans political landscape. While the Taliban trace inspiration from the Deobandi school of thought, Darul Uloom Deoband itself has consistently maintained that it has no formal ties or political alignment with the group and condemns violence in the name of Islam.

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 23, 2025, 12:57 IST

News explainers 'Be Mindful Of Deoband Madrasa': What Ex-Afghanistan VP's Diwali Message Means

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First Artificial Rain Expected In Delhi On Oct 29, But Can Cloud Seeding Deliver Cleaner Skies?

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Last Updated: October 24, 2025, 10:21 IST

Delhi is ready for its first artificial rain through cloud seeding between October 28 and 30. Heres how the plan works and whether it can actually help cut pollution

With PM2.5 levels in Delhi touching the highest mark since January, calls for emergency interventions have resurfaced.

With PM2.5 levels in Delhi touching the highest mark since January, calls for emergency interventions have resurfaced. Among them is the Delhi governments ambitious plan to induce artificial rain through cloud seeding, an attempt to tackle air pollution via weather modification. After earlier delays due to a lack of clouds, the project has now entered its operational readiness phase.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that if weather conditions remain favourable, Delhi could witness its first artificial rain on October 29.

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Sharing the update on X, she wrote, For the first time in Delhi, preparations have been completed to induce artificial rain through cloud seeding, marking a significant technological milestone in the capitals fight against air pollution.

Gupta added that the IMD has predicted cloudy conditions between October 28 and 30. If the weather remains favourable, Delhi is likely to witness its first artificial rain on October 29," her post read.

                                 28, 29  30             ,   Rekha Gupta (@gupta_rekha) October 23, 2025

So, what exactly is cloud seeding, how does it work, and can it realistically bring down pollution levels in Delhi?

Lets break it down.

What Is Cloud Seeding And How Does It Work?

Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique aimed at enhancing precipitation. It involves dispersing certain substances, most commonly silver iodide (AgI) or salt particles, into clouds. These particles act as nuclei around which water vapour condenses and eventually falls as rain.

There are two major types of cloud seeding:

Hygroscopic Cloud Seeding: Involves releasing salt-based particles (like potassium chloride or sodium chloride) at the base of warm clouds. These particles help water droplets merge and grow large enough to fall.

Glaciogenic Cloud Seeding: Involves injecting substances like silver iodide or dry ice into supercooled clouds. These particles facilitate the formation of ice crystals, which then grow and descend as rainfall once they melt.

The materials are usually deployed from aircraft. In Delhis case, a Cessna-206H aircraft modified for cloud seeding and stationed in Meerut is on standby. Aircraft release the seeding material into pre-identified clouds, often with flares mounted on the wings that ignite to disperse particles at specific altitudes.

The initiative is being led in partnership with IIT Kanpur, which is providing technical expertise and has also conducted earlier trials in other Indian states.

Delhi Conducts First Trial For Cloud Seeding

On Thursday, Delhi successfully conducted its first trial flight for the cloud seeding programme, firing flares between Khekra and Burari to test aircraft and equipment readiness. The fourhour flight, carried out jointly by the Delhi governments environment department and IIT Kanpur, tested aircraft fitment, seeding flare deployment and coordination between participating agencies, following a route from Kanpur to Delhi via Meerut and back via Aligarh.

Todays flight was a success in every technical parameter. We have now completed all required trials, including flare tests, fitment checks, and coordination protocols," said Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa. He added that all systems  from aircraft to meteorological and environmental monitoring  are in place. Now, the only thing we await is the arrival of suitable clouds."

With all preparatory stages completed, the capital is now technically ready for its first full-scale cloud seeding and artificial rain.

Why Has The Plan Been Delayed Despite Pollution Spikes?

Simply put: no clouds, no rain.

Cloud seeding cannot generate rain from clear skies; it can only enhance rainfall in moisture-laden clouds that already exist. Scientists from IIT Kanpur have clarified that the technique only works when the target clouds contain at least 50 per cent moisture and are located between 500 and 6,000 metres above ground, conditions typically associated with Nimbostratus clouds.

But Delhis skies have remained unusually dry and thin, lacking sufficient cloud mass to initiate the operation.

What Is The Expected Impact Of Artificial Rain On Pollution?

Even light to moderate rainfall can temporarily reduce air pollution. According to Moneycontrol, artificial rain could lower the citys Air Quality Index (AQI) by anywhere between 50 and 80 points, depending on the spread and intensity of the showers.

For example, if Delhis AQI is in the very poor" category (300400), a successful rain event might bring it down to the poor" or moderate" band. Rainfall helps by washing out suspended particulate matter, especially PM2.5 and PM10, which are the dominant pollutants in Delhis air during winter.

However, this effect is temporary. Once emissions continue, from vehicles, construction dust, crop stubble burning, and industrial activities, AQI levels tend to rebound in a few days unless supported by deeper systemic interventions.

Has Cloud Seeding Been Tried Before In India?

India is not new to cloud seeding. States like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu have all attempted cloud seeding to induce rain during dry spells, especially for agriculture.

The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology carried out one of the earliest experiments in 1972, and more recently, Karnataka and Maharashtra deployed the technique in drought-prone districts. However, scientific evaluations of success have remained inconclusive.

The CAIPEEX (Cloud Aerosol Interaction and Precipitation Enhancement Experiment) programme, conducted by Indian scientists, suggests an average rainfall enhancement of 1520 per cent under optimal conditions. But replicating this in a dense urban setting like Delhi, especially during a dry winter, is untested.

What Are The Limitations And Criticisms?

While cloud seeding offers potential short-term relief, experts have flagged several limitations:

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Meteorological Uncertainty: Delhis winter skies, shaped by western disturbances and weak monsoonal remnants, rarely produce long-lasting, moisture-rich clouds in October and November. Short-Lived Gains: Even if seeding succeeds, the resulting rain offers only temporary relief. Pollution levels may dip immediately after the showers but tend to rebound within a few days unless core emission sources like traffic, construction dust, industry, and biomass burning are tackled simultaneously. Environmental Concerns: The process typically involves dispersing silver iodide or dry ice into clouds. While global studies have found silver iodide to be safe in regulated quantities, environmentalists argue that repeated or large-scale use must still be monitored for potential bioaccumulation in soil or water. Scientific Ambiguity: A key challenge is attribution. It is difficult to conclusively prove that rainfall was triggered by seeding rather than natural atmospheric processes. Such experiments require controlled comparisons, such as flying one aircraft through a cloud and leaving another untouched, and need extensive ground-based instrumentation, which is often lacking in urban environments like Delhi.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) have reportedly advised the Delhi government to treat cloud seeding as an experimental measure, not a primary solution. According to TOI, these bodies have warned against over-reliance on seeding and emphasised that structural reforms are the only long-term answer to Delhis pollution crisis.

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 23, 2025, 14:35 IST

News explainers First Artificial Rain Expected In Delhi On Oct 29, But Can Cloud Seeding Deliver Cleaner Skies?

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'Swiggy, Zomato Not Allowed In Lift': Reddit Decodes Absurd Rule In Housing Societies

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 13:00 IST

A discriminatory notice displayed by a Hyderabad hotel, directing delivery personnel to use stairs instead of elevators, ignited a discussion on Reddit.

A Hyderabad hotel came under fire for allegedly restricting delivery drivers from using the lift.

Discrimination against house helps, delivery drivers, sanitation workers, cleaners, and waste pickers isnt unheard of in India. But what if it becomes the norm? A problematic poster allegedly put up by a hotel has enraged people on Reddit. Note: Swiggy & Zomato not allowed in lift. Please use stairs. Thank you," was allegedly put up by Golden Gate Hitech hotel in Hyderabad. Angered and puzzled by the insensitive notice, a user on Reddit asked the community to explain why such posters existed in the first place.

It wasnt long before the photo sparked a conversation among the community, who exhibited objections to the discriminatory notice, expressing their deep concern for the delivery drivers who worked long hours and then were subjected to this.

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Viral Reddit Post

Why were societies, offices, and hotels treating delivery drivers in this manner? A question that was posed by one and many.

Oh man this is so hard on the boys. Some of them, especially Amazon etc have a big load to carry. They cant leave it on their bike because someone may steal stuff. So they carry this huge load on their back. And they are supposed to climb stairs? Pathetic from this society, (sic)" wrote one responding to the notice.

This is straight away violation of their fundamental rights :("

Classism. Indian society reeks of classism."

Troubling Pattern

Reacting to the poster, another user joined the dialogue and wrote: Theres a new caste system taking shape. Delivery boys, security guards, etc. are at the bottom of the tier list."

This, unfortunately, is not an isolated incident. Far from it.

If maids, drivers and delivery boys use main lifts Rs 300 will be fined"

Also Read: Sick Society: Delivery Guy Being Asked Not to Share Lift With Residents Sparks Outrage

A housing society in Hyderabad caught itself in a social media storm after allegedly posting a notice imposing a Rs 300 fine on maids, drivers, and delivery boys" for using the main elevators.

Understandably, the poster irked users on X to no limit.

Yikes. So they can come into your houses and touch the dishes u cook & clothes you wear they can bring the food you eat.. they can sit beside u in car but cannot get in the main" lift? Mask upWhy do they have to use service elevator?Its not like they carry huge loads with them, (sic)" rued one.

This was in January 2022, a time when Indians were heavily reliant on delivery services as the country reeled with Covid-19 lockdowns and restrictions imposed.

Life Ka Prayog Na Kare"

In another incident, a housing society restricted delivery drivers access to the elevator, stating that it was reserved exclusively for residents of the building.

Building mein rehne walon ke alawa koi bhi lift ka prayog na kare. Jaise ki Swiggy, Zomato, Saman delivery waale"

Use Service Lift Only

Earlier this year, a Gurugram society made headlines for similar discrimination against delivery workers and domestic help, instructing them to use only the service lift".

All domestic help and delivery staff, please use the service lift only," the poster read.

What society are we living in? We dont mind our food being carried by people we are not willing to share lifts with. Please dont tell me that the ones who ordered food are not the ones who stopped him. We discriminate constantly. We are a sick society," Makarand, who shared the photo, wrote.

Makarand added that he was getting into the lift at his apartment building when a delivery guy came along, but he didnt enter the lift. When asked, the delivery guy said that in the previous building, he was asked not to share the lift with a resident.

No Honour

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Several expressed that the horrible treatment towards the workers and delivery personnel stemmed from deep-rooted classism, as the rules" were only extended to them, but guests and visitors, who were up on the ladder of pay scale, moved about restriction-free.

One user on the now-viral Reddit post played the devils advocate, stating that the increased volume of deliveries leading to elevator usage may have contributed to the hotels electricity bills.

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 23, 2025, 12:59 IST

News explainers 'Swiggy, Zomato Not Allowed In Lift': Reddit Decodes Absurd Rule In Housing Societies

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What Is J&K's 150-Year-Old Darbar Transfer System, Revived After 4 Years? | Explained

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 15:01 IST

With the resumption of the Darbar Transfer, government employees and citizens can expect administrative functions to once again operate from Jammu for the winter months

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Omar Abdullah at the Civil Secretariat complex on the first day of the Darbar Move in Srinagar in 2011. (News18 Hindi)

The historic tradition of the Darbar Transfer, in which the administrative machinery of Jammu and Kashmir shifts between the two capitals, Jammu and Srinagar, has resumed after a four-year pause. The practice, which dates back 150 years, had been suspended due to the enormous cost involved, estimated at around Rs 200 crore annually.

According to an official order issued by M Raju, Commissioner Secretary of the General Administration Department, offices in Srinagar, including the Civil Secretariat, will close after working hours on October 31 and will reopen in Jammu on November 3.

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Alongside the Chief Ministers Secretariat, 38 key departments including Revenue, Forest, Transport, Custodian General, and the Jammu and Kashmir Technical Education Board, will be fully transferred. Forty-seven other departments, such as Silk Production, Horticulture, Geology and Mining, and Economics and Statistics, will be relocated to temporary camps in Jammu.

The Darbar Transfer, also known as the Darbar Move", traditionally occurred twice a year. Srinagar served as the summer capital, while Jammu functioned as the winter capital. Offices would move to Srinagar before summer and return to Jammu before winter. The practice was halted in 2021 by the Lieutenant Governors administration amid criticism of its high cost and logistical challenges.

The tradition was introduced in 1872 by Maharaja Gulab Singh, the first Dogra ruler of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state. At a time when road connectivity was poor, the move aimed to bring the administration closer to people living in remote areas, particularly in Kashmir and Ladakh, and to ensure timely governance and supply distribution before winter snows blocked access to Ladakh.

Historically, the process involved hundreds of trucks and buses, as well as thousands of administrative staff, with police and paramilitary forces deployed along the Jammu-Srinagar highway for security. This massive exercise required accommodation, travel allowances, and other logistics, adding to the overall expense.

Critics have long argued that the funds could be better used to address pressing social needs such as healthcare, employment, and food security. In 2020, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court noted that the practice had no legal or constitutional basis" and called it a waste of resources and time.

The debate over the Darbar Move has often centered on Srinagars harsh winter conditions. While the city can experience temperatures around 3 degrees Celsius, skeptics argue that this alone may not justify shifting the administration, noting that other regions globally, such as Moscow, operate from a single capital despite much harsher winters.

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Nevertheless, supporters point out that the practice has strengthened the connection between Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh, and supports the local economy, particularly in Jammu during the winter months.

Jammu and Kashmir is not the only state with two capitals. Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand also operate on a dual-capital system, with offices shifting seasonally to optimise governance and economic activity.

Location : Jammu and Kashmir, India, India

First Published: October 23, 2025, 15:01 IST

News explainers What Is J&K's 150-Year-Old Darbar Transfer System, Revived After 4 Years? | Explained

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Who Is Sam Pepper And Why Is British Streamer Facing Backlash From Indians?

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 11:03 IST

Sam Pepper's controversial livestream went viral after he shot a rocket and injured an eight-year-old girl in New Delhi, India during Diwali.

Sam Pepper faced the wrath of irked Indian community who bashed the British livestreamer for injuring a "homeless" girl with a rocket during Diwali livestream in New Delhi. (Reddit screengrab)

Sam Pepper, a British livestreamer, is facing incredible backlash from the Indian community after a video of him firing a rocket at a group of kids surfaced online. The Internet personality was in New Delhi, India, where he celebrated Diwali by engaging in a firecracker battle with the locals on the streets. A clipped video from his stream showed him aiming firecrackers at the group when one of the rockets he shot allegedly struck an eight-year-old girl, leaving her eye injured.

In the same video, a local was seen chatting up with Pepper, informing him that the girl had lost her eyes in the mishap. Actually one eye has gone, (sic)" the man told the livestreamer. Not, it hasnt," responded Pepper in disbelief.

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Social Media Backlash

The clipped video of the incident later made its way to Reddit and X, among other platforms, where outraged Indians urged the authorities to take action against the British personality.

Throw that scum in jail. Imagine if this was an Indian in the US," an angered viewer wrote on Reddit.

He should be arrested," wrote another.

If this had happened to any white girl, they would cancel visas for all South Asians and kick them out of their countries. Send them all back!" a part of a longer comment read on Reddit.

Posts from the criticalthinkingindia community on Reddit

Banned From Kick

It has been reported that Pepper was banned from the livestreaming platform Kick after the controversial footage caused a massive uproar and pushback online.

Sam Pepper Responds

Pepper took over to his X account to respond to the social media outcry following the incident the eight-year-old girl.

Was in India tonight with another big group firing small fire cracker back and forth at Each-other, seems stupid now Im writing this. But one of the group on the other side got hit by a cracker I shot and got a cut above their eye brow. I feel terrible, we sent someone with them to get them checked out and made sure all costs were paid, they got a paper stitch, and are now back home," Pepper wrote in a post informing that the news floating online about the girl losing her eye was exaggerated and incorrect.

When a user on X challenged the British content creator about the claim that a girl losing an eye was made in the video, Pepper responded by saying that the guy (man in black t-shirt) was being dramatic".

He further added that he felt terrible about the incident, and the girl endured a cut during the fiasco.

Yeah this guy was being dramatic, still feel terrible anyone got hurt. But it was just a cut luckly, (sic)" Pepper responded.

Sam Pepper And His Troubled Indian Visits

This wasnt the first instance when Pepper made headlines in the country. The streamer, who travelled to countries such as Thailand and Indonesia for streaming content, was bedridden after he had consumed bhang" the previous year.

After consuming bhang from a local street vendor, Pepper suffered a high fever and severe stomach infection, which forced him to seek immediate medical attention. In a video shared online, he can be seen in a hospital bed, visibly uncomfortable and in pain. Pepper claimed that the hospital staff mishandled his treatment, alleging that they left the IV drip valve open and blood was spilling everywhere.

Also Read: British Influencer Lands In Hospital After Having Desi Bhang, Internet Says World Cant Handle

I did the worst thing you could do in India and I ended up in the hospital. The food that you should never ever touch and I tried myself some of that finger milk (bhang). This guys been on the street for over 17 years making this. The guy making the drink was a holy man, so I had a bit of a trust in him but I probably shouldnt have. After drinking this milk, I was pleasantly surprised by the taste. I continued on with my day like nothing happened, but it all changed that night."

I woke up at 7 PM, violently vomiting, I couldnt control anything inside me. At 7 am in the morning it finally stopped, I felt relieved but had a crazy fever, later that evening the fever got way too much for me. I had to call in a doctor. This doctor had a very nice briefcase so I trusted everything he said and I took the medicine he gave me, but the medicine kicked the bacteria into overdrive inside my stomach and next thing I know instead of coming out of my mouth it was coming out the other end," he added.

Also Read: IShowSpeeds Early Stream! Is Now On IMDb With A Perfect 10 Rating. But Why?

Its Pepper Time"

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Pepper, who ran a full-time prank channel on YouTube before transitioning to livestreaming, was mocked by h3h3 Productions Ethan Klein. Klein criticised the British content creators videos, calling them so outlandish that they seemed fake.

Peppers Killing Best Friend Prank" video in particular grabbed the attention of the YouTube community, which kick-started a conversation and chatter around the legitimacy of prank channels. Pepper later posted an apology video, fuelled by the backlash he faced following Kleins roast video, stating that all his prank videos were staged and fake.

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 23, 2025, 10:50 IST

News explainers Who Is Sam Pepper And Why Is British Streamer Facing Backlash From Indians?

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14 Kids Blinded While Playing With Carbide Gun On Diwali In MP's Sagar

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 13:48 IST

Madhya Pradesh hospitals report a surge in severe eye injuries among children from makeshift carbide guns during Diwali, with doctors warning of permanent blindness

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Hospitals report hundreds of cases, with some children facing permanent blindness. (PTI Photo)

A wave of serious eye injuries among children has swept across several districts of Madhya Pradesh in recent days, with doctors and police describing the trend as a dangerous offshoot of Diwali celebrations with makeshift desi" or carbide guns. Hospitals in several cities have reported hundreds of admissions for blast-related ocular trauma, and clinicians say a substantial number of young patients face the prospect of permanent vision loss.

State health facilities recorded a sharp rise in cases over the past three to four days, with reports of injuries emerging from at least 11 districts. In what hospital authorities described as an alarming cluster, more than 122 children were admitted in just three days and 14 have reportedly lost eyesight after being struck by the crude devices, NDTV reported. The worst-affected district appears to be Vidisha, where local markets continued to sell the weapons despite an official ban issued by the state government on October 18.

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The devices, commonly assembled from plastic or tin pipes, lighter mechanisms and calcium carbide, work when water contacts the carbide to produce acetylene gas; ignition of the trapped gas creates a sudden, high-pressure blast. Doctors say the explosions propel plastic and metal fragments as high-velocity shrapnel and generate hot vapours that burn the eye and surrounding tissues.

Corneal burns, intraocular foreign bodies, ruptured eyeballs and chemical injury to the retina have been recorded, sometimes in both eyes, leaving children with irreversible damage. Several clinicians likened the blasts to improvised explosive injuries rather than conventional firecracker burns.

Dr Praveen Khare, head of the ophthalmology department at Bundelkhand Medical College, explained that many incidents occur when users attempt to clear or reuse rusted barrels and the charge detonates unexpectedly. The explosion is sudden; particles of gunpowder and plastic adhere to the ocular surface and must be removed one by one. We are seeing corneal burns, penetrating injuries and, in extreme cases, the eye is expelled from the socket," he said, urging strict avoidance of such devices and warning that children are particularly vulnerable.

Hospitals across Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur and Gwalior reported overflowing eye wards. At Hamidia Hospital in Bhopal alone, 26 children were admitted within 72 hours, with some requiring intensive care, according to local physicians quoted by NDTV. Dr Manish Sharma, Chief Medical and Health Officer at Hamidia, warned that the combination of high-velocity fragments and carbide vapour often causes pupil rupture and retinal destruction, injuries that may preclude any meaningful recovery of sight.

Police action has begun in some areas. Vidisha police said they had arrested six persons for the illegal manufacture and sale of the makeshift guns; officials warned that those promoting or vending the devices would face legal consequences. Inspector RK Mishra reportedly said that immediate action had been taken against sellers found operating despite the October 18 prohibition.

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Medical practitioners are urging parents and guardians to treat the trend as an urgent public-health issue rather than a harmless fad. Dr Khare recommended the use of proper, certified protective eyewear when lighting legal fireworks and reiterated first-aid measures like, wash the eye immediately with clean water if sparks enter it, do not attempt to remove embedded fragments or plastic with bare hands, and seek an ophthalmologist without delay, because improper handling can convert a salvageable injury into irreversible blindness.

Authorities also pointed to social media as a catalyst behind the phenomenon, with short-form videos and challenges" reportedly popularising the carbide gun as a dangerous novelty.

Location : Madhya Pradesh, India, India

First Published: October 23, 2025, 13:48 IST

News india 14 Kids Blinded While Playing With Carbide Gun On Diwali In MP's Sagar

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Allegations, Politics And Tragedy: Former DGP Mustafa Opens Up On Sons Death Amid Murder Probe

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 10:52 IST

Mohammad Mustafa rejects murder charges after son Aqil Akhtar's death in Panchkula, calling it a tragedy from drug addiction and a politically motivated conspiracy.

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Mohammad Mustafa, Wife Booked in Sons Alleged Murder

Former Punjab director general of police (DGP) Mohammad Mustafa described his son, Aqil Akhtars death as the greatest grief a father can bear" while rejecting the murder charge against him and his family.

Haryana Police has named Mohammad Mustafa, his wife and former minister Razia Sultana, daughter, and daughter-in-law in an FIR filed in connection with Aqil Akhtars death at his Panchkula home.

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Mustafa, the retired IPS officer, once headed the Punjab Police. He is a 1985-batch IPS officer known for his service record and as the husband of Congress leader Razia Sultana.

He said his 35-year-old son had been battling drug addiction for nearly two decades and died of an overdose. He termed the accusations against his family a politically motivated conspiracy" aimed at maligning him.

There is no greater pain for a father than losing his only son This tragedy has awakened the soldier within me to stand against those with petty mindsets No matter the mistakes a child makes, a father always shields them from the world. Yet, some have tried to exploit this situation for petty politics I have no fear, for we have done nothing wrong Have you ever heard of a father killing his own son?" Mustafa told news agency ANI.

Mustafa said his sons prolonged battle with addiction had taken an emotional toll on the family. My son struggled with drug addiction for 18 years. I sought treatment for him at multiple places and even confined him to a room for two to three days," he said.

The former DGP said he had tried every possible way to help Aqil recover, but his addiction was severe and persistent.

In Punjab, drug abuse among youth is rampant. Every day, I read news of youngsters killing their families. But have you ever heard of a father, mother, daughter, or daughter-in-law being involved in such a crime? My son struggled with addiction for 18 years I count myself among the unlucky fathers facing this unbearable situation," Mustafa added.

He further insisted that Aqils death was the result of an overdose and not a criminal act. This is not a murder case. Its a tragedy, yet some are trying to politicise it," he said.

Hitting out at the complainant, Shamsuddin Chaudhary, who alleged that Aqil was held hostage, Mustafa said that he has become a pawn of a politician. Chaudhary has also alleged that Aqil had recorded a video making serious claims against his family before his death.

He (Shamsuddin) has become a pawn of a politician I am not scared of anyone. If you visit a police station to report a complaint, it is the polices responsibility to register a case. The one paragraph that he gave the police converted it into an FIR. I welcome this and I will fully cooperate with the investigation If I am guilty, I am ready to be hanged," Mustafa said.

Claiming that political forces were trying to exploit his familys grief, the former DGP said, Our family is a high-profile family, thats why conspiracies are being hatched. I am not one to back down. I have spent my life in service and discipline, and I will face this too," he said.

The Incident

Aqil Akhtar was found unconscious at his residence in Sector 4, Panchkula, on October 16 and was declared dead on arrival at the hospital. The initial police investigation found no evidence of foul play. However, the case took a dramatic turn when certain videos and social media posts surfaced, prompting renewed scrutiny.

According to Panchkula deputy commissioner of police (DCP) Shrishti Gupta, an FIR has been registered under sections related to murder and criminal conspiracy. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has also been set up to probe the case.

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Former DGP Mohammad Mustafa and former minister Razia Sultanas son, Aqil Akhtar, was found dead under suspicious circumstances at his residence in MDC, Panchkula. We received a complaint and based on that, we have now filed an FIR under sections of murder and conspiracy," Gupta said.

The FIR names the deceaseds father, mother, sister, and wife as accused. Police said the investigation will take into account medical and forensic reports as well as digital evidence, including the alleged video that surfaced after Aqils death.

Location : Punjab, India, India

First Published: October 23, 2025, 10:52 IST

News india Allegations, Politics And Tragedy: Former DGP Mustafa Opens Up On Sons Death Amid Murder Probe

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Andhra Pradesh Steps Up Efforts To Bring Back 8 Vizianagaram Fishermen Detained In Bangladesh

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 20:57 IST

The Andhra Pradesh government has also sought the support and cooperation of the Bangladesh Embassy in New Delhi.

Ai-generated image used for representation

The Andhra Pradesh government has intensified its efforts to bring home eight fishermen from Vizianagaram district who were detained by the Bangladesh Navy after their boat reportedly drifted into Bangladeshi waters.

Officials said the state government acted swiftly after receiving information about the incident and has since been working closely with the Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to ensure the fishermens safe repatriation. Coordination is being maintained through the AP Bhavan in New Delhi, with frequent updates from the MEAs Joint Secretary, B Shyam, who is overseeing the case.

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Legal And Diplomatic Measures

A chargesheet has already been filed against the detained fishermen in Bangladesh. In response, the Indian High Commission in Dhaka has formed a dedicated legal team to assist them and push for an early release. The Andhra Pradesh government has also sought the support and cooperation of the Bangladesh Embassy in New Delhi.

Officials confirmed that constant communication is being maintained with the families of the fishermen in Vizianagaram, assuring them of continued support and timely updates.

High-Level Intervention

Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, has personally taken up the matter with the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, urging swift action for the fishermens return.

Meanwhile, State Minister for MSME, SERP and NRI Affairs, Kondapalli Srinivas, is closely monitoring the situation and attempting to establish satellite communication with the detained men to check on their wellbeing.

Support From Local Administration

Acting on the directions of Vizianagaram District Collector S Ramsundar Reddy, Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) D Keerthi visited Visakhapatnam to meet the families of the detained fishermen. She briefed them about the governments ongoing efforts and reassured them of continued assistance.

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Local leadersVizianagaram MP Kalisetti Appalanaidu, MARKFED Chairman Karrotu Bangarraju, and Nellimarla MLA Lokam Nagamadhvialso met the families and expressed their solidarity.

Officials said both state and central governments are making every possible effort to secure the fishermens early release and safe return to Andhra Pradesh.

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 23, 2025, 20:57 IST

News india Andhra Pradesh Steps Up Efforts To Bring Back 8 Vizianagaram Fishermen Detained In Bangladesh

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Bihar's Four Most-Wanted Gangsters Gunned Down In Encounter In Delhi's Rohini

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 10:18 IST

The joint operation was conducted by Delhi Police Crime Branch and Bihar Police. The gang leader, Ranjan Pathak, was also among those killed.

Visuals from the spot where shootout broke out (ANI)

In a major development, four most wanted gangsters of Bihar were killed in an encounter in Delhis Rohini. The joint operation was conducted by Delhi Police Crime Branch and Bihar Police. The gang leader, Ranjan Pathak, was also among those killed.

The exchange of fire took place at around 2:20 am between the four accused and police. The shootout broke out on the Bahadur Shah Marg.

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Bihar DGP Vinay Kumar told CNN-News18 several deadly weapons have been recovered. The gang used to hide in Nepal after carrying out crimes in Bihar. Kumar also added that the gangs intention to disrupt the upcoming Bihar elections cannot be ruled out.

#WATCH | Delhi | Visuals from the spot where, at 2.20 am, a shootout broke out between 4 accused persons and a joint team of Delhi police Crime Branch and Bihar Police on the Bahadur Shah Marg.Ranjan Pathak (25), Bimlesh Mahto (25), Manish Pathak (33) and Aman Thakur (21) from pic.twitter.com/bmMteajCyk  ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2025

Ranjan Pathak (25), Bimlesh Mahto (25), Manish Pathak (33), and Aman Thakur (21) from Bihar were killed in the encounter.

Ranjan Pathak, Bimlesh Mahto, and Manish Pathak were from Sitamarhi, Bihar, and Aman Thakur was a resident of Karawal Nagar, Delhi.

The gang was allegedly involved in the killings of Brahmashri Sena district head Ganesh Sharma, Madan Sharma, and Aditya Singh in Bihar.

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Based on specific intelligence inputs indicating that the gang members were planning a major criminal activity ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, a joint team of Delhi Police Crime Branch and Bihar Police set up a trap in the area, police reported.

When the police team attempted to intercept the suspects, they responded with gunfire. The police retaliated, resulting in a brief but intense exchange of fire. All four accused sustained bullet injuries and were rushed to Dr. BSA Hospital, Rohini, where doctors pronounced them dead.

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 23, 2025, 07:59 IST

News india Bihar's Four Most-Wanted Gangsters Gunned Down In Encounter In Delhi's Rohini

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BJP Raises Alarm Over Ponzi-Like Scheme In Asansol Linked To TMC Leader's Son, Ruling Party Denies Link

Reported By :

CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 16:40 IST

According to BJP, Tahsin Ahmed, son of TMC Minority Cells state leader Shakil Ahmed, is accused of luring thousands of investors with promise of unusually high returns on deposits

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Initially, participants received some returns, but payments allegedly stopped after a few months, triggering widespread protests. (News18)

A major financial scam has reportedly come to light in Asansols Jahangir locality, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleging that crores of rupees have been siphoned off through fraudulent investment schemes allegedly linked to the son of a Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader.

According to the BJP, Tahsin Ahmed, son of TMC Minority Cells state leader Shakil Ahmed, is accused of luring thousands of investors with promises of unusually high returns on deposits. The alleged scheme, they claim, collected several crores from local residents before collapsing without repayment.

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SCAM ALERT  A Massive 350 Crore Chit Fund Scam Rocks Asansol  Handiwork Of A TMC Bigwig's Son For 3 long years, Tahsin Ahmed; son of Shakil Ahmed alias Master Shakil, Co-President of TMC's Minority Wing in Paschim Bardhaman district has been looting over 3,000 innocent pic.twitter.com/csNKBZZgfx  Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) October 23, 2025

As per local complaints, Tahsin Ahmed reportedly promised investors hefty monthly interest in exchange for investments in his ventures. Initially, participants received some returns, but payments allegedly stopped after a few months, triggering widespread protests.

On Wednesday, angry depositors staged a demonstration outside Tahsin Ahmeds residence in Asansols Railpar area, demanding their money back. Some investors have alleged that the scam could be worth as much as Rs 450 crore.

A retired BSF officer, who claims to be among the victims, said: I initially invested Rs 3 lakh and received good returns. Later, I put in Rs 41 lakh in total, but now neither my money nor interest is coming. Many others are in the same situation."

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A woman who was also among the victims said: He took money in the name of trading. We were getting a good return but the problem started from this year. We were getting returns but then he said he met with an accident and since then, he hasnt been available."

While the BJP has accused the TMC of shielding its leaders family, the party said he was once their vice-president but is no longer part of the TMC. We have heard about the case and we want to say police should take action against him." The local police have received complaints and are said to be verifying the allegations.

About the Author Kamalika Sengupta Kamalika Sengupta is the Editor (East) at CNN-News18 / News18.com, focusing on politics, defence, and womens issues. She is a seasoned multimedia journalist with over 20 years of experience reporting... Read More

First Published: October 23, 2025, 16:32 IST

News india BJP Raises Alarm Over Ponzi-Like Scheme In Asansol Linked To TMC Leader's Son, Ruling Party Denies Link

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Cow Vigilante Shot At In Telangana; BJP Hits Out At AIMIM, Says Police Colluding With Mafia

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 08:29 IST

BJP MP Eatala Rajendar also criticised the government, saying such assaults on cow protectors are becoming frequent.

Sonus mother, a member of the Valmiki community, told that her son called moments after being shot. (ANI)

A cow vigilante identified as Sonu was shot by alleged cow smugglers in Hyderabads Ghatkesar area on Wednesday, leaving him critically injured. Police said Sonu, who has been active in cow protection efforts for over five years, was lured to the site by a group claiming to have information on illegal cattle transportation. When he arrived, one of the men reportedly opened fire. He is now undergoing treatment in hospital, while police have detained several suspects and launched an investigation.

Sonus mother, a member of the Valmiki community, told ANI that her son called moments after being shot. My son is battling for his life. I will sacrifice 10 more sons for the cow vigilante It has been 56 years since he has been doing this. I demand that the government arrest the perpetrator," she said.

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The incident has triggered sharp political reactions. Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy condemned the attack, alleging that cow-smuggling mafias operate freely due to police negligence. A mafia that illegally transports cows called up gau rakshaks and fired at them Police are colluding with these mafias. I have spoken to Sonuhe demanded the arrest of the perpetrator," Reddy said.

BJP leader Madhavi Latha accused AIMIM of shielding the accused, calling it an attempt to murder." Those who protect cows are protecting the Constitution. If police dont arrest the culprit, they are helping them. The accused is an AIMIM man," she claimed, challenging Telangana CM Revanth Reddy to act.

State BJP president N. Ramchander Rao alleged that MIM goons" orchestrated the attack to intimidate BJP and RSS workers. This is a serious incident, and police were previously informed. BJP condemns this attack and the inaction of police," he said.

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BJP MP Eatala Rajendar also criticised the government, saying such assaults on cow protectors are becoming frequent. A goon named Ibrahim fired at Prashanth (Sonu). The state government must act against those responsible," he said.

Police said the shooting appears to be linked to illegal cattle transport networks and that further arrests are expected as investigations continue.

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 23, 2025, 08:29 IST

News india Cow Vigilante Shot At In Telangana; BJP Hits Out At AIMIM, Says Police Colluding With Mafia

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EAM Jaishankar To Represent PM Modi At 20th East Asia Summit In Kuala Lumpur

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 15:36 IST

This came after PM Narendra Modi spoke to his Malaysian counterpart, Anwar Ibrahim, and confirmed his virtual participation at the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.

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EAM S Jaishankar (PTI Image)

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar would represent Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 20th East Asia Summit in Malaysia on October 27, said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday.

This came hours after PM Modi confirmed that he would not be travelling to Kuala Lumpur for the 47th ASEAN Summit, but would attend it virtually, after a telephonic conversation with his Malaysian counterpart, Anwar Ibrahim.

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Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will virtually attend the 22nd ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations)  India Summit on 26 October 2025. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the ASEAN leaders will jointly review the progress in ASEAN-India relations and discuss initiatives for strengthening Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Strengthening the relationship with ASEAN is a key pillar of our Act East Policy and our Indo-Pacific vision," said the MEA in a statement.

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar will represent Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at the 20th East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 27 October, 2025. The East Asia Summit will provide an opportunity to deliberate on the challenges to peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and also exchange views on regional and international developments," it added.

Prime Minister Modi had a warm and cordial conversation with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, during which the former conveyed his best wishes to Malaysia for the successful conduct of the upcoming ASEAN-related Summits.

Taking to X, PM Modi wrote, Had a warm conversation with my dear friend, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia. Congratulated him on Malaysias ASEAN Chairmanship and conveyed best wishes for the success of the upcoming Summits. Look forward to joining the ASEAN-India Summit virtually, and to further deepening of the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership."

Had a warm conversation with my dear friend, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia. Congratulated him on Malaysias ASEAN Chairmanship and conveyed best wishes for the success of upcoming Summits. Look forward to joining the ASEAN-India Summit virtually, and to further Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 23, 2025

Ibrahim also confirmed that PM Modi would attend the event virtually due to the ongoing Diwali celebrations in India. I respect his decision and extended my greetings for a happy Deepavali to him and the entire people of India. Malaysia will remain committed to strengthening MalaysiaIndia relations and further enhancing ASEANIndia cooperation towards a more peaceful and prosperous region," he said.

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The high-level event in Kuala Lumpur will include a host of dignitaries, including US President Donald Trump, and it was widely expected that the ASEAN Summit would provide an opportunity for a meeting between Trump and PM Modi, as relations between New Delhi and Washington remain strained over punitive tariffs.

Both leaders exchanged greetings on Diwali, but there are no plans for a meeting as the US and India are negotiating a trade pact. President Trump had earlier invited PM Modi at the Gaza Peace Summit in Egypt, but India was represented by MoS External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh.

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 23, 2025, 15:17 IST

News india EAM Jaishankar To Represent PM Modi At 20th East Asia Summit In Kuala Lumpur

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'He Shouldn't Tell The World What India Will Do': Shashi Tharoor On Trump's Russian Oil Claims

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News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 22:25 IST

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor was reacting to US President Donald Trump's claims that India will significantly reduce Russian oil imports by the end of the year

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said just like New Delhi does not speak for Washington, US President Donald Trump should not announce India's decisions to the world. (Image: PTI/File)

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday criticised US President Donald Trump for making announcements on behalf of India.

Tharoor was reacting to Donald Trumps claims that India will significantly reduce Russian oil imports by the end of the year.

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He said just like India does not speak for the US, Trump should not announce Indias decisions to the world. I dont really think its appropriate for Trump to be making announcements about Indias decisions. I think India will make announcements about its decisions. We dont tell the world what Trump will do. I think Trump should not be telling the world what India will do," he told news agency ANI.

On Wednesday (October 22), Trump claimed that India will significantly reduce Russian oil imports by year-end citing Prime Minister Narendra Modis assurance. He said the process of phasing out Russian oil imports will be gradual, claiming that India will bring it down to almost nothing" by the end of the year.

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India, as you know, told me that they would stop. It is a process; you cant just stop it. But by the end of the year, they will be down to almost nothing. Thats a big thing, that is almost 40 percent of the oil. India has been great. Spoke to Prime Minister Modi yesterday and they have been absolutely great," Trump said during an interaction with the media at the White House, while hosting NATO secretary general Mark Rutte.

India, however, has denied his claims to such an agreement over Russian oil. New Delhi stressed that its priority is to safeguard consumer interests and the energy policy prioritises stable prices and secure supplies.

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 23, 2025, 22:25 IST

News india 'He Shouldn't Tell The World What India Will Do': Shashi Tharoor On Trump's Russian Oil Claims

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Influencer With 57 Million Followers Faces 'Digital Blackmail', Loses Rs 50 Lakh

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News18.com

Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 09:09 IST

A Madhya Pradesh influencer with 57 million followers, lost Rs 50 lakh to digital blackmailers threatening Instagram ban.

AI-generated image

A 28-year-old Instagram influencer and software engineer, Azim Ahmed, lost Rs 50 lakh after falling for a digital blackmail scam. Cyber fraudsters threatened Ahmed with Instagram strikes and told him that if he doesnt pay, he will lose his followers. They also told him that his account will be banned".

As per a report by NDTV, a Madhya Pradesh-based influencer filed a complaint with the Jabalpur Cyber Cell. However, the fraudsters remain at large. Ahmed said he had been receiving copyright strike threats for a year. The fraudsters claimed that his account would be deleted.

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With over 96 active Instagram accounts and a combined follower base of 57 million, Azim runs one of Indias largest independently run social media networks. Through his firm, Whoopy Digital, he handles digital ad promotion. He helps brands in promoting their content online.

Multiple payments added up to Rs 50 lakh. Azim revealed that a caller from Pune demanded Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 to remove fake Instagram strikes.

First Such Case In Jabalpur

Jabalpur Cyber Cell in-charge, Neeraj Negi, was quoted by NDTV as saying that this is the first such case reported in the city. The fraudsters extorted money by threatening fake content strikes".

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He said that the fraudsters are exploiting Instagrams automated content systems. Once a user receives multiple fake strikes, their account faces suspension.

Reportedly, Azim first created his Instagram page in 2017, and during the COVID-19 lockdown, his page quickly gained popularity, crossing two million followers by 2021. Subsequently, he made 96 accounts and gained a massive follower base.

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 : Jabalpur, India, India

First Published: October 23, 2025, 09:09 IST

News india Influencer With 57 Million Followers Faces 'Digital Blackmail', Loses Rs 50 Lakh

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Karnataka Govt Hostel Cook Suspended In Bidar For Attending RSS March

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 09:52 IST

Pramod Kumar, who had been working as an assistant cook at the Pre-Matric Boys Hostel in Basavakalyan, was relieved was October 21 after a civil rights activists complaint

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Pramod Kumar was a contractual employee outsourced through the Bidar District Labour Services Multipurpose Cooperative Society. (News18)

Days after a Panchayat Development Officer in Raichur district was suspended for allegedly participating in a uniformed event of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), another Karnataka government employee has been relieved from his duties.

Pramod Kumar, who had been working as an assistant cook at the Pre-Matric Boys Hostel in Basavakalyan under the Backward Classes Welfare Department, has been suspended for participating in the event. Kumar was a contractual employee outsourced through the Bidar District Labour Services Multipurpose Cooperative Society, which provides manpower to various government departments.

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The action followed a complaint filed by Gagan Phulepresident of the Committee for Protecting Democracy and a civil rights activist in Bidarwith the District Backward Classes Welfare Officer (DBCWO) on October 20, objecting to Kumars participation in the RSS route march.

Following an internal inquiry and after a video of him at the event surfaced on social media, the DBCWO officer initiated an internal department inquiry and later recommended Kumars suspension.

The employee had also reportedly shared a photograph from the RSS event on his WhatsApp status, which brought about the complaint.

Based on directions received from the DBCWO, Kumar was officially relieved from service on October 21. According to the official communication issued to him, since he was employed in a government-funded institution, taking part in the activities of any organisation was prohibited under law".

The letter addressed to the Secretaries/Chief Administrative Officers of the Bidar District Labour Services Multipurpose Cooperative Society and the Deputy Commissioners Office, Bidar, stated: Shri Gagan Phule filed a complaint on 20.10.2025 to the Honble District Backward Classes Welfare Officer, Bidar, through a WhatsApp message, that Mr. Pramod Kumar, son of Ashok Kumar, Kitchen Assistant, was involved in RSS Path Sanchalan programme. Permanent/external resource staff who are drawing salary from the government are prohibited from participating in any organisations as per the law."

The letter, which News18 has a copy of, has been signed by the Taluk Backward Classes Welfare Officer, Basavakalyan.

Last week, a Panchayat Development Officer, Praveen Kumar KP, from Raichur, was also suspended for attending the RSS centenary celebration in Lingsugur. The suspension cited the Karnataka Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, which bar government employees from joining or participating in organisations with political affiliations.

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The suspension had triggered a war of words in Karnataka, with the Congress and the BJP locking horns over the issue. The action followed after Congress minister Priyank Kharge wrote to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, seeking action against government officers and employees associated with the RSS, and those who are taking part in their events.

However, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya called the officers suspension unlawful" and said he would appear before the tribunal to challenge the decision. I have spoken to the officer suspended for taking part in RSS Pathsanchalan by the State Government. Assured him that I will personally appear before the concerned tribunal and courts to challenge this illegal and unlawful suspension," the BJP MP wrote on X.

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

Location : Bidar, India, India

First Published: October 23, 2025, 09:52 IST

News india Karnataka Govt Hostel Cook Suspended In Bidar For Attending RSS March

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MLA's Son Rams Audi Into 2 Cars In Jaipur, Attacks Man After Injuring Him And His Friend

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 07:26 IST

The teenage driver allegedly turned aggressive toward the driver of the car that he rammed, according to the first information report (FIR).

An Audi car, driven by MLA's son, hit two cars, injuring two people. (Image: X)

A school student driving an Audi rammed two cars in Jaipur on Tuesday, injuring two. The underage driver informed the police that he is the son of Congress MLA Rajkumar Sharma.

The Audi, reportedly having a Haryana number plate, hit a Maruti Swift and pushed the smaller car into a divider. Pulkit Pareek and his friend, who were in the Swift, were injured. Following this, Pareek filed an FIR.

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The teenage driver allegedly turned aggressive toward the driver of the car that he rammed, according to the first information report (FIR).

Pareek alleged the underage Audi driver threatened them, stating that he was the son of an MLA and asked them to take some money and get their car repaired".

Pareek further informed that the police have called him to the station to record his statement and demanded strict action against the offender.

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In the FIR, it was alleged that when they came out of the Swift after the Audi rammed it, they found the driver to be very young, about 15-16 years old. The teen allegedly became aggressive and tried to assault him, Pareek said.

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More

First Published: October 23, 2025, 07:24 IST

News india MLA's Son Rams Audi Into 2 Cars In Jaipur, Attacks Man After Injuring Him And His Friend

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Mumbai Police Nab Dawood Aide Deported From Dubai In Rs 250 Crore Drug Case

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 14:04 IST

Mumbai Police deported Dawood Ibrahims aide from Dubai. Salim, linked to a Rs 250 crore drug racket, worked for Salim Dola, who is now being sought by police.

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Salim is a key accused in the case and is known to have worked for Dawoods close associate, Salim Dola.

In a major breakthrough, Mumbai Police have successfully deported Dawood Ibrahims aide, Mohammad Salim, from Dubai. Salim had been on the run with a Red Corner Notice issued against him.

According to police sources, Salim was overseeing a vast drug network in India. His name surfaced last year after the Mumbai Police seized 150 grams of MD drugs, a case that later led investigators to uncover a drug manufacturing racket worth Rs 250 crore.

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Salim is a key accused in the case and is known to have worked for Dawoods close associate, Salim Dola. Police have now launched a search operation to trace Dola.

Earlier this year, an alleged supplier of chemicals and materials used in the manufacture of party drug mephedrone (MD) worth Rs 250 crore in Sangli district was extradited from the UAE in an operation coordinated by Mumbai police, CBI and Interpol.

The suspect, Mustafa Mohammad Kubbawala, was brought to Mumbai after months of coordination with Interpol. The case uncovered a drug trafficking network stretching from Mumbais slums to remote areas in Sangli and across international borders that used angadias and hawala channels to launder the money.

The value of the MD found at the Sangli lab made the seizure one of the largest such involving synthetic drugs in Maharashtra in recent years.

The racket was busted after a woman, Parveen Sheikh, was caught by the crime branch in Kurla in Feb last year with 641gm of MD.

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She said she was acting on the instructions of two handlers from Dubai, Salim Dola and Mohammed Salim Sheikh, and their Indian associate, Sajid Mohammad Asif Sheikh alias Dabs. Sajid was soon nabbed.

Based on the leads from the two arrests, the crime branch conducted raids in Mira Road and seized 3kg of MD.

First Published: October 23, 2025, 13:42 IST

News india Mumbai Police Nab Dawood Aide Deported From Dubai In Rs 250 Crore Drug Case

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New Delhi Seeks To Reset Relations With Ottawa, Invites Mark Carney For Early-2026 Talks

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News18.com

Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 09:17 IST

Indias new High Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Patnaik said bilateral discussions have been going on to deal with national-security concerns so the leaders can focus on economic ties

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Both leaders are keen to rebuild diplomatic trust and deepen economic engagement, especially as they navigate global headwinds from the continuing tariff standoff with the United States. (AFP)

New Delhi has invited Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for early-2026 talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, signalling renewed momentum toward a potential comprehensive economic and free trade agreement between the two nations.

According to Indias new High Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Patnaik, both leaders are keen to rebuild diplomatic trust and deepen economic engagement, especially as they navigate global headwinds from the continuing tariff standoff with the United States.

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In an interview to The Globe and Mail, Patnaik said: We want an early visit of the prime minister to India. It is a relationship we do not want to go downhill."

Free-trade negotiations between India and Canada came to an abrupt halt in 2023 after then-prime minister Justin Trudeau alleged that the Modi government had a hand in the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia, earlier that year.

The accusations triggered a major diplomatic fallout. Ottawa expelled Indias High Commissioner along with five other diplomats, following claims by the RCMP that Indian operatives were connected to killings, extortion, and other violent acts on Canadian soil.

New Delhi rejected the charges in the strongest terms and retaliated with reciprocal expulsions of Canadian envoys. Relations remained tense for months, but began to thaw after Carney and Modi met on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in Alberta this June, setting the stage for renewed dialogue.

In the interview, Patnaik said high-level bilateral discussions have been going on since the summer to deal with national-security concerns so the two leaders can focus on expanding economic ties. He added that Carney has been invited to attend the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in New Delhi in February.

We are hoping he accepts. If not, we will always find some time when we can do this before March. I want him to go before May when it really heats up," the report quoted him as saying.

India is looking to expand its imports from Canada across a range of sectors, including oil and gas, nuclear energy, battery storage, fertilisers, processed foods, and agricultural products. The country is also interested in closer collaboration on emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and quantum computing, Patnaik said.

According to the High Commissioner, Canadian canola could have strong potential in the Indian market, which is the worlds largest consumer of cooking oil. Such a move could also help Canada reduce its reliance on China, which recently halted canola imports from Canada after Ottawa imposed 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.

However, Patnaik noted that breaking into Indias cooking oil market would require a concerted marketing push, as Indian consumers traditionally prefer oils made from sunflower, palm, rapeseed, and mustard seeds.

He added that India, for its part, is open to investing in Canadas energy and critical minerals sectors, provided Ottawa establishes clear and consistent investment guidelines, along with environmental safeguards and clarity on Indigenous land rights.

During her recent trip to New Delhi, Canadian foreign affairs minister Anita Anand signed a joint declaration that emphasises cooperation on law enforcement and the rule of law, while also laying the groundwork for deeper trade and economic engagement between the two countries.

The Khalistan Impediment

While Patnaik seemed hopeful on the trade and economic front, he said New Delhi was increasingly frustrated by what it sees as a double standardthat Ottawa demands India acknowledge evidence of its alleged role in violent incidents, yet refuses to consider Indias own evidence against Canadian-based Sikh separatists.

Your evidence is enough, but our evidence is not enough," he said. We need to talk. We need to have a clear security dialogue."

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Patnaik noted that Indian police and national security agencies are now exchanging information and seeking closer co-operation with the RCMP and Canadian Security Intelligence Service but maintained that India played no role in Nijjars killing or that it has been conducting foreign-interference operations.

Sharing an instance of the threat from separatists, he said a group of Khalistanis showed up outside his home last week, chanting for his death, carrying posters with a target of the High Commissioner and offering a $10,000 reward.

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 23, 2025, 09:17 IST

News india New Delhi Seeks To Reset Relations With Ottawa, Invites Mark Carney For Early-2026 Talks

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Patna-Bound SpiceJet Flight Returns To Delhi After Suspected Technical Glitch

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 12:37 IST

A Patna-bound SpiceJet Boeing 737-8A returned to Delhi after a suspected technical glitch. The aircraft is grounded for inspection and an alternate flight is being arranged.

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The airlines has denied presence of any foreign object in the passenger's throat, chest and abdomen.

A Patna-bound SpiceJet flight was forced to return to Delhi shortly after takeoff on Thursday after the crew detected a suspected technical glitch.

The Boeing 737-8A aircraft has been grounded for a detailed inspection, and checks are currently underway, the airline said.

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SpiceJet added that an alternate flight is being arranged for the affected passengers.

In a separate incident, an Indigo flight from Kolkata to Srinagar, carrying 166 passengers and crew members, made an emergency landing in Varanasis Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport due to a fuel leak on Wednesday.

All passengers on board were safely evacuated from IndiGo Flight 6E-6961.

According to Varanasi police, airport authorities are actively investigating the incident, and the situation is now under control, news agency IANS reported. Normal operations resumed after the emergency landing.

The aircraft landed safely at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport at 4:10 p.m., and all passengers were escorted to the arrival hall.

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Last week, a passengers power bank caught fire on board a Dimapur-bound IndiGo aircraft while taxiing at the Delhi airport, which was extinguished by the cabin crew.

According to flight tracking website Flightradar24.com, flight AI2107, operated by an Airbus A320neo aircraft, departed from Delhi airport at 14:33 hours and landed in Dimapur (Nagaland) at 16:45 hours. The flight had originally been scheduled to depart at 12:25 hours.

First Published: October 23, 2025, 12:30 IST

News india Patna-Bound SpiceJet Flight Returns To Delhi After Suspected Technical Glitch

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PM Modi To Skip ASEAN Summit In Malaysia, No Meeting With Trump Likely This Year

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News18.com

Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 15:39 IST

While Trump is expected to attend the ASEAN summit, Modis diplomatic calendar will focus on the G20 Summit in South Africa in November, which Trump will not attend.

File photo of PM Modi arriving for the 21st ASEAN-India summit in Laos. (PTI)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not travel to Kuala Lumpur for the ASEAN Summit later this month. Instead, he will attend the summit virtually.

The decision effectively ends speculation over a possible meeting between PM Modi and US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the Kuala Lumpur summit. It would have marked their first interaction since Washington decided to impose 50% tariffs on Indian goods earlier this year.

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In a statement on Instagram, Anwar said PM Modi had informed him that he would attend the proceedings online, citing the ongoing Diwali celebrations in India. I respect the decision and express my Deepavali greetings to him and all the people of India," Anwar added.

PM Modi, too, later wrote on X about his conversation with the Malaysian Prime Minister and confirmed that he will attend the summit virtually.

Anwar said the two leaders spoke by phone on Wednesday night to discuss efforts to strengthen the Malaysia-India bilateral relationship." He described India as an important partner in trade and investment, apart from close cooperation in technology, education, and regional security".

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is expected to represent India in the ASEAN summit. This is the second time in the past decade that PM Modi will skip the ASEAN summit. Earlier, he had consistently prioritised ASEAN in his foreign policy outreach to Southeast Asia.

Officials have also confirmed that no bilateral meeting between PM Modi and US President Donald Trump is scheduled this year since both are not meeting at the summits. While Trump is expected to attend the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, Modis diplomatic calendar will focus on the G20 Summit in South Africa in November, which Trump will not attend. There is, as of now, no clarity on the scheduling of the QUAD Summit, which India is slated to host later this year.

Malaysia has extended invitations to US President Donald Trump and several other leaders from ASEANs dialogue partner countries for the upcoming summit in Kuala Lumpur. Trump is expected to arrive in the Malaysian capital on a two-day visit starting October 26.

The ASEANIndia partnership, which began as a sectoral dialogue in 1992, was upgraded to a full dialogue partnership in 1995 and further elevated to the summit level in 2002. A decade later, in 2012, the relationship was raised to a strategic partnership, marking a key milestone in regional diplomacy.

ASEAN comprises 10 member nations, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia. In recent years, Indias ties with ASEAN have witnessed steady growth, with a strong emphasis on enhancing cooperation in trade, investment, security, and defence, reflecting New Delhis Act East Policy and ASEANs central role in regional stability.

PM Modi, Malaysian PM Speak On Call

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Tuesday said he had a phone conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss ways to elevate the MalaysiaIndia partnership to a more strategic and comprehensive level."

Last night, I received a phone call from my colleague, Prime Minister of the Republic of India Narendra Modi, to discuss efforts to strengthen the MalaysiaIndia bilateral relationship," Anwar said in a statement. He noted that India remains an important partner in trade and investment, apart from close cooperation in technology, education, and regional security."

The Malaysian leader said the two also discussed preparations for the ASEAN Summit, which will be hosted by Kuala Lumpur later this month.

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He informed that he would attend online since the Deepavali festival was still being celebrated in India at that time. I respect the decision and express my Deepavali greetings to him and all the people of India," Anwar said.

Reaffirming his commitment to regional cooperation, Anwar added, Malaysia will continue to be committed to strengthening the MalaysiaIndia relationship and to enhance further ASEANIndia cooperation towards a more peaceful and prosperous region."

First Published: October 23, 2025, 07:03 IST

News india PM Modi To Skip ASEAN Summit In Malaysia, No Meeting With Trump Likely This Year

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Rs 79,000-Crore Boost For Armed Forces As Defence Acquisition Council Clears Key Proposals

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 17:05 IST

The approvals cover key acquisitions aimed at strengthening the operational and logistic capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has cleared defence procurement proposals worth approximately Rs 79,000 crore during a meeting held in Delhi today.

Proposal For Indian Army: For the Indian Army, the council granted the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for several major procurements, including the Nag Missile System (Tracked) Mk-II (NAMIS), Ground-Based Mobile Electronic Intelligence System (GBMES), and High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs) equipped with Material Handling Cranesm, according to an official statement.

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Proposal For Indian Navy: For Indian Navy, the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) has been granted for the procurement of Landing Platform Docks (LPDs), 30mm Naval Surface Guns (NSG), Advanced Light Weight Torpedoes (ALWT), Electro-Optical Infra-Red Search and Track Systems, and Smart Ammunition for the 76mm Super Rapid Gun Mount, said the official statement.

The integrated sea capability provided by LPD will also help the Indian Navy to undertake peacekeeping operations, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief.

The Advanced LightweightTorpedo (ALWT), developed indigenously by the Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL) of DRDO, is capable of engaging a range of underwater threats including conventional, nuclear, and midget submarines. Its addition marks a major step towards self-reliance in undersea warfare technology.

The 30mm Naval Surface Gun (NSG) will bolster the Navys and Coast Guards ability to carry out Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO) and anti-piracy missions, particularly in coastal and high-sea environments. The integration of smart ammunition with the 76mm Super Rapid Gun Mount will further enhance precision targeting and overall combat effectiveness.

Proposal For Indian Air Force: For the Indian Air Force (IAF), the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the procurement of a Collaborative Long Range Target Saturation/Destruction System (CLRTS/DS) along with other proposals aimed at boosting air power and precision strike capability.

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The CLRTS/DS is an advanced system designed to take off, land, navigate, detect targets, and deliver payloads in the mission area autonomously  without human control.

Once inducted, the system will enable the Air Force to strike multiple long-range targets with greater accuracy and coordination, strengthening Indias air combat and defence capabilities, said the official statement.

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 23, 2025, 16:20 IST

News india Rs 79,000-Crore Boost For Armed Forces As Defence Acquisition Council Clears Key Proposals

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Student Dies After Assault During Freshers Party In Latur College; 6 Arrested

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 14:25 IST

A student died after being allegedly assaulted during a freshers party at a private college in Maharashtras Latur district.

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In a disturbing incident, a student died after allegedly being assaulted at a freshers party in a private college in Maharashtras Latur district. Police have arrested six persons in connection with the case. The incident took place on October 8 during a freshers party at a prominent college in the MIDC area of Latur, police said.

A minor dispute that began while dancing at the event quickly escalated into violence when the victim, Suraj Shinde, argued with a group of fellow students. In a fit of rage, the group allegedly attacked Shinde with sticks and fists, according to the officials.

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Shinde sustained serious injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries during treatment. Following the incident, police registered a case of murder based on a complaint by one of the attendees and arrested four students by October 16, as per an official release.

Two more students were arrested on Tuesday (October 21) after their involvement in the assault was revealed, bringing the total number of arrests to six, the police stated.

All six have been booked under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including those related to murder, voluntarily causing hurt, causing grievous hurt using dangerous weapons or means, criminal intimidation, and intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of peace, officials said.

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Police Sub-Inspector Suresh Pogulwar is leading the investigation into the case.

(PTI inputs)

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More

Location : Latur, India, India

First Published: October 23, 2025, 14:25 IST

News india Student Dies After Assault During Freshers Party In Latur College; 6 Arrested

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'They Kicked Me And Left': Dalit Man Who Was Forced To Lick Urine Inside UP Temple

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 17:07 IST

The incident took place on Monday when the 65-year-old victim, a resident of Hata Hazrat Sahab, urinated accidentally near the premises.

Dalit man who was assaulted in UP temple

The 65-year-old Dalit man who was allegedly thrashed and forced to lick urine inside a temple in Uttar Pradesh has said that he has been assured of action against the accused.

Speaking to ANI, the man narrated his ordeal and said, They forced me to lick urine. When I refused to do so, I was forced further to lick the urine. They kicked me and left. Later, several leaders intervened in the matter, offering assurances of action."

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There was no prior enmity. We live in a peaceful neighbourhood with a temple. People involved in this act live near the Katra Bazar area," he told ANI.

#WATCH | Lucknow, UP | On being allegedly thrashed and forced to lick his urine in a UP temple, victim says, They forced me to lick urine. When I refused to do so, I was forced further to lick the urine. They kicked me and left. Later, several leaders intervened in the matter, pic.twitter.com/7GTYpnPovW ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2025

Whats The Case?

The incident took place on Monday when the 65-year-old victim, a resident of Hata Hazrat Sahab, urinated accidentally near the premises. He is diagnosed with a chronic respiratory condition.

According to eyewitnesses, Swamikant alias Pammu, a local resident, reacted violently upon noticing the incident.

The old man was assaulted, accused of defiling the temple," and forced to lick urine in the name of purifying the area."

It did not end there; the accused also thrashed the victim, Rampal, and hurled abuses at him. He was verbally abused with casteist remarks and humiliated in public.

Accused Arrested

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An official complaint was filed in connection with the incident at the Kakori police station. ACP Kakori Shakeel Ahmed confirmed that the accused has been taken into custody.

Based on the victims complaint, a case has been registered under relevant sections of the IPC and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Further investigation is underway," he said.

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 : Uttar Pradesh, India, India

First Published: October 23, 2025, 17:07 IST

News india 'They Kicked Me And Left': Dalit Man Who Was Forced To Lick Urine Inside UP Temple

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UP Man Kills Mother After She Recommends His Younger Brother For Compassionate Job; Arrested

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 13:39 IST

The victim had recommended her younger son's name for a job under the compassionate appointment scheme. Her elder son was agitated by this.

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In a chilling case reported from a village in Uttar Pradeshs Gonda, a son allegedly murdered his own mother over a compassionate job. As per reports, the accused hit his mother with a sil batta (grinding stone), and his brother was also injured while trying to intervene.

As per a report by India Today, 58-year-old victim, Kanti Devi, was a sanitation worker in Gonda Nagar Palika. Her late husband was also employed with the municipal body. Following her husbands death, Devi recommended her younger sons name for a job under the compassionate appointment scheme.

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The accused son, Sandeep Valmiki, was arrested, and during interrogation, he confessed to the crime and said, Around four years ago, his mother had given a compassionate job in the Nagar Palika to his younger brother instead of him." He was agitated over this, and during one family dispute, he hit his mother with a sil batta.

The injured brother is admitted to a hospital and is under treatment.

16-Year-Old Boy Kills Mother With Axe

In another shocking incident reported from Haryanas Kurukshetra, a 16-year-old boy allegedly killed his mother by hitting her on the head with an axe.

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According to Ladwa Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Randhir Singh, the victim woman, identified as 45-year-old Mukesh Rani had been living separately from her husband after their divorce. The assault occurred at her home on Tuesday night, resulting in severe head injuries. Despite being rushed to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narain Hospital in Kurukshetra, Rani succumbed to her injuries during treatment.

The DSP revealed that the boy, who had been residing with his father, is currently absconding following the incident. Authorities are still investigating the motive behind the attack. The couples elder son is reported to be living abroad.

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 : Gonda, India, India

First Published: October 23, 2025, 13:39 IST

News india UP Man Kills Mother After She Recommends His Younger Brother For Compassionate Job; Arrested

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Vedanta To Invest Rs 1 Lakh Crore In Odisha; Promises New Jobs Opportunities In State

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 21:38 IST

As part of its latest industrial push, Vedanta will establish a Ferro-Alloy plant in Keonjhar, backed by an investment of Rs 2,000 crore.

Image used for representation

In a major boost to Odishas industrial landscape, Vedanta Group has announced plans to invest nearly Rs 1 lakh crore in the state. The initiative, one of the companys largest expansions, is expected to generate around one lakh jobsboth directly and indirectly  across multiple sectors.

Vedanta Group Chairman Anil Agarwal met Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at the Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday in view of the companys new investment strategy. The CM assured full government support, including fast-tracking land allocation and infrastructure assistance for the upcoming projects, after the meeting.

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Massive Expansion Across Sectors

As part of its latest industrial push, Vedanta will establish a Ferro-Alloy plant in Keonjhar, backed by an investment of Rs 2,000 crore. The facility is aimed at strengthening Odishas position in the global metal value chain.

Vedanta has revealed intentions to establish two additional aluminium parks in Odisha within the framework of its extensive investment strategy. One of these will be built near its current aluminium plant in Jharsuguda, while the other will be established at a site to be determined by the state government. The facilities will generate premium aluminium alloys for sectors like aerospace, electric vehicles, and defence that demand sophisticated materials and exact manufacturing.

Officials indicated that the new facilities are anticipated to draw downstream industries and promote MSME development by providing local entrepreneurs with access to new business opportunities in the growing industrial network

CM Mohan Hails Vedanta

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi hailed Vedantas announcement as a significant achievement for Odishas industrial progress. He stated that the state is poised to become a worldwide center for industry and technology" and highlighted that this initiative aligns with the Prime Ministers vision of a prosperous India.

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Describing Vedantas investment as a game-changer," the Chief Minister emphasised that it would result in lasting economic growth, enhanced infrastructure, and extensive job creation in several districts

Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal expressed confidence in Odishas potential, saying the state offers a strong foundation for industrial growth. He noted that Vedantas continued investments would strengthen Indias manufacturing base while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for thousands of families.

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 : Bhubaneswar, India, India

First Published: October 23, 2025, 21:37 IST

News india Vedanta To Invest Rs 1 Lakh Crore In Odisha; Promises New Jobs Opportunities In State

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Bhai Dooj 2025: Puja Vidhi, Shubh Muhurat, Tilak Timings And Rituals Today

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 08:33 IST

Bhaiya Dooj 2025 Puja: Bhai Dooj will be celebrated today, on October 23, marking the bond of love and protection between brothers and sisters.

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Bhai Dooj 2025: Sisters apply tilak, pray for their brothers and exchange sweets and gifts. (AI generated image)

Bhaiya Dooj 2025 Puja: Bhai Dooj marks the conclusion of the five-day Diwali festival and celebrates the deep love between brothers and sisters. The day is filled with rituals, prayers, and family gatherings. Like Raksha Bandhan, it highlights the bond of care and protection between siblings. This year, Bhai Dooj will be observed on Thursday, October 23, with families across India coming together for the special tilak ceremony.

Known by different names across regions  Bhaiya Dooj in North India, Bhau Beej in Maharashtra, Bhai Phonta in Bengal, and Bhai Tika in Nepal  the festival conveys one shared emotion: love between siblings. On this day, sisters pray for their brothers health and long life, while brothers promise to protect and support them.

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Bhai Dooj 2025: Puja Time

According to the Hindu calendar, Bhai Dooj falls on the Dwitiya Tithi of the Kartik months Shukla Paksha. This year, the Dwitiya Tithi begins at 8:16 PM on October 22 and ends at 10:46 PM on October 23. The most auspicious time to perform the Bhai Dooj tilak ceremony, also known as the Aparahna Muhurat, is between 1:13 PM and 3:28 PM on October 23.

ALSO READ: Best Bhai Dooj 2025 Wishes, Quotes And Messages For Brothers And Sisters

During this period, sisters perform the tilak ritual, offer prayers, and feed sweets to their brothers. The ceremony is believed to bring blessings, happiness, and prosperity to both. Families also exchange gifts, share festive meals, and enjoy the final celebration of the Diwali season together.

Bhai Dooj 2025: Rituals

Sisters begin the day by bathing early and preparing a puja thali with roli, rice, sweets, coconut, and a diya. They apply a tilak of vermilion and rice grains to their brothers foreheads, tie a sacred thread (kalava) around their wrists, and perform aarti while praying for their well-being.

ALSO READ: Bhai Dooj 2025: Auspicious Time For Tika Ceremony

After the ritual, they offer sweets to their brothers, symbolising love and blessings. In return, brothers give gifts or money as a token of affection. The ceremony concludes with laughter, warmth, and family meals that bring everyone together.

In many households, traditional dishes and sweets such as laddoos and kheer are prepared for the occasion.

The Story Behind Bhai Dooj

Several legends are associated with Bhai Dooj, each adding depth to the festivals meaning. One of the most well-known stories is about Lord Krishna and his sister Subhadra. After Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura, Subhadra welcomed him home with flowers, sweets, and a tilak on his forehead, marking the beginning of this tradition.

Another tale features Yamraj, the god of death, and his sister Yamuna. When Yamraj visited her on Dwitiya Tithi, she greeted him with a tilak, sweets, and prayers.

Moved by her love, Yamraj declared that any brother who visits his sister on this day and receives a tilak will be blessed with a long and prosperous life. For this reason, Bhai Dooj is also known as Yama Dwitiya in some regions.

Regional Traditions And Beliefs

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While the rituals remain broadly similar, celebrations vary across states. In West Bengal, the day is known as Bhai Phonta, where sisters fast until they apply a tilak on their brothers foreheads.

In Maharashtra, families celebrate Bhau Beej with special dishes and gifts. In South India, the festival is called Yama Dwitiya, and in Nepal, it is known as Bhai Tika, where the tilak is made with seven colours for good fortune.

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 23, 2025, 06:05 IST

News lifestyle events Bhai Dooj 2025: Puja Vidhi, Shubh Muhurat, Tilak Timings And Rituals Today
5 Iconic Amitabh Bachchan Films That Prove Why He Is The Biggest Superstar

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 18:27 IST

From his Angry Young Man image to becoming the Sadi Ke Mahanayak Amitabh Bachchan is undoubtedly one of the greatest actors in Indian cinema.

Amitabh Bachchan has received 6 National Film Awards, 16 Filmfare Awards. (Photo Credit: X)

Amitabh Bachchan, the Shahenshah of Bollywood, needs no introduction. With a career spanning over five decades, he has starred in over 200 films and delivered some of the groundbreaking performances in the history of Indian cinema. From his Angry Young Man" image to becoming the Sadi ke Mahanayak" (Superstar of the Century), he is undoubtedly one of the greatest, most accomplished and commercially successful actors in Indian cinema.

His dominance in the industry during the 1970s80s even led French director Francois Truffaut to describe it as a one-man industry." He has received several accolades, including six National Film Awards and 16 Filmfare Awards.

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Heres a look back at some of his outstanding performances to celebrate his rich legacy:

Don (1978)

Don ko pakadna mushkil hi nahi, namumkin hai", this iconic dialogue delivered by Amitabh Bachchan alone proved why he is the biggest superstar. Directed by Chandra Barot, the 1978 classic featured Big B in a double role as the notorious Don and his doppelganger Vijay. The film also starred Helen, Pran and Zeenat Aman in key roles. Watch it now on Zee5.

Sholay (1975)

Directed by Ramesh Sippy, Sholay quickly became a cult classic upon its release in 1975. The films iconic characters, Jai, Veeru, Gabbar, Thakur and Basanti along with its gripping storyline, have cemented its place as a fan favourite, with its dialogues still quoted by audiences today.

The plot follows Jai and Veeru, two petty criminals hired by former police officer Thakur Baldev Singh to capture the dacoit Gabbar Singh, who has been terrorising Thakurs village and family. The film also stars Dharmendra, Hema Malini, the late Amjad Khan and Sanjeev Kumar in pivotal roles. Sholay continues to captivate viewers and is available for streaming on Prime Video.

Deewar (1975)

Released in 1975, Deewaar remains a landmark in Indian cinema, remembered for its unforgettable dialogues, intense performances and engaging narrative. Helmed by the late Yash Chopra, the film starred Amitabh Bachchan alongside Shashi Kapoor, Nirupa Roy, Neetu Singh and Praveen Babi in pivotal roles. You can stream this classic on Zee5 or Prime Video.

Black (2005)

In this Sanjay Leela Bhansali film, Bachchan played a strict teacher to Rani Mukerjis deaf and blind character. It showed a young woman struggling with both blindness and loss of hearing and how a gifted teacher brings light into her black world. The film was based on Helen Kellers life and struggles. Amitabhs performance in this film counted as one of his best roles ever.

Piku (2015)

Amitabh Bachchan, usually seen in larger-than-life roles, played Bhaskor Banerjee, the 70-year-old father of Deepika Padukones Piku. The film, directed by Shoojit Sircar, follows their road trip from Delhi to Kolkata, with Irrfan Khan as the reluctant taxi driver. The authentic and relatable performances of each actor made Piku a heartwarming and comforting watch. For his role, Bachchan won his fourth National Film Award, further showing that his talent only grows with time.

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 23, 2025, 18:27 IST

News movies bollywood 5 Iconic Amitabh Bachchan Films That Prove Why He Is The Biggest Superstar
Konkona Sen Sharma Reveals Actors Rejected Luck By Chance As It Was 'Not Very Conventional'

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 19:11 IST

Konkona is happy that the popularity of Aryan Khan's "The Ba***ds of Bollywood" has brought the focus back on "Luck By Chance".

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Konkona Sen Sharma loved the script of Luck By Chance.

Konkona Sensharma says she was completely blown away when she first read the script of Zoya Akhtars 2009 movie Luck By Chance", an unusual story that spoke about the inner workings of the film industry through the eyes of two strugglers. The popularity of Aryan Khans series The Ba***ds of Bollywood" has brought the focus back on Luck By Chance" and Farah Khans 2007 hit Om Shanti Om" as they are all set in the big bad world of Hindi cinema. Fans are sharing reels, scenes and memes from these movies on social media.

Konkona, who currently headlines JioHotstars popular series, Search: The Naina Murder Case", is happy that Luck By Chance" is back in the limelight. I had heard about this script, Id heard its great, not very conventional. It was perhaps not getting the kind of green light or the actors that it had wanted to originally," she told PTI in an interview.

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Then I read it and felt, Its one of the best scripts Ive ever read. It is such a sparkling, fantastic script that I was just blown away. I was bowled over. I was just like, Oh my God, can we start shooting tomorrow, please?'" The actor said it was fun to play Sona Mishra, a small-town woman trying her luck in the film industry.

What an interesting and unusual character with a great and unusual resolution. It has a nice little traditional romance, male hero I was really privileged to have worked on that film," she said.

Known for her roles in films such as Mr. and Mrs. Iyer", Omkara", Life in aMetro", Wake Up Sid", Talvar", and Lipstick Under My Burkha", Konkona has also directed two critically-acclaimed projects  her feature debut A Death in the Gunj" and The Mirror" segment in anthology movie Lust Stories 2".

For Search: The Naina Murder Case", the actor reunited with Rohan Sippy, who produced The President is Coming" and directed the web series Side Hero". Konkona said Rohan and the writers had already covered most of the ground in the series, which is based on the popular Danish series Forbrydelsen" (The Killing). The original is a great show and (our show) was beautifully adapted to an Indian context, and Rohan was directing it," she said.

The actor, mostly known for her intense portrayals, explored her comedic chops in Killer Soup", where she played a woman who is terrible at cooking, but dreams of opening her own restaurant. When her dreams are thwarted, she turns to killing those who block her way to realising her dream.

Konkona said she rarely gets to do comedy, though she loves the genre. Im, very often, a very earnest and good kind of, above any moral reproach, woman of substance and all of that." Is she bored of it? A little bit," she said.

In Search: The Naina Murder Case", she is playing ACP Sanyukta Das, who is forced to team up with Suryas ACP Jai Kanwal, her eccentric replacement, to investigate the murder of a teenager. Konkona said it would be great fun to watch a woman play a stylized over the top cop" and she is up for a role like that in future.

But we rarely see women behaving badly on screen anyway, regardless of their profession. We rarely see women behaving irresponsibly, especially if theyre a mom. We rarely allow for that in real life or even in other roles," she said.

According to the actor, most women cops are portrayed a certain way because thats what the majority of the audience likes. I am always so wary of majoritarianism because unless a few people take chances, were never pushing the envelope, actually," she said, adding that she liked The Wire".

But I was just thinking (of) Kill Bill (Quentin Tarantinos 2003 film starring Uma Thurman), where we actually see a woman, very stylized and fighting, and its so much fun." The actor is returning to direction soon with a comedy series that she is co-writing and co-directing with Jaydeep Sarkar of docuseries Rainbow Rishta" fame.

Im co-writing, co-directing, and its quite a challenge. Thats still coming up, and its still a while away." She said she will not act in it. The actor, who is the daughter of Bengali filmmaker Aparna Sen and writer-journalist Mukul Sharma, has often chosen content over popularity. That, she said, is a deliberate choice.

From very early on in my childhood, I have believed that what is popular is not necessarily good. I want to do things which interest me. If I can make it work, great. If I cant, then I wont, its okay. I want to do things which are not necessarily very popular, Im okay to do them with little resourcesThats the path and the life that Ive chosen," she concluded.

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 23, 2025, 19:11 IST

News movies bollywood Konkona Sen Sharma Reveals Actors Rejected Luck By Chance As It Was 'Not Very Conventional'
Opinion | Faith In The Red: Keralas Renaissance And The Politics Of Belief

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 15:53 IST

The appropriation of Sri Narayana Guru by the Communist Party exemplifies the selective application of ideology

Sree Narayana Guru

Sri Narayana Guru, a monk who followed the Advaita tradition, is considered one of the most prominent social reformers from Kerala. The term social reformer has, however, fallen out of fashion in recent times, and the preferred term now is renaissance leader. The word renaissance implies a rebirth or a revival. Of course, it is in this sense that the term is used when we speak of the European Renaissance. In the European context, the Renaissance was seen as a revival of the values and spirit of the classical Greek world. Although there was a conscious effort in India to reimagine and reinterpret aspects of Hindu religiosity, it is doubtful whether any such revival was ever the goal or outcome of the progressive movements here.

That, however, is a topic for another discussion. For now, let us return to Sri Narayana Guru. Active from the closing decades of the nineteenth century through the first quarter of the twentieth, Guru was born into a family belonging to the Ezhava community, one of the communities that was considered socially and economically backward. After his extensive travels across India, Guru eventually settled in Kerala. He composed numerous devotional hymns dedicated to the Hindu pantheon, and his poems and elegies are still regarded as some of the finest works in the language.

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At the heart of his thought and teaching was a radical rejection of the caste system: he proclaimed that there is, and can be, only one caste: the human caste. He initiated people into sannyas without bothering about their caste. He consecrated deities in temples, something that, according to conservatives, he was not supposed to do as someone from a backward caste.

Guru proclaimed that all religions, whether Hinduism, Christianity, or Islam, convey the message of compassion. He was a radical religious figure. He attacked the caste system and held that all religions are essentially the same. Yet one could argue that his rejection of caste was deeply rooted in Hindu texts themselves, especially when one compares some of his aphorisms with texts like the Samkhya Karika.

Guru passed away  or attained samadhi, the term traditionally used to describe the passing of sannyasis  in 1928. Three years earlier, in 1925, the Communist Party of India had been formed. Although the party was founded in 1925, it was still not affiliated with the Communist International and did not have a full-fledged programme. That happened much later, in 1934. Later still, socialist ideas inspired by the October Revolution and the formation of the USSR began to attract the attention of a few young and active politicians in Kerala. In 1937, the first Communist Party group in Kerala was formed, which operated within the Indian National Congress.

It took many years after Gurus passing for the Communist Party to establish itself in Kerala. Yet, decades later, one of the most prominent images the party displays in its posters, from local meetings to election rallies today, is that of Guru. He remains a key icon of the Communist Party in Kerala. The party intelligentsia often organises seminars and public discussions on Guru, and his messages are regularly quoted by party leaders. At least twice a month, some party apparatchik somewhere in Kerala delivers a talk explaining why Gurus message holds the greatest relevance in contemporary Kerala, and more broadly, in India.

This, of course, comes with its own problems. One might ask: why is a monk who followed the Advaita tradition  a soteriological school of philosophy associated with Hinduism  important to the Communist Party? How can a renaissance" spearheaded by a communist movement be linked to a major spiritual figure  one who composed hymns to deities ranging from Vinayaka and Siva to Vasudeva and Vishnu?

The partys intellectuals respond that the Guru does not belong to any specific religion or caste. To defend this position, they cite a declaration by the Guru in which he stated that he had transcended the distinctions of caste and religion years ago and that he does not belong to any particular caste or faith. This, along with other writings in which the Guru extols Prophet Muhammad and Christ alongside Sri Krishna and Shankaracharya, is presented by leftist intellectuals as evidence of his secular outlook.

A sannyasi  especially an Advaitin  saying that he has transcended the limitations of social constructions is neither new nor remarkable. Advaitic texts are replete with such utterances about transcending caste and religion. Varnasramonaiva kulam na jatih," declares the Avadhuta Gita: in the Brahman, there is no race, caste, or lineage. Na tvamvipradiko varno nasrami" proclaims another text, the Astavakra Gita: you do not belong to the Brahmana or any other caste; you have no race and do not occupy any particular station in life. It must be in this sense that the Guru, too, said, I have no caste." The fact that his declaration reads, I have transcended the distinction of caste and religion years ago," makes it even clearer that the statement arises from a philosophical, rather than a political, motivation.

So why does a communist party that typically rejects religion and faith, and whose ideology is materialistic and atheistic, depend on a spiritual mystic and promote his message? The reason lies in electoral demography. The Guru is a major influence and the symbolic face of the Ezhava community, the community into which he was born. The Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam, popularly known as the SNDP, was founded by the Guru with the vision of creating a movement that transcended caste barriers and uplifted the backward communities. Today, however, it functions largely as an organisation associated with the Ezhava community. Although the Guru later distanced himself from the SNDP, the organisation continues to claim his legacy and remains a major pressure group in Kerala.

Traditionally, the Ezhava community has backed the Left in elections. During its formative years  in the 1930s and 1940s, when the upper castes and elites were at the forefront of the Indian National Congress, the other major political party with a strong presence in Kerala  the Communist Party was far more inclusive. Many leaders such as V.S. Achuthanandan, K.R. Gowri Amma, K.P. Gopalan, and P.K. Chathan Master, who were born into backward castes, rose to prominence within the Communist movement. For a party that was formed through farmers movements and labourers unions, whose members were predominantly from the backward castes, this was only natural. The progressiveness of the party at the time of its founding also contributed to this.

The Ezhava community is the single largest Hindu group in Kerala, comprising about 23 per cent of the states population. This makes it all the more important for the party to secure the continued support of this bloc. The religious identity of this group therefore becomes politically significant, and the party must handle it with subtlety. On one hand, it has to ensure that the religion of the Ezhavas is distinguished from the dominant form of Hindu-ness associated with forward castes and upper-class elites.

On the other hand, this rejection of the dominant religion should not alienate the core electorate by suggesting that their beliefs have no place within the party. There must, therefore, be an acceptance of the religion of the masses, coupled with a rejection of the faith of upper-caste Hinduism  or Hindutva, as the party would call it. At the same time, this acceptance of faith should be framed in a way that appears progressive, at least outwardly.

Most political parties in Kerala face a similar conundrum  and most of them walk on eggshells. Any attempt to pander to mainstream Hinduism risks being branded as sympathy for the Sangh. Conversely, any effort to distance oneself from Hinduism invites accusations of minority appeasement  and, in Kerala, minorities are not quite minorities. Their numerical strength and social presence make them a decisive force in the states political landscape.

This dilemma becomes even more acute for a communist party that prides itself on its commitment to rationalism. The alchemy of progressiveness, or what is often described as renaissance, must therefore be carefully balanced. During the Sabarimala controversy in 2018, the party may have overreached. It endorsed the entry of women of all ages into the Sabarimala temple and formalised its position through an affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court.

The decision was initially hailed as revolutionary and even compared to the Temple Entry Proclamation. However, the outcome proved otherwise, as the move was widely perceived as an affront to the rituals and traditions of the temple. Now that the election is nearing, the party is attempting to mitigate the damage through the Global Ayyappa Sangamam, it organised recently.

Communist parties in India have long maintained that they are not opposed to faith or religion. However, this has always been, and continues to be, a conditional stance. At a time when the Left is engaged in what it perceives as a political battle with the BJP, it is imperative that they are not seen as pandering to the faith and rituals of Hindus in general, as this could be interpreted as hypocrisy or tacit support for Hindutva practices. At the same time, they cannot wholly reject such rituals either, since their voter base  though largely composed of the backward castes  continues to practice Hinduism. Moreover, if the party has to defend the practices of other religious groups, a cause it is often unusually eager to champion in order to prove its secular credentials, it must also defend the practices of Hinduism, a task that at times leads to rather awkward outcomes.

Two years ago, the Speaker of the House, a Communist Party leader, made a remark about Ganapati being a myth". When some took offence and it became a talking point, the party secretary initially defended the Speaker. However, during a press conference, someone asked the secretary whether the idea of myth" extended to the beliefs of Islam as well. He immediately sensed the trouble and denied ever having referred to Ganapati as a myth. He also claimed that the Speaker had never said such a thing either.

Similarly, in 2023, an MLA was asked to explain why he arranged the Annaprasana ceremony of his child at the Guruvayur Temple. This, while Muslim cadres proudly post their Haj pilgrimage photos on social media. The party might not have pursued the matter further, and in any case, no details of any reprimand for visiting the temple were reported  probably because doing so would have highlighted the fact that Muslim cadres are not asked to explain their expressions of faith.

This careful choreography of appeasement is now taking a U-turn. A few years ago, when a former disciple of Mata Amritanandamayi wrote a book against her, the partys TV channel was quick to send its representative abroad to conduct a detailed interview with the author and gather further allegations and details. Come 2025, a minister visited Mata Amritanandamayi, hugged her, and even gave an affectionate kiss on her forehead.

The partys rationalism and progressiveness have always come from a planned position, one that is more about convenience than conviction. The secularism it claims is often transitory and changes based on the needs of electoral maths. The appropriation of Sri Narayana Guru by the Communist Party exemplifies this selective application of ideology. The party reinterprets the Gurus spiritual humanism and insistence on the unification of all religions as emblems of social justice and egalitarianism, which fit well with its political narrative. But this use of the Guru takes away his spiritual depth and makes him out to be an atheist reformer, which he was not.

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What emerges, therefore, is not a constant philosophical commitment to rationalism or equality, but a practical use of symbols that speak to the people. The Lefts idea of Keralas renaissance" has now turned into a performance. The ideological colour, whether saffron, green, or red, is ultimately inconsequential, akin to Deng Xiaopings cat. The important thing is whether it can catch that hard-to-find mouse of political power.

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 23, 2025, 15:53 IST

News opinion Opinion | Faith In The Red: Keralas Renaissance And The Politics Of Belief

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Opinion | From Gaza Peace Process To Ukraine War: The Principle Of Consent In International Law

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 22:53 IST

Whether through formal treaties or consistent patterns of behaviour that suggest agreement, the principle of consent remains the cornerstone for any legitimate & lasting resolution

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The principle of consent in international law is equally crucial in understanding the ongoing crisis involving Ukraine, Russia, and various international stakeholders. (AP)

In modern diplomacy, particularly in peace processes involving Egypt, the United States, Qatar, Israel, and Palestine, the principle of consent can be complicated. For example, if Egypt, US, and Qatar sign a peace framework while Israel and Palestine do not, the classical idea of treaty consent is challenged, since under Article 34 of the Vienna Convention on Law of the Treaties (VCLT), a treaty does not create obligations for non-signatory states. However, international practice acknowledges that states can show consent through actions, even if not formally signed. Publicly endorsing or implementing treaty provisions may indicate implied consent, aligning with VCLT Article 31(3)(b).

The doctrine of pacta sunt servanda, embodied in Article 26 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (VCLT), underscores that every treaty in force is binding upon the parties to it and must be performed in good faith". Therefore, even though Israel and Palestine do not enter a treaty in the strict sense of the word, once they agree mutually or align their actions consistently with the terms put forward, they acquire good faith obligations to uphold such commitments.

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In peace negotiations, guarantor nations such as Egypt, US and Qatar are important players. They usually mediate, ensure compliance, and supervise commitments. When nations such as Egypt, US and Qatar support a peace accord, and Israel and Palestine voluntarily agree to its conditions, it shows how international law is adaptable enough to accommodate political realities.

The principle of consent in international law is equally crucial in understanding the ongoing crisis involving Ukraine, Russia, and various international stakeholders. At the heart of this conflict lies a significant legal and political question: To what extent can a state be bound by international norms, agreements, or peace initiatives without its explicit, sovereign consent?

In this situation, the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (VCLT) becomes especially relevant, particularly the principles enshrined in Articles 26 (pacta sunt servanda), 31(3)(b) (subsequent practice in the application of a treaty), and 34 (a treaty does not create obligations for third states without their consent) as discussed above.

In the broader diplomatic effort to end the Russia-Ukraine war, Western nations, particularly the United States, the European Union, and NATO members, have functioned as external actors, similar to the role Egypt, Qatar, and the US play in Middle East peace processes. These nations have proposed peace frameworks, including ceasefires, withdrawal plans, and post-war reconstruction strategies. Yet, according to Article 34 of the VCLT, none of these frameworks can be binding on Russia or Ukraine unless there is clear and sovereign consent from both parties.

Moreover, the principle of pacta sunt servanda becomes highly relevant when considering ceasefire agreements or temporary truces. Should Russia and Ukraine reach even a provisional agreement, whether formalised or not, international law would expect both parties to honour those commitments in good faith. Violations, such as renewed aggression or failure to fulfil terms, would undermine not only the credibility of the involved parties but also the foundational principle that international agreements must be respected once consent is given.

In peace negotiations surrounding Ukraine, guarantor states, especially NATO members and neutral mediators like Turkey, can play a critical role. These states may not be direct parties to the conflict but act as facilitators and overseers of any agreed peace framework.

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Ultimately, the Ukrainian case reinforces the necessity of consent in international law while also demonstrating the flexibility of the system to accommodate political realities. Whether through formal treaties or through consistent patterns of behaviour that suggest agreement, the principle of consent remains the cornerstone for any legitimate and lasting resolution.

Abhinav Mehrotra and Dr Biswanath Gupta are Associate Professors at OP Jindal Global University. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: October 23, 2025, 16:40 IST

News opinion Opinion | From Gaza Peace Process To Ukraine War: The Principle Of Consent In International Law

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 12:42 IST

1 / 7 To secure a position in the civil services or IAS-IPS, candidates must pass the UPSC Civil Services Examination, which is known as the toughest exam in the country. Each year, lakhs of candidates take this exam, but only a few succeed. Today, we introduce Aditya Vikram Agarwal, who left his secure corporate job to prepare for the civil services exam and achieved All India Rank 9. (Image: @iasadivikram/Instagram) + Follow us On Google

2 / 7 Agarwal scored 854 in the UPSC mains written exam, and 173 in the interview, taking the total to 1027. (Image: @iasadivikram/Instagram)

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3 / 7 Aditya, a resident of Sector 2, Bahadurgarh, graduated from NIT Prayagraj. After graduation, he briefly worked at Tata Motors but his ambition was to become an IAS officer. He left his corporate job and started preparing for the UPSC exam, succeeding after five attempts. His journey exemplifies perseverance, discipline, and the unwavering support of his family. (Image: @iasadivikram/Instagram)

4 / 7 Reflecting on his journey, Aditya said, "I felt discouraged at times, but my parents, sister, and friends supported me through every difficulty. Their encouragement helped me move forward." He added, "As an IAS officer, I want to focus on education, healthcare, and environmental sustainability. My parents taught me honesty and commitment to solving people's problems, principles I will uphold in my service." (Image: @iasadivikram/Instagram)

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5 / 7 Aditya's father, Ram Avtar, expressed, "We always taught him that honesty and service to the nation matter most. We are proud to see him achieve this feat with complete honesty." (Image: @iasadivikram/Instagram)

6 / 7 Aditya's passion goes beyond academics. He loves cooking and believes that maintaining balance is the key to success. His elder sister, who has always inspired him, mentioned that Aditya's calm nature and focus helped him overcome repeated disappointments. Today, Aditya's story serves as a beacon of hope for every young aspirant who dares to leave their comfort zone and serve the nation with purpose. (Image: @iasadivikram/Instagram)

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 18:18 IST

1 / 8 Karan and Janhvi recently appeared on Two Much, where they discussed emotional cheating vs physical cheating. While Janhvi condemned both forms of infidelity, the senior stars didn't think physical cheating was a deal breaker. + Follow us On Google

2 / 8 Twinkle Khanna said that Janhvi was too young to understand that "raat gayi baat gayi". She mentioned Janhvi would soon see things that she has also seen. Kajol agreed with her co-cost.

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3 / 8 Karan Johar echoed this sentiment and mentioned, I believe physical infidelity is not a deal breaker." Karan then explained his reasoning and said, Thand lag jaati hai kabhi kabhi."

4 / 8 Kajol, the co-host of the show, also agreed that physical cheating can be forgiven. Previously, many Bollywood celebs have expressed similar opinions.

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5 / 8 Neetu Kapoor once told a newspaper, ''I have caught him flirting hundreds of times. I always seem to be the first to hear about his affairs on outdoor locations. But I know they are just one-night stands... We have become very confident about each other... He is too dependent on me, he will never leave me... Men should be given a certain amount of freedom."

6 / 8 While Maheep Kapoor did threaten to leave Sanjay Kapoor when he cheated on her, she eventually reconciled with him for her kids. She had said on her Netflix show, "I walked out with Shanaya. I stood up for myself but then, I had a newborn baby. Again, as a woman and as a mother, the priority is my child. I owed my daughter this amazing father, which he is. I owed it to myself. And if I look back and if I broke this shit up, I would have regretted it all my life."

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7 / 8 Aditya Pancholi cheated on Zarina Wahab multiple times. She told Lehren TV, "Maine kabhi aaj tak, Nirmal se puch lena, ek sawal maine kabhi nahi kiya. Mujhe sirf itna hai ke jab wo ghar mein aate hai toh how is he to me. That's more important. Agar pata bhi hota toh bhi I would never ask, agar maine puch liya toh woh darr nikal jayega, toh kyun puchu main."
Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 12:34 IST

1 / 8 For centuries, Iceland stood proudly among the few places on Earth untouched by mosquitoes. Its frigid climate, lack of standing water, and harsh seasonal shifts created a natural barrier against the bloodsucking insects. (Image: Canva) + Follow us On Google

2 / 8 But that legacy may be changing. In a historic and unsettling twist, mosquitoes have now been officially recorded in Iceland for the first time, raising alarms about the creeping effects of climate change. (Image: Canva)

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3 / 8 Icelands mosquito-free status was long attributed to its bone-chilling winters and rapid freeze-thaw cycles, which made it nearly impossible for mosquito larvae to survive. Unlike other cold regions, Iceland lacks the kind of stagnant water bodies that mosquitoes need to breed. Until recently, only Antarctica shared this rare distinction. (Image: Canva)

4 / 8 In October 2025, insect enthusiast Bjorn Hjaltason made a surprising discovery in Kjos, a region about 30 kilometers north of Reykjavik. While using wine-soaked ropes to attract moths, he noticed an unfamiliar insect. Suspecting it might be a mosquito, he contacted Matthias Alfresson, an entomologist at the Natural Science Institute of Iceland. Together, they captured and confirmed the presence of three mosquitoestwo females and one malebelonging to the species Culiseta annulata, known for its cold resistance. (Image: Canva)

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5 / 8 Scientists believe this unprecedented appearance is not a fluke. Iceland has experienced record-breaking spring temperatures and increasingly mild winters in recent years. These changing conditions may be making the environment more hospitable to insects that were once unable to survive there. The discovery is being viewed as a canary in the coal mine, a subtle but significant sign of how global warming is reshaping ecosystems in even the most unlikely places. (Image: Canva)

6 / 8 The species identified, Culiseta annulata, is known for its ability to withstand colder climates. Found in parts of Europe and Asia, it typically breeds in cool, moist environments. Its arrival in Iceland suggests that the countrys climate may now support the full mosquito life cycle, from egg to adult. (Image: Canva)

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7 / 8 While the presence of just three mosquitoes might seem minor, it could mark the beginning of a broader ecological shift. If these insects establish a breeding population, Iceland could face new public health challenges, including the potential spread of mosquito-borne diseasesthough experts caution that such risks remain low for now. (Image: Canva)
Bihar Diary: PM Modi Set To Puncture Rahul Gandhi's 'Jan Nayak' Pitch In High-Stakes Poll Battle

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CNN-News18

Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 19:58 IST

The Congress attempt to crown Rahul Gandhi with the Jan Nayak title appears more orchestrated than organic

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already hit back, accusing opponents of trying to 'steal' Karpoori Thakurs legacy. File image/X

Election fever is raging across Bihar. The Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) has finally declared Tejashwi Yadav as its chief ministerial candidate, ending internal suspense. On the other side, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has put to rest all speculation surrounding chief minister Nitish Kumars future by saying he will once again be the coalitions face and, if victorious, will continue as CM. Bihar BJP leaders are loudly proclaiming from campaign stages, From 2025 to 2030, Nitish again." If confusion still lingers anywhere, it is within the Congress-led bloc. Although the CM face issue has been settled, the Congress leadershipparticularly the Gandhi familyappears distant from the Bihar battlefield. Rahul Gandhi, who actively toured the state during the voter list revision earlier this year, is now conspicuously missing. Priyanka Gandhi, who once famously rode a motorbike with her brother, is also absent from the action.

Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot has recently said both Rahul and Priyanka will eventually join the campaign, but for now, the NDA has seized the narrative. The alliance is particularly irked by attempts from the Congress camp to project Rahul Gandhi as a Jan Nayak (Peoples Leader)a title historically reserved for Bihars first extremely backward class (EBC) chief minister, Karpoori Thakur. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already hit back, accusing opponents of trying to steal" Thakurs legacy.

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Jan Nayak Experiment

On October 24, PM Modi will visit Karpoorigram in Samastipur districtthe birthplace of Karpoori Thakur. After meeting Thakurs family, he will address a massive public rally at the Samastipur airport ground, marking his first Bihar campaign event since the election dates were announced. Earlier this month, while inaugurating the Karpoori Thakur Skill University virtually, Modi said that no social media team made Karpoori Thakur a Jan Nayakthe people of Bihar did," urging citizens to stay alert" against those trying to appropriate" that honour.

The symbolism is deliberate. Modi himself comes from an extremely backward community, and according to Lokniti-CSDS data, 58% of EBC voters supported the NDA in the 2020 elections. Bihars 2022-23 caste survey shows EBCs constitute 36.01% of the states 63.13% backward populationmaking them a decisive force.

The Legacy of Karpoori Thakur and Competing Claims

Karpoori Thakur, a barber by caste, recognised EBC deprivation long before the Mandal Commission. As CM, he implemented the Mungeri Lal Commission report, splitting the backward quota into two parts18% for EBCs and 7% for OBCs. In the 1990s, Nitish Kumar emerged as the voice of this section and later, as CM, institutionalised EBC representation: 20% reservation in panchayats and later 25% in job quotas after the caste surveythough the latter remains pending in court. Interestingly, Karpoori was also the first to impose prohibition in Bihar, a policy resurrected by Nitish decades later.

By contrast, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, twice CM and now convicted in the Rs 1,000-crore fodder scam and facing multiple corruption cases, still claims to be Thakurs true political heir. His son Tejashwi, now the Grand Alliances CM face and owner of assets worth over Rs 8 crore, is being hailed as the next Jan Nayak" by MP Pappu Yadav, a claim critics are calling farcical.

An anecdote from the past illustrates Thakurs modesty. Senior journalist Surendra Kishore once recalled that when Thakur felt hungry during an assembly session, he sent a note to then MLA Lalu Yadav asking to borrow his jeep to go home for lunch. Lalu replied on a slip My jeep has no diesel. You have been CM twice; why not buy your own car?" According to the late journalist Sankarshan Thakur in The Brothers Bihari, Lalu would even jokingly call him Kapti Thakur" (deceitful Thakur) in private.

The Jan Nayak Debate and Political Irony

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The Congress attempt to crown Rahul Gandhi with the Jan Nayak title appears more orchestrated than organic. In July, author Rakesh Pandey released a book titled Jan Nayak Rahul Gandhi. Soon after, the Congress uploaded a campaign video glorifying Gandhi as the voice of the powerless, farmers, workers, women, and youthbranding him the nations hope". During his Bihar visit, Rahul unveiled a 10-point EBC Justice Pledge", promising to raise EBC quotas in panchayats from 20% to 30%, earmark government contracts worth up to Rs 25 crore for them, distribute land to the landless, and remove the 50% reservation cap.

Yet, as political observers note, such promises do not automatically make anyone a Jan Nayak. Questions will inevitably be raised about what the Congress or the Gandhi family actually did for EBCs during their years in power. PM Modi, known for his sharp electoral attacks, is expected to remind voters of that record when he takes the stage in Samastipur.

About the Author Alok Kumar Alok Kumar is the Executive Editor of News18 regional language portals.

First Published: October 23, 2025, 19:58 IST

News politics Bihar Diary: PM Modi Set To Puncture Rahul Gandhi's 'Jan Nayak' Pitch In High-Stakes Poll Battle

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BJP Says Karnataka Minister 'Busy Betting' Amid Series Of Rapes In Bengaluru, Congress Reacts

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 13:58 IST

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya slammed Karnataka government over rising rape incidents, accusing G Parameshwara of "betting" at a Kabaddi match, while Parameshwara denied the allegations.

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BJP MP Tejasvi Surya. (Image: PTI/File)

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the Congress-led government in Karnataka over the recent incidents of rape in Bengaluru.

Targetting the state government over the rising crimes against women, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya accused state Home Minister G. Parameshwara of indulging in betting" during a Kabaddi match instead of addressing critical public issues.

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Three rapes in Bengaluru, one in Mysuru, but Home Minister is busy betting on Kabbadi match," Tejasvi Surya said.

The BJP MP further stated that the law and order in the state has collapsed", citing the rape of a nine-year-old girl in Mysuru, Chief Minister Siddaramaiahs home district.

The Bengaluru South MP further criticised CM Siddaramaiah, alleging that he has got geography mixed and talks about new moon and full moon in his bid to appease those who celebrate looking at moon."

The BJP leader accused the CM of resorting to name-calling instead of addressing the surge in crimes, adding, Even in MP Lad funds, 40-50% commission is being sought from contractors."

Targeting state minister Priyank Kharge over his call to restrict RSS activities, Surya stated that Karnataka lost investments worth $15 billion to Andhra Pradesh as he was busy banning instead of getting investment." Taking a jibe, he suggested Kharge to ask for a new portfolio  RSS affairs."

IT Minister busy banning instead of getting investment. We have lost 15 billion investment to Andhra Pradesh. He should ask for a new portfolio called RSS affairs," Surya added.

Just Light-Hearted Discussions: Parameshwara Issues Clarification

In response, Home Minister G Parameshwara dismissed the allegations, clarifying that his remarks at the Kabaddi match were taken out of context. It was not betting," he said.

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Children from 31 zilla had come. There was a junior college-level Kabaddi match. Prizes were to be given, and I was invited, so I went. The DC, SP, and CEO were all present. Naturally, everyone was talking about who would win. Winning and losing were just light-hearted discussions. Do I have no sense? As Home Minister, would I go to the extent of placing bets? Do I have such little knowledge? Unnecessary controversy is being created. That was not betting; Im giving a clarification. I am truly a sportsman," Parameshwara remarked.

The political row comes amid public outrage over the recent sexual assault incidents reported in Karnataka.

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 23, 2025, 13:58 IST

News politics BJP Says Karnataka Minister 'Busy Betting' Amid Series Of Rapes In Bengaluru, Congress Reacts

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Congress, Mehbooba Mufti's PDP To Back National Conference In Rajya Sabha Elections

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 20:59 IST

Mehbooba Mufti announced that PDP will support the Farooq Abdullah-led National Conference in the crucial Rajya Sabha election on October 24.

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PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti | File Image/PTI

In a major development, Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday announced that her party will support the Farooq Abdullah-led National Conference in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.

We held a meeting with the party legislators ahead of the crucial Rajya Sabha election. I had a telephonic conversation with Dr Farooq Abdullah over the issue and had told him that we are ready to support if they support our bills on land ownership of both tribals and hotels," Mufti told reporters today.

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The PDP had earlier insisted on NCs support for its bills for land rights and regularisation of daily wagers in the assembly as a condition for offering support to the ruling party in the Rajya Sabha elections.

Mufti said the PDP will cast all votes for the third seat contested by NC leader Shammi Oberoi, but wont vote for the fourth seat. NC cannot be trusted, but our goal is bigger. To protect the rights of Jammu and Kashmir, and because the INDIA alliance is fighting a very serious battle today, we have decided to vote for them," she said at the presser.

#WATCH | Srinagar, J&K | PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti says, Theyre (National Conference) not worthy of trust, of even voting for them. But because our goal is greaterto work together to protect the rights of Jammu and Kashmir, and because the INDIA Alliance is fighting a very pic.twitter.com/dyVrMbXysO ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2025

Congress Offers Support To NC

Hours after the PDPs move, the Jammu and Kashmir Congress also extended its support to its alliance partner in the Rajya Sabha election, following weeks of political tensions over seat-sharing.

Cracks appeared between the Congress and NC after both parties failed to reach a consensus on seat-sharing. The Congress refused the NCs proposal to jointly contest all four Rajya Sabha seats. The NC offered the fourth seat to Congress, but the party refused to field a candidate.

JKPCC President Tariq Hameed Karra wrote to Farooq Abdullah, saying the recent turmoil over seat-sharing was unpleasant but not enough to deter Congresss alliance and support. The letter highlighted Congresss dislike for the BJP, asserting that the alliances primary task was to stay united against the BJPs alleged agenda of atrocities and subjugation."

J&K Rajya Sabha Election

The Jammu and Kashmir assembly session is scheduled to start on October 23, and the biennial elections to fill the four Rajya Sabha seats of the union territory, lying vacant since 2021, will be held on October 24. The National Conference (NC) has fielded candidates for all four Rajya Sabha seats and is poised to win three, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is confident about winning the fourth seat.

The NC currently has 41 seats in the 90-member Jammu and Kashmir, while the BJP has 28 seats. The Congress has six MLAs and the PDP three. Mufti earlier said former CM Farooq Abdullah had approached her, seeking support for the government.

Meanwhile, J&K 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.

Furthermore, by-elections will be held in Jammu and Kashmirs Budgam and Nagrota on November 11. The last date for filing nominations was October 20, and the final date for withdrawal of candidatures is October 24. The counting of votes will take place on November 14. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

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 : Srinagar, India, India

First Published: October 23, 2025, 16:29 IST

News politics Congress, Mehbooba Mufti's PDP To Back National Conference In Rajya Sabha Elections

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Not A Shred Of Evidence Found In My Home: Karnataka Ex-BJP MLA To News18 On Vote Deletion Allegation

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 17:58 IST

Guttedar has refuted both the allegations and the SITs claim of crucial evidence, calling it a political conspiracy and a lie.

Subhash Guttedar has refuted both the allegations and the SITs claim of crucial evidence, calling it a political conspiracy and a lie.

Former BJP MLA from Aland, Subhash Guttedar, has said that the allegation of Rs 80 paid for each voter name deletion and the claims by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that they have found evidence linking Guttedar to vote chori" is a lie" and a political conspiracy. Speaking to News18, Guttedar insisted that not a single shred of evidence was found at his homes in Kalaburagi or Aland.

Guttedar has refuted both the allegations and the SITs claim of crucial evidence, calling it a political conspiracy and a lie."

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When the SIT checked my house in Kalaburagi or my residence in Aland, they found nothing. Not a single piece of evidence. During Deepavali cleaning, some waste papers were thrown out  thats all," he said, rejecting visuals showing burnt documents outside his Aland home and some allegedly found floating in a river.

On the voters list found in his house, he said it has nothing to do with the allegations. I have been a four-time MLA; obviously, voter lists will be in my house. It has nothing to do with this allegation. One needs to fill Form No. 7, submit an identity card, and hand it over to the tehsildar. Only then can a name be deleted. This is all a lie and a political conspiracy," he added.

The Karnataka Police Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by ADGP BK Singh, is investigating the allegations of vote chori," which Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, had earlier raised across the country. He had claimed that in Aland, names of at least 6,018 voters were fraudulently deleted.

The SIT said they have found crucial evidence that data entry operators were allegedly paid Rs 80 for every fraudulent voter deletion submitted on the Election Commission portal, with a total payout reportedly reaching Rs 4.8 lakh.

As part of their investigation, the SIT reportedly located a data centre in Kalaburagi linked to the voter deletion operation and recovered evidence from computer hard drives and other devices. Officials claim voter lists were found not just in Guttedars homes, but also in partially burnt bundles near his residence and others reportedly floating in a river in Aland.

They found one voters list  just one. I have been a four-time MLA; obviously, voters lists will be in my house. It has nothing to do with this allegation. One needs to fill Form No. 7, submit an identity card, and hand it over to the tehsildar. Only then can a name be deleted from the voter list. If we wanted, it wouldnt happen," Guttedar told News18.

The SIT has so far raided four different locations linked to Guttedar in Kalaburagi, including his residences and properties connected to his associates, including a local bar that is said to have been a hub for this voter deletion exercise.

Guttedar also accused BR Patil and senior Congress leaders of attempting to frame him. He claimed that Patil had raised the vote chori issue with Congress leaders and Rahul Gandhi as part of Patils efforts to become a minister in the current state government.

BR Patil told Rahul Gandhi that vote chori had taken place in Aland. To go about this vote chori, you need to fill Form No. 7, submit an identity card, and hand it to the tehsildar. No such vote chori has happened. This is political hate being played out. Patil wants to become a minister and is using his proximity to Rahul Gandhi to further his own interests. That is what this is about. Its in the hands of the tehsildar  how can I go about vote chori?" Guttedar said.

When the raids took place at Guttedars houses, it was the first time allegations of voter fraud in Aland were directly linked to a BJP leader, claimed sources.

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The SIT continued raids on Guttedars residences and those of his associates. Separate teams have already searched his house in Gubbi Colony and the home of his associate Mallikarjun Mahantagol in Vivekananda Nagar. Even a A goods vehicle allegedly linked to the case, with its driver, Vishal, absconding, has been found to be linked to this case, according to SIT sources.

Guttedar, who defeated Congresss BR Patil by 697 votes in 2018, lost to him by 10,348 votes in 2023. Patil claimed that ahead of the 2023 Assembly polls, nearly 6,018 voter names were removed from the rolls using fraudulent methods to delete voters credentials.

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 23, 2025, 15:07 IST

News politics Not A Shred Of Evidence Found In My Home: Karnataka Ex-BJP MLA To News18 On Vote Deletion Allegation

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iPad Foldable Launch Faces More Delays: Not Expected For Another 4 Years

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 08:25 IST

Foldable iPhone is expected next year from Apple but the iPad version faces more issues and challenges which could delay its launch.

Apple's foldable OLED panel is becoming a tough nut to crack

Apples product delays have a new casualty and this time it is being linked to the foldable iPad model that was expected to launch in the next few years. But a new report says the company is still working on the foldable panel with its supplier and that could delay its launch by four years. Yes, the first iPad in the foldable avatar could be missing from the market at least until 2029.

This new device is claimed to feature a gigantic 18.8-inch screen in the unfolded state that makes it bigger than most laptops that you get in the market.

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Apple has reportedly signed up with Samsung Display division for the foldable panels that will be offered on its foldable iPhone in the next few years. We are excited to see how iOS and other Apple platforms evolve and adapt to the foldable form factor.

iPad Foldable Delayed And It Will Be Costly

The new report by Bloomberg shares the worrying news about the foldable lineup for Apple, which should be making its debut with the iPhone Fold in 2026. While the work on other models are facing varied challenges, including the race to have the parts ready in time for the device to hit the production stage.

iPads as a foldable device does make sense especially if Apple wants to continue with the iPad Mini lineup that seems to be the ideal form factor for a foldable iPad. Apple is likely to count on LG and Samsung for the foldable display panels, unless it also decides to go with BOE which has supplied the panels for the OnePlus Open foldable.

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Apple doesnt have a final design for the product yet which also explains the delay in making the product and getting all the parts in place.

However, the report also points out that Apple is not going to cut back on the materials for the product and it even wants to keep the crease to a minimum. All this means the iPad foldable model is tipped to be priced well over $2,500 (Rs 2.10 lakh approx) because of the high-end OLED foldable panel being developed by Samsung Display and also the focus on making it weigh under 1 kg with all of the parts in place on the prototype version.

About the Author S Aadeetya S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and ... Read More

First Published: October 23, 2025, 08:25 IST

News tech iPad Foldable Launch Faces More Delays: Not Expected For Another 4 Years

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Samsung Galaxy S26 Launch Next Year Could Be Late And No New Models: What We Know

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 11:58 IST

Samsung Galaxy S26 series was expected to have a Pro variant but it seems the company is not going to pull out a surprise.

Samsung Galaxy S26 lineup could be similar but delayed

Samsung is reverting back to the usual naming series for the Galaxy S26 lineup next year and that means no S26 Edge or a S26 Pro model in the offing. The company did try to spice up the lineup with a S25 Edge sleek device this year, which meant we got four devices in the S25 series but routine business is tipped to resume with the S26 models, with three of them making their way to the market early next year.

The new details have come from a tipster this week, which pretty much confirms the rumours about Samsung killing the Edge model after bringing the first device earlier this year.

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Back To The Roots

The tipster Yogesh Brar in a post has mentioned that Samsung will bring the usual models Galaxy S26, S26 Plus and the S26 Ultra to the market in 2026. He also added that Samsungs experiment with a thin device is unlikely to happen at least for a few generations. Weve heard reports about Samsung going the Pro way with the S26 lineup next year but the new update suggests the brand is back to playing it safe and to its original roots.

This is not the worst news weve heard and going for something that has worked before does sound like a sensible move. Having said that, Samsung really needs to make a big change to its flagship lineup, similar to its latest Galaxy Z Fold 7 iteration that has been its best since the origin of the series.

The competition has shown the need to innovate and it is time the S26 series gets a fair chunk of upgrades to make it a compelling option for buyers at launch, not when the sale discounts happen.

Late Galaxy S26 Launch In 2026?

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Besides this, Samsung is looking to bring the new Galaxy S26 lineup a little later than weve become accustomed to in the last few years. The 2026 model is rumoured to launch in March next year, which could put it in line with the next edition of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026 in Barcelona, something the brand has a history of doing before.

The new flagship is said to be using the Exynos 2600 SoC in some regions, and continue to have the Snapdragon 8 Elite option available as well. Another report claims over 50 percent of the S26 lineup could use the Exynos chip which will be worth keeping an eye on.

About the Author S Aadeetya S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and ... Read More

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: October 23, 2025, 11:58 IST

News tech Samsung Galaxy S26 Launch Next Year Could Be Late And No New Models: What We Know

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The Leopard Thought It Had The Kill, Then Crocodiles And Hyenas Took Over | Watch

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 17:15 IST

The leopard tried a few times to reclaim its kill but backed off after spotting crocodiles and hyenas circling the area, realising the odds were stacked against it

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The situation escalated further when two massive crocodiles emerged from the river. (YouTube/@Latestsightings)

Lions, tigers, leopards, and crocodiles are among natures fiercest predatorsbut even these mighty hunters can sometimes lose their prey, or worse, become prey themselves.

A dramatic encounter unfolded in Marloth Park near Kruger National Park, South Africa, when four formidable predators battled over a single prey. IT consultant Travis Carreira captured the intense scene on video, showcasing a rare and terrifying struggle.

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Watch The Video Here

The incident began on a scorching day with temperatures reaching 41 degrees Celsius. As evening approached, Carreira and his friends observed a leopard across the Crocodile River. The leopard had its sights set on a herd of impalas. Just as Travis started filming, the leopard successfully pounced and caught one of the impalas.

However, the victory was short-lived. Hyenas, attracted by the kill, quickly seized the opportunity to steal the impala from the leopards grasp. The impala, still alive, was dragged by the hyena to a safer location on a hill.

The situation escalated further when two massive crocodiles emerged from the river. One crocodile managed to snatch the struggling impala from the hyenas jaws, killing it instantly with its powerful bite.

The leopard made a couple of half-hearted attempts to reclaim its prey but was deterred by the presence of both crocodiles and hyenas.

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The commotion attracted another hyena, and a fierce tug-of-war ensued. Despite their efforts, the hyenas only managed to secure a few scraps of meat, with the majority of the impala being claimed by the crocodile.

Travis described the encounter as a rare and unforgettable sight, the thrill of which was beyond words.

Location : South Africa

First Published: October 23, 2025, 17:15 IST

News viral The Leopard Thought It Had The Kill, Then Crocodiles And Hyenas Took Over | Watch

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China Eastern Airlines To Resume Shanghai-Delhi Direct Flights From November 9

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 15:05 IST

China Eastern Airlines to resume Shanghai-Delhi direct flights from November 9, 2025, operating three times weekly, enhancing air connectivity between India and China.

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(Representative Image)

China Eastern Airlines has announced the resumption of its direct flight service between Shanghai and Delhi, marking a significant boost in air connectivity between India and China.

The flight operations are set to commence from November 9, 2025, and will operate three times a week  on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

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The flight from Shanghai Pudong International Airport will take off at 12:50 pm local time and reach Delhi at 5:45pm (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.

The airline has also designated the Airbus A330-200, known for its long-range capability and comfortable cabin environment, for this route, according to a release.

The resumption of this service marks the full restoration of China Eastern Airlines network in India, providing fresh momentum for people-to-people exchanges and economic and trade collaboration," the release said on Thursday.

Indigo Launches Direct Flights Between Kolkata And Guangzhou

The DelhiShanghai service announcement comes shortly after IndiGo announced daily flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou from October 26.

InterGlobe Air Transport, part of the InterGlobe Enterprises, has been the exclusive General Sales Agent (GSA) for China Eastern Airlines in India since 2002, when it became the first Chinese airline to offer direct flights between India and China, news agency PTI reported.

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Direct flights between India and China operated until early 2020, when they were suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. The services remained on hold in the aftermath of the Eastern Ladakh border tensions.

On October 2, the Civil Aviation Ministry announced that direct air services between the two countries would resume by the end of October. The decision follows ongoing technical-level discussions between the civil aviation authorities of India and China, aimed at normalising bilateral ties and restoring regular connectivity.

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 : Beijing, China

First Published: October 23, 2025, 15:05 IST

News world China Eastern Airlines To Resume Shanghai-Delhi Direct Flights From November 9

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Chinese State Oil Companies Suspend Russian Oil Purchases After US Sanctions: Report

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 19:48 IST

Chinese state oil companies reportedly suspended purchases of Russian oil after the US imposed sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, Moscow's two biggest oil companies.

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The US sanctioned two key Russian oil producers on Wednesday. (Representational image: AFP)

Major Chinese state oil companies have suspended purchases of Russian oil after the United States imposed sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, Moscows two biggest oil companies, multiple sources told Reuters, signalling Washingtons tough stance on Russian crude exports to pressure the country into halting its war against Ukraine.

Chinese national oil companies PetroChina, Sinopec, CNOOC and Zhenhua have decided to refrain from dealing in seaborne Russian oil at least in the short-term due to concerns over US sanctions, according to the sources.

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Unipec, the trading arm of Sinopec, had stopped purchasing Russian oil last week after the UK sanctioned Rosneft and Lukoil, as well as shadow fleet ships and Chinese entities  including a major Chinese refiner  two sources informed Reuters.

China imports roughly 1.4 million barrels of Russian oil per day by sea, most of it being bought by independent refiners. Rosneft and Lukoil sell most of their oil to China through intermediaries instead of directly dealing with buyers, as per traders. After the sanctions, independent traders are likely to pause buying to assess the impact of the sanctions but will still look to continue Russian imports, they informed.

This came after Reuters reported that India was poised to sharply reduce imports of Russian oil to comply with the new US sanctions on Russian producers. A sharp drop in oil demand from Russias two largest customers is expected to put a strain on Moscows oil revenues and force importers to seek alternative supplies, driving up prices.

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Traders said India and China are expected to turn to other supplies, pushing up prices for non-sanctioned oil from the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. India faces 50% tariffs on its exports to the US, with 25% of those in retaliation for Russian oil purchases.

US sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil are the first of US President Donald Trumps second term targeting Russia over its actions in Ukraine, amid his growing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The US Treasury has given companies until November 21 to wind down their transactions with the Russian oil producers, according to a release on the sanctions on Wednesday.

About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in int... Read More

Location : Beijing, China

First Published: October 23, 2025, 19:48 IST

News world Chinese State Oil Companies Suspend Russian Oil Purchases After US Sanctions: Report

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Indian Teen, UAE Golden Visa Holder, Dies Of Cardiac Arrest In Dubai

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 12:40 IST

Vaishnav Krishnakumar, a UAE Golden Visa recipient and Middlesex University Dubai student, passed away after suffering a cardiac.

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Hailing from Kerala, Vaishnav had secured 97.4 percent in the CBSE Class 12 exams. (Image: LinkedIn/Vaishnav Krishnakumar)

An 18-year-old Indian expatriate student passed away in Dubai after suffering a cardiac arrest on Tuesday. A first-year BBA Marketing student at Middlesex University Dubai, Vaishnav Krishnakumar was a UAE Golden Visa recipient.

Vaishnav, who graduated from GEMS Our Own Indian School in the 202425 batch, reportedly collapsed during Diwali celebrations at Dubai International Academic City on October 21. He was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

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His school issued a circular expressing deep sorrow" at the loss of its former Head of School Council, announcing that events such as Pink Day and the Family First Carnival would be rescheduled in his memory.

A circular issued by the school, accessed by local media, read: It is with deep sorrow that we share the heartbreaking news of the sudden passing of our ex-student and former Head of School Council, Vaishnav Krishnakumar (Batch of 2024-25), last night."

Middlesex University Dubai paid tribute, describing the teen as an exemplary student respected for his academic contributions and admired for his kindness and humility." The university said his loss had deeply affected the community and extended condolences to his family.

It is with profound sadness that we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of Vaishnav Krishnakumar, a valued member of our student community. Vaishnav was an exemplary student, respected for his academic contributions and admired for his kindness, humility, and the warmth he brought to those around him. His loss has deeply affected our entire community, and he will be remembered with great fondness and respect. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Krishnakumar family during this difficult time. Our thoughts are with them, and we remain committed to offering any support we can," the institute said in a statement, Khaleej Times reported.

Originally from Kunnamkulam in Keralas Thrissur district, the student had secured 97.4 percent in the CBSE Class 12 exams, earning perfect scores in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. His excellence granted him the UAE Golden Visa for outstanding students.

According to his LinkedIn profile, the teen, beyond academics, was active in Model United Nations, serving as president in 2024 and mentoring younger delegates. He also interned at Kendal AI and Uniplus, gaining early experience in marketing and business strategy.

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Friends and teachers remembered him as disciplined, optimistic, and inspiring. His parents, VG Krishnakumar and Vidhu Krishnakumar, said he had no known heart conditions.

Repatriation arrangements were underway to bring his mortal remains to Kerala for the final rites. His untimely death has left Dubais academic community in deep shock.

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 : Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

First Published: October 23, 2025, 12:40 IST

News world Indian Teen, UAE Golden Visa Holder, Dies Of Cardiac Arrest In Dubai

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Indias Next CJI Calls For India-Sri Lanka Collaboration To Protect Indian Ocean

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 12:11 IST

Justice Surya Kant urges India and Sri Lanka to pioneer regional environmental constitutionalism, stressing joint action to protect the Indian Ocean.

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Justice Surya Kant | File Image

Indias next Chief Justice of India (CJI), Justice Surya Kant, has called for strengthened collaboration between India and Sri Lanka to safeguard the Indian Ocean, emphasising that environmental cooperation is not a matter of charity or diplomacy but a necessity for survival.

Addressing an event at the University of Colombo during his three-day visit to Sri Lanka, Justice Kant highlighted the historical significance of the seas between India and Sri Lanka, noting that they were once arteries of exchangecarrying faith, culture, and ideas.

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The time has come for India and Sri Lanka to pioneer a regional model of environmental constitutionalism," he said, urging both nations to lead by example in protecting the marine ecosystem.

Justice Kant also announced that a delegation of Sri Lankan Supreme Court judges would visit India later this year or in early 2026, describing the initiative as a step to strengthen judicial dialogue and institutional collaboration between the two countries.

Highlighting the ecological interdependence of India and Sri Lanka, Justice Kant described the Indian Ocean as a historic bridge connecting the peoples of both nations through culture, faith, and shared ecosystems.

He warned that beneath the calm turquoise waters of the Palk Strait lie signs of ecological vulnerabilityoil spills drifting across shores, coral reefs bleaching under shared warming currents, and fishing communities whose livelihoods hinge on decisions taken in two capitals."

He highlighted how the Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar, once biodiversity hotspots, are now under severe stress from overfishing, destructive trawling, and unregulated coastal activity. The recurring confrontations between Indian trawlers and Sri Lankan fishers, he said, epitomise a deeper ecological tragedycompetition for an exhausted resource base."

Justice Kant also highlighted the impacts of climate change, such as saltwater intrusion, microplastic buildup, and uncoordinated disaster responses, urging both nations to engage in joint monitoring and data sharing.

Describing the judiciary as a moral and constitutional guardian" of ecological balance, Justice Kant underscored that both India and Sri Lanka have advanced robust environmental jurisprudence.

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In the absence of robust regional institutions, courts become de facto arenas for transnational accountability," Justice Kant said. Judicial pronouncements influence executive behaviour, compel environmental reporting, and often drive policy reform."

About the Author Ananya Bhatnagar Ananya Bhatnagar, Correspondent at CNN-News18, reports on various legal issues and cases in lower courts and the Delhi High Court. He has covered the hanging of the Nirbhaya gang-rape convicts, JNU vi... Read More

Location : Sri Lanka

First Published: October 23, 2025, 12:11 IST

News world Indias Next CJI Calls For India-Sri Lanka Collaboration To Protect Indian Ocean

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Louvre Heist: Why 16th-Century French Crown Jewels Worth $102 Million May Never Be Recovered

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 08:20 IST

A four-member gang stole eight priceless royal jewels from the Louvre Museum in Paris, including crowns and gems once worn by Empress Eugenie and Queen Marie-Amelie.

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Visitors check jewellery at the Apollo Gallery of the Louver Museum in Paris. (Image: AP/File)

France was left stunned after a lightning-fast daylight robbery at the Louvre Museum saw glittering sapphires, emeralds, and diamonds once worn by its royals vanishperhaps forever. The robbers, believed to be a four-member gang, executed the heist in less than four minutes, escaping with eight priceless pieces from the museums Apollo Gallery.

Valued at around $102 million (88 million euros), the jewels formed part of Frances historic crown collection dating back to the 16th century.

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Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said the stolen items included two crowns, a sapphire necklace, emerald earrings, two diamond-studded brooches, and a single earringmasterpieces of 19th-century haute joaillerie." Surveillance footage showed two men in bright yellow jackets breaking in at 9:34 am. using a cherry picker before fleeing on motorbikes. Around 100 investigators are now pursuing leads.

Experts fear the jewelleryonce worn by Empress Eugenie and Queen Marie-Ameliemay never be found. Its extremely unlikely these jewels will ever be retrieved and seen again," news agency AP quoted Tobias Kormind, managing director of 77 Diamonds, as saying. If these gems are broken up and sold off, they will, in effect, vanish from history and be lost to the world forever" Kormind added.

Among the stolen items were an emerald-and-diamond necklace gifted by Napoleon I to Empress Marie-Louise and a diamond diadem once owned by Empress Eugenie, which alone contains nearly 2,000 diamonds. One piece  Empress Eugenies emerald-set imperial crown adorned with 1,354 diamonds and 56 emeralds- was found abandoned near the museum after the heist.

The Louvre reopened on Wednesday, though the Apollo Gallery remains sealed as scrutiny mounts over security lapses. Conservative lawmaker Maxime Michelet called the incident a national humiliation," lamenting that Empress Eugenies crownstolen, then dropped and found broken in the gutterhas become the symbol of the decline of a nation that used to be so admired."

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Art-crime experts warn recovery is unlikely. Theyll take out the settings, remove the diamonds and sapphires, and sell them to a shady dealer overseas. No one will ever know what they did," said Christopher A. Marinello of Art Recovery International, AP reported. For France, the loss is not just culturalits the disappearance of a piece of its royal soul.

(With AP inputs)

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 : Paris, France

First Published: October 23, 2025, 08:20 IST

News world Louvre Heist: Why 16th-Century French Crown Jewels Worth $102 Million May Never Be Recovered

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Maduro Says Venezuela Has 5,000 Russian Missiles To Counter US Amid Rising Tensions

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 06:53 IST

President Nicolas Maduro said Venezuela has 5000 Russian Igla-S missiles deployed in key air defense positions to counter US forces in the Caribbean.

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Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro speaks during a press conference in Caracas on September 1, 2025. (AFP photo)

President Nicolas Maduro on Wednesday stated that Venezuela possesses 5,000 Russian man-portable surface-to-air missiles to counter US forces stationed in the Caribbean.

During a televised ceremony attended by senior military officials, Maduro said that the country has Russian-made short-range missiles known as Igla-S  no fewer than 5,000 in key air defense positions to ensure peace," news agency AFP reported.

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Maduros statement comes amid heightened tensions between the US and Venezuela over the ongoing campaign against drug trafficking in South America.

Trumps Caribbean Drug War

Since the summer, the US has intensified its military presence in the Caribbean Sea and the waters near Venezuela, sparking speculation that US President Donald Trump might attempt to overthrow the Venezuelan President. Further, Maduro faces narcoterrorism charges in the US.

The US has launched seven lethal military strikes on boats in the Caribbean since early September. The US President said the vessels were used by drug traffickers and narco-terrorists" linked to criminal groups in Venezuela and Colombia. The attacks have so far killed over 30 people.

US Strikes Eighth Alleged Drug-carrying Boat

So far, the US military has launched eight strikes against vessels suspected of trafficking drugs or aiding terrorist-designated groups. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Wednesday that the US military carried out its eighth strike on a suspected drug-carrying vessel, killing two people in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

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The strike marks an expansion of the Trump administrations campaign against drug trafficking in South America. The attack, conducted Tuesday night, differed from the previous seven US strikes, which had all targeted vessels in the Caribbean. Hegseth said on social media that the latest strike killed two individuals, raising the death toll to at least 34 since the operations began last month.

Alongside the strikes, Trump has authorised covert CIA operations inside Venezuela, raised the US bounty for information leading to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduros arrest to $50 million, ordered B-52 bombers to conduct air manoeuvres near Venezuelas coast and replaced Admiral Alvin Holsey, head of the US Southern Command overseeing Latin America, two years ahead of schedule.

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 : Venezuela

First Published: October 23, 2025, 06:53 IST

News world Maduro Says Venezuela Has 5,000 Russian Missiles To Counter US Amid Rising Tensions

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Marco Rubio Warns Israel Over West Bank Annexation: 'Threatens Trump's Peace Plan'

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 16:12 IST

Marco Rubio warned Israel that West Bank annexation and settler violence threaten peace, echoing Donald Trumps opposition to the move.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (Reuters Image)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Israel against moves to annex the occupied West Bank, calling a preliminary parliamentary vote to extend Israeli sovereignty over the area and a surge in settler violence a threat to peace." A bill applying Israeli law to the occupied West Bank- a move tantamount to annexation of land Palestinians seek for a future state- passed its first reading in the Knesset barely a week after US President Donald Trump announced a deal aimed at ending Israels two-year offensive in Gaza.

Marco Rubio said, Annexation moves are potentially threatening for the peace deal. Theyre a democracy; theyre going to have their votes and take these positions. But at this time, its something that we think might be counterproductive."

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Washington has repeatedly warned that any unilateral annexation of the West Bank would cross a red line." In September, Donald Trump said, I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. Its not going to happen."

Marco Rubio echoed that sentiment, adding that such actions could jeopardize delicate regional diplomacy. He said, The Presidents made clear thats not something we can be supportive of right now."

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Israel captured the West Bank from Jordan during the 1967 Six-Day War and has maintained military control over the territory ever since. While successive governments have avoided formal annexation, they have expanded settlements and declared large tracts of land as state lands", blocking Palestinian ownership and development.

Since Hamas attack in October 2023, which triggered Israels devastating offensive in Gaza, the countrys far-right coalition has accelerated settlement approvals in the West Bank. Alongside legislative moves toward annexation, violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians has sharply increased since the Gaza war began. According to UN data, more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers in the West Bank since October 2023. In the first half of 2025 alone, there were 757 recorded settler attacks, a 13% rise from the same period last year.

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: October 23, 2025, 16:12 IST

News world Marco Rubio Warns Israel Over West Bank Annexation: 'Threatens Trump's Peace Plan'

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'No Self-Respecting Country Does Anything Under Pressure': Putin On New US Sanctions

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 22:14 IST

Vladimir Putin dismissed new US sanctions, warning of global oil price hikes and stressing Russia will not bow to pressure.

Russian President Vladimir Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed the impact of new US sanctions targeting his countrys largest oil companies, calling them an attempt to pressure Moscow and vowing that Russia would not bow to external demands.

No self-respecting country ever does anything under pressure," Vladimir Putin said. The Russian leaders comments come after Washington imposed sweeping new restrictions on Rosneft and Lukoil, Russias two biggest oil producers, in response to the Kremlins refusal to agree to an immediate ceasefire in its war with Ukraine.

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Vladimir Putin said he had warned US President Donald Trump that the sanctions could destabilize global energy markets and push up prices, including in the United States itself.

We said very clearly that this would affect global oil prices, including the US," Vladimir Putin added. The sanctions come amid heightened diplomatic tensions between Moscow and Washington over the ongoing war in Ukraine, now in its third year. The US and European allies have repeatedly urged Russia to agree to a ceasefire while Vladimir Putin has accused the West of seeking to undermine" Russias sovereignty through sanctions and arms support to Kyiv.

The US Treasury Department said the sanctions were part of efforts to limit Russias ability to finance its aggression." Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the move, saying it would weaken the Kremlins capacity to wage war." Russias foreign ministry, however, slammed the decision as entirely counterproductive," insisting that it would not pose any particular problems" for the Russian economy.

Oil prices rose sharply amid concerns over tighter global supply while energy importers including India began slashing their purchases of Russian crude.

Vladimir Putin On Cancelled Donald Trump Meeting

Vladimir Putin also addressed Donald Trumps decision to cancel a planned meeting between the two leaders, which had been scheduled to take place in Budapest in the coming weeks.

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It would be a mistake for both me and the US president to approach this lightly and come away from this meeting without the expected result," Vladimir Putin said, noting that the summit had been proposed by the US side. He confirmed that the meeting had now been postponed" but added that Moscow remained open to dialogue.

Well, what can one always say? Dialogue is always better than confrontation- better than disputes, or even more so than war," Vladimir Putin said, adding, That is why we have always supported the continuation of dialogue, and we continue to support it now."

Location : Russia

First Published: October 23, 2025, 22:11 IST

News world 'No Self-Respecting Country Does Anything Under Pressure': Putin On New US Sanctions

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Our Tariffs Helped In Solving 5-6 Wars, Including India And Pakistan, Says Trump

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 05:35 IST

NATO secretary Mark Rutte on Wednesday held talks with President Donald Trump on ending the Russia-Ukraine war

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte with US President Donald Trump and other delegates. (Mark Rutte/X)

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday defended the imposition of tariffs on India and Pakistan and said that solved eight wars" of which five-six because of tariffs".

We are doing so well as a country right now because of tariffs. Tariffs have been used against us for many decades. Thats why we owe $37 trillion Were a rich country. Were taking in money like weve never done before. Without tariffs, that would not be happening," Trump told reporters.

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Once again claiming that he had put an end to the recent India and Pakistan war, the President said: I solved eight wars. Of the 8, 5-6 of them are because of tariffs India and Pakistan, if you want to fight, thats okay. But youre going to pay tariffs, and theyre going to be very substantial. Were in the midst of a trade deal, and they said, we dont want to do that. Two days later, they call up and say theyre not going to fight anymore. They have peace. But Ive done out of eight, I would say six times."

The US Presidents comments refer to Indias Operation Sindoor, which involved precision strikes on nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) after the Pahalgam terror attack on 22 April, which killed 26 civilians. According to Trump, his intervention, including the threat of crippling tariffs, led both countries to step back from conflict within 24 hours.

Since May 2025, Trump has repeated versions of this claim more than 40 times across speeches, interviews, and social media.

Meanwhile, India has maintained that the decision regarding the ceasefire and the truce was taken bilaterally between the top military officials in New Delhi and Islamabad.

On Wednesday, the US President said: Tariffs are vital to this country We made a fair deal with Japan, the European Union. We made a fair deal with South Korea. These are countries that were taking so much money away from us, not sustainable."

#WATCH | Washington DC | US President Donald Trump says, We are doing so well as a country right now because of tariffs. Tariffs have been used against us for many decades. Thats why we owe $37 trillion Were a rich country. Were taking in money like weve never done pic.twitter.com/EV7V6lkBT9 ANI (@ANI) October 22, 2025

Meanwhile, NATO secretary Mark Rutte on Wednesday held talks with President Donald Trump on Russia-Ukraine war.

In a post on X, Rutte said: Good to be in DC today to talk about #NATO support to bring the war against Ukraine to a just and lasting end. Im grateful to President Trump for his crucial work to stop the killing. A ceasefire is the first step  they should stop where they are. Ukraine is ready & its important that all continue to apply pressure  through support to Ukraine, sanctions, shadow fleet, and more  to bring Russia to the table."

Earlier in the day, the US imposed sanctions on Russias two largest oil companies for funding Kremlins war machine".

According to a statement by the Treasury Department, the sanctions have been imposed on Russias two largest oil companies, Open Joint Stock Company Rosneft Oil Company (Rosneft) and Lukoil OAO (Lukoil).

The US Department of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is imposing further sanctions as a result of Russias lack of serious commitment to a peace process to end the war in Ukraine. Todays actions increase pressure on Russias energy sector and degrade the Kremlins ability to raise revenue for its war machine and support its weakened economy," it stated.

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It said: Rosneft is a vertically integrated energy company specializing in the exploration, extraction, production, refining, transport, and sale of petroleum, natural gas, and petroleum products. Lukoil engages in the exploration, production, refining, marketing, and distribution of oil and gas in Russia and internationally."

The department further stated that the US will continue to advocate for a peaceful resolution to the war, and a permanent peace depends entirely on Russias willingness to negotiate in good faith.

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: October 23, 2025, 05:35 IST

News world Our Tariffs Helped In Solving 5-6 Wars, Including India And Pakistan, Says Trump

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Pakistan Bans TLP After Deadly Riots, Signalling A Hard Reset On Religious Extremism | Exclusive Details

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 20:55 IST

The immediate catalyst for the renewed government action was the TLPs massive protest marchdubbed the 'Gaza solidarity' march

In response to the widespread violence, the Punjab Provincial Government sent a formal recommendation to the federal authorities to impose a ban on the TLP. Representational pic/AFP

The Federal Government of Pakistan has moved to officially ban the religious political party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) following a wave of violent protests, riots, and incitement of hatred across the Punjab province in early October 2025. This decision, spearheaded by the provincial government, marks one of the most decisive crackdowns against the hardline group, which has a notorious history of challenging the states authority through street power.

The immediate catalyst for the renewed government action was the TLPs massive protest marchdubbed the Gaza solidarity" marchwhich began on October 10 from Lahore with the stated goal of reaching the US Embassy in Islamabad. The group was protesting a recent US-brokered Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement, which TLP leadership, including Saad Hussain Rizvi, publicly denounced as a conspiracy" and a betrayal of the Palestinian people. The government viewed the protests as an attempt to undermine Pakistans diplomatic efforts on the international stage and create internal chaos.

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Escalation of Violence and Government Response

The protests quickly descended into violent riots, with TLP workers clashing fiercely with law enforcement, particularly at Muridke, roughly 60 km from Lahore. The clashes saw protestors hurling stones, seizing vehicles, and breaching barricades. The Muridke operation by the Punjab Police and Rangers resulted in a tragic loss of life, with official figures reporting casualties including policemen and TLP workers. Multiple reports confirmed that at least one Station House Officer (SHO) was killed during the violence. The Punjab Police reported over 1,600 policemen were injured and dozens were permanently disabled due to the TLPs attacks, highlighting the groups brutal tactics.

In response to the widespread violence, the Punjab Provincial Government sent a formal recommendation to the federal authorities to impose a ban on the TLP. The governments charge sheet against the TLP included its persistent involvement in violent demonstrations, attacks on police and civilians, destruction of public property, and the use of hate speech and incitement to religious hatred.

Legal and Enforcement Action

The governments crackdown is multifaceted, designed to dismantle the TLPs structure and resources systematically. Key actions approved include:

Federal Ban Approval: The Federal Government has approved the ban, allowing for the potential proscription of the party under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).

Targeting Leadership and Financiers: TLPs leadership is being placed in the Fourth Schedule of the ATA, a list of individuals suspected of terrorism and sectarianism, which restricts their movement and activities. The government has also identified and moved to freeze the bank accounts and assets of over 3,800 TLP financiers.

Mass Arrests and Trials: Law enforcement conducted major operations against TLP workers and leaders, resulting in the arrest of over 5,500 people across Punjab. Those involved in the killings of police officers and damage to state property will be tried in anti-terrorism courts.

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Seizure of Assets: All properties and assets of the extremist party are to be handed over to the Punjab Auqaf Department, and there will be a complete ban on the partys posters, banners, and advertisements. The government has also sealed over 60 mosques and seminaries affiliated with the party.

This decisive action, the third attempt in recent years to proscribe the TLP, signifies a determined shift by the state to restore the writ of the state" against radical elements that have historically leveraged religious sentiment for political and violent ends.

About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

First Published: October 23, 2025, 20:55 IST

News world Pakistan Bans TLP After Deadly Riots, Signalling A Hard Reset On Religious Extremism | Exclusive Details

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Pakistani Taliban Threatens Asim Munir, Says 'Fight Us If You Have Had Your Mother's Milk'

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 14:05 IST

TTP threatened Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir, claiming that the Pakistani army should avoid sending soldiers to get killed.

Intense fighting was going on between Pakistani security forces and the Afghan Taliban. (Representational Image/AFP)

Amid the ongoing clash between the Taliban and Islamabad, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has threatened Pakistans army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, claiming that the Pakistani army should avoid sending soldiers to get killed and instead, top officers should lead themselves to the battlefield.

Releasing several videos, the TTP released videos including battlefield footage of an October 8 ambush in Khyber Pakhtunkhwas Kurram, in which the TTP claims 22 Pakistani soldiers were killed. The videos also showed the captured ammunition and vehicles.

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Meanwhile, the Pakistani official record shows fewer casualties: the army acknowledged 11 soldiers killed in the attack.

According to a report published in NDTV, in one clip, a senior TTP figure identified by Pakistani officials as Commander Kazim appeared on the camera and threatened Asim Munir, saying, Face us if you are a man."

In the same video, Kazim then goes on to say, Fight us if you have had your mothers milk." Kazim is the same person; the Pakistani authorities announced a reward of 10 crore on.

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The Pakistan and Taliban-led authorities in Kabul agreed to an immediate ceasefire mediated by Qatar and Turkey in mid-October. The development came days after the cross-border shelling, air strikes and tit-for-tat exchanges claimed civilian lives on both sides.

The ceasefire was announced in Doha and framed as a necessary step to stop the escalation along the porous Durand Line.

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 : Afghanistan

First Published: October 23, 2025, 14:05 IST

News world Pakistani Taliban Threatens Asim Munir, Says 'Fight Us If You Have Had Your Mother's Milk'

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The governments of Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have held discussions on the extension of Tanzanias National ICT Broadband Backbone (NICTBB), which will, it is hoped, extend through Lake Tanganyika to the DRC province of Kalemie, on the western shore of the lake, by 2027.

By connecting the two countries via a high-capacity fibre optic link, it is hoped that the project will improve broadband access, foster cross-border collaboration, and promote economic development through technology. Tanzania in particular could benefit from bandwidth leasing and an enhanced role as East Africas digital gateway.

But there could be many other beneficiaries. In fact one estimate suggests that fibre deployment could cut bandwidth costs by half, especially given present reliance on satellite communications. It could also benefit a wide range of sectors  from mining to digital finance, e-commerce, education, and healthcare.

But its not just about accelerating digital transformation across Tanzania and the DRC. The hope is also that this project will strengthen communication infrastructure within the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) regions. According to the Ecofin news agency, the backbone  stretching over 7,910 kilometres  already connects Tanzania to six neighbouring countries: Zambia, Malawi, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.

It is, however, early days yet, although environmental and technical assessments are said to be currently under way as part of the extentions design phase.

The meeting to review the projects progress was held earlier this week at Tanzania Telecommunications Corporation (TTCL) headquarters in Dar es Salaam, attended by the TTCL Director General and a delegation from the DRC, along with representatives from Tanzanias Ministry of Information, Communication and Information Technology.

Little was revealed after the meeting, although we do know that officials from both nations are committed to quarterly reviews to accelerate timelines and mitigate funding risks.

Ecofin says the proposed cable, spanning 160-186 kilometres, will utilise G.652D single-mode fibre optic technology capable of initial 100 Gbps capacity, expandable to terabits.

It addresses the lakes challenges, including depths up to 1,470 metres and seismic risks along the East African Rift, through specialised burial techniques and environmental safeguards.

Compliance with Ramsar Convention protections for the lakes biodiversity are also promised. The Convention on Wetlands is the intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.

Construction is to begin in early 2026. Full operations are targeted for late 2027. The projects value is said to be somewhere between US$15-20 million. It involves public-private partnerships including Mauritius-based Bandwidth and Cloud Services Group, a wholesale carrier providing fibre connectivity solutions, for technical expertise.

This isnt the only cross-border fibre connectivity news from Tanzania recently. In July this year we reported that TTLC and Kenyas ICT Authority (ICTA) had implemented and launched a new terrestrial fibre link connecting Tanzanias biggest city, Dar-Es-Salaam, to Mombasa on Kenyas southeastern coast.
Putin Oversees Readiness Test Of Russia's Nuclear Forces As Budapest Summit With Trump Put On Hold

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 08:52 IST

As per the Kremlin, the drills tested the readiness of military command-and-control systems and the operational skills of the staff.

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. (IMAGE: REUTERS FILE)

Russias strategic nuclear forces carried out a readiness test supervised by the countrys President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, the Kremlin said. The Russian Ministry of Defense said that the drills involved all three components of the nuclear triad  land, sea and air.

As per the Kremlin, the drills tested the readiness of military command-and-control systems and the operational skills of the staff.

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Today, we are conducting a planned  I want to emphasise, planned  nuclear forces command and control exercise," Putin said in a video conference with the top military brass.

The exercise tested the level of preparedness of the military command and the practical skills of the operational personnel in organising the control of subordinate forces," the Kremlin said in a statement. All exercise tasks were completed".

A Yars intercontinental ballistic missile from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Russias north and a Sineva ballistic missile were fired from the Bryansk nuclear-powered submarine in the Barents Sea.

Tu-95MS long-range bombers also fired air-launched cruise missiles, the defense ministry said.

Russia holds routine readiness exercises as part of its nuclear deterrent. During a similar exercise last October, Putin said Russias nuclear arsenal enables us to achieve strategic deterrence objectives and uphold nuclear parity and the balance of power globally."

Russias deputy foreign minister on Wednesday mentioned the New START treaty, an agreement that came into force in 2011, in which the US and Russia pledged to limit their arsenals of nuclear arms.

Under the treaty, both countries had seven years to meet defined limits on the number of deployed intercontinental-range nuclear weapons they can have. It is due to expire in February 2026.

If the US rejects the New START proposal, there will be a total vacuum in the area of nuclear weapons limitations and a growing nuclear threat," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said, according to state media RIA Novosti.

Russia must be convinced of the US administrations sustainability in abandoning its hostile course," the outlet cited Ryabkov as saying.

The Russian comments on the US come as plans for a meeting between Putin and his US counterpart, Donald Trump, have stalled at least for the time being.

Trump said on Tuesday that he didnt want the meeting to be a waste of time." He may still meet with the Russian leader, he implied, but he indicated it was no longer a top priority.

The Russian drills also come just over a week after NATO held its own nuclear deterrence exercise called Steadfast Noon.

In a statement, the alliance said that the drill was not linked to any current world events."

Around 70 aircraft from 14 allied nations took part in the exercise, the statement said, operating out of airbases in the Netherlands, Belgium, the United Kingdom and Denmark.

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NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that the exercise was carried out because it helps us make sure that our nuclear deterrent remains as credible, safe, secure, and effective as possible."

(With agency inputs)

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More

Location : Russia

First Published: October 23, 2025, 08:52 IST

News world Putin Oversees Readiness Test Of Russia's Nuclear Forces As Budapest Summit With Trump Put On Hold

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Putins Most Notorious Spy Anna Chapman Active Again? What We Know About Her New Mission

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 12:28 IST

Anna Chapman rose to fame in 2010 after the US arrested her for being in a Russian sleeper cell and deported her. Shes been out of the public eye, now living in Russia

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In 2024, Anna Chapman published a book titled 'Bondianna: To Russia With Love.' (News18 Hindi)

Amid Russias ongoing war challenges, the countrys top operatives are staying active. Reports now suggest that one of President Putins most formidable aides has been reactivated and assigned a new mission, signaling continued strategic moves by Moscow.

This operative is none other than the infamous spy, Anna Chapman, whose return has come as a surprise. According to reports, Chapman was previously apprehended by the United States but was later released.

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Who Is Anna Chapman?

According to The Sun, Anna Chapman, the 43-year-old former UK citizen, has adopted the alias Anna Romanova. She gained notoriety in 2010 when the FBI in New York arrested her for being part of a Russian sleeper cell. She was later sent back to Russia in a high-profile exchange that brought double agent Sergei Skripal to the UK. Years afterward, Skripal survived a poisoning in Salisbury, an attack widely attributed to Russian operatives.

Reports indicate that Chapman has been out of the public eye for a considerable time and is currently residing in Russia.

The Sun reported that Chapman first gained attention in London, where her charm allowed her to move easily among influential businesspeople, politicians, and oligarchs. It was there that a London-based Russian agent, impressed by her networking abilities, recruited her. She had become a British citizen through her marriage to Alex Chapman, though the relationship ended badly. According to reports, Alex Chapman, now deceased, once attempted to kill her with a power drill.

Heres What She Wrote In Her Memoir

In 2024, Anna Chapman published a book titled Bondianna: To Russia With Love. The book details her journey, including aspects of her espionage missions and accounts of her arrest. In it, Chapman describes her experiences as a Russian intelligence agent and shares insights into Russias diplomatic relations with Western countries.

In the book, Chapman presents herself as a real-life female James Bond, asserting that her looks and confidence opened doors to the highest levels of power.

Chapmans memoir recounts a life of luxury, including extravagant trips, glamorous parties, and encounters with the wealthy and influential. One passage describes how she secured a role at a London hedge fund after winning a game of strip poker.

However, the book offers no details on any British secrets she may have passed to Moscow prior to her arrest, nor does it mention the House of Lords member or the British tycoon she is said to have socialized with during her time in the UK.

Russian Spy Gets A New Mission

Recently, Chapman has resurfaced, having been assigned a new mission by Russia. She has been appointed as the head of the newly established Museum of Russian Intelligence. This institution, registered near Moscows Gorky Park within the press office of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), aims to showcase the history and achievements of Russian espionage, particularly highlighting the countrys intelligence operations against the West.

Gone For A Decade, Now Back With A Shocking Return

Chapman had been missing from public view for 10 years but became active on social media platforms Twitter and Instagram in 2020.

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According to The Sun, since her return to Russia, Chapman has transformed her image, working as a businesswoman, television host, and social media figure. She is a vocal supporter of Vladimir Putin and has recently become a mother to a baby boy.

Chapman is now back in the spotlight with a role that once again links her to Russias secretive intelligence sphere. The SVR, the agency she is associated with, is led by Sergey Naryshkin, a close ally of the Russian president.

Location : Russia

First Published: October 23, 2025, 12:28 IST

News world Putins Most Notorious Spy Anna Chapman Active Again? What We Know About Her New Mission

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Sanctions Will Backfire: Russia Warns US After Action Against Two Top Oil Companies

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 15:38 IST

Maria Zakharova said that Washingtons punitive measures will not succeed in forcing Russia to compromise on its national interests.

US has sanctioned two top Russian oil companies (IMAGE: REUTERS)

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova on Thursday said that the United States sanctions on Russias top oil giants, Rosneft and Lukoil, will ultimately backfire," warning that such actions would harm the global economy more than Moscow.

She asserted that Washingtons punitive measures will not succeed in forcing Russia to compromise on its national interests.

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Zakharova also noted that Moscow remains open to dialogue, saying there are no major obstacles" to continuing peace talks. However, she emphasised that any discussions should take place through diplomatic channels rather than media leaks and political posturing," underscoring that genuine negotiations must be rooted in mutual respect and realism.

We view this step as being entirely counterproductive, including in terms of signalling the need to achieve meaningful negotiated solutions to the Ukrainian conflict," Zakharova said.

She added, Our country has developed a strong immunity to Western restrictions and will continue to confidently develop its economic potential, including its energy potential."

China, too, on Thursday voiced strong opposition to the new US sanctions imposed on Russias two largest oil companies, saying the measures have no basis in international law."

Beijing rejected the unilateral sanctions" and called for dialogue instead of coercive tactics. The comments came a day after Washington sanctioned Rosneft and Lukoil over Moscows war in Ukraine.

China also criticised the European Unions latest sanctions package, which included penalties against several Chinese companies accused of aiding Russias war effort. China is neither the creator of the Ukraine crisis nor a party to it," Guo said, adding that Beijing opposes any moves that harm the legitimate interests of Chinese enterprises."

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US President Donald Trump on Wednesday imposed sanctions on Russias two biggest oil firms, saying his efforts to negotiate peace with President Vladimir Putin were not going anywhere."

Trump had reportedly delayed the move for several months, but decided to act after plans for a proposed summit with Putin in Budapest fell through.

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 23, 2025, 15:05 IST

News world Sanctions Will Backfire: Russia Warns US After Action Against Two Top Oil Companies

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'Second Lady Can Speak For Herself': JD Vance Laughs Off Jen Psaki's 'Save Usha' Remark

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News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 23:49 IST

The reaction by US Vice-President JD Vance comes after former press secretary Jen Psaki made a joke about how Usha Vance "needs to be saved" from her husband, during a podcast

US Vice President JD Vance (R) and Second Lady Usha Vance disembark from their plane upon arriving at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv on October 21. (Image: AFP)

US Vice-President JD Vance laughed off former press secretary Jen Psakis comments about his wife Usha Vance, saying they were disgraceful" and that the Second Lady can speak for herself".

The reaction by JD Vance comes after Jen Psaki made a joke about how Usha Vance needs to be saved" from her husband, during a podcast in which she also said she found him scarier" than US President Donald Trump.

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I think its disgraceful, but of course the second lady can speak for herself," Vance told Fox News. I am very lucky to have a wonderful wife, and I know  at least I hope  that my wife feels the same about me. Im honored to have Usha by my side."

Watch the video here:

NEW: Vice President Vance laughs off Jen Psakis comments about his wife, Usha:I think its disgraceful, but of course the second lady can speak for herself."I am very lucky to have a wonderful wife, and I know  at least I hope  that my wife feels the same about me." pic.twitter.com/DprrMR1IbB Fox News (@FoxNews) October 23, 2025

Psaki was, however, brutally trolled for her comments with the White House launching a blistering attack on her. In fact, Trump aide Steven Cheung could not keep the expletives at bay, calling her a dumb***" and a moron".

During her podcast appearance, she joked that Usha was scared" of JD. The showrunners used her line as a description on YouTube and Spotify: Usha Vance, please blink twice if you need help."

Watch the podcast here:

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The MSNBC host described Vance as young and ambitious", adding that hes willing to do anything to get there" and makes himself whatever he thinks people want to hear". She said she sometimes wonders if Usha Vance is OK", adding: Please blink four times. Well come over here. Well save you."

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: October 23, 2025, 23:49 IST

News world 'Second Lady Can Speak For Herself': JD Vance Laughs Off Jen Psaki's 'Save Usha' Remark

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Security For Saudi, Economic Stability For Pakistan: Details Of The Defence Agreement | Exclusive

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News18.com Edited By: Pragati Ratti



Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 13:32 IST

While Pakistan will deploy 25,000 troops in Saudi Arabia, Riyadh will invest $10 billion in Islamabad.

The defence deal between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia was signed by PM Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on September 17. (Image: @CMShehbaz/X)

The strategic mutual defence agreement signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia aims to ensure security stability for Saudi Arabia while fostering economic stability for Pakistan, a top source has told CNN-News18.

A top defence official who witnessed the drafting of the Pakistan-Saudi Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement has provided exclusive details of the agreement.

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As part of the agreement, Pakistan will deploy substantial military forces in the Arabian Peninsula to protect Saudi Arabia from any aggression. In return, Saudi Arabias significant financial investment will bolster Pakistans economy, making it more competitive.

The deployment from Pakistan, the source said, will include four military brigades, two air force squadrons, and two naval fleets stationed in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, Pakistan plans to establish advanced air defence and rocket force command in collaboration with Saudi Arabia. Pakistan will also supply military equipment, ammunition, mortars, tanks, and short-range missiles to Saudi Arabia.

Initially, Pakistan will deploy 25,000 soldiers across various Saudi military bases and cities. Each Pakistani soldier will earn a minimum of 6,000 Saudi Riyals or approximately 1,600 USD per month, which is 200 USD more than a UN peacekeeping soldier. A single Pakistani military brigade is composed of eight units, and each unit consists of 850 soldiers. The four brigades will include armoured, artillery, infantry, and rocket forces units.

For command operations in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan will appoint a three-star lieutenant general, two major generals, and eight brigadiers. Pakistani air force and naval officials will collaborate with their Saudi counterparts in joint operations, training, and exercises.

Saudi Arabia is interested in acquiring Chinese technology similar to Pakistans, prompting Riyadh to sign a defence deal with Islamabad to procure Chinese military equipment for parallel defence against any threats. Saudi Arabia is keen to purchase JF-17 Thunders from Pakistan and J-10Cs from China, and discussions with Beijing about 5th generation jets to counter any potential threats from Israel are anticipated.

In return, Saudi Arabia will invest 10 billion USD in Pakistans infrastructure, economic, mining, energy, and security sectors. This investment aims to protect Pakistan from future economic defaults and sanctions.

Moreover, Saudi Arabia will boost its bilateral trade with Pakistan from 5 billion USD to 15 billion USD annually across all sectors. Riyadh will also use its diplomatic channels to normalise Islamabads relations with the world, especially with New Delhi and Kabul, striving to maintain a balanced and healthy environment between India and Pakistan.

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The agreement includes the establishment of a hotline for intelligence sharing and cooperation. A top Saudi defence delegation is expected to visit Pakistan this month for security talks, and Pakistans PM Shehbaz and Field Marshal are scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia in the last week of October.

CNN-News18 had recently reported that Saudi Arabia was not seen involved in the Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict recently.

About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

First Published: October 23, 2025, 13:32 IST

News world Security For Saudi, Economic Stability For Pakistan: Details Of The Defence Agreement | Exclusive

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'Talks Must Continue': India Envoy To UN Lauds Trump's Role In Gaza Ceasefire Deal

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Last Updated: October 24, 2025, 04:37 IST

India at UN lauds Trumps Gaza ceasefire deal, urges sustained talks, supports Palestinian rights, highlights aid to Gaza, Syria, Yemen, and peacekeeping roles in UNDOF and UNIFIL

Permanent Representative of India to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, at the UNSC Open Debate on Situation in the Middle East on Thursday. (ANI/X)

India at the United Nations on Thursday called US President Donald Trumps Gaza ceasefire deal a landmark initiative" and emphasised that the talks must continue" for the agreement to hold.

Indian envoy to the UN Parvathaneni Harish said: Todays Open Debate comes in the backdrop of the Gaza Peace Summit at Sharm el-Sheikh on October 13, 2025. India participated in the Summit and we welcomed the signing of the landmark Peace Agreement."

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Peace and calm on the Palestinian front have implications for the wider region. India stands for lasting peace in the entire Middle East. It is important for the Agreement to hold and the ceasefire to sustain and for the parties to honour their respective commitments. Talks must continue, and there must be abiding faith in the efficacy of dialogue and diplomacy," he said.

He lauded Trump for playing an instrumental role in forging the Agreement". India also commends the role of Egypt and Qatar towards achieving this end. India remains firm in its view that dialogue and diplomacy and the two-state solution are the means to achieve peace. The landmark initiative of the United States has generated diplomatic momentum towards peace and all parties must adhere to their obligations. We also remain firmly opposed to any unilateral moves by parties concerned."

#WATCH | Permanent Representative of India to the UN, Parvathaneni Harishs complete address at the UNSC Open Debate on Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question(Source: India at UN, NY/X) pic.twitter.com/6tALQ0MSJ5  ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2025

Pointing out India is committed to its stance on developments since October 7, 2023, the Indian envoy said: India has condemned terrorism; stressed there must be an end to destruction, despair and suffering of civilians and sought the immediate release of all hostages; held that humanitarian assistance must flow into Gaza in an unimpeded manner; and emphasised the need for a ceasefire. India envisions the Peace Agreement as an enabler and a catalyst in this regard."

He emphasised that India underscores its unwavering support to the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination, national independence, and sovereignty".

Since Indias recognition of the State of Palestine in 1988, India has consistently advocated certain critical parameters  a sovereign, independent, viable State of Palestine, living side by side in peace and security with Israel, within secure and recognised borders Aid is essential for rehabilitation and reconstruction. Palestinian people cannot rebuild their lives without the support of the international community The total support by India to the Palestinian people is over USD 170 million, which includes projects worth USD 40 million in various stages of implementation," Harish said.

He further said:  We have implemented human-centric projects bilaterally and also partnered with the UN and the Palestinian Authority in this regard. Over the last two years, India has provided relief assistance of nearly 135 metric tons of medicines and supplies. These initiatives must be coupled with the creation of economic frameworks and mechanisms that are conducive for social development, investment and employment."

Speaking on the Middle East situation, the envoy said that the humanitarian challenges are an important dimension and it is important to address these on priority.

Indias commitment in this regard is also manifested in its supply of 5 metric tons of essential medicines to the friendly people of Syria as recently as July 2025. India continues to stress a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process. While taking positive note of progressive normalisation of Syrias relations with its Arab neighbours, India also pledges its support to the regional efforts towards finding a long-term solution in Syria," he said.

He added: Indian troops in UNDOF remained steadfast in executing their mandate even during extreme challenges experienced during the recent conflict, including supreme sacrifice by Acting Force Commander Brigadier General Amitabh Jha in December 2024. India is the third largest contributor to this Mission."

The Permanent Representative of India to the UN pointed out the importance of safety and security of peacekeepers at the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

At a broader level, the peacekeepers serve a very critical function of the UN, and they cannot become casualties of conflicts and escalations. India remains hopeful that the Lebanese Armed Forces will be equipped to discharge the entire spectrum of its responsibilities once the UNIFIL sunset clause becomes operational towards the end of 2026" he said.

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Speaking on Indias role in peacekeeping in Yemen, he said: The humanitarian situation in Yemen is an area of concern. Humanitarian assistance must be above politics. It must reach all civilians, irrespective of their affiliations and power structures. Immediate cessation of hostilities would catalyse these efforts. The safety and security of Indian nationals in Yemen are a priority for us. It is Indias earnest desire to realise the vision of a stable and peaceful Middle East."

Our views are guided by certain basic principles  all human beings have the right to lead normal lives; deprivation and indignity cannot be part of daily life; and civilians must not die due to conflict. India stands fully ready to contribute to this endeavour," he added.

Location : New York, United States of America (USA)

First Published: October 24, 2025, 04:37 IST

News world 'Talks Must Continue': India Envoy To UN Lauds Trump's Role In Gaza Ceasefire Deal

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Trump Administration Will Fight All Lawsuits On H1-B Visa In Court: White House

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Last Updated: October 24, 2025, 00:50 IST

Donald Trumps administration will fight lawsuits over the new H-1B visa fee, aiming to prioritise American workers despite challenges from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and others.

US Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt

The Donald Trump-led administration will the lawsuits filed against its H1-B policy, the White House said on Thursday.

The administration will fight these lawsuits in court. The presidents main priority has always been to put American workers first and to strengthen our visa system. For far too long, the H-1B visa system has been spammed with fraud, and thats driven down American wages," Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters.

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The President wants to refine this system, which is part of the reason he implemented these new policies. These actions are lawful, they are necessary, and well continue to fight this battle in court," she added.

This was in response to the lawsuit that were filed by U.S. Chamber of Commerce challenging President Donald Trumps $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers.

Reuters quoted the group as saying that Trumps September proclamation, opens new tab imposing the fee on new H-1B visa applications was beyond his powers and would disrupt the complex visa system created by Congress.

Reuters quoted the Chamber of Commerce as stating that the fee would force businesses that rely on the H-1B programme to choose between dramatically increasing their labor costs or hiring fewer highly-skilled workers.

Many members of the US 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 rise in H-1B fee is also being challenged by unions, employers, and religious groups in a California federal court.

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order last month that sent shockwaves through global tech hubs: a new $100,000 fee for H-1B visa petitions, effective October 6. The move, targeting the programme that brings skilled workers70% of them Indianto US shores, aims to prioritise American jobs and curb what Trump calls cheap labour abuse".

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As the order came into effect on September 21, it sparked panic and outcry, with immigration attorneys and companies asking the H-1B visa holders or their family members, currently outside America for work or vacation, to return within the next 24 hours or risk being stranded and denied entry into the US.

Later, a White House official clarified that the H1-B visa fee of USD 100,000 would be applicable only to new applicants.

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: October 24, 2025, 00:50 IST

News world Trump Administration Will Fight All Lawsuits On H1-B Visa In Court: White House

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Trump To Meet Chinese President Xi Jinping Next Week In South Korea

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Last Updated: October 24, 2025, 00:29 IST

Trump will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on October 30 in South Korea to discuss key issues, as confirmed by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

US Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt

US President Donald Trump will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on October 30 during his official trip to South Korea, the White House said on Thursday.

On Thursday morning local time, President Trump will participate in a bilateral meeting with President Xi of the Peoples Republic of China," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters.

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She further said: Tomorrow night at 11 pm, the President will depart the White House to fly to Malaysia, where he will arrive on Sunday morning local time. President Trump will participate in a bilateral meeting with the prime minister of Malaysia in the afternoon, and then he will attend the ASEAN leaders working dinner that evening."

Leavitt said that the President will fly to Tokyo on Monday morning and the next day he will participate in a bilateral meeting with the new Prime Minister of Japan.

On Wednesday morning, local time, the President will fly to Busan (South Korea), where he will participate in a bilateral meeting with the President of the Republic of Korea, deliver keynote remarks at the APEC CEO luncheon, and then participate in a US-APEC leaders working dinner. On Thursday morning local time, President Trump will participate in a bilateral meeting with President Xi of the Peoples Republic of China before departing to return home to Washington, DC," she added.

On Wednesday, Trump had said that he would be going to Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan next week. In South Korea, Ill be meeting with President Xi of China. Well have a pretty long meeting scheduled. We can work out a lot of our questions and our doubts and our tremendous assets together," he said.

This comes days after the US President announced the imposition of 155% tariffs on China from November 1.

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 Right now, as of November 1st, China will have about 155% tariffs put on it. I dont think its sustainable for them. I want to be nice to China. But China has been very rough with us over the years because we had presidents that werent smart from a business standpoint They allowed China and every other country to take advantage of us," Trump said at the White House.

This comes as the trade war between the worlds two largest economies continues to rattle global markets. Washingtons import duties on Chinese goods have climbed to as high as 145%, sparking concerns about supply chains and slowing growth. Although both sides agreed to a 90-day truce earlier this year, that pause is set to expire on November 10 unless extended.

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: October 24, 2025, 00:12 IST

News world Trump To Meet Chinese President Xi Jinping Next Week In South Korea

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Trump Warns Israel Would Lose 'All Of US Support' If It Annexes West Bank

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 18:37 IST

Donald Trump had previously said he would not allow Israel to annex the occupied West Bank as Washington negotiated a peace deal to halt the war in Gaza.

US President Donald Trump. (Reuters File)

US President Donald Trump said Israel would lose all support" from the United States if it proceeds to annex the West Bank, as White House officials heavily criticised a proposed Knesset vote on the matter, which they argue goes against Trumps peace plan for Gaza.

In an interview with TIME Magazine on October 15 that was published on Thursday, Trump said Israel wont annex the West Bank, and he had given his word to Arab countries. You cant do that now. Weve had great Arab support. It wont happen because I gave my word to the Arab countries. It will not happen. Israel would lose all of its support from the United States if that happened," he said.

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Washington has repeatedly warned that any unilateral annexation of the West Bank would cross a red line." In September, Donald Trump said, I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. Its not going to happen."

Trump also disclosed his plans to visit the Strip, but offered no comment on a reconstituted Palestinian Authority governing post-war Gaza. Ive always gotten along with him (Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas). Ive always found him reasonable, but hes probably not. But I have always found him reasonable, like, you know, you saw him come up to me and couldnt have been friendlier, and so I have toId really have to find out," he added.

He also said that we are very close" to normalisation of ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel, adding that Riyadh may join the Abraham Accords by the end of this year.

ALSO READ: Marco Rubio Warns Israel Over West Bank Annexation: Threatens Trumps Peace Plan

Vance, Rubio Criticise Israel Over Annexation Plans

Earlier, US Vice President JD Vance criticised a parliamentary vote in the Knesset on West Bank annexation, calling it an insult to the Trump administrations efforts to maintain the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

His remarks came after the Israeli parliament on Wednesday narrowly passed a symbolic preliminary vote in support of annexing the occupied West Bank, widely seen as an attempt to embarrass Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during Vances visit to Israel. The bill was sponsored by hard-liners in the parliament, although Netanyahu opposed it.

Before departing Israel, Vance said that if the Knesset vote was a political stunt, then it is a very stupid political stunt."

I personally take some insult to it," Vance said. The policy of the Trump administration is that the West Bank will not be annexed by Israel."

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is also set to visit Israel soon, also warned Israel against moves to annex the occupied West Bank, calling a preliminary parliamentary vote to extend Israeli sovereignty over the area and a surge in settler violence a threat to peace."

The West Bank, captured by Israel in 1967 after the Six-Day War, is seen by Palestinians as part of a future independent state. While successive governments have avoided formal annexation, they have expanded settlements and declared large tracts of land as state lands", blocking Palestinian ownership and development.

Israels far-right coalition has accelerated settlement approvals in the West Bank after Hamas attack in October 2023, which has been associated with increasing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians. While most countries consider these settlements as a violation of the Geneva Convention barring the settlement of civilians on occupied land, Israel argues that they are justified by Jewish ties to the land.

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According to the UN, Israel has killed almost 1,000 Palestinians in the West Bank since October 2023, including 212 children. Trump, who took office in January, rescinded sanctions imposed by the former Biden administration on far-right Israeli settler groups and individuals accused of being involved in violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

(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 23, 2025, 18:37 IST

News world Trump Warns Israel Would Lose 'All Of US Support' If It Annexes West Bank

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'President Is Disappointed': US Imposes Sanctions On Russia's Two Largest Oil Companies

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 08:15 IST

Trump imposed sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil for funding Kremlin's war machine, canceling a planned meeting with Vladimir Putin amid ongoing USRussia tensions over Ukraine.

According to a statement by the Treasury Department, the sanctions have been imposed on Russias two largest oil companies, Open Joint Stock Company Rosneft Oil Company (Rosneft) and Lukoil OAO (Lukoil). (IMAGE: REUTERS)

President Donald Trump has slapped major sanctions on Russias two largest oil companies after concluding that Vladimir Putin was not being honest and forthright" in Ukraine talks, the US Treasury chief said Wednesday.

The sanctions came a day after a planned Trump-Putin summit in Budapest was shelved, with Washington expressing its disappointment at the lack of progress in ceasefire negotiations with Moscow.

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According to a statement by the Treasury Department, the sanctions have been imposed on Russias two largest oil companies, Open Joint Stock Company Rosneft Oil Company (Rosneft) and Lukoil OAO (Lukoil).

The US Department of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is imposing further sanctions as a result of Russias lack of serious commitment to a peace process to end the war in Ukraine. Todays actions increase pressure on Russias energy sector and degrade the Kremlins ability to raise revenue for its war machine and support its weakened economy," it stated.

Rosneft is a vertically integrated energy company specialising in the exploration, extraction, production, refining, transport, and sale of petroleum, natural gas, and petroleum products. Lukoil engages in the exploration, production, refining, marketing, and distribution of oil and gas in Russia and internationally."

The department further stated that the US will continue to advocate for a peaceful resolution to the war, and a permanent peace depends entirely on Russias willingness to negotiate in good faith.

Later, President Trump told reporters, Today is a very big day. Look, these are tremendous sanctions. These are very big. Those are against their two big oil companies. We hope that the war will be settled. We just answered having to do with the various forms of missiles and everything else that were looking at. But we dont think thats going to be necessary."

#WATCH | Washington DC | On sactions against Russia, US President Donald Trump says, Today is a very big day. Look, these are tremendous sanctions. These are very big. Those are against their two big oil companies We hope that the war will be settled. We just answered having pic.twitter.com/mqXnqGygwC ANI (@ANI) October 22, 2025

We would like to see them just take the line that has been formed over quite a long period of time and go home. Last week they had almost 8,000 soldiers killed. Many Russians and Ukrainians were killed last week. We think its ridiculous and wed like to have it end I think they both want peace at this point. its almost four years If I were president, it never would have started," he added.

Trump said that he is not sure if his new sanctions will push Putin to the negotiating table. Hopefully, hell become reasonable, and hopefully Zelensky will be reasonable too. It takes two to tango," the US President said.

In a post on X, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire. Given President Putins refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russias two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlins war machine. Treasury is prepared to take further action if necessary to support President Trumps effort to end yet another war. We encourage our allies to join us in and adhere to these sanctions."

Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire. Given President Putins refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russias two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlins war machine. Treasury is prepared to take further action if necessary https://t.co/tbJTyf8x2V Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (@SecScottBessent) October 22, 2025

While speaking to Fox Business, he said, President Putin has not come to the table in an honest and forthright manner, as wed hoped. There have been behind-the-scenes talks, but I believe that the president is disappointed at where we are in these talks."

Barely a week ago, US President Donald Trump announced that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin would meet in Budapest within two weeks or so."

However, by Tuesday, the White House confirmed that the meeting would no longer take place. Plans for a preparatory in-person dialogue between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov were also scrapped. I dont want to have a wasted meeting," Trump told reporters at the White House. I dont want to have a waste of time, so Ill see what happens."

A White House official, speaking to Politico, explained that Secretary Rubio and Foreign Minister Lavrov had a productive call. Therefore, an additional in-person meeting between the Secretary and Foreign Minister is not necessary, and there are no plans for President Trump to meet with President Putin in the immediate future."

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Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov downplayed the cancellation, telling reporters, You cannot postpone what has not been scheduled."

The abrupt U-turn has exposed a diplomatic freeze that continues to define USRussia interactions over Ukraine. It also highlights the persistent gap between Trumps high-profile peace efforts and the hardened positions on both sides of the conflict.

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: October 23, 2025, 02:48 IST

News world 'President Is Disappointed': US Imposes Sanctions On Russia's Two Largest Oil Companies

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Pan-African telecoms and network services provider Paratus Group announced on Wednesday that it is expanding into Rwanda, where it will provide and install Starlink LEO satellite services for businesses in the country.



Paratus Rwanda said it will target key sectors in the country, including retail, financial services, government, NGOs, agriculture and tourism  particularly in remote and underserved areas that lack traditional infrastructure.





Paratus is authorised to distribute Starlink services across all of its markets in Africa after signing a deal with Starlink in 2023. Paratus Rwanda said that Starlinks LEO service is not only suited for rural and hard-to-reach areas, but also offers a resilient, backup option connectivity solution for urban enterprises, given the rash of disruptions caused by subsea cable outages in the past couple of years.





The launch in Rwanda is Paratus Groups latest expansion move after launching a new division in Tanzania in March this year via a joint venture with Tanzanian company Green Telecom.





Rwandas dynamic and fast-growing market aligns perfectly with our vision, and the addition of Paratus Rwanda strengthens our ability to serve customers with unmatched reach and reliability, said Paratus Group CEO Schalk Erasmus in a statement.
Virginia Giuffres Memoir Rekindles Epstein Scandal, Claims Rape By Well-Known Prime Minister

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 08:28 IST

Virginia Giuffres memoir Nobodys Girl details abuse by Jeffrey Epstein and alleges rape by a well-known Prime Minister.

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Virginia Giuffre passed away by suicide on April 25, 2025.

Months after her death by suicide in Australia, Virginia Giuffre, one of the most outspoken survivors of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, reignited the global scandal surrounding Epsteins trafficking network. This time she has alleged in her posthumously published memoir Nobodys Girl that she was beaten and raped by a well-known Prime Minister".

The memoir which was published six month after her death, offers an unflinching account of years of sexual abuse, coercion, and trafficking at the hands of powerful men around the world, CNN reported.

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In her memoir, Giuffre details how Jeffrey Epstein trafficked her and how she endured sexual abuse at the hands of several influential men. Among the most disturbing revelations is her allegation against an unnamed well-known Prime Minister," whom she accuses of violently assaulting and raping her.

She described the alleged incident in vivid detail, recalling how she was habitually used and humiliated, and in some instances, choked, beaten, and bloodied." She wrote that she feared she would die a sex slave".

According to Giuffres account, the assault occurred on Epsteins private Caribbean island when she was 18. He choked me repeatedly until I blacked out, seeming to take pleasure in my terror," she wrote. Horrifyingly, the Prime Minister laughed as he hurt me and became more aroused the more I pleaded with him to stop."

She said she pleaded with Epstein not to send her back to the politician, but he rejected her pleas, allegedly telling her coldly, Youll get that sometimes".

While the US edition of her memoir identifies the alleged perpetrator as a well-known Prime Minister," the UK version reportedly refers to him as a former minister." The identity of the politician in question has not been revealed.

Scandal Surrounding Prince Andrew

The memoirs publication threatens to further expose the network of power, money, and complicity that shielded Epstein and his associates. It also revives the scandal surrounding Prince Andrew, who Giuffre accused of sexually assaulting her when she was a teenager, allegations he continues to deny.

Giuffre alleged that Prince Andrews team attempted to hire online trolls" to intimidate her during her civil lawsuit in New York. After spending so long undermining my credibility, even going so far as to try to recruit internet trolls to harass me, the Duke of York owed me a sincere apology," she wrote, referring to the 2022 settlement that reportedly cost him millions.

The settlement followed years of damaging revelations, including the now-infamous 2019 BBC interview in which Andrew attempted to defend his relationship with Epstein, only to destroy his reputation in the process.

He claimed he had broken off all contact with Epstein in 2010. But newly surfaced emails show that in February 2011, Andrew wrote to Epstein: It would seem we are in this together and will have to rise above it. Otherwise keep in close touch and well play some more soon!!!!"

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Amid renewed backlash, Andrew announced last week that he would give up his royal and military titles and cease using the title Duke of York," though he will still be known as Prince" as the son of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

The move was widely viewed as an effort to close a long chapter of public humiliation and safeguard the monarchys reputation. However, Nobodys Girl has ensured that the controversy is far from over.

Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: October 23, 2025, 08:28 IST

News world Virginia Giuffres Memoir Rekindles Epstein Scandal, Claims Rape By Well-Known Prime Minister

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Well-Targeted Decision: Zelenskyy Says Trump's Sanctions On Russian Oil Giants 'Much-Needed'

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 13:47 IST

Trump announced the sanctions earlier in the day, saying his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the Ukraine war dont go anywhere.

China voiced strong opposition to the new US sanctions imposed on Russias two largest oil companies (Reuters photo)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday thanked US President Donald Trump for imposing sanctions on Russias two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, calling it a resolute and well-targeted decision."

Posting on X as he arrived in Brussels, Zelensky said the move was a clear signal that prolonging the war and spreading terror come at a cost." He added, It is a strong and much-needed message that aggression will not go unanswered."

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Trump announced the sanctions earlier in the day, saying his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the Ukraine war dont go anywhere." The US president had held off pulling the trigger for months but decided to act after plans for a fresh summit with Putin in Budapest collapsed.

The new U.S. sanctions against Russias oil giants are a clear signal that prolonging the war and spreading terror come at a cost. And this is a fair and absolutely deserved step. It is precisely pressure on Russia that will be effective for achieving peace, and sanctions are one Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) October 23, 2025

His move coincided with the European Unions approval of its 19th sanctions package, aimed at tightening pressure on Moscow more than three years into its invasion of Ukraine. The EUs new measures target Russias fossil fuels by bringing forward a ban on the import of liquefied natural gas by a year to the start of 2027.

The bloc also blacklisted over 100 tankers from Moscows so-called shadow fleet" of ageing oil vessels and restricted travel for Russian diplomats suspected of espionage. The package was formally adopted on Thursday, just before Zelensky joined EU leaders for summit talks focused on reinforcing support for Ukraine and pushing back against Russian aggression.

US Sanctions On Russian Oil

US President Donald Trump announced sweeping sanctions on Russias two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, after expressing frustration that his peace talks with Vladimir Putin over the Ukraine war dont go anywhere."

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said, Every time I speak with Vladimir, I have good conversations, and then they dont go anywhere." He said the new sanctions were intended to send a clear message but added that he hoped they would be temporary. We hope that the war will be settled," Trump said while addressing the press alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

The sanctions, described by Trump as tremendous," came just hours after the European Union announced its 19th package of penalties against Moscow, intensifying pressure on Russia more than three years into its invasion of Ukraine. The latest EU measures also target Russian fossil fuels and aim to curb Moscows access to revenue that fuels its war effort.

Trump had delayed the move for months, saying he preferred diplomatic engagement with Putin, but the decision to act came after plans for a potential Budapest summit between the two leaders collapsed.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said late Wednesday that despite the sanctions, Washington remains open to dialogue with Moscow. We still want to meet with the Russians," he said, underscoring that diplomatic channels remain active even as economic pressure mounts.

China Opposes New US Sanctions On Russian Oil Firms

China on Thursday voiced strong opposition to the new US sanctions imposed on Russias two largest oil companies, saying the measures have no basis in international law."

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At a regular press briefing, foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Beijing rejects unilateral sanctions and called for dialogue instead of coercive tactics. The comments came a day after Washington sanctioned Rosneft and Lukoil over Moscows war in Ukraine.

Guo also criticised the European Unions latest sanctions package, which included penalties against several Chinese companies accused of aiding Russias war effort. China is neither the creator of the Ukraine crisis nor a party to it," Guo said, adding that Beijing opposes any moves that harm the legitimate interests of Chinese enterprises."

About the Author Abhro Banerjee Covering day-to-day national and international news for the last nine years across print and digital. Associated with News18.com since 2022, covering innumerable big and small events, including electi... Read More

First Published: October 23, 2025, 13:45 IST

News world Well-Targeted Decision: Zelenskyy Says Trump's Sanctions On Russian Oil Giants 'Much-Needed'

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Who Is Anna Chapman? Russias Most Glamorous Spy And Vladimir Putin's Confidant

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 16:00 IST

Anna Chapman, once arrested in New York for espionage, now leads the Museum of Russian Intelligence in Moscow, a project linked to SVR and Vladimir Putin.

Anna Chapman has now been appointed as the head of the newly established Museum of Russian Intelligence.

Once branded Russias most glamorous spy, Anna Chapman is back in the headlines- fifteen years after her dramatic arrest in New York for espionage. Anna Chapman has now been appointed as the head of the newly established Museum of Russian Intelligence, a project reportedly linked to Russian President Vladimir Putins foreign spy agency, the SVR (Foreign Intelligence Service).

Who Is Anna Chapman?

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Anna Chapman, born Anna Kushchenko in Volgograd (formerly Stalingrad), comes from a family with diplomatic roots. Her father served in the Soviet Unions diplomatic corps, reportedly stationed in Kenya during her childhood. Anna Chapman studied economics at the Peoples Friendship University of Russia in Moscow, one of the countrys elite institutions. In 2001, she met Alex Chapman, a British psychology student, at a Moscow nightclub. They married within five months and she moved to London. The couple divorced four years later.

In later interviews, Alex Chapman described his ex-wife as secretive" and connected to Russian friends." In her 2024 memoir Bondianna, Anna Chapman offered a starkly different version, accusing him of violence and portraying herself as a patriotic woman drawn into the world of espionage.

How Did Anna Chapman Become A Russian Spy?

In her memoir, Anna Chapman claims she was recruited into the Russian foreign intelligence service while living in London. A young operative named Kirill allegedly identified her during social gatherings for her networking abilities and tested her patriotism during a flight to Moscow. After undergoing psychological and aptitude tests, Anna Chapman says she was trained and deployed as a covert operative. She described herself as a real-life female James Bond," using charm, confidence and access to social circles of influence to collect information.

Her writing details encounters with powerful businessmen, lavish parties and intelligence assignments- though many of these claims remain unverified.

What Happened With Anna Chapman In New York?

In 2009, Anna Chapman moved to New York City, posing as a real estate entrepreneur. Behind her socialite facade, she was allegedly part of a Russian sleeper cell uncovered by the FBI under Operation Ghost Stories- a decade-long investigation into Russian deep-cover operatives in the United States. According to the FBI, Anna Chapman and nine others were living illegally" in the US, cultivating contacts in political and policy circles to gather non-public intelligence.

Her arrest in June 2010 followed a sting operation in which an undercover FBI agent handed her a fake passport. When Anna Chapman reported the incident to the police, the FBI swooped in. She was accused of transmitting encrypted data via a special laptop and maintaining contact with Russian handlers.

Frank Figliuzzi, then Assistant Director of FBI Counterintelligence, said Anna Chapmans group was on the verge of reaching high-level policy networks." The FBI released surveillance footage showing Anna Chapman using Wi-Fi in a Manhattan store to send coded messages.

What Happened After Anna Chapmans Arrest?

Within two weeks of her arrest, Anna Chapman became the face of one of the biggest spy swaps since the Cold War. On July 8, 2010, the United States traded her and nine other Russian operatives for four Western agents imprisoned in Russia. Upon her return to Russia, Anna Chapman was welcomed as a national celebrity. She launched a television show, appeared in photoshoots and even joined the youth wing of Vladimir Putins United Russia party.

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What Is Anna Chapmans New Role?

Reports suggest Anna Chapman- now using the name Anna Romanova- has been appointed to lead the Museum of Russian Intelligence, located near Gorky Park in Moscow. The project is reportedly registered under the SVR, Russias foreign intelligence service. The museum aims to present the history and achievements" of Russian espionage, from Soviet-era KGB operations to contemporary intelligence work.

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: October 23, 2025, 16:00 IST

News world Who Is Anna Chapman? Russias Most Glamorous Spy And Vladimir Putin's Confidant

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Who Is Zhang Shengmin? China Names Anti-Corruption Veteran As Second-Highest Military Officer

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Last Updated: October 23, 2025, 20:37 IST

General Zhang Shengmin, a key anti-corruption leader, was promoted to second-ranked vice chairman of the CMC after a purge of nine generals.

General Zhang Shengmin's appointment was announced at the conclusion of a four-day Central Committee meeting.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) promoted General Zhang Shengmin, a veteran officer who has led anti-corruption efforts within the military, to the position of second-ranked vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC)- making him Chinas second-highest military officer after President Xi Jinping.

The appointment, announced at the conclusion of a four-day Central Committee meeting, comes just days after the expulsion of nine senior generals in a sweeping purge- one of the largest public crackdowns on Chinas armed forces in decades.

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Who Is General Zhang Shengmin?

Zhang Shengmin, 67, hails from Shaanxi province and joined the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) in 1978. A career officer from the Rocket Force, Zhang Shengmin is known for his role as deputy secretary of the CMCs Discipline Inspection Commission, the PLAs top anti-graft watchdog.

Over the years, he has built a reputation for his work in internal oversight and political discipline, spearheading investigations into corruption, embezzlement and abuse of power among military officers- a role that has made him one of Xi Jinpings most trusted enforcers. Following his promotion, Zhang Shengmin will serve under CMC first vice chairman Zhang Youxia, a long-time ally of Xi.

Zhang Shengmins Promotion Amid A Purge

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Zhang Shengmins elevation comes as Chinas military faces a major anti-corruption campaign. Last week, the countrys defence ministry confirmed that nine generals had been expelled from the Communist Party for serious financial violations." Their removal marks one of the most extensive clean-ups in the PLA since Xi Jinping came to power in 2012, reinforcing his long-running campaign to ensure the armys loyalty to the Party.

In recent years, two defence ministers- Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu- were also dismissed under opaque circumstances as scrutiny within Chinas defence establishment deepens.

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: October 23, 2025, 20:37 IST

News world Who Is Zhang Shengmin? China Names Anti-Corruption Veteran As Second-Highest Military Officer

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Will Talk To Xi Jinping About China Smuggling Fentanyl Into US Via Venezuela: Trump

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Last Updated: October 24, 2025, 03:18 IST

Trump accused China of smuggling fentanyl into the US via Venezuela, plans to discuss it with Xi Jinping in South Korea amid rising tariffs and ongoing trade war tensions.

US President Donald Trump at the White House. (White House/X)

US President Donald Trump on Thursday accused China of smuggling fentanyl into the US through Venezuela and said this will be one of the issues that will be discussed in next weeks meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Responding to a question if China was smuggling fentanyl into the US via Venezuela, Trump said: They are doing that. But they are paying a 20% tariff right now because of fentanyl. Thats billions and billions of dollars. On November 1, the tariff on China goes to 157%, which is record-setting territory. Its not sustainable for them"

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Im meeting with President Xi The first question Im going to be asking him about is fentanyl. They make $100 million selling fentanyl into our country. They lose $100 billion with the 20% tariff. So its not a good business proposition Its one of the things were talking about They pay a very big penalty for doing that Well see what happens at the end of next week Im meeting with President Xi, actually, in South Korea," he added.

Previously, in an interview with Fox Business Network, Trump was asked whether the steep tariffs levied by both countries could continue indefinitely.

Its not sustainable," he said, adding, Thats what the number is, its probably not, you know, it could stand but they forced me to do that."

The comments come as the trade war between the worlds two largest economies continues to rattle global markets. Washingtons import duties on Chinese goods have climbed to as high as 145%, sparking concerns about supply chains and slowing growth.

Although both sides agreed to a 90-day truce earlier this year, that pause is set to expire on November 10 unless extended.

Previously, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has suggested that President Trump could eventually decide to ramp up the measures.

If you read the sanctions and look at them, theyre pretty hefty," she said while citing reports that China and India  the largest buyers of Russian oil  were scaling back their purchases.

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Its full court press for sure, and we expect that these sanctions are going to do harm," she said.

On Wednesday, the Trump administration imposed sanctions on Russias two largest oil companies over Russia-Ukraine war.

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: October 24, 2025, 02:57 IST

News world Will Talk To Xi Jinping About China Smuggling Fentanyl Into US Via Venezuela: Trump

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SpaceXs satellite division, Starlink, has disconnected more than 2,500 of its satellite kits that were being used by scammers operating in Myanmar.

In a post on X, Starlinks head of business operations, Lauren Dreyer, said the company had worked with law enforcement agencies to disable the devices located near suspected scam centres.

We are committed to ensuring the service remains a force for good and sustains trust worldwide - both connecting the unconnected and detecting and preventing misuse by bad actors, Dreyer said.

According to BBC News, more than 30 scam compounds are believed to be operating along the Thai-Myanmar border. These centres reportedly traffic people under the guise of legitimate employment, then force them - often through torture - to work long hours on online scams that generate tens of billions of dollars annually for criminal syndicates, many of which are believed to originate from China.

Most of the trafficking victims are from African countries, the report added.
A volcano in southeastern Iran, believed to have been dormant for roughly 700,000 years, is showing signs of renewed activity, according to a new study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters. Satellite data revealed that the ground near the summit of the Taftan volcano rose about 3 inches between July 2023 and May 2024, a change researchers said signals a buildup of gas pressure beneath the surface, Live Science reports.

The deformation has not subsided, leading scientists to suggest that the volcano, previously labeled as extinct, may be more accurately described as dormant. Mohammadhossein Mohammadnia, a doctoral student at the Institute of Natural Products and Agrobiology in Spain, initially saw no signs of unrest in 2020 imagery. However, by 2023, reports of sulfurous odors, detectable as far as 31 miles away in the city of Khash, prompted a closer look. Using data from the European Space Agency's Sentinel-1 satellites, Mohammadnia and colleagues identified the uplift and concluded it likely stems from gas accumulating 1,600 to 2,000 feet below the surface, possibly due to changes in the volcano's hydrothermal system or minor magma movement.

The Taftan volcano, a 12,927-foot stratovolcano, is already known for its active fumaroles but has not erupted in recorded history. Study author Pablo Gonzalez emphasizes that there's no immediate threat of eruption, but he urges local authorities to allocate resources for monitoring. The volcano doesn't have the type of GPS monitoring system in place that active volcanoes such as Mt. Saint Helens in Washington state has, per Popular Mechanics. "It has to release somehow in the future, either violently or more quietly," Gonzalez said.
An Illinois inmate was shot and killed earlier this month at a high-security federal prison in Florida, a rare event given that guards typically do not carry firearms inside prison walls. The shooting occurred on Oct. 10 at US Penitentiary Coleman I, northwest of Orlando, and resulted in the death of 33-year-old Dwayne Tottleben, who was serving a 15-year sentence for meth possession with intent to distribute. His family and friends said they have received no explanation from the federal Bureau of Prisons about the shooting, NBC News reports, and the agency has not released a statement or responded to inquiries, citing the ongoing federal government shutdown.

Tottleben's next of kin, Donna Ford, said she had spoken to him earlier that day and noticed nothing unusual. She learned of his death that night in a brief call from the prison. Tottleben's father described being left in the dark about the circumstances, learning only from the local medical examiner that his son had been shot. Guards generally are limited to carrying firearms when performing specific duties in federal prisons such as transporting inmates or staffing security posts, and then only with warden approval. The bureau's policy states that deadly force is a last resort, used only when there's an imminent threat.

The prison told NBC that the facility was placed on "enhanced modified operations" on Oct. 10, adding that "wardens may establish controls or implement temporary security measures to ensure the good order and security of their institution, as well as ensure the safety of the employees and the individuals in our custody."
Several outlets supportive of the political right said Wednesday they had agreed to a new press policy rejected by virtually all legacy news media organizations and will take their place in the Pentagon, the AP reports. The new Pentagon press corps will include the Gateway Pundit, the National Pulse, Human Events, podcaster Tim Pool, the Just the News website founded by journalist John Solomon, Frontlines by Turning Point USA, and LindellTV, run by MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell. Many of those outlets were not staffed for the job; Just the News, for example, posted an online ad seeking a Pentagon reporter.

The Pentagon's announcement came less than a week after dozens of reporters from outlets including the New York Times, the Associated Press, CNN, and the Washington Post turned in their access badges rather than agree to a policy the journalists say will restrict them to covering news approved by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Sean Parnell, Hegseth's spokesman, announced the "next generation" of the Pentagon press corps with more than 60 journalists who had agreed to the new policy. He said 26 journalists who had previously been part of the press corps were among the signees. The department wouldn't say who any of them were, but several outlets reposted his message on X, saying they had signed on.

There isn't unanimity among organizations that appeal to Republican consumers. Fox News Channel, by far the most popular news source for fans of President Trump, was among the walkouts, as was Newsmax. Some of the outlets moving in pronounce themselves conservative in their mission statements, and the "about" page on the National Pulse features a picture of Trump. The journalists who left the Pentagon haven't stopped covering the military. With them out of the Pentagon, "reporters will have to work harder," said Barbara Starr, a longtime Pentagon reporter retired from CNN. "But the real price is paid by the American people and the American military families," Starr said. "Military families who have their sons and daughters serving, they want to know everything and they want to know it fast."
A surfer in distress and a friend who tried to rescue him both died in stormy weather off the coast of Melbourne, Australian police said on Thursday. The incident occurred late Wednesday off Frankston Pier as the city was being lashed by wind gusts of up to 81mph, authorities said, per the AP . Police rep Melissa Nixon said a 36-year-old British man who lived in suburban Frankston decided to surf in the wild conditions. The man's surfboard was broken, but Nixon didn't know how that had happened.

The surfer's friend, a 43-year-old Frankston local, tried to rescue him. "The surfer was obviously in distress," Nixon told reporters. "He was struggling in the water after the surfboard broke. He wasn't experienced at surfing ... His friend obviously saw he was in distress and jumped in to help him." A police rescue helicopter responded and pulled both men from the water, but neither could be revived.

An emergency responder was hospitalized overnight after taking in "a large amount of water" but was discharged on Thursday, Nixon said. The two dead men have yet to be formally identified. Nixon cautioned people against entering the water in unsafe conditions. Strong winds brought down trees and branches and caused thousands of homes and businesses to lose power in Melbourne and elsewhere in Victoria state.
Meteorologists are sounding alarms about Tropical Storm Melissa, which has the potential to become a Category 5 hurricaneand, according to some, one of the strongest storms ever recorded in the Atlantic if the conditions are right. Now churning in the central Caribbean, the slow-moving storm's path and intensity remain highly unpredictable, according to the National Hurricane Center, per USA Today .

Forecasters emphasize Melissa will spend the next week over some of the warmest waters in the Atlantic, fueling the likelihood of becoming a major hurricane. The official forecast predicts Category 4 strength by the weekend, with sustained winds of 130mph. Some models show the storm making a turn toward Hispaniola, while others show it moving into the western Caribbean, per USA Today. If Melissa follows a westward path south of Jamaica, "we will likely get a Category 5, and quite possibly one of the strongest storms ever recorded in the Atlantic," says Andrew Hazelton of the University of Miami's Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies.

There's a very low chance of a US impact. But Melissacurrently moving at just 2mph, or "slower than an average person's walking speed," per CNNcould linger near the mountainous islands in the Caribbean, including Jamaica and Hispaniola, dumping up to three or four feet of rain and triggering dangerous flash floods and mudslides. Meteorologist Matt Lanza says it will be "a tremendous rainmaker for somewhere, depending on exactly where it stalls out."
An ex-British paratrooper known only as "Soldier F" has been acquitted in Belfast Crown Court of two murders and five attempted murders related to the 1972 Bloody Sunday shootings in Derry. Soldier F was accused of killing James Wray and William McKinney and attempting to kill five others during the civil rights march where members of the Parachute Regiment shot dead 13 unarmed civilians, per RTE . The AP notes that Soldier F was the only service member ever charged in the killings.

Judge Patrick Lynch, who the Guardian notes presided over the case without a jury, found the prosecution's evidence fell "well short" of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, per RTE. He noted that the only evidence against Soldier F came from two other soldiers, referred to as Soldiers G and H, whose credibility was questioned due to prior instances of perjury and their status as potential accomplices.

Judge Lynch said the passage of time had made it difficult to effectively challenge the soldiers' statements, and that those statements couldn't be questioned like the soldiers would've been if they'd testified in person. In his remarks, the judge criticized the actions of the soldiers on Bloody Sunday, saying they lost "all sense of military discipline" and "sullied" a regiment with a distinguished World War II history.

He described the shootings as involving "unarmed civilians fleeing" but emphasized that the court couldn't operate on "collective guilt," only on individual evidence. Families of the Bloody Sunday victims and supporters of Soldier F attended the proceedings, but the verdict was met without visible reaction from either side. Soldier F's identity remained concealed throughout the trial, as he remained hidden behind a curtain.
The Anglican Church in North Americaa conservative institution born out of a 2009 break with the Episcopal Churchis in crisis, with two top officials facing accusations of misconduct. Bishop Stewart Ruch III is awaiting judgment following an ecclesiastical trial centering on accusations that he let men with violent or sexual misconduct histories serve in his Midwest diocese. Now, Archbishop Stephen Wood, 62, is accused by a former children's ministry director of trying to kiss her in his office just weeks before he was elected to lead the denomination last year, reports the Washington Post . The woman, Claire Buxton, also alleges Wood gave her thousands in unexpected payments from church funds. There were also complaints that he'd exhibited a pattern of inappropriate behavior over several years.

"It's just bizarre to me how far wethe Anglican Church in North America and its leadershiphave gotten away from basic morals and principles," Buxton tells the Post, claiming Wood also offered her a luxury spa stay, a "fancy" room, and "whatever you want," telling her she was his "favorite person in the world." Wood, a married father of four and rector of St. Andrew's Church near Charleston, South Carolina, denies any wrongdoing and says he trusts the church's internal process to address the accusations. The allegations are detailed in a formal church complaint, or "presentment," which could lead to an ecclesiastical trial and potentially force Wood out of his role.

Though this is the first time an archbishop in this denomination has faced such charges, the churchfounded in 2009 and known for its conservative stances, including opposition to same-sex marriage and abortionhas been rocked by other recent scandals. These include the defrocking of bishops for sexual immorality and complaints of leaders protecting themselves rather than congregants. The accusations against Ruch, who oversees 18 churches in the Midwest, have only added to the turmoil. In a Friday post at Anglican Ink, Ruch wrote that he's been ordered not to comment on the trial proceedings. He added that the ecclesiastical court is expected to issue a final written order before Dec. 16.
Love it or hate it, President Trump's complete demolition of the East Wing of the White House might be done as soon as this weekend, reports the New York Times. The president this week announced a dramatic escalation of his plans to build a $300 million ballroom, and those plans now call for the destruction of the entire East Wing. A few takes:

No stopping it: The Washington Post reports there's little chance the demolition will hit a last-minute snag. The National Capital Planning Commission, charged with reviewing external construction projects at the White House, has a majority of Trump allies among its 12 members. The National Trust for Historic Preservation, a nonprofit created by Congress, has called for a pause to the demolition for a thorough review, but it has no power to enforce such a demand. Nor does the DC Preservation League. "Our hands are tied," its executive director tells the newspaper. "It's very frustrating."
We started Duress eight years ago with a simple goal, to create a fast and discreet way for people experiencing domestic and family violence to urgently request police.

This weeks Founder Friday features Trav Heaven, who didnt set out to revolutionise workplace safety. He wanted to save lives.

Eight years ago, he founded Duress with one mission: create a fast, discreet way for domestic violence survivors to alert police. Today, his safety wearables protect thousands of workers across Coles, Myer, David Jones, Tesco and countless government agencies. The company has expanded into the US and UK, all whilst staying true to its original purpose.

Working alongside Victoria Police for nine months, Heavens team created Halo, a ring with a hidden panic button connected to a 24/7 monitoring centre that could escalate directly to police.

Then the unexpected calls started coming. Real estate agencies wanted Halo for their property managers, many of them young women whose online listings included photos, addresses and inspection times. Some were being harassed and wanted a way to feel safer on the job.

Heaven expanded Duress to support organisations, building dashboards, reporting tools, single sign-on and enterprise-level security. But the team quickly realised the Halo ring wasnt practical for teams, so they developed an app-based solution.

That app scaled fast across government departments, including Defence, Justice, Health, Services Australia and numerous councils.

Speed over everything

Then Heaven spotted the fatal flaw. During actual emergencies, pulling out a phone, unlocking it, finding the app and pressing a button simply wasnt fast or discreet enough.

When Duress consulted customers about adding a Bluetooth button, they were blunt about three dealbreakers.

That feedback led to Phoenix, a safety device the size and weight of a credit card. Users could ping their location, alert a manager or trigger an emergency with a tap. Heaven built in a display screen, fall detection, NFC access control and ultra-efficient power management that gives it a two-year battery life. A world first.

Phoenix became a cornerstone for government and not-for-profit organisations including Salvation Army, Uniting, Mission Australia, BaptistCare and Silver Chain.

Retailers came next, wanting the same technology. Their challenge was different, staff didnt carry work phones. That inspired Falcon, a fully self-contained 4G wearable. The smallest of its kind globally, its now deployed across Coles, McDonalds, Cotton On, Hoyts and Nike.

Heaven noticed an interesting pattern. When Falcon was worn visibly on a clip instead of as a watch, incidents dropped significantly. Visibility itself became a deterrent to aggression.

Visibility as deterrent

Heaven noticed an interesting pattern. When Falcon was worn visibly on a clip instead of as a watch, incidents dropped significantly. Visibility itself became a deterrent to aggression.

That insight led to Eagle, the body-worn camera designed to protect and connect teams. It includes live streaming, two-way communication, fall detection, and internal alerting.

Now used by Myer, David Jones, and UK retailers Tesco and Morrisons, Heaven says the technology changes behaviour before incidents escalate.

One of our clients experienced a fall of 54% in aggressive incidents after equipping their staff with our Eagle body camera technology, Heaven says.

He explains why it works: when customers know they could be recorded at any time, with critical evidence passed to police, behaviour shifts. Staff also gain confidence, going about their work with less stress and anxiety.

Industry data from anonymised deployments across two major Australian department store networks show a 52% reduction in aggressive incidents and a 44% reduction in theft where safety wearables and body cameras have been implemented, according to analytics from the Workplace Health & Safety Show.

Technology plays a pivotal role in workforce compliance and risk management, with data and artificial intelligence frameworks helping organisations detect and mitigate potential risks before they escalate.

Listening to customers

Heaven credits the companys success to an incredible team of innovators and a unified safety ecosystem where every device connects seamlessly out of the box.

The philosophy is simple but powerful, he says. Customers know their problems better than anyone. If you listen carefully, then surprise and delight them with the solution, growth follows naturally.

Customer support has enabled Duress to give back, providing Halo rings at no charge to those experiencing domestic violence, and offering Eagle body cameras at no cost (monitoring only) to retailers during the current rise in crime and aggression.

Aggression detection breakthrough

Duress recently solved another persistent problem. After a serious incident, staff still needed to manually complete a report.

This year theyre launching Duress Live Reporting, which automatically captures video, audio, and location, then allows staff to dictate a full incident report by voice. It integrates directly into existing systems like Auror, completing reports within minutes.

Another development is SafeSense, the companys aggression and weapon detection system. After 18 months of research and development, SafeSense can automatically detect aggression cues, including tone, emotion, and phrasing, whilst accounting for Australias casual communication style. The system recognises weapons and violent stances with what the company reports as 94% accuracy.

As a small Australian company, Heaven finds it encouraging to see the technology being adopted across the United States and United Kingdom. More innovations remain in development, continuing the mission to keep people safe, connected, and protected, no matter where they are.

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China's economy has a new problem: its own consumers. While global shoppers are snapping up Chinese goods at record rates despite tariffs and trade tensions, Chinese citizens themselves are keeping their wallets closed, the New York Times reports. The result is an economy increasingly reliant on exports, even as officials in Beijing and abroad call for China to rebalance toward domestic spending. Private consumption accounts for around 40% of China's economic output, compared to 60% in most Western countries and up to 70% in the US, reports Deutsche Welle . As a result, China is on course to export $1 trillion more than it imports this year.

Youth unemployment in China is high and the population is aging. Another problem is the weak social safety net, with more than half of retired people only receiving around $1 a day from state pensions. "This is really a problem that I strongly believe is at the core of China's consumption," Ting Lu, chief China economist for Japanese bank Nomura, tells the Times. "If you don't want to fall into poverty when you retire, then you have to save." Instead of tackling these problems head-on, the government has favored gradual policy tweaks and more investment in export-driven factories.

The fallout from China's COVID-19 lockdowns didn't help. Unlike many other countries, China didn't provide direct cash support to households during the pandemic. As a result, many families today have less income than before, and rising healthcare costs and a slumping real-estate market have further eroded confidence. Attempts to kickstart spendingsuch as trade-in subsidies for appliances, cars, and electronicshave yielded only short-lived bursts of activity. Many Chinese, facing job instability or gig work with few benefits, remain cautious. "If there's a need, that's great," one shopper says of the subsidies, "but if there's no need, I wouldn't go out of my way to buy something just because of the subsidy."

An outline for China's latest five-year plan called for boosting domestic spending but didn't list and policy changes, AP reports. Robin Xing, Morgan Stanley's chief China economist, says the government might have more success if it subsidizes the services sector and dramatically increases social welfare payments to groups including farmers and rural migrant workers, Reuters reports. "Otherwise, these consumer goods subsidies are cyclical, short-term measures," Xing says. "It's piecemeal and unlikely to reflate consumption in a sustainable way."
It's a new contender for the funniestor at least timeliestad of the year. The German company whose furniture lift was used in last weekend's audacious heist at the Louvre is out with a new advertising campaign that's quickly going viral, reports the Guardian . "When you need to move fast" is the tongue-in-cheek slogan from Bocker, accompanied by an image of the company's rig at the world-famous museum. Another line boasts the machinery can carry "up to 400 kilos of treasure at a speed of 42 meters per minute, thanks to a motor as quiet as a whisper," per Connexion .

Marketing chief Julia Scharwatz says she and her husband, company CEO Alexander Bocker, were stunned to see their product in news coverage of the robbery but decided to respond with humor once it was clear nobody was hurt. According to Scharwatz, the lift had been sold in 2020 to a Paris-area rental company. The suspects reportedly stole the elevator during a test demonstration, which the owner had reported to police.

The response to Bocker's ad has been overwhelming, says Scharwatz, with their Instagram reach jumping from a typical 15,000 to 20,000 people to 1.7 million. While most reactions have been positive, some found the campaign in poor taste. "The French are stunned and saddened, while a German company makes fun of it and uses it in its advertising," is one typical critique from the latter camp. Scharwatz says the company has received "a few inquiries" about furniture lifts, though it's too soon to say whether the viral moment will boost sales.
And now, Virginia. Democrats there plan to redraw the state's congressional map to gain their party two or three more House seats ahead of the 2026 midterms, reports the New York Times . It's the latest salvo in the redistricting battles being waged nationwide by both parties. Virginia would follow California in shifting its map to benefit Democrats, while Republicans have done so in Texas and North Carolina. Other states are considering moves of their own. Democrats in the General Assembly plan to call a special session next week to discuss the redistricting, per Virginia Scope .

Democrats currently hold six of Virginia's 11 House seats, and a new map could increase that number or eight or nine, per the Times. To redraw the lines in Virginia, Democrats must clear several hurdles: The General Assembly must pass the measure twice, followed by a statewide referendum, possibly early next year. While Democrats control narrow majorities in both legislative chambers, every seat in the House of Delegates is up for election on Nov. 4. Still, Virginia Scope notes it's possible lawmakers could start redrawing the maps in April.

The move comes despite a 2020 voter-approved constitutional amendment that created an independent redistricting commission. Now, lawmakers who once backed the commission are expected to ask voters to set it aside. Republicans have called the effort a desperate ploy, while Democrats frame it as a necessary defense against GOP gerrymandering.
President Trump has reversed course on a planned federal deployment to San Francisco this weekend. Both Trump and the city's Democratic mayor, Daniel Lurie, confirmed the shift on Thursday. "I spoke to Mayor Lurie last night and he asked, very nicely, that I give him a chance to see if he can turn it around," Trump wrote on Truth Social. The president said he told the mayor he didn't like the idea because federal troops can clean up crime "much faster," but he said he would give Lurie a chance. "Therefore, we will not surge San Francisco on Saturday."

Lurie, for his part, said he told Trump that "San Francisco is on the rise," per ABC News. He added in a social media post that "we have work to do" and would welcome partnerships with federal agencies, but he maintained that "having the military and militarized immigration enforcement in our city will hinder our recovery." The announcement came just as federal agents were arriving in the Bay Area, met by protesters at Coast Guard Island in Alameda. Trump said he received calls from "friends" in the city who also asked him to hold off on the troops, including Nvidia founder and CEO Jensen Huang and Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, per the San Francisco Chronicle.
TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain-headquartered TAHA International for Industrial Services joined the nationwide Tree Week celebration, aligning with H.M. King Hamads carbon neutrality plan.

TAHA CEO Mr. Ammar Awachi and the team planted trees to mark the occasion. The company reaffirmed its commitment to the highest standards of sustainable and responsible industrial practices and its support for Bahrains national goal of netzero carbon emissions by 2060.

Mr. Awachi highlighted TAHAs continued investment in advanced technologies to minimize its carbon footprint, emphasizing that sustainability remains central to the companys corporate social responsibility and Bahrains green economy vision
OSAKA, Oct 23 (News On Japan) - The first shipment of Beaujolais Nouveau, the new French wine whose sale will be officially released on November 20th, arrived at Kansai International Airport on the morning of October 22nd.

Around 7 a.m., a cargo plane carrying Beaujolais Nouveau landed at the airport, where customs officers conducted inspections before the bottles were cleared for distribution.

Beaujolais Nouveau is a freshly produced wine made from grapes harvested that same year in the Beaujolais region of Burgundy, France.

According to importer Suntory, this years production was cut to roughly half of last years due to the severe summer heat, but the result is a wine with a rich, concentrated aroma and sweet, full-bodied flavorsaid to be one of the finest in recent years. Despite rising production costs, the company announced that prices will remain unchanged.

The official sale of Beaujolais Nouveau will begin on November 20th.

Source: YOMIURI
After hearing from not-for-profit groups and community advocates, the ATO launches framework outlining how it will support vulnerable small businesses with compassion.

Whats happening: The Australian Taxation Office has released its Vulnerability Framework, a principles-based guide designed to support people engaging with the tax system whilst experiencing vulnerability, including small business owners.

Why this matters: Small business owners fit within the framework, alongside individual taxpayers, SMSF trustees and those managing deceased estates.

The Australian Taxation Office has released its Vulnerability Framework following extensive public consultation, marking a shift in how the tax office approaches support for people experiencing difficult circumstances, including small business owners.

The framework outlines the ATOs role in supporting people through vulnerable periods and provides transparency about how the organisation will act with empathy, compassion and clarity when people engage with the tax system.

Small businesses explicitly included

The framework specifically acknowledges that people experiencing vulnerability may engage with the ATO in various roles, including as a small business owner, trustee of a self-managed superannuation fund, or managing a deceased estate, not just about their personal tax matters.

This recognition comes at a critical time for Australias small business community. With 43 per cent of small businesses failing to turn a profit last year and 75 per cent of owners earning below the average wage, many operators face mounting financial pressures that can contribute to vulnerability when dealing with tax obligations.

Small business taxpayers displaying signs of vulnerability should encounter services that mitigate the factors standing between them and tax compliance. Some 142 vulnerable individuals and small businesses benefited from the Dispute Assist hotline in 2023-24, according to the tax office.

Defining vulnerability

The framework recognises that vulnerability can be experienced by anyone at any time. Vulnerability may arise from various circumstances, including personal crises such as mental health challenges, family and domestic violence, serious illness or injury, bereavement, or financial hardship.

Natural disasters, relationship breakdowns, homelessness and other significant life events can also contribute to a person experiencing vulnerability when dealing with their tax obligations.

The definition of vulnerability is deliberately broad, with social, economic, environmental, physical and mental health conditions all contributing factors. A taxpayers disability, age, lack of access to essential services, and their experience of mistreatment, abuse, or other personal circumstances can also influence their vulnerability status.

The ATO heard from a wide range of voices during public consultation, including not-for-profit organisations and community advocates. The insights gathered during this consultation period helped shape the final framework and the actions the tax office is taking to implement it.

The framework acknowledges that whilst the ATO may not be able to change the outcome of a tax or superannuation obligation under law, the organisation is committed to listening, communicating clearly and connecting people with the right support.

What support is available

The ATO has outlined several support options for people experiencing vulnerability. These include assistance for those affected by natural disasters, crises of any kind, or other difficult times.

Personal crisis support is available for people struggling with mental health and wellbeing issues, family and domestic violence, financial hardship, or bereavement. The tax office has also developed specific tax and superannuation support options for people experiencing vulnerability.

Current support options include tailored payment arrangements, additional time to meet obligations, and access to specialised support teams within the ATO who are trained to assist people experiencing difficult circumstances. For businesses experiencing financial distress, options may include longer payment plans.

Financial counsellors and National Tax Clinic representatives can access the Advocate Help Desk via phone or email. Experienced ATO staff have been trained in assisting advocates to support taxpayers experiencing vulnerability.

Framework principles guide action

The framework is built on six core guiding principles that outline how the ATO will interact with vulnerable taxpayers. These principles emphasise equity and fairness, accessibility and inclusion, empathy and compassion, transparency and accountability, privacy and data security, and continuous improvement.

The framework also highlights the importance of treating people fairly, ensuring services are accessible and inclusive, and responding with empathy and compassion. The tax offices commitment to transparency and accountability in its dealings with vulnerable people, protecting privacy and data security, and pursuing continuous improvement in how support is delivered underpin the approach.

Not a free pass

Notably, the framework is not a pass to avoid paying tax. Commissioner of Taxation Rob Heferen has stated the ATO is using all tools available to collect what is owed. However, it may be unreasonable and unfair to apply the same approach or consequences to vulnerable taxpayers as to those who are deliberately non-compliant.

The framework cannot change tax obligations, for example, the law does not allow the ATO to waive tax debts. But it serves as a guiding approach for how the office listens, communicates and connects people to the right support.

The framework states that experiencing vulnerability can impact a persons ability to meet tax obligations or access entitlements because barriers may affect their capacity to engage, register, lodge or pay, making it harder to access services and understand requirements. When non-compliance occurs, it is often due to these barriers rather than lack of willingness to comply.

Implementation of the framework will require time and ongoing work. The ATO is committed to building its capability to support vulnerable people, including training staff, developing appropriate systems and processes, and ensuring teams have the resources needed to provide effective support.

The tax office plans to empower its staff to engage empathetically and make decisions aligned with the guiding principles by providing necessary information, tools, resources and support. Supporting people well takes time, care and the right tools, with staff receiving guidance, leadership and team support to put the framework into practice.

The framework calls on the ATO to regularly review and enhance its services to accommodate vulnerable taxpayers. On a personnel level, the tax office says it will train staff to recognise signs of vulnerability, and embed trauma-informed and culturally safe principles into its training.

Staying informed

The ATO has made several resources available, including the full Vulnerability Framework document, an Easy Read summary for accessibility, examples of current support options, and information about how the framework is being implemented and how the organisation is building its capability.

Not-for-profit organisations and community groups are encouraged to share the framework and support information with their clients and networks to help people understand that support is available.

The tax office has emphasised that whilst implementation will take time, it remains committed to ongoing consultation and transparency as the framework is rolled out across the organisation.

Information about the ATO Vulnerability Framework and available support options can be found on the Australian Taxation Office website.

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TOKYO, Oct 23 (News On Japan) - A child was rushed to the hospital after a safety belt slipped and tightened around their neck while riding the Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Tale attraction at Tokyo Disneyland on October 21st.

According to the Chiba Prefectural Fire Department, around 2:30 p.m., a visitor called emergency services reporting that a boy, estimated to be about two years old, was in distress after the safety belt wrapped around his neck during the ride.

Operator Oriental Land said the child had been seated on a guardians lap when the safety belt, originally positioned around the waist, shifted upward and constricted the childs neck. Staff members noticed the situation moments later and immediately activated the emergency stop, rescuing the child and arranging for emergency transport to a hospital.

The extent of the childs injuries remains unclear. Oriental Land commented that it would share details of the incident internally and strengthen its safety monitoring and inspection systems to prevent similar cases.

Source: TBS
TOKYO, Oct 23 (News On Japan) - Tokyo police have arrested a Chinese national on suspicion of document forgery and other offenses in connection with a case of TOEIC exam fraud involving impersonation.

According to the Metropolitan Police Department, the suspect is believed to have acted as a recruiter, enlisting another test-taker who has already been indicted for allegedly providing answers to others during the English proficiency exam.

Police are continuing to investigate the full scope of the operation and whether a broader network was involved in arranging fraudulent TOEIC test-taking on behalf of others.

Source: BIZ
TOKYO, Oct 23 (News On Japan) - The Metropolitan Police Department has arrested Naoki Satake, an unemployed suspect, on suspicion of robbery resulting in injury after he allegedly sprayed tear gas on a man and tried to steal 53 million yen in Tokyos Edogawa Ward in September.

According to police, six men have already been arrested in connection with the case, and Satake is believed to have been in charge of obtaining the tear gas used in the attack.

Satake denies the allegations, but investigators suspect the crime was carried out as part of an organized operation.

Source: BIZ
TOKYO, Oct 23 (News On Japan) - The Emperor, Empress, and their daughter Princess Aiko visited the Tokyo Metropolitan Memorial Hall in Sumida Ward on Thursday afternoon, marking their first visit to the site as Japan observes the 80th year since the end of World War II. They were greeted upon arrival by Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike and other officials.

The memorial hall enshrines the victims of both the Great Kanto Earthquake and the Tokyo air raids during World War II. The Imperial family offered white flowers before the halls altar and bowed deeply in prayer.

Following the ceremony, the Emperor and his family spoke with bereaved relatives who lost loved ones in the bombings. The Emperor asked, Who did you lose? and said softly, That must have been very painful. The Empress expressed compassion, saying, You must have gone through a lot, while Princess Aiko asked, Where were you at that time?each speaking earnestly and with solemn expressions.

While the previous Emperor and Empress offered flowers at the memorial during milestones such as the 50th anniversary of the wars end in 1995 and the 70th anniversary in 2015, this was the first time the current Imperial family has visited the site.

This year, as Japan marks 80 years since the end of the war, the Emperor and Empress have continued their memorial visits across the nation, including to Iwo Jima in the Ogasawara Islands, Okinawa, Hiroshima, and Nagasaki, to honor the memory of those who perished in the conflict.

Source: TBS
OSAKA, Oct 23 (News On Japan) - A quiet cultural shift is taking place in Japan as cross-dressing experiences gain attention among men seeking both self-expression and understanding. Visiting Palette House, a long-established cross-dressing salon near Shin-Osaka Station, first-time participants are guided through wigs, makeup, and clothing to experience life from a womans perspective.

The theme on this day was a date with a boyfriend on a day off, and through makeup and gestures, participants found themselves unexpectedly connecting with feminine emotions.

At Palette House, which has operated for over 40 years, clients range from teenagers to those in their 80s, including university professors and doctors. The shops second-generation owner, formerly in the fashion industry, said many come not to become women permanently but to escape daily roles and explore different sides of themselves. Some even take part in outdoor photo sessions once they feel confident in their transformed appearance.

For the reporter who tried the experience, the process began nervously. Choosing clothes took time, as did learning makeup techniques. I didnt realize how long makeup takes, he noted, adding that keeping eyes closed during the process required trust and patience. When the transformation was complete, the change was strikingso much so that colleagues barely recognized him.

Experienced patrons such as photographer Meisa, who has been cross-dressing for over a decade, teach newcomers feminine poses and mannerisms. Its not about acting, she said, but about naturally feeling beautiful and expressing that through small, graceful movements. With practice, participants find their posture, gestures, and mindset shifting to align with a more feminine presence.

The salon emphasizes that these experiences are not limited to those seeking gender change but can also serve as a form of self-reflection and empathy training. Many of our customers want to understand women better or simply refresh their minds, said the owner. When you take on another form, you also learn how others feel.

Historically, cross-dressing has deep roots in Japanfrom the onnagata actors of Kabuki to modern television figures like Matsuko Deluxeshowing how gender performance has long been a part of cultural expression. Today, with social attitudes becoming more open, more people are exploring cross-dressing as a way to understand diversity and emotional depth.

For the reporter, the days experience ended with an insight: Through makeup and dress, I learned how much care women put into their appearanceand how that effort reflects self-respect and communication. Its more than an act; its empathy in practice.

Source: Television OSAKA NEWS
Elon Musk said the Tesla Robotaxi in Austin will have no safety monitor by end of 2025. No other human in the car which means Tesla robotaxi can scale to about 10 cities with thousands of cars each by mid 2026.

Elon Musk greenlighting car production with autonomy solved means tens of thousands of Cybercabs each month in 2026. Those cybercabs will be deployed as Robotaxi.

Solved robotaxi without safety drivers or safety monitors in multiple cities by mid-2026 means full robotaxi with 100,000 to 1 million mix of cybercab and Tesla owners in the network by the end of 2026.

Tesla robotaxi miles were 250,000 in Austin and over 1 million in the SF Bay area in Q3. This means October has about 6-8% of the weekly miles of Waymo 2.5 million per week.

This is a significant ramp from about 7000 miles in Austin.

The main future of Tesla by 2030 will be millions of Optimus bot with AI5/AI6 chips that will perform distributed AI inference.

Million Optimus per year line starts ramping end of 2026.

Tesla in Austin robotaxi only has one safety concern after over 250,000 miles have been driven.

Waymo has about 100 cars in Austin and providing about 250,000 miles per week but they had 46 incidents over 20 weeks that Tesla robotaxi has been operating. This is over two times the incident per mile and the incidents were more severe.
The KK Park complex in Myanmar's eastern Myawaddy township, as pictured from Mae Sot, Thailand, in September 2025. Photo by AFP

More than 600 people fled one of Myanmar's most notorious scam centers and crossed into Thailand, a Thai provincial official told AFP on Thursday, after a military raid on the compound.

Sprawling compounds where internet fraudsters target people with romance and business cons have thrived along Myanmar's loosely governed border during its civil war, sparked by a 2021 coup.

A highly publicized crackdown starting in February saw around 7,000 workers repatriated and Thailand enact a cross-border internet blockade.

But an AFP investigation this month revealed construction has continued apace, while Starlink internet service receivers have been installed en masse, seeming to connect the hubs to the Elon Musk-owned satellite network.

Sawanit Suriyakul Na Ayutthaya, deputy governor of Tak province on the Myanmar border, told AFP "677 people fled from the scam center" KK Park in Myanmar across the Moei river into Thailand as of Thursday morning.

"Immigration police and a military task force have worked together to provide assistance under humanitarian procedures... and they will undergo screening," Sawanit said.

He added the process will allow authorities to determine if individuals are victims of human trafficking, and if not, they may be prosecuted for illegal border crossing.

While some scam workers are clearly trafficked into often fortified compounds, experts say others go voluntarily with hopes of earning more in the multibillion-dollar illicit industry than they can at home.

The Tak Provincial Administration office, which oversees the area, said in a statement that the group entering from Myanmar comprised "foreign nationals" -- both men and women -- and authorities expected more to cross into Thailand.

Conned out of billions

Indonesian state news agency Antara reported around 20 Indonesians had "successfully crossed into Thai territory via the Moei River" as of Wednesday evening, according to the Indonesian embassy in Yangon, which cited Thai authorities.

The transnational scam industry has ballooned in Southeast Asia in recent years, with thousands of scammers involved, experts say.

Victims in the wider region were conned out of up to $37 billion in 2023, according to a UN report.

Thailand's deputy finance minister Vorapak Tanyawong resigned on Wednesday following allegations linking him to cyberscam operations based in neighboring Cambodia.

And last week, Cambodia deported 64 South Koreans accused of links to scam networks, with police seeking arrest warrants for most on their return to South Korea.

Cambodian authorities said Thursday they arrested 57 more South Koreans for alleged involvement in cyberscams, as well as 29 Chinese nationals during a police operation in the capital Phnom Penh.
Heavy rains lasting more than two hours early on Oct. 23 flooded parts of Ho Chi Minh City's Ben Cat and Bau Bang areas, prompting rescuers to evacuate 127 stranded residents to safety.

Water surged rapidly from low-lying areas and canals into neighborhoods in Ben Cat, Hiep An and Bau Bang wards, submerging some homes under more than two meters of water. The current was strong enough to sweep away vehicles and damage property.

"Water began rising around midnight and had already flooded into our house by dawn. We did not have time to move our belongings, our motorbikes and furniture were all damaged," said a resident of Ben Cat Ward of former Binh Duong Province.

Police officers rescue people from flooded homes in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Oct. 23, 2025. Photo by Thai Ha

According to the city's Fire Prevention, Fighting and Rescue Police Division, officers received emergency calls at around 2:35 a.m. and quickly deployed more than 20 rescue personnel with specialized equipment to the hardest-hit areas.

A child is evacuated from an inundated area in Ben Cat Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Oct. 23, 2025. Photo by VnExpress/Thai Ha

At Cau Doi neighborhood in Ben Cat Ward, they rescued seven isolated residents, while another 100 people, many of them children and elderly, were evacuated near the Mai Thanh Wood Company.

Ben Cat Ward authorities said the flooding was triggered by continuous rainfall combined with overflow from the Tu Van irrigation reservoir, overwhelming drainage systems in the area.

By morning, floodwaters had largely receded, but several low-lying and riverside streets remained submerged. Local authorities are now assessing property damage, helping residents disinfect flooded boarding houses, and warning of potential renewed flooding as high tides coincide with more rain later this week.

Authorities help students and residents escape from flooded areas due to high tides in HCMC, Oct. 23, 2025. Photo by VnExpress/Thai Ha

The Southern Regional Hydro-Meteorological Station reported rainfall exceeding 110 millimeters in Ben CatBau Bang overnight, while nearby provinces like Dong Nai also experienced intense rain.

The flooding coincided with high tides on the Saigon River, further slowing drainage and worsening inundation.
A hospital in Thailand's Krabi Province has called on the police to press charges against a driver accused of obstructing an ambulance, potentially contributing to the death of a patient being transferred.

A lawyer from Plai Phraya Hospital filed a complaint with the police on Monday, accusing the driver of obstructing medical staff and insulting them while they were on duty, according to Bangkok Post.

The driver, whose identity has not been disclosed, worked as a pickup truck driver for Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF), Thailand's leading agricultural and food company. He was fired following the incident, which occurred on the night of Oct. 16.

The incident took place while medical staff were trying to transfer a critically ill 69-year-old man, Somkhuan Panich, suffering from a heart attack and respiratory failure, to Krabi Hospital in Muang District, Bangkok Post reported.

The driver's pickup truck was parked directly behind the ambulance, blocking its rear doors and preventing the medical team from loading the patient.

Somkhuan was later confirmed dead, but it remains unclear whether he passed away en route or upon arrival at the hospital.

According to Thaiger, the driver arrived at the hospital with his mother, who was reportedly experiencing dizziness and blurred vision. When the medical team was preparing to transfer Somkhuan, the driver parked his truck behind the ambulance, obstructing its path. A nurse approached the driver, requesting that he wait, explaining that they were focused on a critically ill patient in need of urgent transfer. However, the driver became angry and insisted the medical staff prioritize his mother.

Despite the efforts to save Somkhuan, the ambulance could not depart because of the blocked vehicle. The nurse approached the driver again, but he refused to move his truck. As Somkhuan's condition deteriorated, his daughter collapsed in distress and pleaded with the driver to move, but he still refused. Only when the daughter threatened to call the police did the driver finally agree to move his vehicle.

In a separate report from Khaosod, the driver's mother was treated in the emergency room, where her condition improved. Afterward, she was discharged with medication. The hospital also clarified that the driver had met with the charge nurse while his mother was being assessed, and although the nurse explained the urgent situation, the driver continued to complain about the delay in care for his mother.

After the incident, the driver publicly spoke out, claiming he was unaware of the critical nature of Somkhuan's condition, according to Thaiger.

He admitted to losing his temper because he believed his mother was being neglected and expressed regret for his actions. He stated that if he could turn back time, he would not have argued with the medical team. He mentioned his intention to offer financial compensation to Somkhuans family from part of his severance pay after being dismissed from his job.
Three years ago, state and Atlantic City officials were confident that a new $18 million ShopRite, built through state money, would solve the resorts long-standing food insecurity problems.

Gov. Phil Murphy assured his constituents in the highly profiled shore town that its days as a food desert are soon to be over.

Eventually, the deal with the grocery retailer, which would have brought Atlantic City its first full-time grocery store in 15 years, ended, leaving many to wonder if the resort, known for its glitzy billion-dollar casinos, would have a full-time store for commodities.

Officials now have a new plan to help make Atlantic City less of a food desert, with a $20 million investment to rehabilitate Renaissance Plaza.

The nearly 30-year-old outdoor shopping mall will be converted into a commercial hub anchored by an expanded Save-A-Lot store.

The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, a state-created agency that uses casino tax earnings to help revitalize Atlantic City, announced the deal Tuesday, in partnership with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.

The plan, recently approved by the CRDAs Board of Directors, includes a lease agreement with Moran Foods, the wholesaler behind the Save-A-Lot franchise.

One of the companys 700 Save-A-Lot locations already has a storefront at the plaza. But, through the lease, CRDA is investing millions toward replacing the buildings roof, beautifying the streetfront and implementing new security measures, the agency said.

Enhancements to the store, which will remain open during the project, are expected to be finished by December 2026, CRDA officials told NJ Advance Media.

This partnership marks a major step forward in revitalizing Atlantic Citys downtown core, Murphy said in a statement. By investing in essential infrastructure and expanding access to fresh, affordable food, were strengthening the foundation of this community and ensuring that residents benefit directly from the citys growth. The collaboration between CRDA and Moran Foods reflects our shared commitment to building a safer, more vibrant, and more equitable Atlantic City.

The current store will expand by about 50%, raising its square footage from 18,786 to 28,443, CRDA officials told NJ Advance Media. The added space allows Save-A-Lot to sell more fresh produce and meat assortments while introducing a full-service deli and hot food station, officials said.

Sarah Griffin, director of corporate communications for Moran Foods, also said the grocer will explore stocking up on local baked goods through partnerships.

A food desert is considered a low-income area where residents were a lack of availability or resources challenge residents in buying healthy food, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

People who live in food deserts in areas like Camden, ranked the states worst, or Atlantic City, live more than one mile away from the nearest supermarket, supercenter or large grocery store.

In June, CRDA voted to purchase Renaissance Plaza to proceed with its revitalization project. According to a resolution voted on by board members, the shopping plaza was built in 1995. It was bought by Ashkenazy Acquisition Corporation, a private, New York-based real estate firm, in 2005.

Last year, CRDA officials agreed to use $200,000 for a study on the project, the resolution states.

City officials have flagged the shopping plaza for repeated instances of loitering and criminal activity. Last year, a double shooting outside a Boost Mobile store at the shopping area led to the death of a 19-year-old city resident.

The residents of the Great City of Atlantic City deserve access to fresh and affordable groceries from a store they can be proud of, Mayor Marty Small Sr. said in a statement. We have made it a priority under the Small administration to enhance security and clean up Renaissance Plaza, and I have full faith in the CRDAs plan to further transform this area. This has been a long time coming, but this is a promise kept  and a powerful step forward for Atlantic City.

Efforts to bring a fully operational grocery store to Atlantic City again gained ground in 2018, when CRDA began efforts to attract a supermarket developer after a report by governor-appointed special counsel Jim Johnson identified the 48-block resort as a food desert.

In 2021, CRDA agreed to fund the construction of a ShopRite, managed by Village Supermarket, Inc., at a parking lot at the corner of Baltic Ave. and N. Ohio Ave., near the Tanger Outlet Mall.

A year later, and after the governor visited the city to break ground on construction, the project folded. At the time, Village reportedly sought a $500,000 subsidy from CRDA, The Press of Atlantic City reported, citing sources familiar with the negotiations.

The ShopRite deal likely would have enticed Shawn Rinnier, owner of the Save-A-Lot at Renaissance Plaza, to close the store, he told NJ Advance Media last year. Rinnier, who owns Save-A-Lots in Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey, couldnt immediately be reached for comment.

Rinnier said he wanted to grow the store by 7,000 square feet, expanding through vacant store space at the plaza.

Right now, everything is very fluid, Rinnier said, in an interview with NJ Advance Media at the time. But what I can say is that were working on an expansion.
French entertainer and animal rights activist Brigitte Bardot shut down rumors that she was dead in an X post. (Photo by Charly Hel/Prestige/Getty Images) Getty Images

Acclaimed 60s and 70s French entertainer Brigitte Bardot is speaking out after a recent hospitalization sparked speculation about her death.

The beloved actress, model and signer was taken to the hospital recently amid a battle with an unspecified sickness.

Bardot, 91, underwent an undisclosed surgery after being rushed from her home in Saint Tropez to a hospital in Toulon. Her condition had been worrying, per reports from French media, causing rumors about her death to spiral.

The French star shut down rumors that she had died in an X (formerly Twitter) post Wednesday.

I dont know who is the idiot who started this fake news about my disappearance but know that I am doing well and I have no plan on taking my bow. A word to the wise, Bardot wrote in her post, which was written in French.

The recent hospitalization was Bardots second in the past few years. She was also hospitalized for respiratory issues in 2023.

Bardot attained great fame in the 50s and 60s for starring in movies like ...And God Created Woman (1956), The Truth (1960), Love on a Pillow (1962) and Contempt (1963).

She stepped away from acting in 1973 before becoming an animal rights activist.
Compatriots from Taiwan will be invited to attend a commemorative gathering marking the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration to China, which will be held around Saturday on the mainland, a Chinese mainland spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said that representatives from various sectors, including Taiwan compatriots, will be invited to attend the event, while related visits and exchange activities will also be organized.

Highlighting the significance of Taiwan's restoration as an important achievement of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), Zhu said the commemoration aims to unite Chinese people from all over the world, including compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

It aims to bring them together to jointly remember the history of the war, pay tribute to the heroes who fought against Japanese invaders, safeguard the victorious outcome of the war, which is Taiwan's return to the motherland, and protect the common home of the Chinese nation, she said.

Zhu added that Taiwan compatriots are welcome to join their mainland counterparts in sharing the pride and dignity of being Chinese.

On Oct 16, Taiwan's "mainland affairs council" banned public officials from participating in commemorative events on the mainland marking the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's recovery. The order also requires members of school faculties, political parties and organizations, as well as related individuals, to refrain from participating in any mainland-organized activities or events.

Zhu condemned this separatist stance of "Taiwan independence" of the Democratic Progressive Party authorities, saying that it distorts and denies historical facts and undervalues the victory in the war of resistance.

"By intimidating and suppressing Taiwan compatriots from participating in related commemorative events, the DPP authorities have completely abandoned the national stance, which already faces opposition and will increasingly face more opposition and condemnation from the people of Taiwan," she said.

Referring to the DPP's demand of "equal dialogue" with the mainland, Zhu said it is an attempt to resume cross-Strait consultations without recognizing the 1992 Consensus, and distorts the historical and legal fact that both sides of the Strait belong to one China.

"In essence, this only creates obstacles for cross-Strait dialogue and consultations, and is doomed to fail," she said, emphasizing that the 1992 Consensus continues to serve as the anchor of peace across the Strait.

According to the spokeswoman, cross-Strait tourism is being mainly hindered by the DPP authorities, as tour groups from Fujian province and Shanghai have been unable to visit Taiwan despite having received permits from the mainland earlier this year.

"The mainstream public opinion in Taiwan supports peace, development, exchanges and cooperation. The DPP authorities have positioned themselves against such mainstream public opinion in Taiwan, and they are bound to be rejected by the people," Zhu said.

The mainland has introduced a series of measures to facilitate cross-Strait exchanges, including introducing free applications for travel permits for first-time visitors from Taiwan and expanding the list of entry ports supporting on-arrival permit applications.

"During the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30), the high-quality economic and social development of the mainland will provide more opportunities for Taiwan compatriots and enterprises," Zhu said, adding that systems and policies promoting cross-Strait economic and cultural exchanges will be further improved.
This would be David Chase's first TV series since "The Sopranos." Mike Coppola | Getty Images

David Chase is going from the New Jersey Mafia to the inner workings of the CIA.

Chase, creator of The Sopranos, is developing what would be his first TV series since the acclaimed Jersey drama.

His next show is Project: MKUltra, a limited series in development at HBO, Deadline reports.

The thriller is based on Project Mind Control: Sidney Gottlieb, the CIA, and the Tragedy of MKUltra, a book from John Lisle that was published in May.

Chase, who optioned the book, is writing the series, which centers on Gottlieb, the chemist and spymaster who was head of the CIAs MKUltra program.

The government project, which started in 1953, was known for its Cold War-era mind control experiments involving the use of psychedelic drugs, torture and sensory deprivation.

Whatdya hear, whatdya say. Were back at HBO," Chases Instagram account posted, sharing the news.

READ MORE: Inside the Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos documentary and cast reunion

Chase, 80, grew up in Clifton and North Caldwell. He is the subject of the Alex Gibney HBO documentary Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos, which premiered in September 2024.

The Sopranos aired on HBO from 1999 to 2007, winning 21 Emmys, earning its place in the pantheon of must-watch TV dramas and becoming one of New Jerseys cultural calling cards.

Before the MKUltra series, Chase had primarily been working on films.

He picked up the story of Tony Soprano and his family in the 2021 prequel movie The Many Saints of Newark, which debuted simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max. He co-wrote and produced the film, which stars Michael Gandolfini, son of James Gandolfini, who originated an all-time great TV antihero in Tony Soprano.

READ MORE: Inside The Many Saints of Newark. David Chase, Michael Gandolfini, Ray Liotta dish on Sopranos prequel.

Chase is also directing a horror film for New Line Cinema.

It will be his first movie as a director since the 2012 film Not Fade Away, his feature directorial debut.

He co-wrote the script for the upcoming horror movie with Terence Winter, who was a writer and executive producer on The Sopranos and went on to create Boardwalk Empire, another New Jersey series that aired on HBO.
The chilling Netflix documentary The Perfect Neighbor uses police bodycam footage to document the killing of 35-year-old Ajike A.J. Owens.

On June 2, 2023, Owens neighbor, 58-year-old Susan Lorincz, shot and killed her in Ocala, Florida. As the Netflix doc shows, Lorincz had a pattern of calling the police on her neighbors, claiming that neighborhood children were trespassing on her lawn or harassing her.

Bodycam footage in the doc shows the neighbors bewilderment at Lorinczs antics. Several witnesses claimed that Lorincz was quick to yell at neighborhood kids and call them racial slurs when they were just innocently playing.

On the night of the shooting, Lorincz called law enforcement once again to claim that she feared for her life because of neighborhood childrens behavior. Owens walked over to Lorinczs residence to talk to her. As Owens knocked on the door, Lorincz fired a single bullet through it, striking Owens in the chest. Owens was pronounced dead at a local hospital later that evening.

Lorincz claimed that she acted in self-defense out of fear that Owens would force open her door, but the investigation found no evidence that Owens was an imminent threat when Lorincz fired her gun.

What happened to Susan Lorincz?

Lorincz was charged with manslaughter with a firearm, culpable negligence, battery, and two counts of assault.

Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods said in a June 2023 press conference that the shooting was a prime example of when Floridas controversial stand-your-ground law is not justified. The law states that people can use deadly force as a means of self-defense from violent crimes, with no duty to retreat.

[This] was simply a killing, Woods said, per NBC News.

READ MORE: The disturbing true story behind Hulus Murdaugh: Death in the Family

Lorincz was found guilty of manslaughter in August 2024. During her sentencing that November, Marion County Circuit Court Judge Robert Hodges called the shooting completely unnecessary, as Lorincz was behind a locked door.

Hodges noted that Lorinczs lack of a criminal record, as well as testimony about the trauma she endured as a result of child sexual abuse, were significant mitigating factor[s] in his sentencing decision.

Susan Lorincz during her November 2024 sentencing hearing. AP

However, we also have a tremendous harm inflicted upon this family and the victims family, Hodges said.

Lorincz was sentenced to 25 years in prison. She is currently serving her sentence at the Homestead Correctional Institution in Homestead, Florida.

Where are A.J. Owens kids now?

Adding to the shocking nature of the crime, Owens 9-year-old son, Israel, was standing next to her when she was shot. Owens was also mom to sons Isaac and Titus and daughter Afrika. Titus, the youngest, was 3 at the time of Owens murder.

Pamela Dias, second from right, speaking at a June 2023 memorial service for her daughter, Ajike Owens. AP

In October 2025, Owens mother, Pamela Dias, shared an update on her four grandkids.

Its been very hard for the children  they were very young when they lost their mother, and its something no child should have to endure, Dias told CNN. At the same time, theyve shown strength and resilience that continues to amaze me. I can see the values my daughter instilled in them  her kindness, her love, her faith  and that means they carry a piece of her wherever they go.

The Perfect Neighbor is available to stream on Netflix.
Any photos and videos circulating on social media of wild monkeys running loose in Newark were likely generated by artificial intelligence, officials said.

Newark police were called to Georgia King Village around 10:30 a.m. Thursday after being told there were monkeys in the apartment complex, public safety director Emanuel Miranda said in a statement.

Officers didnt find any monkeys  either on the loose or in cages  with authorities saying they have preliminarily determined that this incident is a hoax.

Animal control officers investigated a similar report on Wednesday at the apartment complex and also found no sign of monkeys, police said.

No one has been charged, but the investigation is ongoing.
The High Line passes over the Hudson Yards Concrete Casing Section 3 of the Gateway tunnel projects in New York, seen in July. A construction worker was killed this project Thursday after falling from a high worksite, officials said. Ed Murray| For NJ Advance Media

A construction worker was killed Thursday while working on a tunnel box that will take the Gateway rail tunnel under Hudson Yards in Manhattan, authorities said.

Officials said the worker fell from a high worksite location over the tunnel box concrete floor. All work was suspended on the Hudson Yards Concrete casing project while the incident is under investigation by Amtrak police.

The man was an employee of the New York Concrete Corporation, one of the contractors working on the concrete tunnel box.

The Gateway Development Commission, Amtrak, and Related Companies extend our profound condolences to the family of the worker who suffered a fatal injury on the Hudson Yards Concrete Casing project today, Gateway Development Corporation officials said in a statement.

The Hudson Yards project is one of five projects for the larger $16 billion Gateway tunnel project between New Jersey and New York that more than 11,000 workers are currently building.
Workers construct the Hudson Yards Concrete Casing that will link the Gateway tunnel to Penn Station in New York. Jersey offices demanded President Trump change hnd about canceling the project. Ed Murray| For NJ Advance Media

In a decidedly Jersey fashion, Democratic members of Congress from New Jersey demanded in a letter sent to President Donald Trump that he reinstate the $16 billion Gateway rail tunnel project he said was canceled.

Dont F with the Gateway train project, said U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-5th Dist., who announced the letter to Trump and U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Wednesday at the Glen Rock NJ Transit station.

Trump announced the projects termination during an Oct. 15 White House press conference and reiterated it while talking to reporters on Air Force One on Sunday, saying right now there is no funding because its up to me.

While not mentioning Gateway by name, Trump referred to canceling two Manhattan projects championed by U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York as retribution for Democrats holding up the federal budget to renew tax credits for affordable health insurance.

The letter demands Trump publicly retract his termination statement, release all reimbursement payments that were frozen on Oct. 1 and honor the funding commitments made for Gateway. The letter was signed by 10 of New Jerseys members of Congress, all of whom are Democrats. None of the states three Republican members of Congress signed it.

Gottheimer and other officials said Jersey families and commuters will pay the price if its canceled, in delays to the project and if one of the existing 115-year-old tunnels must be shut down for emergency repairs. That would cut the maximum 24 trains per hour to and from New York to 12.

His decision would be a sledgehammer to families, the economy and tens of thousands of labor jobs, Gottheimer said. Why would you mess with the jobs and the economic impact to our great state?

Gateway supporters said 20% of the nations gross domestic product is generated in the New York-New Jersey region. Shutting down one tunnel would result in a $100 million day economic loss to the region.

Gottheimer also asked NJ Transit and Amtrak prepare a doomsday document about the worst-case scenario if one of the 115-year-old tunnels has to be shut down for emergency repairs.

We demand he stop this attack on New Jersey commuters and restore funding, he said.

The $16 billion project is being funded with $11 billion in federal funding from a variety of sources. The remainder is provided by New Jersey, New York and Amtrak.

The largest grant was a record setting $6.8 billion full funding grant agreement between the Federal Transit Administration, New York, New Jersey and Amtrak finalized on July 8, 2024.

That agreement was described in 2024 as a contract between the FTA and the states that could only be broken if the states failed to meet the contractual obligations in the agreement.

Five Gateway projects, under construction on both sides of the Hudson and in the Hudson River, face an uncertain future. Officials havent revealed how much longer work can continue before available cash runs out.

Gateway Development Commission officials said they havent received any official notification. The White House and the federal Office of Management and Budget have not responded to NJ Advance Media questions about the next step for Gateway.

Gottheimer also extended an olive branch, saying he and the delegation is willing meet with the administration.

I ask president to please sit down with us. Lets work this out, Gottheimer said. This is a problem we can solve. The answer is not to stop it. You dont crush progress.
Newark City Councilman Patrick Council told union security guards at a rally on the shared campus of University Hospital and New Jersey Medical School of Rutgers University that he supported their demands for higher pay and employer-funded training. Steve Strunsky | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com

A week before a scheduled strike vote for 2,000 New Jersey security guards, their union staged a rally on Wednesday outside a public hospital in Newark where many of them work, demanding higher pay and training for what they say are their dangerous and increasingly complex jobs.

Several dozen members of Local 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union gathered outside University Hospital, a state-owned level 1 trauma center and teaching hospital affiliated with New Jersey Medical School of Rutgers University.

The union security guards included Najee Wagstaff, 34, who makes $21.13 an hour working at University Hospital for its security contractor, Allied Universal Security Services Inc., a global firm based in Irvine, California.

Wagstaff, a Newark native who lives with his wife in Irvington, recalled an incident three weeks ago, when multiple gunshot victims were brought to the emergency room in rapid succession. They were followed immediately by family and friends, impatient to see their wounded loved ones, and difficult to restrain or even discern from enemies of the victims or some other potential safety threat.

You know, emotions running high, Wagstaff recalled. So, me and my fellow officers, were trying to do our best to console the loved ones and also trying to let them know, Hey, the doctors are working on your loved ones, and be fair with them. In a situation like that, what are you going to say and do?

How are we supposed to do our jobs if we dont have the training to do it? he added.

Najee Wagstaff, a security guard at University Hospital in Newark, said he has not been trained to address some of the potentially dangerous situations he has experienced. Steve Strunsky | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com

Ana Maria Hill, 32BJs vice president and New Jersey director, said a meeting was scheduled for Oct. 29 at Essex County College for a strike authorization vote by the locals rank and file security guards.

If members authorize a strike, the union will have to give employers three days notice before the strike can occur.

Hill said janitors represented by the union wouldnt officially be on strike, but they have pledged not to cross the guards picket lines, and thus would not go to work at buildings involved.

So, you wont have cleaning and you wont have security, Hill said.

Allied Universal, one of the worlds largest security contractors, is among several firms whose employees are part of the same bargaining unit that 32BJ is seeking a new contract for, following the expiration of their previous four-year deal on Sept. 15.

Hill said the union is seeking annual wage increases from the current minimum of $17 an hour.

In addition, the union wants a new benefit under which employers would contribute to a union-administered fund to train guards in modern security techniques such as crisis de-escalation.

The union also wants an employer contribution to fund legal work needed by members, though as a personal perk, not for grievances or other work-related litigation.

Allied Universal did not respond to requests for comment.

A University Hospital spokesperson issued a statement saying the institution prioritizes the safety and security of everyone on our campus, including our security officers.

We always listen to our partners about concerns and hope all parties reach a timely resolution, the statement added.

Newark has the largest number of 32BJ security guards in the state, securing private and institutional buildings, including the Gateway complex and Panasonic building, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, and Seton Hall Law School, according to the union.

Newark City Council members Louise Scott-Rountree and Patrick Council were on hand to support the union and to tell members they had the support of Mayor Ras J. Baraka.

Beyond Newark, Hill said 32BJ members guard properties throughout the state, including the pharmaceutical giant Mercks Rahway location and Johnson & Johnsons facility in the Somerset section of Franklin Township.

Along with union members in purple 32BJ t-shirts, the rally was attended by Hudson County Commissioner Bill ODea, whom the union has endorsed in the race for mayor of Jersey City. ODea was accompanied by Joel Brooks, an official of the Health Professionals and Allied Employees, or HPAE, union, whom 32BJ is backing for a Jersey City council seat.

Brooks told the assembled union members they had to be prepared not just to rally for their cause, but to walk off the job if necessary, with whatever consequences that might have, including a temporary loss of pay.

A strike is the strongest tool in the toolbox, and its the last tool in the toolbox, Brooks told the gathering. But youve got to keep those tools sharp.

Wagstaff, the University Hospital guard, said he would vote for a strike if no agreement is reached by then.

Id vote yes a million times, he said.

Us working men and women, were the faces of a lot of establishments, rich, wealthy, you name it, Wagstaff said. We work on holidays. We do doubles on holidays. We work on our days off protecting property. The height of COVID. Wives getting sick, kids getting sick. We deserve a piece of that money that these companies are getting.
A company controlled by real estate influencer Cesar Humberto Pina is suing the city of Paterson, claiming officials unlawfully dismissed its housing project application.

Taylor Five Apartments filed the lawsuit in Passaic County Superior Court in May, alleging the citys zoning board failed to act within the 120-day window required by New Jerseys Municipal Land Use Law.

The company argues that under the law, the delay entitles it to automatic approval of its proposed development.

Pina, 47, is not named in the lawsuit, but federal prosecutors say he controls Taylor Five Apartments.

The project sought to convert a vacant school on Totowa Avenue into a residential apartment building. Taylor Five initially applied in 2019 to build 61 units, later revising the plan in November 2023 to 30 units.

A hearing was held in June 2024, but no decision was made.

The lawsuit claims the board repeatedly postponed subsequent hearings before rescheduling for April 3, 2025outside the statutory deadlineand dismissed the application despite being told the companys attorneys and experts could not attend.

Pina was indicted earlier this year on charges of wire fraud, money laundering, and bribery in connection with a $17 million house-flipping scheme.

According to the indictment, Pina allegedly paid $50,000 to a Paterson official to help secure zoning board approval.

Between 2019 and 2022, prosecutors say Pina used his office assistant to deliver cash, checks, campaign contributions, and other benefits to the official, whose identity has not been disclosed.

Known on social media as Flipping NJ, Pina allegedly used his online following to attract investors across multiple states.

Prosecutors say he promised returns of 20 to 45 percent within five months but paid some victims only a portionor noneof what he promised. He is also accused of laundering illicit funds, including proceeds from drug sales.

This multi-year torrent of criminal activity hurt investors around the United States, facilitated the scourge of narcotics trafficking, and undermined confidence in our public officials, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba said in a July statement.

Pina, along with several others, filed a motion to appeal Habbas indictment, arguing that her appointment as acting U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey violated federal law.

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in the case on Monday.

Pina and the attorney representing Taylor Five Apartments did not respond to requests for comment.

Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh declined to comment, citing pending litigation.
President Donald Trump speaks as he meets with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) AP

The ex-staffers of former President Barack Obama could not believe President Donald Trumps reported request from his own Justice Department.

The New York Times reported on Tuesday that Trump is said to be seeking $230 million from the Justice Department in compensation for the federal investigations into him. Later that day, Trump suggested to reporters in the Oval Office that he would make the decision on any payout from the government.

And you know that decision would have to go across my desk, and its awfully strange to make a decision where Im paying myself, Trump told reporters.

The hosts of the Pod Save America podcast ripped Trump over his comments during a clip shared to social media platform X from Wednesdays episode .

Youre not paying yourself! co-host Tommy Vietor said. First of all, youre suing every American taxpayer for $230 million dollars. Jon, like maybe I say this too much, but is this the most politically insane thing he has ever done?

Co-host Jon Favreau said Trumps reported request makes him so f---ing angry.

This is just taxpayer dollars for nothing. They just tried to hold him accountable for breaking the law, and now not even a court gets to decide this. He decides this, Favreau said.

Vietor explained that according to the Justice Department manual, settlements of claims against the department for more than $4 million must be approved by the Deputy Attorney General or an associate attorney general.

The current Deputy Attorney General was Trumps criminal defense attorney on these cases, but hes not recusing obviously, Vietor said. The corruption is so brazen in Trump 2.0 that its all just getting lost.

Like the Financial Times reported the other day, that Trump has made $1 billion in realized gains in cryptocurrency this year alone. We have no idea really whos buying the Melania coin or the Trump coin, but we know that investment company linked to the UAE bought $2 billion worth of a stable coin from Trumps company, and then, shortly after, they got access to top of the line, Nvidia AI chips, Vietor said.

Favreau then noted that thousands of federal workers are not receiving paychecks while Trump asks the federal government to give him $230 million.

There are thousands of federal workers right now who are not receiving a paycheck because Donald Trump and Republicans refuse to open the government because it would involve lowering peoples premiums, preventing peoples premiums from doubling, tripling or quadrupling, Favreau said. And Donald Trump is going to dip his hand into the Treasury for $230 million as all of that corruption is happening all over the world and making him and his family even richer.

According to The New York Times , Trump submitted two claims to the Justice Department due to the federal investigations into him.

The first one, submitted in late 2023, is asking for damages due to violations of Trumps rights related to investigations into Russias interference in the 2016 election and a possible connection with his campaign, The New York Times reported. The second one, filed in the summer of 2024, alleges that Trumps privacy was violated during the FBIs 2023 raid of his Mar-a-Lago residence in connection with his handling of classified documents, according to The Times.
FILE - National Guard troops congregate at the entrance to Union Station in Washington, Aug. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, FIle) AP

A protestor who was detained for his Star Wars-themed protest of the National Guard on Sept. 11 is suing the District of Columbia.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on Thursday filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of Sam OHara, alleging that his constitutional rights were violated when Metropolitan Police Department officers handcuffed and arrested him while he was peacefully protesting against the troop deployment in D.C.

The lawsuit claims OHara was walking several feet behind Guard members and playing Darth Vaders Imperial March theme through a phone and small speaker as troops patrolled the Logan Circle neighborhood.

An Ohio Guard member allegedly threatened to call Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers to handle OHara if he persisted. Four MPD officers arrived several minutes later, handcuffed and detained OHara, and prevented him from continuing his peaceful protest, the lawsuit alleges.

The law might have tolerated government conduct of this sort a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, OHaras lawsuit states. But in the here and now, the First Amendment bars government officials from shutting down peaceful protests, and the Fourth Amendment (along with the Districts prohibition on false arrest) bars groundless seizures.

In a statement, OHara said it was important for him not to normalize this dystopian occupation, referring to President Donald Trumps deployment of Guard troops in Washington.

To many District residents, the deployment constituted an attack on D.C.s autonomy and a dangerous departure from the Nations tradition of barring troops from policing civilians, OHaras lawsuit states.

Trump in August issued an executive order declaring a crime emergency as he sought to mobilize the National Guard in the nations capital. Within a month, more than 2,300 federal troops from eight states and D.C. were patrolling the city.

District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb in September filed a federal lawsuit challenging Trumps use of the Guard.

Armed National Guard should not be policing D.C. residents as we walk around our neighborhoods, OHara said in a statement. Instead of respecting my right to protest, police officers handcuffed me so tightly my wrists were still marked and sore the next day. This shows the danger of deploying troops onto American streets: it puts all our basic rights at risk.

In addition to the District of Columbia, OHaras lawsuit named four MPD officers and Ohio National Guard Sgt. Devon Beck as defendants.

The lawsuit does not specify a dollar amount in damages but seeks both compensatory and punitive awards against all defendants in an amount appropriate to the evidence presented at trial.

The government doesnt get to decide if your protest is funny, and government officials cant punish you for making them the punchline, ACLU attorney Michael Perloff said in a statement. Thats really the whole point of the First Amendment.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
President Donald Trump answers questions from reporters during a Diwali celebration in the Oval Office at the White House, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) AP

President Donald Trump received his lowest approval rating yet on the top issues voters elected him to fix, according to the newly released Quinnipiac University poll.

The poll, released Wednesday, showed 38% of voters approved of Trumps handling of the economy, while 57% disapproved and 5% had no opinion. Quinnipiac noted that Trumps approval rating on the economy is the lowest score he has received since the start of his first term in February 2017, which is when the pollster started asking the question.

Trumps previous low on the economy was just last month, when 39% of voters approved of his handling of the issue.

With a nearly 20-point gap between approval and disapproval on President Trumps handling of the economy, its a low water mark for a president who promised a vibrant and muscular economy, Quinnipiac University Polling analyst Tim Malloy said in the press release.

The poll also found Trump received low marks on his handling of several other issues, including the military and the Russia-Ukraine war. His approval rating for the handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict skyrocketed in this months poll after he announced a peace agreement to halt the fighting in the region.

Approval for President Trumps handling of the Israel - Hamas conflict leaps as hostages are released and a fragile ceasefire holds. But the optimism is tempered by voters concerns that the promise of peace may just be temporary, Malloy said.

Here are Trumps marks on those key issues:

Military: 43% approved and 52% disapproved.

Russia-Ukraine war: 36% approved and 54% disapproved.

Israel-Hamas conflict: 47% approved and 41% disapproved.

Overall, Trump received a 40% approval rating and a 54% disapproval rating.

The poll also asked respondents whether Republicans or Democrats were to blame for the ongoing government shutdown. It found that 45% of voters believe Republicans in Congress are more responsible, while 39% said Democrats were more responsible. Another 11% of voters said both parties are equally responsible for the shutdown.

The poll was conducted among 1,327 registered voters from Oct. 1620. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.
For Ukraine's planned order of at least 100 Swedish JAS-39E/F Gripen fighters from Saab, the only realistic way to obtain them in a timely manner is to localize production in Ukraine. The Saab plant in Linkoping has limited production capacity, as it is already committed to fulfilling orders for the Swedish Air Force and existing export customers.

The Swedish government has confirmed that localization is possible, which will require finding a suitable partner in Ukraine.

Moreover, this is a standard condition for the sale of a large number of Gripen aircraft, as demonstrated by the first contract signed with Brazil in 2014. It can serve as a benchmark for evaluating the timeframe and extent of localization.

JAS-39E Gripen

It should be noted that the terms of the $5.4 billion contract covered the supply of 36 fighter jets: 28 single-seat JAS 39E Gripen and eight two-seat JAS 39F Gripen. Saab's partner in the execution of this contract in Brazil was Embraer, which is known for its passenger and transport aircraft, as well as the Super Tucano turboprop aircraft.

Of the 36 Gripen aircraft, only 13 will be fully manufactured in Sweden. Eight Gripen aircraft will be assembled by Brazil's Embraer, while another 15 will be produced independently by Embraer with support from Saab.

It should also be noted that Brazil manufactures a number of components for its Gripen aircraft. In addition, around 60 different technologies were scheduled to be transferred to Brazil.

In 2015, the first group of 350 Brazilian engineers went to Sweden for training and practical experience. Two years after signing the contract, in 2016, Embraer established the Gripen Design and Development Network (GDDN) center, where Brazilian and Swedish specialists worked together.

In 2018, the Brazilian Saab Aeronautica Montagens plant was opened in Sao Bernardo do Campo. It is to produce tail cones, speed brakes, wing boxes, as well as the front and rear fuselage sections. They will be assembled at the Embraer plant in Gaviao Peixe. However, Saab Aeronautica Montagens only began operations in 2020, and Embraer's production line opened in May 2023.

The contract with Brazil perfectly illustrates how things can go wrong. With domestic political crises, including corruption scandals being investigated in the U.S., objective technological difficulties, and completely unpredictable factors such as the pandemic, which became another reason for significant delays.

This contract was supposed to be fully completed in 2024, but it is still far from completion. In particular, Brazil received its first fighter jet in 2019, and the first assembly kit was received in 2023. In total, Brazil has received about 10 Gripen jets during this time. Currently, the first aircraft built entirely in Brazil is being prepared for delivery.

Despite the delays, the contract is progressing, and Brazil will receive the new aircraft. At the same time, it was believed that 36 Gripen aircraft would be only the first batch for the country.

Moreover, Sweden plans to use Embraer's production facilities to fulfill contracts for Colombia and Peru.
President Donald Trump listens to a question from a reporter as he meets with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) AP

President Donald Trump announced Thursday he would be backing off his planned deployment of federal troops to San Francisco after speaking with the citys mayor.

Trump said in a Truth Social post that his friends in the San Francisco area told him not to send the National Guard to the Democratic-led city. He said after speaking with San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, he will give the city a chance to address crime rates before sending in federal troops.

The Federal Government was preparing to surge San Francisco, California, on Saturday, but friends of mine who live in the area called last night to ask me not to go forward with the surge in that the Mayor, Daniel Lurie, was making substantial progress. I spoke to Mayor Lurie last night and he asked, very nicely, that I give him a chance to see if he can turn it around, Trump wrote on Truth Social.

I told him I think he is making a mistake, because we can do it much faster, and remove the criminals that the Law does not permit him to remove. I told him, Its an easier process if we do it, faster, stronger, and safer but, lets see how you do? The people of San Francisco have come together on fighting Crime, especially since we began to take charge of that very nasty subject, he said.

Great people like Jensen Huang, Marc Benioff, and others have called saying that the future of San Francisco is great. They want to give it a shot. Therefore, we will not surge San Francisco on Saturday. Stay tuned! he added.

Lurie said in a statement on social media platform X that he spoke with Trump about the city, telling the president that having the military and militarized immigration enforcement in our city will hinder our recovery.

We appreciate that the president understands that we are the global hub for technology, and when San Francisco is strong, our country is strong. In that conversation, the president told me clearly that he was calling off any plans for a federal deployment in San Francisco. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem reaffirmed that direction in our conversation this morning, he wrote.

Trumps now-abandoned plans came after California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) threatened to sue the administration if it sends the National Guard to San Francisco. Newsom has railed against Trumps deployment of the National Guard to Democratic-led cities, including Los Angeles, for months.

Deploying troops into our cities with no justification grounded in reality, no oversight, no accountability, and no respect for state sovereignty is a direct assault on the rule of law. If Donald Trump invades our state again, California will sue immediately, Newsom wrote in a Tuesday post on X.

Newsoms press office celebrated Trumps decision to not deploy the National Guard to the state again.

Trump has finally, for once, listened to reason  and heard what we have been saying from the beginning. The Bay Area is a shining example of what makes California so special, and any attempt to erode our progress would damage the work weve done. We will continue to monitor for any concerns in the region as the days progress, the press office wrote in a statement on X.
President Donald Trump speaks as he meets with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) AP

President Donald Trump slammed Colombian President Gustavo Petro as a thug as the two leaders have traded barbs over U.S. strikes in the region.

Trump announced Sunday that he would increase tariffs on Colombia and end all U.S. aid, escalating tensions between the two nations over strikes on boats allegedly involved in drug trafficking operations. Trump had earlier called Petro an illegal drug leader who is strongly encouraging the massive production of drugs in his country.

It has become the biggest business in Colombia, by far, and Petro does nothing to stop it, despite large scale payments and subsidies from the USA that are nothing more than a long term rip off of America, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

His post came a day after Petro had accused U.S. officials of having committed a murder and violated our sovereignty in territorial waters" in a series of posts on X. Petro also alleged the United States had hit a fishing vessel in a recent strike.

When asked about an end to the conflict, Petro, in an interview with Univision released Monday, said that humanity has a first offramp, which is to choose to change Trump in various ways.

The easiest way may be through Trump himself, Petro said. If not  get rid of Trump."

Petro later backtracked on his remarks, writing on X that he did not threaten Trump.

I only said that Trump should change his heart, from defending death policies in the world like the genocide in Palestine, to life policies, he continued. If there is no such change, then the American people themselves will change Trump, because one cannot go toward general suicide.

While speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Trump maintained that the United States had stopped all payments to Colombia, adding that Petro, who he described as a thug and bad guy, has hurt his country.

He better watch it, or well take very serious action against him and his country, Trump said.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Wednesday that the United States launched its ninth strike against an alleged drug-carrying vessel in the Pacific Ocean, following seven targeting boats in the Caribbean Sea. It marked the second departure from the waters off South America, where cocaine from the worlds largest producers is trafficked.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) dismissed Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greenes (R-Ga.) criticism of GOP leadership with a condescending response.

Greene sounded the alarm about the GOPs lack of a plan to address rising health care costs, as millions of Americans could see health care premiums skyrocket after Affordable Care Act subsidies expire at the end of the year. In a Wednesday interview with host Kaitlan Collins on CNNs The Source, Johnson responded to Greenes criticism with a sarcastic Bless her heart remark.

Collins asked Johnson to react to Greenes most recent post on the social media platform X about health care costs, which took aim at the Louisiana Republican.

More of my Republican colleagues are finally talking about the unaffordable health insurance crisis, but yesterday on our GOP conference call Speaker Johnson said he has ideas and pages of policy, but did not say a single policy plan. I think that is unacceptable, Greene wrote Wednesday on X.

Democrats created this nightmare 15 years ago, then made it worse in 2021 by extending the ACA tax credits that are now expiring, and I find it unacceptable that Republicans are sitting on the sidelines doing nothing to fix this healthcare disaster that is leading many Americans into financial ruin, she added.

Johnson fired back at Greene over her criticism.

Well, bless her heart, Johnson said. Thats an absurd statement.

We have been working on this for a long time. We worked on it today. Weve been working on it every day. Marjorie is not here in Washington. Shes not on the committees of jurisdiction, and shes not involved in those specific discussions. But she will be soon, because theyll be related to all the House Republicans, he added.

Collins then pressed him further on the issue.

Speaker, shes saying that the Republicans arent doing anything to address the health care issue here that Democrats are arguing about. Are you saying that there is a Republican plan, and youre just not talking about it? Collins asked.

No, Im saying theres lots of discussion about it, but we dont relay it on a conference call with hundreds of people listening in, he responded.

Collins then asked if Republicans would be prepared to roll out a healthcare plan out immediately once the government shutdown ended.

Yes, we could have that ready immediately, yes, Johnson said.

Its not clear when the government shutdown could end, as it approaches the four-week mark.

Democrats vowed to oppose any GOP spending bill that does not include an extension for Affordable Care Act subsidies that are expiring at the end of the year, while Republicans have refused to negotiate across the aisle on the spending bill.
President Donald Trump points to a reporter to ask a question as he meets with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) AP

President Donald Trump is receiving praise after unveiling massive sanctions on Moscow for the first time of his second term, ultimately aimed at bringing Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table to end the war with Ukraine.

The Treasury Department on Wednesday announced new sanctions on Russias two largest oil giants, Rosneft and Lukoil. It argued that the decision will "increase pressure on Russias energy sector and degrade the Kremlins ability to raise revenue for its war machine and support its weakened economy."

Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate cease-fire, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in the announcement, pointing to Putins refusal to end this senseless war.

Treasury is imposing further sanctions as a result of Russias lack of serious commitment to a peace process to end the war in Ukraine. Todays actions increase pressure on Russias energy sector and degrade the Kremlins ability to raise revenue for its war machine and support  Treasury Department (@USTreasury) October 22, 2025

The move came after Trump put peace talks with Putin, scheduled to take place in Budapest, Hungary, on hold earlier this week, telling reporters on Tuesday that I dont want to have a wasted meeting. I dont want to have a waste of time. While the prospect of imposing sanctions was embraced by Ukraine and its European allies, it immediately sparked the ire of Russian officials.

The USA is our adversary, and their loquacious peacemaker has now fully taken up the path of war with Russia, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, referring to Trump, wrote in a social media post, according to NBC News.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova described the step as purely counterproductive.

If the current U.S. administration decides to follow the example of its predecessors, the outcome will be exactly the same: a failure, both politically at home and harmful to global economic stability, Zakharova said during a news briefing on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the penalties were welcomed by several social media users who have remained critical.

I was never so happy to say that I was wrong: Trump actually did it, economist Janis Kluge wrote on X. He imposed new sanctions on Russia.

Michael Weiss, a journalist who specializes in international affairs, said the sanctions are good, adding: They target the two biggest cash cows for the regime, plus their subsidiaries. Also creates some runway for allies to do more to hurt the Kremlin economically.

Even Trump is tired of Putin! First actual measures against Russia under his administration, another user posted.

Former GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger, a staunch critic of Trump, also weighed in: The news of Russian oil sanctions is good news. Way to go, now lets choke the Russian economy out.

Trump had met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Wednesday during a last-minute meeting at the Oval Office, days after the president appeared open to Putins demands to end the war.

Every time I speak with Vladimir, I have good conversations, and then they dont go anywhere, Trump said. They just dont go anywhere.
This may be a cover that President Donald Trump will end up liking.

Time magazine published its latest cover on Thursday, featuring Trump posing at his desk in the Oval Office with the title TRUMPS WORLD.

The story details how Trump ultimately announced a U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. The first phase of the agreement, which went into effect earlier this month, led to the release of all living hostages held in Gaza in exchange for thousands of Palestinian prisoners and detainees. The bodies of several deceased Israeli hostages have yet to be returned.

In his interview with Time, conducted at the White House last week, Trump said that Israel would lose all of its support from the United States if it decides to annex the West Bank. The Knesset voted on Wednesday to advance a bill to do so.

Trump also claimed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would have just kept going without U.S. intervention.

TIME's latest cover: Trump's world. President Donald Trump talks to TIME about his efforts to end the war in Gaza. https://t.co/Fy8AaxEVj2 pic.twitter.com/Itu40KCHyw  TIME (@TIME) October 23, 2025

MAGA world weighed in on the cover with positive marks.

"TRUMPS WORLD," Steven Cheung, the White House communications director, wrote on X.

Jeff Gunter, the former U.S. ambassador to Iceland during Trumps first term, said the image is Times best cover ever.

The new image comes as the magazine released a separate cover spotlight Trump on Oct. 13, days after he announced the breakthrough to the over two-year war in Gaza. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump acknowledged that the article was largely positive, but went on to blast Time for using what he described as the "Worst of All Time" photograph.

They disappeared my hair, and then had something floating on top of my head that looked like a floating crown, but an extremely small one. Really weird! Trump wrote, adding: I never liked taking pictures from underneath angles, but this is a super bad picture, and deserves to be called out. What are they doing, and why?

In the cover image, Trump is featured looking up, giving the viewer a look at his neck, nostrils and right ear.

The living Israeli hostages held in Gaza have been freed under the first phase of Donald Trump's peace plan, alongside a Palestinian prisoner release. The deal may become a signature achievement of Trump's second term, and it could mark a strategic turning point for the Middle pic.twitter.com/0bZDABIDGj  TIME (@TIME) October 13, 2025

During a visit to Israel, Vice President JD Vance warned on Tuesday that Hamas would be obliterated if it did not cooperate with the ceasefire  jumping off of a similar threat from Trump, who earlier vowed fast, furious and brutal force." The president over the weekend had also maintained the deal was still in place as Israel and Hamas traded blame over violations to the agreement.

We wanna make sure that its going to be very peaceful with Hamas, Trump told reporters after Israel launched strikes in response to what it claimed were recent Hamas attacks on Israeli forces in Rafah.
A Colorado man was allegedly under the influence at the time his pickup truck was involved in a wrong-way crash that killed four teen on the New Jersey Turnpike.

Christopher Neff, 41, of Westminster, Colorado, faces four counts of aggravated manslaughter and reckless death by auto, as well as weapons charges, in the crash that happened outside Carneys Point early Sunday morning, the Salem County Prosecutors Office said on Wednesday.

Yaakov Kilberg, 19, and his three 18-year-old passengers  Aharon Lebovits, Shlomo Cohen and Chaim Grossman  were killed in the collision, the county prosecutors office said.

Kilberg was traveling southbound on the New Jersey Turnpike toward the Delaware Memorial Bridge around 12:41 a.m. when Neff, heading the wrong way on the southbound side of the expressway, struck their SUV, New Jersey State Police previously stated.

The SUV was subsequently struck by a tractor-trailer.

Grossman was a Fallsburg, New York, resident, while the other three were from Lakewood. All four were pronounced dead at the scene. The tractor-trailers driver, a 29-year-old man from Nova Scotia, Canada, was not injured, police said.

A criminal complaint in the deadly crash was filed on Tuesday. It was unclear if Neff was in custody on Wednesday. Court records do show a date for when Neff is scheduled to appear in court.

Attorney information for Neff was not listed in New Jersey court records.
A guest visits the preview of the Dunhuang Culture and Art Public Benefit Exhibition in east China's Shanghai, Oct. 22, 2025. The exhibition will kick off here on Oct. 23, and will last until March 31, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Haoming)

A guest takes photos of a Dunhuang mural during the preview of the Dunhuang Culture and Art Public Benefit Exhibition in east China's Shanghai, Oct. 22, 2025. The exhibition will kick off here on Oct. 23, and will last until March 31, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Haoming)

Guests visit the preview of the Dunhuang Culture and Art Public Benefit Exhibition in east China's Shanghai, Oct. 22, 2025. The exhibition will kick off here on Oct. 23, and will last until March 31, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Haoming)

Guests visit the preview of the Dunhuang Culture and Art Public Benefit Exhibition in east China's Shanghai, Oct. 22, 2025. The exhibition will kick off here on Oct. 23, and will last until March 31, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Haoming)

A guest visits the preview of the Dunhuang Culture and Art Public Benefit Exhibition in east China's Shanghai, Oct. 22, 2025. The exhibition will kick off here on Oct. 23, and will last until March 31, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Haoming)

Editor: ZAD
Guests pose for a group photo at the inauguration ceremony of Airbus' second Final Assembly Line (FAL) for A320 family aircraft in Tianjin, north China, Oct. 22, 2025. Airbus on Wednesday inaugurated its latest Final Assembly Line (FAL) for A320 family aircraft in the northern Chinese port city of Tianjin, the second of its kind in both China and Asia as a whole. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

TIANJIN, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Airbus on Wednesday inaugurated its latest Final Assembly Line (FAL) for A320 family aircraft in the northern Chinese port city of Tianjin, the second of its kind in both China and Asia as a whole.

The new facility will double the A320 family's final assembly capacity in China, demonstrating Airbus' confidence in the country's thriving civil aviation market, resilient supply chain and favorable business climate.

Via the FAL, the A320 planes will be assembled from large components like fuselage sections and wings, painted, tested and delivered to customers in China and beyond, said Airbus CEO, Guillaume Faury.

Preparations to assemble the first plane are underway.

"We welcome the addition of Tianjin's second line to our global production system, as it provides us with the necessary flexibility and capacity to deliver on our plan to assemble 75 A320 family aircraft per month in 2027," Faury said at the inauguration ceremony.

To date, Airbus' A320 production network has expanded to 10 FALs -- four in Germany, two in France, two in the United States, and two in China, with the assembly capacity in Tianjin set to contribute 20 percent of the company's total globally.

This photo shows Airbus' second Final Assembly Line (FAL) for A320 family aircraft in Tianjin, north China, Oct. 22, 2025.

Airbus on Wednesday inaugurated its latest Final Assembly Line (FAL) for A320 family aircraft in the northern Chinese port city of Tianjin, the second of its kind in both China and Asia as a whole. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

This photo shows Airbus' second Final Assembly Line (FAL) for A320 family aircraft in Tianjin, north China, Oct. 22, 2025.

Airbus on Wednesday inaugurated its latest Final Assembly Line (FAL) for A320 family aircraft in the northern Chinese port city of Tianjin, the second of its kind in both China and Asia as a whole. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

This photo shows the inauguration ceremony of Airbus' second Final Assembly Line (FAL) for A320 family aircraft in Tianjin, north China, Oct. 22, 2025.

Airbus on Wednesday inaugurated its latest Final Assembly Line (FAL) for A320 family aircraft in the northern Chinese port city of Tianjin, the second of its kind in both China and Asia as a whole. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

This photo shows Airbus' second Final Assembly Line (FAL) for A320 family aircraft in Tianjin, north China, Oct. 22, 2025.

Airbus on Wednesday inaugurated its latest Final Assembly Line (FAL) for A320 family aircraft in the northern Chinese port city of Tianjin, the second of its kind in both China and Asia as a whole. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

This photo shows a workshop of Airbus' second Final Assembly Line (FAL) for A320 family aircraft in Tianjin, north China, Oct. 22, 2025.

Airbus on Wednesday inaugurated its latest Final Assembly Line (FAL) for A320 family aircraft in the northern Chinese port city of Tianjin, the second of its kind in both China and Asia as a whole. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

Editor: GSY
Federal prosecutors arrested a man living in Lafayette who they say participated in the October 2023 attacks on Israel and later traveled to the U.S. on an illegal visa, according to newly unsealed documents obtained by the New York Times.
The number of second homes and holiday lets in North Devon has risen to its highest level in seven years, despite new measures aimed at curbing the trend.

Figures obtained by the North Devon Gazette through a Freedom of Information request to North Devon Council show that as of April 2025, 2,153 properties in the district were registered as second homes, furnished holiday lets, or had moved from council tax to business rates because they now operate as holiday accommodation.

The figures relate solely to the North Devon Council area and do not include neighbouring Torridge District Council, which is governed separately.

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The total marks a significant increase from 1,699 in 2018, with a sharp rise seen over the past two years, up from 1,768 in 2023 and 2,058 in 2024.

Cllr Graham Bell, lead member for housing and homelessness at North Devon Council, said it was disappointing to see holiday lets still on the rise, although he noted signs of progress since the introduction of higher council tax on second homes.

ABOVE: Cllr Graham Bell, Lead Member for Housing and Homelessness at North Devon Council, speaking on second home ownership in the district.  North Devon Council

Although, the latest figures do show that in the year since the introduction of the second home increase, the figures may have stalled. But it is only the first year, and while we endlessly seem to wait for progress, people are now facing another Christmas in insecure housing, he said.

Over the last decade second home ownership has skyrocketed in parts of Devon with areas like Croyde, Woolacombe, Salcombe, Thurlestone and Beer being hollowed out by an influx of fair-weather homeowners who come for the surf, but have zero interest in the community. Since 2019, the number of people searching for a social and affordable home has doubled.

Doubling council tax on second homes appears to have slowed, but not yet reversed, the surge in second home ownership in Devon. While the initiative has not reversed the problem, it has created a new revenue source that district councils like North Devon have set aside for housing support projects to offset the harm caused by the loss of so much housing stock.

In North Devon, this revenue is being placed into ensuring that the council has a portfolio of temporary accommodation for local residents who find themselves homeless. This means that we are able to act quickly and effectively to respond to families who find themselves in a sudden housing crisis. This has made us more responsive to families in need and helped keep families out of expensive B&B arrangements.

One of the big dangers of the upcoming Unitary Authority is that the new centralised authority will lack the local connections and insights of the existing housing authorities and may decide to wipe away the housing reforms, safeguards and improvements made by the current district councils. As Devon proceeds with Local Government Reorganisation, it is vital that housing gains are not lost in transition. The Unitary Authority may have its own set of rules and priorities but it must be guided by the principles of the housing authorities that preceded it.

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According to the Devon Housing Commission report, which examined housing pressures across the county, the issue is particularly evident in North Devon.

The commission noted that some wards have over 20 per cent of properties operating as holiday lets, warning that several parishes risk becoming hollowed out communities.

The report highlighted evidence gathered in Ilfracombe and other coastal areas showing the strain caused by second homes and short-term holiday accommodation.

It drew parallels with the South Hams, where the increase in holiday lets coincided with a drop in local population and the closure of a school.

North Devon Councils Housing Strategy 2025 further recognises the connection between demand for holiday accommodation and homelessness.

It states that while poverty and rising rents remain key drivers of homelessness, external pressures such as the growth of holiday lets also contribute to the crisis.

The strategy confirms that since April 2025, the additional revenue from doubling council tax on second homes has been ring-fenced for housing projects across North Devon.

On social media, local residents have expressed divided views about the role of holiday accommodation in the area.

Under powers granted by the Levelling-Up and Regeneration Act 2023, North Devon Council voted on 17 January 2024 to introduce a 100 per cent council tax premium on second homes, effectively charging owners twice the standard rate from April 2025.

For council tax purposes, second homes are defined as furnished but unoccupied dwellings that are no ones sole or main residence.

This includes properties subject to planning restrictions on permanent occupation.

The government has introduced a number of mandatory exceptions to the premium, such as homes being actively marketed for sale or rent (up to 12 months) or dwellings where permanent occupation is prohibited.

These national exceptions came into effect alongside the premium on 1 April 2025.

One contributor, who contacted the Gazette, said there was growing confusion between holiday lets and second homes.

Towns and villages like Braunton, Croyde, Lynton and Instow need holiday lets, otherwise all the businesses would have to close, as locals just don't have the funds to always support them. Holiday lets are the only way for communities like these to survive.

Second home owners are people who use the property for private use, this could be weekly, monthly or even yearly. This is the problem. I see it time and time again, they turn up in their car full of shopping bags from the supermarket and never venture into any of the local establishments. This is one of the many reasons small villages are struggling.

The new double council tax has only made it slightly better, as a few of the second home owners have now converted to holiday lets. The big issue is that lots have issued Section 21s, effectively kicking people out of homes and communities they have belonged to for many years, only for the house to sit empty with a for sale sign outside.

While local authorities hope the new council tax measures will eventually reduce second home ownership, both official reports and community voices suggest that the housing pressures in North Devon remain acute.

Cllr Bell said it was essential that reforms made by district councils are not lost during Devons transition to a unitary authority.

For now, the data shows a continuing rise in properties taken out of the local housing market, and the challenge of balancing tourism with sustainable community life remains as complex as ever.
Farmers across North Devon and Torridge are being urged to make the most of free and impartial business support from North Devon Plus.

The Farm Support Services programme offers specialist support for farmers and landowners to help their business perform to its full potential.

The specialist agricultural advisors can help eligible farmers who wish to discuss their business performance and identify funding they may be entitled to.

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The team has already helped farms prepare for the next round of funding opportunities, supporting them to plan survival budgets and farm cash flows, develop marketing strategies, explore innovative business ideas to boost income and navigate environmental schemes and compliance.

Advisors have also helped businesses through the next steps of funding schemes, helping them to complete assigned actions, maintain necessary evidence and submit their annual declarations.

The programme is funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund via North Devon Council and Torridge District Council and is only guaranteed until the end of March 2026, so farm businesses are being urged to access support while they can.

Councillor Malcolm Prowse at North Devon Council, said: North Devon Plus is seeing increasing demand from farmers who are struggling with cash flow and missed out on previous schemes like the Sustainable Farming Incentive.

Their agricultural advisors are providing vital, practical support and we want to ensure every eligible farmer has the chance to benefit before the funding ends.

Councillor Ken James, director of North Devon Plus and leader of Torridge District Council, added: We want to ensure that as many eligible farmers as possible are aware of the grants and support that is available to them.

Grants can be crucial to the agriculture sector in becoming more efficient, resilient and competitive in the long term, by helping to increase productivity, improve environmental sustainability and help enhance animal health and welfare.

Filling in application forms can often feel daunting, thats why North Devon Pluss specialist agricultural advisers are on hand to help with the application process.

Anyone who is interested can speak with an advisor or book a free support session by calling 01237 428 834 or emailing farming@northdevonplus.co.uk

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A doctor introduces traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to visiting medical trainees from various countries at a hospital in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Oct. 22, 2025. Lessons on TCM were introduced in various ways across the country to welcome the annual World Traditional Medicine Day which falls on Oct. 22. (Photo by Yang Suping/Xinhua)

Medical staff explain the types and functions of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to the students of a middle school in Ruyang County of Luoyang City, central China's Henan Province, Oct. 22, 2025. Lessons on TCM were introduced in various ways across the country to welcome the annual World Traditional Medicine Day which falls on Oct. 22. (Photo by Kang Hongjun/Xinhua)

A student tries traditional Chinese moxibustion therapy at an event held at an elementary school in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 21, 2025. Lessons on traditional Chinese medicine were introduced in various ways across the country to welcome the annual World Traditional Medicine Day which falls on Oct. 22. (Photo by Wang Haibin/Xinhua)

Students learn to measure herbs of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) at a hospital in Rongcheng City, east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 22, 2025. Lessons on TCM were introduced in various ways across the country to welcome the annual World Traditional Medicine Day which falls on Oct. 22. (Photo by Li Xinjun/Xinhua)

A teacher introduces knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to students in Liaocheng City, east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 21, 2025. Lessons on TCM were introduced in various ways across the country to welcome the annual World Traditional Medicine Day which falls on Oct. 22. (Photo by Zhao Yuguo/Xinhua)

A traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) instructor explains acupuncture points and massage benefits to elementary school students at a hospital in Xiayi County, Shangqiu City, central China's Henan Province, Oct. 21, 2025. Lessons on TCM were introduced in various ways across the country to welcome the annual World Traditional Medicine Day which falls on Oct. 22. (Photo by Miao Yucai/Xinhua)

Students learn to process traditional herbal medicine at a local Chinese medicine pharmacy in Zaozhuang City, east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 21, 2025. Lessons on traditional Chinese medicine were introduced in various ways across the country to welcome the annual World Traditional Medicine Day which falls on Oct. 22. (Photo by Sun Zhongzhe/Xinhua)

Students from a primary school learn to grind herbs for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) at a central health center in Deqing County, Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 22, 2025. Lessons on TCM were introduced in various ways across the country to welcome the annual World Traditional Medicine Day which falls on Oct. 22. (Photo by Ni Lifang/Xinhua)

A doctor guides students to experience pulse diagnosis at a primary school in Anding District of Dingxi City, northwest China's Gansu Province, Oct. 22, 2025. Lessons on traditional Chinese medicine were introduced in various ways across the country to welcome the annual World Traditional Medicine Day which falls on Oct. 22. (Photo by Wang Kexian/Xinhua)

Students measure herbs of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) at an elementary school in Taizhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province, Oct. 22, 2025. Lessons on TCM were introduced in various ways across the country to welcome the annual World Traditional Medicine Day which falls on Oct. 22. (Photo by Zhou Shegen/Xinhua)

A doctor explains the usage of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) tools to children at a local elementary school in Huimin County of Binzhou City, east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 21, 2025. Lessons on TCM were introduced in various ways across the country to welcome the annual World Traditional Medicine Day which falls on Oct. 22. (Photo by Wang Jun/Xinhua)

Editor: WSH
An aerial drone photo taken on Oct. 19, 2025 shows an entrance of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge in south China. More than 93.34 million inbound and outbound passenger trips had been recorded through the Zhuhai port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge as of Wednesday, seven years after the bridge opened to traffic. According to the bridge's border inspection station, they handled 12.88 million passenger trips in 2019 and 860,000 vehicle trips that year. These numbers rose to 27 million and 5.55 million, respectively, in 2024 -- and have exceeded 25.1 million and 5.46 million, respectively, so far this year, up 17 and 25 percent year on year, respectively. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

GUANGZHOU, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- More than 93.34 million inbound and outbound passenger trips had been recorded through the Zhuhai port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge as of Wednesday, seven years after the bridge opened to traffic.

According to the bridge's border inspection station, they handled 12.88 million passenger trips in 2019 and 860,000 vehicle trips that year. These numbers rose to 27 million and 5.55 million, respectively, in 2024 -- and have exceeded 25.1 million and 5.46 million, respectively, so far this year, up 17 and 25 percent year on year, respectively.

"With the continuing growth trend of passenger and vehicle flows at the port, it is expected that in 2025 total passenger trips through the port will exceed 30 million and total vehicle flow will be over 6 million," said Chen Faqiu, head of the inspection station.

The 55-kilometer bridge linking Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macao Special Administrative Region and the city of Zhuhai, all in south China, opened to traffic on October 23, 2018. It is the world's longest bridge-and-tunnel sea crossing.

Expansion of individual travel from the mainland to Hong Kong and Macao has significantly boosted tourism across the bridge. Data from the inspection station showed that since the beginning of this year, the station has handled more than 10.15 million visitors from China's mainland, a record, with this figure including 4.6 million visitors holding tourist visas.

Meanwhile, the bridge has shortened the driving time from Hong Kong to Zhuhai and Macao from three hours to about 45 minutes. In 2023, the Zhuhai port had seen a daily vehicle flow of roughly 9,000, which has grown to more than 18,000 currently.

An aerial drone photo taken on Oct. 19, 2025 shows vehicles heading to the Zhuhai Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province. More than 93.34 million inbound and outbound passenger trips had been recorded through the Zhuhai port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge as of Wednesday, seven years after the bridge opened to traffic.

According to the bridge's border inspection station, they handled 12.88 million passenger trips in 2019 and 860,000 vehicle trips that year. These numbers rose to 27 million and 5.55 million, respectively, in 2024 -- and have exceeded 25.1 million and 5.46 million, respectively, so far this year, up 17 and 25 percent year on year, respectively. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

An aerial drone photo taken on Oct. 19, 2025 shows the Zhuhai Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, with the urban view of Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) in the background. More than 93.34 million inbound and outbound passenger trips had been recorded through the Zhuhai port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge as of Wednesday, seven years after the bridge opened to traffic.

According to the bridge's border inspection station, they handled 12.88 million passenger trips in 2019 and 860,000 vehicle trips that year. These numbers rose to 27 million and 5.55 million, respectively, in 2024 -- and have exceeded 25.1 million and 5.46 million, respectively, so far this year, up 17 and 25 percent year on year, respectively. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

An aerial drone photo taken on Oct. 19, 2025 shows cruise ships passing under the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge in south China. More than 93.34 million inbound and outbound passenger trips had been recorded through the Zhuhai port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge as of Wednesday, seven years after the bridge opened to traffic.

According to the bridge's border inspection station, they handled 12.88 million passenger trips in 2019 and 860,000 vehicle trips that year. These numbers rose to 27 million and 5.55 million, respectively, in 2024 -- and have exceeded 25.1 million and 5.46 million, respectively, so far this year, up 17 and 25 percent year on year, respectively. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

An aerial drone photo taken on Oct. 19, 2025 shows vehicles preparing to pass the Zhuhai Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province. More than 93.34 million inbound and outbound passenger trips had been recorded through the Zhuhai port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge as of Wednesday, seven years after the bridge opened to traffic.

According to the bridge's border inspection station, they handled 12.88 million passenger trips in 2019 and 860,000 vehicle trips that year. These numbers rose to 27 million and 5.55 million, respectively, in 2024 -- and have exceeded 25.1 million and 5.46 million, respectively, so far this year, up 17 and 25 percent year on year, respectively. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

An aerial drone photo taken on Oct. 19, 2025 shows vehicles running on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge in south China. More than 93.34 million inbound and outbound passenger trips had been recorded through the Zhuhai port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge as of Wednesday, seven years after the bridge opened to traffic.

According to the bridge's border inspection station, they handled 12.88 million passenger trips in 2019 and 860,000 vehicle trips that year. These numbers rose to 27 million and 5.55 million, respectively, in 2024 -- and have exceeded 25.1 million and 5.46 million, respectively, so far this year, up 17 and 25 percent year on year, respectively. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

An aerial drone photo taken on Oct. 19, 2025 shows an entrance of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge in south China. More than 93.34 million inbound and outbound passenger trips had been recorded through the Zhuhai port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge as of Wednesday, seven years after the bridge opened to traffic.

According to the bridge's border inspection station, they handled 12.88 million passenger trips in 2019 and 860,000 vehicle trips that year. These numbers rose to 27 million and 5.55 million, respectively, in 2024 -- and have exceeded 25.1 million and 5.46 million, respectively, so far this year, up 17 and 25 percent year on year, respectively. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

A drone photo taken on Oct. 19, 2025 shows boats passing the western artificial island of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge in south China. More than 93.34 million inbound and outbound passenger trips had been recorded through the Zhuhai port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge as of Wednesday, seven years after the bridge opened to traffic.

According to the bridge's border inspection station, they handled 12.88 million passenger trips in 2019 and 860,000 vehicle trips that year. These numbers rose to 27 million and 5.55 million, respectively, in 2024 -- and have exceeded 25.1 million and 5.46 million, respectively, so far this year, up 17 and 25 percent year on year, respectively. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)

Editor: WSH
Daimler Truck North American Dealer Council has hired Crossroads Strategies for representation on tariff issues.

President Trump announced Oct. 7 that he will slap a 25 percent tariff on imports of medium and heavy-duty trucks on Nov. 1.

Daimlers key US brands include Freightliner, Western Star and Thomas Built Busses.

The German company has manufacturing operations in North Carolina and Oklahoma but also imports trucks from Mexico.

Crossroads CEO Mat Lapinski and chairman John Green head the Daimler team that includes former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott and Scott Brenner, who handles transportation issues.

Public Policy Holding Company owns Crossroads.
A WOMAN stole a bottle of red wine by hiding it behind an umbrella in the store, a recent sitting of Tullamore District Court was told.

Sharon Ryle, 23, Ard na Greine, Tullamore pleaded guilty to stealing a bottle of red wine worth 13.50 in Leavy's Centra, Henry Street, Tullamore on September 30 last.

Sergeant Brendan Kearns told the court that the defendant tried to conceal the bottle behind her umbrella as she was leaving the store but it was detected by CCTV. She had six previous convictions, including drink driving and a number of thefts.

The defending solicitor Patrick Martin said his client has two children, aged 16 and 18, and is not working at the moment. She wishes to apologise for her behaviour, remarked Mr Martin.

Judge Andrew Cody commented that it was unfortunate that Ms Ryle had undergone a 12 week programme to tackle problems in her life, but only a few weeks after the end of the course had gone into a Centra store and stolen a bottle.

Judge Cody convicted and sentenced the defendant to a month in prison, suspending the sentence for two years.

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A number of local councillors have raised concerns over plans for another wind farm in Offaly.

In recent weeks, a planning application has been submitted to An Coimisiun Pleanala for the construction of a wind farm in the townland of Ballinla, close to Edenderry.

The application, which was submitted by Statkraft Ireland, details plans for seven wind turbines and a 100kW substation.

The turbines, if approved, will stand at a height of approximately 185m and will be located at least 740metres from the nearest house in the area.

Statkraft says the turbines will produce over 50MW of renewable energy for the Irish electricity grid.

READ NEXT: Offaly teenager sent to prison for number of offences including theft of groceries

Associated works will include access tracks, turbine foundations and hardstanding areas, drainage works, a temporary site compound and underground electrical and communications cables.

The project has been designated as a Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID), which requires the developer to submit the planning application directly to An Coimisiun Pleanala.

The developer does not need to seek permission from Offaly County Council for the development, although the council has been invited to submit a report to the commission outlining its concerns.

Una McCafferkey, a planner with Offaly County Council, delivered a presentation on the proposed development at the councils October plenary meeting.

She outlined the main concerns of the council executive which include potential non-compliance with noise regulations, the visual impact and the impact on birds.

Ms McCafferkey also highlighted the fact that a local road that would run through the middle of the development, which she said needs extra consideration.

A number of councillors went on to raise their own concerns regarding the project.

Fianna Fail councillor Claire Murray-Smale said: I think its extremely important that the views and opinions, fears and worries of people set to live around these turbines are taken into consideration.

There are many reasons why I feel this proposed Statkraft windfarm is not suitable for the townland of Ballinla.

Our countryside is already completely saturated with turbines. Our roads and our infrastructure cannot withstand any more loads.

Cllr Murray-Smale said that other counties are not putting in the heavy lifting when it comes to renewable energy.

She added that the most worrying part of the project was around noise levels, accusing Statkraft of failing to comply with noise regulations on other developments.

This sentiment was shared by Sinn Fein councillor Aoife Masterson, who said she is very worried that the developer would not comply with noise regulations.

Fine Gael councillor Noel Cribbin said the proposed development was causing great concern to people living in the nearby houses, adding that no matter what window they look out, theyre looking at a turbine.

He also noted the quality of the land in the area, which he described as one of the best farms in the country.

Independent councillor Sean OBrien also highlighted the potential of the site in question, saying the development would have a serious impact on the potential for future housing in the area.

This proposal going ahead would utterly negate that and the potential for development would be completely wiped out, he added.

Meanwhile, Fianna Fail councillor Peter Ormond expressed his concern over the huge amount of wind turbines in the area, adding that Offaly was becoming a place with an excessive amount of wind farms.

After contributions from a number of other councillors, it was agreed that the council planners report would be submitted to An Coimisiun Pleanala for consideration.

Offaly County Council must submit its feedback on the development to the commission by November 13.
Gardai are appealing for information on a burglary that happened at a supermarket in Naas, Co. Kildare earlier this year which saw tens of thousands of stolen goods taken.

Three suspects broke into Tesco on the Monread road on May 24th.

CCTV featured on Monday night's Crimecall shows the three men arriving in a car just before 2am.

They get out of the car and head towards the staff entrance at the back of the store.

This door is secured with a four digit code.

The three suspects are then seen making their way through the warehouse towards the storeroom.

It appears that they are trying to look like staff as one is wearing a blue Tesco jacket and another is in a high-vis top.

Their movements also suggest that they had knowledge of the layout of the store.

One man remained on lookout while the two others forced open a cage that contained high-value goods with a crowbar.

They are then seen taking out a large blue bag which they filled with phones and phone accessories.

Less than two minutes after they arrived on the scene, the three men are seen fleeing and heading back the way they came.

They exit onto the Monread road and make their way into the Morell Estate.

Hours later, at around 7am, staff noticed the goods were stolen and contacted Gardai.

When they arrived, they retraced what happened after looking at the CCTV footage.

They discovered that over 50,000 worth of stock had been stolen.

The Tesco has since gone to "great lengths" to prevent an incident like this happening again.

The first suspect is estimated to be aged between 30 and 40-years-old and between 5ft 7 and 5ft 10 in height.

The second suspect is estimated to be aged between 20 and 30-years old.

He is between 5ft 7 and 5ft 10 in height and was wearing a green face covering on the day, which is suspected to have been a t-shirt.

The third suspect is aged between 25 and 35 and is between 5ft 11 and 6ft 3 in height.



Gardai are asking anyone with any information to get in touch with them.

"Please call in and give us the names of those three suspects, a Garda on Crimecall said.

The phones stolen were Apple and Samsung and a number of accessories including battery packs were taken.

If you have any information on the men or the incident, you can freephone 1800 40 50 60 or text crime followed by your information to 57765.

You can also email crimecall@garda.ie.
Fairstone Ireland has continued its rapid expansion with the announcement of its 12th strategic partnership, welcoming ERA Financial Planning Ltd. into its growing national network.

This milestone coincides with the achievement of 2.5 billion in assets under management (AUM), further cementing Fairstones position as Irelands fastest-growing provider of independent financial planning and wealth management.

Based in Birr, Co. Offaly, ERA Financial Planning is a respected, family-run advisory firm led by Managing Director Aidan ONeill.

Known for its trusted, personalised approach and long-standing client relationships, ERA will transition to the Fairstone brand under the agreement while retaining its leadership and team. This ensures clients continue to benefit from the firms relationship-driven service, now enhanced by Fairstones scale, infrastructure, and investment expertise.

With 12 partnerships in Ireland and more than 100 across the UK and Ireland, Fairstone continues to execute its proven Downstream Buy Out (DBO) model, enabling high-quality advisory firms to grow sustainably while preserving their client-first ethos.

Paul Merriman, CEO of Fairstone Ireland, commented:

Were delighted to welcome Aidan and the ERA team into Fairstone. Reaching 2.5 billion in AUM is a major milestone, and this partnership strengthens our mission to build a truly national, client-centric advice business that delivers the very best financial solutions to individuals and families across Ireland.

Aidan ONeill, Managing Director of ERA Financial Planning, added:

Joining Fairstone represents an exciting next chapter for us. We are dedicated to helping clients achieve their financial goals.

Partnering with Fairstone allows us to enhance that commitment with greater resources and expertise, while maintaining the personal service our clients know and trust.

With ERA Financial Planning joining the group, Fairstone Ireland continues to expand its nationwide footprint, combining local expertise with national strength to deliver exceptional outcomes for clients and redefine standards within Irelands financial planning sector.

*Sponsored Content
Palestine Institute for Biodiversity at Bethlehem University (PIBS)short 6.5 video explains the diversity of work PIBS does towards sustainability of human and natural communities.

We are excited to share that PIBS's Palestine Museum of Natural History is undergoing a major transformation. Our 120 m exhibit space is being expanded into an impressive 1,360 m national-level museum, featuring interactive and educational displays that showcase Palestines rich natural heritage. The first phase of the renovated museum is scheduled to open early next year (see 3D structure here).

We would greatly appreciate your help, whether in person or remotely, to bring these exhibits to life. We are seeking volunteers in the following areas:

Taxidermy Support Experienced taxidermists or those who can provide guidance remotely.

Experienced taxidermists or those who can provide guidance remotely. Exhibit Builders Painters, sculptors, and modelers to craft and assemble displays.

Painters, sculptors, and modelers to craft and assemble displays. Visual Creatives Illustrators and graphic designers to create signage and educational visuals.

Illustrators and graphic designers to create signage and educational visuals. Curatorial Support Individuals with curatorial experience or interest to organize exhibits and ensure scientific and cultural accuracy.

Support is especially needed in the coming months, as this is the most critical period for preparing the museum for its opening.

For those interested, we kindly ask that you fill out our volunteer application form (VAF) and indicate that you are interested in the renovation project, specifying the area (e.g., taxidermy, exhibit building, etc.). Once we receive your application, we will be in touch to discuss next steps and how you can get involved.

If you know someone who might be interested, please share this opportunity with them. Your contribution will help make the museum informative, engaging, and memorable for all visitors. We also of course welcome donations in kind or money.

Thank you and warmest regards...

Stay Humane, act, and keep hope and Palestine alive...

Mazin Qumsiyeh

A bedouin in cyberspace, a villager at home

Professor, Founder, and (volunteer) Director Palestine Museum of Natural History

Palestine Institute of Biodiversity and Sustainability Bethlehem University Occupied Palestine

facebook pages Personal Institute

French
My neighbor asked if I had heard of the end times. You know about the end times? Asked as if I really didn't know since I didn't appear to be a believer. She's standing in my apartment with books that aren't the Bible and that aren't by authors approved of by the Thought Police. I say, yes, and leave it at that. She is the keeper of the truth! Yes?

Maybe the Christian nationalists might find in the lies of Trump and Vance validation of what they perceive in the activism of progressive Americans. In front of gaudy gold decorations, several American flags, and official-looking podiums or on Truth Social or X, or at mouthpieces like Fox News, the evangelical Christians are warned: Antifa is coming! Left fanatics will go into the streets on Oct 18th, to loot and burn down your city, home. Attack you!





Its a gathering of people, who hate America!





But no one will show up!





On Friday, the day before the No Kings protest, the woman below me, who, along with her ghost of a 20-something son who really doesn't live with his mother in a senior complex, has been waging a campaign to get me evicted or to get me to vacate my apartment, offered me brownies. I was waiting for someone in the lobby of the office building, and she approaches offering brownies.





I'm old enough to remember laced brownies, and I have been vocal, to the annoyance of a management that would rather all remain silent about tenant drug users, about the smell of skunk marijuana in the hallways. Before I could visualize the brownies, she gets too the point: Do I want a Bible? Someone in her family died. Not recently. Some time ago. But she has all these bibles now. Do I want one?





No, I tell her, and that prompts her to ask. And she does. But, oh, she wasn't prying!





The neighbor across from me told me about a tenant she won't speak to because he's not a Christian. A week later, she asked, without offering Bibles, if I was a Christian





Two thousand and seven hundred No Kings protests were scheduled for October 18th. I attended the first protest here in Kenosha, Wisconsin. I did sign up, but decided not to attend, as I wrote in an article about that protests, when so few blacks or other people of color would be present. I didn't want to see the looks in this town of white Americans looking at me as if I were foreign or alien. Someone from Mars! In 2025! When my ancestors built this country!





And what ally could I count on if my dreads should attract the attention of ICE?





The religious right, professor of African American Studies Imani Perry, writes in South to America: A Journey Below the Mason-Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation, makes a virtue of White Supremacy. Non-evangelical folks, queer and trans are deemed sinful. But all ways of knowing in this country, not just articles of faith, are shaped by the histories of race and racism.





I can imagine the neighbors, most Trumpers and/or evangelical Christians in this town filled with images of anti-fascists hating, left-wing fanatics like me, black and educated, a proponent, no doubt of diversity, equity, and inclusion! Someone who taught those lies, living among us. And there will be these white, anti-fascists, left-wing fanatics who stole from us to give to her and folks like her!





I can imagine the fear of what materializes when Americans, believing themselves victims of affirmative action and DEI and black and immigrant black and latina, are told by the US Speaker of the House that Americans who will protest are supporters of Hamas!





I think it was my first or second semester away at college. My friend was away too at another university. I remember standing near my desk reading the letter she sent me. We sent letters in those days, 1972, before email and cellphones. It was the standard affair of updates on professors and classes. At least a page and a half. Then, near the end, she died!





I saw the name and didn't see the name. I went back a few words to stare at the name. This was the sister I knew. This was the sister, an older sister to my friend, who would take us to Operation Breadbasket meetings and pick us up. This was the sister who served, at least for me, as a role model. Intelligent, quiet rather than loud. Even tempered. Dependable.





A car hit hers.





And that was it. It felt as if I had been hit by a car!





The day before the No Kings protest, just before the prying neighbor and her Bible offer, I called my sister in Chicago to ask if she was okay. She's the only sibling in our hometown where the Trump regime sent ICE to the city, and the event was scheduled for the next day. She's sixty-seven. Five years younger.

My sister became agitated. Yes, everything was okay. I dared to ask about ICE.





She doesn't know or care. She stays at home. I said, but these people can barge in. There's security in the building, she snapped back. Clearly, she hasn't seen the video coverage of ICE arrests anywhere, let alone Chicago.





She doesn't get involved!





I want to say, there's an end coming if we don't get involved. But I stay silent.





There was silence for a few seconds. I heard what she heard about people like me: t he evil enemy! I felt as if I had been thrown to the ground and woke up knowing what I suspected all along but I dared to think it or say it out loud. This is the end. The wall is now solid!





I wonder, with Trump's right-wing religious regime giving America the go-ahead to openly express racism, replacing common sense and human decency with the violence of innocence, if some black Americans forget, to use Perry's words, that the God of the masters and the God of the slaves, were never met to shake hands!





In Chicago, on October 18th, 250,000 packed Grant Park. I'm sure Trump was disappointed, not just at that turn out. No violence! No arrests!





Maybe I could chalk it up to what long-time activist Ralph Nader calls apathy. He uses words such as self-respect or phrases such as the disregard for the power of civic actions or betterment. Betterment of self and neighbors. Of the community. Of the country.

In Civic Self-respect, Nader mentions Frederick Douglass and how he stood up to be a leader against the scourge of human slavery. Nader goes on to explain that most individuals want to count. I am a human being wanting to help other human beings in whatever capacity I can.





This would require, I might add, an acknowledging a worthy humanity! A worthy Earth, populated by worthy individuals, populations. What if the individual doesn't think much of humanity? Thinks, as one neighbor told me years ago, that Earth is evil. Other humans are evil! As Trump tells MAGA, we have to beat the hell out of the radical left!





Not only are there Americans who are anti-American and Antifa, as if Antifa doesn't stand for anti-fascists, and isn't an organization. It's an ideology. And not a good one!





There are Americans waiting for the return of Jesus. I've heard this repeatedly. Only recently did a neighbor slip in a question: I have heard of the end of the world coming soon?

So if the end times is near, why bother protesting the destruction of democracy?





This isn't to suggest that there aren't Americans who, as Nader writes, just stay within their private lives and barely venture into the civic square except to cast a vote. It's not necessarily an evangelical Christian nationalist thing!





We the People, writes Nader, have shown up for marches, rallies, demonstrations, picketing, legislative and agency hearings, and court houses and all this activism has led to the creation of new political parties, unions, farmers organizations, consumer protections, healthier environments, constitutional amendments abolishing slavery, women's suffrage, the end of the Vietnam War, veteran protests, nuclear arms, agreements, and on and on.

I look at this list of what has been accomplished against the odds, against the backlash of Southern Dixie Democrats and the KKK, against, patriarchal structures, unconscionable chemical corporations, and pro-war profiteers to name a few anti-democracy efforts.





But the pro-corporate capitalists didn't stay down, if they were ever down! They continued to be motivated if even by hate.





Where I live, seniors receive a food box once a month. They register and then, come the day, theres a little more food to fill the kitchen cabinets. If I were to suggest, just suggest, among a few seniors, that we organize some activity to call attention to the fact that seniors have to receive charity, after working, most, their whole adult lives, I would be reported to management, also anti-black, anti-black women who happen to think. charity, writes Nader, relieves immediate needs. However, justice is more about prevention.





I asks: What if seniors received a livable monthly amount from Social Security every month?

A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity. That makes sense. Too much sense. I want to say, but Mr. Nader, as you know, this is America! No one would tolerate me suggesting anything to them about that dangerous, possibly, Antifa thing, of organizing to get justice and not charity!





Most here, voted for Trump and still expect he is working for them!





Then there is Jesus





How do you respond to the image of a Jesus, dropping down from the heavens, and doing away with all the evil people? And Earth too? A John Wayne of a Jesus! *





Seven million Americans attended the No Kings protests across this country. Most waved American flags too. There were a majority of white Americans (and kudos to them!). But the event saw people of color in attendance. Democrats and Republicans, Christians, Muslims, and atheists!





According to US News, based on voter-eligibility population, that is not registered voters, 90 million Americans didn't vote in the president election, November 2024. One hundred and 55 million ballots were cast; however, 89 million, that is, 36% of the voters eligible to vote didn't vote. I wonder about this 36%. Does this percentage of Americans include the evangelical Christians nationalists who believe God absorbs them from civic responsibility? Do they see themselves as free thinking because, as a few have bragged to me, they don't read books? That is, books written by humans!

They don't keep up with the news!

What happens to taking civic responsibility for being a human on this Earth?

What's the truth about End Times?





*Du Mez, Kristin Kobes. (2020) Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted A Faith and Fractured a Nation. New York, NY: Liveright Publishing Corporation, a division of W. W. Norton and Company, Inc.
File photo of the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners meet at the Public Services Building in Oregon City. Sean Meagher/The Oregonian

Clackamas Countys former county counsel resigned earlier this year after a complaint triggered a human resources investigation into hostile workplace allegations.

An outside investigator did not substantiate the allegations and Jane Vetto, who held the position for a year, told The Oregonian/OregonLive that her tenure was undermined by factions within her office who championed an internal candidate for the job.

Vetto said the election of Craig Roberts as county chair made it difficult for her to make management changes.

I was disempowered to change the office culture I had inherited, she said in an email.

Roberts, who took office in January, issued a statement through the county spokesperson saying he does not single-handedly make decisions as chair.

Vetto resigned as the county governments top lawyer in June, about two weeks after records show the investigation closed on the management complaint against her.

Clackamas County commissioners paid Vetto about $253,000 in severance  roughly equivalent to one year of salary despite her agreement with the county that called for 30 days to six months of salary depending on the nature of her separation.

County commissioners had previously praised her performance, voting unanimously to give her a 5% raise, records show.

County records show an employee complained about Vetto in May, alleging a pattern of intimidation. The employees name and position are redacted from the records, as are most details regarding the allegations.

That same month, the countys human resources office opened a formal investigation into the claims and hired Tonia Tong, CEO of Prism Investigations, to conduct the inquiry.

The county declined to release the complaint, subsequent investigation and Vettos exit interview with county administrator Gary Schmidt, but The Oregonian/OregonLive got redacted copies of the complaint and investigation after appealing the denial.

Vetto said she decided to pursue another job after the human resources investigation and that she deserved the severance as fair recognition of the personal sacrifices I had made to accept the job and the fact that dynamics both within and outside the office made it impossible for me to accomplish the changes that I had been charged to implement.

The investigator noted that she relied solely on documents provided by the county in making her determination. The review did not include independent interviews, which the report noted limited the investigators ability to verify accounts and gather further perspectives.

The investigation focused specifically on Vettos leadership and whether she fostered a fearful or hostile work environment, records show.

According to the investigation, a survey of county counsel employees from earlier this year indicated low staff satisfaction, a tense atmosphere and a perception of a negative shift in the work environment after the County Counsel took the helm as the leader.

The investigation, however, did not substantiate the allegations; the county redacted much of the investigation so it is unclear how the investigator reached her decision.

The county paid Tong $8,565 for the report.

Vetto said that once on the job she discovered longstanding past practices in the offices that concerned me and reported them to the board and county administration. She declined to elaborate.

Vetto, who now works in the Linn County counsels office, also declined to provide details on how Roberts election as chair complicated her job.

Roberts said in his statement that the Board of Commissioners acts as a body to make decisions for the county. The board takes all complaints seriously and supports ensuring fairness for all parties involved.

Last month, the board named Billy Williams as county counsel. Williams, who previously served as U.S. attorney for Oregon, will be paid an annual salary of $240,000.

The county also spent at least another $18,000 to hire an outside attorney, Emily Matasar, to respond to The Oregonian/OregonLives public records request related to Vettos departure.
BEIJING, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- In 1985, the eastern Chinese city of Xiamen was a study in contrasts.

A newly designated Special Economic Zone, it buzzed with the anxious energy of a nation just cracking open its doors to the world. Yet, it was a provincial backwater, a port city where the entirety of its international trade aspirations rested on the shoulders of just two aging gantry cranes.

Facing a chorus of competing advice -- some urging the blind imitation of Singapore's development model, others paralyzed by pessimism -- the city's new vice mayor, 32-year-old Xi Jinping, resisted the temptation of easy answers and short-term fixes.

It was his first posting in a coastal region and first time managing the complex machinery of a modernizing city. Rather than improvising, he called for a blueprint. Not a makeshift plan designed simply for his term of office, but a generational strategic vision stretching 15 years, to the dawn of 21st century -- the year 2000.

It was a move of radical foresight. "We cannot focus solely on the immediate," he later warned his colleagues, arguing that reactive governance would lead to confusion and a loss of direction.

The resulting document, the 1985-2000 Xiamen Economic and Social Development Strategy, made an audacious claim. It predicted that the world's economic center of gravity would inevitably shift from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and that Xiamen, with its deep-water port, was perfectly positioned to become a pivotal hub linking China to rest of the burgeoning Asia-Pacific economy.

For a city still figuring out the basics of foreign trade, it was a blueprint for a future that was difficult to imagine.

Today, that blueprint is a reality etched in steel and glass. Xiamen Port boasts over 180 shipping routes connecting it to 51 countries and regions, with its annual container throughput exceeding 10 million twenty-foot equivalent units.

The city's transformation from a sleepy coastal town into a global nexus of trade is far more than a local success story; it is a narrative that reveals the vision of its architect.

To understand Xi's approach to governance is to understand his perception of time -- a perspective rooted in a strikingly longer view than political cycles. "Our understanding of time is measured in centuries and millennia," said Xi, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

This philosophy, marked by strategic foresight, a systemic outlook, and an insistence on thorough execution, is now being applied on the grandest scale imaginable.

As the 20th CPC Central Committee convenes its fourth plenary session in Beijing, scheduled from Monday to Thursday, the centerpiece of its deliberations are draft proposals for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), the next chapter in the nation's metronomic march toward modernization.

With China serving as the world's most crucial growth engine, contributing roughly 30 percent of global economic expansion, this domestic agenda holds significant implications for the entire world.

THE METRONOME OF MODERNIZATION

For decades, China's five-year plans have been the primary instrument of its statecraft. Xi describes the system "as an important Party experience in governing the country, and a vital political advantage of socialism with Chinese characteristics."

These sequential plans function like a temporal carving knife, patiently shaping one of history's most expansive and rapid modernization campaigns. The earliest plans forged an industrial base from the ashes of war. Later ones conquered shortages of food and clothing, methodically dismantled poverty, and delivered a moderately prosperous society for 1.4 billion people.

The outgoing 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), which launched the new journey toward building a modern socialist country, has already yielded historic results. Its economic increment is projected to exceed 35 trillion yuan (about 4.9 trillion U.S. dollars) over the period, which is more than Germany's GDP in 2024. For the first time, the country has entered the top 10 of the Global Innovation Index and now boasts the largest and fastest-growing renewable energy system in the world.

The 15th plan will build on this momentum, designed to perpetuate what China's leaders call the "twin miracles" of rapid economic development and long-term social stability.

At the helm of this process is Xi himself. In a clear sign of its importance, he has chaired the drafting groups for the proposals on the 13th and 14th five-year plans, overseeing the work from conception to completion.

His leadership on the 13th plan provided the roadmap for achieving the Party's first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects by following the new development philosophy, which highlights innovation and sustainability. His guidance on the 14th plan skillfully integrated its five-year targets with the longer-term 2035 vision of China basically realizing socialist modernization, taking high-quality development as the focus of work.

Now, the 15th plan will chart the course for a critical five-year period on the path toward the second centenary goal: building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects by mid-century.

According to Yan Yilong, a professor at Tsinghua University School of Public Policy and Management, while modernization remains the unwavering theme, the plans are designed for constant adaptation. This advantage of "long-termism," a blend of continuity and flexibility, is something Yan believes "Western countries find difficult to match."

Xi's methodology fuses the central leadership with a vast, institutionalized process of mass consultation -- a principle he champions as unifying top-level design with "asking the people for advice."

This is a core tenet of what the Party calls whole-process people's democracy. This practice has deep roots. In 1986, while drafting the Xiamen strategy, he supported a city-wide newspaper essay contest to solicit public opinions for the 15-year blueprint.

That same spirit is now being applied on a national level. For the 15th Five-Year Plan, a dedicated online portal was opened for one month to solicit public suggestions, receiving over 3.1 million submissions covering a vast spectrum of subjects from technological innovation to social welfare.

Xi personally instructed government departments to "seriously study and absorb" these proposals. This followed the precedent set for the 14th plan, for which he personally convened seven different symposiums, gathering input from groups ranging from entrepreneurs and scientists to grassroots representatives to ensure a wide range of views inform the final document.

This people-centered approach yields tangible outcomes. It was in the 14th plan document that the goal of common prosperity for all was first given a prominent emphasis, and over one-third of the plan's key indicators were directly related to public well-being.

"We must remain true to our original aspiration and take promoting the people's well-being as our fundamental value," Xi has said of the coming five years.

FROM WORDS TO WORKS

Xi has stressed the importance of sound planning. "Planning mistakes are the biggest waste," he has warned, "and flip-flopping on plans is the greatest taboo."

His leadership is defined by a sharply problem-oriented approach, and this ethos is embedded in the making of the five-year plans.

To solve long-term structural imbalances in the economy, he championed supply-side structural reform. To preempt foreign restrictions on key technologies, he deployed a national strategy of self-reliance and strength in science and technology. In response to the public's calls for clear skies and clean water, he launched a determined battle against pollution.

Central to the next phase of this agenda is the cultivation of new quality productive forces, a concept Xi has championed to drive high-quality development through innovation, with artificial intelligence (AI) at the vanguard.

The strategic focus was unmistakable this April, when the CPC Central Committee's Political Bureau held a collective study session on AI, followed days later by Xi's personal inspection of a large-model incubator in Shanghai. At a subsequent symposium, Xi said higher strategic priority must be given to fostering new quality productive forces in line with local conditions in the next five years.

Of course, a blueprint is only as good as its execution. Xi has emphasized that when it comes to implementation, the role of those in command is key. "They must shoulder the responsibility, be willing to carry the heaviest burdens, dare to tackle the toughest challenges, and be adept at handling the trickiest tasks," he said.

The fight against poverty, a major task in the 13th Five-Year Plan, serves as a powerful example. Xi personally chaired seven central symposiums on poverty alleviation, conducted over 50 inspection tours on the matter, and visited all 14 of the country's contiguous areas of extreme poverty. Under his leadership, more than 3 million officials were dispatched to the front lines as part of a concerted effort that lifted nearly 100 million people out of absolute poverty over eight years.

While other countries make long-term plans, Xi has acknowledged that China's system is distinct. "On the basis of research and fact-finding activities, we propose a comprehensive and systematic plan that fully respects the will of the people and conforms to reality," he said, "And we have superb execution capabilities to implement these plans."

This powerful execution is ensured by a robust institutional framework. The process begins with extensive public opinion solicitation and a proposal from the CPC Central Committee. The State Council, the country's cabinet, then drafts a detailed outline, which is reviewed and approved by the National People's Congress -- the top legislature -- before being announced and implemented. Development targets of various localities and sectors are closely aligned with the national plan.

However, this strategic governance is not intended to supplant the market, but to steer it and offset its defects, according to policy analysts. It is rooted in the philosophy of pairing a vibrant market with a capable government, which the Party sees as a great strength of its system.

The five-year plan is "market-friendly" and serves as a guide for allocation of resources, providing policy stability and governance consistency for market actors while steering clear of policy swings seen in some Western economies, said Yan.

Xi has called for efforts to ensure sound planning and implementation of the goals, tasks and strategic measures for the 15th Five-Year Plan, "so as to secure decisive progress in basically achieving socialist modernization."

In charting its own future, China is presenting not just a plan, but a compelling alternative to short-sighted governance in a world hungry for certainty. At its heart is a statesman who champions the ability to "carry through a blueprint to the end."

"As China rises, its five-year plan is gaining importance," said Lu Ting, chief China economist at Nomura. "It should be watched closely, as strategic thinking and planning have become a rarity among global governments." 

Editor: WSH
A 28-year-old man was arrested Wednesday in connection with the 2022 fatal shooting of an Uber driver.

Justin Ortega-Mejia is accused of second-degree murder in the death of 39-year-old Shaani Mohamed. A Multnomah County grand jury indicted Mejia on Oct. 10, records show.

Mohamed was killed in the vicinity of the Madison Suites motel, an area where six people have been killed since August 2021. The Oregonian/OregonLive chronicled the violence surrounding the area in July 2022 and dubbed the 8200 block of Northeast Milton Street Portlands deadliest.

Officers responded to the March 27 shooting near Northeast Milton Street and 82nd Avenue shortly before 10 p.m. When they arrived, they found Mohamed, who died at the scene.

Police did not reveal how they connected Ortega-Mejia to the shooting. Musse Olol, a family friend of Mohamed, previously said that Mohameds son tried to FaceTime his father the night of his death and instead a woman answered the phone.

Olol said Mohameds phone was turned off by the time his family tried to call him again.

Mohamed had eight children and was an active member of the Somali community. He was a full-time driver for Uber.

In February 2023, Ortega-Mejia pleaded guilty to unauthorized use of a vehicle in Washington County and was sentenced to 18 months of probation. In May of that year, a judge revoked Ortega-Mejias probation after finding he had twice violated it, and the judge sentenced him to six months in jail.
President Donald Trump this month extended the dates of his federal deployment of California National Guard troops to Oregon through Feb. 2, despite U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immergut's temporary order barring such a deployment. AP

U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immergut could make a ruling as early as Friday on whether to keep her broader order in place that bars federal deployment of any National Guard troops to Oregon.

Immergut has set a hearing by phone for 10 a.m. Friday to discuss the federal governments motion to throw out the temporary restraining order.

Immergut could potentially rule at the end of the hearing, as she did when she first granted the order and when she extended it for another 14 days.

Immergut also directed lawyers to be ready at the hearing to discuss the effect of the pending call by a judge on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to have all active judges on the court vote on whether an 11-judge 9th Circuit panel should take up the case.

If formed, the 11-judge panel would review Mondays 2-1 ruling by a three-judge 9th Circuit panel that placed a hold on Immerguts first restraining order, which barred the federal deployment of only Oregon troops from coming to Portland protect the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building and federal officers there.

The two circuit judges who ruled in the majority on Monday called it a common sense conclusion that Immerguts first and second temporary restraining orders rise or fall together on the merits of the issues raised.

The federal government had formally challenged only Immerguts first restraining order but now has argued that Immergut should abandon the second order based on the 9th Circuit opinion.

The state and the city of Portland oppose the federal deployment of Oregon National Guard or any out-of-state troops to Portland, arguing President Donald Trump has called for the Guard based on a false narrative of a war-ravaged city.

Immergut issued the second order on Oct. 5, a day after her first order, when the Trump administration sent California National Guard troops to Oregon and said it might also send Texas National Guard troops to Oregon. She has since extended her second order until Nov. 2.

Lawyers for the state of Oregon said Mondays divided 9th Circuit ruling shouldnt be considered final until after a possible reconsideration by an 11-judge appellate panel.

But the Trump administrations lawyers responded that speculation, that the three-judge panels ruling might be vacated by a higher authority does not eliminate Immerguts obligation to comply with it as long as it remains in effect.

They also argued that theres no valid reason to treat out-of-state Guardsmen differently from in-state Guardsmen.

Once federalized, Guardsmen are fully federal officers, no different from other federal officers moving across state lines, U.S. Department of Justice attorney Jody D. Lowenstein wrote in a brief.

While Lowenstein noted that Immergut has set a hearing on Friday on the matter, she continued to urge Immergut to issue a ruling immediately because of the urgency of this matter and because the federal governments entitlement to the relief requested is clear.

At the very least, Lowenstein urged Immergut to put a hold on or dissolve the portion of her second order that prohibits the deployment of 200 Oregon National Guard troops to Portland.

Brian Marshall, an Oregon senior assistant attorney general, noted in a court filing this week that the Trump administration has extended the presidents deployment of out-of-state troops in Oregon.

An Oct. 16 memo from the executive secretary of the U.S. Defense Department disclosed that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth extended the federal deployment of 200 California National Guard members to Oregon from Nov. 4 to Feb. 2 and 200 Texas National Guard members to Oregon through Dec. 4.

If the federal government wins this procedural battle on the second temporary restraining order and convinces Immergut to drop or put it on hold, it may all wind up being a Pyrrhic victory, as in one not worth winning, said Jeff Feldman, a law professor and co-director of the Ninth Circuit Appellate Advocacy Clinic at the University of Washington School of Law.

Thats because in another 10 days or so, Immergut may issue her final judgment on the state of Oregon and city of Portlands underlying lawsuit against the federal government. Shes set a three-day trial on the merits of the case to start next Wednesday.
The Dalles, Oregon, provides the perfect climate for growing cherries, and is home to more than 5,000 contiguous acres of cherry orchards. Trees and soil can provide soil benefits and Kov. Tina Kotek wants to harness more such 'natural climate solutions.'

Gov. Tina Kotek wants Oregon to go full force on harnessing the potential of forests, farms, wetlands and waterways to reduce emissions, preserve wildlife habitat and help communities withstand the threat of climate change.

Thats the focus of a sweeping executive order Kotek issued on Thursday to prioritize conservation on both natural landscapes such as forests or wetlands as well as on so-called working lands  farms, ranches and commercial timberlands. It also includes waterways and state-managed ocean waters.

Koteks order calls on state agencies to collectively protect or restore 10% more land and waterways over the next decade, based on current baseline conditions, with a focus on safeguarding the most climate-resilient landscapes.

The mandate does not include specific acreage requirements and encompasses both private and public land. It could save more old-growth forests and tidal wetlands or promote more conservation practices on farms and ranches. It also might make more money available for people to make their properties more resilient to wildfires.

It is modeled after former President Joe Bidens goal to conserve 30% of U.S. lands, freshwater and ocean areas by 2030  though Koteks order goes well beyond land preservation.

Climate change is threatening how we live in Oregon and we cant sit and just let this happen to us, Kotek told The Oregonian/OregonLive. How do we do the most we can with what we have?

The order comes as the state faces both a significant revenue shortfall due to federal tax cuts and the loss of billions of dollars in Biden-era climate, renewable energy and conservation-related funding that the Trump administration has frozen or rescinded in Oregon and elsewhere. Oregon also is facing the possibility that it wont reach its own aggressive clean energy targets.

Research has shown that landscapes can offset a significant amount of emissions. Plants, trees and microorganisms in soil remove carbon from the atmosphere and store, or sequester it, reducing the impacts of climate change.

Marshes, river soils, floodplains and ocean floors play a similar function. To sequester carbon, farmers can reduce soil disturbance or plant cover crops and forest managers can choose to avoid logging some or all trees, among other practices.

Theres a caveat: The benefits can be fleeting. If the soils or plants are disturbed  via wildfires, logging, agricultural tillage or erosion  they can release all or some of the carbon back into the atmosphere.

To carry out landscape-based solutions, Koteks order forgoes new regulations and instead focuses on voluntary actions that also aim to boost Oregons rural economy.

Rather than creating new programs, Kotek directs state agencies to improve on existing conservation programs and to strengthen or streamline incentives that can help farmers, forest owners, fishing interests, businesses, nonprofits and other landowners adopt climate-friendly practices. This can be done by easing access to grant and loan applications, accelerating permits for restoration projects, expanding access to existing funding and boosting technical support, the order says.

The ranchers, farmers, theyre stewards of the land, they understand whats happening and whats changing, Kotek said. This order is about creating better opportunities to work with people in a voluntary fashion.

Koteks order also requires state agencies to develop climate-friendly practices for publicly owned lands, including parks, forests, wildlife areas and state-owned coastal waters.

Kotek said she first realized the climate action potential of natural and working lands in 2018 when, as then-House speaker, she and Senate President Peter Courtney co-chaired the Joint Committee on Carbon Reduction, a special legislative committee formed to develop a cap-and-invest program aimed at reducing statewide carbon emissions.

Cap-and-trade legislation failed to move forward in Oregon. But in 2020, when former Gov. Kate Brown issued an executive order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, she also required the state to establish a carbon sequestration target for its forests, farms and other working lands.

Two years ago, Oregon established a policy framework to advance natural climate solutions as well as launch a permanent natural and working lands fund as part of a climate bill signed by Kotek. Last year, the Oregon Climate Action Commission approved $10 million in investments via this fund, allowing several state agencies to provide additional financial incentives, technical assistance and other programs to implement voluntary conservation strategies on farms, ranches, in forests, grasslands and wetlands.

Koteks proposed 2025-27 state budget included another $5 million investment in the fund but it was not approved during the legislative session, the governors office said.

Already, the state has set a carbon sequestration goal: to sequester at least an additional 5 million metric tons of combined greenhouse gas (called carbon dioxide equivalent) per year by 2030  thats equivalent to the annual emissions of over 1 million cars or the yearly emissions of one large coal plant.

And the Oregon Department of Energy and the Climate Action Commission are also developing a land-based net carbon inventory for Oregons natural and working lands that will quantify greenhouse gas emissions and carbon storage in soil and plants as well as the impact of disturbances such as wildfires. The first iteration of the inventory is set to be released in December.

But the executive order goes well beyond carbon sequestration, Kotek said, by focusing on improving overall community resilience to climate change, which can lead to improving residents health and well-being, enhancing the survival of iconic fish and wildlife species and reducing fire and flood risks.

I think the average person can see something is different, something is happening  wildfires, floods, heat waves, its coming at us, Kotek said. So we have to build resilience.

That effort, says the order, should take many shapes. For one, the state will help Oregon communities become better prepared for wildfires, including by helping homeowners build defensible space around their homes, expanding prescribed burns and Indigenous-led cultural burns, improving air quality alerts during fire season and encouraging the development of community smoke response plans.

The state also will refine or expand tools such as mitigation banks or funds that run habitat restoration projects into which developers can pay to offset the damage to the natural landscape caused by construction or other development. Another option is to boost partnerships among farmers, land trusts and conservation districts.

Environmental groups immediately praised the order.

By investing in the health of Oregons forests, rangelands, farmlands, and estuaries  and by fostering stronger collaboration among agencies, Tribes, and local communities  Oregon can advance practical solutions that safeguard livelihoods, help us adapt to our changing climate and ensure a resilient future for everyone, said Derek Johnson, Oregon State Director of The Nature Conservancy.

The orders implementation will begin immediately with the establishment of an interagency technical team led by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board. State agencies will also be required to produce mandatory biennial plans to execute the order. The public will be asked to comment on the plans.

State agencies will first have to identify which land areas and waterways are most likely to withstand climate change, said Chandra Ferrari, Koteks natural resources adviser. Theyll also need to come up with a baseline and decide which land-related actions fit the mandate, she added.

Kotek said the order is one of a series of actions shes taking to push the ball forward on preventing and responding to global warming.

Earlier this month, she signed another executive order focused on streamlining the siting and permitting reviews for large-scale solar and wind energy projects in Oregon so that they can begin construction by summer 2026, in time to qualify for federal clean energy tax credits set to expire early due to the passage of Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill.

And, Kotek said, shes planning more climate action in the near future, including on emissions.

By the end of the year, you will see a suite of executive orders, she said. We cant stand still. If the federal governments not going to act, the states have to.
A person pushes a protester blocking a caravan of U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel trying to enter Coast Guard Base Alameda on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, in Oakland, Calif. AP Photo/Noah Berger

ALAMEDA, Calif.  President Donald Trump said Thursday that hes backing off a planned surge of federal agents into San Francisco after speaking to the mayor, as protesters gathered outside a U.S. Coast Guard base where they were located.

Trump posted on social media that Mayor Daniel Lurie told him Wednesday night that the city was making progress in reducing crime. Trump said he agreed to let San Francisco keep trying on its own.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents began arriving Thursday at Coast Guard Island in Alameda, California, to support federal efforts to track down immigrants in the country illegally. Several hundred people, many singing hymns and carrying signs saying No ICE or troops in the Bay, referring to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, gathered at the base shortly after dawn.

Police used at least one flash-bang grenade to clear a handful of demonstrators from the entrance as CBP vehicles drove through. Organizers urged protesters to remain peaceful, as a line of Coast Guard officers in helmets watched from just outside the entrance.

Lurie said Thursday morning he received a phone call from Trump Wednesday night in which the president told him he was calling off any plans for a federal deployment in San Francisco. Lurie said in a statement that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem reaffirmed that direction in a conversation Thursday morning.

It was not clear if the president was canceling a National Guard deployment or calling off immigration enforcement by CBP agents. Luries office did not respond to requests for clarification. Lurie planned a noon news conference to discuss the situation further.

After the presidents announcement, California Gov. Gavin Newsoms office said on X: Trump has finally, for once, listened to reason  and heard what we have been saying from the beginning. The Bay Area is a shining example of what makes California so special, and any attempt to erode our progress would damage the work weve done.

The San Francisco Chronicle, citing an anonymous source with knowledge of the operation, reported Wednesday that more than 100 CBP and other federal agents would arrive this week. Lurie and Newsom, both Democrats, condemned the move, saying it was meant to provoke violent protests.

Trump has repeatedly said he plans to deploy National Guard troops to San Francisco to quell crime, but his administration hasnt offered a timeline for doing so. His assertions of out-of-control crime in the city of roughly 830,000 have baffled local and state leaders, who point to statistics showing that many crimes are at record lows.

Trump has deployed the Guard to Washington, D.C., and Memphis, Tennessee, to help fight what he says is rampant crime. Los Angeles was the first city where Trump deployed the Guard, arguing it was necessary to protect federal buildings and agents as protesters fought back against mass immigration arrests.

He has also said they are needed in Portland and Chicago. Lawsuits from Democratic officials in both cities have so far blocked troops from going out on city streets.

Coast Guard Island is an artificial island formed in 1913, and the Coast Guard first established a base there in 1926. The island is owned by the federal government and is not open to the general public, so escorts or specific government ID cards are required for visitors. The Coast Guard is part of the Department of Homeland Security, which also houses ICE and CBP.

--By Terry Chea and Christopher Weber/The Associated Press
Republicans Rep. Christine Drazan of Canby and former Sen. Daniel Bonham of The Dalles address reporters in late June. Drazan was appointed Thursday to fill a Senate seat left vacant by the departure of Bonham. Sami Edge

Rep. Christine Drazan, a prominent Republican from Canby, was appointed to fill an empty state Senate seat Thursday as she hinted she could again run for governor in 2026.

In a joint meeting, county commissioners from Wasco, Hood River, Multnomah and Clackamas counties chose Drazan to represent Senate District 26 over her colleague Rep. Jeff Helfrich, a Republican from Hood River.

The seat was recently left open by the departure of Sen. Daniel Bonham, a Republican from The Dalles who was tapped to work for the federal Labor Bureau. The term runs through January 2027.

Meanwhile, several Republican legislative aides and lawmakers told The Oregonian/OregonLive theyve heard speculation that Drazan plans to announce a run for governor at an event Monday evening. A spokesperson for Drazan on Wednesday declined to comment on her plans.

When asked by one of the county commissioners whether an unspecified candidate for the Senate seat would have time to serve the residents of that district rather than running for statewide office, Drazan sought to assure members of the commissions that she would be all-in for the districts constituents. But she did not directly rule out running for governor.

Four years ago, both Drazan and now-Gov. Tina Kotek stepped down from their legislative seats in late 2021 or early 2022 to run for governor full-time.

Drazen answered the question by saying, in part: Just the fact that you would consider that I would be the person  Im assuming that it was directed to me  that might consider statewide office, for me, that is just a reflection of the fact that I am always determined to do more than everybody else sometimes is willing to do to serve the greater good for the state of Oregon. But that begins with this district.

With her years of legislative experience, Drazan would likely emerge as the frontrunner in the Republican Party to challenge Kotek, who has been raising money but has not officially announced reelection plans.

In the 2022 gubernatorial race, Drazan received about 43% of the vote, compared to Kotek, who received 47%.

Several county commissioners said Helfrich and Drazan were both strong contenders to fill the Senate seat. Both have recently served as leaders of the House Republican caucus and have been attentive to local needs while in the Legislature, commissioners said.

While Helfrich received more votes overall, Drazan got the support of all five Clackamas County commissioners, whose votes carried significantly more weight than the others because most of the Senate district falls in that county.

John Grant, chair of the Wasco County GOP, also vied for the appointment.

For months, Drazan has not said publicly whether she is planning to run for governor next year. In recent days, speculation has grown rampant in Republican circles that Drazan is expected to announce her plans early next week at a kickoff event.

One county commissioner in Thursdays meeting, Jennifer Euwer of Hood River County, cited the recent rumors and asked the Senate candidates prior to the vote to address whether they might unexpectedly leave the seat to run for statewide office.

Drazan said she was committed to advocating for the constituents of the district. She pointed out that Bonham endorsed her for his seat, and said she committed to doing right by his endorsement.

As House Republican Leader, Drazan has been a relentless obstructionist to Democrats, who hold majorities in both chambers. She spent much of this year fighting Democrats attempts to include tax increases in a major transportation package. After months of political theater and missteps, Democrats passed a slimmed-down package last month.

In a press release, Senate Republican Leader Bruce Starr of Dundee welcomed Drazan to the caucus.

Christine Drazan is a proven leader with a deep understanding of the challenges facing Oregon families, Starr said. She has shown time and again that shes willing to stand up for her community and fight for a better path forward for our state.
Jean Murphy, left, and Ruth Kornfield demonstrate against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Eugene on Tues., Oct. 21, 2025. Zane Sparling/The Oregonian

While clouds of tear gas and antic sideshows have become commonplace at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in South Portland, a quieter but no less staunch activist group is convening outside a federal building in Eugene.

About a dozen or so demonstrators bearing signs and flags have gathered regularly outside the Eugene Federal Building, 211 E. 7th Ave., which houses offices for a variety of agencies, including ICE.

Ruth Kornfield has been attending the protests regularly for six weeks. She and her friend Jean Murphy wore pointy hats and black attire, both in the spirit of Halloween and to match the garb of some of the younger activists, they said.

I feel very, very, very strongly against ICE in general, but also how theyre functioning  its cruel, said Kornfield, 82. We feel its very important for the community to be here.

Murphy said they had not known ICE had a base of operations in Eugene until recently. The 81-year-old was equally concerned with conditions at a migrant detention center in Tacoma, which had been the focus of a recent meeting at a local Unitarian church.

The more you learn, the more disgusting and horrible it is. And to let this happen, its so un-American, Murphy said. This isnt supposed to happen in America.

The Eugene Federal Building, 211 E. 7th Ave.. is shown here in October 2025. Zane Sparling/The Oregonian

Protesters were winding down their demonstration when a reporter visited Tuesday afternoon. Still, the anti-ICE signs elicited supportive honks, as well as the occasional rude gesture.

Eugene has not experienced the same level of public disorder outside federal facilities as Portland, though a group of roughly 40 protesters attempted to block vehicles leaving the complex and damaged one of them on July 1.

Agents detained three people and deployed pepper spray during a Solidarity with Portland protest held on Sept. 24.

More recently, thousands gathered for a peaceful No Kings march in downtown Eugene on Saturday, according to media reports.

In an unsigned statement, an ICE spokesperson said the agency is focusing on removing the worst first from the nation and respected the First Amendment rights of protesters.

Unfortunately, the most extreme protestors often misunderstand ICEs mission and fail to realize that their calls to shut ICE down inadvertently support the release of serious offenders, the statement said. In Eugene, we typically experience protests driven by smaller ANTIFA-led groups.

Terry Tobin, 70, said it was her first time protesting outside the federal building on a weekday, but she praised the earlier No Kings events, saying demonstrators had deployed music, dancing and soap bubbles to make sure their message was heard.

On Tuesday, Tobin carried a sign reading simply: Shame.

Shame on ICE for not allowing people that are doing things the right way to live without being harassed, punished  disappeared, for Gods sakes, she said. Shame on them for doing that.
Gov. Tina Kotek, shown at a housing-related event in July 2025, left Oregon on Thursday for a trade mission to South Korea and Japan. Office of the governor

Gov. Tina Kotek and a coalition of state business and economic development leaders left Oregon on Thursday for a mission to South Korea and Japan intended to expand opportunities for trade and tourism between the state and the countries.

During the trip, the delegation will meet with officials of travel agencies in both countries, executives of several major corporations and leaders of major airlines in the region, Koteks office said.

The group, which also includes three staffers from Koteks office and her wife, left Thursday and is expected to return Oct. 30, according to the governors office.

Koteks office acknowledged that the trip comes amid a significant legal battle between the state and the Trump administration, which has sought for weeks to deploy federal troops into Portland to crack down on protesters around the Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in the city.

The governor will closely monitor the situation in Oregon during the mission and will assess daily whether she needs to return immediately to the state, said Lucas Bezerra, a spokesperson for the governor.

Planning for the trip started in May 2024, according to Bezerra.

In a press release, leaders of the Port of Portland, Travel Oregon and the states department of agriculture emphasized the importance of maintaining strong relationships with business and government leaders in Japan and South Korea.

Lisa Charpilloz Hanson, director of the states agriculture agency, said a primary goal of the mission is to unlock market access for products including frozen berries, sweet cherries, hay, straw, seafood and nursery products.

Expanding our reach into these markets will not only strengthen Oregons economy but also provide essential support to our family farms, which are the backbone of our agricultural industry, she said.

Oregon politicians have long participated in trade missions to other countries. Former Gov. Kate Brown visited Vietnam, Japan and South Korea while in office, accompanied by business leaders and economic development officials.

Kotek isnt the only Oregon politician that has recently sought to boost business ties with other countries through an international trip. A bipartisan group of House lawmakers recently returned from a trade mission to Vietnam, and a handful of lawmakers of both parties are currently on a similar trip in China.

As uncertainty grows in Washington D.C., its more important than ever for Oregon to stay focused, protect our interests and strengthen the partnerships that help keep our economy strong, Kotek said in the press release. Our longstanding and emerging relationships in Asia are vital to Oregons future, helping us grow, innovate and weather any storm.
Wilson's remarks came after he was asked about the Department of Homeland Security calling his recent warnings about working conditions at the city's ICE building as nothing more than a political stunt. Zane Sparling/The Oregonian

Portland Mayor Keith Wilson on Wednesday rebuked federal officials for their ongoing refusal to allow local journalists inside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building located in the citys South Waterfront neighborhood.

Have you been able to gain access to the facility? Wilson asked a reporter during a late morning interview with The Oregonian/OregonLive. Nobody has.

Actually, while unknown to the mayor or the public at that time, federal officials did grant a local TV investigative reporter and videographer access to some portions and personnel at the ICE compound Wednesday.

KGW reporter Kyle Iboshi published his report just after 6 p.m., noting the station accepted ICE officials limits on where we could go and what we could film.

The mayors remarks came after he was asked about the Department of Homeland Security calling his recent warnings about working conditions at the site as nothing more than a political stunt.

In a Newsweek op-ed published Saturday, Wilson depicted a high-stress and haphazard environment when he met with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem inside the South Macadam Avenue building earlier this month.

The ICE facility was a mess of overflowing dumpsters, loose body armor and crowd control munitions and a broken HVAC air conditioning system that raised both temperatures and tempers in the aging building, Wilson wrote.

He also noted how federal officials have repeatedly turned down requests by Portland-area news organizations to tour the site. The Oregonian/OregonLive and OPB, for example, have made multiple requests for building access and have not received a response.

On Wednesday, Wilson doubled down on his depiction of the ICE buildings working conditions as well as his continued criticism of the Trump administration playing fast and loose with the facts about Portland.

 It was unkempt, it was not clean, it wasnt organized and I just saw an opportunity for a disaster there, he said of the facility. To discount what I saw without anybody else being able to go see  Im a little at odds with that.

The KGW report did not show any footage inside the building that would allow a person to assess the degree of cleanliness or employee demeanor. It only showed views of equipment and light fixtures on the facilitys lower and upper roofs, where federal officers have been stationed most nights.

Meanwhile, the mayor noted, President Donald Trump this week again repeated his false claim that Portland was burning down.

Theyre creating rhetoric instead of caring for community members, he said of the president and his administration. Theyre creating false narratives that arent helping anybody out.
Portland is set to add 280 new recovery-oriented, overnight-only shelter beds at two locations in the next several weeks. When those beds  all located in the Buckman neighborhood of Southeast Portland  and the recently announced family shelter beds come online, the city will have opened 1,090 new overnight shelter beds since the start of the year. That figure is about two thirds of the way to Mayor Keith Wilsons goal of adding 1,500 beds by Dec. 1.

At this point, were gonna deliver for Portland, Wilson said Wednesday. Were going to deliver on our promises and were going to really focus on the turnaround that we all really wanted in our city.

Still, the rapid addition of hundreds of new beds in less than a year has not been without a few stumbles.

A close look at the Moore Street Shelter in North Portland  one of the longest standing new shelters  found a lack of basic health and safety training among staff, an issue the mayor said has been corrected. And neighbors of that shelter and the Northrup Shelter in the Pearl District have found much to complain about. Indeed, in the blocks surrounding Moore Street, 911 calls have tripled year-over-year. The majority of the increased calls came from people inside the shelter, according to public records obtained by The Oregonian/OregonLive.

And potential shelter guests are not exactly flocking to the citys overnight beds. As of August, there were about 7,444 people living outside or in a vehicle in Multnomah County, according to county data. Thats far more people than there are beds. Yet, occupancy rates for the city beds range from 20% at a 100-bed shelter that opened in August at the Church of the Nazarene in Southeast Portland to 71% at the 100-bed Moore Street shelter, which opened in January. Four of the citys five overnight-only shelters have overall occupancy rates at or below 40%, according to county data.

Anytime you see this many empty beds each night, the responsible approach for any of us leading this work is to take a moment to ask why people arent willing to go inside and use these overnight-only beds, said Jillian Schoene, director of the system meant to coordinate the city, county and state response to homelessness.

For comparison, 12 of the countys 13 24-hour congregate shelters have overall shelter usage rates between 81% at the Janus Streetlight Shelter for youth between the ages of 16 and 24 and 100% at two shelters run by Transition Projects, one of the areas largest homeless service providers.

But Wilson said having several hundred empty city-funded beds each night is part of his plan.

We never, ever want to have full capacity because ... if somebody shows up at your doorstep and is in need, you have to trust that were gonna have a bed for them, Wilson said.

As colder weather approaches, Wilson said those extra beds will be especially critical.

Portland Mayor Keith Wilson speaks during a September press conference about President Donald Trump's call to deploy troops in Oregon. Zane Sparling/The Oregonian

And youll see these individuals, when it starts to get 32 degrees out, theyre going to be at a place where its miserable on the street, he said. At the same time, were removing tents and RVs from our community. And so those individuals, when rock bottom occurs, its time for us to be ready.

Wilson said that the city will also begin stricter enforcement of the citys camping ban on Nov. 1, which will include arresting anyone with a warrant or who have failed five times or more to appear in court as ordered.

He predicted the worsening weather and the stepped-up enforcement together would make people living outside think: God darn it. Maybe Im tired of living on the street. This community really is caring for me. Maybe I shouldnt be here because its against our community standards.

In summer and fall 2024, however, currently or formerly homeless people said they found staying in congregate shelters as unenticing as living outside, a survey found. The 429-person survey, released Thursday, was conducted by several homeless services nonprofits, including the Welcome Home Coalition and Sisters of the Road with advisory support from several Portland State University professors.

Respondents were given a list of housing options that included apartments, houses, tiny homes and RVs as well as shelters and tiny pod villages. Asked to select the three options they would least like to live in, two thirds named shelters. Thats the same percentage who named living outside or in a tent among their three least favored options. The third least preferred option was living in a pod at a village style shelter, which 42% of respondents named in their bottom three choices.

The citys newest shelter beds are intended only for people who show up sober. Other than that, operations at these new shelters will track largely with the rest of the citys overnight-only programs: Show up in the evening, get a snack and a bed to sleep in, then head back out in the morning.

Eighty of the new city-funded beds will actually be some of the longest standing shelter beds in the city  the ones at CityTeams 526 Southeast Grand Avenue location. Those beds were set to close as CityTeam switched to offering shelter at its new location in Old Town. But now, CityTeam will also continue operating the Grand Avenue beds with the citys funding kicking in on Nov. 1, according to executive director Lance Orton.

Orton, formerly homeless himself, said he was able to get back on his feet after becoming sober at a CityTeam shelter. He is a strong proponent of supporting recovery as a critical part of the journey out of homelessness and said that he was pleased to have been able to convince city officials that offering sober beds was a needed part of the citys sheltering strategy.

It did take some pushing on my part, Orton said. We are not interested in operating a low-barrier shelter. We require sobriety.

Orton said that requirement does not include drug testing at the door.

If someone is well behaved, well try and work with you, he said.

But CityTeam reserves the right to ask someone to leave if it becomes evident they are intoxicated. Orton also said that his nonprofits privately funded case managers will be onsite at the overnight shelter, an aberration from most of the city-funded shelters which offer no additional services. Meeting with a case manager to connect with recovery services will be a requirement for guests, he said.

We do not allow people to stay if its indefinite with no next step plan, Orton said.

Lance Orton, executive director of shelter and recovery nonprofit CityTeam, takes a break between meetings at his Old Town offices in September. Lillian Mongeau Hughes

The Grand Avenue building is owned by CityTeam, but is currently listed for sale. Were it to sell, Orton said the city understands that CityTeam would likely need to end its sheltering services at the site.

The details for the other 200 beds, which will be operated by Transition Projects in a facility at 614 Southeast Grand Avenue, are less clear at this point, according to Spokesperson Clifton Roberts. The overnight-only shelter  expected to be in operation by the end of the year  will be an addition to the nonprofits slate of eight 24-hour congregate shelters and several transitional housing programs, Roberts said.

Wilson complimented both new operators on their long record of service to homeless people in Portland. He also said The Oregonian/OregonLives reporting on problems at and near the Moore Street Shelter presented an opportunity to improve that he welcomed.

Were going to take that as constructive and were going to fix that, he said. Im focused on high standards and operational excellence. Safety is paramount. Thats why were setting up these shelters. But leaving people on the street is antithetical to focusing on safety.

Tips about the conditions in or around any Portland homeless shelter can be sent to lmhughes@oregonian.com.

Portland overnight-only shelters*

*In addition to the beds listed here, Portland city officials include another 150 beds funded by the city, including 50 at Bybee Lakes and 100 reserved for families with minor children at hotels around the city.

Publicly funded

Church of the Nazarene

Location: 9715 Southeast Powell Boulevard

Capacity: 100 beds

Clientele: Co-ed

Operated by: Agape Village

Planned opening: OPEN as of Aug. 4

Operation Nightwatch at St. Stephens

Location: 1432 Southwest 13th Avenue (between Columbia and Clay)

Capacity: 80 beds

Clientele: Co-ed

Operated by: Agape Village

Planned opening: OPEN as of Aug. 4

Northrup Shelter

Location: 1435 Northwest Northrup Street (between 14th and 15th)

Capacity: 200 beds

Clientele: Co-ed

Operated by: Salvation Army

Planned opening: OPEN as of Sept. 2

Moore Street Shelter

Location: 5325 North Williams Avenue (between Emerson and Killingsworth)

Capacity: 100 beds

Clientele: Co-ed

Operated by: Salvation Army (city funding)

Planned opening: OPEN as of Jan. 7

SAFES / Burnside Shelter

Location: 30 Southwest 2nd Avenue (between Ankeny and Burnside)

Capacity: 100 beds

Clientele: Women only

Operated by: Salvation Army (city funding)

Planned opening: OPEN as of Jan. 7

CityTeam Grand

Location: 526 Southeast Grand Avenue (between Stark and Washington)

Capacity: 80 beds

Clientele: Sober only

Operated by: CityTeam

Planned opening: City funding to start Nov. 1

SE Grand Recovery

Location: 614 Southeast Grand Avenue (between Washington and Alder)

Capacity: Up to 200 beds

Clientele: Sober only

Operated by: Transition Projects

Planned opening: By end of 2025

Family shelter

Location: Undisclosed

Capacity: 80

Clientele: Families with minor children

Operated by: Agape Village

Planned opening: Fall 2025

Privately run

Bethanies Room

Location: 1015 Northwest 17th Avenue (between Lovejoy and Marshall)

Capacity: 75 beds

Clientele: Women only

Operated by: Blanchet House (private funding)

Planned opening: By end of 2025

CityTeam

Location: 219 Northwest 4th Avenue (between Everett and Davis)

Capacity: 30 overnight beds; 80 longer term beds for people in recovery

Clientele: Men only

Operated by: CityTeam (private funding)

Planned opening: Fall 2025
Mateo Garcia sits in the saddle on Principe, his gray-and-white Andalusian, outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in South Portland on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, carrying a Mexican flag and vowing to return weekly with a different horse. Mark Graves/The Oregonian

Portland protests at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building continue apace as the nation watches what a federal judge will decide on her order barring the National Guard from coming to the city.

U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immergut has set a hearing Friday morning on the federal governments motion to throw out her restraining order banning the Guard in Portland for now.

Immergut could potentially rule at the end of the hearing.

Heres more on what we know.

Portland man protests ICE on horseback, vows weekly returns

Early Wednesday afternoon brought another unusual character to the scene outside ICE.

Portlander Mateo Garcia arrived at the ICE facility with a gray and white Andalusian horse named Principe. Garcia had appeared at a protest on Sunday riding a horse named Canelo, while carrying a flagpole with a Mexican flag.

Garcia said his heritage is Mexican and Russian, and he visited the site to represent Mexican people who cant protest due to deportation fears. Garcia was born in the U.S., but both of his parents are immigrants, he said.

Im out here representing my people, said Garcia, who said hes a horse trainer who lives in Portland and has a ranch in Washington.

On Wednesday, he saddled up and rode Principe along South Bancroft Street, carrying his flagpole. At one point, he stopped in front of the driveway of the ICE facility and spoke directly to federal agents.

Garcia told the officers to expect to see him again. Every week Im going to be down here with a different horse, he said. Every week.

Into the evening, about 80 people had gathered in pockets outside the ICE building. People in the protest movements ubiquitous inflatable costumes  including a bee and raccoons  bopped to the strains of Macarena at one point.

A few federal officers watched from the lower roof of the ICE office for a low-key night.

National Guard soldiers patrol on the National Mall near the U.S. Capitol, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Washington. AP Photo/Rahmat Gul

What would troops do in Portland?

If National Guard soldiers deploy to Portland, would they be assigned solely to protect the ICE building in South Portland?

Would they carry guns and do crowd control or help ICE agents arrest people?

Find some answers here.

Whats happening in Eugene on the protest front?

An activist group regularly convenes outside the Eugene Federal Building, the home for a variety of agencies, including ICE.

I feel very, very, very strongly against ICE in general, but also how theyre functioning  its cruel, said Ruth Kornfield, 82. We feel its very important for the community to be here.

Kornfield has been attending the protests regularly for six weeks.

Jean Murphy, left, and Ruth Kornfield demonstrate against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Eugene on Tues., Oct. 21, 2025. Zane Sparling/The Oregonian

What were watching for today

The federal government and the state of Oregon are making written arguments to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in the Trump administrations effort to send National Guard troops to Portland.

A three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit sided 2-1 Monday with President Donald Trump.

Reporter Maxine Bernstein will have a rundown of what they say.

Want an afternoon update? The Oregonian/OregonLives new ICE Protests in Portland newsletter is delivered to thousands of subscribers at 3 p.m. daily. To join them, simply click here to opt in.
Photo taken on Oct 22, 2025 shows workers operating machinery to gather sun-evaporated sea salt at Zhangmeng Salt Field in Rongcheng City, east China's Shandong Province. The traditional method uses seawater, solar evaporation and crystallization techniques passed down through generations. (Li Xinjun/Guangming Pictures)

Photo taken on Oct 22, 2025 shows workers operating machinery to gather sun-evaporated sea salt at Zhangmeng Salt Field in Rongcheng City, east China's Shandong Province. The traditional method uses seawater, solar evaporation and crystallization techniques passed down through generations. (Li Xinjun/Guangming Pictures)

Photo taken on Oct 22, 2025 shows workers operating machinery to gather sun-evaporated sea salt at Zhangmeng Salt Field in Rongcheng City, east China's Shandong Province. The traditional method uses seawater, solar evaporation and crystallization techniques passed down through generations. (Li Xinjun/Guangming Pictures)

Editor: ZAD
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Artists perform during a concert celebrating the 70th anniversary of friendship between China and Serbia at Kolarac Concert Hall in Belgrade, Serbia, Oct. 21, 2025. (Photo by Wang Wei/Xinhua)

Artists from the China National Opera House and the National Theatre in Belgrade presented a program that combined Chinese classical poetry and highlights from European opera.

BELGRADE, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- A concert celebrating the 70th anniversary of friendship between China and Serbia was held on Tuesday evening at Belgrade's historic Kolarac Concert Hall.

Artists from the China National Opera House and the National Theatre in Belgrade presented a program that combined Chinese classical poetry and highlights from European opera. Audiences from both China and Serbia responded with warm applause throughout the performance.

Serbian Minister of Culture Nikola Selakovic said the concert was "one of the highlights in the year when we mark the 70th anniversary of friendship between the peoples of Serbia and China - a friendship built on mutual respect, trust, and cooperation." He stressed that culture "represents an essential dimension of the bilateral relations" and reaffirmed Serbia's commitment to "building a shared future together" through cultural exchange.

People take photos as artists perform during a concert celebrating the 70th anniversary of friendship between China and Serbia at Kolarac Concert Hall in Belgrade, Serbia, Oct. 21, 2025. (Photo by Wang Wei/Xinhua)

Chinese Ambassador to Serbia Li Ming described the concert as "a heartfelt tribute to the deep friendship forged over seven decades." He said the event reflected the growing partnership between the two nations, which "has reached an unprecedented new height."

The concert was jointly organized by China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Chinese Embassy in Serbia, and Serbia's Ministry of Culture.

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The Coast Guard announced the rescue of a family who got stranded on an island off Cape Cod after the boat they were on suddenly caught fire.

The family was stranded on the remote Massachusetts island for a little more than a day since the incident. Authorities said that the family included a mother, father, and son who set sail from Eel Pond in Falmouth on Friday.

Family Stranded on Remote Island

They allegedly planned to take their 30-foot boat between Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard and anchor there for the weekend. Reports identified the family members as Cynthia Sullivan, Patrick Sullivan, and the boy, Tyler Sullivan.

The incident began on Tuesday evening, when the family did not return, causing a relative to alert the authorities. The Coast Guard, Falmouth authorities, and volunteers searched for the family's boat on Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.

The Coast Guard later said that the family had woken up to find that their boat was suddenly on fire on Monday night, which forced them to abandon ship. The family was reportedly able to swim to nearby Naushon Island, which is the largest of the Elizabeth Islands, and took shelter in a bar, according to Yahoo News.

Read more: Rescue Operations Underway for Dozens of Students Trapped After Indonesian School Collapses

While searching the family's boat, authorities tried to contact the boat's crew, but the calls simply went straight to voicemail. Additionally, cell phone pings did not provide an accurate location of where the family members were.

The Coast Guard said that when the young boy was walking along the remote beach, he found the boat's marine radio, which fortunately washed ashore. They then received a mayday call on the radio on Wednesday morning, which led them to the family's location.

Rescued by the Coast Guard

The family was then picked up by a Coast Guard helicopter and transported to an area hospital to be checked for any injuries or health-related issues. A search and rescue mission coordinator from Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England, Scott Backholm, said the family survived because of quick thinking and having quality equipment, ABC News reported.

Cynthia and Tyler are now being treated at Cape Cod Hospital, while the father was flown to a Boston hospital's burn unit. The couple's other son, Christopher, asked the public for prayers for his mother, saying she was in bad shape.

Christopher confirmed that his mother was in critical but stable condition. However, his father reportedly had third-degree burns on his arm but is in stable condition, as per WCVB.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has allocated an additional UAG 2.5 billion for housing certificates under the eRecovery program, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko has announced.

"More than 1,600 families whose homes were destroyed as a result of Russias armed aggression will be able to purchase new housing. The government has allocated an additional UAH 2.5 billion for housing certificates under the eRecovery program," Svyrydenko said on Telegram.

The Prime Minister said that to date, more than 143,000 families have already received such certificates, and the state has paid more than UAH 50 billion for these needs.

"You can submit applications through Diia, at the Central Assistance Center or at a notary. Now, one general photo will be enough to confirm the destruction, and the geolocation can be with an error of up to 10 meters. We also allow the use of satellite images and data from Defense Forces units as confirmation for places where the commission cannot reach," the head of government said.

The eRecovery program launched in Ukraine on May 10, 2023. Compensation is part of the HOME project, which is implemented by the Council of Europe Development Bank.
A father and daughter from White Plains, New York, were given Civilian Hero awards after saving a woman's life from a brutal stabbing attack last year.

The two individuals were identified as Armando Gramajo and his daughter, Shayla. They were honored by the Westchester County district attorney for their role in stopping the potentially life-threatening incident from taking a darker turn of events in May 2024.

Father and Daughter Receive Civilian Hero Awards

In a statement at the event, Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace said that the woman had a knife sticking out of her head. She said that the father and daughter knew that the man she was with was beating her to death. He could have easily turned around and targeted the two good Samaritans.

At the time, the victim was texting a co-worker about an apartment when her husband suddenly attacked her in a jealous rage. The suspect in the case was identified as Carlos Obed-Tovar, who stabbed his wife 35 times, first in their basement apartment in front of their six-year-old daughter, according to ABC7NY.

After the initial altercation, the suspect grabbed a second knife as the victim was able to run outside of their home. At the time, Gramajo was working on a car when he suddenly heard screams and quickly confronted the suspect.

The father was known to practice martial arts and previously served in the military in his native Guatemala. His daughter, Shayla, is a physician and quickly rendered life-saving aid to the victim who was stabbed.

Cacace said that the victim was only able to survive thanks to the help of two strangers, who knew nothing of the dispute that they witnessed. She added that it was a dangerous thing that no one asked them to do, the New York Post reported.

Saving a Woman's Life

During the incident, when Gramajo saw the victim and her husband chasing her, he shouted "Para! Para!" which was Spanish for "Stop!" Faced with the military veteran, Obed-Tovar simply stopped and froze in place.

His daughter, 25-year-old Shayla, said that the entire situation could have gone the other way, which she was glad was not the case. After that, the suspect tried to run away, prompting Gramajo to once again shout "Para! Para!" and keep him in place.

Obed-Tovar's bid to withdraw his guilty plea to second-degree attempted murder was rejected by the New York Supreme Court Justice James McCarty on Aug. 14. He then imposed the prison term for the defendant, which is 12 years in state prison, as per Iohud.
New Jersey wants Amazon to be held accountable for its treatment of pregnant workers and employees with disabilities. From left, Julian Leshay for NJ Advance Media and Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Editors note: This article has been updated to include a comment from Amazon.

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin filed a civil rights complaint Wednesday against e-commerce behemoth Amazon. The company  the largest employer in New Jersey and one of the largest in the world  is accused of discriminating against pregnant workers and workers with disabilities.

Platkin filed the suit jointly with Yolanda N. Melville, Director of the Division on Civil Rights, in New Jersey Superior Court. It accuses Amazon of systematically violating the civil rights of pregnant workers and workers with disabilities at warehouses across New Jersey.

The Division on Civil Rights, discovered the unlawful conduct during an investigation that was launched after receiving numerous complaints about the companys treatment of pregnant workers and workers with disabilities.

Platkin alleges that Amazon regularly stonewalls employees seeking accommodations, pushes pregnant women and workers with disabilities out of the workforce, and forces them to choose between their well-being and a paycheck.

Its the second time this week the global company has found itself in hot water in New Jersey. On Monday, Platkin sued the e-commerce giant for violations of state labor laws.

A company that can deliver anything to your door in hours is doing everything it can to avoid providing basic protections to the people who make sure those packages get to you on time, said Platkin at a press conference in Newark that was livestreamed. These practices are, frankly, staggering and theyre completely unacceptable.

The lawsuit seeks a trial by jury for both monetary and injunctive relief. Officials said they want Amazon to change its policies and practices.

Amazon employs approximately 50,000 people in New Jersey at any given time. In a statement sent to NJ Advance Media Wednesday afternoon, Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said claims that the company doesnt follow federal and state laws are simply not true.

Ensuring the health and well-being of our employees is our top priority, and were committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for everyone. The fact is we offer employees comprehensive accommodations throughout their pregnancy journey and postpartum. Since 2022, weve processed more than 72,500 pregnancy accommodations requests in US Operations alone, and our current approval rate for pregnancy accommodation requests is higher than 99%. We also offer up to 20 weeks of fully paid leave for eligible birthing parents, said Nantel in the statement.

The lawsuit alleges Amazon automatically places many of its pregnant employees and employees with disabilities on unpaid leave as soon as they make an accommodation request.

In some cases, the company retaliates against employees who request accommodation, either by unfairly disciplining them or firing them, the suit claims.

And on the occasion it does approve an accommodation request, the lawsuit accuses Amazon of holding employees to inflexible productivity metrics.

Let me be clear, Amazons policies and practices have created an environment where pregnant workers and workers with disabilities face nearly insurmountable barriers to receiving the accommodations they need and are entitled to under the law. And we take each violation of our workers civil rights protections very seriously, said Melville, before listing some examples.

In one instance, a pregnant employee who requested the use of a wheelchair was automatically placed on leave while her request was processed. She was told she would remain on leave if Amazon didnt approve the accommodation and the companys ethics hotline ultimately found no violation because the system was functioning as designed, said Melville.

In another case, Melville said a pregnant employee was approved for extra breaks and restricted from lifting items heavier than 15 pounds. Less than one month later, she was terminated for not meeting packing numbers.

Melville said the states investigation showed Amazons automated system issues disciplinary write-ups and terminations for employees who fail to meet productivity standards, even when their lower productivity is due to a disability or pregnancy.

In one case, an employee with a herniated disc was repeatedly staffed in areas that exceeded his weight restriction, denied requests to move, and written up for lower productivity because he couldnt keep up with the pace.

The actions increase the risk of workplace injuries and push employees out of the workforce, said Melville.
A 31-year-old Cumberland County man was charged with arson and related charges after police say he started a fire inside his cell at the State Correctional Institute in Camp Hill last week.

Police said Daquian Brown used an electrical outlet to ignite bedding in his cell just before noon Friday, filling the E block with smoke and requiring the evacuation of 37 incarcerated people. He was the only person inside his cell, which is in the prisons restricted housing unit, police said, but he denied starting the fire.

An affidavit of probable cause filed against Brown gave the following account:

Security footage at 11:56 a.m. showed an inmate performing his job on the upper tier of E-block, who alerted three corrections officers to smoke coming from Browns cell.

Staff removed Brown from his cell, secured him in another vacant cell and used a fire extinguisher to stop the blaze.

Smoke filled the upper tier first, then spread to the lower level prior to the fire being extinguished, according to the affidavit. Corrections officers evacuated other E-Block inmates until it was deemed safe.

Guards secured Browns cell with tape for police, who reported a heavy odor of smoke still in the air hours later, despite an industrial fan outside his cell.

Police said they found a yellow fire-retardant dust from a fire extinguisher covered the cell and burnt material consistent with a prison-issued blanket, sheets, and pillowcase on the floor in a small puddle of water.

An electrical outlet with black burn marks on the wall across from the bunks had rolled up paper and small pieces of metal consistent with staples sticking out of the plug holes in the top outlet. Black soot was located on the wall behind the bottom bunk mattress.

The affidavit said attached C pod inmates had to be checked for medical needs from smoke inhalation.

Brown was charged with arson - inhabited building or structure, arson endangering property - reckless endangerment of inhabited buildings, aggravated arson - person present inside property, recklessly endangering another person and criminal mischief, according to charging documents filed by Pennsylvania State Police.

Brown was serving time at the prison for robbery and gun convictions out of Philadelphia. His preliminary arraignment on the arson case is scheduled for Oct. 28, according to online court documents.
A Maryland man has admitted to his role in an elaborate scheme that convinced victims to turn over cash and gold to couriers posing as federal agents.

Jaskirat Singh, 22, of Columbia, Maryland, signed a plea agreement Oct. 6 in connection with a federal felony count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in an interstate conspiracy that robbed victims of around $1.5 million.

Singh could face up to 20 years in jail and a fine of $250,000.

Conspirators posing as federal agents with the Federal Trade Commission convinced the victims, many of whom were elderly, their bank accounts were compromised and they needed to move their money to the U.S. Treasury for safekeeping.

Theyd instruct the victims to convert funds to cash or gold bars then hand over to couriers such as Singh posing as undercover agents. The couriers would then travel to jewelry stores in Ohio, New York or Harrisburg, where theyd hand in the ill-gotten gains to other conspirators using codewords.

Singh still faces state charges related to the incident in which he was taken into custody.

State police charged him with two felony counts of corrupt organizations, theft by deception, criminal use of a communication device and fleeing or eluding police in Huntingdon County court in July.

According to charging documents in that case: A Huntingdon County woman reported she was on her computer May 28 when a message popped up saying her computer was locked, providing a phone number she needed to call.

When she did so, a man who claimed to be a Federal Trade Commissioner by the name of Vinnie Collins told her she had illegal material on her computer and all her accounts were compromised.

Collins told her she would have to move her money into the U.S. Treasury for safekeeping and to avoid being charged for the illegal material. He instructed her to meet with undercover federal agents with a password and described the model and make of the vehicles they were driving.

After four different dropoffs, the woman agreed to give $100,000 to one of the agents  Singh  on July 23. Singh arrived in a silver Mitsubishi Mirage with a Georgia license plate at around 5:40 p.m. and asked for the password, which was superman.

When police approached Singhs vehicle, he fled and drove about a mile before stopping and being taken into custody by state police.

A magistrate court denied bail after Singhs capture. When the case moved to state court, Huntingdon County Judge George Zanic set bail for $1 million.
People gather at a memorial for Kada Scott, near the abandoned Ada H. H. Lewis Middle School Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, in Philadelphia, where she was found earlier. (AP Photo/Mingson Lau) AP

A Philadelphia man has been charged in the death of a woman whose body was found last weekend buried in a shallow grave behind an abandoned school.

Keon King, 21, has been charged with murder, abuse of corpse, robbery, theft, tampering with evidence, and additional crimes in the death of Kada Scott, 23, who had been missing since the night of Oct. 4.

The charges came after the Medical Examiners Office ruled her death a homicide. The official cause of death, however, has not been made public yet, but sources told the Philadelphia Inquirer that she had been shot.

Investigators also told news outlets they believe at least one other person helped King move Scotts body and bury it.

We continue to pursue anyone who helped, who concealed, who participated in this act, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said during a recent community meeting, according to 6ABC.

According to court documents, King stole an unattended Hyundai Accent a little before midnight on Oct. 3. He then used that car to meet up with Scott the following evening at the nursing home where she worked.

One of Scotts coworkers told police she saw Scott outside the nursing home at about 10 p.m. and overheard her saying I cant believe youre calling me about this [expletive]. She then got into a dark-colored SUV that was parked outside, police said.

Investigators inspect the abandoned Ada H. H. Lewis Middle School on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, in Philadelphia, where the body of Kada Scott was found earlier. (AP Photo/Mingson Lau) AP

Police said that cellphone data showed Scott and King were together along the 400 block of East Abington Avenue. After 10:24 p.m., there was no more contact from her phone, court records said.

Police said surveillance video at the Awbury Recreation Center, located near the abandoned Ada H. Lewis Middle School, shows a dark SUV, which police said they believe to be the stolen Hyundai Accent, pulling into the parking lot. A person is then seen leaving the vehicle and walking through the playground.

On Oct. 6, two people were seen on video approaching a Toyota Camry that had been parked in the lot the previous night and which police believe is Kings car. They were then seen removing a heavy object from the Camry and carrying it towards the playground area.

On Oct. 7, police said they responded to a report of a burned Hyundai Accent along Seventh Avenue. When they arrived they learned the vehicle had been taken to a nearby junkyard and compacted.

King had previously been charged with kidnapping and arson. He is currently being held on $2.5 million bail.
A view of Lennox Elementary School in Pompton Lakes in Passaic County, where a teacher was accused of taping a student's head to a desk. Google Maps

A Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, teacher accused of taping a 9-year-olds head to a desk for nearly an hour has agreed to give up his state teaching license, according to state officials.

Todd Lewis, 58, of Wayne, agreed to surrender his teaching license in August, according to documents filed by the New Jersey State Board of Examiners, the state board that oversees teacher licenses.

Lewis was arrested in December after investigators said he placed masking tape around the back of a students neck to secure the child to a desk for approximately 40 to 50 minutes on Oct. 30.

Lewis declined an NJ Advance Media request to comment on his case or his teaching license.

A 67-year-old teachers aide from Pompton Lakes  who worked alongside Lewis at Lenox Elementary School in Passaic County  was also in the room when the childs head was taped to the desk, prosecutors said.

The aide was charged with fourth-degree abuse and neglect of children.

District officials said both the teacher and the aide were placed on administrative leave in December pending the outcome of court proceedings.

We want to assure our parents, students, staff and school community that we are working very closely with law enforcement to guarantee the safety and security of our students, district Superintendent Paul Amoroso said in a statement at the time.

Lewis was charged last year with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, a charge that could carry a sentence of up to 10 years.

According to court records, Lewis charges were later reduced to fourth-degree abuse and neglect of children.

The Passaic County Prosecutors Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the case.

In July, Lewis was assigned to a 12-month Pretrial Intervention, or PTI, program that allows first-time offenders to avoid trial on the condition that they meet certain requirements, which can include community service, counseling or restitution.

The teachers aide was given about seven months in the same program.

Both cases will be dismissed if Lewis and the aide successfully complete the programs requirements.
The original owners of iconic ice cream maker, Ben & Jerrys want to free the company from its current corporate ownership and restore its ability to take progressive political positions. FILE/PHOTO ASSOCIATED PRESS

The original owners of iconic ice cream maker Ben & Jerrys want to free the company from its current corporate ownership and restore its ability to take progressive political positions.

Unilever, the multinational packaged goods company which owns Ben & Jerrys, said Tuesday because of the federal shutdown it was holding off on plans for a spin off company  The Magnum Ice Cream Company  to run Ben & Jerrys.

That move was applauded by co-founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield who are waging a pressure campaign for independence, saying Unilever has inappropriatedly intervened with and silenced it, the online news site VTDigger reported.

In their letter to the board last month, Cohen and Greenfield accused Unilever of failing to uphold the original terms of the sale in 2000, which, they said, preserved Ben & Jerrys ability to speak out on causes with which it believed.

Greenfield resigned from the company last month over the independence issue.

The strength of Ben & Jerrys lies in the authenticity of its values and its voice, whether in opposing crimes against humanity, speaking out against white supremacy, supporting marriage equality, demanding climate justice, or insisting that businesses have responsibilities beyond profitability, the letter said.

The duo asked the board to allow Ben & Jerrys operate once again as an independently owned company, supported by socially-aligned investors and free to honor its mission without compromise.

Ben & Jerrys sued its parent company last year, saying it blocked them from issuing statements that were pro-Palestinian, including calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Ben & Jerrys, known for its creative ice cream flavors and funky flavor names like Cherry Garcia and Phish Food, was founded in a converted Burlington, Vermont gas station in 1978.
WILLIAMSPORT  Knowledge of the Islamic state of Iraq and al-Sham, also known as ISIS, could be a factor in jury selection for a federal inmate accused of a terrorist attack on an Allenwood Federal Prison guard in 2020.

The prosecuting and defense attorneys on Monday asked U.S. Middle District Judge Matthew W. Brann to allow prospective jurors for the trial of Abdulrahman el Bahnasawy to be questioned about whether their knowledge of ISIS would prevent them from being impartial.

Bahnasawy is scheduled to stand trial next month, accused of stabbing Dale Franquet Jr. in the eye with a 14.5-inch-long shank on Dec. 7, 2020, and assaulting a female corrections officer who came to his aid.

The attack, which was captured on video, occurred as Franquet was walking down the range after unlocking the cell door to allow Bahnasawy out to move about.

According to Franquet, the inmate came up behind him, yelling Allahu Akbar,: a term historically used by Muslims as a battle cry, stabbed him in the neck, and, as they struggled, in the eye that he later lost.

A family picture taken Dec. 6, 2020, the day before the stabbing. In the back are Angela and Dale Franquet Jr., and In the front are daughters Mekenna, left, and Maesyn and the family dog Harper. Provided

Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur said a note found in the assailants sock following the assault stated: This is a terrorist attack for ISIS.

One of the counts against Bahnasawy alleges the attack was an attempt to provide support for ISIS, which is designated a foreign terrorist organization.

MacArthur, in another court filing, cites incidents he maintains show Bahnasawy continues to profess his allegiance to ISIS.

At the time of the stabbing, Kuwait-born Bahnasawy, who is a Canadian citizen, was serving a 40-year sentence for plotting in 2016 on behalf of ISIS to blow up the New York subway system, detonate bombs in Times Square and shoot people in public venues.

Other information MacArthur wants elicited from prospective jurors includes their opinion on the enforcement of laws against terrorists and if the allegation that Bahnasawy provided support to a terrorist organization would prevent them from reaching an impartial verdict.

MacArthur also wants prospective jurors to be asked if they have any strong feelings for or against the U.S. attorneys office, FBI, Bureau of Prisons, or any law enforcement agency.

The proposed verdict form submitted by defense attorney Andrew J. Frisch provides, as an option, to find his client not guilty by reason of insanity. MacArthurs form does not.

Bahnasawy, who has a history of mental health issues, claims he was insane when he attacked Franquet. Brann, in July, found him competent to stand trial.

MacArthur is seeking to limit what the defense may present if it pursues a mental health defense, including expert testimony on diminished capacity.

The prosecutor disputes the contention that Bahnasawys diminished mental state was the result of a lack of medication by noting he elected to stop taking his prescribed antipsychotic medication in 2020.

Bahnasawy is charged with two counts each of assault with intent to commit murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and assault on a federal officer, plus single counts of possession of a prohibited object and providing material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization.
By Evan Robinson-Johnson, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (TNS)

U. S. Steel will restart battery 14 at the Clairton Coke Works on Thursday, slightly two months after the collection of ovens was part of a deadly explosion at the facility.

The company said Wednesday that all necessary repairs have been completed and startup is expected in the afternoon following final safety checks and equipment evaluations.

The company did not provide an update on battery 13, which also was damaged in the explosion.

All procedures will be carried out with a strong focus on safety and environmental compliance, U.S. Steel said in a statement, adding that it notified and will continue working with the Allegheny County Health Department.

As we move forward, our thoughts remain with the employees who were injured or lost during the August 11th incident. Their families, colleagues, and loved ones are in our hearts, and their memory continues to guide our commitment to safety.

Two U.S. Steel employees, Steven Menefee, 52, and Timothy Quinn, 39, were killed in the explosion.

Five other workers were seriously injured and hospitalized  four U.S. Steel employees and one employee of Veolia Water North America Operating Services. Six additional workers  five U.S. Steel employees and an employee of MPW Industrial Services, Inc.  were treated for injuries but not hospitalized, according to the Chemical Safety Board.

Batteries 13 and 14 have been on hot idle since the blast, meaning they are not producing product.

Last week, U.S. Steel said it had made changes to the way valves in the batteries are cleaned after its contract inspector found that high-pressure water caused the valve to rupture on Aug. 11, which allowed coke oven gas to escape and ignite, resulting in the explosion.

The findings were consistent with initial reports from federal safety inspectors and the company. The investigations are ongoing.
By Rogette Harris

For nearly 250 years, the right to vote has been Americas great equalizer, but lately, that right feels fragile. The courts, rather than the voters, are increasingly deciding the countrys direction. And this Nov. 4, Pennsylvania voters, especially those in South Central Pennsylvania, have a chance to push back. Not with outrage or social media posts, but with our ballots.

Lets be clear, the U.S. Supreme Court has stopped interpreting law and upholding the Constitution. It is now making policy.

From overturning Roe v. Wade to weakening environmental protections and removing voting rights, the Court has shown its willingness to reshape decades of precedent to fit an ideological vision. These justices are unelected, yet their rulings determine who controls womens bodies, who breathes clean air, who gets a fair shot at casting a ballot, and more.

Thats why Pennsylvanias state court elections this year matter more than most people realize.

Our appellate and Supreme Court judges make decisions that touch every corner of our lives and define the boundaries of our democracy. They rule on how elections are conducted, how fairly our schools are funded, whether workers and families are protected, and whether all Pennsylvanians have an equal voice under the law.

In Dauphin County and across South Central Pennsylvania, we know these arent abstract issues. Whether its fair funding for public schools, clean water along the Susquehanna, or the security of mail-in ballots, the courts often have the final say.

Over the past decade, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has been a national model for judicial courage. In 2018s League of Women Voters v. Commonwealth, it struck down a gerrymandered congressional map that gave the Republican party almost total dominance. The Court relied on Pennsylvanias Free and Equal Elections Clause, a powerful statement in our state constitution that every voter deserves an equal say.

When other states looked away, Pennsylvanias Supreme Court stood up. It has also protected voters whose mail-in ballots were thrown out for trivial technicalities, affirming that the right to vote should not hinge on an envelope date or a misplaced signature.

And in 2020, when partisan forces tried to discredit Pennsylvanias election results, it was our state courts that upheld the will of the people by rejecting conspiracy claims and affirming that facts, not politics, guide justice.

Those decisions didnt make everyone happy. But they made democracy stronger.

Across the country, efforts to reshape state courts into partisan bodies have intensified.

President Donald Trump has made targeting judges and election officials a political strategy, using personal attacks to discredit them when rulings dont go his way. At the same time, Republican-aligned groups are pouring unprecedented funds into state judicial races with misleading mailers and texts to tilt the balance in courts that could decide the next presidential election.

In Pennsylvania, the stakes are enormous. Three Supreme Court Justices, Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht are up for retention this November. If even one or two are ousted, the courts balance could flip before the 2028 presidential election, when our Supreme Court may once again decide how that election is conducted and certified. Vote YES for retention.

We dont have to imagine what happens when judicial control shifts. In Wisconsin, for example, a single seat changed the entire direction of that states Supreme Court. One election. One seat. Sweeping consequences. Pennsylvania could be next.

Remember, this and future elections arent just about who wins, or which party holds power. Theyre about the integrity of the people we trust to uphold the rule of law and our American democracy. The legitimacy of our institutions depends on judges who value fairness over faction, principle over politics, and truth over tribalism.

When we elect judges, or vote to retain them, were not choosing referees for one season. Were selecting guardians of justice whose decisions will echo for generations. We need leaders who treat the Constitution not as a weapon but as a promise.

We cannot only care about the courts when someone we know, or an issue we cherish, lands before them. By then, its too late. The rules that shape our freedoms tomorrow depend on the votes we cast or fail to cast today.

Its easy to be cynical. Washington is broken. The headlines are endless. But cynicism is the ally of those who want fewer people to vote and fewer people to believe their voice matters. The cure for that fatigue isnt despair but participation.

Nov. 4 is not just another election date; its a moral checkpoint for this country. When we vote, were not only shaping policy, were declaring that the American experiment is worth defending. The right to vote is sacred because its how we hold power accountable. The moment we take that right for granted, we begin to lose it.

So, plan to vote. Bring a friend. Talk to your neighbors. Remind your family that democracy isnt something we inherit, but something we build, together, ballot by ballot.

Rogette Harris is chair of the Dauphin County Democrats and a member of PennLives Editorial Board.
National Bank downgrades GDP growth forecast for 2025 from 2.1% to 1.9%, in 2026 from 2.3% to 2%

The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) has downgraded the countrys economic growth forecast for 2025 to 1.9% from 2.1% in its previous July macroeconomic forecast due to energy shortages, destruction of gas production facilities and labor shortages.

According to data published by the NBU on Thursday, the forecast for 2026 has also been lowered - from 2.3% to 2%.

"As per the NBUs estimates, economic growth picked up in Q3 2025 thanks to the intensification of early crop harvesting, sustained consumer demand, and an improved situation in the energy sector, which lasted through the end of September. The expected increase in budgetary stimuli at the end of the year will support further recovery," NBU Governor Andriy Pyshnyy said at a briefing on Thursday.

However, energy shortages caused by the recent destruction of infrastructure and natural gas production facilities, coupled with labor shortages, will significantly hamper businesses activity.

In the following years, economic growth is expected to accelerate moderately on the back of larger harvests and increased investments in reconstruction projects and the defense sector.

"Investment activity will also be positively impacted by Ukraines further progress on the path of European integration and the economys gradual return to normal functioning conditions. This will be reflected, among other things, in the stabilization of the energy sector and the reversal of the negative migration trend. Considering the said factors, the NBU forecasts Ukraines real GDP to grow by 2% in 2026 and 2.8% in 2027," the NBU governor added.

As reported, the Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture Oleksiy Sobolev, at the Question Hour to the government in the Rada on October 10, reported that the growth of the Ukrainian economy would continue in the second half of 2025. During September and October, it will be at the level of 3-4%. For 2026, the Ministry of Economy estimates GDP growth at approximately 2.5%.

The World Bank also worsened the forecast for the growth of the Ukrainian economy - to 2% in both 2025 and 2026.
The state ethics commission ordered Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams to pay a fine for using city property for personal use. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

The state Ethics Commission ordered Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams to pay a $912.70 fine for instructing city employees to deliver a city-owned dumpster to her home in 2022 for her personal use.

Williams agreed to pay the fine instead of going through a hearing, which the commission said would have found her in violation of state ethics laws.

Mayor Williams did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The commission found Williams used her personal cellphone in May 2022 to text then Public Works Director Nate Spriggs asking him to bring back a city dumpster to her home. My residents have also utilized the dumpster! she added.

Williams had previously insisted the city dumpster was available to the whole neighborhood.

He didnt do it just for me, Williams said at the time.

Over the next week, city employees hauled the fully filled dumpster between the mayors residence and the trash dump at the Susquehanna Resource Management Complex at least three times, using two city-owned trucks. This was around the time the mayor and her husband moved to a new home.

On June 3, 2022, Williams again texted Spriggs, asking him to bring the dumpster back, adding that this will be the last time.

Under city law, Harrisburg residents must pay an upfront $230 fee to use a dumpster for up to 10 days, plus another $214.25 per ton of waste, in dumping fees. The waste from Williams property cost $1,491.18. The commission found no records that she paid any of those fees.

Harrisburg taxpayers have already paid tens of thousands of dollars on legal representation for the mayor in connection with investigations by the state Ethics Commission and a high-profile lawsuit by former Public Works Director Nate Spriggs.

Earlier last month, a Dauphin County judge ordered the Williams administration for the second time  to release almost 1,500 invoices that would show how much taxpayer money has been spent in total. The records are due by Nov. 3, one day before the mayoral election where she will face off against City Treasurer Dan Miller.

Marc Weinstein, the attorney representing Spriggs, said the administration had 30 days to file an appeal but hasnt, suggesting it plans to comply and submit the invoices by Nov. 3.

Under Pennsylvanias Public Official and Employee Ethics Act, government officials are prohibited from engaging in conduct that creates a conflict of interest, including any benefit in the form of money, property, or other economic gain.

State ethics commission Executive Director Mary Fox said the agencys investigations are focused on enforcing the public trust in government.

Williams has agreed not to be reimbursed with taxpayer dollars for the fine.

The ethics investigation is an offshoot from Spriggs pending lawsuit, which claims he was fired June 2022 for repeatedly refusing to promote Williams son, Dion Dockens, to a supervisory position within the public works department at Williams behest.

Spriggs was also fired because he voiced concerns that Williams broke state law by trying to pressure him into promoting her son, he said.

Williams and the city  as two separate defendants  argue Spriggs was fired for seeking raises for himself and Austin Griffin, his deputy director, despite being told not to do so.

City spokeswoman Mischelle Moyer previously called Spriggs attorney Weinstein a showboater who is very much into propaganda.

In response, Weinstein said his challenges to the Williams administration ...is not showboating. Its transparency. Just because they lack it doesnt mean we wont pursue it.
A person pushes a protester blocking a caravan of U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel trying to enter Coast Guard Base Alameda on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) AP

By TERRY CHEA and CHRISTOPHER WEBER, Associated Press

ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP)  President Donald Trump said Thursday that hes backing off a planned surge of federal agents into San Francisco after speaking to the mayor, as protesters gathered outside a U.S. Coast Guard base where they were located.

Trump posted on social media that Mayor Daniel Lurie told him Wednesday night that the city was making progress in reducing crime. Trump said he agreed to let San Francisco keep trying on its own.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents began arriving Thursday at Coast Guard Island in Alameda, California, to support federal efforts to track down immigrants in the country illegally. Several hundred people, many singing hymns and carrying signs saying No ICE or troops in the Bay, referring to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, gathered at the base shortly after dawn.

Police used at least one flash-bang grenade to clear a handful of demonstrators from the entrance as CBP vehicles drove through. Organizers urged protesters to remain peaceful, as a line of Coast Guard officers in helmets watched from just outside the entrance.

Lurie said Thursday morning he received a phone call from Trump Wednesday night in which the president told him he was calling off any plans for a federal deployment in San Francisco. Lurie said in a statement that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem reaffirmed that direction in a conversation Thursday morning.

It was not clear if the president was canceling a National Guard deployment or calling off immigration enforcement by CBP agents. Luries office did not respond to requests for clarification. Lurie planned a noon news conference to discuss the situation further.

After the presidents announcement, California Gov. Gavin Newsoms office said on X: Trump has finally, for once, listened to reason  and heard what we have been saying from the beginning. The Bay Area is a shining example of what makes California so special, and any attempt to erode our progress would damage the work weve done.

The San Francisco Chronicle, citing an anonymous source with knowledge of the operation, reported Wednesday that more than 100 CBP and other federal agents would arrive this week. Lurie and Newsom, both Democrats, condemned the move, saying it was meant to provoke violent protests.

Trump has repeatedly said he plans to deploy National Guard troops to San Francisco to quell crime, but his administration hasnt offered a timeline for doing so. His assertions of out-of-control crime in the city of roughly 830,000 have baffled local and state leaders, who point to statistics showing that many crimes are at record lows.

Trump has deployed the Guard to Washington, D.C., and Memphis, Tennessee, to help fight what he says is rampant crime. Los Angeles was the first city where Trump deployed the Guard, arguing it was necessary to protect federal buildings and agents as protesters fought back against mass immigration arrests.

He has also said they are needed in Chicago and Portland, Oregon. Lawsuits from Democratic officials in both cities have so far blocked troops from going out on city streets.

Coast Guard Island is an artificial island formed in 1913, and the Coast Guard first established a base there in 1926. The island is owned by the federal government and is not open to the general public, so escorts or specific government ID cards are required for visitors. The Coast Guard is part of the Department of Homeland Security, which also houses ICE and CBP.

Weber reported from Los Angeles. Associated Press journalists Jonathan Mattise in Nashville, Tennessee, and Janie Har in San Francisco contributed.
Its not hard to see the three Democratic State Supreme Court justices facing retention elections Nov. 4 drawing more no than yes votes and, you know, ending up disrobing.

Why? Easier to vote no. Dont need to know anything. Yes implies voter-awareness of justices and their body of work (as if). The electorate isnt especially happy. And, Republicans, touting new registration gains, see a chance to prove Pennsylvanias getting redder.

Then again, in the half-century-plus that weve had retention elections  via a 1968 constitutional amendment  only one justice lost (Philly Democrat Russell Nigro, 2005, due largely to voter anger over a legislative pay raise Nigro had no role in, and reports of excessive expenses). Thats quite a record of voters doing the same thing. So, maybe this lemming-like love of yes continues.

Its just that this year, partisan politics hang on retention elections like TP on trees at Halloween. Ironic given retentions, with no opponents, no party affiliation on the ballot, were adopted, as the Pennsylvania League of Women Voters proposed 58 years ago, to help keep the courts out of politics and politics out of the courts.

Howd that work out? Im pretty sure you know. Partisan politics now drives government at every level, including the judiciary. The bottom line here is simple. Taking out three Democrats on a 5-2 Democratic court would be a bright red GOP coup; preserving the Dem edge, a big deep Democratic sigh of relief. For lots of reasons, foremost, the chance to control the court during 2028 elections.

Hence, a multimillion-dollar war with vote no TV ads, mailers, social media, and big-dollar vote yes efforts in response. Which partisanship do state voters prefer these days? Justices David Wecht, Kevin Dougherty and Christine Donohue are about to find out.

(An aside: each justice faces retention for a second 10-year term, but Donohue, would only be able to serve two more years since shell turn 75, the mandatory retirement age for Pennsylvania judges, in 2027.)

Wheres the race headed, and why? A Franklin & Marshall College poll this month showed almost half of Republicans, Democrats and Independents undecided, making outcomes unpredictable.

So, I reached out to a dozen people from both parties, across the state, familiar with the court and state politics. All experienced. All smart. I offered anonymity in exchange for blunt honesty on whether no or yes carries the day. Here are sample responses.

From a Philly Democrat: `No. Because the money is so overwhelming and `no always starts with a third (of the vote). Add in poor Philly turnoutI find this very upsetting.

From a Philly Republican: The Ds hold the seats because they are defending more hot button issues their voters care about (abortion rights, voting rights) and because the Rs ground game without Trump in the race is much less potent.

A central Pennsylvania Independent: The Democrats win because retention elections are designed to keep judges in office even when their decisions are wrong or unpopular.

A central Pennsylvania Republican: I think `no ekes it out because a baseline number of Democrats want term limits and/or cant distinguish PA Supremes from SCOTUS.

A western Pennsylvania Democrat: The `yes side prevails. Its very difficult to convince voters to do something theyre not used to doing.

Other yes proponents note a Gov. Shapiro TV ad supporting retention as effective, given Shapiros ongoing popularity. Other no predictors say voters moods (nearly half, 46%, see the state on the wrong track, according to this months F&M poll) mean more no votes.

But all in all, my dozen voted 7-5 for a yes result, some with caveats and hedges, some with ifs such as Philly turnout. And one side suggestion was Donohue wins while Wecht and Dougherty lose.

The takeaway? A close retention victory for all three  unless my dozen turn out to be more daft then deft.

John Baer may be reached at baer.columnist@gmail.com
Residents of central Pennsylvania should prepare for a cool, unsettled weather pattern with frequent showers and temperatures running below normal through Friday.

A series of atmospheric disturbances will bring intermittent rain showers, primarily targeting northwestern Pennsylvania, with temperatures struggling to reach the 50s and 60s. Wind gusts up to 20 miles per hour will contribute to the brisk conditions, making it feel even cooler.

The National Weather Service forecasts light to moderate rain showers developing overnight and continuing through Thursday, with the highest likelihood of precipitation in areas north of Interstate 80 and west of Interstate 99.

Some locations might experience brief periods of tiny hail or wet graupel mixed with rain, particularly in the northern regions.

Temperatures will remain chilly, with daytime highs ranging from 45 to 60 degrees - approximately five to 10 degrees below normal seasonal averages.

Overnight lows are expected to hover between 35 and 45 degrees, with potential for light frost in some areas Friday and Saturday nights.

The weather pattern is expected to stabilize by the weekend, with high pressure building in and bringing drier conditions. Saturday and Sunday should see improving weather, with decreasing chances of precipitation and gradually moderating temperatures.

Looking ahead to early next week, forecasters anticipate mainly dry weather through Monday, with increasing uncertainty about potential weather systems developing Tuesday and Wednesday.

Residents are advised to dress in layers, be prepared for occasional showers, and stay informed about changing weather conditions.

Current weather radar

Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story, which was reviewed and edited by PennLive.com staff.
New Jersey surveyors examined seaside areas that saw heavy amounts of sand loss on its beaches after a nor'easter on Oct. 12-13. Strathmere, a waterfront section of Upper Township, Cape May County, saw heavy loads of sand loss during the storm, officials say. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, provided

A noreaster that brushed the coast last week carved steep cliffs into beaches south of Long Beach Island, where state investigators say the Jersey Shore saw its worst sand losses and officials are now assessing the cost of replenishment.

Officials in several shore communities reported strong beach erosion after a weekend storm that caused a blend of heavy rain and moderate and severe flooding. Strong ocean swells were fueled by astronomical tides and strong gusts of more than 50 mph.

New Jersey officials said much of the shoreline from southern Ocean County to Cape May County experienced moderate to major sloped erosion, forming steep sand cliffs known as scarpingvertical drop-offs where higher dunes were sheared away by rising waters.

Notable beach erosion was observed south of the Manasquan Inlet in Monmouth County, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection said.

While many beaches may have withstood the impacts of the Oct. 12-13 noreaster, combined impacts of Hurricane Erin, the recent effects of nearby Hurricane Imelda and offshore Hurricane Humberto, and this noreaster are apparent in the form of more heavily sloped erosion, several groins (coastal protection structures constructed perpendicular to beaches) becoming exposed or more exposed, and more frequent wave runup to upper beaches and seawalls and to or into the dunes, NJDEP officials said in an email to NJ Advance Media.

U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, who represents much of the Jersey Shore on Capitol Hill, said hes hoping to coordinate a sand loss response with the Army Corps of Engineers, whose federally led projects help restore the states beaches.

Theyre still assessing the damage and have teams on the ground right now, so well know more in the coming days, Van Drew, (R-2nd Dist.), said in a statement. In the meantime, Ive already requested disaster recovery authority and supplemental federal funding to help us respond quickly if the damage meets the threshold.

Moderate to major erosion was reported throughout Ocean County, state environmental officials said. Surveyors found significant damage to dune crossovers, which are areas that give beachgoers access to the sand, in areas such as Bay Head, Mantoloking and Seaside Park.

Beach Haven and Holgate also endured similar damage, with the formation of sand cliffs around 10 feet high, officials said

A few miles south, most erosion in the Atlantic County area was reported at Brigantine and Atlantic City, both of which saw minor to moderate losses of sand.

The gaming resorts north end beaches again saw the most sand loss. About 1.2 million cubic yards of sand were already replaced on those beaches after a rash of coastal storms last year.

Farther south, some of the most alarming sand loss was seen in Strathmere, the coastal area of Upper Township, which has continued to be stripped of sand since its last large-scale replenishment early last year.

While sand totals fall toward a minimum, Upper Township officials previously said the municipality was depending on its dune system to maintain the shoreline.

State officials said they documented new areas where the neighborhoods dune system was lost to the surging ocean.

Approximately two blocks of total or near total dune loss occurred in Strathmere between Seaview and Seacliff avenues, resulting of wave run-up and overwash on nearby streets, NJDEP officials said.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has said he believes that the ceasefire is the first step towards ending the war and that they should stop where they are, and that everyone should put pressure on Russia to bring it to negotiations.

"Good to be in DC today to talk about #NATO support to bring the war against Ukraine to a just and lasting end. Im grateful to @POTUS President Trump for his crucial work to stop the killing. A ceasefire is the first step - they should stop where they are. Ukraine is ready & its important that all continue to apply pressure - through support to Ukraine, sanctions, shadow fleet, and more - to bring Russia to the table," he said on X after visiting with US President Donald Trump at the White House.

As reported, Trump believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready for negotiations.
Defense forces destroy 92 of 130 Russia targets during night attack, record hits of 25 UAVs at 11 locations

Ukrainian defense forces neutralized 92 enemy targets out of 130 that attacked Ukraine last night. Some 25 UAVs hit at 11 locations and falling debris at another 11 locations, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said.

"According to preliminary data, as of 8:30 a.m., air defense shot down/suppressed 92 enemy UAVs of the Shahed, Gerbera type and drones of other types in the north and east of the country," the report ays.

In total, on the night of October 23 (from 19:00 on October 22), the enemy attacked 130 attack UAVs of the Shahed, Gerbera type and drones of other types from the following directions: Kursk, Millerovo, Shatalovo, Orel, Primorsko-Akhtarsk - Russian Federation, Chauda  temporarily occupied Crimea, about 80 of them  Shahed UAVs.

The air attack was repelled by aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare and unmanned systems units, and mobile fire groups of the Defense Forces of Ukraine.

25 strike UAVs were recorded at 11 locations, as well as the fall of downed UAVs (fragments) at 11 locations.

The attack continues, there are several enemy UAVs in the airspace.
World Tournament of Slots: PokerNews Meets Stephanie Hall, 2024 Winner

Sam Coyle Senior iGaming & CRO Manager Copy link

We're super excited for the World Tournament of Slots 2025 Main Registration set for later today, as 500 players begin the journey to topping the slots and scoring the $1 million prize!

But before we learn who's playing and when, our very own Chad Holloway took the opportunity to sit down with 2024 WTOS champion, Stephanie Hall to get her thoughts on this year's competition.

PokerNews Meets Slots Champion, Stephanie Hall

Speaking to PokerNews Podcast host Chad Holloway, Stephanie reflected on the excitement (and slightly surreal feeling) of being back at the Atlantis Paradise Island resort and having the opportunity to defend her crown as the world champion of slots. She revealed that her aim was to follow her beloved Green Bay Packers, who won Super Bowls I and II, and notch back-to-back WTOS wins.

She also let us in on a little secret: her husband also plans to enter the tournament, so it could be husband against wife in the later rounds, depending on their respective progress!

"We've got a couple of chances, we're kind of battling each other, but at the same time someone's going to win it and the feeling is just amazing."

How about some tips for playing tournament slots?

We all know slots aren't skill games and your chances of winning are based on random luck, but Stephanie was forthcoming in offering some handy tips for giving yourself the best chance of coming out on top:

"So the 3 minutes feels like forever, and your arm is going to go dead. Push through the pain, don't stop hitting the button, and just focus."

Sounds simple right? But having already seen some players practising, in addition to footage from last year's competition, proves this is not a tournament for the faint-hearted.

Never chase losses Never chase losses Always set limits Always set limits Take regular breaks Take regular breaks Responsible Gambling

Top of the Slots: Hall vs. Mizrachi

As an added attraction on top of the main event, tournament organizers myVIP have arranged a special competition, bringing together Stephanie with 2025 World Series of Poker Winner, Michael Mizrachi. The two titans will go head-to-head in a special slots battle, which promises to offer even more slots excitement.

And even though she's the reigning champ, Stephanie confided that she was apprehensive about testing herself against 'The Grinder':

"I've heard so much about him, how amazing he is, and I'm excited to go head-to-head. I'm a little nervous because he's a little more skilled than me, but that's all right."

This promises to be one of the main attractions at WTOS 2025, and as always, PokerNews will be on the ground to capture the action live!

WTOS 2024 Recap: Stephanie Hall Conquers All

Stating as such in our interview, Stephanie was just a casual slots player from Idaho when she decided to spin for a place at the 2024 myVIP World Tournament of Slots, and had no idea that she would end up as the millionaire winner.

Playing on the POP! Slots free app, she used her myVIP Rewards points to enter a tournament with other myVIP slots players. From there, she was lucky enough to scoop a free seat at the 2024 tournament. Speaking with WTOS myVIP Host Tiffany about her win, Hall said:

When I saw my name on the list, Im pretty sure I screamed and jumped around. Its all kind of a blur.

The 2024 tournament brought together 500 keen slots players from the US and beyond, so the odds were already stacked against Stephanie, but she emerged as the grand finale winner on the final night. She recalled the magical moment when her name was called:

I paused for a minute like, do I stand up? Am I gonna fall over? We worked our way up to the stage, and had so many friends cheering me on as I walked up there. It was an amazing time, it was life-changing."

2024 winner, Stephanie Hall, with her $1m prize cheque.

Starting 'Training' Now for WTOS 2026!

Want to be in with a shout of playing for $1m in the Bahamas next year?

Your best bet is getting some practice in with the free slots apps from premier app brand, Playstudios. There are four free slot apps to choose from, each offering a host of free slot games, social tournaments, and the chance to earn some real-life rewards through the myVIP Rewards scheme.

You can play any Playstudios app to start earning myVIP Rewards points.

If you need further convincing, here's Stephanie again on how she found herself at the 2024 tournament:

"I play POP! Slots and I entered. I used my loyalty points to enter a tournament to try to win a trip to the Bahamas."

Use our exclusive bonus links below to grab some free chips when you download your chosen app:

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The first of five starting flights is in the books in the $1,100 Main Event here at the PokerStars Open Maryland hosted by Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland. Of the 60 entries tallied in Day 1a, only 9 players will return for Day 2 on Sunday, all of whom have locked up a min-cash.

Paul Hunter emerged as the overwhelming chip leader, bagging an astounding 568,500 - more than second and third place combined. Hunter ascended atop the leaderboard late in the day when he clashed with John Mayo, another big stack at the table, holding pocket aces. He showed no signs of slowing down as the money bubble approached, and eventually went on to eliminate David Olshan on the stone bubble by winning a classic coin flip.

Rounding out the podium is Jhordy Sanchez in second with an impressive 348,000 and Bryan Reyes in third with a respectable 176,500.

Day 1a Chip Counts

Rank Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Paul Hunter United States 568,500 190 2 Jhordy Sanchez United States 348,000 116 3 Bryan Reyes United States 176,500 59 4 Daniel Cosner United States 169,500 57 5 Mariya Persanova United States 143,500 48 6 Charles Furey United States 142,500 48 7 Z Stein United States 112,000 37 8 William Beer United States 103,500 35 9 Sharman Olshan United States 36,000 12

Notable Eliminations

PokerStars ambassador Caitlin Comeskey saw an early exit, busting during the first few levels of play. WSOP bracelet winner Yaser Al-Keliddar was eliminated shortly after the dinner break when his pocket jacks ran into William Beers set of fours. Baltimore native and tournament crusher Aaron Pinson was next to see the door not long thereafter.

Others who fell short on Day 1a include Matthew Zambanini and Joshua Mischel. They will have more opportunities to find a bag for Day 2 with four more starting flights left to play.

Yaser Al-Keliddar

Day 1b will begin Thursday, October 23 at 11:15 a.m. local time, with blinds starting at 100/100 with a 100 big blind ante. Play for Day 1 flights will conclude once 15% of the field remains and those who bag will be in the money. Day 2 will then start at the earliest blind level of the five flights on Sunday, October 26, where the event will play down to a winner.

Be sure to follow PokerNews throughout the entirety of the $1,100 Main Event here at the 2025 PokerStars Open Maryland.
The European Union has agreed on the 19th package of sanctions against Russia.

"We are very pleased to announce that the Council has adopted the 19th package of sanctions," the Danish presidency of the Council of the European Union said on Thursday.
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Ali Rockett covers the city of Charleston, from inside City Hall to outer West Ashley. She previously worked at papers in Virginia and her home state of North Carolina.
The U.S. Department of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is imposing further sanctions as a result of Russias lack of serious commitment to a peace process to end the war in Ukraine, according to a press release on the Departments website on Wednesday.

"Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire. Given President Putins refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russias two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlins war machine," said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent.

Todays action targets Russias two largest oil companies, Open Joint Stock Company Rosneft Oil Company (Rosneft) and Lukoil OAO (Lukoil).

Rosneft and Lukoil are being designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 for operating or having operated in the energy sector of the Russian Federation economy.

Additionally, OFAC is designating a number of Russia-based Rosneft and Lukoil subsidiaries. All entities owned 50% or more, directly or indirectly, by Rosneft and Lukoil are blocked pursuant to E.O. 14024, even if not designated by OFAC.

The U.S. Department also said that in addition, foreign financial institutions that conduct or facilitate significant transactions or provide any service involving Russias military-industrial base, including any persons blocked pursuant to E.O. 14024, run the risk of being sanctioned by OFAC.

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.

"The United States will continue to advocate for a peaceful resolution to the war, and a permanent peace depends entirely on Russias willingness to negotiate in good faith. Treasury will continue to use its authorities in support of a peace process," OFAC said.
Wyatt Barczak is a News Clerk for The Post and Courier. He graduated from the College of Charleston. He contributes to The Post and Courier's arts and entertainment section, Charleston Scene.
Morgan Cook is a news intern for The Post and Courier Columbia. She is a sophomore journalism major at the University of South Carolina.
Chloe Barlow is a multimedia reporter straight out of the Midlands. She trained in journalism at both the University of South Carolina and Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. She covers a wide breadth of South Carolina news, but she is especially interested in accountability and justice reporting.
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EU High Representative Kaja Kallas has said that she believes that with the adoption of the 19th package of EU sanctions against Russia, it will become even more difficult for Vladimir Putin to finance his war against Ukraine.

"We just adopted our 19th sanctions package.It targets Russian banks, crypto exchanges, entities in India and China, among others.The EU is curbing Russian diplomats movements to counter the attempts of destabilisation. It is increasingly harder for Putin to fund this war," she said on X on Thursday.

As Kallas noted, the EU is restricting the movement of Russian diplomats to counter attempts at destabilization.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lukke Rasmussen also said that the new package will introduce new comprehensive measures that will affect Russias oil and gas and financial sectors, as well as its shadow fleet.

Rasmussen highlighted the ban on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas as an important step towards the EUs complete rejection of Russian energy resources.

Earlier, Kallas stated after the meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on October 20 that after the approval of the 19th package of EU sanctions against Russia, work will begin on the 20th package, and it will not be the last.

As reported, on September 19, the European Commission presented the 19th package of EU sanctions against Russia. This package proposed the introduction of sanctions in the energy, finance and military technologies sectors. In particular, in the energy sector - a ban on the import of Russian LNG (liquefied natural gas) to EU markets. The ban should come into force from January 2027 (a year earlier than planned in the REPowerEU). Also included is a complete ban on transactions for Rosneft and Gazpromneft, sanctions against 118 "shadow fleet" vessels that help circumvent oil restrictions and additional control over traders (in particular in China).

In the field of finance and cryptocurrency: for the first time - sanctions against crypto platforms and cryptocurrency transactions that Russia uses to circumvent restrictions; ban on the Mir payment system (for foreign banks cooperating with it), sanctions against banks in the Russian Federation and third countries that help circumvent sanctions.

In the field of military technologies and exports  the sanctions "blacklists" 45 companies (in the Russian Federation and third countries) that support the Russian military-industrial complex and puts special emphasis on the ban on the export of technologies for the production of drones.
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NEW YORK, NY AND NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESS Newswire / October 23, 2025 /Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have untilOctober 28, 2025to 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.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of Dow and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-dow/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court byOctober 28, 2025 .About the LawsuitDow 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 Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. This past year, KSF was ranked by SCAS among the top 10 firms nationally based upon total settlement value. KSF serves a variety of clients, including public and private institutional investors, and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana, Chicago, and a representative office in Luxembourg.TOP 10 Plaintiff Law Firms - According to ISS Securities Class Action ServicesTo learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com Contact:Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partnerlewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163CONNECT WITH US: Facebook || Instagram || YouTube || TikTok || LinkedInSOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / October 23, 2025 / Attorney Advertising Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is investigating Grindr Inc. ("Grindr") (NYSE:GRND) for potential breaches of fiduciary duty on the part of its directors and management. Investors who purchased Grindr and continue to hold to the present are encouraged to obtain additional information and assist the investigation by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/GRND Investigation DetailsThe investigation concerns whether Grindr's board of directors breached its fiduciary duties and failed to provide relevant information to its shareholders.Grindr's SEC filings have revealed a proposal to take the Company private that will be put forth by its two majority shareholders. The Company has not indicated that the acceptance of this proposal will require a shareholder vote.What's Next?If you are aware of any facts relating to this investigation or purchased Grindr shares, you can assist this investigation by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/GRND . You can also contact Peretz Bronstein or his client relations manager, Nathan Miller, of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC: 332-239-2660There is No Cost to YouWe represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & GrossmanBronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, or Instagram.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.ContactBronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Nathan Miller332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC
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National awards spotlighted innovation, leadership, and impact across Canada's digital economyTORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / October 23, 2025 / Canada's leading technology executives were recognized this week at the2025 CanadianCIO of the Year Awards , honouring the CIOs and CISOs driving transformation and resilience across the country.This long-standing national event celebrated the people whose leadership is shaping Canada's innovation landscape and strengthening the systems that power its economy. From modernizing public services to scaling global businesses, technology leaders are turning complex challenges into opportunities for progress.Hosted by the CIO Association of Canada (CIOCAN), the awards returned on October 22, 2025, continuing a national tradition that highlights the vision, strategy, and collaboration behind the country's most impactful digital transformations."Technology leaders are behind some of the most important changes happening in Canada today," said Shaun Guthrie, President and Chair of CIOCAN. "These awards highlight the people who make innovation real in their organizations and who are helping to build a stronger, smarter digital future." First launched by Fawn Annan and Jim Love during their time with IT World Canada (ITWC), the CanadianCIO of the Year Awards have celebrated excellence in technology leadership for more than a decade. Now, under a renewed partnership with Jim Love and Tech News Day, CIOCAN has reignited that legacy with a fresh focus and expanded reach.Behind every major shift in how Canadians live, work, and do business are technology leaders whose decisions shape the country's progress. They are not politicians or public figures. They are the CIOs and CISOs modernizing public systems, scaling global businesses, protecting infrastructure, and guiding transformation at every level of society.Their work is strategic, their decisions carry national impact, and their leadership deserves recognition on a national stage.2025 Award RecipientsCIO of the Year - Private Sector is awarded to a leader who leverages technology to achieve genuine business outcomes - fostering growth and enhancing the customer experience.Catherine Desgagnes-Belzil:Executive Vice-President and Leader, Business Performance and Information Technology, BenevaCIO of the Year - Public Sector is awarded to a leader who is modernizing government or public institutions, making services more accessible to communities.Scott McKenna:Chief Information Officer, Nova Scotia Health AuthorityCIO of the Year - Not-for-Profit is awarded to a leader who uses technology to strengthen community impact and consistently expand mission-driven work.Lesa O'Brien:Executive Vice-President, Digital Strategy and Technology, Canadian Cancer SocietyCISO of the Year is awarded to a leader with exceptional strength in cybersecurity - protecting data, infrastructure, and public trust in the current digital landscape.Brent Fowles:Director, Cyber Security and Business Services, Western UniversityEach recipient will be inducted into the new CIOCAN CanadianCIO Hall of Fame and receive a complimentary one-year CIOCAN membership in recognition of their lasting contributions to Canada's technology community.Sponsor and Media Partner AcknowledgementThis year's program was supported by Bell (Innovator Sponsor), Quantiphi (Trailblazer Sponsor), and Infolaser (Catalyst Sponsor), whose commitment to innovation and leadership continues to strengthen Canada's technology community. CIOCAN was also proud to partner with Digital Journal as its official media partner, helping share the stories of Canada's top technology leaders with audiences nationwide.About the CIO Association of Canada (CIOCAN)The CIO Association of Canada is the only national professional association that connects IT executives across the country, empowering them to consistently grow as leaders. Our members are not just technologists - they represent change, innovation, and community. CIOCAN helps Canada's top technology leaders thrive in today's digital world through informed networking and a commitment to professional excellence. Learn more atciocan.ca About Tech News DayTech News Day continues the mission founded by IT World Canada: to tell the stories of technology in business and society through a distinctly Canadian lens. Its platforms include Tech News Day, civicspace.ca , and the popular podcasts Hashtag Trending and Cybersecurity Today. Visittechnewsday.cato learn more.Media Contact: Lorraine Bauer, Executive Director CIO Association of Canada lorraine.bauer@ciocan.ca SOURCE: CIO Association of Canada
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NEW ORLEANS, LA AND NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / October 23, 2025 /Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have untilNovember 14, 2025to 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.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of Fluor and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-flr/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court byNovember 14, 2025 .About the LawsuitFluor 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 Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. This past year, KSF was ranked by SCAS among the top 10 firms nationally based upon total settlement value. KSF serves a variety of clients, including public and private institutional investors, and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana, Chicago, and a representative office in Luxembourg.TOP 10 Plaintiff Law Firms - According to ISS Securities Class Action ServicesTo learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com Contact:Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partnerlewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163CONNECT WITH US: Facebook || Instagram || YouTube || TikTok || LinkedInSOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
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"The ex-New Jersey Attorney General and former DEA Administrator promised to modernize justice through data. Instead, under her watch, illegal marijuana empires flourished - while her own deputies bent the law and broke public trust" said Duane Boise CEO MMJ International Holdings.WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESS Newswire / October 22, 2025 / Anne Milgram rose to prominence on a mission to "use data and algorithms to fight crime." As New Jersey's Attorney General from 2007 to 2010, she was praised for bringing analytics to law enforcement.But as DEA Administrator, Milgram's "data-driven" DEA became the very system of corruption, chaos, and incompetence she once claimed algorithms could prevent.DEA Anne Milgram A Digital Reformer Turned Bureaucratic RelicWhen President Biden appointed Anne Milgram to lead the DEA in 2021, she promised to modernize the agency with analytics and accountability. Instead, she presided over one of the most dysfunctional and scandal-ridden eras in its history.Under her watch:Chinese-backed illegal marijuana operations explodedacross the U.S., from Oklahoma to Maine. The DEA's own field divisions were overwhelmed - yet leadership in Washington turned a blind eye.DEA's Diversion Control office, led by Thomas Prevoznik and Matthew Strait, focused its fire not on international criminal networks, but on law-abiding pharmaceutical innovators like MMJ BioPharma Cultivation, which has waited over seven years for a bulk-manufacturing license to grow FDA-approved cannabis for clinical trials.DEA attorney Aarathi Haig, still active in federal cases despite being listed as ineligible to practice by the New Jersey Bar, defended these unconstitutional delays in federal court - raising serious questions about ethical and legal compliance inside the agency."Under Anne Milgram, the DEA ignored actual crime while criminalizing medicine," said Duane Boise, CEO of MMJ International Holdings. "They let illegal Chinese grows flourish while blocking American pharmaceutical research approved by the FDA. It's the definition of hypocrisy." The Algorithm That FailedMilgram's academic brand - data science meets law enforcement - collapsed under the weight of her agency's failures. She promised a DEA guided by real time data, but the evidence shows her team ignored the numbers that mattered most:Explosive growth in Chinese financed cartel grows operating openly across rural America.A DEA licensing backlog that left scientific research frozen for nearly a decade.A federal court system now rejecting the DEA's internal "tribunal" process as unconstitutional - a process her deputies weaponized to silence applicants.Milgram's so-called algorithm became a feedback loop of failure - one that rewarded insiders, punished innovators, and allowed criminal enterprises to thrive in plain sight.Deputies Running RampantInside the agency, Milgram's inner circle functioned like an unchecked network of bureaucratic enforcers:Thomas Prevoznik, the self-styled "policy chief," oversaw licensing and diversion operations that defied congressional mandates and DOJ guidance.Matthew Strait, his deputy, engineered new "bona fide supply agreement" rules retroactively - a legal move now under scrutiny for violating administrative law.Aarathi Haig, the agency's litigation counsel,continued representing DEA in court despite her bar-eligibility controversy, defending unconstitutional proceedings against legitimate pharmaceutical applicants.All of it happened under Milgram's watch - and all of it reflects a DEA that lost sight of both science and law.From Data to DamageIronically, Milgram's downfall mirrors the fatal flaw in her own algorithmic ideology: blind trust in systems without accountability. The DEA's data was clear - illegal foreign grows were multiplying while medical cannabis researchers languished. Yet Milgram's leadership ignored the evidence, weaponizing bureaucracy against legitimate progress.In the end, the "data-driven DEA" turned into a data-blind dictatorship, one that measured everything except its own corruption.A Message for Terry ColeNow, new Administrator Terry Cole inherits the wreckage. His first 100 days will determine whether the DEA reforms or continues Milgram's legacy of deceit."Cole has a chance to rebuild an agency that has betrayed science, Congress, and patients," Boise said. "But if he doesn't act fast, he'll become part of the same algorithm of corruption that destroyed Milgram's credibility." The VerdictAnne Milgram once claimed she could predict criminal behavior through data. She may have succeeded - she just never realized the algorithm would identify her and her own agency.MMJ is represented by attorney Megan Sheehan .CONTACT:Madison Hisey mhisey@ mmjih.com 203-231-8583SOURCE: MMJ International Holdings
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NEW YORK, NY AND NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESS Newswire / October 23, 2025 /Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have untilNovember 18, 2025to 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.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of KBR and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-kbr/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court byNovember 18, 2025 .About the LawsuitKBR 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 Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. This past year, KSF was ranked by SCAS among the top 10 firms nationally based upon total settlement value. KSF serves a variety of clients, including public and private institutional investors, and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana, Chicago, and a representative office in Luxembourg.TOP 10 Plaintiff Law Firms - According to ISS Securities Class Action ServicesTo learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com Contact:Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partnerlewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163CONNECT WITH US: Facebook || Instagram || YouTube || TikTok || LinkedInSOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
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NEW YORK, NY AND NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESS Newswire / October 23, 2025 /Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have untilDecember 2, 2025to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Molina Healthcare, Inc. ("Molina" or the "Company") (NYSE:MOH), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's securities between February 5, 2025 and July 23, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of Molina and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-moh/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court byDecember 2, 2025 .About the LawsuitMolina and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.On July 23, 2025, the Company reported its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025 and cut its full-year 2025 earnings guidance, disclosing that "GAAP net income was $4.75 per diluted share for the second quarter of 2025, a decrease of 8% year over year" and it "now expects its full year 2025 adjusted earnings to be no less than $19.00 per diluted share," due to a "challenging medical cost trend environment," including "utilization of behavioral health, pharmacy, and inpatient and outpatient services." On this news, the price of Molina's shares fell $32.03, or 16.84%, to close at $158.22 per share on July 24, 2025, on unusually heavy trading volume.The case is Hindlemann v. Molina Healthcare, Inc., et al., No. 2:25-cv-09461.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. This past year, KSF was ranked by SCAS among the top 10 firms nationally based upon total settlement value. KSF serves a variety of clients, including public and private institutional investors, and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana, Chicago, and a representative office in Luxembourg.TOP 10 Plaintiff Law Firms - According to ISS Securities Class Action ServicesTo learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com Contact:Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partnerlewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163CONNECT WITH US: Facebook || Instagram || YouTube || TikTok || LinkedInSOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / October 22, 2025 /Revolve Renewable Power Corp. (TSXV:REVV)(OTCQB:REVVF) ("Revolve" or the "Company"), a North American owner, operator and developer of renewable energy projects, reported its financial results for the year ended June 30, 2025 ("FY2025"). This earnings release should be read in conjunction with the Company's consolidated financial statements and management's discussion and analysis, which are available on the Company's website at www.revolve-renewablepower.com and have been posted on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca . All amounts reported are in US dollars."Revolve recorded a 73% increase in recurring revenue from our 13-megawatt ("MW") portfolio of operating assets while making key investments in the continued development of our project pipeline," said CEO Myke Clark. "Our team continued to make significant progress on and investments into our pipeline of late-stage development projects with the goal of creating long-term value for shareholders. This revenue model - combining a growing recurring revenue stream with large project development - provides a stable foundation for growth." Key financial highlights (all figures reported in USD)Total recurring revenue from operating assets of $2,241,357, an increase of 73% from recurring revenue of $1,292,297 in FY2024.Total revenue of $3,983,226 for FY2025, compared to total revenue of $6,742,297 in FY2024. The decrease in total revenue is attributable to deferred consideration payments received in FY2024 from the ENGIE Bouse & Parker project sale transaction, which were not a feature of the FY2025 financials.Net loss for FY2025 of $2,590,122, compared to net income of $2,602,510 in FY2024 as the Company continued to make key investments in its portfolio of late-stage development projects.Energy Production of 15,747,489 kWh from operating assets compared to 8,616,916 kWh in FY2024, an increase of 83%.Gross profit of $ 3,238,341, representing a gross profit margin of 81%. Gross profit decreased from $6,386,416 in the comparative period in F2024 due to the decrease in milestone payments from project asset sales.Cash and security deposits on the balance sheet as at June 30, 2025, was $1,950,895.Key business highlightsDevelop, Own & Operate - Revolve develops, builds, owns and operates smaller utility scale projects as well as distributed generation projects to generate recurring revenue. This revenue stream, supported by a 13 MW operating portfolio, benefited from the full year impact of the Windriver Power Corporation acquisition in 2024 and the addition of the Colima Distributed Generation ("DG") project in Mexico. These projects, in addition to the Company's portfolio of operating DG projects in Mexico, form Revolve's stable platform for future growth based on long-life, contracted renewable energy assets. Revolve made strong progress on the late stage 20 MW Vernal Battery Energy Storage System ("BESS") development project in Utah, the 50 MW Primus Wind Project in Colorado and the 15.7 MW Bright Meadows solar project in Alberta, Canada.Develop & Sell - Revolve develops large utility scale projects from greenfield to ready-to-build, at which point it sells the development rights to large utilities and independent power producers. The Company has benefited from the proceeds received during FY2023 and FY2024 from the sale of the Bouse & Parker solar and storage projects totaling 1,250 MW to ENGIE, which totalled $6.25m during these periods. Revenues from transactions such as this are difficult to predict in terms of timing and there were no payments received from the ENGIE transaction in FY2025. The Company remains optimistic that the remaining milestone payments from the ENGIE transaction, equating to between $40,000-$50,000 per MW, will be received in future periods.During FY2025, the Company also made progress across several other projects in its Develop & Sell portfolio, in particular over 500MW of wind projects in Mexico. The Company's decision to continue to invest in the development of these projects during FY2025 has placed the company in a good position as the Mexican government ramps up private sector investment in the renewable energy sector. By holding these assets through key de-risking milestones, Revolve is positioned to benefit from enhanced project valuations and a stronger overall portfolio that aligns with the Company's long-term growth strategy. The Company continues to actively review and consider partnership and monetisation opportunities for these projects. Revolve also completed the sale of the Afton Solar & Storage project during the period, which was an early stage development project in the US.During FY2025 and subsequent to the fiscal year-end, Revolve completed several transactions and achieved multiple project milestones across its development portfolio:Revolve Expands Mexico Distributed Generation Business with New Partnership. On October 9, 2025, Revolve announced it has signed a partnership agreement dated October 8, 2025 with an experienced Engineer, Procure and Construct company (the "EPC Partner") in Mexico to develop and build a new portfolio of distributed generation power solutions for commercial and industrial customers, targeting two initial portfolios of commercial projects totaling more than 5 MW of capacity. The EPC Partner has previously developed more than 50 MW of distributed generation solar projects and brings valuable expertise to the partnership.Revolve Receives Approval from the Alberta Utilities Commission for the 15.7 MW Bright Meadows Solar Project. On September 15, 2025, Revolve, announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Revolve Meadows Solar GP Inc., has received Power Plant Approval (Decision 29985-D01-2025) from the Alberta Utilities Commission ("AUC") Bright Meadows Solar Project ("Bright Meadows Project"). Located in in the County of Wetaskiwin, Alberta, approximately 80 km south of Edmonton, the Bright Meadows Project is a 15.7 MW solar power project that will generate enough renewable electricity to power more than 3,700 homes once operational. AUC approval is the key regulatory permit required for the Bright Meadows Solar Project and we are now moving forward on the final interconnection and construction planning for this project. Revolve would like to thank the County of Wetaskiwin, the local community and our partners for their support through the AUC process.Revolve Signs Agreement to Acquire 30 MWp Solar Project in Canada. As announced on September 22, 2025, the Company has entered into a binding Letter of Intent ("LOI") to acquire the assets related to the Project and will enter into an asset transf
The 19th package of sanctions by the European Union, as well as US sanctions against Russian oil companies, is a good signal for other countries to join them, it is necessary that the shadow fleet of the Russian Federation is also at their center, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.

"The 19th package is very important But American sanctions are also very important. This is a good signal for other countries of the world to join the sanctions. You know that not only energy, we need the shadow fleet to be at the center (of sanctions - IF-U), and we will continue until Putin stops this war," Zelenskyy said before the start of the European Council meeting in Brussels.

He thanked European Council President Antonio Costa for the invitation to the meeting, as well as for the decision on the 19th package of sanctions.

At the same time, Zelenskyy stressed that Russia does not demonstrate a desire to stop this war, and continues to attack Ukraine, in particular kindergartens, schools, and simply civilians.

"This means that we must not only defend ourselves, but also, together with Europe and the United States, put pressure on Putin to stop this war. Pressure - sanctions packages, air defense, long-range weapons and, of course, financial support, which we will talk about together today," the president said.
AXA Mansard Insurance Plc has announced that its executive director for technical and client services, Rashidat Adebisi, is exiting its directors board by way of resignation, with effect from 31 December.

The underwriter disclosed this in a notice to the Nigerian Exchange Limited on Wednesday, signed by Omowunmi Adewusi, the company secretary.

No mention was made of the reason for her resignation.

Mrs Adebisi joined the board on 24 February 2020, following a regulatory approval of her appointment to the role.

She has served as a member of the Board Risk Management and Technical Committee as well as the Board Investment and Finance Committee.

Her twenty-year career at AXA Mansard commenced with the role of an executive officer after which she advanced to the position of head of transaction service in 2007.

At one point, she was the director of Retail Solutions Division.

Mrs Adebisi is a graduate of Accounting from the University of Lincolnshire & Humberside, UK.

Her time at Churchill Insurance UK (member of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group) laid the foundation of an enduring career in underwriting risk on relocating to Nigeria.

Before her return to Nigeria, she had become an Associate of the Chartered Certified Accountants.

A Chartered Business Administrator, Mrs Adebisi is also a Chartered Financial Consultant of The Institute of Financial Consultants of Canada and an associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute of London

The companys board and management commended her for her positive contributions and dedicated service to the firms growth over the years.

AXA Mansard, a member of the AXA Group, provides life and non-life insurance products and financial advisory services in Nigeria.

A successor to Mrs Adebisi has not yet been named.
On Tuesday, the UKs Charity Commission announced it had frozen the assets of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries International (MFM), a Nigerian-founded church.

On its website, the UK government concluded that its trustees failed to manage the organisations finances properly across its UK branches.

The UK Charity Commission is a non-ministerial department that registers and regulates charities in England and Wales, to ensure that the public can confidently support charities.

MFM, founded by Nigerian cleric Daniel Olukoya, is one of Nigerias most influential Pentecostal churches. It has a strong global presence, particularly in the United Kingdom, where many Nigerian diaspora communities worship.

MFM is not the first Nigerian-founded church to face scrutiny in the UK. In recent years, other Nigerian-origin churches, including SPAC Nation in December 2024 and Christ Embassy in November 2019, have been investigated regarding governance and financial accountability concerns.

The incident raises broader questions about how rapidly expanding churches adapt their internal systems when moving into regulated environments like the UK, where religious organisations registered as charities must meet strict financial reporting standards.

The case has, therefore, sparked wider conversations about financial transparency and governance among fast-growing African churches operating overseas.

How the investigation began

On 27 March 2018, the Charity Commission opened a statutory inquiry into MFM under Section 46 of the UKs Charities Act 2011. Concerns have been raised regarding the possible misappropriation of charity funds and weak internal financial controls.

The Commission discovered that the church had expanded rapidly in the UK, growing from a few branches to more than 90 locations nationwide, without developing a solid financial governance structure to match its growth.

According to the final report, the Commission found that trustees did not properly oversee more than 100 separate bank accounts operated by different church branches. These accounts were opened and managed autonomously, often without informing central leadership or providing timely income reports.

Commissions report

The commission reported that the churchs branches operated independently without central approval and that Major financial decisions, such as property purchases and lease agreements, were made without trustee authorisation.

Additionally, some branches used properties without securing planning permissions, leading to costly legal actions. It highlighted that Poor employment contract management resulted in financial settlements for employment disputes, and the lack of a unified monetary system created serious risks to charitable funds.

As a result, the regulator concluded that donor money was at risk due to weak financial oversight and poor governance.

Interim Manager Appointed to Restore Control

On 1 August 2019, following serious concerns about the trustees ability to manage the charity effectively, the Commission appointed an interim manager under Section 76(3)(g) of the Charities Act. The interim manager worked alongside the trustees to implement critical financial controls.

This oversight continued until 13 September 2024, when the interim manager was discharged after making progress.

Following the conclusion of the investigation, the Charity Commission announced that it had frozen the charitys assets to prevent further financial risk while strengthening accountability structures.

Amy Spiller, Head of Investigations at the Charity Commission, said:

The rapid growth of a charity comes with correspondingly larger potential risks, as our inquiry clearly shows. In this case, the trustees fundamental failure to maintain financial controls meant donor funds were at serious risk across their entire network.

She added that the trustees are better positioned to ensure financial responsibility and compliance following regulatory intervention.

Regulatory Action

Upon completing its review, the Commission issued a regulatory action plan that required MFM to strengthen its governance policies and improve financial transparency. The Commission has confirmed that trustees have complied with the action plan, and the charity is now expected to operate under stricter financial controls going forward.

When this report was filed, neither MFM International nor its founder, Daniel Olukoya, had issued a public statement in response to the Charity Commissions findings.

Collins Edomaruse, the media aide to Mr Olukoya, did not respond to calls or text messages.
Unarguably, four elements defined Nollywoods golden era of the late 90s and early 2000s: compelling stories, impeccable casting, unforgettable performances, and a raw authenticity that made the films impossible to ignore.

When one thinks of a film that embodies all these elements, where customs speak as loudly as the actors and satire captures the spirit of its time, one title instantly comes to mind: Abuja Connection.

Abuja Connection, directed by Michael Ezeanyaeche in 2003, was an expose of the facade of Nigerias capital city. It satirises the secrets many Nigerians already suspected about the elite: politics was as much about the bedroom as it was about the boardroom. Looking back now, this satire still rings true.

The movie made its mark; even today, the phrase Abuja Connection still reflects what the movie dared to portray over two decades ago.

Plot

The opening scene was as gripping as the entire story. Jennifers convoy was instantly overtaken and blocked by another convoy, Sharons.

When the two women step out of their vehicles, verbal sparring begins. Sharon (portrayed by Eucharia Anunobi) accuses Jennifer (played by Clarion Chukwurah-Abiola) of sabotage, of ruining a lucrative contract she had laboured to secure.

But Jennifer, calm and arrogantly composed, responds not with denial but mockery. She brags about how connected she is over her, and to prove her point, she pulls a stunt: She calls the police and gets Sharons bodyguard arrested at that very moment. Now thats a real connection talking!

But would Sharon sit back and do nothing? This scene sets a tone for the movie, and its message is clear: in Abuja, power is not about who is right, but who is rightly connected.

The following scenes reveal that Sharon and Jennifer are not acting alone. They are part of a powerful circle of women led by the Princess (played by Ngozi Ezeonu), whose strategy was simple: to use charm and seduction to win influence. Some did it for money, others for high-level appointments or lucrative government contracts. Their targets were always the wealthy and the political elite.

But even within this circle, rivalry burned hot. At the centre of it all were Jennifer and Sharon, two women locked in a fierce battle for dominance, each determined to prove that she was more powerful than the other.

But why the rivalry, and how far would these women go in their bid for supremacy? Abuja Connection unravels the answer scene by scene, keeping viewers hooked until the end.

Review

The performance was so sharp that many viewers rewound their VHS tapes just to savour it again.

The film follows two women, played with fiery brilliance by Clarion Chukwura-Abiola and Eucharia Anunobi Ekw, who are locked in a battle for control of Abujas world of big contracts and political favors.

Their fight isnt about right or wrong; its about survival. Who can outsmart the other? Who has the stronger connection?

The film also boasted a strong supporting cast. The late Enebeli Elebuwa added weight and authority as he played the role of Senator. Emeka Ani, Ngozi Ezeonu, Sandra Ejikeme, and Oby Edozieh rounded out the cast, so there was no talent shortage.

The film is remembered for its unforgettable moments. One of the most quoted comes in when Chukwura and Anunobi face off. Their words drip with venom, yet they smile through it all, turning a simple argument into a dangerous game of wits.

Another is when Chukwura, in a bid to intensify wealth and influence, was asked by a native doctor to pound some fetish concoction in a portal. As she pounded, the native doctor encouraged her, Pound to your success, This invoked some sort of comedy.

Another standout is Chukwuras chilling monologue on betrayal. Dressed in regal Ankara and gold, she warns her rivals and, by extension, the audience that in Abuja, friends can turn into enemies overnight.

Another outstanding aspect of the movie was the character contrast. Clarion Chukwuras icy calm made her elegant and terrifying, proving why she remains one of Nollywoods legends.

Eucharia Anunobi was her perfect opposite: fiery, flamboyant, and unpredictable. Where Chukwura was ice, Eucharia was fire, and together they created one of Nollywoods most iconic rivalries.

More than just a movie

Part of the films magic was its display of wealth and culture at its time. Viewers were treated to flowing agbadas, dazzling Ankara gowns, heavy jewellery, flashy cars of the time, and mansions.

Looking back, Abuja Connection feels like more than just a movie. It was a bold statement about Nigeria at the time, a young democracy, a society wrestling with corruption, and a system where influence could shape destinies.

And even today, its themes feel fresh. The ruthless competition, the mix of power and intimacy, the survival instincts still mirror Nigerias realities.

Flaws in editing or sound could not weaken its impact. Abuja Connection remains one of Nollywoods boldest classics, proof that the industry can go beyond family melodramas to tell stories of power struggle, greed, and survival.

The story sprawled across Parts 1, 2, and 3, each building on the high-stakes rivalry between Sharon and Jennifer. It was Nollywoods way of keeping audiences hooked, week after week, tape after tape.

Looking back, it stands out as one of those Nollywood classics that deserve a remake.
The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has reaffirmed its commitment to conducting a transparent and democratic national election, warning against attempts by specific individuals to derail the process through misleading legal claims.

In a statement signed by Cornell Udofia, Chief Press Secretary to the AGN National President, on Wednesday, the Guild said preparations for the national election are ongoing and a tentative date will be announced soon.

The Guilds reaction follows what it described as recent developments, including attempts by a suspended member, Maradona Johnson, to disrupt the process by citing a 2013 Federal High Court ruling that, according to the Guild, has long been resolved and is no longer valid.

2013 Court Case

The AGN recalled its 2013 leadership crisis, noting that all disputes from that period have been fully resolved through reconciliation and institutional reforms.

The crisis began in July 2013, when actor Emeka Ike filed a lawsuit challenging the Guilds leadership structure and the provisions of its constitution. The case questioned the legitimacy of the Board of Trustees (BOT) and the tenure of its leadership, sparking deep internal divisions within the organisation.

According to the Guild, the 2013 court judgment focused on the administration of then-President Ibinabo Fiberesima and the AGNs BOT. However, it did not give any leadership authority to Maradona Johnson, nor did it recognise him as president of the Guild.

Peace and reconciliation meeting

The AGN said the matter was fully resolved after a Peace and Reconciliation Meeting in Enugu in August 2017, which produced key outcomes.

The Statement reads, The key resolutions from that meeting included: Dissolution of the affected BOT as directed by the court; Constitution of a new BOT; Formation of a Government of National Unity to stabilize the Guild; Appointment of Dr Ejezie Emeka Rollas MON, as Interim National President; Appointment of Mr. St. Maradona M. Johnson as Treasurer, as part of the peace accord.

Following this reconciliation, Mr Maradona withdrew all pending legal actions against the Guild. He served as Treasurer for two terms, first in the Interim Government and subsequently under the elected administration of 2019. He voluntarily chose not to contest for another term thereafter.

The Statement continues, These facts unequivocally confirm that the Guild has fully complied with the 2013 judgment, the statement read, and that its impact has long been overtaken by goodwill, time, and institutional progress.

While reaffirming its respect for the judiciary, the Guild emphasised that it will not tolerate the misrepresentation of resolved legal matters as an excuse to stall its democratic process.

READ ALSO: Reps push new occupational health and safety bill to protect Nigerian workers

The Guild views Mr Maradonas recent actions as a deliberate attempt to destabilize the organization by weaponizing legal ambiguities for personal gain, the statement said. Such maneuvers are not only unhelpful but run counter to the spirit of peace, progress, and professionalism that AGN now embodies.

The AGN maintained that it remains united under the leadership of Mr Rollas, and assured members that the national election date will be communicated transparently once finalized.

It also urged members to remain calm and law-abiding while the Guilds legal team addresses emerging issues through appropriate legal channels.
Gatefield, a media group focused on driving social change, and health stakeholders have renewed calls for urgent reforms to fix Nigerias health system and improve the countrys low life expectancy.

They made the call at the 2025 Gatefield Health Summit in Abuja on Wednesday. The summit, themed Resilient Health Futures, focuses on tackling chronic diseases, health financing, pandemic preparedness, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and advancing the One Health approach.

In his keynote address, Gatefield Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Adewumi Emoruwa, confronted the reality of Nigerias health crisis, citing life expectancy as a key indicator of systemic failure.

Mr Emoruwa said the average life expectancy of a Nigerian is 54 years noting that its a crisis Nigerians must be aware of.

This means if youre 25 or 27 in Nigeria today, youre already at your half-life. This is not just about when people die. Its about how well they live, he said.

He added that its also about access to nutritious food, clean water, safe medicines, and reliable healthcare, noting that other countries are designing systems that help people live longer and urged Nigeria to do the same.

Funding gap. Maternal health crisis

Speaking on health financing, Mr Emoruwa criticised the vast inequities in global and national funding for health systems, especially in countries bearing the brunt of disease outbreaks.

He noted that Africa is home to 25 per cent of the worlds disease burden meaning that one in every four illnesses globally either originates in or heavily affects the continent.

He also highlighted the contrast in annual health spending per citizen citing that it is over $4,500 in Europe, $12,000 in Switzerland, and just $5 in Nigeria.

Think about it, you need to gather 2,500 Nigerians before you equal the healthcare budget of just one Swiss citizen. Thats the funding gap. And as long as we underfund our own system, well continue outsourcing our health outcomes to fate and luck, he said.

Addressing the devastating state of maternal health, Mr Emoruwa called it a national emergency and highlighted the dramatic reduction in Nigerias family planning budget, a 97 per cent cut between 2024 and 2025.

He stressed that improving womens health is non-negotiable not just for their wellbeing, but for the future of communities and economies.

Womens health is not a side issue, its the foundation of public health. If women arent healthy, families arent healthy. And if families arent healthy, nations cant thrive.

A push for localisation and resilience in care delivery

In his remarks, the Managing Director of the Society for Family Health, Omokhudu Idogho, stressed the compounding pressures Nigerias health system has faced in recent years from pandemics to economic turbulence.

Mr Idogho, who was represented by Anthony Nwala, noted that for him, resilience isnt an abstract concept but a fundamental principle that must inform every stage of health delivery.

Its beyond the concept, it is woven into our design, its woven into our delivery, and its woven into our impact. That is why we must think about resilience in health systems, he said.

He argued that cost-effective healthcare is possible with the right models while also emphasising the power of localisation not just as a buzzword, but as a tested solution to build autonomous, Pan-African health organisations.
Health experts have urged the Nigerian government and stakeholders to strengthen policies that promote gender equity and improve access to sexual and reproductive health services.

Speaking during a panel session titled Women at the Centre: Advancing Gender Equity in Health at the 2025 Gatefield Health Summit in Abuja on Wednesday, the experts warned that cultural barriers, weak infrastructure, and limited funding continue to endanger womens health nationwide.

Kolapo Oyeniyi, a public health specialist, said sexual and reproductive health (SRH) must be treated as a core part of public health, not a separate issue.

Mr Oyeniyi explained that SRH includes physical, emotional, and social well-being related to sexuality and reproduction, for both men and women.

He added that while gender equity is about creating a level playing field, womens empowerment ensures that balance can truly be achieved.

Health centres close too early, limiting access

Mr Oyeniyi decried the lack of accessible SRH services, noting that most primary health centres in Nigeria operate limited hours, closing between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., even though communities need round-the-clock care.

He added that many facilities lack trained personnel capable of providing long-term contraceptive methods such as IUDs and implants, and that restrictive laws on abortion and cultural norms further limit access to care.

We cant have effective planning or integration without accurate data and enabling policies. Social norms like early marriage or stigma around family planning continue to hold communities back, he stated.

He also argued that achieving gender equity in health requires active participation of men in SRH discussions and programmes.

Men remain key decision-makers in most Nigerian households. If theyre not engaged as partners and advocates, women will continue to face barriers in accessing care, he added.

He called for robust male engagement strategies, community education to shift social norms, and increased investment in provider training, equipment, and digital tools to strengthen service delivery.

Integration is the way forward

In his comments, Olufemi Ibitoye, Technical Advisor at Pathfinder International, said integrating SRH services with other essential healthcare programmes would help address systemic inefficiencies and missed opportunities.

Mr Ibitoye noted that many healthcare workers trained on specific interventions fail to cascade knowledge to colleagues, leading to service gaps when trained personnel are unavailable.

Integration is key. We cant keep training one person for one service. We must build a system where every provider can deliver multiple essential services, he said.

He also highlighted the importance of accountability in managing health resources, warning that lack of oversight often leads to waste and poor outcomes.

Mr Oyeniyi further proposed integrating SRH services into non-communicable disease (NCD) clinics, such as those for diabetes and hypertension, to reach a broader population, including men and middle-aged women.

He said such integration would also help address issues around menopause, sexual health, and family planning, which remain poorly understood in many communities.

We cant talk about womens health without addressing what both partners experience. Understanding conditions like menopause is crucial for improving household well-being and workplace productivity, he said.
The federal government has released N32.9 billion under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) to enhance primary healthcare services nationwide.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, announced this in a public message titled The Red Letter: A National Call to Protect Our Health on Wednesday.

According to the minister, the funds have already been disbursed directly into the commercial bank accounts of PHCs, marking the third round of BHCPF releases in 2025.

This money is not sitting in Abuja, Mr Pate said.

It has already begun its journey into the accounts of primary health care facilities in every ward across Nigeria. It is your clinics money. It is your communitys chance. It is your countrys promise.

The minister urged Nigerians to take ownership of their health system and play active roles in monitoring how the funds are used.

Stand up and take ownership. Go to your health facility. Join the committee. Review the plan. Demand openness. Celebrate progress. And above all, make sure the fund truly protects the health of your people, Mr Pate said.

Community involvement

Mr Pate said the BHCPF is the heartbeat of Nigerias renewed hope in health, a signal that government is not only fulfilling its responsibility as the custodian of the fund, but trusting you to help safeguard that spending.

He, however, noted that many communities fail to track how the funds are used.

But too often, we have observed that communities stand aside. Our community members and institutions do not ask how the money is used, or if it reaches the people it was meant for. When that happens, silence becomes a loss, he said.

Each naira in this N32.9 billion is a seed. When you nurture it with vigilance and pride, it grows into medicine, safe births, better infrastructure, and lives saved. When you neglect it, it withers into waste.

Let this Red Letter reach every community, every ward, and every home. Let it remind us that the health of Nigeria lives in the hands of Nigerians.

About BHCPF

The BHCPF, established under the National Health Act (2014), aims to improve primary healthcare in Nigeria by reducing out-of-pocket costs and improving outcomes.

The fund is jointly managed by the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), with direct transfers to accredited facilities.

As of June, the government announced a fresh disbursement of N32.88 billion under the BHCPF to revamp more than 8,000 primary health-care centres across Nigeria.

Also in September, the Executive Director of NPHCDA, Muyi Aina, said the government has disbursed N192 billion to strengthen primary healthcare facilities under the BHCPF.

The statement was made during the National Health Financing Policy Dialogue: Reimagining the Future of Health Financing in Nigeria, organised by NHIA and partners.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported a decline in the number of African countries with active type 2 poliovirus outbreaks, dropping from 24 to 14 between 2024 and 2025.

The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Mohamed Janabi, in a statement to mark the 2025 World Polio Day said the total virus detections also dropped by 54 per cent within the same period.

The World Polio Day, marked on 24 October annually provides an opportunity to highlight global efforts toward a polio-free world and honor the tireless contributions of those on the frontlines in the fight to eradicate polio from every corner of the globe

The theme for the 2025 World Polio Day End Polio: Every Child, Every Vaccine, Everywhere, is a call to ensure that no child, in any setting, is left unprotected.

Mr Janabi said countries in the region have continued to demonstrate resilience and innovation in the fight against the disease.

He noted that the progress achieved in 2025 reflects the impact of sustained political commitment, regional cooperation and investment in public health systems.

He emphasised that no child, regardless of location, should be left unprotected from this preventable disease.

Remarkable progress

Mr Janabi said Africa is making remarkable progress towards eradicating polio, with stronger cross-border collaboration, improved surveillance systems, and expanded immunisation campaigns reaching millions of children across the continent.

He noted that between January and October 2025, 15 African countries reached nearly 200 million children with at least one dose of the polio vaccine through supplementary immunisation rounds.

He said 13 of these countries conducted synchronised vaccination campaigns, including in high-risk and conflict-affected areas.

In the Horn of Africa, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia jointly vaccinated more than 18 million children in two consecutive rounds, a milestone WHO described as evidence of effective regional collaboration.

He said in April 2025, Health Ministers inaugurated a campaign to vaccinate 83 million children in the sub-region, contributing to significant reductions in poliovirus outbreaks and detection rates.

He added that by October 2025, two countries reported type 1 cases, 14 reported type 2, and three reported type 3 poliovirus cases, reflecting continued challenges and progress across Africa.

Mr Janabi added that in May, Madagascar officially declared the end of its circulating variant poliovirus type 1 outbreak after comprehensive response measures and sustained surveillance.

Stronger laboratories, digital innovation driving progress

Mr Janabi said progress across the continent is being reinforced by stronger health systems and laboratory capacity.

He said by mid-2025, 11 WHO-supported laboratories had expanded genomic sequencing capabilities, while six began piloting advanced detection techniques.

He also said Ugandas Sanger sequencing facility, accredited earlier this year, has improved regional capacity for variant tracking.

The Regional Director added that environmental surveillance has also expanded significantly, with 98 per cent of countries in the WHO African Region now monitoring wastewater and sewage for polioviruses, providing early warnings of potential transmission.

He also highlighted how digital innovation is transforming operations.

Over 850,000 frontline health workers now receive digital payments via mobile-money platforms, with 95 per cent paid within 10 days of completing campaigns, he said.

Geospatial mapping by the WHO Africa GIS Centre has further helped countries locate and reach children in remote and nomadic populations that were previously missed.

Challenges remain

Despite these gains, Mr Janabi warned that the last mile of eradication remains the hardest.

He said declining routine immunisation coverage, insecurity, vaccine hesitancy, and campaign interruptions continue to pose risks to the progress made.

To truly end polio, countries must sustain cross-border coordination, reach zero-dose and under-immunised children, expand surveillance and sequencing capacity, and maintain high-quality outbreak response, he said.

Mr Janabi stressed that ending polio in Africa is about more than halting transmission.

READ ALSO: WHO appoints new representative to Nigeria

As the continent moves closer to a polio-free future, WHO urged governments, donors and communities to sustain commitment, funding, and coordinated action.

Polio

Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a highly infectious viral disease that mainly affects children under the age of five.

The virus spreads primarily through contaminated water or food and can invade the nervous system, causing paralysis, and in severe cases, death. Although there is no cure, the disease can be prevented through safe and effective vaccination.
The House of Representatives has begun an extensive investigation into the alleged non-repatriation of Nigerias oil and non-oil export proceeds estimated at over $850 billion between 1996 and 2014.

The Chairperson of the House Ad-Hoc Committee on Pre-Shipment Inspection of Exports and Non-Repatriation of Crude Oil Proceeds, Seyi Sowunmi, announced this on Wednesday during the committees inaugural meeting at the National Assembly, Abuja.

Mr Sowunmi said preliminary findings suggest that several operators in the oil and gas sector failed to repatriate between 40 and 45 per cent of Nigerias export earnings, in violation of the Pre-shipment Inspection of Exports Act, which mandates the full repatriation of export proceeds within 90 days for oil exports and 180 days for non-oil exports.

The lawmaker expressed concern over what he called worrisome disparities in export data among key government institutions including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) as well as inconsistencies between Nigerias figures and those published by international organisations such as the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

He added that similar irregularities exist in the non-oil export sector, particularly in the solid minerals and commodities trade, where earnings are often under-reported or not repatriated at all.

According to Mr Sowunmi, the Pre-shipment Inspection of Exports Act (CAP P26, LFN 2004) established the Nigerian Export Supervision Scheme (NESS) to prevent capital flight, ensure accurate export valuation, and safeguard foreign exchange inflows.

However, he said these safeguards have been routinely undermined through practices such as under-valuation, delayed invoicing, price manipulation, illegal swaps, and deliberate overloading.

Scope of investigation

The committee, he explained, will probe the exact volume and value of unrepatriated proceeds from both oil and non-oil exports since 1996, identify the reasons for conflicting data among government agencies, and conduct a forensic reconciliation of export proceeds.

It will also examine how funds under the NESS have been managed and utilised over the years.

He said, This committee will be guided strictly by evidence, not speculation. Our work will be document-based, data-driven, transparent, and verifiable. Our aim is simple. Nigeria must receive, in full and promptly, every dollar legally due from its exports.

Mr Sowunmi said the investigation is being undertaken in line with the commitment of the House leadership under Speaker Abbas Tajudeen to support President Bola Tinubus Renewed Hope Agenda by blocking revenue leakages and ensuring that all legitimate earnings are returned to the Federation Account.

The lawmaker revealed that the committee would leverage existing whistleblowing mechanisms to uncover hidden transactions, assuring informants of full confidentiality and possible financial rewards for credible information.

Mr Sowunmi urged all stakeholders including oil operators, regulators, exporters, and financial institutions to fully cooperate with the investigation, describing it as a whole-of-system exercise aimed at restoring accountability across the export value chain.

Operators must supply shipment-to-receipt trails; regulators must reconcile production, certification, and FX returns; and financial institutions must provide account-level evidence of repatriation within time. Where breaches are discovered, appropriate civil and criminal sanctions shall be applied, he warned.

Focus on transparency, not politics

Mr Sowunmi emphasised that the committees work is non-partisan and strictly focused on recovering lost revenues for the benefit of Nigerians.

READ ALSO: Reps probe alleged use of harmful chemicals to preserve frozen foods in Nigeria

Our measure of success is not publicity, but verifiable financial recovery to the Federation Account, he said. This inquiry is about protecting and strengthening our economy in the interest of our great nation.

Concluding, Mr Sowunmi appealed for nationwide support, noting that transparency and accountability would guide the committees work from start to finish.

The success of this investigation depends on collective support. We are determined to recover every kobo owed to Nigeria, he said.
Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on Thursday, announced the disengagement of his Kanu Agabi-led legal team at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The Biafra agitator told trial judge James Omotosho at the hearing scheduled for him to open his defence that he was willing to defend himself without the help of a lawyer.

Following the IPOB leaders decision, all the senior advocates in the team, including Mr Agabi, a former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), withdrew their continuous appearance in the case.

Against this development, Mr Kanu, who is currently addressing the court from the dock, challenged the jurisdiction of the court to try him.

Mr Kanu has severally raised objections against the courts jurisdiction to conduct his trial. The former trial judge, Binta Nyako, dismissed his arguments on different occasions before the case was reassigned to the latest judge, Mr Omotosho.

His decision to disengage the lawyers who took over his defence just this year sparked a surprise, coming barely 24 hours after he met with the defence team preparatory to Thursdays proceedings.

It came three days after a protest led by human rights activist Omoyele Sowore in Abuja on Monday called for an unconditional release of Mr Kanu from custody.

The IPOB leaders break with his lawyers on Thursday introduces a new twist in a trial with chequered history dating back to 2015.

Mr Kanu was first arrested in September 2015 over his agitation through radio broadcasts for the secession of the Igbo-dominated South-east from Nigeria as a sovereign Biafra nation.

The case, since kicking off in 2015, has passed through four judges of the Federal High Court in Abuja, the current one being the latest, and paraded successive defence teams.

The Biafra agitator was released on bail from the custody of the SSS in 2017, but subsequently fled the country after soldiers invaded his home in Afara-Ukwu, Abia State, in September that year.

This halted his trial until he was rearrested and brought back to Nigeria in June 2021.

Mr Kanu, a citizen of Nigeria and the United Kingdom, is standing trial on terrorism charges that accuse him of inciting violence that led to killings and destruction of property for years in the South-east states.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja freed him in October 2022, striking out the terrorism charges against him on the grounds of the illegality of the manner of bringing him back from Kenya to Nigeria in June 2021.

But the Supreme Court overturned the Court of Appeals decision in December 2023 and ordered the trial to continue at the Federal High Court.

The Supreme Court ruled that there is no Nigerian law that prohibits the use of illegally obtained evidence for the trial of a defendant.

The prosecution subsequently opened and closed its case with five witnesses.

Mr Kanus decision to disengage his legal team on Thursday, when he was scheduled to open his defence, comes on the heels of an application he personally signed on Tuesday, listing his proposed witnesses.

Defence plan

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kanu had, in a motion he personally signed and filed on 21 October, listed some serving and former officials he wants subpoenaed to appear in court as his witnesses.

The list containing a category of serving and former officials whom Mr Kanu described as compellable witnesses includes, Abubakar Malami, former Attorney-General of the Federation; Nyesom Wike, the FCT minister; Theophilus Danjuma, a retired lieutenant-general and former Chief of Army Staff (COAS); Tukur Buratai, another retired lieutenant-general and former COAS; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State and Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State.

Others are Dave Umahi, Minister of Works; Okezie Ikpeazu, the immediate-past Governor of Abia State; Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, the immediate-past Director General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and Yusuf Bichi, a former Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS).

Mr Kanu, in the motion, promised to provide the sworn statements of all voluntary witnesses to this honourable court, and to notify the prosecution within a reasonable time.

NAN reported that earlier on Wednesday, the IPOB leader held his private consultation with his legal team at the courtroom where he is being tried.

Mr Kanu, who was brought to court by the operatives of the SSS, met with members of his legal team in the courtroom as earlier ordered by the trial judge.

(NAN)
Photo: https://x.com/antoniocostapm

European Council President Antonio Costa has assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the leaders of the European Union member states will confirm their unwavering support for Ukraine and will be able to take a political decision to provide a reparations loan based on Russian immobilized assets, covering its needs for the period 2026-2027.

"I am very pleased to welcome you here, among our colleagues, as a future member of the European Union. First of all, despite the great expectations created by President Trumps initiatives, it is clear today that, unfortunately, these initiatives do not meet the goodwill of President Putin, and Russia is stepping up its attacks, stepping up its attacks on civilians, on civilian objects, and this means that we must continue to support your fight for a just and lasting peace," he said, addressing Zelenskyy on Thursday in Brussels before the start of the European Council meeting.

Costa confirmed that on Thursday morning the EU had approved the 19th package of sanctions targeting Russias shadow navy, banking and energy sectors. "And today at this European Council we will take a political decision to ensure Ukraines financial needs for 2026 and 2027, including the purchase of military equipment. And this is a very strong message to Russia," he stressed.

The President of the European Council recalled that the EU "has repeatedly said that we will support Ukraine as much as necessary, and whatever it takes." "Now we have made it more specific, and today we will take a political decision to ensure your financial needs for 2026 and 2027. Welcome to your home," Costa stressed.

Costa said that he is is convinced that EU leaders will be able to take a political decision to ensure Ukraines financial needs until 2026 and 2027. "On the technical issues of the solutions, we continue to work with the European Commission. But the most important thing is the political solution and the clear signal that we send to Russia: they cannot believe that we are tired. We are not tired. And we are here to continue to support Ukraine diplomatically, politically, militarily and financially," the President of the European Council explained.

He said this is the most important signal for Russia, because Russia must understand that it needs to stop killing civilians in Ukraine and stop destroying civilian objects in Ukraine.
Some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the North have endorsed a former Minister, Tanimu Turaki, as their consensus candidate for the 15 November national convention in Ibadan.

The PDP Northern Stakeholders  comprising PDP governors, members of the National Working Committee (NWC), and other party leaders from the northern region  disclosed this after a closed-door meeting held on Wednesday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Turaki served as the minister of special duties and intergovernmental affairs under President Goodluck Jonathans administration.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State said the decision followed extensive consultations and deliberations among the partys northern leaders.

We have met this evening to deliberate and take a decision on the office of the chairman of our great party, the PDP, which was zoned to the north.

In our meeting, we have reflected deeply and widely through consultation and going to Ibadan for our national convention.

We have adopted a consensus candidate to represent the North, and by extension, Nigeria, as the chairman of the PDP.

That gentleman is KT Turaki, SAN. This is our decision this evening; and he is the person we are presenting at that convention as our chairman to represent our party, on 15 November and 16 November 16 in Ibadan, he said

Mr Fintiri said the stakeholders represented all 19 northern states, including Abuja, the FCT.

However, he noted that anyone still interested in contesting the position was free to do so.

He added that all other positions zoned to the northern states would be decided at the regional level, and the region would present its candidates alongside others at the convention.

Altogether, we have 10 positions in the north, as far as the convention is concerned.

Nevertheless, anybody who still feels he will want to contest in any position is free, and this is what our position has allowed.

We are not excluding anybody. But then, we have just announced to you our consensus candidate, as far as these leaders are concerned.

But if anybody still feels he wants to contest, I have said it, time without number. That the door is open, he said.

When asked about plans to engage other northern PDP leaders interested in the chairmanship race, including former Jigawa State governor Sule Lamido, he said everyone would be contacted.

Of course, PDP is an institution, and we have a mechanism to handle all these issues. And well reach out and well talk to each other.

Weve been talking to ourselves, not today, not yesterday. This is a build-up of consensus in the last two weeks, and we have just had a consultation, and this is just the result.

Im assuring you that the convention will be a rancour-free convention, he said.

Also speaking on the gale of defections from the party to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Fintiri said that the PDP remained united.

We are still united and focused, and our primary responsibility at the moment is the convention. And this is what were discussing, he said.

At the meeting were Governors Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State.

Others included former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, former governor of Kaduna State, Ahmed Makarfi, Mr Turaki, and members of the PDP National Working Committee from the North under the leadership of Umar Damagum.

(NAN)
The new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, on Thursday assumed office at the commissions headquarters in Abuja.

Mr Amupitan arrived at about 2:40 p.m. in the company of the Acting Chairman, May Agbamuche-Mbu, national commissioners, and the secretary to the commission, shortly after he was sworn in at the presidential villa.

He is expected to hold his first meeting with INEC directors and management staff members shortly after the preliminary assumption of office protocols.

Mr Amupitan, a legal scholar from Kogi, is a professor of law at the University of Jos, where he began his academic career in 1989.

Earlier, President Bola Tinubu swore in the new INEC chairperson urging credible and transparent elections.



Mr Tinubu administered the oath of office during an expanded National Economic Council (NEC) meeting at the State House Council Chambers, Abuja.



The president tasked Mr Amupitan to protect the integrity of Nigerias electoral system and strengthen the institutional capacity of INEC.



It is important that our elections are free, fair, and credible. We must consistently improve our electoral process, addressing the challenges of yesterday and innovating for today and tomorrow.



To maintain public trust in elections, electoral integrity must be protected. All aspects of the process, from registration to campaigning, voting, and counting, should be transparent, non-violent, and credible.



No electoral system is flawless. But since elections are vital to a nations future, it is essential to continually strengthen electoral institutions, ensuring they are robust, resilient, and safeguarded against artificial setbacks, the president said.



Mr Tinubu emphasised aligning Nigerias electoral processes with international best practices.



I therefore charge you, Prof. Amupitan, to take on this important assignment to protect the integrity of our elections and strengthen INECs institutional capacity, he added.



Speaking after the ceremony, the INEC boss pledged to engage stakeholders to ensure free, fair, and credible elections across the country.



Like the president said, I was given a clear charge to ensure credible, fair, and free elections.



Not just that, I will ensure that that is done, Im also going to engage all the stakeholders. Because no matter how you set the barometer and the level of success, you still need all the stakeholders to be able to succeed.



According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Amupitans appointment followed unanimous approval by the National Council of State, after President Tinubus nomination and Senate confirmation.



He hails from Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State.



He became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2014, specialising in company law, evidence, corporate governance, and privatisation law.

As INEC Chairman, Amupitans immediate tasks include conducting the Anambra governorship election in November and the FCT Area Council elections in February 2026.



The ceremony was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and House Speaker Abbas Tajudeen.



Other dignitaries included Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, House Leader Julius Ihonbvere, SGF George Akume, Head of Service Didi Walson-Jack, and several ministers.

(NAN)

MUYI/SH
President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday in Abuja, swore in the sixth substantive Chairperson of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan (SAN).

At the ceremony held at the State House Council Chamber, President Tinubu urged the new INEC chairman to serve with integrity and beyond reproach.

Your nomination and the subsequent confirmation by the Senate are a testament to your capacity and the confidence reposed in you by both the executive and the legislative arms of government.

This significant achievement marks the beginning of a challenging, yet rewarding journey, and I trust that you will approach your responsibility with the highest level of integrity, dedication, and patriotism, the president said.

President Tinubu noted that the country had been on a path of democratic governance and learning since 1999, with notable achievements in the strengthening of various institutions.

Our democracy has come a long way in 25 years. We have consolidated and strengthened our democratic institutions, particularly in electoral systems, through innovations and reforms.

We have learned a great deal along the way and have improved significantly from where we were many years ago. We must now remain committed to the principles that underpin democracy in a complex and multifaceted society.

The electoral process is a vital part of a democracy that grants the people the exclusive right to choose their leaders and shape their future. To ensure that our democracy continues to flourish, the integrity of our electoral process must be beyond reproach, he added.

President Tinubu stated that the governorship election on 8 November in Anambra State will serve as a litmus test for the new leadership of the electoral commission.

It is important that our elections are free, fair, and credible. We must consistently improve our electoral process, addressing the challenges of yesterday and innovating for today and tomorrow.

To maintain public trust in the election, electoral integrity must be protected. All aspects of the process  from registration to campaigning, the media access, voting, and counting should be transparent, nonviolent, and credible.

No electoral system is flawless, but since elections are vital to a nations future, it is essential to continually strengthen electoral institutions, ensuring that they are robust, resilient, and safeguarded against artificial setback.

I therefore charge you, Prof Amupitan, as you take on this important assignment to protect the integrity of our electoral process and strengthen the institutional capacity of INEC.

The swearing-in ceremony follows the Senates confirmation of the INEC Chairmans nomination on 16 October.

Mr Amupitan, a professor, succeeds Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure as INEC Chairman ran from 2015 to 2025.

The 58-year-old academic outlined his plans to reform Nigerias electoral system, strengthen institutional independence, and rebuild public trust in the commission at the screening.

The new INEC chairman will assume office immediately.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy)

October 23, 2025
The Cross River State Government has shut down a total of 69 unapproved schools across the state.

In two separate statements on 21 and 22 October, the states education ministry said the two-day crackdown was part of a massive push to sanitise its education sector.

According to the statement, Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State approved the clampdown after consultation with the states executive council.

The ministry said the closures focused on institutions operating without the mandatory Approval to Operate certificate.

A task force, inaugurated by Stephen Odey, the education commissioner, sealed off 36 illegal schools on 20 October.

An additional 33 were sealed on 21 October, bringing the number of closed institutions to 69.

The enforcement exercise targeted schools in three major educational zones in the state.

The Calabar zone, in Calabar South Local Government Area, had the highest number, with at least 15 schools sealed.

The education ministry said the Ikom zone in Boki Local Government Area had at least nine schools shut.

At least eight unapproved schools were closed in the Ogoja educational zone in the Ogoja/Yala local government areas.

Mr Odey said the exercise is corrective rather than punitive, aimed at ensuring all schools meet approved standards to provide quality learning environments.

However, he issued a firm warning to proprietors of unapproved schools to immediately regularise their operations by obtaining the Approval to Operate certificate or face permanent closure.

Our goal is to protect children from substandard learning environments and uphold the integrity of our education system, the commissioner said.

Every school must meet the required standards before operating in Cross River State.

The ministry confirmed it will continue the enforcement exercise across all educational zones until the states education sector is thoroughly sanitised and aligned with national standards.

This has resulted in students being immediately displaced from their current places of learning, leading to a sudden halt in their academic activities.

Parents and guardians must now quickly find and enrol students in approved schools, which can be challenging, as the closures affect many students.
The Lagos State Government says it will soon decommission major landfills that have outlived their usefulness as part of renewed efforts to improve waste management and promote environmental sustainability across the state.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said this on Wednesday in a post on X (formerly Twitter) after a strategic meeting with all 57 local government and local council development areas chairpersons.

Mr Wahab said the initiative to stop the use of the landfill sites is part of the governments broader plan to build a cleaner, flood-free Lagos through stronger coordination between state and local authorities.

We are decommissioning landfills like Olusosun and Solous 3 that have outlived their usefulness, while ensuring that functional ones like Epe remain active and efficient, the commissioner wrote.

For decades, Olusosun landfill, one of Africas largest dumpsites, has served as Lagos primary waste hub, spanning approximately 100 acres and receiving thousands of tonnes of refuse daily. Once located on the outskirts of Ojota, rapid urbanisation has now surrounded it with residential and commercial areas.

Environmental experts have long warned about the sites health and safety hazards, including fires, toxic emissions, and groundwater contamination.

The government had earlier indicated plans to shut down Olusosun and Solous dumpsites for a waste-to-energy conversion project.

The meeting, held at the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, was also attended by the Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi; Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Bolaji Roberts; Secretary to the State Government, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin; Special Adviser on the Environment, Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu; as well as Permanent Secretaries and heads of agencies.

According to Mr Wahab, discussions centred on strengthening collaboration with local councils to address flooding and environmental violations at the grassroots level.

Our message was clear: environmental management begins at the grassroots, he said. We must all work together to build a cleaner, flood-free Lagos where waste becomes a resource rather than a burden.

Lagos has been prone to flash floods, worsened by waste dumping and illegal construction that block drainage channels.

Lagos State Government recently blamed flash floods on waste and unapproved developments, reinforcing Wahabs message that local enforcement is critical to flood prevention.

Mr Wahab stressed that each local government must take responsibility for effective waste collection, community sensitisation, and enforcement against indiscriminate dumping.

He also reminded the council chairmen that the ban on street trading remains in force, warning that environmental offences must be tackled decisively.

The state is building resilient drainage and flood control infrastructure; our Local Governments must mirror this commitment in their own communities, he said.

The commissioner emphasised that environmental sustainability is a shared responsibility requiring cooperation among all tiers of government.

The State Government will continue to lead from the front, but true progress will come when all tiers of government work hand in hand, Mr Wahab added.

The move aligns with Lagoss broader shift toward a waste-as-resource model, in which refuse is processed into energy and recyclable materials.

The Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and the state government are already partnering with private firms to develop material-recovery facilities and waste-to-energy plants that could turn the citys mounting waste challenge into an economic opportunity.
The Abia State Government has announced plans to host the Abia-Turkey Investment Summit and Product Exhibition from 25 November to 27 November in Umuahia.

Jerome Green-Amakwe, the special adviser to the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, on investment promotion and public-private partnership, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday.

Mr Green-Amakwe, who also chairs the summits steering Committee, said the events theme is Bridging Continents, Unlocking Prosperity.

He said the summit would bring together business leaders and investors from Turkey and other European countries to explore investment opportunities in Abia.

Mr Green-Amakwe said that the summit is organised by the Abia States Ministry of Trade and Commerce.

It will showcase the states economic potential and comparative advantages as an investment destination.

We have already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with VEGA Growing Global Enterprise, signalling our commitment to the success of this international investment summit and exhibition, he said.

He said the three-day event would cover key sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture and agro-processing, textiles, fashion and leather works, energy, infrastructure, trade, and logistics.

According to him, the initiative is part of Governor Ottis commitment to creating a favourable environment for private investment and sustainable economic growth in Abia.

We are working assiduously with our partner to host a successful investment summit in Umuahia.

Our key objective is to strengthen bilateral relations between Turkey, Abia and Nigeria at large. We intend to also showcase products and services to the dynamic African market, he said.

Mr Green-Amakwe said that the summit would also provide opportunities for business-to-business engagements, connecting investors, exporters, and local enterprises and promoting partnerships and strategic joint ventures.

He called on the media to give favourable coverage to the forthcoming summit, adding that the partnership between the state government and the media will play a critical role in shaping public perception and attracting investors.

In his remarks, Emeka Obegolu, president, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), commended the Abia State Government for its investment-driven initiatives.

Mr Obegolu said the chambers Buy Africa, Build Africa mantra aligned with the objectives of the upcoming summit and pledged ACCIs support for the event.

We have a duty to support every homegrown initiative that attracts investment and boosts manufacturing capacity in Nigeria and Africa.

We are inviting businesses in the Federal Capital Territory to look toward Abia and take advantage of the opportunities the Turkish and European partners will bring, he said.

He also hinted at plans to collaborate with the Abia government to host a Made-in-Aba Expo at the chambers premises to further promote locally manufactured products.

We will be seeking your endorsement for that project and to get the businesses in Aba to come forward and showcase the products and services they offer.

We must, as a country, begin to patronise made-in-Nigeria products. So, I commend you for leading this initiative.

There was a time when Made in Aba was looked down upon, but recent history has shown that Made in Aba now means Made in Nigeria; it means quality, he said.

Mr Obegolu urged the media to highlight the summit positively, noting that such initiatives contribute to building a sustainable economy for Nigeria.

If Abia is doing well, Lagos is doing well as well as other states, it means the country is doing well, he said.

(NAN)
Former US President Obama has honoured Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti with a new podcast chronicling his life and music.

Mr Obama announced the release of the podcast, Fela Kuti: Fear No Man, in a video posted on his Instagram page on Wednesday night.

The podcast, produced by Higher Ground, the media company founded by Mr Obama and his wife Michelle, delves into the Afrobeat icons revolutionary spirit and enduring legacy.

The first two episodes of the 12-part series, hosted by Jad Abumrad, were released on 15 October to coincide with Felabration, the week-long global celebration held from 1319 October in honour of Felas legacy.

Episode one, titled To Hell and Back, and episode two, Becoming Fela, explore the evolution of Felas music and his defiant activism against oppression.

Fela Kuti: Fear No Man features a blend of recent and archival interviews with renowned figures in the arts, including Ayo Edebiri, Santigold, Questlove, Paul McCartney, David Byrne, Burna Boy, and others.

The podcast also includes appearances from members of the Kuti family, Felas children Yeni and Femi, and his grandson Made, who offer personal insights into the musicians life and legacy.

Musical genius

The 64-year-old encouraged fans to listen to the podcast series in the video.

He described Fela as a Nigerian musical genius who blended funk, jazz, and soul to create the globally renowned Afrobeat sound.

He hailed Fela as a distinctive figure in music history, whose artistry was inseparable from his activism.

You may have heard our documentary podcast about Stevie Wonder called The Wonder of Stevie last year. I want to be the first to tell you about the following podcast from Higher Ground that just came out. Its about the legendary Fela Kuti.

He is a genius from Nigeria who made music I love, combining funk, jazz, and soul into a new Afrobeat genre. Its a beautiful show about a unique figure in musical history who mixed art with activism, Mr Obama noted.

In the To Hell and Back episode, Mr Obama noted that Felas music did more than make people move; it inspired them to dance.

Music like Fellas can get folks moving, getting them on their feet, and making them feel alive. Our very best art and our very best music stir the soul, he said.
The Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory, Miller Dantawaye, has ordered the immediate redeployment of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Ushafa back to the state headquarters.

This decision, according to a Thursday statement issued by the FCT spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, followed the circulation of a video on X, showing the DPO slapping a young man on Wednesday, 22 October.

The commissioner of police, Mr Dantawaye, strongly condemned the officers conduct, describing it as falling short of the high standards of discipline, civility, and professionalism expected of police officers.

He stressed that such behaviour is unacceptable and would not be tolerated under his leadership.

Consequently, Mr Dantawaye directed the officers redeployment and confirmed that the matter is currently under investigation.

While administrative disciplinary steps are underway, the Commissioner reminded all DPOs and their subordinates to remain professional, courteous, and law-abiding in the discharge of their duties.

He further warned that any act of misconduct or abuse of power would attract severe sanctions.

The statement added that Mr Dantawaye also appealed to members of the public to remain respectful and law-abiding in their interactions with police officers, noting that mutual respect and cooperation are essential for effective community policing and public safety.

Residents of the FCT were encouraged to report suspicious activity or persons through the commands emergency lines08061581938, 08032003913, or the CRU number 08107314192.

In a related event, the Commissioner of Police, Ondo Command, Adebowale Lawal, ordered the immediate redeployment of the DPO, Enu-Owa Division, for allegedly handling a case involving a social media influencer, Adefolarin Ayomiposi, popularly known as Mandykiss.

The decision followed the circulation of a video showing the influencer recording a mother and daughter she had caused to be arrested, according to Punch newspaper.

READ ALSO: Police give reason for arresting Sowore at Abuja court

In the video, which went viral over the weekend, Mandykiss was seen verbally abusing the pair, claiming she travelled to Ondo State to have them apprehended for allegedly trolling her repeatedly online.

Also, another clip reportedly captured the moment the duo were in police custody at the Enu-Owa Division, with Mandykiss seen taking pictures of them.
The Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) has officially unveiled plans for the 2025 edition of The Nigeria Broadcasting Awards (TNBA), an event celebrating excellence and innovation in the countrys broadcast industry.

Speaking at a press conference held on Thursday, 23 October, in Abuja, the BON Chairperson and Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Salihu Dembos, announced that the second edition of the awards will take place on Thursday, 11 December, in Abuja.

According to Mr Dembos, the TNBA was established to promote professional excellence, ethical journalism, and innovation in broadcasting.

The Nigeria Broadcasting Awards was instituted to serve as a platform to promote media excellence and innovation and to celebrate high-quality journalism, innovative storytelling, and responsible media practices, he said.

The maiden edition of the TNBA was held on 17 May 2023 at the Eko Hotels, Lagos. It was endorsed during the 75th BON General Assembly under the leadership of John Ugbe, chief executive officer of MultiChoice Nigeria.

That first ceremony, described as a glamorous event, saw over 200 private and public broadcast houses competing across 18 categories for radio and television.

Awards were presented in key categories such as Best Television Station, Best Radio Station, Best Reporter (Radio and Television), and Best Indigenous Language Station.

Several broadcast icons were also honoured for their contributions to the growth of the industry.

2025 steering committee and preparations

Mr Dembos noted that preparations for the 2025 edition began in February following the endorsement of a new Steering Committee at the BON General Assembly.

The committee is chaired by Bayo Awosemo of Arise TV, with membership drawn from leading broadcast institutions across the country.

Other members include Deji Balogun (Channels TV), Yusuf Isah (Yobe Television, representing zonal chairmen), Elizabeth Agbai (NTA), Patrick Ugbe (Hit FM, Calabar), Simbabi Ogbeha (Confluence Cable Network), Adams Momoh (Abuja Media Corporation), and representatives from MultiChoice, FRCN, and VON. Usman Umar Bello serves as committee secretary.

Call for entries, participation

Mr Dembos said the call for entries for this years awards ran from 1 July to 31 August, covering broadcast content produced between 1 January and 31 December 2024.

At the close of submissions according to him, 204 entries were received, comprising 85 television, 104 radio, 1 special, and 12 unspecified entries.

The 2025 edition will feature 12 award categories each for radio and television, alongside posthumous and special recognition awards for individuals who have made significant contributions to broadcasting in Nigeria.

Panel of judges, transparency

To ensure fairness and credibility, BON announced a seven-member judging panel led by Danladi Bako, former director-general of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

The panel also includes representatives from NBC, the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), and other independent industry professionals.

Mr Dembos stressed that the judging process would be conducted independently and without interference from BON or the Steering Committee.

Event expectations, sponsorship

The BON chairperson revealed that the Abuja event will host over 2,000 guests, including top broadcast executives, journalists, media owners, regulators, and policymakers.

It will also feature a segment to honour legendary broadcasters who have shaped Nigerias media development.

He encouraged corporate bodies and institutions to partner with BON, noting that the event would be transmitted live by several television and radio stations nationwide.

The chairperson assured that BON and its partners were working tirelessly to deliver a world-class ceremony that reflects the best of Nigerias broadcasting excellence.

About TNBA

Instituted by the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria, The Nigeria Broadcasting Awards stands as the countrys foremost platform for recognising and celebrating professionalism, creativity, and ethical excellence in the broadcast industry.

The 2025 edition, Mr Dembos said, will not only celebrate excellence but also inspire a new generation of broadcasters to uphold the values of truth, innovation, and national development.
The Senate Committee on Public Procurement has emphasised the urgent need to make Nigerias procurement process more transparent and strictly compliant with established procedures to ensure accountability and value for money.

It stated that public procurement in Nigeria should become a model of transparency and efficiency, ensuring every naira spent results in measurable, impactful projects that positively affect citizens and national development.

Committee Chairman, Olajide Ipinsagba (Ondo North), made the call during a two-day retreat for committee members in Abuja on Thursday, aimed at strengthening oversight and governance in procurement processes.

He stressed that public procurement was not just a technical or administrative function but the critical mechanism through which government policies transformed into tangible infrastructure, services, and development outcomes.

Mr Ipinsagba noted that procurement accounted for a significant portion of national expenditure, requiring the highest standards of integrity, efficiency, and accountability to safeguard public resources effectively.

The chairman highlighted that the 2007 Public Procurement Act, alongside the establishment of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the Senate committee, marked important steps in institutionalising transparency principles.

However, he acknowledged that despite those advances, further reforms were essential to address existing gaps and improve Nigerias procurement framework for better results and compliance.

Public procurement is a continuous process of evolution, adaptation, and learning that demands constant legislative oversight, policy advocacy, and institutional reforms to strengthen integrity and efficiency, he added.

Mr Ipinsagba urged all stakeholders to reaffirm their commitment to making Nigerias procurement system a model of transparency and efficiency, not just in Africa but globally.

READ ALSO: Senate proposes life imprisonment for persons guilty of defiling minors

He said by aligning procurement practices with international standards and embracing innovation, the country could ensure public funds are translated into better schools, safer roads, improved healthcare, and national prosperity.

He linked those goals to President Bola Tinubus Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasising procurements role in achieving the administrations vision for sustainable development.

CEO of Leadbold Resource Consulting Ltd, Kelechi Kingsley, said the retreat aimed to enhance the strategic leadership capacity of the Senate Committee on Public Procurement for more effective oversight.

She explained that the retreat exposed members to global regulations, international best practices, and practical frameworks to strengthen institutional integrity and ensure value for money in public spending.

Ms Kingsley added that improving procurement governance was crucial for advancing Nigerias national development objectives and fostering transparency, accountability, and efficiency in public expenditure management.

(NAN)
Polish police have detained two 24-year-old Ukrainian citizens, Bohdan K. and Kyrylo T., on October 5 in the city of Biaa Podlaska, Lublin Voivodeship, for drug possession, one of whom is suspected of espionage for the Russian Federation, according to the website of the National Prosecutors Office of Poland.

"During the investigation, drugs weighing a total of 30 grams were found in their possession. As a result of further procedural actions carried out with the participation of employees of the Internal Security Agency Branch in Lublin, correspondence was found on Bohdan K.s secure phone, which indicates that he transferred photographs and geographical coordinates of critical infrastructure at the disposal of the Polish Armed Forces to a Russian-speaking person," the report says.

The prosecutor accused him of acting on behalf of a foreign intelligence service and providing it with information that harms state security (clause 2 of Article 130 of the Polish Criminal Code). "The suspect pleaded not guilty, expressing pro-Russian views and challenging the sovereignty of Ukraine," the prosecutors office said.

After the charges were announced, the prosecutor filed a motion with the District Court in Biaa Podlaska to apply a preventive measure to the suspect in the form of detention for a period of three months. The court granted this motion.

The second suspect was charged with drug possession and was given a suspended sentence.

The proceedings are being conducted by the Internal Security Agencys Office in Lublin.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists has asked the Bola Tinubu administration to defend press freedom and review laws that criminalise journalism in the country.

The NUJ stated this on Wednesday when its leadership met with Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Details of the meeting were provided by Mr Shettimas spokesperson. Stanley Nkwocha.

In his speech, the NUJ President, Alhassan Abdullahi, urged Mr Shettima to take a firm stance in defending press freedom, and ensuring that journalists are not punished for doing their constitutional duty.

He also reportedly urged the government to initiate a comprehensive review of colonial-era laws such as sections of the Criminal and Penal Codes that continue to criminalise journalism, maintaining that libel should be decriminalised.

PREMIUM TIMES has reported several instances of violation of journalists rights by state agents, including the police and other security agencies. The Press Attack Tracker by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development has also documented several cases of attacks on journalists in the course of their work.

Mr Shettima, however, said the Tinubu administration was committed to defending press freedom.

I want to assure you that this administration will do its best to promote, project, and preserve the interests of the journalism profession, Mr Shettima said.

Read the full statement by Mr Nkwocha below.

The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has assured the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains an ally of the media and is committed to protecting and advancing the journalism profession in the country.

The vice president recalled that President Tinubu has long been supportive of the media and would not deviate from his consistent track record of upholding the integrity of the journalism profession in Nigeria.

Mr Shettima gave the assurance on Wednesday when he hosted a delegation of the NUJ leadership at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The vice president, however, noted that the government and citizens alike expect a lot from the media, emphasizing that the journalism profession stands almost at par with the judiciary.

According to him, journalists are expected to hold public officials accountable and adjudicate on issues of governance.

In President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, you have a friend, an ally, and a proprietor who has been kind to the Nigerian media over the years.

I want to assure you that this administration will do its best to promote, project, and preserve the interests of the journalism profession. You are the life wire of the nation  we cant afford to muzzle you, the vice president said.

Describing the media as the conscience of the nation, Mr Shettima stressed that authorities cannot afford to intimidate journalists, as they are indispensable to the survival of democracy in the country.

Past generations of Nigerian leaders  from Herbert Macaulay to Nnamdi Azikiwe and even Obafemi Awolowo  were first journalists before they became political leaders, the vice president recalled.

VP Shettima acknowledged the challenges facing the media industry, noting that several media organisations in Nigeria struggle to pay staff salaries and emoluments.

He appealed to the NUJ to remain hopeful, promising that President Tinubu would continue to support the union.

Be rest assured that the President will render his support to your organisation. We cannot afford to allow the journalism profession to die, he added.

Mr Shettima further noted that President Tinubus decision to remove fuel subsidies was made in the national interest, just as he reaffirmed the administrations commitment to repositioning the Nigerian economy for the benefit of all citizens.

Earlier, the National President of the NUJ, Alhassan Abdullahi, drew the Vice Presidents attention to some critical issues confronting journalists in the course of doing their job, urging him to use his office to take a firm stance in defending press freedom, and ensuring that journalists are not punished for doing their constitutional duty.

He also urged the government to initiate a comprehensive review of colonial-era laws such as sections of the Criminal and Penal Codes that continue to criminalise journalism, maintaining that libel should be decriminalised.

Other demands made by the NUJ President include facilitation of a national safety protocol for journalists, in collaboration with security agencies, to ensure that no reporter is harmed for simply reporting the news.

He also called for the governments partnership with the media to initiate a media support framework, including training grants, soft loans, tax relief, and a targeted bailout for critical media institutions.

The NUJ also sought partnerships with TETFUND, universities, and international media institutes to uplift training standards across the profession, as well as the creation of a Permanent Government- Media Liaison Platform under the office of the vice president to foster regular engagement, clarify national policies, and prevent the vacuum breeding misinformation.

Mr Abdullahi pledged the support of the Nigerian press for President Tinubus development agenda, noting, however, that the press will always maintain the right to speak truth to power for the survival of democracy.

We are institutional partners and would not be drowned in the false narratives that the media must be antagonistic to government. Same way we call out the government when we feel that certain issues are not clearly given the needed consideration, we also would be ready to applaud the government when things have been done right, he added.

He commended the administration of President Tinubu over what he described as tangible efforts and firm support in key areas of national development, despite the economic headwinds facing Nigeria, just like many other nations.

Mr Abdullahi acknowledged that in less than three years, the administration has undertaken bold reforms targeted at stabilising the nations economy.

Stanley Nkwocha

Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications

Office of The Vice President
Bandits have attacked two villages in Kaduna State, kidnapping nine people.

In Ngade Alha, a remote village in the Birnin Gwari Local Government Area, the terrorists kidnapped six people and injured two others, according to Sahara Reporters.

A community leader in Birnin Gwari confirmed the incident to PREMIUM TIMES, but said he had no details about it.

The community leader said the attack occurred near Layin Dan Auta in Kuyello where bandits killed 17 persons last week.

The village people are afraid to report publicly, he said. The government has warned everyone to keep such information confidential.

In another attack on Gidan Busa village in the Kachia Local Government Area, terrorists kidnapped three residents and herded them into the forest.

This came after bandits kidnapped 12 people from Kujama town, the headquarters of Chikun LGA on Tuesday.

There has been a resurgence of violence in Birnin Gwari, Chikun and some communities in Southern Kaduna, despite a government-backed peace deal brokered by traditional and religious leaders.

Many of these attacks are underreported, a youth leader in Chikun told PREMIUM TIMES, adding the government is threatening us with arrests if we dare speak out.

READ ALSO: Cross River shuts 69 unapproved schools

He said the peace deal emboldened the terrorists who continue to wield weapons and lay siege to communities, unhindered.

Mansir Hassan, the police spokesperson in Kaduna, could not be reached. He did not respond to calls and a text message seeking his comment on the attacks.
The police in Delta State, Nigerias South-south, said they have taken a police officer into their custody for shooting at a vehicle.

In a viral video clip seen by PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday, the officer was seen firing at the vehicles tyre in the middle of a busy road, causing panic among passersby.

The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday, 21 October, along Okpanam Road near Toscana Hotel in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

Reacting to the clip, the police spokesperson in the state, Bright Edafe, said the police were aware of the viral video.

In the Wednesday statement, Mr Edafe, a superintendent of police, said that after a careful examination of the video clip, it was clear that the police operative acted unprofessionally.

He said the police in the state condemned his act as no police personnel has the right to use his firearm without recourse to Force Order 237.

It is the duty of every Nigerian Police officer to protect lives and property and not to put the life of anybody in danger, Mr Edafe said.

The police spokesperson said the erring officer has been identified, summoned, and detained at the police headquarters in Delta State.

He said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Olufemi Abaniwonda, has directed that internal disciplinary action be initiated against the operative immediately.

The police chief said the officer has been taken into custody, questioned, and an investigation has commenced.

Mr Abaniwonda explained that, although the police operative responded to a case of a hit-and-run accident, no police personnel are allowed to use their firearm without justification, as stipulated in Force Order 237.

He assured members of the public that the operative would be dealt with according to the extant laws stipulated in the Police Act and regulations, which would serve as a deterrent to others.

The police commissioner emphasised that protecting life and property remains the priority of the police in Delta State.

Cases of police brutality and other unprofessional activities in Nigeria have continued despite sanctions by police authorities.

READ ALSO: Bandits kidnap nine from two Kaduna villages

Police authorities in Abia State dismissed three officers for allegedly engaging in abduction and extortion in Nigeria in February this year.

In October 2024, police in Ebonyi conducted an orderly room trial for officers filmed extorting motorists in the state.

Within the same period, the police in Imo State conducted an orderly room trial for four officers seen in a viral video clip extorting motorists in the state.
A bill seeking to include Value Added Tax (VAT) in Nigerias exclusive legislative list has scaled second reading in the House of Representatives.

The proposed legislation, co-sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, and six other lawmakers, aims to bring uniformity and constitutional clarity to tax administration iin Nigeria.

The co-sponsors are Chris Nkwonta, Daniel Ago, Nkemkanma Kama, Tolani Shagaya, Alex Egbona, and Joshua Gana (PDP, Niger).

If passed, it could reshape the countrys fiscal federalism and redefine how revenues are collected and shared across the three tiers of government

Leading the debate on the bill during Wednesdays plenary, Mr Gana said the current structure of Nigerias fiscal system has become too confusing, inefficient, and prone to conflicts.

According to him, the proposed amendment seeks to streamline tax responsibilities and end years of overlapping mandates between the federal, state, and local governments.

This bill seeks to bring order where confusion reigns, to create clarity where overlaps have persisted, and to ensure that every naira raised, shared, or spent by the government is traceable, lawful, and transparent, Mr Gana stated.

He explained that the bills ultimate objective is to align the revenue powers of the different levels of government in a way that promotes efficiency, discourages duplication, and restores citizens trust in Nigerias fiscal framework.

The fiscal architecture of our federation has, over time, become congested and conflicting. Multiple taxes and levies are imposed at different tiers of government, often on the same taxpayer. Revenue agencies overlap, leading to inefficiencies and litigation over collection rights, as seen in disputes over Value Added Tax (VAT), stamp duties, and personal income tax, Mr Gana said.

The lawmaker noted that the constant disputes among revenue-generating agencies and tiers of government have created uncertainty for investors and weakened Nigerias economic planning.

He decried the increasing trend of outsourcing tax collection to private consultants, describing it as a source of corruption, harassment, and massive revenue leakages.

Key provisions of the bill

Mr Gana emphasised that the bills four key clauses were carefully designed to tackle these systemic issues.

First, it proposes a constitutional clarification stating that stamp duties collected by the federal government will apply only to documents or transactions involving corporate entities, while those arising from individual transactions will remain within the purview of state governments. This provision, he said, will prevent future conflicts over jurisdictional authority.

Second, the bill seeks to introduce VAT (or consumption tax) into the exclusive legislative list, which would give the National Assembly and by extension, the federal government clear constitutional authority to legislate and collect VAT nationwide.

This is aimed at creating a uniform, predictable, and transparent VAT regime across the country, instead of the current fragmented system where states and the federal government are locked in legal battles.

Third, it seeks to prohibit the outsourcing of tax collection to private consultants or agents, a common practice by many government agencies and local councils that has often resulted in intimidation of small businesses, inflated collections, and unremitted funds.

Fourth, the bill proposes a maximum limit of nine taxes, levies, or charges that can be imposed on an individual or business in a given year, in order to reduce the burden of multiple taxation.

It also moves to streamline the tax collection powers of local governments by eliminating redundant or overlapping levies that frequently lead to harassment of market traders, artisans, and small business owners.

Mr Gana argued that once the bill becomes law, it will significantly reduce conflicts among the three tiers of government, enhance coordination among revenue agencies, and promote transparency in how public funds are collected and distributed.

If eventually passed and signed into law, the new bill will not only settle the constitutional question surrounding VAT but also help Nigeria move toward a more harmonised, transparent, and efficient tax system that supports growth and accountability.

The bill scaled second reading without debate and the Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu who presided over the plenary referred it to the Committee on Constitution Review which he heads.

The committee will carry out further legislative action and public input before it proceeds to third reading.

Ongoing VAT dispute

The move by the House comes against the backdrop of a lingering legal and political dispute between the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and some states, notably Rivers and Lagos, over who has the constitutional right to collect VAT.

In 2021, the Rivers State Government secured a Federal High Court judgment granting states the right to collect VAT within their jurisdictions. The court ruled that the federal government lacked constitutional authority to do so, a decision that was widely celebrated by many states pushing for fiscal autonomy.

However, the FIRS immediately appealed the ruling, and the Court of Appeal later ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the final decision of the Supreme Court, where the matter remains unresolved.

The case ignited a broader national debate about the structure of Nigerias fiscal federalism and whether states should have greater control over revenue generation and spending within their territories.

Additionally, according to FIRS, Nigerias VAT has reached N6.72 trillion as of 2024, up from about N3.64 trillion the previous year, an increase of roughly 84.6 per cent making it one of the most significant sources of non-oil income for Nigeria.
Health experts have urged the Nigerian government to strengthen domestic resource mobilisation and prioritise safety-based funding as a pathway to building a resilient and self-sustaining health system.

This call was made during a fireside chat at the Gatefield Health Summit 2025, moderated by Kafayat Alawode, Programme Director at Development Governance International Consult (DGI).

The session featured Shola Dele-Olowu, Director of Regional Initiatives at AMP Health, and Anthony Nwala, Assistant Chief Programme Delivery Officer at the Society for Family Health (SFH), who represented the organisations Managing Director, Omokhudu Idogho.

Safety-based funding

Speaking on the transition from donor dependence to sustainability, Ms Dele-Olowu said Nigeria must shift from external aid to domestic financing to secure its health systems future.

She described the current global funding decline as a reminder that donor nations will prioritise their citizens first during crises.

We cannot continue to depend on external funding to finance our essential services. The transition shock from donor withdrawal has given way to opportunity, and innovation is usually born out of crisis, she said.

She cited Ghanas approach after the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) exit, noting that the country raised taxes on sugar and leveraged its gold sector to fund maternal and child health programmes.

According to her, Nigeria must treat this period as a wake-up call to improve fiscal accountability and demonstrate efficient use of available resources.

She also highlighted that innovation should not always be about large-scale projects.

She cited Guyana, a South American country, where health workers now access malaria treatment guidelines through WhatsApp-based AI chatbots, significantly reducing the cost of printing bulky manuals.

Ms Dele-Olowu stressed that human capacity is central to system sustainability, urging long-term investment in health workers and programme staff rather than focusing solely on short-term outputs.

She also emphasised the importance of process innovations, small but effective adjustments that reduce costs, improve efficiency, and strengthen health system resilience.

Intentional domestic resource mobilisation

Speaking on domestic health financing, Mr Idogho said Nigerias health sector must deliberately mobilise resources internally and use data to guide spending and policy decisions.

He noted that the scale-back of donor support by agencies led to SFH established subsidiary organisations to diversify income streams and provide technical assistance to governments at multiple levels.

We must be intentional about internal resource mobilisation. Each time we respond to a crisis, it should become a practice, not an act of desperation, he said.

He emphasised the need for self-honesty in government financial planning, urging transparent and deliberate use of funds.

Mr Idogho also highlighted that resilience depends on understanding gaps, analysing data, and channelling resources strategically rather than following traditional patterns or spending simply because it has been done that way before.

Empowering communities for sustainable financing

On community ownership, Mr Idogho said it is central to health system resilience.

He cited SFHs partnerships with transport unions in northern Nigeria to provide emergency transport services for pregnant women, which contributed to a reduction in maternal mortality.

He also referenced initiatives in Delta State, where Nigerians in the diaspora sponsor indigent households through the states Contributory Health Scheme, helping to reduce out-of-pocket health expenditure.

Mr Idogho stressed that existing community structures, including traditional leaders, local associations, and volunteer health workers, should be leveraged for awareness creation, health promotion, and service delivery.

He further noted that resilience is about people, not just programmes or funding, and that communities must be empowered to take ownership of health interventions to ensure long-term sustainability.

Gatefield health summit 2025

The Gatefield health summit brought together leaders from government, civil society, academia, and the private sector to discuss strategies for strengthening health systems across Africa.

Organised by the Gatefield Impact Foundation, the two-day event, holding at Nile University, Abuja, from 22 to 23 October 2025, is focused on improving health resilience through dialogue on chronic diseases, outbreak preparedness, womens health, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), health financing, and the One Health approach.

The ongoing summit is designed to provide a platform for experts to share experiences, highlight innovative practices, and explore ways to build sustainable, community-driven health systems in the face of dwindling external funding and evolving public health challenges.
The Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAPHARM) has called for more investment in pharmaceutical innovation as a driver of national development.

The academy urged enhanced collaboration among government, academia, and industry to boost local drug manufacturing and healthcare delivery.

Speaking at the Academys 2025 Annual General Meeting and Investiture Ceremony in Lagos, themed Pharmaceutical Innovation as a Catalyst for National Development, the President and Chairman of the Governing Council, Lere Baale, said pharmacy holds the power to shape Nigerias health, innovation and industrial growth.

When we invest in pharmaceutical innovation, we are not just advancing science  we are securing our nations health, economy, and dignity, Mr Baale, a professor, said.

The two-day event at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, featured the induction of 14 new Fellows and the Valedictory Session in honour of late Oludolapo Akinkugbe, an influential pharmacist and co-founder of Spectrum Books.

The Professor of Medicine died on 22 September 2025, at 97.

Innovation, national growth

Delivering the keynote address, the Group Managing Director of FBN Holdings Plc, Wale Oyedeji, said innovation and collaboration remain essential to repositioning Nigerias pharmaceutical industry for national growth.

Pharmaceutical innovation is not only about developing new drugs but also about creating an ecosystem that supports knowledge, entrepreneurship, and collaboration across public and private sectors, Mr Oyedeji said.

He warned that Nigerias overreliance on imported medicines and poor investment in research were undermining national growth, urging stakeholders to devote more resources to research and development.

Mr Oyedeji called on government, academia, investors, and practitioners to align strategies to harness Nigerias demographic advantage and intellectual capital for sustainable development.

NAFDAC intervention

The event drew other prominent figures from government and the private sector, including NAFDAC Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, who restated the agencys commitment to strengthening regulation and supporting local manufacturing through science-based policies.

Mrs Adeyeye explained that NAFDACs reforms have led to measurable improvements in quality and innovation.

Nigeria now has two WHO-prequalified medicine manufacturers and its first WHO-prequalified medical device company, she said.

She added that the agencys nationwide track-and-trace system, used to monitor vaccines, narcotics, and newborn health commodities, is the first in Africa.

ALSO READ: NAFDAC urges pharmaceutical sector to invest in vaccine production

Mrs Adeyeye also highlighted efforts to strengthen the regulatory workforce and link academia with industry through postgraduate training and joint research programmes.

She urged professionals, manufacturers, and investors to consider themselves partners in building a stronger, innovation-driven pharmaceutical sector.

Lifetime achievers honoured

At the event, three eminent pharmacists: Gabriel Osuide, Theophilous Omotosho, and Fidelis Ayebae received the Lifetime Achievement Award for decades of service to pharmaceutical practice and national development.

Four Honourary Fellows were Pharmacists Ebenezer Adeleke, Alfred Osinoiki, Varkey Verghese, and Sayyid Atana.

Also in attendance were Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, founding president of the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy, and Cecilia Igwilo, Nigerias first female Professor of Pharmacy and former Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos.
Niger State Governor Umar Bago has revealed his administrations plan to recruit 25,000 youths to fight the bandits and jihadists terrorising local communities.

The governor disclosed this on Wednesday in a video that has now gone viral on social media. According to him, 1,000 youths will be recruited in each of the 25 local government areas in the state.

The governor said the military will train the recruits.

Journalists in the state told this newspaper that the video was recorded after Mr Bago met with local authorities in Kontogora, the headquarters of the northern senatorial district in the state.

Otherwise known as Zone C, the Niger North Senatorial District is under incessant attacks by terror groups.

Since September, the terrorists, whom the governor identified as fighters of Lakurawa, Boko Haram and other groups, have laid siege to many communities, kidnapping and causing mass displacements.

On 29 September, terrorists ambushed a major highway in the state, kidnapping several people, including a former Chairperson of the State Universal Basic Education Board and an official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Terrorist activities have upended the senatorial districts arming communities in Agwara, Mariga, Magama, Kontagora, Mashegu, Borgu, Rijau and Wushishi local government areas.

PREMIUM TIMES understands that nearly all the eight local government areas in the senatorial district are under terrorists control, with Borgu, Magama and Kontogora being the most dangerous areas.

Last week, Muslims gathered in the area at an Eid prayer ground to pray for divine intervention as insecurity persists.

Mr Bago, who sympathised with the terrorised communities, said that recruited youths from the senatorial district will be armed to confront the terrorists.

According to him, the youth will not wait to be attacked. They will locate them and kill them (the terrorists).
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ruled that Israel must allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, saying its restrictions over the past two years violate international law.

In a strongly worded advisory opinion delivered in The Hague, the UNs top court said Israel had failed in its obligation as an occupying power to ensure food, water, medical supplies and other essentials reach civilians in Gaza.

On Wednesday, the court said Israel must not obstruct relief work by UN agencies, particularly the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which it described as the backbone of humanitarian assistance in the enclave.

It found that Israel had not provided credible evidence to justify cutting ties with the agency, which it banned from Gaza earlier this year.

Judge Iwasawa Yuji, delivering the ruling, said: The occupying power may never invoke reasons of security to justify the general suspension of all humanitarian activities in occupied territory.

He added that evidence showed Gazas population had been inadequately supplied.

The ICJ said Israel had breached UN immunities and ignored its humanitarian obligations under the Geneva Conventions.

The international court found that Israeli laws passed in October 2024, ending cooperation with UNRWA, were unlawful and made it impossible for the agency to carry out its mandate.

The court also ruled that Israel must respect the inviolability of UN premises, schools and hospitals, and the immunity of UN personnel working in Gaza and the West Bank. Israel is obliged to cooperate with the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross, and to allow access to Palestinian prisoners held in its custody.

While the opinion is non-binding, it carries significant political weight and is expected to intensify calls for Israel to comply with its international obligations.

Israels foreign ministry rejected the ruling, saying it categorically rejects the courts findings and insists it fully upholds its obligations under international law.

They are blaming Israel for not cooperating with UN organs  They should be blaming themselves. Those organs became breeding grounds for terrorists, CNN reported Danny Danon, the Israeli ambassador to the UN, as saying on Wednesday in response to the opinion, which he described as a political document.

In the past, Israel has accused UNRWA of having more than a thousand employees affiliated with Hamas, and of teaching hate against Israel in its schools. UNRWA has repeatedly denied the accusations, saying there are no grounds for a blanket description of the whole institution as being infiltrated by Hamas.

But the court said Wednesday that Israel has not substantiated allegations that a significant part of UNRWA employees are members of Hamas or other terrorist factions.

The court concludes that in the present circumstances, the United Nations, acting through UNRWA, has been an indispensable provider of humanitarian relief in the Gaza Strip, the judge said. The court recalls Israels obligation not to use starvation of the civilian population as a method of warfare as an occupying power.

The US Department of State also dismissed the ruling as corrupt, accusing the court of unfairly targeting Israel and ignoring alleged Hamas infiltration of UNRWA. But the court said Israel had not substantiated claims that a significant number of UNRWA staff belonged to Hamas or other militant groups.

According to the ruling, Israel blocked all UN aid into Gaza between March and May this year, in violation of the ban on using starvation as a weapon of war. More than 2,100 Palestinians were reported killed near aid distribution points, and international experts declared parts of Gaza to be in famine.

The judges, by ten votes to one, concluded that Israel must ensure the population of Gaza has access to food, water, shelter and medical care. They also reaffirmed the prohibition on forced displacement and collective punishment.

Norway, which initiated the proceedings, said it would seek a UN General Assembly resolution based on the courts findings. Its deputy foreign minister, Andreas Kravik, said the decision confirmed that Israel must facilitate UN and NGO access to deliver life-saving aid.

World Health Organisation Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus said the situation in Gaza remains catastrophic and beyond words, warning that the health crisis will last for generations to come.
Only eight states in Nigeria have met the global target for womens participation in decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.

The figure, drawn from the 202324 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), was highlighted in a report released by Invictus Africa. This civic-tech organisation leverages data and technology to drive inclusive policies and programmes.

The organisation noted that the eight states achieved at least 65 per cent of women participating in decisions on issues such as contraceptive use, the minimum benchmark set under the Ending Preventable Maternal Mortality (EPMM) framework.

These findings were shared by Adenike Adeoye, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Lead at Invictus Africa, during the 2025 Gatefield Health Summit in Abuja on Wednesday.

The event brought together experts and policymakers to discuss Nigerias ongoing health crisis and explore practical pathways towards stronger and more sustainable health systems.

Statistics

Rivers (80.9 per cent), Edo (78.3 per cent), and Delta (73.8 per cent) lead the chart, reflecting strong reproductive autonomy among women in these states.

Ogun (64.5 per cent), Akwa Ibom (64.1 per cent), and Lagos (60.3 per cent) are approaching the threshold, showing measurable progress in empowering women to make informed reproductive choices.

However, Kogi (47.1 per cent), Plateau (44 per cent), and Ebonyi (43.9 per cent) still require strengthened efforts to increase womens participation in reproductive decision-making and move closer to the global target.

At the lower end of the spectrum, Kebbi (2.5 per cent), Sokoto (5.1 per cent), and Niger (5.8 per cent) record the lowest levels of female participation in reproductive health decisions, underscoring deep-seated socio-cultural and systemic barriers.

The data further shows that no Nigerian state has met or exceeded the National Policy on Population (NPP) target of reducing the unmet need for family planning to 10 per cent by 2025 and achieving zero per cent by 2030

Sokoto (10.7 per cent) is currently the closest state to the benchmark, reflecting progress in addressing unwanted or mistimed pregnancies.

Lagos (12.6 per cent), Ekiti (12.8 per cent), and Gombe (13.2 per cent) are also significantly approaching the 2025 target, indicating ongoing efforts to expand family planning access.

Conversely, Cross River (30.3 per cent), Ebonyi (29.2 per cent), and Bayelsa (27.7 per cent) have the highest levels of unmet need for family planning, revealing major challenges in ensuring that married women can safely plan their pregnancies.

NDHS Report

A PREMIUM TIMES review of the 2024 NDHS revealed that only three in 10 married Nigerian women can make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.

According to the newly released data, just 29 per cent of currently married women aged 15 to 49 report having a say on all three key aspects of reproductive health: sexual relations, contraceptive use, and their own healthcare.

This indicator, recognised globally as Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5.6.1, tracks the proportion of women with autonomy over these critical aspects of their wellbeing.

It serves as a key benchmark for assessing reproductive rights and gender equality.

The NDHS highlights education and household wealth as major determinants of womens decision-making power.

The report shows that only nine per cent of women with no formal education can make informed choices on all three indicators, compared with 58 per cent of those with more than secondary education.

It also notes that economic inequality plays a role. Just nine per cent of women in the lowest wealth quintile report full reproductive health autonomy, compared with 58 per cent among the wealthiest households.

The report suggests that poverty and lack of education remain the most significant barriers to womens empowerment in reproductive health, regardless of age or location.
The Nigerian police on Thursday arrested human rights activist and Sahara Reporters publisher Omoyele Sowore just outside the Federal High Court in Abuja.

A team of police officers arrested Mr Sowore at the Federal High Court in Abuja where detained leader of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu also appeared for his terrorism trial on Thursday.

In a live video streamed by Mr Sowore, the activist was seen questioning the officers about the reason for his arrest.

Do you want to bundle me? No invitation letter, he asked, before voluntarily entering the police vehicle as his lawyers followed behind.

The arrest follows close on the heels of the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest led by Mr Sowore in Abuja on Monday, calling for Mr Kanus unconditional release from custody.

Mr Kanu, who appeared in court on Thursday to open his defence in his terrorism trial, has been detained by the State Security Service (SSS) since he was brought back from Kenya to Nigeria in June 2021.

During Mondays protest, the police arrested 12 protesters, including Mr Kanus lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, and the IPOB leaders brother, Emmanuel Kanu.

Mr Sowore was seen in a video clip running away from the protest scene around Transcorp Hilton Hotel in the Maitama District of Abuja after police began firing gunshots and teargas.

His arrest on Thursday is the latest in the series of running battles he has had with the police and the SSS just this year. Multiple criminal cases have been filed against him for different reasons by both agencies since the beginning of the year.

Mr Sowore, who usually attends hearings in Mr Kanus trial, was also at the Federal High Court in Abuja for a hearing of one of the criminal cases filed against him by the police before a judge, Emeka Nwite.

Preparatory to instituting the charges, the police arrested him and detained him for two days in August.

The prosecution accused him of forging a police wireless message and cyberbullying the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, and his personal staff officer, Yemisi Kuti, over a police promotion scandal.

However, he was standing outside the court premises with close associates when the police moved to arrest him.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Mr Sowore had described the case as bogus and farcical, alleging that it was politically motivated and linked to his criticism of the police leadership.

The case of the illegally appointed IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, listed as FRN v. Omoyele Sowore & Sahara Reporters, is coming before Justice Emeka Nwite They falsely allege that I forged a police wireless message and cyber-bullied the IGPs girlfriend and PSO, ACP Yemisi Kuti, he wrote.

He also referenced a recent social media controversy involving Pastor Jerry Eze and the IGPs aides, suggesting that the pastor deleted photos from a visit to the police headquarters after public backlash.

Legal team confronts police

Mr Sowores publication, Sahara Reporters, reported that a police officer approached Mr Sowore and informed him that he was being arrested on the orders of the FCT Commissioner of Police.

Members of his legal team, led by human rights lawyer Tope Temokun, confronted the officers and demanded to know the basis for the arrest.

The police reportedly insisted they were acting on direct instruction from the Commissioner before escorting him into a waiting vehicle.

Another lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, later posted on Facebook,I have been denied access to my client, Omoyele Sowore, at the FCT Command by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of CID. I have now seen Sowore.

As of press time, police spokesperson Josephine Adeh had not responded to calls and messages seeking comment.

Reactions

Mr Sowore, a former presidential candidate and convener of the #RevolutionNow movement has faced several arrests and trials since 2019, when he was detained by the SSS on treason charges for organizing protests against corruption in government.

His continued prosecution has drawn condemnation from Amnesty International and Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, which describe his repeated arrests as part of a broader crackdown on press freedom and dissent in Nigeria.

Legal experts say the use of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act in his current case mirrors a pattern of abusing cybercrime laws to silence critics and journalists.

READ ALSO: Police arrest operative filmed shooting at vehicle

The Take It Back Movement (TIB), a civic group aligned with Mr Sowore, has condemned the arrest and threatened nationwide protests if he is not released immediately.

The group described his detention as an attempt to silence dissenting voices under the guise of law enforcement.

Several rights groups have also linked the arrest to Nigerias broader pattern of targeting journalists and activists, despite constitutional guarantees of free expression.
Ukrainian Minister for Veterans Affairs Natalia Kalmykova expects the Verkhovna Rada to adopt the Code of Laws on the Defenders of Ukraine in late spring or early summer 2026.

"We have submitted not only this bill [On the Basic Principles of State Veteran Policy] but also draft laws on individuals injured during the Revolution of Dignity, on involved civilians, and on foreign volunteers. They have already passed committee review and were recommended for a first reading. However, during discussions, it was decided that for a comprehensive approach, these laws should be combined into a single Code of Laws on the Defenders of Ukraine. This Code will include separate sections on the 20th and 21st centuries, the Revolution of Dignity, and involved civilians," Kalmykova said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

According to her, the ministry is currently finalizing the draft Code, which consolidates all existing provisions into a single structure.

"We plan to have it approved by the government soon, register it, have it pass the first reading this year, and proceed to the second reading around late spring or early summer next year," she added.

Kalmykova believes that the codified approach will establish that veteran policy is no longer just a separate social sphere, but a fully-fledged area of state policy encompassing security, reintegration, economic development, education, healthcare, sports, and remembrance.

"In other words, the state is moving from fragmented regulation to a systematic vision  with a clear hierarchy of norms and accountability at all levels," the minister stressed.

As reported, in August the Cabinet of Ministers approved several draft laws on the foundations of state veteran policy and expects parliament to adopt them this fall as part of the Code of Laws on the Defenders of Ukraine.

Verkhovna Rada Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk has said the Veterans Code should enshrine the states obligations in veteran policy.
The defence team sacked on Thursday by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has reacted to their sudden disengagement.

Mr Kanu, who was scheduled to open his defence in his terrorism trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja, suddenly announced his decision to break with the lawyers at the start of Thursdays proceedings.

The lawyers, led by septuagenarian Kanu Agabi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Attorney-General of the Federation, immediately announced their withdrawal from the case and filed out of the courtroom.

Speaking to journalists while still on the court premises, Mr Agabi said the legal team respected Mr Kanus decision and wished him well.

Speaking to reporters outside the court, Kanus lead counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), said the IPOB leader has the right to defend himself.

A number of voices have been defending Nnamdi, and he has decided to conduct his defence by himself, Mr Agabi said, adding We respect his decision, and we wish him well.

The IPOB leader has been standing trial since 2015 on terrorism-related charges filed by the federal government.

Through his sacked lawyers, he applied for a transfer to the National Hospital for treatment based on a medical evaluation by a professor of medicine.

One of the lawyers, Onyechi Ikpeazu, a SAN, told Mr Omotosho during the 26 September proceedings that the professors medical report, dated 24 September, was addressed to the State Security Service (SSS).

Following the application, the judge ordered the president of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to set up a team of medical experts to examine Mr Kanus state of health.

On 16 October, the panel declared the IPOB leader fit for trial.

Also, Mr Kanu had, in a motion he personally signed and filed on 21 October, listed former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and others as his witnesses in his ongoing alleged terrorism trial.

The motion, titled Notice of Number and Names of Witnesses to be Called by the Defendant and Request for Witness Summons/Subpoena and the Variation of the Time Within Which to Defend the Counts/Charges Against the Defendant, listed several prominent Nigerians as witnesses.

Among those Mr Kanu described as compellable witnesses are the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; former Minister of Defence, retired Gen. Theophilus Danjuma; and former Chief of Army Staff, retired Gen. Tukur Buratai.

Others include the Governors of Lagos and Imo states, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Hope Uzodinma; the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; the immediate past Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu; and the immediate past Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Abubakar.

He also listed the former Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), Yusuf Bichi, and several other witnesses whose identities he did not disclose.

In the motion, Mr Kanu promised to provide the sworn statements of all voluntary witnesses to this honourable court, and to notify the prosecution within a reasonable time.

READ ALSO: Police arrest Omoyele Sowore outside Abuja court

The IPOB leader also held a private consultation with his legal team on Wednesday, as directed on 16 October by Mr Omotosho.

The judge adjourned the matter till Thursday for Mr Kanus defence.

Mr Kanu is standing trial on terrorism charges over his secessionist campaigns for the independence of South-east Nigeria as Biafra nation.
The Nigeria Police Force has said it arrested human rights activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, on Thursday over Mondays #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja.

Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, stated this on Thursday while addressing journalists in Abuja.

Mr Hundeyin said Mr Sowore allegedly led a group of protesters into a restricted area during a demonstration calling for the release of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

He said the arrest was part of efforts to ensure that justice applies equally to everyone involved.

If we go ahead to charge some people to court and leave the person who led them into that restricted area  their leader, the elite protester who directed and took them there  that would not be fair, Mr Hundeyin said.

He added that Mr Sowore would not be detained beyond the time permitted by law and would be arraigned without delay.

Like the others, he wouldnt spend up to 24 hours with us. Once we finalise the charges, he will be prosecuted. In fact, if everything goes as planned, he will be taken to court today, the police spokesperson said.

Protest and arrest

Mr Sowore, a former presidential candidate, was arrested on Thursday morning outside the Federal High Court in Abuja while covering proceedings in a separate case.

His arrest followed a protest on Monday in which demonstrators demanded the unconditional release of Mr Kanu, who has been held by the State Security Services (SSS) since his re-arrest in 2021 after jumping bail in 2017.

During Mondays protest, police fired teargas to disperse the crowd and arrested 12 people, including Mr Kanus lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, and his brother, Emmanuel Kanu.

Videos from the scene showed Mr Sowore running from the protest site around the Transcorp Hilton area in Abuja before police began making arrests.

Take It Back Movement reacts

In a statement on Thursday, the Take It Back Movement (TIB) condemned the arrest and demanded Mr Sowores immediate release.

We have received credible information that the FCT Commissioner of Police invited our comrade and convener, Omoyele Sowore, reportedly in connection with the ongoing #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest, said Sanyaolu Juwon, the groups national coordinator.

We wish to categorically warn that any form of detention, harassment, or intimidation of Sowore by the Nigeria Police Force or any arm of the Tinubu regime will be met with an immediate, nationwide mass action.

The group described the activist as a voice of conscience for millions of oppressed Nigerians and insisted that the right to peaceful protest is constitutionally guaranteed.

Previous run-ins with security agencies

Thursdays arrest adds to a growing list of confrontations between Mr Sowore and Nigerian security agencies since 2019, when he was detained by the DSS on treason charges for organising the #RevolutionNow protests.

He has since faced multiple criminal cases filed by the police and SSS, including allegations of forgery and cyberstalking against the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and a senior female officer.

Mr Sowore has dismissed the cases as politically motivated, describing the charges as bogus and farcical in a Facebook post on Wednesday.

They falsely allege that I forged a police wireless message and cyber-bullied the IGPs girlfriend and PSO, ACP Yemisi Kuti, he wrote.

His lawyers, including Tope Temokun and rights advocate Deji Adeyanju, were at the FCT Police Command on Thursday to demand access to him after reports that he was being held at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Mr Adeyanju later confirmed he had seen Mr Sowore after being initially denied access.

Reactions

Rights organisations such as Amnesty International and Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights have repeatedly condemned the Nigerian governments handling of protests and its prosecution of critics.

Legal experts also say the use of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act against journalists and activists mirrors a growing pattern of criminalising dissent.

The Take It Back Movement (TIB), a civic group aligned with Mr Sowore, had condemned the arrest and threatened nationwide protests if he is not released immediately.

The group described his detention as an attempt to silence dissenting voices under the guise of law enforcement.

Several rights groups have also linked the arrest to Nigerias broader pattern of targeting journalists and activists, despite constitutional guarantees of free expression.
The Nigerian Army says the troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), a joint task force, repelled multiple coordinated attacks by terrorists across the North-east joint operations area, killing at least 50 of them.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that suspected fighters of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) ambushed military positions in Dikwa and Mada, in Borno State, engaging the troops in gun battles in the early hours of Thursday.

According to a Facebook statement by Sani Uba, the North-east spokesperson for the OPHK, the attacks occurred between midnight and 4 a.m. when terrorists simultaneously targeted troop locations in Dikwa, Mafa, Gajibo (all in Borno State), and Katarko in Yobe State.

Mr Uba, a lieutenant colonel, said the insurgents deployed armed drones and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs).

Some vehicles and buildings were also gutted by fire from the terrorists armed drones and RPG fire during the battle, especially in Mafa and Dikwa, where a part of the defences were momentarily breached, he stated.

The confirmation by the army that terrorists are now using armed drones shows that, despite military efforts, the terrorists are getting more sophisticated.

Noting that the troops stood firm, fought gallantly, and professionally repelled the attacks, Mr Uba listed weapons recovered to include: 38 AK-47 rifles, seven PKT machine guns, five RPG tubes, two GPMGs, and several hand grenades, along with thousands of assorted ammunition rounds.

He added that more than 70 wounded terrorists were still being pursued by ground forces with close air support.

The coordinated offensive response was supported by air platforms of the Air Component Command of OPHK, the statement read. The precision strikes, coupled with enhanced battlefield awareness provided by Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets, gave troops overwhelming leverage to respond with lethal force.

Mr Uba said intelligence reports indicated that the terrorists who attacked Dikwa and Gajibo infiltrated from Cameroon, while those who launched the assault on Katarko advanced from the Timbuktu Triangle, a notorious insurgent hideout.

He also confirmed that some troops sustained injuries and were receiving treatment, while several vehicles and buildings were damaged during the firefight.

The military headquarters commended the gallantry, doggedness, and renewed charge of the troops, the spokesperson said.

Their steadfast performance once again reaffirms the militarys unwavering resolve and capacity to defend the nations territorial integrity against all threats, especially with the introduction of more boots and critical combat enablers into the Theatre, he said.
Israels proposed bills to annex parts of the occupied West Bank have drawn swift condemnation from several countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkiye, Jordan, and the Palestinian Foreign Ministry.

On Wednesday, Israeli lawmakers advanced two far-right bills in the Knesset.

The first billapproved by 32 votes to 9seeks to annex a major Israeli settlement east of Jerusalem, while the second, which passed narrowly by 25 to 24 votes, calls for the annexation of the entire West Bank.

Both measures still require three additional readings before they can take effect as law.

Condemnation

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia denounced the Knessets preliminary approval of the bills, describing them as attempts to legitimise settlements and impose Israeli sovereignty over occupied Palestinian lands.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Kingdom firmly rejects all settlement and expansionist activities by the Israeli occupation authorities in the West Bank.

It reaffirmed Saudi Arabias support for the Palestinian peoples right to establish an independent state based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Riyadh urged the international community to uphold United Nations resolutions prohibiting the occupation and settlement of Palestinian territories and to revive peace efforts towards a two-state solution guaranteeing peace and stability in the region.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry also condemned the Knesset vote, saying it strongly rejects attempts to annex Palestinian land. It reiterated that the occupied Palestinian territories in the West Bank, including Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, constitute a single geographic unit over which Israel has no sovereignty.

Hamas described the move as exposing the ugly face of the colonial occupation, insisting that the occupations frantic attempts to annex West Bank lands are invalid and illegitimate.

Qatars Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the bills in the strongest terms, calling them a blatant violation of the historical rights of the Palestinian people and a challenge to international law.

Turkiye also rejected the move, saying it was null and void under international law. The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned that this provocative step, taken at a time when efforts to establish peace in Gaza are ongoing, threatens the already fragile stability in the region.

The West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which has been under Israeli occupation since 1967, is the territory of the State of Palestine. Israels unlawful fait accomplis in the West Bank must not be allowed, Ankara said, adding that Turkiye will continue to defend the inalienable rights of the Palestinians and support the establishment of an independent, sovereign state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The United States also voiced concern.

READ ALSO: FCT police redeploy DPO over unprofessional conduct

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said any move towards annexation would undermine Washingtons plan to end the conflict in Gaza. Thats not something we can be supportive of right now, he said, adding that it might be counterproductive to peace efforts.

More than 700,000 Israeli settlers currently live in illegal settlements across the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. All settlements there are deemed illegal under international law.

In 2024, the UNs principal court reaffirmed that Israels occupation of Palestinian territories and its settlements are illegal and should be withdrawn as soon as possible.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday declined to entertain the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanus objection to his terrorism trial and ordered him to open his defence on Friday.

Trial judge James Omotosho ruled that the issues raised by Mr Kanu in objection to the courts jurisdiction to conduct his trial had been previously decided.

But the judge said the IPOB leader would have the opportunity to revisit the issues in his final written address if he still feels strongly about them at the end of trial.

All preliminary objections shall not be entertained at this point, and the order of the court stands, Mr Omotosho ruled.

The judge postponed the commencement of Mr Kanus defence, earlier scheduled for Thursday, to Friday.

I appeal to the defendant to make use of the opportunity given to him to enter his defence, or waive it if he wants, the judge said.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that Mr Kanu abruptly announced the disengagement of his Kanu Agabi-led legal team during Thursdays proceedings.

Mr Kanu, who faces terrorism charges over his violence-inciting campaigns for the independence of South-east Nigeria as sovereign Biafra state, told the judge he was willing to defend himself without the help of a lawyer.

Why I object to the terrorism trial  Kanu

After the withdrawal of his legal team, Mr Kanu, through an oral application, challenged the jurisdiction of the court to try him.

He said that, on the face of the records before the court, there were four jurisdictional defects in the matter.

First, he argued that the federal government was in contempt of an order of the Court of Appeal. According to him, although the appellate court had discharged him, he remained in detention for 14 more months.

A contemnor cannot come to the court to seek any remedy because he who goes to equity must appear with clean hands, he said.

But Mr Kanus assertion sidestepped the later decision of the Supreme Court in December 2023, which overturned the Court of Appeals ruling and ordered him to return to the Federal High Court in Abuja to face his trial.

Secondly, Mr Kanu argued that the law under which he was being tried had been repealed, and therefore he could not be prosecuted under a repealed Act.

He also contended that the prosecution had denied him proper consultation with his lawyers during the nearly five years he had been in custody.

If not for your mercy, my Lord, to grant us three hours to hold a conference in this courtroom, I would have been compelled to enter my defence in a capital offence without proper consultation with my lawyers, he said.

Mr Kanu further alleged that the medical report on which the court relied to declare him fit to stand trial was forged.

He said the report was dated 23 September, whereas the courts order for examination was made on 26 September.

He told the court that nobody took his blood or urine sample for any test, claiming the report was manufactured.

Based on the above, Mr Kanu asked the court to terminate the case today if possible.

Responding, the prosecution lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, said all that Mr Kanu stated was not based on any known court procedure, adding that he had merely entertained the court.

Mr Kanu reiterated that he had not had enough time to prepare for his defence, especially since the matter was a capital trial. He said he also needed time to gather the witnesses he had listed.

Onyechi Ikpeazu, who used to be among Mr Kanus legal team, asked for permission to address the court, not as the defendants lawyer but as a friend of the court.

He appealed for an adjournment, even if until tomorrow, to allow the defendant to gather his thoughts and prepare his defence.

Judge insists Kanu must open his defence

On the matter of preliminary objection, the judge said most of the issues raised by Mr Kanu had already been determined, particularly on jurisdiction, but he was not foreclosed from raising them again in his final written address if he is not satisfied with the ruling.

On the issue of the alleged forged medical report, the judge maintained that he had ruled on the matter, noting that when the report was tendered before the court, none of the parties objected to it.

He said his earlier ruling therefore remained valid.

On the issue of time, the judge maintained that he would not go back on his decision to grant accelerated hearing.

The matter was adjourned till Friday, 24 October.

Chequered history

PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Kanus decision to disengage t lawyers who took over his defence just this year sparked a surprise, coming barely 24 hours after he met with the defence team preparatory to Thursdays proceedings.

It came three days after a protest led by human rights activist Omoyele Sowore in Abuja on Monday called for an unconditional release of Mr Kanu from custody.

The IPOB leaders break with his lawyers on Thursday introduces a new twist in a trial with chequered history dating back to 2015.

Mr Kanu was first arrested in September 2015 over his agitation through radio broadcasts for the secession of the Igbo-dominated South-east from Nigeria as a sovereign Biafra nation.

The case, since kicking off in 2015, has passed through four judges of the Federal High Court in Abuja, the current one being the latest, and paraded successive defence teams.

The Biafra agitator was released on bail from the custody of the SSS in 2017, but subsequently fled the country after soldiers invaded his home in Afara-Ukwu, Abia State, in September that year.

This halted his trial until he was rearrested and brought back to Nigeria in June 2021.

Mr Kanu, a citizen of Nigeria and the United Kingdom, is standing trial on terrorism charges that accuse him of inciting violence that led to killings and destruction of property for years in the South-east states.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja freed him in October 2022, striking out the terrorism charges against him on the grounds of the illegality of the manner of bringing him back from Kenya to Nigeria in June 2021.

But the Supreme Court overturned the Court of Appeals decision in December 2023 and ordered the trial to continue at the Federal High Court.

The Supreme Court ruled that there is no Nigerian law that prohibits the use of illegally obtained evidence for the trial of a defendant.

The prosecution subsequently opened and closed its case with five witnesses.

Mr Kanus decision to disengage his legal team on Thursday, when he was scheduled to open his defence, comes on the heels of an application he personally signed on Tuesday, listing his proposed witnesses.
Dangote Group has denied ownership of the truck involved in a road accident that occurred in Akungba-Akoko, Akoko South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State on Wednesday.

The group made the disclosure in a statement signed by its management on Thursday stating that the truck does not belong to any of its subsidiaries.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported that a truck allegedly owned by Dangote Group and loaded with cement lost control and crushed several persons, including a pregnant woman, along the Akungba-Owo Highway Wednesday evening.

A viral video, which started circulating online after the accident happened, showed some students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA) at the crash site attempting to rescue the victims from the wreck.

The truck heading from Ikare to Akungba Akoko was reported to have had a brake failure, overrunning the barricade at the universitys main gate before colliding with pedestrians.

A statement by AAUA student union governments public relations officer, Ajidagba Mosadoluwa, said ten people died in the accident.

We regret to inform the entire student populace that an articulated vehicle belonging to Dangote Group of Companies suffered a brake failure from Ikare en route to Akungba, and destroyed by accident the permanent barricade erected at the universitys main gate, the statement read.

Truck not owned by Dangote Group

Dangote Group said the verified vehicle registration details confirm that the truck, whose registration number is Plate No. JJJ 365 XB, is owned and operated by an independent logistics company that is in no way affiliated to the group.

For the avoidance of doubt, the truck was not conveying any Dangote products but was transporting crushed stones in reused sacks bearing various brand names, the statement said.

The conglomerate, controlled by Africas richest man Aliko Dangote, said its stringent fleet management and vehicle identification policy ensures that all its trucks are properly branded, tracked, and operated by trained employees under rigorous safety and compliance standards.

For clarity, all genuine Dangote trucks carry distinct company markings and fleet numbers, making them easily identifiable.

While the company deeply sympathises with all those affected by the incident, it urges members of the public and the media to verify information before attributing ownership or involvement to Dangote Group, it said.

It urged media organisations to desist from using the images of Dangote-branded trucks in connection with accidents or incidents that are not linked to its activities.

Dangote Industries remains steadfast in its commitment to road safety, regulatory compliance, and responsible corporate citizenship across all its operations in Nigeria and beyond, the company said.
The President and Chairman of the Council of the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAPharm), Lere Baale, has called for a bold rethink of Nigerias healthcare financing system to unlock opportunities across the countrys health value chain.

At the 2025 Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Healthcare Providers Association of Nigeria in Lagos on Wednesday, Mr Baale presented a paper titled Unlocking the Value Chain in the Healthcare Sector Through Veritable Health Financing Options.

The Professor who is the CEO of Business School Netherlands International said Nigeria must shift from seeing health as a social cost to recognising it as a productive investment capable of driving economic growth and national competitiveness.

Nigerias healthcare future will not be built by chance, but by choice, Mr Baale said.

If we commit to veritable financinganchored in risk pooling, transparency, and innovationNigeria will save lives, catalyse industries, create jobs, and build resilience.

High out-of-pocket spending

Mr Baale noted that about 76 per cent of total health spending in Nigeria comes from out-of-pocket payments, leaving millions of families vulnerable to catastrophic health costs.

He emphasised that every naira invested in health could yield up to six times in economic returns through productivity, job creation, and improved human capital.

According to him, gaps in research, manufacturing, procurement, and service delivery continue to weaken access, equity, and quality of care across the health sector.

Four strategies for reform

To drive sustainable reform and unlock value across Nigerias healthcare ecosystem, Mr Baale outlined strategies focused on financing, innovation, and accountability.

He urged the government to significantly scale up public investment and policy reforms by increasing disbursements through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) and raising public health expenditure above four per cent of GDP to stimulate performance-linked financing.

He emphasised that improved funding must translate into measurable outcomes and stronger primary health systems across the country.

He also called for the expansion of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to reach informal workers and rural populations through digital micro-insurance and community-based schemes. He cited Lagos States ILERA EKO programme and Rwandas cooperative model.

Beyond public spending, Mr Baale emphasised the need for private capital mobilisation to bridge infrastructure and service gaps. He proposed leveraging public-private partnerships, diaspora bonds, and social impact bonds to fund diagnostic infrastructure, logistics networks, and digital platforms.

On pharmaceuticals, he recommended strengthening local manufacturing and supply chains through credit guarantees, fair procurement systems, and working-capital lines. He said this will ensure medicine security and reduce stockouts.

Drawing inspiration from other African countries, Mr Baale references Ghanas VAT-linked National Health Insurance Levy and Rwandas income-tiered community model, both of which achieved high coverage and sustainable financing through coordinated governance, fiscal innovation, and accountability.

Government push

His recommendations align with the Nigeria governments Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), launched by President Bola Tinubu in October 2023 to boost local manufacturing of medical products and services.

The initiative, coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, aims to transform the healthcare ecosystem by strengthening manufacturing, logistics, technology, and retail, while encouraging private-sector participation.

According to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, the key goals include achieving a 70 per cent local production of pharmaceuticals and a 15 per cent pharmaceutical market share in Africa by 2030, creating 30,000 jobs.

READ ALSO: WHO reports major decline in polio cases across Africa

In 2024, Mr Pate announced that PVAC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the US Pharmacopeial Convention (USP). Also, recently, PVAC signed another MoU with the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria to strengthen private sector partnerships.

Collective responsibility

Mr Baale urged the government, private investors, health professionals and development partners to adopt what he called a Not more money, but smarter money approach.

He said this will ensure that every naira invested delivers measurable health outcomes and shared prosperity.
President Bola Tinubus cabinet has been hit by a forgery controversy as the Federal High Court in Abuja has given the go-ahead to a legal action seeking the prosecution of the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, for falsification of election results during the 2023 general elections.

The judge Mohammed Umar, in a ruling dated 23 September, said he was satisfied that Amobi Ogah, a member of the House of Representatives, provided sufficient material evidence to justify his request for the courts intervention.

The leave obtained from the court by Mr Ogah is the first major step in the legal process that seeks to have the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) compelled to prosecute the minister for election fraud.

The ruling authorises the Labour Party lawmaker to apply for an order of mandamus compelling INEC to investigate and, where necessary, prosecute Ms Onyejeocha for alleged forgery of election results across 62 polling units in the Isikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State.

But the order granting leave to Mr Ogah is not a guarantee that the ongoing legal action will be successful. It only paves the way for a full-blown hearing that will entail INEC to present its case for or against the lawmakers request. The court will then take a decision on whether or not to order INEC to investigate and possibly prosecute the minister after hearing from two parties.

Background of the dispute

The controversy traces back to the aftermath of the 2023 general elections. Mr Ogah contested and won the House of Representatives seat for Isikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency under the Labour Party, defeating Ms Onyejeocha, who ran on the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Following her loss, Ms Onyejeocha challenged the result before the National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, insisting that she, and not Mr Ogah, won the election.

However, Mr Ogah alleged that she forged result sheets and other electoral documents, which she later tendered before the tribunal as evidence of her purported victory.

The tribunal dismissed her petition for lack of merit, a verdict later upheld by the Court of Appeal, which affirmed Mr Ogahs victory. The Court of Appeals decision is final on legislative election disputes in Nigeria.

Allegations of forgery

In his application to the Federal High Court, Mr Ogah accused the minister of falsifying INEC documents to mislead the judiciary.

He stated that Ms Onyejeocha forged the results in respect of the polling units listed, which results were tendered during the trial of the petition at the Election Tribunal to prove the allegations contained in her petition.

He further alleged that she presented the forged documents, tagged Exhibit 3, as official INEC results, even though the electoral body, during the tribunal hearing, vehemently denied their authenticity.

That Hon. Nkeiruka Chidubem Onyejeocha even attempted to deceive the judiciary by presenting the forged documents to the Election Tribunal and the Court of Appeal as official results issued by INEC, the lawmaker said in his affidavit.

Courts ruling

After reviewing the affidavit and evidence presented, the judge, Mr Umar, ruled that the applicant had met the conditions necessary to compel INEC to take up the case.

I am satisfied that the applicant has placed relevant materials in the affidavit in support of this application, and this court is thereby persuaded to exercise its discretion in favour of the applicant, the judge stated.

Relying on Order 34, Rules 1, 3, and 4 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019, the judge granted leave to Mr Ogah to apply for an order directing INEC to investigate and prosecute Ms Onyejeocha for the electoral offence of forging the election results of polling units within the Isikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State.

The ruling sets the stage for a full hearing, at the end of which the court may decide to grant or reject the request for the order of mandamus.

The next stage in the case will be for the lawmaker to file main suit seeking the order of mandamus and have it served on INEC. The electoral body will then file its defence.

The courts ultimate decision will be dependent on the defence INEC puts forward.

At the end of the hearing, the judge will review if there is any prima facie evidence that warrants further investigation or prosecution of the suspect. It will also determine whether INEC had unjustifiably abdicated its official duty to take up the alleged election fraud case. If the answers turn out positive, the court can compel INEC to investigate the case and possibly prosecute the suspect. If any of the answers turn out negative, the court can dismiss the case.

An order of mandamus is a remedy issued by a court to compel a government official, public body, or lower court to perform a duty they are legally obligated to carry out.

Broader implications for Tinubus administration

The election fraud allegation is another episode of integrity scandal involving a member of Mr Tinubus cabinet, raising renewed concerns about the governments commitment to accountability.

Notably, an investigation by PREMIUM TIMES exposed that former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, submitted forged university degree and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificates to secure his appointment in 2023. The University of Nigeria, Nsukka, disowned the degree he claimed to possess.

The revelation sparked public outrage and calls for his resignation, which he tendered shortly after.

Similarly, questions have been raised about the authenticity of the academic records of other top government officials, including senior aides and appointees.
The National Economic Council (NEC) has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubus proposal for the overhaul and revamp of training institutions for security agencies nationwide.

The Presidents proposal followed a presentation made to Council by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, on the realisation of President Tinubus vision for a trillion-dollar economy, which also highlighted the necessity of investing more in security by the three tiers of government.

At its 152nd meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, NEC constituted a committee chaired by Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, to oversee the process of overhaul of training institutions for security agencies across the country.

The committee has a one month period to produce a blueprint for the renovation of training institutions for the Nigeria Police Force and sister agencies nationwide.

Addressing members of the council, President Tinubu highlighted the need for government to fix training institutions and facilities for security agencies across the country, assuring that his administration would make concerted efforts to reverse the dilapidation in police training facilities nationwide.

We have to make the conditions of the training facilities more conducive for both the trainers and trainees, he said.

Other members of the NEC committee are Governors Uba Sani of Kaduna, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Kefas Agbu of Taraba, Umoh Eno of Akwa Ibom, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, and Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, with former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Baba Usman, as secretary.

Also, President Tinubu urged state governors to also pay attention to issues that affect the wellbeing of the people particularly from the grassroot.

Earlier, Chairman of NEC, Vice President Kashim Shettima called on state governments to translate the optimism of the streets into real prosperity in homes and communities.

In his opening address, Vice President Shettima reminded state governors that the measure of governance lies in the tangible improvement of citizens lives rather than rhetoric.

The measure of government is not in speeches delivered; it is in the lives improved, he said.

Highlighting one of the days major presentations, including the Anticipatory Action Framework for Riverine Flooding by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), VP Shettima reiterated the administrations shift from reactive crisis management to proactive planning.

It is no longer in doubt that rivers that once sustained our farmlands and livelihoods have also been the source of recurring tragedy for many of our citizens.

Entire communities have watched their dreams drown in waters that could have been tamed through foresight and planning. True leadership anticipates danger and builds systems to prevent loss before it happens, he said.

He commended the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for leading the charge toward disaster preparedness across the federation, noting that the framework will strengthen early warning systems, coordination mechanisms, and subnational response capacities.

The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, presented a NEC memorandum outlining Nigerias trajectory toward a $1 trillion economy by 2033, describing the target as a test of coordination and clarity.

According to the Vice President, This ambition requires coordination across the federation. It is our duty as a Council to interrogate the pathways, to assign responsibilities, and to ensure that our targets are realistic, time-bound, and transparent to the citizens who expect results.

He emphasised that the roadmap aligns with President Bola Tinubus Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises macroeconomic stability, job creation, food security, and subnational competitiveness as anchors of national prosperity.

Mr Shettima also commended the Katsina Sustainable Platform for Agriculture (KASPA), a state-driven digital agriculture model designed to modernise service delivery and improve farmers access to data, markets, and climate information.

Earlier this week, at the invitation of His Excellency, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, I was in Katsina State. One of the progressive projects we launched is the Katsina Sustainable Platform for Agriculture, known as KASPA. It is a scalable framework for digital governance, farmer inclusion, and climate-smart productivity ready for sub-national adoption, the Vice President said.

The platform, he noted, reflects the councils broader commitment to technology-enabled governance and inclusive agricultural growth that cuts across the thirty-six states and the FCT.

The story of Nigerias recovery will not be written by chance but by choiceby the deliberate actions we take to protect our economy, safeguard our environment, and uphold the welfare of our citizens, he said.

VP Shettima commended governors, ministers, and members of the council for sustaining the NEC as a platform of trust, cooperation, and policy innovation.

Other highlights of the meeting are as follows:

NEC (6TH IN 2025) 153RD MEETING, THURSDAY, 23RD OCTOBER, 2025.

PRESS BRIEFING:

UPDATE ON ACCOUNT BALANCES AS AT OCTOBER, 2025

EXCESS CRUDE ACCOUNT  $535,823.39

STABILIZATION ACCOUNT  N87,665,172,169.67

NATURAL RESOURCES ACCOUNT  N141,585,815,908.16

UPDATE ON NEC AD-HOC COMMITTEE ON POLIO ERADICATION BY THE CHAIRMAN, ALH. MUHAMMAD INUWA YAHAYA, EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF GOMBE STATE

Chairman of the Ad-Hoc Committee briefed Council that since its inauguration, the Committee has convened four times (JuneOctober 2025), strengthening political commitment and coordination.

That Epidemiological data show continued progress, with cVPV2 cases dropping by 44% from 109 in 2024 to 61 in 2025. Kano and Katsina achieved major reductions (89% and 88% respectively). However, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi reported new cases (8, 4, and 2), highlighting the need for ongoing vigilance. Gombe remains free of new cases.

That recent In-Between Round Activities (IBRA) led to significant gains:

i. Settlements reached rose from 77% in August to 97% in September.

ii. Vaccine coverage in insecure areas reached 90% across key states.

iii. The first phase of the National Integrated Campaign (launched by the First Lady on 6 Oct 2025) was conducted in five high-burden states, reaching 60% of settlements and vaccinating 73% (Polio) and 57% (Measles-Rubella) of targeted children as of 12 October 2025.

iv. The second phase began on 18 Oct 2025 in Gombe, continuing integrated vaccination efforts.

Current activities and next steps

1. The nationwide Integrated Campaign commenced on 6th October 2025 is ongoing across five states  Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara.

2. The Integrated Campaign delivers a comprehensive health package, including Measles-Rubella and Polio vaccines, Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC), and Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) interventions.

Council Resolution:

i. Council urged state governments to ensure release of funds to their structures to improve statewide immunization exercise.

ii. The NEC urged sustenance of momentum to reduce polio infection and spread thereby safeguarding every Nigerian child.

*PRESENTATION ON KATSINA SUSTAINABLE PLATFORM FOR AGRICULTURE (KASPA) BY SSAP INNOVATION NASIR YAMMAMA*

The National Economic Council received a presentation on the Sustainable Platform for Agriculture by the SSA to the President on Innovation, Nasir Yammama. The presentation was on the Katsina Sustainable Platform for Agriculture (KASPA) as a model for adoption by sub-nationals and part of solutions to challenges militating against improved agricultural productivity and sustainability in Nigeria.

The SSAP said the model which focuses on empowering smallholder farmers and developing the agribusiness value chain leverages technology to provide farmers with integrated agriculture assistance, including extension services and market linkages.

Council Resolution:

Council commended the innovation to deploy technology in addressing challenges faced by farmers across Nigeria and urged state governments to replicate the model in the bid to unlock the full potential of agricultural production regions across the country.

Council also directed the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to capture in its 2026 budget, the establish of the agriculture data and control centre in the 6 geopolitical zones of the country.

*UPDATE ON THE NATIONAL ECONOMIC COUNCIL AD-HOC COMMITTEE ON CRUDE OIL THEFT PREVENTION AND CONTROL PRESENTED BY THE CHAIRMAN, SEN. HOPE ODIDIKA UZODINMA, GOVERNOR OF IMO STATE.*

The Committee updated Council that it has met several times and Members have formed a common front to fight Oil Theft in Nigeria. Some Critical Stakeholders in the Industry were invited for discussions to extract very important information that will further the assignment of the Committee. The Committee also met with the Regulator NNPC, and some operators in the industry. Our determination to raise oil production is informed by the Nations quest for a One Trillion US Dollar Economy by the year 2030.

NEXT STEPS

Below are the next steps the Committee intends to undertake:

A. Obtain and analyze some important information/data from critical stakeholders to further assist its assignment.

B. Resolved to provide logistics support to outstanding States, Security Agencies and relevant Agencies in securing National Oil and Gas Assets.

C. Embark on physical visits by the Committee to all the Crude Oil Export Terminals

D. Carry out further Forensic Investigation

E. Periodically monitor the implementation of activities outlined in the workplan

Council Resolution:

Council commended the committee for a job well done and urged concerted efforts to improve crude production beyond the 1.72 million barrel per day and directed the committee to expand the scope of its work to cover illegal mining activities and theft of mineral resources across the country.

Council also noted that Nigeria is on course to hit 2.5 million barrels day by end of 2025

Stanley Nkwocha

Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications

(Office of The Vice President)

23rd October, 2025
The Executive Director of the International Society for Media in Public Health (ISMPH), Moji Makanjuola, has called for stronger collaboration between the media, policymakers, and development partners to accelerate progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Nigeria.

Speaking at a High-Level Media Advocacy Dialogue in Abuja on Thursday, Ms Makanjuola highlighted the medias power to shape public perception, promote accountability, and amplify evidence-based reforms within the health sector.

She said the media remains the connective tissue between policy, public perception, and accountability.

Ms Makanjuola added that beyond its traditional role of information dissemination, the media shapes the national conscience, ensures transparency, and sustains public engagement in the health reform process.

Every well researched documentary, every investigative feature, every community radio dialogue that informs citizens on immunisation, family planning or antenatal care contributes directly to saving lives, she said.

She noted that journalism should move beyond reporting challenges to highlighting innovations and solutions that inspire reform.

Ms Makanjuola also highlighted how data-driven storytelling and evidence-based reporting can strengthen governance and improve maternal and child health outcomes.

She also stressed that effective communication between the media and policymakers is essential for sustaining public engagement and building trust in government health initiatives.

The High-Level Media Advocacy Dialogue was jointly organised by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the International Society for Media in Public Health (ISMPH) and the Engender Health Consortium.

Media as accountability partners

Also speaking, Nigerias Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, called for responsible journalism that balances criticism with constructive narratives that inspire change and national pride.

Mr Pate, a professor said the media can help shape a narrative of possibility and renewal, not just lamentation.

Constructive reporting can mobilise citizens and leaders alike to rebuild our health system.

He also cautioned against corruption and misuse of health resources at the facility level, warning that such practices undermine national progress.

Mr Pate said the government has worked to expand direct financing for primary healthcare centres, but citizens must ensure these resources reach their intended beneficiaries.

In his remarks, Uche Amaonwu, Nigeria Country Director at the Gates Foundation, described the media as accountability partners, urging journalists to track health budgets, investigate stockouts of essential medicines, and spotlight unpaid health workers to keep public policy responsive.

When the media tracks budgets, investigates supply gaps, or highlights unpaid health workers, it turns public policy into public awareness, Mr Amaonwu said.

That awareness drives citizen action and ultimately compels leadership to act.

He said empowering journalists with the right data, access, and capacity to follow the money is critical to strengthening Nigerias PHC system.

Our collective goal should be to empower the media to track performance, tell the human stories behind the numbers, and hold all stakeholders accountable, he said.
The fourth heating season under martial law will be the most difficult for Kyiv since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Russia into Ukraine, despite the preparations made for it, Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko has said.

"Today we face the challenges of going through the most difficult heating season in all the years of the full-scale war. Because the enemy is particularly furious and systematically attacking all energy and heat-generating facilities at the same time. Massive attacks with drones, missiles. Doing everything to destroy and destroy critical infrastructure. And in this anomalous situation, it is difficult for air defense forces to work. We see this in the example of other cities where a critical situation has already developed - Chernihiv and the region, Slavutych, Sumy region, other cities and towns in different regions of the country," Klitschko said on Telegram on Thursday.

According to him, the city authorities were preparing for it taking into account the experience of previous difficult years, in particular, they repaired the most worn-out and enemy-damaged sections of the networks, conducted hydraulic tests, repaired and equipped boiler houses.

Klitschko reported that Kyiv had increased the stock of independent power sources, mobile boiler houses, implemented an energy sustainability program for residential buildings, and created protection for energy facilities in accordance with the requirements of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. At the same time, the mayor emphasized that the protection was created at the capitals own expense.

"The situation is very difficult And this is not the time for political statements, but for demonstrating the ability to act quickly and effectively, based on new circumstances," Klitschko added.

In this regard, he stated that the Kyiv City Council on Thursday should "adopt the necessary and important budgetary decisions in the situation of enemy attacks to destroy our critical infrastructure, which will make it possible to implement additional measures taking into account various security scenarios."

"In particular, we are talking about the reconstruction of the water drainage and water supply system by introducing alternative and/or backup power sources. Namely, additional to those we have, generators to ensure water drainage. We will have to redistribute funds from other planned items. I understand that these are difficult decisions. Especially in conditions when the state has taken UAH 8 billion from Kyivs budget "retroactively," the mayor said.

Klitschko reported that the Kyiv City Council, in addition, must approve an appeal to the Verkhovna Rada to increase expenditures to strengthen Kyivs defense capabilities, which will be directed to enhanced protection of engineering, transport and energy infrastructure, civil defense protective structures, ensuring financing for enhanced protection of military facilities, as well as strengthening the capitals air defense forces and means.
The Editor-in-Chief and Chief Operating Officer of PREMIUM TIMES, Musikilu Mojeed, will join global media leaders to discuss the future of investigative collaboration at the 2025 International Press Institute (IPI) World Congress and Media Innovation Festival in Vienna, Austria.

The event, scheduled for 23 to 25 October, marks the IPIs 75th anniversary under the theme Defending the Future of Free Media.

The congress will bring together leading journalists, editors, and media innovators from across the world to discuss the challenges confronting journalism and explore ways to safeguard free media for future generations.

Mr Mojeeds session, titled The Future of Investigative Collaboration, will be held on 25 October.

According to the organisers, the panel will examine how investigative partnerships can adapt in the face of declining media trust, funding constraints, artificial intelligence disruptions, and threats to press freedom.

The session will be moderated by Leila Bicakcic, Executive Director of the Centre for Investigative Reporting in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Other speakers include Axel Gordh Humlesjo of Swedish Television (SVT), Frederik Obermaier, founder of Munich-based Paper Trail Media, and Scilla Alecci, partnership coordinator at the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ).

About Musikilu Mojeed

Musikilu Mojeed is the Editor-in-Chief and Chief Operating Officer of Nigerias PREMIUM TIMES, and co-founder of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID). An award-winning investigative journalist and ICIJ member, he shared the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for the Panama Papers.

A Knight Fellow at Stanford (2012) and Ford Foundation Fellow at CUNY (2009), he has served as a judge for global journalism awards, including UNESCOs World Press Freedom Awards and the Fetisov Journalism Awards.

He also sits on the board of Africa Check and serves as a trustee of the Global Media Campaign to End FGM.

Mr Mojeed chairs the Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute.
Ultimately, Nigerias IGR landscape is no longer just a ledger of numbers, it is a reflection of leadership, equity, and the evolving social contract between government and citizens. States that pair revenue ambition with transparency, inclusive policy, and responsible spending will not only expand their fiscal base but also deepen public trust. However, when digital reforms serve merely to inflate revenue figures without improving service delivery or accountability, the result is a hollow victory.

Enugu, Bayelsa, and Kano Lead Nigerias 2024 Revenue Surge

The 2024 Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) map of Nigerias sub-nationals reveals stark contrasts and rising fiscal ambition. Lagos, shaded in deep blue, surged past 1.26 trillion, while Yobe barely crossed 11 billion, highlighting the uneven revenue landscape.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), total internally generated revenue for sub-nationals rose to 3.633 trillion in 2024, up from 2.427 trillion in 2023 and 1.926 trillion in 2022. As such, the cumulative growth rate jumped from 26.03 per cent in 2023 to 49.70 per cent in 2024, signalling a net gain of 23.67 per cent. Ten sub-nationals consistently led the IGR charge, contributing 74.53 per cent of the national total in 2024 (2.71 trillion).

Lagos remained dominant, accounting for 34.72 per cent of the national IGR and 46.59 per cent of the top 10 in 2024. Rivers followed with 317.30 billion, and the FCT ranked third with 282.36 billion. Ogun held fourth place, while Enugu made a dramatic entrance at fifth with 180.50 billion, displacing Delta, Edo, Akwa Ibom, Kano, and Kaduna. Akwa Ibom climbed to eighth, Kano re-entered at ninth, and Kaduna rounded out the top 10.

Twelve (12) states rotated through the top 10 IGR performers between 2022 and 2024 based on contribution to total national IGR. Oyo and Kwara exited the top 10 in 2024, suggesting either signs of fiscal stagnation or being outpaced by faster-growing states. Oguns slight decline contrasted with Akwa Iboms quiet ascent.

A deeper dive into percentage growth dynamics shows that 23 sub-nationals posted significant IGR gains in 2024. Enugu led with a staggering 415.01 per cent growth, driven by aggressive reforms, digital systems, and expanded revenue streams. Bayelsa followed with 198.26 per cent, and Kano rebounded with 112.1 per cent. Osun and Jigawa gained 82.63 per cent and 81.92 per cent respectively. Other notable performers included Taraba, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Rivers, Borno, and Sokoto at 54.48 per cent, 51.41 per cent, 50.54 per cent, 49.30 per cent, 40.86 per cent, and 40.01 per cent respectively.

States like Oyo, Niger, Lagos, Anambra, and Gombe posted gains of between 24.9 per cent and 39.04 per cent, while Kebbi, Imo, and Ogun grew modestly. Kaduna, Delta, and Edo recorded sub-10 per cent increases, and Zamfara barely moved at 0.85 per cent.

On the contrast, 14 sub-nationals experienced IGR declines. Ebonyi suffered the steepest drop, plunging from 148.19 per cent growth in 2023 to -57.27 per cent in 2024, signifying a net loss of -205.46 per cent. Ekiti and Katsina fell by -78.76 per cent and -61.39 per cent respectively. Ondo and Kwara posted reversals of -51.84 per cent and -47.43 per cent. Plateau and the FCT lost momentum, declining by -41.78 per cent and -35.98 per cent. Others with negative growth included Kogi, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Benue, Adamawa, Yobe, and Cross River.

These declines underscore the volatility of sub-national revenue generation and the risks of relying on one-time inflows or weak enforcement. They highlight the need for stronger fiscal planning, digitalisation, and diversification.

Regionally, the South-East led with an average growth of 60.87 per cent, followed by the South-South at 51.92 per cent and North-West at 28.96 per cent. The North-East posted 14.26 per cent, while the South-West managed just 5.22 per cent. In the North-Central, despite Nigers 31.88 per cent gain, the region ranked lowest with a -20.42 per cent average decline as all other sub-nationals in the zone recorded negative growth.

Nigerias IGR performance offers both a scoreboard and a mirror  revealing which states are innovating, which are stagnating, and the fiscal implications for development.

Balancing Revenue Ambition with Equity, Trust, and Economic Impact

The surge in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) across many sub-nationals in 2023 and 2024 offers clear gains for governance and taxpayers alike. States like Enugu, Bayelsa, and Kano now have greater fiscal space to invest in infrastructure, education, and healthcare, enabling more responsive, localised development. A broader tax base also allows for a fairer distribution of the tax burden, with more contributors meaning lighter individual loads and stronger voluntary compliance. However, without transparency and citizen engagement, rising revenues risk mismanagement or diversion, eroding trust and weakening accountability. Wide adoption of digital revenue platforms can help close these gaps by curbing leakages, reducing arbitrary charges, and making the system more efficient and transparent.

Higher IGR demands higher accountability. In top-performing states, citizens expect visible returns on their taxes, pushing governments toward greater transparency. States that embrace automation and reform strengthen the link between taxation and service delivery. Crucially, digitisation must cut both ways  not just boosting revenue collection, but also enhancing service delivery and tracking how funds are spent matching by open contracting reforms. The Open Contracting Data Standards (OCDS) provide a framework, not a platform, for governments to structure and publish expenditure data across the entire contracting lifecycle, from planning to implementation. When citizens, businesses, and civil society can access and analyse this data, public spending becomes more transparent and accountable. The timely release of budget performance reports and audited financial statements should be standard practice to build trust and drive efficiency. These reforms not only strengthen fiscal governance but also foster voluntary tax compliance and deepen citizengovernment trust.

Crucially, high IGR doesnt guarantee better services, as rapid IGR growth brings its own set of challenges. Aggressive tax enforcement can fuel perceptions of over-taxation, especially when public services lag behind. In many states, rising levies on businesses drive up consumer prices, straining household budgets. When revenue gains come from higher service charges like land use fees, they often hit low-income residents hardest, thereby deepening poverty.

Ultimately, Nigerias IGR landscape is no longer just a ledger of numbers, it is a reflection of leadership, equity, and the evolving social contract between government and citizens. States that pair revenue ambition with transparency, inclusive policy, and responsible spending will not only expand their fiscal base but also deepen public trust. However, when digital reforms serve merely to inflate revenue figures without improving service delivery or accountability, the result is a hollow victory. The true measure of any revenue drive lies not in how much is collected, but in how visibly it transforms lives. As governors shape the next chapter of fiscal strategy, they must lead with empathy, govern with integrity, and spend with purpose. This is because every naira collected carries the weight of public hope, and every budget line should echo the aspirations of the people.

Okelue David Ugwunta is a Nigerian university lecturer and an economic planning specialist.
The new law is worth being celebrated because it is only one of the many reforms that Senator Mallam Madori is understood to be also pursuing as chairman of the very vital Senate Committee on Police Affairs. There is significance in what he is doing because he is showing that it is escapism to keep blaming colonialism or the military for things we can change without much ado. That is the message of this law. Above all, he goes about his legislative activism without shouting too much or drawing noisy attention to himself.

Writing, as used in the title of this piece, refers to a situation in which a discourse produces a reality. Now, there has been a case of a legislative discourse producing an institutional moment in Nigeria recently. That explains the title of this piece. It is the unpacking of how that happened and what it implies. This is deliberately written in an approving tone of the principal actors involved, but it is not propaganda. It is rather about drawing attention to something that would otherwise be buried in the heaps of the discursive commotion in Nigeria now and, indeed, in the world.

Theres a case for widening and deepening elite interest in policing Nigeria, in tandem with the global movement for widening and deepening in security studies. One major reason for that is the historical location of the police as the vanguard of modernity. That has been the experience in the Western world, where the police served as the key institution for superintending the chaos that came along with the transition from an agrarian to the industrial order. The police served, as such, in terms of the law and order requirement for the coexistence of plural elements in the new cities and settlements which welcomed capitalism.

That was not the experience in much of Africa where capitalism came through the export of capital and policing assumed the foreignness of capitalism in all such emergent national societies. In other words, it meant that the police did not emerge as the vanguard of modernity in much of Africa. Rather, the police and policing formed part of the apparatus of colonial government, by which fabricating the people in the image of the colonial regime of truth was accomplished. The outcome has been a policing practice that holds everyone else to be a suspect, a dissident and a threat, until they can prove otherwise. Such a police cannot serve as a vanguard but as escorts of a colonising modernity.

Theres nothing in this piece to suggest that Nigeria is about to put the coloniality of policing behind. What is drawn attention to is the potential of a legislative discourse to transform the police factor in the national security layout, if Nigerians take note of this discourse, so that it doesnt fall victim of heterogeneity. In this usage, heterogeneity speaks to the infinity of alternative mini-discourses within any dominant discourse and the capability of each and every one of such mini-discourse to rise in challenge to the dominant discourse and even undo it. That has been the familiar story in Nigeria, as can be seen from the existence of laws that are obeyed more in breach than in compliance. It is not the lawlessness of Nigerians that explains that, but the inherent incompleteness of every discourse, due to the rather discursive nature of society itself. In other words, I do not agree with postmodernists that heterogeneity is a feature exclusive to the postmodern world. No one who studies the pattern of the organisation of the entrenched palaces in Nigeria, for example, will be comfortable with such a claim, but that is a matter for another day.

What is immediately key in this piece is the pleasantly shocking development about policing Nigeria early in October, when the news hit the streets to the effect that the Nigeria Police Force Training Institutions bill had been signed into law. The new law is a legislative hit because of the whooping number of federally owned institutions involved: 49 of them, none of which was known to the law before the 3rd of September when the presidents signature transformed the bill into law. Meanwhile, some of them, such as the Police Colleges in Ikeja, Kaduna, Maiduguri, Enugu and Jos have been in existence since 1936, much, much earlier than Nigeria itself came to be. The 49 police institutions covered by this law include five Police colleges; 18 Police training schools and the others distributed into tactical, technical and related training schools spread across Nigeria.

These institutions train a huge chunk of the policemen and women who the majority of Nigerians encounter on the streets, and the ugliness of much of such encounters. It makes for a credible inference to say that the problem with policing is not with the policemen and women, but with their grooming, their grounding in the basic doctrines of policing, and the larger assumptions in the national security praxis they emanate from. This inference informs the connection of the new legislation to a writing act as far as the 21st century policing of Nigeria is concerned. This is so because, hitherto, these institutions were nothing but juridical white elephants. They were, in so far as they had no budget line, meaning they could not draw directly from the federal budget. Whatever funding they got was obtained administratively because they were unknown to the law. Which modern Police College anywhere in the world today can be anything but a white elephant if it has no budget of its own that enables it to plan and execute such plans on its own terms?

Two, they could not enter into legally binding relationships with similar institutions within or outside Nigeria. They could not because such partnership would equally be unknown to the law and no infractions of it by any party could have been actionable in court without dragging in the entire Nigeria Police Force, under which they were hidden. How could any police training institution function optimally in such condition in a world of extreme fragmentation?

Three, what these translate to is that Nigerians were paying a price daily in terms of vulnerability to sophisticated criminal operations, because a huge chunk of the institutions which train or process the majority of the policemen and women existed on no more than the verbal authority of colonial operatives or military rulers who simply wished these institutions into being through a military fiat. It has been a huge price to pay and any legislative move which unmakes that situation acquires the status of the historical.

The 2025 Nigeria Police Force Training Institutions Act has been a case of where everything that should go well went well. Obviously taking his brief seriously, Senator Ahmed Mallamadori, the Jigawa born chairman of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs took his time to dig and discover that there was such a gap. He also understood that filling the gap was an imperative. His colleagues in the Senate had no difficulty in appreciating the imperative to quickly fill the gap. And when the National Assembly (NASS) finished its job and sent the bill to the president, he too understood the essence of the bill and wasted no time in signing it into law. There were no glitches at any point in the progression from a bill to a law.

It may be true that a law will not, in and of itself, solve all the problems with policing Nigeria, but the point here is that if the grounding of the average policeman and woman is more modernist and critical, policing Nigeria would have taken off for the 21st century. In any case, it is progress for such a piece of legislation to exist because the legal foundation is an all-time imperative. How effective the law turns out will depend on what the heads of these police institutions do, what the police force itself does, the oversight functions on the police establishment (which brings in the NASS again) and what Nigerians demand and pressure the police to do. Therefore, the haplessness of law in itself does not preclude celebration of the key actors in the making of the new law. Senator Abdulhamid Ahmed Mallamadori who initiated the bill has already been mentioned. But so also should the Senate and its leadership, as well as the NASS and the presidency. A common sense view of the law- making function of an individual lawmaker, as well as the NASS, would frown at any celebration of the individual and collective agency behind the law. But this is not just another bill signed into law. Rather, it is a history-making piece of legislation.

Interestingly, the NPF itself understands this. A 13th October statement by Benjamin Hundeyin, a Chief Superintendent of Police and Force Public Relations Officer gave it a landmark score. The statement added that the legislation represented a historic step toward enhancing professionalism, ensuring sustainable funding, and improving welfare within the Force. It went further to note how the legislation provides foundation for building a modern, accountable, and well-equipped police institution that meets the security needs of a dynamic society. He was sure the new law would bring about far-reaching changes to policing Nigeria, scoring it again as a victory for national security, professionalism, and public trust.

The NPF cannot be wrong on this. The new law is worth being celebrated because it is only one of the many reforms that Senator Mallam Madori is understood to be also pursuing as chairman of the very vital Senate Committee on Police Affairs. There is significance in what he is doing because he is showing that it is escapism to keep blaming colonialism or the military for things we can change without much ado. That is the message of this law. Above all, he goes about his legislative activism without shouting too much or drawing noisy attention to himself.

Yet, through one of his efforts, Nigeria has now reconstituted a bunch of institutions belonging to the NPF into proper, corporate legal entities. These institutions can now have provisions in the budget and stop draining the financial resources of the NPF; they can sue and be sued; they can enter into professional or technical relationship with other similar institutions in and outside Nigeria. The totality is that Nigerians should expect more professionally cued-in police officers and ORs (other ranks), qualitatively trained to chaperon Nigerians in the image of the police as the vanguard of modernity, historically. A police force without officers and men well trained in modernity cannot exercise the discretion required for the police job. The expectation with this law is that, now, the firework will begin. Should the firework begin and there is a turnaround in policing the country, Nigerians will not forget who provided the condition of possibility for that: Senator Ahmed Mallamadori, his staff and colleagues in the 10th NASS.

Adagbo Onoja is an IRs researcher.
Across the world, as technology advances, the historian Yuval Noah Harari has warned about the rise of what he calls the useless class  people who will become economically irrelevant because they have no skills that the modern world needs. But in northern Nigeria, we are not only at risk of joining that class. We are breeding a mindset that celebrates it. Hararis warning was about the economic side of uselessness. Ours is worse because it is philosophical and cultural.

There is a dangerous philosophical sickness spreading in northern Nigeria. It has taken hold of the minds of many young people who now claim that ones progress in life is not the result of hard work. I do not even blame them much, because such mindsets are exactly what produce poverty and underdevelopment. If we had not been thinking this way for decades, we would not be sitting at the bottom of every global measure of progress today. This kind of thinking is common among those who have never seen the world beyond their own narrow corners, or those who have seen it but lack the intellectual depth to understand what it teaches. These are what Barack Obama once called the forgotten corners of the world. People born in such places, raised in such places, and content with remaining in such places, see their limitations as the natural order of things. They live in environments where success is often achieved through shortcuts, so they assume that cutting corners is the global rule of life.

If they had travelled and seen developed societies, they would understand how self-destructive such a mindset is. There is no greater insult to yourself and to society than to believe that your success does not depend on your own hard work. Nothing makes a person more useless than refusing to accept that the life you live tomorrow is built on the choices and efforts you make today. Believing otherwise is simply a lazy attempt to rationalise irresponsibility. If they had ever lived in London and taken the Underground on an early weekday morning, they would see how serious people behave. They would see men and women rushing to work because they know that nothing will save them except the hours they put in. When you pass through Canary Wharf or London Bridge or Waterloo and see the movement of people who believe in the power of their effort, you will know that progress does not happen by miracle but by work.

If they had ever taken an early morning train into Londons Waterloo, Victoria, Paddington, or Euston, they would see tens of thousands of disciplined men and women leaving home in the dark cold of winter, dressed for work, holding newspapers, and catching up on the news as they head to earn their living. They would see that hard work pays because it is the only thing that ever has. I cannot even be angry at people who think that hard work does not matter. Their minds are simply filled with nonsense. The good thing is that once you change your mindset, you change your life. I once had that same foolish mindset. I remember telling my PhD supervisor that reviewers were rejecting my manuscripts because they did not like me or because of my name. It took me a while to understand that my problem was not the reviewers. My problem was me. I had simply not done the work at the level required for a top five per cent journal.

Every day, one hears young people say that those who succeed only did so because of privilege or connections. While that may sometimes be true, it is not the full truth. The real story of success anywhere is the story of effort and persistence. You cannot remove work from the story of progress. Even those with privilege must still work to maintain and multiply it. The poor who refuse to work remain poor, and the rich who refuse to work eventually lose what they have.

My friend, Dr Abdulbasit Kassim of the University of Rochester often speaks about the same thing. People come to him looking for success, even though they have done nothing to deserve it. They want results without effort. You can live your life thinking that hard work does not matter, but you must accept the consequences when life proves you wrong. You may be born and raised in the forgotten corners of the world, but if you remain there mentally, you will stay forgotten. No one will be to blame but you. There was a time when our people respected work. Farmers took pride in their sweat. Traders built fortunes from dawn to dusk. Students studied with hunger and ambition. Artisans built names through skills and discipline. But now, we are raising a generation that wants comfort without labour. Many young people no longer believe that effort brings reward. They mock those who work hard and idolise those who make money without visible means. They now believe that work is for the unlucky.

This is where northern Nigerias crisis becomes unique. Across the world, as technology advances, the historian Yuval Noah Harari has warned about the rise of what he calls the useless class  people who will become economically irrelevant because they have no skills that the modern world needs. But in northern Nigeria, we are not only at risk of joining that class. We are breeding a mindset that celebrates it. Hararis warning was about the economic side of uselessness. Ours is worse because it is philosophical and cultural. In our case, even before machines make people redundant, people are already making themselves useless by choice. They are destroying the very idea that effort creates value. They are teaching themselves that it is pointless to strive. They are turning laziness into a worldview and calling it destiny.

This dangerous belief system will merge with the global crisis that Harari has warned about. While automation and artificial intelligence may make some people economically irrelevant, our societys rejection of hard work will make us irrelevant long before machines do. Our biggest threat is not technology. It is the death of personal responsibility. Every day, one hears young people say that those who succeed only did so because of privilege or connections. While that may sometimes be true, it is not the full truth. The real story of success anywhere is the story of effort and persistence. You cannot remove work from the story of progress. Even those with privilege must still work to maintain and multiply it. The poor who refuse to work remain poor, and the rich who refuse to work eventually lose what they have.

The useless class will not be poor because the world hates them but because they refused to adapt. In northern Nigeria, if we keep rejecting the idea of work, we will join that class  and we will lead it. Hard work is not everything, but without it, nothing else works. And if we want to save the North from the trap of irrelevance, we must first cure this sickness of the mind that tells people that effort does not matter, because when you lose faith in hard work, you lose your future.

When I look around northern Nigeria, I see symptoms of a dangerous future. A region with millions of young people but few builders. Streets full of idle youth who neither study nor create. A society where begging has been normalised and dependency glorified. Political leaders who distribute money, instead of ideas. Religious preachers who turn poverty into proof of piety. And parents who pamper grown men who should be out working. This combination is what will give birth to our own version of Hararis useless class. A mass of people who will lack skills and the will to work. They will be economically redundant and mentally content with it. They will live from handouts and still think the world owes them something. They will believe that their condition is the fault of everyone except themselves.

The tragedy is that this future is not inevitable. We can still stop it. But that will require a total change in mindset. We must rebuild respect for labour and restore dignity to work. Our schools must teach young people that education is not for status but for service. Parents must stop overprotecting their sons and start teaching them the value of responsibility. Communities must stop praising those who do nothing and start honouring those who work with their hands. We must also remind ourselves that religion does not excuse laziness. Islam teaches that the hand that gives is better than the one that receives. The Prophet (peace be upon him) encouraged Muslims to seek knowledge, learn skills, and earn through honest means. A man who works is serving God and a man who refuses to work while he can is simply disobeying Him.

The North must also understand that the world has changed. It no longer rewards paper qualifications but productivity. A young man with a certificate but no competence will be useless to himself and to society. The same goes for a graduate who cannot think or a trader who cannot innovate. Hard work today means continuous self-improvement and a refusal to give up. The coming world will be divided by wealth and by usefulness. There will be the upper class, the middle class, and the useless class. The useless class will not be poor because the world hates them but because they refused to adapt. In northern Nigeria, if we keep rejecting the idea of work, we will join that class  and we will lead it. Hard work is not everything, but without it, nothing else works. And if we want to save the North from the trap of irrelevance, we must first cure this sickness of the mind that tells people that effort does not matter, because when you lose faith in hard work, you lose your future.

Mohammed Dahiru Aminu ([email protected]) wrote from Abuja, Nigeria.
A $450 million steel-producing company, Stellar Steel Company Limited, is set to begin operations in Ogun State by the middle of 2026.

The investment, from Stellar Steel Company Limited, a subsidiary of the Galaxy Group and RSIN Group, headquartered in Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China, is expected to produce hot-rolled coil steel, iron steel doors and gas cylinders, a move projected to significantly reduce Nigerias steel import bill.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, the Vice Chairman of RSIN Group, Mr. You Xiaotan, said the project was progressing according to schedule and would be completed next year.

Stellar Company Limited is the biggest investment for our whole group in Nigeria. We are here to give an update to His Excellency that our project is going very smoothly. We have already finished all the levelling and foundation work, so everything is under schedule.

The total investment for this project is $450 million, and we will finish the project and commence operations next year, he said. Mr. Xiaotan further disclosed that more companies from Fujian Province are being encouraged to invest in Ogun State due to the states rapidly growing economy.

In his remarks, Governor Abiodun recalled that the state recently cemented a sister-state agreement with Shandong Province, which has opened doors for new partnerships and investments.

He pledged continued government support to ensure that investors enjoy a seamless experience through streamlined approval processes and efficient issuance of Certificates of Occupancy.

When the likes of you come here, it validates that we have done all that is needed to attract investors. Your presence translates to prosperity for our people because you create jobs and increase our Gross Domestic Product, Governor Abiodun said.

Thank you for coming to validate that Ogun State remains the industrial capital of Nigeria. We will continue to provide the necessary support and incentives to ensure your smooth operation, he added.

Governor Abiodun assured the company of his administrations willingness to facilitate any waivers, tariffs, or reliefs through the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to ease the setup process. The establishment of Stellar Steel Company Limited further strengthens Ogun States position as Nigerias leading destination for industrial and manufacturing investments.
OPay, Nigerias leading financial technology company, has hosted the Grand Finale of its My OPay Security Vote Challenge at its headquarters in Lagos with Nigerian entertainers, creators, and users in attendance. Attendees included Funke Akindele, Layi Wasabi, Broda Shaggi, and Brain Jotter, who performed the viral track he created for the campaign live on stage.

Over the course of the nationwide campaign, which ran across TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and X (Twitter), which a reach of over 200 million across Instagram, TikTok, X and facebook with thousands of creative entries were submitted  from comedy skits, to short educational videos, to animationed scripts, to music each offering a unique perspective on what digital security means to everyday users.

The campaign was built around seven of OPays core security features including Large Transaction Shield, Scam Alert, Large Transaction Double Check, Emergency Lock, USSD Lock, Night Guard and Online Subscription Control.

The grand finale culminated in the crowning of four winners from Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. These winners were flown into Lagos, alongside other standout and creative participants.

One of the participants, Zarifa Golden-Kalio talked about submitting her entry surrounding her Zobo business.

Im a student, but I also run a small zobo business where I sell to my colleagues. I do my best to create content around what I do, and honestly, theres no better app than OPay  its made receiving payments so easy. I decided to spotlight the Scam Alert feature because it helps me keep my money safe and protected

Funke Akindele one of the leading voices behind the campaign commended the brand for innovation stating:

 It is not easy to work hard for your money and at the end of the day they will just scam you and clear your account. So, I want to thank OPay for being innovative. for thinking fast and inventing the security features She added.

According to Elizabeth Wang, Chief Commercial Officer at OPay:

OPays core value is always customer first, and for our customers Security is the Top 1 priority. So, we built 7 security features, and today annouce the 8th which is location guard and will continue to develop more for our customers so as toprotect them in all scenarios where they need protection.

The cutting edge Location Guard feature Tuses smart location tracking to flag and prevent potentially fraudulent activity. If a transaction attempt is made from an unusual location, Location Guard immediately prompts Face ID verification, adding an intelligent extra layer of protection.

Location Guard is a leap forward in digital protection, Elizabeth added. Its intelligent, proactive, and designed around real-life user behavior. Wherever our users go, their OPay account follows them  securely.

OPay was established in 2018 as a leading financial institution in Nigeria with the mission to make financial services more inclusive through technology. The company offers a wide range of payment services, including money transfer, bill payment, airtime & data purchase, card service, and merchant payments, among others.

Renowned for its super-fast experience and reliable network, OPay is licensed by the CBN and insured by the NDIC with the same insurance coverage as commercial banks.
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has sworn in three new commissioners and eight permanent secretaries, urging them to see their appointments not as rewards, but as solemn responsibilities to serve the people of Katsina State with honesty, transparency, and the fear of God.

The ceremony, held today at the Katsina Government House, was attended by top government officials, traditional rulers, local government chairmen, and families of the appointees.

Governor Radda described the event as a renewal of our commitment to good governance, accountability, and effective service delivery. He emphasized that the swearing-in came at a time when his administration is reviewing its performance after two and a half years in office, with the aim of strengthening the civil service and enhancing its responsiveness to citizens needs.

This government is now almost two and a half years in office. It is, therefore, time for us to reassess what we have done so far and reposition people in various capacities to strengthen the system, the governor said. He praised the new commissioners for their competence, integrity, and record of public service.

He particularly described Yusuf Suleiman Jibia as the oldest politician in the cabinet, commending his decades of experience across several leadership roles  from Local Government Chairman to Head of Agency, Commissioner, and Chairman of the Pilgrims Welfare Board. He has been everywhere and done everything. We will continue to benefit from his vast experience, deep understanding of governance, and commitment to public service, the Governor noted.

He also commended Aisha Aminu as a shining example of womens contribution to governance and entrepreneurship in Katsina State. Mr Radda recalled her dedication during his election campaign and her impressive work as the pioneer Director General of the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA), where she empowered many young entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Because of her performance  and my desire to bring more women into government  I decided to elevate her to the position of Commissioner, so that we can continue to benefit from her experience, innovation, and commitment to youth and women empowerment, he said.

The Governor further commended Dr Sirajo Yusuf Abukur, describing him as a long-time political associate and a symbol of youthful energy in governance. He recounted Mr Sirajos remarkable service as head of KASROMA, where his leadership improved road construction and maintenance across the 34 local governments. We need to bring in young people into government so that we can harness their energy, creativity, and drive for development, Radda stressed.

Governor Radda also highlighted the importance of inclusiveness, explaining that Mr Sirajos appointment reflects fairness and representation for Rimi Local Government, which has not produced a Commissioner since the return of democracy.

As destiny would have it, it is now time for Rimi to be represented in the cabinet, he stated, underscoring his commitment to balanced appointments across all zones.

Turning to the newly sworn-in permanent secretaries, Governor Radda said their appointments form part of his ongoing reform to professionalize the state civil service.

He charged them to be disciplined, result-oriented, and efficient in supporting policy implementation. You represent competence, discipline, and professionalism. We expect you to be the driving force behind efficient service delivery, he declared.

Those sworn in as Permanent Secretaries are: Yusuf Ahmed (Katsina LGA), Aminu Ibrahim (Katsina LGA), Aishatu Abdullahi (Dutsinma LGA), Dasuki Ibrahim Abubakar (Malumfashi LGA), Lawal Abashe (Matazu LGA), Ado Yahaya (Sabuwa LGA), Sani Rabiu Jibiya (Jibiya LGA), and Nasiru Ladan (Kaita LGA). It will be recalled that the selection of the new Permanent Secretaries was based on merit, competence, and a proven record of service, as Governor Radda emphasized in his approval letter.

In a spiritual tone, the governor called on all appointees to internalize the meaning of their oaths of office, reminding them that they are accountable not only to the people but also to God. Please, when you go back home, take that oath again and read it carefully. It is a huge commitment to God, and God will hold us accountable for every word we have uttered here today, he said.

Governor Radda emphasized that leadership is a trust, warning against the misuse of public office. He noted that Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries, and Heads of Agencies are extensions of his delegated authority, and therefore share full responsibility for the success or failure of their institutions. If you fail, you are not failing me  you are failing God and the people of Katsina State, he cautioned.

He reaffirmed his belief in fairness and justice in public administration, pledging to reward diligence and take firm action against wrongdoing where necessary. Whoever does wrong, if I know, I will take action. But if I do not know, by God, I will not be unjust to anyone, he assured. Governor Radda also urged teamwork across all levels of government, stressing that his administrations Building Your Future vision can only be achieved through collective sincerity and service to the people.

Let us protect the trust of the people of Katsina State and work sincerely wherever we find ourselves. God has placed us in these positions and given us the opportunity to serve  let us not betray that trust, he concluded. The governor congratulated all the new appointees and charged them to justify the confidence reposed in them by working hard, staying humble, and always putting the people first.

These positions belong not to me, but to the people of Katsina State. What you do in office should be for them, not for me, he said. The ceremony ended with prayers for divine guidance, wisdom, and strength for all the new appointees as they take on their new responsibilities in service of the state.

Those in attendance included the Deputy Governor, Faruk Lawal Jobe; Speaker, Katsina State House of Assembly, Nasir Yahaya Daura; Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Garba Faskari; Head of Civil Service, Falalu Bawale; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Abdulkadir Mamman Nasir; Principal Private Secretary to the Governor, Abdullahi Aliyu Turaji; Commissioner of Justice, Fadila Mohammed; members of the Katsina State House of Assembly; district heads; traditional rulers; and other well-wishers.
Rachael Okonkwo, beloved Nollywood star and cultural icon, teamed up with Knorr,

Nigerias leading seasoning brand, to bring flavour, festivity, and togetherness to the South-

East this season. Together, they joined communities to celebrate two of the regions most

cherished traditions, the August Meeting and the Ofala Festival. From the proud parades to

the rhythm of dance and the aroma of shared meals, their collaboration reflected the colour,

pride, and unity that define the spirit of the people.

Partnering with Knorr, Rachael Okonkwo, fondly known as Nkoli Nwa Nsukka, paid tribute to

the women at the heart of the August Meeting, leading engaging cooking experiences and

vibrant market activations that spotlighted their deep-rooted culinary traditions. A proud

advocate for culture and community, Rachael brought energy and warmth to these

gatherings, joining culinary experts such as Chiamaka Nwakalor-Egemba, Onyinye

Emechebe, and nutritionist Nancy Umeh to celebrate the importance of preserving and

passing down traditional recipes that unite generations.

The celebrations continued in Onitsha at the prestigious Ofala Festival, themed Njiko na

Ntachi (Unity and Perseverance). Once again, Rachael Okonkwo joined Knorr to honour the

enduring pride and unity of the South East. The festival, which marks the anniversary of the

coronation of His Majesty, Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, Obi of Onitsha, provided another

vibrant platform for Knorr to connect with communities through food, culture, and shared

heritage.

Leading communal cooking sessions and food-tasting experiences, Rachael paid homage to

His Majesty while engaging attendees with the rich flavours of traditional dishes infused with

Knorrs signature taste. These culinary moments complemented the festivals royal

pageantry, from colourful parades to spirited age-grade performances, capturing the beauty

of South Eastern culture and the joy of togetherness that Knorr continues to celebrate.

Speaking on Knorrs deepening connection with the South East, Dami Dania, Food Demand

Creation Lead at Unilever Nigeria Plc., said: At Knorr, we believe that food is a powerful

connector of people, culture, and community. We are honoured to be part of this years

August Meeting and Ofala Festival celebrations, supporting the people of the South East in

preserving their rich traditions and creating shared joy through the meals that bring us

together. These are beautiful reminders of how community and food can come together to

tell our stories and strengthen our cultures.

Through its presence at these landmark celebrations, Knorr reaffirmed its role as more than

just a seasoning brand but a catalyst for connection, culture, and care. From kitchens to

community squares, Knorr remains at the heart of moments that matter, championing the

flavours, people, and traditions that make every meal a celebration.
Nigerian security forces and suspected Islamic State West Africa Provinces (ISWAP) fighters clashed for hours in Mafa and Dikwa local government areas of Borno State, with both sides suffering losses.

Security sources told PREMIUM TIMES that the clashes occurred in the early hours of Thursday, as the terrorists attacked security forces in Mafa and suffered heavy losses in Dikwa.

There are no details about casualties yet, but sources suspected that some soldiers were killed in Mafa, where the terrorists attacked military positions, looted arms and set commercial trucks on fire.

Philip Brant, a jihadi expert monitoring violence across the Sahel and the Lake Chad region, said the ISWAP fighters infiltrated Mafa in daytime and attacked the army positions at night.

The clashes reportedly lasted for five hours and the soldiers ended up fleeing Mafa, leaving ISWAP to loot and burn the barracks, along with vehicles, he said.

But the terrorists suffered in Dikwa, where soldiers were supported by the Air Force.

Mr Brant said the terrorists might have carried out the attack in Dikwa to distract the Air Force.

As soon as the air assets intervened in Dikwa, the attack in Mafa started, said Mr Brant.

ALSO READ: Many Nigerians fled to Cameroon after twin ISWAP attack

The Nigerian Army has not issued a statement about the attack. An enquiry sent to its spokesperson, Apollonia Anele, a lieutenant colonel, has not been responded to.

This clash came barely a week after soldiers, including a lieutenant colonel from Niger State, were killed in the Bama Local Government Area of Borno.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on the participants of the European Council meeting to make a decision as soon as possible on the use of frozen Russian assets to protect against Russian aggression.

"And when we talk about frozen Russian assets, we must use them in such a way that Russia understands that it is paying for its own war. Therefore, I ask you to make a decision as soon as possible. Russian assets must be used in full to protect against Russian aggression," Zelensky said during a meeting of the European Council on Thursday.

According to the president, Ukraine plans to use a significant part of these funds to purchase European weapons.

"And they can be used right now to strengthen us, to strengthen the Ukrainian air defense, the air fleet and the frontline positions. This means protecting lives. Therefore, anyone who delays this decision is not only limiting our defense, but also slowing down your own progress. The time to act on Russian assets is now, and I ask for your full support," he said.
BEIJING, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from CRI Online:

The 2025 "Study Beijing" Education Exhibition concluded successfully in Almaty, Kazakhstan on October 21, 2025. Hosted by the Beijing Municipal Education Commission and organized by the Beijing International Education Exchange Center in collaboration with the Almaty College of Technology, the event featured nine leading educational institutions from Beijing, including Beihang University, the Renmin University of China, the Central University of Finance and Economics, the China Agricultural University, the Beijing Jiaotong University, the Beijing Forestry University, the Beijing Foreign Studies University, the China University of Geosciences (Beijing), and the Beijing College of Finance and Commerce.

Huang Xiaomin, Educational Counselor of the Chinese Consulate General in Almaty , emphasized the exhibition's alignment with Kazakhstan's 2025 Education Strategy, calling it a crucial platform for the cooperation in the cultivation of technical talents. Local education leaders echoed this sentiment, with Erulan Karagulov at the Almaty College of Technology noting that it would help Kazakhstan realize its vision as an "East-West Academic Exchange Hub".

A substantial number of partnerships were forged during the event. The Beijing College of Finance and Commerce designated the International Kazakh-Chinese Language College as one of its student recruitment bases, and signed a sister university agreement with the Almaty College of Technology. The Central University of Finance and Economics and the Beijing Forestry University awarded scholarship quotas to the International Kazakh-Chinese Language College, while the China Agricultural University presented scholarships to the Kazakh National Agrarian Research University .

Nearly 5,000 attendees from 138 educational institutions explored academic programs through exhibition boards and presentations. The participating universities from Beijing highlighted popular disciplines like cybersecurity and cross-border e-commerce, as well as the "Domestic Internship + Overseas Employment" model for students . Visa and degree verification services were also provided on-site.

Beijing's delegation also launched initiatives, including a teacher training program and the "Silk Road Craftsmen" International Skills Competition focusing on graphic design and AI. An official of the Beijing Municipal Education Commission announced a plan in which Almaty would serve as a hub for matching Beijing's educational resources with Central Asian industrial needs.

Aydyn Sailaubayuly, Deputy Director of the Department of Education of Almaty City, praised the event for providing opportunities for targeted cooperation and helping advanced concepts take root, underscoring its significance for the China-Kazakhstan educational exchanges under the Belt and Road Initiative.

SOURCE CRI Online
New digital resource hub developed through work of AMA's Firearm Injury Prevention task force and as part of national "Agree to Agree" campaign to help clinicians discuss firearm injury prevention with patients

CHICAGO, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- With firearm injuries the leading cause of death of children and teens in the U.S., the American Medical Association (AMA) and the Ad Council, in collaboration with a coalition of health care leaders, launched a new digital resource hub at AgreeToAgree.org/HealthCare to empower physicians and other health care professionals to confidently and compassionately engage patients in conversations about firearm injury prevention. The digital resource hub features new "Agree to Agree" campaign videos, fact sheets, toolkits, and conversation guides for clinicians to help patients and their families understand the risks associated with unsecured firearms and best practices for secure storage to help reduce injuries and deaths.

The AMA, along with many national medical specialty societies, supports counseling patients on preventing firearm injuries. However, due to numerous barriers, this topic remains largely absent from clinical conversations86% of adults say they have never been asked by a physician whether there are firearms in the home. Yet studies show that when these conversations do occur, patients are more likely to adopt safe storage practices. The new digital resource hub and "Agree to Agree" campaign videos aim to close this gap by equipping clinicians with the tools and confidence to address this issue with their patients.

"In cities and towns  rural and urban  physicians treat patients and families afflicted by firearm injuries every day. To help reduce injuries and deaths, we must focus on prevention," said Toluwalase A. Ajayi, MD, AMA Board Chair-elect and AMA Firearm Injury Prevention task force Co-Chair "That's why we're providing resources to help health care professionals feel confident in talking with patients about firearm safety. We encourage physicians to include questions about firearm ownership and secure storage practices as part of routine patient care and child well visits, just as we ask about pool safety and car safety seats. Doing so will normalize conversations on this topic and save lives."

The digital resource hub is a product of the AMA's Firearm Injury Prevention task force, which launched in 2023 and includes representation from 14 national medical specialty societies and several liaison organizations. The hub includes content from the AMA, medical associations, health systems, academic institutions, medical journals and non-profit organizations. It allows users to select tools both by clinical specialty and by risk area, as well as the ability to see which content offers continuing education credits.

This work is part of the newest phase of the Ad Council's "Agree to Agree" campaigna national effort to empower health care professionals to confidently and compassionately engage patients in conversations about firearm injury prevention.

In addition to the digital resource hub, "Agree to Agree" is introducing a new PSA encouraging physicians and other health care professionals to feel confident as they approach conversations about firearm injury prevention. The PSA brings to life real-world scenarios that reflect the nuanced, everyday moments in clinical care, like nutrition, limiting screen time, car safety seat use, and protecting kids from household hazards. The PSA directs audiences to AgreeToAgree.org/HealthCare to find the resource hub, developed in collaboration with the AMA for clinicians to learn more.

"The new work and expanded resources are designed to meet health care professionals where they arewith empathy, clarity and respect for the realities of clinical care," said Michelle Hillman, chief campaign development officer at the Ad Council. "The American Medical Association and our coalition of partners' commitment to equipping clinicians with trusted, reliable tools has been vital in ensuring this campaign continues to reflect both the gravity of the issue and the practical needs of those on the front lines."

The new PSAs are directed by Nicolas "Nico" Gordon, developed in partnership with creative agency Ogilvy Health and will air nationwide across donated media, reaching digital and social outlets. Real Chemistry, CMI Media Group and Datonics also provided communications and media support to broaden the campaign's impact among health care professionals.

"This work has the power to create real change in society, and by equipping health care professionals to have honest, supportive conversations about firearm injury prevention, we're taking a meaningful step toward creating safer environments for our children and teens," said Renata Maia, Chief Creative Officer, North America, Ogilvy Health.

The initial phase of "Agree to Agree," launched in February 2025 with a coalition of health care and business leaders, laid a critical foundation by encouraging health care professionals to lean into their unique role in helping prevent firearm injuries through supportive conversations with their patients.

Funding for this initiative has been provided by the American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, Aya Healthcare, BJC Health System, Children's Hospital Association, Children's Wisconsin, Dartmouth Health Children's, Endeavor Health, Froedtert Health, Hackensack Meridian Health, Intermountain Health, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Kaiser Permanente, LifeBridge Health, MedStar Health, Michigan Medicine, Northwell Health, OhioHealth, Press Ganey, RWJBarnabas Health, University of Michigan and Yale New Haven Health.

As part of the Ad Council's broader Firearm Injury Prevention Initiative, "Agree to Agree" works to address the full spectrum of firearm violence by building on shared beliefs and common ground. Rooted in the idea that no one wants firearms to be the leading cause of death for children and teens, the initiative is supported and informed by a coalition of hospital and health care leaders. For more information on "Agree to Agree" visit AgreeToAgree.org.

About the American Medical Association

The American Medical Association is the physician's powerful ally in patient care. As the only medical association that convenes 190+ state and specialty medical societies and other critical stakeholders, the AMA represents physicians with a unified voice to all key players in health care. The AMA leverages its strength by removing the obstacles that interfere with patient care, leading the charge to prevent chronic disease and confront public health crises, and driving the future of medicine to tackle the biggest challenges in health care. For more information, visit ama-assn.org.

About the Ad Council

The Ad Council convenes creative storytellers to educate, unite and uplift audiences by opening hearts, inspiring action and accelerating change. For more than 80 years, the nonprofit organization and its partners in advertising, media, marketing and tech have been behind some of the country's most iconic social impact campaigns  Smokey Bear, Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Drunk, Tear the Paper Ceiling and many more. To learn more or get involved, visit AdCouncil.org, join the Ad Council's communities on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, and view campaign creative on YouTube.

SOURCE The Ad Council
Company exhibits fluorescence-guided oncology platform as investor and strategic interest grows

NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Antelope Surgical Solutions , a clinical-stage theranostics biotechnology company pioneering the world's first fluorescent radioligand platform that helps physicians see and treat cancer with precision, today announced its selection to present at the 2025 Mid-Atlantic Capital Conference (MACC), one of the nation's premier investor events hosted by the Philadelphia Alliance for Capital and Technologies (PACT).

The conference convenes leading investors, growth-stage companies, and strategic partners from across the life sciences and technology sectors. Antelope's invitation to present highlights growing investor interest in its fluorescence-guided oncology platform and rapid clinical progress.

Antelope-- Lighting the path to precision oncology Post this

"Being selected to present at the Mid-Atlantic Capital Conference is an exciting highlight that underscores our momentum and expanding visibility with investors," said Amy Wu, MD, FACS, Founder & CEO of Antelope Surgical Solutions. "Our patent-pending approach selectively lights up cancer cells so surgeons can see and remove them completely. It also allows physicians to target metastatic or recurrent disease precisely. It's rewarding to see that vision resonate with the biotechnology and investment community."

In addition to MACC, Antelope was recently selected for the Springboard Enterprises Healthcare & Technology Accelerator , the first Memorial Sloan Kettering Therapeutics Accelerator , and the Science Inc. Accelerator at The Innovation Space, reflecting broad recognition of the company's progress and potential across clinical, strategic, and commercialization domains.

Antelope's FDA-cleared Investigational New Drug (IND) supports evaluation of its lead compound, AS1986NS , for fluorescence imaging in prostate cancer, and the company is expanding a pipeline of theranostic assets across additional solid tumors. A new proprietary fluorescent imaging system is being developed for superior speed and clarity, and can be integrated with existing surgical and robotic platforms, enabling AI-assisted visualization and enhanced intraoperative precision. With a scalable, AI-driven development platform, Antelope aims to shorten time-to-market and expand global access to precision imaging and therapeutic solutions.

Antelope welcomes conversations with strategic partners and investors aligned with its mission to make cancer visible and curable through precision technology. To connect during or after the 2025 Mid-Atlantic Capital Conference, please visit www.antelopesurgical.com or contact [email protected].

About Antelope Surgical Solutions

Antelope Surgical Solutions, Inc. is a New York-based clinical-stage biotechnology and medical technology company developing next-generation multimodal theranostics that combine fluorescence imaging and radioligand therapeutics to improve cancer diagnosis, surgery, and targeted radionuclide therapy. Antelope's platform targets multi-billion-dollar markets in oncology imaging and therapy through highly scalable, AI-enhanced processes that enable rapid adaptation across tumor types.

Visit www.antelopesurgical.com for more information. Visit us on social media: https://www.linkedin.com/company/antelope-surgical

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "may," "will," "potential," "believes," and "if" are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such terms. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, future circumstances, or events to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These risks include, but are not limited to, those associated with the success of research and development programs, the ability to raise additional funding, and the need to obtain regulatory approval. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and Antelope Surgical Solutions has no obligation or responsibility, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

SOURCE Antelope Surgical Solutions, Inc.
MIAMI, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- After nearly two years of litigation, luxury scenting leader Aroma360 has secured a decisive victory in its trademark infringement lawsuit against Scentia. The case, which alleged extensive misuse of Aroma360's and its sister brand Hotel Collection's intellectual property, has been settled with a permanent injunction granted in favor of Aroma360 and a six-figure monetary settlement paid by Scentia.

Real Housewives of Miami star, Larsa Pippen, with her children, Preston, Justin, and NBA player, Scotty Pippen Jr alongside several Aroma360 NBA Team Mini Pro Diffusers.

The Permanent Injunction, publicly filed, permanently bars Scentia from using or copying any of Aroma360's and Hotel Collection's intellectual property, including product names, diffuser names, and brand likeness. The publicly filed Permanent Injunction also bars Scentia from using the word "Hotel" in "any manner, including keyword advertising" and from using the name "My Way", an original Aroma360 scenting oil name, which has been the most widely copied product name by all other infringers.

"This is a landmark win that reinforces our commitment to protecting the originality, creativity, and innovation that define Aroma360 and Hotel Collection," said Eduard Kotlyarov Jr., Chief Legal Officer and President of Global Expansion. "We want to let it be known that Aroma360 and Hotel Collection will relentlessly defend our brand and aggressively pursue legal action against anyone who attempts to unlawfully infringe upon our intellectual property rights. We will protect both the brands and the consumer alike by intercepting fly-by-night companies aiming to capitalize on our brand trust. We must make clear to the consumer that we are the original pioneers of luxury cold-air diffusion scenting, not to be confused with inferior copycats."

Spearheaded by Eduard Kotlyarov, Jr., Esq. (Aroma360 & Hotel Collection), and in collaboration with Andrew B. Doyle, Esq. (Seibane Doyle PLLC), Ian Martinez, Esq. (Law Offices of Ian Martinez & Assoc.), and Michelle Bernstein, Esq. and Bill Di Bianca, Esq. (Polsinelli). Their coordinated efforts resulted in this significant legal milestone and serve as a clear warning to would-be infringers that Aroma360 will stop at nothing to defend its brand and its intellectual property, which it has invested tens of millions of dollars building since 2014.

"This settlement marks another major step forward in our ongoing mission to protect the hard work and creativity of our teams," said Benzion Aboud, CEO and Founder of Aroma360 and Hotel Collection. "I want to thank our exceptional legal team for their dedication and expertise in navigating this complex case. Their work helps preserve the integrity of our brands and ensures that our customers continue to experience the authenticity and quality that only Aroma360 and Hotel Collection can provide."

This ruling follows a series of successful enforcement actions by Aroma360 and Hotel Collection, which have actively defended their trademarks and intellectual property against a growing wave of imitators. The victory against Scentia is the latest in a string of settlements underscoring Aroma360's unwavering stance against brand theft and imitation.

This settlement also comes as Aroma360 continues its litigation against another alleged copycat, Scentiment, a lawsuit that has made recent headlines.

About Aroma360

Aroma360 has quickly become the leading force in the scent marketing industry. Our specialty is enhancing the overall brand and customer experience through scent branding and marketing strategies. Our scenting specialists have hundreds of clients that span over 30 countries and have designed hundreds of signature scents customized to fulfill each brand's unique image and goals. Some of the brands we have worked with include Lexus, Marriott's, Four Seasons, and Ferrari. We have designed custom scents for hotels such as the Borgata Hotel and Casino, the Atlantis Hotel in Paradise Island, and spas like the Bellagio Las Vegas, the Montage Beverly Hills, Disney Senses Spas, Ritz Carlton, Biltmore, and many more. Learn more at https://aroma360.com .

SOURCE Aroma360
Parent company of Huddle House and Perkins American Food Co. taps restaurant industry veteran to lead next chapter of growth

ATLANTA, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascent Hospitality Management ("Ascent"), franchisor to leading family dining brands Huddle House and Perkins American Food Co., announced the appointment of Paul Damico as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.

Paul Damico, CEO of Ascent Hospitality Management

As CEO, Damico will lead Ascent's next chapter of growth and modernization, building on the company's long history of bringing people together around great food and supporting franchisees' success. He will also explore opportunities to expand Ascent's portfolio through the acquisition of additional brands that align with the company's growth strategy, vision, and values.

"Hospitality is in my DNA and I am invigorated by the opportunity to work with our franchisees and the Ascent team to drive growth of Huddle House and Perkins, two beloved family dining brands," Damico said. "I look forward to cultivating a culture of innovation and teamwork at these iconic brands, ensuring our guests' needs remain the top priority."

Damico brings over four decades of extensive food and beverage experience within the hospitality industry, specializing in overseeing multi-brand operations. Renowned for significantly enhancing operational efficiency, guest satisfaction and profitability, he has a proven track record of driving growth with some of the industry's most recognized brands. Prior to joining Ascent, he served as Chief Executive Officer at Fuzzy's Taco Shop, Global Franchise Group and Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill. He has also held several senior leadership positions at Focus Brands, Inc. (now GoTo Foods).

An active member of the restaurant industry, Damico is an International Franchise Association Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) and Board Member of the National Restaurant Association Fast Casual Industry Council. He has also served on the Georgia Restaurant Association and the Illinois Restaurant Association Advisory Board. Damico is a philanthropist and advocate for children and the hungry community, generously donating his time and money to causes such as No Kid Hungry.

To learn more about franchising with Huddle House or Perkins American Food co., visit www.ascenthm.com/franchising.

About Ascent Hospitality Management

Ascent Hospitality Management is the parent company of Huddle House and Perkins American Food Co. and was founded to acquire and invigorate storied brands to drive long-term growth. With nearly 600 locations across the U.S. and Canada, the company's mission is "Bringing friends and families together, over delicious food, served from the heart." Huddle House and Perkins each have more than 60 years of serving award-winning, made-to-order breakfast and all-day favorites with a smile to families and friends nationwide. Visit ascenthm.com for additional information on both brands and franchise opportunities.

SOURCE Ascent Hospitality Management
LEXINGTON, N.C., Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The design and home furnishings industry has once again shown its heart as The Common Thread for the Cure Foundation announces that bidding is now open for its 25th Anniversary Harvesting Hope Silent Auction. With over 40 exciting items available for bidding, the Harvesting Hope Silent Auction will run through October 29 at 11:59 p.m. EST., and is open to everyone nationwide. Every bid supports The Common Thread for the Cure Foundation's mission to provide financial assistancein the form of grantsto individuals in the design and furnishings industry who are battling breast cancer.

The Common Thread for the Cure is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

Featured items include a Linen-clad Demilune Chest donated by Lexington Home Brands, a swivel glider from Norwalk Furniture, an upholstered queen-size bed donated by Wesley Allen, three CloverLane mattresses donated by DeLandis Sleep, a living room chest from Hooker Furniture, and a side table from Hickory Chair. Other items include NASCAR and Petty Museum memorabilia signed by Richard Petty, donated by the Petty Family Foundation; a set of two prints from Libby Langdon Interiors for Paragon Art; a set of three down pillows from Crypton; an outdoor lounge chair donated by Armen Living; and more. Additionally, various gift cards, experiences, jewelry, and a plethora of Yeti products will also be available. Bidding starts at $25.

The Common Thread for the Cure Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, provides financial support through confidential grants to individuals in the design and furnishings industry affected by breast cancer. The grants offer relief in areas where insurance does not apply. For example, a grant can be used to meet financial obligations, household needs, and transportation to medical appointments. The intent is to enhance the quality of life for those who have breast cancer, enabling them to maintain as normal a lifestyle as possible while they are confronting the disease.

The Foundation was established in 2000 by the late Suzann Burkhead-Bray and her brother, Scott Burkhead, in honor of their younger sister, Sandra Burkhead Campbell, who died from breast cancer. After witnessing firsthand how devastating this disease can be, not only for the individual fighting it but also for the entire family, Bray focused her passion on helping others, and the concept of The Common Thread for the Cure Foundation was born. In recent years, the organization has seen a dramatic increase in grant applications from women in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, many of whom are young mothers. The Foundation has given more than $2 million in grants to nearly 445 recipients in North America's design and furnishings industry.

The Common Thread for the Cure Foundation extends its heartfelt appreciation to the many manufacturers, designers, and companies that generously donated items for the auction, including: Arcadia/Encore, Armen Living, Barrett Bergmann Home, Barbour Spangle Design, Baxter Mill Archive, Bedgear, Cassandra Key, Currey & Company, Crypton, dancker, DeLandis Home, Fromkin Brothers, Grohe, Hickory Chair, High Point Market Authority, Hickory Chair, Hooker Furnishings, Jonathan Charles, Kathryn Greeley Designs, Libby Langdon for Paragon Art, Lena Design, Lexington Home Brands, Momentum Textiles and Wallcovering, Seth Deitchman from Morgan Stanley, Patio & Hearth Products Report, Picture Source, Regina Andrew, Norwalk Furniture, Outdura, Phillips Collection, Unique Loom, Visit High Point, Wesley Allen, HPXD, 24/7 Creative Agency, and the Petty Family Foundation.

The Foundation is equally grateful to the industry supporters who helped spread the word and encouraged participation throughout the community, including Serena Martin, principal at 24/7 Creative Agency, Home Furnishings Business, Home News Now, IHFRA, ITA, High Point x Design, Furniture World, Furniture Today, IFDA, Visit High Point, High Point Market Authority, The Media Matters, and WithIt.

Contact: Jane Chero

The Media Matters

[email protected]

856-236-5565

SOURCE The Common Thread for the Cure
MIAMI, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Boats Group, the global leader in online boat marketplaces and digital solutions for the marine industry, is celebrating a major milestone: 100 dealers and brokers actively using its Finance Advantage program and seeing faster sales and higher profits.

As an optional service included in every membership, Finance Advantage is designed to give Boats Group's marketplace sellers an edge by delivering end-to-end financing and digital closing services  eliminating the need for an in-house finance department. The milestone reflects a wave of adoption from dealers and brokers eager to give buyers a faster, simpler path to boat ownership.

"This milestone is more than a number  it's a clear signal that the industry is evolving," said Rich Stahler, General Manager at Boats Group's Trident Funding. "While some still question whether sellers want financing promoted alongside listings, our customers are showing the results: they're closing more deals, faster, and giving buyers an experience they love. Hitting 100 customers is just the beginning."

Finance Advantage delivers a complete, end-to-end financing and digital closing solution built directly into Boats Group memberships. By offering buyers immediate access to financing, dealers and brokers can streamline the entire process  from application to funding  and close deals faster than ever.

Boat buyers are taking notice. One customer shared:

"We couldn't be happier with our experience. From start to finish, the process of closing on our boat was smooth and professional. They went above and beyond at every step  answering our questions quickly, guiding us through the details with patience, and making sure everything was handled seamlessly. Thanks to their hard work, we're now the proud owners of our dream boat!"

Boats Group designed Finance Advantage to help its customers grow their business. It gives dealers and brokers a ready-to-use financing solution that enhances listings, increases close rates, and creates a better experience for everyone involved.

As Finance Advantage gains momentum, Boats Group continues to prove that success in the marine industry is digital, connected, and built around the buyer. By combining technology, trusted financing, and seamless digital closings, Boats Group and its customers are leading the way.

Dealers and brokers interested in the Boats Group Finance Advantage should contact their account manager to get started.

About Boats Group

Boats Group operates the world's leading online marketplaces for buying and selling boats, including Boat Trader, YachtWorld, and boats.com. With a global audience of millions of boat buyers, we provide data-driven marketing solutions, AI-driven tools, financing services, and industry insights to help OEMs, dealers, and brokers maximize their sales potential.

Media Contact: Courtney Chalmers

VP of Marketing, Boats Group

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 1-877-354-4069

SOURCE Boats Group
Employers can now implement fertility pharmacy benefits with even more customization, maximizing access to price transparency and cost savings

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Carrot, the leading global fertility and family care platform, today announced the launch of the Carrot Rx 'Flex Program,' a new offering to provide pharmacy benefits at lower costs through price transparency and comprehensive member support for one of the most difficult and expensive aspects of fertility treatment: daily medication injections. Now, employers can implement Carrot Rx alongside any existing fertility benefits program providing coverage for medical services  or as a standalone solution.

This new program allows employers with or without Carrot benefits that cover medical services to access Carrot Rx's price transparency, best-in-class drug discounts, and white glove support for members in all 50 states. Carrot Rx also works seamlessly alongside any other fertility program covering medical services from fertility providers.

Fertility drugs through Carrot Rx are often over 50% less expensive than medications typically paired with cycle-based pricing models for IVF. This pricing advantage often equates to nearly $5,000 in savings for employers every time an employee undergoes fertility treatment. These savings can be enormous. For example, employers with three cycles of IVF coverage as part of their fertility benefits can save an additional $15,000 per employee, per year by using Carrot Rx as a complementary pharmacy solution alongside existing medical coverage.

"The Carrot Rx Flex Program gives employers and members more choice and control," said Tammy Sun, Founder & CEO of Carrot. "Medication costs are one of the biggest barriers to fertility care. By creating flexibility  including the option to pair Carrot Rx with existing programs or offer it on its own  we're helping employers act on this policy moment to make fertility care more affordable for more people."

Carrot Rx provides transparent, direct pricing and pharmacy fulfillment designed specifically for fertility patients. Through the new Flex Program, members who wish to buy certain prescription drugs directly through the federal TrumpRx platform on a cash-pay basis will have that option  while continuing to use their Carrot benefit to cover the remaining medications required for treatment.

"We designed the Carrot Rx Flex Program around one idea: that affordability and support should go hand in hand," said Hilary Bartlett, Chief Product Officer. "If members can find a lower price on certain medications through a public discount program, they should be able to use it  and still have Carrot guiding them through their full treatment. It's flexibility without fragmentation."

About Carrot

Carrot is a global, comprehensive fertility and family care platform, supporting members and their families through life's most memorable moments. Trusted by many of the world's leading multinational employers, health plans, and health systems, Carrot delivers exceptional clinical outcomes, industry-leading cost savings, and a seamless member experience. Its award-winning products serve all populations  from preconception care through pregnancy, IVF, male-factor infertility, adoption, gestational carrier care, and menopause. With localized support in more than 170 countries and 25 languages, Carrot's clinically driven, human-centered approach ensures personalized, high-quality care for everyone, everywhere. Learn more at get-carrot.com .

SOURCE Carrot Fertility, Inc.
Only 1.4 % of hospitals nationwide hold a fifth Magnet designation, the highest honor for nursing excellence

AURORA, Colo., Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Children's Hospital Colorado (Children's Colorado) once again received the highest international recognition for excellence in nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program. Today, the Magnet Recognition Program notified and congratulated Jennifer Roth, Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Executive, for Children's Colorado achieving the Magnet designation for the fifth consecutive time.

Three Children's Hospital Colorado nurses

Only 10% of U.S. hospitals have achieved Magnet designation, and to accomplish this recognition five times in a row places Children's Colorado among the top 1.4% of hospitals nationwide. Out of 642 hospitals currently designated as Magnet organizations internationally, only 48 pediatric organizations have been recognized by Magnet.

"Achieving and maintaining Magnet recognition for 20 years is a mark of excellence that truly sets Children's Colorado apart," Roth said. "It is a beacon to patients and families, letting them know they can expect outstanding care tailored to kids' unique needs. It signifies to our colleagues and peer organizations that we are a top performer with regard to results-driven outcomes. And it sends a clear message to current and prospective nurses that we value and support engagement in professional practice."

In addition to Magnet redesignation, Children's Colorado achieved nine exemplars, or areas of distinction, that not only meet but exceed Magnet standards. Appraisers expressed admiration for the hospital's excellence in patient outcomes, including several key quality indicators and patient experience scores that outperformed national benchmarks. One area of distinction they were particularly impressed by is the hospital's nurse-led advocacy work woven throughout the system, including clinical practice specialist Laura Pickford's public policy training to educate and empower nurses to impact policy and improve health outcomes for children as well as the School Health team's efforts to provide training and resources to school health nurses across Colorado and Wyoming, led by Julie Wilken, clinical manager for the School Health Program. They also celebrated the innovative, industry-leading care model in the hospital's inpatient psychiatric unit, and appraisers also recognized the pioneering work in photobiomodulation therapy, which has been proven to help decrease side effects and improve quality of life for patients and families during chemotherapy treatment.

Over a period of three days in August, appraisers from the Magnet Recognition Program were guided through multiple departments in the Denver metro region. Hundreds of team members in various roles participated in more than 80 hours of sessions and shared examples of nursing excellence.

"We are so grateful for the incredible expertise, creativity and unwavering dedication to excellence that have made our Magnet recognition a reality for the past 20 years," said Jena Hausmann, president and CEO of Children's Colorado. "Our team members are the driving force behind Children's Colorado's sustained leadership in transforming child health."

The ANCC's Magnet Recognition Program is revered as the leading credential for nursing, requiring rigorous adherence and accountability to evidence-based and nationally benchmarked professional standards. This achievement is a direct reflection of longstanding commitment to exceptional nursing and clinical professional practice.

Research demonstrates that patients benefit from visiting a hospital with Magnet status. Magnet hospitals report improved clinical outcomes, fewer patient falls, fewer medication errors, lower mortality rates and higher patient and family satisfaction. Magnet hospitals also tend to have lower nursing turnover and an improved nurse work environment.

"Pediatric nurses exemplify 'our everyday is extraordinary,'" said Lisa Peters, Magnet Program Director at Children's Colorado. "Our nurses are compassionate, skilled and committed individuals who constantly seek innovative ways to improve care for the next generation. Their dedication and passion enhance our pediatric health system and make a profound difference in the present moment."

Children's Colorado initially was designated a Magnet hospital in 2005 and was recognized again in 2011, 2015 and 2020. Hospitals must reapply for Magnet recognition every four years based on adherence to Magnet principles and demonstrated improvements in patient care and quality. The Magnet designation is recognized at all Children's Hospital Colorado Denver Metro locations. Under the leadership of Kathie Seerup, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Children's Hospital Colorado, Colorado Springs, the southern region is on their journey for a first Magnet designation.



"This accomplishment is a testament to Children's Hospital Colorado's commitment to nursing excellence," said David Marshall, Executive Committee Chair, ANCC Commission on Magnet . "Magnet recognizes the team members who practice at Children's Hospital Colorado and, more importantly, your dedication to the patients you serve."

ABOUT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL COLORADO

Children's Hospital Colorado is one of the nation's leading and most expansive nonprofit pediatric healthcare systems with a mission to improve the health of children through patient care, education, research and advocacy. Founded in 1908 and ranked among the best children's hospitals in the nation as recognized by U.S. News & World Report, Children's Colorado has established itself as a pioneer in the discovery of innovative and groundbreaking treatments that are shaping the future of pediatric healthcare worldwide. Children's Colorado offers a full spectrum of family-centered care at its urgent, emergency and specialty care locations throughout Colorado, including an academic medical center on the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, hospitals in Colorado Springs, Highlands Ranch and Broomfield, and outreach clinics across the region. For more information, visit www.childrenscolorado.org or connect with us on Facebook , Instagram and YouTube .

About the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program

The Magnet Recognition Program administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the largest and most prominent nurses credentialing organization in the world, identifies health care organizations that provide the very best in nursing care and professionalism in nursing practice. The Magnet Recognition Program serves as the gold standard for nursing excellence and provides consumers with the ultimate benchmark for measuring quality of care. For more information about the Magnet Recognition Program and current statistics, visit www.nursecredentialing.org/magnet.

Media Contact:

Blayke Roznowski, Children's Hospital Colorado

[email protected]

24/7 media line: 303-890-8314

SOURCE Children's Hospital Colorado
Weekend-only menu features creative dishes and build-and-share beverage program

HOUSTON, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Del Frisco's Grille, the contemporary American bar and grill known for its unique twist on elevated yet approachable dining, has launched its reimagined brunch menu featuring new dishes, shareable plates, craft beverages and a new "Brunch Meets Lunch" section.

Debuting Oct. 25 at all locations, the new menu includes standout dishes including Pull Apart Sticky Buns, Braised Short Rib Benedict, Green Eggs & Jamon, Shakshuka, Gingerbread Pancakes and more.

Looking for the best brunch? Del Frisco's Grille launched a new brunch menu featuring new signature dishes, including Pull Apart Sticky Buns, Braised Short Rib Benedict, Green Eggs & Jamon, Shakshuka, Gingerbread Pancakes and more.

In addition to the new items, guests can still enjoy classic brunch favorites with a fresh twist, including Strawberry Cobbler French Toast and Crab Cake Benedict.

The "Brunch Meets Lunch" section of the menu bridges dining preferences with options like Baby Back Ribs and premium steak cuts, including filet mignon and bone-in ribeye, all available with signature sides.

"We've created an elevated brunch experience that celebrates the social nature of weekend dining," said Chef Ariel Contreras-Fox, vice president of culinary at Del Frisco's. "Our new menu offers something for everyone, from innovative breakfast creations to signature lunch favorites, all crafted to bring people together over delicious food and drinks."

The newly imagined brunch menu also features an elevated beverage program with two new signature experiences  Champagne Solutions, offering four bottles for $50, and Bespoke Mimosas, served for groups with craft syrups and premium juices.

Guests can also enjoy the sharable $50 Bloody Mary Board, made with Tito's Handmade Vodka or Don Julio Blanco Tequila, and chef-curated garnishes like cheesesteak eggrolls, cream cheesestuffed olives, brown sugar bacon and more.

The new brunch menu is served exclusively on Saturdays and Sundays until 3 p.m.

For more information, visit www.delfriscosgrille.com.

About Del Frisco's Grille

Del Frisco's Grille elevates any night out with hand-crafted cocktails and a refreshing, modern menu that draws inspiration from bold flavors and fresh ingredients. Step into an inviting and stylish atmosphere, built for creating an incredible experience that takes any lunch date, happy hour or night out to refreshing new heights. For more information or to make a reservation, please visit https://delfriscosgrille.com/.

Media Contact:

Danielle Bramley

[email protected]

817-329-3257

SOURCE Del Frisco's Grille
Ukraine is proposing to Europe to change the order of the Patriot air defense system deliveries, as some countries in the system are not using them in the same way as Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.

"We have talked to the United States government and defense companies about the Patriot systems. Even when we pay for the systems, and even when we pay for such missiles, and Europe pays, there is still a queue waiting for deliveries, and some countries are ahead of us, and some countries already have Patriot systems. But, fortunately, they should not use them in the same way as we use them, and we propose to change the order," Zelenskyy said while participating in a meeting of the European Council on Thursday.

According to him, Ukraine will receive the systems now, and is ready to return them or replace them when its turn comes.

The president also called on partners to focus on the PURL program in November.

"Please, lets speed up this, and I also ask other countries, those that are not yet in the program, to join. PURL not only helps Ukraine, it also helps maintain the interest of the United States in Europe, and it shows America that Europe is making its contribution," the president said.
SUZHOU, China, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Dreame Technology's innovative Sparkling Water Refrigerator has been honored with the prestigious Japan Good Design Award, often called the "Oscar of Eastern Design." The award recognizes its design philosophy of "Seamless Integration of Technology and Aesthetics," marking a significant international endorsement of its innovative design and user experience.

Dreame's Sparkling Water Refrigerator Honored with Japan Good Design Award

The Dreame Sparkling Water Refrigerator goes beyond traditional home appliance design by integrating three core functions: Instant Sparkling Water, Smart Freshness, and Home Aesthetics. This integration offers a one-stop solution for modern kitchens. The refrigerator features an instant sparkling water system, supporting three levels of carbonation to meet various beverage pairing needs. The IceDUO Auto Ice Maker offers both cube ice and crushed ice, paired with a high-capacity ice box, easily catering to high-frequency household ice usage scenarios.

In terms of preservation, the refrigerator features a Twin-Cooling system that effectively prevents odor transfer. Its HumidFlex intelligent humidity control zone accurately maintains optimal humidity levels for various foods. The user-centric spatial design includes a dedicated snacks zone for canned goods and an adjustable wine rack, achieving a perfect balance of practicality and visual order.

The exterior utilizes an anti-fingerprint MatteSilk stainless steel panel. Combined with EU high energy efficiency certification and 35dB ultra-quiet operation, it realizes aesthetic expression while also adhering to concepts of energy saving and low noise for the home.

This award highlights Dreame's leadership in product design and technology integration, accelerating its global expansion. Moving forward, Dreame will remain dedicated to user-centric innovation, pioneering a new era of smarter, more integrated high-end home appliances.

The article is from Shuzhi Society

SOURCE Shuzhi Society
NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Fractal (www.fractal.ai), a global provider of artificial intelligence solutions to Fortune 500 companies, announced today that it has achieved the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Generative AI Consulting Services Competency. This milestone recognizes Fractal's expertise and commitment to leveraging AI technologies to drive innovation and transformation for its global clients.

The AWS Generative AI Consulting Services Competency identifies partners with proven technical proficiency and customer success in guiding organizations through the entire generative AI lifecycle, from defining strategy and responsible AI frameworks to building, customizing, and maintaining generative AI applications and foundation models.

"Achieving the AWS Generative AI Consulting Services Competency reflects our commitment to enabling clients to unlock the full potential of generative AI responsibly and effectively," said Vikram Magon, Vice President - AWS Partnership, Fractal. "This recognition validates our ability to deliver end-to-end consulting services that help businesses innovate, accelerate adoption, and achieve measurable outcomes with AWS technologies."

Fractal's consulting expertise spans:

Strategic Advisory : Helping organizations define generative AI adoption roadmaps and responsible AI principles.

: Helping organizations define generative AI adoption roadmaps and responsible AI principles. Model Development & Customization : Building and fine-tuning foundation models for industry-specific and cross-functional use cases.

: Building and fine-tuning foundation models for industry-specific and cross-functional use cases. Deployment & Operations : Supporting clients in operating, securing, and maintaining generative AI applications and workloads.

: Supporting clients in operating, securing, and maintaining generative AI applications and workloads. Governance & Risk Management: Implementing frameworks to ensure compliance, security, and ethical AI practices.

With a strong track record of delivering generative AI solutions across industries, Fractal empowers clients to enhance customer experiences, optimize operations, and drive innovation. This competency builds on Fractal's existing AWS competencies in Data & Analytics, DevOps, Consumer Goods, Retail, and Financial Services, further cementing its position as a trusted partner for AI-driven transformation.

The AWS Competency Program connects customers with AWS Partners who have demonstrated technical expertise and proven customer success in specialized solution areas. These partners help organizations accelerate cloud adoption and innovation while adhering to best practices.

About Fractal

Fractal is a globally recognized Enterprise AI company with a vision to power every human decision in the enterprise.

Fractal's suite of businesses includes Asper.ai (enabling interconnected decisions for revenue growth) and Analytics Vidhya (one of the world's largest data science communities). Fractal incubated Qure.ai, a global healthcare AI leader enhancing the rapid identification and management of tuberculosis, lung cancer, and stroke. Fractal's dedicated AI research team is focused on foundational AI advancements, including knowledge-based foundational models, reasoning-based systems, and agentic systems. The team has launched successful products such as MarshallGoldsmith.ai, Vaidya.ai, Kalaido.ai, and the open-source reasoning model Fathom-R1-14B.

Fractal employs over 5,000 professionals across 18 global locations, including the United States, Canada, UK, Netherlands, Ukraine, India, Singapore, South Africa, UAE, and Australia. It has consistently earned recognition as one of India's Best Companies to Work For (Top 100, 2025), a 'Great Workplace' for eight consecutive years, and among 'India's Best Workplaces for Women' for five years running by the Great Place to Work Institute. Fractal was also named a Leader in the 2025 Forrester Wave for Customer Analytics Service Providers and earned leadership positions in the Everest Group Peak Matrix Assessment 2025 for AI and Analytics Services, and Information Services Group's 2024 assessments for Data Engineering and Data Science Services.

SOURCE Fractal Analytics Limited
Celebrating innovation, leadership, and excellence across global industries.

SAN ANTONIO, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Frost & Sullivan honored outstanding companies from across the globe at the 2025 Best Practices Recognition Gala, held at the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa in Tucson, Arizona. The event brought together industry leaders to celebrate organizations demonstrating excellence in growth, innovation, and leadership.

"Frost & Sullivan presents Best Practices Recognitions to companies that inspire growth within their industries," said Roger Fristad, Global Senior Director of Transformational Growth at Frost & Sullivan. "These organizations identify emerging trends before they become market standards and develop solutions that drive differentiation and sustainable success."

The following organizations have been honored with Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Recognitions:

Atento

2025 Americas Customer Experience Management Product Leadership Recognition

Carbyne

2025 North American Emergency Cloud Call Handling Product Leadership Recognition

Aptiv

2025 Global Automotive Assisted Parking Product Leadership Recognition

InterSystems

2025 Middle Eastern EHR of the Future Enabling Technology Leadership Recognition

Polaris Wireless

2025 Global Location Determination Technologies Enabling Technology Leadership Recognition

Probe CX

2025 Australian Customer Experience Management Services Customer Value Leadership Recognition

Chunghwa Telecom

2025 Taiwanese 5G Technology Innovation Leadership Recognition

2025 Taiwan Data Center Services Competitive Strategy Leadership Recognition

2025 Taiwanese Telecom Company of the Year Recognition

Haystack Robotics

2025 Indian Hospital Disinfection Robots Technology Innovation Leadership Recognition

Ambu

2025 European Single-use Endoscopy Technology Innovation Leadership Recognition

Sanas

2025 North American Accent Translation Solutions Company of the Year Recognition

CTERA

2025 Global Hybrid Cloud Storage Company of the Year Recognition

Landis + Gyr

2025 Global Advanced Metering Infrastructure Company of the Year Recognition

AVer Information, Inc.

2025 Global Medical Grade PTZ Cameras Company of the Year Recognition

TP

2025 Global BPO CX Outsourcing Competitive Strategy Leadership Recognition

2025 North American Security in Customer Experience Management Company of the Year Recognition

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices recognizes companies each year in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analyses, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices.

For further information about Frost & Sullivan's Best Practices Program, please contact Lindsey Whitaker at [email protected].

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, collaborates with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. For more than 50 years, Frost & Sullivan has been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector, and the investment community.

Contact us: Start the discussion.

SOURCE Frost & Sullivan
Leading swim school franchise to open in late fall of 2026; franchise opportunities remain available throughout the US

YORBA LINDA, Calif., Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Goldfish Swim School Franchising, LLC , franchise group Swimergy4 Yorba Linda, LLC, led by Parag Mehta, has signed a lease agreement to open a Goldfish Swim School in Yorba Linda, California , at 20459 Yorba Linda Blvd., Suite G.

Goldfish Swim School provides swim lessons and water safety instruction to infants and children aged 4 months to 12 years, teaching children how to be safer in and around the water.

The Yorba Linda location will feature a state-of-the-art, shiver-free 90-degree pool, a viewing area for parents and a tropical-themed facility designed to provide a comfortable and enjoyable experience for kids and parents alike. With Goldfish Swim School's unique curriculum and small class sizes, children will be able to develop essential swim skills, build confidence and have fun in the water.

It will be the second of three Goldfish Swim School locations for the franchise group, which opened a location in Santa Ana in August, with another in development in Orange County.

"My motivation as a Goldfish Swim School franchise owner is knowing that every day, we're potentially saving lives. Children leave our classes happy and engaged while transforming into confident swimmers," said Mehta. "We've seen tremendous success since opening our Santa Ana Goldfish swim school, and we look forward to bringing fun and life-saving water safety education to even more families with our upcoming Yorba Linda school."

Each school offers swim lessons and programs using a proprietary curriculum, The Science of SwimPlay, to build life skills both in and out of the water using a philosophy of play-based learning in a fun and safe environment. Each school's No. 1 focus and main priority is always the same  educating children on water safety while teaching them how to swim and respect the water.

"Parag and his team are ideal franchise owners to expand the Goldfish Swim School brand in the Yorba Linda community because of their passion and commitment to kids and water safety," said Chris McCuiston, CEO and co-founder of Goldfish Swim School. "The Yorba Linda Goldfish Swim School will meet an important need in the community, and we look forward to the opening of our fourth California location."

The new Yorba Linda school is scheduled to open in late fall of 2026, bringing about 50 new jobs to the area. Employment opportunities will be available in the coming months.

Currently, there are three California Goldfish Swim School locations in Aliso Viejo , Santa Ana and Ladera Ranch . Goldfish Swim School is currently seeking proven operators in California throughout Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose and Los Angeles.

For more information on Goldfish Swim School and its franchising opportunities, please visit www.goldfishswimschool.com/franchise-opportunities/ or call 248-801-1850.

For more information on the grand opening, lesson registration, or to learn more about the Goldfish Swim School programs, visit goldfishswimschool.com .

About Goldfish Swim School:

Founded in 2006 by husband-and-wife team Chris and Jenny McCuiston, Troy, Michigan-based Goldfish Swim School provides swim lessons and water safety instruction to infants and children aged 4 months to 12 years. Classes are led by specially trained instructors in a safe, child-friendly environment using a research-based philosophy called The Science of SwimPlay. Since opening its first franchised location in 2009, the brand has grown to more than 200 schools in over 40 states and Canada, with an additional 150-plus in development. Goldfish is ranked No. 75 overall in Entrepreneur's 2025 Franchise 500 and has been recognized as the No. 1 swimming lessons franchise for nine consecutive years, was named to Franchise Times' Top Brand to Buy in 2024 and is rated as a Top Franchise by Franchise Business Review for 2025.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Rachel Tabacnic

[email protected]

817-329-3257

SOURCE Goldfish Swim School
SHANGHAI, Oct. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from english.shanghai.gov.cn

At the forefront of China's reform and opening-up, Shanghai is spearheading the world's second-largest economy's push for high-quality development, forging a path built on international collaboration and inclusive innovation, economists and executives said.

Foreign business leaders and experts speak at the "Grow with China" CEO roundtable, which was jointly held by the Foreign Affairs Office of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government and China Daily in Shanghai, Oct 20, 2025. [Photo by Gao Erqiang/China Daily]

They made the remarks on Oct 20 in Shanghai during the "Grow with China" CEO roundtable, which was jointly held by the Foreign Affairs Office of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government and China Daily.

"Shanghai is really open for cooperation, going beyond business," Marc Horn, president of Merck China, said. "We always say 'you need to be in Shanghai to not fall behind'."

The company strengthens its global portfolios by utilizing the city's capacity for innovation, and talent and manufacturing density. That is how "in China, for global" happens, Horn said, noting that Shanghai has become a key manufacturing and R&D hub for the company's advanced display materials.

Merck's presence in Shanghai is not an isolated phenomenon, but a deliberate outcome of the city's policy and positioning.

"Shanghai keeps the prices of operation low while linking to the real economy," economist David Blair said. "That's the key for Shanghai's growth and for China's growth  emphasizing new technologies linked with real production."

Toshinobu Umetsu, CEO of Shiseido China and Travel Retail, noted that the company has two R&D centers in Shanghai. "The Chinese market gathers very savvy and forward-looking consumers, providing us with profound market insights," he said.

"Shanghai is an ecosystem builder," Umetsu said. "We are accelerating cooperation with local partners. China gives us inspirations."

Jean-Paul Agon, chairman of L'Oreal Group, said in a written address at the event that Shanghai is the company's heart in China and North Asia, serving as a strategic engine in terms of innovation, operation, talents and sustainability, among others.

Shanghai currently hosts 1,042 multinational regional headquarters and 605 foreign-funded R&D centers, making it one of the most attractive destinations for global businesses and a key hub for managing international supply chains, according to official data in July.

The "trustful environment" in Shanghai  a good-faith confidence between local government and enterprises  emerged as a critical competitive edge of the city for multinational companies to thrive, Isabelle Hannedouche, managing director of Sodexo Greater China, said.

"Shanghai offers a fair and balanced ecosystem to enable companies providing the right service with the right standard in a very compliant way. It showcases the inclusiveness of the city," Hannedouche said. "We have people with very different backgrounds, here, we have a way to be able to attract them, retain them and give them opportunities to grow."

Buoyed by the optimism widely shared by global businesses, Shanghai, according to local authorities, approved the establishment of 4,223 new foreign-funded enterprises from January to August, a 3.9 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

Shanghai's opening-up and innovation-centered policies provide a powerful counter-narrative to claims of a China turning inward. For global executives, watching Shanghai is not just about watching one city  it is about observing the future of China's engagement with the world take shape.

Chinese leaders gathered on Oct 20 for a major Party meeting that will run to Oct 23 in order to discuss the country's next five-year plan, a policy roadmap shaping key areas of national development, with ripple effects far beyond China's borders.

Despite the rising protectionism and unilateralism around the globe, China's next stage of development is expected to continue along the path of advancing high-level opening-up and pursing innovation-led growth.

"The Chinese government is building a unique global ecosystem, with the country taking on a greater role in global investment," Rani Jarkas, chairman of Cedrus Group, said, adding that innovations in such areas as AI and battery technology provide other countries with more alternatives.

Matthias Berninger, executive vice-president Public Affairs, Science, Sustainability & HSE Bayer AG, said in a written address at the event that, "In the past, it was 'in China, for China'. Now, it is 'in China, for the world'."

Panelists also spoke highly of the International Services Shanghai, a multilingual portal launched last year by the Shanghai municipal government, which offers a wide range of resources covering policies, news updates and useful tips designed for expats in Shanghai who are seeking information on business, employment, travel, education and shopping.

SOURCE english.shanghai.gov.cn
Prestigious peer-review validates HCB101's differentiated mechanism and translational strength.

Clinical data show a nearly 90% partial response rate in 2L gastric cancer (combo) and safe escalation to 30 mg/kg (mono)

TAIPEI, SHANGHAI and SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- HanchorBio Inc. (TPEx: 7827), a global clinical-stage biotechnology company developing next-generation immunotherapies, today announced that its manuscript describing the discovery and preclinical development of HCB101, an engineered SIRP-Fc fusion protein, has been published in the Journal of Hematology & Oncology (SCI Impact Factor 40.4; for reference, leading journals in the field of immuno-oncology include Journal of Clinical Oncology (impact factor 41.9), The Lancet Oncology (35.9), and Nature Cancer (28.5)).

HanchorBios CD47-SIRP Therapeutic HCB101 Published in Journal of Hematology & Oncology, Demonstrating High Safety and Preclinical Efficacy

The publication, titled "HCB101: A Novel Potent Ligand-Trap Fc-fusion Protein Targeting the CD47-SIRP Pathway with High Safety and Preclinical Efficacy for Hematological and Solid Tumors," describes the rational protein engineering that enabled HCB101 to restore macrophage-mediated phagocytosis and bridge innate and adaptive immune responses while reducing red blood cell binding. In preclinical studies, HCB101 showed broad activity across more than 80 xenograft and PDX tumor animal models with a safety profile that differs from first- and second-generation CD47-targeting agents.

Notably, a US competitor focusing on CD47/SIRP published findings in JHO in November 2020, reporting on a third-generation anti-CD47SIRP therapy. This underscores the journal's strong recognition within the field. The continued publication of anti-CD47 biologics in JHO highlights both the scientific importance of ongoing advancements and the journal's role as a leading international platform for preclinical and translational research on anti-CD47 therapies.

"Publication in the Journal of Hematology & Oncology affirms the scientific rigor and innovation behind HCB101 and emphasizes its differentiated preclinical foundation," said Scott Liu, PhD, Chairman, CEO, and Founder of HanchorBio. "Importantly, these insights are being directly translated into clinical studies: combined with standard-of-care, HCB101 has demonstrated a clear dose-dependent efficacy profile in 2L gastric cancer, culminating in a nearly 90% partial response rate at 5.12 and 8.0 mg/kg. In parallel, we have now escalated monotherapy dosing to 30 mg/kg without safety concerns. These milestones highlight HCB101's potential to serve as a backbone immunotherapy across solid tumors and hematologic malignancies and lay the groundwork for expanding into autoimmune indications where CD47-SIRP biology is also potentially useful in creating a new B-cell depletion therapy."

Clinical Progress Strengthens Differentiated Best-in-Class Profile

HCB101 is currently being evaluated in multinational Phase 1 and Phase 1b/2a trials:

Monotherapy (HCB101-101, NCT05892718):

The Safety Review Committee (SRC) has reviewed the safety data up to 30 mg/kg weekly and found no dose-limiting toxicities, confirming a wide therapeutic window. Early signs of efficacy included two confirmed partial responses (PRs) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and marginal zone lymphoma, along with stable disease (SD) in nine patients, including over 40 weeks of disease control in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.

Combination (HCB101-201, NCT06771622):

In the triplet regimen for 2L-gastric cancer (HCB101 + ramucirumab + paclitaxel), emerging activity was first observed at 2.56 mg/kg, where evaluable patients achieved SD with modest tumor shrinkage, averaging a 6% reduction in tumor size in the dose cohort. At 5.12 mg/kg, all three evaluable patients achieved confirmed PRs (33%46% tumor reductions). At 8.0 mg/kg, all three evaluable patients have now achieved confirmed PRs (tumor shrinkage up to -78%) after extended follow-up. Together, these results represent a nearly 90% confirmed response rate (6 of 7 patients) at  5.12 mg/kg dose level  a striking outcome in a setting where the typical overall response rate (ORR) for the SOC is only 26.5%.

"The data now published in JHO validate the design strategy that made HCB101 possible  balancing high efficacy with a clean safety margin where earlier CD47-targeting agents failed," added Wenwu Zhai, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of HanchorBio. "Seeing those preclinical insights translate into durable monotherapy activity and remarkable combination dose-dependent responses in gastric cancer provides confidence not only for oncology but also for new areas such as autoimmunity. HCB101's differentiated mechanism and safety profile open the door to rational combinations and next-generation applications well beyond cancer."

About HCB101: A Differentiated CD47-SIPR Blockade

HCB101 is a 3.5th-generation, affinity-optimized SIRP-Fc fusion protein with intact IgG4 effector function, developed using HanchorBio's proprietary FBDB platform. Engineered for selective CD47 blinding on tumors with low affinity for red blood cells, HCB101 avoids the hematologic toxicities commonly associated with anti-CD47 monoclonal antibodies, while preserving strong antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) and innate-to-adaptive immune bridging.

Key Differentiators of HCB101:

Enhanced safety: Low RBC binding minimizes anemia and thrombocytopenia risk.

Low RBC binding minimizes anemia and thrombocytopenia risk. Robust immune activation: Engineered to enhance ADCP and innate-to-adaptive bridging.

Engineered to enhance ADCP and innate-to-adaptive bridging. Broad tumor applicability: Demonstrated activity in >80 PDX/CDX preclinical models.

Demonstrated activity in >80 PDX/CDX preclinical models. Clinical translation: Early efficacy as monotherapy with durable disease control, and 100% ORR and disease control rate (DCR) at the middle dose cohort in combination with standard-of-care for 2L-gastric cancer.

About HanchorBio

Based in Taipei, Shanghai, and the San Francisco Bay Area, HanchorBio (7827.TPEx), a global biotechnology company specializing in immuno-oncology, is led by an experienced team of pharmaceutical industry veterans with a proven track record of success in biologics discovery and international development, aiming to rewrite cancer therapies. Committed to reactivating the immune system to fight diseases, the proprietary Fc-based designer biologics (FBDB) platform enables the development of unique biologics with diverse multi-targeting modalities, unleashing both innate and adaptive immunity to overcome the current challenges of anti-PD1/L1 therapies. The FBDB platform has successfully delivered proof-of-concept data in several in vivo tumor animal models. By making breakthroughs in multi-functional innovative molecular configurations in R&D and improving the manufacturing process in CMC, HanchorBio develops transformative medicines to address unmet medical needs. For more information, please visit: www.HanchorBio.com

SOURCE HanchorBio Inc.
ELKHART, Ind., Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hurricane Boats, legendary innovator in versatile deck boat designs, announced today it has redesigned the classic, Yacht Series Hurricane SunDeck 2690 for model year 2026. Fitting between the SunDeck 2600 and the recently released SunDeck 3200, the SunDeck 2690 is the perfect blend of style, comfort and new technology to deliver an exceptional on the water experience for families and friends.

The Hurricane SunDeck 2690 is the perfect blend of style, comfort and new technology to deliver an exceptional on the water experience for families and friends.

With an overall length of 26 feet, 4 inches and a 9-foot beam, the SunDeck 2690 is a confident cruiser built to navigate larger bodies of water with ease. Yacht Certified and rated for up to 450 horsepower, it offers both generous capacity and powerful performance.

"The SunDeck series is all about delivering stylish, memorable moments on the water," said Jeff Kinsey, vice president and general manager, Hurricane Boats. "To add to the experience, we've updated the furniture and helm for greater comfort and intuitive control, allowing owners to focus on what truly matters - fun, connection, and time well spent with family and friends."

Key Features include:

Updated furniture throughout paired with Soft Touch vinyl and Cool Touch seating options deliver enhanced comfort and a premium feel for all passengers; while keeping seat surfaces comfortable so guests can enjoy lasting performance season after season.

The helm features a standard 9-inch display or an optional 12-inch upgrade, with round gauges available for either size. Displays feature a sleek digital switching system with a custom user interface putting control of audio, lighting, and more at the captain's fingertips, with a clear visual representation of the boat and how the lighting is being used. This allows for full customization of the lighting experience and clear control of onboard systems.

A newly designed lockable glove box keeps gear and personal items safe and organized, giving you peace of mind while you focus on fun.

Treat pets to first-class hydration with an all-new doggie bowl and mat, designed for easy access, stability, and effortless cleaning.

Additional updates for model year 2026 outside of the SD 2690 include:

New "Patio" Option: Available on select FunDeck models, this feature adds an extended platform at the stern, creating additional space for relaxation or activities.

New RL (Rear Lounge) Layout: Introduced in the FunDeck lineup, this configuration allows passengers to comfortably lounge facing the rear, enhancing the on-water experience.

For more information on the SunDeck 2690, Hurricane or its full line of deck boats, please visit www.hurricaneboats.com.

About Polaris

As the global leader in powersports, Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) pioneers product breakthroughs and enriching experiences and services that have invited people to discover the joy of being outdoors since our founding in 1954. Polaris' high-quality product line-up includes the RANGER, RZR, Polaris XPEDITION, and GENERAL side-by-side off-road vehicles; Sportsman all-terrain off-road vehicles; military and commercial off-road vehicles; snowmobiles; Indian Motorcycle mid-size and heavyweight motorcycles; Slingshot moto-roadsters; Aixam quadricycles; Goupil electric vehicles; and pontoon and deck boats, including industry-leading Bennington pontoons. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a robust portfolio of parts, garments, and accessories. Headquartered in Minnesota, Polaris serves more than 100 countries across the globe. www.polaris.com

Unless noted, all trademarks are the property of Highwater Marine LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Polaris Industries Inc.  2025 Highwater Marine LLC

SOURCE Hurricane Boats
ICEYE will provide crucial real-time flood data in addition to potential fire monitoring

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ICEYE, the global leader in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite data, and EMIS, a provider of geospatial information systems in Slovakia, today announced a strategic partnership to expand access to critical, near real-time hazard information for Slovak authorities.

ICEYE and EMIS announce partnership to provide a missing flood data layer to Slovakias national, near real-time monitoring platform.

Through this collaboration, ICEYE's satellite-derived flood intelligence will be seamlessly integrated into EMIS's GIS platform, the country's trusted central geospatial hub used nationwide. This partnership represents a significant step in ICEYE's involvement in the Eastern European marketplace, enabling Slovak authorities to access unique ICEYE Flood Insights within hours of an event, directly within their existing workflows.

Key Benefits of the ICEYEEMIS Partnership:

Faster Disaster Response: ICEYE's SAR satellite constellation provides continuous, all-weather, day-and-night monitoring, closing a critical data gap and allowing authorities to track floods and fires within hours rather than days.





ICEYE's SAR satellite constellation provides continuous, all-weather, day-and-night monitoring, closing a critical data gap and allowing authorities to track floods and fires within hours rather than days. Seamless Integration: Authorities can access ICEYE's insights directly through EMIS's GIS platform, which is already compliant with national technology standards, eliminating the need for new systems or training.





Authorities can access ICEYE's insights directly through EMIS's GIS platform, which is already compliant with national technology standards, eliminating the need for new systems or training. Direct Benefits to Ministries and Municipalities: From the Ministry of Interior's disaster response management to the Ministry of Defence, Transport, and the National Centre of Forests, decision-makers will gain timely intelligence to protect communities, plan resilient infrastructure, and safeguard resources.





From the Ministry of Interior's disaster response management to the Ministry of Defence, Transport, and the National Centre of Forests, decision-makers will gain timely intelligence to protect communities, plan resilient infrastructure, and safeguard resources. Competitive Advantage for Slovakia: With this partnership, Slovakia becomes one of the first countries in Eastern Europe to leverage SAR-based hazard intelligence at national scale.

"By integrating ICEYE's unique satellite capabilities into EMIS's state-of-the-art user experience and customer support ecosystem, we fill a critical gap in the ability of Slovak authorities to respond rapidly and effectively to natural hazards," said Jeffrey Apeldoorn, Head of Government Solutions, Europe at ICEYE. "This partnership ensures that decision-makers have access to always-on monitoring when they need it most, supporting stronger resilience across the country."

"We look forward to partnering with ICEYE to deliver world-class monitoring solutions to Slovakia," said Miroslav Vanek, CEO at EMIS. "Our platform already serves as the central hub for geospatial data across the country. Integrating ICEYE's rapid hazard intelligence significantly expands the insights and value we bring to our users and partners."

About EMIS

EMIS s.r.o., founded in Trnava, Slovakia (EU), is a geospatial company with more than 20 years of experience in GIS, now offering an integrated ecosystem solution. Featuring three core platforms: ESID for property management; MAPSFY, for spatial data management; and Geovio platform for geospatial image analysis.

For more information, visit:

EMIS Company Website: www.emis-online.sk

EMIS Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/emis-s-r-o

About ICEYE

ICEYE delivers unparalleled persistent monitoring capabilities to detect and respond to changes in any location on Earth, faster and more accurately than ever before.

Owning the world's largest synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellation, ICEYE provides objective, near real-time insights, ensuring that customers have unmatched access to actionable data, day or night, even in challenging environmental conditions. As a trusted partner to governments and commercial industries, ICEYE delivers intelligence in sectors such as defense and intelligence, insurance, natural catastrophe response and recovery, security, maritime monitoring, and finance, enabling decision-making that contributes to community resilience and sustainable development.

ICEYE operates internationally with offices in Finland, United States, Poland, Spain, the UK, Australia, Japan, UAE, and Greece. We have more than 800 employees, inspired by the shared vision of improving life on Earth by becoming the global source of truth in Earth Observation.

Media contact: [email protected]

Visit www.iceye.com and follow ICEYE on LinkedIn and X for the latest updates and insights.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2802909/ICEYE_EMIS_x_ICEYE.jpg
Starting today, West Virginians can securely and conveniently present their ID in Apple Wallet in person at select TSA checkpoints and participating businesses, as well as in select apps and online.

RESTON, Va., Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- IDEMIA Public Security North America, the leading provider of secure and trusted biometric-based solutions, has announced the continuation of their partnership with the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which includes support for the state's launch of IDs in Apple Wallet for its residents.

This launch enables West Virginians to conveniently and securely present their ID in Apple Wallet in person at participating businesses and venues including TSA checkpoints in over 250 airports, as well as in-apps and online where age or identity verification is required.

Businesses can accept ID in Apple Wallet and other mobile driver's licenses in-person for age verification by downloading IDEMIA's Mobile ID Verify app. This enables businesses to securely and privately accept mobile driver's licenses and IDs directly from a business' iPhone  no need for additional hardware. Customers presenting will only be asked to provide the minimum data needed to verify their age or identity, and information is encrypted between devices, so customers don't need to show or hand over their iPhone.

Adding an ID in Apple Wallet

The launch of West Virginia driver's licenses and state IDs in Apple Wallet brings enhanced convenience and security for West Virginians, allowing residents to add and present their IDs using their iPhone and Apple Watch.

West Virginians can securely add their West Virginia driver's license or state ID in Apple Wallet by tapping the Add (+) button at the top of the screen in Wallet on their iPhone, selecting "Driver's License or State ID," and following the onscreen instructions to start the setup and verification.

Present an ID in a Secure, Private Way

Users can present their ID in Apple Wallet in person, in apps, and on the web to verify their age or identity. IDs in Apple Wallet protect a user's identity and personal information using the privacy and security features that are built into Apple devices.

Once an ID is added to Apple Wallet, personal information is encrypted on a user's device, so others cannot access it unless a user chooses to present it. Apple and the West Virginia DMV do not know when or to whom a user presents their driver's license or state ID.

"We're excited to continue our partnership with the West Virginia DMV following the launch of the West Virginia Mobile ID app in January 2025 to bring West Virginians another secure, protected way present their ID with their devices," said Rob Gardner, CEO, IDEMIA Civil Identity. "As an advanced and secure identity credential, the launch of ID in Apple Wallet provides West Virginians with more transparency over how information is shared  all with the security and privacy of the devices they use each and every day."

For information on the launch of IDs in Apple Wallet in West Virginia, click here. For more information on IDs in Apple Wallet, visit learn.wallet.apple/id. To learn more about IDEMIA's Mobile ID Verify App, click here.

About IDEMIA Group

IDEMIA Group is a global technology leader with more than 12,500 employees worldwide. Its two market-leading divisions deliver mission-critical solutions that simplify and secure interactions in the physical and digital realms:

IDEMIA Secure Transactions (IST) is the leading technology provider making it safer and easier to pay and connect. With unmatched expertise in cryptography and credential issuance, IST is trusted by over 2000 financial institutions, mobile operators, automotive manufacturers, and IoT providers worldwide. Every day, IST secures billions of essential transactions, ensuring the highest levels of data protection and convenience.

IDEMIA Public Security (IPS) is a trusted provider of government-grade and secure biometric-based solutions for 600 government, state and federal agencies. With decades of experience in biometric technologies, IPS enables safer, frictionless and fairer ways to secure travel, access and citizen protection.

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

Media contact:

Genevieve de Vera

IDEMIA Public Security

(978) 808-7047

[email protected]

SOURCE IDEMIA Identity & Security USA LLC
CHICAGO, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pinnacle Fertility Illinois, formerly known as the Institute for Human Reproduction (IHR), proudly welcomes Dr. Courtney Murphy, a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist and fellowship-trained reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) specialist, to its physician team.

For more than two decades, Pinnacle Fertility Illinois has been a trusted destination for fertility treatment where advanced science meets compassionate, personalized care. As part of the Pinnacle Fertility network, the clinic continues to set the standard for patient-centered innovation and physician collaboration.

"I chose Pinnacle Fertility because it empowers me to provide the kind of care every patient deservespersonal, evidence-based, and supported by exceptional technology and teamwork," said Dr. Murphy. "Physicians and lab experts truly work together here, which allows us to continually advance outcomes and create a more seamless, supportive experience for our patients."

Dr. Murphy brings extensive expertise in IVF, fertility preservation, reproductive surgery, and third-party reproduction. She completed her fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, one of the nation's top programs, following her OB/GYN residency at the University of Toledo, where she served as Academic Chief Resident.

She will begin seeing patients in early November, expanding access to advanced fertility care throughout the Chicagoland region. Appointments can now be scheduled at www.pinnaclefertility.com/schedule-a-consultation .

"Dr. Murphy represents the next generation of fertility medicine: highly skilled, compassionate, and collaborative," said Dr. David Cohen, Medical Director at Pinnacle Fertility Illinois. "Her decision to join our team reflects Pinnacle's growing reputation as the destination for physicians who want to innovate, share best practices, and deliver the highest standard of patient care."

Beth Zoneraich, CEO of Pinnacle Fertility, Inc., added, "Dr. Murphy's warmth, precision, and forward-thinking mindset align perfectly with Pinnacle's mission. We are building a physician-led network that unites brilliant minds, advanced laboratory capabilities, and compassionate care to elevate the fertility experience for both patients and providers. Dr. Murphy is exactly the kind of leader who brings that vision to life."

As part of the Pinnacle Fertility network, Illinois patients have access to national resources including state-of-the-art laboratory capabilities, integrated clinical data systems, and shared physician innovation boards. These resources are designed to improve outcomes and create a seamless, supportive experience from consultation to conception.

About Pinnacle Fertility Illinois

Pinnacle Fertility Illinois, formerly the Institute for Human Reproduction (IHR), is a leader in the field of reproductive endocrinology and infertility and has helped thousands of people realize their dream of parenthood for more than 20 years. Pinnacle Fertility Illinois is recognized for providing high-quality, comprehensive IVF treatments and remains committed to compassionate, personalized, and innovative fertility care for patients across five Illinois locations.

About Dr. Courtney Murphy

Dr. Courtney Murphy is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist and fellowship-trained reproductive endocrinologist specializing in IVF, fertility preservation, reproductive surgery, and third-party reproduction. She completed her medical residency at the University of Toledo, where she served as Academic Chief Resident, and went on to complete her fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine.

About Pinnacle Fertility, Inc.

Pinnacle Fertility, Inc. supports a premier network of physician-led fertility clinics committed to transforming dreams of parenthood into reality. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Pinnacle manages a nationwide network of more than 40 clinics and 17 state-of-the-art embryology labs. With a team of over 1,000 dedicated professionals, Pinnacle Fertility empowers individuals and couples to build the families they've always dreamed of.

To learn more or schedule an appointment, visit pinnaclefertility.com.

Media Contact:

[email protected]

SOURCE Pinnacle Fertility
On Thursday night, units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces struck the Ryazan oil refinery and an enemy ammunition depot near the village of Valuyki in Belgorod region of the Russian Federation. Explosions and a large-scale fire were recorded at the refinery, and the ammunition depot was destroyed, the press service of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported.

"On the night of October 23, 2025, units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces struck a strategic enemy facility engaged in supporting the Russian Armed Forces  the Ryazan Oil Refinery. Explosions were recorded in the target area and a large-scale fire broke out on the premises," the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said.

It is noted that the Ryazan Oil Refinery is one of the largest in central Russia and is owned by Rosneft. The refinerys capacity is estimated to process over 17 million tonnes of oil per year and plays a vital role in providing fuel to enemy military formations and the logistical supply chains of the occupying forces. The incapacitation of some of the refinerys production capacity reduces the Russian armys combat capabilities.

Furthermore, that same night, Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles struck an enemy ammunition depot near the village of Valuyki in Belgorod region. According to available information, the target was destroyed, and detonations and explosions of ammunition were observed.
CAPE TOWN, South Africa, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- From November 5-7, Cape Town  the Mother City  will host the International Women's Forum (IWF) global Cornerstone Conference, convening nearly 500 women experts and leaders from 30 countries.

The conference brings a collective moment of insight and connection, centred around the theme: "Ubuntu: I am because we are". It will elevate conversations exploring the shifting geopolitical landscape, the impact of artificial intelligence (AI), and the importance of the arts and culture.

"IWF is proud to convene our global Cornerstone Conference in eKapa (Cape Town), where the concept of Ubuntu perfectly expresses the importance of connection," said Stephanie O'Keefe, IWF global CEO. "In a world filled with much uncertainty, it is vital to create and sustain our connections while learning about critical issues. Women's leadership plays a central role in not only defining the current moment but charting a progressive way forward."

The conference comes two weeks ahead of the historic G20 Summit happening in the country. South Africa holds the current G20 Presidency  the first African nation to host the summit  and will unite global heads of state under the theme Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability.

"The Mother City embodies a vibrant culture and rich traditions that stand as a powerful example of community, resilience, and transformation," said Nolitha Fakude, Cornerstone Conference Co-Chair. "There is no better place to connect, catalyse, and celebrate women's leadership."

A distinguished line-up of speakers will open the first day, including Rebeca Grynspan, globally recognized leader in economic policy and Secretary-General, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and Ambassador Dr. Monica Juma.

"Today more than ever, leaders need to prioritise mobilising collective action to address the world's challenges," said Irene Charnley, Cornerstone Conference Co-Chair. "As IWF members, it is pivotal to shape empowered narratives around the geopolitical environment and global economy  to anticipate what we can expect and ensure we strengthen strategies to best meet this reality."

Advocate Mojankunyane Gumbi will deliver the Susan Hammer Memorial Lecture which honours the legacy of the late IWF Oregon member Susan Hammer  a trailblazing lawyer, mediator, and advocate for women's advancement. Each year, the lecture features women who have made significant contributions to peace and civil society.

The second day will feature Fireside Chats with Motsepe Foundation Co-Founder and CEO, Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe and Chief Growth Officer for Walmart International and Operating Partner, Andrea Albright, respectively.

It will also be a celebration of the arts and creativity, with South African music icon Letta Mbulu, influential musician Thandiswa Mazwai, and pioneering publisher and author, Dr. Margaret Busby joining in conversation on the role of creativity in building identity and healing communities.

The conference will further feature IWF's Ideas Remaking the World presenters  showcasing innovators, instigators, and disruptors who are solving today's problems and building a better world through innovative solutions.

Finally, the Leading Light Gala Dinner and Celebration will honour the vision and action of three outstanding women to be announced. They will join an impressive roster of previous IWF honourees spanning politics, civil rights, conservation, and economics, including Margaret Thatcher, Rosa Parks, Jane Goodall, and Ngozi OkonjoIweala.

The full agenda and speaker lineup can be viewed here.

The International Women's Forum (IWF) unites our global community of women leaders to advance women's leadership today and tomorrow. IWF connects more than 8,400 preeminent women leaders in 76 Forums in 35 countries around the world. For more information, please visit: https://iwforum.org/.

Press Contact:

Laine Funkhouser, Global Head of Communications, International Women's Forum

[email protected]
NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 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
Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses In Quanex To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options

If you purchased or acquired securities in Quanex between December 12, 2024 and September 5, 2025 and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).

[You may also click here for additional information]

NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Quanex Building Products Corporation ("Quanex" or the "Company") (NYSE: NX) and reminds investors of the November 18, 2025 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company.

James (Josh) Wilson, Faruqi & Faruqi Senior Partner (PRNewsfoto/Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP)

Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com.

As detailed below, the complaint alleges that the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose that: (1) the Company's procedures and policies regarding tooling and equipment maintenance in its Tyman Mexico facility were significantly "underinvested"; (2) as a result, the Company's tooling and equipment conditions had significantly degraded to near "catastrophic" levels; (3) that, as a result of the foregoing, the Company was likely to incur significant costs, "pushing out the timing" of expected benefits from the Tyman integration; (4) that Quanex had previously identified the foregoing issues; and (5) that, as a result of the foregoing, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.

On September 4, 2025, after the market closed, Quanex announced financial results for the third quarter of the 2025 fiscal year. Among other things, the Company disclosed "operational issues related to the legacy Tyman window and door hardware business in Mexico that are ongoing" which "impacted results more than expected during the third quarter of 2025." Specifically, the Company reported a diluted EPS of ($6.04), compared to $0.77 in the prior year period and an adjusted EBIDTA of $70.30. The Company further disclosed that it was "adjusting for lower expected volumes and pushing out the timing of when [it] expect[s] to realize procurement savings" from the integration of the Tyman business.

Then, on September 5, 2025, the Company held an earnings call pursuant to the Company's third quarter 2025 financial results. During the earnings call, Chief Executive Officer, George Wilson ("Wilson") explained "operational challenges" in the Tyman facility in Mexico "negatively impacted EBITDA in the Hardware Solutions segment by almost $5 million in the third quarter alone." Wilson further explained that the issue was previously "identified midyear" as it got "deeper into the integration" with Tyman, and described how the systems used to "anticipate and plan for tooling repairs" were significantly deficient, indicating it was near "nonexistent." Wilson stated because Quanex was "underinvested" in "the tooling condition and the equipment condition" it "had to make some changes and fix some things before it was catastrophic."

On this news, Quanex's stock price fell $2.73, or 13.1%, to close at $18.18 per share on September 5, 2025, on unusually heavy trading volume. The stock price continued to decline on the subsequent trading day, falling $1.98 or 10.9%, to close at $16.20 per share on September 8, 2025, on unusually heavy trading volume.

The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not.

Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding Quanex's conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others.

To learn more about the Quanex Building Products class action, go to www.faruqilaw.com/NX or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, on X, or on Facebook.

Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP (www.faruqilaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner.

SOURCE Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP
NEW YORK, Oct. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) New York Office is enhancing its 2025 "Korea Now: All You Imagine" campaign with an exciting new partnership with Amorepacific, the global leader of K-Beauty with an expansive portfolio including LANEIGE, Innisfree, Sulwhasoo, AESTURA and Hanyul. This strategic partnership unites the worlds of travel and beauty with a special sweepstakes initiative designed to inspire North American audiences to discover the best of Korean culture, from skincare rituals to unforgettable travel experiences.

Building on the success of KTO's AI-powered Ad-Tech campaign, which personalizes Korean travel experiences across four cultural themes, the partnership highlights Amorepacific's five iconic brands: Laneige, Sulwhasoo, Aestura, Innisfree, and Hanyul. Each brand captures Korea's artistry, innovation, and deep-rooted beauty heritage, reflecting the campaign's message that Korea is destination "all you imagine."

As part of the Korea Now Trip Planner Sweepstakes, participants who complete a brief online survey will be entered for a chance to win two round-trip tickets to Korea and explore curated K-Beauty experiences through featured Amorepacific brands. From Sulwhasoo's luxurious herbal skincare to Innisfree's Jeju-inspired natural formulas, the partnership celebrates the diverse beauty that makes Korea a global trendsetter.

Adding to the excitement, Amorepacific is bringing Seoul to New York with "Seoul in the City," its first-ever multi-brand pop-up in partnership with Sephora, on October 2425, 2025, at 45 West 25th Street. The two-day event features Laneige, Innisfree, Aestura, and Hanyul with immersive brand activations inspired by Seoul. Guests can shop exclusive launches, explore interactive stations, and visit the KTO booth at checkout to enter the Korea Now Trip Planner Sweepstakes online and receive exclusive KTO merchandise.

"Through this partnership, we are bridging two of Korea's most influential cultural exports  beauty and travel," said Heejin Cho, executive director of the KTO New York Office. "K-Beauty has become a global phenomenon, and by partnering with Amorepacific, we are inviting audiences to experience the creativity, care, and inspiration that define Korean culture, both in New York and in Korea."

Travelers can learn more about the campaign, take the Trip Planner quiz, and enter the sweepstakes at https://koreanow.us .

About Korea Tourism Organization (KTO):

Korea Tourism Organization is a government agency under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea. KTO promotes Korea as a premier year-round travel destination celebrated for its history, culture, cuisine, and hospitality.

SOURCE Korea Tourism Organization NY Office
ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- M-tron Industries, Inc. (NYSE American: MPTI) ("Mtron" or the "Company"), a U.S.-based designer and manufacturer of highly-engineered electronic components and solutions for the aerospace and defense, avionics, and space industries, announced that Cameron Pforr, Interim Chief Executive Officer, and other members of the Mtron management team will present at The ThinkEquity Conference on Thursday October 30, 2025 at the Mandarin Oriental New York in New York, NY.

Mr. Pforr will speak to Mtron's continued momentum in the defense and aerospace sector, including its products' use in precision guided munitions, radar, electronic warfare, airframes, drone/UAVs, and space and satellite systems. Mtron plays a key role in the U.S. national security space as a U.S.-based manufacturer of radio frequency components and solutions for the U.S. Department of Defense as well as our allied nations.

The presentation will begin at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time (US and Canada) on Thursday October 30, 2025. The presentation will be held at the Mandarin Oriental New York in New York, NY and will be webcast. To register, visit: www.meetmax.com/sched/event_121867/conference_register.html.

About Mtron

M-tron Industries, Inc. (NYSE American: MPTI) designs, manufactures, and markets highly engineered, high reliability frequency and spectrum control products and solutions. As an engineering-centric company, Mtron provides close support to its customers throughout our products' entire life cycle, including product design, prototyping, production, and subsequent product upgrades. Mtron has design and manufacturing facilities in Orlando, Florida, and Yankton, South Dakota, a sales office in Hong Kong, and a manufacturing facility in Noida, India. For more information, visit www.mtron.com.

SOURCE Mtron
SAO PAULO, Oct. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- MGI Tech Co., Ltd. ("MGI"), a company dedicated to developing essential tools and technologies to drive innovation in the life sciences, has entered into a strategic partnership with Eva Holding Group, a Brazilian group operating in genomics applied to human health, animal health, and agribusiness. The initiative aims to expand Brazilian patients' access to genomics, including joint efforts in the development of the country's genetic sector.

The agreement includes the installation of genetic sequencers that expand public access to cutting-edge genomic technologies and enhance the accuracy of cancer disease tracking, such as the DNBSEQ-T7, a high-performance system that has already been used in Brazil's largest genomic sequencing project. This is the first T7 with IVD (In Vitro Diagnostic) certification sold in Latin America and the first and only IVDI-certified high throughput equipment in Brazil, meaning that, for the first time, the country has access to this technology for clinical use, in addition to its previous use for research.

"The DNBSEQ-T7 is a high-performance sequencer that combines large processing capacity with flexibility for multiple applications, including whole-genome, exome, and transcriptome sequencing. Its DNBSEQ technology delivers high-quality data at low cost," says Carlos Carpio, Senior Commercial Director for MGI Latin America and General Manager of MGI in Brazil.

With its high performance, the DNBSEQ-T7 enables the resolution of complex genomic structures and the filling of gaps in genome assemblies, delivering deeper and more continuous DNA analysis. This technology contributes to the generation of more comprehensive data, improves the final quality of genome assemblies, supports accurate variant detection, and provides a broader view of the genetic profile.

Eva Holding Group comprises four brands focused on different segments, all with DNA as a central tool:

- Predictus Gene  focused on human predictive analysis through whole genome sequencing (WGS).

- OLLIN  dedicated to the clinical diagnosis of rare diseases.

- Pet Nex  specialized in genetic analysis for pets.

- Earth Biome  focused on genomics applied to livestock and agriculture.

"MGI is now our main partner in bringing cutting-edge genetic sequencing technology. This collaboration represents another important step in innovation with real impact, especially benefiting oncology patients, rare diseases, and neonatal screening, through the 72-hour Genome," state Dr. Rene Pimenta da Silva Junior, CEO of OLLIN Analises Genomicas, and Dr. Carolina A. Barbosa, President of Eva Holding Group.

As part of its strategy, the group will centralize its high-complexity genomic operations in a technology park, ensuring greater efficiency, quality control, and scalability in its projects.

Genetic sequencing: an ally of precision medicine

Genetic sequencing plays a critical role in screening for various types of cancer, helping to identify genes associated with disease development. With a higher level of precision, doctors can recommend more effective and personalized treatments, leading to better clinical outcomes and increased patient survival rates.

Moreover, in cases of hereditary cancer where there is a genetic predisposition to disease development, technology can support predictive medicine and enable preventive measures.

"Understanding the risks of certain diseases enables the adoption of more assertive prevention strategies, as well as the comparison of therapeutic options to select those with the highest likelihood of a positive response, based on each patient's genetic history," concludes Carlos Carpio.

About MGI

MGI Tech Co., Ltd. (or its subsidiaries, together referred to as MGI) is committed to building core tools and technologies that drive innovation in life science. Our focus lies in research & development, manufacturing, and sales of instruments, reagents, and related products in the field of life science and biotechnology.

We provide real-time, multi-omics, and full spectrum of digital equipment and systems for precision medicine, agriculture, healthcare and various other industries. Founded in 2016, MGI has grown into a leader in life science, serving customers across six continents and has established research, manufacturing, training, and after-sales service facilities globally.

MGI stands out as one of the few companies capable of independently developing and mass-producing clinical-grade gene sequencers with varying throughput capacities, ranging from Gb to Tb levels. With unparalleled expertise, cutting-edge products, and a commitment to global impact, MGI continues to shape the trajectory of life sciences into the future.

Learn more at: https://en.mgi-tech.com/, LinkedIn, X and YouTube.

About Eva Holding Group

Eva Holding Group is an integrated genomics and biotechnology platform operating in human health, animal health, and agribusiness, always with a focus on the practical application of DNA as a transformative tool. With national presence and global strategic partnerships, the group brings together research, innovation, and clinical services in a unique ecosystem, offering cutting-edge solutions in diagnostics, personalized medicine, predictive genomics, preventive healthcare, and applied biotechnology.

Through its brands  Predictus Gene, OLLIN, Pet Nex, and Earth Biome  Eva Holding Group positions itself as a key player in building the future of precision medicine and applied genomics, combining technology, science, and large-scale social impact.

SOURCE MGI TECH
New partnership expands nbkc's BaaS platform with Interchecks' instant "push-to-card" technology, enabling fintechs and other nonbanks to deliver faster, compliant payments.

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- nbkc bank, a leading provider of banking-as-a-service (BaaS) sponsorships, today announced a strategic partnership with Interchecks, a U.S.-based payments technology company specializing in instant, compliant, and customizable payment experiences.

This collaboration enhances nbkc's BaaS platform by integrating Interchecks' instant payment technology, enabling fintechs and non-bank innovators to deliver seamless "push-to-card" disbursements, sending funds directly to customers' debit cards in real-time, without the delays of traditional payment rails.

"Speed and flexibility in payments are now essential to building and sustaining customer relationships," said Melissa Eggleston, executive vice president and chief deposits and operations officer at nbkc bank. "By partnering with Interchecks, we're expanding our payment capabilities and helping our fintech and non-fintech partners provide their customers faster access to funds - all while maintaining the compliance and oversight standards that define nbkc's approach to BaaS and payments sponsorships."

With this addition, nbkc continues to expand its comprehensive BaaS offering, which includes deposit and loan account sponsorship, debit card issuance, payment processing, compliance oversight, and risk management, empowering fintechs to embed banking functionality quickly while maintaining the highest regulatory standards.

"nbkc's reputation as a responsible and forward-thinking BaaS and payments leader made this collaboration a natural fit," said Dylan Massey, co-founder and CEO of Interchecks. "This partnership isn't just about faster payments; it's about shaping what's next. Together, we're unlocking new possibilities for how money moves, empowering fintech innovators to deliver instant, secure, and compliant payment experiences that redefine customer expectations and set the stage for the future of financial connectivity."

About nbkc

Having marked its 25th anniversary in 2024, nbkc is a mainstay in the Kansas City region and a diversified online banking company with a national scope. Known for combining intuitive technology and personal support to create exceptional client experiences, nbkc offers online mortgage and consumer banking nationally; community and commercial banking throughout its home region of Kansas City; and banking as a service to fintech companies across the U.S. The bank is also known for starting Fountain City Fintech, an accelerator program initiated to support fintech startups. Formed in 1999, nbkc continues to pursue its mission of leading the industry to simpler and more transparent banking. Learn more at www.nbkc.com.

About Interchecks

Interchecks is a modern payments platform enabling businesses to send and receive funds quickly, securely, and compliantly. With flexible, API-driven solutions for deposits, withdrawals, and more, Interchecks serve fintech, financial services, gaming, and other industries, simplifying complex payments and empowering companies to scale with confidence. For further information on Interchecks, please visit www.interchecks.com or LinkedIn @gointerchecks.

nbkc bank is a FDIC member and equal housing lender.

Media Contact:

[email protected]

SOURCE nbkc bank
TORONTO, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- NewCo Capital Group, a leading provider of business financing solutions, is proud to announce its successful participation as both sponsor and exhibitor at the Canadian Lenders Association (CLA) Lender Summit, held on October 20, 2025 at The Quay, 100 Queens Quay East, Toronto.

The sold-out event, widely recognized as Canada's premier lending conference, brought together over 800 executives from the consumer, business, and automotive credit sectors, including the CEOs and senior leaders of Canada's largest banks, fintechs, and non-bank lenders.

Connecting with Partners Across Canada's Lending Ecosystem

As a proud sponsor and exhibitor, NewCo participated alongside Canada's most influential voices in lending and fintech, including CEOs and senior executives from EQ Bank, TD Auto Finance, Scotiabank, KOHO, RBC, and Deloitte. The full-day agenda featured thought-provoking discussions on the evolution of business and consumer credit, automation in underwriting, and the growing role of AI and data-driven lending models.

The NewCo team met with a broad cross-section of its broker and referral network, connecting with both established and emerging partners from across the country. The Summit also provided opportunities to strengthen relationships with banking and fintech partners, as well as adjacent industries that actively collaborate with NewCo on client financing solutions, underscoring the company's expanding influence within the Canadian credit ecosystem.

"The Lender Summit continues to be one of the most important forums for collaboration and innovation in Canada's financial services landscape," said Bruce Gurvitsch , Chief Revenue Officer at NewCo. "We were thrilled to engage with our partners, explore new collaboration opportunities, and showcase the next phase of our evolution as we prepare to unify under our global brand, Bizcap."

Showcasing New Products and a Promising 2026 Roadmap

At its booth, NewCo introduced new and enhanced product offerings, highlighting its expanding capabilities in business financing and partner enablement. Attendees were also given a first look at NewCo's 2026 roadmap, featuring advanced tools and technology-driven solutions designed to make business funding faster, smarter, and more accessible.

These innovations reflect NewCo's deep commitment to supporting brokers, referral partners, and small business clients through data-driven underwriting, automation, and digital-first experiences, themes that aligned closely with the Summit's discussions around AI, alternative credit models, and the future of SMB finance. This focus on technology and innovation follows Bizcap's recent announcement welcoming 8fig , an AI-driven growth funding platform, into its global portfolio, further underscoring the group's commitment to advancing intelligent capital solutions worldwide.

A Glimpse into the Future: Transitioning to Bizcap

In addition to product highlights, NewCo provided attendees with an early look at the future of its branding and its upcoming rebrand to Bizcap in Canada. This evolution marks part of a global brand consolidation initiative, aligning all operations under a unified identity.

"Our transition to Bizcap represents a new chapter, one that harmonizes our global brand while reinforcing our commitment to the Canadian market," said Albert Gahfi , CEO of NewCo Capital Group and Co-CEO of the Bizcap Group. "We're incredibly excited for the future as we continue expanding across Canada under the Bizcap name."

About NewCo Capital Group

NewCo Capital Group is a revenue-based financing provider offering fast, flexible funding to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the United States and Canada. Founded in 2020 on the principles of technology, transparency, and trusted relationships, NewCo empowers SMEs to accelerate growth and access capital with speed and confidence, providing approvals in as little as three hours with same-day funding available.

For more information, visit NewCoCapitalGroup.ca

About Bizcap

Bizcap is a global non-bank financing provider offering fast, flexible funding to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and Europe. Founded in 2019, Bizcap empowers SMEs by providing approvals in as little as three hours, with same-day funding available.

For more information, visit bizcap.com.au

Together, the companies have funded more than 66,000 businesses worldwide, totaling over USD $2.6 billion, while maintaining a 4.8/5 Trustpilot rating.

Media Contact:

[email protected]

SOURCE NewCo Capital Group
TORONTO, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- PAVE, a leader in AI-powered vehicle inspection technology, has been recognized by Deloitte's 2025 Technology Fast 50 awards program for its rapid growth, entrepreneurial spirit and bold innovation.

The program recognizes Canada's 50 fastest-growing technology companies based on the highest revenue growth percentage over the past four years. PAVE ranks 29th on the list with over 1,000% revenue growth from 2021 to 2024.

Deloitte's Technology Fast 50 program winners consist of public and private companies in the technology sector that are transforming the industry. The program runs alongside the broader Deloitte North American Technology Fast 500, and winners are automatically eligible for this elite ranking.

PAVE CEO Kenny DellaPorta, who joined the company in September, said the recognition reflects the strength of PAVE's team and the trust it has earned in the marketplace.

"This achievement is a testament to the infrastructure built by PAVE's founders, leadership team and employees," said DellaPorta. "In just a few years, PAVE has scaled its AI inspection platform across North America and nine European markets, proving that innovation and customer trust can go hand in hand."

PAVE's platform combines high-speed imaging, advanced damage detection and automated reporting to deliver accuracy and consistency at scale. Unlike systems that rely on limited hardware or static setups, PAVE's mobile-first technology enables instant, AI-powered inspections reinforced by human oversight, delivering the most consistent and accurate condition reports on the market today.

"The 2025 Technology Fast 50 winners are a shining example of Canada's limitless potential in technology and innovation. Their visionary leadership and bold achievements are propelling our sector forward, opening new possibilities for growth and inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs," said Brendan Cooper, National Technology Fast 50 program co-leader at Deloitte Canada. "We are excited to honor their remarkable progress and the positive impact they are making across the country."

"These trailblazing companies are not only thriving in today's dynamic economythey are setting the pace for what's possible in Canadian technology. Their passion and forward-thinking solutions are energizing our entire ecosystem, fostering collaboration, and creating opportunities across all sectors," expressed Amanda Perran, National Technology Fast 50 program co-leader at Deloitte Canada.

To qualify for the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 ranking, companies must have been in business for at least four years, have a minimum revenue of $50,000 in 2021 and $5 million in 2024, be headquartered in Canada, own proprietary technology, and invest a minimum of 5% of gross revenues in R&D activities that are conducted in Canada.

About the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Program

The Technology Fast 50 program is Canada's pre-eminent technology awards program. It recognizes business growth, innovation, and entrepreneurship in three distinct categories: Technology Fast 50, EnterpriseIndustry Leaders, and Companies-to-Watch. The program also recognizes thriving technology companies in the United States and Canada in partnership with the North American Technology Fast 500 program. Program sponsors for 2025 include RBCx, Osler, EDC, CCI, TMX, Lafond and The Globe and Mail. For more information, visit www.fast50.ca.

ABOUT PAVE

PAVE is an automotive technology company reimagining how the world inspects vehicles. Powered by intelligent damage detection capabilities, PAVE enables anyone with a smartphone to complete a guided vehicle inspection by simply taking photos. Headquartered in Toronto, PAVE combines deep expertise from the automotive and technology industries to deliver the best in artificial intelligence and automotive intelligence. For more information, visit pave.ai.

SOURCE PAVE
Greg and Ladona Claiborne, owners of PostNet Round Rock, Texas, honored for their exceptional

leadership, business growth and community impact

DENVER, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- PostNet, a global leader in high-quality printing and shipping solutions, has announced that Greg and Ladona Claiborne, owners of PostNet Round Rock, Texas, were named its 2025 Franchisee of the Year at the company's 31st annual conference in Chicago.

PostNet Round Rock, Texas, owner Greg Claiborne accepts the printing and shipping solutions company's 2025 Franchise of the Year Award at its 31st annual convention held in Chicago.

"Every year our franchisees consistently show the vision, tenacity and ability it takes to succeed, and this year was no exception," PostNet Vice President of Retail Network Development Bill McPherson said. "Greg and Ladona exemplify everything that makes our network thrive. They're engaged leaders, strong operators and trusted community partners. Their center consistently delivers outstanding results while maintaining a team culture built on service and integrity."

The Franchisee of the Year award is PostNet's highest individual honor, presented annually to a franchise owner who demonstrates outstanding operational performance, customer service, leadership and community involvement. Recipients are selected from among hundreds of PostNet franchisees worldwide who consistently go above and beyond to represent the brand's core values and commitment to excellence.

The Claibornes, who have owned and operated the Round Rock center since 2007, are former corporate professionals with backgrounds in business development and operations. They have leveraged their experiences to grow the center into one of PostNet's best-performing locations nationwide.

"This recognition isn't just about me," Greg Claiborne said. "It reflects the countless customers who trust us with their projects and the team members who show up every day ready to solve problems and deliver results. Running this center has been the most challenging and rewarding chapter of my career. It will be exciting to see what we can accomplish next."

PostNet is a global leader in printing, shipping, and design services, providing small businesses and consumers with convenient, high-quality solutions to meet their everyday needs, including custom graphic design and marketing materials, packing and shipping services, and mailbox rentals.

About PostNet

PostNet opened its doors in 1993. With nearly 700 locations in North America, Central America, South America and Africa, PostNet is a global leader in printing and shipping solutions. In 2017, PostNet joined the MBE Worldwide family. Combined, MBE has nearly 2,600 locations in 44 countries. For more information about PostNet services, visit www.postnet.com. To learn about franchise opportunities, visit www.postnetfranchise.com.

About Fortidia

Fortidia is the brand identity of MBE Worldwide S.p.A. - a privately-owned company headquartered in Italy - and its affiliates. Fortidia is a global commerce enabler for SMBs and consumers thanks to its platform including brands providing e-commerce, fulfillment, shipping, marketing and print solutions: PrestaShop, Mail Boxes Etc. (outside the U.S. and Canada.), PostNet, PACK & SEND, World Options, AlphaGraphics, Multicopy, Print Speak, GEL Proximity, and Spedingo. In 2023, the combination of its physical platform - including 3,200 Business Solutions Centers in 60 countries with 14,000 associates - with its PrestaShop e-commerce platform served 1.1 mln business customers worldwide generating 1.4 bln (US$1.5 bln) of System-wide Gross Revenue and 22 bln (US$23.8 bln) of Gross Merchandise Value.

For more information, visit the Fortidia Group websites:

www.fortidia.com - www.prestashop.com/en - www.mbeglobal.com - www.mbe.it - www.mbe.es - www.mbe.de - www.mbefrance.fr - www.mbe.pl - www.mbe.pt - www.mbe.co.uk - www.postnet.com - www.packsend.com.au - www.packsend.co.uk - www.worldoptions.com - www.alphagraphics.com - www.multicopy.nl - www.printspeak.com - www.gelproximity.com/en - www.spedingo.com/en

SOURCE PostNet
Czech Republic already assisting Ukraine in recovery from Russian attacks - Zelenskyy after meeting with Fiala

Photo: https://x.com/p_fiala/status

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced a meeting with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, during which he discussed the consequences of Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities.

Czechia is already assisting us in restoration in this area, and we discussed further ways to support Ukraines energy resilience and our people, Zelenskyy said on X Thursday following the meeting.

The sides also discussed the implementation of joint defense projects and the initiative to strengthen the protection of Ukrainian skies.

Our views are aligned  sanctions and frozen Russian assets must be aimed at supporting Ukraine, our protection, and defense, Zelenskyy stressed.

As reported, Zelenskyy arrived in Brussels for the European Council meeting on Thursday.

Fiala has been serving as Prime Minister of the Czech Republic since November 2021 and is the leader of the Civic Democratic Party (ODS).
TAMPA, Fla. and STAMFORD, Conn., Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Primo Brands (NYSE: PRMB), a leading branded beverage company in North America with a focus on healthy hydration, announced that it has been named one of America's Greenest Companies 2026 by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group. Coming in with 4.5 out of 5 stars on the list, this recognition highlights Primo Brands' continued commitment to sustainability and its ongoing efforts to help reduce environmental impact through innovation, operational efficiency, and transparency.

"We are honored to be recognized among America's Greenest Companies," said Charles Fogg, Chief Sustainability Officer, Primo Brands. "This achievement reflects the dedication of our teams across every area of Primo Brands. From responsible sourcing and energy efficiency to circular packaging and community partnerships, sustainability is embedded in everything we do. It's more than a goalit's a responsibility we take seriously as we continue to help build a healthier planet for generations to come."

Now in its third year, America's Greenest Companies recognizes 450 U.S. companies that have demonstrated leadership in minimizing their environmental impact while advancing meaningful climate action. Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group evaluated companies across more than 25 parameters in four key categories, including greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, waste generation, and sustainability data disclosure and commitments.

"The importance of protecting the planet has become an increasingly critical factor for companies," said Jennifer H. Cunningham, Editor-in-Chief, Newsweek. "The 2026 ranking highlights organizations that exemplify innovation and progress in environmental protection and serve as models for sustainable business practices."

About Primo Brands

Primo Brands is a leading North American branded beverage company focused on healthy hydration, delivering responsibly sourced diversified offerings across products, formats, channels, price points, and consumer occasions, distributed in every U.S. state and Canada.

Primo Brands has a comprehensive portfolio of highly recognizable and conveniently packaged branded water and beverages that reach consumers whenever, wherever, and however they hydrate through distribution across retail outlets, away from home such as hotels and hospitals, and food service accounts, as well as direct delivery to homes and businesses. These brands include established "billion-dollar brands" Poland Spring and Pure Life, premium brands like Saratoga and The Mountain Valley, regional leaders such as Arrowhead, Deer Park, Ice Mountain, Ozarka, and Zephyrhills, purified brands including Primo Water and Sparkletts, and flavored and enhanced brands like Splash Refresher and AC+ION. Primo Brands also has an industry-leading line-up of innovative water dispensers, which create consumer connectivity through recurring water purchases.

Primo Brands operates a vertically integrated coast-to-coast network that distributes its brands to more than 200,000 retail outlets, as well as directly reaching consumers through its Direct Delivery, Exchange, Filtration, and Refill offerings. Through Direct Delivery, Primo Brands delivers responsibly sourced hydration solutions direct to home and business customers. Through its Exchange business, consumers can visit approximately 26,500 retail locations and purchase a pre-filled, multi-use bottle of water that can be exchanged after use for a discount on the next purchase. Through its Refill business, consumers have the option to refill empty multi-use bottles at approximately 23,500 self-service refill stations. Primo Brands also offers water filtration units for home and business customers across North America.

Primo Brands is a leader in reusable beverage packaging, helping to reduce waste through its multi-serve bottles and innovative brand packaging portfolio, which includes recycled plastic, aluminum, and glass. Primo Brands has a portfolio of over 80 springs and actively manages water resources to help assure a steady supply of quality, safe drinking water today and in the future. Primo Brands also helps conserve over 28,000 acres of land across the U.S. and Canada. Primo Brands is proud to partner with the International Bottled Water Association ("IBWA") in North America, which supports strict adherence to safety, quality, sanitation, and regulatory standards for the benefit of consumer protection. Primo Brands is committed to supporting the communities it serves, investing in local and national programs and delivering hydration solutions following natural disasters and other local community challenges.

Primo Brands employs more than 11,000 associates with dual headquarters in Tampa, Florida, and Stamford, Connecticut.

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

About Newsweek

Newsweek is a global news magazine that provides high quality, in-depth coverage and analysis of the major events shaping our world. For more than 90 years, the iconic brand has been offering readers a unique perspective on world affairs and giving context to the most important events in global news. Today, via its print and digital editions, Newsweek continues to help its readers navigate a rapidly-changing world.

SOURCE Primo Brands Corporation
From the Magnificent Mile to 17-Mile Drive: United Airline's new route connects two iconic destinations and marks the airline's return to mainline service at MRY.

MONTEREY, Calif. , Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Monterey Peninsula Airport District (MPAD), See Monterey, and Visit Carmel today announced new, once-weekly seasonal nonstop service between Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) and Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), operated by United Airlines, beginning Saturday, May 23, 2026. The new flight gives Chicagoans easy and direct access to Monterey County, California's 99 breathtaking miles of Pacific coastline and renowned destinations and attractions including the charming village of Carmel-by-the-Sea, rugged cliffs of Big Sur, the prestigious greens of Pebble Beach, the verdant fields of the Salinas Valley and an award-winning wine and culinary scene.

Carmel Beach in Carmel-by-the-Sea

The flight will operate weekly on Saturdays through late August, arriving in Monterey around midday and departing back to Chicago later that afternoon, an ideal schedule for travelers seeking a convenient start or finish to their Central Coast getaway. Bookings for the new route are now open at United.com and in the United mobile app.

United's new service connects California's Central Coast directly with the airline's Midwest hub, complementing existing United routes between Monterey and Denver, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. In addition to the direct service, travelers from the Midwest and East Coast will now enjoy seamless, one-stop connections to Monterey County, while local residents gain easier access to nearly 100 destinations across the country via United's Chicago hub.

"We're excited to provide the Monterey community with the first direct flight to Chicago in nearly 50 years with the launch of our seasonal service starting next summer," said Mark Weithofer, United's Managing Director of Domestic Network Planning. "This new flight unlocks the opportunity for travelers from Chicago and all across the country to explore the iconic sights and coastal views of Monterey, while connecting local residents to United's expansive route network from our hub in Chicago."

"This new flight represents another step forward in improving air service in and out of MRY  an essential factor in our region's economic vitality," said Chris Morello, Interim Executive Director of Monterey Regional Airport. "Our Board continues to prioritize air access as a foundation for growth across agriculture, defense, higher education, and tourism. United's decision to bring mainline service back to Monterey is a strong signal of confidence in the Central Coast market."

"This new connection is a significant step forward in See Monterey's long-term strategy to expand air access and visitor markets," said Rob O'Keefe, President & CEO of See Monterey. "We've been investing heavily in the Chicago market and are already seeing traction. United's new nonstop service gives us a powerful foothold in the Midwest, benefiting leisure travelers, the group and meetings market, and our key local industries. It's a tangible example of our MCT 2030 roadmap in action, strengthening sustainable tourism and economic opportunity countywide."

"This is a tremendous win for our entire region as visitors from Chicago (and beyond) will now have an even more seamless route to visit our destination." said Amy Herzog, Executive Director of Visit Carmel. "We can't wait to welcome more Midwest travelers to experience Carmel-by-the-Sea's breathtaking beauty, incredible food and wine experiences, and timeless charm  essentially all that makes this corner of California so special."

The new service underscores a growing momentum in Monterey County's tourism and economic development landscape. Most notable in aviation is the metamorphosis of MRY with a number of enhancements including a new terminal opening in 2027, providing more opportunity for continued airlift development. In addition, new hotel openings, enhanced visitor infrastructure, and a robust slate of global events, continue to elevate Monterey County's position as one of the most desirable destinations on the West Coast.

About Monterey Regional Airport

Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) is Monterey County's only commercial airport and accommodates over 600,000 passengers each year. The airport serves nine nonstop markets with an average of 17 daily departures. We are committed to providing our customers with superior services and a convenient, hassle-free experience in a safe, secure, professional environment. The MRY Metamorphosis, an FAA-required Safety Enhancement Program, includes a replacement terminal that will welcome passengers in 2027, and will transform how Monterey residents and visitors travel. Be sure to visit www.montereyairport.com or follow @montereyairport on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

Media Contact: Chris Morello [email protected]

About See Monterey

See Monterey is a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization that drives tourism for Monterey County. Tourism is the largest industry on the Monterey Peninsula and the second largest in the county. See Monterey is a partnership of the hospitality community and local governments that aims to generate community prosperity and enrich economic vitality for Monterey County through the responsible growth of the tourism economy. In 2024, travel spending in Monterey County was $3.1 billion, supporting nearly 28,000 jobs and generating $310 million in state and local tax revenue that directly benefited the community. For more information, visit www.SeeMonterey.com and follow @SeeMonterey on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Media Contact: Jennifer Chiesa, [email protected]

About Visit Carmel

Visit Carmel is the official destination marketing organization promoting Carmel-by-the-Sea as a world-renowned, storybook destination. From inspiring restaurants and wine tasting rooms to boutique shops, art galleries, and the famous Carmel Beach, visitors can explore it all within walking distance of Carmel's charming hotels and inns. For more information visit www.CarmelCalifornia.com and follow @VisitCarmel on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

Media Contact: Marrissa Mallory, [email protected]

SOURCE See Monterey
SAN DIEGO, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is proud to announce the appointment of Shawn Dixon as its new president and chief executive officer. Following an extensive global search conducted by Korn Ferry, Dixon was selected to lead the organization into its next chapter. Having served as interim president and CEO for the past seven months, and with nine years of dedicated service to the organization as chief operating officer before that, Dixon brings a wealth of experience, vision, and a deep connection to the San Diego community.

Shawn Dixon, president and CEO, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

A long-time advocate for wildlife conservation and a proud San Diegan, Dixon has been a driving force behind San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance's mission to create a world where all life thrives. His leadership has been instrumental in connecting the organization's global conservation efforts with the guest experience at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, which welcome 5.5 million visitors annually.

"Shawn's deep roots in the San Diego community, combined with his exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to our mission, made him the clear choice to lead San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance," said Steve Simpson, chair of the board of trustees. "After an extensive global search, it became evident that Shawn's vision, passion, and ability to inspire collaboration were exactly what we needed to guide the organization into the future."

Dixon's contributions and commitment to the San Diego region extend far beyond his work with San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. He serves on several local boards and committees, including the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Economic Development Committee and the San Diego Tourism Authority, where he is the immediate past chair of the board of directors. A member of San Diego Rotary Club 33, Dixon is a passionate advocate for the community and its role in advancing conservation efforts here and around the world.

"I am deeply honored to lead San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and to continue building on our legacy of conservation and community impact," said Dixon. "San Diego is not just where we're headquarteredit's where we live, and it's a community that has embraced our mission to protect wildlife and inspire action. Together, we can create a brighter future for all life on Earth."

During his tenure as chief operating officer, Dixon oversaw transformative projects at the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, including the development of Conrad Prebys Africa Rocks, Walkabout Australia, Denny Sanford Wildlife Explorers Basecamp, and the largest project in the history of the organization, Denny Sanford Elephant Valley, which is slated to open at the Safari Park in early 2026. His leadership has also strengthened partnerships with local, national, and international organizations, furthering the organization's global reach and influence.

With more than two decades of experience in the hospitality and tourism industries, including leadership roles with Hilton Hotels & Resorts and Vail Resorts Inc., Dixon brings a wealth of expertise in creating impactful, lifelong experiences for guests. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from California State University, Sacramento, and is a professional fellow of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

PHOTO: sdzwa.org/PR/CEO-Shawn-Dixon

CONTACT:

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

Public Relations

619-685-3291

[email protected]

sdzwa.org

SOURCE San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
Master of Education concentration in Autism and Developmental Disabilities to empower educators with the necessary skills to support their communities

DURANT, Okla., Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Southeastern Oklahoma State University (SE) is launching a new Master of Education concentration in Special Education with a focus on Autism and Developmental Disabilities. The program will welcome its first cohort in January 2026 and will be delivered in partnership with education technology provider Risepoint. This new offering reflects SE's commitment to providing accessible, affordable, and impactful graduate education that supports working teachers while strengthening schools and communities.

Across the nation, shortages of special education teachers remain a critical challenge. More than half of school districts and 80 percent of states reported shortages of special education teachers in the 2023 to 2024 academic year. Each year, about 46,000 special education teachers leave public schools while fewer than 30,000 new teachers enter the field. In Oklahoma, certified special education teachers are in such short supply that the state is offering signing bonuses of up to 20,000 dollars in 2025 and 2026 to attract and retain educators. Southeastern's new concentration is designed to help meet this workforce demand by preparing teachers who can serve students and communities with skill and compassion.

"This program reflects Southeastern's dedication to preparing educators for the needs of today's classrooms," said Dr. Kathleen Booth, Associate Professor and Special Education Program Area Coordinator at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. "By focusing on autism and developmental disabilities, we are equipping teachers with the expertise to support learners who need it most while also advancing their own careers."

The concentration provides a pathway for educators who want to deepen their expertise in supporting students with autism and developmental disabilities. The curriculum emphasizes practical strategies and applied tools that teachers can implement immediately in their classrooms. By adding this concentration, SE expands its offerings of special education programs and gives educators more flexibility in shaping their professional growth.

"Southeastern Oklahoma State University has a long tradition of preparing effective educators serving in their communities and beyond. This new concentration in autism and developmental disabilities builds on that tradition by providing teachers with the advanced skills schools urgently require," said Fernando Bleichmar, CEO of Risepoint. "We are proud to support Southeastern in making this program accessible to more working adults through our continued partnership."

To learn more about Southeastern Oklahoma State University's Master of Education in Special Education with a concentration in Autism and Developmental Disabilities or to apply, visit https://online.se.edu/programs/education/med-sped-counseling/autism-developmental-disabilities. Applications are open, and the Spring 2026 cohort is now accepting applicants.

About Southeastern Oklahoma State University

Founded in 1909, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a public institution located in Durant, Oklahoma. With a strong commitment to student success, affordability, and community service, Southeastern offers more than 45 undergraduate and graduate programs. The university's growing online portfolio emphasizes career readiness and regional impact. Learn more at https://online.se.edu.

About Risepoint

Risepoint is an education technology company that provides world-class support and trusted expertise to more than 100 universities and colleges. We primarily work with regional universities, helping them develop and grow their high-ROI, workforce-focused online degree programs in critical areas such as nursing, teaching, business, and public service. Risepoint is dedicated to increasing access to affordable education so that more students, especially working adults, can improve their careers and meet employer and community needs. Learn more at risepoint.com.

SOURCE Risepoint
The 30-piece Gianni Bini x Sydney Silverman collection from Dillard's defines the new American classic - where Western edge meets city sophistication. The line features plush knits, structured coats, tailored denim, and rich, cozy neutrals designed to elevate every fall-to-winter wardrobe. Each piece embodies refined ease for the modern woman who moves effortlessly between the ranch and the runway.

Known for her effortlessly polished, trend-forward looks, Sydney Silverman has quickly become one of Los Angeles' most influential fashion voices, blending timeless Americana with a fresh, youthful spirit that resonates across social media and beyond. With millions of views and a devoted following for her transitional styling and luxe minimalism, this collaboration marks her biggest retail partnership to date.

"This collaboration is a dream come true," says Silverman. "I grew up shopping at Dillard's with my mom, so to now be releasing my own Gianni Bini collection with them feels surreal."

The partnership between Silverman and Dillard's Gianni Bini brand celebrates the rise of creator-led fashion and the growing influence of digital tastemakers shaping the next generation of American style. From morning meetings to mountain evenings, each piece transitions seamlessly blending elegance, comfort, and confidence.

About Sydney Silverman

Sydney Silverman is a Los Angelesbased fashion creator and influencer known for her refined yet approachable sense of style, blending California ease with timeless polish. With a rapidly growing online following, Silverman has become a trusted voice in modern fashion, inspiring women to embrace individuality, confidence, and creative self-expression through elevated, everyday style.

Instagram: @SydneySilverman

About Gianni Bini

Gianni Bini, Dillard's largest ladies' contemporary brand, was launched in 2001 in footwear and later extended to apparel. The mission of Gianni Bini is to remain at the forefront of fashion, offering designs that exude high quality and satisfy the contemporary customer's constant craving for innovation and trend-forward style. Each season, Gianni Bini delivers fresh yet timeless pieces that speak to every facet of the modern woman's life.

Follow Gianni Bini on Instagram @giannibiniofficial.

Follow Dillard's @dillards and shop online at Dillards.com.

About Dillard's

Dillard's was founded by William T. Dillard in 1938 in Nashville, Arkansas, with an $8,000 investment in a hometown department store. Today, Dillard's, Inc. ranks among the nation's largest fashion retailers, operating 273 Dillard's locations, including 28 clearance centers, across 30 states, and an Internet store at Dillards.com. The company focuses on delivering its customers style, quality, and value through premium fashion apparel, beauty, and home collections from national and exclusive brand sourcescomplemented by exceptional, client-focused customer care.

For interview requests or high-resolution collection photos, please contact:

Caitlin Green & Lilyan Park

Anderson Group Public Relations

[email protected]

323-655-1008

SOURCE Sydney Silverman
WORCESTER, Mass., Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The developer behind The Arbella at Bramble Hill, Worcester's newest 55+ Active Adult community located on the former Higgins Estate on Salisbury Street, has donated $100,000 to the Worcester Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF). This donation marks the AFTH's first non-federally funded contribution.

"We're so grateful to the Arbella at Bramble Hill team for their $100,000 donation to the Worcester Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Their voluntary contribution shows a true commitment to Worcester's housing goals and helps us continue investing in the creation of safe, affordable homes for residents across the city," Jeannette Tozer Kazmi, Worcester's Affordable Housing Trust Fund Manager said.

The Worcester Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF) was established in 2021 with the goal of creating and preserving affordable rental and homeownership housing for low- and moderate-income residents. So far, they have invested more than $18 million to support hundreds of affordable homes across the city.

"We couldn't have picked a more special city to develop and give back to," Gabriella Uccellini, Senior Managing Director of Finance for United Group said. "I was a 2019 graduate of the College of Holy Cross. My uncle, Tom Uccellini, was a 1973 graduate of Worcester Polytechnic Institute. And my mom, Aimee Uccellini, was a 1992 graduate of Assumption College right down the road, so my family has long ties to the city of Worcester."

The funds donated to the Worcester AHTF from the Arbella at Bramble Hill and Uccellini family will allow the group to continue their mission across the city.

"We hope their leadership inspires other organizations and developers to join us in investing in Worcester's housing future," Kazmi said.

"There is a major housing crisis right now in the United States," Uccellini adds. "So, if we can play even a small role with adding to the housing pies to create more opportunities for families, we're proud to do it in the city of Worcester."

Contact: Jeddy Johnson

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 518-805-7884

SOURCE The Arbella at Bramble Hill
Two exclusive events showcase the diversity and excellence of Abruzzo wines to the U.S. trade and media

NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Consorzio Tutela Vini d'Abruzzo is proud to announce two upcoming events designed to highlight the region's rich winemaking heritage and distinctive wine styles. Taking place in Philadelphia and Chicago, these tastings will offer wine professionals and media an immersive journey through the unique terroirs and grape varieties of Abruzzo.

The initiatives are part of The Charming Taste of Europe , a campaign promoted by the Consorzio Tutela Vini d'Abruzzo, the Late Harvest Wines of Bordeaux, and the Association of Agricultural Cooperatives of Imathia.

The first event will be held on Monday, October 27, 2025, at Le Virtu in Philadelphia, PA, at 12:00 PM. Guests will enjoy an exclusive winemakers luncheon featuring a curated selection of producers, including AziendaTilli, Talamonti, De Cerchio, Valle Tritana, Zaccagnini, and Masciarelli. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the nuances of their diverse designations.

The celebration continues in Chicago, IL on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at NOBU , where Master Sommelier Jim Bube will lead an in-depth masterclass on Trebbiano d'Abruzzo DOC from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM, followed by a walk-around tasting from 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM featuring the wineries Fontefico, Cerulli Spinozzi, Caprera, Cirelli, Donvitantonio, Lidia e Amato, Famiglia De Cerchio and Stefania Pepe. The event will showcase the region's broad portfolio, reflecting the authenticity, balance, and diversity that define Abruzzo's winemaking tradition.

Through these events, the Consorzio continues to strengthen the presence of Abruzzo wines in the United States, fostering meaningful connections between local producers and the American wine community. By sharing the region's traditions, innovation, and commitment to excellence, the Consorzio Tutela Vini d'Abruzzo aims to deepen appreciation for a land where passion and craftsmanship come together to create some of Italy's most distinctive wines.

About The Charming Taste of Europe

Europe, a place with timeless charm, is the birthplace of some of the highest-quality products in the world. The Charming Taste of Europe is a special project that introduces exquisite specialties to the United States and Canada, such as Italian and French wines, and fresh kiwis from Greece, that showcase Europe's charm, beauty, culture, history, art, heritage and unmistakable tastes.

The mission of the Charming Taste of Europe, co-funded by the European Union, is to increase awareness of the merits and quality standards of select European wines and fresh fruits with promotional activities in the competitive markets of the U.S. and Canada. The Charming Taste of Europe is promoted by the Consortium for the Protection of Wines of Abruzzo, the Association of Imathia's Agricultural Cooperatives and Union Des Vins Doux de Bordeaux. These European agricultural products, famous around the world for their outstanding qualities, will continue to be promoted with initiatives and events for consumers, journalists and trade professionals. For more information visit charmingtasteofeurope.eu

To Follow The Charming Taste of Europe Campaign:

Website: charmingtasteofeurope.eu

Facebook: @CharmingTasteofEU

Instagram: @charmeu_usa

YouTube: The Charming Taste of Europe

Hashtags : #thecharmingtasteofeu and #charmeu

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European union or the European research executive agency (Rea). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Media Contact

Bianca Panichi

[email protected]

SOURCE The Charming Taste of Europe
FARGO, N.D., Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Susan Ray-Degges is acknowledged as a Pinnacle Professional Member Inner Circle of Excellence for her contributions to Inclusive Design Through Education and Innovation.

Susan Ray-Degges

Susan Ray-Degges has built an extraordinary career at the intersection of design, education, and social impact. A professor in the interior design program at North Dakota State University, she has dedicated more than two decades to shaping the next generation of design professionals with a focus on inclusivity, accessibility, and ethical practice.

Through her teaching, research, and leadership, Dr. Ray-Degges has helped elevate interior design as a discipline that merges creativity with social responsibility. Her efforts extend beyond the university, reaching into the community through public engagement, professional mentorship, and advocacy for design standards that serve diverse populationsincluding older adults and individuals with disabilities.

Ms. Ray-Degges holds a Ph.D. in human environmental sciences with a specialization in environmental design and gerontology, as well as a Master of Science in housing and interior design from the University of Missouri. Her academic foundation began at Missouri State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in home economics with a concentration in housing and interior design and a minor in art. She is certified by the Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience and Interior Design and the National Council for Interior Design Qualification, and is a licensed interior designer in Minnesota.

She has served as national president of the Interior Design Educators Council, where she played a pivotal role in advancing design education and expanding outreach to students and educators alike. Her commitment to professional excellence is reflected in numerous honors, including being named "Interior Design Most Admired Educator" by Design Intelligence.

Her work has left a lasting impact in the classroom and beyond. Dr. Ray-Degges continues to champion professional licensing standards in her state and advocates for a broader public understanding of the essential role interior design plays in everyday life. Whether mentoring students, conducting research, or consulting on accessible design solutions, her work is grounded in a belief that good design must serve all people.

Outside of her academic and professional pursuits, she enjoys connecting with others through shared experiences, visiting museums, exploring the outdoors, and antiquing.

Looking ahead, Susan Ray-Degges envisions a future where inclusive design is universally recognized and practicedand she continues to lead the charge with passion, purpose, and vision.

Contact:

Katherine Green

516-825-5634

[email protected]

SOURCE The Inner Circle
Event will be held during the week of September 21, 2026.

PORTSMOUTH, N.H., Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) announced today that its annual Responsible Seafood Summit will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, in September 2026. Celebrating the 25th iteration of the conference for sustainability-minded seafood professionals, GSA welcomes The Center for Responsible Seafood as co-host, a move that merges TCRS Shrimp Summit content into the industry-leading event's program.

The Responsible Seafood Summit will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, in September 2026.

The Responsible Seafood Summit will take place at Shangri-La Bangkok, a 5-star luxury hotel in the heart of one of Asia's most dynamic cities. Returning to Thailand, one of the world's top shrimp producing regions, for the first time since 2012, the event will be held during the week of September 21, 2026.

As both nonprofit organizations with deep ties and similar missions planned to hold their annual events in Bangkok in 2026, they opted to join forces for one special week in one of the world's most important hubs for seafood production and trade.

"The upcoming calendar year provides a unique opportunity for both GSA and TCRS to offer a new, exciting and high-value event to the global seafood industry, with a special focused track devoted to shrimp," said Mike Kocsis, CEO of GSA. "The Responsible Seafood Summit is constantly evolving to meet the needs of today's seafood professionals, who find tremendous value in the expert content providers that we enlist, our unique production forecasts and analysis, and the unparalleled networking opportunities in some of the world's greatest cities. The global shrimp industry faces unprecedented challenges  both on the water and in a turbulent global marketplace  that only pre-competitive collaboration can effectively address, and next year's Summit will be a key area for industry leaders to gather and leave the day-to-day business aside for a while to address cross-cutting concerns."

George Chamberlain, TCRS President and the founder of the Global Seafood Alliance (founded as the Global Aquaculture Alliance in 1997), says the reunion comes at a critical time for both shrimp producers and all links within the supply chain.

"For the past three years, in Vietnam, India and Indonesia, TCRS has convened global industry leaders as well as the next generation of leaders for the Shrimp Summit, where we explore the full potential of shrimp aquaculture," said Chamberlain. "I'm excited to share the latest information that supports TCRS's vision that regenerative aquaculture  in which the producers don't just mitigate their environmental impact but actually improve their local ecosystems  is the future of this industry and shrimp farmers can lead the way."

GSA will soon announce early registration for the 2026 event. To get on the early waiting list for the Responsible Seafood Summit attendance, add your email here .

It was at the 1996 World Aquaculture Society (WAS) meeting in Bangkok, when the formation of an aquaculture trade association was first imagined. The Global Aquaculture Alliance was officially founded the following year, based in the United States with Chamberlain as president, a role he held until 2022. GAA convened its first annual conference in Bangkok in 2004.

About The Center for Responsible Seafood

The Center for Responsible Seafood, originally founded as the Responsible Aquaculture Foundation in 2009, strives to advance its vision of a world meeting the critical need for seafood produced through regenerative processes. At its Shrimp Summit conference, TCRS convenes the entire seafood value chain for practical approaches to improve the efficiency, sustainability and economic viability of the global shrimp industry. TCRS is headquartered in Portsmouth, N.H., USA. To learn more about TCRS, visit https://responsibleseafood.org/.

About Global Seafood Alliance

The Global Seafood Alliance is an international, nonprofit trade association dedicated to advancing responsible seafood practices through education, advocacy and third-party assurances. Through the development of its certification programs, GSA has become the leading provider of assurances for wild and farmed seafood globally. The organization's work addresses the full spectrum of responsibility, from environmental responsibility and social accountability to food safety. Established in 1997 as the Global Aquaculture Alliance, GSA is headquartered in Portsmouth, N.H., USA. To learn more, visit www.globalseafood.org .

SOURCE Global Seafood Alliance
AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- TPx, a leading nationwide managed services provider, has been recognized as Top Cloud Provider by Sandler Partners in their 2025 Provider Category Awards. This recognition highlights TPx's excellence in delivering secure, scalable, and high-performance cloud solutions for businesses across industries.

The award was announced at Sandler Partners' 2025 National Summit in Huntington Beach, California, recognizing standout providers across technology categories. TPx earned distinction for its innovative cloud portfolio, strong partner relationships, and operational reliability.

"Our partners and customers count on us to deliver cloud solutions that drive real business results," said Stacy Conrad, Senior Vice President of Channel Sales at TPx. "We focus on performance, security, and outcomes that matter, and this recognition from Sandler Partners proves that approach works."

TPx's continued growth in cloud services reflects a shared commitment with its partners to help organizations modernize infrastructure, enhance resilience, and achieve long-term success.

"TPx sets the standard for what partners value most: reliability, collaboration, and results," said Alan Sandler, Managing Partner of Sandler Partners. "Their consistent commitment to partner success and customer outcomes makes them a standout in the cloud space."

The Top Cloud Provider honor adds to TPx's growing list of industry awards and underscores its mission to be the trusted team of experts who connect, secure, and grow your business.

About TPx

TPx is your sidekick for smart IThelping organizations connect, secure, and grow with confidence. Leveraging decades of experience, TPx delivers managed services for cybersecurity, networks, and cloud communications that reduce risk and maximize the value of IT investments. Visit www.tpx.com to learn more.

About Sandler Partners and Their Community Approach

Sandler Partners helps empower their network of leading independent Sales Partners to bring organizations around the world a comprehensive range of technology solutions, including Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Connectivity, Cloud, Colocation, Mobility, Internet of Things, and Continuity. Their community focus helps support Partners to identify solutions swiftly and unbiasedly from a diverse Provider portfolio of 200+ suppliers. Partner sales agents, VARs, and MSPs gain access to a robust support network, Sales Engineering expertise, marketing resources, and powerful sales tools like SCOUT, Solutions Finder, Scout for Solutions, and the Marketing Center within the Sandler Portal. This helps give their Partners what they need to do what they do best  deliver quality, value, performance, features, unparalleled expertise, and service to their clients. Members of the Sandler Partner community can rely on the industry's strongest negotiated agreements and a team dedicated to ensuring all their commissions are found, tracked, and paid.

SOURCE TPx
Zelenskyy and Macron coordinate their positions ahead of Coalition of the Willing meeting in London

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with French President Emmanuel Macron, focusing on strengthening air defense, the resilience of the Ukrainian energy system, and strengthening defense cooperation.

The Head of State informed his French counterpart about the consequences of Russian strikes on Ukraines critical infrastructure and residential buildings. According to the President, one of the key priorities now is to strengthen air defense and ensure the resilience of Ukraines energy system. Particular attention was given to enhancing defense cooperation, developing related production capacities, and adopting concrete decisions that can significantly reinforce Ukraine not only in the short term but also in the long run, the press service of the Presidents Office said on its website Thursday.

Zelenskyy and Macron coordinated their positions ahead of the Coalition of the Willing meeting, which will take place in London on Friday.

The leaders share a common vision: now is the time when there is a chance to end the war and stop Russia. To achieve this, it is essential to continue increasing pressure on the Russian Federation, expand support for Ukraine, and finalize the work on security guarantees, the presidential website says.

The President of Ukraine thanked France and personally Emmanuel Macron for support in adopting the 19th package of EU sanctions against Russia. This is precisely the kind of pressure that, in unity with the United States and other partners, can compel Russia to move toward genuine diplomacy, Zelenskyy emphasized.
Chief Product Officer of TrustCommerce, a Sphere Company, to contribute expertise in payments innovation.

CHICAGO, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- TrustCommerce, a Sphere Company and leading provider of end-to-end integrated healthcare payments and security software, today announced that Chief Product Officer Johnathan (John) Welch has joined the Technology & Innovation group of PAX Technology's Steering Committee, a forum focused on advancing emerging payments technologies.

PAX Technology is a global leader in secure electronic payment terminal solutions. The Technology & Innovation Committee brings together a select group of payments industry experts to review product roadmaps, evaluate new trends, and identify innovations that will help shape the future of payments. Areas of exploration include artificial intelligence, new payment modalities, and other emerging technologies designed to keep pace with consumer expectations.

As Chief Product Officer of TrustCommerce, Welch leads the product organization and defines the roadmap for its payment and healthcare-focused solutions, including the company's Cloud Payments platform that integrates seamlessly with PAX terminals. With 20 years of experience in payments innovation and leadership, Welch drives strategy, product excellence, and growth across the ecosystem.

"PAX is at the forefront of payments technology, and I'm honored to contribute to the Technology & Innovation Committee," said John Welch, Chief Product Officer, TrustCommerce. "This forum is an opportunity to collaborate with industry peers on bold ideas that will define the next generation of payment solutions and enhance the experiences of businesses and consumers."

"We formed the Steering Committees to bring together influential voices that can help shape the next evolution of PAX's innovation strategy," said Clint Jones, Chief Revenue Officer of PAX Technology, Inc. "Having a strategic leader like John on the Technology & Innovation Committee adds tremendous value. His expertise in healthcare and payments will help us continue pushing boundaries and delivering forward-thinking solutions that meet the evolving needs of our partners and customers worldwide."

By participating in the PAX Technology & Innovation Committee, Welch will help ensure that TrustCommerce remains aligned with cutting-edge developments in payments, while continuing to deliver secure, scalable, and patient-centered payment solutions to healthcare providers nationwide.

About TrustCommerce

TrustCommerce, a Sphere company, is the leading financial technology company trusted by the nation's largest health systems. The TrustCommerce integrated payment platform reduces friction and facilitates secure, compliant patient payments in complex enterprise environments. Using TrustCommerce to enhance the patient financial experience and untangle payment workflows, clients can securely process payments anytime and be connected with core software including EHRs and PMs. For over 25 years, our integrated software and payments solutions help organizations increase payment collection while delivering industry-leading security, compliance, and a single payment stack standardized for reporting and reconciliation. Learn more at trustcommerce.com.

About PAX Technology, Inc.

PAX Technology, Inc. is one of the largest electronic payment solution providers in the world, with 70 million terminals located in over 120 countries. As a leading global manufacturer of payment solutions, we are committed to delivering innovative, high-quality, and secure payment solutions to businesses, large and small, worldwide. To learn more visit www.pax.us .

Media Contact:

Michelle Noteboom

Amendola Communications for TrustCommerce

[email protected]

SOURCE TrustCommerce, a Sphere Company
DALLAS, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- VertexOne, a leading provider of cloud software designed to revolutionize the customer experience within the energy and utility industry, announced today that two energy supply companies, electric and natural gas supplier, Eastern Power & Gas, LLC, and Brooklyn based, Buy Energy Direct, have each successfully migrated and have gone live with VertexOne's leading billing and customer information system (CIS), VXretail, and electronic data interchange (EDI) solution, VXexchange.

The migration marks a significant milestone for each company, as both report that since switching over to VertexOne's retail platforms they've seen dramatic improvements in functionality, streamlined operations, and have gained greater visibility into their businesses.

"It's a platform that positions us to scale and deliver even greater value to our customers." - Mour Laham, COO of Buy Energy Direct Post this

Joe Jajati, CEO of Eastern Power & Gas, which supplies electricity and natural gas to commercial and industrial customers in Ohio, and Florida, said the ability to handle the company's complex billing needs for its large C&I customers was a driving force in choosing VertexOne.

"Serving large commercial and industrial customers comes with unique challenges, especially when it comes to billing. VertexOne gives us the reliability and flexibility we need to simplify that process and support our growth," Jajati said.

Mour Laham, COO of Buy Energy Direct, which serves electric C&I customers in New York, echoed that sentiment and emphasized the operational impact of the switch.

"Since going live with VXretail and VXexchange, we've been able to automate the entire customer lifecycle, cut operational costs, and significantly improve customer satisfaction," Laham said. "It's a platform that positions us to scale and deliver even greater value to our customers."

Ananda Goswami, VertexOne Senior Vice President of Sales Strategy, said the successful migrations of both companies demonstrates VertexOne's versatility in serving both electric and natural gas suppliers with complex C&I customer bases.

"Our ability to support energy suppliers across different commodities and markets, while providing the robust functionality they need to grow and transform their businesses, is what sets us apart," Goswami said. "These go-lives further demonstrate VertexOne's ability to deliver solutions that meet the evolving needs of energy suppliers in competitive deregulated markets underscoring its role as a trusted partner in supporting business growth, customer engagement, and the transition to more flexible and data-driven energy services.

For more on VertexOne's EDI CIS/Billing System for Retail Energy, visit: vertexone.ai/products/vxretail

About VertexOne

VertexOne is the leading provider of cloud-based SaaS solutions, powering the next generation of customer experience for utilities, energy retailers and energy transition providers. With more than 30 years of experience and 400 customers in the cloud, we capitalize on our deep expertise to provide a wide range of innovative solutions for digital transformation, revenue optimization and data-driven efficiency operations surrounding the customer. We empower our clients to deliver a compelling customer experience, reduce costs to serve, increase operational efficiency and improve customer satisfaction. For more information on how VertexOne allows you to enhance the digital customer experience, improve revenue management and leverage data analytics, visit vertexone.ai.

Eastern Power & Gas

Eastern Power & Gas is an energy supplier providing electricity and natural gas to commercial and industrial customers across Ohio and Florida. The company's complimentary rate analysis service delivers a precise evaluation of each customer's energy usage, uncovering opportunities for substantial savings. By aligning with client prioritieswhether focused on immediate cost reductions or long-term price stabilityEastern Power & Gas is committed to securing competitive products and rates that optimize energy spend and drive sustainable value for businesses.

Buy Energy Direct

Buy Energy Direct empowers businesses across New York to take control of their energy choices. As a trusted electricity supplier, the company offers commercial customers the opportunity to purchase their power directly rather than through the local utility. Thousands of New York businesses choose Buy Energy Direct for its competitive pricing, fixed-rate stability, and renewable energy options. Whether driven by cost savings, budget certainty, or sustainability goals, customers count on Buy Energy Direct to deliver flexible, transparent, and dependable energy solutions that meet their unique needs.

MEDIA

Lynn Steinberg

VertexOne

[email protected]

SOURCE VertexOne
Osterbauer and Elmerick join the Bank's trusted, community-focused team in San Luis Obispo: Thomas Anderson, regional manager; Chad Bringe and Steven Diaz, relationship managers; Donna Milne, deposit relationship manager; Mark Willey, business banking officer; Robert Rojas, SBA portfolio manager; and Kerri Herrmann, Christine Moreno and Daniel Murillo, branch operations. The expanded team brings unmatched expertise in San Luis Obispo County and Central Coast industries along with a shared commitment to delivering exceptional client experience and customized financial solutions.

Osterbauer brings more than 20 years of banking leadership, with a distinguished career in agribusiness and commercial lending across California's Central Coast. Most recently, he served as managing director and senior vice president at Rabo Agrifinance, where he managed agricultural loan portfolios from Salinas to Oxnard. His previous roles include regional president at Mission Bank, executive vice president (EVP) and regional president at Pacific Premier Bank and EVP chief lending officer at Heritage Oaks Bank. Osterbauer's history of community engagement includes board roles with MUST Charities, Western Growers Association and California Polytechnic State University's Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Elmerick's extensive experience includes a strong background in client management and advisory and business banking. She most recently served as vice president and relationship manager at Rabo Agrifinance where she focused on portfolio management, tailored lending solutions and strategic financial guidance. Elmerick also previously held leadership roles at Mission Bank and Pacific Premier Bank, where she led business banking operations, managed commercial relationships and directed human resources and talent acquisition initiatives.

"Rob and Deanna are valuable additions to West Coast Community Bank and our San Luis Obispo team with their deep understanding of the Central Coast's business landscape," said Angelo DeBernardo, executive vice president and chief lending officer. "Our team members share a commitment to the San Luis Obispo community as well as the local businesses and organizations that create a vibrant, thriving place to live, work and play."

"I am proud to join a bank that shares my passion for supporting the Central Coast's agricultural and business communities," said Rob Osterbauer. "Together, we'll continue building meaningful relationships and delivering financial solutions that help our clients reach their goals and contribute to the success of local businesses."

ABOUT WEST COAST COMMUNITY BANK

Founded in 2004, West Coast Community Bank (formerly Santa Cruz County Bank and its division, 1st Capital Bank) is the wholly owned subsidiary of West Coast Community Bancorp, a bank holding company. The Bank is a top-rated, locally operated and full-service community bank headquartered in Santa Cruz, Calif. with branches in Aptos, Capitola, Cupertino, King City, Monterey, Salinas, San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley and Watsonville. West Coast Community Bank is distinguished from "big banks" by its relationship-based service, problem-solving focus and direct access to decision makers. The Bank is a leading SBA lender in Santa Cruz County and Silicon Valley. As a full-service bank, West Coast Community Bank offers competitive deposit and lending solutions for businesses and individuals; including business loans, lines of credit, commercial real estate financing, construction lending, asset-based lending, agricultural loans, SBA and USDA government guaranteed loans, credit cards, merchant services, remote deposit capture, mobile and online banking, bill payment and treasury management. True to its community roots, West Coast Community Bank has supported regional well-being by actively participating in and donating to local nonprofit organizations. Visit wccb.com for more information.

SOURCE West Coast Community Bank
BEIJING, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Tianjin Municipality, a port city in northern China, is set to enhance agricultural cooperation with Jilin Province and Guangdong Province to promote cross-region market integration.

The three regions will work together to integrate agricultural information linkage, policy innovation, essential agricultural element resources, brand image and market structure so as to promote a collaborative and unified agricultural market, said a Tianjin agricultural official at an inter-provincial cooperation and exchange event among Tianjin, Jilin and Guangdong held on October 18 during the 22nd China International Agricultural Trade Fair.

Situated at the convergence of marine and land routes under the Belt and Road Initiative and the marine gateway of north China's Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, Tianjin has great advantages in promoting regional cooperation and market integration.

Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/347991.html

SOURCE Xinhua Silk Road
Ukraine has never used long-range American weapons to strike Russian territory, but has used various long-range weapons to strike within combat zones, stated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"Weve never used long-range American weapons against high-priority targets in Russia. This is important. Weve used various weapons with decent long-range capabilities. But that was strictly, I would say, in combat zones. Or in preparation for the corresponding combat missions by the Russian Federation," Zelenskyy said during a press conference in Brussels.

Commenting on the strikes, the President noted that Crimea and the temporarily occupied territories in eastern Ukraine are part of Ukraine, so strikes on Crimea cannot be considered strikes on Russian territory.

Currently, according to the President, Ukraine is using its long-range capabilities, ranging from 190 km to 3,000 km. He noted that the current question is "how to secure additional funding to mass-produce the long-range capabilities we have."
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The commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, an ethnic Hungarian, Robert "Magyar" Brovdi, has called on Hungarians to support their country's European course and once again free themselves from the influence of the Russian Federation during a rally in honor of the anniversary of the 1956 revolution, which ended with the invasion of Soviet troops.

"69 years ago, the historical homeland of my father Josip Brovdi boldly said to the red dictatorship "Ruszkik haza" ("Russians, go home!"). The occupier with the "Russian peace" was dragged into Hungary by a contingent, heading with tanks and infantry through the Transcarpathian Mukachevo-Berehove to the border and inland. And blood flowed. People of Hungary! I know that you are gathering together today, and alternative visions to the existing ones will be voiced. Obviously, today the election campaign will begin in Hungary. So let it be without blood!" Brovdi said on Telegram on Thursday.

The USF commander expressed his belief that the pro-Russian policy of the current Prime Minister Viktor Orban contradicts the ideals of the Hungarian revolution of 1956.

Brovdi also quoted the anthem of the Hungarian Revolution of 18481849 "Arise, Magyar, to the Call of the Fatherland!", which became a symbol of the national awakening of the Hungarians and the struggle against the Habsburg monarchy.

As reported, on May 8, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky awarded the founder and commander of the 414th Separate Brigade of Strike Unmanned Aerial Systems in the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (better known as the "Birds of the Magyar") Major Robert Brovdi the title of Hero of Ukraine with the award of the Order of the Golden Star.

On August 28, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto announced that the Hungarian government had banned Brovdi from entering the country due to the attacks on the Druzhba oil pipeline. In response, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Szybiga announced the introduction of an entry ban for three high-ranking Hungarian military officials, stating that "an adequate response will be given to every act of disrespect from Hungary, especially disrespect for our military." In October, the head of the Polish Foreign Ministry, Radosaw Sikorski, during a dispute with Szijjarto, wished Brovda ("Magyar") to finish off Druzhba.
Zelenskyy on outcomes of his meeting with Trump: We have sanctions on Russia's energy sector; no meeting in Hungary without Ukraine

Photo: https://www.axios.com

The meeting last Friday between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump resulted in US sanctions against Russias energy sector, as well as the cancellation of a meeting between the American leader and Vladimir Putin in Budapest.

"We have sanctions on Russian energy. We cant have a meeting in Hungary without Ukraine. And we dont have Tomahawks yet. Thats all. This is the result. I think its not bad," Zelenskyy said at a press conference in Brussels.

According to the president, "something comes up every day." "I dont know, maybe tomorrow well have Tomahawks," he added.
Ukraine needs funds from frozen Russian assets in 2026, there is an understanding of who can block the adoption of this decision, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

"We need it in 2026 and it is better to have them at the very beginning of the year Not everything depends on us, something depends and - this is good in this matter, but not everything. We understand who can block this decision and we will work with these people," Zelenskyy said during a press conference in Brussels.

According to the president, "there are few such people."

He also expressed hope that today European leaders will make a "political, positive decision" on the use of frozen Russian assets.
On Wednesday, October 22, in the area of responsibility of the 7th Corps of the Ukrainian Airborne Forces brigade, Russians carried out an all-time high 39 strike with tactical aircraft, dropping a total of 156 guided bombs.

"This is the highest number of airstrikes in our defensive zone since July 2025. The enemy dropped smart bombs primarily in the north of Pokrovsk, the area of the villages of Hryshyne and Myrnohrad, as well as in the area of the demarcation line near the village of Lysivka," the 7th Corps said.

The Airborne assault troops noted that since the beginning of October, the enemy has attacked Pokrovsk agglomeration with tactical aircraft 215 times, dropping 860 smart bombs of 250 kg each.

"The tactical goal of such attacks is to disrupt our logistics. The strategic goal is to break Pokrovsk's defenses through constant attempts at infiltration, flanking pressure, and increasing the number of open assaults," the message reads.

The 7th Corps of the Airborne Assault Forces noted that ongoing work is underway in their zone to ensure the security of logistics and troop rotations, and that aerial and ground drones are being used to deliver ammunition, food supplies, and medical supplies.
NATO Secretary General to visit London to attend Coalition of the Willing meeting on Friday

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will visit London, UK, on Friday to attend a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, co-hosted by British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron.

According to the NATO press service, a joint press conference between the NATO Secretary General, the Prime Minister of Great Britain and the President of Ukraine is scheduled for 18:05 (Central European Time (CET).
The US Congress is considering a bipartisan bill "on strategic partnership on the eastern flank, which defines the priorities of American security policy for nine NATO member states, as well as Ukraine, as "the front line of US and NATO security," Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States Olha Stefanishyna reports.

"The US House of Representatives is considering bipartisan bill H.R.5793 on strategic partnership on the eastern flank, which defines the priorities of American security policy for nine NATO member states, including Poland, Romania and the Baltic states... Ukraine gets a special place in the document: the preamble defines our country as the front line of US and NATO security," she wrote on Telegram on Wednesday.

As Stefanishyna noted, the bill provides for priority access for allies on the eastern flank to key American military assistance programs, including Foreign Military Financing and the supply of surplus defense equipment.

Other political goals of the bill include providing Ukraine with the necessary security assistance to deter Russian aggression, which may threaten NATO allies.

The head of the Ukrainian diplomatic mission notes that this bill is a "mirror" version of a similar bill S.2914, submitted to the Senate in September.
GUANGZHOU, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- At the ongoing 138th Canton Fair in south China, Daniel Chuquimango introduced a coffee robot to clients in the service robot section. The robot, which can print images on coffee, represents new technology for the South American coffee industry. Chuquimango seamlessly switched between Chinese and Spanish while presenting the exhibit. Hailing from Cajamarca, Peru, Chuquimango proudly wore a commemorative badge on the lanyard of his Canton Fair exhibitor pass, marking his first visit to this iconic event back in 2019. Over the past six years, he has transitioned from a biotechnology student to a foreign trade professional, growing from a beginner in Chinese to a "two-way bridge" in Sino-Peruvian trade. His journey embodies the profound meaning of the Belt and Road Initiative, which promotes "people-to-people ties and smooth trade." His first trip to China was a solo "adventure." With the increasing presence of Chinese enterprises in his hometown, and "Made in China" products appearing there, Chuquimango nonetheless noticed that many people around him were learning English. "Since everyone is choosing English, I might as well learn Chinese. It could have different opportunities," he thought. In 2019, 22-year-old Chuquimango came to south China's Guangdong University of Foreign Studies to learn Chinese. He had just graduated from university with a degree in biotechnology. When he first arrived in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong Province, his Chinese was limited to basic conversations. "Thanks to my classmates from Guangdong, who showed me around the markets and talked about everyday life, I gradually got familiar with the local dialect and expressions," Chuquimango said. He kept a small notebook in his pocket, writing down new words to look up in the dictionary each evening. The annual Canton Fair became another "Chinese world" for him to explore. "At this huge exhibition, you can find everything you want," he said. This helped confirm his foreign trade dreams. After completing his Chinese language course in 2021, Chuquimango made another career shift, deciding to pursue a master's degree in international trade. After graduation, he officially became a foreign trade professional. "We are a foreign trade company, and we help our clients find the right suppliers for whatever industry they are in," Chuquimango explained. Now working for a company that focuses on the Latin American market, his daily work is multi-faceted. He helps clothing clients inspect products and assists customers in the lighting equipment sector in sourcing suppliers. The 138th Canton Fair, which opened on Oct. 15, has drawn unprecedented attention to China's robotics industry, with the service robot section becoming the main point of interest for Chuquimango's clients. Industrial robots, medical robots and coffee robots -- such emerging "new technologies" have amazed Chuquimango. His main focus at this fair is linking Chinese smart devices with industries in his hometown. Chuquimango's attention has been especially drawn by the coffee robot, which not only offers automation and unmanned operation but also allows for printing photos on coffee. "Peru has a long coffee culture, and my hometown Cajamarca is one of the major coffee producers. We supply coffee to the world, and China provides us with advanced technology. Combining both advantages will lead to better cooperation." From student to foreign trade professional, Chuquimango has also gone from being a "foreigner" to a "half local" in Guangzhou. He now lives in Nansha, part of the Greater Bay Area, where he has met many other foreigners chasing their dreams in China. "Nansha is very welcoming to foreigners. I've made friends from Russia, India and Canada, and we often talk about culture and business. It's a lively community," he said. They frequently participate in cultural exchange activities, sometimes volunteering at charity sales or sharing trade experiences. "We love this land and strive to integrate ourselves here." In recent years, Peru has opened a new maritime route and the busy Chancay Port is a testament to expanding Sino-Peruvian cooperation. Via his conversations with family members in Peru, Chuquimango has noticed that more Chinese products can now be found in his hometown: "My family says Chinese appliances and food are becoming more common in local supermarkets. My sister also plans to follow in my footsteps and come to China for development." This year, he is planning to visit Peru again. "I want to take back the experiences I've gained in China and share my life here with my family in person." Looking ahead, Chuquimango has clear plans. In the short term, he wants to gain more experience in his current company, and in the long term, he plans to start his own business. "I might open a foreign trade company, using my knowledge of both Chinese and Peruvian cultures to connect more companies. Or, I might open a travel agency to bring more South Americans to China, not only to attend the Canton Fair but also to see the country's beautiful landscapes and development." "From biotechnology to foreign trade and from Peru to China, every step I took felt like an adventure, but each time it brought new gains," Chuquimango said. "The Belt and Road Initiative has provided us young people with many opportunities. I want to continue being this 'bridge,' helping more people realize their dreams through cooperation."


NATO's Senior Representative in Ukraine, Patrick Turner, visited the NATO Security Assistance and Training Initiative for Ukraine (NSATU) headquarters in Wiesbaden, Germany, where he discussed the Alliance's ongoing support to Ukraine.

According to the NATO Security Assistance and Training Initiative for Ukraine press service, NSATU Commander Lieutenant General Curtis Buzzard and the headquarters leadership discussed with Turner the coordination of training, equipment logistics, and the development of the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

During his visit, Turner received detailed briefings on NSATUs core operations, including the Logistics Enabling NodePoland (LEN-P). This vital hub manages the reception and onward movement of approximately 18,000 tons of donated military material each month, ensuring consistent support for Ukraines defence.

Turner noted during his visit that the priority for NATO and its allies is providing sustained military support to Ukraine to help it defend itself against Russian aggression. He emphasized that the NSATU Command in Wiesbaden plays a critical role in prioritizing, coordinating, and delivering military support to the Ukrainian Armed Forces from NATO allies and partners.

It was excellent to spend time with NSATUs outstanding leadership, and with the great Ukrainian personnel. I have been impressed by their dedication and professionalism. Their daily work ensures that support to Ukraine is predictable, coherent, and built to last  putting our efforts on a strong, long-term footing, helping Ukraine uphold its right to self-defence, while we continue to support the efforts, led by the United States, to bring an end to the war against Ukraine, and secure a just and lasting peace, Turner stated.

NSATU coordinates NATOs support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine with regard to training, equipment, logistics and force development. Over 300 personnel from NATO member countries as well from NATO partner countries like Australia and New Zealand are working at NSATU HQ now. The team works in close partnership with representatives of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with President of the Council of Ministers of Italy Giorgia Meloni, during which, in particular, they discussed the protection of Ukrainian energy from Russian attacks and joint defense projects within the framework of the SAFE program.

"We held a meeting with Giorgia Meloni, President of the Council of Ministers of Italy. We discussed how to protect our energy sector from Russian strikes and make it more resilient. Italy has the necessary expertise and equipment for that," he said on Telegram on Thursday.

Zelenskyy noted that it is necessary to strengthen the protection of critical infrastructure with modern air defense systems and other means. Separately, the parties discussed joint defense projects within the framework of the SAFE program.

"Separately, we focused on joint defense projects under the SAFE instrument. It is important that such initiatives benefit all of Europe. We also addressed the crucial issue of using frozen Russian assets. It is only fair that these funds be directed to support and defend our country," Zelenskyy wrote.

Zelenskyy and Meloni also exchanged views on the possibilities of using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine and protect against Russian aggression.
Recently a governor discussed her YA memoir, publishing staff and authors joined the New York Comic Con festivities, authors collaborated on a short tour, an international book fair hosted a childrens conference, and a museum welcomed an author-illustrator.

Governor Gretch Gets Real

Books & Books in Coral Gables, Fla., welcomed Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (r.) on October 19 to discuss her YA memoir True Gretch  Young Adult Edition (S&S) at the Coral Gables Congregational Church. In the YA adaptation of her adult book, Whitmer highlights her career as a politician and how she has navigated life in the political limelight. Here, Whitmer appears onstage with Knight Foundation president and CEO Maribel Perez Wadsworth (l.) as they discuss the new memoir.

Come On, Comic Con!

(Clockwise, from top l.): Scholastic VP of publicity and brand strategy Charisse Meloto and VP and director of school library marketing Lizette Serrano enjoyed the New York Comic Con festivities at a Babysitters Club-themed set with author Ann M. Martin and author and Scholastic senior VP David Levithan on October 10.

Long Live Summer

Jennifer Dugan appeared at Penguin Random Houses booth at New York Comic Con on October 11 to sign copies and host a giveaway for her latest YA romance Summer Girls (Putnam), which follows two teens struggling to form a relationship despite their differences in lifestyles and class. Here, Dugan greets fans during her signing.

The Future Is Possible

On October 10, Grace Lin and Debbi Michiko Florence visited Possible Futures in New Haven, Conn., as part of their third annual Very Asian Book Trip, a tour across New England in support of the Asian American Voices Collective. At their stop, the pair signed stock of their books. Here, (from l.) Lin and Florence, with junior staff member Isaiah and bookseller Lauren.

Getting Frank About KidLit

The third annual Frankfurt Kids Conference took place on October 15 at the Frankfurt Book Fair, with the theme Childrens Books in a Fragile World. Here: illustrator Axel Scheffler (l.) and moderator Lawrence Schimel (r.) onstage as they discuss the importance of childrens book publishing.

A New Kind of Selfie

On October 8, French and Uruguayan author-illustrator Nat Cardozo made a stop at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., as part of her tour for her new middle grade book Origin. Written with Maria Jose Ferrada and translated from Spanish by Layla Benitez-James and Ian Farnes, the book highlights how Indigenous communities have been connected to nature throughout history. Here, Cardozo (c., holding book) and students from the Teen Council at the National Portrait Gallery showcase their self-portraits after a presentation and workshop.
This year marks the 16th anniversary of International Dot Day, a special occasion for Peter H. Reynolds, the author-illustrator of picture book The Dot (Candlewick, 2003). The book follows how encouragement from an art teacher motivates a student to make her first mark on a piece of paper, leading to artistic creation. International Dot Day began on September 15, 2009, when teacher Terry Shay introduced the story to his students. To celebrate, Peter H. Reynolds and his twin brother Paul, who have collaborated on other works such as Going Places and Our Table, appeared at several events to honor the books anniversary:

On September 7, Paul and Peter visited the Institute of Contemporary Art event to celebrate International Dot Day. Here, (from l.) Paul Reynolds, Jacob Cramer, associate director of the Reynolds Center, and Peter H. Reynolds together ahead of their presentation.

(From l.) Cramer, Peter H. Reynolds, and Paul Reynolds onstage at the Institute of Contemporary Art.

Paul Reynolds outside of Cafe Fresh Bagel in Dedham, Mass., for the town-wide celebration of International Dot Day on September 13.

The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston welcomed Peter Reynolds on September 14 for an event. Here he strikes a pose in front of a mural highlighting Dot Day.

Peter H. Reynolds holding a Dot Day event sign at Bostons Museum of Fine Arts.

Signing books outside at the MFA.

Peter H. Reynolds behind the scenes filming for an International Dot Day promotion at the Reynolds Center for Teaching, Learning & Creativity in Boston on September 14.

On October 4, Peter H. Reynolds attended the Museum of Modern Arts Uniqlo Family Day event, where he gave a presentation and drawing demonstration.

(From l.) Paul and Peter H. Reynolds made an appearance at Bostons Shubert Theater on October 6 to celebrate International Dot Day with more than 1,000 students.
After two years of litigation over Texas House Bill 900, a federal judge has granted summary judgment and ordered a permanent injunction to block the mandatory book ratings law. In his October 21 decision, Judge Alan D. Albright of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin division, wrote that HB 900 compels speech, is void for vagueness, and is an unconstitutional prior restraint and that Plaintiffs First and Fourteenth Amendment claims are all successful.

Book industry plaintiffs celebrated the right to read victory in a joint press announcement. Todays decision affirms the constitutional rights of authors, booksellers, publishers, and readers, and protects bookstores from the imposition of an unreasonable law that would have threatened their viability, making it a huge win for Texas businesses, they wrote. We thank Judge Albright for a critically important ruling that is clear, concise, and extremely well-reasoned.

The statement represents Valerie Koehler, owner of Houstons Blue Willow Bookshop; Gregory Day, interim general manager of Austins BookPeople; American Booksellers Association CEO Allison Hill; Association of American Publishers president and CEO Maria Pallante; Authors Guild CEO Mary Rasenberger; and Comic Book Legal Defense Fund interim director Jeff Trexler. They were supported during litigation with amicus briefs filed by the American Association of School Librarians, the Association of University Presses, Barnes & Noble the Educational Book and Media Association, Freedom to Learn Advocates, and the Freedom to Read Foundation.

The plaintiffs filed their complaint in July 2023, after HB 900 was signed into law by Texas Governor Greg Abbott. Titled the Restricting Explicit and Adult-Designated Educational Resources Act, or READER, HB 900 was designed to regulate access to sexually explicit or sexually relevant materials in public school libraries. Under HB 900, the Texas State Library and Archives, chaired by original defendant Martha Wong, would establish content standards; the Texas Education Agency would oversee the standards; and school vendors including bookstores would be required to comply with the rating system by categorizing all their materials.

Judge Albrights ruling followed his preliminary injunction of August 31, 2023, which blocked the states enforcement of HB 900 one day before it was to go into effect. In January 2024, a three-judge panel of the Fifth Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals upheld the preliminary injunction and remanded the case back to the Western District.

According to the October 21 ruling, READER can and does violate the First Amendment in several waysthe ways READER manages to violate the First Amendment are not mutually exclusive. For instance, Judge Albright concluded, HB 900 would unconstitutionally compel speech. To do business with Texas public schools, vendors would need to surrender their First Amendment rights and assign ratings to books, regardless of their own beliefs, and books could be re-rated by the Texas Education Agency. Under such conditions, Plaintiffs have no choice but to accept the governments speech, the judge wrote.

Book fair providers and public school librarians will note in particular a passage on collection development. The government has the power to restrict what books its schools purchase, within the confines of the Constitution, and there is meaningful interest in curating content for children, Judge Albright wrote. But those powers should be exercised by the state directlynot by compelling third parties to do so, under threat of losing a commercial opportunity.

The judge deemed the law void for vagueness as well, writing that HB 900 requires bookstores to assign subjective, confusing, and unworkable Rating Requirements, using a 16-step process, and encourages ad hoc judgments which can vary from bookseller to bookseller.

The court also found that bookstores would face irreparable harm if forced to comply with HB 900. While the parties dispute how much financial strain READER will cause the Plaintiffs, the Court finds that the constitutional and reputational harms alone warrant injunctive relief here, the judge wrote.

Ultimately, the court enjoined defendant Texas Commissioner of Education Mike Morath and those in active concert with him from applying, enforcing, or attempting to enforce provisions 35.001, 35.002, 35.003, and the amended education code of HB 900. Though the case is still filed as Book People Inc. v. Wong, Morath is the lone remaining defendant. Former defendants Martha Wong, chair of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, and Kevin Ellis, chair of the Texas State Board of Education, were dismissed from the case after the appeals process.

Free speech and the bookstore

Former BookPeople CEO Charley Rejsek, who was among the original plaintiffs and now directs the literacy organization Put It in a Book, referred PW to interim GM Day. We are relieved by this news and proud of the work our colleagues in the book industry have done, Day told PW, and we will continue to be proponents of our constitutional rights as a bookstore.

We are thrilled at the shop to learn about the judges decision, agreed Blue Willows Koehler. We will continue to help readers find great books.

Authors Guild CEO Mary Rasenberger described the order as a necessary defense of intellectual freedom. "The government tried to force booksellers and publishers to become agents of state censorship, rating books according to unconstitutionally vague standards and then forcing them to adopt the state's own ratings as their speech, Rasenberger wrote to PW. The law would have taken many books off shelves, with no meaningful appeal and no consideration of a work's educational value. The court recognized what we've argued all along: while there are constitutional ways to give parents input into their children's education, READER's forced ratings, government overrides, and prior censorship wasn't one of them.

At EveryLibrary, executive director John Chrastka said that "the injury to the businesses is a material component that shouldn't go underdiscussed" in the book industry. "Government overreach into that sector could have been ruinous."

The ABA likewise cheered the decision as good news for Texas readers, schools, and bookstores, while noting that the Judge did not take up Plaintiffs request to consider the constitutional implications of the READER Acts definitions, which have since been echoed in library legislation in Texas (HB 183). HB 183, introduced last November, would permit parents to request review of library material, and it too targets "sexually explicit" material. Judge Albright expressed that HB 183 may be subject to future legal challenges, but because it does not compel vendors speech, it does not function in the same unconstitutional manner that READER would."

CBLDFs Trexler acknowledged that other censorship battles are simmering and that the Texas Commissioner of Education may file a second appeal to the Fifth Circuit. But, he said, Ill take the victories where we can get them. This case gets at the heart of what people in comics have been concerned about, because HB 900 is essentially a 21st-century Comics Code. Having to describe books as sexually explicit affects the distribution and perception of those books.

Graphic novels are a critical part of literacy today, Trexler continued. If this law were to be enforced, wed see graphic novels and manga get swept up in the legislation. He cited attempts to ban Jerry Crafts New Kid and its sequels, along with widespread censorship of graphic narrative adaptations such as Ari Folman and David Polonskys Anne Franks Diary and Margaret Atwood and Renee Naults The Handmaids Tale.

The plaintiffs and defendant express a common wish to protect young people, albeit through radically different means. Judge Albright called this goal a good and noble one, but said the state was pursuing it in an unconstitutional manner. The Court agrees with Defendants premise that Texas has an interest in safeguarding children against sexually explicit materialespecially materials purchased with public funds for public schools, the judge wrote. But the Court cannot agree with Defendants assertion that Plaintiffs First Amendment rights are not violated by READER.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with Prime Minister of Finland Petteri Orpo, the presidential press service has reported.

The President also thanked Finland for joining the PURL initiative and for its 100 million contribution. In addition, Ukraine looks forward to continued cooperation within the SAFE instrument for the procurement of long-range missiles, drones, and artillery ammunition, the message reads.

In addition, the Head of State expressed gratitude for the 30th defense package worth EUR 52 million that was announced last week and for all the support provided to Ukraine.

During the meeting, Zelenskyy informed about the consequences of Russian attacks on Ukraines energy sector. The parties discussed the need to restore the relevant facilities and contributions to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund.

They also discussed increasing the number of shelters and Finlands leadership in the respective coalition. The President emphasized the importance of accelerating the construction and repair of shelters, which are critically needed amid intensified Russian attacks ahead of the winter season.

Earlier last week, Finnish Finance Minister Riikka Purra reaffirmed Finland's strong support for Ukraine during meetings in Washington.

I confirmed Finlands support for the PURL initiative in general terms at the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group in Washington last week. I also informed the Ukrainian Minister of Finance and the United States Deputy Secretary of the Treasury of our positions. Finland cannot just stand by when systematic aggression is directed at civilians, Purra said.

In Washington, Purra also noted the EU-approved legislative initiative to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine.

The European Commission is expected to present a legislative proposal on the use of frozen Russian assets in early November if the European Council approves the initiative today.

Frozen assets can be used in line with international law when those who control the assets are given sufficient legal guarantees that the assets will be made available where necessary. Finland will formulate its position in detail once the Commission submits its proposal. I hope that we can proceed on this quickly so that the war can be brought to an end through negotiations as soon as possible, Purra said.

PURL (Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List) is a US-NATO initiative that provides Ukraine with critically needed weapons through targeted funding for American-made supplies. It was introduced after the US administration refused to continue supplying Kyiv with free weapons. Partner countries contribute to a common fund based on a prioritized list of needs agreed upon by Ukraine with the USA and NATO. This allows for coordinated contributions, expedited procurement, and faster delivery to the front lines of those weapons that cannot be replaced by European equivalents.

In August, four packages of American arms deliveries totaling approximately $2 billion were prepared. Funding was provided by Germany, Denmark, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden.

On August 15, at a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belgium, Luxembourg, Finland, and Iceland announced their decisions to join this program. In October, Spain and Finland also announced their participation.
After President Trump met with Zelensky at the White House, and talks with Putin are currently on hold, there are many unknowns about how the Ukraine War will end. Zelensky presses for U.S. Tomahawk Missiles while reports that Russia already lost 281,550 soldiers in the first eight months of this year, indicate Kyiv may have the advantage in a war of attrition, despite having less manpower. Lost in all these details is the resounding question of how Ukraine has persevered for almost four years. Having just returned home from a week as a citizen journalist in the company of Ukrainian soldiers, many not much older than me, I learned that Trumps hand at the bargaining table is greatly bolstered by Ukrainian resilience and initiative. Their stubborn battlefield resistance could bring the Kremlin to the table and set the stage for President Trump to become the frontrunner for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.

Hold, Advance, or Retreat

I went to Ukraine as a witness, to listen, learn, and hear the stories of those on the front. Sitting across from me, a young helicopter pilot described the war from above. Flying an aging Soviet-era Mi-8, he found himself locked by a Russian missile hundreds of meters above the ground. With only seconds to act, he plunged the aircraft into a swamp, submerging the rotors in freezing water to throw off the missile. The gamble worked. The missile screamed overhead and exploded harmlessly in the distance. His crew, soaked and freezing, laughed uncontrollably at the fact that they were still alive.

His story became instantly familiar. Ukrainian orders are deceptively simple. Hold the line. Advance if you can. Retreat if you must. But the how is left to the soldiers themselves. Freedom to adapt and determination to survive has produced extraordinary stories  from Kyiv to Kharkiv to Kherson.

I listened as an officer of the Ukrainian Volunteer Army -- call sign Thirteenth -- described the first days after the February 24, 2022, invasion. His unit was tasked with stopping the Russian column from reaching Brovary, the gateway to Kyiv. On paper, it was impossible: 360 armored vehicles and tanks against a handful of mortars and RPGs. The men dug into frozen soil and waited. Hours passed in silence until the column rumbled into view. They let the lead vehicles pass, then struck the middle and rear in groups of four. Within minutes, the Russians were trapped; because the tanks sat on high ground, their guns couldnt angle low enough to return fire. By nightfall, the Russian advance was shattered; the city was safe.

It was a crystal-clear lesson in initiative: higher command ordered them to hold the line, but survival depended entirely on how they responded to the moment.

Another commander described a darker stand in the Donbas region. The 24th Brigade was ordered to retreat. He alone decided to lead his 100 soldiers into Russian fire to protect their brothers in arms retreat. Outnumbered and undersupplied, they refused to abandon the line, knowing that if they broke, the Russians would pour through. The line was pushed back and the Russians advanced a bit, but the company held the line and made sure not a single member of the 24th Brigade lost their life amid their retreat.

David Against Goliath

Even in a war that has birthed the most extensive use of high-tech drones, initiative not just armaments is consistently the difference between annihilation and survival. Freedom to adapt makes Ukrainian units so strong. Drones rewrite the nature of war, but nothing without the sheer will of ordinary people to resist.

Bravery comes at a cost. Soldiers admitted that nothing could have prepared them for the first time they saw a comrade killed. They keep going to ensure that Russia never gets to steal their future.

What I absorbed from Marines, artillery officers, pilots, special forces, and volunteers, seared in me their commitment to a fight neither abstract nor distant, lived minute to minute, measured in blood, grief, and pride. President Trump takes risks for peace. Anyone who has seen up close what I witnessed in Ukraine knows his diplomatic hand is strengthened by the record of Ukrainians who sacrifice for a cause bigger than themselves and have proven to be a David whom Goliath cant finish off on the battlefield. Thats one reason why the path to the Nobel Prize ceremony in Oslo may well run through Kyiv.

Ahvish Roy is an independent journalist who visited the Kyiv and Zhytomyr regions of Ukraine.
Building a basic AR-15 isnt much more difficult than assembling IKEA furniture. Youll need some hand tools, patience, and will have to refer to instructions the first few times, but its relatively tough to screw up if youre mechanically proficient. Most parts fit together interchangeably, and if you run into a problem, its easy to find recommended solutions. The AR-10, however, is a different beast.

Unlike Eugene Stoners 5.56x45mm golden child, the AR-10 wasnt widely adopted for military service and therefore wasnt standardized to the same extent as the AR-15 and M16. As a result, attempting to build  or even modify  an AR-10 sometimes feels like navigating a minefield of branching paths and incompatibilities. Do you have an Armalite AR-10 or DPMS (a.k.a. LR-308) style receiver set? If you have a DPMS, is it Gen 1 or Gen 2? Are your BCG and barrel extension Armalite style, DPMS style, or an oddball like the Rock River Arms LAR-8? Even factors such as Picatinny rail height and barrel nut thread pitch arent consistent across all AR-10s.

Due to the more complex nature of assembling an AR-10 from assorted parts, many of us start our large-frame AR projects with a complete rifle or builders kit. This ensures that core components like the receivers, handguard, barrel, and BCG will work together, but even then, simply adding a suppressor can be enough to throw a wrench into the system. I learned this firsthand with my Stag Arms Pursuit AR-10, an 18-inch rifle chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor.

Armalite, DPMS, or Something in Between?

At first glance, you might think the Stag 10 Pursuit is an Armalite-pattern rifle inside and out, since its receivers have the characteristic angular cut behind the rear takedown pin. However, like its sibling the Aero M5  which has a rounded receiver cut  it uses all DPMS Gen 1 style components. While certainly confusing, this is actually beneficial, since most aftermarket AR10 parts are designed for DPMS specs.

Going Suppressed

After running a few hundred rounds of Norma Golden Target 143gr 6.5 Creedmoor through the rifle in unmodified form, I decided to swap out the original VG6 Gamma muzzle brake for a Daniel Defense DDWave direct-thread 3D-printed suppressor. This is where the trouble started.

The increase in gas pressure caused frequent failures to feed with the bolt overriding rounds and smashing the brass. Even when the rifle fed correctly, chambered rounds showed substantial tip deformation from impacting the feed ramps at high speed. On a precision-oriented rifle, this can lead to unacceptable deviations in accuracy. The recoil impulse of each shot felt harsher, and spent brass was violently hurled out of the ejection port.

I reached out to Stag Arms customer support about this issue, and they agreed with my conclusion that the rifle was likely overgassed. While adding an adjustable gas block mightve been the quick fix (or not  more on that later) I decided to start with another one of the Stag reps recommendations: change the buffer system.

Buffer Swap

.308 short buffer vs. standard buffer (courtesy of Phase 5 Weapon Systems)

The Stag Pursuit rifle came with an AR-15 carbine length buffer system, as opposed to the longer intermediate length system used on some AR-10s (as well as AR-15s using VLTORs A5 system or BCMs MK2 system). If youre not sure which you have, check the internal depth of the tube  AR-15 carbine is roughly 7 inches deep, while intermediate is 7.75 inches deep.

If you have an AR-15 carbine tube on your AR-10, it must be used with a 2.5-inch shorty .308 buffer, since an AR-10 bolt carrier is longer than an AR-15 carrier. If you have an intermediate or A5 length tube, you can use a standard 3.25-inch-long AR-15 carbine buffer.

AR-10 BCG (top) vs. AR-15 BCG (bottom)  the longer AR-10 carrier requires either a shorter buffer or longer receiver extension

Some users claim that a longer buffer system softens recoil slightly, while others perceive no difference. One notable advantage to an AR-10 with an intermediate length tube is the aforementioned compatibility with regular AR-15 style buffers that can be found in any local gun store, not the harder-to-find .308 shorty buffers. This makes it easier to fine-tune buffer weights, especially if you already have some spare AR-15 buffers in your parts bin.

On the recommendation of the Stag rep, I installed an A5-length adjustable buffer tube as well as a Spikes T2 buffer and Sprinco Orange spring. The slightly heavier buffer (4.0oz compared to 3.8) and much stiffer spring helped to tame the harsh recoil and improve feeding reliability somewhat  if a rifle is right on the edge of functioning reliably, this might be enough. In my case, it only reduced misfeeds from every 5-10 rounds to every 20-30, and the tip deformation issue was still present.

Studying the Gas System

During the troubleshooting process, I realized something about this rifle. Although it has an 18-inch barrel  which would typically be matched with a rifle-length gas system  the gas system is actually mid-length! This is the case for all Stag 10 rifles, both 16-inch and 18-inch.

After removing the gas block, I checked the gas port size on Stags factory 18-inch Ballistic Advantage barrel, and it measured approximately 0.060 inches. Thats surprisingly small, and it seems to be an attempt to mitigate the overgassed nature of this configuration. Given the combo of a short gas system, relatively high-pressure 6.5 Creedmoor round, and a suppressor, its no surprise this rifle ended up overgassed.

New rifle-length gas system (top) vs. Stag's original mid-length system (bottom)

Would an adjustable gas block fix this? Maybe, but I believe a mid-length 18-inch 6.5 Creedmoor rifle is inherently harsher and more prone to malfunctions than a rifle-length setup with the same barrel length. So, I decided to simply upgrade to a new barrel and gas system.

Barrel Upgrade

After doing some research, I selected an 18-inch, Nitride-finished 6.5 Creedmoor Hybrid profile barrel from Criterion. Ive had great experiences with Criterion barrels on other ARs, including a 13.9-inch CORE setup thats an absolute tack driver, so I knew this one would offer the precision I was looking for. It features a rifle-length gas system and gas port thats tuned for proper function both with and without a suppressor. Its also a DPMS-style design, which matches my Stag receivers compatibility. I measured the gas port and found it to be approximately 0.081 inches, which seems fairly typical for 6.5 Creedmoor barrels with rifle length gas systems.

New headspaced bolt and enhanced firing pin from JP Enterprises

Criterion also offers a JP Enterprises headspaced bolt option, which matches this barrels JP barrel extension. I selected this option, as well as the Badger Ordnance TDX non-adjustable gas block and a BCM rifle-length gas tube.

Stag 10 upper with new Criterion barrel installed

Removing the old barrel was simple enough. I used a Midwest Industries .308 Upper Receiver Rod and bench vise to securely support the upper and barrel, then loosened the barrel nut using an armorers wrench and long breaker bar. Applying a little heat with a propane torch is also helpful if the barrel nut wont budge. Once the new barrel, bolt, and gas system were installed, I headed to the range to test my AR-10 again.

Rounds Downrange & Final Thoughts

I began testing the new setup with the same Norma 143gr 6.5 Creedmoor ammo I had been using previously. It immediately ran better. Not only were there no more failures to feed, the rifles recoil impulse felt noticeably softer, and brass ejection was gentler too. I also tested some Hornady American Gunner 140gr ammo, which functioned properly and grouped slightly better than the Norma.

However, the rifle was still ejecting forward more than Id like, with brass landing at 1:00 from the muzzle direction. This is an indicator that even with the new barrel, it was still somewhat overgassed, likely due to the increased backpressure from the older 3D-printed Daniel Defense suppressor.

For the last bit of fine-tuning, I finally relented and installed a Superlative Arms adjustable gas block, which can be set to either restrictive mode (like a traditional AGB) or bleed-off mode (venting excess gas out a port on the front of the block).

Diagram showing the bleed-off port on the Superlative Arms gas block

I turned the adjustment screw a few clicks in the bleed-off direction until the brass was landing at roughly 3:30. In comparison to a traditional restrictive AGB, the bleed-off function produced less gas to the face and will reduce the amount of carbon fouling to keep the rifle cleaner. It also allowed me to swap the extra-stiff Sprinco Orange spring back to a factory .308 buffer spring for a little less felt recoil. While I didn't initially want to install an AGB on this rifle, I'm glad to only use it as a finishing touch rather than a hasty fix for a much larger reliability issue.

Although the AR-10 (and its derivatives, like the DPMS LR-308) can be tricky to get running right, especially suppressed, a little research and troubleshooting will take you a long way. Dont just slap an adjustable gas block on your rifle and assume itll solve all your problems. Sometimes thats all it takes, but an adjustable block cant make an undersized gas port any larger or completely negate all the effects of a short gas system. Do your homework, test modifications one at a time, and stay consistent with variables like ammo and magazines. The result will be a rifle you understand better and can rely on with confidence.
Mathernova: Russia fears the truth, thats why it targets those who tell it

Photo: https://x.com/kmathernova/

The European Union Ambassador to Ukraine, Katarina Mathernova, commented on Russia's murder of Ukrainian media specialists from the Freedom TV channel, Olena Hramova (Hubanova) and Yevhen Karmazin, in Kramatorsk, Donetsk region, stating that "Russia fears the truth, thats why it targets those who tell it."

Today, Russian forces murdered war correspondent Olena Hubanova and cameraman Jevhen Karmazin from Freedom TV. They were among those brave Ukrainian journalists who, since the first day of Russias full-scale invasion, have reported from the frontlines  showing the world the truth about this brutal war. Russia fears truth. Thats why it targets those who tell it, she said on Facebook.

The diplomat noted that this is no longer a war, but terrorism.

Russia bombs schools, hospitals, power plants  and now, even kindergartens full of children. Yesterday, three guided drones struck a Ukrainian kindergarten. A place that should be full of laughter, not terror. This is not war. This is terrorism, she said.

Mathernova noted that Ukraine's partners are responding to Russian terrorism.

The United States has imposed new sanctions on two major Russian oil companies  Rosneft and Lukoil  The European Union today adopted its 19th package of sanctions, hitting Russias shadow oil fleet, financial networks, crypto channels and individuals involved in the deportation of Ukrainian children. And right now, in Brussels, EU leaders are discussing how to unlock revenues from frozen Russian assets so that Ukraine can use them for defence  including for the purchase of weapons. The message is clear: We will not stop until Russia stops killing and backs off from Ukraine, the EUs Ambassador emphasized.
The Jaguar Land Rover cyberattack has been labelled the most economically damaging cyber incident in UK history, exposing the deep vulnerability of interconnected supply chains.

IMAGE: Production line at Jaguar Land Rover's factory in Solihull, Britain. Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters

The recent cyber-hack of Tata Motors-owned Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has been designated as the most economically damaging cyber event to ever hit the UK, causing an estimated financial impact of 1.9 billion ($2.55 billion) and affecting more than 5,000 organisations, according to an independent report released on Wednesday.

The assessment, published by the Cyber Monitoring Centre (CMC) -- an independent, non-profit body comprising industry specialists including the former head of Britain's National Cyber Security Centre -- classified the attack as a Category 3 'systemic event' on its five-point scale.

'The CMC model estimates the event caused a UK financial impact of 1.9 billion and affected over 5,000 UK organisations,' the centre said.

'The modelled range of loss is between 1.6 billion and 2.1 billion, though this could rise if operational technology has been significantly impacted or if production recovery takes longer than anticipated.'

The cyberattack, which struck in late August, forced a complete shutdown of production through September across JLR's global operations.

The company's internal IT systems were severely disrupted, halting manufacturing at its Solihull, Halewood, and Wolverhampton plants.

The outage also cascaded through its multi-tier manufacturing supply chain, disrupting dealer systems, delaying supplier orders, and creating widespread uncertainty across the automotive sector.

According to analysts, the automaker was losing roughly 50 million per week during the shutdown.

In late September, the British government stepped in with a 1.5 billion loan guarantee to help JLR support its supplier network.

JLR began a phased restart of its operations in early October, announcing a new financing solution to support supplier cashflow.

'Our suppliers are central to our success, and today we are launching a new financing arrangement that will enable us to pay our suppliers early, using the strength of our balance sheet to support their cashflows,' said JLR CEO Adrian Mardell at the time.

'We know there is much more to do, but our recovery is firmly underway.'

Photograph: Mike Blake/Reuters

The CMC's report notes that the vast majority of the financial losses stemmed from the halt in manufacturing output at JLR and its suppliers.

The disruption also rippled through logistics providers, dealerships, and local economies, underscoring the vulnerability of interconnected supply chains.

The centre added that while the event did not directly endanger lives as seen in cyber incidents targeting healthcare, the human impact was significant.

Many suppliers were forced to take measures to maintain business viability -- including reducing pay, banking hours, or laying off staff -- heightening risks to job security and household stability.

'The threats to job security can have serious consequences for mental and physical well-being, weaken household resilience, and be compounded by existing social, regional, or economic inequalities,' the CMC warned.

The CMC's analysis underscores both the economic and societal toll of the attack, emphasising the need for greater transparency and resilience across critical industries.

It also places the JLR incident alongside a string of high-profile UK cyber events, including the April breach at retailer Marks & Spencer, which resulted in an estimated 300 million loss after its online services were down for two months.

JLR has not commented directly on the CMC's findings but is expected to provide further updates when it reports its financial results in November.

'At 1.9 billion in financial loss,' the CMC concluded, 'this incident appears to be the most economically damaging cyber event ever recorded in the UK -- a stark reminder of the fragility of digital infrastructure within the modern manufacturing economy.'

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff
Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty ended marginally higher on Thursday, helped by robust buying in IT and tech stocks amid growing optimism on the US-India trade deal front.

Photograph: Hemanshi Kamani/Reuters

After hitting a 52-week high, indices reversed most of their intra-day gains on fag-end profit-taking after sentiment turned cautious amid concerns over US sanctions against Russia's two largest oil companies.

Besides, an over one per cent decline in heavyweight Reliance Industries also pulled the markets lower.

The 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 130.06 points or 0.15 per cent to settle at 84,556.40.

During the day, it jumped 863.72 points or 1.02 per cent to 85,290.06.

The 50-share NSE Nifty ended 22.80 points or 0.09 per cent higher at 25,891.40.

"Domestic equities started on a positive note; however, they pared early gains as investors booked profits following sanctions on Russian oil and the possible postponement of IndiaUS trade negotiations.

"Meanwhile, IT stocks advanced as sentiment improved after Trump's softer tone on H1B visas...

"As the undercurrent vibes of the domestic market have improved due to a possible India-US deal and a rise in consumer demand, the broad market is expected to do much better henceforth," Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Limited, said.

FIIs are gradually returning to Indian markets, encouraged by expectations of earnings rebound in H2 FY26 supported by festive demand, tax benefits and GST reductions, he added.

From the Sensex firms, Infosys climbed 3.86 per cent. HCL Tech, Tata Consultancy Services, Axis Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Titan and Tech Mahindra were also among the gainers.

However, Eternal, UltraTech Cement, Bharti Airtel and Adani Ports were among the laggards.

In Asian markets, Shanghai's SSE Composite index and Hong Kong's Hang Seng settled higher, while South Korea's Kospi and Japan's Nikkei 225 index ended lower.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) bought equities worth Rs 96.72 crore on Tuesday, according to exchange data.

The US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed further sanctions on Open Joint Stock Company Rosneft Oil Company (Rosneft) and Lukoil OAO (Lukoil) - Russia's two largest oil companies that the Trump administration accuses of helping fund the Kremlin's "war machine" in Ukraine.

Global oil benchmark Brent crude jumped 5.43 per cent to $65.99 a barrel.
After months of discord, Tata Trusts appear to be moving towards reconciliation, with recent reappointments and open exchanges signalling a return to cooperative governance.

IMAGE: Natarajan Chandrasekaran, chairman of the Tata group, right, and Ratan Tata at the opening of the refurbished Bombay House, the Tata group's headquarters, July 29, 2018. Photograph: Hitesh Harisinghani/Rediff

After a period of internal strain, the Tata Trusts may finally be heading towards a truce.

A cordial email exchange between trustees Venu Srinivasan and Mehli Mistry -- representing the opposing camps -- on October 21 hinted at a renewed spirit of collaboration within India's most influential philanthropic body, according to The Hindu BusinessLine newspaper.

Srinivasan, who was recently reappointed to the board, wrote to his fellow trustees thanking them for their confidence and expressing hope for 'harmonious' cooperation.

Mistry, representing the group that had earlier raised concerns, promptly replied: 'It has always been our intention to work harmoniously together... We must bury the past, respect each other and move forward as a team unanimously.'

The e-mail trail, as reported by The Hindu BusinessLine on Thursday morning, appears to capture a moment of thaw in a long-running standoff that had divided trustees into two broad camps.

Information Gaps at the Heart of the Rift

The source of tension, according to The Hindu BusinessLine, was not a matter of personal rivalry but of transparency.

Four trustees -- Mehli Mistry, Darius Khambatta, Jehangir HC Jehangir and Pramit Jhaveri -- had objected to former defence secretary Vijay Singh's reappointment to the board of Tata Sons Pvt Ltd (TSPL), citing a lack of information flow from the Trusts' nominees on the company's board.

The dissenting group argued that key board resolutions at TSPL, including the 3.8 billion Euro acquisition of Italian vehicle manufacturer Iveco by Tata Motors and a Rs 1,000 crore funding approval for Tata International Ltd, were not communicated to the Trusts' board as required under Article 121A of TSPL's Articles of Association.

This provision, introduced in 2014, requires certain key actions of the TSPL board to be approved by a majority of the Trusts' nominees. The breakdown of this process, they claimed, eroded trust between the two factions.

Amid Allegations, a Surprising Turn

According to The Hindu BusinessLine, the dispute also raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Noel Tata, Chairman of Tata International, Trent, Tata Investment Corporation and Voltas, was among those accused of overlapping roles, given that he also represents the Trusts on the TSPL board.

Supporters of Noel Tata, however, rejected the charge, arguing that not every high-value proposal required approval by the wider board of trustees. They countered that Mehli Mistry himself could face questions over his business dealings with Tata Power while serving as a trustee -- an allegation Mistry's camp denied.

Ironically, The Hindu BusinessLine reports, Mistry was among those who had once proposed Noel Tata for the position of chairman of the Trusts -- a post created to succeed Ratan Tata.

Despite the internal turbulence, Mistry's faction insists their issue lies not with individuals but with the 'lack of transparency' in decision-making.

Consensus on Key Decisions

One area of unity, according to The Hindu BusinessLine, has been the trustees' unanimous opposition to any initial public offering (IPO) of Tata Sons Pvt Ltd. Both groups agree that listing the company would not serve the long-term interests of either the group or the Trusts.

'Why should we bail out the SP Group now?' one trustee was quoted as saying, referring to the financially stressed Shapoorji Pallonji Group.

Trustees argue that TSPL's private status allows it to pursue strategic national interests -- from semiconductors to defence manufacturing -- without pressure for short-term returns from public shareholders.

The two sides also expressed strong support for N Chandrasekaran, chairman of Tata Sons, praising his leadership and strategic expansion into emerging sectors. As The Hindu BusinessLine highlighted, group profits have surged from about Rs 850 crore (Rs 8.5 billion) when Chandra -- as he is known within the group -- took over to roughly Rs 27,000 crore (Rs 270 billion) now.

A Cautious Path to Peace

Recent developments -- including Srinivasan's reappointment and an expected similar move for Mistry -- suggest a gradual rebuilding of trust.

The meeting of senior Tata leaders, including Chandrasekaran, Noel Tata, Venu Srinivasan and Darius Khambatta, with Union Ministers Amit A Shah and Nirmala Sitharaman, was arranged by Chandra himself, according to The Hindu BusinessLine.

While differences over transparency and governance remain, both factions seem aware that prolonged conflict could damage the Trusts' philanthropic mission. 'The last thing they need is a legal battle,' The Hindu BusinessLine quoted a person close to the Trusts as saying.

For now, the exchange of polite emails and shared resolutions offers a glimmer of rapprochement -- a reminder that even in one of India's oldest corporate legacies, dialogue remains the first step towards unity.
'We have asked the police to verify whether the RSS is a registered organisation. If they are not registered, then specific action should be taken against them.'

IMAGE: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat and former President Ramnath Kovind at the RSS' centenary celebrations in Nagpur. Photograph: ANI Photo

An aggressive Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), founded by Prakash Ambedkar, Dr B R Ambedkar's grandson, is all set to lead a protest march (jan akrosh morcha) against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in Sambhajinagar (earlier Aurangabad) on Friday, October 24.

The protest comes in the wake of a controversy involving Rahul Makasare, the VBA's Aurangabad West City president, who opposed the RSS for setting up a stall without permission outside a polytechnic college.

Makasare's video, in which he questioned the RSS about its permission, went viral on social media.

Despite no involvement in violence, an FIR was filed against him under non-bailable offences, Ambedkar tweeted on X.

Ambedkar condemned this action, calling it an example of 'Manuwadi police' behaviour, and instructed the Aurangabad VBA team to file a case under the SC/ST Atrocity Act against the investigating officer.

The VBA has given the police two clear options: Either show the RSS' registration certificate and the party will cancel the march, or if the RSS is an unauthorised organisation, file a case against it. However, no action has been taken by the police thus far, Ambedkar told Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.

What are the specific reasons behind leading this protest march to the RSS headquarters on October 24?

We have asked the police to verify whether the RSS is a registered organisation. If they are not registered, then specific action should be taken against them.

Every organisation has to be on the same platform. You cannot have different standards for different organisations. Look at what charges were brought against SIMI. The same principle should apply.

Are you comparing the RSS with SIMI?

I'm not making these comparisons myself -- you should read the American reports. The Indian press is a biased press. What is reported against the Sangh (the RSS) is minimal, but what is reported against the Bahujans appears in bold headlines.

If you have the guts, ask on your channel and in newspapers: Which weapons did the RSS worship on Dussehra? Don't question us first. Have that courage first (to question the RSS), and then put these questions to me.

What's the immediate reason for this protest against the RSS which is currently celebrating 100 years of its existence?

Our VBA city president (of Sambhajinagar, Rahul Makasare) first led a protest against those registering students outside a college. The police filed non-bailable charges against him for questioning the RSS workers whether they had permission to sit there (outside an educational institution) and register students to join the RSS.

If you can file baseless non-bailable charges in that case, then find out whether the RSS is a registered organisation or not. If not, file criminal charges against them for not registering the organisation under Indian laws.

How many people are likely to support you in this agitation?

As for how many participants will join -- you come, watch and see for yourself on October 24.
The problem of a shortage of experienced personnel is becoming increasingly acute for Ukrainian farmers, particularly in livestock farming. This was reported by Oksana Yurchenko, project coordinator at the FAO Investment Center in Ukraine, during the Ukrainian Livestock Summit 2025, which took place on October 17 in Kyiv.

This year, the Ukrainian Livestock Summit 2025, organized by ProAgro, brought together more than 600 participants: farmers, producers, and scientists. International delegations were present at the summit. Throughout the event, the International Feed School operated within the summit, and the Livestock Expo 2025 exhibition was held, where companies presented innovative solutions for efficient production.

"Even before the war, the problem of staff shortages was one of the main ones, as evidenced by the results of surveys of agricultural enterprises. And with the start of the full-scale invasion, it has intensified significantly. In 2023, more than 80% of farms noted that it was becoming increasingly difficult not only to find fresh specialists, but also to fill critical vacancies for the enterprise in general," commented Oksana Yurchenko.

The expert is convinced that this issue will only become more acute. Therefore, it is obvious that there will be more automation of processesit is impossible to avoid this. Salaries in the agricultural sector will also increase  only under such conditions is there a chance to retain qualified specialists. However, this is not enough:

Employees need to be not only motivated but also developed, she stressed.

According to Oksana Yurchenko, after the start of the full-scale invasion, Ukrainian farmers found themselves in a kind of information vacuum, with most of the available educational materials being in Russian or English, while there was virtually no high-quality content in Ukrainian.

A significant step towards meeting the needs of farmers was the launch of AgriAcademy, a modern educational platform that already offers more than 30 practical courses created in collaboration with leading universities around the world, agricultural companies, and industry experts in Ukraine.

When a person comes to work, they need to be provided with a decent salary, as well as explanations, demonstrations, and training. This is precisely the function that AgriAcademy performsit enables employees to deepen their knowledge, emphasized the FAO project coordinator for animal health and food safety.

Currently, the platform offers over 30 different free certified courses in the field of cultivation, storage, and processing of industrial crops, organic production, various aspects of animal husbandry, etc. You can register for a course and obtain a certificate here: https://agriacademy.org/courses-catalog/

By the end of 2026, AgriAcademy plans to launch about 20 new courses, selected based on their relevance to the needs of Ukrainian agricultural producers.

This is a free professional online learning platform created on the initiative of the EBRD as part of its food security support program in Ukraine. Its goal is to strengthen the competitiveness and sustainable development of agriculture, which has suffered significant losses due to the war.

The creation and management of the platform (including the development of courses, training tours, etc.) is carried out with the support and funding of the EBRD, as well as:

The EBRD's Multilateral Donor Account for Stabilisation and Sustainable Growth in Ukraine (donors: Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union as the largest donor);

The Republic of Ireland through the EBRD Small Business Promotion Fund (other donors to the fund: Italy, Japan, South Korea, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Taipei China, and the United States);

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Interfax-Ukraine is the official information partner of the summit.
'When you attend an RSS function, the nation is your first priority.'

IMAGE: Jacob Thomas, retired director general of police, Kerala. Photograph: Kind courtesy Mynameiskalam//wikipedia.org/Creative Commons

Retired bureaucrats joining political parties is not a new phenomenon.

But it is not common for a Christian police officer to be an RSS swayamsevak.

That is what Jacob Thomas who retired as Kerala's director general of police did.

"The Indian Police Service is a national service. The RSS also is a national voluntary organisation. I didn't find any difference," Jacob Thomas tells Shobha Warrier/Rediff.

IMAGE: Jacob Thomas participates in a traditional temple ritual in Kerala. Photograph: Kind courtesy Jacob Thomas

You surprised many by attending the RSS' 100th anniversary celebrations in Kochi wearing the organisation's khaki uniform.

There is nothing to be surprised. This is not the first time that I attended an RSS function.

I have been participating in RSS functions for many years. Even while I was in service. Yes, I was never in RSS uniform (on those occasions).

Because it was the 100th year of the RSS, I thought I would wear the uniform. It was as simple as that.

The RSS does not have a formal membership. So, anybody who associates and participates in RSS functions, is basically part of the organisation and a swayamsevak.

The meaning of swayamsevak is that on your own volition, you contribute to nation building.

Individual development in the RSS parlance means not just physical development but intellectual development, social development, cultural development and emotional development. It is the holistic development of an individual.

The RSS believes that when an individual develops in a holistic manner, rooted in culture, rooted in society, the nation also develops.

Do you feel you have had such a holistic development as a person after becoming a part of the RSS?

Yes. As I was a swayamsevak, I was involved in the process of holistic development, and that differentiates me also.

In a society where deceit, hypocrisy, corruption and fraud thrive, I was not part of that; I was dead against the things that are against the nation and society.

This was possible only because I was a swayamsevak.

Photograph: Kind courtesy Jacob Thomas

Who introduced you to the RSS?

In 1997 Advocate K G Bopaiah, the then BJP district president of Coorg district, introduced me to the RSS. He was an epitome of simplicity, humility, integrity and honesty.

Naturally, I was attracted to his personality, and I realised these qualities were marks of a swayamsevak.

Once we were returning from Bangalore, we took a break to have a cup of tea in a school run by the RSS.

Till then I was aware of the RSS but didn't know much about it. It was the school manager who actually introduced me to the ideals of the RSS. For me, it was like going inside the RSS.

The tea break got extended and we had food there. We spent that night there and saw the students doing drill in the morning. I also came to know about the disciplined way of education in the school.

Advocate Bopaiah was a facilitator in me understanding the RSS.

Did you join the RSS then itself?

See, when you participate in an RSS function, you automatically become a member. There is no application form for joining the RSS.

When you attend a function of the RSS, you become a swayamsevak and from then on, the nation is your first priority.

How did you feel to be a part of the RSS which is perceived as a Hindu organisation?

What do you mean by Hindu organisation?

It is a misconception you have that the RSS is a Hindu organisation.

When I went inside the RSS in the school, I did not find any difference between the school manager or Advocate Bopaiah or the other people I met there. They also did not see any difference in me.

You are attributing a difference, and that's why you are asking the question.

The message I want to give is that I am a swayamsevak, and I have gone inside this national voluntary organisation, and I did not find anybody thinking of you and me, or us and them.

You wore the khaki uniform as a police officer and now, you wore the RSS' khaki uniform. Did you feel any difference?

I felt at home.

When you are inducted into the police service, you are introduced to a uniform. And the meaning of the uniform is a disciplined life.

The Indian Police Service is a national service. The RSS also is a national voluntary organisation. I didn't find any difference.

IMAGE: Jacob Thomas with Bharatiya Janata Party national President J P Nadda after joining the BJP. Photograph: Kind courtesy Jacob Thomas

After you retired from the IPS, you joined the BJP. Why the BJP?

After retirement in 2020, there was an invitation from the BJP at the national level and I accepted the invitation.

BJP President Mr J P Nadda inducted me into the BJP in Thrissur on the 4th of April 2021.

Was it your association with the RSS that made you accept the invitation?

While in service, I have seen Atal Bihari Vajpayee as the prime minister of India. I have also seen Narendra Modi as the prime minister.

These two were swayamsevaks and I could see the difference. They were not corrupt, and they were doing their best in nation building.

I got attracted to these personalities who were also swayamsevaks.

There were articles in the media that said that the three retired IPS officers who joined the BJP from Kerala had issues with the Left Democratic Front. One of them is you. Is there any truth in the story?

A totally corrupt state government will have issues with people who stand against corruption.

Now, you hear that it is not only immersed in systematic corruption, it is also stealing public wealth. Even from Sabarimala.

A person who believes in nation first will not be able to tolerate this sort of loot or corruption by a government.

Naturally, corrupt people will be against those who stand against corruption.

IMAGE: Jacob Thomas with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Photograph: Kind courtesy Jacob Thomas

Are you more of a swayamsevak than a political person?

Yes, I am more of a swayamsevak. I have been a swayamsevak for many years.

Where does the BJP stand in Kerala? Does it have a chance to come to power?

I am now only a member of the BJP. I am not even a booth president or booth committee member.

As a member of the BJP, I would say the BJP has been facing the challenges of the very heavy PR work done by the CPI-M, and the very heavy community mobilisation done by the Congress-led front.

Still, the BJP is increasing its vote share steadily.

Also, compared to the two other fronts -- the CPI-M led LDF and the Congress-led UDF (United Democratic Front) -- the BJP is a young party.

But our day will definitely and certainly come!

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff
The Opposition Mahagathbandhan will release its joint manifesto for the Bihar assembly elections on October 28 in Patna, sources in the alliance told ANI on Thursday.

IMAGE: Leader of Opposition in Bihar assembly Tejashwi Yadav, former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot, VIP chief Mukesh Sahni (second from left) and CPI-ML general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharyya (third from left) during a press conference, in Patna, October 23, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

Sources said that Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge will also begin their campaign for the Bihar assembly elections on October 28, after the Chhath Puja festival.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav will address joint rallies before the first Phase of voting and, after that, for the seats in the second Phase of voting, they added.

Earlier in the day, Mahagathbandhan declared Tejashwi Yadav as its chief ministerial candidate for the assembly elections, scheduled to be held in two phases on November 6 and 11.

"Everyone should be worried (about the situation in the country). This is why I can say that, after consulting Kharge ji, Rahul ji, and others sitting here, Tejashwi Yadav is the CM candidate for this election. He is a young person. He has a long future and the public will support him," senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot said at a press conference in Patna.

Gehlot, named as senior election observer by the AICC, said that people of Bihar want change as they struggle with multiple issues, including unemployment. He said that the way the National Democratic Alliance government in the centre was operating was a "threat to democracy."

"It is obvious to get worried about the condition of the country and the state. The situation is serious. The way the NDA government operates is a threat to democracy. There is polarisation. Nobody knows in which direction the country is heading. If you criticise, you are sent to jail - it doesn't matter if you are a journalist or activist. It is our responsibility to keep in mind what the country wants. The country is watching Bihar. The issue of unemployment remains. People want change," he added.

Mukesh Sahani, who heads the Vikasheel Insaan Pary, has been named as the deputy CM nominee from the Mahagathbandhan.

The 2025 Bihar elections will have the main contest between the National Democratic Alliance and the Mahagathbandhan.

NDA includes the Bharatiya Janata Party, Janata Dal-United, Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas, Hindustani Awam Morcha-Secular and Rashtriya Lok Morcha.

Mahagathbandhan, led by Rashtriya Janata Dal, includes Congress party, the Communist Party of India-Marxist-Leninist led by Deepankar Bhattacharya, the Communist Party of India, the Communist Party of India-Marxist, and Mukesh Sahani's Vikasheel Insaan Party.

Additionally, Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj has also staked claims on all 243 seats of the state.

The assembly elections will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11. The results will be declared on November 14.
The INDIA bloc's chief ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav on Thursday claimed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah's recent statement on CM Nitish Kumar was proof that the Bharatiya Janata Party has decided not to let the Janata Dal-United supremo remain in power after the Bihar assembly polls.

IMAGE: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar along with Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary being garlanded during the NDA Karyakarta Sammelan in Gopalganj, September 28, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

The young Rashtriya Janata Dal leader fished in National Democratic Alliance's troubled waters at a press conference where, in the presence of alliance partners, he was declared the claimant to the top post.

Yadav, who is the leader of the opposition in the outgoing assembly, said, tongue in cheek, "I would like to highlight the injustice that is being done to Kumar. The NDA has held no such press conference to declare its CM candidate."

"We have been saying for a long time that the BJP will not let Kumar become the CM again. Amit Shah spilt the beans when he recently said the members of the legislature will decide, after elections, who will be the next CM," he alleged.

Yadav, the former deputy CM, sought to know why Shah is "hiding behind technicalities" this time.

"He did not do so ahead of the 2020 assembly polls. The fact is, Kumar is not enjoying good health and the JD-U is in the clutches of three-four leaders who are working for the BJP and are out to finish off the party after the elections," he claimed.

"You may safely conclude that no less a person than Amit Shah has made it clear that it is the end of the road for Kumar and his party will cease to exist after the polls," he claimed.

Yadav vowed to live up to the expectations of his partners, who have reposed their trust in him by declaring him the CM candidate.

"Together, we shall oust the so-called double-engine government, which has proven its incompetence in 20 years. It has corruption as one of its engines and crime as the other," he alleged.
India on Thursday cleared proposals to procure weapons and military hardware worth Rs 79,000 crore, including Nag missiles, amphibious warfare ships and electronic intelligence and surveillance systems, to boost the combat capabilities of the military.

IMAGE: An anti-tank guided missile Nag Mk II being test-fired from India's newly-developed light tank, October 17, 2025. Photograph: ANI Video Grab

The procurement proposals were cleared at a meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

It is the second major decision on procurement following Operation Sindoor.

Procurement projects worth Rs 67,000 crore were approved on August 5.

The DAC approved various proposals amounting to a total cost of about Rs 79,000 crore, the defence ministry said.

For the Indian Navy, approval was granted for the procurement of Landing Platform Docks, 30-mm Naval Surface Guns, Advanced LightWeight Torpedoes, the Electro Optical Infra-Red Search and Track System and Smart Ammunition for 76-mm Super Rapid Gun Mount.

The procurement of LPDs will help the Navy undertake amphibious operations along with the Army and the Air Force, the ministry said.

LPDs are amphibious warfare ships that are used to transport heavy equipment and land troops.

The ministry said the integrated sea capability provided by LPDs will also help the Navy undertake peacekeeping operations, humanitarian assistance, disaster-relief measures etc.

"The induction of ALWT, which is indigenously developed by Naval Science and Technological Laboratory, DRDO is capable of targeting conventional, nuclear and midget submarines," it said.

The procurement of the 30-mm NSGs will enhance the capability of the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard to carry out low-intensity maritime operations and take anti-piracy measures.

For the Indian Army, approval was accorded for the procurement of the Nag missile system (Tracked) Mk-II (NAMIS), the ground-based mobile ELINT (electronic intelligence system) and high-mobility vehicles (HMVs).

The procurement of the NAMIS will enhance the Army's capability of neutralising the enemy's combat vehicles, bunkers and other field fortifications, whereas the GBMES will provide round-the-clock electronic intelligence of enemy activities, the ministry said in a statement.

The induction of HMVs will significantly improve logistic support to the forces in diverse geographical terrains, it said.

The DAC approved the procurement of Collaborative Long Range Target Saturation/Destruction System for the Indian Air Force. It also cleared some other procurement proposals of the IAF.

The CLRTS/DS has the capability of autonomous take-off, landing, navigating, detecting and delivering payload in the mission area.
A key body of the ruling Chinese Communist Party reaffirmed the "core" leadership of President Xi Jinping as the head of the party and the powerful military, as it ended its four-day meeting on Thursday.

IMAGE: Chinese President Xi Jinping. Photograph: Tingshu Wang/Reuters/File image

The meeting also backed a major purge of top military officials while endorsing a new 5-year plan to build a more resilient domestic market and achieve greater self-reliance to ward off the impact of US President Donald Trump's tariff war and resultant global trade tensions.

The 370-member strong body called the plenum, which met from Monday to Thursday, called on the party and country to unite behind Xi.

The 72-year-old leader is in his unprecedented third term in power, becoming the only Chinese leader after party founder Mao Zedong to do so.

At the session, a call was issued to the whole Party, the entire military, and Chinese people of all ethnic groups to rally more closely around the Party Central Committee with Xi at its core, an official communique issued at the end of the meeting said.

"All of us in the Party must acquire a deep understanding of the decisive significance of establishing Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and of establishing the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era," it said.

The plenum also approved the sacking of number two general of the Chinese military, He Weidong, along with eight other top officials who were expelled from the military and party for corruption, violation of discipline and work-related crimes in the latest crackdown, an official statement said.

The plenary meeting appointed Zhang Shengmin, the military's anti-graft chief, as Gen He's replacement. Zhang was promoted to the rank of Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), the communique said.

Xi chairs the CMC, and Gen Zhang Youxia is serving as another vice-chairman of the body, it said.

Gen He, along with CMC member Miao Hua, were expelled from the CPC and military service.

Ahead of the plenary meeting, a spokesperson of the Chinese Defence Ministry, Col. Zhang Xiaogang, said besides the two top Generals, seven former senior military officials have also been expelled from the CPC and military.

The seven expelled officials were three-star Generals holding key posts in the military.

He said investigations found that the military officials had seriously violated Party discipline and are suspected of major duty-related crimes.

Since Xi took over the leadership of the CPC in December 2012, scores of top military officials have been sacked and punished in his continuing anti-graft campaign, which critics say effectively strengthened his leadership both in the military and the party.

Last week's purge was the biggest in recent years.

The meeting, while praising the current five-year plan's achievements, also endorsed the new 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030). It said the new plan will be critical as the country works to reinforce foundations and push ahead on all fronts toward achieving socialist modernisation by 2035.

It will thus serve as a key link between the past and the future, according to the communique.

Presently, China remains in a phase of development where strategic opportunities exist alongside risks and challenges, while uncertainties and unforeseen factors are rising.

During the new plan period, the country should achieve greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology and steer the development of new, quality productive forces. It should build a robust domestic market and work faster to foster a new pattern of development, the communique said.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday said the city is set to witness its first-ever artificial rain through cloud seeding as preparations for the ambitious pollution-control initiative have been completed.

IMAGE: An anti-smog gun on a multi-purpose vehicle sprays water droplets to curb air pollution as Delhi's air quality remains in the 'severe' category, at Raisina Hills in New Delhi. Photograph: ANI Photo

A successful trial of the project was conducted earlier in the day in the Burari area, Gupta said in a post on X.

"For the first time in Delhi, preparations have been completed to induce artificial rain through cloud seeding, marking a significant technological milestone in the capital's fight against air pollution. Experts on Thursday successfully conducted a trial test in the Burari area.

"According to the weather department, cloudy conditions are expected on October 28, 29, and 30. If the weather remains favourable, Delhi is likely to witness its first artificial rain on October 29," her post read.

"This initiative is not only technologically historic but also establishes a scientific approach to combating pollution in Delhi. The government aims to clean the capital's air and balance its environment through this innovation," Gupta said.

Officials said that during the trial in Burari, small amounts of silver iodide and sodium chloride, used to induce artificial rain, were released from an aircraft, but there was limited moisture in the air -- less than 20 per cent.

Cloud seeding typically requires a moisture level of around 50 per cent, which meant no rainfall occurred in the area.

In its report on the test run, IIT-Kanpur said, "This flight served as a proving mission to assess the capabilities for cloud seeding, the readiness and endurance of the aircraft, the functionality of the seeding equipment and flares, and the coordination among all involved agencies."

"There is no evidence of any precipitation, as the cloud cover was minimal and the moisture content was well below 15 per cent," the report added, noting that specially designed flares were used to release both silver iodide and sodium chloride.

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa thanked Gupta and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their support in ensuring timely approvals for the project.

"Today, a trial seeding flight was conducted from IIT Kanpur to the Delhi area via Meerut, Khekra, Burari, Sadakpur, Bhojpur, Aligarh, and back to IIT Kanpur. Cloud seeding flares were fired between Khekra and Burari and over the Badli area using pyrotechnics," Sirsa said in a post on X.

He added that the flight served as a proving mission to assess the cloud-seeding system's capabilities, aircraft endurance and coordination among all participating agencies.

The cloud-seeding project, jointly developed by IIT-Kanpur and the Delhi government, aims to explore artificial rainfall as a method to reduce particulate-pollution levels in the city during the post-Diwali smog season.

Delhi's much-awaited artificial rain experiment was supposed to be conducted on July 4, but was postponed.

Last month, the Delhi government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with IIT-Kanpur for five cloud-seeding trials, which are expected to be conducted in northwest Delhi.

The project, approved by 23 departments, including the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), aims to explore whether artificial rain can be a viable solution to tackle rising pollution levels during the winter.

Funds have already been transferred to the IIT-Kanpur, which will deploy its own aircraft for the operation. According to a DGCA order, the activity will be carried out under visual flight rules, and only after obtaining clearances from state and local authorities.

The cloud-seeding operations are authorised between October 1 and November 30, and will follow strict safety, security and air traffic control guidelines.

Permission has been granted under rule 26(2) of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, allowing the IIT-Kanpur's Department of Aerospace Engineering to conduct the activity using a Cessna 206-H aircraft (VT-IIT).

The project is being conducted in coordination with experts from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, and the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The Delhi Cabinet approved a proposal on May 7 to conduct five cloud-seeding trials at a total cost of Rs 3.21 crore.

However, the exercise faced repeated delays due to unfavourable weather conditions and the onset of the southwest monsoon, with deadlines pushed back from May-end and early June to August, September, and most recently, the second week of October.
As US President Donald Trump claimed that India will significantly reduce Russian oil imports by year-end, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday hit back by criticising him for making announcements on behalf of New Delhi.

IMAGE: Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor during Vice Presidential election at Parliament, in New Delhi, September 9, 2025. Photograph: Rahul Singh/ANI Photo

Speaking to ANI, Tharoor asked President Trump not to announce India's decisions to the world, as New Delhi does not speak for Washington, DC.

The Congress MP said, "I don't really think it's appropriate for Trump to be making announcements about India's decisions. I think India will make announcements about its decisions. We don't tell the world what Trump will do. I think Trump should not be telling the world what India will do."

Earlier on Wednesday (US local time), US President Donald Trump claimed that India will significantly reduce Russian oil imports by year-end, citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assurance.

President Trump also said that the process of phasing out Russian oil imports will be 'gradual, claiming that India will bring it "down to almost nothing" by the end of the year.

"India, as you know, told me that they would stop. It is a process; you can't just stop it. But by the end of the year, they will be down to almost nothing. That's a big thing, that is almost 40 percent of the oil. India has been great. Spoke to Prime Minister Modi yesterday and they have been absolutely great," President Trump said during an interaction with press persons in the White House, while hosting NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

However, India denies any agreement, emphasising its priority to safeguard consumer interests. The country's energy policy prioritises stable prices and secure supplies.

This comes in the backdrop of Trump imposing 50 percent tariffs on Indian goods, urging New Delhi to diversify energy sources.

Welcomes Tejashwi Yadav as Mahagathbandhan's CM face

Amid speculations of a rift within the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday welcomed the move to announce Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav as the alliance's chief minister face in Bihar, calling it a "signal of support" for the RJD.

Tharoor lauded Congress for naming a Chief Ministerial candidate ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, noting that earlier the party usually does not announce a CM face in polls.

He told ANI, "It's a very good message, and I think it's not at all a bad idea that Congress is participating for the first time. The Congress normally doesn't name CM candidates; they're participating in naming a CM candidate in advance. That's a very clear signal of support as well."

The Congress MP further noted that in India, people vote for a face in the elections.

Tharoor said, "I think it's a very good development because frankly, our country, the voters like to vote for a face. This was the strength of so many individual leaders in the past, also."

"In Tamil Nadu, people voted for Jayalalithaa rather than for her party, MGR rather than his party. That is the spirit in which many voters turn. Similarly, in Bihar, for them to know if you vote for us, this is who you get," he added.

Earlier today, Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot declared Tejashwi Yadav as the Chief Ministerial candidate for the upcoming Assembly elections in Bihar. Mukesh Sahani, who heads the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), has been named the Deputy CM nominee.
Four wanted criminals allegedly involved in multiple cases of extortion-cum-murder in Bihar were killed in a shootout with a joint team of the Delhi police and the Bihar police in Rohini in the early hours of Thursday, officials said.

IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo

The deceased, identified as Ranjan Pathak (25), Bimlesh Mahto alias Bimlesh Sahni (25), Manish Pathak (33) and Aman Thakur (21), all residents of Bihar's Sitamarhi district, were part of the 'Sigma Gang', joint commissioner of police (crime), Surender Kumar, said at a press conference.

Ranjan Pathak, the kingpin of the gang carrying a bounty of Rs 50,000 for information leading to his arrest, was reportedly wanted in eight criminal cases.

Describing Ranjan as a "dreaded" criminal, the police said in the last three months, he was involved in five cases, including four for extortion-cum-murder.

In the most recent case on October 13, he demanded extortion money from a man and threatened to kill him if he didn't pay. The call was made after the model code of conduct came into place for next month's Bihar elections on October 6, the officer said.

The rest of gang members also had multiple cases registered against them for extortion and murder.

The encounter, which took place around 2.20 am on Bahadur Shah Marg in Rohini, was one of the biggest carried out in Delhi in recent years, the police said.

About 25 to 30 rounds were fired from the accused's side, while the police fired around 15 to 20 shots.

The encounter took place after the joint team launched an operation to trace the accused, who were reportedly hiding in Delhi for the past several days, planning to carry out criminal activities in Bihar ahead of the Assembly elections, a senior police officer said.

The accused were reportedly travelling in a car when police intercepted them.

The number plate attached to the car appeared to be fake and the car too seemed to be stolen, a senior police officer said.

The accused allegedly opened fire at the police team, prompting retaliatory action that left all four injured, the officer said.

They were rushed to a hospital in Rohini, where doctors declared them dead, he said, adding that five pistols were recovered from their possession.

The Delhi police tracked the accused's movements for the past three days after receiving inputs from the Bihar police, officials said.

The 243-member Bihar assembly will go to polls in two phases, on November 6 and November 11, and the counting will take place on November 14.
The Haryana government has written to the Centre, recommending a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the death of the son of former Punjab DGP Mohammad Mustafa, sources said on Thursday.

IMAGE: Former Punjab DGP Mohammad Mustafa. Photograph: ANI Photo

The investigation will be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation once the Centre accepts the state government's request, they said.

Mustafa and his wife Razia Sultana, a former Punjab minister, have been booked by the Haryana police in connection with the death of their 35-year-old son Aqil Akhter.

Akhter was found dead at his residence in Haryana's Panchkula on October 16. Also booked in the case are Akhter's wife and sister.

The FIR was registered on October 20 under Sections 103 (1) and 61 that deal with murder and criminal conspiracy charges, after a man named Shamshuddin from Punjab's Malerkotla filed a complaint alleging foul play in the death.

The complainant alleged that Akhter died under "suspicious circumstances", the police had earlier said.

Shamshuddin had told the Panchkula police that he knew the family quite well.

The complainant in the case has given an account of a purported video recorded by Akhter in August, in which he has levelled serious allegations against his father and other family members.

Mustafa, a retired 1985-batch IPS officer, served as Punjab DGP (human rights), while his wife was a minister in the previous Congress government in the state.

Mustafa has dismissed as "completely false" all allegations levelled against him and his family in connection with the death of his son.

The Mustafa family has said that Aqil was undergoing treatment at a hospital in Panchkula as he had become "psychotic" and was not in sound mental health.

Addressing the media in Saharanpur on Tuesday, the former DGP had said he welcomed the police case registered against him and his wife , as the investigation would "reveal the truth".

Responding to the purported video of his son, the former DGP earlier claimed his son was suffering from a psychotic disorder for nearly 18 years and also struggled with substance abuse. "He often became violent due to his illness," Mustafa had told reporters.

A Special Investigation Team of Panchkula police probing the death case on Wednesday said that cause of death was yet not known and now viscera would be sent for chemical examination.
Jharkhand and Haryana together accounted for over 40 per cent of such cases.

Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff

In just one week, one suspected case of honour killing has been reported each from Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

Official data corroborates the trend as honour killing cases in India rose to 38 in 2023 -- the highest level in the past six years.

Honour killings surge in 2023

'Honour killing' cases in India more than doubled in 2023 compared to the previous year.

Number of cases in India

Note: A United Nations body describes honour killing as the killing of a relative, especially woman, who is perceived to have brought dishonour to the family

Jharkhand, Haryana see most cases

Jharkhand and Haryana together accounted for over 40 per cent of such cases. Madhya Pradesh and Punjab followed.

Honour killings make up a small share of total murders

Across the top 10 states and Union Territories, the share of honour killings in total murders remained minuscule

Source: A written reply in Parliament, NCRB, Business Standard calculations

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
Lessons on TCM introduced across China to welcome annual World Traditional Medicine Day

Xinhua) 08:26, October 23, 2025

A doctor introduces traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to visiting medical trainees from various countries at a hospital in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Oct. 22, 2025. Lessons on TCM were introduced in various ways across the country to welcome the annual World Traditional Medicine Day which falls on Oct. 22. (Photo by Yang Suping/Xinhua)

Medical staff explain the types and functions of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to the students of a middle school in Ruyang County of Luoyang City, central China's Henan Province, Oct. 22, 2025. Lessons on TCM were introduced in various ways across the country to welcome the annual World Traditional Medicine Day which falls on Oct. 22. (Photo by Kang Hongjun/Xinhua)

A student tries traditional Chinese moxibustion therapy at an event held at an elementary school in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 21, 2025. Lessons on traditional Chinese medicine were introduced in various ways across the country to welcome the annual World Traditional Medicine Day which falls on Oct. 22. (Photo by Wang Haibin/Xinhua)

Students learn to measure herbs of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) at a hospital in Rongcheng City, east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 22, 2025. Lessons on TCM were introduced in various ways across the country to welcome the annual World Traditional Medicine Day which falls on Oct. 22. (Photo by Li Xinjun/Xinhua)

A teacher introduces knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to students in Liaocheng City, east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 21, 2025. Lessons on TCM were introduced in various ways across the country to welcome the annual World Traditional Medicine Day which falls on Oct. 22. (Photo by Zhao Yuguo/Xinhua)

A traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) instructor explains acupuncture points and massage benefits to elementary school students at a hospital in Xiayi County, Shangqiu City, central China's Henan Province, Oct. 21, 2025. Lessons on TCM were introduced in various ways across the country to welcome the annual World Traditional Medicine Day which falls on Oct. 22. (Photo by Miao Yucai/Xinhua)

Students learn to process traditional herbal medicine at a local Chinese medicine pharmacy in Zaozhuang City, east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 21, 2025. Lessons on traditional Chinese medicine were introduced in various ways across the country to welcome the annual World Traditional Medicine Day which falls on Oct. 22. (Photo by Sun Zhongzhe/Xinhua)

Students from a primary school learn to grind herbs for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) at a central health center in Deqing County, Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 22, 2025. Lessons on TCM were introduced in various ways across the country to welcome the annual World Traditional Medicine Day which falls on Oct. 22. (Photo by Ni Lifang/Xinhua)

A doctor guides students to experience pulse diagnosis at a primary school in Anding District of Dingxi City, northwest China's Gansu Province, Oct. 22, 2025. Lessons on traditional Chinese medicine were introduced in various ways across the country to welcome the annual World Traditional Medicine Day which falls on Oct. 22. (Photo by Wang Kexian/Xinhua)

Students measure herbs of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) at an elementary school in Taizhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province, Oct. 22, 2025. Lessons on TCM were introduced in various ways across the country to welcome the annual World Traditional Medicine Day which falls on Oct. 22. (Photo by Zhou Shegen/Xinhua)

A doctor explains the usage of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) tools to children at a local elementary school in Huimin County of Binzhou City, east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 21, 2025. Lessons on TCM were introduced in various ways across the country to welcome the annual World Traditional Medicine Day which falls on Oct. 22. (Photo by Wang Jun/Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday claimed that India will significantly reduce Russian oil imports by year-end, citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assurance.

IMAGE: United States President Donald Trump. Photograph: Reuters/ANI Photo

President Trump also said that the process of phasing out Russian oil imports will be 'gradual', claiming that India will bring it 'down to almost nothing' by the end of the year.

"India, as you know, told me that they would stop. It is a process; you can't just stop it. But by the end of the year, they will be down to almost nothing. That's a big thing, that is almost 40 per cent of the oil. India has been great. Spoke to Prime Minister Modi yesterday and they have been absolutely great," President Trump said during an interaction with press persons in the White House, while hosting North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Secretary General Mark Rutte.

However, India denies any agreement, emphasising its priority to safeguard consumer interests.

The country's energy policy prioritises stable prices and secure supplies.

Trump had imposed 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods, urging New Delhi to diversify energy sources.

Earlier on Monday, continuing his criticism of India's purchase of Russian oil, Trump said that New Delhi would continue to pay tariffs until it halts its imports from Moscow.

Trump, during his press gaggle on Air Force One, was asked about India's denial of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call with him.

"Well then, they're going to just keep paying a lot of tariffs if they said that, but I don't believe they said that. No, I spoke with Prime Minister Modi of India and he said he's not going to be doing the Russian oil thing," he said.

Trump added, "But if they want to say that, then they'll just continue to pay massive tariffs, and they don't want to do that."
A 21-year-old Indian-origin truck driver has been accused of causing a semi-truck crash while allegedly driving intoxicated, killing three people in the US state of California earlier this week, according to a media report.

IMAGE: Image used for representational purposes only. Photograph: Jose Luis Gonzalez/Reuters

Jashanpreet Singh allegedly rammed his truck into slow-moving traffic in Southern California on Tuesday, Fox News reported on Wednesday.

At least three people were killed and several others injured in the crash.

Quoting the police, the report said Singh never hit the brakes of his truck before slamming into the traffic. It also said that toxicology tests confirmed impairment.

He has been arrested on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.

Singh, an illegal immigrant, crossed the southern border of the US in 2022 and was released pending an immigration hearing, according to the report.

He was not in lawful immigration status, the report said, quoting US department of homeland security sources, adding that the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement has lodged an immigration detainer following his arrest.

Singh was released under the Biden administration's 2022 "alternatives to detention" policy, it said.

This is the second such incident since August in which an Indian-origin trucker has been accused of causing a deadly crash in the US.

On August 12, Harjinder Singh, 28, allegedly made an illegal U-turn in his tractor-trailer in Florida, causing a deadly crash which killed three people. He faces three counts of vehicular homicide.

Following the incident, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had announced a pause to all issuances of commercial truck driver work visas.

The increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on US roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers,

Rubio had posted on social media.
There was rumbling in the ruling Congress on Thursday following Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's son Yathindra's statement that his father was in the fag end of his political career and that the public works minister Satish Jarkiholi is a leader with similar progressive ideological thinking.

IMAGE: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah calls on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, along with state ministers KJ George (left), HC Mahadevappa (third from right) and Satish Jarkiholi (second from right), in New Delhi, June 24, 2025. Photograph: CMO/ANI Photo

Amid talks of leadership change, Yathindra's statement led to speculation on whether he was speaking about the successor to his father.

While deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who is a strong contender for the post, preferred not to comment immediately, Jarkiholi said Yathindra has only expressed his personal view.

Jarkiholi, however, made it clear that he would lay claim to the top post in 2028 when the state goes for the Assembly election.

Addressing a gathering at Chikkodi in Belagavi district on Wednesday, Yathindra said, "He (Siddaramaiah) is at the fag end of his political life. At such a time, a leader is needed to guide and lead those who have progressive thinking, ideologically," Yathindra said.

"It is difficult to have leaders who are committed to principles, but Jarkiholi is doing his job with commitment. He should continue to do so," he added.

When D K Shivakumar was asked for his comment on Yathindra's statement, he said, "I don't want to say anything now. I don't want to be part of the media. I will discuss later at an appropriate time."

Jarkiholi maintained that these things are decided by the party high command.

"He (Yathindra) has only expressed his personal view, and everyone is free to express their views. Finally, it is left to the party high command and party MLAs to decide. Well, there is a lot of time. Let's wait and watch," Jarkiholi told reporters on Thursday.

He said he will try to bring everyone together, but the final decision is left to the party leaders.

"I have already said that I will lay claim to the CM post in 2028, but the party has to take the final call. Everything cannot be decided now. Still, there are 30 months to go. We have to see the developments that take place then. It will depend on the party and the prevailing situation," the minister clarified.

When asked whether he would assume the role of Congress state president, Jarkiholi said he has no clue about it.

State Information Technology and Biotechnology Minister Priyank Kharge too said that Jarkiholi is one among the leaders in Congress who is carrying forward the party ideology.

"There are many people in our party who are carrying forward our party ideology and Satish Jarkiholi himself has said he is one among them. He has been running a campaign against superstition and in favour of the Indian constitution. There is nothing wrong in it. What is wrong in that? He is principally committed to Congress," the minister said.

Regarding Jarkiholi's claim that he would lay claim to the chief ministerial post, he said the party and the people will decide, Priyank Kharge, son of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, said.

On Shivakumar's 'excessive' temple visits these days, Kharge said, Shivakumar has always been a devotee, but the media is only now focusing on him. "I have been seeing him visiting temples and monasteries for the past three decades," the minister said.

Amid talks about CM change, Siddaramaiah has constantly reiterated that he will complete a full five-year term.

There was stiff competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the chief minister's post after the declaration of Assembly election results in May 2023, and the Congress had managed to convince the latter and made him the Deputy CM.

There were some reports at the time that a compromise had been reached based on a "rotational chief minister formula," according to which Shivakumar will become CM after two-and-a-half years, but they have not been officially confirmed by the party.
The Mumbai police arrested a key accused in a Rs 252-crore mephedrone seizure case after his deportation from Dubai, officials said on Thursday.

IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo

Mohammed Salim Mohammed Suhail Shaikh was apprehended in Dubai by sister agencies a few days ago and was subsequently brought to Mumbai on Wednesday, an official said.

Shaikh is also known as Lavish in his drug cartel, as he leads a flashy lifestyle with expensive dresses, cars and watches, he said.

He is a member of an international drug syndicate and operated from abroad, the official said.

A Red Corner Notice had been issued against Shaikh, following which he was detained by a law-enforcement agency in Dubai and subsequently handed over to the Mumbai police, said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Detection 1) Vishal Thakur.

The Mumbai police last year busted a mephedrone supply ring by raiding a manufacturing unit in western Maharashtra's Sangli district and seizing drugs and raw materials (to make the contraband) worth Rs 252 crore. Shaikh was shown as a key accused in the case.

Shaikh was responsible for the operations of the mephedrone manufacturing factories set up by the drug ring across the country, including Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana, he said.

Sitting in Dubai, he managed procurement of raw materials, manufacturing of the drug and handling the supply and distribution chain, the official said.

He is one of the important members of the international drug syndicate operated by Salim Dola, said another official. Salim Dola is also wanted in the case, and a Red Corner Notice has been issued against him.

Shaikh is the third accused person who has been brought to India from the United Arab Emirates. He was produced in a court here, which remanded him in police custody till October 30, the official said.

Earlier this year, Tahir Salim Dola, son of drug kingpin Salim Dola, and Mustafa Mohammed Kubbawala were taken into custody by the city police.

Altogether, 15 persons, including a woman, have been arrested in the case, which is being probed by the Ghatkopar unit of the city crime branch team under senior police inspector Atmaji Sawant.

During their investigation, police have seized movable and immovable properties in the city worth Rs 7 crore belonging to the accused persons, he said.

Asked if the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act would be invoked in the case, the official said they are exploring all legal possibilities.

Shaikh, who had been staying in Dubai for the last three years, is originally from Dongri in south Mumbai. In his initial days, he used to run a catering business with Salim Dola. He had left the country in August 2023.

He used to get people for the syndicate to supply and distribute mephedrone, a powerful synthetic stimulant often sold as a recreational drug, across India, the official said.

Once the crime branch finishes its investigation, Shaikh will be handed over to the Sakinaka police here, as he has been named in a case registered by them.

Shaikh's name has also cropped up in a drugs case registered at Madhya Pradesh by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, the official said.
As the election dates come closer, Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav is likely to be announced as the chief ministerial candidate by the opposition Mahagathbandhan on Thursday.

IMAGE: RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav. Photograph: ANI Photo

The declaration of Tejashwi as Mahagathbandhan's CM face is expected to be made during a joint press conference by alliance parties.

Tejashwi, the Bihar Leader of Opposition (LoP), has previously served as deputy chief minister.

This comes a day after the Congress high command rushed senior party leader Ashok Gehlot to Patna to defuse tensions within the grand alliance.

Gehlot met RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav at their residence in Patna amid reports of a widening rift between alliance partners, stemming from the issue of a 'friendly fight' on some assembly seats.

Gehlot, who has been named as Senior Election Observer by the All India Congress Committee, assured that the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) is 'fully united' after he and the Bihar Congress in-charge Krishna Allavaru met with RJD's top leadership.

Gehlot had informed that the Mahagathbandhan will hold a press conference on October 23 to show the strength of the alliance.

He also slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party for running a 'sponsored campaign' in Bihar to create an 'environment' that would suggest a rift within the alliance.

"A highly positive meeting took place with AICC Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavaru, along with Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav. The INDIA alliance in Bihar is fully united and is contesting the elections with strength. The full situation will be clarified in the Mahagathbandhan's press conference," he said.

Further speaking about the friendly fights on some seats in the alliance, Gehlot assured that it is not something out of the ordinary and Mahagathbandhan has 'no problem' at all.

"In 243 seats, due to local leaders and equations, a situation like a friendly fight sometimes arises on 5-7 seats. This is a very small number, but a campaign was run against the Mahagathbandhan in the media over it, whereas in reality, there is no problem at all," he said.

The Mahagathbandhan has about 12 seats where at least two allies have filed nominations.

However, this notion of a friendly fight has invited criticism from the NDA alliance, which has had no fissures after its seat-sharing arrangements were announced.

The 2025 Bihar elections will have the main contest between the National Democratic Alliance and the Mahagathbandhan.

Additionally, Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj has also staked claims on all 243 seats of the state.

The assembly elections will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11. The results will be declared on November 14.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said he would join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-India Summit virtually in Malaysia next week.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Photograph: ANI Photo

Modi conveyed this to his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim during a phone call on Thursday.

'Had a warm conversation with my dear friend, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia. Congratulated him on Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship and conveyed best wishes for the success of upcoming Summits,' Modi said in a post on X.

'Look forward to joining the ASEAN-India Summit virtually, and to further deepening of the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,' Modi said.

The ASEAN meetings are scheduled from October 26-28.

Malaysia has invited US President Donald Trump as well as leaders of several countries which are the dialogue partners of the ASEAN grouping.

Trump is set to travel to Kuala Lumpur on October 26 on a two-day trip.

Meanwhile, the Congress on Thursday claimed that the reason for Modi not going to Malaysia was that he doesn't want to be cornered by Trump.

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said posting messages in praise of President Trump on social media is one thing, but to be seen hobnobbing physically with the man who has claimed 53 times that he stopped Operation Sindoor and also claimed five times that India has promised to stop buying oil from Russia is 'far too risky' for the PM.

'For days the speculation has been - will He or won't He? Will Mr. Modi go to Kuala Lumpur for the Summit or not?' Ramesh said on X.

Now it appears certain that the PM will not go, he said.

It means the loss of so many opportunities to hug and get photo ops with world leaders or to flaunt himself as the 'self-styled Vishwaguru', the Congress leader said.

'The reason why Mr. Modi is not going is simple. He just doesn't want to be cornered by President Trump who will also be there. He refused an invitation to attend the Gaza peace summit in Egypt a few weeks back, precisely for this reason,' Ramesh said.

'Posting messages in praise of President Trump on social media is one thing. But to be seen hobnobbing physically with the man who has claimed 53 times that he stopped Op Sindoor and has claimed 5 times that India has promised to stop buying oil from Russia is another matter. It's far too risky for him,' he said.

'The PM may well be recalling that old hit Bollywood number: Bachke re rehna re baba, bachke rehna re,' Ramesh said.

The ASEAN-India dialogue relations started with the establishment of a sectoral partnership in 1992.

This graduated to full dialogue partnership in December 1995 and summit level partnership in 2002.

The ties were elevated to a strategic partnership in 2012.

The 10 member countries of ASEAN are Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia.

The two-way relations between India and ASEAN have been on a significant upswing in the last few years with focus being on boosting cooperation in the areas of trade and investment as well as security and defence.
More than 60 persons, most of them children aged between 8 and 14, were hospitalised in Bhopal due to injuries sustained after using 'dangerous' calcium carbide guns on Diwali, an official said on Thursday.

Image used only for representational purposes. Photograph: ANI Photo

Though there is no threat to their lives, some of the injured persons have lost their eyesight, while a few have suffered facial burns, he said.

Bhopal's Chief Medical Health Officer (CMHO) Manish Sharma told PTI Videos, "Carbide pipe guns are very dangerous. The 60 people injured by the use of these guns are still being treated in hospitals in the state capital. All are safe."

Five persons are being treated at Seva Sadan Hospital, while others are admitted to Hamidia Hospital, JP Hospital, and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

The 'dangerous' gun, made using a gas lighter, a plastic pipe, and calcium carbide, was in vogue this Diwali.

The calcium carbide in the gun produces acetylene gas when it meets water and explodes upon contact with a spark, an official said.

Experts said small plastic fragments ejected from the pipe, like shrapnel, penetrate the body, causing serious injuries and damage to various parts, especially the eyes, face, and skin.

An official said that more than 150 cases of injuries due to carbide guns were reported across Bhopal city the day after Diwali, and many of them were discharged after first aid.

He said a team of doctors is working to restore the eyesight of a 12-year-old child admitted to AIIMS. Treatment is ongoing for two more children at Hamidia Hospital, where nearly 10 children are admitted.

Talking to PTI Videos, the families of 14-year-old Hemant Panthi and 15-year-old Aris, who are receiving care at Hamidia Hospital, blamed the administration for the availability of the carbide gun and demanded a ban on it.

Aris's father, Sarikh Khan, said such guns should not be sold in the market in the first place.

"Strict action should be taken against those who manufacture and sell these guns. Compensation should be provided to cover the children's medical expenses," he said.

CMHO Sharma said the administration is continuously taking action against those who manufacture and sell carbide guns.

In a meeting with officials on October 18, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav had directed district magistrates and police officers across the state to prevent the sale of carbide pipe guns. However, the devices were sold rampantly in the market.
The opposition INDIA bloc appeared to have moved past weeks of squabbling in poll-bound Bihar on Thursday when Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav was declared as chief ministerial candidate of the coalition, which seeks to wrest power from and entrenched National Democratic Alliance.

IMAGE: VIP chief, Mukesh Sahni presents bouquet to leader of opposition in Bihar assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, Bihar Congress president, Rajesh Kumar and former CM Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot also present, in Patna, October 23, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

The announcement was made by Ashok Gehlot, the Congress's troubleshooter, who had flown down to diffuse tensions with allies, including the RJD, which has forced the INDIA bloc constituents into "friendly fights" in about a dozen assembly seats.

On cue, at least a couple of candidates, one from the Congress and another from Vikassheel Insan Party, headed by Mukesh Sahani, who has been promised the Deputy CM's post, pulled out of the contest from seats where they were to be pitted against allies.

The Congress has identified at least eight seats where it is contesting against candidates of the RJD and the CPI. Besides, there are some seats where RJD, Left and VIP would end up fighting each other, with the lapse of the period during which withdrawal of nomination papers was permitted.

Yadav, who, at the age of 35, could become the youngest chief minister of the state if the INDIA bloc came to power, thanked his coalition partners for the trust they have reposed in him and vowed to defeat "the incompetent 20-year-old government, a so-called double engine, of which one engine is corruption and the other is crime".

The NDA, which had been hoping that the opposition coalition would remain fractious, was perturbed. Senior BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary alleged that Yadav, "a proclaimed offender" (panjikrit apradhi), had been named the CM candidate under pressure from his father Lalu Prasad, the RJD president, who "tortured" alliance partners to accede to the demand.

The allusion was to the land for jobs scam, pertaining to the period when Prasad was the railway minister in the UPA 1 government. Yadav, who was then a minor, has also been named as one of the accused in the case.

Union minister Chirag Paswan, whose Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) is the third largest partner in the NDA after the BJP and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U), insisted that the INDIA bloc was a divided house, pointing towards a poster put up at the venue of the press conference, which featured no other prominent leader besides Yadav.

Yadav, on his part, deftly tried to fish in the NDA's troubled waters, claiming, "Union Home Minister Amit Shah, by stating that legislators will decide who will be the CM after the elections, has made it clear that the BJP is unwilling to give Kumar another chance."

"The JD(U) is now controlled by a handful of leaders who are more loyal towards the BJP, and the party will be finished after the elections," he added.

Gehlot also said that the BJP must state clearly whether or not they propose to make Kumar the chief minister again or play the "same game" as they did in Maharashtra, where assembly polls were fought under the leadership of the then CM Eknath Shinde of Shiv Sena, who was replaced by Devendra Fadnavis.

The Congress veteran may have succeeded in ironing out differences with the allies, though discord in the party's own state unit remains a point of concern.

Several disgruntled leaders staged a dharna at the state Congress headquarters, wearing black bands, and alleging that tickets had been put up for sale by the party's Bihar in charge Krishna Allavaru, who, they alleged, was "not a political person but a corporate agent, or maybe even a sleeper cell of the RSS".

The RJD, which has been predictably buoyed by the announcement, came out with the tour programme of its leader, who will on Friday hit the campaign trail with three back-to-back rallies, the last of these in the north Bihar district of Samastipur, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to kick off his blitzkrieg for assembly polls in the morning.

The projection of Yadav, whom Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor had vowed to challenge on the home turf of Raghopur, was made light of by the political strategist turned activist who now faces accusations of having chickened out.

"It has always been known that if Lalu Prasad's jungle raj were to return in Bihar, the chief minister would be Tejashwi Yadav. So, the announcement is no big deal," said Kishor, who had claimed that his party will contest all 243 seats of the assembly, shunning pre-poll or post-poll alliances.

At least four of the candidates of the one-year-old party have either failed to file their nomination papers or withdrawn from the race, prompting Kishor to allege that they had acted under pressure from the BJP.

The developments came on a day when BJP president JP Nadda addressed election meetings in Aurangabad and Vaishali districts and at least four rallies were held by CM Kumar in various parts of the state.
Three petrol pump employees have been arrested in Bhilwara's Jaswantpura area in connection with a slapping incident involving an Rajasthan Administrative Service officer, police said on Wednesday.

Image used only for representational purposes. Photograph: ANI Photo

The incident took place on Tuesday when Chhotu Lal Sharma, currently posted as sub-divisional magistrate in Pratapgarh, was involved in a heated altercation with a staffer of a petrol pump that also sells CNG.

The altercation broke out following a dispute over filling CNG in another car before the officer's car.

According to police, Sharma objected to the staffer filling CNG in another car, arguing that his car should be filled first because he arrived earlier. During this, another petrol pump employee intervened, but the officer slapped him. This led to the employee retaliating with a slap, too.

The entire incident was captured on the petrol pump's CCTV cameras. The video of the altercation surfaced on Wednesday.

Police said that three pump employees -- Deepak Mali, Prabhu Lal Kumawat and Raja Sharma -- have been arrested in connection with the incident.

The matter is being further investigated.
United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced his upcoming diplomatic trip to Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan, highlighting a significant meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea.

IMAGE: US President Donald Trump speaks as he meets with Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Mark Rutte in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on October 22, 2025. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

Trump also revealed that he cancelled a planned summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, citing a lack of progress in diplomatic efforts.

"It didn't feel right to me," Trump said, adding that he didn't want a 'wasted meeting'.

"Next week, we'll be going to Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan. In South Korea, I'll be meeting with President Xi of China. We'll have a pretty long meeting scheduled. We can work out a lot of our questions and our doubts and our tremendous assets together... We cancelled the meeting with President Putin. It didn't feel right to me. It didn't feel like we were going to get to the place we have to get, so I cancelled it...," said Trump.

The cancellation of the Putin summit follows Russia's rejection of Trump's proposed ceasefire plan in Ukraine.

US President Donald Trump is optimistic about his upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, hoping to leverage their discussion to end the Russia-Ukraine war.

He plans to discuss energy and oil with Xi, aiming to pressure Russia into negotiating a peace agreement.

"I will probably be talking about it. What I will really be talking about is how we would end the war with Russia and Ukraine, whether through energy, oil or anything else. I think he (Xi Jinping) is going to be very receptive. I think he would like to see the war end," Trump said while interacting with presspersons in the White House, where he hosted NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

Notably, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit is scheduled to take place in South Korea from October 30 to November 1 in Gyeongju.

President Trump further said that he is hopeful that the Chinese President can have a 'big influence' on Putin to urge him to a ceasefire.

"I think he will have a big influence on Putin. I think he can have a big influence on a lot of people. He is a respected man, a very strong leader, very big country, I think he can have a big influence," Trump added.

Trump claimed that his predecessors, former Presidents Joseph Biden and Barack Obama 'forced' Russia and China together.

"China is a little bit different. A little bit different relationship they had with Russia. It was never good but because of Biden and Obama they got forced together, they never should have been forced together but by nature they can't be friendly. I hope they are friendly, frankly. You should not have forced China and Russia together. Biden did that and Obama did that. They forced them together because of energy, oil," he said.
Concert in Belgrade marks 70th anniversary of China-Serbia ties

Xinhua) 08:29, October 23, 2025

Artists perform during a concert celebrating the 70th anniversary of friendship between China and Serbia at Kolarac Concert Hall in Belgrade, Serbia, Oct. 21, 2025. (Photo by Wang Wei/Xinhua)

Artists from the China National Opera House and the National Theatre in Belgrade presented a program that combined Chinese classical poetry and highlights from European opera.

BELGRADE, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- A concert celebrating the 70th anniversary of friendship between China and Serbia was held on Tuesday evening at Belgrade's historic Kolarac Concert Hall.

Artists from the China National Opera House and the National Theatre in Belgrade presented a program that combined Chinese classical poetry and highlights from European opera. Audiences from both China and Serbia responded with warm applause throughout the performance.

Serbian Minister of Culture Nikola Selakovic said the concert was "one of the highlights in the year when we mark the 70th anniversary of friendship between the peoples of Serbia and China - a friendship built on mutual respect, trust, and cooperation." He stressed that culture "represents an essential dimension of the bilateral relations" and reaffirmed Serbia's commitment to "building a shared future together" through cultural exchange.

People take photos as artists perform during a concert celebrating the 70th anniversary of friendship between China and Serbia at Kolarac Concert Hall in Belgrade, Serbia, Oct. 21, 2025. (Photo by Wang Wei/Xinhua)

Chinese Ambassador to Serbia Li Ming described the concert as "a heartfelt tribute to the deep friendship forged over seven decades." He said the event reflected the growing partnership between the two nations, which "has reached an unprecedented new height."

The concert was jointly organized by China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Chinese Embassy in Serbia, and Serbia's Ministry of Culture.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The United States on Wednesday struck an alleged drug vessel, an eighth such attack by the US, on the Pacific side of South America, according to Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, as reported by CBS News.

IMAGE: A screengrab from a video of the strikes posted online by Pete Hegseth. Photograph: @SecWar/X

This is the eighth such attack by the US on a suspected drug vessel since September 2; however, the last seven strikes were in the Caribbean, with an attack on the Pacific side being the first such in the area.

CBS News reported a Defence Department official saying that the vessel was in international waters off Colombia.

"Yesterday, at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel being operated by a Designated Terrorist Organisation and conducting narco-trafficking in the Eastern Pacific," Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth said on X, while also sharing a video of the strike.

The vessel was suspected to be involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, was transiting along a known narco-trafficking transit route, Hegseth mentioned.

"The vessel was known by our intelligence to be involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, was transiting along a known narco-trafficking transit route, and carrying narcotics. There were two narco-terrorists aboard the vessel during the strike, which was conducted in international waters. Both terrorists were killed and no US forces were harmed in this strike," he mentioned.

Expressing the strict policy against smuggling of drugs, Secretary Hegseth accused the drug cartels of 'waging a war' on the US border.

He said that no US personnel were harmed in the strike.

"The vessel was known by our intelligence to be involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, was transiting along a known narco-trafficking transit route, and carrying narcotics. There were two narco-terrorists aboard the vessel during the strike, which was conducted in international waters. Both terrorists were killed and no US forces were harmed in this strike," his post read.

CBS News mentioned that atleast 34 people have been killed in US strikes on alleged drug boats.

The Trump administration has told Congress the US is in a 'non-international armed conflict' with drug cartels, arguing that the narcotics they smuggle kill tens of thousands of Americans every year, and this constitutes an 'armed attack'.

US President Donald Trump has also accused Colombian President Gustavo Petro of being an 'illegal drug leader' and of actively encouraging massive drug production across the country.

He announced that his administration is cutting off all subsidies to the Latin American country.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, 'It has become the biggest business in Colombia, by far, and Petro does nothing to stop it, despite large-scale payments and subsidies from the USA that are nothing more than a long-term rip off of America." He added that, "As of today, these payments, or any other form of payment, or subsidies, will no longer be made to Columbia.'
The US Department of the Treasury on Wednesday imposed sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, in an effort to pressure the Kremlin to end its war in Ukraine.

IMAGE: Rosneft's Russian-flagged crude oil tanker. Photograph: Yoruk Isik/File Photo/Reuters

The sanctions aim to degrade Russia's ability to raise revenue for its war machine and support its weakened economy.

"Today's actions increase pressure on Russia's energy sector and degrade the Kremlin's ability to raise revenue for its war machine and support its weakened economy. The United States will continue to advocate for a peaceful resolution to the war, and a permanent peace depends entirely on Russia's willingness to negotiate in good faith. Treasury will continue to use its authorities in support of a peace process," the US Treasury's statement read.

"Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire," said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, according to the statement.

"Given President Putin's refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russia's two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlin's war machine. Treasury is prepared to take further action if necessary to support President Trump's effort to end yet another war. We encourage our allies to join us in and adhere to these sanctions," he added.

Rosneft and Lukoil are now designated, resulting in the freezing of their assets in the US and restricting US persons from engaging in financial transactions with them.

All entities owned 50% or more by Rosneft and Lukoil are blocked, regardless of whether they are designated by OFAC.

According to the statement, Rosneft is a vertically integrated energy company specialising in the exploration, extraction, production, refining, transport, and sale of petroleum, natural gas, and petroleum products.

Lukoil engages in the exploration, production, refining, marketing, and distribution of oil and gas in Russia and internationally.

Additionally, OFAC is designating several Russia-based subsidiaries of Rosneft and Lukoil.

All entities owned 50 per cent or more, directly or indirectly, by Rosneft and Lukoil are blocked pursuant to EO 14024, even if not designated by OFAC, the US Department of the Treasury said.

As a result of the US action, all property and interests in property of the designated or blocked persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of US persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC.

In addition, any entity that is owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, by 50 per cent or more by one or more blocked persons is also blocked.

"Unless authorised by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC's regulations generally prohibit all transactions by US persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of blocked persons," the statement mentioned.

The statement mentioned that any violation of sanctions may result in the imposition of civil or criminal penalties on US and foreign persons.

"OFAC may impose civil penalties for sanctions violations on a strict liability basis. OFAC's Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines provide more information regarding OFAC's enforcement of US economic sanctions. In addition, financial institutions and other persons may risk exposure to sanctions for engaging in certain transactions or activities with designated or otherwise blocked persons," the statement mentioned.

In addition, foreign financial institutions that conduct or facilitate significant transactions or provide any service involving Russia's military-industrial base, including any persons blocked, run the risk of being sanctioned by OFAC.

"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," the statement mentioned.

The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC's ability to designate and add persons to the SDN List, but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law.

The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behaviour, added the statement.

Any persons included on the SDN List pursuant to EO 14024 may be subject to additional export restrictions administered by the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS).
The Special Investigation Team probing the 'vote chori' (vote theft) in Aland assembly segment in 2023 assembly elections in Karnataka has discovered that 'attempts' were made to delete votes and zeroed in on at least six suspects involved in the scam.

IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: PTI Photo/Rediff Archives

Top sources in the Criminal Investigation Department told PTI that for every successfully deleted vote, the suspects were paid Rs 80. There were requests to delete 6,994 votes, but barring a few genuine cases, other requests were bogus.

Aland is in Kalaburagi in North Karnataka, the home district of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior Congress MLA B R Patil represents the assembly seat.

It was Patil and Kharge's son Priyank Kharge, a minister and Chittapur MLA, who unearthed the vote deletion attempts and alerted the Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer.

According to Patil, applications were filed to delete 6,994 'Congress votes' comprising Dalits and minorities. The deletion was stopped after the CEO ordered status quo.

Recently, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi held a press conference in New Delhi detailing how the 'vote chori' have been taking place and cited the example of Aland.

Patil said had these votes deleted he would have surely lost the election. He had won the 2023 assembly election with a margin of about 10,000 votes against his nearest rival, Subhash Guttedar (Bharatiya Janata Paryu).

Taking a serious note of it, the Karnataka government formed the SIT to probe 'vote theft', which is headed by the Additional Director General of Police B K Singh in the CID.

"Attempts were indeed made in Aland to delete votes. We questioned about 30 people and of them, five to six are strong suspects. They can be arrested," a top official in the CID told PTI on Thursday.

While not ruling out the possibility of similar attempts made elsewhere, the officer said, "We are just focusing on Aland because the complaint was regarding that constituency."

According to sources in the CID, the six suspects were associated with a data centre and had made voice over internet protocol to delete votes.

Based on the details, the SIT raided the premises linked to the suspects. They also raided the premises of Subhash Guttedar, his sons Harshananda and Santosh Guttedar and their Chartered Accountant.

In the meantime, the SIT also discovered the burnt voter records near Subhash Guttedar's house.

Guttedar told reporters that in view of Diwali, the housekeeping staff in his house burnt all the 'waste materials'.

"There was no mala fide intention behind burning these documents. If we had ulterior motives, we would have done it somewhere away from our house," the BJP leader said.

Speaking to PTI, Aland MLA Patil said he is unaware of the headway made by the SIT. He said he would wait for the final outcome of the investigation.

Minister Priyank Kharge was not available for comment.
Police on Wednesday said a 27-year-old woman from West Bengal was allegedly gangraped and robbed of valuables at her residence in Bengaluru.

Image used only for representation. Photograph: Pixabay.com

Three of the accused have been arrested, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining two, police added.

The incident reportedly occurred after 9 pm at Gangondanahalli, under the jurisdiction of Madanayakanahalli police station, late Tuesday. Senior police officials reached the scene shortly after receiving a call from the woman.

"The accused persons threatened her and took turns sexually assaulting her. They then fled with Rs 25,000 in cash and two mobile phones from the house," police said.

"Given the seriousness of the case, a deputy SP-rank officer was assigned to the investigation. After speaking to the woman and others in the house, we learned that five people had entered the residence. We have formed three special teams under the inspector of each police station in the Nelamangala sub-division," said C K Baba, Superintendent of Police, Bengaluru Rural.

He added that three of the accused have been secured, and the remaining two will be apprehended soon.

"We need to interrogate them in detail to ascertain if the woman and the accused knew each other before. Her condition is out of danger. As per our SOP, all procedures are being followed," he said.

Police said a preliminary investigation shows that, besides the victim, a woman, two adults, and two children were in the house during the incident.

A case has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Section 70(1) (gang rape), 127(2) (wrongful confinement), 118(1) (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 311 (robbery or dacoity with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt), and 324(3) (mischief), among other relevant provisions.
Chinese Embassy in Kyrgyzstan hosts briefing on outcomes of Global Leaders' Meeting on Women

Xinhua) 09:22, October 23, 2025

Photo taken on Oct. 22, 2025 shows a briefing on the outcomes of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, which was held earlier this month in Beijing, in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. (Xinhua/Jiang Youlin)

BISHKEK, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- A briefing on the outcomes of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, which was held earlier this month in Beijing, took place on Wednesday in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan.

The event gathered representatives from UN Women in Kyrgyzstan and the Congress of Women of Kyrgyzstan, as well as women leaders from various sectors and organizations.

Speaking at the briefing, Chinese Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Liu Jiangping said that China stands ready to work with Kyrgyzstan to implement the outcomes of the meeting, boost exchanges and cooperation on women's affairs, and thereby contribute to the building of a China-Kyrgyzstan community with a shared future.

The participants of the Kyrgyz side noted that, as a leader in global women's affairs, China has made outstanding contributions to promoting gender equality and the comprehensive development of women globally.

They also expressed their readiness to strengthen cooperation and mutual learning with China to help more women achieve a better life and to promote new progress in women's cooperation between the two countries.

Photo taken on Oct. 22, 2025 shows a briefing on the outcomes of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, which was held earlier this month in Beijing, in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. (Xinhua/Jiang Youlin)

Photo taken on Oct. 22, 2025 shows a briefing on the outcomes of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, which was held earlier this month in Beijing, in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. (Xinhua/Jiang Youlin)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Snow showers this evening. Clearing skies later. Low near 15F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 50%..

Tonight

Snow showers this evening. Clearing skies later. Low near 15F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 50%.
BRATTLEBORO  Consultants have been called in to help Brattleboro Memorial Hospital prepare a revised budget to send to state regulators amid financial struggles.

The plan is to strength the hospital's financial foundation and ensure longevity, compliance and accountability.

"I think the financial picture in health care is challenging for everybody and it's hitting us really hard, and we are at an inflection point where it's taken on more urgency," Chloe Learey, who recently assumed the role of acting chairperson of the BMH Board of Directors, said in an interview Wednesday afternoon.

Also adding to the need for more swift action was the Green Mountain Care Board's response to the previously proposed budget, Learey said. The regulators were critical of BMH's solvency in the face of a shortfall of $2 million or more and asked the hospital to resubmit a spending plan.

"We've been working really closely with them," Learey said. "I feel like we have a really good relationship and they're supportive."

Ovation Consultants, a firm with experience supporting Vermont hospitals, was tapped to assist. Learey said the consultants "know the lay of the land," the hospital and landscape, to put together the best plans moving forward.

Community members are worried about the hospital staying open and meeting payroll.

"We are not closing," Learey said. "We are doing what we need to do with urgency and acting, I think, responsibly to turn a corner."

Commentary | Chloe Learey: Strengthening our future at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital Questions and concerns about the future of Brattleboro Memorial Hospital are top of mind for

David Sanville, a financial professional and former chief financial officer at several Vermont hospitals, joined as an executive financial consultant to evaluate the situation. He will "help ensure that our path forward is sound, transparent and sustainable," Learey wrote in an op-ed this week.

Learey, who served as vice chairperson of the BMH board since January, called the health of the hospital "vital to the health of our community in many ways." Board members, staff, corporators and community members will need to be engaged "to keep the hospital healthy and thriving," she wrote.

"Our commitment to this community is strong, personal, and unwavering," Learey wrote. "We believe unity begins with understanding, and we recognize that many questions still need answers. We are acting with urgency, transparency, and diligence to provide those answers and reduce uncertainty."

In its Oct. 1 decision on proposed spending, GMCB said the hospital "has not accurately or completely answered many questions," making "it challenging to understand BMHs current financial position. Learey said she hopes to resubmit a budget in about a month.

Following the GMCB decision, BMH CEO Christopher Dougherty went on an unexplained leave of absence. He had been in charge when a hiring freeze was implemented and six administrators were let go to help contain costs.

Dr. Elizabeth McLarney and Dr. Tony Blofson were recently named as acting co-CEOs.

"They are respected physicians, dedicated leaders, and trusted members of our community who have over 50 years combined experience at BMH," Learey wrote. "Their steady presence and deep understanding of our communitys needs have made the transition seamless to date and the Board has full confidence in their leadership."

Learey said she thinks many issues are affecting hospitals.

"I think the state is figuring out what are payment mechanisms going forward," she said in the interview. "Everything is going in the wrong direction. How do we change course? I think that's part of the opportunity here."

Plans also involve learning "how to operate in an uncertain environment" and innovatively, Learey said. She called Mobile Integrated Health, a partnership with Rescue Inc., "a great program that other people want to replicate around the state."

"As hard as things are," she said, "there are opportunities in the challenge."

Unsure which factor carries the biggest effect on the current state of finances, Learey noted the need to balance accounts receivable with charity care to collect as much revenue as possible. Keeping track of all the variables at play will be another focus moving forward.

"Our commitment to this community is strong and unwavering," McLarney said in a video posted on social media.

BMH is adapting and innovating to provide the highest quality of care to the community and ensure the hospital stays "a strong, independent and trustworthy part of this community," Blofson said in the video.

"We're in this with you and we're here to stay," McLarney added.

Updates are anticipated to be shared as work progresses, according to a news release issued Wednesday.

"Hospital leadership acknowledges that this is a period of change and understands that patients, staff, and residents have questions," the news release states, adding that BMH is "committed to open communication" throughout the process.

BMH "indicated they are preparing a corrected FY26 budget submission," said Kristen LaJeunesse, communication and information officer for GMCB.

"Once a corrected filing is received, GMCB staff will review it for completeness and post it to our website," LaJeunesse said. "If warranted, the Board will then determine next steps in the review process."
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BRATTLEBORO  After hearing from disappointed residents about the discontinuation of leaf pickup due to municipal budget constraints, Select Board members Amanda Ellis-Thurber and Oscar Heller are taking matters into their own hands.

They've organized a community leaf collection for Saturday, Nov. 1, and expect to have a second pickup later on.

Ellis-Thurber said Heller, vice chairman of the board, reached out about trying to get the project rolling.

"We are organizing a team of volunteers with trucks to pick up the leaves and bring them to the Windham Solid Waste District on Nov. 1," Ellis-Thurber said in an interview Thursday.

Volunteers will meet at the parking lot at Brattleboro Union High School at 8 a.m. Nov. 1. They can sign up on the "Leaf Brigade" page on Heller's website at oscarheller.com/leaf-brigade.

Residents can sign up to have their leaves collected in bags. Volunteers are needed for pickup and sharing trucks.

"We feel strongly that this is not taking financial resources from the town," Ellis-Thurber said, as the Department of Public Works and Brattleboro's trash hauler Casella are not involved in the effort.

Ellis-Thurber suggested the project may end up being so fun that it becomes "the new normal" and will help save the town money. She and Heller are "doers," she said.

"It's not just talking," she said. "It's doing. It's in our actions more than our words."

Brattleboro budget cuts mean no leaf pickup this year BRATTLEBORO  Due to budget constraints, there will be no leaf pickup this year, announced T

Town Manager John Potter previously said the discontinuation of fall leaf collection was "part of a whole slew of service reductions."

The fall leaf collection was scheduled for Nov. 3 and 7 and Dec. 8 and 12, but in late May, during a special Representative Town Meeting, the budget was cut in response to concerns over a projected 12 to 14 percent increase. Ultimately, the increase landed at about 9 percent.

While curbside collection will no longer be available, the Town encourages the community to explore alternative, environmentally friendly methods for managing their fall leaves, states information on the towns website.

Seth Thomas, town communications coordinator, posted information on other options for leaf disposal at brattleboro.gov/blog/tag/Leaf%20Collection.
Migratory birds gather in migratory bird habitats across China's Heilongjiang and move southward

Xinhua) 09:29, October 23, 2025

A drone photo taken on Oct. 22, 2025 shows oriental white storks resting at a wetland along the Songhua River in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. At present, a large number of migratory birds have gathered in various migratory bird habitats across the province and moved southward. (Photo by Geng Xiqing/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Oct. 22, 2025 shows oriental white storks at a wetland along the Songhua River in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. At present, a large number of migratory birds have gathered in various migratory bird habitats across the province and moved southward. (Photo by Qu Yubao/Xinhua)

A drone photo taken on Oct. 22, 2025 shows oriental white storks resting at a wetland along the Songhua River in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. At present, a large number of migratory birds have gathered in various migratory bird habitats across the province and moved southward. (Photo by Qu Yubao/Xinhua)

A drone photo taken on Oct. 22, 2025 shows oriental white storks resting at a wetland along the Songhua River in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. At present, a large number of migratory birds have gathered in various migratory bird habitats across the province and moved southward. (Photo by Geng Xiqing/Xinhua)

A drone photo taken on Oct. 22, 2025 shows migratory birds at Naoli River national natural reserve in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. At present, a large number of migratory birds have gathered in various migratory bird habitats across the province and moved southward. (Photo by Sheng Jingli/Xinhua)

A drone photo taken on Oct. 22, 2025 shows migratory birds at Naoli River national natural reserve in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. At present, a large number of migratory birds have gathered in various migratory bird habitats across the province and moved southward. (Photo by Sheng Jingli/Xinhua)

A drone photo taken on Oct. 22, 2025 shows migratory birds at Naoli River national natural reserve in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. At present, a large number of migratory birds have gathered in various migratory bird habitats across the province and moved southward. (Photo by Sheng Jingli/Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The new Laos-China railway is hiring more security guards at train stations after a rise in thefts of electrical cables, bolts and other equipment along the route, two employees of a private security company told Radio Free Asia.

The cables and bolts are sold to scrap metal businesses by people looking for an easy way to raise cash, a villager who lives close to the railway told RFA.

Its widely believed that many of the thieves are addicted to drugs, the villager said. But even with extra security guards and soldiers watching the rail line and station, the thieves still find a way, he said.

I always hear from a village chief that it is prohibited for people  especially teenagers  to hangout near the Laos-China railway, he said.

Last year, police arrested 71 people along the railway route on theft charges  an increase from the 52 arrests made in 2022, authorities said.

A cargo train makes its way down the Laos-China railway in Vang Vieng district, Vientiane province, September 2023. (RFA)

The US$6 billion railway connecting Vientiane with Kunming in Chinas Yunnan province opened in December 2021. It passes through 10 stations in Laos  including the major tourist draw of Luang Prabang  and was aimed at boosting the economy through tourism, freight transport and agriculture trade.

Some villagers have benefited from economic development along the route, but the project has been criticized for displacing several thousand farmers from their land.

Diligent team players needed

The thefts have created a demand for more security guards at each station, a security service company employee said.

Our employees are deployed in each railway station and it seems like there is a high need to have more guards in each of the stations, the employee said.

Another security service employee said they are actively seeking applicants and plan to send the new recruits to each of the 10 stations.

An empty stretch of the Laos-China railway is seen in Vang Vieng district, Vientiane province, September 2023. (RFA)

Guards will be expected to work either 4 p.m. to midnight or from midnight until 8 a.m., a railway worker at Boten station near the Chinese border said.

It doesnt require a high education background, the railway worker said. Anyone applying for the security job just needs to be diligent and have no problems working in a team.

Additionally, scrap metal operators are being more careful about what they purchase for fear they also could face criminal charges or heavy fines, the operator of a scrap metal business told RFA. Its illegal to buy scrap metal that has been stolen from state-owned entities or properties.

Attempts to contact the Department of Railway Police and the Ministry of Public Security to ask for more details on the thefts were unsuccessful.

Translated by Phouvong. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster.
UPDATED at 5:36 P.M. ET on 02-26-2024

At least 300 Tibetans protested in Sichuan province on Wednesday against the building of a hydropower dam that would displace residents of two villages and six monasteries, Tibetans with knowledge of the situation told Radio Free Asia.

The demonstrators gathered outside the Dege County Town Hall in Kardze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture to demand that local authorities halt construction of the 1,100-megawatt Gangtuo Dam on the Drichu River.

Such protests  video of which was obtained by Radio Free Asia  are rare in China, particularly among Tibetans, due to strict controls on public gatherings and extensive surveillance through the widespread use of technology to monitor activity and communication.

Halt the dam project, protesters can be heard shouting in the video, as Chinese county officials told protesters they have no say in the matter and urged them to stop shouting.

The massive project is expected to force an unknown number of Tibetans in the upper district of Wangbuding township near the river to relocate, said two sources, one of whom lives inside Tibet, while the other lives in exile. They spoke to RFA on condition of anonymity, citing safety concerns.

The Drichu River, called the Jinsha River in Chinese, runs through more than 10 provinces in Tibetan-inhabited areas and China. It is located on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, one of the most important waterways in China and the third-longest river in the world.

Long-term plan

Some of Chinas largest hydropower projects have been built on rivers that originate in the Tibet Autonomous Region and extend into Tibetan-populated areas of Chinese provinces. Tibetan activists argue that they disrupt natural flows of water and silt that are vital for making farmland fertile, play havoc with local ecosystems, and displace nearby residents.

The Chinese government has been planning for the past decade to dam the Drichu River near Wangbuding in Dege County with the aim of building a large hydroelectric plant, said the Tibetan living in exile. Now the project has formally begun, which means that both the villages and six monasteries in the upper district of Wangbuding area will have to be relocated.

Dege County Police did not immediately respond to RFAs request for comment.

In Tibet, there are many Tibetan villages and towns along the Drichu River, but the Chinese government, without paying any heed to the local peoples needs or to the environmental hazards, has built several dams already and they plan to build many more, said Zamlha Tempa Gyaltsen, deputy director of the Tibet Policy Institute, the Tibetan government-in-exiles policy and research arm.

This is further proof of their complete lack of concern for the welfare and environment of Tibet, he said.

Following the protests, Chinese authorities increased security measures and have been trying to identify protest organizers and participants, two sources inside Tibet said.

china-tibet-hydropower-dam Aerial view of Yebatan Hydropower Station under construction in Tibet Autonomous Region on March 29, 2023. (Wang Lei, China News Service via Getty Images)

Construction on another dam project on the Drichu River for the Yebatan hydropower station, which will be the largest hydroelectric dam on the rivers upper reaches, began in December 2016. Like the Gangtuo Dam, the project is part of Chinas 1 reservoir, 13 hydropower-station complex project on the Drichu River.

So far, workers have completed building more than 100 meters (328 feet) of the maximum dam height of 217 meters (712 feet), Chinas state-controlled Global Times reported in December 2023.

The entire project is expected to be completed in 2026.

Translated and edited by Tenzin Pema for RFA Tibetan. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster.

The story was updated to add the name of the Gangtuo Dam and to correct the amount of megawatts of electricity it will produce, and to specify that the Yebatan hydropower station is another part of Chinas 1 reservoir, 13 hydropower-station complex project on the Drichu River.
Ballet was his life -- before the war. Now Sergeant Oleksandr Dushakov is a soldier -- a scout in a Ukrainian National Guard unit currently deployed near the war zone in eastern Ukraine.

I was a ballet dancer. Well, I remain one formally. Ive been doing it since childhood, and its the family business, Dushakov told RFE/RL in an interview in a forest clearing not far from Kupyansk, a Kharkiv region city that is under pressure from Russian forces as Moscows full-scale invasion nears the four-year mark.

My grandparents danced. My mother would also have danced, but she had poor eyesight, and at that time there were no contact lenses, so she became an accompanistAnd she is a ballet dancer. My wife is a ballerina. And my daughter is already a ballerina, said Dushakov.

The 41-year-old is one of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians from a wide range of professions and walks of life who have volunteered to join the military since Russian forces poured across the border and the existing dividing line in the eastern Donbas region before dawn on February 24, 2022.

He was in Paris that morning for a performance, having just arrived the day before  and was up all night worrying about his family back in Kyiv: I remember their first text messages. It was very scary, because watching the war from a distance is much worse.

'I Couldnt Just Sit There'

Dushakovs wife and daughter later left for Vilnius, and he returned to Kyiv in March, as Ukrainian forces were beginning to drive Russian troops back away from the outskirts of the capital - upending Putins expectations of a quick victory and setting the stage for a protracted war.

Dushakov first went to an enlistment office, where they wrote down my details and said they would call me back. But they never called me back, he said. I couldnt just sit there - I started volunteering, clearing up debris after attacks. Soon the theater reopened, and I returned to my profession -- as a dancer for the Kyiv Municipal Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre for Children and Youth.

But he also joined one of the civilian Territorial Defense Units established after the start of the invasion  and by the spring of 2023 he made the switch to the military, joining a National Guard unit based near an area where I had been picking mushrooms all my life.

I had several training courses, and in the fall our brigade went into combat in a forest along the border between the Luhansk and Donetsk regions in the Donbas, he told RFE/RL. I spent nine months there.

'The Power Of Adrenaline'

The first weeks and months were hard for Dushakov, who had never carried a gun before the full-scale invasion -- a tough period of adaptation at the front for a fighter who had never fought. But he drew courage from the forest, he said, something he has adored since childhood.

At moments of psychological decline, when it seemed that everything was over, it was the forest that supported me, he said. I perceived it as a being, as something living. It told me when to go, when not to go, where to go, where not to go. And the proof of that is the fact that I am still alive.

Asked whether his training as ballet dancer has helped him in the war, Dushakovs answer was unequivocal: Of course.

Coordination, the ability to turn on the right amount of strength when needed. And another very important point - as an artist, I know the power of adrenaline, he said. Because when you go on stage in a part where you are very nervous - the adrenaline switches on.

He also chalks up his survival to good military training - which can be hard to come by in Ukraines overstretched armed forces, in part because many soldiers with the experience and qualifications to train have been killed or are fighting at the front -- and good fortune.

I was lucky that I survived the first week, two weeks, three weeks, he said.

Some of his comrades have not been so lucky.

Dushakov did not give details about deaths or injuries in his unit, and Kyiv does not publicize its casualty figures. But the Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated in June that between 60,000 and 100,000 Ukrainian military personnel had been killed since February 2022.

'Strong, Beautiful People Die'

Dushakov suggested that, to some degree, he has become inured to the deaths of those around him, and that he is not comfortable with this development.

There are people who take it very hard, and there are people who make you angry because they dont care at all, he told RFE/RL. Personally, at some point I felt like that switch was flipped, which made me feel embarrassed.

Of course, it is a tragedy that strong, beautiful people die, he said. But part of me has already resigned myself to the fact that this is war, and in war people kill. And no one is immune to that.

Dushakov would like to return to his ballet career when the war is over, but hes not holding his breath, he said, because I do not see the finish line.

When I joined the army, we all lived in the hope that the war would end soon. But the more time passes, the more I understand that this is an equation with many unknowns. And I am already of an age at which in my profession you can retire, he said.

I have been in ballet since childhood. Its in my blood, he added. But some more time will pass, and the army will already be in my blood.

Written by Steve Gutterman based on reporting by Yehor Lohinov of RFE/RLs Donbas. Realities.
Tens of thousands of people marched in Budapest on October 23 in rival political rallies to mark the anniversary of the 1956 uprising against the communist government that was violently put down by Soviet troops.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban led what he called a peace march, stressing his opposition to military support for Ukraine, while his main challenger, Peter Magyar of the Tisza Party, led a competing protest.

In an address to the crowd in front of parliament, Orban reiterated his opposition to EU military aid for Ukraine as well as potential EU and NATO membership for the country.

"The war is blocking the growth of the European and Hungarian economies, Orban said.

The prime minister told tens of thousands of supporters that Hungarians who believe they are supporting a change of government "are in fact supporting war, whether they realize it or not."

Orban is seen as Moscow's closest ally within the European Union, but some of his supporters say his stance simply advances Hungarian interests. Orban had hoped to host a US-Russia summit in Budapest to discuss the war in Ukraine, but US President Donald Trump said on October 22 that he canceled the meeting for the time being.

Orban, 62, has served four consecutive terms as prime minister since 2010, but faces declining popularity ahead of elections due to take place next spring. He is trailing Magyar in most polls.

Supporters of Magyar's Tisza party turned out in high numbers for the opposition rally calling for political change.

Magyar, 44, has been campaigning against what he calls a "corrupt" political elite and has attacked what he said was a dangerous consolidation of power under Orban.

Magyar accused Orban of rebuilding the one-party state he had helped dismantle in 1989 during the country's democratic transition.

"The politician who once demanded the withdrawal of Russian troops is now the Kremlin's most loyal ally," Magyar told supporters.

"[The politician] who once said that democracy and communism were incompatible has himself built a system that concentrates power, supervises and controls the press, and rules his home country with fear," he added.

Babett Herczeg, who attended the rally, said it was the first time she had participated in such an event.

I felt that the time has come when everyone has to get up from their armchairs and show that we need to change the system, Herczeg told RFE/RL.

Some opposition demonstrators compared the 1956 crackdown in Hungary to the current war in Ukraine.

What does this sign mean to you today? an RFE/RL reporter asked Peter Lakits, who was holding a sign reading Russians Go Home.

Well, unfortunately, one thing we have learned from history is that we have learned nothing from history, Lakits replied.

Lakits said there are parallels between Ukraines fight for freedom and Hungarys fight for freedom.

Sometimes the tanks that crushed freedom in Budapest are the very same ones that are now crushing freedom in Ukraine, Lakits said.

As the Tisza party gains momentum, Magyar has vowed to combat corruption and strengthen Hungary's ties within the European Union and NATO.
Few noticed when earlier this month city authorities in the Kazakh capital, Astana, quietly replaced a memorial plaque honoring the victims of the deadly famine that ravaged the country in the 1930s.

The original inscription referred to the tragedy as a Holodomor, a term that implies a man-made famine and genocide.

The new plaque in Astana, however, uses the Russian word, golod, meaning famine, a more neutral term that removes the connotation of responsibility.

While the move raised few eyebrows at the time, it has started to catch the attention of many and put the spotlight on a long-standing debate over the famine, which killed at least 1.5 million people -- roughly one-third of Kazakhstans population --marking one of the darkest chapters in the Central Asian nations history.

Over the years, many Kazakh historians, politicians, and activists have called on their government to recognize the famine as a genocide orchestrated by Soviet leader Josef Stalins regime.

But, keen to avoid upsetting Russia -- a close ally and major trading partner -- Kazakhstan has so far resisted such calls.

The word Holodomor itself originates from Ukrainian -- combining holod (hunger) and mor (death or plague) -- and is commonly understood to mean death by hunger or deliberate starvation.

Ukrainians interpret it as denoting a policy of extermination carried out during the 193233 famine in Soviet Ukraine, which is now known internationally as the Holodomor.

Unlike Ukraine, which in 2006 officially labeled its Holodomor a deliberate act of extermination by Moscow, Kazakh leaders have consistently described their country's famine as the tragic result of misguided Soviet policies rather than an intentional crime against the Kazakh nation.

Now, however, the politics of remembrance embedded in that single word are reverberating in Kazakhstan.

Officials in Astana have offered little explanation for their decision to replace the original plaque. The city administration told RFE/RL in a written response to questions on the matter that the word was changed to ensure bilingual consistency. Kazakh is the country's "state language," while Russian has the status of an "official language."

The change of wording has sparked a backlash on social media, with many crying foul.

One Facebook user, Dastan Abdyrakhmanuly, called it a distortion of Kazakh history and an attempt to conceal the political nature of the tragedy inflicted on the people.

Abdyrakhmanuly and many other Kazakh social-media users have demanded that the word Holodomor be restored.

A Taboo Subject In Soviet Times

In the late 1920s, the Soviet government began forcibly implementing a policy of collectivization for the agriculture sector across the Soviet Union.

In Kazakhstan, the campaign aimed to permanently settle Kazakhs, a nomad nation, and force them onto collective farms. It also involved the mass requisition of livestock -- the main livelihood of the nomads.

By late 1930, drought, disease, and starvation had spread across the Kazakh steppe, killing more than a million people and forcing hundreds of thousands to leave the country.

Historians estimate that by 1933, somewherebetween 1.5 million and more than 2 million people had perished in Kazakhstan during the mass starvation, part of a broader Soviet famine that also affected Ukraine and several regions of Russia. But the subject remained taboo during Soviet times.

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Only after gaining independence in 1991 did Kazakhstan begin to openly discuss the Stalin-era famine, locally known as the Asharshylyq. For the first time, it was included in Kazakhstans history textbooks.

In 1992, a commission was set up to study the famine at the state level, using newly opened archives. The commission labeled the 1930s famine an ethnocide, a deliberate crime aimed at eradicating an ethnic group.

This was an early attempt in Kazakhstan to define the famine politically and legally as genocide. But, sensitive to Moscow, the newly independent country decided to postpone a formal political assessment.

As the legal successor to the Soviet Union, Russia has strongly opposed such interpretations and refuses to accept any accusations of genocide.

'It Shouldnt Be Politicized'

The Kazakh government still avoids ascribing political motives to the famine.

In 2021, President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev said that these dark pages of our history remain insufficiently studied.

We should approach this complex issue with restraint and responsibility. Research should be conducted scientifically, without slogans or sensationalism, he said.

Toqaevs comments echoed those of his predecessor, Nursultan Nazarbaev, who told the nation in 2012 that it must be prudent when discussing the famine. It should not be politicized."

Berikbol Dukeyev, a Kazakh scholar, who has published research on the famine, argues that Nazarbaev was mindful of potential harm to Astanas close ties with Moscow as well as resentment among Kazakhstans sizeable ethnic Russian minorities that make up some 15 percent of the population.

But over the years, historians and politicians have continued to call for a fair political evaluation. Among them is lawmaker Berik Dyusembinov, who in 2020 publicly urged the government to follow Ukraines example and recognize the famine as an act of genocide.

The Foreign Ministry should start the process of gaining international recognition of the famine in Kazakhstan as genocide through the United Nations, the US Congress, the European Parliament, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, he told the Kazakh parliament, saying the country owes justice to the famines victims.

Five years on, there has still been no concrete answer or action from the authorities, Dyusembinov told RFE/RL earlier this month.

Kazakhstan marks a Remembrance Day for Victims of Political Repressions and Famine on May 31.

Written by Farangis Najibullah, based on reporting by RFE/RL Kazakh Service correspondent Manshuk Asautai
Russian oil has been a prime cash source for the Kremlin's war in Ukraine. So will the newly announced US sanctions against Russian energy giants LUKoil and Rosneft have an effect on Vladimir Putin's war chest? US President Donald Trump, announcing his first set of sanctions on Russia since his reelection, says both companies' US assets will be frozen. Also, American companies will be barred from doing business with them and foreign financial institutions will also be targeted. Does that mean major Russian oil importers like India will also feel the bite?
Western countries have ratcheted up pressure on Moscow with sanctions announcements in Washington and Brussels targeting the oil and gas sectors that are key to financing Russia's nearly four-year long full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

"These are very big -- against their two big oil companies," said US President Donald Trump at the White House, referring to sanctions, which he also called "tremendous," against Rosneft and LUKoil.

The European Union followed suit on October 23, agreeing to a "tightened transaction ban on two Russian oil majors," meaning Rosneft and Gazpromneft, a subsidiary of the state-controlled Russian gas giant Gazprom. It has also targeted Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) and restricted the movements of Russian diplomats within the EU.

Last week, Britain also sanctioned Rosneft and LUKoil.

The measures follow fast-moving US-led diplomatic moves to bring about a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine.

On October 16, Trump announced that he would soon be meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest, but on October 22 he abruptly announced that the summit was off and sanctions were on.

"Every time I speak with Vladimir, I have good conversations, and then they don't go anywhere," he said. "It didnt feel like we were going to get to the place we have to get,

'Now Is The Time To Stop The Killing'

The move marks another shift for Trump, who has resisted putting more pressure on Russia in hopes that Putin would agree to end the fighting.

But his patience appeared to have run out after the plans for Budapest collapsed, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov saying on October 21 that Moscow rejected Trump's proposal to freeze the front lines.

Putin denounced US sanctions on October 23 as an "unfriendly" attempt to put pressure on Russia, adding that "no self-respecting country ever does anything under pressure."

He also claimed that such a move would rapidly increase prices, including in the United States, though it would not significantly affect Russia's economic well-being, causing only "some losses."

Putin also vowed to continue his dialogue with Trump, adding that he prioritizes it over "any disputes, and especially war."

In addition, the Russian president warned that his country's response to possible Ukrainian attacks using US-made long-range Tomahawk missiles -- deliveries of which have not not yet been approved by the White House -- would force a "very strong, if not overwhelming" response.

China also condemned the sanctions, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun saying they had "no basis in international law." Guo also urged Brussels to "stop making an issue out of China" after two Chinese oil refineries were added to the EU sanctions list.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that Putin had not come to the table in an honest and forthright manner, as we'd hoped."

"Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire, Bessent said in a statement announcing the sanctions. Given President Putins refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russias two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlins war machine. Treasury is prepared to take further action if necessary to support President Trumps effort to end yet another war. We encourage our allies to join us in and adhere to these sanctions.

Europe's New Measures

As well as targeting major oil companies, the EU has sanctioned 117 vessels in Russia's shadow fleet, used for sanctions evasion. This means a ban on port access, and restrictions of ship-to-ship oil transfers and reinsurance. The move is a significant enlargement of the blacklist, which now includes 558 ships.

The LNG import ban will be phased in. Short-term contracts will end within six months, long-term contracts as of January 1, 2027.

Restrictions on the movements of Russian diplomats mean that they will have to get permission from their host country and the country they wish to travel to, rather than just traveling freely as they have done up till now.

Any diplomat ignoring this and simply driving across Schengen Area borders, for example, risks being declared persona non grata.

These are just some of the new measures announced.

"We just adopted our 19th sanctions package. It targets Russian banks, crypto exchanges, entities in India and China, among others. The EU is curbing Russian diplomats movements to counter the attempts of destabilization. It is increasingly harder for Putin to fund this war," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas wrote on social media.

"We waited for this," said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, adding that Washington had sent "a good signal to other countries in the world to join the sanctions."

Zelenskyy, who was in Brussels for the EU summit, welcomed the EU leaders' decision to explore options for funding Ukraine for two more years -- including the potential loan using frozen Russian assets.



"The European Union assured that financial assistance to Ukraine will be maintained," Zelenskyy said on X. "We have secured political support with regard to frozen Russian assets and their maximum use to defend against Russian aggression. The European Commission will work out all the necessary details."

European leaders pledged to cover Ukraine's financial needs in 2026 and 2027, European Council President Antonio Costa told a news conference after the summit. The leaders left it to the European Commission to work out options of how to provide that financing to Kyiv, Costa said.

"We have asked the commission to put forward options as soon as possible so that Ukraine has the resources it needs to continue defending itself and fight for a just and lasting peace in 2026 and 2027, if it's necessary," Costa said.

"Russia should take good note of this. Ukraine will have the financial resources it needs to defend itself against Russia's aggression and in the foreseeable future, Costa said. The technical, legal and financial aspects of Europe's support need to be worked on, and we will return to this issue in the December European Council."

Zelenskyy's visit to Washington last week was largely inconclusive, failing to achieve declared aims of securing additional US military firepower, such as Tomahawk missiles or more Patriot air defense systems.

Speaking at a press conference, on October 23, Zelenskyy said he did not consider his third White House visit this year to have been unsuccessful, citing a series of subsequent events, including Trump's decision to cancel his meeting with Putin and impose additional sanctions.

However, Zelenskyy rejected the idea of land swaps as "not acceptable," adding that he viewed the cease-fire as a first step toward ending the war.

The idea was reportedly discussed in his meeting with Trump last week, though it resulted in both leaders supporting a halt along the current front line, which divides Ukraine's eastern, southern, and northern territories along its nearly 2,000-kilometer border with Russia.

Zelenskyy's visit to the United States was followed by increased Russian air assaults -- including a strike on a kindergarten in Kharkiv -- in eastern Ukraine on October 22 that killed five adults and two children.

The attacks continued overnight on October 22-23, injuring seven people in Kyiv. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said another kindergarten was hit in the strikes, which also caused fires in three residential buildings, set cars on fire, and left debris near a synagogue.

In the Donetsk region, two journalists were killed by a Russian drone attack in the eastern city of Kramatorsk.

Ukrainian Journalists Killed In Russian Drone Attack by RFE/RL No media source currently available 0:00 0:00:27 0:00

The reporters, whose deaths were confirmed by their employer, Ukraine's state-funded Freedom television channel, said the pair were at a gas station when the incoming drone hit.

"This tragedy is yet another example of Russias systematic war crimes against civilians," human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets wrote on social media.

Russia has consistently denied that its forces have targeted civilians during the war in Ukraine, despite mounting evidence to the contrary.
China rolls out measures to boost inbound consumption

People's Daily Online) 10:53, October 23, 2025

China will select 15 pilot cities this year to receive targeted central government funding for their efforts to optimize the consumption environment, according to a recent policy notice issued by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Commerce.

The existing international consumption center cities  Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Tianjin and Chongqing  will be a major focus of support. The five cities already play a major role in driving consumption, boast strong growth potential, and attract large numbers of international visitors.

In 2024, spending by international travelers in China accounted for approximately 0.5 percent of the country's GDP, compared with between 1 percent and 3 percent in major economies. This shows that inbound consumption still has enormous room to grow in China.

Customs officers check "refund-upon-purchase" goods at Wenjindu port in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, April 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

According to data from the Ministry of Commerce, as of July this year, the five international consumption center cities together accounted for more than one-eighth of China's total retail sales of consumer goods. They hosted one-quarter of all national demonstration pedestrian streets, about one-third of China's time-honored brands, over half of the country's total consumer goods imports, and roughly 70 percent of sales achieved under the departure tax refund policy.

Beyond the five cities, officials will also select other cities with strong consumer appeal, growth potential and significant foreign visitor numbers. Each of the five international consumption center cities will receive 200 million yuan ($28.1 million) in central government funding, while other selected cities will receive 100 million yuan each.

To further enrich the supply of high-quality goods and services for consumption, the notice calls for the development of a reasonable number of shopping hubs, shopping districts, and landmark projects.

To optimize international payment services, measures will be implemented to expand point-of-sale (POS) payment coverage in key venues, establish additional foreign currency exchange outlets, and encourage merchants to maintain sufficient cash reserves.

Other efforts include enhancing multilingual services, providing convenient amenities such as luggage storage, setting up information desks for international tourists, offering volunteer services in multiple languages, and more.

Many international tourists still depend on cash or credit cards, which can be inconvenient in China, where mobile payments have become mainstream. Enhancing payment options for foreign visitors is crucial to nurturing an internationalized consumption environment.

Two key indicators will be used to assess the pilot program's performance: the number of new POS terminals that accept foreign bank cards and the number of new foreign currency exchange outlets.

Amid the surge in inbound tourism, an increasing number of international tourists are visiting the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River in Yichang, central China's Hubei Province. From January to August this year, the city welcomed 290,000 international visitors and earned 900 million yuan in tourism revenue, up 33 percent and 35 percent year on year, respectively.

To make travel and consumption easier, Yichang has rolled out several measures. More than 70 multilingual signs have been installed along major roads, and over 260 POS terminals accepting foreign bank cards are now in place citywide.

Beyond upgrading infrastructure, efforts are also underway to enhance the "soft environment." Authorities are leveraging themes such as intellectual property, the digital economy, green development, smart technology and Guochao, a trend that blends modern design with traditional Chinese culture. These themes are shaping rich and integrated consumption experiences. Improved policies and infrastructure make shopping more convenient and comfortable. Training programs also help staff expand their skills and improve service.

Expanding the number of stores that offer tax refunds for foreign visitors in China enhances access to high-quality goods and services. In April this year, the country introduced a package of measures to further optimize the departure tax refund policy. Since then, the number of tax refund stores catering to foreign visitors has surpassed 1,400 in both Beijing and Shanghai and exceeded 500 in Guangzhou, boosting sales under the departure tax refund policy by 94.6 percent in the first half of the year.

Over the past four years, the five international consumption center cities have introduced 12,000 first stores for both Chinese and international brands, drawing numerous global brands to open their first stores, debut new products and host inaugural exhibitions.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Germany-based publishing house highlights growing collaboration with China Pub Date:25-10-23 10:12 Source:Xinhua At the just-concluded 77th Frankfurt Book Fair, an executive at a Germany-based publishing house praised deepening collaboration with China. Editor:Qin Shuying

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Yevhenii Petrovich Trush, 20, arrived in the country hoping to start a new life with his Venezuelan partner after being forced to leave his home due to Russias invasion of Ukraine

Text in which the author defends ideas and reaches conclusions based on his / her interpretation of facts and data

His name is Yevhenii Petrovich Trush. He is 20 years old, fled the war in Ukraine, was studying chemistry at university, and has been forcibly disappeared since Venezuelan authorities detained him on October 20, 2024.

Yevhenii is missing, but not forgotten: the family waiting for him in Venezuela is tirelessly searching for him and demanding his release without delay. He had arrived in the country hoping to start a new life with his Venezuelan partner, after being forced to leave his home due to Russias invasion of Ukraine. His partners mother and family welcomed him as one of their own and waited for him with open arms. A year later, they are still waiting for him.

As is increasingly the case in Venezuela  a country where crimes against humanity have been committed since at least 2014  authorities arbitrarily detain those they believe may serve a political purpose and then deny their detention, or conceal their fate and whereabouts. This is what international human rights law defines as a forced disappearance, and it can last for days, weeks, or, as in Yevheniis case, a year or more.

Yevhenii suffers from Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). On the day of his disappearance, he was attempting to seek asylum at the Atanasio Girardot International Bridge on the border with Colombia when he was intercepted by agents from the Administrative Service of Identification, Migration, and Foreigners (SAIME) and agents from the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (DGCIM). Nothing has been heard from him since.

Members of the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (DGCIM), in September 2025. @dgcimoficial

According to his mother-in-law, since November 2, 2024, the family has been searching for Yevhenii at prisons where people are typically detained for political reasons, such as the headquarters of the DGCIM located in Boleita (Caracas), the headquarters of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN), and other national prisons, including Rodeo I. All of these facilities have denied holding Yevhenii. None of the legal remedies filed have yielded information about his fate and whereabouts.

Yevhenii is Ukrainian and, like almost all foreigners detained in Venezuela, is denied his right to consular assistance. Like him, there are citizens of Colombia, such as Danner Barajas; of France, like Camilo Castro; and Spaniards, like Jose Maria Basoa and Andres Martinez, among other nationalities, who have been victims of forced disappearance, arbitrary detention, denial of consular assistance, and countless other human rights violations.

Yevhenii is in a particularly vulnerable situation. Ukraine is resisting a Russian invasion and, furthermore, lacks consular representation in Venezuela. Although his mother-in-law contacted other embassies in the country, she received no support.

Neither Yevhenii nor the other detained foreigners are casualties or isolated victims, but rather are among the thousands of victims  the vast majority of whom are Venezuelan  of the Maduro governments policy of repression, which seeks to silence dissent, even using foreigners as diplomatic leverage.

While Yevhenii has been subjected to enforced disappearance for a year, more than 830 people are unjustly detained in the country, according to the Venezuelan NGO Foro Penal. This is a huge figure that cannot be normalized or relativized. The human rights crisis in the country not only persists but is worsening.

Crimes against humanity continue to be committed in Venezuela today. Meanwhile, the eyes of the world are on the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, anxiously awaiting decisive steps toward justice for the victims.

States with the ability to do so must redouble their efforts to protect detainees and secure their immediate release. The time to take action for them is today, not tomorrow. Yevhenii should be home now.

Clara del Campo is in charge of campaigns for South America at Amnesty International America.

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Warlike rhetoric and geopolitical tensions are taking on a new dimension in Venezuela. Nicolas Maduro warned Wednesday that the National Bolivarian Armed Forces have more than 5,000 Igla-S missiles in their anti-aircraft defense systems, as part of the equipment with which Caracas is confronting the U.S. military threat. Washington has maintained a naval deployment in the Caribbean for the past two months, which Chavismo has interpreted as a maneuver to force a change of government in Venezuela, although the White House maintains that it is part of its fight against drug trafficking.

Any military force in the world knows the power of the Igla-S. Venezuela has no fewer than 5,000 of them in key anti-aircraft defense positions to guarantee peace, stability, and tranquility, Maduro said in a television appearance. Whoever understands, understands. The Chavista leader noted that Venezuela also has simulation equipment that puts thousands of Igla-S operators in a position of good aim, and that these are deployed even on the last mountain, in the last town, and in the last city in the national territory. Venezuela must be an impregnable homeland, Maduro stated. Let no one mess with Venezuela, because we dont mess with anyone.

The Igla-S is a portable anti-aircraft defense system designed to shoot down airplanes, helicopters, and drones at low altitude. The missile has already been used in military exercises ordered by Maduro in response to the U.S. deployment. On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump said that if he decides to extend his anti-drug trafficking operations to land, he will notify Congress because it is a national security issue. On the same day, the U.S. military destroyed two more alleged drug-running boats in the Pacific, at least one of them off the Colombian coast. Attacks on Colombia are attacks on Venezuela, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello declared shortly afterward on his television program.

The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed the eighth attack against suspected drug boats, and the first in the Pacific, since Washington launched its anti-drug operation in the Caribbean in late August, which had mostly been staged near Venezuelan waters. Over the past two months, Venezuela has ramped up its military exercises, while Washington has also issued threats against the Chavista government. Caracas has deployed troops along the border and ordered maneuvers across the country. It has also called for the voluntary enlistment of civilians and provided tactical and weapons training to members of the militia.

These exercises are being broadcast on state media, creating a pre-conflict atmosphere. The increase in diplomatic tensions is occurring while the two countries are attempting to maintain deportation flights. According to the Maduro government, 15,000 Venezuelans have returned since February on 78 flights. This Wednesday, another plane landed at the Maiquetia airport carrying 208 migrants expelled from the United States. Chavismo remains on alert. This week, Maduro ordered the creation of a digital application for citizens to report suspicious activity or people as part of a national defense system. The Chavista leader has asked the population to report through this channel everything they see and hear, 24 hours a day.

With this measure, the regime is strengthening what it calls popular intelligence, a system of citizen surveillance that has been the basis of the security forces repressive policies against government opponents for many years. Maduro has signed a decree of external unrest, which entails the activation of extraordinary national security measures that would be triggered in the event of a direct attack.

Earlier this month, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez told Venezuelans to prepare for the worst, alluding to what he called a serious threat posed by Trump. Padrino listed the scenarios that could occur in the event of a direct U.S. attack on Venezuela: Aerial bombings that would cross the sky like lightning, naval blockades that would stifle commerce, stealthy commando raids in the jungle or on the beaches, swarms of drones, no-fly zones, surgical executions against leaders, and sabotage that would leave the country in darkness. To this end, military deployment has been intensified throughout the country.

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Croghan woman Eimear Bridie Browne is undertaking a mammoth trek over the Bank Holiday weekend with a deck chair in tow!

The novel event, taking place from Friday, October 24th to Monday, October 27th, is a one-of-a-kind adventure to raise funds for a long dreamed of community amenity area in Croghan.

The trek involves a 60km walk from Croghan to Rosses Point, a 60m swim and 60km cycle back to Croghan.

All interested in supporting the fundraiser are welcome to join for parts of the walk, cycle or swim.

At every stop, there will be music, laughter, and community spirit. Music stops along the route: Friday 24th at 9 p.m. in the Mayfly Inn, Ballinafad; Saturday 25th from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. in McDermott's, Castlebaldwin and in Connolly's Bar, Collooney from 9 p.m.; Sunday 26th at the Harp Tavern, Sligo from 9.30 p.m., and on Monday 27th, the homecoming session takes place at Croghan Bar from 6 p.m..

All funds raised go to the Croghan Community Projects Group with the aim of building a new amenity area - including a playground, walking paths, benches - behind the Old Creamery Cafe in the heart of the village.

Its a bit mad, laughs Eimear. But thats the magic of it. This trek is about fun, connection, and doing something wild together for a great cause.

"A shout-out, a visit, a share. Any support would mean the world. This trek is for everyone who believes community still matters, she says.

This is more than fundraising, says a group spokesperson. Its about pride, people, and proving that small places can dream big.

The Croghan crew is inviting all of Ireland to cheer Eimear on.

People can donate via the 'Deck Chair Trek' gofundme page.

You can follow her journey on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6fx77GzzKQ6DNuX80E or on The Old Creamery Cafe on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1LBLscRGMk/

Join in, donate, or simply spread the word using #DeckChairTrek
A visit to St. Annes National School in Castlerea earlier this morning by presidential candidate Catherine Connolly has lifted her spirits, she revealed.

In a message to the votes of County Roscommon Deputy Connolly said that it was fantastic to be in Castlerea and she thanked MEP Luke Ming Flanagan for arranging the visit.

The music, dance and the confidence of the children captures the spirit of Ireland, she said.

Asked whether she thought her election to the presidency was a done deal, she remarked that she was a democrat to her fingertips and it was up to the people of Ireland to decide.

Following her visit to the school she visited the nearby shop of the well known Tom Flynn

Earlier in a message to the people, Deputy Connolly urged voters to turn out in large numbers tomorrow, saying that the real power in this election lies not with government or party machines, but with the people themselves.

This is our chance to show that democracy in Ireland is alive and strong, Ms Connolly said.

When people come out to vote, when they make their voices heard, real change becomes possible. Thats what this campaign has been about from day one  giving people their voice back.

She added that those in power would prefer to see a low turnout - and that every vote cast tomorrow will send a powerful message.

Presidential candidate Catherine Connolly paid a visit to Tom Flynn's shop in Castlerea earlier today.

Theyd love nothing more than for people to stay at home, to shrug their shoulders and think their vote wont make a difference. But it will. Your vote is your power  and the only wasted vote is the one thats never cast.
By David Young and Rebecca Black, PA

Here are some of the key dates in the decades-long campaign for justice by the families of civilians killed by soldiers on Bloody Sunday in Derry.

 January 30th 1972

Members of the Parachute Regiment open fire on a crowd taking part in a civil rights march in Derry. 13 people are killed and 15 others injured.

 April 1972

An inquiry led by Lord Chief Justice Lord Widgery supports the soldiers version of events, that they were returning fire and acting in self defence. Bereaved families dismiss the report as a whitewash.

 February 1992

First meeting of the Bloody Sunday Justice Campaign.

 January 1994

The campaign writes to then-prime minister John Major seeking a full independent inquiry.

 February 1994

Mr Major refuses because there has already been a public inquiry by Lord Widgery.

The brothers of Bloody Sunday victim William McKinney, Mickey (left), John (centre) and Joe (right) arrive at Belfast Crown Court to await the verdict in the trial of Soldier F. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA.

 January 1997

A 40,000-signature petition calling for a new inquiry is delivered by the campaign to 10 Downing Street.

 January 1998

Then-prime minister Tony Blair announces a new inquiry, with Lord Saville of Newdigate appointed to chair the probe.

 2000  2004

The Saville Inquiry hears oral evidence. Proceedings take place in Derry and London after soldiers win a legal challenge to be allowed to give their evidence in England.

 June 2010

Lord Saville delivers his findings that there was no justification for shooting any of those killed or wounded. Then-prime minister David Cameron issues a public apology, saying the killings were unjustified and unjustifiable.

 July 2012

The Police Service of Northern Ireland formally launches a murder investigation into the events of Bloody Sunday.

 September-October 2018

The first Ministry of Defence compensation settlement in relation to Bloody Sunday victims is awarded.

 March 2019

The Northern Ireland Public Prosecution Service (PPS) announces that one former paratrooper, known as Soldier F, will be prosecuted for the murders of James Wray and William McKinney and the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick ODonnell. He is also charged with a further count of attempted murder of a person unknown.

The PPS also announces that 16 other former soldiers and two suspected ex-members of the Official IRA, all of whom were also investigated as part of the major police murder probe, will not face prosecution.

 April 2019

Veterans protests in support of Soldier F take place across the UK.

 September 2019

The case against Soldier F is heard in court for the first time at a sitting of Derry Magistrates Court. The veteran was not present in court for the short hearing.

 April 2021

The families of five of those killed announce that they will legally challenge the decision of the PPS not to prosecute five veterans. The families of Jackie Duddy, Michael Kelly, John Young, Michael McDaid and William McKinney are granted permission by the High Court to challenge decisions not to prosecute several other former members of the Parachute Regiment.

 July 2021

The PPS announces it is discontinuing the prosecution of Soldier F amid concerns that the case could collapse in light of a separate court ruling on the admissibility of evidence which caused the collapse of another Troubles murder trial involving two military veterans.

The McKinney family signal their intent to challenge the PPS decision on Solider F in the courts.

 September 2021

The various legal challenges against the PPS are heard together before three senior judges, including the original decisions not to prosecute five soldiers. Judgment is reserved.

Supporters of Soldier F (right) and family members of Bloody Sunday victims (left) arrive at Belfast Crown Court. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA.

 March 2022

The judges quash the PPS decision to discontinue the prosecution of Soldier F and order prosecutors to reconsider.

The other legal challenges against PPS decisions not to take prosecutions against several other veterans were dismissed by the court.

 September 2022

The PPS announces it is reactivating the case against Soldier F. A week later, discontinued court proceedings against the military veteran resume.

 December 2023

Soldier Fs case is sent to the Crown Court for trial.

 June 2024

Soldier F appears in court for the first time since the prosecution commenced. He sits in the witness box at Belfast Crown Court, with a thick floor-to-ceiling blue curtain shielding him from the main body of the court to protect his anonymity.

 December 2024

Soldier F pleads not guilty to each of the seven counts facing him as they were read to him during his arraignment inside Belfast Crown Court.

 September 15th 2025

The trial of Soldier F commences in what the bereaved families describe as a momentous day.

 October 23rd 2025

The former paratrooper is found not guilty of all charges at Belfast Crown Court.
BJP Ravi Shankar Prasad Slams Mahagathbandhan, Questions Rahul Gandhi's Absence and Calls Alliance Weak and Corrupt

Every party's symbol was there, but Rahul Gandhi's photo was missing. What kind of alliance is this? Prasad asked.

BJP Ravi Shankar Prasad Slams Mahagathbandhan, Questions Rahul Gandhis Absence Latest News: BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, addressing a press conference, questioned why Congress leader Rahul Gandhis photo was missing from the Mahagathbandhans press briefing, where RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav was announced as the alliances Chief Ministerial face.

Every partys symbol was there, but Rahul Gandhis photo was missing. What kind of alliance is this? Prasad asked.

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Taking a jibe at the opposition alliance, he added, There are 243 seats in Bihar, but the Mahagathbandhan is contesting on 255 seats. In the Gaura Bauram Assembly constituency, both the 'would-be' Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister are contesting. This shows how weak the alliance is.

Prasad further alleged that both Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav are tainted by corruption cases. Lalu Prasad Yadav has been convicted in four fodder scam cases, with a total sentence of 32.5 years, he said.

Commenting on Tejashwi Yadav, Prasad stated, Two orders have been issued by the Delhi High Court in the IRCTC hotels corruption case. The court observed that this is a serious case of corruption and fraud under Section 420 of the IPC, which carries a punishment of seven years. Tejashwi Yadav, you are an accused under Section 420.

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He cautioned the people of Bihar, saying, Their background is filled with corruption. None of their work happens without it. I am providing proof of this. The people of Bihar should be careful  those who promise 2.60 crore permanent jobs may end up ruining lives instead.

Earlier in the day, during the Mahagathbandhans press conference, Tejashwi Yadav promised that every family in Bihar would have at least one member employed in a government job.

BJP National Spokesperson Syed Zafar Islam also took a dig at the alliance, claiming, Rahul Gandhi wanted Tariq Anwar to be the CM face. In his view, Tejashwi Yadav is not fit for the post as he failed Class 9. Thats why he was reluctant to announce Tejashwis name. Todays announcement could have been made by Rahul Gandhi; Ashok Gehlot wasnt needed.

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Meanwhile, Bihar Congress chief Rajesh Ram said the announcement of Tejashwi Yadav as the CM face came at the right time. He added, Seat sharing is not an issue. All parties  Congress, RJD, and others  have released their respective lists.

Responding to BJPs criticism, Tejashwi Yadav said, We have vision, reason, and a blueprint. We have an undying passion and a new mindset to build a new Bihar. The BJP should first clarify who their CM face is. People of Bihar want change and development. Mukesh Sahani has been announced as the Deputy CM face, and others from different communities will also be included.

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi will soon launch their campaign in Bihar. We are planning 10-11 visits of Rahul Gandhi. Priyanka Gandhi will also campaign in the state. Preparations are underway, said Bihar Congress chief Rajesh Ram.

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"Being accused is one thing. Being convicted is another": Ashok Gehlot on BJP Ravi Shankar Prasad Accusations Against Yadavs

On BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad's statement, senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot says, "Being accused is one thing. Being convicted is another... When no one has been convicted, how can you predict the consequences in advance? No one accepts themselves as accused... They just boast during elections. They try to win by telling lies. Rajasthan is a prime example of this..."

(For more news apart from RBJP Ravi Shankar Prasad Slams Mahagathbandhan, Questions Rahul Gandhis Absence and Calls Alliance Weak and Corrupt" stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
Punjab Invites Odisha CM to Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji's 350th Martyrdom Commemoration

The martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji is a pivotal moment in India's history, epitomizing the defense of fundamental human values,

Punjab Invites Odisha CM to Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji's 350th Martyrdom Commemoration: Punjab has formally invited the Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi, to participate in the events commemorating the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the Ninth Sikh Guru, according to a Punjab government press release.

Punjabs Finance Minister, Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema, and Food and Supplies Minister, Lal Chand Kataruchak, paid a special visit to Bhubaneswar on Thursday to extend a formal invitation to Chief Minister Majhi for the grand events being organized in Punjab to mark the occasion.

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During the meeting held at the Odisha Chief Ministers office, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema outlined the scale and significance of the commemorative programs.

Advocate Cheema emphasized that the events are intended to serve as a national tribute to the Gurus unparalleled sacrifice for religious freedom and human rights, the press release stated.

The martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji is a pivotal moment in Indias history, epitomizing the defense of fundamental human values, Minister Cheema said.

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He added, The sacrifices of Hind Di Chadar (The Shield of Hind) represent a national legacy that transcends religious and regional boundaries. We are profoundly honoured to welcome Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to the commemoration of this historic anniversary.

Cabinet Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak also highlighted the importance of inter-state participation, saying, We received a warm reception from Chief Minister Majhi. The spirit of this visit is to underscore the unified tribute that the nation must pay to Guru Sahib. His message of courage, secularism, and universal brotherhood resonates strongly across all states, including the rich cultural landscape of Odisha.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed his deep respect for the sacrifice of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and acknowledged the significance of the 350th anniversary, the release said.

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The Punjab ministers also presented Chief Minister Majhi with a traditional memento and literature detailing the historical context of the commemoration, marking a moment of cultural and political exchange between the two states.

(For more news apart from Punjab Invites Odisha CM to Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji's 350th Martyrdom Commemoration stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
Seven Punjabi youths stranded in Tajikistan to return home safely : MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney

Sahney expressed gratitude to the Indian Embassy for its prompt and positive response.

Seven Punjabi youths stranded in Tajikistan to return home safely : MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney Latest News: Padma Shri Dr. Vikramjit Singh Sahney, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), has confirmed that seven Punjabi youths stranded near Dushanbe, Tajikistan, will be safely repatriated to India on Monday.

On October 19, the youths had released a video alleging that a fraudulent agent in India had deceived them and that their employers in the city of Rogun were mistreating them.

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Dr. Sahney stated that the safety and dignity of every Indian abroad is of utmost importance. He immediately raised the issue with the Indian Embassy in Tajikistan and coordinated efforts to ensure their safe return.

According to sources, Sahneys office maintained constant contact with the stranded youths and shared their Google locations and passport copies with the Indian Embassy in Tajikistan. He also wrote to the Indian Ambassador in Tajikistan, requesting urgent intervention, and personally offered to pay for their air tickets to expedite their return.

Sahney expressed gratitude to the Indian Embassy for its prompt and positive response. He said this timely action reflects Indias commitment to safeguarding its citizens abroad.

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Member of Parliament Sahney reiterated the need for strict action against fraudulent travel agents who lure young people with false promises of overseas employment. Under his humanitarian initiative 'Mission Hope', Dr. Sahney has successfully facilitated the return of over 150 Punjabis from countries including Oman, Libya, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.

(For more news apart from Bill Gates to Make a Special Appearance on 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2' with Smriti Irani on StarPlus stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
Editorial: How can we replace a smoky Diwali with a green Diwali

But from the first evening of Diwali in Delhi, the smoke level went from extremely bad to dangerous.

Editorial: How can we replace a smoky Diwali with a green Diwali: Diwali is considered a festival of consumption. The festive season, in fact, starts from Navratri and the business world is constantly trying to capitalize on it until Christmas, New Year and then Lohri. But Diwali is considered the peak of this season.

That is why the prosperity of the country is measured by the scale of sales during Diwali. This time, due to the extensive reduction in GST rates and some other reasons, the huge increase in the sale of expensive consumer goods (white goods) from Navratri to Diwali is being presented as an indicator of the health of the national economy.

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It is being said that during the last 25 days, the sale of big and small cars has increased by 50 percent compared to the same period last year. Satisfaction is also being expressed that the sales of small cars and motorcycles have also 'revived', which shows that the purchasing power of the lower middle class has also increased. Such indicators are welcome in themselves. But the reality is that this time Diwali has been noisier and more toxic in terms of environmental pollution.

There is no part of North India left whose air has not been polluted to a dangerous extent for humans and other living beings during the last two-three days. We, common citizens, are not only guilty for such a situation, the executive i.e. governments and the judiciary i.e. courts are also no less guilty. None of these three considered it appropriate to ensure steps to keep the festive fervor in mind. This is the regrettable aspect of this Diwali.

The Supreme Court had ordered to celebrate a green Diwali in the National Capital Territory of Delhi. This order was basically limited to the use of firecrackers. Firecracker manufacturers have been claiming on the basis of some scientific research that the use of certain types of bio-chemicals in firecrackers and fireworks reduces their toxicity to a great extent. This makes them harmless to health.

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But from the first evening of Diwali in Delhi, the smoke level went from extremely bad to dangerous. The careless use of firecrackers and fireworks made the smoke level so high that it became 70 times more toxic than the dangerous limit of smoke pollution for the human respiratory system.

When such toxicity persists for more than four days, how can it be considered a Green Diwali? It is obvious that what was sold or traded was not green. The Supreme Court on October 15 allowed the sale and purchase of green firecrackers in the National Capital Region, but while issuing such an order on the basis of a balance between tradition and science, it did not take into account the fact that the Centre or the states do not have the necessary personnel to use such green firecrackers and enforce other green rules.

Due to this approach with a gap between principle and practice, the orders of the apex court were flouted in Delhi as well as in the neighbouring states. The 712 cases of eye or hand burns in government hospitals in the National Capital Region alone show the extent to which Delhi remained indifferent to the orders of the Supreme Court.

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The same fate befell other cities in North India. An example of this is the 378 cases of burns of people, especially children, in the tri-city area of aaChandigarh-Mohali-Panchkula. The fact that 104 injured people underwent eye surgeries in a single night by government doctors is proof of the fact that the concept of a green Diwali has no significance in the eyes of the people nor for the government structure.

The political-social significance of traditions, religious sentiments or the compulsions of a market-driven economy cannot be ignored. But smoking a smoked fizzy drink to a life-threatening extent is criminal negligence.

The glory of Diwali should be preserved, but at the same time, measures to make it safe for our existence should also be thought of, designed and adopted on an emergency level. By doing so, the splendor of Diwali will only increase, not decrease.

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(For more news apart from Surge In Respiratory Illnesses, Pregnancy Complications Due To Pollution After Diwali In Kolkata stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
Mexico is once again seeking to defuse Donald Trumps tariff bomb with a new collaboration agreement on security, migration, and trade. Next week, the truce granted by the U.S. president on implementing a tariff increase from 25% to 30% on Mexican exports outside the USMCA expires. In the run-up to the end of this pause, both countries are preparing a series of commitments to curb migration, drug trafficking  particularly fentanyl  and the arrival of Asian imports to North America. The Ministry of Economy expects this new bilateral agreement to be finalized during the first week of November, at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, which will be held from October 31 to November 1 in South Korea. We have several meetings at APEC and we need to see what position President Trump will take [on tariffs]. After that, I can provide detailed information on what will happen, said Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard after participating in the Milken Institutes Global Investors Symposium in Mexico City.

Hours earlier, at the same forum, Undersecretary of Foreign Trade of the Economy Luis Rosendo Gutierrez expressed confidence in the negotiations with Washington. We believe we will reach a very successful conclusion in the first week of November. Agreements will be reached with Jamieson Greer (head of the Office of the United States Trade Representative) that reflect important advances in security, border, and trade competitiveness, Gutierrez stated.

Sources close to these working groups have confirmed to EL PAIS that bilateral discussions have included increased immigration surveillance along the Rio Grande and the imposition of more tariffs from Mexico on Asian products, primarily in key sectors such as automotive, telecommunications, and electronics. The options are still on the table, but they align with the main concerns dictated by Washington: blocking drug trafficking from Mexico, stemming illegal immigration on its southern border, and halting the arrival of some Asian imports. On the other hand, the Sheinbaum administration seeks to preserve and improve the so-called preferential treatment that the U.S. has granted thus far regarding tariffs imposed on other countries.

Ebrard commented along these same lines this week during his appearance in the Chamber of Deputies. In his opinion, tariff negotiations with Washington were 90% complete. The remaining 10% was the 50% sectoral tariff that still weighs on the Mexican steel industry. Mexico is seeking a discount on the tariff, as well as on the levy Washington is threatening on cargo trucks. Ebrard acknowledged that while fentanyl trafficking was initially the focus of discussions with his U.S. counterparts, the conversations have now shifted to how to ensure security in the regions supply chains.

Adding to this complex crossroads of agendas is the upcoming review of the USMCA, scheduled for July of next year. Trumps protectionist onslaught has cast doubt on the agreements longevity. The Republican has threatened to derail the agreement if it doesnt benefit his country. In the last tariff truce granted to Mexico, on July 31, the U.S. government committed its Mexican counterpart to reaching a new trade agreement within 90 days. Regarding the progress of this USMCA dialogue, Ebrard was optimistic. We already have these foundations of trust, of dialogue. We have common problems. Theres no way to compete with Asia if we dont have coordination between the three countries (Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.), the official stated.

From steel and aluminum to automobiles and tomatoes, Washington has dealt several trade blows to Mexican exports. Going against the grain and under pressure, Sheinbaums cabinet has held more than 80 meetings with Washington to try to negotiate these measures. To date, they have only achieved a few victories, such as tariff pauses and tariff reductions on foreign automobiles proportional to U.S. content.

Just days before the results of these negotiations between Mexico and the U.S. become clear, Trumps protectionist wall has placed the Mexican economy in a latent state of uncertainty. Mexican exports to the U.S. remain stable, totaling more than $309 billion in the first seven months of the year; however, manufacturing and construction activities have slowed their momentum. Although the Sheinbaum administration still forecasts GDP growth of at least 1.8% in 2025, the consensus among analysts and multinational organizations points to an increase of less than 1%. More than 80% of Mexican exports are destined for the U.S. market, and any change in the direction of this river of resources has far-reaching repercussions for the Mexican economy.

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October 23, 2025

A roundup of local and world news

Newsflash

Newsroom, 23.10.2025, 13:55

COUNCIL President Nicusor Dan represents Romania at the European Council in Brussels. The main topics are the situation in Ukraine, the Middle East, European security and defense, EU competitiveness, access to housing, migration, and the Republic of Moldova. Also in Brussels, Nicusor Dan takes part in an extended Euro Summit, which looks at the economic situation in the European Union, with an emphasis on the Economic and Monetary Union and the digital euro. On Wednesday, the Romanian official took part in a working dinner organised by the president of the European Council, Antonio Costa, with the president of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, on the sidelines of the EU-Egypt institutional summit.

SANCTIONS This morning the EU Council approved its 19th set of sanctions against Russia. The set includes, among other things, bans on imports of Russian liquefied gas. The movements of Russian diplomats within the EU are also restricted. The sanctions were adopted a day after the US President Donald Trump announced a tightening of US sanctions against Russia. They target the largest Russian oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil. These are the first sanctions introduced by Washington since Donald Trump returned to the White House. The US president also canceled the summit with his counterpart Vladimir Putin, which was supposed to take place in Budapest, after Moscow refused a ceasefire in Ukraine along the front line.

ELECTION The government of Romania in todays meeting passed a draft resolution setting the date of the partial local elections for mayor of Bucharest, for chairman of the Buzau County Council and for mayors in 12 other electoral districts. The calendar of these elections was also approved. Recently, the parties in the ruling coalition agreed that the elections for mayor of Bucharest should take place on December 7. The post has been vacant since the election of Nicusor Dan as president of Romania. Under the Romanian law, mayors and heads of county councils are elected in a single round.

MOLDOVA The president of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, invited today and tomorrow the parliamentary parties and groups in the new Legislative Assembly in Chisinau to consultations to appoint a new prime minister. On Wednesday, in an address before the MPs elected on September 28, Maia Sandu emphasised that the Moldova needs unity and devotion, now more than ever. Also yesterday, Igor Grosu, the leader of the pro-European Action and Solidarity Party, which won the legislative elections, was re-elected as Speaker of the Parliament. He announced that the main goal of the current legislature is for Moldova to sign the EU accession treaty by 2028.

ECONOMY The European Commission has approved the final draft of Romanias National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNNR), worth a total of EUR 21.4 billion. In the initial draft, the plan amounted to EUR 28.5 billion. The decision marks the end of the renegotiation process of the PNRR, which is now realistic, supports the economy and local communities, PM Ilie Bolojan said. According to him, the money will go towards investments in infrastructure, hospitals, digitisation, green energy and streamlining the administration. (AMP)
October 23, 2025 UPDATE

A roundup of local and international news.

October 23, 2025 UPDATE

Newsroom, 23.10.2025, 19:48

EU. Its important to press ahead with the implementation of security and defence projects in close cooperation with the European Union and NATO, said Romanias president Nicusor Dan on Thursday in Brussels, where he attended a meeting of the European Council. The main subjects discussed were the situation in Ukraine and the Middle East, European security and defence, EU competitiveness, access to housing, migration and the Republic of Moldova. Also in Brussels, Nicusor Dan attended the Euro summit in extended format, where talks focused on the economic situation in the European Union, with an emphasis on the Economic and Monetary Union and digital euro. On Wednesday, the Romanian president took part in a working dinner held by the president of the European Council, Antonio Costa, together with the president of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, on the sidelines of the EU-Egypt institutional summit.

Sanctions. The EU Council approved on Thursday morning its 19th set of sanctions against Russia. The set includes, among other things, bans on imports of Russian liquefied gas. The movements of Russian diplomats within the EU are also restricted. The sanctions were adopted a day after the US President Donald Trump announced a tightening of US sanctions against Russia. They target the largest Russian oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil. These are the first sanctions introduced by Washington since Donald Trump returned to the White House. The US president also canceled the summit with his counterpart Vladimir Putin, which was supposed to take place in Budapest, after Moscow refused a ceasefire in Ukraine along the front line.

By-election. The government of Romania passed a draft resolution on Thursday setting the date of the by-election for mayor of Bucharest, the president of the Buzau County Council and mayors of 12 other electoral districts. The calendar of these elections was also approved. Recently, the parties in the ruling coalition agreed that the elections for mayor of Bucharest should take place on December 7. The post has been vacant since the election of Nicusor Dan as president of Romania. Under the Romanian law, mayors and heads of county councils are elected in a single round.

Moldova. The president of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, has invited the parliamentary parties and groups in the new Legislative Assembly in Chisinau to consultations to appoint a new prime minister. On Wednesday, in an address before the MPs elected on September 28, Maia Sandu emphasised that Moldova needs unity and dedication, now more than ever. Also on Wednesday, Igor Grosu, the leader of the pro-European Action and Solidarity Party, which won the legislative elections, was re-elected as Speaker of Parliament. He announced that the main goal of the current Parliament is for Moldova to sign the EU accession treaty by 2028.

Economy. The European Commission has approved the final draft of Romanias National Recovery and Resilience Plan, worth a total of 21.4 billion euros. In the initial draft, the plan amounted to 28.5 billion euros. The decision marks the end of the Plans renegotiation process, which is now realistic, supports the economy and local communities, prime minister Ilie Bolojan said. He added that the money will go towards investments in infrastructure, hospitals, digitisation, green energy and streamlining the administration.
Rachel Duran and her son, Elijah Velazco, a kindergartener, examined a Just Right Reader literacy pack following an event Tuesday, Oct. 22, at Placitas Elementary School. Kevin Opsahl

Terri Hunt, an employees with the Texas-based company Just Right Reader, shows families a portion of a literacy pack that children will take from school to home to improve their reading proficiency. Hunt explained to families how literacy packs working during an event Tuesday, Oct. 22, at Placitas Elementary School. Kevin Opsahl

Rachel Duran and her son, Elijah Velazco, a kindergartener, read one of the books from the Just Right Reader literacy pack during an event Tuesday, Oct. 22, at Placitas Elementary School. Kevin Opsahl

PLACITAS  Bernalillo Public Schools is partnering with a Texas-based company that provides customized backpacks to elementary school-age students which will help them boost their reading proficiency.

Take-Everywhere Literacy Packs from Just Right Reader will be provided to K-3 students, according to a company news release. Company and BPS representatives were on hand at Placitas Elementary School Tuesday to explain to families how the packs work.

I love the idea of it. Parents really want to do the right thing, but they just dont always know how or what to do, the schools principal, Rachel Lopez, said. This (literacy pack) kind of takes that question out of it. When parents get these books, they dont have to question: Is this the right level for my (child)?

The meeting came following the New Mexico Public Education Departments recent release of this years statewide assessment scores, showing BPS jumped from 19% to 33% in its literacy scores over a three-year period.

JoAnn Beuerle, communications coordinator for the school district, acknowledged the scores in an email explaining how the literacy packs fit in to BPSs literacy curriculum.

We also recognize that continued improvement requires consistent practice beyond the classroom. Just Right Reader offered a way to extend our literacy work into students homes  giving families access to engaging, developmentally appropriate decodable texts that reinforce what teachers are already doing in class, Beuerle wrote. The partnership complements, rather than replaces, our districts literacy initiatives by strengthening the home-to-school connection.

BPS learned about Just Right Reader through literacy networks and professional partnerships focused on early reading proficiency, Beuerle wrote. After learning more about the programs alignment with the districts literacy goals, BPS reached out to explore how it could support our local efforts.

The partnership is dubbed as a one-year pilot program so BPS can evaluate its effectiveness before continuing with the company.

The Take-Everywhere Literacy Packs, as the name suggests, are small enough for students to bring to school and take home. Each package contains decodable books and guidance for families on how to support reading at home. The book selections are specific to each student, based on student assessment data the district has for them.

During Tuesdays meeting, Terri Hunt, director of impact and learning at Just Right Reader, explained the purpose of the books by likening them to Morse code.

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The English language is a code, and if we break down the code and make sure our kids know the code, then they can read it, Hunt said.  A lot of us dont know the code, and so we have to learn the code from the beginning.

The fun and engaging books will change in reading skill level so that students knowledge of reading grows and they become more confident, she said.

Hunt explained that the packs containing 10 books will be delivered to certain Bernalillo schools.

(The school) is looking at the (assessment) data and saying, These are the books that this student needs, Hunt said.

The students will open the packs in class together before teachers begin reading instruction.

Theyre going to be working in small groups to truly understand whats in this book and how to read the book, Hunt said.

By Thanksgiving, students will bring the first set of books home in a special book bag. The books contain a QR code, which provides a link to an instructional video.

Families are expected to engage in a discussion following reading the books and watching videos.

We want (students) to talk about the story, Hunt said. Thats it! Can you do that? Thats pretty easy, right?

BPS parent Rachel Duran said that she was not familiar with Just Right Reader materials before the meeting, but she is confident it will help her kindergarten-age son.

I think it will be good that I can set aside time with Elijah and we can do something together that will ultimately help him with reading  and he will be engaged in a family activity, Duran said.
SANTA FE  Rio Rancho and Bernalillo public school elementary and middle school students made steady gains in reading and math statewide assessment scores over the last several years, but results varied in science, according to new data released by the New Mexico Department of Education.

The agency released the data, covering four different tests across grade levels 3 through 11, in a news release last week.

Officials from both school districts noted the trends and sounded positive notes about how their students will fare going forward.

"I'm very optimistic, both in the district and, now, even as a state, where we're headed," BPS Superintendent Matt Montano said. "The answer to each of the areas of growth is a consistent expectation across the board."

Wyndham Kemsley, executive director of communications for Rio Rancho Public Schools, said in a prepared statement that the district is "encouraged" by the positive gains in assessment results while adding that officials "appreciate the hard work and dedication of our teachers, staff and students who made these improvements possible."

The assessments, administered between mid-March and the end of April each year, reflect scores from four different tests.

NM Measures of Student Success and Achievement (MSSA) evaluates English and math proficiency for students in grades 3-8. The SAT School Day assessment from the College Board evaluates students in grade 11. The NM Assessment of Science Readiness (NM-ASR) evaluates science proficiency for students in grades five, eight and 11.

English language arts

In the news release, PED said almost half of the state's students are reading at grade level, with reading proficiency reaching 44% this year, a 10-point increase since 2022.

Montano touted his students' scores on the subject, where BPS saw a 14% increase (19% to 33%) in English language arts proficiency over the last three years.

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The superintendent added, however, he would like the score to be higher even as his tenure saw the double-digit increase in proficiency.

"I have optimism we're going to grow at a faster pace in the future because it's taken us a few years to put some systems in place (and) create the instructional integrity and the support mechanisms we need for our teachers," Montano said. "We have some great teachers out there that, with the right structures and supports, are going to start pushing the needle forward for our students."

Rio Rancho Public Schools' reading proficiency increased from 45% in 2022 to 53.85% in 2025, according to PED data.

Happy Miller, executive director of research, assessment, data and accountability for RRPS, wrote that student achievement cannot be attributed to one factor. But for reading, she credited it to "systemic professional learning in structured literacy" for teachers and "greater familiarity with relatively new English Language Arts instructional materials."

The PED cited several Rio Rancho schools for achieving the highest growth in proficiency this year. Among schools with more than 800 students, Rio Rancho High School saw 57.7% of students proficient in literacy  a 9.3% change over one year  while 25% of them were proficient in math, a 7% change, in one year. Among schools with 400-800 students, Sandia Vista Elementary School saw 48% of students proficient in math, a 9.4% increase over the same time period.

Among schools with 100-400 students, WD Carroll Elementary School in Bernalillo saw a 13.4% increase over last year in students who were proficient in math.

Math

RPPS's proficiency rate in mathematics decreased slightly, from 37% in 2022 to 34.47% in 2025.

Meanwhile, BPS saw an increase in proficiency from 8% to 13.55% over the same period.

Montano attributed the gain to high-quality instructional materials, professional development for teachers, and leadership that is providing feedback to them.

"The reason why we're getting these areas of growth is because there's consistency around the expectations for principals and teachers," the superintendent said. "The more we do it, the better we get."

Among math and reading scores in his district, Montano said he was concerned the Bernalillo Elementary School was "relatively flat" in proficiency for both subjects while Bernalillo High School saw decreases.

"Those are areas of concern," the superintendent said, but nevertheless, "I am optimistic because we have many people on both campuses that are very eager to implement the things that have worked in other schools."

Science

RRPS's proficiency rate in science decreased slightly from 54.7% to 52.5%.

For BPS, science proficiency increased from 15% to 19% over three years, with growth seen across all major student groups.

Montano attributed this gain, in part, to implementing science, technology, engineering and math labs in elementary school.

"Our kids are getting STEM all year long, and not just during the testing year," he said.

For middle and high school, Montano attributed the assessment increases to "high-quality instructional materials."

"We have a ton of work in front of us, but I think being able to show a trajectory of growth over a period of time should tell us we should be optimistic about where we're headed," Montano said.

For RRPS, Kemsley sounded a similar note that there is more work to be done.

"Our commitment remains focused on ensuring that every student achieves at the highest level, and we will continue to build on these results through targeted support, high-quality instruction, and continuous improvement across all schools," Kemsley wrote.
The U.S. Central Command opened a Civil-Military Coordination Center in Israel, marking the formal establishment of a main coordination hub for Gaza assistance five days after world leaders signed a U.S.-brokered plan to permanently end the war between Israel and Hamas.

The CMCC is designed to support stabilization efforts. U.S. military personnel will not deploy into Gaza but will instead help facilitate the flow of humanitarian, logistical, and security assistance from international counterparts into Gaza.

"Bringing together stakeholders who share the goal of successful stabilization in Gaza is essential for a peaceful transition," said Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command. "Over the next two weeks, U.S. personnel will integrate representatives from partner nations, non-governmental organizations, international institutions, and the private sector as they arrive to the coordination center."

The CMCC will also monitor implementation of the ceasefire agreement, featuring an operations floor that allows staff to assess real-time developments in Gaza.

Approximately 200 U.S. service members with expertise in transportation, planning, security, logistics, and engineering established the CMCC under the leadership of Lt. Gen. Patrick Frank, commander of U.S. Army Central.

"The team worked tirelessly to build the CMCC from the ground up," said Cooper. "They can take great pride in knowing that they have built something that is critical to enabling the transition to civilian governance in Gaza."

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he will visit the Civilian-Military Coordination Center

He arrived in Israel Wednesday for a four-day visit to support the successful implementation of President Trump's Comprehensive Plan to End the Conflict in Gaza.

Rubio said the State Department will be assigning some career-experienced personnel to help coordinate these efforts. "It's important, and particularly over the next couple weeks, that we keep the ceasefire together. The Vice President is there now, and he'll be returning tomorrow and has great reports on the progress made. But there's more work to be done, and we know that. So the first couple weeks are going to be key," he told reporters.

"And then the work will begin of sort of building out the permanent process of the - going to the UN potentially and getting the international mandate, building the international defense security forces. So there's a lot of work to be done, but we certainly wanted to make sure that we were there and ensuring that we had the right people in place at the coordination center, which is key to holding this all together".

Rubio will then travel to Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, and Gyeongju October 26-30 to advance peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region, including at the ASEAN Summits and related meetings, and at Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Week.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Political News
Oil prices jumped more than 5 percent on Thursday, rising for a third consecutive session on fears of tightened global supply.

Benchmark Brent crude futures soared 5.1 percent to $65.79 a barrel in European trade, while WTI crude futures were up 5.2 percent at $61.56.

Supply concerns resurfaced as U.S. President Donald Trump imposed Ukraine-related sanctions on Russia for the first time in his second term.

Trump slapped "tremendous" new sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies in a bid to pressure his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, into ending the war in Ukraine.

"Treasury will continue to use its authorities in support of a peace process," according to an official statement from the U.S. Treasury.

In another related development, EU countries today formally adopted a 19th package of sanctions against Russia for its war against Ukraine that includes a ban on Russian liquefied natural gas imports.

"It's a significant package that targets main Russian revenue streams through new energy, financial, and trade measures," the Danish rotating presidency of the EU said.

The new sanctions against Russian crude are expected to reduce global crude supply, offsetting market concerns about an oil glut.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Market Analysis
In response to Russia's lack of serious commitment to a peace process to end the war in Ukraine, the United States has imposed sanctions on two major Russian oil companies.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control said it is targeting Russia's two largest oil companies - Open Joint Stock Company Rosneft Oil Company and Lukoil OAO - to increase pressure on Russia's energy sector and degrade the Kremlin's ability to raise revenue for its war machine and support its weakened .

"Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire," said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. "Given President Putin's refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russia's two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlin's war machine. Treasury is prepared to take further action if necessary to support President Trump's effort to end yet another war. We encourage our allies to join us in and adhere to these sanctions."

The Treasury said the United States will continue to advocate for a peaceful resolution to the war, and a permanent peace depends entirely on Russia's willingness to negotiate in good faith.

US President Donald Trump had scheduled a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest this week to discuss ways to agree on a ceasefire in Russia's war against Ukraine, but canceled it Tuesday saying, "Every time I speak to Vladimir, I have good conversations and then they don't go anywhere." "I just felt it was time. We waited a long time," he said regarding the latest round of US sanctions targeting Russian oil.

Wednesday's actions increase pressure on Russia's energy sector and degrade the Kremlin's ability to raise revenue for its war machine and support its weakened economy.

Rosneft is a vertically integrated energy company specializing in the exploration, extraction, production, refining, transport, and sale of petroleum, natural gas, and petroleum products. Lukoil engages in the exploration, production, refining, marketing, and distribution of oil and gas in Russia and internationally.

Additionally, OFAC is designating a number of Russia-based Rosneft and Lukoil subsidiaries. "All entities owned 50 percent or more, directly or indirectly, by Rosneft and Lukoil are blocked pursuant to E.O. 14024, even if not designated by OFAC," the Treasury said in a press release.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency, or EASA, has published its first annual report on the implementation of the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation. The report provides a comprehensive overview of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) uptake across the EU in 2024 and assesses the market's readiness to meet upcoming obligations under the Regulation.

According to the findings, implementation of ReFuelEU Aviation has already stimulated increased SAF production capacity within the EU. This positive trend confirms that the EU is on track to meet the overall mandatory SAF blending target in 2030, which is 6 percent.

The report confirms that almost all SAF used in 2024 was bio fuel, produced from used cooking oil and waste animal fats. This shows that the development of synthetic fuels remains in its early stages in the EU. The SAF market also remains concentrated: 25 fuel suppliers provided SAF to 33 EU airports across 12 Member States. However, airports in five Member States - France, Germany, The Netherlands, Spain, and Sweden - accounted for 99% of supply.

The European Commission said it is currently preparing a Sustainable Transport Investment Plan, designed to boost investments in renewable and low-carbon transport fuels, including SAF.

European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas said: "The EU is making steady progress in adopting sustainable aviation fuels, and the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation is already helping to increase SAF production and use across Member States. Our focus now is on supporting the industry and Member States to ensure a smooth and fair transition to cleaner aviation fuels."

For the next annual report, the data from 2025 will be used to assess whether ReFuelEU's first blending mandate, the obligation to supply at least 2 percent of total aviation fuel as SAF in EU airports, has been met.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
The cancellation of the summit between the Russian and American leaders demonstrates that Moscow is trying to buy time. Washington wants an agreement at all costs, even by overriding Kyivs interests

No one wants the war in Ukraine to last 100 years, said renowned American political scientist George Friedman at a conference in Kyiv on October 16. But the protagonists are racing at different speeds to end it. Speeds that are incompatible.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has demonstrated that he has the upper hand in the diplomatic arena. The postponement of the summit that U.S. President Donald Trump announced with Putin in Budapest for this October is the latest example of Russias strategy: to bog down negotiations and maintain a long-term conflict that is primarily about attrition on the battlefield.

Trumps strategy is to end the conflict at all costs and claim credit for what he considers to be the ninth war  according to his personal count  in which he has successfully intervened as a mediator. But the Kremlin made it clear that the possible meeting in Hungary requires more preparatory work. The Republican admitted Tuesday that his rush to stage the summit had clashed with Moscows maximalist proposals, and that he, too, does not want a useless meeting. The U.S. leader confirmed Thursday that he was canceling the summit but hopes to hold it in the future.

The White Houses expected preparatory meeting this week between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was also postponed. Lavrov reiterated Tuesday that Russia is not in favor of a ceasefire because it would not bring lasting peace and because it would leave a vast part of Ukraine under the control of a Nazi regime. Kremlin propaganda portrays Ukraine as a country controlled by a neo-fascist elite. Russias constitution unilaterally included the Ukrainian provinces of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia as part of its federation in 2022. It illegally annexed the Crimean peninsula in 2014.

Trumps interests have not only clashed with Putins, but also with those of Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskiy. The Republican has demonstrated that any option that aims to end the war as quickly as possible is valid, whether it favors Moscows position (that Ukraine surrender sovereignty over the occupied territories) or Kyivs (that an unconditional ceasefire be declared before any negotiations).

Last Friday, Trump pressured Zelenskiy at the White House to agree to negotiate the distribution of territories. That same day, the leaders of the major European powers came to Ukraines aid in public statements. The European stance materialized this Tuesday in a statement in which the major EU states and the United Kingdom asked Trump to support the need to freeze the front lines with a ceasefire before Ukraine and Russia sit down to negotiate peace: We strongly support President Trumps position that the fighting should stop immediately, and that the current line of contact should be the starting point of negotiations, the statement said.

European alignment with Kyiv will be reaffirmed this Thursday in Brussels, where Zelenskiy will participate in the European Council meeting, and on Friday, at a summit of Ukraines military allies in London.

An engine with less horsepower

Zelenskiy is aware that the Ukrainian military engine has less horsepower than Moscows; that is, fewer resources to fight. Thats why hes been repeating for months that the war should be halted before the end of the year. The Armed Forces of Ukraine have heroically managed to limit the Russian advance, but that advance continues. The Ukrainian arms industry has increased its production almost tenfold during the war, as Volodymyr Vlasiuk, an economist and government advisor, explained to a group of journalists last week. But this is not enough to resist, which is why European and American support is essential, especially with more technologically advanced weapons and anti-aircraft systems.

The problem is that this assistance is faltering, especially due to Trumps policy of cutting off all military aid to Ukraine unless it is first purchased by NATO allies. This has meant that monthly arms transfers to the Ukrainian army have fallen by 43% compared to the first half of the year. The White House also refuses to provide Kyiv with long-range Tomahawk missiles, arguing that it would be an unnecessary escalation of tensions with Moscow.

Something similar happened last August when Trump received Putin with full honors in Alaska, convinced that the summit would be a decisive step toward peace. At that meeting, the Russian autocrat managed to halt U.S. plans to impose new sanctions on the Russian economy, promised Trump bilateral trade agreements, and reset the clock on ending the war.

This Washington appeasement strategy is incompatible with Ukraines position, which believes peace is only possible if it is given much stronger defense guarantees than those obtained so far, such as the Tomahawk missiles. One of Trumps campaign promises in the 2024 presidential election was to end aid to Kyiv, considering it wasteful.

Sanctions against Russia

In Trumps unpredictable logic of abruptly moving closer to or further away from one side or the other, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced Wednesday night that the White House would impose new sanctions against Russia, the first under the Republican presidency. Trump, in an appearance alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, confirmed that his administration, after months of waiting, will finally introduce sanctions against the Russian oil industry, the main source of income for the Kremlins war machine. Every time I speak to Vladimir, I have good conversations and then they dont go anywhere, Trump explained.

I hope Putin will be reasonable. Hopefully, Zelenskiy will be reasonable, too. You know, it takes two to tango, as they say, Trump added. These two people hate each other.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov insisted Wednesday that Putin wants to hold the summit with Trump in Hungary, but that the meeting requires more time to prepare. Peskov asserted that both Kyiv and European powers are trying to interfere with the U.S. position to derail the meeting.

I have serious doubts that the Budapest meeting will actually take place, as it would not bring us any closer to peace, Oleksandr Merezhko, chairman of the Ukrainian parliaments foreign affairs committee, told the Telegraf newspaper. Putin will never accept the possibility of a ceasefire because it gives Ukraine a chance to survive and develop. He will only accept our capitulation.

Despite Kyivs desire for Trump to distance himself from Putin, prominent Ukrainian analysts also assume that a new summit between the Russian and American leaders will eventually occur. My intuition tells me that Trumps next meeting with Putin will take place, either in Budapest or somewhere else, Volodymyr Gorbach, director of the Institute for the Transformation of North Eurasia, wrote in an analysis on Tuesday. Putin understands and feels that Trump needs him much more than he needs Trump. That is why he negotiates, bargains, dodges him again and again, and, just by doing this, he is buying time.

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We are fulfilling our obligations and commitments, says PM Pedro Sanchez, underscoring the missions that Madrid contributes to. Spain will now join the PURL (Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List) program coordinated by NATO

Spain is joining the joint purchases of U.S. military equipment by NATO countries for shipment to Ukraine. The decision was confirmed by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez upon arriving at the meeting of the European Council this Thursday in Brussels. This is a proposal that NATO launched a few weeks ago. I had the opportunity to speak with President Zelenskiy [] and I informed him that we were going to join this program, the Spanish leader stated in response to questions from the media.

His response contained an implicit rebuttal of the reiterated criticisms and threats from U.S. President Donald Trump for not committing to spending 5% of GDP on the defense budget: Spain is a country committed to the Atlantic Alliance, Sanchez stressed.

In the past week, Trump, both in response to questions from the press and on his own initiative, has criticized Spain on three occasions. Spain is not a team player, he lashed out this Wednesday at a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House. The American president is deeply bothered by the Spanish governments resistance to spend the equivalent of 5% of GDP on defense, a commitment reached by NATO partners at the last summit in June in The Hague. At that meeting, Spain signed the agreement reached by the Allies, but first obtained a written commitment from Rutte to try to meet its targets with 2.1% spending, a figure that Spain considers sufficient to cover all its NATO obligations.

And it is this last commitment that Sanchez clings to when he repeatedly states that Spain is a reliable partner. We are fulfilling our obligations and commitments, especially on what was agreed upon regarding capabilities, the Socialist leader added. This summer, NATO estimated that the Spanish government was spending 2% of GDP on defense.

Spain insists that contributions to the Atlantic Alliance (of which it has been a member since 1982) should be measured not only by investment in defense but also by other factors, such as contributions to missions and operations. Spain participates in several extremely important missions, for example, in the Baltic countries, which are particularly sensitive to the threat posed by Russia, and in Slovakia. Spain also participates in missions in Turkey (where it has also deployed a Patriot anti-missile battery), Romania and Iraq.

Furthermore, as first reported by this newspaper, Spain will join the PURL (Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List) program coordinated by NATO to address Ukraines demands to fight the Russian invasion.

The plan was launched last August, following President Trumps refusal to continue supplying weapons to Ukraine free of charge, as his predecessor, Joe Biden, had done. That decision marked a change in the Wests approach to supporting Kiyv and has depleted Ukrainian arsenals. But Ukraine still needs defense equipment from Washington, so a group of European allies agreed to finance the purchases.

During August, four packages of U.S. weapons (including Patriot anti-aircraft missiles and Himars long-range rockets) worth around $2 billion were prepared and financed by Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Other nations have since joined the plan, including now also Spain, which, in addition, under its own bilateral agreement with Ukraine, already supplies military equipment worth $1 billion a year, although this is domestically produced.

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The crisis in bilateral relations between the United States and Colombia shows no signs of abating. Although Gustavo Petro, the loquacious Colombian president, maintained an eloquent silence, his American counterpart, Donald Trump, raised the already high tone of his attacks against a man he has most recently described as a thug and a bad guy, after accusing him of being a drug trafficking leader over the weekend. He did so on Wednesday in the Oval Office, during a press conference following his meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Theyre doing very poorly, Colombia. They make cocaine, he added, without providing evidence of the Colombian presidents alleged criminal involvement. Today we suspended all payments to Colombia. He better watch it or well take very serious action against him and his country.

Trumps words, however, this time came after the events. Late this morning, Secretary of Defense (now relabeled Secretary of War) Pete Hegseth had announced a new extrajudicial attack, the eighth, against a suspected drug boat. It brought two novelties: it was the first time the Trump administration acknowledged that one of these operations had taken place off the Colombian coast, and, unlike the previous ones, the military killed the two crew members while they were sailing in the Pacific Ocean, the route for most of the drugs that reach the United States by sea, and not in the Caribbean, where an ongoing military deployment has been interpreted as pressure on Venezuela.

A few hours later, the same official revealed a second attack in the Pacific, in which he did not mention Colombia this time, but he did resort to the same narrative: calling the victims narco-terrorists and comparing them to members of Al Qaeda. We will find them and kill them until the threat to the American people is extinguished, he said.

The U.S. president always justifies these attacks by virtue of a war on drugs that he himself declared in early September, based on a 1970s law that gives the president authority to do so, although it had never been used before against drug trafficking organizations. On Wednesday, he also repeated something he has said in recent weeks: that the campaign is ready to continue by land. It was unclear whether he was referring only to Venezuela, where, according to his administration, all the drug vessels so far have originated, or whether the threat also includes Colombia.

Regarding the new offensive in the Pacific, Petro has said that these are murders and are part of a strategy that breaks the norms of international law. In response to Trumps attack on Wednesday, he simply said he will pursue legal action in the United States for what he called slander. If he has exchanged attacks with anyone, it hasnt been with the U.S. president but rather other Republican politicians, such as Florida Representative Carlos Gimenez. Insults always indicate the size of the brain; the more insults, the less brains, the Colombian president responded to a message in which the congressman of Cuban descent called Petro a clown.

Petro has instead chosen to argue that his government has acted effectively against drug trafficking. He insists that cocaine seizures have been the highest in history and, in response to the claim that this figure simply reflects an increase in production, criticized the source of that data. It is the annual report of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which, according to the president, has erred in its projections. The agency has officially responded that it recognizes that data related to potential cocaine production is limited and that it will work to include a new indicator in its future studies, the amount of cocaine available on the market, to better reflect factors such as seizures.

The Colombian Interior Minister has argued that the American president is misinformed about Petros government, echoing Petros own criticism of the UN report. The restraint of these responses contrasts with the presidents resounding criticism of previous U.S. attacks, the war on drugs, and Trumps position on Israel and Palestine. A month ago, he combined all these accusations in his speech before the United Nations General Assembly. They say the missiles in the Caribbean were to stop drugs. Thats a lie; they were simply poor young people from Latin America, he said at the time. Three days later, in New York, he called on U.S. soldiers to disobey orders when it came to supporting Israels military offensive in Gaza. Washington responded by revoking his visa and calling the Colombians statements reckless and inflammatory.

Attack on a vessel in the Caribbean, September 19, 2025.

In February, Washington added several Mexican cartels and the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua criminal group to the State Departments list of terrorist organizations. Four years earlier, with Biden in the White House, the two main branches of the many dissident groups of the defunct FARC guerrilla group, the so-called Central General Staff and the Second Marquetalia, were added to the list. Furthermore, since the list was created in 1997, the National Liberation Army (ELN), a guerrilla group created in the mid-20th century and which today has such a significant presence in Venezuelaand good relations with its regimethat many analysts consider it a binational guerrilla group. Indeed, the U.S. Secretary of War had already indicated over the weekend that one of the vessels attacked in the Caribbean belonged to this group.

Since last Sunday, Trump has threatened Bogota with new tariffs as punishment for Petros accusations of having carried out extrajudicial killings of Colombian citizens in these offshore attacks. So far, Colombia, whose main trading partner is the United States, is among the countries with the most favorable tariffs, with only 10%, which has given it a competitive advantage in sectors such as coffee and flowers.

The South American country has been holding its breath since the beginning of this week, and several political and private sector figures have initiated talks with their contacts in Washington, although those new tariffs have yet to materialize. Over the past few decades, a strong spirit of collaboration has united the two countries, spurred by, precisely, the joint fight against drug trafficking. The idea of curtailing free trade through tariffs contradicts the most widely held economic theories about the best way to combat drug trafficking. Making legal exports less lucrative doesnt seem like the best way to combat crime.

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In a new study, University of New South Wales Professor Mike Archer and colleagues re-examined the fossilized tibia (lower leg bone) of a now-extinct, giant sthenurine kangaroo. Found in Mammoth Cave in southwestern Australia around the time of the First World War, the bone was later determined to be hard evidence showing that Indigenous Australians hunted megafauna. Professor Archer was involved in the 1980 study that found a distinctive cut in the fossilized bone was evidence of butchery. But he now happily concedes this original finding was wrong.

As a scientist, its not just my job but my responsibility to update the record when new evidence comes to light, Professor Archer said.

Back in 1980, we interpreted the cut as evidence of butchery because that was the best conclusion we could draw with the tools available at the time.

Thanks to advances in technology, we can now see that our original interpretation was wrong.

When the bones were analyzed from the 1960s onwards, there was much debate about whether or not First Peoples lived compatibly with Australias prehistoric megafauna or whether they were the cause of the extinction of these megafaunal animals.

Many saw the incision in the bone as being made by humans with tools  and that it finally showed that the extinction of megafauna and arrival of humans about 65,000 years ago was no coincidence.

For decades, the Mammoth Cave bone was a smoking gun for the idea that Australias First Peoples hunted megafauna, but with that evidence now overturned, the debate about what caused the extinction of these giant animals is wide open again, and the role of humans is less clear than ever.

To re-analyze the same sthenurine leg bone with the incision, Professor Archer and co-authors used high-tech, 3D-scanning to look inside the bone without damaging it.

They also used updated radiometric dating technology to try to work out how old the bone and the cut really were and detailed microscopic analysis of the cut surfaces.

Their analyses revealed the cut was made after the bone had dried out and had developed shrinkage cracks  meaning it was likely already fossilized when the incision occurred.

The paleontologists also analyzed a fossil tooth charm given by a Worora Nations man at Mowanjum Mission to Kim Akerman, an archaeologist working with First Nations people in the Kimberley in the 1960s.

The tooth belonged to Zygomaturus trilobus, a type of giant marsupial, distantly related to wombats, that was part of Australias Pleistocene megafauna.

Although the tooth was received in the Kimberley, in Northwestern WA, its characteristics and composition were a close match with other fossils from Mammoth Cave in southwestern WA.

The tooths presence in the Kimberley, far from its likely origin in Mammoth Cave, suggests it may have been carried by humans or traded across vast distances, said Dr. Kenny Travouillon, a researcher at Western Australian Museum.

This implies a cultural appreciation or symbolic use of fossils long before European science did.

You could say that First Peoples may have been the continents  and possibly the worlds  first paleontologists.

The researchers do not completely rule out the possibility that First Peoples hunted Australias megafauna.

But without hard evidence, its not possible to definitively say Indigenous Australians were responsible for its extinction.

While these are hypotheses, hard evidence is required before it can be concluded that predation on the now extinct megafaunal species by First Peoples contributed to their extinction particularly given the long history First Nations peoples have had in valuing and sustainably utilizing wildlife in Australia, Professor Archer said.

If humans really were responsible for unsustainably hunting Australias megafauna, wed expect to find a lot more evidence of hunting or butchering in the fossil record. Instead, all we ever had as hard evidence was this one bone  and now we have strong evidence that the cut wasnt made while the animal was alive.

So if humans werent solely responsible for the demise of Australias ancient megafauna, what may have caused it?

The researchers cite evidence that many megafauna species vanished long before humans arrived while others co-existed with humans for thousands of years, but their disappearance often coincides with periods of significant climate change.

What we can conclude is that the first people in Australia who demonstrated a keen interest in and collected fossils were First Peoples, probably thousands of years before Europeans set foot on that continent, the researchers said.

Their paper was published in the journal Royal Society Open Science.

_____

Michael Archer et al. 2025. Australias First Peoples: hunters of extinct megafauna or Australias first fossil collectors. R. Soc. Open Sci 12 (10): 250078; doi: 10.1098/rsos.250078
The necklace and earrings that belonged to Marie Louise of Austria, Napoleon Bonapartes second wife, contain gems extracted from the municipality of Muzo, in the department of Boyaca

Last Sundays robbery at the Louvre Museum has shaken the art world  and the emerald world in Colombia. Among the eight pieces stolen from the Apollo Gallery, two imperial jewels contain precious gems extracted from the Muzo mines in the Colombian department of Boyaca: a necklace and earrings that belonged to Marie Louise of Austria, the second wife of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte after his separation from Josephine de Beauharnais, whom he divorced in January 1810 due to her inability to produce an heir. The gems are a clean, intense green known as Muzo green, a hue that has captivated European fine jewelry. The Colombian Emerald Federation (Fedesmeraldas) has confirmed that the stolen stones are Colombian and describes the incident as an attack on art and the history of humanity.

Ana Trigo, a Madrid-based art and antiques historian and appraiser, is familiar with the room where the theft occurred. Last year, she published the book Cursed Jewels, in which she investigated two of the most emblematic pieces in the Apollo Gallery: the Regent Diamond and the Sancy Diamond. To research the pieces, she spent long hours in that room, observing the display cases, reviewing archives, and talking with curators. Ive seen them [the jewels with the Boyaca gems] and I know them, she says. In conversation with EL PAIS, Trigo confirms that the emeralds in Marie Louises necklace and earrings are Colombian, from Muzo, and that their value is incalculable. They have very few inclusions, are clean, brilliant, with a dramatic color. They are highly prized in Europe, she explains.

Police officers outside the main entrance to the Louvre on Sunday. Kiran Ridley (Getty Images)

Although she insists that the true value of the pieces is immeasurable  because they are relics of extremely high value, both gemologically and historically  she offers a personal estimate: The necklace alone could be worth around 12 million ($13.9 million), and the complete set, up to 15 million ($17.4 million). Then she pauses, reflects, and concludes that she may be underestimating considerably. They are extremely fine pieces. The stolen necklace is made up of 32 emeralds, 10 of them teardrop-shaped, and more than 1,100 diamonds of different sizes distributed throughout the piece, Trigo explains.

The earrings that completed the set follow the same logic: each contains a 45-carat pear-shaped emerald, accompanied by four other green gems that reinforce the imperial design. French authorities initially valued the eight stolen jewels at 96.4 million ($111.7 million), according to Paris Attorney General Laure Beccuau. The Paris Prosecutors Office later adjusted the figure to 88 million ($102 million).

Javier Tolosa, director of the Colombian Emerald Technological Development Center Corporation, tells EL PAIS that gemological studies are underway to determine all the details of these precious stones, from their true value to the circumstances of how they ended up on the neck of the French emperors second wife. The results will be announced throughout the week.

Fedesmeraldas mourns the loss. The pieces are not just jewels, they are tangible documents that trace the history of the global emerald trade, commented the president of the emerald guild, Oscar Baquero, in statements reported by various local media. The theft of Marie Louises necklace constitutes an outrage against a symbol of Colombias emerald heritage, he added. The municipality of Muzo is 60 miles northwest of Bogota and is considered the world capital of these precious stones. Its mines have been exploited since the 16th century and in 2024 Colombia exported emeralds worth $127.5 million, according to the National Mining Agency and Fedesmeraldas.

More than 60% of the raw emeralds leave the mining area in the department of Boyaca for the Bogota Free Trade Zone, while the cut gems are shipped to international markets such as the United States, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Japan. The Andean country is the worlds largest exporter of cut emeralds, and its stones, with their characteristic color, are considered the highest quality on the global market. The industry generates 2,000 direct jobs and 6,000 indirect jobs between Boyaca and Cundinamarca, according to the same sources.

A person handles emeralds in a mine in Muzo (Boyaca). ANDRES BO

The story of the stolen set dates back to 1810, when Napoleon commissioned the court jeweler, Francois-Regnault Nitot, as a wedding gift for his second wife, Empress Marie Louise of Austria, following the French emperors divorce from Josephine, his first wife. Originally, the complete set included the necklace, earrings, a tiara, and two brooches, but those last two pieces were dispersed during the 20th century.

After the fall of the First Empire in 1814, Marie Louise returned to Austria with her personal jewels. She returned the diamonds to the French treasury but kept the emeralds, which ended up in the hands of Grand Duke Leopold II of Tuscany. In 1953, Van Cleef & Arpels acquired the set and sold the emeralds in the tiara individually, fragmenting the collection. Decades later, the necklace and earrings passed through private hands until the Louvre Museum reacquired them in 2004, where they remained in the Apollo Gallery until their theft on October 19.

Trigo  who coincidentally will publish a new book, Art Thieves, in November  warns that there is a race against time to prevent the pieces from being dismantled. If the emeralds are separated, all their historical value is lost, she says. Among the theories being considered for the theft are the dismantling of the pieces for the separate sale of the diamonds and emeralds; the seizure of the art for ransom; or a robbery commissioned by a private collector.

In all scenarios, the risk of the jewels disappearing forever is high. Every day that passes without them being found, there is less chance of recovering them, she insists. Trigo points out that the modus operandi of the theft  swift, audacious, with extremely high-profile targets and the absence of physical violence  matches the style of the criminal group known as the Pink Panthers, whose members are mostly Serbian, and which specializes in dismantling pieces to sell their gems separately. The name was coined by Interpol after the theft of a diamond ring in London in May 2003 because the thieves hid it in a can of shaving foam, as happened in the Pink Panther movie.

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Barclays places technology at the heart of the nuclear renaissance. Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Meta are also launching plans in this area

The tech giants approach to nuclear energy is evolving. Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, and Alphabet have all entered into projects to use this form of energy to increase the supply of data centers, which have enormous growth forecasts for the coming years as a result of the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI), thanks to tools like ChatGPT, which already has hundreds of millions of users. And OpenAIs flagship app wont be the only one that will boost data center use.

Among other projects, Amazon will support the development of a small modular rewriter (SMR) facility in Washington State to provide carbon-free power for its data centers. The initial phase will include four units with a capacity of 320 MW, expandable to 12 units with 960 MW. Construction will begin later this decade, with operational implementation expected in the next.

In addition, technology companies have signed 20-year power purchase agreements (PPAs) with companies that generate electricity from nuclear power plants. For example, Microsoft and Meta have signed contracts with Constellation Energy to restart the Three Mile Island plant and expand the Clinton Clean Energy Center, respectively. Google has also signed a purchase agreement with Kairos Power to acquire energy from its SMR reactors, which are scheduled to come online in 2035.

The momentum behind these AI-related projects has sparked widespread debate. A recent report published by Barclays asserts that a global nuclear renaissance is underway, driven by the sectors position at the intersection of megatrends such as energy security, decarbonization, geopolitics, and technology. For these analysts, a favorable policy environment is developing as governments identify nuclear power as a clean, stable, and energy-dense form of energy.

Furthermore, Barclays says this process is being further accelerated by demand from large cloud service providers or hyperscalers for their data centers, including Amazon Web Services, Google, Microsoft, and Meta. These companies have multi-billion-dollar investment plans underway due to AI. It believes it provides revenue certainty for developers of next-generation reactors, designed to address concerns about dispatch speed and unit economics.

In general terms, they emphasize the increasing energy needs and long-term demand of hyperscalers. Thus, the International Energy Agency projects that global electricity demand could double by 2050, while data center demand alone could reach this threshold as early as 2030.

According to Barclays, hyperscalers increasingly identify energy procurement as the main obstacle to AI development, and current projections suggest that grids are unlikely to be able to meet this growth in demand.

For this reason, hyperscalers have opted to obtain their own power behind the meter. These analysts believe that nuclears characteristics as an energy-dense, emissions-free, and stable power source have made it an important part of the solution for hyperscalers, many of which have ambitious net-zero emissions commitments. This has materialized primarily through PPAs signed with energy providers, providing long-term security for both nuclear project developers and technology companies.

Regarding the United States, these analysts note that the country is entering a new era of nuclear energy growth, driven by rising electricity demand from data centers, manufacturing offshoring, and electrification.

In terms of the sector itself, data center expansions have increased over the past 18 months, primarily as a result of pandemic-related projects. New construction is accelerating, driven by the U.S., and much of the ChatGPT-driven construction surge has yet to come online. Growth has been strong over the past 18 months, with a 31% increase in IT load, which measures the energy consumption of servers in data centers.

The total data center energy load, which includes server power consumption and other facility needs such as cooling, has more than doubled since 2020, surpassing 70 gigawatts, according to Bloomberg NEF asset data.

The launch of ChatGPT in November 2022 prompted new investment and project announcements as developers sought to meet the growing demand for AI. However, most of this capability is still under construction.

Construction starts have remained steady at around six gigawatts per semester, with the first half of 2025 setting a record of 6.4 gigawatts. These data centers are likely to come online within one to three years, indicating that expansions will accelerate further in the near future.

The U.S. currently accounts for 49.3% of global data center IT capacity, its largest share on record, reflecting a reversal of previous declines. After gradually losing share in the early 2010s, the U.S. market is once again extending its lead as AI-driven projects become concentrated in the region. By early 2024, the U.S. accounted for more than 70% of new capacity under construction. The next five largest markets in terms of capacity under construction are China, Malaysia, Canada, India, and Brazil, although they represent less than a fifth of the capacity under construction in the U.S.

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Ana (not her real name) is in her early twenties and six months pregnant. She is being held at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Basile, Louisiana, despite ICE guidelines urging against detaining pregnant women. In her first month behind bars, she did not receive the recommended prenatal vitamins, and although she suffers from nausea, vomiting, and body aches, the detention center has only provided her with Tylenol, a drug that, ironically, President Donald Trump has claimed causes autism in children (although this assertion is not supported by science). She also barely eats because she cannot keep most of the food down.

Her case is not unique. Its just one example of what the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has compiled in a letter to highlight the dire situation faced by pregnant women locked up in ICE centers and to call for an end to their detention.

The detained pregnant women reported being handcuffed and restrained during transport, being held in solitary confinement, receiving late and substandard prenatal care, being denied prenatal vitamins, being inadequately fed, having no interpretation or translation during medical consultations, receiving medical care without consent, and medical neglect resulting in a dangerous infection following a miscarriage, said the letter, sent Wednesday to the agencys director, Todd Lyons, and signed by other human rights organizations.

The Trump administrations deportation campaign has effectively lifted the guidelines governing ICEs actions since 2021 against detaining pregnant and nursing women. The Biden administration, responding to criticism of its immigration policy, imposed a requirement that pregnant migrants only be detained under exceptional circumstances where they pose a threat to national security or immediate harm to themselves or others.

Since Trump returned to the White House in January  seeking to increase the number of detainees for the largest deportation in history  agents have had no qualms about arresting pregnant women, despite their need for additional care that ICE centers dont provide. There are several cases of women who have suffered miscarriages without receiving adequate treatment while detained, and there have even been reports of women being rushed to the hospital handcuffed while suffering vaginal bleeding.

Lucia, also a fictitious name, who arrived in the United States in 2025 and was released by Border Patrol with an electronic ankle monitor, is one such case. Weeks later, ICE agents surprised her at her home and detained her at the Stewart Processing Center in Lumpkin, Georgia, despite her having kept her routine check-in with immigration authorities. Although Lucia didnt know it at the time, she was pregnant and began experiencing typical first-trimester symptoms, such as vomiting and abdominal pain. She asked to see a doctor several times, but was not examined until several weeks later, at which point her pregnancy was confirmed.

Two weeks later, she began bleeding heavily and experiencing cramps in the middle of the night. She wasnt taken to the doctor until the middle of the next day and was left alone in a room, bleeding, without food or painkillers, for several hours. That evening, she was taken to a hospital, handcuffed. She had suffered a miscarriage. She needed a transfusion to replace the amount of blood she had lost. She was taken back to the detention center, where she has continued to suffer abdominal pain and heavy bleeding for a month.

Another woman, Alicia, who had lived in Louisiana with her daughter and son, a U.S. citizen, for nearly a decade, suffered a miscarriage while detained at the Basile center. Without her consent, she underwent an invasive uterine examination that caused excruciating pain and was injected with an unidentified drug. She was then returned to the detention center, where she spent two more months suffering from bleeding, inflammation, and intense uterine pain that radiated to her legs. In July 2025, Alicia was deported to her home country and separated from her children. After her deportation, she had to seek medical treatment at a hospital for a serious infection resulting from her time in ICE custody.

No official data

It is unknown how many pregnant women are being detained by immigration authorities because the Trump administration is not reporting to Congress, despite ICE being required since 2019 to detail the circumstances of each pregnant detainee and the length of her detention every six months.

To address the information gap, the advocacy group Womens Refugee Commission (WRC) created a tool in September to report known detained pregnant women. Despite guidelines prohibiting it, they continue to receive cases from ICE that ignore these protections, putting the health and safety of women and their babies at risk. This tool will bring transparency to a system that has become a black box, so we can fight for the safety and human rights of these women, said Zain Lakhani, director of immigration rights and justice at the WRC, at its launch.

WRC has received reports of pregnant detainees begging to bring an apple or a carton of milk into their cells and being denied, forcing them to try to meet their nutritional needs with French fries and frozen burritos, the only food available for purchase, at an exorbitant price, at the Basile facility, the report states. WRC staff interviewed deported nursing mothers in Honduras, who were so malnourished by their detention that their bodies had stopped producing milk.

Allegations about the lack of adequate treatment for detainees in general and pregnant women in particular are not new. Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff launched an investigation last summer in which he states that he identified 14 credible reports that pregnant women have been mistreated in Department of Homeland Security (DHS) custody, including lack of adequate medical care and timely check-ins, lack of urgent care when needed, denial of adequate snacks and meals, and being forced to sleep on the floor due to overcrowding.

In response, DHS replied that pregnant women receive medical care and nutritional support, and that the detention of pregnant women is rare and subject to rigorous oversight and review. No pregnant women have been forced to sleep on the floor, it added.

The official position, however, has not been convincing. Washington State Democratic Senator Patty Murray, along with 27 other senators, last month sent a letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, urging ICE to stop detaining pregnant women except in exceptional circumstances. They also asked the department to provide information on the number of pregnant women in its custody  as well as demanding answers to a long list of additional questions about oversight  by September 26. Medical research links ICE detention with high rates of pregnancy complications, and doctors identify serious risks to fetal and maternal health. These already serious risks are compounded by deteriorating conditions at detention centers, including extreme overcrowding, reports of inadequate food and water, and a lack of emergency medical care, the letter stated. There was no response.

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The US has imposed fresh sanctions on Russian oil majors Rosneft and Lukoil , as it looks to ramp up pressure on Moscow to end its war in Ukraine.

Donald Trump said that while he continued to have "good conversations" with Vladimir Putin, "they dont go anywhere".

Speaking following a meeting with Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte, the US president told reporters: "These are tremendous sanctions.

"Theyre big, these are against their two big oil companies and we hope they wont be on for long. We hope that the war will be settled."

US Treasury secretary Scott Bessent said: "Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire.

"Given that president Putins refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russias two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlin war machine. Treasury is prepared to take further action if necessary."

Oil prices jumped following the announcement.

As at 0800 BST, Brent crude was trading 3% higher at $64.60 a barrel. West Texas Intermediate was also 3% stronger, at $60.46.

These are the first direct sanctions imposed on Russian companies by the current Trump administration.

The UK imposed a similar package of sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil last week, arguing that there was "no place for Russian oil on global markets".

The two companies export around 3.1m barrels of oil per day, with Rosneft responsible for nearly half of all Russian oil production.

Oil and gas remain Russias biggest exports. While demand from the west has been severely curtailed following the invasion of Ukraine, it continues to sell to China, India and Turkey.

Trump also urged the countries to stop buying Russian oil.
Artists from the China National Opera House and the National Theatre in Belgrade presented a program that combined Chinese classical poetry and highlights from European opera.

BELGRADE, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- A concert celebrating the 70th anniversary of friendship between China and Serbia was held on Tuesday evening at Belgrade's historic Kolarac Concert Hall.

Artists from the China National Opera House and the National Theatre in Belgrade presented a program that combined Chinese classical poetry and highlights from European opera. Audiences from both China and Serbia responded with warm applause throughout the performance.

Serbian Minister of Culture Nikola Selakovic said the concert was "one of the highlights in the year when we mark the 70th anniversary of friendship between the peoples of Serbia and China - a friendship built on mutual respect, trust, and cooperation." He stressed that culture "represents an essential dimension of the bilateral relations" and reaffirmed Serbia's commitment to "building a shared future together" through cultural exchange.

Chinese Ambassador to Serbia Li Ming described the concert as "a heartfelt tribute to the deep friendship forged over seven decades." He said the event reflected the growing partnership between the two nations, which "has reached an unprecedented new height."

The concert was jointly organized by China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Chinese Embassy in Serbia, and Serbia's Ministry of Culture.
London stocks had extended gains by midday on Thursday amid a raft of corporate releases, with oil majors BP and Shell among the top performers after the US imposed fresh sanctions on Russian oil firms Rosneft and Lukoil as it looks to ramp up pressure on Moscow to end its war in Ukraine.

The FTSE 100 was up 0.7% at 9,577.20.

Donald Trump said that while he continued to have "good conversations" with Vladimir Putin, "they dont go anywhere".

Speaking following a meeting with Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte, the US president told reporters: "These are tremendous sanctions.

"Theyre big, these are against their two big oil companies and we hope they wont be on for long. We hope that the war will be settled."

These are the first direct sanctions imposed on Russian companies by the current Trump administration.

Steve Clayton, head of equity funds at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: "Oil markets have spiked higher after news emerged that the US was putting Russias major oil producers, Rosneft and Lukoil, under sanctions due to the Kremlins failure to move toward peace in Ukraine.

"Brent crude has climbed 4% to almost $65 per barrel on the news, marking a dramatic recovery from recent weakness in crude markets. Americas new stance is in stark contrast to recent messaging from the White House and took markets by surprise. The effectiveness of the sanctions is yet to be proven, but President Trump has said that the Indian PM Narendra Modi has assured him that India will cease Russian oil purchases."

Meanwhile, the trade spat between the US and China rumbled on amid reports the US was considering curbs on sales of goods to China made with US software.

Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: "US-China relations dont look to be in the best place ahead of Trumps visit to Asia.

"Talk of new restrictions on goods that either contain or are made with US software being sold to China would suggest the Trump administration is playing hard ball, sending a message to Xi Jinping that the US will not be pushed around.

"Trump has form in threatening something but then changing his mind, and China might simply see any new tech-related restrictions as just being hot air. Investors were initially taken aback at the reports, with Chinese shares down for much of todays session, but they rallied in late trading to recover losses."

On home shores, a survey from the Confederation of British Industry showed that weak demand weighed on manufacturing activity over the past three months, with output volumes falling and new orders sinking at their fastest pace in more than five years.

In equity markets, BP and Shell were among the top performers amid rising oil prices, along with Ithaca Energy, Harbour Energy and Diversified Energy.

Rentokil was the standout gainer on the FTSE 100 as it said it was on track to meet full-year market expectations after an encouraging third-quarter performance and pointed to improved trading in North America.

LSEG was also sharply higher on the back of strong quarterly results and news it will sell a 20% stake in its clearing unit, Post Trade Solutions, to a group of banks, in a deal that values the business at 850m.

Lloyds Banking Group edged up even as it reported a 36% fall in third-quarter profit after taking an extra 800m hit from the motor finance scandal.

Consumer goods giant Unilever advanced as it reiterated its full-year outlook despite "subdued" market conditions. Updating on third-quarter trading, the blue chip said turnover rose 3.9% on an underlying basis, to 14.7bn, or by 4% once the soon-to-be-demerged ice cream business is stripped out.

Driving the increase was strong growth for Unilevers biggest products - known as its power brands - which saw underlying sales rise 4.4% in the three months, with volume growth ahead 1.7% and prices 2.6%.

St Jamess Place and Schroders both lost ground after third-quarter updates.

Renishaw slumped as it said exchange rate movements weighed heavily on its top-line performance in the first quarter, with heavy declines in the EMEA region.

AJ Bell was also in the red even after the investment platform and stockbroker services group reported a record performance over the year to 30 September, with customer numbers rising by a fifth and platform assets under administration hitting an all-time high.

Market Movers

FTSE 100 (UKX) 9,577.20 0.65%

FTSE 250 (MCX) 22,252.52 0.10%

techMARK (TASX) 5,571.60 -0.31%

FTSE 100 - Risers

Rentokil Initial (RTO) 455.20p 11.76%

London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) 9,328.00p 6.97%

Fresnillo (FRES) 2,186.00p 5.10%

BP (BP.) 436.55p 3.60%

Shell (SHEL) 2,854.00p 3.37%

Burberry Group (BRBY) 1,280.50p 3.10%

Anglo American (AAL) 2,882.00p 2.38%

SEGRO (SGRO) 734.00p 1.86%

Mondi (MNDI) 849.60p 1.80%

Centrica (CNA) 177.70p 1.66%

FTSE 100 - Fallers

St James's Place (STJ) 1,304.00p -3.62%

Ashtead Group (AHT) 5,272.00p -2.91%

The Sage Group (SGE) 1,148.00p -2.30%

Schroders (SDR) 370.60p -2.22%

Smurfit Westrock (DI) (SWR) 3,138.00p -2.15%

CRH (CDI) (CRH) 8,696.00p -2.03%

Diageo (DGE) 1,817.50p -1.81%

Legal & General Group (LGEN) 237.90p -1.78%

Relx plc (REL) 3,446.00p -1.77%

easyJet (EZJ) 485.10p -1.66%

FTSE 250 - Risers

Ithaca Energy (ITH) 200.15p 4.46%

Endeavour Mining (EDV) 3,180.00p 4.26%

Harbour Energy (HBR) 212.20p 4.22%

Diversified Energy Company (DEC) 983.00p 3.09%

International Workplace Group (IWG) 234.40p 3.08%

BlackRock World Mining Trust (BRWM) 656.00p 2.50%

Ninety One (N91) 222.80p 2.48%

Keller Group (KLR) 1,594.00p 2.44%

CMC Markets (CMCX) 216.00p 2.37%

Unite Group (UTG) 593.50p 2.33%

FTSE 250 - Fallers

Renishaw (RSW) 3,520.00p -5.25%

AJ Bell (AJB) 532.00p -4.23%

WH Smith (SMWH) 655.50p -3.89%

Softcat (SCT) 1,602.00p -2.32%

Sequoia Economic Infrastructure Income Fund Limited (SEQI) 77.80p -2.26%

Supermarket Income Reit (SUPR) 80.00p -2.20%

SSP Group (SSPG) 161.40p -2.18%

Moonpig Group (MOON) 218.50p -1.58%

Grainger (GRI) 195.00p -1.52%

Dunelm Group (DNLM) 1,131.00p -1.48%
London stocks rose in early trade on Thursday amid a raft of corporate releases, with oil majors BP and Shell among the top performers after the US imposed fresh sanctions on Russian oil firms Rosneft and Lukoil as it looks to ramp up pressure on Moscow to end its war in Ukraine.

At 0840 BST, FTSE 100 was up 0.3% at 9,544.34.

Donald Trump said that while he continued to have "good conversations" with Vladimir Putin, "they dont go anywhere".

Speaking following a meeting with Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte, the US president told reporters: "These are tremendous sanctions.

"Theyre big, these are against their two big oil companies and we hope they wont be on for long. We hope that the war will be settled."

These are the first direct sanctions imposed on Russian companies by the current Trump administration.

Steve Clayton, head of equity funds at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: "Oil markets have spiked higher after news emerged that the US was putting Russias major oil producers, Rosneft and Lukoil, under sanctions due to the Kremlins failure to move toward peace in Ukraine.

"Brent crude has climbed 4% to almost $65 per barrel on the news, marking a dramatic recovery from recent weakness in crude markets. Americas new stance is in stark contrast to recent messaging from the White House and took markets by surprise. The effectiveness of the sanctions is yet to be proven, but President Trump has said that the Indian PM Narendra Modi has assured him that India will cease Russian oil purchases."

Meanwhile, the trade spat between the US and China rumbled on amid reports the US was considering curbs on sales to China of goods made with US software .

Clayton said: "Scott Bessent, the US Treasury Secretary has said everything is on the table and expected that controls over critical software sales would be a co-ordinated effort by G7 nations.

"The move marks the latest escalation in the rare earths dispute, with the US and its allies looking to apply pressure upon China in the hope of reversing the export controls that China recently announced on sales of these critical minerals."

In equity markets, BP and Shell were among the top gainers amid rising oil prices, while Harbour Energy, Ithaca Energy and Energean also rose.

Rentokil was the standout performer, however, as it said it was confident of meeting full-year market expectations after an encouraging third-quarter performance.

In the period from 1 July to 30 September, group revenue came in at $1.81bn, up 4.6% on the same period a year ago. Organic revenue growth was 3.4%, it said. Revenue in North America was up 4.6% to $1.14bn, with organic revenue growth of 3.4%.

LSEG was also sharply higher on the back of strong quarterly results and news it will sell a 20% stake in its clearing unit, Post Trade Solutions, to a group of banks, in a deal that values the business at 850m.

On the downside, Lloyds Banking Group nudged lower as it reported a 36% fall in third-quarter profit after taking an extra 800m hit from the motor finance scandal.

Pre-tax profit for the three months to 30 September came in at 1.17bn. Lloyds said its "best estimate" of its potential liability over the mis-selling of financing would be almost 2bn. Underlying net interest income rose 7% to 3.4bn.

Consumer goods giant Unilever was also a touch weaker even as it reiterated its full-year outlook despite "subdued" market conditions. Updating on third-quarter trading, the blue chip said turnover rose 3.9% on an underlying basis, to 14.7bn, or by 4% once the soon-to-be-demerged ice cream business is stripped out.

Driving the increase was strong growth for Unilevers biggest products - known as its power brands - which saw underlying sales rise 4.4% in the three months, with volume growth ahead 1.7% and prices 2.6%.

St Jamess Place and Schroders both lost ground after third-quarter updates, while Chilean copper miner Antofagasta fell after a Q3 production report.

Market Movers

FTSE 100 (UKX) 9,544.34 0.31%

FTSE 250 (MCX) 22,269.64 0.18%

techMARK (TASX) 5,586.26 -0.05%

FTSE 100 - Risers

Rentokil Initial (RTO) 450.20p 10.53%

London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) 9,312.00p 6.79%

Burberry Group (BRBY) 1,303.00p 4.91%

BP (BP.) 434.70p 3.16%

Shell (SHEL) 2,825.00p 2.32%

Fresnillo (FRES) 2,116.00p 1.73%

Babcock International Group (BAB) 1,207.00p 1.68%

Melrose Industries (MRO) 634.20p 1.44%

Intertek Group (ITRK) 5,025.00p 1.31%

Rolls-Royce Holdings (RR.) 1,114.50p 1.09%

FTSE 100 - Fallers

St James's Place (STJ) 1,298.00p -4.07%

Schroders (SDR) 368.20p -2.85%

Ashtead Group (AHT) 5,300.00p -2.39%

Smurfit Westrock (DI) (SWR) 3,157.00p -1.56%

easyJet (EZJ) 485.90p -1.50%

Antofagasta (ANTO) 2,599.00p -1.48%

CRH (CDI) (CRH) 8,754.00p -1.37%

Compass Group (CPG) 2,591.00p -1.18%

Coca-Cola HBC AG (CDI) (CCH) 3,436.00p -1.09%

Severn Trent (SVT) 2,803.00p -1.06%

FTSE 250 - Risers

Harbour Energy (HBR) 210.00p 3.14%

Ithaca Energy (ITH) 197.50p 3.08%

Endeavour Mining (EDV) 3,136.00p 2.82%

Pagegroup (PAGE) 252.20p 2.69%

Energean (ENOG) 933.50p 2.19%

Diversified Energy Company (DEC) 974.00p 2.15%

Chemring Group (CHG) 584.00p 2.10%

Premier Foods (PFD) 191.20p 2.03%

Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings (AML) 64.50p 1.65%

Anglo-Eastern Plantations (AEP) 1,300.00p 1.56%

FTSE 250 - Fallers

Supermarket Income Reit (SUPR) 79.70p -2.57%

WH Smith (SMWH) 666.50p -2.27%

Renishaw (RSW) 3,635.00p -2.15%

C&C Group (CDI) (CCR) 137.60p -2.13%

Sequoia Economic Infrastructure Income Fund Limited (SEQI) 78.00p -2.01%

Wizz Air Holdings (WIZZ) 1,109.00p -1.86%

Morgan Advanced Materials (MGAM) 203.50p -1.69%

Dr. Martens (DOCS) 92.00p -1.66%

Big Yellow Group (BYG) 1,162.00p -1.53%

Wetherspoon (J.D.) (JDW) 649.50p -1.52%
Books & Cake will host its grand opening celebration on October 25 at 8 Anthony St. in Hillsdale, N.Y. The store will sell a wide selection of titles for kids and adults, as well as slices of cake along with coffee and tea.

Co-owners Eve Yohalem and Julie Sternberg met in 2008 at a New York book conference and have been friends ever since. Between them they have published 12 books for children and young teens. For three years during the Covid pandemic they hosted Book Dreams, a literary podcast.

Sternberg and her family have been part-time residents of nearby Copake for 20 years, and Yohalem's family have resided in the Berkshires for decades. Opening a bookstore was their shared dream, and they thought that Hillsdale would be a perfect spot.

"The response from everyone we've met in Hillsdale has been magical," said Yohalem. "Every door has been opened, everyone has been welcoming, helpful, and enthusiastic. We can't imagine a better place to open a bookstore."

Two flavors of cake will be served daily (one will always be chocolate or vanilla). Books are organized under three dozen different "Read if You Need" headings. As Sternberg explained: "Read if You Need... Something Short and Mighty, Something Long and Worth It, Hope, A Laugh, To Feel Immersed in Another Family's Dysfunction, To Consider the Highs and Lows of Friendship, and so on."

She added that the bookstore will have "a traditional section just for new fiction and nonfiction books, and another for kids and young adults. But we're excited about this new system because we want people to come in, linger in front of the shelves, and find the book they're in the mood for. Of course, they can always just run in and buy something quickly, if they want. All our booksellers are excited to help."

Yohalem added: "For a tiny town, Hillsdale has an impressive number of places where residents can get great books--from Rodgers Book Barn to the Roe Jan Library to the Friends of the Roe Jan Library bookstore. We're thrilled to be a new addition to that tradition."
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  The Allan Kivlehan School, PS 6, held a library unveiling, naming and ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday to honor Lisa Marie Vecchiarelli, a beloved first grade teacher who died unexpectedly earlier this year.

Vecchiarelli taught at the Tottenville school since its opening more than two decades ago until the time of her death on Jan. 11.

A dedicated New York City public school teacher for more than 30 years, Vecchiarelli was described by PS 6 PTA President Binay Scanni as the most amazing human being who brought light everywhere she went.

The school community is still deeply mourning her loss, and event organizers said her passion for teaching and vibrant personality made it an easy decision to honor her legacy.

She had a strong commitment to literacy, shared Scanni. One of the memories we all share of her is her infectious laugh, which could bring a smile to anyones face.

Event attendees said students were naturally drawn to her warm and loving demeanor, making her a favorite among both staff and students throughout the building.

Assistant Principal Dennis Forde read a poem during the ceremony and expressed the deep sense of loss felt by the school, while Vecchiarellis children, Brett and Victoria, thanked the school and its teachers for keeping their mothers memory alive.

In June, the school established an award in Vecchiarellis honor called The Lisa Vecchiarelli Bright Star Award, which was given to two fifth graders who were present at the event.

The ceremony concluded with the formal naming of the library in Vecchiarellis honor, accompanied by a gold plaque, serving as a lasting tribute to her impact on the school community.

***

Generative AI was used to draft this story based on information provided by PS 6 PTA President Binay Scanni and the Holmdel Funeral Home. It was reviewed and edited by Advance/SILive.com staff.
Popular rice products are under recall for possibly containing stones. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has updated the risk level for popular rice products that were recently recalled.

The agency recently classified recalled Bens Original rice products as a Class II recall on Oct. 20.

A Class II recall is a situation in which use of, or exposure to, a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.

Bens Original initiated a voluntary recall on a limited number of Bens Original Long Grain White, Whole Grain Brown, and Long Grain & Wild Ready Rice products due to the possible presence of small, naturally occurring stones originating from the rice farm.

These small stones pose possible risk of oral or digestive tract injury if consumed, according to the FDA.

The rice was sold to consumers in nine states, including New Jersey, Wisconsin, Texas, Illinois, Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana, and California.

All items have an expiration date of August 2026. They were sold at Target, HEB, Amazon, Piggly Wiggly, and United Markets.

According to the company, this is an isolated issue limited to these batches and no other Bens Original products are affected.

The FDA is issuing an alert to not consume this product.

The recall remains ongoing, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration report.

Visit fda.gov for more information or concerns.
Two Pivotal BlackFly eVTOLs fly over the desert. Courtesy of Pivotal Aero

The rash of strange drone sightings across New York and New Jersey late last year seemed destined to remain one of lifes great mysteries.

Until now.

On Saturday, nearly 10 months after the White House hand-waved the sightings away as government-authorized activity, the New York Post reported that an unnamed private company had taken credit for the bizarre phenomenon.

But the company  identified by the Advance/SILive.coms sister site, NJ Advance Media, as an aerospace company headquartered in Palo Alto, California  denies any role in the sightings and says it has never flown its aircraft over New Jersey.

The Posts report emerged out of the U.S. Armys Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Launched Effects Summit, a conference held in August 2025 at Fort Rucker, Alabama.

There, according to the Post, a private contractor demonstrated a compact aircraft with an unusual design  stubbywinged, lowflying and nearly silent.

After the demonstration, an employee reportedly told a small group: You remember that big UFO scare in New Jersey last year? Well, that was us.

Neither the company nor the employee was identified in the report. The storys single source, an attendee who said they overheard the employee, also went unnamed.

According to that source, the employee explained the company was airborne over New Jersey in November 2024 to test out their capabilities, but because the work fell under a classified or private government contract, public disclosure was not required.

The Post published photos and video of what it called the unique aircraft flown at the event. Its distinctive features matched those of the Pivotal BlackFly, an ultralight electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle.

While not exactly a household name, the BlackFly is far from a military secret. It was featured in The Wall Street Journal last week under a headline about flying cars, and is intended for eventual commercial use.

A spokesperson for Pivotal, Heidi Groshelle, confirmed to NJ Advance Media that the company conducted BlackFly demonstration flights at the Fort Rucker summit in August.

The aircraft shown in the Posts photos was the BlackFly model used in the demonstration, she said.

But Pivotal has never conducted flights in New Jersey and has no connection to the meme or the reported drone sightings mentioned in the New York Post article, Groshelle said.

The report inaccurately links Pivotal to these events, she added.

Groshelle also refuted the Posts reporting that the person at Fort Rucker who took credit for the sightings was an employee of the unnamed contractor behind the demonstration.

I can confirm that statement did not originate from any Pivotal team member, Groshelle said.

The reported drone sightings began in Morris County in November 2024. Reported sightings spread across the state and the wider East Coast in ensuing weeks, affixing eyes to the skies, generating national headlines and meriting both a Wikipedia and Know Your Meme entry.

It sparked panic, confusion and intrigue, and lead to the Federal Aviation Administration to temporarily ban drones over parts of New Jersey.

A month after the first report, the Federal Bureau of Investigation released a rare joint statement on the matter alongside the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Department of Defense (now the Department of War).

The agencies determined that the reports constituted a combination of lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones, and law enforcement drones, as well as manned fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and stars mistakenly reported as drones, they said in the statement.

After President Donald Trump took office in January, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that a subsequent probe had determined many of the drones were government-authorized research aircraft.

This was not the enemy, she told reporters.

A Pentagon spokesperson told NJ Advance Media on Tuesday that the development was being monitored. They declined to provide further details, citing the ongoing government shutdown.
JAKARTA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia's Ministry of Public Works is accelerating the completion of 15 dams under construction this fiscal year as part of the government's efforts to strengthen food security.

Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo said that dam development must go hand in hand with the construction and rehabilitation of irrigation networks to ensure long-term benefits.

"Dam construction must be accompanied by the development of connectivity channels and irrigation networks. With a sustainable water supply, agricultural productivity can increase and farmers' welfare will be boosted," Dody said.

The construction of the 15 dams is targeted for completion before 2029. Once operational, the dams are expected to expand irrigation service areas from 184,515 hectares to 263,055 hectares and increase the total planted area from 277,775 hectares to 483,163 hectares.

With improved irrigation, crop productivity is projected to rise from 1.4 million tons to 2.34 million tons annually. 
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  The Social Security Administrations Office of the Inspector General is warning Americans to keep a keen eye on any communication from the U.S. Supreme Court.

Scam texts, letters, and emails are claiming to be certificates from U.S. Supreme Court Justices Sonia Sotomayor and John Roberts that urges individuals to cooperate with the named SSA official, pressuring them to send money or share personal information, according to a statement released by the OIG.

Furthermore, the communication accuses the recipient of being a primary suspect in connection with legal proceedings and criminal charges after discoveries made by the Social Security Administration and the Drug Enforcement Agency.

The real DEA stands for the Drug Enforcement Administration.

To add into the scare factor, the communication may claim that the recipients Social Security number is compromised and that all assets are frozen.

The letter may use the real name of an SSA executive and claim that the proceedings are conducted with the oversight of Attorney General Raul Torrez of New Mexico, the statement detailed. The letter falsely claims that the recipient cannot maintain a balance exceeding $10,000 in any banking institution or hold $80,000 - $100,000 in any investments or financial institution. The letter ominously closes by stating, should the recipient encounter any difficulties in safeguarding assets, the recipient will bear full liability for any losses incurred following the suspension of their SSN.

Acting Inspector General Michelle L. Anderson assured Americans that this scam is just that  a scam.

On every level this letter is completely false, Anderson said. Scammers continue to exploit fear and confusion by impersonating government agencies and officials. These criminals are falsely accusing an individual of a crime and using federal agencies and federal officials to try to scare and legitimize their scam - if you get this type of letter, rip it up and report it. Be aware of any variations of this scam.
Staten Island's City Councilmembers are opposing a ballot proposal that would allow the city to fast-track some affordable housing projects without the approval of the City Council. Jason Paderon

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Staten Island elected officials are pushing back against a ballot proposal that would allow New York City to fast-track affordable housing projects in certain neighborhoods without the approval of the City Council.

In November, New Yorkers will vote on five ballot questions from Mayor Eric Adams Charter Revision Commission, one of which would add two new fast-track mechanisms for affordable housing projects in the five boroughs.

The ballot proposals before voters this year would dramatically alter how local land use decisions are made in New York City. They would strip authority from communities and their elected representatives, leaving Staten Islanders with less say in how and where housing is built, said Councilmember Kamillah Hanks, a Democrat who represents the North Shore.

The first mechanism, the Fast Track Zoning Action, would allow publicly-financed affordable housing developments to seek zoning relief through the Board of Standards and Appeals as opposed to going through the traditional Uniform Land Use Review Procedure, which can be a months-long process with input from the mayor, City Council, borough presidents and community boards.

In order to approve any zoning actions, the Board of Standards and Appeals would need to determine that the development would fit into the existing character of the neighborhood for which its proposed.

It provides assurance that an approved project will not clash with a neighborhoods existing built context. In a low-density neighborhood where buildings have a modest maximum height of 35 feet, for instance, a four-story, 45 foot affordable housing development is a far better candidate for this action than an out-of-place 14-story affordable housing development, according to a Charter Revision Commission report.

The second mechanism, the Affordable Housing Fast Track, would create a shortened public review process for affordable housing developments in the citys community districts that produce the least affordable housing.

Starting in October 2026, the city would release a report every five years on the rate of affordable housing permitted in each of New York Citys 59 community districts.

In the 12 districts found to have permitted the least affordable housing, rezoning applications that are required to deliver affordable housing under the Citys Mandatory Inclusionary Housing program could opt for the abbreviated Affordable Housing Fast Track as opposed to the traditional ULURP process.

While its still unclear which community districts would fall within the bottom-12 in affordable housing production as the analysis would not take place for another year, a City Limits report found that two Staten Island districts, Mid-Island and the South Shore, would be included if the analysis were conducted today.

Given that there is currently a very slim margin for being included in the bottom-12 in terms of affordable housing production, its possible that districts that would be included if the analysis were conducted today could potentially build their way out by approving affordable housing projects over the next year.

The primary point of contention regarding these proposals stems from the fact that both would remove the City Council from the decision-making process.

Under ULURP, final say on zoning approvals rests with the City Council. With these new fast track mechanisms, that power would be transferred to the Board of Standards and Appeals for the Fast Track Zoning Action and the City Planning Commission for the Affordable Housing Fast Track.

A Charter Revision Commission spokesperson told the Advance/SILive.com that the Affordable Housing Fast Track would not change anything about what developers can apply for in terms of zoning changes, nor would it mean an automatic approval.

The only change would be which party has the final vote on approval.

For example, developers can already apply for zoning changes that would allow for large, multi-story apartment buildings in low-density areas like Mid-Island or the South Shore.

However, theyre unlikely to be approved, as the City Council often defers to the local councilmember who may oppose the project due to constituent concerns regarding its impact on the character of the neighborhood.

If the ballot question were to pass, the City Planning Commission would be able to approve the zoning change without input from the City Council; a change that local elected officials have said will strip away power from the community.

These changes would weaken the ability of local officials to ensure that projects meet neighborhood needs and include the necessary infrastructure. Without meaningful oversight, transparency, or accountability, developments could be pushed through with little regard for the communities they affect, said Hanks.

Councilmember Frank Morano, a Republican who represents the South Shore, said he opposes this ballot question, and several others, as their primary objective appears to be allowing the city to increase housing density, something many Staten Islanders have long opposed in an effort to maintain the character of the boroughs predominantly low-density neighborhoods.

These ballot questions are being sold as housing reform, but what they really do is take power away from Staten Islanders and hand it to developers and bureaucrats in Manhattan. Im voting no on 2, 3, 4, and 5 because once you lose your voice in what gets built on your block, you dont get it back, Morano said.

My office will be spreading the word on these proposals and how they will affect our city. And if these pass, please dont call my office six months from now asking why theyre building 10 houses where there used to be one  because thats exactly what these proposals would allow," he continued.

Councilmember David Carr, a Republican who represents Mid-Island, also stands in opposition to the ballot questions, arguing that the commission did not conduct and share the necessary research to know the true extent of the proposals impact.

The voters have a right to know the potential environmental consequences of these ballot proposals, but they cant possibly have that information because the commission violated state and city environmental law by neglecting to provide or even conduct any analysis. This is particularly dangerous because these proposals would take away the local representatives ability to mitigate the hazards of unchecked development, Carr said.
The monthly precipitation outlook by the National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center claims there is a chance it could be drier-than-average in New York City this November. (National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  It is looking like it could be drier than usual in New York City this November, according to the latest weather outlook from the National Weather Services Climate Prediction Center.

As indicated in the monthly precipitation outlook, the city and part of Long Island are given a 33-40% probability of experiencing less precipitation than usual this November.

The remainder of New York has equal chances of recording either above-average or below-average rainfall amounts.

Typically, Central Park receives 3.58 inches of rain in November, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data from 1991-2020.

In terms of temperatures, the monthly outlook indicated that there are equal odds of temperatures falling either above average or below average throughout the state.

For reference, the mean average temperature for the month of November in the area around Central Park is 48 degrees Fahrenheit, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data.

The fall forecast

The forecast for a potentially drier November comes amid a fall season that the Climate Prediction Center previously forecast to be warmer, but unremarkable in terms of rainfall.

Back in mid-September, the center issued a seasonal outlook which revealed that the majority of the state  from the Mohawk valley on west and north  had a 40-50% chance of temperatures leaning above average this autumn. Meanwhile, the easternmost ends of the state, including New York City, Long Island and the Capital District, were given a 50-60% likelihood of temperatures exceeding their average from October through December.

The forecast found that the entire state had equal chances of recording more precipitation or less precipitation than usual.
Infini Resources chief executive officer Rohan Bone said: This heavily subscribed placement is a powerful endorsement of Infinis active exploration strategy and the outstanding potential of our uranium portfolio. With a strengthened balance sheet, we are now positioned to aggressively advance exploration programs aimed at unlocking potential new discovery opportunities at Portland Creek, Reynolds Lake and Reitenbach Lake projects located in the tier-1 mining jurisdictions of Newfoundland and the Athabasca region.

Two weeks ago Infinis share price lit up like a Christmas tree, soaring almost 300 per cent to 71.5c after unveiling massive XRF readings from its phase-two drilling program at the companys Portland Creek project in Newfoundland.

One standout hole cut an extraordinary 284-metre stretch loaded with elevated uranium, including peak portable X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) hits of 12,000 parts per million (ppm) uranium at 270m and 11,700ppm at 289m. To top it off, visible yellow uraninite was logged along joint surfaces, grading up to a dazzling 1.17 per cent uranium.

In what could be a potentially game-changing discovery, almost all the readings taken from the 284m intercept, which started just below the surface at 28m, registered between 1,000ppm and 12,000ppm uranium. The staggering consistency has the market waiting with bated breath for the final laboratory assays.

The results come from the first holes of Infinis 2500-metre phase-two diamond drilling program, designed to test a dozen high-priority targets within a structural corridor stretching more than six kilometres. The corridor is riddled with uranium-in-soil anomalies  and big ones too, making it one of the most compelling greenfield uranium addresses in Canadas eastern exploration frontier.

Its not the first time Portland Creek has made punters sit up either. Last year, the company blew their doors off with uranium oxide readings soaring as high as 74,997ppm from surface samples.

With its saddle bags now brimming, the company plans to funnel part of the proceeds into an expanded drilling assault at Portland Creek to test up to 12 new high-priority targets and see whether it can deliver a repeat performance of the recent results.

It will also launch maiden drill campaigns at Reynolds Lake and Reitenbach Lake in Canadas famed Athabasca Basin, which is a region synonymous with some of the worlds highest-grade uranium deposits. Field programs completed during the September quarter outlined a string of promising geophysical anomalies, prompting management to fast-track the move from groundwork to drilling.

Infinis current resource base includes the Des Herbiers deposit in Quebec, with an inferred 43.95 million pounds of contained uranium oxide at 123ppm uranium. The addition of potential new discoveries across its Canadian portfolio - and with some serious grades - could reshape the companys growth profile as the uranium market tightens.

With a war chest now bursting and rigs humming across three uranium-rich fronts, Infini is gearing up for its next leap. The mix of a premium-priced raise, soaring market confidence and two fresh exploration campaigns has put it firmly in the spotlight. And with more rigs heading to Portland Creek, all eyes are on whether Infini can back up its recent headline-grabbing hits with another round of explosive results.

If it can deliver, the payoff could be transformational. The companys expanding footprint across Canadas uranium belts, from Newfoundland to the Athabasca Basin, is positioning Infini as one of the sectors rising forces just as global demand for nuclear fuel tightens.

Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au
Bucketloads of middle-aged male tears and millions in legal fees have so far failed to stop the march of progress coming to Newington College, the $45,000-a-year private school that is set to go co-ed from 2026.

A rogue faction of Newington Old Boys have fought tooth and nail to stop the school admitting girls, launching court action, and attempting to enlist the King of Tonga to stop wokeness destroying the sacred Stanmore institution.

Does Newington feel confident that the worst of the culture war is behind it? Perhaps not. Credit: Kate Geragthy

It has not gone according to plan. Despite a Supreme Court action forcing a new election for the council of the Old Newingtonians Union, a pro-coed faction won control of that alumni group. And last week, the NSW Court of Appeal dismissed a case that sought to stop the school admitting girls.

The legal fight, brought by an unnamed Newington student bankrolled by the dinosaur faction, hinged on construction of the word youth in the schools 1873 trust deed. Opponents of co-education argued that back then, the word referred to boys and men, pointing to contemporaneous newspaper articles and the work of 19th century novelist Anthony Trollope.
Less successful is the parade of random children intermittently brought from backstage for a fleeting moment with their hero. Similarly, Dosanjh too often addresses only the fans clustered around his catwalk rather than the 30,000 in the cheap(er) seats. Not that those 30,000 seemed to mind. The energy from the stage was amplified by the multigenerational audience singing and, apart from a few weary dadus and nanus  papas and nannas  standing from start to finish. Spectacular staging: Diljit Dosanjh. Credit: Aditya Thakur Certainly this reviewer has never encountered a stadium crowd so fragrant, so finely turned out, and so proud. When Dosanjh rolls out his hit G.O.A.T., the subject matter is as much apna Panjab (our Punjab) as it is the performer  pride not only in how far he has come but in where he began. By the end of the show even the most Anglo of the audience find themselves singing  and wishing  along: main hoon Panjab (I am Punjab).

MUSICAL

PHAR LAP: THE ELECTRO-SWING MUSICAL

Hayes Theatre, October 23, until November 22

Reviewed by HARRIET CUNNINGHAM

 Were a week shy of the race that stops the nation and, in a world where news just keeps getting worse, we need something, anything, to make us smile. Enter Phar Lap, a new musical written by Steven Kramer and staged with chaotic joy by Sheridan Harbridge. The timing could not be better. We know the story: an Australian racehorse trainer takes a chance on a gangly thoroughbred from New Zealand with a promising pedigree. The horse loses its first races but then, with all the drive of the 100-1 underdog, emerges as the greatest racehorse of the century. Against a backdrop of sharemarket chaos and grinding unemployment, Phar Lap gives the nation a reason to cheer. Lincoln Elliot and Joel Granger in Phar Lap. Credit: John McCrae Its the classic rags-to-riches story, perfect for an uplifting musical, except for one thing: how do you do the horses? The answer: by letting imaginations run wild. Phar Lap and his horsey mates all talk, sing, and dance, tap, jazz, ballet and modern.

The stage is bounded by stable doors and straw bales (set by Hailley Hunt), while zany costumes (Mason Browne) embrace 1920s racecourse chic. The races come to life in the faces of the crowd and breathless commentary from silver-tongued Manon Gunderson Briggs. As for the climactic moments in Phar Laps track career, the thunder of hooves becomes inspiration for a series of hilarious dance-offs (choreography by Ellen Simpson). Then, of course, there are the horse gags. Kramer corrals every pun with impish delight, from Phar Laps stable mates 1-1 and 2-2 (1-1 was a racehorse, 2-2 was 1 2) to the touchy subject of the glue factory. Justin Smith as trainer Harry Telford and Nat Jobe (as owner David Davis) revel in the quickfire back chat, while Shay Debney (jockey Jim Pike) and Amy Hack (Madame X) do silly voices that never stop being funny. Its barmy, its whip smart clever and its all delivered with thrilling conviction. The cast of Phar Lap in full flight. Credit: John McCrae I challenge anyone not to fall in love with Joel Granger in his role as Phar Lap. He arrives on stage as a Kiwi ingenue, anxious to please but happy to stay in second place. Then, galvanised by a new jockey with an erotic bent  leather, anyone?  he turns into a champion, radiating Phar Laps inner fire. All this is conveyed with some high-speed hoofing (sorry) and suitably big-hearted (sorry, again) ballads. The score  a pre-record by a crack music team delivered and, with flawless sound production (Liam Roche)  is inspired by 1920s swing, full of blarey trumpets and driving rhythms. Theres barely space for sentimentality, but Harry and Phar Laps duet Well Stick Together Like Glue provides a special little moment.

Steve Kramer has created a thing of beauty. Phar Lap is everything youd expect from the Hayes  irreverent, funny, slightly chaotic  but the elegant story-telling, lovable characters and electric performances take it to the next level. No long faces here. JAZZ

HIROMI featuring PUBLIQUARTET

City Recital Hall, October 24, festival until November 2

Reviewed by SHAMIM RAZAVI

 This years Sydney International Womens Jazz Festival promises not only to thrill crowds but also to educate them on the expanding boundaries of the genre, if its opening nights pairing of Hiromis jazz piano with the classical chops of New Yorks PUBLIQuartet is anything to go by. Hiromi plays in both senses of the word  her virtuosic ability is never in question but she engages with her instrument not with reverence but as an extension of her restless, playful character. From her opening solo, with its nimble echoes of Blue Rondo a la Turk, to her rolling, repeating cadenzas  often standing up and reaching into the piano to pluck or buzz the strings  Hiromi takes technical accomplishment and literally jazzes it up.

Jazz pianist Hiromi in action. Credit: Shane Rozario That use of the pianos full capabilities beyond the keyboard, paired with the audible sighs and inhalations that punctuate her phrasing, recalls Keith Jarretts total-body immersion in the music, though Hiromis version feels more exuberant than his solemnity. The collaboration with PUBLIQuartet builds on that same physical energy: their classical discipline tempers her improvisational daring, each shaping the other in real time. The nights centrepiece was Hiromis COVID-composition Silver Lining Suite, whose four movements follow our collective journey from Isolation to, or perhaps through, Fortitude. It is a work that depends on, and allows, the Quartet to really shine. Jannina Norpoths chopping, deliberately niggling violin and Hamilton Berrys mournful cello lines evoke the seemingly endless stasis we all endured, while Hiromis piano captures those flashes of unexpected joy among our sadness. Written in lockdown, it finds added meaning when performed in this sold-out, rafters-packed hall. It was followed by a breezier, but no less clever, reading of Blackbird. Picking up on the Beatles acknowledgement that their song was inspired by Bachs Bourree in E minor, Hiromi seamlessly spliced in lines of Jesu, Joy of Mans Desiring, the combination epitomising the nights jazz-classical conversation with humour and grace.

Hiromi solo can stray into weightlessness; with PUBLIQuartet beside her, she finds just enough gravity to turn exuberance into substance. MUSIC

SAMARA JOY

Richard Bonynge Concert Hall, October 23

Reviewed by JOHN SHAND

 Samara Joy came out and told us that although she was recovering from a cold, shed rather sing a few notes for us than none. Compromised she was, in range, volume and breath control. She avoided introducing songs or band members, and only performed for 45 minutes rather than the scheduled 90. This, perhaps, was the peril of long-haul flights when your instrument is your voice. Samara Joy. Credit: AB+DM

The Americans misfortune makes the concert tricky to review. From what Id heard on record and YouTube, Joy is a candidate for being the most complete jazz singer since Sarah Vaughan. But if we couldnt experience the full glory of her tone and range, we could still relish her phrasing, notably on the bittersweet A Beautiful Friendship, which also gave hints of her ingenuity and astuteness in embellishing a melody. On this basis, shed be frightening when fully well. A testament to her status is that she brought a septet all the way to Australia: four horns, piano, bass and drums. It was fascinating, though, to hear this take on jazz the night after the Bill Frisell Trio. Where the latter was all about collective creativity while still having effortless precision, Joys band put a premium on being well-drilled. That is not intended as a criticism, as to play such challenging and inventive arrangements (which I believe come from within the band, but with Joy unable to tell us, I cant be sure) so consummately demands exemplary musicianship. Curiously, many of the new wave of exceptional jazz singers draw heavily on pre-1960s jazz (as Wynton Marsalis has prescribed for decades), rather than revitalising the idiom, which is what their idols did. As good as trumpeter Jason Charos, tenor saxophonist Kendric McCallister and alto saxophonist David Mason were, trombonist Donavan Austin stood out, starting his solo on A Beautiful Friendship with a soft, marshmallow-sweet sound, and using it to play with a 1930s mellifluousness. Bassist Paul Sikivie, drummer Evan Sherman and especially the pianist Connor Rohrer, meanwhile, made for a propulsive engine room. Given Joys constraints, I actually derived more pleasure from the opening set by local singer Kristin Berardi and bassist Sam Anning. With Berardi now based in Switzerland, they hadnt played together for some time, and, presumably at short notice, found themselves obliged to perform for an hour rather than 30 minutes to flesh out the event.

Its a brave format for both parties, with no chord instrument or drummer providing sonic shelter, and yet Ive never heard either sound better  and Berardis as good a singer and Anning as good a bassist as Australias produced. The songs they played, whether originals or standards, were actually enhanced by being stripped down in this fashion. The pair improvised and interacted with unbounded flair, good humour and  the sacred element missing from too much jazz  passion. Samara Joy also plays the City Recital Hall on October 24. DANCE

SYDNEY DANCE COMPANY: CONTINUUM

Roslyn Packer Theatre, October 22, until November 1

Reviewed by CHANTAL NGUYEN

 A strong triple bill is greater than the sum of its parts. Sydney Dance Companys Continuum hits that high note, featuring an exciting line-up of heavyweights: Stephen Page, William Barton, Rafael Bonachela, and the up-and-coming Tra Mi Dinh. Their artistic voices are distinct in style, but the gorgeous commonality is that each is artistically mature and can evoke a sophisticated, satisfying artistic vision.

First off the ranks is a dance by the home team: artistic director Rafael Bonachelas Spell. Its structured into five chapters, each a vivid spell that creates dance alchemy, Bonachela explains. A scene from the dance work Spell, showing as part of the Sydney Dance Company show Continuum. Credit: Daniel Boud While the through-line between each segment is not always clear, the spinning athleticism of Bonachelas aesthetic and SDCs god-like dancers never disappoint. A highlight is the last spell, a duet for a male and female dancer, performed in a towering cone of red light and mist (Damien Coopers lighting and Kelsey Lees set). Visually striking, it also packs a searing emotional punch. A scene from Somewhere between ten and fourteen. Credit: Daniel Boud

Next comes Tra Mi Dinhs Somewhere between ten and fourteen, an exploration of the period between day and night, with the dancers dressed in a spectrum of dreamy, saturated blue shades (Aleisa Jelbarts costumes). First seen in SDCs 2023 New Breed season, Dinh has reworked this rendition for a larger ensemble. The result is intelligent and polished, with the choreography transitioning seamlessly between a robust, pulsing energy danced in sneakers and smooth, spinning sequences danced barefoot. A scene from the dance work Unungkati Yantatja  one with the other, a multidisciplinary collaboration between choreographer Stephen Page and leading yidaki (or didgeridoo) player William Barton. Credit: Daniel Boud The evening peaks with a soaring First Nations meditation on the spirit of creation breath: Unungkati Yantatja  one with the other, a multidisciplinary collaboration between choreographer Stephen Page and leading yidaki (or didgeridoo) player William Barton, who composed the music and performs centre stage along with the classical new music artists of the Omega Ensemble. Loading

Bartons musicality and mere stage presence is nothing short of magnetic. A towering figure in a feathery cloak (Jennifer Irwins magnificent costuming), his didgeridoo playing speaks with the command of an ancient, evocative voice talking from the edge of the human world. And when singing, he seems to be calling the very dancing into being. The combination  on just one stage  of Bartons presence, Pages masterful choreographic instincts, and the artistic excellence of the SDC dancers and Omega Ensemble is almost an embarrassment of riches. THEATRE

Fly Girl

Ensemble Theatre, October 22, until November 22

Reviewed by HARRIET CUNNINGHAM

 Two air hostesses, dressed in orange slacks and matching hats, unroll a line of tape across the stage of the Ensemble Theatre. Its the line that marks the limits of where a woman can go in 1970s Australia. Fly Girl is the story of Deborah Lawrie, the first woman in Australia to become a commercial airline pilot. Its a sprawling tale, part memoir, part courtroom drama, about the pitched battle between a talented 25-year-old pilot who happens to be a woman, and the rusted-on prejudice of pioneering businessman Sir Reg Ansett.

Genevieve Hegney and Catherine Moore in Fly Girl. Credit: Prudence Upton In 1976 Lawrie, who has her first flying lesson at 15 and has 1600 flying hours under her belt, applies to join the pilot training program at Ansett. Despite impressing selectors at two interviews and passing the psychological test with flying colours, Lawrie is rejected. In 1978 she takes her case to the newly established Victorian Equal Opportunity Board and becomes the complainant in the Australias first sex discrimination in employment case. Spoiler alert: she wins. But not without an ugly fight. Playwrights Genevieve Hegney and Catherine Moore bring this epic tale to the Ensemble stage with humour, joy and just the right amount of bite. The action moves fast, in short scenes, cutting cinematically between Lawries home and family, the control tower, the flying school, the courtroom and the economy cabin of a domestic flight. An airport flicker board suspended above the stage keeps track of where and when we are. Genevieve Hegney, Alex Kirwan, Cleo Meinck and Emma Palmer in Fly Girl at the Ensemble Theatre. Credit: Prudence Upton

Everything else  including over 50 characters  is up to the cast of five, directed with ingenuity by Janine Watson, aided by a stirring soundtrack (Daniel Herten) and a treasure trove of 1970s costumes (Grace Deacon). Sex is delightfully irrelevant: Alex Kirwan doubles as Lawries father, then Lawries husband, but also dons a red wig and orange slacks to become Helen, the tearful 27-year-old Ansett hostie on her last flight before she ages out of the job. Meanwhile, and with delicious irony, Genevieve Hegney switches between a strutting Reg Ansett, a pregnant and therefore unemployed solicitor, and TV reporter Pamela Graham. Catherine Moore juggles hats, moustaches and lunch trays with aplomb and Emma Palmer is richly comedic as barrister John Dwyer. Through this all, newcomer Cleo Meinck creates a touching portrayal of the young Lawrie, passionate about flying and buffeted by prejudice. Fly Girl is a commission from Ensemble Theatre artistic director Mark Kilmurry who, after the success of How to Plot a Hit in Two Days, continues to tap the rich vein of nostalgia for iconic cultural moments. The script leans into the gloriously unselfconscious sexism of 1970s Australia, where women become old boilers after 21 and menstruation is a mental illness. But period observations arent just for laughs: the production builds in power across the second act, and as Lawries fight plays out in court, we see the ripples of change coming for traditional female roles.

THEATRE

SHIRLEY VALENTINE

Theatre Royal, October 22, until October 26



Shirley Valentine is in a rut. Shes not so much climbing the walls as talking to them. Her claustrophobic kitchen with its florid wallpaper can barely contain the big personality that is Natalie Bassingthwaightes Shirley Valentine, a woman straining to break free. Natalie Bassingthwaighte as Shirley Valentine. Credit: Brett Boardman Within her cramped confines, and lubricated by a glass or three of riesling, the middle-aged Liverpool housewife overshares and wisecracks about her life, marriage, kids and clitoris.

What happened to the adventurous Shirley Valentine she used to be before she became Mrs Joe Bradshaw? Will she have the guts to go to Greece for a holiday with the friend who has bought her a ticket? The answers are probably best known to audiences through the popular 1989 film adaptation with Pauline Collins. Bassingthwaighte is a firecracker of a Shirley in this one-woman touring show. Shes funny, capricious and insightful as she navigates her characters transformation and the shifts from humour to pathos and back again. I saw the first London season of Willy Russells play in 1988. It was thrilling to see a story rooted in my home city that put the hopes and dreams of a mature working-class woman centre stage. She felt like our mothers, aunts, neighbours. Shirleys candour and wit felt as innovative then as Phoebe Waller-Bridges Fleabag (which started life as a play) did more recently. What strikes me seeing the play again after so long is how, beneath the laughs  and there are many  are shards of a darker tale of coercive control than I recall.

Loading Its this aspect that director Lee Lewis has teased out in her thoughtful production. We see Shirleys jocular demeanour turn twitchy and anxious as she hears Joe arriving home. Her line about being beaten and battered is delivered with sufficient ambiguity to leave you questioning whether shes not merely talking metaphorically. And when Shirley says she knows shell pay for running away to Greece when she returns, the sense of menace is inescapable. Its clear that Shirleys flagging confidence didnt begin  or end  with marriage to her controlling husband, who expects his egg and chips on a plate the moment he walks through the door. There was the headmistress who predicted Shirley would never go far. Theres the grown-up daughter who returns home expecting Shirley to again tend her every need. The odds have long been stacked against Shirley.

The polymath Russell (hes also a musician, painter and former hairdresser) threads lively tales of other women in Shirleys life, including of her neighbour Gillian, one of several minor character Bassingthwaighte convincingly creates. The Liverpool accent wobbles, and at more than two hours the pieces sags in the run-up to interval. The shorter second half is set in Greece, in which Simone Romaniuks set uses the entire stage, and is sunnier in tone and appearance. Nearly four decades on, a stay-at-home housewife is a less common figure than she once was, and jetting off to Greece a lot less daring. Nonetheless, its impossible not to cheer as this spirited Shirley discovers the world beyond her walls.

MUSIC

BILL FRISELL TRIO

City Recital Hall, October 22

Reviewed by JOHN SHAND

 There are nights in the Blue Mountains when you gaze at the night sky with all the wonder of a childs eyes. Hearing the Bill Frisell Trio is like that. A deep sense of mystery pervades the music, with notes from Frisells guitar flaring, glittering and then fading, to be replaced by fresh improbabilities. Jazz guitarist Bill Frisell (centre) with the other members of his trio, drummer Rudy Royston (right) and bassist Thomas Morgan (left). Credit: Matthew Septimus Rudy Roystons drumming is no less mysterious. Few people have played the instrument with a musicality so complete that he could solo with brushes on a slow ballad, and have at least as much of substance and relevance to say as Frisell or that master of understatement, bassist Thomas Morgan.

Many others, from Pharoah Sanders all the way to Arvo Part, have made mysterious music, but few, aside from the late trumpeter Lester Bowie, combined that quality with such goofy playfulness. There were times during this concert when it was like watching three children utterly absorbed in the same sandpit. This is among the great jazz bands in its combination of personalities, sounds, ideas and interaction. They second-guess and surprise each other in equal measure, while often playing with candlelit intimacy, as if were eavesdropping on conversations that are no less private for being musical. Theres astonishing detail in the crafting of sounds and precision in the blending of them. Whereas last time they were here, in 2019, they played songs from the screen-music-oriented When You Wish upon a Star (which tended to be rowdier and larger than life), here, concentrating on material from the Valentine album, they were closer to the art of the miniaturist, and the exceptional sound mixing allowed you to catch the infinite subtleties emanating from all three instruments. They opened with flurries of arrhythmic notes, that, like random filings suddenly being attracted to a magnet, solidified into a blues: Frisells Thelonious Monk-influenced title track from Valentine. His playing was typically idiosyncratic in its sweet and sour harmonies, while Royston had the drums and cymbals singing, and Morgan growled and prowled around the lurching, swinging groove with the minimum of notes. The compositions segued into one another, whether blurring where one stopped and another started, or with bold leaps of contrast. The commonality was seemingly infinite options, from the gentleness and naivety of a nursery rhyme, to howling guitar against a jolting backbeat. Always the music was in flux  ranging all the way to Johnny Mercers Im an Old Cowhand (from the Rio Grande), which they played with contagious fun. But, as with Burt Bacharachs What the World Needs Now Is Love, there was no hint of satire; rather a celebration of these songs innate beauty, which somehow came into sharper focus without the distraction of lyrics.

Constants were Frisells marriage of childlike innocence and sonic sophistication, Roystons superlative command of timbre and dynamics, and Morganss ability to make each note precious and telling. A dream gig. MUSIC

Brahms: A German Requiem

Sydney Philharmonia Festival Chorus, Sydney Youth Orchestra

Opera House Concert Hall, October 22

Reviewed by PETER McCALLUM

 Sydney Philharmonia Festival Chorus with the Sydney Youth Orchestra under conductor Brett Weymark presented Brahms A German Requiem with a large choir of close to 300 singers, and an orchestra of just over 70, placing it in the monster performance tradition of English choral societies, popularised by large-scale performances of Handels Messiah. This enables a large number of people to experience the unique thrill of performing great music and in the stern unison climax of the second movement Denn alles Fleisch es ist wie Gras (For all flesh is as grass) the volume was stirring and impressive.

Soprano Cathy-Di Zhang. Credit: In one sense this is in keeping with the universalist aspect of the work. Brahms, nervous the piece might be politicised and jingoized in the wake of the Austro-Prussian War of 1866 (which he opposed), once said he would be happy to call it a Human requiem and leave the word German out altogether. At the same time, such a large, unwieldy force can struggle to articulate Brahms musical aims with the nuance on which his musical language is built. The chief disadvantages lay in the balance, with under-strength tenor and bass sections outnumbered two to one by the sopranos and altos, and in the lack of shaping of the musical lines that tended to be delivered without careful moulding of the melodic arc. The first movement nevertheless unfolded with gentle reflectiveness. The strings under concertmasters Fiona Ziegler and Khang Mai, supported the chorale-like opening with transparency, the woodwind being slightly too strong at the close. In the third movement, Herr, lehre doch mich, baritone Samuel Dundas sang the solo part with rich, well-phrased lines and strong musical engagement, despite being placed with the wind players at the back of the orchestra, behind the strings. Some of the detail in the closing choral fugue was swamped by the insistent low D on organ and bass instruments. For the soprano solo of the fifth movement Ihr habt nun Traurigkeit, soprano Cathy-Di Zhang articulated with penetrating clarity and warmth, while traversing the stage from the west to the eastern entrance doors.
WELLINGTON, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand and Iceland are enhancing practical cooperation in working holidays, taxation, and geothermal energy, a New Zealand government statement said Thursday.

During his visit to Iceland, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters met with Iceland's President Halla Tomasdottir on Wednesday, saying initiatives discussed by the two sides constitute an important step toward enhancing New Zealand's cooperation with Iceland, the statement said.

New Zealand and Iceland will start negotiations on a reciprocal Working Holiday Scheme, allowing young citizens to travel, study, and work in each other's countries, according to the statement, citing New Zealand Immigration Minister Erica Stanford.

New Zealand also signed a Double Tax Agreement with Iceland, aimed at strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries by "providing clarity and fairness" for cross-border business activities, the statement said. 
Professor Graeme Samuel was trying not to be political. He said it several times.

But eventually Patricia Karvelas managed to get him to pass judgment on the positions of the opposition and the Greens on the governments planned environmental law reforms.

Professor Graeme Samuel Credit: Oscar Colman

The government plans to introduce these reforms to parliament next week.

In recent days, both the Coalition and the minor party have said they dont support the reforms in their current form. The Coalition argues the laws would put a handbrake on investment and jobs creation, while the Greens say it is full of get-out clauses that suit the mining industry.

Samuel was asked about these positions on ABC News Afternoon Briefing, after he authored a report on such law reforms five years ago. Then-environment minister Sussan Ley asked him to write the report.

I have to take [Environment Minister] Murray Watt at his word, saying the review prepared is the blueprint for his reforms, Samuel said. If that is the case then I can say to you unequivocally we will have increased efficiency and a massive increase in efficacy and the effectiveness of the reforms, what weve been trying to achieve.

So does it surprise you that at this eleventh hour weve seen an unwillingness from the Coalition to participate in passing these laws? asked Karvelas.

Youre asking me to enter the political dialogue, said Samuel.

Yes, and I think youre ready to, replied Karvelas.

What I am prepared to say is I am bitterly disappointed, this is beyond posturing, said Samuel.

This is not just for me because the review was not about me or the group and the department, it is about future generations of Australia and slowing the degradation of the environment will cease and we will start to restore it.

Samuel also criticised the Greens opposition to the proposals. The Greens are going to get out of this a massive process forward in terms of protection of the environment, ceasing the degradation we have seen over the past 2.5 decades and potentially restoration of the environment in terms of threatened species.

And all it is saying to business is this will be a more efficient way of dealing with applications.

AAP
An alarming number of Australian women have been killed in recent years. Find out more about their lives. Some of the cases are still before the courts.

Warning: Graphic content

Two members of an alleged contracted kill crew arrested over the kidnapping and murder of a Sydney woman are also facing separate murder charges from a prior incident, while a third member has also been charged with intent to murder, the Herald can reveal.

Details that may identify the men cannot be published for legal reasons, which the Herald is challenging in court.

Two of the men charged over Thi Kim Trans murder. Credit: Police Media

The three men aged 32, 20 and 21 were already in custody on their prior charges when homicide squad detectives arrested them on Thursday morning over the murder of Thi Kim Tran, 45, on April 17.
More than 20 kilograms of illegal drugs and $110,000 in cash have been seized in a drug bust spanning five Brisbane suburbs.

Properties were raided by police on Finetti Circuit in Durack, Linton Street in Kangaroo Point, Learoyd Road in Acacia Ridge and Crossacres Street in Doolandella from July as part of an investigation into alleged trafficking.

Hauls of cannabis, cocaine and meth were recovered in raids across five Brisbane suburbs. Credit: QPS

About three kilograms of meth, 3.6 kilograms of cocaine, almost 20 kilograms of cannabis, a small amount MDMA and steroids and large sums of cash were recovered.

A 35-year-old Kangaroo Point man was arrested during the Durack search.

He has been charged with a long string of offences, including possessing dangerous drugs, trafficking, possessing property to commit an offence, and contravening an electronic access order.

He is due to front Richlands Magistrates Court on November 21.
A powerful CFMEU boss recently promoted to help with the clean-up of the embattled construction union has been sacked after this masthead uncovered allegations he was involved in a range of suspected corrupt dealings.

The sacking on Thursday afternoon of John Perkovic  in response to evidence uncovered by a major investigation by this masthead and 60 Minutes  plunges the CFMEUs administration into crisis and raises major questions for the Albanese government, which 15 months ago vowed to clean up the scandal-ridden building union.

Former CFMEU official John Perkovic.

Perkovic faces serious allegations that he obtained a range of undisclosed benefits from construction companies he was meant to oversee as a senior union official.

In July, Perkovic was promoted by CFMEU boss Zach Smith, effectively becoming the second most senior official in the CFMEUs Victorian branch, which is the most powerful arm of the union nationwide.
The report said it was essential that the Melton and Wyndham Vale train lines were electrified, so those rapidly growing areas could be served by Metro, rather than V/Line trains. But the group said the Melton project had an uncertain delivery date and Wyndham Vale had been put on hold indefinitely. The ongoing project to extend platforms on the Melton line to accommodate nine-car trains, rather than the current six, would provide a little bit of breathing room before the line needed further capacity expansion through electrification, Infrastructure Victoria chief executive Jonathan Spear said. Department of Transport and Planning secretary Jeroen Weimar says rail capacity boosts for Melton and Wyndham must follow the Sunshine station redevelopment. Credit: Elke Meitzel Electrification to Melton is something that our model shows there is super-high demand for, and its a logical thing to do once that work around Sunshine station is completed, Spear said. Concerns about the delivery of key projects promised for the western suburbs come as the Allan government struggles to balance its finances under the weight of an already enormous infrastructure program, including the $26 billion North East Link and $34.5 billion Suburban Rail Loop East, both in the eastern suburbs.

Melton City Council is also pushing for the upgrade of the Western Freeway, which has received $1 billion in funding from the federal Albanese government but has no start date. Brookfield resident Brad Bonnici left his full-time job as a lift mechanic in June because the daily commute on the Western Freeway was too long. Brookfield resident Brad Bonnici says the Western Freeway is congested at all hours of the morning and needs a massive upgrade. Credit: Chris Hopkins It doesnt matter if you left at 5am or 8am, the traffic was horrendous. Coming home was the same, he said. Bonnici, who has lived in the Melton area his whole life, said that the state government had promised upgrades to the road for years.

Wed just like an upgrade to this freeway. It needs to be a minimum of four lanes  Were expecting a massive upgrade, not just a Band-Aid fix, he said. Theyre happy to take our votes, theyre happy to take our taxes, but we get nothing out here. The state and federal governments committed $10 million each in late 2022 to develop a business case to upgrade the Western Freeway between Melton and Caroline Springs with additional lanes, and new interchanges and overpasses. Premier Jacinta Allan told the summit the Victorian government had not put the upgrade of the Western Freeway between Caroline Springs and Melton on hold, but declined to provide a date on when works would start.

Allan said planning and environmental approvals were under way. The start date is dictated by having in place the planning work, environmental approvals. No one should come out and put a start date out there without having done that work  and that detailed work is still being undertaken, she said. Opposition Leader Brad Battin said Labor had long ago committed to, but not delivered, the electrification of the Melton and Wyndham Vale lines. He said the Coalition had not yet settled on or costed its transport policies for next years election. But let me assure you, what we say, well deliver. It will be costed, and you will get it, rather than coming out with a press release and building up hopes in the west again.

Melton City Council chief executive Roslyn Wai said the $4 billion Sunshine Superhub works would open the way for the Metro extension to Melton, but she was concerned about when it and other essential projects would be delivered. We know its coming, its just not coming quick enough, Wai said. There is a level of frustration. But also a level of understanding that there is a lot of demand on the state government. We understand that there needs to be consideration of prioritisation, but we cant see any reason why there isnt prioritisation for the west.

Sunshine has been championed as the best candidate to be Melbournes second CBD and the redevelopment of Sunshine station is considered critical for it to capitalise on the Melbourne Airport Rail line, which is expected in the 2030s. WoMEDA has also called for the delivery of the airport train link to be brought forward. Loading Brimbank City Council chief executive Fiona Blair said that uncertainty regarding the timing of redevelopment around Sunshine station was holding back the suburbs emergence as an employment and housing centre. Its really important that its not just something that people go through on a train, but people actually stop there, Blair said. She said the council had approved about $600 million worth of development in the Sunshine precinct area, but only half was realised.
The police prosecutor said Headland was in a position of authority when he stole 17 vials of fentanyl over a three-month period in differing sizes, and self-administered it. Headland punctured the vials, took the substance, and replaced it with saline  a mix of salt and water. Lee Headland and his lawyer outside court. Credit: Hannah Murphy He then returned the [tampered] fentanyl back into circulation, the prosecutor said. She said the vials had subsequently been placed into the stores of other paramedics who didnt know the drugs had been tampered with, but did not say if any patients had knowingly been administered the saline rather than the drug.

Headland was arrested and charged with the theft of $1312 worth of fentanyl at his Crooking Brook home in March, and on a search of his property, police also found an unregistered air rifle in his wardrobe. This masthead understands there were initially concerns at least one patient had been injected with saline rather than painkillers, but a St John WA spokeswoman said there was no evidence patients had been impacted by the drug tampering. A clinical audit was conducted by St John WA at Australind Station within the identified period of concern, she said. The audit did not find evidence that impacted vials were administered, and was therefore able to conclude there was no evidence of clinical harm to any patient. Headlands lawyer Paul Chapman submitted a psychological report to the court, and said Headland took the drugs after he was triggered while on the job.

Loading He was called out to a nine-month-old baby that had drowned in a bathtub, he said. The baby was revived, but later died in hospital. I cant imagine the type of stress he was under and the types of things he had seen, he said. Chapman went on to claim Headland had been dealing with a sexual harassment case at the service that was his responsibility to manage, and he had felt unsupported by his immediate managers.

At this time [St John] also doubled their output, with no extra resources, he said. Someone on the frontline ambulance service just doesnt have those supports. Hes been to his superiors, they hadnt provided him any support, this was his last call. Chapman said Headland was marked to be in the 99th percentile of anxiety and depression at the time of his offending, and was unlikely to re-offend. It was a cry for help, he said.

Butcher questioned whether any patients had been adversely affected by the tampered drugs, and both the police prosecutor and Chapman said there was no evidence that had occurred. The police prosecutor said it could have been potentially serious if a patient in pain had been injected with the saline rather than painkillers, and said if Headland had been dealing with anxiety and depression, he had appropriate supports available to him. The matter was heard in Bunburys courthouse. Credit: Hannah Murphy There are procedures in place  and as the manager he would have been aware of those, she said. Other paramedics, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the case exposed a need for greater restrictions on schedule A drug stores and the need to properly resource country stations for oversight purposes.
Former Labor leader Bill Shorten has urged Opposition Leader Sussan Ley to bring her internal rivals back into the fold as she deals with criticism from Andrew Hastie, Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and Jane Hume, drawing on his experience from nearly toppling Malcolm Turnbull after just one term.

Ley continued to draw criticism from her detractors after she suggested US ambassador Kevin Rudd be booted from Washington due to a flare-up with President Donald Trump, with Hastie the latest to undermine his leaders call.

Bill Shorten, the new Vice-Chancellor of the University of Canberra, during the investiture ceremony in Canberra. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

The WA MP said on 2GB radio on Thursday that Rudd had got the job done as Ley softened her rhetoric to criticise Rudd without calling for his sacking, a day after senator Jane Hume labelled the upbraiding of Rudd as a little churlish.

Shorten said on this mastheads Inside Politics podcast that sometimes an opposition leader will feel the need to say something, to say anything.
After initially appearing not to know who Rudd was or even if he was in the room, Trump, with just a hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth, flicked the former prime minister with a casual I dont like you either, and I probably never will. When you watch the exchange it is instantly clear  with Albanese pointing and laughing, a grin on Trumps face and laughter rippling through the room  it was a light-hearted moment after the prime minister and president had met privately in the Oval Office for 30 minutes. Albanese made a point of singling Rudd out for praise afterwards and highlighted his crucial role in stitching together the critical minerals deal. Loading Which brings us back to Sussan Ley and her initial response to the Washington meeting. Expectations for the meeting were about as low as it was possible for them to be. So after its widely hailed success, what did she say? That Rudds position was untenable and that he had to be recalled. It was a call so distant from the reality of what had happened that it was hard not to wonder if the opposition leader had been watching another press conference in a parallel universe. Proving the point, former Liberal prime minister Tony Abbott and current Liberal backbenchers Jane Hume and Andrew Hastie  both of whom are no friends of Ley, admittedly  contradicted the current opposition leader and praised the outcomes (and the Labor government) within 24 hours.

Ley, like her predecessor Peter Dutton and so many other members of the Coalition, dislikes Rudd and has long underestimated Albanese. When Albanese won in 2022, many in the opposition ascribed the win to an its time factor and to public dislike of Scott Morrison. Since Albaneses victory in 2025, many in the Coalition are making a similar mistake and ascribing the landslide win to dislike of Dutton and a poorly explained policy offering. Albanese grew up in council housing with a single mum crippled by her arthritis. He worked and helped run the household from an early age. He became the first member of his family to go to university, fly on a plane and more. He joined Labor and then the minority Left faction in NSW and worked his way up to being the deputy secretary of the NSW Labor Party, a thoroughly lonely job in a division dominated by the Right faction. Albanese has been an outsider all his life and it is the psychology of the outsider that has shaped his approach to politics for more than three decades. Ahead of the meeting, the view inside government for months was that Trump, the ultimate dealmaker, had to be handed a win. Critical minerals were identified as the obvious choice. There was a degree of luck in the timing  the meetings delays allowed more time to prepare the deal, and then Chinas toughened line on rare earth minerals helped  but that is part of politics.

Headed into the meeting, Albanese didnt get spooked by criticism that he hadnt met Trump. Over and over again, he said it would happen soon. The pair spoke four times on the phone and met briefly in New York and, the prime minister has told colleagues, Albanese felt a rapport building with Trump in those phone calls. Albanese learnt from Malcolm Turnbulls fiery phone call with Trump in 2017, over a refugee swap deal that Turnbull had agreed with the presidents predecessor Barack Obama. Trump hated the deal. Rather than suck up to the mercurial president, Turnbull held him to the contract  as a detailed leak of the conversation later made clear  and it worked. Albanese learned from Malcolm Turnbulls fiery phone call in 2017 with Trump over a refugee swap deal. Credit: Bloomberg, Alex Ellinghausen The prime minister shares Turnbulls view that Trump respects strength. And Albanese felt that the fact that he had just won a commanding victory in the May election and increased his majority in the second term  which doesnt usually happen, as Trump knows  helped too. In part, thats why Albanese rejected a call from US War Secretary Pete Hegseth for Australia to increase spending on defence to 3.5 per cent of GDP. The prime minister stood up for Australia, rather than kowtowing. Albanese told colleagues his objective wasnt to spend money to meet an arbitrary target, but to spend it on the assets Australia needed to defend itself. A slew of defence spending promises on new capabilities have been made in recent months.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has rejected key elements of Labors planned environmental protection overhaul, closing the door to a quick deal on landmark plans to revamp nature laws and speed up approvals for projects including housing, mines and green energy.

The first version of the bill was killed off last term after blowback from miners and the pro-fossil fuel West Australian government prompted Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to put negotiations with the Greens on ice.

Coalition leader Sussan Ley did not rule out ever voting for the governments proposal. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

Labor resurrected the push to boost productivity by speeding up approvals for big projects after it emerged from Treasurer Jim Chalmers economic roundtable in August as one of the few reforms with widespread support.

Details of the proposed changes leaked on Wednesday, including major new proposed fines and confirmation it does not include a climate trigger that could stop coal and gas projects, sparking a mixed reaction from green and business groups.
The head of an Aboriginal land council has accused Jacinta Nampijinpa Price of issuing an unfair and hurtful press release that falsely suggested he had lost the support of most of his members.

Central Land Council chief executive Les Turner is suing for defamation in the Federal Court after the Liberal senator said he had faced an unsuccessful no confidence motion at a meeting in the Northern Territory last year.

Jacinta Nampijinpa Price arrives at the Federal Court in Darwin for her defamation trial. Credit: David Hancock

Turner says Price had amplified an incorrect claim made by the land councils then chair, Matthew Palmer, and that she had failed to fact-check the press release she sent to nearly 2000 journalists.

Price, who has dropped her truth and honest opinion defences, is seeking to rely on qualified privilege, which requires her to show she was acting in the public interest.
MOSCOW, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) has restored its external power supply after 30 days of off-site power loss, the plant's press service said Thursday.

The 750 kilovolt high-voltage transmission line at ZNPP was reconnected following repair work, while efforts to restore a second 330 kilovolt line are still underway, according to the statement.

The International Atomic Energy Agency facilitated coordination between Russia and Ukraine to ensure safe conditions for the repair, the press service said, adding that the plant hopes such cooperation will continue during the restoration of the second power line.

The ZNPP lost its connection to the grid on Sept. 23 for the 10th time since the conflict began, after its last remaining 750 kilovolt power line was cut. Since then, the plant has been powered by backup diesel generators. Both Russia and Ukraine have blamed the damage on military activity.

The Zaporizhzhia plant, one of Europe's largest nuclear facilities, has been under Russian control since March 2022. 
Former broadcaster Alan Jones is known for his pick and stick club  friends he supports through thick and thin. The favour is returned, it seems, with long-time friend Mark Latham and his former One Nation colleague Rod Roberts last week hosting Jones for lunch at NSW Parliament House.

Jones joined Latham and Roberts for a meal in one of the members dining rooms in Macquarie Street last Thursday, a month after new revelations emerged that Jones has been accused of indecently touching nine alleged victims at public locations including the Opera House.

Alan Jones and Mark Latham enjoy a chat in a kitchen.

Other locations named in updated court documents tendered in Jones indecent assault and sexual touching case include a lower north shore restaurant, inside a lift at the 84-year-olds former workplace as well as in his homes across Sydney and NSW.

Details of the allegations were outlined last month as it was revealed the matter will not be heard before a jury and two complainants will no longer be involved in the case.
Britain has been one of the worlds most durable constitutional monarchies, in part because its two pillars  the Crown and parliament  stay out of each others business. King Charles III steers clear of politics, while Prime Minister Keir Starmer leaves the affairs of the royal family to the monarch.

That long-standing arrangement has come under rare stress in the past week, following scandalous new disclosures about Prince Andrew, the Kings younger brother, and his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Protesters from anti-monarchy group Republic demonstrate at the entrance to Windsor Great Park, where Prince Andrew lives. Credit: Getty Images

The details were outlined in a newly published email between Andrew and Epstein, and in a memoir by Virginia Roberts Giuffre, an Epstein victim who accused Andrew of raping her when she was a teenager  an accusation he denies. They have led to calls for him to be stripped of his most familiar title, prince. This would most likely require an Act of Parliament.

That, in turn, has set off a chicken-and-egg debate. The government says the decision of whether to deprive Andrew of his titles is one for the King, not for Starmer. Officials at Buckingham Palace say it would be improper for the King to take any position on a parliamentary act that might come before him for royal assent.
Washington: Ever since his inauguration in January, US President Donald Trump has sat uncharacteristically silent in the face of a potential windfall of more than $US100 million ($154 million) from US taxpayers.

As a private citizen, he claimed he was entitled to money to compensate him for what he calls politicised investigations he underwent. As president, he could now, in effect, order the government to pay him. If the payment came in the form of a settlement, the White House might be under no immediate legal obligation to disclose it to the public.

When the subject was spotlighted in a news report this week, the president responded to questions with equivocation.

At issue are two claims Donald Trump filed against the government in 2023 and 2024. Credit: Bloomberg

All I know is they would owe me a lot of money, but Im not looking for money, Trump told reporters, adding that if he did get a payment, any money that I would get, I would give to charity.
Press Release from Business Wire: Sangfor Technologies



(AFP) Oct 23, 2025



HONG KONG, Oct 23, 2025 (BSW) - Sangfor Technologies, a leading global provider of cloud computing and cyber security solutions, is proud to announce its recognition as a "Strong Performer" in the Gartner Peer Insights 'Voice of the Customer' for Full-Stack Hyperconverged Infrastructure Software, published on 13 October 2025. This marks the sixth consecutive year Sangfor has been peer-recognized in this report, which we believe underscores Sangfor's sustained commitment to customer satisfaction and product excellence.

Among global vendors, Sangfor for its Hyper-Converged Infrastructure (HCI) solution, was the only vendor to receive a perfect 100% Willingness to Recommend score among 23 overall reviews from its verified enterprise users. We consider this metric a key component of the report, measuring the percentage of reviewers who are willing to recommend a vendor's product to their peers.

Deconstructing Excellence: What Sangfor's Perfect Scores Mean for Customers

According to the research: "the rest of this document highlights some key insights for the full-stack hyperconverged infrastructure software market based on 18 months of reviews and also points you to particular ways to use the site in your buying process." In our opinion, the near-perfect ratings across all categories provide a clear and granular view of why Sangfor HCI earns such strong customer advocacy. We believe these scores reflect excellence across the entire customer lifecycle:

-- Product Capabilities: 5.0 / 5.0

Reviewers highlight Sangfor's robust performance, high availability 2.0, integrated disaster recovery, and seamless scalability that can grow with business needs.

"Sangfor HCI is a comprehensive solution that integrates computing, storage and network security. It will help us optimize our O&M process."

--- Function: IT, Firm Size: 30B + USD, Industry: Energy and Utilities

Read Full Review

-- Deployment Experience: 5.0 / 5.0

Sangfor HCI enables rapid deployment (completed in two weeks) with IT teams achieving basic troubleshooting and deployment capabilities in just two-day training, ensuring minimal disruption and swift operational readiness.

"Sangfor provides us all features and functionalities that my organization requires such as virtualization, system reliability and backup. While comparing in terms of cost, this solution provides reasonable pricing and MA renewal. In terms of support, Sangfor HCI provides the flexibility of deployment and support our legacy application in old Windows OS which do not require of renovate the system."

Quote sourced from Gartner Peer Insights. Edited for clarity.

--- Function: IT, Firm Size: 1B - 3B USD, Industry: Insurance (except health)

Read Full Review

-- Support Experience: 5.0 / 5.0

Sangfor delivers exceptional service with 24/7 online support and personalized on-site assistance from 10,000+ certified engineers across five global service centers in China, Malaysia, UAE, Italy, and Mexico. With local technical teams in 12+ countries and over 40 spare parts centers worldwide, Sangfor ensures prompt and reliable support wherever it is needed.

"The Team has a great support team that can help others easily whether to understand or implement the product. The Tech team has in-depth knowledge that they can also tweak the product if needed to better fit the user needs."

--- Function: IT, Firm Size: <50M USD, Industry: IT Services

Read Full Review

-- Sales Experience: 4.8 / 5.0

Reviewers appreciate Sangfor's transparent communication, flexible licensing, and consultative sales approach focused on solving business challenges while helping organizations reduce total cost of ownership by up to 50%.

"Sangfor-HCI GUI user friendly, easy to use, and high performance. Well one big thing probably on everyone's mind would be cost you cannot beat for everything that you get. Easy upgrades. Solid Performance and very stable. Most of major features hypervisors have. The ability to consolidate workloads on the Sangfor platform and manage centrally."

--- Function: IT, Firm Size: 1B - 3B USD, Industry: Insurance (except health)

Read Full Review

Sangfor HCI: Customers' Constant in a Changing Market

"We see this recognition by our customers for the sixth consecutive year as the highest compliment we could receive. A perfect 'Willingness to Recommend' score is, in our view, a powerful testament to our customer-centric philosophy," said Darren Du, VP of Sangfor International Market Department. "It validates our mission to deliver an HCI solution that is not only powerful and agile but also incredibly intuitive and reliable, eliminating complexity and driving real business value for organizations worldwide."

In a rapidly evolving IT landscape, Sangfor HCI stands out as a dependable and innovative choice. Three other recognitions from Gartner further reinforce Sangfor's leadership and trustworthiness:

-- Recognized as a Representative Vendor in the 2025 Gartner(R) Market Guide for Full-Stack Hyperconverged Infrastructure Software

-- Ranked Among the Top 5 Largest HCI Vendors by Revenue worldwide in the 2024 Gartner(R) Market Share Report

-- Recognized as a Sample Vendor in Gartner's A Guide to Choosing a VMware Alternative in the Wake of Broadcom Acquisition report

A Note of Gratitude

We view these recognitions not merely as Sangfor's achievements, but as a shared success made possible by the trust, collaboration, and continuous feedback from our customers and partners. Their voices are the driving force behind our innovation and excellence. We are deeply grateful for their partnership, which inspires us to keep pushing boundaries and delivering solutions that truly matter.

Source:

-- Gartner Inc., Voice of the Customer for Full-Stack Hyperconverged Infrastructure Software, By Peer Community Contributors, Published 13 October 2025

-- Gartner Inc., Market Guide for Full-Stack Hyperconverged Infrastructure Software, By Jeffrey Hewitt et al., Published 30 April 2025

-- Gartner, A Guide to Choosing a VMware Alternative in the Wake of Broadcom Acquisition, Julia Palmer, Jeffrey Hewitt, Mike Cisek, Published 18 March 2025.

-- Gartner, Market Share: Data Center Hardware Integrated Systems, Worldwide, 1Q25 Update, Andrew H Kim, Adrian O'Connell, Suzie Low, Amit Goyal, Chandrashekar S, 3 July 2025

Disclaimer:

GARTNER and PEER INSIGHTS are trademarks and service marks of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates and are used herein with permission. Gartner Peer Insights content consists of the opinions of individual end users based on their own experiences with the vendors listed on the platform, should not be construed as statements of fact, nor do they represent the views of Gartner or its affiliates. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in this content nor makes any warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this content, about its accuracy or completeness, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

About Sangfor Technologies

Sangfor Technologies is a global leader in cybersecurity, cloud computing, and IT infrastructure, providing fully integrated and AI-driven solutions. Founded in 2000 and publicly listed since 2018 (STOCK CODE: 300454.SZ), Sangfor serves over 100,000 customers worldwide, including 24,000+ organizations using its hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) solutions - spanning Fortune Global 500 companies, government institutions, universities, and healthcare organizations. With over 7000 employees and more than 70 branch offices across APAC, EMEA, and LATAM, the company is committed to delivering on its mission to Make Your Digital & AI Transformation Simpler and More Secure.







View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251021887236/en/









Contact

Media ContactSunny [email protected] +86 755 8656 0605







 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release.
India plans tightening AI rules to stem deepfake surge



New Delhi, Oct 23 (AFP) Oct 23, 2025



India has proposed sweeping new regulations to govern artificial intelligence, aiming to curb a surge in misinformation and deepfake videos in the world's most populous nation.

The Ministry of Information Technology announced the proposed amendments, citing "the growing misuse of technologies used for the creation or generation of synthetic media".

"Recent incidents of deepfake audio, videos and synthetic media going viral on social platforms have demonstrated the potential of generative AI to create convincing falsehoods," a briefing note from the ministry issued late Wednesday read.

"Such content can be weaponised to spread misinformation, damage reputations, manipulate or influence elections, or commit financial fraud," it added.

India has more than 900 million internet users, according to the Internet and Mobile Association of India. China has more internet users, but India is more open to US tech companies.

The government has already launched an online portal called Sahyog -- meaning "cooperate" in Hindi -- aimed at automating the process of sending government notices to content intermediaries such as X and Facebook.

"These proposed amendments provide a clear legal basis for labelling, traceability, and accountability," it added, saying it would "strengthen the due diligence obligations" of social media intermediaries.

Major AI firms looking to court users in the world's fifth-largest economy have made a flurry of announcements about expansion this year.

This month, US startup Anthropic said it plans to open an office in India, with its chief executive Dario Amodei meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

OpenAI has said it will open an India office, with its chief Sam Altman noting that ChatGPT usage in the country had grown fourfold over the past year.

AI firm Perplexity also announced a major partnership in July with Indian telecom giant Airtel.

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Press Release from Business Wire: TOURISE



(AFP) Oct 23, 2025



RIYADH, Oct 23, 2025 (BSW) - Imagine a traveler's perfect day planning itself, rerouting around a rainstorm, prompting a cafe to add staff before the lunch rush, suggesting a quiet gallery when crowds swell. This is the promise of Agentic Tourism, an AI-powered operating model introduced in a new white paper by TOURISE and Globant, a digitally native company that helps organizations thrive in a digital and AI-powered future, with strategic contribution from Kearney. The report, titled Tourism's AI Takeover: Reinventing Travel through Agentic Tourism, presents a practical framework for transforming the tourism experience making it more seamless, intelligent, and emotionally resonant.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251022347041/en/

TOURISE and Globant Unveil New White Paper on Agentic AI in Tourism



In 2024, tourism generated 10.9 trillion dollars, nearly 10 percent of global GDP, and is projected to reach 16.5 trillion dollars by 2035. AI in the tourism market is expected to grow from 3.4 billion dollars in 2024 to 13.9 billion dollars by 2030; destinations face a clear choice, evolve with coordinated AI adoption or risk fragmentation, inefficiency, and diminished traveler satisfaction.

Released ahead of the inaugural TOURISE Summit in Riyadh this November 11 to 13, 2025, the white paper offers a roadmap for public and private sector leaders to apply AI across five key dimensions: experience, operations, sustainability, wellbeing, and economic opportunity. The goal is to help destinations across the entire tourism ecosystem to act now, scale responsibly, and remain human-centered.

A Coordinated Model for the Future of Travel

Agentic Tourism introduces a system of autonomous AI agents governed by people and shared standards. These agents are designed to deliver measurable impact. They aim to reduce wait times, boost satisfaction scores, increase eco-friendly bookings, and unlock new economic value. The model includes five agent archetypes:

-- Experience Maximizer curates and adapts itineraries in real time, managing disruptions and enhancing personalization.

-- Operations Optimizer balances staff, assets, and services to improve efficiency and reduce bottlenecks.

-- Regeneration Guardian surfaces environmental and social impacts to promote responsible travel choices.

-- Wellness Agent uses contextual data to support traveler health, comfort, and safety.

-- Opportunity Connector matches visitors' interests to local networks, events, and collaborators to create economic value.

The white paper serves as a strategic playbook, helping tourism destinations, governments, operators, platforms, and communities, implement these innovations without losing the human touch that defines meaningful travel.

"Agentic Tourism is not just a model. It is a movement," said Sarah Altamimi, Vice President of Partnerships at TOURISE. "It ensures that destinations of every size can harness AI to deliver seamless, sustainable, and emotionally rich experiences. This white paper is our invitation to build a future where technology amplifies human connection, not replaces it."

"Tourism's next chapter will be championed by destinations that orchestrate technology around people, not the other way around," said Federico Pienovi, CEO of MENA and APAC atGlobant."Agentic Tourism provides a blueprint to digitize end-to-end digital experiences so hosts, travel operators, and destinations can transform isolated innovations into interconnected, adaptive and meaningful interactions at every journey."

Download the full white paper and request an invitation to the TOURISE Summit at TOURISE.com.

About TOURISE

TOURISE is the world's premier platform shaping a new horizon for global tourism.

Powered by the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, the inaugural TOURISE Summit will take place 11-13, November 2025 in Riyadh. TOURISE will convene visionaries from government, business, investment, and academia to unlock the innovations that will drive holistic impact initiatives and transformative deals that will reset the industry and build a tourism sector that is sustainable, equitable, and future-focused.

Physically exclusive and digitally inclusive, TOURISE will ensure broad global participation while providing targeted access to visionaries shaping the future of global tourism. Following the Summit, TOURISE will extend as a year-round platform where bold ideas become real-world solutions.

This is where the next 50 years of tourism are shaped. Together, we are unstoppable.

For more information about TOURISE, visit www.TOURISE.com and connect with the focused solutions.

About Globant

At Globant, we help organizations thrive in a digital and AI-powered future. Our industry-focused solutions combine technology and creativity to accelerate enterprise transformation and design experiences customers love. Through digital reinvention, our subscription-based AI Pods, and Globant Enterprise AI platform, we turn challenges into measurable business results and promised savings into real impact.

-- We have more than 30,000 employees and are present in over 35 countries across 5 continents, working for companies like Google, Electronic Arts, and Santander, among others.

-- We were named a Worldwide Leader in AI Services (2023) and a Worldwide Leader in Media Consultation, Integration, and Business Operations Cloud Service Providers (2024) by IDC MarketScape report.

-- We are the fastest-growing IT brand and the 5th strongest IT brand globally (2024), according to Brand Finance.

-- We were featured as a business case study at Harvard, MIT, and Stanford.

-- We are active members of The Green Software Foundation (GSF) and the Cybersecurity Tech Accord.

-- We are global partners of Open AI, NVIDIA, AWS and Unity bringing world-class technology together to accelerate innovation across industries.

For more information, visit www.globant.com. Sign up to get first dibs on press news and updates.







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Online search a battleground for AI titans



New York, Oct 23 (AFP) Oct 23, 2025



Tech firms battling for supremacy in artificial intelligence are out to transform how people search the web, challenging the dominance of the Chrome browser at the heart of Google's empire.

Chatbots that started out as AI-powered assistants have gradually merged with web browsers and can independently scour the internet for detailed answers to questions.

OpenAI fired the latest salvo this week with the debut of what chief executive Sam Altman called an AI-powered web browser built around ChatGPT.

During a demonstration, members of the OpenAI team had the Atlas browser come up with a shopping list for a dinner based on a specified dish and number of guests.

Atlas joins Perplexity's Comet, Microsoft's Copilot-enabled Edge and newcomers Dia and Neon in this new breed of chatbot-browser hybrid.

"So many services and apps are browser-based that it makes a lot of sense to have agentic AI acting in the browser," said Techsponential lead analyst Avi Greengart.

Whereas early AI assistants simply returned answers, focus has shifted to enabling them to act as "agents," independently handling computer or online tasks such as setting schedules, making reservations or ordering pizza.

Now, AI makers are keen to usurp the role of the browser and streamline users' interactions with the web.

"We used to download a lot of applications to our computers," said SuRo Capital principal Evan Schlossman.

"You don't download that many programs anymore; things are moving to the browser."

As online exploration tools evolve with AI, they have yet to stray far from how people are already navigating the internet themselves.

"I think they don't want to change the core experience too much," Greengart said.

"Agentic AI following you around and offering help every time you do anything probably isn't right for everyone."



- Google has a hold -



Despite its prowess when it comes to AI, Google has yet to go all-in with agentic features in Chrome on par with those touted by challengers.

The internet colossus has added AI Overviews that provide summaries of online query results, and offers the option of using an "AI Mode" for searches with advanced reasoning, thinking and multimodal capabilities.

Chrome currently accounts for more than 70 percent of the browser market and Google's name has become synonymous with search.

Futurum Group chief executive Daniel Newman does not see that shifting in the short term given how deeply ingrained Chrome use is in modern lifestyles.

But Thomas Thiele, a partner at consulting firm Arthur D. Little, said OpenAI could gain an advantage by combining what it learns from people's ChatGPT exchanges with the Atlas browser.

"Gathering this information together, you can have more clues about persons than any time before," Thiele said.

"We'd at least have a high chance that we'd see the birth of a new Google here."

More insights into people can translate into better targeting of online ads, Google's main source of revenue.



- Defining tomorrow -



By taking control of the browser, an AI company could define how people will interact with the technology in the future, Thiele reasoned.

"In the long run, the browser is not necessarily where everything happens," Newman said, noting smart glasses or other wearable devices for engaging with the internet could catch on.

"We're shaping behavior; winning where users currently are is going to be critical for that long-term market share that they are all fighting for."

But SuRo Capital's Schlossman anticipates the AI fight to unfold directly within chatbots rather than browsers.

He recalled a recent demo that featured apps moving into ChatGPT. OpenAI is "trying to control the user interface and optimize and streamline it," Schlossman said.

tu-gc/lb

GOOGLE

MICROSOFT
Press Release from Business Wire: Twilio



(AFP) Oct 23, 2025



MADRID, Oct 23, 2025 (BSW) - Twilio, the customer engagement platform that powers personalised, real-time experiences for today's leading brands, has announced an extended partnership with Vodafone Spain, one of the country's leading telecommunications operators. This will enable Spanish businesses to access Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging, revolutionising the way they interact with their customers through rich, interactive and secure communications.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251023623745/en/







Vodafone Spain has relied on Twilio's global expertise to accelerate the adoption of this next-generation messaging solution, positioning it as the new standard for business communication in the Spanish market.

A much needed evolution for mobile communication

In a world where personalisation and trust are essential for brand to consumer relationships, RCS offers an experience that goes beyond the capabilities of traditional SMS. According to Twilio's State of Customer Engagement 2025 report, 81% of consumers prefer RCS over SMS, and 71% of businesses plan to adopt it in the next year.

With advanced features such as images, videos, product carousels, interactive buttons and verified senders, RCS transforms messages into more dynamic, human and relevant communications that generate greater impact and engagement. In addition, the ability of RCS to measure detailed metrics such as open rates, clicks and interactions allows businesses to optimise their campaigns in real time, maximising return on investment (ROI).

Trust and transparency have become central to customer expectations as spam and phishing attempts increase. RCS fully responds to these risks by enhancing the credibility and impact of brand communications.

Key benefits for businesses and users

-- Enhanced interactivity: RCS allows actionable buttons to be included directly in messages, facilitating actions such as purchases, reservations or surveys without having to leave the conversation.

-- Verified identity: Through branded messaging, a business can attach its name, brand logo, a tagline, and a verified badge to every text it sends, which means customers instantly recognise and can verify who's reaching out.

-- Enriched experience: Multimedia content such as images, GIFs and videos enhances the user experience, making interactions more engaging and memorable.

-- Two-way communication: RCS encourages real-time conversations, allowing customers to resolve queries or make enquiries directly from the chat.

-- Advanced personalisation: Thanks to the integration of contextual data like purchase history, browsing history, and preference, companies can tailor messages to the specific preferences and needs of each customer.

A strategic collaboration to transform communications in Spain

Luis Suner, Head of Wholesale MVNOs and Third Party Deals at Vodafone Spain, highlights: "We are delighted to partner with Twilio to bring RCS messaging to our business customers in Spain. This technology not only greatly enhances the quality of interactions between brands and consumers, but also reinforces trust and security while enhancing brand credibility. With RCS, businesses will be able to connect with their customers in a more relevant, dynamic and effective way."

Twilio's EMEA VP of Marketing, Peter Bell, states: "This expanded partnership with Vodafone Spain is especially timely given the holiday season is upon us and is a make-or-break time for brands. With brands using RCS, especially for holiday messages, the engagement channel boasts 98% open rates and 45% response rates. Together with Vodafone, we are offering businesses a powerful tool to stand out in a competitive environment."

A promising future for business messaging

Thanks to this collaboration, Vodafone Spain customers will be able to harness the full potential of RCS to improve customer relationships, increase response rates and generate greater engagement. For users who do not yet have RCS-compatible devices, Twilio guarantees a smooth transition to the SMS format with the help of automatic failover, ensuring complete and continuous coverage.







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KIEV, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine said Thursday it had received 1,000 bodies from Russia in the ongoing conflict, which Moscow said were believed to be Ukrainian soldiers.

The International Committee of the Red Cross assisted in returning the remains to Ukraine.

Ukrainian forensic experts will conduct examinations to identify the bodies. 
KILL: Press Release from Business Wire:



(AFP) Oct 23, 2025



Oct 23, 2025 (BSW) - TOURISE requests that their press release NewsItemID: 20251022347041 "TOURISE and Globant Unveil Game-Changing Report on Agentic Tourism that Sets New Standards for AI-Driven Destination Innovation" be killed.

The release was issued in error by TOURISE.

A replacement release will be issued on October 23.



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Press Release from Business Wire: Foresight



(AFP) Oct 23, 2025



NEW YORK, Oct 23, 2025 (BSW) - Foresight is ushering in the next generation of private market software by letting its customers use natural language to query their unified pre- and post-deal data. Today, the company announced new AI capabilities that will give customers the ability to ask questions within the Foresight platform as well as in ChatGPT, Claude, and Glean through its new model context protocol (MCP) server. Private market dealmakers will be able to prompt Foresight's AI for lists of prospective companies, and anyone who makes post-deal decisions will be able to ask portfolio questions, model scenarios, and execute workflows in natural language on Foresight's desktop or mobile interfaces.

"The $15 trillion private market has run on data silos and Excel, which has created unnecessary opacity. Foresight unlocks the data and analytics that fund managers and financial institutions need by using AI to unify the systems and sources of private market data and making it actionable through great user interfaces for sourcing, diligence, and portfolio management. With this product release we make that access simpler by letting our customers talk with their unified data in AI tools they already use every day," said Jason Miller, Foresight founder and CEO.

The private market is undergoing a digital transformation catalyzed by the need to become data-driven. Banks are working to capitalize on the synergy between lending, wealth management, and M&A teams, and data unification is at the core of this effort. Venture capital, growth, and private equity firms that have relied on reputational inbound for sourcing and long hours of reactive post-investment Excel modeling are evaluating their data strategy and tech stack and searching for ways to scale without headcount.

"Platforms like ChatGPT, Claude and Glean are expanding how users can interact with software. While traditional user interfaces shine with large amounts of data and complex analytics, every software product can benefit from the flexibility of conversational AI, and we're thrilled to deliver this for our customers," said Dan Spector, who joined Foresight from Amazon's artificial general intelligence (AGI) team earlier this year.

Since launching in the Spring of 2023 Foresight has rapidly distinguished itself as the leading data and analytics platform in the private market with customers in venture capital, growth, and private equity and users across every team. Foresight Sourcing customers can create dynamic pipelines of relevant deal prospects and see company profiles that uniquely combine alternative research feeds and first-party data through its integrations with CRMs and productivity tools. Foresight Portfolio customers can model funds, run company scenarios, and create superior LP and GP reporting thanks to industry-first integrations with fund accounting, cap table, and KPI data.

Foresight's mission is to connect the private market through data, and that mission is accelerated by giving Foresight customers the ability to ingest, access, and action data through the power of AI. Learn more about Foresight's Fall AI product launch here.

About Foresight

The smartest players in the private market use Foresight's platform to make their best decisions. Foresight's AI-driven infrastructure integrates every source of pre- and post-investment private company data - such as sourcing feeds, CRM, KPI, cap table, and fund accounting - and lets users query and analyze this data in its SaaS modules for sourcing, diligence, and portfolio management. By solving the industry-wide problem of siloed data and disconnected point tools, Foresight makes its customers smarter, faster, and more efficient. Foresight's customers range from venture managers that want to use data and AI to scale without headcount to global private equity firms committed to data-driven transformation. Foresight is headquartered in New York City with an office in San Francisco and is backed by NEA, Greycroft, and KDX Ventures. Learn more at Foresight.ai.







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Press Release from Business Wire: SK pharmteco



(AFP) Oct 23, 2025



RANCHO CORDOVA, Oct 23, 2025 (BSW) - SK pharmteco, a global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), announced today a $6.1 million investment in its Rancho Cordova facility to expand and equip a new lab and CGMP-Kilo-scale facility for Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis (SPPS) and purification. This expansion, combined with SK pharmteco's industry-leading chromatography expertise and existing development and manufacturing capabilities in the United States, positions the company to meet the rising demand for U.S. peptide development and domestic clinical and commercial manufacturing.

"The investment in our California facility represents a key milestone in our strategic growth and demonstrates an unwavering dedication to the domestic biopharma sector," said Joerg Ahlgrimm, CEO of SK pharmteco. "Peptides are a vital and rapidly advancing therapeutic category. This project highlights our ongoing commitment to furthering their development and manufacturing."

"We are expanding our capacity to meet the increasing demand for high-quality, secure U.S. manufacturing, with this investment and others to come," Ahlgrimm said. "While many companies are now committing to expanding capacity in the U.S., CDMOs like SK pharmteco remain a vital part of the supply chain, both now and in the future. Our stronger network accelerates the journey from discovery to commercial production, boosting the resilience of domestic manufacturing to deliver essential medicines more quickly to patients."

This new funding signifies a strategic expansion of SPPS at both lab and kilo scales, including the essential purification step, providing a complete pathway for fast and reliable peptide process development in the U.S. It also complements SK pharmteco's $260 million investment in a new small molecule and peptide production facility in South Korea, announced last year.

While initial SPPS is generally accessible, the industry's challenge lies in the unpredictable processes needed to efficiently convert complex molecules into high-purity, large-volume batches, often causing bottlenecks and supply delays - an issue this integrated capacity aims to resolve.

The lab is scheduled to come online in January 2026, and the kilo-scale facility in the second half of 2026.

About SK pharmteco

SK pharmteco is a global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) with production sites, research & development facilities, and analytical laboratories across the U.S., Europe, and South Korea. The company partners with biopharmaceutical companies of all sizes to manufacture Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) and intermediates, cell and gene therapy technologies, registered starting materials, and analytical services for the biopharmaceutical industry worldwide. SK pharmteco is a subsidiary of SK Inc. (KRX: 034730) (SK), the strategic investment company for SK Group, South Korea's second-largest conglomerate.







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Press Release from Business Wire: Andersen Consulting



(AFP) Oct 23, 2025



SAN FRANCISCO, Oct 23, 2025 (BSW) - Andersen Consulting strengthens its technology and business transformation capabilities through a Collaboration Agreement with Acronotics, a rapidly growing digital consulting firm headquartered in the UK with a presence in the U.S. and India.

As a specialist in AI-led business transformation, Acronotics works with Fortune 500 companies to accelerate digital transformation by harnessing the power of AI. The firm has deep expertise across manufacturing, banking and financial services, retail, fast-moving consumer goods, and high-tech industries, with a strong focus on AI/ML, Generative AI, and RPA technology stacks. Acronotics delivers end-to-end services including the design, development, and implementation of Agentic AI and RPA-based process automation solutions. Leveraging its proprietary Automated Digital Worker Management platform, Radium.ai, the firm helps clients manage and monitor their digital workforce effectively.

"Collaborating with Andersen Consulting enables us to scale globally and deliver greater value to enterprises seeking to leverage the power of AI to transform their business," said Jitin Goyal, founder and chairman of Acronotics. "By combining our downstream execution capabilities with Andersen Consulting's strategic advisory capabilities, we can unlock significant opportunities and help organizations achieve transformative, scalable results."

Mark L. Vorsatz, global chairman and CEO of Andersen, added, "Acronotics brings deep expertise in AI-driven digital consulting and cutting-edge automation capabilities that seamlessly complement our expanding consulting services. Together, we will help organizations implement practical, scalable solutions that generate real business impact."

Andersen Consulting is a global consulting practice providing a comprehensive suite of services spanning corporate strategy, business, technology, and AI transformation, as well as human capital solutions. Andersen Consulting integrates with the multidimensional service model of Andersen Global, delivering world-class consulting, tax, legal, valuation, global mobility, and advisory expertise on a global platform with more than 44,000 professionals worldwide and a presence in over 600 locations through its member firms and collaborating firms. Andersen Consulting Holdings LP is a limited partnership and provides consulting solutions through its member firms and collaborating firms around the world.







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Press Release from Business Wire: Ministry of Tourism Saudi Arabia



(AFP) Oct 23, 2025



RIYADH, Oct 23, 2025 (BSW) - The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will host the 26th session of the UN Tourism General Assembly from November 7 to 11. The landmark session will focus on "AI-Powered Tourism: Redefining the Future" and also commemorate five decades of cooperation under the United Nations' specialized agency for tourism.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251022579574/en/

Riyadh Nighttime View



Represented by its Ministry of Tourism, Saudi Arabia will welcome more than 160 member states, international organizations, and global industry players to engage in dialogue aimed at securing a brighter, more sustainable future for the industry and shaping the next 50 years of global tourism.

Saudi Arabia's Minister of Tourism, H.E. Ahmed Al Khateeb, invited the world to Riyadh to take part in a momentous milestone for global tourism diplomacy: "We look forward to hosting the world's leading organization for tourism in a session that will redefine global action in this increasingly vital sector and beyond."

On being the first GCC country to host a UN agency's general assembly, Minister Al Khateeb said: "This adds to the significance of this session and underscores the global vote of confidence given to Saudi Arabia as a convener and a trusted platform for international dialogue on tourism. Our mission-as hosts-is to bring the world together, unite views, and foster international cooperation that capitalizes on the growing tourism industry to advance the Sustainable Development Goals."

"The Kingdom firmly believes in the transformative power of tourism and its potential to enable comprehensive, sustainable development across economies and communities. This impact is evidenced by our own journey of unlocking the full potential of tourism and transforming the sector into a key driver of economic growth and diversification and an enabler of Saudi Vision 2030," H.E. Al Khateeb added.

In addition to four General Assembly plenaries, the 26th session will include several meetings of specialized committees, a thematic session to address the future of tourism in an AI-powered age, and the election of the next UN Tourism Secretary-General. The agenda also features the 124th and 125th sessions of the Executive Council, the highest executive body of the organization.

This coming November will be a decisive month for shaping the next 50 years of global tourism, as Saudi Arabia will launch-immediately after the UN Tourism General Assembly-the first TOURISE Summit, taking place on November 11-13. TOURISE is a new global platform that will convene public and private sector leaders in areas like tourism, technology, investment, sustainability, and culture. Together, leaders will aim to tackle global challenges, unlock opportunities in the travel and tourism sector, and set the agenda for a sector that is sustainable, equitable, and future-focused.

By hosting the supreme body of the UN Tourism and launching TOURISE, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is asserting its growing position as a global hub for cross-sectoral dialogue, a leader in multilateral cooperation, and a rising global tourism powerhouse.







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US says two dead in strike on alleged drug-smuggling boat in Pacific



Washington, Oct 22 (AFP) Oct 22, 2025



A new US strike on an alleged drug-smuggling boat killed two people, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday, announcing Washington's first such attack on a vessel in the Pacific Ocean.

The strike -- which Hegseth announced in a post on X alongside a video of a boat being engulfed in flames -- brings the total number to at least eight, with at least 34 people dead.

"There were two narco-terrorists aboard the vessel during the strike, which was conducted in international waters. Both terrorists were killed and no US forces were harmed in this strike," Hegseth said of Tuesday's action in the eastern Pacific.

"Just as Al-Qaeda waged war on our homeland, these cartels are waging war on our border and our people. There will be no refuge or forgiveness -- only justice," he wrote.

President Donald Trump's administration has said in a notice to Congress that the United States is engaged in "armed conflict" with Latin American drug cartels, describing them as terrorist groups as part of its justification for the strikes.

"The president determined these cartels are non-state armed groups, designated them as terrorist organizations, and determined that their actions constitute an armed attack against the United States," said the notice from the Pentagon, which also described suspected smugglers as "unlawful combatants."

But Washington has not released evidence to support its assertion that the targets of its strikes are drug smugglers, and experts say the summary killings are illegal even if they target confirmed narcotics traffickers.



- Regional tensions -



There were survivors of a US strike for the first time last week, but Washington chose to repatriate them rather than put them on trial for their alleged crimes.

Ecuador released one after finding no evidence that he had committed a crime, while authorities in Colombia said the other -- who "arrived with brain trauma, sedated, drugged, breathing with a ventilator" -- would face prosecution.

The US military campaign -- which has seen Washington deploy stealth warplanes and Navy ships as part of what it says are counter-narcotics efforts -- has fueled tensions with countries in the region.

This is especially the case with Venezuela, where the buildup of US forces has sparked fears that the ultimate goal is the overthrow of President Nicolas Maduro, whom Washington accuses of heading a drug cartel.

The United States has not specified the origin of the vessels it has targeted -- seven boats and one semi-submersible -- but has said that some were destroyed off the coast of Venezuela in international waters.

Meanwhile, a public feud between Trump and Colombia's leftist leader Gustavo Petro intensified in recent weeks over the Republican president's deadly anti-drug campaign.

Trump on Sunday vowed to end all aid to the South American nation -- a historically close US partner and the world's leading cocaine producer -- and branded Petro, who has accused the US president of murder, as an "illegal drug dealer."

Colombia on Monday recalled its ambassador to the United States, but Petro met with the top US diplomat in his country the following day to discuss counter-narcotics efforts, with Bogota's foreign ministry saying the two sides "reaffirmed the commitment of both parties to improve drug fighting strategies."
Men attend a mass Bhai Tika ceremony during the Tihar festival at Kasthamandap Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, Oct. 23, 2025. The last day of Tihar, widely celebrated across Nepal, is known as Bhai Tika. On this day, sisters apply a tika on the foreheads of their brothers praying for their long life, good health and prosperity. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)

A man receives tika at the mass Bhai Tika ceremony during the Tihar festival at Kasthamandap Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, Oct. 23, 2025. The last day of Tihar, widely celebrated across Nepal, is known as Bhai Tika. On this day, sisters apply a tika on the foreheads of their brothers praying for their long life, good health and prosperity. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)

Oil lamps are lit for the mass Bhai Tika ceremony during the Tihar festival at Kasthamandap Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, Oct. 23, 2025. The last day of Tihar, widely celebrated across Nepal, is known as Bhai Tika. On this day, sisters apply a tika on the foreheads of their brothers praying for their long life, good health and prosperity. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)

A man with tika is seen at the mass Bhai Tika ceremony during the Tihar festival at Kasthamandap Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, Oct. 23, 2025. The last day of Tihar, widely celebrated across Nepal, is known as Bhai Tika. On this day, sisters apply a tika on the foreheads of their brothers praying for their long life, good health and prosperity. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)

A woman performs a ritual for the mass Bhai Tika ceremony during the Tihar festival at Kasthamandap Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, Oct. 23, 2025. The last day of Tihar, widely celebrated across Nepal, is known as Bhai Tika. On this day, sisters apply a tika on the foreheads of their brothers praying for their long life, good health and prosperity. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)

A man receives tika at the mass Bhai Tika ceremony during the Tihar festival at Kasthamandap Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, Oct. 23, 2025. The last day of Tihar, widely celebrated across Nepal, is known as Bhai Tika. On this day, sisters apply a tika on the foreheads of their brothers praying for their long life, good health and prosperity. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)
US troops train in Panama jungle, as tensions simmer with Venezuela



Panama, Oct 22 (AFP) Oct 22, 2025



The US military carried out small-scale survival and jungle combat drills on Panama's Caribbean coast Wednesday, as Washington amassed a vast naval presence off Venezuela.

Under a scorching sun, about a dozen US Marines armed with assault rifles simulated storming a bunker at the former US Fort Sherman base near the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal.

The facilities now serve as a training ground for US Marines and Panamanian police under a cooperation program launched in August.

Panama said about 50 US Marines would train from October 9 to 29 in its jungle to improve their skills "in one of the most demanding environments."

"This training is purely aimed at our defense and protection" to fight "organized crime and drug trafficking," Panamanian Major Didier Santamaria told AFP.

A similar course in August "focused only on survival; this one adds some tactics and jungle tracking," said US Colonel Ada Cotto.

The mission is to "create knowledge and mutual relationships" that can be shared "for both countries," she said.

The drills come amid tension between the United States and Venezuela, whose president Nicolas Maduro accuses Washington of plotting to overthrow him.

Washington has sent several warships and thousands of troops to Caribbean region.

But Cotto denied any link between the US exercises and plans to intervene in Venezuela.

"We are not preparing for anything," she said when asked if the training was related to the Venezuelan crisis.

"Everything is transparent and by invitation of the Panamanian government," she added.

The agreement was signed amid pressure from US President Donald Trump, who threatened to take control of the Panama Canal, refusing to rule out the use of force.
Mali ruler fires commanders after battlefield setbacks



Bamako, Oct 22 (AFP) Oct 22, 2025



Mali's military ruler fired three senior commanders in the armed forces, a cabinet meeting report showed Wednesday, with a source blaming battlefield failings in the campaign against jihadists.

Junta leader Assimi Goita replaced the deputy general chief of staff, the head of military security and the ground forces' chief of staff, the document said.

A senior officer who asked not to be named told AFP that the three were fired during an emergency defence council meeting on Tuesday "for poor results" on the battlefield.

"Their firing is linked to bad results by troops on the ground and failures of intelligence in anticipating and countering attacks," the officer said, adding that some of the three would be prosecuted.

Since 2012 Mali has been locked in a security crisis fuelled by violence from jihadists linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group.

The junta took over through coups in 2020 and 2021 and has since struggled to stem the attacks.

Al-Qaeda-linked fighters have recently appeared to be seeking to isolate the capital Bamako by increasing operations on the surrounding roads.

Since September they have blockaded fuel imports from neighbouring countries, disrupting daily life in the landlocked country.

lar-str-mk-bdi-lp/rlp/sbk
California to deploy national guard to help food banks



Los Angeles, United States, Oct 23 (AFP) Oct 23, 2025



California's governor said Wednesday he would be deploying the state's national guard to help distribute food to Americans struggling because of the US government shutdown.

Hundreds of thousands of federal workers across the country are not being paid as Democrats and Republicans in Washington squabble over the national budget, leaving some families struggling to meet their costs.

Payments to some of America's poorest people, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) -- known colloquially as food stamps -- are also due to expire in the coming days if no agreement is reached.

That is set to put extra pressure on food banks, which typically offer free or low-cost produce to people who cannot otherwise afford to buy it.

Governor Gavin Newsom said he would be activating the Guard to do the kind of food bank work they performed during the Covid pandemic, when they helped serve millions of meals.

Newsom, a Democrat who battled President Donald Trump's order to deploy the National Guard to support immigration raids, said he was also fast-tracking $80 million of state support to help feed those in need.

"Trump's failure isn't abstract -- it's literally taking food out of people's mouths," said Newsom, who is expected to seek the Democratic nomination for the White House in 2027.

"Millions of Americans rely on food benefits to feed their families, and while Republicans in Washington drag their feet... California is working to ensure (food stamp) recipients don't go hungry while food prices are spiking."

Nationally, the program feeds more than 42 million people, with roughly 5.5 million in California alone.

The federal government shutdown, now in its fourth week, is the second longest in history, with no end to the stalemate in sight.

The National Guard is a state-based military reserve force, made up largely of people who serve part-time while holding civilian jobs or conducting other activities.

It is routinely mobilized to address emergencies on US soil, typically natural disasters.

In the last few months Trump has sparked fury by federalizing parts of the Guard to deploy troops in Democratic cities including Los Angeles and Washington.
Trump, Colombia leader trade threats as US strikes boat in Pacific



Washington, Oct 23 (AFP) Oct 23, 2025



President Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart Gustavo Petro traded angry threats Wednesday as the United States announced its first strike on an alleged drug-smuggling boat in the Pacific Ocean, killing two people.

Trump branded Petro a "thug" and suggested he was a drug trafficker leading his country to ruin, prompting the leftist leader to vow: "I will defend myself legally with American lawyers."

Trump said vital military aid to Colombia had been cut and warned Petro to "watch it," hours after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted a video of a boat engulfed in flames.

"There were two narco-terrorists aboard the vessel... Both terrorists were killed and no US forces were harmed," Hegseth said on X, adding: "Just as Al-Qaeda waged war on our homeland, these cartels are waging war on our border."

Tuesday's strike, apparently carried out in international waters, brings the total number of such US attacks to at least eight, with 34 people dead, according to US figures.

Until now the strikes had only taken place in the Caribbean.

The origin of the targeted vessels -- seven boats and one semi-submersible -- has not been disclosed, though some were destroyed off Venezuela's coast.

At least one came from Trinidad and Tobago, another from Colombia, families of those killed told AFP.

Washington has deployed stealth warplanes and Navy ships as part of what it calls counter-narcotics efforts, but has yet to release evidence that its targets were drug smugglers.

The Pentagon told Congress the United States is in "armed conflict" with Latin American drug cartels, designating them as terrorist groups and describing suspected smugglers as "unlawful combatants."

Experts say the summary killings are illegal even if they target confirmed traffickers.

Regional tensions have flared, with Colombia recalling its ambassador to Washington and Venezuela accusing the United States of plotting to overthrow President Nicolas Maduro.

Colombia is the world's top cocaine producer, but has worked for decades alongside the United States to curb production, which is controlled by a range of well-funded paramilitary, cartel and guerrilla groups.

But relations have soured markedly since Trump and Petro have taken power.

- 'Unacceptable' -

"Under no circumstances can one justify that kind of threats and accusations that have no basis whatsoever," Colombian ambassador Daniel Garcia-Pena told AFP after being recalled to Bogota for consultations.

"There are elements that are unacceptable," he said, visibly alarmed after being told what Trump had said minutes before.

"We are facing a US government that is trying to change the paradigm of its international relations" Garcia-Pena added, "where uncertainty unfortunately plays a very important role."

"At stake here is a historic relationship of more than 200 years that benefits both the United States and Colombia," he said.
North Korea says tested 'cutting-edge' new weapon system



Seoul, Oct 23 (AFP) Oct 23, 2025



North Korea said on Thursday it had tested a "cutting-edge" new weapon system using hypersonic missiles aimed at bolstering its defences against Pyongyang's foes.

The launch was detected by Seoul's military on Wednesday and was Pyongyang's first of its kind in months.

It came a week before world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, are set to descend on South Korea for a major regional summit.

Top military official Pak Jong Chon declared the "new cutting-edge weapon system is a clear proof of steadily upgrading self-defensive technical capabilities of the DPRK", state news agency KCNA said, using North Korea's official acronym.

KCNA said the test was aimed at enhancing the "sustainability and effectiveness of strategic deterrence against potential enemies".

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was not reported to have attended the launch.

State media said the two "hypersonic projectiles" had been launched south of the capital Pyongyang and had hit a target in the country's northeast.

Images shared by KCNA showed a missile flying through the air, before hitting a target and exploding in a hail of black dirt and smoke.

Hypersonic missiles travel at more than five times the speed of sound and can manoeuvre mid-flight, making them harder to track and intercept.
Maduro says Venezuela has 5,000 Russian anti-aircraft missiles to counter US



Caracas, Oct 23 (AFP) Oct 23, 2025



President Nicolas Maduro said Wednesday that Venezuela has 5,000 Russian man-portable surface-to-air missiles to counter US forces deployed in the Caribbean.

Washington has deployed stealth warplanes and Navy ships in the Caribbean as part of what it calls counter-narcotics efforts, and destroyed at least eight vessels it said were smuggling drugs from Venezuela toward the United States.

Venezuela has denounced the deployment as a dress rehearsal for an operation to oust Maduro, whom Washington accuses of running a drug cartel.

In a televised ceremony with senior military leaders, Maduro said Venezuela has Russian-made short-range missiles known as Igla-S -- "no fewer than 5,000 in key air defense positions to ensure peace."

The Igla-S, designed to take down low flying planes, has been used in military exercises ordered by Maduro in response to the US military activity, which has enraged leaders in much of Latin America.

The Pentagon has told Congress the United States is in "armed conflict" with Latin American drug cartels, designating them as terrorist groups and describing suspected smugglers as "unlawful combatants."

Experts say the summary killings are illegal even if they target confirmed traffickers.

Regional tensions have flared, with Colombia recalling its ambassador to Washington amid a nasty spat between its leftist president Gustavo Petro and President Donald Trump.

Trump said Wednesday that the US deployment has cut trafficking by sea drastically and is prepared to attack drug traffickers operating on land.
Trump, Colombia leader trade threats as US strikes boats in Pacific



Washington, Oct 23 (AFP) Oct 23, 2025



President Donald Trump and his Colombian counterpart Gustavo Petro traded angry threats Wednesday as the United States announced strikes on two alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Pacific Ocean that left five people dead.

Trump branded Petro a "thug" and suggested he was a drug trafficker leading his country to ruin, prompting the leftist leader to vow: "I will defend myself legally with American lawyers."

The US president also said vital military aid to Bogota had been cut and warned Petro -- a sharp critic of the strikes -- to "watch it," while Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the Colombian leader a "lunatic."

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth meanwhile announced two strikes on boats in the Pacific -- one on Wednesday and another the day before -- in social media posts showing the vessels being engulfed in flames.

"Just as Al-Qaeda waged war on our homeland, these cartels are waging war on our border and our people. There will be no refuge or forgiveness -- only justice," wrote Hegseth.

The strikes, which Hegseth said were carried out in international waters, bring the total number of such US attacks to at least nine, with 37 people dead, according to US figures.

Until now the strikes had only taken place in the Caribbean.

The origin of the targeted vessels -- eight boats and one semi-submersible -- has not been disclosed, though some were destroyed off Venezuela's coast.



- 'Unacceptable' -



At least one came from Trinidad and Tobago, another from Colombia, families of those killed told AFP.

Washington has deployed stealth warplanes and Navy ships as part of what it calls counter-narcotics efforts, but has yet to release evidence that its targets were drug smugglers.

The Pentagon told Congress the United States is in "armed conflict" with Latin American drug cartels, designating them as terrorist groups and describing suspected smugglers as "unlawful combatants."

Experts say the summary killings are illegal even if they target confirmed traffickers.

Regional tensions have flared, with Colombia recalling its ambassador to Washington and Venezuela accusing the United States of plotting to overthrow President Nicolas Maduro, who said Wednesday that his country has 5,000 Russian man-portable surface-to-air missiles to counter US forces.

Colombia is the world's top cocaine producer, but has worked for decades alongside the United States to curb production, which is controlled by a range of well-funded paramilitary, cartel and guerrilla groups.

But relations have soured markedly since Trump and Petro have taken power, with the fued intensifying in recent weeks over the Republican president's deadly anti-drug campaign.

"Under no circumstances can one justify that kind of threats and accusations that have no basis whatsoever," Colombian ambassador Daniel Garcia-Pena told AFP after being recalled to Bogota for consultations.

"There are elements that are unacceptable," he said, visibly alarmed after being told what Trump had said minutes before.

"We are facing a US government that is trying to change the paradigm of its international relations" Garcia-Pena added, "where uncertainty unfortunately plays a very important role."

"At stake here is a historic relationship of more than 200 years that benefits both the United States and Colombia," he said.
North Korea says tested new weapon system



Seoul, Oct 23 (AFP) Oct 23, 2025



North Korea said on Thursday it had tested a "cutting-edge" new weapon system using hypersonic missiles aimed at bolstering its defences against Pyongyang's foes.

The launch was detected by Seoul's military on Wednesday and was Pyongyang's first of its kind in months.

It came a week before world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, are set to descend on South Korea for a major regional summit.

Top military official Pak Jong Chon declared the "new cutting-edge weapon system is a clear proof of steadily upgrading self-defensive technical capabilities of the DPRK", state news agency KCNA said, using North Korea's official acronym.

KCNA said the test was aimed at enhancing the "sustainability and effectiveness of strategic deterrence against potential enemies".

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was not reported to have attended the launch.

State media said the two "hypersonic projectiles" had been launched south of the capital Pyongyang and had hit a target in the country's northeast.

Images shared by KCNA showed a missile flying through the air, before hitting a target and exploding in a hail of black dirt and smoke.

Hypersonic missiles travel at more than five times the speed of sound and can manoeuvre mid-flight, making them harder to track and intercept.

They have been deployed to deadly effect this year on cities in Ukraine by Russia, with whom North Korea has deepened ties in recent years, and by Iran against Israel.

North Korean media did not share details of the new missiles' range, trajectory angle or speed.

And Kim's absence from the launch may indicate Pyongyang was seeking to "tone down" its impact, Yang Moo-jin, former president of the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, told AFP.

"However, given its range, the hypersonic missile is clearly aimed at the South," added Yang, noting the timing of the launch just days before the APEC summit.
France to try soldier accused of leaking military secrets to journalist



Paris, Oct 23 (AFP) Oct 23, 2025



A military engineer is to go on trial next year, accused of leaking defence secrets to a journalist who wrote about the ultra-sensitive issue of France's military cooperation with its ally Egypt, a source following the case and prosecutors said Thursday.

Investigative website Disclose published a series of articles in 2021, including one in which it alleged that the Egyptian state used a French counter-intelligence operation in Egypt, codenamed "Sirli", for a "campaign of arbitrary executions" against smugglers on the Libyan border.

The journalist who wrote the articles, Ariane Lavrilleux, was however not to be tried as her article was deemed of "public interest", the source said.

Prosecutors had in August urged the military member be tried for the lesser charge of "breach of professional confidentiality", but the investigating magistrate on October 9 ordered he go to court in May next year charged with "leaking defence secrets", it added.

The Paris prosecutor's office confirmed the trial had been ordered, but it said that it had on Monday appealed the magistrate's decision to try him on the more serious charge.

The engineer has denied any wrongdoing.

His lawyer, Margaux van der Have, dismissed the charges, saying the accusation was not based on any "established facts", but rather the "probability" of a leak.

Lavrilleux was arrested in 2023, sparking outrage among fellow journalists and raising questions about how the government employs controversial laws on issues of national secrecy, in a country that is supposed to cherish the right to freedom of expression.

She spent 39 hours in detention, repeatedly interrogated by domestic intelligence agents for simply, she said at the time, doing her job.

Amnesty International secretary general Agnes Callamard at the time described the arrest as "chilling" and described it as part "of a wider attack on public interest journalists who attempt to expose the opaque actions of the French intelligence services."

"If we don't protect sources, it's the end of journalism," Lavrilleux said.
France to try soldier accused of leaking military secrets to journalist



Paris, Oct 23 (AFP) Oct 23, 2025



A military engineer is to go on trial, accused of leaking defence secrets to a journalist who wrote about the ultra-sensitive issue of France's military cooperation with its ally Egypt, a source following the case and prosecutors said Thursday.

The case has sparked an outcry in France from journalists, who say that their sources must be protected.

Investigative website Disclose published a series of articles in 2021, including one in which it alleged that the Egyptian state used a French counter-intelligence operation in Egypt, codenamed "Sirli", for a "campaign of arbitrary executions" against smugglers on the Libyan border.

Disclose claimed that French forces were involved in at least 19 strikes against civilians between 2016 and 2018.

A journalist who co-wrote the article, Ariane Lavrilleux, was however not to be tried as the report was deemed of "public interest", the source said.

Prosecutors had in August urged the military member be tried for the lesser charge of "breach of professional confidentiality", but the investigating magistrate on October 9 ordered he go to court in May next year charged with "leaking defence secrets", it added.

The Paris prosecutor's office confirmed the trial had been ordered, but it said that it had on Monday appealed the magistrate's decision to try him on the more serious charge.

The engineer, who was formally charged and placed under judicial surveillance in 2023, has denied any wrongdoing.

His lawyer, Margaux van der Have, dismissed the allegations, saying they were not based on any "established facts", but rather the "probability" of a leak.



- 'Relief' -



The journalist, Lavrilleux, was arrested in 2023, sparking outrage among fellow journalists and raising questions about how the government employs controversial laws on issues of national secrecy in a country that is supposed to cherish the right to freedom of expression.

She spent 39 hours in detention, repeatedly interrogated by domestic intelligence agents for simply, she said at the time, doing her job.

But she escaped any formal charge earlier this year.

"Disclose and I have been exonerated after years of investigation. It's a relief and even a victory," Lavrilleux said.

Amnesty International secretary general Agnes Callamard, at the time of the arrest, described it as "chilling" and as part "of a wider attack on public interest journalists who attempt to expose the opaque actions of the French intelligence services".

"If we don't protect sources, it's the end of journalism," Lavrilleux said.

Disclose published a series of articles in November 2021 called the "Egypt Papers".

Another one alleged that three French companies, with the tacit agreement of the authorities, installed a massive cyber-surveillance system that enabled unprecedented repression of Egyptian civil society.

After the "Sirli" report, two NGOs last year filed complaints with the European Court of Human Rights against France for helping Egypt with intelligence they say was used to kill civilians.

Egyptians Abroad for Democracy and Code Pink-Women For Peace said that a refusal by the French judiciary to launch an investigation on the basis of the report constituted a violation of human rights, notably the right to life and the right to a fair trial.
MOSCOW, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. decision to impose new unilateral sanctions on Russian oil companies could stifle efforts to end the conflict with Ukraine, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

"We view this step as entirely counterproductive, including in terms of signaling support for achieving meaningful negotiated solutions to the Ukrainian conflict," Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Thursday.

She warned that the new sanctions could have negative consequences for the United States itself and harm global economic stability.

Zakharova added that the measures would not cause serious difficulties for Russia, noting that the country has developed a "strong immunity" to Western restrictions and will continue to strengthen its economy and energy sector.

The U.S. Treasury Department on Wednesday announced sanctions on Russia's two largest oil producers, Rosneft and Lukoil, in a bid to pressure Moscow to agree to an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine.

The United States and its allies have imposed multiple rounds of financial and trade sanctions on Russia since the Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out in February 2022. 
Iran says any new attack would be 'another failure'



Tehran, Oct 23 (AFP) Oct 23, 2025



Iran warned on Thursday against fresh attacks on his country, after UN nuclear watchdog chief said he fears a possible "renewed use of force" if attempts at diplomacy with Tehran fail.

In mid-June, Israel launched an unprecedented bombing campaign against Iran, triggering a war during which Iran responded with missile and drone strikes.

During the 12-day war, Israel targeted Iranian military and nuclear sites as well as residential areas, with the United States joining later with strikes on key nuclear facilities.

The conflict derailed nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington which had begun in April. A ceasefire between Iran and Israel has been in place since June 24.

In an interview published Wednesday with Swiss newspaper Le Temps, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi said "if diplomacy fails, I fear a renewed use of force".

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Thursday said it was not clear whether Grossi's remarks were meant "out of concern or as a threat".

"But those who issue such threats must understand that repeating a failed experience will only lead to another failure," he added in a video published by the foreign ministry.

Tensions between Iran and the IAEA surged immediately after 12-day war, with Tehran suspending its cooperation with the agency over what it described as its failure to adequately condemn the Israeli and US strikes.

In September, Iran and the IAEA agreed a new cooperation framework, but weeks later Tehran deemed that framework invalid after Britain, France, and Germany triggered the return of UN sanctions that were removed under a 2015 nuclear deal.

That deal was effectively torpedoed in 2018 when the US unilaterally withdrew from it during President Donald Trump's first term in office.

During his interview, Grossi said Iran had since the war imposed "limits on inspections because it fears for its security" and only allowed inspectors "sparingly".

According to the IAEA, Iran is the only country without nuclear weapons to enrich uranium to 60 percent, close to the 90 percent threshold required for a bomb.

"If it were to take the next steps, Iran would have enough material for around 10 nuclear bombs," said Grossi.

"However, we have no proof that Tehran was seeking to acquire nuclear weapons."
Colombia calls for US to stop deadly boat attacks



Bogota, Oct 23 (AFP) Oct 23, 2025



The Colombian government has asked the United States to stop attacking vessels in the Pacific and the Caribbean as part of an operation that Washington says is targeting drug smuggling.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Wednesday announced strikes on two alleged drug-running boats in the Pacific that left five people dead.

The strikes, which Hegseth said were carried out in international waters, bring the total number of such US attacks to at least nine, with 37 people dead, according to US figures.

"Colombia calls on the US government to cease these attacks and urges it to respect the norms dictated by international law," the foreign ministry said in a statement Wednesday evening.

The government of leftist President Gustavo Petro, who has been embroiled in a war of words with Trump, "rejects the destruction by the United States of a vessel allegedly related to drug trafficking in the Pacific Ocean," the statement added.

Trump and Petro exchanged angry threats on Wednesday.

Trump branded Petro a "thug" and suggested he was a drug trafficker leading his country to ruin, prompting Petro to vow: "I will defend myself legally with American lawyers."

The US president also said military aid to Bogota had been cut and warned Petro to "watch it," while Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the Colombian leader a "lunatic."

In the statement, Colombia reiterated "its call on the US government to engage in dialogue through diplomatic channels" to "continue jointly the fight against drugs in the region" as they had been doing for decades.
Two dead in Israeli strikes on east Lebanon: ministry



Beirut, Lebanon, Oct 23 (AFP) Oct 23, 2025



Two people were killed in Israeli air strikes on mountainous areas in eastern Lebanon on Thursday, according to the health ministry, with the Israeli military saying it had struck Hezbollah targets.

"The strikes launched by the Israeli enemy on the eastern and western mountain chains resulted in an initial death toll of two," the Lebanese health ministry said in a statement.

Lebanon's official National News Agency had earlier said that "Israeli warplanes launched a series of violent strikes on the eastern mountain range" in the Bekaa region near the border with Syria.

The NNA also said two Israeli strikes targeted the Hermel range in the country's northeast.

The Israeli military meanwhile said it had targeted Hezbollah sites in east and north Lebanon, including "a military camp and a site for the production of precision missiles" in the Bekaa valley.

The military said in a statement that it "struck several terrorist targets" in the Bekaa, including "a camp used for training Hezbollah militants".

It added that it "struck military infrastructure at a site for the production of precision missiles".

It also targeted "a Hezbollah military site in the Sharbin area in northern Lebanon".

Israel has repeatedly bombed Lebanon despite a November ceasefire that brought to an end more than a year of hostilities with the militant group Hezbollah that culminated in two months of open war.

As part of that deal, Israeli forces were to withdraw from southern Lebanon and Hezbollah was to dismantle its forces in the region.

Under US pressure and fearing an escalation of Israeli strikes, the Lebanese government has moved to begin disarming Hezbollah, a plan which the militant movement and its allies oppose.
Colombian president accuses US of 'executions' in Caribbean, Pacific



Bogota, Oct 23 (AFP) Oct 23, 2025



Colombia's leftist president on Thursday ramped up criticism of Donald Trump's strikes in the Caribbean and Pacific and swatted aside the US president's threats to freeze millions of dollars in aid.

Fueling a spat that has shattered ties between the two nations, Gustavo Petro said, "Mr Trump has slandered me and insulted Colombia."

He insisted Trump was "carrying out extrajudicial executions" that "violate international law" by striking alleged drug-trafficking boats.

Colombia has urged Washington to halt the strikes, which have destroyed nine vessels and killed at least 37 people, according to US figures.

At least one Colombian is among the dead, a fisherman who Petro said may have become involved in trafficking "intermittently" to escape poverty.

The pushback has infuriated Trump, who has branded Petro a "thug" and drug trafficker.

Trump also announced cuts to US aid to Colombia and threatened tariffs on Colombian goods.

If enacted, the cuts would effectively end decades of security cooperation to curb the flow of cocaine from the world's biggest producer, Colombia, to its biggest consumer, the United States.

But on Thursday, Petro dismissed the impact of cutting aid, saying the cash goes to fund US non-governmental groups and to buy US arms.

"What happens if they take away the aid? In my opinion, nothing," he said.

Petro said Trump's decision to put Colombia on a blacklist of countries not helping in the drug war was an "insult."

He insisted Colombia was successfully countering cartels, despite cocaine production and exports hitting record levels.

"We have been the most effective in cocaine seizures in world history," said Petro.

Petro said Trump was being fed misinformation by his opponents on Colombia's "far right."

He said they aimed to influence Colombia's 2026 presidential election, to "strike Colombian progressivism and seize oil wells" in Venezuela.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called Petro a "lunatic."

Colombia has recalled its ambassador from Washington and called for dialogue.
Lithuania summons Russian diplomat after airspace incursion



Vilnius, Oct 23 (AFP) Oct 23, 2025



Lithuania summoned a Russian diplomat in protest after two Russian planes entered its airspace on Thursday, the Lithuanian foreign ministry said.

A Sukhoi SU-30 fighter and an IL-78 tanker from the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad passed through Lithuanian airspace for 700 metres (2,300 feet) before leaving it 18 seconds later, probably during aerial refuelling training, according to a short statement from the NATO member country's military.

Later Thursday, the Lithuanian foreign ministry said it had summoned the charge d'affaire from the Russian embassy and issued a "strong protest".

Vilnius urged Russia to "immediately explain" the reasons for the violation of Lithuanian airspace and to take "all necessary measures to prevent such incidents from happening again in the future", the statement said.

Two Spanish airforce Typhoon Eurofighters -- part of a NATO air patrol mission in the Baltic -- were quickly deployed after the planes breached Lithuania's border.

The three Baltic countries, all NATO members and firm supporters of Ukraine, border either Russia or its ally Belarus and have been exposed to violations of their territory by Russian planes or drones.

In September, three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered Estonian airspace over the Gulf of Finland and remained there for approximately 12 minutes.

This incident prompted Tallinn to request an extraordinary meeting of the UN Security Council and the activation of Article 4 of the Atlantic Treaty, which provides for consultations between allies in the event of a threat to one of its members.
Venezuela defense minister vows any CIA operation against country 'will fail'



Caracas, Oct 23 (AFP) Oct 23, 2025



Venezuela's defense minister said Thursday any CIA operation against his country "will fail," after US President Donald Trump authorized covert action against the South American nation.

"We know the CIA is present" in Venezuela, Minister Vladimir Padrino said. "They may deploy I don't know how many CIA-affiliated units in covert operations... and any attempt will fail."

Trump last week said he had authorized covert CIA action against Venezuela and was considering strikes against alleged drug cartels on land.

Padrino was overseeing military exercises along Venezuela's coast in response to the deployment of a US military fleet in the Caribbean.

Washington says those assets are in place for anti-drug operations, but Caracas believes they are part of a bid to unseat President Nicolas Maduro.

Close to 40 people have been killed in recent US attacks on boats in the Caribbean, claimed by their governments and loved ones to be mainly civilians, including fishermen out at sea.

Experts have questioned the legality of using lethal force in foreign or international waters against suspects who have not been intercepted or questioned.

Trump accuses Maduro of heading a drug cartel, a charge the Venezuelan leader denies.
Bolsonaro's son urges US to bomb narco boats in Rio



Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Oct 23 (AFP) Oct 23, 2025



Brazilian senator Flavio Bolsonaro, son of former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro, on Thursday urged the United States to bomb boats in Rio de Janeiro to fight drug trafficking, as it has done in the Caribbean and Pacific.

Washington has deployed stealth warplanes and Navy ships in the Caribbean as part of what it calls counter-narcotics efforts, destroying nine vessels and killing at least 37 people, according to US figures.

President Donald Trump's government alleges the boats were involved in drug trafficking, although it has not shared evidence to back that assertion and some family members of those killed say they were innocent fishermen.

Flavio Bolsonaro said he was "envious" in a post on the X social media platform responding to one by Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, featuring a video of the moment a boat sailing at sea is hit by a missile and set ablaze.

"I heard there are boats like this here in Rio de Janeiro, in Guanabara Bay, flooding Brazil with drugs. Wouldn't you like to spend a few months here helping us fight these terrorist organizations?"

Trump last week said he had authorized covert CIA action against Venezuela and was considering strikes against alleged drug cartels on land.

The US actions -- which killed at least one Colombian -- have also enraged that country's leftist President Gustavo Petro and shattered ties between Washington and Bogota.

Petro said Trump was "carrying out extrajudicial executions" that "violate international law" by striking alleged drug-trafficking boats.

Washington has not released evidence to support its assertion that the targets of its strikes are drug smugglers, and experts say the summary killings are illegal even if they hit confirmed narcotics traffickers.

The Bolsonaro family has close ties to Trump.

The former president was sentenced last month to 27 years in prison over a botched coup attempt in what Trump said was a "witch hunt" against his ally.

Another son of the former president, Eduardo, lobbied hard for Washington to impose punitive tariffs on Brazil and sanctions against top officials.

However, tensions between Brasilia and Washington have thawed in recent weeks with a potential meeting on the cards between Trump and leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva at a summit starting this weekend in Malaysia.

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Four dead in Israeli strikes on Lebanon: ministry



Beirut, Lebanon, Oct 23 (AFP) Oct 23, 2025



Four people were killed in Israeli air strikes in eastern and southern Lebanon on Thursday, according to the country's health ministry, with the Israeli military saying it had attacked Hezbollah targets.

The ministry reported that strikes in mountainous areas in the east "resulted in an initial death toll of two" people.

It later stated that two others were killed in a separate strike in the south around Nabatieh, with the official National News Agency (NNA) reporting an elderly woman was one of the dead.

The NNA had earlier said that "Israeli warplanes launched a series of violent strikes on the eastern mountain range" in the Bekaa region near the border with Syria.

It also reported that two Israeli strikes targeted the Hermel range in the country's northeast.

The Israeli military, meanwhile, said it had attacked Hezbollah sites in east and north Lebanon, including "a military camp and a site for the production of precision missiles" in the Bekaa valley.

The military said in a statement that it "struck several terrorist targets" in the Bekaa, including "a camp used for training Hezbollah militants".

It later announced having also struck "a Hezbollah weapons storage facility in the area of Nabatieh".

Israel has repeatedly bombed Lebanon despite a November ceasefire, which brought to an end more than a year of hostilities with the militant group Hezbollah that culminated in two months of open war.

As part of that deal, Israeli forces were to withdraw from southern Lebanon and Hezbollah was to dismantle its forces in the region.

Under US pressure and fearing an escalation of Israeli strikes, the Lebanese government has moved to begin disarming Hezbollah, a plan which the militant movement and its allies oppose.
Colombian president lashes out at Trump 'executions'



Bogota, Oct 23 (AFP) Oct 23, 2025



Colombia's leftist president ramped up denunciations of Donald Trump's anti-drug air strikes and swatted aside US threats to freeze hundreds of millions of dollars in aid Thursday.

Fueling a spat that has shattered ties between the long-allied nations, Gustavo Petro said, "Mr Trump has slandered me and insulted Colombia."

Petro accused Trump of "carrying out extrajudicial executions" that "violate international law" by striking alleged drug-trafficking boats.

The US has destroyed nine vessels and killed at least 37 people in under two months, according to US government accounts.

"The deaths keep increasing like a taxi meter," said Petro.

At least one Colombian is among the dead, a fisherman who Petro now admits may have become involved in trafficking "intermittently" to escape poverty.

Colombia has publicly demanded that Washington halt the attacks, infuriating Trump, who has branded Petro a "thug" and drug trafficker.

As retribution, Trump has announced an end to hundreds of millions of dollars of US aid to Colombia and threatened tariffs on Colombian goods.

If enacted, the cuts would stifle decades of security cooperation to curb the flow of cocaine from the world's biggest producer, Colombia, to its biggest consumer, the United States.



- 'Seize oil wells' -

Petro dismissed the impact of aid cuts, saying the cash goes to fund US non-governmental groups and to buy US arms.

"What happens if they take away the aid? In my opinion, nothing," he said.

The United States provided Colombia with almost $750 million in aid in 2023, according to US figures.

There are growing fears among Colombia's allies that a withdrawal of US funds could harm efforts to prevent the country from sliding back into conflict.

Despite peace accords a decade ago, pockets of the country are still controlled by guerrillas, cartels, and other armed groups.

Petro -- a former guerrilla who will leave office after the May elections -- has not shied away from the feud, which plays well with some of his core leftwing supporters.

He recalled Colombia's ambassador from Washington for consultations.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt noted Petro's renewed attacks Thursday: "I don't think we're seeing a de-escalation from the unhinged leader of Colombia right now."

Petro also lashed out at Trump's September decision to put Colombia on a list of countries classified as not helping in the drug war.

Describing it as "an insult," he insisted Colombia was successfully countering cartels, despite cocaine production and exports hitting record levels.

"We have been the most effective in cocaine seizures in world history," Petro claimed, adding that Trump was being fed misinformation by his opponents on Colombia's "far right."

He said they aimed to influence Colombia's 2026 presidential election, to "strike Colombian progressivism and seize oil wells" in Venezuela.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called Petro a "lunatic."

Trump has said he is preparing attacks against traffickers operating on land, claiming maritime routes are being reduced.

"Any ground aggression is invasion and a rupture of national sovereignty," warned Petro.
US B-1B bomber flew off coast of Venezuela: flight tracking data



Washington, Oct 23 (AFP) Oct 23, 2025



At least one US B-1B bomber flew over the Caribbean Sea off the coast of Venezuela Thursday, flight tracking data showed, the second such show of force by US military aircraft in a week.

The bomber flight -- which President Donald Trump later falsely claimed did not occur -- comes as Washington carries out a military campaign against alleged drug traffickers in the region, deploying forces that have sparked fears in Caracas that regime change is the ultimate goal.

Data from tracking website Flightradar24 showed a B-1B flying toward the Venezuelan coast on Wednesday afternoon before making a U-turn and heading north, after which it disappeared from view.

Asked during a White House event about reporting that the United States had sent B-1Bs near Venezuela, Trump responded that "it's false," while adding the United States is "not happy with Venezuela for a lot of reasons."

The latest flight came about a week after US-based B-52 bombers circled off Venezuela's coast for several hours.

The US military described that mission as a demonstration of Washington's commitment "to proactively deter adversary threats, enhance crew training, and ensure the global force readiness necessary to respond to any contingency or challenge."

The United States has deployed stealth warplanes and Navy ships as part of what it calls counter-narcotics efforts, but has yet to release evidence that its targets -- eight boats and a semi-submersible -- were smuggling drugs.

The US strikes, which began on September 2, have killed at least 37 people, according to an AFP tally based on US figures.

Regional tensions have flared as a result of the campaign, with Venezuela accusing the United States of plotting to overthrow President Nicolas Maduro, who said Wednesday that his country has 5,000 Russian man-portable surface-to-air missiles to counter US forces.
BEIJING, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- China's State Council on Thursday announced the appointment and removal of officials.

Tan Quan was appointed assistant minister of public security.

Duan Yijun was appointed director of the National Religious Affairs Administration, replacing Chen Ruifeng. Duan will no longer serve as deputy head of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission.

Gao Xiang will serve as president of Dalian University of Technology (vice ministerial level), replacing Jia Zhenyuan.

Wang Dongwei was removed from the post of vice minister of finance. Wang Shuxin is no longer the president of Chongqing University. 
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"We have tried to resolve this through negotiation, but Serco's delay - now into months rather than weeks - is simply unacceptable. If no offer is received by this Friday, we will have no option but to begin a formal ballot for industrial action.
A reward of up to 20,000 is being offered to encourage anyone with information to speak up. Your help could be key to securing justice for Derrick and offering answers to his family. Can you help us?
The man who came back to the UK on October 18, after being sent to France on September 19, told the Guardian he was a victim of modern slavery at the hands of smugglers in the north of the country.
We are saying, led by Anas, yes to new nuclear in Scotland, and I want to partner with the leadership he is showing to deliver and we are determined to do so if Scotland elects a Labour government.
XINING, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Xining, a remote high-altitude city in northwest China, has been widening its appeal through an elusive big cat, namely the snow leopard.

One of these animals, residing in Xining, which is the capital city of Qinghai Province, became an internet sensation after a brief but dramatic zoo escape in late September.

Firefighters, drones and a team of 200 rescuers accompanied by search dogs, spent several hours searching for the missing snow leopard across a nearly 100-hectare wildlife park located on a forested hill.

During the third round of searching in the evening, a drone operator who was busy replacing the drone battery, spotted Naonao, which means Naughty, the 16-year-old escaped female snow leopard, in the grass at a distance of merely 300 meters from her enclosure, silently watching the person who had found her.

The runaway snow leopard quickly found herself at the top of trending topics on social media and made more people aware of the fact that Xining is one of the few cities able to catch a glimpse of this flagship species on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China's northwest.

Native to snow-capped mountains in central and southern Asia, snow leopards are at the core of biodiversity conservation efforts on the roof of the world. Scientists have conducted extensive research on the origins of this species and confirmed that it originated on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau approximately five million years ago.

Qinghai is the province with the most concentrated distribution of these rare animals in China. It is currently home to over 1,200 snow leopards. Snow leopard sightings have been increasingly recorded in areas surrounding Xining and reports on animal rescues involving snow leopards have frequently made headlines in recent times.

Xining Wildlife Park, notably, is a zoo-like facility also responsible for rescuing, treating and rehabilitating wild animals from across the province.

In March 2025, a snow leopard cub was found barely alive in the Sanjiangyuan National Park in southern Qinghai, a region where major Chinese rivers like the Yangtze originate.

The cub was rushed to Xining in a 1,000-kilometer journey. Zoo staff and local university experts in the field of veterinary medicine worked around the clock -- and managed to successfully save the badly injured young snow leopard. Under their care, the cub later gained both weight and strength.

This park has treated over 2,400 wild animals -- more than one-third of which have been returned to the wild. According to Qi Xinzhang, the park's deputy director, about 70 percent of the country's successful snow leopard rescue cases took place here.

These 12 rescued snow leopards were all given the surname Ling, which signifies both ice and to cross over in Chinese, in the hope that they would overcome life-threatening challenges, Qi explained. Two of these 12 snow leopards have been released back into the wild.

Such rescue stories have often been shared online -- touching thousands of netizens in the process.

However, the park in Xining had struggled with low visitor numbers for many years. "It was a zoo that could be described as both rich and poor," Qi said. "Rich in species, as it is home to China's only captive Pallas's cats, zoo-bred lynx and snow leopards -- but poor in facilities, as many of the animals there were old and weak."

"Sometimes we could not sell a single ticket all day," Qi recalled.

He began boosting passenger flow through raising the welfare of the animals in this zoo. His team launched an "enrichment" initiative, modifying the breeding environment and captivity methods, while also providing the animals with more options.

Zoo staff built scratching posts for big cats, created puzzle feeders and introduced compatible animals to foster social interaction. Many of these toys and zoo facilities were handmade -- using donated or recycled materials.

Qi's methods worked. The zoo became a joyful place where visitors could capture images of animals engaging in active play -- shattering the conventional stereotype of animals merely walking around in cages.

Social media were also used intelligently to transform rescue and breeding stories into viral posts, while star animals have their own video diaries.

"The wildlife park is a must-see place," one netizen commented. "A zoo that truly cares."

The connection between Xining and the snow leopard now extends far beyond the zoo.

In September 2024, Xining adopted the snow leopard as its urban mascot. This big cat has become the city's symbol -- with 3D snow-leopard sculptures displayed throughout its streets and alleyways, crosswalks painted with paw prints, and cultural products featuring the animal filling local shops.

Also, artists in Xining have incorporated snow leopard images into traditional crafts, while schools are offering ecology lessons related to this big cat.

"Choosing the snow leopard shows Xining's resolve to prioritize ecology and green development," said Gan Zhanfang, a city official.

Gan believes the snow leopard craze will spark an economic spillover. In the first nine months of 2025, Xining received more than 34 million tourists, an increase of 22 percent -- with tourism revenue up 20 percent from the same period last year.

"It will be an innovative way to turn ecological value into cultural and economic value," Gan said.

With Thursday marking International Snow Leopard Day, this Chinese city is under the spotlight -- as it exemplifies how urban conservation efforts can help people and snow leopards share the same horizon. 
Charles will also be recognised for the British monarchys historic association with the basilica, the seat of a Benedictine Abbey, and will be made Royal Confrater of the abbey as, in centuries past, monarchs provided for the upkeep of the tomb of St Paul at the basilica.
Mr Young added: Soldiers across the United Kingdom will be happy with this (the not guilty verdict for Soldier F), and I hope that no more soldiers (are) brought to the courts here with evidence that has actually no way of going through.
JAKARTA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia's Ministry of Transportation is targeting commercial drones, or Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), to be operational by the end of 2026, local media reported Thursday.

According to the reports, the ministry is currently drafting regulations and preparing infrastructure to support the new form of air transportation.

"We are on track to develop and embrace this technology. The Minister of Transportation is very concerned about the swift implementation of AAM. The hope is that by December 2026, one will be in commercial operation," Sokhib Al Rohman, director of airworthiness and aircraft operations at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation of the ministry, was quoted by local media as saying.

Sokhib added that the ministry plans to deploy large drones mainly in underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost regions, such as Papua, to transport basic supplies and infrastructure materials. Drone operations will be strictly regulated, with clearly defined flight paths, airspace management, and navigation controls.

To date, the ministry has registered around 5,000 small drones and issued over 11,000 remote pilot certificates. 
Briscoe is an Austin-based band fronted by Philip Lupton and Truett Heintzelman. They were one of three recipients of the $10,000 "Sounds Better with Tito's" grant in 2025. Justin Cook/Briscoe

Austin-founded spirit brand Titos Handmade Vodka has launched Sounds Better with Titos, a new music program that awarded $10,000 in tour grants to three independent artists who performed at this years Austin City Limits Music Festival: Briscoe (Austin), Aaron Page (New Haven) and Moody Joody (Nashville).

Being from Austin, the Live Music Capital of the World, music is something that weve done for two decades now  from the first ACL Fest to Lollapalooza since 2005, Titos sponsorship and experiential director, TJ Mathias, told the Statesman. Music is very much in our brands DNA, so why not put more focus on it and expand what were doing in the music space outside of just traditional sponsorships?

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Since its founding by Bert Tito Beveridge in 1997, Titos has partnered with numerous music nonprofits, including the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM) and Sonic Guild. The brand was named official vodka of the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) in 2025.

The companys philanthropic arm, Love, Titos, also supports animal welfare, community green spaces, and global research with its own initiatives: Vodka for Dog People, Block to Block and CHEERS.

Independent music, independent vodka and independent spirit is sort of our tagline, Mathias said. Were trying to make sure were not just hyper-focused on one thing but looking across the spectrum of the music industry and making investments and donations to push the industry forward.

Supporting the next generation of musicians

Sound Better with Titos began after the company reached out to local artists to ask about the biggest challenges of being a musician today. Mathias said that understanding and addressing those hardships benefits everyone involved, from fans to the wider music community.

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The $10,000 grants can be used for gear purchases, travel and lodging during tours, or to offset other expenses faced by emerging artists. The three selected acts also received a custom gear case, exclusive Titos merch and a Brane Audio wireless Bluetooth speaker.

Providing opportunity is one of the biggest things, Mathias said. Our reality is that its never really over. As things continue to change, were going to adapt the program to suit those needs better. At the end of the day, we just want to be an ally and help artists get to the next stage  or even get to the next show.

Briscoe poses for a portrait in the Statesman tent, backstage of ACL on Friday October 3rd, 2025. Dave Creaney special for Austin American-Statesman Dave Creaney/Dave Creaney special for Austin

Austins Briscoe among inaugural recipients

One of the three grant recipients, Briscoe, is an Austin-based band fronted by Phillip Lupton and Truett Heintzelman. Despite forming only in 2019, the band landed a midday ACL Fest slot earlier this month, shortly after releasing their sophomore album, Heat of July, on Sept. 19.

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Alongside rising country artist Dylan Gossett, Briscoe is helping to define Austins modern country revival, continuing a legacy shaped by icons like Townes Van Zandt, Jerry Jeff Walker and Willie Nelson.

To be recognized as one of Austins bands and to be part of such a great scene and music culture is an honor for us, Lupton told the Statesman. Its a scene and a culture thats gone back for decades with artists that we love and look up to.

The band plans to use the grant for tour dates through the end of the year, with stops across the East and West coasts, the Midwest and parts of Canada. More tour dates are planned for spring 2026.

To be in the same conversations as guys in the modern age that are becoming huge musicians like Dylan Gossett and, a couple years back, Shakey Graves and Gary Clark Jr., and then way back to Willie Nelson, Blaze Foley and all these big names that called Austin home, its really cool to be in the same breath as some of those people, Heintzelman said.

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Briscoe poses for a portrait in the Statesman tent, backstage of ACL on Friday October 3rd, 2025. Dave Creaney special for Austin American-Statesman Dave Creaney/Dave Creaney special for Austin

Community collaboration through Sonic Guild

The nonprofit Sonic Guild, which provides financial and professional support for musicians, will administer the Sounds Better with Titos grants.

As people are moving into town, the demographics are evolving, and we need them to engage in the music community the way that longer-term Austinites have, Sonic Guild Executive Director Dave Verrati told the Statesman. We have business leaders that can be impactful in supporting and nurturing the music ecosystem here in Austin. Titos, taking this step and being very public about it, makes me hopeful that it will show other businesses that theres an opportunity for them to lean in and support here.

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Mathias agreed that preserving Austins live music scene will take collective effort. Its something thats going to take not just one brand or charity, he said. Everyone has to band together to figure out how we can keep (local music) intact so artists still have a pathway in a city built on live music, as we see it change drastically.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 30: Love Is Blind branding is seen during Netflix's Tudum LIVE 2025: The Night Before Creator Party at Vibiana on May 30, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Netflix) Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Netflix

Are you looking for love in the Austin area?

Netflix's "Love Is Blind," has a forthcoming season at they return to Texas.

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According to a former reality TV casting producer who goes by Austinunscripted on Instagram, "Love is Blind" is still looking for singles for the upcoming season of the popular dating show. She shares how to apply to be cast for the show in her IG reel.

"I've been in touch with the casting producers," she said. "They are still on the hunt for amazing candidates for the show. So if you or anyone you know is single and ready for marriage, lives in the Austin-San Antonio metropolitan area and could potentially take time off work to go and date in the pods, the please feel free to shoot me a DM."

You can apply at libcasting.com

What is 'Love Is Blind'?

For those who haven't yet fallen down the rabbit hole of reality TV romance, "Love Is Blind" is a dating show from Netflix that dares to ask: Is love truly blind? Thirty eligible singles  men and women, all theoretically ready for marriage  are thrown into a facility where they date each other in "pods." These aren't just any pods, mind you; these are futuristic confessionals where participants can hear, but not see, their dates. It's all about connection, conversation and whether you can truly fall for someone's mind and soul without the distraction of, say, their questionable choice in socks. After a few intense weeks of pod-based speed dating and deep conversations, couples decide if they want to get engaged.

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Here's the kicker: they only meet face to face after the proposal.
About 300 guests were evacuated after a dryer fire at downtown Austins Cambria Hotel on Oct. 23, 2025; no injuries were reported. Courtesy of the Austin Fire Department

About 300 people were evacuated from a hotel in downtown Austin after a dryer in the laundry room caught fire early Thursday morning, according to hotel staff.

The Austin Fire Department announced at 12:24 a.m. that firefighters were extinguishing a blaze in the Cambria Hotel at 68 East Avenue. The flames had been contained to the laundry room by the building's fire sprinklers, but firefighters still had to ventilate smoke from the building.

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Guests had to wait outside for about two hours while crews worked, hotel staff said.

The blaze was fully extinguished by 12:51 a.m., and firefighters then reset the hotels fire suppression systems.
Travis County J Andy Brown said, If we have the will here in Texas to do it, we could finish (a high-speed rail line to Dallas) before the I-35 expansion from Austin to San Antonio is finished. Jay Janner, Jay Janner/American-Statesman

In a move aimed at breaking decades of inertia, the Travis County Commissioners Court unanimously approved a $125,000 contract this week with engineering firm HNTB Corp. to study the feasibility of a new passenger rail line linking Austin and San Antonio. The county will pay the full cost of the six-month study, authorizing the work during Tuesday's Commissioners Court meeting.

Judge Andy Brown said the focus is on carving a route through existing highway or interstate right-of-way  notably running beside Texas 130 and later connecting to Interstate 10  rather than trying to negotiate access on the freight-dominant line owned by Union Pacific Railroad, which has long blocked passage for more commuter rail.

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This is looking at if we can squeeze a passenger rail route in the right of way that does not involve taking a lot of private land," Brown said during the meeting. "I think that makes the possibility of getting rail between Austin or sort of Williamson-Travis [County] area, down to Bexar County, much more realistic and potentially much quicker.

The study will complement a separate Texas Department of Transportation initiative, also led by HNTB, analyzing passenger rail usage along the corridor between San Antonio and Austin. That study  focusing on ways to expand passenger rail operations along the Union Pacific corridor  is expected to wrap in March 2026.

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By comparison, the Travis County study is expected to be completed in about 175 days.

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The alternate route would span about 90 miles  roughly 15 miles longer than Interstate 35  because it arcs east along Texas 130 and I-10 instead of following the direct interstate corridor. The proposed line's northern station will not be in downtown Austin but at AustinBergstrom International Airport, according to the draft contract.

Travis County is taking the lead

Travis County leaders argue the timing is critical: the I-35 corridor is one of the most congested in Texas and is undergoing major reconstruction. Brown noted that if a rail alternative can be designed and built before major portions of the I-35 rebuild are completed, it could relieve traffic earlier. Moreover, according to TxDOTs statewide multimodal transit plan, daily vehicle miles traveled in Texas are projected to rise 42 % between 2020 and 2050, and per-person delays could triple unless new transit options are introduced.

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Nobody likes being stuck on I-35, and its going to get worse, Commissioner Brigid Shea said.

The challenges of rail

While enthusiasm is high, county officials know the road to implementation is steep.

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A major obstacle to building passenger rail between Austin and San Antonio is finding space for new tracks. The land alongside the corridor is already packed with homes, businesses and highways, leaving little open ground for a new rail line.

More than a decade ago, regional planners tried to solve the problem by proposing a new freight bypass east of I-35. The idea was to build a separate line for Union Pacifics freight trains so its existing tracks could be used for passenger service. That plan fell apart when Union Pacific withdrew, leaving the region without a viable path for passenger trains.

Travis Countys new study tackles the same challenge from a different angle, examining whether a new line could fit within existing highway rights-of-way along Texas 130 and Interstate 10.

Another major question is who will ultimately operate and fund the service. Travis County is solely funding the feasibility study. Brown said that if the outcome is positive, the county would then work with adjacent jurisdictions such as Bexar County and regional entities to develop a governance and funding plan and seek federal construction funding.

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Whats next in Austin?

The study is underway, and Travis County will receive the results in mid-2026. Based on those findings, local officials will decide whether to launch detailed environmental study, identify a lead operator, negotiate with federal agencies and set a construction timeline.

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Buc-ee's, founded in Texas in 1984, now operates 54 stores nationwide. (Yi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images) Houston Chronicle/Hearst Newspap/Houston Chronicle via Getty Imag

The Buc-ee's empire continues to expand.

A new location for the convenience super store is set to open in Louisiana.

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A groundbreaking ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in Ruston, near Interstate 20 and Tarbutton Road. Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker and U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy are expected to attend.

Whether it's their selection of BBQ sandwiches, merchandise or clean restrooms, the beaver has attracted consumers all over the U.S. Founded in 1982 in Clute, Texas, the superstore has crushed its competition while continuing to expand.

The company believes bigger is better. Last year, they opened their largest location in Luling, replacing the brands first family travel center with a 75,000-square-foot temple to highway convenience.

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Here's what to know about the new location.

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What will be at the new Buc-ee's location?

Per their press release, the new travel center will cover 74,000 square feet and feature 120 fuel pumps. Inside, visitors will find Buc-ees well-known favorites, including Texas barbecue, homemade fudge, kolaches, Beaver Nuggets, and an extensive selection of snacks, meals, and beverages.

Buc-ees claims the Ruston location will bring more than 200 full-time jobs to the area, offering starting wages above minimum wage along with comprehensive benefits.

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Pflugerville Police Department. American Statesman file

Police have arrested a teenager in connection with an online threat against the Idea School in Pflugerville school, officials said. The 17-year-old was charged with felony terrorism, a second-degree felony, which can carry a punishment of up to 20 years in prison. The teenager was arrested at 11:18 a.m. on Thursday, according to a police news release. The online threat of violence was made on Oct. 5 against the school at 1901 E. Wells Branch Parkway, the release said.

After detectives conducted an investigation with the school they identified the 17-year-old as a suspect, according to the release. It said the investigation is ongoing. Police did not provide details about whether the teenager was a student at the school or the specific nature of the threat.

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University of Texas Provost William Inboden presents the presidential regalia to Jim Davis as he is inducted as President of the University of Texas during an investiture ceremony at Hogg Memorial Auditorium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

In a long-awaited state of the university address, new University of Texas President Jim Davis said the states flagship institution is poised to recommit to its mission, regain the publics trust and broaden its diversity of viewpoints in core curriculum.

At Wednesday night's Investiture Ceremony and State of the University address officially welcoming Davis as the 31st president of the institution, the new leader  who denied sit-down interviews with the American-Statesman and other media during his tenure thus far  introduced himself as UTs chief. He previously held senior, albeit behind the scenes, leadership roles and was appointed interim president in February before being named the president permanently in August.

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University of Texas President Jim Davis speaks at his investiture ceremony at Hogg Memorial Auditorium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Jim Davis throws the horns as he is inducted as President of the University of Texas during an investiture ceremony at Hogg Memorial Auditorium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman University of Texas President Jim Davis sings the school song with the audience at his investiture ceremony at Hogg Memorial Auditorium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman University of Texas System Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife, right, presents the Mace of Authority to Jim Davis as he is inducted as President of the University of Texas during an investiture ceremony at Hogg Memorial Auditorium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Jim Davis is applauded while being inducted as President of the University of Texas during an investiture ceremony at Hogg Memorial Auditorium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Student Body President Hudson Thomas, right, shakes hands with Jim Davis as he is inducted as President of the University of Texas during an investiture ceremony at Hogg Memorial Auditorium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Jim Davis stands for the national anthem before being inducted as President of the University of Texas during an investiture ceremony at Hogg Memorial Auditorium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman University of Texas President Jim Davis throws the horns at his investiture ceremony at Hogg Memorial Auditorium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman University of Texas President Jim Davis throws the horns while walking off stage at his investiture ceremony at Hogg Memorial Auditorium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Davis did not issue any decisive promises of how the university would respond to increasing pressure from external forces, including an offer from the administration of President Donald Trump to adhere to conservative priorities in exchange for funding benefits. But he did confront questions his predecessors frequently sidestepped, saying unequivocally that now is the moment for UT to become a model of public trust.

Has inquiry become indoctrination? Has science surrendered to subjectivity? Have we given in to a culture of asserting my truth, with an intolerance for any other? he said. That is not the Texas way.

Emphasizing balance, Davis said the university will create a required core curriculum focused on value, completeness and balanced views, citing the School of Civic Leadership and a new Center for Texas History as examples of new educational options.

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The ceremonys audience in the Hogg Memorial Auditorium sat engaged, supporting Davis with multiple standing ovations. They listened silently as the new president described how UT would restore public trust and change core curriculum.

We dont want degree programs that are so narrow they develop only one perspective, Davis said. Instead, we must provide a balanced education  a full education  for every degree program. As we do this, we need to be honest with ourselves and, when necessary, expand the scope of learning to ensure balance.

Since he became president, Davis named a new provost, launched a core curriculum committee to reimagine UTs required classes and charged an advisory group with crafting a statement on academic responsibility and academic freedom for the university.

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Under Davis leadership, the institution dismissed or let go of leaders for differences in vision, including the senior vice provost for academic affairs and a longstanding education dean. Notably, Davis is the sole university leader who has not publicly responded to a federal funding deal offered by President Trumps administration.

University of Texas President Jim Davis speaks at his investiture ceremony at Hogg Memorial Auditorium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Davis speech comes at a time the UT System is auditing classes in gender studies for compliance with the law and system priorities  just a few weeks after a Texas A&M professor was terminated for teaching about gender identity. Recent developments instilled fear in some students and faculty, who worry changes may compromise education by sidelining views unpopular to conservatives.

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UT previously had a Flags program  an initiative of President William Powers  that required students to take courses in global cultures, quantitative reasoning and ethics. Davis authorized the removal of this sequence last year when legislators seemed poised to reimagine core curriculum. Leaders said they would replace it with a new program in Fall 2026.

During Wednesdays introduction, Davis touted the universitys interdisciplinary research and said UT would invest more in materials science, attracting talented faculty to bolster the foundational field of discovery.

Davis also stressed the future impact the new UT Medical Center will have on Austin and the project to restore the UT Tower  an initiative heralded by his predecessor, former President Jay Hartzell, who left Austin to lead Southern Methodist University.

Just as we restore public trust, revitalize our academic commitment, and reimagine our missions in research and mission, we are doing the same for that great symbol of our university, Davis said.

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About the UT leader

University of Texas System Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife, left, and Chancellor John Zerwas listen to University of Texas President Jim Davis speak at his investiture ceremony at Hogg Memorial Auditorium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

In addition to regents, students and faculty, local leaders  Austin Mayor Kirk Watson and Travis County Judge Andy Brown  attended the ceremony.

I believe this will stand as a monumental day in the history of this institution, because Jim Davis is uniquely qualified and prepared to lead UT Austin at this very moment in history, said UT Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife in introductory remarks. The University of Texas is in Jims DNA.

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As the second UT president ever to not come up through an academic background, Davis presented himself as a man transformed by UT and his Longhorn education. He could have chosen professorship, but he opted for service to the state and his university instead.

In quips about going to the Union pool hall and his brothers fraternity as a high schooler growing up in the shadow of the Tower, he cracked jokes about the days before he was college-ready. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy before attending UT and went on to attend Harvard Universitys law school. He served as deputy attorney general under Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton before becoming Vice President for Legal Affairs at UT in 2018.

When he was the son of a professor, a student himself, and the father of a Longhorn, UT, he said, has always been his home. He is one of just two full-time UT presidents who received their undergraduate degree from the institution, Davis said.

Outside the ceremony, dozens of students gathered on a street corner with signs urging Davis to be a president for them  asking him to reject the Trump administrations deal, restore support for minority students and ensure the future of ethnic studies departments. Many fear UT and Davis wont listen.

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In his remarks, Davis said he will lead the university to embrace the fullness of ideas, contradiction and balance to restore public confidence in education.
Cadaence Marchesi had a difficult time eating because of two arteries pinching a part of the small intestine. Her successful surgery in March has brought more kids to Texas Children's Hospital in North Austin for a surgery that isn't available in pediatrics elsewhere in the country. Provided by Carri Marchesi

Cadaence Marchesi, 13, loves to roller skate, play piano, swim and hold her bearded dragon. The girl from Converse, just northeast of San Antonio, has become a kind of Pied Piper, encouraging children around the world to see her surgeon at Texas Children's Hospital in Austin.

Dr. Jacob Stephenson took on chance on Cadaence when she and her mother, Carri, first arrived at his clinic a year ago. Carri Marchesi had been reading about her daughter's superior mesenteric artery compression syndrome, or SMA syndrome, a rare condition in which part of the duodenum  the first section of the small intestine  is squeezed between the abdominal aorta and the superior mesenteric artery.

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Cadaence Marchesi has gained 27 pounds since her surgery and 2 inches. She can now eat most foods, though she has some sensitivity to some and definite preferences. Provided by Carri Marchesi Cadaence Marchesi loves her bearded dragon. Every day she is improving and is no longer in severe pain when she eats. Provided by Carri Marchesi

When that happens, food can barely pass through to the large intestine.

For years, Cadaence struggled with digestion, diarrhea and constipation, but doctors couldn't pinpoint the cause. Two years ago, after a growth spurt, her symptoms worsened: She felt full after a few bites, developed severe acid reflux, constant stomach pain, and had trouble swallowing. Sometimes, she would go weeks without a bowel movement. She was 4-foot-11 and weighed just 58 pounds  about the weight of an 8-year-old.

"It was so overwhelming," Carrie Marchesi said. "She was not able to continue life the way she needed to."

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Cadeance Marchesi lost a lot of weight while doctors tried to figure out a diagnosis and then a surgical plan to fix the compression of her small intestine. Provided by Carri Marchesi

Doctors often mistake SMA for anorexia, but Cadaence wasn't trying to lose weight  she simply couldnt eat without becoming violently ill.

Emergency room visits didn't help. Cadaence was told she just needed to eat, and her parents were even accused of causing her illness. "We had been gaslit for so long," Marchesi said.

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Finally, they got a recommendation to go to Texas Children's in Austin. There, Dr. Catherine Brigman, a gastroenterologist, ordered a CT scan and spotted the pinched duodenum. At last, they had a diagnosis.

Dr. Jacob Stephenson, a surgeon at Texas Children's in Austin, said Cadaence's case is very typical of SMA: symptoms often appear in early teenage years, particularly in girls, and is frequently misdiagnosed as an eating disorder.

Dr. Jacob Stephenson, right, and Dr. Matias Bruzoni work on a surgery at Texas Children's Hospital in North Austin. Provided by Texas Children's Hospital

Looking for a different solution

From an SMA support group on Facebook, Carri Marchesi realized people were trying many different treatments with varying levels of success.

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Typically, surgeons start treatment by placing a nasojejunal feeding tube. That worked briefly. Cadaence gained weight but remained in severe pain. Marchesi also worried that relying on long-term tube feeding could weaken her daughter's intestinal muscles.

Cadaence Marchesi, right, with her younger sister, visited Austin to get care for her SMA syndrome. She had lost a ton of weight in middle school because she could not eat. Provided by Carri Marchesi

The next step would have been bypass surgery to reroute food around the blocked section. But Carri Marchesi had read case after case in the Facebook group about a bypass failing.

She learned about a Virginia doctor performing a more extensive procedure but he only worked on adults. Instead of bypassing the blockage, the surgeon repositions both intestines: anchoring the small intestine to the right side and the large intestine. The duodenums new angle allows food to pass normally again.

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The operation, called a Ladd procedure, isnt new; its commonly done on infants with intestinal rotation problems. But few surgeons had tried it for SMA.

Before Cadaence Marchesi could get the surgery to reposition her intestines, she had a nasal tube to push a liquid feeding diet passed the blockage. Provided by Carri Marchesi

One pediatric surgeon, Dr. Domingo Alvear, had performed it on SMA patients quietly for decades, but he was retired. When the Marchesis brought the idea to Stephenson, he researched Alvear's work and reached out to the doctor directly.

"We dug in and wanted to know everything we could about what is the right thing to do," Stephenson said.

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A team at Texas Childrens in Austin formed around Cadaences case, including Stephenson and chief of surgery Dr. Matias Bruzoni. After consulting with Alvear, who later traveled to Austin to observe the surgery, the team agreed to proceed.

The family knew the recovery would be long, but they hoped this would be the surgery that finally worked.

Cadaence Marchesi gets ready for surgery on March 3 at Texas Children's Hospital in Austin. She was the first one at the hospital to have her intestines repositioned to help her superior mesenteric artery syndrome. Provided by Carri Marchesi

A birthday wish: to eat again

By February, everything was ready. Cadaence picked March 3, a few days after her birthday, for the operation.

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"There was obviously nervousness about it," Carrie Marchesi said. "I don't think Cadaence knew the magnitude of what the surgery would entail."

For Cadaence, the surgery was painful  but for the first time, it was surgical pain, not the crushing abdominal pain caused by SMA. Within five days, she was sipping clear broth and juice. Two days later, she ate chicken tacos.

"They were very good chicken tacos," Cadaence said. She got full quickly, because her body wasn't used to eating much solid food. "But I had no acid reflux. That was the best thing ever. I was able to lay down flat."

For more than a year, she had slept sitting up to keep from vomiting in her sleep.

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Cadaence Marchesi goes for a roll around Texas Children's Hospital in North Austin after her surgery to reroute her intestines. Provided by Carri Marchesi

Eight days after surgery, Cadaence was able to go home. Three weeks later, she eased back into school, and was able to eat with her friends again.

"It is like night and day," Cadaence said. "Last year at this time I had a tube. I'm not in pain everywhere I go. I can do a cartwheel again."

She has grown more than 2 inches, gained 27 pounds, and all her lab results  including kidney and inflammation markers  are back to normal.

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This school year Cadaence Marchesi, with her younger sister, is able to go be a normal kids who eats lunch with her friends. Provided by Carri Marchesi

If you build it, they come

Since Cadaence's surgery, Stephenson has received referrals from more than 40 families around the world. Some have driven to Texas Children's in Austin in search of help and showed up in the emergency room.

"They are really desperate," Stephenson said. "They have been in multiple hospitals."

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He's now averaging about four to six SMA surgeries a month, many on patients whose bypass operations have failed.

"These patients are extremely complex," Stephenson said. "The amount of resources required is really high."

Texas Children's Hospital in North Austin has now become a center for performing intestine surgery on children with SMA syndrome. They have had more than 40 referrals from around the world. Provided by Texas Children's Hospital

The hospitals nursing, pain management and surgical teams are being trained to handle SMA cases.

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Patients typically stay one to two weeks in the hospital and another four to six weeks nearby while doctors monitor recovery and eating. The new Ronald McDonald House rooms at the Austin hospital have made that possible.

"We didn't build this program to attract people to the hospital," Stephenson said. "We are building this program as a response to the influx of patients."
Austin Firefighters Association President Bob Nicks, center, reads documents as bargaining begins between the Austin Firefighters Association and the City of Austin at the City of Austin Permitting and and Development Center, July 30, 2025. Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman

Last month after weeks of heated negotiations, the city of Austin announced it had reached a tentative deal on a new labor agreement with its firefighters union that included several of the Austin Firefighters Association's major asks. The parties had been set to vote on the agreement this week but both independently decided to delay the decision amid lingering concerns from one  or perhaps both  parties.

Firefighters Association President Bob Nicks told the American-Statesman his members had planned to begin voting on the agreement online Monday but the unions bargaining team had concerns about recent revisions to previously agreed-upon terms, namely the implementation of the so-called Austin schedule.

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Currently, firefighters work one day, then have two days off. Under the new plan, they would work one day, have three days off, work two days, and then have three days off. However, Nicks said the latest agreement would give the fire chief discretion over when to implement the schedule.

We have no confidence in an agreement that leaves the control of the schedule in managements hands, Nicks said.

Nicks did not say when a vote might take place but noted the union typically votes on contracts before Austin City Council does and he expects that will happen again this time.

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The City Council had been scheduled to vote on the agreement Thursday but pulled the item from its agenda. City spokesperson Erik Johnson did not answer questions about the reasoning behind the postponed vote or the association's concerns but he said the city had no lingering issues with the proposed language and that council may consider the agreement at its Nov. 20 meeting.

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Unlike with previous public safety labor talks, city officials have not released draft versions of the contract so its exact provisions remain unclear. Johnson declined to say when the document will be made public.

On Tuesday, Mayor Kirk Watson said he was "hopeful that the public and Council will have the proposed text and analysis of the full financial impact soon."

"I look forward to working together to reach a final deal with the AFA that is good for firefighters and good for Austin," the mayor wrote in a post on the council's online message board.

The stall comes as Austin voters are casting ballots on Proposition Q, a measure that would generate $110 million for the city by raising its property tax rate more than 20%. Election Day is Nov. 4.

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If Prop Q or any other tax hike measure fails, a provision in the tentative agreement gives the city some authority to scale back the annual raises included in the contract, which is one of the association's biggest asks. (A similar provision was included in the Austin police union's latest contract, which was ratified last year.)
A poster displaying the Ten Commandments is seen after a Conroe school district board meeting in August. Senate Bill 10, which went into effect Sept. 1, requires the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle

As a Hindu-American public school student in Texas, I never thought Id have to question whether my beliefs  or anyone elses  belonged in a classroom. But since Sept. 1, Ive had to.

Thats when Senate Bill 10 took effect, requiring every public school classroom in Texas to display the Ten Commandments if a donated copy is available. Supporters say its about restoring moral values. But to me  and to many students of other faiths  it feels like something else entirely: a government endorsement of Christianity, hung above our heads in rooms meant for everyone.

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The irony is hard to miss. The same lawmakers who preach about freedom and limited government are now legislating what must hang on our classroom walls.

Public schools arent pulpits.

They exist to educate, not to evangelize. Theyre meant to be neutral spaces where students of all faiths  or none  can learn without fear of favoritism.

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Yet this law effectively chooses a religion for us. The Ten Commandments are not a universal moral code; theyre a sacred text specific to Christianity and Judaism. By mandating their display, Texas has crossed a constitutional line that the Founding Fathers drew for a reason.

The First Amendment is unambiguous: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion. Thomas Jefferson spoke of a wall of separation between church and state. James Madison warned that union between the two would corrupt both. Those werent abstract ideas  they were promises. Promises that no child would feel like an outsider in a public classroom because of their faith.

Right now, that promise is being broken.

As a Hindu, I respect the Ten Commandments. But faith loses its power when its forced. True belief comes from conviction, not compulsion.

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If lawmakers truly cared about moral education, theyd let local communities decide how to teach it  not turn classrooms into billboards for certain religions. Instead, this law teaches a different lesson: that belief can be dictated from the Capitol rather than discovered by conscience.

The Supreme Court addressed this more than 40 years ago in Stone v. Graham (1980), striking down a nearly identical Kentucky law. The court ruled that posting the Ten Commandments in classrooms serves no secular legislative purpose. In plain English: Its unconstitutional.

Supporters claim the law is harmless because the posters are donated, not bought with taxpayer money. But its not about dollars. Its about dignity. The moment those posters go up, students who dont share that faith are told they dont fully belong.

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This isnt just a legal issue  its a cultural one. Texas prides itself on independence, yet this law enforces conformity. It tells students, This is what morality looks like  take it or leave it.

Thats not freedom. Thats overreach wrapped in scripture.

Faith is strongest when its chosen, not mandated. The classroom should be a space for open thought, not state-approved theology.

In a country founded on liberty, no student should have to look up at the front of the room and wonder whether their beliefs are being judged by the government.

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Public schools should teach critical thinking, not creed.

And Texas should stop confusing religion with righteousness  before the wall between church and state becomes just another thing weve torn down.

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GUANGZHOU, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- More than 93.34 million inbound and outbound passenger trips had been recorded through the Zhuhai port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge as of Wednesday, seven years after the bridge opened to traffic.

According to the bridge's border inspection station, they handled 12.88 million passenger trips in 2019 and 860,000 vehicle trips that year. These numbers rose to 27 million and 5.55 million, respectively, in 2024 -- and have exceeded 25.1 million and 5.46 million, respectively, so far this year, up 17 and 25 percent year on year, respectively.

"With the continuing growth trend of passenger and vehicle flows at the port, it is expected that in 2025 total passenger trips through the port will exceed 30 million and total vehicle flow will be over 6 million," said Chen Faqiu, head of the inspection station.

The 55-kilometer bridge linking Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macao Special Administrative Region and the city of Zhuhai, all in south China, opened to traffic on October 23, 2018. It is the world's longest bridge-and-tunnel sea crossing.

Expansion of individual travel from the mainland to Hong Kong and Macao has significantly boosted tourism across the bridge. Data from the inspection station showed that since the beginning of this year, the station has handled more than 10.15 million visitors from China's mainland, a record, with this figure including 4.6 million visitors holding tourist visas.

Meanwhile, the bridge has shortened the driving time from Hong Kong to Zhuhai and Macao from three hours to about 45 minutes. In 2023, the Zhuhai port had seen a daily vehicle flow of roughly 9,000, which has grown to more than 18,000 currently.




TUNIS, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Tunisian Prime Minister Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri met visiting Libyan Minister of Economy and Trade Mohamed al-Hwej in Tunis on Wednesday, with the two sides reaffirming their commitment to deepening economic and trade cooperation, according to a statement released by the Tunisian government.

During the talks, the two reviewed the outcomes of the Tunisian-Libyan Joint Trade Commission meeting held on Dec. 7-8, 2024, in Tripoli.

Zenzri emphasized Tunisia's commitment to enhancing and diversifying trade relations with Libya, as well as advancing economic integration between the two neighboring countries.

She also reiterated Tunisia's firm support for the Libyan people's sovereign choices, underscoring that the Libyan issue remains an internal matter free from foreign interference.

For his part, Al-Hwej called for harmonizing standards to ensure the smooth flow of goods across border crossings.

He also underscored the importance of enhancing private sector development, promoting the digitalization of administrative procedures, and removing barriers to trade. 
If the government shutdown continues, 42 million people risk losing food stamps next month, Anna Duncan writes. BRIANA SANCHEZ/AMERICAN-STATESMAN

I know what it's like to be hungry. I know what it's like to stand in line for hours waiting for food pantries to open. I know what its like to steal food from convenience stores when you dont have enough to make ends meet.

It seems that President Donald Trump wants more people to know what that is like. His administration cut funding that meant millions of pounds of food never reached food banks, and his signature "big beautiful" spending and tax-cuts bill made the largest cuts in the history of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. Meanwhile, the government is shut down, and 42 million people risk losing food stamps next month  all because Trump and his allies dont want to lower healthcare costs for people.

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Every day, people like me are forced to make impossible choices: go without food, phone service, or a roof overhead just to survive. Im not in this situation because I am lazy or refuse to get help. Its because our government has not done enough to help people who are struggling. And now, under the Trump administration, the very programs that helped me rebuild my life are getting cut while the rich get richer.

I moved to Austin from Cleveland, Ohio to escape an abusive relationship. I didnt know anyone when I got here, and I lived on the streets for more than a year before I got into shelter. When I reached the Marshalling Yard, I finally had three meals a day and a shower, despite the ups and downs of being there. Eventually I landed a job as a security officer and, with the help of a housing voucher, moved into affordable housing. For the first time in a long time, I felt like things were turning around.

But the same month I moved in, my SNAP benefits were cut off without warning. They called it fraud and said I didnt need help anymore because I had housing. Suddenly I was back to the same impossible choices I thought Id escaped  using rent or phone money just to eat. My phone is already shut off, and I rely on public Wi-Fi to get by. No one in a country this wealthy should have to live like this.

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Trump and Republicans claim that cutting SNAP, Medicaid and housing programs will weed out fraud. But that's not true. The systems we rely on are so broken that no matter how hard we try, its nearly impossible to get ahead. Instead of helping people move forward, these policies punish us just for trying to survive. The real fraud is an economy that rewards billionaires while so many of us suffer.

To make matters worse, Trump recently announced he will end the federal governments annual report on hunger in America. Not only is he cutting programs that feed people, hes also eliminating data that would help us solve the problem. But hiding the numbers wont make hunger disappear. When people cant meet their basic needs, the consequences become visible for everyone.

ALSO READ: Prop Q ensures Austin remains a city that cares for all

My story isnt unique  thousands of Texans face the same struggle. Thats why Ive joined others to speak out, protest and demand that our leaders do better. Ive shared my story in front of Sen. John Cornyns office and now Im supporting Proposition Q, the Austin tax rate election on the ballot this November. While Trump cuts vital programs, Prop Q would fund affordable housing, shelters, school food pantries, Meals on Wheels and EMS.

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People dont have to stay hungry or homeless in Austin. We can take care of each other and build a city where people have enough to eat and a safe place to live. When the federal government turns its back, we can still choose compassion right here at home.
Texas voter registration application forms are waiting for people to register at a voter registration drive. As early voting for the Nov. 4 election began, state officials once again raised unfounded claims of "potential noncitizens" on the voting rolls. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer

Texas voters deserve election officials who solve real problems, not invent new ones. Yet as counties across the state scramble to manage a malfunctioning voter registration system, Secretary of State Jane Nelson has chosen to direct her attention elsewhere  toward a familiar and unfounded specter of noncitizen voters.

Just before early voting began for the Nov. 4 election, the Texas Association of Election Officials and three other nonpartisan organizations  representing county judges and commissioners, county and district clerks, and county tax assessor-collectors  sent a letter to Nelson describing daily inconsistencies in the states Texas Election Administration Management (TEAM) software that merit immediate action. They warned that core functions such as voter lookup and ballot issuance were repeatedly failing, increasing the risk of a voter being issued the wrong ballot, duplicate registrations, and more delays in the polling place, they wrote.

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These associations represent leaders both Republican and Democrat, from counties both urban and rural, who are doing their best to ensure elections are accessible to all voters.

But instead of addressing their concerns, Nelsons office announced Monday it had identified 2,724 potential noncitizens on Texas voter rolls, using citizenship data from the Homeland Security Departments Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database. Nelsons list includes 97 people on Travis Countys voter rolls, as well as 28 in Williamson County, eight in Bastrop County and six in Hays County. President Donald Trump gave state election officials access to the database by executive order in March.

This pattern has become routine. Last year, Gov. Greg Abbott claimed the state had identified 6,500 potential noncitizens on the voter rolls, even though Nelsons office had told him it was less than a tenth of that. In 2019, the number was 100,000  a figure that didnt hold up in court. State officials make a stink with a big, noisy press release about potential noncitizens, Emily Eby French, a voting rights attorney with Common Cause Texas, told us, only to quietly walk those numbers back in the next news cycle.

Secretary of State spokesperson Alicia Pierce told us that Nelson is using the SAVE database to fulfill her obligation to help counties maintain accurate voter rolls. But in previous years, such reviews largely erroneously flagged legitimate voters who had recently become citizens, or had a name similar to a noncitizen, or had an outdated address or incomplete registration form.

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To be clear, none of the voters on Nelson's list are being removed from the voter rolls. Only county officials can do that.

Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector Celia Israel, who oversees voter registration, assured us her team is working to verify the citizenship status of the Travis voters on the list.

These false alarms about potential noncitizen voters do more than waste public resources. They erode confidence in the democratic process and feed a narrative that Texans cannot trust their own elections  all while genuine problems go unaddressed.

The list of voters flagged under that narrative has become an extra burden for county officials who just finished cleaning up the mess with the TEAM system, Israel said. Her team has worked tirelessly since the summer to catch up on the registration backlog  some of it fueled by inaccurate waves of data from the TEAM issues  and the potential noncitizens have only added to the workload.

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Travis County Clerk Dyana Limon-Mercado, whose office administers elections, said election workers have seen a few instances of TEAM issues affecting voters  typically when someone moves from one county to another and the system hasnt updated accordingly. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Travis County Clerk Dyana Limon-Mercado, whose office administers elections, said election workers have seen a few instances of TEAM issues affecting voters  typically when someone moves from one county to another and the system hasnt updated accordingly. This has led to longer wait times for affected voters, but no one has been unable to cast a ballot.

Limon-Mercado's office shared its questions and concerns about the TEAM update immediately after the rollout this summer. She has seen no accountability and a lack of communication from the state. They're acting as if everything is fine, she told us.

Asked if the secretary of state's office was addressing concerns about the TEAM systems technical failures, Pierce said, We are. She did not provide further details.

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Meanwhile, Nelson took a victory lap. On Wednesday, she posted a letter from Trump dated Oct. 8 thanking her for being one of the first leaders to step up and protect the integrity of our elections by using the SAVE system. This comes as Texans vote on Proposition 16, an unnecessary amendment to the state Constitution affirming that noncitizens cannot vote  something already prohibited by state and federal law.

Lets be clear: Voter fraud is vanishingly rare. The far greater threat to election integrity in Texas comes from leaders who would rather chase phantom problems than fix the ones that actually hinder voters.

Nelson should focus on repairing the TEAM system, restoring transparency with local officials and maintaining the infrastructure that keeps elections running. Anything less is a disservice to the millions of Texans who expect competence, not political theater, from those charged with safeguarding democracy.

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Dry and sunny conditions were visible across Texas in satellite imagery taken Wednesday afternoon. National Weather Service

Central Texas is just one day away from what could be its best chance at significant rainfall since at least early September. The last measurable rain we had was 0.04 inch that fell each day on Sept. 6 and Sept. 7.

Since then, Austins main weather observation site at Camp Mabry has record at least 45 consecutive days with nothing more than a trace of rainfall (less than 0.01 inch). This left lawns dry, vegetation brittle and the region in desperate need of relief from ongoing and intensifying drought.

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Thursday, though, will give us one more day of plenty of sunshine and dry weather. Morning temperatures will start in the low to mid-60s, with afternoon highs climbing into the upper 80s to lower 90s, which would be about 10 degrees above Austins average high temp for Oct. 23.

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An area of low atmospheric pressure is expected to move into the Four Corners region in the American Southwest on Thursday, then push into the southern Plains by Friday and Saturday.

Coastal showers likely will develop Friday morning, with more widespread and organized showers and thunderstorms by Friday afternoon and continuing through Saturday.

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A combination of strong upper-level winds, atmospheric instability and lift produced by the trough of low pressure, and a cold front interacting with a warm and humid air mass will trigger widespread rainfall in Central Texas. The highest rain chances (up to 80%) are expected Friday evening through Saturday as the cold front moves across South-Central Texas, according to the latest forecast models.

Rain and thunderstorms are likely across Central Texas this weekend, bringing an end to the regions more than 45-day stretch without measurable rainfall. National Weather Service

While severe thunderstorms are unlikely with this storm system, locally heavy rainfall is possible, especially across the southern Edwards Plateau, the Hill Country, and the Interstate 35 corridor, including the Austin and San Antonio metro areas. Current forecast trends point to a solid inch to 2 inches of rainfall, but isolated higher amounts are possible, especially if the storm slows down.

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The National Weather Services flood forecasters at the Weather Prediction Center have raised the risk of excessive rainfall to level 2 of 4, or at least a 15% chance, across most of Central Texas for Friday.

A good soaking looks increasingly likely across Texas this weekendbut how much rain will we get? Scenarios range from <1" to nearly 3" by Monday morning. There's also a slight risk for excessive rainfall. Stay weather-aware!  #txwx pic.twitter.com/9kpNa7zk8D  Mary Wasson (@Mary_Wasson) October 22, 2025

This amount of rain in our part of Texas that sits in Flash Flood Alley could become more than a nuisance and overwhelm low-lying roads and urban areas with poor drainage. However, the dry spell could work to our advantage, and the dry soils could soak up much of the rainfall, according to the West Gulf River Forecast Center.

With the Third Summer, soils have dried out and vegetation is holding on, so runoff will be slow to occur, the West Gulf River Forecast Center posted on social media Wednesday. Area lakes have recovered from spring and summer rainfall, so water supply and flood control reservoirs have ample storage available.

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BEIJING, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- China urges the European Union (EU) to immediately cease listing Chinese enterprises in the EU's 19th package of sanctions against Russia, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce said Thursday in response to media inquiries.

Despite China's repeated negotiations and dissuasion efforts, the EU has refused to change course, once again listing Chinese enterprises in its 19th package of sanctions against Russia, and imposing sanctions on large Chinese oil refineries and traders for the first time, the spokesperson said, expressing China's strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to these moves.

China has consistently opposed unilateral sanctions that lack a legal basis in international law or the authorization of the United Nations. The EU's actions run counter to the spirit of the consensus reached between the leaders of China and the EU, seriously undermine bilateral economic and trade cooperation, and impact global energy security, the spokesperson said.

China urged the EU to immediately stop listing Chinese enterprises in such sanctions, and warned it against going further down the wrong path. China will take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises, as well as its energy security and economic development, the spokesperson noted. 
BEIRUT/JERUSALEM, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun urged on Thursday U.S. General Joseph Clearfield, the new head of the Hezbollah-Israel ceasefire monitoring committee, to curb Israel's escalating violations and uphold the fragile truce along Lebanon's southern border.

During their meeting at Baabda Palace, Aoun said Lebanon expects the committee "to play a decisive role in restoring stability to the south and halting unjustified Israeli attacks that target civilians and vital institutions."

According to a statement by Lebanon's presidency, Aoun underscored that the Lebanese army "continues to fulfill its duties south of the Litani River," calling for international pressure on Israel "to withdraw from occupied Lebanese territories," which would enable full army deployment to the border.

Aoun also noted the army's progress in dismantling armed groups, uncovering tunnels, and confiscating weapons, reaffirming Lebanon's "commitment to all security measures" aimed at lasting calm.

Clearfield, for his part, said the monitoring committee will hold regular meetings to reinforce the ceasefire and outlined upcoming steps to support stability in southern Lebanon.

Meanwhile, in a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it struck Hezbollah military targets in northern and eastern Lebanon on Thursday.

According to the statement, the Israeli Air Force conducted intelligence-based strikes in the Bekaa Valley, hitting what it described as a Hezbollah training compound and a site used for missile production. The IDF also said it targeted military infrastructure near the village of Sharbine in northern Lebanon.

The military added that the targeted sites represented "a blatant violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon."

A ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel, brokered by the United States and France, has been in effect since late November last year, bringing an end to hostilities between the two sides that were sparked by the war in Gaza.

Despite the agreement, the Israeli army occasionally conducts strikes in Lebanon, claiming to target Hezbollah "threats," and maintains a presence at five key points along the Lebanese border. 
PARIS, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Autumn storm Benjamin swept across large parts of France on Thursday, leaving several people injured and causing widespread disruptions, according to Meteo-France, the national meteorological and climate service.

Winds of 90 to 110 km per hour were recorded along the Atlantic and Channel coasts, with gusts reaching up to 130 km per hour in some areas. In the Mediterranean region, the tramontane wind reached speeds of 100 to 130 km per hour. High waves were also reported along the Atlantic coast.

As of 2 p.m. local time (1200 GMT), 11 departments remained on orange alert, down from 18 earlier in the day, Meteo-France said.

Several storm-related injuries were reported across the country. In the southern department of Herault, a man received an electric shock after touching a power line while working on scaffolding. Fortunately, his life is "not in danger," broadcaster LCI reported.

According to electricity network operator Enedis, more than 140,000 households were without power nationwide as of late Thursday morning. Train traffic was also disrupted on several major routes, with a number of high-speed TGV trains canceled or delayed. Suburban and regional train services in the Paris area also experienced interruptions.

The storm was expected to move eastward later in the day, reaching the Alpes-Maritimes and Corsica with further strong gusts. Meteo-France said showers would remain widespread on Friday, though winds were expected to gradually ease. 
BEIJING, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- "Radiance: Ancient Gold Ornaments from the Collection of the Hong Kong Palace Museum" opened at the Capital Museum Wednesday.

The exhibition showcases over 170 sets (pieces) of exquisite gold artifacts, each bearing witness to the splendor of ancient craftsmanship. It is scheduled to run through March 1, 2026.

Zhao Jing, exhibition curator with the Capital Museum, noted that the gold artifacts featured in this exhibition span a period from the 15th century BC to the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), covering roughly 3,000 years.

China's earliest gold artifacts mostly originated from the northwestern frontier regions, which maintained close contact with the Eurasian steppe. As population migration, trade, and technological exchange became increasingly frequent, gold began to be widely used in the Central Plains, eventually becoming an important part of China's material culture, she said.

"Preparation for this exhibition was initiated two years ago and is part of the broader framework of cooperation between Beijing and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region," Zhao said.

Renowned Hong Kong collectors, Betty Lo and Kenneth Chu, have spent many years collecting Chinese gold artifacts scattered across the world. After extensive systematic research and organization, they donated more than a thousand pieces to the Hong Kong Palace Museum, Zhao added.

Louis Ng, director of the Hong Kong Palace Museum, said: "In recent years, several collectors have donated precious artifacts they have accumulated over decades. We aim to make full use of Hong Kong's unique advantage, being backed by the motherland while connected to the world, to facilitate the return of dispersed cultural relics to China and to contribute to the study and preservation of fine traditional Chinese culture."

"The Capital Museum's core mission is to protect, research, and present the material evidence of civilization, and to tell the Chinese stories behind these artifacts," said Guo Jingning, director of the Capital Museum, who cited this exhibition as a successful example of their collaboration with their colleagues in Hong Kong, bringing the cultural relics stored in museums to life.

Other cultural projects that will be launched in Beijing to offer more diverse and vibrant experiences, said Amy Yuen, deputy director of the Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Beijing.

Lo said she and Chu were fascinated by the story behind these gold artifacts, as well as the technique and development of this medium in China throughout more than three millennia.

"Towards a certain stage in life, you want to plan ahead for your own collection and want to keep it intact. One of the primary goals of our donation is to rely on a partner institution like the Hong Kong Palace Museum to share our collection with a wider audience." For Lo, this allows more people to appreciate the brilliance and legacy of ancient Chinese gold art.

Ng said that the prospects for cooperation and exchange between Hong Kong and the mainland are boundless. Looking ahead, he hopes to see more collaboration with the Capital Museum to jointly promote the prosperity and development of China's cultural endeavors. 
In recent decades, climate extremes have become more frequent and intense, leading to over half of the loss incidences in crop production worldwide. Concurrently, intense deforestation has diminished forests' ability to supply stable moisture to agricultural areas, resulting in reduced evaporation, less precipitation, and altered rainy seasons.

The moisture flows connect forests not only with the agricultural areas within the countries but also across the borders, according to a study by Centre researchers Agnes Pranindita, Ingo Fetzer, and Lan Wang-Erlandsson. To understand how forests contribute to global crop production and exports, the researchers compared moisture flows with crop production and export data.

Countries are interdependent

This interdependence is well illustrated by the case of Brazil. In addition to providing moisture to its own agricultural areas, Brazilian forests influence crop production in Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina.

These countries account for 10% of global crop exports accounted in the study, including shipments to Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. Thus, nations importing crops from South American countries are indirectly reliant on moisture from Brazilian forests, explains Pranindita, the study's lead author.

The study reveals that overall, croplands in 155 countries depend on moisture from forests located in other countries for up to 40% of their annual precipitation. For example, the success of crop production and export from central Africa is highly dependent on effective forest conservation practices in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic.

However, some of the dependent countries contribute back to the countries which provide the moisture. For example, Brazil supplies moisture to Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina, and at the same time it imports crops from these countries. In this case, the conservation practices in Brazil would have direct benefits to its neighbours and indirect influence on its own crop supply.

Forest conservation important

Lastly, researchers observe that the moisture dependency between two countries can also affect crop supply to a third-party country:

Crop production in Ukraine is dependent on moisture supply from the Russian forest. When crop production and export from Ukraine are disrupted, as we have seen since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the supply of staple cereals to the countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa can be affected, adds researcher Ingo Fetzer.

The studys findings underscore the importance of forest conservation for the future crop supply:

Effective forest conservation practices could help to mitigate the escalating climate-induced risks threatening agriculture, concludes researcher Lan Wang-Erlandsson.
A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 495th Fighter Squadron takes off from RAF Lakenheath, England, Sept. 17, 2025. New munitions-related facilities are being planned for the base to support the F-35A fighters. (Renee Nicole Finona/U.S. Air Force)



New munitions-related facilities to support the Air Forces F-35A fighter program are being planned at RAF Lakenheath, the largest U.S. base in the United Kingdom.

Three projects  described in West Suffolk planning documents as a conventional munitions project, a munitions inspection facility and precision-guided missiles  are awaiting local government approval, the British defense ministry said Thursday in response to questions.

If planning permission is granted, we expect to award the contract in the coming weeks, the ministry said, adding that if the work is allowed to proceed, completion is expected in mid-2029.

Both the ministry and the Air Force declined to provide additional details about the projects.

Local officials must make sure the projects will not pose a significant environmental impact before giving the OK, West Suffolk Council spokesman Mark Beaumont said.

Such decisions usually take up to eight weeks, Beaumont said. The council received the applications Sept. 24, according to dates included in the online planning documents.

The F-35A is the Air Forces latest fifth-generation fighter. The United States first permanent overseas F-35A squadrons were established at RAF Lakenheath in 2021 and 2022 and fall under the 48th Fighter Wing.

Airman 1st Class Cortlin Patterson sends off an F-35A Lightning II at RAF Lakenheath, England, in March 2024. New munitions-related facilities are being planned at Lakenheath, the largest U.S. base in the United Kingdom, to support the Air Forces F-35A program. (Gaspar Cortez/U.S. Air Force)



The development under consideration by West Suffolk would add to broader modernization efforts at RAF Lakenheath, which is considered one of NATOs most strategically important airbases.

Recent satellite imagery revealed new construction of a security perimeter around 10 protective aircraft shelters in a designated nuclear area of the base, according to a report published earlier this month by the Federation of American Scientists.

(Its) the latest measure in a series of upgrades as the base prepares for the ability to store U.S. nuclear weapons, the report said.

Amid the ongoing war in Ukraine that followed Russias full-scale invasion in early 2022, NATO members have been strengthening defenses out of concerns over broader Kremlin aggression.

Since Air Force documents in 2023 mentioned surety construction at Lakenheath, speculation has grown that the U.S. intends to return some of its nuclear arsenal to the site, after removing such weapons from the U.K. in 2008.

The term surety is typically associated with the security and control of nuclear weapons and related infrastructure.

The F-35A has been certified to carry the B61-12 nuclear bomb, according to the Air Force. However, the military does not publicly specify which units are operationally armed, and neither the U.S. nor the U.K. has confirmed the deployment of U.S. nuclear weapons to the base.

The wording of the planning applications submitted to the West Suffolk Council indicates that the proposed projects would support conventional F-35A operations.

According to NATO terminology, conventional munitions explicitly excludes nuclear ordnance, and the B61-12s are gravity bombs, not precision-guided missiles.
U.S. military police patrol Gate 2 Street during a joint patrol of Okinawa city, Okinawa, Sept. 27, 2025. (Brian McElhiney/Stars and Stripes)



CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa  U.S. military police will expand solo patrols to Okinawa prefectures capital city, continuing an effort to stem crime by service members following a series of high-profile sexual assaults.

The first solo patrol by the U.S. military in Naha city will take place between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. Nov. 1, a city spokesman said by phone Thursday.

We were noticed by the U.S. side about the patrol on Tuesday, but we have not received details such as the number of officers involved or the specific district it will cover, he said.

The city urged the U.S. military to be careful not to cause anxiety to citizens and tourists, according to the spokesman.

We have no objection to the solo patrols, he said. Some Japanese government officials are required to speak to the press on condition of anonymity.

A spokesman for U.S. Forces Japan, Army Maj. D. Hunter Nix, declined by email Thursday to provide times and locations of upcoming patrols, citing concerns for operational security.

Patrols with our Japanese partners are proving effective in upholding the good order and discipline of U.S. service members stationed across Japan, he said.

Marine Corps Installations Pacific commander Maj. Gen. Brian Wolford met with Mayor Satoru Chinen on Oct. 10 at Naha city hall to explain how the joint patrols have operated since April in Okinawa city, the Naha spokesman said Friday.

Chinen rejected Wolfords plans to expand joint police patrols into his municipality, reasoning that Nahas situation is different from Okinawa city because of its distance from U.S. bases and its lack of a nightlife district comparable to Gate 2 Street, he said.

However, Chinen did not rule out solo patrols by U.S. military police, the spokesman said.

Solo patrols were carried out nightly in Okinawa city between Oct. 10 and Oct. 13, Nix said by email Oct. 16. Military police arrested 10 service members during those patrols for violating USFJs liberty order, which has barred off-base drinking between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. since October 2024.

During the most recent joint patrol on Sept. 27, four service members were arrested and two more were taken into custody during the first solo patrol on Sept. 13, according to USFJ. Three Marines were arrested and six others detained during a joint patrol on Aug. 16, according to the Marine Corps.

The joint patrols began April 18 in response to a series of sexual assault allegations involving U.S. service members. Senior Airman Brennon Washington was convicted last year of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a minor in December 2023.

Marine Lance Cpl. Jamel Clayton was convicted in June of strangling and attempting to sexually assault a woman in May 2024. Both convictions are under appeal.

Marine Pfc. Austin Weddington, charged with sexually assaulting a Japanese woman and injuring another on Camp Foster in March, is scheduled to go on trial Nov. 18 in Naha District Court, according to court records.
South Korea launches its newest submarine, the ROKS Jang Yeong-sil, at the Hanwha Ocean shipyard in Geoje, Oct. 22, 2025. (DAPA)



South Korea launched the first of three new 3,600-ton submarines this week, marking another step in its efforts to strengthen its undersea fleet and counter threats from north of the border.

The ROKS Jang Yeongsil  the first of the countrys Jangbogo-III Batch-II attack submarines  was officially launched during a Wednesday ceremony at Hanwha Oceans shipyard in Geoje, according to a joint statement from the South Korean navy and Defense Acquisition Program Administration, or DAPA.

The diesel-electric submarine, named after a 15th century Korean engineer, is expected to be delivered to the navy in 2027. Its sister ships remain under construction. The third ships steel-cutting ceremony took place in October 2024, according to a separate DAPA release that month.

I believe the Jang Yeongsil, built with our own technology, will mark a new leap toward a smart and powerful military and fulfill its role as the main force in ensuring maritime security, navy chief of staff Kang Dong-gil said at the ceremony, according to Wednesdays release.

Compared with the navys three existing Batch-I submarines, the Jang Yeongsil features an upgraded combat and sonar system, lithium batteries for greater underwater endurance and speed, improved stealth, increased survivability and better maneuverability, DAPA said.

The agency described Batch-II as a world-class diesel submarine and a core military asset to counter diverse maritime security threats.

The boat is part of Seouls efforts to respond to North Koreas growing military capabilities, including a submarine fleet of about 70 vessels, according to the Souths 2022 defense white paper.

The Jangbogo-III program aims to help the country establish naval superiority around the Korean Peninsula and boost its ability to detect and strike North Korean submarines, the white paper said.
German police responding to a report of a person armed with a long gun mistakenly shot a German soldier Oct. 22, 2025, during a military exercise in Bavaria. (Mya Webster/U.S. Army)



GRAFENWOEHR, Germany  Police in southern Bavaria mistakenly shot a German soldier this week after their response to reports of a man carrying a weapon took them into a unilateral military exercise.

The shooting occurred Wednesday evening in Erding, a city 20 miles northeast of Munich, a Bavarian police statement the same day said.

Soldiers fired blanks at arriving officers, believing that the law enforcement agents were part of the exercise, causing police to return fire with real bullets, German news outlet Bild reported.

The unidentified soldier was grazed in the face. He was treated at an area hospital for minor injuries and released, the police statement said.

The shooting occurred during exercise Marshal Power, a simulated response to a foreign attack on a NATO country, German broadcaster Deutsche Welle reported Thursday.

The exercise takes place in public areas of a dozen Bavarian towns north of Munich and involves approximately 500 military police from the German army and hundreds of local police and firefighters, according to Deutsche Welle.

Although there are no American military installations immediately near Erding, Bavaria is home to the U.S. Armys training areas in Grafenwoehr and Vilseck, which often host multilateral exercises involving the two NATO allies.

On Wednesday, German police units, including a helicopter, responded to the area of Hohenlindener Street in Altenerding after receiving calls about a person armed with a long gun, the police statement said.

Due to a misinterpretation on site, shots were fired, the statement said. There was no danger to the population at any time.

The shooting is under investigation, the statement said.

Stars and Stripes reporter Marcus Kloeckner contributed to this report.
BRUSSELS, Oct 23 (Xinhua) -- Europe has seen a sharp rise in cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), also known as the bird flu, since September, forcing governments to raise alert levels and order mass culling.

France, Germany, the Netherlands, and others are racing to contain the virus as it spreads rapidly among poultry and wild birds. Here's what you need to know:

HOW BAD IS THE OUTBREAK?

According to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), Europe saw a steep increase in bird flu cases in September. Bird infections jumped from 759 to more than 61,000, while poultry losses (from deaths and culling) surged from 291 to around 334,000. Germany, Spain and France are among the worst affected.

Belgium reported an outbreak on Wednesday, with 319 birds dead and over 60,000 culled. The federal food safety agency ordered all poultry to be kept indoors nationwide.

France raised its national alert level from "moderate" to "high" on October 21 after reporting four outbreaks at poultry farms since early October. Meanwhile, Germany has logged infections at more than 15 farms this month, up from just four in September, and upgraded its risk level for poultry holdings to "high."

In Spain's Castilla y Leon region, the province of Valladolid has been the hardest hit, with six outbreaks affecting more than 2 million birds. Portugal has reported seven cases since September, including one at a duck farm that impacted 250,000 birds.

HOW DO COUNTRIES RESPOND?

The main response across Europe has been mass culling and movement restrictions on poultry. France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal and Poland have all adopted such measures to slow the spread.

In the Netherlands, for instance, authorities culled 161,000 birds at a layer farm in Gelderland province on Oct. 22 and 71,000 more earlier this month at another site. The country has also imposed nationwide indoor housing rules and 10-km transport bans around affected farms, covering birds, eggs, manure and related materials.

According to Euronews, European governments are also expanding monitoring and vaccination programs to help the poultry sector prevent and recover from the HPAI outbreaks.

WHERE DID THE VIRUS COME FROM?

According to the WOAH, wild birds, especially waterfowl, are the natural hosts of avian influenza viruses and are often responsible for transmitting the virus to domestic flocks.

France's Agriculture Ministry said detections among migratory birds have risen significantly in recent weeks. Many outbreaks were located along the Atlantic migratory flyway, suggesting that wild birds traveling south between September and December are a key source of infection.

Environmental authorities in Germany's Brandenburg state said that they are dealing with the largest-ever wild bird outbreak, mainly among migrating cranes. More than 1,000 crane deaths have been confirmed. The virus has also been detected in dead swans and ducks in the Netherlands, Portugal, and Latvia.

The Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Germany's federal animal health agency, said infected birds can still fly in the early stages of the disease, potentially spreading the virus along migration routes.

HOW BIG COULD THE IMPACT BE?

WOAH said September's bird flu outbreaks in poultry hit the highest level compared to the same month in the previous two seasonal waves, and are expected to rise further in the coming months.

As migratory birds move southwest, environmental authorities of Germany's Brandenburg state expect the virus to spread deeper into France and Spain, causing more bird deaths. Dutch officials warned that the spread of HPAI remains highly unpredictable and requires close monitoring.

The outbreak could also threaten endangered species such as the great bustard, of which only about 100 remain in Germany.

According to Euronews, the outbreaks pose a threat to Europe's poultry industry and trade. For instance, Morocco suspended imports of poultry, eggs and related products from Portugal in September.

CAN HUMANS CATCH IT?

It is extremely rare for humans to become infected with bird flu, and no sustained human-to-human transmission has been observed, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control said on Oct. 17 in a statement. The risk to the general population in the EU and European Economic Area is considered low.

Spain's health authorities said there is no evidence that bird flu can spread through properly cooked poultry or eggs.

Germany's Robert Koch Institute said transmission to humans has only occurred in isolated cases, mainly among people having close contact with infected birds, such as farm workers or veterinarians. Officials advise avoiding any direct contact with sick or dead wild birds. 
A boy paints an Italian and an American flag on a school building in Catania, Sicily, in September 2024. Changes to Italys sojourner permit process will affect how Defense Department dependents, civilians and contractors apply for and receive the document that allows them to live and work in the country. ( Diana Quinlan/U.S. Navy)



NAPLES, Italy  Recent changes to Italian immigration rules could bring greater scrutiny for dependents of U.S. forces in Italy, as well as Defense Department civilian employees and contractors in the country.

Italy recently changed how those Americans apply for and receive a sojourners permit, the document that allows them to live and work there.

The impact of the modifications is significant, as they affect all holders of paper permits and first-time applicants, the Navy said in a newsletter sent Wednesday to commands at U.S. Naval Support Activity Naples.

They also may affect permit holders ability to travel in and out of the Schengen Zone, the newsletter said.

Under NATOs Status of Forces Agreement, DOD military dependents, civilians and contractors must have a sojourners permit to reside and work in Italy.

They are required to have the paper permit in their possession when traveling and present it when asked by police, immigration officials or other authorities.

Active-duty or reserve service members are not required to have sojourners permits as part of the SOFA.

Those required to have the permit could be stopped and questioned while traveling to any of the 29 countries participating in the EUs Entry/Exit System implemented earlier this month, the Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central legal services office said in the newsletter.

Those countries include Germany, Italy and Spain, where large numbers of DOD personnel live and work.

People with a valid mission visa in their official passport may continue to travel freely within the Schengen area, the legal services office said.

EES is an automated identification check system that digitally records most non-EU nationals entry to and exit from Schengen countries. It eventually will replace passport stamping.

The system collects personal information, such as a persons name and birth date, from travelers staying in a country 90 days or fewer. A facial photo and fingerprints also are collected and are among data stored for about three years, according to the EU.

Italian and American flags fly in front of the 173rd Airborne Brigade headquarters in Vicenza, Italy. Defense Department dependents, civilians and contractors will see big changes in how they apply for and receive their sojourners permits from Italy. ( John Hall/U.S. Army)



Officials arent certain how the changes to Italys sojourner process, which now requires an electronic permit instead of a paper document, would impact current holders or applicants assigned to U.S. bases under SOFA, the Navy said.

An application fee and appointment at an Italian immigration office also are part of the revisions, the service noted.

U.S. officials are seeking to better understand the new policies, the impact to our military community, and a way forward, the legal services office said in the newsletter.

The office still is accepting applications for sojourners permits but cannot submit them to immigration offices until it receives guidance on how to proceed, the Navy said.

Aviano Air Base also is working to ensure that affected personnel and families were aware of the changes and make the transition as smooth as possible, 31st Fighter Wing spokesman Capt. Steve Garrett said Thursday.

Sojourners permit processing had been paused to finalize procedures for U.S. personnel under the new digital system, he added.

It wasnt clear as of Thursday how officials at U.S. Army Garrison Italy in Vicenza were informing their community of the changes.

As of June, there were more than 15,400 U.S. active-duty and reserve service members and DOD civilian workers assigned to Italy, according to a Pentagon workforce report.
Alaska Organized Militia members assigned to Task Force Bethel continue recovery efforts, including retrieving boats the storm washed away and clearing debris at Chefornak, Alaska, Oct. 21, 2025. (Courtesy photo via Alaska National Guard)



With freezing temperatures fast approaching, the Alaska Organized Militia, which includes the states National Guard and volunteer militias, are working to help communities recover from Typhoon Halong before winter sets in.

Members of the Alaska Organized Militias Task Force Bethel cleared debris and retrieved boats the storm washed away at Chefornak, Alaska, on Tuesday, according to a service news release.

We will continue to evacuate as the need arises, said Col. John James, commander of Task Force Bethel, per the release. Our focus now is on debris removal and securing more support and supplies.

Alaska Organized Militia members assigned to Task Force Bethel continue recovery efforts, including retrieving boats the storm washed away and clearing debris at Chefornak, Alaska, Oct. 21, 2025. (Courtesy photo via Alaska National Guard)

Alaska Organized Militia members assigned to Task Force Bethel continue recovery efforts, including retrieving boats the storm washed away and clearing debris at Chefornak, Alaska, Oct. 21, 2025. (Courtesy photo via Alaska National Guard)

Alaska Organized Militia members assigned to Task Force Bethel continue recovery efforts, including retrieving boats the storm washed away and clearing debris at Chefornak, Alaska, Oct. 21, 2025. (Courtesy photo via Alaska National Guard)



Working with state, federal, tribal, and volunteer partners, AKOM members are restoring essential services and helping residents prepare for freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall.

We live a subsistence lifestyle, said Walter Nelson, a Napakiak leader. Some of our homes have lost all their winter food storage.

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump approved $25 million in disaster aid for Alaska after back-to-back storms devastated coastal villages and displaced about 2,000 people.

The Alaska Air and Army National Guard, along with the Coast Guard, led evacuation efforts across several coastal communities after the remnants of Typhoon Halong brought a record storm surge to the region. The operation became one of the largest airlifts in Alaskas history.

The villages of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok were impacted the most. The flooding has killed one person and left two others missing.
Members of the West Virginia National Guard at the Lincoln Memorial on Aug. 30, 2025. (Craig Hudson/The Washington Post)



A Washington, D.C., resident who was briefly detained and handcuffed in D.C. last month for following an Ohio National Guard patrol while playing The Imperial March from Star Wars on his phone has filed a lawsuit saying his constitutional rights were violated.

The American Civil Liberties Union of D.C. filed the lawsuit Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on behalf of Sam OHara against an Ohio National Guard sergeant, four D.C. police officers and the District of Columbia. The suit said they had infringed on OHaras First Amendment rights and violated D.C. law when they detained him on Sept. 11 on a public street in Northwest Washington.

In its suit, the ACLU says that when OHara saw the National Guard members that day he began walking behind them playing The Imperial March on his phone and recording them. The ACLU alleges that within two minutes, one of the Guard members turned around and threatened to call the police officers to handle Mr. OHara if he did not stop.

OHara continued to play the song, also known as Darth Vaders March, and the soldier called the D.C. police. When police arrived, the suit alleges, OHara was tightly handcuffed and detained for between 15 and 20 minutes.

Government conduct of this sort might have received legal sanction a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, the ACLU wrote in its filing. But in the here and now, the First Amendment bars government officials from restraining individuals from recording law enforcement or peacefully protesting, and the Fourth Amendment (along with the Districts prohibition on false arrest) bars groundless seizures.

A D.C. police spokesman said the department cannot comment on active litigation. The Ohio National Guard and the District of Columbia did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Washington Post.

On Aug. 11, President Donald Trump declared a crime emergency and ordered the takeover of law enforcement in D.C. and the deployment of National Guard troops to patrol D.C. streets. The move was widely criticized by District leaders and residents. About 8 in 10 residents opposed Trumps executive order to federalize law enforcement in the city, with about 7 in 10 opposing it strongly, according to a Washington Post-Schar School poll.

In late August, OHara, 35, began filming National Guard troops in D.C. while playing The Imperial March from his phone or a handheld speaker and posted the videos to his TikTok account. In an interview Wednesday, OHara said he wanted to be clear that the videos are not intended to mock the National Guard troops.

I think the men and women who signed up to serve their country did not have this in mind, that they would be policing their fellow citizens, OHara said. My protest is to make sure that everyone knows that this is coming from the top. These orders are coming from an administration that seeks to use fear and tactics to make sure their power extends to branches of government where it doesnt belong.

In its filing, the ACLU argued that OHaras detention clearly violated his right to criticize the deployment of the Guard and the governments actions.

The government doesnt get to decide if your protest is funny, and the government officials cant punish you for making them the punch line. Thats really the whole point of the First Amendment, said Michael Perloff, senior staff attorney at ACLU-D.C., said in a statement.

OHara said he never thought his protest would lead to him being detained, an experience he said felt dangerous and left him embarrassed. He ultimately decided to file a lawsuit because, he said, I would not be able to sleep at night knowing that I did not stand up for myself and stand up for my First Amendment rights.
The Senate on Thursday failed to proceed with legislation to pay troops and Department of Defense civilians who continue to work without pay during the government shutdown as Democrats and Republicans remained in a standoff over federal funding. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)



WASHINGTON  The Senate on Thursday failed to proceed with legislation to keep paychecks flowing to troops and pay Department of Defense civilians working without compensation during the government shutdown as Democrats and Republicans remained in a standoff over federal funding.

The measure would have compensated excepted government employees for the duration of the shutdown, but Democrats opposed it in a 54-45 vote that failed to reach a 60-vote threshold, arguing the bill would give President Donald Trump wide latitude to pick and choose who to pay based on his political agenda.

Three Democrats supported the Republican plan: Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, and Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock of Georgia.

Most Democrats have instead rallied behind an alternative bill that would pay all workers as the shutdown drags on, including those who have been furloughed, as well as prevent the administrations efforts to fire workers while the government is shut down. An attempt Thursday to pass the proposal with a unanimous voice vote was blocked by Republicans.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., described the Republican legislation that Democrats blocked from advancing Thursday as a ruse that would allow Trump to hurt federal workers and American families and to keep the shutdown going for as long as he wants.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., meanwhile accused Democrats of rejecting every opportunity theyve been given to put the American people ahead of their far-left base, including by preventing the advancement last week of a defense spending bill that would have appropriated troop pay for the 2026 fiscal year, which began on Oct. 1.

Most Democrats are continuing to vote down a stopgap measure that would fund the government through Nov. 21 and are insisting any legislation to open the government include the extension of health care subsidies set to expire at the end of the year.

The shutdown stretched into a 23rd day as senators remained in an impasse and the House stayed out of session for a fifth week. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., had said he would bring the chamber back if the Senate passed the Republican bill to pay federal employees.

Troops have so far avoided working without compensation after the Trump administration tapped into Pentagon funds allocated for other purposes to issue paychecks on Oct. 15. Trump has directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to use any funds appropriated by the Congress that remain available to pay the military for the remainder of the shutdown, a move that has drawn legal scrutiny.

In past shutdowns, lawmakers have worked on a bipartisan basis to ensure service members were spared from the financial effects of a lapse in federal funding. Congress passed a bill shortly before the start of a shutdown in 2013 to authorize paychecks for troops and some Defense Department workers and contractors.

Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., who introduced the legislation shot down Thursday, said he was willing to make adjustments to his measure to earn Democratic votes. Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, the lead sponsor of the Democrats alternative proposal, said any compromise bill must curb the White Houses ability to slash the federal workforce.
David Shulkin, a physician and former VA secretary, will serve as chairman of the Modernization of Veterans Healthcare Project, which has a goal to advocate for updates and reform at the VA. (Video screenshot)



WASHINGTON  A nonprofit group advocating for post-9/11 veterans is convening a group of stakeholders and experts to push the Department of Veterans Affairs to make improvements in critical areas of veterans health care that include toxic exposures, suicide prevention and pain management.

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America said it will collect recommendations from clinicians, researchers, veterans and policymakers for the VA, as the agency confronts complex health problems facing newer generations of veterans and a rising demand for health services.

The veterans advocacy group announced the launch of the Modernization of Veterans Healthcare Project at a news conference Thursday at the National Press Club. The project will involve subject matter experts reviewing documents, data and anecdotal reports in key areas affecting veteran care.

The project initially will address seven VA program areas: opioid-free pain management; toxic exposure recognition and treatment; transparency in public reporting of VA performance data; community care; suicide prevention; Medicare; and VA centers of excellence for complex and specialized conditions.

David Shulkin, a former VA secretary and chairman of the modernization project, said the goal is for VA to undertake comprehensive reforms to better serve the health needs of veterans. The project is just getting underway, and the group is seeking subject matter experts as volunteers.

Shulkin was VA secretary under former President Barack Obama from 2015 to 2017. He served for a year under President Donald Trump, who was in his first term in office. Trump fired Shulkin in March 2018 with a post on Twitter, now called X.

VA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The projects findings will be published as briefs and white papers that contain actionable recommendations, according to the veterans group. The information will be shared with Congress, veterans service organizations and the VA. A website with an online dashboard is planned so the public can view the reports.

Kyleanne Hunter, chief executive officer of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, said the project will emphasize improving patient access, coordination of care and VA accountability.

Organizers said modernization is critical because demand for services by veterans continues to grow. More than 750,000 veterans enrolled in VA health care under the PACT Act, legislation that provided benefits to veterans exposed to toxins during active duty.

Medicaid changes recently adopted by Congress are likely to send more people to VA for their health care. The veterans group estimated 200,000 former service members could lose their Medicaid coverage under tighter requirements, which will be phased in starting in 2026.

The health care system is changing unbelievably rapidly. If VA does not modernize it will become less competitive. We want VA to be there for decades, Shulkin said.
The Global Leaders' Meeting on Women has reaffirmed the international community's commitment to women's empowerment, South African Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga said. #GLOBALink
UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Wednesday called on the Syrian transitional government to honor its commitments to fighting terrorism.

The prolonged turmoil in Syria has provided space for the proliferation of terrorism, said Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations(UN).

Foreign terrorist fighters have exploited the chaos in Syria to gain strength, which not only poses a direct threat to Syria's own security but also severely undermines regional peace and stability, he added.

China urges the Syrian transitional government, which has repeatedly stated that Syria will not pose a threat to any country, to take measures to combat all terrorist organizations listed by the Security Council, including the East Turkistan Islamic Movement, Fu told the UN Security Council.

In adjusting its sanctions related to Syria, the Security Council should fully consider Syria's counter-terrorism and security situation as well as the complex implications that any adjustments may entail, said Fu.

China calls on Israel to stop its military operations against Syria and withdraw immediately from Syrian territory, the Chinese envoy said, adding that all parties should continue to provide constructive support and assistance and refrain from exploiting the situation for self-interest.

The key to solving the Syrian issue lies in advancing an inclusive political process, Fu said.

China will continue to work with the international community to help Syria achieve security, stability, and development at an early date, and embark on a development path that suits its own national conditions, he added. 
WELLINGTON, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Parts of New Zealand's South and North Islands were hit by damaging winds on Thursday, prompting widespread disruption, power outages, and a state of local emergency declaration in Canterbury after rare Red Warnings were issued.

According to the national weather authority, MetService, Red Warnings, the highest level of weather alert, were issued on Wednesday morning for Canterbury and Wellington.

MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said the Thursday event was stronger and more widespread than earlier in the week. "Thursday had a similar but stronger flavor. While some areas escaped the impacts earlier, these winds were more widespread and affected places that don't often see strong winds," Makgabutlane said.

On Wednesday afternoon, Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery Mark Mitchell declared a state of local emergency for the Canterbury Region to assist in the response to the severe weather.

Residents in some parts of Canterbury were told to prepare for evacuation as the river water level continued to rise. Tens of thousands of homes lost electricity, with power companies warning that some properties could remain without power for several days.

Roads and highways were severely affected, with the West Coast region cut off by flooding. Residents were advised to stay indoors, secure loose items, and refrain from unnecessary travel.

Flights in and out of the capital city, Wellington, have been canceled during the day, and several main roads have been closed. 
Tony Bryant Thursday, 23 October 2025, 12:46 Share

The Royal British Legion Spain South has announced the death of its district chairman, Anthony Derrick Burns, who died after a short battle with cancer at his home in the UK on Sunday 19 October. Known to his friends and family as Tony, the 79-year-old stepped down from his role as chairman in August due to ongoing health issues and returned to the UK in September to be with his family.

Born in Colchester, Essex, on 23 April 1946, Burns joined the RBL in February 2011, shortly after arriving on the Costa del Sol to enjoy his retirement with his wife, Wendy. He had been district chairman since 2016, a role to which his companions said he was dedicated. Members from all branches along the Costa del Sol left condolence messages on the organisations social media pages, describing him as a good friend and someone who worked very hard for the Royal British Legion, at both branch and district levels.

RBL Spain South Vice Chairman John Patterson praised Burns for his friendly, tactful and thoughtful approach to his leadership.

Tony will be remembered and sorely missed by his Legion family, not only in Spain but across the world. As was his wish, he had returned to the UK to be with his family. Our thoughts are with his wife, Wendy, his children and grandchildren, Patterson said.
Eugenio Cabezas Thursday, 23 October 2025, 17:50 Share

The citizens' platform against the location of the first electrical substation in the Torrox Park residential area on the eastern Costa del Sol continues to reject the infrastructure, which has just come into operation.

After Malaga Public Prosecutor's Office dismissed their court case in 2023 in April 2024, the group, which includes residents and parents' associations from local schools, filed an administrative lawsuit in December 2024 as a new legal avenue to try to stop the infrastructure that has been built and financed by electricity company Endesa.

The group against the substation, which has been built near a school and thousands of homes, has denounced "the town hall's failure to respond to legitimate requests submitted through official channels," as well as its "failure to comply with a commitment to carry out environmental checks prior to the new infrastructure becoming operational".

No response

They said in a statement that "the town hall has not responded to the two requests submitted by this platform requesting clear and precise information on the status of the substation, compliance with current regulations and the relevant technical reports."

The statement goes on to argue that the town hall, "publicly committed to carrying out electromagnetic and environmental measurements before the substation was put into operation, something that has clearly not been fulfilled". There are concerns that "the infrastructure is now operational without the public having had access to any technical report guaranteeing its safety and compatibility with the urban and residential environment".

Endesa has argued on several occasions that "electrical substations are completely safe" and "there are strict regulations in place that all parties involved are complying with". The same sources point out that "the emission of electric fields is zero at a distance of two metres" and that "the safety of the workers who directly handle these facilities is guaranteed, as the parameters emitted at shorter distances are absolutely normal".

No impact

The platform has demanded "an official response to the registered requests, the publication of the corresponding technical reports and measurements, compliance with all the commitments made before the substation was put into operation, and the opening of a real channel of dialogue with the platform and the residents affected."

They said they will continue to protest and "use all the legal, social and media resources at our disposal until our demands are met and the safety, health and well-being of the public are guaranteed".

Sources at Torrox town hall have told SUR that Endesa "continues to assure us that the substation will have no impact, even at street level, on the pavement where the facilities are located, let alone in more distant areas".
Cristina Vallejo Thursday, 23 October 2025, 18:16 Share

Christian charity Caritas assisted 917 homeless people in Malaga and Melilla in 2024 through its resources in the parishes, in Hogar Pozo Dulce and Calor y Cafe, as well as in the semi-sheltered housing available to the organisation (Casa Belen, Tomas de Cozar and Obispo D. Ramon Buxarrais). In Spain as a whole, the number of people assisted amounts to 42,850.

To raise awareness in October, which is when World Homeless Day falls, Caritas has launched the campaign 'Nadie Sin Hogar 2025. Sin hogar, pero con suenos' ('Nobody Without a Home 2025. Without a Home, But With Dreams'). The organisation's report outlines the work it does and the measures it takes or suggests after monitoring social trends.

One of Caritas' main observation and concern is that "having a job does not guarantee access to decent housing". Of all the people who have passed through Calor y Cafe's facilities, 9.25% have a job of some sort. The data provided by Malaga University is similar: 10.3% of homeless people are paid for activities they carry out. Naturally, this discrepancy is due to the high cost of rent.

'Having a job does not guarantee access to decent housing'

The second cause for concern for Caritas is that not being able to get registered limits people's access to social benefits. Of the people the charity assisted in 2024, 31% were not registered in the municipality.

3.83 years is the average length of time homeless people spend on the streets, according to the UMA

Caritas also draws attention to the chronification of homelessness, as 13% of the people it assists have been on the streets for more than five years. In fact, the UMA assesses that people spend 3.83 years on average living on the streets.

In terms of trends, the organisation points out that residential exclusion is increasing among women. Although female homelessness is lower, because women tend to have stronger social networks, they already account for 23% of homeless people in Malaga province.

Caritas has also identified the problems faced by asylum seekers: in 2024, more than 80 people waiting for an appointment to apply for international protection were unable to access resources for homeless people. Of the people Caritas assisted, 62% were families with children. The charity denounces that Malaga has almost no resources to support families with minors.

26% of people assisted by Calor y Cafe are ex-prisoners: this is due to the breakdown or weakness of family ties and the inability to pay rent with the allowance for persons released from prison

Another trend is the increase in the number of ex-prisoners falling into homelessness. Specifically, since 2019, the number of people taken in at Calor y Cafe who have served time in prison has increased by 8%, now representing 26% of all the people cared for by Caritas in 2024. Caritas experts attribute this to "the breakdown or weakness of family ties and the inability to pay rent with the allowance for people released from prison".

Another particularly vulnerable group is former foster youths, accounting for 5% of all the people assisted by Calor y Cafe. "Despite the +18 programme, many young people end up homeless," Caritas says.

Visibility campaign

Head of the campaign and the Caritas Espanola homelessness programme Maria Santos states that the aim of the campaign is to make visible "the silenced dreams of those who face multiple challenges every day: those people who, even when working, cannot access housing; migrants trapped in invisibility; victims of gender-based violence who cannot find a safe way out; people with disabilities who cannot find work opportunities; women and men with mental health problems or addictions; young people the door for whom is closed the moment they come of age; older people without a family network or sufficient pension to guarantee decent conditions; LGTBIAQ+ people who have been expelled from their homes or discriminated against; single mothers struggling to keep their children with them".

'Living on the streets is not just a question of material poverty, but of profound exclusion. Homeless people see their most basic rights violated and it is everyone's responsibility to reverse this situation'

Caritas also denounces "the systematic violation of rights suffered by people living on the streets and calls for concrete measures to move towards a fairer and more inclusive society". Director of Caritas Malaga Jose Miguel Santos says: "Living on the street is not only a question of material poverty, but of profound exclusion; homeless people see their most basic rights violated and it is everyone's responsibility (administrations, organisations and citizens) to reverse this situation."

Caritas' proposals are: implementing effective measures to guarantee access to decent housing; facilitating address registration "even in the total absence of a roof"; increasing resources for homeless people; guaranteeing care for people who intend to apply for international protection; increasing places in the +18 Programme; improving care from the health system for mental health problems and behavioural disorders; promoting coordination between public administrations; reforming and strengthening the management systems of social services; and establishing mechanisms for the civic participation of homeless people.
SYDNEY, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Standard MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scans of a person's tongue could assist in the early detection and ongoing monitoring of Motor Neurone Disease (MND), new Australian research found.

The study found people living with MND, also known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, who have difficulty speaking or swallowing, tend to have smaller tongue muscles, said a statement released Thursday by Australia's University of Queensland (UQ).

This could serve as an early indication of neurodegenerative disease, said Thomas Shaw, a neuroscientist and MRI researcher at UQ, who led the research published in Computers in Biology and Medicine.

"There are eight interconnected muscles in our tongues, each with a different role allowing us to eat, swallow and speak," Shaw said, adding that for someone with MND, the tongue muscles progressively weaken and waste away.

By examining more than 200 historical MRI scans using artificial intelligence and advanced imaging, the researchers were able to get precise measurements of tongue muscle volume and shape, and found significant differences between people with and without MND.

"People with lower tongue volumes had a worse prognosis," Shaw said, adding this measurement could indicate life expectancy and enable quicker diagnosis for MND patients, helping with treatment planning and faster clinical trial enrolment.

Study co-author and speech pathologist Brooke-Mai Whelan from UQ's School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences said, "When tongue function is impaired, swallowing can become dangerous and speech difficult to understand."

"People with MND report that the loss of speech is more devastating than the loss of the ability to eat, drink or walk," Whelan said, adding understanding tongue muscle loss could allow earlier, targeted interventions like voice banking to preserve natural speech. 
Two-year-old Dani from Malaga has undergone pioneering treatment at the Hospital Sant Joan de Deu in Barcelona (HSJD), for the ultra rare hereditary disease he has known as hereditary spastic paraparesis type 50 (SPG50). It is a neurodegenerative disease so rare that there are only around a hundred diagnosed cases in the world.

Dani is receiving an experimental gene therapy being used for the first time in Spain, which brings new hope for other children with the disease. As the child's mother, Luz Maria Blanco, a resident of Mijas, explained to SUR: "We are hopeful that Dani will walk and talk".

The treatment is possible thanks to collaboration between the hospital and the Columbus Foundation in Valencia. SPG50 is, as reported by the Hospital de San Juan de Dios (HSJD) in Barcelona, "a serious disease that causes delays in motor and cognitive development, affects language, causes microcephaly and gradually leads to severe muscle spasticity" (which causes the muscles to be tense and rigid).

100 cases approximately there are diagnosed worldwide with hereditary spastic paraparesis type 50 (HSP50).

"The genetic alteration is corrected and the virus is stopped", says Luz Blanco, who says that her son is responding well to the experimental treatment and she hopes that it will stop progression of the disease. "We are very happy and grateful, because of course, for parents to receive a diagnosis, when their little boy has just turned two, that he has an ultra rare degenerative disease that is going to get worse, that is very hard". Luz explains that "the intervention consists of introducing the drug into the spinal cord, using a virus vector to introduce a healthy gene that replaces the bad gene".

Intervention

Dani received a dose of the drug Melpida on 9 September, the only existing gene therapy for this disease, making him the youngest patient treated in Spain and one of just nine children treated around the world. The intervention was performed intrathecally (in the lower part of the spinal column) and with imaging support and was successful and without adverse reactions.

Dani only needed to spend two days in hospital and is currently improving under the supervision of specialists at San Juan de Dios and the Materno Infantil in Malaga city. "With this intervention the genetic alteration is corrected and the disease is stopped," Luz explains, although as the results are seen in a period ranging from six months to a year, they will have to wait to see just how effective the drug has been. "We see him more connected and more agile in terms of motor skills, but we don't know if it could be because of the physiotherapy, equine therapy sessions and the speech therapist."

Zoom Dani walks in the lobby of the Barcelona hospital. SUR

It was the Columbus Foundation, whose aim is to facilitate access to more advanced and effective therapies for children with cancer or rare diseases, which took Dani to the Barcelona hospital in May 2025. It is a reference centre in Spain for patients with this disease through its neuromuscular pathology unit.

The doctors at the Barcelona hospital contacted Dani's referral doctor at the Hospital Materno in Malaga, assessed the case based on laboratory tests, magnetic resonance imaging and a clinical interview with the family, in order to confirm the compatibility of SPG50 and the suitability of treatment with experimental gene therapy.

Urgent treatment for Dani: every day counts in the fight against his rare disease

Dani's referral doctor at the Materno Infantil, a specialist in neurology, gave the family hope. "He told us that there was a possibility of treatment, he contacted a hospital in San Sebastian and the United States, where they had the drug, and began the process for Dani to be treated. That was in April and within five months, Dani was treated.

"We look to the future with hope".

"We look to the future with hope, so far this therapy has given very good results," Luz says, while thanking the Columbus Foundation, which has paid for the treatment which comes from the USA. "They assumed the cost and they continue, because there are check-ups every three months," she says, adding: "This has gone well in other places, we spoke to another family who told us that we had to be prepared because it is very hard, as children are often unwell after the operation, but Dani was crawling in the ICU the same afternoon, he was discharged the next day. His attitude said it all."

"We have full confidence in the improvement, we are excited and hopeful that he will walk and talk. These children do not walk independently, but with walkers and some of them are unable to speak. We are hopeful that he will walk without a walker and talk." Luz stresses that the aim is for the child to be as independent as possible and therefore lead "as normal a life" as possible. These interventions tend to improve patients cognitively, Luz explains.

The development and administration of the drug Melpida has been possible thanks to a strong network of international collaboration: the drug was developed at the Southwestern Medical Center of the University of Texas, driven by the exemplary fight of Terry Pirovolakis, the father of a Canadian child diagnosed with the disease, who has developed the therapy through a non-profit company (Elpida Therapeutics) in North America. The production has been carried out by the Basque biotech company Viralgen and the Columbus Foundation has managed the logistics and family support.

Early diagnosis is key

Dani will continue to receive treatment via immunosuppressants at the Barcelona centre, which will be progressively withdrawn after the third month if the evolution is positive. He is now in Malaga, where he is undergoing check-ups and will only have to return to Barcelona to undergo some tests. We will have to wait to see how he evolves.

Neuropaediatrician warns of challenges in early diagnosis of SPG50 disease

"The symptoms present in patients with SPG50 can manifest themselves in other neurological conditions, which often makes it difficult to reach an early diagnosis, leading to a delay in the start of treatment," says Laura Carrera, neuropaediatrician at the Neuromuscular Pathology Unit of the HSJD.

As well as Dani, four other Spanish children have been treated thanks to the Columbus Foundation, in reference centres in Spain and abroad. In total, nine patients have received this gene therapy and all have experienced cognitive and motor improvements, especially when the intervention is performed early.
Ignacio Lillo Malaga Thursday, 23 October 2025, 18:34 Share

The Andalusian transport infrastructure congress (CITA) brought together the main experts in this field in Malaga on Thursday to analyse the necessary improvements to the airport, port, trains and roads in the region. At the opening of this forum, the President of the provincial council, Francis Salado, said that the province is "in an extreme situation", due to the lack of infrastructure, an issue highlighted once again on Thursday by a severe traffic jam stretching from the city to Rincon de la Victoria, caused by a lorry breakdown in the San Jose tunnel.

"It is not confrontation, but a responsibility and an obligation to champion the needs of the province," said Salado. He explained that in a few years this will be the most populated province in Andalucia and it has challenges in terms of transport, housing, energy and water. "We need projects, deadlines and funding; urgent investments in mobility are required because the situation is collapsing daily and the motorways cannot cope anymore," he added.

"Traffic jams like Thursday's happen every week, so we must demand that the government gets on with it now"

"Traffic jams like the one on Thursday happen every week, so we have to demand that the government gets down to work now." In this regard, he highlighted the proposal to improve the links to the A-7 in Malaga and Rincon proposed by Madeca, and on which the ministry of transport has not yet responded. On this point, the president announced that the provincial council could even provide the funding, although he said that the 14 million euros that this work has been valued at "is nothing for the ministry's budget".

Cercanias improvements

Salado agreed with the Mayor of Malaga, Francisco de la Torre, in demanding that progress must be made in improving and extending the coastal Cercanias train line, "the most profitable in Spain and which is still the same as when it was inaugurated 50 years ago, when in other regions it has been improved". He said that the coastal train will be the most socially, environmentally and economically sustainable project in Spain.

He also called for a subsidy on the coastal motorway and improved access to the A-7. The provincial president ended by congratulating Aena on the announcement of the forthcoming expansion of Malaga Airport.

Among the speakers at the CITA congress in the auditorium of the provincial council were Mario Munoz-Atanet, deputy minister for development of the regional government; Sara Hernandez, secretary general for sustainable mobility of the ministry of transport; and Francisco Esteban, president of the world association for waterborne transport infrastructure (PIANC).

There were also four round table discussions with experts on the works needed to boost Andalucia in terms of ports, airports, trains and roads.
Cristina Vallejo Thursday, 23 October 2025, 17:52 Share

35% of children in Malaga province live in households at risk of poverty. What does this mean? According to international standards, a family is at risk of poverty if its annual income is below 60% of the median household in the area where it lives. The median is not the same as the average. The median is determined by looking at the income of all households and finding the amount that sits exactly in the middle of the distribution, meaning there are as many families above it as below it.

The median income in Spain stands at 19,250 euros, according to the latest data published by the national institute of statistics (INE) for the 2023 financial year. So a household at risk of poverty is one that earns less than 11,550 euros per year.

While just over three in ten children in the province live in low-income households, there are many areas where the figures are worse. For example, in Ceuta and Melilla, around 47% of children under 18 live in households at risk of poverty, followed by 43.4% of children in Almeria, 40.3% in Jaen and 39.9% in Granada. Alicante and Avila have similar figures. Almost 37% of all minors in Andalucia are close to the poverty line.

Guipuzcoa and Vizcaya are the only two provinces where the child poverty rate is below 20%.

Malaga is among the provinces where the number of children living in low-income families has dropped over the last five years: the figure was 36.2% in 2018. However, the Costa del Sol province still has worse poverty ratios than the Spanish average (29.2%).

16,450 euros is the median income in Malaga province, below the 19,250 euros in Spain as a whole, which explains the higher incidence of poverty in the province.

This higher rate of child poverty in Malaga is explained by the fact that the median income in Malaga is lower than in Spain: 19,250 euros for the country as a whole and 16,450 euros in Malaga.

There is another indicator that is also used as an international standard: severe poverty, which corresponds to households with incomes below 40% of the median income, i.e. less than 7,700 euros a year. This affects 17.5% of children in Malaga (five years ago it exceeded 20%). In Ceuta and Melilla, the number rises to 25% and to above 20% in Alicante and Almeria.

The lowest proportion is, once again, in Guipuzcoa and Vizcaya, with 6.5% and 8.3%, respectively. The national average is 14%.

Lower incidence of poverty in older households

What happens in other age groups? Financial poverty is less prevalent among people in the 65+ age group in Malaga province: 21.8% of the elderly live in households with annual resources under 11,550 euros, while 7.9% live in severe poverty. These figures, however, are higher than the national average of 15.8% and 4.2%, respectively

In the 18-64 age group, 27.1% live in households at risk of poverty, while severe poverty reaches 13.6%. Again, worse than the Spanish average of 21% and 10%, respectively.
Isabel Mendez Malaga Thursday, 23 October 2025, 18:11 Share

The Spanish agency for food safety and nutrition (Aesan) has warned the country's regional governments about a French cheese sold in Europe which contains a Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli.

The Aesan has been informed by the European food alert network (RASFF). The details of the product are:

Name: Crottin de Chavignol AOP

Brand: Dubois Boulay

Lot number: PONT0509

Expiry date: 31/10/2025

Unit weight: 60 grams

Temperature: refrigerated

According to the information available, the cheese has been distributed in Catalonia. However, all regions have been informed so that the product can be completely recalled from the market.

People who have the product at home are advised to refrain from consuming it. If they have already consumed it and developed symptoms compatible with shiga-toxin producing E. coli (severe abdominal cramps, which may progress to watery and bloody diarrhoea), they are advised to seek medical attention.

What is Escherichia coli?

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a Gram-negative, facultative anaerobic, motile bacterium that grows at temperatures between 20C and 40C and pH 6-8. It is part of the normal gut microbiota of humans and animals and is excreted through faeces. Although most strains are harmless, some can cause serious foodborne diseases.

E. coli can survive for long periods in the environment, both in soil and water, and can proliferate in water and food of animal and plant origin.

Diarrhoea-causing strains of E. coli are classified into six groups. Among them, the most important is enterohaemorrhagic, verotoxigenic or Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (also known as EHEC, VTEC and STEC, respectively). Certain serogroups of STEC (O157, O26, O103, O111, O145 and O104:H4) are recognised as causing the majority of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) cases that have occurred in the EU.
Syracuse, NY  Upstate Medical University revealed 6-foot-2-inch statues Thursday to honor two pioneering female doctors: Sarah Loguen Fraser and Elizabeth Blackwell.

The bronze life-sized sculptures surround the entrance to Upstates main academic building, Weiskotten Hall. Theyre meant to serve as a reminder that Upstate is the first co-ed medical school in the country, President Mantosh Dewan said.

Blackwell became the first female to earn a medical degree in America when she graduated first in her class from Geneva Medical College in 1849. That school would later become SUNY Upstate.

Loguen Fraser was the fourth Black woman to earn a medical degree in the United States. That was in 1876.

In 1876, Sarah Loguen Fraser became the fourth Black female doctor in the nation. She was the first female doctor in the Dominican Republic. William Mueller

Every day, these two women will loudly declare that we have welcomed all deserving people for 150 years and commit  in bronze  to welcoming all people for another 150 years, Dewan said.

Donors to The Upstate Foundation and The Upstate Medical Alumni Foundation helped pay for the statues. Internationally recognized sculptor, Carolyn Palmer, received $375,000 for her work.

Shes known for bronze sculptures of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt at the front of the FDR library, and the marble busts of four popes at a cathedral in Manhattan.

Palmer said she wanted each of the statues at Upstate to represent the doctors personal accomplishments. Both statues are taller than the womens actual heights to show their larger-than-life spirits, Palmer said.

In 1849, Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman to receive a medical degree. Her statue sits in the courtyard of the main academic building at Upstate Medical University. Ryann Phillips

Blackwells head faces the university to show a visionary stance. Her hand presents the university.

Blackwell faced discrimination in school but later opened a clinic to treat poor women in New York City, according to the National Womens History Museum .

Loguen Frasers statue demonstrates her compassion, Palmer said. The pediatricians head is tilted, and her right arm welcomes people as they walk through the courtyard.

Schyler Turner, a third-year medical student at Upstate, unveiled Loguen Frasers statue in the courtyard on Thursday. She received a $10,350 scholarship in honor of Loguen Fraser to help her reach her goal of becoming a pediatric surgeon.

Just to see her every day and to be able to walk past greatness is truly inspiring, Turner said.
Syracuse, N.Y.  The ballot in this years Syracuse mayoral election offers voters four unique choices.

No one who has been paying attention to this years race can reasonably argue that Democrat Sharon Owens, Republican Thomas Babilon and independents Alfonso Davis and Tim Rudd bring similar backgrounds or offer the same policy positions.

For the past eight weeks, weve asked and the candidates have answered questions about city issues and leadership. The series has shown voters some clear differences.

But what about their vision for the city they hope to lead?

In an effort to get at the answer to that question, we asked each candidate to talk about why they are running, what city strengths they would build on and how Syracuse would look different after the first four years of their administration.

Their answers, published by candidate in the order they appear on the ballot, appear below.

The next mayor will manage a city government with about 2,100 employees on the payroll and a budget of $333 million. The new mayor will be in charge as the Interstate 81 viaduct cutting through the citys center comes down and the Micron semiconductor plant gets built in the northern suburbs, both widely viewed as transformational opportunities for the region. Its particularly important in Syracuse, which continues to have one of the highest child poverty rates in the nation.

The position of mayor carrier a four-year term, with a maximum of two terms. The annual salary is $150,000.

Early voting starts on Saturday, Oct. 25, and runs through Sunday, Nov. 2. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4. For details on where to vote and polling hours, visit the Onondaga County Board of Elections website or call (315) 435-8683.

Sharon Owens

Age: 62

Neighborhood where you reside: Meadowbrook

Family: Married with two adult children

Education: Bachelors degree from Syracuse University (economics)

Professional and political experience: Over three decades of work in community service: nonprofit leadership (including roles at Dunbar Center, PEACE Inc., Jubilee Homes, Home Headquarters), managing early childhood/family support programs; deputy commissioner of neighborhood and business development; CEO of the Syracuse Model Neighborhood Facility; and now deputy mayor overseeing housing, neighborhood, and business development, emergency services and public safety, sustainability planning, etc.

Why are you running for mayor?

I am running for mayor because I believe Syracuse stands at a once-in-a-generation moment  one we must maximize, which is the slogan in which Ive rooted my campaign. In my years serving neighborhoods, leading nonprofits, and managing city initiatives, Ive seen firsthand the potential in every individual in every community, and Ive seen what happens when systems fail people. Ive been the person planting seeds in neighborhoods, the person working with government, business and community partners and advocates to build housing, improve safety, and expand access to good jobs. Now, I believe were ready to scale that work, and that Im the person who can lead the way.

My campaign is about putting our people first. My leadership style begins with listening to ensure that I deliver for all residents. I believe that our citys growth, from infrastructure investments like Micron, to I-81 transformation, to housing, must be matched by growth in opportunity, equity and life quality for all people. Ive earned trust serving in leadership in both the nonprofit sector and city government. My experience gives me the tools to build on success, fix what hasnt worked, and create a Syracuse where no matter your zip code, you have access to safety, housing, basic services and a voice in decisions that affect your life. Im running so that this moment doesnt pass us by and that we seize it together.

What is Syracuses biggest strength and how will you build on it?

Syracuses greatest strength is its people. Our people are resilient, creative and committed. From volunteers in neighborhood groups, to small business owners, to families raising children, there is an abundance of caring, resourceful, determined people who want this city to thrive. We also have anchor institutions  universities, nonprofits, faith communities  and a growing wave of both public and private investment (infrastructure, Micron, I-81 transformation) that has the power to reshape our future.

To build on this strength, I will ensure that these revitalization efforts are matched with community investments in diverse and affordable housing; job pathways with real local hiring; public safety rooted in trust and prevention; improved transit so people can access opportunity; and environmental health, including dealing with lead, and other toxins, and ensuring equitable green space. I will convene community partners to co-design solutions rather than impose them. When people feel they are a part of the process, outcomes are stronger. I will also prioritize transparency and accountability so the citizens know how decisions are made, funds are spent, and outcomes measured. With that, Syracuse can be a model for cities experiencing growth. My vision for this city lifts every neighborhood, and every voice.

How will Syracuse be different after four years if you become mayor?

In four years, well have maximized this moment. Syracuse will have population and structural growth and will feel more equitable, inclusive, connected, accountable, and less impoverished.

My platform prioritizes thriving neighborhoods, public safety, young people, an inclusive and growing economy, financial sustainability and future planning. There will be more housing reflecting diverse needs; investment in our parks and public spaces, including options for tweens/teens; strengthened law enforcement and fire safety; collective prosperity.

Public safety will be strengthened by more officers, community engagement and prevention resources, and by redefining response to non-violent crimes. Services for people with special needs, after-school programs, for those just getting by will be more accessible and better coordinated.

Transit and infrastructure will reflect a city growing with intention  Syracuse will be walkable/bikeable, still sharing space with motor vehicles. It will include: road and sidewalk creation/repair, expanded public transportation with Bus Rapid Transit and routes to new jobs; coordination around climate resilience. Well see progress around jobs: reduced unemployment, stronger workforce development/apprenticeships, and improved hiring practices within city government providing opportunities for family-sustaining wages/benefits.

Trust in city government will be higher because I will lead in the way which I live my life: with accountability, open communication, listening sessions, transparent budgeting. Ill ensure all voices, especially from historically marginalized neighborhoods, are heard and respected. Syracuse will have harnessed its potential to be a place where people want to live, work and play  a city where opportunity is real, growth is shared, and community is at the center.

Thomas Babilon

Age: 54

Neighborhood where you reside: Hawley Green

Family: Engaged with a daughter, 20, step-children ages 15 and 17 and a baby daughter expected Dec. 16.

Education: Bachelors degree from University of Central Florida (political science), University of Florida Juris Doctor (with honors)

Professional and political experience: Political experience  2025 candidate for mayor of the city of Syracuse, 2021 candidate for mayor of the city of Syracuse, 2019 candidate for Syracuse Common Council (at large). Professional experience  Hiscock Legal Aid Society, senior attorney, August 2018-present: I have represented income-qualified clients in family court matters. I originally appeared with clients in Onondaga County Family Court but since 2023 I have exclusively practiced in family court appeals; City of Syracuse Department of Law, assistant corporation counsel, September 2008-July 2018: I was hired in 2008 by Mayor Driscoll to assist with the housing division. I ran that division for two years and was instrumental in making key changes which substantially increased its efficiency in prosecuting code and zoning violations. Mayor Stephanie Miner and Director of Neighborhood and Business Development Paul Driscoll then asked me to be the attorney advisor for the Department of Neighborhood and Business Development. In that capacity I met frequently with the director and deputy directors, I negotiated all federal and state housing grant agreements and was responsible for drafting and closing all recipient grant agreements. During this time, I represented the citys public benefit corporations including SIDA, SEDCO, SURA and the land bank. I assisted in the lobbying efforts that resulted in the state legislation that permitted the creation of the land bank and negotiated and drafted the intergovernmental agreement and local ordinance that created the land bank. I served as its attorney for its first year and drafted all of its initial by-laws and operating procedures. During this time, I personally advised the mayor, common councilors, and all board members of public benefit corporations. Mayor Miner and the head of Personnel Robert Stamey then asked me to advise and represent that department. In that capacity I advised the mayor and every department head on labor and employment issues. I was part of the mayors negotiation team and negotiated new contracts for all bargaining units. I was also responsible for negotiating discipline with each bargaining unit and prosecuting any employee discipline that reached the level of arbitration. Prior to working for the city, I was in private practice. I primarily practiced in the areas of criminal defense, family law, real estate, landlord / tenant, and civil law. I was an active member of the assigned counsel panel and many of my clients were assigned to me pursuant to that program. After law school and prior to moving to New York I practiced for a short period of time as a certified legal intern at the Osceola County Office of the Public Defender in Kissimmee, Florida.

Why are you running for mayor?

I am running for mayor because I want to help people. I have dedicated my legal career to helping people and I would like to make Syracuse a better place for all of us.

As a city employee, I often saw it treat people badly, it frequently harmed residents, homeowners, small business owners and its own employees. People were disproportionately treated based on their level of political connectedness. The city still operates in this manner, and it must change.

Every tax hike of this administration has harmed our residents. It has made housing less affordable amid a housing crisis; and has fueled generational poverty by stealing the equity of homeowners in our impoverished city.

The administrations antagonistic approach to small business has hampered entrepreneurialism, job creation, and sales and property tax revenues. Businesses have made decisions to operate outside of the city, or close. While small businesses suffered, politically connected corporations benefitted from huge tax breaks that had little community benefit.

Public safety has been ignored for eight years. We have a record low number of officers, and the department has had difficulty recruiting under this anti-police administration. Our residents feel less safe, and our police officers feel less appreciated.

People leave the city when conditions become intolerable to them. We lost 1.3% of our population in the last four years. We were the only municipality in the county to decline in population. To reverse this trend, we need to stop harming people and instead develop policy to help them.

What is Syracuses biggest strength and how will you build on it?

Syracuses biggest strength is its central location, and its connectivity by air, rail and highway to the rest of the state. Its location and connectivity are an enormous business asset that has been widely underappreciated and not properly marketed.

For too long the citys office of business development has been engaged in giving tax incentives to those projects that likely would have been built anyway, that offer little benefit to the overall community and whose developers share a cozy relationship with the mayors office. This concept is perfectly illustrated by the multiple luxury student housing projects that have recently arisen between East Genesee Street and East Fayette Street. These projects offer rental units that are far above market rate, and which would have been constructed regardless of the citys millions in tax incentives.

I will create a professional department of business development, where projects will be judged on their benefit to the community. We will hire a professional department head with experience in recruiting corporations that are looking to expand or relocate.

We will capitalize on our central location and transportation infrastructure to entice new businesses to relocate here. We will prioritize tax incentives for job and wealth creation. Projects will be judged solely on their merits.

How will Syracuse be different after four years if you become mayor?

Our police department will be fully staffed, funded and will have the support of the mayor. Joint task force units will be re-created. Neighborhood policing will create reoccurring interaction between the same officers and members of the community. More cops will be put on the streets by eliminating desk jobs. Auxiliary police will respond to some non-priority calls that now go unanswered. Our police will no longer be handcuffed, and we will feel safe again in our own neighborhoods.

We will have a vibrant downtown where people want to live, work, and play. Aggressive panhandlers, the mentally ill, and those camping on city sidewalks will be removed and directed towards services.

Housing options will be increased as we work towards eliminating homelessness through creative solutions like micro apartments, tiny homes, and shared living spaces. The zoning ordinances will be amended to allow for these changes.

Syracuse will become the friendliest city in NY to small business. We will eliminate every business fee, license and regulation that that is burdensome, unnecessary or duplicative. City Hall will no longer bully businesses over petty things.

There will be full transparency regarding city expenditures and contracts. Monies due to the city will be collected. Wasteful spending will be eliminated.

We will reduce costs through the consolidation of services. We will negotiate a merger of the citys water department with the county water authority. The county will run our payroll services. We will partner with the county, and private entities to reduce costs wherever possible.

Tim Rudd

Age: 43

Neighborhood where you reside: Elmwood/South Side

Family: Married with five children: 22, 17, 13, 6 and 5.

Education: Bachelors degree from Syracuse University (political science), Masters degree from Syracuse University (state and local finance), Henninger High School.

Professional and political experience: Syracuse city councilor at-large 2018-2020; Syracuse Mayors Office of Management and Budget 2020-2025. Additional resume at campaign website.

Why are you running for mayor?

Ben Walsh is generally understood to be a disappointment. I run because I can do better.

His loyal Deputy Mayor, Sharon Owens, is the favorite to take over. I run because I can do better.

I have the perspective, professional experience, and grit, to do better.

We as a city need to do better. Violence, crime, poverty and sadness are normalized here. But none of that is normal. The status quo here is unacceptable.

The first step to changing these conditions is to acknowledge them. Nothing will change if we elect someone who has done all they can but failed to improve the conditions. Worst of all, Sharon Owens thinks the Walsh team is doing a good job! She thinks they are doing a good job because she has been developed by the status quo to manage the status quo. That is her vision of the job.

Well, the status quo here sucks.

We can do better. We must demand transparency and accountability.

I am willing and capable of changing these structures to serve us better.

Simply put, I run to offer our community a choice for change.

I ask for your thoughtful consideration and your vote.

What is Syracuses biggest strength and how will you build on it?

You are asking this in 2025, which is drastically different than 2007 or even 2017. Back then, Id have said, short commutes, clean water, abundance of greenspace, celebration of heritage, strong neighborhoods where kids can walk outside, rec sports, shopping centers, winter culture, and community grit. But in 2025, its evident those things were taken for granted and are suddenly major topics of debate.

The reality is that much of what made Syracuse strong has deteriorated due to poor leadership. We enjoyed being the snowiest city in America and snow days were special. Now snow days are just one more day kids dont show up and nobody learns. Winter for many residents in Syracuse means cold homes. Traffic is worse than ever. Family values have changed as drug use is more common. The city once with the cleanest water in America is being compared to Flint, Michigan. The second largest mall in America is facing bankruptcy. Our streets arent plowed, our trash isnt picked up, our rec programs have disappeared and our youth test scores are among the worst in the nation. To top it off, our leadership blatantly lies to residents and makes excuses for mistakes that cost residents millions of dollars that could have been put to good use. So its much harder to tell you what our strengths are in 2025 and have people believe it.

That said, our core strength has been and always will be our grit; our resolve and will to carry on.

How will Syracuse be different after four years if you become mayor?

250 words is not enough to describe what would be different, because the city needs a major overhaul. But in a nutshell, Syracuse will actually be safer, as opposed to Sharon Owens touting misleading crime statistics. Police and fire will have the proper investments and the job of law enforcement will be held in higher regard among community members. Our first responder teams will be larger with greater reach across every neighborhood in order to properly protect and serve. A new Eastside fire station (Engine 44) will be under construction paid for by Syracuse University.

I will leverage my budgeting expertise and rapport with the common council to make it a reality. Useless, redundant or disingenuous roles within City Hall (e.g. PR, deputy mayor, various chiefs) will be eliminated to directly free up funds to put towards the safety and development of this community. This includes unprecedented opportunities and activities for kids to keep them engaged and focused on a healthy lifestyle, away from drugs and violence. We simply do not have enough opportunities for them currently and in four years this city will feel alive again with new engagement, energy, enthusiasm from our youth. I am just one person that has worked daily over the last seven years to make Elmwood Park and my block on the south side beautiful and safe. In four years, by giving residents similar tools, every neighborhood will be on a path to being safe and clean with ample housing and youth programming.

Alfonso Davis

Age: 59

Neighborhood where you reside: East Side

Family: Married with five children, ages 14, 18, 26, 37 and 38

Education: Bachelors degree from SUNY Oswego (elementary education), Associates degree from Onondaga Community College (human services)

Professional and political experience: Candidate for mayor in 2009, 2013, 2017, and 2025. Managed political campaigns, grassroots work and community activism for nearly 40 years. Occupations have included teacher/teachers assistant, licensed insurance agent, financial planner, certified alcohol and drug counselor, and project manager.

Why are you running for mayor?

I have grown disheartened at the increase in poverty, decrease in affordable housing, lackluster economic growth for all, and escalating violence. The current administration and those prior have refused to acknowledge that Syracuse is an urban area that requires a leader who understands urban issues. I was born and raised in Syracuse. I have experienced both the best and worst of Syracuse. I would be that strong leader. I have strategic, concrete, and comprehensive plans that address urban decay while creating real economic change that benefits the most vulnerable. I am convinced that when you lift up the very least, then we all rise stronger.

What is Syracuses biggest strength, and how will you build on it?

Syracuses biggest strength is resilience. Resilience is the tenacity to hold on and fight even when the odds are against you. We have untapped potential for an increase in local business that has been underutilized. I have a specific plan to help small businesses from start to success. Also, empowering the city, neighborhood by neighborhood, is needed. There can be no areas or groups of people left behind. I have a comprehensive neighborhood initiative to create revitalization in areas where there are food deserts, limited access to city services, and to ensure parity among our residents.

How will Syracuse be different after four years if you become mayor?

Each neighborhood will be stronger with business corridors that lead to investment, and affordable housing to facilitate family growth. The pre-existing eyesores (dilapidated buildings, overrun vacant lots, etc.) will either be torn down, renovated, and/or repurposed. Greater investment in the arts so that our young artists, musicians, and creatives have a place to thrive. Economic growth will resound in each quadrant of the city, and people will believe that anything is possible.
New York Attorney General Letitia James is launching a new portal that will allow residents to share photos and videos of federal immigration actions.

The states Federal Action Reporting Form provides spaces to submit images and video of immigration raids, as well as a place to provide location information, according to The Guardian.

Every New Yorker has the right to live without fear or intimidation, James said in a statement, according to The Guardian. We are committed to reviewing these reports and assessing any violations of law.

The launch of the portal comes after a high-profile Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid on Canal Street in New York City, according to The Hill.

That raid attracted pushback from residents in the area, according to Reuters. Protesters nationwide have been recording ICE operations more frequently.

Critics have argued the agency is employing racial profiling and detaining immigrants with no criminal records, Reuters said.

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security told Reuters that James new effort looks like obstruction of justice.

Since returning to office in January, President Donald Trump has led an immigration crackdown nationwide. ICE has conducted raids across the U.S., including in Upstate New York.

James has been a frequent opponent of Trump. She won a civil case against the president that accused him of fraud in his business dealings.

The case resulted in a penalty worth hundreds of millions of dollars, although the fine was later overturned.

Trumps Justice Department indicted James earlier in October on charges of mortgage fraud.
China emerges as global leader in advanced vessel construction

People's Daily Online) 10:43, October 21, 2025

An aerial drone photo taken on April 6, 2025 shows Adora Magic City berthing at the Qingdao International Cruise Terminal in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

China has launched its first domestically built electromagnetic catapult-equipped aircraft carrier, the Fujian, completed and put into operation its first large homegrown cruise ship, the Adora Magic City, and become a global leader in the construction of large liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), China became the world's only country capable of fully constructing all three major types of high-end vessels: aircraft carriers, large cruise ships, and large LNG carriers, collectively known as the "Three Pearls on the Crown" of shipbuilding.

China's shipbuilding industry has demonstrated comprehensive, world-class strength in building ultra-large, high-tech and high-value-added vessels.

Liu Ersen, deputy director of a research center at China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), pointed out three factors underpinning this achievement: innovation-driven development, clustered development, and coordinated industrial development.

"China's shipbuilding industry has led the world for 15 consecutive years," Liu noted. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, Chinese shipyards accounted for 64.2 percent of global new ship orders, an increase of 15.1 percentage points compared with the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020), according to Liu.

Since 2021, China's shipbuilding industry has accelerated its transformation and upgrading. Digital inspections, painting robots, and other intelligent technologies are increasingly empowering ship construction. High-end vessels such as large LNG carriers, ultra-large container ships, and car carriers now account for 9.3 percent, 18 percent, and 6 percent of the market, respectively.

The "Al Mas'habiyyah," an LNG carrier with a capacity of 174,000 cubic meters, was delivered to Qatar Energy's LNG transportation project in July. It was the sixth LNG carrier supplied to the project by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the CSSC, bringing the company's total LNG carrier deliveries to 51.

"From 2021 to 2025, our global market share rose from 8 percent to about 20 percent," said Song Wei, chief engineer at Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co., Ltd.

A major driving force of this progress is the rising localization rate of key equipment. "The first LNG carrier relied on just over 20 Chinese suppliers, and today more than 130 domestic companies support the entire industrial chain," said Weng Hongbing, general manager of the company.

At the company's production base on Changxing Island, Shanghai, annual production of insulated containers has reached 400,000 units, with the localization rate of components rising from 62 percent at the end of 2020 to 75 percent today, Weng added.

As the global shipping industry accelerates its shift toward sustainability, Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co., Ltd. is extending its expertise in cryogenic storage and transportation technologies to new areas. "Green vessels now account for 80 percent of total orders we receive," said Song.

China's second domestically built large cruise ship, the Adora Flora City, has begun outfitting at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., another CSSC subsidiary. Compared to its predecessor, the Adora Magic City, the Adora Flora City's construction timeline is more than two months shorter.

According to Chen Gang, general manager at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., the core challenge in building a large cruise ship lies in managing a project of massive scale. "At peak times, up to 4,000 workers operate simultaneously across 20 decks," Chen said.

"China's cruise market has enormous potential. We need to strengthen independent design capabilities and ensure that Chinese aesthetics are reflected as these ships venture into the open seas," said Chen.

According to Liu, the construction of the three ship types reflects China's breakthroughs in system integration, advanced materials, precision manufacturing, digital design and production technology. These advances have greatly enhanced the nation's capacity for independent innovation in high-end equipment and boosted the overall competitiveness of the industrial chain.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
On October 22, the "Continental Academy" set up in cooperation between Hefei University and Continental Tire (China) Co., Ltd. was officially unveiled.

The year 2025 marks the 40th anniversary of ChinaGermany cooperation in building Hefei University, and the

"Continental Class" programme jointly run by Hefei University, Germanys Hochschule Emden/Leer University of Applied Sciences and Continental Tire (China) Co., Ltd. also enters its tenth year. In 2016, the two universities together with Germanys Continental Group co-founded Chinas first dual-track ("dual system") undergraduate program  the 'Continental Class' (majoring in Mechanical Design, Manufacturing and Automation)  creating a new model of talent development with four-party linkage among government, university, industry and German partners and a deep integration of industry and education.

Over the past decade, the "Continental Class" has actively explored the German "dual system" higher-education model, continuously deepening the integration of industry, majors and employment. Since classes began in 2016, six cohorts129 students in totalhave graduated from it; more than 87% have obtained high-quality employment, and 30% of the graduates joined Continental Tire (China) Co., Ltd.

The "Continental Academy" is a modern industry academy established in cooperation between Hefei University and Continental Tire (China) Co., Ltd. Some majors will be jointly developed with German partner institutions such as Hochschule Emden/Leer. The academy will focus on exploring dual-system master's-level engineering programs in specialty areas such as new energy vehicles and intelligent connected vehicles, extending the dual-system training pathway from undergraduate education to an integrated bachelor's-to-master's ladder. It aims to cultivate high-level technical R&D and project-management talents who "understand technology, excel in practice, and possess an international outlook."





Source: Anhui Daily
HELSINKI, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Finland-based network equipment maker Nokia beat market expectations as it on Thursday posted stronger sales during July-September and a smaller-than-expected decline in profit.

According to the company's statement, net sales in the third quarter (Q3) of 2025 rose to 4.8 billion euros (about 5.6 billion U.S. dollars) from 4.3 billion euros a year earlier. Operating profit fell 10 percent to 435 million euros from 485 million euros in Q3 2024, but topped analyst forecasts.

"We're on track to achieve our full-year outlook," Chief Executive Officer Justin Hotard said, noting that growth in all business groups led to a solid performance in Q3.

The gross margin of Q3 declined to 9 percent from 11 percent year-on-year. Hotard said this reflected an expected weaker software contribution in Mobile Networks, balancing a higher-than-normal contribution in Q2, and product-mix effects in Network Infrastructure.

Regarding Nokia's strategy set to be published in November, Hotard voiced confidence, highlighting the company's advantages. "The artificial intelligence (AI) supercycle is accelerating demand for providers of advanced and trusted connectivity. Nokia is uniquely positioned to be a leader in this market," he noted.

Nokia also raised its full-year profit guidance to 1.7-2.2 billion euros, from 1.6-2.1 billion euros previously.

A consensus compiled by Finnish business daily Kauppalehti had forecast a 333.5-million-euro Q3 profit for Nokia. Following the results, analysts said the key question is how quickly the AI boom translates into orders and earnings.

Pekka Lahteenmaki, a columnist at Finnish business weekly Talouselama, said November would be a "moment of truth," when Nokia is expected to present convincing projections for monetizing AI.

Acknowledging uncertainties in the future, Hotard remained positive on AI development, saying that Nokia's AI outlook is "very positive."

Markets echoed the upbeat tone, with Nokia shares up more than 10 percent on Thursday on the Helsinki exchange. (1 euro = 1.16 U.S. dollar) 
Liverpool Mayor Stacy Finney is seeking a second term after winning the villages first contested mayoral race in 14 years in 2023.

Finney, 50, is part of a new wave of elected Democrats in the small village of Liverpool.

She grew up in Syracuses Strathmore neighborhood and attended Corcoran High School. Following high school, she graduated from SUNY Geneseo with a bachelors degree in art.

After college, she lived in Marthas Vineyard and Vermont, where she held a variety of design and building jobs before eventually returning to Central New York.

I remember coming home and being on my parents front porch and looking through the paper, Finney said. And I was like, You can buy a house for under $100,000? And they were like, Who would pay more than $100,000 for a house?

Finney bought a house on Robineau Road in Syracuse and renovated the home, a personal passion. Though she never imagined leaving, she and her husband relocated to Liverpool in 2010 for better walkability, she said.

Around that time, she returned to school to pursue a masters degree in art education at SUNY Oswego, hoping that a teaching career would work better with her two childrens schedules. Her husband, Raymond, was already teaching technology at Liverpool Middle School.

As public school teachers, the Finneys are strong advocates for local education and chose to send their two children, Nathaniel and Amelia, to Liverpool schools.

In addition to being mayor, which pays $16,000 a year, Finney teaches eighth-grade art at Lyndon Strough Middle School in Rome. She says her experience in the classroom has shaped her approach to public service.

Being in education, you need to be diplomatic, patient and empathetic, and I think those are all necessary qualities for any political office, Finney said.

When she ran in 2023, Finney ran on the Liverpool Together line, a message she described as focused on serving the communitys collective interests without partisan division.

I knew that Liverpool had an enormous amount of potential, Finney said.

In 2023, Finney was nominated at the villages first Democratic Party caucus since 2001. Longtime Republican mayor Gary White decided not to run for reelection after holding the position for 14 years. Finney ran alongside Melissa Cassidy and Rachel Ciotti, fellow Democrats running for open Board of Trustees seats.

The Village of Liverpool has a population of about 2,600.

The victories of Finney, Cassidy and Ciotti are part of a growing Democratic presence in the village. Shifting voter demographics have contributed to a growing blue trend in the area, according to Dustin Czarny, the Onondaga County Board of Elections Democratic Elections Commissioner.

The village has 1,793 registered voters, 715 Democrats, 435 Republicans, and 532 voters with no party affiliation. The rest make up various smaller parties, said Czarny.

During her first term, Finney said she has tried to follow through on her campaign promises by working on grant applications that would help rejuvenate the small village. However, grants and contracts take time to plan and implement, she said, and the short two-year term has made it difficult to see those efforts fully realized.

I have said since day one that two years is basically just enough time to make all of my mistakes, Finney said.

Village resident Gwen McCarroll praised Finney for her connection to the community, noting that since becoming mayor, Finney will walk around the community with residents to hear their concerns. When McCarroll suggested to Finney that the doors to the Johnson Park storage unit should be adjusted to swing outward to improve storage space, Finney worked quickly to make the change.

Whats so nice about my position is that people can bring things to my attention that I wasnt aware of and I can actually do something about it, Finney said.

Finney cites unfinished work and long-term goals as her reasons for running for re-election. Since becoming mayor, she has had public clashes with American High CEO Jeremy Garelick, who operates a film production studio in Liverpool.

She wrote a letter to the editor this year encouraging American High to leave Liverpool, since the problems it has made for neighbors outweighed its benefits.

He lives in his own reality, she said of Garelick. I think, we have finally come to the conclusion that he will never abide by basic code. We told him from day one that its a residential neighborhood, and you cannot have a commercial property here, and he does not care.

She also banned large trucks from driving through the village, and the village canceled its Memorial Day parade after organizers ran out of time to put it together.

Finney has challenged the legitimacy of Republican nominee Thomas Valerinos candidacy since his selection by the villages GOP caucus in July.

She sued this summer, claiming Valerino registered to vote in Liverpool using a fictitious address, 300 Tulip St., which she claims is zoned for commercial use, not residential. Village code enforcement officer Bill Reagan confirmed that the Tulip Street building has no residential dwellings.

When asked about the biggest issue facing the village, Finney didnt mince words.

Both Jeremy Garelick and Tom Valerino have outside interests, and [it is] feeling like they can step into the political arena and have a say over our communities that theyre not invested in.
Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud said the university would not sign President Donald Trumps higher education compact in its current form.

The Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education was sent to nine colleges and universities on Oct. 1. It offers universities preferential treatment for funding, student visa approvals and tax breaks if they agree to certain conditions.

Among the conditions: race, gender and financial status will not be considered during admissions; institutions will not belittle conservative ideologies; and schools, including professors, will remain publicly neutral on political events.

None of the nine original universities or colleges signed the compact. On Oct. 14, Trump opened the compact to all higher education institutions. Several schools, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, have said they will not sign the compact. Others are offering feedback to the federal government.

In its current form, no, Syracuse University is not going to sign the compact, Syverud said during Wednesdays University Senate meeting. There are parts of the compact that are sensible, including, for example, related to veterans and military-connected students. And I know some universities, not Syracuse, are meeting with the White House on the compact. If that should produce any changes, I have to say, given my short-term status as Chancellor, I would have to consult with both the Board of Trustees and this community before saying or doing anything more than Ive said today about the compact, which is that the university is not going to sign it in its current form.

In the spring, the American Association of Colleges and Universities put together A Call for Constructive Engagement where it stated institutions should be able to admit who they want and teach in a way they see fit.

SU has not joined the over 600 other colleges and universities that signed the letter. SU spokesperson Sarah Scalese said last week SU is not part of the AACU and was not consulted in the creation of the letter.

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry was also not involved in writing the letter. The college added its name to the list after reading about it, syracuse.com | The Post-Standard reported.

Syverud will retire at the end of the 2025-26 school year. The university has begun a search for a new chancellor.
BEIJING, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China concluded its fourth plenary session on Thursday in Beijing with a communique issued.

The following is the full text of the communique:

Communique of the Fourth Plenary Session of

the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China

Adopted at the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of

the Communist Party of China on October 23, 2025

The 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) convened its fourth plenary session in Beijing from October 20 to 23, 2025.

A total of 168 members and 147 alternate members of the Central Committee attended the session. Members of the Standing Committee of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and leading officials from other relevant departments were present at the meeting in a non-voting capacity. Some of our primary-level colleagues and a number of experts and scholars who served as delegates to the 20th National Party Congress also attended the meeting in a non-voting capacity.

The Political Bureau of the Central Committee presided over the meeting. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Central Committee, delivered important addresses.

Participants at the session listened to and discussed a report on the work of the Political Bureau, presented on its behalf by Xi Jinping. They also deliberated over and adopted the Recommendations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development. Xi Jinping made explanatory remarks on the draft recommendations.

At the session, the Central Committee fully affirmed the work of the Political Bureau since the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee. It was unanimously agreed that the Political Bureau has secured notable progress in the following respects: earnestly implementing the guiding principles from the Party's 20th National Congress and the plenary sessions of the 20th Central Committee; adhering to the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability; fully and faithfully applying the new development philosophy on all fronts; implementing the Five-Sphere Integrated Plan and the Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy in a coordinated way; balancing domestic and international imperatives; ensuring both development and security; further deepening reform comprehensively; delivering tangible results in high-quality development; advancing socialist democracy and rule of law; improving public communication and cultural work; ensuring the people's wellbeing and protecting the environment; safeguarding national security and social stability; launching a study campaign for fully implementing the central Party leadership's eight-point decision on improving work conduct and further strengthening full and rigorous Party self-governance; modernizing national defense and the armed forces; carrying out work related to Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan; pursuing major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics; and promoting sustained economic recovery and growth. As a result of these efforts, China is now on the verge of accomplishing the major objectives and tasks of the 14th Five-Year Plan. It was also noted that we had recently commemorated the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. This occasion has greatly lifted the national spirit, inspired a strong sense of patriotism among our people, and further pooled strength for our country's collective endeavors.

Participants at the session gave a positive assessment of China's major development achievements during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), which has marked a momentous and extraordinary period in our country's development. In the face of a complicated international landscape and the challenging domestic tasks of advancing reform, promoting development, and ensuring stability, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has united the entire Party and Chinese people of all ethnic groups and led them in meeting difficulties head-on and forging ahead with determination. This has allowed us to withstand the severe shocks from a once-in-a-century Covid-19 pandemic, respond effectively to many major risks and challenges, and secure significant new achievements in the cause of the Party and the country. With China reaching new heights in terms of economic strength, scientific and technological capabilities, and composite national strength, we have made solid new strides in advancing Chinese modernization and gotten off to a successful start on our new journey toward the Second Centenary Goal.

It was pointed out that socialist modernization can only be realized through a historical process of gradual and ongoing development. It requires the unremitting hard work of one generation after another. The period covered by the 15th Five-Year Plan will be critical in this process as we work to reinforce the foundations and push ahead on all fronts toward basically achieving socialist modernization by 2035. It will thus serve as a key link between the past and the future. In this period, China's development environment will face profound and intricate changes.

At present, China remains in a phase of development where strategic opportunities exist alongside risks and challenges, while uncertainties and unforeseen factors are rising. Our economy is on solid foundations, demonstrating advantages in many areas, strong resilience, and great potential. The conditions and underlying trends supporting long-term growth remain unchanged. More and more, we are seeing the strengths of socialism with Chinese characteristics, China's enormous market, its complete industrial system, and its abundant human resources all coming to the fore.

All of us in the Party must acquire a deep understanding of the decisive significance of establishing Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and of establishing the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era; become more conscious of the need to maintain political integrity, think in big-picture terms, follow the leadership core, and keep in alignment with the central Party leadership; stay confident in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics; and uphold Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the Party Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and uphold the Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership.

We must maintain strategic resolve and enhance our confidence of success. We must proactively identify, respond to, and steer changes, demonstrate the courage and competence to carry forward our struggle, and dare to brave high winds, choppy waters, and even dangerous storms. We must seize the historical initiative to overcome difficulties, combat risks, and confront challenges, focus on managing our own affairs, and write yet another chapter on the miracles of rapid economic growth and long-term social stability, opening up new horizons for Chinese modernization.

It was stressed that in pursuing economic and social development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, we must stay committed to Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Theory of Three Represents, and the Scientific Outlook on Development, and fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. We must thoroughly apply the guiding principles from the Party's 20th National Congress and the plenary sessions of the 20th Central Committee.

To move toward the Second Centenary Goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and advance the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through Chinese modernization, we must implement the Five-Sphere Integrated Plan and the Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy in a coordinated way. Keeping in mind both domestic and international imperatives, we must fully and faithfully apply the new development philosophy on all fronts, move faster to create a new pattern of development, and adhere to the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability.

We must continue to pursue economic development as our central task, with high-quality development as our main focus, reform and innovation as the fundamental driving force, meeting the people's ever-growing needs for a better life as our fundamental goal, and full and rigorous Party self-governance as the fundamental underpinning for all our efforts. We must promote higher-quality economic growth while achieving an appropriate increase in economic output and make solid headway in promoting well-rounded personal development and common prosperity for all. All of this will allow us to secure decisive progress toward basically achieving socialist modernization.

At the session, the Central Committee established the following guiding principles for economic and social development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period: upholding the Party's overall leadership; putting the people first; pursuing high-quality development; comprehensively deepening reform; promoting interplay between an efficient market and a well-functioning government; and ensuring both development and security.

The Central Committee also set the following major objectives for the 15th Five-Year Plan period: significant achievements in high-quality development; substantial improvements in scientific and technological self-reliance and strength; fresh breakthroughs in further deepening reform comprehensively; notable cultural and ethical progress across society; further improvements in quality of life; major new strides in advancing the Beautiful China Initiative; and further advances in strengthening the national security shield. Building on this, we will work hard for a further five years to see that by the year 2035 China's economic strength, scientific and technological capabilities, national defense capabilities, composite national strength, and international influence will all be markedly stronger, that its per capita GDP will be on a par with that of a mid-level developed country, that its people will live better and happier lives, and that socialist modernization will be basically realized.

It was noted that we should build a modernized industrial system and reinforce the foundations of the real economy. To this end, we should keep our focus on the real economy, continue to pursue smart, green, and integrated development, and work faster to boost China's strength in manufacturing, product quality, aerospace, transportation, and cyberspace. The share of manufacturing in the national economy should be kept at an appropriate level, and a modernized industrial system should be developed with advanced manufacturing as the backbone. We should upgrade traditional industries, foster emerging industries and industries of the future, promote high-quality, efficient development in the service sector, and develop a modernized infrastructure system.

It was stated that we should achieve greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology and steer the development of new quality productive forces. We must seize the historic opportunity presented by the new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation to boost China's strength in education, science and technology, and human resources in a well-coordinated manner. We should enhance the overall performance of China's innovation system, raise our innovation capacity across the board, strive to take a leading position in scientific and technological development, and keep fostering new quality productive forces. We should promote advances in original innovation and breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields, facilitate full integration between technological and industrial innovation, pursue integrated development of education, science and technology, and talent, and advance the Digital China Initiative.

It was noted that we should build a robust domestic market and work faster to foster a new pattern of development. Guided by the strategy of expanding domestic demand, we should work toward improving living standards while increasing consumer spending and coordinate investments in physical assets and human capital. We should see that new demand drives new supply, that new supply helps create fresh demand, and that positive interactions are fostered between consumption and investment and between supply and demand. All this will help enhance the dynamism and reliability of the domestic economy. To this end, we should boost consumption, expand effective investment, and eliminate bottlenecks and obstacles hindering the development of a unified national market.

It was stated that we should move faster to develop a high-standard socialist market economy and boost the momentum for high-quality development. We should uphold and improve China's basic socialist economic systems, better leverage the leading role of economic structural reform, and improve the macroeconomic governance system. This will help ensure steady and sustained progress in high-quality development. We should stimulate the vitality of all market entities, work faster to improve the institutions and mechanisms for market-based allocation of production factors, and make macroeconomic governance more effective.

It was also stated that we should promote high-standard opening up and create new horizons for mutually beneficial cooperation. We should continue to expand opening up at the institutional level, safeguard the multilateral trading system, and promote broader international economic flows. We should advance reform and development through greater openness and seek to share opportunities and achieve common development with the rest of the world. We should take the initiative to open China wider, promote the innovative development of trade, create greater space for two-way investment cooperation, and pursue high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

It was noted that we should accelerate agricultural and rural modernization and take solid steps to advance all-around rural revitalization. We must continue to place issues related to agriculture, rural areas, and rural residents at the top of our Party's work agenda. We need to promote integrated urban-rural development, continue to consolidate and expand our achievements in poverty alleviation, basically ensure modern living conditions in rural areas, and secure faster progress in building up China's strength in agriculture. We should enhance the overall production capacity, quality, and performance of agriculture, build a beautiful and harmonious countryside for people to live and work in, and ensure that policies aimed at strengthening agriculture, benefiting farmers, and achieving rural prosperity deliver greater outcomes.

It was stated that we should refine China's regional economic layout and promote coordinated regional development. We should give full play to the synergies between the coordinated regional development strategy, major regional strategies, the functional zoning strategy, and the new urbanization strategy, improve the distribution of major productive forces, and ensure that key regions play their role as growth poles. Our goal is to develop a regional economic layout and a territorial space system that enable regions to leverage their complementary strengths in pursuit of high-quality development. We should promote more coordinated regional development, boost interconnected development between regions, improve the development of territorial space, move forward with people-centered new urbanization, and strengthen marine development, utilization, and protection.

It was noted that we should inspire the cultural creativity of our entire nation and foster a thriving socialist culture. We must uphold the guiding role of Marxism in the ideological domain, remain firmly rooted in the broad and rich Chinese culture, and follow the trends of information technology. On this basis, we should develop a socialist culture with Chinese characteristics for the new era that has the power to guide, unite, and inspire our people and enjoys strong international influence. Tangible steps should be taken to build China into a country with a strong culture. We should promote and put into practice the core socialist values, make effective moves to boost cultural programs, accelerate the development of cultural industries, and extend the reach and appeal of Chinese civilization.

It was stated that we should work harder to ensure and improve public wellbeing and promote common prosperity for all. In line with the principle of doing everything within our means, we must ensure that public services are inclusive, meet essential needs, and provide a cushion for those most in need, while working to resolve the pressing difficulties and problems that concern the people most. The channels of social mobility should remain unimpeded, and living standards should be further improved. We should promote high-quality and full employment, refine the income distribution system, develop education that meets the people's expectations, improve the social security system, and facilitate high-quality development of the real estate sector. We should also work to advance the Healthy China Initiative, promote high-quality population development, and take solid steps to ensure equitable access to basic public services.

It was pointed out that we should accelerate the green transition in all areas of economic and social development in an effort to build a Beautiful China. We must unwaveringly uphold the principle that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets and put it into concrete action. Guided by our goals of achieving peak carbon and carbon neutrality, we should make concerted efforts to cut carbon emissions, reduce pollution, pursue green development, and boost economic growth. We must reinforce our ecological security shields and strengthen our green development drivers. We should press ahead with the critical battle against pollution and the drive to upgrade ecosystems, move faster to develop a new energy system, work actively and prudently toward peak carbon emissions, and accelerate the shift to eco-friendly production practices and lifestyles.

It was noted that we should modernize China's national security system and capacity and advance the Peaceful China Initiative to a higher level. We must remain steadfast in pursuing a holistic approach to national security and follow a socialist path of social governance with Chinese characteristics to ensure that our society is both full of vitality and in good order. We should establish a sound national security system, build up national security capacity in key sectors, enhance public safety governance, and improve the social governance system.

It was also noted that we should work to achieve the centenary goals of the People's Liberation Army on schedule and modernize national defense and the armed forces. We should act on Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military and carry out the military strategy for the new era. We must ensure that the Party exercises absolute leadership over the people's armed forces, and the system of ultimate responsibility resting with the chairman of the Central Military Commission must be implemented. We are pursuing the new, three-step strategy for modernizing national defense and the armed forces. On this basis, we should continue to enhance political loyalty in the military, strengthen the military through reform, scientific and technological advances, and personnel training, and run the military in accordance with the law. We should simultaneously carry out operations, boost combat preparedness, and enhance military capabilities, and accelerate integrated military development through mechanization, informatization, and the application of smart technologies. All this will enhance our military's strategic capacity to defend our national sovereignty, security, and development interests. We should speed up the development of advanced combat capabilities, modernize military governance, and consolidate and improve integrated national strategies and strategic capabilities.

It was stressed that the whole Party and all Chinese people should be united in a concerted endeavor to fulfill the 15th Five-Year Plan. We must use the Party's self-reform to steer social reform and stay committed to strengthening full and rigorous Party self-governance. We should see to it that our Party becomes better at providing political leadership and theoretical guidance, organizing the people, and inspiring society, while also improving its ability to lead China's economic and social development endeavors. All this will enable us to gather a mighty force for advancing Chinese modernization. We must uphold and strengthen the Party Central Committee's centralized, unified leadership, advance socialist democracy and rule of law, and fully mobilize the initiative, enthusiasm, and creativity of the whole society to advance Chinese modernization. We should work for long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong and Macao, promote the peaceful development of relations across the Taiwan Strait and advance the cause of national reunification, and secure further progress in building a community with a shared future for humanity.

It was pointed out that studying and implementing the guiding principles from this plenary session represent a major political task for the entire Party and nation both at present and in the period to come. We must employ a variety of means to organize study activities, instruction lectures, and communication initiatives, so as to make sure that the whole Party and society acquire a thorough understanding of the session's guiding principles. In effectively implementing these principles, we must stay firmly committed to high-quality development, step up efforts to foster a new development pattern, make solid strides toward delivering common prosperity for all, better ensure both development and security, and coordinate our economic development endeavors with work in all other spheres. This will ensure that we lay a solid foundation for basically realizing socialist modernization.

It was stressed that to run the country well, we must first run the Party well; only a Party that is thriving can make our country strong. The more effective our Party is in supervising and governing itself, the better it will be able to provide guarantees for our economic and social development. We must have the resolve and tenacity to persist in the always ongoing endeavor of Party self-governance. In exercising full and rigorous self-governance, we must firmly act on the Party's requirements for self-reform, devote sustained and consistent efforts to improving conduct, and combat corruption resolutely, thereby providing a strong guarantee for fulfilling the major objectives for economic and social development in the 15th Five-Year Plan period.

Participants at the session carried out an analysis of the present situation and the tasks we face. It was highlighted that we must remain firmly focused on accomplishing this year's targets for economic and social development. To this end, we must continue to implement the decisions and plans of the Central Committee through targeted efforts. We must work to stabilize employment, enterprise operations, markets, and expectations and keep the fundamentals of the economy stable, so as to consolidate and strengthen the momentum for economic recovery and growth. We should ensure that our macro policies continue to play an effective role and intensify their implementation as necessary. We should fully implement assistance policies for enterprises, press ahead with special initiatives to boost consumption, guarantee the three priorities including people's basic wellbeing, payment of salaries, and normal government functioning at the primary level, and defuse local government debt risks through active and prudent measures.

It was noted that we should take concrete steps to safeguard the people's wellbeing and unlock potential through multiple channels. We should devote greater efforts to stabilizing and expanding employment, while promoting stable employment for key groups. We should ramp up efforts to address wage arrears, improve basic public services, and work harder to resolve the pressing difficulties and problems that concern the people most. We must do a good job in post-disaster recovery and reconstruction. Appropriate arrangements should be made for disaster victims to ensure that their basic living needs are met and that they have warm shelter for the winter.

It was emphasized that we must ensure workplace safety and safeguard stability. We must make sure that all responsibilities concerning workplace safety are fulfilled and that oversight systems are rigorously implemented, and we must work with firm resolve to prevent and mitigate major and serious accidents. We should strengthen whole-of-chain supervision and administration of food and drug safety. We should intensify efforts to investigate and resolve disputes and conflicts, take a holistic approach to ensuring law and order, and crack down on illegal and criminal activities of all types in accordance with the law. Furthermore, we should improve public opinion guidance and effectively prevent and defuse risks in the ideological domain.

At the session, Zhang Shengmin was added to the Central Military Commission as Vice Chairman.

It was decided that, in accordance with the Party Constitution, empty seats on the Central Committee will be filled by alternate members Yu Huiwen, Ma Hancheng, Wang Jian, Wang Xi, Wang Yonghong, Wang Tingkai, Wang Xinwei, Wei Tao, Deng Yiwu, Deng Xiuming, and Lu Hong.

At the session, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection's report on the grave violations of Party discipline and state laws involving Tang Renjian, Jin Xiangjun, Li Shisong, Yang Fasen, and Zhu Zhisong was deliberated and adopted. The Central Military Commission's inspection report on the grave violations of Party discipline and state laws involving He Weidong, Miao Hua, He Hongjun, Wang Xiubin, Lin Xiangyang, Qin Shutong, Yuan Huazhi, Wang Chunning, and Zhang Fengzhong was also deliberated and adopted. The Political Bureau's previous decision to expel these people from the Party was confirmed.

At the session, a call was issued to the whole Party, the entire military, and Chinese people of all ethnic groups to rally more closely around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, work hard together toward the goal of basically realizing socialist modernization, and continue to break new ground in building a great country and advancing national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernization. 
SOFIA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Bulgaria and Vietnam on Thursday adopted a joint declaration on elevating bilateral relations to the level of strategic partnership.

The announcement was made by Bulgaria's President Rumen Radev and General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam, after a bilateral meeting.

Radev said the two countries could partner in the areas of innovation, artificial intelligence, and high-tech production.

To Lam said the joint declaration laid the foundation for deepening ties between the peoples of the two countries for peace, stability, and development.

According to the press secretariat of the Bulgarian president, To Lam's visit was part of the Vietnamese leader's European tour. The Vietnamese delegation included ministers and business representatives. 
Brazil auctions off five oil blocks ahead of COP30



Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Oct 22 (AFP) Oct 22, 2025



Brazil awarded exploration rights to five offshore oil blocks on Wednesday, doubling down on a controversial drive to boost production in the run-up to UN climate talks it is hosting next month.

The auction came two days after state oil giant Petrobras was granted a controversial license to explore near the mouth of the Amazon river, a sensitive and biodiverse region.

Brazil awarded rights to five of seven blocks on offer, raising 103.7 million reais ($19.1 million) from several major foreign groups, including Norway's Equinor and China's CNOOC.

The oil blocks are located in Brazil's southeast, off the coast of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.

It is a "pre-salt" area that contains oil deposits trapped under a thick salt layer in deep water, and has already helped Brazil become the world's eighth-largest oil producer.

The winning companies have committed to donating a portion of their profits to the Brazilian government. The minimum investment planned for the five blocks is around $83 million.

"We are very satisfied with the result, which exceeds our expectations," Artur Watt, director general of the National Petroleum Agency (ANP), which organized the auction, told a press conference.

Equinor won two blocks, one of which it will operate alone, and another with Petrobras.

Petrobras said it had already begun drilling 500 kilometers (310 miles) from the mouth of the Amazon River on Monday, the same day the license was granted.

The region, known as Foz de Amazonas, is part of a promising new offshore oil frontier, with nearby Guyana emerging as a major producer in less than a decade following large offshore discoveries.

Environmentalists criticize the project as risky and unnecessary in a world which should be moving away from fossil fuels.

However, Lula and his government staunchly defend it as necessary to secure the energy supply and a means to fund the climate transition.

"Maintaining (oil) exploration and production is fully compatible with the energy transition," said Watt.

He said the shift from fossil fuels to renewables must be accelerated, but "we can never consider voluntarily restricting supply (in Brazil), as it would quickly be filled by other countries, to the detriment of national interests."
Finnish carbon-neutral ferry aims to set global benchmark for shipping



Vaasa, Finland, Oct 23 (AFP) Oct 23, 2025



In Finland, one of the world's first large passenger ferries to go carbon neutral aims to set the global standard for sustainable shipping, even as efforts to slash the industry's emissions face a backlash.

No smoke billowed from the stacks of the Aurora Botnia, a 150-meter (492-foot) cargo and passenger ferry that can transport around 900 people, as it quietly crossed the narrow Gulf of Bothnia from Vaasa in Finland to Umea in Sweden, the world's northernmost year-round shipping and passenger traffic route.

The hybrid ferry runs partly on batteries and in August, its liquified natural gas (LNG) was replaced with biofuels, making it one of the world's first larger carbon-neutral ferries, operator Wasaline's technical director Jonas Teir told AFP as he gave a tour of the engine room.

Wasaline said the route is "the world's first green shipping corridor in operation", cutting the carbon emissions that cause dangerous climate change.

"We are currently operating with biogas and HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil), so we are operating completely carbon neutral," Teir said.

"We are also installing more battery capacity which will reduce the need for fuel and other resources for energy," he said, explaining that more battery power would increase capacity from today's 2.2 MWh to 12.6 MWh.

That will make it the largest marine battery hybrid system in operation globally.

New European Union rules on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing renewable and low-emission fuels in the maritime sector came into force this year.

Member states of the International Maritime Organization were also set to formally adopt the Net Zero Framework -- the first global carbon-pricing system -- on October 17, but the vote was postponed by a year after the United States opposed the carbon-cutting plan and threatened to impose sanctions against countries backing it.

The global shipping industry, which transports nearly 90 percent of the world's cargo and still relies heavily on fossil fuels, is responsible for around two to three percent of global greenhouse gas emissions each year.



- Pooling carbon deficit -



Wasaline benefited from its collaboration with several large nearby tech and energy companies keen to test out their cutting edge emission-reduction technology on the vessel, "a win-win situation for all parties involved", Teir said.

"We are one of the smaller shipping companies in the world, so being a forerunner is also something that sets a little bit of a benchmark for the bigger ones," he added.

Because the ferry has met EU climate targets, it can use a new EU mechanism allowing it to sell the carbon emissions it "saved" to another shipping company, which can then mark it down as its own emission reduction.

"The pooling mechanism makes it economically viable to run 100 percent on biofuels," Teir said.

Fanny Devaux, deputy director of shipping at European NGO Transport & Environment, said Aurora Botnia demonstrated "real progress in energy efficiency and electrification".

But the shipping industry needs to steer away from biofuels, she said.

"There just isn't enough sustainable biowaste to power all the ships in the world."

"The ultimate goal must be to replace fossil fuels with scalable fuels that can achieve deep, verifiable emission reductions without harming ecosystems," she said, citing e-fuels such as e-methanol, e-ammonia, and hydrogen made from renewable electricity.

Reducing energy consumption "through operational and technical efficiency" remained the most important rule in the energy transition, Devaux stressed.

Docking in the small Swedish port of Umea where the open sea glittered, still ice-free in October, captain Johannes Sjoholm said it felt like he was "part of something bigger" by "challenging the old systems".

"We hope to be a kind of pilot project for others to see and notice that it is possible to do this this way," he said.



- Constraints -



According to Hakan Agnevall, CEO of ship engine builder Wartsila, the postponed IMO vote "opens the door to a fragmented landscape of carbon pricing mechanisms introduced by individual regions and countries".

"The EU already has its system in place, while China is signalling plans for its own programs, adding complexity to global shipping," he told AFP in an email.

Devaux said the postponed vote "introduces significant uncertainty for the shipping industry and clean tech investors".

Wartsila is currently developing new engines for more climate-friendly fuels and energy efficient technology.

"We actually have the technologies. But getting a sufficient amount of fuels, making the whole equation financially viable, those are the biggest constraints right now," he said.

ank/po/rlp/ceg
Press Release from Business Wire: Bureau Veritas



(AFP) Oct 23, 2025



PARIS, Oct 23, 2025 (BSW) - Bureau Veritas, a global leader in Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) services, announces that it has signed agreements to acquire two companies in Europe, reinforcing its leading position and expanding into high-potential markets: Solida in the renewables sector, and London Building Control in the Buildings & Infrastructure market. These agreements underscore Bureau Veritas' commitment to growth within itsLEAP I 28 strategy, increasing capability, reach, and technical expertise across growth markets.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251022071543/en/

Hinda Gharbi, CEO Bureau Veritas



-- Solida is a top-tier provider of Owner's Engineering, Technical Advisory, and Project Management services for renewable energy projects and electrical infrastructure. It acts as a trusted technical partner for leading developers, utilities, EPC contractors, investment funds and financial institutions. The Company has demonstrated a solid track across solar, wind, and storage of nearly 2,500 projects totaling over 220 GW of renewable capacity in more than 50 countries. The considered acquisition would strengthen Bureau Veritas' commitment to developing green objects through the creation of an end-to-end CAPEX platform to serve the evolving and growing needs of customers in the energy transition globally. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Madrid, Solida employs c.225 professionals and generated revenues of c.EUR18 million in 2024.

-- London Building Control (LBC) is one of the UK's leading Registered Building Control Approvers, specializing in building control services for residential and commercial projects. The Company is widely recognized among architects, developers, and public authorities across the UK, with 5 offices nationwide and more than 14,000 projects successfully delivered annually. It helps customers to navigate the complex building control requirements for premium residential constructions and refurbishments. This acquisition positions Bureau Veritas as a key leader in the market, with the addition of a large pool of accredited Registered Building Inspectors. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in London, the company has c.110 employees and generated revenues of c.EUR14 million in 2024.

Hinda Gharbi, Chief Executive Officer of Bureau Veritas, comments:

"These considered acquisitions show our LEAP I 28 strategy in action, establishing New Strongholds and Expanding our Leadership that position Bureau Veritas at the forefront of Europe's energy transition and buildings & infrastructure development. I am looking forward to closing these two transactions in the next few weeks."

About Bureau VeritasBureau Veritas is a world leader in inspection, certification, and laboratory testing services with a powerful purpose: to shape a world of trust by ensuring responsible progress. With a vision to be the preferred partner for customers' excellence and sustainability, the company innovates to help them navigate change.Created in 1828, Bureau Veritas' 84,000 employees deliver services in 140 countries. The company's technical experts support customers to address challenges in quality, health and safety, environmental protection, and sustainability.Bureau Veritas is listed on Euronext Paris and belongs to the CAC 40, CAC 40 ESG, SBF 120 indices and is part of the CAC SBT 1.5 index. Compartment A, ISIN code FR 0006174348, stock symbol: BVI.For more information, visit http://www.bureauveritas.com, and follow us on LinkedIn.

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View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251022071543/en/









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ANALYST/INVESTOR CONTACTSLaurent Brunelle+33 (0) 7 79 52 69 [email protected] Colin Verbrugghe+33 (0) 6 80 53 26 [email protected] Romain [email protected] Ines [email protected] MEDIA CONTACTSMartin Bovo+33 (0)6 14 46 79 [email protected]







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ULAN BATOR, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia joined a global campaign to celebrate the snow leopard day, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change said on Thursday.

The campaign encouraged individuals, institutions and communities around the world to join efforts to preserve the snow leopard.

According to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)-Mongolia, the landlocked Asian country is home to the world's second-largest population of snow leopards.

It was estimated that around 1,000 adult snow leopards inhabit Mongolia.

International Day of the Snow Leopard was observed on Oct. 23. 
Spain finds flood victim one year after tragedy



Madrid, Oct 23 (AFP) Oct 23, 2025



Spanish authorities on Thursday said they had found the body of a 56-year-old man who died after being swept away in floods in the eastern Valencia region last year, the country's deadliest such disaster in decades.

DNA analysis confirmed that a corpse found on Tuesday in the Turia river belonged to one of three people reported missing since the October 29, 2024 tragedy that killed more than 230 people, a Valencia court said in a statement.

The victim, like the two other missing people, "had already been declared legally dead" and so the death toll had not increased, the court added.

The water had dragged the body some 30 kilometres (19 miles) from the town of Pedralba to the municipality of Manises outside the regional capital Valencia, Spain's third-largest city.

A state funeral will take place in the city on October 29 to mark the anniversary of the disaster, which raised serious questions about the adequacy of alert systems and the emergency response.

Campaigners have taken to the streets every month, demanding the resignation of the head of the regional government Carlos Mazon over his handling of the floods, with the next demonstration scheduled for Saturday.

Regional authorities insist they did not have the information needed to warn people sooner.
Brazilian NGOs ask court to halt drilling off mouth of Amazon



Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Oct 23 (AFP) Oct 23, 2025



A group of Brazilian NGOs said Thursday they had filed a lawsuit to halt exploratory drilling by state oil giant Petrobras off the coast of the Amazon region.

Petrobras began drilling on Monday, the same day it was granted a license after a five-year battle to explore for oil in the sensitive region, 500 kilometers (310 miles) from the mouth of the Amazon River.

The granting of the license angered activists who said it would undermine Brazil's hosting of the COP30 UN climate talks and poses a danger to a region rich in biodiversity off the coast of the world's largest tropical rainforest.

Groups representing environmentalists, Indigenous people, artisanal fishers and Afro-Brazilian communities filed a lawsuit on Wednesday "requesting the annulment of the license," they said in a statement.

They "also request an injunction immediately suspending drilling activities, under the risk of irreversible damage to the environment."

The lawsuit alleges that the licensing process did not study the potential impacts on Indigenous communities or Quilombolas -- communities of descendants of African slaves.

It also stated that Petrobras relied on outdated environmental modeling and data when presenting its plan in case of an oil spill.

Petrobras has said its models show that an oil spill at the offshore site "would not be likely to reach the coast" and there would be "no direct impact" on Indigenous communities.

According to the NGOs statement, their lawsuit demonstrates that in the case of an oil spill, 20 percent of the oil would sink and possibly affect the Great Amazon Reef System.

They also argue the process ignores the project's contribution to the climate crisis -- contradicting Brazil's commitments ahead of COP30.

Petrobras told AFP it had no comment for the moment on the lawsuit.
French court convicts TotalEnergies over misleading climate claims



Paris, Oct 23 (AFP) Oct 23, 2025



A French court Thursday ruled oil and gas giant TotalEnergies had engaged in "misleading commercial practices" by overstating its climate pledges and ordered it to remove some claims, in what activists said was the first such ruling worldwide against a major oil company for climate misinformation.

The case could help set a legal precedent for the kind of environmental claims corporations, which are starting to face tighter regulations in the European Union, can make.

In Europe, courts ruled against Dutch airline KLM in 2024 and Germany's Lufthansa in March for misleading consumers about their efforts to reduce the environmental impact of flying.

ClientEarth, an organisation that closely monitors case law against the oil and gas industry, welcomed the ruling as a "historic win against greenwashing".

Greenwashing is the act of claiming to be more environmentally responsible than in reality.

"It is the first judgment in the world ruling that an oil and gas major has misled the public by greening its image," said ClientEarth.

The Paris court found that TotalEnergies had made environmental claims on its French consumer-facing website that "misled" consumers into believing that it could achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 while increasing oil and gas production.

TotalEnergies noted in a statement following the ruling that the court dismissed claims against its corporate communications as well as those related to fossil gas and biofuels, which activists argued had been deceptively promoted as clean energy.

Greenpeace and two other environmental NGOs told AFP the ruling was still "a major legal precedent against climate misinformation".

"This is the first time anywhere in the world that a major oil and gas company has been convicted by the courts for misleading the public by greenwashing its image regarding its contribution to the fight against climate change," said the organisation, one of the plaintiffs in the case.

ClientEarth lawyer Jonathan White said the "landmark judgment" sent "a clear warning shot to other oil and gas majors in Europe and beyond: claiming to be part of the transition while backing new fossil fuel projects comes at a tried-and-tested legal price."



- Some claims ordered removed -



The civil case stems from a March 2022 lawsuit by three environmental groups, which accused TotalEnergies of "misleading commercial practices" over claims it could reach carbon neutrality while continuing oil and gas production.

The plaintiffs took that legal route because "greenwashing" is not specifically covered under French law.

Starting in May 2021, TotalEnergies indicated to the public its goal of "net zero by 2050, together with society" and touted gas as "the fossil fuel with the lowest greenhouse gas emissions".

At the time, the company had changed its name from Total to TotalEnergies to emphasise its investments in wind turbines and solar panels for electricity production.

But there was a "big gap" between their claims, which focused on carbon neutrality and clean energy, and "their activities which are still mostly based on fossil fuels," said Juliette Renaud from the French chapter of Friends of the Earth activist group, one of the plaintiffs.

The lawsuit targeted around 40 claims and requested that TotalEnergies be required to stop using them.

The court agreed partially, giving the firm one month from officially receiving the ruling to remove claims concerning carbon neutrality and the energy transition, such as: "Our ambition is to be a major player in the energy transition while continuing to meet the public's energy needs".

Another example of claims it must remove is "Our ambition is to contribute to reaching net zero by 2050, together with society".

TotalEnergies's main French consumer website, totalenergies.fr, as well as those of its consumer electricity and gas companies in France must also publish the ruling on their sites.

TotalEnergies said it "will draw the consequences of this judgment regarding the content of the website totalenergies.fr, particularly concerning the three paragraphs mentioned by the court."

The company declined to say if it plans to appeal the ruling.

nal-ekf/ah/rl/gv
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Agatha Christies iconic detectives, Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, have joined the whimsical world of the Mr Men and Little Miss series.

The collaboration reimagines some of the best-selling novelists most celebrated stories through new illustrations in a series of childrens books.

The first two titles, Little Miss Marple: Muddle at the Vicarage and Mr Poirot: Mischief on the Nile, were published on Thursday.

These adaptations draw inspiration from Dame Agathas classic novels, The Murder at the Vicarage and Death on the Nile.

Two further instalments are slated for release in February 2026.

Little Miss Marple sees the astute detective assisting Inspector Nonsense and Constable Silly in uncovering the truth behind a suspected theft at Reverend Muddles vicarage.

open image in gallery Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot will make his debut in the Mr Men series ( Granada )

Mr Poirot tasks the famed sleuth with solving a perplexing mystery among various Mr Men and Little Miss suspects during a leisurely cruise along the River Nile.

Originally created by cartoonist Roger Hargreaves in 1971, the Mr Men and Little Miss series has been continued by his son, Adam, who took over the family business aged 25 following Rogers death.

Adam said: I have had the privilege from 1988 to continue to draw and write for the series. It has been a real pleasure and an intriguing challenge to bring together the timeless mysteries of Agatha Christie with the playful world of the Mr Men and Little Miss.

Agatha Christies iconic stories now have a new twist that neither she nor my father might have imagined.

open image in gallery Hercule Poirot stars in Mr. Poirot: Mischief on the Nile ( THOIP and Agatha Christie Limited )

The partnership forms part of Agatha Christie Limiteds anniversary programme in 2026, marking 50 years since the authors death and a century since The Murder Of Roger Ackroyd was published.

James Prichard, chief executive and chairman of Agatha Christie Limited (and Dame Agathas great grandson), said: As a lifelong fan of the Mr Men and Little Miss books, it has always been a wish of mine to put our beloved detectives, Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, into their universe.

These clever and very funny reimaginings of my great grandmothers stories, which include some of my favourite characters (in rather suspicious circumstances!), are bound to delight fans of both authors.

This is absolutely a dream collaboration.

open image in gallery Little Miss Marple uncovers the truth behind a suspected theft at Reverend Muddles vicarage ( THOIP and Agatha Christie Limited )

David Brawn, HarperFictions publisher of estates, added: Ive been working on Agatha Christie at HarperCollins for 30 years, always looking for ways to innovate and to expand the authors already unrivalled popularity.

In all that time, nothing has come close to the joy of seeing these cherished characters so painstakingly transformed by Adam Hargreaves into stories that will capture the hearts and minds of children everywhere. And Agatha Christies adult fans will adore them, too. Hes an absolute genius.

The launch will also include a free city-wide book hunt, with hundreds of copies of the new stories hidden across the streets of London and Manchester for families and book lovers to find.

The Great Little Mystery Book Hunt takes place from 27 October.
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Renee Zellweger is set to be honored with a statue immortalizing her as beloved rom-com character Bridget Jones in Londons Leicester Square.

Jones, the quirky heroine created by Helen Fielding, will become the first character in a romantic comedy to get the star treatment on the iconic trail, which features over a dozen sculptures from the cinema world.

Zellweger will be in attendance for the statues unveiling November 17, Deadline reported.

The unveiling ceremony will be hosted by actress Sally Phillips, who plays Bridgets loyal friend Shazzer in the four-film franchise. Actors Chiwetel Ejiofor and Leo Woodall, who play Bridgets love interests in the newest installment of the series, will also be in attendance.

Jones will join other legendary characters immortalized in bronze on the trail, like Daniel Kaluuyas character from Jordan Peeles hit movie Get Out, Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins, and Paddington Bear.

open image in gallery Bridget Jones, played by Renee Zellweger, will be immortalized with a statue in Leicester Square ( Universal Pictures )

open image in gallery The latest statue addition to Leicester Square was Daniel Kaluuyas character from Jordan Peeles movie Get Out in October 2024 ( PA )

Unbelievably and a first for Working Title, were getting a statue of one of our most loved characters in bronze being put in Leicester Square and thats very exciting, Working Title co-chairman Eric Fellner told the outlet.

Weve never had anything like that before. And I think its great because Bridgets a proper London heroine and the idea of having Bridget ever present in a brilliant location in the center of London is really exciting, he added.

The honor comes ahead of next year marking the 25th anniversary since the first movie, Bridget Joness Diary, was released, becoming an instant classic.

The 2001 movie introduced Zellweger as an irresistibly hilarious journalist caught in a love triangle between Hugh Grant and Colin Firths characters. After the smashing success of the first film, its sequels Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, Bridget Joness Baby and Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy followed, with the latest being released directly to Peacock in February.

open image in gallery Hugh Grant, Zellweger, and Colin Firth starred in Bridget Joness Diary in 2001 ( Getty )

Bridget was initially written in a newspaper column at The Independent, with Fielding using the imaginary character to create a fictional diary starting in 1995. Fielding published Bridget Joness Diary as a novel the next year, and it became a global bestseller.

Fellner told Deadline, I love the idea that her brilliant writing in a newspaper 30 years ago ends up as a statue in Leicester Square. Its kind of gorgeous.

Reflecting on her start, Fielding said in 2016, Ill always be grateful to the newspaper for giving me the freedom to write anonymously in an idiosyncratic voice."

All of the films have been based on Fieldings already published columns and bestselling novels, but Zellweger has been open about her willingness to keep playing Bridget if Fielding writes an idea for the fifth movie.

If Helen writes something then, well, Im in, Zellweger said at the fourth movies premiere.
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Its ironic that The Mastermind arrives in cinemas in the very same week as the theft of 80m worth of jewels from the Louvre. Inevitably, theres a certain flair to how the imagination plays out such real-life scenarios: black turtlenecks and aviators, mopeds speeding down Parisian alleyways to the cool hit of percussion, plans made underneath a harsh, interrogatory light. Theres a little Rififi and a little Steven Soderbergh there.

Yet Kelly Reichardts latest is, in a way, the anti-heist film  quiet but piercingly observant, as her films (First Cow and Certain Women among them) so often are, and entirely devoid of the expected rhythms, aside from Rob Mazureks excited, jazzy score.

Josh OConnors James Blaine Mooney is as much a petulant child as he is Danny Ocean: the son of a judge (Bill Camp) and a worrisome but financially generous mother (Hope Davis). He wanders into his local art museum in Worcester, Massachusetts, circa 1970, and is quietly thrilled to discover how easy it is to slip open a display and tuck a small figurine into his glasses case (the fictional institution, the Framingham Museum, has one of the most thematically and aesthetically atonal displays Ive ever seen, which perhaps makes it all the more prime a target).

James is a dilettante who considers himself above both conformity and rebellion. Hell cheerily dump his two raucous sons (Sterling and Jasper Thompson) onto his breadwinner wife (Alana Haim), while habitually crawling back into the womb of his parents home to make vague promises about his career  hes been commissioned to fashion Japanese cabinets, he swears, if only mother would slip him a few hundred to rent a studio space. In reality, hes summoned a little trio of henchmen (Eli Gelb, Cole Doman, and Javion Allen) to squeeze their heads into pantyhose and pilfer a quartet of Arthur Dove abstracts.

OConnor, as was evident in last years Challengers and 2023s La Chimera, has an ingenious way of weaponising his own earnestness. Whatever the role, theres always something gentle about him on screen. Yet with a well-placed smirk, he twists half of it into disarming performance and preserves the other as authentic vulnerability. He rarely settles for the characters that naturally suit him, and, as a result, offers those like James new and surprising angles.

Josh OConnor as art thief James Blaine Mooney in Kelly Reichardts The Mastermind ( Mubi )

Reichardt stages the heist early and swiftly. Its successful but comedically ramshackle: the gang are nearly caught by a little girl in a beret reciting French verse, and an elderly couple who eventually decide theyre cleaning up in there. James, as it turns out, hasnt considered what happens next, and The Mastermind really becomes a film about a self-interested man attempting to escape the centripetal forces of society.

All around him we see the opposition (and the opposition to the opposition) to the Vietnam war  protesters, television documentaries, posters of Nixon, communes full of conscientious objectors. Reichardt, with her regular cinematographer Christopher Blauvelt, has a wonderful way of staging scenes that feel sparse and warm at the very same time. It offers slippery unpredictability to the ones in which a fugitive James finds shelter with some old friends, Fred (John Magaro) and Maude (Gaby Hoffmann). One romanticises him, the other sees him as a threat to their safety. Who will eventually win out?

When the inevitable comes for our protagonist, The Mastermind delivers it as one of the smartest, wryest punchlines of the year.

Dir: Kelly Reichardt. Starring: Josh OConnor, Alana Haim, Hope Davis, John Magaro, Gaby Hoffmann, Bill Camp. Cert 12A, 110 minutes.

The Mastermind is in cinemas from 24 October
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Foo Fighters have announced a 2026 tour of North American stadiums and released a new song, Asking for a Friend.

The tour will begin in Toronto in early August and conclude in Las Vegas the following month. Support will come from Queens of the Stone Age, Mannequin Pussy, and Gouge Away.

In a statement to press, the bands frontman Dave Grohl said: Since our return to the stage in San Luis Obispo five weeks ago, we have been reminded of why we love and are forever devoted to doing this Foo Fighters thing.

From reuniting as a band and staring at a list of 30 years worth of songs to brush off, to reimagining versions with the incredible blessing of the one and only Ilan Rubin behind the drums, to reconnecting with our amazing fans and blasting them with everything we've got (no matter the size of the venue) because we would not be here without them, we have the most solid core. And the sun is finally rising over the horizon.

The band simultaneously made new song Asking for a Friend available on streaming services, with Grohl adding: "But none of this would be complete without new music to share from Pat, Nate, Chris, Rami, Ilan and I.

Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters performing in Los Angeles in February 2022 ( Rich Fury/Getty Images )

Asking for a Friend is a song for those who have waited patiently in the cold, relying on hope and faith for their horizon to appear. Searching for proof when hanging by a wish until the sun shines again.

Former Nirvana drummer Grohl promised that the new track is one of many songs to come.

The Foo Fighters 2026 touring schedule includes the following stops:

August 4: Toronto, Ontario - Rogers Stadium

August 6: Detroit, MI - Ford Field

August 8: Chicago, IL - Soldier Field

August 10: Cleveland, OH - Huntington Bank Field

August 13: Philadelphia, PA - Lincoln Financial Field

August 15: Nashville, TN - Nissan Stadium

August 17: Washington, D.C. - Nationals Park

September 12: Fargo, ND - Fargodome

September 15: Regina, Saskatchewan - Mosaic Stadium at Taylor Field

September 17: Edmonton, Alberta - Commonwealth Stadium

September 20: Vancouver, British Columbia - BC Place

September 26: Las Vegas, NV - Allegiant Stadium

In July, the band announced that Nine Inch Nails touring member Rubin would become their new drummer. The news came two months after the groups previous drummer, Josh Freese, was given the boot.

Freese was himself the replacement for the bands longtime drummer Taylor Hawkins, who died in 2022 at the age of 50. Freese joined Foo Fighters after the recording of their most recent album, 2023s But Here We Are, and did not play on their studio records.
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Misty Copeland has retired from the American Ballet Theatre, concluding a trailblazing career that established her as a pivotal ambassador for diversity within the predominantly white art form. Her final performance on Wednesday was met with golden glitter and bouquets.

A decade ago, Copeland made history as the first Black female principal dancer in the company's 75-year existence. Her departure was celebrated at a star-studded fall gala at Manhattan's Lincoln Center, attended by figures such as Oprah Winfrey and Debbie Allen, who delivered speeches in her honor.

Winfrey underscored the profound impact of young people of color witnessing Copeland perform in iconic ballets likeSwan Lake.

Misty didn't just perform ballet, Winfrey stated, acknowledging the ballerina's unique crossover appeal. She changed it. She redefined who belongs, who gets to be seen, and who gets to lead.

open image in gallery "It's been 25 years at ABT, and I think it's time," Copeland told The Associated Press in an interview in June. ( Taylor Jewell/Invision/AP, File )

In a way, the gala was both a return and a departure for Copeland, 43. She was dancing with the company for the first time in five years. During that time, Copeland has been raising a son, Jackson, with her husband. The 3-year-old came onstage to hug his mother during curtain calls, wearing a tuxedo.

Copeland has also been continuing her career as an author  the second volume of her Bunheads series appeared in September  and working to increase diversity in the dance world with her namesake foundation, including "Be Bold," an afterschool program designed for young children of color.

But she decided to dust off the pointe shoes so she could have one last spin on the ABT stage  including as Juliet, one of the most passionate roles in ballet and her personal favorite. Copeland's Romeo in the balcony pas de deux was Calvin Royal III, who in 2020 became ABT's first Black male principal dancer in two decades.

The duo later reappeared for another duet, this time a modern one, in "Wrecka Stow," by Kyle Abraham. For Copeland's final performance of the night, she performed Twyla Tharp's "Sinatra Suite" with another of her favorite partners, Herman Cornejo.

The night, which also celebrated ABT's 85th anniversary and was curated in large part by Copeland herself, included speeches and film clips about her career. And her fellow dancers performed excerpts of ballets in her honor. At the end, a beaming Copeland was given a quintessential ballet farewell, as colleagues, teachers, friends and family came out to greet her, one by one, with hugs and bouquets while glittery confetti poured from the rafters.

On to the next stage

Though Copeland has not closed the door on dancing altogether, it's clear an era is ending.

"It's been 25 years at ABT, and I think it's time," she told The Associated Press in an interview in June, when she announced her retirement. "It's time for me to move to the next stage."

open image in gallery Copeland was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and raised in San Pedro, California. ( Heidi Gutman/ABC via Getty Images )

She added: "You know, I've become the person that I am today, and have all the opportunities I have today, because of ballet, (and) because of American Ballet Theatre. I feel like this is me saying 'thank you' to the company. So it's a farewell. (But) it won't be the end of me dancing.  Never say never."

On the carpet Wednesday before her performance, she said: "I feel good. I feel ready to take this next step." She noted that she would be continuing her work promoting diversity: "There's so much work and effort that has to be continuous."

Allen told reporters that Copeland had "helped to redefine the face of ballet. She's inspired millions of people around the world and hopefully, American Ballet Theatre will not wait another 50 years before they have another beautiful Black principal dancer."

The evening at Lincoln Center's David H. Koch Theater was streamed live to nearby Alice Tully Hall across the plaza, with attendance free to the public  another sign of Copeland's unique brand of fame in the dance world.

Copeland was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and raised in San Pedro, California, where she lived in near poverty and through periods of homelessness as her single mother struggled to support her and five siblings.

For a future professional dancer, she came to ballet relatively late  at 13  but soon excelled and went on to study at the San Francisco Ballet School and ABT on scholarship opportunities. After a stint in the junior company, Copeland joined ABT as a member of the corps de ballet in April 2001, becoming a soloist six years later.

In June 2015, Copeland was promoted to principal dancer. Unlike other promotions, which are announced quietly, Copeland's was announced at a news conference  a testament to her celebrity. Only days before, she'd made a triumphant New York debut in "Swan Lake" in the starring role of Odette/Odile, drawing a diverse and enthusiastic crowd to the Metropolitan Opera House.

Trying times for DEI efforts

In the AP interview, Copeland acknowledged that it's striking that when she leaves ABT, there will no longer be a Black female principal dancer at the company.

"It's definitely concerning," Copeland said. "I think I've just gotten to a place in my career where there's only so much I can do on a stage. There's only so much that visual representation  can do. I feel like it's the perfect timing for me to be stepping into a new role, and hopefully still shaping and shifting the ballet world and culture."

She also noted this is an especially trying moment for anyone working in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion.

"It's a difficult time," she said. "And I think all we can really do is keep our heads down and keep doing the work. There's no way to stop the people that feel passionate about this work. We will continue doing it."
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Brooke Shields has called out South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone over a union dispute at the restaurant they own in Colorado.

Parker and Stone purchased and renovated Denvers historic Casa Bonita restaurant in 2021.

As well as typical restaurant staff, the establishment also employs a number of theatrical performers. These performers voted to unionize in November last year and are represented by the Actors Equity Association.

They are currently campaigning for fair wages, safety measures and other benefits.

Shields, in her role as president of Actors Equity Association, called out Parker and Stone by name in a new Instagram video.

Hey Matt and Trey, nice to meet you, says Shields. As you know, Im the president of Actors Equity Association, the union that represents the performers who work for you at Casa Bonita. You probably know that weve been in bargaining for their first union contract for quite a while now, but maybe you dont know that your restaurant management has been playing really fast and loose with this bargaining process.

open image in gallery Brooke Shields attending the 'My Mom Jayne: A Film by Mariska Hargitay' premiere in June 2025 ( Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival )

open image in gallery Matt Stone and Trey Parker at Comic-Con 2025 in San Diego ( Getty )

She adds: Its just not respectful to the performers who put their all into making Casa Bonita the one-of-a-kind destination that it is.

Shields goes on to claim that the performers are not making a living wage. Casa Bonita Uniteds bargaining petition states that the living wage calculator estimates a required wage in Denver of over $30 per hour, but many members, in fact, only make $21 per hour.

Theyre being paid less than their coworkers who are actually serving the food, says Shields. So theyve not only been hard at work entertaining Casa Bonita guests and spending their volunteer hours in bargaining  theyve also been putting their names on a petition.

Shields concludes with a plea to Parker and Stone to address the performers petition so that we can all put this chapter way behind us. Because without the performers who bring Casa Bonita to life, its just a big pink restaurant.

The Independent has approached Trey Parker and Matt Stone and the Actors Equity Association for comment.

Casa Bonita had filed for bankruptcy prior to Parker and Stone stepping in to buy it four years ago. They paid a reported $3.1 million for the restaurant and spent an additional $40 million on renovations.

Earlier this year, the duo signed a landmark $1.5 billion deal with Paramount for the streaming rights to their long-running animated comedy show.
After traveling across China with his family, Swedish man Patrik Bachstatter chose to settle down in Dali, southwest China's Yunnan Province, where he has embraced a new life as a "new farmer" and shares his daily experiences online. #GLOBALink
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Reba McEntire is kicking off the holiday season by hosting this years Christmas in Rockefeller Center.

The annual celebration will air December 3, with the country music star playing double duty as host and musical performer throughout the live TV event.

"I'm really excited to get to go to New York City in December. I've never been there in December," McEntire, 70, told People.

"To see all the Christmas decorations and to get to be a part of the tree lighting ceremony, Rockefeller Center, it's something that I've always wanted to do and I'm honored that they asked me to do it."

The actress plans to bundle up for the outdoor event, adding, I'm going to triple, quadruple layer. I'll probably have my heated vest on, and all the clothes I can, insulated underwear.

open image in gallery The Rockefeller tree is lit in a ceremony each year ( Getty/iStock )

The massive tree, generally between 75 and 100 feet tall, is famously lit with tens of thousands of twinkling lights each year in the heart of New York City. The tradition began in 1931, with the first official lighting ceremony starting in 1933.

Thousands of attendees gather in person each year for the ceremony, which is also broadcast live on television. This year, the two-hour telecast will air at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.

McEntire is taking her new role over from Kelly Clarkson, ironically her former step-daughter-in-law, who hosted for the past two years. In the past, NBC anchors such as Al Roker, Savannah Guthrie, Mario Lopez, and Hoda Kotb have helped fill-in throughout the event.

NBC also promised an all-star lineup of musical guests joining McEntire will be announced at a later date, according to a press release Thursday.

After the December 3 ceremony, the tree will be lit up daily from 5 a.m. to midnight, except for Christmas Eve, when its lit for the full 24 hours. On New Years Eve, the tree is lit from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. The display typically stays up until mid-January.

In addition to preparing for the Christmas special, McEntire stars on NBC shows The Voice and Happys Place. She told People she has no plans of retiring anytime soon.

open image in gallery Reba McEntire will host the 2025 TV special Christmas in Rockefeller Center ( Invision )

open image in gallery Reba McEntire is engaged to her Happys Place co-star, Rex Linn ( AFP/Getty )

"I dont know when. It could be in 20 years," McEntire said. "I think Ill know when its the time. Dolly [Parton] and I talked about that an awful lot when she did the Reba show, and I said, 'Are you going to retire?' She said, 'Why would I? What in the world could I do and have as much fun as what Im doing in this job right now?' I agree with her a hundred percent. Slow down, maybe, but no plans of retiring."

Last month, McEntire confirmed her engagement to Rex Linn, her co-star on Happys Place. The couple, who first met in the 90s, started dating in 2020 after they reconnected on Young Sheldon. This will be Linns first marriage, and McEntires third.
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Strictly Come Dancing star Stefan Dennis has been left unable to fly back to his family in Australia after sustaining a serious calf injury.

The 66-year-old actor, who was partnered with professional dancer Dianne Buswell, announced he was devastated to be forced to pull out of the BBC dance competition earlier this week.

Dennis, best known for playing Paul Robinson on Australian soap Neighbours, said his wife, actor Gail Easdale, had been left pretty upset by the doctors order for him not to board a plane until next month.

I cant fly for another two weeks because of the risk of deep vein thrombosis, which my wife is pretty upset about, the soap star told the Mirror at this weeks Pride of Britain awards.

He added: I just feel like Ive let everyone down. They all say I havent, of course, and the pros know all about injuries, but it feels like a shame to go out in this way.

Dennis reflected: It was all going so well. When you go out, you want it to be because the viewers have spoken, because its your time, not like this.

Ahead of his injury, the actor had been forced to sit out of the competition earlier in October after his doctor advised him to rest following a vertigo spell.

open image in gallery Strictly Come Dancing star Stefan Dennis cant fly back to Australia until next month due to injury ( BBC One )

He and Buswell returned to the competition last weekend, scoring 26 points for a Charleston to Dance Monkey by Tones And I.

Buswell, who is expecting her first child with former Strictly contestant Joe Sugg, was forced this week to deny speculation that Denniss injury was a cover-up for her no longer being able to dance.

The dancer wrote on social media: Firstly, we wouldnt lie, especially about someone being sick. And secondly, I am fine. Yes I am pregnant, but Im also very capable and feeling good!

open image in gallery Dennis announced he was withdrawing from the dance competition due to a serious calf injury ( BBC )

Buswell, who won the BBC dance competition last year with comedian Chris McCausland, said Dennis was the kindest human I have ever worked with and praised his growing confidence.

The dancer revealed Denniss main motivation for appearing on Strictly was so he could dance with his wife, whom he married in 2000 after the pair met while performing in a pantomime in London.

You can certainly do that now, Buswell said of the soap stars dancing dreams. Cant wait for you to send me the videos of you and Gail dancing together.
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Kylie Jenners beloved dog, Norman, has died, the social media star announced Wednesday in a heartbreaking Instagram tribute.

Jenner, 28, remembered her Italian Greyhound as precious in a post featuring the dog, who was almost 13 years old.

In Loving Memory of My Sweet Norman. I still remember the day I brought you home, the beauty mogul captioned the carousel of pictures.

I had never loved anything so much. I always wanted an Italian Greyhound growing up, but my mommy never let me have one.

Jenner went on to say that after she turned 17, she got Norman for Christmas as the best gift I could have ever received.

open image in gallery Kylie Jenner announced her dog Norman died at 12 years old ( Instagram )

open image in gallery Kylie Jenner has multiple Italian Greyhounds, including her dog Bambi and her late dog Norman ( Instagram )

Normy, you filled my life and so many others with pure joy. Almost 13 years old, and yet I know Ill remember you far longer than the time we got to share. I wish I wasnt writing this post. I knew you were getting older, and I tried to prepare myself, but its hard losing you norm.

Jenner went on to say she was grateful that Norman got to spend time with her daughter Stormi, 7, and son Aire, 3, both of whom she shares with her ex Travis Scott.

It makes me happy knowing my kids got to meet you and love you, she wrote.

In addition to pictures of her kids playing with the pup, Jenners carousel included pictures of Norman with Jenners other dog, Bambi, as well as snapshots of her posing with her beloved pet throughout the years.

She signed off her tribute, I love you forever.

After Jenner adopted Norman in 2014, he was regularly featured on her social media accounts and appeared on reality shows starring the Kardashian-Jenner family.

Norman and Bambi even had their own Instagram account, which still has over 310,000 followers, despite not posting since 2017.

In 2016, the two dogs had a surprise litter of puppies, adding even more greyhounds to the furry family.

Jenner revealed she lived with seven dogs in her Los Angeles home during a 2023 Interview Magazine conversation with Jennifer Lawrence.

When Lawrence asked what her best hire was, Jenner responded that it was her dog nanny for her seven canines, prompting Lawrence to ask why she has so many pets.

Jenner laughed as she explained, Because they kept multiplying. One of them had children and I had to keep the family together.
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Miss Panama Isamar Herreras awkward mishap during a major pageant has gone viral.

Herrera took the stage Saturday at the final event of the Miss Grand International 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand, among 76 other contestants. At one point, participants were hoping for their country to be called, so theyd be named one of the 22 finalists in the competition.

When host Matthew Deane was announcing the finalists, he called out for Miss Paraguay, represented by Cecilia Romero. However, Herrera instead clapped in excitement and made her way towards the front, seemingly mishearing who the announced finalist was, as the audience went silent.

She also took a moment to strike a pose before walking down the runway and once again smiling for the crowd. However, Deane then stepped in to correct the error.

Ah, I beg your pardon, I announced Miss Grand Paraguay, she said, resulting in continued awkward silence among the contestants.

open image in gallery Miss Panama accidentally walked to the front of stage when Miss Paraguay was announced as a finalist ( Grand TV )

open image in gallery Miss Paraguay walks toward the stage while Miss Panama walks back after viral mishap ( Grand TV )

Romero then strutted down the runway as Herrera walked back to her spot with the rest of the group who had not yet been announced as finalists.

After that, 10 more contestants were called out to complete the group of 22 finalists, but Herrera was not one of them.

On X, many people said they felt bad for Herreras onstage mistake. They also questioned whether she misheard the host because of a language barrier.

What an embarrassing moment! The poor thing misunderstood, thought the name called was hersshe confused Panama with Paraguayand ended up going, one wrote. But the blame wasn't even on the host, it was just a misunderstanding. What a moment!

Poor thing, the pronunciation confused her, another tweeted.

Herrera spoke about the viral incident moments later, according to the Daily Mail, saying, These things happen. It was a mistake, and this is a competition, she said.

You have to know how to lose and recognize the triumph of others.

There were 22 finalists in the Miss Grand International 2025 Grand Final, representing countries including Belgium, the United States, Thailand, the United Kingdom, Spain, Tanzania, Japan, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico.

It was Miss Philippines, Emma Tiglao, who was ultimately crowned the winner of Miss Grand International. Sarunrat Puagpipat of Thailand was named first-runner-up, and Aitana Jimenez of Spain was the second-runner-up.

Tiglao celebrated the win on Instagram, sharing a photo from the event, where she was joined by last years winner, Christine Juliane Opiaza, who also represented the Philippines.

History has been made! she wrote. The Philippines achieves the first-ever back-to-back victory in Miss Grand International history! Two Golden queens, one proud nation  this is the power of the Filipina!
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Check your freezer: even more potentially radioactive shrimp has been recalled.

Seattle-based AquaStar Corp. has issued the eleventh recall since August of frozen shrimp products imported from Indonesia that might have been contaminated by radiation.

According to an October 17 press release by the Food and Drug Administration, the company said its shrimp was possibly exposed to very low levels of cesium-137, a human-made radioactive substance that can cause cancer.

The most recent recall included products sold under brand names AquaStar, Best Yet, Publix, and Waterfront Bistro.

Included in the recall are AquaStars five-pound bags of Frozen Raw EZ-Peel White Shrimp, which were sold at WinCo Foods in the following states:

open image in gallery Frozen shrimp sold at Publix is being recalled due to potential radiation contamination ( FDA )

open image in gallery AquaStar's frozen raw shrimp was recalled on October 17 ( FDA )

Arizona

California

Idaho

Montana

Nevada

Oklahoma

Oregon

Texas

Utah

Washington

From Best Yet, multiple one-pound packages of the Frozen Raw EZ-Peel White Shrimp are recalled after being distributed by C&S Wholesale grocery stores in the following states:

California

Connecticut

Maine

Massachusetts

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New York

Ohio

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

Vermont

Publix shoppers should also check if they bought AquaStars Raw Shrimp Easy Peel Deveined, or Publix brands Extra Large Shrimp Easy to Peel Deveined or Large Shrimp Peeled & Deveined Tail from the following states:

Alabama

Florida

Georgia

Kentucky

North Carolina

South Carolina

Tennessee

Virginia

From Waterfront Bistro, two-pound bags of Frozen Raw EZ-Peel White Shrimp are recalled from Shaws and Star Market shops in the following states:

Maine

Massachusetts

New Hampshire

Rhode Island

Vermont

The same product is recalled from Safeway, Albertsons, Eagle, and Carrs-Safeway stores in the following states:

Alaska

Idaho

Washington

open image in gallery More radioactive shrimp products from multiple brands were recalled on October 17 ( FDA )

open image in gallery All of the recalled products were imported from an Indonesian supplier ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Before this, AquaStar already issued other recalls for frozen shrimp over Cs-137, along with brands including Kroger and Great Value. Possibly contaminated products have included frozen cooked shrimp, shrimp skewers, and cocktail shrimp.

All of the targeted brands were initially processed by BMS Foods, an Indonesian supplier. The company, which supplies millions of pounds of shrimp to the U.S. each year, has since been on a full import alert.

The shrimp products may have been contaminated with Cs-137 due to being prepared, packed, or held in unsanitary conditions.

Full lists of the recalled items affected by the potential contamination are available for customers to check brand names, product codes, and best by dates.

More information about the recalled products can be found the FDAs website.

The FDA said the recall is a precautionary measure as no illnesses have been reported, but that customers should still not eat the shrimp. Instead, buyers are urged to throw the product away or return it to the store where it was bought.
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A truck driver accused of causing an eight-vehicle crash on a freeway in California, which left three people dead, had illegally crossed the border into the U.S. in 2022, it has been reported.

21-year-old Jashanpreet Singh was arrested at the scene of the crash on Tuesday, on suspicion of causing the pile-up while under the influence of drugs, and is due in court on Thursday this week on several felony charges.

Singh, an Indian National, was first encountered by Border Patrol agents in California's El Centro Sector in March 2022 and was then released ahead of an immigration hearing as part of the Biden administrations alternatives to detention program.

Before the end of Joe Bidens presidency, almost 200,000 people without legal status who were in removal proceedings were enrolled in the program, which allows certain immigrants to live in the U.S. while their immigration cases are pending.

Jashanpreet Singh, 21, has been arrested on suspicion of causing a crash which left three dead, while under the influence of drugs ( DHS )

The crash occurred when Singh, driving a semi-truck, smashed into vehicles from behind on the 10 Freeway in the city of Ontario in San Bernardino County.

Three people were killed, and four others were injured as the big rig collided with two cars, two pick-up trucks, and four other semi-trucks.

Shocking dashcam footage of the crash, captured by the vehicle Singh was driving, shows the high-speed moment of impact and subsequent fire.

It didnt stop. It didnt swerve. It didnt make any kind of maneuvers. It just went straight in, witness, Jason Calmelat told NBC News.

[Singh] was eventually transported to the hospital, and he was checked out by the medical staff, and our officers determined he was driving under the influence of drugs," California Highway Patrol Officer Rodrigo Jimenez told ABC7.

The crash comes as the Trump administration has announced that it will withhold over $40m in federal highway safety funds from California, citing the states failure to meet English language proficiency standards for truck drivers.

This announcement came in the wake of another crash caused by another Indian national, Harjinder Singh, who had also crossed into the U.S. illegally and is also accused of causing the deaths of three people in an August crash in Florida.

A row erupted when the Department of Homeland Security claimed he entered the US illegally from Mexico in 2018 and obtained a commercial driver's licence in California, despite having no legal right to be in the US and failing an English proficiency exam.

However, California officials say federal authorities told them he had a legal work permit when the state issued him a driver's licence.

Tuesdays crash has seen the government double down, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy posting on X: "This is exactly why @USDOT has withheld $40 MILLION from California for failure to comply with our rules to protect drivers. We cannot allow our roads to be a dangerous place!"
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A Florida man was drunk when his Corvette slammed into another car at 135 mph and killed a 25-year-old woman, according to authorities.

Dale James Drotar, 40, has been charged in connection with the horrific crash that happened on April 6 in Boynton Beach.

Drotar was driving nearly 100 mph above the speed limit when his 2019 Chevrolet Corvette hit a 2020 Toyota Camry with Natalie Pierre, 25, and another woman inside, local outlet CBS12 reported, citing the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.

As the Camry attempted to make a left turn, the Corvette smashed into the rear door of the car so hard that Pierre, who was sitting in the area, flew out of it along with her seat and door, police say.

Pierre was killed in the crash and Drotar was critically injured. The driver of the Camry walked away with minor injuries.

open image in gallery Dale James Drotar, a 40-year-old Florida man, was drunk when his Corvette slammed into another car at 135 mph and killed a 25-year-old woman, according to authorities ( Palm Beach County Jail )

After the crash, local resident Adam Favereaux pulled Drotar from his burning car and dragged him 30 feet away from danger, CBS12 reported.

I asked him if he was okay, and he said he wasnt. He was in a lot of pain, Favereaux told the outlet.

Details from an arrest affidavit shared by multiple local outlets said Drotar was under the influence of alcohol and opioid pain medications. Police say a 200ml bottle of Jack Daniels liquor containing a small amount of alcohol was discovered inside the Corvette.

Drotar had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.126 percent shortly after the crash, according to blood test results. That is 1.6 times higher than the legal limit of 0.08 percent BAC. Drotar is also accused of having hydromorphone and morphine in his system.

Police say Drotar sped up from 124 mph to 135 mph seconds before the crash, hitting the brakes half a second before.

open image in gallery Natalie Pierre died in the horrific crash on April 6 in Boynton Beach ( Leigh Sprague/GoFundMe )

Drotar faces charges of Vehicular Homicide and DUI Manslaughter, as well as four counts each of Reckless Driving Causing Injury and Property Damage and DUI Causing Injury and Property Damage.

He was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail on Wednesday and made his first court appearance on Thursday. He is being held on a $540,000 bond, according to local outlet WPTV.

Details about Drotars legal representation were not immediately clear.

In a GoFundMe created to cover Pierres funeral costs, one of her loved ones wrote, Natalie was more than a friend to so many of us - she was a shining light, a constant source of love, support, and adventure.

The fundraiser has raised just over $15,000.

Another local, Glen Rogers Jr., who described the crash as pure carnage, tried to help the Camry driver during the chaos.

All I could do was offer a little condolence, uncap her water, and give her something to drink to help her calm down, Rogers told CBS 12.
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The man accused of killing a Ukrainian refugee on the light rail in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been indicted on federal charges and could face the death penalty if hes convicted.

Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, was indicted by a federal grand jury Wednesday following the horrifying train attack on 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska that claimed her life on August 22.

Brown has been charged with violence against a railroad carrier and mass transportation system resulting in death, which makes him eligible for the death penalty.

Zarutska emigrated to the U.S. in 2022 with her family to escape the war in Ukraine.

Her family welcomed the indictment and said they were hopeful for swift justice.

open image in gallery The man accused of killing Iryna Zarutska on the light rail in Charlotte, North Carolina, was indicted on federal charges and could face the death penalty if hes convicted ( Iryna Zarutska )

The family is pleased the federal grand jury returned the indictment against Decarlos Brown Jr., a short statement released by the familys attorney said.

President Donald Trump previously called for Brown to face the death penalty on Truth Social. The ANIMAL who so violently killed the beautiful young lady from Ukraine, who came to America searching for peace and safety, should be given a Quick (there is no doubt!) Trial, and only awarded THE DEATH PENALTY, Trump said. There can be no other option!!!

Horrific footage of Zarutskas final moments showed her boarding the light rail car and taking a seat. Four minutes later, prosecutors say, fellow passenger Brown pulled out a knife and stabbed her three times from behind.

The accused had been arrested more than a dozen times before but was released earlier this year on a misdemeanor charge without bond.

The incident sparked renewed debate about public safety and crime across the U.S., with Browns own criminal record and concerns about his mental health raising questions about how and why he was released from prison.

open image in gallery Decarlos Brown Jr. has been charged with violence against a railroad carrier and mass transportation system resulting in death, which makes him eligible for the death penalty ( Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office )

Brown, who has schizophrenia, had previously been arrested 14 times, with convictions for theft, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and communicating threats, leading to a six-year prison sentence in 2015 for incidents dating to 2013 and 2014. He was released in 2020.

In January this year, while in hospital, Brown told police officers who had been called that he was being controlled by a man-made substance. During his interaction with the officers, Brown reportedly became frustrated and dialed 911, asking for the police. The officers on the scene arrested him on a charge of misuse of 911.

Brown was later released by a magistrate judge after signing a written promise to appear at his next court hearing.

In response to the shocking case, North Carolina lawmakers last month gave final approval to Irynas Law, a sweeping Republican-backed criminal justice package aimed at tightening bail rules, mandating more mental health evaluations for defendants, and even reopening the door for executions after nearly two decades.

Brown should have never been allowed out of the jail, Charlotte-area Republican Rep. Tricia Cotham said during two hours of House debate. The catch-and-release practices for violent offenders will end today with your support. This heinous act was preventable.

The Independent has attempted to reach a lawyer listed for Brown for comment.

Andrea Cavallier contributed reporting.
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A man was arrested after traces of bird feces helped track him down following the shooting of a Detroit businessman, although his motive remains unknown.

Jasan Martin, 32, has been accused of climbing the fence of Eddie Jawads home on October 14 before shooting him. Martin fled from the scene shortly after in a Ford Escape and vanished from Macomb Township, Michigan.

The SUV was rugged for authorities to trace, since it was borrowed from a family member and had a license plate stolen from another car, authorities said.

When the vehicle was tracked down using traffic cameras on October 17, it sported a legal license plate and was in the possession of Martins relative, whose car had been borrowed during the crime.

To ensure the car they had located was the exact vehicle Martin had used, cops collected samples of bird poop from the wheel, brake dust from the wheel well, and analysed smudges on the Ford Escape.

open image in gallery Jasan Martin was arrested after allegedly shooting a Detroit businessman ( Maycomb County Police )

"We were able to compare between the two vehicles  one with the bad license plate, one with the good license plate  to solidify that we had the right vehicle; that being the amount of brake dust on the wheels, Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham told reporters. There was a specific smudge on this vehicle in the same location, and it was actually bird poop in the exact same location on both vehicles.

Martin was arrested on October 20, after police confirmed that the vehicle was the one used at the crime scene and that the suspect was in the area.

Prosecutor Peter Lucido says that Martin was already on his fourth offense notice, meaning he could spend the rest of his life in prison if he is convicted of the primary felony charges.

Martin is currently on parole for kidnapping, robbery, and assault with a dangerous weapon, according to Lucido, who spoke at the same press event as Wickersham.

Speaking at the press briefing, Wickersham alleged that Martin parked his vehicle near Jawad's home and entered the property by scaling a wall.

After hiding underneath a parked vehicle in Jawads driveway, Martin reappeared and shot at the victim, who is known to have managed construction projects in the area, according to Wickersham. Martin opened fire several times, hitting Jawad in his right leg before grazing his left leg with another bullet.

Martin has been charged with one count of assault with intent to murder, three counts of felony firearms, one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and one count of carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent, according to Lucido.

open image in gallery Macomb County Sheriff Antony Wickersham says that the bird poop was matched to samples taken near the shooting ( YouTube )

He is currently being held on a $1 million bond and will need to wear a GPS tether if he can post bail.

Martin has pleaded not guilty to the crimes, according to the Detroit Free Press.

"The allegations against Martin are both shocking and appalling, Lucidos office said in a press release seen by the Detroit Free Press. The idea that someone would attempt to kill a man in his own driveway, in broad daylight, is beyond comprehension.

The Independent has contacted Peter Lucido and Macomb County police.
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A Los Angeles youth piano teacher who claimed a star-studded clientele fled the country after being found guilty of sex abuse charges, according to officials.

On October 8, John Kaleel, 69, was found guilty of five counts of abuse, following allegations he abused one of his students in 2013.

That same day, he left the country, the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department told the Los Angeles Times. Prosecutors have since reportedly sought a warrant for the extradition/fugitive situation in the case.

The Sheriffs Department told The Independent the Los Angeles District Attorneys office was handling the case.

The District Attorneys Office said it does not have information to provide on the defendants location at this time.

open image in gallery Los Angeles piano teacher John Kaleel is accused of fleeing the country after being found guilty of abuse in a case from a former student alleging sexual misconduct in 2013 ( Getty Images )

Kaleel, a longtime lawful permanent resident of the U.S. originally from Australia, had been accused of making lewd comments to the teen student, convincing the boy to masturbate with him on a FaceTime call, and inviting the teen over to smoke marijuana, after which they then allegedly had oral sex.

The piano teacher had reportedly touted testimonials from Hollywood figures including the creators of TV hits like Mad Men and Orange is the New Black on his website, though spokespeople for these creatives denied to the Times that they endorsed Kaleel or gave him permission to feature any comments.

The site now leads to a dead link.

The Independent has contacted Kate Hardie, Kaleels lawyer, for comment.

open image in gallery The piano teacher at the heart of the case claimed he had endorsements from Hollywood figures like the creator of the Netflix show Orange is the New Black (pictured), though representatives have denied they ever endorsed Kaleel ( K.C. Bailey/Netflix )

Hardie told the Times she last saw her client on October 7, just before the jury reached its verdict, and has had no contact with him since.

In 2016, Kaleel reportedly pleaded no contest to committing a lewd act with a teenage student and spent time in a federal detention center, though he later successfully fought to overturn the plea on the grounds that he didnt understand the deal would impact his immigration status and lead to a deportation order.

Kaleel has always maintained his innocence, Hardie told the paper, and accused prosecutors of seeking a vindictive prosecution against the 69-year-old.

The lawyer said that police had interviewed multiple students of the piano teacher and found no additional accusations of inappropriate behavior.

An Instagram appearing to belong to Kaleel describes the teacher as a maestro and claims he studied piano at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and was accepted to Julliard.
NEW DELHI, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- A Patna-bound SpiceJet flight was forced to return to the airport in the Indian capital New Delhi shortly after takeoff Thursday after the crew detected a suspected technical glitch, according to the airline.

The Boeing 737-8A aircraft has been grounded for a detailed inspection, and checks were underway, the airline said in a statement.

An alternate flight was being arranged for affected passengers, the statement said. 
Close Moments before deputy shoots Black woman caught on bodycam footage

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The second day of testimony has ended in the trial of ex-sheriffs deputy Sean Grayson, who faces murder charges for fatally shooting a Black woman in her Illinois home after she called 911 for help.

Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old single mother of two teenagers, called emergency responders on July 6, 2024, over a suspected prowler on her property in Springfield. Grayson, a Sangamon County Sheriff's deputy at the time, responded to the scene with his partner, Dawson Farley. Body camera footage shows Grayson firing at Massey after telling her to drop a pot of hot water.

Dr. Nathaniel Patterson, a forensic pathologist with the Sangamon County Coroner's office, testified Thursday that Massey could have survived the gunshot wound if medical aid had been given soon afterward and the bleeding had been controlled, according to WICS. He also said its true that some people still die after receiving medical treatment for a cut internal carotid artery.

Expert witness Louis Dekmar, a retired police chief from LaGrange, Georgia, also told the court that he reviewed body camera footage of the shooting. Dekmar testified he did not see any threatening behavior from Massey before Grayson pointed his gun at her, according to WICS.

Grayson, who is white, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder.
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A 12-year-old Texas boy came home from school to find his mother and her partner had moved house, prompting authorities to charge the adults, according to official records.

Police responded to reports of an abandoned child at an apartment complex in Copperas Cove last Friday, according to an arrest warrant affidavit obtained by news outlets KWTX and KWKT.

The boy told police his mother, Erica Renee Sanders, and her partner, Keven Dwayne Adams, moved out of the home while he was at school, leaving the place empty.

When police called Adams on the phone, he said Sanders had moved into his home, where her son was not welcome, but insisted she did not abandon the boy.

open image in gallery A 12-year-old Texas boy came home from school to find his mother, Erica Renee Sanders, and her partner had moved house, according to official records ( Copperas Cove Police Department )

A neighbor told police the couple had kicked Sanders son out before, and police said when they spoke to Adams, he complained at length about the boy.

Adams and Sanders told police Sanders brother was supposed to pick up her son after school, but authorities say Sanders couldnt give a time that her brother was supposed to arrive at the home to pick him up.

When police contacted the boys uncle he said he had no idea about the plan.

More than five hours had passed from the time the boy got home to when he, the couple and authorities connected, the affidavit said.

open image in gallery Sanders and her partner, Keven Dwayne Adams, were charged with abandoning and endangering a child without intent to return ( Copperas Cove Police Department )

Child Protective Services, which was contacted by police about the case, told authorities the couple refused to tell them where they were staying.

Adams also told police he would not let the boy inside his home if they had an arrest warrant for Sanders.

The couple was arrested and charged with abandoning and endangering a child without intent to return. The boy is staying with his uncle, according to the affidavit.

It is unclear whether Adams or Sanders has an attorney.
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A Washington, D.C. man is suing police, a National Guard member, and the district itself, claiming his constitutional rights were violated after being detained last month for trailing a National Guard patrol while playing Darth Vaders theme from the Star Wars franchise.

Sam OHara, 35, represented by an attorney from the American Civil Liberties Union, filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against four D.C. police officers, an Ohio National Guard member, and the District of Columbia itself.

The law might have tolerated government conduct of this sort a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, the suit states, quoting Star Wars. But in the here and now, the First Amendment bars government officials from shutting down peaceful protests, and the Fourth Amendment (along with the Districts prohibition on false arrest) bars groundless seizures.

OHara claims to have been peacefully protesting the federal troops deployment by trailing behind them while playing The Imperial March, the orchestral piece associated with Darth Vader and the Galactic Empire, from his phone or small speaker,

OHara has shared more than 20 clips of him playing the track in the nations capital on TikTok, amassing 1 million likes, with the most recent video uploaded on Tuesday.

The lawsuit says OHara had previously held other Star Wars-themed protests against National Guard deployments, and that troops usually ignored him.

open image in gallery Sam OHara, 35, of Washington, D.C., is suing, claiming his rights were violated after he was detained for following a patrol while playing Darth Vaders theme ( Getty Images )

However, on September 11, as OHara followed four Ohio Guard members, one of them, named as Devon Beck, called the police.

Beck allegedly said to OHara before being detained, Hey, man, if youre going to keep following us, we can contact Metro PD and they can come handle you if thats what you want to do. Is that what you want to do?

OHara claims he did not respond, but continued playing the song and recording the interaction. Several police cars arrived within minutes of Becks call, and OHara was then placed in handcuffs, which he says stopped him from continuing his peaceful protest.

OHaras lawsuit asks the court to find that his detention violated his First and Fourth Amendment rights and constituted false arrest, imprisonment, and battery under D.C. law, while also seeking compensatory damages.

The Metropolitan Police Department told The Independent that it does not comment on pending litigation when contacted on Thursday. The Independent also contacted representatives for the National Guard for comment.

Speaking to the Washington Post on Wednesday, OHara said he wanted to be clear that his TikToks are not intended to mock the National Guard troops.

I think the men and women who signed up to serve their country did not have this in mind, that they would be policing their fellow citizens, OHara told the outlet.

open image in gallery OHara said his protests and TikToks were not meant to mock the National Guard members in DC ( Getty Images )

My protest is to make sure that everyone knows that this is coming from the top. These orders are coming from an administration that seeks to use fear and tactics to make sure their power extends to branches of government where it doesnt belong, he said.

President Donald Trump declared a crime emergency on August 11, federalized DC law enforcement, and deployed National Guard troops to patrol the city, which was widely condemned by local leaders and opposed by about 80 percent of residents, a Washington Post-Schar School poll found.
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A former charter guest on Bravos Below Deck Mediterranean and CEO William Billy Rodriguez has been charged with murder and other offenses in a 2024 fatal Palm Springs hit-and-run.

The 47-year-old was arrested last week and booked into the John Benoit Detention Center in Indio, California.

He appeared in court on October 15 and pleaded not guilty to murder, felony hit-and-run, and driving with a suspended license in connection with the death of 60-year-old Christina Barrington, who was struck while driving a scooter, according to Newsweek.

Although prosecutors requested that he be held without bail due to his 2013 DUI and history of driving on a suspended license, a judge granted Rodriguez bail, and he has since been released, attorney David Greenberg told KESQ.

Rodriguez is known as the co-founder and CEO of Silvercrest Advertising, a company specializing in automated marketing platforms for major franchise brands.

open image in gallery William Billy Rodriguez is charged with murder after allegedly striking a woman on a scooter with his car in Palm Springs in October 2024 ( Cathedral City Police )

He also appeared as a charter guest on seasons 7 and 8 of Below Deck Mediterranean, which aired in 2022 and 2023, respectively. The reality show follows the lives of young people who work aboard yachts and cater to their high-end clients.

On October 11, 2024, Rodriguez allegedly hit Barrington with his car after leaving an Eric Clapton concert at Acrisure Arena and visiting two bars in downtown Palm Springs, authorities say.

He allegedly drove 65 mph in a 45-mph zone before fleeing the scene, dragging the scooter nearly 1,400 feet.

Rodriguez reportedly left for Las Vegas the next day. Police say he told his employees that his car had been stolen and wrecked.

Greenberg says they dispute the Riverside County District Attorneys Offices claim that Rodriguez tried to flee authorities at Acrisure Arena, California, when they tried to make contact with him.

"My understanding is that there were police there, but my client did not do anything in any way to avoid them," Greenberg told KESQ. "He didn't know they were there. He didn't know they were looking for him. So he's allowed to come and go as he pleases again, not against the law."

Rodriguezs next court appearance is set for Friday.
BRUSSELS, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- European Union (EU) member states on Wednesday approved the bloc's 19th package of sanctions against Russia over the conflict, which includes a ban on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG), said the Danish presidency of the EU Council.

"We are very pleased to announce that we have just been notified by the remaining member state that it's now able to lift its reservation on the 19th sanctions package," the presidency said in a statement.

Slovakia was the final holdout after EU countries agreed on the text last week. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico sought assurances from the European Commission regarding high energy prices and the need to align climate goals with the interests of carmakers and heavy industry, according to media reports.

The LNG import ban will be implemented in two phases, with short-term contracts ending after six months and long-term contracts ceasing from Jan. 1, 2027. The full ban takes effect a year earlier than the Commission's initial roadmap to reduce the bloc's reliance on Russian fossil fuels, it added.

The new measures also impose additional travel restrictions on Russian diplomats and designate 117 more vessels from Russia's shadow fleet, mostly tankers, bringing the total to 558, the Danish presidency said.

The sanctions followed renewed cross-border attacks between Russia and Ukraine in recent days.

Russian missile strikes overnight hit several districts in Kiev, causing six casualties and nationwide power outages, Ukrainian officials said Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Russia's Defense Ministry said Tuesday its air defenses had intercepted 137 Ukrainian drones. Ukraine's military said it had struck a chemical plant in Russia's Bryansk region, a key site for producing gunpowder, explosives and rocket fuel. 
ISTANBUL, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Turkish security forces on Thursday detained 42 suspects in simultaneous operations across nine provinces in a crackdown on an organized crime network whose leaders are based abroad, the country's interior minister said.

The operations, based in Istanbul and carried out in coordination with the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, targeted suspects accused of involvement in serious crimes, including murder, assault, threats, extortion, and armed attacks on businesses, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on social media.

The raids were jointly conducted by the Istanbul Provincial Security Directorate's Intelligence and Anti-Organized Crime units in Istanbul, Adana, Samsun, Siirt, Kocaeli, Ankara, Izmir, Tekirdag, and Aydin provinces, Yerlikaya added.

A preliminary investigation has revealed that the suspects allegedly used stolen vehicles or motorcycles and concealed their identities with masks while committing the crimes.

An investigation into the suspects and the transnational structure of the organization is ongoing.

Turkiye has intensified its nationwide crackdown on organized crime in recent years, carrying out large-scale operations to dismantle criminal networks. 
It is dealing with each application in the order in which it was lodged and has already summarily dismissed the first in line. It is now onto hopeful No 2, a private company by the name of Tribune Mt Kare Gold Ltd.

If were successful in securing this ground, it would position Augustus at the doorstep of world-class geology... Augustus Minerals CEO James Warren

If Tribune cant meet the high money and expertise bar being set by the MRA, ASX listed Augustus Minerals, run by Perth mining man Brian Rodan and James Warren - who has a PHD in Geology no less - is next in line for the 2.45m ounce gold equivalent prize - and thats where things start to get interesting.

Rodan might as well have a mining tattoo stamped on his forehead. He was one of a handful of people who originally set up massive mining contractor Eltin Mining many years ago. Eltin, which was domiciled in Kalgoorlie, ruled the Australian mining scene for decades around the late 1990s early 2000s. Rodan then went on to build large mining contractor ACM which he subsequently sold for tens of millions of dollars.

Since that time he has founded, invested in and still continues to control multiple ASX-listed exploration companies. He has been the driving force behind capital raises for all of them totalling in the many millions of dollars over time.

Curiously, Rodan - who has been in the mining game for half a century  has some form at Mt Kare. He was the managing director of mining contractor ACM PNG when it was awarded a contract back in 2012 to do the stage 1 underground drilling and mine development at the project. For various reasons that contract never went ahead and to this day the project remains unmined, however at the time Rodan provided his expertise to create the mine design and he worked out what equipment was necessary to mine it and even mobilised that equipment to site. So unlike some of the other hopefuls shaking their tail feathers at PNGs MRA, Rodan has been down and dirty with this project before.

By any measure Mt Kare sits in the land of the giants. It is about 15 kilometres southwest of Barricks world-class Porgera mine, which boasts a massive endowment of over 32 million ounces of gold. Further north again is the revered Ok Tedi with its 16m ounces of gold and 11 billion pounds of copper. To the south-east of Mt Kare is Newmont/Harmonys crazy Wafi Golpu site, host to 22 billion pounds of copper and 23m ounces of gold.

Geologically Mt Kare is an Alkalic Epithermal deposit. Alkalic type deposits are a subset of low-sulphidation epithermal deposits and form some of the mega mineral deposits around the world. Their drill results are like eye-candy to a geologist and Mt Kare is no exception. In the past, Mt Kare has thrown up coffee-spitting drill hits like 111m at 9.8 grams per tonne gold from just 4m and 17.7m at 100 g/t gold from 59m - or maybe try 20m at 443 grams per tonne gold for size! Those sort of numbers would have the West Perth mining glitterati leaping out of bed every day.

Augustus Minerals CEO James Warren said recently; If were successful in securing this ground, it would position Augustus at the doorstep of world-class geology and give shareholders exposure to a project with genuine scale potential.

For now however, Augustus official language on Mt Kare remains measured, as it should. Quietly confident is about as strong as it gets.

And while the PNG story provides the blue-sky narrative, Augustus is far from idle on home soil. The company is already advancing on multiple fronts across its West Australian portfolio, most notably the Music Well gold project which sits about 35 kilometres north of Leonora where early fieldwork has delivered results strong enough to lift eyebrows across the gold belt.

The company has completed more than a thousand surface-geochemistry samples and unearthed visible gold in quartz veins grading as high as two ounces to the tonne from the St Patricks prospect.

The maiden drill program will test undercover extensions at the Clifton East, Dodds, St Patricks and Black Cat prospects, all of which Augustus has ranked as high-priority greenfield targets.

Providing another string to the bow, the company also retains the Ti-Tree Project in the Gascoyne region of WA - a 1,700-square-kilometre package prospective for copper, gold, lithium, uranium and rare earths. While not the current focus, the Gascoyne ground adds a critical-minerals dimension that could gain traction as the companys gold projects mature.

For now though, the big blue sky for Augustus comes in the form of Mt Kare. The PNG Government is looking for someone that has mining expertise and the ability to raise money to run it and whilst the credentials of the first hopeful in line, little known private company Tribune, are uncertain, Augustus has plenty of both.

And who knows, maybe no 1 and no 2 will join forces. Augustus could bring its public listing, money raising ability and mining expertise to the table and Tribune could bring its No 1 ticket holder status. And with 2.45m ounces of gold equivalent already discovered, it looks like theres going to be plenty to go around.

Watch this space.

Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au
When I was a kid, I lived near an old guy, Mr Lamont, a retired man whod once been an accountant. He must have been short of dough because one year, when the Royal Agricultural Show came to town, he hired on as a skeleton. He turned up at the showgrounds where they dressed him in a bodystocking painted with luminous bones and paid him to leap from the darkness, scaring people as they rode the Ghost Train. At days end, Id hang around his front gate and pester him for stories of these emaciated ambushes and their resulting panic.

He spoke of those Ghost Train adventures in low tones, like it was a secret between us that our fellow townsfolk were such suckers, so yellow, not the heroes they pretended to be. Oh, how those passengers in his stories squealed and swore and buried their heads in each others shirtfronts when he appeared from the dark in luminous bones. Sometimes, they sprang out of their train carriages and stampeded for cracks of daylight. If one did it, they all did it, Mr Lamont said. No one lingered. Once the first chicken made a break for reality, the carriage emptied pronto.

Credit: Robin Cowcher

I was a brave boy who would never flee from a slow-moving skeleton that smelt deliciously of licorice and Craven As. Particularly, one that I already knew to be Mr Lamont in a leotard. So I delighted in the terror of that trains passengers. It brought them down to my size. It bigged me up to theirs. The mother abandoning her kids, shouting, My God, its real. Its bones. The ex-mayor who had once shot a Lee Enfield .303 at Japanese Zeros hollering to his wife to, Keep it away, keep it away. The cop-baiting sharpie who wet himself and had to walk along sideshow alley covering his jeans crotch with a pink cloud of fairy floss. Out there at his front gate, Mr Lamont and I laughed until our stomachs hurt. Blow accountancy, he said one day. Being a skeleton is really living.

I admired and envied that radiant skeletons power to humble hard-nosed matriarchs unto prayer and turn moustache-twirling grandees into scalded hounds hightailing it for safety. It showed me the least of us could do mighty things given a chance. A scrawny nobody in tricked-up undies was humbling big names in the dark. It was Christ-like. What possibilities this world offered a person willing to believe in himself.
More than 200 professional staff at the University of Technology are set to lose their jobs after executives revealed its latest proposal to cut its workforce  a move expected to help save the institution $85 million a year.

The proposal is subject to consultation but, if successful, will slash 209 full-time equivalent professional jobs. It comes after the university last month unveiled plans to cut about 160 full-time and casual academic roles.

UTS staff are highly stressed about potential job cuts. Credit: Oscar Colman

University executives say the savings are necessary to put the institution on stable financial footing, but its proposal to cut some courses  including teaching degrees  has been criticised by the NSW government.

The additional plans, unveiled on Thursday, propose making 97 faculty professional staff redundant as well as 22 from student support and administration, 28 from the learning and teaching unit and 13 from the library.
A NSW politician has revealed the name of a man who confessed to abducting and murdering toddler Cheryl Grimmer at a beach south of Sydney in 1970 and shared the details that convinced police he was guilty of the heinous crime.

The lost girls family broke down in tears, telling the media the alleged killer could have kept his name and family hidden from public view if he had met their demands for answers.

Cheryl Grimmer, left, and the man known as Mercury.

The man, now in his 60s, has walked the streets under the pseudonym Mercury since his murder trial collapsed in 2019.

NSW MP Jeremy Buckingham on Thursday used parliamentary privilege to name Mercury despite the statutory restriction on publishing his name, which has stood since the day he was arrested and charged in 2017.
A man who allegedly left the scene of a fatal stabbing in Coolangatta just before police arrived has been charged with murder.

The 57-year-old man who died was found on Dutton Street after 1pm on Thursday.

Members of the public contacted police about the behaviour of a 27-year-old who was allegedly seen leaving the area.

Police were called to the Coolangatta home on Thursday afternoon. Credit: Nine

News reports on Thursday said the suspect had been acting strangely.
Science cuts folly

How is it that as a nation we can spend billions on submarines we might never see and underground rail loops which may never be used?

However, when it comes to scientific research which has proven its value and enables us to compete with first world nations as equals, we can make cuts to two critical and well established scientific institutions.

The priorities of this government are twisted. This is a classic example of misguided savings which will waste years of research and lead to the loss of highly talented individuals to welcoming institutions in the US or Europe.

For a government which is supposedly working towards the reinvigoration of manufacturing in Australia this decision is lamentable and achieves the absolute opposite result.

Andrew Preston, Malvern East

Foster carer cuts

When a foster carer says In 18 and a half years Ive done foster care, Ive never felt so disregarded, disrespected and unappreciated, (The Age, 23/10), it is time we asked why, year on year, more foster carers are leaving the system?

Reducing payments to foster families with high needs children, without any consultation, is a symptom of a pervasive culture of managerialism.

Long ago, I knew the rot had set in when I heard a government official ask of a foster care service provided by an NGO  what is its bed occupancy rate and how does it compare with the benchmark?

I told him that a foster family does not just provide a bed but gives a child a place in their home, and a place in their hearts. A foster care system is not an assembly line and cannot be measured by efficient throughput.

Let us stop using weasel words such as performance indicators and deliverables.

Let us start talking about very vulnerable children and start respecting those who care for them.

Emeritus Professor Dorothy Scott, Macclesfield

Pay is too much

CEO salaries remain a contentious issue for the Australian community and, as Matt Wade highlights, an unacceptable disparity as well as potentially weakening the trust the community has in various institutions (Opinion Most people think CEOs are grossly overpaid. What can we do about it? 22/10).

The decision by the Tabcorp board, supported by the shareholders, to provide an outlandish incentivisation package for the CEO to rejuvenate the business is concerning on a number of levels (Tabcorp investors back outlandish payout for ex AFL boss, 21/10).

The quantum of the package is one thing but the potential harm and cost to the broader community is deeply worrying. The gambling industry, through its behaviour, appears to act in a moral vacuum.

The shareholders might be big winners in the quest for profits. but the cost to the punters not so much. Its been a long wait for the government to act on gambling reform.

No more dallying; its time for action.

Anne Lyon, Camberwell

Nature laws

Its disheartening that Labor appears to be using long-overdue environmental law reform to wedge the Coalition and the Greens (Labor to use nature law to block Greens and Coalition, 23/10). Are our leaders more concerned with partisan games than with the urgent need to protect Australias natural environment? According to the Biodiversity Council, 75 per cent of Australians support stronger nature laws. When will we see environmental legislation that puts nature first above politics, profits, and posturing?

Karen Lamb, Geelong

Australia burns

As Rome (Australia) burns, Nero (Albanese, Watt and the government) fiddle. Climate change is absolutely upon us and the environment is suffering from years of neglect.

The government must act now and set up climate triggers for all new industrial projects, so as to begin the admittedly difficult task of restoring some kind of climate balance, but preferable going much further in the long term.

So stop fiddling, and act.

Greg Bailey, St Andrews
A landmark review of Western Australias outdated School Education Act has been tabled in parliament  but while the education minister has called it incredibly important, advocates say it is nothing more than fairy dust and spin.

Education Minister Sabine Winton tabled the review on Thursday morning, nearly two years after it was first announced.

WA Education Minister Sabine Winton. Credit: Hamish Hastie

The review was aimed at improving access to education for those living with a disability and their families, as well as supporting teachers dealing with increasing complex needs in the classroom.

Winton said the governments response would strengthen legislation and policy to ensure students with disability have more equitable access to quality education.
A doctor introduces traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to visiting medical trainees from various countries at a hospital in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Oct. 22, 2025. Lessons on TCM were introduced in various ways across the country to welcome the annual World Traditional Medicine Day which falls on Oct. 22. (Photo by Yang Suping/Xinhua)

Medical staff explain the types and functions of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to the students of a middle school in Ruyang County of Luoyang City, central China's Henan Province, Oct. 22, 2025. Lessons on TCM were introduced in various ways across the country to welcome the annual World Traditional Medicine Day which falls on Oct. 22. (Photo by Kang Hongjun/Xinhua)

A student tries traditional Chinese moxibustion therapy at an event held at an elementary school in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 21, 2025. Lessons on traditional Chinese medicine were introduced in various ways across the country to welcome the annual World Traditional Medicine Day which falls on Oct. 22. (Photo by Wang Haibin/Xinhua)

Students learn to measure herbs of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) at a hospital in Rongcheng City, east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 22, 2025. Lessons on TCM were introduced in various ways across the country to welcome the annual World Traditional Medicine Day which falls on Oct. 22. (Photo by Li Xinjun/Xinhua)

A teacher introduces knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to students in Liaocheng City, east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 21, 2025. Lessons on TCM were introduced in various ways across the country to welcome the annual World Traditional Medicine Day which falls on Oct. 22. (Photo by Zhao Yuguo/Xinhua)

A traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) instructor explains acupuncture points and massage benefits to elementary school students at a hospital in Xiayi County, Shangqiu City, central China's Henan Province, Oct. 21, 2025. Lessons on TCM were introduced in various ways across the country to welcome the annual World Traditional Medicine Day which falls on Oct. 22. (Photo by Miao Yucai/Xinhua)

Students learn to process traditional herbal medicine at a local Chinese medicine pharmacy in Zaozhuang City, east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 21, 2025. Lessons on traditional Chinese medicine were introduced in various ways across the country to welcome the annual World Traditional Medicine Day which falls on Oct. 22. (Photo by Sun Zhongzhe/Xinhua)

Students from a primary school learn to grind herbs for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) at a central health center in Deqing County, Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 22, 2025. Lessons on TCM were introduced in various ways across the country to welcome the annual World Traditional Medicine Day which falls on Oct. 22. (Photo by Ni Lifang/Xinhua)

A doctor guides students to experience pulse diagnosis at a primary school in Anding District of Dingxi City, northwest China's Gansu Province, Oct. 22, 2025. Lessons on traditional Chinese medicine were introduced in various ways across the country to welcome the annual World Traditional Medicine Day which falls on Oct. 22. (Photo by Wang Kexian/Xinhua)

Students measure herbs of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) at an elementary school in Taizhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province, Oct. 22, 2025. Lessons on TCM were introduced in various ways across the country to welcome the annual World Traditional Medicine Day which falls on Oct. 22. (Photo by Zhou Shegen/Xinhua)

A doctor explains the usage of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) tools to children at a local elementary school in Huimin County of Binzhou City, east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 21, 2025. Lessons on TCM were introduced in various ways across the country to welcome the annual World Traditional Medicine Day which falls on Oct. 22. (Photo by Wang Jun/Xinhua)
A regional television network repeatedly breached its licence when it ran campaign ads for Liberal MP Dan Tehan during the advertising blackout days before the federal election, while thousands of locals tuned into the local racing carnival, the broadcast regulator has found.

The Australian Communication and Media Authority found Prime Television Victoria, owned by the Seven Network, breached regulations when it ran 23 ads for Tehan on free-to-air channel Racing.com between 1.29am and 8.45pm on May 1.

Liberal MP Dan Tehan faced a tight contest for the seat of Wannon in the May election. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

Tehan, the Coalitions energy spokesman, was fighting to fend off a third consecutive challenge from teal independent and former triple j presenter Alex Dyson. The one-time Coalition minister ultimately held his electorate of Wannon, which extends from Angelsea in Victoria along the coast to the South Australian border, with a 6.54 per cent margin on a two-party preferred basis.

Blackout rules mean broadcasters cant air election ads during the days just before an election, which this year ran from 12am on May 1 to when polls closed on May 3.
Preventative Health Minister Sabine Winton has opened up about her battle with nicotine addiction as debate rages over the states growing tobacco problem.

Wintons smoking has been thrust into the debate after it was revealed smoking rates had increased for the first time in 30 years last financial year  up from 10 to 12 per cent in two years  at the same time there was a growth in the sales of illegal tobacco.

Forecasts in 2017 predicted the smoking rate would be as low as five per cent by 2028.

Education and Preventative health Minister Sabine Winton. Credit: Hamish Hastie

Winton said she didnt want to be a smoker and was grateful her daughters never picked it up.
The European and US auto industries are bracing themselves for disruption to the supply chains of the low-value semiconductors vital to modern cars, a threat similar to the chip shortages that caused chaos for the sector and led to long lead times for deliveries during the pandemic.

Their predicament relates to the seizure of a small Dutch semiconductor manufacturer by the Dutch government earlier this month, which has frozen supply of the myriad microchips used in electronic systems in cars that control everything from lights to airbags, locks and windows.

The output of companies like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, Toyota and Volkswagen are all under threat. Credit: AP

Carmakers are scrambling to find alternative suppliers after the Dutch government gained court approval to take control of Nexperia, the Dutch subsidiary of a Chinese company, Wingtech. Wingtech acquired Nexperia in 2019 from a group of Chinese investors who had bought it in 2017.

Last year the US put Wingtech on its trade blacklist, claiming it was helping China circumvent US restrictions on access to advanced semiconductor manufacturing technology.
Vatican City: King Charles and Pope Leo prayed together in the Vaticans Sistine Chapel on Thursday, in the first joint worship including an English monarch and a Catholic pontiff since King Henry VIII broke away from Rome in 1534.

Latin chants and English prayers echoed through the chapel, where Leo was elected the first US pope by the worlds Catholic cardinals six months ago in front of frescoes by Michelangelo depicting Christ delivering the Last Judgment.

Pope Leo XIV and King Charles III shake hands as they depart from the San Damaso Courtyard in Vatican City. Credit: Getty Images

Charles, supreme governor of the Church of England, was seated at the popes left near the altar of the chapel as Leo and Anglican Archbishop Stephen Cottrell led a service that featured the Sistine Chapel Choir and two royal choirs.

Although Charles has met the last three popes, and popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI travelled to Britain, their previous encounters never included joint prayers.
The US sanctions target oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil, which together account for more than 5 per cent of global oil output, and mark a dramatic U-turn by Trump, who said only last week that he and Putin would soon meet in Budapest to try to end the war in Ukraine. While the financial impact on Russia may be limited in the short term, the move is a powerful signal of Trumps intent to squeeze Russias finances and force the Kremlin towards a peace deal in its 3-year-old, full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Putin said he warned Trump that an attempt to curb Russian oil exports would destabilise global oil markets and backfire against the US. A sharp reduction in the amounts of our oil and oil products sent to global markets will lead to price increases, he said, adding that consumers at US petrol stations would feel the impact. The sanctions dont take effect until November 21, potentially giving Putin a chance for a change of heart.

That, said Chris Weafer, chief executive of consultancy Macro-Advisory Ltd, could provide a window where they hope Russia will more seriously engage, and if it does, then those sanctions could be suspended. Loading You can be sure that every oil buyer in Asia today is trying to find anything that floats that they can buy Russian oil before that sanction kicks in, Weafer told the Associated Press from London. And therefore, Russia will sell a lot of oil in the next 30 days, which probably will help the budget for a few months. He also noted that, unlike European sanctions, the US measures carried the threat of secondary penalties against anyone violating them. China and India are major importers of Russian oil. Ahead of the US announcement, the EU approved its 19th package of sanctions against Russia, including a ban on Russian LNG imports into Europe, going further than previous restrictions. The move was a response to Trumps complaint that some NATO member states were still buying Russian oil and gas.

While most EU members have stopped buying Russian oil and gas, Slovakia and Hungary have continued to do so. Turkey, a NATO member but not an EU member, also buys Russian oil. The effectiveness of economic sanctions in forcing Putins hand is questionable, analysts say. Russias economy has proved resilient so far, although it is showing signs of strain. On Thursday, the White House suggested a Trump-Putin summit was not completely off the table. I think the president and the entire administration hopes that one day that can happen again but we want to make sure that theres a tangible positive outcome out of that meeting, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said at a news briefing. Rising tensions

In Europe, Lithuanias Foreign Ministry said it would summon Russian embassy representatives to protest the airspace violation amid rising tensions in the region. The Baltics  formerly part of the Soviet Union  are increasingly concerned by neighbouring Russias aggression against Ukraine. This incident once again shows that Russia is behaving like a terrorist state, disregarding international law and the security of neighbouring countries, Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene said on Facebook. Lithuania is safe. Together with our allies, we look after and will defend every centimetre of our country, she added. In a statement, Russias Defence Ministry denied its aircraft had crossed into Lithuania. The flights took place in strict observance of the rules of using airspace over the territory of the Russian Federation, did not deviate from their flight route and did not violate the borders of other states, which was confirmed by objective control means, the ministry said on Telegram.

Three Russian military jets violated neighbouring Estonias airspace for 12 minutes on September 19. NATO scrambled fighters and escorted them out. Russia denied its planes entered Estonia and said Tallinn was seeking to ratchet up East-West tensions. Nine days earlier, more than 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace. NATO jets shot some of them down, the first time an alliance member had fired on Russian targets since the start of the war in Ukraine. Loading The US general serving as NATOs top commander said earlier this week that Russia appeared to have been deterred by NATOs firm response to the incursions into Polish and Estonian airspace, but Moscow is expected to continue testing boundaries.
hlpy's journey continues and is strengthened by the expansion of its agreements with the main automotive players in the European market: the group plans to provide more than 500 000 services in Europe by 2026

PARIS, Oct. 22, 2025 -- hlpy, the Italian scale-up that is revolutionizing vehicle assistance services in a fully digital mode, has been chosen by Volkswagen Group France, the import subsidiary of six of the world's second largest car manufacturer's brands, as the new provider of roadside assistance and travel continuity services for the French market. This market, the largest in Europe after Germany, has around 4 million users and 270 000new registrations annually for the Volkswagen, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, SKODA, SEAT, CUPRA and Audi brands.

The agreement entered the operational test phase at the beginning of October, with roll-out scheduled for early November. It includes the provision of afully digitalized roadside assistance package - including the "B-call" electronic emergency call, which guarantees a permanent connection between drivers and the hlpy platform. This collaboration reflects Volkswagen Group France's determination to take its assistance services to the next level, with an innovative, digital approach to improving the customer experience.

With this new partnership, hlpy, just five years after its launch in May 2020, is strengthening its footprint on the French market, where it has had a subsidiary since 2022, by revolutionizing the very concept of assistance in an innovative way.

Thanks to this agreement, the French market will become hlpy's leading European market over the next 12 months, followed by Italy, Germany, Spain and Austria.

According to projections, by 2026, hlpy should be managing the assistance of a fleet of vehicles in France generating local sales in excess of 30 million euros, positioning the company as an increasingly central player in the new mobility ecosystem.

Thanks to its proprietary digital platform, hlpy collects and analyzes data in real time via applications based on artificial intelligence and machine learning, enabling it to provide rapid assistance covering the full range of services: roadside assistance, repairs, maintenance as well as travel continuity services (replacement vehicle, cab, hotel reservation, etc.).

"We provide a technological platform that enables the entire network to be managed and optimized, offering services ranging from assistance to vehicle repair and logistics," said Stefano Sarti, Co-founder and Managing Director Growth, hlpy. "Players in the automotive sector choose us because, with hlpy, they gain access to fully digitized processes that enhance the customer experience and make service management more efficient. We are redefining very traditional models, and salute the innovative spirit and courage of Volkswagen, which, with this choice, enables us to take a new step in the evolution of after-sales services in Europe, with the aim of achieving new levels of customer excellence and efficiency."

"The effectiveness of our roadside assistance is one of the main factors influencing customer loyalty. As part of our strategy to improve our drivers' experience, we have identified the need to make significant progress in this area. When a customer who has placed their trust in us finds themselves stranded on the side of the road, we have to ensure that they are taken care of easily and immediately, and anticipate the slightest of their needs. hlpy has convinced us of the ability of their digitalized model to offer a speed of service and quality of care that will make all the difference. The first tests already conducted are very encouraging and uphold the promise made!" added Thierry Suquet, Customer Experience Director, Volkswagen Group France.

Growth worthy of an international scale-up

Operating in France since 2022, hlpy is today strengthening its position thanks to a partnership that will enable the Group to reach, by 2026, more than 500 000 assistance services managed each year in Europe. The Volkswagen Group's decision to place its trust in hlpy - and its unique digital platform - confirms the trend towards a profound transformation of the automotive industry towards increasingly digitalized after-sales and customer relations processes, to the benefit of users and manufacturers alike.

Founded in Milan in 2020 by managers with over twenty years' combined experience in the fields of assistance, insurance, mobility and innovation, hlpy's mission is to transform and digitalize vehicle assistance.

hlpy integrates the customer interface, operations center and intervention network within a single digital native platform.

Today, hlpy is a fast-growing company offering roadside assistance, repair and maintenance services, as well as continuity of mobility services in Italy, France, Spain, Germany and Austria.
Hyundai hosts Hydrogen STEM Program for elementary students at University of Southern California (USC) Joint Educational Project (JEP)

Since 2022, Hyundai has donated $200,000 towards USC JEP for its STEM education programs

Hyundai employees support USC Career Trek Program for college students to learn about careers in sustainability

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 22, 2025 -- Hyundai Motor America is advancing its partnership with University of Southern California (USC) to support its educational initiatives both on campus and in the community. For the second time, Hyundai hosted its Hydrogen STEM Program for elementary school students from South Los Angeles through USC Joint Educational Project (JEP) on USC's campus. Since 2022, Hyundai has donated $200,000 towards USC JEP for its science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs that address a critical need for hands-on science curriculum in Los Angeles schools.

"Hyundai's partnership with USC is a reflection of our commitment to education, innovation, and community empowerment," said Brandon Ramirez, director, corporate social responsibility, Hyundai Motor North America. "USC JEP is an impactful program, helping college students pursue STEM degrees as well as providing access to high quality STEM education programs for elementary students. We're also proud to provide opportunities for career exploration by connecting undergraduate and graduate students with our employees in a meaningful way."

USC JEP's programs have an inquiry-based approach that bring scientific laboratory experiences to life. Particularly, the Young Scientists Program (YSP) supplements science instruction in Los Angeles schools by recruiting teaching assistants, all who are USC students, to serve in local elementary classrooms with the goal of strengthening science literacy and promoting interest in scientific careers. As part of the YSP, Hyundai offered its Hyundai Hydrogen STEM Program to South Los Angeles-area elementary students at an event on USC's campus. Students built and raced hydrogen-powered model vehicles and raced them on a Hyundai-branded racetrack. This workshop teaches concepts in sustainability and clean energy as related to the automotive industry.

"We are deeply grateful to Hyundai for their generous support of our STEM education programs here at the USC JEP," said Dr. Dieuwertje "DJ" Kast, director, STEM Education Programs, USC JEP. "This partnership empowers us to support undergraduate STEM majors in their career development by providing transformative outreach opportunities to lead in STEM education. At the same time, Hyundai's investment in our programs inspires and equips local elementary classrooms with innovative science resources and mentoring, enhancing teachers' abilities to bring hands-on science inquiry and excitement into their teaching."

Earlier this year, Hyundai collaborated with USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability to host a Career Trek Program for over 20 undergraduate and graduate students. Employees shared their career journeys in sustainability and corporate social responsibility, followed by a walkaround of the IONIQ 9, Hyundai's first-ever, three-row, electric SUV.

The partnership is part of Hyundai's corporate social responsibility initiative, Hyundai Hope, which seeks to uplift communities by providing innovative and rewarding educational opportunities for students.

Hyundai Hope

Hyundai Hope is the corporate social responsibility initiative from Hyundai Motor North America, committed to the principle of Progress for Humanity and the goal of improving the well-being of society. Hyundai Hope dedicates time, talent, and resources to nonprofit organizations that support health, safety, education, and sustainability, fostering positive growth in communities. For more information, visit www.HyundaiHope.com.

SOURCE Hyundai Motor America
BANGKOK, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presented the 2025 Princess Srinagarindra Award to Zhang Liyan, a leading Chinese nursing expert, at the Grand Palace here on Wednesday.

Princess Sirindhorn praised Zhang as "a role model for the nursing profession," noting her years of dedication to frontline disaster relief both in China and abroad. Zhang has led multiple emergency medical teams in response to earthquakes, floods and other major disasters, demonstrating courage, compassion and selfless commitment to saving lives and easing human suffering.

Zhang was a former vice president and director of the Nursing Department of the General Hospital of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force in Beijing.

In an interview with Xinhua, Zhang recalled her experience of leading a rescue team to Pakistan during the 2010 floods, and said she hoped to strengthen exchanges with nursing professionals from Thailand and other countries in areas such as disaster preparedness, emergency response and community health care.

She said receiving the award in the same year that marks the 50th anniversary of China-Thailand diplomatic relations was of special significance. "Nursing connects people through compassion," she said. "I hope to build more bridges of friendship and understanding between our two countries."

The Princess Srinagarindra Award Foundation was established in 2000 in commemoration of Princess Srinagarindra Mahidol, mother of revered late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The foundation, with Princess Sirindhorn being its current president, confers awards to individuals or groups around the world who have made a significant contribution within the nursing profession. 
Mahayuti Govt allocates Rs 270 crto 54 first-time elected MLAs





MUMBAI :

WITH a focus on local and civic body elections in Maharashtra, the BJP-led Mahayuti Government has approved an allocation of Rs 270 crore, which amounts to Rs 5 crore each, for various development projects in the constituencies of 54 legislators from allies elected for the first time to the State Assembly. The State Planning Department has released a Government resolution in this regard. The Mahayuti comprising BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP are aiming to keep the victory march going after the state Assembly polls by winning the upcoming elections to 29 Municipal Corporations, all 247 Municipal Councils, 42 Nagar Panchayats, 32 Zilla Parishads and 336 Panchayat Samitis. The State Election Commission is in the midst of preparations for holding these elections before January 31 next year as per the Supreme Court order. As per the Government resolution, the fund will be used for development works suggested by these legislators in their respective Assembly segments.

Mahayuti sources said, After releasing funds through the Rural Development Department in the Zilla Parishad areas and through the Urban Development Department in the jurisdiction of Municipal Corporations and Municipalities through specialised schemes for the past few days, the Mahayuti Government has turned its attention to the first-time elected legislators. Sources admitted that since the formation of the Government in the state, the Mahayuti legislators have been demanding increased funds for development works. Initially, there was a plan to provide a development fund of Rs 10 crore each to the ruling legislators. However, sources said that considering the strain on the Government exchequer due to Chief Minister Majhi Ladki Bahin and other schemes, as well as the additional expenditure to be incurred in providing financial aid to farmers hit by recent heavy rains and floods, the Government has shelved its plan to provide Rs 10 crore each to the ruling legislators. Sources reiterated that instead of giving to all Mahyuti legislators, now the Government has taken a decision to allocate Rs 5 crore each to 54 legislators elected for the first time to the State Assembly.

The Government will soon release another Government resolution to allocate Rs 2 to 2.50 crore each to other ruling Mahayuti legislators to avoid any discontent ahead of the ensuing local and civic body elections in the state. These legislators have already made a strong representation to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar to release funds to launch various development works ahead of the local and civic body polls. Last week, the Urban Development Department approved a fund of Rs 509 crore for the Municipal Corporation and Municipalities. Of this, Rs 63 crore has been approved for Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Nagpur district and Rs 175 crore for Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shindes Thane district. The Governments move is crucial as the ruling allies have been striving to fight local and civic body elections in alliance, but the pressure has been mounting from the local leaders and the rank and file to go solo and strike an alliance after the polls.
Police Commissionerate rollout deferred to Jan





 By Mukesh S Singh

RAIPUR

 CM Sai took the call after a closed-door review with top brass; HM Vijay Sharmas sustained coordination couldnt avert deferral.

 Task force submitted proposal on Sept 27; multiple rejoinders sought by Home Department.

 Blueprint proposes IGP-level Commissioner, one Addl CP, eight DCPs and 20 ACPs for Raipur

THE rollout of Chhattisgarhs first Police Commissionerate in Raipur  originally planned for November 1 as part of the states Silver Jubilee celebrations  has been deferred to January 2026, following a closed-door meeting chaired by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai. The project, described as one of the Governments most significant administrative reforms, will now undergo additional vetting to ensure a smooth and well-coordinated transition. A senior official familiar with the closed-door meeting said Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai took note of the procedural delays with concern and advised that the rollout of the Police Commissionerate be taken up only after all legal, administrative, and operational aspects are fully harmonised.

The Chief Minister emphasised that the new system must be robust, practical, and acceptable across departments, the official observed. The adjustment comes despite consistent efforts by Home Minister Vijay Sharma, who had been working closely with senior police officers to facilitate an on-time rollout. However, the delay in submission of the final blueprint by the Police Headquarters (PHQ) and the time required for inter-departmental consultations resulted in a shift of the implementation timeline. The file reached the Home Department later than anticipated, and given the scale of administrative and legal coordination involved, additional time was deemed appropriate, said a senior bureaucrat closely involved in the coordination between PHQ and the Secretariat. Speaking to The Hitavada, Additional Chief Secretary (Home Department) Manoj Pingua said, It is in the process since lots of technicalities are involved, given the extensive and intensive framework required for the Police Commissionerate in Raipur, which is aimed for the larger benefit of the people underlining the technical and institutional depth being built into States first metropolitan policing structure to ensure it stands the test of administrative and legal scrutiny.

According to a credible source who is part of the task force committee, the seven-member PHQ task force submitted its detailed proposal to the Home Department on September 27, following which multiple rejoinders and clarifications were sought by the department. The panel has also recommended a legislative route through the Chhattisgarh Police Amendment Act, 2025, which would formally introduce the Commissionerate system in Raipur. The draft draws upon best practices from Maharashtras Mumbai Commissionerate and Odishas twin-city model of BhubaneswarCuttack. As per the proposal, the Raipur Police Commissionerate structure envisions a Commissioner of Police (CP) not below the rank of Inspector General of Police (IGP), supported by one Additional Commissioner of Police (Addl. CP) of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) rank. Beneath them, the framework proposes eight Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) including four zonal officers for North, West, Central, and Naya Raipur, and four specialised DCPs for Cyber Crime, Headquarters, Traffic, and Crime Against Women. Additionally, the blueprint recommends 20 Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs), largely drawn from officers of the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) or City Superintendent of Police (CSP) rank, to strengthen operational command across the citys expanding jurisdictions. The PHQ panel, chaired by Additional Director General of Police (Planning and Provisioning) Pradeep Gupta, included Inspector General (Narcotics) Ajay Yadav, Inspector General (Raipur Range) Amresh Mishra, Inspector General (CID) Dhruv Gupta, Deputy Inspector General (Telecom) Abhishek Meena, Deputy Inspector General (CCTNS) Santosh Singh, and Superintendent of Police (Special Intelligence Branch) Prabhat Kumar.

Legal inputs were provided by Mukula Sharma, Joint Director of Prosecution, who served as a special invitee. The final blueprint submitted amid an intensive phase of administrative reviews and inter-departmental consultations has now been referred to a committee of senior IAS officers from the Home, Finance, and General Administration Departments for detailed vetting, legal review, and fiscal alignment. Officials said the postponement also coincides with an event-packed schedule in November. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the Silver Jubilee celebrations in Nava Raipur on November 1 and will return later in the month for the 60th All-India Conference of Directors General and Inspectors General of Police, from November 28 to 30.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval are expected to attend, along with senior police and security officials from across the country Once the necessary scrutiny and inter-departmental concurrence are complete, the Chief Minister will finalise the rollout route, which will very likely be through the Chhattisgarh Assembly by introducing the Chhattisgarh Police Amendment Act, 2025, on the floor of the House during the winter session expected in late December, confirmed a senior task force member, adding that the transition is being approached with both legal caution and institutional foresight.
Steel & Hardware Chamber of Vidarbha to hold Diwali Sneh Milan on Oct 26





Business Reporter :

THE Steel and Hardware Chamber of Vidarbha (SHCV), the apex body entrepreneurs from Vidarbha region engaged in the business of iron, steel and hardware will be organising its annual Parivarik Diwali Sneh Milan on October 26, 2025, at Naivedhyam Estoria Lawn, Bharat Nagar Square, Kalamna Road, Nagpur, from 7 pm onwards. Sanjay K Agrawal, President-SHCV, informed that this year the Chamber will felicitate Prafulchandra Doshi with the Steel Chamber Metafence Lifetime Achievement Award for his unparalleled contribution to the trade, industry and society at large. The Chamber will also felicitate -senior couples from the fraternity who have completed silver (25 years) or golden (50 years) wedding anniversaries, and have attained the age of 65 years.

Additionally, the Chamber will recognise meritorious children of its members, added Sanjay K Agrawal. Mukul Agrawal, Secretary-SHCV, said that the Chamber will be organising Ayodhya Karmbumi Housie with exciting prizes for the participants. Vice Presidents, Manoj Khemani, Dinesh Aggrawal, Jt. Secretary Manish Jejani and Treasurer Suryakant Agarawal extended an invitation to all members and their families to participate in the celebration and strengthen the spirit of unity and togetherness.
Swastik Tours offers several overseas tours





SWASTIK Tours and Travels, Shankar Nagar, Nagpur has arranged various overseas and domestic tours in the coming tourism season. Phuket and Krabi Tour, Thailand is scheduled for November 15 and December 6, with two nights in Krabi and four nights in Phuket with all major sight seeing covered. Dubai Abu Dhabi Tour will depart on November 28 with 5 nights in Dubai. Tourists will visit Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan, famous for its nature and scenic beauty, starting from December 11. Popular tour of Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore is fixed for March 6, 2026. In the domestic sector, travellers will have wide range of options too. For further details, interested may contact Swastik Tours (M: 0712-2553769, 9421706506).
In April, Huangshan shines in its beauty, as bauhinia and azaleas bloom in shared splendor. From April 23 to 24, a delegation comprising Hong Kong executive members and specially invited representatives of the women's federation organizations, organized by the All-China Women's Federation, along with female entrepreneurs from Hong Kong and Taiwan based in the Yangtze River Delta, visited our city for an experience and exchange tour. The journey took them from the ancient village of Xidi Village in Yixian County to Xixinan and Lingshan ancient villages in Huizhou District, then to Xie Yuda Tea Museum and Huizhou Carving Museum. Along the way, the delegation observed and experienced firsthand Huangshan's profound historical and cultural heritage, the achievements of its beautiful rural construction, and the remarkable transformations taking place across the region. Xidi Ancient Village, a well-preserved complex of Huizhou-style architecture, is renowned as the "Museum of Ancient Chinese Residences from the Ming and Qing Dynasties." From the memorial archways and couplets to the nuanced retreat of boundary walls, every detail embodies the wisdom of "harmonious coexistence." The delegation marveled at how walking through Xidi felt like traversing time, offering an immersive journey into Huizhou culture. After the Grain Rain, Xixinan is lush and verdant. With an area of less than three square kilometers, this ancient village has undergone a remarkable transformation through innovative approaches and revitalization strategies. The thriving new formatswhere villages become scenic areas, rural houses turn into guest rooms, and resources transform into assetsdeeply impressed the delegation members. Zhao Huajuan, specially invited representative of the Guangzhou Women's Federation and Deputy Secretary-General of All-China Women's Federation Hong Kong Delegates Association Limited, remarked, "In Xixinan, we witnessed a vivid practice of the symbiotic coexistence of traditional village preservation and innovation." If Xixinan represents a living example of "waterside commerce," then Lingshan Village unfolds as a three-dimensional scroll of "terraced fields and scholarly pursuits." With scenery at every turn and charm in every step, it has established itself as "China's Most Beautiful Ancient Village of Love." Xu Shouran, specially invited representative of the All-China Women's Federation and President of the Hong Kong International Women's League, expressed, "This is my first time visiting Huangshan. The women's work here is highly effective, and I will bring these valuable practices and experiences back to Hong Kong to integrate into the development of women's initiatives there." At Xie Yuda Tea Museum Park, the delegation explored the Tea Culture Museum with great interest, learning about the history of Huizhou tea, the deep integration of tea culture with tourism, and how technology is driving innovation in the tea industry. The Huifeng Market showcased intangible cultural heritage products such as Huizhou ink sticks, paper-cutting, lacquerware, and fish lanterns, along with other "Huizhou Treasures," which captivated the delegates. Chen Shuzhi, specially invited representative of the Anhui Women's Federation and Deputy Secretary-General of All-China Women's Federation Hong Kong Delegates Association Limited, noted, "I am engaged in the promotion of intangible cultural heritage. Huangshan possesses rich intangible cultural resources, and I hope the two regions can deepen exchanges and cooperation in the preservation and inheritance of these heritage, allowing more people in Hong Kong to learn about Huangshan's intangible cultural heritage." At the Huizhou Carving Museum, under the guidance of Hong Jianhua, a national-level representative inheritor of Huizhou bamboo carving, the delegation members experienced the artistry of Huizhou carving firsthand through a hands-on workshop, gaining a deeper appreciation for the allure of this intangible cultural heritage. Following the inspection, Zhang Bei, a specially invited representative of the Qingdao Women's Federation and Deputy Secretary-General of All-China Women's Federation Hong Kong Delegates Association Limited, expressed her delight: "I have visited Huangshan before, but returning now, the changes here are refreshing and impressive. Hong Kong is an international metropolis blending Eastern and Western cultures, and hosts the Hong Kong International Travel Expo every June. This provides an excellent opportunity for our two regions to further strengthen our complementary advantages and enhance cultural and tourism interactions." Huangshan city has consistently actively integrated into the Yangtze River Delta regional integration development strategy, maintaining deep exchanges with Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. Together, we are building an 'International Meeting Room,' having forged profound friendships through economic and trade cooperation, talent exchange, and public welfare collaboration. Earlier this year, the launch of the direct high-speed rail service from Huangshan to Hong Kong has not only shortened the geographical distance but also brought our hearts closer, injecting new momentum into the coordinated development of the Yangtze River Delta and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. This experience tour was not only a journey of exchange but also a commitment to shared development. The Huangshan Women's Federation will further leverage its strengths, build platforms for exchange, deepen the bond between our regions, expand cooperation spaces, and contribute more feminine strength to composing a new chapter of Chinese path to modernization.

Source: Huangshan Daily
HAVANA, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- The United States is "intimidating" countries into voting against a resolution at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) that calls for an end to the decades-long U.S. embargo on Cuba, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a press conference in Havana, Rodriguez accused the White House of exerting "intimidating and deceptive" pressure, particularly on countries in Latin America and Europe, in an attempt to sway these nations' positions on the resolution.

The top Cuban diplomat presented what he called "irrefutable" evidence of a campaign that began two weeks ago -- two documents dated Oct. 8 and 17, which were sent by Washington to various world capitals, pressuring governments to oppose the resolution by claiming that Cuba poses a "threat" to the United States.

Rodriguez condemned these documents as "slanderous and disrespectful" and argued they undermine the sovereignty of other nations.

He also accused Washington of attempting to "deceive" the international community and obscure the "serious damage" caused by the embargo, which has lasted for more than six decades.

"The blockade is the main cause of our economic problems and the main obstacle to our development," having resulted in "deprivation, suffering, hardship and shortages," Rodriguez stressed.

According to figures from the Cuban Foreign Ministry, the blockade caused economic losses of 7.556 billion U.S. dollars between March 2024 and February 2025.

Despite the U.S. efforts to spread "misinformation" and "confusion," Rodriguez expressed confidence that the resolution would pass with an "overwhelming majority" at the upcoming UNGA session.

The non-binding resolution, which Cuba has submitted annually since 1992, has consistently received near-unanimous support in recent years.

The UNGA vote is scheduled for next week, with the draft resolution calling for an end to the "economic, trade, and financial blockade" imposed by the United States on Cuba. 
Vir Chakras awardedfor Operation Sindoor





NEW DELHI :

THE Central Government has issued a gazette notification listing gallantry award citations for defence personnel of the Indian Army and Indian Air Force for their acts of extraordinary courage during assorted operations, including the recently completed Operation Sindoor. Earlier, President Droupadi Murmu approved 127 Gallantry awards and 40 Distinguished Service awards to personnel of the Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces. These are: 04 Kirti Chakras; 15 Vir Chakras; 16 Shaurya Chakras; 02 Bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry); 58 Sena Medals (Gallantry); 06 Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry); 26 Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry); 07 Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medals; 09 Uttam Yudh Seva Medals and 24 Yudh Seva Medals. The President has also approved 290 Mention-inDespatches, comprising 115 personnel of the Indian Army, 5 of the Indian Navy, 167 of the Indian Air Force, and 3 of the Border Roads Development Board (BRDB).

Among the recipients, Colonel Koshank Lamba (IC69077N) of the 302 Medium Regiment has been awarded the Vir Chakra for conducting the first-ever short-notice air mobilisation of a specialised equipment battery. His guidance facilitated the timely induction of inter-command personnel under total secrecy, demonstrating the Indian Armys martial ethos. Lieutenant Colonel Sushil Bisht (IC-72358P) of 1988 (Independent) Medium Battery has also been awarded the Vir Chakra. As Officer Commanding on an operation, he led his unit with remarkable courage and operational excellence, which resulted in the annihilation of terrorist camps.

From the Indian Air Force, Group Captain Ranjeet Singh Sidhu, who is a fighter pilot, has been awarded the Vir Chakra for command of his squadron on effective strike missions against pre-selected targets, in which all operational tasks were accomplished. Group Captain Animesh Patni, flying a strategic Surface to Air Missile (SAM) squadron from a forward airbase, proved to be a great leader during a mission.

His accurate direction caused immense damage to the enemy without inflicting any damage to his own resources, and he was awarded the Vir Chakra. Squadron Leader Rizwan Malik, as deputy mission commander on a high-risk midnight mission, entered heavily defended enemy airspace to neutralise fortified targets. His mission entailed low-level tactical flight and precision weapon delivery under severe threat, for which he was awarded the Vir Chakra. Squadron Leader Siddhant Singh has also been awarded the Vir Chakra for his contribution in a three-aircraft formation assigned with a standoff precision attack. It was a mission requiring outstanding flying capabilities and co-ordination in a saturated air defence space with combined air defence systems. The gazette notification emphasises the initiative, leadership, and operational proficiency of these officers, pointing out the nations Armed Forces dedication to national security and operational preparedness.
PHNOM PENH, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia on Thursday reaffirmed its strong commitment to combating and suppressing all forms of transnational crimes, including online scams, human trafficking and other cyber-enabled offenses.

These crimes have threatened the safety, dignity, and welfare of individuals, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement, adding that the kingdom has made significant achievements in dismantling criminal networks and bringing perpetrators to justice.

"Over the past two years, Cambodia has intensified nationwide operations to identify, investigate, and dismantle online scam networks," the statement said. "These efforts include strengthening and enforcing laws against trafficking, cybercrime, fraud, and money laundering."

The statement said the government has taken decisive administrative actions, including the revocation of 120 business licenses, suspension of over 1,000 gambling-related websites, and freezing of illicit bank accounts linked to digital fraud schemes.

"The Cambodian law enforcement agencies have conducted numerous targeted operations across the country," it said. "These actions have led to the closure of multiple illegal compounds, the arrest of hundreds of suspects, and the rescue and protection of Cambodian and foreign victims of online exploitation."

According to the statement, Cambodia is establishing a national cybercrime task force, upgrading digital forensics capacity, and working with all partners to strengthen cross-border enforcement and cyber-governance frameworks.

"These results underscore Cambodia's firm commitment to eradicating online crimes, safeguarding digital integrity, and promoting a safer regional cyberspace," it said.

The statement said Cambodia continues to work closely with its regional and international partners, including South Korea, China, and ASEAN member states, through joint investigations, intelligence sharing, and mutual legal assistance.

"These partnerships have produced tangible results such as the disruption of major scam operations, successful prosecutions of organized crime figures, and the repatriation of foreign victims to their home countries," the statement said.

According to Cambodia's Ad-Hoc Committee to Combat Online Scams, the kingdom arrested a total of 3,455 online scam suspects in 20 nationalities in the past four months. 
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday called off the deployment of the National Guard to San Francisco, the U.S. state of California, in a reversal from his previous remarks.

"The Federal Government was preparing to 'surge' San Francisco, California, on Saturday, but friends of mine who live in the area called last night to ask me not to go forward with the surge in that the Mayor, Daniel Lurie, was making substantial progress," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.

"I spoke to Mayor Lurie last night and he asked, very nicely, that I give him a chance to see if he can turn it around," Trump continued. "Therefore, we will not surge San Francisco on Saturday."

Lurie said on X that he received a phone call from Trump and told him that "San Francisco is on the rise."

"We have work to do, and we would welcome continued partnerships with the FBI, DEA, ATF, and U.S. Attorney to get drugs and drug dealers off our streets, but having the military and militarized immigration enforcement in our city will hinder our recovery," said the mayor, referring to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Democratic leaders -- including California Governor Gavin Newsom and Lurie -- had spent weeks preparing for the possibility that Trump would send federal forces to San Francisco.

In June, the deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles -- in response to protests sparked by immigration enforcement raids -- drew strong backlash.

In August, the Trump administration deployed the National Guard to Washington, D.C. to fight crime, and threatened to send troops to more Democratic-led cities. In late September, Trump announced he was ordering troops to Portland, calling the city "War ravaged," but the deployment was temporarily blocked by a federal judge. 
UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- An aid team assessing needs in Gaza City has found severe hygiene challenges, including a lack of clean water, widespread skin diseases and damaged sanitation systems, UN humanitarians said Thursday.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the United Nations and its partners are working to address the needs of displaced people across the Gaza Strip.

OCHA said that a team conducted needs assessments on Wednesday at two collective centers in Gaza City's Az Zaitoun neighborhood, hosting more than 200 families who recently returned.

"The team noted that hygiene conditions at these sites are extremely poor, with widespread skin diseases linked to the lack of clean water and damaged sanitation systems," the office said. "At one of the locations, residents reported repeatedly having to walk two kilometers to the nearest water point due to a shortage of containers."

OCHA said there is an urgent need to repair latrines and sewage networks to prevent leaks and contamination. Services are almost non-existent, with no medical point, mobile health team or nutrition screening available.

Additionally, the office said that displaced families at these sites reported they urgently need food, clean water, hygiene items, materials to repair water and sanitation infrastructure, and cash assistance to purchase winter clothing, shoes, tarpaulins and kitchen sets.

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday said its team led the medical evacuation of 41 critical patients and 145 companions out of Gaza, the first such evacuation since the Oct. 10 ceasefire. The WHO said that there are still about 15,000 patients waiting for approval to receive medical care outside the strip.

Humanitarian partners said they provided protection support between Saturday and Tuesday to about 21,000 people in displaced and returnee communities. For example, approximately 3,000 children and caregivers across Gaza benefited from psychosocial first aid and support. Partners also distributed hygiene kits to more than 30 temporary learning spaces in Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis, with 6,800 school-age children reached so far.

The World Food Programme reported that it began distributing high-energy biscuits and fortified date bars to school-age children across 18 temporary learning spaces in Gaza on Monday.

OCHA said that on Tuesday, 147 UN and partner trucks were offloaded at the Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem and Kissufim crossings, and about two-thirds of the cargo was food aid. Other supplies included diapers, hygiene kits and tarps for emergency shelter assistance.

Also on Tuesday, at least 80 UN-coordinated truckloads of aid were collected from the crossings for distribution inside Gaza.

The UN Office for Project Services said it collected 159,000 liters of diesel from Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem on Wednesday and distributed more than 118,000 liters of diesel and over 1,200 liters of gasoline for critical humanitarian operations. 
JOHANNESBURG, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- China's economic resilience and its commitment to high-level opening-up are creating unprecedented development opportunities for countries around the world, particularly those in the Global South, a South African analyst has said.

Over the past four years, domestic demand has contributed more than 86 percent to China's economic growth, South African governance and political analyst Sandile Swana said in an interview with Xinhua.

"Such a high share of growth coming from within the domestic economy shows how strong China's internal drivers have become. When a country's economic momentum is largely self-sustained, it becomes stronger and less vulnerable to external pressure in the broader economic landscape," he said.

Swana said China has emerged as a global leader in technological innovation, particularly in areas such as robotics, artificial intelligence and other frontier technologies.

"When it comes to green development and new energy vehicles, China is an undeniable leader," he said, adding that its progress offers valuable lessons for other developing countries pursuing energy transition.

On China's contribution to global development, Swana highlighted the country's efforts to promote fair and inclusive international trade. "What's remarkable is that China treats all countries, whether big or small, as equal trading partners and works to end discrimination in global trade."

As the first developing nation in modern history to achieve peaceful development, China is shaping a new development paradigm, Swana said, adding that China's recently proposed Global Governance Initiative will play an important role in promoting a fairer and more just international system.

Looking ahead, Swana voiced confidence about China's future. "With the technological base already in place, I think China is in a good position to build one of the most impressive rural economies in the world. That could really offer some useful lessons for rural development in other developing countries," he said.

China's development shows the world that a country can grow strong without seeking hegemony, but for shared development, Swana said.

Depicting China's philosophy of peaceful development as a "fresh way of thinking," Swana said, "This is the direction China is taking, and China is leading the way." 
UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- More than 120 people have been killed due to deadly floods across Niger this year, a UN spokesperson said Thursday.

Authorities in Niger said that the flooding during this year's rainy season, which generally begins in June, has affected some 550,000 people, with the regions of Dosso, Tillaberi and Maradi worst affected, Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, told reporters at a daily briefing.

The floods have also destroyed nearly 55,000 houses and left over 10,000 acres of farmland underwater, Haq said, citing the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

The United Nations and its humanitarian partners are working to support government-led relief efforts in Niger, but resources remain extremely limited, with this year's response plan for Niger totalling 603 million U.S. dollars and less than a fifth funded, he said. 
MANILA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said on Thursday that it has approved a 10-million-U.S.-dollar policy-based grant to help enhance public sector management and social and economic resilience in Tonga.

The Improving Economic Management Program (Subprogram 2) builds on earlier reform efforts and supports institutional measures to strengthen debt and revenue management, reduce revenue leakages, and ensure that fiscal information is more transparent and accessible to the public, the Manila-based bank said in a press release.

It also expands coverage of the government's social protection program, making it more responsive to disasters and emergencies, the ADB added.

"These reforms will help drive Tonga's economy toward a more sustainable fiscal path," said Regional Director of ADB's Pacific Subregional Office Aaron Batten. "Enhanced quality of life for the people of Tonga is the ultimate impact of the program." 
JAKARTA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- A total of 513 Indonesian workers were ready to take on roles in the operation and maintenance of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (HSR), according to PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC), a joint venture consortium between Indonesian and Chinese firms that constructs and operates the railway.

Eva Chairunisa, KCIC general manager corporate secretary, said the achievement reflects the success of Indonesia-China cooperation in building Indonesia's capability to independently operate the first high-speed rail system in Southeast Asia.

During the two years of the railway's operation, knowledge transfer from Chinese experts to Indonesian workers has gone well and met targets, demonstrating that Indonesia was increasingly independent in managing and operating the high-speed train system, Eva said.

She added that another 66 workers were currently in the final stage of certification and document preparation.

According to Eva, all participants received systematic and internationally standardized training in the fields of operation, electric multiple unit maintenance, and fixed asset management, under the direct mentorship of experienced professionals from China.

"Collaboration between Indonesia and China through KCIC is not just about technology transfer, but also about skills and knowledge. Going forward, Indonesians who have gained this experience will become mentors and trainers for the next generation in the high-speed railway sector," she said.

Commercially launched in October 2023, the railway was the first high-speed train in Southeast Asia, capable of reaching speeds of up to 350 km per hour and reducing travel time between Jakarta and Bandung from three hours to just 45 minutes. 
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (R) and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attend a joint press conference at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, Oct. 23, 2025. (Photo by Zulkarnain/Xinhua)

JAKARTA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia and Brazil on Thursday signed a series of memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to strengthen cooperation in a range of sectors, including energy, mining, agriculture, science and trade, according to a statement from the Indonesian Presidential Secretariat.

The signing ceremony, witnessed by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, took place at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta during the state visit of Lula.

"Today, we will sign four important agreements and understandings, and I hope this is proof that we are working quickly. I am confident that in the future, we will achieve even greater results," said Prabowo during the bilateral meeting.

According to the presidential statement, the MoUs were signed between several government institutions and business entities from both countries. 

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (L, front) and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (R, front) inspect the guard of honor during a welcome ceremony at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, Oct. 23, 2025. (Photo by Zulkarnain/Xinhua)

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (R) and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attend a joint press conference at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, Oct. 23, 2025. (Photo by Zulkarnain/Xinhua)

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (R) and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attend a joint press conference at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, Oct. 23, 2025. (Photo by Zulkarnain/Xinhua)

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (R) and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attend a joint press conference at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, Oct. 23, 2025. (Photo by Zulkarnain/Xinhua)

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (R) and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attend a joint press conference at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, Oct. 23, 2025. (Photo by Zulkarnain/Xinhua)
SINGAPORE, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Singapore Business Federation (SBF) will lead a business delegation of more than 500 representatives from 57 companies to participate in the upcoming 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE), the federation said in a press release on Wednesday.

Eighteen of the 57 companies will attend the CIIE for the first time, joining 39 returning exhibitors.

"Despite global headwinds, China remains a growth market for Singapore companies. The CIIE continues to serve as an important platform for Singapore businesses to engage Chinese and international buyers, reflecting growing confidence and sustained interest in the China market," the SBF said.

Since 2018, Singapore companies have generated over 533 million Singapore dollars (about 410 million U.S. dollars) in trade value through participation in the CIIE, it added.

"As we celebrate 35 years of Singapore-China diplomatic relations, we look forward to strengthening our longstanding partnership and exploring new opportunities for collaboration. The CIIE stands as a powerful testament to China's commitment to openness and international cooperation, offering Singapore businesses a gateway to one of the world's most dynamic markets," said Kok Ping Soon, CEO of the SBF.

He also noted that Singapore remains a trusted partner for Chinese enterprises seeking to regionalize and scale into ASEAN markets. "As Singapore readies itself to chair ASEAN in 2027, we are well-poised to facilitate deeper regional connectivity and cross-border partnerships that benefit businesses across Asia," he said.

The 8th CIIE is scheduled from Nov. 5 to 10 in Shanghai, with over 3,200 enterprises from more than 110 countries and regions confirmed to participate. They have signed up for exhibition areas totaling more than 360,000 square meters. 
Students play at Phiawath School, in Vientiane, Laos, Oct. 23, 2025. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)

VIENTIANE, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Lao government has been intensifying efforts to improve quality and equity of education nationwide, while people believed the younger generation will gain access to inclusive opportunities and enjoy a promising future through improved education.

The Lao government has prioritized education as a key driver of human resource development, working to address challenges and ensure access to quality, equitable education for both urban and rural communities.

Sengsavanh, a teacher in Savannakhet province, recalled her time as a volunteer delivering books to children in rural schools. She said that many lacked basic resources, such as teachers and educational materials, which hindered their ability to learn in a quality environment.

"I understand that many poor families can't afford schooling, and children miss opportunities because they don't fully grasp the value of education. That's why I strongly support the government's efforts to improve education across Laos, ensuring more children can access quality learning, regardless of their background," Sengsavanh told Xinhua on Thursday.

However, the government should also help parents in all communities understand how education can lead to a better future for their children, she added.

Speaking about her role as a teacher, Sengsavanh said that she strives to make learning enjoyable and inspiring, helping students see education a pathway to their dreams. She also worked closely with parents to emphasize the importance of supporting their children's education at home.

Laos has been working to overcome barriers preventing disadvantaged communities from accessing quality education, amid challenges like teacher shortages, high dropout rates, and limited resources worsened by economic strains and natural disasters.

For Alounny, a student in Vientiane, she has endorsed the government's efforts and initiatives to improve education, believing it is the foundation for the country's growth and development.

She said that education is a powerful tool that empowers individuals to achieve true prosperity. Alounny hopes that Laos will soon be home to a generation of educated and skilled citizens who can contribute to the country's future.

Sammy, a father of a three-year-old girl, hoped to see quality education not only for his own child but also for all children in Laos. He said that every child should have access to at least a basic education, as he believed it is essential for building a strong foundation in life.

Monekham, from Vientiane province, said that education is crucial for success. She was optimistic that with continued government efforts and support from families, Laos can look forward to a bright future filled with educated and skilled citizens.

The Lao government has been developing plans and strategies to improve education, enhance teacher skills, and integrate artificial intelligence into the sector. To address teacher shortages and reduce dropout rates in remote areas, the government will deploy volunteer soldier-teachers to underserved regions. 

A motorbike passes by the Ministry of Education and Sports in Vientiane, Laos, Oct. 23, 2025. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)

Students play at Phiawath School, in Vientiane, Laos, Oct. 23, 2025. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)

Students excercise at Phiawath School, in Vientiane, Laos, Oct. 23, 2025. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)

Students play at Phiawath School, in Vientiane, Laos, Oct. 23, 2025. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)

Students study in the classroom at Faculty of Law and Political Science National University of Laos, in Vientiane, Laos, Oct. 23, 2025. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)

Students walk at the University of Health Sciences, in Vientiane, Laos, Oct. 23, 2025. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Urban transformation through creative and cultural efforts will strengthen the bond between China's megacity Shanghai and Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur, participants at a forum here heard on Thursday.

The collaboration between the two cities underscores the close ties between Malaysia and China's creative communities, demonstrating how robust bilateral ties can support Kuala Lumpur's ongoing urban transformation, said Malaysia-China Friendship Association President Abdul Majid Ahmad Khan at the opening ceremony of the 2025 World Design Cities Conference (WDCC) -- "Shanghai Design 100+" Global Competition Overseas Exhibition.

"We see tremendous potential for greater connectivity between Kuala Lumpur and Shanghai, not just in trade or infrastructure, but in the exchange of design ideas, urban solutions, and creative innovation," he said.

"From urban rejuvenation projects to public art initiatives, design-thinking workshops, and city-branding efforts, these steps are shaping Kuala Lumpur's identity as a vibrant and forward-looking creative city," he said.

Kuala Lumpur City Hall Department of City Planning Director Rosli Nordin said design innovation remains a key driver of Kuala Lumpur's urban and economic transformation and is guided by plans that emphasize sustainability and inclusive development to boost economic activity.

"Kuala Lumpur's economic priorities now center on the shared economy, the digital economy, and the creative economy. This forum represents a valuable bridge between Shanghai and Kuala Lumpur. Shanghai enterprises bring world-class expertise in design, technology, and industrial upgrading, while Kuala Lumpur offers strategic advantages -- strong policy support, business-friendly governance, and access to the fast-growing ASEAN market," he said.

For his part, China Industrial Design Institute Chairman Wang Lin said design itself has become a powerful language of exchange that transcends borders, carrying the depth of culture like a historical chronicle.

"We firmly believe that when the vitality of ASEAN meets the creativity of Shanghai, it will not only foster the exchange of products and technologies, but also promote the deeper integration of ideas, industries, and cooperative models," he said.

The exhibition, which runs from Thursday to Sunday, serves as a premier platform to celebrate creativity, innovation, and sustainable urban development through design, bringing together policymakers, designers, urban planners, industry experts, and creative communities to exchange ideas and foster collaborations that shape the future of design-driven cities, according to the organizer. 
Maruti Suzuki has achieved a significant feat on the global automotive stage. Its Jimny 5-door SUV has surpassed 100,000 units exported worldwide since shipments began in 2023, marking a major milestone for Indias automobile exports.

Suzuki Jimny, the Made-in-India compact SUV, is now shipped to over 100 countries, including key markets such as Japan, Mexico, Australia, South Africa, and Chile.

In Japan, where the SUV is called Jimny Nomade, the vehicle was launched in January 2025 and received an overwhelming response, with 50,000 bookings within just days of its debut.

Impressive Jimny specsheet

The SUV, built on a ladder-frame chassis, is powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine and equipped with Suzukis ALLGRIP PRO four-wheel-drive system, making it an ideal contender for both city driving and off-road adventures.

Popular among off-road enthusiasts, Jimny is also compact and affordable compared to its competitionthe Mahindra Thar and the Force Gurkhaboth born out of Indias love for oversized SUVs.

For Maruti Suzuki India, the Jimny 5-door is the second most exported model after the popular Fronx, with the company shipping over 3.3 lakh vehicles in FY 2024-25, accounting for nearly 46 per cent of Indias total vehicle exports.

Company MD and CEO Hisashi Takeuchi told agencies, The Jimnys export achievement reflects over half a century of global heritage, and our success is rooted in Indias manufacturing excellence. Its a proud moment for us to see the Jimny delighted users across the globe.

The vehicle's success also underlines the Make in India mission to produce vehicles for the world. Maruti Suzuki still holds its reputation in India as a reliable source of quality vehicles, as it sold the most vehicles in the country this festive season.

A proud moment as 60 Jimny units were handed over to @ITBP_official to be deployed in tough terrains of Leh Ladakh & Arunachal Pradesh. Marks Jimnys entry into the Central Armed Police Force. #MarutiSuzuki is glad to serve our brave soldiers who serve the nation.@NexaExperience pic.twitter.com/jEgrklg6qa  Maruti Suzuki (@Maruti_Corp) February 7, 2025

And now, with exports, Maruti Suzuki is writing another chapter into Indias automotive industry, as the country looks to carve its niche in global vehicle manufacturing.
Yes, Indias trade deal with the US will still happen. And yes, Indias buying of crude oil from Russia will plummet drastically. But if you thought Trumps tariff bulldozing of PM Modi would lead to a drastic drop in India-Russia trade, youve got another thing coming.

By all indications, Trump may just have inadvertently done the oppositemade India and Russia, strategic allies during much of the Cold War, though the relationship went down the priority chain as India wooed the West in the post-liberalisation years, look at each other with new eyes, and renewed interest. Is there a Nobel prize for that?!

In absolute irony, the decline in energy exports from Russia to India and Trumps targeting of the bilateral trade between the two nations as hampering the Ukraine peace process may have only led in reality to an expansion and broad-basing of trade categories between Moscow and New Delhi.

Beyond Russian oil

Today, India-Russia trade already extends well beyond energy (to) include engineering and mechanical goods, electronic products and components, pharmaceutical manufacturing ingredients (including nutraceuticals), food products and ingredients, and organic/inorganic chemicalsall of which represent substantial and growing trade lines in recent years, said Katerina Filunets, General Manager of ITE Dubai, one of the biggest trade exhibitors from Russia.

These trends are reflected in official and trade analyses, which show diversified Indian exports to Russia in recent years. (They) reflect both global supply-chain reconfiguration and targeted commercial efforts by Indian firms to supply categories where demand has outstripped local/regional supply. Trade statistics and government trade briefs show an expanding basket of export items into Russia in the last financial year, she added.

Since its Ukraine invasion, Russia has been a pariah in the West, with repeated sanctions on its economy, freezing of assets abroad and having been kicked out of the international SWIFT financial transfer system. Virtually all Western brands, from consumer to technology, have given up operations in Russia, while the US and its allies have repeatedly picked on those who circumvented its restrictions to make a quick buck.

Like Indian energy behemoths, which benefited massively over the past three years by buying oil and coal at a discount, since their previous recipients in the West suddenly gave up buying it due to the sanctions. It was exactly this trend that Trump wanted to nix when he called it out for backing out of giving tariff concessions to India, and instead putting heavy import duties on goods from India since August.

Silence is golden?

While the Modi government has been largely silent on Trumps tirades, two realities have emergedIndia is dialling down its intake of Russian crude, though the process started well before Trump trained his cross-hairs on it. Signals are that an India-US trade deal may finally fructify.

But at the same time, both Russia and India seem to have realised how they can be the next best thing to each other. Russias traditional export market of Europe had vapourised overnight after sanctions over Ukraine, forcing it to look for alternative markets. And who else but fellow-BRICS member state India, which itself seemed left out in the cold after the US, its biggest trading partner, did not offer it a sweet deal as was expected?

Every gap left by traditional suppliers (in Russia) is a doorway for Indian exporters. Agile companies that move quickly can establish themselves as reliable partners in pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food processing, and engineered goods, securing both market share and long-term growth, said Filunets.

Uptick in bilateral trade

Trade between India and Russia had, for long, revolved primarily around oil and defence imports by India. But in the last one year or so, the trend is changing, with India realising the geostrategic need to expand its trade basket instead of depending on a few big nationsaccordingly, its exports to Russia have increased in anything from chemicals and pharma products to electronics, boilers and heavy machinery.

Fresh fruits, processed vegetables and even seafood saw an uptick this summer, even if small and gradual. Russias export to India of fats and vegetable oil topped $2.25 billion last year, while indications are that India may cough up Rs 10,000 crore for a new set of S-400 air defence systems.

Global trade naturally reflects wider geopolitical dynamics, and companies everywhere are attentive to this context. For Indian exporters, the approach has been pragmatic: they pursue opportunities in Russia within the framework of Indias trade policy and long-standing bilateral agreements, said Filunets.

Of course, the Democles sword of sanctions would still be a dampener for Indian businesses with a presence in the US or its western allies, which have ongoing sanctions against Russia, but Filunets believes a little dexterity goes a long way: Exporters act responsiblyworking with their banks, advisors, and partners to ensure that their activities align with applicable regulations. In this way, trade flows are managed with both opportunity and compliance in mind, allowing businesses to expand in a way that is transparent, secure, and sustainable.
In what comes as a decisive step towards bolstering Indias military might and self-reliance, the defence acquisition council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Thursday, approved a massive Rs 79,000 crore worth of procurements for the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

For the Indian Army, Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) was accorded for the procurement of anti-tank Nag Missile System (Tracked) Mk-II (NAMIS), Ground Based Mobile ELINT System (GBMES) and High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs) with Material Handling Crane.

The procurement of Nag missile system will boost the Indian Armys capacity to nutralise enemys combat vehicles, bunkers and other field fortifications, while GBMES will help intercept, monitor, analyze, and locate radar and communication emissions.

READ MORE: Major firepower loading: Indian Army to place order for over 2000 Nag Mark 2 missiles

According to the defence ministry, the induction of HMVs will significantly improve logistic support to the forces in diverse geographical terrains.

For the Indian Navy, AoN was granted for the procurement of Landing Platform Docks (LPD), 30mm Naval Surface Gun (NSG), Advanced Light Weight Torpedoes (ALWT), Electro Optical Infra-Red Search and Track System and Smart Ammunition for 76mm Super Rapid Gun Mount.

The procurement of LPDs will help the Navy to undertake amphibious operations along with Indian Army and Indian Air Force, apart from undertaking peacekeeping operations, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief.

ALWT, indigenously developed by DRDO's Naval Science & Technological Laboratory, can be deployed from ships, helicopters, and fixed-wing aircraft and is capable of targeting conventional, nuclear and midget submarines.

The procurement of 30mm NSG will enhance the capability of Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard to conduct Low Intensity Maritime Operations and anti-piracy activities, the defence ministry noted.

For the Indian Air Force, AoN was accorded for Collaborative Long Range Target Saturation/Destruction System (CLRTS/DS) and other proposals.

The CLRTS/DS has the capability of autonomous take-off, landing, navigating, detecting and delivering payload in the mission area.

AoN is a formal approval granted by DAC, which is the first official step in the defence procurement process. It signifies the government has accepted the need for specific military equipment or hardware and allows the initiation of the procurement activities.
COLOMBO, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's export earnings rose by 7 percent year-on-year to nearly 13 billion U.S. dollars by the end of September 2025 this year, underpinned by robust performance in both goods and services, according to data from the Export Development Board.

Between January and September, total exports reached 12.986 billion dollars. In September alone, total exports amounted to 1.469 billion dollars, up 12.33 percent from September 2024.

Merchandise exports for the first nine months rose by 7.59 percent to 10.24 billion dollars. In September, merchandise exports grew by 15.02 percent year-on-year, reaching 1.16 billion dollars.

Services exports over the same period increased by 4.48 percent, totaling 2.74 billion dollars. In September, services earnings were estimated at 306.09 million dollars.

The United States remained Sri Lanka's largest single export market in the first three quarters of this year, followed by India, Britain, Germany and Italy. 
In what comes as a major move in strengthening India's defence posture, the Indian Army is set to place an order for 2,408 Nag Mark 2 anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) along with 107 NAMICA Mk-II tracked missile carriers. NAMICA stands for Nag Missile Carriers.

The decision by the Indian Army to place such a significant order also speaks volumes for the self-reliance in defence production that the country has managed to achieve over the years.

The defence acquisition council gave the acceptance of necessity for the Indian Army's proposal for procurement of Nag Mark 2, manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).

ALSO READ: Indian infantrys 385 battalions get an Ashni drone platoon each, Bhairav fighters on way

The missile, equipped with a tandem-charge, high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warheaddesigned to destroy heavily armoured targetsenhances the long-range armoured standoff capability of the Indian Army across plains and deserts, with adaptable performance in mountain theatres.

Earlier this year, the field evaluation trials of the all-weather, fire-and-forget Nag Mk ATGMs were successfully conducted at the Pokhran Field Range. During the three field trials, the missile systems destroyed precisely all the targetsmaximum and minimum rangevalidating its firing range, the defence ministry had said.

The Nag Missile Carrier version-2 was also field evaluated then, paving the way for the induction of the entire weapon system into the Indian Army.
Operation Sindoor was a symbol of India's capability and a message to the world that it is always ready to respond to every challenge, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday.

In an address to the top naval leadership at the Naval Commanders' conference in Delhi, Singh hailed the combat readiness of the Indian Navy and said the world witnessed its strength as it was the deterrent posture of the Navy that forced Pakistan to remain in the harbour or near its coast.

Indian Navy's carrier battle group, submarines and aviation assets were deployed in the northern Arabian Sea in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack.

ALSO READ: Indian Army, Navy, Air Force to get missiles, torpedoes, ammo for Rs 79,000 crore

The naval forces remained forward deployed with full readiness to strike select targets at sea and on land, including Karachi, during Operation Sindoor.

He described the Indian Navy's presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) as a matter of "comfort for the friendly nations" and "discomfort for those who seek to destabilise the region".

"The IOR has become the centre of contemporary geopolitics. It is no longer passive; it has become an area of competition and cooperation," he said.

The defence minister said the Indian Navy, through its multi-dimensional capabilities, has played a leadership role in the region.

"In the last six months, our ships, submarines and Naval aircraft have been deployed at an unprecedented scale. In addition, our Navy has provided safe passage to approximately 335 merchant vessels, equalling approximately 1.2 million metric tons of cargo and a trade value of $5.6 billion."

The defence minister also underlined the need to advance naval strategy and thinking in sync with the rapidly evolving world.

"We must work together in three areas: capability, people, and partnerships. Capability means technology and strength; people means sailors and their families; and partnerships mean industries, academia and international cooperation," Singh said, adding, "When these three come together, our Navy will emerge as an even more reliable and powerful force."
Indian canine breeds, including the Rampur Hound and Mudhol Hound, have been selected to be deployed alongside NSG commandos during high-risk operations. So far, the federal commando force has relied only on Belgian Malinois dogs for its operations, but soon, Indian breeds will also be trained to follow their handlers during river rafting and even while slithering down from helicopters.

#WATCH | Tekanpur, Madhya Pradesh: Taking inspiration from one of the episodes of PM Modi's 'Mann Ki Baat', Border Security Force has given special emphasis on training to Indian breed dogs. These breeds include Rampur Hound & Mudhol Hound.



Visuals from BSF Academy, Tekanpur. pic.twitter.com/PIpHohXCHP  ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2025

The decision to incorporate these local breeds was taken after "very positive" outcomes were found in the demo sniffing and detection duties handed to these animals over the past few years. The Border Security Force (BSF) will train these Indian dogs to conduct pack attacks against enemies, which could help security forces to flush out holed-up terrorists without the risk of being ambushed. During such missions, the trained dogs will be deployed alongside special operations unit personnel.

Another important aspect of the new decision is to train the canines to be dropped into a conflict zone aerially alongside the handlers. When the commandos slide down from a low-hovering helicopter to the ground using a sturdy rope, the dog is tied safely on the back of the commando using a harness. Once on the ground, all the handler needs to do is give the "charge" command.

K9 Commandos of @BSF_India.After the Prime Ministers call in Mann Ki Baat, BSF has started training Indian dog breeds like Rampur Hound and Mudhol Hound. Known for their speed and stamina, these indigenous breeds are now being deployed for border security. At the NTCD, BSF pic.twitter.com/19KvtDoyjb  Manish Prasad (@manishindiatv) October 1, 2025

A special adventure institute of the BSF in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, is responsible for training the local breeds in river rafting. The training will happen on the River Ganga, PTI said in a report. The maiden exercise has been initiated by the Tekanpur (Madhya Pradesh)-based National Training Centre for Dogs (NTCD) of the border force, the report added. At least a dozen Indian dogs are currently being trained in the first batch.

An increasing demand for 'desi' breeds

The NTCD, since 2021, has trained almost 150 Mudhol Hound and Rampur Hound breed dogs till now who are now successfully working with various Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and state police forces, and over 20 are currently under training.

Indian breeds are better suited to India's diverse geo-climatic conditions. It is widely noted that these breeds have better disease resistance, are tough, and require low maintenance. Given their agility, endurance, adaptability, and resilience, security forces are increasingly starting to prefer them during operations.
After The Death and Life of Bobby Z and Savages, another Don Winslow book has been adapted for the silver screen. For Crime 101 filmmaker Bart Layton has assembled Avengers co-stars Mark Ruffalo and Chris Hemsworth for a heist movie based on the author's novella Crime 101. Halle Berry, Barry Keoghan, Corey Hawkins, Nick Nolte, and others complete the ensemble.

The 101 in the title refers to the juncture at which the high-speed freeways of Los Angeles converge. In the film, Hemsworth plays a jewel thief whose operations involves the least damage, and has specific, reasonable motivations for his actions.

In an interview with Esquire magazine, Hemsworth calls his character a good guy in a situation doing bad things.

There was such a vulnerability to the character that we were trying to explore, in order to have an audience side with him," he adds.

Esquire First Look: Chris Hemsworth, Halle Berry, and Mark Ruffalo Make Crime 101 Totally Stacked

Based on a story by The Cartel author Don Winslow, this glossy, hard-charging heist thriller isnt what you expect. Did we also mention Barry Keoghan is in it?  Don Winslow (@donwinslow) October 23, 2025

Layton calls Crime 101 a homage to heist classics such as The Thomas Crown Affair and The Getaway, aside from nods to Michael Manns Thief and Heat. "They were grown-up, intelligent, Saturday-night popcorn movies, and I definitely felt like, Wouldnt it be great to bring something of that back?

Layton's previous work include the documentary The Imposter and the docudrama American Animals. Both features revolved around con men and heists. Crime 101, he explains, is an expansion of Winslow's story. It had a brilliant superstructurea great beginning, middle, and endand was an opportunity to build something that could speak to contemporary ideas about status anxiety and where that can lead you if that becomes one of your primary driving forces.

Halle Berry plays Sharon Colvin, an insurance broker, while Ruffalo plays the detective assigned to bring down Hemsworth's character. Barry Keoghan plays a younger thief who isn't afraid of going ruthless when needed.

Last seen in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, Hemsworth is reprising his Thor role in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. Ruffalo recently appeared in the HBO miniseries, Task, which concluded on Sunday.
The English version of Rishab Shetty's Kantara: Chapter 1 has been announced. Interestingly, around 34 minutes of material will be excised for this new edit, which is set to open internationally on October 31, 2025. The original version has a duration of 2 hr 49 mins, while the English version will run for 2 hr 14 mins.

Rishab posted the announcement with the English version's poster and runtime on his social media pages on Wednesday.

"A divine saga that resonates beyond borders and languages! #KantaraChapter1   releasing in cinemas worldwide from  . Experience the epic journey of faith, culture, and devotion in all its glory."

A divine saga that resonates beyond borders and languages! #KantaraChapter1   releasing in cinemas worldwide from  .

Experience the epic journey of faith, culture, and devotion in all its glory #KantaraInCinemasNow pic.twitter.com/TLw4F8bI6C  Rishab Shetty (@shetty_rishab) October 22, 2025

Rishab had earlier announced the Spanish dubbed version as well, the release date of which is yet to be announced. The plan was made to cater to audiences in Latin America, including Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, and Venezuela, taking into account the success of the original in these regions.

Meanwhile, the worldwide gross of the original versions has crossed Rs 700 crore, and nearing Rs 800 crore. Before this, Vicky Kaushal's Chhaava was the other Indian movie to achieve this feat.

In its review of the Hombale Films production, which co-stars Rukmini Vasanth, Gulshan Devaiah and Jayaram in integral roles, THE WEEK wrote: "It's a package bursting at the seams, swiftly introducing tribes, ugly feuds, and a web of subplots that echo events from the first film. This crowded  literally and figuratively  narrative creates both engaging variety and occasional confusion. Most often, bigger ambitions strain narrative focus. South Indian cinema has been witnessing more of that lately. But, thankfully, Rishab knows where to place all the highs."
Keralas Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, has long opposed the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, describing it as a centralising and exclusionary framework that promotes saffronisation, corporatisation of education, and undermines state autonomy.

The state government has also resisted the PM SHRI (Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India) schemelaunched by the Union government in 2022 to upgrade around 14,500 existing government schools nationwide into model institutionscalling it a backdoor entry for NEP.

However, recent developments suggest a shift in stance. A letter issued by the Principal Secretary of the General Education Department has now surfaced, revealing that the department had communicated with the Centre regarding PM SHRI as early as March 2024. Significantly, the Centre has linked the release of funds under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) to the implementation of PM SHRI. Keralas SSA funds have been blocked, and central assistance worth over Rs 1,000 crore remains withheld.

Facing the funding crunch, the ruling CPI(M) appears to have softened its position. Education Minister V. Sivankutty has publicly supported the schemes implementation, citing the financial blockade. CPI(M) state secretary M.V. Govindan had even made a dismissive remarkWhat CPI?when asked about the governments moves and the CPIs opposition. Meanwhile, CPI(M) veteran and former finance minister T.M. Thomas Isaac argued in an article that signing PM SHRI does not mean ceding ideological ground.

Yet, the CPIa key ally in the LDFremains firm in its opposition, asserting that the scheme should not be implemented due to its ideological implications. CPI leadership, reportedly, expressed strong dismay at the way the CPI(M) leadership handled the matter, which, in turn, led CPI(M) leaders to temper their response.

As the issue escalated into a political controversy, THE WEEK spoke to Amruth G. Kumar, Professor at the School of Education, Central University of Kerala, to explore the broader academic implications and potential long-term challenges for the student community if Kerala decides against implementing the NEP and the PM SHRI scheme. Edited excerpts:

Q. The PM SHRI scheme, once it is implemented, Kerala will have to implement the National Education Policy, too. The Communist Party of Indiaa key ally in the CPI(M)-led governmenthas raised major objections. From your perspective as an educational expert, should we view the opposition to NEP purely as an ideological issue, or are there substantial, academic reasons behind it that deserve attention?

Personally, I feel that the ideological opposition to NEP itself is quite shallow. Because NEP, as such, even though it mentions traditional ideas like BanaBhattas 64 arts, is fundamentally based on Western modern scientific theories. Many of its arguments and frameworks are drawn from modern research, not from ancient Indian sources.

For example, why does the NEP recommend that pre-primary education start at the age of three? Why is the pre-primary section designed to extend up to the age of five? Why does it propose the three+three+three+four structure for schooling? All of this is based on modern neuro-psychological and cognitive studies that define learning patterns by age groups.

So, if you look closely, there is a contradiction within NEP itselfit talks about ancient arts while being structured entirely on modern cognitive science.

The main ideological objection seems to be the claim that the NEP will impose a centralised curriculum, through which ideology could be injected. But, in reality, there is no real substance in that claim. The NEP nowhere says that state boards will be suspended. In fact, that cannot happen, because education is on the Concurrent List of the Constitution.

If state boards continue to exist, that means each state will continue to create its own syllabus. So, how can the central governments syllabus enter the states education system? Thats the first question.

Now, there are already schools that follow a central syllabuslike CBSE schools, Kendriya Vidyalayas, and Navodaya schools. They must continue with the central syllabus because thats what their examinations are based on. Meanwhile, state-board schools will continue following the state syllabus.

This is a very basic fact, but many in Kerala ignore it when they claim that the central syllabus is being imposed. Where exactly is the imposition happening within the state syllabus?

What we have is a National Curriculum Framework (NCF), which only says that each state must develop its own State Curriculum Framework. The confusion arises because many educational experts here do not seem to understand what framework means.

A framework is only a contoura boundary, not the actual content. Its like building the structure of a house: you create the pillars and floors, but the decision about how the rooms are arranged is made later by the designers of the syllabus.

So, the NCF is just a framework suggesting how children of a certain age should learn, or what kind of scientific developments they should be exposed to. It is suggestive, not directive.

Based on this, the state can prepare its own State Curriculum Framework. The state may even adapt or reinterpret the contours of the national framework to suit its context. Within that framework, the state develops its own syllabus.

So, in aided and government schools, and in English-medium schools following the state syllabus, it is the state that prepares and inserts the syllabus.

I am referring only to the technical side of the issue, and I am not taking from a political angle on this.

Q. What are the long-term implications for students and society if Kerala decides not to implement NEP? Could Kerala choose to selectively adopt only some elements of the NEP and still move forward in its own way?

There are two types of implications  one futuristic and the other financial. The first, futuristic one, relates to students educational aspirations and their future opportunities. For instance, students who complete their studies under the 10+2 system may not face major issues for the next 10 years. However, one has to note that in India, almost every state  except three  has already implemented the new structure. These three are Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.

Even in those states, it is not entirely absent. For example, Tamil Nadu has no Navodaya schools, but it has almost 10 times more CBSE schools than state-board schools. The same is true for West Bengal.

If we look at Kerala, officially, about 30 per cent of students study in English Medium (CBSE) schools. But this number is unreliable, because it includes both recognised and unrecognised schools. In reality, the number of unrecognised private English-medium schools is much higher, and the state government does not even have accurate data.

Many unrecognised schools operate by affiliating themselves with nearby recognised schools, often using their registration for examinations.

So, when we say 30 per cent of students in Kerala are in CBSE or English-medium schools, the real figure is probably much higher. That means nearly half the students in Kerala already follow the modern, revised structure  the 5+3+3+4 model  while the rest, a small minority, follow 10+2.

Across India, the same pattern holds  in the three states combined, the share of students still following 10+2 will be less than 10 per cent of the total enrolled students.

So, this small minority (less than 10 per cent) would be the only group not aligned with the 5+3+3+4 structure.

Now, looking 10 years ahead, there is a clear issue. All higher education institutions will start requiring the 5+3+3+4 qualification for admission. Right now, that requirement is not written anywhere, but it will naturally evolve over time  when the system changes nationwide, it becomes the de facto standard.

So, after 10 years, students who graduate under the old 10+2 system may face difficulties getting admissions unless they go through legal channels to get equivalency status.

That is the first, futuristic problem.

The second issue is financial. The central government is already blocking or restricting funds for states that do not align with the NEP framework.

Legally, this can be questioned  they cannot directly deny funds  but it is part of what they call non-coercive strategic measures. By controlling how funds are released, they effectively regulate compliance.

This financial pressure affects schools more than higher education, because Keralas colleges and universities are already following many NEP-linked reforms, such as: Four-year undergraduate programmes (FYUP), Four-year integrated teacher education programmes and Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) registration, which almost all Kerala universities have joined.

So, the only area of resistance left is schools.

Q. This means that at the school level, since a large number of students are already moving to CBSE, awareness of such future risks is likely to push even more parents to enrol their children in CBSE schools?

Definitely. Thats exactly what I said. Once people start thinking a little about these repercussions, parents will automatically swing that way, they will shift in that direction. You see, for parents, the government's stance or policy does not matter much. What matters to them is their children's future.

Automatically, a major trend we are noticing is that the number of low-cost English-medium schools across India is rising.

That means English-medium schooling is no longer something only the economically privileged or upper-class families can afford. Even in Kerala, low-cost English-medium CBSE schools are coming up rapidly.

This is going to be serious. The government does not even have proper data on how many recognised and unrecognised schools exist. And, this means more shift towards private CBSE schools will take place.

Q. Some of the critics of PM SHRI say that Kerala already has schools with good infrastructure, so why do we need such a scheme? They ask Do not we already have smart classrooms? Do not we already have all these facilities? So, is PM SHRI only about improving facilities, or is it about introducing a new culture of schoolinga new model or approach that a state like Kerala might miss out on if we do not participate? Is this a concept that is inspired by some successful model abroad?

Actually, when we talk about facilities and infrastructure, it is all relative. The point is, how much further can we advance from our current state? That is what determines how much additional funding we receive.

It is not that Kerala has everything and no scope for improvement. For example, if Keralas schools are at eight out of ten, the question is how to move from eight to nine or ten. If Tamil Nadu is at six out of ten, they will move from six to eight. So, it is about advancement, not a basic necessity.

School infrastructure has improved in a lot of states. I have personally visited schools across states. Gujarat and Bihar really surprised me  especially Bihar.

In Bhagalpur, Bihar, I saw some government schools with excellent facilities  almost like a typical college campus, with 1,5002,000 students. The buildings were highly professional and well-designed, with modern classrooms and good teaching environments. Gujarat, too, has very impressive schools. The one state where I felt schools lagged a bit was Madhya Pradesh.

Across India, all schools have improved under Samagra Shiksha. Since 1986, crores and crores of rupees have been flowing into school education. Now, a large share of the total GDP allocation under NEP again goes to schooling. So, every states government-aided schools have now reached a certain infrastructure level. The question is: how to move forward from that level?

Now, coming to PM SHRI, the goal is not just to improve infrastructure. Thats only part of it. The scheme also has pedagogical purposes, green-school goals, and even links with nutrition (PM Poshan).

They mention six pillars for PM SHRI schools  which include pedagogical innovation, experiential learning, environmental sustainability, and mentorship.

These schools are meant to be innovative learning hubs. They will receive funds not just to upgrade facilities, but also to experiment with new teaching models. They will then become model schools that mentor nearby schools.

So, the goal is not just to get funding. But to create a trickle-down model, where innovations and quality practices spread from PM SHRI schools to others.

Over time, both the Central and State governments can build on this model with more funding schemes.

In short, PM SHRI funding is meant for advancement, not for basic needs. The funds can be used for improving existing infrastructure or for advancing teaching and learning quality.

So yes, it is about upgrading and building a model culture of schooling, not just adding smart classrooms or facilities.
The Maharashtra government's decision to allot 5 crore each to the first-time MLAs of the ruling alliance has attracted criticism from the Opposition. The decision to dispense 270 crore for 54 MLAs is nothing short of a bribe, they alleged.

While the government has given this fund for developmental activities in the constituencies, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Vijay Wadettiwar said the decision was a total wastage of funds as Maharashtra is already under a debt burden. He pointed out that the government is already cutting down spending on various important schemes. "When farmers are struggling to sell their cotton because of pending approvals, how can the state suddenly find money to give 5 crore each to its MLAs? Does the government have no money for farmers but enough for its legislators?" he reportedly asked in Nagpur.

On the one hand, the government has to pay farmers affected by the flood and is cutting down benefits of the Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana scheme and now wants to give 5 crore each to MLAs, he pointed out. Wadettiwar said the move comes in the light of the Local Self-Government (LSG) elections which have to be held before January 31.

The BJP has countered the criticism by saying that when Uddhav was Chief Minister, the 105 BJP legislators did not get any fund for two and a half years. According to reports, the government originally wanted to allot 10 crore each to their MLAs but was forced to settle for 5 crore each due to a funding crunch.

Meanwhile, The NCP (SP) claimed on Wednesday and sought an SIT probe into alleged irregularities in the Ladki Bahin Yojana scheme. In a statement, Nationalist Congress Party (SP) spokesperson Clyde Crasto cited a response to a Right to Information (RTI) query, and said 12,431 men were disbursed 1,500 each a month for 13 months, with the total amount pegged at 2.42 crore, under the scheme meant for women from families earning less than 2.5 lakh annually. The spokesperson for the Opposition party termed the disbursal of stipend to men under a scheme targeted at poor women as "hilarious chicanery" and noted the government stands exposed over implementation of its flagship welfare programme.
As Bihar prepares for its assembly elections on November 6 and 11, with results due on November 14, the implications reach well beyond the states boundaries. This vote is more than a clash of political groups as it serves as a judgement on whether Bihar can move past its deep-rooted divisions based on social identity and build a system focused on shared goals, fairness, and steady progress. Holding 40 seats in Parliament, Bihars results could reshape alliances across the country and set the tone for the 2029 general elections.

Social identity in politics: From progress to stumbling block

Social identity, particularly caste, continues to shape Bihars political landscape. It once drove positive change by giving voice to marginalised groups, but now it often holds back broader development. The caste survey released in 2023 by the government under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar marked a step forward in openness. It showed that Extremely Backward Classes make up 36 per cent of the population, Other Backward Classes 27 per cent, Scheduled Castes about 20 per cent, and forward castes around 16 per cent. This data fuelled calls for increased reservations, leading to a law that boosted quotas in jobs and education to 65 per cent. However, the Supreme Court is still reviewing its legality after a high court ruling against it, which has only heightened tensions instead of easing them.

The ruling National Democratic Alliance, combining Nitish Kumars Janata Dal (United) and the Bharatiya Janata Party, has mastered the art of balancing these social groups. JD(U) draws support from communities like Kurmis and Koeris, who form about 8 to 10 per cent of voters, while the BJP appeals to forward castes. They also include partners representing Scheduled Castes and even more disadvantaged subgroups. In the 2020 elections, this mix helped them secure 43 per cent of the votes by uniting non-dominant backward groups who felt overlooked by other parties.

On the other side, the opposition alliance led by Tejashwi Yadavs Rashtriya Janata Dal relies on its core support from Muslims and Yadavstogether about 31 per cent of voters. They partner with the Congress, which retains some influence among forward castes and minorities, and left-leaning groups rooted in rural areas. Tejashwis promises, like a massive Rs 2 lakh crore fund for youth employment, aim to attract voters outside his traditional base.

But the real question goes deeper than winning votes. Can social identity shift from being about who you are to becoming a tool for advancing together? Bihars human development score lags behind the national average, with poor education outcomes standing out. When politics focuses too much on short-term gains for specific groups, it overlooks big-picture planning. A better approach would maintain support for the disadvantaged while linking it to skill-building and job readiness. States like Tamil Nadu and Kerala show how to blend social fairness with investments in people. Breaking free from rigid identity-based politics could finally unlock Bihars untapped strengths, creating opportunities that benefit all.

Economic growth versus everyday struggles: Progress with pain points

Bihars economy tells a story of contrasts. Its total output reached about Rs 11 lakh crore in 202425, growing at a strong average rate of over 10 per cent annually, making it one of Indias faster-growing states. Yet, income per person is only about half the national level, underscoring growth that has not yet transformed most lives. Farming employs half the population but contributes just 20 per cent to the economya mismatch worsened by frequent floods. In 2024 alone, these disasters caused massive damage, displacing thousands and costing billions.

Migration is a hidden driver of survival. Over four crore Biharis work elsewhere, sending home around Rs 2.5 lakh crore each yeara lifeline that sustains families but masks the lack of local jobs and industries. Nitish Kumars focus on governance improved roads, power, and basic services, but industry remains weak. Manufacturing contributes barely 8 per cent to the economy, compared to Gujarats 18 per cent.

The ruling alliances plans include Rs 1.25 lakh crore from the Centre for urban renewal and transport hubs, while the opposition promises cash aid and free electricity. Both could strain finances, with the states debt already at 38 per cent of its output. What Bihar truly needs is a sustainable roadmapcentres for agro-processing, solar-powered irrigation, and flood-resilient infrastructure. Aiming for 20 per cent renewable irrigation by 2030 could create half a million rural jobs and reduce disaster risks. A shared council of experts, politicians from all sides, and business leaders could help guide long-term plans, keeping them steady despite political shifts.

This economic story is not just about numbers. It is about families scraping by, young people dreaming of better futures, and a state rich in potential but held back by old problems. True change would mean turning growth into jobs that keep people in Bihar, reducing the need to leave home.

Leaders in flux: Balancing experience and trust

Leading Bihar has always required navigating turbulent waters. Nitish Kumar has switched alliances five times in 20 yearsmost recently returning to the NDA in 2024a move that dented his image and earned him nicknames like Paltu Kumar. Yet his record includes a nearly 30 per cent drop in crime since 2005 and programmes advancing womens education, raising female literacy to 60 per cent. Still, voters appear weary of his frequent shifts. A C-Voter poll from October 2025 suggests his party might win 40 to 50 seats, down from 43 last time, reflecting growing frustration.

Tejashwi Yadav represents a younger face, advocating against corruption and for jobs. He has moved past family scandals and appeals to Bihars two crore new voters. Yet, his familys long political dominance limits his reach beyond core supporters.

Prashant Kishors new outfit, Jan Suraaj, emphasises good governance, education, and basic income, potentially drawing 10 to 15 per cent of votes and splitting the opposition.

Nationally, Prime Minister Narendra Modis appeal remains strong, but Bihars joblessness, at 7.6 per cent compared to the national 4.1 per cent, poses hurdles. Movements like the campaign against alleged voting machine irregularities point to more engaged citizens. If voter turnout exceeds 65 per cent, it may favour the opposition in close contests.

Bihar deserves leaders committed to integrity. Parties could limit terms, ensure transparency in funding, and create independent oversight bodies, as seen in Singapore, a country I recently visited. Such measures could elevate politics beyond personal games and rebuild trust.

A changing electorate and the renewal of Bihars democracy

Bihars voters are evolving, with women, youth, and new civic priorities shaping the states political future. Women now form nearly half the electorate, thanks to reservations in local bodies, yet their workforce participation remains low at 20 per cent. Without real measuressuch as childcare, credit access, and workplace safetycampaign promises will ring hollow.

Youth, who make up 40 per cent of voters, are increasingly impatient with slow change. Many chase government jobs or migrate for work, revealing the lack of opportunity at home. A forward-looking agenda must focus on digital literacy, AI and tech skills, and entrepreneurship hubs to retain talent and end the migration cycle.

The environment is also becoming a quiet but decisive concern. Floods and droughts, intensified by climate change, hit Bihar hardest. A cross-party pact for river-linking, green farming, and afforestation could draw international support while safeguarding rural livelihoods.

These shifts reveal an electorate seeking more than handoutsthey demand dignity, opportunity, and a real voice in governance. Political leaders who listen and adapt can redefine Bihars destiny.

Polls differ: a NewsX survey puts the NDA ahead with 140 to 155 seats, while Axis My India predicts a tight race. But, beyond the contest, Bihar needs a renewed democratic compacta 10-year, cross-party plan for inclusive growth and transparent governance. Priorities should include raising social spending to 15 per

cent of the state economy, using digital IDs for fair welfare delivery, and curbing money power in elections.

As Biharis stand in line to vote, their choice will reflect a deeper aspirationto move from politics rooted in identity to one grounded in development, equity, and hope. The result on November 14 could well mark a turning point not just for Bihar, but for the democratic spirit of India itself.

Amal Chandra is an author, political analyst, and columnist. He tweets @ens_socialis.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK.
Former Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) mayor and minister, Sovan Chatterjee, will take charge as the chairman of Newtown Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) in the coming days, after the West Bengal government resumes work post the festive season. Chatterjee quit the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in 2018 to join the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2019, is now back in his original party.

Apart from executing duties as mayor, Chatterjee also held portfolios of fire and engineering, housing and environment in the Mamata Banerjee government. Chatterjee, who was seen as a close aide of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at one time, is back in Didis turf.

Sovan has been snuggling up to Didi for a while. So she (Mamata) let him live a few years in exile and brought him back. She (Mamata) needs to deliver a message that the TMC doesnt hold grudges against her old guard, those who left her, those who tried to spoil things for her. She is a Didi, that is the message, said political analyst Shikha Mukherjee, who believes that Mamata looks after her own people and there is scope for rehabilitation.

It is the return of the prodigal son, and TMC believes that despite his departure to join the BJP, he always had the respect intact for Mamata. Sovan Chatterjee is part of TMC. For a short time, he was confused, but the respect for Didi was always there, and that is why he was made the NKDA Chairman, said TMC leader Kunal Ghosh.

The BJP is unfazed by Chatterjee crossing over to leave saffron waters and turn towards greener pastures, with green being the colour of TMC. His (Sovan) leaving the BJP has not made a big impact as he left after the elections itself. He has left for his personal gain, and his leaving has nothing to do with the BJP," said Dilip Ghosh.

Sovan Chatterjee is a seasoned politician. He knows the administrative nitty-gritties of civic bodies extremely well. In that sense, it is good for TMC to revive the urban scenario after the deluge of the rainy season," explained political analyst Udayan Bandhopadhyay, pointing at the backlash Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim faced for the grave waterlogging situation in his jurisdiction on multiple occasions during the monsoons this year.

However, on the question of whether comparisons will be made in the administrative functioning of both Hakim and Sovan after the latter takes over as chairman of NKDA, many believe both KMC and NKDA are two different administrative bodies with different characteristics, hence, it wont pose a competition.

However, Chatterjee, an able administrator, became a KMC councillor in 1985 and served as mayor from 2010 to 2018, before he stepped down and switched loyalties to the BJP in August 2019. However, he was not given a ticket from the Behala Purba Assembly constituency in the 2021 Assembly elections, prompting him to quit the party. The former mayors seat was won by his estranged wife, Ratna Chatterjee, from the TMC.

Chatterjee was also in the spotlight for his personal life, which took an ugly turn, overshadowing his public image as a civic administrator. Today, as Sovan makes a comeback as an administrator, the spotlight will be on him yet again, but this time for his work and how he proves his mettle during his second innings with the ruling party. I will carry out the responsibility to the best of my ability," said Chatterjee the day he was given the appointment letter.

With assembly elections in the state coming up in 2026, will Chatterjee stand a chance to get a bigger piece of the TMC pie as the former mayor takes on the litmus test of loyalty and professionalism? Chatterjee is confident he will execute his responsibilities ably.
Days ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, four notorious gangsters involved in multiple cases of murder in the state, were killed in an encounter with a joint team of Delhi Police and Bihar Police in Rohini earlier today.

The shootout between the gangsters and the police took place at 2.20am in Northwest Delhi, when the cops tried to intercept the gang and they opened fire in a bid to escape. They were rushed to Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital in Rohini, but the doctors declared them brought dead.

#WATCH | Encounter of 4 members of Bihar's notorious Ranjan Pathak gang, in Delhi | Bihar DGP Vinay Kumar says, "...The gang was committing crimes almost every month. They were contract killers...They had named their gang 'Sigma and Company' and that itself indicates their pic.twitter.com/aDuGJBtl2h  ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2025

The slain gangsters Ranjan Pathak (25), Bimlesh Mahto (25), Manish Pathak (33) and Aman Thakur (21)  all wanted for multiple murders and extortion among other crimes  were reportedly hiding in Delhi for several days.

Senior officials from the Delhi and Bihar Police visited the encounter site, while forensic and crime scene investigation teams, too, were deployed.

What is the Sigma and Company gang?

According to the police, gang kingpin Ranjan operated an organised criminal network in parts of Bihar, particularly in districts bordering Nepal, such as Sitamarhi and Darbhanga, and adjoining states. His gang, also known as the Sigma and Company, had been active for the past seven years.

They were allegedly responsible for a series of high-profile killings, including that of Brahmashri Sena district head Ganesh Sharma, Madan Sharma, and Aditya Singh.

While Ranjan was the chief, Manish, reportedly, helped with the planning and their financial affairs. Bimlesh was their shooter and a key member of the extortion gang. While the trio hailed from Bihar, Aman was, reportedly, from Karawal Nagar in Delhi.

Ranjan had, reportedly, been openly challenging the police on social media and through audio messages. He had a bounty of Rs 25,000 on his head.

A recently recovered audio clip allegedly revealed that the Sigma Gang was planning something big ahead of the assembly elections in Bihar.

Bihar DGP Vinay Kumar said, "The gang was committing crimes almost every month. They were contract killers. They had named their gang 'Sigma and Company' and that itself indicates their intentions.

"Elections are about to be held in Bihar. So, we made a lot of effort to gather intel on this gang. Based on those intels, a team of Sitamarhi Police was camping in Delhi and was trying to locate them in coordination with Delhi Police. In this connection, they were being intercepted and it led to an encounter. All 4 were killed. A criminal from Delhi, Aman used to give them shelter there. There are other members of the gang too, information is being gathered about them. It was found that their plan is to disturb Sitamarhi Police and the entire district. It cannot be denied that they could have done something during the elections. They used to go out and plan and once the planning was done, they used to execute it...," Kumar added.
By Xinhua writer Gao Wencheng

LONDON, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- An immersive "Food + Porcelain" event in central London brought together two of China's finest traditions -- Jingdezhen porcelain and Chinese cuisine -- creating a feast for both the eyes and the palate.

Held at a Chinese restaurant near Trafalgar Square, the luncheon began not with sizzling dishes but with diners photographing the intricate lotus-and-peony motifs on pale green plates from Jingdezhen, known as China's "porcelain capital."

"I designed every dish specifically for each porcelain," said Chef Tong Chee Hwee, who has spent 24 years cooking Chinese cuisine in Britain.

"The colors must harmonize, but so must the tastes. It's a dialogue between sight and palate," he said, gesturing toward a plate of tuna tartare, as an example of the craft. He explained how the pink of the fish echoed the plate's delicate green tone, while a Cantonese-inspired sauce added contrast.

"The floral motif on the porcelain and the osmanthus flavor in my dishes are both Chinese cultural symbols," he said. "'Food plus porcelain' is more than aesthetics, it's the power of culture made visible and edible."

The porcelain used during the event, known as "Longzhuge," or Dragon Pearl Pavilion, drew inspiration from the imperial kilns of Jingdezhen, where porcelain was made for Ming and Qing emperors. Once a hallmark of China's export porcelain, Longzhuge has been reborn as a brand representing the city's cultural revival.

The floral patterns, known as baoxianghua, blend the purity of lotus petals with the grandeur of peonies, their soft green glaze a nod to Jingdezhen's ancient craftsmanship.

That sentiment resonated with Jessica Harrison-Hall, keeper of Asia at the British Museum and an expert on Chinese ceramics.

"What is extraordinary is how the chef played with the colors of the porcelain and used natural food dyes to create the dishes we enjoyed."

"These pieces, though modern, echo traditional styles," she said. "It's a wonderful fusion between contemporary creative cooking and contemporary creative ceramic making."

Harrison-Hall also shared a story of porcelain's global journey. In the 17th century, a Jingdezhen bowl made for the Portuguese market bore a noble family's coat of arms and a Latin inscription: "To the wise, nothing under the sun is new." That single bowl later appeared in a Dutch still-life painting and inspired pottery in the Middle East.

"This one Chinese bowl," she said, "traveled from China through the Middle East to Holland and Portugal, linking these regions together through ceramics."

At the event, Li Liyan, minister counselor for cultural affairs at the Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom, described Jingdezhen porcelain as "a living testament to the vitality of Chinese culture."

From short creative videos that merge porcelain with kung fu to new designs that blend traditional forms with modern aesthetics, he said, each piece reflects both heritage and innovation. "We hope more people in Britain will fall in love with Chinese porcelain art, and that our two countries can find more points of resonance through cultural exchange."

Europe's fascination with Chinese porcelain is centuries old. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, porcelain from Jingdezhen crossed oceans on merchant ships, becoming prized among European nobility. Today, that legacy continues as Chinese and international artists collaborate in Jingdezhen, merging traditional blue-and-white porcelain with modern sculpture and design.

Harrison-Hall said Jingdezhen's influence will continue to grow. "Jingdezhen has an extraordinary wealth of talent and an incredible history of more than a thousand years in porcelain making," she said. "Jingdezhen will hopefully continue to stand at the forefront of a new and vibrant stage in this creative process."

"To enjoy Chinese cuisine presented on Jingdezhen porcelain -- this is something I never imagined I'd experience in London," said Alexander Randall, among the diners at the event. 
Ahead of the Bihar assembly polls, ending weeks of speculations, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav was declared the chief ministerial face of Mahagathbandhan. Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot, who is in Bihar to iron out differences with the RJD, said the decision had the approval of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi.

Gehlot also said Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahani and leaders from other sections of society will be deputy CMs if the INDIA bloc comes to power in the state, "keeping in mind the complex social structure of Bihar".

#WATCH | Patna, Bihar: At the Mahagathbandhan press conference, Congress observer for Bihar elections, Ashok Gehlot says, "... We want to ask Amit Shah ji and the president of their party who is the CM face of your alliance? This is our demand because we saw that the election was https://t.co/kVK313TycW pic.twitter.com/yZjML080vB  ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2025

If reports are to be believed, it took some arm-twisting from Sahani to convince the INDIA bloc that he should be named the deputy chief ministerial candidate.

The VIP chief, hailed as "Son of Mallah'', who worked as a Bollywood fashion designer before launching his party in 2018 to fight for the rights of people belonging to the backward Nishad-Mallah communities, reportedly bargained for a "respectable place"although the INDIA bloc has bigger partieseven as the VIP settled for 15 seats.

According to an NDTV report, he said he settled for 15 seats in the hope that he would get the post of deputy chief minister (if the bloc is elected to power) and argued he cannot face his supporters if such an arrangement is not made. He reportedly threatened to disrupt whatever little unity that the bloc has managed to achieve over the past few weeks.

Not yielding to his demand would also have resulted in the alliance alienating the Mallah community.

What is the Sahani factor?

Sahani has been keen on the post of deputy chief minister from the very start. He was willing to settle for lesser seats if the bloc promised the post to him.

Sahani has a history of walking the talk. He had walked away from the NDA alliance during the 2020 assembly elections over the alleged influence of the BJP over the VIP leaders. He was also reportedly ready to ditch Mahagathbandhan over seat-sharing agreements.

According to media reports, the Mahagathbandhan top leadership agreed to the demand made by Sahani as the Nishad-Mallah community comprises around 12 per cent of Bihar's voters. These communities are primarily located in the Mithilanchal and Seemanchal regions, and with the announcement, the INDIA bloc wants to be more appealing to the voters belonging to backward and marginalised communities.

"I was awaiting this moment for 3.5 years. The moment has now come. Not just VIP or Mukesh Sahani, lakhs of people of the party were waiting for this," said Sahani.

"BJP broke our party and poached our MLAs...At that time, we had pledged with Ganga jal in our hands - 'BJP ko jab tak hum todenge nahi, tab tak chhoddenge nahi'. The time has come, standing strong with Mahagathbandhan, we will form our government in Bihar and oust the BJP from the state," he added.

Our workers were eagerly waiting for this announcement, and now the votes of our (Mallah) community will go to the INDIA alliance, said Santosh Sahani, brother of Mukesh Sahani, after the announcement regarding the deputy CM was made.
After three candidates of the Jan Suraaj Party (JSP), led by Prashant Kishor, could not file their nominations, it set off a fresh wave of political turbulence as Kishor alleged that the candidates were forced by the BJP to withdraw their candidatures under pressure. The party had promised to contest all 243 seats, but in a recent press conference, Kishor said he will now contest solidly on 240 seats.

Kishor has repeatedly told the public that his party would field strong, credible candidates  individuals with academic credentials, commitment to public service, and genuine concern for Bihars development. His emphasis on integrity and purpose has been central to the partys narrative. However, the withdrawal of three of its candidates so close to the polls risks undermining the very optics Kishor sought to create  that of fielding a reform-driven, strong political candidate distinct from Bihars conventional power play.

Allegations of coercion and intimidation

Speaking at a press conference in Patna, the strategist-turned-politician accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its partners in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) of resorting to force and intimidation to suppress the emergence of his partys candidates in key constituencies. He also named Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, claiming their involvement in pressuring JSP nominees.

According to political observers, the incident shows that the party has not yet been able to establish robust communication channels through which candidates could reach out to the leadership, and where the leadership could have preempted such developments. A political analyst said, How does defection happen? First, there is communication from leaders of the rival party, after which they meetsaythe three Jan Suraaj candidates. And since they are Jan Suraaj candidates who have pledged allegiance to Bihars development through this party, they are expected to remain firmly loyal. They may have tried to alert the leadership, but the leadership perhaps did not take it seriously. That may have been the sequence of events if what Kishor claims is true.

Prashant Kishor's disruptive strategy in Bihar politics

From the start of his campaign, Kishor has consistently taken aim at senior BJP leaders, mining their pasts on the campaign trail to undermine their credibility with voters. Political observers say his rhetoric has not only unsettled the NDA but also complicated the Mahagathbandhans messaging, forcing both camps to react to his disruptions. Kishor has rebutted accusations from both main camps that he is a vote cutter, asserting instead that he intends to cut their vote share so decisively that they are wiped out of the political space. If that happens, it could significantly alter the balance of power in the state.

The party took time to zero in on credible candidates. Our organisation mostly follows a top-down approach; every narrative, even at the local level, is shaped by the statements and instructions of Prashant Kishor. Therefore, a few candidates leaving the party will not impact us in any significant way. The point is that this newly built party already has enough standing to rattle the established players in the state, and our candidates are strong enough to at least make them lose," said a senior leader from Jan Suraaj Party.
Last week, India marked a major milestone in its maritime capabilities with the launch of the DCI Dredge Godavari, the nation's largest and most technologically advanced Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger (TSHD).

Built by the Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) for the Dredging Corporation of India (DCI), the vessel boasts a massive hopper capacity of 12,000 cubic metres, making it a powerhouse for port maintenance and expansion.

What is dredging?

Dredging plays a vital role in maritime infrastructure by removing sediment, deepening harbours, maintaining shipping channels, and reclaiming land along coastlines.

With the increasing volume of maritime trade and the strategic importance of India's ports, having advanced dredging vessels is critical for ensuring safe and efficient navigation.

The DCI Dredge Godavari (SH037) was officially launched on October 18, 2025, in a ceremony at Cochin Shipyard. The event was graced by Sirobhushanam Sujatha from DCI.

The launch also included the debut of two other state-of-the-art vessels, one designed for anti-submarine warfare for the Indian Navy and another hybrid electric methanol-ready commissioning vessel.

Dutch tech, Indian make

Developed in close partnership with Royal IHC, a renowned Dutch maritime technology company, the dredger integrates cutting-edge automation and control systems, making it highly efficient and environmentally friendly.

At the Launch of Dredger DCI Dredge Godavari (SH037) & CSOV Pelagic Walu (BY151),

Shri Madhu S. Nair, Chairman & Managing Director, Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), highlighted CSLs remarkable journey & how the shipyard has emerged as a significant pillar in Indias maritime pic.twitter.com/sqmDUm8O9P  Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (@shipmin_india) October 18, 2025

This latest development is in line with the Government of Indias Make in India and Maritime India Vision 2030 initiatives aimed at strengthening domestic shipbuilding and maritime infrastructure.

With the addition of the DCI Dredge Godavari, Indias dredging capacity significantly expands, allowing the Dredging Corporation to maintain critical port channels to depths of up to 36 metres. Moreover, DCI plans to invest Rs 2,000 crores to acquire two more such vessels from Cochin Shipyard to further boost operational autonomy and reduce dependence on foreign-flagged dredgers.
In a significant bilateral development between India and Israel, a string of high-level visits has been planned over the coming months, which will see Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Gideon Saar, and Defense Minister Yoav Katz flying to New Delhi. Israeli officials describe the visits as warming of strategic relations between the two nations.

The first of the visits will be by Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, which will happen in early November, Israeli media i24 quoted unnamed diplomatic sources. This will be followed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in December.

Netanyahu is expected to visit both Mumbai and Ahmedabad, a personal gesture from Netanyahu to display his affection for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It is said that Modi has personally invited Netanyahu to the AI conference in February in Delhi.

Sources familiar with Netanyahus upcoming trip say he is expected to be received with royal honors, a symbolic gesture reflecting Modis personal commitment to bilateral ties. The visit comes at a sensitive moment for Israel, which faces growing diplomatic isolation in parts of the West over the war in Gaza. Israel is now turning its eyes eastward, to a trading partner with tremendous economic potential.

Netanyahu's visit will be followed by the Defence Minister, Israel Katz. This is likely to happen in January or February. India will also play host to Israeli President Isaac Herzog in the first quarter of next year.

According to the report, the renewed momentum in improving bilateral relations lies on Modis outspoken support for Israel since the Hamas attacks of October 7, shared concerns over terrorism and Islamic radicalisation, and Indias ongoing security tensions with Pakistan. These common interests have strengthened the strategic partnership between Jerusalem and New Delhi, particularly in defense, technology, and energy cooperation.
US Vice President JD Vance said the flurry of visits to Israel by senior Trump administration officials, including himself, was meant to oversee the fragile ceasefire in Gaza rather than to monitor Israel. Speaking after his meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Wednesday, Vance stressed that Israel remained a sovereign ally, not a subordinate. We dont want a vassal state, and thats not what Israel is, he said. We dont want a client state, and thats not what Israel is. We want a partnership.

His comments came just over a week after President Donald Trumps visit to Israel, as the United States sought to consolidate the ceasefire and move forward with its broader Middle East peace strategy. Netanyahus office confirmed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio would arrive on Friday to meet with the prime minister, while Trumps Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, and senior adviser Jared Kushner are in the country for consultations.

At a joint press conference, both leaders rejected the idea that the United States was dictating Israels actions or that Israel had become a protectorate. Netanyahu dismissed such claims as hogwash, criticising media narratives that alternately depict Israel as either dominating or being dominated by Washington. Vance echoed his view, describing the alliance as one of equals built on shared values and goals. Netanyahu affirmed that while the two nations often agreed on their objectives, Israel alone made decisions about its own security.

 Netanyahu says he has very strong opinions against Turkish troops in Gaza



Speaking alongside U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance in Jerusalem, Netanyahu made clear his opposition to any Turkish deployment in Gaza, telling reporters, I have very strong opinions about that. pic.twitter.com/bqbrw8pC3a  Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) October 22, 2025

Vance acknowledged that the future challenges, including disarming Hamas, rebuilding Gaza, improving life for its residents, and ensuring the militant group could no longer threaten Israel, would be very, very tough. Yet, he was hopeful that if the truce held, it would serve as a foundation for a more stable and prosperous region, deepening regional cooperation and expanding the Abraham Accords, which had normalised relations between Israel and several Arab states.

The vice president emphasised that lasting peace would require regional actors to take greater responsibility for their own security. He discussed with Netanyahu the creation of a civil administration in Gaza and the establishment of an international security force. However, differences emerged over who might participate in the proposed international security force. Vance mentioned possible contributions from countries such as Turkey and Indonesia, while Netanyahu signalled his opposition to the presence of Turkish personnel in Gaza, reflecting longstanding tensions between the two governments.

While Vance was in Israel, the Knesset narrowly approved a preliminary bill that would extend Israeli sovereignty over the occupied West Bank, an act widely condemned as tantamount to annexation and a breach of international law. The 2524 vote passed despite opposition from Netanyahu and his Likud party, who warned it would harm relations with Washington. The move contradicted President Trumps previous pledge not to permit annexation of the West Bank. Secretary Rubio, preparing for his visit, had already cautioned that such actions would jeopardise the Gaza plan and undermine regional diplomacy.

At the same time, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion stating that Israel, as the occupying power, must cooperate with United Nations relief agencies operating in Gaza, including UNRWA. The courts opinion was a response to Israels earlier attempts to block the agencys activities. Israel rejected the ruling, calling it a politically motivated attempt to impose external measures.

Within the Trump administration, some officials privately voiced concern that Netanyahu might abandon the ceasefire. Vance, along with Witkoff and Kushner, was tasked with restraining the Israeli leader from taking any drastic steps. The vice president made it clear to Netanyahu that the Gaza agreement was not an endpoint but a step toward a broader regional transformation that would build on the Abraham Accords. He argued that regional stability and self-reliance among Americas allies would strengthen both the United States and Israel.

We actually see this as an opportunity to build on the Abraham Accords, said Vance. I think this Gaza deal is a critical piece of unlocking the Abraham Accords, but what it could allow is an alliance structure in the Middle East that perseveres, that endures, that allows the good people in this region of the world to step up and take ownership of their own backyard. Thats in the United States best interests. I happen to think thats in Israels best interests, too.
The General Command of Sharjah Police on Thursday announced that lane rules in the emirate will change from November 1.

The new rules have allocated dedicated lanes for motorbikes, buses and trucks on major and secondary roads. These are being implemented by the Sharjah police in coordination with the Roads and Transport Authority.

What are the changes in traffic rules?

The far-right lane will be reserved for buses and heavy vehicles.

On four-lane roads, motorbikes have to use the third and fourth lanes from the right.

On three-lane roads, motorbikes can use either the middle or the right lane.

On two-lane roads, motorbikes are required to stay on the right lane.

The authorities believe that this initiative will ensure road safety and smooth traffic flow. Across the UAE, vehicles weighing over 65 tonnes are banned on roads. There are similar traffic regulations in other emirates in the country.

Abu Dhabi, earlier this year, banned heavy vehicles from using roads during rush hours. Delivery bikers in Abu Dhabi are banned from using the two left-most lanes.

Ajman also has a similar rule, wherein delivery bikers should stay in the two right lanes on roads with three or four lanes.

In Dubai, delivery bikers will be banned from using high-speed lanes from November 1. They are also not allowed to use the two left-most lanes on roads with five or more lanes. The left-most lane is off limits for delivery riders on three- or four lanes. Riders can use either lanes on two-lane roads.
Ever since US President Donald Trump returned to the White House, speculations have been rife about his health, especially the dark bruise on his right hand. Now, a series of images posted by his granddaughter has revealed how long the President has had the discolouration on his arm.

The 18-year-old eldest granddaughter of Trump took to Instagram on Wednesday to post a series of pictures to commemorate the anniversary of her YouTube journey. One year ago, I started my YouTube channel not knowing what to expect and its turned into something so special, Kai Trump wrote.

Interestingly, in one of the images, Kai is seen with Trump, and the President is seen sporting a thick makeup to cover the bruise. The image was taken on the day of the results at the watch party hosted by Trump at Mar-a-Lago, proving that the President had the bruise much before he took over the office.

The bruise came to public attention soon after Trump was elected, and the President himself addressed the issue in an interview with TIME Magazine, stating it was from shaking hands with thousands of people.

The White House, too, came up with the same explanation, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt telling NBC News at the time that the president has bruises on his hand because hes constantly working and shaking hands all day every day.

The White House also published a memo from Trumps physician Sean Barbarella, stating that the bruising was consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen. This is a well-known and benign side effect of aspirin therapy, Barbarella claimed.
Long-pending arrival:

Muivah left his home in 1964 to join the Naga independence movement, making only one brief return visit to his home state in 1973.
VILNIUS, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Lithuania's Armed Forces said on Thursday that a Russian fighter jet and a refueling aircraft briefly violated the country's airspace near the southwestern town of Kybartai, which borders Russia's Kaliningrad exclave.

In response to the incident, two Spanish Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon jets, currently serving under NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission, were scrambled and flew to the area of the violation.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda and Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene called the alleged violation a serious breach of international law. 
Oil prices rose sharply on Thursday morning in response to fresh US sanctions imposed on Russia's biggest oil companies.

Rosneft and Lukoil, which together account for around 6 per cent of global oil output, were hit with US sanctions after plans for a Ukraine peace summit between President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin fell apart.

The sanctions are designed to cripple funding for Russia's war machine, with Rosneft and Lukoil responsible for roughly half of the four million barrels of crude oil the country exports each day.

Higher prices also helped lift energy stocks, with BP and Shell among the biggest risers on the FTSE 100 on Thursday after adding around 2.8 per cent each.

China, India and Turkey are the major buyers of Russian oil, with each country benefiting from relatively cheap access to the critical resource.

But India has become the biggest buyer of Russian oil since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, prompting Trump to hit the country with even higher trade tariffs in retaliation.

A drilling rig at the Lukoil-owned Imilorskoye oil field: The giant companies are responsible for half of Russia's crude exports

But oil industry sources told the Reuters news agency on Thursday that the latest round of sanctions is likely to force Indian firms to curtail imports of Russian oil.

Brent Crude oil initially spiked 4 per cent before settling 3.6 per cent higher at $64.82 per barrel by midmorning, while WTI crude oil was up 3.5 per cent at $60.56/bl.

Brent and WTI prices are still down 13.7 and 14.8 per cent over the last 12 months and remain well below levels around $120/bl seen in the wake of the 2022 invasion.

EU countries on Thursday also approved a 19th package of sanctions against Russia for its war against Ukraine, which includes a ban on Russian liquefied natural gas imports.

However, ING analyst Francesco Pesole cautioned the latest round of sanctions may have limited impact as Thursday's movement 'has only erased October's losses'.

He added: 'It remains unclear whether Russian oil flows will be affected enough to justify structurally higher prices

'The key question at this stage is whether sanctions effectively reduce Russian oil flows (primarily to India).

'Back in January, oil markets overreacted to similar news, but the ultimate impact on Russian flows was limited. So it's probably too early to conclude whether these sanctions are enough to shift the range structurally higher for oil prices.'
My partner and I are considering buying a flat with 51 years left on the lease.

The estate agent marketing the property claims it will likely cost around 250,000 to extend the lease by a further 99 years. The ground rent is 50 a year.

How do we go about cross checking this before we purchase? If a leasehold extension specialist is required, how do we find a suitable one and how much should they cost?

Could the price we pay for the flat impact how much we pay for a lease extension?

Also, we understand we can't use a mortgage to fund it, but were wondering if there are any mortgage options for anyone buying a short lease and if so what sort of lenders and what sort of rates would be likely?

Too risky? Our reader is considering buying a flat with 51 years left on the lease and is unsure how to proceed

Ed Magnus of This is Money replies: Buying a flat with a short lease certainly comes with a degree of risk, but it could end up being a good investment.

Your first point of call should be to get a proper valuation done by a specialist. You can find lease extension experts via the Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners (ALEP).

But there may also be some merit in buying the flat and waiting a few years before trying to actually extend the lease.

This is because of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024, which could make it cheaper and easier for people to extend leases in the future.

The Act is meant to include the removal of something called 'marriage value'. Marriage value is the increase in value of a leasehold property as a result of a lease extension.

Put another way, it's the financial benefit that results from merging part of the freeholder and leaseholder interests, hence the term 'marriage'.

Under current law, where the unexpired term of the lease exceeds 80 years, no marriage value is payable.

However, when a lease drops below 80 years the marriage value must be split 50:50 with the freeholder.

It's worth pointing out that the new Leasehold Act has already faced a challenge from six major freeholders earlier this year in the High Court, the outcome of which is yet to be announced.

If successfully challenged, it could result in the government having to revisit the legislation, most likely to the detriment of leaseholders.

What are leasehold and freehold properties? In the UK, homes are bought either freehold or leasehold. When you buy a property freehold it means that you own the property and the land it is built on indefinitely. This is the most common way of buying a house in the UK. However, with a leasehold purchase you only own the property for a set period, but not the land it is built on. The landowner remains as the freeholder. This arrangement is most common with flats, but you can get houses on a leasehold basis. The lease you buy is often long  usually between 99 and 999 years, but once the lease goes below around 70 years it can be harder to sell or remortgage the property.

For expert advice we spoke to Henrietta Hammonds, a partner at Beckett and Kay and member for the Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners (ALEP), Angela Kerr, director at property advice website HomeOwners Alliance, Donovan Mawson, a director at mortgage broker MSP Financial Solutions, Linz Darlington, managing director and Founder of lease extension service, Homehold.

What expert advice do they need?

Henrietta Hammonds replies: It is very important to take specialist advice before your purchase, both from the legal side and also valuation.

It's a very substantial investment and so the importance of good advice should not be underestimated.

The law around lease extension is complex and is also going through changes, so your chosen advisors need to be abreast of both the current law and the possible developments so they can advise you accordingly.

Your conveyancing solicitor for the purchase may be able to recommend someone, or you can use the portal on the Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners (ALEP) website to find someone local and appropriately experienced.

You can seek several quotes to ensure you are paying a sensible fee  they are likely to base their fee on how complex they feel the valuation and negotiation may be, which will depend on the value of the property, any quirks of the lease or the flat in question, and their experience of the particular landlord.

Henrietta Hammonds , a partner at Beckett and Kay and member for the Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners (ALEP)

Angela Kerr adds: A 51 year lease is very short and you're right the estate agent's ballpark figure of 250,000 for an extension needs to be verified.

The only way to do this properly is to instruct a specialist lease extension valuer who will calculate the likely premium using market evidence and case law.

You'll also need a solicitor who specialises in lease extensions to manage the process.

Fees for professional input will usually run into the thousands, on top of the premium itself.

How soon can they extend the lease?

Linz Darlington replies: The good news is that you almost certainly will have a legal right to extend the lease of your new flat by 90 years.

Recently the law has changed so this right can be exercised as soon as your ownership of the flat is registered at the Land Registry.

Could the price they pay for the flat impact how much they pay for a lease extension?

Linz Darlington replies: Yes, it could. For example, the freeholder can argue that having purchased the flat at a big discount, the buyers are making a significant 'profit' by extending the lease now and this should be shared with them.

There is current case law which suggests that if the buyers were to wait three years after purchasing the property, then the sale transaction would be too historic to provide a useful data point.

After this time has elapsed, there is an argument the freeholder could no longer rely on the discounted sale price to increase the marriage value  but it doesnt mean they wont try it.

Angela Kerr , director at property advice website HomeOwners Alliance

What if the seller extends the lease prior to completion?

Linz Darlington replies: If the seller sorts the lease extension before completion, then this is a very different story because the flat wont have sold with a short lease.

However, if the seller goes to the expense and hassle of extending the lease, then they will want to sell the flat for full market value.

What costs are involved in a lease extension?

Linz Darlington replies: The lease extension cost will be negotiated with your new freeholder. However, the framework for doing this is set out by the Leasehold Reform Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 and you can take your freeholder to tribunal if they don't play ball.

You're right not to trust the estate agents guesstimate of how much this should cost and you should pay for advice from a specialist leasehold valuer.

The lease extension price is likely to be significant. Once a lease has dropped below 80 years, part of the price includes an additional component based on the hypothetical profit you will make when you extend the lease. This component is known as 'marriage value'.

How much you pay for the flat could have an impact on the hypothetical profit / marriage value calculation, so you need to ask your instructed valuer to take this into account and advise you accordingly.

You also need to budget for your own legal and valuation fees, and those of the freeholder  which you must pay. These will likely be similar to your own, but could be more.

Linz Darlington , managing director and Founder of lease extension service, Homehold

What other advice would you give?

Linz Darlington replies: Extending a lease on a property can be expensive, time consuming, stressful and unfair.

Before embarking on this purchase, you should consider whether you could buy a flat with an extended lease, and save yourself the hassle.

Angela Kerr adds: I'd also be asking why the lease hasn't already been extended. For example, is it because of an absent freeholder? If that's the case the lease extension will be even slower and more complex.

For most buyers, the practical options are either the seller extending before sale or negotiating a steep discount so you can take on the extension yourself.

Should they wait for further leasehold reform before extending the lease?

Henrietta Hammonds replies: You should have a conversation with the valuer about the proposed reforms.

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 is on the statute books, but large parts of it are not yet effective.

The valuation methodology for calculating the premium will change when the relevant part is 'switched on' by secondary legislation.

A large part of the premium will be made up of something called Marriage Value, but this will not be payable if and when the Act is enacted in full.

There may therefore be some savings if you are able to wait to do the lease extension.

However, there is still significant uncertainty about timing, and there are other elements of the calculation which could increase the premium if you wait.

Professional advice is crucial so you can make a well-informed decision about whether or not to go ahead.

Linz Darlington adds: Yes, waiting for further leasehold reform is an investment strategy - the 'pro' is that you buy a flat now with a short lease for a significant discount.

You then hold onto it until the law changes and extend the lease when it is cheaper to do so.

This strategy is not without risk: the 'con' is we dont know when the law will change, and we dont know how much cheaper a lease extension will be.

Reform on the cards: There is the potential for lease extensions to become cheaper in the future, albeit there is no guarantee

Can they get a mortgage?

Donovan Mawson replies: Like with most things, lending criteria when it comes to lease length varies quite significantly from lender to lender.

To stay on the safe side and keep all your lending options open, you typically want the lease length to be over 85 years at the start of the application but there are a few competitive lenders that can consider leases below 50 years on application.

Most of these insist that the lease be over 30 years at the end of the mortgage term, and will rely on commentary from their valuers on saleability and demand for a property with such a short lease.

It is worth noting that a shorter term (21 years in this scenario) may have an impact on affordability.

Using interest-only mortgages can sometimes be a clever workaround with cases like these, but interest-only is only advisable in certain scenarios so it's always worth speaking to an advisor.

Donovan Mawson , a director at mortgage broker MSP Financial Solutions

What rates could they get?

Donovan Mawson replies: In terms of rates, right now you would be looking at something between 4 per cent and 4.5 per cent depending on loan-to-value, so not a million miles off the best lenders out there.

It's all about knowing where to look and whether the property is 'desirable' with a short lease.

If the lease is being extended simultaneously on completion of the mortgage, we can typically let a lender know this and they will instruct their surveyor to value the property both in current condition and with the lease extended.

So in short  if they have cash to buy then great and we can apply for a mortgage with mainstream lenders when either the lease has been extended, or is close to being extended - with funds released once the extension is confirmed.

But if a cash purchase is not an option, then a mortgage wouldn't necessarily be off the cards.
OTTAWA, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Wednesday that he will double the country's exports to non-U.S. markets over the next decade to reduce its economic reliance on the United States.

In a speech outlining his government's priorities for the next month's federal budget, Carney said the nature of the trade relationship with the United States is changing, thus setting the goal of doubling non-U.S. exports in the next 10 years.

The government is preparing to "build a stronger economy" against the backdrop of "a more dynamic, a more competitive, a more hostile world," Carney said.

"If we don't act now, the pressures will only grow," said Carney. "We won't transform our economy easily or in a few months. It will take some sacrifices and it will take some time."

Since the beginning of this year, Canada and the United States have clashed multiple times over tariffs. In March, Carney stated that the traditional relationship between Canada and the United States, built on deepening economic integration, was "over" and that Canada must fundamentally reshape its economy.

In September, the Carney government announced a massive infrastructure plan covering energy, mining and port expansion, aimed at boosting the domestic economy and reducing dependence on the United States.

The United States is currently Canada's most important trading partner, with about three quarters of Canada's merchandise exports going to the United States. 
JERUSALEM, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Thursday strongly criticized the Israeli parliament's vote to annex the West Bank, carried out during his visit to the country, calling it a "political stunt."

Speaking to reporters at Ben Gurion International Airport outside Tel Aviv before his departure, Vance said he was told it was a "political stunt" which has no practical significance. "If it was a political stunt, it was a very stupid political stunt, and I personally take some insult to it," he said.

He noted that the West Bank would not be annexed by Israel, which would continue to be the policy of the Trump administration.

Earlier on Wednesday, Israel's parliament voted 25-24 in favor of a bill to apply Israeli law and administration to all settlements in the West Bank, referred to by Israel as Judea and Samaria. The bill, introduced by right-wing lawmaker Avi Maoz of the Noam Party, now heads to the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee for further debate.

The U.S. vice president said that, despite it being "symbolic votes," "we are certainly not happy about that." 
We attempted to send a notification to your email address but we were unable to verify that you provided a valid email address. Please visit my profile to update your email address if you wish to receive notifications. Otherwise, disable notifications and hide this message.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. military on Wednesday struck one more suspected drug-trafficking vessel in international waters in the eastern Pacific, killing all three people aboard, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday night.

"Today ... the Department of War carried out yet another lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO). Yet again, the now-deceased terrorists were engaged in narco-trafficking in the Eastern Pacific," he wrote on social media platform X.

Hegseth again accused the vessel of carrying narcotics, saying it was traveling along a known narco-trafficking transit route.

"These strikes will continue, day after day. These are not simply drug runners -- these are narco-terrorists bringing death and destruction to our cities ... We will find them and kill them, until the threat to the American people is extinguished," he said.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro slammed the U.S. strike as "murder".

"The attack on another boat in the Pacific, we don't know if it's Ecuadorean or Colombian, left some dead," Petro wrote on X. "It is still murder. Whether in the Caribbean or Pacific, the U.S. government strategy violates the norms of international law."

Colombia's Foreign Ministry said in a separate statement that the United States must halt the attacks.

The U.S. military previously carried out seven such operations in the Caribbean Sea from September, mainly against boats accused of trafficking drugs from Venezuela to the United States.

The total death toll has risen to at least 37, including the deaths in the latest two strikes in the eastern Pacific, reportedly near Colombia's Pacific coast. 
Stones and fireworks have been thrown at Irish police for a second consecutive night in Dublin.

Hundreds of protesters have gathered near the entrance of a hotel housing asylum seekers in an area on the west side of the capital.

It is the third night of demonstrations at Citywest following an alleged sexual assault on a 10-year-old girl in the vicinity of the hotel in the early hours of Monday morning.

A 26-year-old man, who cannot be named due to rules that apply to all sexual assault cases in the Republic of Ireland, appeared in court on Tuesday charged over the alleged incident.

Multiple arrests were made amid the serious disorder on Tuesday night and the Irish police service, An Garda Siochana, pledged a robust response if violence continued.

Between 7pm and 8pm on Wednesday, hundreds of protesters again faced off with around 40 uniformed gardai.

The uniformed officers were replaced with the Public Order Unit, whose members carried plastic shields and additional body protection, after officers in the original cordon were struck with debris, stones and fireworks.

Some of those continued to throw masonry, flares, glass bottles and wooden planks at An Garda Siochana members.

There was also vandalism to the area around the Saggart Luas tram stop, which runs parallel to the road the protesters were on.

Public order gardai pushed the crowd further from the hotel by advancing on them with shields.

A mounted garda unit and a dog unit were at the scene, with a police helicopter providing air support.

At least one garda was affected by pepper spray.

Those involved in the disorder also attempted to block garda vehicles from entering the area with steel barriers.

While Monday nights demonstration passed without significant incident, a female garda member was injured during Tuesdays violence. She has since been discharged from hospital after receiving treatment for a foot injury.

A garda vehicle was also set on fire during the unrest earlier in the week.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly, who visited the scene in the aftermath of the violence, told reporters on Wednesday he is determined that further people will be brought before the courts to face justice.

He said the disorder was not a peaceful protest and added: This was violence with the intent to damage the Citywest building and intimidate those within.

The protest outside the hotel came after an alleged sexual assault on a girl in the vicinity in the early hours of Monday morning.

Irish premier Micheal Martin condemned the scenes of violence, stating there could be no justification for attacks on gardai.

Protesters were displaying Irish flags, chanting anti-immigration slogans and throwing missiles.

There were also attempts to charge the garda line with horse-drawn sulky carts and scrambler bikes on Tuesday and a police helicopter overhead was targeted with lasers.
Conservatives dive into the racial component of this case that has drive community concern and outcry across The Dotte . . .

"District Attorney Mark Dupree has filed a rare motion to disqualify all 16 of the countys district court judges from presiding over the case of Sheriffs Deputy Richard Fatherley in the asphyxiation death of Charles Adair July 5.



"Dupree has charged Fatherley with second-degree murder/reckless or, in the alternative, involuntary manslaughter, in what even the prosecutor describes as an unintentional death  and despite the fact that a Kansas Bureau of Investigation affidavit alleges no crime.



"Fatherley was helping other deputies restrain a struggling Adair, 50, while they tried to remove his handcuffs as he was bent over his cell bunk."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

DA wants Wyandotte County's jurors, but not its judges, in case of white jailer accused in black inmate's death Wyandotte County's top prosecutor is banking on local jurors to convict a white jailer in this summer's accidental death of a black inmate - but doesn't trust the county's judges to oversee ...

Related . . .

Civil rights attorneys to meet in KC following WyCo Jail death, Leavenworth ICE dispute National civil rights attorneys will be meeting in Kansas City on Thursday and Friday in the wake of a Wyandotte County Jail death, in which a deputy was charged with murder, and the Leavenworth IC...

Developing . . .
As promised . . .

www.TonysKansasCity.com reached out to Kansas City's longtime transit activist petitioner and he graciously accepted our invitation to pen a response in the aftermath of his court fight.

Here's the word . . .

Chastain's (measured) reaction to the Appeals Court's Decision.

When a Court ruling looks rigged, sounds rigged and feels rigged - you can be sure it's rigged. As Chastain predicted, the Liberal - leaning Western District Court of Appeals ruled against Chastain and in favor of Liberal Mayor Lucas & the City (upholding the lower court's claim Chastain made numerous procedural errors involving Rule 84.04) and, of course, used that as an excuse not to rule on the MERITS of the case. The MERITS of the case (the Appeals Court wished to brush aside & not consider) were profoundly serious in that an incumbent Mayor falsely imprisoned his political opponent (According to the ruling by City Municipal Judge Martina Peterson - who acquitted Chastain of the false trespassing charge by Lucas). That act of malfeasance by Lucas (without legal justification) is considered a crime in Missouri & an impeachable offense!! Furthermore, it is well established precedent that an Appeals Court has the discretion to set aside any procedural argument (violation of Rule 84.04, or whatever) if the MERITS of the case involve a grave matter & are of significant interest to the public. An incumbent Mayor who abuses his authority & breaks the law to have his political opponent falsely arrested, falsely imprisoned and maliciously prosecuted is most certainly a Grave Matter, Important to the Public Interest and should override any procedural errors made by (Pro se) Appellant Chastain.



These rude, bias-acting Judges tipped their hand when all 3 -refused to say good morning to Chastain, 2-repeatedly interrupted Chastain's 10-minute argument & 3-minute rebuttal & did not grant him any extra time to make up for stealing his time. Au contraire', not once did any of these 3 - Judges question or interrupt the Counsel for Mayor Lucas or question her on the MERITS of the case. These 3 - Judges fully understood the facts of this case, they just chose to hide behind Chastain's procedural errors because they knew Lucas & the City had no legal leg to stand on - on the MERITS.



Chastain will fight on for justice by filing an appeal with the Missouri Supreme Court (who, BTW, ruled in Chastain's favor & against the Appeals Court when it overturned the Appeals Court's ruling that had upheld the City's refusal to place Chastain's Valid (Airport) Light Rail Petition before the voters of Kansas City).



Clay Chastain

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Developing . . .
For late night readers and early morning denizens of the discourse we wanted to share quite a few local notes on public safety for youngsters, robbery trends, gunfire, inferno investigations and, as always, community outreach.

Check TKC news gathering . . .

KC Mayor Lucas introduces new ordinance aimed at school zone safety Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas has introduced a new ordinance in response to a recent tragedy that claimed the life of a 9-year-old girl.

Man found guilty in Kansas City stabbing ordered to '120 Day Program' A Kansas City man has been sentenced to the "120 Day Program" at the Missouri Department of Corrections in connection with a deadly stabbing earlier this year, court records say.

Leeton church set on fire by juveniles, Johnson County Sheriff's Office says The Johnson County, Missouri, Sheriff's Office says juveniles are responsible for a destructive fire at a historic church.

Thieves target open garage doors across the metro as officers take matters into their own hands Beyond the items inside a garage, Lenexa Police PIO Danny Chavez says an open garage usually comes with easy access to the inside of the home.

Woman admits to purposely setting vehicles on fire in Kansas City A woman has been charged with setting vehicles on fire in Kansas City.

More than 200 shots fired in deadly Kansas City, Kansas ambush; new details A Wyandotte County judge has released an affidavit detailing the investigation into a deadly March 2025 shooting in Kansas City, Kansas.

Smithville man sentenced in connection to dangerous chase connected to firearm thefts A Smithville man has been charged after his arrest for a dangerous police chase.

Kansas City teen gets 15 years for drug deal-turned-deadly shooting A 19-year-old man has been sentenced to more than a decade in the Missouri Department of Corrections for his role in a deadly shooting in 2023.

Kansas City man with three felony warrants sentenced after police pursuit The Cass County Sheriff's Office said deputies attempted to make a stop near I-49 and North Cass Parkway at approximately 11:36 p.m.

Joshua Rocha seeks new trial after conviction in North Kansas City officer shooting Joshua Rocha, convicted in the 2022 shooting death of North Kansas City Police Officer Daniel Vasquez, is seeking a new trial or a directed life sentence.

Man pleads guilty after attack at KC bus stop before robbery A man who spent years in an Illinois prison for robbery could be sentenced to a few more years behind bars after he allegedly held a man at a Kansas City bus stop and stole his belongings.

'McBee Dynasty's Steve McBee Sentenced to 24 Months in Prison He pleaded guilty to one count of crop insurance fraud in 2024.

Police search for teen charged with murder after deadly June shooting Police are searching for a teenager who has been charged with murder.

Jackson County sheriff cracks down on drivers illegally passing stopped school buses The Jackson County Sheriff's Office is dedicating additional resources this week to make school bus stops safer for students across the area.

Reward offered after man found dead in Kansas City, Kansas, park The sheriff's office says a reward is being offered in the case of Jacob Dupre, who was found dead at Klamm Park in Kansas City, KS.

15-year-old boy missing in Kansas City; police asking for public's help The Kansas City Police Department is asking for the public's help in finding a missing 15-year-old boy.

New child care program for first responders in Kansas City, Mo., to help recruitment and retention A new ordinance passed in Kansas City, Missouri, establishes a child care program designed to support first responders and their families.

Kansas City Municipal Court introduces 'Fathers for Change' program to help eliminate domestic violence A new intervention and rehabilitation program aimed at ending the cycle of domestic abuse is coming to Kansas City. For some offenses, the program is an alternative to jail time.

Developing . . .
Some might fall it a classic case of protectionism and that's why we're inspired by a reference from BEST & BRIGHTEST TKC READERS . . . Right now we share A glimpse at cowtown push back that respectfully disputes White House plans . . . Check-it:

Mo-Kan Livestock Auction Owner Jim Hertzog agrees with President Trump on his policy decisions, but when it comes to importing more beef from Argentina, he doesn't see eye-to-eye with the president.



Missouri cattle industry veteran says president's Argentina beef import plan an 'insult'



"We dont need it," Hertzog said.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 23. Vice President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) from Azerbaijan, member of the Azerbaijani Parliament Sevil Mikayilova has addressed the General Debate of the 151st Assembly of IPU on Upholding humanitarian norms and supporting humanitarian action in times of crisis in Geneva, Switzerland, Trend reports.

Mikayilova noted in her speech that Azerbaijan advocates multilateral and inclusive approaches to global humanitarian actions.

Azerbaijan is deeply committed to protecting human rights in conflict situations. Azerbaijan has been a main co-sponsor of the UN General Assembly resolution on Missing Persons since 2002 and supports the UN Commission on the Status of Women resolution on the Release of women and children taken hostage in armed conflicts. In September 2023, Azerbaijan hosted its first international conference on clarifying the fate of missing persons, marking the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, she said.

The MP pointed out that parliaments play a central role in addressing the humanitarian crises.

Mikayilova believes that it is necessary to mobilize political will, champion inclusive governance, and promote dialogue across societies.

"A multi-sectoral, inclusive, and equitable approach is essential. Parliaments must act together to mobilize international organizations for rapid responses and keep humanitarian issues high on the global agenda. The IPU, for its part, could consider establishing a working group or holding an extraordinary meeting to address the existing shortcomings, the MP said.

The 151st Assembly of the IPU is underway in Geneva, Switzerland, from October 19 through October 23. All IPU statutory bodies, including the Governing Council, Standing Committees, Committees on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians and on Middle East Questions, as well as the Forum of Women Parliamentarians and the Forum of Young MPs, are meeting on this occasion.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 23. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to the Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban, Trend reports.

"Dear Mr. Prime Minister,

On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I sincerely congratulate you and all your people on the occasion of the national holiday of Hungary and convey my best wishes.

The current level of interstate relations with Hungary, our friendly country and strategic partner, is gratifying. Undoubtedly, mutual visits, regular contacts, and close cooperation create favorable conditions for the further development and strengthening of these relations.

The scope of issues currently on our bilateral agenda is very broad. It is pleasing that cooperation between Azerbaijan and Hungary is deepening day by day and that our fruitful partnership in the energy sector is developing on an upward trajectory. The intensity of our political dialogue plays an important role in enriching our joint activities in all areas with new content.

I would like to specifically highlight our cooperation within international organizations, particularly the Organization of Turkic States. Our participation this year in the organizations summits  mine in Budapest and yours in Gabala  clearly demonstrates the importance we attach to further strengthening the unity and solidarity between our peoples and states, as well as expanding our relations on the multilateral stage.

I am confident that we will continue our joint efforts successfully in the future to further strengthen and deepen the friendly relations and strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Hungary, in line with the will of our peoples.

On this significant day, I wish you robust health, happiness, and success in your state activities, and lasting peace and prosperity to the friendly people of Hungary," the letter reads.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 24. The Azerbaijani Army launched a counter-offensive operation, later called the "Iron Fist", on September 27, 2020, in response to the large-scale provocation of the Armenian armed forces along the frontline.

The erupted 44-day second Karabakh war ended with the liberation of Azerbaijans territories from nearly 30-year Armenian occupation and the restoration of territorial integrity.

Chronicle of the 28-th day of the second Karabakh war:

- President Ilham Aliyev was interviewed by French Figaro newspaper.

- The stockpiles of weapons, ammunition and fuel of Armenian armed forces were destroyed, and Armenian UAVs were neutralized.

- The Armenian armed forces shelled Azerbaijani settlements.

- Video of the destruction of Armenian military equipment during the night was published. An Armenian fighter jet was destroyed.

- Azerbaijan's Gubadly district was shelled using artillery from the territory of Armenia.

- Azerbaijani artillery units continued to inflict crushing blows on the Armenian armed forces.

- Armenian armed forces attempt to attack Azerbaijani units was prevented. The Azerbaijani Air Force destroyed Armenian military equipment and infrastructure, as well as combat equipment.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he has canceled his planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"We cancelled the meeting with President Putin," Trump told reporters at the White House. "It just didn't feel right to me."

"It didn't feel like we were going to get to the place we have to get. So I cancelled it, but we'll do it in the future," Trump added.

Trump said last week that he will meet with Putin in Hungary's Budapest for talks, following a phone conversation between the two leaders. On Tuesday, however, he told reporters at the White House that such a meeting would be "a waste of time." 
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 23. On October 23, the open court hearing on the criminal cases of Armenian citizens at the Baku Military Court heard the statements of victims who were unable to attend the court session for compelling reasons and who submitted written appeals to the court in this regard.

According to the statement of victim Azad Kamal oghlu Tahirov, while in captivity, a police officer named Maksim struck him hard in the mouth with the butt of his assault rifle, knocking one of his teeth out. He also extinguished a cigarette on the victims neck. The same Maksim forced the victim and his fellow inmates to play Russian roulette by loading a bullet into the revolvers chamber and firing it. Maksim alternately pointed the gun at the victims head and then at that of his inmate, Shahlar Gurbanov, and pulled the trigger.

In two attempts, the gun did not fire. However, when the police officer pointed it at Taghi Bayramovs head and pulled the trigger, the latter was killed instantly. Taghi Bayramovs body was taken to the riverbank and buried there on the orders of the Armenian militants.

The statement of victim Telman Babir oghlu Zeynalov said that he, together with his colleagues, was injured in an anti-personnel mine blast in Mehdili village of Jabrayil district while performing his duties.

Another statement was made by Bahruz Tapdig oghlu Nasirov. According to his statement, he and his colleagues were injured in a landmine explosion while clearing an area in Mehdili village of Jabrayil district of mines deliberately planted by Armenians.

The court proceedings continue against Armenian nationals accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, aggression, terrorism, and violations of the laws and customs of war. The charges also include financing terrorism, the violent seizure and retention of power, and other serious offenses.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 23. The 5th Tbilisi Silk Road Forum, held on October 22, 2025, has clearly showcased the regional transport and economic prospects, Azerbaijani political analyst Azer Garayev told Trend.

The South Caucasus has historically been considered the intersection of major transport, trade, and energy flows between Europe and Asia. The geographical position of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia allows the region to play the role of a strategic hub for transit cargo, energy resources, and investment flows. Serious changes have occurred in the region in recent years.

"The liberation of Karabakh from occupation, strengthening of economic integration, and acceleration of infrastructure projects are restoring the South Caucasus as an important transit hub connecting the East and the West. In this context, the development of transport corridors, their modernization, and the creation of new trade opportunities are of particular importance, and the 5th Tbilisi Silk Road Forum became not only a platform for demonstrating political will but also a place for practical discussion of the region's economic and logistics initiatives.

More than 2,300 participants from 73 countries followed the forum. The event was attended by Azerbaijans Prime Minister Ali Asadov, Armenias Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and Georgias Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, as well as representatives of international organizations, business circles, and logistics experts. The main goal of the forum was to create a discussion platform for turning political statements into practical steps. In this context, the forum covered topics such as transport and transitroutes, infrastructure, and multimodal terminals; economic cooperationreducing trade and logistics barriers and creating favorable conditions for investment; energy and digitalizationintegration of networks and implementation of technologies; and regional stability - building trust between countries and establishing a peaceful environment," he said.

According to him, one of the most important issues raised at the forum was Azerbaijans removal of all restrictions on transit cargo transportation to Armenia.

Historically, these restrictions were imposed due to political tensions, limiting the efficiency of trade and logistics in the region. In practical terms, the significance of this decision was demonstrated by the transportation of Kazakh grain to Armenia through Azerbaijani territory. This example shows that the region can function as a single logistics hub and that political decisions can align with economic interests. Armenias Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan expressed gratitude to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev for this decision, stressing that the lifting of restrictions contributes to increased cargo turnover, infrastructure investments, and the strengthening of peace in the region. This is one of the rare examples where political decisions translate into practical results.

Another key issue highlighted at the forum was the Zangezur Corridor, also known as the Trump Route. This route aims to connect the South Caucasus with European and Asian markets, as well as ensure transit of goods from Central Asia. Thanks to this corridor, the delivery time of goods from Central Asia to Europe will be shortened, logistics chains will be optimized, transportation costs reduced, and international trade through the South Caucasus will expand," the analyst explained.

Garayev pointed out that successful implementation of this route requires infrastructure coordination among countries, use of modern technologies, and standardization of border procedures, while Azerbaijans removal of transit restrictions was the first step confirming the practical viability of this corridor.

The forum also paid special attention to the Middle Corridor, which connects Europe and Asia through the South Caucasus. The corridor integrates railway lines for rapid container transit, major highways, Black Sea and Caspian ports, and multimodal terminals, providing the ability to quickly transfer goods between rail, road, and sea transport. The Zangezur Corridor could also become part of this route.

The removal of transit restrictions and the development of transport routes bring multifaceted economic benefits. For example, increased cargo turnoveras shown by the Kazakh grain caseproves the regions capacity to handle large volumes of international freight. Reduced costssimplified transit lowers logistics expenses and delivery times. Investment attractiona stable and transparent transit system boosts foreign investor confidence.

Economic integrationthe Trump route for international peace and prosperity (TRIPP) and the Middle Corridor contribute to creating a unified transport space in the South Caucasus. According to experts, the growing transit potential could raise the countries GDP by several percentage points within five to seven years, stimulating the development of sectors such as logistics, warehousing, port infrastructure, insurance, and financial services, he explained.

The analyst emphasized that overall, the Forum demonstrated the South Caucasus is not only connecting physical routes but also preparing to create a modern technological infrastructure that will enhance the regions competitiveness.

Eliminating transit restrictions, creating new routes, and modernizing infrastructure have both economic and political significance. Moreover, this strengthens trust between countriespractical steps reinforce political statements, reduce the risk of conflict, increase economic interdependence and stability, and elevate the regions role internationally. The South Caucasus is becoming one of the strategic hubs in the global trade and logistics network.

Forecasts also suggest that in the next 510 years, the region will multiply its transit cargo turnover, attract international investments in transport and energy, and consolidate its position as a stable and efficient transit center connecting Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, he added.

Garayev pointed out that the 5th Tbilisi Silk Road Forum hit the nail on the head, reaffirming the South Caucasus's pivotal role in transport, trade, and energy. Meanwhile, Azerbaijans lifting of transit restrictions and the smooth sailing of Kazakh grain served as a feather in the cap, showcasing this reality in action.

The creation and modernization of transit corridors, including the Trump Route and the Middle Corridor, open new opportunities for economic growth, trust-building, and regional integration. The forum showed that the South Caucasus is ready to build an efficient, sustainable, and technologically advanced logistics network that will ensure closer integration with Europe and Asia. In the long term, these projects will turn the South Caucasus into one of the strategic transit hubs, increase investment inflows, and strengthen the regions economic and political stability, the analyst concluded.

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SHUSHA, Azerbaijan, October 23. As part of their latest trip to Karabakh, a group of international travelers has visited Karabakh and East Zangezur in Azerbaijan's Fuzuli district, Trend's Karabakh Bureau reports.

The guests arrived in the recently liberated Horadiz village and were briefed on ongoing mine clearance operations in the area.

They received detailed information on how Armenian forces had contaminated the territory with landmines and unexploded ordnance during the occupation. Observers also watched employees of the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) carry out clearance operations.

The program included demonstrations of the detonation of discovered landmines under international supervision to neutralize them safely.

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FUZULI, Azerbaijan, October 23. As part of their latest trip to Karabakh, a group of international travelers has visited Karabakh and East Zangezur in Azerbaijan's Fuzuli district, Trend's Karabakh Bureau reports.

The guests arrived in the recently liberated Horadiz village and were briefed on ongoing mine clearance operations in the area.

They received detailed information on how Armenian forces had contaminated the territory with landmines and unexploded ordnance during the occupation. Observers also watched employees of the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) carry out clearance operations.

The program included demonstrations of the detonation of discovered mines under international supervision to neutralize them safely.
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 23. We hope that Karabakh and East Zangazur will soon be fully cleared of mines, German traveler Thorsten Salaske told reporters during his visit to Azerbaijan's Fuzuli district, Trend reports.

We all hope for peace and for these territories to be completely cleared of mines. This is an extremely important and challenging task aimed at protecting the lives of people who live here, he said.

Thorsten noted that witnessing the demining process left a deep impression on him.

It made me reflect deeply on the impact of war and the hope for a peaceful future. I am sincerely grateful to everyone involved in demining, the soldiers and specialists who are working tirelessly to ensure safety and a secure future for the local people, he added.

A group of travelers from eight countries is led by Kolja Sporin, head of the Extreme Traveler International Congress (ETIC) club.

The delegation plans a two-day road trip along the Agdam-Khankendi-Lachin-Shusha-Fizuli route.

In order to promote the liberated territories within the framework of black tourism and to demonstrate the large-scale construction and restoration work, leading international travel clubs have organized 14 trips to Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur in 2021-2025. This is already the 15th trip of this kind.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 23. Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to Azerbaijan Elcin Gasymov has commended the pace of reconstruction in the liberated city of Aghdam, highlighting the growing partnership between Slovakia and Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

In beautiful Aghdam today, we saw firsthand how fast reconstruction is advancing and how life is returning to areas once devastated by occupation, the ambassador said in a social media post.

He noted that the Slovak smart village project in Bash Garvand is already underway, describing it as a tangible example of successful bilateral cooperation.

The ambassador also expressed pride in the expanding relationship between the two nations: Proud of the growing SlovakiaAzerbaijan partnership and the teams making this possible.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 23. On October 23, the open court hearing regarding the criminal cases against citizens of the Republic of Armenia, including Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Gukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and others, accused of committing crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, including the preparation and conduct of an aggressive war, genocide, violation of the laws and customs of war, as well as terrorism, financing terrorism, forcible seizure and retention of power, and numerous other crimes as a result of Armenias military aggression against Azerbaijan, continued, Trend reports.

The trial, held at the Baku Military Court under the presidency of Judge Zeynal Agayev, with a panel consisting of Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev (with Gunel Samadova as the reserve judge), ensured that each accused person was provided with a translator in their preferred language and defense attorneys.

The session was attended by the accused, their defense attorneys, some of the victims, their legal heirs and representatives, as well as prosecutors defending the states accusations.

The presiding judge, Zeynal Agayev, stated that 82 victims had submitted applications to the court, indicating their inability to attend the trial and requesting that their statements from the preliminary investigation be examined during the court proceedings. There were no objections to the victims absence or to the examination of their preliminary investigation statements.

Subsequently, the statements of victims who were unable to attend the session due to valid reasons and had submitted relevant applications to the court were announced.

According to the announced statement of victim Azad Kamal oglu Tahirov, while in captivity in Armenia, a police officer named Maxim struck him heavily in the mouth with the butt of an automatic weapon, breaking his tooth. Additionally, the same Maxim placed a single bullet in a revolver, spun it, and played a roulette game with Tahirov and his fellow captives. He pointed the revolver at Tahirovs head and then at Shahlar Gurbanovs head, pulling the trigger each time. In both instances, the gun did not fire. However, when the revolver was pointed at Tagi Bayramovs head and the trigger was pulled, the shot fired, resulting in Bayramovs immediate death. At the demand of Armenian military personnel, Tahirov and others took Tagi Bayramovs body to the riverbank and buried it there.

In his statement, Talib Azim oglu Tagiyev reported that on April 10, 1991, near the village of Havuslu in the Jabrayil district, Armenian military personnel stopped the Zhiguli car he was in along with Gubad Javad oglu Asadullayev and Gara Salman oglu Mammadov, taking them to the Hadrut police station where they were subjected to torture. During the investigation of this incident, Tagiyev identified V.E. Martirosyan, M.G. Konstandov, and P.M. Ayriyan as the individuals who tortured him during a recognition procedure conducted at the time.

According to the announced statement of Ilham Jabir oglu Agayev, on May 5, 1994, he was wounded and taken captive by Armenian armed forces in an area called the 3rd Sovkhoz in the Tartar district. After being held in the village of Garadaghly for about a month, he was transferred to the Shusha prison. His health deteriorated in Garadaghly due to untreated wounds. As a result, he was sent to the Khankendi city childrens hospital, where other Azerbaijani captives and hostages were also held. At the end of June 1994, he was taken to the Shusha prison, then to the Aghbulaq village in the Khojavend district, where approximately 50 captives and hostages were held. During his captivity in Aghbulaq, he was subjected to severe torture.

Victim Vahid Garoglan oglu Rahimov stated in his testimony that on August 28, 1993, during the occupation of the Khanlyg village in the Gubadly district by Armenian armed forces, he and his wife, Fadina Galina Gennadievna, were taken hostage, beaten with rifle butts, fists, and kicks, and held for one day in a water tank before being transferred to the Hadrut settlement. During their captivity, they were repeatedly subjected to severe torture.

Victim Rasim Mammadov noted in his testimony that in the autumn of 1993, he was injured when a shell fired by Armenian armed forces landed near him, causing him to lose consciousness and fall. When he regained consciousness, he found himself in a Niva vehicle and realized he had been taken hostage. He was held for two to three weeks in an unknown location before being transferred to a farm in Armenias Goris district, where he was beaten, mistreated, and subjected to severe torture. He was later taken to Gyumri, where approximately 15-20 other Azerbaijani captives and hostages, whose names he could not recall, were also held.

Victim Nazim Shakir oglu Abdullayev stated in his testimony that he worked as a topographic engineer at Azerbaijans Southern Water Design Institute from 1988 to 1992. On November 15, 1991, he was taken captive between the cities of Khankendi and Shusha. For three days, he was brutally beaten and subjected to torture, including being deprived of food and water.

According to the testimony of victim Ilham Allahveren oglu Rahimov, during the occupation of the Garadaghly village in the Khojavend district, he, Avaz Mirzayev, Rafiq Mustafayev, Khankishi Hasanov, and Fakhraddin Bahramov were wounded, while Asif Hasanov, Shahmar Ibrahimov, Museyib Nasibov, Nasib Rustamov, Yasin Rahmanov, and Hatam Bahramov were killed.

Niyyat Binnet oglu Ahmadov stated in his testimony that on April 18, 1993, he, his father Binnet, his mother Busat, his sisters Zovgiyya, Shargiyya, and Arzu, as well as neighbors Zubayda, Shamama, and others, hid in a stone cave in the Bashlibel village of the Kalbajar district to save their lives. That day, Armenian military personnel fired at the cave where they were hiding. His relatives Busat, Zovgiyya, Gulgas, Ahliman, Chichak, Yagut, Huseyn, Mahammad, Aygun, Surkhay, and Chingiz died from gunshot wounds. He and other surviving and wounded relatives were taken hostage. An Armenian soldier shot his father Binnet, wounding him in the arm and chest. He and other surviving relatives were taken to Khankendi, where he and other wounded relatives were placed in the Khankendi city childrens hospital, while others were held in the Khankendi city kindergarten. Armenian doctors at the hospital did not provide him with painkillers; instead, they tortured him by striking his eye and leg wounds and bandaging them with dirty bandages. He was held in the hospital for approximately eight months. The victim stated that he witnessed guards inflicting severe torture on wounded Azerbaijani captives there.

Victim Solmaz Damir gizi Aliyeva stated in her testimony that on May 8, 1992, Armenian military personnel attacked Shusha. At that time, she and her family members and relatives hid in the basement of their home. The next day, Armenian military personnel took her and her relatives hostage. After being captured, they were beaten with rifle butts and kicks, loaded onto a truck, and taken to a detention facility in Khankendi. There, the men were beaten and separated, while the women and children were placed in a single cell. For four days, they were given no food and were constantly threatened with death and insulted.

Victim Gadir Imamgulu oglu Mammadov stated in his testimony that on August 20, 1993, he was taken captive by Armenian armed forces in the Fuzuli district. After being held in the Shusha prison for about twenty days, he was transferred to the Aghbulaq village in the Khojavend district. He escaped captivity after twenty days and reached the Aghjabadi district. During his captivity, he was subjected to torture.

Khojaly resident Atraba Ahmad gizi Aliyeva stated in her testimony that on February 25, 1992, around 11 p.m., Armenian military personnel shelled the city. She and her relatives fled to the forest, heading toward the Aghdam district. On the way, Armenian military personnel opened fire on them, resulting in the deaths of her sister Malahats husband, Tapdig, and their 8-year-old daughter. During a second round of shooting, she was wounded in her left leg but managed to reach the Shelli village in the Aghdam district with great difficulty.

Khojaly resident Arif Gudrat oglu Azizov stated in his testimony that until around 8 p.m. on February 26, 1992, he and other Azerbaijani residents hid in a basement in Khojaly, then fled to the forest toward the Nakhchivanly village. On February 27, around 8 a.m., Armenian military personnel surrounded and took them hostage in the Nakhchivanly village.

Khojaly resident Fikrat Javad oglu Valiyev, born in 1965, stated in his testimony that on the night of February 25, 1992, the city was shelled from all sides by tanks and armored vehicles, and houses were set on fire. During the genocide, his brother Fuzuli went missing, and his sister Surayya Valiyeva, as well as Eldar and Rafil Ahmadov, Ul-fat Aliyev, remained in the forest, and there has been no news of them since.

The statements of other victims were also announced during the court session.

The trial will continue on October 24.

Fifteen defendants of Armenian origin are accused in the criminal case concerning numerous crimes committed during the aggressive war waged by the Armenian state - including the aforementioned criminal association - on the territory of Azerbaijan, in violation of domestic and international legal norms. These crimes were committed for the purpose of military aggression against Azerbaijan and were carried out under the direct leadership and participation of the Armenian state, officials of its state institutions, its armed forces, and illegal armed formations, through their written and verbal orders, instructions, and guidelines; material, technical, and personnel support; centralized management; as well as under strict control and under the leadership and direct or indirect participation of Robert Sedraki Kocharyan, Serzh Azati Sargsyan, Vazgen Mikaeli Manukyan, Vazgen Zaveni Sargsyan, Samvel Andraniki Babayan, Vitali Mikaeli Balasanyan, Zori Hayki Balayan, Seyran Musheghi Ohanyan, Arshavir Surenovich Garamyan, Monte Charles Melkonyan, and others.

The following individuals - Arayik Vladimiri Harutyunyan, Arkadi Arshaviri Ghukasyan, Bako Sahaki Sahakyan, Davit Rubeni Ishkhanyan, David Azatini Manukyan, Davit Klimi Babayan, Levon Henrikovich Mnatsakanyan, Vasili Ivani Beglaryan, Erik Roberti Ghazaryan, Davit Nelsoni Allahverdiyan, Gurgen Homeri Stepanyan, Levon Romiki Balayan, Madat Arakelovich Babayan, Garik Grigori Martirosyan, and Melikset Vladimiri Pashayan - are being charged under the following articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan: Article 100 (planning, preparing, initiating, and waging a war of aggression); Article 102 (attacking persons or organizations enjoying international protection); Article 103 (genocide); Article 105 (extermination of the population); Article 106 (enslavement); Article 107 (deportation or forced displacement of population); Article 109 (persecution); Article 110 (enforced disappearance of persons); Article 112 (deprivation of liberty contrary to international law); Article 113 (torture); Article 114 (mercenary service); Article 115 (violation of the laws and customs of warfare); Article 116 (violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflict); Article 118 (military robbery); Article 120 (intentional murder); Article 192 (illegal entrepreneurship); Article 214 (terrorism); Article 214-1 (financing terrorism); Article 218 (creation of a criminal organization); Article 228 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and possession of weapons, ammunition, explosives, and devices); Article 270-1 (acts threatening aviation security); Article 277 (assassination of a state official or public figure); Article 278 (forcible seizure and retention of power, forcible change of the constitutional structure of the state); Article 279 (creation of armed groups not provided for by law); and additional articles.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 23. The date has been announced for the next public hearing in the criminal case against citizens of the Republic of Armenia Araik Harutyunyan, Arkadiy Gukasyan, Bako Saakyan, David Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and others, who are accused of crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, including the preparation and waging of aggressive war, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, as well as terrorism, financing of terrorism, violent seizure of power, violent retention of power, and numerous other crimes, Trend reports.

During the court session held at the Baku Military Court, presided over by Judge Zeynal Agayev with a panel consisting of Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev (reserve judge Gunel Samadova), each of the accused individuals was provided with an interpreter in their native language, as well as legal representatives for their defense.

The session was attended by the accused individuals, their defense counsel, a portion of the victims, their legal heirs and representatives, as well as prosecutors defending the state prosecution.

The trial will continue on October 24.

Fifteen defendants of Armenian origin are accused in the criminal case concerning numerous crimes committed during the aggressive war waged by the Armenian state - including the aforementioned criminal association - on the territory of Azerbaijan, in violation of domestic and international legal norms. These crimes were committed for the purpose of military aggression against Azerbaijan and were carried out under the direct leadership and participation of the Armenian state, officials of its state institutions, its armed forces, and illegal armed formations, through their written and verbal orders, instructions, and guidelines; material, technical, and personnel support; centralized management; as well as under strict control and under the leadership and direct or indirect participation of Robert Sedraki Kocharyan, Serzh Azati Sargsyan, Vazgen Mikaeli Manukyan, Vazgen Zaveni Sargsyan, Samvel Andraniki Babayan, Vitali Mikaeli Balasanyan, Zori Hayki Balayan, Seyran Musheghi Ohanyan, Arshavir Surenovich Garamyan, Monte Charles Melkonyan, and others.

The following individuals - Arayik Vladimiri Harutyunyan, Arkadi Arshaviri Ghukasyan, Bako Sahaki Sahakyan, Davit Rubeni Ishkhanyan, David Azatini Manukyan, Davit Klimi Babayan, Levon Henrikovich Mnatsakanyan, Vasili Ivani Beglaryan, Erik Roberti Ghazaryan, Davit Nelsoni Allahverdiyan, Gurgen Homeri Stepanyan, Levon Romiki Balayan, Madat Arakelovich Babayan, Garik Grigori Martirosyan, and Melikset Vladimiri Pashayan - are being charged under the following articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan: Article 100 (planning, preparing, initiating, and waging a war of aggression); Article 102 (attacking persons or organizations enjoying international protection); Article 103 (genocide); Article 105 (extermination of the population); Article 106 (enslavement); Article 107 (deportation or forced displacement of population); Article 109 (persecution); Article 110 (enforced disappearance of persons); Article 112 (deprivation of liberty contrary to international law); Article 113 (torture); Article 114 (mercenary service); Article 115 (violation of the laws and customs of warfare); Article 116 (violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflict); Article 118 (military robbery); Article 120 (intentional murder); Article 192 (illegal entrepreneurship); Article 214 (terrorism); Article 214-1 (financing terrorism); Article 218 (creation of a criminal organization); Article 228 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and possession of weapons, ammunition, explosives, and devices); Article 270-1 (acts threatening aviation security); Article 277 (assassination of a state official or public figure); Article 278 (forcible seizure and retention of power, forcible change of the constitutional structure of the state); Article 279 (creation of armed groups not provided for by law); and additional articles.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 23. Serbian Foreign Minister Marko uric stated in New York that there is considerable attention to Serbia within the new U.S. administration, Trend reports.

He added that it is positive that continuous high-level talks and contacts are maintained even when difficult issues need to be openly addressed.

Minister uric emphasized that he also used his visit to New York for a meeting with the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Michael Wolff, one of the most influential figures in American foreign policy and a highly relevant interlocutor for Serbia regarding the situation in Kosovo and Metohija, the status of Serbs, and the treatment of Serbian holy sites.

In addition to the energy situation, for which he highlighted the need for greater understanding of Serbias position, the meeting also covered the importance of political closeness between the two countries. He pointed out that President Trump enjoys unprecedented high support in Serbia, being one of the most popular world leaders among Serbs.

This makes us politically close and calls for close cooperation, especially on such sensitive political issues, uric added.

He noted that the new U.S. administration shows more sympathy and attention toward Serbia, emphasizing that open dialogue, even on difficult topics, provides a good basis for improving relations. He particularly highlighted the preparation of a strategic dialogue between Serbia and the U.S., which will be implemented soon, assessing it as a significant step forward in the quality of bilateral relations.

According to him, the meeting also addressed cooperation in the multilateral sphere, which had not previously been a subject of intensive discussions. He pointed out the potential for mutual support on the international stage, as well as the importance of economic cooperation, emphasizing Serbias interest in greater U.S. investment and capital inflows, which, he recalled, have revitalized the economies of some Eastern European countries.

We want to see that capital used for the development of Serbia, just as we want this market to be more open and accessible to Serbian companies, uric stated.

Reflecting on bilateral meetings with representatives of other major powers, uric considered his conversation with the President of the Security Council and Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, very significant. He noted that Nebenzya reiterated Russias firm support for Serbias territorial integrity and expressed understanding of the position of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija.

During that conversation, initiatives related to commemorating the victims of the 1990s wars were also discussed, with uric pointing out a tendency toward unjust and one-sided treatment of Serbian victims.

Minister uric concluded that it is very important that the Serbian delegation had direct talks with representatives of two major powers. He also added that the support of the Peoples Republic of China for Serbia is of exceptional importance and that the support of France for the UNMIK report and its work is encouraging.
The Mexico City Grand Prixs opening practice on Friday is set to look like a large window into Formula 1s potential future, with no less than nine rookies taking part in the session.

The largest single-session influx of newcomers in years will hit the track as teams tick off their mandatory young driver runs for 2025.

Under the regulations, every full-time driver must give up their seat twice a season to a rookie  defined as anyone with fewer than three F1 race starts.

This years lineup spans IndyCar stars, F2 frontrunners, and endurance aces. Some are auditioning for future race seats; others are simply living the dream for 60 glorious minutes.

So heres whos stepping in  and whos stepping aside:

McLaren  Pato OWard for Lando Norris

Home hero Pato OWard is back for another Mexico FP1, ready to send the grandstands into orbit. The IndyCar runner-up and McLaren reserve knows the circuit like the back of his fireproof glove and will mix crowd-pleasing flair with solid data collection. Expect fireworks  hopefully only metaphorical ones.

Mercedes  Fred Vesti for George Russell

Cool, composed, and quietly relentless, Fred Vesti returns for his fourth FP1 outing. The Danes already sampled the Silver Arrow in Bahrain and Mexico before  this time, he brings fresh experience from IMSA, where hes been winning races. Mercedes love his feedback almost as much as his clean telemetry sheets.

Ferrari  Antonio Fuoco for Lewis Hamilton

Antonio Fuoco, Ferraris endurance star and Le Mans winner, finally gets to trade the 24-hour grind for a one-hour sprint. The 29-year-old Italian knows the Scuderia machinery inside out and will drive Hamiltons SF-25 with speed and style. Expect calm hands and classy laps.

Red Bull  Arvid Lindblad for Max Verstappen

At just 18, Arvid Lindblad is living every young racers fantasy  driving the reigning champions Red Bull. Already a double race winner in F2, the British prodigy returns for his second FP1 with a mix of nerves and natural swagger. Dont expect Verstappen-level lap times, but the kids got spark.

Williams  Luke Browning for Carlos Sainz

Luke Browning slides into Sainzs seat for his third FP1, still riding high from a strong F2 campaign that has him fighting for the title. The Williams junior has a knack for wringing performance out of anything with four wheels  and isnt shy about showing it. Keep an eye on this one.

Aston Martin  Jak Crawford for Lance Stroll

Young, American, and seriously quick, Jak Crawford finally makes his F1 weekend debut. Hes logged thousands of test kilometres for Aston Martin, but this is the real thing  his first taste of a live session. With four F2 wins this year and plenty of Texan grit, Crawfords here to impress.

Haas  Ryo Hirakawa for Oliver Bearman

Ryo Hirakawa has been busy this year, splitting time between Haas and Alpine while hopping continents. The 31-year-old Japanese racer brings experience and precision  more Zen than zoom  as he continues Haass FP1 program. Another steady run here, and Abu Dhabi awaits for his season finale.

Racing Bulls  Ayumu Iwasa for Liam Lawson

Ayumu Iwasa returns for his fourth FP1, proving that the Red Bull academy pipeline never sleeps. The Super Formula contender from Japan combines sharp reflexes with smooth consistency, and with Lawson watching closely from the garage, theres a bit of friendly rivalry in the mix.

Alpine  Paul Aron for Pierre Gasly

If theres one rookie with something to prove, its Paul Aron. The Estonian F2 star  and possible contender for Alpines 2026 race seat  takes Gaslys car for his fourth FP1 of the year. Fast, focused, and ice-cool, Aron knows this hour could help define his F1 future.

Friday in Mexico will be a glimpse into F1s next generation  a grid full of hopefuls chasing tenths, dreams, and maybe even future contracts.

And for the veterans watching from the pit wall, its a reminder: the kids are coming, and theyre coming fast.

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via X and Facebook
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 23. On October 22, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania summoned the Charge dAffaires of the Republic of Belarus and handed over a formal protest note regarding repeated and increasingly frequent violations of Lithuanian airspace originating from Belarus, Trend reports.

According to information, on the evening of October 21, radar systems detected an unauthorized group of meteorological balloons entering Lithuanian airspace from Belarus. The intrusion posed a threat to civil aviation and public safety, disrupting regular operations at Vilnius Airport and causing financial losses.

The Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that such border violations constitute a serious breach of international law. Lithuania urged Belarus to ensure control over its airspace, reminded it of previous similar incidents, demanded a thorough investigation, and called for effective measures to prevent their recurrence.

The ministry also warned that if illegal airspace violations continue, Lithuania reserves the right to take appropriate response measures.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 23. Ignitis Group, a renewables-focused integrated utility, has secured 318 million euros in non-recourse project financing from a consortium of institutional and commercial lenders to fund the construction of the largest onshore wind-energy project in the Baltic region, Trend reports.

The financing supports the Kelme Wind Farm, located in western Lithuania, which has been operational since June 2025. The package includes loans of 100 million euros from the European Investment Bank (EIB), 98.5 million euros from Swedbank, 79.5 million euros from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and 40 million euros from the Nordic Investment Bank (NIB).

With a total installed capacity of 314 megawatts (MW), Kelme Wind Farm produces enough electricity to power approximately 250,000 Lithuanian households. The project was developed by two special purpose vehicles fully owned by Ignitis Renewables, a subsidiary of Ignitis Group.

Kelme Wind Farm is a significant milestone not only for Ignitis Group but for Lithuanias energy future. This is the largest debt financing ever raised at one time by Ignitis Group and is crucial in bringing projects like this to fruition. The support from our financial partners underscores the importance of collaboration in achieving our ambitious goal of reaching 45 gigawatts (GW) of installed green generation capacity by 2030, said Jonas Rimavicius, Chief Financial Officer of Ignitis Group.

Wind power already supplies about 27 percent of Lithuanias electricity, and the Kelme project represents a major advance in meeting national energy demand through clean, domestically generated sources.

This landmark project is a big step forward for Lithuanias green transition. Were proud to support a country thats showing leadership in clean energy and building a more resilient, independent future, EIB Vice-President Karl Nehammer noted while praising the project.

The total investment by Ignitis Group in the Kelme Wind Farm  including acquisition and construction costs  is estimated at 550 millionv euros.

Kelme Wind Farm is a landmark project for Lithuania and the entire Baltic region, and Swedbank is proud to be part of making it a reality. As the largest financial partner of Ignitis Group, weve worked together for more than 25 years on strategic energy projects  from cogeneration plants to renewable developments across the region, Ignas Maceika, Swedbank Board Member and Head of the Corporate Customer Division, emphasized the long-standing partnership between the institutions.

The facility consists of 44 Nordex N163/6.X turbines, each with a capacity of 7.13 MW and a height of up to 240 meters  the most powerful wind turbines ever installed in Lithuania.

Were pleased to team up once again with Ignitis, our long-standing client, in supporting this important transaction  a true milestone in the companys and Lithuanias green energy transition, Grzegorz Zielinski, EBRD Director and Head of Energy Europe, added.

The international financing was arranged as a club deal, reflecting a high level of coordination among major European lenders.

Following our successful cooperation on Ignitis Renewables wind projects in Poland and Lithuania, we are proud to strengthen this partnership and support the regions move toward sustainable energy. Kelme Wind Farm is strategically important  it expands Lithuanias renewable energy capacity and accelerates the regions transition to cleaner power, Jeanette Vitasp, NIB Head of Lending, said.

The financing aligns with the EUs REPowerEU initiative to end dependence on fossil fuels and supports the climate and sustainability goals of all four lenders. The EIBs portion is structured as a Special Activities Loan under the InvestEU guarantee program.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 23. On October 22, 2025, Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Baiba Braze met with Jean Charles Ellermann-Kingombe, NATO Deputy Secretary General for Cybersecurity and Digital Transformation, to discuss strengthening defense capabilities along NATOs Eastern flank in light of rapidly evolving defense technologies and the changing geopolitical environment, Trend reports.

The officials also discussed NATOs plans to accelerate the adoption of new technological solutions across the Alliance.

Both sides agreed on the importance of enhancing cybersecurity capacities within NATO and among Allied nations, taking into account ongoing digital transformation, advances in artificial intelligence, and the need to respond effectively to emerging security challenges.

Deputy Secretary General Ellermann-Kingombe is visiting Latvia at the invitation of Foreign Minister Braze. During his working visit, he is participating in the international Techritory 2025 conference on digitalization and connectivity. He will also meet with representatives of Latvian industry to learn about national achievements in the defense sectorincluding developments in drones, artificial intelligence, 5G/6G, and quantum technologiesas well as Latvias experience in strengthening cybersecurity.

To note, Latvia became an integral member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on March 29, 2004, alongside a cohort of six additional nations: Bulgaria, Estonia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. This event represented a significant augmentation of the coalition's framework, elevating the aggregate membership to a total of 26 sovereign entities.

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Photo: Ministry of Investment, Industry and Science of the Moscow region of Russia

BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 23. Trade between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan surged significantly from January through September 2025, reaching $568.1 million.

Data obtained by Trend from the State Customs Committee indicates that this figure marks an increase of $370.3 million, or 2.9 times, compared to the same period last year.

Additionally, trade with Kazakhstan accounted for 1.61 percent of Azerbaijans total foreign trade turnover during this period.

Azerbaijan exported goods worth $70.4 million to Kazakhstan, down $19.6 million or 21.8 percent from last year. Imports from Kazakhstan reached $497.7 million, a rise of $389.9 million or 4.6 times year-on-year, making Kazakhstan the 7th-largest supplier of goods to Azerbaijan. Non-oil exports accounted for $70.2 million of total shipments to Kazakhstan, reflecting a 21 percent, or $18.7 million, decline from last year.

To note, Azerbaijan's foreign trade turnover with foreign countries amounted to $35.3 billion for the period from January through September 2025. The data obtained from the country's State Customs Committee indicates that this is $877 million, or 2.5 percent, more than the same period last year.

Of the foreign trade turnover, $18.6 billion was accounted for by exports and $16.7 billion by imports. Compared to the same period last year, exports decreased by $1.2 billion, or 6.3 percent, while imports increased by $2.1 billion, or 14.5 percent.

Consequently, foreign trade resulted in a positive balance of $.83 billion. This is $3.3 billion, or 2.8 times less than a year earlier.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 23. Earlier, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) approved a $5 million loan to Davr Bank, which will be directed toward subsequent lending to eligible micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Uzbekistan.

The bank told Trend that micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Uzbekistan continue to face persistent challenges in accessing finance and developing entrepreneurial skills.

A source noted that strategic partnerships with local financial institutions, such as Davr Bank, are a key component of the EBRDs approach to addressing these barriers. Through medium-term local currency loans and tailored advisory services delivered under the Advice for Small Businesses program, the EBRD facilitates outreach to underserved regions and segments.

"These collaborations are designed to promote financial inclusion, support the formalization of MSMEs, and foster sustainable, regionally balanced growth, which are fully aligned with the Banks transition mandate and country strategy," emphasized a bank representative.

He also noted that the project is fully aligned with the EBRDs Country Strategy for Uzbekistan (20242029), which prioritizes enhancing competitiveness by strengthening the role of the private sector in the economy. One of the strategys key objectives is developing the financial system and expanding MSME access to financing, especially in remote and rural areas.

"By providing long-term local currency loans to MSMEs and individual advisory services to Davr Bank clients, the project contributes to expanding the MSME portfolio, targeting more profitable clients, and strengthening financial inclusion," the bank representative added.

Regarding monitoring, the EBRD representative explained that within each transaction with Davr Bank and other Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs), the EBRD sets Transition Impact Benchmarks that reflect the Banks mandate to foster the development of sustainable, market-oriented economies.

He noted that these benchmarks are typically aligned with the tenor of the loan and are derived from the EBRDs Transition Objectives Measurement System (TOMS), which assesses expected impact and monitors delivery through the Transition Impact Monitoring System (TIMS).

"The benchmarks are consistent with the priorities outlined in the EBRDs country strategy and are structured around the six transition qualities: Competitive, Well-governed, Green, Inclusive, Resilient, and Integrated. Active monitoring ensures that PFIs meet performance targets, thereby enhancing competitiveness and resilience in the MSME sector," the source concluded.

Uzbekistan stands as the preeminent beneficiary of EBRD capital allocation within the Central Asian region, showcasing a diversified portfolio of investments spanning from sustainable energy initiatives to financial services infrastructure. Following the strategic reengagement with the nation, the EBRD has amplified its operational footprint, now functioning through a central hub in Tashkent alongside auxiliary offices in Andijan and Urgench.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 23. The Central Bank of Iran (CBI) has released the official exchange rates for foreign currencies as of October 23, Trend reports.

According to the rates announced by the CBI, the value of 1 currency went up, while 45 currencies dropped compared to October 22.

The official rate for $1 is 561,804 rials, while one euro is valued at 652,376 rials. On October 22, the euro was priced at 661,927 rials.

Currency Rial on October 23 Rial on October 22 1 US dollar USD 561,804 569,895 1 British pound GBP 751,208 762,981 1 Swiss franc CHF 705,969 716,750 1 Swedish krona SEK 59,786 60,507 1 Norwegian krone NOK 56,114 56,735 1 Danish krone DKK 87,337 88,619 1 Indian rupee INR 6,405 6,477 1 UAE Dirham AED 152,976 155,179 1 Kuwaiti dinar KWD 1,833,098 1,860,613 100 Pakistani rupees PKR 199,078 201,735 100 Japanese yen JPY 370,103 375,579 1 Hong Kong dollar HKD 72,297 73,338 1 Omani rial OMR 1,459,678 1,481,680 1 Canadian dollar CAD 401,878 406,702 1 New Zealand dollar NZD 323,100 327,425 1 South African rand ZAR 32,290 32,766 1 Turkish lira TRY 13,381 13,580 1 Russian ruble RUB 6,894 7,004 1 Qatari riyal QAR 154,342 156,565 100 Iraqi dinars IQD 42,953 43,581 1 Syrian pound SYP 51 44 1 Australian dollar AUD 365,259 370,317 1 Saudi riyal SAR 149,814 151,972 1 Bahraini dinar BHD 1,494,160 1,515,678 1 Singapore dollar SGD 433,014 439,214 100 Bangladeshi takas BDT 459,578 467,157 10 Sri Lankan rupees LKR 18,523 18,805 1 Myanmar kyat MMK 268 271 100 Nepalese rupees NPR 400,103 404,605 1 Libyan dinar LYD 103,460 104,946 1 Chinese yuan CNY 78,845 80,036 100 Thai baht THB 1,712,504 1,736,678 1 Malaysian ringgit MYR 132,810 134,797 1,000 South Korean won KRW 392,820 398,333 1 Jordanian dinar JOD 792,389 803,801 1 euro EUR 652,376 661,927 100 Kazakh tenge KZT 104,290 105,797 1 Georgian lari GEL 207,233 210,448 1,000 Indonesian rupiahs IDR 33,821 34,326 1 Afghan afghani AFN 8,466 8,581 1 Belarusian ruble BYN 164,975 167,361 1 Azerbaijani manat AZN 330,471 335,217 100 Philippine pesos PHP 960,899 978,105 1 Tajik somoni TJS 60,912 62,143 1 Turkmen manat TMT 160,657 162,474 Venezuelan bolivar VES 2,699 2,764

The CBI adopted the SANA system for currency exchange offices, where one euro costs 839,664 rials and $1 costs 723,090 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 815,208 rials, and the price of $1 totaled 702,029 rials.

On the black market, $1 is worth about 1.04-1.07 million rials, while one euro is worth 1.22-1.25 million rials.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 23. The price of Azerbaijans Azeri Light crude at Italys Augusta port, on a CIF basis, rose by $1.05, or 1.68 percent, on October 22 from the previous level, landing at $63.45 per barrel, a source in the oil market told Trend.

At Turkiyes Ceyhan port, the FOB price of Azeri Light crude went up by $1.07, or 1.77 percent, to $61.51 per barrel.

The price of URALS crude grew by $1.11, or 2.25 percent, to $50.40 per barrel, while Brent Dated crude from the North Sea rose by $1.12, or 1.83 percent, to $62.21 per barrel.

Azerbaijans 2025 state budget is based on an average oil price of $70 per barrel.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 23. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Elmedin Konakovic, paid an official visit to the Slovak Republic at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovakia, Trend reports.

During the visit, Minister Konakovic met with the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, Juraj Blanar. They discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation, Bosnia and Herzegovinas European integration process, regional stability, and the shared values that connect the two countries.

The talks emphasized that Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Slovak Republic maintain friendly and partnership relations with no open issues and that there is significant potential to enhance economic cooperation, investments, and trade exchange.

The Minister expressed gratitude to the Slovak Republic for its continuous support to Bosnia and Herzegovina on its path toward European Union membership, for its contribution to the EUFOR/ALTHEA mission, as well as for its support through NATO initiatives aimed at strengthening Bosnia and Herzegovinas defense capacities and resilience. He highlighted the importance of regional cooperation through the Berlin Process, particularly in the areas of mobility, anti-corruption efforts, and gender equality. The Minister emphasized that Bosnia and Herzegovina is actively participating in the joint initiatives promoted by this process, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening regional connectivity, reform goals, and European values.

Minister Blanar reiterated Slovakias support for Bosnia and Herzegovinas European perspective, emphasizing the importance of continuing reform processes and political dialogue. Minister Konakovic thanked Minister Blanar for his presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, through which Slovakia once again confirmed its commitment to honoring the victims and building a stable and peaceful regional environment.

Minister Konakovic informed his counterparts about the current political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the challenges slowing the countrys progress toward opening accession negotiations with the European Union. He underlined that the European perspective remains a strategic priority but that achieving it requires a stable institutional environment and constructive political dynamics.

As part of his visit to the Slovak Republic, Minister Konakovic also held meetings with the President of the National Council, Richard Rasi, as well as with the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Marian Kery, and committee members. During the discussions, the Minister emphasized the importance of continued support from European partners for Bosnia and Herzegovina, stressing that joint engagement is key to maintaining political stability and further advancing toward EU membership.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, October 23. Turkmenistan is consistently implementing a strategy for sustainable development of the energy sector aimed at increasing gas production, diversifying export routes, and attracting investment, the deputy chairman of the State Concern Turkmengaz, Myrat Archaev said, Trend's special correspondent reports.

He made the remark at the International Conference and Exhibition Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan - 2025 in Ashgabat.

According to Archayev, the Galkynysh field, with reserves of more than 27 trillion cubic meters, is at the center of the gas industry's development strategy. To date, work is already underway on four of the seven planned development stages, and the fourth stage will be implemented following an international tender, with construction scheduled to begin next year.

We invite international partners to join us on this journey, not as observers, but as participants. This project requires not only investment, but also knowledge, experience, and innovation, he said.

Archayev paid special attention to the TAPI project, which he called an energy bridge between Central and South Asia.

TAPI is not just an infrastructure project, it is a symbol of the modern spirit of the Great Silk Road. It connects the rich resources of Turkmenistan with the dynamically developing markets of South Asia, said the deputy chairman.

According to him, the Turkmen section of the gas pipeline has already been built, active construction work on the Afghan section began in 2024, and further expansion of construction is planned for 2025.

Among other investment areas, Archayev mentioned the construction of underground gas storage facilities with a total capacity of up to 10 billion cubic meters, as well as the development of gas chemistry and deep processing of hydrocarbons, which will allow the creation of products with high added value and strengthen the country's technological base.

Speaking about the environmental component, he stressed that reducing methane emissions is one of the priorities of Turkmenistan's energy strategy.

We are actively introducing technologies with minimal emissions, modernizing equipment, and cooperating with international organizations to achieve measurable environmental results, Archayev said.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, October 23. Bakhtiyor Saidov held a meeting in Paris with Jean-Noel Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, to discuss expanding cooperation in trade, investment, and innovation, the Uzbek FM wrote on his X page, Trend reports.

Our discussions reaffirmed the strong and growing spirit of the UzbekistanFrance Strategic Partnership. We focused on further deepening cooperation in trade, investment, innovation, education, sustainable development, and other key areas, Saidov noted.

We also shared perspectives on regional and global developments and agreed to maintain an active and forward-looking dialogue, translating our shared priorities into tangible progress both bilaterally and within multilateral frameworks., the publication reads.
It's important to note that Bhalla used publicly-available financial information to analyze the company. Saks itself has not issued a going concern warning or made any public comment on a potential Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.

Ragini Bhalla, head of brand and spok=esperson for Creditsafe, shared some data on the struggles that Saks Fifth Avenue has undergone, which could push the company into a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.

Now, another legendary retail brand that traces its history back to 1902 has been struggling financially.

Hahne & Co. : New Jersey department store that closed in late 1980s.

Pizitz/Parisian : Regional department stores that were eventually sold or converted to Macys or Belk stores.

Caldor : Discount retailer in the Northeast that closed in 1999.

Burdines : Florida department store chain that was merged into Macys by 2005.

Bonwit Teller : Luxury department store chain that went out of business in 1990.

Montgomery Ward : Classic department store; went out of business in 2001.

In fact, the list of one-time mall anchors that have gone out of business is arguably longer than the list of ones that have made it to see 100.

Many brands that once dominated have either gone out of business or barely exist. Sears, for example, was arguably more dominant than Amazon or Walmart, and now the chain consists of just a handful of stores.

For a business, however, making it to 100 is nearly impossible. The list of brands that reach that age is very small, and surviving for a century or more generally means having to reinvent the company multiple times.

When a person lives to age 100, they get a shout-out from Al Roker on the "Today" show. That's a tradition the weatherman and media personality took over from the legendary Willard Scott, and it's a segment that highlights just how impressive it is for anyone to live that long.

The company has not commented on a potential Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.

The chain has been slow to pay its vendors, which puts its holiday inventory at risk.

One of the United States oldest retailers has struggled to pay its bills.

Story Continues

"Saks Inc.s Days Beyond Terms (DBT) data over the past twelve months reveals a persistent and troubling pattern of late payments that point to sustained cash flow distress. DBT measures how many days late a company pays its bills. Throughout the entire year, Saks DBT has hovered well above the industry average of 10-12 days, ranging from a low of 27 in November 2024 to a high of 41 in January 2025 and March 2025," she shared in an email to TheStreet.

The numbers have varied, but the company has been consistently late in paying its bills.

This indicates that Saks has consistently taken nearly a month or more to pay its

suppliers late.

Saks' payment practices have put it well behind industry norms.

"Even as DBT modestly improved in May 2025 and June 2025 (holding at

30 in both months), it remains nearly three times the industry norm and has jumped back

up to 39 in August 2025 and September 2025. This level of payment delinquency,

especially when sustained over an extended period, is a red flag for underlying liquidity

issues and points to potential challenges with managing accounts payable," she shared.

More Bankruptcy:

Being slow to pay vendors can lead to suppliers not being willing to ship to the company or offer it credit.

"The consistency of these elevated DBT figures without sustained improvements suggests

that the company may be prioritizing other financial obligations over supplier payments,

which can strain vendor relationships and weaken its supply chain resilience," Bhalla wrote.

Saks' financial position has gotten worse

Saks Fifth Avenue has also seen customers desert the brand.

"Saks Globals financial situation has worsened in recent months, with its Q2 revenue falling more than 13% year over year to $1.6 billion and net losses widening to $288 million. The luxury conglomerate, still digesting its $2.7 billion acquisition of Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman, continues to grapple with vendor payment backlogs, delayed shipments, and strained supplier relationships that analysts have long warned would disrupt sales," Bhalla wrote.

That could be a major red flag heading into the holiday season.

"Several vendors have reportedly stopped shipping to Saks and Neiman Marcus altogether, citing overdue invoices, despite the companys $600 million bond refinancing deal earlier this year," she added.

Related: Sam's Club makes major checkout change Costco rejected

Bhalla made it clear that the company's problem is cash flow and having money to pay its bills.

"While CEO Marc Metrick attributed the revenue slump to 'inventory challenges' stemming from system integration issues, the underlying problem remains liquidity: without consistent inventory flow, Saks risks losing share to competitors ahead of the holiday season. Analysts say the retailers reliance on vendor-run concession and marketplace models is currently whats 'keeping the business afloat,' underscoring how fragile its balance sheet and supplier trust have become as Saks enters the most critical quarter of the year," she shared.

Saks has been open on its financial struggles

While Saks Global isn't public, it has shared some information on its financial struggles.

The company acknowledged that it lost about $100 in the past fiscal year.

"The luxury retailer has $275 million in overdue payments to suppliers, management told bondholders in a Friday call where it also shared figures from the 12-month period ended Feb. 1, according to people with knowledge of the calls contents," Bloomberg reported.

GlobalData Managing Director Neil Saunders was not impressed with the company's results in July, when it shared sales data.

Related: Popular pizza chain files bankruptcy in key market

The sales results are very soft, and although this includes some store closures, it underlines the fact that the business is being buffeted by the weakness in the luxury market as well as being affected by stumbles in inventory, he told RetailDive.

Saunders made it clear that the company is playing a dangerous game.

The business needs to get supplier relations firmly back on track as it needs the cooperation of suppliers to run its business effectively, he said.

American retailers over 100 years old:

Macys (1858) : Founded as R.H. Macy & Co. in New York City. Famous for the Herald Square flagship store and annual Thanksgiving Parade.

Bloomingdales (1861) : High-end department store headquartered in NYC, now part of Macys, Inc.

Brooks Brothers (1818) : Iconic menswear retailer known for classic suits and apparel. Filed for bankruptcy in 2020 but still operates.

Levi Strauss & Co. (1853 ): Global denim and apparel brand; pioneer of blue jeans.

Nordstrom (1901) : Began as a shoe store in Seattle and is now a full-line department-store chain known for customer service.

JCPenney (1902) : Nationwide department store chain that reorganized after a 2020 bankruptcy.

Saks Fifth Avenue (1902) : Luxury department store; flagship opened in Manhattan in 1924.

Neiman Marcus (1907) : Luxury department store headquartered in Dallas, Texas.

L.L. Bean (1912) : Outdoor gear and apparel retailer; famous for its catalog and customer service.

Kroger (1883) : Large supermarket chain headquartered in Cincinnati.

Piggly Wiggly (1916) : First self-service grocery store, founded in Memphis, Tennessee.

Safeway (1915) : Grocery chain founded in Idaho, now part of Albertsons Companies.

Walgreens (1901) : Major national pharmacy chain headquartered in Chicago.

Lord & Taylor (1826): Oldest U.S. department store. Its flagship NYC store closed in 2021.

This story was originally reported by TheStreet on Oct 21, 2025, where it first appeared in the Retail section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 22. Georgian Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Mariam Kvrivishvili met with UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri on the sidelines of the Tbilisi Silk Road Forum to discuss the growing partnership between the two countries, Trend reports.

The ministers highlighted the strong cooperation between Georgia and the United Arab Emirates across a range of sectors, including trade, real estate, tourism, civil aviation, investment, infrastructure, and agriculture. They underlined the importance of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in deepening bilateral economic relations.

Particular attention was given to the Eagle Hills development project, which will bring a record volume of investment into Georgia and further strengthen economic ties between the two nations.

The meeting also welcomed the planned launch of direct flights by UAE carrier Etihad Airways, which will begin operating 14 weekly flights between Abu Dhabi and Tbilisi starting in March 2026. The expansion of UAE airline services was noted as an important step toward enhancing tourism and connectivity.

Minister Al Marri proposed organizing joint tourism business forums and exhibitions to boost cooperation in the sector.

Both sides commended the Tbilisi Silk Road Forum as a successful platform for political and business leaders to advance dialogue on regional connectivity and Silk Road development.

As part of the forum, Minister Kvrivishvili also held talks with UAE Minister of Investment Mohammed Hassan Alsuwaidi to explore further opportunities for collaboration.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 23. The governments of Georgia and Slovakia have signed an agreement on economic cooperation during the Tbilisi Silk Road Forum, aimed at deepening bilateral trade, technical, and technological ties, Trend reports.

The document was signed by Georgias Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Genadi Arveladze, and Slovakias Deputy Minister of Economy, Vladimir Simonyak.

Under the agreement, both sides will work to strengthen collaboration between business communities, organize joint events, and establish a Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation to discuss key issues and identify new opportunities for partnership.

The signing followed a meeting between the two deputy ministers, who highlighted the importance of launching direct air connections between Georgia and Slovakia to support closer economic and tourism cooperation. The officials also discussed plans to hold the first meeting of the Joint Commission early next year.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 23. Georgia reaffirmed its position as one of the most attractive investment destinations in the region during the Georgia  an Investment Crossroad panel held as part of the Tbilisi Silk Road Forum, Trend reports.

The session opened with remarks by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, who highlighted the countrys business-friendly reforms, reliable governance, and strong institutions as key pillars of Georgias success.

Our liberal trade regime, minimal bureaucracy, and efficient customs services ensure the uninterrupted operation of businesses, Kobakhidze said. Thanks to these efforts, Georgia ranks among the worlds top ten economies in the World Banks Business Ready (B-READY) Index. Our diversified and stable investment landscape spans finance, energy, manufacturing, real estate, and trade, making Georgia a regional hub for investment, connectivity, and sustainable growth.

Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Mariam Kvrivishvili underscored the governments commitment to fostering an environment that values every investmentdomestic or foreignbased on its contribution to innovation, knowledge, and the broader economy.

Georgia is eager to contribute to the regions stability and development. Our economy is growing rapidlyby 9.6% compared to the same period last yearmaking us a regional leader, she said. Both the government and the private sector play vital roles in this progress. Georgia has always been a welcoming country, which helps attract investors.

The panel also featured Eagle Hills founder Mohamed Alabbar, Galt & Taggart CEO Giorgi Kuprashvili, Trammo Inc. Senior Vice President Oliver Stanton, and Eksim Holding Chairman Ebubekir Tivnikli. They discussed the countrys economic prospects and the factors driving investor confidence in Georgia.

Alabbar praised Georgias leadership and policy direction, noting the countrys rapid economic growth as a model for others. We are very satisfied with the environment, the atmosphere, and the policies in Georgia. A 9% or even 7% growth rate is a great achievementsomething the European Union could learn from, he said.

It is an honor to be associated with a country that has strong, wise, and stable leadership, Alabbar added. Georgia has attracted people seeking peace, stability, and quality of life. We should all support this leadership. I am proud that Georgia has launched the Eagle Hills Georgia project.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 23. The Economic Chamber of North Macedonia has produced the first decarbonisation guide for the countrys small businesses with support from the European Union, Trend reports.

The digital tool provides step-by-step guidance on the most effective ways for a range of local companies to reduce their carbon footprint as part of the worldwide fight against climate change.

The Chamber developed the guide in cooperation with the European Investment Bank Advisory team and the EU delegation in Skopje. The business association is the oldest and largest chamber of commerce in North Macedonia. The tool was unveiled today in Skopje at a conference attended by more than 100 entrepreneurs from all sectors of the North Macedonian economy.

The Decarbonisation Guide marks a milestone in our countrys green transition, equipping businesses with the tools they need to act now, said North Macedonian Minister of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources Sanja Bozinovska.

The guide is designed to help companies reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to international climate rules such as the European Unions tax on carbon-intensive imports  the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)  while remaining competitive. It will help North Macedonia as a whole move towards a low-carbon economy. On the Economic Chambers website, the guide takes the form of an interactive platform and was created with EIB Global financing.

This guide comes at a crucial time as North Macedonia advances its green transition and prepares for upcoming carbon regulations. We are proud to support businesses in modernising their operations and help drive sustainable transformation across the country, said EIB Representative to North Macedonia Bjorn Gabriel.

A key feature of the platform is a carbon-footprint calculator that covers nearly 60 energy sources and refrigerants. Information is also available about EU and domestic climate regulations, as well as opportunities for funding such as subsidies. The platform also presents practical case studies and success stories from leading companies to highlight clean energy benefits.

The European Union has been a long-standing partner of North Macedonia, helping its businesses prepare for accession and compete effectively in the European single market.

Decarbonisation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy are all powerful tools to build a more innovative, resilient, and competitive economy., said EU Ambassador to North Macedonia Michalis Rochas. North Macedonia has shown strong commitment through its National Energy and Climate Plan as a vision where business growth and climate responsibility go hand in hand. Now it is time to turn this vision into action, across all sectors of the economy and especially within industry and among small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), the backbone of this countrys economy. If each SME takes even a few meaningful steps towards greener business practices, the combined impact across more than 68,000 enterprises will be truly transformative, he concluded.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, October 23. Turkmenistan is demonstrating significant progress in reducing methane emissions in the gas industry, particularly through systematic work with the largest sources of emissions, the Director of the Sustainable Energy Department of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), Dario Liguti said, Trend reports.

He made the remark at the conference Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan - 2025 in Ashgabat.

We see positive results in the natural gas sector. The work to identify and eliminate so-called super emitters  major sources of methane emissions  has been particularly effective. This gives us reason to talk about systemic changes and serious actions being taken in the country, Liguti noted.

He stressed that about 95 percent of anthropogenic methane emissions come from the oil and gas sector, and it is here that there is the greatest opportunity for rapid and measurable action.

According to him, while significant progress has been made in the gas industry, more work needs to be done in the oil sector to achieve comparable results.

If one sector reduces emissions and the other does not, the overall balance remains unchanged. We hope that the ambition and pace already demonstrated by the gas industry will spread to the oil sector, he pointed out.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 23. The Central Bank of Iran (CBI) revoked the license of Ayandeh Bank on October 23, Trend reports, citing the regulator.

The Central Bank stated that its High Council, acting under the authority of the countrys management leaders, decided to cancel the banks license. The decision was driven by Ayandeh Banks financial instability, including losses of 5.5 quadrillion rials (about $9.8 billion), overdrafts of 3.13 quadrillion rials (about $5.57 billion), and a negative 600 percent capital adequacy ratio.

All deposits of Ayande Bank will be transferred to Melli Bank, and depositors can access their funds at the rebranded branches from October 25. All employees of Ayande Bank may continue working as staff of Melli Bank if they wish, the Central Bank added.

Ayandeh Bank, established in 2002, operates 276 branches, employs around 3,900 staff, and serves nearly 3 million customers.

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TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, October 23. On October 31, Tashkent will host the Uzbek-Finnish Business Forum, which aims to strengthen economic partnership, Trend reports via the Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan.

The event aims to strengthen bilateral ties in industrial innovation, mining, metallurgy, and sustainable economic partnership, with a focus on concrete, practical outcomes.

The forum will feature B2B and G2B meetings designed to promote business contacts and facilitate the exchange of experience between companies from both countries.

Meanwhile, the President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, will pay an official visit to Uzbekistan on October 3031, 2025.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, October 23. Uzbekistan has officially introduced a visa-free regime for six new countries and extended the duration of visa-free stays for Chinese citizens, Trend reports via the National Database of Legislation.

According to the document, citizens of Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan can enter Uzbekistan visa-free for up to 30 days. For Chinese citizens, the visa-free stay has also been extended to 30 days, except for Hong Kong residents, for whom the previous 7-day period remains unchanged.

In addition, a simplified procedure for business visas has been introduced for citizens of 15 countries. For several states, including Austria, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Italy, Latvia, Malaysia, France, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, and Japan, visas will be issued within two working days.

For citizens of the UAE, visa issuance will take up to three working days, while for Iran and Pakistan, the period will also be up to three working days, with a possible extension to ten days if additional checks are required.

Moreover, for Iranian and Pakistani nationals, business visas are issued under agreements on simplified visa procedures for business and scientific communities, as well as for tourist groups.
As we tighten our wallets in efforts to survive, looking into better deals, switching to cheaper products, and changing our habits, businesses suffer the consequences.

Then, when our favorite supermarket and grocery retailers are forced to close their doors amid declining sales, higher food and labor expenses, and tariffs on imported goods, we, as consumers, are hit again.

People lose their jobs, and customers have more limited options, fewer stores offering those better deals, and longer distances to reach remaining retailers.

Economic challenges are hurting both businesses and consumers. In the past few years, many supermarket retailers and convenience store chains were forced to close their doors or even file for bankruptcy.

Supermarkets and convenience stores that have closed locations:

The average net profit for food retailers in 2024 is 1.7%, according to data from the Food Industry Association (FIA).

These are extremely thin margins. Supermarkets are having a hard time returning profits.

Retail expert and TheStreet Co-Editor-in-Chief Daniel Kline pointed out: In addition to low margins and expensive stores, traditional supermarkets and grocery stores have to compete with digital rivals.

All these challenges have forced another popular grocery retailer to close another four locations.

UNFI's Shoppers closes four more stores due to financial challenges. Image source: Lysenko Andrii/Shutterstock

UNFIs Shoppers closes 4 more locations amid financial struggles

United Natural Food, Inc. (UNFI) will close four of its Shoppers Food supermarkets in Maryland by November 8, reported Grocery Dive, citing the companys emailed statement.

UNFI decided to close eight Shoppers stores in total this fall in an effort to reorganize its business to address financial challenges.

As we work to strengthen our retail business for the future, were taking steps to optimize our footprint where necessary while continuing to enhance the customer experience in our remaining stores, a UNFI spokesperson stated.

Stores closing by November 8 include:

4720 Cherry Hill Rd., College Park, MD 20740

3441 Laurel Fort Meade Rd., Laurel, MD 20724

18066 Mateny Rd., Germantown, MD 20874

4801 Marlboro Pike, Capitol Heights, MD 20743

The grocer said it plans to support workers at the closing locations by enabling them to transfer to other locations.

We fully support their interest in moving to other Shoppers locations where openings are available, the spokesperson said.

Related: Largest RV dealer wins the legal battle over problematic flag

The four new closures in Maryland follow the recent closure of another four Shoppers stores in the Old Line State. These were located in Essex, New Carrollton, Waldorf, and Westminster, Maryland.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, October 23. The US is considering the possibility of American companies participating in the TAPI and Trans-Caspian gas pipeline projects, the co-chair of the international practice at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, Samantha Carl-Yoder said, Trend's special correspondent reports.

She made the remark on the sidelines of the International Conference and Exhibition Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan - 2025 in Ashgabat.

Carl-Yoder noted that the company has been cooperating with the consortium on the construction of the TAPI gas pipeline for a year. According to her, the first section of the gas pipeline to Herat in Afghanistan is being implemented in accordance with the US General License 20, which allows economic activity for humanitarian purposes, and is not subject to sanctions restrictions.

The official stressed that a dialogue is currently underway with the US administration on the further passage of the pipeline through Afghanistan, as well as on mechanisms that will minimize economic benefits for the authorities operating in the country.

According to her, the participation of U.S. companies such as ExxonMobil and Chevron in gas pipeline construction projects, including the Trans-Caspian pipeline, could reduce political risks and increase confidence in these projects.

She also added that Washington is considering the growing global demand for natural gas, linked in particular to the development of data centers and artificial intelligence technologies.

Carl-Yoder estimates that global demand for natural gas will continue not only until the 2030s, but probably until 2050-2060.

This creates opportunities for both Turkmenistan and American companies in energy projects aimed at strengthening global energy security, she said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 23. In September 2025, Azerbaijan was the only country to record a year-on-year increase in natural gas supplies to Europe, the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) said, Trend reports.

During the first three quarters of 2025, the EUs cumulative pipeline gas (PNG) imports reached 106 billion cubic meters (bcm), marking a 9% decline compared to the same period in 2024. Over this time, Norway accounted for around 60% of the EUs total imports, while Algerias share rose to 21%.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan now exports natural gas to 14 nations, maintaining a leading global position in pipeline gas supplies.

According to data from Azerbaijans Ministry of Energy, the country produced 38.2 bcm of natural gas in January-September 2025. Of this, 10.2 bcm came from the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) block, 20.9 bcm from the Shah Deniz field, 1.2 bcm from Absheron, and 5.9 bcm from SOCAR-operated fields.

During the same period, Azerbaijan exported a total of 18.3 bcm of gas, including 9.4 bcm to Europe, 7.3 bcm to Turkiye (of which 4.3 bcm was delivered through TANAP), and around 1.6 bcm to Georgia.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 23. Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia Genadi Arveladze met with Nikola Stojanovic, State Secretary of the Ministry of Internal and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Serbia, Trend reports.

The meeting took place within the framework of the Tbilisi Silk Road Forum.

The parties discussed bilateral economic cooperation, including in sectors such as trade, tourism, civil aviation, transport, energy, and information technology. The potential for further strengthening relations between the two countries was also emphasized.

Ongoing consultations on a free trade agreement were reviewed, and it was noted that a joint statement on the launch of negotiations is expected to be made in the near future.

The meeting positively assessed the start of direct air travel between Serbia and Georgia  beginning in June 2025, flights between Tbilisi and Belgrade will operate three times a week. It was highlighted that the introduction of direct flights has contributed to an increase in tourist visits.

The Georgian side welcomed the decision of the Serbian government to open an embassy in Tbilisi, noting that the establishment of a permanent diplomatic mission will further strengthen ties between the two countries.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 23. The 9th session of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Serbia, along with the Azerbaijan-Serbia Business Forum, was held in Serbia's Belgrade on October 23, Trend reports via the Ministry of Finance.

Ahead of the session, the Azerbaijani delegation laid flowers at the monument of national leader Heydar Aliyev in Tasmajdan Park, honoring his legacy.

The commissions co-chairs, Azerbaijans Finance Minister Sahil Babayev and Serbias Minister of Culture Nikola Selakovic, held a preparatory meeting to review the current state and new opportunities in bilateral cooperation across sectors including economy, trade, energy, transport, information technologies, customs, agriculture, tourism, social protection, healthcare, education, culture, youth and sports, and food security.

In his opening remarks, Babayev emphasized that the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Serbia is rooted in mutual trust, friendship, and respect, reinforced by the personal rapport of Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Aleksandar Vucic. He noted that recent reciprocal visits and meetings at international events clearly demonstrate the depth of strategic dialogue between the two countries. Babayev also highlighted strengthened interparliamentary cooperation following the visit of Serbian National Assembly Speaker Ana Brnabic to Azerbaijan.

On economic and trade cooperation, Babayev underlined that increasing bilateral trade, organizing business missions, and fostering connections between entrepreneurs serve the strategic interests of both nations.

"Serbia is a key partner for Azerbaijan in Southeastern Europe, and joint projects in economic, financial, industrial, tourism, transport, and energy sectors will further expand collaboration," he noted.

Currently, 9 Serbian companies operate in Azerbaijan, while Azerbaijani construction firms are successfully implementing major highway projects in Serbia. Babayev expressed appreciation for the interest of Serbian companies in participating in the reconstruction and restoration of Azerbaijans liberated territories, noting that such engagement deepens economic ties.

Energy cooperation remains a key pillar of bilateral relations. Babayev recalled that Azerbaijan began supplying natural gas to Serbia in January 2024, with around 300 million cubic meters exported to date. The State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan maintains a $72.7 million investment portfolio in Serbia, and a joint project involving SOCAR, EPS, and Srbijagas will construct a 500-megawatt combined-cycle gas turbine power plant in Nis, advancing a regional energy partnership.

The minister also stressed that strengthening transport and logistics connections is a priority for both countries, pointing to initiatives such as transport corridors announced within the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process and the Green Energy Corridor as opportunities for broader collaboration. Babayev congratulated Serbia on hosting EXPO 2027 Belgrade and confirmed Azerbaijans active participation.

Selakovic noted that cooperation is based on mutual respect and benefit, covering strategic sectors such as construction, infrastructure, transport, trade, agriculture, energy, culture, and tourism. He reaffirmed Serbia and Azerbaijans relations grounded in sovereignty, territorial integrity, and mutual trust, appreciating Azerbaijans consistent stance on Kosovos unilateral declaration of independence.

Selakovic emphasized that the strategic nature of the relationship is formalized through agreements, including the 2013 Strategic Partnership Declaration, the 2018 Joint Action Plan, and the 2022 Memorandum of Understanding on the Strategic Partnership Council. He expressed hope that the councils first session will take place by the end of 2025 and invited Azerbaijan to participate in EXPO 2027 Belgrade.

Following the meeting, Babayev and Selakovic signed the protocol on the outcomes of the ninth session of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Serbia, while Orkhan Mammadov, Chairman of the Board of the Small and Medium-sized Business Development Agency of Azerbaijan (KOBIA), and Nikola Jankovic, Director of the International Cooperation Sector of the Serbian Development Agency (RAS), signed a detailed Roadmap under the Memorandum of Understanding, outlining the phased implementation of joint projects, investment initiatives, and collaborative programs to deepen bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

The co-chairs subsequently addressed inquiries posed by the media representatives.

Subsequently, an Azerbaijan-Serbia business forum took place, bringing together representatives from both the public and private sectors. Both Babayev and Selakovic addressed the attendees.

In his remarks, Babayev emphasized that the outcomes of the 9th session of the Joint Commission set the course for future cooperation, reflecting the spirit of friendship and strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Serbia. He highlighted that the intergovernmental dialogue provides a robust platform for deepening economic relations, with the business communities serving as the primary drivers of this process.

The minister underlined that Azerbaijans economic policy is guided by transparency, sustainability, and diversification. He noted the broad opportunities available for investors, particularly highlighting the new transport and logistics infrastructure under the Alat Free Economic Zone and the "Middle Corridor" project, which connects Asia with Europe, as key enablers of economic growth.

Babayev encouraged Serbian companies to actively engage in Azerbaijans ongoing and upcoming projects, while urging Azerbaijani firms to expand their operations in Serbia and across the broader Balkan region.

Concluding his speech, the minister expressed confidence that the friendship and strategic partnership between the two countries would continue to strengthen, and he wished forum participants productive discussions and the successful conclusion of new business agreements.

During the forum, bilateral meetings between business representatives explored opportunities for cooperation and the implementation of joint projects. AZPROMO Executive Director Yusif Abdullayev also addressed the participants.

The business forum witnessed robust participation from more than 50 enterprises, encompassing 16 Azerbaijani entities, thereby highlighting the escalating economic collaboration between the two nations.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 23. Azerbaijan has started supplying natural gas to Serbia since January 2024, and about 300 million cubic meters of gas have been exported so far, Azerbaijani Finance Minister Sahil Babayev said today at the 9th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Serbia and the Azerbaijan-Serbia business forum in Belgrade, Trend reports.

The minister articulated that the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan possesses an investment portfolio in Serbia, quantified at a substantial $72.7 million.



"Furthermore, the synergistic collaboration among SOCAR, EPS, and Srbijagas in the development of a 500-megawatt combined cycle gas turbine power generation facility in the city of Nis will elevate the energy alliance of the stakeholders to a new paradigm," he elaborated.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 23. Azerbaijan and Serbia have signed new agreements to strengthen economic cooperation, Trend reports.

Finance Minister Sahil Babayev and Serbias Minister of Culture Nikola Selakovic signed a protocol summarizing the outcomes of the 9th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation between the two countries.

Additionally, a Roadmap for implementing activities under a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Orkhan Mammadov, Chairman of Azerbaijans SME Development Agency (KOBIA), and Nikola Jankovic, representative of the Serbian Development Agency.
Photo: Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 23. Nine Serbian companies are operating in Azerbaijan, the country's Finance Minister Sahil Babayev said today at the 9th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Serbia and the Azerbaijan-Serbia business forum in Belgrade, Trend reports.

According to him, increasing mutual trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Serbia, organizing business missions, and expanding ties between entrepreneurs serve the strategic interests of the two countries.

The minister underlined that Serbia is an important partner of Azerbaijan in Southeastern Europe.

"In the coming period, the implementation of joint projects in areas such as economy, finance, industry, tourism, transport, and energy will further expand this cooperation," he explained.

He also pointed out that leading Azerbaijani construction companies are successfully implementing large highway projects in Serbia.

Babayev added that the interest of Serbian companies in the restoration and reconstruction of the liberated territories of Azerbaijan is welcomed, and cooperation in this area will further deepen economic relations.

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Photo: Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 23. Azerbaijan's Ministry of Economy held a meeting with the Turkish delegation to evaluate opportunities for strengthening cooperation between business circles, a source in the ministry told Trend.

Deputy Minister of Economy Samad Bashirli met with Chairperson of the Board of the Turkiye-Azerbaijan Friendship, Cooperation, and Solidarity Foundation (TADIV) Aygun Attar and Chairperson of the DEIK Turkiye-Azerbaijan Business Council Selcuk Akat.

Representatives of Turkish companies operating in industry, real estate, finance, banking, and other sectors also participated in the meeting.

The meeting emphasized that the foundation, established on the initiative of Azerbaijans national leader Heydar Aliyev, has contributed to the development of cultural and economic activities between the two countries.

Besides, the meeting highly appreciated the effective cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkiye in various economic sectors.

Information was provided about the favorable investment and business environment created in Azerbaijan, as well as the business opportunities in the liberated territories.

The prospects for mutually beneficial partnerships were discussed, with Turkish business entities expressing interest in operating in Azerbaijan and benefiting from its business environment.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 23. The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) and ABB company have exchanged views on energy transition, digitalization, and resource management through the application of innovative technologies in industry, Trend reports via SOCAR.

Today, SOCAR President Rovshan Najaf met with ABB's Senior Vice President for Northern Europe Tor Ove Lussand.

During the meeting, the companies exchanged views on energy transition, digitalization, and resource management through the application of innovative technologies in industry.

The other side was provided with information on the modernization of the energy industry in Azerbaijan, the reduction of carbon emissions, and joint green energy projects with international partners.

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By Wa Lone and Doyinsola Oladipo

TORONTO/NEW YORK (Reuters) -Air Canada is betting on business travel to support an expansion of service from Toronto's downtown airport, with new routes to the United States, in a boost for cross-border flying despite trade tensions between the two countries.

Canada's largest carrier will offer new service in spring 2026 from the country's largest city and economic hub to New York, Boston, Washington and Chicago, Chief Commercial Officer Mark Galardo told reporters at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.

Canadians have been slashing travel plans to the United States over President Donald Trump's tariff war and concerns over U.S. immigration policy, with airlines like Air Canada and United Airlines cutting capacity on certain U.S.-bound leisure flights.

Though the number of returning Canadian-resident trips from overseas countries by air increased 3.9% in September 2025, on an annual basis, the number of returning Canadian-resident trips by air from the United States declined 27.1% during the same period, according to data from Statistics Canada.

Air Canada's longstanding plans to double capacity to the urban airport would not be affected by politics, since business travel between the two countries has remained relatively stable, despite declines on some leisure routes, Galardo said.

"One thing we haven't seen is a reduction in business travel," he said. "In fact, Americans coming to Canada, that number hasn't dropped, and business travel overall has stayed relatively robust."

According to the U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) about half of the business travelers visiting the United States from Canada during the first quarter were from the province of Ontario.

The slump in demand to visit the U.S., the largest travel and tourism economy globally, goes beyond Canadians.

According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, international travel spending in the United States is expected to decline about 7%, or $12.5 billion, in 2025.

(Reporting by Wa Lone in Toronto, Doyinsola Oladipo in New York. Additional reporting by Shivansh Tiwary in Bengaluru. Writing by Allison Lampert in Montreal; Editing by Sahal Muhammed)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 23. Minister of Finance of the Republic of Azerbaijan Sahil Babayev held bilateral meetings within the framework of the 9th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Serbia, Trend reports, citing the ministry.

Issues of expanding investment cooperation and deepening mutual trade relations between the two countries were discussed at a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of the Republic of Serbia Adriana Mesarovic on October 23.

During the meeting, S. Babayev touched upon the future prospects for developing economic cooperation between the two countries, drawing attention to the possibilities for the active participation of Azerbaijani and Serbian companies in mutual projects, particularly in areas such as trade, services, agriculture, transport, and tourism.

In turn, A. Mesarovich emphasized the importance of expanding economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Serbia, as well as further developing business and trade opportunities between the two countries and implementing direct air links.

In addition, S. Babayev met with the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the Republic of Serbia, Sinisa Mali. The current state of economic cooperation between the two countries and potential opportunities for cooperation in the area of participation of Azerbaijani and Serbian companies in joint projects were discussed during the meeting.

Possibilities for developing cooperation between the finance ministries of the two countries, including the exchange of experience, were also discussed, and an agreement was reached to take appropriate measures to sign a Memorandum of Understanding for this purpose.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 23. The European Union (EU) is ready to continue supporting the green transition and energy sector reforms in Azerbaijan within the framework of a new phase of the EU4Energy project, implemented by the Council of European Energy Regulators (CEER). Eszter Sule, Head of CEERs regional office, told Trend.

We are implementing the EU4Energy project on behalf of the European Union in Azerbaijan. We are also responsible for all Eastern Partnership countries, but the direct implementation of activities is carried out specifically in Azerbaijan, Sule said.

According to her, the current phase of the project will end on November 18, 2025, but its continuation is already being planned.

At the new stage, we'll discuss with the Ministry of Energy which areas and activities require our support. But certainly, the EU, through this project, is ready to support Azerbaijans green transition, while the Council of Energy Regulators will assist in the development of regulatory institutions and legislation, she noted.

Sule added that CEER and the EU intend to continue supporting the reforms planned in Azerbaijans electricity sector, as European countries already have significant experience in liberalizing energy markets.

We'll support these reforms and are ready to share European experience, she emphasized.

The Council of European Energy Regulators (CEER) operates as a non-profit consortium, facilitating synergistic collaboration among national energy regulatory bodies across Europe to architect a cohesive, competitive, and sustainable internal marketplace for gas and electricity commodities. This functions as a conduit for national regulatory bodies to disseminate optimal methodologies, facilitate information interchange, and articulate their unified stance within the EU framework and on the global stage. CEER's initiatives facilitate the establishment of a cohesive European energy marketplace while safeguarding consumer rights and interests.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 23. Azerbaijan will participate in the international tourism fair 27th Mediterranean Archaeological Tourism Exchange in Paestum, Italy, from October 30 through November 2, the State Tourism Agency told Trend.

The event aims to promote archaeological parks and museums, encourage archaeological tourism and marketing, reduce seasonal tourism dependence, and expand economic opportunities. The fair is supported by Italys Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Conference of Regions and Autonomous Provinces, and the National Association of Italian Municipalities, and is recognized by UNESCO and the United Nations World Tourism Organization as one of the most successful initiatives for intercultural dialogue.

At the exhibition, Azerbaijan will set up a dedicated stand to showcase its archaeological heritage and tourism potential, providing informational materials for promotional purposes.

The fair (Borsa Mediterranea del Turismo Archeologico) is a globally recognized specialized platform that annually brings together tourism authorities, state and private sector representatives, as well as researchers and experts from hundreds of countries. Participation offers Azerbaijan opportunities to adopt best tourism practices, implement new ideas for archaeological tourism development, and promote sites listed or nominated for UNESCO World Heritage status. This initiative will strengthen Azerbaijans international tourism collaboration and further highlight the countrys archaeological tourism heritage on the world stage.

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ASTANA, Kazakhstan, October 23. Georgian Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Mariam Kvrivishvili and Kazakhstans Minister of Transport Nurlan Sauranbayev discussed promoting additional freight flows through Middle Corridor, Trend reports via the Georgia's Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development.

The meeting took place within the framework of the Tbilisi Silk Road Forum. Georgias Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Tamar Ioseliani and General Director of Georgian Railway Lasha Abashidze also participated in the discussions.

During the talks, the sides emphasized that the development of the Middle Corridor serves the interests of both countries. They underlined the importance of joint efforts to further promote this transport route and enhance its competitiveness.

The ministers discussed coordinated cooperation among the railways of Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan aimed at increasing rail freight traffic between China and Europe.

Furthermore, the meeting also addressed cooperation in other transport sectors. The parties highlighted the fruitful partnership in civil aviation Passenger traffic between Georgia and Kazakhstan grew by 10.4 percent from January to September 2025 compared to the same period of 2024. Positive trends in tourism cooperation were also noted.

The sides reaffirmed the importance of maintaining a strong bilateral dialogue format, stressing that the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation remains a key platform for strengthening economic, trade, transport, and cultural ties between Georgia and Kazakhstan.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, October 23. The Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan (the upper house of the parliament) has reviewed the draft Law on Artificial Intelligence, along with related amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses and several other laws, the Chief of Staff of the Senate, Maxim Spotkay wrote on his social media account, Trend reports.

''Senators conceptually supported the legislation but recommended clarifications and updates to several provisions.

The draft now proposes that works created using artificial intelligence be recognized as objects of copyright only when human creative input is involved. Lawmakers also emphasized that AI owners and operators must take measures not only to minimize but also to prevent possible harm, ensuring the protection of individuals rights and legitimate interests. The Senate clarified that liability insurance for damage caused by AI should comply with Kazakh legislation.

The draft law aims to regulate public relations in the AI field, define core concepts such as artificial intelligence, data library, and synthetic results of AI activity, and establish conditions for integrating AI into the economy, healthcare, education, and public administration.

It also defines the roles of state bodies and the national AI platform operator, mandates that media disclose when materials are created with AI, and prohibits AI systems that violate human rights, including manipulation, discrimination, and unauthorized biometric data collection.

Following the Senates amendments, the draft laws have been returned to the Mazhilis (the lower house of the parliament) for further consideration,'' the post reads.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, October 23. The European Unions newly adopted 19th package of sanctions against Russia does not apply to oil imports from Kazakhstan, Trend reports.

According to the European Commission, the import of oil from third countries, including Kazakhstan, and the transport of oil compliant with the Oil Price Cap to third countries are exempted.

However, the measures also list 4 new financial institutions in Belarus and Kazakhstan that use the Russian payments system (SPFS).

The new package introduces tougher measures against Russias energy, finance, and industrial sectors, including a full transaction ban on major companies Rosneft and Gazprom Neft.

The European Commission stated that the measures aim to increase pressure on Russia while avoiding negative impacts on reliable energy partners.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, October 23. The inclusion of Kazakhstan's VTB Bank in the EU's newly adopted 19th sanctions package will not have a negative impact on Kazakhstans financial stability, Deputy Chairman of the National Bank of Kazakhstan Yerulan Zhamaubayev told reporters on the sideline of the Senate (the upper house of the parliament) meeting, Trend reports.

Zhamaubayev noted that VTBs operations in Kazakhstan had already been limited prior to the latest EU decision.

VTB has not been conducting significant operations in Kazakhstan for some time, so it does not pose any systemic risks to the countrys financial stability, he said.

The bank official added that the authorities are closely monitoring the situation to assess the possible impact on depositors.

Every account holder possesses the autonomy to select their financial institution. "Should they opt to transition to an alternative financial entity, that is within their prerogative," Zhamaubayev articulated.



He underscored that the nations deposit insurance framework safeguards stakeholders in the occurrence of any banking contingencies.



Zhamaubayev emphasized that the government and the National Bank are meticulously monitoring all financial institutions and business entities in Kazakhstan to mitigate the risk of secondary sanctions arising within the jurisdiction.

VTB Bank of Kazakhstan is a wholly owned subsidiary of VTB Bank (PJSC) in Russia, a prominent worldwide financial institution, functioning as a comprehensive commercial bank in Kazakhstan. It offers a comprehensive array of banking products and services for people and enterprises, encompassing loans, deposits, money transfers, and internet banking. The bank participates in the Kazakhstan Deposit Guarantee System, with its Central Office situated in Almaty.

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ASTANA, Kazakhstan, October 23. LOT Polish Airlines has announced the launch of direct flights to Kazakhstan's Almaty, Trend reports via the company.

The first flight is scheduled for May 31, 2026.

The Polish carrier will operate four weekly flights on the WarsawAlmaty route during the summer season  on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, departing from Warsaw Chopin Airport at 22:40 local time. The return flights from Almaty to Warsaw are scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 09:20.

During the winter season, the airline will operate three flights per week. The journey will take approximately 6.5 hours to Almaty and about 7.5 hours on the return leg.

Flights will be carried out by modern Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. Almaty becomes the second destination in Kazakhstan served by LOT Polish Airlines, alongside Astana, strengthening air connectivity between Central Asia and Europe.
We recently published Top 10 Trending Stocks Everyones Watching in Q4. Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) is one of the trending stocks everyone's watching. Stephanie Link, Hightower Advisors' chief investment strategist and portfolio manager, said in a recent program on CNBC that she believes theres more upside for Wells Fargo.

I think there is more upside in Wells Fargo & Co (NYSE:WFC). I happen to own Wells Fargo because I think again as they invest more in their business, as they can grow their deposits across many different lines of business, they will see more profitability and market share, and so thats why I think that one is quite interesting.

Andrey_Popov/Shutterstock.com

Mairs & Power Balanced Fund stated the following regarding Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) in its second quarter 2025 investor letter:

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) outperformed as the expectation of a recession has diminished and a trend toward deregulation should benefit the banking and payments sectors. Wells Fargo further benefited as several consent decrees, which outline specific reforms and improvements, were lifted by various regulators. The most impactful of these was the Feds restriction on growth, which was unprecedented and lasted seven years. With these restrictions being largely lifted, the company is now in a much better position for future growth.
(Reuters) -AI startup Anthropic is in talks with Google to secure additional computing power valued in the high tens of billions of dollars, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The deal, which has not been finalized yet, includes Alphabet's Google providing cloud computing services to Anthropic, according to the report.

Alphabet's stock gained 2.3% in trading after the bell.

Google declined to comment, while Anthropic did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Anthropic, which counts Google and Amazon.com as its major investors, is the creator of the Claude chatbot and competes with OpenAI's ChatGPT for AI dominance.

Anthropic is projecting to more than double and potentially nearly triple its annualized revenue run rate next year, fueled by the rapid adoption of its enterprise products, Reuters had exclusively reported last week.

The company is on track to meet an internal goal of $9 billion in annual revenue run rate - a calculation of annual revenue extrapolated from the current sales pace - by the end of 2025.

(Reporting by Juby Babu in Mexico City; Editing by Anil D'Silva)
Apple and Microsoft have a lot in common beyond being two of the most valuable and recognizable brands in the world.

Both companies were launched in the mid-1970s and helped kick-start the personal computer revolution. Both were co-founded by visionaries who would themselves become legendary business and technology figures  Steve Jobs for Apple, and Bill Gates and Paul Allen for Microsoft. Both also changed the world in ways that still resonate 50 years later, and continue to be powerhouses on Wall Street.

Read More: Self-Made Millionaires Suggest 5 Stocks You Should Never Sell

Consider This: 6 Hybrid Vehicles To Stay Away From in Retirement

But which one is the better investment in the coming years? Heres a look at whether Apple or Microsoft will make you richer by 2030.

Current Performance

In terms of what both stocks are doing in 2025, Microsoft clearly has the edge. Its shares closed at $508.45 on Sept. 18 and are up nearly 21% year-to-date. Apples stock is much cheaper at about $238 a share, but its down roughly 5% so far in 2025.

As previously reported by GOBankingRates, part of Microsofts advantage is tied to the fact that it has much less direct exposure to President Donald Trumps tariffs because it doesnt deal in a lot of physical or computer products.

In contrast, Apple sells more than 220 million iPhones a year and about nine in 10 are made in China [- a major target of the tariffs. Apples heavy reliance on the iPhone could continue to weigh on its stock price in the years ahead, according to Edward Corona, a Florida-based trader and publisher of The Options Oracle Newsletter.

Apple is an incredible company, but so much of its story is still tied to the iPhone, Corona told GBR. Thats great for steady cash flow, but it makes it harder for Apple to find the next big growth engine.

Trending Now: Why You Should Start Investing Now (Even If You Only Have $10)

Looking Ahead

Finding the next big growth engine is less of a challenge for Microsoft.

Microsoft [is] right at the center of cloud and AI, and those arent just trends  theyre shaping how businesses and people operate every day, Corona added. That gives Microsoft more ways to grow  not just one product to rely on.

A recent analysis by Motley Fool offered a similar take, noting that Microsoft has integrated AI more heavily into legacy products like Windows OS and Microsoft Office.

Microsoft is growing revenue and profits at a much faster rate [than Apple], leading to higher market returns, Motley Fool added. Such an improved performance likely serves as the tiebreaker needed to give Microsoft the edge.
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Published October 22, 2025

MONROE, La.  The University of Louisiana Monroe will hold the annual premier lecture and seminar series, the College of Business and Social Sciences Symposium, from October 27-30, 2025. The theme for 2025 is Superpowers: Discover Yours, Transform the World. The event will feature keynote speaker Jim Davidson, an elevator pitch competition, a career fair, a cookout, the annual CBSS Brain Bowl, and many speaker sessions covering a wide range of topics.

The Elevator Pitch Competition, held in conjunction with the Office of Career Development and the Career Ambassadors, will be held on Tuesday, October 28, from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. in The Hangar. Student competitors will have 90 seconds to pitch their vision for a shot at the top prize. Student attendees will also be entered to win a door prize.

The keynote by Jim Davidson, entitled Everest Resilience: Overcoming Adversity and Reaching High Goals, will be on Wednesday, October 29, at 11:00 a.m. at Bayou Pointe Event Center. Davidson is a resilience expert who has survived not just one epic mountain disaster, but two. From his real-world survival experiences, he distills hard-won lessons about forging the resilience to overcome change, challenge, and uncertainty.

From his 42 years of adventures, Davidson shares compelling stories and practical tips about how to persevere and endure uncertain times through resilience strategies and post-traumatic growth. Davidson provides motivating keynotes and interactive workshops on resilience, teamwork, leadership, and change management. His energizing messages have been shared in person and virtually with audiences in more than 35 countries.

Jim Davidsons journey reflects a resilience we believe will resonate with ULM students and the community, said Cathi Hemed, Director of External Initiatives for the College of Business and Social Sciences. Our symposium keynote is a time-honored tradition brought to the students by the college to enhance their learning outside of the classroom, added Hemed.

The annual CBSS Brain Bowl also takes place on Wednesday, October 29, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in The Hangar. The Brain Bowl is a CBSS-wide trivia competition with teams representing each School within the College. Each team is made up of three students, one faculty member, and one professional. The competition is open to CBSS students. Students may contact their school director for more information.



CBSS Symposium sessions are free and open to the public. The College of Business and Social Sciences invites anyone who is interested to attend. Click the schedule link below for times and details about each session.

CBSS Symposium Schedule

(selected events; full schedule linked below)

Monday, October 27

9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. - Career Readiness Workshop  Strauss 148

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. - CBSS Rush Hour Career Fair  Hemphill 1st Floor

Tuesday, October 28

10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. - Changemaker Nonprofit Expo  The Hangar

3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. - Career Elevator Pitch Competition  Hangar A

Wednesday, October 29

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Jim Davidson, Keynote Speaker  Bayou Pointe

4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. - CBSS Brain Bowl Competition  The Hangar

6:30  7:30 p.m. - RMIN Alumni Panel: "How My Degree Became My Superpower - Hangar A

Thursday, October 30

9:30 a.m. - 2:15 p.m. - CBSS Symposium Speaker Sessions  The Hangar Ballrooms A, B, D

11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - CBSS Symposium Cookout  The Hangar South Lawn

For a full list of events, click here.
As a college student, Massachusetts native Paul Kuttner studied social sciences, with a focus on economic development in Latin America. For fun, he got involved in theater as an actor and director.

His studies in Chile and Nicaragua, his post-college work with youth in Chicago as a theater and creative writing educator, his desire to understand how underserved communities and schools could work together to improve education and his work on fostering partnerships between universities and communities all led him to UMass Lowell.

Now, Kuttner is the new director of the Tsongas Industrial History Center, the longtime educational partnership between the universitys School of Education and Lowell National Historical Park. He is also leading the development of a new Center for Educational Partnerships for the College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (FAHSS).

I never started out planning to do what I do now, says Kuttner, 46.

After working as a theater and creative writing educator in Chicago, a huge town for community organizing, he returned to Massachusetts to earn a doctorate at the Harvard Graduate School of Education because he wanted to understand how strong partnerships between communities and schools could transform pre-K-to-12 education.

After graduation, Kuttner moved into higher education, spending eight years at University Neighborhood Partners, which supports collaborations between University of Utah faculty and groups on the historically marginalized, multicultural and multilingual west side of Salt Lake City, with the goal of improving health, education, the environment and more.

Next, he and his family returned to the East Coast, where he spent two years working remotely as director of partnerships for Community-Campus Partnerships for Health, a public health nonprofit that connects scholars with local communities for community-based participatory research. There, he managed federal grants and honed his evaluation skills.

Kuttner continues to study and write about community engagement and partnerships, and he recently started an independent podcast, Partnership Work: The Art and Science of Bringing People Together. Earlier this month, he sat down for a conversation about how his background connects to his new roles.

What is the thread that runs through all your varied experiences?

There is a very broad understanding that health care and education and economics and the arts are all connected. My ultimate goal is to bring people together to address challenges that were all facing. You cannot do that effectively without understanding the place and the culture that youre in.

How does arts education come in, specifically?

In Chicago, I started getting interested in how the arts connected with community organizing. Then in graduate school, working with my mentors, we were partnering with community organizing groups around the country to do research.

I was learning about family engagement in schools and I was learning about community-engaged research, but I kept bringing the arts back in. I did my doctoral research on an organization that used hip-hop and theater to promote youth civic engagement.

So youre not a licensed teacher?

No. I came from community education. I did not work for the public schools at any point, but I worked as a visiting informal educator in some schools. And many of my partnerships in Utah involved connecting schools and families to improve education.

What drew you to this job?

I feel very lucky to be here. There are a lot of similarities and differences from my past work. For one thing, theres a unique relationship with the national park; its a very long-running, deep partnership. At the same time, the focus on experiential and out-of-school, co-curricular learning at the Tsongas Industrial History Center is a really valuable one and fits with my background.

And its place-based work. Education builds on the families and communities of young people. Thats why its important to understand the place youre in, the people, the culture and the history that youre rooted in.

Theres science here, and history, and also the stories of immigration that continue to impact our city. We have to hold onto that. We dont want to lose the strengths or ignore the problems of the past. The Tsongas Industrial History Center carries the torch of local history and culture so well, processes it and passes it on to young people and teachers.

Im hoping that we can expand on that, perhaps by creating more programs for high school students.

Whats the idea behind the new Center for Educational Partnerships?

First, working with Associate Dean Stacy Szczesiul, Im going to begin mapping all of the existing educational partnerships between faculty in the College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and communities that involve pre-K through community college education  not just in schools.

That will include everything from long-established extracurricular programs like COOL Science and the UML String Project to the newer Grow Your Own Teachers collaboration with local high schools and Middlesex Community College, and UPRISE, a summer program for high school students, as well as new and existing faculty research.

We will spend the next year building an infrastructure with the folks who are doing the work to support them, where needed. Then we will look at whether some of these projects could benefit by collaborating. Can we go for grants together? Can we learn from each other? What is the community working on, and how can we help? The idea is to become a hub for this network of partnerships.
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Far-right Israeli Minister Bezalel Smotrich apologizes to Saudi Arabia

Hours after making derogatory and threatening remarks against Saudi Arabia, Far-right Israeli Minister Bezalel Smotrich apologized to the Kingdom.

Thursday October 23, 2025 11:33 PM , ummid.com News Network

Tel Aviv: Hours after making derogatory and threatening remarks against Saudi Arabia, Far-right Israeli Minister Bezalel Smotrich apologized to the Kingdom.

Participating in a conference in Israel Bezalel Smotrich said, "If Saudi Arabia tells us normalisation in exchange for a Palestinian state, friends, no thank you.

He also virtually threatened Saudi Arabia saying, Keep riding camels on the sand in the Saudi desert We'll keep truly developing with an economy, a society, a state and all the great and wonderful things we know how to do", Smotrich said, prompting sharp reactions from Saudi Arabia as well as Israel.

Following the outrage, Smotrich said he regret his comments made during the conference Thursday.

My statement regarding Saudi Arabia was unfortunate, and I regret any offense it may have caused, Smotrich said in a video statement posted on social media platform X only minutes ago.

He, however, reaffirmed that he would not agree to normalization in exchange for the establishment of a Palestinian State.

Saudi Stand on State of Palestine

Bezalel Smotrich had made similar statement in September when Saudi Arabia and France in a joint effort persuaded different countries of the world to recognise the State of Palestine. As a result, a number of countries, including United Kingdom, Canada and Australia besides France, recognised the Independent State of Palestine ahead of the UN General Assembly Sessions September 2025 .

Smotrich's latest derogatory remarks against Saudi Arabia made at the conference - titled Halacha in the Technological Era organized by the Zomet Institute and the Makor Rishon newspaper, came amidst claims by US President Trump and others that Saudi Arabia may join the Abraham Accords , normalizing relations with and recognizing Israel in the coming months.

Saudi Arabia on its part has linked any talk of normalisation with Israel with the establishment of the State of Palestine.

The claim that the Kingdoms leadership has somehow modified its longstanding commitment to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state is baseless,Saudi Arabia had said in December last when similar reports surfaced in the media.

Also, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammad bin Salman, while addressing the Kingdom's Shoura Council in September 2024, had ruled out recognition of Israel or any ties with the Jewish state unless the State of Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital is established.

In another stronger warning, the Kingdom had in February 2024 categorically said there will not be any relation with Israel until the Zionists free Palestine, end their occupation and stop their carnage against the Palestinians in Gaza, West Bank and other occupied territories.

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Over 400 prominent Jews, including Oscar winners, former officials and prominent authors, have called upon the United Nations and other world leaders to sanction Israel for committing Genocide in Gaza.

In an open letter titled Jews Demand Action, over 450 prominent Jewish personalities have urged the UN and governments across the world to hold Israel accountable for the violations of international law in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem.

The letter addressed to the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, and Presidents, Prime Ministers, Heads of State, and Permanent Representatives to the United Nations, the signatories of the letter said Israels unconscionable actions in Gaza amount to Genocide.

We bow our heads in immeasurable sorrow as the evidence accumulates that Israels actions will be judged to have met the legal definition of genocide. Attempts are already underway to deny accountability and reassert the same broken playbook of impunity. That cannot pass, they said in the letter.

In a significant statement, the Jewish personalities, who included former Israeli officials, Oscar winners, authors and intellectuals, accused Israel of violating safeguards created to protect human life in response to the Holocaust.

Those safeguards have been relentlessly violated by Israel. Accountability for the Israeli leaderships grievous violations of international law is necessary. It is time to do everything possible to definitively end the Israeli governments collective punishment of the Palestinians and to pursue peace for the sake of both peoples, the letter said.

The letter coincides with reports that EU leaders may abandon plans to introduce sanctions against Israel during a summit in Brussels on Thursday.

His Excellency, Mr. Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations,

Presidents,

Prime Ministers,

Heads of State,

Permanent Representatives to the United Nations,

It is with great relief that we welcome the ceasefire, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian captives, and the hope for an end to the daily killing, destruction, displacement, and starvation in Gaza. And yet there should be no doubt that this ceasefire is fragile: Israeli forces remain in Gaza, the agreement makes no reference to the West Bank, the underlying conditions of occupation, apartheid, and the denial of Palestinian rights remain unaddressed.

It was international pressure that helped to secure this ceasefire, and it must be sustained to guarantee that it endures. The ceasefire must be the beginning, not the end. The risk of reverting to a political reality of indifference to occupation and permanent conflict is too great. This same pressure must be continued to deliver a new era of peace and justice for allPalestinians and Israelis alike.

The need for redress long predates October 7th, 2023. The crimes committed by Hamas and other armed factions on that day horrified us. The Israeli actions that followed were unconscionable. We bow our heads in immeasurable sorrow as the evidence accumulates that Israels actions will be judged to have met the legal definition of genocide . Attempts are already underway to deny accountability and reassert the same broken playbook of impunity. That cannot pass.

We therefore issue this appeal as Jews from all walks of life and across the world. We affirm our belief in the universality of justice and the fair and equal application of international law. We have not forgotten that so many of the laws, charters, and conventions established to safeguard and protect all human life were created in response to the Holocaust. Those safeguards have been relentlessly violated by Israel. Accountability for the Israeli leaderships grievous violations of international law is necessary. It is time to do everything possible to definitively end the Israeli governments collective punishment of the Palestinians and to pursue peace for the sake of both peoples.

As Jews and as human beings, we declare: Not in our name. Not in the name of our heritage, our faith, or our moral tradition. The monumental scale of the killing and destruction, the forced displacement, the deliberate withholding of life-sustaining necessities, and the ongoing criminal actions in the West Bank must end and never be repeated.

We deplore the fact that Israeli leaders have repeatedly taken to the world stage to declare that these actions are committed in the name of the Jewish people, as a manifestation of Jewish destiny. The Israeli government may claim to speak on behalf of the Jewish collective, but it does not speak for us.

This affront to our collective conscience cannot stand. It must be challenged. These are not Jewish values nor are they guided by the lessons we draw from our peoples history. Instead we see in many of those standing up for Palestinian rights a reflection of the people who stood with Jews in our times of need. Our solidarity with Palestinians is not a betrayal of Judaism, then, but a fulfillment of it. When our sages taught that to destroy one life is to destroy an entire world, they did not carve exceptions for Palestinians.

We shall not rest until this ceasefire carries forward into an end of occupation and apartheid. We write in the hope that this initiative further emboldens a moment of renewed Jewish commitment to act with conscience and compassion. We vow to work urgently to achieve equality, justice, and freedom for Palestinians and Israelis.

To that end, we issue this call to businesses, labor unions, civil society, and especially the leadership and member states of the United Nations:

1.

To respect and abide by the decisions of the International Court of Justice, noting their application also in the West Bank and East Jerusalem; to apply arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court; and to resist efforts to unduly pressure and influence and prevent the workings of both courts.

2.

To refuse any complicity in continued crimes and violations of international law against Palestinians by Israel, including by ending the provision of arms and other relevant goods and services; to use relevant leverage, including targeted sanctions on governmental bodies and individuals responsible for violations of international law, and suspension of relations with commercial entities contributing to these violations.

3.

To ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches all Palestinians in Gaza at the scale that is commensurate to their vital need, that the blockade is lifted and materials for reconstruction enter, and that there is a full Israeli military withdrawal.

4.

To refute false accusations of anti-Semitism that abusively deploys our collective history to tarnish those with whom we stand together in the pursuit of peace and justice.

With deep respect and in the spirit of our shared Jewish tradition,

Jews Demand Action
Modis absence from Gaza Summit marks shrinking of Indias moral footprint

PM Modi's absence from the Gaza Summit in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt is less an accident and more a revelation of priorities: arms trade over human rights, alignment over autonomy

Thursday October 23, 2025 5:39 PM , Ranjan Solomon

[Kirti Vardhan Singh, Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change; and External Affairs, with US President Donald Trump at Gaza Peace Summit 2025 held at Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt on October 14, 2025]

When world leaders convened in Egypt last month to deliberate over the Gaza ceasefire and chart a humanitarian response, Prime Minister Narendra Modis empty chair said more than any speech might have. India was represented not by its leader but by a junior minister  a conspicuous downgrading of presence at a time when civilian death tolls in Gaza have reached catastrophic levels.

Indias official statement repeated its familiar formula: Support for a two-state solution, call for restraint, condemnation of terrorism, and concern for civilian lives. Yet diplomacy is as much about symbolism as it is about substance. By skipping the Cairo Peace Summit , Modi made a statement  one of political calculation and moral evasion.

For decades, India was a moral voice for decolonization and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) . Jawaharlal Nehru spoke of Palestine as a question of justice, not religion. India was among the first nations outside the Arab world to recognize the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and grant full diplomatic status to its mission in New Delhi in 1980. This absence marked a shrinking of Indias moral footprint.

Today, that moral vocabulary has been replaced by transactional pragmatism. Modis absence is emblematic of a government that views foreign policy through the lens of domestic optics and strategic leverage, not ethical consistency. His governments cultivated closeness to Israel  intensified since Modis 2017 visit to Tel Aviv, the first by an Indian prime minister  has come at the cost of the Palestinian cause, which now receives little more than perfunctory lip service.

The decision to skip the summit cannot be separated from Indias domestic political climate. The ruling party has cultivated a public discourse that views Israel admiringly  as a muscular, militarized state that deals with terrorism firmly. In this imagination, sympathy for Palestinians risks being painted as sympathy for Hamas.

Attending a summit where Israels conduct was under severe scrutiny might have forced Modi to strike a delicate public balance  condemning excesses without alienating his political base or Israels leadership. By staying away, he avoided that tension. Yet diplomacy, by definition, requires precisely that kind of courage  to navigate moral grey zones with integrity.

Indias current foreign policy is also marked by a deepening alignment with the United States and its strategic allies. Washington and Tel Aviv are no longer just partners; they are ideological reference points for a model of nationalism and security governance. Hence, Indias decision marks a geopolitical realignment with U.S.Israel Axis

By aligning with the U.S.Israel camp, India believes it gains access to high technology, defense cooperation, and global legitimacy. But that realignment also erodes Indias credibility among Arab and African nations  the very partners who once looked to New Delhi for leadership against imperialism and occupation.

In this sense, Indias absence from the Gaza summit is less an accident and more a revelation of priorities: arms trade over human rights, alignment over autonomy. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Arms Transfer Database, Israel is among Indias top three defense suppliers, accounting for nearly 9% of Indias arms imports in recent years. That military relationship has only strengthened during the Gaza war.

Indian diplomats often justify this tilt as part of a de-hyphenated policy  engaging Israel and Palestine separately, without prejudice. In practice, however, the de-hyphenation has become de-prioritization: while Israel enjoys the status of a strategic partner, Palestine is reduced to a ceremonial friendship invoked at multilateral forums.

At a time when Gazas hospitals are running without electricity, journalists and doctors are being killed, and UN officials warn of famine, Indias aloofness appears morally untenable. To insist on neutrality in the face of genocide is not diplomacy; it is complicity disguised as caution.

These actions tantamount to a blow to Indias soft Power. Indias absence also weakens its own claim to global moral leadership. Under Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and even Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Indias strength lay in its ability to speak for the oppressed without wielding coercive power. That legacy gave New Delhi immense soft power across the Global South.

By sitting out of the Cairo Summit  a gathering that included Egypt, Jordan, the UN, European leaders, and key African nations, India forfeited a chance to help shape the humanitarian agenda. Symbolism matters in diplomacy; presence is participation. When the world was searching for voices of conscience, India chose to whisper from the sidelines.

Indias absence is likely to unsettle some of its closest Arab partners. Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, both significant trade and investment allies, have invested political capital in mediating the crisis. Gulf nations, home to nearly nine million Indian workers, watch Indias silence uneasily.

By appearing to stand with Israel even as Arab streets erupt in anger over Gaza, India risks alienating both its diaspora and its regional goodwill. Diplomatic capital, once eroded, takes decades to rebuild. India can hardly hope to escape the regional repercussions largely it is a retreat from Principle

Ultimately, Modis decision reflects a deeper transformation in Indias political imagination. A nation once proud to stand on the side of liberation struggles now prefers to stand with power. Gandhis call for Ahimsa in international conduct and Nehrus insistence on moral diplomacy feel almost alien in todays hyper-nationalist vocabulary of interests and image management.

India could have used the Cairo Summit to call for an end to occupation, an independent investigation into war crimes, and the creation of humanitarian corridors. Instead, it sent a lower-rank representative  a symbolic downgrade (an insult, even) that signalled disengagement, even disdain.

In the long run, silence will not insulate India from historys judgment. When the genocide in Gaza is fully accounted for, nations will be remembered for where they stood  not for the excuses they offered.

By skipping the summit, India abandoned not just Palestine, but its own moral heritage. What was once a proud tradition of solidarity with the oppressed has withered into petty politics and performative diplomacy. India may gain arms and alliances, but it is losing something far greater: its soul as a civilizational voice of justice.

References

Ministry of External Affairs, Indias statement on Gaza Peace Summit, October 2025. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Arms Transfer Database, 2024. Indian Express, India welcomes Gaza ceasefire, Modi hails Trumps efforts, October 2025. Hindustan Times, Inside the Gaza Peace Summit in Egypt, October 2025. NDTV, Tharoor questions Modis absence from Egypt summit, October 2025.

[The writer, Ranjan Solomon, is a political commentator and rights advocate who writes on democracy, justice, and decolonisation.]

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Barrick Minings Loulo-Gounkoto gold mine in Mali has resumed operations after more than nine months, reported Bloomberg, citing sources familiar with the matter.

The mine, a significant asset for Barrick, was shut down in January this year due to tensions with Mali's military-led government.

The tensions escalated until Soumana Makadji, an accountant and former health minister, was appointed by a Malian court in June this year to manage the mine for six months.

Makadji took over management of the mine amid a dispute involving export blocks and employee detentions.

Production at the site restarted late last week following an agreement to resume payments to contractors, said the news agency.

Mali's Mines Minister, Amadou Keita, stated in June that the interim management would restart operations, produce, pay the workers wages but also produce gold for the national economy.

Barrick representatives and Makadji have not commented on the developments.

The Ministry of Mines, through a spokesperson, indicated it was not involved in the operations, which are under the interim administration.

Subcontractors affected by the shutdown include Maxam, Sandvik Group and Etasi & Co. Drilling. Maxam and Etasi did not respond to requests for comment.

The Loulo-Gounkoto complex produced 723,000oz of gold last year.

Its temporary seizure has prevented Barrick from taking advantage of a significant rally in gold prices this year.

Barrick has begun arbitration proceedings against Mali and filed appeals in Bamako challenging the detention of four employees since November, denying the allegations of money laundering and terrorism financing.

Amid ongoing tensions, Barrick reported that government agents seized a tonne of gold from the site, and the company is awaiting information on the bullion's status.

The dispute stems from alleged back taxes and new mining legislation, with Barrick asserting that its local subsidiaries have binding agreements safeguarding them from certain legal changes.

Two weeks ago, Reuters reported that blasting operations are expected to begin at Barrick Minings Loulo underground gold mine in Mali.

"Barricks Mali gold mine resumes operations under state control " was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




Everyone knows Big Tech is booming, but what about the minerals it depends on?

The rare earths industry is taking off, and investors are noticing. The stocks of companies like Arafura Rare Earths, Lynas Rare Earths and MP Materials, which mine and refine the metals that help power everything from smartphones to wind turbines, have all more than doubled this year (with some climbing well beyond that), and ETFs investing in the companies have garnered massive inflows. (VanEcks Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF, REMX, brought in more than $200 million week over week as of Monday.) The boom reflects both political and technological developments  rare earths are now being used in AI infrastructure  and should be taken seriously by investors, experts said.

I think we see the tailwinds continuing for the foreseeable future, in addition to this newfound pocket of demand from data centers and AI, said Nate Miller, vice president of product development at Amplify ETFs.

SUBSCRIBE: Receive more of our free ETF Upside newsletter. READ ALSO: Latest 351 Exchange Trick? A $150,000 Minimum and T. Rowe Price Wades Into the Crypto Arena

Miss Independent

Part of the recent surge stems from an agreement signed by President Trump and the Australian Prime Minister on Monday to invest $3 billion into the sector over the next six months. The US government has also pledged to ban Chinese sourcing for certain metals by Jan. 1, 2027, which is all the more reason for US investors to shift their dollars away from Chinese supply chains, said Daniel OConnor, CEO of the media and intelligence platform Rare Earths Exchanges. (The company is working on launching an ETF that would invest in the rare earth supply chain outside of China, which also tightened restrictions on exports earlier this month.) Right now, a little under 100% of heavy rare earth elements are processed in China, OConnor said. What this means is if the US military needs to develop something and they dont have access, theyre out of luck  So theres enormous pressure [to diversify].

ETFs investing in rare earths companies have outperformed of late:
HONOLULU  As the federal government shutdown enters its fourth week, the University of Hawaii system is front-lining the impact on higher education institutions nationwide. With more than 830 employees paid at least partly through federal funds, the university is now covering more than $20 million every two weeks out of its own coffers to keep staff on payroll.

Financial Pressure Builds on Campus

At a recent Board of Regents meeting, President Wendy Hensel stated, "The challenge really is primarily cash flow. The past practice ... has been to reimburse universities at the end of shutdown for any prepaid federal salary. In this case ... reimbursement is not guaranteed." She added that the system has been able to meet payroll for now but warned that costs would rise substantially if the shutdown continues past the end of October.

For Hawaii, the burden is immediate and heavy: each two-week pay period for federally supported staff now comes from university reserves, threatening cuts to academic programming and broader operations if the funding lapse persists.

Nationwide Impacts on Higher Ed

The Hawaii system is not alone. According to Inside Higher Ed, institutions across the country are responding to the shutdown with dramatic mitigation tactics. The article reports that the shutdown has entered its fourth week, and universities such as Georgia Institute of Technology are beginning to cut expenses and freeze hiring to preserve cash.

"The longer it goes on, the more impacts you start to see," said Tobin Smith, senior vice-president for government relations at the Association of American Universities. Meanwhile, concerns range from deferred student work opportunities and stalled grants to uncertainty for researchers and administrators awaiting federal guidance. In some cases, programs that rely on federal awards have paused operations or delayed equipment purchases.

What's at Stake Payroll and cash flow risk : Universities like Hawaii face mounting financial pressure as they front pay for federally funded workers without assurance of reimbursement.

: Universities like Hawaii face mounting financial pressure as they front pay for federally funded workers without assurance of reimbursement. Research and grants disruptions : Agencies such as the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation are less responsive during the shutdown, hampering new awards and approvals.

: Agencies such as the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation are less responsive during the shutdown, hampering new awards and approvals. Student and workforce impacts: Some colleges report delayed student aid, frozen work-study roles and disrupted training programs, which affect enrollment decisions and retention.

Looking Ahead

For Hawaii and institutions nationwide, the question is not if the shutdown ends  but when. The longer it lingers, the deeper the budgetary scars may run. In Hawaii, President Hensel will update the Board of Regents again on November 20, as the university continues to assess how long it can operate under these extraordinary strains.

Universities are watching closely. What's unfolding in Hawaii could offer an early look at broader consequences for campuses across the country: deferred capital plans, tightened spending, and an undeniable spotlight on how federal budgets ripple into academia.
Key Points

Although the AI sector is hot, government spending cuts hit BigBear.ai in the second quarter.

The company's sales plunged 18% year over year in Q2, and BigBear.ai cut its revenue forecast for the year.

BigBear.ai achieved some wins in Q3, including a partnership with Tsecond, which bodes well for its future.

10 stocks we like better than BigBear.ai 

Since the seminal arrival of OpenAI's ChatGPT in 2022, governments and organizations around the globe have rushed to adopt artificial intelligence (AI). This has been a boon for AI-focused businesses, such as BigBear.ai (NYSE: BBAI).

BigBear.ai stock is up over 60% in 2025 through the week ending Oct. 17. Even so, shares are below the 52-week high of $10.36 reached in February. Does this signal a buy opportunity for the AI stock?

BigBear.ai's business hit road bumps this year, so the answer isn't straightforward. Seeing if this AI stock is a smart investment requires digging into what's going on with BigBear.ai right now.

Image source: Getty Images.

The hit to BigBear.ai's sales

BigBear.ai specializes in artificial intelligence solutions for national security and infrastructure. For that reason, most of its revenue comes from the U.S. government.

This position should be an advantage, given President Trump's assertion that AI leadership "is of paramount importance to maintaining the economic and national security of the United States."

However, the Trump Administration also pursued spending cuts in what it calls "wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars." This resulted in government contracts being pared back during the second quarter to the tune of several billion dollars.

As a result, BigBear.ai sales fell 18% year over year to $32.5 million in Q2. That's not all. The government cutbacks caused the company to reduce its 2025 revenue to a range of $125 to $140 million, a double-digit drop from the $158.2 million earned in 2024.

In the first half of 2025, BigBear.ai's sales came in at $67.2 million, down from $72.9 million in 2024. A small consolation is that the company is on track to meet the revised full-year revenue outlook.

Is BigBear.ai poised to bounce back?

Since the Q2 setback, BigBear.ai has had a streak of wins. In August, the company announced a deal to provide AI-powered security services for cargo passing through the Panama Canal. In September, its biometric solutions were adopted by the Nashville International Airport, adding to a growing list of locations using BigBear.ai for airport security.

Then in October, the company announced a partnership with Tsecond to boost BigBear.ai's edge computing capabilities. This collaboration allows BigBear.ai's battlefield AI tech to function without relying on an internet connection. As the company states, the solution enables "tactical teams to make faster, more informed decisions" in real time.
Key Points

Some pure-play quantum computing stocks have been massive multibaggers over the past year.

Several billionaires and their hedge funds purchased these stocks as recently as the second quarter.

Several of these stocks trade at very large multiples, but the investment is a bet on the commercialization of quantum computers.

10 stocks we like better than D-Wave Quantum 

Few investment sectors have experienced larger share price gains over the past year than quantum computing. While these stocks are highly speculative, the potential of the technology and their incredible rise have caught the attention of billionaires and hedge funds on Wall Street.

While retail investors should keep an eye on what the "smart money" is up to, they should also be sure to do their own due diligence. That's because the billionaires who run their own hedge funds may not necessarily be involved in all day-to-day investment decisions. Hedge funds also tend to invest on shorter time horizons.

That said, when a group of billionaires buys a stock, it can certainly be a bullish indicator. In the second quarter, billionaires and their funds piled into a quantum computing stock that has risen 2,640% over the past year.

Image source: Getty Images.

A different approach to quantum computing

Quantum computers are viewed as the next iteration of the computer, so if they can be commercialized to the masses, there is an enormous opportunity for any company that can get in early.

Computers are built on the foundation of bits, the smallest units of digital data. Quantum computers largely rely on qubits, which are like bits but in a state of superposition. This allows them to process more data simultaneously and therefore consider more solutions at the same time, giving them significantly more computing power than what's available today.

The company D-Wave Quantum (NYSE: QBTS) takes a unique approach by not only focusing on the more traditional gate-based quantum computing, which is being used more broadly across the sector, but also on a process known as quantum annealing, which is believed to be a better approach for more focused optimization problems.

Quantum annealing makes it easier for quantum computers to scale with more qubits, and the more qubits a quantum computer has, the more powerful it is likely to be. But in quantum annealing, the qubits are more difficult to manipulate, potentially making them less effective than in a gate-based system.

There is some dispute about D-Wave's approach. In June, according to Investor's Business Daily, Global Quantum Intelligence's Chief Content Officer Doug Finke told the publication that D-Wave's ability to offer both types of quantum systems would make them a standout and give customers more flexibility. However, Finke also acknowledged that some experts believe quantum annealing could get phased out down the road once gate-based systems become more powerful and better at correcting errors, eventually gaining the ability to compute any kind of problem.
Binance is currently facing the heat in South Korea.

On 20 October 2025, Min Byung-dug, a South Korean lawmaker asked regulators if Binance is going to pay up investors affected by GOPAXs GoFi fund going under. GOPAX offered GoFi as a high-yield crypto deposit solution. However, after FTX went down in 2022, roughly $106 million in consumer funds where frozen. This affected around 3000 users and so far, there is no solution in sight.

Now that Binance has acquired GOPAX, the onus falls on the parent company to follow through

According to a local publication, speaking during a parliamentary hearing, Min questioned the Financial Services Commission (FSC) Chairman, Lee Eog-won about Binances promise to pay the effected users.

Min pointed out that compensating the investors should have been a prerequisite in Binances acquisition of GOPAX. This is a merger not backed by capital, he said, during the session.

Binance had first announced its plan to acquire GOPAX way back in 2023, in an effort to expand its presence in South Korea. However, at the time, the Korea Financial Intelligence Unit (KuFIU) blocked its advances based on Binances past anti-money laundering violations in the US.

The deal was finally approved when Binance resolved its compliance issues.

EXPLORE: Top 20 Crypto to Buy in 2025

Binance Linked To Cambodia Scandal, Lawmakers In Korea Demand Probe

Out of the frying pan, into the fire. As if paying $106 million was not enough, theres more legal troubles headed towards Binance.

Kim Jae-sun, another Korean lawmaker has raised concerns regarding Binances alleged ties to the Cambodian Prince Group, which the US authorities have accused of money-laundering and human trafficking.

He also pointed out that authorities fined Changpeng Zhao (CZ) $4 billion and banned him from operating in the US because of his past violations.

Moreover, Binances acquisition of GOPAX has sparked a flurry of political debates in the country. According to the publication, some are questioning the timing of the deal since it was approved within just nine months after the new government took office.

There are also rumors of a top GOPAX executive being related to someone high up in President Lee Jae-myungs administration.

EXPLORE: Next 1000X Crypto  Heres 10+ Crypto Tokens That Can Hit 1000x This Year

More Binance Updates: Limitless Lab Dispute, 600 Wallets Banned

CJ Hetherington, CEO of Limitless Labs, accused Binance of demanding 8% of his projects tokens and millions in deposits to secure a listing. To substantiate his claim, he shared alleged internal communications highlighting demands for airdrops, marketing allocations and collateral.
Unions call on workers to "block everything" in protest over government's "war budget".

Italian trade unions USB and CUB have called a national general strike for public and private sectors on Friday 28 November in protest over the government's 2026 budget bill.

The USB is demanding that all national contracts "guarantee at least 2,000 as a minimum starting wage and base pay", describing it as an amount that represents "the absolute minimum to guarantee a decent wage and allow for the recovery of the enormous wage losses accumulated over the last 30 years".

In a statement, the union said it was unacceptable to continue to raise the retirement age, "which should instead be brought back to 62", claiming that people in Italy "work too much and for starvation wages".

The USB claimed that banks have "raked in extra profits and are starving the country", demanding that they "pay the price", and called on the government to invest in social housing and healthcare instead of "buying and manufacturing new weapons".

The USB also called on workers to once again "block everything" - as was done during the recent mass rallies for Gaza - and join the protest against the "war budget".

The strike is set to involve railway workers from 21.00 on Thursday 27 November until the same time the next day, while for healthcare workers, the strike will run from the first shift on Thursday night until the last shift the next day.

The unions are planning protests in cities across Italy on Saturday 29 November, with a national demonstration set to take place in Rome.

More details are expected to be announced nearer the time of the strike.

We update our news of public transport strikes in Italy regularly. For official information see the transport ministry website. Photo credit: Vincenzo Lauricella / Shutterstock.com.
Waterford TD and Sinn Fein Healthcare spokesperson David Cullinane has called on the government to invest further in cancer services in Waterford.

Every year, 44,000 people receive a cancer diagnosis. Behind every number is a person and a family waiting anxiously for tests, results and treatment. Too many are still waiting too long, Deputy Cullinane said.

The Sinn Fein TD zeroed in on a regional imbalance in relation to Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanners. PET scanners are used to detect early signs of cancer.

Cancer outcomes in Ireland lag behind comparable countries because our system does not have the staff, beds or diagnostic equipment to meet growing demand. Denmark, for example, has more than five times as many PET scanners per person as Ireland.

The Irish Cancer Society made clear that there are serious regional gaps in access to PET scanners, and that they are vital for appropriate and accurate diagnosis at the early stages of cancer. These gaps must be closed urgently.

Cancer services cannot be left to compete for resources year after year  they need certainty and sustained support, he said.

Total government cancer funding for 2025 was 41 million.

There must be at least 20 million in additional day-to-day funding for cancer services next year, alongside significant capital investment in new and replacement equipment, including PET scanners, Deputy Cullinane said.

The people of the South East, and indeed the West and Mid-West, should not have to travel long distances for essential scans. Delivering PET scanners in Waterford, Galway and Limerick is essential to ensure fair access to timely diagnosis and treatment.

I will continue to press the government to deliver the investment needed so that every patient, no matter where they live, has timely access to world-class cancer care.
By Mathieu Rosemain

PARIS (Reuters) -BNP Paribas sought to reassure investors on Tuesday that it faces limited exposure to a Sudan-related litigation, although analysts said there was continued uncertainty and shares in the lender dropped again.

A U.S. jury on Friday found the French bank helped Sudan's government commit genocide by providing banking services that violated American sanctions.

The court ordered the euro zone's biggest lender by assets to pay a combined $20.5 million to three Sudanese plaintiffs who testified about human rights abuses perpetrated under former President Omar al-Bashir's rule, raising concerns about potential further claims.

BNP shares, which tumbled sharply on Monday as investors assessed the implications, were down 1.6% on Tuesday afternoon, underperforming both the broader market and the banking sector.

Chief Financial Officer Lars Machenil told analysts the bank made no provisions for Sudan-related litigation in its upcoming third-quarter results, due on October 28, as it expects the verdict to be overturned on appeal.

Machenil also said that Swiss law applied in this case, offering a potential shield for the bank.

"The U.S. court ruled that Swiss civil law applies in this case, as the relevant transactions were carried out from Geneva. Moreover, Swiss civil law does not allow for the liability being claimed, and the Swiss government has officially confirmed that there is no legal basis for such liability," Machenil said.

Analysts said doubts remained.

"While the bank sees the risk of broader claims as low, we cannot rule it out entirely. The uncertainty around this matter will weigh on the share price until more clarity emerges from BNP's appeal," said Johann Scholtz, an analyst at Morningstar.

Traders at banks said in notes to clients that the CFO's comments during the analysts' call on Tuesday raised more questions than answers.

NO PRECEDENT FOR SIMILAR CASES

Machenil downplayed the risks of a class action, describing it as a "case by case" situation.

"This is neither a regulatory fine nor a criminal penalty, but a private legal dispute. The verdict concerns only three plaintiffs, and it does not set a precedent for similar cases," he said.

He added that the judge had said any individual compensation claims related to the Sudan case would require separate trials.

Asked how many additional plaintiffs could come forward, Machenil said: I dont have a crystal ball. He also declined to say how long the appeal process might take, noting it would be at least a couple of months and not more than 12 months.
There is excitement building in Waterford ahead of this year's Waterford Business Awards showcase with the shortlist of nominees representing a broad cross-section of the Deise's commercial sector.

Organisers, Waterford Chamber joined forces again this year with partners WLR and Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber for the gala awards ceremony, which will take place in the Tower Hotel on Friday, November 14.

Speaking about the awards, Waterford Chamber President Eadaoin Carrick said: Congratulations to all the businesses who have been shortlisted, what a fantastic representation of the Waterford business community across the city and county.

"This shortlist goes a long way towards showcasing the strength and depth of our amazing business community," said Eadaoin.

Meanwhile, Oren Byrne, President of Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber added: To be recognised by your peers for the hardworking and determination to be best in class deserves to be celebrated and we look forward to doing so on November 14.

Commenting on the decision-making process Martin Freyne, Chairperson of the Judging Panel, said: It is absolutely incredible what our business community is delivering in terms of innovation, technology, customer service and more. While only three can be shortlisted in each category, the lists could easily have been much longer and there was some very active debate and tough decisions along the way. Our independent panel of judges make a huge commitment to selecting the shortlist and I thank them for their time and dedication.

Michael Byrne, CEO of WLRfm said the stationais delighted to be involved to both champion and promote the Waterford Business Awards each year.

The Business Awards are a beacon of positivity and once again the list of nominee companies in every category is of a very high standard," he said.

"There is no doubt the Waterford business community is vibrant and ambitious, which is evident from the list of entrants and shortlisted companies. We wish everybody the best of luck.

The shortlisted businesses were nominated by the public and through a self-nomination process. An independent judging panel, chaired by Martin Freyne and including Lena Murphy, Truvium Vet; Jackie Roche, Bausch + Lomb; Neil Gough, WLR; Deirdre Houlihan, Faithlegg; Tommie Ryan, Waterford Chamber Skillnet; Georgina Campbell, Orbe Consulting; James OSullivan, SETU; Howard Kent, Kent Consulting and Jacqui Gaule, Waterford Local Enterprise Office, decided upon the final shortlist after a rigorous judging analysis of each application.a Three businesses were shortlisted for each of the categories and the winners of those categories will then go head-to-head in the hope of claiming the Overall Waterford Business of the Year, sponsored by Waterford City & County Council.

A Special Recognition Award, sponsored by Faithlegg and the Entrepreneur of the Year Award, sponsored by Parker Law, will also be presented to an individual chosen by the judging panel. They will only be revealed during the live event. In addition, the Radio Campaign of the Year, sponsored by WLR, will recognise excellence in creative execution, strategic delivery, and measurable impact across radio and WLRs platforms, while the Think Waterford First Award, sponsored by Buion Phort Lairge, will be awarded to a business or individual who has shown exemplary commitment to promoting and supporting Waterford.

The shortlist is composed of: Business of the Year (100+ employees) - Dovida, Eirgen Pharma, The Park Hotel Dungarvan; Business of the Year (up to 100 employees) - Dave Barry Plastics, Hartley People, Q1 Scientific; Business of the Year (up to 20 employees) - Aspire Physiotherapy, Liberty Blue Estate Agents, Merry's Gastro Pub; Customer Service Excellence - Irina Duane Photography, Klearcom, Parker Law Solicitors; Environmental & Sustainability - CC Renewables, Granville Hotel, TFI Local Link Waterford; Excellence in Innovation - Ashleigh Farms, Lean Industry 4.0, NEG8 Carbon; Food, Beverage & Hospitality - CocoabyJudit, The Railway Cottage, Under the Clock Coffee House; Marketing Excellence - Griffin Auctioneers, The TEFL Institute of Ireland, Visit Waterford; New Business of the Year - Euryka AI, GoChallenge, Natures Alchemy; Retailer of the Year - Fitzgerald's Menswear, George Corbett Motors, Harlow Fine Jewellery; Visit Waterford Award - Colaiste na Rinne, Dunmore Adventure, Churchyard Sessions @ The Reg; Workplace Excellence - Haleon, Fitzwilton Hotel, Unitec IT Solutions.
Last year, presidential candidate Heather Humphreys met with former workers of Waterford Crystal, amidst their decades long battle to obtain their pensions.

In the early nineties, over 400 of the former Crystal employees were misinformed about their future pension entitlements, and were resultingly left without a pension.

The workers claim that they were offered only one pension option at the time  the return of their pension contributions.

They were entitled to receive three options contained on an option form.

The workers assert that none of the more than 400 employees were ever offered these forms, and that no evidence of their existence has been presented since.

Nobody accepts the fact that what happened to us when we left Waterford Crystal is we did not get the options were entitled to" former Crystal worker Walter Croke told the Waterford News & Star.

It was established that there was a group of people who never got their options but nobody was ever followed up on it, and we believe the government had a big part to play.

The meeting with Humphreys

In May of 2024, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald raised the workers issue on the floor of the Dail.

She asked then Taoiseach Simon Harris to arrange a meeting with the workers.

They are very angry and they believe, with good reason, that they have never gotten a fair hearing, Deputy McDonald said.

The workers say the company misinformed them by offering them only one pension option, that is, the return of their pension contributions.

The workers say they have never received any paperwork whatsoever outlining all of their options. Surely if proof exists of options being afforded to them, it should be produced but it has not been.

"I ask the Taoiseach to intervene in this very serious ongoing saga.

Harris agreed to the meeting, and asked that then Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys also attend.

Both Harris and Humphreys met with a group of the workers later that year.

Why meet?

Mr. Walter Croke, who attended the meeting, told this newspaper that Humphreys had previously stated in correspondence that the group of workers did in fact receive option forms.

We have letters here from Minister Humphreys and all her predecessors, stating in answers to questions written on our behalf, that we got all of our entitlements, that we did sign option forms, and that we had opted to return our contributions.

But we know for a fact that there were 445 people identified by the pension provider that did not receive these option forms."

Thus the goal of the meeting was for the Harris and Humphreys to produce a copy of the options forms that the workers were alleged to have signed.

The pair were unable to produce any forms.

Speaking in Dail Eireann after the meeting, Humphreys said: This is a long-running issue and is quite complicated.

The workers' fight continues.

More on this story is available HERE
A shining light of the local arts scene, Stagemad Theatre Company is celebrating two decades of theatrical productions in Waterford.

The company was founded by James Power at a time when independent arts organisations were frequently coming and going across the country.

Stagemad however has stood the test of time, becoming a staple of artistic passion locally, nationally and internationally.

Stagemads twentieth birthday will be marked next month with a celebratory production of A Streetcar Named Desire.

Company founder and artistic director James Power says however, that there are concerns regarding the future of the company.

Mounting difficulties

Throughout the years, Stagemad has carved out a massive body of work, mounting an impressive resume of forty new plays.

It has not been an easy road, James said.

Operating on extreme shoestring budgets, we owe a profound debt of gratitude to everyone who has supported us. Small theatre companies find it very difficult to compete with big budget companies for audiences, funding, and media attention," he said.

Weve only succeeded thanks to tough, devoted people, the actors who performed for a pittance, the designers who sourced materials creatively, the volunteers who manned the doors, who have helped us in any way they could."

Mr. Power also extended thanks to the wider theatrical family of Waterford and Waterford City & County Council for their years of support.

James Power, Founder of Stagemad

"Costs are rising and rising and national funding is inequitable," he said.

"The gap between the large, established institutions and grass roots companies like ours is widening.

"I sincerely hope this is not our very last production, but our future is bleak.

What's next?

James concluded with a forward-looking, personal aspiration that is vital to his home town of Tramore; the establishment of a community theatre for the town.

"As a Tramore native, I look forward to the day when my home town has its very own theatre," he said.

"This vision for a dedicated cultural space in a thriving town like Tramore represents perhaps the next chapter of Stagemad?"

James also made a impassioned plea to the people of Waterford, urging them to support the future of the company.

"If there is anyone out there who would like to support us to continue as a theatre company please contact us at stagemadtheatrecompany1@gmail.com"

'A Streetcar Named Desire' runs at Garter Lane Arts Centre from November 11 to 15, at 8pm.

Tickets available at garterlane.ie
The Irish Cattle & Sheep Farmers Association (ISCA) has strongly criticised Dawn Meats acquisition of New Zealands Alliance Group, labelling the move as bad news for Irish farmers.

Dawn Meats, a Waterford-based red-meat processing company, edged closer to securing a majority stake in Alliance Group on Monday, with shareholders approving Dawn Meats move to acquire 65% of the shares of the New Zealand Co-Op.

Alliance Group is New Zealands largest exporter of sheep meat.

ISCA sheep chair Willie Shaw has said Dawn Meats acquisition and ability to sell sheep meat for 12 months of the year will undercut Irish farmers.

This deal confirms everything we were worried about when we first heard it was on the cards. Dawn Meats has been very clear that its aim is to create a year-round supply of lamb between the northern and southern hemispheres, Shaw said.

That might sound good in a boardroom, but its bad news for Irish farmers who depend on seasonal markets and fair prices, he said.

Shaw said the introduction of New Zealand lamb will saturate Irish markets, driving prices down and harming Irish farmers.

It is very disappointing that an Irish company built on the backs of Irish farmers is now using its profits to buy into New Zealand production instead of backing local suppliers. This deal will give Dawn Meats control over the biggest sheep meat exporter in New Zealand, exporting to 65 countries. That gives them huge global power - and Irish farmers will be the ones squeezed.

It tells you where Dawns priorities lie. Theyre looking after farmers in New Zealand, not the ones who kept them going for decades here in Ireland.

The ICSA issued a call to Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon and the European Commission to examine the implications of the deal.

We need to make sure Irish and European producers are not undercut by imported lamb thats part of this so-called year-round supply. There must be safeguards so that Irish farmers are not the losers from corporate deals like this, Shaw said.
A peaceful, candlelight demonstration is to be held in Cappoquin following a violent incident in the village last weekend, which left a man in critical condition.

The demonstration will be held in the square in Cappoquin on Friday, October 24, from 7pm to 8pm.

Cllr Donnchadh Mulcahy and TD Conor D. McGuinness issued a joint statement saying:

This is about showing that violence and intimidation have no place anywhere in West Waterford.

We stand united for safety, respect and peace in all our towns and villages.

Ive been in touch with numerous people across West Waterford over the last few days, as well as with the family of the person injured.

I continue to raise serious concerns about Garda numbers and visibility across the region.

People deserve to feel safe walking their streets and we must send a clear message that this sort of behaviour is completely unacceptable.

There must be zero tolerance for violence or antisocial behaviour, and we cannot simply move on and forget.

This is about standing up for one another and making it clear that West Waterford will not be defined by fear, but by community and solidarity.

All are welcome to join this peaceful demonstration. Please bring a candle and lets show what community really means.
An alliance representing Waterford estuarys coastal villages of Passage East, Cheekpoint, Ballyhack, Arthurstown, and Duncannon has been established.

The group have launched a campaign for major investment in the economic and social renewal of the villages on both sides of the estuary that borders Wexford and Waterford counties.

They aim to deliver an economic, social and environmental impact programme that halts decline and drives sustainable development within the local villages.

The group will also fight for the establishment of a strategic renewal plan by local and national agencies that will deliver vital new infrastructure and resources to develop marine tourism, renewable industries and innovative initiatives, while protecting cultural and natural heritage.

In a statement this week announcing its formation, spokesperson for Waterford Estuary Villages Alliance (WEVA), Walter Foley of Duncannon, said that the collapse of inshore fisheries as the economic backbone of the estuarys small shoreline villages over the past twenty years has led to major community decline and a threat to our unique heritage that needs to be addressed urgently".

WEVA represents for the first time a unified and coherent voice for the estuarys coastal villages in both counties whose views have not been heard in the past.

"Ni neart go cur le cheile, the Irish phrase which means strength comes from unity, sums up our motivation."

Mr. Foley added that the group are currently in the process of getting in touch with relevant agencies and elected officials at local and national level seeking their support for the alliance and its goals.

"We have already received commitments from leading local councillors in both counties and will be getting in touch with others to seek their support too."
Classical music organisation Waterford Music will host the Marmen String Quartet on Wednesday, November 5.

Waterford Music is collaborating with the National String Quartet Foundation to stage the concert, which is part of The Marmen Quartet's national tour.

The concert will take place in the Dr Mary Strangman Large Room at 7.30pm and quartet will perform a programme featuring the much-loved composers Haydn, Beethoven and Bartok, as well as contemporary music from Sam Perkin.

The Marmen String Quartet consists of Johannes Marmen (violin) after whom the quartet is named, Laia Braun, (violin) Bryony Gibson-Cornish (viola) and Sinead OHalloran, who plays the cello, and whose singing voice will feature in the Perkin piece.

The National String Quartet Foundation organises tours for string quartets, and The Marmen's Waterford concert is the first concert in a tour that will take them to Sligo, Cork, Wexford and The National Concert Hall in Dublin.

The Marmen String Quartet will perform in Waterford on Wednesday 5 November as part of a national tour.

Tickets for The Marmen Quartet's concert are available from Waterford Music's website, waterford-music.org, and at the door on the night.

They cost 20 for full-price tickets, 15 for seniors/unwaged and 5 for students.
Acclaimed Irish artist Marie Bretts film of national significance, 'Yes, But Do You Care?', comes to Waterford on October 27.

The film explores dementia care and human rights through a blend of real-life testimonies, dance, and visual storytelling.

More than 64,000 people are currently living with dementia in Ireland and this figure is expected to rise to over 150,131 by 2045, according to the HSE.

Yes, But Do You Care? responds to ethics around family care-giving and the impact of Irelands new capacity legislation.

Imagery includes surreal and tender scenes: a muscle-man bravado in a kitchen, a man spinning wildly in tall grass and dancing under high-rise flats.

The soundtrack mixes tango and waltz rhythms with powerful real-life audio testimonies and legal language, creating a haunting yet humanising experience.

The 2pm GOMA event will include a screening of the film, a dance response by Australian-Irish professional dancer, Kelly Kessing, and a Q&A session with the artist, filmmaker Marie Brett and special guest Sundara OHiggins, IMMA Curator.

The event forms part of a wider national tour of the work designed to spark vital conversations about care, capacity, humanity, and legislation in Ireland today.

"By combining emotive artistic expression with rigorous legal and social commentary, the event aims to not only engage but challenge its audience to reflect on the systems, policies, and personal experiences shaping care today," a spokesperson said. Speaking about the project, artist Marie Brett said it a privilege to create the works.

It's a privilege to get to make artwork responding to such personal and life-changing individual experiences," she said.

"The family carers I worked with were so stellar in their bravery, and I'll never forget them describing a silent scream while I was researching Irelands new capacity legislation and how it would affect family carers," she added. The GOMA film screening and discussion event is free to attend and everyone is welcome.

'Yes, But Do You Care?' will subsequently be screened from October 28 to 31 in Realta Centre for Arts and Health at UHW.
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CultureArt & designArt Closed shop: Sculpture by the Sea artists lash arts body over lack of funding Linda Morris October 23, 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

A group of international and Australian artists who have regularly shown their works on the famous Bondi to Tamarama walk have made an urgent plea for funding after the events near-death experience this year. More than 100 artists who have repeatedly exhibited at the Sculpture by the Sea event have come together to accuse the federal funding agency of acting like a closed shop in the way it operates. Creative Australias decision to ignore the globally unique level of interaction between the people of Australia and our artwork shows a disconnect between what Australian artists and the Australian public want from the management of public arts funding in Australia, they said. April Pine, here with her work Sway, was one of 100 artists to sign the letter. Janie Barrett Signatories to the letter include acclaimed artist Ken Unsworth; this years $70,000 winner of the Sculpture by the Sea Prize, Walcha sculptor James Rogers, who has exhibited for 21 years; Australian luminary Ron Robertson-Swann; and Sydney-based sculptors Lucy Humphrey and Clara Hali. Some 85 per cent of eligible artists have signed the open letter.

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Few, if any, Australian art exhibitions have Sculpture by the Seas international reputation with artists around the world, states the letter, which was directed to Arts Minister Tony Burke and circulated to at least eight federal MPs. Related Article Arts Headed for a financial cliff: Sculpture by the Sea in doubt amid budget shortfall We wish to express our surprise and great disappointment that Creative Australia does not provide any funding or appear to have any interest in Sculpture by the Sea, despite the response to the exhibition by artists and the Australian public. How can Creative Australia, just like the Australia Council before it, ignore our work year after year and not provide multiyear core funding? A year short of its 30th anniversary year, Sculpture by the Sea was days off being cancelled because of a $200,000 funding shortfall, addressed only at the eleventh hour when NRMA came on board as a sponsor.

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The federal funding agency Creative Australia said organisers did not apply for federal funding this year, and in any event, Burke ruled out federal funding for the exhibition, saying he had been advised Sculpture by the Sea did not pay its artists. The last information I have received was to have your works included in Sculpture by the Sea you are not paid. In fact, you had to pay them, Burke said at the time. And I think that should be a question that should be put directly to Sculpture by the Sea. Burkes office was approached for comment in response to the letter. But the signatories said it was a strange form of bureaucratic logic to read the Federal Government will not fund the artists in Sculpture by the Sea out of a supposedly heartfelt concern for artists welfare, when we the artists want to exhibit in Sculpture by the Sea and want the government to fund the exhibition. On average, each artist spends $15,000 to be in the exhibition, the Herald can reveal, often climbing to around $25,000 for more monumental works of scale, sometimes far less.

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Queanbeyan sculptor Philip Spelman, who created the abstract painted metal work Cyan Forest, which is currently positioned on prime real estate on the Bondi headland, spent $12,000 making his exploration of positive and negative space. The artist representative on Sculpture by the Seas board, Spelman helped organise the open letter. There are other exhibitions, but this is the best opportunity to sell work and to have public impact, he said. No other exhibition has the volume of people coming through the exhibition. Ive sold into international collections and sold multiple large-scale sculpture overseas, and into private and public collections in Australia over the past 20 years on the back of Sculpture by the Sea. Exhibiting artists also pay a commission to Sculpture by the Sea of 40 per cent for works sold, which organisers say goes towards exhibition staging costs. Philip Spelmans work, Cyan Forest, is currently on display in Marks Park as part of this years Sculpture by the Sea. Getty Images

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Each artist has the installation of their work subsidised by $1250, and up to $3500 if they do not sell or receive other awards. Not all artworks are for sale  some are ephemeral and are only made to last a short time  so these artists are looked after, Spelman said. As well as the Australians, international sculptors from New Zealand, London and China penned their own letter, saying that no other country has exhibitions that are as appealing to artists from around the world. The open letters show growing discontent around public arts funding priorities, and comes amid revelations that artist Khaled Sabsabi has received a $100,000 grant from Creative Australia for a new exhibition, months after the agency reinstated him as Australias Venice Biennale representative for 2026, following his controversial axing. The grant will allow the western Sydney-based artist to create a major new work for the Samstag Museum of Art in Adelaide in 2027. Related Article Arts Fed up with arts propaganda, this Archibald winner is debuting at Sculpture by the Sea

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The Australian signatories said very few of them applied to Creative Australia because it acted as a closed shop with assessors chosen by Creative Australia from a pool of friends and colleagues who understand what is expected of them to keep the pool of Creative Australias funds available for the same group of friends and colleagues. Creative Australia stood by its previous statement that Sculpture by the Sea had not applied for any recent funding opportunities, including its recent Arts Project Investment for Organisations program, which closed on September 2. Applications were assessed and based on independent expert advice and according to published criteria. We welcome applications to our investment programs and encourage organisations to draw on the feedback provided on past applications. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
In this extract from her memoir, Virginia Giuffre writes that even after taking refuge in Australia, she could not escape Jeffrey Epstein and her abusers.

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When I picture myself during my first few days in Australia, I have to laugh. I am standing behind the stove in my in-laws kitchen, learning how to make coffee the Italian way, one strong cup at a time. I pour water into a tiny silver percolator, then spoon finely ground coffee into the sieve-like reservoir through which hot water will soon flow. Its a cozy scene, except for what Im wearing: a skimpy undershirt and Daisy Duke cut-off shorts with my thong underwear protruding from the waistband. To see me, you might think Im trying to show off my body, but that isnt right. While in Jeffrey Epsteins employ, Id been encouraged to wear clothes that made me look even younger than I was. Now, no longer Epsteins captive, I was a wife  a grown woman. But I still felt  and dressed  like a teenage girl. I didnt have the slightest idea how an adult version of me should look. Jeffrey Epstein encouraged Roberts Giuffre to look as young as possible. FILTHY RICH courtesy of Netflix When I moved into Frank and Ninas house, that was just the beginning of what I didnt know. I had never loaded a dishwasher, for example, or scrambled an egg or separated laundry into darks and lights. Id never opened a bank account or filed income taxes or made a good cup of coffee  the list went on and on. Sometimes the weight of my ignorance overwhelmed me. What is adulthood, I wondered, and will I ever master it? What is it to be a wife? It would take time for me to figure out the answers. Our first weekend in Australia, Robbie took me camping in Hunter Valley, north of Sydney, with a group of his friends. The place is one of the countrys major wine regions, but we had so little money that Robbie decreed we were there to rough it and enjoy the natural beauty, not to sip Shiraz. I was good with that until I saw where we were sleeping: a ramshackle shed. That weekend was quite an introduction to my new country. Yes, we saw a few Aboriginal cave paintings, but the weather was freezing and the only kangaroo we spotted appeared to have been dead for months. Epstein began abusing Roberts Giuffre when she was 16. Virginia Roberts Giuffre A few days after our return, I fell terribly ill with some sort of flu. When I spiked a fever, Robbie was at work  hed gotten a construction job. I felt awful: clammy and hot. I didnt want to be a pain in anyones ass, and  especially since Id just learned the Aussie phrase having a whinge (complaining for no reason)  I was determined to be stoic. But when Robbies dad discovered how sick I was, he swung into action, whipping up his special zuppa di lenticchie, or lentil soup.

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I was too weak to get out of bed, but Frank propped me up on my pillows and then sat beside me, feeding me spoonfuls until I was full. Later, as I passed in and out of a sweaty, delirious sleep, he returned every few minutes to cool my forehead with a damp cloth. When my fever broke, Frank brought me coffee that was creamy from the raw egg hed stirred into it. He didnt say much, just as Robbie had warned that he wouldnt, but in those first weeks that I was in Sydney, Frank gave me more nurturing than I ever got from my own father. In early 2003, Robbie and I moved into our first apartment in Parramatta, but I was still kicking an expensive habit  Xanax  that I used to help blot out my trauma. Back in Laos, Id dumped most of my supply in a toilet because I feared that being apprehended with drugs might get us thrown in jail. But I still had a small stash, and it was running out. Not that I admitted this to Robbie. While Id been honest with my husband about the range of damaging experiences Id endured, I think he expected that the further away I got from those incidents, the better Id feel. Instead, the opposite seemed to be happening. Roberts Giuffre says she was trafficked to Prince Andrew (pictured) for sex three times. He denies it. Memories Id tamped down for years were now coming up, unbidden, in vivid detail. Disturbing images would pop into my head during the day  the black leather, studded collar Epstein had choked me with; the greedy, cruel look on the ministers face as he watched me beg for my life. I was haunted by nightmares  my abusers looming over me, about to pounce, and me unable to get away. Nevertheless, I was not yet willing to acknowledge how much pain I was in or how much Id relied on antianxiety meds in the past.

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Australias Brownes Dairy plans to formally seek a buyer, or investment in the business, next year.

McGrathNicol Restructuring was appointed receivers of the shares in Australian Zhiran Co. Pty Ltd, Brownes Dairys ultimate holding company, in April.

According to a report by The Australian Financial Review in April, Brownes Dairy was put on the block after Chinas Mengniu Dairy Co. called in a $200m loan.

Brownes was sold  by Archer Capital, which bought it in 2011  to Australia Zhiran Co. in 2017, a vehicle backed by a consortium that also had investment firm Changchun Lianxin Investment Consulting Company as a member. Mengniu Dairy was one of the key lenders in that acquisition.

A company spokesperson said the sale process was ongoing, adding: McGrath Nicol is currently working closely with the Brownes Dairy team to compile all business information into an investor package to take Brownes Dairy to market.

While were yet to officially go out to market, weve had significant interest from a range of exciting investors. Our business will formally go to market in 2026.

Founded in 1886, Brownes Dairy calls itself Western Australias oldest dairy company. It sells a range of yogurt, cheese and coffee through major grocers in Australia.

Among the products the business markets in Australia is RTD coffee brand is Hunt and Brew. The company launched Hunt and Brew in the UK last year and, this week, announced the acquisition of local co-packer Indul.

"Previously we were limited in the factory as other brands products were also being produced, limiting our capacity," the Brownes Dairy spokesperson said.

In a statement, CEO Natalie Sarich-Dayton added: This is a watershed moment for Brownes Dairy and a powerful vote of confidence in the Hunt and Brew brand."

"Brownes Dairy to seek buyers next year" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand.




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Prepare yourself. It is, once again, Stephen King time. When the supernatural prequel It: Welcome to Derry premieres on October 27, the series will be the latest in a long line of screen adaptations derived from horrors most successful author. Prolific, to say the least, King has been penning bestsellers for 50 years, and for much of that time television has been reimagining his vivid prose and nightmarish revelations. The quality of those shows can vary, so as a guide, here are the 11 adaptations available to stream in Australia. James Franco plays a school teacher travelling back in time in 11.22.63. 11/22/63 A science-fiction thriller thats equal parts historical what-if and temporal menace, this 2016 limited series stars James Franco as Jake Epping, a teacher given the opportunity by a dying friend to travel back in time to 1960. The goal is to prevent the titular assassination of President John F. Kennedy, but the more Jake gets attached to the past  and its people  the trickier his mission becomes. This is a richly detailed production, but digressive; the story, like Jake, keeps getting sidetracked. And Francos performance can waver at times. Binge Giancarlo Esposito in the Gray Matter segment of Creepshow. Alamy Stock Photo Creepshow Sometimes a little Stephen King has to go a long way. This 2019 horror anthology, intended as a continuation of the successful 1982 film of the same name that King wrote, has almost 50 segments (doled out as a pair each episode), but just two of them are directly related to King. His 1973 short story Gray Matter is adapted for the very first segment, while 1982 short story Survivor Type is the opening segment in an animated episode. Theyre perfectly fine, if for completists. AMC+

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Anthony MIchael Hall in The Dead Zone. Alamy Stock Photo The Dead Zone Another reality with Stephen King adaptations: a book can become a movie and then a television series. Kings 1979 novel and David Cronenbergs 1983 movie were a thriller about Johnny Smith, a teacher with psychic powers who realises a future US president will start a nuclear war. The series, which ran for six seasons from 2002, primarily moved to the case-of-the-week genre, with a grown-up Anthony Michael Hall (The Breakfast Club) playing Johnny, who uses his enhanced abilities to solve crimes and prevent future wrongs. 7plus Emily Rose and Lucas Bryant in Haven. Alamy Stock Photo Haven Indirectly based on the authors 2005 mystery novel The Colorado Kid, this 2010 supernatural drama is one of the loosest Stephen King adaptations going around. When an FBI agent, Audrey Parker (Emily Rose), is dispatched to yet another fictional Maine town, she becomes involved in the battle against the Troubles, an otherworldly affliction that divides residents. What starts as a spooky procedural adds significant world-building, as Audrey comes to suspect the town has a hidden purpose and her mysteriously blank past is connected to it. 7plus Fionn Laird (left), Mary Louise Parker and Simone Miller in The Institute.

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The Institute The latest model to reach the market, this grim 2025 horror series follows a brilliant child with extrasensory abilities, Luke Ellis (Joe Freeman), who is kidnapped and taken to a covert facility where Mary-Louise Parkers unsettling administrator studies her unique teenage inmates. If this sounds like a homage to the Eleven sequences in the first season of Stranger Things, a show in part inspired by Kings early works and their adaptations, then youre getting the circular appeal of the concept. Could the execution be better? Yes. Is a second season already commissioned? Also, yes. Stan* Something evil lurks in the town of Derry in IT: Welcome to Derry. Brooke Palmer?HBO It: Welcome to Derry This prequel to Stephen Kings It has been officially sanctioned by the King of Horror himself, and fans of the book and the subsequent film adaptations will not be disappointed. The nine-part series expands the It universe, taking place in 1962  the previous Pennywise cycle from when the original story takes place  and features both central teen characters (many relatives of the original characters), as well as adults and a compelling origin story.

And things are no less gruesome in the early 60s; the gore is even more in-your-face, likely to shock/impress horror buffs within the first few scenes. HBO Max Clive Owen and Julianne Moore in Liseys Story. Liseys Story

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Why is the most prestigious Stephen King television series  Julianne Moore and Clive Owen star, all eight episodes are directed by Pablo Larrain (Jackie)  so rarely appreciated? The answer, I believe, is Kings screenplay, adapted from his 2006 novel, is too sluggish and deferential. Moore plays the widow of Owens famous novelist, besieged by hungry academics and a violently obsessive fan, whose quest to understand her husbands otherworldly journey goes from the metaphorical to the literal. Put this 2021 series down as a lost opportunity. Apple TV+ Brendan Gleeson in Mr Mercedes. Mr Mercedes Based on a trilogy of crime novels King published in 2014 and 2015, the three seasons of this 2017 psychological thriller followed retired but troubled police detective Bill Hodges (Brendan Gleeson), who engages in an obsessive cat-and-mouse pursuit with a budding young psychopath, Brady Hartsfield (Harry Treadaway). Creator David E. Kelley (Big Little Lies, Presumed Innocent) crafted a sharp show about people teetering emotionally, with the two leads giving performances that were persuasive in their flawed humanity. It remains an underrated series. Amazon Prime Video, Binge and Stan Ben Mendelsohn and Cynthia Erivo in The Outsider. The Outsider With Ben Mendelsohn as the storys embittered but unyielding protagonist, Georgia police detective Ralph Anderson, this slow-burn mystery begins as a tense crime thriller that forces the characters and audience to consider supernatural possibilities when contradictory evidence turns a horrific open-and-shut child murder into an inexplicable event. The 2020 limited series is distinguished by empathetic, engaging writing and a compelling addition, with Wickeds Cynthia Erivo entering the story as a gifted private detective who brings a fresh perspective. The Outsider is the best show on this list. HBO Max

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Alexander Skarsgard in The Stand. The Stand One of Kings signature works, The Stand has had two go-arounds as a post-apocalyptic limited series. The first, from 1994, is currently unavailable, but the second is a thorough if overly long evocation of good versus evil. A capable cast led by James Marsden play American survivors of a world-ending pandemic, who gravitate to either the saintly Mother Abigail (Whoopi Goldberg) or the demonic Randall Flagg (Alexander Skarsgard). The show was released in 2020, when the world was dealing with a real (albeit far less deadly) pandemic, which didnt help, but it fundamentally lacks a galvanising charge. Amazon Prime Video Gillian Anderson in The X-Files episode Chinga. The X-Files Stephen King has always been an assertive admirer  when he likes someone elses work, he lets the world know. In the 1990s he went one further, volunteering to write an episode of The X-Files, the hit science-fiction drama that gave us Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny as paranormal FBI investigators Dana Scully and Fox Mulder. X-Files creator Chris Carter is co-credited for his rewrites but this standalone episode, Chinga, from 1998, about a Scully vacation in Maine that becomes work, still has plenty of King creepiness as a demonic doll wreaks havoc. Paramount+ What is your favourite Stephen King TV adaptation? Wed love to hear about it in the comments below.

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 CultureTV & radioReview Five stars for this IT prequel: Ive never seen body horror like this before Kylie Northover Updated October 24, 2025  6:39am ,first published October 23, 2025  12:00am 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

IT: Welcome to Derry  Can an eight-part series expanding on Stephen Kings IT outdo the two wildly successful film adaptations from producer-director siblings Barbara and Andy Muschietti? Within the first 10 minutes of this chilling spinoff from the films same creative teams, the answer is a definitive yes  no spoilers, but theres an insane body-horror sequence the likes of which I (a seasoned horror buff) have never seen before. Its quite the opener, and sets the tone for this lavishly produced prequel exploring the origin story of Pennywise, the character surely responsible for most cases of coulrophobia post-1986. Something evil lurks in the town of Derry in IT: Welcome to Derry. Brooke Palmer?HBO Welcome to Derry is set in 1962, and is loosely based on Kings interludes between the stories of the Losers Club (the kids at the storys heart), delving into the history of the town of Derry, which has been terrorised every 27 years by a shapeshifting evil that dwells in the towns sewer. The last incident was in 1935, so you know what that means

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The Muschiettis give us another group of teenagers being preyed upon by Pennywise in its various, terrifying  and I mean genuinely terrifying  manifestations, again feeding on their individual fears. Lily (Clara Stack), who has been wrongly implicated after a nightmarish attack in the local cinema leaves three kids missing, and Ronnie (Amanda Christine) whose dad Hank (Stephen Rider), works at the cinema and has been wrongly jailed for the crime, team up with science nerd Will (Blake Cameron James) and his mate Rich (Arian S. Cartaya), to try and exonerate Hank. Pennywises use of fear to control the people of Derry has always been something of a metaphor for fearmongering, and the series Cold War setting offers up new fears while underscoring the cruelty man is capable of, touching on the racism of the era. Alongside Kings trademark coming-of-age elements (the author was heavily involved), there are also central adult characters. That includes Jovan Adepo as Wills dad Leroy Hanlon (the grandfather of the original storys Mike Hanlon), an air force major who is posted to Derrys military base to work on a top-secret mission. Leroy believes hell be working on some kind of defence missile, but soon discovers that the bases General Shaw (James Remar) oversees something much more sinister, which the military hopes to contain  and possibly use for their own ends. Shaw spent time in Derry as a kid, where, after befriending Native American girl Rose, he encountered an ungodly creature in the woods. Like all who leave Derry, he had forgotten everything  until he returned to town. Now he wants the help of the local Indigenous population, who know the origins of the centuries-old evil.

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Related Article Streaming Stephen King has penned bestsellers for 50 years. Now, a guide to his TV universe Its something of a slow build towards Pennywises first appearance in clown form (Bill Skarsgard in top spine-chilling form), but the anticipation is part of the fun, and between some compelling character development, each episode has at least one jump-scare. A bonus for King fans is that in the tradition of many of his books  and subsequent adaptations  Welcome to Derry is set in Kings universe, and there are plenty of Easter eggs, with settings and characters from several different stories. The big-budget series looks incredible, features a great cast and the creepiness level does not disappoint. Strap in.

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IT: Welcome to Derry is streaming on HBO Max from October 27. Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-sees. Get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday.
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Updated NationalNSWCrime Revealed: Alleged Thi Kim Tran contract killers accused of previous murder Angus Dalton, Amber Schultz and Riley Walter Updated October 24, 2025  11:41am ,first published October 24, 2025  4:34am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

An alarming number of Australian women have been killed in recent years. Find out more about their lives. Some of the cases are still before the courts. See all stories .

Warning: Graphic content Two members of an alleged contracted kill crew arrested over the kidnapping and murder of a Sydney woman are also facing separate murder charges from a prior incident, while a third member has also been charged with intent to murder, the Herald can reveal. Details that may identify the men cannot be published for legal reasons, which the Herald is challenging in court. Two of the men charged over Thi Kim Trans murder. Police Media The three men aged 32, 20 and 21 were already in custody on their prior charges when homicide squad detectives arrested them on Thursday morning over the murder of Thi Kim Tran, 45, on April 17.

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The group of masked men allegedly broke into her Bankstown home, kidnapped Tran, stripped her naked and fatally shot her before leaving her body in a burnt-out car. Police allege the men charged with Trans murder were hired to kill her husband but, when he couldnt be found, targeted his wife instead. Thi Kim Tran was abducted from her Bankstown home and shot dead in April. Facebook The men also allegedly bashed an eight-year-old boy with a baseball bat during the kidnapping. All three were charged with murder, conspiracy to murder Trans husband, wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, kidnapping and participating in a criminal group.

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Two of the men had previously been charged with murder earlier in the year. The third man also faces a separate charge of shooting with intent to murder. Their matter was heard at Burwood Local Court on Friday. A decision on the non-publication order restricting the media from publishing identifying details of the accused will be heard on November 17. Loading Homicide squad commander Joe Doueihi alleged the men were guns for hire engaged by a Victorian and transnational crime group after Trans husband, an alleged drug cook for the syndicate, was accused of stealing 80 kilograms of methamphetamine. Trans murder and a string of other savage attacks have dragged the activities of secretive Vietnamese crime groups back out of the shadows. Police intercepted a separate alleged kill plot earlier this month, involving would-be assassins hired by a Vietnamese syndicate to murder a father outside his childrens daycare centre in Revesby, in Sydneys south-west.

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The men were led to Trans home by The Anh Nguyen, a 29-year-old man Doueihi alleged was in the upper echelons of the syndicate. He was arrested in August and charged with murder, and wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm over the alleged attack on the eight-year-old boy. Nguyen allegedly knocked on Trans door with the three men  who were masked, cloaked in dark clothing and armed with a pistol and baseball bat  behind him. Her husband was interstate working for the syndicate at the time, police alleged. The masked men then allegedly stripped Tran naked on the street and bundled her at gunpoint into the back of the SUV. She was bound and gagged in what Doueihi described on Friday as a very, very brutal attack. The men sent messages to Trans husband, Doueihi alleged, including a photo of his wife in an attempt to locate him. After failing to lure him out, the men allegedly shot Tran and torched the SUV with her body inside. The burning car was later discovered in Beverly Hills.

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Doueihi said the days of organised criminals leaving family members unharmed were over. These young criminals are ruthless. They dont care about the code, if I can use that word  its whats in their best interests. Theyre selfish, theyre greedy, they dont think of the consequences. These guys are in big trouble, he said. If convicted, they are looking at serving long, long sentences in jail. Police allege kill crews are contract criminals hired by syndicates through encrypted messaging apps to carry out hits on their behalf. They are not loyal to any particular criminal group. They go out, they purchase the kill kit, they purchase clothing, they purchase whatever else they require to complete their task, Doueihi said. A kill crew also hired by a Vietnamese syndicate in July allegedly kidnapped a man, shot him in the head and buried him in Queensland bushland before he managed to dig himself from the dirt and stumble to a service station for help. Loading Trans husband, who is cooperating with police, was working for a methamphetamine manufacturing syndicate allegedly run by Daniel Rodney Badger, a Sydney man who relocated to South-East Asia believed to be one of the Australian Federal Polices highest-value targets.

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Badgers syndicate is believed to be linked to the foiled alleged plot to murder a Sydney father as he collected his children from a Revesby daycare centre earlier this month. The eight-year-old boy Trans alleged killers bashed in the head with a baseball bat came out of a coma in the days after the attack. Doueihi said the child was remarkably recovering well but, along with another 15-year-old boy who witnessed the kidnapping was suffering ongoing psychological issues. Tran had migrated from Vietnam a decade ago and was described by people who knew her as patient, full of good humour, full of life, full of love for her children. Get alerts on significant breaking news as happens. Sign up for our Breaking News Alert.
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Two men drowned off Frankston Pier on Wednesday afternoon after a rookie surfers board snapped and his friend jumped into wild seas in a desperate bid to save him. Detective Inspector Melissa Nixon, speaking at a press conference on Thursday morning, said the surfer was a 36-year-old British national and his friend was a 43-year-old man. A police helicopter at Frankston beach on Wednesday afternoon. Hans Vanderstadt Nixon said a police rescuer was also taken to hospital after he rappelled down from a helicopter to pluck the men from the churning sea and swallowed water. He has now been discharged, but Nixon lamented that people had put themselves at risk and agreed the two deaths were preventable.

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Its only the early stages of the investigation, but it appears he [the surfer] was only just learning to surf, she said. The weather conditions yesterday [Wednesday] obviously were not appropriate to be in the water surfing, whether you are experienced or youre not experienced. Loading Nixon said both men lived in Frankston, but police were still working to notify next-of-kin overseas. The surfer was obviously in distress. He was struggling in the water after the surfboard broke. He wasnt experienced in surfing, she said.

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Do not go swimming or surfing in conditions like this, Nixon said on Thursday. You put yourself at risk, you put people who jump into help you at risk. Its clearly not appropriate to go into the water. Frankston Mayor Kris Bolam said he felt terrible when he heard sirens near the beach on Wednesday evening. Its very unfortunate, and our thoughts definitely go out to the family, he said. The sad reality is this was an avoidable situation.

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Bolam said the council would review warning signs and suggested the state government could do more to close Frankston Pier  which Parks Victoria manages  in wild weather. But also, every man and his dog yesterday knew what was going on in Melbourne with the weather conditions, he said. Loading Bolam defended a council social media post on Wednesday night that incorrectly said the two men were swept off the pier. The mayor said the council shared the most prevalent version of what reportedly occurred and updated the post on Thursday after police said the men entered the water themselves.

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I think the focus right now needs to be on the two people that passed, not on whether the council put out the right article or not, Bolam said. It has been rectified. I dont understand the issue. Related Article City life Seaside councils revolt over threat to paid lifeguard patrols Life Saving Victoria executive adviser Paul Shannon said people needed to be aware of their limitations around water, even when attempting a rescue. Risking your own life can turn one catastrophe into two or three, he said. The best option was to ring Triple Zero and look for a flotation device, Shannon said.

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Meanwhile, the weather in Frankston was much calmer on Thursday, but only a few joggers braved the strong offshore breeze. Frankston local Hans Vanderstandt saw a police officer being winched up and down from a helicopter several times on Wednesday as they tried to rescue the men. Police attempt a helicopter rescue at Frankston beach on Wednesday. Hans Vanderstadt/Facebook It wasnt good. The waves were actually breaking up across the pier and the wind was incredibly strong, he said. Another local, Jeff Svigos, said he had never experienced such fierce wind.

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I dont know why youd be in the water when its so treacherous, he said. The State Emergency Service was swamped with more than 1400 calls, including more than 1000 fallen tree reports. Melburnians battle strong winds in the CBD. Joe Armao Gusts of up to 130km/h were recorded at Wilsons Promontory, while the winds in Melbourne peaked at 96km/h in St Kilda. Power companies were still working to restore power to hundreds of households on Thursday morning. On Wednesday evening, 13,111 homes were without electricity across the state.

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A severe weather warning for more destructive winds has been cancelled, as the low-pressure system moves into the Tasman Sea and towards New Zealand, the Bureau of Meteorology said. The impacts of this battering were pretty extensive, said senior meteorologist Angus Hines. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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Exclusive PoliticsWAPublic transport A C-Series train heralded the Armadale lines re-opening. There was just one problem Hamish Hastie October 24, 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 6 View all comments

The reopening of the Armadale line and unveiling of the shiny new station at Byford on October 12 was a big affair  and it needed a gleaming new train built in WA to match the occasion. Which is why the government arranged for a C-Series to travel to the south-eastern fringe of the city as its chariot for the day. The C-Series train arriving at Byford Station on October 12. PTA There was just one problem. C-Series trains cant actually be used on the upgraded Armadale line for regular service. It has led to accusations from the opposition that Labor was trying to hoodwink the public for a media opportunity.

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C-Series trains come assembled as 143 metre-long, six-car sets, whereas many of the older stations on the Armadale line  like Sherwood and Challis  are only long enough to handle the 96-metre A-Series four-car sets, or 72-metre B-Series three-car sets. Rita Saffioti, the premier, and their Labor mates can use the C-Series trains for a media opportunity, but commuters on that line cant, opposition transport spokesman Steve Martin said. The rollout of these Temu trains is pure Labor theatre. A train shipped from India, covered with Made in WA stickers, dodgy seats bolted on, demisters off and relying on a $26 Bunnings squeegee, rushed in for the cameras for an opening of a line it wont be running on. Labor ministers love an announcement, a chance to wear a hard hat and cut a ribbon, but they need to get the basics right.

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However, a spokesman for Transport Minister Rita Saffioti rubbished Martins claims and said the C-Series was selected because it had enough capacity to handle the number of guests who attended the opening event. Related Article Public transport Perths south-east opens up again as final stage of Armadale line extension complete As has been the case for all new train lines, a community event and inaugural first train ride was held to mark the major milestone, he said. Like a number of other train line openings including the Ellenbrook Line, Yanchep Rail Extension and the Thornlie-Cockburn Line, a C-Series train was used for the first train ride as it has larger capacity to support the number of people invited to the commemorative first train ride. The rest of the trains operating throughout the day were A and B-Series trains.

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As the government has made clear previously, C-Series trains will initially operate on the Yanchep and Mandurah lines due to the size of platforms at older stations on the heritage lines. The PTA is undertaking a long-term body of work to upgrade smaller platforms around the network to support six-car trains. The Byford rail extension is the final extension of Labors Metronet network and has been hailed a success, with commuter numbers from stations like Armadale and Gosnells in line with what they were before the entire line was shut in November 2023 to start the works. Figures revealed by Saffioti earlier this week suggest Byford is recording more than 1000 boardings a day. The line, which included a viaduct raised line through Armadale as well as new raised station and the new Byford station, was originally expected to cost $797 million, but that blew out to $1.33 billion.

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Lengthening the platforms Related Article Exclusive

Metronet Faulty wiper, communications system forces Perth passengers off C-Series train With the Armadale line limited to A-Series and three-car B-Series trains, the line has benefited from increased services to deal with increased passenger numbers. But the four-car A-Series sets will start dwindling by the end of the decade as that class retires. The government has plans to increase platform lengths at older stations under its platform and signalling upgrade program, which has not yet been funded.

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Saffioti said the government continued to discuss the platform program with the Commonwealth, which was on Infrastructure Australias priority list. Infrastructure Australias priority list recognises these lines as being of national significance, and the PTA is currently progressing detailed planning to identify platform extension requirements for stations on these lines, she said. Its important to note that three car B-Series railcars can continue to operate along these heritage lines before the platforms are extended. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.

Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share License this article More: Public transport Hamish Hastie is WAtoday's state political reporter and the winner of five WA Media Awards, including the 2023 Beck Prize for best political journalism. or email. Connect via Twitter
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TechnologyTrade wars Opinion The small company that has car giants scrambling Stephen Bartholomeusz Senior business columnist October 23, 2025  8:59am

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The European and US auto industries are bracing themselves for disruption to the supply chains of the low-value semiconductors vital to modern cars, a threat similar to the chip shortages that caused chaos for the sector and led to long lead times for deliveries during the pandemic. Their predicament relates to the seizure of a small Dutch semiconductor manufacturer by the Dutch government earlier this month, which has frozen supply of the myriad microchips used in electronic systems in cars that control everything from lights to airbags, locks and windows. The output of companies like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, Toyota and Volkswagen are all under threat. AP Carmakers are scrambling to find alternative suppliers after the Dutch government gained court approval to take control of Nexperia, the Dutch subsidiary of a Chinese company, Wingtech. Wingtech acquired Nexperia in 2019 from a group of Chinese investors who had bought it in 2017. Last year the US put Wingtech on its trade blacklist, claiming it was helping China circumvent US restrictions on access to advanced semiconductor manufacturing technology.

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That prompted the Dutch government to urge Nexperia, whose chief executive Zhang Xuezheng is the founder and major shareholder in its parent company, to take steps to create operational independence from Wingtech. Zhang resisted, arguing that ringfencing his Dutch subsidiary would be too restrictive of its shareholders rights. Related Article Opinion

Electric vehicles Could Chinas electric carmakers bring on another Evergrande moment? Stephen Bartholomeusz Senior business columnist Then, on September 29, the US extended its blacklist to include subsidiaries of companies on the list, which brought Nexperia into its net. It was that expansion of the blacklist that prompted China to tighten restrictions on exports of rare earths and products that include them this month, causing trade tensions with the US to flare again, with the European Union (and the rest of the world) caught up in the conflict because China wanted to prevent trans-shipment of rare earths and rare earth magnets. At face value it would appear that the US has strong-armed the Dutch into taking control of Nexperia  it had told the Dutch that Zhang would need to be removed as CEO for Nexperia to qualify for exemption from the list  but the Dutch government argued in court that Zhang was mismanaging the company, had conflicts of interest and there was evidence that he was acting to shift Nexperias production capacity, financial resources and intellectual property to China.

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Western executives at Nexperia said he had insisted the company order $US200 million ($308 million) of silicon wafers from a company in China that he controls, even though the company only needed about $US70 million of them. That could be a mechanism for stripping cash from the Dutch entity, effectively gutting it. Not surprisingly, China hasnt responded well to the Dutch actions, even though Wingtech retains the economic benefits of its ownership of a company now governed by the Dutch. Donald Trumps trade war with China is having far-reaching consequences. AP While Nexperia manufactures its chips in the Netherlands, about 80 per cent of them are sent to China for testing and packaging. China has ordered Wingtech to suspend its exports and protect its assets, including those Nexperia chips being processed in China. After Zhang established a silicon wafer factory in Shanghai in 2020, Nexperia, which previously sourced components from European and Taiwanese companies, has also become increasingly dependent on that factory.

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While Nexperia is a minnow in the vast auto components sector, it has a market share of about 40 per cent in transistors and diodes and in the complex and sensitive industry supply chains, disruption to even the most basic components threatens production. The output of companies like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, Toyota and Volkswagen are all under threat. Related Article Explainer

China relations Why are microchips made in Taiwan at the centre of a global tussle? Chinese and Dutch officials have held discussions over the seizure, but the Dutch, and the EU more broadly, are caught in the crossfire of US and Chinese trade restrictions. Their conflict could escalate further, with the US now threatening to cut off Chinas access to all critical software, including programs used to design circuits for chips. That would threaten Chinas smartphone, vehicle and artificial intelligence sectors, among others. That is a response to Chinas implicit threat to deny America access to rare earths and rare earths magnets, Chinas most potent trade weapon. Software, where US and European companies (but US companies in particular) dominate, is Chinas Achilles heel.

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If the imminent meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping goes ahead, rare earths will be at the top of the list of American demands, while the blacklist and semiconductors will be Chinas priority. The dramatic Dutch action isnt the first time a Western government has moved against Chinese ownership of a sensitive technology business and probably wont be the last. Last year, the British government forced Nexperia to sell Britains largest semiconductor manufacturing facility to a US company because of national security concerns. Nexperia had acquired Newport Wafer Fab in 2021. The head office of Chinese-owned chipmaker Nexperia in Nijmegen, Netherlands. AP The Dutch have their own experience of this. Again under pressure from the US, several years ago they cut off Chinas access to the most advanced photolithography machines, produced by the Dutch company ASML and used by other companies to mass-produce microchips.

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ASML is the worlds only producer of the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines used in making the most advanced chips. Related Article Rare earths Trumps critical minerals deal unearths a bonanza for Aussie miners In Australia, of course, the Albanese government is considering how to regain control of the Port of Darwin, owned by Chinas Landbridge. It is also going to have to confront the extent to which, having just signed a deal that envisages significant joint investment with the US in rare earths, it allows Chinese investment in the sector. The Nexperia saga exposes the way the trade confrontation between Washington and Beijing is spilling over into other economies and forcing governments and companies to make impossible decisions, caught between the competing demands of the two superpowers. It also highlights the vulnerabilities caused by the sudden about-face from a world that was, before the pandemic and Trumps second coming, built on increasingly globalised and complex supply chains.

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The pandemic caused companies and government to focus on the security of supply of critical products. Trumps trade war on the rest of the world has provided a different incentive, and even greater urgency, to rethinking those very exposed supply chains  or finding a way to end the trade conflict. The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning.
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Reviews & adviceTripologist Opinion What are your tips for Sri Lanka as a solo female traveller? Michael Gebicki is Travellers expert Tripologist. Each week he tackles the thorny issues in travel as well as answering your questions. Got a question for the Tripologist? Email tripologist@traveller.com.au Michael Gebicki The Tripologist October 24, 2025  2:00am

October 24, 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 3 View all comments

Im a solo female traveller in my early 40s looking to do a trip to Sri Lanka in late 2026. What are some tips and tours you would recommend, as well as airlines to travel with between Australia and Sri Lanka?

T. MacDonald, Narara, NSW Looking out to Sigiriya Rock in Sri Lanka. iStock The climate in Sri Lanka is hot and humid for the most part, although nights in the highlands can be quite cool. Pack lightweight, breathable clothing  cotton and linen are ideal  and a warmer layer for the tea country, and dont forget sun protection including sunscreen and a hat. Bottled water is widely available and be cautious with street food if you have a sensitive stomach. When visiting religious sites, cover your shoulders and knees and wear shoes or sandals that can be slipped on and off easily since bare feet are often required. Consult your GP or a medical clinic that specialises in travel health to make sure youre covered for any health challenges you might face. Some tourists have been attacked by wildlife in Sri Lankas national parks, elephants can be especially dangerous, but if youre on a tour your guide will keep you safe. Melbourne-based Intrepid Travel has several small-group itineraries for Sri Lanka, with the emphasis on local experiences. Family-operated Bunnik Tours, based in Adelaide, has slow-paced tours that focus on exploring hidden gems, cultural heritage and natural beauty. The tours are designed for travellers aged 45-65, and include unique experiences. Walkers Tours is a well-regarded Sri Lankan tour operator which offers individual as well as group itineraries. SriLankan Airlines is the only airline with non-stop flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Colombo. We will be in Paris next July and wed like to visit the Normandy beaches and tour World War II sites. Were not sure how many days are needed and would like a reputable guide while we are there. As Mont Saint-Michel is close by, wed like to include it before returning to Paris. We dont want to drive.

R. Dwyer, Balgowlah Heights, NSW

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D-Day monument at Juno Beach, Normandy, France. iStock One-day tours of the Normandy landing sites are possible from Paris, but its a rushed day, and you would have to skip some of the most famous landing beaches. Two days gives you enough time to cover all five landing beaches, plus some of the key museums and memorials, and spend more reflection time. The best base to use for your tour is Bayeux, which has a good range of accommodation and restaurants as well as fast-train connections to Paris. Many guided World War II tours start from Bayeux. Mont Saint-Michel is often included as an extension to a Normandy D-Day tour, and it makes a worthwhile pairing. Youll need another day, from Bayeux to Mont Saint-Michel is almost two hours by car, and you need a minimum four-five hours to explore the abbey, island and walk the bay if the tide allows it. Overlorder specialises in battlefield tours from Bayeux, with experienced guides. They also offer a tour of Mont Saint-Michel. Im keen to do a tour of Uzbekistan. The larger tour companies seem to require level 3+ fitness or spend too much time in ceramic and carpet shops, cooking classes etc. I am an experienced independent traveller, aged mid-70s with slight mobility issues, and I have no concerns with doing a tour with an Uzbek company or a local guide. Any suggestions?

B. Dawkins, Glen Iris, Vic Samaria Travel and Stantours, both based in Samarkand, offer tailor-made private tours and small group tours. A private, customised tour with a guide and driver allows you to tailor the sights, experiences and the pace to your exact needs and to change plans as you go. If you use a local operator, this is not an expensive option. On the downside, it can be a rather lonely experience. Youll be dining alone, and sharing those magic moments along the way with fellow travellers is one of the joys of travel.

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UK-based Wild Frontiers and British-run, Beijing-based Koryo Tours are two non-Uzbek operators with tours of Uzbekistan, and both have excellent reviews. Some guides are inclined to shunt travellers into shopping experiences since this is a way for them to increase what is often a meagre wage from the tour operator. If you dont want to participate, make your reluctance clear before you lock in your booking. Before a small group tour of Greece my husband and I would like to spend eight days in Puglia. Any suggestions on one or two towns or small cities from where we could take day trips by train or bus? Any recommendations on transport from there to Athens?

J. Stephan, Ballina, NSW Ostuni would be my first choice, a hilltop town also known as the White City for its bleached architecture. A beauty in its own right, its well-placed for making day trips to other towns in the region including Alberobello, Locorotondo, Martina Franca, Monopoli and Polignano a Mare. Ostuni also has a wide choice of accommodation and dining options. What you might do is spend five days there then head south to Lecce for the remainder of your time. Known as the Florence of the South for its Baroque architecture, within its walls is a handsome city crafted from soft, honey-coloured limestone lined with richly decorated churches and classical facades. Dont miss Galatina, to the south of Lecce, its a treasure chest that doesnt see too many tourists. From Brindisi, about a 45-minute drive from Lecce, you can take a one-stop flight to Athens. Got a travel question? Include your name and suburb or town and send it to Michael Gebicki - tripologist@traveller.com.au Travel advice is general; readers should consider their personal circumstances

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Travel tips Michael Gebicki is a Sydney-based travel writer, best known for his Tripologist column published for more than 15 years in Traveller. With four decades of experience, his specialty is practical advice, destination insights and problem-solving for travellers. He also designs and leads slow, immersive tours to some of his favourite places. Connect via Instagram @michael_gebicki Connect via email
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WorldAsiaNepal Their son was caught in someone elses war  and came home in a coffin Binod Ghimire and Pranav Baskar October 22, 2025  12:30pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

Kathmandu, Nepal: When the truce was struck, the family thanked God. Briefly, there was hope that Bipin Joshi might finally come home. On Monday evening, after two years held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, he did return  in a coffin delivered to his home in the verdant foothills of far western Nepal. Relatives of Bipin Joshi gather as his body is returned to Kanchanpur, Nepal, on Tuesday. AFP As millions lit candles in their homes to celebrate Tihar, Nepals festival of lights, few did so in his home town, Mahendranagar. Dozens gathered to await his body. When it arrived, his family broke down in tears, still in disbelief that he had become caught in someone elses war, thousands of kilometres away. Joshi was 23 when he left Nepal for Israel as part of an agricultural study program. Less than three weeks into his time there, he was taken captive by Hamas from a southern Israeli kibbutz on October 7, 2023, according to Israeli officials.

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Bipin Joshis family believed he was still alive despite almost no information about his condition. AP After his abduction, his family heard almost nothing about his condition, but they never stopped waging a desperate campaign to remind the world of his existence and bring him home. They travelled to Israel and the United States in search of someone who might be able to help. Tihar is the festival of lights, but it will always be a reminder of darkness for us, said Kishor Joshi, his cousin. After two years of sleepless nights and struggle for his release, all we receive today is his lifeless body. The news of his death has shattered the family, who, until the last moment, held faith that he was alive. In interviews with The New York Times hours after Hamas agreed this month to release all hostages, and later, when Israel accepted the proposal, Pushpa Joshi, his 18-year-old sister, said she was confident she would see her brothers smiling face again. The Israeli government had expressed concern about his life; when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking at the United Nations, read a list of the names of the remaining hostages believed to be alive, Joshis was not among them. In statements after his body was returned by Hamas, the Israeli military said it believed he had been killed in captivity early in the war, which could not be confirmed independently.

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Nepals Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday evening that the government had tried to secure his release while he was in captivity. On Tuesday morning, his body was cremated on the banks of the Mahakali River. Dozens of people from the neighbourhood stayed with the Joshi family through the night leading up to the ceremony to share in their grief. Mourners and security personnel walk behind a truck carrying Bipin Joshis coffin to his home town in Kanchanpur, Nepal. AFP Bipin left us with excitement, setting out for a year-long learning experience in Israel. We never imagined that the hug we gave him that day would be the last, his family wrote in a statement. Every flower in the garden we planted for you will remind us of you, every orchard, every field. You are part of Nepals landscape, and now also part of Israels. Before Joshis body was brought to his home town, Prime Minister Sushila Karki draped Nepals flag over his coffin while paying tribute to him during a ceremony held at the airport in Kathmandu, the capital, in the presence of other high-level officials.

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We are heartbroken to see his lifeless body, Karki said. Even as Bipin is not with us, his courage and bravery are a matter of pride to every Nepali. He is a son of Nepal. He is the son of every mother. We will never forget him. He lives in our hearts. A message to Bipin Joshi displayed at a farewell ceremony in Tel Aviv before his body was repatriated to Nepal. Getty Images When she spoke to The New York Times in late September, Pushpa Joshi beamed when discussing her brother. She was in 10th grade when he was taken hostage and, in her campaign to bring him home, she has been working on her English. She remembered little things  like the guitar he gave her and how he helped with her homework. Every second, I dont see anything in front of my eyes except my brother, she said then. He will never go away from me.

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WorldEuropeSuperannuation How $660b of your super will accelerate London airport upgrades, build British homes David Crowe October 23, 2025  8:59am 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 53 View all comments

London: Britain is aiming to lure billions of dollars in Australian cash to help build housing, transport and energy projects after senior ministers met super fund chiefs to clear the way for deals that will diversify retirement nest eggs. UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper backed the plans after talks this week with a delegation of Australian fund bosses who are tipped to double their investments in Europe to about $660 billion over the next decade. The UK government is ramping up its search for investment to help build new homes. Bloomberg AustralianSuper pledged $1.1 billion to British housing developments on Monday, and IFM Investors is part of a $2.3 billion investment in Manchester Airports Group to expand London Stansted Airport, in two examples of a broader trend. The progress in the UK came as US President Donald Trump hailed the flow of Australian super funds into America after his meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Washington DC.

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Trump issued a fact sheet claiming Australian funds would more than double their US investments to $US1.44 trillion ($2.2 trillion) by 2035  though there was no deal with Albanese to make this happen. Australian fund managers expect the US investments to grow quickly in an effort to deliver returns for members, rather than as the result of any presidential action. The moves are a sign of the global appetite for deals when the Australian funds are searching for ways to diversify assets and produce better returns, given they now manage $4 trillion and have about $4 billion flowing into their funds every week. Britains Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasised stronger ties with like-minded nations as part of the UKs bid to attract global investment. Bloomberg This has made it increasingly challenging for the super funds to find the right balance of domestic opportunities in property, infrastructure and the Australian Securities Exchange. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer met AustralianSuper chief executive Paul Schroder last year and has turned to the overseas funds to help build infrastructure and meet his promise to develop 1.5 million homes over five years.

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The delegation to the UK included AustralianSuper, IFM, Aware Super, the Australian Retirement Trust and Macquarie Group. The investment managers met Cooper in London and spoke to Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves during a visit to Birmingham on Tuesday. Cooper emphasised stronger ties with like-minded nations as part of the UKs bid to attract global investment, a key message when the UK is seeking commercial investment from other liberal democracies. IFM Investors  which is owned by Australian industry superannuation funds  is putting $2.3 billion into Manchester Airports Group to expand Londons Stansted Airport. Bloomberg Together, we can unlock new opportunities that benefit both our economies and support long-term prosperity, Cooper said in a statement to this masthead. The investors also met Pensions Minister Torsten Bell, Energy Minister Ed Miliband and Business and Trade Minister Peter Kyle.

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During a meeting with economic advisers at the prime ministers office at Number 10 Downing Street, the group spoke with Starmer for about 10 minutes, confirming the importance of the delegation at the top of the government. Related Article Opinion

Superannuation How your superannuation is becoming one of Australias biggest exports A report for Super Members Council, which represents many of the big funds, forecasts that Australian super investments in Europe and the UK will grow by about 10 per cent each year, reaching $660 billion by 2035. Australias pool of retirement savings is growing at such speed and scale that the worlds biggest economies are competing for our pension capital, said Super Members Council chief Misha Schubert. The UK has a long history of attracting cash from around the world  its capital was once dubbed Londongrad for the number of Russian oligarchs who moved there  but it is ramping up the search for funds because of the pressure on housing and public services.

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Starmer has promised to rebuild services with a plan to spend 725 billion ($1.5 billion) on major projects over the coming decade, but the government is weighed down by debt. Reeves is expected to increase tax revenue and cut spending when she unveils the budget in late November. In one example of a major new project, Heathrow Airport aims to spend 49 billion on a third runway to expand its capacity. This is to be funded by the airports owners, such as the Qatar Investment Authority and a consortium of funds including the Australian Retirement Trust. AustralianSuper CEO Paul Schroder met UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer last year. Alex Ellinghausen IFM global head of external relations David Whiteley said the meetings canvassed the opportunities to invest the retirement savings of Australian and British workers in critical infrastructure. There is a sense of urgency in the UK and recognition that there are opportunities for long-term investors like Australian super funds, he said.

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IFM highlighted this expansion this year when it took on British pension fund Nest as a 10 per cent shareholder in its holding company, Industry Super Holdings. Related Article Opinion

Superannuation The four questions that can decide how you spend your super Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon Money contributor Some of the Australian investment has been controversial. Macquarie Group has been criticised at times over a 2006 buyout of Thames Water that left the utility heavily in debt. The water company, an essential service for 16 million customers, is seeking new investors and may have to be nationalised. The forecasts done for the Super Members Council, based on modelling by Mandala Partners, suggest Australian super funds have so far invested $83 billion in the UK and $181 billion in European Union member states. By 2035, this is expected to rise to $203 billion in the UK and $460 billion in the EU. The AustralianSuper decision announced on Monday commits $1.1 billion to what it calls a UK Living platform and will start with a student housing project in Bristol, due to be built by 2027.

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AustralianSuper has 189 people at its office near Kings Cross station and has 11 billion invested in the UK, with forecasts to increase this to 18 billion by 2030. Australian super fund chiefs flew to Washington DC this year for meetings with American counterparts and top Trump advisers in a sign of the appetite for investing in the US as a way to diversify their assets. 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.
Key Points

Warren Buffett loves dividend-paying stocks.

Many Berkshire-held stocks pay high dividends.

Here are some to consider for your own portfolio.

10 stocks we like better than Chevron 

Warren Buffett is considered to be the greatest investor of all time.

Since he bought a textile firm called Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) (NYSE: BRK.B) and turned it into a holding company in 1965 that would buy other businesses outright or take equity stakes in them, his company's stock has generated a compound annual growth rate of almost 20%, double the average annual return of the S&P 500 over that time.

Berkshire Hathaway, however, doesn't pay dividends. Buffett has said many times that a company should pay its profits out to shareholders via dividends only if it can't find a way to reinvest that money profitably. And the returns Berkshire has delivered to shareholders make it clear that the Oracle of Omaha can almost always find better ways to use that money -- and generate higher share prices for shareholders -- than cash payouts.

The dividend test

"The test about whether to pay dividends is whether you can continue to create more than $1 of value for every dollar you retain," Buffett has said. But that doesn't mean Buffett doesn't like to receive dividends. In fact, if you look at Berkshire's extensive portfolio, it's clear he loves them.

So, for investors looking for high-yielding, safe stocks that come with Buffett's imprimatur, there's no shortage of stocks to buy. Here are seven stocks that Berkshire has major stakes in that pay dividends well above the 1.7% yield of the broader S&P 500 companies.

Image source: Getty Images.

Chevron (NYSE: CVX). Berkshire made its initial investment in the energy giant in 2020 and has been buying and selling ever since. It's one of Buffett's most actively traded holdings, and it has an attractive 4.5% yield.

Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO). Buffett began buying the iconic beverage company's shares after 1987 because he believed it was undervalued. It has a yield of 3.04%.

Kroger (NYSE: KR). Berkshire first invested in the grocery-store chain in early 2020. Its yield is 2.03%.

Mitsubishi (OTC: MTSU.Y). Berkshire got into the Japanese trading house (and four other conglomerates like it) in 2019 as part of a major move into Japanese equities. Part of the strategy involves hedging currency risk by selling Japanese debt and pocketing the difference between dividends from the investment and the payments on the debt. Mitsubishi's yield is 2.83%.

Itochu (OTC: ITOCY) is another Japanese conglomerate that Buffett bought shares of in 2019. Ever the opportunistic investor, Buffett liked these companies partly because he considered them undervalued. Itochu's yield is 2.41%.
The Republic of Costa Rica has acceded to the International Convention on the simplification and harmonization of Customs procedures done at Kyoto on 18 May 1973 and amended on 26 June 1999, widely known as the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC), thereby becoming its 140th Contracting Party.

The Instrument of Accession of the Republic of Costa Rica was deposited with the Secretary General of the WCO on 23 October 2025, by Her Excellency, Eliana Maria Villalobos Cardenas, the Ambassador of the Embassy of the Republic of Costa Rica to the Kingdom of Belgium.

The Republic of Costa Rica becomes the 12th WCO Member out of 33 in the South America, North America, Central America and the Caribbean region to accede to the Convention, contributing to the global total of 140 Contracting Parties out of the 187 WCO Members.

The WCO will continue to support the Republic of Costa Rica in the effective implementation of the RKC, for the benefit of its Customs administration, trade community, and society at large.
By Maiya Keidan

TORONTO (Reuters) -Canada's anti-money laundering regulator said on Wednesday it had imposed a C$176.9 million ($126.14 million) fine on money services business Xeltox Enterprises Limited, the largest-ever penalty doled out by the agency.

The regulator, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), said Xeltox did not submit suspicious transaction reports when there were reasonable grounds to suspect transactions related to the laundering of money connected to trafficking in child sexual abuse material.

Xeltox, also operating as Cryptomus and previously known as Certa Payments Limited, is a money services business incorporated in British Columbia. It could not be reached for comment.

"Given that numerous violations in this case were connected to trafficking in child sexual abuse material, fraud, ransomware payments and sanctions evasion, FINTRAC was compelled to take this unprecedented enforcement action", the agency said in a statement.

Xeltox also failed to report the receipt of more than C$10,000 in virtual currency from a client, FINTRAC said.

Canada has been signalling efforts to clamp down on financial crime. On Monday the government announced a new agency to combat fraud, money laundering and recover criminal proceeds.

Next month the country will face an audit by global financial crime watchdog Financial Action Task Force.

On September 25, FINTRAC imposed a C$19.6 million ($14.09 million) penalty on Peken Global Limited, the operator of one of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchanges KuCoin.

KuCoin appealed the penalty, previously FINTRAC's highest ever, and said the fine was excessive and punitive.

($1 = 1.4024 Canadian dollars)

(Reporting by Maiya Keidan, Editing by Franklin Paul)
UofL School of Medicine, Pediatrics and Nortons Childrens Hospital won the "City Choice" award in the 2024 Downtown Holiday Decorating Contest. (Source: Facebook)
Photo by BeInCrypto

This week, the government of British Columbia announced it will permanently ban new cryptocurrency mining connections to the provinces electricity grid to protect the power supply.

The move makes Canadas third-largest province a non-viable location for new grid-connected mining facilities. It also signals that existing crypto miners will find it nearly impossible to expand their operations.

Permanent End for Grid Crypto Expansion

British Columbia is moving to make its temporary restriction on new cryptocurrency mining connections a permanent ban, according to legislation introduced this week.

The move closes the door on expanding industrial-scale crypto mining within the province. It effectively cements British Columbia as one of the first jurisdictions in North America to explicitly exclude the sector from accessing its publicly owned, clean-energy supply.

The ban on crypto mining is not an isolated measure. Instead, its BCs most far-reaching component of a new Electricity Allocation Framework designed to address unprecedented electricity demand and ensure the provinces clean energy goes toward projects that maximize economic benefit.

The ban, however, doesnt include all types of mining. According to the governments press release, traditional mining will still have access to the power grid.

Our new allocation framework will prioritize vital growth in sectors like mining, natural gas, and lowest-emission LNG, while ensuring our clean energy is directed to projects that deliver the greatest benefit to British Columbians, said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions.

While the bill has not been enacted, its strongly poised to pass. As a result, crypto miners in the region will have to adapt.

Miners Forced to Seek Alternatives

Any miner planning new operations or expansion in British Columbia must shift their investment and operations to other jurisdictions. However, migration is met with a patchwork of regulations across the country.

The Canadian provinces most attractive to crypto minersthose with abundant, cheap, publicly subsidized hydroelectric powerhave become the most restrictive toward new connections.
At Bluepoint, early-stage investments are often made before the underlying technologies are fully developed or products are ready for market. In this context, Lee noted that strict limits on working hours could potentially impact the pace at which key business milestones are reached.

The 52-hour workweek is indeed a challenging factor when making investment decisions in deep tech sectors, Yongkwan Lee, CEO of South Korea-based venture capital firm Bluepoint Partners , told TechCrunch. This is particularly relevant when investing in globally competitive sectors like semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing. Labor challenges are particularly complex in these sectors, where founders and teams often face intense workloads and long hours during critical growth phases.

TechCrunch spoke with several tech investors and founders based in South Korea about how the 52-hour workweek limit affects their businesses and their R&D projects as they try to compete with global companies.

Earlier this year, South Korea rolled out a special extended work program that lets employees work beyond the 52-hour weekly limit, with both worker consent and government approval, up to 64 hours. For deep tech sectors like semiconductors, approval periods were temporarily extended from three to six months , though local media reports suggest that only a few companies actually took advantage of it. Looking ahead, the South Korean government plans to scale back these special exemptions and tighten working-hour regulations, even as some lawmakers argue that the current guidelines are sufficient, per the report .

The 52-hour workweek, introduced in 2018 for large companies with over 300 employees and public institutions, was gradually extended to all businesses and fully took effect on January 1, 2025 .

In South Korea, the standard workweek is 40 hours, with up to 12 hours of overtime , usually paid at 1.5 times the regular rate or more. Employers who violate these rules risk fines, executive imprisonment, and civil liability.

When I came across news about the intense 996 work culture  working 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week, a 72-hour work week  spreading from China to Silicon Valley, it made me wonder how different countries approach work hours and workplace cultures in the tech industry. I was especially curious about how things compare here in South Korea, where Im currently based.

As the world races to stay ahead in the deep tech revolution  from AI and semiconductors to quantum computing  innovation has become the new currency of power. For many companies, that pressure has translated into heavier workloads and more intense work cultures. Yet they face a real dilemma: they cant simply ease up while competitors across the globe push harder to win.

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In South Korea, 70.4% of employees at startup companies responded that they would be willing to work an additional 52 hours per week if adequate compensation is provided, per local reports.

Bohyung Kim, CTO of LeMong, a South Korean startup backed by LG Uplus that delivers agentic AI solutions to more than 13,000 small and medium-sized enterprises in the food and beverage sector, said the countrys 52-hour workweek system often feels more like a restriction than a protection.

Engineers work to find practical solutions to complex problems, Kim said. Our work isnt about completing predefined tasks within fixed hours. Its about using creativity and deep focus to solve challenges and create new value. When an idea strikes or a technical breakthrough happens, the concept of time disappears. If a system forces you to stop at that moment, it breaks the flow and can actually reduce efficiency.

Kim added that while short-term, intense focus is crucial as project deadlines approach or when refining key algorithms, rigid legal limits can sometimes get in the way, including depending on the kind of engineering role someone holds. Even among engineers, production roles in manufacturing differ from R&D positions, Kim explained. In manufacturing, productivity is directly linked to working hours, so schedules need to account for industrial safety. Overtime should also be fairly compensated.

When asked about workplace flexibility, Huiyong Lee, co-founder of LeMong, which makes comment management software, said he thinks figuring out a monthly average would be more practical than adhering strictly to the countrys 52-hour weekly limit. He noted that work intensity often varies depending on the stage of R&D and project timelines in deep tech companies.

For companies like ours, intensive development efforts are often required for approximately two weeks prior to a product launch, after which the workload eases once the product stabilizes, Lee said. A system with monthly flexibility would allow us to work around 60 hours per week before a launch and 40 hours per week afterward, maintaining an average of 52 hours while ensuring operational efficiency, Lee continued. I also believe it is worth considering differentiated standards for deep tech and R&D-focused companies. At the same time, for startups with fewer than 1020 employees, it is essential to establish more flexible criteria to accommodate their unique operational needs.

Kim also noted that there is a clear link between performance and hours worked. High-performing team members often tend to put in longer hours, he said. But rather than seeking rewards for the extra time, these top performers focus on achieving results and advancing quickly within the company.

Engineers are far more motivated to dive in when their efforts are recognized, whether through performance bonuses, stock options, or acknowledgment of technical contributions, Kim said. In high-tech, R&D, and IT industries, as well as in globally competitive firms where technical expertise is key, decisions about flexible work hours should be driven by market logic.

Another Seoul-based venture capitalist, who invests in startups, downplayed the impact of the 52-hour workweek limit on investment decisions.

At the moment, there dont appear to be any major concerns. While its always difficult to predict how labor regulations or monitoring practices might evolve, many venture companies today do not strictly track employees working hours. To my understanding, theres currently no requirement for companies to submit formal evidence proving that employees stay within the 52-hour weekly limit.

If an employee were to file a complaint, the VC noted, the absence of detailed time records could raise compliance questions. That said, most R&D or deeptech firms typically employee highly self-motivated professionals who manage their own schedules responsibly, so such cases seem relatively uncommon.

The greater challenge likely lies in more labor-intensive industries, such as logistics, delivery, or manufacturing, where a large portion of workers earn close to the minimum wage. In those sectors, the 52-hour workweek regulation can significantly increase labor costs due to mandatory overtime pay and paid leave. As a result, maintaining productivity and achieving economies of scale can become more difficult for businesses operating under tight margins, this investor said.

How other countries work

To understand where South Koreas 52-hour limit fits in the global landscape  and why its deep tech companies feel squeezed between competing pressures  its worth examining how other major tech hubs regulate working hours.

In Germany, the UK, and France, standard workweeks typically range from 33 to 48 hours. In Australia and Canada, the standard workweek is 38 and 40 hours, respectively, with mandatory overtime pay, offering a balance between labor rights and workplace flexibility.

In the U.S., the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets a standard 40-hour workweek. Non-exempt employees earn time-and-a-half for any overtime, and theres no limit on total hours. (In California, the rules only require double-time pay for certain overtime.)

In China, the standard work schedule is also 40 hours per week, or 8 hours a day. Overtime is paid at higher rates: roughly 150% of regular pay on weekdays, 200% on weekends, and 300% on public holidays. In Japan, the standard workweek is 40 hours, with limits of 45 hours of overtime per month and 370 hours per year under normal circumstances. Employers who exceed these limits can face fines and administrative penalties, as in other countries.

Singapores workweek is slightly longer at 44 hours, with a maximum of 72 overtime hours per month. If spread evenly, thats roughly 62 hours per week. Overtime pay rates are similar: 1.5 times for weekdays, 2 times for rest days, and 3 times for public holidays.

South Koreas 52-hour cap sits in the middle of this spectrum, stricter than the U.S. and Singapore but more flexible than much of Europe. Either way, for deep tech founders competing globally, the question isnt just about the number  its about whether rigid weekly limits can accommodate the intense, uneven workflows that characterize early-stage R&D.
Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.

Personal finance expert Dave Ramsey has a strong warning for Americans about how debt is sold. On a recent episode of The Ramsey Show, he said debt is more heavily pushed than any other product in the country.

The most aggressively marketed product in the United States today is debt, Ramsey said. More sophistication, more money, more bandwidth is spent selling you folks debt because its so profitable than any other product.

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Cosigning Comes With a Stupid Tax

But what prompted this rant from Ramsey? Jessica from Illinois, who had shared her story and asked whether she should include her daughters $12,000 car loan in her debt snowball. Jessica co-signed the loan before she got serious about paying off her own debt and still has $20,000 in credit card balances. Her daughter has never missed a payment, but Jessica admitted she wants the loan gone for peace of mind.

Do I finish paying my personal debt and move on to Baby Step Three or do I include her car note in my debt snowball? she asked. Ramseys advice was precise: Were going to pay off the car after you pay off your credit cards because the car is under control right now. Its not in panic.

Ramsey said she should list the car loan last in the snowball and then work something out with her daughter to repay her afterward. But he made it clear that cosigning is a bad idea.

Its what we call a contingent liability, which means its a liability, he said. Theyre going to come after you really fast and skip over her because they never thought she was going to pay it in the first place. Thats why they wanted a cosigner.

Trending: Arrived Home's Private Credit Funds has historically paid an annualized dividend yield of 8.1%*, which provides access to a pool of short-term loans backed by residential real estate with just a $100 minimum.

Ramsey admitted he made the same mistake in his younger years. I have cosigned and I ended up paying it, he said. He referred to this as paying the stupid tax.

He also quoted Proverbs 17:18, saying, One lacking in sense cosigns for another, and noted that the Contemporary English Version states bluntly: If you cosign for someone else, youre stupid.

Im not calling you stupid, Ramsey told Jessica. But I am calling what you did stupid.
Deribit, the crypto derivatives exchange acquired by Coinbase (COIN) earlier this year, is working with digital asset custodian Komainu to offer institutions the ability to trade continuously without moving assets off custody, the companies said on Wednesday.

The agreement links Deribit to Komainu Connect, a platform that manages collateral between trading venues and custodians. Institutional clients can keep their funds entirely within Komainus regulated custody structure while executing trades on Deribit. This setup aims to reduce counterparty and settlement risks, long-standing concerns among professional crypto traders.

Like the rest of the digital asset industry, crypto derivatives are edging towards mainstream financial adoption. In a recent interview, Coinbase said it expects a wave of institutions from Europe and the U.S. to enter the space.

Komainu, backed by Laser Digital and linked to Japanese bank Nomura, offers on-chain, bankruptcy-remote segregated wallets and supports a range of collateral types, including tokenized Treasury funds like BUIDL and staked ether (sETH). Both companies said the integration is designed to meet increasing institutional demand for secure and compliant digital asset trading.

Clients want the highest level of security and efficiency, said Jean-David Pequignot, Deribits chief commercial officer. Partnering with Komainu gives them both.




Sean McCarthaigh

Plans for a new 220-bedroom hotel providing budget accommodation in Cork city centre have been given the green light by An Coimisiun Pleanala.

The Commission has granted planning permission for the proposed five-storey hotel with ground-floor cafe on a vacant site on Fitton Street East, Cork, by development firm Peppard Investments 8 Limited.

Although Cork City Council had granted planning permission for the hotel last May, it had directed that the developer should reduce the height of the building by one storey.

However, Peppard Investments 8 Limited appealed the condition imposing the reduced height of the building to An Coimisiun Pleanala.

In its ruling, the Commission said it would direct Cork City Council to amend the condition relating to the height of the building.

The Commission stated the proposed five-storey development would not have a significant impact on the visual amenities of the South Channel Architectural Conservation Area outside of the immediate views of the area.

Given the wider regeneration and activation that would be achieved with the development of the hotel, the Commission said any visual impact it would create would be moderate and not out of keeping with the surrounding area.

Council planners had claimed that a five-storey building would be visually incongruous in relation to the local streetscape.

However, the developer had claimed that a five-storey building was the only financially viable option for developing a hotel on the site.

It claimed that the planning condition which would have required the omission of one floor which would have resulted in the number of bedrooms being reduced by 32 to 188, was unjustified.

The developer claimed there was also a lack of budget-friendly accommodation for tourists in Cork city.

A planning inspector with An Coimisiun Pleanala said the hotel would be adequately set back from protected structures in the area including the Holy Trinity Church on Fr Matthew Quay.

The inspector also concluded that the development was on a site ideally suited for regeneration and would not detract from key views across the River Lee.
By Cillian Sherlock, PA

Stones and fireworks have been thrown at gardai for a second consecutive night in Dublin.

Hundreds of protesters have gathered near the entrance of the Citywest hotel in Saggart.

It is the third night of demonstrations at Citywest following an alleged sexual assault on a 10-year-old girl in the vicinity of the hotel in the early hours of Monday morning.

A 26-year-old man, who cannot be named due to rules that apply to all sexual assault cases in Ireland, appeared in court on Tuesday charged over the alleged incident.

Multiple arrests were made amid the serious disorder on Tuesday night and An Garda Siochana pledged a robust response if violence continued.

Public order gardai pushed the crowd further from the hotel by advancing on them with shields. Photo: Niall Carson/PA.

Between 7pm and 8pm on Wednesday, hundreds of protesters again faced off with around 40 uniformed gardai

The uniformed officers were replaced with the Public Order Unit, whose members carried plastic shields and additional body protection, after officers in the original cordon were struck with debris, stones and fireworks.

Some of those continued to throw masonry, flares, glass bottles and wooden planks at An Garda Siochana members.

There was also vandalism to the area around the Saggart Luas tram stop, which runs parallel to the road the protesters were on.

Public order gardai pushed the crowd further from the hotel by advancing on them with shields.

It was the third night of protests near the hotel (Niall Carson/PA)

A mounted garda unit and a dog unit were at the scene, with a police helicopter providing air support.

At least one garda was affected by pepper spray.

Those involved in the disorder also attempted to block garda vehicles from entering the area with steel barriers.

While Monday nights demonstration passed without significant incident, a female garda member was injured during Tuesdays violence.

She has since been discharged from hospital after receiving treatment for a foot injury.

A garda vehicle was also set on fire during the unrest earlier in the week.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly, who visited the scene in the aftermath of the violence, told reporters on Wednesday he is determined that further people will be brought before the courts to face justice.

He said the disorder was not a peaceful protest and added: This was violence with the intent to damage the Citywest building and intimidate those within.

The protest outside the hotel came after an alleged sexual assault on a girl in the vicinity in the early hours of Monday morning.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin condemned the scenes of violence, stating there could be no justification for attacks on gardai.

Protesters were displaying Irish flags, chanting anti-immigration slogans and throwing missiles.

There were also attempts to charge the garda line with horse-drawn sulky carts and scrambler bikes on Tuesday and a police helicopter overhead was targeted with lasers.
A clear message of hope and urgency echoed through Balla Mart last Thursday evening when sheep shearer turned mental health advocate, George Graham, called on farmers feeling low to take that first step. Mr Graham was speaking at an event called 'Taking Stock, an event organised by Mayo Mental Health Association and the Department of Agriculture.

The Wexford farmer told a deeply personal and unflinching account of his own struggle on an evening devoted to supporting farmers health through the long, dark months ahead.

Im not afraid or ashamed to say Ive been to the long, dark tunnel with mental health, Mr Graham said.

He described suicidal thoughts, planned actions and an internal collapse.

To be honest, on the law of averages, I shouldnt be here tonight, he said.

Mr Graham offered an image of the mind in torment: trapped in a box where every direction is blocked with no exit and no hope visible.

If you can imagine that, he said, thats where I was.

He spoke of racing thoughts, insomnia, and failure to eat. He said he tried to outrun the problem, first in Norway, shearing sheep far from home, but he found the darkness followed him.

He described reaching out - hesitantly - to a psychiatric nurse he met in Northern Norway. He asked for translation help, but beneath the surface he wanted to confess his despair. It was a lifeline. He resolved then that if he survived, he would seek help at home. On returning to Ireland, he went to his GP, surrendered his firearm, underwent evaluation, started therapy and medication. Gradually, step by painful step, he found a path forward.

I was in that situation, he said. I couldnt talk to anybody. If anybody is in a similar situation, they have to take that first step. Go to your GP. Talk to a family member or a friend. No matter how many professionals exist, none can come to you - you must reach out yourself.

Mr Graham said that mental health problems dont pause.

Mental well-being problems dont stop at halfathree of a Friday afternoon and recommence at 10.30 on Monday morning.

He explained how such struggles cut across professions - farmers, vets, doctors, dentists - and across life, and he urged constant vigilance.

Mr Graham emphasised how farmings isolation intensifies vulnerability. He spoke of how in winter, children return to college, leaving homes quieter, and with shorter, darker days, people can feel lonely. The nature of farming too can present unique problems. He pointed to challenges like disease in stock, market pressures, or TB outbreaks, not just financial, but existential burdens.

There is a light at the end of that tunnel, he said, but you have to make the first move by talking to somebody.

Mr Graham also spoke on farm safety, delivering blunt warnings drawn from real experience. Many farmers work alone, he said, juggling multiple jobs, and may rush critical tasks.

Working with machinery, working at height, and working with livestock, these are the areas where serious accidents occur. I have seen a fatality caused by a live power drive. I never want to see one again and I dont wish anybody else to ever have to see one.

"Some of these things happen just because we dont spend 100 on a new cover for a PTO shaft. And it can happen in an instant.

He warned that other dangers come not only from obvious hazards like bulls, but from subtle ones, perhaps the quiet cow at calving time. Farmers often feel compelled to intervene, no matter how dangerous, placing themselves between a cows head and a wall.

He also sounded a warning about hidden hazards, especially agitating slurry.

We wont see it, we wont feel it, until you inhale the fumes, and the next thing you fall down, and thats usually the end. Youre very lucky if you survive that one, Mr Graham said.

He urged vigilance, proper ventilation, and time for caution, adding: Were in a hurry, until the accident happens.

Mr Graham urged farmers to visit their GP for regular check-ups.

People will get their car tested and taxed annually, but they wont take half an hour to visit a GP, he said. Theres no point in having more sheep, more stock, a bigger house, if you havent got your health. Youre not just doing it for yourself, youre doing it for your family as well.

The event offered featured free health checks from the Croi Mobile Unit, information stands, and refreshments. Expert speakers, including Teagasc Drystock Advisors Alan Nolan and Shane OHaire, and local vet Shane McCarvill, addressed scheme updates, farm management, and livestock health (see opposite page).

The event concluded with a panel discussion involving Mr Graham, Siobhan McBrearty of the HSE and Leanne McManamon of Mayo Mental Health. The speakers urged farmers to take action over their mental and physical health.

Support organisations can be contacted as follows: Samaritans at 116 123; Pieta at 1800 247 247 or text HELP to 51444; Your Mental Health at 1800 111 888.
The Western Simmental club hosted their 30th Anniversary Simmental X Heifer sale at Aurivo Ballymote Mart on Saturday October 4th.

An outstanding trade for heifers with buyers from North and South very active and keen for Simmental heifers.

The Highest price of the day was lot, an in calf heifer lot 2611 by Drumcooley Leo sold by Gerard O'Brien, Belclare Co. Galway to Mark Neenan Loughrea Co. Galway. This heifer weighed 750kgs & sold for 5,500 scanned in calf to Sexed Derreen Jack.

The second highest priced in calf heifer was lot 2646 by Lisnacrann fifty cents sold by Paul Cryan. This heifer weighed 770kgs and hit the 5100 mark & sold to Bernie McGabe.

In the Maiden section the top price was lot 1518 by Ballinalare Farm Galaxy. She sold for 4450 (7.12/kg). This heifer weighed 625kgs & was owned by David Dillon and sold to Paul Cryan.

The second highest priced maiden lot 1547 sired by Fergus Kevin was sold by Padraic Burns for 4200 to A Alexander. This heifer weighed 525kgs (8/kg) In the Weanling section the top price was given for a Derreen Jack heifer lot 728 owned by Paul Cryan from Keash Ballymote. This heifer weighed 445kgs & sold for a whopping 5,000 (11.23/kg)to Herbie Griffiths.

The second highest priced Weanling was lot 708 owned by Jamie Reape from Bonniconlon Co. Mayo. This Seafort Gill heifer weighed 440kgs & sold for 4500 (10.23/kg) to Ray Martin from Co. Monaghan.

The Average price for an in calf heifers was up 1700 on last year.

Maiden heifers were up 1600 with Maidens over 600kg up 2200 on last year.

Weanling heifers 200 to 300kg were up 1300, Weanlings 300 to 400kg up 1200 And Weanlings over 400kg 1900 dearer than 2024.

Jamie Reape WSC said "A total of 80 heifers were exported to the North with 59 of these heifers being purchased by a single buyer! The sales export eligibility on sale day provides a top Service for our loyal customer base in the North and this would not be possible without the great service provided by our department vets & of course the mart officials."

After this years sale we spoke with Gerard O'Brien from Belclare outside Tuam who owned the highest priced heifer of the day. He had 14 incalf heifers at the sale. I was very happy and surprised when one of my incalf heifers got the top prize at the sale she was sold for 5500 , she was a great heifer and very quite, she weighed 750kg and she was incalf to Derreen Jack, female sexed. It was a great opportunity for the buyer to get a great heifer and the bonus of her carrying a heifer calf. I got on very well with the other 7 that l sold my average price was 4,500 so over all l was very pleased with the sale, and l hope all my heifers will be very lucky for the people that bought them. There was great stock presented this year and as always it's a sale that's very well run. We'll done to all the committee involved David Dillon from Collooney Co. Sligo owner of the highest priced maiden heifer and a supported of the sale for the last 30 years had the following to add I sold 26 maiden heifers. These heifers weighed an average of 482 kgs and realised an average price of 2,960 or 6.14 per kg. My top 10 heifers tipped the scales at 513.5kgs and made an average price of 3465 or 6.75 per kg.

I had the top priced maiden heifer on the day; a February 2024 born three quarter SiM X heifer weighing 625 kgs which sold to local man Paul Cryan for 4450. I also sold an April 24 born Sim X animal weighing 510 kgs for 3,800. David commented that his heifers at this year's sale were on average 5kgs heavier than his stock last year but the average price increased by over 1,200. This he felt is indicative of the current buoyant trade for all types of livestock but he said there is a huge demand for good quality Simmental heifers today. The specialist incalf producers are keen for the heavier more powerful heifers while farmers are interested and great customers for the lighter quality ones and are willing to pay a premium price.

Paul Cryan from Keash Ballymote was delighted to be the owner of the top priced weanling heifer on the day. It was a great pleasure to prepare and present a heifer of such quality she had everything confirmation, great bloodlines, temperament and docility which left her a dream heifer to work with I hope she is very lucky for the purchaser. I would like to thank Jamie, Jimmie and all the team members for the enormous work they put in to make the 30th sale such a success.

Finally I would to compliment Paddy Hennelly for attending on the day; a founder member who kickstarted this sale way back in 1995. This man and his fellow club members did trojan work for the Simmental breed and I wish them good health in the years ahead."

Finally, The western Simmental Club would like to sincerely thank David Faughnan Manager of Aurivo Mart Ballymote and his team for their support at this sale and over the years.

The Club want to thank all exhibitors for a brilliant display of stock and their continued support of this event, it was great to see such a delighted group of sellers going home with some top end prices.

"As we conclude on a very successful 30th Anniversary Sale, wed like to remind those wishing to purchase a Simmental bull to breed heifers like these can look no further then the Irish Simmental Premier Sale on October 25th in Roscommon Mart!"
Ryanair today (Thurs, 23 Oct) announced that it has surpassed 12 million passengers through Ireland West Airport Knock since it began operations to/from the airport in 1986.

The lucky 12 million passenger was Alison Lynch, who flew on the London Stansted to Knock service.

Ireland West Airport Knocks Managing Director, Joe Gilmore, said:

This is another significant milestone in the airports history, welcoming Ryanairs 12 millionth passenger to the airport. Ryanairs first scheduled commercial flight into Knock was on 16th December 1986  the Spirit of Monsignor Horan HS-748 landed at Knock from London which at the time was the first direct link from the West of Ireland to London. Its been a fantastic journey over the last 39 years with so many great highlights and milestones achieved along the way."
Ryanair today (Thurs, 23 Oct) announced that it has surpassed 12 million passengers through Ireland West Airport Knock since it began operations to/from the airport in 1986.

This Winter, Ryanair is operating 86 weekly flights across 10 routes to/from Ireland West Airport Knock, including winter sun hotspots like Lanzarote, Malaga, and Tenerife, as well as top city break destinations like Edinburgh, Liverpool, and London.

Ireland West Airport Knocks Managing Director, Joe Gilmore, said:

This is another significant milestone in the airports history, welcoming Ryanairs 12 millionth passenger to the airport. Ryanairs first scheduled commercial flight into Knock was on 16th December 1986  the Spirit of Monsignor Horan HS-748 landed at Knock from London which at the time was the first direct link from the West of Ireland to London. Its been a fantastic journey over the last 39 years with so many great highlights and milestones achieved along the way.

"During this time Ryanair has continued to grow at the airport and provide critically important international access to and from the UK market and connected the West of Ireland to major European cities such as Milan, Barcelona and Cologne which have provided a huge tourism and economic boost for the West and Northwest of Ireland.

"As we look ahead to the airport's 40th anniversary in 2026, we look forward to continuing to strengthen our relationship with Ryanair and expanding our range of services over the coming years. We would like to give a special mention to Ryanairs customers, and particularly the Ryanair staff here at the airport, who continue to play a very important role in helping the airport and Ryanair reach record passenger milestones such as this and ensure the experience using the airport continues to be both a seamless and pleasant one.
Ryanair today (Thurs, 23 Oct) announced that it has surpassed 12 million passengers through Ireland West Airport Knock since it began operations to/from the airport in 1986.

The lucky 12 million passenger was Alison Lynch, who flew on the London Stansted to Knock service.

Watch the moment below:
Gordon Deegan

Pre-tax profits at the Irish arm of clothing retail giant, H&M last year increased five fold to 3.87 million as its bricks and mortar stores delivered a solid performance.

New accounts show that pre-tax profits increased by 437 per cent at the Swedish-owned H&M Hennes & Mauritz (Ireland) Ltd as revenues declined by one per cent or 1.2 million from 113.2 million to 111.99 million in the 12 months to the end of November 30th 2024.

In their report, the directors state that the business delivered a significantly stronger performance compared to FY23, despite ongoing challenges within the retail sector.

The directors state that the overall decline in revenues was primarily due to lower-than-expected customer demand in the online channel but was partly offset by a positive store performance 1.86 per cent, reflecting the solid performance of the physical store portfolio.

During the year under review, H&M opened a new outlet at Clerys Quarter in March 2024 and at 30,000sq ft spread across two floors is the second largest store for H&M in Ireland.

During 2024, the company operated 22 stores across the country made up of 15 H&M stores, one & Other Stories store and six COS stores.

The directors state that the increase in profitability can be attributed to optimisation of cost structure and streamlining processes.

During the year, the companys operating expenses reduced by 6pc from 64.75 million to 61.05 million as cost of sales reduced from 48.23 million to 47.45 million.

The company benefited from net finance income of 266,083 compared to 168,476 under that heading in 2023.

The company continued its expansion here with the opening of the first Arket store in Ireland on Dublins Dawson last month and the directors state that the store will further strengthen our physical footprint and broaden the range of brands available to customers.

The directors state that the company continues to grow and integrate physical and digital channels, we are ensuring that we have a well-balanced, healthy and relevant store portfolio. Our online and physical stores complement one another and strengthen our customer offering.

They further states that the company is focusing to meet new consumer trends and to enable this strategy the directors will focus on redeveloping the existing store portfolio to enhance the customer experience and maximise the omni-channel shopping experience.

The firm had a post tax profit of 2.95 million after recording a corporation tax charge of 912,116.

The opening of the new H&M at Clerys Quarter contributed to staff numbers rising by 67 from 474 to 541 as staff costs rose from 10.54 million to 11.96 million.

The profit for 2024 takes account of non-cash depreciation costs of 5.43 million and rental costs increasing by 726,712 from 3.96 million to 4.68 million.

The company received unspecified other operating income of 111,607 in 2024 compared to 325,801 under that heading in 2023.

At the end of November 2024, the firm had shareholder funds of 18.19m that included accumulated profits of 11.6 million.
Connolly has edge among parents

Catherine Connolly appears the favourite to win the presidential election judging by a survey of a dozen parents at the Parents and Toddlers Club which meets in the Community Hall on Wednesdays. Of the 12 who spoke to the Western People, eight said theyd vote for Connolly while three said they were undecided and one said hed not vote.

She is so well spoken and put together, said one parent who added that Connolly was so calm in handling the controversy over her hire as a researcher of a woman who had served time for a firearms offences.

Another said: Connolly is a family-oriented person. Shes very well educated, she keeps her cool. She has an air of calm.

The Irish language was raised by another.

She can speak Irish, its insulting to put yourself forward if you cant speak the language, said the parent, who conceded she herself has limited Irish.

There was strong criticism for Jim Gavin from several parents due to his failure to repay 3,500 to his former tenant.

Another parent said there are some doubts over Catherine Connolly but Id still rather her than Heather Humphreys". Asked about the doubts, the parent explained: Connolly was very proactive to transgender and non binary...

Another parent said he planned to spoil his vote.

Its a selection not an election, he said, airing anger over immigration, the health service and the rising cost of living.

Theyre too out of touch, he said of the two candidates, adding: Maria Steen was probably the best of a bad lot, a reference to the candidate unable to get on the ballot paper.

Letter from Rio

Ballyhaunis is a wonderful and friendly town according to an emigre with fond memories of the town.

Alvaro Afonso Pereira da Costa spent two years working as a senior technical mechanic at Western Brand near Ballyhaunis before going back to Brazil where he now works as an aeronautical engineer.

I arrived in the wonderful town of Ballyhaunis in 2022. I stayed until 2024. I had to go back because of my parents, but I can't wait to go back.

Describing Ballyhaunis as a very family-friendly place, Alfonso said: The priest knows my name, Alvaro Afonso from Rio de Janeiro. That's what some people called me because I'm from Rio de Janeiro.

At the supermarket the staff knew everyone by name, it was VIP service. The people of this town are very special in every way.

Pereira da Costa also recalled fondly Irish traditional music sessions at the Community Hall.

This cultural centre was amazing. I learned a lot about the culture, the dances, the music, and the movie nights were amazing.

He also speaks highly of the Friary and its grounds.

This park is wonderful for meeting people. I used to walk a lot in it.

"I just have to thank everyone in this town and for the affection everyone gave me, I felt at home, like family. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone in Ballyhaunis.

Alvaro also paid tribute to his local doctor.

MRCI survey for local work permit holders

The Migrant Rights Centre of Ireland (MRCI) has reached out to workers in Ballyhaunis on work permits, seeking their input to a survey as part of a campaign to reform the permit system.

An email sent recently to workers who have previously sought MRCI help reads: Are you currently on a general employment permit or have you had one in the past? We want to hear about how you were treated in work and your awareness of rights.

The MRCI is seeking 1,000 migrant workers with work permits to fill in this survey.

The MRCI has called for the Government to give holders of the general work permit - commonly given to those in the meat processing and horticultural industry as well as care services - to access the same rights as those with critical skills work permits, typically given to IT, research and medical staff. These workers can easily change employer and also bring their family to Ireland.

History of Bees

Ireland was once a major producer of honey because the Congested Districts Board encouraged local small holders to produce honey as a source of income. The renowned food and beverage firm Liptons in London was a major buyer of honey produced on small holdings across regions of small low-income farms like East Mayo.

This was one of the many fascinating insights offered during a presentation by the Ballyhaunis Beekeepers' Association at the Centre of Excellence on October 14 as part of Climate Action Week. Beekeepers' Association chairperson Tadgh Buckley and secretary Colm Bohan explained the design and functioning of a bee hive while also describing the life cycle and production patterns of a swarm of bees.

Organiser of the event, Mary Prenty, chairperson of the East Mayo GAA Board, described the event as one of two being organised by the group as part of Climate Action Week, which will also see the launch of the new Climate Action Fund by Mayo County Council.

Healthcare system praised

Often-aired problems with Irelands health system cloud the enormous value of the service, according to some migrants who compared the extent of healthcare here with their home countries.

World Health Organisation data shows Ireland spent an average 6,448 per person on healthcare in 2022 (the last date for which universal data is available) of which nearly 80% was accounted for by government spending. Just over 10% was termed out of pocket or paid by individuals themselves.

By contrast, Ukraine was spending an average $243 per capita on healthcare in 2022 with the government supplying just 45% of that spend and the rest coming largely from citizens own funds. Describing the Irish healthcare system as bureaucratic, a Ballyhaunis-based Ukrainian reader said he found a medical card helpful in seeking treatment.

Irish spending on healthcare is far greater than that in Pakistan which in 2022 spent an average $39 per person on healthcare with government providing just 38% of the funds spent and out of pocket spending covering half of the countrys total healthcare spend.

Speaking to this column, a Pakistani-born resident of Ballyhaunis commended the quality of care locally, despite negative coverage over waiting lists.

"In Pakistan, you can only afford this level of care as a wealthy person, here it is much more democratic."

The African state of Democratic Republic of Congo spends an average $24 per person on healthcare, with government funds accounting for only 18% of that spend, 31% coming from out-of-pocket spending and the rest coming in the form of international aid.

In Ireland, the healthcare system is very good, explained a Congolese native who received refugee status in Ireland and now works in the healthcare service.

Damien Waldron and his dog Xabia vom Esteresch, a 17-month-old German Shorthaired Pointer bitch after they took first prize at the Solms test held by DK Klub Althummling in Germany.

Congratulations to Damien

The German Pointer Club of Ireland has congratulated its local member Damien Waldron and his dog Xabia vom Esteresch, a 17-month-old German Shorthaired Pointer bitch, after they took first prize at the Solms test held by DK Klub Althummling in Germany.

Damien explained the Solms Test is a field and water test for young German shorthaired pointer dogs, conducted under the regulations of the Deutsch-Kurzhaar-Verband (DKV) or JGHV (Jagdgebrauchshundverband  the German versatile hunting dog association).

Chairman of the Ballyhaunis Gun Club, Damien is planning to return with Xabia to Germany in the Autumn for further tests.

Bike repair clinic

The Ballyhaunis Bike Repair Clinic will return on Sunday, October 26, at the Community Hall starting at 9.30am.

As well as repairing bicycles, the volunteer-run service will be demonstrating how to true or straighten a wheel and also show how to clean or fit new bearings in the bicycle's headset or steering column.

The Bike Repair Clinic on October 16 shared some repair advice at a bicycle swap event organised by Ballyhaunis GAA and LGFA Club as part of Climate Action Week funded by Mayo Co Council. More details can be had from ballyhauniscommunitycouncil@gmail.com.
We came across a bullish thesis on Diageo plc on Global Equity Briefings Substack by Ray Myers. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on DEO. Diageo plc's share was trading at $95.01 as of September 29th. DEOs trailing and forward P/E were 22.27 and 11.34 respectively according to Yahoo Finance.

20 Best Scotch Whiskies Under $100

Diageo, the London-based global beverage company behind brands like Johnnie Walker, Guinness, and Smirnoff, has faced a challenging year, with its stock down 26% YTD and 57% from its 2021 peak. The decline reflects slower growth, disappointing earnings, rising competition, tariffs, leadership changes, and investor concerns about execution. Despite these headwinds, Diageo is taking decisive steps to address them. The company is intensifying restructuring efforts, raising its cost-cutting target to approximately $625 million, and reallocating resources toward higher-growth segments such as premium spirits and no/low-alcohol beverages.

To respond to changing consumer preferences and moderation trends, Diageo is innovating with smaller pack sizes, canned and pre-mixed cocktails, and other alternative drink formats. Tariff and trade pressures are being mitigated through supply chain optimization, including relocating bottling operations, managing inventory strategically, and shifting investments, which is expected to offset roughly half of the tariff impact on operating profit.

Additionally, Diageo is actively managing its portfolio, divesting or exchanging underperforming brands such as Ciroc in North America for stronger growth opportunities in Tequila and Mezcal, while leadership transitions are designed to restore confidence in execution. These initiatives position Diageo to navigate near-term challenges while enhancing long-term growth potential. Even amid uncertainty, the companys focus on restructuring, innovation, and portfolio optimization provides multiple levers to stabilize performance and unlock value, making the current environment a compelling entry point for investors willing to consider the strategic initiatives underway.

Previously we covered a bullish thesis on Diageo plc (DEO) by Jimmy Investor in March 2025, which highlighted its strong brand equity, premium pricing power, resilient margins, and global diversification. The company's stock price has depreciated approximately by 13% since our coverage due to near-term headwinds. The thesis still stands as Diageos defensive model and cash flow remain strong. Ray Myers shares a similar but emphasizes restructuring, portfolio optimization, and innovation to navigate current challenges.
Reading, PA (19601)

Today

A few evening snow showers and flurries, mostly in the Poconos; otherwise, partly cloudy, cold, and brisk overnight. Wind chills in the teens. .

Tonight

A few evening snow showers and flurries, mostly in the Poconos; otherwise, partly cloudy, cold, and brisk overnight. Wind chills in the teens.
Allentown, PA (18103)

Today

A few evening snow showers and flurries, mostly in the Poconos; otherwise, partly cloudy, cold, and brisk overnight. Wind chills in the teens. .

Tonight

A few evening snow showers and flurries, mostly in the Poconos; otherwise, partly cloudy, cold, and brisk overnight. Wind chills in the teens.
Raymond Zhao thought working at Goldman Sachs was his dream until he interned there.

While studying at Oxford University, he found a new dream: cofounding an AI startup.

Now, his company, StructuredAI, is in Y Combinator's Fall 2025 batch.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Raymond Zhao, 23, the cofounder and CEO of Structured AI, which is in Y Combinator's Fall 2025 Batch. His internship, funding, and acceptance to YC have been verified by Business Insider. Goldman Sachs declined to comment when contacted by Business Insider.

This piece has been edited for length and clarity.

Working at Goldman Sachs was my dream, but I quickly realized it wasn't for me when I interned there as an analyst in the summer of 2024.

AI, on the other hand, feels exciting. Many of the great AI companies of the next decade are being built right now, and I want to be a part of that.

Do you work in AI? If you're comfortable speaking about it with a Business Insider reporter, please fill out this quick form. We want to hear from people whose first job out of college was in AI or those who made a mid-career switch into the industry.

When I spoke to friends trying to break into the industry, however, I kept hearing about this weird dilemma: in some cases, it was easier to raise money for a startup than land an entry-level job in AI.

I skipped the graduate job hunt and cofounded Structured AI. We're now part of the Y Combinator Fall 2025 Batch and, including the $500,000 we got through YC, have raised about $1 million in pre-seed funding. Every day, I feel energized.

I thought working at Goldman Sachs was my dream

In 2021, I moved to the UK from Australia to study mathematics and statistics at the University of Oxford. I wasn't sure what career I wanted to pursue. I had wanted to be an architect, but after doing work experience at a firm when I was 18, I realized it wasn't as exciting as I'd hoped.

Student societies were a great way to get an insight into different industries, and the idea of working in finance sounded attractive: good pay, respect, and smart, hardworking colleagues. As a math student, it felt like the most prestigious route I could follow, and many of the people I looked up to worked at Goldman Sachs.

I applied for the summer 2024 internship at Goldman Sachs in London. It was highly selective, involving an online test, a virtual interview, a superday of back-to-back conversations, and a follow-up interview. When I finally got accepted, I was really excited, but within a month, it became clear that I wasn't passionate about the work.
Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) will release earnings results for the third quarter after the closing bell on Thursday, Oct. 23.

In the meantime, some investors may be eyeing potential gains from the company's dividends. The carmaker currently offers an annual dividend yield of 4.83%, which is a quarterly dividend amount of 15 cents per share (60 cents a year).

So, how can investors capitalize on its dividend yield to earn a regular $500 monthly?

To earn $500 per month or $6,000 annually from dividends alone, you would need an investment of approximately $124,300 or around 10,000 shares. For a more modest $100 per month or $1,200 per year, you would need $24,860 or around 2,000 shares.

To calculate: Divide the desired annual income ($6,000 or $1,200) by the dividend ($0.60 in this case). So, $6,000 / $0.60 = 10,000 ($500 per month), and $1,200 / $0.60 = 2,000 shares ($100 per month).

Note that dividend yield can change on a rolling basis, as the dividend payment and the stock price both fluctuate over time.

View more earnings on F

How that works: The dividend yield is computed by dividing the annual dividend payment by the stocks current price.

For example, if a stock pays an annual dividend of $2 and is currently priced at $50, the dividend yield would be 4% ($2/$50). However, if the stock price increases to $60, the dividend yield drops to 3.33% ($2/$60). Conversely, if the stock price falls to $40, the dividend yield rises to 5% ($2/$40).

Similarly, changes in the dividend payment can impact the yield. If a company increases its dividend, the yield will also increase, provided the stock price stays the same. Conversely, if the dividend payment decreases, so will the yield.

Ford Price Action

Shares of Ford fell 1% to close at $12.43 on Wednesday.

Analysts expect the company to report quarterly earnings at 36 cents per share. Thats down from 49 cents per share in the year-ago period.

The consensus estimate for Ford's quarterly revenue is $43.86 billion, compared to $43.07 billion a year earlier, according to data from Benzinga Pro.

The company has beaten analyst estimates for revenue in two straight quarters. It also exceeded estimates in seven of the last 10 quarters overall.

Read More:

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AIrSynQ  a breath of fresh air at the beach

Guests at Blaauwberg Beach Hotel in Cape Town experience how Wits research powers a new AI air quality system.

Research developed at the University of the Witwatersrand is now improving air quality in the hotel, marking a key moment where academic innovation becomes real-world impact.

The hotel has adopted AIrSynQ  an artificial intelligence-powered system developed through years of Wits research  to monitor and improve indoor air quality. This makes it one of the first hotels in South Africa to use AI for this purpose.

AIrSynQ is the result of advanced sensing and data science research at Wits. It was spun out from the universitys Technology Innovation ecosystem and is co-owned by Wits Commercial Enterprise (Pty) Ltd.

This is a proud example of Wits research becoming a commercial solution that solves everyday problems, said Dominique Adams, Head of Marketing at AIrSynQ Systems. The Blaauwberg Beach Hotel is leading the way in the hospitality industry. With AIrSynQ, they are not only protecting the well-being of their guests but also enhancing the effectiveness of conferences and events.

The AIrSynQ system uses sensors combined with Internet of Things (IoT) technology and artificial intelligence. It continuously measures inhalable fine particles of differing sizes (PM1.0, PM2.5, PM4, PM10), gases such as carbon dioxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It also tracks temperature and humidity.

Data derived from these measurements are transmitted and analysed in real time, providing insights and alerts that help staff manage indoor environments proactively. It is increasingly recognised and acknowledged that air quality is central to the overall guest experience in high-quality hotels. Clean air supports comfort, health, productivity and overall well-being.

In rooms, elevated VOCs and CO can disrupt rest and recovery, leaving guests feeling fatigued. Conference spaces face a similar challenge: high CO levels are linked to reduced concentration and shorter attention spans. Poorly ventilated meeting spaces quickly lead to loss of effectiveness, thus impacting both participants and outcomes.

General Manager of the hotel, Philippe Marechal, said, Hospitality today is not only about luxury and service, but also about creating a healthy and sustainable environment. AIrSynQ technology allows us to offer our guests and conference partners peace of mind, knowing that the spaces they use are optimised for both comfort and performance.

Indoor air quality plays a major role in how guests feel and perform. Poor air can leave hotel guests feeling tired, and in conference spaces, high CO levels are known to reduce focus and shorten attention spans. AIrSynQ helps tackle these challenges by continuously monitoring the environment and offering smart recommendations.

The rollout of the AIrSynQ technology is supported by the weather risk management business Africa Weather, acting as a distribution partner, with a strong footprint in the insurance, corporate, mining and industrial sectors. Through this partnership, AIrSynQ Systems can expand access to its solutions across South Africa and beyond, ensuring healthier spaces in a wide range of industries.

The partnership signals a broader shift in how indoor environments can be managed across sectors. AIrSynQ Systems is preparing to expand its technology into offices, schools, hospitals and industrial settings.

The goal is to create healthier spaces everywhere people live, work and gather.
Brain health and Africas future

Wits professor joins global task force on dementia.

In South Africa, projections suggest that more than one million people will live with dementia in the upcoming decades. This is roughly the entire population of the Eastern Capes Nelson Mandela Bay.

Indeed, by 2050, Africa as a whole will be at the frontline of increasing neurodegenerative challenges with an older population growing at an unprecedented rate.

In light of this significant health concern pressing on already constrained health systems, Professor Stephen Tollman, the Director of the SAMRC/Wits Rural Health Transitions Unit (Agincourt), was invited to serve on the Africa Task Force on Brain Health established by the Davos Alzheimers Collaborative.

The collaborative has published an article in the prestigious journal Nature Medicine connecting brain health with economic resilience.

Significantly, an ambitious yet practical five-year framework (the 6x5 plan) will accelerate Africas preparedness.

Brain health runs through every stage of life and every sector of society, says Tollman. It connects health, education, equity, and opportunity. If we integrate it into what Africa is already doing well, we can protect our ageing citizens and sustain our economies.

Dementia is caused by brain changes that damage and eventually kill nerve cells. In Alzheimers disease, this includes abnormal protein build-up that disrupts communication between cells and leads to brain shrinkage.

Early signs include memory lapses, word-finding difficulties and disorientation, progressing to impaired reasoning, personality changes and loss of recognition.

The 6x5 plan to strengthen Africas preparedness

We stand at a decisive moment. Brain health is not just about the well-being of older people but also about their growth and development when they are much younger. Indeed, brain health is critical to the economic and social prosperity of society as a whole. In later life, a persons cognitive decline, which is a product of cumulative health and social challenges along the life course, affects everyone: families, households and the workplace, says Tollman.

The 6x5 plan identifies six immediate priorities for the continent to pursue over the next five years, with task forces established to drive progress. The six working groups, aligned with the priorities, comprise experts from across Africas five geopolitical regions and are multilevel and multisectoral.

The first priority is expanding brain health advocacy and literacy, including challenging stigma. The second is positioning brain health as a driver of socioeconomic transformation, recognising that cognitive resilience underpins productivity, creativity, and innovation. The third priority is to extend the use of existing resources, including infectious disease infrastructure, immunisation programmes, surveillance systems, and community health workers, also to deliver dementia detection and care. Many mainstream prevention programmes relating, for example, to hypertension, diabetes, and obesity are directly relevant to maintaining cognitive health. The fourth is to break down silos of people and data, harmonising and sharing evidence across countries so that policy can be based on accurate burden estimates. The fifth priority highlights the transformative potential of Africas mobile revolution, utilising digital health tools, artificial intelligence, and culturally adapted screening to reach millions at a low cost. The sixth calls for sustainable funding, integrating brain health into universal health coverage and national development goals.

Africa can realise this plan, using much of what it already has, says Tollman.

The SAMRC/Wits-Agincourt Research Unit, which borders the Kruger National Park and southern Mozambique, has run a health and socio-demographic surveillance system for over three decades. Through the Health and Ageing in Africa: Longitudinal Studies in South Africa (HAALSI) programme based at the unit, researchers are documenting how adults 40 years and older live, age, and sustain households in resource-limited settings.

The team recently validated a breadth of cognitive assessment tests to establish norms in cognitive function. These context-specific and tailored tests aim to gauge the progression in cognitive change, extent of dementia and identify risk factors (such as physical diseases, social networks, and education) that influence cognitive function.

The units work also shows how brain health, cardiometabolic disease and risk, HIV and social determinants interact across the life course.

Brain health is shaped across the life course

Fast-transitioning settings, including Agincourt-Bushbuckridge, witness rising hypertension, diabetes, stroke and kidney disease. These are risk factors for dementias but also occur alongside them. Notably, the units research shows that brain health is shaped across the life course, beginning with maternal, infant and child health, strengthened by education, supported by mental well-being in adolescence and adulthood, protected through risk reduction in midlife, and sustained by care and support in later life.

The 6x5 plan provides a practical roadmap for the next five years. The Davos Alzheimers Collaborative notes that Africa has the evidence, the infrastructure, and the partnerships to act. With coordinated effort, ageing can become a source of resilience rather than vulnerability, and Africa can lead the world in innovative, community-driven approaches to brain health.
We came across a bullish thesis on Eli Lilly and Company on Kontra Investmentss Substack by Kontra. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on LLY. Eli Lilly and Company's share was trading at $724.54 as of September 26th. LLYs trailing and forward P/E were 47.36 and 24.04 respectively according to Yahoo Finance.

5 Countries with the Highest Rates of Diabetes

Photo by Matt C on Unsplash

Few companies have captured investor attention like Eli Lilly, which has emerged as the leader in the obesity treatment megatrend, powered by its injectable therapies Mounjaro and Zepbound. The recent Phase 3 ATTAIN-2 trial of orforglipron, Lillys oral GLP-1 candidate, represents a pivotal milestone, demonstrating 10.5% total weight loss at 72 weeks in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetescomparable to semaglutidewhile offering the convenience of an oral pill.

This validates orforgliprons clinical profile and significantly expands the commercial opportunity beyond Lillys injectables, as oral formulations are expected to drive broader adoption in primary care and capture patients reluctant to initiate injections. Strategically, orforglipron complements Lillys existing portfolio, creating a full-spectrum treatment ecosystem from oral to injectable therapies, strengthening patient retention and market share. The companys broader obesity strategy emphasizes depth with highly effective twincretins, breadth with oral and pipeline assets, and durability through substantial manufacturing investments.

Recent prescription trends show Lilly maintaining leadership in obesity therapies, with Zepbound prescriptions growing and starter doses stabilizing after formulary shifts, highlighting a competitive but sustainable environment. Despite trading at premium multiples of 2223x forward earnings, valuation is supported by strong projected revenue growth, expanding gross margins, high returns on invested capital, and accelerating cash flow, with net debt expected to turn into net cash by 2026.

Risks include pricing pressures, manufacturing bottlenecks, and pipeline uncertainties, but the validated orforglipron launch and layered portfolio enhance long-term growth visibility. Overall, Lillys strategic positioning in obesity, coupled with a diversified, durable portfolio, positions the company for sustained double-digit growth, offering compelling long-term investment potential.

Previously we covered a bullish thesis on Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) by Kontra in May 2025, which highlighted the companys leadership in obesity and diabetes therapeutics, strong revenue growth from Mounjaro and Zepbound, and near-term pipeline catalysts. The company's stock price has depreciated approximately by 8.75% since our coverage. The thesis still stands as Lillys long-term growth remains robust. Kontra shares a similar perspective but emphasizes the ATTAIN-2 results for orforglipron, highlighting the strategic value of oral GLP-1s in expanding adoption and strengthening Lillys obesity portfolio.
Wits receives US$1.8 million from Bezos Earth Fund

The award supports innovative use of artificial intelligence to protect biodiversity and advance climate solutions worldwide.

Wits University has been selected as one of fifteen global teams awarded funding through the Bezos Earth Funds AI for Climate and Nature Grand Challenge, receiving US$1.8 million to scale artificial intelligence solutions that address the worlds most pressing environmental challenges  from biodiversity loss and food insecurity to climate change.

The Wits Climate Risk Modelling Project will use cutting-edge machine learning and AI-based weather modelling to enhance medium-range forecasting across Africa, with an initial focus on Ethiopia and the broader Horn of Africa region. The project aims to improve the accuracy and localization of weather predictions to strengthen early warning systems, support climate-resilient agriculture, and empower local communities with actionable climate intelligence.

This award enables us to push the boundaries of how artificial intelligence and local data can transform weather forecasting in Africa said project lead, Professor Rendani Mbuvha from the Wits School of Statistics and Actuarial Science. Through our partnership with the Bezos Earth Fund, we are developing locally grounded, high-resolution weather forecasting models that not only advance scientific frontiers but also deliver real impact for communities and decision-makers across sub-Saharan Africa.

Launched in 2024, the Bezos Earth Funds AI for Climate and Nature Grand Challenge is a $100 million initiative designed to harness the power of artificial intelligence to tackle the dual crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. The program connects innovators with resources and mentorship from leading technology partners including AWS, Google.org, NVIDIA Corporation, Microsoft Research, AI2, and Esri.

These projects show how AI, when developed responsibly and guided by science and local knowledge, can strengthen environmental action and ensure its overall impact on the planet is positive, said Dr. Amen Ra Mashariki, Director of AI and Data Strategies at the Bezos Earth Fund.

The project partners with national meteorological and hydrological services and AfriClimate AI, a grassroots research community at the intersection of AI and climate science to co-develop AI-based medium-range forecasting systems tailored to local contexts. By integrating national observational data with global reanalysis and satellite information, the project aims to enhance the accuracy and relevance of forecasts across the region.

Through targeted training and capacity development, the project will equip forecasters, researchers, and data scientists with the expertise to operationalize and scale these models for sustained impact. The improved forecasts will directly support key sectors such as agriculture, energy planning, and disaster risk management, strengthening early warning systems and helping communities make informed, climate-resilient decisions.
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Dive Brief:

Eos Energy Enterprises is investing $352.9M to relocate its headquarters to Pittsburgh from Edison, New Jersey, and expand its manufacturing operations in Pennsylvania, Gov. Josh Shapiro announced Tuesday.

The zinc battery maker will relocate its main offices to a 40,000-square-foot space at Nova Place in the back half of 2026, according to Shapiros news release. Eos also plans to lease a 432,000-square-foot facility in Marshall Township, where it will deploy additional production lines as part of the expansion.

The project will create at least 735 jobs and retain 265 positions, according to the release. It also brings Eos geographically closer to new strategic partner Talen Energy Corporation, which plans to partner with the battery maker to develop storage capacity for artificial intelligence infrastructure across Pennsylvania.

Dive Insight:

Founded in 2008, Eos is a maker of aqueous zinc batteries for power storage, with a focus on serving the utility, industrial and commercial sectors. Its relocation and expansion come as demand grows for energy and energy storage systems that enhance electrical grid reliability and support data center buildouts.

Eos has received $22 million in support for its project from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. The company could also be eligible for tax credits and deductions from the state, according to Shapiros office. Additionally, Allegheny County invested $2 million to support the project.

Eos move will not only strengthen our regions position as a hub for advanced energy storage, but it will also attract new suppliers, partners, and innovators to the Pittsburgh region, Stefani Pashman, CEO of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, said in a statement.

Eos currently has two manufacturing facilities in Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania, located just east of Pittsburgh. Combined with its new factory, the company said it plans to produce energy storage systems with a total capacity of 8 gigawatt-hours per year. It also plans to establish a software hub at Nova Place to support its proprietary battery management platform DawnOS, and expand its partnership with Carnegie Mellon University for workforce development.

Energy storage is the backbone of the modern energy system, and this significant milestone marks our progress to bring Americas battery to scale, Eos CEO Joe Mastrangelo said in a statement.
The plans complexity stems from the EUs efforts to avoid directly seizing the Russian funds to limit the reputational damage to the financial system and the euro and to sidestep potential court challenges. This approach allows Russia to retain legal claims, mitigating the divisive politics inside the EU that have delayed the activation of these reserves for years.

The plan aims to use the available cash balance generated by the frozen Russian assets, equivalent to around EUR 140bn. The plan would replace the balances generated by matured Russian assets with zero-coupon short-term EU bonds. The cash balance would be disbursed as zero-interest reparations loans to Ukraine conditional on reforms  repayable only if Russia ceases the war and compensates Ukraine for damages.

The EU hopes the outcome of European Council summit on 23 October will be an agreement on using the assets so work can start on a legal proposal for a mechanism releasing money by the second quarter of 2026. Scope Ratings (Scope) expects some form of an agreement soon using the Russian money given the lack of a credible alternative.

No Viable Alternative to Support Ukraines Long-run Financing Needs

Activating more of the frozen Russian funds is critical because Western funding options for Ukraine are becoming increasingly constrained. The initial expectations of the IMF that the war would wind down by 2024 have proven too optimistic while Western governments have already allocated EUR 321bn to Ukraine. Ukraine still faces a hefty financing requirement of around USD 50bn a year and more than USD 200bn by the end of the decade.

Western governments, which have increasing debt and military spending commitments of their own, appear less willing if not less able to continue funding Ukraine indefinitely. EU member states, collectively Ukraines largest single financier, risk domestic backlash should they shoulder more of the burden at the expense of cutbacks in domestic spending.

As a result, attention has shifted to using the frozen Russian assets. This ensures Russia pays for the war it started, easing the strain on Western taxpayers. The G-7s Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) loan programme, which uses the interest from these reserves, marked the start of this shift, but its resources are nearly exhausted.

Short of outright defeat, it is unlikely that Russia would compensate Ukraine so the zero-coupon loans to Ukraine would serve effectively as grants, minimising the adverse impact on Ukraines public-debt sustainability and repayment capacity (Figure 1).
By Giulia Segreti, Tim Hepher and Elvira Pollina

ROME/PARIS/LONDON (Reuters) -A deal to forge Europe's answer to Elon Musk's Starlink was reached on Thursday as the continent's top space firms agreed to combine their satellite manufacturing and services businesses.

Marking the most ambitious tie-up of European aerospace assets since the creation of missiles maker MBDA in 2001, Airbus and Thales of France and Italy's Leonardo will create a Toulouse-based venture to begin operations in 2027.

French Finance Minister Roland Lescure said the preliminary deal would "strengthen European sovereignty in a context of intense global competition".

Italy's Industry Minister Adolfo Urso said it supported the growth of European champions to compete globally.

VENTURE FACES GLOBAL COMPETITION

Code-named "Project Bromo", talks between the three groups started last year.

Europe's top satellite makers have long competed to build complex spacecraft in geostationary orbit but have been hit by the arrival of cheap, tiny satellites in low Earth orbit, notably the Starlink network built by Musk's SpaceX.

Thales CFO Pascal Bouchiat, announcing quarterly sales that

included an initial contract for IRIS, Europe's planned secure satellite network, hailed the new venture but warned on the competition ahead.

"This first development contract for IRIS doesn't take away the challenges that the European industry, in particular, is facing," he told reporters.

The new combination will employ 25,000 people with revenue of 6.5 billion euros ($7.58 billion), based on 2024 figures.

It is expected to generate "mid-triple digit" millions of euros of synergies starting after five years, the companies said.

Shares in Leonardo rose almost 2% while Airbus and Thales were up less than 1% in afternoon trading.

"The initiative is certainly positive, as it creates a European leader capable of competing globally and improves the profitability of a business ... that has struggled in recent years," analysts at Italian investment bank Equita said in a note.

Shareholders now face up to two years of talks with governments, unions and the European Commission over the deal, which has implications for activities in Britain and Germany as well as Italy and France.

Italian unions requested more information and said the deal should help the country's sector compete internationally.

Airbus and Thales have cut a combined 3,000 jobs following space losses. The three new partners made no mention of further cuts, but executives said the focus would now turn towards potential growth.
Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses government performed a revealing backflip last week on its election promises to increase the low tax level, from 15 percent to 30 percent, on earnings from assets worth more than $3 million held in superannuation funds.

Under the Labor governments latest proposal, its changesstill to be detailedwill be delayed for 12 months until July 2026, giving the rich more time to rearrange their investments to avoid any impact.

The compulsory superannuation system set up by the Hawke-Keating Labor government in 1992, which deducts payments from workers in place of wage rises, has funnelled trillions of dollars into the financial markets. It has also become a lucrative tax rort for the most affluent layers of society, as the 15 percent tax on superannuation is well below the top income tax rate of 47 percent.

In addition, in 1999 the Liberal-National Coalition government of John Howard opened up further opportunities for the wealthy to avoid tax by establishing self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs), ostensibly for the self-employed and small businesses. Such funds can include not just cash and shares but properties, including farms, and other valuable assets, even art works. They have become a means for minimising or avoiding capital gains taxes.

Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers [AP Photo/Department of the Treasury]

Treasurer Jim Chalmers indicated the extent of the tax rorts in his October 13 media announcement, saying: Super tax concessions cost the budget more than $55 billion per year and will exceed the cost of the Age Pension in the 2040s.

What the government was always proposing, however, was a very modest impost, set to raise $2.5 billion in its initial year. Under the current proposal, the tax changes will bring in $4.2 billion less over the first four years, even on the governments optimistic figures. This will inevitably mean further cuts to social programs, including health, education and disability services.

As before, the extra 15 percent rate will apply only to the earnings derived from the funds above $3 million, not the earnings from the first $3 million. That means that the impact could be marginal for some well-off people with funds just above $3 million, but not for the super wealthy.

For example, according to one calculation by the Guardian, based on certain assumptions about fund earnings, an individual with $5 million in their fund would only pay about an extra $25,000 in annual tax. That would still likely leave them with around $270,000 in annual income from that fund, far above the median employee salary of $72,590.

When first announced, the super tax changes provoked a storm of opposition from the financial sector and media, in particular the plan to impose an annual tax on unrealised capital gains on property and assets held in SMSFs. Labor has now completely dropped that proposal, meaning the taxes will only apply if and when property and other assets are sold.

The main beneficiaries of this change will be the super-rich. By 2023, the wealth of the 100 biggest SMSFs had hit $13.1 billion, up by 50 percent since 2018. One SMSF held more than $500 million, the 10 biggest self-managed funds had an average of $422 million each in assets, and 42 funds had more than $100 million each.

After winning this years May election with only a third of the primary vote, the Albanese government is anxiously trying to satisfy the demands of the financial markets, yet head off rising working-class discontent over falling living conditions.

In a bid to present its changes as fair and claim to be doing something to alleviate worsening working-class poverty, Chalmers announced a new 40 percent tax on earnings derived from amounts above $10 million in superannuation funds, which could affect about 8,000 individuals, as well as a small increase in the superannuation tax offset for 1.3 million low-income workers.

However, any tax relief for low-income workers will be pitiful. The government will increase the maximum low-income superannuation tax offset by $310 to $810 a year and raise the eligibility threshold from $37,000 to $45,000 from July 2027.

Workers on these wage levels have incomes so low that their income tax rates can be less than the 15 percent levied on superannuation contributions. The offset scheme pays into their superannuation fund any difference between the 15 percent and their income tax rate. Most would be living below the poverty line.

Without providing any evidence, Chalmers claimed: These workers could receive a potential benefit at retirement of around $15,000 depending on an individuals income over their career. That could amount to less than $300 a year over a 50-year working life.

Nevertheless, Chalmers sought to depict the outcome as a win for social equity. This is meaningful and substantial tax reform which will make the superannuation system fairer from top to bottom, he said on October 13.

At the same time, the government is still setting a precedent for higher taxes in the future on broader layers of superannuation funds, potentially affecting some wage earners. The $3 million threshold will be indexed annually in line with the official consumer price index from July 2027, increasing in $150,000 increments. But that indexation could be dropped or reduced over time, impacting wider sections of the population.

Much remains unclear about how the taxes will be calculated, depending on consultation with those affected. No draft legislation will be tabled in parliament until sometime next year. Treasury will consult on implementation details including the best approach to the calculation of future realised gains and attribution to individual fund members, Chalmers said.

Chalmers has already indicated that the changes to the tax rates on large balances will only apply to future realised earnings, not to earnings on assets acquired before July 2026.

An October 14 editorial in the Murdoch medias Australian summed up the reaction of the rich. It denounced Chalmers for making a new handout to the less well-off. It then demanded that he refocus on the hard but necessary tasks of cutting spending and boosting productivity.

In reality, the government has already made deep inroads into spending on essential social services. In this years budget, handed down just before the May election, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said the government had found another $2.1 billion in savings and reprioritisations, taking the total to $95 billion in its four budgets, mainly taken out of the NDIS disability scheme, public health and public education.

And more cuts will be made if the super tax increases fail to bring in the projected government income. Financial advisers are offering their services to the estimated 80,000 SMSF investors who could face paying a higher tax rate.

Earlier this year, the Australian Financial Review reported that the wealthy had begun restructuring their investment portfolios. They were taking steps such as moving assets into other structures, like trusts or investment companies, transferring money to their children or moving money offshore.

In his announcement last week, Chalmers declared: Labor built our superannuation system and were making it even stronger, fairer and more sustainable. In reality, the compulsory superannuation system set up by Labor was always a means of cutting government spending on pensions, a tax rort for the wealthy and a huge boost for the financial markets. Many of the super funds are compulsory industry funds, jointly run by employers and trade union bureaucrats.

At the same time, because of inadequate lifetime superannuation balances and miserable aged pension payments, 22.6 percent of retirees now live in povertya proportion that has nearly doubled over the past decade, according to an Australia Institute study.

Under the Labor government, as elsewhere around the world, millions of people are being impoverished while billionaire wealth continues to soar, social programs are cut and vast sums are funnelled into the military amid preparations for war.
Demonstrators on the streets of Lima, October 15 [Photo by Santos500p / CC BY-SA 4.0

Repression unleashed against a massive mobilization opposing the recently installed government of Jose Jeri in Peru resulted in one person killed by the police, one in a coma and over 100 injured (including 11 journalists). Jeri, a 38-year-old lawyer who was elected as a congressman for the Somos Peru party, ascended to the presidency through constitutional succession after serving as the president of Congress. He replaced then-President Dina Boluarte who was removed overnight on October 10. He is the eighth Peruvian president in less than a decade.

The tragic toll from the October 15 demonstration bears a grim resemblance to the killing of 49 civilians who mobilized to protest the parliamentary coup that removed the pseudo-left nationalist president Pedro Castillo, which led to his vice president, Boluarte, ascending to power.

Then, as now, the repression was not about defending order and social peace but about sending a message to imperialism and the multinationals operating in the country that the new government would defend capitalism and guarantee the profits extracted from the exploitation of Peruvian workers.

The reaction of the newly installed President Jeri to the bloodshed in the streets of Lima was to solidarize himself with the Peruvian National Police (PNP) and declare a state of emergency in Lima and the neighboring port city of Callao. Presented as an anti-crime measure, the decree is clearly aimed at suppressing popular opposition. It suspends basic democratic rights and places the two cities under the control of the PNP and the Armed Forces.

The protest took place amid an escalation of strikes and mobilizations that began last monthincluding a transport strike, the 60,000 health workers' medical strike, and the Generation Z protestsagainst the despised Boluarte government and the infamous alliance of far-right parties which dominate Congress, in practice establishing the policy agenda which Boluarte attempted to impose over the last two years. They now clearly expect Jeri to faithfully obey or risk being removed in an express manner, just as with Boluarte.

Far-right congresswoman Patricia Chirinosone of the country's most hated figuresstated to an Ecuadorian journalist a year ago: We can limit some things in her (Boluarte's) behavior and her decisions... As the Congress of the Republic, we are here to correct her ... and since we have the mechanism of the vacancia (removal) she could leave at any moment.

Chirinos, with her typical cynicism and shamelessness, made it clear that it is virtually irrelevant who is elected or selected as president; the far-right parties entrenched in Congress will establish the policies that dominate the country.

Boluartes removal, far from representing any concession to the overwhelming hostility that made her the least popular president in Peruvian history, was driven in large part by the jockeying by different right-wing factions in preparation for elections five months from now.

The October 15 mobilization was primarily called by youth collectives attempting to emulate the Generation Z protests that have overthrown governments elsewhere in the world. Transport unions, which had conducted blockades and strikes in recent months to ask the government to address the wave of extortion and violence they suffer, largely decided to abstain from the mobilization.

The General Confederation of Workers of Peru (CGTP) declared its support and participation, stating that Jeri's ascension only represents a change of figures and criticized his vote for laws that weakened the justice system and favored organized crime. However, the CGTP and other union confederations have for decades opposed any attempt to confront the decline in workers' living and labor standardsthe real reason behind the increase in crime and violenceby mobilizing the working class and uniting their struggles.

The union affiliation rate in Peru is one of the lowest in the region, with a general figure of barely 8 percent of salaried workers, and around 5 percent in the formal private sector. For the so-called Generation Z, major struggles by the unions and mass affiliation to them ceased to exist years before they were born.

On October 15, protesters marched in the afternoon along the main avenues of central Lima leading to Abancay Avenue, where Congress is located. As night fell, the police began their attack with tear gas and shotgun pellets aimed at the body. The apparent justification for this was the attempt by a group of protesters to burn and throw an effigy of a giant violina symbol referencing accusations of sexual violation against Jeriat Congress.

The police repression and the open use of firearms were well documented on social media. Around 11 p.m., reports state that a group of protesters discovered an undercover police officer and chased him. He stumbled and, in a panic, used his weapon to shoot, killing Eduardo Ruiz, a 32-year-old rapper from the San Martin de Porras district. Another protester, Luis Reyes, was struck in the head by a tear gas canister, destroying part of his brain and forcing doctors to induce him into a coma.

Initially, the national police, the government and their media allies declared that there were no undercover police officers in the protest and that Ruiz was attacked by another demonstrator. These lies crumbled when it emerged that parking lot cameras had captured the event. The police officer was identified as Sub-Officer Luis Magallanes, who was hospitalized because, after the shooting, he was chased down and beaten by the protesters.

In a clear act of cover-up, Interior Minister Vicente Tiburcio declared that the authorities will use Law 32130, which grants more power to police officers in investigations, to handle the case.
Prime Minister Mark Carney with Unifor President Lana Payne [Photo: Mark Carney]

The response of the Canadian union Unifor to last weeks announcement by transnational auto company Stellantis that it will move production of the new Jeep Compass modelinitially slated for its Brampton, Ontario assembly plantto one of its US facilities further exposes the utter bankruptcy of the unions reactionary nationalist policies that have steadily decimated the living standards of autoworkers for decades.

The 3,200 assembly workers at the Brampton plant, along with thousands more in the auto parts and supplier network, have been on layoff since early 2024. They were told to expect about an 18-month shutdown while the plant was retooled for the next-generation Jeep Compass. But in February 2025, Stellantis announced that due to todays dynamic environment, retooling would be indefinitely paused. The company, which pocketed hundreds of millions in government subsidies, had been contractually obligated to reopen the facility and had floated a mid-2026 restart. Now, even that estimate has been shelved.

Stellantis decision comes amid the escalating trade war unleashed by U.S. President Donald Trumps protectionist, America First tariff regime and follows what Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa called very productive talks with the Trump administration. Stellantis plans to invest $13 billion over four years in its US operations, a redirection financed through job destruction in Canada. UAW President Shawn Fain, one of the most vocal boosters of Trumps beggar-thy-neighbour tariff policy, issued yet another tribute to the fascist president, hailing Stellantis for bringing good jobs back to America. His comments underline the UAW bureaucracys full alignment with Trumps nationalist, anti-worker program, which pits US workers against their class brothers and sisters in Canada, Mexico and internationally. The jobs being brought back to America, contrary to Fains claims, will not be well-paid and secure. Rather, the massive concessions imposed by the UAW on autoworkers over the past four decades ensure that they will consist of precariously employed and low-paid positions, allowing Stellantis to boost corporate profits at workers expense.

The fallout extends well beyond Stellantis. Just one week after the Brampton announcement, General Motors declared Tuesday it will end production at its CAMI Assembly plant in Ingersoll, Ontario, eliminating over 1,000 jobs. The plant was retooled in 2021 at a cost of $2 billionhalf of it provided by federal and provincial governmentsto build BrightDrop electric delivery vans. Citing decreased demand, GM management has now shuttered operations indefinitely. The move, like Stellantis decision, is closely tied to Trumps tariffs and the auto industrys broader reshoring strategy aimed at shifting production to the United States. Jobs for another 200 workers at GMs Ultium battery facility in Ingersoll remain in limbo.

The impact of the US trade war reaches across key Canadian industries, with tariffs imposed on over $100 billion in annual exports50 percent on steel and aluminum, 35 percent on semi-finished copper, and 35 percent on any products not in compliance with USMCA trade rules. On Wednesday US-based truck manufacturer PACCAR announced the end of production for the American market at its Sainte-Therese, Quebec factory, resulting in the axing of 300 workers. A 25 percent tariff on trucks manufactured outside the US is set to begin on November 1. Canadian capitalism, heavily dependent on the US market, is reeling under these collective measures.

Unifor and Carneys trade-war alliance

What has been the response of Unifor and the Liberal government of Prime Minister Mark Carney? Aside from perfunctory statements of disappointment, Unifor President Lana Paynean enthusiastic backer of the Liberals and Team Canadacalled on Carney to use Canadas leverage to enforce Stellantis contractual obligations. Vito Beato, president of Unifor Local 1285 in Brampton and a supporter of right-wing Ontario Premier Doug Ford, denounced the companys impersonal robocall to workers announcing the decision. Federal Industry Minister Melanie Joly floated vague threats of legal action, while Carney assured reporters that Stellantis might consider a different model for Brampton after the conclusion of USMCA (US-Canada-Mexico trade pact) negotiations. He even suggested some Brampton workers could relocate to Stellantis Windsor, Ontario assembly plantfour hours awayto fill vacancies there, with plans for a third shift to resume in 2026 after years of reduced operation and long-term layoffs.

For Unifor, the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), and the entire corporate-political establishment, tariffs are acceptable only when wielded on behalf of Canadian capital. We cannot surrender the future of EV production to overseas automakers, Payne recently insisted. A 100 percent tariff on lower-priced and better engineered Chinese EVs and 25 percent duties on Chinese steel and aluminum are thus defended as patriotic industrial strategy. The tariffs on China dovetail with a Trump-Carney agreement to weaken China while massively increasing military expenditures for a future war.

In a particularly bombastic statement, Payne remarked, We cant allow Trump to pit province against province, sector against sector and worker against worker. We need to stand together and hold the company accountable. What balderdash! The entire approach to the unions relations with the auto bosses has been an unabashed embrace of pitting Canadian workers against their counterparts in the American and Mexican auto industry. That nationalist policy, entrenched in the 1985 split of the continent-wide United Auto Workers (UAW) into competing Canadian and American contingents, remains the centerpiece of the auto unions on both sides of the border.

The decision in 1985 to abandon any fight against concessions within the UAW and split the unity of North American autoworkers opened the way not just for a whole wave of further concessions in the US. It enabled the Big Three auto companies to increasingly pit Canadian and American workers against each other in a series of whipsaw threats to close plants and cut wages. The UAW and the Canadian Auto Workers (the predecessor of Unifor) bureaucrats responded as the loyal junior partners of their own auto bosses by ever more explicitly pursuing a bidding war at workers expense, with each seeking to undercut the other by offering lower labor costs and higher profits to the auto companies in a never-ending race to the bottom. Since then, tens of thousands of auto assembly jobs have been lost in both countries as wages and benefits have been slashed across the board.

On the other hand, conditions for the bureaucrats at the top have never been better. The promotion of foul nationalism has gone hand-in-hand with the development of corporatist relations with the automakers and governments at all levels. The Unifor and UAW apparatuses have increasingly consolidated material interests dependent upon ratcheting up the exploitation of the workers they claim to represent, and drawing on the financial perks, committee positions, and other favours extended to them by the corporate elite and its political spokesmen.

The wave of nationalism and corporatism unleashed by the split is not ancient history. In 2023, when for the first time in many decades autoworkers faced nearly simultaneous contract expirations, Unifor officials worked overtime to keep Canadian workers separate from their colleagues at the Detroit Three in the United States. In the United States the UAW also pursued their own nationalist-corporatist perspective. In Canada, this found expression in Paynes repeated declarations that the union was charting our own course. To further impede joint action by US and Canadian workers, Unifor negotiated three-year contracts, thereby decoupling the contract expiration in Canada and the US in years to come. The contracts on both sides of the border continued the massive concessions which had become the order of the day for both the UAW and Unifor.

This nationalist beggar-thy-neighbour approach was succinctly put by both UAW and Unifor officials last month when GM shifted production of the Chevrolet Silverado by a third shift at its Oshawa, Ontario, plant to a facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana. UAW plant bargaining chairman Rich LeTourneau, speaking like a company stooge, nakedly stated, When the company comes to me to increase volume, I'm not gonna tell them no, either, because it's job security for my people, and hell, if I can corner the market, I will. In response to LeTourneaus statement, Jeff Gray, president of the Unifor local in Oshawa, saw it the same way. Whipsawing jobs is simply a shrewd business decision. What if we had the opportunity in Canada to increase our volume or get different investments? Of course, we would be after that, Gray said. Neither official cared to mention the years of wage cuts, speed-up and layoffs that have battered workers at both plants over the years as a direct result of the unions reactionary bidding war to secure investments and product placements.

GMs CAMI idling is only the latest product of this decades-long descent. After the plants 2017 strike was betrayed by Unifor through the promotion of anti-Mexican chauvinism, the workforce fell by a third. A 2021 contract reopeningpushed through without rank-and-file consultationgave GM a free hand over staffing and conditions in exchange for vague promises of job security tied to EV retooling. Workers endured years of rotating layoffs, shortened shifts, and dependency on food banks. The green transition marketed as a lifeline by Unifor, GM, and the federal and Ontario governments has instead brought economic ruin.

At Fords Oakville, Ontario, plant, EV production has been delayed until 2027, after workers were told during contract ratification to expect only an eight-month shutdown. The 2023 deal barely passed, with majorities voting No in Oakville and among skilled trades. At GMs St. Catharines propulsion plant, the workforce has been halved, while Stellantis promised full three-shift operation in Windsor has been postponed to early 2026.

The way forward: International rank-and-file unity against trade war and nationalism

Unifors agitation for trade-war reprisals and Canadian-first investment incentives is the political mirror of the Carney governments wooing of Trump. Both represent the same class policy: to protect capitalist profits through tariffs and militarism at the expense of the living standards of the working class. Canadian nationalism is not a defence of workers but a mechanism for subordinating them to the interests of their own ruling class.

Workers have no interest in backing the elbows up rhetoric espoused by both the Conservatives Pierre Poilievre and the nationalists of the so-called left. Nor can any store be laid in Carneys growing elbows down approach to relations with the Trump administration. Whatever Carney does, whether he is supporting the European imperialist powers efforts to expand the war against Russia in Ukraine or trying to negotiate a new economic and security deal with the fascist Trump, he is seeking to advance the interests of Canadian imperialism.

Workers cannot fight Trump and all he represents except on the basis of a class struggle program in opposition to all factions of the Canadian bourgeoisie and by forging fighting unity with the working class in the US. Indeed, workers, whether across North America or internationally, cannot defend their jobs and livelihoods amid an unfolding global trade warone moreover that is part of a developing imperialist world warby lining up with their own ruling class.

The working class in the deeply integrated markets of the United States, Canada and Mexico must chart their own common course independent of the capitalist classes of all three countries.

They must join forces in a united movement of the North American working class, through the development of rank-and-file committees, independent of the trade union apparatus, as part of the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC). These committees will organize opposition to the demands of the ruling class for sacrifices in the form of mass job cuts, concessions and the evisceration of public services and social programs. Moreover, opposition to trade war and its ruinous impacts on the working class must be infused with a socialist and internationalist program across the globe, key tenets of which are opposition to imperialist war, rejection of anti-immigrant chauvinism and defense of democratic rights.
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Palestinians carry jerrycans to collect water from a truck amid the destruction caused by the Israeli air and ground offensive in Gaza City, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. [AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi]

On October 9, Hamas and Israel signed a peace agreement involving the release of all remaining Israeli hostages and the permanent occupation of Gaza by Israel. The agreement, spearheaded by US President Trump, was hailed by all factions of the US and European imperialism, along with the capitalist regimes in the Middle East, without exception, as a step toward peace.

The Financial Times called it A rare moment of hope in the Middle East, declaring that Trump should be applauded for his push to end the catastrophe. The New York Times called it promising. New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, peddled illusions in the agreement, declaring, If the genocide ends, then I think thats something worthy to be praised, and Trump would deserve credit.

The capitalist regimes in the Middle East and Asia fawned over the agreement and its architect, Trump. Turkey declared that a window of opportunity has opened for lasting peace in our region. A joint statement by the foreign ministers of Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt said that the governments welcome President Donald J. Trumps leadership and his sincere efforts to end the war in Gaza, and assert their confidence in his ability to find a path to peace.

In contrast to the ridiculous claims that Trump, a genocidal warmonger and would-be dictator, is seeking peace in the Middle East, the World Socialist Web Site explained that the agreement creates an imperialist protectorate that tramples on the rights of the Palestinians and strengthens American control over the energy-rich Middle East.

Nearly two weeks since the signing of the agreement, the correctness of this assessment is undeniable. The peace agreement has sanctified the permanent Israeli occupation and annexation of a large portion of Gaza, coupled with daily mass killing and the deliberate starvation of the population.

The absurd lie that peace has been achieved has allowed the US and international media to once again stop reporting on the genocide, despite the fact that Israel is still occupying, killing and starving the people of Gaza.

Since the signing of the ceasefire agreement, Israel has carried out over 80 separate violations of the deal, killing over 100 Palestinians and injuring over 230. On Sunday, the deadliest day so far, the Israeli military killed 45 Palestinians in dozens of separate attacks.

Israel, which promised to allow 600 aid trucks into Gaza every day, allowed half that number before announcing that it was shutting down aid distribution altogether amid a deepening famine.

The peace agreement has also left Israel in control of the majority of Gaza, setting the stage for making the US-Israeli occupation permanent.

On Wednesday, US Vice President JD Vance traveled to Israel, where he said that the visit was not about monitoring [the cease fire] in the sense of, you know, you monitor a toddler. That is, Israel has the administrations green light to continue murdering Palestinians.

Vance also made clear the real plan motivating the ceasefire. He said, There are considerations happening now in the area that the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] controls, as long as that can be secured, to start the construction of a new Gaza.

In other words, there is no conflict between the peace agreement announced by Trump and his plans for a US/Israeli-occupied Gaza and the construction of his Gaza Riviera. Rather, the peace agreement will merely solidify and make permanent the Israeli occupation of Gaza, and create the conditions for the killing, starvation and forcible displacement of the population living there.

An article in the Wall Street Journal published Wednesday, A U.S. Plan Splits Gaza in TwoOne Zone Controlled by Israel, One by Hamas, makes clear that the Israeli occupation of Gaza is the foundation of a long-term project of annexation. It outlines a US-backed plan to divide Gaza into two zones, with reconstruction aid flowing only to areas labeled safe zones. Jared Kushner and Vice President JD Vance told reporters that the aim was to build a new Gaza under Israeli military protection.

In reality, the plan is a blueprint for the permanent partition and conquest of Gaza. As the Journal bluntly states, Over time, Israel could take more territory from Hamass control. The so-called expansion of safe areas means incremental annexation through killing, starvation and displacement. The proposal thus codifies the destruction of Gaza and the transformation of what remains into an occupied, militarized colony serving the interests of Israeli and American imperialism.

The Israeli annexation of portions of Gaza is to be accompanied, within the framework of the agreement, by an openly colonial arrangement for the government of Gaza. Under the proposal, Gaza is to be governed by a Board of Peace that will be headed and chaired by President Donald J. Trump and include former [UK] Prime Minister Tony Blair.

This arrangement is a flagrant violation of international law, trampling underfoot the internationally recognized right of all people to self-determination.

The peace deal in Gaza has furthered the conditions for Israel to move forward with the annexation of the West Bank. This week, Israeli lawmakers voted 25-24 to advance a bill declaring that the laws, judicial system, administration, and sovereignty of the State of Israel shall apply to all areas of settlement in Judea and Samaria.

The fraud of the Gaza agreement carries far-reaching lessons for workers and young people fighting to stop the Gaza genocide and oppose imperialist war and neo-colonialism. Every government and political tendency that supports or excuses this crimewhether in Tel Aviv, Washington or the capitals in the Middle Eaststands exposed as an enemy of the working class. They have given their stamp of approval to an agreement that makes permanent the colonial subjugation of the Palestinian masses and gives a fig leaf of legality to the ongoing genocide.

After two years of mass killing, all protests directed at pressuring the US or European political establishment into opposing the genocide have shown themselves to be totally ineffective.

The only way to stop the ongoing genocide is to build a mass movement of workers and young people against war based on a socialist perspective.

As the World Socialist Web Site wrote in its response to the peace agreement:

The tragedy of the Palestinians has been that they are deprived of the support of the working class due to the absence of a revolutionary movement in the advanced countries. The only way to realize the democratic and social rights of the long-suffering masses of the Middle East and establish a genuine basis for peaceful coexistence is through the fight for the perspective of the Permanent Revolution. Arab, Jewish, Iranian, Turkish and Kurdish workers must unite in a common struggle against the imperialist domination of the region and for the creation of the United Socialist States of the Middle East as part of a world socialist federation. In this struggle, their allies are not to be found in the pro-imperialist and corrupt Zionist and Arab ruling classes, but in the working class in the imperialist centres of North America and Europe. Forging this alliance into an independent political and industrial movement of the international working class capable of putting an end to capitalismthe root cause of genocide, imperialist war and all forms of colonial-style oppressionis possible only on the basis of the revolutionary socialist program fought for by the International Committee of the Fourth International and its daily organ, the World Socialist Web Site.

The task now is to transform the outrage of millions into a conscious, organized struggle to end the system that produces genocide and war. The Socialist Equality Party and the International Committee of the Fourth International call on workers and youth in every country to take up this fightto build sections of the ICFI, unite across national and religious lines and fight for the socialist reorganization of the world.
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before signing an executive order in the Oval Office at the White House, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, in Washington. [AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin]

In a mafia-style shakedown, President Donald Trump is demanding that his hand-picked Justice Department appointees approve some $230 million, paid for by taxpayers, in compensation for investigations conducted during and after his first term in office. The news, first reported Tuesday by the New York Times, comes in the midst of a government shutdown that is depriving hundreds of thousands of government workers of paychecks and threatening to close down food assistance programs on which millions rely.

Such damage claims by a sitting president are unprecedented, raising glaring conflict of interest issues. In Trumps case they are compounded by the fact that the Department of Justice officials tasked with ruling on his demands, known as administrative claims, are Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, his former personal defense lawyer, and Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward Jr., who represented Trumps co-defendant in one of the cases for which Trump is demanding compensation.

The Times quoted Bennett L. Gershman, an ethics professor at Pace University, as saying, What a travesty. The ethical conflict is just so basic and fundamental, you dont need a law professor to explain it.

Gershman added: And then to have people in the Justice Department decide whether his claim should be successful or not, and these are the people who serve him deciding whether he wins or loses. Its bizarre and almost too outlandish to believe.

Trump confirmed the Times story on Tuesday when asked about it by a reporter in the Oval Office. He said, It could be, and went on to say, I dont know about the numbers. I dont even talk about it. All I know is that they would owe me a lot of money.

He continued: With the country, its interesting, because Im the one that makes the decision. Its awfully strange to make a decision where Im the one paying myself.

Trump has lodged two administrative claims. The first, submitted in late 2023, seeks damages over the FBI and special counsel investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election and possible connections to the Trump campaign. The second complaint, filed in the summer of 2024, accuses the FBI of violating Trumps privacy by searching his Mar-a-Lago estate in 2022 for classified documents. It also accuses the Justice Department of malicious prosecution in charging him with mishandling classified records after he left office.

Administrative claims are submitted first to the Justice Department to see if a settlement can be reached. If the DOJ rejects such a claim or declines to act on it, the claimant can then sue in court. Still, that is an unlikely outcome in this instance, the Times wrote, given that Trump is already negotiating, in essence, with his subordinates.

Deputy Attorney General Blanche said at his confirmation hearing in February that his attorney-client relationship with the president continued. He represented Trump in both the classified documents case and the case brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith over Trumps role in the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol by Trumps fascist supporters.

Associate Attorney General Woodward, who heads the DOJs civil division, represented Trumps co-defendant, Walt Nauta, in the classified documents case. He has also represented a number of other Trump aides, including current FBI Director Kash Patel, in investigations related to Trump or the January 6 insurrection.

If and when a cash settlement of Trumps claims is awarded, neither the Justice Department nor the White House is under any legal requirement to inform the public.

DOJ spokesperson Chad Gilmartin is responding to all press inquiries on conflicts of interest with the same one-sentence statement: In any circumstance, all officials at the Department of Justice follow the guidance of career ethics officials.

In fact, the Trump Justice Department fired its ethics chief in July, part of a purge of at least a dozen employees who had worked with the special counsel who brought the federal indictments against Trump.

Trumps effort to extort $230 million from the Justice Department is only the latest example of his utterly corrupt use of the presidency for self-enrichment. Trumps family launched a $TRUMP cryptocurrency memecoin before his 2025 inauguration that netted hundreds of millions of dollars. He and his allies also profited from stock sales in Truth Social, his publicly traded social media firm, which spiked following policy favors to investors. Trump accepted luxury assets while in office, including a $500 million aircraft provided by Qatari interests for display in his planned presidential museum.

Various Democratic lawmakers have denounced Trumps demand for $230 million in taxpayer money as a shakedown and self-dealing, but, as always, they propose nothing, not even impeachment proceedings, to stop it.
Writer-director Ari Asters new film Eddington is a political drama set in the fictional town of Eddington, New Mexico during the tumultuous events of May 2020. It follows a right-wing sheriffs crusade against a self-serving liberal mayor and the towns subsequent descent into chaos.

Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal in Eddington

2020 was a year of explosive social, economic and political turmoil. It encompassed the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the beginnings of the ruling elites criminal policy of malign neglect and mass infection, the multi-trillion dollar Wall Street bailout, the global protest movement against police violence in response to the murder of George Floyd and the Trump-Republican conspiracy to overturn the 2020 US presidential election and establish a presidential dictatorship, culminating in the fascist coup of January 6, 2021.

A filmmaker seeking to dramatize the explosive political climate would be faced with significant artistic challenges, but also major opportunities. A serious examination of 2020s interconnected crises would present the chance to cut through many falsehoods and set out the truth as honestly as possible. But, surely, to dramatize the complex situation in the US at the time meaningfully would involve some attempt to grasp the overall social dynamics at workor to offer an artists intuitive feeling for them.

Unfortunately, Eddington has no such approach. It is chiefly characterized by confusion, cynicism and a misanthropic attitude toward society at large.

The film follows Joe Cross (Joaquin Phoenix), the sheriff of the small town of Eddington, New Mexico (loosely based on Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, where much of the film was shot). Cross is an outspoken opponent of face masks, social distancing and other measures implemented to mitigate the spread of COVID.

Cross comes into conflict with Mayor Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal), a self-promoting liberal who routinely lectures others about COVID restrictions while flouting them himself. Garcia is working to drum up support for the construction of a massive data center by tech company Solidgoldmagikarp. Despite serious environmental and social impact concerns, Garcia presses forward with his tech positive campaign, receiving support from the companys representative in town.

Cross struggles to connect with his wife, Louise (Emma Stone), who suffers from chronic mental and physical maladies, possibly related to traumatic experiences early in life.

An altercation over masking convinces Cross to run for mayor on a right-wing, anti-mask platform. With the help of officers Guy (Luke Grimes) and Michael (Michael Cooke), Cross posts anti-mask political signs and drives around town giving speeches in opposition to the data center project.

Meanwhile, the police murder of George Floyd touches off global protests that spread to Eddington. Garcias teenage son Eric (Matt Gomez Hidaka), as conceited as his father, participates in the protests largely to project a superficial socially conscious image. His friend Brian (Cameron Mann) is politically confused, but joins the protests in the hope of getting closer to Sarah (Amelie Hoeferle), a young activist obsessed with racial identity politics. Sarah insists, Right now, were playing at maybe being, like, white critical. Maybe were white traitors. But the goal is to be white abolitionists.

Emma Stone in Eddington

Brian initially receives a hostile response for stating that Not all white kids are all that privileged. Theres different sorts of privilege, like race and class. He quickly learns to parrot the racialist political line, declaring, absurdly, Im just another privileged white kid, and my job is to sit down and listen, which is what I plan to do after making this speech, which I have no right to make.

Louise begins meeting with cult leader Vernon Jefferson Peak (Austin Butler), a manipulator whose incoherent Christian-fascist sermons are peppered with improbable stories of being sold into an elite child abuse network. Cross, meanwhile, makes a statement accusing Garcia of sexually assaulting Louise, as the two had a relationship decades prior. Louise denies the allegations, humiliating Cross and sending him into a tailspin.

Cross, overcome with impotent rage (and beginning to show signs of COVID symptoms), takes reckless action, then manipulates or invents facts to demonize the protest movement and turn public opinion against, in his words, the Antifa terrorist group.

Meanwhile, a mysterious group of heavily armed operatives dressed as protesters flies into Eddington on a private jet and begins staging bombings and acts of bloody violence. Various unexpected twists and turns occur.

Eddington

Writer-director Aster, whose previous works included the very limited psychological horror films Hereditary and Midsommar as well as the bizarre and solipsistic psychodrama Beau is Afraid, indicated that the film was inspired by his own time spent scrolling social media during the spring and summer of 2020, telling an interviewer that, [Eddington] is the movie that Twitter built.

He continued:

I wanted to make a film about the landscape and about what it feels like to live in a world where nobody agrees on whats happening and everybody distrusts everybody else. ... I wrote this film in a state of anxiety and worry and fear. And I feel like thats a place that most of us are living in now. I feel totally powerless, and everything feels impossibly corrupt and compromised.

A period of political crisis, of course, presents dangers that should not be glossed over. But an artist in a state of fear and powerlessness is not working on particularly firm footing. Eddington meanders from one ugly encounter to the next without making any effort to probe the roots of the crisis that has suddenly befallen the small town. Why has the latter been brought to a state of convulsive political warfare? The film seems to have no answer other than that the residents spend too much time on their phones.

Moreover, some clarification is in order: the strongest support for public health measures aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19 did not primarily come from pompous middle class liberals, as the film suggests. In reality, the initial shutdowns in production in the US were the result of wildcat strikes launched by workers, which forced the ruling class to implement the initial limited measures to contain the spread of the virus. Throughout 2020, numerous polls showed widespread support for efforts to prevent the spread of COVID, despite efforts by both the fascist right and liberal outlets like the New York Times to downplay the virus. It was the Times, in a column by the inimitable Thomas Friedman, that insisted that the cure cannot be worse than the disease, or in other words, that any efforts to prevent COVID deaths could not be allowed to negatively impact profits and share prices.

The global George Floyd protests are also mischaracterized here, presented as being entirely dominated by vapid racialism and performative activism. Of course, that element was present. But the initial wave of protestscertainly during the late spring/early summer 2020 period in which the film is sethad a profoundly democratic, multi-racial and international character. Millions of people took to the streets in opposition to police violence, and in many cases, much more than that; protesters opposed social inequality, war, the bipartisan assault on democratic rights, the callous attitude of the oligarchy toward mass death from COVID, etc. For this, they faced brutal violence from police and fascist thugs under Trumps direction. The Trump White House was so shaken by the protests that it very nearly invoked the Insurrection Act.

Because the George Floyd protest movement drew such widespread support, pseudo-left organizations and individuals connected to the Democratic Party were marshaled to inject racial-communalist politics into the demonstrations. Aster mocks the stupidity of race-obsessed activism, but takes it no further than that.

Instead, Aster depicts the protesters as privileged, self-righteous children screaming about dismantling whiteness, which is one of many concessions Eddington makes to the far right. Cross, the fascistic sheriff, is portrayed in a quasi-sympathetic light. Dramatic elements that could potentially form the basis of substantial critique either go nowhere or remain hazy and undeveloped.

The filmmakers do not appear sufficiently interested in making sense of the political crisis, or even conceding that there is any sense to be made. Everyone, they seem to be saying, both left and right, is trapped in his or her own bubble of misinformation and outrage. Whatever happened to civility? To compromise? To loving thy neighbor? Such a perspective doesnt lead to particularly probing insights.

More to the point, the postmodern notion that nobody agrees on whats happening is being refuted by events. This past weekend, millions took to the streets in thousands of No Kings protests (including in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico!) against fascism and dictatorship. Masses of people can, in fact, perceive that they are under threat, even if the roots of the danger are not yet fully clear to them.
While the worlds politicians and media have rejoiced at the return of the 20 live Israeli hostages held captive for two years in Gaza, and the bodies of some deceased captives, they have largely remained silent about the return of Palestinians.

The 1,726 detainees returned to Gaza appeared emaciated, bruised and scarred from tight cuffing, wearing grey prison uniforms, with shaven heads and overgrown beards and their faces making plain the suffering they had endured. Many were taken straight to hospital.

Freed Palestinian prisoners wave as they arrive in the Gaza Strip after their release from Israeli jails under a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. [AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi]

Their statements provide evidence of shocking mistreatment, including being deprived of food, water and sleep, denied medication and treatment, allowed access to the toilet just once a day, shackling in painful positions, suffocation, sexual assault beatings, abuse and torture that have resulted in some cases in permanent injury and even blindness. Verbal, physical, and psychological torture and humiliation were routine.

Shadi Abu Sidwa, a 30-year-old journalist, reported to +972, the online magazine, that the prison authorities had told him two weeks after his arrest that his wife and three children had been killed by the Israeli army in Gaza, only to find his entire family was alive and safe when he returned some 18 months after his capture in Al-Amal Hospital in Khan Younis, where he had sought shelter.

Raja Daghmeh, 30 years old, arrested in January 2024, said that he and other prisoners had been subjected to constant torture: We expected to die at any moment from the torture. An interrogator had threatened that if he did not leave Gaza with his wife and child and go into exile, he would be hunted down and killed.

One can only imagine, in contrast, the uproar against Russia or any other opponent of the imperialist powers mistreating and torturing their prisoners in this way. Moreover, Israels threats to resume all-out war, citing Hamass inability to return the bodies of every dead hostage from a bombed-out warzone, was reported ad nauseam and generally sympathetically.

Under the terms of the ceasefire agreement, Israel promisedin return for the 20 live hostages and the bodies of 28 deceased hostages held in Gazato release nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, 88 of whom were released in the West Bank, 154 deported to Egypt and the remaining 1,726 to Gaza. Most of them had been seized after the start of Israels genocidal war against the Palestinians and held without trial or charge. Of the 1,968 released, 250 had been serving life sentences on charges related to militant activity.

A further 9,100 Palestinians remain in Israeli prisons, where they face hunger, isolation and torture. Of these, around 3,500 are held without charge or trial under administrative detention that can be endlessly renewed by a military court based on a secret file that neither the detainees nor their lawyers have access to. As of last July, a further 2,850 were being held indefinitely, without even an administrative detention order, under the widely condemned Unlawful Combatants Law. Many have spent months behind bars.

Of those prisoners serving sentences based on clear charges, these were typically for belonging to political organizations and trade unions, participating in protests or throwing stones. Since the start of the genocide, the most common conviction has been for incitement, which can cover anything from social media postings to addressing public gatherings and even raising flags of the Palestinian political factions.

Israel has for decades imprisoned Palestiniansaround one million from the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza in total since the 1967 Arab Israeli war. Almost every Palestinian family in the occupied territories has had a relative imprisoned by Israel, for resisting an illegal occupation maintained through savage repression.

Marwan Barghouti, a Fatah leader tipped as a possible successor to the 89-year-old Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, was to have been included among those released. But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu withdrew his name from the ceasefire agreement. Imprisoned since 2002, Barghouti has faced long spells in solitary confinement and, since the start of the war, ever worsening conditions.

Last August, the fascist National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir threatened Barghouti in his cell, saying, Whoever messes with the people of Israel, whoever murders our children, whoever murders our women, we will obliterate them. Last month, eight Israeli guards beat Barghouti unconscious while transferring prisons.

Atrocious conditions in Israeli prisonsa deliberate policy

The statements from released prisoners confirm the reports of Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor and BTselem published last year about the inhumane prison conditions, as well as Israels Channel 14 showing an Israeli prison officer describing the abusive treatment being meted out. Images of abuse and torture were widely disseminated on social media in the photos and videos shot by Israeli soldiers. International media have shown images of detainees wearing just their underpants, bound and blindfolded, being dragged across gravel and stomped and kicked in their heads and genitals.

This is part of a broader strategy of terrorizing the Palestinians and demonstrating the futility of resistance. Already appalling prison conditions had been deteriorating ever since Ben-Gvir, leader of the ultra-nationalist Jewish Power party, became Minister of National Security with control of the police and the Israel Prison Service (IPS) in December 2022. He immediately declared, [O]ne of the highest goals I have set for myself is to worsen the conditions of the terrorists in the prisons, and to reduce their rights to the minimum required by law.

Ben-Gvir reduced shower time and closed the prisoner-run bakeries in Ketziot and Nafha prisons. Conditions were so bad that in August 2023, over 1,000 prisonersone-fifth of Palestinians incarcerated at the timewent on hunger strike in protest. Ben-Gvirs response was to sharply reduce family visits.

At the start of the war, there were 5,200 Palestinians in Israeli jails, soaring to more than 10,000 when Gazan workers and patients legally in Israel on October 7 were taken into custody. Israel arrested at least 12,100 Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, including more than 440 women and 795 children, in the first 15 months of the war, according to rights groups. Within Israel, between 2,700 and 4,000 Palestinian citizens have been arrested, detained or interrogated.

Among those detained are at least 250 healthcare workers seized from hospitals and clinics, including Adnan al-Bursh, head of orthopedics at al-Shifa Hospital, who was detained while working at al-Awda Hospital and tortured to death last year; and Dr. Hossam Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, who was also tortured. Under the ceasefire agreement, just 55 doctors and nurses were to be freed, and not all releases have been confirmed.

Following the start of the war, under orders from Ben Gvir, the IPS slashed access to water and electricity and cut food to a minimal menu in what amounted to a starvation policy. The security forces were let loose, assaulting prisoners and seizing their possessions, moving some to isolation and cramming others into cells designed to hold just half their actual numbers.

The IPS imposed bans on visits by the International Committee of the Red Cross and family members and made phone calls to relatives and access to lawyers almost impossible.

At least 135 Palestinian bodies show signs of torture and execution

Israel has returned about 195 of the 1,500 Palestinian bodies from Gaza held at Sde Teiman. At least 135 of the bodies were blindfolded and bound, suggesting they had been tortured and then killed.

The Knesset, Israels parliament, established Sde Teiman as a prison for unlawful combatants immediately after the outbreak of the Gaza war to hold Hamas members, including those who took part in the October 7 attack. It is known as Israels Guantanamo.

According to doctors in Khan Younis, official examinations and field observations clearly indicate that Israel carried out acts of murder, summary executions and systematic torture against many of the Palestinians. There were clear signs of direct gunfire at point-blank range and bodies crushed beneath Israeli tank tracks.

Fifty-four of the bodies so far returned were so badly mutilated they could not be identified and had to be buried in a mass funeral in Deir El-Balah in Gaza.

The imperialist powers have turned a blind eye to Israels torture and abuse of the Palestinians, with the Trump administration refusing to even demand the release of Mohammed Ibrahim, a 16-year-old boy who is a US citizen and has lost one quarter of his body weight since February. They all support Israel and are themselves attacking democratic rights and freedom of speech to suppress opposition to their domestic and foreign policies.

That the Arab regimes along with Abbas and Fatahs Central Committee have remained silent about Israels abuse and torture of prisoners testifies to their perfidy and collusion with Israel in suppressing the Palestinians.
Immigration agents conduct an operation at a car wash, Aug. 15, 2025, in Montebello, California. [AP Photo/Gregory Bull]

In the days since an estimated 7 million people protested across the country against the attacks on democratic rights and threat of dictatorship by the Trump administration, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) launched new raids and major kidnapping operations in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, and in Wilder, Idaho.

Using aggressive and dangerous tactics, including indiscriminate sweeps and the deployment of military-style force against immigrant communities, the latest ICE actions are part of the Trump administrations escalation of arrests, detention and mass deportations. These measures are also being intertwined with the mobilization of the National Guard to suppress public opposition to the assault on immigrants.

On Tuesday, dozens of federal agents from ICE, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and other police agencies descended on Canal Street in Manhattans Chinatown. According to ABC7 New York, at least nine people were arrested during the raid, which targeted street vendors who were accused of selling counterfeit goods.

Witnesses described the chaotic scene as masked federal agents pushed, pulled, and detained mostly West African immigrants who sell handbags and watches to tourists. The arrested men were from Senegal, Guinea, Mali and Mauritania. As part of a now standard procedure, DHS claimed that the men have histories of charges like robbery, burglary, domestic violence and assaulting law enforcement.

However, no proof of purported charges was presented and, in any case, their treatment by DHS officers is a violation of basic constitutional rights. Jason Jackson, an elevator repairman who works nearby, told ABC7 reporters, I definitely think this was planned off social media videos. This has been going on for a long time and just out of nowhere, they want to crack down on it.

DHS defended the action, claiming it was an intelligence-driven operation focused on criminal activity. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons told Fox News that arrests would increase across New York City because there are so many criminal illegals.

Bystanders who witnessed officers shoving unarmed vendors saw little of the claimed intelligence-driven operation. Protesters clashed with federal agents leading to five additional arrests on charges including assaulting law enforcement and obstruction.

Video footage shared online shows officers tackling individuals to the ground as vendors desperately tried to flee. New York Attorney General Letitia James office announced a public portal for citizens to upload videos of the incident, vowing to investigate unlawful questioning, detention, or intimidation by ICE agents.

On Tuesday in Los Angeles, ICE agents shot and wounded two people, including one of their own federal partners, in what DHS termed a targeted traffic enforcement stop. According to Democracy Now! and USA Today, the intended target, Carlitos Ricardo Parias, a Mexican immigrant and social media personality who frequently filmed ICE operations, was hit by bullets, one of which ricocheted and struck a US marshal.

The botched raid, conducted in downtown Los Angeles, prompted outrage from protesters and residents. Federal agencies later said that the wounded marshals injuries were not life-threatening.

DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin attempted to deflect blame, claiming the incident resulted from resistance by individuals emboldened by sanctuary politicians. This narrative aligns with the statements President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who have denounced the refusal of the public to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.

In an incident in Chicago reported by Yahoo News on Tuesday, Illinois State Representative Hoan Huynha Democrat and Vietnamese American candidate for Congresswas surrounded by armed Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officers after he attempted to observe suspected ICE activity in the citys Albany Park neighborhood.

Huynh recounted that six agents blocked his vehicle and at one point an officer pointed a firearm directly at him and threatened to bash in the passenger window. DHS attempted to justify the confrontation, claiming that Huynh had tried to disrupt operations. Huynh said the intimidation was violent federal bullying meant to silence public oversight.

On October 19, ICE carried out a predawn raid in Wilder, Idaho. According to Boise State Public Radio and the Idaho Capital Sun, 105 undocumented people were arrested during what DHS described as a joint operation aimed at dismantling an illegal horseracing and gambling enterprise.

Witnesses, however, reported that ICE officers arrived militarystyle, using drones and helicopters, ziptying children, and hitting detainees with rubber bullets.

Leo Morales, executive director of the ACLU of Idaho, condemned the brutality, saying, The government came in full force, militarystyle, helicopters, drones, and arrested and handcuffed everyone, including children. No person, no Idahoan, no American should ever accept whenever a government does this to its own people.

McLaughlin of DHS claimed that the operation was lawful and necessary to dismantle criminal networks. The FBI, notably, canceled a scheduled press conference following the outcry, refusing to release further details.

In a series of statements, DHS and ICE officials have defended their unconstitutional operations. McLaughlin told reporters after the Idaho and Los Angeles raids that federal law enforcement continues to dismantle criminal networks within U.S. borders under the direction of Trump and Noem.

Immigrant rights groups have denounced the latest escalation. Activists with No Kings Chicago have organized daily vigils outside ICE processing centers and issued a statement that reads: These raids are acts of terror. Families are disappearing overnight. The government treats our neighborhoods like occupied territory.

As demonstrations have spread in response to the raids in every area, the Trump administration has invoked extraordinary powers to suppress the opposition. The administration received court authorization this week to deploy the Oregon National Guard to Portland, where antiICE protests have intensified.

In a divided 2-1 decision issued on October 19, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit asserted that Trumps claim of threats to federal personnel and property in Portland constituted a legitimate basis for invoking emergency powers, even if he exaggerated the events. The court agreed with Trumps Justice Department that the mobilization was necessary to restore order against anarchist elements interfering with federal operations.

Local authorities in Oregon have condemned the decision, warning that it militarizes civil space. Similar deployments, though not officially confirmed, have been reported in Chicago and Los Angeles as protests have surged outside ICE detention facilities.

On social media, protesters have shown armored vehicles and camouflageclad troops appearing alongside police lines. Activists claim that coordination between ICE and the National Guard was evident in recent confrontations outside the Broadview detention center near Chicago, where witnesses reported flashbang grenades and militarystyle crowd control.

The recent ICE raids have coincided with steppedup National Guard mobilizations across several states, justified under the pretext of domestic stability operations, increasingly backed by court approval.

The domestic militarization and crackdown are being carried out in parallel with the administrations war policies abroad. President Trumps ongoing military mobilizations in the Middle East, Asia and the Caribbean against the enemies of US imperialism are combined with deployments on US soil portraying domestic dissenters as internal enemies.

The bringing together of the unconstitutional and indiscriminate ICE dragnets against immigrants and the military tactics against protesters is central to the implementation of dictatorial rule under the Trump administrations second term.

The latest raids and mobilization of the National Guard are part of the implementation of police-state measures, as part of Trumps coordinated political offensive aimed at terrorizing immigrant workers and normalizing mass repression. The brutality on Canal Street, the tear gas in Chicago, the shootings in Los Angeles and the militarystyle assault in Idaho all form part of a unified strategy to criminalize poverty and dissent.

The Department of Homeland Security maintains that operations will continue as long as local jurisdictions fail to cooperate, promising an openended campaign even though Democrats have either welcomed the federal police agencies or sought unsuccessful court actions to block them.

At the No Kings protests on Saturday, while masses of people made it clear that they are opposed to Trumps dictatorial agenda, the Democrats on the platform focused on the need for Trump and the Republicans to work with them in a bipartisan manner while studiously avoiding any discussion of the imminent danger of a fascist dictatorship or what should be done to stop it. This is because the Democratic Party is a capitalist party beholden to the same corporate and financial interests supporting Trumps authoritarianism.

To defeat the fascist threat and defend democratic rights, workers and young people across the US must break with the Democratic Party and build rank-and-file committees in the factories, neighborhoods and schools as part of a mass socialist movement to bring down the Trump government.
By Che Pan and Wen-Yee Lee

BEIJING/TAIPEI (Reuters) -Dutch chipmaker Nexperia's Chinese unit has resumed supplying semiconductors to local distributors, according to two people briefed on the matter, having previously halted all shipments when Beijing banned exports following an ownership dispute.

But as part of the resumption, which is confined to domestic trade, all sales to distributors must now be settled in Chinese yuan, the people said, whereas transactions had previously only used foreign currencies such as the U.S. dollar.

The Chinese unit also instructed distributors to transact with their customers only in yuan, in an apparent bid to stabilise supply in China and operate more independently from its Dutch parent, one of the people said.

Nexperia, now under Dutch government control, produces large volumes of chips in the Netherlands widely used in the automotive industry and consumer electronics. The majority are packaged in China and sold mostly to distributors.

Nexperia is now seeking alternative packaging partners outside China as the dispute with its Chinese subsidiary shows little sign of a quick resolution, the people said.

Nexperia has also warned customers in China that it does not guarantee the quality of products sourced from its Chinese subsidiary, the second person said.

They spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. The temporary sales halt and the resumption with settlements in yuan had not been reported previously.

A Nexperia spokesperson declined to comment on the actions of its Chinese unit and said its efforts to seek packaging partners outside China predated the dispute and were not part of a move away from its Chinese factory.

On quality, the spokesperson said it had to inform customers of potential risks, but it had stopped short of saying they should not buy from its Chinese unit.

Nexperia's Chinese unit did not respond to a request for comment. After the Reuters story about it resuming sales was published on Thursday, it issued a statement on its WeChat account that said it was operating independently and its "manufacturing and business activities are proceeding in an orderly manner".

The unit also accused its Dutch parent of raising "groundless doubt" on product compliance and said it would pursue legal options.

DUTCH GOVERNMENT SEIZES CONTROL

The Dutch government took control of Nexperia on September 30 and removed its Chinese CEO, Zhang Xuezheng, citing concerns its technology might be appropriated by Nexperia's Chinese parent, Wingtech Technology.
The Frankfurt Book Fair, held October 1519, was dominated by Germanys war policy against Russia. As a team from the World Socialist Web Site observed, this provoked considerable disapproval among visitors.

As in previous years since 2022, Russian publishers were excluded from the fair. Ukraine, by contrast, was given extensive space. Financially supported by the German federal government and the City of Frankfurt, the Ukrainian exhibition even had its own stage. There, both Wolfram Weimar (Christian Democratic Union, CDU), minister of state for culture in the Federal Chancellery, Bundestag (parliament) President Julia Klockner (CDU) and former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg made appearances. According to reports from one visitor, Ukrainian soldiers even appeared on stage in full uniform.

Glorification of the Ukrainian fascist Stepan Bandera at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2025

Weimars predecessor, Claudia Roth (Greens), announced funding of 900,000 for a German-Ukrainian book project. What such funding promotes could be seen clearly at the Ukrainian stands, which featured right-wing war propaganda and literature glorifying Stepan Bandera, the central figure of Ukrainian fascism.

Peace Prize for Karl Schlogel in the Paulskirche

This years Peace Prize of the German Book Trade was awarded to Eastern European historian and right-wing propagandist Karl Schlogel, a vocal advocate of rearmament and of achieving a military victory over Russia. Throughout the week, Schlogel dominated the media and numerous events with his mantra that Ukrainian soldiers were heroes who were teaching Europeans what lies ahead of them.

The WSWS team had previously drawn attention to the case of the imprisoned Ukrainian socialist and anti-war activist Bogdan Syrotiuk with posters outside the book fair and distributed an article criticising the awarding of the Peace Prize to the warmonger Schlogel.

In his acceptance speech for the 25,000 award, Schlogel lived up to these expectations, delivering a warmongering speech that portrayed the military defeat of Russia as Europes destiny. Like many former Maoists who made careers in Germanyhe was a leading member of the Maoist Communist Party of Germany (KPD) from 1972 to 1980, which glorified Stalin and branded the social-imperialist Soviet Union as the main enemySchlogel has become a fervent supporter of the rebirth of German imperialism.

He was not content with declaring Russian President Putin to be a figure of evil. He also denounced anyone who sought to discern a deeper meaning in Putins policysuch as fears of encirclement or security concerns. Schlogel, on the other hand, exalted Ukraine and its soldiers as pure figures of light. No one, he declared, is more interested in peace than they are. The front was being defended by an army of volunteersan obvious lie given the brutal forced conscription that is taking place.

They teach us that national defence has nothing to do with militarism [They] teach us that what is happening should not be called the Ukraine conflict, but war. They help us understand who we are dealing with: a regime that wants to annihilate Ukraine as an independent state and that hates Europe. They show us that making concessions to the aggressor only whets his appetite for more, and that appeasement does not lead to peace but paves the way to war.

Comparisons between todays German war offensive and that of the Nazis, or references to neo-Nazis in the Ukrainian leadership, Schlogel dismissed as Russian enemy propaganda: Compared to this, the propaganda of Soviet times seems outdated and almost harmless.

The much-travelled historian, who places great value in his books on personal observation, seems not to have noticed the gigantic monuments to Stepan Bandera and other Nazi collaborators now glorified throughout Ukraineor, more likely, he agrees with this glorification. After all, 10 years ago he vehemently defended his fellow historian Jorg Baberowski, who had claimed that Hitler was not cruel.

In an interview with the Frankfurter Rundschau, Schlogel had already spoken in favour of deploying Bundeswehr (Armed Forces) troops in Ukraineeven against the will of the German population. Asked by the reporter whether the deployment of German soldiers in Ukraine would be legitimate to secure peace, Schlogel replied, Yes. But it will trigger a fierce controversy in Germany.

The solemn presentation of the Peace Prize, which brought together all the political and cultural notables of Frankfurt and Hesse, was broadcast live by ZDF television. At the end, ZDF reporter Daniel Cohn-Benditthe former student leader in France, later co-founder of the Greens and now a European politicianwas asked his opinion of Karl Schlogel. Cohn-Bendit endorsed Schlogels call for military readiness with the words: There are many who want peace, but few who are willing to fight for it.

Since Russias invasion, said Cohn-Bendit, it has been clear that Europe must become a power; Europe must be capable of defending itself. It is not a soft powerwe can buy nothing with that.  If we want to defend democracy, we must be capable of defending ourselves. That readiness, he claimed, could be felt today in the Paulskirche. (The church is famous as the meeting place of the Frankfurt National Assembly, the first freely elected parliament of Germany, which convened there from 1848 to 1849.)

Book Fair visitors speak out against war

WSWS team outside the Frankfurt Book Fair 2025

The WSWS team had a very different experience outside the fair. Several visitors who initially hurried past turned back to take leaflets once they realised that they were about the struggle against war and militarist propaganda.

Many expressed their concern about the danger of a new large-scale war and spoke out against the reintroduction of conscription currently under discussion in Berlin. They even want to use a lottery system to force young people into the army. I find that so appalling, said one visitor. On the same day, the office of the German Peace SocietyUnited War Resisters (DFG-VK) reported that its counselling services were being positively flooded: visits to its homepage had risen from 24,000 in May to 125,000 in September.

There were alsomostly affluentvisitors who indicated support for rearmament. A man who identified himself as a proud nationalist said: Schlogelhes our man for Ukraine! A woman declared: I was a pacifist all my life, but now I think its necessary to arm and fight against the Russian threat. When asked what she planned to do when the first atomic bomb is in the air, she had no answer.

Yet many, especially younger visitors, reacted to Schlogels motto Si vis pacem, para bellum (If you want peace, prepare for war) with criticism and denunciation. Schlogel had repeated this phrase in the Paulskirche itself.

Hans, a WSWS reader who helped distribute the flyers, said, That phrase has never been true in the 20th centuryand today, with nuclear weapons, I cant even find words for it. We all know from history that it has never worked; on the contrary.

Regina from Heidelberg added, Theres that saying, The rich bring the weapons, and the poor bring the corpses. Thats exactly it. Its pure profit-making. We all have grandparents or uncles who died or came back crippled from war. The trauma still runs through familiesthere were two world wars.

A young woman named Jana, who works professionally with the deaf and hearing-impaired, said, Im in my early thirties, and Im deeply worried about the future. I always hoped that Germany, of all countries, had learned something from history, but apparently thats not the case. Her parents had always opposed war on principle. They were also against this terrible rearmamentbecause history shows that wars always claim innocent victims.

Jana bought the book The Logic of Zionism: From Nationalist Myth to the Gaza Genocide. She stressed that the current Gaza war showed the utter senselessness of such violence. Theyre saying theres a bit of a pause nowafter two years of bloodshed! But what about all the people who were killed? What about them? Does none of that matter anymore?

Jana said she believed war only ever leads to more hatred and extremism. She recalled a statement by US President Biden about the Ukraine war: Biden once said, In Ukraine, we will fight to the last Ukrainian soldier. And I thought to myselfits not his children or his compatriots who are the cannon fodder. What right do they have to make such decisions? Its always about economic interests. Its terrible. They talk about human rights, but under capitalism they make money from war and weaponsat whose expense?

Hans, who engaged in animated discussions with young people while distributing leaflets, explained that one thing he had learned from the WSWS was the importance of understanding the historical background. I think the problem, he said, is that people engage far too little with the complex geopolitical dynamics behind wars like the one in Ukraine. To equate Russias invasion simply with Hitlers war of annihilation, as the media does today, is scientifically false. Its historically absurd.

He said he had come because the public needs to know what kinds of people the major media now celebrate, and what kind of war propaganda goes with it. When we talk about people like Karl Schlogelhes a right-wing warmonger. And we should know that he has openly associated with people like Jorg Baberowski who downplays the Holocaust. All the alarm bells should be ringing.

Some things need to be said clearly, Hans continued. Schlogel is calling for an escalation of war. If it were up to him, wed already be marching on Russia. History shows, however, that it was the West that provoked all this with its NATO encirclement of Russia. Russia, with its resources, is a highly coveted target. Thats nothing new for the German bourgeoisie. But now, in a new capitalist crisis, its all coming to the surface again.

Hans also spoke of his own recent experience as a temporary worker, noting, The current drive to war goes hand in hand with enormous social polarisationthe widening gap between rich and poor. It was important to reject the propaganda that foreigners or refugees are to blame for everything. The so-called middle class is collapsing because its being crushed by big capital, and the politicians point the finger at foreigners. But thats the classic fascist method.

On temporary work, Hans said, Its spreading everywhere. Its a hybrid between market economy and organised crime. Mafia structures are taking hold. He added that reading the WSWS, which he had followed for years, had helped him understand these developments more deeply: I can recommend it to anyone who wants to understand whats really going on. Its vital not to stay on the surface, but to study historyespecially the history of the Trotskyist movement.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the roll call of the German Army tank brigade in Lithuania [Photo by Bundesregierug / Guido Bergman]

In a detailed interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung last weekend, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (Christian Democrats, CDU) outlined the ruling classs programme of war and great-power politics. According to Merz, Germany must build the strongest conventional army in Europe, exceed NATO targets and prepare for a period in which the law of the strongest will once again apply. The era of a rules-based order based on international law is over, he said, adding that what matters now is strength.

These statements are nothing less than an open declaration for war and unrestrained rearmament. Merz called for Germany to once again become the dominant military power on the continentif necessary, independently of Washington. Although he emphasised that he wants to maintain the nuclear alliance with the US, which grants Germany the ability to participate jointly with the US in firing nuclear weapons, he then explained that, due to growing transatlantic tensions, a joint European alliance with France on nuclear weapons could also be necessary in the future.

In the same breath, he did not explicitly rule out Germanys own nuclear armament should nuclear cooperation with France not materialise. He merely stated that the time is not yet ripe for such a discussion and pointed out that at least two treatiesthe Two Plus Four Treaty and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treatyactually preclude this path. When pressed by the F.A.Z. that the largest country in the European Union will not be able to avoid an honest discussion on this issue at some point, he replied: The time is not ripe for that. My concern now is conventional defence.

This statement is a warning: the federal government is first massively upgrading its conventional weapons and, when the time is right, will not shy away from nuclear armament. Provocative comments calling for a German bomb appear repeatedly in the mainstream media. In August, the Handelsblatt noted in an article headlined Strange ... must we learn to love the bomb?: The technology is not the problem. The decision for or against a European and, ultimately, German nuclear force is a political one.

The openly declared goal of creating Europes strongest conventional army means Germanys return to the role of an imperialist military power. The 2025 defense budget already includes 62.43 billion from the regular budget and 24.06 billion from special fundsa total of 86.49 billion, more than ever before since the end of World War II. By 2029, the defence budget is set to rise to over 150 billion, which would correspond to around 3.5 percent of gross domestic product. In addition, around 1.5 percent is to be spent on war preparedness for infrastructure, bringing total war spending to 5 percent of GDP. That would be more than 215 billion and around 45 percent of the total federal budget for 2024.

The agreed rearmament, which was decided with the votes of the Left Party and the Greens, is comparable only to that undertaken by the Nazis on the eve of World War II. Ten thousand new military and 1,000 civilian jobs will be created, while billions will be poured into new weapons programs: 35 F-35 fighter jets, 60 CH-47 transport helicopters, several hundred new combat, infantry, and wheeled armored vehicles, warships, drone systems, missile and air defense systems, and even its own space command. Germany is thus on its way to becoming the largest military power in Europe and the third-largest arms manufacturer in the world after the US and China.

Parallel to military expansion, there is also economic expansion towards a war economy. Under the headline Die Panzerrepublik (The Tank Republic), the current issue of Der Spiegel describes the boom in the German arms industry. The report provides a shocking insight into the speed with which the entire economy is being converted to war production.

In Unterluss, Lower Saxony, Rheinmetall has opened Europes largest ammunition factorya plant that is expected to produce 350,000 shells annually by 2027. The company also builds rocket engines and is expanding into Spain, Hungary and Slovakia. Salzgitter AG is once again producing armour steel, which has not been available for decades, and is bundling its military activities under the brand name Salzgitter Defence.

The automotive supplier Schaeffler, the printing press company Heidelberg, the laser specialist Trumpf, and even car manufacturers such as VW and Porsche are entering the arms production business. Der Spiegel openly speaks of a new arms industry miracle.

The government is actively promoting this process. Public loans, EU funds, and energy subsidies are being diverted to military purposes. Economic, industrial, and defence policies are merging into a single state projecta kind of dirigiste rearmament policy strongly reminiscent of the war economy of the 1930s. Then as now, state-financed arms contracts serve as an economic engine, and society is ideologically trimmed to be combat capable.

This development is not limited to the economy and the military. Merz speaks of a blocked republic that needs fundamental changes. The federal government is already working on reactivating military service. The chancellors language is that of an authoritarian state in transition to mobilization: the population must learn to make sacrifices; democracy must be combative and take action against its opponents.

The costs of rearmament are borne in every respect by the working class, as cannon fodder on the war fronts and in the form of historic social spending cuts. While the citizens benefit welfare payment is being cut and social budgets first frozen and then slashed, hundreds of billions are being poured into tanks, missiles and other war materiel.

The unions are being ideologically integratedwith appeals to national responsibility and defence industry productivity. The arms industry advertises patriotism in the workplace and attracts skilled workers with comparatively higher wages and comprehensive government contracts.

Schools and universities are being integrated into militarizationfor example, through visits by youth officers and open advertising for the army. Propagandists in the bourgeois media defame criticism of armament and war as unpatriotic or pro-Russian and celebrate the resurrection of the German arms industry as a sign of economic strength and national self-assertion. The tank republic is glorified as a modern economic miracle, financed by government debt and social spending cuts.

What is emerging is a new military-industrial complex. Large corporations such as Rheinmetall, KNDS, Hensoldt, Diehl, and Airbus Defence are posting record profits, while small and medium-sized enterprises are following suit in droves: engine manufacturer Deutz supplies engines for howitzers, ZF Friedrichshafen builds tank transmissions, Renk supplies the European MGCS battle tank with drives, and hundreds of small and medium-sized mechanical engineering companies are converting their production to military components. Start-ups such as Arx Robotics and Helsing are developing AI systems, drones, and automated combat platforms, financed by NATO and federal programs.

The German Security and Defence Industry Association reports that the number of small and medium-sized enterprises involved in armaments has more than doubled since 2021. Investors are shifting capital into DefenceTech funds. By 2030, Germany and the EU will have invested over a trillion euros in the defence industrya scale comparable only to the rearmament and war programs on the eve of the First and Second World Wars.

The parallels with the war economy of the 1930s are particularly striking. Then, as now, the state provides contracts, directs capital, controls the workforce and justifies everything on the grounds of national necessity. Under the Nazi Four-Year Plan, industry, the financial system, and the labor market were placed completely at the service of war preparations. Today, this is happening under a nominally democratic facade, but with the same economic mechanisms: state control, monopoly formation, export offensives and ideological mobilization.

The thrust of German imperialism is also the same as under Hitler. Eighty years after the crimes of the Wehrmacht and the SS, the German ruling class is once again preparing a war of aggression in the East. Under the pretext of defending democracy, Berlin is once again pursuing the same great-power goals that have already led Europe to ruin twice: supremacy on the continent, control over Ukraine and all of Eastern Europe, and ultimately the subjugation of Russia.

Added to this is the pursuit of imperialist interests in other regions of the world through brute military force. Merzs complaint that Europeans do not have bunker-busting weapons to stop Irans nuclear program, or the means to disarm Hamas, sums up the logic: a German-led Europe must be capable of military intervention and war to assert its geostrategic and economic interests.

As in the 1930s, the aim is to secure markets, raw materials and spheres of influence by force. The official justification is peace and security, but in reality, the same capitalist interests that brought about two world wars are driving the arms race today.

The course set by Merz and the federal government means warboth externally and internally. The working class can only stop it by organizing independently, fighting militarization and linking the struggle against war with the struggle against capitalism. The tank republic of Germany must not become a reality. It can only be stopped by a conscious socialist movement directed against war, militarism, and the entire capitalist system.
A food bank is set up at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada. Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. [AP Photo/Rio Yamat]

With the US government shutdown entering its third week, the second-longest in history, its impact on the American working class is intensifying. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, is expected to run out of funding as soon as next week, according to press reports.

A memo dated October 10 from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to state governments stated that while funding is sufficient to sustain the program through October, there will be insufficient funds to pay full November SNAP benefits for approximately 42 million individuals across the nation. SNAP is jointly administered by the federal and state governments.

State agencies are already sending out warnings. The Texas Department of Health and Human Services warned that payments will not be made if the shutdown continues past October 27. Pennsylvanias Department of Human Services has stated that as of October 16, SNAP benefits will not be paid until the shutdown ends.

About one in eight Americans rely on food stamps, yet even with this assistance, roughly one in seven were still food insecure in 2023, according to Feeding America. If the program runs out of funding next month, it would trigger a rapid spread of hunger across the country.

SNAP has a contingency fund of $6 billion, according to CNN, but benefits for next month are projected to cost $8 billion. Even a 50 percent reduction in funding would require food banks to quadruple their output to meet the shortfall, Craig Rice, CEO of the Manna Food Center in Maryland, told NBC News.

On Tuesday, hundreds of federal workers lined up at a food pantry, after having gone three weeks without pay. Im overwhelmed by the line, Pastor Oliver Carter, organizer of the event, told CNN. I didnt think we were going to have this many federal employees. One worker from the Social Security Administration told the channel: You always thought that getting a government job or you know, a federal job, that thats security, and its not.

The misery unleashed by the shutdown is by design. The Trump White House is using the crisis to slash funding, illegally fire thousands of workers and either eliminate social programs outright or render them inoperative.

Two weeks ago, the government announced over 4,000 permanent layoffs as part of its initial reductions in force (RIF), which a federal judge recently declared illegal. Trump has also raised the possibility that many government employees would not receive back pay.

Around 200,000 federal workers have already left their jobs this year, especially due to the jobs massacre under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), previously controlled by Elon Musk.

Even without the shutdown, many food stamp recipients were already set to lose benefits due to tighter work requirements, reduced parental exemptions and the elimination of provisions for veterans and the homeless. The so-called Big Beautiful Bill, passed over the summer, included more than $180 billion in cuts to food stamps. According to the Urban Institute, 22.3 million US families would lose some or all of their benefits under the changes. These cuts accompany roughly $800 billion slashed from Medicaid, measures designed to help finance $3 trillion in tax cuts and a massive $300 billion increase in military spending.

Meanwhile, Trump is spending almost $300 million to remodel the White House to add a gilded banquet hall to receive billionaire guests and other luminaries. The entire East Wing, previously the most publicly accessible part of the White House, is to be razed as part of the redesign.

A related goal of the shutdown is the seizure of personal control over the budget and the executive branch by Trump, the would-be fascist dictator, under the unitary executive theory developed by ultra-right Republicans.

In a filthy statement, the USDA sought to scapegoat immigrants for the loss of benefits, declaring: We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats. Continue to hold out for healthcare for illegals [a patently false claim repeatedly made by Republicans] or reopen the government so mothers, babies, and the most vulnerable among us can receive timely WIC and SNAP allotments.

The impact on food security underscores that Trumps plan for dictatorship is aimed above all against the working class. A major player in the strategy is Russell Vought, the head of the Office of Management and the Budget and co-author of the right-wing Project 2025 playbook which the White House is largely following.

In an appearance last week on The Charlie Kirk Showwhich continues to air with guest hosts following the assassination of its namesakeVought boasted that the initial 4,000 layoffs were just a snapshot, and I think it will get much higher. Were going to keep those RIFs rolling throughout this shutdown.

The government will be very aggressive where we can be in shuttering the bureaucracynot just the funding, but the bureaucracy. Vought estimated, I think well probably end up being north of 10,000 jobs cut.

The ruling class is preparing for social unrest over the impact of the cuts. California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has postured as an opponent of Trumps deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles, has announced that he is deploying the California National Guard to food banks across the state in a so-called humanitarian mission.

Other programs are also on the brink as the shutdown drags on. Tens of thousands of preschool children across 134 local Head Start programs will be affected if federal funding is not restored by November 1. According to the Associated Press, six programs have already missed their October funding disbursements.

Air traffic controllers (ATCs), who are being forced to work during the shutdown, are set to receive their first zero dollar paycheck next week, according to the union. ATCs are already massively overworked and dealing with aging equipment, which led to several near-disasters earlier this year. Staffing shortages and call-ins have contributed to dozens of flights being canceled during the shutdown.

Federal contractors will not receive back pay in many cases, and small businesses are being impacted by delays in green card and visa processing for foreign workers.

The New York Times also noted the potentially significant impact of the shutdown on credit markets, including the availability of affordable federal loans for the agricultural industry, which is already reeling from Trumps tariffs. For farms and small businesses, October is a critical month for borrowing money, the paper wrote. Some are paying their taxes, having gotten a six-month extension from the spring. Others are trying to stock up on inventory, or purchase equipment for the upcoming planting season.

Extreme-right Missouri Senator Josh Hawley, who played a major role in the January 6, 2021 coup attempt, has introduced bills to divert unspecified funding to food stamps and farm programs, claiming this will hold Democrats feet to the fire. This is political theatrics and the height of hypocrisy, given the Trump administrations policy of social counterrevolution.

But the Democrats are deliberately downplaying the dangers. Rather than warning of Trumps fascist program or doing any anything to oppose it, they have spent the shutdown issuing groveling appeals for Trump to negotiate. At Saturdays No Kings protests, which drew an estimated 7 million people, Democratic politicians avoided any mention of fascism and urged attendees to place their faith in the courtswhere Trump commands a 63 majority on the Supreme Courtand in next years midterm elections, which may very well never take place.

In a filibuster speech on the Senate floor which began Tuesday evening and continued Wednesday, Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley declared, Were in the most perilous moment, the biggest threat to our republic since the Civil War. President Trump is shredding our Constitution. But then, whitewashing the role of congressional Republicans, many of whom were directly involved in January 6, he added: I dont believe theres a single senator here in the United States Senate who wants to see freedom crushed and authoritarian rule established here in the United States of America.

The role of the trade union bureaucrats has been to block any organized opposition in the working class. Nowhere is this clearer than among federal workers, tens of thousands of whom are being laid off or forced to work without pay. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and other public sector unions have refused to call any strikes or even organize demonstrations, limiting their response to token legal appeals and hollow press statements while their members are driven into destitution.

The suppression of struggle by the union apparatus serves to give the Trump administration a free hand as it carries out its class war offensive. But this is exactly what must be opposed and overturned. As the Socialist Equality Party explained in a statement Tuesday:

The working class has not yet intervened as an organized force, with its own program. This must change. The central target of all the Trump administrations actions is the working class. It is workers who are being thrown into unemployment by the mass firing of federal employees, who face the destruction of vital social programs, and who will suffer from the elimination of the Department of Education and the escalating attacks on teachers   There is a growing mood of social opposition and protest throughout the United States and internationally. The task now is not to wait passively for the next demonstration but to use this opposition as a lever in the fight for a movement of the working class for socialism.

This requires the building of rank-and-file committees in every workplace, office and community, independent of the pro-corporate unions and both big business parties. Through the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC), workers must organize a unified counteroffensive against the Trump administrations social counterrevolution and developing drive toward dictatorship.
Graham Platner with a Totenkopf tattoo on his chest. [Photo: Crooked Media]

In an extended interview Monday on Pod Save America with Tommy Vietor, Barack Obamas former National Security Spokesman, Graham Platnerthe Bernie Sandersbacked Democratic Senate candidate from Mainerevealed that he had a Totenkopf (Deaths Head) tattoo on his chest, which he received nearly 20 years ago during his third deployment as an infantryman in the United States Marine Corps.

After stating I am not a secret Nazi, Platner offered the unconvincing claim that he was very inebriated when, as a young Marine on liberty in Split, Croatia, he and his comrades chose a terrifying-looking skull and crossbones off the wall. Revealing the normalization of fascist imagery within the US military Platner added, skulls and crossbones are pretty standard military uh military thing.

The Totenkopf symbol gained prominence among reactionary military units in the 18th century and was later adopted by the Freikorps during the suppression of the German Revolution of 19181919. It became infamous when embraced by the Nazis, particularly the SS, whose members wore the skull and crossbones on their field caps, collar tabs and flags flown over concentration camps and battlefields. The 3rd SS Panzer Division Totenkopf, which fought on both the Eastern and Western Fronts and committed numerous war crimes, took its name and insignia directly from the deaths head.

Since the end of World War II, neo-Nazis around the world, including groups like Atomwaffen, have continued to brandish the symbol to signify their hatred of Jewish people and loyalty to Hitler and fascism.

Platner claimed that neither he nor anyone else he interacted with since getting the tattoo in 2007 raised this history or confronted him over it. He tried to sanitize the matter by invoking his background checks in the military and US State Department: In the nearly twenty years since, this hasnt come up I enlisted in the Army passed a full background check to join the Ambassador to Afghanistans security detail.

That such iconography could circulate for years within the US military and diplomatic-security apparatus underscores what the World Socialist Web Site reported six years ago in Neo-Nazi networks exposed across US military: fascist and white-supremacist currents have been cultivated inside the armed forces.

Following the interview, Platners former political director, Genevieve McDonald, posted on her personal Facebook account, Graham has an anti-Semitic tattoo on his chest. Hes not an idiot, hes a military history buff. McDonald added, he should have had it covered up because he knows damn well what it means.

Matthew Kassel, a reporter for Jewish Insider, wrote that a former acquaintance of Platner said he socialized with him in Washington, D.C., in 2012, while Platner was attending George Washington University. At the time, Platner worked as a bartender at the Tune Inn on Capitol Hill.

According to the former acquaintance, Platner would often take off his shirt while drinking late at night, revealing the large Nazi tattoo on his chest, which he allegedly referred to as my Totenkopf. The acquaintance said that at times Platner admitted he knew the symbols meaning when he got it, while on other occasions he claimed he only learned afterward that it was associated with the Nazis.

Despite apparently knowing since at least 2012 that he had Nazi imagery on his body, Platner did not seek to remove or cover up the tattoo until yesterday, October 22, 2025.

Platner is one of three Democrats running for Senate in the 2026 election. Earlier this month, Maine Governor Janet Mills, 77, the favorite of the party establishment, announced her candidacy, joining Platner and former congressional staffer Jordan Wood. Last week, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer endorsed Mills, calling her the best candidate to retire Susan Collins, the Republican senator.

Sanders and other pseudo-left elements are trying to sell Platner as a progressive and working class outsider. In reality, like Dan Osborn, the Sanders-backed 2024 independent Nebraska Senate candidate, Platner is a right-wing soldier for imperialism whose adult life tracks the arc of Washingtons colonial wars.

As a young man, Platner joined the Marines out of high school because, he said, he wanted to fight and thats where the action is.

Platner recalled to Vietor his first deployment to Iraq in the Al-Anbar province in January 2005. He said his Marine unit operated for 7 months east of Fallujah. Five months later, in 2006, Platner took part in the Battle of Ramadi. Recounting his role as a machine gun section leader, Platner told Vietor there was an immense amount of violence that we were committing. The civilians in the city suffered immensely

We killed people, he said, drawing a contrast between his Marine career and the current vice president, I wasnt JD Vance writing up a report...we were fighting the war.

It was during his third deployment in 2007, by this time a man in his mid-twenties, that Platner decided to get the Nazi tattoo.

In 2009, Platner re-enlisted with the Maryland Army National Guard and deployed to Afghanistan the following the year as a rifle team leader. In 2018, he took a mercenary position with Constellis, formerly Blackwater, and deployed to Afghanistan.

After serving US imperialism for 15 years, Platner, apparently, came to the revelation that US neo-colonial wars of aggression served the interests of war profiteers and military contractors. In 2018, Platner began his career as an oyster farmer in Maine before deciding to run for Senate earlier this year with the backing of Sanders.

It should be noted that Platner felt compelled to reveal his Nazi tattoo only after he received information that his Democratic opponents in the primary were planning to reveal it themselves. Last week, Platner sought to contain the fallout from Reddit posts surfaced by his opponents in which Platner described himself as a communist and socialist.

In an interview with CNN last Tuesday, Platner repudiated any association with left-wing politics. He said, Im not a communist. Im not a socialist. I own a small business. Im a Marine Corps veteran.

What was meant as preemption only confirmed what his career already demonstrated.

Platners Nazi tattoo and record of killing for US imperialism has not prevented Sanders, the phony socialist from Vermont, from continuing to back him. On October 21, Sanders angrily defended the ex-Marine, saying I personally think he is an excellent candidate and will support him, and I look forward to him becoming the next senator from Maine.

Pressed about the Nazi tattoo, Sanders waved away the issue as the product of the corrupt campaign-finance system, adding, We dont have enough candidates in this country that will take on the powers that be and fight for the working class.

This grotesque invocation of the working class to defend Platner exposes the political role of Sanders and the Democratic Socialists of America. Their task is not to fight fascism and inequality, but to channel mass social opposition to war and the financial oligarchy back into the Democratic Party.

In an interview with Axios Thursday, Sanders doubled down, saying he was not overly impressed by a squad of media running around saying, What do you think about the tattoo on Graham Platners chest.

In an interview on the YouTube show Breaking Points Thursday, California Representative Ro Khanna likewise reaffirmed his support, characterizing Platner as a working class candidate, while dismissing the revelations as politics of personal destruction. Both Khanna and Sanders support the US-NATO war against Russia in Ukraine, a campaign waged in alliance with fascist units such as the Azov Battalion inside the Zelensky government. Their defense of Platnera US veteran flaunting Nazi imageryis fully consistent with their imperialist politics.

Joining this reactionary phalanx is the United Auto Workers bureaucracy, which formally endorsed Platners Senate campaign last week. In the press release, UAW President Shawn Fain proclaimed Platner has chosen to stand with the working class.

Fains praise for Platners supposed stand with the working class is a fraud. The UAW apparatus, which suppresses strikes and collaborates with management, is itself a key component of the nationalist structure that defends capitalist property relations and US imperialism.
U.S Marines next to members of the California National Guard outside of a federal building, Friday, June 13, 2025, in Los Angeles [AP Photo/Noah Berger]

California Governor Gavin Newsoms announcement Monday that the California National Guard will be mobilized to assist food banks across the state has been widely presented by the media as a compassionate and pragmatic response to the worsening fallout from the federal government shutdown.

The deployment, Newsom said, is necessary to address an urgent situation caused by the shutdowns interruption of federal assistance programs, particularly the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food benefits to roughly 5.5 million Californians. This is serious, this is urgentand requires immediate action, Newsom declared, pledging $80 million in state funds to supplement food-bank operations and offset delayed federal payments.

What Newsom calls an extraordinary measure is in fact a damning indictment of capitalist society. Workers who produce societys wealth are unable to afford basic nutrition, while the state mobilizes troops to distribute food rations like in a war zone. The federal shutdown itself, an act of deliberate economic sabotage carried out by a far-right Congress and a White House consumed by factional warfare, is only the immediate trigger for a crisis decades in the making.

California, often touted as a beacon of progressivism, is a state of staggering inequality. Silicon Valley billionaires amass fortunes measured in hundreds of billions while 5 million residents rely on food stamps and hundreds of thousands are homeless. In this context, Newsoms humanitarian deployment of the National Guard is a political maneuver designed to conceal the failure of capitalism under the banner of compassion.

Newsom was careful to frame the deployment as purely humanitarian, stressing that it would involve only logistical support for food distribution and that this is not a law enforcement action. He contrasted his move with President Donald Trumps call to deploy National Guard troops in San Francisco under the pretext of fighting crime. Trumps failure isnt abstractits literally taking food out of peoples mouths, Newsom said, positioning his own administration as the responsible alternative to Trumps brutality and incompetence.

Such humanitarian missions are not new. For decades, US imperialism has cloaked military aggression abroad in the language of aid and protection, from Iraq and Yugoslavia to Afghanistan, Sudan, Somalia, and Yemen, leaving behind shattered societies. The same ideological deception is now deployed domestically: under the pretext of helping the poor, the state conditions the public to see soldiers as saviors, while food distribution becomes a propaganda exercise to legitimize militarization.

The California Guards involvement, he reminded the public, is not unprecedented: during the COVID-19 pandemic, soldiers were similarly mobilized to distribute food and medical supplies. Yet the latest call-up marks a qualitative deepening of the trend to use the military as a stand-in for a collapsing civil infrastructure, in the context of Trumps drive toward military dictatorship.

The underlying issue is not simply that millions of people rely on food assistance, but that hunger on this scale exists in the richest state of the richest country on earth. Food banks are overwhelmed even in normal times. The shutdown, which has halted or delayed funding for vital programs from SNAP to WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), has turned chronic poverty into acute emergency.

The National Guards current humanitarian deployment is a dangerous precedent. Once in motion, such forces can be swiftly turned toward repression. Troops who distribute food today can be used tomorrow to quell demonstrations over hunger, layoffs, or unpaid benefits.

This danger is not theoretical: Guardsmen have already been deployed against protesters in Minnesota after George Floyds murder, at the U.S. Capitol, and along the southern border. Federal statutes such as the Insurrection Act grant presidents vast powers to federalize Guard units. The groundwork is being laid for the open use of the military against the working class on a national scale.

The deepening political crisis in Washington has brought relations between state and federal authorities to the breaking point. The ongoing government shutdown, now in its fourth week, reflects not mere dysfunction but a ruling class in disarray, terrorized by a rising wave of working class opposition and consumed by internal conflict. Trump, whose administration recently staged a reckless display of militarism at Camp Pendleton that nearly caused civilian casualties, is openly working to establish a personalist dictatorship based on the armed forces and police.

Trump has already sought to seize direct control of the California National Guard. Last June, US District Judge Charles R. Breyer ruled his attempted takeover from Governor Gavin Newsom illegal and unconstitutional. Yet Trump continues to press for expanded presidential authority over state military forces, preparing the legal and political framework for future interventions under the banner of national security or domestic disorder.

Newsom and other Democratic officials present themselves as defenders of democracy, but their opposition to Trump is entirely within the framework of defending capitalist rule. The clash between state and federal authorities recalls the tensions of the Civil War era, however there is no progressive constituency among them: both sides represent the same oligarchic interests.

The use of the National Guard for hunger relief exposes the moral and political bankruptcy of American capitalism. A society that requires soldiers to distribute food is one in advanced decay.

After decades of enriching the financial aristocracy, the ruling class now confronts a population increasingly unable to survive within the existing system.

The crisis is not a temporary failure of funding or administration but a product of the capitalist system itself, which subordinates every human need to private profit. The same state that claims it cannot feed the hungry spends trillions on war and props up a handful of tech billionaires whose wealth dwarfs the states token $80 million allocation for food aid.

Neither the Democrats nor the Republicans offer a solution. Both defend the profit system and the privileges of the oligarchy. The working class must reject this false humanitarianism and build its own independent organizations, rank-and-file committees that take democratic control of production and distribution. Food, housing, healthcare and education are social rights that must be guaranteed, not rationed by the military.

The resources to end hunger exist but are monopolized by a parasitic elite. A socialist program would expropriate their wealth, place major industries and banks under public ownership, and reorganize the economy to meet social needs, not corporate profit.
Home sales picked up last month as lower mortgage rates and higher inventory brought some buyers off the sidelines.

Existing home sales rose 1.5% in September to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.06 million, the highest level since February, according to National Association of Realtors data released Thursday. Year over year, theyre up 4.1%.

Homes that sold in September usually went under contract a month or two earlier. During that period, mortgage rates dropped from around 6.7% to around 6.3%. Current lower rates may bode well for the future of the market, which remains slow by historical standards.

Learn more: How do historical mortgage rates compare to today's rates?

Certainly mortgage rates could potentially help provide more stimulus for homebuying activity, but at the same time, we have a government shutdown which is causing a little friction, said Lawrence Yun, chief economist at the National Association of Realtors.

Inventory continued to climb, giving buyers more to choose from. There were 1.55 million homes for sale in September, up 14% from a year earlier and 1.3% from August.

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Many of the recent gains have come from sales at the higher end of the market as wealthier Americans continue to benefit from stock market gains. Sales of homes over $1 million jumped 20% from a year earlier, followed by the $750,000 to $999,999 category, which rose 14.4%.

Gains were slower at lower price points. First-time homebuyers, who frequently purchase lower-priced homes, made up 30% of sales in September, up slightly from recent months but still far lower than historical averages, which are in the high 30% to low 40% range.

Thirty percent still implies that first-time buyers are struggling to get into the market, Yun said.

Learn more: How to buy a house as a first-time homebuyer in 2025

Claire Boston is a Senior Reporter for Yahoo Finance covering housing, mortgages, and home insurance.

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By Guy Faulconbridge, Alexander Ershov and Vladimir Soldatkin

MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russia, the world's second largest oil exporter, is weighing how to respond to U.S. sanctions on top oil firms Rosneft and Lukoil and the prospect of lower sales to its biggest buyer, India.

President Vladimir Putin, who sent troops into Ukraine in 2022, has been in discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump for months about a possible way to end the war but with no breakthrough so far.

WHAT DID THE U.S. DO?

The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on October 22 imposed sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil and a number of their subsidiaries as it called on Moscow to immediately agree to a ceasefire.

The two firms account for around a half of Russia's oil production and more than 5% of global crude output.

In January, the U.S. Treasury declared sanctions against the Russian energy sector, including oil majors Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegaz, but the measures did not significantly interrupt Russian oil exports.

The U.S. has already introduced sanctions against the so-called shadow fleet which handles Russia's oil exports, while some lawmakers have sought still tougher measures.

Those sanctions target more than 180 vessels and dozens of oil traders, oilfield service providers, insurance companies and energy officials.

WHAT DID INDIA DO?

Indian refiners including top buyer Reliance Industries plan to reduce or halt its Russian oil imports, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

India has come under increased U.S. pressure to curb its purchases amid trade talks with Washington.

It bought 1.9 million barrels per day (bpd) in the first nine months of 2025, or 40% of Russia's total exports, according to the International Energy Agency.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR RUSSIA?

Increased sanctions are likely to force Russia to offer deeper discounts to buyers to sustain its exports.

Oil and gas revenue accounts for up to a quarter of Russia's budget and is the most important source of cash for Moscow's military campaign in Ukraine, now in its fourth year.

But these mineral extraction taxes are paid at the oilfield, so sanctions will only hit the budget if Russia is forced to cut production.

HOW COULD RUSSIA RESPOND?

The Kremlin earlier this month pushed back against Trump's warning that the Russian economy was going to collapse, saying that Russia had considerable reserves and was strong enough to allow Putin to achieve his goals.

Halting its crude exports is one option but that would hurt allies such as China and achieve the result that the West seeks - a slash to Moscow's revenue and its war coffers.
MOSCOW (Reuters) -The United States has imposed sanctions on Russia's largest oil companies, Lukoil and Rosneft, in Washington's toughest measures on Russian business since the start of the war in Ukraine.

Here are some details about the two companies, which together account for around half of Russia's oil output:

ROSNEFT

* The company is led by Igor Sechin, a longtime ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

* It produced some 3.7 million barrels per day (bpd) of oil and gas condensate in 2024, accounting for about 3.3% of global oil output, and earned 1.08 trillion roubles ($13.28 billion).

* Rosneft's refining volumes in Russia were 82.6 million tons in 2024.

* Last year it signed a 10-year deal with Indian refiner Reliance, which operates one of the world's largest refining complexes, to supply nearly 500,000 bpd of crude.

* It also owns a 49% stake in Indian refiner Nayara, whose 400,000 bpd Vadinar refinery relies exclusively on Russian oil. The refiner is subject to European Union and British sanctions, which have caused it to reduce its operating rates.

* Rosneft's German assets, including stakes in the Schwedt, MiRo and Bayernoil refineries, were put under government trusteeship in September 2022 in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

LUKOIL

* Lukoil is Russia's second-largest oil producer and accounts for around 2% of global output.

* It produced about 1.61 million bpd of oil and gas condensate in Russia last year and earned 848.5 billion roubles.

* Its refining volumes in Russia totalled 54.3 million tons.

* Lukoil also holds a 75% stake in Iraq's West Qurna 2 oilfield, one of the world's largest.

* The oilfield's output topped 480,000 bpd in April, Russia's Interfax news agency reported.

* Lukoil supplies oil to Hungary and Slovakia, as well as to Turkey's STAR refinery owned by Azerbaijan's SOCAR, which depends heavily on Russian crude.

* It owns the 190,000 bpd Lukoil Neftohim Burgas refinery in Bulgaria, the largest in the Balkans, as well as the Petrotel oil refinery in Romania.

* The company also has stakes in oil terminals as well as retail fuel chains in Europe and has various upstream and downstream projects in Central Asia, Africa and Latin America.

($1 = 81.3000 roubles)

(Reporting by Reuters; editing by Guy Faulconbridge and Jason Neely)
Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards 2025 Finalists

a grid of four wildlife images

The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards have announced the finalists of the 2025 competition. The shortlist includes 40 standalone images, 3 portfolio entries and 10 videos, each capturing laughable moments with wildlife. This year's contest received just under 10,000 entries, a record number, with submissions coming from 108 countries.

The finalist images will be judged by a panel over the next few weeks, and the Overall Winner, Category Winners, and Highly Commended Winners will be announced on Tuesday, December 9, at an Awards Night in London. The contest highlights work in nine categories: mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, aquatic species, insects, young photographers (up to 25 years), juniors (up to 16 years), portfolio and video. The competition offers a grand prize of a one-week safari with Alex Walker's Serian in the Masai Mara. Other prizes for the contest, of which Nikon is a partner, include a Z6III, Z50II and Nikon ZR, plus bags from ThinkTank.

The Comedy Wildlife Awards, co-founded by professional photographers Paul Joynson MBE and Tom Sullam, have been running since 2015. The pair started the contest to fuse wildlife photography and humor to help promote the conservation of wildlife and habitats. Entires are not allowed to use AI or digital manipulation; instead, they must find authentic moments of silliness in the wild.

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Each year the competition supports a sustainable conservation organization. This year's organization is the Whitely Fund for Nature (WFN), a UK charity that supports conservationists working in their home countries in the Global South. The organization has provided 24 million to 220 conservation leaders in 80 countries over the past 30 years.

You can see all of the finalist photos and videos and learn more about the contest at the Comedy Wildlife Awards website.

Now which direction is my nest?

Grass blows over the face of a white bird with wings spread

Photographer: Alison Tuck. (UK)

Title: Now which direction is my nest?

Location of photo: Bempton Cliffs, Yorkshire, UK

Animal: Gannet

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Description: A windy day on Bempton Cliffs during the nesting season.

The Shoulders of Giants

a brown frog stands on top of another frog to see to the rim while inside a brown circular structure

Photographer: Andrew Mortimer (Australia)

Title: The Shoulders of Giants

Location of photo: Leonora, Australia

Animal: Frog

Description: If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giant [frog] s. In a bore casing on a minesite tenement around 2 hours drive from Leonora, there lives a colony of frogs. Slightly too short to see over the PVC casing, they make do wherever they can.

Welcome to Zen Lemur Yoga Course!

two lemurs sit on a rock with arms outsretched while looking at each other

Photographer: Andrey Giljov (Russian Federation)

Title: Welcome to Zen Lemur Yoga Course!

Location of photo: Anja Community Reserve, Madagascar

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Animal: Ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta)

Description: Instructor Lemur demonstrates perfect enthusiasm, reaching high to embrace the universe. Student Lemur contemplates whether enlightenment is worth this much effort before breakfast. Flexibility? Optional. Dramatic flair? Mandatory.

Go away

a brown eagle with yellow beak has a look of surprise while partiall submerged in snow

Photographer: Annette Kirby. (Australia)

Title: Go away

Location of photo: Hokkaido Japan

Animal: White Tailed Sea Eagle

Description: "In February 2025 I flew from my home in South Australia where the summer temperatures ranged from mid 20s to mid-40 degrees Celsius to the island of Hokkadia in Japan, where temperatures were minus degrees, the coldest day being minus 18 Celsius.

I experienced a winter wonderland so vastly different from my arid hot home environment. A highlight was visiting Rausa on the Shirenhoka Peninsula and Nemuro Straits, where the Stellers Sea Eagle gather in the winter to fish from drift ice. With fewer than 5000 left in the world they are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Natures Red List of threatened species. The female can weigh up to 9.5kg, making it the heaviest eagle in the world. Their wingspan, up to 2.5 metres is of the largest of any living eagle. In Japan they are protected and classified as a national treasure.

They indeed are a national treasure and so entertaining to watch and photograph as they fight to protect their catch. A favourite place for them to perch is on the sea wall protecting the fishing fleet at Rausa. They wait watching the boats come into the harbour hoping for a free feed of fish. I captured this photo of the Stellers Sea Eagle as it sat in a deep hole in the snow. It had a fish and had flown on the sea wall and found a hole in the deep fresh snow. Other birds were flying above and as they came closer, I captured the look it gave them. There was no way it was parting with its catch. As it had made its intentions clear to other competitors, it stayed alert but managed to enjoy its catch.

Territorial Defence Operation

a seagull sends a stream of white guano down while flyng over an eagle sitting on a rock

Photographer: Antoine Rezer. (France)

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Title: Territorial Defence Operation

Location of photo: Iceland

Animal: White tailed eagle and goeland

Description: After five weeks in north-eastern Greenland on a scientific mission, I am slowly getting back in touch with human civilisation by spending a week in Iceland.

Driving along the edge of a fjord in north-western Iceland, I spot some gyrfalcons. I stop and watch them for a long time  there's a whole family! My eye is drawn to a larger bird of prey, a white-tailed eagle. Amazing! It lands after making it clear to the falcons that he's the boss.

I feast my eyes on the scene, as it's not every day that I get to witness something like this! When a seagull arrives, I imagine that the eagle will keep it at bay. I'm wrong! The gull's low-level flights follow one after another but are not enough. So the gull changes strategy and drops its bomb on the eagle! The eagle finally flies away, leaving the site to the gull. Motivation can be stronger than size!

I Just Can't Wait To Be King

a pride of lions sits on a rock with two females and a young cub holding their mouths open with eyes squinted

Photographer: Bret Saalwaechter. (USA)

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Title: I Just Can't Wait To Be King

Location of photo: Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Animal: Lion

Description: Ive always been fascinated by the complex social lives of lions, and theres no better place to observe them than Tanzanias Serengeti National Park. I captured this image in September 2024, during the dry season, when dwindling food and water can heighten family tensions. One morning near the Semetu Kopjes, we found a pride locked in a lively standoff - hungry cubs clamoring for milk, mothers giving in briefly before retreating in exhaustion. Life in the dry season is no picniclions are anxiously waiting for the Great Migration and the feast it promisesbut it makes for some incredible wildlife behavior and these cubs were the stars of the show. For over an hour, they followed their mother around a famous Serengeti kopjethose iconic rocky outcrops that dot the landscapealternating between trying to suckle and play. Each time the mother, already in a foul mood from the sweltering heat, would give a quick roar of disapproval and escape the circus. But the cubs, like any persistent little ones, would chase her down, nipping at her and yelping for more attention. This back-and-forth drama played out again and again Roaring in protest, the lionesses leapt onto the kopje for a moments peace, only to be followed by their relentless offspring. As the chaos peaked, the entire pride erupted in a chorus of roars and wails, giving me the perfect instant to press the shutter.

Bad Hair Day!

a wet squirrel peeks from a tree hole with fur covering its eye and one paw visible

Photographer: Christy Grinton. (Canada)

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Title: Bad Hair Day!

Location of photo: Beacon Hill Park, Victoria, British Columbia

Animal: Grey Squirrel

Description: For my image "Bad Hair Day" I was in a local park in downtown Victoria when I saw a grey blur run by. When I looked closer I saw a mother grey squirrel was relocating her babies to a new nest. The grass was dewy that morning so she was getting a wet tail as she ran through the grass. As she entered her new nest her tail was sticking out so when she turned around to leave, for a short second her head was covered by her wet tail. When I saw her it made me smile thinking I know that moment where you have just washed your hair and the doorbell goes! I also loved the textures and colours of the bark of the arbutus tree surrounding her and her "bad hair"

OMG he's at it again!

a crane stands looking at another crane making funny movements

Photographer: David Rice. (USA)

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Title: OMG he's at it again!

Location of photo: Kushiro Shitsugen National Park in East Hokkaido, Japan

Animal: Red-Crowned Crane

Description: Crazy morning antics of the Red-Crowned Cranes

Landing Gears Down

a bird with wings oustretched lands on a calm body of water

Photographer: Erkko Badermann. (Finland)

Title: Landing Gears Down

Location of photo: Finland

Animal: Red-throated Loon

Description: "This photograph came about as a hard-won victory of patience. I have been photographing Red-throated Loons for several years. I lie on the edge of a bond under a camouflage net and photograph their spring courtship displays from my hide. The ground is wet and cold. That morning, an unseasonable early-spring snowfall caught me by surprise, making photography almost impossible. Lying there on the cold shore of the bond, I found myself thinking there was no sense in being there. I was already about to leave. However, I decided to stay, and the snowfall faded into quiet, beautiful drifting flakes, and a thin mist rose from the surface of the lake.

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Another Red-throated Loon on the lake had turned white from the snowfall. From its behaviour I noticed that its mate was arriving at the lake, and I managed to get it in my cameras focus against the grey sky. I lost it for a moment, but caught it again just before it landed on the water.

The Red-throated Loon is quite a poor flier, and its landing is usually very wobbly: it seeks balance with its legs stretched backwards and then belly-lands to glide. I like to say they use the water as their runway. This time the bird came straight towards me and was so steady you might imagine it had taken flying lessons.

The photograph has travelled with me in my exhibitions, and it always elicits a chuckle from viewers. There is something funny about it. I thought it would be perfect for this competition to bring joy to its viewers."

Hornbill In A Hurry

a hornbill with yellow bill pepares to fly away from a brown hawk flying in the distance

Photographer: Geoff Martin. (UK)

Title: Hornbill In A Hurry

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Location of photo: Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

Animal: Southern Yellow-Billed Hornbill

Description: I was in a hide in Zimanga, South Africa photographing white backed vultures or rather hoping to, when this southern yellow billed hornbill appeared and proceeded to position itself immediately in front of the hide obscuring any clear shots of the vultures. After several frustrating minutes a harris hawk came in rather quickly from the right coinciding with the hornbills departure. However, the hornbills expression appears to be one of sheer panic suggesting the hawk is eyeing the hornbill up for breakfast. Having both birds in the photo helps sell the story and increase the sense of urgency of the hornbill. Dont worry, the hornbill departed unscathed!

Baptism Of The Unwilling Convert

a green frog clings to another green frog while in the water

Photographer: Grayson Bell. (USA)

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Title: Baptism Of The Unwilling Convert

Location of photo: Biddeford, Maine USA

Animal: Green Frog

Description: One morning I was hanging out with my camera along the edge of a pond near our home. I noticed 2 frogs fighting and took a bunch of shots of them. This photo captures two male Green frogs, which are native to Maine. They usually have greenish-brown on their backs, with dusky bars on their hind legs and a lighter underside. Males may have a yellow throat, while females' are white. They make a throaty sound like a boink. In this photo, these two male frogs are jockeying for territory. They will engage in physical confrontations like wrestling to defend valuable habit that will attract females. I took several shots of them, but this one in particular amused me because it looked like one was trying to baptize the other against his will.

Peek a Boo

an elephant covers its eyes with its ears

Photographer: Henry Szwinto. (UK)

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Title: Peek a Boo

Location of photo: Sri Lanka

Animal: Asian Elephant

Description: A Sri Lankan Elephant playing peek a boo with his ears

Outdoor smoking zone

a duck stands on a fence with visible breath puffing from its mouth

Photographer: Lars Beygang. (Germany)

Title: Outdoor smoking zone

Location of photo: Neumarkt, Bavaria, Germany

Animal: Mallard duck

Description: During the spring months, I was commissioned to photograph the urban wildlife of a city near my hometown in Bavaria. After several early mornings by the pond, I decided to return once more to the same spot. It was a very cold morning, with temperatures low enough to make the breath visible. As the first rays of sunlight broke through from behind, I noticed a mallard perched on a fence, calling out into the air. I quickly pressed the shutter, hoping to capture the visible breath streaming from its beak. The scene made me smile - it looked as if the duck had just stepped outside for a quick smoke in the cold morning light.

Fonzies advertising

a lemur licks its fingers while holding onto a tree

Photographer: Liliana Luca. (Italy)

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Title: Fonzies advertising

Location of photo: Madagascar

Animal: Propithecus coronatus (Lemure)

Description: This moment happened after the tourists had left Nosy Komba (Madagascar). I stopped, letting the silence fall around me, and turned my attention to a group of crowned sifakas (Propithecus deckenii). It was then that he appeared, staring at me with wide, curious eyes, as if questioning my presence... or perhaps my clothing choices.

Then, with the grace of a stage actor and the timing of a comedian, he raised his hand, licked it thoughtfully, and then paused mid-gesture, as if he knew exactly what he was doing.

The photo immediately reminded me of that old snack commercial: "If you don't lick your fingers... you're only half enjoying it!" Ultimately, this is why I love nature photography so much: sometimes nature's sense of humor is better than our own; you just have to be ready to catch it.

High Five

a gorilla kicks up a leg while standing in a grassy field

Photographer: Mark Meth-Cohn. (UK)

Title: High Five

Location of photo: Rwanda

Animal: Gorilla

Description: This photograph was taken during a trip to Rwanda earlier this year, where we spent four unforgettable days trekking through the misty Virunga Mountains in search of the gorilla families that call them home. On this particular day, we came across a large family group gathered in a forest clearing, the adults were calmly foraging while the youngsters were enthusiastically playing. One young male was especially keen to show off his acrobatic flair; pirouetting, tumbling, and high kicking. Watching his performance was pure joy, and Im thrilled to have captured his playful spirit in this image.

Darling, please stop!

a male lion shakes water off sending droplets all over while sitting next to a female lion who squints her eyes

Photographer: Massimo Felici. (Italy)

Title: Darling, please stop!

Location of photo: Tanzania, Serengeti.

Animal: Lions

Description: During a photo safari in Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, we were following this pair of lions in love. Unfortunately, they were disturbed by a violent thunderstorm, which dampened their enthusiasm!

It created a cute scene with both of them shaking off the rain, but the male always prevailed due to his impressive mane!

The Choir

three lions sit close together with their mouths open like they are singing

Photographer: Meline Ellwanger. (USA)

Title: The Choir

Location of photo: Masai Mara

Animal: African Lion

Description: A hilariously lucky moment I caught of these three lions yawning at the same time.

Flamingone

a flamingo stands on a white sand beach with its had tucked out of sight

Photographer: Miles Astray. (Canada)

Title: Flamingone

Location of photo: Aruba

Animal: Flamingo

Description: Weve all seen a flamingo, but have you ever seen a flamingone? Only an AI could make that up. Or did I just make that up? With AI-generated content remodelling the digital landscape rapidly while sparking an ever-fiercer debate about its implications for the future of content, its creators, and its consumers, I entered F L A M I N G O N E into the AI category of the 1839 Awards. That oddball took home two awards, which were revoked when I revealed that the emphasis of this surreal creature is on real, as in real animal, real photograph. The idea was to prove that Mother Nature and her human interpreters can still beat the machine, and that creativity and emotion are more than just a string of digits. The picture shows a flamingo whose head is apparently missing, but I promise its there somewhere. In fact, the bird is just going about its morning routine at a Caribbean beach, head tucked beneath the torso to give the plumage a good cleaning. What seems like a headless flamingo, is really just this awkward yet iconic hero-creature scratching its belly, head tucked beneath the torsoa candid, lucky shot.

Hit the dance floor!

three foxes play in sand with on in the middle falling on its face

Photographer: Paula Rustemeier. (Germany)

Title: Hit the dance floor!

Location of photo: Netherlands

Animal: Red foxes (vulpes vulpes)

Description: This shot was taken quite at the beginning of my wildlife photography "journey". I always enjoyed nature, but usually only photographed my dog, until I observed foxes for an essay I wrote for biology lessons in school and decided I want to try to photograph and learn even more about foxes.

The photo was taken in a nature reserve. They don't get hunted there and therefore are seen during the day as well. Something I found true with all areas with low hunting pressure that I've been to so far.

I'm not the biggest fan of camouflaging. While I do use it occasionally, the best way I have found to photograph them, especially young ones, is just being present. If you put in the time, I found that the foxes usually get either curious or see you as something natural, not dangerous. Either way, they come close eventually. I had several foxes nipping at my shoes already like this, as well as foxes catching mice just a couple meters away from me!

This was my tactic with these foxes too. Like this, I could follow and document them for several months while they grew up. Their den lied in a sandy valley. Sometimes I found one or two sleeping in that area during the day, but when dawn set, they met up at this spot, got really active and often played a lot together, just like in the image.

The time with them taught me a lot about their social behavior. I saw them fight, hunt, sleep, groom - and of course play, which is always my favorite to watch! You really have to giggle a lot watching foxes play with their quirky personalities.

Since then, I had been photographing and following fox cubs every spring/summer and had much more amazing encounters with foxes and also other wildlife. :)

Squirrel airborne: surrender mode

a red squirrel flies through the air

Photographer: Stefan Cruysberghs. (Belgium)

Title: Squirrel airborne: surrender mode

Location of photo: Belgium - Diest

Animal: Red squirrel

Description: A few years ago, a simple wooden hide was available for rent in a forest near my home, known for its lively red squirrel population. I had visited the spot several times before, and eventually began experimenting with capturing squirrels mid-jump. This resulted in countless blurry shots, but also a few fun and quirky momentsincluding the one I submitted. Sadly, the forest has since been cut down due to an infestation of bark beetles, but I still cherish the images I captured of these agile and comical little acrobats. I thought this flying squirrel looks like its throwing in the towel mid-airarms wide, total surrender!

Smile, you're being photographed

a bear shows its teeth while holding food in its paws

Photographer: Valtteri Mulkahainen. (Finland)

Title: Smile, you're being photographed

Location of photo: Martinselkonen village, Suomussalmi district. Finland

Animal: Brown bear

Description: When I was photographing bears, this one year old bear cub saw it and started smiling at me. Apparently he had already had to pose in front of photographers.

Headlock

a black and white bird puts the head of another bird in its beak

Photographer: Warren Price. (UK)

Title: Headlock

Location of photo: Hornya, Norway

Animal: Bridled Guillemots

Description: These guillemots were nesting on a small rocky cliff ledge where space was at a premium. The nests all crammed in close together which isnt a good recipe for being good neighbours, as guillemots are fiercely territorial. Aggression and battles are frequent over nesting space and I captured this image of this bemused looking bridled guillemot, its head firmly clamped in his/her neighbours beak. I liked the way the guillemot was looking directly into my lens, its white eye-liner eyes highlighting its predicament! Sometimes you just want to bite your neighbours head off..literally !




Artist Hew Locke, whose vibrant mixed media work in on exhibit in "Hew Locke: Passages" at the Yale Center for British Art, might not make visitors draw comparisons to "The Simpson's" creator Matt Groening.

But during an Oct. 8 press preview of an exhibit that showcases his colorful, bustling works, Locke said he kept Groening's belief about the power of the recognizable silhouette in mind in creating his own images. The silhouettes of two British queens, Elizabeth II and Victoria, are frequent motifs in Locke's nearly 50 works on view in the exhibit, which runs through Jan. 11. But the queens look far different in Locke's treatment than they do on British currency.

Hew Lock at the Yale Center for British Art, which is holding a major retrospective exhibition of his work in "Hew Locke: Passages." This exhibition is intended to provide a comprehensive look at Locke's career, showcasing his use of diverse media including drawing, sculpture, and photography to explore themes of colonialism and postcolonial power. (Tracey O'Shaughnessy /Hearst Connecticut Media)





Locke's vibrant works - iridescent send-ups of the British Royal Coat of Arms, hanging sculptures of boats and photographs of himself garnished in successive layers of flowers, toy guns, fabric and ropes of pearls and gold - are intended to skewer the visual emblems of power, greed, the commercial trade of people and the fugitive nature of wealth, curators said.

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"Locke's use of ornament is central, insistent and unrelenting," Martina Droth, curator of the center, writes in the exhibit catalog. "Rather than augmenting the work, it is the crux of the work itself: both figure and ground, overlay and form, like a growth that cannot be separated from its carrier....The work revolves around the stunning paradox that the highest forms of cultural ornament have historically served to bolster the most brutal acts of violence."

The Yale Center for British Art recently acquired this Hew Locke piece "Ambassador #4" for its collection. (Courtesy of Yale Center for British Art)





Locke's "Ambassador" series, comprising four Black figures on horseback, turns traditional equestrian imagery upside down; the sculptures look less like conquering heroes than they do Jacob Marley on horseback, weighed down by plundered artifacts, animal skins, slave pennies, chains of pearl, gold, pistols, fabric and ceramic skulls. The artist's use of what he calls "sequestered waste," simultaneously implicates colonial powers for domination and subjugation and impugns the dime-store tripe has been the residual product of global trade, said Droth.

"When you're invading a country or taking over a civilization...you definitely want plenty." Locke told The Guardian earlier this year. "You want all the gold you can grab. You're not really concerned about what this means, culturally or whatever."

Hew Locke's "Guyana House Boat 4" (2018) is on display at the Yale Center for British Art in New Haven. (Courtesy of Yale Center for British Art)





Elizabeth II's profile is evident in his piece "Koh-i-nor," which is composed of artichoke-green plastic, crimson lady bugs, pewter plastic daggers and rope upon rope of chains, garlands and plastic flowers. Britain's longest-serving monarch is festooned with so much of the effluvia of commercialist culture - doll heads, prop swords and rope upon rope of chains and garlands- that it's difficult to parse what's royal from what's just kitschy.

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That, of course, is Locke's point, curators said.

"He is constantly questioning, subverting and thinking about these visual cues of imperialism and symbols of power that are hidden in plain sight," said Lucinda Lax, curator of paintings and sculpture at the museum. "He is pointing out the absurdity of all of this and the hideous reality at the same time."

An image of artist Hew Locke with "The Procession." (Michael Ipsen/Courtesy of the Yale Center for British Art)





Born in Edinburgh in 1959, Locke left Britain for Guyana in 1966, just as it was gaining its independence from Britain. He returned to the United Kingdom in 1980 to study art. The tumult of his early years, often funneled through the green, white, gold, red and black of Guyana's flag, slather these mixed media works in what Droth calls a "visual profusion." "Ornament provides the imprimatur of imperial acquisition; conquests of people, seizure of land, theft of resources," she wrote. "Far from being separate from Locke's conceptual investigation of imperialism, ornament is central to the expression of its violent legacies."

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In Locke's "Veni, Vidi, Vinci," the artist transforms the British Coat of Arms into a ghoulish tapestry of cut-up spearmint plastic, some of it sculpted into frowning or hooded faces, then encrusts it with looping sapphire glitter, tongues of blood-red string and cantaloupe-colored yarn that droops and drips off the bottom of the sculpture like drool. The pendant unicorn and roaring horse remain, but Locke has replaced the central heraldic panel with a red-eyed skull.

Visitors examine works from Hew Locke's "Ambassadors" series at the Yale Center for British Art. (Michael Ipsen/Courtesy of Yale Center for British Art)





"This is about a document in Britain that gives access to a whole walk of people, which other people desire," said Locke at the Oct. 8 press preview, referencing emblem's place on the British passport. "It's about having an object of desire, which people are dying to get, and which other people don't give a second thought."

Among his works are a hanging flotilla of mixed-media ships that greets visitors in the center's foyer. "I was constantly aware that we are a nation that has a history in trade," Locke told The Art Newspaper in 2019. "Guyana means land of many waters' and to get anywhere you had to travel by boat, so the maritime thing is in my DNA. It was a colonial society with a global outlook."

Hew Locke's "Veni, Vidi, Vici (The Queen's Coat of Arms)" from 2004, is made of textile, plastic, oil stick, artificial hair and plywood. It is on display at the Yale Center for British Art through January. (Richard Capsole/Courtesy of Yale Center for British Art)





That trade included the transport of people; the British brought Africans and Indians into Guyana to be enslaved in sugar plantations. If enslaved people weren't among the estimated 15% of enslaved Africans to die in the "Middle Passage," they were forced to plant, weed, slash and process sugar cane for hours in the hot sun, according to the National Museums Liverpool. It's the dual nature of the voyage and the subsequent treatment of the enslaved people that Locke lampoons and reproaches with feisty derision.

Hew Locke's "The Survivor" (2022) is on display at the Yale Center for British Art in New Haven. (Courtesy of Yale Center for British Art)





For curator Lax, Locke's "Ambassadors" serve as futuristic envoys, laden with messages from the past, overburdened with their swag. "To me, these figures are bringing messages...These horses are taking us into another kind of world, as if they are envoys from the past taking us into an unknown future. They are being weighed down by the symbols of power and wealth. Hew is critiquing the absurdity of it all," she said. "I see them as ghosts, really, as a prophetic intention."

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"Hew Locke: Passages" runs at the Yale Center for British Art in New Haven, through Jan. 11. For more information, visit britishart.yale.edu.

Correction: This story has been updated to correct the artist's name in the headline.

This article originally published at Artist Hew Locke brings his satirical exhibition to the Yale Center for British Art.
Welcome to The Scoop  the ultimate back-to-the-office water cooler cheat sheet, your go-to source for all things everyone really wants to know! Get the latest on everything from the political swamp maneuvering in D.C. and Hollywood drama to jaw-dropping small-town shenanigans from Paula Froelich. Subscribe to her newsletter here.

(NewsNation)  Congratulations are in order for Albanias Prince Leka.

The countrys crown prince has finally popped the question to his longtime girlfriend, photographer Blerta Celibashi.

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Meghan Markle, Prince Harry join call for AI superintelligence ban

The Prince popped the question in the Albanian Riviera town of Ksamil last week to his girlfriend of several years  and she accepted his proposal.

Crown Prince, Leka II of Albania and Elia Zaharia during the exchange of Rings at the Former Royal Palace of Tirana on October 08, 2016. (Photo by Luc Castel/GettyImages)

Prince Lekas second marriage

It will be Lekas second marriage and Celibashis first. The prince has one daughter with his first wife, actress Elia Zaharia.

Leka, an only child, has spoken in the past of his yearning for a large family with many children.

Netflix announces Kennedy family series led by Michael Fassbender

It was one of the reasons he and (Elia) divorced  she only wanted one child, my insider said. In the beginning, when (Leka and Elia) were dating, she told him she also wanted several children.  When they got married, she changed her tune immediately. It was one and done.

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Celibashi, whom Albanians describe as a wonderful stepmother, actually does want several children.

Mazel tov!

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Hollywood royalty gathered quietly in the heart of Spain this week as Stella Banderas, the daughter of actors Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith, wed her partner, Alex Gruszynski. The private ceremony took place at the centuries-old monastery of La Abadia de Retuerta in Valladolid. Banderas took to Instagram to share the happy news, posting sweet pictures of Stella to commemorate the event. The wedding of my daughter Stella has turned into a heartfelt family reunion, emotional, joyful, and full of laughter. Thank you to everyone who made this possible.

The intimate wedding, which has just been revealed via an exclusive feature in HOLA! magazine, remained true to the bride's desire for a personal celebration. The venue's setting provided the atmosphere for Stella to experience what the family called "one of the most meaningful days of her life."

A Family Reunion: Dakota Johnsons Role

The marriage provided a homecoming of sorts for Stella's famously complex and supportive family. Her parents were one of Hollywood's most visible couples throughout their nineteen-year marriage (1996 to 2015), often co-starring in films like Two Much and Banderas's directorial debut, Crazy in Alabama. Despite their divorce, the former spouses remained close and reunited to celebrate the union together.

A key figure at the ceremony was Stellas older half-sister, Dakota Johnson (Griffiths daughter with Don Johnson), who was confirmed to have served as a bridesmaid. Johnson, whose filmography spans the blockbuster Fifty Shades franchise to critically acclaimed dramas like Suspiria, The Peanut Butter Falcon, and The Lost Daughter, was present alongside her grandmother, legendary Hitchcock actress Tippi Hedren. The gathering of three generations of prominent Hollywood womenHedren, Griffith, and Johnsonunderscored the enduring family ties.

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Stellas father, Banderas, brought Spanish cinema to a global audience, starring in films like The Mask of Zorro and earning an Academy Award nomination for his critically acclaimed role in Pain and Glory. Griffith, Stella's mother, built her career on unforgettable performances, including her Golden Globe-winning work in Working Girl and the cult classic Something Wild.

The couple's choice of La Abadia de Retuerta was a tribute to Banderas's Spanish roots. The monastery provided a backdrop to the romantic ceremony. The exclusive details from HOLA! confirmed that the wedding blended elegance, spirituality, and the Spanish essence that has always defined the Malaga-born actors family. Stella Banderas and Alex Gruszynski exchanged vows in a setting that quietly honored their past while celebrating a shared future.

This story was originally reported by Parade on Oct 22, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
NEED TO KNOW

Bella Hadid shares a birthday recap roughly two weeks after her 29th birthday

The model posted a rare look at life with her boyfriend, equestrian Adan Banuelos

Ahead of her celebratory post, she walked the 2025 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in New York City on Oct. 15

Bella Hadid is basking in birthday bliss.

On Wednesday, Oct. 22, the model posted an Instagram carousel of snaps from the festivities for her 29th birthday, which was on Oct. 9.

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In the round-up, her boyfriend Adan Banuelos made a sweet cameo smiling while carrying two red balloons as he walked toward the camera in a blurry snapshot taken in a bar.

Birthday week Flying straight from this kind of Love into the VS show two years in a row . Makes me feel so grateful for my Texas family and loved ones thankful to God for these moments. you make me feel so so loved even when were showing.  Lucky  Girl  29 , she captioned the post.

Her first photo showed her sitting alone at a bar, flashing a slight smile as she looked at a birthday cake topped with 29 candles placed atop a cake stand.

A party hat, a present and another red balloon was also seen in the shot.

Kevin Mazur/Getty Adan Banuelos and Bella Hadid on September 12, 2024 in New York City Adan Banuelos and Bella Hadid on September 12, 2024 in New York City

Hadid has been dating the equestrian since October 2023. Many of her birthday pictures featured horses, whether at competitions or on a ranch watching them run.

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One of her photos was taken in the style of a birds-eye-view, looking down at her legs. A mans hand was wrapped around her waist, and rested next to her hands, which revealed freshly manicured red nails.

Another image showed a photo of two people resting their feet on an outdoor fire pit, overlooking a river.

Hadid and Banuelos first met at a horse show after she relocated to Texas, she told British Vogue in a June interview.

I saw him walk in and it was like a gust of fresh air," she told the publication. "So he basically came in, walked into the exhibit hall, which is where we do all of the show stuff. I was getting a cowboy hat fitted. I just saw him and I was like thats the... I always wanted the cowboy."

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Hadid said Banuelos was unfamiliar with who she was, calling it an added bonus.

For me, that was such a breath of fresh air, she said.

In April, she described Banuelos to Allure as her "partner" and an incredible older businessman" as shes taken a step back from modeling in recent years.

Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Bella Hadid in the 2025 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Bella Hadid in the 2025 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

Hadid returned to the runway for the 2025 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in New York City on Oct. 15, despite being hospitalized while suffering from Lyme disease in September.

"Ok, we're not going to pretend these wings weren't 50 pounds but how beautiful," the model disclosed on her Instagram Stories after the show.

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.

Hadid's looks for the night included a lace lingerie piece dripping in silver fringe and a red hot satin bra with a matching garter and underwear, along with a floor-sweeping robe.

Happy birthday angel, the Victorias Secret Instagram account commented on Hadids birthday carousel on Wednesday, adding an angel wing emoji.



Read the original article on People
What can be more super than meeting Superman?

Brandon Routh, star of 2006s Superman Returns, will appear at the Cincinnati Comic Expo. Fans can also meet other actors who have portrayed Superman at the celebrity-filled expo, as well as supporting characters such as Lois Lane and Lex Luthor.

Routh was born in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1979, and grew up in Norwalk. The son of Catherine (Lear), a teacher, and Ronald Routh, a carpenter, Brandon is of English, Scottish and German descent. He attended the University of Iowa, acted in several Norwalk Theater of Performing Arts productions, and landed his first professional acting role in 1999 with a guest appearance in ABCs Odd Man Out.

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He is most famous for his role as Superman and is also well-known for playing Ray Palmer and The Atom in DC's Legends of Tomorrow (2016-2021) and other Arrowverse shows.

Routh was married to actress Courtney Ford from 2007 until this year. Although now separated, they remain friends and co-parent their 13-year-old son, Leo James Routh. We spoke with Routh to discuss his career, experiences and perspectives.

Some quotes have been edited and condensed for length and clarity.

Brandon Routh stars as Superman in Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures action adventure, Superman Returns.

Question: Were you a fan of Superman growing up?

Routh: I was a fan of the Superman movies specifically. I didnt have exposure to many comics. My friend group was in Iowa, and we werent into collecting comics.

What was your major at the University of Iowa?

I was an English major. They have an incredible writing program there. At the time, I wanted to be a writer and go into writing fiction. Thats where my geekdom was and kind of remains. But then, one thing kind of led to another as far as just looking into modeling and acting locally to make a few bucks as a college student, and I ended up in Los Angeles.

How did you land the role of Ray Palmer in the Arrowverse?

I had a meeting with Marc Guggenheim and Andrew Kreisberg over at Warner Brothers, and they talked to me about this new character that they were bringing into "Arrow." And they wanted him to be kind of a love interest and also bring a lot of levity and lightness, be very humorous in what can sometimes be a very dark show. So, I was excited about that opportunity.

Brandon Routh is coming to the Cincinnati Comic Expo.

Did you realize that the guest appearance on "Arrow" would lead to a full-time role on Legends"?

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No, I didnt know it was going to be such a cool team-up show that we got to be a part of. I thought after a couple of episodes of "Arrow," and that going well, and really loving what I was doing as the character, I started to think and dream that maybe there could be an Atom show. I was very excited when they decided to combine all of us and have us be part of such a fun, a little bit ridiculous, but very heartfelt show in Legends of Tomorrow.

What was it like working with your now ex-wife, Courtney, on Legends?

Courtney is lovely. It is fantastic to work with Courtney. She is an excellent actor. And some of my best work has been in scenes with her over the years. It was great to have her as Nora Darhk.

You reprised the role of Superman from Earth-96 in the Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover series. How did it feel to put that costume back on?

It was amazing. As the years went by, I didnt think it was going to be as possible. There are so many people who are excited to have me back in some capacity as Superman. It has been a joy to meet them in the years since. Even though it was not a lot of screentime on Crisis on Infinite Earths, I did get to do some fun stuff in there.

Brandon Routh as Ray Palmer on CW's "Arrow."

What does your son, Leo, think about you portraying Superman and the Atom?

I think its a lot for a kid to wrap their mind around. But as he gets older, he understands and appreciates it more. I think that he likes me as Atom more than Superman a little bit. But his favorite superhero historically has been Spider-Man, which I cant blame him for. Its kind of weird to have your dad be that close to the thing. But hes proud of me and thinks its cool.

Is your personality more Ray Palmer than Superman?

Definitely more than Superman. Ray Palmer is a lot of Brandon, some hints of Clark for sure. There is a little bit of Superman transference that happens when he is in the Atom suit. But Ray, his childish nature is one of the things that I like the most, and his sense of joy and possibility. I like to think that a lot of that comes from me.

Is it easier for you to be Ray because everyone knows who he is, and Superman has to maintain his secret identity?

Its a lot of responsibility that Superman walks around with. He cant always crack jokes when you have to be ready to save the world all the time.

Brandon Routh was born Oct. 9, 1979.

I saw on your IMDB page that you are in two projects in production, A Keller Christmas Vacation and Fate. Do you want to tell the fans a little bit about them?

Im happy to talk about A Keller Christmas. Its coming out on Nov. 9 on the Hallmark Channel. Its a family Christmas movie. A lot of fun, very comedic movie. Some hijinks and silliness happen. A little bit of a love story. But its more family comedy adventure than it is romance. It was fun to do. Also, Ick is out now and available on video on demand, Apple and Amazon stores.

Do you have a closing message for the Cincinnati fans who will attend the Cincinnati Comic Expo?

I love to meet the fans, and it is really awesome to hear what the characters have meant to people. As actors, sometimes we very much live in a bubble. You dont know, am I just acting this scene and sending it out into the universe, and is that worth anything to anybody? And to go to the conventions, and to hear from everyone that the characters, and the stories, and the energy that I bring to the characters have been motivational, inspirational or just a light to them in some way in what can be a challenging world, is really powerful. So, I am happy to hear that from people. And I know some people get nervous when they come up because they dont know what to expect. I would hope that they can have a calm, wonderful time. Take deep breaths and enjoy the experience of saying hi.

Cincinnati Comic Expo

Where: Sharonville Convention Center, 11355 Chester Road.

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When: 3-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26.

Admission: Friday passes cost $30 each, Saturday passes cost $40, Sunday passes cost $35, and weekend passes cost $80. Children 10 and under are free.

Information: cincinnaticomicexpo.com.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Comic Expo 2025 is all about Superman. What he had to say
Rider Strong is celebrating over a decade of love and family.

The Boy Meets World alum marked his wedding anniversary with wife Alexandra Barreto by sharing a heartfelt (and humorous) Instagram post about how far theyve come.

When youre young and in love, you build a fire on the beach and wait for the stars. Twelve years later, you build the same fire  and debate how many hot dogs your kid can eat. Happy anniversary @barretoalex, he wrote alongside sweet photos of their family.

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Strong and Barreto tied the knot in 2013 after several years of dating. Looking back on the romantic proposal, Strong told Us Weekly that he popped the question in Northern California, where he grew up.

I took her for a walk under the redwoods on the property where I grew up, he recalled. It was pouring rain, but it didnt look like it was going to stop anytime soon, so I just decided to go for it.

The actor even handcrafted the engagement ring himself. I spent weeks making the ring in secret, Strong said to the publication.

I found an old-school jeweler who works out of his basement in Echo Park and asked him to teach me how to do a lost wax casting.

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With help from his brother, Shiloh Strong, the actor designed the ring in white gold and placed it in a custom wooden box made by his father  the same man who made his mothers wedding ring. I was following in his footsteps, he added.

The couple said I do on October 20, 2013, in Oregon. Right before the wedding, Strong spoke to E! News about his bride and even spilled some details about the event.

Im incredibly lucky to be getting married to my best friend and partner in crime, he said. Were tying the knot at a summer camp in Oregon Its going to be a camp-themed weekend with everyone sleeping in bunks, a ropes course, games, a talent show  lets hope it doesnt rain too much.

Now, years later, Strong and Barreto are still going strong  with their son and family life front and center in their love story. The couple shares one child together, son Indigo Indy Barreto Strong, who was born in December 2014.
The Federal Reserve (Fed) has unveiled plans to grant stablecoin issuers and fintech companies direct access to its payment infrastructure without requiring partnerships with traditional banks.

Fed Governor Christopher Waller announced the proposal during the central banks inaugural Payments Innovation Conference on October 21, introducing what he termed payment accounts or skinny master accounts for legally eligible institutions.

The move represents a major policy reversal from the Feds historically cautious stance toward crypto companies, several of which have spent years fighting for banking access.

Companies like Custodia Bank and Kraken, which have pursued Fed master accounts through lengthy legal battles, could benefit immediately from the streamlined approval process.

Governor Waller, during the Opening remarks at the payment innovation conference | Source: Federal Reserve

Streamlined Fed Accounts Target Stablecoin and Fintech Providers

The proposed payment accounts would provide direct connections to Federal Reserve payment rails while maintaining risk controls absent from full master accounts.

This payment account concept would be targeted to provide basic Federal Reserve payment services to legally eligible institutions that right now conduct payment services primarily through a third-party bank, Waller stated in his opening remarks.

Institutions receiving these accounts would face specific operational restrictions designed to limit Fed balance sheet exposure.

Additionally, the accounts would not earn interest on deposited balances, and they might carry mandatory balance caps to control their size.

Participants would lose access to daylight overdraft privileges, meaning transactions would be rejected once account balances reach zero.

The accounts would also exclude discount window borrowing and certain Fed payment services where the central bank cannot adequately control overdraft risks.

The idea is to tailor the services of these new accounts to the needs of these firms and the risks they present to the Federal Reserve Banks and the payment system, Waller explained during his speech.

Waller also emphasized that every legally eligible entity could qualify for a payment account under existing legal frameworks, with no changes to eligibility requirements.

Payments innovation moves fast, and the Federal Reserve needs to keep up, Waller told conference attendees.

Ripple and Anchorage Digital, both of which filed master account applications in 2025, could see accelerated decisions under the proposed framework.
Brigitte Bardot is alive and well.

The French actress, 91, shut down the rumors that she died in a message on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday.

I dont know who is the idiot who started this fake news about my disappearance but know that I am doing well and I have no plan on taking my bow. A word to the wise, Bardot said in her post originally written in French.

Brigitte Bardot. AFP via Getty Images

Brigitte Bardots tweet about her alleged death. X

The Post reached out to Bardots rep for further comment.

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27-year-old influencer Aqababe, whose real name is Aniss Zitouni, recently claimed in a since-deleted social media post that Bardot died in France.

According to my exclusive information, Brigitte Bardot died today, Zitouni wrote, per the Daily Mail.

Brigitte Bardot leaves the Elysee Palace in Paris in Sept. 2007. AFP via Getty Images

Brigitte Bardot on the set of Le Mepris (Contempt). Corbis via Getty Images

Her coffin was ordered in Saint-Paul-de-Jarrat in the 09 (Ariege) department, the influencer continued. An icon has passed away, leaving behind an unforgettable legacy and an eternal imprint on the hearts of the French.

On Oct. 16, French newspaper Var-Matin reported that Bardot had been hospitalized in Toulon, France for nearly three weeks.

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The retired actress and model reportedly came down with a serious illness during a stay at her Saint-Tropez home and had to undergo surgery at a private hospital.

Brigitte Bardot delivers a speech during the 20th anniversary celebration of her wildlife foundation in Paris in Sept. 2006. AFP via Getty Images

Bargot was previously rushed to the hospital in July 2023 over breathing issues.

It was around 9 a.m. when Brigitte had trouble breathing, her husband, Bernard dOrmale, told a local outlet at the time, according to the Los Angeles Times.

It was stronger than usual but she didnt lose consciousness the firemen came and gave her oxygen and then stayed to monitor her, dOrmale added.

Brigitte Bardot on the set of Vie Privee. Corbis via Getty Images

Brigitte Bardot at the Plaza Hotel in New York in 1970. Getty Images

Bardots husband also said that like all people of a certain age, she can no longer stand the heat.

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Bardot was a sex symbol of the 50s and 60s, starring in movies such as 1956s And God Created Woman, 1960s The Truth and 1965s Viva Maria!

Shes also an animal rights activist.

Brigitte Bardot in Paris, France in September 2007. Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

In 1973, just shy of her 40th birthday, she stepped back from acting.

Her life was dramatized in the 2023 French drama series Bardot.

Brigitte Bardot. NBCUniversal via Getty Images

The series writer-director Daniele Thompson told the Guardian in 2023 that when she reached out to Bardot about the series, She answered with a very long letter, saying that she was always surprised how unbelievably interested people were in her and did not quite understand why she was not left alone for good.

I cant say that she was excited about it, Thompson added. Certainly not.
All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by Glamour editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, Conde Nast may earn an affiliate commission.

Lionel Hahn

Who is Dakota Johnson without her bangs? She doesnt know either.

Ive had bangs since I was a child. I cut them myself when I was about four years old and I just loved it, the 36-year-old actor shared in her cover interview for Vogue Germany. Ive had them my whole life, apart from between about [ages] 10 and 14. I just feel like myself with bangs, she said.

SNL50: The Anniversary Special Taylor Hill

Dakota Johnsons full, blunt bangs are as much a part of her brand as Taylor Swifts. And while she also shared that she wouldnt mind giving up the constant maintenance, shes found ways to romanticize it. I also always travel with scissors and love to drink a martini while trimming my own bangs, Johnson told Vogue Germany. Painfully chic? Yes. Would we recommend? Probably not. Johnson admitted that the method has worked against her bangs best interest on more than one occasion, but it hasnt stopped her yet.

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In addition to her fringe, Johnsons long brunette hair is a critical piece of her effortlessly cool vibe. Its rich and dimensional, with just the right amount of warmth to catch the light, her longtime colorist Tracey Cunningham previously told Glamour, referencing the glossed chestnut tone she created for Johnson. It feels luxurious, modern, and low-commitment. Its the kind of color that turns heads without trying too hard.

In her Vogue Germany interview, Johnson shared that simplicity is key in her everyday hair routine: I dont use any styling products and let my hair air dry. Right now its still a bit damp, but I dont do anything with it. When Im filming, its a different story, of course, she shared. The one product she does rely on is a great serum for softness and shine; her favorite, she said, is from Crown Affair.

Crown Affair The Overnight Repair Serum Treatment

$58.00, Sephora

Kerastase Initialiste Strengthening & Volumizing Advanced Scalp & Hair Serum

$64.00, Amazon

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Johnson also shouted out her regular hairstylists Mark Townsend and George Northwood for taking really good care of her hairthe secret to her natural length. I think it just has to do with what you do on the inside, Johnson told Vogue Germany, referencing how quickly her hair and nails grow. I eat very healthy, drink lots of water and dont do too much to my hair.

Speaking of wellness, Johnson also pointed to plenty of sleep, daily movement, and lots of time in the sun (with SPF, of course) in her cover interview. And while shes as laid-back about her beauty regimen as youd expect, shes an undeniable trendsetter. We wouldnt be surprised if martini bangs went viral tomorrow, but please, cut with caution if you plan on snipping your own.

Grace McCarty is the associate beauty editor at Glamour.

Originally Appeared on Glamour
NEED TO KNOW

The house where Alex Murdaugh and his family lived is located in Islandton, S.C.

The Murdaugh house sold for $3.9 million in March 2023, but it is currently back on the market

The true crime inspired the Hulu drama series, Murdaugh: Death in the Family

The Murdaugh house is located on a quiet property with a dark past.

The new Hulu limited series, Murdaugh: Death in the Family, which premiered on Oct. 15, chronicles the true story of Alex Murdaugh, a prominent South Carolina lawyer who was accused of killing his wife, Maggie Murdaugh, and their younger son, Paul Murdaugh, in June 2021.

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After their bodies were found on the Murdaugh family estate, located in Islandton, S.C., an investigation ensued, and Alex was later convicted of their murders in March 2023. He is currently serving two consecutive life sentences plus 40 years at a maximum-security prison in South Carolina.

Over the past several years, the Murdaugh family's house has continued to be a point of intrigue. Notably, the 4-bed, 4.5-bath home and its 1,770-acre property were sold in March 2023, with personal belongings also auctioned off. But by January 2024, the house was back up for sale, and it was bought a second time in February 2024.

More recently, the home underwent nearly $1 million in renovation and was re-listed in December 2024. Today, it is still looking for a new buyer.

So what happened to the Murdaugh house? Here's everything to know about the events that unfolded after Alex Murdaugh's arrest.

Where is the former Murdaugh family's house?

Andrew J. Whitaker/The Post And Courier via AP, Pool The Murdaugh house's entrance The Murdaugh house's entrance

The Murdaugh estate, also known as "Moselle," is located in Colleton County, at 4147 Moselle Road in Islandton, S.C., according to The Hilton Head Island Packet.

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CBS News reported that it was a "custom" home built in 2011. It was originally 5,275 square feet with 4 beds and 4.5 baths. The home was on a 1,770-acre property, featuring other small structures.

How long did the Murdaugh family live in their house?

Maggie Murdaugh/Facebook The Murdaugh family

The Murdaughs lived at the Moselle property from 2012 to 2021.

According to testimony from Alex's older son, Buster Murdaugh, per CNN, the family had previously lived in Hampton, S.C.  about a 20-minute drive from Islandton. Their Hampton house was damaged by a hurricane, so they moved to Moselle.

Buster told the court that most of the expansive property was really not even accessible due to the lack of roads. The land was also covered by swamps and ponds, where animals lived, including deer, ducks and hogs.

What does the former Murdaugh property include?

Andrew J. Whitaker/The Post And Courier via AP, Pool The Murdaugh house The Murdaugh house

The Murdaugh family property was made up of 1,770 acres.

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According to CBS News, the property included the main house, a 1,140-square-foot guest cottage and 2.5 miles of river frontage access.

The land also had multiple sheds, an airplane hangar and "12 run dog kennels"  the site where Maggie and Paul were found dead on June 7, 2021.

Was the Murdaugh family's house sold?

Andrew J. Whitaker/The Post And Courier via AP, Pool A hanger and dog kennels at the Murdaugh house A hanger and dog kennels at the Murdaugh house

The entire Murdaugh estate was sold in March 2023 for $3.9 million.

James Ayer and Jeffrey Godley bought the property, with proceeds from the sale going to legal fees, Buster and "victims of a 2019 boat crash involving Paul," The Greenville News reported.

In addition, items belonging to the Murdaughs were auctioned off in March 2023. CBS News reported that an "estimated 3,000 people" turned up to purchase from the family's collection.

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According to Realtor.com, Ayer and Godley planned to use it for outdoor activities, including hunting and farming. However, they later listed the house and some of the surrounding property in January 2024.

"Both the Ayer and Godley families have land nearby. We bought to expand our hunting, farming and timber," Godley said in a statement, per Charleston Regional Business Journal. "The acreage bought included the home, however, we both already have family homes."

He continued, "I am a next-door neighbor, with our home about a mile from this house. We seek a new neighbor to enjoy this gorgeous house and land.

A few months later, Alex Blair bought the house and remaining land at auction for $1 million in February 2024, according to Realtor.com. He later gutted parts of the house and made renovations on the property, including demolishing the kennels and airplane hangar.

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Blair planned for it to be a second home for his family.

Is the Murdaugh family's house still for sale?

Andrew J. Whitaker/The Post And Courier via AP, Pool The Murdaugh house The Murdaugh house

Yes, the Murdaugh house is currently for sale.

After Blair bought the house in February 2024, it was renovated and listed for sale in December 2024 for $2.75 million, according to Realtor.com.

The house was taken off the market in April 2025 and then re-listed in September 2025 with an asking price of $2.2 million, per Zillow. Notably, it now comes with only about 48 acres, opposed to the original 1,770-acre property.

The Island Packet reported that Blair invested about $1 million into renovations, focusing on interior changes like new wood flooring and upgrading a half-bath to a full bath, making the house a 4-bed, 5-bath.

It does not look like the same house at all on the inside, real estate broker CJ Brown told the outlet.

Read the original article on People
Kai Cenat, known best for being a Twitch streamer, seems to be reaping the benefits of his 30-day Mafiathon 3 on the livestreaming platform. For the entire duration of September 2025, Cenat livestreamed for 30 days straight as famous celebrities made appearances. After making millions off his subathon, Cenat now reportedly seems to be enjoying some time off with his girlfriend GiGi in Italy.

Kai Cenat takes a stroll with girlfriend GiGi in Italy

While the source and identity remain unconfirmed, a short clip of what reportedly seems like Kai Cenat and his girlfriend GiGi strolling in Italy has surfaced. This comes post Cenats 30-day livestream called the Mafiathon 3. During this subathon on the livestreaming platform Twitch, Cenat reportedly made around 5 million dollars. This trip, presumably, is him, as fans are saying, enjoying his subathon bankroll.

Kai Cenat was spotted walking with his girlfriend GiGi in Italy ? pic.twitter.com/qizxbUrz5p  Slatt (@SlatDontMiss) October 20, 2025

The clip does not clearly show their faces, but it appears as if the couple is simply enjoying a stroll through one of the Italian cities. Fans reacted to the post of the clip on Instagram, captioned, Kai Cenat was spotted walking with his girlfriend GiGi in Italy. While most fans show Cenat love in the comments, some dont seem too convinced that it really is him. One fan wrote, Hes on a world tour, while another commented, Leave him alone man he needs a break.

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Cenat hosted a 30-day subathon called the Mafiathon 3 on Twitch, inviting famous creators, musicians, actors, and other celebs. A few names include Kim Kardashian, Linkin Park, The Chainsmokers, Ed Sheeran, Kevin Hart, and KSI, among many others. Cenat also pledged that 15% of the revenue generated from subscriptions would go toward building a school in Nigeria. The Mafiathon 3 seemed to have ended successfully, as Cenat spent the last night of the stream in Kevin Harts house, with the Jumanji actor present along with Druski. The trio went viral together for their appearance in Cenats Mafiathon 2, when Kevin Hart and Druski slept over at Cenats house.

The post Kai Cenat Enjoying Subathon Bankroll With GF GiGi in Italy appeared first on Mandatory.
(NewsNation)  Meghan and her hubby, Prince Harry, may aspire to be Hollywood royalty but the A-list isnt interested.

While the two may find themselves at events with actual elite members of the red carpet crowd no one wants their photos taken for posterity with the erstwhile nobles.

A-listers snub Meghan, Prince Harry

At last weeks Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit, Meghan gave a garbled speech in which she talked about financial independence, the evils of social media and, despite neither her nor Harry seemingly working very hard, the importance of work-life balance.

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How Prince William wants his childrens upbringing to differ from his and Harrys

Also at the summit was former Vice President Kamala Harris but you wont find any photos of the two online.

Kamala pulled a Gwyneth, one insider said.

When Meghan flew to the G9 Ventures Business Summit in the summer of 2024, she was snapped with and her bestie, Misha NoNoo, and makeup maven Bobbi Brown but not Gwyneth Paltrow, Reese Witherspoon and Diane Sawyer, who were also at the event.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex at Project Healthy Minds World Mental Health Day Festival held at Spring Studios on October 9, 2025 in New York, New York. (Photo by Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty Images) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex at Project Healthy Minds World Mental Health Day Festival held at Spring Studios on October 09, 2025 in New York, New York. (Photo by Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty Images) PARIS, FRANCE  OCTOBER 05: Meghan Markle is seen during the Womenswear Spring Summer 2026 as part of Paris Fashion Week on October 05, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Andrea Cremascoli/Getty Images) TOPSHOT  Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry (R) and his wife, Meghan Markle embrace at The Invictus Games in The Hague on April 16, 2022. The Invictus Games is an international sporting event for servicemen and veterans who have been psychologically or physically injured in their military service. (Photo by Remko de Waal / ANP / AFP) / Netherlands OUT (Photo by REMKO DE WAAL/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)

At the time, a source told me: (A-listers) know that if they are in a picture with (Meghan) it is a tacit approval of her that she can use to promote herself, my insider told me. Meghan can show up at events where they are at, move into their neighborhood (Paltrow owns a house near Markle and Harry in Montecito), but they are not friends.

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This year, Paltrow claimed to People she and Meghan have a text friendship in an attempt to quell feud rumors  but still no pies have been exchanged in person.

No celebs want to take sides in royal feud between William and Harry

As I reported, elite Hollywood players dont want to be seen taking Harry or the Duchess of Sussexs side in the family fracas, and ultimate-A-lister Taylor Swift shook off the Duchess of Sussex several times.

Post Malone, Calvin Harris and Benson Boone getting paid by Saudis for music fest

As for Harris  perhaps she just didnt want to be photographed with someone whose approval ratings are even lower than hers.

Welcome to The Scoop  the ultimate back-to-the-office water cooler cheat sheet, your go-to source for all things everyone really wants to know! Get the latest on everything from the political swamp maneuvering in D.C. and Hollywood drama to jaw-dropping small-town shenanigans from Paula Froelich. Subscribe to her newsletter here.

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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 NewsNation.
Cover after cover, issue after issue, we constantly find ourselves in a state of awe over ELLE Spain. At the request of editor Benedetta Poletti, names like Valentina Sampaio, Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, Karlie Kloss, Arizona Muse, Jessica Chastain, Elle Macpherson, and Karol G have covered the Spanish fashion bible over recent months. Up next on the cover of ELLE Spain is none other than Penelope Cruz, who fronts the November 2025 edition of the magazine. Poletti welcomes back the Spanish actress as one of the publications 80th anniversary cover stars. To commemorate eight decades of print, Penelope poses for the photographer Xavi Gordo for the celebratory occasion, with Sylvia Montoliu dressing Cruz in Versace.

Penelope Cruz for ELLE Spain November 2025

IMAGE | ELLE.ES

Read below the reactions of theFashionSpots forum members:

Mother! instantly declared JPineapple.

I love the cover, and the clean layout, admired forum member Xone.

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Also very much a fan was vogue28. Ugh, Penelope Cruz on the cover of a Spanish fashion magazine (or any magazine for that matter) will always and forever receive my seal of approval. What a way to celebrate an anniversary! Not at ALL surprised to see ELLE Spain producing such a strong cover/story!

Beautiful cover, Avonlea echoed.

Penelope is stunning. The camera loves her. Wheres the Chanel beauty campaign? asked Lola701.

See more of Penelope Cruz from the ELLE Spain November 2025 cover shoot and click here to join the conversation.

The post Penelope Cruz Proves (Once Again) Shes the Ultimate Cover Girl Fronting ELLE Spains 80th Anniversary Issue appeared first on theFashionSpot.
I recently rewatched  for the thousandth time  the 2001 film Oceans Eleven. Oscar-winning director Steven Soderberghs stylish crime thriller, with a cast of superstars including George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon, revolves around a team of smooth-talking, charismatic rogues who knock over three casinos in one night. It has long been one of my comfort movies, because I love stories where rascals do a good job. But this particular viewing was also perfectly timed, because a real-life Oceans Eleven played out in France.

Ive had heists on my mind since the brazen smash-and-grab of more than $100 million in jewels from the Louvre in Paris. This past Sunday, around 9:30 a.m., a team of thieves entered the museum by breaking through a second-floor window, busted open three displays and, within four minutes, spirited away with Napoleonic-era treasures.

It was a breathtaking crime at what was thought to be an impregnable home of some of the worlds most famous artworks, including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. But the thieves instead targeted jewelry that once belonged to the French royal family and that, according to some experts, could be melted down for easier sale on the black market. An investigation is underway, and the thieves are now the most notorious criminals in Europe.

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We live in a golden age of high-profile (though not always successful) plunder. This heist comes on the heels of a lesser-known crime in Paris last month, when a woman allegedly stole 13 pounds of gold nuggets from the National Museum of Natural History. She was arrested two weeks later in Barcelona, Spain.

In 2022, seven thieves knocked over a Brinks truck in California, in what was called the largest jewel heist in U.S. history; the loot totaled $100 million. In 2019, five men stole a cache of precious 18th century jewels worth $113 million from Germanys Green Vault museum.

The Louvre heist was a crime that will negatively affect the lives of otherwise innocent people. Museum officials have admitted to security lapses, including insufficient closed-circuit television coverage outside the Louvres perimeter. The blame game is just beginning.

But its hard to read about this daring plot and not, in a small way, root for these villains. There are far grislier and more destructive crimes committed every day, big and small. This might sound like a rationalization, but petty crooks routinely mug regular folks while wealthy pedophiles escape justice. The thieves who robbed the Louvre, on the other hand, just ripped off the French government.

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The sense of rooting for the robbers plays a part in Hollywoods and audiences enduring love for heist movies. One of the genres most influential films is Jules Dassins 1955 French noir Rififi, about a jewel heist led by a debonair maitre criminel. The black-and-white classic is anchored by its iconic 30-minute break-in  a silent nail-biter as the crew painstakingly muffles the sound of their drilling.

In the decades since, many of Hollywoods biggest directors have put fresh spins on the genre, including Spike Lees lively bank-heist-turned-standoff thriller Inside Man (2006), Edgar Wrights Baby Driver (2017) and Christopher Nolans Inception (2010), about a heist team that infiltrates dreams. Even Avengers: Endgame (2019), the second-highest-grossing movie of all time and the climax of more than a decade of Marvel movies, hinges on a time-travel heist.

Crime doesnt always pay in these movies: My second-favorite heist film is Michael Manns Heat (1995), about a seasoned team of seasoned thieves led by a smoldering, goateed Robert De Niro, who are constantly having to look over their shoulders for a Los Angeles police detective, played by Al Pacino. Despite knowing the police are on their tail, the robbers cant give up the action, and in the end, most of them pay the ultimate price. But we root for these doomed men nonetheless.

Heist movies are Robin Hood fantasies where hypercompetent thieves take on powerful institutions that loom over our moral lives. They cut across cultural and political lines because everyones been screwed over by a bank, or an insurance company, or, if youre a formerly colonized country, a Western empire.

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Like their thematic siblings, the prison break flicks  ones about breaking in, the others about breaking out  heist films are tales of the little guy versus the system. The main characters are frequently skilled criminals who adhere to a moral code. Theyre committing crimes, but for the most part, theyre victimless banks, casinos and museums are insured and loaded with cash, right?

But the most important part of the fantasy is asking yourself: What if you could get away with it? I am no master criminal. I dont even like to jaywalk. But Id make an excellent member of a heist crew. For instance, I have dainty fingers that would be perfect for safe-cracking. Id certainly enjoy the planning stages: Im a fan of maps and spreadsheets. But heist movies are simply safe spaces for me to make believe I can wear a tuxedo like George Clooney.

Now that I think about it, I may have to watch Oceans Eleven again.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Silent Hill series producer Motoi Okamoto has insisted "AI would never be able to make" Silent Hill f, responding to comments made by former Konami developer Hideo Kojima that "remakes and sequels will be made by AI" in years to come.

In a new interview, Hideo Kojima cautioned against the industry's preoccupation with remaking or expanding existing franchises, suggesting it was creatively "dangerous" not to explore new things, and suggesting "in the future, remakes and sequels will be made by AI." And it's kicked up quite the discussion on social media.

Okamoto disagreed with Kojima's claims, however, saying that while AI could perhaps "put together" a sequel inspired by the Silent Hill universe, Konami's creative "bold choices"  such as to switch the setting to Japan, or employ Ryukishi07 as writer  were made by human developers.

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In response to a Twitter / X post about Kojima's comments, Okamoto said: "It would be quite difficult for AI to replace works that take a significant departure from the original path of the series, like Silent Hill f.

"AI may be able to put together a project for a sequel that takes place in the Silent Hill universe, but things like changing the storys setting to Japan or getting Ryukishi07 on board as a writer are the kind of bold choices AI would never be able to make, he added (thanks, Automaton).

Silent Hill f is indeed a departure for the series as we know it, taking us not to the titular town but instead to 1960s Japan, where we follow Hinako Shimizu, a teenager struggling under the pressure of expectations from her friends, family, and society. It's out now for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X and S and has sold 1 million copies since its debut at the end of September. Our Silent Hill f review returned a 7/10. We said: "Silent Hill f presents a fresh new setting to explore and a fascinatingly dark story to unravel, but its melee-focussed combat takes a big swing that doesnt quite land."

The Best Silent Hill Games

The Silent Hill series has been at the forefront of feel-bad survival horror storytelling for close to three decades now, and with the success of 2024s Silent Hill 2 remake and the recent release of Silent Hill f, it felt like the right time to take a look back through Konamis catalogue of psychological horrors to see how each scarefest stacks up.



Now, admittedly the series hasnt been immune to the odd misstep here and there, and there have certainly been periods of time where things have gone more downhill than Silent Hill. Thus you wont find the likes of forgettable mainline entries like Silent Hill: Homecoming and Silent Hill: Downpour here, or the inappropriately aggressive shoot em up action of Silent Hill: The Arcade, or indeed the co-operative dungeon crawling of Silent Hill: Book of Memories that absolutely nobody asked for.



With all that in mind, heres IGNs picks for the very best entries in the Silent Hill series, from portable terrors to playable teasers.

9. Silent Hill: Origins



A Silent Hill adventure that can fit into your jeans pocket and still scare your pants off? Thats Silent Hill: Origins, the 2007 prequel originally developed for the PlayStation Portable and later ported to the PlayStation 2.



With its story taking place several years before that of the original Silent Hill, Silent Hill: Origins puts you into the shoes of Travis Grady, a truck driver who takes a wrong turn into North Americas freakiest fog-shrouded town, and things get appropriately hair-raising from there.



What makes Silent Hill: Origins stand out from other instalments in the series is how it handles the exploration of the sleepy small towns nightmarish otherworld. Unlike most other Silent Hill games that drag you kicking and screaming towards the jagged edges of the industrial nightmare realm when you least expect it, Silent Hill: Origins gives you full control in determining when and where you want to shift between realities via the use of special mirrors scattered around the town.



On the one hand, this does diminish Silent Hill: Origins ability to surprise you with scares, but on the other hand it creates some uniquely creepy scenarios for puzzle-solving, such as examining the plastic organs of an anatomy mannequin in one reality, only to find that its an actual corpse in the other.



Combined with a dread-inducing atmosphere on par with the foreboding feel of the original game, Silent Hill: Origins on PSP made for some truly terrifying train trips.

8. Silent Hill 4: The Room



Although it sounds like some sort of bizarre crossover between the much-loved survival horror series and director Tommy Wiseaus infamous best worst movie ever made, Silent Hill 4: The Room isnt quite as wild a departure as that  although it does shake up the formula pretty significantly. Shifting the terror out of the foggy streets of Silent Hill and into the new setting of Ashfield  specifically the locked-down apartment of protagonist Henry Townshend  Silent Hill 4: The Room alternates between claustrophobic, first-person exploration of Townshends home and more traditional third-person combat in the nightmarish otherworlds he can reach by stepping through the ominous holes in his apartment walls.



These otherworlds serve as small pocket dimensions, each visually distinct and with its own story to tell, from the filthy, tiled circular hallways of the water prison to the abandoned hospital packed with a variety of disturbing dioramas. As the story progresses, the apartment you return to gradually evolves from safe haven to haunted house, as Townshends tracking of an undead serial killer gradually consumes his reality and the games skin-crawling atmosphere grows all the more oppressive.



While the sudden switch in the storys second half to an annoyingly dragged out escort mission proved to be divisive amongst fans, theres no question that its cast of genuinely disturbing creatures, haunting original soundtrack from Akira Yamaoka, and the uniqueness of its decaying apartment hub made for arguably one of the most spectacularly tense Silent Hill adventures in the entire canon.



Silent Hill 4: The Room would also mark the fourth and final instalment in the series to come from Japanese developer Team Silent. That team would then disband, with its members going on to work on various other horror games like Forbidden Siren and The Evil Within, and it also saw the development of subsequent Silent Hill games shift into the hands of western developers with fairly mixed results Were looking at you, Homecoming and Downpour.

7. Silent Hill: Shattered Memories



Not all of the western-made Silent Hills have been bad, though. The only entry in the series to ever make it onto the Nintendo Wii, Silent Hill: Shattered Memories from British developer Climax Studios reimagines the original Silent Hill and features the same premise: Harry Mason is the survivor of a car crash searching for his missing daughter in the fictional American town of Silent Hill. However, its plot unravels in an entirely new way and the gameplay is dramatically restructured, shifting between first-person psychotherapy sessions to the more typical over-the-shoulder explorations of Harrys harrowing journey through Silent Hill.



Shattered Memories is a tricky instalment to rank in the Silent Hill series, because its so unlike any other entry to date. It completely ditches combat, instead forcing Harry to flee in regular chase sequences inspired by the unstoppable antagonists of slasher movies. It swaps out the fog of previous adventures for ice and falling snow to limit player visibility and build an atmosphere of dread in interesting new ways. It also makes quite brilliant use of the Wiimote, using its motion controls to give players full command over the beam of Harrys flashlight, and its built-in speaker for the hiss of the series signature radio static among several other unsettling bits of sound design.



Shattered Memories also profiles the player while they play, taking the answers chosen during the psychotherapy sessions to make subsequent changes to level and enemy designs, as well as altering how the story progresses and eventually determining which of the multiple endings you will arrive at. While this mechanic is yet to resurface in subsequent Silent Hill stories, Supermassive Games Until Dawn seemingly took a great deal of inspiration from it given its similar mix of psychotherapy sessions and slasher-style horror.



Meanwhile, Shattered Memories writer/designer Sam Barlow (who also worked on Silent Hill: Origins) has since gone on to find considerable success as an independent developer with his critically acclaimed works of interactive fiction: Her Story, Telling Lies, and Immortality. All three involve solving a mystery by sifting through assortments of out-of-sequence video clips, which in a way are their own form of shattered memories.

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6. Silent Hill f



It took 13 long years for a new mainline Silent Hill game to emerge from the fog, but Silent Hill f finally arrived in 2025 with a brand new Japanese setting, a twisted and compelling story that continues to unfold and satisfy in subsequent playthroughs, and a strict focus on melee-based combat to further distinguish itself from the more gun-centric assaults of the previous years Silent Hill 2 remake.



To be fair, the deliberately sluggish feel of Silent Hill fs fighting system might not be to everyones taste. With its mix of light and heavy attacks, dodges and counters, and a reliance on the careful management of health, stamina, and sanity bars, its monster-mashing seems inspired by the slow and weighty combat of the Dark Souls series, though thankfully minus the punishing difficulty. Yet even though your controller might not be in any danger of being smashed to bits after repeatedly dying to the same boss, your lead pipe or crowbar certainly is due to the irritatingly brittle nature of Silent Hill fs destructible weapons.



However, if you can embrace the clunky combat clashes  or simply force yourself to endure them  there are huge rewards for persevering because Silent Hill fs story is simply one of the most captivating tales in the entire series. The psychological effects of high schooler Hinako Shimizus domestic abuse and bullying is truly gut-wrenching to examine, the monsters she encounters provide a full-fat dose of nightmare fuel, and the world around her is an absorbing place to pore over, whether it's the misty streets of her mountainside village or the mysterious shrine realm she enters in her dreams.



You would think that a Silent Hill game that doesnt actually feature the town of Silent Hill would be like a Resident Evil game without some sort of resident evil in it, but Silent Hill f successfully proves that you can take the series out of Smalltown, USA, but you cant take the spinechilling psychological horror out of the Silent Hill game.

5. P.T.



While ultimately a proof of concept rather than a fully fledged Silent Hill game  the P.T. stands for Playable Teaser  this standalone slice of psychological torment got fans' appetites whet for a Silent Hills game that sadly never saw the light of day. Quietly shadow-dropped as a free download on PlayStation 4 amidst a number of more headline-grabbing announcements at Gamescom 2014, P.T. quickly took social media and Reddit threads by storm as more than a million players discovered it and collectively set about unravelling its most enigmatic puzzles.



Set in a single, looping, L-shaped corridor inside a suburban family home, P.T. was capable of delivering scares in ways both micro and macro; subtly rearranging the decor to unsettle you in one loop, before ensuring youd never sleep with the lights off again by surprising you with a murderous ghost named Lisa the moment you dared to look over your shoulder. Much like the apartment sections of Silent Hill 4: The Room, P.T. also broke from the Silent Hill series typical third-person perspective, presenting its horrors in a more claustrophobic first-person view that made them all the more immediate. It was compact, cryptic, and completely terrifying.



What further adds to P.T.s mystique is that its extremely hard to actually play at this point. After the cancellation of Silent Hills and Kojima Productions seemingly acrimonious split with Konami in 2015, P.T. was removed from the PlayStation Store for good, making it impossible to reinstall even if it was attached to your PSN account. There are some questionable PC-based workarounds to regain access to it, but otherwise the only way to play P.T. today is by somehow tracking down a PlayStation 4 console with it already installed, or playing a fanmade remake such as the impressively faithful recreation in Media Molecules Dreams. Or perhaps by breaking into that same warehouse that the Ark of the Covenant was stashed in at the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark.



As for its legacy, though, P.T. has gone on to be one of the most influential horror games released in recent memory. Layers of Fear ran with P.T.s looping environments to unsettle players exploring its artists mansion setting, while Resident Evil: Village terrified fans with the P.T.-esque tight hallways, combat-free puzzle-solving, and nightmare-inducing deformed fetus found in its House Beneviento section. Thats not to say anything of the countless P.T. pretenders that continue to flood Steam to this day. Not bad for a playable teaser for a Silent Hill game that never was.

4. Silent Hill 3



The storytelling brilliance of Silent Hill 2 made it a hard act to follow  and well get to exactly why in a moment  but Silent Hill 3 distanced itself slightly from its landmark predecessor by positioning itself as a direct sequel to the original Silent Hill instead. The third game in the Silent Hill saga digs into compelling new details about the doomsday cult from the original game, as well as introducing an almost entirely new line-up of nightmarish creatures, brought to bowel-loosening life by visuals that pushed the PlayStation 2 hardware to its limits.



Its biggest departure from its two predecessors, though, is the fact that its protagonist is a plucky teenage girl instead of a miserable, 30-something year old man. Heather, whos surname well keep vague for story spoiler reasons, came as a breath of fresh air through the fog and proved to be one of the best written and most relatable leads in the series history. Not to mention that up until the release of Silent Hill f, she was the only playable female lead in the mainline entries (unless you count Maria in the Directors Cut of Silent Hill 2).



Upon its release, Silent Hill 3 was criticised for lacking gameplay innovation and being a bit too similar to the first two games, but given the string of subpar Silent Hill games released in the aftermath of Silent Hill 4: The Room, perhaps in retrospect staying true to the look and feel of the two most respected entries in the Silent Hill series wasnt such a bad thing.

3. Silent Hill 2 Remake



Unlike Shattered Memories which completely overhauled the structure and dramatically altered the plot of the original Silent Hill, the 2024 remake of Silent Hill 2 preserves the story, characters, and vibe of the PlayStation 2 original, but updates it all for modern audiences with superb visuals, anxiety-inducing audio design, and controls that allow for far more fluid player movement and inventory juggling.



Developer Bloober Team wasnt exactly new to the horror genre nor the process of remaking of horror games, having previously both made and remade its own spooky stories in the form of Layers of Fear and Observer. This experience evidently served the team well since the Silent Hill 2 remake is by far and away its biggest triumph to date, dramatically enhancing the unsettling and claustrophobic atmosphere of the original, and expanding the small town setting to make it utterly absorbing to pore over for returning fans.



Crucially, almost every modernisation made here has resulted in Silent Hill 2s overwhelmingly shuddersome setting seeming all the more immersive and alarming. The volumetric fog feels thicker and more oppressive than ever. The new level of detail applied to the dwellings you shuffle through make them seem infinitely more dank and depressing, if not completely disgusting at times. The use of light is particularly brilliant, and being forced to explore every inch of the Toluca Prison area in limited bursts of illumination thanks to failing circuit breakers makes for one of the most frantic and frightening sequences the series has ever seen. Or indeed, not seen, since so many of its horrors are quickly plunged into blackness.



Add in some superior voice acting and a terrifying soundscape from Akira Yamaoka that will have you doubting your own sanity, and theres no question that the Silent Hill 2 remake is the best way to visit  or revisit  one of the most dread-inducing destinations in the history of survival horror.

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2. Silent Hill



Take a splash of Stephen King, a dash of David Lynch, a flash of Francis Bacon, and filter it all through the Japanese cultural lens of developer Team Silent, and you have the twisted and truly terrifying journey through the original Silent Hill. Stepping away from the typically campy, B-movie style popular in 90s survival horror, Silent Hill plunged you into previously unseen depths of psychological torment, putting the emphasis on properly disturbing atmosphere in favour of cheap jump scares, and establishing the tone for a series that, at its best, is somehow incredibly uncomfortable yet utterly enthralling.



Unlike prior survival horror games like Resident Evil and Parasite Eve that relied on pre-rendered backgrounds, Silent Hill bucked the trend by putting you into an environment rendered entirely in 3D. Remarkably, this meant that the series signature darkness and oppressive fog were actually borne out of a need to mask the meagre draw distance and ugly graphical pop-ins that plagued the original PlayStation, turning the systems hardware limitations into a powerful tool for terror that has remained a constant in the series to date.



From your first steps as Harry Mason entering the eerie small town searching for his lost daughter, Silent Hill assaults you from all sides with its genuinely unsettling nothingness, and the fear of not knowing whats waiting for you in the fog is arguably more petrifying than the actual beasts that lie in wait. This unending sense of unease was only intensified further by ingenious atmospheric flourishes, like the screeching static from Harrys radio that hissed with more urgency as you arrived in the vicinity of some unseen mess of pissed-off polygons.



Silent Hill ushered in a chilling new standard for slow-burn survival horror, and its influence can still be felt decades later in the likes of The Medium and Alan Wake 2. Yet it only took Team Silent a couple of years to drag players into new depths of depravity and despair

1. Silent Hill 2



The original Silent Hill may have established the series combination of overwhelmingly bleak atmosphere and disturbing adult themes, but 2001s Silent Hill 2 perfected it. A thoroughly absorbing and emotionally-draining examination of grief and guilt, Silent Hill 2 put us into the role of the recently widowed James Sunderland and set us on a tortured tour through his own private hell, one crawling with awful apparitions that symbolised his increasingly decaying mental state and the suffering of the people around him.



Whereas the original Silent Hill focused primarily on the corrupt religious practices of a local cult and how it permanently altered the towns reality, Silent Hill 2 deals with themes that were more nuanced and extremely taboo at the time, at least in the world of gaming. Sexual abuse, suicide, and self-harm are all explored as Sunderland encounters other survivors trapped within the foggy lakeside town, with each form of trauma made all the more confronting by the twisted creatures they manifest as. 2001s Grand Theft Auto 3 might be widely regarded as the first proper video game for grown ups, but Silent Hill 2 arguably beat Rockstars opus to the punch just one month prior.



Silent Hill 2 also introduced one of the most iconic antagonists in the series history, if not survival horror in general. There are few enemies as shit-your-pants scary as Pyramid Head, an intimidating and unstoppable tormenter who stalks Sunderland at several stages through the story, and who also does unspeakable things to mannequins. Ominously dragging one half of a giant pair of scissors and with an angular skull so rusty you need a tetanus shot just from looking at it, this pointy-headed predators potency was diluted somewhat by subsequent appearances in weaker instalments such as Silent Hill: Homecoming and Silent Hill: Book of Memories, but his importance to Silent Hill 2s sustained sense of dread cannot be understated.



From its tragic story to its provocative symbolism and no shortage of genuine scares, Silent Hill 2 remains the bone-chilling benchmark for the series, and is therefore the obvious choice for the number one slot on this list.

Earlier this week, Okamoto opened up on why Konami revealed three new Silent Hill games at once after a full decade of silence, saying the publisher was keen to stress to old fans and new that it was "serious" about resurrecting the flailing horror series. Reflecting on how the series has performed since Konami's inaugural Silent Hill Transmission back in October 2022, Okamoto explained how the impressive Silent Hill 2 Remake was designed with "half new, half old customers in mind" to ensure it could attract new fans to the franchise. Silent Hill 2 Remake went on to sell 2.5 million worldwide, which pushes sales of the franchise overall to 10 million.

Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, as well as a critic, columnist, and consultant with 15+ years experience working with some of the world's biggest gaming sites and publications. She's also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.
While at last Fridays sold-out 84th season opening for the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra, I discovered that some of our musicians for NISO also help out as available talents on the roster for the Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra, the latter which launched in 1989 after being created by musicians from the Lyric Opera Orchestra.

Of our 70-plus musicians, youll find our talented musicians listed on the same expansive list of both the Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra and the Lyric also pulls from the same list for productions and concert schedules when in need of freelance musicians to step in, said Karen Dickelman, NISO orchestra manager.

Our musicians are a dedicated group, and as with so many of the musicians around Chicagoland, that means being willing to travel.

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On Saturday, merged musicians from Northwest Indiana and throughout Chicagoland will be in the pre-Halloween spirit at The Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, when The Chicago Philharmonic continues with the second season of the Auditorium Philms Concert Series, a multi-media experience showcasing iconic films paired with scores performed live in concert.

Disney and Tim Burtons Nightmare Before Christmas in concert was so popular when presented in 2019, the cult-classic stop-motion masterpiece with the incredible score by Danny Elfman is back for one curtain event at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 25. Tickets start at $72 and are available at auditoriumtheatre.org or by calling The Auditoriums Ticket Service Center at 312-341-2300.

Subtitles will be shown during the live performance in the 3,875-seat historic venue, which opened in 1889.

Before the performance, The Auditorium is hosting a fun lobby pre-Halloween party with specialty themed food and drink and a costume contest. Costume contest competitors can win a range of prizes, including gift cards and free tickets for upcoming Auditorium and Chicago Philharmonic events. The VIP Halloween Party starts at 6 p.m. and requires an additional $45 ticket.

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Only a modest box-office success when released in 1993, The Nightmare Before Christmas eventually found a cult fan base, earning a ranking as an enduring film favorite. It is the tale of Jack Skellington, who is hailed as the king of Halloween Town. When he accidentally discovers Christmas Town, he decides to invite his spooky counterparts to join him to try to take over Santas holiday.

The film includes the vocal talents of Chris Sarandon, Catherine OHara, Paul Reubens and Patrick Stewart, among others.

Composer Elfman said he drew on musical influences from the past like Kurt Weill, George Gershwin and Gilbert and Sullivan to make the music in this film feel both nostalgic and otherworldly, with the resulting tunes still haunting audience ears of all ages today, such as This is Halloween and Whats This?

We are proud to co-present this film with The Auditorium and to bring Danny Elfmans score to life for Chicago audiences, Chicago Philharmonic Executive Director Terell Johnson said.

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This project highlights what great cultural partnerships can do to combine cinematic storytelling with the power of live orchestral music to create an immersive, communal experience.

More music

The LaPorte County Symphony Orchestras 2025-26 subscription season begins on Saturday, Nov. 8, at 7 p.m. at the La Porte Civic Auditorium, 1001 Ridge St. in LaPorte, with a concert themed as Dream of America, a special event offering an early celebration of the countrys 250th birthday as well as the rich history of immigration in the U.S. and the pursuit of the American dream.

Im told the centerpiece of the concert will be Peter Boyers Ellis Island: The Dream of America, which features seven actors and projected images from the Ellis Island archives paired with the music addition of the full orchestra.

Music Director Dr. Carolyn Watson leads the engaging program, which also includes John Williams Escapades, better known as the theme from the Leonardo DiCaprio film Catch Me If You Can. The orchestra will also use the evening to unveil the world premiere of rising star composer Kevin Days Upwelling for solo saxophone and orchestra. Soloing on both Escapades and Upwelling will be Nick May, the accomplished saxophonist who hails from Kansas City.

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The Lubeznik Center for the Arts will host an American-themed art-making station during the pre-concert hour. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the concert begins at 7 p.m. Central time.Cafe table seating is available for $37, as well as the option of adult balcony seats for $26 and senior balcony seats for $23. Students with ID and children are free, and the balcony is all general admission.

Joining the LCSO for the first time is the new principal tuba musician Colby Fahrenbacher, who is also the current librarian for the South Bend Symphony Orchestra.

An active freelancer in the Northern Indiana and Chicago areas for concert musician needs, he has subbed with orchestras such as the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, South Bend Symphony Orchestra and Illinois Symphony Orchestra. He also performs regularly with Alpine Thunder, an authentic German band that keeps a busy Oktoberfest schedule this month.

Before moving to South Bend, Colby served as a tubist in the United States Air Force Bands, where he had the opportunity to perform for President Obama, President Trump, and many domestic and foreign dignitaries. While touring through the eastern coast of the United States, Europe, and Africa, Colby was frequently a featured soloist with the Air Force Bands. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he studied with Mark Moore and received his bachelors and masters degrees in music performance.

Philip Potempa is a journalist, published author and radio show host on WJOB 1230 AM. He can be reached at PhilPotempa@gmail.com.
Ripple , ripple xrp, xrp price, ripple sec. Photo by BeInCrypto

The Federal Reserves new proposal for a skinny master account could reshape how fintechs, stablecoin issuers, and crypto-focused banks access the US financial system  with Ripple standing to benefit significantly.

Governor Chris Waller announced the plan at the Feds Payments Innovation Conference. He introduced a limited-access account that will allow all legally eligible firms to connect directly to the Feds payment rails.

Ripple Can Plug Directly into the US Payments System

The Feds payment rails are the backbone of the US banking system. They move money between financial institutions instantly, powering services like wire transfers and clearing settlements.

Today, only chartered banks can use these rails directly. The latest announcement would give fintechs and blockchain companies real-time settlement access without relying on partner banks.

Ripple, which has applied for a Fed master account earlier this year, could see this as a major breakthrough.

The company has long aimed to bridge blockchain settlements with traditional financial infrastructure, most recently through its RLUSD stablecoin and enterprise liquidity network.

Unlike a full master account, the skinny version would not grant privileges like borrowing from the Fed or earning interest on reserves.

However, it would provide critical payment capabilities  the same rails commercial banks use for domestic transfers.

Ripple Continues To Expand Institutional Operations

This development comes as Ripple expands its institutional footprint.

In mid-October, Ripple announced a $1 billion acquisition of GTreasury, a global treasury management platform serving over 1,000 enterprise clients.

Moreover, the deal positions Ripple to embed blockchain liquidity solutions within corporate treasury systems, complementing its efforts to secure regulatory access to payment infrastructure.

Ripple also backed Evernorth, a newly listed entity seeking over $1 billion to hold and deploy XRP as an institutional liquidity asset.
Nazneen Contractor has carved out a career in the acting industry that spans film and television. She has become a rising star that audiences cant take their eyes off. Dive in to learn more about the talent, drive, and stories behind this dynamic performer.

Key Takeaways

Born on August 26 in Mumbai, India, Contractor spent parts of her childhood in Nigeria before settling in Toronto, where she trained as a classical ballerina and attended the Etobicoke School of the Arts.

By age 16, Contractor realized her passion for acting, later earning a full scholarship to the University of Toronto to pursue her craft professionally.

She starred as Farah Nazan on NBCs Heroes Reborn, a former soldier with the power of invisibility, sharing scenes with Ryan Guzman, and appeared on FOXs 24 as Kayla Hassan, a pivotal character in season 8.

Contractor has become a go-to face for Christmas films, including A Candlelit Christmas (Lifetime), The Christmas Ring (Hallmark), and Holidazed, often portraying strong, relatable women navigating family and love.

Contractor is married to Carlo Rota, her General Hospital co-star who plays Jenz Sidwell. The couple married on April 1, 2010, and have two children together.

On GH co-star Maurice Benards (Sonny) State of Mind podcast, Contractor shared insights about acting, taking on dual roles in films like The Perfect Pairing, and her perspectives on mental health.

Oh Canada

Nazneen Contractor was born on August 26, 1982, in Mumbai, India. She moved to Nigeria at the age of seven and later settled in Toronto, Canada, where she spent the majority of her childhood and young adulthood. Contractor trained as a classical ballerina while excelling in academics. She attended the Etobicoke School of the Arts, where she studied both dance and theater. By the age of 16, she realized her passion was acting, and later earned a full scholarship to the University of Toronto to pursue her career.

Five Fast Facts About General Hospital Star Nazneen Contractor

Hero Complex

In the 2015 NBC series Heroes Reborn, Contractor portrayed Farah Nazan, a former soldier with the ability to become invisible. Her character served as a protector to Malina (Danika Yarosh), played a pivotal role in the storyline, and shared scenes with Ryan Guzman. The actress also starred on 24, playing Kayla Hasaan in season 8.

Photo credit: NBC

Christmas Angel

Nazneen starred in a number of Christmas-themed movies. A Candlelit Christmas, also known as Scentsational Christmas, is a Lifetime original movie. Contractor plays Ellie Reddy, a chemist who returns home for Christmas to assist her father with his candle-making business. She also starred in Hallmarks The Christmas Ring and Holidazed. She also starred in Roku Channels Children Ruin Everything for three seasons as Dawn.

Photo credit: Lifetime

Love & Marriage

Nazneens husband, Carlo Rota, is also her co-star on GH, playing Jenz Sidwell. The pair were married on April 1, 2010, and are the parents of a son and a daughter. Nazneen has admitted to being a thrill-seeker.

Photo credit: JPI

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State of Mind

Contractor was a guest on GH co-star Maurice Benards (Sonny) State of Mind podcast. discussed her acting career, including working on films like The Perfect Pairing and playing dual roles as Joy and Christina, which she called a bucket list item. She also spoke in-depth about mental health. On screen, Contractors Justine and Bernards Sonny seem to be headed for romance. Contractor has weighed in on a Justine and Sonny romance.

Photo credit: Instagram

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This story was originally reported on Soap Hub on October 22, 2025. Add Soap Hub as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Netflix just added a new limited series about a notorious serial killer, and it already has everyone talking.

The Monster of Florence is an Italian crime drama surrounding the titular "Monster," a perpetrator who committed eight double homicides around Florence.

If this sounds too chilling to be real, think again  the actual killer was never found. But what's the full story behind The Monster of Florence? And is it worth watching?

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Watch With Us reveals the true story behind the show and if you need to add it to your Netflix watchlist this October.

Is 'The Monster of Florence' Based on a True Story?

Yes. Based on the non-fiction book Il Mostro di Firenze by Gianluca Monastra, The Monster of Florence limited series on Netflix focuses on the investigation into the murders, which actually occurred. The series begins with a murder committed in 1982, which the police link to the killer, as they look back to another killing from 1968 for possible clues. At only four episodes, The Monster of Florence has a lot of ground to cover in little time. The format of the series is non-linear, in which each episode focuses on a different suspect whom the police believe could feasibly be the killer  but are they?

This structure highlights the lingering uncertainty that plagues the truth behind the Monster of Florence's identity all these years later. It also leaves much up to interpretation by the audience since, despite all the real-life evidence, it is difficult to discern what is truly conclusive. The series offers a window into Italy in the 1960s, '70s and '80s, a period shaped by changing economies and cultures that nevertheless left some areas in poverty, as depicted specifically in the show. The countryside of Italy remained frustratingly in the past, as the urban areas sped towards the future, and one wonders if these patriarchal pockets bred a monster.

Who Was 'The Monster of Florence'? And What Happened to Them?

Unfortunately, this question doesn't have an easy answer. From 1968 through 1985, a criminal known only as "The Monster of Florence" enacted a reign of terror in the province of Florence, Italy and killed 16 people  making them Italy's first publicly known serial killer. The killer targeted couples who went out in search of privacy, secluded in isolated areas that were commonly referred to as "lovers' lanes." Initially called "The Maniac of Couples," this serial murderer was later deemed "The Monster of Florence," even though none of the murders actually took place in the city.

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After the Florence Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation in the early 1990s, several suspects were convicted for involvement with the murders, and yet most people believe the true killer was never found. The circumstances surrounding the killings remain unclear and unsolved, as well as the motive. This haunting cold case has provided ample nightmare fuel for the decades after the murders ended.

Is 'The Monster of Florence' Worth Watching?

Based on the reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, it looks like The Monster of Florence is the more worthwhile "Monster" series that's currently streaming on Netflix. Critics have praised the series for its period detail, gripping narrative, fantastic performances and well-crafted characters. Ultimately, The Monster of Florence isn't just interested in exploiting lurid details but examining the complexities of an unsolved case that reflect the time period in which it occurred.

Netflixs New Hit Docuseries Is a Bizarre Blend of True Crime and Forbidden Romance

The series manages to be genuinely frightening, but it's also a measured, fascinating exploration of the different types of personalities that could execute a horrific crime, and the environment from which they are bred. It also doesn't hurt that the filmmaking craft is impressive, with some absolutely striking cinematography. On the whole, The Monster of Florence is more than worth your time, and it doubles as creepy nightmare fuel just in time for Halloween.

Stream The Monster of Florence now on Netflix.
Outer Banks director Jonas Pate has been accused of grabbing and screaming at a female production assistant as actors Chase Stokes and Madelyn Cline intervened

The incident allegedly took place while the Netflix series was filming its fifth and final season in Dubrovnik, Croatia, according to TMZ.

Pate, 55, allegedly shook the female PA while shouting in her face, which prompted Stokes, who portrays John B on Outer Banks, to jump in and separate them.

Outer Banks director Jonas Pate has been accused of grabbing and screaming at a female production assistant as actors Chase Stokes and Madelyn Cline intervened. Getty Images for Netflix

The incident allegedly took place while the Netflix series was filming its fifth and final season in Dubrovnik, Croatia, according to TMZ. Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection

The outlet reported that Cline, who plays John Bs love interest, Sarah Cameron, on the series, also intervened to aid in de-escalating the situation.

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Several production sources told the outlet that Pates alleged behavior was not unusual.

One source told TMZ, Its about time that its made public.

Page Six has reached out to Netflix, Pate, Cline and Stokes for comment.

Pate, 55, allegedly shook the female PA while shouting in her face, which prompted Stokes, who portrays John B on Outer Banks, to jump in and separate them. Getty Images for Netflix

The outlet reported that Cline, who plays John Bs love interest, Sarah Cameron, on the series, also intervened to aid in de-escalating the situation. Getty Images for Netflix

Jonas co-created Outer Banks, a show about a group of teens who searched for a treasure linked to the disappearance of John Bs father, with Josh Pate and Shannon Burke.

The first season premiered in 2020 and three more seasons followed in 2021, 2023 and 2024.

The show faced criticism when main character JJ  played by Rudy Pankow  was killed off in the finale of Season 4.

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However, Jonas defended the storyline, saying that it was destined for JJs character to die.

Several production sources told the outlet that Pates alleged behavior was not unusual. Getty Images for Netflix

Jonas co-created Outer Banks, a show about a group of teens who searched for a treasure linked to the disappearance of John Bs father, with Josh Pate and Shannon Burke (pictured far left). Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection

The fifth and final season of Outer Banks is expected to be released in 2026. Getty Images for Netflix

Its been kind of lurking in his DNA from the beginning. Hes really a tragic figure, and the idea of mortality, and you only have a finite window  its also a theme of the show, he told The Hollywood Reporter last November.

Its something John B has talked about from the first season. So believe it or not, this is something that was always sort of baked in the cake, and we just wanted to tell the story as elegantly and interestingly as possible.

The fifth and final season of Outer Banks is expected to be released in 2026.
The fundamentals of chili may be hotly debated, but at the end of the day, there's no denying the hearty warmth and comfort that emanate from a perfectly spiced bowl. Beans or not; veggie-heavy or meat-packed; ground beef or chopped short ribs; chicken or pork; white, green, or tomato-based red  the number of variations becomes more exponential when you factor in the wide array of available accoutrements and toppings. This recipe collection explores everything under the chili umbrella, from regional specialties such as spaghetti-tangled Cincinnati Chili to classic chili-cheese dogs and chili-cornbread casserole. Even if you already have your back-pocket chili recipe, we're sure you'll find something here to enhance your next bowl.

01 of 26

Classic Beef Chili

Caitlin Bensel

If you don't have a favorite chili recipe, make this one your go-to. Fresh poblano and toasty ancho chile powder provide a tame level of heat, making this a crowd-friendly dish that guests can crank up by topping with a few slices of fresh jalapeno. Thanks to convenient canned beans, you can get this on the table in under an hour.

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02 of 26

White Chicken Chili

Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Lydia Pursell

Prepared with tomatillos instead of tomatoes, this bold, spicy chicken chili gets its thick, creamy texture from the addition of navy beans and chopped white corn tortillas; the red hue comes from a combo of chili powder and cayenne pepper.

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03 of 26

Texas Chili

Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling by Christina Daley

You won't find any beans in this chili; instead, four whole pounds of beef chuck roast are flavored with plenty of dried chiles, onion, and garlic, plus a bottle of beer. Serve with shredded cheddar, sliced jalapenos, and diced onions for a supremely satisfying bowl.

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04 of 26

Short Rib Chili

Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Tyna Hoang / Prop Styling by Christina Daley

Fresh jalapenos, smoky chipotle chiles in adobo, and fruity ancho chile powder give this thick, meaty short rib chili layers of heat, while red wine and tomato add acidity to balance out the richness of the tender short ribs. Homemade pickled red onions provide a colorful, tasty, crunchy topping.

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05 of 26

Award-Winning Chili

Food & Wine / Photo by Hannah Hufham / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Josh Hoggle

While many white chicken chilis lean on cornstarch or a roux for body, this blue-ribbon recipe owes its creaminess to the generous amount of grated Monterey Jack cheese that gets stirred into the reduced chicken stock. With two whole onions, four cloves of garlic, and two cans of chopped green chiles plus spices, this chili packs so much flavor that you'll never miss the tomato base of standard chili varieties.



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06 of 26

Weeknight Skillet Chili

Christopher Testani / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen

Yes, you can have a big, bold chili on the table in half an hour, thanks to canned fire-roasted tomatoes, kidney beans, and chipotle peppers, plus quick-cooking ground beef and Mexican chorizo.

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07 of 26

Chili Cornbread Casserole

Food & Wine / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen

For this hearty one-skillet meal, F&W recipe developer Renu Dhar pours a quick homemade cornbread batter over a classic ground beef and bean chili, then bakes until irresistibly golden.

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08 of 26

Cincinnati Chili

Fred Hardy / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Josh Hoggle

For this classic regional dish, sometimes called Skyline Chili, spaghetti and mildly spiced chili can be personalized with a range of toppings. We topped our take with cheddar cheese, red kidney beans, and onions.



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09 of 26

Spicy Chicken Chili

Food & Wine / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Lydia Pursell

From Food & Wine's Quick From Scratch Chicken cookbook, this recipe is packed with beans, tomatoes, and smoky spices. Juicy chicken thighs simmer with jalapenos, cumin, and oregano, creating a tomato-rich base layered with heat and depth. Pinto and black beans give body, while garnishes like cilantro and cornbread round out a cozy, crowd-pleasing meal. Plus, it can be on the table in under an hour.



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10 of 26

Pork Chile Verde

Frederick Hardy II / Food Styling by Melissa Gray / Prop Styling by Christina Brockman

Guy Fieri's chile verde is loaded with melty pork shoulder suspended in smoky and spicy tomatillo-chile broth. Don't leave out any of the garnishes: crispy tortilla strips, bright lime wedges, chopped fresh cilantro, sliced scallions, and shredded jalapeno Jack cheese.

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11 of 26

Mapo TofuInspired Beef and Black Bean Chili

Greg Dupree / Food Styling by Rishon Hanners / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen

Mapo tofu meets classic beef chili for this incredibly warming, inventive mash-up. Szechuan peppercorns, fresh chiles, and the spicy fermented bean paste doubanjiang provide plenty of tongue-tingling heat, while ground beef, tofu, and black beans give the dish its satisfying heft.

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12 of 26

Marry Me White Chicken Chili

Food & Wine / Sara Haas

A riff on Marry Me Chicken, this chicken chili simmers tangy sun-dried tomatoes and golden-seared chicken thighs in a velvety bean-thickened broth. Cannellini beans and a quick dusting of flour give the stew body without loads of cream. Ready in just 50 minutes, it tastes even better the next day.



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13 of 26

Frito Pie

Photo by Fred Hardy / Food Styling by Ali Ramee / Prop Styling by Christina Brockman

Also known as "walking tacos," this Frito pie piles homemade chili with cheddar and toppings on a mound of corn chips still in the bag for an undeniably fun, flavorful meal. Make the quick-pickled red onion in advance for easier day-of prep.

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Vegetarian Black Bean Chili with Ancho and Orange

 Christina Holmes

Touches of orange and honey play off fruity ancho chile powder and tomatoes to give this easy black bean chili an unexpectedly bright, sweet lift. You'll need three cans of black beans and less than an hour to prepare it.

Vegetarian Black Bean Chili with Ancho and Orange

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Turkey and Pinto Bean Chili

Con Poulos

This chili is made with ground turkey, olive oil, pinto beans, and lots of veggies. It has the perfect level of spice  not too much nor too little  so it's enjoyable for everyone.

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16 of 26

Three-Chile Beef Chili

 Fredrika Stjarne

With coffee, stout beer, smoky bacon, and three kinds of peppers, this recipe makes one vibrant pot of chili. Two pounds of ground beef and three cans of pinto beans add plenty of heft and make this the ultimate cold-weather meal.

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17 of 26

Chickpea and Swiss Chard Chili

 Eva Kolenko

This smoky, rich chili is a simple one-pot dish that comes together in just half an hour from only 10 ingredients, salt and pepper included. The leftovers are perfect for lunch later in the week.

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18 of 26

Pork and Brisket Chili

John Kernick

Use small pink Rancho Gordo beans and a mix of boneless pork shoulder and brisket to make a giant pot of super-satisfying chili that feeds 10 hungry people. A big jar of roasted Hatch green chiles provides the ideal amount of heat.

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19 of 26

Chicken Chili with Beer and Hominy

Sarah Bolla

Beer and hominy set this chicken chili from San Diegobased chef Sara Bolla apart, giving it a malty depth and chewy texture that play beautifully against the tender shredded meat. Plus, it can be on the table in just 45 minutes. Serve it with sour cream, fresh onions, and cilantro.

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20 of 26

Chili con Tofu

 Sabra Krock

Sponge-like tofu is great for absorbing spicy chili seasonings, but you can use the same weight of tempeh instead for a heartier option. Since tempeh is not packed in water, there's no need to pat it dry before sauteing, but stir in up to one extra cup of water in Step 4 when adding the beans.

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21 of 26

Ultimate Loaded Chili-Topped Hot Dogs

Jen Causey

The meaty, mildly sweet chili on these loaded dogs is balanced by the sharp bite of pickled jalapenos and the crunch of radishes and salty Corn Nuts. Feel free to make the chili ahead of time for quicker day-of assembly.



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22 of 26

Crock-Pot Chili

Abby Hocking / Food & Wine

Since chili benefits from being simmered low and slow, using a slow cooker to make it is a no-brainer. This classic recipe calls for dried beans instead of canned; simply add them with the ground beef, tomatoes, and spices, and six hours later, you have delicious chili.

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23 of 26

Vegetable Chili with Garlic Rice

 Lisa Cohen

Loaded with black beans, onion, tomatoes, bell peppers, and squash, this veggie chili is served over a bed of aromatic long-grain rice for a garlicky boost  make it with vegetable stock instead of chicken to keep things vegetarian-friendly. Chopped cilantro gives the dish a fresh finish.

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24 of 26

Beef Chili with Beans

 John Kernick

Grant Achatz ditches the traditional packaged chili seasoning blend, instead creating a custom spice mix with generous amounts of ancho and pasilla chile powders plus fresh herbs. Chopped chipotles in adobo and cayenne pepper round out the fiery factor for his smoky version of classic ground beef chili.

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25 of 26

Pork Cheek and Black-Eyed Pea Chili

 Maura McEvoy

Michael Symon's big-batch chili calls for a pound of slab bacon plus five pounds of flavorful, succulent pork cheeks, though pork shoulder will work, too. Leave the seeds in the jalapenos if you like it hot.

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26 of 26

Quick Three-Bean Chili

 Antonis Achilleos

The key to creating this flavorful chili in just half an hour lies in the inclusion of a few strips of bacon to the aromatic base; the chili powder gets lightly toasted in the rendered fat to add smoky, savory intensity throughout. You'll need a can each of Great Northern, pinto, and black beans to make it.

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I challenge any American to look up the history of Hawaii before visiting. Learning a bit about a place before traveling there is just good manners, but in the case of a place like the islands that make up Americas 50th state, a dive into how what was once an independent kingdom became a part of America in the 20th century illuminates the context of tourism there.

If youve ever heard a story of a tourist getting chewed out or beat up by locals, well, Im not here to tell you it isnt true. Those who live in Hawaii, and especially those who are indigenous to the islands, are understandably protective of their land as it exists amidst a largely parasitic tourism industry that consumes money and resources while often giving little back to the community or the land itself.

RELATED: Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors to Greece

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Its why I held off on visiting once work started taking me around the world more. Traveling to places like Hawaii, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico is the sort of endeavor that should be approached thoughtfully, lest you book a stay at an all-inclusive resort that funnels every penny you drop on the trip directly into the wallets of hospitality executives continents away. For Hawaii I wanted to stay somewhere that would encourage exploration of the islands, spotlight local food and artisans, and make it easy for guests to give back.

I found it in Romer House, a boutique hotel in Waikiki I visited in September. Located just across from a bustling multi-block mall and a Kona Coffee with a 45 minute-long line at any given time of the day, the hotel is quiet and modest compared to the louder resorts just a stretch closer to the ocean (you need only cross two main roads to get there from Romer). In the lobby I found dim lights, a lowkey seating area, and a small restaurant serving up solid breakfast staples in the morning and a more proper dinner menu in the evenings. Behind the check-in counter, a massive framed photo of local surf legend Clyde Aikau gazed over all who checked in (any member of the Aikau family welcoming you to your home in Hawaii isnt to be taken lightly, even if its just through a photograph).

In lieu of plastic bottles in rooms each guest is provided with a supply of Jason Momoas Mananalu aluminum water bottles, which have refill stations all over the hotel to cut back on plastic waste. Theres a nice pool and poolside bar in the back but hardly the kind that warrants multiple days spent lounging outside of it. And the room itself, while cozy, well air-conditioned, and stocked with typical hotel amenities, wasnt anything extraordinary  and thats a good thing.

At every turn, Romer House encouraged us to spend our time literally anywhere other than the hotel itself. Guests are advised to wake up early to catch the sunrise by the beach, which was as early as 5:30-6AM while I was there (worth it, absolutely worth it). Any hotel employee will provide you with an exhaustive list of places to check out while on the island, almost entirely small businesses, from Avanti (an excellent producer of traditional aloha shirts) to Honolulu Pawnshop (a dope local streetwear brand with a store in one of Waikikis nearby malls). The primary excursion of the trip was a morning hike of Diamondhead, a local mountain and state park that provided a killer workout and spectacular views at the top. Staying in Romer House feels like staying in a proper neighborhood hang, a bit of a rarity in a tourist-heavy part of the island.

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Even the on-site offerings tied back to the community. The hotel bar  The Lei Stand  is a revival of a bar that was a centerpiece of the islands Chinatown back in the day. It now serves locals and guests alike. Other resorts on the island have in-house or on-site stores for brands like Tommy Bahama (which is owned by clothing conglomerate Oxford Industries and is, on its own, headquartered in Seattle). Romer House had a local swimwear brand host a pop-up in the lobby during my stay and a local jeweler setup in the lobby daily. Resorts point inward. Romer House points outward.

I am far from an expert on the ethics of tourism in places like Hawaii. I dont know if theres a right way to do it given how much damage has been done to the islands over the last century. What I do know is that if youre going to visit, you should make sure your money is staying on the island and that youre giving back to it in some way. Listen to locals when they tell you not to take anything from the beach (its literally illegal to remove rocks or sand from the shore) or to pick up trash when you see it. Get coffee somewhere other than Starbucks. Dont pry for insider info on where locals like to hang out  those spots arent for tourists, no matter how much you might want to see them. And dont miss your chance to take part in one of the great unifying experiences between tourists and locals that the island offers: waking up for sunrise.
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.

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So here what you should know before tick-or-treating starts.

When is Halloween 2025?

Halloween is on Oct. 31.

What's the most popular Halloween candy in Delaware?

Crunch bar. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

The First State was one of three states where the Nestle Crunch bar was the most popular candy.

Crunch bars were also most popular in Iowa and Kansas.

What's the most popular candy in New Jersey Maryland and Pennsylvania?

Bags of Sour Patch Kids

The three states bordering Delaware have a variety of favories.

New Jersey: Sour Patch Kids

Pennsylvania: Twizzlers

Maryland: Mr. Goodbar

What is the most popular Halloween candy?

M&Ms were the most popular in nine states, getting its backing mostly from Midwest states.

Sour Patch Kids and Nerds were tied for second with each being popular in six states.

Boo Buckets are back: McDonald's is bringing back Boo Buckets. Here's what we know

What are Halloween trends?

APT2B.com also surveyed 1,000 American parents with children between the ages of 5 and 13 to learn more about the state of trick-or-treating today. Here are some of the details.

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92% of Americans with children plan to go trick-or-treating this year.

50% of Americans think trunk-or-treat events are replacing traditional trick-or-treating.

66% of Americans believe houses with Halloween decorations distribute better candy.

58% of Americans believe trick-or-treating is less popular than when they were children.

6.2% of Americans give full-sized candy bars.

71% of Americans give fun-sized candy bars.

15 is the age where parents believe children should stop trick-or-treating.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: What's the most popular trick-or-treat candy?
For many travelers, safety plays a deciding role in whether or not they should visit a destination.

In the 2024 State of Travel Survey by McKinsey, 81% of respondents said safety and security at a destination is their most important factor in making travel decisions, ranking it as the top concern.

To help travelers figure out where to go, Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (BHTP) released its 2026 State of Travel Insurance Safest Destinations report on Oct. 15. Since 2016, the travel insurance company has created this rating, basing it off data from the Global Peace Index, Numbeo and GeoSure Global scores. BHTP also used input from 1,838 surveyed American travelers who visited the ranked countries in the last five years.

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"Today's travelers are prioritizing their safety more than ever," Carol Mueller, head of marketing at Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection, told USA TODAY in a statement. "The 2026 State of Travel Insurance Safest Destinations report not only highlights locations where travelers feel most secure, but also serves as a trusted resource for making informed choices about where to explore next."

This year's top 10 saw some notable changes compared to last, including some newcomers like Austria and the United Arab Emirates. Iceland lost its title as the world's safest destination, replaced by the Netherlands, which climbed from last year's spot as 14th thanks to its high level of safety, especially for travelers of color, women and LGBTQ+ people.

However, travelers should keep in mind that a place's safety is always in flux, and the list only captures a snapshot in time. Major events that impact safety and security can happen after the list has been determined, according to BHTP. No matter where they go, people should always travel smartly.

Here's what the report said.

The world's safest countries in 2026

People visit vast fields of Dutch tulips in Tulip Experience Amsterdam in Amsterdam, the Netherlands on April 22, 2025.

Netherlands Australia Austria Iceland Canada New Zealand United Arab Emirates Switzerland Japan Ireland Belgium Portugal France United Kingdom Denmark

The world's safest cities 2026

REYKJAVIK, ICELAND - SEPTEMBER 02: A general view of Reykjavik is seen from the top of Hallgrmskirkja church on September 2, 2018 in Reykjavik, Iceland.

Reykjavik Copenhagen Zurich Amsterdam Honolulu Sydney Barcelona Lisbon Tokyo Dublin Venice Seoul London Singapore San Francisco

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: These are the 15 safest countries and cities to visit in 2026
A norovirus outbreak has sickened at least 75 people aboard the Oceania Cruises ship the Oceania Insignia, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported this week.

The ship, which set sail from Montreal on Oct. 16 and is concluding its tour in Boston on Oct. 27, is carrying 637 passengers, 74 of whom have fallen ill with the gastrointestinal illness. One member of the ships 391-person crew also fell ill with norovirus. The main symptoms reported were diarrhea and vomiting.

According to the CDC, the Oceania Insignia has ramped up its sanitation measures as part of the ships outbreak response plan. It has also isolated the crew member and passengers and consulted with the CDCs Vessel Sanitation Program, which helps the cruise industry prevent and control public health issues such as norovirus outbreaks. The ship has also collected stool samples from individuals who are sick on board for testing.

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In a statement to People, the cruise line emphasized that the health and safety of its guests are its top priority. The ships sanitation officer has activated the CDC approved protocol and all guests experiencing symptoms are being treated, it said.

The Oceania Insignia outbreak marks 2025s 20th gastrointestinal illness incident on a cruise ship to reach the CDCs public reporting threshold, which is 3% or more of passengers or crew reporting symptoms. This surpasses the number of cases cruise ships saw in 2024.

What is norovirus?

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes what is commonly referred to as the stomach flu, though it has no relation to influenza. In addition to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, norovirus symptoms may include headache, low-grade fever and muscle cramps.

According to Cleveland Clinic, norovirus spreads easily through close contact, contaminated food or shared surfaces  and because infected individuals shed billions of viral particles, it can spread rapidly in confined spaces.

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Norovirus is also known as the cruise ship virus because of its frequent outbreaks on cruise ships and military bases  and its circulating everywhere, Dr. Craig Wilen, associate professor in laboratory medicine and immunobiology at the Yale School of Medicine, previously told Yahoo.

There are no drugs or vaccines to treat norovirus, making it a major public health burden, Wilen said. Additionally, norovirus is resistant to ethanol-based cleaners, such as hand sanitizer, making it even harder to avoid. Washing your hands regularly, cleaning surfaces in the bathroom and where food is prepared, and avoiding contact with people who are sick are the best approaches to prevent norovirus.

The Oceania Insignia outbreak comes one month after news of an outbreak on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, which sickened 128 passengers and seven crew members. In July, another Royal Caribbean cruise ship saw an outbreak where 134 passengers and seven crew members fell ill.
ALBANY, N.Y. (WSYR-TV)  The state health department had news that was both bitter and sweet, much like the vapes about 13% of high schoolers in New York use, as the departments recent study found.

About 17% of New York high schoolers, the New York Tobacco Survey found according to a study released this month, smoked tobacco in any form last year. That includes the traditional cigarette, the archaic hookah, and the modern vape pen.

Its a number that state health commissioner Dr. James McDonald says is still too high, but a record low. The study measures every two years  the number of teens smoking has gone down from 23.9% in 2022. Teen smoking had a bump in the late 2010s, as vaping rose in popularity, though since 2020, that trend has waned.

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This matches the results of a nationwide study by the CDC released last year.

Vaping has largely replaced cigarettes as the dominant mode of smoking among teens. You can see this through the numbers: in 2000, 33.6% of New York high schoolers smoked, and 80% of them smoked cigarettes. In 2018, 30.6% of New York high schoolers smoked, with about 90% of them using vapes. In 2024, 77% of New York high schoolers who smoked were using vapes.

For context, the study, conducted by New York Department of Health since 2000, and based on methods by the CDC, had a sample size of about 8,000 high schoolers for most years (in 2008, a special study drove the sample size up to an extraordinary 23,133; in 2020 and 2022, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the usual sample size reduced by a half).

As with anyone of any age, smoking tobacco is harmful to teens health. In May 2020, New York banned the sale of flavored vapes on the grounds that tobacco companies were targeting teens.

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That previous year, New York state law had already banned the sale of vapes to anyone under the age of 21.

Some names of vape brands read more like sugary breakfast cereals rather than addictive nicotine products. An article from Stanford University listed some: Cookie Twist, Fruity Bears Freeze, and Unicorn Vomit.

Some vape shop owners have resorted to the black market, like one Central Square shop police busted in 2021 did or five others in Central New York in 2023. Many teens still circumvent the law by buying vapes online or getting other people to buy them for them.

With all the information we know about the dangers of smoking  why? One study from the American Academy of Pediatrics found that the number one reason was to relax or relieve tension. After that, out of boredom or curiosity.

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So while the percentage of teens vaping has gone down since those New York laws passed, it hasnt reached zero.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR.
CHICAGO  New video appears to show Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino lobbing a can of tear gas into a crowd of protesters, but DHS says agents acted in full accordance with CBP policy during a clash in Little Village on Thursday.

The law firm Loevy and Loevy released the video late Thursday afternoon as part of a new court filing. Attorneys contend it shows federal agents seemingly disobeying a judges order meant to reel in some of their aggressive tactics. The order says immigration officers are not allowed to use riot control weapons, much like tear gas, unless they are facing an imminent threat.

The news comes after tear gas was deployed and at least one person was arrested following a clash that unfolded between federal agents and community members in Little Village on Thursday morning.

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The clash unfolded around 10 a.m. in an area near West 27th Street and South Whipple Street.

Members of the community who spoke with WGN-TV said they were first alerted to the presence of federal agents after hearing a Department of Homeland Security helicopter overhead.

Palatine cafe forced to close amid ICE visits; other eateries affected

Several people on the scene were tear-gassed, and State Representative Edgar Gonzalez said at least two people were detained.

SkyCam 9 was overhead around 10:30 a.m., when a crowd of about 100 people could be seen, along with several federal agents nearby.

Chicago police said they were called to the scene after multiple 911 calls, including one from federal agents seeking assistance.

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When they arrived, officers found a large crowd and began de-escalation efforts, but only responded to maintain public safety through crowd control and traffic control.

Gonzalez said tensions likely escalated near a discount mall in the area, eventually leading agents to deploy tear gas.

They were detaining somebody. People were trying to push back, and ICE was scared, so they started throwing tear gas. I started coughing a bit and went to the park to recover, and then they started throwing tear gas closer to Sacramento. They detained two young people, Gonzalez said.

Gov. Pritzker forms commission to track actions of federal law enforcement

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State Senator Celina Villanueva said the agents also faced significant pushback from community members in the area.

They were absolutely met with resistance, Little Village is Little Village, were always going to protect our own, were always going to fight, Villanueva said.

While on the scene, WGN-TV crews observed at least one federal vehicle with a smashed rear window. The scene had cleared by 12:30 p.m.

It remains unclear if anyone was injured in the clash, and Chicago police said one person was arrested during the incident for allegedly battering a CPD officer. Charges are pending.

Video shows Border Patrol detaining landscaper in Evanston, sparking outrage

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As federal agents continue operating in Little Village, local leaders spoke out at a press conference, voicing their outrage at the tactics being used, despite the existing court ruling. Chicago Ald. Mike Rodriguez (22nd Ward) says his office near 26th and Pulaski will be assisting families with detained loved ones for the next couple of days. Assistance will also come from staff members of Congressman Jesus Chuy Garcias office, Senator Dick Durbins office, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnsons office, and possibly, the office of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.

Rioters grew more hostile and violent

In a statement shared with WGN News on Friday morning, an official from DHS said the incident began after border patrol agents who were conducting enforcement operations in the area were surrounded by a group described as about 75 to 100 rioters shortly after they became boxed in by a large box truck.

DHS said in the statement that after they became boxed in, the group allegedly began firing commercial artillery shell fireworks at agents.

Amid the fireworks, DHS said a transport van carrying immigrants was then attacked, but the van was eventually able to make it into a perimeter set up by agents.

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DHS further claims that the group then began throwing items, including rocks, at the agents, adding that Chief Greg Bovino was struck in the head by one.

A Border Patrol transport van carrying illegal aliens attempting to get to the safety of the perimeter was then attacked. Border Patrol agents were able to secure the van and get it into the perimeter. The mob of rioters grew more hostile and violent, advancing toward agents and began throwing rocks and other objects at agents, including one that struck Chief Greg Bovino in the head, a DHS spokesperson said.

According to DHS, agents then repeated multiple warnings to the crowd to back up, informing them that chemical agents would be deployed if they failed to comply.

Agents then deployed riot control measures, at which time arrests were made.

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Riot control measures were deployed, including by Chief Bovino, and arrests were made. Agents properly used their training. The use of chemical munitions was conducted in full accordance with CBP policy and was necessary to ensure the safety of both law enforcement and the public, a DHS spokesperson 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 WGN-TV.
A 17bn ($20bn) proposal by Bouygues Telecom, the Free-iliad Group, and Orange to acquire a large part of Altices activities in France has been rejected.

Positioned as a means of enabling further investments in fixed and mobile networks (with an inevitable nod to AI), the proposal has been driven by the need for French billionaire Patrick Drahi (who owns 55% of Altice France) to reduce substantial debts.

The B2B assets would have been largely taken over by Bouygues Telecom as is looks to consolidate its position in the French enterprise market, with some also heading to Free-iliad. B2C activities would have been shared across all bidders.

Consolidation is required

The proposal is symptomatic of two clear trends in the European telecoms market: consolidation is required and investment (and margins) are under strain.

In terms of consolidation, the report on EU competitiveness by Mario Draghi, former European Central Bank President, encouraged consolidation to create stronger competitors.

The problem is that this argument has been going on for years  in the 1990s and 2000s there was discussion of mergers between the likes of France Telecom (now Orange) and Deutsche Telekom, as well as between KPN and Belgacom. Obviously, neither happened.

Swedens Telia and Finlands Sonera did combine, but no-one has been popping champagne corks over its success.

So, there is an intellectual argument for cross-border consolidation, but cultural, political, and regulatory barriers remain. There are examples of service providers successfully operating across multiple European markets  for example Orange, Vodafone, and Telefonica.

In fact. They have been instrumental in driving the real consolidation across Europe  in-country consolidation, combining fixed and mobile assets for both enterprise and consumer customers.

Telecom rule of three

The rule of three plays strongly here and is becoming more widely accepted (notably in the UK recently with VodafoneThree).

It means that three competitors can scale and invest in individual markets (even despite tight margins), which will result in sufficient competition to benefit customers.

This indicates that Altice/SFR will be broken up in due course. The combination of debt and market forces make it inevitable  the only questions are about when, for how much, and who gets what assets.

Maybe one day there will be consolidation across borders, but the barriers remain substantial. Despite being a single market Europe remains a collection of markets. There could be a signature deal that starts a series of others, but then you must imagine the technological, cultural, and political consequences.
CHICAGO (WGN)  A man has died and another was injured after a shooting Wednesday afternoon on the citys West Side.

Chicago police said the shooting happened just after 3:30 p.m. in the 4900 block of West Erie Street in the Austin neighborhood.

1 dead, 1 hospitalized after stabbing at Chick-fil-A in Oswego; suspect in custody

Two men, ages 39 and 43, were on the sidewalk when five unknown male suspects approached them. One of the suspects then fired multiple gunshots at the two men before running off northbound from the scene, according to investigators.

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Police said the 39-year-old man was shot in the lower back, buttocks and hip and took himself to Loretto Hospital where he is listed in critical condition. The 43-year-old man was shot in the chest and head and taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital in critical condition before dying from his injuries.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

No arrests have been made and Area Four Detectives are investigating.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
At least 10 people were injured, including one critically, in an early Thursday morning apartment fire in Freeport, Long Island.

Multiple people suffered smoke inhalation, three were seriously burned and a fourth was left in critical condition after the fire broke out around 5:45 a.m. inside the basement of the building on Jay Street, the Freeport Fire Department said in a statement on social media.

Nassau Fire Marshal Michael Uttaro confirmed to ABC 7 that a total of 10 people were taken to the hospital, three of them children.

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The critically injured resident, a man in his 50s, became trapped in the bathroom of a basement apartment and was pulled from the blaze unconscious, the station reported. He was described as being in cardiac arrest and was rushed to Nassau University Medical Center.

The firefighter that rescued him was also being treated at a hospital.

The blaze caused damage to all three floors and has since displaced between 50 and 65 people, Uttaro told reporters at the scene. He said there were no working smoke detectors in the area of the building where the fire occurred.

The owner of the building has been issued violations for missing and non-working smoke detectors.

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One resident told Long Island News 12 that she climbed the fire escape to the roof with her four children and 76-year-old mother, crossed over to an adjacent buildings roof and then climbed the fire escape down to safety.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The Village of Freeport Building Department will assess the damage before determining when occupants can return.
On an evening 10 years ago, Porter Ranch resident Matt Pakucko stepped out of his music studio and was walloped by the smell of gas  like sticking your head in an oven, he recalled.

Pakucko called the fire department. It turned out crews had already been up to the Aliso Canyon gas storage facility in the Santa Susana Mountains behind the neighborhood, responding to a report of a leak. Many of his neighbors were beginning to feel ill, reporting issues such as heart palpitations, vomiting, burning eyes and bloody noses.

"I swear I thought I was standing behind a 747 with its engines blowing  it was not just gas, it was oil smell, it was chemical smell that permeated," recalled Pakucko, who went on to co-found the advocacy group Save Porter Ranch. "I couldn't stay out there for 30 seconds. It tasted like f gasoline."

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Soon it was clear that this wasn't just a leak  it was a blowout. Over the course of 112 days, the Aliso Canyon facility would spew an estimated 120,000 tons of methane and toxic chemicals into the atmosphere. It was the worst natural-gas well blowout in U.S. history, and an environmental disaster whose effects will be unpacked for generations.

The event was widely seen as a wake-up call to the dangers of methane and underground natural gas storage. Methane, a planet-warming greenhouse gas, is about 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide and is responsible for about a quarter of all the human-caused climate change we are experiencing. A study published by UCLA researchers last month found that women in their final trimester of pregnancy who were living within 6.2 miles downwind of the blowout in 2015 had a nearly 50% higher-than-expected chance of having a low birth-weight baby.

The blowout ushered in a wave of new regulations to strengthen the governance of natural gas storage facilities in California and the United States, as well as new tools and technology to monitor methane emissions.

But 10 years later, some Porter Ranch residents say the wounds still feel fresh, and too many promises have been broken. After the disaster, then-Gov. Jerry Brown called for the permanent closure of Aliso Canyon by 2027  a goal his successor, Gavin Newsom, called a top priority and vowed to meet even sooner.

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Instead, Aliso Canyon remains open, with regulators voting in December to continue using the facility for years  probably into the 2030s  citing the need for natural gas to help maintain affordable energy rates and grid reliability in California.

The facility is a key asset for Southern California Gas. In an emailed statement, the company said the state would struggle to meet electricity demand without Aliso Canyon's storage. The site fuels 17 power plants and helps keep the lights on during the hours that can't yet be met by solar, wind and other renewable resources, the company said. Natural gas still represents about 40% of the state's electricity supply.

"There's a lot of work to do to get off natural gas and oil in California," said Adam Peltz, senior attorney with the nonprofit Environmental Defense Fund. "That work is underway, but it's not complete. If you've built an economy on fossil fuels, it takes awhile to get off of it."

Aliso Canyon was originally drilled as an oil field in the late 1930s before SoCalGas converted it to natural gas storage in the early 1970s. Utilities often use played out crude oil fields as places to pump gas downward under pressure and hold it until it is needed.

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Aliso Canyon is one of the largest natural gas storage facilities in the U.S.

In the lead-up to the blowout, SoCalGas was filling the site in preparation for the winter heating season. Crews were using tremendous force to pump gas down a well that was more than 60 years old. But a metal casing on well SS-25 had corroded, and gas began blowing out at very high volumes.

Methane is not visible to the naked eye, but aerial images captured with infrared cameras and released by the Environmental Defense Fund showed a geyser-like eruption of the flammable, climate changing gas  making it clear to the whole world the magnitude of the disaster.

Matt Pakucko, right, founder of Save Porter Ranch, and other protesters against SoCalGas hold a rally at the intersection of Tampa Avenue and Rinaldi Street on Sept. 28, 2021, in Porter Ranch. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

It took nearly four months for crews to stop the leak. By that time, damage was done. More than 8,000 households were temporarily displaced, businesses were shut down, and two schools were relocated for several months.

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Researchers are still working to unpack the health outcomes of the event. SoCalGas, meanwhile, has paid about $2 billion in settlements and agreed to operate the facility at a lower maximum pressure.

Officials with the gas company said they have shored up the facility, including replacing the inner steel tubing on all operating wells and conducting continuous ambient methane monitoring. All wells at the site are subject to real-time pressure readings and visual inspections four times a day, among other protocols, SoCalGas said.

"Over the past 10 years, SoCalGas has conducted comprehensive safety reviews and implemented multiple safety layers that protect one of California's most important assets for energy reliability and affordability," the company said.

While the maximum allowable operating pressure at the site remains reduced  about 3,183 pounds per square inch compared with 3,600 pounds per square inch in 2015  state officials recently voted to let SoCalGas increase storage at the facility to 68.6 billion cubic feet of natural gas from 41 billion cubic feet, outraging many in the community.

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Read more: 'My mind is just blown.' California allows more gas storage at Aliso Canyon leak site

But experts say there are silver linings to the disaster. California overhauled its underground natural gas storage regulations to make them the strongest in the nation and among the strongest in the world, according to Peltz, of the Environmental Defense Fund. The changes include more thoughtful rules for well construction, better monitoring and risk management, and improved planning and emergency response.

Congress reacted to the disaster by requiring its regulatory agency, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, to issue safety standards for natural gas storage nationwide. In 2016, it adopted best practices recommended by the American Petroleum Institute, which were strengthened at the beginning of this month.

Many states with natural gas storage previously had no regulations at all, Peltz said.

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"On a national basis, the systems will be safer as a result of that change," he said.

There have been technological advancements too. The infrared aerial recording of the leak captured in 2015 was a relatively new technique at the time, but has now become commonplace. The California Air Resources Board conducted its first large-scale statewide aerial methane survey in 2016, identifying many of the largest methane sources in the state.

There have also been considerable advancements in the ability to observe methane super-emitters through satellites and remote sensors, according to Seth Shonkoff, executive director at the science research institute PSE Healthy Energy and an associate researcher at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health.

"The rub is that we know more than we ever have, and we're perhaps controlling more than we would have if we didn't have the technology to see them, but we're still seeing more and more of these large-scale emission events all across the United States and all across the world," he said.

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Methane concentrations in the atmosphere are still rising. It is streaming, often constantly, from facilities associated with the oil and gas industry, landfills and dairy farms, among other sources.

The Aliso Canyon Southern California Gas storage facility on May 28, 2020. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Methane isn't the only concern either. Researchers now have a better understanding of what's in the gas that blew from Aliso Canyon and that continues to be stored in natural gas facilities around the country. Although it is primarily composed of methane, roughly 99% of samples analyzed by Shonkoff and his team have contained hazardous air pollutants such as benzene, hexane and toluene, largely as a result of commingling with depleted oil and other subsurface materials.

Moving forward, he said, it will be critically important for gas companies to disclose to regulators and risk managers what their gas is composed of, so that if it leaks, responders can quickly determine the appropriate response.

"If we had had that with Aliso Canyon, we could have, within a matter of hours, understood whether people should get out of the way or stay inside, and we wouldn't have had as many people suffering from health symptoms," Shonkoff said.

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In 2024, the Biden administration passed the first comprehensive rules to limit methane pollution by fining oil and gas developers for excessive emissions. But this year, the Trump administration revoked the rule, which it described as a tax.

At the same time, many natural gas storage facilities across the country are old and require retrofitting to meet current regulations, but such upgrades can be slow and expensive  often leaving ratepayers on the hook.

Residents near Aliso Canyon have also long feared an earthquake or wildfire in the area. The gas field sits along the Santa Susana fault and is in a high fire hazard severity zone. SoCalGas says it has numerous safety plans and procedures in place.

Read more: Long after Aliso Canyon gas rupture, residents still fear long-term toll on their health

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Perhaps the greatest tension remains between those who wish to see Aliso Canyon shuttered and the officials who say the facility is critically important to California's energy supply, which is increasingly trying to serve power-hungry artificial intelligence data centers.

Dozens of Porter Ranch protesters chant "shut it all down," as they demonstrate at the Aliso Canyon gas storage facility in Porter Ranch on May 15, 2016. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

California has committed to reaching 100% carbon neutrality by 2045. But SoCalGas says it still needs Aliso Canyon.

"SoCalGas is aligned with the state of California in pursuing the technologies and infrastructure that supports California's climate plan, including clean renewable hydrogen and renewable natural gas, that could, over time with other renewable energy projects, deliver the reliability and affordability Aliso Canyon supports today," the utility said in a statement. However, any decision to reduce or eliminate operations at Aliso Canyon must be based on genuine reduced demand that is permanent, the company said.

Pakucko, of Save Porter Ranch, noted that the facility was offline for two years after the blowout without an interruption in service.

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"Two years!" he said. "And guess what? We managed without the facility."

Read more: SoCalGas agrees to pay up to $1.8 billion in settlement for 2015 Aliso Canyon gas leak

For others in the area, it feels like the latest in string of broken promises.

Among SoCalGas's settlement agreements was a $120-million consent decree with the state of California requiring the utility to fund methane mitigation projects, air monitoring and other initiatives to address alleged harms caused by the blowout. About $25 million of that went toward a long-term health study on the effects of natural gas exposure, which is being conducted by researchers at UCLA. The results are eagerly awaited.

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About $26 million went to a program for dairy digesters in the Central Valley, which capture methane from cow manure before it enters the atmosphere. Many had hoped those funds would be spent closer to home, including former L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti, who at one point envisioned the mitigation money being used to transform Porter Ranch into a net-zero community.

"That would have been so great," said Patty Gleuck, a Porter Ranch resident who served on the community advisory group for the health study. Instead, "that money went to this dairy digester program that does not benefit this area."

Like Pakucko, Gleuck recalled suffering health effects during the blowout, including a tightness in her chest and a metallic taste in her mouth that dissipated when she left the area and resumed when she returned.

She still suffers from a chronic cough and uses an inhaler, she said, adding that "a lot of inhalers were prescribed in the area."

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"A lot of people moved away, taking a loss on their homes because they were so sick, or their family members were sick," she said. "I just don't think that there has been justice."

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
(WBRE/WYOU)  The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board announced 11 people have been banned from Pennsylvania casinos and online gambling after going against various laws.

The Board placed 11 people on the Involuntary Casino Exclusion List, including three adults who left minors unattended while gambling in a Pennsylvania casino:

A man and woman who together left two children, ages 11 and 12, in a vehicle in the parking lot of Hollywood Casino Morgantown for 32 minutes while they gambled on slot machines and in the sportsbook.

A woman who left three children, ages 2,6, and 12, in a vehicle in the parking lot of Hollywood Casino York for 29 minutes while she gambled on slot machines and at table games.

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Pa. casino fined $30K after 13-year-old accused of gambling

The board says denying gambling privileges serves as a reminder that adults are prohibited from leaving minors unattended, since it creates an unsafe environment for the children.

Being placed on an Involuntary Exclusion List prohibits people from either gaming in a casino in Pennsylvania, via an online betting site regulated by the Board, or at a Video Gaming Terminal location.

These bans raise the number of individuals now on the Boards various Involuntary Exclusion Lists to 1,448.

Information about both the PGCBs gaming regulatory efforts and Pennsylvanias gaming industry can be found at the PA Gaming Board website.

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Violations including 11 rodent droppings inside an oven and 10 live flies contaminating a pizza joints meatballs and cheese prompted the temporary closure of seven South Florida restaurants last week. Inspections also found dozens of live and dead roaches infesting multiple kitchens.

The Sun Sentinel typically highlights restaurant inspections conducted by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation in Broward and Palm Beach counties. We cull through inspections that happen weekly and spotlight places ordered shut for high-priority violations, such as improper food temperatures or dead cockroaches.

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Any restaurant that fails a state inspection must stay closed until it passes a follow-up. If you spot a possible violation and wish to file a complaint, contact Florida DBPR. (But please dont contact us: The Sun Sentinel doesnt inspect restaurants.)

BROWARD COUNTY

The Hen and The Hog

380 N. Park Road, Hollywood

Ordered shut: Oct. 17

Why: 11 violations (four high-priority), including:

About 37 live roaches in areas such as on ground behind two-door, glass-slider, reach-in cooler, on front left wheel of two-door stainless reach-in cooler, in control device located under two-door, glass-slider, reach-in cooler, on ground in prep area and on wood board on wall behind right-side flat top on cook line.

About 27 dead roaches in areas such as inside of control device located under two-door, glass-slider, reach-in cooler, on top of sealed closed bag over potatoes located on side of two-door, glass-slider reach-in cooler, on ground behind chest freezer, on loose wrapped tape on electrical cord above chest freezer, on ground in prep area and on hanging tape under front counter in front of cook line.

Stop sale ordered for cooked potatoes due to temperature abuse.

Hand wash sink plumbing on cook line in disrepair. Water draining directly from sink onto floor.

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Status: Closed Oct. 18 after a reinspection found seven violations (two high-priority). Reopened Oct. 20 after a third visit found four violations (one high-priority; a follow-up inspection was required.

Sals Italian Ristorante

2908 Oakwood Blvd., Hollywood

Ordered shut: Oct. 13

Why: Eight violations (three high-priority), including:

More than 18 live roaches in kitchen on door to cook line flip-top, in gasket of chest freezer on cook line, on wall next to ice machine, in front left wheel of 10-burner stove on cook line, on wall behind gap in tile at ware-washing area and inside of gap along ware-washing and cook line hood walls.

Seven dead roaches in kitchen in control device located on ground behind chest freezer on cook line, on ground behind chest freezer on cook line, on ground next to ice machine, in far left oven on cook line and on ground under pizza line flip-top at front line.

Stop sale ordered for raw salmon in commercially packaged reduced-oxygen packaging with a label indicating to be removed before thawing, fully thawed in reduced-oxygen packaging.

Container of liquid cement stored on shelf above cook line.

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Status: Reopened Oct. 14 after a follow-up inspection found no violations.

Polo Bar & Grill

5590 W. Hallandale Beach Blvd., Pembroke Park

Ordered shut: Oct. 14

Why: 16 violations (seven high-priority), including:

11 rodent droppings inside oven in kitchen.

One live roach on wall next to triple sink in kitchen.

Ziplock bags of raw shrimps and raw fish stored above sauces and salad in Atosa glass reach-in cooler; stop sale ordered.

Stop sale also ordered for sour cream, heavy cream, shredded cheese, raw conch, raw fish and bean sprouts due to temperature abuse.

Accumulation of black mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine.

There [was] no soap available in kitchen upon arrival. Employee washed hands but didnt apply soap.

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Status: Reopened Oct. 15 after a second visit found one basic violation.

PALM BEACH COUNTY

Los Catrachos II

4663 Lake Worth Road, Greenacres

Ordered shut: Oct. 13

Why: 19 violations (13 high-priority), including:

About three live flies around ice machine [in] server area with lemons.

Approximately seven roaches crawling on the floor next, behind and under reach-in freezer on cook line in kitchen area.

About four dead roaches on the floor behind reach-in freezer  by shelves with clean utensils.

Employee removed towel from the floor, then placed dirty towel on her shoulder then started to prepare food without washing hands first.

Raw beef and raw chicken stored over cooked beef.

Raw beef stored over sauces, raw burgers over cooked beef, and raw pork chops over sauces.

Stop sale ordered for cut cabbage and lettuce, cheese, crema, raw chicken, raw beef, raw ground pork, french fries and cooked beans due to temperature abuse.

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Status: Closed Oct. 14 after a reinspection found two violations (one high-priority). Reopened later that day after a third visit found no violations.

Bagel Restaurant & More

5770 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach

Ordered shut: Oct. 13

Why: 18 violations (five high-priority), including:

About 27 rodent droppings in kitchen on floor, inside clean cutlery storage on prep table and on floor in area between dining room and kitchen.

Two dead roaches on floor between dining room and kitchen.

Employee touched visibly soiled wiping cloth and then prepared food without washing hands.

Raw salmon stored over unwashed tomatoes.

Server handled soiled dishes/utensils while removing from tables, took customers orders/payment and then picked up plated food/served food/prepared food/beverages without washing hands.

Time/temperature involved pooled raw shell eggs.

Hard-boiled eggs in cooler [with] no date mark.

Both toilets and hand-washing sinks removed from all restrooms inside establishment.

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Status: Reopened Oct. 21 after a second inspection found three intermediate violations. A follow-up inspection was required.

Copacabana Cuban Cuisine

1209 Main St., Suite 101, Jupiter

Ordered shut: Oct. 16

Why: Six violations (five high-priority), including:

About 22 flies at bar flying around and landing on clean glasses and by soda fountain station flying around, not landing.

About 10 live roaches on wall by Rational oven, by triple sink, on wall by mop sink, on wall by Ecolab chemical dispenser, on wall rack across from triple sink and on wall by spice rack.

Glue traps with about 11 dead roaches on shelves above dishwasher station and by hand-wash sink on cook line.

Time/temperature issues involved cooked rice (stop sale) and cheesecake.

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Status: Closed Oct. 17 after a follow-up visit found three violations (two high-priority). Reopened Oct. 18 after a third inspection found no violations.

Square Peg Pizzeria

4957 W. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach

Ordered shut: Oct. 14

Why: 15 violations (seven high-priority), including:

Approximately 10 small flying insects landing [on] meatballs, mozzarella cheese, mushroom at pizza station (stop sale).

Stop sale also ordered for marinara sauce date marked 10/7 at walk-in cooler.

Time/temperature issues involved meatballs, cheese, roasted peppers, grilled onions and grilled vegetables.

Cook removed all-purpose cleaner spray bottle and then [put] gloves on and prepared sandwich without washing hands.

Dust, dirt buildup in cleaned plates on kitchen shelf.

All-purpose cleaner spray bottle stored with brownies, cleaned plates, cup on shelf at kitchen.

Soap dispenser at hand-wash sink not working/unable to dispense soap at pizza station.

Status: Reopened later the same day after a second visit found five violations (one high-priority).
Two 14-year-old gang members have been indicted for the killing of 13-year-old DeSiyah Reed in Cobb County.

Attorney General Chris Carr said the suspects, Jonathan Camphore and Josiyah Cole, are 14-year-old gang members. One is linked to the Young Stupid Reckless gang and another to the Sex Money Murder gang.

DeSiyah Reed, 13, was caught in the crossfire of a gang dispute and shot in July. He died at the hospital a few days later.

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Both suspects are facing charges including voluntary manslaughter, weapons charges and gang-related offenses.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Channel 2 Cobb County Bureau Chief Michele Newell learned from Carrs office that both teens are being charged as adults.

My baby was amazing, said Dustin Reed, the victims father.

He was a good kid, never caused problems, his grandmother said.

DeSiyah Reed, affectionately known as Turtle, was shot and killed on Padgett Drive in Cobb County. Dustin Reed, the victims father, has called for an end to gun violence.

Put the guns down, put them down, put them down. Its getting way too out of hand, he said.

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Around 15,000 animals are to be culled at a poultry farm in southern-Germany after the country's leading animal disease centre confirmed the spread of bird flu, the Ministry of Agriculture in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg announced on Thursday.

The Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI) confirmed infection with an avian influenza virus known as HPAIV of the subtype H5N1, generally known as bird flu, in crane samples from several German states.

According to the ministry, the affected poultry farm in Baden-Wurttemberg was closed immediately after bird flu was suspected.

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While the highly infectious disease carries a high mortality rate among poultry and wildfowl, it is harmless to humans.

"The animals in the affected flock will be killed in accordance with animal welfare regulations and disposed of," the statement said.

The farm housed its animals both in barns and in free-range pastures. A three-kilometre protection zone and a 10-kilometre surveillance zone have been established, the ministry added.

The FLI had already warned that a potentially widespread outbreak of bird flu infections was to be expected after several eastern states reported high crane mortality from the disease.

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It has now been found to have spread beyond cranes to other wild waterfowl, including ducks and geese. The virus can also infect farm poultry such as hens and turkeys.

The spread among cranes has reached a scale previously unknown in Germany, a spokeswoman for the federal institute responsible for animal diseases said.

According to initial estimates, around 2,000 cranes have died of bird flu while resting in Germany during their annual migration south.

In the eastern state of Brandenburg, almost 1,000 dead animals have been recovered, with the search ongoing.

"We are still surrounded by dying animals," said the head of the Rhinluch Species Protection Centre, Norbert Schneewei, who is coordinating a team of helpers searching deeper and more inaccessible waters in Brandenburg. He believes around 1,500 infected animals may have died.

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More than 500 dead cranes were also found at a reservoir on the border between two other eastern states, Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt, and over 100 in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

With the peak of the crane migration still to come, experts expect the numbers to continue to rise.

In response to the increasing number of confirmed cases, the FLI has upgraded the risk of further outbreaks in poultry farms and wildfowl from "moderate" to "high" in its latest assessment.
(FOX40.COM)  Operation Silver Shores led to arrests of 15 people across the U.S., including nine from California, on Thursday for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Video Above: Judge upholds felony fraud charges on Stockton Unified School District Board Member

U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced that an investigation into a sophisticated transnational fraud organization operating out of the U.S. and several countries in Latin America led to Thursdays arrests. All detained individuals are being held responsible for stealing more than $30 million from mostly elderly American victims.

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This announcement follows the indictment of more than 20 members of a transnational criminal organization charged with conspiring to commit wire fraud and money laundering.

The indictment announced today exposes a telemarketing scam that deliberately targeted our vulnerable elderly citizens and yielded more than $30 million in devastating financial losses to victims across the country, Grant said. But my office will relentlessly pursue justice, hold fraudsters accountable, and work tirelessly to safeguard seniors from such predatory schemes.

Two of the people from California are from Marysville and Stockton. Maira Liset Chavez, 36, of Marysville and Sergio Madrigal Lacayo Jr., 39, of Stockton were both arrested and facing charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, Grant said.

Today, the FBI delivered a decisive blow against violent gangs with the success of Operation Silver Shores, said Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel of the FBI Sacramento Field Office. The Nortenos and their gang affiliates arrested today are moving into sophisticated financial crimes targeting our communities most vulnerable, the elderly. This takedown sends a clear message: we will not tolerate criminals exploiting our communities.

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The investigation revealed that members of the organization used fake identities of attorneys and government officials to contact victims via phone calls and emails. The organization used various tactics to extract money from the victims, Grant reported.

Officials explained that the organization utilized multiple strategies to launder the money, moving it through a series of layered financial transactions. The defendants then transferred fraud proceeds to bank accounts controlled by the organizations members located in the United States, Latin America, and elsewhere.

To evade financial institutions anti-money laundering and Know Your Customer policies and procedures, members would misrepresent the purpose and nature of their transactions. Grant stated that the group also utilized international transactions, cryptocurrency exchanges, and smaller financial institutions, as they believed these systems had weaker AML/KYC controls.

Investigators have identified more than 372 victims and losses exceeding $30 million, with more than $1.5 million in victim funds that have been identified and seized. Officials state that they are continuing to locate and seize additional assets.

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If convicted of their charges, each defendant faces a range of sentences. The maximum statutory penalty for wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud is 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The maximum statutory penalty for money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering is 20 years in prison and a fine up to $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction, whichever is greater.

The following were arrested on Thursday and are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering:

Piera Salgado Teleki, 34, of Berkeley, Calif.

Maira Liset Chavez, 36, of Marysville, Calif.

Sergio Madrigal Lacayo Jr., 39, of Stockton, Calif.

Celina Martinez, 44, of San Jose, Calif.

Ashley Molina, 32, of Amarillo, Texas.

Carlos Zamora, 40, of Port Saint Lucie, Florida.

Stephanie Alonzo, 42, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Ricardo Plascencia, 32, of Amarillo, Texas.

Samuel Lopez, 45, of Amarillo, Texas.

Veronica Puentes, 40, of Port Saint Lucie, Florida.

The following additional California residents were arrested Thursday and are charged as noted:

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Antonio Palafox Aguilar, 33, of Fresno, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, one count of wire fraud, and one count of money laundering.

Felix Alejandro, 39, of Bakersfield, currently a federal inmate at UPS Florence-High, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, two counts of wire fraud, and one count of money laundering.

Alejandro Cuarenta, 33, of Bakersfield, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, one count of wire fraud, and one count of money laundering.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
MENTOR, Ohio (WJW)  The Mentor Police Department announced the arrest of a 15-year-old Thursday.

The teen, who will not be named due to his age, was under investigation for several months, according to police.

Documents reveal what led to 5-year-old girl falling off Disney cruise ship, dad jumping to rescue her

The teen is charged with 36 felony counts, including pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor and pandering obscenity involving a minor.

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A warrant was obtained for the teens arrest. He was taken into custody on Friday, according to police, and remains in the Lake County Juvenile Detention Facility.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Oct. 22A 19-year-old man who died in a high-speed motorcycle crash earlier this month in north Spokane has been identified by the Spokane County Medical Examiner's Office as Kaleb Gonzalez.

The crash was reported the afternoon of Oct. 7 on Nevada Street and St. Thomas More Way, according to the Spokane Police Department. One 911 caller estimated Gonzalez was driving 90 mph.

Police and medics found him down in the roadway. He died at the scene, police said.

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Investigators believe Gonzalez struck the back of a vehicle and crashed.

Prior to the crash, officers observed the same motorcycle near Nevada Street and Francis Avenue. Officers attempted to stop the motorcyclist after noting he did not have license plates displayed.

The motorcyclist fled north on Nevada at a high speed, according to police. Officers did not give chase.

The medical examiner's office said Gonzalez died from blunt-force injuries and ruled the death an accident.
Portugals largest energy company, Galp Energia, is ramping up exploration across Africa and Latin America as global oil demand remains resilient and the energy transition proves slower than anticipated.

The world has changed, said Executive Board Member Nuno Bastos on Tuesday, noting that the war in Ukraine and renewed energy security concerns have altered global priorities. The energy transition is happening, but it will take more time than we thought. Europe still needs fossil fuels.

Galp is now targeting frontier regions to boost its upstream portfolio. The company is in advanced talks with several oil majors to sell a 40% stake in its Mopane field offshore Namibia, where it currently holds an 80% interest. Mopanes reserves are estimated at 10 billion barrels, and Galp aims to bring in a partner to accelerate development as fast as possible, Bastos said, with a deal expected by year-end. The company plans to move from discovery to production by the early 2030s.

The move builds on Galps broader African strategy. It also holds licenses in Sao Tome and Principe, where it partners with Shell and Petrobras, and is evaluating additional exploration acreage across the continent.

Meanwhile, Galp is expanding its footprint in Brazil, having just secured three offshore blocks in the Pelotas Basin through Brazils fifth Open Permanent Concession bid round. The consortium includes Petrobras as operator (70%) and Galp with 30%, with a total signature bonus of about $2 million.

Galps largest project to date, the Bacalhau field in Brazil, began production this year. With a 20% stake, Galp expects Bacalhau to increase its output by 40% and generate roughly $400 million in annual free cash flow.

Bastos said Galps diversified upstream baseBacalhau producing, Namibia appraising, Sao Tome offering long-term potentialforms a balanced portfolio to sustain growth. Upstream projects accounted for 63% of Galps earnings last year, and profits from oil and gas will help fund the companys transition into renewables, hydrogen, and biofuels.

Were not addicted to oil, Bastos said. Were experts in developing complex energy projectsand well keep doing that while investing in the next generation of energy.

Oilprice Intelligence brings you the signals before they become front-page news. This is the same expert analysis read by veteran traders and political advisors. Get it free, twice a week, and you'll always know why the market is moving before everyone else.

You get the geopolitical intelligence, the hidden inventory data, and the market whispers that move billions - and we'll send you $389 in premium energy intelligence, on us, just for subscribing. Join 400,000+ readers today. Get access immediately by clicking here.
LAWRENCE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT)  The Lawrence County Sheriffs Department says two people were arrested on drug charges on Wednesday.

According to LCSO, the Lawrence County VICE/Narcotics Unit, with help from Lawrence County Community Corrections and the District Attorneys Office, carried out a search warrant at the home of Avery Cooper in the Town Creek community.

Man found guilty of murdering Sheffield hotel owner

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LCSO said agents found Christopher McBride on the property, who tried to run, but was quickly caught.

During the search, LCSO said agents found over 56 grams of methamphetamine, more than 150 grams of synthetic marijuana and drug paraphernalia consistent with the distribution and resale of illegal narcotics.

Both people were taken into custody and taken to the Lawrence County Jail.

Avery Cooper

(Courtesy of Lawrence County Sheriffs Office)

Christopher McBride

(Courtesy of Lawrence County Sheriffs Office)

Avery Cooper was charged with the following:

Trafficking in Methamphetamine

Trafficking in Synthetic Marijuana

Distribution of a Controlled Substance

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Christopher McBride was charged with the following:

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Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement

Possession of a Controlled Substance

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  Two Baton Rouge men have been arrested in connection with a deadly shooting that occurred last week in Maringouin.

According to the Iberville Parish Sheriffs Office (IPSO), deputies responded to the Ridgewood Apartment Complex on Oct. 16 after reports of a gunshot victim. When deputies arrived, they found two people suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and immediately began providing aid until paramedics arrived.

IPSO said one of the victims, Derrien Scott, 17, died from his injuries. The second victim, a 19-year-old man, was taken to the hospital and has since been released.

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Louisiana State Police identifies victim in deadly hit-and-run in Baton Rouge

Following an investigation, detectives identified Derion Rogers, 19, and DaQuan Causey, 17, both of Baton Rouge, as suspects.

Rogers and Causey were arrested and booked into the Iberville Parish Jail on charges of second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, and armed robbery.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News.
Oct. 23November will mark one year since St. Paul and Immanuel Lutheran churches in Dixon formed an experimental partnership led by a married couple as co-pastors.

There's been "a lot of growing pains, but overall it's been a good year. People are making connections" and have become "very comfortable with each other" across both congregations, co-pastor Riley Reed-Windau said.

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It's been a year since married Lutheran co-pastors Anthony Windau and Riley Reed-Windau began leading two Dixon congregations. (Alex T. Paschal)

The churches are having a one-year anniversary celebration at 2 p.m. Sunday and will install the co-pastors. The service starts at Immanuel, 1013 Franklin Grove Road, and then moves to St. Paul, 421 Peoria Ave., with a meal to follow, co-pastor Anthony Windau said.

In the Lutheran church, an installation is a service that welcomes a new pastor into a congregation's ministry.

It's an "all-community event," not just for those in the church. Pastors at all area Lutheran churches and those from First Baptist Church in Dixon also will attend, Windau said.

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Both St. Paul and Immanuel have existed in the community for over 100 years, and the churches are able to financially support each building, so the churches didn't want to completely close one and move to the other, Windau said.

Instead, it's become "two churches, one mission," sharing two pastors who work together while maintaining each congregation's separate identity, Windau said.

Reed-Windau's office is at Immanuel, which has a total membership of about 250 people and sees about 60 people attending the Sunday service. Windau is over at St. Paul, which has a slightly smaller congregation, with 184 members in total and about 40 people attending its Sunday service.

There's a "small percentage of people who still refuse to step foot in the other church," Windau said.

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But in the past year, Reed-Windau said, she's seen more crossover between the two congregations.

To promote that, the couple has held many events with both congregations.

Windau said his favorite was a casual breakfast in March soon after the couple took over because it was a great way to get to know everyone.

He said they made 90 doughnuts, bought a couple dozen from Dunkin' Donuts and had none left by the end of the event.

Reed-Windau picked out two favorites  one was an outdoor worship service and baptism held at Lowell Park in Dixon, and the other was an adult education program, similar to a book club, that meets once a week.

For more information, visit St. Paul and Immanuel Lutheran churches' websites online at ilcdixon.org and stpauldixon.org.
Two Green Bay men were among seven people arrested in connection to a human trafficking operation in Dickinson County, Michigan, according to the Dickinson County Sheriff's Office.

The operation to arrest the suspects took place from Oct. 8-12, and featured help from several departments, as well as journalist and television personality Chris Hansen and his production crew at TruBlu Network.

The sheriff's office identified the two Green Bay men as a 45-year-old and a 41-year-old. The Press-Gazette does not identify suspects until they are formally charged.

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The sheriff's office are pursuing the following charges against each of the seven suspects, all of which are felonies:

Child sexually abusive activity

Use of a computer to commit child sexually abusive activity

Use of a computer to commit accosting a child for immoral purposes

Children - accosting for immoral purposes

Other people arrested were a 51-year-old Tomahawk man; a 29-year-old Kingsford, Michigan, man; and three men from Iron Mountain, Michigan, ages 29, 61 and 65.

The sheriff's office asks its community to report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement, or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, or by texting "HELP" at 233733. This operation is the first of its kind in Dickinson County, according to the sheriff's office.

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Hansen has a show with TruBlu called "Takedown with Chris Hansen," which centers around Hansen stopping would-be sex criminals, according to IMBD. Hansen is also known for his show "To Catch a Predator," which focused on catching potential internet predators using a sting operation.

Rashad Alexander can be contacted at ralexander@gannett.com and 920-431-8214.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: 2 Green Bay men arrested in Michigan in human trafficking investigation
NEED TO KNOW

Two children have died after they were trapped in a house fire on Oct. 22, Houston fire officials said

The children's grandfather attempted to rescue then, but "wasn't able to get all the way in," HFD Chief Thomas Munoz said

The grandfather and the children's mom were hospitalized after the incident

Two children have died in a Houston house fire after family tried to save them.

Fire crews responded to the blaze at a townhome on Casa Grande Drive in the Greenspoint neighborhood shortly before 11:15 p.m. local time on Wednesday, Oct. 22, according to a news release shared by the Houston Fire Department (HFD).

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Upon arrival, crews were met with heavy fire and immediately began working to put out the blaze.

Fire officials confirmed the two young children inside the home died in the blaze. Their names and ages have not been made public.

Two adults were also injured while trying to reach the children, fire officials said. They were transported to Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center for treatment.

The two adults who were inside the home have been identified as the chidlren's mother and grandfather, according to ABC affiliate KTRK-TV.

Houston Fire Department/Facebook Firefighters outside the home where two children died in a fire Firefighters outside the home where two children died in a fire

The mom and grandfather were found outside the home when crews arrived at the scene, FOX affiliate KRIV reported.

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The grandfather sustained severe burns after trying to save the two children from the house fire, KTRK-TV and CBS affiliate KHOU reported. The extent of the moms injuries is unclear.

"He wasn't able to get all the way in," HFD Chief Thomas Munoz said of the children's grandfather, noting that this is a hard time for the city.

"We ask Houstonians to keep the families in your prayers," Munoz added.

Houston Fire Department/Facebook Firefighters responded to the blaze in the Greenspoint neighborhood of Houston shortly before midnight on Oct. 22 Firefighters responded to the blaze in the Greenspoint neighborhood of Houston shortly before midnight on Oct. 22

An investigation into what caused the fire is ongoing. Fire officials said the American Red Cross is assisting residents in nearby units.

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Additionally, the HFDs Critical Incident Stress Management team is supporting firefighters who responded to the blaze.

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Our Houston firefighters take this pretty hard, Munoz said, according to KHOU. This is a hard day, especially when it involves children.

HFD did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for additional comment.



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The two men who died in the ocean off an Australian beach on Wednesday, Oct. 22, after getting into trouble in the water have been revealed to be a surfer and his friend who tried to rescue him

Police told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that the surfer was 36 years old and British, while his friend was 43

Detective Inspector Melissa Nixon told the outlet that the surfer was inexperienced and the weather conditions "were obviously not appropriate to be in the water surfing"

The two men who died after getting into trouble in the water at a beach in Australia were an inexperienced surfer and a friend who tried to rescue him, police have said.



In a news release, Victoria Police said first responders were called to Frankston Beach "following reports of two men in trouble in the water on Wednesday 22 October about 5pm."

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Police said the surfer's board is believed to have snapped and another man, who was known to the surfer, jumped in the water to to try and help him but they both began to struggle.

"Air Wing came to assist, and both men were winched back to shore but could not be revived," the release added.

The two men were residents of Frankston, a suburb of Melbourne, police told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). The outlet reported that the surfer was aged 36 and British, while his friend was 43 years old.

Keith Mayhew/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Frankston Beach in Australia Frankston Beach in Australia

Detective Inspector Melissa Nixon told ABC that the surfer was inexperienced and that the weather conditions yesterday were obviously not appropriate to be in the water surfing, whether you're experienced or not.

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"He wasn't experienced at surfing, he had minimal experience. His friend obviously thought he was in distress and jumped in to help him, she continued.

The victims have not yet been formally identified yet and "police are continuing to make those enquiries," the release continued.

Police added that a flight officer from Air Wing had to be taken to the hospital for minor injuries following the incident.



Alamy Frankston Pier in Melbourne, Australia Frankston Pier in Melbourne, Australia

Nixon told ABC that the man had swallowed large amounts of water.

According to the outlet, Victoria experienced severe weather on Wednesday and wind gusts reached up to 80 mph.

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Issuing a warning to residents, Nixon said, Please do not go swimming or surfing in conditions like this when we know that it's going to be treacherous conditions."

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"You put yourself at risk, you put people who jump in to help you at risk, you put emergency services at risk, she added.

Frankston City Mayor Kris Bolam JP said the two men were swept from the Frankston Pier during extreme wind conditions, in a statement shared on the Frankston City Councils Facebook page.

In his statement, Bolam also paid tribute to the men and said that the Frankston City community extends our deepest condolences to their families, friends and loved ones.

This devastating event is a sharp reminder of the power of nature and the real risk posed by severe weather, Bolam continued. The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) and other authorities have issued warnings of strong gusts, rough seas and dangerous conditions along our coast and foreshore this week. We urge everyone in our community  residents, visitors, fishers, walkers and beach-goers  to heed these warnings."

PEOPLE has contacted Victoria Police for further comment.



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Two leaders of a now-shuttered St. Paul addiction treatment center have admitted their roles in a multiyear Medicaid fraud scheme that netted millions of taxpayer dollars.

Shantel Rene Magadanz, former chief executive officer at Evergreen Recovery Inc., and Heather Lynn Heim, the one-time chief financial officer, pleaded guilty Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

A grand jury in December indicted Heim, 47, of St. Paul, Magadanz, 35, of Stacy, and Evergreen owner and operator Shawn Ashley Grygo, 37, of Forest Lake.

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Prosecutors say the trio used the outpatient drug and alcohol treatment center along Energy Park Drive to overbill the state Department of Human Services and insurer UCare for services that were not provided. The overbilling scheme included adding client names to counselor logs after the fact, and other falsification of backdated records.

Evergreen also allegedly billed for treatment services clients were required to attend as a condition of remaining in free housing.

Evergreen employees who raised concerns were either silenced, shut down or lied to regarding the lawfulness of Evergreens practices, prosecutors say.

Heim and Magadanz were each associated with at least $5.6 million in fraud loss, according to plea agreement documents. They face between 21 and 27 months in prison at their sentencings, which have not been scheduled.

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Grygo has pleaded not guilty to wire fraud and money laundering. A trial date has not been set.

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Photo of Hurricane Wilma taken from NASA's International Space Station.

Three Category 5 storms formed in the Gulf during the blockbuster 2005 Atlantic hurricane season, each more intense than the last, and each about a month apart. Wilma was the last of the three, and it turned out to be the strongest storm ever measured in the Atlantic basin.

AccuWeather.com

The country was still grappling with the horrifying aftermath of Katrina's destruction along the Gulf Coast when Rita slammed into southwestern Louisiana as a Category 3 storm on Sept. 24, bringing even more destruction and turmoil to the beleaguered Gulf region.

As it turned out, the most intense storm was yet to come.

AccuWeather.com

Hurricane Wilma tapped into the warm Caribbean waters, and paired with low wind shear in the atmosphere, and the storm underwent a record-setting and staggering period of intensification. The storm's central pressure bottomed out at 26.04 inches of mercury (882 mb), a record that still stands for Atlantic hurricanes 20 years later.

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AccuWeather's Lead Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski had forecast his fair share of powerful hurricanes during his 44 years with the company.

"I remember the data coming in [from the Hurricane Hunter aircraft]. I could not believe the drop in pressure," Kottlowski recalled. "Each time the plane went over the storm, the pressure just kept dropping, and we were just wondering, When is it ever gonna stop dropping?' It was wild, you know? That's what I remember the most from Wilma," he said.

Wilma intensified from a 74-mph Category 1 hurricane to a 185-mph Category 5 hurricane in just 24 hours time from the morning of Oct. 18 to the morning of Oct. 19, Colorado State University Meteorologist Phil Klotzbach told AccuWeather.

"That's a phenomenal intensification rate," Klotzbach said.

Photo Gallery: Hurricane Wilma

Wilma would smash into the Yucatan Peninsula as a Category 4 hurricane, devastating the far northern part of the region and wreaking havoc on the country's tourism industry. During its time over Mexico, the hurricane unleashed an astonishing 24-hour rainfall total of 64.03 inches on the island of Islas Mujeres. The amount set the records for daily rainfall in both Mexico and the Western Hemisphere.

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The storm then spun back out into the Gulf and charted a course for the U.S., slightly weaker, but still extremely dangerous. Wilma made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane near Cape Romano, Florida, on Oct. 24, 2005, then tore through the state "backwards" - from west to east - marking an unusual track.

Hurricane Wilma approaches Florida on radar (National Weather Service)

AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Joe Lundberg traveled to Fort Myers, Florida, to cover Wilma, which would end up being the first and only hurricane he would ever cover from the field during his on-camera career. "There was a point at which we felt it was unsafe to report further from outside," Lundberg said.

The storm's death toll for its entire track would rise to 52 by the time it left the United States, where it killed 30 people.

Incredibly, six more Greek-named tropical storms would form after Wilma in the 2005 season, but none impacted the U.S.
WEST HARTFORD, CT  West Hartford Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Deb Polun is running for the West Hartford Town Council as a Democrat.

The following is Deb Polun's questionnaire sent to Patch:

Candidate's Name: Deb Polun

What office are you seeking? Town Council

What town do you live in? West Hartford

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Campaign Website: https://www.debforwesthartford.com

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Occupation: Chief strategy officer - 2 years

Family: Married to Ian, a school principal, for 30 years. Two grown children - Jordan (age 27) and Megan (age 24).

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No

Previous public office, appointive or elective: Yes: West Hartford Board of Education (2017-22), West Hartford Town Council (2022-present).

Why are you seeking this office?

Serving on the West Hartford Town Council and the Board of Education before that has been a true honor.

I love West Hartford, and I want to help ensure a successful West Hartford into the future.

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The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it: The most pressing issues for West Hartford residents are the economy and costs of living.

We must consider this as we make decisions at the Town Council table that have a real impact on peoples day-to-day lives.

We must carefully balance our desire to implement/maintain robust programs and services with the fiscal reality that virtually all of our revenue comes from our residents in the form of property taxes.

I will continue my commitment to fiscal responsibility, including examining both sides of the budget equation.

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On the revenue side, we aim to bring in more funds from people who live outside of West Hartford through shifts in state funds, as well as revenue from cannabis and traffic cameras.

On the spending side, I will continue to examine every line item to ensure that we are exercising efficiency and the best use of funds.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am proud to bring 26 years of experience in public policy to my role.

I have worked both in state government and nonprofits on issues that support better health and quality of life for residents of Connecticut, such as access to health care, affordable, nutritious foods, and the ability to age in place.

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This work has required researching policies in other states, listening to and learning from residents, and working with others to achieve pragmatic solutions.

I also bring my own experience as a 26-year resident of the town, who raised her children here. My parents also live in town.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

My top priorities if re-elected are:

- Helping constituents navigate our town government/helping to resolve issues when needed.

- Protecting and growing the services provided to our residents, including those provided through our libraries, parks, public safety, public works, and schools.

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- Continuing our commitment to fiscal responsibility.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence that you can handle this job?

My years of experience in public service have prepared me to continue on the Town Council.

I served for five years on the Board of Education, including serving as chair during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

For the past three years, I have served on the Town Council.

These roles require a commitment to listening, learning, showing up, and working collaboratively on behalf of the town for its best today and tomorrow.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Go outside. Being outside (even in terrible weather) is a great way to reset and refresh.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I believe strongly in civic engagement, inclusive, open processes, and working collaboratively.

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I like to learn a lot about an issue before moving forward, including multiple perspectives.

And I am a pragmatic problem-solver. I want to hear from you with your ideas.

2025 Patch Profile: Deb Polun, West Hartford Town Council originally appeared on the West Hartford Patch
The race for Wisconsin's top executive position just got a little more crowded after a 22-year-old college student launched his bid for governor.

Zachary Roper, a political science major at Carthage College, joined the wide Democratic primary after an unsuccessful bid for a state Assembly seat in 2024.

Roper is the youngest candidate in the gubernatorial race so far. There's a14-year age difference between Roper and the second youngest candidate, Rep. Francesca Hong, D-Madison, and a 45-year age difference between Roper and the oldest candidate, Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany.

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More: Who's running for Wisconsin governor? These candidates have launched campaigns

Here's what to know about the requirements to run for Wisconsin's top elected executive office, the state's youngest governor to date and how old governors typically are.

How old do you have to be to run for governor in Wisconsin?

The governor of Wisconsin is elected by popular vote in a statewide election every four years and has no term limit.

While an outlier in age among the other candidates, Roper does meet the criteria required to run for governor in Wisconsin.

To run for governor in Wisconsin, you must be:

18 years or older

A U.S. citizen

Reside in the state for at least 28 consecutive days before the election

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The most common and highest minimum age requirement to run for governor is 30 years old, and is required in states such as Arkansas, Nebraska and New York.

Some states have more restrictive residency rules. To run for governor in New York, candidates must be a resident for five years immediately preceding the election, and in Arkansas, a seven-year residency is required.

Who was Wisconsin's youngest governor?

The youngest governor ever elected in Wisocnsin was Leonard James Farwell, who was 32 years old when sworn into office in 1852. Farwell was the second governor of Wisconsin, after it became a state in 1848 and was a member of the Whig Party.

Farwell had several major achievements as governor. In 1852, he signed a law establishing the official Wisconsin Supreme Court. Prior to this law, the state's highest court has been constituted of the judges that sat on the state's circuit courts.

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In 1853, Farwell signed a law that abolished the death penalty in Wisconsin and replaced it with a penalty of life imprisonment, making Wisconsin the first sate to permanently abolish capital punishment for all crimes.

What is the average age of a governor in the U.S.?

The average age of U.S. governors at the most recent inaguration was 59.4, according to the Eagleton Institute of Politics Center on the American Governor at Rutgers University. Republican Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is the youngest governor currently serving at age 43.

How old is Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers?

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers is 73. He was born on Nov. 5, 1951. Evers was 67 when he was sworn into office in January 2019. He is not seeking a third term as governor in 2026.

Anna Kleiber can be reached at akleiber@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Are there age restrictions to run for governor in Wisconsin?
Portuguese energy company Galp Energia is in advanced talks with several major oil companies to divest a 40% stake in its Mopane field offshore Namibia, reported Reuters.

According to Galp executive board member Nuno Bastos, the company aims to select a partner by the end of this year.

Galp intends to sell half of its 80% stake in the Mopane field, which is estimated to contain reserves of at least ten billion barrels (bbbl).

The selected partner will take on the role of operator for the offshore field.

Earlier this year, the joint venture (JV) partners in Petroleum Exploration License 83 (PEL 83) revealed an additional oil and gas condensate discovery in the Mopane field. PEL 83 covers blocks 2813A and 2814B.

Bastos told reporters: It is critical to understand who is the best partner.

There are talks with several major potential partners in Namibia, they are certainly advanced and we expect to have a partner by the end of the year.

Galp aims to explore new ventures, particularly in Brazil and Sao Tome and Principe, until the Mopane field starts production, which is not expected before 2031 or 2032.

The companys oil and gas output is primarily focused in Brazil, where it forecasts an average production of 105,000110,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day by 2025.

The company operates in Brazil through Petrogal Brasil, a JV with China's Sinopec, which holds a 30% stake.

This partnership has interests in various projects including a 20% share in the Bacalhau field in the Santos Basin.

The Bacalhau field is said to have recoverable reserves exceeding 1bbbl.

Recently, the Bacalhau field started production using a floating production, storage and offloading vessel capable of processing up to 220,000 barrels per day.

Bacalhau is expected to generate an annual cash flow of 400m ($466m), which will support Galp's operations over the next 1520 years, according to Bastos.

"Galp to select partner for Namibias Mopane field by year-end " was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




A two-year legal saga stemming from the attempt to fire the head of the states Cannabis Control Commission (CCC), Shannon OBrien, has left Massachusetts taxpayers with a hefty legal bill. 25 Investigates found the total cost to the state for the failed termination reached $955,153.33.

OBrien was ultimately reinstated to her position as CCC Chair following a successful lawsuit for wrongful termination.

The states Treasury Office, led by Treasurer Deb Goldberg, hired the Boston-based law firm Morgan, Lewis & Bockius to handle the case. Invoices obtained through a public records request detail how the bills piled up.

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The $955,153.33 total includes legal fees, as well as expenses for data, copying, user fees, and even catering services. Invoices show specific instances of billing:

November 2023: Lawyers logged more than 213 hours at a rate of $488.18 per hour, plus additional fees, resulting in a single monthly bill of $105,689.82.

March 2024: The firm billed for 175.3 hours, with certain senior partners charging up to $865 per hour. This bill, including other fees, totaled over $121,000.

The firm did offer courtesy discounts totaling more than $69,632.50, which prevented the final cost from surging past the $1 million mark.

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OBrien returned to her job in September following Superior Court Judge Robert B. Gordons ruling that restored her position with full back pay. Gordon determined OBrien made errors of judgment, but he labeled the legal framework to fire OBrien a house of cards and thin as gruel.

OBrien had been accused of making racially, ethnically and culturally insensitive statements and fostering a hostile work environment at the CCC. OBrien denied the allegations but was suspended and then fired a year later.

In response to the newly uncovered financial cost, OBrien emphasized the judges assessment of the case. This was costly to me financially and professionally, she said, adding that questions about the cost to taxpayers must be addressed to the treasurers office. OBrien stated her current focus is to ensure the CCC is more transparent and accountable for the public funds it spends.

Treasurer Goldberg declined to respond.

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This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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25 investigates: Report details shock and awe at municipal police academy on Cape Cod

A scathing investigative report, finally released after a sustained public records push by 25 Investigates, reveals a culture of abuse and degradation at the new state-run East Falmouth Police Academy.

The document outlines complaints of physical injuries to recruits, details how student officers in the academys 1st Recruit Officer Course (ROC) were mentally and physically abused, forced into punitive physical training, and denied bathroom breaks.

The six-month investigation, conducted by the Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC) with assistance from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, found that several staff instructors, Academy Director Christopher Donelan, and the Academy Coordinator Edward Dunne engaged in conduct that violated training policies and a Code of Conduct.

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Former Academy Director Donelan sought to give the class a shock and awe experience, according to the report. It says: punitive training was routinely used for punishment and discipline, forcing student officers to engage in activities that had no training purpose or nexus to the job of a police officer. Recruits faced forced exposure when they were made to dump 32-ounce water bottles over themselves while exercising in below-freezing temperatures, and were made to perform excessive PT outside in the cold without proper attire.

25 Investigates: 3 suspended from police academy in Randolph

One Sergeant pushed recruits faces into the mud and ice with their boots to force them lower while crawling up a hill, with one recruit reporting injury to his eye after being pushed into the ground. Recruits were also denied adequate bathroom breaks. The report notes that one break was so short that two of the eleven female student officers in the class had to urinate in the shower stalls.

Recruits were subjected to humiliation when, during a bag inspection, a female recruits underwear was taken out of her bag and thrown on the parade deck. Instructors were reported to have made comments about the nature and style of the underwear to the entire class.

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Recruits sustained multiple injuries, including severe bruising and sprains. Two student officers were transported to the hospitalone for a laceration and sprain after falling on the icy hill, and another for dehydration and exhaustion. The MPTC was not notified of any of these injuries or the hospitalizations, in violation of policy.

In August, the MPTC fired Donelan and Dunne. The instructor certifications of five of the nine East staff instructors have been permanently revoked.

In an emailed statement, Chris Donelan wrote, So many of the activities in the report are taken out of context, and there are many inaccuracies. The bottom line is the MPTC wants police academies to be stress-free, easy, and non-confrontational

MPTC Executive Director Rick Rathbun said he understood the public interest when Investigative Reporter Ted Daniel asked him about it last week. This is not an indication of what we see every day the staff, the instructors, particularly at the academies, are delivering a high level with the expectation that the public wants to see their officers that are highly trained and professional, he said.

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However, he acknowledged the severity of the findings, stating that the incident spotlights that theres always a need to be aware and alert to when something comes to light that it requires a deliberate and immediate approach to it.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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NEED TO KNOW

A Calif. police officer has been killed in the line of duty while helping motorists involved in a collision

Lauren Craven, 25, was struck by an oncoming vehicle while assisting at the scene of the collision on the freeway

Her father, David Craven, told a local media outlet he'd remember his daughter, who had celebrated her birthday two weeks prior to the incident, as a "best friend"

A 25-year-old police officer has been struck and killed in the line of duty while helping other motorists following a collision in California, authorities have said.

On Monday, Oct. 20, at approximately 10:24 p.m. local time, La Mesa Police Department officer, Lauren Craven, had been "driving eastbound on Interstate 8 at Fairmount Avenue when she stopped to assist two motorists involved in a traffic collision on the freeway," per a City of La Mesa news release.

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"While assisting the motorists, Officer Craven was struck by an oncoming vehicle. California Highway Patrol [CHP] officers performed lifesaving efforts, but tragically, Officer Craven died at the scene," the release added.

La Mesa Police Department Lauren Craven Lauren Craven

La Mesa Police Department also confirmed the news in a Facebook post, writing, "It is with deep sorrow that we share the tragic loss of La Mesa Police Officer Lauren Craven, who was killed in the line of duty late Monday night."

Police confirmed Craven had been returning to the city of La Mesa from San Diego Central Jail when the tragedy occurred.

"Officer Cravens actions in her final moments exemplified her unwavering dedication to service and the safety of othersa reflection of how she lived every day," the Facebook post read.

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La Mesa Police Department added, "Officer Craven was known for her tenacity, courage, and compassionqualities that inspired her peers and strengthened her community," sharing, "We ask that you keep her family, friends, and the members of the La Mesa Police Department in your prayers as they navigate this profound loss. Her legacy of service and sacrifice will never be forgotten."

Officer Craven joined the department in February 2024 and was assigned to the Patrol Division, per the City of La Mesa news release.

The post stated that the CHP was handling the investigation, adding, "No further information regarding the other parties involved is available at this time."

La Mesa Police Department/Facebook A photo of a La Mesa Police Department vehicle A photo of a La Mesa Police Department vehicle

The CHP was among multiple police departments and agencies paying tribute to Craven after news of her tragic death emerged.

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They wrote in a Facebook post, "The California Highway Patrol extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of La Mesa Police Officer Lauren Craven, who was tragically killed in the line of duty late Monday night."

"Her selflessness and courage in her final moments reflect the highest ideals of our profession. The men and women of the CHP stand with the La Mesa Police Department as we honor her life and service," the CHP added in the post.

Officer Craven's father, David Craven, paid tribute to his daughter while speaking to ABC 10News San Diego over Zoom from his daughter's hometown of Bend, Oregon. The late officer had just celebrated her birthday on Oct. 7, per the outlet.

"It's gonna be hard for a long time, but I'm doing this conversation with you because I want people to know what was in Lauren's heart and the compassion that she showed everybody she came in contact with," he shared, adding that he was told the devastating news when two Bend Police Department officers came to his door in the middle of the night.

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Mr. Craven explained how his daughter had decided to pursue a career in law enforcement after she was traumatically assaulted in college, and a kind detective had helped her at the time, per the outlet.

He recalled how his daughter had said, "I want to dedicate my life to being that good cop for anybody who needs me."

When asked what he'd miss the most and remember his daughter as, her father replied, "A best friend."

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"Had she failed that test? I'd still have her," Mr. Craven, who last spoke to his daughter on the way to work on the night she was killed, added to the outlet. "But she would not have achieved her dream. A lot of people never get to a place where they're loving what they're doing and doing what they seem to be born to do. She did."

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La Mesa Police Department Chief Ray Sweeney and the California Highway Patrol's Southern Division did not immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for further tribute.

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A hub has opened in Houstons historic Third Ward to combat health and housing disparities.

Urban Public Health and Housing

On Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2025, Texas Southern University unveiled a new Institute, Urban Public Health and Housing, which resides in the W.R. Banks Child Development Center, according to a news release. The 6,000-square-foot hub will address public health, affordable housing, and community wellness. It was also a focus area for the late Democratic Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who secured a $2 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration for the initiative, the Houston Chronicle reports. She wanted Third Ward to be the example to impoverished communities around the nation.

Its a reinvestment in the future of urban public health, housing, and community empowerment, said Michelle John, Texas Southerns vice president for research and innovation, according to the outlet.

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The hub will offer conference and workforce training rooms, wellness and clinical spaces, and a tech-enabled center open to the community. It will also serve as a site for research, training, and engagement.

Jometra Hawkins-Sneed, executive director of the African American Health Coalition, commented to the Houston Chronicle:

This new space is our next chapter of partnership, where well train leaders, conduct groundbreaking research, and implement programs that uplift our communities.

Plans for Collaboration

Furthermore, Urban Public Health and Housing has also unveiled its strategy to transform the community. This will include partnering with grassroots organizations and housing advocates as well as the Texas Medical Center, providing programs and hands-on training to the next crop of healthcare workers, collaborative research, a space for community engagement, and year-round mentorship for K-12 students with the assistance of undergraduate students.

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The Institute for Urban Public Health and Housing embodies Texas Southern University s mission to serve as a catalyst for change, John said in the press release. By linking research, education, and direct community engagement, Texas Southern University is ensuring that our scholarship translates into real-world solutions for Houstons most pressing challenges.

The post $2M Grant Supports Texas Southern Universitys Plans To Improve Public Health And Housing In Houstons Third Ward appeared first on AfroTech.







The post $2M Grant Supports Texas Southern Universitys Plans To Improve Public Health And Housing In Houstons Third Ward appeared first on AfroTech.
Oct. 23 (UPI) -- British authorities on Thursday arrested three men suspected of spying for Russia, according to London's Metropolitan Police.

Police in London arrested the three unidentified men -- 48, 45 and 44 -- under Britain's 2023 National Security Act on "suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service," authorities said.

"We're seeing an increasing number of who we would describe as 'proxies' being recruited by foreign intelligence services and these arrests are directly related to our ongoing to efforts to disrupt this type of activity," according to Commander Dominic Murphy, London's counter terror chief.

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On Thursday, the three were arrested at west and central London addresses on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service.

London's Metro Police added that searches were "ongoing at these addresses as well as another" residence in west London.

Meanwhile, officials pointed to Russian influence.

The three suspects were arrested as part of a widening investigation by detectives in Counter Terrorism Policing London, which is a local branch of a broader nationwide counterterrorism unit.

The three suspected Russian spies remain in London police custody.

Murphy said anyone who "might be contacted by and tempted into carrying out criminal activity on behalf of a foreign state" in the British Isles should "think again."

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It followed the recent arrest of three other unidentified suspects accused of spying for communist Russia.

"This kind of activity will be investigated and anyone found to be involved can expect to be prosecuted and there are potentially very serious consequences for those who are convicted," Murphy added in a statement.
Authorities on Thursday announced an investigation into three recent inmate deaths at a Massachusetts prison.

State police detectives at the Norfolk District Attorneys Office and the Massachusetts Department of Correction are investigating two deaths in September and one earlier this week at MCI-Norfolk.

The Department of Correction can confirm three recent deaths at MCI-Norfolk," a DOC spokesperson said in a statement shared with Boston 25 News. "Our staff responded immediately in each instance and worked alongside emergency responders to provide life-saving measures."

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The first death involving an incarcerated individual happened on Sept. 20, around 1 a.m. A second death occurred on Sept. 27 around 1:20 a.m., and the third happened on Monday around 5:15 p.m.

In all of the incidents, the inmates were rushed to a local hospital, where they were pronounced dead.

Preliminary investigations indicate no signs of foul play in these cases.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause and manner of the deaths.

MCI-Norfolk is the largest medium security level facility in the state, housing criminally sentenced males.

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NEED TO KNOW

More than 55 years after Cheryl Grimmer went missing on a beach south of Sydney, Australia, the suspect in her disappearance has been identified

Grimmer went missing on Jan. 12, 1950 and was last seen running into a changing room on Fairy Meadow beach in Wollongong

Her suspect reportedly confessed a year later; however, he was not tried at the time and a later case against him was dropped after the confession was ruled inadmissible in court. He says he is innocent

The suspect accused of killing a 3-year-old girl after allegedly abducting her from a beach south of Sydney, Australia in 1970 has been named.

Cheryl Grimmer disappeared from Fairy Meadow beach in Wollongong over 50 years ago; however, her disappearance has remained unsolved for decades.

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In 2017, a man identified as Mercury (which is not his real name) was arrested and put on trial after police uncovered a 1971 confession that he made, but the case was dropped after a judge ruled it was inadmissible, per the BBC.

On Thursday, Oct. 23, Australian politician Jeremy Buckingham  who is a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council  used parliamentary privilege to name the man, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

PEOPLE cannot name the man for legal reasons.

Mercury, who says he is innocent, gave a confession about killing Cheryl a year after her disappearance when he was 17, the BBC reported. The outlet stated the suspect is still legally protected now, as he was a minor at the time of the confession.

NSW Police Cheryl Grimmer and her father Vince Grimmer Cheryl Grimmer and her father Vince Grimmer

Cheryl was last seen running into a dressing room on Jan. 12, 1970 after spending the day at the beach with her family.

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The BBC reported that Cheryl had run into the dressing room and refused to come out, before her older brother, Ricki, went to get their mom to help. They returned just 90 seconds later, but the toddler had vanished, the outlet stated.

A fresh police investigation was opened in 2016, identifying the man after his confession was discovered in police archives, the ABC noted. He was charged with murder, but the confession was ruled inadmissible after child interview protection laws were applied in 2019, and the case was dropped.

A New South Wales (NSW) Police post stated, "Despite extensive searches at the time and over the years, she has never been found."

"A Coronial Inquest conducted in 2011 found Cheryl had died but her cause and manner of death remained undetermined. Her body has not been located," police added.

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Australian MP Buckingham said on Thursday, "The family of Cheryl Grimmer [has] been through so much anguish over such a long period of time," per a parliament document obtained by PEOPLE.

"[Mercury] is a free man living with his identity suppressed from his [neighbors] and no one has been punished for Cheryl Grimmer's abduction and murder," he added, according to the outlet.

The suspect, now 69, immigrated to Australia from the U.K. as a child and has been living in Melbourne since, The Times noted. Cheryl vanished shortly after her family moved to the country from the U.K. city of Bristol.

NSW Police Cheryl Grimmer Cheryl Grimmer

Buckingham read Mercury's 1971 confession aloud in parliament on Thursday, breaking down crying multiple times, according to the ABC.

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"I came around from the back of shower block and grabbed the little girl, I took her by the hand and put one hand around her mouth and carried her around to the sand hills," the politician read, according to the parliament document obtained by PEOPLE.

"I then continued up to Bulli Pass where I took the little girl. She started to scream when I got her up there. She would not be quiet. So I put my arms around her throat and strangled her," he added.

"I left her lying on the ground at the side of a tree. I covered her up with bushes and leaves and threw some dirt on top," Buckingham read from the confession.

The teenager had allegedly told police that he did not know Cheryl personally, other than seeing her on the beach that day, telling officers that she'd been in a swimsuit at the time, per the document. The ABC reported that he was 17 at the time of the confession.

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The suspect allegedly told police that he'd intended to sexually assault the victim, but didn't because she was screaming, according to the confession, per the parliament document. He said he'd told her to "shut up," adding to officers that he'd later burned the 3-year-old's swimsuit in an incinerator in the Wollongong suburb of Corrimal.

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.

Cheryl's family, some of whom were in the public gallery on Thursday as the suspect was named, have been pushing for a fresh inquiry for years, per the BBC. The family gave Mercury an ultimatum last week, urging him to explain how he knew the information included in his confession, or he'd be publicly identified.

The family said in a statement read by Cheryl's brother Paul's wife Linda on Thursday, "[Mercury] has been given the opportunity to declare his innocence or guilt, yet he has chosen to remain silent. The details of Mercurys confession have caused our family immense heartache; however, we are not seeking to harm Mercury or his family. What we want is now the truth," per The Times.

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The New South Wales (NSW) government is offering a $1 million AUD (around $650,000) reward for any information that could help solve Cheryl's case, per the NSW Police post.

New South Wales Police didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information.



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ST. LOUIS  A three-year-old child was injured in an apparent shooting Thursday afternoon in St. Louis Wells-Goodfellow neighborhood.

The shooting happened around 1:20 p.m. Thursday in the 5800 block of Selber Court.

Based on preliminary findings, police say an adult was cleaning out a closet when the child found a gun and shot themselves in the hip.

A SLMPD public information officer at the scene tells FOX 2 the child is in stable condition. SLMPD reports the child suffered an undisclosed injury but is conscious and breathing.

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This is the second incident involving a child being shot within two days. On Wednesday evening, a 1-year-old was shot in the foot in St. Louis Hamilton Heights neighborhood.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
In the last two months, three Orange County substitute teachers have made headlines after alleged inappropriate conduct in a classroom or after being arrested.

Orange County Public Schools confirmed all three were employed through Kelly Education.

This week, 27-year-old Daniel Huerta was arrested over accusations of inappropriate conduct in front of students.

According to the arrest report, four students reported seeing Huerta touching himself during their photography class at Howard Middle School. They also claimed to have seen nude photos on his phone.

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It made me feel distraught. What the heck, why would someone do that? said Justice Martin, a parent, expressing concern over the incident.

Last month, a substitute teacher at Piedmont Lakes Middle School allegedly threatened students, leading to his immediate removal from the campus. The school district at the time described the incident as deeply disturbing. The district assured that he would not return to any Orange County Public Schools site.

Also last month, 27-year-old Zachary Grenier, another substitute teacher, was arrested on child pornography charges at Walker Middle School. Deputies said a search of his home revealed multiple explicit images of minors.

Orange County Public Schools says Kelly Education screens each substitute candidate before theyre hired.

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Kelly Education says their screening procedure goes beyond the Florida Department of Educations standards. The company said it includes comprehensive screenings and fingerprint checks, covering local, state and national criminal records, as well as the National Sex Offender Registry and crimes against children.

Channel 9 searched the two named substitutes. Neither of them had a known criminal past or any filings in court.

The school district told Channel 9, While no screening process can fully predict future behavior, the District will collaborate with Kelly Services to review the current procedures.

A district spokesperson said at this time the district will continue using Kelly Education.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  The San Angelo Independent School District (SAISD) School Board of Trustees held a vote on Oct. 21 to demolish the former Sam Houston Elementary School campus, which would cost taxpayers around $316,000.

The board sat and discussed whether the building was worth selling it as-is or demolishing and selling an empty lot. It was said that the district tabled this decision last month to see if there was any public interest in the former campus as-is. The board said there was public interest, but no real offers were made.

Board member Karla Cardenas gave her concerns about spending district funds before putting it out on the market to see if they get any real offers.

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We owe it to the taxpayers of San Angelo to save them the $316,000 to demo this building before we at least put it out to the public, said Cadenas.

Board member Gerard Gallegos argued that his concern is that, if the building is not demolished, it will be sold and kept as-is, and will eventually break down like the former Travis Elementary School.

The school districts Deputy Superintendent of Finance and Operations Merl Brandon stated that he spoke with two people interested in the campus. However, talks stopped once one of the people found out the campus didnt have a gym, and the other person said they arent making them an official offer but would give them $25 for it so the school district wouldnt have to pay to tear it down.

The boards vote ended up being 5-1, which led to the approval of a $316,460 contract, with a $40,000 contingency included. Reese Albert Trucking of San Angelo was chosen for demolition and AML Environmental for asbestos abatement.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com.
Metaplanet Bitcoin. Photo by BeInCrypto

Germany officially has its first Bitcoin treasury firm, as aifinyo is taking up MicroStrategy's mantle in Europe. The firm wants to buy 10,000 bitcoins by 2027, which would cost $1.1 billion at today's prices.

The firm already partnered with UTXO to receive its first investment, and it has a solid plan to keep stacking BTC. Still, the whole sector is wobbling under regulatory and stock dilution concerns, which may cut these ambitious plans short.

Germany's First Bitcoin Treasury

Corporate BTC acquisition has become a massive industry trend in 2025, and it shows no signs of stopping. Digital asset treasury (DAT) firms are continuing to buy Bitcoin, and a new company from Germany is trying to move at a breakneck speed.

According to the firm's press release, aifinyo is now Germany's first publicly-traded Bitcoin DAT. The firm announced a $3.5 million investment from UTXO Management, which will be part of a long-term partnership.

Aifinyo will buy Bitcoin exclusively, centering the company's valuation around BTC acquisitions.

"We're building Germany's first corporate Bitcoin machine. Every invoice that aifinyo's customers pay, will now generate Bitcoin for shareholders. No speculation, no market timing  just systematic accumulation of a deflationary asset," claimed Stefan Kempf, aifinyo co-founder and Board Chairman.

Its ambition, however, is especially noteworthy. This "German MicroStrategy" aims to purchase 10,000 bitcoins by 2027, requiring over $1.1 billion at today's prices.

Aifinyo will lean on the initial investment and its preexisting cash reserves, planning to expand "into business accounts and credit cards" next year to create new income streams.

Late to the Party?

Still, this all seems pretty precarious. The firm claimed that Germany is an attractive region to establish a Bitcoin DAT, thanks to its regulatory friendliness.

However, the whole treasury strategy is showing huge red flags, with analysts worrying it could cause a macroeconomic risk to crypto.

MicroStrategy, the leading Treasury firm, has drastically shrunk its purchases after stock dilution fears. Some firms have developed more investor-friendly approaches, which may or may not be scalable, but the problem is endemic to all DATs.

Strategy Stock Fell Nearly 10% After the October 10 Market Crash. Source: Google Finance

If aifinyo wants to stockpile BTC fast, it might not have the luxury of a stabler approach.

Moreover, even if this German company can both rapidly acquire Bitcoin and please its shareholders, those aren't the only concerns. US regulators have started a massive probe into DAT companies over insider trading concerns.
Joe DiPasquale, the Working Families candidate for 3rd Ward alderman, is an enthusiastic supporter of West Side businesses and seeks to be an agent of change for economic growth and city politics.

From founding the Lockport Cultural Initiative to help grow the citys arts organizations, to cold calling regional businesses to invite them to set up shop, DiPasquale is comfortable starting conversations and advancing ideas.

We need to grow the tax base, he said. Businesses have moved out. Why arent we reaching out to President Trump through Claudia Tenney?

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DiPasquale said the 3rd Ward has a business base that rivals downtown Lockport, and hes looking for more.

Youve got JoJos Ice Cream, Danny Sheehans, Hawleys Grove, Wagners, Alexandrias Place, (Dees) Sugar Shack! he said emphatically. I have reached out to Dashs supermarkets. Ive reached out to Paulas Donuts. When Ive discussed it with the mayor, he said, Wow, what a great idea. So my feeling is, no one has.

I want a train station in Lockport on the West Side, he said. We need to grow specialty stores. (Julie) Muscatos is a destination location.

While believing in the citys potential for prosperity, DiPasquale at times articulates it in terms of what once was: Harrison Radiator employing thousands of people and Foodland, Columbia Market, and Pelicanos Deli along West Avenue.

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Providing detail about his vision of a train station, DiPasquale said it would be a passenger rail service to connect tourists from Niagara Falls to the city. He said the first stop in Lockport could be near Candlelight Cabinetry with an end destination of Medina.

To get started, DiPasquale said he would reach out to Assemblyman Paul Bologna and Gov. Kathy Hochul.

I have a bond with the governor and Im willing to exploit that, he said. Theres a lot of land in the west side that is vacant. ... Get the state involved.

DiPasquale said developer Doug Jemal had some difficulties in Buffalo, so perhaps he would move north for projects in Lockport.

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DiPasquale said city economic development initiatives should extend into the West End.

Theres too much focus on downtown exclusively. The GLDC is short-sighted and serves a very small group of people. The grants are for downtown. What about grants for the stretch of (Route) 31 through the city and down to the country club?

DiPasquale said the Bewley Building is an architectural marvel and while it should not be converted into apartments, plans for key downtown buildings need to move forward.

You look at those places laying dormant so long. Why not a grand hotel? Where is the hotel downtown? Youve got people looking at the canal downtown. Where do they stay? We should be talking to Hilton. We should be talking to Sheraton!

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DiPasquale is also concerned about environmental health issues related to the industries prevalent in the 3rd Ward. DiPasquale said by speaking out, he made sure that Simons Saw and Steel on Ohio Street, and Candlelight Cabinetry on Park Avenue, were on the federal governments agenda.

Nobody was talking about the high cancer rates, he said.

He said his work on those issues demonstrated his ability to bring people together toward a common cause and mobilize officials. If elected alderman, DiPasquale said, I am looking forward to creating camaraderie with my fellow council members in January.

After looking at the proposed 2026 budget, DiPasquale said he has concerns.

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The tax hike proposed  which is ludicrdous  was an outrageous proposal by the mayor, he said. Ive had conversations with current counvilmembers. Its got outrageous padding. Slashing budgets is in everybodys best interest. You have to remember this  the council has the control.

DiPasquale said his relationship with Mayor John Lombardi III has undergone some changes. I had a great working relationship with the mayor until recently when he stopped participating in the cultural initiative, he said. Hes going back to party politics.

Lockport needs truth. Lockport needs honesty if its going to survive, he said. What that vote for me means is that youre done with business as usual. You want better, and Im the vote for better.
Rowland OMalley II approaches the 3rd Ward aldermans seat in much the same way as his job as general manager of the Lockport Town and Country Club. OMalley, the Republican candidate, recognizes the staffing, budgetary, constituent relations, and infrastructure components that come with the office.

I looked at things going on and thought maybe I could help and use the experience that Ive gotten over the years, OMalley said. Thats what encouraged me to do it.

Ive been able to help that club grow, OMalley said. I want to be able to follow up with people. Thats what Ive done with my career  I follow up and get things done. I have 65 people working for me, many long-term. Youre making sure people get paid accurately. Youve got to get to know your people.

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Describing his approach to the office if elected, OMalley said, If its affordable, and everybody agrees to it, if its better for the city, I dont care what their affiliation is. I care about what makes my ward better.

OMalley said he wants to build the business community in the 3rd Ward, and is encouraged by recent events.

I think things are happening on the West End, he said. It is a zoned industrial area. I live in it. But to draw people into the community, you have to be business-friendly. I believe the 3rd ward is the largest in the city, so theres a lot of potential to draw more business.

OMalley said Dave Housel is improving his gas station and another businessman has purchased five pieces of property and told him he would invest in more. He said the restaurant at 436 West Ave. has been refurbished and the owner also operates a motorcycle shop in the city.

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Those are the people that you want to keep in your communities, he said. Rental incomes are a big thing in Lockport. People who have asked me about Niagara Street, and said, Wed like to rehab homes in this neighborhood. Your building inspection department has to get involved, keeping an eye on these things. It makes the environment better.

You sit around tables and talk about the past, OMalley said. Things arent going to be like they were in the 50s and 60s.

With various initiatives at the country club, OMalley said he deals with different boards every year in his job, and works directly with paying members.

Ive been fortunate enough with people, he said. I can work with groups of people and their different mindsets of how to get things done. Im a good communicator and able to get a final project that theyre happy with.

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Ive been writing a budget every year for the past 25 years, he said. We go through it and I present it to a board of directors for approval. Im usually within a few percentage points of our budget. In years past, it was always about what you can cut.

Im more about what we can do to drive more revenues, he said. Cutting usually starts to happen at a labor level, because theres so many fixed costs. I believe that our (city) council will take a serious look at our budget and do their due diligence to try to make that less than 8 percent.

OMalley said he is familiar with dealing with roadblocks and delays.

I had a meeting with a gentleman whos been trying to get something done since 1991. OMalley said it was an occasion when he gets in front of membership and explains what they are going to do.

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Similarly, if chosen as alderman, OMalley said, The people that sit around the table and are elected, theyre bringing to the mayor what people want. It isnt about me.

If communication with officials breaks down, he said its important to determine cause and effect and tell the truth of whats going on.

You work through it with the people that are around it. ... I think I could talk to John (Lombardi). I think hed respond to me.
The son of Republican candidate for Illinois governor Darren Bailey, along with two of Baileys grandchildren and daughter-in-law, were killed in a helicopter crash in Montana, the former state senators campaign announced early Thursday.

On Wednesday evening, Darren and his wife, Cindy, received the heartbreaking news no parent ever wants to hear. Their son, Zachary, his wife, Kelsey, and their two young children, Vada Rose, age 12, and Samuel, age 7, tragically lost their lives in a helicopter accident in Montana, the campaign said on Facebook.

The accident comes just weeks after Bailey announced his plans to run for the GOP nomination for governor for the second time. Bailey was the Republican nominee for the office in 2022 before losing by about 13 percentage points to Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker.

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Baileys lieutenant governor running mate, Aaron Del Mar, told The Chicago Tribune that Baileys son was in Montana for a business event related to helicopters since his son uses them for his familys farm business.

Baileys son was piloting the helicopter when the crash occurred, Del Mar said. He did not know the cause of the crash, and more details about it were not immediately available.

The crash occurred on Wednesday at 7:21 p.m. Mountain Standard Time, and first responders were dispatched to the scene southwest of Ekalaka, Montana, a small town in the southeastern part of the state near where the state borders North Dakota and South Dakota, said Georgia Bruski, emergency manager for Carter County and the county sheriffs administrator.

Bruski said the Carter County sheriffs office responded to the scene, as well as the Ekalaka Volunteer Fire Department and other emergency medical services personnel.

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Bruski confirmed there were four fatalities but could not provide information about their identities or additional information about the crash itself.

The NTSB said in a post on X that it is investigating the crash of a Robinson Helicopters R66 in Ekalaka, Montana, but provided no other details.

Darren and Cindy are heartbroken by this unimaginable loss, the Bailey campaign said on Facebook. They are finding comfort in their faith, their family, and the prayers of so many who love and care for them. The Baileys deeply appreciate the kindness and support they have received and ask for privacy as they grieve and hold their loved ones close during this difficult time.

Pritzker, who earlier on Thursday morning in a statement on X offered condolences from him and his wife, MK, said later Thursday at an unrelated news conference that they were devastated by the news of the Bailey family.

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I cannot imagine losing a child, losing two grandchildren, and what they must be going through. Thats all I can say, said Pritzker, whose own young life was marked by the early deaths of his father and mother. This is not a time for politics. This is a time to recognize that losing a child is one of the hardest things ever.

This coming Monday marks the first day in Illinois of the weeklong filing period for candidates running for governor and other offices to qualify for the top ballot position in their race. Del Mar said its the campaigns intention to file its petitions, but he said he hasnt discussed those details with Bailey.

Were concentrating on the family right now, Del Mar said.

In a statement, the Illinois GOP said its lifting up the Bailey family, their friends and community in prayer.

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Please join us in keeping the Bailey family in our thoughts and prayers during this unimaginable time, the state GOP said.

At an event at the City Club of Chicago, Democrat Rahm Emanuel, a former Chicago mayor and U.S. Ambassador to Japan, asked the audience to think about Darren Bailey.

Its one of those things that you cant prepare for. And I dont want to say anything trite. Put him in your thoughts and prayers, take a moment to try to reach out. Its got to be the lonesomest time for him and his family, Emanuel said.

(Tribune reporters Olivia Olander and Rick Pearson contributed.)

____
A group of four former Northmont City Schools students who claim to be victims of sexual abuse at the hands of a former bus driver is now suing the school district.

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In a lawsuit filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, four former students say they were groomed and sexually assaulted by Matthew Hunt over multiple years. Three accusers attended Northmont High School from 2012 to 2016, and one attended from 2021 to 2025.

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The complaint names the district, former superintendent, Sarah Zatik, current superintendent, Anthony Thomas, and several unnamed present or former employees of the district employees whom the former students have not identified at this time.

TRENDING STORIES:

The complaint alleges that Northmont and Zatik failed to review Hunts personnel files from his previous employers, failed to contact his previous employers, and failed to conduct adequate background checks beyond basic criminal history before hiring him in 2012.

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Documents previously obtained by News Center 7s I-Team showed that the school districts Hunt previously worked for, including Vandalia-Butler City Schools and Eaton Community Schools, knew about complaints involving Hunt and students.

The Northmont students in the lawsuit allege that Hunts pattern of grooming began in 2013 when he systematically targeted students through his role as Northmonts marching band bus driver.

He identified vulnerable minors, cultivated relationships of trust and dependency, offered them employment at his business (Hunt Pipe Organ Services, LLC, formerly known as Hunt-Krewson Pipe Organ Service, LLC), and used this pretense to isolate students and facilitate private contact outside school oversight, the complaint alleges.

From there, the complaint alleges that Hunt sexually assaulted students at various locations, including his own residences in Lewisburg and Brookville and various area churches.

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Zatik is accused of failing to implement basic protective policies during her time as superintendent.

The complaint also alleges that Thomas received a detailed email describing Hunts pattern of grooming students in October 2021 and failed to investigate or remove Hunt from student contact.

The district is also accused of failing to investigate multiple calls made by one woman over three years regarding allegations of Hunt sexually assaulting students.

Just four days before his arrest, despite Northmont officials having actual knowledge of sexual abuse allegations, Hunt drugged and raped (one plaintiff), the complaint states.

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As News Center 7 previously reported, Hunt was arrested in May at Northmont High School. Hes now facing 17 counts of rape, 64 counts of sexual battery, and one count of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.

News Center 7 reached out to the district for a statement on the lawsuit. A spokesperson told us, The School District has not yet been served with the Complaint. Our practice is not to comment publicly about pending litigation.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Trying to plan what do to this weekend? NBC4s streaming show 4 Your Weekend gives you a look at some of the top events happening in and around Columbus and central Ohio.

Each week, Digital Anchor Rachel Ramsey will talk to community organizers about some of the events and festivals you can check out. This week, we give you a look at HighBall Halloween.

The annual event returns to Columbus this Saturday in the Short North Arts District. For additional details and a look at the full schedule, follow this link.

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Also in the show, we talk to Dr. Mike Patrick with Nationwide Childrens Hospital to learn more about trick-or-treat safety. To check out the local times and dates for trick-or-treat in central Ohio, visit this link on our website.

We also give you a look at your weekend forecast with meteorologist Bryan Still, so you know what to expect as you head out the door.

Watch the full program of 4 Your Weekend in the video player above. You can find this and future episodes on NBC4i.com and the NBC4 Columbus streaming channel on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and newer Samsung televisions.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Oct. 22A man who was shot Friday near Gonzaga University and later died at the hospital has been identified as 46-year-old Shawn Cranford, according to the Spokane County Medical Examiner's Office.

Spokane police officers responded at 7 p.m. to the shooting on Mission Avenue and Cincinnati Street, according to a Spokane Police Department news release Monday. Officers located Cranford with a gunshot wound and started providing medical aid. Medics arrived and took the man to the hospital where he died.

Police have not made an arrest in Cranford's killing, but believe the shooting was not random and that those involved knew each other, Officer Daniel Strassenberg, spokesman for the police department, said Wednesday.

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The medical examiner's office ruled Cranford's cause of death as gunshot wounds to the torso and right lower extremity.

Despite the proximity to the Gonzaga campus, there is no indication the incident was connected to any students or staff, according to the release.
Editors Note: Video above is courtesy of FitFam.

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  Five migrants were apprehended after a vehicle pursuit on Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 22, in El Pasos Lower Valley, according to U.S. Border Patrol.

Shortly before noon on Wednesday, a Texas DPS Trooper was on a routine patrol. The trooper saw a vehicle near the Yarbrough Drive exit and attempted to stop the vehicle for a traffic violation.

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The vehicle failed to stop, which then led to a vehicle pursuit. The vehicle then came to a stop, resulting in a bail out, followed by a foot pursuit near Yarbrough Drive and Mazatlan Drive, according to Border Patrol. That intersection is near Bel Air High School.

Finally, a total of five migrants were apprehended and referred to Border Patrol.

The driver and one of the passengers were from Mexico, and the other three passengers were from Ecuador, Guatemala and Nicaragua.

This is an ongoing investigation, and no further details are available at this time, Border Patrol 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 KTSM 9 News.
HUNTINGTON, Texas (KETK)  A Huntington man has been sentenced to life in prison for the 2022 murder of his wife on Monday.

Tyler man receives 40-year sentence in fentanyl death

Christopher Marriott, courtesy of the Angelina County Jail.

Christopher Marriott, 54, of Huntington, was first arrested for murder on May 24, 2022, after officials said he called 911 on May 19 and told law enforcement that he and his wife, Sandra Marriott, had both tried to commit suicide, but only she died.

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Angelina County Sheriffs Office deputies and investigators later found that he caused Sandras death. Christopher pleaded guilty to murder before 217th Judicial District Court judge Bob Inselmann on Monday and was sentenced to serve life in state prison.

His life sentence in state prison started on Monday.

You can now stream KETK and FOX51 News live 24/7 on your smart TV with KETK+, our brand-new app! No antenna, cable, or satellite neededwatch for free, anytime. Just download it on your Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV and start streaming.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.
In the badlands of eastern Wyoming, the Lance Formation is a trove of prehistoric fossils. And one area in particular  a region less than 10 kilometers (6 miles) across  has provided scientists with at least half a dozen remarkably well-preserved dinosaur specimens complete with details of scaly skin, hooves and spikes.

The paleontologist Dr. Paul Sereno and his colleagues dub it the mummy zone in a new study that aims to explain why this particular area has given rise to so many amazing finds and define exactly what a dinosaur mummy is.

In the early 1900s, a fossil hunter named Charles Sternberg found two specimens of a large duck-billed dinosaur, Edmontosaurus annectens, in the Lance Formation. The skeletons were so pristine that Sternberg, along with H.F. Osborn, a paleontologist at New Yorks American Museum of Natural History, could make out what appeared to be large swaths of skin with discernible scales and a fleshy crest that seemed to run along the reptiles neck.

Lead study author Paul Sereno of the University of Chicago marvels at the preserved hooves on the foot of an adult mummy of Edmontosaurus. - Kieth Ladzinski

Sereno, lead study author and a professor of organismal biology and anatomy at the University of Chicago, described the initial discovery as the greatest dinosaur mummy  until maybe the juvenile that we found in the year 2000.

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Separated by nearly a century, Sereno and his teams find shared common traits with Sternbergs: The skeletons were preserved in three-dimensional poses and showed clear evidence of skin and other attributes that dont usually survive 66 million years in the ground. Osborn said in 1912 he knew that it wasnt actual, dehydrated skin, like in Egyptian mummies, Sereno said. But what was it?

Whatever it was, we actually didnt know how it was preserved, he said. It was a mystery.

The new research puts that mystery to rest and can help paleontologists find, recognize and analyze future mummy finds for tiny clues into how giant dinosaurs really looked.

A dinosaur death cast in clay

Sereno and his collaborators used CT scanning, 3D imaging, electron microscopy and X-ray spectroscopy to analyze two Edmontosaurus mummies they discovered in the Lance Formation in 2000 and 2001  a juvenile and a young adult. We looked and we looked and we looked, we sampled and we tested, and we didnt find any remnants of soft tissue, Sereno said.

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What the team found instead was a thin layer of clay, less than one-hundredth of an inch thick, which had formed on top of the animals skin. Its so real-looking, its unbelievable, he said.

A thin layer of clay over the fossilized skeleton of the juvenile Edmontosaurus preserved large areas of scaly, wrinkled skin and a fleshy crest over its back. - Tyler Keillor/Fossil Lab

Whereas Sternberg and Osborn referred to the impression of skin in their specimens, Serenos paper proposes an alternate term  rendering  which he argues is more precise.

The study lays out the conditions that would produce such a rendering. In the Late Cretaceous Period, when Edmontosaurus roamed what is now the American West, the climate cycled between drought and monsoon rains. Drought has been determined to have been the cause of death of the original mummy found by Sternberg and described by Osborn, and of other animals whose fossils were found nearby. Assuming the same is true of the new specimens, the carcasses would have dried in the sun in a week or two.

Then, a flash flood buried the bodies in sediment. The decaying carcasses would have been covered by a film of bacteria, which can electrostatically attract clay found in the surrounding sediment. The wafer-thin coating of clay remained long after the underlying tissues decayed completely, retaining their detailed morphology and forming a perfect clay mask.

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Clay minerals have a way of attracting to and sticking onto biological surfaces, ensuring a molding that can faithfully reproduce the outermost surfaces of a body, such as skin and other soft tissues, said Dr. Anthony Martin, professor of practice in the department of environmental sciences at Emory University in Atlanta, who was not involved in the research. So it makes sense that these clays would have formed such fine portraits of dinosaurs scales, spikes and hooves.

Dr. Stephanie Drumheller-Horton, a vertebrate paleontologist at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, who also was not involved in the study, is an expert in taphonomy, which she described as the study of everything that happens to an organism from when it dies until when we find it. She is particularly interested in how these fossils formed.

Dinosaur mummies have been known for over one hundred years, but there has definitely been more emphasis on describing their skin and less on understanding how they fossilized in the first place, she said via email. If we can understand how and why these fossils form, we can better target where to look to potentially find more of them.

A detailed portrait of a duck-billed dinosaur

Together, the two more recently unearthed mummies allowed Sereno and his team to create a detailed update of what Edmontosaurus probably looked like.

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According to their analyses, the dinosaur, which could grow to over 12 meters (40 feet) long, had a fleshy crest along the neck and back and a row of spikes running down the tail. The creatures skin was thin enough to produce delicate wrinkles over the rib cage and was dotted with small, pebble-like scales.

The clay mask revealed that the animal had hooves, a trait previously preserved only in mammals. That makes it the oldest land animal proven to have hooves and the first known example of a hooved reptile, Sereno said. Sorry, mammals, you didnt invent it, he joked. Did we suspect it? Yeah, we suspected it had a hoof from the footprints, but seeing it is believing.

The study was published Thursday in the journal Science.

Amanda Schupak is a science and health journalist in New York City.

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A Hillsborough County sheriffs captain was fired Thursday, the sixth member of Sheriff Chad Chronisters command staff to leave the agency amid an internal probe into academic cheating.

Capt. Marvin Johnson, who was deputy commander for the offices patrol operationsin the countys northeastern region, was fired by Chronister as a result of the ongoing investigation into academic integrity, spokesperson Amanda Granit said in an email to the Tampa Bay Times.

Johnson had worked for the sheriffs office for about 25 years and is one of at least six high-level officials who in recent weeks have come under scrutiny for their communications with Robert Roush, who was alleged to have helped complete academic and work-related written assignments for them.

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The six represent about 13% of the sheriffs command staff, the top leadership tier in the office which, with more than 3,000 employees, is one of the nations largest law enforcement agencies.

Johnsons departure comes a day after the firing of Zuleydis Stearns, a captain who oversaw the sheriffs communications and records section, who was terminated due to the academic cheating investigation, Granit told the Tampa Bay Times in an email Wednesday night.

Granit said Chronister was unable to comment on either matter due to the ongoing investigation.

A voicemail left at a number for Johnson on Thursday afternoon was not immediately returned. A voicemail left at a number for Stearns on Wednesday evening has not been returned.

The scandal came to light over the summer after the abrupt resignation of Anthony Collins, who was one of two chief deputies whom many community members saw as a likely candidate to be the next sheriff. The Times later broke the story that Collins left after his wife alleged in an email to his colleagues that hed paid Roush to write papers for him while attending the prestigious FBI National Academy, among other accusations.

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Collins denied the allegation, claiming that Roush was merely a tutor. But Chronister told the Times that Collins admitted to him that Roush had written half of his papers for the FBI program.

The Times later obtained emails through public records requests that showed Cols. Michael Hannaford and Chris Rule had also sought Roushs help with work-related writing assignments. Hannaford and Rule both remained on the job until they resigned last week.

Another captain, Lora Rivera, resigned as the office began an internal investigation. Chronister said Rivera admitted she paid Roush to complete a work-related project for her. The sheriff vowed to root out all misconduct within the agency.

Ex-Hillsborough sheriffs commanders added to questionable officers list

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Much remains unclear about what Roush did to help the deputies. He previously lived in Pasco County but now lives in New Hampshire. Speaking with a Times reporter in August, he denied that he wrote papers for Collins, insisting that his work was limited to proofreading and editing. He acknowledged assisting other law enforcement officers but declined to say who.

Besides Collins, none of the deputies who have left the agency in the wake of the scandal have spoken publicly about the allegations.

A U.S. Air Force veteran, Johnson joined the sheriffs office in 1999 and has worked as a patrol deputy and detective, according to his biography page on the sheriffs office website. He has held supervisory roles in the warrants unit and narcotics unitwithin the special investigations division, and as a sergeant in both the violent crimes section of the criminal investigations division and street crimes. He has also served as a patrol shift commander and a captain in community outreach.

Johnson has a bachelors degree in criminal justice administration and a masters in public administration, both from the University of Phoenix. He is also a graduate from the Southern Police Institutes 146th Administrative Officers Course.

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Like Collins, Johnson was a high-ranking person of color on Chronisters command staff who became a familiar face in the community. At the time he left the sheriffs office, Johnson was the captain in charge of patrol operations in District 2, which generally includes the northeastern portion of the county between the city of Tampa and the Polk County line.

Johnson was featured in a sheriffs office video in 2023 to celebrate Black History Month. In the video, he quoted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and said the sheriffs offices mission of service includes engaging with the community and its young people, a facet of the job he enjoyed.

I am grateful to have the opportunity to mentor youth, to mentor young deputies coming up and to make a difference, Johnson says in the video. I am proud to leave my mark.

Stearns was born in Havana, Cuba, and grew up in Tampa, according to her official biography on the sheriffs office website.

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When she was a sergeant in 2023, the sheriffs office featured an interview with her on its social media pages in which she talked about her familys immigration to the U.S. during the Mariel boatlift in 1980 and their establishment of a life in the U.S.

She started as a patrol deputy in 2000 and later worked in the agencys school resource, recruitment and training and polygraph units. She held supervisory roles in the patrol, traffic and community outreach divisions.
After a record-setting rally over the past week, commodities traders went all in on a massive gold sell-off on Tuesday. The price of the precious metal fell to $4,118 an ounce, after a high of $4,381.52 an ounce just one day before. Meanwhile, silver is trading at $48.76 an ounce in midday trading at the time of this writing, down from $54.35 last week.

Most Read from Fast Company



At the time of this writing, the live spot price for an ounce of gold is $4,133.13, for a gram of gold is $132.88, and for a kilogram of gold is $132,883.22, according to JM Bullion. (The spot price for gold can fluctuate by the second.)

For some context, that means gold prices have decreased the most they have in four years, and silver is seeing its biggest drop since early 2021, per Bloomberg.

This is a stunning reversal from last week, which saw gold and silver prices spiking as investors sought out a safe haven from more volatility in the stock market due to overall economic uncertainty.

The two main ways to invest in gold and silver are by buying the physical metals or through futures contracts.

Whats causing the abrupt change?

Analysts say its not just one thing causing the slump. They point to the current economic and political climate, including a prolonged government shutdown; upcoming U.S. and China trade talks amid Trumps escalating tariff wars with Beijing; and softer-than-expected numbers from the U.S. consumer price index (CPI), which are expected to be released by the end of the week.

The shutdown is delaying some economic and jobs data from coming out as government workers are currently furloughed, while at the same time, there have been mass firings.

Meanwhile, a standoff with Beijing over rare earth minerals resulted in President Donald Trump threatening a massive increase of tariffs on Chinese products, seemingly triggering a market sell-off.

However, a retreat from gold and silver could mean the market is feeling more secureand, therefore, a good sign investors arent running for cover.

This post originally appeared at fastcompany.com

Subscribe to get the Fast Company newsletter: http://fastcompany.com/newsletters
Highlights this weekend include the hip hop musical Mexodus, South African musician Nduduzo Makhathini at Wynton Marsalis House of Swing and the 50th anniversary of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Also, free events include an acrobatic circus on a food truck in Lincoln Center and Downtown magazines costume contest for canines at Pier 57.

Theater

Mexodus

Audibles Minetta Lane Theatre  18 Minetta Lane, Manhattan (Greenwich Village)

Through Nov. 1, Various times.

Mexodus, a new musical from playwright Brian Quijada and musician Nygel D. Robinson, uses hip-hop and other Black art forms to tell the semi fictional story of a runaway Black slave who crosses the Rio Grande into Mexico. There, a former Mexican soldier of the Mexican American War turns out to be a secret abolitionist with his own secret network for freedom.

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Robinson, 32, tells The Daily News that the show has taken on many forms throughout its five-year journey to the stage in New York. He and Quijada, both first-rate musicians, met at a conference right before the world shut down in 2020. Their collaboration soon followed, writing one song a month together over the course of a year via Zoom.

Me and Brian wrote this because people would only see a portion of us, the Le Grange, North Carolina native said. Like, I worked a lot as a musician and sometimes as a diversity hire because Im the Black boy who plays instruments, and theres not that many of us out there pursuing it. So you know, when they want to diversify a Johnny Cash musical, they call me and same with Brian as a Latino man whos playing guitar.

So weve only been seen partially, but this is the first time that Ive been seeing everything I can do, that I think I can do well, Robinson added. Im doing it on that stage, every instrument, every acting choice, every dance move, every single thing that I have trained myself to be able to do.

The live-looping musical, which has been extended several times beyond its initial end date and received rave reviews, is eyeing a Broadway transfer.

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While there are of course comparisons to Hamilton, which also uses hip hop as a device to retell American history, Robinson shies away from them.

The comparison, while flattering, Im also like, dont be lazy, he said, giving props to Lin-Manuel Miranda for being a trailblazer in the field. I think comparison is a thief of joy. So let it be its own thing.

Robinson added that he just wants people to see Mexodus for themselves: Come see it. Come see that we can be two different things and they could exist at the same time that it exists without each other.

Tickets start at $56.50. Rush tickets are available on the TodayTix app.

Film

The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Live Shadow Cast

Quad Cinema  34 West 13th St., Manhattan (Greenwich Village)

Sat. Oct. 25, 7:15 p.m.

Its time to do the Time Warp again! For its golden anniversary, the newly restored 4K version of the enduring campy cult classic starring Barry Bostwick, Susan Sarandon and Tim Curry is making it to the big screen.

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The Rocky Horror Picture Show is the longest-running theatrical release in film history, with weekly screenings still held around the world.

The Jim Sherman-directed musical comedy horror flick has attracted a dedicated fanbase that come out to movie theaters to see and participate in the show with shadow casts, fan costumes and audience callbacks. The Quad is hosting a double-feature of the original film with Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror, Linus OBriens documentary about the cultural juggernaut. There will also be a Q&A with filmmakers Loe Fahie and Eric & Laurel.

Tickets are $20.19.

Music

Nduduzo Makhathini

Jazz at Lincoln Center 10 Columbus Circle, Manhattan (Upper West Side)

Fri. Oct. 24 and Sat. Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m.

This year, Jazz at Lincoln Center is dedicating its entire season to Mother Africa  and South African pianist, Zulu healer and educator Nduduzo Makhathini is returning to The House of Swing for the first time since appearing for Lincoln Centers The South African Songbook concert in 2019.

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Makhathini, whose music has been described as lush with ancestral invocation, meditations on Blackness and spiritual exploration, will take the stage with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra as well as Wynton Marsalis, who will perform his original compositions and the music of late South African musical trailblazer Bheki Mseleku.

Tickets start at $42.

Food

Taste of the Seaport 2025

Pier 16  19 Fulton St, Peck Slip, Manhattan (South Street Seaport)

Sat. Oct. 25, Noon  5 p.m.

The food festival celebrates its 15th year on the historic downtown waterfront, serving as a fundraiser for two of Lower Manhattans public schools, Spruce Street School (PS 397) and Peck Slip School (PS 343).

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With its mission of uniting chefs, local business, families and supporters to strengthen the downtown community, Taste of the Seaport founders Alex Davis and Learan Kahanov have assembled a lineup of more than 50 of the citys top restaurants  including Jean-George Vongerichtens The Fulton, Delmonicos, and Helene Hendersons Malibu Farm  as well as small businesses, live music performances and KidZone activities for all ages.

Tickets start at $60.

Family

Celebrate Halloween  Kawaii Kreature Festival

Brooklyn Childrens Museum145 Brooklyn Ave., Brooklyn (Crown Heights)

Sun. Oct. 26, 10 a.m.  6:30 p.m.

For the second year, anime culture is on deck at the Brooklyn Childrens Museums early Halloween festivities  served up by AniTOMO Con, which is bringing anime screenings, yokai mask-making and a rooftop boba bar to the day-long festivities.

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Youngsters can strut the runway with their costumes, trick-or-treat through museum exhibits, and meet creepy crawly animals from the museums living collection.

Tickets are $15.

Outdoors

Cirque Kikasse: SANTE!

Hearst Plaza 30 Lincoln Center Plaza, Manhattan (Upper West Side)

Sat. Oct. 25 and Sun. Oct. 26, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

As part of Lincoln Centers 4th annual Open House weekend, the gravity-defying circus will perform their open-air acrobatics on top of and around an operational food truck.

For SANTE!, the Quebec-based mobile circus displays its high-level acrobatic skills, contagious energy and breathtaking balancing acts in a 40-minute show where the troupe arrange tables and chairs into a tower 30 feet in the air, creating comic chaos as they inefficiently clean their truck and trampoline, and flooding the area with an overflowing popcorn machine.

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Free.

Free

Barktoberfest

Pier 57 25 11th Ave., Manhattan (Chelsea)

Sat. Oct. 25, 11 a.m.

Another pre-Halloween to-do this weekend involves costumes and canines for Downtown magazines annual affair on Pier 57s spacious rooftop park.

Pet pawrents are encouraged to dress up their fur babies and enter them in a costume contest to win prizes such as dinner at Nobu, a stay at the Four Seasons Hotel, a Classic Harbor Line Fall Foliage cruise and a pet photography package with Josh Owens. This years sponsored charity is the Muddy Paws Rescue organization.

Free.

If you have an upcoming weekend event youd like to submit for consideration in an upcoming roundup, please email: nycevents@nydailynews.com with the full listing details. Consideration does not guarantee inclusion.
An 82-year-old Olathe man who set out on an eight-day trek last week made history Sunday after he finished one of the worlds most difficult hikes.

Dave McClung set an unofficial record as the oldest person known to reach the South Base Camp of Mount Everest, the starting point for those who dare to climb the tallest mountain of the world.

Getting to Base Camp required McClung to hike for eight days, battling strenuous conditions including rocky terrain, steep inclines, high altitude and rarefied air.

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He documented his journey with a GPS tracker and frequent posts on his Facebook page, regularly checking in with friends and family who cheered him on from afar. Accompanied by his son Dennis McClung, 55, the two men hiked 17,598 feet to reach their ambitious goal.

Dave and Dennis McClung are seen with their guide at South Base Camp at Mount Everest on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025.

Ive done these hikes a lot of times, but Ive never done one where I was quite as exhausted, Dave McClung said in a phone call from Kathmandu, Nepals capital city, on Wednesday.

The air up at that altitude is very thin, so I was just touching one foot in front of the other, he said. I never did turn back. A lot of people did.

Hiking to Mount Everest

To get to their starting point, Dave and Dennis McClung flew from Nepals capital to a remote location in the Himalayan Mountains where there are no roads or vehicles.

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Paths are formed there under the feet of people walking long distances, and from the hooves of herd animals like horses, donkeys and yaks.

Helicopters take people back and forth, often flying at abnormal heights to transport ambitious hikers and climbers. In one of his Facebook posts, Dave McClung said he saw the helicopter pilots using supplemental oxygen while flying.

Dave McClung and his son hiked alongside a number of others who set out with the same goal, but did not make it to South Base Camp before turning back.

A screenshot from a Garmin GPS tracker that shows the path Dave McClung, 82, took to reach the South Base Camp of Mount Everest on Sunday, October 19, 2025.

Guides helped lead the two men along the path, limiting their ascension to around 3,000 miles per day. Any more than that, and you risk the potential to develop severe illnesses with around a 50% mortality rate, Dennis McClung said.

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In total, the hike is around 80 miles round-trip. At Base Camp, there is about 50% less oxygen in the air than at sea level.

To prepare, of course, Dave and Dennis McClung spent months training and planning.

My fathers the best hiker I know, Dennis McClung said. And you know, he happens to be 82, but he also works out every day, and hes hiked all over the world. I thought he was a very good partner to take on this, and we had a great time.

A screenshot from Garmin InReach, a GPS locator that tracked Dave McClurgs trek to South Base Camp at Mount Everest. The tracker shows McClurg arriving to Base Camp around 2:21 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025.

The father-son duo already made their plans to do the hike before they found out Dave McClung might be the oldest person to do it, Dennis McClung said.

The two had also planned the trip before Nepals government was overthrown in September following a week of deadly protests. Nepals turmoil, coupled with a severe blizzard right before they arrived, caused heightened nerves ahead of their journey, Dennis McClung said.

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But they had to focus on the task ahead of them, he said. Fortunately, the weather leveled out and was fair by the time their hike began.

Everything you do, you have to stop and breathe for a long time to counter the deficit thats being created by the rarefied air, Dennis McClung said. Ive never experienced anything like that.

Dave McClung stops for a photo during his hike to South Base Camp at Mount Everest.

Olathe dad known as adventurous

Cheering Dave McClung on from Olathe was his wife, Linda McClung, 82, and his daughter, LeEtta Felter.

Felter is now helping him gather all the documentation from his trip to be registered with the Guinness Book of World Records and other world record keeping entities.

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Before Dave McClungs trek, 80-year-old Yuichiro Miura summitted Everest in 2013. Austrialian media reported earlier this year that 80-year-old Carolyn Robinson became the oldest woman to make it to South Base Camp.

I believe he has a next challenge already planned, but he hasnt announced what it is yet, Felter said. My dads an adventurer.

Felter said she remembers going on hikes when she was younger and has fond memories of exploring nature with her dad.

When he turned 60, Dave McClung began hiking the Grand Canyon. Hes now logged more than 40 treks to the bottom of the canyon, Felter said.

Dave McClung, 82, is seen on his hike to South Base Camp of Mount Everest.

The main thing is, hes committed to longevity, Felter said. He has rigorous routines in his life. Like, Monday through Friday, he and my 82-year-old mom are out at Black Bob Park in Olathe, walking three miles, and theyre dedicated... They try to beat their previous times, you know.

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On Friday, Dave McClung is flying back home, he said. After his hike this week, he said hes been taking it easy and enjoying everything Nepal has to offer.

My son and I made it without any major problems, Dave McClung said. Its an enjoyable accomplishment.
Three of the country's most powerful judges met in Pasadena on Wednesday for a rare conclave that could rewrite the legal framework for President Trump's expansive deployment of troops to cities across the United States.

The move to flood Los Angeles with thousands of federalized soldiers over the objection of state and local leaders shocked the country back in June. Five months later, such military interventions have become almost routine.

But whether the deployments can expand  and how long they can continue  relies on a novel reading of an obscure subsection of the U.S. code that determines the president's ability to dispatch the National Guard and federal service members. That code has been under heated debate in courts across the country.

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Virtually all of those cases have turned on the 9th Circuit's decision in June. The judges found that the law in question requires a great level of deference to the president to decide when protest flashes into rebellion, and whether boots on the ground are warranted in response.

On Wednesday, the same three judge panel  Jennifer Sung of Portland, Eric D. Miller of Seattle and Mark J. Bennett of Honolulu  took the rare move of reviewing it, signaling a willingness to dramatically rewrite the terms of engagement that have underpinned Trump's deployments.

"I guess the question is, why is a couple of hundred people engaging in disorderly conduct and throwing things at a building over the course of two days of comparable severity to a rebellion?" said Miller, who was appointed to the bench in Trump's first term. "Violence is used to thwart the enforcement of federal law all the time. This happens every day."

The question he posed has riven the judicial system, splitting district judges from appellate panels and the Pacific Coast from the Midwest. Some of Trump's judicial appointees have broken sharply with their colleagues on the matter, including on the 9th Circuit. Miller and Bennett appear at odds with Ryan D. Nelson and Bridget S. Bade, who expanded on the court's June ruling in a decision Monday that allowed federalized troops to deploy in Oregon.

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Most agreethat the statute itself is esoteric, vague and untested. Unlike the Insurrection Act, which generations of presidents have used to quell spasms of violent domestic unrest, the law Trump invoked has almost no historical footprint, and little precedent to define it.

"Its only been used once in the history of our country since it was enacted 122 years ago," California Solicitor General Samuel Harbourt told the court Wednesday.

Attorneys from both sides have turned to legal dictionaries to define the word "rebellion" in their favor, because the statute itself offers no clues.

"Defendants have not put forward a credible understanding of the term 'rebellion' in this litigation," Harbourt told the panel Wednesday. "Were continuing to see defendants rely on this interpretation across the country and were concerned that the breadth of the definition the government has relied on ... includes any form of resistance."

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The wiggle room has left courts to lock horns over the most basic facts before them  including whether what the president claims must be provably true.

In the Oregon case, U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut of Portland, another Trump appointee, called the president's assertions about a rebellion there "untethered to the facts."

But a separate 9th Circuit panel overruled her, finding the law does not limit the facts and circumstances that the President may consider when deciding whether to use soldiers domestically.

The President has the authority to identify and weigh the relevant facts, the court wrote in its Monday decision.

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Nelson went further, calling the president's decision "absolute."

Upon further review, Sung signaled a shift to the opposite interpretation.

"The court says when the statute gives a discretionary power, that is based on certain facts," she said. "I dont see the court saying that the underlying decision of whether the factual basis exists is inherently discretionary."

That sounded much more like the Midwest's 7th Circuit decision in the Chicago case, which found that nothing in the statute "makes the President the sole judge of whether these preconditions exist."

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"Political opposition is not rebellion," the 7th Circuit judges wrote. "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 Trump administration's appeal of that decision is currently before the Supreme Court on the emergency docket.

But experts said even a high court ruling in that case may not dictate what can happen in California  or in New York, for that matter. Even if the justices ruled against the administration, Trump could choose to invoke the Insurrection Act or another law to justify his next moves, an option that he and other officials have repeatedly floated in recent weeks.

Read more: Trump keeps name-checking the Insurrection Act. It could give him extraordinary powers

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The administration has signaled its desire to expand on the power it already enjoys, telling the court Wednesday there was no limit to where troops could be deployed or how long they could remain in the president's service once he had taken control of them.

"Would it be your view that no matter how much conditions on the ground changed, there would be no ability of the district court or review  in a month, six months, a year, five years  to review whether the conditions still support [deployment]?" Bennett asked.

"Yes," Deputy Assistant Atty. Gen. Eric McArthur said.

Bennett pressed the point, asking whether under the current law the militia George Washington federalized to put down the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794 could "stay called up forever"  a position the government again affirmed.

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"Theres not a word in the statute that talks about how long they can remain in federal service," McArthur said. "The presidents determination of whether the exigency has arisen, that decision is vested in his sole and exclusive discretion."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has rattled academia and legal experts with his open declaration that his state is targeting professors over their personal beliefs.

While Republican governors have increasingly seen classrooms as ideological battlegrounds, Abbotts stated position that a Texas educator should have lost his job over ideological differences is raising greater concern among experts, especially those who say concerning trends on First Amendment rights at universities in the state have been compounding for years and accelerated under the Trump administration.

Abbotts post on social media was inspired by the ouster of Art Markman, a tenured psychology professor at the University of Texas, from his administrative role in academic affairs, though not apparently his teaching position.

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Markman posted on LinkedIn the dismissal was due to ideological differences but did not further elaborate. The Hill has reached out to the university for comment.

Univ. of Texas professor was dismissed from an administrative post overseeing university academic affairs because of ideological differences, Abbott wrote, echoing the language of an Axios article he shared.

Texas is targeting professors who are more focused on pushing leftist ideologies rather than preparing students to lead our nation. We must end indoctrination and return to education fundamentals at all levels of education, he added.

Academics say they no longer know what will be permissible on Texas campuses.

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Were losing faculty that are leaving, moving to other states because theyve lost shared governance, or theyve lost academic freedom, or they feel intimidated  cant speak truth to what their knowledge is in their field. Members are joining advocacy groups left and right because theyre afraid. Theyre afraid in the classroom, said Pat Heintzelman, president of the Texas Faculty Association.

Texas has been at the forefront of efforts to revamp higher education institutions and root out topics Republicans oppose nationwide.

Diversity, equity and inclusion offices have been banned at state universities, and a law was passed to crackdown on campus protests.

A professor at Texas A&M University was recently fired after asking a student to leave the class who challenged her teaching about gender identities, alleging the professor was breaking the law. In the ensuing controversy, the president of A&M also resigned.

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This tweet was bad, but its worse because of all the things that have been happening in Texas over the last, frankly, couple of years, but especially even the last few months, said Lindsie Rank, director of Campus Rights Advocacy for the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression.

There have been multiple instances of Texas professors facing pushback for their speech, and so, I think, its kind of in some ways helpful that Abbott said out loud the part that usually is quiet, she added. It, I guess, reinforces, for me, what weve been seeing happening, which is professors on the left being targeted in Texas specifically.

Angelo State University has sought to stay ahead of the state by banning LGBTQ content in classrooms and declaring students can only be referred to by their legal name.

But such moves are generating their own pushback: A federal appeals court ruled in August that West Texas A&M University had violated students First Amendment rights by banning drag performances on its campus.

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Texas is on a pathway to becoming No. 1 in education. To reach that goal, our colleges and universities must prioritize quality education over political agendas. Public colleges and universities are subject to the laws of our state, and the Governor will ensure they adhere to those laws as they focus on cultivating our students as the best and brightest in the world, said Andrew Mahaleris, press secretary for Abbott.

The efforts have also been useful to the Trump administration, which is pressuring schools to make institutional changes to campus culture, hiring and admissions policies and financial processes.

The University of Texas at Austin was the only one of nine schools nationwide not to respond at all publicly to the Trump administrations recent college compact, which offered preferential funding treatment in exchange to policy changes at select universities.

The other eight universities offered the deal either rejected it outright or voiced concerns about its implications for their institutions.

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Were at a crossroads. Its going to take a lot of courage for people to stand up in the face that you might lose your job. Courage is what we need from the administrations and the faculty, and I think both are trying to stop it, and I think the courts hopefully will support faculty that have lost their jobs for speaking up. I expect a lot more will lose their job before it ends, Heintzelman said.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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(The Center Square)  With early voting underway, Gov. Greg Abbott has been crisscrossing the state encouraging Texans to vote.

At a GOTV event in Cypress, a suburb north of Houston, he vowed to turn Harris County dark red.

"I have two priorities in this election, Abbott told a crowd of several hundred people at Cypress BBQ. Number one is to win reelection. Number two is to win Harris County. Ive got $90 million in my bank account and I'm going to spend most of it in Harris County.

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He said he was supporting efforts precinct by precinct to turn out voters who voted in the presidential election, turn out voters who never voted before. Weve got to win Harris County and make Harris County dark red after this election."

Under Democratic leadership, the county, and its largest city, Houston, have been plagued with corruption, lack of accountability over billions of mismanaged or missing taxpayer dollars, increased taxes, high crime, and dilapidated water and road infrastructure, many residents argue. Newly elected Houston Mayor John Whitmire, a Democrat, has launched an effort to combat public corruption, reduce crime and improve infrastructure, crediting the governor and state legislature for providing assistance, The Center Square reported.

Earlier this month, Abbott launched a new task force targeting violent repeat offenders in Houston. Both he and Whitmire also launched additional efforts targeting homelessness and crime, The Center Square reported.

In recent elections, crime has been a top concern among Houston and Harris County voters after judges continued to release repeat offenders on low or no bond who are later arrested for committing another violent crime. The state legislature has attempted to address the issue by passing legislation, which Abbott has signed into law. This year, he signed another bail reform bill into law, which restricts judges from releasing violent repeat offenders. The legislature also passed resolutions adding 17 constitutional amendments to the ballot, including bail reform and sanctioning judges.

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Proposition 3 authorizes magistrates to deny bail to individuals accused of committing a range of felony offenses, including sex crimes, violent crimes and human trafficking. It also requires a judge or magistrate to provide clear and convincing evidence that denying bail was necessary for the safety of the community, law enforcement, or the victim of the alleged offense.

Proposition 12 makes it easier to effectively sanction judges and justices for judicial misconduct.

Early voting has already begun, Abbott said, flanked by residents holding signs of family members who were killed by criminals after judges released them. We need your participation because some of these things truly are life and death matters.

Harris County was the worst of the worst, but not the only county in the state that had this problem. Youve had leftist judges let people arrested for murder back out on the street. The time has come to end that, Abbott said.

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Former Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg, a Democrat, also urged voters to pass Proposition 3.

This is a club you dont want to be a member of, but we need your help, she said, pointing to families holding signs of their lost loved ones. Proposition 3 is not just something on paper. Its peoples families. These are children, husbands, wives, mothers, fathers of people.

If Proposition 3 passes, it will eliminate the excuses for rogue judges who insist that the law makes them let people lose on bond, she said.

Ogg, who has long called for bail reform, broke with her party last year and endorsed Abbott, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Houston, and other Republicans who were tough on crime, The Center Square reported.

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While she was DA, 350 attorneys in her office filed nearly 900,000 criminal cases in eight years. That is way too many cases for a few lawyers, she previously argued, adding that her office was kept understaffed because there's a real push by my party not to incarcerate violent people. Ogg often found herself at odds with Democratic Harris County commissioners who refused to fully fund law enforcement, prompting the state to get involved. She lost her reelection bid last year in a tight race.

Although Kamala Harris won Harris County with 52% in the November 2024 election, Republicans won nine county-based judicial seats. Republicans also won majorities in regional appellate courts statewide, flipping two courts to Republican majorities in historically Democratic strongholds. Six Republicans also won their Texas Supreme Court races, including justices from Houston, The Center Square reported.

Many credit the Judicial Fairness PAC and Stop Houston Murders, a nonpartisan citizen-based movement, for helping oust incumbent Democratic judges.

Abbott argues more can be done, which is why he is urging voters to pass all 17 constitutional amendments, including Proposition 3 and 12 to improve public safety.
Jared Bossly stands with his arms crossed as fellow landowners stand with him in solidarity in the Brown County Courthouse basement after a court hearing on May 31, 2023, in Aberdeen, South Dakota. (Photo by Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)

A South Dakota couple want an Iowa carbon pipeline company to pay them for surveying their land against their will.

Jared and Tara Bossly, of rural Aberdeen, filed a trespassing lawsuit this week in Brown County against Summit Carbon Solutions and a handful of affiliated companies they say acted as agents of the company.

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That Iowa-based company hopes to build a multi-state underground pipeline to collect carbon dioxide from ethanol plants for transport and sequestration. Fierce opposition to the project by some South Dakota landowners helped spur the ballot box repeal of a law seen as too friendly to pipeline companies in 2024 and to the passage of a law barring the use of eminent domain by carbon pipeline companies this year. Summit has also been denied a permit by South Dakotas Public Utilities Commission.

Eminent domain is the right to access private property for projects that benefit the public, with compensation determined by a court.

The Bossly family, whose land was included in Summits original pipeline path, have been vocal opponents of Summit since 2022. The family was among several to sue Summit in an attempt to block it from using eminent domain to survey land or use it for the pipeline project.

The landowners won at the South Dakota Supreme Court level in August of 2023.

Two months before that, however, Summit arrived at the Bossly property to survey it. At that point, a circuit court judge had twice issued rulings allowing such surveys to take place, but the landowners had an appeal pending before the states high court.

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In the Bosslys new lawsuit, the family says Summits actions on the day of the survey amounted to trespass because the company knew of the pending appeal.

The lawsuit says Jared Bossly was a prisoner on his own land as the surveying took place in June of 2023, because private security guards and sheriffs deputies prevented him from being within 300 feet of the surveyors.

I would never want anyone else to feel that way on their own land, Bossly said in a press release on the lawsuit. We are bringing this case in hopes a Brown County jury will do justice by finding Summit and the other defendants liable for what they did.

The lawsuit seeks monetary damages for the June 2023 surveying, for what the case says was permanent property damage from drilling and surveying. The Bosslys are alleging the company trespassed, acted as a nuisance, and was negligent in training its employees.

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The Bosslys are also seeking damages based on a visit to the Bossly farm in May of 2023, a day on which they say company representatives unlawfully entered an outbuilding while Jared Bossly was away and frightened his wife Tara Bossly by hollering into their house while she was inside taking a shower.

A representative from Summit said the company does not comment on pending litigation.

Ed Fischbach, another vocal pipeline opponent who lives near the Bosslys, arrived at the Bossly farm before Jared on the day of the June survey. He said he hopes the case will send the message that what Summit has done is wrong.

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International children's aid organization SOS Children's Villages has publicly addressed allegations of abuse by its founder, Hermann Gmeiner.

A spokeswoman for SOS Children's Villages Austria told dpa on Thursday that Gmeiner, who died in 1986, allegedly committed sexual and physical assaults.

The accusations against Gmeiner concern eight children and young people who were at four Children's Village locations in Austria.

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The assaults are said to have been committed between the 1950s and the 1980s, according to a statement from the organization in Innsbruck.

The victims had already undergone victim protection proceedings in recent years and had received compensation payments, it said.

The alleged cases were not substantiated by court judgements, but by credible and plausible accounts, the spokeswoman said.

The cases had already been documented internally, but had only now come to light in the course of a wide-scale investigation into other allegations of abuse.

Based on a report in the Viennese weekly newspaper Falter, a series of alleged assaults by SOS Children's Villages employees had become public in recent weeks.

Austrian Gmeiner became involved in helping children in need after World War II. In 1951, the first SOS Children's Village for orphaned and abandoned children was opened in Imst in the Austrian state of Tyrol. The organization now cares for children and young people in more than 130 countries and territories whose parents are unable to look after them for various reasons.
Screenshots via @freedc20009 on TikTok.

The American Civil Liberties Union says The Force, errr, First Amendment is with Sam OHara, filing a lawsuit on his behalf after he was handcuffed and detained after following National Guard troops in Washington, D.C. playing the Darth Vader theme from the Star Wars film franchise.

President Donald Trump has deployed National Guard troops and sent ICE agents into multiple U.S. cities during this first year of his second term, claiming it is necessary to combat crime and illegal immigration.

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The interference from the feds has invoked strong objections from many of the political leaders and local residents of these areas, with multiple lawsuits filed by elected officials and numerous protests  leading to an additional round of lawsuits as protesters argue the federal government is violating their free speech rights.

OHaras TikTok account, @freedc20009, features dozens of videos of him walking behind or standing near National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., using his phone or a small Bluetooth speaker to play The Imperial March, John Williams famous musical theme that accompanied the appearance of Darth Vader in Star Wars films beginning with The Empire Strikes Back in 1980. Featured prominently in key plot points throughout the various sequels and prequels in the franchise, The Imperial March has been used for years in politically-themed videos and protests to oppose oppressive authoritarian regimes.

The videos posted by OHara mostly show the troops ignoring him, and in some cases, even appearing to enjoy the cinematic soundtrack he was providing for their deployment. In the below clips, one Guard member is seen smiling and another is bopping his head along to Williams infectious melodies.

Most of the time, OHara is ignored by the National Guard troops. In the below post, two Guard members dont interact with him but do seem to be marching in beat with the music at the beginning of the clip:

In less than two months, OHara has built up a sizable following and racked up millions of views for his posts; a post from August has over 4.4 million views alone.

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But even Jedi mind tricks couldnt protect OHara from unamused government agents.

According to the complaint filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, on September 11, OHara saw several National Guard members in D.C.s Logan Circle neighborhood and  stood several feet behind [them], began playing The Imperial Marchthe song that announces Darth Vaderaloud on his phone, and started recording.

Ohio National Guard member Sgt. Devon Beck was not amused by this satire, the complaint states, and after less than two minutes of OHaras musical protest, Beck turned around and threatened to call the police officers to handle Mr. OHara if he did not stop.

OHara kept playing the song, and Beck called the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, who arrived on the scene. The MPD officers accused OHara of harassing and assaulting the Guard members; he denied these accusations and insisted he was peacefully protesting by standing on the sidewalk and playing music on his phone. The MPD officers tightly handcuffed and detained Mr. OHara for between 15 and 20 minutes, the complaint states.

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The complaint further alleges that OHara complained about the tightness of the handcuffs, one MPD officer jerked Mr. OHaras arms while he was handcuffing him, which was painful because of two shoulder surgeries in 2023, and none of the officers did anything to loosen the handcuffs or otherwise alleviate OHaras discomfort, continuing to detain him until he was eventually released without charges.

OHaras attorneys point out in the complaint that their client played the music at a volume that was audible but not blaring, did not speak with the Guard members he trailed, did not touch Guard members or interfere in their operations,  walked behind the Guard members for only a few minutes, and initiated his protests only when he saw Guard members engaged in operations consisting entirely of walking on patrol, as opposed to incidents where Guard members were actively involved in supporting law enforcement.

The lawsuit names as defendants Beck, four officers with the MPD, and the District of Columbia, and lists five counts: two for violations of his First Amendment rights (suppression of speech and retaliation), one count for violation of his Fourth Amendment rights (unreasonable seizure, unreasonably prolonged seizure, excessive force), and two counts under D.C. law for false arrest/false imprisonment and battery. OHara is seeking a ruling that the defendants violated his First and Fourth Amendment rights and violated D.C. law, as well as compensatory damages, punitive damages, and costs and reasonable attorneys fees.

Armed National Guard should not be policing D.C. residents as we walk around our neighborhoods, said OHara in a statement released by the ACLU. It was important to me not to normalize this dystopian occupation. Instead of respecting my right to protest, police officers handcuffed me so tightly my wrists were still marked and sore the next day. This shows the danger of deploying troops onto American streets: it puts all our basic rights at risk.

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The government doesnt get to decide if your protest is funny, and government officials cant punish you for making them the punchline, said Michael Perloff, senior staff attorney at ACLU-D.C. Thats really the whole point of the First Amendment.

First Amendment experts assessed OHara as having a strong case.

Its clear as a matter of law that government officials cannot retaliate against people just because theyre angry about their speech, Robert McNamara, deputy litigation director at the Institute for Justice, told Mediaite. Its also clear as a matter of fact that government officials love nothing more than retaliating against people just because theyre angry about their speech  by arresting them, impounding their vehicles, or worse. Thats why its vitally important for courts to hold the government accountable for First Amendment violations like these.

How sad that what was intended as a satirical, humorous reference to fictional authoritarian forces led to the all-too-real and not at all funny imposition of actual authoritarian force, New York Law School professor emerita Nadine Strossen told Mediaite.

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Robert Corn-Revere, chief counsel at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), cited another beloved film to criticize OHaras arrest.

Playing music that may be annoying to National Guard troops is not a crime, and arresting someone for playing the music and for recording the scene violates the First Amendment, said Corn-Revere. Even the Nazis in the movie Casablanca did not believe they could arrest patrons of Ricks Cafe for singing the French national anthem. Something has gone terribly wrong here.

[R]ecording and mocking law enforcement are both firmly protected by the First Amendment, as long as one doesnt interfere with their duties, wrote Reason criminal justice reporter C.J. Ciaramella:

Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan Jr. wrote in 1987, in a ruling striking down a Houston ordinance that made it unlawful to oppose or interrupt a police officer, that the freedom of individuals verbally to oppose or challenge police action without thereby risking arrest is one of the principal characteristics by which we distinguish a free nation from a police state. To put it another way, if you act like an autocratic villain when someone compares you to an autocratic villain, you just might be an autocratic villain.

Mediaite has contacted the Ohio National Guard for comment and has not yet received a reply. D.C. Metropolitan Police declined to comment  citing a policy not to comment on pending litigation.

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This article has been updated with additional information.

The post ACLU Sues After Protester Detained and Handcuffed for Playing Darth Vader Theme at National Guard in Viral TikTok Clips first appeared on Mediaite.
Conservative activist Robby Starbuck announced he was suing Google on Wednesday, alleging that the company, owned by Alphabet Inc., defamed his reputation by spreading fake criminal allegations, including sexual assault, child rape, abuse, fraud, stalking, drug charges, and even saying I was in Epsteins flight logs.

He posted an episode of his podcast, The Robby Starbuck Show, in which he talked at length about the alleged statements Googles AI has made to tarnish his reputation.

For two years now, various Google AI and search products have invented a staggering number of false and highly defamatory claims about me, Starbuck said.

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Starbuck said he sent Google cease and desist letters through his attorneys multiple times over the past two years.

The lawsuit was filed in Delaware Superior Court, where he is seeking more than $15 million in damages, according to The Wall Street Journal, which broke the story.

Starbuck has gained attention for his work opposing diversity, equity and inclusion policies.

During his show on Wednesday, Starbuck said that Google promised Congress it would stop targeting conservatives in a letter last month.

In the letter, submitted to the House Judiciary Committee, Alphabet Inc. said it would do its part to continue to keep the digital ecosystem safe, reliable, and open to free expression. Alphabet designs its products to work for everyone; bias towards a particular viewpoint is not in line with the Companys values or the Companys business interests.

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Starbuck said that Utah Sen. Mike Lee told him the tech giant may not have been as honest as it claimed, given the new revelation in Starbucks lawsuit.

Google must explain its Als behavior as well as the companys repeated refusal to address this horror show when it was brought to their attention, Lee said, according to Starbuck. If Google has its way, their Al will soon be part of critical aspects of everyones lives. Given the state of their Al and what I see in this case, we simply cannot tolerate that happening without massive changes to remove bias and an effort to make this right, not just now while President Trump is in office, but for the long haul.

This isnt the first time Starbuck has accused and sued a company over what their AI said about him. Last May, Starbuck sued Meta for defamation, claiming that it knowingly distributed provably false statements about him to third parties.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the two parties have settled the lawsuit in an undisclosed agreement that included hiring Starbuck as a Meta adviser. Starbuck did not comment on the specific terms of his settlement to the outlet.

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As a rule: AI must never harm humans. It must never defame or manipulate  no matter your politics. Bias in AI is a very, VERY serious issue," Starbuck said on X. If we dont fix this now, were in big trouble. This can destroy lives, reputations and livelihoods. If we dont win this fight then you no longer control your reputation because AI will define who you are to the rest of the world. You better hope it likes you.
Whats the weirdest thing you learned this week? Well, whatever it is, we promise youll have an even weirder answer if you listen to PopScis hit podcast. The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week hits Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and everywhere else you listen to podcasts every-other Wednesday morning. Its your new favorite source for the strangest science-adjacent facts, figures, and Wikipedia spirals the editors of Popular Science can muster. If you like the stories in this post, we guarantee youll love the show.

FACT: Youre not allowed to keep bird feathers you find on hikes, and its all thanks to two women who got really mad about hats

By Liz Clayton Fuller

In 1886, ornithologist Frank Chapman went birdwatching in an uptown New York shopping districtbut he wasnt looking to spot living birds. He wanted to see how many different avians he could find on peoples hats.

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He counted 542 hats adorned with parts from 174 different bird species. This wasnt unusual: 19th-century women were obsessed with elaborate feathered hats featuring everything from woodpeckers and blue jays to egret plumes, vulture wings, and entire stuffed birds. Egret feathers were especially prized at $32 per ounce (twice the price of gold) because they only grow during nesting season. Hunters would massacre entire colonies during this vulnerable period, wiping out two generations at once.

Enter Harriet Hemenway and her cousin Minna Hall, two Boston socialites who read about the egret slaughter and decided enough was enough. They started hosting tea parties to persuade fellow wealthy Bostonians to boycott feathered hats, growing their movement to 900 influential boycotters. This activism evolved into the formation of the Massachusetts Audubon Society.

Their campaign influenced the Lacey Act of 1900, inspired Teddy Roosevelt to establish the first federal bird reservations, and ultimately led to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. That law made it illegal to pursue, hunt, take, capture, kill, possess, sell, purchase, barter, import, export, or transport any migratory bird or their partsincluding feathers you find on the ground. Theres no exemption for molted feathers or roadkill. The only exceptions are for legally hunted waterfowl, game birds like turkeys, and indigenous peoples for subsistence and cultural practices. Listen to learn why the term sneaker exists, and why were always one feather collection away from returning to the bird hat apocalypse.

FACT: Rabbits with tentacle horns helped scientists develop the HPV vaccine

By Jess Boddy

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If you saw photos of rabbits with horns growing out of their heads this summer, dont panicits actually been happening for ages. Back in 1933, virologist Richard Shope discovered what causes it while rabbit hunting in New Jersey. The cottontail rabbit papillomavirus (CRPV) makes rabbits grow real horns made of keratin, mostly on their heads but sometimes on their faces. Its usually benign and the growths eventually fall off, though in rare cases it can turn cancerous or interfere with eating and vision.

Shope was already famous for isolating influenza A in pigs when he started studying these horn-faced bunnies. His discovery was pretty foundational for understanding transmissible cancers. But the real kicker is that understanding how CRPV worked in rabbits helped scientists figure out how certain strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) cause cervical cancer. That connection directly led to the development of the HPV vaccine.

FACT: Traditional yogurt makers used ants to make their starter cultures, and fancy restaurants are bringing it back

By Rachel Feltman

Before commercial yogurt production standardized everything with a couple of reliable bacterial strains, people sometimes had to get creative with their fermentation starters. In the Balkans and Turkey, some traditional recipes called for dropping ants into warm milk, covering it with cheesecloth, and burying the whole thing in an ant mound overnight. The heat from the colonys activity creates the perfect incubation temperature, and redwood ants naturally carry lactic acid bacteria on their bodiesplus the formic acid they produce as a defense mechanism helps lower the milks pH to create an ideal bacterial environment.

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This ancient technique recently caught the attention of chefs at Alchemist, a two-Michelin-star restaurant in Copenhagen, after someone noticed that milk with an ant in it started curdling in the fridge. They partnered with researchers who traveled to a Bulgarian village to recreate the traditional method, and it worked perfectly. The ants bring everything you need: the right bacteria, the perfect pH conditions, and built-in temperature control from their colony.

The resulting yogurt made it onto Alchemists menu as an ant-shaped ice cream sandwich and a milk-washed cocktail with surprisingly mild acidity and fruity notes. While you shouldnt try this at home (ants can carry parasites), the research highlights how traditional fermentation methods used diverse microbial communities for more complex flavors.
Hang Seng Bank has appointed Hong Kong-based Somerley Capital as a financial adviser to its committee evaluating HSBC Holdings' proposal to buy out the bank's minority shares.

Somerley would provide its opinion to assist the independent board committee in assessing the proposal, Hang Seng Bank said in an exchange filing on Wednesday.

Somerley's advice and the recommendations of the committee would be included in a forthcoming scheme document to be sent to Hang Seng Bank's shareholders, the filing said, without providing a timeline.

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

The move was a standard procedure in a privatisation process and was aimed at ensuring the offer was fair and reasonable to independent shareholders, according to Dickie Wong, executive director of research at Kingston Securities.

"Somerley will assess the offer's financial implications and potential risks, and issue an opinion letter," Wong said. "This process is expected to streamline the approval of the proposal at the shareholders' meeting, with completion anticipated within the next few months."

Hang Seng Bank's privatisation was expected to conclude in the first half of next year. Photo: Jelly Tse alt=Hang Seng Bank's privatisation was expected to conclude in the first half of next year. Photo: Jelly Tse>

On October 9, HSBC announced a plan to privatise its Hang Seng Bank subsidiary, offering to buy all outstanding Hang Seng Bank shares for HK$155 each in cash, or a premium of 30 per cent over the stock's closing price the previous day.

HSBC and Hang Seng Bank said in a joint announcement on the same day that the privatisation deal was expected to conclude in the first half of 2026. The deal is subject to conditions including approval by at least 75 per cent of the voting rights held by minority shareholders and a go-ahead from the Hong Kong High Court.

Hang Seng Bank cautioned shareholders and potential investors in the latest filing that the implementation of the proposal was subject to certain conditions being met or waived.

There are no significant shareholders in Hang Seng Bank apart from HSBC, with small stakes broadly distributed and largely held by passive investment funds. The shareholders are expected to receive the scheme document within 21 days of the announcement.

Somerley is licensed to offer securities dealing and corporate finance advisory under Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Ordinance. It was ranked seventh among financial advisers for China-related mergers and acquisitions in the first three quarters of this year, holding a 6.7 per cent market share, according to data from the London Stock Exchange Group.
ADAMS COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV)  Adams County deputies announced a man, who had been on the run since July 2023, was arrested after he fled into a wooded area.

Adams County Sheriff Travis Patten said Lee Raymond Clay was wanted on multiple felony warrants, including an indictment for possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and an affidavit for aggravated domestic violence.

Mississippi teacher accused of secretly recording people in home bathroom, sources say

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On October 23, 2025, deputies responded to a local on Steam Plant Road in an effort to serve Clay with the outstanding indictment and affidavit. When they arrived, Patten said Clay ran away from a home.

According to the sheriff, Clay ran into a nearby wood line, down an embankment and into a creek bed. Deputies established a perimeter and began pursuing Clay through the wooded area.

Adams County deputies announced a man, who had been on the run since July 2023, was arrested after he fled into a wooded area. (Courtesy: Adams Co. Sheriffs Office) Adams County deputies announced a man, who had been on the run since July 2023, was arrested after he fled into a wooded area. (Courtesy: Adams Co. Sheriffs Office)

Patten said Clay was located and tased twice while he continued to resist arrest. He was then taken into custody without further incident.

Clay was transported to the Adams County Sheriffs Office where he was served with the indictment and affidavit. He was also charged with resisting arrest. A hold was placed on Clay by the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC).

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BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  An Addis man accused of indecent behavior with a teenager was arrested this week.

According to the East Baton Rouge Sheriffs Office, deputies received a complaint on Sept. 12 about a reported sexual offense. According to the affidavit, the victims mother reported the incident after finding Henderson in the teens bed.

Investigators said the mother continued to question the 17-year-old girl, who admitted to having an intimate relationship with the suspect, as they had dated for a year and a half.

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The affidavit states that the mother took the girls phone and found photos and videos of the two in bed together. The time stamp on the photos dates back to 2024, when the teenager was 16 years old.

Detectives interviewed the victim, who said she met Jerry Henderson, 31, on Snapchat in 2024, and the two became friends before a relationship started. According to arrest documents, she told investigators that Henderson was aware that she was a minor, but they both did not care.

Detectives got search warrants for the teens iPad and cell phone. After completing the search, investigators found 10 videos of the victim and Henderson stored on TikTok.

The teen refused to identify Henderson in a police line-up, but the mother cooperated and positively identified the suspect.

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Henderson was arrested and booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison Tuesday on charges of carnal knowledge of a juvenile and indecent behavior with juveniles.

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A 34-year-old Newport Beach man has been convicted in the gruesome murder of his parents and their housekeeper more than six years ago, officials with the Orange County District Attorneys Office announced.

In the weeks before their deaths, Richard and Kim Nicholson grew concerned that their then 27-year-old son was behaving erratically, using illegal drugs, steroids, watching a lot of pornography and contacting escort services.

The couple told a private detective they hired to find their son that hed been a normal, happy child until he spent nine months on a Mormon mission at the age of 19 and returned severely depressed and began acting strangely.

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In December 2018, following a heated confrontation with his parents about checking into a mental health and addiction treatment facility, Camden Burton Nicholson stormed out of the house, stole his mothers vehicle and vanished.

They feared he might have committed suicide or was in the hospital somewhere, the private detective told KTLA shortly after their February 2019 murders.

The then 27-year-old later turned up at a Marriott hotel and, using his fathers credit card, began spending lavishly. When the card was cancelled, he began sending angry text messages to his parents. Despite telling them not to contact him, his parents insisted he return home.

Investigators say that on Feb. 11, 2019, Camden confronted his father in the familys Newport Beach home in the upscale gated community of Bonita Canyon and repeatedly stabbed him. When his mother returned home a few minutes later, he attacked her with a metal statue and stabbed her to death in the garage.

Camden Burton Nicholson, 27, is seen in a booking photo obtained by KTLA. Camden Nicholson, left, and Richard Nicholson are seen in an undated photo released by private investigation firm Blue Systems International. Camden Nicholson is seen a photo from his Facebook page.

The next morning, Nicholson attacked the familys longtime housekeeper, Maria Morse, when she arrived to clean the house, the OCDAs office said in a news release. Nicholson stabbed Morse repeatedly and slit her throat before stuffing her body in a large plastic bin in the kitchen pantry.

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Prosecutors said that after he killed his parents and their housekeeper, the then 27-year-old went on a shopping spree, spending hundreds of dollars at a dispensary in Santa Ana and buying sex toys.

Private investigator claims to know who was driving D4Vds abandoned Tesla

At around 8:30 p.m. the next evening, Camden drove his fathers car to a Kaiser Permanente facility in Irvine where he called 911 and told police that hed killed his parents in self-defense.

Newport Beach police conducted a welfare check at the familys residence, found the home in disarray, with blood throughout it, and all three victims stabbed to death.

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This week, a jury in Santa Ana found the 34-year-old guilty of three counts of first-degree murder along with the special circumstance of committing multiple murders.

During his trial, his attorneys argued that the 34-year-old should be found not guilty by reason of insanity due to a schizoaffective disorder diagnosis. The sanity phase of the trial is scheduled for Oct. 23 and will determine whether Camden was criminally insane at the time of the murders.

Those verdicts will determine whether Nicholson is sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole or if he will be sent to a mental health facility, prosecutors 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 KTLA.
The U.S. Army has picked AeroVironment to supply a new anti-air interceptor, primarily to provide an additional layer of defense against longer-range one-way attack drones and other similarly-sized uncrewed aerial systems (UAS). Designed to be relatively low-cost and easy to produce, the Freedom Eagle-1 (FE-1) missile could also be employed against other aerial threats, including subsonic cruise missiles, in certain circumstances.

In a press release earlier today, AeroVironment announced that the FE-1 had been selected as the winning design for what the Army has been calling the Next-Generation C-UAS Missile (NGCM). The company has also now received a contract from the service valued at $95.9 million for FE-1s, which has come through a related effort called the Long-Range Kinetic Interceptor (LRKI).

A test launch of an FE-1 interceptor. BlueHalo capture

Raytheon had also competed for the NGCM deal with a version of its combat-proven Coyote counter-drone interceptor, Block 2 variants of which are already in Army service. AeroVironment had already been working to integrate the FE-1 into the Armys existing Low, Slow, Unmanned Aircraft Integrated Defeat System (LIDS), which comes in mobile and fixed-site forms, and currently uses Coyote as its main effector. You can read more about LIDS and Coyote here.

The FE-1, which is between five and six feet long and has a main body that is six inches in diameter, only flew for the first time in January. The development of the FE-1 dates back to at least 2023, and the initial work was done by a company called BlueHalo. AeroVironment announced plans to acquire BlueHalo in November 2024, a process that was completed this past May.

FE-1 is a low-cost, high-performance solution to neutralize Groups 2 and 3 UAS while maintaining residual capability against Group 1 UAS, fixed wing, and rotary wing aircraft with increased lethality, extended range, and rapid launch capabilities, according to todays release from AeroVironment. It has already achieved several key development milestones, including a successful live-fire demonstration of its dual-thrust solid rocket motor, controlled test vehicle (CTV) launches, and warhead tests. These achievements demonstrate FE-1s technological maturity and reduced technical risk in preparation for field deployment.

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The U.S. military breaks drones down into five categories, or groups. Designs that fall in Groups 2 and 3 have maximum gross takeoff weights of anywhere between 21 and 1,320 pounds, can operate at altitudes between 3,500 and 18,000 feet, and have top speeds of 250 knots or less. Group 1, the lowest category, covers smaller and less capable uncrewed aerial systems that fall below the Group 2 parameters.

The Iranian-designed Shahed-136 is a prime example of an uncrewed aerial system that falls within Group 3. The Shahed-136 has become something of a gold standard for long-range one-way attack drones globally. It has also become a household name thanks to Russias heavy use of variants and derivatives, including ones it now produces domestically, in attacks on Ukraine.

A view inside a Russian factory producing versions of the Shahed-136 kamikaze drone. Russian Media

The design of FE-1 is very much threat-driven, Daniel Noland, Senior Director of Strategic Capture at AeroVironment, had told TWZs Howard Altman on the floor of the Association of the U.S. Armys (AUSA) main annual conference last week. Obviously, as were seeing the Shahed-type drones evolve, they are now moving to more of, Ill say akin to, a subsonic cruise missile type capability. They now have jet propulsion  theyre flying at higher altitudes, longer ranges.

NGCM was developed specifically to counter those types of threats, but also to expand the SHORAD [short-range air defense], Ill say gap, that exists within the Army, he continued. So, also getting something that fills that gap between Group 2 and subsonic cruise missiles.

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For years now, TWZ has been calling attention to the U.S. militarys concerning SHORAD gap, especially as drone threats have continued to expand and evolve.

Even though its [the] Next-Generation Counter-UAS missile, we accomplish [intercepts against] Group 2 through Group 3 [drones,] to fixed-wing, rotary-wing [aircraft], to also subsonic cruise missiles, Noland added. And thats a very key point of the missile design, and were not just kind of stovepiped or being a one-trick pony, so to speak, as it relates to the threat space.

When asked, Noland declined to provide specifics about FE-1s engagement envelope.

So the ranges are all CUI [Controlled Unclassified Information], but Ill say that they fly out farther and higher than the existing interceptors, which are in prevalence today. It [FE-1] has a solid fuel rocket motor, which is different than the current system that is deployed, which means faster time off the rail and obviously longer range and distance, Noland did say, appearing to refer, at least in part, to Coyote, which is powered by a small jet engine. So we have a long, end-burn rocket motor that gets us out to the ranges and altitudes that are required.

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In terms of its mode of operation, FE-1 is designed to be cued to its target first by radars on the ground and then transition to an onboard radiofrequency-based seeker. The missile has a 20-pound blast-fragmentation warhead. Noland explained that there were cost factors behind the decision to go with an explosive warhead rather than a hit-to-kill design intended to neutralize its targets via sheer force of impact.

The cost curve around the missile is one piece, but also the cost curve around the sensors that support those missiles is the other piece, he said. NGCM is a radar-agnostic interceptor. The reason it looks the way it looks, the reason for its size, is to be able to accomplish its mission with similar performance, with a less capable radar, a less costly radar.

Right now, the [LIDS] infrastructure is tied to KuRFS [Raytheons Ku-band Radio Frequency Sensor], which is a very expensive radar system, very exquisite, very high-performing radar, he continued. The view of this interceptor is not just to be integrated into FS-LIDS [the fixed-site version of the system] and FAAD C2 [the Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control network], but to also integrate into IBCS [the Integrated Battle Command System] and be set next to an [AN/MPQ-64] Sentinel, [AN/TP]Q-53  whatever radar is out there in the field, and operate with similar performance.

IBCS is an overarching air and missile defense-focused network architecture that the Army has been working to field in recent years, and that you can read more about here. A core principle behind IBCS is offering air defenders greater flexibility to choose the sensors and effectors best suited to respond to incoming threats.

The FE-1 is intended to be relatively low-cost itself. The target unit cost is between $150,000 and $200,000, according to Noland. For comparison, historically, the cost of a Stinger short-range surface-to-air missile has been put at between $100,000 and $120,000, but reports in recent years have said that current-generation versions, including ones optimized for use against drones, can run up to $400,000. Past reports have also put the unit price of a Block 2 Coyote at around $100,000, but FE-1 is offering a boost in capability.

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FE-1 is also exponentially cheaper than any of the interceptors available for the Armys Patriot surface-to-air missile system, all of which cost several million dollars apiece. The service is also in the process of fielding a new middle-tier air defense system called Enduring Shield, which is presently configured to fire AIM-9X Sidewinders, each of which has a price tag around $500,000. Interestingly, AeroVironment is now partnered with Lockheed Martin on the development of a potential second interceptor for Enduring Shield, which is leveraging work already done on FE-1, as you can learn more about here.

A Lockheed Martin rendering depicting Enduring Shield launchers firing the new interceptor being developed in partnership with AeroVironment. Lockheed Martin

Its also worth noting that the Shahed-type drones that are central to the threat ecosystem that has been driving the Armys NGCM effort are generally understood to have a cost range measured in tens of thousands of dollars.

NGCM is part of a larger Army push to expand the scale and scope of its air defense capabilities, with a particular focus on fielding new low-cost capabilities. The service also sees adding new layers of protection against aerial threats as key to reducing the strain on its Patriot force, which has been shown repeatedly to be worryingly inadequate to meet existing operational demands.

The integration of FE-1 into the existing LIDS architecture could open up additional opportunities. The U.S. Navy recently added Coyote launchers to a number of its Arleigh Burke class destroyers as part of its own efforts to expand counter-drone capabilities across its surface fleets. AeroVironments Noland also told TWZ that there have been some very nascent discussions about the potential for air-launching the FE-1, though the focus at present is squarely on the ground-launched mode.

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When it comes to the Armys air and missile defense force structure, no matter how it continues to evolve and expand, it will now include FE-1 interceptors to help tackle Shahed-type one-way attack drones and other threats.

Contact the author: joe@twz.com
The Affordable Care Act has been one of the best investments in rural health care in decades. For farming families, entrepreneurs, and employees at small businesses who dont offer health insurance as a benefit, the ACA has expanded coverage, lowered costs and encouraged rural Iowans to take more risk in developing multifaceted livelihoods.

At the Iowa Farmers Union, our members are telling us how important the ACA has become for their families and their farming operations. We also know this because both of our families are benefiting from having access to ACA Marketplace insurance policies and the affordability provided by the enhanced premium tax credits.

KFF, a leading health policy organization, estimates that 27% of farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers relied on individual ACA market coverage in 2023.

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As we get ready for the 2026 open season on Nov. 1, we also know that those enhanced premium tax credits wont be available unless Congress acts. In addition to lost tax credits, we, like all Americans, are anticipating steep increases in health insurance premiums. The estimated average increase for ACA policies is 18%.

Iowa farmers are being stressed right now by low prices because of trade wars, increased production costs, tens of millions of dollars in cuts to USDA programs like support for conservation and specialty crop production, and Iowa having one of the worst-performing state economies in the country. A dramatic increase in 2026 health care premiums for thousands of rural Iowans will crash individual family budgets and intensify the economic crisis across rural Iowa.

DTN Ag Policy Editor Chris Clayton did a great story on Oct. 2 about how letting the enhanced premium tax credits expire will affect rural America.

Nationally, rates of uninsured rural Americans have been cut in half since 2010, falling from 23.8% to 12.6% in 2023, according to the American Community Survey. Uninsured levels remain slightly higher than in urban areas, which is about 10.9%. The tax credits have been a major driver for reducing the number of uninsured Americans, said Clayton.

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Another View: Republicans have the perfect chance to stop wasting your money on the ACA | Opinion

KFF also provides important information on their website including calculators to help Americans better understand what it will mean when the enhanced premium tax credits expire in 2026.

Enrollees with incomes above 400% of poverty will be subject to large increases in premium payments if enhanced premium tax credits expire. On average, a 60-year-old couple making $85,000 (or 402% FPL) would see yearly premium payments rise by over $22,600 in 2026, after accounting for an annual premium increase of 18%, according to the KFF online report.

Our rural economy grows only when people are willing to take risks and make investments. The ACA has provided certainty and affordability in the health insurance market place for working people without employer-sponsored health insurance. The success of the ACA has meant that people have been able to start their own businesses, change jobs and invest more in their farming operations. All of this increased economic activity has been beneficial to our rural communities.

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When the enhanced premium tax credits expire, the costs of Iowans taking on these kinds of risks will rise significantly. There will also be a financial incentive for some families to make sure that they keep their income below 400% of poverty. If they go above that in 2026, they will lose all of their premium tax credits.

More: Opinion: Iowans want health care focused on patients, not politics, and Democrats are delivering

In other words, if they make an additional $5,000 that puts them over the limit, they would lose even more than $5,000 in tax credits. This kind of fiscal cliff is well known in government programs that support child care, food security, health care and housing. Policymakers talk about trying to fix these fiscal cliffs, but struggle to get that done. In this case, Congress is actually creating the cliff by allowing the enhanced premium tax credits to expire.

Its not just farmers that will face these challenges. Millions of Americans will be facing these rising costs along with the rising costs of other needs like housing, food and other consumer goods.

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Extending those tax credits is a great way to help millions of Americans, including over a quarter of farmers, ranchers, and agricultural managers. Extending federal support for lowering the cost of health insurance premiums would benefit farmers and all of rural Iowa.

Aaron Lehman is the president of the Iowa Farmers Union and farms near Polk City. Matt Russell is the executive director of the Iowa Farmers Union and farms near Lacona.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Rural Iowa depends on enhanced tax credits for health care | Opinion
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A family-run business in Vancouver is being sued by an African nation for evidence in a large-scale fraud investigation.

The Republic of Malawi filed a federal lawsuit in April against Columbia Gem House, which it alleges had an exclusive partnership with an African mine. In May, a judge ordered the company to hand over 20 years of records to the country to assist with its investigation, but on Monday that decision was set aside.

Columbia Gem House has been a pioneer of ethical gemstone sourcing for over 50 years, and Malawis false accusations were antithetical to its core beliefs, said Eric Braunwart, who owns the business.

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Malawis attorneys argued the mine produced sapphires and rubies not found anywhere else, and that the business running it had underreported the value of the exports and earnings for years.

They alleged that while Columbia Gem House is not the subject of a criminal investigation, their actions could have defrauded Malawi out of billions of dollars in royalties and taxes, according to court documents obtained by KOIN 6 News.

Columbia Gem House is a family business with 15 employees and an annual revenue of $2 million. It has been a pioneer in ethical and transparent jewelry and gemstone manufacturing, and regularly gets involved in efforts to improve the communities it does business in, according to a declaration filed by Braunwart.

In the early 2000s, it was invited by the company Mineral Exploration to be its wholesaler to cut, polish and sell rubies and sapphires from the mine in Malawi. Its predecessor, a company called Nyala Mines, later extended a similar offer. But Columbia Gem didnt own a stake in either, and said that business from the mine was slow to nonexistent.

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In court filings, Braunwart said his business was previously misidentified as the owner of Nyala Mines. He said he became increasingly concerned that the government of Malawi would bring false criminal and civil charges against him, or attempt to extract payment from his business.

Then, in 2022, Malawi Attorney General Thabo Chakaka-Nyirenda posted on an election account that it was demanding $309.6 billion from Columbia Gem House. He repeated the allegations to the BBC in December 2024.

Braunwart said the lawsuit against his company and the discovery process were expected to cost his business thousands of dollars, and that he was concerned any documents it produced would be used against him in court in Mawali.

On Oct. 20, a judge granted a motion to vacate the discovery process, agreeing that the public threats show a clear intent to sue.

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The courts ruling fully vindicates us, and we appreciate the courts thoughtful consideration of the issues, Braunwart told KOIN 6 News. With this ruling and the recent change of leadership in Malawi, we look forward to moving on from this unfounded accusation.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Australia banned under-16s from social media in a world-first crackdown on Wednesday, declaring it was time to "take back control" from formidable tech giants.A raft of popular apps and websites -- Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and X among them -- face US$33 million fines if they fail to purge Australia-based users younger than 16.Australia becomes one of the first nations to push back so forcefully against tech companies with immense political power, in a move other countries are looking at closely. "Enough is enough," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said. "It is one of the biggest social and cultural changes that our nation has faced."We will take back control."The government says unprecedented measures are needed to protect children from "predatory algorithms" filling phone screens with bullying, sex and violence. The laws came into effect after midnight local time across Australia. Hundreds of thousands of adolescents woke up to find themselves locked out of apps they once scrolled through for hours each day.Bianca Navarro, 10, was already counting the years until she could log in again to YouTube. "It will be pretty sad because I have six years until I can watch it," she told AFP. - Blacklisted -Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat and Reddit are forbidden from creating or keeping accounts belonging to users in Australia under 16. Streaming platforms Kick and Twitch are also on the government's blacklist, as are Threads and X. The ban has been hailed as a godsend for parents sick of seeing children stuck to their phones. Mia Bannister blamed social media for the suicide of her teenage son Ollie, who killed himself last year after he was bullied online. He was also being served endless dieting videos that fuelled an eating disorder, she said. "I'm sick of the social media giants shirking responsibility," she told AFP in the lead-up to the ban. "The problem is we hand them a phone and we hand them the greatest weapon we could hand them."A growing body of research suggests too much time online is taking a toll on teen wellbeing. But it is hard to draw firm conclusions that separate phone use from other lifestyle factors, experts say.Father-of-five Dany Elachi said the restrictions were a long-overdue "line in the sand". "We need to err on the side of caution before putting anything addictive in the hands of children," he told AFP.- 'Really distracted' -Tech-savvy teenagers the world over have taken an interest in Australia's measures. "Students nowadays, they are really distracted," said Nigerian high-schooler Mitchelle Okinedo, 15."Social media today is very important for expressing yourself, no matter how old you are," said Santiago Ramirez Rojas, 16, from Mexico City. YouTube, Meta and other social media giants have lined up to condemn the ban.Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, said children were already flocking to darker online spaces."We've consistently raised concerns that this poorly developed law could push teens to less regulated platforms or apps," the US-based firm told AFP in a statement. "We're now seeing those concerns become reality."Elon Musk's X told young users the ban was "not our choice"."It's what the Australian law requires." Lesser-known chat and image-sharing apps Lemon8 and yope, which are not currently listed in the social media ban, have shot up the download charts in Australia.While most platforms have begrudgingly agreed to comply, for now, legal challenges are in the wind. Online discussion site Reddit said Tuesday it could not confirm local media reports that said it would seek to overturn the ban in Australia's High Court. An Australian internet rights group has launched its own bid to have teenagers re-instated to social media. - Rushed or reasonable? -Australia's efforts will be closely watched by all those worried about the dangers of social media. New Zealand and Malaysia are mulling similar restrictions. The Australian government concedes the ban will be far from perfect at the outset and canny teenagers will find ways to slip through the cracks. But platforms face the threat of Aus$49.5 million (US$33 million) fines if they fail to take "reasonable steps" to stop this happening. It remains to be seen how Australia's internet safety regulator will interpret what counts as reasonable. Social media companies bear the sole responsibility for checking users are 16 or older.Some platforms say they will use AI tools to estimate ages based on photos, while young users may also choose to prove their age by uploading government ID. Which platforms fall under the ban continues to be debated. Popular apps and websites such as Roblox, Pinterest and WhatsApp are currently exempt -- but the government has stressed that the list remains under review.Most social media platforms already require users be at least 13, a legacy of US laws setting the minimum age for data collection without parental consent. sft/djw/pst
ROGERS, Ohio (WKBN)  A Columbiana County nonprofit is being accused of misusing funds and letting its board president live rent-free on the organizations 43-acre property, according to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost.

Yost is suing Lambs House and requesting that it be dissolved and a receiver be appointed to manage the nonprofits remaining assets.

The case was filed Thursday in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court. Lambs House is located in Rogers. The lawsuit names its president, Mark Altomare, and two board members as defendants, accusing them of unjust enrichment, breach of fiduciary duty and other violations of charitable laws, according to Yost.

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The jig is up, Yost said. This nonprofit has served no charitable purpose for years, operating as a personal ATM and a source of free housing for its president.

Yost said that Lambs House was formed in 2002 as a ministry-driven addiction recovery organization. It owns 43 acres of land where a nine-bedroom house stands that provided housing for recovering addicts, Yost said, but added that Lambs House has not served any charitable purpose since 2017, and the only person who lives there now is Altomare.

The property also contains a 13,000 square-foot commercial building and two barns.

Yost accuses Altomare of misusing tens of thousands of dollars in charitable funds for personal expenses including gasoline, utility bills, Hulu subscriptions, and food, among other expenses.

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The average cost of claimed program-related expenses reported from 2018 to 2023 was $82,818.33, and the average cash balance of the charity at the beginning of the year for these years was approximately $30,295.16; however, the remaining balance in Lambs Houses bank accounts as of Sept. 30, 2024, was only $3,067.70, the lawsuit read.

Board members gave board president Altomare a blank check to help himself to the funds and assets of Lambs House, Yosts lawsuit says. In turn, he reported personal expenses as charitable programming expenses without any substantiation, depleting the charitys assets.

Lambs House owns one 42.988-acre parcel located at 9955 Union Ridge Road in Rogers. It was purchased on Sept. 30, 2011, for $286,000.

Defendants in the case have not filed a response yet. Attempts to reach Altomare and Lambs House were unsuccessful as phone numbers for both appear to be out of service.

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The case was brought by the Charitable Law Section of the Attorney Generals Office, which is responsible for enforcing state laws governing nonprofits and protecting the integrity of charitable donations.

Ohioans who suspect a charitable organization of fraud or misuse can file a complaint at charitable.ohioago.gov or by calling 800-282-0515.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The spirits of the pets come first, treading home on soft, shadowy paws, making their way by the light of altar candles and guided by the eternal tie of love.

Theyre welcomed with offerings of favorite treats and fresh water, and by the careful placement of old toys and worn collars that have become cherished mementos.

Its a new tradition connected to the Day of the Dead, the ancient Mexican holiday where people honor and celebrate the lives of family members at a time when the wall between worlds melts.

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Now, in Philadelphia and elsewhere, people have begun to recognize not just human relatives but those with wings and whiskers, the departed dogs, cats, birds, and other animals that enriched their lives. And who, like family, continue to be mourned and missed.

The souls of pets are said to return on Oct. 27, a few days before the Dia de Muertos on Nov. 1 and 2.

The day, said Gerardo Coronado Benitez, manager of the Association of Mexican Business Owners of Philadelphia, is not about death, but about celebrating and remembering people, keeping memories alive. Of course many people want to keep alive the memories of their pets.

Hes helping organize a big Day of the Dead event at the Italian Market on Nov. 2, where people will be able to place photos of relatives and pets on a community ofrenda  a decorated altar  at 9th Street and Washington Avenue.

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Others have set up altars in their homes. These ofrendas may be adorned with traditional marigolds, with candy skulls, paper skeletons, and photographs. But they may also feature a snatch of fur or a whisker left behind.

Genesis Pimentel-Howard created an ofrenda for her cat, Mobi, on a bedroom shelf of the West Philadelphia home she shares with her husband, Yaphet Howard.

Its hard for her to talk about Mobi, who died suddenly in May at only 4 years old.

He was, she said, an adorable menace. Mobi loved to poke at and play with the couples other cat, Sannin, though Sannin didnt always appreciate the attention.

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Mobi sometimes stole food from the trash. And he managed to push over and break Pimentel-Howards flat-screen TV. Still, she said, he followed her everywhere, even into the bathroom. She couldnt use the bathroom without him trailing her inside.

A sweet mommas boy, she said. Always next to me.

On the ofrenda, Pimentel-Howard placed her grandmothers pearls. And photos of her family dogs, Ella and Red, and her hamster, Shia LaBeouf. She added a shadow box that holds Mobis collar and an impression of his paw.

Ill stay up as late as a can to welcome him, she said. I like to think hell be around.

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The roots of the Day of the Dead go back 3,000 years, to Aztec and Mayan traditions. Its celebrated not only in Mexico but also in wider Latin America and in communities across the United States.

Dogs have always played an important role. The ancients considered them sacred, guides that led souls through the afterlife. They revered the Mexican Hairless Dog, the Xoloitzcuintle, or Xolo for short.

Its a Xolo dog, Dante, that guides Miguel to meet his ancestors in Coco, the popular animated Disney movie. And its a song from the movie, Remember Me, thats become the soundtrack for countless social-media posts about departed pets.

In Philadelphia, the Italian Market festival welcomes all who wish to take part to South 9th Street between Federal and Christian Streets from 11 am to 5 pm.

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The Fleisher Art Memorial in South Philadelphia also will hold a big Day of the Dead celebration. Everyone is invited to help with final preparations for the ofrenda from 2 pm to 9 pm on October 31, and to come to the Day of the Dead event the next day.

The animals, thats family too, said Maria De Los Angeles Hernandez Del Prado, the artist who led the creation of the Fleishers large, three-part ofrenda, which includes a section devoted to pets. Theyre the same as us, they just dont talk the same language.

Pimentel-Howard knew after Mobi died that she would find a way to honor him, along with the other animals she has loved.

You dont know what its like to lose an animal, she said, until youve lost one.
PARIS  Shares in Hermes International bumped up by the close of trading on Tuesday, following the news that British Jamaican designer Grace Wales Bonner will take the creative helm of the menswear collection.

Shares ended the day up 1.4 percent on the Paris Bourse, to 2,250 euros per share.

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The news of the 35-year-olds appointment to succeed Veronique Nichanian, who has been with the house for 37 years as fashions longest-serving designer, was announced midday Tuesday. Nichanian announced her departure Oct. 16.

Nichanian will present her final collection for the house in January 2026, while Wales Bonner will present her first collection in January 2027, giving the new designer a long runway to ease into her new role.

When Nichanian revealed her departure last Thursday, she said that news of her successor would be announced in the coming days. With the once-in-a-generation baton passed so quickly, it indicates that the move had been in the works for some time and the transition will go smoothly.

Full third-quarter results are scheduled for Wednesday morning before market opening, with analysts expecting the company to report organic growth of 9.7 percent across all categories.

Sales for the houses ready-to-wear, which has been a quietly climbing power player for the brand, are expected to be up 8 percent in the three months to Sept. 30, according to analyst notes.

Leather goods sales for the brand, most famous for its Birkin model as well as the Kelly, are predicted to be up 14.5 percent as Hermes continues to outpace its rivals.

Nichanian was known for epitomizing quiet luxury long before it was a trendy term, by creating an Hermes signature look that combined comfort, luxury, utility, beauty, heritage and simplicity for a very if you know you know aesthetic.

Analysts had believed that Hermes would hire from within the ranks, with longtime associates being tipped as possible successors. Bringing in Wales Bonner, who has her own 10-year-old brand, was an unexpected move from the house.

If they were going to recruit outside, I think it would be someone with a really strong identity that aligns with the house already. I dont think this is the time for anybody to do a 180 on what theyre doing, said Laia Farran Graves, author of The Story of the Hermes Scarf.

It would be someone who had a very similar value code and maybe was kind of very simple in lines, she added.
The AI data center boom is here. What will it mean for land, water and power in Canada?

It was announced last December that a data center more than 32 times the size of the current largest data center in the world has its sights on a drought-stricken region in Alberta, The Narwhal reports.

Chief Sheldon Sunshine of Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation first heard about the $70-billion data center campus proposed right next door in a press release.

Sunshine was surprised, as his nation had not been consulted on the proposal. Looking back through his inbox, he found an overlooked email from just a few days before the announcement, bearing a subject line with the name OLeary.

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That email referred to Kevin OLeary, also known as Mr. Wonderful of Shark Tank and Dragons Den fame. It was a message detailing OLeary Ventures plans for a data center campus called Wonder Valley in the Greenview Industrial Gateway, an industrial development just over 500 kilometres from Edmonton, within Sturgeon Lake Cree Nations traditional territory and adjacent to their reserve.

Data centers are what make artificial intelligence (AI) dreams and nightmares come to life. Inside are tall rectangles twinkling with coloured lights  servers piled atop each other like bookshelves. These hardware blocks are the computational machines running complex equations required for AI. The harder they work, the hotter they get. Today, the most common way to cool these centers is by evaporative systems that usher hot air through wet pads, requiring significant water consumption as evaporated moisture is not recycled. Exactly how much water these centers need varies based on climate and size, but a 2021 report estimated a medium-sized data center uses 1.13 million litres of water daily  roughly the amount used by 5,000 Canadians in that same day.

And OLearys data center proposal is far from middling. It seems that, between filming a movie with Timothee Chalamet and flying south to Mar-A-Lago with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump, OLeary has also planned to build the worlds largest data center. Hes doing it on drought-stricken Treaty 8 territory  and has yet to consult First Nations, according to Sunshine.

Claiming there had been zero notice or consultation from either the province or the municipality, Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation issued an open cease and desist letter to Smith this past January.

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Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation isnt the only community surprised to find a data center looming on the horizon. Across Canada, many data centers are proposed  and many, like Wonder Valley, are in regions afflicted by drought. As Canada embraces the data center boom, many questions about the planning and impacts of these data centers linger  and answers are hard to come by.

Drought and data centers are on a collision course

The Peace River is at the center of the largest watershed in Alberta, stretching west into British Columbia. At the time of publishing, the Alberta side of the watershed is experiencing 12 water shortage advisories across various basins, while on the B.C. side, the drought levels range from abnormally dry to moderately severe.

These are not new drought conditions, either. The Peace River watershed has experienced drought at varying levels since 2022. Within it, Greenview has faced drought since spring 2024.

This last July, the municipality declared an agricultural disaster for their livestock industry, citing worsening drought conditions, persistent moisture shortages and significant grasshopper infestations.

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We urge all levels of government and the public to understand the gravity of the situation and to support the agricultural community through this difficult time, Tyler Olsen, a reeve from the municipality of Greenview, said at the time. Our producers are the backbone of not only our local economy, but also Albertas and Canadas, and they need our full support now more than ever.

Later, in the very same meeting where the agricultural disaster was declared, Counsel Dale Smith brought forth the motion to amend the sale to OLeary Ventures to include an additional 1,926 acres of municipal land.

OLeary Ventures CEO Paul Palandjian has said Wonder Valley will need more than 8,000 acres of land.

Olsen told The Narwhal the sale has not gone through just yet, citing that deals of this size take time to complete. He said theres no concern that a data center of Wonder Valleys size would worsen the state of the two, three years ongoing drought that caused the municipality to issue an agricultural emergency declaration. He believes the drought has more to do with a lack of rainfall.

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Its two completely different topics, Olsen said. However, a data center could massively increase the amount of water drawn from that limited supply.

But its difficult to definitively say how much water a data center of this magnitude would suck up for two reasons.

One, because its never been done before  the worlds largest data center is only roughly 245 acres  and two, AI is developing so fast that by the time you collect the information to contextualize the scale of water use, it will already be outdated, according to experts.

Dr. Tushar Sharma is a computer science professor at Dalhousie University who has been researching the feasibility of sustainable AI and software engineering.

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Sharma explains that eight months ago, ChatGPT was receiving around 10 million prompts per day worldwide. Recently, the amount of prompts per day hasnt just doubled, tripled or even sextupled. Not even close.

It has multiplied by 250 to 2.5 billion prompts.

This is crazy, Sharma said.

And that was two months ago.

As data centers proliferate, impacts are hard to estimate

Calculations of how much water a ChatGPT prompt uses also vary by the size and complexity of the prompt. The greater and more complex the question is, the server running the model must run greater and more complex calculations to determine its answer.

Like anyone whos ever owned an old laptop knows, the more you ask it to do, the hotter it gets. Sharma explains that when a server heats up, the data center housing it must cool it down to keep it functioning  water is the cheapest way to do so.

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South of the border, the Meta Newton data center in Georgia (now renamed to Stanton Springs) that soaked up all the water in the area  leaving nothing but orange sludge to run from nearby Newton County residents taps  was only around 57 acres.

If Wonder Valley is completed, it will be more than 140 times the size of the Newton data center.

However, the effects of data center resource drainage are not restricted to nearby faucets; their presence can be felt much farther away, in the wallets of everyday folks.

Earlier this year, the New York Times reported that the increased pressure on energy grids from data centers is causing whatever hydro is left to increase in price. Due to this manufactured scarcity, electricity bills for U.S. residents are expected to rise by an average of 8%.

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AI regulation is not a popular term in government either.

Evan Solomon originated the role of AI and digital innovation minister last May under Prime Minister Mark Carney.

In his first speech as the new minister, Solomon said the federal government would not over-index on AI regulation and would instead be setting its sights on data protection.

Solomon likened AI innovation to a bucking bronco that he doesnt intend to throw a saddle on with regulation, but rather ensure that it doesnt kick people in the face by misusing their data or breaching their privacy.

The federal branch is not the only level of government excited by the new market.

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Alberta Technology and Innovation Minister Nate Glubish voiced the provinces intent to become an international leader in data center infrastructure, eyeing more than 19 gigawatts worth of proposals this past summer. These centers, Glubish said, could make use of stranded oil and gas assets within the province.

Governments are enthusiastic about data centers, but their long-term costs and benefits are still uncertain

Politicians like Glubish and Ontario Energy Minister Stephen Lecce often say that data centers are job creators. University of Waterloo computer science professor Martin Karsten isnt convinced.

Karsten says it does not take very many technicians to ensure a data center is running smoothly. If anything, the construction of the data center will be a larger job creator than a fully operational data center, which largely relies on automation.

A Meta report on the Stanton Springs data center underscores this reality. The report notes that just over 200 jobs will be supported once [construction is] completed, whilst also boasting that 1,300 skilled trade workers will be working on the construction of the facility.

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If data centers arent huge long-term job creators, are they beneficial for generating tax income?

Ian Mondrow, a partner at law firm Gowling WLG specializing in energy regulation and policy, doesnt think this is the answer either.

Doug Fords government in Ontario is currently trying to pass Bill 40, the Protect Ontario by Securing Affordable Energy for Generations Act, which includes amendments to the Electricity Act that would give the province the power to be picky about which data centers it allows to connect to the power grid. The bill currently states that only projects that cultivate economic growth will be allowed access in an effort to keep energy affordable. However, the bill also introduces new provincial power to subsidize the cost of connecting data centers to the power grids.

Mondrow explained that these subsidies could be funded from electricity ratepayers  anyone with a power bill  or through taxes.

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Whether Ontarians could see an increase in their hydro bills or their taxes is largely up to a formula to be calculated by the Ontario Energy Board.

The Ontario Energy Board declined to comment for this story.

Mondrow thinks that, other than a fear of missing out on the latest tech boom, the likeliest reason why data centers are pulling focus is because of greater importance being placed on data sovereignty, especially given the current global trade climate.

Data centers are not just the synthetic synapses of AI: They can also be cloud storage facilities.

If the location of the data center is different from where the data was created, this is called data residency. The physical location of the data center determines what laws and regulations the data is subjected to, but so does ownership and operations. This can be problematic because it can leave Canadian data vulnerable to being accessed by foreign governments who invest in Canadian data centers.

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A new analysis by the Investigative Journalism Foundation found that 84 of Canadas 283 total data centers are owned by American companies. Under U.S. laws, American companies can be compelled to hand over data stored in Canada.

What is known is that despite the murky benefits of data centers, they are surely on their way, and not just Kevin OLearys.

Bell Canada has plans to build six new AI data centers in British Columbia in the next couple of years.

This story was produced by The Narwhal and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
One of U.S. Air Force Special Operations Commands new OA-1K Skyraider II light attack aircraft crashed today, not far from Will Rogers International Airport in Oklahoma, where the type is based as part of a partnership between the 492nd and 137th Special Operations Wings. Both crew members onboard  a contractor and an active-duty service member  were not injured in the incident, thankfully.

Images of the Skyraider II sitting damaged in a field began circulating on social media this afternoon.

OA-1K 22-0009 crashed shortly after taking off from Will Rogers World Airport.



There are no reported injuries.#AAF024 #ZORRO75 https://t.co/9X0F8vIUb2 pic.twitter.com/GUX7Kc3LaQ  Nick H.   (@N214WN) October 23, 2025

Oh boy! Latest reports were that everyone is ok!  pic.twitter.com/NwI4X2yXen  Thenewarea51 (@thenewarea51) October 23, 2025

The Oklahoma Air National Guard says that the aircraft was out on a training mission when the incident occurred and that the circumstances are currently under investigation.

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The OA-1K is brand new to the USAFs inventory, with the type fulfilling what is something of the final culmination of a long string of aborted requirements for a light attack aircraft specially configured for low-intensity missions, such as counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations. A synopsis of the OA-1K from a previous TWZ article on its official naming can be read below:

The two-seat OA-1K can carry up to 6,000 pounds of munitions and other stores, including precision-guided missiles and bombs and podded sensor systems, on up to eight underwing pylons. L3Harris has previously said the aircraft can fly out to an area up to 200 miles away and loiter there for up to six hours with a typical combat load. They also have a robust suite of radios and datalinks providing multiple means for line-of-sight (LOS) and beyond line-of-sight (BLOS) communications, according to the company.

AFSOC currently plans to acquire 75 Skyraider IIs, with the first example to be delivered this spring. The turboprop-powered OA-1K, a militarized derivative of the popular Air Tractor AT-802 crop duster, is a tail-dragging design like the much larger piston-engined Skyraider. The Skyraider II is set to be the first tail-dragging tactical combat aircraft anywhere in U.S. military inventory in decades.

You can also check out our exclusive tour of the aircraft in the video below:

Its quite possible the aircrafts crop-duster roots helped keep the airframe and its crew intact when it came down in the field, as its built to operate from rough fields even in its suped-up military configuration.

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We will update this post with any new information that becomes available in the next 24 hours about the mishap.

UPDATE:

We have dashcam footage showing just how close the Skyraider II came to hitting a car while making its emergency landing in the field:

Insane footage filmed by a Tesla Dashcam and posted on TikTok, which appears to show yesterdays crash of (ZORRO75), a L3Harris OA-1K Skyraider II with the U.S. Air Forces 492nd Special Operations Wing, near Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City. The Skyraider was not being pic.twitter.com/1bg8QvQjpw  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) October 24, 2025

We also have new image of the damage to the aircraft:

Well he blew right past that stop sign https://t.co/xILDjKRexi pic.twitter.com/W01XEYtXla  Intelschizo (@Schizointel) October 24, 2025

Contact the author: Tyler@twz.com
Finnair grounded eight jets after learning cleaning their seats with water may breach fire safety rules.

Over 11,000 people's travel plans were affected as the airline canceled 70 flights.

Now it's installing new seat covers and expects the jets to be back by the end of the month.

Finnair announced that it will replace around 1,700 seat covers, ending a saga that has disrupted over 11,000 people's travel plans.

The Finnish flag carrier has canceled 70 flights since October 13 after learning it may have broken fire safety rules by cleaning plane seats with water.

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A seat manufacturer told the airline it hadn't been "properly verified" whether this might affect the covers' fire protection.

As a result, it had to take eight of its 15 Airbus A321 jets out of service.

"Seats are typically washed every two years," Finnair said in a statement shared on Wednesday. "Washing is a standard cleaning method for aircraft seats and is used across the rest of Finnair's fleet."

It has leased two aircraft, along with crews, to try to minimize the disruption.

New seat covers are being sourced from multiple suppliers, and one of the planes is already back in the skies, Finnair said.

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It expects all eight jets to be back in operation by the end of the month.

However, it added that some flights may still be canceled until the whole fleet is operational again.

"We are deeply sorry for the inconvenience and disruption this has caused to our customers. The safe operation of our flights is the foundation of everything we do," said Pekka Korhonen, the airline's senior vice president for technical operations.

"Once we received information that the impact of washing on the fire protection of the seat covers had not been verified in the required manner, it was clear that the aircraft had to remain on the ground until the issue was resolved," he added.

Read the original article on Business Insider
NORTH ANDOVER  Theres a 3,000-square-foot classroom at the Greater Lawrence Municipal Airport, now serving as a learning space filled with aircrafts, machinery and tools for a new aviation program for a local technical school.

Greater Lawrence Technical School, 57 River Road, Andover, celebrated the launch of its 22nd career and technical education program at its off-site classroom at the airport on Wednesday. The day was a culmination of years in the making and a labor of vision, perseverance and collaboration, Superintendent John Lavoie said.

The aviation program is only the second of its kind in the state, with the other at Westfield Technical Academy. It took about four years to get the program up and running after obstacles and setbacks.

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In July, the Federal Aviation Administration formally approved the $7.5 million program, following the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Educations approval in the spring.

GLTS officials, School Committee members, airport management and local officials were among the many dignitaries who took turns hopping in the pilots seat of the schools Learjet.

Its School at the Lawrence Municipal Airport, Airport Manager Francisco Urena said describing the hangar space outfitted with the students needs in mind.

While the schools jet and mini jet in the airport classroom once flew, both have been taken out of commission to become learning tools for the students taking the jets apart, airport manager Francisco Urena said.

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Other steps needed to be taken to transform the hangar into a classroom like fireproofing the walls.

The school has plans to expand the off-campus space by adding a second floor, bathrooms and make it meet the standards set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The airport space became a reality following a simple conversation between now-Lawrence City Council President Jeovanny Rodriguez and former School Committee member-turned-Councilor Vivian Marmol. Rodriguez was part of an advisory board while working for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation in 2019.

The Westfield aviation program was brought up at a meeting in 2020 with the secretaries of five different state divisions, including the aviation commission. Following the meeting, Rodriguez said he asked why cant a program like that be available to students in this area with the proximity of the airport and GLTS less than 15 minutes away from each other.

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Rodriguez sad he contacted Marmol, which set off a chain reaction of interest and support in bringing a program to the school.

Lavoie said the program was able to take flight because of the support it received from local and state officials, partners, school officials and the School Committee. Westfield aviation technology instructor Chris Chaves was brought on as a development consultant to help with the creation of GLTS aviation program.

The city of Lawrence purchased the airport hangar on the schools behalf with $300,000 approved by the City Council. Legislation ultimately was passed that allowed the school to purchase the hangar from the city.

Lawrence made an investment to buy the hangar through the city and reinforced this being here, Urena said.

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The hangars owner also saw the value in educating students and the next generation in aviation.

Aviation instructor Johnny Turner showed off some of the machinery which will be used to teach aviation maintenance to the students when the classroom eventually shifts to the airport in addition to the hangar built on the schools campus. The school also built a 10th grade workshop for the program.

The students are met by a helicopter and experimental aircraft when they step foot in the River Road hangar, also set up for classroom instruction.

The students need to learn theory before they work on the aircrafts, Turner said.

The school will officially admit its first class into the program in the spring. About 15 students will be a part of the pilot class. Freshmen will be enrolled in exploratory workshops until the third quarter, when they will decide which program to pursue.
As City Hall hunts for more cash to balance Chicagos ledger, aldermen and Mayor Brandon Johnsons administration alike have shown increased interest in green-lighting airport gambling.

But even with the mayors finance team saying this week they are considering allowing slot machines at OHare International Airport and Midway International Airport, Thursdays Aviation Department budget hearing devolved into a dispute over how such a change would work and how the money would get spent.

Northwest Side Ald. Gilbert Villegas cited state law to question whether revenue generated by gambling might be required to stay within the airports coffers. Airport officials did not answer clearly when pressed by downtown Ald. Brendan Reilly on where the tax proceeds would go.

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Michael McMurray, the Johnson-appointed Department of Aviation commissioner, said he would imagine it would somehow maybe have to stay at the airport, while telling aldermen that was just a guess.

So yeah, thats kind of a conundrum, right? he added.

Johnsons handpicked Budget Committee chair, Ald. Jason Ervin, quickly interrupted to share a contrasting view, but added that the question must be answered.

I think thats a really important question for us, especially given that our pension funds are depending on that money, Reilly said.

If the money has to be spent at the airports, it could make it harder for aldermen to support the slots idea. Many council members who backed former Mayor Lori Lightfoots pitch to bring a casino to Chicago did so because the casino tax proceeds could be used to shore up the citys frail pension funds.

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Johnsons top finance leader gave the administrations clearest signal of support yet for the installation of casino-style slot machines at OHare and Midway earlier this week.

The citys chief financial officer, Jill Jaworski, told aldermen Tuesday her team has been in conversations about moving forward on airport slot machines. Ballys Casino, which would have first dibs to launch airport gambling operations, has expressed interest in the effort, she added.

There are some technical challenges we have to deal with, ensuring that were complying with all the regulations that are at the airport, but again, those conversations are ongoing, Jaworski said. (Ballys has) identified a site at Midway, and we have worked to move that forward.

McMurray on Thursday said he had not seen any proposals having to do with slots at any of our airports. I have not talked to Ballys about slots at our airports.

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The state law that granted Chicago a casino also gives its developer, Ballys, the right to open slot machines at the airports, so long as the total number of gaming positions at all its locations dont exceed 4,000.

Villegas, who has championed airport gambling for months, called the slots a good idea as he asked Jaworski if they might be coming soon.

I know that the administration said that it was not a good idea, he said. Its money that 60% and 70% of the revenue is going to come from people who are not even from Chicago.

The finance chief pushed back against Villegas description of the administrations stance and reiterated that her team is working to move that forward.

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Johnsons top adviser, Jason Lee, discounted the idea of slots in airports in August when he questioned in a Sun-Times interview whether it would be in the public interest. Such a move would raise a number of concerns, he said.

That would be a pretty significant change to the culture of our airports. Chicago is not known primarily as a gaming destination like Las Vegas, Lee said.

But some aldermen have staunchly backed the possibility of airport slots while also pushing in recent months for the broad legalization of video gambling terminals throughout the citys bars and restaurants.

City Council members even gave video gambling terminals committee-level approval last month, though a final vote has not occurred as Johnson officials call for a more favorable tax revenue split between the city and state.
Oct. 23A spokesperson from the Alabama Department of Mental Health confirmed Wednesday that a series of group homes in Decatur are currently being decertified.

"During the decertification process, individuals are given the choice to move to other certified settings," said Malissa Valdes, public information officer from ADMH. "As of today, the individuals have been moved to alternate certified provider settings. Staff at R&R Group Homes have been cooperative in proceedings related to the decertification process and client transitions. The provider may appeal the decertification process."

Morgan County NAACP President Rodney Gordon is the director of R&R Group Homes. He confirmed officials from the department paid visits to his houses but declined to elaborate on the reasons for the shutdown, only that he felt he was being targeted for his stance in the community.

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"They have a misunderstanding, which will be rectified," Gordon said. "I'm not worried about it. This is what I think. I think because of my protesting, that's where they mess with me from. The only reason they came to my houses was because of the protesting."

Gordon claims he does not own the homes but only works there.

Gordon has participated in numerous demonstrations in Decatur protesting the fatal police shooting of resident Steve Perkins by former Decatur police officer Mac Marquette on Sept. 29, 2023. He accused the department of going off "false" accusations, although he refused to say what those accusations were, only that they consisted of "politics."

In a second phone call, Gordon said the department was accusing individuals in the home of smoking marijuana.

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"They're not doing me like they did (Mac) Bailey Marquette, they gave him due process," Gordon said. "They didn't give me due process, they just came to my houses. You feel me?"

 wesley.tomlinson@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2442.
HOMEWOOD, Ala. (WIAT)  The effects of the federal government shutdown are beginning to reach Alabama.

Alabama Arise, a nonprofit that advocates for low-income residents who receive benefits such as SNAP, says there has been little communication from the federal government about how programs like food assistance will be affected if the shutdown continues.

For now, funding for SNAP and WIC benefits is expected to last through the end of October. What happens after that remains unclear.

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At the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, most shelves remain stocked, though some areas  especially those typically supplied by the U.S. Department of Agriculture  are running low. CEO Nicole Williams said that shortage is partly due to the shutdown.

Were also, of course, concerned as the shutdown continues that snap and WIC benefits may potentially be affected for folks, remarked Williams.

Hand, foot and mouth disease cases spread in region heres what Alabama families should know

Williams added that both programs have funding through the end of the month but that its uncertain how they will operate if the shutdown extends into November.

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Carol Gundlach with Alabama Arise, a nonprofit who works directly with legislators, says there has been little to no communication about how these programs will move forward if the government stays shut down.

We hope that people will be warned that there is not going to be November funds on their food stamp cards. What makes this very complicated, is some people maintain a balance on their cards because of summer, because of holiday, so they know when the big demand is going to be. We hope those balances are going to be good, we dont know, said Gundlach.

The Community Food Bank of Central Alabama says it is preparing to help anyone experiencing food insecurity in the coming weeks.

Feedingaledot.org, our website, there is a find food button there, and that is the best place for people to put in their zip code and find all the distributions that are around where they live. We want to make sure that we are meeting people not only in their location, but wherever they are in life, said Williams.

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Alabama Arise encourages residents who rely on SNAP or WIC benefits to check the U.S. Department of Agricultures website for updates on program funding.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Rep. Mack Butler, R-Rainbow City, listens to a debate over his resolution calling the World Health Organization "corrupt" in the Alabama House of Representatives on April 11, 2024 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

An Alabama representative has refiled a bill that would extend the states prohibition on discussions of gender identity from grades K-5 to all public school grades.

HB 23, sponsored by Rep. Mack Butler, R-Rainbow City, would prohibit classroom instruction or discussion about gender identity and sexual orientation and stop teachers from hanging up rainbow flags in their classrooms. The bill would also prevent teachers from calling students by pronouns other than the ones aligned with biological sex at birth.

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Butler said in an interview Wednesday the bill is meant to help public schools focus on educating students and claimed that the recent enrollment decline partially comes from parents who are unsatisfied with LGBTQ content in schools. Alabama public officials have not said that was a reason for the drop in the K-12 population.

And as youre seeing with the decreased enrollment, and a lot of its the CHOOSE Act and the virtual school or home schooling, but there absolutely is a dissatisfaction with what were doing, and I see this as helping public education get them back to their actual core charge, he said.

Enrollment numbers for public schools have declined for the 2025-26 school year by over 5,800 students (0.8% year-over-year). Alabama State Schools Superintendent Eric Mackey said in an interview Monday the reasons for the decline come from students who have received CHOOSE Act funds and students who have enrolled but have not come to school.

One of the things were investigating now is that a lot of these students [who were unaccounted for] could actually be homeschooling, but just did not go through the formal withdrawal process at the school. And thats, thats kind of what I think now might be the leading indicator, he said.

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Butler introduced a similar version of the bill in the 2025 legislative session last spring, but the bill failed to be passed by the Senate. This is his first time prefiling the bill.

Its just the teachers being paid to teach a curriculum, and they absolutely they wear a lot of hats to deal with a lot of things, and mental health is one just the reality theyre having to deal with, because I spent 10 years on the school board, and its a lot different what youre dealing with today than what we were just two years ago. But just adding to the confusion is not helpful.

During a Senate Education Policy meeting, multiple people opposed the bill saying that it would be a waste of time and that Legislature does not get to legislate morality. Only one person spoke in support of the bill at the meeting.

The Alabama Legislature in the last five years has passed several laws targeting LGBTQ+ people, including the original Dont Say Gay law passed in 2021 and a ban on gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth the following year.

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Butler said while LGBTQ discussions in Alabama classrooms arent a major issue, there are a small group of schools that do discuss gender identity and sexual orientation. He did not name any schools discussing this topic.

It is a minority. And thats what people will try to tell me its not happening, and I go, Okay, why would you be offended by such to say this, lets just focus on the reading, writing and the arithmetic and leave that alone. But it absolutely is happening, he said.

Former Rep. Patricia Todd, D-Birmingham, who was the first openly gay member of the Alabama House of Representatives, said Wednesday that LGBTQ issues should be discussed in schools because the community could be intertwined in students daily life.

All parents should be talking to their kids about LGBTQ issues, because probably sometime in their lifetime, theyre going to encounter that, and they might have friends who have same-sex parents, she said.

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While schools will not be allowed to instruct classes on gender identity and sexual orientation, students can still discuss it with faculty and staff.

The student will still be able to talk to the teacher, the counselor, the principal, whoever, but it would keep the corporate push off of it, Butler said.

Age appropriate conversations surrounding gender identity and sexual orientation are also allowed. Butler said this is because the State Department of Education requested it.

Thats the only thing [the State Department of Education] requested. They say were not opposing the bill. We would just request that you put this in. And I said absolutely, because, you know, our goal is to work with them, Butler said.

The Alabama Legislature will begin its 2026 session on Jan. 13.
The Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) has tightened listing rules for at least five companies seeking to shift to core crypto treasuries or DAT. The exchange group has questioned their compliance with regulations prohibiting large liquid holdings, sources told Bloomberg.

Further, the HKEX has reiterated that all listing applicants must operate viable and sustainable businesses. Per the stock exchanges framework, companies aiming to transform into Digital Asset Treasury (DAT) entities must integrate crypto as a core business. The regulations prohibit excessive holdings of liquid assets.

For companies aiming to hoard crypto, success in getting approval depends on whether they can demonstrate that acquiring crypto assets is part and parcel of their operating business, said Simon Hawkins, Partner at Latham & Watkins.

Increasing Number of Digital Asset Hoarders: Promise and Peril

DATs were born in 2020 when Michael Saylor, CEO of MicroStrategy (later renamed Strategy) announced via an SEC filing that the company had purchased Bitcoin as part of a new capital allocation strategy.

As of September 2025, 178 listed companies collectively hold 989,926 Bitcoin valued at about $107 billion, led by Saylors Strategy.

As several companies are looking to accumulate large amounts of crypto for their treasuries, many are questioning whether this signals genuine institutional maturity.

Kevin de Patoul, CEO of global crypto investment firm Keyrock, told Cryptonews that the credibility of their strategies matters more than short-term accumulation.

The focus shouldnt just be on the number of BTC or ETH they hold, he said. There should be curiosity behind whos running it and whether they actually understand the ecosystem theyre investing in. Its one thing to raise capital and buy tokens; its another to use that war chest to build meaningful projects and infrastructure. The leaderships pedigree and the credibility of their strategy matter far more than short-term accumulation metrics.

Jurisdictions that Put DAT Firms Under Lens

HKEXs scrutiny aligns with similar regulatory tightening in nations, including India and Australia. For instance, the Bombay Stock Exchange vetoed an application last month from Jetking Infotrain, which planned to invest heavily in crypto. The action highlighted Indias regulatory void for DAT firms.

Further, the Australian exchange (ASX) has restricted listed companies from holding over 50% or more of their balance sheets in cash-like assets.

This makes firms essentially impossible to adopt a crypto treasury model, said Steve Orenstein, CEO of Locate Technologies Ltd.
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT)  Wednesday marked the 22nd day of the government shutdown. The Senate once again failed to pass a bill that would end the shutdown, falling short by just six votes.

News 19 spoke with Alabama Senator Katie Britt on Wednesday afternoon. She said its time for both republicans and democrats to come together.

As shutdown drags on, federal workers could miss first full paycheck next week

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The proper thing to do for the American people is to put politics aside and actually allow the government to function, Sen. Britt said.

She said its time to reopen the government, because people are hurting.

People are not getting paychecks, we are about to run out of benefits in a number of areas, and there are real consequences to real people, she said.

The Senate stalemate is linked to the Affordable Care Act and health care subsidies, which democrats want to extend, and republicans dont.

Leaders talk The Alabama Solution and next steps

Senator Britt blames the situation on democrats.

This is a democrat created program, with a democrat created subsidy, with a democrat created expansion, with a democrat created extension, with a democrat created date, Britt said.

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Britt told News 19 that she wants to vote to reopen the government and then tackle issues related to health care subsidies.

I think there are a lot of questions that need to be answered about how this thing is framed up, and that doesnt happen overnight, she said.

She then doubled down on democrats, dragging on the shutdown.

This is absolutely political theater, Britt said, taking aim at Senate Minority Leader Senator Chuck Schumer.

Go look at Chuck Schumers political poll numbers, they were like terrible, she said. So hes trying to figure out how in the world to save his own political future, and hes doing it at the cost of the American people.

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Meanwhile, Sen. Schumer is calling on President Donald Trump for a meeting to discuss health care issues.

President Trump has an obligation to negotiate with us and solve this problem, Schumer said.

The President said he will only meet with democratic leaders once the government reopens.

Wednesday, the Senate voted 54 to 46 on a House-passed bill to fund the government through November 21. Republicans came up short of the 60 votes needed to pass the bill by just six votes.

Both of Alabamas Senators, Sen. Katie Britt and Sen. Tommy Tuberville, voted in favor of the bill.

The Senate could vote again as soon as Thursday.

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News 19 reached out to Sen. Tommy Tubervilles office for comment on the shutdown and todays vote, but at this time, we havent heard back.

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Oct. 22Immigration, President Donald Trump and the New Mexico State Fair were all topics that surfaced during a roundtable discussion among Albuquerque's six mayoral candidates at an event hosted by the Journal on Wednesday.

With Election Day in less than two weeks, the Journal roundtable marked what may be the last opportunity for the public to see all the mayoral candidates in one room.

Though crime and homelessness took center stage as Albuquerque's biggest problems, at least according to polled voters, during this discussion candidates also talked about issues bubbling to the forefront of national politics.

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To resist, or not to resist

Candidates were divided on whether Albuquerque should remain a sanctuary city and if going toe to toe with the Trump administration is worth the risk of losing federal funding.

"I think we're being asked at this moment to give up our values for money," said former U.S. Attorney for New Mexico Alex Uballez. "And I will never give up my neighbor for money."

Uballez pointed to the state's $64 billion in permanent funds as a remedy to federal budget cuts he sees as a certainty with the current administration.

The incumbent, Tim Keller, struck a similarly defiant tone toward an administration that has already clawed back funding from the city.

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In September, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced in a letter that it would withdraw an $11.5 million grant for the Albuquerque Rail Trail, a loop for pedestrians and cyclists around the city's core.

"If any president from any party is going to try and divide our families, I will resist," Keller said. "If any president is going to try and take our land, I will push back. If any president is going to try and tell us what is best for us, I will say they are wrong and they need to respect us as our own city, with our own history and our own governments."

Other candidates said the pain isn't worth the price.

Former Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White said that collaboration is "critically important" regardless of who's in office. Beyond budget cuts, White feared retaliation might also include a base realignment and closure directive from the Pentagon, similar to what was attempted and failed in the '90s, which he said could shutter Kirtland Air Force Base and cripple the city economically.

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Mayling Armijo, a Navy veteran and former Bernalillo County Economic Development director, said her priority is making Albuquerque safer and if that requires collaborating with the federal government, she would be willing to compromise.

Outgoing City Councilor Louie Sanchez declined to comment on how he would approach the currently tenuous relationship, stating that the mayoral race was intended to be "nonpartisan."

Former firefighter Eddie Varela also emphasized the race's intended nonpartisan nature, but went on to talk about his own political leanings.

"Sure, I'm a Republican," Varela said. "I don't know Donald Trump  never met the guy  I watch world news, I watch national news and I see what he's doing. I agree with a lot. I disagree with a lot."

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Keller and Uballez are both supportive of the city's currently codified "immigrant friendly" policies, though Uballez said that it does not go far enough to protect residents.

Armijo, Varela, Sanchez and White all opposed the measure, stating that it gets in the way of law enforcement.

"We have enough criminals of our own," White said.

If elected, White said he would re-establish a policy piloted by then-President George W. Bush and expanded upon by President Barack Obama that facilitated information sharing between local and federal law enforcement. Obama later axed the policy, called "Secure Communities," in his second term.

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Common ground

There was one thing all six candidates agreed on  their love for New Mexico's State Fair.

In December, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced plans to put mixed-use development and affordable housing on the state-owned land where the annual State Fair has been held since 1934. The announcement drew criticism from fairgoers and surrounding neighborhood associations.

The governor's plan was also unpopular with candidates.

"I actually love the State Fair being where it's at and it should be held in Albuquerque and left alone," Sanchez said.

Armijo added that state spending on the project was fiscally irresponsible.

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"What burns me about this whole process is they did hire an out-of-state company and they're paying them thousands of dollars to tell us something we already know  that it needs to stay there," Armijo said.

The state paid Stantec Consulting Service Inc., a global firm, $850,000 to develop a master plan to make suggestions for the land's use.

Uballez said he'd like the State Fair to stay put, though he said the decision is largely up to the governor. He welcomed an "intentional" redevelopment, if it comes to that, he said.

"It doesn't have to be either or, it can be both," Keller said of the redevelopment.

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Keller opposed moving the fair, but said that there was opportunity for redevelopment in empty or underutilized areas around the property's fringes.

Though Varela also opposed the governor's plan, he said the decision should be put to the voters to decide.

Where they stand

In a recent Journal poll, Keller leads at 29% followed by White at 16%. Both Sanchez and Uballez secured 6% of voters, while Armijo and Varela polled at 1% to 2% respectively. The greatest chunk of voters, however, are undecided at 39%.
Editors Note: This story has been updated to remove the identity of the child.

DENVER (KDVR)  A missing 2-year-old who was last seen with his father on Wednesday night in Federal Heights has been found safe, according to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.

CBI issued an endangered missing alert for the boy who was last seen at 6 p.m. on Wednesday in Federal Heights. The child has since been reunited with his mother.

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The alert said the boy was seen with his father, who was described in the alert as a suspect, and law enforcement was concerned for the boys safety. The agency later said the father had forcibly taken the boy early Wednesday evening.

CBI said Thursday afternoon that Louis Salvador, 41, was taken into custody by the Federal Heights Police Department for active arrest warrants for felony domestic violence assault, misdemeanor child abuse and a restraining order violation. Charges in the kidnapping incident are pending.

The Federal Heights agency thanked the Denver Police Department, the FBI Safe Streets task force and the public for a quick response and assistance that led to a safe resolution.

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The investigation into this incident is ongoing, CBI reported.

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ALEXANDRIA, Va. (DC News Now)  Police in Alexandria charged a Maryland man accused of placing hidden cameras inside a restaurants employee restroom.

The Alexandria Police Department (APD) said that on Sept. 20, 2025, a mom and her three-year-old daughter found an iPhone camera that was actively recording and hidden in the employee bathrooms vanity at Gustave Boulangerie.

Detectives found a recording of several victims who were recorded while using the restroom. Both adults and children were recorded.

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FBI offers $500k reward for identity of suspect who placed pipe bombs outside of DNC, RNC

Police executed a search warrant on the phone and identified several victims, who said they wanted to press charges.

APD said that the suspect, 20-year-old Joshua Hombrebueno of Oxon Hill, Md., turned himself in to detectives on Wednesday, Oct. 22. Hombrebueno was an employee at the restaurant.

Police were still investigating the case. Anyone with any information is asked to call (703) 746-4444 or email Duglas.Quint@alexandriava.gov.

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MEXICO CITY (AP)  A Chinese national who United States authorities accuse of trafficking large quantities of cocaine and fentanyl into the U.S. before being arrested and then escaping custody in Mexico was recaptured in Cuba, Mexican authorities said Wednesday.

Zhi Dong Zhang, alias Brother Wang, was indicted in federal court in Atlanta in 2022 on drug trafficking and money laundering charges.

Mexican authorities captured him in Mexico City in October 2024 at the request of the U.S. government. But a judge granted him house arrest and last July he escaped the home he was being held in under military guard.

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On Wednesday, Mexicos Security Cabinet said in a statement that the alleged trafficker, who had escaped Mexican authorities in July, was arrested in Cuba, but did not identify him by name. A federal official, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case, confirmed that it was Zhi Dong Zhang.

After escaping in Mexico, Zhang had travelled to Cuba and then to Russia where he was detained for illegal entry and returned to Cuba, according to another Mexican federal agent, who also requested anonymity to discuss the case. The agent said Zhang could be deported to Mexico.

Cuban authorities did not respond to a request for comment about Zhang Wednesday.

Zhangs escape in July came at a sensitive moment for the administration of Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum, who was trying to hold off crushing tariffs threatened by the Trump administration, which accused Mexico of not doing enough to stop fentanyl smuggling into the U.S.

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Government documents filed in the Atlanta case describe a drug trafficking network led by Zhang that imported cocaine and fentanyl into the U.S. and then distributed it through hubs in the Atlanta and Los Angeles metro areas. Zhang called the drugs coffee and food, respectively, in coded language, the court documents said.

Millions of dollars from the drug sales were allegedly collected at stash houses in Georgia and California and deposited into accounts that Zhang could access from Mexico, the documents said.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  Two men have been arrested amid the Greece Police Departments investigation into a fatal overdose last August.

Details about the overdose itself are unknown, but police confirmed that it occurred sometime in August and led to a two-month investigation.

Officers said they identified the victims drug supplier and launched a targeted narcotics investigation. A search warrant was conducted on Wednesday at two homes on Adeline Road and Ridgeway Avenue, which uncovered multiple loaded guns and cocaine.

(Photo/Greece Police Department) (Photo/Greece Police Department)

The investigation led to the arrests of 45-year-old Derek Hall of Greece and 45-year-old Deche Davis of Rochester. They have been charged with the following:

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Derek Hall Greece charges: Third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Rochester charges: Three counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, third-degree criminal possession of stolen property, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and second-degree criminal use of drug paraphernalia.

Deche Davis Rochester charges: Third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal possession of a firearm, and criminal use of drug paraphernalia.



Two suspects have been charged in connection to an overdose death that was under investigation for over two months (Photo/Greece Police Department)

Both suspects were arraigned and remanded into custody.

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A Flock Safety license plate-reading camera is seen at Colfax Avenue and Franklin Street in Denver on Aug. 5, 2025. (Photo by Quentin Young/Colorado Newsline)

A Eugene resident backed by Oregons chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union sued his city for access to the locations of license-plate readers using software that privacy watchdogs and activists say could target out-of-state abortion seekers and immigrants without permanent legal status.

Seth May, a member of the anti-surveillance group Eyes Off Eugene, filed the suit on Monday in Lane County Circuit Court following a months-long battle seeking records related to nearly 60 undisclosed locations of cameras created by the American manufacturing and security software company Flock Safety.

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Cities including Springfield, Woodburn and Medford have disclosed records showing the number and general placement of Flock cameras through public records requests already, the suit alleges.

Mass surveillance through the use of technology like Flock cameras present a dangerous threat to every Oregonians privacy and rights to be free from invasive and unjustified government searches into our personal lives, Kelly Simon, the ACLU of Oregons legal director, said in a statement. The concern is heightened by the extreme levels of federal aggression being currently directed at immigrants, transgender people, Black and Brown people and people exercising their First Amendment rights.

The lawsuit traces back to a June request May made for records from Eugene city officials, who denied the request on the grounds of a state public records law exemption protecting information that would reveal or otherwise identify security measures or weaknesses or potential weaknesses in security measures. At least six cameras in the city have been vandalized, a police spokesperson told Lookout Eugene-Springfield Oct. 15.

May appealed that denial, saying there was a strong public interest in law enforcement use of mass surveillance. But Lane County District Attorney Christopher Parosa told the Capital Chronicle that May failed to identify a public interest that would outweigh the concerns around security measures.

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We do the best we can in an area of law we do not practice under incredible statutory time constraints when we already have more work to do than my team can reasonably and morally be asked to handle, Parosa wrote in an email.

Flock Safety cameras have stoked increasing controversy in recent months, though theyve been used for years nationwide in thousands of law enforcement agencies and almost all states. This year, the company announced new artificial intelligence tools allowing officers to search for vehicles with unique characteristics.

Civil rights advocates have raised concerns that the data collected by those cameras could be used to track immigrants and people seeking abortions, even in states including Oregon that have laws to protect access to reproductive care and bar local police from working to enforce immigration law. At least 10 Washington police departments had their databases searched by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol without explicit authorization, according to a Tuesday report from human rights scholars at the University of Washington.

On Monday, the city of Springfield reaffirmed that it would not move forward with the use of 25 cameras the city previously installed amid concerns about privacy. In the wake of community opposition, Eugenes city manager announced Oct. 13 that the city would turn off the cameras, following an earlier vote by the city council recommending a pause on their use.

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Police in Eugene installed the cameras in July 2025, arguing that the cameras have allowed them to quickly intercept violent crime and thefts. The technology tracks more than license plates, including features such as car color, make or physical condition. University researchers and journalists have documented how U.S. Customs and Border Patrol and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement accessed camera data in states like Oregon and Washington.

Separately, a Texas officer reportedly searched thousands of Flocks cameras with a broad search for had an abortion, search for female. Flock claimed a news report detailing the incident was misleading and cited a local sheriff claiming it was for an investigation into a missing woman. Follow-up reporting from the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a San Francisco-based nonprofit digital rights group, found that local authorities had opened a death investigation of a non-viable fetus.

Claims of deception

Flock has accused its critics of spreading misinformation. Among the most vocal opponents of Flock Safety is Oregons Democratic U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, who in a statement earlier this month slammed the company for deceiving state and local law enforcement customers about its sharing of their data with the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies.

Wyden had previously announced in July that he secured a deal with the security company restricting out-of-state access to Oregon license plate data by law enforcement for abortion or immigration-related inquiries. Citing Eugenes decision to back away from the readers, however, he said that Flocks filters are easy to circumvent and lack meaningful privacy protections.

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I now believe that abuses of your product are not only likely but inevitable, and that Flock is unable and uninterested in preventing them, Wyden wrote in an Oct. 16 letter to the company. In my view, local elected officials can best protect their constituents from the inevitable abuses of Flock cameras by removing Flock from their communities.

Responding to those claims, Dan Haley, Flock Safetys chief legal officer, said the company engaged in good faith with Wyden in complying with his requests for information on the grounds of supporting congressional oversight. He wrote in a letter that abuses of the technology have been rare, but those responsible have been held to account by relevant local oversight entities due to the very transparency features your letter deems insufficient.

Paris Lewbel, a spokesperson for Flock Safety, said in an email that the company is instituting a mechanism to ensure searches for information require specified parameters like a mandatory offense to combat the use of unclear search terms. Another feature that Oregon uses is a filter for sanctuary states preventing their camera data from appearing in nationwide searches, he said.

Flock Safety also removed federal agencies from its nationwide and statewide search tools after admitting in August that it didnt create distinct permissions and protocols in the Flock system to ensure local compliance for federal agency users.

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Flock does not proactively or randomly conduct audits of the use of our products by our customers, many of whom are government entities empowered by law to conduct sensitive investigations, because Flock is not an enforcement body and because laws and policies governing use of our tools vary significantly customer to customer, Lewbel said.

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INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- IMG (International Medical Group) is excited to announce the winners of its ninth annual Leave Your Mark Grant. This year, more than 4,000 organizations and individuals submitted entries, making it the largest applicant pool in the history of the grant. The two winning organizations are Holistic Ministry of Children of the Horn of Africa (HMCHA) and Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation Indonesia, each receiving $3,500. The three winning individuals are Megan Parham, Joe Charles, and Martin France, each receiving $1,000.

International Medical Group (IMG) is an award-winning international medical and travel insurance company.

HMCHA is a faith-based organization that helps children in Ethiopia rise out of poverty through education and mentoring. Through its child sponsorship program, HMCHA's mission is to help students in the Oromia region graduate, support their own families, and contribute to society.

"We are honored and deeply grateful to be a recipient of IMG's Leave Your Mark Grant," said Carol Pfleiderer, HMCHA's Sponsor Coordinator. "This generous support enables us to expand our reach by training more teachers and equipping schools in Oromia with essential resources like solar lights, books, and bookcases. It's a meaningful investment in the future of children who are striving to rise out of poverty."

Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation Indonesia is a non-profit organization committed to bridging access to education and basic needs for families living in some of Indonesia's most remote islands and coastal areas. By providing school boats and clean water solutions, the organization helps children reach school safely and supports communities in building healthier, more sustainable futures.

"We are so excited to have been chosen for the Leave Your Mark Grant," said Meralda Adam, Chairperson at Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation Indonesia. "These funds will allow us to provide a school boat in a remote coastal village, ensuring children no longer risk their lives paddling unsafe sampans to reach school. We will also be able to install 20 water filters in area households and provide essential educational materials to children, such as books and uniforms."

The three individual Leave Your Mark winners support a wide range of mission and social good organizations working around the world. This year's winners will use their grant funds to support initiatives including church planting and well-digging in Kenya, bridge construction for students in Panama, and volunteer-led building projects across the developing world that promote education, public health, and women's empowerment.
Alumni of the Alpha chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., unveiled a new leadership institute at Cornell University on Saturday. The House of Alpha Leadership Institute honors the fraternitys legacy at Cornell and was inspired by the fraternitys founding principles of scholarship, fellowship, good character and the uplifting of humanity.

What is the House of Alpha Leadership Institute?

The building is located at 105 Westbourne Lane in Ithacas Cornell Heights Historic District. It now welcomes student residents from all backgrounds and regardless of fraternity affiliation as long as they are committed to leadership, justice and equity. The space, which is a 9,000-square-foot house, was built in 1927 and was previously owned by the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity.

The opening was inaugurated in the presence of alumni fraternity brothers and their social impact nonprofit Alpha Light Fund. Attendees also included New York State Assemblyperson Anna Kelles and Ryan Lombardi, the VP for student and campus life at Cornell.

This is a space built for growth, grounded in intention and open to all, Dennis Mitchell, the founding president of Alpha Light Fund and a professor of dental medicine at Columbia University, said according to the Cornell Chronicle.

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A $20-million fundraising campaign was also announced at the event. It will go toward supporting programming at the institute.

Were here to celebrate a vision of empowered leadership and active community building, Mitchell added. Its a vision rooted in cultural legacy, in collaboration and in sustainable impact.

Fraternity alum Robert F. Smith purchased the building in 2023 for $1.5 million. He also helped fund renovations with a $9 million donation.

Together, we can accomplish great things, he said. And I look forward to this next generation using these investments that this current generation is putting in you to change and reshape the world so it fits all that you are capable of, and America becomes the vision of what it should be, through your work.

A building that honors Alpha Phi Alphas legacy at Cornell University

Founded at Cornell in 1906, Alpha Phi Alpha was the first Black Greek organization in the U.S. Alumni include Martin Luther King Jr., W.E.B. Dubois, Duke Ellington and Thurgood Marshall.

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Although the university was one of the few to welcome Black students in the early 1900s, there was still social segregation on campus. Alpha Phi Alpha was first founded as a literary society to remedy a need for community during these times.

They created something new. Out of exclusion, they built belonging. Out of invisibility, they built visibility, Mitchell said. Theres a reason that that spark is lit right here at Cornell University and not anywhere else, and more than a century later, that spark continues to burn.

Decades later, this legacy has endured. Smith shared how he found community at the fraternity when he joined Cornell as a freshman.

These brothers welcomed me, in so many ways, to a new reality of opportunity, and thats what the Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha chapter, is all about, he said.

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Cornell University president Michael I. Kotlikoff highlighted the emphasis put on equality and access at the university through the years.

Over the years, its a commitment thats been questioned and tested many times, he said. Those founding values continue to guide us and ensure that Cornell remains committed to building a more just and equitable society through the education of the next generation of scholars and leaders. Alpha Phi Alphas founding at Cornell in 1906 is a critical part of that history, and its legacy is part of our identity today.







The post Alpha Phi Alpha Members Unveil New Leadership Institue At Cornell University, Where It Was Founded appeared first on Blavity.




NAUGATUCK - For neighbors of the sprawling Amazon development straddling the Waterbury-Naugatuck border who have endured months of blasting at the construction site, relief is on the way, but it may take some patience.

"There is a few more months of blasting," said Christina Bernardin, vice president of the Blue Water Property Group, which is overseeing construction by Whiting-Turner Construction. "The end is in sight."

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About 200 full-time construction workers are currently on site, more than half of them unionized, Bernardin said.

Bernardin joined dozens of state and local officials Tuesday to mark progress on the 3.2-million-square-foot robotics fulfillment center, a massive project expected to open in 2027. Gov. Ned Lamont was among those attending the event celebrating the project's groundbreaking.

When complete, the three-story facility will employ about 1,000 full-time workers, drawing praise from Lamont, who called it a major win for the region.

"Have you ever been to one of these fulfillment centers?" he asked during the ceremony off Great Hill Road in Naugatuck. "It's just incredible."

Gov. Ned Lamont speaks with Glendowlyn Thames, Amazon's head of Connecticut economic development and a former deputy commissioner at the state Department of Economic and Community Development, during a groundbreaking ceremony in Naugatuck on Tuesday for the Amazon fulfillment center under construction. (Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media)





Lamont also acknowledged Glendowlyn Thames, Amazon's head of Connecticut economic development and a former deputy commissioner at the state Department of Economic and Community Development, urging her, "Just don't forget Connecticut."

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In addition to Bernardin's assurances that the blasting will end soon, state DECD Commissioner Dan O'Keefe asked residents for patience, saying that while construction has been disruptive, the long-term benefits of jobs and economic development will outweigh the inconvenience.

According to company officials, Amazon has invested more than $11.5 billion in Connecticut since 2010, including infrastructure spending and employee compensation, and has created more than 15,500 jobs statewide. The company also recently announced plans to hire 3,500 seasonal workers in Connecticut as part of its nationwide holiday hiring campaign.

Gov. Ned Lamont, left, with Waterbury Mayor Paul Pernerewski, center, and Naugatuck Mayor Pete Hess, right, as he speaks during a groundbreaking ceremony in Naugatuck on Tuesday for the Amazon fulfillment center under construction. (Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media)





Waterbury Mayor Paul Pernerewski said well-paying jobs will strengthen families and help sustain the local economy.

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"I'm particularly proud of the collaboration with Naugatuck," he said. "It shows what we can accomplish, especially when we have a shared vision."

Naugatuck Mayor Pete Hess agreed.

"We're all part of a team," he said. "The steel they are erecting here today is more than just holding up a building."

Amazon's Connecticut footprint already includes six fulfillment and sorting centers, 10 delivery stations, 13 Whole Foods Market locations, and seven on-site solar energy locations. Other facilities are located in Cromwell, North Haven, Wallingford, and Windsor.

Amazon's 3.2-million-square-foot robotics fulfillment center on the Naugatuck-Waterbury line is expected to open in 2027. (Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media)





This article originally published at Amazon site on Waterbury-Naugatuck line to bring 1,000 jobs - and relief from blasting.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Amazon plans to lean on robots that could replace up to 600,000 jobs worldwide, and a state lawmaker and school board member are discussing what impact that will have on Memphiss tech industry.

The New York Times reported that Amazon plans to lean even more on automation, a move that could replace as many as 600,000 jobs worldwide by 2033.

In Memphis, a city reinventing itself as the Digital Delta, the future of a robotic and AI impact is now with tech giants like xAI, NVidia, and Google  all investing billions in the region.

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I think Memphis-Shelby County Schools is at an advantage living in the Digital Delta. Because we have lots of business and partners who can talk us through what are those skills that will ready our students for the jobs that are going to be there when they graduate, said MSCS Board Member Amber Huett-Garcia.

What is Macrohard and why does Elon Musk have it on this Memphis building?

So I think part of that, while well always need cosmetology, barbers, nurses, we do need to start thinking about how do we, how do we build AI literacy, someone will have to work on the robots. How do we, how do we build that along the curriculum? said Huett-Garcia.

Tennessee Representative Mark White, who has chaired several education committees and represents Memphis, says automation is no surprise, and education must keep up.

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Well, weve seen this coming for a long time. Thats why several years ago, we passed legislation that every child in the early years  through about sixth or seventh grade  will have classes in computer sciences, said State Rep. Mark White (R-Nashville).

See the report: MSCS plan to close, consolidate some schools

White says every year, about 80,000 students graduate from Memphis-Shelby County Schools, but only about a quarter, he says, are ready for college or careers in todays tech-driven world.

We need to make sure these young people have the skills coming out of K through 12 to move into the workforce of this type. Until that happens, I cant relax  and I dont think anybody in this community can relax, said White.

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He said Memphis has a unique chance to lead, but the challenge now is making sure our young people are ready to grab the tech jobs that will be available.

Robotics, AI is coming on fast, and we need to make sure that our, especially our K through 12 in our trade schools, and the community colleges are on top of this because its coming on as fast, said White.

What are the things that our students can learn now? What are the adjustments we can make, to, to make Memphis greater, to make, to be ready to take on those jobs? said Huett-Garcia.

Huett-Garcia said MSCS is also working on a revised career and technical education plan to help prepare students for the future.



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Amazon reportedly has a plan to replace more than half a million U.S. workers with cobots, and avoid hiring at least 160,000 human workers by 2027.

Despite hoping to double the number of products Amazon sells by 2033, executives are said to believe robotic automation could save them the trouble of hiring 600,000 people in the long run, according to internal documents obtained by the New York Times.

Insiders at the multitrillion-dollar retailer allegedly think that referring to their robots as cobots  a term that implies collaboration with humans  could soften the blow.

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The company currently employs around 1.2 million U.S. workers and intends to add 250,000 more ahead of the holiday rush. That includes roughly 8,500 people in New York, according to the Democrat and Chronicle.

However, its unclear how long new hires will be needed as documents reportedly show Amazons robotics team hopes to eventually automate 75% of its operations.

An Amazon spokesman told the Daily News that the documents being referenced dont tell the whole story with regards to its overall personnel plan.

Leaked documents often paint an incomplete and misleading picture of our plans, and thats the case here, the spokesman said. In this instance, the materials appear to reflect the perspective of just one team and dont represent our overall hiring strategy across our various operations business lines  now or moving forward.

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Vice President of Worldwide Operations Udit Madan has said he hopes the role of human workers will adapt to fit the changing times as robots do the heavy lifting. Hes claimed that the money the company saves from automation helps to create new higher-paying jobs, such as positions for robotic technicians.

Madan said that since 2019, nearly 5,000 people have gone through Amazons mechatronics apprenticeship program, and that investing in upskilling its workforce is something close to my heart.

Amazon already appears to be bracing itself for potential fallout by launching goodwill initiatives like Toys for Tots drives and parades to enhance its public image.

A company spokesman told the Times that its alleged efforts to appear as a good corporate citizen is unrelated to automation that may take jobs from the very communities it plans to engage.

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Amazon said it has taken issue with the Times suggesting that it plans to essentially replace human workers with robots.

The facts speak for themselves: No company has created more jobs in America over the past decade than Amazon, a spokesman told The News.
NIAMEY, Niger (AP)  An American missionary has been kidnapped in Niger's capital, Niamey, according to security sources and local media.

The unidentified man was kidnapped overnight Tuesday into Wednesday by three armed individuals in a Toyota Corolla and was probably driven out of town, according to a security source with direct knowledge of the incident but who was not authorized to speak about it publicly.

No armed group has claimed responsibility for the abduction. Niger has long faced attacks from armed groups including jihadis linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State organization.

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The security source said that Nigerien authorities suspect the kidnappers were linked to the Islamic State, but the investigation continues.

According to local media, the kidnapped American was a pilot for the evangelical missionary agency Serving in Mission.

A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department said they were aware of reports of the kidnapping of a U.S. citizen in Niamey, Niger. Since we were alerted of the situation, our Embassy officials have been working with local authorities.

"It is a top priority for the Trump Administration to look after the safety of every American, and we are seeing efforts from across the U.S. government to support the recovery and safe return of this U.S. citizen.

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The U.S. Embassy in Niamey issued a security alert Wednesday warning that American citizens remain at a heightened risk of kidnapping throughout Niger, including in the capital city.

Niger is ruled by a military junta that took power in 2023 after deposing the democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum. The new authorities ousted Western partners including the United States, which had soldiers in Niger, and forged a new security and diplomatic alliance with Russia.

Security has worsened in Niger in recent months, said Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel program at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. As a result, jihadis "are reviving a kidnapping business" which started with tourists and now has targeted aid workers.

Kidnapping is a multimillion-dollar business" for jihadis, he added. It also means Western donors and aid groups will pull out staff and suspend operations in the Sahel which will lead to more poverty, making it easier for jihadis to recruit.
Oct. 22 (UPI) -- American cattle ranchers are calling on the Trump administration to abandon plans to buy Argentine beef, as the rift between the two sides deepens.

President Donald Trump has been arguing to buy beef from the South American country as an effort to lower beef prices at U.S. grocery stores, while U.S. cattle ranchers are criticizing his plan as misguided and harmful, stating it will have little effect on grocery bills.

"The National Cattlemen's Beef Association and its members cannot stand behind the President while he undercuts the future of family farmers and ranchers by importing Argentinian beef in an attempt to influence prices," NCBA CEO Colin Woodall said in a statement.

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"It is imperative that President Trump and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins let the cattle markets work."

The cost of beef in the United States has hit records this year, steadily rising since December. According to the USDA's Economic Research Service, the cost has increased 13.9% higher in August compared to a year earlier and is predicted to increase 11.6% percent this year.

The rift between Trump and cattle ranchers opened earlier this week when Trump told reporters on Air Force One that they are considering importing beef from Argentina to get those prices down.

Argentina, led by vocal Trump ally President Javier Milei, earlier this month entered a $20 billion financial bailout agreement with the United States.

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The bailout has attracted criticism from American farmers, already hurting under the weight of Trump's tariffs. In particular, soybean growers were upset with the bailout as the United States and Argentina directly compete in the crop for the Chinese market.

The comment about buying beef from Buenos Aires prompted swift criticism from American ranchers, already frustrated that Argentina sold more than $801 million worth of beef into the U.S. market, compared to the roughly $7 million worth of American beef sold in its market.

Trump on Wednesday said U.S. cattle ranchers "don't understand that the only reason they are doing so well" is because of his tariffs.

"If it weren't for me, they would be doing just as they've done for the past 20 years -- Terrible!" Trump said on his Truth Social media platform.

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"It would be nice if they would understand that, but they also have to get their prices down, because the consumer is a very big factor in my thinking, also!"

Amid the controversy, the USDA on Wednesday announced a series of actions, including those to promote and protect American beef through the voluntary Country of Origin Labeling program.

However, ranchers are saying it's not good enough.

Farm Action, a nonpartisan agricultural sector watchdog, is urging the Trump administration to make country of origin labeling mandatory and to launch investigations into the so-called Big Four meatpackers, saying they control the price of beef, not U.S. ranchers.

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"Ranchers need support to rebuild their herds -- that's how we truly increase beef supply and lower prices long-term," the watchdog said in a statement Wednesday.

"After years of drought, high input costs and selling into a rigged market, we deserve policies that strengthen rural America, not ones that reward foreign competitors and corporate monopolies."

Wyoming's Meriwether Farms called on Trump to immediately use his executive powers to institute mandatory country of origin labeling.

"This is not good enough," it said of the USDA's initiatives announced Wednesday.
More than half of all Americans have branded President Donald Trump a dangerous dictator, who needs to be reined in before he destroys American democracy.

Fifty-six percent of respondents to the latest American Values Survey, released by the Public Religion Research Institute on Wednesday gave that answer.

Thats up from the 52% who responded the same way in March.

Forty-one percent of respondents told pollsters they believe Trump, who has dispatched soldiers to American cities amid a hardline immigration crackdown and launched prosecutions of his political opponents, is a strong leader who should be given the power he needs to restore Americas greatness.

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However, pollsters found some pretty sharp partisan divisions in the way respondents answered those questions.

More than nine in 10 Democrats (91%) and two-thirds of independents (65%) agreed that Trump is a dangerous dictator, while Republicans (82%) were more inclined to agree that the second-term president is a strong leader.

Seven in 10 white evangelicals (73%), who comprise a key part of Trumps base, also agreed he was a strong leader, as did 54% of white mainline Protestants and 55% of white Catholics.

Majorities of other religious groups said they viewed Trump as a dangerous dictator. That includes 53% of self-identified Hispanic Protestants, pollsters found.

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A majority of all respondents (54%) said they agreed that what Trump is doing to the federal government is an assault on constitutional checks and balances and the rule of law.

Thats compared to the 43% who said they agreed to the premise that Trumps policies represented a long-overdue correction of disastrous policies pushed by elites at the expense of ordinary Americans.

There were once again sharp partisan divisions among respondents, with more Democrats (87%) and independents (62%) agreeing with the former premise, while more Republicans (82%) said they agreed with the latter.

Meanwhile, majorities of Christian nationalism adherents (77%) and sympathizers (69%) told pollsters they viewed Trumps changes as a long-overdue correction, compared with far fewer Christian nationalism skeptics (45%) and rejecters (12%), the poll found.

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The poll, which was conducted before the federal government shut down, found that six in 10 (62%) Americans believe the country is headed in the wrong direction.

That included majorities of Democrats (92%) and independents (71%), compared to 24% of Republicans.

Thats compared to 2024, under former President Joe Biden, when 94% of Republicans said the country was headed in the wrong direction. Seventy percent of independents gave the same answer last year, while 41% of Democrats said the country was headed in the wrong direction.

Majorities of Americans told pollsters the economy (65%) and the ways the federal government is functioning (65%) or dealing with undocumented immigrants (57%) were headed in the wrong direction.

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Most Americans (60%) also said the way the U.S. is dealing with other countries is going in the wrong direction. Republicans rate these areas much more positively than Democrats and independents, pollsters found.

The survey of 5,543 adults was conducted from Aug. 15 through Sept. 8. The sample included 1,748 self-identified Republicans, 1,800 self-identified Democrats, and 1,553 self-identified independent respondents.

The poll had an overall margin of error of 1.79%.

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A succession of high-ranking US officials have found themselves in Israel in recent days  first special envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser Jared Kushner on Monday, then Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday.

Their focus has been clear  to stop the US-backed Gaza ceasefire deal from collapsing. And that essentially means ensuring that the Israeli government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not back out of the agreement, which ended two years of war earlier this month.

The presence of the US officials in Israel has been described as babysitting  designed to twist the arm of a far-right government itching to find any excuse to relaunch the war, which killed more than 68,000 Palestinians.

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And so far, the administration of US President Donald Trump appears to have largely succeeded, highlighting what some analysts deem to be Israeli subservience to the US, and an acknowledgment that when Washington orders Israel to do something, the latter will ultimately agree.

Of course, Israel is a client state of the US, Alon Pinkas, a former Israeli ambassador and consul general in New York, told Al Jazeera. Pinkas referred to the billions of dollars Israel receives from the US in aid, the dozens of times Washington uses its veto to protect Israel from criticism or sanction at the United Nations, and its military protection of Israel.





Now the Trump administration is leveraging that support and doing what is a rare occurrence when it comes to relations between the two countries: forcing Israel to act according to the USs wishes, and making public Washingtons pressure on Israel.

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Some of that has come from Trump himself  in an interview published by Time Magazine on Thursday, the US president said that he had stopped Netanyahu from continuing the Gaza war. You know, I stopped him, because he would have just kept going, Trump said. It could have gone on for years.

Trump also made it clear in the same interview that Israel would lose all support from the US if it proceeded with the annexation of the occupied West Bank, which its parliament or Knesset preliminarily approved on Wednesday. Vance also voiced his opposition to an Israeli parliamentary vote on annexation, calling it very stupid.

Netanyahu understood the message, and his office called the vote a political provocation  even as members of his own government voted in favour, and even though he himself has previously backed annexation.

An unequal partnership

The US has always been the stronger party in the relationship with Israel. It is the global superpower, while Israel is an ally with a traditionally large constituency of support within the US.

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But US governments, for whatever reason, have often tried to avoid any direct confrontation with Israel. Former US President Joe Biden adopted a bear hug policy towards Israel during the first three months of the war on Gaza, arguing that the Israelis needed to be publicly backed in order to convince them to avoid going too far in their destruction of the Palestinian enclave.

US President Joe Bidens bear hug approach provided no restraint on Israel in its total war on Gaza [File: Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters]

That did not work, with Netanyahu repeatedly ignoring attempts to get him to agree to a ceasefire. Instead, it was Trump, who is incredibly popular in Israel for the support he gave the country in his first term, who has taken the relatively more confrontational route with Israel since his return to the presidency. So far, it appears to be working.

Benjamin Netanyahu has been put on notice, Yossi Mekelberg, a senior consulting fellow at Chatham House, told Al Jazeera. The US team can say all these different things  as they are doing  but its pretty obvious what their agenda is.

Look at the 60 Minutes interview [US presidential adviser Jared] Kushner and [US special envoy Steve] Witkoff gave where they spoke of betrayal and a loss of control. To my mind, this contradicts all the shows of friendliness were seeing in the Israeli press. This is the Trump administration coming over and saying quite clearly: You do as youre told.'

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Mekelberg was referring to an interview aired by CBS News last week, in which Witkoff described both himself and Kushner as feeling a little bit betrayed by Israels decision to strike at the Hamas negotiating team in Doha, Qatar in September. Continuing, Kushner emphasised how Trump, his father-in-law, had felt 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.

President Donald Trump talks with Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Knesset, Monday, October 13, 2025, in West Jerusalem [Evan Vucci/Reuters]

That may go to the root of explaining how Trump, despite his clear support for Israel and his past disparagement of the Palestinians, has been so vocal in criticising Israeli actions. The framing from his administration is that Trumps restraint of Israel is in the latters benefit, highlighting the primacy of the US in the relationship, while also emphasising the bond between the US and Israel.

The relationship between the US and Israel is a central part of both countries policies, said Mitchell Barak, a former aide to Netanyahu. Its built on a shared sense of Judeo-Christian values, but Israel is also a valuable strategic partner to the US; its also vital in its regional policy as well as providing advances in innovation.

And whats more  as were seeing from both US business, as well as the Trump family business, who are heavily invested in the region  stability and peace are profitable for all.

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Its true that Israels lost some of its independence in this, but theres nothing new in that, Barak added. I think thats what were seeing right now in the way the US is managing the ceasefire. Its a combination of carrot and stick and right now, with Vance and the others over, is a reminder of the stick.

US Vice President JD Vance and Israeli President Isaac Herzog meet at the Beit HaNassi presidential residence in West Jerusalem on October 22, 2025 [Nathan Howard/Pool via Reuters]

And as for the carrot, Trump can focus on what he believes Netanyahu wants  political success, and an end to the prime ministers legal troubles.

Speaking at the Knesset to mark the ceasefire in early October, Trump called upon Israels President Isaac Herzog to pardon Netanyahu in the multiple corruption cases he has faced since 2019.

Trump can do that, Mekelberg said. He can say to Netanyahu, look, Ill come over. Ill talk to the Knesset, I can even ask for you to be pardoned, but in return, you follow the script.

Hogwash

Suggestions that Israel has lost much of its independence in its dealings with the US have appeared to rankle Netanyahu.

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I want to put it very clearly. One week, they say that Israel controls the United States. A week later, they say the United States controls Israel. This is hogwash, said the prime minister, in response to a question about Israel being beholden to the US.

Irrespective of Netanyahus protestations about US control of Israel, much of the evidence contradicts him. In addition to the current US diplomatic blitz, intended to ensure that Netanyahu carries through with the ceasefire, there are other instances of the Trump administration determining Israeli policy.

The ceasefire itself was announced during Netanyahus last visit to Washington, seen as a tactic by some observers intended to have the prime minister commit to its terms publicly before returning to Israel.





Similarly, during the same visit, Netanyahu found himself being shepherded into issuing a formal apology to the Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani for the strike on Doha. And critically, during the conclusion of Israels 12-day war on Iran in June, it was Trump who ordered Netanyahu to stop a planned Israeli strike after the start of the ceasefire.

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For observers such as Pinkas, these actions have been a pointed reminder to Netanyahu and others of the asymmetrical nature of the relationship between Israel and the US, not least under the Trump administration.

Theyre [also] delineating Israels freedom of movement, Pinkas said. Theyre letting Netanyahu and others know that theyre free to go so far without consultation, but thats it.

[And] theyre reminding Netanyahu that hes essentially out of options in the US. The Democrats cant stand him, public opinion has turned against him, and there are many in the Republican Party, and specifically the MAGA [Make America Great Again] wing, who are asking questions about him. He can no longer play one side against the other. This is it.
By Nathan Layne

(Reuters) -President Donald Trump has ensured that federal immigration agents, U.S. Border Patrol officers, FBI special agents and active-duty military personnel continue receiving paychecks during the government shutdown, even as hundreds of thousands of civilian federal workers are furloughed or are working without pay.

This selective funding strategy offers a revealing glimpse into Trump's governing philosophy as the shutdown enters its fourth week - one that prioritizes jobs that advance his core national security and immigration goals.

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Political analysts and eight federal employees interviewed by Reuters said this approach risks creating a two-tiered federal workforce divided by function, potentially undermining public services handled by civilians as the shutdown continues.

The employees said the tactic could also erode morale across the government at a time when Trump's wholesale overhaul of the federal workforce has posed huge challenges for historically non-partisan agencies.

Illustrating the administration's partisan stance, Vice President JD Vance told Marines at an event in California on Saturday that Trump was doing all he could to compensate them, while casting congressional Democrats as indifferent to a shutdown that could delay troops' pay.

Julian Zelizer, a professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University, said more than any other modern president, Trump is using a shutdown to prioritize pay to a subset of workers to advance his agenda. His attempt to fire workers during a shutdown was also a first, he said.

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"It's like a really fine-tuned partisan response to the shutdown that's different than in previous years," said Zelizer.

Trump signed an order last week directing the Pentagon to make sure that the country's 1.3 million active-duty military personnel continue to be paid. The administration said it would tap unused research and development funds to cover their October 15 paycheck; funding for the next payday on November 1 remains unclear.

The administration has also established carve-outs to pay more than 70,000 law enforcement officers across the Department of Homeland Security, including those at Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Secret Service and the Transportation Security Administration.

That decision protects the gun-carrying agents who are implementing Trump's immigration crackdown, his top domestic priority, while leaving roughly 1.4 million federal workers - including some 700,000 furloughed - without a paycheck.

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The federal workers who are not being paid, however, include everyone from IT specialists in the U.S. Army, to Social Security customer support workers, to air traffic controllers. Traditionally, unpaid workers get back pay once a shutdown ends, though Trump has threatened to scrap that guarantee.

White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said the blame for any missed paychecks rested with the Democrats.

"The Trump Administration wants every federal worker to be paid  thats why we have repeatedly urged the Democrats to reopen the government," she said.

WORKERS WILL MISS FIRST PAYCHECK FRIDAY

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All eight of the federal employees interviewed by Reuters said they backed the move to pay active-duty military, reflecting longstanding bipartisan support for prioritizing the troops during shutdowns, partly on national readiness grounds.

Most of those interviewed, however, also expressed displeasure with the pay exceptions made for ICE agents and other workers like sky marshals, seeing it as divisive and likely to generate resentment should the shutdown drag on.

"Everyone with their feet on the ground, who deals with the safety of others should be getting paid," a Transportation Safety Officer at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

The full impact of the shutdown will hit workers like Katrina Wynn, a furloughed IT specialist at an Army base in Alabama, starting on Friday, when hundreds of thousands of civilian federal workers will miss their first full paycheck after receiving a partial one two weeks earlier.

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"What upsets me about this administration is the divide that's being forced on us," said Wynn. "They're playing party when they should be (focused on) people."

EXPERTS QUESTION LEGALITY OF TRUMP FUNDING MOVES

Democrats are insisting that any spending bill to reopen government extend healthcare subsidies for millions of Americans that are due to expire at the end of December. Trump and Republican lawmakers have shown no signs of bending to the Democrats' demands.

As part of his pressure campaign, Trump has tried to fire thousands of federal workers - a move temporarily blocked by a federal judge in California following a lawsuit by unions alleging the layoffs exceeded his authority during the shutdown.

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Union leaders say they are also upset about pay going only to select workers, but have so far refrained from taking legal action on that issue, reflecting a reluctance to disrupt pay going to some of their members.

"To force employees to work shoulder to shoulder to accomplish those missions and only pay some of them is extremely unfair and disrespectful to the work they do for this nation," said Doreen Greenwald, president of the National Treasury Employees Union, which represents 150,000 federal workers at more than 30 agencies, including Customs and Border Protection.

At the FBI, special agents are being paid while intelligence analysts and other support staff are not. That has hurt morale at the agency, one special agent told Reuters on condition of anonymity, expressing concerns that unpaid staff burdened by financial worries would be less effective at work.

In a statement to Reuters, the FBI said it considered all staff critical to its mission and was "pursuing options to pay all employees" without specifying possible funding sources.

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The selective pay structure is part of what White House budget director Russell Vought has likened to a game of "budgetary Twister" to identify pots of money for salaries.

Funding for the "supercheck" issued this week to compensate ICE and other select DHS agents through the next pay period was coming out of Trump's massive tax-cut and spending bill passed in July, according to a DHS spokesperson.

Democrats and experts on presidential power have questioned the legality of the administration repurposing funds in a way not prescribed by Congress, which has the authority to control government spending under the U.S. Constitution.

"We typically read the Constitution to say that Congress has the power of the purse," said Sarah Binder, a political science professor at George Washington University. "There does seem to be a problem here about whether or not there's any authority to be moving money around."

(Reporting by Nathan Layne, additional reporting by Doyinsola Oladipo in New York and Idrees Ali and Ted Hesson in Washington, editing by Ross Colvin and Diane Craft)
Expansion of delivery service in Ann Arbor builds on last years entry into the Detroit delivery market. Vehos delivery platform in Akron started two weeks ago and is responsible for thousands of deliveries each week, according to the news release.

Veho had a soft launch of service in Greensboro and Winston-Salem in February, and now is delivering more than 10,000 parcels per week. The company said that type of growth is driving investment in parcel injection, sortation and distribution capacity in the Southeast, including the move to a regional hub outside Atlanta that has five times the processing capacity of its previous location.

Veho, which provides home delivery for e-commerce brands and logistics providers, has added Ann Arbor, Michigan; Akron, Ohio; and Greensboro/Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to its service area, the company said last week in a news release. The service rollout puts the New York-based courier on track to reach 60 markets and 128 million consumers by the end of 2025, up from 46 markets at the start of the year.

ShipMatrix estimates U.S. parcel volume will grow at a compound annual rate of 4% over the next three years to 26.8 billion in 2027, with most of the growth handled by alternative carriers, including Amazon.

In a column published Tuesday, exclusively on FreightWaves , ShipMatrix President Satish Jindel urged FedEx to adopt the gig driver model for B2C home deliveries, saying it would quickly take business from rival carriers and boost its bottom line.

But there are questions about whether the market can sustain so many providers and whether profit margins can sustain expensive network buildouts.

All the companies offer lower shipping rates than FedEx and UPS by using non-employee delivery agents  often referred to as gig drivers  and self-developed apps for matching them to available parcels for delivery. They, and a host of other regional carriers drawn by the growth of online shopping, are racing to build out their networks and capabilities, touting one-to-three day delivery and strong on-time performance claims. Many are also trying to match FedEx and UPS in shipment management technology. FedEx and UPS are already losing market share to large retailers with their own delivery services and independent carriers, according to analysts .

Three non-traditional last-mile parcel delivery companies recently announced network expansions, a major executive hire and a new sales partnership as the competition for market share continues to intensify in a sector where demand has flattened in recent years and there is excess capacity.

Story Continues

Veho this year has expanded its geographic reach to Southern California, New York City, St. Louis, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Richmond, Virginia; and Louisville, Kentucky.

Last week, Veho appointed Neel Madhvani to the newly created position of chief product officer. All product and operations teams will report to him.

A veteran of three large supply chain organizations, Madhvani was hired so Veho can ensure products it develops are what e-commerce shippers want and that operations meet expectations, as merchandise and logistics begin to merge into a unified service, officials said. The goal is to make its delivery experience a differentiator for e-commerce brands  by offering multiple product tiers, expanding into new categories and building software tools that help them manage, measure and optimize their customer experience beyond delivery  so consumers wont hesitate to make a purchase at checkout

Our focus will be on designing service levels, optionality, and other products that e-commerce leaders want, improve their customer relationships, and help them get a better return on their shipping spend  as well as enhance the technical and operational capabilities to ensure we deliver on that promise, said Madhvani in the news release.

As chief product officer at Copart, a major automobile remarketing and logistics network, Madhvani led product, design, analytics and customer service, driving significant and rapid increase in customer satisfaction, according to a news release. He previously worked at Chewy, overseeing the end-to-end shopping experience and the infrastructure backbone supporting sales. Before that, Madhvani led Staples industrial division, where he helped run warehouses, integrate sales and operations, and deliver high-volume fulfillment.

Veho is pushing to introduce advanced technology that allows shoppers to provide delivery instructions, control the delivery window or speed up and slow down delivery based on when the person will be home, similar to tech capabilities offered by Amazon. Surveys show consumers tend to buy more from brands when the delivery experience is smooth, reliable and offers some control.

Thats what Neels working on. Building those products, getting us further integrated into the checkout screen, and then ensuring the operations can fulfill the promise, Veho spokesman Evan Wagner explained in an email exchange. At Chewy, he helped design the playbook for creating emotional connection in e-commerce, the small, human gestures that made customers feel looked after. At Veho, hes trying to take that same thinking and apply it to the doorstep experience  making delivery feel like an extension of a brand, not just a transaction.

FedEx and UPS already have shipment management technology that offers brands and consumers flexible shipping options. Both offer free versions and paid subscriptions. Free versions have limited ability to affect the delivery, but provide notifications, tracking and other features.

UPS My Choice, for example, allows customers to get packages delivered to a UPS shipping station, different address or to a neighbor, request delivery within a two-hour window and add delivery instructions for the driver, often for an upcharge.

With FedEx Delivery Manager, customers can redirect a package from a residential destination to retail pickup locations, like a Walgreens or FedEx Office store, free of charge, where someone else can also be authorized to pick up the package. The technology also allows recipients to virtually sign in advance for a package that requires authorization for proof of delivery. Recipients can also save delivery instructions for drivers.

John Costanzo, president and CEO of LDK Global Logistics said hes not aware of any capability yet that enables a carrier to speed up or slow down delivery once a shipment is already in route.

Speeding up/ slowing down deliveries would be very difficult to do because its antithetical to optimization of delivery routes, adding expense and delay to the delivery process, Costanzo told FreightWaves in an email exchange. The use of shipping centers and parcel lockers is much more effective and efficient, and it gives the consignee the same ability to retrieve their packages when its convenient for them to do so.

SpeedX geographic expansion

SpeedX, which is investing hundreds of millions of dollars to build out its U.S. footprint over an 18-month period, earlier this month said on LinkedIn that it plans to service more than 15,000 U.S. zip codes by the first quarter of 2026, up from 11,000 currently.

Gofo

Parcel delivery startup Gofo announced this week that Cirro E-commerce, an end-to-end provider of international small-parcel logistics and fulfillment services in the United States, Europe and Oceania, will serve as its strategic sales partner in the U.S. Cirro essentially is adding Gofo to the list of last-mile carriers, which includes DHL, FedEx, UPS and the U.S. Postal Service, it offers retail brands.

Gofo this month opened super hubs in Newark, New Jersey, and Los Angeles ahead of the peak shipping season. In addition to the $150 million investment, Gofo operates more than 100 automated hubs and stations and a U.S. line-haul network with more than 30 routes. Its delivery service, which provides next-day delivery around major hubs and three-to-five day delivery across states and regions, is available in 49 of the top 50 markets, according to the company.

Click here for more FreightWaves/American Shipper stories by Eric Kulisch.

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The post Independent parcel carriers continue network, tech investments appeared first on FreightWaves.
TKTK Credit - Photo Illustration by TIME; Getty Images

You dont need advanced technology to dupe people online. We showed over 3,000 high schoolers a grainy video of poll workers dumping ballots to rig an election. A slapped-on caption, blaring in red font and caps lock, was enough to hoodwink students into believing U.S. voter fraudeven though the footage was from Russia. Only three students figured that out.

Weve long warned that cheap fakes were more dangerous than deepfakes: nearly as effective but far easier to make. This past election, even with AI tools available to the masses, it was old-school videos spliced with digital duct tape that fueled debates about President Joe Bidens fitness to serve.

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Now, the era of cheap fakes is ending. Viral deep fakes made with new video tools mark an even more treacherous informational terrain. Thanks to products such as Googles Veo 3, OpenAIs Sora 2, and Metas Vibes, AI slop is now so easy to produce that it is metastasizing across our screens, aided by platforms wholesale retreat from fact-checking. To navigate todays internet, we need guidance from ancient wisdom: Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, and other faiths age-old emphasis on the centrality of reputation.

Devout Muslims trace back the sayings of Muhammad through a chain of narration, or isnad. Religious Jews interpret Talmudic teachings in the context of the rabbi who intoned them. Tibetan Buddhists orally transmit tenets in a lineage from the Buddha to the present. All of these traditions encourage us to reason about information, but only after we trace it back to where it comes from and assess the reputation of the sages who stood behind it.

Reputation matters in secular contexts as well: its the mechanism we use to make decisions when we lack knowledge and expertise. We rely on reputation when choosing a therapist or a plumber, a restaurant to go to or a hotel to book. We ask people we trust and consult reviews because we recognize that no one is likely to disclose their flaws or ulterior motives.

Reputation is crucial in so many areas of our lives. Why, then, on the internet, do most people ignore it?

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Our research group has tested thousands of young peoples ability to evaluate information online. Again and again, weve seen them judge content while disregarding where it comes from. One student from rural Ohio trusted the voter fraud video because they thought their naked eye was able to detect fraud in multiple different states. A student from Pennsylvania wrote that the video clearly showed people entering fake votes into boxes.

The same pattern gets supercharged when it comes to AI. A teacher who shared their experience with 404 Media recounted asking a student how they knew if information from ChatGPT was accurate. The student shoved the phone in the teachers face: Look, it says it right here!'" Our pilot studies in high school and college classrooms point to a similar trend: many students put their trust in AI chatbots, even when those chatbots omit context about where information comes from.

Too many internet users fail to consider reputation or mistake Google or ChatGPT for vetted sources rather than flawed aggregators. When people try to evaluate reputation, theyre swayed by easily-gamed signals provided by the source itself: a dot.org domain, official-sounding language on the about page, the quantity of data irrespective of its quality, or gut feelings about how something looks.

These features glitter like fools gold. Anyone can get a dot-org domain, including hate groups. Holocaust denial sites claim in their about pages to provide factual information. Posts with fancy charts can contain noxious misinformation. And reports suggest that AI is so realistic that it forces us to doubt our own senses: from clones that sound like our parents to hyper-realistic fakes of a blaze engulfing Seattles Space Needle.

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This information landscape presents a no-win choice between submission and solipsism: not caring whats true, or insisting that nothing is. The former leaves us vulnerable to bad actors who weaponize realistic clips. The latter leaves us devoid of good information. Both options erode informed citizenship at a time when its in short supply.

Heres what we can do: instead of focusing on the content itself, first ask whos behind it, much as faith traditions consider teachings in the context of who said them.

And when wielded skillfully, the very tools that mislead us can help us out of this conundrum. Not by outsourcing our thinking to technologybut by using technology to establish reputation and sharpen our thinking.

The three students who figured out that the voter fraud video was from Russia didnt engage in any kind of technical wizardry. They just opened up a new tab, entered a few choice keywords, and found articles from credible sources such as the BBC and Snopes debunking it. And with a few canny pointers on how LLMs work and how to effectively structure prompts, AI can actually aid us in verifying posts on social media and offer missing context.

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Major AI tools include throwaway disclaimers telling users to verify information. Gemini can make mistakes, so double-check it, Google says. ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info, advises OpenAI. But from Generation Alpha to Baby Boomers, almost everyone struggles at verifying the information they encounter.

The good news is that all of us can get better. Even a few hours of instruction on how to gauge reputation can move the needleas we saw in studies weve conducted everywhere from high school classrooms in Nebraska and California to college courses in Georgia and Texas. Before, students trusted their eyes to figure out if something was reliable. After, they learned to get a bead on the sources reputation. Studies in Canada, Germany, India, and elsewhere have found similar positive results.

When we can no longer distinguish real from AI-generated content, it can feel downright futile trying to decide what to trust. But we can better cope with todays knowledge ecosystem by doubling down on an ancient lesson: the importance of reputation.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Yet another Massachusetts Friendlys location has apparently shut down.

The Friendlys in Pembroke has been marked as permanently closed on Google Maps. A call placed to the number listed with the location came up as no longer being in service.

The Pembroke spot is also no longer listed on Friendlys website. While it is unclear exactly when the restaurant closed, a post in The Brockton Hub Facebook group suggested it was earlier this month.

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MassLive has reached out to Friendlys parent company, Brix Holdings, for more information.

Friendlys has lost 90% of its locations in recent years, Eat This, Not That reported, including one on Riverdale Street in West Springfield that closed last year. After filing for bankruptcy in 2011 and again in 2020, the company was acquired by Brix Holdings this past July, who committed to reviving the brand.

The Pembroke closure comes as Friendlys turns 90 this year. The company was founded by brothers S. Prestley and Curtis Blake in Springfields Pine Point neighborhood in 1935.

The chain grew slowly at first, eventually exploding to a high of 800 locations up and down the East Coast by the 1970s. Today, there are only roughly 100 locations left in the U.S., including 22 in Massachusetts.

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Friendlys no longer owns its plant in Wilbraham. But it is currently operated by Dairy Farmers of America making ice cream for Friendlys restaurants as well as for sale in supermarkets. The chain is also no longer headquartered in Western Massachusetts, but on Long Island, New York.

The address for the Pembroke Friendlys 146 Church St.

More restaurant stories

Read the original article on MassLive. Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The draft for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department's Strategic Plan lists three priorities for the agency in the coming years: fostering a supportive environment for officers, improving community safety, and investing in department infrastructure.

IMPD Police Chief Chris Bailey unveiled the top three priorities in the draft that will serve as a five-year roadmap at a news conference on Oct. 23.

"Because the IMPD does not belong to one group, it belongs to all of us," Bailey said. "Our officers, our employees, and our community partners all play a vital role in shaping our future. That's why, over the summer, we reached out to hear directly from each of you."

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The department turned to Taylor Advising to help draft the plan that will be implemented from 2026 to 2031.

Through in-person sessions and an online survey, Taylor Advising gathered feedback from community members. The firm also sought feedback from specific community organizations and leaders, officers, and department staff, and is asking for feedback again.

IMPD's Strategic Plan draft: These are the priorities

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Chief Chris Bailey announces the priorities for the Strategic Plan draft alongside IMPD Assistant Chiefs Michael Wolley and Catherine Cummings, Taylor Advising President Marla Taylor, and consultant Burton Patterson on Oct. 23, 2025.

Bailey, who became chief in 2024, said in April when they first announced the plan, he didn't think the department had a clear identity after it merged with the Marion County Sheriff's Office in 2007. He said the plan would help clarify that identity.

Taylor Advising established three strategic priorities in the draft:

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Community disappointment: City asked for help planning 'future of public safety.' Some disappointed by response

This plan represents more than just goals on paper. It reflects the voices of our officers, professional staff, & community who took the time to share what matters most to them.



Please share your input again as we work together to make Indy a safer & stronger city for all. https://t.co/IMDWeoUXBu  Chief Chris Bailey (@IMPD_Chief) October 23, 2025

Strategic priority 1: Fostering a workplace that supports the health and professional growth of both officers and staff

Recruitment, retention, employee wellness, and leadership development fall under the first priority. The draft states that the department seeks to "instill pride in all officers and professional staff" by adopting hiring and professional development practices that support that end goal. The draft also said the department should support its employees with "comprehensive wellness" and mental health resources and provide opportunities for employee growth by holding all officers, supervisors, and professional staff accountable.

Strategic priority 2: Enhance community safety through mutual support, trust and understanding

Visibility, connection, authentic communication, and community partnerships fall under the second priority. The plan seeks to increase the presence of officers in neighborhoods, although the plan doesn't specify which areas or how officers presence would be increased. The plan also mentions collaborative efforts to reduce the reliance on law enforcement alone to address "complex community needs."

Strategic priority 3: Invest in department infrastructure to improve efficiency, preparedness and morale

Technology, data, facilities, equipment, organizational structure, policies, and communication fall under the third priority. The plan notes want better facilities with safe workspaces and reliable equipment for the department are needed. Staffing structures and roles would need to change to ensure fair opportunities for all employees.

'I would have loved for more participation'

Previous coverage: IMPD leaders seek community and officer input to form strategic plan

North District residents answer questions at the Taylor Advising listening session for Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department's strategic plan at the Brightwood Community Center in Indianapolis on June 28, 2025.

To gather community feedback for the report, Taylor Advising held seven in-person listening sessions across police districts at different community centers, including two sessions at the library downtown.

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The five listening sessions IndyStar attended drew low numbers. Those who spoke shared concerns about the disconnect and mistrust between the community and police. Other topics that came up were youth gun violence and neighborhood crime.

Taylor Advising said more than 1,200 IMPD officers and civilian staff and more than 2,200 Indianapolis residents participated in the original survey.

When asked about the low number of community members who participated, Bailey said in the news conference that the in-person sessions were an invitation to share beyond the survey.

"I would have loved for more participation, but this is another opportunity," Bailey said. "And as we move forward, we'll still want to engage with our community in one-on-one opportunities, activities, or group activities to continue to learn."

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Originally, the draft version of the strategic plan was set to be released for public comment in November. Officials said there will be no in-person discussions about the draft. A final survey will serve as the community's feedback.

Here's how to take the survey

An example of listening session feedback gathered from residents who attended sessions on the Indianapolis Metro Police Department strategic plan between June 28 to July 16, 2025, in Indianapolis.

Taylor Advising released a new survey for the community, officers, and department staff utilizing the platform Survey Monkey. The firm will receive $237,000 for helping IMPD with its strategic plan.

This draft strategic plan reflects thousands of voices and shared priorities," Taylor Advising President Marla Taylor said at the news conference. "By offering the plan and feedback form in the top six languages spoken in our city, were ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to share their voice and help shape what comes next.

The anonymous survey takes between 5 and 10 minutes to complete. Respondents will be asked to vote on the proposed mission statement and vision statement for the department before providing their input on the three priorities.

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People have until Nov. 27 to complete the survey at ww.surveymonkey.com/r/IMPDcommunityfeedback.

The final plan is expected to be released in early 2026.

Jade Jackson is a public safety reporter for the Indianapolis Star. You can email her at Jade.Jackson@IndyStar.com and follow her on X, formerly Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IMPD draft plan centers on department needs but seeks community input




While Texas' "Disneyland of gas stations" has been expanding across the U.S. over the past few years, it's clear not everyone has become a huge fan of the beaver moving in. Now, residents and local officials of a Southeastern state are the latest to pushback against a massive new Buc-ee's.

Earlier this week in Virginia, dozens of residents flooded a community meeting to voice concerns over a proposed Buc-ee's travel center in Stafford County, Fox 5 DC reports. The Texas-based convenience store chain has submitted plans to build a 74,000-square-foot facility with 120 gas pumps on the outskirts of Northern Virginia.

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The nearly 36-acre development would be the state's second Buc-ee's, after the company opened its first location in early July. At the Monday, October 20, meeting, Stafford County neighbors told Fox 5 they don't want what some called "the mother of all rest stops" built across the street from their homes.

Like other states such as Florida and Colorado, where Buc-ee's has received pushback from locals, Stafford County residents raised environmental and traffic worries about what the project would mean for the area. During the meeting, Buc-ee's representatives reportedly told attendees that the travel center would be privately funded, with the company not seeking any tax incentives from the county.

The Buc-ee's rep also referenced a traffic study recommending the expansion of existing lanes at the intersection of a road that would lead to the store off of Interstate 95 off Exit 140 near Austin Ridge Drive and Courthouse Road. However, residents argued that this solution did not fully address all their safety concerns including traffic congestion near schools and neighborhoods.

The conditional use permit for the Buc-ee's was first filed in February 2024, but the development process has been slowly progressing through the county. Stafford County's next Planning Commission public hearing, scheduled for October 29, will mark a key deadline for the commission to make its recommendation to the Board of Supervisors, which could begin taking formal voters soon after.

MySA reached out to Buc-ee's for comment.

This article originally published at Another proposed Buc-ee's faces pushback in this Southeastern state.
AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  Another Valley high school student has earned a perfect score of 36 on the ACT.

John Check, a senior at Austintown Fitch, earned a perfect score, an achievement realized by less than 1% of the students who take the test.

Check has a 3.8 GPA, taking mostly honors, advanced placement, and college credit plus courses. He also plays Tuba in the marching band.

Check plans to major in creative writing in college, though he has not yet decided where he will attend.

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Evan Brockway, of North Lima, earned a 36 on the exam taken in March  making him the second Ursuline High School senior in two years to achieve a perfect score. Last year, Adan Sheik achieved the top score.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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BECKLEY, WV (WVNS)  Students from Ansted Elementary School made their way to Beckley for a special field trip.

They visited both the Raleigh County Solid Waste Authority and the Raleigh County Veterans and First Responders Museum.

Traffic delays expected due to paving project in Nicholas County

Jan-Care was also there, showing kids what they do on a day-to-day basis. The students got to learn about the history of our nations military over the years. Heres what some of them had to say about what they learned.

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I have two people that are related to me that were in World War I and World War II, said 3rd grader Jameson Beavers.

When people like drop, like gas from planes, like a gas bomb  there was this guy that was called a crackler and had like a thing where he does this and it like makes a bunch of loud noises, like it is crackling, added Jaxon Crist, a 3rd grader.

Some cannonballs have fuses, said Jayce Wilson, another 3rd grader.

Beavers favorite part was the theater, while Crist thinks this visit was great for their education in history. This marked the first time a school has toured the museum since it opened. Museum president Ron Hedrick hopes schools will visit more, as they push forward to fully open in the future.

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The veterans museum is going to be just an awesome place to bring students here and show them the history and also the possibilities and maybe of a career path that they may want to do and then thats what weve been striving to get to, and were just excited to have our first 70 kids roll in here, said Hedrick.

The Raleigh County Veterans and First Responders Museum is open on Fridays and Saturdays.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
One in six adults in England are taking antidepressants. Thats eight million people, yet remarkably even doctors dont fully understand quite how these drugs actually work. The most popular group of antidepressants are known as SSRIs and, for decades, they were thought to correct a deficiency of the happy hormone serotonin. These drugs have not changed since their invention in the late 1980s, and exactly how they work is a mystery.

While it is known that SSRIs facilitate a release of serotonin in the brain, after that initial pharmacological action, the chain of events is not very clear, says Glyn Lewis, a professor of epidemiological psychiatry at University College London.

The strange fact is that we simply dont know why SSRIs work against everything from depression to OCD, and why they work for some people and not others. While its often assumed that people with depression have low serotonin, which the drugs correct, recent research shows this isnt the case.

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To add to the confusion, a new study has found that different antidepressants can cause different side effects, including weight gain, high blood pressure and changes in heart rate depending on the drug being taken. The findings have immediate clinical implications for how certain antidepressants are prescribed, particularly if people have heart or weight problems, according to researchers at Kings College London and Oxford University.

So what do we know about what antidepressants do to our brains and how concerned should we be about their side effects?

What do SSRIs do to our brains?

SSRIs increase the amount of serotonin in the brain. That chemical does more than make us feel happy: it transmits messages between nerve cells and is important in regulating not only mood but also sleep, appetite, sexual behaviour and even physical processes like digestion and blood clotting. Its natural release is prompted by physical exercise, sunlight and positive social interactions. Simply put, more serotonin in your brain should mean that you feel happier, calmer and more focused.

As more people take SSRIs, and for longer, the other impacts on the brain are becoming clearer. Some neuroimaging studies suggest that, as well as impacting serotonin levels, SSRIs reduce activity in the amygdala (the fear centre) and the hippocampus (the memory centre). Other research indicates that taking SSRIs in the long term can actually change the shape and size of some parts of the brain, such as the anterior cingulate cortex, which drives decision-making and attention, and the hippocampus too.

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These changes could explain why the drugs make some people feel better, by normalising the brains activity to bring it back to a healthy baseline. This effect is not observed in every person who undergoes a brain imaging study, however.

Exactly whose brains are changed, and why, is unknown.While some people see enormous benefits from taking SSRIs, others only see a modest improvement in their symptoms at best. For mild depression it seems that SSRIs really arent very effective at all. For people with moderate to severe depression, they should be combined with psychotherapy, says Philip Cowen, a professor of psychopharmacology at the University of Oxford. Research indicates that both are more powerful in combination than either are on their own.

One reason for this may be that taking SSRIs can improve neuroplasticity  the brains ability to make changes in response to its environment. In people with severe depression, its often a fixed, deep-rooted thing, with a delusional quality, in that everything seems negative, so it can be really hard to get better, Cowen says. Taking an antidepressant can help people respond to psychotherapy, due to the improved neuroplasticity, as it might make them more open to seeing the world differently.

Joanna Moncrieff is a professor of critical and social psychiatry at University College London. She believes that any positive impact of SSRIs is all down to a slight numbing effect, as she puts it, that some people who are really very depressed might benefit from in the short term.

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Other experts may see this more generously as a change in the brains emotional response to the difficult thoughts that characterise depression  making people with the condition less distressed by patterns of negative thoughts and beliefs, even if they do little to change them.

Why the chemical imbalance theory of depression is wrong

If you know anything about [SSRIs] you would never suggest that they restore a serotonin imbalance, because there has never been much evidence for that, says Lewis. The myth has abounded because doctors needed something to tell patients who asked them how their antidepressants would work.

A recent review by Moncrieff at the same university, published in 2022, found that there was no consistent evidence for an association between serotonin and depression, proving for good that SSRIs dont transform serotonin-deficient brains into healthy ones.

The first antidepressant drugs were invented in the 1950s and were basically discovered by chance, Lewis says. The drug iproniazid, for example, was originally designed to treat tuberculosis, and was only then found to have antidepressant effects.

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SSRIs, meanwhile, were specifically designed to treat depression, and have been widely prescribed since the early 1990s. Since then there has been almost a linear increase in the use of antidepressants, Lewis says. From the year 2000 onwards it isnt so much that more individuals are being prescribed antidepressants, but that people are taking them for longer.

Around a quarter of people currently given them have been taking SSRIs for at least five years. The drugs are now prescribed not only for depression but also to treat anxiety disorders (such as generalised anxiety, OCD and PTSD) as well as chronic pain. Just under two-thirds of antidepressant prescriptions in Britain are made for either depression or mixed anxiety and depression.

Some research suggests that for depression, at least, SSRIs seem to work well in most people. In a recent study of 20,000 people with major depression who had taken antidepressants, 75 per cent said that they found them to be helpful. The research looked at people whose health information has been collected as part of the UK Biobank, and used the participants own reports on their experiences with the drugs. Studies that rely on clinical assessments by medical staff are less hopeful, however: an important review from 2018 found that all kinds of antidepressants are more effective than a placebo, but only marginally so.

This is the best evidence we have that antidepressants do work to some extent. Theyre better than nothing, but they certainly dont work for everyone, says Cowen. This is why the drugs are given out so freely: the evidence suggests that they are often helpful and are quite well-tolerated, Lewis says. They are also cheap and quick to prescribe, making them much more easily available on the NHS compared with other mental health treatments.

The potential side-effects

The new analysis from Kings College London and Oxford University used data from 151 different studies, comparing the physical health effects of 30 different drugs across more than 58,000 people. It is the first time that the variation between drugs has been calculated.

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They found a large variation between treatments. Some drugs cause quick weight gain, with people putting on an average of 4lb 7oz in just eight weeks on maprotiline, while, in contrast, agomelatine caused a 5lb 8oz weight loss over a similar period. Similarly, heart rate increased by 14 beats per minute for nortriptyline but fell by eight beats per minute for fluvoxamine.

People taking doxepin saw their blood pressure rise significantly compared to those on nortriptyline who saw a decrease.

Some people who take antidepressants report feeling numb and emotionless. Others report massive difficulties in their sex lives, with getting erections or reaching orgasm, even after they have stopped taking the drugs. Some types of SSRIs make people really quite groggy, and most antidepressants are linked with weight gain, says Moncrieff.

People who take the common antidepressant escitalopram might put on nearly four pounds over two years, though this may also be linked to the fact that people with depression often struggle with low appetite. Theres the risk of bleeding problems and haemorrhage, risks in pregnancy, as well as with osteoporosis and fractures, Moncrieff adds, all believed to be due to the excess amount of serotonin in the brain caused by the drugs.

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Withdrawal from antidepressants can also be extremely difficult: fatigue, mood swings and problems sleeping, as well as brain zaps, a feeling like a short electric shock, are often reported by people who stop taking SSRIs. One survey we carried out suggests that 10 to 20 per cent of people who try to come off of antidepressants find that they cant do so, Moncrieff says. In people attending therapy, its closer to 40 per cent.

Moncrieff believes that the potential harms of antidepressants outweigh their benefits. She is a vocal opponent to what she sees as the overprescribing of antidepressant drugs, an issue that has gained a lot of traction in recent years. Im not convinced that they are useful at all, she says. Some people who are very depressed might benefit from SSRIs temporarily as a sort of sedative, but beyond that, I believe that people are being harmed more than they are benefitting.

How SSRIs work, and why they work for some and not others, may never be clear. So should doctors slam the breaks and stop prescribing them? Not necessarily. Occasionally people think that this is some kind of conspiracy, but its just a very difficult thing to work out, Lewis says. Its not unusual to have medical treatments that we dont fully understand the effects of, and unlike a lot of the other biological systems in the body, which we understand quite well, SSRIs are acting on the brain, which we do not understand very well at all.

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Moments after receiving a report of a man who threatened to shoot up the worlds busiest airport while livestreaming, Atlanta Police Officer Myesha Banks spotted a man matching his description in the crowd.

His eyes scanned the ticketing area and the security checkpoint.

Banks training kicked in. She approached the 350-pound man who towered over her and arrested him  thwarting what police said was a planned attack at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, police said.

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Banks on Monday apprehended Billy Joe Cagle, whose family alerted law enforcement that he was armed and headed to the airport to shoot it up, police said.

The quick and thoughtful actions of the suspects family and authorities were lauded by experts and officials alike. Still, the incident highlights vulnerabilities in airport security, especially in crowded areas not overseen by TSA officers.

Cagle is facing charges of terroristic threats, criminal attempt to commit aggravated assaults, possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

He was also charged with several federal counts: attempted violence at an international airport, interstate communications containing threats to injure and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, the US Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Georgia said on Tuesday.

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Cagle is from Cartersville, about an hour away from Atlanta, and a family member then drove to the police department and alerted authorities that he was armed and on his way to the airport.

After receiving a description of Cagle and his vehicle, Atlanta Police Sgt. Tywana Jones communicated the details to the team at the airport.

CNN affiliate WSB has obtained the booking photo of Billy Joe Cagle, the man who was arrested at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Monday after allegedly making threats to shoot it up. - WSB/Clayton County Sheriffs Office

Inside his vehicle parked in the departure area of the airport, police found an AR-15 assault rifle and a magazine with more than two dozen rounds, police said.

My heart was beating fast. Im like, OK, I havent heard any gunshots, anything go off. So, you know, were good right now. Lets just get that information out to prevent that, said Jones, who is six months away from retiring from the Atlanta Police Department with 30 years under her belt.

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The tragedies that weve seen play out across our nation didnt happen here, Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said Tuesday.

With more than 108 million people flying through in 2024, Hartsfield-Jackson is the worlds busiest airport.

Airport public areas remain vulnerable

Public areas of airports are still vulnerable; theyre still at risk. And if someone is looking for large groups of people, ticket counters, the lobby areas, the garages, the bag claims, they are not defended by the TSA, said Mary Schiavo, CNN transportation analyst and former inspector general for the US Department of Transportation.

Enhanced security, like vehicle inspections, were in place after September 11, Schiavo said. Those strict security measures slowed down traffic and travelers and likely would not be welcome again.

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Nobody liked it, but it certainly added security, Schiavo said.

She added that the measures could be reinstated if similar incidents like the Atlanta case occur again.

Schiavo praised the suspects family for coming forward and preventing a potentially significant attack.

They not only saved innocent travelers lives, they most likely saved their relatives life because he would have been gunned down, she said. Theres lots of cameras and security at the airport that could have responded very quickly. He wouldnt have made it out. So the family obviously really did a life-saving measure.

Heightened security could have made a difference in an attack playing out, too, Schiavo said.

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Checking the cars and checking the bags, the physical security, is what would have made a difference here, if the horrible thing had unfolded  thank God the family called in time.

Left to right: Atlanta Police Department Major David Wilson, Chief Darin Schierbaum, Officer Myesha Banks, Sgt. Tywana Jones and Captain Rebecca Bandy during a news conference on October 21, 2025. - WSB

Barriers could help

Mondays apparent thwarted attack will be studied by airport personnel as a success story, according to Keith Jeffries, a former federal security director at Los Angeles International Airport, who spoke to CNN.

The communication capability from family to law enforcement and how quick they reacted, thats tremendous, Jeffries said. The fact that the Atlanta Police Department, airport police, responded like they did, that was an exceptional work, to put it mildly.

However, having cars idle outside terminals or leaving a car behind, such as what happened during Mondays incident, does present a security risk, Jeffries said.

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Having barriers, even decorative ones, just outside airport doors could help with that, Jeffries added.

Anytime theres a large crowd, if someone has bad intentions and wants to make whatever statement or use violence against crowds, thats a relatively simple thing to do where theres a crowded area, Jeffries said. Putting those barriers in place will help those vehicles from driving straight into an airport, into a crowd  It serves as a bollard to prevent vehicles from pulling up in there.

Jeffries, who now serves as the vice president of K2 Security Screening Group, indicated that new technologies might not be the answer to bolster security at airports, unless theres a machine that can read peoples minds. That, to my knowledge, doesnt exist, he noted.

Sometimes all you need is more boots on the ground, like around major travel holidays, he said.

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Having a good overt presence, everyone staying alert, being on the lookout. And I think what this is going to do as we approach an even busier season, as Thanksgiving gets closer, I think this message is going to spread like wildfire to all the airports of the value of good communication, Jeffries said. This is going to be a great case study for airports to coordinate with the Atlanta Airport on something that went extremely well. Too many times are we studying things that went horribly wrong and learning from that.

Its also imperative for travelers to stay alert, calm and vigilant.

You also need to calm down, pause, and be very aware of your entire domain awareness, whats going on around you, because at any given point in time, an emergency can occur of some sort, and always just be prepared, Jeffries said.

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(Reuters) -Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) on Tuesday reported better-than-expected third-quarter profit and revenue, driven by growing demand for its surgical robots used in minimally invasive procedures.

Shares of the Sunnyvale, California-based company surged 16% in premarket trading on Wednesday.

The company, known for its da Vinci robotic systems, has seen steady growth as hospitals work through a backlog of deferred procedures and expand access to minimally invasive care.

The medical device maker slightly raised its adjusted gross profit margin forecast for 2025 to between 67% and 67.5% from between 66% and 67%.

The updated range includes an estimated impact from tariffs of 0.7% of revenue, plus or minus 10 basis points, compared with the previously estimated impact of 1% of revenue.

More than 80% of the instruments and accessories for the company's da Vinci system are produced at Intuitive's facility in Mexico, while the company also operates in China and other international markets.

The company now expects worldwide da Vinci-assisted procedures to increase about 17% to 17.5% in 2025, compared with its previous range of 15.5% to 17%.

On an adjusted basis, the medical device maker earned $2.40 per share for the quarter ended September 30, beating analysts' estimates of $1.98 per share, according to LSEG data.

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The company reported revenue of $2.51 billion for the third quarter, compared with analysts' estimates of $2.40 billion.

(Reporting by Kamal Choudhury in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva)
Election workers process ballots at the Arapahoe County Elections Facility in Littleton, Colorado. Photo by Carl Payne for Colorado Newsline

Preemptive lawsuits against public records requesters are not the way to solve questions about whether documents are legally public records, the Arizona Court of Appeals ruled.

The Oct. 20 decision was a win for Audit USA, a nonprofit that seeks election records to verify whether our votes are counted accurately.

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The case originated in 2022, after Audit USA requested several primary election records from Santa Cruz County, including its cast vote record, the electronic documentation of each ballot cast in an election and all the votes on those ballots.

Maricopa, Pima and Santa Cruz counties had previously released their cast vote records  which contain huge amounts of data that would be difficult for laypeople to parse  to election data analysts. But the counties later ended that practice after a huge increase in requests for the cast vote record following unfounded claims of voter fraud in 2020 and 2022, saying that releasing the cast vote record violated voter privacy laws. While the record includes every vote cast on every ballot in the election, it does not identify individual voters or how they voted.

Santa Cruz Countys lawsuit, filed weeks after the county agreed to provide the cast vote record to Audit USA, attempted to force the courts to decide on the countys behalf whether the cast vote record was legally a public record.

The lack of clarity in the law has been a source of debate for years, but in July a Maricopa County judge ruled that public records laws do not require counties to release the cast vote record. That decision was appealed in September but is still awaiting a hearing.

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Ken Bennett, who chairs Audit USA and a former secretary of state, proposed a bill in the state legislature in 2023 when he was a state senator that would definitively make the cast vote record public. It failed following opposition from voting rights groups.

A trial court dismissed the case in 2022, but Santa Cruz County appealed after Audit USA made a second request for the cast vote record. The appeals court sent the case back to the trial court, which again dismissed it, and the Court of Appeals affirmed that ruling on Monday.

Justin Pierce, the attorney representing Santa Cruz County, told the panel of appeals court judges during oral arguments on Oct. 14 that the county filed the suit against Audit USA out of fear that the organization would sue the county over its refusal to release the records, leaving county employees potentially personally liable if they made the wrong decision.

Judge Peter Eckerstrom said that if the courts allowed government entities to sue people or groups simply because they requested public records, that could have a chilling effect on requesters who dont have the means to defend themselves in court.

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Although Pierce argued that Audit USA is known for filing lawsuits against counties for not providing public records, the group didnt do so in this case  its lawyer, William Risner, said that it had only ever filed one such lawsuit against Maricopa County.

You guys (Santa Cruz County) were the ones with the power to decide whether to grant or deny the records recorded request, right? Eckerstrom asked. And they had no power to make you give them the items that they were seeking, except by filing a lawsuit, right? Which they chose not to file.

In the unanimous Oct. 20 decision, Eckerstrom wrote that lawsuits like the one brought by Santa Cruz County must focus on specific adverse claims, based upon present rather than future or speculative facts.

Merely the fear that Audit USA would sue the county in the future was not enough, the court ruled, writing that the in the filing the lawsuit, the county asked the court to make a premature judgment or opinion on a situation that may never occur.

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The Court of Appeals declined to award additional attorneys fees beyond the $20,000 awarded by the trial court, saying that Audit USA was not entitled to fees in the form of sanctions to the county because the lawsuit was brought in good faith.

The members of Audit USA celebrated their win in court, although they werent completely satisfied with it, saying in a press statement that theyd like to see public records requesters protected from any lawsuits from the government.

When the government asks the courts to preemptively silence a records requestor, it doesnt protect the public  it protects the public body, Bennett said in the statement. This decision reaffirms the right of every Arizonan to transparently scrutinize their government.

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A three-judge panel appeared skeptical of the Trump administrations arguments that the president has judicially unreviewable power when it comes to the deployment of the National Guard on the streets of Los Angeles.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments Wednesday after a federal judge in San Francisco ruled that President Donald Trump violated a 19th century law barring the use of soldiers for civilian law enforcement. California's case against the administration could influence other states' fights against the deployment of guard members in their cities, including in Oregon and Illinois.

Through the tone of questioning, it appeared that the panel was doubtful of the Justice Department's defense.

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The administration first deployed federal troops to Los Angeles after thousands of protesters took to the streets downtown to rally against his immigration policies.

The White House framed the protests as violent riots that were overwhelming local authorities and endangering residents. The National Guard was necessary, it argued, to protect federal property and personnel from the escalating chaos.

Critics have branded the deployments federal government overreach.

In a tense back-and-forth in court Wednesday, Judge Eric Miller questioned Justice Department attorney Eric McArthur about the extent of the protests in Los Angeles and surrounding areas and whether they warranted a National Guard presence for an extended period of time.

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Miller, a Trump appointee, asked why a few hundred people engaging in "disorderly conduct" over two days was "comparable severity to an invasion or a rebellion."

Because violence is being used to thwart enforcement of federal law, McArthur answered.

But violence is used to thwart enforcement of federal law all the time. Right?" Miller asked. "I mean, like, the FBI goes to arrest somebody and he shoots at them or tries to run away, and that happens every day, right?"

McArthur contended that the protest went "well beyond the sort of everyday resistance that you see to federal law enforcement."

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A similar line of questioning focused on how much conditions on the ground have to change for it to become a judicially reviewable issue. McArthur said nothing in the statute allows the court to make that kind of determination.

The statute McArthur is referring to is 10 U.S. Code 12406, which states that when there is a "rebellion" or "invasion" and "regular forces" are unable to execute the laws of the United States, the president has the power to send in federalized members of the National Guard.

McArthur said the court would have to create its own standard about when the National Guard has to be released from service.

Attorney Samuel Harbourt, representing California, said the circumstances during protests in June have not reoccurred.

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The Trump administration, Harbourt said, has repeatedly acknowledged the conditions on the ground have changed substantially, including the risk to federal personnel in Los Angeles.

Harbourt also said the administrations intention to send every federalized California National Guard member to Portland, Oregon, shows no invasion or rebellion is happening in Los Angeles.

A court ruling initially stopped the Trump administration from being able to send troops to Portland, but the 9th Circuit court the decision Monday. A 2-1 ruling by the appeals panel determined "that it is likely that the President lawfully exercised his statutory authority."

While judges in Portland determined it was "likely" that Trump has the power to deploy members of the National Guard, the judges in California were hearing arguments on the question at issue itself  does the president have the power to deploy members of the National Guard under such circumstances?

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Oregon officials have fought the deployment, arguing that there is no truth to Trump's claims that an insurrection was taking place on Portland's streets.

The sole dissenting judge, Susan P. Graber, wrote in her decision that it was inappropriate to accept the governments characterization of Portland as a war zone.

Her colleagues' ruling is not merely absurd. It erodes core constitutional principles including sovereign States control over their States militias and the peoples First Amendment rights to assemble and to object to the governments policies and actions," she wrote.

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said he would seek a decision by the full 9th Circuit in hopes it would overturn the three-judge panel.

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The Justice Department faces a similar case in Illinois, which is asking the Supreme Court to weigh in after the Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against deploying guard members in the state.

Solicitor General D. John Sauer, who represented the administration, insisted it was necessary for the safety of federal agents who have been repeatedly "threatened and assaulted." He insisted that federal authorities have been forced to operate under the constant threat of mob violence.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said last week on X that he would continue to defend the state against Trump's attempts to "invade Illinois with troops."

"Militarizing our communities against their will is not only un-American but also leads us down a dangerous path for our democracy," Pritzker wrote.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
LONDON (Reuters) -Apple on Thursday lost a London lawsuit accusing the U.S. tech company of abusing its dominant position by charging app developers an unfair 30% commission through its App Store.

The Competition Appeal Tribunal ruled against Apple after a trial of the lawsuit, brought on behalf of around 20 million iPhone and iPad users in the United Kingdom and valued at up to 1.5 billion pounds ($2.01 billion), earlier this year.

The case was the first mass lawsuit against a tech giant to come to trial under Britain's fledgling class action-style regime, with many other cases waiting in the wings.

($1 = 0.7451 pounds)

(Reporting by Sam Tobin; editing by William James)
From private residences to public housing, the midcentury modernist known for reshaping Chicagos skyline put the social condition at the forefront of his buildings.

As a part of our 25th-anniversary celebration, were republishing formative magazine stories from before our website launched. This story previously appeared in Dwells March 2008 issue.

Chicago-born architect Bertrand Goldberg worked and built around his hometown for the better part of seven decades, a regional pioneer in a brand of architecture that, in hindsight, was surprisingly prescient. A proponent of prefabrication amidst the giddy building boom of the late 1940s; of dense, teeming urban cores while many Americans sought the perceived refuge of the suburbs in the 1950s; of desirable, ennobling public housing in the face of the crippling projects of the 1960s; and of energy efficiency despite the exuberance of the postwar boom, Goldberg couched his design ethos not in aesthetics but in philosophy: He cast himself as a humanist, closer perhaps to Erasmus than Eames, Petrarch than Pelli.

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Like a number of midcentury modernists, Goldberg rubbed elbows with the European architectural elite in his youth. After studying at Harvard, he spent two years at the Bauhaus in Berlin from 1932 to 1933. He worked briefly as an apprentice in the office of Mies van der Rohe in Germany, and later returned home to begin what would become a 60-plus-year career in Chicago by opening his own practice, Bertrand Goldberg Associates, in 1937.

Photo courtesy Hedrich-Blessing, Chicago

From there Goldberg undertook a welter of projects: several residences built in the Bauhaus style, a portable ice-cream parlor fashioned in part out of the chassis of the truck that carried it, various stabs at furniture design. His Standard Houses, developments of prefabricated wartime housing, went up in the early 40s, but the apex of his single-family-home design came in 1952, with the Snyder House. Built on Shelter Island, New York, the long sleek residence juts across the beach and over the water. The prefabricated components of the house were modeled on the doomed plywood boxcars Goldberg built for homeowner John Snyders Pressed Steel Car Company.

"My favorite era of his work," says Geoffrey Goldberg, Bertrands son and fellow architect, "was the 50s. Before that he was a very bright creative mind who couldnt find a home. But with his big break with Marina City, the seven stars aligned and he found this whole new scale to work in." In Marina City the seemingly disparate threads of the charismatic Goldbergs career coalesced into what would become not only his most successful building, but his most lasting architectural statement. "He was no longer just the individual architect, a notion that he was suspicious about all his career. He began working as a city planner, an investor, and an intellectual."

Photos by Alex Langley (Snyder House), courtesy Bertrand Goldberg Archive (The North Pole), Drawing courtesy The Art Institute of Chicago

Completed in 1967, Marina City is a housing complex consisting of two 60-story residential towers, an office building, a marina on the Chicago River, a theater and television studio, and recreational space including a skating rink and bowling alley. Goldberg, who believed in vibrant, dense urban spaces, boasted that Marina City, which housed 635 people per square acre, was the densest development in the city.

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Formally the building broke with the boxy skyscrapers that dominated Chicagos skyline. Goldberg eschewed the post-and-beam constructions of his peers, creating two corncob-style towers whose structural support came from a reinforced-concrete shell. The small apartments radiated out like petals of a flower from the buildings core toward the expansive views of the city.

Photo courtesy Hedrich-Blessing Chicago, Drawing courtesy The Art Institute of Chicago

See the full story on Dwell.com: From the Archive: Bertrand Goldbergs Humanist Architectural Vision

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Like with cigarettes, la migra should come with a warning label: Proximity to ICE could be hazardous for your health.

From Los Angeles to Chicago, Portlandand New York, the evidence is ample enough that wherever Trump sends in the immigration agency, people get hurt. And not just protesters and immigrants.

That includes 13 police officers tear-gassed in Chicago earlier this month. And, now, a U.S. marshal.

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Which brings us to what happened in South L.A. on Tuesday.

Federal agents boxed in the Toyota Camry of local TikToker Carlitos Ricardo Parias  better known to his hundreds of thousands of followers as Richard LA. As Parias allegedly tried to rev his way out of the trap, an ICE agent opened fire. One bullet hit the 44-year-old Mexican immigrant  and another ricocheted into the hand of a deputy U.S. marshal.

Neither suffered life-threatening injuries, but it's easy to imagine that things could have easily turned out worse. Such is the chaos that Trump has caused by unleashing shock troops into U.S. cities.

Read more: Chaotic shooting of suspect and deputy U.S. marshal highlights increased aggression in ICE crackdowns

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Rather than take responsibility and apologize for an incident that couldve easily been lethal, Team Trump went into their default spin mode of blaming everyone but themselves.

Homeland Security assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement that the shooting was the consequences of conduct and rhetoric by sanctuary politicians and activists who urge illegal aliens to resist arrest.

Acting U.S. Atty. Bill Essayli chimed in on social media soon after: I urge California public officials to moderate their rhetoric toward federal law enforcement. Encouraging resistance to federal agents can lead to deadly consequences. Hours later, he called Times reporter James Queally an absolute joke, not a journalist because my colleague noted its standard practice by most American law enforcement agencies to not shoot at moving vehicles. One reason is that it increases the chance of so-called friendly fire.

Federal authorities accuse Parias of ramming his car into agents' vehicles after they boxed him in. He is being charged with assault on a federal officer.

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Time, and hopefully, evidence, will show what happened  and very important, what led to what happened.

The Trump administration keeps claiming that the public anger against its immigration actions is making the job more dangerous for la migra and their sister agencies. McLaughlin and her boss, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, keep saying there's been a 1,000% increase in assaults on immigration agents this year like an incantation. Instead of offering concrete figures, they use the supposed stat as a shield against allegations ICE tactics are going too far and as a weapon to excuse the very brutality ICE claims it doesn't practice.

Well, even if what they say is true, theres only one side that's making the job more dangerous for la migra and others during raids:

La migra.

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It turns out that if you send in phalanxes of largely masked federal agents to bully and intimidate people in American cities, Americans tend not to take kindly to it.

Who knew?

Gregory Bovino, center, of U.S. Border Patrol, marches with federal agents to the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building in Los Angeles on Aug. 14. (Carlin Stiehl / Los Angeles Times)

We're about to enter the sixth month of Trump's plan to rid the country of undocumented immigrants. Sycophants are bragging that he's doing the job, but they're not caring to look at the mess left in its wake that's becoming more and more perilous for everyone involved. They insist that those who are executing and planning raids are professionals, but professionals dont make constant pendejos out of themselves.

Professionals don't bring squadrons to chase after tamale ladies or day laborers, or stage flashy raids of apartments and parks that accomplish little else than footage for propaganda videos. They don't go into neighborhoods with intimidation on their mind and ready to rough up anyone who gets in their way.

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A ProPublica investigation showed that ICE has detained at least 170 U.S. citizens this year, many whom offered proof that they were in this country legally as la migra cuffed them and hauled them off to detention centers.

Professionals don't lie like there's a bonus attached to it  but that's what Trump's deportation Leviathan keeps doing. In September, McLaughlin put out a news release arguing that the shooting death of 38-year-old Silverio Villegas Gonzalez in Chicago by an ICE agent was justified because he was dragged a "significant distance" and suffered serious injuries. Yet body cam footage of local police who showed up to the scene captured the two ICE agents involved in the incident describing their injuries as "nothing major."

Closer to home, a federal jury in Los Angeles last month acquitted an activist of striking a Border Patrol agent after federal public defender Cuauhtemoc Ortega screened footage that contradicted the government's case and poked holes in the testimony of Border Patrol staff and supervisors. Last week, ICE agents detained Oxnard activist Leonardo Martinez after a collision between their Jeep and his truck. McLaughlin initially blamed the incident on an "agitator group ... engaged in recording and verbal harassment," but footage first published by L.A. Taco showed that la migra trailed Martinez and then crashed into him twice  not the other way around.

Professionals don't host social media accounts that regularly spew memes that paint the picture of an American homeland where white makes right and everyone else must be eliminated, like the Department of Homeland Security does. A recent post featured medieval knights wearing chain mail and helmets and wielding longswords as they encircle the slogan The Enemies are at the Gates above ICEs job listing website.

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The Trump administration has normalized racism and has turned cruelty into a virtue  then its mouthpieces gasp in mock horror when people resist its officially sanctioned jackbootery.

Read more: Arellano: There's no nice way to deport someone. But Trump's ICE is hosting a cruelty Olympics

This evil buffoonery comes straight from a president who reacted to the millions of Americans who protested this weekend at No Kings rallies by posting on social media an AI-generated video of him wearing a crown and dropping feces on his critics from a jet fighter. And yet McLaughlin, Noem and other Trump bobbleheads have the gall to question why politicians decry la migra while regular people follow and film them during raids when not shouting obscenities and taunts at them?

As I've written before, there's never a nice way to conduct an immigration raid but there's always a better way. Or at least a way that's not dripping with malevolence.

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Meanwhile, ICE is currently on a hiring spree thanks to Trump's Bloated Beastly Bill and and has cut its training program from six months to 48 days, according to The Atlantic. It's a desperate and potentially reckless recruitment drive.

And if you think rapidly piling more people into a clown car is going to produce less clown-like behavior by ICE on the streets of American cities, boy do I have news for you.

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.
An aerial view of the Pentagon on May 12, 2021. (Photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brittany A. Chase/Department of Defense official photo)

In the vacuum left following the en masse departure of the Pentagon press corps when most news outlets wouldnt agree to government-imposed restrictions on their work, a new crop of 60 journalists from far-right outlets are replacing them  including some notable Arizonans with extremist ties.

I am honored to announce that I have received press credentials from the Department of War, and (Life Site News) has officially joined the Pentagon press corps, Wade Searle posted on social media site X. I look forward to bringing LifeSite readers news directly from the Pentagon and greatly appreciate this tremendous step forward into unprecedented transparency.

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Searle, who used to live in Prescott, was an aide to U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar, an Arizona Republican, when he was outed by Talking Points Memo in May 2023 as a prominent member of the groyper movement. Thats the name for a collection of young white nationalists who use online trolling tactics and aim to normalize extreme and racist views by aligning them with Christianity and so-called traditional values.

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Nick Fuentes, a Holocaust denier and Hitler-loving racist, is largely seen as the leader of the groyper movement, which has a strong presence in Arizona. When Searle was working with Gosar, the congressman often posted memes steeped in white nationalist and neo-Nazi subculture. Searle was one of several Gosar staffers active in white nationalist and groyper communities.

Last year, he was also spotted at events with former TV anchor Kari Lake while she was running for U.S. Senate.

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Earlier this year, Searle, who has no apparent background in journalism, began working as a correspondent for Life Site News, an anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ+ website that has been described as a known purveyor of misleading information. The site has also published conspiracy theories, including boosting widely debunked claims around the COVID-19 vaccine.

Searle will be joined in the Pentagon press room by another Arizonan who is a veteran of the far-right misinformation ecosystem.

Excited to join the new Pentagon press corps with (Gateway Pundit) and help restore honest journalism after agreeing to follow basic rules something the legacy media refuses to do! Jordan Conradson posted on X.

Those basic rules largely violate standard journalistic practice and ethics. For instance, publishing information about the U.S. military that isnt approved in advance by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth results in expulsion from the press corps.

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Conradson has a long history in the state, and was one of the members of the right-wing media that was given preferential treatment to cover the Arizona Senates partisan audit of the Maricopa County 2020 election.

Conradson is a former staffer for Republican activist Merissa Hamiltons unsuccessful 2020 campaign for Phoenix mayor and one-time purveyor of Trump-themed merchandise.

He also won a lawsuit against Maricopa County after he was denied credentials to attend press conferences during the 2022 election. Gateway Pundit and Conradson are both known for spreading election misinformation.

Conradson also appears on RiftTv, run by Elijah Schaffer, who has said that racism makes you a better friend and has made a number of antisemitic and misogynistic remarks on his shows and has vowed to hire neo-Nazis.

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And a former Arizona Republican Party communications staffer will also be in the press corps covering the U.S. Department of Defense.

Proud to announce that I will be a credentialed Pentagon Correspondent for (Red State) covering defense and national security, R.C. Maxwell posted on X. A reporters burden isnt to undermine or delegitimize the subjects they cover, but to report the truth to the people. The next generation is here.

Maxwell has a background in political advocacy and also worked for groups like Project Veritas. His work in journalism has been limited to conservative outlets like Gateway Pundit and, most recently, the Arizona Globe, an online outlet published by an ally of Donald Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner.

In a statement provided to the Mirror on Nov. 7, Maxwell said he will be unique among the reporters who have covered the Pentagon: In an era where fact-checking and source evaluation is essential Im proud to say Im one of the few Pentagon reporters throughout history with formal training in debate and argumentation. From being a national semi-finalist as a debater at Texas Tech University to coaching other young debaters while employed at the University of Oregon, my mind has been trained to research, analyze, and synthesize complex geopolitical information to tell a compelling story. From the fabricated New York Times report about Iraqi WMDs that fueled a catastrophic war, to the 2020 baseless hysteria over Russian bounties on U.S. troops uncritically amplified by outlets like CNN, Im proud to help bring about an end to modern journalisms lazy stenography of anonymous intelligence leaks. My approach to reporting would have never resulted in my echoing of such propaganda without rigorous scrutiny.

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RedState, the media organization Maxwell will be working for, is part of the Salem Media Group, a media group based out of Texas that focuses on Christian and Conservative audiences. Both the founders of Salem Media group serve on the secretive Council for National Policy, which also includes some notable Arizonans.

Salem was also the distributor and publisher for the debunked film and book 2000 Mules, and apologized to a man who was falsely accused of ballot stuffing and filed a defamation lawsuit.

RedState is a partisan online news outlet. In 2018, the site published a story questioning if David Hogg was present at the Parkland school during the deadly shooting. In 2020, a notorious online troll who had called for the execution of Dr. Anthony Fauci was revealed to be a writer for the site, and in 2021, RedState retracted an article claiming there was no riot on January 6.

Arizonas Turning Point USA will also have a presence in the press corps at the Pentagon.

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***CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story said that R.C. Maxwell had no background in journalism. Prior to joining RedState, he had published work at conservative news websites, including Gateway Pundit. This story has been updated to correct that and to include a comment from Maxwell.

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10/24/25: This article has been updated to include new information provided by Slim Chickens.

HANOVER, Pa. (WHTM)  A popular, southern-based fried chicken franchise will soon make its Midstate debut in York County.

Slim Chickens, which is a fried chicken franchise that was founded by two friends Greg Smart and Tom Gordon in Arkansas back in 2003, is gearing up to make its Central Pennsylvania debut over in Hanover, York County.

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According to a recent job listing on Indeed, Slim Chickens is currently looking to hire a General Manager for an upcoming restaurant location at 1135 Baltimore Street in Hanover.

The new eatery would replace a vacant building previously occupied by Wendys.

In addition to the job listing, Slim Chickens had announced back in May 2024 that the fast-casual brand had signed 12-unit franchise deals across Pennsylvania which includes restaurants in the following counties:

Lancaster

Lebanon

Dauphin

York

Cumberland

Centre

Franklin

Mifflin

Juniata

Perry

Adams

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According to a spokesperson with Slim Chickens, the company anticipates opening this Hanover restaurant early next year. Furthermore, they expect this new location to create anywhere from 50  60 new jobs.

According to Slim Chickens franchise website, the company currently has more than 320 locations across the country and over 1,000 units currently in development.

This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more 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 ABC27.
Nucor Corporation (NYSE:NUE) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer recently highlighted. Highlighting the pin action that led to the stocks rally, Cramer commented:

When you get strength in GM, that has tremendous pin action, which is how Nucor, the giant steel maker, could rally nearly 3% today. Again, very impressive.

A laptop and a computer monitor display a detailed stock market technical analysis chart. Photo by Jakub Zerdzicki on Pexels

Nucor Corporation (NYSE:NUE) manufactures and sells steel and related products, including sheet, plate, bar, and structural steel, as well as steel joists, tubing, fasteners, and metal building systems. Cramer discussed the stock in light of tariffs during the June 2 episode. He stated:
ASH FLAT, Ark.  State police have identified the two women found dead in a Fulton County community on Tuesday, as well as a person of interest.

Arkansas State Police officials said Fulton County Sheriffs Office deputies responded to a home in the 300 block of Sweet Clover Lane in Ash Flat on Tuesday around 3 p.m.

When they arrived, deputies found two women, identified as 54-year-old Tonya Stallings and 33-year-old Ashley Stallings, dead inside the home.

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Two found dead in Fulton County home

State police officials said the two victims were taken to the Arkansas State Crime Lab to determine the manner and cause of death.

ASP officials identified 32-year-old Jacob Lowell Smith of Ash Flat as the person of interest in the investigation.

Anyone with information on Smiths whereabouts is asked to call 911 or contact the FCSO at 870-895-2601.

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The drought continues in much of Arkansas, as of the latest drought monitor on Thursday, October 23. Compared to last week, theres very little change. The only update from the Drought Mitigation Center is a slight decrease in the Moderate Drought category (in light tan). This very small drop is reported from 45.1% of the state last week to 44.6% of the state this week in moderate drought.

Those in abnormally dry conditions, or the stage right before drought develops (in yellow), make up over 50% of the state. Extreme drought is inching towards the Arkansas and Missouri border, but remains firmly in Missouri (in red). Severe drought remains unchanged from last week in Arkansas, with 14.3% of the state in severe drought (in orange). The next drought monitors data collection period ends on Tuesday, October 28, at 7 a.m., so it will include this weekends rain. The next drought monitor will be released by the Drought Mitigation Center on Thursday, October 30, at 7 a.m.

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LAFARGEVILLE. N.Y. (WWTI)  An alleged armed suspect was taken into custody on Wednesday night.

New York State Police arrested 40-year-old Gregory Ingersoll of LaFargeville without incident after being found attempting to hide on a property on County Route 13 in the town of Orleans.

Second arrest made in Watertown motorcycle theft case

According to police, a handgun was also recovered as part of the investigation.

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Ingersoll was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was arraigned in Jefferson County CAP Court and remanded to the custody of the Jefferson County Jail without bail.

The Jefferson County Sheriffs Office, Watertown Police Department, Metro-Jeff Drug Task Force, Jefferson County / Watertown Police Department SERT Team, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Police, NYS Forest Rangers, U.S. Border Patrol, and the Jefferson County Office of Fire and Emergency Management assisted state police.

Around 3 p.m. on Wednesday, state troopers responded to County Route 13 in the town of Alexandria for a report of a domestic dispute.

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Army installations within the lower 48 states will have operating nuclear microreactors starting in the fall of 2028 if the Armys Janus program moves forward on schedule. The addition of nuclear power will diversify the energy sources available on military bases and provide a critical enhancement to their resiliency, the Army says.

What resilience means to us is that we have power, no matter what, 24/7, Dr. Jeff Waksman, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment, said during a media roundtable attended by TWZ at last weeks Association of the U.S. Armys (AUSA) main annual conference.

Waksmans comments followed a briefing earlier in the day at which Army Secretary Daniel P. Driscoll and Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Christopher Wright jointly announced the launch of the Janus Program.

This morning, I joined @SecretaryWright and @ASArmyIEE Assistant Secretary Dr. Jeff Waksman to launch Janus Program, a major leap forward in bringing safe, mobile nuclear energy to the @USArmy.



In partnership with @Energy and top U.S. innovators, were building the future of pic.twitter.com/lbHop10piT  Secretary of the Army (@SecArmy) October 14, 2025

The U.S. Army is leading the way on fielding innovative and disruptive technology, Driscoll said. We are shredding red tape and incubating next-generation capabilities in a variety of critical sectors, including nuclear power.

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Janus is the Armys plan to realize President Donald Trumps Executive Order 14299, titled Deploying Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technologies for National Security, which directs the Department of War to commence operation of an Army-regulated nuclear reactor at a domestic military installation no later than September 30, 2028.

Some time in the next few weeks, barring a long extension of the government shutdown, the Army will release an Area of Interest (AOI) solicitation with a draft request for proposals (RFP) attached, according to Waksman. An industry day event thereafter will give the Army feedback on potential microreactor approaches and contact with interested companies and startups.

A competition will follow, after which the Army expects to select multiple companies to build and deliver microreactor prototypes to an initial batch of base/installation sites (likely nine sites) yet to be determined. The companies selected will each be given one Army site to deliver their prototypes to, and each firm will be required to build two reactors.

They will build one, and then in a staggered fashion, build a second, Waksman explained. The reason why were doing that is because you have to get to Nth-of-a-kind to have a commercial product. [By Nth-of-a-kind Waksman means multiple units of a product or, in this case, reactor.] We want to see that these companies have a path to get from their first prototype to the second one and beyond to the Nth-of-a-kind.

The program is named for Janus, an ancient Roman god of beginnings, gates, and transitions. Accordingly, its approach is about transitioning from one-off prototypes to multiple-unit commercial systems, Waksman added.

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It dovetails with an initiative announced by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) last April called Advanced Nuclear Power for Installations (ANPI). It also seeks to field nuclear microreactors that can supplement energy sources at DoW installations, whose power is typically drawn from commercial grids.

DIU is a partner in Janus and will contribute funding to the program. It will also act as the contracting officer, and Janus will use its contracting authorities. However, the Army will conduct program management. Waksman says Janus will have different technical requirements than ANPI and reflect changes in the nuclear power market, including new entrants that have emerged since last spring.

Hovering in the background is yet another nuclear project called Pele, which emerged from the DoDs Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO) in 2022. The stated intent there was to design, build, and demonstrate a prototype mobile nuclear reactor within five years.

(U.S. Army)

Pele was envisioned as potentially transportable operational nuclear energy, and the project continues with integrator BWXT, which is in the process of manufacturing and delivering the first advanced microreactor. The transportable nuclear reactors developed for Pele are designed to be transported within four 20-foot shipping containers, allowing them to be potentially moved to areas where the military or government may need to stand up power generation infrastructure to support military or other operations.

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While Pele is developmentally interesting, Waksman said, We do not at this time see nuclear power as a tactical application. This is largely because tactical reactor development drives up cost, and there is currently no need for megawatt power at the combat edge, Waksman explained.

As such, Janus microreactors will go to domestic installations to bolster energy supply, and some certainly have unique needs for power beyond redundancy. For example, remote Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska relies on a 70-year-old coal-fired power plant on the base for its primary energy needs. Since 2021, the Air Force has been working to at least demonstrate a small nuclear reactor at Eielson for exactly this reason.

A locomotive from the Central Heat and Power Plant (CHPP) sits outside Dec. 21, 2016, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The CHPP produces enough energy to power around 9,100-13,000 homes. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Isaac Johnson) Airman Isaac N. Johnson

A next step beyond could see the deployment of small nuclear reactors to strategic support areas, which could range from the Indo-Pacific periphery, from Hawaii to Pacific islands, for instance, as well as other locales. However, Waksman stresses the need to complete the first phase before further extending the program.

Energy resilience is the core of Janus. Waksman observed that on Army installations and other service installations, power resiliency is currently 100 percent provided by fossil fuels. Renewable power generation exists on some installations, but is not considered highly resilient, nor a primary source of energy. He added that every grid globally is reliant on a base-load power source  fossil fuel, geothermal, hydropower, or nuclear.

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Unless youre in one of the few places in the world where geothermal is viable or you have a dam nearby, your only choices are nuclear or fossil fuel at this timeTheres just no ability to have a grid that works solely on solar and wind and batteries at this point.

The production platform for BWXTs Pele prototype core reactor assembly. (BWXT)

Anyone whos seen big solar arrays on military installations knows that the moment that you have a Black Start exercise and the grid goes down, those are immediately cut off. They do not provide power, so the resiliency is fossil fuels. You have a certain number of backup power days, but that is a huge vulnerability

Black Start is a congressionally mandated requirement for DoW installations, testing their ability to operate without grid power in an emergency.

The microreactors that Janus will seek to deploy will be what commercial industry refers to as Generation IV or so-called Passive Reactors which, by design, cannot melt down. Utilizing low-enriched uranium (to about 5 percent), they will generally not be higher than 20 megawatt plants. Even so, theyll likely offer surplus power, which could potentially provide energy resiliency to local communities.

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If everything goes black outside the fence, thats where most soldiers live, where their families live and where a lot of critical infrastructure is, Waksman said. Ive been to a lot of hardened [military] sites. Ive yet to see one that is resilient to everything going down outside the fence line. Selling some of this [power] outside the fence line is something that were actively interested in doing.

A cutaway image of BWXTs mobile microreactor for Project Pele. (BWXT)

Such a scheme is in a legal gray area, Waksman noted, but there is precedent  a military-based reactor sold energy to an adjacent community in the early 1980s. However, the Army believes it could offer excess power commercially with some limitations. Waksman said that the Department of the Army is currently negotiating with Congress on this issue and is seeing bipartisan support.

Thanks to the low-enrichment nature of the small reactors, the Army does not expect a requirement for extra force protection at nuclear-powered installations.

The United States existing fleet of reactors runs on uranium fuel that is enriched up to 5 percent with uranium-235, called Low-enriched uranium (LEU). U-235  the main fissile isotope that produces energy during a chain reaction  is considered safe for use in commercial nuclear reactors.

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The ubiquity of LEU makes integration of small reactors on military installations more affordable, Waksman noted. Affordability is a major consideration within Janus. How much the military is willing to pay for resiliency is a hard question, Waksman admits. He offered that the Army doesnt think nuclear power cost needs to be equivalent with fossil fuels, but just reasonably close. He cites the roughly 40 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) that consumers pay in Hawaii and Alaska, rather than the 10 to 12 cents per kWh paid in the continental U.S. to illustrate the point. At the 40 cents per kWh level, the Army expects there will be a significant commercial market over and above military nuclear power generation demand.

Hawaii and Alaska also illustrate the kind of environments, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, where there is current energy scarcity. Such scarcity makes moving a missile defense system, directed energy systems, large radars, or artificial intelligence data centers to an island or a remote Arctic site problematic.

The strain on available local energy infrastructure imparted by these kinds of systems means they are often limited by ad hoc diesel power generation or other arrangements, Waksman explained. Installing advanced microreactors could potentially transform such locales from energy-scarce environments to a state of energy abundance, which could support defense and other infrastructure. This could be critical to U.S. success in the Pacific.

There may be political challenges to placing microreactors on Pacific islands, other foreign territories, or even within the United States, Waksman acknowledged. But he opined that many places dont necessarily oppose nuclear power. They oppose not being consulted about it. He says there will be pre-engagement discussion with any proposed local community. If they object, the Army wont go there.

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Were not here to impose nuclear power on any local communities, he added. Foreign placements would fall under Status of Forces Agreements. Waksman points to the fact that the Navy has successfully concluded these throughout the Pacific, so it can be done.

Critical installations, especially those where energy supplies are more scarce and vulnerable, are eyed as especially well-suited for microreactors. Pearl Harbor, seen above, could be one such facility. (Google Earth)

Janus could also bring second and third-order benefits with it. Introducing advanced microreactors to military installations could kick-start the U.S. commercial nuclear power market and attract new blood to replenish the current critical shortage of nuclear engineers in America, Waksman said.

The model being used for the Janus competition, he explained, is the NASA COTS (Commercial Orbital Transportation System) model, which was the catalyst for the creation of SpaceX. Elon Musks company made space engineering cool again, inspiring students to go into the rocketry/space field, Waksman says.

Theres a feeling [that] nuclear needs a SpaceX. There are innovative, exciting startups, so were hoping to cultivate them in the same way that NASA cultivated SpaceX and make nuclear sexy again and encourage more top young engineering talent to go into the field.

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Trumps Executive Order has put the Army on a tight timeline to make Janus a reality.

We will do everything in our power to successfully meet the Executive Order, Waksman affirmed.

Brandon Cockrell, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Energy and Sustainability, also attended the roundtable and concluded the meeting by asserting that there is already significant competition among states and municipalities to get advanced microreactors at local bases.

There are some states across the U.S. that are already leaning forward heavily with tax deferments and resources This is a whole concerted effort to get the nuclear industry to the next phase in the nation.

Contact the editor: Tyler@twz.com
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  The Chatham County Police Department (CCPD) arrested 52-year-old Tara Denise Collins Greenway in connection with a DUI hit-and-run that happened Wednesday afternoon.

Around 3:15 p.m. Oct. 22, CCPD officers responded to Ferguson Avenue for a report of a hit-and-run of an e-bicyclist. The adult male victim had potentially life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital.

Greenway was arrested and charged with hit and run, serious injury by motor vehicle and DUI. She was booked into the Chatham County Detention Center.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
By Joseph Campbell and Steve Gorman

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -The man accused of deliberately setting the blaze that grew into one of the most devastating wildfires in Los Angeles history, killing 12 people and incinerating thousands of homes, pleaded not guilty on Thursday to three federal arson-related charges.

Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, is charged with "maliciously" starting a fire on January 1 that was quickly suppressed but continued to smolder beneath dense vegetation near Pacific Palisades before reigniting a week later amid fierce winds.

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At an arraignment on Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Rozella Oliver in federal court in Los Angeles, he pleaded not guilty to three felony counts in a grand jury indictment returned on October 15 - arson, destruction of property by means of fire and illegally setting timber afire.

If convicted as charged, he would face a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a statutory maximum sentence of 45 years behind bars.

Rinderknecht, who was arrested earlier this month in Florida and appeared in court in shackles and wearing white jail garb, was ordered to remain held without bond as he awaits trial.

The bearded defendant tried to insist to the judge that he wanted to "talk about" his detention, but his lawyer, Steve Haney, cut him off. A trial date of December 16 was set.

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In seeking bail for his client, Haney had argued that his client essentially was being charged with an arson allegedly committed seven days before a much larger fire for which he is being blamed.

The indictment holds Rinderknecht responsible for one of the most destructive Los Angeles fires on record, a conflagration that laid waste to the affluent coastal foothill community of Pacific Palisades. The blaze leveled some 6,000 structures, with property damage estimated at $150 billion.

According to prosecutors, Rinderknecht had been working as an Uber driver on New Year's Eve before dropping a passenger off and heading to a hilltop trail near Pacific Palisades, where he once lived.

Once there, according to court documents, he listened to a rap song whose music video depicted things being set on fire, then proceeded to light a real blaze shortly after midnight and fled the scene, only to return a short time later to watch the flames and firefighters.

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The Palisades fire coincided with another massive wind-driven blaze about 35 miles (56 km) to the east known as the Eaton Fire, which wiped out much of the community of Altadena.

(Reporting by Joseph Campbell in Los Angeles. Writing and additional reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles. Editing by Stephen Coates)
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Everything old is new again at this years Art for Life.

The charity art auction started in 1989 and has raised millions to support the HIV and AIDS services provided by Equitas Health. It has been held every other year for nearly four decades as an evening gala, but for the first time, it will take place during the day as a Sunday brunch. Also for the first time, the artists themselves will benefit financially.

Co-chair and former director of the Columbus Museum of Art, Nannette Maciejunes, said a special fund was donated to give artists 10% of the final sale price of the artwork they donate.

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Were calling it Waynes 10%, because the late Wayne Lawson, who used to run Ohio Arts Council, used to complain endlessly that we ask artists to donate and they get nothing in return, Maciejunes said.

The fund was donated in Lawsons memory.

This is a small gesture back to the artists, but we really think its important, she said.

Six galleries and nearly as many restaurants in the Gay and High streets arts district are helping to host the event. Each gallery will display 15 pieces donated for the silent auction. The live auction will take place mid-afternoon inside The Citizens Trust.

Patrons can stroll from gallery to gallery and to the food stations set up along the way. The owner of Lindsay Gallery, Duff Lindsay, said its a way for gallerists to support an important cause and to showcase the arts district.

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I often say the biggest job of a gallery owner is not about the art, its about getting people in the door. This helps us do that, and in the process, do something for an organization that really deserves support.

Art for Life begins at 11 a.m. Sunday and runs until 4 p.m. You can find information on tickets at this link.

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GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA)  New research from the National Cancer Institute suggests some patients may suffer adverse effects on the heart when undergoing cancer treatment. Doctors at Bon Secours Saint Francis tell 7NEWS that it is part of their job to get patients the care that is right for them, in an effort to avoid any complications at all.

A cardio oncologists job is to get you safely through your chemotherapy, said Dr. Jason Cuomo. Hes a noninvasive cardiologist at Bon Secours.

He said that means identifying risk factors that are possible prior to treatment.

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We can get the patient on cardioprotective medicines or increased surveillance schedules to try to keep them safe through the treatment, Dr. Cuomo explained. The goal of the cardio oncologist is always to minimize interruptions to treatment, because treatment saves lives.

But what that looks like for patients, according to Dr. Cuomo, can differ.

If its an otherwise healthy patient without cardiovascular disease or certain markers that we look for, they may only need imaging, he suggested. Or maybe a visit within the first year after treatment.

Other patients may experience a weakening of the heart muscle, a condition known as cardiomyopathy.

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The pump pumps less strongly, and, in some cases, its actually reversible, he explained. When its caused by cancer therapy, in other cases, its irreversible, and we want to catch it as quickly as we can.

Patients may also experience cardioarrhythmia, an abnormality in the hearts electrical circuitry.

There are cancer therapies that can cause these issues. And we can usually treat those and allow the patient to continue to safely receive their cancer therapy, said Dr. Cuomo.

Doctor Cuomo said patients who notice any irregularities should consult their oncologist.

The chemotherapeutics that cause a weakening of the muscle of the heart will cause shortness of breath, fluid accumulation, and swelling in the legs or even in the hands, and maybe racing of the heart, he explained.

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Doctor Cuomo said with more research comes more therapies, which means theres a strong likelihood that one could be right for you.

The bottom line is, without treatment of the malignancy, no good things can happen, Dr. Cuomo said. So we accept a certain amount of risk. And my job is to mitigate the risk, to control it, and minimize it to the best of our ability.

To submit a health topic for our Ask the Expert series, click here.

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When James Maddison asked Alexander Hamilton who had made changes to his draft of the Constitution, its unlikely that he replied: Your mom.

Yet, that is how the White House has chosen to respond to a number of questions it does not like in recent weeks.

On Friday, Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, answered: Your mom did, in response to a HuffPost reporter asking who had suggested the choice of Budapest as a venue for talks, which have now been cancelled, between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.

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SV Date had pointed out that the choice of the Hungarian capital could offend Ukrainians, given the city hosted Russia in 1994 when it promised not to invade Ukraine if it relinquished its nuclear weapons.

Shortly after Ms Leavitts response, Stephen Cheung, the White House communications director, weighed in with another your mom response for good measure.

b'

'

Relentlessly mocking his opponents has long been a hallmark of Mr Trumps politics, mirrored occasionally by those in his administration. However, the White House appears to have dialled up its trolling efforts in recent weeks, rebutting requests from Left-wing reporters they deem offensive or unserious with equally outrageous responses.

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It is understood that digital leads at the White House and government agencies held a meeting in July where they were encouraged to keep trolling their opponents.

It offends the Democrats while making the Republicans laugh their butts off  its exactly what you want to do, John Feehery, a Republican strategist, told The Telegraph.

On Monday, Ms Leavitt shared screenshots of the exchange with Mr Date on X, writing: He is a Left-wing hack who has consistently attacked President Trump for years and constantly bombards my phone with Democrat talking points.

Activists who masquerade as real reporters do a disservice to the profession.

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The school playground charade was ridiculed by Mr Trumps opponents. Ed Krassenstein, an influential Left-wing podcaster, asked on X: Is America being run by 2nd graders?

Meanwhile, on MSNBCs The Weekend, co-host Ayman Mohyeldin quipped that Ms Leavitts answer was classy all around.

Days later, Sean Parnell, the Pentagons chief spokesman, employed the tactic when asked about Pete Hegseths red, white and blue striped tie by another HuffPost reporter, who noted it looked similar to the Russian flag.

Pete Hegseth was accused of wearing a pro-Russian tie to meet Volodymyr Zelensky last Friday - TOM BRENNER/AFP

Asked if he was aware of the reaction to Mr Hegseths choice of attire for a meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraines president, Mr Parnell responded: Your mom bought it for him  and its a patriotic American tie, moron.

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For critics, the crude gags symbolise just how far the Grand Old Party has fallen since the days of the Founding Fathers. But for Trump supporters, they are the clearest indication yet of the administrations willingness to ride roughshod over tradition by trolling their enemies.

There has been an increase [in trolling], and I think its because the Democrats have become so unserious, said Mr Feehery.

The other thing is they take the bait every single time, he added, describing Mr Trump as a master of distraction whose ability to lure the Democrats away from their most incisive attack lines - be it the Epstein files or looming cuts to health insurance - is second to none.

He does a very good job of hitting the Democrats below the belt in ways they cant overcome, and it really gets them off their game.

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When asked about the recent online salvos, a White House spokeswoman said: Owning the Libs is in this White Houses DNA  and they sure do make it easy for us!

Over the weekend, Mr Trump shared an AI-generated video on social media of him as a fighter jet pilot, wearing a crown and dumping faeces on anti-Trump No Kings protesters, who took to the streets in their millions across the US.

Credit: @XERIAS_X

Adrian Shahbaz, vice-president of research and analysis at Freedom House, said that social media algorithms encourage politicians to share controversial content.

Controversial posts often get double the shares: by people who enjoyed it and people outraged by it, he said.

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At the start of the government shutdown, the president posted another AI-generated video, this time of a moustached Hakeem Jeffries wearing a sombrero  in a nod to Republican claims that Democrats are trying to give undocumented migrants free healthcare.

Responding to furious protestations from Mr Jeffries, who accused the administration of racism, vice president JD Vance said: I think its funny, before making the solemn promise that the sombrero memes will stop if the Democrats agree to the Republicans short-term spending bill, thus ending the shutdown.

Sensing they had touched a nerve, Mr Trump and his supporters proceeded to relentlessly pump out sombrero-themed memes.

In late September, Mr Trump added a presidential walk of fame to the White House, but in place of Joe Bidens portrait, he hung a photo of an autopen - a reference to his pet allegation that the former president had declined so much by the end of his term that he was no longer capable of making decisions.

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No one wants to read a soliloquy on X, said CJ Peterson, chairman of the Republican National Committee Youth Advisory Council. Theyve been able to give the Left an absolute shellacking online because they are using authentic language and leaning into trends.

An AI generated image of Hakeem Jeffries wearing a sombrero was posted on Truth Social by Donald Trump

This social media savvy has been amplified by a small army of new media influencers who have been invited into the White House and onboard Air Force One to channel what Ms Leavitt calls news-related content to their millions of followers.

The president realised if you want to appeal to hard-to-reach voters, you have to meet them where they are, Mr Peterson added.

Clips of the president serving fries at McDonalds  a dig at Kamala Harriss claims she worked at the fast food chain while at university  and driving a garbage truck, a callback to when Joe Biden appeared to refer to Trump voters as garbage, racked up millions of views during the election campaign.

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Since re-entering the White House, the Trump administrations social media accounts have repeatedly outperformed those of the Democrats, amassing 171 million TikTok views in August, more than doubling that of the official Democratic Partys account, according to data collected by Breitbart.

Donald Trump serves fries at a McDonalds branch in Feasterville, Pennsylvania last October - Doug Mills/The New York Times

Their success has been bolstered by the administrations Rapid Response operation, a team of around a dozen 20 to 30-somethings without political backgrounds who are given the freedom to rapidly churn out hundreds of posts a day.

The machine gun social media approach, spearheaded by the White House digital team lead Kaelan Dorr, provides a constant stream of content for voters, hungry for aggressive takedowns.

Even the tagline weve been using  America is back  is very much saying: Were here. Were in your face. Its irreverent. Its unapologetic, Mr Dorr told The Washington Post.

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Steve Bannon, the presidents former adviser, told the newspaper that the White House had transformed itself under Trump 2.0 into a major information content provider.

Rapid-response communications are normally defensive, he said. Theyre all offence, all the time.

Inevitably, with the White Houses pugilistic style, there comes a coarsening of political rhetoric, whereby comments previously deemed unconscionable enter the mainstream.

Mr Trump has used a number of expletives since re-entering the White House, telling reporters on the South Lawn that Iran and Israel dont know what the f they are doing when the two countries violated a ceasefire agreement in June.

Credit: Reuters

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More recently, the president is said to have branded Benjamin Netanyahu fing negative and was cursing all the time during a White House meeting with Mr Zelensky last Friday.

That same day, he told a gaggle of journalists in the Cabinet Room, that Nicolas Maduro doesnt want to f--- around with the United States.

The official White House social media account quickly posted the clip with the caption: FAFO, meaning f--- around and find out.

Were a long way from the Founding Fathers, admitted Mr Feehery, adding that every generation finds its own way of communicating.

Trump is a uniquely hilarious president, and hes enjoying driving the Democrats crazy, he said.

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Critics may lament the erosion of civility in modern politics, but in Mr Trumps America, it can be devastatingly effective.

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General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer recently highlighted. Cramer commented on the companys quarter during the episode, as he remarked:

Mary Barras General Motors delivered a terrific quarter. Strong demand for trucks that are exceptionally profitable. The auto business may be benefiting from the presidents laissez-faire attitude toward carbon emission. Theres the president again, helping business okay, not helping the skies. I get it. The electric vehicles dont make as much money as the internal combustion hybrids. Thats the strength of GM. And I know that when you have a president thats not all in on EV, they are going to pull back because EVs lose them a lot of money.

Photo by Ethan Currier on Unsplash

General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) is a vehicle manufacturer that sells its products under brands such as Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, Buick, Baojun, and Wuling. Cramer discussed the company during the July 8 episode. He commented:

I believe these auto tariffs are real. Theyll change the landscape even if Japan and Korea start putting in giant orders for natural gas turbines and airplanes Ford is the biggest winner because its cars and trucks have the most content made in the US, even more than General Motors, although GMs a winner from these tariffs too

While we acknowledge the potential of GM as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
ASSUMPTION, Ill. (WCIA)  The Assumption Fire Department responded to a field fire Wednesday afternoon with help from some neighboring agencies.

Public asked to avoid area during gas leak in Taylorville

Around 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 22, Assumption firefighters responded to a field fire east of Assumption involving a combine and a harvest/standing corn field. This field was on fire and the blaze was approaching the timber line, but departments were able to extinguish the flames.

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The Assumption Fire Department thanked Christian County 911 dispatch, Tower Hill Fire, and Waddington Farms and Ryan Creamer for their help with the response.

WCIA reached out to the Assumption Fire Department for more information but did not receive an immediate response.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
FLOWOOD, Miss. (WJTV)  During Hunger Action Month in September 2025, Atmos Energy donated $2 million to food banks across the eight states it serves.

SNAP benefits may run out Nov. 1. Heres how you could still get food assistance

In Mississippi, the company donated $122,500 to food banks across the state including:

St. Luke Food Pantry  $20,000

Pinelake Care Center  $15,000

Anderson Methodist Food Pantry  $15,000

Stewpot, Natchez  $10,000

Sacred Heart Southern Mission  $7,500

Clarksdale Care Station  $7,500

Amory Backpack Program  $7,500

Extra Table  $10,000

Stewpot, Jackson  $10,000

Hope is Alive Food Pantry  $2,500

Columbus Backpack Program  $2,500

Tupelo Backpack Program  $2,500

Nettleton F.A.I.T.H Food Pantry  $2,500

Our Daily Bread  $2,500

Raleigh Food Pantry  $2,500

Wesley House  $2,500

We Will Go  $2,500

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It takes significant resources to fight hunger and address nutritional instability, so the goal of these dollars is to aid food banks who coordinate with local charities, schools, churches, and shelters to support individuals and families struggling to afford basic necessities, said Lauren Ann Cobb, Atmos Energy manager of public affairs. As Atmos Energy continues Fueling Safe and Thriving Communities, we are extremely proud to partner with local food banks and further their mission in the areas we serve.

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Two people are in custody after an attempted shooting in Hartford led to a police chase involving state troopers which ended in Cromwell.

The suspects were apprehended after the vehicle they were in was chased by troopers on Route 9 before the vehicle came to a stop in Cromwell, according to Connecticut State Police.

They were not immediately identified.

According to Lt. Aaron Boisvert of the Hartford Police Department, the vehicle was being pursued after his agency put a be on the lookout alert out to area law enforcement.

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Boisvert said the vehicle was believed to be tied to a shots fired incident in the 100 block of Nelson Street around 2:30 p.m. He described it as an attempted shooting.

Photos of the area where the pursuit ended showed a large presence of state police cruisers, which were mostly surrounding the median area of Route 9. One lane was closed between Exits 24 and 25 while police investigated, according to the state Department of Transportation.




U.S. Sen. John Cornyn's attacks on Houston congressman Wesley Hunt's attendance record are ratcheting up tension between the campaigns ahead of the March 3 GOP primary.

Since Hunt announced his candidacy for Cornyn's seat earlier this month, the incumbent's campaign has accused Hunt of having one of the worst attendance records in Congress.

Now, Hunt is shooting back at Cornyn's "incessant criticism of his missed votes," saying it's partly the result of having to be at home while his wife and now two-year-old son recovered from a difficult birth in January 2023.

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"My first son, Willie Hunt II, named after my father, spent the first months of his life in the neonatal intensive care unit fighting for his life," he said in a statement last week. "During this extreme hardship, I made the decision to prioritize my children and my wife, who was also admitted into the (Intensive Care Unit) after giving birth, by staying home and taking care of my family."

POLL TRACKER: How close is the Senate race between Ken Paxton and John Cornyn? We're tracking the major polls.

Hunt has missed 18.5% of votes since being elected to the House in 2022 - compared to the average 2% for sitting congressman - according to the website GovTrack.

Asked about Hunt's explanation, Cornyn's campaign questioned why Hunt was still missing votes more than two years after his son's birth.

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"Why did he miss every vote on a Monday from Jan. 3 until mid-September (2025)? Why did he miss every vote the first week of September after a month-long August recess?" said Matt Mackowiak, senior advisor to Cornyn's campaign.

Cornyn and Hunt are competing against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the high-profile GOP primary race for U.S. Senate. Cornyn and Paxton are in a virtual tie with 33% and 34% respectively, while Hunt trails with 22%, according to a poll by the University of Houston and Texas Southern University released earlier this month.

Hunt's attendance record in Congress has been drawing increasing scrutiny since rumors of his senate campaign began.

In September, the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which campaigns on behalf of GOP incumbents, posted a story from the National Review with the headline, "Wesley Hunt's Roll-Call Vote Absences Tick Up As He Weighs 2026 Senate Run."

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Earlier this month, Hunt's absenteeism came up in an interview with CBS News Texas, in which he said many of his missed votes came in 2024, when he was campaigning for President Donald Trump.

"I was traveling all over the county with the president to make sure that in the most consequential election that I have seen in my lifetime, President Trump got over the finish line," he said.

Asked about Cornyn's focus on his attendance record, Hunt's campaign said the four-term senator was attempting to "distract voters" from his record.

In a statement, the campaign pointed to Cornyn's criticism of Trump after the president's supporters stormed the Capitol and his work with Democrats on gun legislation following the Uvalde school shooting.

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"If anyone should be missing votes it's him, because every time he shows up, he sides with Democrats, undermines President and votes against the will of Texas conservatives," the statement said.

This article originally published at Wesley Hunt clashes with John Cornyn over claims he constantly misses votes.
BOSTON (WPRI)  A letter in August hit the inboxes of New Bedford and Attleboro public schools informing both that some of their MCAS essay scores would need to be regraded after an AI glitch.

All updated scores are higher than the previously released preliminary scores, the email read.

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Education confirmed 1,400 test scores were affected by the glitch. WBTS-TV first reported the glitch involved 192 school districts across the state.

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A spokesperson said the mistake was found over the summer and fixed before the scores were released in late September. The education department added that the glitch affected 0.2% of the 750,000 essay scores the state received.

ALSO READ: Attleboro High School serves as model for new Mass. graduation requirements

12 News asked districts across southeastern Massachusetts if they had been affected by the glitch, including Taunton and Fall River. Only Attleboro, New Bedford and Dighton-Rehoboth responded.

The letter from the state shared by Attleboro and New Bedford public schools said the mistake affected grades 3-8, but not high school students.

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State education officials said they started using AI to assist with grading MCAS scores last year.

Human scorers are used for all constructed-response questions, it says on their website. A combination of human scorers and automated (computer) scoring is used for ELA essays.

12 News reached out to MCAS contractor Cognia for comment but did not hear back. Education officials said the company has a three-year contract with the state worth roughly $105 million.

NEXT: New early education center opens in Fall River

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The building at 1228 W. Bruce St. held a lot of promise for Ebenezer Stone Ministries.

The 18,000-square-foot building in Milwaukees Menomonee Valley allowed the ministry to become a food distribution center for Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin. It also allowed the faith-based organization to offer more social programs to help area residents.

The August rains that soaked much of the Milwaukee area changed that. The pantry and distribution site must move from the building it has called home for the last two years.

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They couldnt risk another flood.

When we moved into the building, it obviously was a great moment, said Michael Haas, Ebenezer Stone Ministries' executive director and vice president of the board of directors. But the landlord company knew there was a potential for flooding and didnt disclose it to us."

Michael Haas of Ebenezer Stone Ministries, shows donated food in a freezer at the food distribution center at 1228 W. Bruce st. on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022. Angela Peterson/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The foot of water the warehouse got caused extensive damage. The distribution center had to discard $20,000 in food. Several pieces of equipment were damaged, including a forklift the organization used for a job skills training program for justice-involved citizens. And several of its coolers and freezers were also damaged.

Altogether, Haas said they lost between $150,000 and $180,000.

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It set us back financially," said Haas, who is looking forward to moving into the ministries' new West Milwaukee facility, which is not in a flood plain.

Ebenezer Stone Ministries is not the only pantry in Feeding America Eastern Wisconsins network to have lost food and equipment due to the August floods. More than 20 pantries experienced flooding or serve communities significantly impacted by flooding.

Stock the Shelves logo

Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin reported these pantries lost $1.2 million in equipment, food products, and in flood damage to their facilities. Additionally, an estimated 30,000 pounds of food had to be discarded, worth approximately $50,520.

While some were able to reopen within days with minimal disruption to services or at a reduced capacity, full recovery for some pantries is still a long way off.

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Most of these pantries were able to find ways to band together and get up and running nearly immediately after the floods, said Matt Stienstra, Feeding America Eastern Wisconsins director of advocacy and community engagement.

Michael Haas from Ebenezer Stone Ministries which operates a food distribution center on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022 at 1228 W. Bruce st. in Milwaukee. Angela Peterson/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

But their ability to provide full service in the way they did before is still something that most of these pantries are dealing with, he added.

Haas was determined to have the distribution center back up and running. It was shut down for two weeks  a hard pill to swallow for a site that services 42,000 people a month among 41 pantries all the way down to the Illinois border.

Our farthest pantry came from Beloit, Haas said. I was adamant that we can only be shut down for a minimum of time. We had to start feeding people.

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Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin worked with affected pantries like Ebenezer Stone to put together a support plan to ensure pantries are able to serve their neighbors in some capacity.

Many pantries had to pivot to meet demand, especially for those who suffered spoilage from power outages or water-damaged freezers. Haas said he was thankful the community stepped in. The community, he said, provided food and financial donations, which helped buy milk and eggs.

"We still have those needs," Haas said.

Emergency food boxes help bridge the gap

Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin also stepped in to help fill the gap. The organization provided emergency food boxes. The boxes contained shelf-stable food such as peanut butter, granola bars, and meals-ready-to-eat for pantries that lost refrigeration or coolers. The nonprofit also provided other necessities like disposable cutlery or dishware.

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In all, Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin distributed over a five-week period:

46 pallets / 1,656 emergency relief boxes

37 pallets / 78,745 pounds of bottled water

2 pallets of peanut butter

Greater Mount Sinai Church of God in Christ, located on the city's far north side, received approximately 300 emergency food boxes. Damage to their building forced them to distribute the boxes outside in the parking lot. The boxes were gone within 45 minutes, the few days the pantry was able to distribute, says Evangelist Denise Holmes, president of the church's pantry.

"The need for food was so bad," she said. "We used everything we had in our pantry. Our freezer is empty now."

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The pantry is still not fully operational. Water from a creek that ran alongside the church's two-story building overflowed and poured into the first-floor sanctuary. The second-floor pantry was untouched, but the water destroyed the building's only elevator. Without a working elevator, Holmes said, it's hard for the church's elderly volunteer staff to serve the community fully.

Thanksgiving donations are sought for 100 families served

Holmes said she is concerned about the holidays. She said Feeding America may not be able to provide enough turkeys for the more than 100 families the pantry serves. Holmes said they are seeking food donations in addition to what Feeding America provides.

"We have Thanksgiving coming up. We are trying to give good holiday baskets," Holmes said.

Helping pantries like Greater Mount Sinai, which Stienstra said is in an area that's a food desert and has no additional food pantries, is important.

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There is still a lot of food insecurity, he said.

Stienstra was moved by the pantries commitment to their community regardless of their own circumstances. Many are volunteer run, but people stepped up to help or provide support. Thats when these pantries mission really shines, he said.

Talking to our food pantries in the days after, was both heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time, he said. Finding ways to band together is reminiscent of what happened during COVID.

The organization itself didnt escape the ravages of the August rain. The roof leaked, but it didnt impact any food. Stienstra said crews cleaned the facility the next day and were available if any concerns arose.

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We never lost a single hour of being able to serve, Stienstra said.

But the need persists. Pantries, he added, are seeing an increasing need for assistance. People face food insecurity due to cuts in benefit programs and rising grocery prices long before the August rains and will linger long after.

And a recent study found 30% of families who access food pantries have incomes that dont qualify for federal benefits, but are still food insecure.

Yes, the water has receded, but the need hasnt, Stienstra said.

How to donate to Stock the Shelves

Each October, USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin newsrooms partner with Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin to raise money to support the food banks. This year's goal is to raise enough money for 550,000 meals.

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To donate online, visit FeedingAmericaWI.org/StockTheShelves

To donate by mail, checks made payable to Feeding American Eastern Wisconsin, ATTN: Stock the Shelves, should be sent to 1700 W. Fond du Lac Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53205.

Enclose with your contribution the donors address with city, state and ZIP code for internal processing, a notation of whether the donation should remain anonymous, and/or whether the donation is in the memory of someone special. Also list the donors name as it should appear in a thank-you advertisement to be published in the Thanksgiving editions of USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsins daily newspapers.

For a map of food pantries, meal programs, and shelters supported by Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, visit FeedingAmericaWI.org/Find-A-Pantry.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Food pantries disrupted by flooding at a time of increased insecurity
AUSTIN (KXAN)  The owner of Austin chocolate maker KESSHO told KXAN Thursday that a group broke into her business warehouse and stole $5,000 worth of items early Tuesday morning.

Six people broke in through our garage and stole many of our generators, backup tools, and some cables. Thats worth a lot for us, and in total above $5,000, said Liang Wang, who owns KESSHO with her partner, Mark Huetsch.

She called 911 after the break-in, but was told by a dispatcher to call 311 instead. When she did, they told her it would be five business days before an Austin Police detective could make a report.

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I fully understand how busy the police department is, Wang said. However, I also feel like Im seeing those people coming back, but I could not do anything or I could not stop them in any legal way quickly enough to stop them from stealing from other people.

KXAN is in contact with APD about the robbery and will provide updates as they become available.

Its the fifth time that her business has been hit by thieves, she said. The thefts hit hard for Wang and Huetsch, who founded the business with their revenue from a prior business.

Mentally, it made me feel devastated. We just celebrated our second year anniversary in Austin, she said. We work really hard; our team works really, really hard. I just feel its unfair that we work so hard, that we dont make a lot of money, but they can easily take it away.

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Wang said that shes talked with other local small business owners about the thefts and heard similar stories from them.

We have been exchanging ways to enhance our locks, or what kind of alarm system we should add, or how to prevent them from breaking the alarm system or the cameras, she said. I feel like we should spend more time together discussing how to build better products or how to do more collaborations, rather than just sitting together and discussing how to prevent some future losses.

The financial loss wont prevent KESSHO from operating. But the loss means that if something else breaks, they have no replacements. For KESSHO, making back the money to replace the parts wont come quickly, Wang said.

Still, shes encouraged by her customers and the communitys reaction to her Instagram post about the robbery.

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Last night, I really couldnt sleep, so I posted on Instagram about the incident. I was actually nervous because Im afraid  they would come after us because they know where we are and we posted it, Wang said.

A surveillance camera still of an alleged burglar attempting to enter the KESSHO warehouse on Oct. 22, 2025.

Some have asked if they could set up a fundraising drive to help the business replace the stolen tools. Wang said shes turned down that support.

I dont feel like I should receive that money for free and I wish maybe we could spend this money to in some way that can help the city or help the police department have  a faster response system, 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 KXAN Austin.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  Theres another Republican candidate in the race to be South Dakotas next attorney general.

On Thursday, Austin Hoffman has announced his candidacy for South Dakota Attorney General.

City removes homeless encampments, prepares for cold

In a press release, Hoffman said his campaign will focus on strengthening partnerships with law enforcement, implementing recidivism reduction in communities, working to stop drug trafficking and fentanyl distribution, and protecting South Dakota families.

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As South Dakotas next Attorney General, my duty will be to uphold the rule of law and ensure justice is applied equally to every citizen, Hoffman said in the release. That means standing shoulder to shoulder with law enforcement officers, preserving the conservative values that make South Dakota strong.

Hoffman is currently McPherson Countys States Attorney and serves on the South Dakota Open Meetings Commission and the South Dakota Board of Elections. Hoffman was also a former KELOLAND News reporter.

Hoffman plans to travel across the state in the coming months to meet with voters, law enforcement, and community leaders. He joins Fall River and Oglala Lakota County States Attorney Lance Russell on the ticket for the Republican nomination for South Dakota Attorney General.

The Republican nomination for attorney general wont be determined at the ballot box during the June primary. Instead, the candidate for AG will be picked at the partys convention in the summer of 2026.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  Austin Opera is about to turn 40, and its getting a major birthday gift.

Austin Opera recently moved into a south Austin building thats tucked away just south of State Highway 71, off Montopolis Drive and Burleson Road. The organization bought the building from JD Abrams and is now renovating it, with construction on track to finish up next fall, in conjunction with the Operas 40th season.

Austin Operas Sarah and Ernest Butler Performance Center by Amigo Studios (Courtesy: Austin Opera)

Annie Burridge, General Director and CEO at Austin Opera, said the site, which will eventually be the Butler Performance Center and Austin Operas new headquarters, will boast a 200-seat theater, four rehearsal venues, a costume shop, a conference center, an outdoor event center, and administrative offices.

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Burridge said the space was designed to be as versatile as possible.

Austin Operas new facility, which is being renovated. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) Austin Operas new facility, which is being renovated. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) Austin Operas new facility, which is being renovated. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) Annie Burridge, General Director and CEO at Austin Opera, gives a tour of the Operas new facility, which is being renovated. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) Annie Burridge, General Director and CEO at Austin Opera, gives a tour of the Operas new facility, which is being renovated. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) Austin Operas new facility, which is being renovated. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) Annie Burridge, General Director and CEO at Austin Opera, gives a tour of the Operas new facility, which is being renovated. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) Austin Operas new facility, which is being renovated. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) Annie Burridge, General Director and CEO at Austin Opera, gives a tour of the Operas new facility, which is being renovated. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones)

Primarily designed with the cultural community in mind, but cultural spaces, when theyre designed the right way, feel inclusive and open and welcoming to everyone. So were happy to host all kinds of events in this space, Burridge said. Were right across the highway from our primary collaborator, the Mexican Consulate. Weve been performing over there for years and working with them for years. So to now be in this neighborhood just feels, it feels perfectly right.

Burridge said Austin Opera has a long-term commitment to working with the Latine community in Austin through the Mexican Consulate as well as a residency program to develop Spanish-language opera. She said the new location is perfect because of the proximity to the consulate, but its also surrounded by schools with high populations of Spanish-speaking students.

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Were just so excited to be embedded here in the community with doors where we can host all kinds of events, she said.

Previously, the Austin Opera had been renting a space in north Austin and performing at the Long Center. Burridge said that finally having a permanent home and performance center of the Operas own is game-changing.

The Long Center is a wonderful space and we love putting our large-scale, large-format operas on there, but to have our own performance space where we can add to our programming, especially our programming for families and kids and the community, is just such a huge asset, Burridge said. And Austin is in such dire need for more performance space for all of our great cultural organizations. So were also just so looking forward to being a hub of cultural activity. Well have artists in and out of here every day and performances every night. Thats the dream.

The Austin Opera will continue to put on larger-scale shows at the Long Center, as well as host smaller productions in its new home.

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Austin Operas 40th season will kick off in November with Celebrate Opera! A Spectacular Birthday Concert at the Long Center, conducted by Timothy Myers. Then, early in 2026, the Opera is putting on a huge production of Fiddler on the Roof, in partnership with Shalom Austin.

So well open this season with a 40th birthday concert, which will be an epic salute to opera, to our favorite art form, but it will also feature some great musical theater hits and will feature just some great content about Austin Opera and what weve been able to do over 40 years here, Burridge said. So its the perfect opportunity to do a sampling of Operas Greatest Hits.

Austin Opera expects to hold a soft opening of the new space next summer and a grand opening in the fall.

More details about Austin Operas upcoming shows and events, and tickets can be found online.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
KBC Groep

Business Lease Group BV, part of AutoBinck Group NV and CSOB Leasing Czech Republic and CSOB Leasing Slovakia, both respective part of KBC Group's Czech and Slovak divisions announce today the signing of a binding agreement for the acquisition of all shares (100%) of Business Lease s.r.o. (Business Lease Czech Republic) and Business Lease Slovakia s.r.o. (Business Lease Slovakia).

The acquisition is still subject to approval by the relevant antitrust authorities and is expected to close in 1Q2026.

The deal has a total consideration of 72 million euros and will only have an immaterial impact on KBC Groups solid capital position (-4 basis points on KBC Groups unfloored fully loaded CET1 ratio).

With this strategic transaction, KBC Group will significantly expand its leasing activities in Central Europe and strengthens its market position in both countries.

Johan Thijs, CEO of KBC Group, explains the deal: This acquisition marks again an important step forward in KBC Groups strategy to strengthen our already strong position in both Czech Republic and Slovakia. By integrating Business Lease with CSOB Leasing, we are creating a powerful fleet in both markets: around 15,000 operating leasing vehicles in Czech Republic becoming a top 5 player and around 10,000 operating leasing vehicles in Slovakia becoming a top 3 reference player. The combined entity will be able to further increase operational efficiency, optimize customer experience and unlock substantial synergy benefits, including cross-selling opportunities.

Ales Blazek, CEO of KBC Groups Czech Division, said: "This acquisition is a major milestone for our Czech operating leasing services. By integrating Business Leases flexible mobility solutions with our existing leasing expertise and strong customer base, we will be able to significantly enhance our market presence and service offering. With our combined fleet, we are not only becoming a top 5 player in the Czech operational leasing market, but also reinforcing our commitment to innovation and customer-centric mobility solutions."

Daniel Kollar, CEO of KBC Groups Slovak Division, added: "Five months after announcing the agreement to acquire 365.bank, we are pleased to announcetogether with our shareholderanother strategic acquisition in the Slovak market. This move not only reinforces our strong market position but also demonstrates our ambition to expand and pursue growth opportunities across all segments. The acquisition of Business Lease will further strengthen our leadership in the leasing market, particularly in the area of operational leasing, where we will become an even stronger partner for the logistical needs of Slovak companies.
CANBERRA/SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australia said on Friday that scientists had seen symptoms consistent with the destructive H5 bird flu strain on its sub-Antarctic Heard Island in the Southern Ocean, after unusual levels of deaths of elephant seals.

"At this stage it is not a confirmed detection ... seeing signs consistent with H5 bird flu in wildlife on Heard Island is not unexpected," the Agriculture Department said in a statement.

H5 bird flu has spread widely in wild birds worldwide and is causing outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows, with several recent human cases in U.S. dairy and poultry workers.

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Australia remains the only continent free of the highly contagious viral flu, somewhat protected by its geography as it is off the migration routes of big birds such as geese that spread infection. The virus has reached neighbouring Indonesia in 2022 and Antarctica in 2023.

Some other strains of bird flu were reported in poultry farms in Australia last year but none were the H5N1 variant.

Australian officials said its Antarctic program scientists on a visit to Heard Island, more than 4,000 km (2,486 miles) southwest of Perth and 1,700 km (1,056 miles) north of Antarctica, found more deaths among elephant seals than penguins and other seabirds.

But authorities said a confirmed case of bird flu there would not substantially increase the risk to Australia.

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The H5 virus has previously been found on the French Kerguelen and Crozet sub-Antarctic islands, which are less than 450 km (280 miles) from Heard and McDonald Islands.

Samples collected will be tested once the scientists return to Australia in the middle of November.

(Reporting by Peter Hobson in Canberra and Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Leslie Adler and Aurora Ellis)
A Pennsylvania sheriff is taking action to address a growing threat to minors and community safety: illegal vape sales.

Wayne County Sheriff Christopher Rosler has announced plans to form a multi-agency task force to fight the surge in unregulated vaping products. It brings together local schools, law enforcement, and health advocates pushing for stronger protections.

The initiative aims to support House Bill 1425, a proposed state law that would create an official Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) Directory. This would include a public list of approved vaping devices and brands certified for legal sale.

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"We're hearing they go to New York to buy marijuana vapes," Rosler told the Tri-County Independent, explaining that illegal and mislabeled products have become increasingly common.

Under the bill, any vape not included in the directory would be classified as contraband and be subject to seizure and prosecution. Manufacturers would be required to certify their products every year, giving retailers and law enforcement a clear way to verify what's legitimate.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that e-cigarettes can contain addictive nicotine, heavy metals, and volatile organic compounds. What's worse is that they often come with bright packaging and in candy-like flavors that attract teens.

In addition to potentially getting young people addicted to nicotine, vapes have been linked to health risks that include respiratory problems and injuries from battery explosions.

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The devices have also contributed to a mounting environmental crisis. Millions of disposable vapes end up in landfills every week, leaching toxic chemicals and lithium from non-recyclable batteries into soil and waterways. And when they aren't properly disposed of, they can end up in roadways, puncturing tires or simply becoming an eyesore.

This new task force aims to curb both the youth vaping epidemic and the growing wave of toxic e-waste tied to disposable products. Rosler also said the group plans to educate the public and meet with legislators to advocate for responsible sales and consumer awareness.

One local school leader is welcoming the effort.

"In the issues we experience at Wayne Highlands, it has become clear and alarming that one of the biggest problems is the access to these devices for children," local high school superintendent Gregory Frigoletto told the Tri-County Independent. "Any type of regulation on the sales, like this bill, would help curb the accessibility and hopefully increase accountability on individuals and business owners who are profiting from getting these devices in the hands of students and/or adolescents."

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The four people found dead from a possible drug overdose in Fullerton have been identified.

They have been identified as Ramon Louis Luera, 28, of Chino; Melissa Angela Lopez, 29, of Pomona; Victor Alfonso Herrera, 41, of Los Angeles; and Christipher James Satterfield, 51, of Anaheim, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

Fullerton police say a man called 911 around 11 a.m. Tuesday to report his friends had overdosed and weren't breathing.

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When officers and fire department personnel arrived on scene, they discovered four adults dead inside a home located in the 100 block of W. Wilshire Avenue.

A death investigation was launched. Authorities said there was no immediate threat to the public.

An investigation is ongoing.




Authorities are investigating luxury villa constructions in Thailand after discovering 93 violations across 24 locations.

According to Khaosod, the National Anti-Corruption Commission inspected the luxury villa constructions in September and found that the constructions violated at least five major laws.

Among these were buildings in red zones that are environmentally protected and foreign business operations.

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At least one luxury villa construction project received $9.3 million in overseas investment funds, according to the Koh Samui Revenue Office. The office flagged the transaction as potential money laundering.

One key target of the investigation, the Zog Villas construction, contained five villas already completed. All of them were built in environmentally protected red zones. This construction also had a sign that stated the area was "closed for renovation" despite the fact that it was accepting online bookings.

The construction projects' alleged corruption and their presence in red zones are two of many examples of the rising tensions between industries in Thailand. Environmental protection and tourism development are having a difficult time coexisting.

Koh Samui is a prime destination for vacation homes and luxury rentals. But the construction of these buildings contributes to environmental destruction and land loss that local residents face.

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With more luxury buildings built for tourists, residents have had land taken away. They could have used that land to build their own homes or grow crops.

Tourism might positively affect the economy. Tons of tourists, however, can wreak havoc on the island's ecosystems and leave the local people to face the consequences.

The team that investigated the luxury villa constructions reported suspected misconduct by government officials. It filed complaints about the buildings with the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division. Additionally, the Koh Samui area is one of three that will be labeled as "Anti-Corruption Pinpoint Areas" in 2026.

Khaosod reported that the NACC Deputy Secretary-General Suchart Kruaykitanon explained, "Every agency must enforce laws transparently and directly."

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A woman has pleaded guilty in what is being described as one of the world's largest cryptocurrency seizures.

What's happening?

According to The Guardian, Zhimin Qian, also known as Yadi Zhang, pleaded guilty in September in a United Kingdom court to fraud charges stemming from a scheme she ran in China between 2014 and 2017. Authorities raided a mansion in Hampstead in 2018 and "seized devices from Qian holding 61,000 bitcoins, worth more than 5 billion at current prices," per the outlet.

Qian reportedly defrauded 128,000 people before leaving China for England with a fake St. Kitts and Nevis passport and began laundering the ill-gotten gains with the help of Jian Wen, a food delivery worker. To do this, the pair bought property, including cryptocurrency, to hide and transfer the stolen assets.

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"This is one of the largest money-laundering cases in UK history and among the highest-value cryptocurrency cases globally," Will Lyne, head of the Metropolitan Police Service's economic and cybercrime command, said. "I am extremely proud of the team."

Why is this cryptocurrency bust notable?

The massive bust is a sign that cryptocurrency may no longer be a reliable means of money laundering for scammers seeking to conceal huge amounts of stolen assets.

Because transfers of bitcoin and other forms of cryptocurrency can be operated with some degree of privacy, tracing them can be challenging. Relatedly, crypto has been a popular means for criminals to launder funds.

"Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are increasingly being used by organized criminals to disguise and transfer assets, so that fraudsters may enjoy the benefits of their criminal conduct," Robin Weyell told the BBC, speaking on behalf of the prosecution in the case against Qian. "This case, involving the largest cryptocurrency seizure in the UK, illustrates the scale of criminal proceeds available to those fraudsters."

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The outcome of this investigation is good news for anyone hoping authorities will be able to curtail a rise in large-scale laundering via crypto. Because the energy-hungry technology can come with environmental impacts, it may also be a welcome development for those concerned by data centers' high use of electricity and water.

Positive steps have been taken to ensure that crypto operations can be increasingly powered by renewable energy sources and use less water for cooling. But with much of its energy demand still being met by dirty fossil fuels, the environmental impacts of crypto remain relevant considerations.

What's being done about fraud?

Law enforcement around the globe appears to be getting better at cracking down on cases of cryptocurrency being used to hide and move stolen funds.

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"Today marks the result of years of painstaking work," said Isabella Grotto, per The Guardian. Grotto, who led the investigation into Qian, continued, "I am immensely proud of the investigation team and our partners who have worked tirelessly on this case."

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UK Security Minister Dan Jarvis said in a statement, per the BBC, "Money laundering erodes trust, undermines our economy, and fuels the rise of serious organized crime."

When committed via cryptocurrency, it's also possible for the crime to strain power grids and consume water sources  so this major disruption of unnecessary, large-scale, criminal transactions may ultimately be a win for environmentalists as well.

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WINDSOR LOCKS, Connecticut  Avelo Airlines is suspending its service to Bradley International Airport, the Connecticut Airport Authority announced Thursday.

The move comes three months after a state fuel tax exemption, meant to lure the airline to Connecticut, expired and after protestors picketed Bradley over Avelos contract with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The CAA is disappointed and surprised to learn of Avelos decision to pull out of Bradley International Airport, particularly its decision to cancel the states only nonstop service to Montego Bay, Jamaica, the Airport Authority said Thursday in a statement. The CAA is especially disappointed on behalf of the community, which has fought so hard to secure nonstop service to Jamaica over recent years. The decision to cancel the MBJ route is inexplicable, given the strong ridership, subsidies received, significant airport incentives and community support.

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Connecticut Attorney General William Tong said in September that if the company didnt affirm commitments to the rule of law and public safety, then he would recommend the state end its incentives for the airline, which included exemptions from the states tax on aviation fuel and discounts on airport expenses. Tong criticized Avelos work chartering flights for ICE and questioned why the company deserved continued government support for its operations within the state.

Avelo Airlines said Thursday that its a business decision, revenues from Hartford did not cover expenses.

Any other insinuation to the contrary is unfortunate, false and uninformed. We remain committed to serving the state of Connecticut through our low fares out of New Haven Tweed airport, wrote Courtney Goff, communications manager.

Avelo Airlines will be exiting Hartfords Bradley International Airport after its last scheduled flight on Jan. 25, 2025.

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Bradley expects more than 6.6 million passenger trips each year. Avelo had 31,393 passenger departures and arrivals through July. Thats the most recent statistic from the authority.

The authority said Avelo has been doing well. Avelos Houston route showed 70% passenger occupancy in November when it launched, before spiking to nearly 96% in December. Service stopped in January.

Despite claiming lack of demand for the Jamaica route, the routes occupancy showed increasingly strong performance since the flight launched in November, according to the airport.

The CAA is puzzled why Avelo claims to have been uniquely unsuccessful at BDL, despite those significant advantages and the success enjoyed by many other carriers at the airport during the same timeframe, said spokeswoman Alisa Sisic in a statement. The cancellation of these services and Avelos stated reasoning for doing so also continues a disturbing trend of the airline misrepresenting facts and trying to dodge reasonable fees that other airlines pay as a regular course of business.

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Avelo recently approached the authority, asking to be relieved of its contractual obligation to pay rent for the remainder of its agreement at Bradley after finishing one year of fully incentivized, rent-free operation at the airport, the authority said.

The CAA understands Avelos financial distress and the impacts of public backlash related to its other business decisions, but the CAA cannot relieve Avelo of its financial commitments after investing so much in the airlines success, Sisic said.

The authority said it is committed to once again securing nonstop Jamaica service for its passengers and is already fielding interest from other carriers that would like to explore resuming that service.

Stories by Jim Kinney

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Azerbaijan has lifted restrictions on cargo transit to Armenia, marking a significant step forward in the fragile peace between the two countries after decades of conflict, but the territorial dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh remains a barrier.

President Ilham Aliyev announced the change during a visit to Kazakhstan, pointing to a shipment of Kazakh grain travelling through Azerbaijan to Armenia  the first such transit since cargo limits were imposed in the late Soviet era.

Its not a huge game changer in terms of Armenias ability to import and export, said Joshua Kucera, a Caucasus analyst with the International Crisis Group (ICG).

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But he added that the move was symbolically important, showing Azerbaijan was willing to do things that they havent been willing to do before".

Armenians caught between hope and distrust after accord with Azerbaijan

The lifting of cargo restrictions follows a series of agreements signed in Washington on 8 August between Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

These agreements are aimed at ending decades of hostility centred on the Nagorno-Karabakh region  a mountainous territory internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan but historically inhabited primarily by ethnic Armenians.

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The accords  and a 17-point peace deal that is yet to be officially signed and ratified  envisage the opening of transport routes to enhance trade, connectivity and mutual trust between the two countries, as well as the cessation of conflict.

The restoration of trade transits through Azerbaijani territory effectively reconnects Armenia to regional markets, following years of isolation due to prior hostilities and blockades.

Armenian constitution

However, significant hurdles remain. The biggest sticking point, according to Kucera, could be language used in the Armenian constitution which stipulates reunification between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.

Both sides now [effectively] acknowledge that this is Azerbaijani territory, he said.

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Azerbaijan thus views this as an unacceptable "territorial claim in Armenias constitution, which stands in the way of a final peace agreement.

Armenia is now proposing a referendum on the constitution, to take place in 2027.

But according to Kucera, many Armenians perceive this as bullying" from Azerbaijan.

"They don't think it's a legitimate demand from Azerbaijan. And so nobody knows if this referendum is going to pass."

He added that many Armenians may simply boycott it. If the referendum fails, the peace process will get a big hit."

Spectre of 1915 Armenian genocide looms over Nagorno-Karabakh

Regional peacemaker

Meanwhile, United States President Donald Trump claims that agreements between the two countries will be cemented by the "Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (Tripp).

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This transport corridor through southern Armenia would link Azerbaijan to its exclave Nakhchivan, bypassing Iran and cutting transit times significantly.

Azerbaijan flexes its muscles amid rising tensions with Russia

With this initiative, the White House appears to be assuming the regional peacekeeper role that was traditionally Moscow's, but Kucera is sceptical about a lasting US role in the area.

"Traditionally, the Caucasus has not been a very high priority of the US, he told RFI. Long before Donald Trump, you [had] an occasional attempt to get involved. [But] the attention never lasts for very long."

He added: I don't think you can expect that this Russian absence from the Caucasus is going to last forever."
U.S. Air Force B-1B bombers look to have just flown close to the Venezuelan coast, as well as outlying islands belonging to the country in the Caribbean Sea. Just last week, a trio of the Air Forces B-52 bombers was tracked in the same general area of the Caribbean. The U.S. military subsequently confirmed those sorties and that the bombers had been accompanied by U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Joint Strike Fighters. There is a larger U.S. government effort to put pressure on Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro, ostensibly over illegal drug trafficking, with a growing possibility of direct military action against targets in that country.

Online flight tracking data shows at least two B-1 bombers departing Dyess Air Force Base in Texas earlier today. KC-135 tankers were also tracked leaving MacDill Air Force Base in Florida some 90 minutes later. What appeared to be B-1s, using the callsigns BARB21 and BARB22, were subsequently tracked flying near Venezuela. The available online tracks, which may not be entirely accurate, suggest that the bombers may have come within around 50 miles of the Venezuelan coast, and even closer to the Los Testigos islands.

The @usairforce (  ) B-1Bs are dangerously close to Venezuelan coastline, approximately 50 miles (80 Km) from the Venezuelan (  ) mainland and 6 miles (9.6 Km) from Los Testigos. https://t.co/f48OGbP2nZpic.twitter.com/nTsLfJQsSq  SA Defensa (@SA_Defensa) October 23, 2025

Hoy cerca de las 8:30UTC salio de Dyess AFB el bombardero B1-B Lancer de la Fuerza Aerea  registro 86-0127 en direccion Este. Aproximadamente 1 hora 30 minutos mas tarde salio de Macdill AFB en Tampa el tanquero KC135R Stratotanker registro 63-8879 codigo de llamada DREW14 pic.twitter.com/RC8G8s7MTk   (@Arr3ch0) October 23, 2025

Flight tracking data and publicly available air traffic control audio also subsequently pointed to a flurry of other U.S. military air activity over the Caribbean near Venezuela at the time, including the presence of KC-135 tankers and an RC-135 intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft. What type of RC-135 may have been in the area is unclear, but RC-135V/W Rivet Joints have been tracked in this general region in the past.

Confirmation of the B-1B callsign BARB via @flightradar24 now heading back to CONUS after seen off the coast of Venezuela. Their ADSB/Mode-S was turned on intentionally. CURIE? 91 (RC-135) is also in the vicinity after refueling with DREW 14 (KC-135). There are so many aircraft https://t.co/qcNWi8c6O5 pic.twitter.com/Zb9bzCkyDS  Thenewarea51 (@thenewarea51) October 23, 2025

In addition, one of the Air Forces E-11A Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) aircraft was tracked flying in the general direction of Puerto Rico  where the U.S. is staging significant military capabilities  today. Whether or not that sortie was directly related to the other U.S. military aerial activity in the southern end of the Caribbean is unknown, but the presence of this aircraft is of particular note. It facilitates communications and data sharing across a substantial portion of a theater and is uniquely capable of enabling complex military operations, relaying information to desperate customers and fuzing and rebroadcasting data from various datalink waveforms. It is especially useful for enabling communications from the surface of the planet to aircraft in the air and other platforms around the battlespace, as well as supporting special operations missions.

A very interesting movement into the Caribbean today also seems to be this E-11A airborne communication aircraft heading from Robins AFB towards Puerto Rico pic.twitter.com/PXQLdWQzss  CNW (@ConflictsW) October 23, 2025

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E-11 BACN. (Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Gonsier)

The Wall Street Journal has further confirmed the B-1 sorties, citing anonymous officials. However, remarks from President Donald Trump have also now caused some confusion.

Theres reporting that the US just sent B-1 bombers near Venezuela to ramp up some military pressure there. Is that accurate, and can you tell us more about that mission? a reporter asked Trump at a press conference today.

No, its not accurate. Its false, he responded. But were not happy with Venezuela for a lot of reasons.

Q: There's reporting that the US just sent B-1 bombers near Venezuela to ramp up some military pressure there?



TRUMP: No, it's not accurate. It's false. But we're not happy with Venezuela. Drugs are one reason. But also they've been sending their prisoners into our country. pic.twitter.com/Qw650DFfGb  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 23, 2025

TWZ has reached out to the Pentagon, U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM), and Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) for clarification and more information. STRATCOM redirected us to the Pentagon.

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Regardless, as TWZ noted following the B-52 sorties last week, there is a well-established precedent for employing Air Force bombers in counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean. The range and targeting capabilities that the B-52 and the B-1 possess can be and have been employed to help spot and track suspected drug smuggling vessels.

As was the case last week, the online flight tracking data at least clearly points to a show of force aimed at Venezuela. The U.S. military itself described last weeks B-52 flights as a bomber attack demonstration mission.

A B-52 and two F-35Bs seen flying together during the bomber attack demonstration mission last week. USAF

Any direct action against the U.S. military might take against Venezuela could easily involve standoff strikes launched from B-1s, as well as other platforms. The bombers could also prosecute targets on land and at sea with other conventional munitions as part of any such operation. Venezuelan armed forces have limited air defense capabilities, but they could still pose a credible threat, as TWZ has previously explored in detail.

Just yesterday, Venezuelas Maduro pointedly claimed that his countrys military has 5,000 Igla-S man-portable short-range surface-to-air missiles in key air defense positions across the country. Reuters also reported yesterday that it had reviewed documents that appeared to corroborate this assertion. However, that same story noted that Venezuelan forces are only understood to have 1,500 so-called grip stocks that are needed to actually fire those missiles.

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The video below, from 2009, shows Igla-S shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles in Venezuelan service.

Other Venezuelan air defense assets also continue to be spotted in forward-deployed positions.

Imagenes de hace minutos en la misma zona del  citado. https://t.co/PS6ebP3xBC pic.twitter.com/1vaescSnaH   (@Arr3ch0) October 23, 2025

S-125 Pechora 2-M hoy en Barcelona, Anzoategui coordenadas 10.134565,-64.714713 pic.twitter.com/a0NLSZaCv4   (@Arr3ch0) October 23, 2025

The Venezuelan militarys other ground, air, and naval capabilities are similarly limited, but there are certain elements that could still present some degree of a threat in the event of a violent U.S. intervention. The countrys stocks of Russian-made Kh-31 air-launched supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles are one example of this, as TWZ highlighted just this week.

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Any aerial activity off the Venezuelan coast today notably follows remarks yesterday from Trump about the possibility of ordering attacks on drug cartels on land. This comes as the administrations current campaign of strikes against alleged drug-smuggling boats has now expanded from the Caribbean Sea into the Eastern Pacific Ocean.

Today, at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War carried out yet another lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO). Yet again, the now-deceased terrorists were engaged in narco-trafficking in the Eastern Pacific.



The pic.twitter.com/PEaKmakivD  Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) October 23, 2025

Trump talked about the potential for strikes against cartel targets on land during a joint press conference with visiting NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the White House last night. The presidents initial comments came in direct response to a question about strikes on boats in the Eastern Pacific. The Pentagon had announced the first known strike in that body of water earlier in the day. American authorities disclosed a second one some hours after Trump had made his remarks alongside Rutte.

I will say, there are very few boats traveling on the water right now. Actually, that includes fishing boats, that includes any other kind of boat. But there are very few boats traveling on the water, so now theyll come in by land  to a lesser extent, Trump said. And they will be hit on land also.

.@POTUS on potential land strikes against drug-runners: "We will hit them very hard when they come in by land, and they haven't experienced that yet but now we're totally prepared to do that." pic.twitter.com/auepQKpWcX  CSPAN (@cspan) October 22, 2025

Trump was then asked a question about legal authorities to conduct such strikes. Questions have already been raised about the legality of the U.S. strikes on boats alleged to be involved in drug smuggling, as well as the underlying intelligence. U.S. forces are known to have targeted at least eight small boats as part of this ongoing campaign since September, six in the Caribbean and two in the Eastern Pacific.

Yesterday, at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel being operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization and conducting narco-trafficking in the Eastern Pacific.



The vessel was known by our intelligence to be pic.twitter.com/BayDhUZ4Ac  Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) October 22, 2025

Yes, we do, we have legal authority. Were allowed to do that. And if we do by land, we may go back to Congress. But this is a national security problem, Trump said. And we will hit them very hard when they come in by land, and they havent experienced that yet, but now were totally prepared to do that. Well probably go back to Congress and explain what were doing when we come to the land.

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Trump did not elaborate on where strikes on land targeting drug cartels might occur.

The presidents comments yesterday were widely taken in the broader context of the U.S. governments recent efforts to put particular pressure on the Maduro regime in Venezuela. However, Venezuela does not share a land border with the United States, or have an Eastern Pacific coastline. Mexico, among other countries, does. There have also been reports in the past that the Trump administration has been considering taking direct action against drug cartels in Mexico. That remains a possibility, but one that would be fraught with its own particular set of complexities and risks, as TWZ has previously explored in detail.

At the same time, Venezuela does continue to be a focal point in the U.S. governments current ostensible counter-drug operations across the Western Hemisphere.

Beyond the flights by the B-1s and other aircraft today, there has also been a larger U.S. military build-up in the region, which includes a host of crewed and uncrewed aircraft. F-35Bs and AC-130s have also been forward deployed, for instance, among other aircraft. Among the U.S. naval flotilla is an Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) packed with Marines with USS Iwo Jima at its center, as well as a handful of destroyers, a cruiser and a nuclear submarine. The appearance of the Ocean Trader, a shadowy special operations mothership, has been a particular stand-out. Helicopters belonging to the U.S. Armys elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment have been spotted flying over waters near Venezuela, as well.

The M/V Ocean Trader, a highly customized roll-on/roll-off cargo ship converted into a special operations command center and mothership operated by U.S. Military Sealift Command (MSC), was spotted today in the Southern Caribbean Sea off the coast of the U.S. Virgin Islands, pic.twitter.com/AL62ZFBYWx  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) September 24, 2025

Coincidentally, photos have been posted to Facebook of MH-6Ms and MH-60Ms belonging to the 160th SOAR (A) ALLEGEDLY operating off the coast of Trinidad and Tobago.



Credit: Ian Alleyne via Facebook (DM for original credit, if needed). https://t.co/Gcx6R3eKO2 pic.twitter.com/6GOcEylYMG  LatAmMilMovements (@LatAmMilMVMTs) October 8, 2025

All of this comes amid reports that American forces could be poised to launch covert operations against Maduro and his regime. Last week, Trump confirmed reports that he had authorized the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to undertake covert activities in Venezuela.

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Wouldnt it be a ridiculous question for me to answer? Trump said at a press conference last week when asked if the CIA now has the authority to depose Maduro. But I think Venezuela is feeling heat. But I think a lot of other countries are feeling heat, too.

It is worth noting that Trump has also been increasingly sparring with Colombian President Gustavo Petro in the past week or so. Petro has accused the U.S. government of murder in its strikes on the alleged drug-smuggling boats. Over the weekend, Trump had responded by calling his Colombian counterpart an illegal drug leader in a post on his Truth Social social network.

Trump:



President Gustavo Petro, of Columbia, is an illegal drug leader strongly encouraging the massive production of drugs, in big and small fields, all over Columbia.



It has become the biggest business in Columbia, by far, and Petro does nothing to stop it, despite large pic.twitter.com/py7f67dQ71  Clash Report (@clashreport) October 19, 2025

The scale and scope of any U.S. operation against ostensible cartel targets on land in Venezuela, or anywhere else in the Western Hemisphere, remains to be seen. Depending on the chosen course of action, such as standoff missile strikes, American forces would not necessarily have to be present on the ground, even briefly, either.

Several people familiar with internal administration deliberations said any initial land attack would probably be a targeted operation on alleged trafficker encampments or clandestine airstrips, rather than a direct attempt to unseat Maduro, The Washington Post reported yesterday. Some said the U.S. deployments and boat strikes were psychological warfare to promote fractures in the Venezuelan armed forces or persuade Maduro to step down.

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However, having declared war against narco-terrorists, and designated Maduro as the head of at least one of them, there really is no turning back unless Maduro is essentially not in power, said one person among those interviewed for this article who, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity about the sensitive issue, that report added. At the end of the day, if you have authority to take out cartel runners  you can take out the cartel boss, the person said.

Todays B-1 sorties, coupled with Trumps comments yesterday, only add to concerns about the potential for further major escalations in U.S. military operations aimed at Venezuelas Maduro and other actors in the region.

Contact the author: joe@twz.com
Two U.S. Air Force B-1B bombers flew a training mission over the Caribbean Sea on Thursday, marking the second time in a week that long-range U.S. bombers have flown over the region, according to two sources familiar with the operation.

The two American bombers took off from Dyess Air Force Base in Texas and headed to the Caribbean where they conducted extensive flight operations in international airspace, according to the sources.

The takeoffs from the bombers' home base were also tracked by aviation enthusiasts using commercially available software to track the aircraft that initially had their transponders activated.

1st Lt. Mary Begy/USAF - PHOTO: A B-1 Lancer from the 28th Bomb Squadron assigned to Dyess Air Force Base, Texas refuels flies over north Texas, October 21, 2022.

One of the sources characterized Thursday's flights as another show of force similar to the one last week in which three B-52 bombers flew from their base in Louisiana and flew operations about 90 miles north of Venezuela.

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That mission was officially characterized by the U.S. Air Force as a training mission.

Asked at a White House event later Thursday, when a reporter asked about whether the U.S. had sent B-1 bombers "near Venezuela" to ramp up military pressure there, President Donald Trump responded, "Not accurate. No. It's false."

@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.

US strikes 2nd alleged drug cartel vessel in Pacific, in expansion of attacks

The two bomber missions a week apart highlight the growing U.S. military presence in the Caribbean where the Trump administration has said it is in an "armed conflict" with drug cartels.

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There are presently 10,000 U.S. military personnel in the Caribbean as part of those operations including personnel aboard eight U.S. Navy ships, 10 F-35 stealth fighters deployed to Puerto Rico, and reconnaissance aircraft including Reaper unmanned drones.

B-52s fly off coast of Venezuela in show of force by Trump

The U.S. military has carried out at least nine airstrikes targeting drug smuggling fast boasts since early September when they first began.

The majority of those airstrikes had been carried out in the Caribbean close to Venezuela, but beginning Tuesday the U.S. military began carrying out airstrikes on similar boats operating in the eastern Pacific west of Central America.

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Five individuals whom the Trump administration has labeled as narcoterrorists were killed in two airstrikes in the eastern Pacific bringing to at least 37 the number of persons believed to have been killed in the airstrikes in both that region and the Caribbean.

Last week, two individuals survived an airstrike on a semi-submersible vessel and were brought aboard a U.S. Navy warship and were later repatriated to their home countries of Colombia and Ecuador.

Colombia's government has said it will pursue legal action against the person repatriated to Colombia, but Ecuadorean prosecutors said they would not do so citing a lack of evidence.
NEW YORK (AP)  A few weeks before his stunning loss to Zohran Mamdani in the Democratic mayoral primary, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo put forth a political calculus long accepted as fact in New York: Being a Democrat, he said, its synonymous that you support Israel.

Mamdani, who would be the citys first Muslim mayor, could be on the cusp of shattering that convention.

An unstinting supporter of Palestinian rights, the 34-year-old democratic socialist has accused Israel of genocide in Gaza, backed the movement to boycott the countrys goods and pledged to have Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrested if he sets foot in New York.

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In a city with the largest Jewish population outside of Israel, where mayors have long been expected to make the long pilgrimage to the Jewish state, Mamdani identifies proudly as an anti-Zionist.

While he says he supports Israel's right to exist, he describes any state or social hierarchy that favors Jews over others as incompatible with his belief in universal human rights.

City officials, Mamdani often points out, have no say in American foreign policy. And he has consistently and emphatically rejected claims that his criticism of Israel amounts to antisemitism, promising to work closely with those whom he doesnt agree with if elected.

But as Cuomo and others have framed the race as a referendum on Israel, political observers say a Mamdani victory could reverberate far beyond New York, offering permission for Democrats to speak out on an issue long seen as a third rail of politics.

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This race is a proxy for where the party goes from here in terms of support for Israel  and thats causing a lot of consternation, said Basil Smikle, a former chief executive of the states Democratic Party. Were treading in territory that weve not really dealt with before.

The most important issue in the race

From the beginning, Cuomo has staked much of his political comeback on painting himself as a defender of Jewish security, both in New York and the Middle East.

Shortly before launching his campaign, he announced that he had joined Netanyahus legal defense team to defend the prime minister against war crimes charges brought by the International Criminal Court. He cast antisemitism as the most important issue facing the city and himself as a hyper aggressive supporter of Israel.

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Mamdanis own views, he said, presented an existential threat to New Yorkers.

Other candidates quickly rushed to burnish their own pro-Israel credentials, including Mayor Eric Adams, who announced he would run on an EndAntisemitism ballot line.

As they competed for support among Brooklyns prominent rabbis and other Jewish voters, each equated protests for Palestinian rights with support for terrorism and backed a contentious definition of antisemitism that includes certain criticism of Israel.

Days before dropping out last month, Adams shared a smiling photo with Netanyahu.

The strategy appeared willfully ignorant of polls showing growing public disapproval in the U.S. of Israels prosecution of the war in Gaza, according to Alyssa Cass, a longtime Democratic strategist.

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She said a handful of deep-pocketed campaign donors and some city news outlets created an impression that you could not ever question Israel, and that impression was completely divorced from reality.

The unique dynamics in New York were masking a broader, larger migration in public opinion that had been brewing for some time, Cass added. "They didnt realize that the ground beneath them had shifted.

Shifting political winds

Still, with less than two weeks to go before the election, Cuomo has only leaned into the issue, claiming at Wednesdays debate that Mamdani had stoked the flames of hatred against the Jewish people.

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The broadsides have won support from the Anti-Defamation League and pro-Israel donors, like the hedge fund billionaire Bill Ackman. But there is little indication that the strategy is working among ordinary New Yorkers.

In a Quinnipiac University poll conducted in early October, 41% of likely voters in New York City said Mamdanis views on Israel aligned closest with their own, compared to 26% for Cuomo.

A Fox News poll conducted in mid-October found that 50% of registered voters in New York said they identified more with the Palestinians in the Middle East conflict, compared to 44% who identified more with the Israelis.

Those numbers have alarmed some Jewish leaders, who have laid at least some of the blame at Mamdanis feet. In an open letter circulated this week, 650 rabbis warned that his candidacy has contributed to rising anti-Zionism and its political normalization.

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Amy Spitalnick, the chief executive of the Jewish Council on Public Affairs, cautioned against drawing a direct link between Mamdanis popularity and his pro-Palestinian stance.

She noted that most Jewish voters remain strong supporters of Israel, lamenting the fact that neither Mamdani nor Cuomo had articulated the liberal nuanced perspective that most New York Jews hold.

Mamdanis views on Israel matter, but its not the issue on which the majority of New Yorkers are voting, she added. If he wins, its because he ran a compelling campaign on making this city more affordable.

Weaponization and authenticity

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In debates and interviews, where Mamdani often faces a barrage of questions about his views on the Israel-Hamas war, he is quick to shift the focus to his platform, which includes freezing the rent for regulated apartments, making buses free and lowering the cost of child care.

I have denounced Hamas again and again, an exasperated Mamdani said during a debate last week. It will never be enough for Andrew Cuomo."

At Wednesdays debate, Mamdani again spoke of his proposal to increase funding for hate crime prevention and his recent outreach to Jewish voters about their fears of antisemitism.

They deserve a leader who takes it seriously, who roots it out of these five boroughs, not one who weaponizes it as a means by which to score political points on a debate stage, he added.

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But despite months of vitriolic backlash, Mamdani has stood firm on his core criticism of Israel. In his statement marking the anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, he condemned both Hamas horrific war crimes and Israels occupation, apartheid and genocidal war" in Gaza.

Whether or not those views are shared by the broader electorate, the consistency of the message has served as proxy for authenticity in the minds of voters, according to Peter Feld, a progressive political consultant.

And it has offered a sharp contrast with not only Cuomo, but other pro-Israel Democrats in New York, including Sen. Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Both have spent weeks rebuffing questions about whether they will endorse Mamdani, indicating they were still meeting and speaking with the Democratic nominee.

The allies divided up Europe in fewer meetings, scoffed Cass. At this point, they're ignoring the majoritarian view of their voters, and there's no way around that.

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In recent weeks, Feld said he had spoken to several potential candidates weighing primary challenges to other pro-Israel Democratic incumbents.

Mamdani changed how candidates and donors think about what is politically possible, Feld said. Weve seen that siding with Palestine over Israel doesnt make you radioactive. It shows voters that youll stick to your principles.
Keaton Mining, a subsidiary of Keaton Energy Holdings and a member of the Salungano Group, has secured a coal supply agreement (CSA) with Eskom Holdings SOC.

This agreement involves sourcing coal from the Vanggatfontein Colliery opencast coal mining operation in Mpumalanga, South Africa, for an Eskom-designated power station.

Deliveries are set to commence on 1 November 2025, or at a later date if mutually agreed in writing.

The contract, anticipated to last for around five years and two months, will conclude upon the delivery of the total contracted energy quantity.

An estimated total of around 6.5 million tonnes (mt) of coal will be delivered over the duration of the CSA term on an as received basis.

This is contingent upon the contract's calorific value assumptions and the specified monthly and annual delivery ranges.

The Salungano Group's board considers the execution of the CSA to be price-sensitive, which will ensure revenue certainty and aid in operational planning for the Vanggatfontein Colliery.

This agreement is pertinent to the group's going-concern assessment, a key point highlighted in the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024.

The Vanggatfontein Colliery, owned by Wescoal, is an open-pit mining operation that extracts coal from the No. 5, No. 4 and No. 2 seams, producing an average of 340,000 tonnes per month of run-of-mine coal.

Further information about the CSA will be disclosed in the Salungano Group's financial results and subsequent reports as deemed appropriate.

"Keaton Mining secures coal supply agreement with Eskom " was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




BALD KNOB, Ark.- Its been two days since a Bald Knob High School teacher was arrested as part of a homicide investigation. 42-year-old Dustin Cannon was arrested in Cleburne County and is facing a first-degree murder charge after authorities said he admitted to shooting and killing his brother on Monday.

The Bald Knob School District confirmed in a post that Cannon has been placed on administrative leave.

Bald Knob school teacher allegedly admits to shooting and killing brother after threat to family

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KARK 4 News spoke with Leicea Humes, a sophomore attending Bald Knob High School, about the incident.

When I found out, I cried about it too because it was shocking, Humes said.

Humes added that he was everybodys favorite teacher.

Everybody loved him because he was really chill, Humes said. I mean, you could just hang out with him, and he would hang out with you.

Cannon allegedly told deputies that his brother, Austin Cannon, threatened to kill his wife and daughter. Police said the feud continued over text, then to Cannons home, where detectives found 18 spent shell casings on the back porch.

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Heath Allgood said many are wondering if it was an act of self-defense or cruelty.

If he had to do it, you know he had to do it if he didnt, you know, its crazy to think about really, Allgood said.

Bald Knob locals react after Labor Day homicide

Allgoods nephew attends Bald Knob High and said many in the town are wondering what really happened and if Cannon will ever return to Bald Knob High.

All Ive heard was Oh, hes such a great guy, hes our favorite teacher, hes the best. Preston, my nephew, said everybody said that Allgood 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 KARK.
UPDATE (5:28 p.m.): Baldwin Prepatory Academy in Loxley is home to over 600 students, many of whom drive themselves to school, taking Highway 59. The current posted speed limit in front of the school is 65 miles per hour.

As were standing here, the traffic is zooming by, Baldwin County Sheriff Anthony Lowery said. Its a lot to pull out into. Theyre inexperienced drivers and so thats always been a concern.

The sheriff said this stretch of road is notoriously a hot spot for speeding and the current speed limit certainly doesnt slow many drivers down.

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Its one of those areas where its very open here. The roads are very good and its easy to get to higher speeds than you would normally do in a congested area, Lowery said.

To improve the safety of students, staff and other drivers out on the roadways, the Alabama Department of Transportation announced new school zone speed limits on 59.

The speed limit approaching the school zone will be reduced from 65 mph to 55 mph. The speed limit within the school zone will be reduced from 55 mph to 40 mph.

Just the amount of traffic coming on off the road and onto the road during these peak hours, it caused a safety concern in itself, Lowery said.

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These new limits will be in effect during specific peak school hours, during morning drop off from 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. and afternoon pick-up from 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.

An ALDOT spokesperson tells WKRG News 5 that the changes will go into effect as soon as the new signs go up, which could be as early as next week.

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WKRG)  Drivers on Alabama Highway 59 through Baldwin County will soon have to slow down approaching Baldwin Preparatory School as a new school zone is being implemented.

UPDATE: Wilmer Hall shooting suspect gets third capital murder charge

According to an Alabama Department of Transportation news release, school and public safety officials in Baldwin County asked for the change to the speed limits near the school, located in Loxley.

A photo of the entrance to Baldwin Preparatory Academy in Loxley

The speed limit approaching the school zone will go down from 65 mph to 55 mph, while the speed limit within the school zone will go down to 40 mph.

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The new speed limits will be in effect from 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. during morning drop-off and from 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. during afternoon pick-up.

Slowing down might feel like a big deal, but through Baldwin Preps 1.1-mile school zone, dropping from 65 mph to 40 mph adds just 37 seconds to your drive, ALDOT Southwest Region spokesperson James Gordon said. It could save a life and thats time well spent.

Crews working to keep Mobile church flame-free after morning blaze

No specific time was given for when the new speed limits would start.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
JASPER COUNTY, S.C. (WSAV)  The Jasper County Sheriffs Office (JCSO) has arrested one individual in connection with a bank robbery that took place on Wednesday, October 22.

On Oct. 22, JCSO reportedly received a 911 call reporting a bank robbery in progress at TD Bank, located at 13 University Parkway (Route 112) in Bluffton.

JCSO deputies, along with the Hardeeville Police Department (HPD), responded to the

scene. According to JSCO, witnesses described the suspect as a black male who

fled the area on a bicycle.

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WSAV obtained surveillance images from the Jasper County Sheriffs Office that show the suspect in a disguise inside the bank.

Detectives were able to determine the suspects travel path and concluded that he entered a small white SUV and left the area. The bicycle used in the incident was later located in a wooded area nearby.

The suspect was identified as Elton Clinton Atkins, of Summerville, South Carolina. A few hours after the robbery, Atkins was located in the Charleston area. The North Charleston Police Department officers conducted a traffic stop, taking him into custody.

Atkins is currently being held at the Al Cannon Detention Center pending transport back to Jasper County.



This investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with additional information is asked to

contact Detective Sergeant German at (843) 540-2681.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
(The Center Square)  State lawmakers are expected to include battery storage as part of an energy omnibus bill at the Illinois Capitol next week, but questions remain over who will pay for it.

Democratic state Rep. Amy Murri Briel, D-Ottawa, said she feels like an energy omnibus, currently known as the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA), will be a huge asset to the state.

Not only will it provide more stable energy and better grid capacity, but its going to create jobs. Its going to create companies being able to land here with the quantum computing and the expansion that theyve done. Im very excited about that, Briel told The Center Square.

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Briel said battery storage makes sense for Illinois.

We need that in order to keep the grid stable, but I know that theres work going on still about navigating how that ends up being financed, Briel added.

Briel said her energy bill doubled over the last two months and she does not want more price raises for consumers.

Earlier this month, state Sen. Willie Preston, D-Chicago, told The Center Square that he was a hard no on the energy omnibus if it included another line item on consumers utility bills, saying it could just crush working-class people.

State Sen. Li Arellano, R-Dixon, noted that Preston offered a way to keep utility customers from having to pick up the tab for battery storage.

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So in the case of Sen. Preston, I know hes been talking about some language on the energy bill that would have developers pay for their own battery storage if they want to develop that out instead of putting it on consumers, Arellano told The Center Square.

Arellano said he hopes lawmakers act to relieve the pressures causing high energy costs.

For example, natural gas is something we should be building, especially since Illinois has more renewable natural gas that theyve invested in. Thats one example where we instantly relieve the pressure and the need for higher energy bills, Arellano said.

Arellano said Illinois should have been building nuclear all along and also suggested that lawmakers rethink clean coal technologies.

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Numerous groups have come out in favor of CRGA, including the Citizens Utility Board, the Illinois Power Agency and solar energy companies.

Opponents include the American Petroleum Institute in Illinois and the Illinois Industrial Energy Consumers, which issued a statement saying it would be in the best interest of the public to delay a vote and hold public meetings.




Latest updates: Protest of Bay Area immigration crackdown met with apparent stun grenades at Coast Guard base

Bay Area immigration advocates snapped into action Wednesday as news spread that President Donald Trump was making good on promises to send federal authorities to a blue region that wasn't in crisis and dreaded their arrival.

The Trump administration was planning to send at least 100 federal immigration agents, including from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, to a U.S. Coast Guard base in Alameda as early as Thursday, the Chronicle learned, a development that set immigrant communities on edge. But organizers said they were ready, activating community defense systems that they had been building for months, including volunteer efforts to protect day laborers at work sites and distribute Know Your Rights information to immigrants.

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"This is a really unfortunate and terrible moment," said Sasha Wright, communications director for Jobs with Justice San Francisco, a progressive nonprofit, "but we have been preparing to stand in solidarity with each other and protect our communities from harm."

Sasha Wright of Bay Resistance and Jobs with Justice SF speak outside Oakland Technical High School before a mass meeting and noncooperation training organized by Bay Resistance on October 5th, 2025. She said that she has been preparing for federal agents to arrive in the region. (Bryan Banducci For the S.F. Chronicle)





Bay Resistance, a social justice nonprofit founded during the first Trump administration, was planning to hold a virtual emergency mobilization call at 6 p.m. Wednesday and a news conference at noon Thursday outside San Francisco City Hall to get people involved in community response actions.

On Wednesday afternoon, Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights staffers were putting up flyers with rapid response hotline information and handing out red "know your rights" cards in the East Bay. (Ko Lyn Cheang)





At a weekend event in early October, Bay Resistance trained roughly 2,000 people on peaceful, non-cooperation tactics, and building community through "neighborhood pods," Wright said.

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"Our regional rapid response networks are prepared to respond from a place of power, not panic," said Milli Atkinson, an attorney leading San Francisco's Rapid Response Network, which provides legal aid to people detained by immigration authorities.

Atkinson urged residents who witness immigration activity to report it to their local rapid response network hotline and to not spread unverified information, which she said causes "unnecessary fear and panic."

More than 80 asylum seekers have been arrested in San Francisco immigration court since May. Bay Area attorneys have freed more than 30.

Very nervous'

In the East Bay, advocates were urging undocumented immigrants to stay out of sight throughout the weekend if possible.

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"People are very nervous right now," said Marisol Cantu, an organizer with Reimagine Richmond, a grassroots organization that created a rapid-response hotline in the wake of immigration raids in Los Angeles earlier this year.

News of the impending federal action prompted the organization to step up "community defense patrols," Cantu said, and send out teams of two together.

"We're trying to strategize ways that communities can engage and organize to ensure neighbors are safe," she said.

La Raza Centro Legal asks business owners to post flyers outside their shop in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. Ahead of an expected immigration enforcement in the Bay Area, the organization put up flyers with rapid response hotline information and handed out red 'know your rights" cards in the East Bay. (Santiago Mejia/S.F. Chronicle)





The Oakland Chinatown Improvement Council alerted community members via its email list Wednesday to be prepared for federal enforcement at locations like large retail stores that cater to immigrants, recommending they carry identification including passports.

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San Francisco's restaurant trade group, the Golden Gate Restaurant Association, wrote in a statement that its member businesses should take care to educate staff about their rights. Immigrants, the group wrote, are "the backbone of our restaurant and hospitality industry, and we understand the intense fear and anxiety many of our workers and their families have been feeling for months."

George Galvis, co-founder and executive director of Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice, which provides violence prevention services in Oakland, said he's working with other groups to create a mutual aid network to offer grocery deliveries, school drop-offs and other services for immigrant families.

"People are scared to take their children to school," Galvis said. "People are scared to go grocery shopping. People are scared to go to work. Some of our young people are dealing with insomnia, with panic attacks, with fear, with anxiety."

A web of enforcement

Since taking office on Jan. 20, Trump has spun a vast, interconnected web of executive orders seeking to rewrite decades and even centuries of national immigration policy. Many of Trump's immigration actions have also been challenged or blunted in federal court, resulting in dozens of temporary restraining orders or injunctions.

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His administration has also greatly expanded the responsibility of immigration enforcement. Nearly half of FBI agents have been reassigned to immigration enforcement duties while the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees immigration enforcement, earlier this year authorized or deputized the U.S. Marshals Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Bureau of Prisons, Drug Enforcement Administration and other outside agencies to investigate, arrest and deport undocumented immigrants in an effort "to (fulfill) President Trump's promise to carry out mass deportations," the DHS said in a Jan. 23 statement.

Diana Mariscar of La Raza Centro Legal, center, informs the community of their rights in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. Ahead of an expected immigration enforcement in the Bay Area, the organization put up flyers with rapid response hotline information and handed out red 'know your rights" cards in the East Bay. (Santiago Mejia/S.F. Chronicle)





Bay Area cities including San Francisco and Oakland are sanctuary cities, and do not assist federal immigration enforcement. And under the California Values Act, state law enforcement agencies are prohibited from devoting resources to immigration enforcement efforts. This includes the federal agencies that Trump deputized to his mass deportation project, noted Maria Romani, the immigrant rights program director at the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California.

"In this case it'd be any federal person performing immigration enforcement functions," she said. "Unfortunateley sanctuary laws cannot control what the federal government does or does not do; they can only control what state government does."

Just a mess'

Felix Ortiz, a Windsor resident who has organized events celebrating Latino culture throughout the North Bay, expressed concern Wednesday over the news that border patrol agents would be arriving in Alameda.

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"He is planting fear in the community, especially in the Latino community," Ortiz said of Trump.

Ortiz crossed the border when he was 16 to join his brothers who were already in the Bay Area.

Now 48, he's still going through the process to obtain asylum in the U.S. He first filed for asylum in 2001 and his next court date is in 2028. Ortiz said he carries his court paperwork with him everywhere he goes in case he's stopped by immigration agents.

La Raza Centro Legal handed out cards to the community in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. Ahead of an expected immigration enforcement in the Bay Area, the organization put up flyers with rapid response hotline information and handed out red 'know your rights" cards in the East Bay. (Santiago Mejia/S.F. Chronicle)





"It will affect people's lives," Ortiz said of the expected action, adding that he expects to see fear rise in the community as it did when the National Guard was sent to Los Angeles earlier this year. "It spread all the way up here, people didn't want to go out, didn't want to engage with others. It was just a mess. That's what we are going to be encountering again."

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A pair of studies by researchers at UC Merced and Stanford University found that federal immigration raids earlier this year correlated with sharp employment and school attendance downturns in Los Angeles and Kern County, respectively.

Jhonny Silva, an undocumented immigrant from Honduras, who is suing the federal government for ending Temporary Protected Status for immigrants from the country earlier this year, said the news had left him feeling increasingly paranoid and worried.

"I'm afraid to even leave the house now, because I don't want to get caught up (by federal immigration authorities)," he said. "It feels like things keep getting worse."

This article originally published at Bay Area immigration advocates launch defense plans as Trump sends federal agents to region.
The diminutive European country of Liechtenstein (population: approximately 40,000) has launched a state-backed blockchain infrastructure network, marking a move to blend national oversight with digital innovation.

The Liechtenstein Trust Integrity Network (LTIN), operated by Telecom Liechtenstein, offers blockchain services designed for institutions that require compliance with European regulations.

The platform operates under Liechtensteins Blockchain Act and is aligned with the EUs upcoming Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR), according to a press release.

LTINs early partners include Bank Frick, Bitcoin Suisse, Solstice, and Zilliqa. Together, they aim to develop secure transaction, validation, and identity systems that keep data and governance within European jurisdictions. The project also carries a sustainability pledge, committing to 100% renewable energy use across operations.

Franz Wirnsperger, LTINs chairman, said the initiative extends Liechtensteins reputation for regulatory precision into blockchain. For enterprises, that could mean fewer compliance risks when adopting distributed ledger technology for finance, trade, or identity services.

As a public-private partnership, LTIN plans to onboard more participants from the institutional digital asset market, stated the press release. The move reflects a broader trend among small European stateslike Liechtenstein, Switzerland, and Luxembourgpositioning themselves as trusted hubs for regulated blockchain activity.








Even in the Bay Area, a region whose food culture is defined by its farm-to-table convictions, it appears that no local restaurant dedicated to heritage chickens has existed - until now.

Cafe Vivant, which opens Oct. 28 at 720 Santa Cruz Ave. in Menlo Park, is all about heritage chickens, most of them raised for the restaurant at a coastal farm in Pescadero. There will be whole roasted chickens, caviar-crowned nuggets, fried chicken ice cream and eventually, a tasting menu highlighting all parts of the bird.

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The Cafe Vivant team - owners Jason Jacobeit and Daniel Jung, chef Jared Wentworth and farmer Rob James - hope to spark a heritage chicken renaissance, a lofty goal that's fraught with challenges, from labor to the expectations of American diners accustomed to the taste and price of commercial poultry. "Chicken is such an overlooked, almost abandoned ingredient for fine dining," Jung said.

Heritage chicken breeds are defined as slow-growing, longer-living birds that were developed before the mid-20th century, when the industrialization of the poultry industry prioritized speed and quantity. Cafe Vivant will open with three kinds of heritage chickens with distinct tastes and textures, though the owners plan to rotate in other breeds, both to educate customers and sustain a high-volume restaurant. Pescadero Black and New Hampshire Red birds are raised by James of Corvus Farms in Pescadero. The former, a cross of two heritage breeds the team created to withstand Pescadero's coastal climate, "leans toward the darker-meat side of the spectrum," Jacobeit said.

The New Hampshire is an intensely flavored bird, Wentworth said. "They're what I would consider the quintessential heritage chicken," Wentworth said. "When you eat it you're like, That is not Purdue Farm chicken.'" (The team alternately uses, and then eschews, the descriptor "gamey.")

A roasted Pescadero Black chicken, a proprietary heritage breed raised for the restaurant. (Jessica Christian/S.F. Chronicle)





The third breed, Delaware, which will come from pioneering heritage farm Good Shepherd Conservancy in Kansas, has more nuanced, sweeter meat, Wentworth said. (The owners said a restaurant premised on heritage chicken would not be possible without Good Shepherd founder Frank Reese, who is known nationally for his poultry preservation efforts.)

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Cafe Vivant's whole chicken for two ($48 to $64) will come with foraged mushrooms and vegetables grown at Corvus Farms. Sides ($13 to $16) include mac and cheese with porcini mushrooms, a green salad or fries with yuzu aioli.

Wentworth has spent a year figuring out the best way to cook each breed, including testing numerous brining techniques and length of time. (He landed on a brine with shio koji, made from fermented rice.)

The high-end chicken will also go into nuggets ($38), made from spiced, ground dark meat and served with caviar atop a chicken claw. For dessert, triple-fried chicken skin is folded into homemade vanilla ice cream for a sundae that Jacobeit likened to dipping French fries into a vanilla milkshake.

Heritage chicken nuggets topped with caviar and dill creme fraiche. (Jessica Christian/S.F. Chronicle)





Eventually, Cafe Vivant will serve a reservation-only tasting menu ($235) that showcases every part of the bird, from eggs to offal paired with fresh-baked Parker House rolls to bones used to make a triple consomme broth.

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The menu includes other kinds of local poultry, such as fried quail with duck-fat cornbread and roasted duck from Pescadero's Root Down Farm, as well as butter-poached lobster and grilled Wagyu steak. Many of the vegetables will be grown at the 80-acre Corvus Farms.

This is the first restaurant from Jacobeit and Jung, both sommeliers who currently run Somm Cellars, a rare wine retailer in New York City. Wentworth worked previously at Michelin-star restaurants in Chicago, including a brewery that earned two stars. In interviews, the team made no bones about their desire to win a Michelin star at Cafe Vivant, though they want it to have a lively, unpretentious vibe. "We don't want people to come here and sit in awkward silence and pay homage to heritage chicken," Wentworth said.

Co-owners Daniel Jung, left, and Jason Jacobeit, two New York City sommeliers, are behind Cafe Vivant. (Jessica Christian/S.F. Chronicle)





Jacobeit and Jung's long-simmering idea to start a business focused on heritage chicken, inspired by dishes the sommeliers ate on trips to Europe and Japan and in New York City, came to fruition over the last several years. After searching the country for a chicken source, from professional farmers to backyard breeders on Craigslist and Facebook, they found James, whose poultry is sought after by many top Bay Area chefs. Together, they studied and experimented with chicken genetics and eventually honed in on the New Hampshire Red, an American breed with auburn feathers that was developed in the 19th century. Later, they developed the Pescadero Black.

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James said he was initially skeptical of the viability of a business dedicated to heritage chicken, which take more time and money to raise and can be difficult to sell. He charges $8 per pound wholesale, yielding a slim margin, compared to brands like Tyson that cost closer to $4 per pound. Root Down Farms, also in Pescadero, for instance switched to a faster growing, part heritage breed after several years of struggling to convert customers to pricier heritage chickens, according to its website.

"A lot of farmers who start with this very pure, passionate commitment to heritage, they abandon the enterprise after a year or two because they're sick of sitting at farmers markets and having to explain why the chicken's expensive or why it looks different," Jacobeit said.

The 45-seat dining room at Cafe Vivant. (Jessica Christian/S.F. Chronicle)





But James was ultimately convinced by Wentworth's cooking and the team's commitment to a goal that's "necessary and valuable and important to the food conversation." The Bay Area restaurant world is taking note, too. "All of my chefs are watching, calling: When can we get those birds?" he said.

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Given the owners' background, they invested heavily in a deep wine list: close to 3,000 selections, with capacity for as much as 8,000. Cafe Vivant is focused on bottles from the Santa Cruz Mountains and Burgundy. (Somm Cellars is known for the latter.) They claim to offer the largest restaurant selection of Santa Cruz Mountains in the world. The list leans heavily into Ridge Vineyards, arguably the Santa Cruz Mountain's most famous producer, with more than 120 bottles.

There's also an uncommonly strong presence of older vintages "rarely seen outside private collections or auctions," according to a press release. The wine list spans five decades, reaching back as far as a 1938 bottle of La Questa Cabernet from Woodside Vineyards that costs $2,450. Jacobeit and Jung said it was interest from Somm Cellars' local wine customers that brought them from New York to the quiet Silicon Valley suburb of Menlo Park.

Cafe Vivant has a deep wine list with a focus on Santa Cruz Mountain and Burgundy wines. (Jessica Christian/S.F. Chronicle)





They transformed what was once a former cafe chain into an airy space filled with white oak and wall-to-wall wine storage. The 10-seat bar, which will be reserved for walk-ins, looks into a glass-walled rare and fine wines room, controlled for temperature and humidity to the one-hundredth of a degree. Next-door to the restaurant is a wine shop and lounge, called Somm Cellars, and a retail market stocked with chicken and produce from the restaurant's farm and boutique food products like French butter and artisanal cheese. The lounge will also serve a small food menu, coffee and tea.

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While a single farmer may struggle to successfully sell heritage chicken, the owners are betting that investment in dishes served by a fine-dining chef in a flashy dining room will pay off.

"In various European capitals and in some places like Tokyo, chicken is very much eventized," Jacobeit said. "It's served alongside a dry-aged, premium cut of beef - not as a subordinate, vaguely healthy alternative, but something that's equally worthy of an event."

This article originally published at Is the Bay Area ready for a restaurant this obsessed with chicken?.




The Marin County town of Tiburon is poised to become the first jurisdiction in Northern California - and just the third statewide - to ban the sale of all tobacco and nicotine products.

In an effort to address youth nicotine addiction, the Tiburon town council last week passed an ordinance that would prohibit the sale of tobacco and nicotine products, including vapes or e-cigarettes, traditional cigarettes and oral nicotine pouches such as Zyn. The only exception to the ban would be FDA-approved smoking cessation products.

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It is the latest move by local and state officials to try to address teen usage of vapes and pouches that contain nicotine, which is derived from tobacco leaf and is highly addictive. Cities and counties throughout California have in recent years banned or restricted the sale of flavored tobacco and e-cigarettes, and the state in 2023 prohibited the sale of most flavored tobacco products at brick-and-mortar stores and vending machines. Marin County supervisors this week passed a measure that, if it gains final approval next month, would ban the sale of vapes starting in 2026.

There are not currently any retailers in Tiburon that sell tobacco products, "but that doesn't mean there won't be," said Tiburon Mayor Holli Thier, who introduced the ordinance. "By banning all tobacco sales, we're preventing youth from getting addicted. This is protecting future generations."

The ordinance was introduced and passed unanimously on its first reading Wednesday. It will go before the town council for adoption Nov. 5. If approved, it would take effect 30 days later.

Beverly Hills and Manhattan Beach in Southern California passed similar bans on tobacco sales in 2021.

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Surveys show that teens in Marin County are vaping at double the rate as the statewide average. About 17% of 11th-graders in the county reported vaping one or more days in the last 30 days, compared to 7% statewide, according to data from the California Healthy Kids Survey for 2021 to 2023.

"I do think (vaping) is a major problem at Redwood," said Rhett Krawitt, a senior at Redwood High School in Larkspur and part of the county health department's Youth Advocacy Committee who presented the ordinance to the town council. "If you walk into the bathroom, it's just a wall of vape smoke and it's really unpleasant."

Krawitt, a leukemia survivor, said he experienced major side effects from his cancer medications.

"Those medications were necessary for saving my life, but the health effects of tobacco and nicotine products are not necessary at all and are way more detrimental," he said. "It's important for me to help prevent youth from getting addicted and controlled by the tobacco industry and using these products, which are really dangerous."

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The ban on tobacco sales would also help protect the environment, as cigarette filters are among the biggest contributors of single-use plastic polluting bays and oceans, Thier said.

Traditional tobacco cigarettes have been studied for decades and are known to cause many health problems including cancer, lung disease and heart disease. Vaping, a newer technology that involves heating nicotine into aerosol but not combusting tobacco, may be less harmful but is still considered addictive because it contains nicotine.

Oral nicotine pouches are believed to be less harmful than smoking and vaping because they don't involve inhaling smoke or vapor and don't contain combustible toxins. But their long-term health impacts haven't been studied extensively. Youths are particularly susceptible to addictive substances because their brains are still developing.

The Tiburon ordinance was backed by leaders of the San Francisco Marin Medical Society; Dr. Pam Ling, director of UCSF's Center for Tobacco Control and Research; and representatives of several public health groups.

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It was opposed by Jaime Rojas of the National Association of Tobacco Outlets, a trade association for tobacco and nicotine retailers.

"We respectfully oppose this proposed product ban because this ordinance simply isn't necessary," Rojas said at the town council meeting. "Tiburon has no retailers selling tobacco products. This would solve a problem that does not exist."

The policy would create uncertainty for businesses and duplicate existing state tobacco laws that already protect youths, he said.

"Creating another local ban duplicates existing laws and adds enforcement costs with no measurable health benefits," he said. "If Tiburon residents are using tobacco products, then it's definitely because they bought it online or outside city limits."

This article originally published at Bay Area town poised to ban all tobacco and nicotine sales - a first in Northern California.
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT)  The Better Business Bureau of North Alabamas President and CEO Karen Reeves warns of fake relief check phone calls directing people to a phishing site. Learn how the scam works and how to protect your identity.

BBB is warning people about a new phishing phone scam where callers claim you have an unclaimed relief check waiting.

In order to claim your check, you have to visit a website to collect it. The message sounds official, but it is a trick to steal your personal and financial information. BBB Scam Tracker has received over 800 reports in less than two months about this scheme.

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On BBB Scam Tracker, one person shared the message they received, Hey, its Dan from www.myreliefcheck.com. Our records show you may have $5286 waiting in a relief check thats already been issued in your name but has not yet been collected. This could be from past relief programs or federal assistance payments. visit www.myreliefcheck.com. Search your name and collect it before its returned.

How the scam works

You receive a call, voicemail, or text saying you qualify for an unclaimed relief payment. Youre directed to a website that warns you to act quickly before the money is returned. But the site doesnt lead to real government assistance. Instead, it redirects you to a page called, My Cash Search.

On that page, youre asked to enter personal details such as your ZIP code, phone number, email, and home address. After that, youre pushed to redeem offers that lead to outside sites. This setup allows scammers to collect your information, flood you with spam, and trick you into signing up for unwanted services or charges. Some sites may also install harmful software on your device.

By handing over this data, victims risk identity theft, drained bank accounts, and nonstop contact from scammers. Many reports also mention follow-up calls, texts, or emails trying to get even more money or information.

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Tips to avoid this phishing scam:

Hang up and dont engage.

Government agencies will not call and tell you to visit a random website to claim money.

Verify with official sources and avoid unfamiliar websites.

If you receive a call about unclaimed money, contact the government agency directly using contact information from its official website. Do not click on links or visit sites given by the caller.

Never share personal or financial information with strangers.

Do not give out Social Security numbers, banking information, ID numbers, or addresses.

Check the web address closely.

Scammers often create sites that look real but are slightly different from the official one. Learn how to spot a fake website.

Watch for urgent language.

Phrases like act now or before its returned are red flags.

Call your bank if you shared payment details.

They can help you freeze accounts and look for suspicious activity.

Report scams.

File a report with BBB Scam Tracker, the FTC, and local law enforcement.

Keep a record.

Save any texts, emails, or call details to share with investigators and your bank.

For more information or to report a scam visit the website here.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
In a recent ep-ed, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan CEO Tricia Keith laid out a number of cost drivers in the health care system.

Unfortunately, she didnt take any responsibility for the role that Blue Cross plays in the increased costs to patients. Instead, she assigned blame to other players in the system, without proposing what health insurers could actually do to help reduce costs.

BCBSM CEO pens op-ed: Health care costs are rising. We need to reform the system.

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I lead the Michigan Biosciences Industry Association, or MichBio, an association of research and manufacturer companies that develop life-improving and life-saving medicines for patients in need.

Michigan has been on the leading edge of some of the most blockbuster drugs that continue to help people live better and longer lives.

Just two examples include Lipitor, the best-selling cholesterol-lowering drug in history, which was developed in Ann Arbor at Parke-Davis Pharmaceuticals, and AZT, the first approved treatment for HIV/AIDS, discovered at Wayne State University, giving hope to millions across the globe.

The fact is, medical science has never been more promising, and despite all the groundbreaking innovation in medicine, spending on medicines remains a small and stable 14% of total health spending.

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Hospital association head: 'Finger-pointing' won't fix rising health care costs

I was especially surprised that Keith didnt mention the role that Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) play in inflating the costs of prescriptions for patients. Theyre the middlemen that set the actual price of medications. Pharmaceutical companies sell their products at much lower costs, but PBMs mark up the price and make billions in profits as a result. Some PBMs are owned by the actual pharmacies, so theyre making huge profits off every step in the health care process.

Instead, Keith proposed eliminating the ability of pharmaceutical companies to advertise their products. The result would be a less informed patient, and lead to insurance company bean counters telling your doctor what they can and cannot prescribe. This would not make health care better; it would make bigger profits for health insurers.

If Keith wants to go down the advertising route, Blue Cross should consider reducing its advertising and sponsorship budget. You cant attend a sporting event without seeing their logo plastered all over the stadium.

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What if they, instead, reduced their costs to patients with those funds? Maybe they wouldnt have to charge double-digit premium increases every year.

Keith also complains about patent protection for companies that have made major discoveries. Can you imagine investing billions into research and development to come up with a life-saving medicine, you file for a patent and are told its only valid for seven years?

In fact, 90% of prescriptions in the U.S. are filled with lower-cost generics and biosimilars.

As a company, you have to cover your investment costs within that timeframe, and then generics manufacturers are allowed to make and sell your product. Seven years is a very short timeline, but without even that minimal protection, who would do the research and testing thats necessary?

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The bottom line is that everyone in the health care ecosystem has a role to play in reducing costs for patients.

So instead of pointing fingers, how about if everyone sits down and figures out what is best for patients?

That may be the optimist in me hoping for that kind of result, but its the only way were going to do whats right by the patients that the system is supposed to help.

Stephen Rapundalo

The writer is president and CEO of MichBio, the Michigan Biosciences Industry Association

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: BCBSM blamed pharma for rising insurance costs. She's wrong. | Letter
NEWTON COUNTY, Ark.  A bear suspected of killing a Springfield man in Newton County, Arkansas, has been confirmed by DNA to not match the bear responsible for his death.

According to an Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) press release, the Veterinary Forensic Science Laboratory at the University of Florida determined that DNA collected from the incident found the black bear killed was not responsible for the death of 60-year-old Max Thomas of Springfield.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Newton County Ark. Sheriff discusses bear attack that killed Springfield man

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Thomas was first found on Thursday, Oct. 2, in Sams Throne Campground of the Ozark National Forest by a Newton County sheriffs deputy after a welfare check requested by Thomas family.

A bear was later killed on Saturday, Oct. 4, due to its size, physical characteristics and photographic evidence that showed it to potentially be the same animal.

While we are disappointed that the initial search did not neutralize the threat, our commitment to public safety remains paramount, AGFC Director Doug Schoenrock said in the release. We acted decisively based on the best evidence available at the time, and now that we have definitive forensic data, we are adjusting our strategy. Our teams will continue to work tirelessly to find the bear.

The release states that the bear killed in the immediate area did not match the DNA profile of the bear responsible for the attack.

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AGFC warns visitors to the area to remain aware of the bear potentially being around the Ozark National Forest. They indicate to citizens to store all food, garbage and scented items in bear-resistant containers or have them secured in a hard-sided vehicle.

To report any aggressive bear behavior, contact the AGFC radio room at 833-356-0824.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com.
Belgium, which has expressed concern about the use of frozen Russian assets for the benefit of Ukraine, wants to achieve a change in the conclusions of the EU summit in this regard.

Source: Bloomberg, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Bloomberg sources reported that during discussions at a European Council meeting on Thursday, Belgium insisted on weakening the draft conclusions of the summit.

According to the agency, instead of urging the European Commission to draft a legal proposal, Belgium wants the Commission to first study how the mechanism could work "with a view to possible concrete measures".

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Belgium also wants the EU to use approximately 25 billion worth of Russian Central Bank assets frozen in other member states, Bloomberg sources said.

The sources reported that the discussions are ongoing.

Background:

Ahead of the summit, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever revealed the three conditions on which he would agree to the "reparations loan" decision; otherwise, he would block it as too risky.

De Wever's statements confirmed earlier reports from sources that the European Commission's arguments had not yet convinced Belgium.

The EU's chief diplomat, Kaja Kallas, said she understood Belgium's concerns about a "reparations loan" to Ukraine using Russian assets and that the EU will seek solutions that take these risks into account.

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Belgium on Thursday has threatened to block plans to make available Russian state assets frozen in the European Union to Ukraine as leaders are gathering in Brussels for crunch talks.

If his demands are not met, he will do everything in his power to prevent such a decision, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever said as he arrived at the EU summit.

Belgium is a key player in this issue because the Belgian financial institution Euroclear currently manages a large portion of the Russian assets frozen in the EU.

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other EU leaders aims to use these assets to provide loans to Ukraine totalling up to 140 billion ($162 billion).

The European Commission is yet to present a proposal for a bill.

"I want the full mutualization of the risk because there is a big risk," De Wever said.

"We want guarantees if the money has to be paid back that every member state will chip in," he said.

The Belgian politician also called for transparency and joint action from all other countries that have frozen assets. He also warned against the seizure of assets of European companies in Russia.

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According to initial plans, Russia would only get the money back if it pays reparations after the end of the war against Ukraine.

In case the frozen Russian funds have to be unexpectedly released, EU countries would provide guarantees according to Merz's plans.

So far only the interest on the frozen money is being used to support Ukraine in its defence against Russia.
Belgium on Thursday threatened to block plans to make available Russian state assets frozen in the European Union to Ukraine as leaders are gathering in Brussels for crunch talks.

If his demands are not met, he will do everything in his power to prevent such a decision, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever said as he arrived at the EU summit.

Belgium is a key player in this issue because the Belgian financial institution Euroclear currently manages a large portion of the Russian assets frozen in the EU.

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other EU leaders aim to use these assets to provide loans to Ukraine totalling up to 140 billion ($162 billion).

The European Commission is yet to present a proposal for a bill.

"I want the full mutualization of the risk because there is a big risk," De Wever said.

"We want guarantees if the money has to be paid back that every member state will chip in," he said.

The Belgian politician also called for transparency and joint action from all other countries that have frozen assets. He also warned against the seizure of assets of European companies in Russia.

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According to initial plans, Russia would only get the money back if it pays reparations after the end of the war against Ukraine.

In case the frozen Russian funds have to be unexpectedly released, EU countries would provide guarantees according to Merz's plans.

So far only the interest on the frozen money is being used to support Ukraine in its defence against Russia.

EU under pressure to provide more support to Ukraine

European Council President Antonio Costa, who chairs Thursday's talks, said he expects a decision by EU leaders.

"We will take the political decision to ensure the financial needs of Ukraine for 2026 and 2027, including for acquisition of military equipment." he said.

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"This is a very strong message to Russia. We said repeatedly that we will support Ukraine as long as necessary and whatever it takes."

The EU has been one of Ukraine's biggest supporters since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine with financial and military assistance totalling close to 180 billion.

The bloc has been under increasing pressure to provide additional aid to Kiev after US support has dwindled under President Donald Trump.

Many EU countries however are faced with bleak domestic economic outlooks, rising deficits and heavy debt burdens, prompting the move to potentially tap into Russia's immobilized state assets.

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"When we talk about frozen Russian assets, we must use them in a way that makes Russia understand: It is paying for its own war," said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who attended the EU summit a a guest.

"I ask you to make a decision as soon as possible: Russian assets should be fully used to defend against Russian aggression," he added.

Merz hopes for "jointsolution" despite Belgian concerns

Merz voiced optimism that plans to turn the assets into loans for Kiev will be backed by his EU counterparts despite resistance from Belgium.

"I am grateful that my proposal has been met with broad approval," Merz said as he arrived at the Brussels meeting.

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"There are however a few serious objections that we need to discuss. This concerns in particular the Belgian state and its liability," he added.

Merz said he has spoken to Belgium's De Wever "several times in recent days and weeks."

"I share his concerns, but he is interested in finding a joint solution, and I therefore expect us to make progress today."

On Wednesday, EU countries already backed new sanctions on Russia, including a ban on the import of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia.

Other topics on the summit agenda include defence, after the commission proposed four rearmament projects last week - in the areas of border protection, drone defence, air defence and space - to strengthen Europe's military capabilities and deter Russia.

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Leaders are also expected to address the bloc's yet-to-be decided emissions reduction target for 2040 and the economic implications of fighting climate change, with EU countries struggling to agree on new reduction commitments.

Additional topics on the table are recent developments in the Middle East and the ceasefire between the Palestinian militant organization Hamas and Israel, migration to the EU and affordable housing.
BRUSSELS (AP)  European Union leaders on Thursday ordered the blocs executive branch to come up with options for meeting Ukraines pressing economic and military needs over the next two years, but did not agree to use frozen Russian assets to fill the gap.

Belgium, which holds the bulk of Russias frozen assets, refused to approve a plan to use the funds as collateral for a massive loan for Ukraine and indicated it would require more assurances before doing so. The leaders will consider the European Commissions proposals at their next meeting in December.

In a statement published during a summit in Brussels, the leaders committed to address Ukraines pressing financial needs for 2026-2027, including for its military and defense efforts.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had said that it was important to get the money soon. We need it in 2026, and better to have it at the beginning of the year, but I dont know if its possible, he told reporters on the sidelines of the meeting.

In their only written reference to the billions held in Belgium, the leaders said: Subject to EU law, Russias assets should remain immobilized until Russia ceases its war of aggression against Ukraine and compensates it for the damage caused by its war.

Ukraines budget and military needs for 2026 and 2027 are estimated to total around $153 billion.

The biggest tranche of Russia's frozen assets  about $225 billion worth  are held in Belgium, and the government is wary of using the money without firm guarantees from other EU countries.

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If we want to give them to Ukraine, we have to do it all together, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever told reporters at the summit before the statement was published. If not, Russian retaliation might only hit Belgium.

We are a small country, and retaliation can be very hard. They might confiscate all kinds of monies of Western banks in Russia, confiscate the European-owned companies in Russia, he said.

The commission has described the plan as a reparation loan. In essence, EU countries would guarantee a loan to Ukraine of around $165 billion of European money  not taken from the assets themselves. Kyiv would only refund the EU once Russia pays significant war reparations to Ukraine for the massive destruction it has caused.

Should Moscow refuse, its assets would remain frozen.

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Russia has warned against the move. Earlier this month, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the EUs intentions amount to plans to illegally confiscate Russian property  in Russian, we call it theft.

However, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that we are not confiscating the assets, but we are taking the cash balances for a loan to Ukraine. She said that Ukraine has to pay back this loan if Russia pays reparations.

De Wever insisted Thursday on seeing exactly what her plan would entail.

I havent even seen the legal basis for the decision yet, he said. This seems to me the first step, if you want to take an important decision. This has never been done. Even during the Second World War, we didnt do this, so its not a detail.

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The European Central Bank and other EU countries that use the euro were also worried that such a move might undermine international confidence in Europes single currency.

We need to make sure that it is legally sound, Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden told reporters. I think we made progress in the fact that there will not be a confiscation of these assets, because I think from a legal point of view that did not work.

The EU hopes that other countries will make similar moves, if Belgium eventually signs up. Outside the bloc, some Group of Seven nations also hold frozen Russian assets. Japan has around $50 billion worth, while the U.S. holds $8-9 billion, and the U.K. and Canada have lesser amounts.

Interest earned on the frozen assets is already being used to fund a G7 loan program for Ukraine, and this wouldn't be impacted should the plan go ahead.

___

Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
BELOIT, Wis. (WTVO)  Daniel Pease, who has served as Beloits fire chief since 2020, has retired from his post effective immediately, city officials confirmed Thursday.

Fire Chief Dan Pease retired from the City of Beloit effective immediately. We wish him well in his future endeavors, said Beloit spokesperson Sarah Lock.

Pease joined the Beloit Fire Department in 2018 and was appointed interim chief in 2019 following the departure of former Chief Brad Liggett. His permanent appointment came the following year.

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In addition to his role in Beloit, Pease had been slated to oversee fire services for both the Town of Beloit and South Beloit under a regional agreement scheduled to take effect in July 2024.

However, that arrangement unraveled last month when the Town of Beloit voted to terminate the contract with South Beloit, a move Pease himself had recommended.

South Beloit officials said they remain committed to resolving staffing challenges and will continue working with the Town of Beloit and the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association to identify solutions.

In the interim, Battalion Chief Todd Farley has been tapped to serve as acting chief. The citys Police and Fire Commission will oversee the appointment of a new interim chief and the eventual hiring of a permanent successor.

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The hiring of the next fire chief is the responsibility of the PFC, Lock said. We will provide additional information to the community about the hiring process once the PFC makes its decision.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports.
Upslope Capital Management, an investment management company, released its third-quarter investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The third quarter was a strong one for the fund despite unusual volatility in the macro environment. The fund returned +8.8% (net) in Q3 compared to +5.5% and +3.8% for the S&P Midcap 400 ETF (MDY) and HFRX Equity Hedge Index, respectively. In addition, you can check the funds top 5 holdings to determine its best picks for 2025.

In its third-quarter 2025 investor letter, Upslope Capital Management highlighted stocks such as Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:BIO). Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:BIO) is a life science research and clinical diagnostic products company. The one-month return of Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:BIO) was 25.42%, and its shares gained 3.37% of their value over the last 52 weeks. On October 22, 2025, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:BIO) stock closed at $331.27 per share, with a market capitalization of $8.789 billion.

Upslope Capital Management stated the following regarding Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:BIO) in its third quarter 2025 investor letter:

"Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:BIO)  global producer of clinical diagnostic and life sciences products. The company is the market leader in a majority of its products and largely sells to hospital and other labs, as well as academic, government, and biopharma customers. ~70% of sales are recurring/consumable in nature. Importantly (and somewhat strangelyand impressively), the company owns more than 35% of Germany-based and -listed Sartorius (SRT-DE). As a global leader in bioprocessing, Sartorius provides many of the vital tools, consumables and equipment used by drug-makers to develop and manufacture biologic medicines. Tax-affected, BIOs SRT stake represents almost 50% of BIOs enterprise value today and implies a well-below market and peer valuation for BIOs core operating business. Like most healthcare stocks, both BIO and SRT have seen sharp valuation de-ratings in recent years, as theyve worked through their own COVID era hangovers (fundamentally and especially valuation-wise). BIOs underlying valuation (9x 2026 EBITDA accounting for the SRT stake) seems particularly attractive today  especially considering the prospect of troughing fundamentals."

Is enGene Holdings Inc. (ENGN) the Best Canadian Penny Stock to Invest in Now?

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:BIO) is not on our list of 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. According to our database, 42 hedge fund portfolios held Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:BIO) at the end of the second quarter, up from 36 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:BIO) 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.
Dunleavys, a longtime Irish restaurant and bar on Route 38 in Hainesport, is changing hands after 48 years of serving the community.

A new owner is expected to take over on Friday, but keep the Dunleavy name and menu, according to a restaurant spokesperson.

The name of the new owner was not immediately available.

NJ Advance reached out to Dunleavys owner Kathy Chase, who is retiring and sold the restaurant.

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Known as The Home of the House Wine, the restaurant and bar celebrated its 48th anniversary in business on Oct. 12, according a Facebook post on Thursday afternoon.

We were really hoping we would make it to 50, but it doesnt seem that was in the cards. This is not the way we wanted things to end, but all good things come to an end at some point, according to the post.

The restaurant became a multigenerational meeting place where families grew up and returned with their own children.

According to the farewell message, the establishment hosted engagements, wedding after-parties, baby showers, and funeral gatherings over the decades.

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Families have grown up here, once kids now grown, bring their kids, the family wrote. We have seen it all. You have all become our family.

The owners acknowledged the challenges of operating a restaurant and bar, describing many days of blood, sweat, and tears put into this place.

Despite the difficulties, they expressed no regrets about their time in the business.

In their farewell, the family thanked both longtime customers and employees for their dedication.

There is grieving. But, I also remember again, that all good things come to an end and we are left with the most amazing memories. We also now have a chance to move onto the next chapter in our lives. I do hope that the next chapter in Kathys life, is filled with relaxation, friendship, laughter, and serenity. The family concluded their message with traditional Irish blessings, according to the post.

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As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point the wrong way.

Dunleavys is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Wednesday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday to Saturday. It is closed on Monday.

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Oct. 22BEMIDJI  The Bemidji Police Department is seeking information and security camera footage from residents near downtown after a number of vehicles were vandalized early Wednesday morning.

According to a release from Bemidji Police Chief Mike Mastin, during the early morning hours of Wednesday, Oct. 22, numerous vehicles and buildings were damaged in the west-central portion of Bemidji.

Many of the vehicles sustained broken windows, slashed tires, scratched paint, graffiti and/or had an oily fluid poured all over the vehicle, the release said.

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Most of the damage occurred to vehicles and residences in the area between Third Street NW to 15th Street NW and Minnesota Avenue to Mississippi Avenue.

The suspect is described as wearing black pants with a black hooded jacket.

Law enforcement is asking residents in and around this area to check their security cameras for images or videos of the suspect between the hours of approximately 11 p.m. on Oct. 21 and 4 a.m. on Oct. 22 and forward images to the Bemidji Police Department.

Additionally, the Bemidji Police Department would like to remind all residents of the

Security Camera Registration and Mapping

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(SCRAM) program available through the City of Bemidji website under the Police Department.

Registration is free and all information provided is confidential. Full details are available on the City of Bemidji website.

"This incident, and incidents like this, highlight the benefit of all citizens participating in the SCRAM program," Mastin said in the release. "By identifying technology and resources before a crime is committed, we are better prepared to respond and solve the case. Working together, you can help make Bemidji a safe place to live."

Those with information about this crime can report it and stay anonymous by contacting Crime Stoppers of Minnesota at

crimestoppersmn.org,

by calling

(800) 222-8477,

or by using the P3 Tip Submit app.

All contact with Crime Stoppers is anonymous and tippers may qualify for a reward of up to $1,000.
Most people wouldnt be eager to volunteer for a dangerous, harrowing job that isnt their responsibility to tackle.

Charles Ziegler isnt most people.

Thats why when he was serving in the Army during the Vietnam War, assigned to help make a mess hall more efficient, he jumped into action when he heard the deafening whir of helicopter propellers.

Ziegler was stationed at Landing Zone Baldy, located northwest of Chu Lai in central Vietnam, a spot where Chinook helicopters would come to pick up supplies to be shuttled to the front lines.

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At the landing zone, the ground crew worked with the flight crew to coordinate the delicate and dangerous process of attaching heavy cargo like ammunition, water buffaloes and artillery pieces to the hovering aircraft. They would wait on the ground for the Chinook to hover overhead, then quickly attach the cargo to the aircrafts external hooks while being blasted by the powerful rotor wash.

The ground crews who prepared and hooked up these loads were critical to the overall mission, ensuring that troops on the front lines received the supplies needed to continue fighting.

But at Landing Zone Baldy, they were also severely undermanned.

So Ziegler, seeing an unmet need, volunteered to help.

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I was there doing my job, Ziegler, who was in Vietnam from March 1968 to March 1969, said matter-of-factly. I was raised on a farm in Berks County and taught that when you see something that needs to get done you get it done.

Battling the noise and wind and swirling debris, all while under threat of enemy fire, he took on the physically and mentally taxing task  even though he didnt have to do so.

And on Wednesday, he was honored for his selfless service.

During a special ceremony at the Etchberger Veterans Service Center of Berks County in Wyomissing, Ziegler finally received the Bronze Star Medal he earned in combat but never received  an oversight that persisted for 56 years.

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Berks County resident Charles Ziegler speaks at a ceremony Wednesday at the Etchberger Veterans Service Center of Berks County in Wyomissing where he received the Bronze Star Medal for his service in the Vietnam War. (KAREN SHUEY - READING EAGLE)

Ziegler was discharged and sent home from Vietnam before the medal could be awarded, a common occurrence for soldiers of that era when the priority was returning troops home rather than decorating them.

It wasnt until recently that the Centre Township man realized the oversight.

A few years ago he was going through some paperwork with his wife when he came across his old military documents. They included a notation that read BSM.

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Seeing the notation spurred a memory for Ziegler, who recalled it being mentioned to him by his superiors that he was to receive a Bronze Star. But, he said, he never did.

The 78-year-old thought that having the medal would be meaningful, not only to himself but to his family. It would be a cherished artifact that he could pass down once he passed away.

So about two years ago, Ziegler reached out to Berks County Veterans Affairs Director Jay Ostrich for help in correcting the oversight. Working with Denise Weaver, the veterans liaison in U.S. Rep. Dan Meusers office, they filed an appeal with the Department of the Army.

After persistence through two presidential administrations, their efforts were finally successful, and Zieglers Bronze Star was approved.

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Ostrich shared that when he called Ziegler to let him know that he would be receiving his medal, he responded with a simple question about when would be a good time to swing by the center and pick it up. But Ostrich had other plans.

This is not just a story about a medal, Ostrich told those gathered at the special ceremony Wednesday.

He said the event is a reminder that most of the more than 2.7 million Americans who fought in the Vietnam War were deprived of accolades in their return home from combat because of deep political divisions.

This is about making something right  for a generation of veterans who were treated poorly during and after their service, he said. It is our mission here today to embrace one very simple principle that it is never the wrong time to do the right thing.

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Berks County resident Charles Ziegler, center, was presented with a Bronze Star Medal by Army Maj. Gen. Michael Wegscheider, left, that he earned while serving in the Vietnam War. Berks County Veterans Affairs Director Jay Ostrich, right, was instrumental in making sure Ziegler received the medal (KAREN SHUEY - READING EAGLE)

Following the presentation of the medal surrounded by local officials and dignitaries, Ziegler said he was happy to be recognized for his service after all these decades.

I cant thank everyone enough for this honor, especially for my family for being here with me, he said. There were a lot of people who contributed to me getting this Bronze Star and I wouldnt be here today without them. I want to just say that this is the best country in the world and it was a pleasure to serve my country.
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders has spent much of this year crisscrossing the country on what he calls the Fighting Oligarchy tour  a grassroots campaign aimed at rallying Americans against what he describes as a political and economic system in which a handful of billionaires call the shots.

On the newest episode of Katies podcast Next Question, Sanders said the response to his nationwide push has been overwhelming. Hes already spoken to more than 300,000 people in 21 states  from Republican strongholds like Iowa to liberal cities in California, where he recently addressed a crowd at the No Kings rally.

And its not just progressives showing up. Sanders says Independents and even some Republicans have packed his events, which he sees as a sign of a growing frustration with rising costs, stagnant wages, and concentrated wealth.

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We are living today in the wealthiest country in the history of the world. Youd think most people would feel that  but they dont. And they dont because the reality is that in the wealthiest country in the history of the world, almost all of the new wealth and income is going to the people on top, Sanders said, nodding to the theme of his latest book, Fight Oligarchy.

Read on for highlights from the senators chat with Katie, and watch their full conversation in the video above.

A grassroots strategy

Sanders believes the countrys economic frustration can be turned into action. At the end of the day, what history has always told us is that real change always takes place from the grassroots level, he said. Its when people get mobilized from the bottom up, and not from the top down.

That bottom-up strategy, he explained, isnt just rhetorical  its tactical. One of his key approaches is to organize in Republican-held districts, particularly those that the GOP won narrowly. His team has intentionally left organizers behind to mobilize communities and pressure elected officials, including over their support for Trumps Big, Beautiful Bill, which Sanders said slashes Medicaid and raises healthcare costs for millions of Americans.

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Hes also investing in building political power from the ground up. We are right now working with thousands of people, often young people, helping them run for school board, city council, state legislature  whatever it might be at the local level, Sanders said. And were supporting candidates running for U.S. Senate, governor, [and] House of Representatives.

Democratic discontent

The senators comments come at a moment of deep dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party: Just 38 percent of U.S. adults say they view the party favorably, compared with 43 percent for Republicans, according to the nonpartisan Pew Research Center.

Sanders argues thats because party leaders are too much beholden to wealthy corporate interests and not paying attention to the needs of the vast majority of the people, who are struggling, working-class people.

That critique isnt new for Sanders  its central to his political message. He has long contended that the party is out of step with voters on issues such as healthcare, campaign finance, and the influence of billionaires on both sides of the aisle.

Its time to take on the oligarchy and stand up for the working class, he said.

The post Bernie Sanders: America Is an Oligarchy  And Heres How to Fight It appeared first on Katie Couric Media.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is getting real about why he thinks former Vice President Kamala Harris lost against President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential campaign.

Appearing on The Tim Dillon Show Wednesday, Sanders claimed that Harris didnt tend to the needs of working class Americans enough, noting Trump triumphed in the election because of money in politics.

Politics: Bernie Sanders Offers Blunt Breakdown Of Why Kamala Harris Lost

The conversation kicked off after host Tim Dillion said that a lot of people were shocked that the Democratic party put out former President Joe Biden as a candidate with clear cognitive issues.

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And then without a primary, Kamala Harris, who was relatively unpopular in the Democratic primaries, was then the candidate. And she only had 90 days to sell herself to the American people. And by the way, she did a decent job for [only] having 90 days, Dillion continued.

Dillion went on to ask Sanders, Why is there such a cover-up with Bidens mental decline? Why is there no primary, a quick one even, after he is judged unfit to run? Why is there no transparency there? Thats a huge problem.

Calling Harris, whom he ran against in the 2020 presidential election, an incredibly intelligent and focused individual, Sanders flat out told Dillion that the downfall of her campaign was not tackling the real issues that working class Americans are up against, including health care and housing.

Sen. Bernie Sanders got candid about what led to former Vice President Kamala Harris' demise in the 2024 presidential campaign. Getty Images

I think the reason that she lost that election gets back to the point we discussed at the beginning of this podcast and that is money in politics, he said. Kamala did not run a campaign focused on the needs of the working class, didnt run a campaign focused on health care, on economics and raising the minimum wage, on paid family and medical leave, on housing, on all of the issues that working people are struggling with right now.

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Biden dropped his reelection bid in late July 2024 after a ruinous debate against Trump in June, leaving Harris just a couple of months to forge a campaign.

Politics: Paul Krugman Warns Trumps Economy Is In Worse Shape Than It Looks

The Vermont senator added, And I think her not focusing on those issues allowed Trump to win, in my view.

Appearing on ABCs The View last month, Harris was asked what she thought was the primary reason she didnt win the race.

There are many factors I think that played into the outcome of that election, but, I think probably one of the biggest in my mind is we just didnt have enough time, Harris replied.

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Watch Sanders appearance on The Tim Dillon Show below.

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  Cindy Hatcher and Tira Davis of Bham Now joined CBS 42s David Lamb to discuss different things happening in Birmingham this weekend, from the Magic City Classic to the best fall drinks to order at local coffee houses.

With the Magic City Classic happening Saturday, Hatcher and Davis discussed different events surrounding the storied HBCU rivalry between Alabama A&M and Alabama State University.

Hatcher and Davis also discussed delicious fall drinks now available at different local coffee houses around town, as well as new businesses coming to the area.

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For a full rundown on how to stay connected with Bham Now, visit their website and subscribe to their newsletter to stay up to date.

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One of the most dangerous faults in the United States, the Cascadia Subduction Zone, may be able to trigger an earthquake on the San Andreas Fault, a new study says. But some scientists want more evidence.

According to the paper, published in September in the journal Geosphere, deep-sea sediment cores taken along the West Coast offer evidence that the two fault systems have been synced up for much of the last 2,500 years. Based on the apparent timing of the sediment deposits, the paper argues, an earthquake in Cascadia can trigger an earthquake in the San Andreas Fault system.

Chris Goldfinger, an emeritus geologist at Oregon State University who led the work and has been studying this idea since the 1990s, thinks its a big step forward. Some other scientists are intrigued, but unconvinced.

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The hypothesis is worthwhile, says Diego Melgar, a geophysicist at the University of Oregon who leads a major research hub for Cascadia quakes. Its definitely an important question to ask and answer. What theyve found is tantalizing, but I dont think theyve quite answered it.

What is the Cascadia Subduction Zone?

The western coast of North America is a breeding ground for earthquakes, big and small. The San Andreas may be the most famous of its faults, slicing through densely populated parts of California. But to the north, another risk lurks offshore.

The Cascadia Subduction Zone, where one tectonic plate grates under another, stretches about 1,000 miles from Vancouver Island to northern California. Models estimate it can produce at least a magnitude 9 earthquake, the same as deadly earthquakes in Sumatra in 2004 and Japan in 2011. (In comparison, the San Andreas has maxed out at magnitude 7.9 in instrumented history.) Cascadias biggest quake in recent geologic history struck in 1700, and experts estimate it could have exceeded magnitude 9.

(Here's what might happen if the next big one hits Seattle.)

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Scientists know Cascadias risk now, but as recently as the 1980s researchers thought the subduction zone was essentially inactive. Native peoples have oral histories of earthquakes here, of tsunamis and strong shaking, says Melgar. Western society forgot there were earthquakes here.

Today, the region is a hotspot of seismology, and its possible link with the nearby San Andreas is an open question.

Seafloor sediments may reveal triggering

The idea that the Cascadia and San Andreas earthquake zones might be connected has roots in the 1990s, when a researcher proposed that layers of seafloor sediment deposits called turbidites recorded a series of West Coast earthquakes.

Turbidites are left behind by submarine landslides, which can happen randomly but are often caused by earthquakes and storms. The underwater landslide sends mud and sand flowing like a river, tens to hundreds of kilometers along the seafloor. Over time, these deposits and others build up. Seafloor core samples can reveal this history of turbidites.

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Goldfinger didnt initially buy it, and in the late 1990s, he began working to disprove the idea. I was pretty skeptical about the whole story, he recalls. But as his team collected more cores and found more turbidites, he quickly grew convinced that quakes were actually the best explanation.

He kept collecting cores and focused research on turbidites that kept appearing in pairs off the shores of Oregon and northern California. His new paper presents more cores, 3-D scans of the turbidites, additional age constraints aside from radiocarbon dating, and analyses of seafloor structure. Hundreds of cores cover more than 2,500 years of sediment deposition off the West Coast.

Goldfinger interprets the turbidite pairs as two quakes in quick succession, stacking one turbidite atop another in the cores. A more distant quake would leave a thinner deposit; a closer quake, a thicker deposit.

And based on his new analyses, he thinks some pairs in Oregon, sent by Cascadia, match up with pairs near northern California, where the San Andreas has its influence. Turbidite pairs hundreds of miles apart from each other seemed to occur at roughly the same time.

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To him, stacked turbidites that line up with more distant ones has one strong explanation: A quake in Cascadia that triggers a quake in the San Andreas. He suspects that some quakes were likely minutes to hours apart; others could have been separated by months, years, or even decades.

Alternative explanations just melt away, and youre left with this, he says. Im very confident in this. Not in every detail, but in the big picture.

How strong is this claim?

According to geophysics, its technically possible for one earthquake fault to trigger another. A series of earthquakes in New Zealand in 2016 that jumped from continental crust to a subduction zone might be the closest example of this happening, says Melgar. But he and all the other outside experts contacted for this story agreed that more research is needed before any triggering relationship between Cascadia and the San Andreas Fault is certain.

First, the turbidites could have a different source. The cores taken farthest from the shore are the strongest contenders for quake-generated turbidites, but the others could have been generated by storms or other processes, says Zoltan Sylvester, a sedimentologist at the University of Texas at Austin.

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Then theres the challenge of correlating cores hundreds of miles apart.

These deposits all kind of look the same, even to me, says Sylvester, who worked on sediment cores in the oil and gas industry for decades. Its easy to trick yourself into thinking that one little detail here must be the same as a little detail over there.

Melgar agrees with Goldfingers interpretation that most turbidites in Cascadia could be from earthquakes, but he wasnt convinced that far-flung pairs were connected and formed from related earthquakes. That concern stems in part from challenges in dating the turbidites. The paper adds new approaches to improve the deposits ages relative to each other, but they could be hundreds of years apartfar from quakes in relatively quick succession.

What theyre presenting as synchronicity is in no way a slam dunk, Melgar says. Can you really say these happened at the same time? Most of us would say no.

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The triggering idea is too far a reach at this point, he concludes, although theres a good chance the two fault systems were synchronized at some point in geologic history, perhaps by chance. (Like when a cars blinker is briefly in sync with the car in front of it.)

More earthquake mysteries to be solved

In a way, the debate highlights modern geologys relative nascency. We have a lot to learn about how and why earthquakes occur, says Greg Beroza, a seismologist at Stanford University. Theyre not a solved problem.

In most places, instrument-based seismic records are less than 100 years long, shorter than the blink of an eye in geologic time. That makes long records like Goldfingers valuable to the earthquake and deep-sea research communities. (Still, Beroza says, there is reason to use caution in embracing their interpretation.)

Goldfinger feels the latest paper improves on many of the concerns other researchers have raised, but he knows theres work yet to do. Even though Ive been working on this most of my career, I feel like were just scratching the surface, he says. He plans to look further back in time and hopes to see other kinds of data corroborate or test his interpretations in future studies.

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What scientists can agree on is that when either of these faults ruptures, millions of people will be at risk, and billions of dollars of damage will likely be done.

If both faults ruptured at the same time, it would be a humanitarian catastrophe, says Melgar.
The tobacco industry is intensifying efforts to interfere with an international treaty that aims to curtail smoking and vaping, the World Health Organization has warned.

Next month, a meeting will be held in Geneva to discuss updates to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control  a treaty that came into force 20 years ago and now has 183 signatories, including the UK.

The Convention aims to curb the use of tobacco  and therefore improve health  via policies such as bans on smoking in public areas, limits on advertising, and health warnings on packaging. The upcoming meeting will discuss how to implement these and other measures.

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But many of the proposals are deeply unpopular with the tobacco industry itself, which has repeatedly attempted to block, weaken or delay implementation.

Now, the UN has issued an alert warning governments to remain vigilant to mounting efforts to infiltrate upcoming discussions between signatories.

With strategies varying from lobbying to outright attempts to manipulate delegations, the tobacco industrys tactics are a cause for serious concern, said Andrew Black, acting head of the secretariat attached to the treaty.

This is not just lobbying; it is a deliberate strategy to try to derail consensus and weaken measures to further the treatys implementation, he said in a statement. Tobacco industry interference is one of the biggest constraints and barriers to the implementation of the Convention.

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The WHO said interference includes political capture, where sympathetic individuals are placed in national delegations to sway negotiations, and co-opting science to cast doubt on proven tobacco control policies.

The tactics to block, weaken or delay mirror those used by alcohol and ultra-processed food companies to halt policies like sugar taxes and marketing restrictions, which were highlighted during the UN General Assembly last month.

While tobacco use has fallen internationally  from 1.38 billion users in 200 to 1.2 billion in 2024  there are growing concerns about the number of people using vapes.

Earlier this month, the WHO said that more than 100 million people worldwide now use e-cigarettes, including 15 million children  who are, on average, nine times more likely to vape than adults.

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This is fuelling a new wave: of nicotine addiction, the UN agency said, as it accused the tobacco industry of aggressively targeting young people.

Although vapes are not as harmful as cigarettes  which burn tobacco and produce tar or carbon monoxide, and are linked to conditions including cancer, heart disease and chronic respiratory illnesses. But e-cigarettes still contain nicotine, which is highly additive.

Millions of people are stopping, or not taking up, tobacco use thanks to tobacco control efforts by countries around the world, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, when the figures were released in early October.

In response to this strong progress, the tobacco industry is fighting back with new nicotine products, aggressively targeting young people. Governments must act faster and stronger in implementing proven tobacco-control policies.

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BLUEFIELD  While bills that would have made Daylight Saving Time permanent died earlier this year in both the West Virginia Legislature and the Virginia General Assembly, area lawmakers expect the idea to come back up for consideration.

The region will fall back in 10 days, which means clocks must be turned back an hour. That will lead to shorter days and darkness across the region as early as 6 p.m.

The bills seeking to make Daylight Savings Time permanent were introduced earlier this year in the Democrat-controlled Virginia General Assembly and the Republican-controlled West Virginia Legislature, but both measures died in committee.

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In the Virginia General Assembly, House Bill 2001 was referred to the Rules Committee where it died. It was introduced by Delegate Joseph McNamara, R-Roanoke.

The Virginia bill  had it passed  would have required the Commonwealth to observe Daylight Saving Time year-round upon enactment by Congress of a law allowing states to observe Eastern Daylight Time year-round.

Delegate James W. Will Morefield, R-Tazewell, said he believes the bill could be reintroduced in the next legislative session.

The bill failed in the Rules Committee, Morefield said. I would consider supporting it or a similar version if a bill makes it to the House floor in the upcoming session.

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The bill introduced in neighboring West Virginia was more specific as it would simply eliminate the use of Daylight Savings Time in West Virginia, and didnt require similar action by Congress on the federal level. It was introduced by Delegate David Elliott Pritt, R-Fayette, Delegate Kathie Hess Crouse, R-Putnam, and Delegate Thomas Clark, R-Webster County.

The West Virginia measure was referred to the House Government Administration committee where it died.

Delegate Marty Gearheart, R-Mercer, who serves as Majority Whip in the Republican-controlled House, said the issue of Daylight Savings Time doesnt come up often when talking to his constituents.

I do not really hear much about the issue unless I am listening to Radioactive, Gearheart said of a local radio talk show hosted by Craig Hammond of Bluefield. There are no bills yet introduced for the 2026 session, but I wouldnt be surprised if this were reintroduced.

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Some on Hammonds radio show have questioned why lawmakers, and President Donald Trump, havent acted to make Daylight Saving Time permanent.

Gearheart said he could see both positives and negatives from such a move.

I really havent paid much attention to this issue, Gearheart said. I certainly can see merit but there could be many unintended negative consequences if other states dont follow suit particularly for border counties like ours.

Some parents have argued that making Daylight Savings Time permanent would require children to catch a school bus in the dark. However that is already occurring for local school systems at the moment where school buses are picking up some children in the dark.

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Daylight Saving Time ends this year on Sunday, Nov. 2. Most families will move their clocks back an hour before going to bed that night. Most modern cell phones, and some internet-connected devices, will automatically fall back. But older battery-operated clocks must be manually set.

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By Jaspreet Singh and Aditya Soni

(Reuters) -Meta has struck a $27 billion financing deal with Blue Owl Capital to fund its biggest data center project globally, as large technology companies race to build out the infrastructure needed to power their artificial intelligence ambitions.

Tuesday's announcement marks Meta's largest-ever private capital deal. Under it, Meta will retain about 20% equity in the Louisiana project, with the majority owned by funds that alternative asset manager Blue Owl Capital manages. Blue Owl contributed roughly $7 billion in cash to the joint venture, with Meta receiving a one-time payout of about $3 billion.

The planned data center in Richland Parish, Louisiana, known as Hyperion, is projected to deliver more than 2 gigawatts of compute capacity to support training of large language models, the technology behind tools such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini.

Doug Ostrover and Marc Lipschultz, Co-CEOs of Blue Owl, called Hyperion "an ambitious project that reflects the scale and speed required to power the next generation of AI infrastructure."

Major tech companies, including Alphabet, Amazon.com, Meta, Microsoft and CoreWeave, are on track to spend $400 billion on AI infrastructure this year, Morgan Stanley estimates.

OpenAI, the startup at the heart of the AI boom, recently signed multiple deals that may cost over $1 trillion to secure about 26 gigawatts of computing capacity, enough to power roughly 20 million U.S. homes.

Meta's finance chief, Susan Li, called Tuesday's deal "a bold step forward." The company has signed leases for the facility with a four-year initial term with an option to extend and expects the project to create more than 500 jobs once it goes online.

"It definitely helps them mitigate risks at the expense of its ownership stake. Meta won't need to provide nearly as much capital and can look to finance other facilities or AI infrastructure," said Alvin Nguyen, senior analyst at Forrester.

"It also minimizes the debt they are taking on for equipment and property in the event there is a bursting of the AI bubble."

(Reporting by Jaspreet Singh and Aditya Soni in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid and Alan Barona)
Fast casual breakfast and brunch concept Biscuit Belly has commenced development of six restaurants in the southeastern US.

The expansion comprises three franchised locations in the Florida Panhandle and three corporate joint-venture stores in Wake Forest and Fayetteville in North Carolina, and Peachtree City in Georgia.

The company's founders and core leadership team are investing their own funds into the projects.

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Biscuit Belly co-founder and CEO Chad Coulter stated: "We believe in what we're building, so we're putting our own dollars into these ventures.

"It's a slower, more deliberate approach  we're selective about sites and franchisees  but it's about long-term sustainability, not just selling deals. We'd rather grow the right way. We have these and a few more locations we're looking to execute agreements on that will be announced soon."

The restaurant brand was established in 2019 and offers biscuit sandwiches, coffees and breakfast cocktails.

The three franchised outlets will open in Pensacola and Panama City Beach under a threeunit agreement with multibrand franchisees Clint Dollar and Dave Gardner.

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The franchisees together operate more than a dozen Cinnabon, Auntie Annes, Great American Cookies, Marble Slab Creamery and Charleys Cheesesteaks locations.

Gardner stated: "We talked about the breakfast model for years. We loved the lifestyle that closing in the early afternoon could provide.

"It allows us a little more work-life balance, and it allows us to appeal to a different employee base. All of that has led us here."

The first restaurant under this agreement will open in 2026, followed by two more by 2027.

Coulter added: "Florida has been on our radar since the very beginning.

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"With its year-round tourism, it's an incredible branding opportunity  you never know who might stop in, love the experience and want to bring it to their hometown."

Biscuit Belly currently runs 13 establishments in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

The company is poised to significantly expand its presence, with ongoing projects and lease negotiations set to double its number of locations, including new ventures in Texas, Ohio and various other markets in the southeast.

In August 2023, Biscuit Belly partnered Oakscale to expand its franchise system across the south, southeast and midwest.

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"Biscuit Belly begins development of six restaurants across southeastern US" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand.




BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  The Black Contractors Association Alabama Chapter is hosting its end-of-the-year Holiday Mixer and Coat Drive in December.

This event, called The Warm-Up, will feature live music, Black-owned vendors and a highlight reel of the BCAACs milestones in 2025. The event will also launch the organizations 2026 membership drive.

During the event, the BCAAC is collecting new coats for children and families in shelters and underserved communities. Admission to the mixer is $10 at the door or free with the donation of a new coat.

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The Warm-Up will be held on Thursday, Dec. 4 from 6-9 p.m. It will be at The Alcove at 1713 4th Avenue North.n

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Black, Hispanic and international enrollment declined at Harvard University as the percentage of Asian American students increased, according to new data released on Thursday.

The shift comes after a Supreme Court ruling that struck down affirmative action in higher education.

The steepest drop at Harvard was among Hispanic students, which declined from 16% last year to 11% this year. The 16% in 2024 was an increase from 14% the prior year.

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Students who identified as African American or Black also declined to 11.5%, a drop from 14% the year prior and 18% in 2023. International students also dropped from 18% last year to 15% this year.

As other demographic groups declined, Asian American students increased from 37% to 41%.

Harvards admissions data release comes after President Donald Trump signed an executive order requiring colleges to submit data to prove they do not consider race in admissions.

At the same time, the United States is facing the most significant decline in international students entering the country in August since the pandemic due to a federal crackdown on immigration.

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Harvard has been under attack from the Trump administration since April over a crackdown on its international students, research funding and a myriad of other issues. As part of two of the universitys lawsuits against the federal government, a judge ordered the Trump administration to reinstate the universitys nearly $3 billion in federal funding cuts.

This years admission data is the first class since Harvard reinstated standardized test scores as part of the application process after years of not requiring it.

While international student numbers dropped, 90% of those admitted decided to enroll and only eight students deferred admission, the university reported.

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Notably, 45% of the incoming class will attend Harvard tuition-free. More than half of those students also qualified for other expenses to be covered, including tuition, fees, food and housing. Twenty-one percent of students are eligible for federal financial aid through Pell Grants.

The Class of 2029 reflects everything that makes Harvard College extraordinary. These remarkable students come to us from across the country and around the globe with boundless curiosity and eagerness to join a community that challenges them to learn deeply, listen generously, and expand their understanding of themselves and the world around them,  said Edgerley Family Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences HopiHoekstra. Even amid shifting economic realities, our commitment to access and opportunity remains unwavering. That nearly half of this class will attend Harvard tuition-free fills me with immense pride and optimism for the future they will help shape.

Read more: Harvard Law Black student enrollment increases after a steep drop last year

Twenty percent of the class is first-generation, the college said, about the same as the prior year. There are 16 veterans and 12 transfer students joining the class. Seventy-five people were taken off the waitlist.

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Of 2,003 applicants offered admission, 1,675 accepted with a yield rate of nearly 84%  the universitys fifth cycle with a yield rate over 83%.

There were nearly 48,000 applicants  a 10% increase from a few years ago, in 2019, when standardized test scores were required.

The other institution to most recently release data on its incoming student body is Amherst College, which saw some numbers of diversity rebound.

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Weeks after a heated debate over the possibility of starting a high school chapter of deeply conservative Turning Point USA, a Black Virginia school board vice chairman has been censured for unbecoming conduct after a board meeting.

Prince William County School Board member Tracy L. Blake is accused of being aggressive and bullying another board member, Erica Tredinnick, who is also Black. Tredinnick, who supports the students right to start a chapter, alleges that Blake cursed at her and stepped in her personal space following a board meeting in early October. Blake does not support a student chapter.

The boards Oct. 18 decision to censure Blake comes as political tensions continue across the country. Schools and colleges are caught in a political crossfire about free speech and the legacy of Turning Point co-founder Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed last month while speaking at a Utah college campus.

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The Prince William school district is nearly 19% Black, with the majority of the district identifying as minority, according to the districts website.

Patriot High School, where students want to start the TPUSA chapter, is 13% Black, with 46% of the population identifying as white, according to the schools demographics.

The students initially had difficulty starting the chapter because they have not been able to find a faculty sponsor, according to the Prince William Times.

Prince William County School Board member Tracy L. Blake is accused of being aggressive toward another board member. (Courtesy of Prince William County Public Schools)

There are more than 1,000 Turning Point USA high school chapters, which are called Club America, across the country, according to the organization. The TPUSA Students site, which is separate from the original Turning Point website, says it exists to educate young people on limited government, free markets, and freedom.

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There are about 36 Club America chapters in the Virginia region, according to an interactive map on the Club America website. The Patriot High School location is shown on the map.

While censure is typically used in legislative bodies such as Congress and local political organizations to publicly condemn a members actions, more K-12 boards are using it to condemn the actions of board members.

In an email to Capital B, Prince William County Public Schools said the Turning Point USA chapter would be considered a non-school-sponsored club, which is protected under the Equal Access Act, which makes it unlawful to prohibit any students who wish to conduct a meeting on non-instructional time on the basis of the religious, political, philosophical, or other content of the speech at such meeting.

The district said Thursday that the club has started and will meet this week.

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Capital B also reached out multiple times to the school board members, Blake and Tredinnick, for comment, but has not heard back.

What exactly is censure?

Censure is an official rebuke of the behavior of a public official. Censure is not censorship, though the words share etymological roots.

Censure does not remove or take away the actions of a person in office.

After the Prince William County School Board voted 6-2 to censure Blake, another board member, Loree Y. Williams, who voted against the measure, said she wanted the public to know she disagreed with the decision, citing that it did not align with past incidents where the board voted whether to censure.

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The school board has other disciplinary steps it can take prior to censure, such as verbal or written warnings.

While censure is not mentioned in the U.S. Constitution, it has been used as a form of punishment dating back to 1811, according to the U.S. Senates website. Some of the actions include reading confidential documents and the inappropriate use of campaign funds.

Censure may not be mentioned in the Constitution, but it is mentioned in some school board bylaws. Recently, schools and higher education institutions have utilized censure as a form of punishment.

Orange Unified School District in California has a censure policy in its bylaws for when members violate the law or school board policy, according to the district, but it cannot be used against a members First Amendment rights.

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To protect the overriding principle of freedom of speech, the Board of Education shall not impose censure on any of its members for the exercise of his or her First Amendment rights, no matter how distasteful the expression was to the District and Board of Education, the policy states.

This week, an Illinois school board censured Naperville District 203 School Board member Melissa Kelley Black for the second time this calendar year for unprofessional behavior regarding posting confidential information about teacher negotiations on her social media account, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The post Black Virginia School Board Member Censured After Turning Point USA Clash appeared first on Capital B News.
A student at a south Charlotte elementary school was found with a bracelet containing a blade in the latch Wednesday.

The incident occurred at Sharon Elementary School, where the bracelet was immediately confiscated, according to a release from the school.

ALSO READ >> First-grader suspended for bringing gun to NC school

Students and staff were confirmed to be safe following the incident.

Principal Phelan emphasized that possession of a weapon of any kind is a violation of the CMS student code of conduct and carries serious consequences.

The school reiterated that the safety and well-being of students and staff remain their top priority.

VIDEO: Parents arrested for bringing weapons to campus on first day of school
Sir Keir Starmer has been told to stop show trials of Troubles veterans after a former paratrooper was cleared of murdering civilians on Bloody Sunday.

The man, known as Soldier F and now in his 70s, was cleared on Thursday of murdering two unarmed protesters and attempting to kill five others more than 50 years ago.

He is the only soldier prosecuted over the killings in the Bogside area of Londonderry, Northern Ireland, on Jan 30 1972, and was dragged through a five-week non-jury trial before a judge ruled at Belfast Crown Court that the evidence against him fell well short.

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The verdict is likely to bring an end to five decades of multi-million pound inquiries and investigations into Bloody Sunday, regarded as one of the darkest days of the Troubles, when 13 civil rights demonstrators were shot dead and more than a dozen were injured.

However, other Troubles veterans still face potential prosecution because Labour has scrapped Conservative plans to offer them immunity.

Thirteen died and dozens were injured in violent clashes on Bloody Sunday - Keystone Press / Alamy

On Thursday night, in the wake of the Soldier F verdict, Sir Keir was told he must back down and reinstate these plans under the Legacy Act in full.

Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, said: Soldier F has been dragged through the courts, despite a clear lack of evidence.

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There are going to be many more prosecutions brought like this because Keir Starmer plans to scrap the protections brought in through the Legacy Act. The treatment of our brave veterans brings shame on our country.

Adml Lord West, the former head of the Royal Navy and a Labour peer, told The Telegraph he was growing increasingly concerned about his partys planned legislative changes to the act.

The former Cold War commander added: We shouldnt be bringing individual soldiers in front of courts for charges like this from 50 years ago. We shouldnt be doing it.

Lord Glasman, founder of the Blue Labour campaign group, added: We must reverse it as soon as possible.

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Suella Braverman, the former Conservative home secretary, said Soldier F should never have been prosecuted, adding: It is a disgrace that this ever came to trial. The witch hunt of our brave veterans needs to stop.

Doug Beattie, a spokesman for the Ulster Unionist Party, said: Why was this show trial allowed to proceed in the first place when the evidence was so clearly flawed?

Soldier F, who was a lance corporal with 1st Bn Parachute Regiment at the time of Bloody Sunday, was the only soldier to face trial in relation to the killings.

The public gallery was packed with family members of the victims of Bloody Sunday - Charles McQuillan/Getty Images

The 200m Bloody Sunday Inquiry, the most expensive in British legal history, concluded in 2010 that those killed were innocent and unarmed. It was followed by an apology from David Cameron, then the prime minister.

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Soldier F was charged in 2019, but the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023, introduced by the Conservatives, brought a halt to dozens of other civil cases and inquests linked to the conflict.

It also offered conditional immunity for alleged perpetrators of crimes during the Troubles in exchange for their co-operation with a new investigatory body, the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery.

The law was pushed through despite opposition from all the major Northern Irish parties, including the DUP and Sinn Fein, and the Republic of Ireland.

Labour has now started the process of repealing the act after promising to do so before the general election in July 2024.

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While Troubles veterans still face prosecution, republican terror suspects were sent comfort letters after the Good Friday Agreement came into force which informed them they would not be charged.

Throughout his trial, Soldier F sat in the courtroom behind a curtain, supported by a number of veterans who sat in a packed public gallery.

A number of veterans supported Soldier F during the trial - Jonathan Porter/PressEye

Soldier F was accused of the murders of James Wray, 22, and William McKinney, 26.

The prosecution case largely relied on statements made by two of Soldier Fs comrades, known as Soldier G and Soldier H, in the immediate aftermath of the deaths, who claimed he had opened fire at Glenfada Park, Londonderry.

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But the two veterans statements were not cross-examined during the trial because Soldier G has since died while H, whom the inquiry heard fired the most shots on Bloody Sunday, indicated he would exercise his right against self-incrimination if summoned.

Soldier F was cleared of the murders of James Wray (left) and William McKinney (right) - Bloody Sunday Trust/PA

Mark Mulholland KC, defending, had put to the court that the statements of Soldiers G and H fundamentally contradicted each other in terms of who fired, where and when. He also described Soldier H as an unreliable witness.

He said: At every turn, the contradictions are absolutely fundamental when one considers their bearing on the reliability of the accounts that they provide.

Delivering his judgment, Judge Patrick Lynch KC said that on Bloody Sunday a number of members of the Parachute Regiment lost all sense of military discipline but there was no concept of collective guilt in the courts.

A paratrooper grabs a protester on Bloody Sunday - Getty Images

He concluded: To convict, it has to be upon evidence that is convincing and manifestly reliable.

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The evidence presented by the crown falls well short of this standard and signally fails to reach the high standard of proof required in a criminal case; that of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

Therefore, I find the accused not guilty on all seven counts on the present bill of indictment.

Paul Young, the national spokesman for the Northern Ireland Veterans Movement, said veterans would be heartened by this verdict today.

Soldiers across the United Kingdom will be happy with this, and I hope that there are no more soldiers brought to the courts here with evidence that has actually no way of going through.

Paul Young, from the Northern Ireland Veterans Movement, said he hoped there would be no more prosecutions - Jonathan Porter / Press Eye

Defending the decision to prosecute, Stephen Herron, Northern Irelands director of public prosecutions, said: From the outset, this case presented complex legal and evidential issues, including the admissibility and reliability of statements taken from soldiers by the Royal Military Police at the time.

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He added: We can assure the public that all decision-making in this case was conducted independently and impartially and fully in accordance with our code for prosecutors.

Following the verdict, Mr McKinneys brother Mickey said: Soldier F has been discharged from the defendants criminal dock, but it is one million miles away from being an honourable discharge.

William McKinneys brothers Mickey (left), John (centre), and Joe (right) arrive at Belfast Crown Court for the verdict - Liam McBurney/PA

A government spokesman said: This case is part of the complex legacy of the Troubles, which affected so many families and communities.

We are committed to finding a way forward that acknowledges the past, whilst supporting those who served their country during an incredibly difficult period in Northern Irelands history.

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Additional reporting by Dominic Penna and Tom Cotterill

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Maryland Human Services Secretary Rafael J. Lopez holds an EBT, or electronic benefit transfer, card at a July 2024 meeting. More than a year later, his agency recommended award of a contract for a vendor to provide more-secure, chip-enabled cards to benefit recipients. (File photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters)

Maryland will become one of the first states in the nation to distribute tap and go EBT, or electronic benefit transfer, cards to state residents, giving almost 1 million Marylanders secure access to their cash and food benefits.

It could be months before the cards are fully available, under a multiyear contract for Fidelity Information Systems approved Wednesday by the Board of Public Works. But Department of Human Services officials were already welcoming the new contract, which they hope will reverse a rising number of benefit thefts from recipients.

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This contract will make benefits access seamless and safer for the 943,000 Marylanders we serve through EBT, including 680,000 Marylanders who receive SNAP [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program] benefits, Human Services Secretary Rafael Lopez said in a prepared statement.

Wednesdays award ends more than a year of legal wrangling between the state and the two companies bidding on the project, and implementation of the chip-enabled cards cannot come soon enough for Comptroller Brooke Lierman, one of three members of the Board of Public Works.

We are losing state resources and people are losing their funds every day, and I want this to move as quickly as possible to get those chip cards deployed, Lierman said at Wednesdays board meeting.

The contract to Fidelity could be worth as much as $38.4 million over 10 years, for the company to provide chip-enabled EBT cards to about 943,000 recipients of SNAP, of Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) and the Temporary Disability Assistance Program (TDAP). About 680,000 Maryland citizens got an average of $180 per month in SNAP benefits in fiscal 2025, according to a DHS press release.

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The new, chip-enabled cards are expected to help reduce benefit theft, the DHS statement said, a statement reinforced by DHS Chief of Staff Webster Ye at Wednesdays board meeting.

In this incredibly tight budget landscape, we want to maximize every Maryland state taxpayer dollar and minimize our replacement of stolen federal benefits, Ye told the board.

The implementation of tap and go technology in EBT cards is making the system easier and more secure, acting as the states method of protection from fraud and benefit theft, the DHS statement said. Fidelity plans to incorporate Europay, Mastercard and Visa (EMV), which uses chip cards to allow users to wave or tap their cards when making a payment, according to board documents.

Maryland will become one of the first states to use both contact and tap and go EBT cards, if successful. Currently, California is the only state using this technology for EBT services.

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Fidelity worked with California to successfully deploy 4 million chip cards earlier this year, and saw substantially decreased stolen EBT benefits, Ye said.

That experience helped give Fidelity the edge over the other major bidder on the Maryland contract, Conduent State and Local Solutions, and may bring a close to a yearlong fight between the two companies.

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Conduent had the contract as EBT provider for Maryland and it won the contract again last year over Fidelity, when DHS put the project out to bid.

But Fidelity challenged the award before the Maryland State Board of Contract Appeals, which ruled on Aug. 30, 2024, that Conduents proposal was not reasonably susceptible for being selected due to conditional language  making the Conduent contract void. The contract appeal boards ruling was upheld on March 31, 2025, by a Baltimore Ciry Circuit Court judge.

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That ruling has been appealed by Conduent to the Appellate Court of Maryland, but DHS dropped its legal challenges at that point and accepted Fidelity as the winning bidder.

We acknowledge our mistake, and as a result, we have chosen not to file an appeal of the Circuit Courts decision, Ye said, acknowledging that the department did not properly follow the procurement review process.

In response, Lierman joked, I told you so.

While it may have lost its bid on the next contract, Conduent holds the current contract, which runs through June 30, 2026. The Fidelity contract begins on July 1, 2026, but Wednesdays award includes $7.7 million for Fidelity to transition in over the next nine months and the ground running next summer.
Bob Vylan have blamed political pressure for forcing them to postpone shows in the UK.

The punk-rock duo provoked a backlash after leading chants of death, death to the IDF at Glastonbury Festival in June, which the BBC livestreamed.

The group have since changed the date for their Manchester gig, part of their We Wont Go Quietly 2025 UK tour, following calls by Jewish leaders and MPs for it to be cancelled.

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They have also postponed a gig on Nov 4 in Leeds and rescheduled it for February 7 2026, while the Manchester gig has been pushed back from Nov 5 to Feb 5.

Bob Vylan named Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, as one of the political figures putting pressure on the group - Jack Taylor / Getty Images

In a post shared on Instagram on Thursday, the group said: Due to political pressure from the likes of Bridget Phillipson and groups in the North West of England, we have had to reschedule our Leeds and Manchester shows.

All tickets remain valid and all other shows are continuing as planned. Bristol sold out, last few tickets left for London. See you soon. Love ya.

Ahead of the gig at Manchester Academy, which is on the University of Manchester campus, Ms Phillipson, the Education Secretary, said universities have the powers to take action to prevent harassment and intimidation.

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It comes after the Jewish Representative Council (JRC) of Greater Manchester and Region called for the show to be cancelled and said the lack of response from the concert venue following the October 2 synagogue attack in the city was utterly unforgivable.

The JRC, last month, demanded urgent action regarding the Bob Vylan performance and said it would cause significant concern in the community.

BBC loved Glastonbury set

The group were dropped from a number of festivals and performances over the summer, including Radar festival, a show at a German music venue and a US tour after their visas were revoked.

Earlier this week, Bob Vylan frontman, Bobby Vylan, said he was not regretful of the Glastonbury chant directed at the [Israel Defense Forces and would do it again tomorrow.

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BBC director-general Tim Davie previously said the corporations decision to broadcast Bob Vylans Glastonbury Festival set live was a very significant mistake.

Speaking on the Louis Theroux Podcast, Bob Vylan said: We come off stage. Its normal. Nobody thought anything. Nobody. Even staff at the BBC were like: That was fantastic! We loved that!

The rap artist added: Nobody at the BBC at that time was there like: Oh my gosh. You know it was very normal. And then we got back and we went and got ice cream.

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Over the past 52 weeks, NVDA stock has gained 26%, underscoring robust sentiment surrounding its operations, while it is up 35% year-to-date (YTD). Shares reached a 52-week high of $195.62 on Oct. 10, but they are currently down 7% from that level. Despite posting a high, NVDA stock also declined 4.9% intraday on Oct. 10.

Nvidia remains a dominant player in the AI chip market, introducing innovations like the GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs with significant AI capabilities. The company has also secured a massive $100 billion partnership with OpenAI, emphasizing its pivotal role in powering the next generation of AI data centers and technologies. These strategic moves solidify the firm's leadership and expand its influence globally in the AI landscape. Currently, Nvidia's market capitalization is $4.44 trillion.

Based in Santa Clara, California, Nvidia continues to spearhead advancements in AI and computing technology in 2025. The company recently achieved a remarkable $4 trillion market capitalization, fueled by escalating demand for its AI chips and supercomputers. Nvidia has successfully escalated production of its Blackwell AI supercomputers, resulting in billions of dollars in sales in the first quarter of 2025 alone.

What's more, Nvidia's management doesn't seem to be overly concerned about the recent Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and OpenAI deal, which could give OpenAI a 10% stake in AMD. Moore believes that, although many competitors build chips, none provide the full-stack approach and flexibility of Nvidia GPUs.

Although the hype around Nvidia has been around artificial intelligence (AI), most of the transformative AI use cases are yet to come. More AI applications are just beginning to emerge, putting the firm at the center of the next wave of growth. Moore has an Overweight rating and $210 price target on NVDA stock.

Analysts from investment firm Morgan Stanley recently met with executives from Nvidia (NVDA). Led by Joseph Moore, the analysts left the meeting with a favorable outlook. In a note, Moore wrote that the revenue growth witnessed at Nvidia so far has been due to the migration of CPU workloads to GPU within existing application workloads.

Story Continues

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NVDA stock is trading at a premium valuation. Its price sits at 43.44 times forward earnings, well above the industry average.

Nvidia's Q2 Results Were Better Than Expected

On Aug. 27, Nvidia reported solid growth in its second-quarter results for fiscal 2026, which ended on July 27. Revenue increased 56% year-over-year (YOY) to $46.7 billion. This figure was higher than the $46.1 billion that Wall Street analysts were expecting.

Nvidia's data center revenue was $41.1 billion during the quarter, up 56% from the prior years period. Recently, the company announced the launch of the Nvidia RTX Pro 6000 Blackwell Server Edition GPU, which would be available on renowned servers that Disney (DIS), Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM), and others have already adopted. The company also announced that its Blackwell platform achieved the highest performance at scale on every MLPerf Training benchmark.

Nvidias margins are still expanding robustly. Non-GAAP operating income increased 51% YOY to $30.17 billion, while non-GAAP EPS was $1.05, up 54% YOY. The adjusted EPS figure was also higher than the $1 expected by Wall Street analysts.

During the quarter, the company sold no H20 chips to its China-based customers. However, it benefited from a $180 million release of previously reserved H20 inventory, from approximately $650 million in unrestricted H20 sales to a non-China customer. Excluding this benefit, Nvidia's non-GAAP EPS would have been $1.04.

For the third quarter, Nvidia expects revenue of $54 billion, give or take 2%. The company has not assumed any H20 shipments in the outlook.

Wall Street analysts are optimistic about Nvidias future earnings. They expect EPS to climb by 50% YOY to $1.17 for Q3 fiscal 2026. For the current fiscal year, EPS is projected to surge 44% annually to $4.22, followed by 40% growth to $5.91 in the next fiscal year.

What Do Analysts Think About NVDA Stock?

Apart from Morgan Stanleys bullish sentiment, other Wall Street analysts are also optimistic about Nvidias prospects. Recently, analysts at Mizuho maintained an Outperform rating and raised the price target from $205 to $225. This reflects Mizuho's continued confidence in the companys position as an AI leader, while analysts expect the company to record more than $300 billion in AI data center revenue by 2028.

Analysts at Cantor Fitzgerald also raised the price target from $240 to $300, while maintaining an Overweight rating. The revised outlook follows Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang outlining the companys AI infrastructure buildout.

Analysts at KeyBanc also reiterated an Overweight rating on shares, while maintaining a $250 price target. KeyBanc analysts believe that hyperscaler demand and the expansion of GB200/300 products will be favorable for NVDA stock going forward.

Nvidia has been in the spotlight on Wall Street for some time now, with analysts awarding it a consensus Strong Buy rating overall. Of the 47 analysts rating the stock, a majority of 40 analysts rate it a Strong Buy, two analysts suggest a Moderate Buy, four analysts play it safe with a Hold rating, and one analyst has a Strong Sell rating. The consensus price target of $222 represents 23% potential upside from current levels. Meanwhile, the Street-high price target of $320 indicates potential upside of 77% from here.

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On the date of publication, Anushka Dutta 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
NEED TO KNOW

The body of a 56-year-old man has been found buried in mud one year after he was swept away during a deadly flood in Spain

The man was discovered during an earth-moving operation 20 miles away from where he was reported missing



Almost 240 people died during the flooding that began on Oct. 29, 2024

The body of a 56-year-old man has been found buried in mud one year after he was swept away during a deadly flood in Spain.

According to Reuters and CBS News, a court in the southeastern Spanish town of Catarroja said that the man's body was discovered on Tuesday, Oct. 21. He had already been declared dead after the flash flooding that took place in October 2024.

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The man was discovered during an earth-moving operation in the town of Manises, about 20 miles outside of Pedralba, where he went missing, the court said.

Because the man  whose identity has not been made public  was already considered deceased, the death toll remained the same, the outlets reported. The man is one of three people who were considered missing after the floods.

Almost 240 people died during the flooding that began on Oct. 29, 2024, as floodwaters got inside houses, parking garages and cars near Valencia, Spain's third-largest city.

David Ramos/Getty Cars and debris block a tunnel after the flash flooding on Nov. 1, 2024. Cars and debris block a tunnel after the flash flooding on Nov. 1, 2024.

At the time, a years worth of rain fell in about eight hours in Valencia, according to Reuters and the BBC.

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It marked the deadliest flood in Spain in three decades, and more than 140,000 people were reported to be without power in Valencia. Prior to 2024, a 1996 flood in the Pyrenees mountains killed 87 people, Reuters reported.



Images from the flood-affected areas showed damaged cars, people walking through the floodwaters and mounds of soil deposits left behind once floodwaters receded in some areas.

Valencia authorities said more than 200 people were rescued from cars after they were caught in the floodwaters, according to ABC News.



Arroyo Moreno/Getty Cars are partly submerged in flood waters on October 29, 2024. Cars are partly submerged in flood waters on October 29, 2024.

Valencia locals have voiced criticism in the year following the floods, leading campaigns for Spanish authorities to look into their emergency response systems after the magnitude of the tragedy.



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The Catarroja court that announced that 56-year-old man had been found is also in the midst of a judicial investigation into the response to the floods, according to Reuters.

Valencia's regional government sent out a text message warning residents to take shelter after several buildings were already underwater. According to CBS News, authorities have argued that they did not have the necessary information to send out a warning sooner.

Protestors in Spain have also called for the resignation of the head of the regional government, Carlos Mazon, over his handling of the floods, according to the outlet.

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Zoe Wilkes, a British woman who lives in Valencia, told the BBC that she had organized groups of volunteers to help rebuild the area.

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"It was just shocking," Wilkes said. "You couldn't comprehend how strong the water must have been to have thrown cars around like toys."

Just last month, the region was hit with more severe weather after Storm Gabrielle struck the area, the BBC reported. Although no injuries were reported, many schools and parks were closed, and officials said that seven inches of rain fell in just six to eight hours.



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MEDINA, Ohio (WJW)  A man charged in the kidnapping of a 3-year-old girl has had his first court appearance.

Randy Kerley, 39, of Seville, had his bond set at $750,000 on Thursday.

Body found in trash bags identified as Ohio 7-year-old

Investigators said Kerley took the 3-year-old child from her home without permission and was a family acquaintance.

Randy Kerley

Police responded with drones and K-9s after the child was reported missing on Hunter Road in Lafayette Township Wednesday.

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After a multiple hour search, she was found at a Westfield Township location with Kerley, investigators said.

When a child goes missing, every minute matters. The teamwork, technology, and communication displayed during this incident made all the difference in bringing this little girl home safely, Medina Police Chief Edward Kinney said in a press release.

Band tour bus crashes into local construction sign

Kerley is being held in the Medina County Jail.

Additional charges are possible, according to police.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for November 3 in Medina County Common Pleas Court.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
ABC7 Chicago meteorologist Tracy Butler was Cooking up a Storm Thursday with a restaurant where customers can feel like home, in the heart of the city.

Bongiorno's Cucina Italiana & Pizzeria has a new owner, with some of the same well-loved Italian recipes.

It can be a little tricky to find, nestled into 405 N. Wabash Ave., just north of the river.

But the Google reviews say this is not a place to miss.

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Nick Ramos, who's the owner, and Giovanni Morales, the general manager, joined Butler to talk more about it.

They brought a lot of food, including Rollatini di Melanzane, thin ribbons of eggplant rolled around creamy ricotta, nestled in bright tomato sauce, and oven-baked until the mozzarella melts into a golden, bubbly blanket.

They also showed off bruschetta, with juicy heirloom tomatoes, tossed with basil, extra-virgin olive oil, grated Grana Padano and a gloss of balsamic reduction, heaped over warm torpedo garlic bread with a satisfying crunch.

There was Pollo alla Parmigiana Crisp: breaded chicken breast under a rich layer of tomato sauce and molten mozzarella, served alongside al dente penne to catch every last bit of sauce.

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And there were pizzas, including a Stuffed Gnocchi Plump: pillowy gnocchi with a tender, cheesy center, finished in a house pesto so each bite is coated in a silky, fragrant green sheen.

There was the Deelish Pizza, with a bubbly crust, spread with tangy tomato sauce and plenty of mozzarella, crowned with pepperoni and basil, then kissed with truffle oil for an aromatic finish.

And they had the Prosciutto e Funghi, with tangy tomato sauce and stretchy mozzarella over a blistered crust, finished with delicate slices of prosciutto cotto and tender mushrooms for a savory, woodsy bite.

Visit www.bongiornospizzaitaliandeli.com for more information.
BELVIDERE, Ill. (WTVO)  The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is inviting Boone County residents to weigh in on a major infrastructure project that could reshape traffic flow in the region.

An open house public meeting was held on Thursday at the Boone County Administration Building to discuss the proposed improvements to the US Business 20 Belvidere Bypass.

Officials say the Belvidere Bypass, or Jim Gang Expressway, has served the region for nearly 50 years, connecting residential neighborhoods, retail centers, and rural areas to I-90 via Genoa Road. But with increasing traffic demands and aging infrastructure, IDOT says the time has come for a comprehensive upgrade.

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Planned improvements include reconstructing the stretch between Logan Avenue and Pearl Street from two to three lanes, resurfacing existing routes, and building new parallel bridges over the Kishwaukee River.

The project also includes pedestrian and cyclist safety enhancements, such as sidewalks and multi-use paths where feasible.

The bypass project is currently in Phase II, which involves contract plan preparation and land acquisition. Phase I, which focused on preliminary engineering and environmental studies, has already been completed. Phase III construction is slated for a future date.

Residents can submit comments at the meeting, online at BelvidereBypass.org, or via IDOTs social media channels. All feedback received by Friday, Nov. 7, will be included in the official project record.

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Attorneys in an ongoing federal lawsuit Thursday accused Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino who, according to recent testimony is the head official leading Operation Midway Blitz, of violating a temporary restraining order by personally throwing tear gas toward a crowd of protesters during an immigration enforcement operation in the Little Village neighborhood.

Dressed in green fatigues with his trademark high-and-tight haircut, Bovino was captured on video appearing to lob a canister while standing in a parking lot next to federal agents. A still image from the recording was included in a two-page court document filed in federal court by journalism advocacy organizations.

The filing alleged Bovino violated multiple paragraphs of a restraining order entered by U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis restricting when and how tear gas can be deployed by immigration officials when dealing with media and protesters.

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The attorneys who brought the underlying suit told Ellis in the filing they were currently working on providing the court with declarations and additional evidence regarding this incident.

They also accused federal agents of using pepper spray and throwing at least one protester to the ground at a similar incident in Little Village on Wednesday.

According to that filing, a masked agent wearing no identification ordered the crowd on Wednesday to clear the area at one point, despite the fact that no one was obstructing any agents or their vehicles. Bovino and several other agents then confronted a woman who was recording the scene.

Whatd you say? Bovino said, according to the court document. Did you make a threat?

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The woman denied making a threat, but Bovino ordered agents to take her phone, the filing states. The agents grabbed at the womans shoulders and chest before pulling her to the ground, the document states. Once down, they kneeled on the womans back to restrain her, according to a photograph included in the filing.

The attorneys asked Ellis to conduct an inquiry into Bovinos actions and order any relief that she deemed proper.

Ellis conducted a lengthy hearing just three days ago on alleged violations of her restraining order where Bovino was identified by a government witness as the leader of the ongoing Midway Blitz operation.

At the end of that hearing Monday, Ellis ordered Bovino to testify under oath in a deposition about tactics his officers have used and efforts they are making to comply with the judges orders. A date for that deposition had not been set as of Thursday, but it likely will come in the next two weeks.

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Just before the latest filing, Ellis expanded the time for his deposition to five hours instead of two, and ordered the parties to include the use of force incidents by (Customs and Border Patrol) in the neighborhood of Little Village on Wednesday and Thursday, court records show.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to questions seeking comment. The Tribune also emailed Bovino directly but he did not immediately respond.

Federal immigration officials were in Little Village  a Southwest Side neighborhood that is home to Chicagos largest Mexican American population  on Thursday for the second time in two days. Half a dozen people were detained in the raids Thursday, including a 16-year-old U.S. citizen. At least seven people were taken into custody Wednesday.

Video footage reviewed by the Tribune shows immigration agents by the Discount Mall, near 26th and Albany, being confronted by onlookers after they arrived Thursday. The shopping center, located next to the neighborhoods arch, is known for its wide variety of goods  many of which are imported from Mexico and other parts of Latin America.

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The mall has served as the communitys social and commercial heart for decades, which heightened tensions surrounding the presence of immigration enforcement. Locals chided and jeered the federal agents, who responded by deploying canisters. No prior warnings from agents could be heard.

Yani Sotelo, a mother of two, said she was running some errands when she noticed the agents walking around. Like other community members, she began to follow them and record them, allowing her to capture the moment Bovino appears to throw a canister at the crowd.

He didnt warn us, but threatened us with the bomb, Sotelo said.We were obviously angry and yelling things, but they were determined to get under our skin, to use excessive force.

Bovino laughed and smirked after throwing the canister, she said.

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Sotelo, who is Mexican American, said her family has lived in Little Village for decades. She still worries about being targeted by federal agents, given the number of U.S. citizens who have been detained in raids.

We were all for them taking criminals, she said. But at this point theyre taking people for the color of their skin, we cant even speak Spanish because then you become a target.

According to Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, 25th, and community leaders at the scene, at least six community members had been arrested before a crowd gathered around the agents. Two U.S. citizens were also taken during the brief confrontation, said state Rep. Edgar Gonzalez. One of them is a 16-year-old student at Benito Juarez Community Academy in the Pilsen neighborhood.

The student had been released as of mid-afternoon Thursday, Sigcho-Lopez said at a news conference.

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The student was on their way to school when they saw federal activity along 27th Street between Sacramento Avenue and Whipple Street, according to Sigcho-Lopez. Three other Benito Juarez students were also at the scene, Lopez said. Of the four students, two didnt end up making it to class: the student who was detained and another who was attacked during the confrontation, Sigcho-Lopez said.

It is outrageous that ICE agents are terrorizing minors, Sigcho-Lopez said at news conference outside the school, where he was joined by fellow local elected officials, members of the Chicago Board of Education, Benito Juarez teachers and community organizers.

Pilsen Defense and Access, which has been going on daily patrols at drop-off and dismissal of Pilsen-area schools, had extra members at the Benito Juarez campus Thursday, volunteer Elias Cepeda said as he stood outside the school with an orange whistle around his neck.

Earlier in the day, Benito Juarez teacher Liz Winfield was taking attendance in her homeroom class Thursday morning when she marked a junior student absent, she recalled at the conference.

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Not because that student was sick, not because the student overslept or the bus was late, she said. It was because ICE had snatched him up on his way to school.

Winfield said shes angry  and frustrated  that students have to add this worry to their school day.

The collective impact of the trauma this junior experienced ripples through our school community, she said. While it did not happen on school grounds, it makes no difference. Students share photos, students share texts, they talk. They know whats going on.

It impacts their lives, filling them with stress.  It makes learning nearly impossible.

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In a statement to the Tribune, Chicago police said officers responded to several 911 calls in the area Thursday, including at least one call placed by a federal agent.

Upon arrival, CPD supervisors and officers observed a large crowd and worked to de-escalate, a department spokesperson said in an email. CPD officers were only on scene to maintain public safety through crowd control and traffic control. Officers secured the area and left the scene once the area was safely cleared.

One person was arrested by Chicago police for allegedly battering an officer, and charges were pending, CPD added.

Thursdays confrontation marked at least the fourth time that federal immigration authorities deployed tear gas in the city since the start of Operation Midway Blitz. In two of those instances, Chicago officers were also subject to the chemical agent.

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Earlier this month, agents from Customs and Border Protection unleashed tear gas on a residential street in the East Side neighborhood after immigration officials were involved in a vehicle pursuit. The gas deployment came after angry people in the neighborhood started throwing rocks at agents vehicles, and at least three people were detained.

On Oct. 4, tear gas was used after federal agents shot a woman in Brighton Park after she allegedly used a vehicle to box in immigration authorities. The woman shot has since been federally charged with using a dangerous weapon to interfere with federal officers in the course of their official duties.

A day earlier, in Logan Square, federal agents tossed tear gas canisters at hecklers who were standing near an elementary school.

Baltazar Enriquez, of the Little Village Community Council, said that when he heard that the Border Patrol was again in Little Village on Thursday, he immediately mobilized and alerted others to join him to push them out.

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Its time to go home, guys, he said he told the agents. We have no guns, but we have a whistle, referring to the popular way Chicagoans have been alerting neighbors to ICE activity.

We wanted to get them out of our neighborhood peacefully. We know that they want to provoke us, and we need to make sure we dont fall for it, Enriquez said, who had almost lost his voice following two days of confrontation with federal agents in the neighborhood.

Gonzalez, who was born and raised in Little Village, rushed over to the growing crowd when he heard the whistle. Upon arriving, agents deployed tear gas in the area without announcing, he said.

The community members were not armed. They were angry and yelling at them, but no one had weapons, Gonzalez said. I was tear-gassed and pushed by the agents. Its clear that they wanted to provoke us.

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When the agents finally drove off, some cheered: El pueblo unido jamas sera vencido, they said. The people united will never be divided.

Enriquez took a sip of water and began gathering his team again.

We need to keep patrolling. They left now, but we know theyre going somewhere else.
Oct. 22Federal law enforcement agencies accessed data collected by some local police and sheriff's offices automated license plate cameras around Washington, a University of Washington Center for Human Rights report found, sometimes without local agencies' knowledge.

U.S. Border Patrol had access to data from surveillance networks in at least 18 local law enforcement agencies in Washington in varying degrees, the report found, which may have been used for immigration enforcement.

Increasingly popular Flock Safety automated license plate readers capture real-time documentation of license plate numbers and vehicle descriptions. This data is stored in a network managed by local law enforcement agencies in their respective jurisdictions.

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There are more than 80,000 Flock cameras in 49 states, according to the report, including 60-70 in Spokane County, according to Sheriff John Nowels.

Spokane police does not use Flock cameras, according to department spokesman Officer Dan Strassenberg.

Local law enforcement can choose how available their networks are to other Flock users, ranging from direct access on a nationwide scale, to picking which agencies see their data, to only keeping data for their own agency.

Border Patrol directly consulted the networks in eight Washington law enforcement agencies this year, the report finds, for reasons including "immigration," according to records obtained by UW researchers.

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In 10 cases where Flock users do not permit Border Patrol access to their Flock networks, the report found they searched through them anyway, according to periodic audits produced by Flock and obtained by researchers. Researchers are not sure how, said Phil Neff, research coordinator on the report.

"The most likely explanation we've heard is that there's a Flock feature called national lookup, which is just a single checkbox that they can enable," Neff said. "If you have that enabled, then any other law enforcement agency across the country can search your network and vice versa."

Nowels said Spokane County's Flock system is not accessible to any federal or out-of-state law enforcement agencies. The sheriff's office does share data with police from Spokane, Airway Heights and Liberty Lake for their enforcement.

Nowels said he ensured the office's Flock data was "locked down" in May after a widely reported instance of Texas law enforcement searching nationwide for a woman who had an abortion. Their search included combing through Flock databases around the country for sightings of her vehicle and license plate number, including in Yakima and Prosser.

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Though agencies like the U.S. Border Patrol or Immigrations and Customs Enforcement do not have immediate, comprehensive access to the sheriff's office Flock database, Nowels said if any federal agency asked for information pursuant to a criminal investigation, his office would provide it. As far as Nowels knows, that has not happened yet.

"If in fact we have provided anything to federal law enforcement offices it would be because of a criminal investigation," he said.

In at least three cases in the Seattle area, police were not aware their Flock networks were accessible to federal law enforcement until UW researchers notified them. Police in Renton and Auburn, Washington, each adjusted their Flock settings intending to bar federal access after learning they "unintentionally" made information available in the national lookup feature.

"While Flock's national network allows agencies across the country to share information, Auburn has not intentionally or knowingly granted access to any agency directly affiliated with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or engaged in immigration enforcement activities," the Auburn Police Department wrote in a news release.

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Lakewood police also adjusted their settings, according to the Seattle Times.

The findings raised concerns with researchers that federal agencies' access to local law enforcement's data may run afoul of the 2019 Keep Washington Working Act, which prevents local law enforcement from cooperating with federal agencies' civil immigration enforcement efforts. The report also identifies potential loopholes in the intent of the law, Neff said.

"It really underscores a big area of vulnerability for Keep Washington Working," Neff said. "Because the sharing of networks with out-of-state law enforcement that might do searches on behalf of ICE, or the sharing of networks directly with federal immigration enforcement authority agencies isn't necessarily prohibited by Keep Washington Working."

Elena Perry's work is funded in part by members of the Spokane community via the Community Journalism and Civic Engagement Fund. This story can be republished by other organizations for free under a Creative Commons license. For more information on this, please contact our newspaper's managing editor.
BOSSIER CITY, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  Bossier Parish will honor local veterans with a centuries-old military tradition during a Veterans Tattoo Ceremony at 10 a.m. Nov. 7 inside the Billy Montgomery Gymnasium at Bossier Parish Community College.

Bossier Schools hosts Spring Job & Resource fair

Hosted by District 5 Rep. Dennis Bamburg, Bossier Schools, and BPCC, the free event celebrates the service and sacrifice of veterans across Louisiana.

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The military tattoo dates back to the 17th century, when Dutch drummers signaled soldiers to return to barracks  a ritual that evolved into todays patriotic performances.

This years ceremony will feature students from Bossier Schools Talented Arts Program, Band, Drum Corps, and Air Force JROTC, along with a simulated enlistment, final roll call, and Taps. Officials from the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs and other dignitaries will also attend.

Organizers say the community is encouraged to join in reflection and gratitude as the nation approaches its 250th birthday.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.
Netflix missed the earnings target set by stock market analysts during the video streamers latest quarter, a letdown that the company blamed on a tax dispute in Brazil.

The results announced Tuesday broke Netflix's six-quarter streak of posting a profit that eclipsed analysts' projections.

The Los Gatos, California, cited an unexpected $619 million expense tied to the Brazilian tax dispute for the earnings shortfall while hailing its lineup of distinctive TV series and films for keeping its audience engaged and delivering a mix of subscriber fees and increased ad sales that helped it deliver revenue that matched analyst forecasts.

Investors, though, weren't placated by the explanation as Netflix's shares still fell by about 6% in extended trading after the numbers came out.

Analysts varied in their interpretation of the third-quarter report.

Investing.com analyst Thomas Monteiro worries Netflix is using the Brazilian tax hit as a way to mask signs of a slowdown in subscriber growth and advertising amid economy uncertainty. The truth is that the company failed to deliver the kind of growth weve grown used to over the past couple of years, he said.

But Zacks analyst Jeremy Mullin said he sees little reason for concern, asserting Netflix's underlying story remains solid.

Netflix earned $2.5 billion, or $5.87 per share, in its July-September quarter, an 8% increase from the same time last year. Revenue climbed 17% from last year to $11.5 billion. Analysts surveyed by FactSet Research had predicted the Los Gatos, California, company to earn $6.96 per share on revenue of $11.5 billion.

Delivering solid financial growth has become more important than ever for Netflix as management has steered investors from fixating on how many subscribers its service gains from one quarter to the next. As part of that process, Netflix stopped disclosing its subscribers at the end of last year.

The shift has paid off so far, with Netflixs stock price rising about 40% so far this year, although the downturn in extended trading signaled some of those gains are about to evaporate.

Although Netflix no longer reveals the specific, this years revenue growth signals that its worldwide subscriber count has increased from the roughly 302 million it had at the end of last year  by far the most among video streamers, even as rivals with deeper pockets such as Amazon and Apple expand their programming selections.

In the company's quarterly conference call, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said the streaming service's total worldwide audience  including multiple people living in the same subscriber household  is approaching 1 billion.
A man arrested in connection with a stabbing at the South Bay Center mall was held on bail and sent to Bridgewater State Hospital for a mental health evaluation, according to the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office.

Christopher Baez, 36, of Wakefield, was arraigned at the South Boston District Court on Wednesday afternoon, officials said on Wednesday evening.

A judge ordered a mental health evaluation for Baez and ordered that he be held on bail worth $25,000, the spokesperson said.

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Baez faces charges of assault and battery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, the Boston Police Department wrote on its website.

On Oct. 21 at 5:17 p.m., police in South Boston responded to a reported stabbing at 8 Allstate Road, the address of the mall.

When detectives arrived, one saw Baez with a box cutter in his left hand, police said. The detective ordered him to drop the box cutter, but Baez refused and began to swing the box cutter, moving towards the detective, according to the police department.

The detective continued telling Baez to drop the box cutter, and he complied. With help from other officers, Baez was taken into custody, the department said.

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The victim, who was not named, was taken by Boston EMS to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

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BOSTON (WPRI)  Investigators have identified the man who was caught on camera beating his dog with a leash in Dorchester earlier this year, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden.

Akeem Pierre, 42, of Boston, has since been charged with animal cruelty and animal cruelty by a custodian.

The investigation into Pierre began back in June, when the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) received footage of an unidentified man hitting the cowering dog with a leash while out for a walk.

(Courtesy: MSPCA-Angell)

The footage showed the man, later identified as Pierre, repeatedly whipping the dog across the face and head with the leash.

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Pierre could also be heard screaming and swearing at the dog while dragging him down the sidewalk. He even lifted the dog into the air by his leash at one point, according to Hayden.

Pierre initially told officers he was pet-sitting and was trying to train the dog by tapping it on the nose, according to Hayden, but changed his story once officers confronted him with the footage.

He claimed the dog had bit him which is why he reacted that way, though the supposed attack was not caught on camera, according to Hayden.

The dog, a 1-year-old pit bull-Catahoula Leopard Dog mix named Pluto, was eventually surrendered to the MSPCA. Hayden said Pluto suffered no physical injuries and has since been adopted.

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There are laws in place to protect pets from cruel and violent treatment just as there are laws to protect people from violence, Hayden said. If a set of facts supports charging someone with animal cruelty we will not hesitate to move forward.

Pierre was released on personal recognizance Thursday and ordered to stay away from Pluto, undergo a mental health evaluation and not own any animals.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A young boy has died days after he was hit by a car while riding an electric scooter in Leawood, Kansas, police confirmed.

Duke Ommert died at a hospital, where he was being treated for critical injuries since the night of Monday, Oct. 13, when he was hit by a driver in the area of West 103rd Street and Lee Boulevard.

The driver remained on the scene and has not been named by police.

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New ordinance aims to boost school crossing safety after death of 9-year-old girl

Duke was a young man with a love of sports, his friends, and his family, Leawood police said. Our thoughts and deep condolences are with the Ommert family and friends during this difficult time.

According to a GoFundMe created on behalf of the family, Duke spent the afternoon of Oct. 13 playing with friends before the crash.

He was taken to Overland Park Regional Hospital and then transferred to Childrens Mercy Downtown for multiple serious injuries, including a severe head injury and a fractured leg.

For 10 days, Duke was in the hospital trying to recover; however, it was later confirmed that he had passed from his injuries.

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Duke was a fourth-grade student at Brookwood Elementary School in the Shawnee Mission School District.

Following news of his passing, Brookwood Principal Kevin Frick sent out a statement to families and students, offering his condolences and support to the students and staff.

Safety concerns arise after child on electric scooter hit by car in Leawood

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of one of our students, Duke Ommert, the statement said.

We extend our deepest sympathies to Dukes family and friends. This is a profound loss for our entire school community, and we want to ensure our students have the support they need during this difficult time.

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The district has arranged grief counselors to be available for students and staff in the wake of the tragedy. Principal Frick also added that students who are struggling with the news can stay home on Thursday. He said the district will respect your decision.

As we reflect on this terrible loss, I take solace in seeing our community come together to take care of one another. It will take time to heal, but I know that we will do this together as we support Ryan, Monica, and Mila going forward, Principal Frick concluded.

This is the second time in less than two weeks that a child was hit and killed by a driver in the Kansas City metro.

See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri

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Just last week, 9-year-old Hazen Workman-Duffy was struck by a van while she was riding her bike to her elementary school in south Kansas City. She died later that day after sustaining life-threatening injuries.

At this time, FOX4 has not been able to confirm Dukes exact age or the exact day of his passing. However, this story will continue to be updated as more information becomes available.

If you or anyone you know has not spoken with Leawood investigators, police ask that you call (913) 642-7700 or email tips@leawood.org.

To donate to the GoFundMe, click here.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  The mother of a middle school student said her son was in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) on Thursday after an incident involving another student left him with brain injuries.

The mother said the injury occurred during Physical Education (PE) class on Wednesday at Odessa Shannon Middle School in Silver Spring.

DC News Now reached out to Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) after contacting the mother.

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Christopher Cram, Deputy Chief, Division of Communications, provided a message that the schools principal, Dr. Natasha H. Booms, sent to the Odessa Shannon community.

In it, Booms acknowledged that a very serious incident took place during PE on Wednesday. Booms went on to explain that a student was struck by what was described as a metal object thrown by another student, resulting in injuries that required immediate medical attention.

Booms added that the school provided counseling support to students who were in the class and said that the staff would continue to reinforce expectations for safety and appropriate behavior.

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The full message from the principal reads:

A Message Concerning a Serious Incident at Odessa Shannon Middle School Dear Odessa Shannon Middle School Community, I want to take a moment to acknowledge a very serious incident that occurred during a Physical Education class yesterday. During the class, a student was struck by what was described as a metal object thrown by another student, resulting in injuries that required immediate medical attention. Emergency Medical Technicians responded quickly, and the student was transported to the hospital. At this time, we understand the student remains in serious condition. Our thoughts and hearts are with the student and their family, and we are staying in contact to offer support and receive updates on their condition. Yesterday, our first priority was the well-being of the injured student, the students and staff who were directly involved, and ensuring that appropriate emergency procedures were followed. During the incident, we enacted a HOLD status to allow EMTs and first responders to quickly and safely assist the student, and we alerted families about the HOLD using Remind messages. Our last communication of the day went to the families of the students in the affected Physical Education class, containing specifics to what students may have witnessed. This morning, we provided counseling support to the students in the impacted class and will continue to do so if students are in need. We recognize that any serious incident affects our entire school community. Please know we are taking this matter seriously and with care. Our staff will continue to reinforce expectations for safety and appropriate behavior, and additional supports are available for students or staff who may need to talk about what happened. Thank you for your understanding and partnership in keeping our students safe and cared for. Dr. Natasha H. Booms, Principal, Odessa Shannon Middle School

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A DeKalb County mother is planning to press charges after her daughters hair was ripped from her head at school.

Sabrina Johnson told Channel 2s Audrey Washington her daughter is a third grader at Princeton Elementary School.

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The 8-year-old girl said a boy made a comment about her sexuality before hitting her in the schools lunchroom.

She is destroyed, emotionally destroyed, said Johnson. She keeps on crying.

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Johnson says her daughter hit back, and thats when she says the boy held her down and ripped out her braids.

He grabbed her hair. Jerked her from her seat and onto the floor and kept on pulling it, Johnson said.

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The DeKalb County School District released a statement that read:

The safety and well-being of our students remain a top priority for the DeKalb County School District. On October 22nd, an incident occurred between two students at Princeton Elementary School, resulting in one students hair being pulled. The students parent took them to a local hospital for further evaluation. The incident is still under investigation. DeKalb County School District spokesperson

Johnson said she wants to see any surveillance video and wants to know if any adults were around at the time of the reported incident.

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Its like nobody is listening, Johnson said.

Johnson filed a police report.

She said she plans to press charges against the other student and to transfer her daughter out of Princeton Elementary.

I dont like kids to be bullied or to be harmed, said Johnson.

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Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has announced he will run for re-election next year, seeking a fourth nonconsecutive term.

Speaking during a state visit to Indonesia on Thursday, President Lula said he remains energised despite his age.

Im turning 80, but you can be sure I have the same energy I had when I was 30. And Im going to run for a fourth term in Brazil, Lula told reporters in a joint news conference with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.

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He then turned to Subianto to deliver a quip: Im telling you this because were still going to see each other many times.

Brazils constitution allows presidents to serve only two consecutive terms. Lula, who served two terms in 2003-2010, returned to office in 2023 after 13 years out of power and thus remains eligible to run again.

The Brazilian leader is currently on a diplomatic trip across Asia. After his visit to Indonesia, Lula will head to Malaysia to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit.

While in Malaysia, Lula is expected to meet on Sunday with United States President Donald Trump, their first in-person encounter following a conciliatory phone call earlier this month, Brazilian media has reported.

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The two leaders have clashed over the prosecution of former far-right Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro  an ally of Trump  and international trade.

Trump and Lula are expected to discuss the 50-percent trade tariff that Trump imposed on Brazil in August, in protest against the Bolsonaro prosecution.

Lula had previously said his 2022 presidential bid would be his final campaign, both because of his age and because he believed the country needed political renewal. That election saw him narrowly defeat Bolsonaro in a run-off.

But early in his current term  his third  Lula began hinting that he might run again.

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In February 2023, the president said he could seek re-election in 2026, adding that his decision would depend on the countrys political context and his health.

A dominant figure on Brazils left, Lula is the countrys longest-serving president since its return to democracy 40 years ago.

Some Brazilian politicians have expressed concern about Lulas age and recent health issues. He underwent emergency surgery to treat a brain bleed late last year after a fall in the bathroom. Still, Lula frequently insists he remains healthy and energetic, often sharing workout videos on social media.

Lula currently leads all polls for the 2026 election, though roughly half of voters say they disapprove of him. Trumps tariffs reenergised the Brazilian leader and pushed his popularity up.

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His main political rival, Bolsonaro, has been barred from running for office and was sentenced in September to 27 years in prison for attempting a coup.

While no strong opposition candidate has yet emerged, analysts say a viable contender is likely to depend on Bolsonaros backing as he serves his sentence under house arrest.
Renata Alves* remembers the judgemental glances people gave her as she walked the narrow alleys of her favela in the southern sprawl of Sao Paulo, her baby bump beginning to bulge.

Alves had planned to have a child some day  just not at the age of 14.

Contraception was available, she says, but only when accompanied by parents. That requires an uncomfortable conversation for any teenager  more so for one in a conservative family in a devoutly Catholic nation.

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Perhaps if she had had that difficult conversation it would never have happened, she reflects.

My parents were very strict and I was very closed off from them so I didnt have that easy access to sit down and talk with them about contraception, she says.

While Ms Alves has no regrets about having her son, who is now six years old, she wonders if it would have been easier if she had him a little later when she was not in full time education and without an income.

I remember being very afraid when I fell pregnant. I was just a child, the 21-year-old says.

At the turn of the century, almost three quarters of a million Brazilian girls aged between 15 and 19 were giving birth - Buda Mendes/LatinContent via Getty Images

Teenage pregnancies like Renatas were once one of Brazils largest and most stubborn health challenges. For decades the country had one of the highest adolescent pregnancy rates in Latin America, with almost three quarters of a million Brazilian girls aged between 15 and 19 giving birth at the turn of the century.

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But such cases are becoming increasingly rare.

By 2019, the year Renata carried her child, that number had fallen 44 percent to less than 400,000  and preliminary data from the health ministry suggests it continues to plummet.

There are just 281,000 teenage births projected in 2025, suggesting the South American giant could become a model for developing economies the world over.

Today its all so different, Ms Alves says. They all have easy access to contraceptives now. I think if a girl falls pregnant its more about a lack of willingness to take care of themselves.

Teenage pregnancies are an economic, social and health concern everywhere. Research shows teenagers are more likely to die in childbirth, drop out of school and become financially dependent on their partners than those who delay pregnancy until adulthood.

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But they are particularly concerning in the global south, where young pregnancies compound existing issues.

Opportunities to climb the socioeconomic ladder in one of the worlds most unequal nations are few and around 75 per cent of teenage mothers in Brazil drop out of education.

This situation is even worse in developing countries where socio-economic vulnerabilities are present in most of the scenarios in which unplanned pregnancies occur, says Professor Emerson Cruz, a computer engineer at the virtual university of Sao Paulo who recently published a paper quantifying the leading drivers of pregnancies in young women.

Teenage pregnancies perpetuate poverty as those who are most likely to fall pregnant are the poorest and Prof Cruzs study shows a girl born to a teenage mother has a 58 per cent chance of following in her footsteps.

A girl born to a teenage mother has a 58 per cent chance of following in her footsteps - Ricardo Funari/Brazil Photos/LightRocket via Getty Images

The simplest way that Brazil began to break the cycle was rapidly expanding access to contraception through the Sistema Unica de Saude (SUS).

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The countrys NHS-inspired health system started offering family planning services in 1988.

Birth control pills, condoms and copper intrauterine devices (IUDs) are now available to girls at any health unit without parental consent and major cities from Rio de Janeiro to Recife also offer the implant and hormonal IUD.

But experts say that delaying pregnancy is far more complicated than simply filling health clinic cupboards with condoms. If girls cannot access them, or  like Renata  feel too afraid to do so, or simply do not see the point, little changes.

Teenage pregnancy often has to do with a combined set of factors, including economic drivers, ability to access quality education, opportunities for employment after education, norms around sex and sexuality, and more, says Karen Austrian, Director of the The Girl Innovation, Research and Learning (GIRL) Centre, a global research project studying how to improve the lives of young girls in low- and middle-income countries.

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To reduce teenage pregnancy you cant just look at one thing - you have to look at all aspects of adolescent girls lives and that includes addressing health, economic and social factors.

Those who are most likely to fall pregnant are often the poorest - PABLO PORCIUNCULA/AFP/Getty Images

Saude da Familia, a community-focused preventative healthcare programme, has been particularly effective in informing girls of the options available to them and promoting healthy conversations about contraception in family homes, says Denise Leite Maia Monteiro, head of the Brazilian Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology for Childhood and Adolescence.

Each Saude da Familia clinic is usually staffed by doctors, nurses, psychologists but also community health agents who go house to house to seek people who may otherwise not seek healthcare.

And its not just sexual education thats empowering young girls to delay pregnancy, Monteiro says. The attitudes of young women who attend her clinic in Sao Paulo suggest better education more broadly and a growing sense of opportunities is changing their outlook.

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Education drives professional growth but it also brings new perspectives, she says. Today we also see more women who were once teenage mothers themselves trying to support their daughters so that this does not happen to them too.

Prof Cruzs study reveals just how tightly teenage pregnancy is bound up with economic precarity, giving another strong clue as to how Brazil has reduced its teenage pregnancy rate so quickly.

The controversial cash handout programme Bolsa Familia is just one factor attributed to the alleviation of poverty - Bruna Prado/Getty Images

The statistical analysis found that the profile of the girl most likely to give birth is between the ages of 15 and 19, out of work, has already given birth at least once and has a family income of less than US$780 (583; 685) a month.

Despite bouts of economic turbulence Brazil has slashed poverty from 41.7 per cent of the population in 2003  around 75 million people  to 22 per cent in 2024.

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The alleviation of poverty has been attributed to economic development and President Luis Inacio Lula da Silvas controversial cash handout programme, Bolsa Familia. The programme redistributes money to poor families, often on strict conditions such as school attendance and healthcare check-ups.

Bolsa Familia lifted people out of poverty across the country and narrowed the economic chasm between poor towns in the north and business megacities in the south such as Sao Paulo, says Marcos Augusto Bastos Dias of the National Institute of Womens, Childrens and Adolescents Health.

Teenage pregnancy has been falling in the poorest areas where they were also highest. In 2014, 21.8 per cent of pregnancies in the northeast were in women aged under 20. By 2023 it had fallen to 14 per cent.

There was a huge transformation of poverty in the north and northeast, not just of income but in education too, he says.

Dreaming of different lives

There may also have been an unlikely saviour: the internet.

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Demonised for the misinformation on health that spreads in the West on platforms like TikTok, in Brazil Mr Dias says the web has plugged millions into the worlds greatest educational resource.

Internet access in Northern Brazil increased Incredibly in the last 15 years. This changes everything, Mr Dias says. People are much less conservative and ignorant about what happens in the modern world, and for better or worse, they are now much more integrated into it.

They are talking to each other more and having more choices  dreaming of different lives to just being mothers. Educating themselves in different ways, getting jobs and earning their own money.

Girls are discovering they have more choices than motherhood - Mario Tama/Getty Images

The growing power of evangelicals in Brazil and the election of former President Jair Bolsonaro sparked fears that decades of progress on gender equality and sex education was going to be unwound, causing a spike in teenage pregnancies.

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Rather than promote the use of contraception, the health ministry under Bolsonaro  who was recently jailed for 27 years for plotting a coup  ran national advertisements on billboards, television and social media encouraging teenagers to delay the start of sexual relationships.

The conservative campaign was widely regarded as completely ineffective, the Lancet said, but it was symbolic of the growing power of evangelicals who vehemently oppose the use of contraception.

Fortunately the internet means young people are more likely to look elsewhere for advice on sex than politicians, their conservative families or the church, Ms Monteiro says.

Teenagers are very impatient. They will just look things up online!

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Ms Monteiro believes the government should focus its sexual education efforts on social media, where young people are more open to influence if it wants to keep bringing teenage pregnancy rates down.

Women who were once teenage mothers themselves are trying to prevent the same fate for their daughters - Mario Tama/Getty Images

But there could be another lesson learnt from Brazils successes: perhaps what is said matters less than who says it.

The rise of a new conservative movement in Brazil may have had less impact on youth than it had appeared, as they are often resistant to top-down education and are more receptive to the views of their peers, particularly popular ones.

This was the conclusion of an experiment carried out in public high schools in Salvador, Northern Brazil, which compared the impact of sex-education sessions delivered by peer educators chosen by school administrators versus those selected based on their popularity among students.

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It found that when the coolest students were selected as peer educators, teenage pregnancies dropped the most, by 25 per cent.

We were somewhat surprised by the magnitude of the difference, said Victor Orozco, Senior Economist with the World Bank Development Impact department. It highlighted that a simple, low-cost approach to selecting peer educators can have outsized effects  something policymakers often underestimate.

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SAO PAULO (AP)  Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Thursday he will run for reelection next year, seeking a fourth nonconsecutive term.

Im turning 80, but you can be sure I have the same energy I had when I was 30. And Im going to run for a fourth term in Brazil, Lula told reporters during his official visit to Indonesia.

The Brazilian leader is traveling across Asia. After his visit to Indonesia, where he met with President Prabowo Subianto, Lula will head to Malaysia to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit.

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Brazilian media reported that he is expected to meet for the first time with U.S. President Donald Trump in Malaysia on Sunday, following a conciliatory phone call earlier this month. The two leaders are expected to discuss the 50% trade tariff Trump imposed on Brazil.

Brazils constitution allows presidents to serve only two consecutive terms. Lula returned to office in 2023 after 13 years out of power and remains eligible to run again.

Before defeating Jair Bolsonaro in 2022 to win a third nonconsecutive term, Lula had said that would be his final campaign both because of his age and because he believed the country needed political renewal. But early in his current term, he began hinting that he might run again.

In February 2023, the president said he could seek reelection in 2026, adding that his decision would depend on the countrys political context and his health.

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A dominant figure on Brazils left, Lula is the countrys longest-serving president since its return to democracy 40 years ago.

Some Brazilian politicians have expressed concern about Lulas age and recent health issues. He underwent emergency surgery to treat a brain bleed late last year after a fall in the bathroom. Still, Lula frequently insists he remains healthy and energetic, often sharing workout videos on social media.

Lula currently leads all polls for the 2026 election, though roughly half of voters say they disapprove of him. Trump's tariffs re-energized the Brazilian leader and pushed his popularity up.

His main political rival, Bolsonaro, has been barred from running for office and sentenced to 27 years in prison for attempting a coup. While no strong opposition candidate has yet emerged, analysts say a viable contender is likely to depend on Bolsonaros backing as he serves his sentence under house arrest.

___

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Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva wants to run for a fourth term next year, despite his advanced age, he said on Thursday.

"I will soon be 80 years old, but I still have the same energy I had when I was 30," Lula said during a visit to Indonesia. "I will seek a fourth term in Brazil."

The left-wing president will celebrate his 80th birthday next week.

Lula already led Latin America's largest country from 2003 to 2011 and is currently serving his third term since the start of 2023.

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This makes the former Brazilian union leader the longest-serving head of state since the country's return to democracy some 40 years ago.

Lula is currently travelling through Asia. After his visit to Indonesia, he will fly to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Malaysia.

According to Brazilian media reports, he could meet with US President Donald Trump there.

Relations between Brazil and the US have deteriorated since former Brazilian leader Jair Bolsonaro was in September sentenced to more than 27 years in prison for attempting a coup following his election defeat to Lula.

Describing the criminal proceedings against the right-wing politician as politically motivated, Trump imposed punitive 50% tariffs on numerous Brazilian products.
By Lisa Richwine

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -Netflix missed Wall Street's third-quarter earnings targets because of an unexpected expense from a Brazilian tax dispute while it offered a forecast a touch ahead of Wall Street projections for the rest of the year.

The report failed to impress investors accustomed to fast-paced growth from the streaming video pioneer. Shares of Netflix, which had risen 39% this year ahead of the earnings release, fell 5.6% to $1,171.24 in after-hours trading on Tuesday.

Netflix is seeking to expand in new areas such as advertising and video games after attracting more than 300 million customers around the world. It faces competition from YouTube, Amazon's Prime Video, Disney+ and others. The media business is facing major changes including the potential sale of industry titan Warner Bros Discovery and the rise of generative artificial intelligence with the ability to produce short videos. CNBC reported that Netflix was among the parties interested in examining Warner Bros' assets.

Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos, in response to analysts' questions about possible media consolidation, said the company "can and will be choosy" about acquisition targets. He said the company has no interest in owning legacy media networks but would evaluate opportunities to buy intellectual property.

"Nothing is a must-have for us to meet our goals that we have for the business," Sarandos said.

Co-CEO Greg Peters said he did not believe media industry consolidation would make things more challenging for Netflix.

"Watching some of our competitors potentially get bigger via (mergers and acquisitions) does not change in and of itself, at least our view, the competitive landscape," Peters said.

Netflix posted net income of $2.5 billion and diluted earnings-per-share of $5.87 for July through September, a period when the animated "K-Pop Demon Hunters" became the most-watched movie in Netflix history. Analysts had expected $3.0 billion and $6.97, respectively, according to LSEG.

Revenue was even with forecasts, at $11.5 billion.

Netflix reported an operating margin of 28% for the third quarter. Without the Brazilian tax expense of roughly $619 million, the margin would have exceeded the company's guidance of 31.5%, it said, adding that it did not expect the matter to have a material impact on future results.

PP Foresight analyst Paolo Pescatore said he believed the tax issue weighed on Netflix shares.

"All things considered, this was another robust quarter, despite a blip due to an unforeseen expense," Pescatore said.
This year, Netflix finally dropped the second season of Wednesday, its breakout show focusing on the titular member of the wonderfully weird Addams Family. On one hand, the series has been a major success, with Season 2 becoming the fourth most-watched English-language television series on the streamer. Wednesday Season 1 had 252.1M views, which easily positioned this gothic girly show as one of Netflixs most successful series of all time.
Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

Two Russian military aircraft briefly violated Lithuanian airspace on the evening of Oct. 23, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda announced.

A Su-30 fighter jet and an Il-78 refueling plane flew approximately 700 meters intoLithuanian airspace from the Kaliningrad exclave, remaining there for about 18 seconds, according to the Baltic country's military.

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"This is a blatant breach of international law and territorial integrity of Lithuania," Nauseda said, adding that the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry would summon a Russian envoy.

Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene said on Facebook that the incident "shows once again that Russia behaves as a terrorist state in spite of international law and the safety of neighboring countries. However, such actions will not affect us - Lithuania remains firm, united and ready to defend itself."

The Russian Defence Ministry reported via its Telegram channel that none of the Su-30 jets training over Kaliningrad violated borders of other countries.

The reported incident follows similar cases that took place last month. Estonia said that three Russian MiG-31 jets entered its airspace for several minutes on Sept. 19.

In early September, Poland downed several Russian drones over its territory amid a mass Russian attack on Ukraine, while another drone violated Romanian airspace a few days later.

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The Lithuanian military said that the latest incident likely occurred while the Russian Su-30 jet was conducting refueling training over Kaliningrad Oblast, a heavily fortified Russian exclave bordering Lithuania and Poland.

Two Spanish Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, deployed in the region as part of a NATO air policing mission, were dispatched to patrol the area.

"Once again, it confirms the importance of strengthening European air defence readiness," Nauseda noted.

Tensions between NATO and Russia have escalated following a series of airspace violations, with several member states urging a tougher response  including the possibility of shooting down intruding aircraft.

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Read also: Trumps Russia sanctions a shock to Moscow, may deal serious blow to oil giants, experts say

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(The Center Square)  Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Superintendent Jill Underly will not attend hearing this morning on how her department investigates sexual misconduct and grooming allegations against teachers and school staff, according to Rep. Amanda Nedweski, R-Pleasant Prairie.

Underly will instead be at Indiana University to receive a distinguished alumni award from Indianas College of Arts & Sciences.

Nedweski scheduled the hearing to obtain information after a series of stories from Madisons Capital Times showed flaws in the DPIs process of investigating sexual misconduct and grooming cases.

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"Parents deserve transparency from Wisconsins top education official," Nedweski wrote. "The @CapTimes report is deeply unsettling  families deserve to know their kids are safe in school.

"At no point did Underly or her team even try to reschedule the hearing date with my office."

DPI responded Friday in a letter claiming the Capital Times should correct its story related to 200 investigations from 2018 to 2023 into teachers for sexual misconduct and grooming were shielded from the public.

Nedweski announced she will introduce three bills related to protecting students from grooming and sexual misconduct since the report, including a specific grooming law modeled after laws from Illinois and Wisconsin.

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Wisconsins Senate Committee on Education also requested answers from Underly in a letter, along with her presence at a committee hearing.

Five Wisconsin U.S. Congress members sent a letter to Underly requesting a thorough investigation into DPIs process.

Rather than covering up these allegations, each incident should be thoroughly investigated and, if verified, the public and the students parents should be informed, the congressmen wrote. We echo many of the same questions that members of Wisconsin State Legislature have asked in a recent letter to Superintendent Jill Underly and request that you and the Superintendent hastily answer the letter in its entirety.


"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."



Prince William is reportedly taking the lead on the Palace's response to the Prince Andrew scandal.

BBC Newsnight reports that there's "unease" in the government over Buckingham Palace's "slow response."

A source says "William is on it."

There's a lot of chatter about why, exactly, Prince Andrew is occupying a giant Windsor mansion when he's been stripped of his royal titles and doesn't pay any rent. But apparently Prince William is on it.

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Per BBC's Newsnight, there's "unease" in the British government over the "slow response" from Buckingham Palace to the Prince Andrew scandal (as CNN put it, there's been an "avalanche of headlines" amid the posthumous publication of Virginia Giuffre's memoir). But apparently Whitehallaka the governmentthinks Prince William is in control of the situation because a source told the BBC that "William is on it. William is on it."

Newsnight added that "The view is William is thinking long term, the long term future of the monarchy and the belief in Whitehall is he really wants to get hold of this."

William is on it, William is on it.



A Whitehall source tells @nicholaswatt that the Prince of Wales is attempting to grip the Prince Andrew situation amid cabinet unease at a slow response by the Palace. #Newsnight pic.twitter.com/gLRiNzXRAJ  BBC Newsnight (@BBCNewsnight) October 22, 2025

This comes as royal expert Phil Dampier tells The Sun that Prince William wants "a real line to be drawn under it before he becomes king" and notes that "I dont think he wants to be living within a couple of miles of someone whos constantly getting.I mean, today, I think there are demonstrators down there. There are actually protesters outside the house with megaphones, shouting that Andrew should leave his home."

"I think the public is just seeing day in, day out stories about Andrew holed up in his Windsor home, and William and Kate are living in Windsor," he explains. "The kids are going to be going to schoolits just by association. There is a possibility that they would bump into them at various times, but its just clearing the decks, trying to get things sorted out, and trying to get this finally resolved before he becomes king. If he was still in Royal Lodge when William and Kate became king and queen, then he would have the problem, and hed be seen as the one having to deal with it. So, its best for all concerned if this gets cleared up, finally, in some way, shape, or form, while Charles is king."

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A British man has drowned in Australia after his surfboard broke during powerful winds.

A friend who tried to save the 36-year-old beginner also died.

The surfer began to struggle after his board snapped in rough waves at Melbournes Port Phillip Bay on Wednesday afternoon, police believe.

Most of the state of Victoria had been placed under severe weather warnings.

In a statement, Victoria Police said: Another man, known to the surfer, jumped into the water to attempt to help him, however both men began to struggle.

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Air Wing [the forces aviation unit] came to assist and both men were winched back to shore but could not be revived.

The mans board is believed to have snapped from the force of powerful winds, which churned up the usually still waters around Frankston Pier.

Det Insp Melissa Nixon said emergency crews were called around 5pm to a confronting scene at Frankston, a suburb 30 miles from the centre of Melbourne.

One police officer was taken to hospital after swallowing a large amount of water while he tried to attach the men to a winch, she said.

The men were yet to be formally identified, but were believed to be a British national and a 43-year-old from Melbourne.

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Ms Nixon added that the British man had minimal experience surfing and appeared to have been overwhelmed by the rough conditions.

Stormy weather and powerful swells have pummelled eastern Australia, prompting warnings for swimmers and surfers to stay out of the water amid winds of up to 80mph in some coastal areas.

Weather obviously not appropriate

The weather on Wednesday was obviously not appropriate for water sports, Ms Nixon continued. Clearly do not go swimming or surfing in conditions like this when we know its going to be treacherous.

You put yourself at risk, you put the people who jump in to help you at risk, you put the emergency services at risk.

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Kris Bolam, the mayor of Frankston, said the tragedy was a sharp reminder of the dangers of entering the water during a storm.

It is with profound sadness that I acknowledge two people have tragically lost their lives today after being swept from the Frankston Pier during extreme wind conditions, Mr Bolam said, while extending his deepest condolences.

Bystanders praised the efforts of rescuers and the skills of the helicopter pilot.

Russell Hunter, who was at Frankston foreshore, told the Herald Sun newspaper: We saw a diver lowered at least three times into the sea.

The polices actions were skilful and heroic, they hovered in 90kmph [60mph] winds for about 30 minutes. The diver kept returning to what looked like a seriously dangerous situation.

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Full kudos to police for their efforts.

Police will prepare a report for the coroner following the incident.

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The marquees on Broadway will remain illuminated after the musicians union announced it had reached a tentative agreement on a new contract, averting a strike that would have severely impacted the theater industry. Without the deal, 23 musicals  including hits such as Hamilton and upcoming shows like Chess with Lea Michele  would have had to stop performances.

AFM Local 802, which represents musicians, said the tentative pact with the Broadway League and Disney Theater Production includes wage increases, as well as a pledge to increase contributions to the unions health fund. A strike was set for Thursday, but the agreement was reached just under the wire at 4:30 a.m.

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This three-year agreement provides meaningful wage and health benefit increases that will preserve crucial access to healthcare for our musicians while maintaining the strong contract protections that empower musicians to build a steady career on Broadway, AFM Local 802 President Bob Suttmann said in a statement.

Earlier this month, Broadway producers avoided another potentially catastrophic shutdown when Actors Equity reached an agreement with producers on a new contract for theater performers. Broadway had a record-setting season in 2024 to 2025, earning revenue of $1.9 billion. However, the business has also struggled with the high costs of producing shows like buzzy productions such as Sunset Blvd. and Gypsy. There are also concerns that government subsidies that helped Broadway theaters come back after more than a year-long closure has expired and may not be renewed.

Negotiations on a new contract for musicians have been underway since Aug. 31 when the prior deal ended.

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Police in Gautier, Miss., found two boys unresponsive near a swimming pool

The two boys, who were 2 and 5 years old, were taken to the hospital and later pronounced dead

Amber Goldman, the boys' mother, was subsequently charged with drug offenses

The mother of two young boys who drowned in a swimming pool was charged with drug offenses.

Authorities in Mississippi responded to a home in Gautier on Monday, Oct. 20, after receiving a report of two children unresponsive near a pool, the city's police department said.

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The two children were taken to the hospital, where both were pronounced dead, according to Gautier police.

WLOX reported, citing the Jackson County coroner, that the two children were brothers, aged 2 and 5 years old.

Gautier police subsequently said that they arrested the mother of the two children, 36-year-old Amber Goldman.

Goldman was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of paraphernalia, according to police, who added that additional charges were possible.

It is not immediately clear if Goldman has entered a plea or retained an attorney. She is currently being held in Jackson County jail.

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.

This is an unimaginable tragedy that has deeply affected our community, Gautier police Chief David Bever said in a statement. Our hearts are with the family, friends, and first responders impacted by this heartbreaking loss. We ask everyone to keep them in your thoughts and prayers as investigators continue to seek answers.

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The county coroner said the two boys died by drowning, WLOX reported.

Police did not say how the boys ended up in the pool and did not provide further details on where their mother was at the time.

Read the original article on People
Visitors to one of Californias national parks have reported brown, foul-smelling water from drinking spigots.

Outdoor education course director Andrew Snow told local media that one of the spigots near his campsite in Pinnacles National Park was producing "pretty gnarly" brown water. Snow, who was leading a week-long outdoor program for middle school students, approached a camp host about the issue.

The camp host reportedly explained that the maintenance worker who normally checks the water spigots every few days was unable to perform the task due to the ongoing government shutdown. Snow told reporters he was advised to leave the spigot open for about an hour to flush the system, which made a stark difference.

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The Pinnacles National Park campground is operated by a private company, Pinnacles Recreation Company, under contract with the National Park Service (NPS).

While the exact cause of the discoloration is unclear, experts suggest it could be the result of leaves, dirt and natural tannins.

Despite the reports, NPS told the media, Water operators are running at full capacity and we have not received complaints from visitors about the water.

Pinnacles National Park is Californias newest and smallest national park at just 26,606 acres.

An NPS spokesperson emphasized the challenges posed by the shutdown, telling local outlets: It is important to note that this is one of the busiest times of year for this park. The rugged terrain and semi-arid setting mean that carrying sufficient water in the outdoors is essential. Wed also like to add that we are extremely proud of the dedicated employees and partners who continue to serve the public during this challenging time. Our team is working hard to keep Pinnacles National Park accessible and safe for visitors.

The park remains open to the public, though services such as the visitor center and nature center are limited.
Oct. 22Tuesday's ceremonial groundbreaking for the redevelopment of Brownsville's Buena Vida neighborhood was more than 10 years in the making, according to Carla Mancha, CEO of the Housing Authority of the city of Brownsville (HACB).

The ceremony took place under a tent on six city blocks of scraped earth formerly the site of the original Buena Vida dwellings, not a brick of which remains except for one original structure, a two-story former residential building spared to honor the site's history. Its new purpose will be to house offices and resident amenities.

Mancha, serving as master of ceremonies, two enormous earthmovers parked behind her, noted also that getting the project from idea to reality has required the work of "many heroes" over the past decade, and singled out for praise Laura Villarreal, the HACB board's Buena Vida resident commissioner.

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Buena Vida, part of the first wave of public housing projects in the United States following passage of the Housing Act of 1937, was completed in 1940 on East 14th Street, featuring 150 housing units. The new Buena Vida will contain three separate developments, 212 units in all, or "three communities in one," as Mancha described it: Buena Vida, Hope Place and Miraflores.

Each is a limited partnership with the Brownsville Housing Opportunity Corporation (BHOC,HACB's nonprofit development arm, serving as general partner and Versa Development LLC, headquartered in San Antonio, on board as private partner in the public-private partnership.

Miraflores will feature 80 units for families. Hope Place, a partnership also with the Friendship of Women, will provide 50 units for families who are victims of domestic violence. Finally, Buena Vida itself will provide 82 units for seniors.

The new design reconnects Buena Vida to the surrounding neighborhood grid and includes plenty of green space, while a number of the old trees have been saved, noted HACB Vice Chairman and BHOC Vice President Jesse Miller.

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The Buena Vida Choice Neighborhood Transformation Plan was the result of two years of planning, involving dozens of community meetings with residents of Buena Vida and surrounding neighborhoods. The planning was made possible by a Choice Neighborhood Planning Grant the city received from HUD in 2016.

HACB Commissioner Wendy De Leon said the Transformation Plan received the Texas American Planning Association Award in 2018. In 2024, BHOC/Versa were awarded $56.4 million in the form of three 9% Housing Tax Credit Awards from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs and $9 million in State Housing Tax Credits.

"This was a highly competitive application process," she said.

The project also received $4 million from the General Land Office and $5.2 million from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, with Texas Regional Bank serving as BHOC's member bank partner in its application to FHLB, De Leon said. The grand total: $74.6 million.

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Manish Verma, Versa president and founder, said affordable housing is one of the most pressing challenges facing families in the United States thanks to rising property values and growing demand," which makes public-private partnerships like Versa/BHOC all the more useful, with each partner bringing different strengths to the table.

"The need for innovative solutions has never been greater. ... The partnerships provide the financial backing necessary to build affordable housing in areas that otherwise might not attract private investment," he said.

Speaking for Mayor John Cowen Jr., who was traveling Tuesday, City Commissioner At-Large "B" Nurith Galonsky touted Buena Vida as a "model of what it means to be neighborly," predicting that the neighborhood's powerful sense of community will survive and thrive with the redevelopment, expected to take two years or less.

On behalf of the city she thanked HACB and everyone else involved in bringing the project to fruition and for "committing your resources to improving the lives of so many."

"I'll see you in 2027 for the ribbon cutting," Galonsky said.

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(Reuters) -Shares in Novo Nordisk (NVO) fell around 3% in early trading on Wednesday, extending their losses from a day earlier, after the Wegovy maker's top investor proposed a sweeping board overhaul.

The non-profit Novo Nordisk Foundation said that current chair Helge Lund and six other independent board members would step down next month after a dispute with the foundation over the pace of change at the company.

The foundation plans to install Lars Rebien Sorensen, a former Novo CEO and the chairperson of the foundation, as the company chair for up to three years. It has also proposed six new board members.

Analysts from Barclays said in a research note they were "somewhat surprised" by the timing and scale of the reshuffle, which came only a few months after the arrival of Novo's new CEO Mike Doustdar in August.

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"This appears to be a structural governance reset," the analysts wrote, adding the move seemed to be aimed at aligning the board composition with Novo's pivot to consumer engagement, higher focus on the U.S. market and potential deals.

Novo's shares, which have lost around 45% of their value so far this year, closed 1.3% lower on Tuesday.

The company has lost about $10 billion in market value since Monday's close.

(Reporting by Jesus Calero in Gdansk, editing by Milla Nissi-Prussak)
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  The Baton Rouge Police Department arrested a man in connection with a Wednesday evening deadly shooting.

Officers were called to an apartment complex in the 11800 block of Longridge Avenue near S. Sherwood Forest Boulevard, where Robert Detiege, 38, was found shot to death. Police arrested Joshua Richardson, 23, in connection with the case.

According to BRPD, Richardson shot Detiege after a fight.

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Richardson turned himself in and was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on charges of second-degree murder and illegal use of a weapon.

Joshua Richardson (Baton Rouge Police Department)

2 from Baton Rouge arrested in connection with deadly Iberville Parish shooting

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A West Allis couple has been charged by prosecutors after their 4-year-old son, Donte Campbell, was found unresponsive and covered in bruises last weekend and later pronounced dead at Childrens Wisconsin Hospital.

Devario Cruz, 29, faces six felony counts, including first-degree reckless homicide, repeated physical abuse of a child causing death, and chronic neglect of a child where the consequence is death. His girlfriend, Charlotte Kurek, 31, faces two counts of chronic child neglect, one of which resulted in death.

The boys twin sister also showed signs of abuse, according to criminal complaints filed Oct. 22.

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An autopsy conducted on Campbell revealed significant amount of bruising and abrasions to the boy's head, face, torso, back and extremities. It was determined Campbell died from multiple-blunt trauma.

If convicted on all charges, Cruz faces life in prison plus up to 147 additional years and $70,000 in fines.Kurek faces up to 66 years in prison and $10,000 in fines.

Bruising was 'most extensive and severe' paramedics had seen on a child

According to the criminal complaints:

West Allis police and firefighters responded to the parking lot at Dairy Queen, 10823 W. Greenfield Ave., shortly after 8 a.m. Oct. 18 after receiving a 911 call from Kurek stating her 4-year-old son was unresponsive.

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First responders found Campbell, limp, pale and unresponsive in Kurek's vehicle. Paramedics and a West Allis sergeant described the bruising as "the most extensive and severe they had ever seen on a child. The sergeant noted at least 12 bruises alone were found on the boy from the forehead down to the jaw on both sides of Campbell's face and that the child smelled overwhelmingly like urine.

A West Allis police officer subsequently learned children were left alone at their residence when a woman arrived at the address to pick up Kurek's three kids. The officer knocked on the door, which was answered by three children.

Without prompt, one of the children said Campbell was dead after falling off the bunk bed, while another child told the officer a "big bang" occurred during the night and that Kurek and Kruz left with Campbell and one of the other children and locked them in a room.

The boys twin sister was later found at a friends home with a swollen eye, bruises and scratches. When an officer asked what happened, she said, Daddy hurt me.

Story changes from a fall down the stairs

During questioning, Kurek said the boy's injuries occurred when she was walking upstairs with Campbell at 8 p.m. Oct. 17. He lost his footing and fell, causing all of the items on top of the stairs, including bikes and garbage bags, to fall on top of him, she said.

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Kurek said Campbell cried but otherwise appeared normal and that the bruising was the result of the fall. After this incident, Kurek said Campbell did not eat dinner.

At 6 a.m. Oct. 18, Kurek said she woke up and found Campbell unresponsive in his bedroom covered in bruises and his clothes soaked in urine.

Kurek later told police she lied about Campbell falling down the stairs and said she did it out of fear of Cruz having two guns in the home, but denied Cruz had been abusive before. Kurek eventually broke down and said she failed Campbell.

'I only used my hands,' Cruz tells detectives

In a separate interview, Cruz told detectives on the morning of Oct. 18 he woke up to the smell of feces and checked on Campbell, who was unresponsive and blue in color. Either Cruz or Kurek called 911, he said.

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He told police Campbell had fallen down the stairs the previous day. The boy was a little upset, but Cruz said he helped him get up and walk back upstairs.

Cruz said he went into the bedroom at 8 p.m. to kiss the twins goodnight and said each child had spoken to him before going to sleep.

When asked if he noticed any injuries to Campbell's body on Oct. 18, Cruz said the child had bruises all over his body.

Cruz told authorities he didn't remember striking the boy in the past two days, but estimated when he disciplined a child the strike could be a 7 or 8" on a scale of 1 to 10.

After Cruz was showed pictures of Campbell's injuries, he began to breathe heavily and said, I only used my hands.

Interviews from Kurek's children reveal a pattern of abuse

Forensic interviews with the couples children revealed what investigators described as a consistent pattern of abuse by Cruz and inaction by Kurek.

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Four children from the home were interviewed Oct. 21 by the Milwaukee Child Advocacy Center. They told interviewers that Cruz regularly beat the twins, forced them to stand on Legos as punishment, threw them into walls and hit them with his hands, a slipper, a chair or a piece of wood. One child said Cruz once struck Campbell in the forehead with a piece of the twins bunk bed, causing him to bleed, while Kurek played loud music to drown out his cries.

The children said Kurek knew about the abuse and never intervened. One child told investigators that she tried to slide food under Campbells bedroom door the night before his death but never saw him come out. Another said Cruz locked the boy in closets and often left him hungry.

When interviewed, Campbell's twin sister told investigators, Dad killed DeDe, referring to her brother. She also said, My dad did that, when asked about bruising on her face and back.

Adrienne Davis is a south suburban reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Got any tips or stories to share? Contact Adrienne at amdavis@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @AdriReportss.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: West Allis parents charged after 4-year-olds death
Sorry to burst your bubble, but you might want to give this trendy drink a second thought.

Bubble tea, also known as boba or pearl milk tea, originated in Taiwan in the 1980s and is typically made with tea, milk or creamer, sweetener and, of course, their signature tapioca pearls.

The Instagram-worthy beverage has gained popularity worldwide  but safety tests from Consumer Reports revealed that there might be cause for concern.

The tapioca boba pearls are made from cassava, a root vegetable. stock.adobe.com

Bubble tea, also known as boba or pearl milk tea, originated in Taiwan in the 1980s. ChenPG  stock.adobe.com

Those chewy tapioca morsels  the main feature of the beloved drink  are made from cassava, a root vegetable.

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Lead is naturally found in the crust of the Earth, and theres significant lead contamination in much of the worlds soil  and many fruits and vegetables absorb heavy metals since theyre grown in soil.

Consumer Reports recently discovered that cassava-based products sometimes had very high lead levels, so the experts tested boba pearls, too

After testing the pearls from bubble teas at two popular chains, Gong Cha and Kung Fu Tea, as well as two packaged boba products from Trader Joes and WuFuYuan, they discovered that every sample contained lead.

Luckily, none tested above CRs level of concern for lead, and none had levels of arsenic, cadmium or mercury that would be a health risk in one serving.

After testing the pearls from bubble teas at two popular chains as well as two packaged boba products, they discovered that every sample contained lead. makistock  stock.adobe.com

These levels werent so high that wed tell people to completely avoid bubble tea, James E. Rogers, PhD, director of food safety research and testing at CR, said in a statement.

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However, while this wasnt a comprehensive look at the boba and bubble tea market, the fact that three out of the four boba samples contained more than 50 percent of our level of concern for lead in one serving is a good reason to treat it as an occasional treat, not an everyday staple.

Other products CR tested for lead, such as cassava flours and snacks, dark chocolate and baby food, exceeded the level of concern, so in comparison the boba tea isnt as much of a hazard  though its still important to recognize that any exposure to lead can be considered unsafe.

Luckily, none of the samples tested above CRs level of concern for lead. stock.adobe.com

Its hard to avoid being exposed to some lead. Its found in varying amounts in food, drinking water, soil, and many homes, Rogers said.

The health risks come from repeated or continuous exposure over time. But small amounts add up and, in the long run, may have health effects. Thats why its prudent to minimize your exposure to known sources of lead when you can.

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When Consumer Reports contacted the four companies of the boba they tested, Trader Joes said that it had discontinued its Instant Boba Kit.

Jason Tsou, General Manager at WuFuYuans parent company, Shanghai ZhouShi Foodstuffs, explained that the company works with an accredited lab to test for lead, and after these findings, they implemented a stricter standard.

We take the safety of our products very seriously, and your outreach has prompted us to further improve our existing quality control measures, Tsou said.

Gong Cha and Kung Fu Tea did not reply to CRs request for comment.
LANCASTER COUNTY (WHTM)  The late state budget and federal government shutdown is jeopardizing food assistance programs, organizers said.

These programs rely heavily on government funding and without it, they could suffer.

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This Week in Pennsylvania

Its a big deal, said Feleen Nancarvis, executive director of Meals on Wheels Lancaster.

Nancarvis told abc27 News food assistance programs like this nonprofit continue missing out on critical funding needed to support those they serve.

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There are thousands of Lancastrians impacted, and that puts a huge crimp in food security locally, she said.

Seniors and adults with disabilities rely on these programs the most.

The Meals on Wheels nonprofit receives funding from the county and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. SNAP payments will not be issued for November because of the government shutdown, which is going into its fourth week.

I mean, look, the fact that the federal government is shut down means that hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians who rely on SNAP, thats food assistance, arent able to get it right now, said Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) during a trip to Allegheny County Tuesday. And it breaks my heart to see these folks who just need a little bit extra food in order to be able to put that on the table and sustain them and their families go hungry. Its a reason why Id encourage everybody here if you got a little something, a little time, a little extra money, some extra food, donate it.

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Meals on Wheels Lancaster is also asking for community support with its Feed your Elders campaign so they dont have to stop offering their assistance.

Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency deploys to aid Alaska flood recovery

We want to incentivize the community to help us feed our elders, Nancarvis said. So, donate $25. It is the cost of a home delivered meal to feed a senior. Its simple, its easy. You can do it on our website.

Pennsylvanians in need of food assistance can call 211 for help.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
Five Indiana high schools are part of a national movement to fundamentally change how students learn and earn diplomas. (Getty Images)

Too many kids slip through the cracks in our classrooms. Thats a hard statement, but its true.

Absenteeism is a significant problem; students lose interest as they advance through school, and nationwide scores in reading and math remain stubbornly low.

In 2024, the Nations Report Card revealed that just 22% of 12th graders reached proficiency in math, while only 35% did so in reading. Additionally, while Indianas chronic absenteeism rate fell to 16.7% in 2024-25, the challenge continues to affect far too many students. By the time many reach high school, theyve checked out of a system that feels unimportant to their lives.

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Fifty-three percent of Indianas high school graduates move on to attend a four-year college or university, and about half of those students graduate on time. The need to reinvent school is evident in attendance rates, test scores and lost opportunities.

This points to one truth: our education system wasnt built for the world our students are growing up in  and its time to change that.

Here in Indiana, we are proving that there is a better way forward.

Five Indiana high schools are part of a national movement to create a new educational architecture that encompasses a broader set of goals, rigorous and engaging learning experiences and meaningful signals.

The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and XQ Institute selected Concord High School, Portage School of Leaders, Eastern Hancock High School, Purdue Polytechnic High School and RAZ 32 to join the Future of High School network.

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Nationwide, 24 school systems serving 90,000 students have begun the work of redesigning high schools to ensure that learning is connected to real-world opportunities.

What skills do we truly want students to develop during high school? The goal is simple: to make high school relevant and create future opportunities for students.

This isnt about making minor adjustments; its about fundamentally changing school. Imagine a school where learning is directly tied to careers in healthcare, artificial intelligence, or advanced manufacturing  a place where students earn market-driven credentials, secure paid apprenticeships, and earn college credits. Sometimes, the most authentic learning experiences occur outside of the four walls of a classroom. Employers see students not as future hires, but as partners in building Indianas economy now.

With leaders like Indianas Secretary of Education Katie Jenner and Fairbanks Foundation President and CEO Clair Fiddian-Green, the state is charting a bold new course.

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Jenner spearheaded the redesign of the high school diploma to open doors for meaningful partnerships between schools and industry. Building on that momentum, the CEMETS iLab group has brought together schools and employers to create apprenticeship pipelines that develop talent and prepare students for promising futures.

Five years ago, Ben struggled to find value in school. Today, as a senior in South Bend, hes thriving  and his story shows the power of connecting school to industry. Through the Career Academy Student Enterprise Corporation, Ben has earned multiple certifications while running a student-led business that fulfills real orders for manufacturers using a Haas computer numerical control, or CNC, machine. Ben plans to open his own automotive custom fabrication shop one day.

This statewide collaborative approach is resulting in academic gains. Indiana posted historic achievement results increasing reading proficiency by nearly 5% last school year.

In 2024, Indianas reading scores soared, with the National Assessment of Educational Progress ranking 4th graders 6th in the nation (up from 19th) and 8th graders 6th (up from 17th). Change is possible.

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Lets be clear  this progress benefits everyone. When schools create opportunities, it doesnt just help students; it helps employers fill critical jobs, boosts economic growth, and fosters social mobility for families. Schools will become engines of opportunity, businesses will grow, and communities will become stronger.

The wind is at our backs, with school leaders, employers, and nonprofit partners moving in the same direction. The question is whether we will seize this moment together. The call to action is clear: school systems cannot do this alone. To build an education system that truly prepares young people for the future, we need everyone  especially the business community  to rally behind us.

We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to construct a new educational architecture. Lets not waste it. Our children  and Indianas future  depend on it.

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Its impossible to dispute the impact that Burton has left on snowboarding. Now, the company will be honored for the impact it made on Vermont business.

Donna Carpenter and her family will receive the 2025 Sen. Patrick Leahy Trailblazer Legacy Award from the Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance. They will be honored during an award presentation at the Vermont Outdoor Economy Summit. The presentation will be held November 13, 2025, at Burke Mountain Resort. You can register to attend that event here.

The event, hosted by the Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance, will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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This is the fifth time the award has been presented to someone who has made an outstanding contribution to Vermonts outdoor business economy with special recognition for business excellence, according to the Brattleboro Reformer.

Burton has always been rooted in Vermont, so this recognition means a great deal," Donna Carpenter said in an announcement. "Were committed to staying here, connected to the community we love, and celebrating what makes Vermont so special for generations to come while carrying Jakes legacy forward."

Burton was founded by Donnas husband, Jake Burton Carpenter back in 1977 out of a barn in Vermont. Since then, Carpenter has helped grow snowboarding from a simple backyard hobby to an Olympic sport. Jake evolved both snowboarding and his brand over the course of four decades, having pioneers from Craig Kelly to Mark McMorris, and dozens of icons in between on the Burton team over the years. Jake died of cancer in 2019, and Donna took over at the helm, with help from her sons Timi, George and Taylor.

We are thrilled that Donna and her son George can accept this award which recognizes all that their family has done for Vermonts outdoor economy and for outdoor recreation as a whole, VOBA Executive Director Kelly Ault told the Reformer. They have long been recognized globally for both the incredible legacy that Jake Burton Carpenter left in creating Burton and their ongoing and change-making impact on outdoor recreation today. It is hard to think of a family that better exemplifies the leadership and values this award stands for or who are better models for ethical and sustainable business growth.

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Past recipients of the award include Sen. Leahy himself, Johannes von Trapp of the von Trapp Family Lodge and Resort, and Killington and PICO CEO Mike Solimano.

Related: Burton's New Movie 'Paved' Is Going On TourDates and Theaters Announced

This story was originally published by Snowboarder on Oct 22, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Snowboarder as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Charlotte city leaders are celebrating the groundbreaking of new enhancements to bus stops and sidewalks in east Charlotte.

The work is happening between Timbertop Lane and Harrisburg Road. This is meant to help residents in the area get around more efficiently.

The project is a part of a new program in the city that focuses on investing in areas that need infrastructure improvements.

Charlotte City Councilmember Marjorie Molina, who represents the area, says projects like this benefit taxpayers.

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These taxpayers out here couldnt enjoy that without going to some stop that would take them to a Silver Line or Gold Line that would take them through the main thoroughfare that would get them to wherever they were going so out here in addition to this infrastructure implementation they would have the ability to pay the cost of what it would cost to ride the bus, right, to get from point to point, from their doorstep to where they need to go, Molina says.

$55 million in funding has been invested into these projects to improve parts of the far east side of Charlotte.

QCNEWS.COM

CHARLOTTE NEWS

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
BYRON CENTER, Mich. (WOOD)  When Brian and Jenna Jobin welcomed their second son into the world in June 2024, they knew something was wrong.

Brandon Jobin arrived on schedule but showed signs of a premature baby. Doctors ran test after test with no answers until they examined his genetics. That revealed an extremely rare neurological disorder: PURA syndrome.

Hes missing the PURA protein in his fifth chromosome, Brian Jobin explained. It leads to things like hypotonia, which is very low (muscle) tone, floppiness. It leads to struggles with vision, struggles with talking, walking down the road (and) a very, very high chance of epilepsy as he gets older.

Brandon Jobin in the hospital. (Courtesy Brian Jobin)

Brandon Jobin in the hospital. (Courtesy Brian Jobin)

Brandon Jobin and family in the hospital. (Courtesy Brian Jobin)

Brandon Jobin and family in the hospital. (Courtesy Brian Jobin)

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Brandon Jobin and family in the hospital. (Courtesy Brian Jobin)

Jenna Jobin added, I had never heard of it either and I was a special ed teacher before Brandon.

Doctors discovered PURA syndrome just 11 years ago. According to Brian Jobin, about 850 people worldwide have it. Theres no cure. Daily therapy and medication manage symptoms, but the financial burden is steep.

Its tens of thousands of dollars-plus, every year, he explained. As (Brandon) gets older, most likely hell need more therapy or different types of therapy Not everything is covered by insurance.

The family writes grants and carefully plans therapy schedules to maximize insurance coverage.

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Despite the challenges, Brian Jobin said the diagnosis brought relief.

The first thing was: I was scared. Then I found hope, he said. I found hope in that we finally had a diagnosis. I had hope (in) that there is this community that is going to be able to help us and that we can be a part of.

That community now extends to Lansing. The Michigan Senate on Thursday adopted a resolution recognizing Oct. 23 as PURA Syndrome Awareness Day. The Jobins hope that state recognition creates a ripple effect.

Two more people type PURA syndrome, then two more people on top of that will talk about it because theyll talk at dinner that night, Brian Jobin said. Thats the goal.

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Jenna Jobin said awareness helps families like theirs feel less alone.

More people will know about PURA and know about the uniqueness of his condition, she said. It just helps Everyones unique and it just shines light on something different.

The diagnosis hasnt diminished the familys determination.

(Brandon) shows me that I have incredible strength and we can get through this together, Jenna Jobin said.

He taught me truly, that anythings possible, that miracles can happen, Brian Jobin added. PURA syndrome isnt going to define who Brandon is. Its part of his life. And hes going to live the best possible life.

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Brian Jobin serves as fundraising committee lead at the PURA Syndrome Foundation, a nonprofit organization helping fund research. The foundation is seeking to raise $5,500 by months end, with an anonymous donor matching every dollar up to that amount. Those interested in donating can visit the PURA Syndrome Foundation website.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Channel 2 Action News Investigates has been reporting for years on problems with an Atlanta-based health care sharing ministry and the company that operated it.

Now, a judge in California just ordered a Georgia company to pay $34 million in penalties.

Aliera and the health care sharing ministry tied to it, Trinity, dont have the money to pay. They are now bankrupt.

The California Attorney Generals Office confirmed to Channel 2 consumer investigator Justin Gray that they also have a trial date set in a case against the Georgia family behind Aliera, who allegedly walked off with millions of dollars.

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Channel 2 Action News first met Will Pollock in 2019, when Aliera refused to pay the medical bills for the birth of his son.

Now I see how many other families, other people were harmed, Pollock said. Its no less enraging today than it was seven years ago.

Trinity was the health care sharing ministry. Aliera was the medical plan administrator. Neither is insurance.

TRENDING STORIES:

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The companys bankruptcy liquidator now alleges Aliera siphoned off as much as 84% of the members payments for its own use and to funnel to its insiders.

Channel 2 Action News Investigates has told story after story of families who had their medical claims rejected by Aliera and Trinity.

Aliera was essentially the family business of CEO Shelley Steele.

Weve learned the California Attorney General is now going after Steele, her husband, and son, individually, alleging they are personally liable for violations of law committed by Aliera.

Bankruptcy filings allege Steeles family pocketed big money.

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$8.3 million in unpaid loans

More than $12 million to alleged sham companies

Millions more for personal real estate and to a fake charity

Altogether, more than $26 million was allegedly directed to Steele and her family.

Now we are getting a bigger picture of how profound the grifting was with this company. And its hard to find the words to describe how depraved the whole thing is, Pollack said.

Steeles family entered into a confidential settlement agreement in bankruptcy court, so we dont know how much of their millions they paid back to the liquidators.

While Aliera and Trinity are gone, other health care sharing ministries still operate in Georgia, often offering lower costs than traditional health insurance.

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But Georgia Watch Executive Director Liz Coyle said they also come without the protections of the Affordable Care Act or Georgias insurance commissioner.

Literally, the claims dont have to be paid. And theres just no oversight. So its not insurance, Coyle said.

The attorney for Steele told Gray that the allegations of siphoning of more than $26 million from customers are extreme.

But said Steele and her family have paid what they were required by the confidential settlement. Californias attorney general, though, is now separately seeking potential penalties from Steele.

Gray also asked Georgias Attorney Generals Office about this story, which said there is no separate, active investigation here in Georgia.
By Seher Dareen

LONDON (Reuters) -The prompt Brent crude futures contract on Thursday returned to trading at a premium to the six-month contract after new U.S. sanctions on Russia revived concern of a tight market in the near term, erasing earlier signs of a fear of a glut.

The first-month Brent contract is now trading at near $2 a barrel above the contract for delivery in six months, returning to a market structure known as backwardation which indicates tight near-term supply.

Global oil prices rallied by over 5% on Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump hit Russia's two biggest oil companies - Lukoil and Rosneft - with sanctions. The EU added two Chinese refiners and a trader to its Russia sanctions list.

"Market participants are shifting their concerns from oversupplied markets to supply disruption concerns," said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo. "Russia is the third-largest oil producer and the two companies account for 50-55% of Russian output," he said of Lukoil and Rosneft.

Earlier this week, prompt Brent traded as low as 56 cents a barrel below the six-month contract, having moved to a discount on October 16 for the first time since May. This structure, when prompt barrels trade at a discount to later supply, reflects a perception of a well supplied market in the near term.

The equivalent spread for the major U.S. WTI crude futures contract was also trading in backwardation on Thursday, also ending a brief period in contango.

(Reporting by Seher Dareen in London, editing by Alex Lawler and Chizu Nomiyama )
Channel 2 Action News Investigates has been reporting for years on problems with an Atlanta-based health care sharing ministry and the company that operated it.

Now, a judge in California just ordered a Georgia company to pay $34 million in penalties.

Aliera and the health care sharing ministry tied to it, Trinity, dont have the money to pay. They are now bankrupt.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The California Attorney Generals Office confirmed to Channel 2 consumer investigator Justin Gray that they also have a trial date set in a case against the Georgia family behind Aliera, who allegedly walked off with millions of dollars.

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Channel 2 Action News first met Will Pollock in 2019, when Aliera refused to pay the medical bills for the birth of his son.

Now I see how many other families, other people were harmed, Pollock said. Its no less enraging today than it was seven years ago.

Trinity was the health care sharing ministry. Aliera was the medical plan administrator. Neither is insurance.

The companys bankruptcy liquidator now alleges Aliera siphoned off as much as 84% of the members payments for its own use and to funnel to its insiders.

RELATED STORIES:

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Channel 2 Action News Investigates has told story after story of families who had their medical claims rejected by Aliera and Trinity.

Aliera was essentially the family business of CEO Shelley Steele.

Weve learned the California Attorney General is now going after Steele, her husband, and son, individually, alleging they are personally liable for violations of law committed by Aliera.

Bankruptcy filings allege Steeles family pocketed big money.

$8.3 million in unpaid loans

More than $12 million to alleged sham companies

Millions more for personal real estate and to a fake charity

Altogether, more than $26 million was allegedly directed to Steele and her family.

Advertisement Advertisement

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Now we are getting a bigger picture of how profound the grifting was with this company. And its hard to find the words to describe how depraved the whole thing is, Pollack said.

Steeles family entered into a confidential settlement agreement in bankruptcy court, so we dont know how much of their millions they paid back to the liquidators.

While Aliera and Trinity are gone, other health care sharing ministries still operate in Georgia, often offering lower costs than traditional health insurance.

But Georgia Watch Executive Director Liz Coyle said they also come without the protections of the Affordable Care Act or Georgias insurance commissioner.

Advertisement Advertisement

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Literally, the claims dont have to be paid. And theres just no oversight. So its not insurance, Coyle said.

The attorney for Steele told Gray that the allegations of siphoning of more than $26 million from customers are extreme.

But said Steele and her family have paid what they were required by the confidential settlement. Californias attorney general, though, is now separately seeking potential penalties from Steele.

Gray also asked Georgias Attorney Generals Office about this story, which said there is no separate, active investigation here in Georgia.
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI)  California Democrats sent a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday regarding shrapnel that struck California Highway Patrol (CHP) vehicles during Vice President JD Vances visit to Camp Pendleton.

The metal shrapnel came from explosive ordnance over the Interstate 5 during the U.S. Marine Corps 250th anniversary celebration on Saturday, which featured Vance and Hegseth.

Senator Alex Padilla, Senator Adam Schiff, Representatives Mike Levin, Scott Peters, Juan Vargas, Sara Jacobs and 23 other members of Congress requested answers regarding the incident in their joint letter.

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While we are relieved no one was injured, we are deeply concerned by the decision-making that led to this incident, the Representatives wrote.

Prior to the event, White House leadership suggested the demonstrations would be safe and not affect nearby areas. Despite these claims, Governor Gavin Newsom had the I-5 shutdown over safety concerns.

[Newsom] closed the highway  not only did nobody at the White House or the Marines ask him to do so, the Marines repeatedly said there are no public safety concerns with todays exercises, the White House Rapid Response Team stated on social media.

Some local representatives also claimed Newsom closed the I-5 for political reasons.

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Gavin Newsom  who never served a day in the military  is overruling the best-trained and most-experienced leaders of our Marine Corps and shutting down the main interstate highway in the San Diego region for no other reason than a spiteful publicity stunt and to ruin the occasion, Representative Darrell Issa posted on social media.

Newsoms press office responded to Issas post, asking him to issue an apology for accusing Newsom of overreacting.

Now we learn  live ordinance detonated early, striking a vehicle on a closed portion of the highway during the event, the Governors Press Office posted. Without a doubt, an apology is owed  to not just Californians, but all Americans.

In their letter, leaders directed 13 questions to Hegseth, requesting him to answer them by Oct. 29. Some of the questions include:

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How did the USMC and relevant components prepare for this event? When did the USMC and relevant components begin preparing for this event?

Who directed the USMC to conduct the artillery demonstration over Interstate 5? Who made the final decision that the live fire demonstration was considered to be safe? When was this decision made?

If the freeway had not been closed to civilian traffic at the time of the incident, how does the USMC evaluate that civilian vehicles would have been impacted by it?

Which agency is going to cover the costs associated with the damage to the two impacted vehicles?

The full letter can be read on Levins website.

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Maintaining public safety has been a central pillar of that relationship, which is built on trust and confidence, the letter states. Our Marines deserve to be celebrated without compromising these ideals. We look forward to your response.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
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
Its no secret that Eagle is a major hub for Californians stampeding to Idaho. In increasingly visible ways, those transplants are bringing their politics, economics  and food  with them.

The Potholder Cafe, founded more than 50 years ago in Long Beach, just opened at 404 S. Eagle Road. The breakfast and lunch destination debuted in late August but finally got its sign on the building in early October, according to its Instagram page. It took over the former home of The Stuffed Olive, which closed in June.

There are four other Potholder Cafes: three in Long Beach and one in Los Alamitos. Theres a bit of ocean fog about precisely when the brand was founded, but evidence points to the early 1970s. The Potholder website says serving since 1970, while the Eagle locations Facebook page claims est. in 1973.

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Either way, the Potholder is cherished by many Southern Californians. A 2022 article by online publication Longbeachize described it as the OG of Long Beachs love for breakfast and synonymous with Long Beachs breakfast culture.

The Potholder offers cozy dining in a traditional cafe atmosphere.

The Potholder has adapted to Idaho with touches of Gem State wall decor. But longtime Potholder customers will find the same familiar California menu options.

The Potholders breakfast arsenal is as large as its portions. There are choices ranging from Popeyes Scramble ($14.95, Jack cheese, sausage, spinach and mushrooms) and the Baked Potato Omelette ($15.95, cubed potatoes, bacon, cheddar, sour cream and green onions) to the Mondo Burrito ($17.95, eggs, bacon, potatoes, beans, cheese, topped with enchilada sauce, avocado and sour cream).

Or test your arteries with the D-Fib ($19.95): chicken-fried steak wrapped in bacon and jalapenos on top of a biscuit slathered with sausage gravy.

Got a massive appetite? Try the Potholders eating challenge, the Mac Daddy ($18.95), which involves a trash can lid of a pancake, two eggs and bacon or sausage. Devour it all and you get a shirt and social-media fame.

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Lunch is packed with burgers, sandwiches and salads. If you enjoyed too many Potholder bloody marys or micheladas the day before, you can grab The Hangover burger ($15.95, cheese, avocado, bacon and an egg). And although theres a traditional French dip ($15.95) on the menu, why not act like a local with the California Dip ($16.95). It adds Ortega green chiles and jack cheese to the sandwich. Incidentally, all burgers and sammies come with either fries, salad, potatoes, fruit, cottage cheese or sliced tomatoes.

The Club ($14.95) is one of several sandwich options. A triple decker, it includes ham, bacon, turkey, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise.

The Potholder pours bottomless mimosas on Saturdays if you buy an entree costing at least $12.95. And its coffee bar selections include a seasonal pumpkin spice latte in October. Haul a steaming cup outside where, milking fall weather, the Potholder is welcoming diners on its dog-friendly patio.

Open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, the Potholder Cafe appears to be winning over Eagle. It rates an enthusiastic 4.9 out of 5 stars on Yelp (20 reviews already) and 4.6 stars (18 reviews) on Google.

Tasted just like being home in Long Beach! a Yelp reviewer proclaimed. Brought back so many memories of weekly breakfasts with my parents. They would have been so happy to see this in Idaho! We will definitely be frequenting!
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP)  The Associated Press has withdrawn its story about the arrest of South Korean nationals at a scam center in Cambodia. The Cambodian government released a statement on Oct. 23 saying that a South Korean delegation had visited the site of an online scam center in Cambodia where a raid was carried out and 57 South Korean nationals arrested. South Korean and Cambodian authorities later clarified that while the visit to the compound took place on Oct.22, according to the South Korean Foreign Ministry, the raid and arrests at the site were conducted back in July. AP will publish a new version of the story.
All Pierce County Sheriffs Office personnel who went to the scene of a two-car collision allegedly caused by Maj. Chadwick Dickerson should have had their body-cameras activated, Sheriff Keith Swank said in a Thursday afternoon press conference.

Speaking to reporters on the lawn of the County-City Building in Tacoma, Swank said an Internal Affairs investigation was opened to look into the conduct of the deputies who were at the scene that day as soon as he reviewed charging documents filed against Dickerson.

Those documents accuse Dickerson of driving under the influence when he crashed his pickup into an SUV near Graham on July 12, injuring an 8-year-old boy and his 57-year-old grandmother. They also allege that a sergeant on the scene manually turned his body camera off before speaking with Dickerson, and that deputies didnt have their cameras turned on the entire time.

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I believe everybody that arrived at that scene that day should have had their camera on, Swank said.

Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank speaks at a press conference about the charging of Maj. Chadwick Dickerson on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, in Tacoma. Dickerson was charged Wednesday with two counts of DUI vehicular assault for crashing his pickup into an SUV near Graham.

Swank said he didnt know if there was anything he could do about it because the Sheriffs Offices policy on body cameras states that the devices should be activated during certain situations, including traffic stops and investigative contacts.

He added that the policy was in place before he began his term as sheriff in January.

Had I been the sheriff when this was written, the key word would be shall, we shall turn on our cameras, Swank said.

Changing the policy, according to Swank, would involve negotiations with the union that represents his deputies. However, he said he would inform everyone in the Sheriffs Office that body cameras should be turned on no matter whom theyre interacting with.

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It doesnt matter if its the sheriff, or the undersheriff, or the mayor, or the executive, or the governor, or the president, Swank said. Youll have your body-worn camera on. And you wont do it just because you  for whatever reason maybe they didnt want to embarrass them. I dont know what the case may be, but it should be on, and if it ends up its me it should be on then also.

Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank speaks at a press conference about the charging of Maj. Chadwick Dickerson on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, in Tacoma, Wash. Dickerson was charged Wednesday with two counts of DUI vehicular assault for crashing his pickup into an SUV near Graham.

Dickerson, his wife and adult daughter were allowed to pick up collision debris and remove items from Dickersons pickup truck before a Washington State Patrol trooper arrived, according to court documents. Swank said that should not have happened.

Dickerson, 52, was charged Wednesday with two counts of DUI vehicular assault for the incident following a months-long investigation by the Washington State Patrol. Charging papers say his blood-alcohol level was 0.091 when his blood was drawn more than three hours after the wreck. The legal limit in Washington is .08.

Dickerson is expected to appear for an arraignment hearing to enter a plea to those charges Nov. 6. He has worked for the Sheriffs Office since August 2000 and has no prior criminal history. He has remained on paid administrative leave since his July arrest.

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Asked by reporters what Dickersons status in the Sheriffs Office would be going forward, Swank said he would provide an update Monday. He also said he believes in due process for everyone, including people who work for the Sheriffs Office.

We are going to evaluate things and hold ourselves accountable like we always will, Swank said.

Swank takes aim at Prosecutor Mary Robnett: Disrespectful

Swank used part of the press conference to personally attack Prosecutor Mary Robnett as disrespectful because he was not given charging documents for Dickerson before the news media. He said Robnett called him at 3:14 p.m. Wednesday to inform him that Dickerson was going to be charged. After he hung up with her, Swank said, a public information officer began crafting a press release, but a short time later he was told KING 5 News wanted to interview him.

I didnt have any answers at the time because I had not reviewed anything, Swank said.

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I received it after the media received it, which I believe is disrespectful, he added. I believe that the prosecutor should have given it to me in advance.

On social media, Swank posted Thursday morning that Robnett or someone in the Prosecutors Office gave it to the media first to blindside him.

Adam Faber, a spokesperson for the Prosecuting Attorneys Office, said Swank was the first person to be notified about the charges. He said charging documents were posted to the countys judicial records system, LINX, at 3:12 p.m., so they were publicly available, and Robnett called Swank two minutes later.

When this incident happened back in July, we received many inquiries from reporters about it, and some have followed up since then, Faber said. Yesterday, as we would normally do, we updated those reporters when we filed charges. At 3:39-3:40, I emailed seven different news outlets with an update, and I included charging documents.

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People throughout the law enforcement and courts system, including in the Sheriffs Office, know how to use LINX and find charging documents, Faber said. I would also point out that the body-camera footage from that day has always been in the possession of the department.

At the press conference, Swank said LINX wasnt in his wheelhouse as sheriff, and he didnt know how to even log into the system.

Typically, executives of an organization have people who will give that to them, Swank said. And they would have given it to me had anybody given it to me in advance before it was given to the media. But it wasnt.
CAMERON, La. (KLFY)  Two men were cited by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents for an alleged shrimping violation in Cameron Parish, authorities said.



Lawrence Mallett, 66, and Sky Leger, 44, both of Cameron, were cited for blocking the passage of fish.



Officials said agents observed a shrimping vessel that was tied to a water control structure with nets deployed in Mud Bayou, where they were actively shrimping using their nets to block the passage of fish.



Agents made contact with the subjects and found them in possession of about 2,050 pounds of shrimp. Agents seized the shrimp and sold them to the highest bidder, authorities said.



Blocking the passage of fish brings a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail.

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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called out the erosion of American soft power and international legitimacy in the age of Donald Trump, noting that the U.S. presidents actions have caused former economic strengths to become economic weaknesses.

This decades-long process of an ever-closer economic relationship with the United States is now over. And as a consequence, many of our former strengths as a country  strengths based on close ties to America, have become our vulnerabilities, Carney said during a Wednesday night speech to students in Ottawa. He also noted that Canadian manufacturing sectors and businesses were under threat due to Trumps tariffs.

Our relationship with the United States will never again be the same as it was  we have to take care of ourselves, because we cant rely on one foreign partner. We have to take care of each other because we are stronger together, he said.

Carney: But this decades-long process of an ever-closer economic relationship with the United States is now over. And as a consequence, many of our former strengths as a countrymore particularly, our economic strengths based on close ties to Americahave now become our pic.twitter.com/OPMzB9X9mO  Acyn (@Acyn) October 23, 2025

These are harsh and alarming words to hear from the leader of what has been this countrys closest geographical and political ally for decades. But Carneys view is entirely warranted. Trump has stoked conflict and disrespect by calling for Canada to be the 51st state, imposed harsh tariffs on Canadian goods, and overall tarnished what was once a fruitful relationshipall under the guise of his America First ideology. Now, Carney is thinking Canada First.



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Now, above all, we will build Canadian, Carney continued. Our upcoming budget will move forward with our Buy Canadian policyprioritizing Canadian steel, aluminum, lumber, manufactured goods, and technology for Canadian projects.

It isnt just Canada. Countries throughout Europe have shifted away from the United States as they can no longer expect consistency and good faith negotiation from the Trump administration. So far America First has been more isolating than liberating.
U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen said the stories of two New Hampshire cancer survivors motivate her to lead the fight on Capitol Hill to resist ending the federal government shutdown without extending premium tax credits for families that got health care through the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Shaheen: Cancer survivor stories inspire her to lead push to keep expanded tax credits

Morgan Leineger of Concord, at right, said health care coverage he got through the Affordable Care Act helped save his life through early detection of a brain tumor. He appeared with Sen. Jeanne Shaheen at a discussion on the ACAs premium tax credits last week in Concord. Jake Berry, vice president of policy at New Futures, the nonprofit health advocacy group that hosted the event, is at left.

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The issue has become a key obstacle as Senate Democrats were expected a 12th time late Wednesday to vote against a clean continuing resolution that would fund the government for a month.

The premium tax credit lowers the cost of health insurance coverage for households who earn between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level, which for 2025 is $32,150 for a family of four. Eligibility was expanded during the COVID pandemic to include families with higher income, but that expansion is scheduled to end at the end of this year.

The Democrats refuse to budge without getting those tax credits extended along with stopping cuts to Medicaid that will occur in future years as the result of the big beautiful bill President Donald Trump signed last July.

We want to reopen the government, and we also want to fix this vital health insurance program, the time is now to do both, Shaheen said during a recent interview.

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As a retiring senator and the prime author of legislation to extend the ACA credits nine months ago, Shaheen has surfaced as a potential deal maker to end the shutdown. Several national media outlets have referred to Shaheen, 78, as the shutdown whisperer.

Shaheen points to two Granite Staters  Morgan Leineger of Concord and Robyn Neville of Merrimack  and their cancer stories as her motivation. They appeared with her last week at a panel discussion with patients and providers at New Futures, a non-partisan health advocacy group in Concord.

Leineger said the ACA literally saved my life. As a self-employed business owner, it was only through preventative care he received through his ACA insurance coverage that doctors found a walnut-size tumor in his brain.

Treatment included 42 days of radiation plus surgery that removed his septum. He still requires up to two hours of self-therapy every day, he said.

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I went into surgery not even sure Id have a nose left, Leineger recalled.

Neville said she was diagnosed with cancer in 2013, the ACA meant her insurer couldnt deny coverage due to her pre-existing condition.

Then when my business failed during COVID, I had no income coming in and was able to get a policy (through this tax credit) that was extremely affordable, Neville said.

The impact

Neville said she pays $730 a month in premiums, about half of what she would pay without the subsidy.

Whats coming feels like going to Las Vegas except in this case, there is no ability to win, Neville said.

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Entering its fourth week, the shutdown is likely to take on renewed focus Friday when most federal employees other than active-duty service members will miss their first full paycheck.

The 2022 expansion extended the tax credit to households earning more than 400% of the federal poverty level, currently $128,600 for a family of four.

The critics say, Well, that was started during COVID, but since the pandemic weve only seen higher and higher costs for health care, Shaheen said during the discussion at New Futures.

The expanded credits dont expire until years end but Emily Lawrence, deputy advocacy director with Waypoint, said her nonprofits insurer has already told them that without the credits, their employer costs will go up an additional $450,000 a year to provide workers coverage through the ACA Marketplace.

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This would require some difficult decisions like forgoing salary increases or bonuses for our employees, she said.

Nearly all Americans getting these credits will get a similar sticker shock when open enrollment for the 2026 calendar year begins Nov. 1, Shaheen said.

New Futures Sam Burgess said a survey with Families USA concluded at least 50,000 and up to 70,000 New Hampshire residents benefit from the tax credits whose premiums would go an average of 22% without them.

For lower-income workers the costs would be much more dramatic like premiums totaling $1,344 for an individual making $31,000 a year and $14,700 for a couple in their early 60s making $90,000 annually, he said.

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President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said the tax credits must be reformed because they are prone to fraud and provide subsidies to wealthier families that dont need the help.

House Speaker Mike Johnson has called the credits bad policy, while many in Trumps inner circle offer privately that extending them would only damage the presidents long-held goal to eliminate the ACA altogether.

Shaheen said if GOP leaders in Congress would open formal talks, consensus could be reached on reforms such as lowering the income eligibility cap and requiring regular reenrollment to ensure these benefits only go to those who deserve them.

I think there are a whole range of things that we could come together on; I dont think the issues are all that complicated, Shaheen said, noting the budget bill Trump signed last July contained some anti-fraud provisions.

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We know that 94% of these credits go to families that make less than $200,000 a year and the average family that gets a benefit earns $30,000 annually.

Steve Ahnen, president and CEO of the New Hampshire Hospital Association, said losing these credits would have a rippling effect throughout the health care system as more people would become uninsured and seek care in already-crowded hospitals.

We serve all patients and if we see significant reductions in any of these areas, that is going to impact every patient, Ahnen said.

Susan Stearns, executive director with the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI-N.H.), said this could undo achievements of the states Mission Zero initiative that has reduced the number of adults and children sitting in emergency rooms waiting for a mental health bed.

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For years we had an intractable boarding room crisis, and I fear this could reverse all that progress, Stearns said.

Jake Berry, vice president of policy with New Futures, said this could also end the downward trend of fatal overdoses due to opioid abuse in New Hampshire.

Berry said the credits have allowed recovering addicts to get back on their feet and migrate off Medicaid to buy their own coverage through the ACA.

This will undo the foundation of what we have built, and it is going to cause more lives to be lost, Berry said.

Eye-opening survey

Shaheen said Trump and GOP leaders need to be reminded that their constituents have gotten the most benefit from these credits.

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We know from surveys that 76% of people who benefit from these tax credits live in states that Donald Trump won in 2024. We also know 56% of them live in Republican congressional districts and 55% say they identify as MAGA Republicans, Shaheen said.

Shaheen was one of only three Senate Democrats to vote for a defense spending bill meant to back up President Trumps moves to pay the military during the shutdown. The bill fell 10 votes short of the 60 required for passage.

We were sent down there to get things done and time is running out, Shaheen added.

klandrigan@unionleader.com
President Donald Trump became visibly annoyed on Thursday with a French reporter, who, he nonetheless said, has a beautiful accent.

The reporters question centered on the Israeli Knesset, which on Wednesday voted for a symbolic measure that gave preliminary approval to apply Israeli law in the West Bank, which is Palestinian territory. That vote irked several Trump administration officials, who said it undermines a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that Trump had worked to broker. Vice President JD Vance deemed the vote a very stupid political stunt.

Yesterday, there was a vote at the Knesset on annexing the West Bank, the reporter told Trump. Do you see it as a challenge to your peace efforts?

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Could you say that louder, please? the president asked.

Yes, yesterday, there was a vote at the Knesset in Israel on annexing the West Bank, she reiterated. Do you see it as a challenge to your peace efforts?

At that point, Trump turned to Attorney General Pam Bondi and said, Will you answer that, please? Because I cannot understand a word shes saying.

Before Bondi could say anything, the president turned back to the reporter and inquired, Where are you from?

Im from France, she replied.

Youre from France, Trump said. Beautiful accent, but we cant understand what youre saying.

Bondi then informed the president that the question was about Israel and the West Bank.

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The West Bank? Trump said. Dont worry about the West Bank. Israels not gonna do anything with the West Bank, ok? Dont worry about it. Is that your question? Theyre not gonna do anything with the West Bank. Dont worry about it. Israels doing very well. Theyre not gonna do anything with it.

In February, Trump had a similar run-in with a member of the international press, telling the journalist at a press conference, I cant understand a word hes saying.

Watch above via Fox News.

The post I Cannot Understand a Word Shes Saying: Trump Frustrated by Reporter With Beautiful Accent first appeared on Mediaite.
The Jerusalem Post Washington Conference will address the day after's most pressing issues. US-Israel relationship must rest on shared democratic values," says honorary Co-Chair Bobby Rechnitz.

The ceasefire that stopped the shooting this month brought Israels last living hostages home and shifted the worlds gaze to the day after, to governance, to reconstruction, and to whether Washington can still speak in one voice about Israel.

This moment marks a historic turning point for the Middle East, as a new reality begins to unfold. The ceasefire resulting in the release of remaining hostages, ongoing reconstruction in Gaza, and President Trumps comments on shaping a new Middle East all highlight the urgent need to strengthen the strategic alliance between Israel and the U.S.

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff speaks during a swearing-in ceremony for Jeanine Pirro as interim US Attorney for the District of Columbia at the White House in Washington, DC, US, May 28, 2025. (Credit: Leah Mills/Reuters)

Our Summit will explore practical ways to develop a renewed vision for this relationship and to reinforce its core pillars  security, innovation, economy, and shared values. Our aim is to deepen the strategic partnership and maintain bipartisan support for Israel from both Republican and Democratic sides.

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Thats why we are bringing The Jerusalem Posts first Washington Conference to Capitol Hill this December, emphasizing bipartisanship and the release of hostages as the moral foundation.

That is why we are taking The Jerusalem Posts first Washington Conference to Capitol Hill in December, with bipartisanship as the organizing principle.

>> For more information about the Jerusalem Post Washington Conference

Howard Lutnick (Credit: CHIP SOMODEVILLA/GETTY IMAGES)

For two years, the story of this war was measured in absence. As the last 20 living hostages were released from Gaza, part of a framework that also committed Israel to free large numbers of Palestinian prisoners and detainees and to enable the return of remains for burial.

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In that context, I spent time with our conferences honorary co-chairs, Norman Brownstein and Bobby Rechnitz, and asked them to speak plainly.

(L) Norman Brownstein (Credit: Ron Sachs - Pool via Getty Images)

Brownstein has spent a lifetime building cross-party coalitions in Washington. His diagnosis is both pragmatic and hopeful: The United States and Israel enjoy a very strong and enduring security alliance, he told me, arguing that perceptions of a rift will recede as Gaza stabilizes and as Israel is again judged by what it builds, not just by what it must destroy.

He also noted that international efforts, such as those at the UN by France and Saudi Arabia to advocate for recognizing a Palestinian state, will probably diminish as Gazas governance becomes clearer, as long as Washington stays opposed to unilateral statehood recognition.

Supporting Israel should never be a partisan issue, Rechnitz said. It is about defending Americas closest ally, and it works best when our advocacy is bipartisan.

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Rechnitz was unsentimental about the noise online or at the fringes. Fringe voices do not represent the mainstream, he told me. The vast majority of Americans still see Israel as a vital ally.

Brownstein is a founding partner and the longtime chairman of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, a firm synonymous with bipartisan deal-making. He did not earn the nickname Americas 101st Senator by accident, and the National Law Journal recognized his lifetime of work shaping legislation that actually passed.

Bobby Rechnitz. (Credit: Chen Schimmel)

Rechnitz comes from the world of business and civic action. He is a Los Angeles developer and philanthropist who has put time and energy into practical coalition-building in Washington, including efforts around Iron Dome and dialogue that brought members from both sides of the aisle into the same room.

Both men made clear that the next phase will test whether we can turn relief into responsibility.

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Brownstein sketched the near term: As Gaza rebuilds and a governing mechanism takes hold, support for Israel as the only true democracy in the Middle East will resume, he said, provided Israel does not stumble back into the judiciary wars that distracted it from its strengths.

He believes that once Gaza is rebuilt and the Israeli economy regains its innovative and technological strength, bipartisan confidence in Israel will be restored, provided that the political distractions before October 7 are left behind.

Rechnitz addressed the generational cliff: Israel needs tremendous work on the 18- to 35-year-old support, he said. The war has definitely hurt their standing, which means meeting young Americans in their language and on their platforms and letting them encounter Israel as a country of diversity, inclusion, and innovation, not a caricature.

Brownstein echoed this concern, warning that Israel must regain the reputation it had before the judiciary conflict and the war, as a country of caring, innovation, and respect for all peoples, if it hopes to bring younger generations back to its side.

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Rechnitz has watched minds change in hospitals, incubators, and schools. When people meet Israelis face-to-face, the conversation changes from politics to people, he said.

What does bipartisan seriousness look like now, after the guns fell silent?

First, it looks like realism about the ceasefires architecture. The plan that took hold in early October tied the release of all living hostages to Israeli troop movements, prisoner exchanges, and an initial governance track for Gaza, with Egypt, Qatar, and other partners in the room at Sharm el-Sheikh.

It is not a final peace, as sober analysts have stressed, but it is a framework to test. Our stage should be where leaders say what they can actually pass, fund, and defend when it stops being popular.

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Second, it looks like discipline about redlines that could blow up the coalition we need. Even before the final releases, Rubio warned that any flirtation with annexation would scramble the diplomatic math.

You do not have to like the messenger to hear the math. Sixty votes is not a catchphrase in Washington; it is physics. If we want aid, authorities, and reconstruction to travel through Congress, we will need Republicans and Democrats on the same page in public.

Brownstein highlighted that the previous Democratic efforts to restrict military aid were meant as a warning against annexing Gaza or the West Bank. He assured that as stability is restored, bipartisan backing will also come back.

Third, widening the horizon to normalization looks likely. The region is shifting, Rechnitz said. Peace and normalization are not Republican or Democratic ideas; they are American values, he said.

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Suppose Saudi Arabia steps into an expanded framework. In that case, it will be because the plan is credible and because a broad American coalition is willing to sustain it past the next election, Rechnitz said, adding: Israel is not isolated. It is more integrated than ever, and that success should be a bipartisan asset, not a partisan wedge.

Fourth, it is important to have moral clarity on antisemitism without turning the issue into a political tool. Brownstein highlighted the Antisemitism Awareness Act as the only measure likely to advance in the next 14 months. He noted that it has equal Republican and Democratic co-sponsors. He also mentioned that antisemitism in the U.S. has increased during the Gaza conflict, providing extremists more space to voice their views. The Acts significance lies in legally defining antisemitism using the IHRA standard under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which helps the Department of Education better identify campus harassment. Currently, the bill has 42 co-sponsors from both parties, and he believes passing it would help reduce antisemitic incidents on university campuses.

Combating antisemitism is not a conservative or liberal cause, he likes to remind people. It is an American responsibility.

Finally, it looks like respect for holding office and institutions. Rechnitz has little patience for performative purity tests: If there is a title in front of a name, invite them, listen hard, argue hard, and ask for commitments on the record. Our advocacy is more effective when it is bipartisan, he said, adding that he wants the public to see that solidarity on stage, not just as a vote count buried in a roll call.

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There is a temptation, after a breakthrough, to declare victory and move on. We cannot. The hostages return is not an epilogue; it is a prologue. The remains of Israelis are still being returned in stages, the humanitarian pipeline into Gaza remains fragile, and the governance debate is only beginning.

As one wire service put it on release day, the deal paused a war that pummeled Gaza and scarred Israel. What comes next will tell us whether we can stitch back a shared strategic language that outlives leaders and news cycles.

I will measure our Washington Conference against a short list. Do leaders from both parties say clearly that Israels security is a US interest, not a favor to a government? Do they commit, on camera, to protect the hostage framework if it gets politically costly?

Do they put specifics around Gazas civil administration that a bipartisan majority can fund?

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Do they sketch a path to broader normalization that goes beyond a press release? And do they talk about the alliances ballast, not just its battles, the supply chains, health, agritech, and energy cooperation that keep a relationship steady in rough water?

Administrations come and go, Brownstein likes to say. Congress comes and goes. The alliance survives when people on both sides decide to carry it.

Rechnitz told me: The US-Israel relationship must rest on shared democratic values, not party politics. The alliance belongs to all Americans.

I agree. Bipartisanship is not a slogan; it is the strategy.

>> For more information about the Jerusalem Post Washington Conference




HARTFORD - Carbone's Ristorante has tentative plans to redevelop its former Franklin Avenue location with a new three-story building, according to an application filed to the city.

The ownership of Carbone's filed on Oct. 16 an application for a zone change for 80 Goodrich St., a parcel with a single-family home that borders the restaurant's parking lot at 588 and 596 Franklin Ave. Plans included within the application show a new development with a multistory building and a pair of detached garages at the former site of the restaurant and the house.

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Elevations and a floor plan for the building describe a three-story structure with 5,400 square-feet of "ground floor commercial" and a "roof terrace feature," though no information is provided as to what the other floors would house.

The plans include 29 parking spaces, with 21 stalls in the two garages and eight along the larger building.

Vinnie Carbone, third-generation owner of the restaurant, declined to comment on the details of the Franklin Avenue plans but said he hopes for a response on the zone change application "within the next few weeks."

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Carbone's Ristorante closed the Franklin Avenue restaurant after nearly 82 years of renowned Italian fine dining, though the family still operates Italian steakhouse Carbone's Prime in Rocky Hill and the more casual Carbone's Kitchen in the Wintonbury Mall in Bloomfield. While the sister restaurants stayed afloat, Carbone's Ristorante struggled to find staff and stability within a difficult hospitality market.

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The original restaurant is gearing up to reopen in the former Apple Cinemas movie theater on the corner of Front Street and Columbus Boulevard, which itself has sat vacant since 2023. Carbone said he plans to open the new restaurant in spring 2026.

This article originally published at Carbone's Ristorante eyes Franklin Avenue site redevelopment during move to new Hartford location.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed that a lethal strike against alleged narco-traffickers was carried out on Tuesday night, making it the eighth attack in the federal governments ongoing conflict with drug cartels.

This attack took place in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, a contrast from the previous seven operations that took place in the Caribbean.

In a post on X, Hegseth said a Designated Terrorist Organization managed the vessel and likened them to the terrorists that carried out 9/11.

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Narco-terrorists intending to bring poison to our shores, will find no safe harbor anywhere in our hemisphere, he said. Just as Al Qaeda waged war on our homeland, these cartels are waging war on our border and our people. There will be no refuge or forgiveness  only justice.

He also added that the two people who were on board the vessel were killed in the strike.

Yesterday, at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel being operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization and conducting narco-trafficking in the Eastern Pacific.



The vessel was known by our intelligence to be pic.twitter.com/BayDhUZ4Ac  Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) October 22, 2025

The death toll since the Trump administration has gone after alleged narco-terrorists in international waters is at least 34, according to Fox News.

Earlier this week, Hegseth confirmed another strike that killed three alleged narco-terrorists associated with Colombias National Liberation Army.

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He again likened the alleged terrorists to Al Qaeda.

These cartels are the Al Qaeda of the Western Hemisphere, using violence, murder and terrorism to impose their will, threaten our national security and poison our people, he said. The United States military will treat these organizations like the terrorists they are  they will be hunted, and killed, just like Al Qaeda.

On October 17th, at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel affiliated with Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional (ELN), a Designated Terrorist Organization, that was operating in the USSOUTHCOM area of responsibility.



The pic.twitter.com/1v7oR879LC  Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) October 19, 2025

On Oct. 14, Trump posted on Truth Social that it was his great honor to destroy a very large DRUG-CARRYING SUBMARINE that was navigating towards the United States on a well known narcotrafficking transit route.

That U.S. military attack was the first time there were survivors among the crew. The survivors were detained and transported to their countries of origin  Colombia and Ecuador  for prosecution.

Under my watch, the United States of America will not tolerate narcoterrorists trafficking illegal drugs, by land or by sea, Trump added.
Authorities have arrested a North Texas woman for her alleged role in a violent July 4 attack on the Prairieland U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Detention Center.

Janette Goering, apprehended at her Carrollton home on October 21, faces charges of aiding in the commission of terrorism and is held in Johnson County Jail on a $5 million bond.

She is the 18th person arrested in connection with the incident, which injured one Alvarado police officer.

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On the night of July 4, several masked individuals dressed in black, some armed, targeted the facility, damaging vehicles and security cameras in the parking lot. When an officer attempted to intervene, gunfire erupted, striking the officer in the neck.

Federal prosecutors recently charged two other North Texans, Cameron Arnold and Zachary Evetts, on October 16, accusing them of orchestrating the attack as part of an Antifa cell. They face federal counts of providing material support to terrorists, attempted murder of U.S. officers, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.

The charges follow President Donald Trumps executive order labeling Antifa a domestic terrorist organization.
There's typically not much going on along Berry Pearce Road, but that wasn't the case on Wednesday afternoon as hundreds of cars were parked along the rural two-lane road.

People who live in the area knew there was something out of the ordinary happening.

"Timberlake has maybe 4,000 people. There was probably close to that many people here for this event. The town is not set up to handle that amount of traffic or people," said resident Bill Brown.

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The event was held in the Field of Dreams, which is marketed as an event-ready location ready to host small or large gatherings. Thousands of North Carolina Central University students attended. The university tells ABC11 News that it was neither a NCCU-sponsored nor a NCCU-sanctioned event.

The event was held in the Field of Dreams in Person County, which is marketed as an event-ready location ready to host small or large gatherings.

According to the Person County Sheriff's Office, the initial estimated attendance of approximately 10,000 individuals was based on a joint assessment by the event organizers and the Sheriff's Office. The organizers believed there were more than 5,000 people inside the event area, with thousands more along the roadways, walking to the site, or parked in surrounding areas. Additional attendees were also transported from the Orange County Speedway, which had been designated as a remote parking location.

Brown spent his morning cleaning up trash left in his front yard.

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"What I cleaned up were bottles of vodka and tequila. Clearly, a lot of alcohol was being consumed right on the property," he said.

Chopper11 flew overhead as hundreds gathered at the event.

"There were literally thousands of cars. I saw one person trying to direct traffic. One of the people at the event was doing it. He didn't seem to be doing a very good job," he said.

Vehicles were towed at the request of private property owners after numerous cars were parked without permission in active farm fields. One farmer's wheat crop sustained damage due to vehicles driving and parking within the planted area. The event organizers have since reached an agreement with the affected farmer to compensate for the damages.

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Some drivers even tried to park in Brown's driveway.

"I told them to get out of here. If you leave it here, it's going to get towed," he said.

This event didn't require a permit. Prior to the event, the Sheriff's Office reached out to the Person County Planning and Zoning Department to determine if any zoning or permitting restrictions applied to the property. Planning and Zoning advised that there was nothing in the county's zoning ordinance prohibiting the event from being held at that location.

Brown said Duke University students often utilize the field to throw parties.

"The problem is they come down here and they're drinking. It's loud music all day long," said Brown.

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Both the event organizers and the Sheriff's Office were overwhelmed by the unexpectedly large turnout. The Sheriff's Office was first notified through 911 calls from homeowners reporting blocked roadways and large numbers of pedestrians. Deputies responded and coordinated with the event organizers.

Organizers acknowledged that a mistake was made when they posted the physical address of the event on social media. Their original plan had been for all attendees to park at the Orange County Speedway and be bused to the event site. However, the majority of attendees drove directly to the location, causing severe congestion, blocked driveways, and trespassing on private property.

The combination of the narrow two-lane rural road, the high posted speed limit, and the sheer number of vehicles created a significant public safety issue that required an immediate law enforcement response.
Oct. 22The investigation into Hershall Creachbaum Jr., a 7-year-old boy reported missing before his remains were found July 12, is continuing after his mother and boyfriend were charged in connection to his disappearance.

Here's what's next in the case:

Mother, boyfriend indicted by grand jury

Ashley Johnson, the boy's mother, and Michael Kendrick, her boyfriend, have been indicted by a grand jury.

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Johnson, 39, is facing one count of obstructing justice, and Kendrick was charged with two counts of tampering with evidence and three counts of gross abuse of a corpse.

Kendrick and Johnson are scheduled to be arraigned in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court on Thursday.

Around 3:45 a.m. on July 12, Kendrick called 911 and reported a man punched him and took Creachbaum, according to Montgomery County Regional Dispatch records.

While investigating, Dayton police determined the boy hadn't been kidnapped and may have been missing for several weeks.

They took Kendrick and Johnson to the Public Safety Building to be interviewed.

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Johnson, 36, initially told detectives she saw Creachbaum playing with his 11-year-old sister the day before he was reported missing, according to Dayton Municipal Court records.

"After speaking further with the mother, we learned that (the boy) was dead," a detective wrote.

Johnson said Creachbaum, who was non-verbal with autism, died while she was in the hospital in late May.

Kendrick reportedly told Johnson the boy died from natural causes. She never saw him after she returned home, she told authorities.

"During an interview with Michael, he stated that while drinking and in an argument over the phone, he punched (the boy) in the head twice," an affidavit read. "He then pushed him down, causing him to bounce off the floor and striking other parts of his body."

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Creachbaum reportedly died the next day.

Kendrick said he kept the boy's body and put it in a deep freezer after it began to smell, according to court records. He used a suitcase to bring the boy to a grassy field.

After a few weeks, Kendrick reportedly returned and put the bones in a bag and left them on McClure Street.

Kendrick guided police to where the remains were, according to court records.

Remains formally identified

Dayton police Chief Kamran Afzal said the remains are presumed to be Creachbaum.

The Montgomery County Coroner's Office confirmed the remains belonged to the boy on Oct. 22.

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His cause and manner of death are undetermined.

More charges could be coming

During a press conference on July 14, Afzal said police are working with the Montgomery County Prosecutor's Office and coroner's office to investigate.

Additional charges may be filed pending the forensic examination of Creachbaum's presumed remains.

When asked about the chance of additional charges being filed, a spokesperson for the prosecutor's office said it's not a simple matter.

"There is a lot of additional investigation that needs to be completed, and that will take time," said Greg Flannagan, public information officer for the Montgomery County Prosecutor's Office.

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While the remains found on McClure Street are presumed to be those of Creachbaum, they need to be positively identified via DNA, he said.

The coroner's office also needs to determine the cause and manner of death, if possible, Flannagan said.

"Additional charges are certainly possible, but that would depend on the additional investigation being completed and what the evidence shows," he said.
DENVER (KDVR)  A 61-year-old Castle Rock voter has been found guilty by a jury of voter fraud, connected to the 2022 General Election.

Prosecutors were able to prove that Elizabeth Ann Davis had submitted a ballot under the name of her dead husband and also cast her own legitimate ballot in the same election. She was also convicted of casting a ballot for her son, according to a press release from the 23rd Judicial District Attorneys Office.

Mail-in ballots and Space Command: Why Colorado elections may have led to Trumps decision

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Douglas County Clerk and Recorder Sheri Davis praised the cases outcome in a press release shared on Wednesday.

There are layers of security built into the election process here in Colorado, and this case shows they are working, she said. We appreciate having a District Attorneys office that takes attempted voter fraud seriously to ensure the integrity of elections.

The specific charges Davis was convicted of were two counts of forgery and one count of personating an elector. The prosecutors office said Davis has an extensive criminal history, and has been convicted previously on forgery, theft, drug offenses and prostitution in both Florida and Colorado.

Two deputy district attorneys who worked on the case emphasized the wider implications of voter fraud, including the threat it poses to democracy.

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Safeguarding our elections is essential, said Deputy District Attorney David Bosner in the 23rd Judicial District Offices release. The verdict shows that the community will hold someone accountable if he or she compromises the integrity of that process.

District Attorney George Brauchler spoke about the seriousness of the case. He called Davis a career forger who had not learned from earlier convictions.

Your Local Elections Headquarters: Candidates, races and results on FOX31

Those who seek to corrupt our elections or dilute our votes  by even a single ballot  will find a DAs office intent on their incarceration, Brauchler said. In an election between following the law and wanton lawlessness, Elizabeth Davis voted for prison  and were working to honor that election.

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Davis is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 9, 2026. She faces up to three years in prison.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 judge in Catawba County has denied bond for the couple charged with killing a Vietnam War veteran and hiding his body.

Investigators say Cecil Traylor Jr. and Tara Jackson went back to the home multiple times after the murder to steal items from David Mize.

Channel 9s Dave Faherty captured exclusive video of the moment police arrested Jackson Wednesday. She claims shes innocent.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Two arrested after welfare check sparked a homicide investigation in Catawba County

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Investigators took her boyfriend into custody Tuesday night. Police tell us they had to chase Traylor. down.

Deputies say the couple killed 75-year-old Mize Tuesday night inside his home north of Conover then hid his body in the trunk of his car.

Officials believe the couple dumped Mizes car at Valley Hills Mall in Hickory. It was later found in a tow lot in Caldwell County.

Police have yet to release any information about a motive.

VIDEO: Its all senseless: Widow of west Charlotte homicide victim speaks out
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Sixty days after Iryna Zarutskas death, a federal grand jury is handing down an indictment against Decarlos Brown, the man accused of brutally stabbing her on the Blue Line train.

Hes being charged with knowingly and unlawfully using a dangerous weapon with intent to cause death on the Charlotte Area Transit System. The announcement came as transportation leaders met Wednesday night to discuss security and fare enforcement updates.

One interesting piece of information that came out of that meeting is that ridership on the Blue Line train for September was down 10.2%. Transit leaders said thats in part linked to Zarutskas death.

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Clearly, Iryna Zarutskas murder played into that and had an impact on Blue Line ridership, said CATS Interim CEO Brent Cagle.

Cagle also noted the Panthers had one fewer home game this September compared to 2024.

Its been about two months since the Ukrainian womans death, and transit leaders are noticing a decline in passengers on the train Zarutska was riding when she was fatally stabbed.

Her death prompted transportation officials to increase law enforcement presence on trains and platforms and check tickets more frequently to make sure people are paying to ride. Cagle said the fare enforcement push is also to blame for the decreased ridership.

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Other transit agencies have started to do enhanced or extensive fare evasion efforts; those agencies tend to see a reduction in ridership as well, he said.

CATS security has been doing whats called fare blitzes, where they ticket-check at busy platforms during busy times of day. Its part of the citys commitment to prioritize fare enforcement, which was discussed at Wednesday nights Metropolitan Transit Commission meeting.

Officials dont believe Brown had a ticket the night of the murder.

If convicted, this new federal charge could lead to life in prison or the death penalty. Brown is also facing a first-degree murder charge from the state.

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Queen City News reached out to the attorney representing Zarutskas family to get their reaction to the federal indictment. Were waiting to hear back.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
By Scott DiSavino

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Oil prices surged around 5% to a two-week high on Thursday after the U.S. imposed sanctions on major Russian suppliers Rosneft and Lukoil over Russia's war in Ukraine.

Sanctions against Russia could reduce the supply of oil available to global markets as Russia was the world's second-biggest crude producer in 2024 after the U.S., according to U.S. energy data.

Brent futures rose $2.91, or 4.7%, to $65.50 a barrel at 10:51 a.m. EDT (1451 GMT), while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose $2.89, or 4.9%, to $61.39.

That put Brent on track for its highest close since October 8 and WTI on track for its highest close since October 9.

In addition to soaring crude prices, U.S. diesel futures jumped over 5%, boosting the diesel crack spread to its highest since February 2024. Crack spreads measure refining profit margins.

Multiple trade sources told Reuters that Chinese state oil majors have suspended purchases of seaborne Russian oil from the two companies now under U.S. sanctions, providing a further boost to prices.

However, prices pared some gains after the Kuwaiti oil minister said that the OPEC group would be ready to offset any shortage in the market by rolling back output cuts.

The U.S. sanctions mean refineries in China and India, major buyers of Russian oil, will need to seek alternative suppliers to avoid exclusion from the Western banking system, said Saxo Bank analyst Ole Hansen.

The U.S. said it was prepared to take further action as it called on Moscow to agree immediately to a ceasefire in Ukraine.

MORE SANCTIONS

Britain sanctioned Rosneft and Lukoil last week and EU countries have approved a 19th package of sanctions against Russia that includes a ban on imports of Russian LNG.

The EU also added two Chinese refiners with combined capacity of 600,000 barrels per day (bpd) as well as Chinaoil Hong Kong, a trading arm of PetroChina, to its Russia sanctions list, its Official Journal showed on Thursday.

The impact of sanctions on oil markets will depend on how India reacts and if Russia finds alternative buyers, said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.

India became the largest buyer of discounted seaborne Russian crude in the aftermath of Moscow's war in Ukraine.

Indian refiners are likely to sharply curtail imports of Russian oil due to the new sanctions, industry sources said on Thursday.

Privately owned Reliance Industries, the top Indian buyer of Russian crude, plans to reduce or halt such imports completely, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

But there remains some scepticism in the market about whether the U.S. sanctions would result in a fundamental shift in supply and demand.
NEED TO KNOW

Kada Scott's remains were found behind an abandoned school two weeks after she disappeared

Keon King, 21, is facing several charges, including murder and abuse of a corpse, in connection with Scott's disappearance

A medical examiner listed her date of death as Oct. 18, though officials initially said they believed she was killed shortly after she was kidnapped on Oct. 4



Authorities in Pennsylvania have released the cause and manner of death for Kada Scott, whose remains were discovered in a wooded area two weeks after she disappeared.

Scott, 23, disappeared from her workplace in Philadelphia, Penn., on Oct. 4, police previously said.

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Keon King, 21, was arrested on Oct. 15 and has since been charged with several offenses including murder and arson, according to the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office.

Officials from the Philadelphia Medical Examiner's Office say they have now determined how Scott died and that the nature of her death was homicide.

Scott died from a gunshot wound to the head, the medical examiner's office confirmed on Thursday, Oct. 23, per NBC 10, 6 ABC and FOX 29.

Her date of death is listed as Oct. 18. However, officials initially alleged she was killed shortly after she met up with King on the evening she disappeared, per NBC 10 and FOX 29.

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PEOPLE was unable to independently verify the exact date of death as the medical examiner's office did not respond to requests for information.

Philadelphia Police Department Keon King Keon King

Scott vanished after she was subject to "harassing" phone calls in the days leading up to her disappearance, Philadelphia police previously told PEOPLE. When inquired during the early stages of the investigation, police declined to comment on whether King is connected to the phone calls.

Authorities did not elaborate on the nature of the relationship between Scott and King but previously said they briefly knew each other. Court documents obtained by FOX 29 show the two had been texting and had plans to meet up the evening she disappeared.

As the investigation into King's kidnapping accusation unfolded, authorities learned about additional alleged victims.

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King had previously been charged with kidnapping and strangulation stemming from a domestic incident earlier this year, Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney Ashley Toczylowski said following his arrest. Those charges were withdrawn when the alleged victim did not show up in court, but prosecutors have since said they would refile those charges.

Other alleged victims of King have also come forward in cases that never resulted in his arrest, according to Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, per NBC 10.

Scott's remains were found in a wooded area near an abandoned school on Oct. 18.

Toczylowski has said investigators traced King's cell phone to the location where her remains were found, and that the phone's activity at the location matches the timeline of burning a vehicle of interest. She said investigators believe King used that vehicle to "move" Scott.



GoFundMe Kada Scott Kada Scott

Scott's family is requesting she be remembered for her "kindness and contagious joy and smile and wonderfulness."

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A GoFundMe has been set up to assist them with raising awareness about her case.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

In addition to murder, King has been charged with arson, robbery, abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence and conspiracy, among other charges, according to online court records reviewed by PEOPLE.

Attorney information was not available in the court records, which noted he is scheduled for his arraignment on Thursday, Oct. 23.



Read the original article on People
California is the latest state to sound the alarm as over five million SNAP recipients are at risk of not receiving benefits beginning as soon as November 1, as Capitol Hill remains at a standstill.

"About 720,000 individuals in the five-county service area that we serve that rely on SNAP to be able to go to the grocery store, purchase healthy food and feed their families during the month," Central California Food Bank CEO Natalie Caples said. "There is a possibility that SNAP benefits for those 720,000 individuals could be delayed."

According to the Department of Social Services, the CalFresh Program, federally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), issues monthly electronic benefits that can be used to buy most foods at many markets and food stores.

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New enrollees would feel the delays of those benefits immediately.

"That would mean those individuals no longer have access to their benefits to purchase food, and they'll likely rely on our member partners or our programming to be able to feed their families," Caples said.

The Fresno County Department of Social Services estimates about $46 million in local CalFresh benefits could disappear if the shutdown is not resolved by October 23.

"We'll have some financial resources available through the state government, but what we really need is food here now to be able to respond to the need," Caples said.

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On Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced he will deploy the California National Guard, acting not as law enforcement but instead carrying out a humanitarian mission.

Troops are being sent to bolster support for state food banks during the ongoing government shutdown.

At the Central California Food Bank, it hopes to be able to continue offering Groceries-2-Go, an appointment-based pickup program where those in need can receive a box of shelf-stable food, including essential items from eggs to protein to fresh produce.

Linda Harris has volunteered with the food bank for the past six years and has seen the need change throughout the shifting political climate.

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"There are more hungry people, there's no question about it," Harris said. "With funding being cut and people in need, there's just more food having to go out the door."

The Central California Food Bank says it is not likely it will utilize the national guard to supplement its volunteer workforce unless there's a heightened need it can't meet in real-time.

For news updates, follow Christina Lopez on Facebook, X and Instagram.
The East Fork of the South Fork of the Salmon River flows through the Yellow Pine Pit at the Stibnite Mine in Central Idaho. (File photo by Clark Corbin/Idaho Capital Sun)

Officials with Perpetua Resources announced Tuesday they broke ground on early construction for the Stibnite Gold Project located just outside the border of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness in central Idaho.

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Located in the Payette National Forest in Valley County near the small town of Yellow Pine, Stibnite Gold Mine has been the site of mining since around 1899. Mining continued through the 20th century and produced metals used by America during World War II.

However, mining ceased by the 1990s and Stibnite was abandoned, leaving arsenic and sediment pollution in the East Fork of the South Fork of the Salmon River, which is an important habitat for endangered salmon, the Idaho Capital Sun previously reported.

Several conservation groups and the Nez Perce Tribe, which have opposed the mine for years, say the new plans for the mine will cause even more harm to the environment, put the public at risk and harm salmon.

Mines owner, Perpetua Resources, say Stibnite is unique source of antimony

A company called Perpetua Resources, which was formerly known as Midas Gold, bought the old Stibnite mine site and plans to resume mining for gold, silver and the chemical element antimony at Stibnite.

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Today, we break ground on the Stibnite Gold Project, Perpetua Resources President and CEO Jon Cherry said in a written statement issued Tuesday. As Americas answer to Chinas antimony export bans, we are focused on swiftly and safely bringing our antimony and gold project into development. After nine years of permitting, Stibnite can once again serve this countrys national interest. We are proud of our work to bring this essential project online to provide critical resources while restoring an abandoned mine site. With our reclamation performance bond to reclaim the work we undertake at the Project site in place, we officially started early works construction today and are making good on our promises to Idaho and America.

Perpetua Resources officials have told the Sun that Stibnite represents a unique source of antimony in America, and that antimony can be used in making batteries and ammunition.

But the mines opponents have said the real crux of the mine  as reflected in the name Stibnite Gold Project  is gold.

Perpetua Resources executives said they expect the project to create up to 950 jobs during construction and 550 jobs during mining operations.

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Overall, Perpetua Resources said the permitting process took nine years and their team has followed all of the required steps and laws.

Conservationists say real construction, operations cant start until legal challenges resolved

In January, the U.S. Forest Service issued a final record of decision approving the Stibnite Gold Project, but the Idaho Conservation League, the Nez Perce Tribe and other conservation groups have filed lawsuits challenging and appealing the approval, arguing that the U.S. Forest Service failed to consider the projects impacts on fish, wildlife and the environment and on the air that members of the public and mine workers breathe.

Two officials with the Idaho Conservation League, Regulatory Conservation Associate Will Tiedemann and Public Lands and Wildlife Director John Robison, told the Idaho Capital Sun on Wednesday that there are at least four active lawsuits or appeals challenging Stibnites approval.

They described Tuesdays groundbreaking as a limited, preliminary groundbreaking and said real construction and operations could not begin unless or until the legal challenges are resolved.

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There are significant questions as to will this mine ever happen or not, Tiedemann said Wednesday.

Perpetua Resources officials say that a major portion of their plan involves cleaning up some of the legacy pollution and waste left by the previous operators of Stibnite Gold Mine. Perpetua Resources officials have also promised to build a fish passage tunnel that would reroute the East Fork of the South Fork of the Salmon River away from the Yellow Pine Pit, which now blocks the fish in.

The Stibnite Gold Project can deliver decisive wins for our communities, the environment, the economy and our national security, Cherry, Perpetua Resources president and CEO, previously said.

But Tiedemann and Robison said Perpetua Resources proposal is more about public relations and making money than actually helping salmon and cleaning up the environment.

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Tiedemann and Robison said Perpetua Resources plans call for disturbing an even larger section of the forest than the historic mine ever impacted and building 15 miles of new mining haul roads, one mile of which is right on the border of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. They also allege that air quality rules have been set aside or ignored for Stibnite.

Idaho Conservation League Communications and Marketing Director Abby Urbanek hikes a section of the Summit Trail dividing the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness and the Black Lake Inventoried Roadless Area. Sitting at elevations over 8600 feet, the Stibnite Gold Mines proposed Burntlog Route would obliterate over two miles of the Summit Trail and punch seven new miles of road in the eastern section of the 40 mile long industrial haul route. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Abrams/Idaho Conservation League)

Its safe to say this is one of the most pristine areas around, on the border of the Frank Church (wilderness), Robison said. When youre in the (site where the new mining road will be built), looking at the at the wildlife there, looking at the landscape, the undisturbed nature of it, the remoteness of it, it really is indistinguishable from the Frank Church, in terms of just the qualities of solitude there.

Were hoping that through the legal system were going to be able to put a pause on the project and have it sent back to the drawing board to see if you can do it in a much better way, Robison added.

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Fall is finally here, but tonight, it may just feel like winter.

The National Weather Service in Indianapolis has issued a freeze warning that goes into effect early on Friday, Oct. 24.

Here's what to know.

How cold is it going to get tonight?

According to NWS Indianapolis, it could get as cold as 30 degrees. The freeze warning will be in effect from 2 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 24.

What counties are part of the freeze warning?

The Indiana counties included in the freeze warning include Bartholomew, Boone, Brown, Clay, Clinton, Daviess, Decatur, Fountain, Greene, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Henry, Jackson, Jennings, Johnson, Knox, Lawrence, Marion, Martin, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Owen, Parke, Putnam, Rush, Shelby, Sullivan, Tippecanoe, Vermillion, Vigo and Warren.

Prepare for the freezing weather

All residents in counties included on the freeze warning should take precautions to ensure people, pets, plants and pipes are not impacted by the cold.

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People and pets should remain indoors during the hours the freeze warning is in effect. The city of Indianapolis has a list of warming centers on their website.

To avoid freezing pipes, tenants and homeowners should turn on their furnaces.

Any tender plants should be covered to give them the best chance of survival.

Temperatures across central Indiana will dip below freezing for an extended period of time tonight. Now is the time to take precautions to protect yourself, pets, plants, and your pipes! #INwx pic.twitter.com/0vd26EiUSq  NWS Indianapolis (@NWSIndianapolis) October 23, 2025

Katie Wiseman covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Contact her at klwiseman@gannett.com. Follow her on Bluesky @katiewiseman

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: How cold will it get tonight in Indy? What to know about NWS freeze warning
Sen. Mitch McConnell, left, and newly confirmed U.S. District Judge Chad Meredith in Washington, D.C. on July 30, 2025. (Photo provided by McConnell's office)

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Stephen Chad Meredith as a federal judge for the Eastern District of Kentucky, succeeding Judge Danny C. Reeves who is retiring.

U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, who recommended Meredith for the federal bench, released a statement Thursday congratulating him. Chads impressive legal background in the private sector and devotion to serving the public make him an excellent addition to the federal bench. His thoughtfulness and commitment to our Constitution will serve him well as he carries out his new duties.

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The son of state Sen. Stephen Merdith, R-Leitchfield, Chad Meredith is a partner in the international law firm Squire Patton Boggs, working in its Cincinnati office..

Meredith served in the Republican administrations of Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin and state Attorney General Daniel Cameron,

Merediths chance to be nominated by Democratic President Joe Biden in 2022 was tanked by Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, a Republican. Biden abandoned his plans to nominate Meredith after Paul vowed to block his confirmation in the Senate.

This time Paul supported Meredith, the Associated Press has reported. The Senate approved Merediths appointment Thursday by unanimous consent.

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Meredith served as Kentuckys solicitor general from 2019 to 2021 when Cameron was attorney general and before that as chief deputy counsel in Bevins administration.

As part of Bevins legal team, Meredith was involved in decisions about hundreds of controversial criminal pardons and commutations Bevin issued after losing reelection to Democrat Andy Beshear in 2019. Among those pardoned was a man convicted of reckless homicide during a robbery whose family had held a fundraiser for Bevin.

In his prior roles, Meredith also defended laws and policies restricting abortion, a record that drew loud objections from Democrats when Biden considered nominating him. At that time Meredith had enthusiastic support from McConnell, then the Senates Republican leader.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA)  The Champaign-Urbana Reparations Coalition is getting one step closer to forming a study group, pending approval by the Champaign County Board Thursday night.

The coalition is asking for $25,000 from the county to put together a committee made up of community leaders whose job would be figuring out appropriate reparations for people in the Champaign-Urbana area.

Reparations committee hosts public hearing event in Urbana

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The City of Urbana has already allocated $25,000 to the cause, and the coalition is in active conversations with the City of Champaign and University of Illinois about funding as well, according to founder Jeffrey Trask.

Trask said the committee would likely focus on housing but they wont know until the committee starts working.

You want to hear from the community who has been harmed, what they believe to be the most important thing about reparations, Trask said. In our case in town, when the commission forms and starts doing that research it might be something no one thought of before. But because people have those felt needs, and theyre saying this is what weve observed, this is how our lives are being affected, then we can actually start there.

He said the coalition is talking to the City of Champaign and the U of I about supporting them as well.

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Again  the Champaign County Board will decide if they get the allocation Thursday night.

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BURLINGTON, Vt (ABC22/FOX44)  Vermont institutions are teaching the next generation of cybersecurity professionals and at Champlain College, the future is female.

Hannelore Sanokklis is president of the colleges Women in Cybersecurity chapter. Now in her senior year, she was first introduced to the world of cybersecurity back in high school.

I specifically liked cryptography because I liked solving code, Sanokklis says, it made my brain happy  made me feel like a spy.

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She decided to pursue her passion in college, where she was introduced to all different facets of the industry.

The one thing Im really drawn to about cyber is the fact that there are so many you can do with it and so many ways to branch out, Sanokklis says.

Sanokklis now specializes in GRC (governance, risk management and compliance), a framework that helps ensure businesses are following designated rules and regulations. She also does outreach work with local high school students.

Our classes are really project-based, it emphasizes teamwork and the soft-skills like professional and technical writing.

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In a male-dominated field, Sanokklis wants to share her passion for cyber with other female-identifying individuals, which is why shes part of Champlain Colleges annual Women in Cyber summit.

The summit is a really good opportunity for networkingwell have a variety of presentations from female-presenting leaders in the industry, as well as an alumni panel, Sanokklis explains.

The event will also have cybersecurity and digital forensics sessions running throughout the day as a way for folks to dip their toes into the industry.

Giving people female role models is really important in cybersecurity, and in any industry really. Its important to show people that they can do it, it may seem scary at first, but its not so bad once you get to know it.

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Champlain Colleges Women in Cyber Summit is happening Friday, October 24th from 9:00am  2:30pm.

those interested in attending can register here.

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Changes could be coming to the way marijuana-related OVIs are investigated in Ohio.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

As reported by News Center 7 at 6:00, state lawmakers are taking a closer look at how these laws are written.

TRENDING STORIES:

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The Ohio Senate recently passed Senate Bill 55, which looks to change the states marijuana testing standards.

It would require testing for both active and inactive THC use.

The current law is terrible, Charles Roland said.

Roland has practiced DUI law for 30 years.

We are still, to this very day, coming to grips with how marijuana differs from alcohol, he said.

He said the current law tests for inactive THC compounds. This means if someone used marijuana recently, but wasnt actively high behind the wheel, they could still be charged with OVI.

The change in the law needs to take place so that they can go after people who have active THC or cannabis in their system, Roland said.

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News Center 7s Xavier Hershovitz received a statement from the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association Executive Director Louis Tobin about the potential charge.

We are continuing to monitor this bill and to talk with our law enforcement partners to make sure this isnt going to negatively impact their ability to get impaired drivers off of our roads and keep the roads safe. We dont want to convict people who arent impaired. But people arent being randomly pulled over and subjected to urine tests and then prosecuted. They are pulled over because the officer has reason to believe they are impaired and then the officer performs a roadside test that further confirms their suspicion or impairment. Only then are they are arrested and urine tested. So people arent being charged and prosecuted for OVI unless there is other evidence that they are driving impaired." Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association Executive Director Louis Tobin said

This bill passed without a single vote against it in the Senate.

Now the Ohio House will take a look at it. It will have to pass in both chambers before going to the governors desk.

News Center 7 will continue to follow this story.

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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  Interim Superintendent of Oklahoma Schools Lindel Fields said Thursday that changes are coming to Ryan Walters controversial social studies standards.

I think there will be some changes to them, yes, said Supt. Fields.

The statements came after the October Board of Education meeting, where the closed session had the board members discussing three different lawsuits, all focused on fighting Walters Social Studies Standards.

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The department had a deadline of October 28 for one of the lawsuits. The court required them to act on the standards in some form or another.

For now, the standards have been put on hold by the courts, and the Department of Education is asking for a longer stay to try and figure out what changes could be made.

State Superintendent Lindel Fields, OSDE tackle controversial proposals

So, were asking for that stay to be extended. And the timeline, we believe, would get it into April or May. So, any new standards would be taught next year, said Fields.

If you recall, the standards were highly controversial. When Walters was superintendent, he focused heavily on subject matter surrounding religion, specifically the Bible.

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The standards process started with Walters picking groups like the right-wing think tank The Heritage Foundation and the non-accredited Christian right-wing think tank PragerU to create them.

There were several controversial topics added last minute. That included requiring educators to teach about Bible stories from the Old and New Testaments. It also required teaching stolen 2020 presidential election theories and the origin of the COVID-19 virus.

Local church giving away groceries to help during government shutdown

Many people spoke out against the standards, including lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

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Eventually, though, the standards would pass through the legislature after being approved by the board.

Lawmakers like Senate Education Chair Adam Pugh expressed concern due to the fact that the process would cost $33 million or so. Many major textbook manufacturers were scared of coming close to the Request for Proposals due to the controversial issues.

We want to reopen for public comment, and we have input from the board. Take those to the legislature, if theyre approved, then they would be adopted, said Fields.

During Walters he had the 2020 stolen election theories and a couple of other controversial statements added. Did you see those as a problem?

I think we need to look at all of the things that were added to see if theyre germane to what kids need to learn, given that theyve already been approved by the legislature, said Fields.

Are we going back to the 2019 standards then?

Its hard to say what schools are doing. The 2019 rules are currently in place. The others have stayed. So, I would imagine that most are currently working off of the 2019. That would probably be the case, said Fields.

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The Department of Education and Supt. Fields made sure to add that it is a legal process, that the standards Walters had cant just be tossed out.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
By Enes Tunagur

LONDON (Reuters) -Oil prices rose 5% on Thursday after the U.S. imposed sanctions on major Russian suppliers Rosneft and Lukoil over the Ukraine war, extending gains from the previous session.

Brent crude futures were up $3.39, or 5.4%, at $65.98 a barrel at 1018 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were up $3.31, or 5.7%, at $61.81.

The U.S. sanctions mean refineries in China and India, major buyers of Russian oil, will need to seek alternative suppliers to avoid exclusion from the Western banking system, according to Saxo Bank analyst Ole Hansen.

The U.S. said it was prepared to take further action as it called on Moscow to agree immediately to a ceasefire in Ukraine.

Britain sanctioned Rosneft and Lukoil last week. EU countries have approved a 19th package of sanctions against Russia that includes a ban on imports of Russian LNG.

Prompt Brent crude futures switched to backwardation as the first-month Brent contract traded as high as $1.98 above the contract for delivery in six months.

Right after the U.S. sanctions were unveiled, Brent and WTI futures rose by more than $2 a barrel, with support from a surprise decline in US stockpiles.

The impact of sanctions on oil markets will depend on how India reacts and if Russia finds alternative buyers, said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.

India became the largest buyer of discounted seaborne Russian crude in the aftermath of Moscow's war in Ukraine.

Indian refiners are likely to sharply curtail imports of Russian oil due to the new sanctions, industry sources said on Thursday.

Privately-owned Reliance Industries, the top Indian buyer of Russian crude, plans to reduce or halt such imports completely, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

But there remains some scepticism in the market about whether the U.S. sanctions would result in a fundamental shift in supply and demand.

"So far, almost all the sanctions against Russia for the past 3-1/2 years have mostly failed to dent either the volumes produced by the country or the oil revenues," said Rystad Energy analyst Claudio Galimberti.

Oversupply concerns following OPEC+ production increases capped crude's gains on Thursday. UBS expects Brent to remain between $60-$70.

On the demand side, U.S. crude oil, gasoline and distillate inventories fell last week as refining activity and demand strengthened, the Energy Information Administration said on Wednesday.

(Reporting by Katya Golubkova in Tokyo; Editing by Tom Hogue, Kim Coghill, Elaine Hardcastle)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Some Tennessee cattle farmers have been sizzling over recent comments by President Donald Trump about importing more beef from Argentina to lower beef prices for consumers.

The only price we have thats high is beef, and well get that down, Trump told reporters this week. One of the things were thinking about doing is beef from Argentina.

VIDEO | Argentina beef plan could hurt TN farmers, officials say

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The comment sparked backlash from cattle farmers and ranchers across the U.S., including the president of the Tennessee Cattlemens Association, Gary Dering, who posted the following statement on social media:

The Tennessee Cattlemens Association is extremely concerned by the idea of bringing in more Argentinian beef to influence beef prices. Tennessee farmers need certainty and President Trumps comments have unfortunately created chaos in the cattle market. Tennessee cattle producers are proud of the beef we provide to our state and the nation, and we hope the President stands with us over Argentinian beef.

Julie Bernard, owner of Bernard Farms in Orlinda, Tennessee, told News 2 the U.S. buying more beef from Argentina likely wouldnt impact her familys farm because they raise and sell their own cattle. However, she doesnt believe it will have much of an impact on beef prices for consumers either.

Only the four meatpackers are going to be the ones that are going to be saving the money, Bernard said. I dont think its going to make it to the grocery store.

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Bernard explained the biggest challenge farmers have faced in the past decade are sky-high input prices and low payments for their commodities. The reason beef prices are so high in the grocery store, she said, is partly because cattle inventory in the U.S. is the lowest its ever been.

The reasons for that is because of the inputs, Bernard said. Fuel, feed cost, the droughts out west, all of those have impacts on your supply, so cattle farmers are not replacing their herds because right now the price is high if you sell them live, so a lot of people are selling and not replacing.

Read the latest from the TN State Capitol Newsroom

Smaller farms like the Bernard Farms have had to diversify their crops and other commodities to make ends meet. Bernard told News 2 its more important than ever to support local farms, because soon, there may not be many left.

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With farmland being sold at astronomical amounts at a time, theres not going to be any farms, or small farms left, so its very important for us to diversify to keep our young sons still on the farm and be profitable, Bernard said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The man who led Cass County deputies on a chase earlier this week has been charged, court records show.

The Cass County Sheriffs Office said, on Wednesday, deputies attempted to stop a car with a stolen license plate just south of Harrisonville, Missouri. The man driving, later identified as 39-year-old David Wilson of Warrensburg, Missouri, fled from deputies north on I-49.

Wilson got off the interstate at Harrisonville, continuing through the city and heading north on Rock Haven Road at 291 Highway.

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Westport Community Improvement District accused of racial discrimination in lawsuit

It was then that deputies tried to stop the vehicle Wilson was driving with a grappler device, but Wilson headed through the median and continued north on I-49 again.

Photo courtesy of the Cass County Sheriffs Office

Later during the pursuit, Wilson tried passing another vehicle south of J Highway in Peculiar, Missouri, when he hit a median and an embankment. The car came to a stop, and deputies, along with troopers from the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP), took Wilson and a passenger of the vehicle into custody.

No charges have been filed against the passenger of the vehicle, as of Thursday afternoon.

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Part of northbound I-49 was closed for about half an hour.

FOX4 Forecast: Chilly rain arrives Friday morning

The vehicle was later confirmed stolen by the Lees Summit, Missouri Police Department.

Lane closure on I-49 following police chase

Now, court records indicate that Wilson is facing charges of aggravated fleeing a stop or detention, possession of a controlled substance and first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle. All three charges are Class D felonies.

The Cass County Sheriffs Office said Wilson is currently being held at the Cass County Jail without bond.

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Decarlos Brown, the man accused of stabbing Iryna Zarutska to death on the Blue Line train Aug. 22, was indicted Wednesday on federal charges.

A grand jury out of Western North Carolinas US District Court issued the indictment for violence against a railroad carrier and mass transportation system resulting in death.

I think shes dead: 911 calls released in fatal Charlotte light rail stabbing of Iryna Zarutska

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The document states that Brown, 35, did knowingly and without lawful authority and permission commit an act, including the use of a dangerous weapon, with the intent to cause death and serious bodily injury to any person for this offense in on, against, and affecting a mass transportation provider, to wit, the Charlotte Area Transit System.

DECARLOS_BROWN_FEDERAL_INDICTMENTDownload

CATS surveillance video shows a man believed to be Brown riding the light rail train, and when Zarutska came on board, without confrontation, he allegedly stabbed her from behind. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Brown also faces a state charge of first-degree murder for the killing. Zarutskas family released the following statement following the indictment:

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The family is pleased the federal grand jury returned the indictment against Decarlos Brown Jr. We are hopeful for swift justice.

Zarutskas death has led to a flood of policy changes for CATS, the city, plus a Republican-backed tough-on-crime bill that aims to make posting bond more difficult.

If convicted, the federal charge could lead to life in prison or the death penalty, and a maximum fine of $250,000 and supervised release for up to five years.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Kenz Henz brand eggs have been added to a previous recall of Black Sheep Egg Company eggs due to Salmonella contamination.

The eggs added to the recall were distributed in retail stores in Houston, Texas.

Consumers are urged to return their affected eggs to their place of purchase for a full refund.

A few weeks ago, people rushed to check their fridges after a massive egg recall was initiated for Black Sheep Egg Company. The company recalled both its 12- and 18-count cartons of Free Range Large Grade A Brown Eggs with best by dates from 8/25/2025 through 10/31/2025. The eggs were initially recalled after 40 samples tested positive for Salmonella, and now another brand of eggs has been added to the alert.

Kenz Henz Grade AA Large Pasture Raised Eggs have also been recalled due to potential Salmonella contamination, as the eggs were received from Black Sheep Egg Company. The initial recall pertained to eggs distributed in Arkansas, Missouri, and "other states," while the Kenz Henz eggs were only distributed in stores in Houston, Texas.

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The affected Kenz Henz eggs have the UPC code 86949400030 and a best by date of either 10/11/2025 to 10/14/2025 or 10/16/2025 to 10/17/2025.

Consuming food contaminated with Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, especially in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. So far, there have been no reported illnesses associated with the recall.

Consumers who have purchased the affected eggs can return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.



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CHESAPEAKE  An ongoing rift within the Chesapeake GOP has widened this election cycle, with one faction chiding what they see as unchecked power brokers working behind-the-scenes, while the other side chalks accusations up to complaints from losing candidates.

The divisions have resurfaced in the sheriffs race, where two candidates are competing to be the citys fourth elected sheriff. Sheriff David Rosado, whos seeking election as an independent candidate, is alleging he failed to earn a key political figures support after he rebuffed what he deemed a political favor.

Rosado alleges he was asked by former U.S. Rep. Randy Forbes before the June Republican primary election to publicly apologize for and condemn a letter sent three years ago by Rosados predecessor and the citys commonwealths attorney. The letter details a series of allegations of political intimidation within the Chesapeake Republican Party.

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Rosado said he declined the request. After that, he said Forbes opted to back his primary opponent, police officer Wallace Chadwick.

Rosado served in the sheriffs office for more than 20 years before he was appointed sheriff last year. He lost the June 17 primary to Chadwick, who earned 58% of the vote. Rosado, who has resigned from the local GOP chapter, is now running a write-in campaign against Chadwick in Novembers general election with the Chesapeake Democratic Committees support.

They didnt want the most qualified candidate. They wanted someone they could control. I wasnt that  and I never will be, Rosado wrote in a June 24 statement announcing his write-in campaign. This wasnt about the people  it was about the power brokers.

But in an interview with The Virginian-Pilot, Forbes denies he asked Rosado for a favor, recalling their interactions differently and characterizing the letter as a weaponization of the office.

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I made clear to him that I wasnt asking him to do anything, and I definitely never told him that I would endorse him, because I wouldnt have endorsed him, even if hed done that, Forbes said.

It was the voters in the city of Chesapeake who said, No, we dont think so, Forbes added. And hes got to have a scapegoat to blame.

The meeting

Then-Sheriff Jim OSullivan and Chesapeake Commonwealths Attorney Matt Hamel sent the letter to Attorney General Jason Miyares office Sept. 27, 2022, requesting state-level assistance to investigate a host of allegations of intimidation by a GOP party official and political infighting within the local party.

During the past year there has been strife within the Republican Party of Chesapeake (RPC), states the letter, which was obtained by The Pilot. While there is nothing new about political infighting or power struggles, recent events have escalated past politics to a level that we cannot professionally ignore and we must alert you and seek your help and guidance in our capacities as Sheriff and Commonwealths Attorney.

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The letter references a local investigation in August 2022 into allegations levied against Shirley Forbes, who is the wife of Randy Forbes. It also details allegations of political intimidation by a Chesapeake GOP party official. The Pilot previously reported that the local investigation was passed off to the FBI due to concerns of potential interference.

Shirley Forbes previously denied any wrongdoing. And in the three years since, the FBI has not made any public statements about it nor filed any charges.

In an interview, Rosado said he met with Randy Forbes at Forbes office the morning of April 7. He was interested in an endorsement or public support from Randy Forbes for the primary. It was during the meeting Rosado said Randy Forbes asked him to publicly apologize for OSullivans request of Miyares to place an investigation on Shirley Forbes and the Chesapeake Republican Party.

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Rosado said he knew the letter existed, but was unaware of its contents. He said he was confused by the ask, and told Randy Forbes he wasnt going to apologize for another man.

He questioned why Randy Forbes was asking him rather than the author of the letter. According to Rosado, Forbes responded, Im talking to you because youre the sheriff.

And I stopped him and said, OK, Randy, Im listening to what youre telling me, and Im going to tell you how I feel. I feel as if you are giving me an ultimatum by what youre saying, how youre saying it, and what you want me to do, Rosado said. And he said, No, I am not.

Randy Forbes emphasized he never made any request, adding that he agreed to meet with Rosado as a courtesy. He said Rosado first referenced OSullivan, which then prompted discussion of the letter.

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(Rosado) said that he was doing things differently than OSullivan, and that he thought OSullivan had listened to the wrong people, Randy Forbes said.

Randy Forbes said he told Rosado he believed the letter was a weaponization of the sheriffs office because it was authored by a political operative and because several investigations have concluded without any charges being filed.

There is no (indication) anywhere that they havent closed all those things because this is three years ago, almost four years, and nothing has come of that, Randy Forbes said.

Randy Forbes suggested if Rosado agreed the office had been inappropriately politicized, he could take steps to apologize to Shirley Forbes and everyone else referenced in the letter and emphasize that this is never going to happen again from our department.

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I said, Im not asking you to do anything. Im saying that I would if I were sitting in there wearing that uniform, this is what I would do, Forbes said. But there was no talk about endorsing him, or not endorsing him.

OSullivan, who retired in 2024, told The Pilot his office helped send the letter to be transparent and get to the truth.

Just tried to get to the truth with an outside party that was independent and can give a real look into it, OSullivan said. Felt that it really needed to be looked into.

In a statement to The Pilot about the letter, Hamel said he and OSullivan believed the local Republican party was being run by a select few that he characterized as an influence-peddling group that put self-interest above public service on many levels, from candidate selection to issues that would be decided by elected officials.

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Hamel is also running for reelection this year. He was elected as a Republican, but has since left the party and is running for his second term as a Democrat against Republican David Mick.

Allegations in the letter

The letter mostly details a time when the Chesapeake GOP began to publicly fracture  when a dozen local Republicans said they publicly withdrew support for then-candidate Amanda Newins in her 2022 bid for City Council due to criminal and civil litigation against her alleging elder abuse. Newins was among the candidates endorsed by the GOP at that time.

A jury in 2023 acquitted Newins on a felony charge of using fraudulent means to get her great uncle and aunt to give their house to her. The civil lawsuit was also dismissed last year after both parties settled their dispute.

But the letter asserts that at least three political figures who withdrew their support of her candidacy were later threatened or intimidated by Chesapeake GOP chair Nicholas Proffitt, or an associate of his, as political retribution. They include former longtime Chesapeake Treasurer Barbara Carraway, and former Chesapeake School Board members Sam Boone Jr. and Thomas Mercer.

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The letter states Carraway, Boone and Mercer shared their experiences of potential political intimidation with OSullivans and Hamels offices, prompting the request for state-level assistance. Hamel and OSullivan were also among the dozen who withdrew their support of Newins.

Hamel said he and OSullivan wanted to alert Miyares to their concerns because Proffitt worked in the attorney generals office as a community liaison officer for Hampton Roads.

Nicholas Proffitt was not only allowed  but emboldened  to threaten elected officials, Hamel said in his statement.

Its unclear whether Miyares was ever made aware of the letter. OSullivan said he never received a formal response from the attorney generals office. Hamel said he attempted to at least receive an informal response, but that there was never any response given whatsoever in any fashion, formally or informally, beyond that.

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Neither Proffitt nor the attorney generals office has returned multiple requests for comment.

Neither Mercer, who had served on the school board for nearly 30 years, nor Boone, who had served since 2012, were endorsed by the local GOP in their unsuccessful 2024 reelection bids. Carraway, who also served for nearly 30 years, announced her retirement in June 2023 amid concerns among city officials about her performance.

Reached by phone, both Boone and Mercer declined to comment on the letter and allegations. The Pilot attempted multiple times to reach Carraway for comment, but was unsuccessful.

Of the dozen who signed onto the letter revoking support for Newins candidacy, four have lost their reelection bids and didnt have Chesapeake GOPs backing; four didnt seek reelection; two have retired or resigned; and one is up for reelection this year without the Chesapeake GOPs backing.

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A Chesapeake GOP letter obtained by The Pilot states that anyone who publicly supports Rosado or Hamel in this years election will be removed from party membership and barred from participating for four years, in accordance with state party bylaws. The letter was issued to party members June 24, according to Rosado, which is the same day he formally resigned from the party.

Theres a trend going on here, Rosado told The Pilot. If you do not accept their way, then its the highway.

But others, such as Mayor Rick West, say a party barring public support in that way isnt uncommon, though he did say its politics. Though he openly supported Rosados campaign before the primary, West has laid low since. He told The Pilot hes focusing on his role as mayor and trying not to be involved in the political scene as much as possible.

757 Votes: The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press 2025 election guide

Endorsements

Several current and former Republicans say the Chesapeake GOP doesnt typically endorse candidates for constitutional offices in primary elections.

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But both Rosado and Chadwick believed earning the backing of notable party leaders like Forbes would carry weight with the citys Republican voters.

A lifelong Chesapeake resident whos long been involved in local politics, Forbes represented the city and other parts of Hampton Roads for nearly three decades, both in the Virginia General Assembly and as a congressman. He served seven terms in the U.S. House before losing his seat in a primary fight in 2016 amid redistricting.

While in Congress, Forbes was a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee and founded the congressional Prayer Caucus and China Caucus.

Forbes has long been beloved in the party, as former Chesapeake GOP chair Carole de Triquet described him in an article published by The Pilot in 2019. At the time, the Chesapeake GOP had rejected a request for party membership from Scott Weldon, who helped Scott Taylor beat Randy Forbes in the 2016 primary election. Though membership rejections rarely occurred then, de Triquet said at the time, Were very loyal to our elected officials and certainly most of all Randy and Shirley Forbes.

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Randy Forbes, however, downplays his influence.

What my life is now, I spend it in my faith. I spend a lot of time on faith issues around the country and with my grandchildren, Forbes said. Im not saying Im not knowledgeable on some of these issues, but to say were some kind of kingpin that were crowned  I mean, thats almost always from the losers.

It was two months or so after Rosado said he met with Randy Forbes that Forbes publicly voiced his support for Chadwick, a political newcomer.

Chadwick is a veteran police officer with more than 20 years in the Chesapeake Police Department. It was after he began to get politically involved on the matter of department pay that he said several deputies and GOP members encouraged him to consider a run for sheriff.

He began contemplating and seeking advice. Among the suggestions was to reach out to Randy Forbes for mentorship and guidance on navigating a political campaign. Chadwick said he then briefly chatted with him at political events but never directly asked for the Forbes support or endorsement because it was a messy campaign, and they had friends on both sides.

And I respected that, Chadwick said. I didnt try and push them.

But Chadwick said something happened  though hes not sure what  that prompted Randy Forbes to talk with Chadwick about his campaign. In mid-May, the two discussed his candidacy, policies, and military and police background in an impromptu meeting in public. Then on June 11, Randy Forbes posted a video to Facebook sharing his support for Chadwick  characterizing Rosado as too weak to combat crime and other issues.

Fifty years ago, it was OK to have a sheriff who wanted to spend most of his time doing magic acts, or ribbon cuttings, or perhaps putting up campaign signs for his supporters, or even leading funeral processions for people he likes, he stated in the video. Were facing threats from gang violence and illegal immigrants and all kinds of threats that 50 years ago we couldnt even imagine.

Randy and Shirley Forbes were both at Chadwicks election watch party as well as his general election campaign kickoff event in August, casually viewing from a crowd of people.

Chadwick said Randy Forbes has never asked him about the 2022 letter written by OSullivan and Hamel. Randy Forbes said hes never discussed it with Chadwick.

Because Rosado is now running as a write-in candidate, his name will not appear on the ballot. He insists his departure from the Republican party isnt sour grapes. Rather, he said interactions during the campaign highlighted a general feeling of being unwelcome by the Chesapeake GOP. Rosado said he was proud to work under two Republican sheriffs, but ultimately didnt feel he had the same level of party support.

I would walk into a room and feel unwelcomed, Rosado said. And I really was amazed how me as a person, what I represent and who I am, offended them.

There is no Democratic candidate running for election in the sheriffs race, though the Chesapeake Democratic Committee has backed Rosados write-in candidacy. Chadwick said its unfortunate that Rosado is now touting the support of Democrats rather than rallying around the Republican nominee chosen by the voters.

You draw a contrast from differences about you and your opponent, but in the end of that, youre supposed to come together and youre supposed to agree to support the person in your party, Chadwick said.

Natalie Anderson, 757-732-1133, natalie.anderson@virginiamedia.com
CHICAGO (WGN)  Chicago police have issued a warning to the public after a string of armed robberies linked to social media meetups on the Far South Side.

Police said the incidents happened at the following times and locations:

12400 block of S State St on August 13, 2025 at 2:15 pm (West Pullman)

1500 block of W 111th St on August 20, 2025 at 3:10 am (South Side)

11800 block of S La sale St on August 20, 2025 at 4:00 am (West Pullman)

1 block of W 108th Pl on September 02, 2025 at 12:30 am (Roseland)

300 block of E 105th St on October 16, 2025 at 7:30 pm (Roseland)

100 block of W 127th St on October 23, 2025 at 6:57 am (West Pullman)

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In each of the incidents, the victims were using social media apps to meet people. After agreeing on a time and location to meet, met with the suspect(s) who pulled out a handgun and forced the victims to give up their property and send money electronically, according to investigators.

Convenience stores targeted in wave of burglaries across Chicago

Police did not release a description of the suspect(s), only saying they were armed with a handgun.

Anyone with information is asked to call Area Two Detectives at 312-747-8273 or submit an anonymous tip at CPDTIP.com and use reference #P25-02-020CA.

Additional tips from CPD:

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Always be aware of your surroundings.

Immediately report suspicious activity.

If you are confronted by an assailant remain calm.

Remember any unique physical characteristics (scars, limp, acne, teeth, etc.).

Never pursue a fleeing assailant; provide the information to the police.

If video surveillance is available, save a copy of the incident for detectives.

If approached by a witness to the incident, request their contact information.

If making a sell or purchase use a police station as the meeting location.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Four days after a Chicago elementary school teacher was captured in a viral video appearing to mock the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk at a No Kings rally, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has not announced any disciplinary action or issued a public condemnation of political violence, according to a statement the district provided to Fox News Digital.

Video from the protest shows Lucy Martinez, a K-8 STEM teacher at Nathan Hale Elementary School, pointing an imaginary gun at her neck and saying bang, bang while addressing a Kirk supporter, Fox reported. The clip sparked widespread calls on social media for Martinez to be fired.

No Kings protestor with a Mexican flag gives a buIIet in the neck gesture to a Charlie Kirk fan pic.twitter.com/VCBjQ47XD0  End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) October 19, 2025

CPS told Fox it remains committed to a welcoming, safe, and inclusive teaching and learning environment and said the district does not comment on specific personnel matters but follows a consistent process when allegations of misconduct are reported, adding that employees found to violate policy are subject to discipline. A letter sent Sunday to Hale families from Principal Dawn Iles-Gomez focused on safety, noting the school had been made aware of social media posts resembling a potential threat to a staff member.

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U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon weighed in on X, writing that teachers are expected to model respect and integrity and that no child should be trapped in a government-run school with a teacher who celebrates murder, per Fox.

In a separate Chicago incident the same day, a man identified by social media users as a City Colleges of Chicago employee used a bullhorn at a No Kings rally to call for shooting ICE agents. City Colleges confirmed Monday the individual no longer works there, Fox reported.

The Dallas Express contacted Nathan Hale Elementary School earlier this week seeking comment and did not receive a response before publication.
By Scott DiSavino

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Oil prices surged around 5% to a two-week high on Thursday after the U.S. imposed sanctions on major Russian suppliers Rosneft and Lukoil over Russia's war in Ukraine.

The sanctions could reduce global oil supplies since Russia was the world's second-biggest crude producer in 2024 after the U.S., according to U.S. energy data.

Brent futures were up $3.37, or 5.4%, to $65.96 a barrel by 12:13 p.m. EDT (1613 GMT), while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose $3.33, or 5.7%, to $61.83.

That put both crude benchmarks on track for their biggest daily percentage gains since mid-June and their highest closes since October 8.

"The announcement of sanctions by the U.S. on Rosneft and Lukoil is a major escalation in the targeting of Russias energy sector and could be a big enough shock to flip the global oil market into a deficit next year," said David Oxley, chief climate and commodities economist at Capital Economics.

In addition to soaring crude prices, U.S. diesel futures jumped almost 7%, boosting the diesel crack spread to its highest since February 2024. Crack spreads measure refining profit margins.

The U.S. sanctions mean refineries in China and India, major buyers of Russian oil, will need to seek alternative suppliers to avoid exclusion from the Western banking system, said Saxo Bank analyst Ole Hansen.

Multiple trade sources told Reuters that Chinese state oil majors have suspended purchases of seaborne Russian oil from the two companies now under U.S. sanctions, providing a further boost to prices.

Kuwait's oil minister said that the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries would be ready to offset any shortage in the market by rolling back output cuts.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, however, said it will take time for the global market to replace Russian oil. He added that the new U.S. sanctions are an attempt to put pressure on Russia, and that no self-respecting country ever does anything under pressure.

The U.S. said it was prepared to take further action as it called on Moscow to agree immediately to a ceasefire in Ukraine.

"The various U.S. and EU sanctions thus far have had essentially no effect on Russias ability to export oil, so we doubt that this latest round will be game-changing. That said, the Kremlin may need to use more intricate methods to ship its oil covertly, thereby increasing costs," said Pavel Molchanov, investment strategy analyst at Raymond James.

Molchanov noted the U.S. investment bank would "continue keeping an eye on this issue" since Russian exports account for about 7% of global oil supply.
By Christy Santhosh

(Reuters) -The World Health Organization said on Thursday aid to Gaza was still only a "fraction of what's needed" as the health agency attempts to rebuild the region's healthcare system.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said while humanitarian deliveries were increasing, rebuilding Gaza's medical infrastructure could likely cost at least $7 billion.

The two-year-long Israel-Hamas war is currently in a ceasefire under a U.S.-brokered agreement. Palestinian health authorities peg the number of casualties in the Gaza Strip at more than 67,000 people, with nearly a third of the dead under the age of 18.

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Tedros urged the reopening of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, where a significant amount of aid is currently stuck, ready to enter Gaza.

The rate of transfers slowed to a trickle when Israel seized control of the Rafah crossing and it was closed in May 2024. Fewer than four patients have exited Gaza daily since a previous ceasefire collapsed in March.

WHO said while the "food situation" in Gaza had seen a slight improvement during the current ceasefire, significantly more effort was needed to reverse the crisis, with more than 600,000 people still facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity.

'DIRE' OUTLOOK

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The health agency said it saw a "dire" global funding outlook for next year and projected more than 14 million avoidable deaths worldwide as a result of the cuts.

The United States quit the WHO earlier this year, citing the agency's alleged mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic and other international health crises.

The exit of one of its top donors has created a multi-billion-dollar funding gap in WHO's 202627 budget, forcing the agency to cut its proposed spending by 21%.

(Reporting by Christy Santhosh and Siddhi Mahatole in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber and Pooja Desai)
CHIPPEWA FALLS  The trial for an Eau Claire man accused of having multiple hard drives containing child pornography could be delayed, after his attorney told a Chippewa County judge on Tuesday he will be withdrawing from the case.

David L. Hendrix, 62, 2916 Northland Drive, was charged in April 2024 with 15 counts of possession of child pornography. By state statute, each conviction on that charge carries a mandatory minimum of three years in prison. At the time of his arrest, Hendrix was living at a home on Nicholas Lane in Chippewa Falls.

Hendrix was initially charged in August 2019 with a single count of possession of child pornography. However, Chippewa County District Attorney Wade Newell dropped that charge but he later refiled the case with 15 counts.

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Hendrix appeared in court Tuesday, where defense attorney Harry Hertel told Judge Steve Gibbs that he will be withdrawing as counsel, effective in December. Gibbs had previously set the trial to take place June 15-19, 2026.

Hendrix will now need to obtain a new attorney, and Gibbs indicated that it is unclear if the trial dates will need to be postponed; he will address that with the next attorney who takes over the case. Gibbs set the next court hearing for Dec. 9.

In a prior letter to the court, Hertel wrote I believe there is an explanation for the presence of alleged child pornography being present on a hard drive, of which he had no knowledge. At the last hearing, Hertel told Gibbs that the parties could not reach a plea agreement.

According to the criminal complaint, officers from Altoona and Eau Claire police departments had learned that child pornography had been downloaded at a home in Chippewa Falls. On July 19, 2019, a search warrant was executed at the home at 1555 Nicholas Lane. Hendrix, who was home, told police there would be no illegal things on the electronics. He admitted to searching and viewing pornography online.

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A forensic audit was conducted of a computer in Hendrix bedroom, which located a video, just over two minutes in length, showing several prepubescent females with scenes of nudity.

However, the new criminal complaint states that multiple images have been located, with descriptions of each image.

Three separate hard drives were located, and all three had child sexual assault material, along with pictures Hendrix had taken in his life, such as photos of his own children.

Then-Judge Steve Cray released Hendrix on a signature bond in 2019, with an order to not possess any electronic devices that can access the internet. Hendrix also was ordered to surrender his passport. Cray said he had concerns that Hendrix had connections outside the country, as he lived in the Philippines for several years with his wife, and was possibly a flight risk.
Priscilla Luna holds her 3-year-old daughter Avery Dahl, while she gets the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine from Raynard Covarrubio at a vaccine clinic put on by Lubbock Public Health Department on March 1, 2025, in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by Jan Sonnenmair/Getty Images)

This story was originally reported by Barbara Rodriguez of The 19th.

President Donald Trump and his administration are increasingly criticizing the use of vaccines on children, even though vaccines have kept millions of children healthy while also improving global public health.

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The focus on vaccines comes as the government monitors the biggest measles outbreak in the United States in more than 30 years and increasing cases of whooping cough and flu deaths in children.

Some of the presidents claims in recent weeks  that vaccines cause autism, or that some combination shots given to prevent multiple diseases should be separated  are not rooted in fact or science. During a Sept. 22 news conference, Trump openly speculated about why children receive so many shots.

They pump so much stuff into those beautiful little babies. Its a disgrace. I dont see it. I dont, I think it has, I think its very bad, the president said during remarks where he also warned pregnant people to avoid pain-relief medication like Tylenol, claiming that it causes autism despite no proven direct connection. Theyre pumping, it looks like theyre pumping into a horse. You have a little child, little fragile child, and you get a vat of 80 different vaccines, I guess. Eighty different blends, and they pump it in.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an anti-vaccine activist who is playing a central role in vaccine policy gave a different estimate during a Senate hearing on Sept. 4.

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When I was a kid, I got three vaccines, I was fully compliant, Kennedy said. Todays children have to get between 69 and 92 vaccines in order to be fully compliant, between maternity and 18 years.

These figures are conflated and need context, medical experts say. Heres what to know about the childhood vaccine schedule.

What is the childhood vaccine schedule, and why do we need one?

The childhood vaccine schedule, as its known in the United States, is a series of recommended vaccine shots for children that have been approved by medical professionals and the federal government. The vaccines, administered throughout childhood but primarily in the first years of life, protect children from diseases that used to be more common  like polio and diphtheria. The schedule is also used by insurance companies to determine which vaccines they will pay for.

Following the schedule is especially important for young children because their immune systems are still developing and theyre more susceptible to infection.

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Before the widespread introduction of vaccines, children were infected with more diseases that caused illness, long-term chronic ailments and sometimes death. Children who follow the vaccine schedule are less likely to become seriously infected by certain diseases, and they also create herd immunity for others who are unable to be vaccinated because of compromised immune systems.

Has the schedule changed?

Yes. The medical community has recommended adding more vaccines to the schedule over time. But the science behind some vaccines  their ingredients, effectiveness and the shots necessary to complete a series  has improved.

The American Academy of Pediatrics, the trusted medical organization of pediatricians that was founded nearly 100 years ago, began making vaccine requirements in the late 1930s through a pamphlet with a red cover known as its Red Book. At the time, vaccines were available for only a handful of diseases: smallpox, diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough).

Over time, more vaccines were developed: The polio vaccine was introduced in the 1950s. Separate vaccines for measles, mumps and rubella were made available during the 1960s before a combination shot was introduced in the early 1970s.

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During this time, doctors and researchers discussed the need for more formal vaccine guidelines. In 1964, a government-backed panel of experts, known as the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP, was formed. It is housed under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For decades, AAP and ACIP issued separate but similar vaccine schedules for children. The groups, along with the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) approved a single vaccine schedule that became effective in 1995.

New shots have been added periodically to the unified schedule: The varicella (chickenpox) vaccine was added in the mid-1990s; the rotavirus vaccine was added and revised between 1998 and 2008; the hepatitis A vaccine was added in 2000; and the pneumococcal vaccine was added in 2001.

Kennedy politicized ACIP this summer by replacing all its members, and some of the new members do not have relevant experience in vaccine safety or policy. AAP, which had still been issuing standalone vaccine recommendations, is highlighting its work and not ACIPs.

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When Kennedy says he was vaccine compliant after just a handful of shots, hes leaving out the fact that children back then got sick more often, said Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia.

This was a time before a vaccine to prevent measles, which at the time caused roughly 50,000 hospitalizations in children. Vaccination also didnt exist for rubella, which at the time caused about 20,000 cases of congenital birth defects. Even chickenpox caused more than 10,000 hospitalizations before a vaccine was introduced.

We live longer, better, safer lives because of those vaccines that werent available for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and I when we were little boys in the 1950s, Offit said.

Why are there so many vaccines on the schedule? And are there that many shots?

The vaccines listed on the current schedule help protect against more than 15 potentially serious diseases. The CDC lists each disease here.

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Since some vaccines require multiple shots, that can add up. The polio vaccine requires four doses between infancy and 6 years old. The pneumococcal vaccine also has four shots in its series before age 2. The combination diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine is five shots over several years.

By one estimate, children receive a little over 30 vaccine doses by the time they turn 18. That does not include annual immunization for the flu or COVID-19. People may choose to get those shots throughout adulthood.

That is more vaccines than in the past, but that is only because new vaccines have been developed to help prevent more diseases.

Dr. David Hill, a pediatrician in North Carolina and an official representative for AAP, noted the medical breakthrough of the pneumococcal vaccine that was added to the childhood vaccine schedule during his first years of practicing medicine. That vaccine helps block a serious bacteria that can cause multiple infections in the body

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It used to be that kids were in all the time with severe ear infections, sinus infections  we had to worry about those infections turning into meningitis if they got bad or were uncontrolled, he said. And I watched the number of ear infections that I would treat plummet, and the severity go down dramatically.

Hill also noted the antibody shot for the respiratory syncytial virus, also known as RSV, that is given to pregnant people or newborns and has been available for only a few years. Emerging research shows they are safe and effective.

I can tell you that RSV was just the bane of our existence all winter long in pediatric hospital medicine, he said. Our floors were inundated with babies who were having difficulty breathing, and just last year these protective efforts were fully rolled out, and its been a dramatic difference.

Is there a cumulative impact for a child getting so many vaccines?

No. Vaccines are thoroughly tested for safety, including alongside one another to ensure they can be administered together.

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This topic is at the crux of Trumps framing about the safety of childhood vaccines, since children sometimes receive multiple vaccine shots during early wellness check-ups. That may worry some parents about whether so many shots can overwhelm a childs immune system. But research shows no cumulative impact on children.

Hill said parents should think about this through the lens of antigens, the part of viruses and bacteria that induce immune responses in the body. They are often the key ingredient in vaccines aimed at preparing the body for potential infection.

The number of antigens in vaccines has decreased since the 1960s. So even though children may be getting more shots than before, theyre getting less of an antigen load compared with a few decades ago.

Say your child gets a cold, theyre getting thousands of antigens when they get that cold. If your child drops a chocolate-covered raisin on the floor and picks it up and eats it, thousands of antigens. The dog licks their face, tons of antigens. They go to day care, countless antigens, Hill said. The entire vaccine series today carries fewer than 300 antigens. So in terms of what the immune system is capable of responding to, it is a drop in the bucket. It is just negligible when you compare it to the number of antigens that the immune system responds to over the daily course of life.

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Offit put it another way: Its not the number of shots that matters. Its the number of immunological components in those shots that matters.

How does the United States compare to other countries when it comes to the number of vaccines that kids take?

Vaccine mandates and recommendations for children vary broadly around the world, and many are linked to school entry. While there is no global schedule standard for childhood vaccines, the World Health Organization tracks how countries aim to address the same vaccine-preventable diseases.

Some countries recommend fewer vaccine shots. The reasons vary: Access, finances, universal health care policies and vaccine manufacturers capacity all play a role in how governments set their policies.

Offit said one of the reasons the United States may have more vaccinations on its schedule  not just for young children, but older ones  is because it has been willing to invest in public health like supporting vaccine use.

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The British government just recently began recommending the chickpox vaccine, decades after the United States and other countries.

Separately, while other countries do not recommend the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, the United States added it to its vaccine schedule for older children and teens. Rates of cervical cancer in the United States have dropped.

Other countries choose not to do that, Offit said. The better question is, Why dont they do it? Not, Why do we do it?

What vaccines are needed for school?

Participation in public settings like day cares and schools often include vaccine requirements (unless there is an allowable exemption) because infectious diseases can spread easily in group settings. Certain jobs also require immunization records. States have different laws and rules for vaccine mandates.

Whats the risk of delaying or skipping certain vaccines?

More than 1 in 6 children in the United States begin but do not complete all vaccines that require multiple doses. Often that is because of access to health care, but some parents also choose to ignore the recommendations or delay certain vaccines.

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Doctors do not recommend that parents skip or delay shots, since vaccines on the schedule have been timed to when a childs immune system is most susceptible to certain diseases but also when that immune system is mature enough to respond to a vaccine.

For example, children are encouraged to complete the rotavirus vaccine series by six months of age because rotavirus is a common disease between six and 24 months of age.

Children are vaccinated at certain ages because you want to make sure theyre immune and protected at a time when they would likely develop those diseases, Offit said.

Many babies are born with maternal antibodies in their bloodstream, but that protection wanes as a child ages  which is why eliciting an infants own immune response is important.

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A delayed vaccine schedule only increases the period of time during which youre susceptible to these preventable illnesses, with no benefit, Offit added.

Do vaccines cause autism?

No, they do not. Its a longtime debunked rumor that picked up steam in the late 1990s when a now-retracted research paper concluded that children who received the combination measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) shot later developed autism  despite no robust scientific proof. Several studies since then have shown no association between vaccines and autism. The MMR vaccine is also safe and effective.

How do we know that vaccines are safe?

Vaccines are tested during multiple phases of whats known as clinical trials. In the United States, a vaccine product must pass safety standards before it can be approved for use and made available to the public. A vaccine thats been added to the childhood vaccine schedule continues to be monitored afterward in case its use needs to be revised.

While vaccines can cause side effects  primarily some soreness and a mild fever  doctors are more concerned with the impact of a person becoming infected with a vaccine-preventable disease. Serious side effects are extremely rare, but if someone believes they or a child were harmed by a vaccine, there is also a legal mechanism to file a claim.
China and the United States intend to continue their negotiations in the ongoing trade and tariff conflict in Malaysia, the Ministry of Commerce in Beijing said on Thursday.

Vice Premier He Lifeng will travel with a delegation from October 24 to 27 to Malaysia, where trade talks with the US side are planned.

For the US side, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, among others, are expected.

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The meeting is scheduled just a few days before an anticipated meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit starting at the end of October in the South Korean city of Gyeongju.

Trump expects deal on "everything"

Trump had once again announced the meeting with Xi the previous day at the White House and hinted at a trade agreement. "I think we'll make a deal," he told journalists.

Beijing has not yet confirmed the meeting between Xi and Trump.

"We'll make a deal on, I think, everything," Trump said. He specifically mentioned rare earths, soybeans, farmers and nuclear.

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The list of disputes between the two countries is long. For example, China has for some time required permits for the export of raw materials like important rare earths, where it has built up a virtual monopoly, which has caused enormous difficulties for industry abroad.

Additionally, China's purchases of soybeans from the US have plummeted, causing US farmers to lose one of their main customers.
China and the United States intend to continue their negotiations in the ongoing trade and tariff conflict in Malaysia, the Ministry of Commerce in Beijing said on Thursday.

Vice Premier He Lifeng will travel with a delegation from October 24 to 27 to Malaysia, where trade talks with the US side are planned.

For the US side, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, among others, are expected.

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The meeting is scheduled just a few days before an anticipated meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit starting at the end of October in the South Korean city of Gyeongju.

Trump expects deal on "everything"

Trump had once again announced the meeting with Xi the previous day at the White House and hinted at a trade agreement. "I think we'll make a deal," he told journalists.

Beijing has not yet confirmed the meeting between Xi and Trump.

"We'll make a deal on, I think, everything," Trump said. He specifically mentioned rare earths, soybeans, farmers and nuclear.

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The list of disputes between the two countries is long. For example, China has for some time required permits for the export of raw materials like important rare earths, where it has built up a virtual monopoly, which has caused enormous difficulties for industry abroad.

Additionally, China's purchases of soybeans from the US have plummeted, causing US farmers to lose one of their main customers.

Fifth round of negotiations

Moreover, new US tariffs of 100% on imports from China are threatened from November 1, as well as export limits on software to the People's Republic.

The meeting between He and Bessent in Malaysia is thus the fifth round of negotiations, after the tariff dispute between the world's two largest economies escalated in April, with both sides imposing import tariffs of well over 100% on goods from each other's countries.

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The delegations had subsequently met in Geneva, London, Stockholm, and Madrid.

The round of negotiations in Malaysia also coincides with the summit meeting of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the capital Kuala Lumpur.
BEIJING (AP)  Chinas ruling Communist Party said Thursday it will focus on speeding up self-reliance in science and technology, a long-running push that has become more pronounced as the U.S. has imposed increasingly tight controls on access to semiconductors and other high-tech items.

The announcement by state media came in a communique after a four-day meeting that approved a draft of the party's next five-year development plan.

China faces profound and complex changes and rising uncertainty, it said. The communique did not directly mention the trade war with U.S. President Donald Trump. China's leader Xi Jinping is expected to meet Trump for talks in South Korea next week.

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Since returning to the White House, Trump has ramped up tariffs on imports in an effort to compel manufacturers to shift factories to the United States. That has added to pressure on the Chinese economy at a time when the leadership is struggling to resolve a prolonged downturn in the property market and stoke stronger domestic demand.

But China has managed to keep exports growing by shifting to other markets, and the statement signaled the government is confident it can counter external threats with domestic policy tools, said Gary Ng, a senior economist at Natixis, a French investment bank.

"It means China will likely demand more from the U.S. to reach a deal, if one is to be reached, he said.

The communique contained few surprises, largely echoing the policy direction set out by Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who wants to build China into a tech leader and global power with a robust military able to command respect and exert international influence.

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It provided only a broad overview of the coming 2026-2030 five-year plan, indicating its scope without details. More information may be released in the coming days, but the full plan won't be known until March, when the legislature gives a rubber-stamp approval to the plan at its annual meeting.

The general impression of the communique is that it highlights much more continuity than change, said Xin Sun, a senior lecturer in Chinese and East Asian Business at Kings College London.

Ng said that compared to the previous plan five years ago, the government is deepening its push for technological self-sufficiency, income redistribution and a transition to clean energy.

The countrys industrial policy has driven the rapid development of the electric car and wind and solar industries in recent years and has turned now to robotics and artificial intelligence.

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The party will accelerate the all-out green transformation of economic and social development, the statement said.

It said that China would continue to boost domestic demand and spending, an objective that economists said is important for the countrys economic growth, though it didn't signal any significant change to that approach.

China has rolled out various policies to help increase consumption  such as subsidies for consumer loans and child care and trade-in programs for electric vehicles and appliances. Economists are watching for more measures to support consumption by the year's end.

Beijing said this week it is still on a solid foundation to achieve its full-year official growth target of around 5%, after Chinas economy grew 4.8% in the July to September quarter.

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The meeting of the party's Central Committee was notable for the low number of deputies, an indication of Xi's deep purges among the Communist Party's top ranks. Out of 205 members, 168 attended the meeting, the communique said, along with 147 out of 171 alternates. Eleven alternates were made voting members to fill vacancies on the committee.

The party meeting chose a replacement for China's second-highest-ranking general. He was expelled from the party along with eight other senior military officials on suspicion of corruption, the Defense Ministry announced just days before this week's meeting.

Zhang Shengmin was named vice chair of the Central Military Commission, the top military body. He was already a member of the commission and holds the rank of general in the Peoples Liberation Armys Rocket Force. He is secretary of the commission's Discipline and Inspection Commission, which investigates corruption.

The elevation of Zhang shows an emphasis on political loyalty and anti-corruption as Xi continues a push to modernize Chinas military, Sun said.

___

Wu reported from Bangkok and Chan reported from Hong Kong. Associated Press researchers Yu Bing and Shihuan Chen in Beijing contributed.
China and Indonesia have agreed to establish a satellite remote sensing centre as part of a joint project to improve resource management and environmental monitoring.

"It will provide strong technical support for both countries in resource management [covering areas] such as agriculture, forestry and water resources ... and bring resource-sharing, complementary advantages and mutual benefits," according to the Chinese Land Satellite Remote Sensing Application Centre.

The technology can monitor vessel traffic to detect illegal fishing activities, map coastal erosion and track the health of marine ecosystems.

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The two countries will also collaborate on data-sharing, research, project development, knowledge transfer and capacity building.

The centre did not provide details of the location or timeline for the project, but said the agreement had been signed earlier this month and marked a "new stage" for their relations in this area.

China proposed the establishment of such a centre with a number of Southeast Asian nations in 2021.

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A year later it opened a headquarters in Beijing along with two satellite remote sensing centres and 10 application hubs.

The agreement is the latest in a series of deals signed by China and Indonesia as the two sides move closer together.

On Wednesday, the two countries signed an agreement that will see Jakarta buying Chinese warplanes for the first time, acquiring at least 42 J-10 fighters.

In April, they held their first joint discussions between their respective foreign and defence ministers through a newly established channel and agreed to further cooperation in these areas.

The two countries also agreed to work together to promote safety and security in the South China Sea.

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Earlier this year, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said China had always seen Indonesia as "a priority in its neighbourhood diplomacy" in May, urging both sides to oppose unilateralism and expand cooperation in fields such as the digital economy, green development and artificial intelligence.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto also visited Beijing in early September for a parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II despite extensive anti-government protests that resulted in several deaths across Indonesia.

During a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, Prabowo said it was "the best time in history" for relations between the two countries.

In response, Xi said the two countries should deepen "all-round strategic collaboration" and that Beijing would improve "security and defence cooperation".

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Businesses from the two countries have already been cooperating on remote-sensing projects.

In April, the Chinese firm Xiamen Tianwei Technology and Indonesia's PT Andyrana Agung Nusa signed a two-year memorandum of understanding, China Daily reported.

Under the agreement, the companies will build a satellite -manufacturing facility in Indonesia to promote technology transfer and local production.

The agreement also includes several civilian satellite projects to be carried out within the Brics framework.

Ben Perkasa Drajat, Indonesia's consul-general, said Brics "played a crucial role" by providing policy support and enhancing technological collaboration.

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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 has threatened to cut investments in the UK if Sir Keir Starmer blocks plans for a giant wind turbine factory in Scotland.

In a major escalation in tensions between Beijing and London, China has accused ministers of meddling in plans drawn up by one of its largest infrastructure companies to build a 1.5bn turbine factory near Inverness.

The proposal from Ming Yang Smart Energy has triggered significant national security fears amid fears that the turbines could be used for spying by Beijing. MPs have also raised concerns about depending on a Chinese company for energy security.

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Asked about Ming Yangs factory on Thursday, a spokesman for Beijing suggested that Chinese companies could scrap future investments in Britain if Sir Keir Starmers government delayed the project any further.

In recent years, normal economic and trade projects in the UK have frequently been subjected to politicisation and overreach in the name of national security, said Guo Jiakun, a foreign ministry spokesman.

If this trend continues unchecked, it will seriously affect Chinese enterprises assessment of the UKs investment environment and lead to more cautious decision-making.

China has invested billions into Britain and is one of the countrys biggest trading partners. However, this relationship has become increasingly contentious, with the UK Government earlier this year taking charge of British Steel over fears its Chinese owners were planning to shut its blast furnaces.

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Ming Yangs plan to build turbines in Scotland has become a lightning rod for criticism, including from the Trump administration.

Dame Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, has said the project poses serious national security issues. John Moolenaar, chairman of the House select committee on the Chinese Communist Party and an ally of Donald Trump, has said the Prime Minister must block the deal. The Trump administration is said to have privately expressed its concerns about Ming Yang to Labour over the summer.

Beijings latest comments will fuel a growing stand-off between China and the UK, which include a spat over each others embassy plans.

The collapse of a court case into alleged Chinese spying by British nationals has fuelled scrutiny of the relationship between the two nations, with claims that Labour scuttled the case to appease Beijing. The Government has denied any role in the cases collapse.

Pictured: An artists impression of the proposed new Chinese embassy complex near the Tower of London - CBRE

Ming Yangs planned factory, announced this month, would be the UKs largest for turbines. It would supply them for offshore wind farms in UK waters, many of which are located near vital subsea cables and communications links.

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Ming Yang, based in Zhongshan, plans to build a factory producing offshore and floating turbines in three phases. The first phase would start at the end of 2028.

The project would generate jobs for British workers, replacing some of the thousands lost by Labours 78pc tax on offshore oil and gas profits which has forced many companies to curtail operations.

However, the Ministry of Defence and MI5 are said to be concerned about the security risk of allowing China to place wind turbines and digital control systems, including monitoring cameras, onto UK systems.

They have warned that the turbines could be turned into spying centres for Beijing and provide a pretext for Chinese engineers to visit the country regularly. Beijing has claimed the allegations are baseless and discriminatory.

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Richard Tice, energy spokesman for Reform, said: China is a threat to our national security and our economy and anything it proposes should be scrutinised with that in mind.

The risk is that by allowing Chinese companies to embed themselves in our economy, they can also exert control and make us ever more dependent. In the case of renewables, which are underwritten by subsidies, they are locking the UK into a system where they can extract money from British consumers and send it to China. Its profitable for them and a circle of doom for us.

The Treasury is keen to encourage more Chinese investment in the UK. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is said to see the new factory as key to meeting Ed Milibands goal of decarbonising the energy grid by 2030.

The Chinese government faces a separate but similar row over plans to build a large new London embassy on the former site of Britains Royal Mint, where British coins were made until the 1970s.

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The project has raised multiple concerns, including that the building would sit atop vital communications cables.

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The initial success of Ozempic initially made Novo Nordisk Europes most valuable company - David J. Phillip/AP

The wealthy foundation behind Ozempic maker Novo Nordisk has seized control of the company in a boardroom coup after a row over the struggling groups turnaround.

On Monday, the pharmaceutical giant said chairman Helge Lund and six independent directors would resign and be replaced by a group hand-picked by its biggest shareholder, the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

The drugmaker, which makes the anti-obesity jab Wegovy and Ozempic, said the decision came after a disagreement between the board and the foundation over a plan to rejuvenate the Danish companys flagging fortunes.

The Novo Nordisk Foundation is the wealthiest charity in the world with 123bn in assets and the companys largest shareholder, controlling 77pc of Novo.

The foundation has nominated five new directors to be appointed at an emergency meeting next month and a sixth to be appointed next year.

Lars Rebien Srensen, the former chief executive of Novo, has been nominated to replace Mr Lund as chairman. Mr Lund recently left his position chairing BP after a disastrous attempt to focus the company on green energy.

Novos exodus amounts to the entire board, besides the foundations own investment boss and the four members elected by employees.

The rift between the companys top shareholders and its board came to the fore after a slump in Novos performance.

The company makes the diabetes drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, which are used for weight loss. Both contain the ingredient semaglutide, which stimulates weight loss by making people feel full.

The initial success of the drugs led Novo to become Europes most valuable company, but shares have fallen by two thirds as it has faced competition from Eli Lilly, which makes rival drugs Mounjaro and Zepbound.

Novos own successor to Wegovy disappointed in weight loss trials, while the Trump administration has put pressure on the company to cut prices.

Following dialogue with the Novo Nordisk Foundation regarding the future composition of the board of directors, it has not been possible to reach a common understanding, Novo said.

The board proposed a renewal focusing on [the] addition of select, new competencies while also maintaining continuity, whereas the board of the foundation wanted a more extensive reconfiguration.

It said the new boards first priority would be implementing its transformation plans and regaining the companys growth momentum.

Mr Srensen said: Given the fast-moving environment in which Novo Nordisk operates, we believe that it is in the best interest of the company and its shareholders to implement a board renewal as soon as possible, rather than wait until the ordinary annual general meeting in March next year.
Chula Vista sushi restaurant supports military families during government shutdown

CHULA VISTA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI)  While hearing about the challenges military families are facing during the government shutdown, CiCi Chen and her husband, who own Mings Revolving Sushi and Bar in Chula Vista, decided to offer a free meal to active duty military members and their families.

We just want to show our appreciation to their service, we are honoring their contribution to the country, said CiCi Chen, owner of Mings Revolving Sushi & Bar.

Well, the owners, James and CiCi  they have a big heart, said Ivan Munoz, Mings Revolving Sushi & Bar Head Chef. They like to show their support to the community.

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After posting about the deal on social media, the customers started coming in.

Since last Saturday, weve given out over 6,000 plates, said Chen.

And in return, theyve received endless appreciation from the military community.

I really think its nice to see them give back to the community, said Tom Phousong Phouang, who is actively serving in the Navy.

Military members say even something as simple as a meal can be a big help to families dealing with piling bills.

Were just really appreciative of any blessings that we can have and any support to the troops, service members, were really grateful for that, Phousong Phouang said.

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The deal includes six plates per person off the revolving sushi conveyor belt  with cooked and non-fish options also available.

The owners encourage families to bring their children, who will also eat for free and can enjoy the high-tech atmosphere, including robots and delivery cars.

Ultimately, at the end of the day, we want to bring people together with food, said Munoz.

The owners of the restaurant say the best way to show support is to spread the word.

Let all the military families know about this and let more people enjoy, and that would be the greatest support to us, said Chen.

To take advantage of this deal, an active-duty military ID is the only requirement, and the restaurant says they plan to keep it going throughout the duration of the shutdown.

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Given Lenny Henry wants the British state to pay 18tn in slavery reparations, perhaps we should be thankful that the Church of England wants to cough up only 100m as part of its Project Spire, the Church Commissioners proposal to invest in communities affected by historic transatlantic chattel slavery.

Not only does the Church want to spend this money, but a parliamentary response to a question asked by the Conservative MP Neil OBrien this week highlighted how its leaders are jumping through a series of legal hoops to do so, including applying to register a new charity they propose to call The Fund of Healing, Repair and Justice.

It all adds to the sense that those who want this do not represent anyone but themselves and they are in danger of dragging the entire institution down with them. The new Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, has said nothing so far to suggest this will change.

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Mr OBrien called Project Spire, launched in 2023, divisive rubbish, adding: The Churchs hope has been to regain relevance by becoming an arm of progressive politics and it hasnt worked. They are now facing unbelievable decline. Its tragic.

I dont disagree. Driven less by external pressure than by the liberal guilt of its leadership, the Church often gives the impression that its barely a church at all. In the past, its strength was that it was literally the establishment. Now that is its greatest weakness, as it fumbles for relevance in a culture of polarisation. Lets be honest, the Church of England hasnt been cutting edge since 1549, so it would be wise to concern itself less with relevance and more with keeping and attracting the faithful.

The former head of the Church, Justin Welby, previously led the self-flagellation over deep institutional racism and committed it to net zero.

This identity crisis comes amid a material one. Nearly one in three churches across Britain could be closed by the end of the decade. The number of adults attending church on a Sunday is down 40 per cent since 2003. The number of children going to a Church of England venue on a Sunday is less than half of what it was in that same year.

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But, as OBrien says, the Churchs leaders want to spend 100m on what amounts to a pure guilt trip. Its not a coincidence that the reparations scheme was devised at the height of the woke fever that followed the murder of George Floyd in 2020. Welby personally intervened afterwards to enure that artefacts with any tenuous links to slavery or empire were removed from churches around the country, while the bureaucratic nature of the Church meant Project Spire rumbled on despite the objections of prominent academics and clerics.

A true service to the nation  and to the survival of the Church itself  would be to use that 100m to save threadbare parishes and invest in infrastructure. Instead the Church seems preoccupied with grand virtue signalling that is intellectually incoherent.

It would be naive to describe the Church of England as a victim, but it is trapped by forces beyond its control. The qualities that once made it appealing  a lack of zeal, traditions rooted in local communities and a reassuring stuffiness  now make it an anachronism. Even more so since its perceived shift to woke obsessions have left the leadership here alienated from the rest of the world, in particular the 60 million or so Anglicans in Africa, many of whom have concluded those in England no longer share their values.

Last week, the Global Anglican Futures Conference (Gafcon) met in Sydney and declared it was forming the Global Anglican Communion in response to the growing rift between what it perceives to be an overly liberal English church and the more conservative global Anglican movement.

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One of Gafcons socially conservative leaders, Dr Laurent Mbanda, Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Rwanda, is openly hostile to the election of Mullally, with the blessing of gay couples a particularly fractious subject.

Political Christianity is braced for a revival, in part a reaction to the increasing prominence of political Islam in British society. Its ironic then that the Church least equipped to maximise any Christian resurgence is the one that most ties itself to politics.

Its wokeness  and its weakness  make the Church of England doubly irrelevant: too politicised to appeal to conservatives seeking muscular Christianity, and too institutional for progressives who are largely atheist and anti-establishment.

It seems reparations, like almost everything the Church of England does, are a gesture that will please nobody. And like the facile, cliched graffiti recently stuck on the walls of Canterbury Cathedral, they will attract no one new to the fold while alienating many others.

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Before it embraced muddled notions of political relevance, the Church could roll onwards like a glacier. But like a lot of glaciers these days, it is at risk, almost imperceptibly, of disappearing altogether.

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The City of Odessa is close to getting another new city attorney.

According to Tuesdays agenda, city council members are expected to appoint James D. Parker of Round Rock as the citys next attorney during their regular meeting, which is scheduled to start at 2 p.m.

Parker describes himself in his Letter of Interest as an attorney of 22 years experience, 20 of which in municipal law. He obtained a bachelors degree in history from Texas A&M and his law degree from South Texas College of Law.

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He started his career with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and in 2005 became an assistant city attorney in Killeen. After that he spent three years working on construction law and real estate litigation in Georgetown before joining an Austin firm that represented various cities.

Since 2012, Parker has headed up his own law firm handling real estate and construction litigation, but also representing eight cities. Hes the prosecutor for seven of those cities.

Parker would be replacing Dan Jones, who left at the end of June after a tumultuous 2.5 year stint.

Jones departure came just weeks after it was discovered a new ordinance regarding bathrooms was never published as required by law, therefore nullifying the city councils vote banning residents from using bathrooms designated for the opposite gender.

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Jones was named city attorney in December 2022 after the council voted 5-2 to fire his boss, Natasha Brooks, and City Manager Michael Marreo without explanation.

While Jones was city attorney, multiple contracts were signed that raised the eyebrows of the people now sitting on the dais.

Former Mayor Javier Joven signed a $288,000 contract with professional consulting firm T2 without running it past the rest of the council or the interim city manager in advance, as required.

In addition, Jones and other city officials ended up with three-year contracts that guaranteed theyd be paid out no matter what the circumstances of their departures were.

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The contracts were cancelled by the current city council, but former City Manager John Beckmeyer is suing the city to get his paid out.

Jones was also city manager when Beckmeyer signed a contract with the Texas Government Accountability Association, which promised to help the city become more transparent and to hold the citys feet to the fire if they violated any of TGAAs tenets.

The contract did not have an end date and while the first year of the contract was supposed to be free, after five years, the 20 cent rate per resident fee ($24,000 annually) could increase, and there was no limit on that increase.

In addition, the contract stated the only way the city could terminate the contract was by holding an election  at taxpayers expense  for citizens to determine its fate.

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More over, the contract stated that even if citizens voted to kill the contract, the city would have had to pay for two more years.

The current city council repudiated the contract and is now trying to convince a judge to declare it unconstitutional.

The city council will also discuss the ongoing situation with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who believes the city council may have violated a new law when it voted to increase property taxes this year. Mayor Cal Hendrick has sent a letter to Paxton announcing theyve rescinded the tax increase, but Paxton hadnt responded as of Wednesday evening.

In addition, the council will discuss lowering the speed limit on Loop 338 between US Highway 385 and 52nd/56th streets from 75 mph to 65 mph. They also want to lower it from 55 mph to 50 mph between IH-20 and 52nd/56th.

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Theyll also talk about awarding a $6.35 million contract to Mach Energy Services for a waterline replacement on West County Road.

During the councils work session meeting, which will start at 1 p.m., the council will discuss replacing old garbage containers, the possibility of automatic water billing and creating a new policy about naming parks, streets, facilities and public buildings.

The latter subject was placed on the agenda after a petition began circulating to rename Maple Avenue Charlie Kirk Way, after the slain political activist/faith leader.

The post City close to naming new city attorney appeared first on Odessa American.
NEW YORK (PIX11)  The City Council is holding a briefing on Thursday, demanding that President Donald Trump not send National Guard troops into New York City.

The briefing comes after a massive protest in Manhattan on Wednesday, with people marching from ICE headquarters to Canal Street. Canal Street was the site of a major immigration raid where New Yorkers and ICE agents clashed.

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Nine men, all immigrants from Africa, were arrested in the raid, according to the Department of Homeland Security. DHS claimed that two of the men have criminal records and two others were previously ordered to leave the U.S.

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Four American citizens were also taken into custody but released after 24 hours of being detained with no charges filed. Families had to file missing persons reports for their relatives to be released.

The NYPD and City Hall denied having any involvement in the raid. In a statement, ICE said it was executing an intelligence-driven operation to address lawlessness by illegal aliens.

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This is lawless terror, said Rep. Dan Goldman. A pretext for Donald Trump to send ICE to our city.

Trump has consistently cited lawlessness in cities as the reason hes sending federal agents to them. In New York, shooting incidents are down 20%, making it their lowest level ever recorded, according to data.

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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.

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Oct. 23WENATCHEE  NCW Libraries will host "Civics 101," a series of workshops to learn more about state, federal and local government, according to an announcement from NCW Libraries. The workshops are offered through the Washington Secretary of State's Civics Engagement Program, according to Alicia O'Dell, adult programs coordinator for NCW Libraries.

"(It) focuses on rural communities, giving people kind of a refresher on the three different levels of government: federal, state and local," O'Dell said. (It's) ... a refresher of how the government works, because it is complicated."

These workshops will cover topics like how bills become laws, how the different branches of government work and relate to each other, and how to participate in the political process, according to the announcement.

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The first installment will focus on the federal government and cover the three branches of government, the Constitution and legislative committees, according to the announcement. The second will tackle state politics, including how a bill becomes law and how the public can track and participate in the process.

The final session will look at local government.

"We're going to be focusing on the different forms and functions (of local governments), O'Dell said. "Talking about city and county councils, advisory boards, commissions. We're hoping to connect with one of the local auditors to help give us information as well."

The interactive workshop will be held online. There is no cost, but registration is required as there are limited spaces available.

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All three workshops will be facilitated by Michael Bowman with the Office of the Secretary of State's Civic Engagement Program, according to the announcement. The Civic Engagement Program develops strategies, resources and programs that encourage disenfranchised, underserved, and marginalized communities' participation in civic life throughout Washington.

The program is carefully non-partisan, O'Dell said.

"This is really just what it says, Civics 101," she said. "This is adult education for anyone to come and learn without political leanings. I know that can be hard nowadays, but this really is just the facts."

The program grew out of a group in Wenatchee that O'Dell was involved with called Braver Angels, she said, which facilitates dialogue between people of opposing political parties.

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"What was coming out of these discussions was that missing foundation of, how does government actually work?" she said. "Myself, I had one civics class in high school, which was a while ago. It's super brief, so we forget. In order to do for people to know how to get involved, we've got to understand how these systems work."

To participate, register at the links below. A Zoom link will be sent to participants at the time of the session.

The workshops:

Civics 101: Federal Government| Monday, Nov. 10, 6-7:30 p.m. https://bit.ly/Civ101Federal

Civics 101: State Government| Monday, Nov. 17, 6-7:30 p.m. https://bit.ly/Civ101State

Civics 101: Local Government| Monday, Nov. 24, 6-7:30 p.m. https://bit.ly/Civ101Local
A civil lawsuit has now been filed against a suburban ice cream shop owner who was charged with child pornography.

Steven Weisberg is accused of using a hidden camera to secretly record women and girls inside a bathroom at Flavor Frenzy in Addison.

Lawyers met Thursday to discuss details of the new lawsuit, which was filed Wednesday, representing 11 teenage employees.

The plaintiffs' represenatives say Weisberg sexually harassed and manipulated the girls to gain their trust.

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RELATED | Man accused of suburban ice cream shop hidden camera recorded teen employee at home: lawsuit

Flavor Frenzy remains closed, and its business license was voluntarily surrendered.

Weisberg remains in custody as he waits for trial.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  National civil rights attorneys will be meeting in Kansas City on Thursday and Friday in the wake of a Wyandotte County Jail death, in which a deputy was charged with murder, and the Leavenworth ICE facility dispute.

According to the National Police Accountability Project (NPAP), civil rights lawyers from across the country are coming together to discuss strategies for suing police departments, federal law enforcement agencies and correctional facilities.

Man dies after violent struggle with police at North KC Hospital

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NPAP says that Kansas City finds itself at a crucial time in its history, and the attorneys are coming to address not only accountability challenges in the metro, but in the nation as a whole.

Kansas City is not just a backdrop  its at the center of concerns about unconstitutional policing, abusive correctional facilities, and the expansion of ICE, said Lauren Bonds, Executive Director of NPAP and a Kansas City-based civil rights attorney.

When people die in jail cells or when private corporations profit from detaining migrants in deplorable conditions, it exposes the deadly and exploitative features of our criminal legal system. This convening brings together attorneys who are fighting to make sure those responsible for creating these exploitative and dangerous conditions  from county jails to ICE  face justice in federal court.

Two Kansas City banks robbed hours apart, suspect remains on the run

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The attorneys will be in KC for two days  Thursday, Oct. 22 and Friday, Oct. 23, to train on litigation regarding jail deaths, suits against ICE and other federal agencies and other tactics to promote systemic reform in the United States.

Kansas City was chosen as it is home to many examples of what the subject material will address.

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Rev. Bishop William Barber speaks to a crowd outside the N.C. General Assembly on Oct. 23, 2025. (Photo: Ahmed Jallow/NC Newsline)

Civil rights attorneys announced plans Thursday to challenge North Carolinas newly drawn congressional districts, arguing the Republican-led map is designed to weaken Black voting power in the states northeast.

Lawyers with the nonprofit firm Forward Justice, speaking at a press conference in front of the General Assembly building in Raleigh, said they will file a legal challenge targeting changes to the 1st Congressional District, a predominantly rural region that has elected a Black representative since 1992.

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These maps will erode the voting rights advances achieved over decades in the Black Belt region. The new maps dismantle a district that is over 40% Black, and it has consistently elected a Black representative, said Kathleen Roblez, senior voting rights counsel at Forward Justice.

The legislature this week finalized new congressional district lines designed to create an additional Republican seat.

Republicans drew the new congressional district boundaries at the behest of President Donald Trump, who is looking to prevent Democrats from taking a majority in the U.S. House after next years midterm elections.

The new plan will bring the state congressional delegation from 10 Republicans and four Democrats to 11 Republicans and three Democrats.

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Critics of the new plan claim that it violates the federal Voting Rights Act by preventing Black voters from electing the candidate of their choice.

Republican legislators denied that claim, and maintained they did not use racial data in crafting the new plan. They said they believe the new map will be upheld by the courts.

The incumbent, U.S. Rep. Don Davis (D-N.C.) narrowly won reelection to a second term last year.

The district as legislators created it for the 2024 election is the subject of an ongoing federal lawsuit. A three-judge panel is deciding whether the 1st District, other congressional districts, and state Senate districts dilute Black voting power.

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Speaking at the event, Rev. William Barber, founder of Repairers of the Breach, called the redistricting political robbery.

It is a boldfaced lie when they say that they dont know what this is doing to Black voters and poor voters, Barber said. They know exactly what theyre doing. Its the data that they use to make these decisions.

Barber framed the changes as a continuation of efforts to suppress Black political participation in eastern North Carolina. This effort is racist, he said. This is a direct attack on the states Black Belt district and marginalized community.

Neither Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) nor House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Caldwell) immediately responded to a request for comment.

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Ashley Mitchell, an attorney with Forward Justice, said the new maps follow years of efforts to limit voter participation in North Carolina, including voter ID requirements, attempts to shorten early voting, restrictions on voter registration, and attacks on absentee ballots.

This most likely will not be the last attempt to silence voters, especially Black voters across the state, though this devastating attack had intentions of silencing us, Mitchell said. We are not going to sit back. We are going to fight back.

Forward Justice attorneys declined to disclose the details of their legal strategy.

Even though Republicans have said race played no role in redrawing the district, Barber said that racial intent must be judged by a policys consequences, not just the language used to justify it. You look at the impact, and what they have done will directly impact the Black Belt of North Carolina, he said.

The attorneys said they will provide more details at a community meeting on Nov. 2 in Wilson.
Civil servants are leaving Whitehall with up to 30,000 payouts after hoarding unused annual leave, an investigation has found.

In the past three years, government departments have spent more than 9m of taxpayers money paying out to 8,000 civil servants who have not used their holiday allocation.

Most civil servants are entitled to 25 days of annual leave per year as well as an additional day off for the monarchs birthday. However, this jumps to 30 days after five years of service. In some departments, this rises to 31.5 days. They are then able to carry over 10 days from the previous year.

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While unused annual leave is calculated pro rata, it means that under their contracts, staff leaving at the end of the year could in theory be paid out for up to 40 days of holiday.

Freedom of information requests seen by The Telegraph have revealed the widespread use of the practice among public sector employees.

In the Treasury, 783 staff who left last year were paid a collective 844,021 for unused annual leave. A similar 786 staff took advantage of the practice the year before, costing taxpayers 870,491, while in 2022-23, 1,295 staff were paid 1.4m for holiday they had not taken.

In the Department for Business and Trade, one senior civil servant was paid 30,850 for untaken leave when they left last year. In 2022-23, another official walked away with 26,229.

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Of the 12 government departments that supplied data, taxpayers were billed 9,139,757 for the 7,979 civil servants who left without using all of their leave in the past three years.

Employees in both the public and private sector must pay staff for untaken annual leave when they leave their job. Civil Service guidance states managers should encourage staff to use their holidays to avoid expensive payouts.

Bob Blackman, the Conservative MP, told The Telegraph: This is an extreme concern. These people are not taking leave when they should and therefore, without casting aspersions, it seems quite a deliberate decision.

The chairman of the 1922 Committee suggested staff may have been able to accrue such high numbers of unused holiday because of the Civil Services generous approach to working from home and abroad.

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The Telegraph revealed earlier this year how civil servants were being allowed to work from abroad  with bosses granting permission for staff to work from the Bahamas and the Seychelles.

Last year, civil servants were told they needed to return to the office three days a week, averaging at least 60pc attendance over the course of the month.

Staff were slow to return to the office following the pandemic with some departments averaging just 25pc daily attendance in 2022. It resulted in Jacob Rees-Mogg, the then-Cabinet Office minister, leaving notes on empty desks urging civil servants to return to the office.

Mr Blackman said: Were they actually working and not taking holiday, or were they actually doing things as if they were on holiday but not taking their leave when they should have been?

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We know there were people who were allegedly working from home but were abroad. If they can do the job there, fine, but it does beg the question, what level of productivity is there?

John OConnell, chief executive of the TaxPayers Alliance, which obtained the data, said: Taxpayers will be astonished that millions are being shelled out for civil servants who didnt take their holidays.

With budgets tight and a seemingly burnt-out culture in the civil service, managers should be making sure leave is taken and that taxpayers arent shelling out thousands on exit bonuses.

A government spokesman said: Civil servants are encouraged to take all of their leave entitlement  but as is standard practice in private and public sector workplaces, employees can claim payment for a limited number of days if they do not take the full amount of leave they are entitled to.

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More broadly, we are committed to rooting out wasteful spending across the Civil Service, such as by saving more than 550m by reducing spending on consultancy services in 2024-25 alone.

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CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  The city of Clarksville is inviting residents to step back in time and learn the history of Tennessee Charcoal Iron.

In this class, Clarksville residents will discover how Tennessees historic iron furnaces shaped the regions economy, identity and left a mark on Clarksville.

Local author and historian Ronnie Tumelson will explore the pivotal role that iron furnaces played.

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Clarksvilles Parks and Recreation Department is shining a light on how a once-mighty industrial powerhouses left a lasting impact on Tennessees story. Plus Tumelson plans to discuss Stewart Countys Place in American History.

Tumelson will also discuss his new book, Tennessee Charcoal Iron, which draws from years of cultural history research.

Attendees can reserve their seat early to get a glimpse at Tennessees industrial past.

The event will be held on Nov. 15 at the L&N Train Station from 10 a.m. to noon and it is free for the community.

Do you have news happening in your neighborhood? Let us know by sending an email to neighborhoodnews@wkrn.com.

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The US-brokered ceasefire has raised hopes that the huge task of removing the unexploded ordnance from among millions of tons of rubble across Gaza can begin.

Clearing the surface of Gaza of unexploded ordnance will likely take between 20 to 30 years, according to an official with aid group Humanity & Inclusion, describing the enclave as a "horrific, unmapped minefield."

More than 53 people have been killed and hundreds injured by lethal remnants from the two-year Israel-Hamas war, according to a UN-led database, which is thought by aid groups to be a huge underestimate.

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A US-brokered ceasefire this month has raised hopes that the huge task of removing them from among millions of tons of rubble can begin.

"If you're looking at a full clearance, it's never happening, it's subterranean. We will find it for generations to come," said Nick Orr, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal expert at Humanity & Inclusion, comparing the situation with British cities after World War Two.

"Surface clearance, now that's something that's attainable within a generation, I think 20 to 30 years," he added.

A drone view shows people gathering to bury unidentified bodies of Palestinians, who had been held in Israel during the war, at a mass burial site after they were handed over by Israel, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Deir Al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, October 22, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas/File Photo)

"Its going to be a very small chipping away at a very big problem."

Orr, who went to Gaza several times during the conflict, is part of his organization's seven-person team that will begin identifying war remnants there in essential infrastructure like hospitals and bakeries next week.

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For now, however, aid groups like his have not been given blanket Israeli permission to start work on removing and destroying the ordnance nor to import the required equipment, he said.

COGAT blocks items with 'dual use' from entering Gaza

COGAT, the arm of the IDF overseeing Gaza aid, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It blocks items from entering Gaza that it considers have "dual use" - both civilian and military.

Orr said it was seeking permission to import supplies to burn away bombs rather than detonate them, to ease concerns about them being repurposed by Hamas.

He voiced support for a temporary force such as one foreseen in the US-brokered Gaza deal.

"If there is going to be any kind of future inside of Gaza, there needs to be an enabling security force that allows humanitarians to work," Orr said.
CLEVELAND (WJW)  The FOX 8 I-Team has found hundreds of Cleveland school kids are finally getting textbooks a quarter of the way into the school year.

Last week, we exposed classes with no books. Kids going months in some classes without books.

Now, the Cleveland Metropolitan School District tells us the last of the textbooks for the year are getting delivered.

We found, until now, teachers have copied worksheets for entire groups of students daily in some classes.

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That left a parent and school district watchdog disgusted.

Big changes coming for Ohio property taxes?

Its always, Oh, theyre coming. The books are coming. Some days, they dont have paper and toner to even make worksheets. Its infuriating, Polly Karr said.

District spokesman Jon Benedict told us on Wednesday that the last books ordered are now arriving.

The majority of them were finally delivered, he said.

He points out that kids have been able to work online with computers even without the books.

Any idea that, you know, lacking a textbook, weve had kids twiddling their thumbs and counting the ceiling tiles every day is inaccurate, Benedict added.

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The district said, as of last week, 26 teachers needed books for 331 students. But, the teachers union said the problem at the start of the school year was much bigger than that.

Cleveland Teachers Union President Shari Obrenski said, at the start of the school year, records indicated, thousands of books that were missing and hundreds of classrooms did not have what (they) needed.

Obrenski also argued that learning online has its limits.

For many of your children, especially our younger children, it is much better to have it on paper. To be able to interact with the text. To be able to highlight, underline, she said.

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Celebration of life honors Ohio trooper killed in line of duty

Weve shown you before, records indicated some books ordered by the district were not even due to come in until mid-September. So, we asked why the district wasnt ready for the first day of school.

Why did so many students not have books until the end of the first quarter? we asked Benedict.

It is a massively complicated and challenging endeavor to schedule and purchase for upcoming school years, he answered.

If they are supposed to have a paper book, they should have it. And honestly, they should have it on the first day of school, Obrenski also said.

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The union and the district have very different views about the size of the problem and the reasons behind it.

The I-Team has requested more records to shed more light on this.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Pet World, a regional retailer for decades, will close its East Moreland Boulevard store in Waukesha, a decision that follows the recent sale of its building.

Located on a limited-access street off Kossow Road  along the same stretch where the Marcus Westown Theatre and Gander Mountain (now Urban Air Adventure Park) once operated  Pet World is the only remaining retailer adjacent Waukesha's oldest Target store. The reason for the store's closing isn't clear.

However, according to state real estate records, the building in which Pet World operates, 2410 E. Moreland Blvd., was recently sold to a new Tennessee-based company, FUNWAUK RE LLC. The limited liability company was created on Aug. 25, and no information was available through online business records.

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The listed seller was DPMD LLC, based in Menomonee Falls. Diane Steckmann, who was identified as the registered agent for DPMD in state financial institution records, is the owner of Pet World, according to her LinkedIn profile.

Pet World, a warehouse outlet store at 2410 E. Moreland Blvd. in Waukesha, has sold its building and will close soon. A fixture for decades there, the store is one of four locations in the Milwaukee area. A closing date has not been announced.

Pet World placed "store closing" signs on the exterior walls of its store shortly after the sale closed on Oct. 8. A person answering the phone at the store on Oct. 23 said no specific closing date has been set. She said no one was available to answer questions about the store's status.

Pet World, which recently closed its Madison location, was founded in 1978, according to its website. It also has locations in Greenfield, Menomonee Falls and West Allis. The stores, which are also called warehouse outlets, sell supplies and pets.

Contact reporter Jim Riccioli at james.riccioli@jrn.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Pet World to close Waukesha store; Moreland Boulevard building sold
Oct. 22 (UPI) -- The U.S. Coast Guard rescued a family of three stranded on a small island off the coast of Cape Cod in Massachusetts on Wednesday morning.

The trio had set off on a 30-foot pleasure craft Friday from El Pond in Falmouth, and were expected to return Tuesday afternoon. When they didn't arrive, family members reported them missing, the Coast Guard said in a statement.

The mother, father and son had planned to remain anchored between Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard through the weekend, but Monday night they awoke to their boat, named Third Wave, in flames, forcing the family to abandon ship, according to the U.S Coast Guard.

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They managed to swim to Naushon Island, the largest of the Elizabeth Islands, located east of Martha's Vineyard, taking shelter in a barn.

After reports from a family member of them being overdue came in, authorities launched a search for the boat on Tuesday night. Calls to Third Wave went straight to voicemail while calls to the family's cell phones just continued to ring, authorities said.

Then on Wednesday morning, the Coast Guard received a MAYDAY call from the survivors via marine radio. The authorities said that the son had located their boat's radio that washed ashore.

Volunteers from Naushon Trust seemingly were the first to reach the survivors and performed first aid before they were then airlifted by a Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Cape Cod to a Cape Cod hospital.

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Hyannis Fire Chief Jeff Lamothe told Cape Cod Times that the survivors were suffering from smoke inhalation, burns and exposure.

#SearchandRescue @USCG members rescue 3 boaters off Naushon Island after their 30-ft vessel caught fire.

More details in our press release https://t.co/N8fjj8JCrV pic.twitter.com/cU9mhPwxEY USCGNortheast (@USCGNortheast) October 22, 2025
Oct. 22A Coeur d'Alene teen pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Alexander Scott Mercurio was arrested in April 2024 after FBI agents learned of his allegiance with the Islamic State group online, according to an affidavit from the case. Mercurio planned to carry out a suicide mission at several churches using knives, guns, fire and other weapons to "kill as many people as possible." Days before his planned attack on local churches, Mercurio stood before an Islamic State group flag, holding a knife and pledging allegiance to the Islamic State group, often referred to as ISIS.

He was taken into custody before carrying out any of his violent plans. At the time of his arrest, Mercurio was 18. He graduated from Coeur d'Alene Public Schools in 2023, but only attended online classes his last two years.

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Mercurio notified the court that he intended to plead guilty without a plea agreement in August. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 27 next year. Mercurio faces up to 20 years in federal prison. There is no parole from federal prison.

Mercurio swore an oath of loyalty to ISIS and was planning to attack several churches, then-Attorney General Merrick Garland said at the time of the arrest. The FBI learned of the teen's online posts and began meeting with Mercurio through an informant. Mercurio told the informant about his plan to attack his father, steal his guns and go on a church massacre for the Islamic State group, according to the affidavit. FBI director Christopher Wray called Mercurio's plot "truly horrific."

In an interview at the Kootenai County Jail with The Spokesman-Review soon after his arrest Mercurio praised Osama bin Laden and was unapologetic.

Mercurio told a reporter he had been a normal kid with friends until the last three years of high school when he isolated himself while doing school online. That's when he found Islam.

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"I radicalized myself through that," he said in the April 2024 interview. "The purpose is revenge. It's an eye for an eye."

Mercurio had expressed interest in carrying out some kind of violent act since October 2022, and told the FBI that he found purpose in the Islamic State group. He also told the informant about his need to satiate "bloodlust," according to the affidavit.

Mercurio used his school-issued laptop to research and communicate about terrorism and the Islamic State group. He planned to send all of his money to the Islamic State group after his suicide mission, according to the affidavit.
When Kari Telgenhof stopped in at Midvintec, Menomonee Falls' mid-century furniture store, to buy a dining room table, she hit it off with the owner, Christina Kraemer. They then started going to church together.

After church one day, Kraemer told Telgenhof that her dream was to open a coffee shop inside of Midvintec. She just did not know anyone who could do it.

Telgenhof's reply? "My dream is to have one," she said.

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Now it's happening. Telgenhof is aiming to open her first coffee shop, Percolatte, in mid-December in Kraemer's store.

"It couldn't have worked out better," Kraemer said. "(Telgenhof) has the passion to open it."

Telgenhof, who loves the friendly vibe of coffee shops, said she's looking forward to owning her own shop after being a stay-at-home mom for more than 20 years.

I found a new purpose," she said. "Chris and I met for a reason."

Here's more about the new shop:

A coffee shop, Percolatte, is slated to open inside of Midvintec in downtown Menomonee Falls in December 2025.

Where will Percolatte be located?

Percolatte will be located at N89 W16811 Appleton Ave. inside of Midvintec in downtown Menomonee Falls.

How big will Percolatte be?

Kraemer said Percolatte will be around 1,000 square feet. She said a previous tenant had rented out that space in the back part of the store in 2024. When they moved out, Kraemer started using the space again for her store. Now she said that space will be dedicated to the coffee shop.

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The shop will feature chairs, a living-room style set-up with couches along with games and a puzzle.

What kind of drinks will be served at Percolatte?

Telgenhof said Percolatte will begin by serving typical coffee drinks such as lattes, cappuccinos and espressos. It will also serve hot chocolate for children to enjoy. She said she anticipates adding holiday flavors. In the future, she plans on eventually serving wine and nonalcoholic wine.

What is sold in Midvintec?

Midvintec sells vintage items such as couches, dining room tables, chairs, glasses, mirrors and decor items. The store opened in 2022, and Kraemer said she finds these items to sell from estate sales and from people in the community.

What is Telgenhof doing to prepare for the opening?

Before Telgenhof opens the shop, she plans on attending a weeklong training through Seattle Barista Academy in Tukwila, Washington. The training is designed to teach people how to operate the coffee-making equipment and how to open a coffee shop.

Where can I get more information and updates?

For more information and updates on Percolatte, find Midvintec on Facebook.

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More: Menomonee Falls-based medical equipment manufacturer to consolidate operations in new space

More: New Mexican restaurant featuring handmade margaritas to open Oct. 20 in Menomonee Falls

Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: A new coffee shop, Percolatte, is opening in Menomonee Falls
The Colombian government has asked the United States to stop attacking vessels in the Pacific and the Caribbean as part of an operation that Washington says is targeting drug smuggling.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Wednesday announced strikes on two alleged drug-running boats in the Pacific that left five people dead.

The first strike took place on Tuesday, with two people killed. A defense official confirmed the vessel was in international waters off Colombia. A second strike took place on Wednesday, according to Hegseth, killing three more.

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The strikes bring the total number of such U.S. attacks to at least nine, with 37 people dead, according to U.S. figures.

"Colombia calls on the U.S. government to cease these attacks and urges it to respect the norms dictated by international law," the foreign ministry said in a statement Wednesday night.

The government of Colombia's leftist President Gustavo Petro, who has been embroiled in a war of words with President Trump, "rejects the destruction by the United States of a vessel allegedly related to drug trafficking in the Pacific Ocean," the statement added.

Mr. Trump and Petro exchanged angry threats on Wednesday.

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Mr. Trump branded Petro a "thug" and suggested he was a drug trafficker leading his country to ruin, prompting Petro to vow: "I will defend myself legally with American lawyers."

The U.S. president also said military aid to Bogota had been cut and warned Petro to "watch it," while Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the Colombian leader a "lunatic."

In an interview Thursday with CBS News national correspondent Lilia Luciano, Petro said he believes that the White House needs to focus on the leaders of drug cartels, not suspected lower-level traffickers.

"Killing the workers of the business is easy, but if you want efficiency, you have to capture the bosses of the business," Petro told CBS News.

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Last month, Washington announced it had decertified Colombia as an ally in the fight against drugs. Colombia hit back by halting arms purchases from the United States, its biggest military partner.

In the statement, Colombia reiterated "its call on the U.S. government to engage in dialogue through diplomatic channels" to "continue jointly the fight against drugs in the region" as they had been doing for decades.

Among the dozens of people killed in the boat strikes was Colombian Alejandro Carranza.

His family is questioning White House claims that he was carrying narcotics aboard a small vessel targeted last month.

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His wife, Katerine Hernandez, told AFP that her 40-year-old husband was "a good man" who was on a fishing trip when he was killed.

"Why did they just take his life like that?" she said. "The fishermen have the right to live. Why didn't they just detain them?"

Drug trafficking vessels, including "narco subs," are routinely intercepted by the Colombian navy. If drugs are seized, the people on board are detained and referred for prosecution.

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Colombias President Gustavo Petro has indicated that a suspension of aid from the United States would mean little to his country, but that changes to military funding could have an effect.

What happens if they take away aid? In my opinion, nothing, Petro told journalists on Thursday, adding that aid funding often moved through US agencies and employed Americans.

But a cut to military cooperation would matter, he added.

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Now, in military aid, we would have some problems, Petro said, adding that the loss of US helicopters would have the gravest impact.

US President Donald Trump had threatened over the weekend to raise tariffs on Colombia and said on Wednesday that all funding to the country has been halted.

Colombia was once among the largest recipients of US aid in the Western Hemisphere, but the flow of money was suddenly curtailed this year by the shuttering of USAID, the governments humanitarian assistance arm. Military cooperation has continued.

The Trump administration has already decertified Colombias efforts to fight drug trafficking, paving the way for potential further cuts, but some US military personnel remain in Colombia, and the two countries continue to share intelligence.

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Petro has objected to the US militarys strikes against vessels in the Caribbean, which have killed dozens of people and inflamed tensions in the region. Many legal experts and human rights activists have also condemned the actions.

Trump has responded by calling Petro an illegal drug leader and a bad guy  language Petros government says is offensive.

Petro has recalled his governments ambassador from Washington, DC, but he nevertheless met with the USs charge daffaires in Bogota late on Sunday.

Although Trump has not announced any additional tariffs on top of the 10-percent rate already assessed on Colombian goods, he said on Wednesday he may take serious action against the country.

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Petro said Trump is unlikely to put tariffs on oil and coal exports, which represent 60 percent of Colombias exports to the US, while the effect of tariffs on other industries could be mitigated by seeking alternative markets.

An increase in tariffs would flip a long-established US policy stance that free trade can make legitimate exports more attractive than drug trafficking, and analysts say more duties could eventually bolster drug trafficking.

Although his government has struggled to take control of major hubs for rebel and criminal activity, Petro said it has made record seizures of 2,800 metric tonnes of cocaine in three years, partly through increased efforts at Pacific ports where container ships are used for smuggling.

He also repeated an accusation that Trumps actions are intended to boost the far right in Colombia in next years legislative and presidential elections.
Shares of NioCorp (NB) and other U.S. rare earth miners continue to gain momentum as the Trump administration doubles down on building a domestic supply chain independent from China. Analysts remain bullish, with some rare earth stocks trading well below their price targets as government support intensifies. The sector jumped after Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed an agreement to invest in joint ventures for critical minerals and rare earths.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the administration will set price floors for rare earths to combat alleged Chinese market manipulation, similar to the unprecedented deal struck with MP Materials (MP) in July that included an equity stake, price floor, and offtake agreement.

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China's recent export restrictions have accelerated Washington's urgency. Beijing now requires licenses to export products containing just 0.1% rare earths and imposed controls on extraction technology and equipment. The restrictions expand to five additional rare earth elements, which provides China enormous leverage in trade negotiations.

Investors are betting the administration will replicate the MP Materials playbook with additional miners. William Blair initiated coverage on USA Rare Earth (USAR) with an Outperform rating, expecting Trump could take a material stake soon. The White House has already invested in Lithium Americas (LAC) and Trilogy Metals (TMQ), fueling speculation about which company comes next.

J.P. Morgan Chase (JPM) also committed up to $10 billion in critical minerals investments through direct equity stakes and venture capital. CEO Jamie Dimon warned the U.S. has become dangerously reliant on unreliable sources for materials essential to national security. The Defense Department is rushing to stockpile $1 billion worth of critical minerals.

Is NB a Good Stock to Buy Right Now?

NioCorp is positioning itself as a critical player in America's push to break free from Chinese dominance in rare earths and strategic minerals. The Nebraska-based company is racing toward construction of its fully permitted Elk Creek facility, which would produce niobium, scandium, titanium, and magnetic rare earth oxides, including the crucial heavy rare earths dysprosium and terbium. The U.S. currently produces none of these materials domestically.
People in shackles are led off a plane tied to Colorado-based Key Lime Air at Alexandria International Airport, Louisiana, on Oct. 11. (Photo by Madelyn Murphy/Colorado Newsline)

Colorado-based airline Key Lime Air is running flights of detainees for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to government data, flight tracking and analysis by Colorado Newsline.

Personnel in reflective vests led 11 people in shackles off a plane registered to Key Lime at King County International Airport outside Seattle on Thursday, Oct. 9, a little before noon. A short time later, another 38 people in shackles were escorted off a bus, patted down and led onto the plane, which then flew to El Paso, Texas. White trash bags that appeared to contain their personal belongings sat on the tarmac.

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Cameron Satterfield, a spokesperson for the airport, confirmed that the flight was operated for ICE by Key Lime.

A Newsline reporter observed the Key Lime plane through a county-run livestream of the tarmac. Advocates say such flights that shuffle people across the country can be damaging for mental health, family connection and legal access.

Transfers are inefficient, chaotic and can feel punitive, particularly when people are spirited away from their community, family and lawyers to an unfamiliar place where they have no ties, said Laura Lunn, director of advocacy and litigation for the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network.

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A similar scene with another plane full of shackled passengers played out in Alexandria, Louisiana, on Oct. 11, observed by a reporter at the airport. Newsline has also traced that plane to Key Lime, based on online databases. The two planes appear to have performed similar immigration-related operations every day for more than a month.

The company is the first known Colorado-based airline to participate in immigration enforcement flights since the Trump administration launched mass deportation efforts earlier this year.

The aircraft do not bear Key Lime logos or other company designators, but they display unique registration numbers.

Contacted by a reporter and asked to confirm that two planes bearing the registration numbers Newsline tied to Key Lime are involved in immigration operations, CEO Cliff Honeycutt referred questions to CSI Aviation and declined to disclose details about any contracts. CSI is one of the largest federal contractors for ICE flights and has an approximately $563 million contract with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The reporter asked if Key Lime operates under a CSI subcontract.

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Yes, but again, we really dont discuss our customers arrangements, Honeycutt said.

A Federal Aviation Administration spreadsheet for certain commercial aircraft identifies one of the planes  the one observed near Seattle  as being operated by Key Lime.

Ch-aviation, a widely cited aviation information resource, designates both planes as being operated by Key Lime.

In addition to confirmation from Satterfield that one of the planes had transported detainees for ICE, the planes are tied to ICE activity through the flight patterns of the aircraft and other indicators.

The company is part of a growing network of operators participating in immigration enforcement, especially flights between ICE detention centers throughout the country. Human Rights First, a nonprofit that oversees the ICE Flight Monitor project, noted a monthly record of 969 domestic immigration enforcement flights in September, including 83 by Key Lime.

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An unnamed ICE spokesperson referred questions to Key Lime, which, aside from the exchange with Honeycutt, did not respond to multiple requests for comment. A company representative declined to speak with a Newsline reporter who visited company headquarters.

Sense of confusion

Domestic air transfers of the kind Key Lime is performing create layers of disruption for community members, Lunn said.

Attorneys are forced to figure out how to reach clients in facilities far from their offices or the courts where they practice. Family members are no longer able to visit their loved ones when theyre simply too far away. All of these breeds a sense of confusion, and the most common assumption people make when theyre being put on a plane is that they are being deported, Lunn said.

The Trump administration aims to deport millions of immigrants without permanent legal status, and has expanded federal capacity to detain and deport immigrants in record numbers. That includes $170 billion for immigration enforcement efforts, construction on new detention centers and plans to open shuttered prisons for ICE detention, including at least two in Colorado. The White House claims there have been over 400,000 deportations since the start of President Donald Trumps term in January.

People in shackles are led off a plane tied to Colorado-based Key Lime Air at King County International Airport in Seattle, Washington, on Oct. 9. (Screenshot of airport livestream)

Top ICE detention hubs

In mid-September, the two Key Lime planes suddenly changed their routes and began flying to and from major immigration detention hubs, primarily in the South, according to flight data from ADS-B Exchange, an online flight tracking database.

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A Newsline analysis shows the two planes frequent ICE detention hubs, including El Paso, Texas; Harlingen, Texas; and Alexandria, Louisiana. Those three cities are the sites of by far the most transfer and deportation flights in the country, according to The New York Times. Alexandria is often the last stop before someone is sent on a flight out of the country.

Between Sept. 15, when the planes changed their flight patterns, and Oct.17, at least one of the planes stopped in Alexandria at least once a day, Newsline analysis showed. Most days both planes traveled to or from the city at least once, according to flight data. For example, one of the planes on Oct. 7 flew from Alexandria to Nashville, back to Alexandria, and then on to Tampa. It ended the night back in Alexandria.

During the time period Newsline analyzed, the Key Lime planes were in Alexandria 59 times, Harlingen 11 times, El Paso 14 times and Lake City  a 15-minute drive from the Everglades detention center Republicans branded Alligator Alcatraz  nine times.

ICE flights obscured

Information about ICE flights is often obscured, and the flights can be hard to identify and track. Federal authorities release scant information, and ICE does not publish schedules or logs of agency flights. Carriers can block certain registration numbers from public flight tracking websites under the Limiting Aircraft Data Displayed program, and it appears the registration numbers of both Key Lime planes were blocked from the popular flight tracking website FlightAware.

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But seasoned flight trackers have highlighted Key Limes work for ICE for weeks. It was first identified in a post on BlueSky by a user who goes by JJ in DC, a military veteran with experience tracking flights. Planes carrying detained immigrants for ICE are increasingly likely to use atypical call signs, identifiers used during flight communication. The two Key Lime planes flew under its call sign LYM until mid-September, then suddenly switched to TYS or TYSON. Advocates say that is a key tell of an ICE flight that they first noticed with various airlines in late March. It is the same call sign that was used for Trumps personal plane after he was first elected in 2016 and for other high-profile presidential candidates protected by the Secret Service.

We just saw this big shift and weve noticed that a big part of ICE contractors are now using these faux call signs to obscure their activity, Guadalupe Gonzalez, a flight monitoring coordinator for Washington-based La Resistencia, said. I havent seen a flight under TYSON that hasnt been operating under ICE.

Key Lime is based at Centennial Airport in Arapahoe County and also offers passenger charter flights and scheduled commercial flights through its subsidiary Denver Air Connection.

The two planes in question are Embraer commuter jets that can hold about 50 passengers, according to multiple online databases.

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The planes are owned by an Oregon company, CBG LLC. It is common for an aircrafts owner and operator to be different entities. Key Lime regularly operates CBG planes. Key Limes 2009 application to the U.S. Department of Transportation for commuter air carrier authorization indicates the three owners of Key Lime were also the three owners of CBG.

Key Lime is the only Colorado company known to be operating ICE flights, according to advocates. New Mexico-based CSI Aviation subcontracts to other airlines including Avelo, Global Exchange and Eastern Air Express.

Editors note: This story was updated at 10:23 a.m., Oct. 23, 2025, to specify that Key Lime Air is based in Arapahoe County.

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A Colorado man was allegedly under the influence at the time his pickup truck was involved in a wrong-way crash that killed four teen on the New Jersey Turnpike.

Christopher Neff, 41, of Westminster, Colorado, faces four counts of aggravated manslaughter and reckless death by auto, as well as weapons charges, in the crash that happened outside Carneys Point early Sunday morning, the Salem County Prosecutors Office said on Wednesday.

Yaakov Kilberg, 19, and his three 18-year-old passengers  Aharon Lebovits, Shlomo Cohen and Chaim Grossman  were killed in the collision, the county prosecutors office said.

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Kilberg was traveling southbound on the New Jersey Turnpike toward the Delaware Memorial Bridge around 12:41 a.m. when Neff, heading the wrong way on the southbound side of the expressway, struck their SUV, New Jersey State Police previously stated.

The SUV was subsequently struck by a tractor-trailer.

Grossman was a Fallsburg, New York, resident, while the other three were from Lakewood. All four were pronounced dead at the scene. The tractor-trailers driver, a 29-year-old man from Nova Scotia, Canada, was not injured, police said.

A criminal complaint in the deadly crash was filed on Tuesday. It was unclear if Neff was in custody on Wednesday. Court records do show a date for when Neff is scheduled to appear in court.

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Attorney information for Neff was not listed in New Jersey court records.

Eric Conklin

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Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
BRIMFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  It has been thirty-two years since 10-year-old Holly Piirainen left her grandparents house in Sturbridge to see a litter of puppies, and never returned home.

Massachusetts State Police recruiting for their cadet program

Holly Piirainen was vacationing with her father and other family members at a cottage in Sturbridge and disappeared after taking a walk on August 5, 1993. Her father last saw her heading towards a residence in the area of Allen Road and South Shore Drive around 11:45 a.m. to play with some puppies. When Holly did not return an hour later, her father started searching immediately and reported her missing. During his search, he found her sneakers on South Shore Road.

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Hollys body was found by hunters in a wooded area off Five Bridge Road in Brimfield on October 23, 1993. The items discovered in the area were seized as evidence by the Massachusetts State Police. Some of those items were recently taken for further forensic testing to expand on previous testing. One item particularly, a white tank top with a blue, purple, and pink colored Boston motif on the front is an item of interest in the case. The shirt had no tags or size information on it.

To honor Holly, the Hampden County District Attorneys Office will be hosting a Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG) event in Brimfield on Sunday, November 9th, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Public Safety Complex on Wales Road. The community is encouraged to attend to provide a simple cheek swab, which could help generate new investigative leads.

The DNA collected can be compared against publicly available genealogy databases to help identify distant relatives of unknown suspects. Investigators will then use those connections to build family trees, narrow down possibilities, and identify offenders who have eluded justice for decades.

Each new DNA sample has the power to bring us closer to the truth. Holly deserves justice, and her family deserves answers. This effort is about remembering her and using every available tool to find the person responsible, said District Attorney Anthony Gulluni.

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There have been several people of interest in the past, but no arrests have ever been made. If you have any information on this case, you can contact the Tip Line at 413-426-3507. You can also text a tip by texting CRIMES (274637), just text SOLVE plus your message.

You can also fill out an online form that will go directly to the Massachusetts State Trooper assigned to the case.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Download the 22News Plus app on your TV to watch live-streaming newscasts and video on demand.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  On Wednesday, a community of tiny homes in east Austin marked 10 years of helping people find permanent housing.

Community First Village opened its first tiny home in 2015. Since then, hundreds of formerly homeless people have called the village home. After its expansion is complete later this year, there will be 1900 tiny houses spread across two acres.

When youre driving around Austin and youre looking under the bridges and on the street corners and the alleyways, theres a sense of hopelessness out there, said Alan Graham, the villages founder and CEO.

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When you come into this village, and you drive around [this place]  occupied by that population of people, what you walk away with is this extraordinary sense of hopefulness, he continued.

Blaire Racine, a seven-year resident known around the community as its mayor, said the community has offered him a new family. He was homeless for four years before.

The reason they have such a high retention rate here is because people belong here, Racine said. One of the biggest problems people experiencing homelessness have is low self-esteem, and we can rebuild that feeling.

According to the nonprofit, the community has an 85% retention rate. Further, residents report 42% less alcohol use, 47% less drug use, and 30% lower feelings of depression compared to when they arrived.

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During the 10th anniversary celebration, Graham said retention is so high that the most common reason people leave is death. The average age of a resident is 65, and the average age of death in the village is 61.

The Ending Community Homelessness Coalition, or ECHO, reports the average age of death for someone living unsheltered in Austin is 48.

These are the exact kind of solutions that our office is focused on to help ensure people can get off the streets and stay off the streets, Director of Austin Homeless Strategies and Operations David Gray said.

While he said the village is doing impactful work, Gray said this model wont work for all people at risk of or who are experiencing homelessness.

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Our goal is to prevent people from needing a resource like this, Gray said

Usually if youre moving into a community like this, youve been homeless for multiple years, you dont have income, maybe you have a permanent disability, he continued. A lot of the work that weve done over this last year was built out other parts of our homeless continuum, so that households who are currently housed have a fighting chance to stay housed.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  The race to be Rhode Islands democratic candidate for governor is currently a rematch.

Former CVS Executive Helena Foulkes is running against Governor Dan McKee.

Foulkes joined 12 News at 4 on Wednesday to share why she decided to run for governor again after losing to McKee in the last election.

Foulkes also talked about seeking accountability with the Washington Bridge and the housing crisis in Rhode Island.

Watch the full interview in the video above.

McKee joined 12 News at 4 on Oct. 1 where he also address concerns surrounding the Washington Bridge. Watch his full interview here.

Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts.

Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the free WPRI 12+ TV app.

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The Community Foundation of the Ozarks on Thursday announced the first round of recipients of its Inclusion & Belonging and Rapid Response grants for the 2025-26 grant cycle.

The five recipients for its Inclusion and Belonging grants, receiving a total of $12,000, are:

 BLASIANetwork: $3,000 to support Courageous Conversations, "a series of community-led forums in Joplin that provide a safe space to hold meaningful conversations around challenging but necessary topics," according to the announcement.

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BLASIANetwork  Building Leaders, Achieving Sustainability, Innovation, Accountability Network  was established in 2014. It is also known as the Building Leaders Network.

"We connect people with organizations that help their communities thrive," said Amia Warren, CEO, who added that the group has been partnering with You Belong in Joplin, a work group of the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce.

"We usually have one person or sometimes a panel and they tell their story. Just whatever they want to get off their chest. It's a safe place ... to uplift and understand people in our community," Warren said.

The conversations are held quarterly and while no date has been announced for the next one, Warren said it will likely be next year.

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More information is available at blasianetwork.org.

 Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks: $1,500 to support health care access and encourage regular screening mammograms for the Latin American community through a Spanish-language radio and social media campaign.

 Drew Lewis Foundation Inc.: $3,000 to support two RISE expansion sites in Springfield that provide pathways out of poverty through education, resources and community connection.

 Ozarks Action Inc.: $1,500 to support adaptive and sensory-friendly learning tools that enhance classroom environments and foster belonging for every child and family it serves across its six-county service area in south-central Missouri.

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 The Pediatric Place Family First Initiative: $3,000 to provide sensory bags to first responders in Henry County to support individuals with autism and sensory, developmental or emotional needs during traumatic events.

The Rapid Response Grant Program supports nonprofits that lose government funding, are affected by disaster, or require time-sensitive funding for innovation or collaboration.

The seven recipients, receiving a total of $18,891, are:

 Better Life in Recovery: $1,500 to distribute free groceries to low-income families and individuals in Springfield.

 Community Diaper Outreach: $3,000 to purchase, store and distribute diapers and wipes for children in Cedar, Vernon and St. Clair counties.

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 Hope Counseling Center: $2,391 to install an electric, autolocking security system at its entrance in Branson.

 Jefferson College Foundation: $3,000 to support expenses for qualified teacher aide apprentices working as substitute teachers and for mentor stipends at Jefferson College in Hillsboro.

 Mosaic Arts Collective: $3,000 to support set production for Hairspray."

 NAMI of Southwest Missouri: $3,000 to replace funding lost from SAMHSA Statewide Network Grants.

 New Beginning Sanctuary: $3,000 to support the unexpected cost of relocating the agencys Springfield office due to loss of government funding.

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Applications for both programs are reviewed on a rolling basis and will be open through spring 2026 or until funds are exhausted.

The Community Foundation of the Ozarks is the regions largest public charitable foundation serving donors, nonprofit partners and 55 regional affiliates with $549 million in assets under management as of June 30, 2025. To learn more about the foundations grant application process, go to cfozarks.org/applyforgrants.
Oct. 23ASHLAND, Ky.  Community Hospice invites the community to join us for a Friends of Hospice Membership Event, taking place 11 a.m.  1 p.m. Friday at the Community Hospice Main Office, 1480 Carter Ave. in Ashland, Kentucky.

"This event is a wonderful way to learn how you can be part of something that directly impacts hospice patients and families in our community," said Kathy Elam, president of Friends of Hospice. "Our Friends group is built on compassion, camaraderie, and the shared goal of supporting the hospice mission."

Guests will enjoy a light lunch of salads and desserts, fellowship and the opportunity to learn more about the Friends of Hospice, a dedicated group of community members who raise funds to support the mission and programs of Community Hospice.

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The Friends of Hospice provide financial support for special hospice projects and programs, including our beloved hospice quilting groups that create handmade quilts for patients and families at the Community Hospice Care Center.

Membership is open to anyone who wants to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. No training is required and annual dues are just $20.

Each year, the Friends of Hospice organize one major fundraiser, their popular Pecan Sale held in November and December, with all proceeds benefiting Community Hospice programs and services.

To R.S.V.P.. or learn more, contact Elam at 740-525-2741 or email klelam@netacs.net.

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The Houston Housing Authority is releasing more information about the plans to demolish and redevelop Cuney Homes, Houston's oldest public housing community.

The housing authority says the redevelopment will happen in five phases between now and 2032.

While they have not yet released an exact date for when the demolition will begin, they say that starting the first week of November, their relocation team will start meeting with every household living at Cuney Homes to make a family moving plan.

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They say residents will have the option for the housing authority to help with the move, or to receive money to coordinate it themselves.

SEE PREVIOUS REPORT: Houston's oldest public housing complex Cuney Homes to be torn down and rebuilt

A councilmember told ABC13 that displaced residents who wish to remain in the neighborhood will be guaranteed space in Third Ward affordable housing properties.

The housing authority also says demolition will start with buildings on the east side of the property.

HHA is hosting two meetings to answer questions and share more information about the plan and relocation.

The meetings are set for Thursday, Oct. 23, at One Emancipation Center in the Third Ward at 11:30 a.m. and at 6 p.m.

For more news updates, follow Courtney Carpenter on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Revolut, one of Europes most popular digital banks, has obtained a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) licence from the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC).

The licence could allow Revolut to provide and market crypto-asset services across all 30 markets in the European Economic Area (EEA) under the MiCA legislation, through a provision known as passporting, though it could still need to undergo additional scrutiny from individual EU states.

In addition, Revolut announced it is set to launch 1:1 conversion between stablecoins and USD, without spreads (the difference between the buy and sell prices for currencies.)

Costas Michael, CEO of Revolut Digital Assets Europe, said that receiving the licence is a significant step in our journey, reflecting CySECs confidence in our commitment to regulatory compliance in crypto.

He added: Its no secret that we have ambitious plans for the crypto sector in the future, and our MiCA licence is fundamental to all of that.

The neobank has been providing crypto trading since 2017 in some regions, but the crypto services it offers customers have expanded steadily since then. In November 2024, it launched Revolut X, a standalone crypto exchange, across all 30 European Economic Area countries, giving users the ability to trade 200 cryptocurrencies via its desktop-based platform.

Its not just Revolut that is using Cyprus as its gateway to MiCA approval. Back in January, Coinbase acquired the Cyprus-based unit of BUX, rebranding it as Coinbase Financial Services Europe ahead of winning its own European MiCA licence in Luxembourg.

Revolut Expands Crypto Trading to 30 European Countries

Stablecoin ahead?

The news comes amid rumors that the bank may launch its own stablecoinspeculation that has circulated for more than a year. In June 2025, two sources familiar with the matter told Decrypt that the bank was continuing to pursue the creation of its own stablecoin, though Revolut has not officially commented on the reports.

On Myriad, a prediction market launched by Decrypts parent company Dastan, users are skeptical that a Revolut stablecoin launch is imminent, placing just a 25% chance on the neobank launching a stablecoin before the end of the year.

Sadri Sali, a Netherlands-based lawyer specializing in EU crypto regulation, told Decrypt that with MiCA approval, the introduction of a Revolut stablecoin by 2026 appears to be a plausible development, particularly once the issuer regime under MiCA is fully operational.

In practical terms, Revolut is now positioned to legally issue its own stablecoin under the EU framework, Sali added, noting that the firm would need to activate their Lithuanian Electronic Money License (EMI) and ensure compliance with European Banking Authority (EBA) supervision should the token attain a level of significance.
Editors Note: If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact the Penelope House Crisis Hotline at 251-342-8994.

MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG)  The Spring Hill community is shocked after they woke up to the news about a pregnant woman who was shot and killed at Wilmer Hall around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday night.

Juvenile accused of handgun possession at Mobile school

Mobile police said 20-year-old Amiayia White was shot and killed by her childs father, 21-year-old David Terell Smith. Smith is charged with three counts of capital murder.

It was terrible. I cannot believe something like that happened so close to me, said Jeffrey Busby, next door at the time of the shooting.

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The transitional home is meant to be a safe haven for parents and children, which is why those in the area are so shocked that this happened.



Normally, this is a very nice neighborhood, very quiet. No crime, nothing, said Busby.

Ten people who were in the area that night told News 5 they did not hear gunshots.

Gary West, who lives next door to Wilmer Hall, said he was awake during the crime.

I was up, I guess around 10:30, 10:45 or so. Went outside, got something out of the car. Went back inside. Turned TVs off, went upstairs, I took a shower. Got up about 12:30 or so in the morning. Still never heard any cops, never heard any gunshots. Never heard anything, said West.

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However, Busby did see something.

I was just sitting in my friends living room, facing the street, and I saw police lights, said Busby.

He said he then saw one police car at the front of Wilmer Hall and watched it zip through the parking lot to get behind the building.

I found out the next day that somebody got shot, and I never heard a gunshot. I didnt know what happened, but I heard it was someone who was pregnant, and thats just terrible, said Busby.

Fairhope penis costume arrest featured on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (video)

The president of Wilmer Hall said Amiayias death is a terrible tragedy.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
MATTOON, Ill. (WCIA)  Lana Fuller and Theresa Pullen from the United Christian Church womens ministry in Mattoon joined WCIA 3s Taylor Mitchell in the studio to talk about their upcoming Christmas event.

This will be the groups 11th year hosting its Christmas Bazaar. There will be a wide selection of items to buy including new and gently used designer purses, unique Christmas decorations and more.

Community Spotlight: Champaign County Regional Planning Commission

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The money raised from the event helps to fund church projects like mission groups, childrens ministries, and for people in need.

The Christmas Bazaar will be held Saturday Nov. 1, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at United Christian Church, located at 200 Lafayette Avenue E. in Mattoon.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Driving north on state Route 56 as you enter Jackson County, Tennessee, the road winds through lush, green hills, past a few homes, an abandoned auto shop, and the Country Cabin Quik Market before reaching a large billboard. Pull forward into the parking lot of Fatboys Barbie-Q, where sweet, vinegary clouds puff from a large smoker, and you can read one side of the sign:

God bless Jackson County! Were proud to call it home!

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The words land, liberty, and legacy frame a deer-head logo above a company name: RidgeRunner.

On the other side, theres a different message: Small town  big heart. Here, nasty notions play no part. Bide a spell in Gainesboro. Where all are welcome!

If you dont live in Jackson County, you might not recognize the contentious subtext between the two sides of the billboard. One went up in late July by RidgeRunner, a real estate company that bought hundreds of acres in Jackson County with plans to develop town and country charter communities that it hopes to fill with hundreds of new conservative Christian residents.

The other sign was put up by a group of county business owners out of fear that these new residents will be far-right Christian nationalists set on gaining control of local government. The billboards message that all are welcome here and the mention of nasty notions are a rebuke to what RidgeRunners critics see as the companys exclusionary ethos, which they believe renders anyone not a white, Protestant man as a second-class citizen  or maybe not even a citizen at all.

Josh Abbotoy, RidgeRunners CEO, drives me to the dirt lot at Fatboys. Its a parable, he tells me, proudly, a flashpoint thats happening in small towns across this country. He motions toward the billboard. Were proud to call it home versus Come bide a spell. Which is the path to economic growth?

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Abbotoy, 38, a Harvard-educated lawyer, is compact and bulky, and the day we meet, he wears a hunter-green polo shirt, jeans, and some stubble on his face. He says he doesnt identify as a Christian nationalist, an ideology that generally posits America is a Christian nation and should be ruled by evangelical Christian men according to arch-conservative principles. To him, this is a dispute over how large swaths of Appalachia can be revitalized. RidgeRunners detractors, he says, want to chase fickle tourism dollars by suppressing the areas long-held Christian conservative values and appeal to liberal city dwellers by proving were not like those hillbillies in the Scopes trial. His plan instead is to market rural, small-town living to a certain kind of buyer.

Theres a heavy political component to this, he says. We dont quite advertise this bluntly, but maybe we should: Are you fed up with crime, corruption and wokeness in your big, blue city? Then move here. He says hes already sold a handful of parcels, mostly to those looking to relocate. Out-of-staters who move to Tennessee love the way it is now. They love the traditional Bible-belt feel.

Two of his first customers, Andrew Isker and C. Jay Engel, have sparked considerable alarm here. According to Abbotoy, theyre just two guys whove bought land from RidgeRunner and moved here with their families into rental homes until their land is ready to build on. But theyve also become de facto ambassadors for the company, setting up shop in RidgeRunners Gainesboro office, hosting what Isker has called the number-one Christian Nationalist podcast in the world.

Isker, a pastor from Minnesota, co-authored a 2022 book, Christian Nationalism: A Biblical Guide to Taking Dominion and Discipling Nations, with Andrew Torba, the founder of Gab, a social media platform popular with white supremacists, antisemites, and conspiracy theorists. Isker, whos said hed like to dissolve Congress and the judiciary and vest all power into a sovereign ruler named Donald J. Trump, has a history of inflammatory remarks about women, immigrants, Jewish people, and the LGBTQ+ community.

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Engel, a native Californian who runs a company that manufactures off-roading trailers, has used social media to denounce democracy, declare gay people are only employable if they work on not being gay, insist Americas survival is predicated on the removal of foreigners, long for returning the country to how it was before the Civil Rights movement, and argue that women were happier and lived more fulfilling lives before they got the vote.

Isker and Abbotoy had been friendly since meeting a few years ago through mutual friends in conservative and evangelical circles. RidgeRunner essentially recruited Isker to move to Jackson County as an early adopter, and Isker in turn invited his podcast partner Engel. Although Abbotoy maintains he never designated them ambassadors of this project, theyve consistently promoted it.

Last July, on an episode of their podcast, Contra Mundum  Latin for Against The World  when they announced their move, Isker said, Were building a town, and revealed hed also be starting a new church there. A month later, he described broader ambitions: If you were able to take even a few hundred people that all think the same way, have all the same ideas about common good and politics and so forth and consolidate them in the same place, you can exercise far, far more political power, even with a few hundred or few thousand people, than you can on your own, widely dispersed across the entire country.

The prospect of anyone coming in and building a town where one has existed for more than two centuries has unsurprisingly gone over poorly. The perception among many I spoke to in Jackson County is that Isker and Engel represent, as someone put it, exhibits A and B for the kind of people that would come to what RidgeRunner is selling. This has been troubling, even in a county where Donald Trump won nearly 81 percent of the vote in 2024 and a majority identify as Christian conservatives.

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Linda McNew, who lives on a farm in the county and describes herself as an absolute full-force conservative Christian woman, was initially skeptical of the negative local press about RidgeRunner and researched to debunk it. What she found was sobering. Theyre antisemitic, anti-Black, anti-Native American. They dont want anything except what they think. Its about moving here and finding power. Theyve got big bucks behind them.

Abbotoy maintains hes simply an outspoken political conservative, and that local opinion has been skewed against RidgeRunner by the media and the more progressive Gainesboro residents. Im not hurting anybody. Im selling land, running my business, trying to be a good neighbor.

Theres a history of planned communities being built around a common religious or political ideology  by Christian nationalists, Mormons, Amish, Hasidic Jews, and others. Efforts to create Christian nationalist settlements in places like Elohim City, Oklahoma, Alpine County, California, and Tigerton, Wisconsin, go back to the 1970s. Doug Wilson, a Christian nationalist pastor in Moscow, Idaho, has been working for decades to transform Moscow into what he calls a church town. (Isker graduated from Wilsons ministerial program.)

Christian nationalism has been present throughout American history, says Amanda Tyler, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty and author of How to End Christian Nationalism. But its the well-funded political movement thats really seizing and exploiting that ideology for their own political gain right now. These extreme ideas are gaining more of a foothold in elected power.

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Pete Hegseth attends a Tennessee church affiliated with Wilson and has reposted a video of Wilson and other pastors in his congregation saying, among other things, women shouldnt have the right to vote. (A Pentagon spokesperson later said, Of course the secretary thinks that women should have the right to vote.) Russ Vought, a self-described Christian nationalist, is Trumps budget director. Jeremy Carl, recently nominated to become an assistant secretary of state, has written admiringly of Christian nationalism, and is close with Abbotoy. Ex-Department of Defense official William Wolfe is an ardent Christian nationalist whom Abbotoy has repeatedly called a friend and colleague. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has long espoused Christian nationalist views. J.D. Vance has ties to Christian nationalists, too, including Abbotoys colleagues.

The networks are very diffuse, but its very dense, with a lot of overlap of people, funders, nonprofits, says Andrew Whitehead, an Indiana University sociology professor and co-author of Taking America Back for God: Christian Nationalism in the United States.

What separates RidgeRunner from previous religious or political enclaves is the scale of its ambition. RidgeRunners Jackson County developments are a model for what the company and others like it hope to export around the country. And with supporters and friends in and around the Trump administration, as well as among powerful conservative think tanks such as the Claremont Institute, where Abbotoy was a fellow in 2023, and the Heritage Foundation, RidgeRunner may be able to make its goals a reality.

What makes it different from some white-supremacist idiots who just want to burn crosses and stuff is this is married to a business, promoting a way of life, says Mark Dudney, a public historian whose family has lived in Jackson County for seven generations. I understand why they see rural, isolated places as fertile ground for their grandiose plans, but it reflects a fundamental misunderstanding. People in Appalachia dont like outsiders coming in and telling them anything.

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UP THROUGH THE LATTER PART of the 20th century, Jackson County, like much of Appalachia, was strongly Democratic, but over the past 25 years, a variety of factors  some economic, but more social and cultural  shifted the region to the right. In 2012, Mitt Romney was the first Republican to win Jackson Countys presidential vote since 1920. Trump has won the county with widening margins in the past three elections. Down-ballot Republicans roughly matched Trumps 81 percent vote share last year. Despite this, party politics rarely seemed to play a big part in public life here until recently.

A lot of the way people voted was just family tradition, says Dudney, who describes himself as a centrist. Hes become a somewhat reluctant central figure in the opposition to RidgeRunner. In April, he posted a Facebook video outlining his concerns, which led to what he says were hundreds of requests and messages. People came out of the woodwork supporting me.

In late July, I meet Dudney at his family farm a few minutes from downtown Gainesboro, in the Free State community, so named because it never had slaves. Dudneys people have been on this land since the War of 1812. Hed moved away for college, work, to raise a family, then moved back last year.

I had a Huck Finn childhood, he says, nodding toward the fields surrounding his house. I didnt wear shoes. I was just wearing cutoffs in the summertime, running on the farms, fishing in the ponds, living in my imagination.

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Back then, the area was relatively thriving, but like much of Appalachia, Jackson County has struggled to adapt to larger economic forces over the past three decades. The closing of textile mills, the loss of manufacturing jobs  particularly from an Oshkosh BGosh factory in nearby Clay County that moved to Mexico in the mid-Nineties  induced a steady contraction of the local economy.

In 2013, though, Diana Mandli, whod moved to Gainesboro a few years earlier, opened the Bull & Thistle pub, kickstarting a renaissance in the tiny downtown. Since, more restaurants, an upscale grocery, an artisanal moonshine distillery, and a modern-art museum have opened.

Some people who werent from here moved in and had the capital to restore some historic buildings, put in great restaurants, then success bred success, Dudney says. Now, Gainesboro is this hip foodie destination.

The town is home to just more than 900 people, and while the entire county has close to 12,000, that population is older, poorer, and more homogenous than the rest of the country. More than 92 percent of residents are white. Less than one percent identify as Black or Hispanic, and only .1 percent are foreign-born. More than 20 percent live below the poverty line. All of this has undoubtedly made the county more susceptible to someone promising new residents and investment while playing on old fears.

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ABBOTOY GOT TO KNOW THIS AREA growing up, before the recent revitalization. His parents met in Berkeley, California, where they were loosely affiliated with the hippie-ish Christian movement known as the Jesus People. When he was young, his fathers engineering work took the family all over, but they landed in Hartsville, Tennessee, in Trousdale County, about halfway between here and Nashville. Ive always thought its great out here, he says. The mountains create a permanent bottleneck on population density. Its got relative proximity to cities and land is fairly affordable, so theres room to run in the real estate market.

Were in Abbotoys aging Lexus SUV, driving through the hills outside Gainesboro. In person, Abbotoys affable, chatty, and eager to debate the finer points of political theory without raising his voice. He was homeschooled, attended Union University, a private Baptist institution, and Catholic University for his masters, but it was in law school, at Harvard, as a member of the campuss Federalist society, surrounded by liberals, that  as he put it somewhat cheekily on a podcast last year  he was radicalized.

As an attorney, Abbotoy specialized in negotiating what he called complicated, high-stakes business deals, which frequently put him across the table from real estate developers. In 2020, he read a book by journalist Bill Bishop called The Big Sort: Why the Clustering of Like-Minded America Is Tearing Us Apart. Bishop had looked at data and seen Americans were increasingly living among those whose politics mirrored their own. The 2008 book was intended as a warning, but as the pandemic hit, Abbotoy sensed an opportunity. By the end of that year, hed bought property in Jackson County and started thinking about relocating from his Houston suburb.

I had a lot of friends in white-collar professions  investment bankers, lawyers, consultants  and they were all looking at buying rural land, he says. He mentions a 2022 Upwork study that estimated nearly 19 million people were looking to relocate due to remote work. He envisioned a turbocharged Big Sort. The people who want to move to rural areas are overwhelmingly more conservative than the average American, more likely to be religious, he says. They want a neighborhood where they can assume agreement on basic political issues.

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Abbotoy had long been a staunch political conservative who subscribed to a hardline traditionalist Protestantism, but in his mid-thirties, he began to find platforms to put his beliefs more overtly into his work. In 2021, Abbotoy became a partner in a venture firm called New Founding, started by fellow Harvard Law grad Nate Fischer. New Foundings website boasts, We explicitly oppose DEI/ESG, and denounces left-wing ideology that attacks natural distinctions, traditional norms, and our nations heritage. It goes on, We seek to shape institutions with Christian norms and orient them toward a Christian vision of life, of society, and of the good.

The company attracted investment from Silicon Valley billionaire and noted Trump convert Marc Andreessen and boasts connections to Republican power players including Vance and Erik Prince, founder of private military contractor Blackwater. Abbotoy and Fischer have both been fellows at the influential Claremont Institute, the unwaveringly conservative think tank whose other fellows have included Ben Shapiro, Laura Ingraham, Charlie Kirk, and Jack Posobiec. Under New Foundings aegis, Abbotoy co-founded a far-right Protestant political journal, American Reformer, which also has a podcast he frequently hosts.

Abbotoy and his father partnered with New Founding to create RidgeRunner in 2022, to develop what New Founding called aligned communities in Appalachia. (Abbotoys father retreated into an advisory role in 2024.) RidgeRunners website touts a plan for local self-governance and civic republicanism, in which our patrimonial civic rights, chiefly those of property, free political speech, and civilian armament can be maintained and perpetuated.

RidgeRunner initially bought land in Burkesville, Kentucky, 45 minutes north of Gainesboro, but by last summer, Abbotoy had moved his own family to Jackson County and was focused on building his inaugural model community there.

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On the New Founding Podcast in early 2024, Abbotoy explained his endgame: The whole point is to plant a flag and say this small town is where our people are gathering. The hope is that, long-term, we continue to do this, were regionally focused, we can expand to states, [and] for these sorts of developments to spearhead a revival of the region and make it an exemplar to the country of a healthy, natural, human way of life, the Christian way of life, and demonstrate the superiority of that way of life.

Abbotoy drives me to a 450-acre plot the company bought earlier this year for $2.5 million. Theyve split the property into 39 parcels, nine of which, he tells me, are under contract. We get out at the top of a hill, and looking down into the valley, Abbotoy sketches out the vision: community center, farm store, Iskers church, walking trails, and 80 acres that will remain farmland. Later, he takes me to the mouth of a deep limestone cave where he hopes to open a bistro. He plays down the idea theyre building their own town from scratch and insists that, although hes marketing to Christian conservatives, he isnt purposefully excluding anyone.

We dont vet buyers at all, he says. Theres no occasion where we ask, What are your political views? before we sell. Im setting out to create a neighborhood that has a certain aesthetic appeal and ethos. The people that want that come.

ABBOTOY BELIEVES MANY LOCALS HAVE been turned against him by unfair media coverage, particularly by Phil Williams, the Nashville NewsChannel 5 reporter who broke the story and labeled RidgeRunners ethos Christian nationalism.

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Calling it a Christian nationalist project is a tactic to make it sound scary, like the architect behind it is trying to create a separatist commune, Abbotoy says. Thats ridiculous. My views are close to the median of a resident of this county. Im a Christian conservative dude. Im not an extreme guy.

While its true Abbotoy has generally been more measured in his public statements than Isker or Engel, he has written about Americas need for a Protestant Franco  a reference to the nationalist dictator whose authoritarian regime ruled Spain for more than 35 years  and argued against women in church leadership roles. He co-authored an article last year that declared, Our obligations as Christian men  as husbands, fathers, neighbors, and Americans  require us to accrue and wield power. If this frightens you, consider a world where only our enemies have this mindset.

Hes not wrong about the impact of Williams reporting in Jackson County, though. The day after Williams initial report aired, Diana Mandli, then-owner of the Bull & Thistle, responded. I got our big black board we normally write our specials on and wrote, If youre an individual or a group that promotes the oppression of others, please eat somewhere else, she says.

Marc Stengel, a Nashville-based property developer who owns buildings in Gainesboro and a second home in the county, went further, organizing and underwriting the All are welcome billboard. Since then, signs declaring, Hate has no home here, have proliferated on lawns.

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Abbotoy frequently characterizes RidgeRunners local opposition as a small contingent of liberal, out-of-town business owners. This isnt strictly accurate  plenty of local conservatives have also come out against RidgeRunner  but a lot of pushback has been led by newer arrivals like Cassie Kessler, who owns and runs the Stolen Coin, a restaurant and oyster bar on Gainesboros town square, with her husband, Pete, whos the chef.

I am everything they dont like: a loud, outspoken Democrat woman business owner, she says. She grew up in Pittsburgh and met her husband, a native New Yorker, while working in Florida. During the pandemic, they decided to find a spot to start their own restaurant and landed here.



Abbotoy used to eat at the Stolen Coin pretty regularly, often bringing potential clients, showing the restaurant off as a Gainesboro selling point. That changed after Williams reporting. The town splintered into factions. Its icky around here now because it does cause you to look at people differently in the grocery store, Kessler says. Like, are you with them or are you with us?

Williams, for his part, stands by his coverage. Almost all of my reporting was based on their own words, he says. They have one public message for most of America. Theres a whole different message in their podcast environment.

ISKER AND ENGEL STARTED Contra Mundum in early 2023. Abbotoy has appeared on the podcast at least four times, including one mash-up episode with his own American Reformer podcast. The line between some of Isker and Engels rhetoric and white supremacism is difficult to discern. Isker has written that the very concept of racism was literally the creation of communists, and has advocated turning civil rights back to the states. Engel has promoted the Great Replacement theory and decried a war on white America. He identifies himself as a Heritage American and, in a lengthy tweet last May, explained this concept, which affirms the domination and preeminence of the European-derived peoples, their institutions, and their way of life. Heritage America is centered around the experiences and norms of Anglo-Protestants.

When I speak to Engel on a lengthy video call, he doesnt exactly walk back these contentions but tries to recontextualize them. I hold to basic conservative, very constitutionalist arguments that have nothing to do with race, he says. Im kind of a nerd and do take positions that are beyond what the typical person would think about, like, the Civil Rights Act, which he sees as justification for more centralized bureaucracy. As for his Heritage America and who gets to stay or go, its about cultural compatibility, not racial purity.

This kind of commingling between Christian nationalism and white identity isnt uncommon, according to Whitehead, co-author of Taking Back America for God. A key element of Christian nationalism is a desire for strong ethno-racial boundaries around national identity and who is a true American. They view this country as made by white Protestant men to benefit white Protestant men.

Isker would only answer questions by email. He describes his own politics as paleoconservative, much like Pat Buchanan, Tucker Carlson, or Matt Walsh, but doesnt shirk the Christian nationalist label, which he claims has been used as a pejorative for evangelical Christians who supported Donald Trump sometime after the mostly peaceful protests of January 6.

Engel says that whatever his beliefs are, he doesnt represent RidgeRunner. Abbotoy says Isker and Engel dont speak for his company, but he doesnt really distance himself from their views. I agree with a lot of their politics, he says. I dont agree with all of it. Theyre bringing a lot of energy and excitement to the table. And theyre very welcome participants. In large part, the attacks on them have been wildly overblown and unfair, but I dont want to validate those bad-faith attacks by saying, These customers do not represent our company.

In January, when word leaked that Isker and Engel planned to meet a group of locals at Dairy Queen, between 75 and 100 people showed up beforehand, occupying all of the seating and disrupting the meeting. While it can be hard to get an accurate gauge on public opinion within the county  theres no official polling and no elected officials I reached out to would talk the Dairy Queen incident suggests resistance runs deeper than the downtown business community.

Seventy-five people coming there on a cold winter morning at 7:30 was a win, Dudney says.

Not everyone in the county opposes RidgeRunner. Mickie Davis, who moved here from California more than 20 years ago, started a Facebook group for the county back in 2015, which now has more than 8,500 members. Rarely a day passes without heated discussion about RidgeRunner. Davis, a staunch libertarian, is one of the companys steadfast defenders.

We have free speech, and people can say what they want, she says. Until they take away basic rights from someone, they should be able to do whatever they want.

This live-and-let-live argument is popular among RidgeRunners backers. But the concern is if nothing is done now, once these communities are populated, itll be too late. In a county where commissioners typically win with 250 to 300 total votes, and town aldermen can win with little more than 100, it doesnt take a huge influx of new voters to flex real political muscle.

This summer, the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce rejected RidgeRunners bid to join, the first time anyone could remember a business being denied. With Josh and his colleagues, their public statements are incongruent with the mission, vision, and values of the chamber, says John Deane, the boards president.

Barring RidgeRunner from the chamber has relatively few real-world implications, but the rejections symbolism stings. Abbotoy says hes considering suing to challenge it. The contingent of business owners whove said from Day One, All are welcome here, are dead set on trying to use whatever power they have to box RidgeRunner out for its perceived views.

IF THERES ANYTHING BOTH SIDES AGREE ON, its that what happens in Jackson County wont stay here. RidgeRunner has already bought a storefront in downtown Celina, the county seat in neighboring Clay County, and Abbotoy just closed on 1,000 additional acres in Jackson County.

More projects seem to be spawning from this one, too. Josh Haywood, an investor in both New Founding and Engels off-road trailer business, has said his company Haywood Ventures is looking to build aligned small communities throughout the U.S., with a first development planned in North Georgia.

The model is portable to a lot of rural America, Abbotoy says.

In Jackson County, RidgeRunner is still a long way from political power. At the moment, Abbotoy is focused on more pedestrian concerns like how to run water, electricity, and fiber-optic cable to his properties. He plans to break ground on the first lots this fall with an eye toward families moving in next summer.

Theyre going to be law-abiding citizens, good neighbors who pay their taxes, and spend money at local businesses, he says. With time, hes convinced angst over RidgeRunner will subside. I just want to be a guy who can build excellent neighborhoods while also wearing my values on my sleeve.

This seems to be part of Abbotoys strategy: Hang in there, pretend theres nothing radical about his plans, and wait for his opposition to lose steam. It could work, but as Dudney points out, it fails to consider the famous cliche about people in Appalachia: Theyre stubborn as hell.

Im never going to act like its normal, Dudney says. Ive got the rest of my life here. Im not going anywhere.

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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (KBN)  The complaints against embattled Mahoning County Clerk of Courts Michael Ciccone continue to grow.

Alex Mangie, whos a staff accountant in the Mahoning County Auditors Office, claims he and other workers were smeared in text messages from Michael Ciccone, whos been under fire recently for other social media posts involving his now-former Deputy Clerk.

While we cannot confirm the validity of the texts and posts, Mangie called for a public apology. Mahoning County Commissioners say Ciccone has disgraced his office.

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I was debating whether or not to bring this up today, but since I was involved in a few of these messages and also my employee, I think we have to address this, Mangie said.

Im upset. Ive been in government for 54 years. Next year will be 55. Ive never seen that even happen that way, said Mahoning County Commissioner Carol Righetti.

While two of the three commissioners called for an apology, Commissioner Geno DiFabio renewed his demand that Ciccone resign.

You cant act like that publicly or privately and represent people and expect people to respect you  that office. The trust that is in that office has to be above reproach  has to be, DiFabio said.

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While Commissioner Anthony Traficanti says Ciccone needs to at least explain himself, he worries the ongoing drama may be affecting others in the clerks office.

If that morale is decimated based upon all of these negative things that have gone on, Im sure thats going to be a big problem, Traficanti said.

WKBN 27 First News reached out to Ciccone, who has already rejected calls for his resignation from both the Republican and Democratic parties, but he has not responded.

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PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  A woman was released from jail Thursday pending allegations she stabbed a man with a needle and stole his car.

Courtney Garms, 39, appeared in front of Peoria County Circuit Judge Mark Gilles, who denied the states petition to detain her pending the outcome of her case due to conflicting reports.

Garms and three other people were in a Honda Odyssey when they went to a store on North Knoxville Avenue, that much, prosecutors and the defense seem to agree on.

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Garms and another man were in the back seat, the owner of the car was driving, and the victim was in the passenger seat. Prosecutors said the owner and the other man had let Garms and another man stay with them as they were homeless.

The driver of the car reportedly went into the store when the man in the front seat alleges a lit cigarette was thrown, causing him to get out of the car.

He alleges when he gets out, the man in the back seat climbs in front and tries to drive away. The man says he then got back in the vehicle and tried to put the car back into park when Garms allegedly stabbed him with a needle three times, prosecutors said.

Garms defense attorney, however, pointed out that when she was arrested, she told police that the man had allegedly threatened the two in the car, and they took it to get away.

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The defense says the man had threatened to shoot the two and reached to the center console, where Garms said the man kept a gun.

Other evidence the defense used was a report from an officer who watched surveillance video, which said the man who was alleging he was attacked had only gotten out of the car once.

Also, the defense claims that while they agree with the state that the man did have a puncture wound in his jacket, there was no puncture wound on his arm.

The state said the vehicle was stolen at the 2300 block of North Knoxville Avenue, and the vehicle was found about one mile away near the intersection of North Delaware Street and East Nebraska Avenue.

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In his decision, Gilles said this distance could corroborate both stories, as he said it was a distance you could drive if you were scared for your life, but it is also a distance you could steal a car and then change your mind and ditch it.

The conflicting nature of the stories and the questions around the distance they traveled caused the judge to say that even though the state had probable cause, they did not prove clear and convincing evidence that Grams committed the crime.

Garms will next appear in court on Dec. 11.

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COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)  As the nation enters day 23 of the government shutdown, which is now the second longest in U.S. history, Georgia politicians brought their message on healthcare and federal funding to Columbus.

Members of the Chattahoochee Valley community gathered to hear from Congressman Sanford Bishop, who met with supporters to discuss how the shutdown and federal budget decisions could affect healthcare access across the state.

President Trumps one big ugly budget bill, which was enacted into law last July, means 15 million American citizens on Medicaid will lose their coverage, Bishop said. 20 to 30 million will face skyrocketing increases in their premiums.

Clay County physician Dr. Karen Kinsell voiced similar concerns, saying the administrations policies could eliminate healthcare options for many.

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Trump wants to take this tax credit away from everyone, even those who voted for him, Kinsell said. He has said for ten years he has a plan. The plan is to take away your healthcare.

However, local Republican leader Alton Russell offered a different perspective, arguing that the changes are intended to reduce costs for Americans.

Well, Obamacare has doubled or more in cost to the American public, Russell said. This will fix that to some extent. Its not going to take away healthcare benefits from citizens, but it does stop the money were spending on illegals.

Bishop pushed back on that claim, emphasizing that Medicaid and Affordable Care Act programs do not apply to undocumented immigrants.

Absolutely wrong, he expressed. The cuts for Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act are not available to illegal immigrants. These are people unable to get healthcare through employers, Medicare or Medicaid.

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As the shutdown continues, questions remain about the future of healthcare funding and food assistance programs.

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After the House passed a new Congressional voting map into law Wednesday afternoon, the two current representatives in the affected districts discussed their plans.

"We're looking at all options right now, because the one thing is the people of eastern North Carolina (are) more like one big family for me. There's so much on many, many people's minds - their worries, their concerns," said Democrat Rep. Don Davis, who represents District 1. "I've been really working to address these issues, and my passion is to continue to speak up and to be that voice, to be that champion for people in North Carolina."

The new map was introduced publicly last week, before passing the Senate on Tuesday and the House on Wednesday. It moves Beaufort, Carteret, Craven, Dare, Hyde, and Pamlico counties from District 3 to District 1, while switching Greene, Lenoir, Wayne, and Wilson counties from District 1 to District 3.

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"It's split my old district in half. A lot of decisions had to be made looking at a lot of the calculus, but I'll be running as the incumbent in the third congressional district," said Republican Rep. Greg Murphy, who represents District 3.

Republicans said they drew the map in an effort to gain another seat in the US House, with the change shifting District 1 from a swing seat to one that more strongly favors Republicans.

"Yesterday, I believe, was one of the darkest moments in our state's history. Today is a new day," said Davis.

In 2024, Davis defeated Republican Laurie Buckhout by just more than 6,000 votes, or less than 2%, carrying a district which saw 51% of voters back President Trump. The newly-drawn District 1 saw voters support President Trump at 55%, creating a tougher challenge.

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"We're here to work. I'm here to work with the president. I will say to President Trump, I'd rather work with you than going from state to state to state, hopping around, dealing with mid-decade redistricting. And by the way, we need to ban (mid-decade redistricting) right now. We need to ban it," said Davis.

In a statement to ABC11 regarding a potential run in 2026, Buckhout wrote:

"Running for Congress was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I've dedicated my life to serving our country, taking on the tough fights, and protecting American lives. Right now, I'm focused on where I can serve best, whether that's in the Trump administration, as I have done, or potentially somewhere else. No matter what I do or where I serve, I will always come home to Eastern North Carolina."

"I won (in 2022). There was a new district drawn. Won again (in 2024), there was a new district drawn. That's why I was saying it's not my first rodeo, and actually, there was redistricting when I served in the state Senate," Davis said. "We keep winning, and they keep redrawing the maps here. At what point in time do we just say, OK, we're going to stand by whatever the people say? Keep in mind, we just went through redistricting (for 2024). So moving forward in 2026, it'll be my third race for Congress on my third different map.".

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Davis said that since President Trump's inauguration in January, his office has received 46,616 messages from members of the public.

"Zero. Not one. Not one asked to redraw maps," Davis said.

Instead, he highlighted issues he's working on, such as healthcare and job creation.

"I'm hearing that people are concerned about costs. This is what they were told that (politicians) were going to focus on. And we're focusing on everything except for bringing down costs. I've heard from farmers across the district in the last few days. I mean, just so many concerns about trade policies and tariffs," said Davis, an Air Force veteran.

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Republican state lawmakers denied any coordination with the White House in the redistricting, which drew praise from Trump.

"I'm not allowed to influence any of those things. The map came out when it came out, and that was the first time I'd really seen it. It was a surprise to me and I just had to digest it for a while, do my calculations, and make a decision as to what the future looks like," said Murphy.

He pointed to his prior experience representing Greene and Lenoir counties, as well as a portion of Wayne.

"What we do in the district will change. It's a much more agricultural district. We've got the Global Transpark, we've got pharmaceuticals over in Wilson and everything. I look forward to making a lot of new friends and new partnerships," Murphy shared.

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Murphy highlighted topics including illegal immigration and international conflict as key issues.

"My primary committee is Ways and Means, which controls trade, tax, health care, things that affect everybody. No matter what district you're in, it's what's thought to be the preeminent committee in Congress. Everybody in all these districts still pays taxes. We have to deal with trade issues. We have to worry about health care, how it's affordable, accessible," said Murphy, who is a surgeon and formerly served as Chief of Staff at Vidant Medical Center.

Currently, Murphy has two offices in locations that would not be part of District 3 starting next cycle.

"We'll move to where the people are. I don't believe in just having one single central office for an entire district," Murphy said.

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Friday afternoon, civil rights activist Bishop William Barber II led a news conference outside the General Assembly discussing plans to take legal action against the new map.

"These redistricting strategies aim to reinforce the political marginalization of minority communities, further reducing their influence in governance and policymaking," said Barber.

"Their goal was clear: to eliminate a competitive district currently represented by a Black member of Congress. We are here today to shine a light on the injustice of those actions," added Kathleen Roblez, Senior Voting Rights Counsel & Litigation Manager at Forward Justice.

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Barber and Roblez said more information regarding a lawsuit would be shared during an event in Wilson next month, though much of the focus during the news conference centered on claims of weakening the power of Black voters in the northeastern part of the state.

"They won't say anything about race. But you don't just judge something as being racist if the person uses the term Black or brown or Asian or native or a worse word. You look at the impact and what they have done will directly impact the Black Belt of North Carolina," said Barber.

Republicans have repeatedly asserted that no racial data was utilized in creating the new map, saying it was based on partisan data, which is legal.

"The folks on the other side of the political spectrum, they don't really have a problem with mid-decade redistricting as long as it's helping Democrats. But if it's helping Republicans, then they have a moral objection to it. I'm confident that the map will be upheld in court, but I'm also confident that they'll file a bunch of lawsuits because that's their strategy," said House Speaker Destin Hall following Wednesday's session.

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The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee DCCC) released a statement Thursday night saying legal actions had already been filed "on behalf of Black voters."

"Republicans in D.C. and in North Carolina are so confident they're going to lose the midterm elections that they desperately rushed through yet another unlawful congressional map that is a continued assault on the voting rights of Black North Carolinians," said Suzan DelBene, DCCC Chair. "I made clear that the DCCC would fight against this illegal map in the courts, and that's exactly what we're continuing to do today."
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL)  The shutdown of the federal government is now in its fourth week, with no end in sight. Though, as of now, Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger said she has not received any complaints from constituents.

You still have your cities and counties functioning, your states functioning, Harshbarger said. Its almost like they dont know theres a government shutdown. If you didnt turn the TV on, theyre not going to know. Honestly, I havent had anybody complain.

She said November 1 will be a pivotal date, as when federal programs could run out of money.

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Think about it, we found a way to fund through the tariffs while were shut down now, Harshabrger said. And if the Democrats were concerned about that or about the people they serve, theyd be theyd be trying to figure out a remedy to go ahead and open the government, wouldnt they?

Congresswoman Harshbarger called the Affordable Care Act anything but affordable and said deductibles and premiums continue to rise.

The thing theyve touted as the best thing since sliced bread, now theyre saying its going to be catastrophic if you dont bail us out,' Harshbarger said. And Im like, well, you said it was the best thing ever. It was going to be affordable, but its not the truth. Now theyre telling us the truth. Its catastrophic. So, thats what you get.

She said her main concern for East Tennessee is cuts to supplemental nutrition assistance programs like WIC and SNAP.

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You got to say, look, we cant prolong this because these moms and these babies are not going to have what they need to survive, Harshbarger said. Thats ridiculous.

As for the farmers in our area facing rising input costs and tariffs, she claims Congress has done all it can for them.

Weve done our job in the House, and now its at the Senates feet and we are holding strong because you dont negotiate with terrorists basically, Harshabrger said. They dont want the farm bill to go forward, and they dont want WIC to go forward. Thats how I read it, because thats what were dealing with.

Congresswoman Harshbarger also said that she doesnt believe President Trump is operating outside of congressional approval. She said hes doing exactly what 77 million Americans voted him in to do.

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He is doing everything that he promised the American people he would do, and people are happy, Harshbarger said. And hes not acting outside of his congressional authority. This is not a war. This is keeping the illegal drugs out of our country.

She also addressed concerns from constituents who said she isnt accessible and doesnt respond to the general population within her district.

Im accessible all day long, every day of the week, Harshbarger said. All my offices are open. I can go to the grocery store, and people stop me down the aisle, and Ill answer their questions. Good or bad. They can say they like or they dont like, but Im accessible in this district and everybody knows that, so I dont worry about what they say.

Harshbarger added that lawmakers are still working and having conversations despite the shutdown, so they can be prepared to move quickly when they resume.

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Halloween is just over a week away, and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is encouraging residents to help protect a symbol of the holiday - the state's bat population.

DEEP announced Wednesday that the state would be celebrating Bat Week from Oct. 24-31, part of efforts to protect an animal that state officials described as essential to Connecticut's ecosystem.

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"Halloween is a fun reminder to celebrate bats-and to recognize the urgent need to protect them," DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said in a news release. "Safeguarding Connecticut's native species ensures they continue supporting our ecosystem and enriching our communities, a mission at the heart of DEEP's work."

To mark the week, DEEP dispelled several "common myths" about bats, including that they try to get caught in people's hair (they're chasing bugs), that they're dirty or parasite-ridden (bats groom themselves carefully), and that they're blind (they have good eyesight, even though they mostly navigate with echolocation).

While bats largely are associated with spooky caves and Halloween decor, DEEP emphasized the role they play in eating insects, especially mosquitoes. According to the United States Geological Survey, pest control from bats saves the national agricultural industry more than $3 billion per year.

But bats in Connecticut and across North America have been ravaged in recent years by white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease that has killed more than 6.7 million bats since it was introduced to North America from Europe in 2006, according to the Center for Biological Diversity.

A file photo of a little brown bat, one of the species found in Connecticut. Little brown bats and several other species have been hard-hit by a fungal disease. (Hearst Connecticut Media)





The disease has killed upward of 90 percent of some bat species, according to DEEP, and has forced five Connecticut bat species - little brown, northern long-eared, tricolored, eastern small-footed, and Indiana bats - onto the state's endangered species list. Despite the overall devastation caused by white-nose syndrome, bat researchers in the state have seen signs of recovery in recent years.

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"For far too long, bats largely have been misunderstood and feared by people, which admittedly makes them a great addition to Halloween celebrations but also undermines their irreplaceable value to the economy, ecosystem, and human health," Jenny Dickson, DEEP Wildlife Division director, said in the news release. "The more people learn about bats, the more they want to protect them, which is so critical as we work to facilitate the recovery of bats impacted by White Nose Syndrome and other conservation threats."

Among DEEP's recommendations for how Connecticut residents can help bats were suggestions to reduce pesticide use, minimize outdoor light at night and put up a bat house.

The agency also encouraged those interested to help monitor the colony of big brown bats at the White Memorial Conservation Center in Litchfield by counting the bats that emerge from a barn each night on the Bats Count! Bat Cam.

This article originally published at Connecticut celebrates Bat Week to protect endangered species ahead of Halloween.
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD)  Some drivers in Bloomington can expect some construction-related delays starting on Thursday.

Asphalt binder operations are expected to impact parts of Oakland Avenue, Prospect Road, and Washington Street, a Bloomington Engineering Department news release said.

The work is expected to start on Oakland Avenue from Eldorado Road to Hershey Road. Then Impact Prospect Road, from Oakland Avenue to Empire Street. Finally, the work will impact Washington Street from Krispy Kreme Drive to Hershey Road.

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Some intersections will be temporarily closed for proper asphalt installation.

Drivers should expect delays in these areas and find alternate routes if possible.

The roadways will fully reopen when work is complete.

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We came across a bullish thesis on RH on Speedwell Memoss Substack by Speedwell Research. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on RH. RH's share was trading at $197.84 as of September 29th. RHs trailing and forward P/E were 37.78 and 22.27 respectively according to Yahoo Finance.

furniture, room

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RH reported 2Q25 revenues grew 8% year-over-year, a deceleration from 12% last quarter, reflecting the first full quarter of tariff impacts. Despite this, the company noted demand remains ahead of revenue, signaling potential re-acceleration in the second half of the year. Competitor Arhaus also posted strong results, with 15% revenue growth on a smaller base, underscoring healthy sector demand.

RH England is off to a strong start, with $3739 million in expected 2025 demand, meeting or slightly exceeding expectations, highlighting successful brand introduction even if sales are modest in absolute terms. The opening of the Paris Gallery on the Champs Elysees in September further illustrates RHs strategy of delivering elevated consumer experiences, aiming to strengthen brand perception and drive foot traffic, with future European expansions planned in London and Milan by Spring 2026.

Tariffs remain a near-term headwind, though China exposure is expected to fall to 2% by 4Q from 16% currently, with vendors absorbing much of the cost. Newly announced India tariffs will affect approximately 7% of products, prompting delays in brand extensions and the shipment of interior source books, pushing $40 million in revenue into Q4 and 1Q26.

Margins, however, remain resilient, with gross margins expanding to 45.5% and operating margins improving to 14.3%, aided by operational discipline. Interest expense, though still meaningful at $57 million, has improved, and debt stands at $3.75 billion, slightly lower than last quarter. Inventory reduction of $50 million aids working capital management despite remaining elevated.

Full-year guidance anticipates 911% revenue growth, 1314% adjusted operating margins, and $250300 million in free cash flow. RH continues to execute on controlled initiatives, with gallery expansions generating strong traffic, positioning the company for long-term brand elevation despite macro and tariff-related challenges. Elevated experiences and strategic international expansion underpin RHs consistent vision and resilience.

Previously we covered a bullish thesis on Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (WSM) by Charly AI in April 2025, which highlighted margin expansion, operational efficiency, disciplined capital allocation, strong cash flow, and vertical integration. The company's stock price has appreciated approximately by 21.31% since our coverage. The thesis still stands as WSMs fundamentals support long-term growth. Speedwell Research shares a similar perspective but emphasizes RHs brand elevation, European gallery expansions, and tariff resilience.
HUDSON YARDS, Manhattan (PIX11)  A construction worker is dead after he fell more than 100 feet from a building into a construction hole at Hudson Yards on Thursday morning, according to the FDNY.

The worker for the Hudson Yards Concrete Casing project was found at the bottom of the 60-foot hole near 12th Avenue and 30th Street around 8:53 a.m., fire officials said. He appeared to have fallen from at least 50 feet up the building, according to EMS Chief Nicholas Aiello.

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The Gateway Development Commission, Amtrak, and Related Companies extend our profound condolences to the family of the worker who suffered a fatal injury on the Hudson Yards Concrete Casing project today, read a statement from the Gateway Development Commission, Amtrak, and Related Companies.

Our thoughts are with his loved ones during this difficult time.

More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State

All work has since been suspended on the HYCC-3 site while the incident is under investigation, the agencies announced.

Emergency response officials said the worker did not have a pulse but was taken to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

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The worker was an employee of the New York Concrete Corporation. PIX11 News reached out to the construction union Local 79, which declined to comment.

Dominique Jack is a digital content producer from Brooklyn with more than five years of experience covering news. She joined PIX11 in 2024. More of her work can be found here.

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A carpenter working on the Hudson River Tunnel fell 50 feet to his death at the projects Manhattan work site Thursday, officials said.

The victim, a union carpenter with the New York Concrete Corp., fell near W. 30th St. and 11th Ave. in the Hudson Yards shortly before 9 a.m. He was working on the third section of the Hudson Yards Concrete Casing, a large subterranean chamber that will link Penn Station to two new rail tubes beneath the Hudson River.

The victim was transported to a nearby hospital, where he died, an FDNY spokesman said. His name was not immediately released.

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The Gateway Development Commission, Amtrak and Related Companies extend our profound condolences to the family of the worker, a joint statement said. Our thoughts are with his loved ones during this difficult time.

The section of casing is being constructed in a deep trench west of 11th Ave. FDNY Battalion Chief Anthony Romano told reporters the man was found at the bottom of the construction pit. The construction worker was working approximately 50 feet up on the northern wall, Romano said. It was a foundation wall that was poured yesterday. We do not know how or why he fell.

All work on the concrete casing was suspended while the incident is under investigation.

There are no words strong enough to express the pain and sadness we all feel, Paul Capurso, executive secretary-treasurer for the NYC District Council of Carpenters, said in a statement.

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He was more than a carpenter, Capurso said, without identifying the deceased man. He was part of our family, a brother who stood shoulder to shoulder with us every day to build something bigger than ourselves.

The tunnel  which has recently become embroiled in an ongoing funding battle between President Trump and elected officials in New York and New Jersey  is the centerpiece of the sweeping Gateway Project meant to double the rail lines across the New Jersey Meadowlands and into New York Penn Station.

The victim is the second worker to fall to his death in Manhattan this week. A window washer plummeted more than 70 feet when his safety harness snapped while working at Columbia Universitys School of Nursing in Washington Heights Sunday morning.
A construction worker was killed Thursday while working on a tunnel box that will take the Gateway rail tunnel under Hudson Yards in Manhattan, authorities said.

Officials said the worker fell from a high worksite location over the tunnel box concrete floor. All work was suspended on the Hudson Yards Concrete casing project while the incident is under investigation by Amtrak police.

The man was an employee of the New York Concrete Corporation, one of the contractors working on the concrete tunnel box.

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The Gateway Development Commission, Amtrak, and Related Companies extend our profound condolences to the family of the worker who suffered a fatal injury on the Hudson Yards Concrete Casing project today, Gateway Development Corporation officials said in a statement.

The Hudson Yards project is one of five projects for the larger $16 billion Gateway tunnel project between New Jersey and New York that more than 11,000 workers are currently building.

Larry Higgs

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By Mike Scarcella

(Reuters) -U.S. Google users who won a $425 million jury verdict in a consumer privacy class action last month have asked a federal judge to force the Alphabet unit to forfeit an additional $2.36 billion in profits.

The consumers in a Wednesday court filing called the amount a "conservative approximation" of Googles allegedly ill-gotten gains after the jury found the company secretly collected app activity data from millions of users who had disabled an account tracking feature.

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The jury found that Googles conduct was highly offensive, harmful, and without consent, the consumers told Chief U.S. District Judge Richard Seeborg in San Francisco, who must decide if disgorgement of profits is allowed and necessary in the case.

GOOGLE HAS DENIED WRONGDOING, SAID IT WILL APPEAL

The plaintiffs called the $425 million damages verdict "clearly insufficient to remedy the ongoing and irreparable harm that Googles conduct continues to inflict."

Google and attorneys for the plaintiffs did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Google has denied wrongdoing and said it will appeal. It argued the data it collected was anonymized and that its privacy tools give users control over their data.

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The 2020 lawsuit alleged Google over an eight-year period accessed users' mobile devices to collect, save and use their data, violating privacy assurances under an account setting called Web & App Activity.

The jury found Google liable on two of three privacy claims brought by the plaintiffs, who had sought more than $31 billion in damages at trial.

Despite the verdict, Google has not changed its privacy disclosures or data collection practices, the plaintiffs said.

Google on Wednesday asked Seeborg to decertify the class of 98 million users and 174 million devices, arguing that the claims depend on individualized factors such as app usage and user expectations. It also urged the judge to vacate the verdict, citing a lack of common issues.

(Reporting by Mike Scarcella. Editing by David Bario and Mark Potter)
After nearly two months on the run, a Georgia man serving a life sentence for murder is back in custody.

On Sept. 4, Stacy Huggins walked away from his work detail, the Richmond County Sheriffs Office said.

He was captured on Oct. 22 near an Augusta shopping center, the sheriffs office confirmed.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Huggins was taken to the Charles B. Webster Detention Center and charged with escape.

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According to court records obtained by Channel 2 Action News, Huggins took a negotiated guilty plea in Fulton County on a felony murder charge in June 1990.

TRENDING STORIES:

STORY 1

STORY 2

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Huggins has been housed at the Augusta Transitional Center since early this year and has been working at the Bolivia Lumber Company. But last month, they say he wasnt there when his shift ended.

Its unclear if anyone will face charges for assisting him in his escape.

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Custodians and maintenance workers for Elementary District 130 serving Alsip, Blue Island, Crestwood and Robbins are calling for the removal of the districts superintendent and assistant superintendent of human resources as they work to negotiate their union contract.

SEIU Local 73 said the district has canceled two contract bargaining sessions since negotiations started in the summer, but union conflict with Superintendent Colleen McKay and Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Carrie Tisch dates back to 2022.

The administration has repeatedly retaliated against union stewards and workers, and employees have been punished for alleged violations and then terminated or those same supposed violations, the union said in a news release Tuesday.

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Field organizer Doug Taylor said among the unions main concerns is a hostile work environment for custodians and maintenance workers that includes racial discrimination, with administrative officials prohibiting workers from speaking any language other than English during disciplinary hearings and prohibiting use of interpreters.

Advocates are not allowed to speak Spanish in a sidebar with the people theyre representing, Taylor said.

SEIU Local 73 represents 50 custodians and maintenance workers within District 130, and 95% of those workers are people of color, the union said.

Taylor said administrative officials have also demonstrated a pattern of harassing and targeting union stewards. McKay, Tish and district board members did not immediately respond to requests to comment.

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Union members have spoken out against racist and retaliatory practices at past months board meetings but as of Tuesday had lost faith in McKay and Tisch, Taylor said. The unions petition for the board to remove the superintendent and assistant superintendent received more than 900 signatures.

When we were looking at those options of what to do and how to make progress for our members, this was the step that we chose  to involve the community, Taylor said.

Other conflicts with district administrators include their rejection of proposals to provide guidance for custodians and maintenance workers in the case of lockdowns or law enforcement events.

Currently, they dont know what their role would be in the school, Taylor said. So they just want training, thats all.

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The union has sought and received support of elected officials, with state Rep. Bob Rita calling for an investigation into allegations of racism, retaliation and anti-union practices in a union news release Oct. 6.

State Sen. Willie Preston said having started his career as a union janitor, I know what it feels like to go to work, work hard, and have no respect at the end of the day.

Let me be clear to District 130. These workers do their jobs but you need to clean up your act today, Preston said in the news release.

Union members also spoke up at a recent Blue Island City Council meeting. Mayor Fred Bilotto said in the union news release that concerns raised about District 130 leadership deserve immediate attention.

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As a union member, educator and school administrator, I urge the District 130 administration and board to address these allegations and enter into a serious negotiation with the union, Bilotto said.

Meanwhile, Taylor said the union will continue speaking publicly until the board is forced to take action.

Well continue to raise the issues until we are satisfied that were making good progress, Taylor said.

According to her district biography, McKay stepped into the role of acting superintendent after serving as the assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction. District 130 announced it would separate with previous Superintendent Tina Halliman after she was placed on administrative leave in 2019.

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McKay moved into the role of acting superintendent while Halliman was on leave and stayed on after the former superintendent left the district. Before working for District 130, McKay was a sixth grade teacher and later director of teaching and learning at Joliet District 86.

Dr. McKay has nearly two decades in public education working in large, urban school districts, and she believes in creating a student-centered educational community focused on empowering students to achieve their own unique individual potential, McKays district biography states.

ostevens@chicagotribune.com
A 25-year-old police officer in California has died in the line of duty after she was hit by a car while stopping to help two motorists involved in a collision, authorities said.

La Mesa Police Officer Lauren Craven was driving eastbound on Interstate 8 at Fairmount Avenue while returning to the city of La Mesa from San Diego Central Jail when she stopped to assist two motorists involved in a traffic collision on the freeway on Monday night just before 10:30 p.m., according to a statement from the La Mesa Police Department.

MORE: Small plane crashes in California park, injuring pilot and pedestrian, officials say

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After exiting her vehicle to assist, she was tragically struck and killed by another motorist, officials said. California Highway Patrol officers performed lifesaving efforts, but tragically, Officer Craven died at the scene.

Officer Craven, 25, joined the department in February 2024 and was assigned to the Patrol Division.

MORE: 2 hikers hospitalized after encountering grizzly bear with 2 cubs on trail

La Mesa Police Department - PHOTO: A 25-year-old police officer in California has died in the line of duty after she was hit by a car while stopping to help two motorists involved in a collision, authorities said.

MORE: Over 50 tons of cocaine seized by US Coast Guard in Pacific since August

The California Highway Patrol is currently handling the investigation and no further information regarding the other parties involved has been made available.

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The La Mesa Police Department would like to thank our allied agencies for their unwavering support, police said following the announcement of Cravens death. We ask that the La Mesa community keep Officer Craven, her family, and the La Mesa Police Department in their thoughts and prayers.

MORE: Former student stabs 3 staff members, plants 2 pipe bombs in California attack: Police

Officer Cravens actions in her final moments exemplified her unwavering dedication to service and the safety of others -- a reflection of how she lived every day, authorities said. Officer Craven was known for her tenacity, courage, and compassion -- qualities that inspired her peers and strengthened her community. Her legacy of service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.
CORBIN  The Corbin City Commission met Monday for its regular monthly meeting to discuss project grants, street updates and department updates, while also taking time to recognize the Corbin Fire Department for its service to the city and region.

Mayor Suzie Razmus began the meeting by giving the floor to Laurel/Whitley Emergency Management Director Jerry Rains, who commended the Corbin Fire Department for its work throughout a demanding year.

2025 has been a very busy year for the Corbin Fire Department, and theyve been a tremendous asset to the citizens of Corbin and southeast Kentucky, Rains said. Emergency Management receives a variety of calls throughout the year, and some of them are unique and require specialized skills and equipment.

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Rains praised the department for assisting with regional emergencies including major storms, flooding, drownings, I-75 semi wrecks and rescues at Cumberland Falls.

Corbin Fire Department is a department to be proud of, with highly trained and dedicated professionals that were fortunate to have, he added. On behalf of County Judge Executive White, members of the Whitley County Fiscal Court and the Laurel/Whitley Emergency Management Agency, I want to thank them for their service and continued dedication to the city of Corbin, Whitley County and southeast Kentucky.

Rains concluded by presenting a plaque to department officials in appreciation of their service.

Commissioners then approved the renewal of the citys firetruck loan with Hometown Bank. The current rate sets at 5.97 percent, and will decrease to 5.41 percent by next year.

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Three resolutions authorizing the completion of 2025 grant project applications were also unanimously approved. The first was for up to $125,000 through the Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant for improvements at the Engineer Street playground.

The second, a $15,000 Appalachian Regional Commission Ready Grant, will assist with the Corbin Comprehensive Planning project. Lastly, a $40,000 Community Development Block Grant was approved, and is aimed towards supporting kitchen renovations at the Corbin Senior Citizens Center.

After the approvals, the commission entered executive session to discuss personnel and pending litigation. No formal action was taken.

City Manager Scott Williamson provided updates on ongoing and completed paving work across the city.

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As you all know, our contract is with ATS Paving/Asphalt Construction Company, and theyve been pretty busy here in Corbin, Williamson said. They have paved 4th and 5th streets, which were not on the schedule, but they saw how badly those roads had deteriorated over the years. Those are both state roads.

He also noted that Gordon Street from Main Street to Barton Mill Road has been paved, and city streets including Roosevelt, Upper and Lower streets have been resurfaced.

Williamson said he expects news soon on the anticipated Kentucky Street paving project, which has been in planning for over a year.

Were still looking at that, and well probably have some news within the next few weeks, he said.

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The commission also approved a $3,000 city contribution to the Tri-County Fine Arts Association after Williamson met with new director Paul Sims about keeping the local arts organization active. Additionally, commissioners approved drafting an ordinance to reduce the speed limit on Early Street to 15 mph from 19th to 21st streets following a citizen concern.

Under department reports, City Treasurer Skye Hedrick discussed updates on sanitation payments for individuals dropping off extra garbage and debris.

The commission agreed to allow payments by credit card through the Clover system used at The Corbin Arena, with a $3 fee per card transaction. Cash payments will be accepted at the Corbin City Hall clerks office, with receipts required at the Public Works office. The cost for dumping is priced at $35 for a truckload, and $67 for a trailer load.

The meeting adjourned shortly after.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) launched his first significant attack against his latest primary challenger Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas) on Thursday, referring to his fellow Lone Star State lawmaker as fake MAGA.

The incumbent senator made the attacks in a new microsite and digital ad, backed by a five-figure investment.

Wesley Hunt says hes MAGA, but the facts tell a different story, the minute-long spot says, citing Hunts 2008 vote for then-Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and accused the GOP lawmaker of not voting in the 2016 presidential election when Clinton ran against President Trump.

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Cornyn also hit Hunt over missing votes during his tenure in the House of Representatives.

Texans deserve better than fake MAGA Wesley Hunt, the ad says.

Hunt explained his decision to vote in the 2008 Democratic presidential primary when he ran for Congress in 2020, saying he was a part of an effort to lengthen the partys primary to sow chaos among Democrats.

Hunt hit back against the attack from Cornyn in a lengthy social platform X post on Thursday, arguing the senators record reads like a registered Democrat.

Because when it mattered most, John Cornyn didnt fight. He folded. He compromised. He surrendered to the Left, Hunt wrote.

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Cornyns effort against Hunt comes after the lawmaker jumped into the states Republican Senate primary, facing off against Cornyn and state Attorney General Ken Paxton (R). Hunt had previously been flirting with a potential Senate bid, garnering the wrath of Cornyn and his allies in the Republican establishment.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) urged Hunts donors to call on him not to run in a memo first obtained by The Hill last month.

The committee referred to Hunts flirtation with a potential Senate bid as a vanity project, warning his entrance into the GOP primary for the seat could dilute the partys resources and ultimately cost the party control of the upper chamber.

A poll conducted earlier this month by Texas Southern University and the University of Houston found Paxton is leading the field with 34 percent support among likely Republican primary voters, followed by Cornyn at 33 percent.

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Hunt trailed at 22 percent, and 11 percent said they were unsure, according to the survey.

Updated at 9:07 a.m. EDT.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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New Jersey Senator Cory Booker joined Eyewitness News on "The Countdown" Wednesday night, discussing a range of topics including the government shutdown and the gubernatorial race.

The shutdown, on Day 22, is now the second longest in U.S. history.

SNAP benefits, which serves roughly 42 million low-income Americans could be cut. Meanwhile, government employees will not receive their first full paycheck on Friday if this continues.

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We asked Booker if he was concerned that Democrats will start getting the blame for this.

The senator also weighed in on the race for New Jersey governor between Mikie Sherrill and Jack Ciattarelli.

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After breaching $190 early this month, Nvidias stock price has settled back to around $181 amidst profit-taking and a surprise tariff announcement on China. CEO Jensen Huang recently said that we are 100% out of China, which is not exactly the news many investors were hoping for.

However, the company still has a lot going for it. Nvidia is still the go-to name when it comes to AI chips, while the stock is up 35% year-to-date and analysts are still bullish, rating it an average 4.70 (out of 5) and a lofty $320 high target price over the next twelve months.

More News from Barchart

If you believe the analysts, you might do well buying deep ITM LEAPS calls on Nvidia.

What Are Deep ITM LEAPS Calls?

Call options are contracts that give the buyer the right to buy an underlying asset at a pre-determined price (known as the strike price), on or before the expiration date. For this strategy, Im speculating that Nvidias price will increase over time.

Long-term equity anticipation securities, or LEAPS, are option contracts that have extended expiration dates, ranging from one year to up to three years.

Deep in-the-money (ITM) calls, on the other hand, involve buying a call option with a strike price below the underlyings current trading price, giving the option built-in intrinsic value, high delta, and low time decay.

Let me break down these three concepts quickly.

Option premiums are composed of intrinsic value, or the actual value of the option, and extrinsic value, which is the perceived market value of the option based on different factors.

Delta, meanwhile, is the options Greek that indicates the relationship between the option premium and the underlying asset. A higher delta means the options price moves close to the pace of the underlying asset. Delta can also be used as a probability of the option expiring in the money. Thats another benefit of deep ITM LEAPS calls.

Lastly, time decay, or theta, is the options Greek that tracks how much time eats away at the options value as it gets closer to expiration. Since options are timed derivatives and some value can be gained from an options active lifespan, as it were, minimizing time decay on long positions should be a consideration.
Costco has purchased a former Super 8 hotel next to the Costco store on Monocacy Boulevard in Frederick.

The 2.25-acre site of the Super 8 by Wyndham hotel at 20 Monocacy Blvd. was sold for $6.5 million, with the deed transferred on Sept. 30, according to records from the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation.

The propertys new owner is listed as Costco Wholesale Corporation, based in Issaquah, Wash.

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Costco Wholesale has a store next door to the former hotel property, at 10 Monocacy Blvd.

The hotel was dark Wednesday evening. The Super 8 logos had been removed from the building.

A sign in the parking lot said the hotel was permanently closed, and a security vehicle blocked one of the entrances.

The property was previously sold in 2015 for $4.5 million, according to the records.

It was not immediately clear Wednesday what Costco Wholesales plans were for the motel property.

Neither Costco nor Wyndham Hotels could be reached for comment Wednesday.

The records listed the hotel propertys former owner as Golden Realty 2 LLC, based in Cooksville in Howard County, and the companys resident agent as Kaushik Talati.

Contact information for Talati was not listed.
It was, perhaps, the costliest phone call in history. When Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, told his American counterpart on Monday that the Kremlin had not budged from its demand for an even bigger slice of Ukraine than its forces currently hold, he unwittingly triggered the most dizzying and strategically significant U-turn of Donald Trumps presidency.

Until now, Mr Trump had doggedly avoided imposing any new US sanctions on Russia. Every few months, Britain and the EU were updating their restrictions and closing loopholes, waging a constant campaign against the Kremlins increasingly sophisticated sanctions-busting.

By failing to do the same, Mr Trump was allowing the whole edifice of American sanctions to wither on the vine.

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Suddenly that has changed with a vengeance. Mr Trump has imposed his first sanctions on Russia and, for once, they justify his use of the word tremendous. His targets are two central pillars of the Russian economy - the oil companies Rosneft and Lukoil - which together account for about half of all the Kremlins crude exports.

Russia has already lost most of its overseas gas markets, leaving oil shipments as the single biggest source of revenue for Vladimir Putins war machine. Last month, despite being the worlds most heavily sanctioned country, Russia still managed to export 5.1 million barrels of crude oil per day, the highest level for more than two years, according to the International Energy Agency.

Lower oil prices meant that Septembers revenue was a relatively modest $13.4 billion (10 billion), but that still amounted to a daily total of 330 million, which Russia sorely needs.

Now the American onslaught against Rosneft and Lukoil threatens to crush those earnings. Russia is dangerously dependent on just two countries - China and India - which together buy about 75 per cent of the Kremlins seaborne oil exports.

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b'

1609 Who is buying Russian fossil fuels

'

The central question is whether refineries in those two nations will respond to Mr Trumps decision by cutting their purchase of Russian crude?

On paper, the US sanctions announced on Wednesday do not apply to foreign companies. All American entities are banned from dealing with Rosneft and Lukoil and their various subsidiaries, while any assets held by the targets in US institutions will be frozen, but not even Mr Trump has jurisdiction beyond Americas borders.

Will he go further by imposing secondary sanctions on any foreign companies that continue dealing with Lukoil and Rosneft? Are the Americans going to pursue the traders in the United Arab Emirates who deal in Russian oil, the banks that handle Lukoil and Rosneft sales and, above all, the Chinese and Indian refining companies which have kept the Kremlin afloat by buying its crude?

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Just the possibility that the US might resort to secondary sanctions could be enough for some of Putins trusted partners to cut him loose. Even before he turned on Rosneft and Lukoil, Mr Trump announced that India had already decided to stop buying Russian oil.

But China would be the hardest nut to crack and the last country in the world to shun Putin.

President Xi Jinping genuinely believes in his no limits friendship with his Russian neighbour, who he sees as a vital ally in the struggle against American hegemony.

Xi Jinping sees Vladimir Putin as a vital ally in the struggle against American hegemony - Sergei Bobylyov/Reuters

Yet if China and India choose to defy Mr Trump and carry on buying Putins oil, risking American secondary sanctions, you can be sure that both countries will drive a hard bargain with their Russian suppliers.

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Since the first sanctions were imposed, China and India have bought Russian oil at a hefty discount. This month, Russia has been forced to offer a barrel of Urals crude for about $13 below the market price of about $65. Thanks to Mr Trumps new sanctions, that discount will almost certainly widen, reducing Russian revenues even if China and India continue to buy the same amount of oil.

The Kremlin can draw some comfort from how Mr Trump has so far held back from secondary sanctions. All economic restrictions, however tough, are a slow-acting poison; the American noose around the necks of Rosneft and Lukoil will inflict steady suffocation on Russian revenues, not sudden death.

And Mr Trump has still refrained from wielding the hammer blow of arming Ukraine with Tomahawk cruise missiles for use against Russian oil refineries. Strangling Putins exports abroad while simultaneously providing the weapons to wreck his energy industry at home would be the most punitive option. Mr Trump is holding that in reserve, maximising American leverage over Russia.

In the meantime, Putin and his faithful sidekick Lavrov should contemplate the enormity of their diplomatic failure.

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Just last Friday, Mr Trump was once again berating Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, in the White House, telling his visitor to settle the conflict or risk being destroyed.

Donald Trump demanded that Volodymyr Zelensky submit to Vladimir Putins peace terms - UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE/AFP via Getty Images

It seemed as if Putin was about to be favoured with another one-on-one summit with the president of the United States, this time in Hungarys capital, Budapest.

That destination would have been triply satisfying, allowing Putin to be an honoured guest in a member state of the EU and Nato and the International Criminal Court, which has issued a warrant for his arrest for alleged war crimes. Just by going to Budapest, Putin would have been able to defy all three institutions and expose the impotence and vainglory of what he sees as their Russophobic campaign.

Instead, thanks to his own obduracy, Putin has no summit and no immunity from new American sanctions. On the contrary, Mr Trump has suddenly decided to strike at Russias jugular vein.

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Yet the very abruptness of the U-turn will suggest to the Russians that all is not lost. No secondary sanctions have been imposed so far and no American Tomahawks are about to smash into Russian oil refineries. Putin knows that Mr Trump is entirely capable of performing another somersault and reversing the new sanctions.

Will Putin try to secure this outcome by calling Mr Trump and retreating from Russias maximalist demands against Ukraine? There could be another phone conversation in this drama.

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The Frederick County Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to support a local nuclear research company with $35,000 from the countys economic opportunity fund.

The funds for the company, X-energy, will serve as a 10% local match for a $350,000 conditional loan proposed by the Maryland Department of Commerce.

The loan will help pay for the estimated $75 million cost to renovate a nearly 89,000-square-foot facility in the Ballenger Creek area.

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X-energy, which already operates in the area, is a nuclear reactor and fuel design engineering company focused on clean energy generation.

The company plans to use the new facility to establish a research and development and non-nuclear testing site, according to the funding resolution presented to the council.

The Frederick News-Post previously reported that Beth Woodring, director of financial operations for the countys economic development office, said X-energy may also be eligible for commercial and industrial tax credit as part of the countys initiative to encourage business growth and job creation.

The tax credit benefit will likely not meet the 10% match requirement, which is why the county is offering the $35,000 amount, Woodring told the council at an Oct. 9 discussion of the resolution.

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Through this project, the company will create an additional 35 full-time employee positions by the end of 2027, according to the resolution.

Ahead of passing the resolution at Tuesdays meeting, Council Member Steve McKay asked Woodring what the average salaries would be for employees at the new nuclear research facility.

I verified the information that was submitted by the company, Woodring said, and for these positions, the average salary, excluding benefits, is $150,000.
Broward County Judge Mardi Levey Cohen, who was suspended and reprimanded in June for improper campaign activity during her 2022 re-election effort, has resigned effective Dec. 31, ending a 15-year career on the bench in the middle of her third term.

Her resignation letter was sent last month to Gov. Ron DeSantis and Broward Chief Administrative Judge Carol-Lisa Phillips.

It has been an honor to serve the people of Florida and to uphold the laws and principles of justice, she said in her letter. Throughout my career as a judge, I have been continually inspired by the professionalism and leadership of my colleagues  This decision, while bittersweet, comes with a heart full of gratitude for the opportunities and trust that have been placed in me over the years.

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Cohen was first elected to the bench in 2010 and was re-elected in 2016 and 2022.

It was during the 2022 campaign that she was accused of forwarding unverified information from an email she received purporting to be from a relative of lawyer Kaysia Earley, her opponent in the 2022 race. She also admitted sending a letter to a Lauderhill church whose leaders were supporting Earley. The letter was a complaint Levey Cohen had sent to the IRS challenging the tax-exempt status of the church, where her opponent had campaigned.

While judges are elected and must campaign for their positions, candidates are under heavy restrictions to maintain the dignity of the office. Partisanship, for example, is strictly prohibited. Levey Cohen sent the Earley information to a Broward Democratic Club.

Levey Cohens career before the bench included stints as an assistant state attorney and assistant attorney general. The courthouse news and gossip website JAABlog was first to report the resignation.

She is married to former Broward Chief Administrative Judge Dale Cohen.

Rafael Olmeda can be reached at rolmeda@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4457. Follow him on Threads.net/@rafael.olmeda.




ALBANY - Almost 30 years after he killed his parents in their Otsego County home, Gordon "Woody" Mower Jr. will get a chance to convince a judge that he received bad legal advice when his attorney convinced him to plead guilty to first-degree murder in anticipation that his life sentence would be reduced when New York's capital punishment law was declared unconstitutional, a state appeals court ruled Thursday.

New York's death penalty was still on the books, but under constitutional challenge when the now 48-year-old Mower says he took his trial lawyers' advice in October 1996 and pleaded guilty to first-degree murder. Mower argued his attorneys mistakenly advised him during plea talks that he was unlikely to spend his life in prison because once the death penalty statute was struck down, he would be sentenced to something other than life in prison without the possibility of parole.

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The plea bargain spared Mower, who was 19 at the time, from the possibility of execution but guaranteed he'd serve a sentence of life in prison without possibility of parole.

And that sentence went unchanged when the Court of Appeals in 2004 declared New York's death penalty statute unconstitutional. The penalty of life in prison without parole remained intact in the first-degree murder statute, and Mower, in 2023, filed a legal motion declaring he received ineffective counsel when he agreed to the plea deal in his parents' March 26, 1996, deaths. He also argued a $10,000 payment from a relative "purportedly conditioned on his guilty plea and renunciation of his claim to his parents' estates" was a factor in his decision, according to Thursday's ruling from the Appellate Division of state Supreme Court.

In 2024, Otsego County Judge John F. Lambert denied his request for a new trial without a hearing, ruling Mower received "meaningful representation" from his attorney.

But the Appellate Division took up the matter earlier this year and on Thursday agreed with Mower, whose appeal was handled by Bethlehem attorney Paul J. Connolly. The justices unanimously ruled a hearing should be held where Mower will face the "burden of proving that he was misadvised about the potential to have his sentence reduced in the future if he took the People's plea offer and, but for that misadvice, there is a reasonable probability that he would have chosen to proceed to trial."

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A hearing on the matter will be held at some time in the coming months, likely before Lambert. Mower's case was prosecuted by the state attorney general's office, which also handled the appeal.

"We think it was correct," Connolly said of the ruling on Thursday. "I argued at great length before the County Court and at the Appellate Division. The Appellate Division agreed, and that's where we are."

The killings of Gordon Mower, 52, and Susan Mower, 50, were a media sensation in upstate New York. Mower gained further notoriety a decade ago when it was alleged he made a plan to escape from Auburn Correctional Facility in a homemade coffin hidden under tons of sawdust, Syracuse.com reported.

The Mowers were discovered by a relative the morning after the shooting. Mower, who admitted in court to periodic use of steroids and alcohol, fled the night of the murders with his 15-year-old girlfriend, Melanie Ann Bray, launching a three-week nationwide search.

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Mower and Bray were stopped by police a month after the killings as they walked along a suburban Dallas street minutes after the case was featured on the television show "America's Most Wanted.''

Bray spent several months in a Syracuse juvenile detention center before returning to her parents' home.

Mower is currently serving his sentence at Shawangunk Correctional Facility in Ulster County.

This article originally published at Court orders hearing for killer who said bad legal advice, money influenced guilty plea.
(WKBN)  The case of a woman who fell out of a hospital bed in Ohio, breaking her neck, led to a recent ruling by the Ohio Supreme Court allowing plaintiffs in medical lawsuits to add new defendants and evidence after the statute of limitations.

This latest ruling allows the woman who fell out of a bed at a Manfield hospital to add a doctor and his employer to her lawsuit 14 months after the incident. A lower court had ruled that she waited too long and couldnt add the doctor and the physician group past the 12-month statute of limitations for medical claims.

The woman filed a lawsuit against the hospital in October 2022, naming 10 other defendants as John Doe, which could be anyone from nurses and doctors to other healthcare workers and corporations.

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The hospital filed its answer to the lawsuit a month later, denying liability. The woman did not attempt to serve any of the other defendants  the John Does  in her complaint.

In April 2023, 14 months after the injury occurred, Lewis amended her complaint and added the names of the John Doe defendants. Her amended complaint included an ER doctor and his employer, Mid-Ohio Emergency Physicians. She also added four other defendants.

The ER doctor and Mid-Ohio asked the court to dismiss them from the lawsuit, arguing that the woman failed to name them within the one-year statute of limitations. The trial court agreed and ruled that the woman could not use the name John Doe as a placeholder to extend her time past the deadline for when defendants must be named and served and agreed to dismiss them from the case.

The woman appealed that decison and won. The ER doctor and Mid-Ohio appealed again to the Ohio Supreme Court.

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The crux of the case involves a plaintiff who has knowledge of a culpable party but doesnt know their name and needs time to identify them, and how the statute of limitations applies.

The law allows a plaintiff to serve an unknown defendant and later amend the complaint to name the person being sued. The Court noted that compliance with the one-year statute of limitations for medical claims is challenging. A patient often receives medical care from several providers and entities that may or may not operate under their legal name.

The plaintiff may have trouble determining the names of every defendant to include in a complaint and commencing an action against each defendant before the statute of limitations expires, the Court explained.

To meet the deadline, plaintiffs previously used a shotgun approach, the Court explained, suing numerous potential defendants and then subsequently dismissing unnecessary defendants as discovery proceeded.

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Subsequent measures sought to minimize this shotgun approach by allowing an extra 180 days past the statute of limitations to name defendants.

That, and the fact that the woman did not name the ER or Mid-Ohio in her initial complaint, allows her to determine and vet out who the John Does are and their culpability in the case, past the one-year statute of limitations.

she was naming additional defendants (the law) which allows the addition of parties whose names or identities were unknown at the time the original complaint was filedsince Patel and Mid-Ohio were not defendants in the original complaint, they can be added because (the woman) fulfilled all the other requirements of the law to name them

The Court affirmed the decision to add them to her case.

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TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) Chazz Courtney took the stand today in his own defense. He painted a different story compared to several others testimony on Thursday, during day four of the attempted murder trial.

Courtney was arrested and charged after allegedly shooting three individuals in March of 2024. A Probable Cause Affidavit (PCA) states that Courtney confronted one of the victims, Robert Trump, at a gas station located at 13th and Poplar, in Terre Haute, accusing him of being a snitch. After leaving the station, Trump returned home.

Authorities stated that Courtney allegedly knocked on the door, spoke with Trumps parents about their son, before being told to leave, then allegedly exchanged gunfire with Robert, who grabbed his mothers gun from upstairs.

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Courtney took the stand as the final witness in the trial, in which he gave a very different account of the events of the shooting compared to everyone elses testimony. Courtney stated that he knew Robert through a mutual friend, and that the three had spent time together smoking marijuana and even once meth together.

Witnesses talk gun casings and DNA in day 3 of attempted murder trial

Courtney stated there was a falling out between the mutual friend and Robert, leading to Courtney being blocked by Robert and Courtney finding posts on social media bad-mouthing him. When finding him at the gas station, Courtney claimed he went to Robert to ask what his issue is, to which he claimed he responded with who are you and we arent doing this here.

The lead detective, Justin Gant, also testified on his part of the case Thursday and brought up text messages that the mutual friend claimed were from Courtney, stating that they had a back-and-forth exchange, during which they insulted each other and flashed guns at each other, something that both Courtney and Nichole Shaffer denied happened. Nichole Shaffer was convicted in this case for assisting a criminal and was the driver of the vehicle Chazz Courtney was found in.

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Courtney then stated that he and Shaffer went to do meth in front of her mothers home before asking if they could try and find Roberts home to confront him. Shaffer also testified on Thursday with a story of events that was very similar to most of the testimony given by other witnesses, much of which Courtney disagreed with.

Courtney claimed that when they had found the home, a green laser hit the van, spooking Shaffer. He claims he had Shaffer Park around the corner as he went to the house and knocked, asking Roberts parents to speak with him. Courtney claims that when Robert got to the door, he was pointing a 10mm Glock at him and joining his parents in telling Courtney to leave and that Robert would blow him down if he didnt. Courtney claims he called Robert a snitch and that the family then came off the porch and started yelling at him before being struck by Roberts stepfather and shot at by Robert. Courtney then claims he ran and fired without looking back at Robert before getting in the car and asking to leave.

Terre Haute teen in court for attempted murder charges

He claimed that due to being high and in a shootout, he didnt call the police. The defense also mentioned Courtneys upbringing and problems related to the police. Later that day, Courtney claims to have factory reset his phone by accident, something that was also mentioned in testimony from Jason James, Director of the Vigo County High Tech Crime Unit and Assistant Professor of Cybersecurity at ISU, who spoke on processing the phone and corroborated that it was factory reset later that same day.

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The defense rebutted several times in the course of the testimonies. One such instance was during testimony given by Detective Gant on the multiple statements given, where some of the information from witnesses was found to be inaccurate through the course of the investigation, such as a claim that the mutual friend was involved.

Another instance was during Shaffers testimony, in which she stated that Courtney intended to spook Robert and was hyped up before the shooting. The defense mentioned that Shaffer made statements about the incident that were incorrect compared to prior recorded statements. When the defense claimed that Shaffer might have pleaded guilty to her charges in the incident so she could get out of jail, she rebutted, stating no, I pled guilty because facts is facts.

Courtney, along with his defense attorney, states that he did not fire the shots with the intent to kill, though Courtney was not injured, whereas Robert, his mother, and stepfather were hit. Courtney ended his time on the stand, stating that he believed most people were wrong in their testimony and claimed he never raised his voice during the altercation and was merely scared. Courtney also claimed never to have shot a gun before, though he did carry his two guns everywhere due to the dangerous positions he put himself in.

The jury trial concluded with final instructions and closing statements. The jury is now deliberating. WTWO will update the story once a verdict has been reached.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com.
The Covid-19 mRNA-based vaccines that saved 2.5 million lives globally during the pandemic could help spark the immune system to fight cancer. This is the surprising takeaway of a new study that we and our colleagues published in the journal Nature.

While developing mRNA vaccines for patients with brain tumors in 2016, our team, led by pediatric oncologist Elias Sayour, discovered that mRNA can train immune systems to kill tumors  even if the mRNA is not related to cancer.

Based on this finding, we hypothesized that mRNA vaccines designed to target the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid-19 might also have antitumor effects.

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So we looked at clinical outcomes for more than 1,000 late-stage melanoma and lung cancer patients treated with a type of immunotherapy called immune checkpoint inhibitors. This treatment is a common approach doctors use to train the immune system to kill cancer. It does this by blocking a protein that tumor cells make to turn off immune cells, enabling the immune system to continue killing cancer.

Colored scanning electron micrograph of white blood cells attached to a cancer cell. (Getty Images)

Remarkably, patients who received either the Pfizer or Moderna mRNA-based Covid-19 vaccine within 100 days of starting immunotherapy were more than twice as likely to be alive after three years compared with those who didnt receive either vaccine. Surprisingly, patients with tumors that dont typically respond well to immunotherapy also saw very strong benefits, with nearly fivefold improvement in three-year overall survival. This link between improved survival and receiving a Covid-19 mRNA vaccine remained strong even after we controlled for factors like disease severity and co-occurring conditions.

To understand the underlying mechanism, we turned to animal models. We found that Covid-19 mRNA vaccines act like an alarm, triggering the bodys immune system to recognize and kill tumor cells and overcome the cancers ability to turn off immune cells. When combined, vaccines and immune checkpoint inhibitors coordinate to unleash the full power of the immune system to kill cancer cells.

University of Florida Health pediatric oncologist Elias Sayour, who led the research, explains that mRNA vaccines that are not specific to a patients cancer can wake up the sleeping giant that is the immune system to fight cancer.

Why it matters

Immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors has revolutionized cancer treatment over the past decade by producing cures in many patients who were previously considered incurable. However, these therapies are ineffective in patients with cold tumors that successfully evade immune detection.

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Our findings suggest that mRNA vaccines may provide just the spark the immune system needs to turn these cold tumors hot. If validated in our upcoming clinical trial, our hope is that this widely available, low-cost intervention could extend the benefits of immunotherapy to millions of patients who otherwise would not benefit from this therapy.

Getty Images

What other research is being done

Unlike vaccines for infectious diseases, which are used to prevent an infection, therapeutic cancer vaccines are used to help train the immune systems of cancer patients to better fight tumors.

We and many others are currently working hard to make personalized mRNA vaccines for patients with cancer. This involves taking a small sample of a patients tumor and using machine learning algorithms to predict which proteins in the tumor would be the best targets for a vaccine. However, this approach can be costly and difficult to manufacture.

In contrast, Covid-19 mRNA vaccines do not need to be personalized, are already widely available at low or no cost around the globe, and could be administered at any time during a patients treatment. Our findings that Covid-19 mRNA vaccines have substantial antitumor effects bring hope that they could help extend the anti-cancer benefits of mRNA vaccines to all.

Whats next

In pursuit of this goal, we are preparing to test this treatment strategy in patients with a nationwide clinical trial in people with lung cancer. People receiving an immune checkpoint inhibitor will be randomized to either receive a Covid-19 mRNA vaccine during treatment or not.

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This study will tell us whether Covid-19 mRNA vaccines should be included as part of the standard of care for patients receiving an immune checkpoint inhibitor. Ultimately, we hope that this approach will help many patients who are treated with immune therapy, and especially those who currently lack effective treatment options.

This work exemplifies how a tool born from a global pandemic may provide a new weapon against cancer and rapidly extend the benefits of existing treatments to millions of patients. By harnessing a familiar vaccine in a new way, we hope to extend the lifesaving benefits of immunotherapy to cancer patients who were previously left behind.

The Research Brief is a short take on interesting academic work.

Adam Grippin, Physician Scientist in Cancer Immunotherapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Christiano Marconi, Ph.D. Candidate in Immunotherapy, University of Florida

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This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

The post This Covid-19 Vaccine Could Unlock the Next Revolution in Cancer Treatment appeared first on Katie Couric Media.
Roches CEO Thomas Schinecker said the drugmaker is continuing talks with the US government over drug pricing reforms, as President Donald Trump looks to add to recent deals with big pharma companies.

Earlier this year, the Trump administration announced the Most Favored Nation (MFN) executive order to tie drug prices in the US to other developed countries. The policy is part of Trumps wider aim to overhaul drug pricing in the country and offer patients cheaper options.

We've been in discussions with the US Government for most of this year. It's not something that has only happened in the last couple of weeks. We are in constant change with the government, said Schinecker during a Q3 conference call on 23 October.

Pfizer and AstraZeneca became the first major pharma companies to sign deals with Trump amid pricing pressures from the president. According to the deals, the drugmakers will offer certain medications at steep discounts via the US governments direct-to-consumer (DTC) platform, TrumpRx.gov, which is set to launch in January 2026.

Just last week, Roche announced it would sell its flu pill Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil) at a discounted price of $50 to cash-paying US patients.

The Swiss big pharma company, which has outlaid $50bn to bolster drug manufacturing in the US over the next five years, saw its Q3 results affected by international currencies.

Roche achieved total sales of Sfr45.9bn ($57.6bn) for the first nine months of 2025, representing growth of 7%. Sales in the companys pharmaceuticals division increased by 9%, contributing Sfr35.6bn in revenue.

However, sales were adversely impacted by the appreciation of the Swiss franc against most currencies, including the US dollar. In Swiss francs, total sales growth was 2% while pharma growth was 4%.

Shares in Roche opened 2.5% down at SFr273.4 at market open on 23 October compared to prior market close. The company has a market cap of SFr215.9bn.

The US dollar has further weakened against the Swiss franc. The Euro has shown some stability but [the impact] has certainly been dominated by the US dollar, said Alan Hippe, Roches chief financial and information officer.

Despite the sales value being weighed down by the US dollar, Roche still upped its 2025 earnings outlook.

Roche said it now expects a high-single to low-double-digit percentage rise in earnings per share, compared with a previous high-single-digit target.

Plugging gap from exclusivity loss

The big pharma company is still dealing with the loss of exclusivity for several of its blockbuster drugs. This includes cancer drug Avastin (bevacizumab), which generated peak sales of around $7bn before losing exclusivity in 2019.
We're heading into the holiday season, when the temperatures drop and everyone gathers together indoors to enjoy family and fellowship and incidentally spread respiratory viruses. Colds, flu and COVID-19 cases spike every fall and winter, and this year is likely to be no exception.

Flu shots are easy to get (and you should get one). What about your COVID shot or booster? Things have been... confusing.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under Health and Human Services Secretary and vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr, have been changing their guidance.

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The CDC abandoned broad support for the shots. The FDA approved updated shots, but only for people aged 65 and older and those at risk of severe disease, causing many states (including Florida) to temporarily stop issuing them without a medical recommendation or a prescription. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, filled with Kennedy's hand-picked replacements after he fired all the original members, held a chaotic meeting in September that continued to recommend vaccination but with caveats.

COVID immunizations across the nation dropped about 25% in the four-week period ending Oct. 3, according to IQVIA data per Reuters.

So where are we now? Can you get a COVID shot in Florida? Here's what to know.

Does Florida require a prescription for COVID-19 shots?

Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are available in this DeLand CVS Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.

No, not if you're eligible.

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The ACIP voted in September to recommend COVID-19 vaccination for everyone 6 months or older based on individual decision after consulting with a healthcare provider, known as "shared clinical decision-making." The CDC conformed its guidance to match on Oct. 6.

Physicians, registered nurses, and pharmacists are considered healthcare providers, according to the CDC, and may administer vaccines after discussing them with the patient.

On Sept. 23, the Florida Board of Pharmacy confirmed that pharmacists who have written protocol agreements with physicians may administer vaccines, including COVID shots, to applicable people without a prescription.

Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, who has spoken out against COVID vaccines and vowed with Gov. Ron DeSantis to end all mandated vaccines in the state, agreed.

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"We've heard from some older Floridians who believe the Florida Dept of Health is preventing them from accessing COVID-19 vaccines in pharmacies or requiring that they obtain a prescription," Ladapo posted to X in September. "This is a hoax.

"Although these vaccines are unsafe and not fit for human use," he added, "the decision to administer them at a pharmacy rests in the hands of the pharmacist or pharmacy. FDOH is not involved in this decision."

CVS resumed offering COVID shots without prescription in August and Walgreens, Publix and Walmart resumed after the panel's confirmation for walk-in customers and by appointment.

Who is eligible for a 2025 COVID vaccine or booster shot?

Not everyone. The FDA approved the latest round of COVID vaccines for:

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Anyone 65 years of age and older

Anyone aged 6 months or older with existing health conditions (here's the list)

People can self-declare that they are moderately or severely immunocompromised and get the vaccine without third-party confirmation, according to CDC guidelines.

In some cases, you may be asked to sign a paper confirming that you have an underlying condition or provide verbal confirmation.

Are current COVID shots available? Which COVID shots were approved by the FDA?

In August, the FDA approved three separate updated COVID vaccines:

Moderna : For children 6 months and older with an underlying condition and people over 65

Pfizer : For children 5 and older with an underlying condition and people over 65

Novavax: For children 12 and older with an underlying condition and people over 65

How much does each COVID vaccine cost?

The updated COVID vaccine is available at no cost to most people with health insurance at CVS, Walgreens, Publix and Walmart.

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If your insurance doesnt cover it or if you dont have insurance, it costs either $224.99 and $249.99, according to CVS, depending on which version of the vaccine you get.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida COVID vaccines availability, who's eligible, what's required
Coweta County commissioners are moving forward with plans to extend a limited moratorium on new applications for data centers into the fall.

A $17 billion proposed data center is being considered for a site comprised of 300 acres of conservation land, which would need to be rezoned by Coweta County commissioners.

Prologis, the company behind the proposal, claims that the location was chosen due to its proximity to an electrical station and that it will meet or exceed local regulations. Supporters of the project argue that it will generate significant tax revenue for the county.

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During the discussion, residents voiced strong opinions about the future of such developments in their community. Resident Ron Bockrath urged officials to take a closer look at the evolving technology and potential impacts before approving additional projects.

Dont write an ordinance that promotes old technology thats going to be obsolete sooner and will yield less revenue, Bockrath said.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

He acknowledged that handling data center regulations has been a learning curve for county leaders but encouraged them to take the time to get it right. You ran into some difficulty trying to address data centers and then youll say this is a learning curve, and yet it really is, he added.

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Some residents also expressed opposition to plans for the proposed Project Peach data center, saying if commissioners wouldnt want to live near such a large facility, they shouldnt expect residents to either.

County officials say the temporary moratorium allows time to study potential zoning changes and technological updates before considering any new data center applications.

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CRANSTON, R.I (WPRI)  Joey Lin wishes her father was able to say goodbye in his final moments at Rhode Island Hospital earlier this month.

I thought  he held my hand when I came into this world  [so] Im going to hold his hand when he goes, Lin said. I had to watch him fight for his life so hard.

Lins father, 53-year-old Xu Shao Lin, died on Oct. 7  just one month after he was critically injured in a fiery crash on I-95 North in Attleboro.

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Xu Shao also passed away four days shy of his 54th birthday.

Court documents reveal Xu Shao was driving down I-95 on Sept. 7 when he was hit by another vehicle that was switching lanes at a high rate of speed.

Attleboro firefighters had to remove Xu Shao from his mangled vehicle, according to the court documents.

(Courtesy: Attleboro Fire Department)

Xu Shao was then loaded into an ambulance and rushed to Rhode Island Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Those who saw the crash told investigators the other driver had hastily moved from the right to the center lane, which is where she rear-ended Xu Shaos vehicle, the court documents continued.

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Xu Shaos vehicle was forced off the highway and hit a guardrail head-on before swerving back onto the road and coming to a rest in the center lane facing oncoming traffic.

The impact of the crash caused the driver of the other vehicle to lose control to the point where the car flipped and began to roll, per the court documents. Her vehicle eventually landed on its roof under the Clifton Street overpass before bursting into flames.

That driver, 38-year-old Darlena Fulp, of Dedham, has since been charged with operating under the influence resulting in serious bodily injury. She was also cited for speeding and negligent operation of a motor vehicle.

Darlena Fulp (Courtesy: Massachusetts State Police)

Fulp had glassy and bloodshot eyes, was slurring her words, and had an odor of alcoholic beverage emitting from her, according to the court documents.

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She also reportedly asked Massachusetts State Police troopers what happened with a blank stare after handing them her drivers license.

Fulp was brought to Sturdy Memorial Hospital and treated for minor injuries.

Court documents explained that Fulp was given seven attempts to take a breathalyzer test at the hospital, but she could not provide an adequate sample.

Joey said her father spent the next month fighting for his life.

He had severe internal bleeding. His liver was busted, she recalled. His spine was broken in half and fractured in multiple places. He was very lucky to have been alive at that point.

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Despite having the odds stacked against him, Joey said her father still did everything he could to make everyone smile.

He would just make certain movements with his mouth to try and make the nurses laugh, she said. He was just always that person.

Joey said Xu Shaos condition got better before it got worse.

Xu Shao Lin (Courtesy: Joey Lin)

He said, What if I cant walk again? What am I going to do if I cant walk again? I wont be able to play with my grandson anymore,' she recalled. These are the things that were going through his mind before he went into surgery.

Xu Shao underwent two surgeries and battled pneumonia before his passing, according to Joey.

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He was getting better, Joey said. We thought everything was going to be good and dandy.

The next thing I know Im getting a phone call from the hospital and theyre saying, listen, hes not getting any better and were running out of options,' she continued. You start thinking, How much time do I have?'

Though he fought a long hard battle, Joey said her father couldnt overcome the severity of his injuries.

It was so heartbreaking to see him go through this and make some progress just to have it disappear and now hes gone, Joey said.

Joey hopes that the charges against Fulp will be upgraded now that her father has passed away. She also wishes Fulp had made a different decision that night so her father could still be here.

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You chose to get into that car with alcohol in your system and drive, Joey said. I dont feel bad for her. I really dont, because that was the decision that she made. Now she has to face the consequences.

She will get what she deserves, she added.

Fulps next court date is slated for Nov. 20. 12 News reached out to Fulps attorney regarding the crash but has not yet heard back.

Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts.

Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the free WPRI 12+ TV app.

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NEW BERN, N.C. (WNCT)  Craven County Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program(SNAP) recipients may see a disruption in benefits starting in November.

Due to the ongoing federal government funding lapse, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has warned states that federal funding for Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) benefits, including the SNAP program, formerly known as food stamps, may not be available in November. This may result in a reduction in the level of benefits or full cessation of benefits until funding is restored.

The Craven County Department was not involved in the decisions leading to the potential disruption in benefits. Questions about benefits should be directed to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services at (800)-662-7030.

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Craven County does not have any alternative benefit programs; however, there are numerous food pantries in Craven County.

Here is a list of some food pantries below:

The Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC

o (252) 577-1912

o 1702 Red Robin Ln., New Bern

o Hours: Monday -Friday 8:30-5:00

Feed Craven

o (252) 348-0787

o 3317 Highway 70 E, New Bern

o Hours: vary  check the website for dates and times feedcraven.org

Living Bread Holiness Church

o (252) 671-6515

o 1116 S Glenburnie Rd., New Bern

o Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 11:30-5:30

Religious Community Services (RCS)

o (252) 633-2767 ext. 4015

o 919 George St., New Bern

o Hours: Monday  Friday 9:00  4:00 by appointment only

Salvation Army

o (252) 637-2277 option 2

o 1402 Rhem St., New Bern

o Hours: Tuesday-Wednesday 1:00-3:00

Word of God Christian Center

o (252) 638-3474

o 3650 Neuse Blvd., New Bern

o Hours: 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month 9:00-12:00

Antioch Community Outreach

o (252) 617-9064

o 762 Antioch Rd., New Bern

o Hours: Wednesday 11/12, 12/10, 1/14 4:00-7:00

The Gathering Place

o (252) 515-1080

o 114 Trader St., Havelock

o Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 11:00-1:00

Havelock Cherry Point Ministerial Outreach

o (252) 447-5190

o 925 E Main St. STE, 20, Havelock

o Hours: 10:00- 2:00 Monday  Friday  Havelock residents/Havelock school district only

Additionally, residents are encouraged to view Craven Countys Community Resource Guide at

https://www.cravencountync.gov/2227/Community-Resource-Guide. This guide serves as a directory for information on community health resources and includes food pantry information.

Craven County understands the importance of these benefits, and we will share updates as soon as additional guidance is available.



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For more information on FNS benefits and federal shutdown impacts, visit www.ncdhhs.gov/fns

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT.
Deputies in Los Angeles County are searching for a stolen Crescenta Valley Community Emergency Response Team trailer, officials announced.

Details on the theft are limited, but LASD said the trailer was stolen early Wednesday morning from the 2700 block of Foothill Boulevard in La Crescenta.

Crescenta Valley deputies are actively searching for this vehicle which contained donated medical and other emergency supplies to assist CERT members during disaster activations, LASD stated.

An emergency response trailer is seen in these undated photos provided after it was stolen in October 2025. (LASD) An emergency response trailer is seen in these undated photos provided after it was stolen in October 2025. (LASD)

The trailer belongs to the Crescenta Valley Sheriffs Support Group, an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, according to officials. It is a large, white trailer with green writing that reads Crescenta Valley Community Response Team, and CERT on the sides.

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Authorities did not immediately say whether any arrests had been made, and no suspect(s) descriptions were provided.

Family says boy hurt in Huntington Beach crash had brain bleed, collapsed lung

Anyone with information about this theft or who may have seen this vehicle is asked to notify local law enforcement or the Crescenta Valley Sheriffs Station Detective Carmen Gudeil at 818-248-3494.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Oct. 23Creston EMS and healthcare workers had the chance to speak with Congressman Zach Nunn Monday as he toured various Creston emergency services.

Topics of conversation included federal funding for emergency services, workforce shortages with health care and first responders and the impact of the ongoing government shutdown. Nunn first visited Greater Regional Health, where he met with hospital leaders and staff.

During his visit, Nunn promoted the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, also known as the "Big Beautiful Bill." Nunn said the act brought $50 billion in rural health care safety net funding. He also shared details on his two bipartisan bills, the Train More Nurses Act and Train More Primary Care Doctors Act, which would expand medical training programs to help meet growing demand across rural communities.

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"GRH would like to thank U.S. Congressman Nunn and his staff for visiting our facility today," GRH Chief Quality Officer Kimberly Wheeler said. "We appreciate Congressman Nunn taking time to ask our leadership team for their input on important healthcare issues facing GRH and Iowa hospitals in general. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with both state and federal representatives to ensure GRH can continue to meet our mission to provide the highest quality health care and service to our patients and families served."

Nunn then traveled to the Creston Fire Department where he shared his commitment to increasing tools, funds and personnel for Iowa emergency responders.

"We appreciate Congressman Nunn for taking time with members of the Creston Fire Department, Union County Sheriff's Office and Creston Police Department, as well as community members," Creston Firefighter Dillon Daughenbaugh said. "We are grateful to speak with him on important issues and for being accessible."

In Nunn's first trip to Union County this year, he said he was grateful for the opportunity.

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"It was a privilege to be in Creston today visiting with the doctors, nurses and first responders who keep this community safe," Nunn said. "The government shutdown puts real pressure on the health care systems and emergency services Iowa families count on. But that's just one of the many challenges these professionals are facing. These conversations help ensure federal resources are targeted to the real needs on the ground."

Nunn was elected as U.S. Congressman in 2022. He previously served in the U.S. Air Force, Iowa Senate and Iowa House of Representatives.
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO)  Workers could be seen removing a temporary security fence that had been erected around the federal courthouse in Rockford on Wednesday night.

The fencing was installed in the overnight hours of September 5th, at the Stanley J. Roszkowski U.S. Courthouse, at 327 S Church Street, which houses the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

The same weekend, security fencing was also placed around the Dirksen Federal Courthouse, at 219 South Dearborn Street in Chicago,

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The installation of the fence at the federal building sparked concerns as it coincided with the deployment of U.S. Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in the Chicagoland area.

The City of Rockford acknowledged that the fencing could indicate deportation efforts may be coming to Rockford, posting a message to Facebook in English, Spanish, and Arabic, that read: We are aware that Homeland Security recently confirmed plans to expand ICE operations in Chicago. While there is no confirmation that these operations will extend to Rockford, we recognize it is a possibility. And, we also recognize the fear and uncertainty this news may cause.

A spokesperson for the court said those arrested and subject to deportation proceedings will not be brought before a judge in the Northern District of Illinois.

The Court has not been informed as to where those individuals will be processed administratively. Any individual charged with violating a federal criminal law will be brought before a judge in the Northern District of Illinois, the statement read.

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Illinois Senators Dick Durbin (D) and Tammy Duckworth (D), along with Congressman Eric Sorenson (D-17th), sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem demanding more information on the security fence in Rockford.

This fence went up without warning or explanation, and Rockford residents deserve to know why. We need to make sure federal actions in our community are transparent, lawful, and respectful of the people who live here, Sorensen said in the letter.

According to ICE, undocumented immigrants arrested as part of the nationwide effort had criminal histories, including sexual assault, robbery, drug and weapons charges, and domestic violence, the agency said.

The Department of Homeland Security conducted operations in Rockford in mid-June, but it has not been confirmed whether the agents were from ICE.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  This week on Crime Stoppers, Lansing police need your help with solving a cold-case homicide from 1983 and identifying someone involved in a burglary and vehicle theft that happened on Oct. 14.

If you have information regarding the cases below, call Crime Stoppers of Mid-Michigan at (517) 483-STOP. You can remain anonymous.

Those who contact Crime Stoppers with information can receive an award of up to $1,000.

Cold Case Homicide

The Lansing Police Department is asking for any information related to the cold-case homicide of 22-year-old Tracy Forquer. who was found outside her home on E Oakland Avenue with multiple stab wounds on Oct. 25, 1983. Forquer was the 6th of 8 children, and, at the time of her death, she had a 1-year-old daughter.

Burglary and Vehicle Theft

(Crime Stoppers of Mid Michigan) (Crime Stoppers of Mid Michigan) (Crime Stoppers of Mid Michigan)

Lansing police are requesting any information that could identify a suspect in a burglary and vehicle theft that happened in the 4300 block of Seaway Drive at around 8:39 p.m. on Oct. 14.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
WEST ALLIS, Wis. (WFRV)  On Wednesday, criminal charges were officially issued for a man and woman from southeastern Wisconsin in relation to the alleged child abuse death of a 4-year-old.

Officers with the West Allis Police Department say that on October 22, the Milwaukee County District Attorneys office issued criminal charges against 21-year-old Devario S. Cruz and 31-year-old Charlotte M. Kurek.

The criminal charges, which include physical abuse of a child  repeated acts causing death, first-degree reckless homicide, and chronic neglect of a child, stem from an incident that began shortly after 8 a.m. on Saturday, October 18.

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Emotional sentencing hearing leads to 29-year prison sentence after child sexual assault victim in Wisconsin comes forward

Dispatch got a call that morning from a woman stating she was taking her unresponsive son to a local hospital. With them being close to the West Allis Fire Department, the dispatcher told her to pull over and give CPR to the 4-year-old child.

Charlotte M. Kurek, 31 (Milwaukee County Sheriffs Office)

Devario S. Cruz, 21 (Milwaukee County Sheriffs Office)

The woman reportedly pulled over at a business in the 10800 block of West Greenfield Avenue. First responders met her and the child there and immediately began rendering care to the child. Officers with the West Allis PD arrived and began an investigation into the incident.

The 4-year-old was subsequently taken to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

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Since that Saturday, detectives have been investigating the incident, leading to the arrest of Cruz and Kurek. Cruz, Kurek, and the 4-year-old victim all resided in West Allis.

Wisconsin man arrested for allegedly being intoxicated in rollover crash that killed his wife

The following charges have been issued:

Devario S. Cruz, 21 Physical Abuse of a Child, Repeated Acts Causing Death Class A felony First Degree Reckless Homicide Class B felony Chronic Neglect of a Child  Consequence is Death Class B felony Physical Abuse of a Child, Repeated Acts Causing Bodily Harm Felony Chronic Neglect of a Child Felony Possession with Intent to Deliver Controlled Substance (THC) (>200-1,000 grams) Class H felony

Charlotte M. Kurek, 31 Chronic Neglect of a Child  Consequence is Death Class B felony Chronic Neglect of a Child Felony



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No additional details were provided. Local 5 will continue to follow this story and provide updates when new information is released.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
President Trump has been threatening tariffs on India unless it stops buying Russian crude and the European Union has been preparing to cut off all gas imports into the bloc within two yearseven against member states wishes. Yet the latest data shows that Russia is still exporting a lot of oil and gasincluding to the EU.

Last month, China remained the biggest buyer of Russian crude oil, even as the U.S. president says that once he deals with India on that matter, he would turn to China. According to customs data cited by the South China Morning Post, Chinas oil imports from Russia jumped by 4.3% on the month in September, to a total 8.29 million tons, representing 17.5% of total oil imports. On an annual basis, however, imports from Russia fell by the same percentage.

The increased Russian oil purchases may be Chinas act of defiance ahead of further talks with the US, Xu Tianchen, senior economist with the Economist Intelligence Unit, told the SCMP in comments on the news. I cant see why China would give up Russian oil unless, for example, Trump is willing to remove all its tariffs on China and lift sanctions on Chinese companies.

Related: Chinas Crude Oil Stockpiling Baffles Markets

China does indeed not have much motivation to stop importing energyor anything else for that matterfrom Russia. It is not part of the G7 group that has tried repeatedly to decimate Russian export revenues, specifically in energy, and it shares a pragmatic approach to energy security with its neighbor India, which analysts still say will eventually bow to the Western pressure to curb Russian imports, per a new Reuters report. The analysts add that this would simply free up more discounted Russian barrels for China.

The topic of whether India will stop buying Russian crude to make President Trump happy and seal a trade deal, ridding it of import tariffs for the United States, has been hot this month. The U.S. president has demonstrated confidence that things would go his way, claiming Prime Minister Modi had essentially made a promise to that effect. Official Indian government sources have stated there have been no such promises and some analysts have noted that Indian buyers cannot simply stop buying Russian crude, which has come to account for over a third of Indias total crude oil imports.

As such, India is the second-largest buyer of Russian crude after China, just like it is the second-largest buyer of Russian coal, per the latest monthly data from a Finland-based outlet called Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air that tracks Russian energy shipments abroad. According to CREA, in financial terms, Russias revenues from energy exports has more or less halved since 2022but volumes keep strong, including to the European Union.
The Louvre Museum in Paris reopened Wednesday morning, five days after the brazen daylight theft of Frances crown jewels, NBC News reports. Police are still searching for the four masked suspects who stole eight Napoleonic-era pieces valued at 88 million ($102 million) in just four minutes.

The museums Apollo Gallery, where the jewels were taken, remains closed as investigators continue their search for clues. Louvre Director Laurence des Cars has offered her resignation, which was rejected by Frances culture minister, amid growing pressure over security failures. President Emmanuel Macron has since ordered an acceleration of new security measures as part of the museums ongoing six-year renovation plan.

Original Report (October 20, 2025):

Thieves executed a heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris on Sunday, October 19, 2025, making off with priceless Napoleonic crown jewels in just a few minutes.

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AP News reports indicate that the theft occurred approximately 30 minutes after the museum opened to the public, with visitors already inside the building. Using a basket lift positioned against the Seine-facing facade of the museum, the four masked perpetrators forced open a window on the first floor, cut glass panes with a disc cutter, and smashed display cases in the gilded Apollon Gallery, where the museums Crown Diamonds collection was on display.

According to French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, The thieves used a basket lift to access the room directly, forced a window and broke display cases to steal the jewels, before escaping on two-wheelers.

Details Of The Treasures Stolen From The Louvre Museum

Officials have confirmed that eight pieces were stolen from the Napoleon and Empress jewelry collection in the Apollo Gallery. The stolen items include a sapphire diadem, necklace, and single earring from a matching set connected to 19th-century French royalty, specifically Queen Marie-Amelie, the last queen of France. The sapphire necklace is reportedly adorned with eight sapphires and 631 diamonds.

The thieves also took an emerald necklace and earrings from the matching set of Empress Marie-Louise, Napoleon Bonapartes second wife, along with a reliquary brooch and Empress Eugenies diadem, brooch, and decorative bow  a highly valued 19th-century imperial ensemble, with the diadem alone containing nearly 2,000 diamonds.

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According to CNN, French authorities later recovered one object outside the museum, identified by French media as the emerald-set imperial crown of Napoleon IIIs wife, Empress Eugenie, which contains more than 1,300 diamonds and 56 emeralds. Reports indicate that the recovered crown was broken.

Security Concerns At The Worlds Most Visited Museum

The successful theft has exposed security vulnerabilities at the Louvre. A preliminary investigation has revealed that one in three rooms in the raided area of the museum had no CCTV cameras. French Senator Natalie Goulet told the BBC that it is difficult to understand how it happened so easily and mentioned that the gallerys localized alarm was recently broken, adding that we have to wait for the investigation in order to know if the alarm was disactivated.

The museum has been struggling with swelling crowds and stretched staff in recent months, with union representatives repeatedly warning about inadequate security coverage across the vast museum complex.







The post Louvre Reopens As Hunt Continues For Jewel Thieves appeared first on Travel Noire.
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Congressman Eli Crane (R-AZ) are pushing forward an effort to require proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration in future federal elections.

The initiative, backed by a letter from Cruz and Crane supporting a petition from the America First Legal Foundation, has recently gathered the support from several more Republican lawmakers, including Senators Ted Budd (North Carolina), Jim Banks (Indiana), Roger Marshall (Kansas), Cindy Hyde-Smith (Mississippi), John Cornyn (Texas), Marsha Blackburn (Tennessee), Ron Johnson (Wisconsin), and Bernie Moreno (Ohio).

The push for more voter reform comes at a time when concerns about election security are at the forefront of many Republicans minds.

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In the letter, Cruz and Crane argue that requiring documented proof of citizenship is a straightforward and necessary step to make sure that only eligible voters participate in federal elections.

Requiring documentary proof of citizenship is a simple, common-sense reform. Just as Americans are asked to show identification for far less consequential activitiesboarding an airplane, opening a bank account, or even attending certain eventsit is entirely reasonable to require proof of citizenship to participate in our elections, the letter reads. This step would not burden eligible voters but would provide an essential check to ensure that only citizens are added to the voter rolls.

The letter further claims that such a policy would strengthen the overall integrity of our elections, and also safeguard the voices of American citizens, while ensuring that every lawful vote is protected from being diluted by unlawful ballots.

The bicameral letter also claims that the current federal mandates simply fall short of protecting elections from voter fraud across the country.

The current federal form falls short. It relies solely on self-attestation of citizenship, allowing an applicant merely to check a box under penalty of perjury. This honor system offers no meaningful safeguard against ineligible individuals registering to vote, Cruz and Crane added.




GRANBY - Local school administrators failed to intervene after a middle school girl complained of long-running sexual harassment and bullying, then retaliated against the student after her family went to police, a recently filed lawsuit claims.

The lawsuit, filed on Sept. 11 against the town of Granby and the Granby Board of Education, claims the alleged sexual harassment occurred several times over the course of the 2023-24 school year at Granby Memorial Middle School.

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Granby Public Schools Superintendent Cheri P. Burke did not respond to requests for comment, nor did James G. Williams, the attorney representing the town in the case.

The initial incident happened on Sept. 15, 2023, when a male student and group of his friends "threatened to physically and sexually assault" the female student, the civil complaint alleges. Ten days later, the girl and her family filed a formal report with the school, resulting in a meeting with the school's Principal Heather Tanis and Assistant Principal Peter Bogen, the complaint said.

The suit claims the complaint eventually was "verified" and a safety plan was put into place in October 2023 that aimed to remove the female student from classes with the other students involved in the harassment.

But, the complaint says, the safety plan "was breached several times" over the course of the school year.

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In early December, the offending student and his friends "cornered" the young girl again and "attempted to block her from leaving the cafeteria, and made sexualized and threatening comments," according to the complaint.

Later in the school year, at a local dance held by the town's Youth Service Bureau, the student and his friends again cornered the girl and her friends, then verbally assaulted them with "sexualized and racist language" including expletive-laden terms, the complaint said. After the incident, the male students were warned not to have any further contact with the girl or her friends; however, they later "engaged in more bullying and harassing behavior ... when she and a friend walked outside to leave the dance," the complaint claims.

Following the incident at the dance, the girl's family decided to report it to the police, according to the complaint. The complaint further alleges that Tanis refused to document the incident because "the incident did not take place during a school event."

Police ultimately dropped the case after the school reported it "had taken it upon themselves to investigate and interview the students accused of wrongdoing," the complaint said. But the school never took any further action in case, according to the complaint.

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The family claims in the complaint that Burke informed them the school "was unable to take further action because Plaintiff's parents had reported the incident to police and because the incident did not occur on school ground."

Anthony Spinella, who represents the girl's family, wrote in the complaint that the actions described were tantamount to negligence on the town and school district's part.

The case, which is pending in the Hartford Judicial District, is scheduled for a remote hearing on Oct. 23.

This article originally published at CT school district failed to stop sexual harassment, bullying of middle school girl, lawsuit says.
A woman was extricated from a vehicle that reportedly rolled over and struck a utility pole in North Haven on Wednesday.

Crews responded to a report of the crash in the area of 1700 Hartford Turnpike just before 9:20 p.m. and found the vehicle on its side with the driver suspended by her seatbelt in need of rescue, according to the North Haven Fire Department.

Fire officials said that the pole was cracked in half and being held in place on the vehicle, creating an electrical hazard. Crews stabilized the vehicle and rescued the trapped driver, according to fire officials.

The woman was taken in an ambulance to a hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening.

The road was expected to be closed overnight while repairs were made to the pole.
New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo was roundly criticized on Wednesday for a released  and then quickly deleted  AI-generated attack ad that depicted one supporter of opponent Zohran Mamdani as a Black character shoplifting while in a keffiyeh and others as trespassers and abusers.

The ad, posted on social media during the second mayoral debate on Wednesday, began with Mamdani strolling through New York streets with a set of keys and eating rice with his hands. It then featured clips of AI-generated supporters  including pimps, drug dealers and drunken drivers  explaining why they supported Mamdani. It ended on Mamdani releasing a horde of criminals from a jail cell before flashing to images of a ravaged New York City in flames.

The clip was quickly deleted from Cuomos social media accounts but was re-uploaded by Zeteo reporter Prem Thakker. The reception was unflattering.

Well this is sad, MSNBCs The Weekend: Primetime co-host Antonia Hylton posted on X. And pretty racist.

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This is so gross and full of racist stereotypes, including a Black man dressed like a pimp trafficking a car full of white women, Shannon Watts, the co-founder of Moms Demand Action, wrote on X. Cuomo needs to be thrown in the ash heap of history.

Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi said in a statement the video was a draft proposal that was neither finished nor approved, did not go through the normal legal process, and was inadvertently posted by a junior staffer  which is why it was taken down five minutes later.

The video came just hours before Cuomo sat down with radio host Sid Rosenberg and asked him to just imagine Mamdani as mayor should another Sept. 11-like attack happen in the city.

Yeah, I could, Rosenberg responded. Hed be cheering.

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Thats another problem, Cuomo said with laughter.

Mamdani, who would be the first Muslim elected mayor of New York City, responded to the comments on X: Just disgusting.

Andrew Cuomos campaign just posted  and quickly deleted  this AI-generated ad depicting criminals for Zohran Mamdani.



Features a Black man in a keffiyeh shoplifting, an abuser, a trespasser, a trafficker, a drug dealer, and a drunk driver all declaring support for Mamdani. pic.twitter.com/kDR4UaMAvk  Prem Thakker (@prem_thakker) October 23, 2025

Azzopardi said the former governor was referring to Mamdanis April interview with the popular Twitch streamer Hasan Piker, who said in 2019 he believed America deserved the Sept. 11 attacks. Piker later said the comments were a misguided attempt at satire and were inappropriate, and Mamdani said during the first mayoral debate that Pikers comments were objectionable and reprehensible.

But he also defended his appearance with Piker, saying the Democrats remained in the political minority because they were looking only to speak to journalists and streamers and Americans with whom we agree on every single thing that they say.

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The episodes reflect the viciousness that has consumed the citys mayoral race since Mamdani pulled off his surprise victory over Cuomo in Junes Democratic primary. Cuomo later tried to reignite his electoral chances through a more aggressive run as an independent in July, one that has included multiple uses of AI to depict non-mayor jobs he was not skilled for and another that compared Mamdani to former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, another Cuomo enemy.

The moves have not amounted to much electoral success. The gulf between Mamdani and Cuomo is still vast in public polling, with Mamdani taking a double-digit lead in nearly all of them. And while current Mayor Eric Adams has dropped out, Republican opponent Curtis Sliwa has refused to exit the race to try and help Cuomo.

Im supposed to drop out for a loser who destroyed the state? Sliwa told Newsmax on Monday when asked about widespread calls to leave the race to boost Cuomos bid. And you want me to give him an opportunity to put the last nail in the coffin and destroy New York City, too?

Even President Donald Trump, a New York native who has derided all of the citys mayoral candidates, seems resigned to the likelihood of a Mamdani win. The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that Mamdani appeared unbeatable and that a Sliwa exit was not likely to boost Cuomos chances.

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He also told reporters on Tuesday that it looks like were gonna have a communist as the mayor of New York. (Mamdani has said he is a Democratic socialist but has denied claims hes a communist.)

But maybe, I dont know, if he dropped out, maybe Cuomo would have a little bit of a chance, but not much, because it looks like the lead is, its not a great lead, but its big enough that he should be able to win, Trump told reporters on Tuesday.





The post Cuomo Attacked for AI-Made Mamdani Ad With Racist Imagery of Pimp, Drunk and Wife Beater | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
Independent mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo came under fire Thursday over his role in an exchange during which conservative talk show host Sid Rosenberg said Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani, who is Muslim, would be cheering for a second 9/11.

As he sought to make a point about Mamdanis lack of experience, Cuomo posed the question:

God forbid, another 9/11 can you imagine Mamdani in the seat?

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Hed be cheering, Rosenberg replied.

Cuomo paused and appeared to laugh briefly as Rosenberg guffawed over his own comment.

Thats another problem, Cuomo continued.

Mamdani later excoriated the former governor over the exchange on Rosenbergs WABC radio show Sid & Friends in the Morning, saying Cuomos goal was to smear and slander.

He also slammed Rosenberg, who the candidate pointed out has called him an animal and a terrorist.

Were speaking about a former governor who  in his final moments in public life  is engaging in rhetoric that is not only Islamophobic, not only racist, its also disgusting, the candidate said at an unrelated press conference in Manhattan.

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It is both incredibly disappointing and yet not surprising, given how Andrew Cuomo has run this campaign and how little he thinks of the very people that he is also going to serve if he were to actually be a leader as a city.

Mamdani has spoken throughout the race about the attacks on him for his faith.

Mamdani pointed out that Cuomo, on the debate stage the night before, had spoken about bringing New Yorkers together and fighting division.

And then the next morning get on a radio show and say this kind of language, it shows both how hollow his commitments are by and how he is, in fact, the illustration of the very division he says that he would fight.

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The remarks come amid Cuomos push to capture the vote of conservative New Yorkers as he trails Mamdani in the polls.

Cuomo claimed later on Thursday, at a joint press conference with Mayor Adams to announce the mayors endorsement, that his comment to Rosenberg was not about 9/11 but Mamdanis ties to Hasan Piker and the streamers controversial 9/11 comments.

That was not clear on air, where Piker was not mentioned.

I said about 9/11 thats another problem, referring to what I have said repeatedly, which is I have a problem with the fact that Zohran pals around with Hassan Piker, who said America deserves 9/11,' Cuomo said.

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Mamdani condemned Pikers 9/11 remark during a TV appearance last week.

The former governors exchange with Rosenberg met with near-immediate backlash.

Time to get out of the gutter, said Gov. Hochul. Fearmongering, hate speech and Islamophobia are beneath New York  and everything we stand for as a state.

Rep. Ritchie Torres, a staunch supporter of Israel, wrote on social media that to insinuate that a mayoral candidate would celebrate a second 9/11 is beyond disgusting and disgraceful.

We all have a responsibility to lower the temperature and to restore a measure of civility to our public discourse, he said.

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All Cuomo has to offer is fear-mongering & hatred. They get enough of that from Donald Trump, Comptroller and Mamdani ally Brad Lander wrote on X.

As he seeks to close the gap between himself and Mamdani, Cuomo is looking to a broad range of constituencies for support. Cuomo and his allies, along with Rosenberg and WABC radio owner John Catsimatidis, have been pressing GOP candidate Curtis Sliwa to exit the race.

In Thursdays appearance, Cuomo sought to tie Sliwa to Mamdani, a democratic socialist on the opposite end of the political spectrum from Sliwa.

Whos your friend in cahoots with, Sid? the ex-governor asked the host.

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The Cuomo campaign also faced criticism for the release, and subsequent deletion, of an AI-generated advertisement that depicted Mamdani supporters as criminals, including video of a Black man in a keffiyeh shoplifting. A journalist recorded the video and posted it online after it was deleted by the campaign.

The video was a draft proposal that was neither finished nor approved, did not go through the normal legal process, and was inadvertently posted by a junior staffer  which is why it was taken down five minutes later, Azzopardi said in a statement.

At the endorsement press conference, Adams backed up Cuomo, saying hes, in part, endorsing the ex-governor because New York cant be Europe.

You see whats playing out in other countries because of Islamic extremism, said Adams, who dropped his own reelection bid last month as he was polling dead last in the mayoral race. Not Muslims, lets not mix this up, but those Islamic extremists that are burning churches in Nigeria, that are destroying communities in Germany, that have taken over the logical thinking, and thats what Im fighting for. Im fighting for the family of New York. Thats why Im here today to endorse Andrew Cuomo to be part of this fight.
New York Citys second mayoral debate did not pan out well for disgraced ex-Governor Andrew Cuomo, least of all when one of his accusers emerged from the crowd to prompt a question.

Charlotte Bennett was the second of 13 women to accuse Cuomo of sexually harassing them during his time in office. Bennett worked as an executive assistant and health policy adviser in the Cuomo administration, but left after the governor asked several unwelcome questions about her sex life and if she had ever been with an older man.

Bennett sued Cuomo in 2022 but eventually dropped the case. In April, she agreed to receive a settlement claim tied to separate litigation regarding Cuomos alleged harassment. But Cuomo has since said that he would sue Bennett for defamation, effectively silencing her during the mayoral race.

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Bennett was apparently invited to the debate hall Wednesday night by Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, and her presence forced one of Cuomos most contemptible scandals to center stage.

You sought to access her private gynecological records, Mamdani said, referring to actions that Cuomos legal team undertook as part of his defense. She cannot speak up for herself because you lodged a defamation case against her. I, however, can speak.

What do you say to the 13 women that you sexually harassed? Mamdani pressed, turning to face Cuomo as the crowd roared.

Despite months of bankrolled debate prep that quickly proved worthless, the former governors reply was remarkably underwhelming.

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Uhif you want to be in government, then you have to be serious and mature, Cuomo stammered, before noting that he had never been found criminally or civilly liable for his alleged behavior.

In the audience tonight is Charlotte Bennett, one of the 13 women that Andrew Cuomo is credibly alleged to have sexually harassed while they worked in his government.



She can't speak for herself because Cuomo's lawyers have hounded her.



So I confronted him. pic.twitter.com/dtlLY2xVKi  Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) October 23, 2025

Continuing the takedown of Cuomo into the next day, Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa followed up with his own zinger, telling reporters Thursday morning that if youre under 30, Cuomos always flirty.
NEW YORK  Andrew Cuomo suggested Thursday that his main rival in the race for New York City mayor would cheer if the 9/11 attacks happened again  a serious escalation in the war of words between the former governor and front-runner Zohran Mamdani.

Cuomo was speaking on a conservative-leaning radio show when he made the argument that Mamdani lacked the experience to lead the city if another terrorist attack happened.

Can you imagine Mamdani in the seat? Cuomo asked.

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"Yeah, I could," replied WABC radio host Sid Rosenberg, who called the Democratic nominee a terrorist earlier in the program. Hed be cheering.

Thats another problem, Cuomo said.

The former governors comments come as he trails Mamdani by double digits less than two weeks out from Election Day, with early voting set to kick off Saturday. In the hopes of hurriedly stitching together a viable coalition, Cuomo has ramped up efforts to pitch himself to Republicans as a more viable alternative than the GOP nominee, Curtis Sliwa  in part by appearing on programs like Rosenbergs.

His suggestion that Mamdani would welcome an attack on the city marked a new level of acrimony between the two that drew immediate condemnation from the democratic socialist, who would be the first Muslim mayor if elected on Nov. 4.

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This is disgusting, Mamdani said during a sitdown with PIX 11. This is Andrew Cuomos final moments in public life and hes choosing to spend them making racist attacks on the person who would be the first Muslim to lead this city.

Mamdani argued Cuomos remarks denigrated all Muslim New Yorkers. The Muslim community faced intrusive surveillance from the NYPD in the aftermath of 9/11, and the city was sued over that policy  a lawsuit it ultimately settled.

There are more than 1 million Muslims who live in New York City, and to have our faith be smeared and slandered by someone who at one point was considered a leader in the Democratic Party showcases the fact that bigotry and racism is not exclusively a Republican problem. It is also a problem within our own party, Mamdani said. It is time that we turned the page on Andrew Cuomo and on those that would tolerate this rhetoric from him.

Cuomos campaign said afterward that the former governor was referring to an April interview Mamdani did with streamer Hasan Piker, an influential voice on the left. Piker once said that America deserved 9/11 and has referred to Jews as inbred.

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"He was referring to Mamdani's close friend Hasan Piker, who said 'America deserved 9/11,' a statement 9/11 families called on Zohran Mamdani to denounce but he refused for months, Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi said in a statement. This is not new  the Governor held a press conference along with 9/11 families to denounce Mamdani's association with and refusal to denounce Piker's hateful comments.

Piker, who later said his 9/11 comments were inappropriate, was not mentioned during the Thursday morning interview between Rosenberg and Cuomo. Mamdani denounced Pikers 9/11 comments as objectionable and reprehensible during a debate last week.

As Cuomo continues to lag in the polls, he said Thursday morning that Republican voters will play a key role in whether he is able to advance within striking distance of Mamdani.

The Republican voter is going to make the difference here, right? We know that, Cuomo said.

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While the governor has had mixed results with his overtures across the aisle  all five GOP county chairs have reiterated their support for Sliwa  he did pick up the endorsement of the Staten Island Advance on Thursday, a paper serving the largest concentration of Republicans in the city.

In pursuit of his goal, the former governor has been leaning back into messaging focused on law and order and Mamdanis rhetoric around Israel  themes reminiscent of the early part of his primary campaign.

The Democratic Party is a law-and-order party. It's a pro-business party, pro-growth party, pro-jobs party, that's the Democratic Party, Cuomo said during a speech earlier this week. So it's getting Democrats to come and vote for me, even though I'm not on the Democratic line, and Republicans not to vote for Curtis Sliwa because hes not viable.

To that end, during Wednesday nights debate, Cuomo doubled down on highlighting Mamdanis longstanding criticism of Israel. At one point, the former governor suggested Mamdani was applying a double standard to the Jewish state by calling for economic sanctions against it while not doing so against Uganda for its anti-LGBTQ+ laws. Mamdani is a dual citizen of the United States and Uganda.

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Cuomos campaign also released an AI-generated ad during the debate that purported to show criminals  including a Black shoplifter wearing a keffiyeh  endorsing the Democratic nominee. Mamdani is portrayed at one point eating rice with his hands and unlocking a jail cell full of detainees before speaking to the camera and suggesting he doesnt have enough experience.

The ad, which drew immediate criticism from left-leaning voices for employing racist stereotypes, was pulled shortly afterward.

The video was a draft proposal that was neither finished nor approved, did not go through the normal legal process, and was inadvertently posted by a junior staffer  which is why it was taken down five minutes later, Azzopardi said in a statement.
Gangsters running vast scam centres in Myanmar are killing enslaved workers and dumping their bodies in rivers, an investigation has found.

Hundreds of thousands of people are feared to be trapped in the compounds after being trafficked from their home countries and smuggled into the country, often against their will.

Once inside, they are barred from leaving and forced to work long days running cyber scams until they can pay off their debt  an inflated sum supposedly based on the cost of trafficking them. If they fail to make enough, they are tortured and, in some cases, killed.

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The scam targets can be anywhere in the world, including Britain. A 2023 UN report found that more than $37bn had been stolen by people in south-east Asias scam centres.

A villager in Thailand, close to the border with Myanmar, described finding a body feared to be a scam-centre slave in the Moei River. He told local news outlets: He was dead in the water, facing down. He had white skin, a soldier-style haircut, and was overweight. We saw this with our own eyes.

Soldiers with Starlink internet devices seized in a raid on KK Park scam centre in Myanmar - AP

It is impossible to know how many people have been killed at the scam centres, but an investigation by Myanmar Now and Prachatai, has shed light on what goes on inside the criminal enterprises.

Most of those who are trafficked to the centres believe they are signing up for a different job when they first apply, such as a customer service role or computer operator. They are usually flown to Bangkok, where they are driven north-west to a point along the Moei River then smuggled into Myanmar.

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For years, reports have surfaced describing the inhumane conditions inside the centres, from forced starvation to organ harvesting, all while those trapped inside earn little to no money.

A former compound guard told investigators: Security guards like me werent treated badly, but if the higher-ups ordered us to beat someone, we had to do it. If we refused, they couldnt trust us  but those willing to follow orders had to carry out the torture. They made us watch the victims being brutalised.

Dead bodies on display as a lesson

The ex-guard explained that those who failed to meet their scam quotas more than once were beaten and those who tried to escape were thrown in a dark room with no food or water. If they tried to escape a second time, they risk being killed on the spot.

They added: The bosses brought the dead bodies and displayed them in front of the buildings as a lesson. Everyone was forced to watch. This is what happens if you run, they would say. Sometimes the bodies were put in coffins and buried, but more often they were just thrown into the river.

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One group of approximately 600 scammers managed to escape from the KK Park complex in Myawaddy on Thursday morning following a police raid and cross into Thailand, but most arent this fortunate. A young man was killed a day after he called his mother for help, according to a source.

Hundreds of suspected scam slaves escaped after the KK Park complex in Myawaddy, Myanmar, was raided - AFP

Most of those lured to work in the scam compounds are from Asia, although there have been an increasing number identified from African, South American and even European countries.

The scam compounds are mostly run by Chinese gangsters with help from local Myanmar militias that provide security and help to facilitate cross-border travel in exchange for a portion of the profits.

China has repeatedly pushed for Myanmar to crack down on the centres, given that Chinese nationals are so heavily involved in the industry both as victims and perpetrators.

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On Oct 14, the UK and US announced sweeping sanctions against the Prince Group, one of the largest international crime networks perpetrating scams across south-east Asia.

There have also been raids on the compounds, including one earlier this week by the Myanmar military in which more than 2,000 people were detained.

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A Washington, D.C., resident who was handcuffed and detained in September for mocking National Guard soldiers by playing "The Imperial March" from Star Wars on his cellphone is suing the soldiers and police officers for their stormtrooper-like behavior.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of D.C. filed a federal lawsuit today on behalf of Sam O'Hara, arguing that his detention violated his First and Fourth Amendment rights by cutting off his peaceful protest.

"The law might have tolerated government conduct of this sort a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away," O'Hara's lawsuit states. "But in the here and now, the First Amendment bars government officials from shutting down peaceful protests, and the Fourth Amendment (along with the District's prohibition on false arrest) bars groundless seizures."

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After President Donald Trump deployed National Guard troops to D.C., O'Hara began following National Guard soldiers around playing "The Imperial March" on his cell phone as a form of protest. His lawsuit says O'Hara wanted "to encourage the public to view the deployment as a waste of tax dollars, a needless display of force, and a surreal danger."

According to his lawsuit, on September 11, O'Hara was tailing four Ohio National Guard soldiers and doing his usual bit.

"Less than two minutes after the protest began," the lawsuit says, "Sgt. [Devon] Beck turned around and said, 'Hey man, if you're going to keep following us, we can contact Metro PD and they can come handle you if that's what you want to do. Is that what you want to do?'"

O'Hara allegedly did not respond but continued to follow, at which point the Empire decided to strike back.

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Beck called the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) of Washington, D.C. The lawsuit claims that shortly after several MPD cars arrived. The MPD officers allegedly accused O'Hara of harassing the soldiers, and they detained and handcuffed him.

When O'Hara argued that he was engaged in protest, one of the MPD officers allegedly responded, "That's not a protest. You better define protest. This isn't a protest. You are not protesting."

However, recording and mocking law enforcement are both firmly protected by the First Amendment, as long as one doesn't interfere with their duties.

Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan Jr. wrote in 1987, in a ruling striking down a Houston ordinance that made it unlawful to oppose or interrupt a police officer, that "the freedom of individuals verbally to oppose or challenge police action without thereby risking arrest is one of the principal characteristics by which we distinguish a free nation from a police state."

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To put it another way, if you act like an autocratic villain when someone compares you to an autocratic villain, you just might be an autocratic villain.

According to his lawsuit, O'Hara was released after 15 to 20 minutes without charges.

"Armed National Guard should not be policing D.C. residents as we walk around our neighborhoods," O'Hara said in an ACLU of D.C. press release. "It was important to me not to normalize this dystopian occupation. Instead of respecting my right to protest, police officers handcuffed me so tightly my wrists were still marked and sore the next day. This shows the danger of deploying troops onto American streets: it puts all our basic rights at risk."

The post A D.C. Man Was Arrested for Mocking National Guard Troops with Star Wars' 'Imperial March.' Now He's Suing. appeared first on Reason.com.
This story was originally published on Grocery Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Grocery Dive newsletter.

Dive Brief:

Southeastern Grocers is rebranding to The Winn-Dixie Company in early 2026, the company announced Tuesday.

The name change signals the companys renewed focus on Florida as it aims to expand its footprint in the states northern region as well as select Georgia markets, according to the press release. However, Southeastern Grocers is offloading most of its locations outside of Florida as part of this transition.

The Winn-Dixie Company will focus on growing through targeted acquisitions and new store investments, some of which are already underway.

Dive Insight:

At a time when Winn-Dixie is at the center of numerous divestiture and acquisition deals  including with Aldi, Food City and Brookshire Grocery  the banners parent company is looking to consolidate its own operations under the famous Florida grocers name.

Acquisitions will play a prominent role in this next growth period, the company said. Southeastern Grocers finalized an agreement to acquire Hitchcocks Markets three stores, which are located in Alachua, Keystone Heights and Williston, Florida. Those stores will be converted to the Winn-Dixie banner format, with the Williston storefront slated to reopen in December while the other two will debut by summer 2026.

In keeping with its focus on growing in Florida, Southeastern Grocers is transitioning ownership of most of its locations outside the Sunshine State, according to the announcement. This includes the company selling eight Harveys Supermarkets and 32 Winn-Dixie stores across Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi. The closures are expected to be completed by the end of this year, and all banner transitions finalized by early 2026.

In recent months, Winn-Dixie has announced several store divestitures, including selling three Alabama stores to Food City, two Louisiana stores to Brookshire Grocery and dozens of Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, as well as Florida, locations to Aldi.

The company noted that it will remain in southern Georgia with stores in Brunswick, Folkston, Lake Park, St. Simons and Valdosta.

After these transactions close, The Winn-Dixie Company will operate around 130 traditional grocery stores and 140 freestanding and grocery-adjacent liquor stores across Florida and southern Georgia, per the announcement.

The company has already planned and commenced dozens of store remodels and new store projects that focus on modernizing stores as well as improving the customer experience by making them community-centered, according to the press release. Southeastern Grocers is also growing its private label assortment, testing customer convenience options such as third-party powered delivery and return kiosks, and expanding its liquor store portfolio with innovative formats, the announcement added.
Oct. 23Old Town is coming alive to honor the dead with a 10-day Dia de los Muertos celebration running Friday, Oct. 24, through Sunday, Nov. 2.

The event culminates in Old Town transforming into a Plaza de los Recuerdos on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2. The community can sign up for a 6-by-6-foot spot and build an ofrenda in the plaza.

J.J. Mancini, president of the Historic Old Town Association, said last year the event had about 20 ofrendas and they expect up to 75 this year. He said it gives opportunities for various types of ofrendas, which are offerings placed in an altar honoring a deceased loved one.

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"If you have 20 different ofrendas, you probably have 20 different reasons," Mancini said.

"That's the goal of ofrendas, to think of those loved ones who have gone before us," Mancini said. "Or who we've lost, and continue to keep their memories of who they were and who they are alive."

The ofrendas will be blessed by Mario Del Angel Guevara, a practitioner of traditional healing known as a curandero.

"There seemed to be a large community outpouring and desire for the ability to celebrate Dia de los Muertos by building ofrendas in a very public fashion like this," Mancini said. "And because it is free, because it is community-led, we figured this would be the next natural progression, if we could get a community leader to also come and bless the ofrendas."

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Aside from a blessing by Del Angel Guevara, events include a Catrina procession, a candlelight procession and more traditional events for the community.

"As a community, we're trying to celebrate this event as culturally authentic as possible," Mancini said.

He said that while keeping to traditional Mexican traditions, they also incorporate elements of New Mexico into the celebration.

"One of the kinds of New Mexican flavor pieces is we're doing a little globitos ... So we take over North Plaza Street and in front of the church," Mancini said.

"What is New Mexican candlelight, or Albuquerque candlelight? It's a tiny, little hot air balloon."

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The Globitos Candlelight Glow will be on the street and church courtyard on Saturday, Oct. 25, Sunday, Oct. 26, and Thursday, Oct. 30, according to the Old Town website.

Mancini said he finds that Western culture doesn't give a healthy opportunity to remember the dead, but the celebration of Dia de los Muertos does, especially in New Mexico.

"I think because of our culture and our background in our history, there are a lot of people who are more willing to celebrate Dia de los Muertos in more of a traditional way," Mancini said.

The Historic Old Town Association is not the only group behind the celebration. San Felipe de Neri Catholic School and Escuela del Sol Montessori contribute to a community ofrenda in the gazebo. Additionally, merchants and homeowners build and place ofrendas in their portales, among other activities.

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"This is the community's event, as in, we're planning some of the elements, but the event itself kind of gets created by the community," Mancini said.

The San Felipe de Neri Church will serve as the starting place for the Dance of the Matachines and host a screening of "Coco" in the Hidden Courtyard.

Aside from the events, Mancini said the area is covered in decorations, including a statue of La Catrina, a tree of life, papel picado and marigolds.

"We want to give plenty of opportunities for people to come out and experience the decorations and the sculptures and the ofrendas," Mancini said.

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Mancini said that the event is to give the community a way to remember their loved ones.

"Not just in the light of morning," he said, "but also in celebration and memory. Keeping them alive in our minds."
SPRINGFIELD  A 19-year-old city man is being locked up as a danger to the public because of multiple violent criminal incidents in the past year, law enforcement officials say.

Malachi Williams allegedly participated in a shooting at Union Station, attacked a pregnant woman, committed an armed carjacking, and broke into an apartment building on Elliot Street. All of the incidents occurred this year, according to a statement from the Hampden District Attorneys Office.

At a dangerousness hearing on Oct. 14, a District Court judge reviewed each of the incidents and determined Williams should be held without the right to bail.

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This defendant has repeatedly demonstrated a willingness to endanger others and a complete disregard for the law, said DA Anthony Gulluni.

The first incident, the shooting at Union Station, occurred on March 25. Two juveniles were charged in the case, and further investigation found that Williams helped the shooter by carrying the firearm in a bag and swapping jackets to conceal the shooters identity, the DAs Office said.

Surveillance footage showed Williams and others approaching the victim and challenging him to fight before firing off shots.

The shooting occurred around 3:48 p.m. in a busy public area, placing numerous bystanders at risk a statement from the DAs Office said.

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On May 29, Chicopee police responded to a report on Meetinghouse Road that a man was being aggressive toward a woman.

The victim told police that Williams broke a window at her home, shoved her, took her phone and threatened that he would have her house shot up, the DAs statement said.

Williams was charged with assault and battery on a pregnant woman, assault and battery on a family member and other offenses in Chicopee District Court.

In July, Williams was arrested in connection with an armed carjacking in Springfield. Springfield police responded to Ladd Street and Eastern Avenue after reports of a crash involving a vehicle that was stolen earlier in the afternoon.

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When police arrived, they found Williams near the scene. Police said he was uncooperative and was only wearing one sneaker, officials said.

A loaded, large-capacity firearm without a serial number was found on the drivers seat of the stolen car. Williams matching sneaker was recovered between the brake and accelerator, and a ski mask and shirt were also recovered, the DAs statement said.

The victim of the stolen car reported that three people wearing black clothing and ski masks, one of them armed, ordered him out of his car, law enforcement officials said.

After that, Williams allegedly cut off his court-ordered GPS monitoring device in August, which led to him being wanted on multiple warrants.

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On Sept. 30, Springfield police saw Williams near Pearl Street. Williams allegedly fled to a nearby apartment building on Elliot Street when officers approached him.

Williams then broke into an apartment building, police said. They followed him, made a forced entry into an unoccupied apartment and arrested Williams, officials said.

His next court date is scheduled for Nov. 18.

All of the cases remain under investigation by the Springfield Police Department, Chicopee Police Department and the Hampden District Attorneys Offices Violent Crimes Unit.

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The Dallas City Council voted Wednesday to elevate Darrell Christopher Herbert, a longtime City employee, to vice chair of the City Plan and Zoning Commission (CPC)  one of the Citys most influential volunteer boards.

The 87 vote came from Council Members Gay Donnell Willis, Chad West, Zarin Gracey, Maxie Johnson, Jaime Resendez, Adam Bazaldua, Paula Blackmon, and Kathy Stewart.

Herbert has worked for the City of Dallas since 2017 and currently serves as Manager of Water Utility IT. His dual role as both a City employee and CPC vice chair has prompted questions from residents and ethics watchdogs about whether the appointment violates the Citys own conflict-of-interest provisions.

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Critics say Herberts salary effectively means taxpayers are paying for him twice  once for his full-time job and again for the hours he spends at CPC meetings, briefings, and internal committee sessions held during regular business hours. They also question who performs his day-to-day duties while he attends commission meetings that often run most of the day.

Public trust in the CPC has already been strained.

Earlier this year, The Dallas Express reported that longtime CPC Chair Tony Shidid served more than 4 years beyond the boards 8-year term limitan overstay that drew sharp criticism from residents and media outlets. City Code Section 8-1.4(2) limits members to four consecutive two-year terms, underscoring the importance of transparency and accountability.

This isnt just about Darrell Herbert, said Dallas watchdog Damien LeVeck (@DallasEnFuego on X). Its another example of City Hall ignoring the ethics rules meant to keep it honest  and no one whos been watching is surprised.

The Dallas City Code and municipal ethics standards set clear expectations that board and commission members remain independent from City employment to maintain public trust.

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Under Chapter 8, which governs boards and commissions, appointees must meet qualification standards that prevent conflicts of interest and preserve independence. Section 8-1.4 warns against appointments that could create a conflict of interest or otherwise compromise the boards neutrality.

Section 8-1.4 further specifies that appointees must not be an employee or a business associate of either an adversary party or a representative of an adversary party, nor have a pecuniary interest, in any pending litigation or claim, other than an eminent domain proceeding, against the city relating to the board on which the appointee will serve or the department providing support services to that board  disqualification of an appointee under this subparagraph may not be waived.

While this clause primarily addresses adversarial relationships, ethics observers say it reflects the Citys broader intentto prevent any situation in which an appointees City employment could compromise a boards independence or the publics confidence in its impartiality.

The Code of Ethics (Chapter 12A) also emphasizes impartiality and integrity.

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Section 12A-4(a)(1) requires that city officials and employees shall operate with integrity in a manner that merits the trust and support of the public. Section 12A-4(a)(6) instructs officials to carefully consider the public perception of personal and professional actions and the effect such actions could have on the citys reputation.

City attorneys and ethics officers have historically interpreted these rules to mean city employees should not hold advisory or oversight roles that could influence other City departments or programs, a situation some critics say Herberts appointment directly creates.

Ethics provisions further highlight that independent advice from boards and commissions is essential to the public decision-making process. City Council staff are expressly barred from serving on boards, and critics argue that the same standard should apply to any City employee whose board recommendations could affect their own departments operations or funding.

As Manager of Water Utility IT, Herbert is part of the same municipal structure whose land-use, zoning, and infrastructure decisions are shaped by CPC recommendations. Even if he recuses himself from cases touching Dallas Water Utilities, ethics experts say his presence undermines the commissions perception of neutrality.

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Independence isnt just about avoiding actual bias, said an ethics lawyer consulted by The Dallas Express. Its about protecting the appearance of impartiality. When the public sees a City employee serving in a decision-making capacity, it erodes confidence that boards and commissions are acting independently of City Hall.

The Code of Ethics explicitly warns against any appearance of impropriety that could erode public confidence in the integrity of city government.

Council Member Cara Mendelsohn, who has previously criticized potential conflicts on city boards, told The Dallas Express that City employees are hired to carry out the will of the city council. Allowing staff to serve on city volunteer boards or commissions blurs the line between implementing policy and shaping it, which could create a possible conflict of interest.

Supporters of Herberts appointment argue that the City Code does not explicitly prohibit employees from serving on volunteer boards and commissions. They contend that since Herbert is not an adversary party to the City, his service does not violate the letter of the law. They also note that his technical background at Dallas Water Utilities brings valuable expertise to planning and zoning discussions, potentially improving coordination among departments.

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Others contend that the Code of Ethics already provides mechanisms for recusing from potential conflicts of interest, meaning Herbert could abstain from voting on matters related to his department if necessary. They further emphasize that commission service is unpaid and conducted in public meetings, which they argue ensures transparency and prevents undue influence.

As Dallas continues to grapple with questions of transparency and accountability, Herberts appointment has reignited debate over the independence of City oversight bodies  raising the question: How independent can oversight be when its on the Citys own payroll?
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The president of the Alamo Trust, which manages the historic site, resigned after Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called on her to do as much over views she expressed in a doctoral dissertation in 2023 suggesting she disagrees with Republican leaders.

Kate Rogers said Friday that she had submitted her resignation Thursday with mixed emotions following a letter that Patrick sent the Alamo Trusts board of directors about Rogers writings that he said were incompatible with the telling of the history of the battle of the Alamo.

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It became evident through recent events that it was time for me to move on. I am incredibly proud of the team we built and the work we did together over the past 4 and a half years, Rogers said. I remain grateful to the board for this incredible opportunity that enabled me to grow both personally and professionally and to our states leadership and the Legislature for their generous support.

Later Friday the Alamo Trust board announced former Secretary of State Hope Andrade would be the organizations next president and chief executive. Neither Alamo Trust officials or a spokesperson returned requests for comment sent Friday via email and text.

In the excerpt of her dissertation that Patrick posted on social media, Rogers described the competing politics of Republican state leaders, who want the 1836 battle to be the primary focus of the Alamos redevelopment, and of local officials from Bexar County and the City of San Antonio, who have pushed for the project to tell the full story of the site including its beginning as a home to Indigenous people.

Personally, I would love to see the Alamo become a beacon for historical reconciliation and a place that brings people together versus tearing them apart, wrote Rogers, who was serving as the Alamo Trusts executive director at the time, but politically that may not be possible at this time.

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She added, for all these reasons, I had to be very careful with my study and its implications as it could have negative consequences for the Alamo project, as well as my job.

In her EdD dissertation, which examined the role of historic sites and museums in supporting social studies instruction in K-12 classrooms, Rogers also described the conservative agenda of the 2023 legislative session. She noted bills that ban educators from teaching Critical Race Theory, and prohibited the discussion of slavery. And she discussed the book, Forget the Alamo, which argued that maintaining chattel slavery was a primary motivator in the Texas fight for independence.

Perhaps the biggest dilemma for me as a researcher  had to do with my own political views and my current environment, Rogers wrote. Philosophically, I do not believe it is the role of politicians to determine what professional educators can or should teach in the classroom. Instead, teachers should be afforded the autonomy to make those decisions based on their own expertise as well as the needs of their students.

Patricks successful call for Rogers ouster was just the latest flashpoint in a long-running debate over how the story of the Alamo should be presented. Republican state leaders have largely demanded the site remain focused on the 13-day siege and legendary 1836 Battle of the Alamo, rejecting broader narratives that address the Indigenous people of the area and consider the role slavery played in the Texas Revolution.

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Patricks urging was also the most recent instance of Republican state leaders moving to oust people from their jobs over perceived differences in political ideology. A handful of professors, administrators and students at public universities in Texas have been fired or expelled over the past few months after conservative lawmakers seized on evidence that they had mocked the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk or discussed LGBTQ issues in classroom settings.

In a statement Thursday, Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, urged the board of the Alamo Trust to give Rogers all due consideration and the full opportunity to contextualize her writings.

Alamo Trust President and CEO Dr. Kate Rogers has done the unimaginable: As recently as yesterday, indicators have shown the Alamo Plan is on time and on budget, all with Dr. Rogers at the helm, Martinez Fischer said.

The roughly $500 million restoration and expansion of the Alamo includes a new museum and visitor center, which is slated to open in 2027 and include eight galleries that cover the history of the Alamo from its Indigenous context through the Battle of the Alamo and its legacy in Texas.

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In 2015, the General Land Office  which oversees the Alamo  Bexar County and the City of San Antonio agreed to a set of guiding principles that include telling the entire history of the Alamo area and embracing the continuum of history to foster understanding and healing.

In his letter to the board, Patrick wrote that, of course the entire story of the Alamo will be told, but the overriding emphasis must be on the 13 Days of Glory, as nearly 200 men gave their lives to defend liberty and freedom for Texas.

He added that he would continue to defend the Alamo today against a rewrite of history.
DANVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56)  The statue in Danvilles Constitution Square depicts two men shaking hands, honoring the state motto that United we stand, divided we fall.

But unity was a long time coming, as members of a local political club joined other pioneers to meet 10 times in Danville between 1784 and 1792. They gathered to craft a constitution for Kentucky to break away from Virginia and often hashed out their differences at Graysons Tavern.

Read more Spirit of the Bluegrass stories

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Its the type of place that attracts ghost hunters, such as the members of 859 Paranormal Research.

Theres got to be something here, said Justin Petrey of Danville.

In 2023, the group spent the night in the 240-year-old tavern. Petery and others say they heard footsteps and voices, even though there was no one else in the building.

It sounded like a discussion, which could lead back to those political discussions from the early club, Petrey said. I cant explain it.

The group members also asked out loud that any spirits in the room make themselves known by using a ball that lights up when touched. It did light up, which a reporter for the local newspaper, The Advocate-Messenger, captured on video. It gave the researchers a thrill.

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Kentucky mans reputation for making peanut butter is spreading

Thats what I want to happen, said Kayla Snow, a member of 859 Paranormal Research.  I want to be freaked out. That way I can be like, this happened, and I get to tell all the stories.

There are a lot of stories to tell in a city this old, and tourism officials say there are plans to develop a ghost tour. Paranormal tourism has become a multi-billion-dollar business around the world.

If you talk to people at the courthouse or some of these buildings downtown, theyve either passed on stories from years past or experienced things themselves. You just got to walk around and talk to them to find the story, Kendall Clinton, executive director of the Danville-Boyle County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said.

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Another site that could interest ghost hunters is the former Henson Hotel, which sits just across the street from Constitution Square. Its abandoned now, but in the early and mid-1900s, a lot of strange things happened there. At least one guest jumped to his death from the top floor, a manager saved a man who tried to hang himself in a closet, and another man purposely set his mattress on fire. The ghost hunters say such events cause negative energy to linger at a site.

MORE SPIRIT OF THE BLUEGRASS:

The experiences were written down in 1978 by Celia Bloch Henson, who ran the hotel largely by herself while her husband worked as a Federal Revenue Agent, a job that kept him away for long periods of time.

There have been reports of a ghostly woman roaming the halls of the old hotel. She appears to be a friendly caretaker who wants to calm the nerves of those who might be frightened. Heather Henson believes if there is a presence there, its probably that of her grandmother, Celia, who never met a stranger.

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Petrey welcomes the idea of creating a local ghost walk. Its not the stories you get in textbooks at school, he said. Its stories that are passed downlegends, tales, that sort of thing is what theyll learn.

While a lot of us would prefer not to encounter a ghost, tourism officials know there are plenty of people who would have a different reaction. Kendall said people who come seeking a paranormal experience would also learn other things about the areas history and visit other attractions, such as the Ephraim McDowell House or the Civil War battlefield at Perryville. He said almost every building on Merchants Row in Perryville comes with a ghost story.

The paranormal researchers are also interested in doing more investigation at the old jail on Constitution Square. It once housed the infamous Harpe Brothers, known as the nations first serial killers. They escaped in 1799.

Marvin Bartlett talks Spirit of the Bluegrass book

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It doesnt matter whether youre a believer or a skeptic. Officials say its all about storytelling. There are 250 years of mystery and history around the square, and the creepy past could come to light in Danville after dark.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA)  A Danville man was found guilty Thursday of illegally possessing a firearm that was found in the womens bathroom at a bar in 2023.

On Oct. 23, a Vermilion County jury found 42-year-old William Coleman guilty of the following charges:

Unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, a Class 3 Felony

Aggravated unlawful use of a weapon  No FOID, a Class 4 Felony

Aggravated unlawful use of a weapon  No conceal carry license, a Class 4 Felony.

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Danville man sentenced to 13 1/2 years on meth charges

This case was prosecuted by Assistant States Attorneys Jake Klein and Daniel Reynolds. The trial was presided over by Judge Mark S. Goodwin.

The People presented evidence that on Jan. 29, 2023, at a bar on North Vermilion Street, Danville Police responded to a report that a handgun had been found inside the womens restroom. Security footage positively identified Coleman walking into the womens restroom.

Following a thorough investigation by the Danville Police Department and lab testing by the Illinois State Police Crime Lab, results confirmed Colemans DNA on the trigger of the gun.

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The People also presented to the jury that additional charges were filed against Coleman in a separate case for communication with a witness, a Class 3 Felony. The witness testified that on Sept. 15, Coleman grabbed her by the arm at the same bar on North Vermilion Street and talked to her about his pending case where she is a witness.

Danvilles former HR administrator files lawsuit against city, mayor

She then testified that Coleman told her to plead the fifth and say she was drunk. Officers collected security footage that confirmed the witness statements. This case is pending, and a status hearing is scheduled for Dec. 18.

Vermilion County States Attorney Jacqueline Lacy and Assistant States Attorneys Klein and Reynolds thanked the witness for coming forward to initially report the gun and for continuing to cooperate following the additional report. They also thanked the Danville Police Department for their investigation.

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We thank the members of the jury for their time, careful attention to the evidence and for their service to our community, Lacy said.

A sentencing hearing for the Danville bar incident Coleman was found guilty in has also been scheduled for Dec. 18.

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DANVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56)  A Danville man pleaded not guilty to human trafficking charges on Monday.

According to an arrest citation, on Oct. 17, 53-year-old Michael D. Lopez, of Danville, messaged a Harrodsburg police officer who was pretending to be a 15-year-old girl.

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Lopez allegedly offered to trade marijuana for sex, sent explicit images, and discussed spending the night with the decoy.

The officer reported that they told Lopez early that they were 15 years old and had a 2009 birthday on their Facebook profile.

The citation said Lopez sent his son in a white van to pick up the girl at Old Fort Harrod State Park.

When he arrived, he was detained by police and reportedly told police he was there to pick up his fathers 23-year-old girlfriend.

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Lopez later called dispatch to tell them his son had been mugged at the park, per the citation.

When police arrived at Lopezs home, he allegedly admitted to talking to the profile but said she was older than 15.

While in custody, he allegedly made sexually charged comments, including saying, Wheres that girl at? Id like to get one more before I go away, according to the citation.

Lopez was arrested and charged with human traffickingcommercial sexual activity (victim less than 18) and procuring or promoting the use of a minor.

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According to court documents, a not guilty plea was entered at his arraignment at Mercer County District Court. Lopez is scheduled for a pretrial hearing at 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 30.

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Lopez is being held on a $100,000 bond at Jessamine County Detention Center.

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WASHINGTON (AP)  A man who says he was detained by police for following an Ohio National Guard patrol while playing Darth Vader's theme song from Star Wars on his phone sued the District of Columbia on Thursday, claiming the officers violated his constitutional rights.

Sam O'Hara's federal lawsuit says the ominous orchestral music of The Imperial March is the soundtrack for his peaceful protests against President Donald Trump's deployment of Guard members in Washington, D.C. Millions of TikTok users have viewed O'Hara's videos of his interactions with troops, according to the suit, filed by American Civil Liberties Union attorneys.

OHara, a 35-year-old Washington resident, says he didnt interfere with the Ohio National Guard troops during their Sept. 11 encounter on a public street. One of the troops summoned Metropolitan Police Department officers, who stopped O'Hara and kept him handcuffed for 15 to 20 minutes before releasing him without charges, according to the lawsuit.

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The law might have tolerated government conduct of this sort a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. But in the here and now, the First Amendment bars government officials from shutting down peaceful protests, his lawsuit says.

O'Hara also sued four MPD officers and the Guard member who called them to the scene. The suit accuses them of violating his First Amendment rights to free speech and his Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable seizures and excessive force. O'Hara is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.

O'Hara, an artist who works in the hospitality industry, said he was looking for a humorous and creative way to protest what he views as a military occupation.

It feels surreal and dystopian, he told The Associated Press. When I see armed troops at our farmers markets and outside of my favorite restaurants and my dog park, I dont think, Oh, wow, I feel safe. I think: 'These feel like Stormtroopers. I feel like Im living in a Star Wars episode or movie, and this is like an invading, dark force.'"

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Spokespeople for Mayor Muriel Bowser's office and the police department declined to comment on the suit's claims. The MPD spokesperson said the four officers named as defendants all remain on full duty. A spokesperson for the Ohio National Guard didn't immediately respond to emails seeking comment.

In August, Trump, a Republican, issued an executive order declaring a crime emergency in Washington. Within a month, more than 2,300 National Guard troops from eight states and the district were patrolling the city under the command of the secretary of the Army. Trump also deployed hundreds of federal agents to assist in patrols.

Trump's law enforcement surge has inflamed tensions with residents of the heavily Democratic district. District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb has sued Trump to end it.

O'Hara's lawsuit says he became deeply concerned about the normalization of troops patrolling D.C. neighborhoods.

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To many District residents, the deployment constituted an attack on D.C.s autonomy and a dangerous departure from the Nations tradition of barring troops from policing civilians, the suit says.

O'Hara had staged and recorded other Star Wars-themed protests against Guard deployments. The troops mostly ignored him, the suit says.

On Sept. 11, O'Hara was returning home from work when he began following four armed Guard members from Ohio. Less than two minutes later, one of the troops warned him that he would summon police officers to handle him if he kept following them, according to the suit.

The police officers who arrived minutes later accused O'Hara of harassing the troops, which he denied. They detained him without conducting any investigation and ignored his complaints that the handcuffs were too tight, the suit alleges.

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Mr. OHara brings this suit to ensure accountability, secure compensation for his injuries, and vindicate core constitutional guarantees, the suit says.

The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly, who was nominated to the bench by Trump.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The soldiers and airmen stood at the back of the black minivan, arming themselves  with black garbage bags and red-handled trash pickers  and headed for the park around the recreation center.

For the Washington, D.C., contingent of the National Guard deployed to the nation's capital, it marked their 119th beautification project since the unit was called up in August as part of President Donald Trump's federal law enforcement intervention. Their work has included cleaning graffiti in parks, picking up trash and refurbishing a recreation center. There are plans to help a school reading program in an often overlooked area of the city.

The hundreds of National Guard troops still deployed to the city  at times armed  have unnerved some residents, who see in them the manifestation of presidential overreach on law enforcement. And while there is deep mistrust over the motives of the overall deployment, others view the Guard in Washington, especially its local contingent's focus on community improvement efforts, with a measure of approval.

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Im glad for the help, said Sabir Abdul, 68, a resident who regularly cleans the trash and debris in the park around the Fort Stevens Recreation Center in Northwest D.C. They have lives, but now they are here, helping us.

The mixed feelings over the Guard deployment have forced local officials to strike a balance between opposing what they see as a flagrant violation of the citys already limited autonomy and the acknowledgment that the district could use the help that at least the D.C. National Guard contingent has been providing.

A lawsuit filed by D.C.s attorney general challenging the deployment  part of a wave of legal action in multiple cities facing their own federal law enforcement interventions  will be heard on Friday.

The Guard deployment in DC is among several around the country

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Hundreds of National Guard troops have been in Washington, D.C., since Trump issued an emergency order in August, which launched what he said was a crime-fighting mission that also included the federal takeover of the local police department. The order expired last month, but the roughly 2,000 National Guard troops from D.C. and eight states remain in the city, with most contingents saying they plan to withdraw by the end of November.

The troops have become a fixture of the city, patrolling metro stations and neighborhoods and supporting other federal law enforcement agencies in operations that have led to hundreds of arrests and sparked fear in many communities, especially among immigrants. Trump, a Republican, has praised the campaign as having reduced crime rates, which were already falling.

President Trump successfully stopped the out-of-control crime crisis in our nations capital and turned it into a safe and clean city, with even Mayor Bowser praising the effort, said White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers. To ensure the crime reduction successes continue, the federal law enforcement authorities are working with local authorities, along with the National Guard, who remain in place, she said.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat whose city budget and laws are determined by Congress, has walked a fine line between appeasing Trump and pushing back on the deployment. She has acknowledged that the campaign has helped push down crime, while arguing that the out-of-state National Guard deployment has not been an efficient use of those resources.

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In a recent brief filed in the D.C. legal case, Attorney General Brian Schwalb argued that the Guard units are operating as a federal military police force. The document also indicated that there were plans for the D.C. Guard to potentially remain in the city at least through next summer.

For some, that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Grappling with mixed feelings about the Guard

In Ward 8, which is in the historic but underserved area of the district east of the Anacostia River, local officials have taken up an invitation from the D.C. Guard to help with community improvement despite their overall opposition to the presence of armed National Guard troops in the city.

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Advisory neighborhood commission member Joseph Johnson said troops from the local Guard unit have been to his ward multiple times, helping where we need help, including cleaning around a school, as well as several areas in the Anacostia neighborhood. Community members have seen that these are people just like them. They live here in our communities for the most part.

Local officials have grappled over whether the help the local unit is offering can be separated from the Trump administrations increasing threats to use uniformed troops on the streets of American cities. Some have zero tolerance, concerned that supporting even the local Guards beautification efforts can be seen as a tacit endorsement of Trumps use of federal troops in supporting law enforcement activities.

Trump is testing the system to see how far he can really go, Johnson said.

The D.C. Guard contingent, which is controlled by the president, has been focused on quality of life issues in the city because many of the troops come from the communities they are now working in, said D.C. Guard interim commanding officer Brig. Gen. Leland Blanchard II.

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Blanchard said the deployment would go on until the president determines its time for us to go do something different.

We absolutely want to continue to partner with our own city, our own people here in the District of Columbia, he told The Associated Press.

A city park embodies the tensions over the Guard

In the diverse Shepherd Park neighborhood, news that the Guard was arriving for cleaning efforts sparked a firestorm of opposition in community social media groups. Neighborhood commissioner Paula Edwards was forced to explain that no local official had invited them.

We feel that their presence is frightening to many of our constituents, Edwards said in an interview. She said the situation was complex because Guard members are following orders. She also said the D.C. Guard members were distinct from other state contingents because they are aware of the nuances and character of the city. She said public attitudes in her community ranged from let the troops clean the park to some who seek to shame them.

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Edwards said under different circumstances she would be glad to see the Guard there, but only after this deployment ends.

Valencia Mohammed, who leads a local tenants' association, said she had reached out to the Guard to request help to clean up. She simply wanted the park clean, including potentially dangerous items that could harm children. Mohammed, 74, said she usually cleaned the park, along with other older residents.

She said she believed local officials opposed the Guards cleanup efforts because they did not want to seem supporting any efforts by Trump, even if it was good for the community.

I just wanted our park beautified, she said, which is something none of the commissioners have done.

___

Follow the AP's coverage of the District of Columbia at https://apnews.com/hub/district-of-columbia.
Soybeans are looking at 2 to 3 cent higher trade so far on Tuesday morning. The soybean market got help from product values and friendlier trade talk on Monday, as contracts closed with 12 to 14 cent gains. Open interest suggested new buying interest, up 2,613 contracts. The cmdtyView national average Cash Bean price is 12 3/4 cents higher at $9.58 . With less than 2 weeks left for the harvest price discovery for crop insurance, the average close has been $10.17 for November soybean futures. Support from the products was noted, as Soymeal futures were up $4 to $4.80 on Monday, with Soy Oil 18 to 34 points higher

Over the weekend President Trump stated he was confident in reaching a soybean deal with China and he wants China to buy soybeans at least in the amount they were buying before. He reiterated similar statements on Monday.

More News from Barchart

USDA tallied soybean export shipments at 1.474 MMT (54.17 mbu) during the week ending on October 16. That was 42.9% below the same week last year but 44.9% above last week. Mexico was the top destination of 221,269 MT, with 167,380 MT headed to Pakistan and 166,271 MT to Bangladesh. Vietnam and Egypt were also destinations of over 160,000 MT. Marketing year exports for 2025/26 are now 5.537 MMT (203.48 mbu) since September 1, which is now 30.9% below the same period last year.

Nov 25 Soybeans closed at $10.31 3/4, up 12 1/4 cents, currently up 2 cents

Nearby Cash was $9.58 1/4, up 12 3/4 cents,

Jan 26 Soybeans closed at $10.50, up 13 1/4 cents, currently up 2 cents

Mar 26 Soybeans closed at $10.64, up 13 1/4 cents, currently up 2 1/4 cents

On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com
FAIRMONT  The deadline to apply for a $20,000 deduction on a homes assessed value for disabled homeowners or homeowners over 65 is fast approaching.

If youre 65 or disabled, we want to make sure youre getting as much deductions on your taxes that you absolutely can, Marion County Assessor Jason Smith said. A big thing that sticks out is, what is the earning potential if someone is totally disabled? Also, the elderly, same thing. They put their time and work in, so in my opinion, they deserve a helping hand.

The Homestead Exemption reduces a propertys taxable assessable value by $20,000. The deadline for new applicants is Dec. 1. Smith said the deduction is more of an overall discount, rather than a percentage value discount.

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The Homestead Exemption requires applicants own the property for which they seek the exemption. Couples cant apply for two exemptions for the same home. Applicants who are disabled must have a Social Security award letter or a doctors slip documenting their disability. The applicants must also be a resident of West Virginia for two consecutive years preceding the relative tax year. Applicants who are seeking the exemption by age need to provide a drivers license or birth certificate.

The Marion County Commission is also in its housekeeping period, as the county body kept another of its regular Wednesday morning meetings to under 10 minutes. However, County Commissioner Bobby DeVaul called for members of the community to step forward and help fill vacancies in the countys many governing boards.

A lot of times on boards, were just happy to get somebody, County Commission President Ernie VanGilder said. We usually accept their recommendations, and we oftentimes have to approve them. We encourage everybody to get involved. Its certainly good for government, and thats good for the community.

DeVaul and VanGilder said among the boards the county has are Marion County Parks and Recreation, Health Department, Airport Board, several different water boards and others. DeVaul said he brought the issue up because a resident had reached out to him to ask how one might get on a board. DeVaul said the process is relatively simple, theres an application individuals can access by calling the County Commission, or even just emailing County Administrator Kris Cinalli for more information.

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Commissioners also approved a memorandum of understanding between itself and the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia regarding Family Court Facilities. The space occupied by family court was recently expanded at the courthouse, which will lead to a doubling of the rent the Supreme Court pays to the commission for use of the space. The rent has gone from six dollars per square foot to $12 dollars.

They were trying to find more space, more privacy, for those things family court deals with, Commissioner Linda Longstreth said. Weve been looking for buildings for them, but it is kind of appropriate for them to be at the courthouse.

Longstreth added that while it looks like Family Courts rent will double, theres also a possibility it wont.

The next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 12.




A 21-year-old truck driver from Yuba City (Sutter County) is being held without bail after authorities said he caused a fiery eight-vehicle crash on a Southern California freeway that killed three people and injured several others.

The crash, which has sparked an investigation from the federal Department of Homeland Security, occurred Tuesday afternoon on Interstate 10 in Ontario (San Bernardino County) when a semitruck barreled into stopped traffic, igniting an explosion that sent black smoke billowing across the freeway.

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Four tractor-trailers, two pickup trucks and two cars were involved, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The crash also caused a hazardous materials spill when fuel from the semitruck leaked onto the freeway shoulder, forcing officials to close lanes for hours.

Dashcam video circulating on social media appears to show the truck plowing into stopped vehicles moments before the explosion. Witnesses said the big rig, described as having a red cab, did not brake before impact.

"He didn't try to slow down. He just went full force into the back of another truck, crushing two other cars," Jason Calmelat, who was standing in a nearby parking lot, told KTLA. "It was so horrific. He was going so fast and cars were, there was no chance they were going to get away from that."

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Authorities identified the driver as Jashanpreet Singh, 21, who faces charges of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and driving under the influence.

The case has drawn attention in Washington amid renewed debate over immigration and trucking safety. It follows another recent fatal crash in Florida involving a noncitizen truck driver, which also sparked political outrage and federal scrutiny of commercial driver licensing standards.

Federal officials said Singh is a citizen of India who entered the United States illegally in 2022. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodged an immigration detainer after his arrest in San Bernardino County.

"It is a terrible tragedy three innocent people lost their lives due to the reckless open border policies that allowed an illegal alien to be released into the U.S. and drive an 18-wheeler on America's highways," Tricia McLaughlin, an assistant secretary at DHS, said in a statement. "This accident follows a disturbing trend of illegal aliens driving 18-wheelers and semitrucks on America's roads."

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The California Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate.

The names of the victims have not been released.

This article originally published at Federal officials detain Northern California truck driver after fiery crash that killed 3.
AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  A local car dealership is once again giving back to the community with a food drive where everyone can contribute.

Read next: Local restaurant holding benefit for fallen trooper

Greenwood Chevrolet in Austintown is launching its Extra Mile Food Drive to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley. The initiative includes collecting both monetary donations and non-perishable food items, which will be loaded into the beds of three pickup trucks.

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The food drive began on October 13 and goes through November 20, so that donations will be delivered in time for Thanksgiving.

Mr. Greenwood loves to give back to the community, so we paired up with Second Harvest Food Bank to help support and feed the families here in the Mahoning Valley that are very much in need, said Greenwood Chevrolet Business Manager Tracy Briden. Last year, we asked customers and our employees to donate food items, money, things that could help support this cause, and weve fed thousands of families.

In 2024, through combined monetary and food donations, the dealership helped Second Harvest serve more than 128,000 meals in the community. This year, Greenwood Chevrolets goal is to feed over 130,000 families.

We just want to increase it because theres so much need here in the Valley, and we want to support the customers that support us, said Briden. Were just not a dealership. Were about the community and giving back.

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Through November 20, anyone can donate at the dealership, and the need isnt just for food.

When we were talking to Second Harvest, they need everything, I mean, from canned goods to water to hygiene products. You can bring them here and drop them off, or you can donate money, and well go shopping and donate for you, said Briden. Just donate. Just come and bring. Thats the whole key to helping this become a success this year.

On November 20, Greenwood Chevrolet will present Second Harvest Food Bank with three trucks stuffed with donated items.

I think another reason why were getting involved is a lot of people here. This is our backyard. This is our community. Were a part of it, and we really just want to help the people that support us, said Greenwood Chevrolet Executive Assistant Samantha Bianco. Were a locally owned, family-operated company, so that goes a long way.

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The dealership is open various hours, but you can stop in as early as 7 a.m. to drop off your donations.

Its very rewarding because we can give back to the community, and it stays right here, said Briden. It feeds so many families, and you just never know whos hungry. It could be your neighbor. It could be somebody that the kids sit by and school. You dont know. But if we can help in any way, its just very rewarding.

Greenwood Chevrolets Extra Mile Food Drive is happening now through November 20. Donations can be made at Greenwood Chevrolet, located at 4695 Mahoning Ave. in Austintown.

For more information on Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley, visit MahoningValleySecondHarvest.org.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A Thursday night vigil is planned for a nine-year-old girl who was killed last week while riding her bike to school.

Kansas City leaders want to see dangerous driving near schools transition to a thing of the past. Proposed legislation would crack down and keep school zones safer.

Hickman Mills SD rejects claim it denied staff requests to attend students funeral

The victim, nine-year-old Hazen Workman-Duffy, was killed on October 14 around 7:15 a.m. at the intersection of Longview Road and Eastern Avenue. A small memorial grows there, which includes flowers, balloons and toys, as well as a photo dedicated to Hazen.

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Kansas City police say the driver of the van who struck the little girl was cooperative with investigators.

Drivers continue to speed through the area outside Ingels Elementary School in Kansas Citys Hickman-Mills neighborhood. Some drivers spotted by FOX4 News cameras on Thursday appeared to be driving faster than the speed limit.

I read about this story, and I thought, theres got to be more we can do, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said.

Mayor Lucas is proposing a new ordinance focusing on safe driving near school zones. His proposal comes nine days after the crash that killed the child as she rode to school. She was pronounced dead at a hospital.

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On Thursday afternoon, a spokesperson for the Kansas City Police Department said the case remains under investigation.

Every tragedy, particularly impacting a young child, is one too many, Mayor Lucas said.

Charges filed against man who led Cass Co. deputies on chase ending in I-49 crash

The Mayors proposed ordinance would make it illegal to turn right on red in a school zone during school hours. If this is approved by city councilmembers, signs would go up at intersections informing drivers of the change within 180 days.

The mayor said schools can request a waiver if this proposed change affects the pickup and drop-off of students.

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Its not to try and get you a speeding ticket. We dont care about that. Its actually trying to make sure you slow down, so you will be safer, so youre not a threat to the child who is walking to school, who is riding a bicycle to school, Mayor Lucas said.

On Thursday, a spokesperson for the Hickman-Mills School District said staff members will be permitted to attend Hazens funeral on Friday.

City councilmembers will hear the mayors proposal in a committee meeting next Tuesday. If the ordinance advances out of committee, it will be considered by the entire city council meeting next Thursday, October 30.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed another death warrant in Florida as the Republican sets a record pace for executions in the state.

Richard Barry Randolph, 63, is scheduled to die by lethal injection Nov. 20 at Florida State Prison for raping and fatally beating his former manager at a convenience store.

Randolph would be the 17th person set for execution in Florida in 2025, with DeSantis overseeing more executions in a single year than any other Florida governor since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. The previous record was set in 2014 with eight executions.

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DeSantis signed the death warrant a week before the Oct. 28 scheduled execution of Norman Mearle Grim Jr. Another convicted killer, Bryan Fredrick Jennings, is set to die Nov. 13.

Randolph was convicted of murder, armed robbery, sexual battery and grand theft and sentenced to death in 1989.

DeSantis is set to oversee more executions in a single year than any other Florida governor since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976 (AP Photo/Curt Anderson, File)

According to court records, Randolph attempted to break into the safe at the Handy-Way convenience store in Palatka, where he had previously worked, in August 1988.

Randolph was spotted by the manager, Minnie Ruth McCollum, and the two began to struggle. Randolph then beat, strangled, stabbed and raped McCollum before leaving the store and taking the woman's car.

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Three women witnessed Randolph leaving the store and called the sheriff's office after seeing through the window that the store was in disarray. A deputy responded and found McCollum still alive. She was taken to a hospital in a coma and died six days later of severe brain injuries, according to doctors.

Randolph was arrested shortly after the attack at a Jacksonville grocery store while trying to borrow money and cash in lottery tickets stolen from the convenience store, according to deputies. Investigators said Randolph admitted to the attack and directed them to bloody clothing that he had discarded.

Attorneys for Randolph are expected to file appeals to the Florida Supreme Court and the US Supreme Court.

So far 39 people have been executed in the US in 2025. Florida leads the way with a flurry of death warrants signed by DeSantis. The state's most recent execution was the Oct. 14 lethal injection of Samuel Lee Smithers, convicted of killing two women whose bodies were left in a rural pond.
New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani elicited gasps from the debate crowd on Wednesday after he informed opponent Andrew Cuomo that one of his sexual harassment accusers was sitting in the audience.

Mr. Cuomo, in 2021, thirteen different women who worked in your administration credibly accused you of sexual harassment, said Mamdani during the debate. Since then, you have spent more than $20 million in taxpayer funds to defend yourself, all while describing these allegations as entirely political. You have even gone so far as to legally go after these women. One of those women, Charlotte Bennett, is here in the audience this evening.

As the audience gasped, Mamdani continued, You sought to access her private gynecological records. She cannot speak up for herself because you lodged a defamation case against her. I, however, can speak. What do you say to the thirteen women that you sexually harassed?

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After the audience erupted into cheers and applause, Cuomo responded, If you want to be in government, then you have to be serious and mature. There were allegations of sexual harassment. They then went to five district attorneys, fully litigated for four years, the cases were dropped, right? You know that as a fact. So everything youve just stated, you just said was a misstatement.

Cuomo then quickly changed the subject, pressing Mamdani on why he would not support boycotts and sanctions against Uganda over the countrys LGBT policies.

During his time as governor of New York, Cuomo was accused of sexually harassing thirteen women.

Charlotte Bennett, the former Cuomo aide who was in the audience on Wednesday as a guest of Mamdani, accused Cuomo in 2020 of making several inappropriate comments, including asking her whether she had been with older men.

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Other women accused Cuomo of kissing, groping, and touching them without consent.

Watch above via Spectrum News.

The post Debate Crowd Gasps as Mamdani Tells Cuomo One of His Sexual Harassment Accusers Is in the Audience first appeared on Mediaite.
The audience, such that it was, chattered excitedly ahead of Tuesday nights debate. It sounded almost human.

Good evening, and thanks for joining us on this unique occasion for an exchange of ideas between the two candidates running to be the next lieutenant governor of Virginia, intoned a disembodied voice. Viewers at home watched a still image of an ostensibly humanoid rendering of a debate moderator  a white, uncannily smooth, middle-aged man wearing a jacket and tie and a vacant smile.

In contrast to the moderator, a flesh and blood John Reid, the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, stood behind a podium. Propped up on the dais next to him was a computer monitor displaying a picture of his opponent, Democratic state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi.

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Reid has criticized Hashmi for declining to participate in a debate ahead of Novembers election. On Tuesday night, Reid held a 40-minute staged debate streamed on YouTube with a version of Hashmi generated by artificial intelligence.

Reid responded to Hashmis policy positions, which were read aloud by an AI rendering of her voice. Hashmis responses were not themselves generated by AI  Reids campaign said they were compiled and synthesized by the Reid campaign from interviews with media, Hashmis website and occasionally from far-right news sources like the Gateway Pundit. Attributions for Hashmis policy positions flashed on screen after each question.

Ava Pitruzzello, a spokesperson for the Hashmi campaign, called the debate a failed use of deepfakes and a desperate move straight out of Donald Trumps playbook.

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The gimmick stood out among Virginia political campaigns this year. But experts say the presence of AI in political communication is growing. Candidates are increasingly using generative AI in political ads, and President Donald Trump regularly posts AI-generated political propaganda.

I would say that this election in 2025, and even the national political discourse in 2025, has seen a political reformation of AI, said Cayce Myers, a professor in the School of Communication at Virginia Tech. I think in 2026, were going to see a lot more of it, because the the generative AI visual side and the ability to create audio video, as well as the ability to create deep-fake content has become much better in terms of quality.

Myers said that could mean that AI in political campaigns will go mainstream in the near future.

There are risks, he said.

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A lot of times what youll see in political videos with AI is its intentionally kind of provocative, and then a lot of times, youll see ads that are made with AI that are just absurd, but they have resonance because both the people that it appeals to share them and the people that it offends share them, Myers said. It raises a lot of questions around, do people really understand what theyre seeing is not real? Do they understand the impact of that kind of messaging, does it polarize people?

A bill that passed through the General Assembly this year that would have prohibited use of AI in political campaign advertisements without disclosure was vetoed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

Ensuring transparency in political communications is a worthy objective, particularly as artificial intelligence continues to evolve, Youngkin wrote in his veto statement. However, this legislation imposes an impractical enforcement structure that lacks clear, workable mechanisms and raises significant constitutional and logistical concerns.

Reid was transparent about his use of AI, and the video of Hashmi did not look real.

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Its pretty shocking that this artificial intelligence debate is the opportunity for most Virginians to hear anything about the woman who is seeking to be lieutenant governor on the Democrat ticket, Reid said in his closing statement.

While we appreciate that AI Ghazala did share her vision like her commitment to public education and reproductive rights  its pretty clear, Reid only cares about shoddy gimmicks and not governing, Pitruzzello, real-life Hashmis spokesperson, wrote in a statement. Maybe he should focus on voters instead of videos. And hasnt he gotten in enough trouble online already?

Youngkin called on Reid to drop out of the race earlier this year, citing a surfaced social media account matching a username Reid uses elsewhere containing reposts of photos of naked men. Reid has maintained the account isnt his.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party of Virginia called Reids debate fake, but nonetheless declared AI Hashmi to be the winner.

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We thank John Reid for sharing Ghazala Hashmis vision for Virginia and congratulate her on winning this debate, DPVA said in a statement.

Kate Seltzer, 757-713-7881, kate.seltzer@virginiamedia.com
The Utah County Attorneys Office says theres nothing wrong with the sheriffs office responding to motions in the Tyler Robinson capital murder case since it is the office in charge of court security.

The legal chess match that started with a request to allow Robinson to appear in court in civilian clothes and without restraints has prompted 4th District Judge Tony Graf to hold a closed-door hearing Friday afternoon, during which Robinson will be in the courtroom. The hearing will address the defenses motion to allow Robinson to appear in street clothes. Because court security is expected to be part of the discussion, the judge closed the hearing to the public.

Robinson, 22, of Washington, Washington County, is charged with aggravated murder, a capital offense, and faces a potential death sentence if convicted of shooting and killing Charlie Kirk on Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University. Kirk, 31  a conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA  was sitting under a tent of an outdoor amphitheater-courtyard area at UVU, speaking in front of approximately 3,000 people, when he was shot in the neck by a gunman on the roof of the nearby Losee Center building.

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On Oct. 9, Robinsons defense team filed a motion requesting that their client be allowed to appear in court in his regular clothes rather than jail clothing and without restraints. The state filed its response to Robinsons motion on Oct. 20.

On Tuesday, however, the defense asked the judge to strike the states response, arguing it should be written by the Utah County Attorneys Office only and not co-authored by the sheriffs office.

But in a new court filing, the state argues that the sheriffs office has legal standing to respond to motions and that joint filings are appropriate and efficient.

Both rule and statute require the sheriffs expert input on court security issues, the Utah County Attorneys Office wrote in its opposition. Contrary to (the defenses) assertion, the fact that the sheriff may be required to provide documents or have his personnel testify at an evidentiary hearing doesnt deprive the sheriff of standing.

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The sheriff is the expert on court security, the reply continued. Because the state agrees with the sheriffs position on these matters, a joint response was both appropriate and efficient.  A joint response was not a veiled attempt to allow the sheriff to somehow assume standing.

Tyler Robinson, 22, is charged with shooting and killing political activist Charlie Kirk. Kirk during a discussion with students at Utah Valley University in Orem on Sept. 10. | Utah County Jail

Also Wednesday, Robinsons defense team filed an opposition to a request apparently made by the state asking for online court hearings.

The state seeks affirmative relief from the court, requesting that all noncritical, nonevidentiary hearings should be held remotely, the defense said in its opposition. The states motion is improper and the blanket order it requests violates Mr. Robinsons constitutional right to be present at his criminal proceedings.

Mr. Robinson has a right to be present and to participate in his own defense and these interests are paramount.

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The defense argues that there are many times during a hearing when they would need to consult privately with their client.

Not having Mr. Robinson present and available for consultation will result in the necessity of continuances and cause delay. Not having Mr. Robinson present also makes it impossible to explain matters to him as they develop during court hearings and prevents him from providing information to counsel that is germane to the issues. This impacts the fundamental attorney-client relationship, the motion states.

While the defense concedes that it may be appropriate to hold some hearings virtually, one of their most significant concerns for having their client appear via video from the Utah County Jail is the intense media attention the case is receiving.

Mr. Robinson appearing from Webex in the jail does not solve this problem, since Mr. Robinsons custody status is readily apparent, the motion argues.

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Robinsons defense team says that continuing to show images of Robinson from the jail threatens to cause preconceived prejudice amongst the future jury pool because of the vast media coverage.

The defense expanded on that argument in a separate 25-page filing on Wednesday in which they again pointed to concerns about the high publicity this case is receiving and how it could potentially prejudice future jurors.

Even before Mr. Robinsons first court appearance, politicians, federal and state law enforcement officers, and the lead prosecution attorney in this case publicly offered their opinions about Mr. Robinson, the details of the investigation (including an alleged confession), and even specific items of evidence and forensic tests that have not yet been deemed admissible at trial, the defenses reply states. Two days after the shooting and shortly after Mr. Robinsons arrest, President Donald J. Trump appeared on a nationwide television broadcast and announced with a high degree of certainty, we have him and stated, I hope he is going to be found guilty and I hope he gets the death penalty.

People grieve at a vigil for Charlie Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA who was fatally shot during Turning Points visit to Utah Valley University in Orem on Sept. 10, at City Center Park in Orem on Sept. 11. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News

Robinsons defense also pointed to press conferences with FBI Director Kash Patel, Gov. Spencer Cox and the 45-minute press conference Jeff Gray held announcing the charges and laying out evidence that has been collected, as well as a TV appearance by Utah County Sheriff Mike Smith and additional comments made by Trump at Kirks memorial service.

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The foregoing is illustrative, but not exhaustive. There are thousands of similar, and in most instances, much worse items of prejudicial pretrial publicity that have relentlessly focused on Mr. Robinsons demeanor and appearance during his jailhouse court appearance and have polluted the waters of justice in this case.

These concerns are real, not hypothesized, and there can be no doubt that  prospective jurors have in fact seen this coverage and will be affected by it, the defense argues.

While there have been many high-profile criminal cases in Utah, First Amendment attorneys have argued that no case in Utah has found that a defendant did not receive a fair trial because of pretrial publicity.

Robinsons attorneys, in their latest court filing, also provided more arguments about why they believe Robinson should have the option of attending every hearing in person.

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Mr. Robinson must be accorded a corresponding and absolutely necessary right to rebut that prejudice by the lawful, easily achievable, and minimally intrusive means of allowing him to be physically present in the courtroom, in street clothes, and without shackles, so that he can be treated as, and perceived to be, the human being that he is, and not a chained animal, the attorneys wrote.

The defense further states that media coverage of Robinsons court proceedings should be limited.

Because of the extraordinary nature of this capital case and the need to ensure a fair and impartial jury that may ultimately decide whether he lives or dies, Mr. Robinson agrees with the sheriff that the court should limit media coverage, or video and photographic coverage, at the least, so defendants physical appearance is no longer the subject of interest and he has some chance of securing a fair and impartial jury.

The court thus has ample authority to restrict the media in this case and should prohibit any further still camera, photography, or video coverage of any proceedings, the defense argues.

Robinsons next open court hearing is scheduled for Oct. 30.
A man accused of attempted murder has admitted in court to dousing his wife with petrol and setting her on fire in a tram in the central German city of Gera.

He feels deep remorse and pain for having caused his wife severe suffering, his defence lawyer, Andreas Boine, explained on Thursday on behalf of his client at the start of the trial at Gera Regional Court in the state of Thuringia.

The defendant could not comprehend the breakdown of his 30-year marriage and was in a deep life crisis that he could not overcome, Boine said.

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His family, including their three children, was the main focus of the the 46-year-old's life, the defence lawyer further explained.

Prosecutor Marc Prehler said the defendant had been violent in the marriage. His wife had moved in with their adult daughter at the beginning of the year after a fit of jealousy from the man, Prehler said.

As he did not want to live without her and did not want her to lead an independent life, the defendant intended to kill both himself and his wife, Prehler said.

On March 16, the accused Georgian reportedly boarded the tram with a bottle of petrol, the same tram his wife always took to work, knowing she could not get away, according to Prehler.

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Within seconds, he poured the petrol on the unsuspecting woman's face and set her on fire, Prehler said.

The woman then ran through the tram "like a fireball," screaming for help and groaning in pain while the defendant watched, said the prosecutor.

The 46-year-old then fled and attempted to cut his wrists. After the failed attempt, he turned himself in to the police a day after the attack.
By Siyi Liu and Florence Tan

SINGAPORE (Reuters) -Spot premiums in crude markets jumped on Thursday on expectations that U.S. sanctions on top Russian producers will spur China and India's demand for supplies from the Middle East, Africa and South America, trade sources and analysts said.

Washington hit major suppliers Rosneft and Lukoil with sanctions over the Ukraine war, sparking concerns over tighter supply of oil from Russia, the top supplier to China and India. Global oil benchmark Brent futures rose by more than 4% on Thursday. [O/R]

Indian refiners and some Chinese companies, buyers in the world's top importers, are set to curtail Russian oil imports to comply with the new sanctions, sources said, turning to other countries for alternative supply.

That sparked a jump in spot premiums for key Middle Eastern benchmarks on Thursday after slumping earlier this month on ample supply as the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and their allies are increasing output. [CRU/M]

Cash Dubai's premium settled at a three-week high of $2.71 per barrel, more than double the $1.26 per barrel of the previous session, Reuters data showed. It hit a 22-month low on October 2.

Spot premiums for other benchmark grades GME Oman and IFAD Murban also jumped to one-month highs at $3.12 and $2.86 a barrel, respectively, the data showed.

Privately-owned Reliance Industries will stop importing oil under a long-term deal to buy nearly 500,000 barrels per day of crude from Russian oil major Rosneft, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter said on Thursday.

Indian state refiners including Indian Oil Corp, Bharat Petroleum Corp and Hindustan Petroleum Corp are also reviewing their Russian oil trade documents to ensure no supply will be coming directly from Rosneft and Lukoil after the U.S. sanctioned the oil companies, a source with direct knowledge of the matter said.

In recent days, Reliance has purchased spot crude cargoes from Brazil and the Middle East, including Qatari al-Shaheen and Land grades, Iraqi Basra Medium, which could be used to partly replace Russian supplies, traders said. It was seen in the market on Thursday scouting for supplies, said a Middle Eastern trader approached by Reliance.

"We expect most substitute crudes will be sourced from the Middle East. The urgent need for sour barrels should enable the current Basra overhang to clear faster than we previously anticipated," said Richard Jones, a crude analyst at Energy Aspects.

"Todays rally in Dubai has left Brent-Dubai swap-swap trading deeper in negative territory, supporting Atlantic basin arbs to Asia."
The Delaware County Board of Supervisors voted to extend its contract for ambulance services with American Medical Response at its meeting Wednesday, Oct. 22.

The board passed a resolution in 2022 for the county enter into a contract with AMR, an emergency medical services provider, which expires Nov. 30 this year. The county voted to continue the contract, citing a cost of nearly $2.2 million for the first year with 5% annual increases each year following.

Andes Town Supervisor Wayland Gladstone introduced the resolution. He said the partnership with AMR has been very successful, bringing a lot of relief for volunteers and significantly lowering response times for some areas.

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We have an excellent working relationship right now with AMR, said Steve Hood, director and fire coordinator at county emergency services. Theyve completely fulfilled their contract the last three years. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, there has been five people on duty. There has not been one single lapse in that coverage over the last three years.

At this point, Hood said it was financially prudent for the county to continue to contract out these services. William Beever, operations manager at AMR, said AMR employees working in Delaware County are local, with 80% of the ambulance staff lives in the county or an adjoining county.

We may be part of a big corporation, but we are very local here, Beever said.

While he said he did not want to appear to be against the services as a whole, Hancock Town Supervisor Jerry Vernold said he had concerns about the way it was being implemented. Ten years ago, he said, Hancock established its own rescue squad. His constituents have paid more than $2.5 million in taxes to support it, and Vernold said with the AMR program, they would be paying additional tax.

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There have been 600 calls so far this year between Delhi and Davenport, Vernold said, and the towns of Deposit and Hancock have had 19.

What I would like to see is some kind of program or something the finance committee could come up on to help ease that burden on our taxpayers, Vernold said.

Vernold added that he wanted to know what to tell his taxpayers about paying a second tax for an ambulance service the town does not necessarily need.

The point of the service, Hood said, is to provide back up throughout the county. Vernold said Hancock has three ambulances, and Hood said AMR has still backed up Hancock at times. He added that having that back up service available can provide a peace of mind for existing town emergency services, especially if a patient needs to be transported to a higher level of care.

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After the town of Stamfords fire department decided it could no longer provide ambulance services, Hood said people were waiting up to an hour for an ambulance, prompting the county to start the AMR partnership.

Continuing to push back against a potential tax increase, Vernold asked again what he was supposed to tell taxpayers asking why they have to pay the additional county sales tax. Colchester Town Supervisor Arthur Merrill said even though he has a half million dollar budget for his police department, he would still support the county sheriff.

I believe that our duty as members of the county is to support the county in whatever roles come up, Merrill said. Sometimes the financial burden may be a little bit more difficult in one community than another. All in all, its very fair when we all get the services from all of the different agencies.

Smith said if the county had its own ambulance service, people might feel better knowing that they are spending the same amount as everyone else and their money is staying within the county, taking care of their county community. Other board members said the costs for a county-wide service would be too great.

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The board ultimately voted to pass the resolution, with Vernold and Smith voting no.

At the end of the meeting, the board voted to schedule a public hearing for 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12 on a local law to override the tax levy limit established in general municipal law. Merrill, the budget director, said the county has no intention to exceed it, but is working to establish the local law just in case.
Following a recent projection from the Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council, the First State risks losing roughly $400 million over the course of this and the next two fiscal years due to provisions included in President Donald Trumps Big Beautiful Bill.

This could mean Delaware may potentially lose a significant amount of funds to support crucial resources throughout the state, from education to health care.

That is, unless specific measures are taken  specifically, if steps are taken to separate the states corporate tax code from its federal counterpart.

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Heres what we know.

How we got here: New revenue forecast shows Delaware facing $400 million loss due to 'Big, Beautiful Bill'

What is being done in Delaware?

After receiving news of these projections, legislators have started digging in immediately to figure out how exactly the law will impact the state budget and revenue, according to Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend.

For many Democratic lawmakers, that means a fix is needed  and fast.

Joint Finance Committee co-chair Sen. Trey Paradee believes legislators may have to reconvene before the years end to sever state corporate tax returns from the federal ones, as the impact will come with a hefty price tag looking ahead.

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This is in large part because Delawares code automatically mirrors national law, according to legislators. And lawmakers say the federal package includes corporate giveaways, meaning that taxpayer dollars would be taken and given back to big businesses, as explained by fellow committee co-chair Rep. Kim Williams.

Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend, a member of the bipartisan special property reassessment committee, listens during the committee's first meeting in the Senate Chamber at Legislative Hall in Dover on Sept. 30, 2025. The meeting, the first of four planned meetings to investigate Delaware's first statewide property reassessment in 40 years, focused on Tyler Technologies, the organization responsible for conducting the tax reassessment, and the methodology it used in the property reassessment.

So at this moment, all options are on the table, Townsend said. Another special session or similar reconvening may be in the cards, according to the lawmaker.

But lawmakers dont have much time.

Many provisions of the law will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

With that in mind, its most helpful for Delaware to change its tax laws prior to then, so that were not dragged into this reckless mess of corporate tax giveaways, he added.

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House Majority Leader Kerri Evelyn Harris also mentioned such timely actions include the governors office and both legislative chambers actively collaborating on a daily basis to figure out what options are available, what else could be expected in terms of cuts and ultimately, how to prepare to move forward.

Related: 'Trickle down cruelty': McBride, nurses sound alarm on Medicaid cuts in Delaware

What happened?

A recent projection from the council on Oct. 20 estimated the state stands to lose about $400 million over this year and the next two fiscal years.

This comes as a result of Trumps Big, Beautiful Bill  or, as it is officially titled, One Big Beautiful Bill Act  which went into effect this summer and comes as Delaware already stands to weather other significant changes, from food assistance to Medicaid.

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This will mean that hundreds of millions in funding already saved for health care, schools and other critical services across the state will be in jeopardy, according to a collective statement from the General Assembly's top Democrats issued Oct. 22.

Gov. Matt Meyer answers questions during a press conference in Wilmington on July 8, 2025.

U.S. Rep. Sarah McBride, a long-time opponent of Trumps big ugly bill, as she called it, described this shortfall as a direct result of the same legislation. She added Republican lawmakers passed a massive tax break for billionaires and corporations, while leaving state governments and residents to pay the price.

This bill is trickle down cruelty  plain and simple, McBride said in a statement.

As previously reported, Gov. Matt Meyer also issued similar sentiments following the projection on Oct. 20, reassuring Delawareans: We wont let that happen.

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Meyer added he will meet with legislators on both sides of the political aisle to create a simple, responsible fix that would not only protect the budget but also keeps the First State competitive, and therefore ensures employers have security and investments in education, health care and public safety stay on course.

Several key Delaware Republicans in the Senate did express their support letting these tax measures trickle down, as noted in their own statement on Oct. 22.

GOP lawmakers said these changes in corporate tax code  connected to new law allowing businesses to write off their research and equipment costs  stand to reward work, investment and innovation.

Its a course correction by the federal government that will put more Americans to work, expand opportunity for young families and strengthen our economy, they wrote. Whats hurting Delaware isnt federal reform, its runaway spending and misguided state policy.

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This story is developing and has been updated to include new information.

Olivia Montes covers state government and community impact for Delaware Online/The News Journal. If you have a tip or a story idea, reach out to her at omontes@delawareonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware lawmakers weigh reconvening to address potential $400M loss
A high-stakes trademark battle between two travel industry titans reached federal court this week, as Delta Air Lines accused Marriott International of deliberately "hijacking" its brand through the marketing and expansion of Delta Hotels across the United States.

The case, which originally began in 2020, represents a rare instance of major corporations proceeding to trial rather than settling, underscoring the significant stakes involved for both the airline's brand identity and Marriott's hotel portfolio strategy.

Claims of Calculated Brand Confusion

Delta Air Lines alleges that Marriott's expansion of its Delta Hotels brand creates deliberate consumer confusion, particularly through strategic positioning near airports and adoption of similar branding elements. The airline contends that Marriott's use of uppercase "DELTA" lettering in a sans-serif font and dark blue color scheme deliberately mimics Delta's own trademark styling.

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"Marriott has embarked upon a calculated strategy of not only gratuitously using the name DELTA for its DELTA HOTELS chain of hotels in the United States, but also has adopted a sans-serif font and dark blue color scheme for its DELTA HOTELS business that closely mimics the font and color scheme used by Delta Air Lines," the airline alleged in court filings.

The case centers on whether Marriott's use of "Delta Hotels" infringes and dilutes Delta's registered DELTA trademarks, particularly as both companies operate within the interconnected travel and hospitality ecosystem.

Evidence of Consumer Confusion

Delta presented the court with survey data and customer complaints showing real instances of confusion between the two brands. The airline claims customers have mistakenly contacted the wrong company with complaints and inquiries, with some travelers believing they could earn Delta SkyMiles frequent flyer points by staying at Delta Hotels properties.

In one notable example cited by the airline, the CEO of a multi-million-dollar company allegedly approached Delta Air Lines seeking a partnership with the hotel chain, assuming the brands were affiliated.

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"Delta argues that overlap across the same customer journey, including search results, booking funnels, airport-area signage, loyalty messaging, and co-marketing, creates a real risk that travelers will assume a connection between Delta Air Lines and Delta Hotels," according to court documents.

Marriott's Defense: Historic Canadian Heritage

Image Credit: Depositphotos

Marriott's defense rests on the historical origins of Delta Hotels, which was established in Canada in 1962, well before any alleged connection to the airline. The hotel company acquired the Delta Hotels brand in 2015 as part of its strategy to offer property owners a hotel conversion option that required fewer expensive upgrades than other Marriott brands.

The hotel giant argues that Delta Hotels has always been clearly identified as a Marriott sub-brand through "Delta Hotels by Marriott" branding, which should reduce any consumer confusion. Marriott also points to a 2015 coexistence agreement between the companies that allowed limited use of the Delta name in specific markets.

However, the court has already ruled that this agreement applies only to Hong Kong and China, not to Marriott's expansion of Delta Hotels throughout the United States and Canada.

Strategic Implications for Travel Industry

The lawsuit highlights the increasingly blurred boundaries within the travel ecosystem, where airlines and hotels collaborate on loyalty programs, booking platforms, and marketing initiatives. Delta Air Lines operates its own Delta Stays platform for hotel bookings, making brand differentiation particularly important for the carrier's broader hospitality ambitions.

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Legal experts note that the case could set important precedents for trademark protection in adjacent travel industry sectors, as companies expand beyond their traditional boundaries into related services.

"Airlines and hotels sell adjacent services in one trip. They share channels (OTAs, metasearch, co-branded pages, airport corridors)," travel industry analysts observe, noting that such overlap creates classic conditions for consumer confusion.

High Stakes for Both Companies

For Delta Air Lines, the case represents crucial protection of its globally recognized brand, which enjoys strong legal safeguards against dilution due to its fame and widespread recognition. The airline seeks millions of dollars in damages and potentially an injunction that could force Marriott to rebrand or significantly modify its Delta Hotels operations in the United States.

A favorable ruling for Delta could require Marriott to emphasize "by Marriott" branding more prominently, adopt disclaimers, adjust visual identity guidelines, or potentially eliminate the Delta name entirely from U.S. hotel properties.

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For Marriott, losing the case could mean substantial rebranding costs and the loss of a hotel portfolio that has been growing steadily since the 2015 acquisition. The company operates Delta Hotels properties globally, including in major markets where Delta Air Lines maintains significant operations.

Legal Precedent and Industry Impact

The case comes as trademark disputes in the travel industry have become increasingly common. Marriott itself has pursued similar trademark protection, notably suing Breeze Airways to prevent the airline from using "Moxy" as its brand name due to Marriott's ownership of Moxy Hotels.

The outcome could influence how courts view trademark protection across adjacent industries, particularly in travel and hospitality where brand partnerships and cross-promotional activities are increasingly common.

Legal observers note that trademark law primarily turns on whether ordinary consumers are likely to be confused about source, sponsorship, or affiliationa standard that could favor Delta given the documented instances of actual confusion.

Rare Corporate Trial Reflects High Stakes

The decision by both companies to proceed to trial rather than settle reflects the significant strategic importance each places on the outcome. Most major corporate trademark disputes are resolved through settlements or licensing agreements, making this public courtroom battle relatively unusual.

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The trial is taking place in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, with Delta seeking both monetary damages and injunctive relief that could fundamentally alter how Marriott operates its Delta Hotels brand in key U.S. markets.

As the case proceeds, industry observers will be watching closely for implications beyond these two companies, particularly as travel brands continue to expand into adjacent services and compete for consumer attention in an increasingly crowded marketplace.

The outcome could reshape how major corporations approach brand expansion and trademark protection in the interconnected world of modern travel, where a single customer journey often involves multiple service providers and brand touchpoints.
DELTA, Colo. (KREX)  On Wednesday, Delta County sent out a statement, urging residents and local businesses to support individuals who may be affected by potential federal delays in November with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) due to the government shutdown.

The requested support from residents and businesses can come from donating, sponsoring or volunteering through local food banks and meal programs in Delta County.

According to the press release, over 1,500 residents in Delta County currently depend on SNAP to help keep food on the tablenearly 40% of them are children.

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Our most vulnerable residentsour children, our working families, and our seniorsshould never have to question where their next meal will come from, said Director of Delta County Human Services Anne Gallegos. Local food banks are prepared to help, but theyll need community support. The best way to help right now is through cash donations. Food banks can stretch those dollars much further because of the purchasing power and discounted rates they receive.

Resources for food support and resources in Delta County include:

Abraham Connection , located at 480 Silver Street in Delta, can be contacted at 970-773-8290.

Delta County Food Pantry , located at 628 Meeker Street in Delta, can be contacted at 970-874-4801.

Hotchkiss Community United Methodist Church Food Bank , located at 285 North 2nd Street in Hotchkiss, can be contacted at 970-872-3540.

Cedaredge Assembly of God Food Bank , located at 245 West Main Street in Cedaredge, can be contacted at 970-856-3856.

Chain of Love , located at 1402 South Main Street in Delta, can be contacted at 970-210-5924.

Surface Creek Community Services , located at 245 West Main Street in Cedaredge, can be contacted at 970-856-9692.

Delta Salvation Army , located at 175 E 1st Street in Delta, can be contacted at 970-399-3584.

Delta Senior CommUnity Meals Kitchen , located at 350 Stafford Lane in Delta, can be contacted at 970-874-7761.

Cedaredge Community Center Senior Meals , located at 140 NW 2nd Street in Cedaredge, can be contacted at 970-856-3636.

Hotchkiss Senior Citizen Center Dining Site , located at 276 West Main Street in Hotchkiss, can be contacted at 970-872-3494.

Paonia Senior Citizen Center , located at 106 3rd Street in Paonia, can be contacted at 970-872-3494.

Olathe Community Center, located at 115 Main Street in Olathe, can be contacted at 970-323-5391.

Delta County encourages that seniors and fixed-income residents contact the Region 10 Area Agency on Aging for free meal assistance programs by visiting its website or calling 970-249-2436.

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The County remains committed to ensuring that every residentyoung or oldhas access to nutritious food and essential resources through collaboration between local government, businesses, and nonprofit partners, stated the press release.

A full list of resources in the county can be located on the Tri-County Health Networks 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 WesternSlopeNow.com.
(The Center Square) - As the partisan rift continues to deepen in Congress, so too are tensions mounting between representatives from Pennsylvania.

Democratic Congressman Chris Deluzio headed to Cumberland County from his Pittsburgh-area district to join local veterans demanding an apology from Republican Rep. Scott Perry for his insults slung at service members on a conservative podcast.

During an interview with Chris Stigall, Perry said that Democrats hate the military and dont support America, which he said can be inferred from their votes in Congress.

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A veteran himself, Deluzio took issue with Perrys barbs. A senior in high school during 9/11, Deluzio attended the Naval Academy and served as an officer in three deployments, including one on the ground in Iraq. He is among 28 elected Democrats in the 119th Congress who are military veterans.

Perry is a retired Army National Guard brigadier general who was a commander during his 2009-2010 Iraq deployment. There are 70 Republican veterans in the 119th Congress following the departure of Vice President JD Vance and United Nations Ambassador Mike Waltz for higher office.

Of elected Democrats, Perry said, Thats only a credential that they get when they want to run for office. They join the military, they serve a little bit, they get the credential, and then they run for office and wear the uniform and say, Look at me, I support America.

Deluzio pointed to Perrys own voting record to question whether the congressman himself has always shown support for the military. In particular, he noted that Perry was among 174 Republicans who voted against the 2022 PACT Act, legislation which expanded health care benefits for veterans who were exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances during their service.

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Veteran Bob Holmes, chief petty officer in the U.S. Navys submarine service, is among 40,000 veterans in Perrys district. Holmes said he was a lifelong Republican and the fourth in an unbroken line of five generations of military service dating back to the Spanish-American War.

I appreciate Congressman Perrys service, said Holmes. Anyone who answers the call to protect the country deserves our gratitude, so that makes it even more shameful that he cant say the same about veterans who simply dont share his same radical political views.

Fellow Navy veteran Ralph Pruitt, who said he has voted as both a Democrat and Republican outside of his time in military service, shared Deluzio and Holmess impression of Perry.

I dont think things are going the right way. I think Congressman Perry is extreme. Weve got a lot of people that are extreme out there today, said Pruitt. In central Pennsylvania, we do deserve better than Scott Perry, and Im sick of whats going on.

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Another point of offense to veterans was Perrys statement that Democrats dont care about the Constitution or the nations defense.

Perry himself has been the subject of intense scrutiny in light of his efforts to overturn the 2020 election in favor of President Donald Trump. For this act, Deluzio and others have referred to Perry as an oathbreaker and some Democrats have levied accusations of treason and sedition.

Perrys 10th District is highly competitive with an intense race expected in 2026 against Democratic contender Janelle Stelson, who joined Deluzio for the press conference. The journalist managed 49.2% of the vote to Perrys 50.8%, a margin many Democrats believe can be made up in the midterms as Republicans grapple with the fallout from lowpoints in Trumps second term.

I know that we can flip this district and do it in a way that attracts Democrats, Republicans, and Independents who say no to Scott Perry, said Deluzio. This is a priority for us in Pennsylvania.

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When asked, Deluzio acknowledged that its unusual for a representative to visit the district of another sitting congressman on the attack. He said that was an indication of how out of bounds Perry is.

Deluzios 17th District is another competitive one. He won his 2024 race by 7.4% over Republican Rob Mercuri.

The Center Square asked Deluzio if he saw a way forward that didnt limit the idea of patriotism to one side or the other.

We dont think any one party has a monopoly on the flag and loving this country, but Scott Perry seems to think so, and thats outrageous, and we say no to that. said Deluzio. I am trying to lift up the idea that we are all in this thing together whether you come from farm country, the big city, the suburbs, small town  this American experiment of ours is going to succeed when we stand together.
It might be surprising now, but the Viramontes family didn't always farm chile.

It was only when Raymond Viramontes moved back to the area in the 1980s that he started experimenting with New Mexico's best-known crop.

The decision paid off; the farmer secured a yearly contract with the local cannery, and chile is now one of Viramontes Farms' main cash crops. In 2021, their chile won second place in the annual New Mexico Chile Taste-Off.

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"[My father] fought to get a contract that first year, because nobody really knew him," Cole Viramontes told The New Mexican in an August interview. "But they gave him a little contract, and he did a good job. That's what got the vegetables going."

It's indicative of the type of experimenting that has made Viramontes Farms successful over the years.

IMG_0266.jpeg (copy)

Cayden Viramontes enjoys the fields at Viramontes Farms in Deming. The family farm is this year's New Mexico winner of the Leopold Conservation Award.

This year, Viramontes Farms received the Leopold Conservation Award, a $10,000 prize for farmers, ranchers and forestland owners who go "above and beyond" in land management.

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The award, given to agricultural producers and landowners in 28 states, is named after conservationist Aldo Leopold, who established the first national wilderness area in the nation in New Mexico. The award is distributed by the Sand County Foundation, a national nonprofit that supports farmers, ranchers and landowners in adopting conservation practices, and national sponsor American Farmland Trust. Local presenters include the New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts, the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau, and the Quivira Coalition.

In New Mexico, the three finalists were the Hibner Ranch in Cebolla, the Philmont Scout Ranch and Training Center, and the Viramontes Farms in Deming.

Introducing chile to the farm wasn't the only experiment that Raymond Viramontes, and, later, his son Cole Viramontes, who returned to farm with his dad about 12 years ago, conducted on their spread. The elder Viramontes was a pioneer of drip irrigation in the region in the 1980s. Years later, when their chile crop started to be affected by verticillium wilt, a fungal disease in plants, the father and son hit the books.

Conventional approaches weren't working, Cole Viramontes told The New Mexican in August, so he and his father started learning about soil biology. They started planting cover crops, replacing acidic fertilizers and allowing New Mexico State University researchers to analyze their soil health, according to a news release from the Sand County Foundation.

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"If I'm being honest, I didn't even know what soil biology was [prior to the disease]," Cole Viramontes said. " ... But when that conventional stuff wasn't working anymore, is when we started to learn about probiotics and beneficial bacterias, and that's kind of where we started."

It was a process of trial and error, Viramontes said. But now, Viramontes Farms employs a "ground up" approach, he said. As a result of their efforts, crop losses to the disease were slashed, and their crops needed smaller quantities of insecticides and fungicides.

What stood out to us about the Viramontes Farms is their journey, from rented land to healthy soil and local markets. Their process of discovery, partnership, and knowledge-sharing builds an ethic for land and community," Xochitl Torres Small, Quivira Coalition executive edirector, said in a statement. "Were excited to honor the Viramontes Farms with this award and grateful that their work will ensure great New Mexican chile for generations to come."

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A fight breaks out on the streets of Berlin between supporters of rival candidates ahead of voting in the second round of Presidential elections in Germany. April 26, 1925. Credit - Mirrorpix/Getty Images

Last month, conservative activist Charlie Kirk was killed, shot while speaking at Utah Valley University. In August, a shooter attacked the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shattering its blast-resistant glass with 180 bullets. In June, former Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot to death in their home by a man posing as a police officer. Earlier that day, the same man attacked Minnesota state senator John Hoffman and his wife. In April, the Pennsylvania governors residence was set ablaze. In March, the headquarters of the New Mexico Republican Party was set on fire.

The United States has long had a gun violence problem unique to the developed world. Since 2020, there have been over 500 mass shootings every year in the United States, and a 2022 study found that among 36 developed countries, the United States accounted for 76% of mass shootings since 2000. Despite these widespread shootings, commentators have long marveled that political violence remained relatively rare. Yet the spate of politically motivated violence this year suggests that we may have reached an inflection point, as former President Barack Obama recently claimed, as more and more Americans with access to lethal weapons turn to violence in order to achieve what they cannot at the ballot box.

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Condemning Kirks assassination, Obama described these attacks as threats to the central premise of our democratic system, namely that we have to be able to disagree and have sometimes really contentious debates without resorting to violence. This has been a common refrain in recent weeks. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued a proclamation asserting that political violence would cause irreparable moral decay to the Nations very soul. The wounded Minnesota state senator John Hoffmann put it starkly: political violence endangers our lives and democracy.

These voices from across the political spectrum are not wrong about the corrosive effects of political violence. We need look no further than the Weimar Republic, which remains one of the most salient cases of democratic collapse in the 20th century. Its rise and fall reveal just how damaging political violence can be to democratic institutionsespecially when politicians take no action to prevent it.

Read More: The Killing of Charlie Kirk and the Political Violence Haunting America

The Weimar Republic, Germanys first experiment with democracy, had a violent birth and equally violent death. It arose out of the German revolution of 1918 in the final days of the First World War. Beginning as a sailors mutiny in the port city of Kiel, the revolution spread by train. Soldiers and workers replaced town and state governments with revolutionary councils in bloodless uprisings, and an interim cabinet of center-left ministers took power after the Kaiser was shoved off his throne on November 9, 1918. But as divisions yawned between moderate Social Democrats and more radical communists, the revolution turned bloody.

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Free corps of demobilized soldiers began violently disbanding revolutionary governments around the country. In January 1919, disillusioned communists attempted their own violent revolution, today known as the Spartacist Uprising. Although it was forcefully put down, Berlin remained dangerous. When an elected National Assembly convened the following month to draft a new constitution, it did so in Weimar, a storied university town far from the violence of the capital.

By the mid-1920s, political violence had ebbed, as pro-republican political leaders got a handle on the countrys dire economic condition and joined hands in condemning acts of violence. Although these years boasted relative prosperity and stability, the Weimar Republic always had its enemies. These ranged from the aristocratic elite who dominated the military and bureaucracy and yearned for a return to monarchy, to communists who sought proletarian rule, to the National Socialists who wanted to establish a right-wing dictatorship.

These enemies of the Republic never forgot the its violent birth. Demobilized soldiers flocked to the paramilitary organizations that all major parties maintained, from the Nazi Stormtroopers (SA) to the conservative Steel Helmet League to the communists Red Front Fighters Association. In response, even moderate parties created paramilitary self-defense leagues, such as the Reich Banner Black-Red-Gold, associated with the Social Democratic Party.

The onset of the Great Depression, which hit Germanys fragile economy harder than most, heralded a rapid rise in street brawls among these groups. As these altercations turned more violent, some parties, particularly the communists and the Nazis, turned to politically-motivated assassinations and reprisal killings. Although both groups enjoyed only marginal support in the golden years of the Republic, the crisis of the early 1930s led droves of disillusioned voters into the arms of these parties offering radical solutions.

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The leaders of the communist and Nazi partiesboth hostile to Germanys democratic institutions, albeit for different reasonsunderstood, or intuited, that political violence could erode democracy itself. The Nazis were able to use political violence to gain voters: even as they engaged in violence against Social Democratic and communist groups, they portrayed themselves their victims. The party promised that, if granted power, it would put an end to the violence, arrest criminals, and sweep leftist forces from Germanys streetsa promise fulfilled by Hitler when he came to power the next year. The violence reached such a fever pitch that in April 1932, the federal government banned the SA through an emergency decree.

But what first sounded the Republics death knell, before Hitler ever became Chancellor, were unscrupulous politicians hostile to the Republic, who were willing to use political violence to do away with democratic institutions. German elites, particularly the aristocrats who dominated the countrys military, industry, and bureaucracy, loathed the Weimar Republic. They saw the Nazi party as an instrument they could wield to do away with democracy and entrench their own power, while also foiling the designs of the communist party.

These interests coalesced around the person of Franz von Papen, who was appointed Chancellor in June 1932. Because parliament was riven among pro-democracy parties, the communists, and the Nazis, Papen was able to govern by emergency decree But parliament could still topple his government with a vote of no confidence, and thus Papen needed the parliamentary parties not to actively oppose him. He secured such acquiescence from Adolf Hitler by promising to allow the SA ban to lapse, giving the Nazi paramilitary the freedom of the streets once more.

Read More: How Hitler Used Democracy to Take Power

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Two weeks later, Papen followed through on his promise, and the Stormtroopers again began parading openly in Germanys cities. Masters of provocation, the Nazi paramilitaries often marched through left-wing neighborhoods, hoping for violent altercations. These brawls further eroded democratic norms, while driving voters away from left-wing and moderate parties who seemed helpless to halt them. Communists and Nazis clashed over the following weeks, killing and injuring hundreds.

Then, on July 17, SA members paraded through Altona, a working-class borough outside of Hamburg. Confronted by communist crowds, the afternoon dissolved into bloody street fighting. By evening, some 18 people lay dead. Quickly named Blood Sunday, the battle became an excuse for Papens government to usurp democratic governance.

Altona belonged to the federal state of Prussia, which governed around two-thirds of Germanys population and land. Decreeing that the states democratically-elected, centrist government was incapable of ensuring public safety, Papen dissolved it. He appointed commissioners to take its place, putting Prussias massive police force in the hands of federal politicians.

This Prussian coup detat marked the true end of democracy in Germany, months before Hitler was appointed Chancellor. And it was possible only because of the unchecked violence that had come to characterize Weimar politics.

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The destruction of the Weimar Republic encapsulates the danger that political violence poses to any self-governing people. Assassinations, coups, and street brawls may be symptoms of democratic decaybut they can also be an intentional strategy wielded by democracys enemies. Political violence weakens trust in the state and makes voters more willing to turn to politicians who claim they will restore order by any means necessaryeven if those same politicians are the ones stoking the violence in the first place.

The United States remains a country in which political violence is still rare. But we are at a turning point, one at which each citizen, each politician, each institution must stand up and be counted. It is incumbent upon all of us to disavow violence and to ensure that political disagreement is resolved through free elections and free expression and not from the barrel of a gun.

Samuel Huneke is a historian of modern Germany and associate professor of history at George Mason University.

Made by History takes readers beyond the headlines with articles written and edited by professional historians. Learn more about Made by History at TIME here. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of TIME editors.

Write to Made by History at madebyhistory@time.com.
The Democrat tipped to win Maines Senate race has covered up a tattoo on his chest that resembles a Nazi symbol.

Graham Platner said he got the skull and crossbones tattoo during a night of drinking in Croatia, in his 20s, while on leave from the United States Marines.

Mr Platner, who looks set to take the Senate seat despite a series of scandals, insisted he was not aware until recently that the style of his tattoo resembled the insignia of an elite division of the SS, known as Totenkopf, or deaths head.

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The tattoo controversy is the latest twist in the high-stakes Senate race.

It was earlier revealed Mr Platner had referred to rural white people as stupid in old social media posts. A drunken video of the candidate in his underwear also surfaced online.

Graham Platners original skull tattoo - JTA

In leaked now-deleted posts, Mr Platner dismissed military sexual assaults, questioned black patrons gratuity habits and criticised police officers and rural Americans.

More old Reddit posts surfaced on Wednesday, with The Advocate reporting Mr Platner used homophobic slurs and made anti-LGBTQ+ jokes between 2018 and 2021.

Mr Platner launched his campaign in August. The intensity of the race ratcheted up last Monday when Maine Governor Janet Mills, 77, announced her entry into the race.

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Ms Mills, also a Democrat, has the backing of Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader. She is hoping to unseat incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins who has held her seat for nearly 30 years.

Mr Platner has accused political opponents of attempting to destroy [his] life - Brian Snyder

Mr Platner, who is running as a progressive, pushed back against the backlash, claiming he was being smeared as he was not the preferred candidate of established Democrats.

He also accused his political opponents of attempting to destroy [his] life, although he did not name names. All this is doing is galvanising my commitment to this project, he said.

The new tattoo, completed on Tuesday, is of a dog emerging from a Celtic knot.

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Mr Platner said he had never been questioned about the tattoos connections to Nazi symbols, and that after serving three tours as a marine, he later enlisted in the army, which requires an examination for tattoos of hate symbols.

I also passed a full background check to receive a security clearance to join the ambassador to Afghanistans security detail, Mr Platner said.

Mr Platner said he was not aware of the Nazi connection when he had the original tattoo done. He is pictured here with the cover up

He apologised for the comments, saying they were made after he left the army in 2012 when he was struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.

Mr Platner has resisted calls to drop out of the race, and has the backing of Bernie Sanders.

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I dont look at this as a liability, he told the AP, adding he sees it as a life that I have lived, a journey that has been difficult, that has been full of struggle, that has also gotten me to where I am today. And Im very proud of who I am.

During a rally in the town of Ogunquit on Wednesday, Mr Platner again addressed his regret about the tattoo and his social media posts.

I am ashamed of things I once said. But I am not ashamed of who I am today, Mr Platner said.

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Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican congresswoman from Georgia, is having a moment, but not with who you might expect. When Greene entered Congress in 2021, she was treated as a pariah  a conspiracy theorist and borderline cultist whom you might cross the road to avoid.

Greenes first days in Washington, DC were marked by revelations that she had been a QAnon follower, had reportedly liked a social media comment stating that the removal of Nancy Pelosi from her post would be quicker with a bullet to the head, and had indicated support for the execution of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. For a moment, it even appeared that she might be expelled from her position.

No longer. And notably for this long-time Maga loyalist, its not her fellow Republicans who appear to have warmed most to Greene. Its her Democratic opponents.

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In the opening months of Trumps second presidency, Greene has broken with Donald Trump and Republicans on everything from Israel and Ukraine, to Obamacare subsidies, the Epstein files, and the presidents various entanglements with the cryptocurrency industry. Naturally, those who once sought to chase her out of public life are suddenly enthralled with the self-professed Christian nationalist.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) remarked upon Greenes surprisingly enlightened few weeks. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) identified her as being part of a cohort of decent, honest Republicans who have said, you know what, I was elected by my constituents, thats who I am beholden to, not the president or the United States. CNN presenter Wolf Blitzer gushed over the courageous politician and loving mother after a friendly interview. And far-Left commentator Mehdi Hasan marvelled that he had, in the space of a day, retweeted posts from Greene, Candace Owens, and Matt Gaetz.

Whats happening to the world? Hasan wondered aloud.

Its not especially difficult to answer Hasans question, or to join the dots between those for whom Hasan and his fellow progressives have developed a strange new respect. Greene, Owens and Gaetz have been at the forefront of a newly-empowered faction of the Right that, if not explicitly anti-Semitic, certainly appears to be singularly obsessed with Israel or Jews.

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Owens has inveighed against political Jews, as well as the small ring of Jewish people in Hollywood and DC up to something quite sinister. Perhaps most outrageously, she seemed to imply that the assassination of Charlie Kirk had something to do with Israel. From his new perch at One America News Network, Gaetz has appeared to devote disproportionate airtime to smearing the Jewish state.

And as for Greene, a populariser of the suggestion that Rothschild-linked businesses used a space laser to start the 2018 California wildfires, she may have lurched Left-ward on policy, but shes stayed true to her roots on at least one topic. In just the last few months, she has appeared to warn about Jews taking over Turning Point USA in the wake of Kirks death, as well as relentlessly promoting the lie that Israel has been prosecuting a genocide in the Gaza Strip.

Greene is still the same hateful nutter shes always been. But Democrats have already made their peace with the virulently anti-Israel wing of their own party. Why not Israel-obsessive Republicans, too?

The Democrats are more than happy to ally with one of Congresss most execrable figures if it means putting a few unexpected points against Trump on the board. The temptation to capitalise on the break between the president and one of his hitherto most loyal lieutenants is just too great, so the courageous, and loving loons ramblings are suddenly seen as enlightened, and honest.

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Washington: where friends become enemies, enemies become friends, and almost every profession of principle is shown, in the fullness of time, to be insincere.

Isaac Schorr is an editor at Mediaite

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Airbus expands China presence via new assembly line

Xinhua) 08:07, October 23, 2025

TIANJIN, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Airbus on Wednesday inaugurated its latest Final Assembly Line (FAL) for A320 family aircraft in the northern Chinese port city of Tianjin, the second of its kind in both China and Asia as a whole.

The new facility will double final assembly capacity for the A320 family in China, demonstrating Airbus' confidence in the country's thriving civil aviation market, resilient supply chain and favorable business climate.

Via the FAL, A320 planes will be assembled from large components like fuselage sections and wings, painted, tested and delivered to customers in China and beyond, said Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury.

Preparations for assembly of the first plane are underway.

Guests pose for a group photo at the inauguration ceremony of Airbus' second Final Assembly Line (FAL) for A320 family aircraft in Tianjin, north China, Oct. 22, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

"We welcome the addition of Tianjin's second line to our global production system, as it provides us with the necessary flexibility and capacity to deliver on our plan to assemble 75 A320 family aircraft per month in 2027," Faury said at the inauguration ceremony.

Currently, the Airbus A320 family production network features a total of 10 FALs -- four in Germany, two in France, two in the United States and two in China, with assembly capacity in Tianjin set to contribute 20 percent of the company's total globally.

CHINA SPEED

In April 2023, the Tianjin municipal government, the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) and Airbus signed a framework agreement for the second FAL project, with construction beginning in September of the same year.

"Now here we are just over two years later with a state-of-the-art factory which will serve customers from across China and beyond," Faury noted. "Our talented colleagues and partners here have brought a project to fruition with their famous 'China speed.'"

The new facility covers about 300,000 square meters, with a floor area of roughly 130,000 square meters consisting of 13 buildings. The final assembly hall, as the core building, spans 42,000 square meters, making up nearly one-third of the total floor area.

This photo shows a workshop of Airbus' second Final Assembly Line (FAL) for A320 family aircraft in Tianjin, north China, Oct. 22, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

Construction of the 13 buildings, scattered within the operating plant, mandated zero disruption to flights and production, said Wang Guipu, chief engineer of the project, who is with China Railway Construction Bridge Engineering Bureau Group Co., Ltd.

Wang added that 80 percent of the building materials had been localized, with key materials such as self-leveling epoxy floors and hangar doors sourced domestically. Such localization significantly shortened procurement cycles and provided crucial support for accelerating the construction process.

SOARING MARKET

This additional FAL was established to meet soaring demand in China's civil aviation market, where key air transport indicators continue to reflect robust growth.

Data from the Civil Aviation Administration of China shows that from January to September 2025, the civil aviation sector had handled 580 million passengers and nearly 7.4 million tonnes of cargo and mail, up 5.2 percent and 14 percent year on year, respectively.

An Airbus plane to be assembled is pictured at its second Final Assembly Line (FAL) for A320 family aircraft in Tianjin, north China, Oct. 22, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

Airbus, notably, has been both a witness to and a participant in China's rapid aviation development since it delivered the first aircraft, an A310, to the country back in 1985.

Eyeing great potential in the huge Chinese market, the aircraft manufacturer established an A320 family FAL in Tianjin in 2008, marking its first commercial aircraft assembly line outside Europe. To date, the facility has assembled over 780 aircraft for customers worldwide, mostly from China.

George Xu, executive vice president of Airbus and CEO of Airbus China, said the company's fleet market share in China has surged from around 20 percent in 2008 to over 50 percent today. "China has become our largest single-country market for commercial aircraft," Xu said.

The company forecasts that China's annual average air passenger volume growth rate will reach 5.3 percent over the next 20 years, outpacing the global average of 3.6 percent. By 2042, more than 9,000 of the over 40,000 new aircraft needed globally will be delivered to China.

This robust growth is underpinned by a deep industrial partnership. Approximately 200 Chinese suppliers now support Airbus' commercial aircraft production efforts, covering the entire industrial chain from raw materials to system assembly, a key factor that gives Airbus the confidence to establish an additional assembly line in China.

"The stable and reliable assembly line, high-quality surrounding infrastructure and resilient supply chain have left us feeling very satisfied with the ecosystem here, as well as our Chinese partners and suppliers," said Juan Tubio, general manager of Airbus (Tianjin) Final Assembly Co., Ltd.

This photo shows Airbus' second Final Assembly Line (FAL) for A320 family aircraft in Tianjin, north China, Oct. 22, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

DEEPENING COOPERATION

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union.

EU Ambassador to China Jorge Toledo Albinana, who attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the new FAL project two years ago, was surprised by the speed of its construction.

The project is one of the best examples of Europe-China cooperation, which is the result of combined European and Chinese excellence, know-how, technology and innovation, skills and other aspects, he said at the inauguration ceremony.

The new facility is the latest example of foreign enterprises expanding investment in China in recent years, showing confidence in business prospects in the world's second-largest economy.

This photo shows Airbus' second Final Assembly Line (FAL) for A320 family aircraft in Tianjin, north China, Oct. 22, 2025. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

Data from the Ministry of Commerce reveals that, by the end of June, China's actual use of foreign direct investment since 2021 had reached 708.73 billion U.S. dollars, achieving its 700-billion-dollar target ahead of schedule for the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025).

Foreign-invested enterprises contributed one-third of China's foreign trade, one-fourth of value-added industrial output and one-seventh of tax revenues. They have also created more than 30 million jobs during this period.

While meeting with Faury in Beijing on Tuesday, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said China's market has continued to expand steadily in recent years, becoming the world's second-largest consumption market as well as the second-largest import market globally.

The country will further advance Chinese modernization and foster new quality productive forces, the minister said, adding that this will create vast opportunities for foreign enterprises, including Airbus.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Using this as a framework, it seems fair to ask if todays AI stocks, which have substantially outperformed broad market indices, are in a financial bubble? But were utility analysts asking this question for a simple reason. The demands for new electric power-generating facilities supposedly required by AI are simply staggering both in amount and expense. For example, the highly respected Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) expects new AI-related electricity demand to reach 50 gigawatts (GW) by 2030. A Deloitte study showed AI electric demand increasing from 4GW now to 123 GW by 2035. And Sam Altmans Open AI Consortium (including Softbank and Oracle) stated it would need roughly 250 GW by 2033, which at todays prices would cost over half a trillion bucks to build. (To put these numbers in context, total generating capacity in the USA, presently, is 1,300 GW, growing about 30 GW per year.) All we can say is that with respect to power costs, the AI industry is behaving as if they are either irrelevant or simply a modest expense item, neither of which is true.

The seventeenth and eighteenth-century bubbles were commodity bubbles: tulips, spices, or beaver pelts. But the Railway Mania in the UK in the mid-1840s focused on an amazing new technology, railroads, marketed to the public as risk-free investments. That the British railroad companies' shares ultimately soared and then lost more than two-thirds of their value, immiserating a large portion of the investing public, is almost besides the point. Bubbles always end badly by definition. But the UKs railway mania is instructive because it was the first truly modern bubble which had all three components of more recent financial bubbles: 1) a new technology, railroads for moving goods and people, the long term economic impacts of which are unclear; 2) financial innovation usually involving leverage or speculation and 3) a government that either participates in the scheme or has little inclination to intervene in financial markets (until its too late).

Here is a funny thing about valuation bubbles involving financial instruments. In every individual case, you unavoidably end up asking: "What were they thinking? Or stated differently, what causes a significant part of the supposedly rational investing public to collectively lose their minds for a relatively brief period? A few tulip bulbs, for example, were valued more highly than a modest Amsterdam house in 1637, until they werent. Leveraged speculation in frontier commodity markets of Asia and America led to the South Sea Bubble and the Mississippi Bubble in Europe in the 1720s.

Story Continues

Utility assets and AI data centers resemble each other in that both are highly capital-intensive, but with one big difference. The heart of a utility is a power plant that lasts forty years (an annual depreciation rate of 2.5%). The primary cost component of a data center is the vast array of computer chips, which have a relatively short life, maybe 2-3 years. A capital asset with a two-year life has a 50% depreciation rate, creating a very large expense item on the income statement, which has to be covered by revenues from the business or by increased corporate borrowing. That still doesnt make the AI/data center boom a bubble, but it does suggest our next concern.

Capital expenditures for AI and data centers seem high. Not just to us. In fact, economists have noted that in the first half of 2025, AI-related capital expenditures contributed more to US domestic growth than consumer spending. This marks a dramatic reversal of prior trends, where consumer spending has been responsible for the bulk of economic activity. All we can conclude here is that this highlights the biggest financial risk for AI investors: will all these new facilities earn a competitive return on all this new, invested capital? Will there be enough revenues to support these new assets? We know the level of planned capex and that there are exciting uses for this technology. We do not know how much people will pay for these services, and therein lies a huge risk.

This boom (bubble?) reminds us of the power-generating bubble that burst in the early days of the century. When the power generating market was opened to competition, a host of legacy electricity firms, bankers, entrepreneurs, pipelines, European utilities, and crooks piled in to build a multitude of power plants, encouraged by favorable forward price curves and plenty of low-cost borrowed money. They knew that all the construction (if completed) would produce a power glut, but they all believed that the other guy would back down and not build, thereby preventing an oversupply. Well, the other guys did not back down, demand for power was weak, and carnage followed.

There are other related risks here, such as the role of vendor financing. The biggest players in this area (Microsoft, Google, Meta, and Nvidia) are financially robust. But they support an ecosystem of smaller vendors and suppliers who rely exclusively for their infrastructure and software on the aforementioned giants. This creates a circular financing scheme where one group sells products to another wholly captive or financially dependent group while purchasing their services. In a bubble, this is all financed with common stock issuances at ever higher valuations. Which works until it doesnt. Then the house of cards falls down, as it did in the housing and dot-com bubbles earlier this century.

The AI boom assumes that the tech bros in California, choosing an AI strategy, picked the right horse. The Chinese seem to think otherwise, offering less expensive AI solutions to less expensive problems, more or less. Chinese industry has shown, with government help, a remarkable ability to take ideas from abroad and commercialize them into a lower-cost product. AI is in their targets. That may put these huge American AI investments at risk. So dont start to count the profits.

Lets conclude with these observations about financial bubbles. First, there is a kind of conflation in the term between genuinely nonsensical ideas and those viable corporations whose shares were simply grossly misvalued. When the dot-com bubble burst around the year 2000, the shares of Amazon declined by over 90%. But it is still around, bigger than ever. Pet food supplier Pets.com, on the other hand, which lost money on every sale, is not. If we go back to our original example of the British railway mania of the 1840s, we can observe something similar. Those railroads, which provided an enormous economic boost to a rapidly industrializing British economy, also caused grievous financial injury to a generation of investors because of the wild misvaluation of the fledgling industry employing a radically new technology, the steam engine. But the legacy of that technology bubble was a fully functioning national railway system that still exists. So, after this AI and data center investor euphoria passes, the investors lose their money and the smoke lifts, what remains, just ashes or many valuable, profitable, important businesses?

By Leonard Hyman and William Tilles for Oilprice.com

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Greggory DiSalvo

This op-ed from Fight for the Future, a group organizing around the internet and political power, criticizes Democrats' backing of age verification laws and attacks on Section 230 as enabling a censorious MAGA agenda.

In his first few months in office, President Donald Trump and his cronies wasted no time targeting LGBTQ+ communities with a slew of discriminatory executive orders, most of them aimed specifically at trans people. Now, with the rights obsessive rush to blame trans people for Charlie Kirks death, its never been clearer that their goal is to completely eliminate us from public lifenot just by restricting our legal rights, but by sabotaging our ability to speak, connect, organize, and find information online.

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Online censorship is one of the many levers of state power right-wingers have been pulling to try and snuff out queer and trans existence, building on years of dangerous bills and state-level laws that claim to be about protecting children from Big Tech companies. But instead of fighting back, some Democrats are helping them at the controlseven as they show up at Pride marches and claim to support LGBTQ+ communities.

Top Democrats are continuing to enable Trumps anti-LGBTQ+ tech agenda in three key ways. The first is through misguided attacks on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, known as the First Amendment of the Internet. Section 230 specifies that online platforms like TikTok and Instagram cant be held legally responsible for content that their users upload. Its what prevents tech companies from being sued by billionaires and the government when people share content they dont like. Its why you can post on social media about a protest, or link to information on abortion and LGBTQ+ health care, and the company that owns the platform cant be held liable and pressured to take it down. It also protects platforms from being prosecuted under discriminatory state laws that criminalize LGBTQ+ content and other forbidden topics and resources.

Despite overwhelming consensus among human rights groups that this would be a terrible idea, both Trump and former president Joe Biden have supported repealing or significantly curtailing Section 230, and top Democrats like Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) have joined with Republicans in co-sponsoring a previous bill that proposed sunsetting the law, effectively removing it from the books. Durbin and the bills supporters have described this as necessary to rein in Big Tech companies that use Section 230 as a shield to avoid accountability. More recently, the day before ABC caved to Trump and suspended late-night star Jimmy Kimmel over his comments on Charlie Kirks death, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) described Section 230 as a problem for our democracy in an interview with Politico.

The irony is that Section 230 is the one thing stopping Trump from doing the same thing to internet platforms that he tried doing to Kimmel and did to Stephen Colbert. In reality, gutting Section 230 would make Big Tech monopolies stronger, while potentially killing off community-driven alternatives like Bluesky and Mastodon. In April, the organizers of dozens of the Tesla Takedown protests sent a letter to Durbin and other top Democrats explaining why altering Section 230 would kneecap their ability to organize against the Trump administration.

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If Section 230 is weakened or repealed, companies could be legally threatened for allowing LGBTQ+ content on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok, and even websites like Wikipedia, just like CBS and Disney were threatened for hosting speech the president doesnt like. It would make big social media platforms way more likely to suppress content about important but controversial topics, like LGBTQ+ health care, sex education, or the genocide in Gaza, or compel them to preemptively purge this content to avoid lawsuits from state governments and right-wing lobbyists.

A full sunset of Section 230 would help Trump carry out Project 2025s anti-LGBTQ+ agenda, which describes all queer and trans content as pornography and proposes making it a crime to promote or distribute it. This effectively means criminalizing whatever the government decides is promoting transgender ideology, MAGA-speak for anything acknowledging the fact that trans people exist and allowing us to express ourselves freely. In other words, eliminating Section 230 would help Trump and the right-wing legislatures in states like Texas in their attempts to rewrite the internet without queer and trans people. This erasure is already well underway with the administration removing any mention of queer and trans people from government websites, including the page for the Stonewall monument, which removed the T from LGBT. And last month, a bill was proposed in Michigan that would explicitly ban any depiction, description or simulation of trans people or their lives as being inherently pornographic.

Big Tech giants dont care about keeping kids safe or protecting LGBTQ+ rights to free expression. They care about making money. If given the choice between fighting expensive lawsuits and policing speech the way Trump wants them to, we can anticipate what theyll do. Companies like Google, Meta, and Amazon have wasted no time bending the knee to Trump, and CBS recently paid out a $16 million settlement rather than fight a winnable defamation case brought by the administration.

Without Section 230, smaller platforms like Bluesky and Wikipedia that cant afford armies of lawyers to fight back against a flood of bad-faith lawsuits might have to either cave to Trumps agenda or close down entirely. The end result would be similar to SESTA/FOSTA, the disastrous anti-sex trafficking law that led to the closure of websites used by sex workers to safely vet clients and communicate with each other, all while failing to make a dent in exploitative sex trafficking.

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Unfortunately, these attempts to kill Section 230 are only the tip of the iceberg. The second way lawmakers are implementing anti-LGBTQ+ censorship is through age verification laws, which subject people to online ID checks before accessing websites that the state declares harmful to minors. One of these laws was passed in Kansas last year, where state law broadly defines harmful to minors to include anything depicting nonsexual acts of homosexuality.

Under the banner of protecting children, these laws can be used to prevent queer and trans youth from accessing information about LGBTQ+ health care and connecting with online queer communities. Age verification laws also subject LGBTQ+ people of all ages to invasive surveillance, including online government ID checks and facial recognition scans, giving state governments and the Trump administration more information they could use to attack and discriminate against queer and trans people.

The effects of these laws extend far beyond the LGBTQ+ community. By attaching your legal name to everything you do online, age verification laws make the internet less safe for everyone and prevent vulnerable peoplefor example, those trying to escape abusive marriagesfrom accessing lifesaving resources or speaking out without fear of retribution.

The Kids Online Safety Act Would Harm LGBTQ\+ Youth, Restrict Access to Information and Community

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*This op-ed argues that KOSA is a censorship bill in disguise.*

The third and final way lawmakers are advancing anti-LGBTQ+ censorship is by reintroducing KOSA, the fake online safety bill, that would establish a duty of care for apps and websites used by young people, requiring them to use censorship to prevent and mitigate harms like anxiety and depression. KOSA takes the same logic of the bans on drag shows and LGBTQ+ books and applies it to the internet, allowing censorship of a broad range of information in the name of protecting kids from real online harm.

Instead of stopping Big Tech from harming kids with surveillance and manipulative algorithms, KOSA would focus on stopping platforms from showing young people speech that the government deems harmful. And its being supported by Democrats, including self-styled LGBTQ+ ally Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), who recently resumed publicly pushing the bill. Blumenthal co-wrote the bill with Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and has reintroduced it in Congress every year since 2022. The most recent version of the bill was co-sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and most Democrats outside the partys progressive wing have been consistently on board since its earlier iterations.

KOSAs right-wing supporters have not been subtle about their goals. Blackburn has openly said she wants to use KOSA to target online content that promotes the transgender, adopting the MAGA conspiracy theory that trans people are a social contagion that must be suppressed. Organizations like the Heritage Foundation have said this even more explicitly: In an op-ed published in the American Conservative and promoted by the foundation, two Heritage operatives promote the conservative hoax that social media is turning kids trans and describe KOSA as an opportunity to purge trans content from online platforms. Blumenthal has falsely claimed that KOSA wouldnt harm LGBTQ+ communities, and has actively smeared our organization, Fight For the Future, a queer- and trans-led group, as a pawn of Big Tech for opposing KOSA.

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But heres the truth: According to the bills own language, KOSA would allow the Trump administration to go after platforms if they show any content to minors that the government claims makes kids anxious or depressed. The agency tasked with making those claims under KOSA would be the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which, under Trump, has become yet another political weapon against trans rights. In July, the agency hosted an anti-trans workshop with the explicit aim of exploring how the Trump administration can use the agencys authority to go after medical providers offering gender-affirming health care, and released a Request for Public Comment suggesting that consumers may have been exposed to false or unsupported claims about gender-affirming care. In response, 17 state attorneys general have blasted the FTCs unsupported claims, writing that the agency does not have any authority to regulate the practice of medicine [...] under the guise of consumer protection.

If KOSA were to pass, its fair to assume that the Trump administration and the FTC would claim that resources related to content and sexual health make kids anxious, and that suicide prevention resources for trans youth make kids depressed. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitch would be forced to aggressively filter, age-gate, and suppress content using machine learning tools. Queer voices, stories, and the resources that our community needs to survive would be silenced across the internet.

Queer youth have led a mass online uprising against KOSA and other, what wed call bad internet bills, flooding Congress with hundreds of thousands of phone calls and emails. This has forced the bills supporters to make several rounds of changes to the bill. But none of them have fixed the fundamental flaw with KOSA: It gives the federal government control over online speech and expands online age-gating and intrusive surveillance. Under an openly homophobic and transphobic Trump administration, we already know exactly what would come next.

Dozens of frontline LGBTQ+ groups have joined the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and others in opposing KOSA. While some large LGBTQ+ groups have sat on the sidelines, GLAAD recently told the Washington Post that they have renewed concerns given the Trump administrations weaponization of the FTC against trans people.

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While supporters claim they are trying to protect children, all of these policies are rooted in the logic of domination. Like the failed model of abstinence-only sex education, these censorship bills enforce the idea that the way we can protect children and vulnerable people is by controlling them and preventing them from learning about the world. Politicians constantly talk about protecting children, but rarely about empowering them or respecting their rights and agencyincluding their right to explore the world and themselves in ways some adults dont approve of.

While Democrats find common ground with MAGA Republicans on these misguided censorship efforts, the real harm that Big Tech companies are doing to kids and to our basic human rights goes unchecked. Democrats could be pushing for strong privacy, antitrust, and algorithmic justice legislation that would actually hold Big Tech giants accountable and stop their exploitation.

If lawmakers really cared about kids, theyd stop trying to take away their health care and letting giant corporations pollute the air and water they breathe. Theyd ensure that every child has a safe place to live and enough food to eat. Instead, many top Democrats in Congress are trying to help Trump censor the internet. And by speaking out, its the kids who are protecting us from them.

Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue

Want more U.S. government coverage?
As President Donald Trumps administration weaponizes its powers  including the might of the Justice Department  to target people who help document the actions of its often-masked immigration enforcement agents, Democrats at the federal and state levels are launching their own efforts to document alleged misconduct and potentially hold agents and federal agencies accountable.

With each passing day, it seems a new wave of videos goes viral showing agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement inflicting some form of violence against allegedly undocumented immigrants and U.S. citizens alike. Amid all of this, the Trump administration has argued that efforts to inform the public about where federal agents are active  including everything from app-based alerts to news reports about enforcement activity  put agents in danger. This is also how it has justified masked agents, despite comparisons  including from a conservative judge  to the Ku Klux Klan.

On Wednesday, New York Attorney General Letitia James said her office has started a portal New Yorkers can use to file allegations of misconduct. The announcement came after footage of federal agents rounding up people suspected of being undocumented immigrants  and possibly some American citizens, too  on New York Citys Canal Street spread widely online.

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New Yorkers who were present should submit videos or photos, and we will review and investigate any violations of the law, James wrote on X.

We're launching a portal to review federal immigration enforcement in New York after yesterdays ICE raid on Canal Street.



New Yorkers who were present should submit videos or photos, and we will review and investigate any violations of the law.https://t.co/jTixVi4yE6  NY AG James (@NewYorkStateAG) October 22, 2025

On Thursday, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed an executive order establishing an accountability commission. The goal, according to a news release, is to shed more light on the misconduct of the Trump Administrations federal agents and document a formal, public record that can be used to pursue justice and accountability.

Pritzker, a Democrat, has warned National Guard troops that they could face prosecution for any misconduct they commit. And hes quoted in the release as saying: Once this all ends, I believe there will be people of good faith who will review what the Commission has recorded and will demand answers and accountability.

At the federal level, House Democrats are introducing their own tool to document ICE misconduct. A spokesperson for Democrats on the House Oversight Committee confirmed to Gizmodo that theyre creating a misconduct tracker to systematically document abuse and civil rights violations by this administration  including cases where ICE has detained U.S. citizens and violated federal law.

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In an apparent effort to preempt allegations that this tracker will be used to literally track ICE agents, the spokesperson clarified that the tracker will document unconstitutional actions after they occur  it is not a live location tool, and said that creating such an investigatory record is routine and essential in any oversight inquiry. Despite this, Attorney General Pam Bondi falsely claimed on X that the planned tracker shows Democrats are trying to put ICE agents at risk just for doing their jobs.

Its worth noting: Polling data in recent months has shown that a majority of Americans dont hold a favorable view of ICE and say that Trumps anti-immigrant crackdown has gone too far.

So, Democrats accountability efforts appear to coincide with broad public opposition toward what these federal agents have been doing at the will of the Trump administration.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
(The Center Square)  Republicans attempts to avert the worst effects of the ongoing government shutdown failed Thursday after Senate Democrats blocked a bill that would ensure essential federal employees are paid on time.

Federal employees considered essential, such as air traffic controllers and federal law enforcement, must report to work without pay. The rest are furloughed without pay until the shutdown ends, at which point both groups receive backpay.

The Shutdown Fairness Act, introduced by Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., would have required that essential employees  including active-duty military members and certain federal contractors  receive pay as normal during a federal appropriations lapse.

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Sens. John Fetterman, D-Pa.; Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., and Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., were the only Democrats to support advancing the bill in the 55-45 vote.

With senators now leaving for the weekend, the government shutdown will last at least 26 days, approaching the 35-day record.

The government has remained shuttered since Oct. 1, when Democratic senators refused to provide the necessary votes to pass Republicans Continuing Resolution, which would extend federal funding levels until Nov. 21.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said his party will lend support only if Republicans promise to renew the pandemic-era expansion of the Obamacare Premium Tax Credit, set to expire Dec. 31.

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Republicans refused to make such guarantees without bipartisan talks and accused Democrats of turning the normally bipartisan government funding process into a political game.

Negotiations have essentially died as both sides unsuccessfully wait each other out. Senate Democrats filibustered Republicans Continuing Resolution for the 12th time Wednesday evening.

In the meantime, the U.S. economy has lost hundreds of billions of dollars in revenue, governors are warning low-income citizens that they may not receive food assistance in November, and millions of federal employees remain unpaid. The Pentagon has already dipped into untapped research and development money in order to fund service members Oct. 15 paychecks.

Weve heard Democrats criticize @SenRonJohnsons bill because it would provide pay only to those working through the shutdown. They say they want everyone to get paid, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., posted on X. Well, I have great news: the clean CR would pay everyone. We just need five more Democrats to support it.
House Democrats have formally begun an investigation into President Trumps brazen attempt at a $230 million payout from his own Justice Department.

The probe is led by Representatives Jamie Raskin and Robert Garcia.

If either of your claims had any merit, you could have taken them to court by now and litigated them publicly, wrote Raskin and Garcia, the top Democrats on the House Oversight and Judiciary committees. You did not do that. Instead, you waited until you became President and installed your handpicked loyalists at DOJ, knowing that you could instruct them to co-sign your demand notes in secret behind closed doors, and then you could present the notes to the U.S. Treasury for cold hard cash courtesy of the American taxpayer. That isnt justice, it is theft.

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The president is seeking reimbursement for DOJ investigations into Russian election interference and Russian ties to Trumps 2016 campaign, as well as for the 2022 FBI search of Mar-a-Lago for classified documents. Trump made the claims in 2023 and 2024, but now his own DOJ is in charge of resolving the matter. The $230 million payout would come from taxpayer funds.

Republicans, however, dont seem to be too worried about the high levels of potential fraud and corruption associated with an unprecedented move like this.

I dont know the details about that, Ive just read it, I didnt talk with him about that, House Speaker Mike Johnson replied when asked about the payout on Wednesday. I know that he believes hes owed that reimbursement. What I heard yesterday was if he receives it, he was gonna consider giving it to charity, he doesnt need those proceeds.
The sequence of events over the past few months reads like a case study in how oligarchy actually works in America. First, billionaires passed legislation to enrich themselves. Then they shut down the government to avoid helping working Americans afford health carea system those same billionaires profit from. And now, theyre trying to leverage the shutdown to fire thousands of workers who protect vulnerable Americans while gutting programs millions of families depend on.



This is a moment that demands a response. If Democrats cant run on a unified platform that centralizes and prioritizes taxing the ultrawealthy in order to dismantle their stranglehold on our government, then they need to get out of the way for people who will.

Lets start with the One Big Beautiful Billa piece of legislation that delivers more than 70 percent of its benefits to the richest fifth of Americans in 2026. The richest 1 percent will receive an average net tax cut of $66,000at a cost of $1 trillion. Meanwhile, the bill would result in 14 million more Americans becoming uninsured by 2034, with more than $1 trillion in cuts coming from Medicaid alonethe largest cuts in the programs history, and a stunning transfer of wealth, almost dollar for dollar, from the poorest Americans to the richest.

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Republicans refusal to fund health care for working Americans caused the shutdown of our government, and the administration is now joyfully inflicting suffering on vulnerable Americansschoolchildren, low-income families, unhoused people, and senior citizens.

Led by budget chief Russ Vought, Trump is trying to fire more than 4,000 federal workers across at least seven agencies and is seeking north of 10,000 layoffs. A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to immediately halt the firings, but that order is temporary.

At the Department of Housing and Urban Development, dozens of people who investigate claims of discrimination and abuse have been slated for termination, along with roughly 100 employees who conduct inspections to ensure the quality and safety of federally supported housinghousing that low-income families and seniors depend on.

The Education Departments Office for Civil Rights, which ensures students with disabilities receive legally mandated services, has been decimated. The office was already stripped of half its staff earlier this year, with seven of 12 regional offices closed and the remaining attorneys left with crushing caseloads of 300 or more cases and a backlog of 25,000 cases. Federal workers in the Office of Special Education Programsalmost all of whom have been targeted for eliminationtypically ensure that states and school districts follow the law in spending federal money on students with disabilities. Without that oversight, vulnerable children will fall through the cracks.

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Trump himself made the cruelty explicit, telling reporters he was laying off people that the Democrats want, adding that further cuts would just deepen pain for the political left.

This shutdown has exposed what many Americans have long understood to be true: Billionaires have used the power that comes with their extreme wealth to capture our government and bend it toward a single purpose, enriching themselves at everyone elses expense. And if Democrats wont confront that reality now, when will they?

The pattern extends beyond our borders: The Trump administration is deploying at least $20 billion in taxpayer money to bail out Argentinanot for any strategic interest, but to rescue hedge fund billionaires who bet on the countrys far-right president and now need an escape hatch for their investments before the economy collapses.

The American people have had enough. Recent polling from battleground congressional districts shows that 73 percent of likely voters support raising taxes on billionaires, with 53 percent supporting it strongly. Support is even higher among independents, and higher still among Democratic primary voters, the base that Democrats desperately need to reinvigorate if they want to remain politically relevant.

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The public gets itand they want their elected officials to do something about it.

A growing number of Democrats are trying. In September, the top Democrat on the Senates tax-writing committee, Ron Wyden, along with 20 co-sponsors, reintroduced the Billionaires Income Tax Act, legislation designed to ensure billionaires pay their fair share in taxes every year, just like Americans who work for a living already do. Progressive leaders like Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Elizabeth Warren, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, among others, have also championed the need to tax the ultrawealthy.

But at a time when Americans are living through the painful consequences of a government bought and paid for by the ultrawealthy, the Democratic Party and its leaders need to offer voters a unified, forward-looking agenda that actually fights back against this entrenched power.

Granted, the Democrats are out of power, so right now, they cant do much. But as they make their case heading into 2026 and 2028, asking the voters to return them to power, they need to be talking about a wealth tax like the 5 percent annual tax on people with $50 million or more in wealth and a 10 percent annual tax on people with $250 million or more. Independent scorekeepers have found that such an approach would raise $6.8 trillion in the first 10 years, slow the emergence of new billionaires, and reduce the total share of wealth controlled by billionaires.

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This isnt just about raising revenue to invest in our families and communities. Its also about breaking the cycle we are currently living through: billionaires using their wealth to buy political power, then using that political power to enrich themselves further while dismantling public programs that help everyone else, thus making them more dependent on billionaire-run services.

Democrats have a choice. They can continue playing defense while billionaires systematically dismantle our economy and democracy to enrich themselves or go on offense with a message the country is ready to hear: If you elect us, were going to tax extreme wealth to return power to the people.
Immunotherapy drugs continue to gain momentum across a growing range of disease areas with blockbusters such as MSD's Keytruda (pembrolizumab) and BMSs Opdivo (nivolumab) generating billions in annual revenue since their US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in 2014.

Amid this sustained growth, British biotech IMU Biosciences is working to make immunotherapy drugs safer and more effective. Spun out from Kings College, London and the Francis Crick Institute in 2021, the UK company has designed a platform to assess how an individuals immune system influences their responsiveness to immunotherapy treatments.

To identify the immune signatures that predict disease progression, treatment response, and patient outcomes for immunotherapies, two things needed to happen. According to IMU CEO John Baker, instrumentation needed to get better, so more parameters could be analysed, while tools for the analysis of vast volumes of data needed to arise. In effect, the rise of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) have had a major impact on IMUs ability to develop and run its platform.

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Hospital Management sat down with Baker to learn more about the companys mission to reshape the understanding of the immune system, and why.

John Baker, CEO at IMU Biosciences

Ross Law (RL): What factors motivated IMUs establishment?

John Baker (JB): Our founding thesis was that the immune system is everywhere. If you look at biopharma trials, regardless of therapeutic area, a large proportion are targeting the immune system or aiming to fundamentally alter it. Despite this, going to the doctors, individuals tend to get five components of their immune system measured in terms of white blood cell counts, and that is nowhere near the level of resolution needed to understand an individual's immune system and use those data to inform treatments. Whether that's informing trial design, target discovery or disease status, you need a lot more information.

At IMU, we're routinely looking at more than 2,500 cell compartments, and the platform the team has built starts with a routine blood draw and returns that level of information about ones immune system within several hours. It does this by looking at around about 70 different proteins on the cell surface of every single immune cell in that sample. From that single blood sample, around 200-250 million datapoints are generated.

RL: Discuss the role of AI and ML and how they factor into your platform.

JB: Classical immunology is a particularly manual process. Our team has built algorithms that effectively determine what is in a sample and classify its value in a more robust and high throughput way than a human could achieve.

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The reality is that the immune system is hugely variable between individuals, and dynamic within any one individual over time. Therefore, to be able to put any of those data in context, you need a large dataset to understand, for example, what's the expanse and shape of immune normal versus what are the specific cell types that are driving a disease state, an outcome, or a likelihood to respond to a drug. To understand these factors, the team have now profiled the immunomes of almost 20,000 individuals, and this is a diverse population in terms of age, ethnicity, and biological sex. Around half of this total are healthy individuals, with the other half from disease specific cohorts across indications including oncology, rheumatology, and neurology.

Having that baseline of normal is essential. As will be obvious based on the volume of data, to be able to model which of the cell types matter, is another ML and AI challenge, and we're now at a point where we can identify the variables within the immune system that are the most valuable, in terms of understanding how a disease is going to progress, across a range of indications.

RL: Can you elaborate on the purpose and vision of the Manifest consortium and explain your role within it.

JB: We joined the Manifest consortium in October 2024 and its a UK-based programme investigating patient response to cancer immunotherapies, with the aim to make them safer and more effective.

We're leading the immune side of that. The dance that's going on in these patients is a battle between the tumour and the patient's immune system. However, everyones looked forensically at the tumour for the last 20 years or more. No one has characterised the other party in that dance, which is the immune system. Given you're expecting the immune system to do the business here, weve long thought it would be a good idea to measure it.

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Therefore, were excited to be a part of Manifest, and the data are hugely exciting. We're not far into that study, but were already able to show that from a standard blood sample from those patients, before they get their first dose of these drugs, we can predict which patients are going to respond with about 95% accuracy, whereas the best accuracy anyone could get to before was about 60%.

RL: What do you view as the key advantages of IMUs platform and what are your current clinical programmes?

JB: Were using the same assay stack and ML models for every indication we look at. For all were enabling personalised medicine approaches, we don't have to tailor the test and the assay and the outcome to every patient that we run. This makes our offering more readily scalable versus next-generation sequencing (NGS) approaches.

For instance, with Manifest, we're looking at the same markers for solid tumours. Our second programme is in blood cancers, and there we've got some extraordinary data on our ability to improve outcomes in the three nastiest leukaemias. This is likely our most advanced programme and is currently with the FDA for development track sign-off. We're hoping to have that up and running in clinical trials in 2026.

Our third programme is in looking at patients who've received solid organ transplants and monitoring their immune systems to be able to better predict the likelihood of them rejecting or starting to reject those organs. A lot of the morbidity and mortality post-transplant is rejection, but another big chunk of it is a consequence of immunosuppression and infections and cancers that emerge in the medium term in those patients as a result of immunosuppression. Again, there's a huge need to be able to routinely, stably and rationally monitor the immune status of those patients to maintain that fine balance between the health of the transplanted organ and the broader health of the patient.

RL: What are your future plans around integrating your platform into clinical care pathways?

JB: How we deploy is somewhat contingent on the particular disease state being looked at. One of our first applications is in haematology oncology, where we have some exciting immune signatures that we believe can help to fundamentally change patient outcomes. There were working on a central lab type model to deploy in the US and are currently in conversation with the FDA about how to get that moving at pace.

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Other applications were developing are likely to be a good fit for more typical hospital type labs, and there we're currently working with instrumentation partners in cytometry, to demonstrate that we can take signatures that we discover on our platform through into their clinical install bases.

"Demystifying the immune system with the help of AI-ML" was originally created and published by Hospital Management, a GlobalData owned brand.




BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  The Livingston Parish Sheriffs Office (LPSO) Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force arrested a Denham Springs man after an investigation into child sexual abuse materials.

According to Sheriff Jason Ard, the investigation began in September 2025 after a tip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) alerted authorities to possible possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material.

With help from the Louisiana Attorney Generals Office and the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation, detectives identified the suspect as Brandon Wayne Howlett of Denham Springs.

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Denham Springs man killed in two-vehicle crash in Livingston Parish

LPSO said that during the investigation, detectives learned that Howlett allegedly possessed and distributed one file of child sexual abuse material involving a victim under the age of 17. Detectives also found seven videos allegedly produced by Howlett that were sexual in nature, leading investigators to identify a child victim.

Howlett was arrested and booked into the Livingston Parish Detention Center on the following charges:

One count of child sexual abuse material.

Seven counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile.

Seven counts of video voyeurism.

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Ard reminded residents that the LPSO ICAC Task Force offers free internet safety presentations to help protect children online. To schedule a session, call 225-435-1365.

Keeping Louisiana kids safe online: Apps parents should know about

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News.
DENVER (KDVR)  The Denver Sheriff Department is losing staff as the need for law enforcement intensifies across the nation.

FOX31 found the department is budgeted for 859 sworn positions, but currently has 579 of those positions filled. Overall staffing is at 65%. The sheriffs department reports 109 deputies left in 2024 compared to 124 in 2021.

5 arrested as part of massive crime ring, allegedly committed crimes in 25 jurisdictions

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Sheriff Elias Diggins tells FOX31 a wave of retirement is the main cause of the decrease in staff with those who have served the Department for 25 to 30 years now eligible to leave.

We believe that over the next couple of years, with our recruitment efforts and with the wave of retirement subsiding, that well be able to see more significant gains, said Diggins.

The Sheriff also cites civil unrest in 2020 as a reason for some resignations, but says there is no evidence showing deputies are leaving the Department to join efforts to enforce immigration laws as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.

Were an excellent department that has pretty good pay right now; the pay for ICE is less than what you would be paid as a Denver Deputy Sheriff, he said.

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Diggins says training academy attendance numbers have tripled, showing a renewed interest in law enforcement.

If folks want to serve the community, if they want to be part of a great department thats going in a good direction, we would love for them to become members of the Denver Sheriffs Department, he said.

Diggins says the fluctuating staff levels are affecting public safety and all shifts are being properly covered.

Summit County Sheriff accuses county commissioners of retaliation, claims budget cuts will threaten public safety

Deputies are required to work overtime 24 hours per month, but I can tell you that we do everything that we can to not only keep our staff safe but also the people that are in our custody and the community as well, he said.

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Diggins encourages those interested in beginning careers in law enforcement to consider the rewards.

Youre giving back, Im a child of this community, grew up in Denver. Im from Montbello, so to be able to give back to the community thats invested so much in me just means the world so I consider it a privilege not only to be the Sheriff but also a member of the Sheriffs Department, he said.

A new training academy begins in December. For more information, visit the Denver Sheriff Department website here.

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WILMOT, Wis. (WFRV)  Authorities in southeast Wisconsin are investigating after a third party reported a possible threat toward a high school.

According to the Kenosha County Sheriffs Office, on Oct. 22, 2025, deputies investigated a third-party claim of a threat involving a 17-year-old student at Wilmot High School.

Criminal charges issued for Wisconsin man & woman related to death of 4-year-old

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After a thorough investigation, deputies determined no credible threat was made to the school, its students, or staff.

Wisconsin highway shuts down after bales of hay catch fire on trailer

Out of an abundance of caution, additional deputies were assigned to Wilmot High School on Thursday and Friday.

It is crucial to be vigilant and report any concerning behavior to the appropriate authorities, Sheriff David Zoerner said in a statement. Lets continue working together to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone in our community.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
DES MOINES, Iowa  A Des Moines man has been arrested in connection with a shooting that happened earlier this month.

Larry Botts, 55, is being held in the Polk County Jail on charges of attempted murder, going armed with intent, and felon in possession of a firearm. His bond has been set at $100,000 cash.

Larry Botts

Sgt. Paul Parizek, Public Information Officer of the Des Moines Police Department, said the arrest was linked to an October 15th shooting. A fight happened inside a business at 3725 Hubbell Avenue shortly after 2:30 a.m., and after those involved separated, two men left the building.

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Audit of Iowa DOE background check, licensing procedures requested following Ian Roberts arrest

Botts is seen on surveillance video going to his car and retrieving a handgun. He then approached the two men and fired at them. Criminal complaints filed in the case say he fired two shots, but they missed.

Police discovered shell casings near the scene.

The criminal complaint said Botts admitted to shooting at the victims.

Detectives tracked Botts down on Wednesday, and he was taken into custody at a residence near E. 29th Street and Madison Avenue without incident.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Botts on November 3rd.

Metro news

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Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE:ACI) is included among the 11 High-Yield Dividend Stocks for Steady Cash Flow.

Tigress Financial Lifts Albertsons (ACI) Price Target Following Strong Q2 Results

Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay

Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE:ACI) is one of the largest grocery retailers in the US, operating across 34 states and Washington, D.C. The brand has become a familiar name for many shoppers and remains one of the top choices for groceries in most major cities.

On October 20, Tigress Financial Partners raised its price target for Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE:ACI) to $29.00, up from the previous level, while reiterating a Buy rating on the stock. The revision came after the companys strong Q2 2026 performance, which showed steady sales growth, improved profitability, and continued momentum in its digital transformation. Albertsons, which generates around $81.37 billion in annual revenue and holds a market capitalization of $10.85 billion, reported a 2.08% year-over-year rise in revenue and maintains a 3.04% dividend yield.

Tigress pointed out that Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE:ACI)s growth is being driven by advancements in AI-powered digital sales, a growing loyalty program, and its high-margin retail media business. The firm also underscored the potential of Albertsons Media Collective, viewing it as a major long-term growth catalyst expected to boost both revenue and margins over the next few years through data monetization, omnichannel expansion, and new advertiser solutions.

In addition, the firm took note of Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE:ACI)s recent approval of a $750 million accelerated share repurchase plan, along with its continued focus on growth investments such as enhancing digital capabilities, opening new locations, and upgrading existing stores.

Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE:ACI) is also known for its consistent dividend policy. The company currently offers a quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.01%, as of October 21.

While we acknowledge the potential of ACI as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 10 Best Beaten Down Dividend Stocks to Buy Right Now and 15 Dividend Stocks That Have Raised Payouts for 20+ Years

Disclosure: None.
DES MOINES, Iowa  Des Moines Public Schools and an immigration advocacy group say a student was detained in late September and later deported by ICE.

According to the Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice, a DMPS high school student attended a immigration check-in at the Federal Building, located in downtown Des Moines, and was taken into custody by ICE agents. At the time of the check-in, the student had been accompanied by a guardian and by immigrants rights advocates.

Iowa MMJ states the student was transferred to the Hardin County Jail before later being taken to a detention center in Louisiana. The student was reportedly able to briefly make contact with their guardian four days after being detained, but was not heard from again until after being deported, the Iowa MMJ says.

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In a statement, DMPS Interim Superintendent Matt Smith said, Des Moines Public Schools is aware that one of our high school students was detained by federal immigration authorities late last month. This situation did not occur on or near school property. We understand that news like this can cause concern among our students, families, and staff. Our schools are committed to being safe, welcoming places for every student with principals, teachers and staff who care about their well-being.

The Iowa MMJ says advocates have contacted Iowa congress members and asked them to step in and reunite the student with their guardian and find a legal pathway that will protect the student.

He is a good boy who has lived through some hard things. He was abandoned by his parents when he was little and lived with his grandmother. He came to Iowa seeking safety and a chance to reunite with his family. He was working hard to learn English and do well in school, he was an

important member of our family and was key to helping us survive. He didnt deserve to be taken by ICE, said his guardian, who wishes to remain anonymous.

According to their website, Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice (Iowa MMJ) is a statewide membership-based advocacy and legal service organization driven and led by immigrant and refugee voices and united with allies whose mission is to build a movement for justice led by immigrants and refugees in Iowa by providing high-quality legal services and community empowerment through organizing.

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ICE is hurting our communities. Theyre arresting, detaining and disappearing children,

community leaders, workers and fathers, said Erica Johnson with Iowa MMJ. This is not about

public safety; its about taking away peoples fundamental freedoms and rights.

The alleged detainment of this DMPS high school student occurred around the same time as the detainment of former DMPS superintendent Ian Roberts. Court records state that Roberts has pleaded not guilty to federal charges and will face trial later this year.

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Gov. Ron DeSantis has spent much of the past year calling for property tax reductions and feuding with Republicans in the Florida House.

Those two efforts came together last night in a scorched-earth post to X blasting the Legislatures efforts to offer a constitutional ballot referendum on property taxes.

Placing more than one property tax measure on the ballot represents an attempt to kill anything on property taxes, DeSantis posted Wednesday. Its a political game, not a serious attempt to get it done for the people.

All summer, the Florida House, led by Speaker Daniel Perez of Miami  a core DeSantis antagonist  worked to craft a series of proposals to be voted on by Floridians in 2026. Any measure affecting property taxes would require a change to the Florida Constitution. Such changes need the approval of 60% of voters.

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The proposals offered by the Florida House take a variety of approaches to property taxes, from eliminating nonschool property taxes to exempting seniors from paying those taxes.

DeSantis preferred approach is to exempt all homesteaded properties from the taxes.

However, despite months of talk, the governor has yet to provide a concrete proposal.

The Legislature has  in the form of its eight bills.

Ive personally reached out to share with him the Houses proposals and he has, so far, not wanted to engage in a conversation, Perez wrote in an emailed statement after this story initially published. So when the Governor says he wants to abolish property taxes. How? We dont have any details. ... We offered multiple proposals in good faith because it is unclear to us what - if anything - any other party is willing to do.

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The spat over property taxes is just the latest in a series of brawls between DeSantis and Perezs House. Republicans in that chamber led the investigation into the DeSantis administrations Hope Florida effort, a probe DeSantis has criticized. A grand jury in Tallahassee has been convened related to the Hope Florida Foundation, which was created by the state to support the Hope Florida program.

Earlier this year, Republicans also sparred over immigration enforcement, with DeSantis arguing Perezs preferred approach would make Florida a de facto sanctuary state.

The upcoming legislative session will be DeSantis last as Florida governor. Hes termed out after the 2026 election.

The session is a high-stakes political matter for DeSantis, who will be looking to build political momentum ahead of a potential 2028 presidential run.

If Thursdays post is any indication, DeSantis has no intention of playing nice with lawmakers.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)  With no final budget in sight, lawmakers are leaving Raleigh this week and not planning any more votes for the rest of the year.

Its a simple fact we havent been able to reach an agreement on additional matters for the budget, and we continue to have conversations, top Republican Senator Phil Berger said.

Democrats in both chambers say Republicans wasted time this week by passing a newly drawn Congressional map to benefit their own party instead of focusing on a budget or fully funding Medicaid.

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We can pass any bill we want, do anything that we want, so why dont we do things to help people? said Rep. Robert Reives.

Republicans control both the House and the Senate in North Carolina. But leaders in both chambers cant come to agreements on major budget points, including taxes and Medicaid.

There are certain things that our members feel that the House needs to comply with agreements that were previously made and we work through majorities here and the majorities have determined that what the House is willing to do is not what the Senate is willing to do, Senator Berger said.

Speaker of the House Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, right, talks with Rep. John Bell, R-Wayne, left, during debate of a redistricting bill at the Legislative Building, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)

All I can say is our end of the chamber, we are willing to negotiate on all the key points and thats not reciprocated on the other side, Republican House Speaker Destin Hall said.

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Top Republicans say theyre comfortable not passing a budget before the end of 2025 because they say the most time-sensitive matters are handled in so-called mini budgets.

Whats left are the things that are still really important, like state employees and teacher salaries, salaries for law enforcement, and again we dont have agreement on those things, Representative Hall said.

If we cant get agreement on anything beyond what we have, then what we have is certainly adequate of the functioning of state government at this time, Senator Berger said.

Democrats say its not nearly enough.

We have a continuing resolution budget, what I tell you is there are a lot of nonrecurring funds that have ceased, and that companies are firing people, nonprofits are firing people, food banks are bare, teachers arent getting raises, there are foster kids who are waiting for permanency right now, Democratic Senator Sydney Batch said.

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The case of a father who has been detained while his daughter fights cancer was in court Thursday.

The judge did not make a ruling on Ruben Torres Maldonado's case Thursday, giving the government until midnight to submit some more paperwork.

His attorneys said they remain optimistic he may be released Friday. But he is in Brazil, Indiana as of Thursday morning at the Clay County Detention Center, which rents space to ICE.

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Attorneys said they believe the judge is understanding, given the very urgent medical situation Torres Maldonado is in surrounding his daughter.

His 16-year-old daughter, Ophelia, is in treatment for a rare and aggressive form of metastatic cancer.

She appeared in court Thursday morning in a wheelchair along with family members.

Attorneys said every day he remains in custody is a day away from his critically ill daughter and that's why they're calling for his release and an expedited hearing with an immigration judge.

Torres Maldonado is a father of two U.S. citizen children. He was detained by ICE this past weekend at a Niles Home Depot.

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Attorneys claim he has been in the United States since 2003 and did attempt to go through the documentation process well before he was detained on Saturday.

This situation has been very stressful and taxing on their family, especially his daughter.

"This week she was supposed to be in the hospital getting chemotherapy and unfortunately, the emotional and physical strain of her father's detention, interfered with her being in a position to have the chemotherapy and we're hoping her father's return will get her in a position where she can get the therapy she needs to fight for her life," attorney Kalman Resnick said.

The Department of Homeland Security says he has a history of driving offenses, including driving without a valid license and speeding.

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Assistant CHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin issued the following statement:

"On October 18, U.S. Border Patrol conducted a targeted immigration enforcement operation that resulted in the arrest of Ruben Torres Maldanado, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico.

"His criminal history shows he has a history of habitual driving offenses and has been charged multiple times with driving without insurance, driving without a valid license, and speeding.

"During his arrest he did not comply with instructions from the officers and attempted to flee in his vehicle and backed into a government vehicle. He will remain in ICE custody pending removal.

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"This is nothing more than a desperate Hail Mary attempt to keep a criminal illegal alien in our country. The Trump administration is fighting for the rule of law and the American people."

DHS says he will remain in ICE custody, pending removal.

His hearing is set for 9:30 a.m.
Apparently, Dynzell Sigers would rather die than be a short king ... because the Georgia man went through months of pain and therapy to have his limbs dramatically lengthened to be taller. In the U.S., the process is usually only expected to add 3 inches.
In federal court this week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security revealed some of the inner workings of "Operation Midway Blitz" while talking about the significant contrast between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

While both agencies are part of DHS and conduct immigration enforcement, officials under oath described methods and tactics that differ.

Some of those tactics are resulting in untargeted roundups and tear gassed protestors during the Trump administration's immigration crackdown in Chicago. Both examples were carried out by CBP, which is a different agency than ICE.

When the ABC7 I-Team joined ICE exclusively in April of this year during one of their operations, Chicago ICE Field Director Sam Olson described the meticulous work they say goes into their arrests.

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"Some cases take, you know, even a month, to kind of investigate, and again, to do just, you know, different techniques that we do to investigate, to figure out kind of where somebody might be, who's living with that kind of thing," he said.

Olson also described the planning behind one operation.

"They were anticipating the subject to get into a vehicle. So, it was a vehicle stop that we conducted," Olson said. "And so we, the officers on our special response team rehearsed that even beforehand, and it went down exactly, you know, as a planned."

SEE ALSO | Interim Chicago ICE field office director, called to testify on feds' use of force, going back to DC

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But a major contrast was drawn in federal court this week when the ICE Deputy Field Office Director said of Customs and Border Protection: "We're operating independently of each other. We're still doing targeted enforcement like we've always done; they do it a bit differently as everyone's seen."

In 2019, the I-Team traveled to Laredo, Texas to see Border Patrol tactics first hand as CBP patrolled on foot, on horseback, by air and in airboats along 171 miles of the Rio Grande River.

It is those untargeted patrol methods and mentality that traditionally separated CBP from ICE, DePaul University History Professor Tom Mockaitis said. He's concerned about the car chases and crash maneuvers happening in residential areas.

"I think cowboy mentality has seeped into the whole operation. So they are going to these places, and they are going through neighborhoods and so on, picking up people to some degree, at random, or, you know, certainly based on very, very dubious assumptions about how they look and sound," Mockaitis said.

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Mockaitis adding with Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino leading the Operation Midway Blitz, CBP rules of engagement seem to have permeated ICE enforcement as well. He points to tear gas and pepper bullets which are regularly volleyed at protestors at the Broadview ICE processing facility.

"I mean, the level of force that is being used is is dangerous and unnecessary. I never would have imagined we would be talking about this in the United States. This is what I would expect to be seeing in dictatorships overseas, not my own country," Mockaitis said.

And while CBP leaders claim Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino is in full command of all "Operation Midway Blitz" assets, including ICE agents, court testimony from an ICE administrator contradicted that, saying no one person at the top is overseeing operations in Chicago.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Loyalists raged when President-elect Donald Trump handed obviously unqualified Kristi Noem the Homeland Security cabinet role as a favor in one of countless knives-out battles that reportedly defined a chaotic transition process, a bombshell new book claims.

Retribution: Donald Trump and the Campaign That Changed America, an upcoming expose by ABC News chief Washington correspondent Jonathan Karl, captures a gladiatorial swirl of loyalty tests and backstabbing that shaped Trumps earliest cabinet decisions.

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However, Noems surprise nomination, Karl writes, was made not for competence but reportedly as a favor to a man she has denied having a long-rumored affair with.

According to details published by The Guardian, Karl reports that Noem wasnt even on the transition teams list.

Karl writes: When a surprised Trump adviser asked the president-elect why he had decided to nominate Noem to be secretary of Homeland Security, he had a simple answer. I did it for Corey, he said. Its the only thing Corey asked me for.

The Corey in question, former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, was a longtime Trump loyalist. The appointment, however, enraged other figures in Trumpworld.

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Speaking to Karl for the book, former Trump chief strategist Steve Bannon shredded Noems nomination as a national security risk.

We still got the global war on terror. She runs the whole thing? She runs the f*cking Secret Service? Its all of it. Its the global war on terror. Its all that. What are you talking about? Shes never been in law enforcement! Bannon told Karl.

Karl added: He blamed Lewandowski for convincing the president-elect to do it. This motherf*cker asked for somebody whos obviously unqualified  and its dangerous. This is dangerous. What are you doing?'

Elsewhere, Howard Lutnick, the billionaire who would become Commerce Secretary, ran Trumps cabinet search in Mar-a-Lago like a casting call, according to Retribution.

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Karl writes that the billionaire financier had a conference table installed in the Tea Room, as well as several large television screens that he used for presentations to Trump about potential nominees.

He continues: One monitor would display bullet points  no more than five  describing a candidates qualifications, while a second screen would be loaded up with video clips of his or her recent TV appearances. A third monitor would feature a large photograph of the candidate  a headshot  so that Trump could visualize whether he or she looked the part; whether they were, in Trumps mind, out of central casting.'

The backroom skirmishes became routine. Lutnick pushed for a former Uber executive to run Transportation, only to find Trump leaning toward Sean Duffy, a former Fox Business host. Determined to sink him, Lutnick then reportedly tried to kneecap Duffys bid by ordering aides to trawl through years of TV footage for anti-Trump soundbites.

According to Karl they found one, from 2015, that almost derailed him: Lutnicks team had to go back nearly a decade  to the early days of the 2016 Republican presidential primary  to find anything Duffy had said that was remotely negative about Donald Trump. He finally found a September 2015 interview in which the then congressman had said he didnt believe Trump was a real conservative and didnt think he would win the partys nomination.

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As Trump began to reconsider, he walked back after a direct phone call with Duffy and his wife, Karl reports.

They were able to convince the president-elect that Sean had long since changed his views on Trumps conservative bona fides, he adds, with the president announcing the nomination in November.

The chaos didnt stop there. In further excerpts published by ABC News on Thursday, Karl explains that when word spread that Susie Wiles was meeting with Trump two days after the election to be offered White House chief of staff, rivals Linda McMahon and Brooke Rollins reportedly sprinted to Florida to block the move.

Wiles aides stalled them, Karl reports, even allegedly roping in Vice President-elect JD Vance to keep Trump occupied until the offer was sealed. The pair arrived too late, and McMahon and Rollins were later handed the Education and Agriculture posts, respectively, instead.

The post I Did It for Corey: Bombshell Book Lays Bare Trumps Kristi Noem Pick in Knives-Out Cabinet Wars first appeared on Mediaite.
House Speaker Mike Johnson doesnt think hes doing anything wrong by blocking the deciding signature on a bipartisan petition for a vote to release the Jeffrey Epstein files in full.

Speaking on CNBC Thursday morning, Johnson denied Democratic Representative-elect Adelita Grijalvas claim that she was unable to start constituent work because she lacks a budget, an office in her district, or even a badge allowing her access to Capitol Hill. But the Louisiana Republican insisted that wouldnt matter, anyway.

She has computers and 16 employees, and theres no excuse for it, Johnson snapped.

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Johnson also rejected the suggestion that he was somehow blocking the release of the governments files on Epstein, because in his view, the files were already coming out.

The Epstein files are being released, Johnson claimed, pointing to the latest batch of documents obtained by the House Oversight Committee on Friday, which he said included Epsteins financial ledgers, daily calendar, and flight logs.

All the things people have been saying they wanted. Its all coming out. Why? Because the House Oversight Committee has been working through this period, Johnson said.

These are all distractions. All distractions from the main point. They have shut the government down for political purposes, and we gotta get it reopened, Johnson continued.

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The latest release included testimony from Alex Acosta, former U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida, who approved a nonprosecution deal for Epstein in 2008, allowing him to avoid federal charges despite substantial evidence of sex trafficking and abuse of minors. Acosta, who had previously served as Donald Trumps secretary of labor, defended his decision to lawmakers. A billionaire going to jail sends a strong signal to the community that this is not, not right, that this cannot happen, he said Friday.

Last month, Democrats on the House Oversight and Reform Committee released excerpts of flight logs and daily schedules showing that Epstein had vacation plans with Elon Musk, held meetings with Peter Thiel and Steve Bannon, and flew around with Prince Andrew.

Previous document dumps have been more underwhelming. Democrats on the House Oversight Committee found that 97 percent of documents included in a September release of 33,000 pages had already been made public, and one journalist at the Miami Herald noted that the dump contained multiple duplicates of old reports.
We came across a bullish thesis on Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc. on WorldlyInvests Substack. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on TR. Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc.'s share was trading at $41.12 as of September 28th. TRs trailing P/E was 33.04 according to Yahoo Finance.

Pixabay/Public Domain

Tootsie Roll Industries (TR) presents a cautionary case for investors who rely on brand reputation and surface-level financials. The century-old candy company, known for Tootsie Rolls, Tootsie Pops, and Dots, boasts a debt-light balance sheet and consistent profitability, but closer inspection reveals multiple red flags. The company is family-controlled, with Chairwoman and CEO Ellen Gordon and her family holding over 70% of Class B shares, granting near-total control while still collecting outsized compensation, including corporate perks, despite a low-growth business.

Executive incentives focus on short-term metrics like EPS, net income, and sales growth, rather than durable value creation, encouraging financial engineering over sustainable growth. TR maintains $527 million in cash and investments, largely earmarked for compensation obligations rather than innovation or expansion, while stock buybacks occur at elevated valuations, inflating EPS without improving fundamentals. Accounting practices further obscure performance: LIFO inventory disclosures are minimal, depreciation assumptions are aggressive, and operating cash flow inconsistently tracks reported earnings.

Additional risk stems from a multi-employer pension plan, which remains underfunded and could impose substantial obligations if conditions worsen. On an Earnings Power Value basis, TRs intrinsic value is approximately $13 per share, far below its current $39 market price, suggesting nearly 67% downside. Despite its iconic brands and stable headline metrics, TR illustrates how opaque accounting, misaligned incentives, and weak reinvestment can mask underlying fragility, making it a high-risk investment and a clear reminder that strong branding and a clean balance sheet alone do not equate to long-term value creation.

Previously we covered a bullish thesis on Mondelez International, Inc. (MDLZ) by Daan Rijnberk in November 2024, which highlighted the companys strong brand portfolio, market share in chocolate and biscuits, and resilient operational execution. The company's stock price has depreciated approximately by 2.2% since our coverage. The thesis still stands as Mondelez retains long-term growth potential. WorldlyInvest shares a contrarian but emphasizes Tootsie Rolls governance, accounting, and reinvestment risks despite iconic brands.
In October 2025, posts circulated online claiming that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was using a controversial full-body restraint device, called "the WRAP," on detained immigrants.

"The WRAP was sold as a safer alternative to deadly restraints. Now it's being used to silence and immobilize people before deportationturning 'safety' into cruelty," one Facebook post (archived) read. "ICE is now trying to use a controversial full body restraint device during raids," a caption on X read (archived). Dozens of Snopes readers also searched the site to verify the rumor.

ICE is now trying to use a controversial full body restraint device during raids!  pic.twitter.com/tskjCg5BAz  Suzie rizzio (@Suzierizzo1) October 16, 2025

The claim stemmed from an Oct. 14 Associated Press investigation that uncovered a longstanding relationship between the device's manufacturer, Safe Restraints, and ICE dating back to the end of former President Barack Obama's administration. The AP reported that it found ICE officials had a "much lower threshold" for deploying the WRAP than the manufacturer advised.

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Below, we explored how the AP investigation reached its conclusions and what information was publicly verifiable at the time of publication:

What the AP's investigation alleged

The AP said its reporters interviewed five people who said agents restrained them using the WRAP, sometimes for hours, on ICE deportation flights dating back to 2020. Some of the interviewees opted to remain anonymous; therefore, it was not possible for Snopes to independently verify their statements. One man from Nigeria was said to have described being restrained in the WRAP, despite already being shackled, on a 16-hour deportation flight to Ghana.

The interviewees reportedly said ICE used the WRAP on them to "intimidate or punish them for asking to speak to their attorneys or expressing fear at being deported." The investigation also claimed that witnesses and family members in four countries testified the WRAP's use on at least seven additional people "this year."

The investigation found that the Department of Homeland Security had paid the WRAP's California-based manufacturer $268,523 since the end of the Obama administration. Using the USAspending.gov website (archived), an open-source government spending tracker, Snopes reached the same figure (by adding together all the total obligation figures from fiscal year 2017 onward on the bar chart labeled "Transactions Over Time"  with fiscal year 2015 included, the total was $274,398).

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The CEO of Safe Restraints, Charles Hammond, told the AP the company made a modified version of the WRAP for ICE specifically designed to restrain people during flights and long bus trips. At the 42-second mark of a video at the top of the AP's article, Hammond said: "I wouldn't say that that's ICE's overall policy, because if it was anybody's policy, I'd have a hard time working with that organization, right? Because that's not the purpose of the WRAP."

The investigation also made a connection between at least 12 fatalities in the U.S. over "the last decade" where local police or jailers used the WRAP and autopsies determined "restraint" played a role in the death  which contributed, in part, to the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties  a division of the DHS, which itself is ICE's parent agency  voicing concerns in an internal 2023 report (see ICE's reference to the report on Page 87, Paragraph 4).

"The use of restraints on detainees during deportation flights has been long standing, standard ICE protocol and an essential measure to ensure the safety and well-being of both detainees and the officers/agents accompanying them," Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlan said in a statement to the AP. "Our practices align with those followed by other relevant authorities and is fully in line with established legal standards."

Snopes wrote to ICE and DHS seeking comment on the findings of the investigation and did not immediately receive a response. We will update this story if we do.

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In short, the AP's article found a major lack of transparency regarding ICE's use of the black-and-yellow restraint device. The agency reportedly declined to answer any of the AP's "detailed questions" and was also said to have refused the AP's request for the official policy regarding when and how to use the WRAP.

How much of the investigation is publicly verifiable?

In the AP's video, Hammond, the WRAP manufacturer's CEO, explicitly acknowledged ICE's use of the device, as also reported in the text of the investigation. DHS did not deny that ICE used the device; rather, the department reportedly said to the AP that "the use of restraints on detainees during deportation flights has been long standing."

USAspending.gov also indicated that there had been several government contracts with Safe Restraints since 2015. For example, a July 2025 contract indicated that the U.S. government paid the company an "obligated" $33,530. The payment details read: "The award provides a specialized law enforcement restraints for use on detainees during flights to support ICE enforcement and removal operations."

The AP claimed ICE continued to use the WRAP despite the DHS civil rights division's 2023 report that raised "serious concerns over the lack of policies governing its use." The AP acquired this internal report through an April 2025 Freedom of Information Act request, as evidenced in a DHS FOIA activity report (see Paragraph 4 on Page 68 of the PDF).

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The DHS civil rights division's Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Report referenced its complaint regarding the WRAP as follows (see Page 70, Paragraph 1):

ICE's Use of the WRAP Compliance opened a complaint alleging ICE inappropriately used the WRAP, a restraint device used instead of handcuffs and leg shackles for individuals who are noncompliant or pose a safety risk, during removals. The complaint alleged that ICE did not use the device in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, which caused breathing difficulty and pain, failed to consider medical and psychological conditions prior to use, and lacked sufficient monitoring. Compliance found that ICE does not have sufficient policies or operational guidance governing its use of the WRAP, contributing to concerns in the way it was used. In September 2023, Compliance issued a Recommendation Memorandum to ICE recommending development of a policy governing use of the WRAP, documentation, and new expanded and specific training.

The AP's investigation also alleged that this report stemmed, in part, from increasing reports of fatalities involving police offices around the country. The device was indeed used across the U.S. at the time of publication, as evidenced by Safe Restraints's media webpage, and there were several publicly available reports of allegedly related deaths and families suing on the basis of law enforcement officials allegedly misusing the WRAP. Safe Restraints was not involved in these lawsuits.

Sources:

Albaladejo, Angelika. 'Safety Claims for Body Restraint Used by US Authorities Based on Disputed Study'. The Guardian, 3 Feb. 2022. US News. The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/feb/03/us-full-body-restraint-wrap-disputed-study-investigation.

'Brother's Keeper: Marin Man Suing Police Over the Use of Body Restraint Device | Pacific Sun'. Pacific Sun | Marin County, California, 24 Jun. 2025, https://pacificsun.com/wrap-restraint-lawsuit/.

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'Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Activity for the Week of March 20, 2025- March 26, 2025'. Department of Homeland Security Privacy Office, 31 Mar. 2025, https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/2025-07/25_0731_PRIV_Chief_FOIA_Officers_Weekly_Report_March_31_25_to_June_30_25.pdf.

'General 2'. Safe Restraints INC, https://www.saferestraints.com/the-wrap-safety-restraint. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

'General 2'. Safe Restraints INC, https://www.saferestraints.com/the-wrap-safety-restraint-1-1-1-1-3-1-2-1-1-1. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

'Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Report '. Department of Homeland Security, Nov. 2024, https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/2024-11/24_1127_crcl-fy-2023-annual-report.pdf.

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Shaw, Amanda, and Grace Runkel. 'Man's Death Highlights Gaps in Restraint Device Policies across Upstate'. Https://Www.Foxcarolina.Com, 22 May 2025, https://www.foxcarolina.com/2025/05/22/mans-death-highlights-gaps-restraint-device-policies-across-upstate/.

'Takeaways from the AP Investigation into ICE's Use of a Full-Body Restraint Device Known as the WRAP'. AP News, 14 Oct. 2025, https://apnews.com/article/immigration-deportations-trump-administration-civil-rights-takeaways-1dcc225e67c1dafba86b6ec4cc7da50e.

Usaspending.Gov. https://www.usaspending.gov/award/CONT_AWD_70CMSW25P00000019_7012_-NONE-_-NONE-.
"To our friends in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, Smotrich does not represent the State of Israel," Opposition head Yair Lapid wrote in Arabic on X/Twitter.

Members of Israel's coalition and opposition on Thursday criticized Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's recent statements that if the price of normalization with Saudi Arabia was a Palestinian state, it could keep riding camels in the Saudi desert.

"To our friends in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, Smotrich does not represent the State of Israel," opposition leader Yair Lapid wrote in Arabic on X/Twitter.

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"I firmly oppose the establishment of a Palestinian State. That said, it does not mean we should insult a potential ally," Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Minister Amichai Chikli wrote, adding that Israel will be holding a camel race in the Negev with the Bedouin community.

"We warmly invite our Saudi friends to join us," he stated.

Shortly after he received backlash, Smotrich released a statement apologizing to Saudi Arabia, stating that his comments were 'unsuccessful,' but he would not accept hypocrisy.

"I expect the Saudis not to harm us and not to deny the heritage, tradition, and rights of the Jewish people to their historical homeland regions in Judea and Samaria, and to establish true peace with us."

Smotrich: Saudi normalization cannot come at cost of Palestinian state

There is no, and there will never be, a Palestinian government, Smotrich said, speaking on stage at a Jerusalem conference. We are advancing peace agreements with those who can live with that [a reality in which there is no Palestinian state]. There is real feasibility to expand the Abraham Accords and realize their economic, security, and geo-strategic potential.

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He said the current government is moving ahead with de facto sovereignty in the West Bank.

Addressing international pressure, Smotrich brushed off penalties imposed by foreign governments.

Sanctions do not move me. I do not fly for trips to London, he said. He cautioned, however, against rejecting every initiative out of hand, recalling the Israeli rights post-trauma when seeing White House lawn ceremonies as potential preludes to terror attacks.

We must be sharp and clear that it will not go there, because many of the states involved see this as a route to a Palestinian state. On the other hand, we should not say no to everything, he said.
Donald Trump Jr. is sounding the alarm on what he calls New York Citys looming decline under Democratic leadership.

Appearing on "Fox & Friends," the businessman and political commentator warned that the citys future could be in jeopardy if state Assemblyman Zohran Mamdaninow the Democratic nominee for mayorwins in November.

In his view, Mamdanis progressive platform and housing proposals would accelerate an economic unraveling already underway.

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You hate to see New York, the birthplace of Wall Street ... go down in flames, but perhaps that's the lesson we all have to see," Trump said on "Fox & Friends," adding that a potential collapse might serve as a warning to the rest of the nation.

If the rest of the country watches New York failand I believe it willunder these disastrous ideas, maybe thats what we need to stop the spread of this disease.

Trump, who has long positioned himself as a defender of his familys business legacy, connected his remarks to his fathers decades-long role in shaping New Yorks skyline.

My father spent his entire life changing the skyline of New York City, employing tens of thousands of people. But as you saw and as you watched, that didnt stop them from going after him, he said. City leaders have made it impossible for people to do business if you dont toe the line with their radical Democrat policies.

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Eric Adams is endorsing Andrew Cuomo for mayor, according to the New York Times, a move that adds new tension to the race as Cuomo seeks to reclaim political footing against the Democratic front-runner and Republican contender Curtis Sliwa.

A high-stakes housing battle ahead

Mamdani, a state assemblyman and the Democratic nominee, has made housing affordability the centerpiece of his campaign. He pledges to freeze rent on all rent-stabilized units and fast-track more affordable housing developments.

Among other changes, voters on Nov. 4 will face three ballot questions aimed at accelerating the approval of new-housing construction: two measures to create an expedited review process for affordable or modest projects and a third to establish an appeals panel to override City Council rejections.

All three measures are steps in the right direction, according to Realtor.com senior economist Jake Krimmel.

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He explains that the current system favors large developers and punishes smaller ones because the seven-month Uniform Land Use Review Procedure and multiple veto points make many worthwhile projects unviable. The new processes would reduce review times to one or two months, allowing qualifying projects to be approved by the City Planning Commission without full council review.

Supporters say streamlined reviews would encourage smaller-scale development and affordable housing in underserved areas, while opponents counter that the changes would weaken public oversight and community input.

For example, critics worry that a loophole for modest projects might be exploited in low-density neighborhoods. While the reform effort is technical, its implications for income, development, and neighborhood change are major.

The policy contrast and whats at stake

In this context, Mamdanis real estate and housing agenda looms large. Alongside his rent-freeze proposal, he has pledged to pull down city-owned sidewalk sheds that have lingered for years in Manhattan, calling them part of what makes the city feel like a concrete jungle gym.

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This anchor issue complements his broader affordability platform, which places pressure on landlords, developers, and the regulatory system alike.

Trumps warnings echo those of Fox News host Sean Hannity, who recently predicted a mass exodus from New York if Mamdani wins, claiming that companies will flee to Florida to escape burdensome regulations and high taxes.

If Mamdanis policies take hold, supporters argue they could finally cut through New Yorks red tape to deliver affordable housing faster and fairer than ever before.

However, critics argue that freezing rents and bypassing the City Council could undermine investment and hinder the private sector.

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For the housing market, the stakes could not be higher. If the ballot reforms pass and Mamdani executes his agenda, the city could see a surge in affordable housing constructionbut also rising tension over financing, neighborhood character, and who ultimately benefits.

At its core, this race in New York will decide who pays for housing, who builds it, and how the city adapts to affordability, growth, and regulatory change.

In that frame, Trumps claim that New York may go down in flames if Mamdani wins may sound dramaticbut it captures just how high the stakes have become for the citys future.
"When the vice president, Vance, is visiting here, you dont stick a finger in his eye, Netanyahu's office reportedly said in a message to Smotrich.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich that he didn't want to push the issue of Israeli sovereignty in the West Bank during US Vice President Vance's visit, Israeli public broadcaster KAN News reported on Wednesday.

The Prime Minister's Office reportedly expressed to Smotrich that the US does not want Israel to annex the West Bank. "When the vice president, Vance, is visiting here, you dont stick a finger in his eye, Netanyahu's office reportedly said in a message to Smotrich.

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This comes after the Knesset approved a bill by MK Avi Maoz (Noam) to apply Israeli sovereignty in the West Bank on Wednesday, contrary to Netanyahu's position.

'Its not up to me,' Smotritch says

Smotrich reportedly told Netanyahu that he "would have waited until next week, but its not up to me."

KAN noted that Smotrich has been annoyed at what he feels is Netanyahu's lack of response to several European nations' recognition of a Palestinian state and the sanctions imposed on Israeli ministers and senior officials.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich seen at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, February 7, 2024 (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)

Coalition sources told KAN that if the legislation introduced by MK Maoz had failed, it would not be reintroduced for six months.

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In response to MK Avigdor Liberman's "Application of Sovereignty in Maaleh Adumim" bill passing on Wednesday, Smotrich called on Netanyahu to apply Israeli sovereignty in the West Bank.

"Mr. Prime Minister, the Knesset has spoken. The people have spoken. The time has come to apply full sovereignty over all the territories of Judea and Samaria, our ancestral inheritance, and to advance peace-for-peace agreements with our neighbors from a position of strength," Smotrich said in a statement.

Also on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that President Donald Trump would not support any annexation in the West Bank.

"They passed a vote in the Knesset, but the president [Donald Trump] has made clear thats not something wed be supportive of right now," he told reporters on the tarmac before boarding his flight to depart for Israel. "We think theres potential for it to threaten the peace deal."
Key Takeaways

Donald Trump has reportedly pardoned CZ.

The move comes after months of lobbying from the convicted Binance founder.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said CZ was prosecuted by the Biden Administration in their war on cryptocurrency.

U.S. President Donald Trump has granted a presidential pardon to Changpeng CZ Zhao, the founder and former CEO of the global cryptocurrency exchange Binance, according to The Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the matter.

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Zhao, a Chinese-born Canadian citizen, pleaded guilty in November 2023 to a single count of failing to maintain an effective anti-money laundering (AML) program at Binance.

White House Pardons CZ

On Wednesday, October 22, the President reportedly signed the pardon for CZ, following months of lobbying efforts from Zhao and his family.

The move comes after Trump spoke sympathetically about Zhaos convictions, according to the Wall Street Journal, which cited one person familiar with the matter.

On Thursday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said:

President Trump exercised his constitutional authority by issuing a pardon for Mr. Zhao, who was prosecuted by the Biden Administration in their war on cryptocurrency, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.

CZs Road To Conviction

Back in 2020, the American federal authorities initiated legal proceedings against Binance, alleging that the exchange had breached financial regulations by making available investment products that hadnt been properly registered.

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As global oversight tightened, Binance encountered a number of financial penalties and limitations in numerous nations.

By 2021, the platform ceased working in several key markets, including the U.K. and Germany in response to growing regulatory pressure.

The exchanges difficulties in the U.S. escalated in 2023 when the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) initiated a significant civil suit.

The agency claimed that Binance marketed unlawful financial instruments and failed to adequately safeguard against trading irregularities.

This civil action paved the way for a major criminal inquiry into the business activities of Binance and CZ.

DOJs Probe

The DOJs criminal probe into Binances activities uncovered numerous breaches of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), including permitting individuals in nations under sanction, such as North Korea, to conduct transactions on the platform.

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Investigators found that the platform had facilitated the transfer of more than 100,000 transactions tied to illegal funds without required reporting.

This ultimately culminated in CZs admission of guilt in November 2023.

He stepped down as CEO and, in April 2024, was sentenced to four months in a U.S. federal prison, a term he completed in September 2024.

The post Donald Trump Pardons Convicted Binance Founder Changpeng 'CZ' Zhao appeared first on ccn.com.
Graham Platner is a 41-year-old oyster farmer and Marine veteran who is running to be the Democratic Party's Maine Senate nominee. A political outsider, he would face incumbent Republican Susan Collins in the general election if he managed to prevail against establishment Democrat Janet Mills, the current governor, aged 77.

Until this week, Platner had a lot going for him. He is a left populist endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (IVt.) with some natural talent for effective political communication, i.e., he sounds like a normal person. At a time of extreme dissatisfaction with Democratic leadership and the nominees they have managed to recruit, a charismatic outsider with a working-class background could be just what the party ordered. Plus, he's decades younger than his primary opponent, Mills, who would be the oldest freshman senator in U.S. history.

But there's a problem: Platner has a Nazi tattooor at least one that closely resembles a Nazi tattoo.

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I'll admit I approached this story with a great deal of initial skepticism. That's because I still remember the time that Talia Lavin, then a fact-checker (oops) for The New Yorker, wrongly accused a wheelchair-bound ICE agentalso a Marine veteranof having a Nazi tattoo. Also, the mainstream media loves to dubiously accuse people of expressing cryptic Nazi gestures. Remember the kids flashing the okay sign? Elon Musk's alleged Nazi salute?

Did Elon Musk do a Nazi salute? pic.twitter.com/PPGkLvsclU  Robby Soave (@robbysoave) January 21, 2025

Platner's hideously bad tattoo is a skull and crossbones, which is something I associate with pirates but is apparently also a Nazi thing, depending on its exact size and shape. When deployed by Nazis, it's called the Totenkopf. You will note that in this version the skull is bigger relative to the crossbones and appears over them.

That is, in fact, the version that Platner had tattooed across his chest while on leave in Croatia in 2007. His story is this: He got really drunk with his buddies, stumbled into a tattoo parlor, and picked something random that looked cool. He had no idea it was a Nazi thing, he told Pod Save America.

Up until this point, I was pretty much on board with his explanation. But here's the problem: According to Jewish Insider, he told at least one acquaintance about the tattoo and referred to it as "my totenkopf." This makes it much less likely that he never understood the connection.

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Anyway, Platner has addressed the controversy by covering up the tattoo with a new, very ugly one.

Years ago I got a skull and crossbones tattoo with my buddies in the Marine Corps. I was appalled to learn it closely resembled a Nazi symbol. I altered it yesterday, into something that isn't deeply offensive to my core beliefs. I am very sorry to all of you who had to pic.twitter.com/RQSiRsrTiC  Graham Platner for Senate (@grahamformaine) October 22, 2025

Leftist commentators are really, really mad that the mainstream media has turned this kerfuffle into a thing, giving establishment Democrats an excuse to coalesce behind Mills. "The reason anyone pretends to care about Platner's tattoo and Reddit posts is because they think he's coming for the rich," wrote Matt Stoller on X, in histrionic fashion. "That's it. That's all it's about. They hate populists because we actually believe in equality and that terrifies them."

I don't know about that. It's true that cancel culture can be pretty perverse, and we don't want to live in a world where the only people who can successfully run for office are weird sociopaths who have practiced never doing or saying anything controversial since age seven. If Platner had drunkenly gotten a bad tattoo, realized his mistake, and covered it up years ago, I would probably want to excuse it, too. But he's had it for 18 years, and apparently seemed aware of the Nazi connection. That does seem sort of bad.

And it would be especially hypocritical for the Democratic coalitionpoliticians, activists, the mediato excuse this while simultaneously pursuing efforts to expose Young Republicans who praised Hitler (sometimes, arguably in jest) in group chats, which I covered in last week's newsletter.

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This Week on Free Media

I am joined by Amber Duke, and later this week, Andrew Heaton, to discuss the big stories: No Kings protests, the New York City mayoral race, and more. Subscribe to the Free Media channel on YouTube.

Worth Watching

I have just finished another Agatha Christie book, The Secret of Chimneys. It was a good one! (I correctly guessed one of the approximately three twists.) I would certainly recommend it to first-time Christie readers. Next up for me: I've decided to read The Terror by Dan Simmons. I first became interested in this one after catching an episode of the AMC series it inspired. It's a heavily fictionalized version of the true disappearances of Terror and Erebus, two British ships that vanished while searching for the Northwest Passage in the 1840s. I'm a big fan of Arctic (and Antarctic) horror, so I'm really looking forward to this one.

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And speaking of Arctic horror, I'm pleased to report that my own novelan original work of science fiction/fantasy set in an icy, northern kingdomis actually coming along nicely. I've already written about 35,000 words, and have completed one of three major plot arcs that comprise the story. That's decent progress, given that I started it a month ago. The key is to force myself to write something every single day: a sentence, a page, a chapter, anything.

The post Don't Get a Nazi Tattoo <em>or</em> Praise Hitler: Advice for New Politicians appeared first on Reason.com.
DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN)  A Wiregrass native and agricultural student at Auburn University has taken a top ALFA award.

Auburn University senior Ty Torbert placed first at the annual collegiate discussion meet, put on by the young farmers division of the Alabama Farmers Federation.

This competition focused on critical issues facing agriculture today, with discussions on finding mutually beneficial solutions.

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Tolbert comes from an extended family of successful agricultural history, both in Dothan and Birmingham.

Upon graduating, he wants to do his part to impact the world of agriculture nationwide.

The government has a big part to play in helping our farmers, and I think thats where I really come in, because Im very interested in the policy and the government side of things and how they can better impact and benefit the farmers, not only in Alabama but across our nation, because all the farmers have to work together, said Torbert. Thats how we can maintain our independence as a nation.

With this first-place prize, Tolbert received $1,000 in scholarship money and the opportunity to represent Alabama at the American Farm Bureaus National Competition in 2026.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com.
Dr. Donald Warne (Photo/Center for Indigenous Health)

Dr. Donald Warne, Co-Director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health and Director of the Centers Great Plains Hub, has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine (NAM)one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine.

Election to the NAM is reserved for individuals who have demonstrated exceptional professional achievement and a deep commitment to service. As a tribal citizen of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, Dr. Warne joins a small and distinguished group of Indigenous scholars to receive this recognition, marking a historic milestone for Indigenous representation in national and global health leadership.

Dr. Warnes election signals a powerful shift toward honoring Indigenous worldviews and culturally grounded approaches to health and wellness, said Allison Barlow, Executive Director of the Center. His leadership continues to open doors for Indigenous voices in spaces where they have long been absent, and his impact will benefit generations to come.

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Throughout his career, Dr. Warne has been a driving force in transforming the field of Indigenous public health through education, research, and advocacy. His work has helped elevate Indigenous knowledge systems and promote health equity across Native and non-Native communities alike.

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.

His current research focuses on chronic disease prevention and advancing health equity through community-driven, culturally grounded approaches. An enrolled member of the Oglala Lakota Tribe from Pine Ridge, South Dakota, Warne descends from a long line of traditional healers and medicine men. He also serves as a senior policy advisor to the Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board.

Dr. Warnes distinguished career spans clinical care, public policy, and academia. Among his many accomplishments, he served as founding chair of the Departments of Public Health and Indigenous Health at both North Dakota State University and the University of North Dakota.

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He earned his M.D. from Stanford University School of Medicine, an M.P.H. from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and a B.S. from Arizona State University.

Dr. Warnes election to the National Academy of Medicine underscores what the Center for Indigenous Health has long championed: that Indigenous-led solutions are vital to creating healthier and more equitable futures for all.

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
Thursdays Top Stories

Thursdays Five Facts

[1] Draft audit report alleges mismanagement by former BernCo healthcare provider  It has been a month since Bernalillo County severed ties with a medical provider that served both schools and the jail. A draft audit is revealing several issues, while the company is pushing back against the accusations. The audit claims the company failed to operate appropriately, including mishandling patient records and spending county funds on luxury trips, rental cars, and room service. Wellness Equity Alliance (WEA), said the allegations are false and theyre planning to file a lawsuit against the county.

[2] County Commission approves financial incentives for potential rocket facility  Sandoval County commissioners approved incentives to try to lure a rocket production plant from California-based company Castelion to New Mexico. County commissioners approved funding to support the construction of the proposed facility just outside the Rio Rancho city limits. Commissioners unanimously approved financial incentives for the company, saying the facility would boost the local economy with high-paying jobs.

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[3] Storm system blows through New Mexico  The storm system will continue to move across New Mexico, keeping a few spotty showers going on Thursday morning from northern New Mexico to southern parts of the state. More storms develop in northern, central, and eastern New Mexico by Thursday afternoon. A few of these storms could turn strong to severe, with hail and strong winds the biggest threats. The storm moves out Thursday night, but a few isolated showers may return again Friday.

[4] Food banks in NM prep for projected pause of SNAP amid shutdown  With the projected 420,000 people who rely on SNAP benefits in New Mexico possibly not being able to collect due to the government shutdown, food banks are preparing for the influx. The Food Depot in Santa Fe serves 43,000 people in nine counties. Theyre expecting an influx of people needing assistance on Nov. 1, and are preparing by leaning on state funding to help buy more food.

[5] City of Albuquerque hosting fix-it clinic to repair household items  The City of Albuquerque is partnering to put on a Fix It Clinic. The event gives residents a chance to get broken household items repaired. The clinic will be on October 25, from 9 a.m.  2 p.m. at Fuse Makerspace. Community members can bring in broken household items such as bikes, small appliances, electronics, sewing projects, furniture, and more. People can get their items repaired and learn how to access, disassemble, and repair items on their own.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Intel's Q3 earnings report will be released on October 23. The earnings report will significantly impact the stock, as it will reveal the extent to which the company has managed to stabilize its losses.

The company reported stagnant revenue in Q2 of $12.9 billion year over year, but more importantly, it reported a net loss of $2.9 billion.

Intel's most significant problem is its fabs, which are losing money, with more than $13 billion in losses in the last four quarters alone.

The company is betting that its new Panther Lake series of CPUs, which will start selling in January, will enable a turnaround.

Intel's testing indicates that we can expect more than 50% better CPU and GPU performance and more than 40% lower power usage, at a similar single-threaded performance compared to Lunar Lake or Arrow Lake-H.

One reason, if not the primary one, for these performance and power-efficiency gains is Intel's use of its 18A manufacturing process (node) for making the chips. Intel is hoping the success of Panther Lake chips will attract customers to its fabs.

Intel needs customers to save its fabs.picture alliance/Getty Images

Intel's cash infusions aren't enough

Intel's (INTC) stock gained 102% in value over the last six months.

These gains are due to the company securing investments, beginning with SoftBank's $2 billion stake. The U.S. government plans to speed up the payment of $8.9 billion in funding already pledged to the company, and Nvidia will invest $5 billion.

Related: Analysts revamp AMD stock price after key conference

A couple of rumored deals boosted the stock. Whispers suggested that Intel is attempting to make a deal with Apple and AMD to use its fabs.

Another quite absurd and refuted rumor claimed Intel was trying to make a deal with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) to invest in it.

More Tech Stocks:

If Intel could convince AMD or Apple to use its fabs, that might save the company, but it hasn't happened yet. Intel hasn't yet disclosed the yields on its 18A node, which might be the factor.

The situation might be changing for the better, as SemiAccurate reported that Intel Foundries will manufacture Microsoft's Maia 3 chip codenamed "Griffin" using the 18A or 18A-P process, according to TechPowerUp.

Bernstein analyst updates Intel stock outlook

Stacy Rasgon said Intel will face important challenges heading into 2026.

He noted that Intel raised approximately $16 billion in cash, strengthening its balance sheet. However, this led to share dilution and an increasing dependence on one-time deals.
President Donald Trump participates in a walking tour of the immigration detention center nicknamed Alligator Alcatraz, Tuesday, July 1, 2025, in Ochopee, Florida. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)

Environmental groups request that a federal court shutter the Alligator Alcatraz detention center was paused Wednesday because of the government shutdown.

Led by the non-profit Friends of the Everglades, a coalition of activists had asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit to reconsider its September decision to keep open the migrant detention center, located in the heart of the Everglades, despite environmental concerns.

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But the court on Wednesday agreed with the Department of Homeland Security that the case should be paused until government attorneys can work again.

The motion to stay the appeal is granted. The movant is directed to file a notice with the court when the purpose for the stay is obviated, the two-sentence order reads.

Although this comes just weeks after the court expedited the appeal and scheduled oral arguments for January, the federal governments shutdown on Sept. 30 set off a cascade of missed pay, furloughed workers, and in-limbo cases.

So, on Oct. 10, government attorneys, noting that many Justice Department lawyers are banned from working until the government comes online again, asked for a pause on the case until DOJ attorneys are permitted to resume their usual civil litigation functions.

How did we get here?

The state created the sprawling, 3,000-bed facility atop the seldom-used Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in Big Cypress National Park, drawing scrutiny from Democrats, immigration groups, and environmental organizations since its July 1 opening.

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Friends of the Everglades, the Center for Biodiversity, and the Miccosukee Tribe filed suit over the summer alleging the detention center violates federal environmental laws. A district judge agreed, ordering Florida to shut down the center by Septembers end. But a federal three-judge panel on Sept. 4 reversed, noting that because the site had not received federal dollars, and was entirely state-run, federal environmental regulations dont apply.

A week later, DHS and Florida Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie revealed that Florida had applied for federal reimbursement  though Friends of the Everglades believes the request was made earlier. On Sept. 30, the state received more than $608 million to pay for the construction, transportation, and equipment costs of the facility

The plaintiffs soon after appealed, asking the Eleventh Circuit to reconsider. When DHS pointed out that some government staff couldnt work during the shutdown, Friends of the Everglades called the situation regrettable but argued it didnt outweigh the environment harms caused by dragging out the case.

An indefinite stay in this case  would cause Plaintiffs ongoing and irreversible harm where the federal action being challenged  the construction and operation of an immigration detention center in the Everglades that imperils sensitive wetlands, endangered Species, and communities in the area  would continue during the indefinite stay period, the attorneys wrote.

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When the Eleventh Circuit released its order against them, Eve Samples, executive director of the Friends of the Everglades, put out a statement calling the move a ruse to avoid accountability.

Theres a growing mountain of evidence that Alligator Alcatraz was built in violation of the National Environmental Policy Act, Samples said. Meanwhile, the government is dragging its feet in court to dodge accountability  using the federal shutdown as an excuse to delay the appeal.

Were more resolved than ever to keep fighting to restore the lower courts injunction to protect the Everglades.

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HARTFORD - A man who was critically injured when he slammed head-on into another vehicle while fleeing police in a fiery crash that killed a Hartford resident died on Wednesday, police said.

Jammie Martin, 34, of Hartford, was pronounced dead at Saint Francis Hospital, according to Hartford Police Lt. Aaron Boisvert.

Martin, who was driving a 2009 Infinity G30 at the time of the deadly collision, sustained "catastrophic injuries" and was not expected to survive, police have previously said.

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In a news conference, police said officers tried to pull over the Infinity for motor vehicle violations before the crash but decided not to pursue the speeding car as it fled. Officers later found a gun and drugs inside the vehicle.

"They made a prudent decision not to follow that vehicle," Boisvert said at the time.

Court records show Martin had been sentenced to five years in prison on Nov. 22, 2021, for criminal possession of a firearm. He was also listed on the state's Deadly Weapon Offender Registry.

According to Andrius Banevicius, spokesperson for the state Department of Correction, Martin was released from prison on June 24. A possible explanation for his early release is the fact that he had accumulated 291 days of jail credit from his pre-conviction time behind bars, Banevicius said.

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The fiery crash happened at about 11:58 p.m. on Albany Avenue, between Homestead Avenue and Mark Twain Drive. When officers arrived at the scene, the Infinity was in the middle of the road in flames, and its driver was lying in the street after being ejected from the vehicle, police have said.

The 2014 Ford Fiesta was found against a fence on the south side of Albany Avenue. The driver, identified as Adrian L. Service, 25, of Hartford, was pronounced dead on the scene, police said.

This story includes previous reporting from staff writer Christine Dempsey.

This article originally published at Driver who caused fatal Hartford crash on Albany Avenue has died, police say.
NEED TO KNOW

Christopher Neff of Westminster, Colo., was charged with vehicular homicide, aggravated manslaughter, among other charges, after he allegedly drove the wrong way on the New Jersey Turnpike on Oct. 19

The crash left four teens on a road trip dead after a tractor trailer crashed into their SUV immediately following the accident

Neff was allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash

A driver has been charged in the alleged wrong-way accident that left four teenagers dead on the New Jersey Turnpike on Sunday, Oct. 19.

Christopher Neff of Westminster, Colo., was charged with vehicular homicide, aggravated manslaughter, weapon possession and more after he allegedly drove the wrong way on the New Jersey Turnpike, leading to Sunday's deadly crash, NBC 10 Philadelphia reported.

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PEOPLE has reached out to the New Jersey State Police for comment.

Officials also alleged that Neff, 41, was driving under the influence of alcohol, and that he had a "strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating" from his breath following the crash, per NBC 10, citing court documents.

Police further alleged that Neff had hollow-point ammunition when the accident occurred.

Neff's blood alcohol content was allegedly more than twice the legal limit following the crash. He is currently receiving treatment in a local hospital for fractures to both legs, a broken arm, and more injuries sustained in the accident, according to the outlet.



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The accident occurred when a Dodge pickup truck was traveling the wrong way in the southbound lanes of the New Jersey Turnpike when the vehicle hit a Mazda SUV near milepost 1.3 in Carneys Point Township on Sunday, Oct. 19, at around 12:40 a.m. local time, according to a statement shared by New Jersey State Police.



After the crash, the SUV was reportedly struck by a tractor-trailer that was traveling in the right lane behind the vehicle. The driver of the tractor-trailer, a 29-year-old man from Nova Scotia, Canada, was uninjured, according to NJ.com.

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The 19-year-old driver of the SUV, Yaakov Kilberg, and the three 18-year-old passengers  Aharon Lebovits, Shlomo Cohen and Chaim Grossman  all died, the outlets reported. Grossman was from Fallsburg, N.Y., while the other three young men were residents of Lakewood, N.J.

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Loved ones told NBC affiliate WCAU that the teens were all close friends and had recently graduated. They had just begun a road trip when the tragic accident occurred.

"It's a horrific tragedy," Lebovits' brother, Shloimy Lebovits, told the outlet.

People with information about the accident are asked to contact the Troop D Moorestown Station detective bureau at 609-860-9000, ext. 3226.



Read the original article on People




Marin County prosecutors charged the teenage driver whose car slammed into a tree this year and burst into flames - killing four of her friends - with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter, attorneys said in court Wednesday.

The girl, who was 16 at the time of the crash, appeared in court alongside her parents and attorney, Charles Dresow, Wednesday afternoon. The hearing was moved to a larger courtroom to accommodate the victims' families and others who wanted to attend, but dozens of people still had to wait outside the courtroom, which quickly reached capacity.

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Among those in attendance were family members of victim Josalynn Osborn, some of whom wore matching sweatshirts that spelled out "Josy," a nickname for the girl, who was a sophomore wrestler at Archie Williams High School in San Anselmo.

The charge came after a California Highway Patrol investigation concluded the driver of the SUV was traveling at least 20 to 25 mph over the speed limit on a narrow, tree-lined road in Woodacre before she lost control of her vehicle. The driver and five passengers were on their way west from Fairfax to a sleepover on April 18 when they crashed.

The car crashed into a redwood tree and erupted in flames. Though the vehicle's event data recorder, or "black box," was destroyed by the crash and fire, investigators determined the speed by the melted speedometer, which they said was stuck above 60 mph when the electricity was cut.

The misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter charge was filed without an allegation of gross negligence. It carries a maximum sentence of one year in detention with a conviction.

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The girl is expected to enter an admission or denial of the charges in early December. Burn scars could be seen on the right side of her face as she spoke quietly to her parents, who sat beside her and her attorney.

The remains of a Volkswagen Tiguan that caught fire following a crash in Marin County that killed four teenage girls. California Highway Patrol investigators found that the 16-year-old driver lost control of the vehicle on a curve while speeding. (California Highway Patrol)





CHP officials wrote in their report that they found no evidence that the driver veered off westbound San Geronimo Valley Road to avoid an oncoming car, which had previously been considered after the other survivor, a 14-year-old passenger, told police in the aftermath that she saw headlights in the roadway just before the wreck. There was also no evidence that the driver was intoxicated, the CHP said.

The Chronicle is not naming the driver because the newspaper does not identify juveniles involved in criminal proceedings. CHP investigators recommended the district attorney's office prosecute the driver for gross vehicular manslaughter because she was allegedly speeding, made an unsafe turn and was not allowed to drive passengers younger than 20 under her provisional driver's license.

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To convict a person of misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence, prosecutors must prove several things: that a driver committed a misdemeanor or an infraction, or committed a lawful act in an unlawful manner; that the action was dangerous to human life; that the action was committed with ordinary negligence, meaning that the driver failed to use reasonable care to prevent reasonably foreseeable harm; and that the action caused a death.

Attorneys on both sides attempted to persuade the Marin County Superior Court judge, James T. Chou, to close the courtroom to the public in an effort to prevent information about the crash to cause further harm to those involved. The judge said he was not persuaded by their arguments but that they could argue the request again, at a later date.

All of the teenagers riding in the car were students at Archie Williams High School. Killed in the crash were Olive Koren, 14; Sienna Katz, 15; Josalynn Osborn, 15; and Ada Kepley, 15. Marley Barclay, then 14, survived the crash with minor injuries. She appeared in court with her family and sat in the first row.

The tragedy devastated the tight-knit communities west of San Rafael. The driver had only had her driver's license for five months.

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Witnesses who helped extricate some of the passengers from the burning vehicle saw the driver get herself out of the car while it was on fire. The driver was in a medically induced coma for at least six days and declined to speak to investigators two months after the crash, while she was still recovering at a hospital, records show.

GoFundMe campaigns for all of the passengers collectively raised more than $676,000.

This article originally published at Driver in fiery Marin crash that killed 4 teens has been charged.
A man was killed in a shootout in a Sunnyside neighborhood on Tuesday morning.

Houston Police confirm the shooting happened around the same time a nearby home was burglarized. As of Tuesday evening, police were unable to publicly confirm if the two crimes were connected or not.

At approximately 10:40 a.m. Detective Cory Sharp said investigators were called to a shooting at the 7900 block of Comal Street.

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Surveillance video shows a dark Cadillac pull up to the intersection of Red Bud and Comal Street and stop. A man on foot, carrying at least one bag, then approached the driver's side window. A brief shootout occurred, and the man on foot dropped the bag in the intersection and ran out of frame. At the same time, the driver of the Cadillac crashed into a drainage ditch bordering a nearby yard.

ABC13 spoke with Bryon Shannon, who owns the home where the crash occurred.

"They did something they gonna regret now. One is breathing and the other one is in the morgue," Shannon said.

Moments later, surveillance video captured two cars stopping over the bag. As the second vehicle pulled away, the bag vanished.

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The homeowners of the home that was broken into at around the same time as the shooting told ABC13 the burglar or burglars accessed their breaker and cut their power -- disabling surveillance cameras.

They said the thief, or thieves, threw a brick through a window, ransacked their home, and left electronics and black clothing in their backyard.

As one of the homeowners pulled into their driveway, they told ABC13 they witnessed a man on a bicycle, stolen from their garage, ride off with a large bag.

For more updates on this story, follow Shannon Ryan on Facebook, X and Instagram.


New signage and stop bars have been added to improve safety at the entry and exit to Haven of Rest cemetery in Gig Harbor off of state Route 16, but more extensive improvements arent on the table yet.

The installations occurred in late June, and include new stop signs and no left turn, right turn only and do not enter signs, Washington State Department of Transportation spokesperson Cara Mitchell wrote in an email Wednesday. Crews also installed warning signs for the upcoming cemetery in the median and the right shoulder of the highway, and moved a sign warning drivers of an upcoming business park so that motorists see the cemetery signs first. The business park is less than half a mile down the highway from the cemetery.

The work cost $14,000, according to Mitchell.

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There are no funded future improvements at this location, she wrote.

Signs on both sides of state Route 16 alert drivers to the upcoming Haven of Rest cemetery, where drivers must turn sharply off the highway to access the cemetery in Gig Harbor, Wash.

It was during a visit for the four-year anniversary of her grandsons passing that Barbara Rogers first noticed the changes. Rogers, a Gig Harbor-area resident in her 80s, spoke to The News Tribune last summer about her concerns entering and exiting the cemetery because of the traffic on the freeway.

The new signs and stop bars feel like a good step in the right direction, Rogers said in a voicemail message Tuesday. She also expressed gratitude for the elected officials who responded after she reached out with her concerns. Still, more needs to be done, she said in a follow-up phone call. Her visits to the cemetery are still limited to Sunday mornings, when she feels traffic is lightest.

In my dreams, I guess I had solar-powered flashing lights on the cemetery entrance sign, the big one ahead of the cemetery, she said in her message.  ... But maybe thatll be the next step .

Russ Weeks, left, speaks with Barbara Rogers on July 12, 2024, at Haven of Rest, a local memorial park and funeral home off state Route 16 in the Gig Harbor area. Weeks co-owns the facility. Rogers has loved ones at the cemetery.

State Rep. Michelle Caldier, R-Gig Harbor, said Tuesday that she and her legislative assistant reached out to the state Department of Transportation to ask about possible solutions to the traffic issue earlier this year, after hearing concerns from multiple constituents including Rogers.

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 ... the feedback that Ive received from the public is that theyre happy with what WSDOT has put in, she said.

Caldier said legislators will likely have a better idea of what projects make it into the state Department of Transportations supplemental transportation budget by June of next year.

Rep. Adison Richards, D-Gig Harbor, also said the cemetery entry and exit issue was on the list of projects he brought to WSDOT after his election. He said he asked them what could be done about making even modest changes to the site, which is something he heard residents wanted.

I think first and foremost, credit goes to the residents and constituents who spoke up and continue to advocate for themselves and their families and my hope is that we come to an even better long-term solution that really ensures safe entry and exit from the cemetery, Richards said.

Drivers say its difficult and unsafe to merge onto SR-16 from Haven of Rest cemetery, on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Gig Harbor, Wash.

As for creating an alternate entry to the cemetery, which some residents have advocated for, he said his understanding is that those options are really complicated and expensive projects that are going to require more consensus building.

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Sen. Deb Krishnadasan, D-Gig Harbor, provided comments on the improvements via text Wednesday.

I am pleased to see improvements made to the entrance of Haven of Rest Funeral Home, she said. Continued safety enhancements along Highway 16 remain a priority and I appreciate constituents who reach out to share potential issues.

She noted that she collaborates with WSDOT regularly while serving on the Senate Transportation Committee. Asked if she has any future plans to stay engaged in the cemetery access issue and seek more extensive solutions, she wrote that she has not had the opportunity to discuss future plans for Haven of Rest but will advocate for and raise awareness of this and other projects that matter most to our communities here in the 26th.

The News Tribune also reached out to a Haven of Rest representative Tuesday to learn if cemetery staff have noticed impacts from the signs and stop bars but did not hear back before publication.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.  Drivers in Missouri are experiencing relief at the gas pump as prices have dropped below $3 per gallon this month, with the state average currently at $2.69.

According to AAA, this is lower than the average during the same time last year. Missouri is not the only state trending downward, as the national gas average is currently under $3 per gallon, hitting its lowest point in years.

Its benefited me by letting me take the expenses that I put on gas, said Jessica Price, a local driver, Kids are expensive, so the extra money going to them works perfectly, and its great for me.

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The decline in gas prices is not just benefiting drivers, but businesses as well.

In our particular business, the convenience store industry, credit card fees are one of our biggest expenses, said Todd Wilson, COO of Rapid Roberts, And so as the price of the fuel goes down, so do our credit card fees, because its based on a percent of the overall transaction.

Wilson notes that they also see an increase in gallons sold, as well as products sold inside their stores.

Nick Chabarria, a AAA spokesperson, said that different factors could be attributed to the decline.

Summer is typically the height of driving season with people taking road trips, He explained, So were seeing seasonally low demand, coupled with lower crude oil prices, and the switch from summer blend gasoline to winter blend gasoline, which is cheaper to produce.

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Chabarria adds that prices should continue to be relatively low, without counting any major disruptions to oil and gas or geopolitical events.

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An alleged drug dealer rigged his house with trip-wires to protect his drugs business and then told police he was inspired by the film Home Alone, a court heard.

Around 100 homes in Grimethorpe, South Yorkshire, were evacuated in May 2024 after police executed warrants at three neighbouring houses connected to Ian and Lesley Claughton, Doncaster Crown Court was told.

Helen Chapman, prosecuting, told a jury on Thursday that officers found weapons including a home-made flamethrower, large quantities of cannabis, amphetamines and cash, as well as a series of traps.

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She told jurors: If you are sitting there thinking that this sounds a little like the film Home Alone, then you would be correct.

In fact that is precisely what Ian Claughton said he was aiming for when he told the police about these devices.

When the police attended at those addresses and executed those warrants, what they found were properties which were heavily protected.

They needed to be heavily protected, the prosecution say, because they were full of drugs and cash.

The prosecution case is that Mr Claughton had sought to protect those drugs and the cash by the possession of firearms and by the laying of traps  those traps including the use of some minor explosives.

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The activities of Mr Claughton and Mrs Claughton had, it would appear, brought trouble to their doors and Mr Claughton attempted to deal with that trouble by fortifying the property and arming himself against any would-be intruders.

Kevin McCallister, the lead in Home Alone, was a menace to fictional bumbling burglars but also an inspiration to real-life British drug dealers

Ms Chapman described how, when police entered one of the houses, they noted a fishing wire running across the length of one of the rooms.

She said it was at knee height, attached to an electrical connector and a battery pack.

She added that Ian Claughton told police the explosives were crow scarers, used by farmers, which he had inserted into plastic piping and, in one instance, into a bag of paint.

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Other devices found in the property comprised of banger fireworks inside piping, sealed with foam, with wires and a coiled spring.

The prosecutor told the jury that a stun gun was found behind a fridge-freezer and a homemade flamethrower was discovered in a workshop.

Ms Chapman said it was a fire extinguisher filled with petrol, which had been adapted so fuel would be emitted at pressure.

Other weapons found at the properties included two high-powered air guns and a crossbow. The cash found in the property included 27,000 sewn into a settee.

Cannabis plants were found growing in two of the houses, including some in tents in hidden rooms.

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The prosecutor told the jury that officers went to the three houses, which are next door to each other, after Border Force found a package of imitation firearms ordered from China, addressed to Mrs Claughton.

The package was opened at Heathrow Airport and five small, folding five-shot revolvers were found.

Mr Claughton, 60, denies possession of prohibited firearms, criminal property and an explosive substance.

He has admitted causing an imitation firearm to be brought into the UK, possession of class B drugs with intent to supply and being concerned in the production of cannabis.

Mrs Claughton, 59, denies causing an imitation firearm to be brought into Great Britain, possessing class B drugs with intent to supply, possession of criminal property and being concerned in the production of cannabis.

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The trial continues.

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  A 62-year-old man has been arrested following an incident involving a two-car crash on Long Pond Road.

On October 18, around noon, Greece officers went to the 700 block area of Long Pond Road for reports of a two-car crash. On scene officers found a 62-year-old male driver unconscious and not breathing in a silver 1965 Shelby Cobra.

Suspects Vehicle Suspects Vehicle Other drivers vehicle

Officers and bystanders attempted CPR until other emergency services arrived. The driver only regained consciousness after being administered Narcan, indicating a possible opioid related overdose.

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Police say they searched the mans clothes and found a red container with a white powder. A test confirmed the presence of fentanyl and cocaine, and the substance was taken as evidence.

The occupants of the other vehicle involved in the crash, 3 out of 4 of them, had to be taken to Rochester General Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries; they were all later released.

Following his recovery, 62-year-old Douglas Weatherhog of Fairport was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs, moving from lane unsafely, and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree.

He was issued appearance tickets for Greece Town Court.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst.
Justin Sullivan / Staff / Getty Images Business optimism fell sharply for the third straight quarter in 2025 thanks to trade uncertainty.

Key Takeaways

Global business optimism has fallen for three straight quarters as a new survey showed that uncertain tariff and trade policies are creating fears of supply chain disruptions.

More than half of the businesses surveyed said they were looking for alternatives to the U.S. and Chinese markets due to the trade pressures.

Tariffs have affected metal manufacturing, automotive, and capital goods production the most, undermining investment confidence.

Global business optimism sank again in the third quarter as worries over U.S. trade and tariff policies led some businesses to look for alternatives to U.S. markets.

A global survey of 10,000 businesses found that optimism has dropped by nearly 20% so far this year, according to data from Dun & Bradstreet. The results show that business concerns over the challenging trade environment are accelerating as companies struggle to adapt to tariffs.

The renewed dip in Q3 suggests that businesses continue to grapple with a challenging external environment and may be adopting a more cautious stance as a result, the report said. These declines reflect not only the burden of existing tariffs but also rising uncertainty about what the U.S. might do next.

Why This Matters to You

Deteriorating business sentiment worldwide has the potential to harm foreign investment in the U.S. and reduce demand for U.S. exports. This could slow the economy, hurt corporate profits and increase market volatility.

Uncertainty surrounding U.S. tariffs has lead many international businesses to look for alternatives to American markets. More than half of surveyed businesses outside of the U.S. are seeking new trading partners beyond America, and the same share say they expect U.S. trade policies to get even worse.

Amid rising tariff pressures, businesses are prioritizing domestic markets and diversifying beyond the Chinese Mainland and the U.S., the report said.

Supply Chain Pressures Disrupt Investment Strategy

The survey also showed a growing pessimism about supply chain stability and the investment environment.

North American manufacturing businesses saw the steepest drop in supply chain confidence this year. The results also indicate that businesses are prioritizing supply-chain resilience over managing costs. The report showed that metal manufacturing, capital goods production and the automotive sector have been hit particularly hard by the trade policies.

This severe downturn could be particularly indicative of the impact of ongoing U.S. tariff policies and trade disputes directly affecting North American production and sourcing, the report said.
A Durham billionaire, twice convicted of masterminding a bribery scheme in North Carolina, hired President Donald Trumps former bodyguard to lobby for a pardon on his behalf.

Greg Lindberg, 55, is in a Gastonia jail awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty in a related case to conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

He was once a top political donor in North Carolina, until his influence over the North Carolina Republican Party fell apart in 2018 after Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey wore a wire for the FBI, helping show that Lindberg bribed him with millions of dollars to terminate a regulator who became suspicious of Lindbergs business practices.

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That helped unravel the separate scheme to defraud insurance regulators and policyholders, according to the Department of Justice.

It also led to the convictions of Lindbergs employee John Gray and NCGOP chairman Robin Hayes. Hayes successfully sought a pardon from Trump in January 2021.

The New York Times first reported Lindberg was seeking a pardon in March, after seemingly coming close to getting one during Trumps first administration.

On Monday, Javelin Advisors LLC, a company run by two former Trump advisers, filed a lobbying registration form to Congress showing that Lindberg hired Keith Schiller, one of the companys leaders, to seek a pardon from Trump on his behalf. From July to September, Lindberg has paid less than $5,000 for Schillers services.

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Schiller has a long history in Trumps orbit.

He worked as a police officer in New York City before becoming the head of security at Trump Tower in the 2000s. The New York Times previously reported that Schiller would travel with him on business trips and later campaign stops when he ran for president.

He became Trumps deputy assistant and director of Oval Office operations for nine months in Trumps first term, which is noted in the lobbying disclosure.

Previously, a company Lindberg owns had paid The Vogel Group $30,000 between April 1 and June 30 to seek clemency from the White House. A lobbying report filed on July 21 doesnt say who The Vogel Group was seeking clemency for, but it lists their client as Magma Power LLC, a company owned by Lindberg.

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Lindberg is listed as having been outside the federal Bureau of Prisons custody since his initial conviction was overturned due to an overreach in jury instructions. The address for Lindberg used in Schillers lobbying report is that of a jail in Gastonia.

Federal court records show that Lindberg turned himself in in Gastonia in November 2024, after pleading guilty in the conspiracy case and being found guilty by a jury of bribery and honest services wire fraud in the related case. Court officials appointed a special master to determine how much restitution is owed to his victims, a process that has taken more than a year and has held up his sentencing.

His initial sentence, which was later overturned, was 7 years and 3 months.
HAARLEM, Netherlands (AP)  Palwasha Hamzad wants the Dutch election to be not about migration, but about tackling the chronic housing shortages in the Netherlands.

For Danielle Vergauwen, it's about putting "our own people" first.

Their opposing views sum up two of the key issues in campaigning for the Oct. 29 election for all 150 seats in the Dutch parliament's legislative House of Representatives. They also echo debates about migration across Europe as right-wing politics gain support.

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Wilders' stunning victory

Far-right, anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders ' Party for Freedom, known by its Dutch acronym PVV, swept to a shock victory in 2023 on a pledge to drastically rein in migration. He triggered the downfall of the subsequent four-party coalition government in June by withdrawing his lawmakers from the Cabinet in a dispute over implementing his crackdown.

This time around, Wilders campaign pledge is a total halt to asylum-seekers. An analysis of parties election manifestos by the Dutch Order of Lawyers said that such a policy would be a breach of international treaties.

We have too many foreigners, too many asylum-seekers, too much Islam and far too many asylum-seeker centers, Wilders manifesto says. What he casts as the open-borders policy of his political rivals is totally destroying our country.

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Wilders' party leads polls as the voting day nears, but even if he manages to win again, he is unlikely to manage to piece together a coalition, because many other mainstream parties have ruled out working with him. Other more mainstream parties also have included moves to cut migration in their manifestos as the issue cuts across political fault lines.

Violent protests against new asylum-seeker centers have broken out in recent months in towns and villages across the Netherlands, with protesters lighting flares and sometimes waving a tricolor flag that was adopted by Dutch Nazi sympathizers around World War II. Wilders says he's opposed to violence.

Afghan-born educator

Hamzad is a beneficiary of long-standing Dutch hospitality to asylum-seekers that has taken a hit in recent years. She fled the Afghan capital, Kabul, as a child and eventually settled in this historic city close to Amsterdam. In near fluent Dutch, she identifies herself now as a proud resident of Haarlem, where she works in elementary education and is a municipal representative for the Green Left, the party that has joined forces with the Labor Party to present a united center-left bloc at the election.

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Hamzad argues that people being forced to sleep in cars, and families having to wait for years for social housing are far more pressing issues than reining in migration. She says the housing crisis isn't caused by new Netherlanders, but instead by years of right-leaning ruling coalitions.

We see that the free market has had too much influence, and social provisions have been more and more eroded, she said.

Wilders' heartland

Vergauwen was born and raised in the rural village of Sint Willebrord, where nearly three out of every four votes went to Wilders' party at the 2023 election.

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Were more for our own people, she said outside the clothing store she owns and runs in Sint Willebrord's main street. Of course, we grant them more than we grant the foreigners who come in.

Wilders conflates the issues of housing shortages that sees people wait for years for a subsidized apartment or priced out of overheated housing markets. He argues that waiting lists are so long because refugees get preferential treatment.

Vergauwen agrees.

You increasingly see people coming to the Netherlands because things are getting worse in their own country," she said. "But then youll end up with your own children no longer being able to have a home. And I would find that very sad.

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The official Dutch government statistics office says that overall migration last year was down by 19,000 from the previous year to 316,000 in this nation of 18 million, including people whose asylum applications were accepted. Around 40% came from Europe and almost half from the rest of the world. About one in 10 were Dutch nationals returning from overseas.

The government says that municipalities have other options for housing refugees, not just social accommodation. The Dutch refugee council rejects Wilders argument that people granted a protection visa to live in the Netherlands are the cause of the housing crisis, saying there are simply not enough houses being built.

Politicizing immigration

Leonie de Jonge, Professor of Far-Right Extremism at the University of Tubingen in Germany, says Wilders has been super successful in politicizing immigration as a cultural threat to the homogeneity of the Netherlands.

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Keeping the issue high on the political agenda "really helps to explain why the PVV is so successful, she added.

De Jonge said that while support for Wilders remains high, voters could still punish him at the ballot box for failing to deliver on his promises after the 2023 election.

Hamzad says she is optimistic the election will bring a change of political direction and will be remaining in her adopted homeland regardless of the outcome.

It's my life and my future, she said. My commitment is here in the Netherlands.
BUFFALO  DYouville University on Wednesday announced that it was awarded a $5 million grant from the state to develop the anchor facility of its new School of Osteopathic Medicine.

The grant from the New York State Higher Education Capital Matching Grant Program will support renovation of 285 Delaware Avenue as a state-of-the-art medical education facility. The first school of osteopathic medicine in Western New York, it will help address the growing physician shortage in the region and beyond, according to DYouville.

This investment from New York State is a transformative moment for DYouville and for our region, university president Lorrie Clemo said. The establishment of our School of Medicine will strengthen Buffalos reputation as a hub for healthcare innovation, education, and opportunity. Were building a place where future physicians will learn to serve with compassion, excellence, and integrity, ensuring that every individual has access to quality healthcare.

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According to DYouville, the school will emphasize interprofessional learning, health equity and community-centered care, to prepare physicians to bridge healthcare disparities and serve in communities most in need.

Plans for 285 Delaware Avenue include modern classrooms, simulation and anatomy labs, clinical training areas, and study spaces that foster hands-on, team-based learning. The facility will also feature advanced, technology-enabled environments that connect students with regional healthcare systems and research partners.

Construction and renovation are expected to begin in early 2026, with completion targeted for spring 2027. Interviews for the inaugural class of medical students are underway and DYouville plans to welcome its first cohort in fall 2026.

Founded in 1908, DYouville is a nationally ranked private university that offers degrees in the health sciences and business.
An Eagan man faces up to 30 years in prison for sneaking into a womans first-floor apartment and physically and sexually assaulting her.

Ricardo Roberto Mahkwah Diaz, 27, of Eagan, pleaded guilty Tuesday in Dakota County District Court to one count of first-degree criminal conduct in connection with the September 2023 attack. Two other counts will be dismissed at sentencing as part of plea agreement with the prosecution.

A 34-year-old Eagan woman told police at a hospital that a man she didnt know came into her bedroom and hit her head with a handgun and raped her, according to a police report and the criminal complaint. Diaz was arrested after police found him sleeping in her bed.

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Prosecutors will seek a 30-year prison term based on the aggravated factor that the offense was committed at her home, where she had an expectation of privacy, the plea document said. The defense can ask for a term no less than 12 years.

Diaz remains jailed ahead of sentencing, which is scheduled for Feb. 5 before Judge Tanya OBrien.

Minnesota court records show Diaz was civilly committed as mentally ill in January 2020, August 2021, July 2022 and June 2024. He was found to be mentally competent in November and entered his guilty plea a day before jury selection in a scheduled trial.

According to the police report and criminal complaint:

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Eagan police were dispatched to Fairview Ridges Hospital in Burnsville around 6:15 a.m. Sept. 23, 2023, on a report of a sexual assault that occurred that morning. The woman had cuts and abrasions on her face and head and appeared to be in shock.

She told an officer she was watching videos and trying to fall asleep when a man, who police later identified as Diaz, came into her bedroom between 3:40 and 4 a.m. She asked him who he was and told him to get out.

Diaz said he was going to sexually assault her, then jumped on top of her. She struggled to get him off, but he pulled out a handgun and struck her repeatedly on the side of her head, hitting her harder after she began to scream.

The officer saw cuts on her hand and a possible broken finger from using her hands to protect her head, the complaint said. (She) also had a bite mark on her neck.

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She said she continued to struggle with the attacker, who put all of his weight on her. He became angry when she turned away from looking at him while he sexually assaulted her, she told police.

She said she was afraid he was going to kill her as he never attempted to hide his identity, the complaint said. She told him to leave, but he refused. She was able to escape the apartment and drive to the hospital.

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Diaz was arrested around 7:30 a.m. when officers went to the womans apartment located west of Cedar Avenue and north of Cliff Road and found him sleeping in her bed. His hands were covered in blood, and he had no cuts or other injuries.

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Officers recovered a handgun in the apartment that had been reported stolen this year in Robbinsdale.

Later, while at the police department, he declined to give a statement, but without prompting said, I (expletive) up, according to the complaint.

Police said they found no signs of forced entry to the home and they believed Diaz went through an unlocked patio door.

Most sexual assaults are committed by someone known to a victim; about 31 percent are perpetrated by a stranger, according to RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network).
The early signs of frontotemporal dementia

A loved one undergoing massive shifts in personality or speech can be challenging to work with. You might be wondering if its already a symptom of an underlying disease. Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), in particular, may be at play, and identifying ways to slow down its progression can help. In this article, Village Caregiving details what to expect with frontotemporal dementia  its symptoms, how to get diagnosed and what you can do as a family member of someone affected.

What Is Frontotemporal Dementia?

Frontotemporal dementia is a brain disease that affects the parts of your brain responsible for behavior, speech and memory. Frontotemporal stems from the names frontal and temporal lobes, which are responsible for said activities. In particular, the frontal lobe is responsible for your movement, decision-making, reasoning, speaking abilities, self-control and social skills. On the other hand, the temporal lobe handles activities related to your memory, emotional expression, hearing and understanding of speech.

FTD is a progressive brain disease, meaning the parts of your brain deteriorate as time passes. Parts of the two lobes shrink, called atrophy, affecting their normal function. It is also usually defined as the early onset of dementia, although a quarter of patients show symptoms past the age of 65. This disease is a permanent, lifelong condition, giving a person an average life expectancy of 7.5 years after symptoms begin.

Are There Stages of Frontotemporal Dementia?

Unlike Alzheimers disease, there are no numbered stages set for FTD. The disease can affect each person differently, depending on which parts of the lobes are first affected. The gravity of the symptoms can shed light on how much the disease has affected a person.

Infographic listing six symptoms of frontotemporal dementia. - Village Caregiving



How Does Frontotemporal Dementia Begin?

Frontotemporal dementia symptoms vary per person. Two people can have similar symptoms but may have different sets of combinations. Some will also be more severe than others. A clinical diagnosis of FTD often involves symptoms from several core domains, which include:

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Disinhibition

Apathy

Loss of empathy

Impaired executive functions

Changes in eating behavior

Stereotyped attitude

1. Disinhibition

Disinhibition or the loss of inhibition pertains to a persons tendency to perform inappropriate behaviors. For instance, a person with FTD may:

Use offensive language.

Show sexually explicit attitudes.

Perform impulsive behaviors.

Have a childish attitude.

Show aggression toward specific groups or persons.

Violate other peoples personal space.

Easily share their personal information with strangers.

Some persons with FTD may also engage in illegal behaviors and substance abuse, such as excessively consuming alcohol and tobacco or gambling and overspending. These changes may seem like a huge personality shift for some people, making the symptom easier to spot.

2. Apathy

Apathy, or a lack of interest, is another symptom typical of the early stages of the disease. A person with FTD may refuse to participate in social and nonsocial activities and become uninterested in goal-directed activities.

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This symptom can be hard to distinguish from having major depression. However, with apathy, the loss of interest is sudden, regardless of the persons mood. People with FTD are also not generally suicidal or experience ideation. They typically show reduced motor activities instead. There are three subtypes to keep in mind.

Cognitive apathy: Pertains to the reduction in voluntary and planning activities.

Behavioral apathy: Manifests in a reduced number of self-activating thoughts and behaviors.

Affective-emotional apathy: Refers to the loss of interest in activities that a person previously deemed exciting or pleasurable.

3. Loss of Empathy

Empathy refers to a persons ability to read other peoples emotions, understand their state of mind and act in an appropriate manner depending on these social cues. This skill involves recognizing emotions through visual and auditory stimuli. It helps people become aware of the negative consequences of socially inappropriate behaviors.

A person with FTD may experience an impairment of social cognition, which means they may struggle to act appropriately in relation to their environment. They may struggle to understand facial expressions or distinguish crying from laughter. Because of their reduced empathy, they may also find it challenging to make sound moral judgments and solve social dilemmas. That said, the impairment particularly centers on the persons inability to distinguish negative emotions.

4. Impaired Executive Functions

A person with FTD may experience executive dysfunction, which means they can:

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Get easily distracted.

Have an impaired working memory.

Struggle to plan or exercise their problem-solving skills.

Have difficulty speaking or generating words.

People with FTD may belong in one of the subtypes of primary progressive aphasia (PPA), a degenerative brain disease that causes you to lose your ability to speak. These subtypes include:

Nonfluent variant: Pertains to the problems with grammar and word formation, where complicated sentences can cause the person with FTD some confusion.

Semantic variant: Pertains to problems with choosing and understanding words, where affected persons may say phrases that dont make sense or that they struggle to understand the words other people are saying to them.

An affected person may also experience anosognosia, or a lack of insight. This makes it challenging for them to process symptoms and understand that they might have a medical condition. With an impaired executive function, they can also experience a lack of judgment and may have difficulty following through with what theyre told to do.

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Some diagnosed patients have also experienced psychosis, delusions, hallucinations and Diogenes syndrome, which includes the loss of interest in caring for ones physical hygiene. These symptoms can be more present in the later stages of the disease.

5. Changes in Eating Behavior

A person with FTD may experience hyperorality, or the tendency to explore objects in their surroundings orally. This behavior may include smoking or compulsively putting things in their mouth, similar to what babies do. In the advanced stage of the disease, they may even ingest nonedible objects.

Their eating habits also change, where they may start to binge eat and have an increased preference for sweets. This increases the risk factors related to weight gain, like stroke, heart attack or diabetes.

6. Stereotyped Attitude

Stereotyped attitude or behavior refers to actions that are repeated over and over again, seemingly without purpose. This may involve physical actions or spoken language. For instance, they may look like tapping, lip smacking, picking or rubbing. However, they can also be a more complex set of actions. Hyperreligiosity is a rare and extreme example of this behavior, which can include heightened focus on religious practices and religious hallucinations, despite being previously religiously indifferent.

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Apart from FTD, stereotypic behaviors can also be seen in other neurological and psychiatric disorders, like autism, schizophrenia and Parkinsons disease.

At What Age Does Frontotemporal Dementia Occur?

People with frontotemporal dementia mostly develop the condition between the ages of 45 and 65. The mean age is 58. That said, only 15-22 persons out of every 100,000 are expected to have FTD. This type of dementia happens earlier compared to other age-related conditions affecting the brain, such as Alzheimers disease. However, it is also typically the cause of dementia later in life.

Who Is Most Likely to Get Frontotemporal Dementia?

Genetics plays a significant role in the development of frontotemporal dementia. Forty percent of the cases are hereditary. That said, DNA mutations that cause the disease can also happen at random. So, you may still develop FTD even if your parents didnt have it. The behavioral and semantic variants are more common in men, while the nonfluent variant is more common in women.

What Causes Frontotemporal Dementia?

There is currently no known cause of frontotemporal dementia. However, understanding why it happens may help you avoid potential risk factors.

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The bodys DNA functions as an instruction manual for the cells, telling them how to do their job. With DNA mutations, the body malfunctions in how it creates proteins, producing shapes that cells cant use or break down. If the cells cant break down these proteins, they cant be removed. That means they get clumped together, damaging the neurons surrounding them over time.

These misfolded proteins also play a part in other brain conditions like Alzheimers disease. However, researchers have also found FTD genes in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). They are still studying the connection between the two conditions.

Apart from genetics, the known risk factors currently include a history of head trauma and thyroid disease.

Infographic showing six ways on how frontotemporal dementia is diagnosed. - Village Caregiving



How Is It Diagnosed?

A neurologist or health care provider usually diagnoses frontotemporal dementia. You may undergo a physical and neurological examination, which includes lab tests and imaging tests to review the areas of the brain that are possibly deteriorating. Tests can include:

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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.

Computed tomography (CT) scans.

Positron emission tomography (PET) scan.

Lumbar puncture or spinal tap.

Electroencephalography.

Blood tests.

Youll also be asked for your medical history and undergo a neurocognitive assessment. Depending on your performance on the test, the doctor can identify whether you may have problems in certain parts of your brain.

How Is It Treated?

There is currently no known cure for FTD. That said, health care providers may recommend treatment options for the symptoms, which vary depending on each persons case. There may also be opportunities to participate in clinical trials for experimental treatments. Keep in mind that FTD cant be diagnosed and managed on your own. Its best to talk with your health care provider when seeking treatment.

How to Prevent Frontotemporal Dementia

Because frontotemporal dementia happens unpredictably, theres currently no known means to prevent it. Some studies suggest that lifestyle changes can help, even for people with family members who have a history of FTD. Being physically and mentally active seems to delay the onset of the disease or slow down its progression. According to a study comparing 105 mutation carriers and 69 noncarriers, the top 25% active carriers have experienced a functional decline thats 55% slower compared to the least active 5% participants.

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Additionally, avoiding the risks associated with FTD can be helpful, for instance, avoiding the possibility of head trauma. Drinking less alcohol, avoiding smoking and staying mentally and socially active are also known to help reduce the risk of dementia  important to note, considering FTD is an onset of this disease.

What You Can Do if Your Loved One Shows Signs of Frontotemporal Dementia

If you notice that your loved one may be experiencing symptoms of frontotemporal dementia, you may need to encourage them to talk to a health care provider. Because FTD symptoms include a lack of insight, they might not be able to recognize the symptoms on their own. If they dont see the problem, they might not seek treatment themselves.

Additionally, people with FTD likely need a 24/7 level of care. Whether you would perform this care yourself or hire a family caregiver, its best to plan for their long-term needs. If you will be the one to care for them, try your best to avoid taking things personally. FTD symptoms prohibit them from controlling their behaviors and what they say, which means they may end up offending you or the people around them.

Also, you may need to ask your loved one about their specific wishes and decisions in writing. They would need someone they can trust to make the decisions for them when they wont be able to do it themselves. These wishes may also include legal documents, which would likely need the help of an attorney.

In Summary

Frontotemporal dementia is a progressive brain disease that affects the frontal and temporal lobes. Symptoms vary per person as the disease affects each brain differently. However, for a person to be clinically diagnosed, they often have symptoms from several core domains, which include disinhibition, apathy, loss of empathy, impaired executive function, changes in eating behavior and a stereotyped attitude.

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The cause of FTD is currently unknown. However, the effects are due to the misfolded proteins that accumulate around neurons in the brain. There is currently no known treatment, but studies show that an active lifestyle may slow down its progression.

This story was produced by Village Caregiving and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
A group of East Tosa business owners want to turn a 16-block stretch of West North Avenue into a business improvement district as a way to invest funds from each property back into the busy corridor.

But some property owners have signed a petition opposing the initiative, which could keep it from going to the Common Council for consideration.

Business owners in support of the East Tosa Business Improvement District stand outside Rocket Baby Bakery, 6822 W. North Ave., Oct. 21 to support the bakery after its owner rescinded his signature on an petition against the district's formation.

The proposed BID boundaries include 106 properties stretching from North 60th Street west to North Wauwatosa Avenue.

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The North Avenue corridor of East Tosa is home to businesses including Cranky Al's, coffee shops, insurance agencies, auto shops, a romance bookstore, wellness services, and popular bars and restaurants.

Anna Jarecki, the owner of Nourish Skin and Sugar Studio, says making East Tosa a business improvement district would help businesses better market their products and services for customers and improve connections between business owners.

The East Tosa BID would also address pedestrian safety concerns on the high-traffic corridor, according to the group's operating plan.

"The BID truly is an investment right into North Avenue," Jarecki said.

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But over 40% of property owners, some of whom also own businesses occupying the space along the stretch of North Avenue, signed a petition opposing the proposed plan, according to Jarecki.

Those against the effort believe the current BID proposal wouldn't benefit them, according to the petition shared with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Those who support the BID hope that enough people who oppose may change their mind and rescind their petition signatures before Oct. 24 so that the BID proposal can go before the Common Council Oct. 28.

So far, those who have changed their minds include owners of Rocket Baby Bakery and Alfa Flower Shop, according to BID organizers.

Anna Jarecki, owner of Nourish Skin and Sugar Studio, is one of many people organizing to turn a 16-block stretch of Wauwatosa's North Avenue into a Business Improvement District. The effort faced opposition from some property owners.

What is a business improvement district?

Property owners in an area designated as a business improvement district contribute an annual fee based on their assessments that fund services and improvements in the area.

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In East Tosa's plan, fees would cost $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value on a property. That fee could be paid as part of rent by tenants of West North Avenue businesses, according to the plan.

In East Tosa, annual fees from all properties would total an estimated $140,400 in 2026, according to the plans. That annual fee would change based on changes in property assessments, which jumped 54% in the 2025 city-wide revaluation.

The district would be managed by a board of local stakeholders led by a part-time executive director whose compensation would be paid for through collected fees.

The rest of the money would be used for marketing, events and things like planters and signage. It would also go toward pedestrian safety initiatives.

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Wauwatosa's only current business improvement district is the Wawuwatosa Village. Business owners had tried to bring a BID to East Tosa in October 2014 and again in 2015 without luck, Wauwatosa Now previously reported.

Directly east on North Avenue is the Uptown Crossing BID, one of several in the city of Milwaukee.

What's the timeline for the East Tosa BID?

After Jarecki and other East Tosa BID supporters submitted a proposal to the city, the Plan Commission held a hearing and unanimously passed the plan Sept. 8, sending it on to the Common Council.

According to state statute, this is when property owners who oppose the plan may submit a protest petition, Jen Ferguson, the city's economic development manager, told the Journal Sentinel in an email.

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A copy of the petition shared with the Journal Sentinel says the city clerk's office received the document Oct. 3.

BID creation fails if a protest petition has signatures from property owners having an assessed valuation equal to more than 40% of the assessed valuation of all property in the area, according to Ferguson.

Business owners with Little Village Play Cafe, Maggio's Wood Fired Pizza, The Well Red Damsel, Tosa Yoga Center, and Nourish Skin and Sugar Studio stood outside Rocket Baby Bakery Oct. 21 to support the business after its owner revoked his signature from the opposing petition. They also spoke to other business owners to spread the word about the BID in hopes it might sway someone's opinion.

As of the afternoon of Oct. 22, some business owners had revoked their signatures, but over 40% of property owners still had signed the opposition petition, according to Jarecki.

Why do some property owners in East Tosa oppose the creation of the BID?

The Journal Sentinel attempted to contact several property owners who signed the petition in opposition of the East Tosa BID. Most did not answer, and a few declined to comment for this story.

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Those opposing it said they believe the proposed BID would benefit some, but not all of East Tosa, according to the petition document.

"We as petitioners support business involvement in the community, but not under this format," the petition said.

Why do some business owners in East Tosa want the BID?

Jarecki said she started trying to bring the BID together after she wanted to connect her business, located on the east end of the corridor, with businesses further west.

Iterations of neighborhood groups over time have hosted bike rides, chili fun runs and other initiatives to bring people together on the Avenue, according to Jeremy Maggio, owner of Maggio's Wood Fired Pizza.

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But the work that comes with planning events and bringing people together consistently isn't easy when it's not someone's job, especially with business owners who are parents, Jarecki said.

"Volunteerism isn't as prevalent as it was before," Jarecki said.

Transforming East Tosa into a BID would bring a compensated employee on board "who could actively market the area" for both visitors and new businesses alike, said Bobby Pantuso. The former East Tosa alderman has been advising the BID formation group on the East Tosa BID proposal.

The BID leader and board could also seek out grant support that individual businesses might not be able to get on their own, Jarecki said.

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(This story was updated to add new information.)

Bridget Fogarty covers Brookfield, Wauwatosa and Elm Grove for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She can be contacted at bfogarty@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: East Tosa business improvement district effort faces opposition
By Jeff Mason and Gram Slattery

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The White House is looking for more donors to help fund President Donald Trump's $300 million ballroom.

The president's team has released a list of companies and wealthy individuals who have pledged to contribute to the project's cost, but it has not said how much each is giving or specified how much Trump himself intends to pony up.

The project had received nearly $200 million in pledged contributions as of last week, according to a White House official.

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The president said on Thursday he intended to give millions of dollars. "I'll donate whatever's needed," he said.

Corporations including Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Alphabet's Google, as well as individuals such as Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, have agreed to help pay for the ballroom, according to the White House.

"Fundraising has not stopped," the White House official told Reuters.

Last week, Trump addressed roughly three dozen major donors and corporate leaders at a dinner in the East Room of the White House to highlight progress on the project.

We have a lot of legends in the room tonight, and thats why were here to celebrate you, because you gave, Trump told them.

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The cost for the 90,000-square-foot addition has grown from Trump's initial $200 million estimate to $300 million this week, as demolition workers take down the entire East Wing, which held offices for the first lady and other staff. The demolition has prompted outrage from Democrats and others who were shocked at seeing part of the historic building turned to rubble.

The Department of the Interior was taking the lead on what to do with the rubble, the official said, adding he was not aware of any plans to sell pieces of demolished walls as souvenirs.

The official said demolition work could be completed in the coming days. "The goal is as soon as possible," he said.

The White House on Thursday said it had been transparent about the project despite concern expressed by critics that it did not go through a proper review process before tearing down the East Wing. Trump, when he announced the project in July, said it would not interfere with the existing structure.

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"The president has been incredibly transparent," White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told a briefing. "With any construction project there are changes over time as you assess what the project is going to look like, and we'll continue to keep you apprised of all of those changes, but just trust the process."

(Reporting by Jeff Mason and Gram Slattery in WashingtonEditing by Colleen Jenkins and Matthew Lewis)
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.  An Edwardsville, Illinois, man pleaded guilty and was sentenced Wednesday for being a child predator.

According to the Madison County States Attorneys Office, James T. Berry, 24, pleaded guilty to one Class X felony count of child pornography.

The Edwardsville Police Department began its investigation after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Authorities discovered Berry disseminated a video of an unclothed child using the Kik app.

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Three arrested after stunt driving, fireworks on St. Louis streets

Investigators later searched Berrys phone and found child pornography on the device.

Berry admitted in court that he shared the video in September 2024.

A Madison County Circuit Court judge sentenced Berry to 10 years in state prison. Berry, who had no prior criminal record, will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
Individual nationals and collective member states are working hard to make the European Union (EU) a more attractive area for clinical trials.

The region has seen a drop in recent years in the number of studies being conducted in the region, which Lene Grejs Petersen, senior adviser to EU CT-policy at the Danish Medicines Agency (DMA), attributed to several issues within the multi-regulatory framework.

Speaking during the opening keynote session at Arena Internationals Outsourcing in Clinical Trials and Clinical Trials Supply Nordics, in Copenhagen, Denmark, on 21 and 22 October, Petersen said that long timelines are likely a significant reason that sponsors are avoiding the region.

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The EU has very long timelines of up to 120 days, Petersen said.

Then, when you have already had the process long processes with the first application, if you need to resubmit, the process takes nearly as long as it did initially  for a sponsor, this is not very attractive, that's for sure.

Petersen raised awareness to a report by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), Heads of Medicines Agencies (HMA), and the European Commission (EC), titled Monitoring the European clinical trials environment which provides updated data from the Clinical Trials environment in the EU.

GlobalData analysis shows that while the US remains the dominant region for clinical trials, there has recently been an uptick in Asia, especially China.

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GlobalData is the parent company of Clinical Trials Arena.

Other issues raised by Petersen include misalignment between parts one and two of the reviews, inconsistency within submission requirements across member states and the complexity of the review process and Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) limitations.

There is hope on the horizon, however, as member states are coming together to try and rectify some of these limitations, Petersen confirmed.

This includes clarifying D17 requirements, such as ensuring what is mandatory and non-mandatory protocol content. Petersen also noted how the EU is making considerations for deletion or retention, which included harmonising reporting member state considerations, and strengthening the role of the reporting member state by defining expectations, responsibilities and boundaries for the reporting member state under Clinical Trials Regulation (CTR).

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The Biotech Act is also open for comment from parties in clinical trials, which seeks to simplify regulations and expedite the process of bringing new products from the lab to the market.

Beyond the EU as a whole, Petersen pointed to the strengths of Denmark as a nation, which she said conducts the most clinical trials per million inhabitants within the EU.

Denmarks notoriety in the clinical trial sector is heavily supported by its parliament, which has a strong focus on the sector, as well as Trial National, a single portal to apply for clinical trials in Denmark, to make it easier for sponsors.

Petersen added: We have a strong Life Science strategy, where we have a focus on new strategies.

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We are quite pragmatic, and we have a new process where we can have 14 days of assessment for Phase I and integrated Phase II trials for multinational trials.

"Efforts being made to make EU more attractive for clinical trials" was originally created and published by Clinical Trials Arena, a GlobalData owned brand.




(NewsNation)  A recall has widened for eggs sold under Black Sheep Egg Company and Kenz Henz labels, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in an updated advisory to consumers.

The eggs sold by Arkansas-based Black Sheep and repackaged under the Kenz Henz brand in the Houston, Texas, area may contain the bacteria salmonella, federal regulators said. Published reports say the recall may affect more than 6 million eggs that had been shipped.

The recalled Black Sheep Egg Company product is in 12- and 18-count cartons. These Free Range Large Grade A Brown Eggs have best by dates between Aug. 22 and Oct. 31 on the sides of the cartons, the FDA said.

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M.C.I. Foods breakfast burritos, wraps recalled over possible listeria

Products may have been further distributed to other states, and additional products will be added to this advisory as information becomes available, an FDA news release said.

An example of a Black Sheep Egg Company label for recalled eggs (FDA)

Earlier this month, Kenz Henz recalled 12-count packages of Grade AA Large Pasture Raised eggs the Texas company received from Black Sheep Egg Company, agency officials said.

Consumers, restaurants and retailers should not eat, sell or serve recalled eggs. In addition, they should carefully clean and sanitize any surfaces or containers that the recalled eggs touched, the FDA emphasized.

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The egg recall stems from an FDA inspection at a Black Sheep Egg Company egg processing facility earlier this year, officials said.

Salmonella can cause diarrhea, fever, and stomach pains and can be harmful or potentially deadly to young children, the elderly and people with deficient immune systems or other medical conditions.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
TrueLayer has entered into an agreement to buy Zimpler, a Pay by Bank network in the Nordic countries.

This move is expected to expand the adoption of Pay by Bank services throughout Europe, combining TrueLayer's network with Zimpler's presence in the Nordic market.

The acquisition aims to expedite the transition from traditional card payments to secure Pay by Bank methods.

According to TrueLayer, the Nordic region, known for its high adoption rates of account-to-account (A2A) payments, serves as an ideal testing ground for Pay by Bank systems.

Through the acquisition of Zimpler, which was established in 2012 by Kristofer Ekman Sinclair and Johan Friis, TrueLayer will gain access to a user base exceeding 20 million and will extend its coverage to key markets, including Finland and Sweden.

Additionally, the deal will enhance TrueLayer's A2A offerings with the integration of the Swish payment rail.

TrueLayer CEO and co-founder Francesco Simoneschi said: I am excited to welcome the Zimpler team to TrueLayer. Weve long admired their progress, and were excited to add such an incredible group of builders and payment experts to the TrueLayer team.

Were not just expanding our footprint in the Nordics  were combining talent, technology, and scale to accelerate Pay by Bank adoption across the continent, and further strengthening Pay by Bank as a force of disruption that is changing how the world pays.

The transaction is currently pending regulatory approval, with change in control submitted to the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority, Finansinspektionen.

TrueLayer noted that it will provide updates on the regulatory review's outcome via its official communication channels.

For the transaction, Perella Weinberg served as the exclusive financial advisor to Zimpler.

In July 2025, payments company Stripe, in partnership with TrueLayer, announced plans to introduce a Pay by Bank payment option in France and Germany.

"TrueLayer signs agreement to acquire Zimpler" was originally created and published by Electronic Payments International, a GlobalData owned brand.








Correction: This story and its headline have been updated to reflect that account holders had sued over the attorney general's office's subpoenas.

HARTFORD - The head of a marketing agency and his company have withdrawn a lawsuit that had asked a judge to halt a state investigation into their companies.

Anthony Cashman and Cashman + Katz LLC had sued the state Office of the Attorney General in a lawsuit in Superior Court in Hartford earlier this month, looking to block subpoenas issued by the attorney general's office.

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Cashman + Katz is a Glastonbury marketing company that has been in business for 30 years, according to its website.

The suit was withdrawn Tuesday; no reason was given in the withdrawal.

The attorney general's office on Oct. 1 had issued a series of subpoenas seeking "extensive banking records and financial data" from Jan. 1, 2018, to the present from Cashman's and the company's accounts at American Express, Capital One, Citizens Bank, Citibank, M&T Bank, Webster Bank, KeyBank and Santander Bank, according to the lawsuit.

The subpoenas requested financial records, bank statements, canceled checks, signature cards, evidence of transfers, loan and credit applications, deposit slips, and safe-deposit box records, "without limitation to any identified transaction or alleged misconduct," the lawsuit went on to state.

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Cashman argued the subpoenas were not accompanied by "any notice of pending administrative or judicial action," except that they were related to the "submission of claims for payment to a medical assistance program," according to the lawsuit.

"Because no administrative referral or case exists, these subpoenas are procedurally defective and should be quashed in their entirety," the lawsuit stated.

Elizabeth Benton, spokeswoman for Attorney General William Tong, said state law authorizes the office to investigate suspected violations of the state False Claims Act and to issue subpoenas for records in furtherance of the investigation.

"When the subpoena seeks records from a bank, the attorney general must also serve a copy of the subpoena on the account holder," Benton said.

Benton declined to comment further.

This article originally published at Account holders drop suit to block CT attorney general subpoenas for banking records.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  An El Paso woman with young-onset Parkinsons disease is advocating for El Pasoans to vote Yes for Proposition 14 on Novembers ballot.

Proposition 14 is one of 17 proposed amendments that are being voted on to add to the Texas Constitution. The amendment would establish the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and allocate $3 billion from the states general fund for research into dementia, Alzheimers, Parkinsons, and related diseases.

Texas voters to decide on 17 amendments starting Monday

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In the grand scheme of things, with all of the millions of lives that are touched by dementia, Alzheimers and Parkinsons, its really not that much. I believe it will make a real difference. Its going to lead to breakthroughs because research and breakthroughs for one brain disease often lead to advances in others, said Esther Labib-Kiyarash, an ambassador and research advocate for the Parkinsons Foundation, and an El Paso resident.

Esther Labib-Kiyarash

As described by the Mayo Clinic, Parkinsons disease is a movement disorder of the nervous system that worsens over time, for which there is no cure.

I was really shocked when I got diagnosed with Parkinsons to find out that there is no real treatment and theres definitely not a cure, Labib-Kiyarash said. The medication we take just treats the symptoms. It doesnt slow the progression at all. I got really upset and angry, and I thought to myself, I want to put my energy into raising awareness about that and hopefully, raising involvement with research and funding, to get us to that place.

Labib-Kiyarash, 50, was diagnosed with Parkinsons two years ago when she went to a doctors consultation about shoulder pain she was experiencing. The pain turned out to be one of her symptoms for Parkinsons and she said her life was completely altered after that.

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I do have a tremor, which is pretty well controlled with medication. But after I got diagnosed, like I think happens with a lot of people when they experience something traumatic in their life, I sort of reassessed my priorities in my life and made a lot of changes. One of those was to no longer work outside the home anymore. I was very fortunate to be able to take a step back from my career, and now I stay home with my kids, which is amazing. And I do volunteer work and advocacy for Parkinsons, Labib-Kiyarash said.

Labib-Kiyarash has also gained a following across her social media platforms, which she names Shaking in my Boots. Through her platforms, Labib-Kiyarash uses humor and creativity to inform her thousands of followers about Parkinsons and how it affects peoples lives.

I do appreciate people following me because the more people associate someone like me with Parkinsons, the more it makes people understand that it can, in fact, happen to anyone, no matter what your age, Labib-Kiyarash said. I think specifically for Parkinsons, because it doesnt necessarily shorten our lifespan, that they think that were just kind of doing okay. And none of these diseases are easy diseases to live with. They are progressive, and they dont end well for us.

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Oct. 23Voters will decide on Nov. 4 the direction of multiple area cities, villages and townships for years to come. There are nearly 70 local races on the ballot in Montgomery, Greene, Miami and Warren counties.

This includes six competitive mayor races, and city commission races that will determine control of Dayton and large suburbs such as Beavercreek, Kettering and Troy.

In Dayton, Mayor Jeffrey Mims Jr. faces a challenge from Commissioner Shenise Turner-Sloss. Each is running on a slate with two other commission candidates, meaning the outcome could control who wields a majority on the five-person commission.

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The race could be described as a referendum on the direction Dayton is headed.

"I am running for a second term as mayor of Dayton to build upon all of the progress and growth we have seen in Dayton over the last decade," Mims said.

"I am seeking office as the mayor of Dayton to usher in a new generation of problem-solvers," said Turner-Sloss.

Kettering is guaranteed to get new leadership. Mayor Peggy Lehner is not running for reelection. Councilman Bob Scott and Bryan Suddith are vying for the seat.

"I've owned and operated successful Kettering businesses and I've spent years creating jobs and opportunities for families," said Scott. "Now, I'm running for mayor  because I believe it's time for steady leadership that leads, and puts our residents and businesses first."

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"With the support and endorsement of (Lehner), I chose to run to help keep Kettering the most professionally run city in the region," said Suddith. "Our city has enjoyed decades of council leadership without the noise and distraction of partisan politics, I am committed to upholding that tradition in our city."

Kettering also has three candidates running for two city council seats.

In Moraine, incumbent Mayor Teri Murphy faces a challenge from former councilwoman Erica Watts.

Asked for the Dayton Daily News Voters Guide why voters should elect them as the best choice, Murphy wrote: "My vision (both as resident and elected official) has always been to work to make Moraine a city that we can all be proud of."

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Said Watts: "What I can promise is that I am a person who will hear you and will work with you to solve concerns, listen to ideas, and encourage anyone to get involved. I strongly believe that a community that will come together and work together will prosper."

In Greene County, control of the village of Yellow Springs is also in the balance. In the race for mayor, Mark Heise and Steve McQueen are facing off to replace outgoing Mayor Pam Conine. And six candidates are competing for three open seats on the five-member council.

Another Greene County race to watch is the five-way race for three seats on the Beavercreek city council. That council consists of six members and a mayor, and taxes are a major issue in that race. Beavercreek is one of only three cities in Ohio that relies almost solely on property tax and doesn't have an income tax.

Xenia is also selecting a new mayor, but the race can already be called. Councilman Ethan Reynolds is running unopposed to replace Mayor Will Urschel. Five people are running for two seats on Xenia city council.

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There are 30 township trustee races on the ballot in the four-county region. Montgomery County's largest townships  Washington, Miami and Harrison  each have three candidates on the ballot for two seats.

The race in Miami Twp. features an incumbent, the son of another incumbent, and the current township fiscal officer who is facing a removal petition from the Ohio Attorney General because of a gold purchasing scheme.

Local elections like this November's tend to have much lower voter turnout than in years with statewide or federal candidates on the ballot.

"(That) is so unfortunate because this is where the rubber meets the road," said Rhine McLin, chairwoman of the Montgomery County Board of Elections and former Dayton mayor.

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"You don't call a president for potholes, you don't call a president about what's happening at your schools," she said. "It's so important to have a direct impact on your life every day through your hometown elections."

And in these smaller races, every vote is particularly important, she notes.

"We shouldn't take these elections so lightly, because they such a great impact, and this is where we actually see that elections are won by one vote or five votes or 10 votes and that can make a difference in your life," she said.

Greene County No. of candidates No. of seats

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Beavercreek City Council 5 3

Beavercreek Twp. Trustee 3 2

Bellbrook City Council 4 3

Clifton Village Council 5 4

Fairborn City Council 4 3

Mayor, Village of Yellow Springs 2 1

Miami Twp. Trustee 3 2

New Jasper Twp. Trustee 3 2

Ross Twp. Trustee 3 2

Sillvercreek Twp. Trustee 4 2

Spring Valley Twp. Trustee 3 2

Sugarcreek Twp. Trustee 4 2

Xenia City Council 5 2

Xenia Twp. Trustee 3 2

Yellow Springs Village Council 6 3

Miami County

Bethel Twp Trustee 3 2

Bradford Village Council 5 4

Fletcher Village Council 6 4

Monroe Twp Trustee 3 2

Piqua City Commission 3rd Ward 3 1

Springcreek Twp Trustee 5 2

Troy 1st Ward Member Of Council 2 1

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Troy County Council-At-Large 4 3

Washington Twp Trustee 4 2

West Milton Village Council 4 2

West Milton Village Mayor 2 1

Montgomery County

Butler Twp Trustee 3 2

Clay Twp Trustee 3 2

Clayton Council at Large 6 3

Clayton Mayor 2 1

Dayton Commission 4 2

Dayton Mayor 2 1

Englewood Council 5 3

German Twp. Trustee 3 2

Germantown Council 5 3

Harrison Twp. Trustee 3 2

Jackson Twp. Trustee 5 2

Kettering Council at Large 3 2

Kettering Mayor 2 1

Miami Twp. Trustee 3 2

Montgomery County Municipal Court 2 1

Moraine Mayor 2 1

New Lebanon Council 5 3

Oakwood Council 3 2

Oakwood School Board 4 3

Perry Twp. Fiscal Officer 2 1

Perry Twp. Trustee 5 2

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Riverside Council 5 4

Trotwood Council District 1 2 1

Trotwood Council District 2 2 1

Union Council 5 3

Vandalia Council 6 3

Vandalia Municipal Court Judge 2 1

Washington Twp Trustee 3 2

Warren County

Carlisle City Council 5 4

Franklin City Council 5 3

Harveysburg Village Council 6 4

Lebanon City Council 5 4

Maineville Village Council 5 4

Mason City Council 8 4

Clearcreek Twp. Trustee 3 2

Franklin Twp. Trustee 4 2

Hamilton Twp. Trustee 4 2

Harlan Twp. Trustee 5 2

Massie Twp. Trustee 4 2

Wayne Twp. Trustee 3 2

Waynesville Village Council 6 4
An electrical fire occurred at one of New Jerseys top restaurants on Friday night, and has resulted in a temporary closure.

Lita, a modern Iberian restaurant and bar in Aberdeen co-owned by Neilly Robinson and acclaimed chef David Viana, announced on their Instagram page Tuesday night that an electrical broke out during their Friday night dinner service.

This past Friday night, Lita experienced an electrical fire in the middle of service. It was an incredibly difficult moment for our team, but we are beyond grateful that everyone is safe, the post said. Right now, were taking the time to fully assess the damage and make sure our space is safe, cleaned, and restored  the way you know and love it. Lita has always been a place built on care, community, and resilience, and were holding onto that as we move forward.

Lita arrives with modern Iberian cuisine in Aberdeen

Its unclear where exactly the fire took place, or how long Lita will be closed. Videos in the Instagram post show the dining room darkened and wet, as well as damage to the roof. The restaurant said in the post that the goal is to reopen as soon as its safe to do so.

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Emails and messages to the restaurants from NJ Advance Media for further comment were not returned at publishing time.

Lita arrives with modern Iberian cuisine in Aberdeen

Lita is known for their modern take on Iberian cuisine  offering dishes like paella, pan con tomate (Spanish tomato bread) and patatas bravas. The ownership group also runs cocktail bar, La Otra, next door.

Lita opened in Aberdeen in April 2023 to great fanfare and has garnered national recognition since. The restaurant was named one of Esquires best new restaurants in America in 2023, a James Beard Award semifinalist for best new restaurant in 2024 and was featured on NJ.coms best restaurant list of 2023. Esquire also named La Otra one of the best new bars in America in 2024.

Viana rose to fame on TVs Top Chef in 2019, and alongside Robinson also owns Heirloom Kitchen in Old Bridge and Judy and Harrys in Asbury Park.

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The fire at Lita happened shortly before the pair closed the doors to their sandwich shop Abramzon & Davids Delicatesse in Old Bridge on Sunday after just five months of business.

Lauren Musni

Stories by Lauren Musni

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HANOVER TWP., LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  A problem with a faulty water fountain is forcing a Luzerne County school to close for a second straight day.

The Hanover Area School District states Lee Park Elementary has dismissed all students as of 9:30 a.m. Thursday, due to a major water leak discovered in the building, students will be limited to virtual learning on Friday.

The school district confirms that a water fountain filter broke sometime after school on Wednesday at Lee Park Elementary School.

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11 banned from Pennsylvania casinos, gambling

Officials stated the break sent water downstairs and into a hallway, causing a classroom drop ceiling to collapse.

The superintendent says they will continue drying out the affected areas of the school this weekend and test the air quality.

Lee Park Elementary is on virtual learning today. The plan is to reopen on Monday.

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(Reuters) -Eli Lilly signed an agreement with Cipla, allowing the Indian drugmaker to sell its blockbuster weight-loss drug under a separate brand in the country, the companies said on Thursday.

Under the agreement, Lilly will manufacture the drug and Cipla will market it under the brand name Yurpeak, the drugmakers said.

Yurpeak will be available as a once-weekly pre-filled injector pen, same as Lilly's Mounjaro Kwikpen, allowing healthcare providers to personalise treatment plans to individual patient needs.

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The medication will be available in six dose strengths - 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg and 15 mg and will be priced the same as Mounjaro.

Lilly began selling Mounjaro in India in late March for diabetes and obesity in 2.5 mg and 5 mg vials, before getting India drug regulator's approval for the Kwikpen device in June. The drug's sales more than doubled within months of its launch.

Tirzepatide belongs to a class of therapies known as GLP-1 receptor agonists that help control blood sugar and slow digestion, making people feel fuller for longer.

(Reporting by Kashish Tandon in Bengaluru; Editing by Leroy Leo)
ELK COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ)  A Ridgway woman is facing charges after a man allegedly admitted to a nurse that he had been stabbed.

Brielle Solomon, 24, was charged after officers with the Ridgway Police Department were called about a disturbance at an apartment on Mill Avenue, according to a criminal complaint. On Oct. 21, officers arrived to find a man with a severe laceration to his right arm and copious amounts of blood in the hallway, on the floors and walls of the apartment.

Police noted that Solomon was holding bandages to the victims arm and was screaming for help. When questioned, the victim allegedly told officers that he had been cooking and that Solomon had scared him, which caused him to cut himself. The victim told officers that he was left-handed. Solomon allegedly told officers that they had gotten into an argument and that the victim had accidentally cut himself.

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Man stabbed after threatening Clearfield resident, police investigate

The victim was taken to the hospital for treatment. A witness told police at the scene that they heard yelling, screaming, and crying, and noted that someone could be heard saying, I dont want to go to jail.

Several hours after leaving the scene, police received a call from the City of DuBois Police Department in regards to the victim, who had been flown to the DuBois hospital. DuBois police shared that the victim had allegedly admitted to a nurse that he had been stabbed by Solomon.

Police applied for a search warrant on the victims medical record and learned that he had a 53 cm laceration on his arm and had suffered an arterial injury that needed 6 stitches and had lost roughly 700 cc of blood. The records also showed that the victim was right-handed, not left-handed like he had told police earlier.

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Solomon is in the Elk County prison with bail set at 10% of $25,000. She is facing charges of aggravated assault and simple assault.

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A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 29.

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SpaceX founder Elon Musk has slung insults at Sean Duffy, interim head of NASA, calling him "Sean Dummy" and criticizing his loyalty to the agency, stating that "the person responsible for America's space program can't have a 2 digit IQ," as reported by Ars Technica.

It appears that Duffy wishes to continue leading NASA, although he has not publicly stated as much. He has, however, criticized SpaceX, explaining that NASA's contracts had to be adjusted because SpaceX was not keeping up with an agreed-upon launch timetable.

A spokesperson for NASA told Ars Technica that "Sean is grateful that the president gave him the chance to lead NASA. At the president's direction, Sean has focused the agency on one clear goal  making sure America gets back to the moon before China."

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Environmentalists disagree with that goal.

Musk's SpaceX launches have been controversial because of pollution from launch sites, so scientists focused on environmental concerns have voiced the importance of prioritizing life on Earth and dealing with pollution that is warming our planet over investing resources in space travel as a means to escape climate issues.

People concerned about the environment are taking steps to combat global warming and protect human health.

Space travel creates a tremendous amount of pollution. The rockets require fuel to run, and burning of that fuel produces black carbon and soot, among other harmful planet-warming pollutants.

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SpaceX plans to launch thousands more Starlink satellites, which could cause a great deal of harm to the environment. The planned launches will release pollution into the Earth's atmosphere that would be equivalent to the pollution released by 7 million diesel dump trucks in a year.

The space industry appears to be wrapped up in a blame game that is self-defeating in its intended goal to beat China, and workforce cuts and uncertain restructuring are not helping the mess.

"The longer this process drags on, the messier it seems to get," wrote Ars Technica Senior Space Editor Eric Berger. "In the meantime, NASA is twisting in the wind, trying to run in molasses while wearing lead shoes as China marches onward and upward."

Environmentalists would love for there to be more focus on making our own planet a healthier place.

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.
Brian Foster, Elyria Police Department

ELYRIA, Ohio (WJW)  Elyria police announced an arrest Thursday in an armed robbery at a local jewelry store.

Police said Brian Foster, 37, of Elyria was facing charges.

Documents reveal what led to 5-year-old girl falling off Disney cruise ship, dad jumping to rescue her

According to police, a masked suspect entered Kay Jewelers on Oct. 14 around 6:30 p.m.

Police said the suspect pointed a semi-automatic handgun at employees, forcing them to open display cases and hand over numerous pieces of jewelry.

Kay Jewelers robbery, Courtesy: Elyria Police Department Kay Jewelers robbery, Courtesy: Elyria Police Department

The suspect ran on foot, police said.

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Investigators used surveillance video and evidence recovered near the scene to find their suspect.

Body found in trash bags identified as Ohio 7-year-old

Foster was arrested on Wednesday, according to police.

Police said Foster had jewelry matching descriptions of the stolen items.

Police said they also recovered a gun resembling the weapon used in the robbery, which they later said was a BB gun.

Foster faces charges of aggravated robbery and is being held in the Lorain County Jail.

Anyone with additional information related to this incident is asked to contact Detective Loesch at (440) 326-1205.

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WASHINGTON (AP)  President Donald Trump has pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, who created the worlds largest cryptocurrency exchange and served prison time for failing to stop criminals from using the platform to move money connected to child sex abuse, drug trafficking and terrorism.

The pardon caps a monthslong effort by Zhao, a billionaire commonly known as CZ in the crypto world and one of the biggest names in the industry. He and Binance have been key supporters of some of the Trump familys crypto enterprises.

Deeply grateful for todays pardon and to President Trump for upholding Americas commitment to fairness, innovation, and justice, Zhao said on social media Thursday.

Zhao served four months in prison after reaching a deal with the Justice Department to plead guilty to charges of enabling money laundering at Binance. But, in explaining the pardon, Trump said of Zhao, He was recommended by a lot of people.

A lot of people say that he wasnt guilty of anything, Trump said. He served four months in jail and they say that he was not guilty of anything.

The president added that he didnt believe hed ever met Zhao personally, but had been told he had a lot of support, and they said that what he did is not even a crime. He said Zhao had been persecuted by the Biden administration.

I gave him a pardon at the request of a lot of very good people, Trump said.

It's the latest move by a president who has flexed his executive power to bestow clemency on political allies, prominent public figures and others convicted of crimes.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the pardon in a statement and later told reporters in a briefing that the White House counsel's office thoroughly reviewed the request. She said the administration of Democratic President Joe Biden pursued an egregious oversentencing in the case, was very hostile to the cryptocurrency industry and Trump wants to correct this overreach.

The crypto industry has also long complained it was subject to a regulation by enforcement ethos under the Biden administration.

Trumps pardon of Zhao fits into a broad pattern of his taking a hands-off approach to an industry that spent heavily to help him win the election in 2024. His administration has dropped several enforcement actions against crypto companies that began during Bidens term and disbanded the crypto-related enforcement team at the Justice Department.

Former federal prosecutor Mark Bini said Zhao went to prison for what sounds like a regulatory offense, or at worst its kissing cousin.
DENVER (KDVR)  Emerald ash borer  its a name that has begun to pop up all over Colorado.

A recent study by Colorado State University, Fort Collins, indicates why the name has spread and also explains why its not a name you should look forward to hearing about.

Popular ski town getting speed cameras

The emerald ash borer spread significantly throughout the summer in 2025, according to a press release from the Colorado State Forest Service. The invasive species has now been detected in more than 20 cities in the Front Range, including Denver for the first time this year.

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Emerald ash borers are non-native beetles that attack and kill stressed or healthy ash trees, with the trees typically dying two to four years after being infested.

CSU said that ash trees make up about 15% of the urban trees in Colorado, so the invasive species poses a serious threat to urban forests.

EAB has become so widespread that residents in the Front Range should assume the pest is in their city or town, said Mary Brand Danser, urban and community forestry program specialist with the Colorado State Forest Service, in a press release.

CSU detected the emerald ash borer in cities, including:

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Aurora

Berthoud

Denver

Edgewater

Golden

Wheat Ridge

The first time the beetle was detected in Colorado was in Boulder in 2013.

Unfortunately, we anticipate the range of EAB will continue to expand southward, likely showing up in Castle Rock or Colorado Springs within the next five years, said Danser. But in reality, were only one piece of infected firewood away from EAB spreading anywhere in the state. When infested ash wood is moved, it can transport emerald ash borer much faster than its natural spread. Thats likely how the insect made its unexpected jump to Carbondale in 2023 and why it is important to burn wood locally. You never know what pest you might be spreading.

The emerald ash borer problem in the U.S. started in 2002, when it was first discovered in Michigan. Since then, it has spread to over 35 states and is responsible for the death or decline of tens of millions of ash trees between the United States and Canada.

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North America does not have any natural predators of the beetle. The emerald ash borer primarily targets ash trees in the genus Fraxinus, but CSU said it has also been documented infesting white fringe tree.

Communities that have detected emerald ash borer can report the infestation to the Colorado State Forest Service, which adds the area to a public detection map. The agency can then offer resources to help mitigate the threat from the beetle.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  An Emery woman has been indicted on one count of Grand Theft for stealing between $100,000 and $500,000 from her employer, a Sioux Falls-based construction business.

Property tax task force pushes for more relief

On October 8, 45-year-old Paula Dockendorf was indicted by a Lincoln County Grand Jury, facing a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. Shes scheduled to appear in court on Monday.

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The alleged theft happened between December 1, 2023 and November 1, 2024, according to court documents.

Dockendorf has an active license in South Dakota as a Certified Public Accountant.

The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation and Sioux Falls Police Department investigated the case, which will be prosecuted by the South Dakota Attorney Generals office.

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*Authors note*  The suspects name is not included in order to protect the victims identity

BELOIT, Wis. (WFRV)  A 71-year-old in Wisconsin was sentenced to 29 years in prison months after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a child, after the victim bravely came forward.

Wisconsin man arrested for allegedly being intoxicated in rollover crash that killed his wife

The Beloit Police Department said that the victim spoke up to their parents about the assault that occurred in March 2025, leading officers to investigate the suspect and their subsequent arrest.

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Officer Dylann Rauch led the investigation, according to a release, and collaborated with a program to do a safe interview with a victim, who provided the details on what happened.

The suspect was subsequently arrested and agreed to plead guilty to the offense. According to the release, the sentencing hearing was an emotional and vigorous process.

The suspect reportedly blamed the victim and their family for putting trust in them. Judge Karl Hanson said in court that the suspect had a complete lack of accountability, and that their victim-blaming was the most hollow allocution I have ever heard in this courtroom.

District Attorney Jason Sanders concurred, calling the crime heinous, crediting Judge Hansons decision to speak out against the suspect.

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Two Green Bay men arrested in connection to human trafficking group in Upper Peninsula

First of all, it is absolutely disgusting that this pedophile had the gall to blame anyone but [themself], District Attorney Sanders said. I truly appreciate Judge Hanson for speaking directly to the victims family and echoing that the only person to blame was the child molester.

The suspect will be 100 years old at the end of their sentence.

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(WBRE/WYOU)  As temperatures outside begin to drop, people are starting to crank up the heat inside their homes. Still, as the federal government shutdown drags on, that could be a challenge for some people who rely on a federal program to pay their heating bills during the winter.

28/22 News Reporter Avery Nape sat down with an HVAC Expert on Wednesday night to discuss how this could affect people.

The Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low-income families statewide heat their homes during the colder months, but it requires federal funding.

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Its been more than three weeks since the government shut down, and more programs and people are feeling its effects.

On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) announced that the start of LIHEAP is being pushed back one month to December 3. With temperatures at night already dipping into the 30s and 40s, the delay could become dangerous.

Its basically, its a life concern. I mean, how are you supposed to live in a house when its five degrees outside? Like, you need a heating system. Otherwise, you know, people can die, Cody Orr, Owner of KO HVAC, told 28/22 News.

Friends Helping Friends Event at Boscovs raises money for non-profits

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The program helps low-income families pay their heating bills through the winter months, and can even provide assistance with heating system repairs and replacement.

The DHS says on average, LIHEAP receives more than $219,000,000 in federal funding annually, helping more than 300,000 families across the state.

Orr says with so many types of heating systems, its hard to pinpoint an average cost, and heating your home can certainly get expensive.

Theres a wide range; It really depends on what you have. It depends on the system and your home. We have a lot of older homes here, too, so if theyre not well insulated, you know, youre just paying to heat the outside, Orr explained.

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There is some hope, though. PAs winter utility shut-off moratorium protects many customers of regulated utility companies. It wont cancel an outstanding home heating bill from December 1 to March 31.

Orr says with winter approaching, he hopes people wont have to decide between heat and their health.

Its horrible to think that people would have to decide between their gas for heating and their water bill. Like, both of those are critical functionality. I mean, luckily in the dead of winter they cant turn off your gas, but its still gonna be a budget crunch, Orr added.

Pennsylvanian residents who need immediate assistance can contact a utility assistance program.

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Much of the conversation about the changing climate is doom and gloom. In one way, it's appropriate: Rapidly rising global temperatures are causing myriad extreme problems. In another, it's not: There are plenty of reasons to be hopeful.

Journalist Bill McKibben is an expert on the topic, and he has become a leading proponent of climate action in the United States. In a conversation with Yale Climate Connections, he talked about his work and the developments that are ushering in a clean energy future.

In his latest book, Here Comes the Sun, McKibben details the advantages of solar and wind power and the promise of worldwide equitable energy access. He told YCC that China, earlier this year, was installing 3 gigawatts of solar power every day, which he compared to "a coal-fired power plant every eight hours." He noted that there has been a similar upswing in Pakistan, powered by everyday people.

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"I've watched what has happened over the last year when a flood of very cheap Chinese solar panels enabled Pakistanis to essentially remake their country's electric grid," McKibben said. "They built the equivalent of half the country's electric grid in eight months just using TikTok videos to put together solar panels."

He added that solar is the only thing that could be scaled quickly enough to cut off the flow of heat-trapping gases into Earth's atmosphere.

Installing panels at home is the best way to save money on energy costs, and EnergySage offers free tools to get quick installation estimates and compare quotes. With the help of the independent clean energy adviser, the average person can save up to $10,000 on a solar system.

The federal government is also offering tax credits of 30% of the cost of projects. However, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will end this incentive on Dec. 31. EnergySage has a mapping tool that shows the average cost of a solar setup as well as details on incentives for each state.

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If buying solar panels is not for you, leasing them is an option to lock in low energy rates. Through Palmetto's LightReach program, you can get a solar system for no money down. Pairing panels with other electric appliances, such as an efficient heat pump, can drive utility costs even lower, and Mitsubishi can help you find the right unit and installer.

McKibben said the Trump administration, as well as the high cost of solar panels and varying regulations, were impediments the U.S. must overcome. Changing the conversation would help show people how affordable and efficient solar energy is. In the footsteps of those in European and African countries, Americans could put aside "absurd excuses" such as aesthetic preferences and fully embrace cleaner, cheaper, renewable energy.

"This is our chance. Not to stop global warming, too late for that, but to stop it perhaps short of the place where it cuts civilization off at the knees," he said. "Every tenth of a degree Celsius that we can shave off the eventual temperature of the planet keeps another 100 million people in a comfortable climatic zone instead of moving them to a dangerous one."



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.
By Sam Tabahriti

LONDON (Reuters) -Resident doctors in England will go on strike next month as part of escalating industrial action over job insecurity and pay erosion, their trade union said on Thursday.

The strike follows failed talks with the government to produce what the British Medical Association called a "credible plan" to address unemployment among newly qualified doctors and years of real-terms pay erosion.

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Last year the newly elected Labour government quickly reached a settlement with doctors for a 22% pay rise, hoping to draw a line under a long-running series of strikes under the previous Conservative government.

However, doctors returned to the picket lines this year after asking for more than the 5.4% the government had awarded in its next pay round. Ministers refused to go any higher, citing increasingly strained public finances.

DOCTORS SAY THEY HAVE NO OTHER OPTION

The BMA announced on Thursday a new wave of strikes by resident doctors, qualified physicians who make up nearly half of the medical workforce, beginning at 0600 GMT on November 14 and lasting until 0559 GMT on November 19.

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The BMA has been seeking a 29% rise to restore pay to 2008 levels, arguing that half of second-year doctors now struggle to find jobs despite widespread staff shortages.

"While we want to get a deal done, the government seemingly does not, leaving us with little option but to call for strike action," Jack Fletcher, chair of the BMA's resident doctors committee, said.

Fletcher said Wes Streeting, Britain's health minister, sent a last-minute letter on Thursday promising possible changes to jobs and training in two years. Fletcher said the letter showed little understanding of the urgent issues doctors face.

Streeting, in a statement reacting to the strike, urged the BMA to call it off and described the action as "unreasonable and unnecessary".

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"It is preposterous that the BMA have rushed headlong into more damaging strike action a week after its new leadership opened discussions with the government," he said, reiterating that the government simply cannot go further on pay this year.

Public backing for doctors' strikes has been limited, opinion polls have shown.

($1 = 0.7451 pound)

(Reporting by Sam Tabahriti, editing by William James and Ed Osmond)
LONDON (Reuters) -Resident doctors in England will go on strike next month, their trade union said on Thursday, as part of escalating industrial action over job insecurity and pay erosion.

The strike action, which will take place between November 14 to 19, follows failed talks with the government to produce what the British Medical Association called a "credible plan" to address unemployment among newly qualified doctors and years of real-terms pay erosion.

"This is not where we wanted to be," Jack Fletcher, chair of the BMA's resident doctors committee, said. "This is a situation which cannot go on."

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The action in November follows a five-day strike in July, when resident doctors protested the government's refusal to improve on a 5.4% pay offer.

The BMA has been seeking a 29% rise to restore pay to 2008 levels, arguing that half of second-year doctors now struggle to find jobs despite widespread staff shortages.

(Reporting by William James, writing by Sam Tabahriti)
With relatively little fanfare, the first-ever global carbon tax was poised to be formally adopted as an international agreement this year.

The International Maritime Organization, or IMO, the United Nations agency overseeing global shipping, had drafted a net-zero framework to move the sector toward cleaner fuels  a crucial step in the energy transition, since the industry that handles around 90 percent of global trade also accounts for 3 percent of the worlds emissions.

The framework would require shippers to pay a fee per ton of greenhouse gas emissions if their emissions rose above a certain threshold. The fees would then be pooled into a fund and distributed to support the development and uptake of alternative fuels and decarbonization in developing countries. The shipping industry, which had been seeking a consistent regulatory environment and level playing field, was largely supportive of the plan. So were the vast majority of U.N. member countries.

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Then, in April, the Trump administration abruptly withdrew from IMO negotiations. As a vote over the framework approached this month, the administration began pressuring other nations to abandon the deal. The administration also released a statement, warning that the U.S. was considering additional tariffs, visa restrictions, additional port fees, and sanctions on officials from countries that voted for the framework. President Trump himself took to Truth Social, calling the proposal a global green new scam tax on shipping.

The campaign succeeded. Last week, at the tail end of negotiations, Saudi Arabia abruptly called for a vote to adjourn the IMO meeting for one year without making a decision on the net-zero framework. Since IMO rules dictate that a call to adjourn precedes all other considerations, the proposed delay was voted on immediately and passed with 57 countries in favor and 49 against. (Twenty-one countries abstained from the vote.) That means that it will be another year, at least, before the framework can be officially inked.

Close observers of the IMOs decarbonization efforts told Grist that U.S. obstruction was a decisive factor in preventing the frameworks adoption.

Its fair to say that the retaliatory measures and punitive threats that were shared by the U.S. administration in advance of the meetings played their part, said Em Fenton, a senior director at Opportunity Green, a U.K.-based climate group that has been closely tracking the IMO negotiations. The outcome last week is a devastating blow for climate multilateralism.

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The IMO has been inching toward emissions rules for several years, but the effort ramped up in 2023 when the agencys 176 member countries agreed to a greenhouse gas strategy that would commit them to net-zero emissions by about 2050. In order to reach that goal, countries began negotiations on legally binding measures that included a standard capping the carbon-intensity of fuel used by shipping companies, as well as an economic measure to enforce that standard, which could take the form of a levy or carbon trading mechanism.

On the economic measure, countries were split. An ambitious coalition of more than 64 countries, including European Union countries, the United Kingdom, Pacific and Caribbean nations, and African countries, proposed a relatively high flat tax on all maritime emissions. Under their proposal, every ton of their greenhouse gas emissions would be priced at the same level across the board. Another set of countries led by China, however, were in favor of a carbon trading mechanism that allowed countries to offset their emissions through carbon credits. (China and other emerging economies are large exporters, and a flat fee, they argued, would hurt businesses and reduce their competitiveness.)

Ultimately, the countries landed on a compromise with a two-tier system: High emitters in the top tier could engage in some amount of carbon trading. Those in the bottom tier would pay the levy based on a fee per ton of emissions. And those who comply with the zero or near-zero emissions fuel requirements would receive financial rewards. This approach became the net-zero framework that was supposed to be voted into effect this year.

The shipping industry largely welcomed the framework. For one, the industry has had record profits in recent years. A report by Opportunity Green found that 139 of the worlds largest shipping companies, which make up more than 90 percent of the global fleet, made $340 billion in profits from 2019 to 2023. The 10 largest companies were effectively taxed at less than 10 percent on average  far lower than the average global corporation tax rate of 21.5 percent.

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The industry was also eager for regulatory certainty. Ahead of the meeting last week, a group of trade organizations representing the shipping industry issued a statement calling for the adoption of the framework. Only global rules will decarbonize a global industry, they noted. Without the framework, shipping would risk a growing patchwork of unilateral regulations, increasing costs without effectively contributing to decarbonization.

With the framework now in jeopardy, the path forward is unclear. Although the shipping talks wont resume for another year, Fenton said countries should push for additional technical clarity during other interim meetings to reach a consensus and ensure the framework is adopted next year.

Meanwhile, cities and ports across the world have been taking steps to green their infrastructure. Alisa Kreynes, a director of the ports and shipping program at C40, a global network of mayors taking climate action, pointed to various initiatives already underway to reduce carbon emissions from the shipping industry. Cities have built green shipping corridors, which are trade routes where ports and other partners work together to transition to zero or near-zero emission fuels. Ports have also begun establishing stricter emission standards for trucks, and supported the development of offshore wind.

The way we are reacting is that cities continue to deliver a just maritime transition, despite what happened at the IMO last week, Kreynes said. The cities will continue to push forward with advancing equitable port and shipping decarbonization.

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But those measures wont put a significant dent in the industrys primary source of emissions, which is the massive, fuel-hungry boats that crisscross the globe delivering goods. And the collapse of IMO negotiations rings as a warning about the fragility of international cooperation. The dynamic could continue at COP30, the international climate conference taking place in Belem, Brazil, next month.

The sort of playbook of delay-and-obfuscate is more likely to be on the table and visible at COP30 than it would have been if it had not prevailed here at the IMO, said Fenton. And that is hugely disappointing.

This story was originally published by Grist with the headline The entire world was ready to reduce shipping emissions. Then Trump stepped in. on Oct 23, 2025.
As artificial intelligence continues to grow, so does the need for massive data centers to power it, reported Chemical & Engineering News.

These AI facilities rely on specialized chemicals to keep equipment cool, prevent fires, and support high-tech operations. But some of those chemicals may pose serious health risks.

Now, a new move by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is accelerating the approval process for these substances. Supporters argue that it helps meet the growing demand for AI. Some say this will help accelerate investment in AI. Others warn it could lead to the approval of harmful substances without proper safety checks.

What's happening?

In early October, the EPA said it will prioritize chemical reviews that support data center projects. These reviews, required under the Toxic Substances Control Act, usually take months or even years due to a growing backlog.

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EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin described the change as part of an effort to "reduce the regulatory burden" on companies working on AI and data centers. But environmental groups like Earthjustice and the Environmental Defense Fund argue the move could allow companies to bypass thorough safety assessments.

They are especially concerned about PFAS, also called "forever chemicals," that have been linked to serious health issues.

"Prior attempts to streamline the review of new chemicals have resulted in rushed approvals of highly toxic substances," said Earthjustice attorney Jonathan Kalmuss-Katz, per Chemical & Engineering News.

Why is this concerning?

PFAS do not break down in the environment or the human body for an extremely long time. Long-term exposure has been linked to cancer, immune system problems, and developmental harm in children.

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Critics fear that prioritizing data center chemicals could make it easier for manufacturers to get PFAS approved under looser scrutiny, just at a time when they are being banned in other arenas for their negative effects.

At the same time, AI has a complicated relationship with the environment. When used constructively, it can help manage renewable energy systems, reduce pollution, and track climate change.

But data centers also use a lot of electricity and water, and AI development generates e-waste and carbon pollution.

What's being done about these toxic chemicals?

Environmental advocates are urging the EPA to maintain rigorous chemical reviews. They worry this new approach favors industry at the expense of public health. Their message: Progress shouldn't come at the cost of safety.

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To get involved, stay informed, share reliable information, and reach out to elected officials to advocate for stronger chemical safety protections.

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.




By Andrew Osborn, Jeff Mason and Timothy Gardner

MOSCOW (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump hit Russia's two biggest oil companies with sanctions in his latest sharp policy shift on Moscow's war in Ukraine, prompting global oil prices to rise by 3% on Thursday and India to consider cutting Russian imports.

The sanctions, unveiled by the U.S. Treasury, target oil companies Rosneft and Lukoil, and mark a dramatic U-turn by Trump, who said only last week that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin would hold a summit in Budapest to try to end the war in Ukraine.

But in his latest turnaround on the conflict, Trump said on Wednesday the planned summit was off because he did not believe it would achieve the outcome he wanted and complained that his many "good conversations" with Putin did not "go anywhere".

We cancelled the meeting with President Putin  it just didnt feel right to me, Trump told reporters at the White House. It didnt feel like we were going to get to the place we have to get. So I cancelled it, but well do it in the future.

TARGETING ABILITY TO FUND WAR

Scott Bessent, the U.S. Treasury Secretary, made clear Washington stood ready to take further action and was targeting Russia's ability to fund a war it launched in February 2022.

"Given President Putins refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russias two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlins war machine," Bessent said in a statement. "We encourage our allies to join us in and adhere to these sanctions."

Russia's Foreign Ministry called the U.S. sanctions "counterproductive" when it came to finding a peace deal and said its goals in Ukraine remained unchanged.

Oil and gas revenue, which is currently down by 21% year-on-year, accounts for around one quarter of Russia's budget and is the most important source of cash for Moscow's war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year.

However, Moscow's main revenue source comes from taxing output, not exports, which is likely to soften the immediate impact of the sanctions on state finances.

IMPACT ON GLOBAL OIL PRICES

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy thanked the United States for the new sanctions, saying they were "very important" but that more pressure would be needed on Moscow.

Oil prices jumped more than 3% on Thursday amid worries that the sanctions would disrupt global supply. Indian oil industry sources told Reuters that Indian refiners were poised to sharply curtail imports of Russian oil to ensure they were in compliance with U.S. sanctions.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The El Paso County Sheriffs Office has chosen how it will comply with a new state law that requires cooperation with federal immigration authorities in larger Texas counties.

Senate Bill 8, which was signed into law earlier this year, mandates that sheriffs offices in counties with populations over 100,000 enter into a 287(g) agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These agreements allow trained local officers to carry out certain federal immigration functions.

Under SB 8, sheriffs have three options for how to participate:

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Task Force Model: Allows deputies to work alongside ICE in the community, including during street-level enforcement operations.

Jail Enforcement Model: Gives trained jail staff authority to question inmates about immigration status and process violations inside the jail.



Warrant Service Officer (WSO) Model: Limits participation to serving administrative warrants or detainers on individuals already booked into county jail.

El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte says his office will move forward with the Warrant Service Officer option.

This is not an option. This is not something that I wanted to do. But the sheriffs office needs to do it because its a state law, Sheriff Ugarte said.

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Under the WSO model, immigration checks would take place only after a person has already been booked into the county jail. A trained deputy or detention officer would review federal databases to see if a detainer or immigration warrant exists. If one appears, that individual would be held for federal authorities.

Ugarte says the process is similar to what currently happens inside the jail, but right now those checks are conducted by federal officers rather than local staff.

He also said he chose this option to avoid affecting community trust and shifting deputies into street-level federal enforcement.

I believe that this will affect the community less, Ugarte said. If we go out there and enforce federal law, and if we choose the task force model for the streets, I believe thats going to create a big disconnect between the community and local law enforcement.

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SB 8 includes a state grant to help implement the program. Ugarte says that amount is expected to be a little over $100,000, but he believes costs could exceed that once staffing, equipment, and training are included.

The sheriff says there are still unanswered questions, including who will be trained under the program and how training will be provided.

Ugarte says a contract with ICE must be finalized by December, before the law takes effect in January 2026.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
Oct. 23EPHRATA  The Ephrata Police Department is unable to export a police blotter, according to EPD Records Manager Elizabeth Judkins.

"We are back in our new law enforcement database system, and currently, we cannot provide a blotter. Hopefully, we will be able to provide the blotter soon," Judkins wrote in an email to the Columbia Basin Herald.

The department, as soon as it is able, said it would return to sending out the information.
LONDON  Erdem Moralioglu has cut the ribbon on his second London store, at 50A Sloane Street, a decade after opening his flagship on South Audley Street in Mayfair.

The store occupies a 1920s Art Deco building with interiors by P. Joseph Architecture & Design. In an interview, Moralioglu described it as the artier sister to South Audley Street, and said the location was more of a tourist destination.

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Located on the Knightsbridge end of Sloane Street, the new store spans nearly 1,300 square feet over two floors and neighbors include Giorgio Armani, Tods and Chanel. Harvey Nichols is a short walk away, as is Harrods.

South Audley Street is very much our first home, and its really been about clientele-ing and one-on-one appointments. Its a very different approach. With Sloane Street, were in the middle of a destination area, he said.

Weve designed it as a sister to South Audley Street, and it resembles an artists studio with hand-painted, canvas-lined walls and reclaimed tile floors. Theres a tactility to the space, Moralioglu added.

Inside Erdem's new Sloane Street store in London.

Warm, textured materials such as canvas, plaster and wood sit alongside clean, modern elements made from steel and glass. The canvas wall panels have been drenched in Erdems signature blue, and the reclaimed floor tiles are patterned and colorful.

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Inside, there are also plaster-finished mannequins and bespoke pieces of furniture by British and international makers. The London-based Michael Anastassiades once again created the lighting for the store.

Its full of a different type of energy from South Audley Street, and its a very expressive space, Moralioglu said. Even the art in the two stores is different.

While South Audley has works by Warhol, Cocteau and Kaye Donachie, the art in the Sloane Street store is edgier. I was thinking about interesting female artists in particular, said Moralioglu, who installed works by Tracey Emin and Nan Goldin in the new space.

Both stores carry the full collection of clothing, accessories and jewelry, but I think as we develop, understand and learn, thats probably going to evolve. On Sloane, were going to be meeting an audience thats familiar  and new customers. It feels like a really interesting opportunity, he said.

Inside Erdem's new Sloane Street store in London.

The opening party takes place on Thursday, with Erdem also celebrating his new monograph, published by Rizzoli. The eponymous coffee table marks the 20th anniversary of his resolutely independent fashion house.

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Moralioglu said his business, one of the few, profitable, high-end fashion companies in London, continues to grow despite the luxury slowdown. Figures for the 12 months to March 31, 2025, will be filed later this year on Companies House.

I think, ultimately, there is a strength to being independent and also going direct to your customer, speaking to them, and having the opportunity to present your world to them, the designer said. They can walk into your space  and thats a very powerful thing.

Erdem's new store on Sloane Street in London.

He added that growth has also come from strong partnerships, with Dover Street in Japan and Paris, and other partners who celebrate and amplify and have a full belief in what we do.

Moralioglu said that past 20 years have brought so much change but, in some ways, things have also remained the same. I find it a really exciting time. Sloane Street is another extension our world, and its exciting to be able to share it with a new audience.

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Mayor Eric Adams endorsed former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the race for New York City mayor on Thursday.

The two appeared together at an event in East Harlem for the formal announcement and Adams hugged Cuomo before announcing his support.

Adams said sometimes "brothers fight," explaining away his prior statements and said now is the time for the two to campaign together.

"This is going to be a raw-knuckle fight on the streets, one block at a time, one building at a time, and we're ready to take it on and that's why I'm here today," Adams said. "So, yes, 'You criticized Andrew, you called him names.' You know what? He called me names. But you know what? Now it's time to fight for the family. And I'm going to fight for the family with Andrew Cuomo as the next Mayor of the City of New York."

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Adams ended his reelection campaign last month after several polls indicated he did not have a path to victory.

"Am I angry that I'm not the one taking down Zohran, the socialists and the communists? You're darn right I am," Adams said. "But you know what? The city means more to me than anything, and it is time for us as a family to come together."

Cuomo thanked Adams for his support.

"The mayor put his own ambition aside because he cares more about New York City and he believes Zohran is an existential threat to New York City and we all have to do our best to make sure Zohran does not become the next mayor," Cuomo said. "And the mayor put his own personal ambition and ego aside to make sure he's doing everything he can to make sure that New York remains New York."

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Adams is expected to campaign with Cuomo in the final days of the race.

The two were spotted courtside at the New York Knicks game on Wednesday night following the final mayoral debate.

It all comes after what was widely acknowledged as a strong debate performance last night by the former governor, who slammed Mamdani over his resume.

"I did things. You have never had a job. You've never accomplished anything," Cuomo said. "There's no reason to believe you have any merit or qualification for 8.5 million lives. You don't know how to run a government. You don't know how to handle an emergency."

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Mamdani tried to cast Cuomo as a desperate, but found himself on the defensive for much of the night.

"You know, I think last night's debate is instructive, I spent 90 minutes on stage with Andrew Cuomo and I, like many here, could tell you his critiques of me, his critiques of Curtis Sliwa," Mamdani said Thursday. "But I could not tell you what he was actually running on to deliver for this city."

Zohran Mamdani released a statement on the endorsement Thursday afternoon:

"Today confirms what we've long known: Andrew Cuomo is running for Eric Adams' second term. It's no surprise to see two men who share an affinity for corruption and Trump capitulation align themselves at the behest of the billionaire class and the President himself. We are going to turn the page on the politics of big money and small ideas that these two disgraced executives embody and build a city every New Yorker can afford."

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Republican Curtis Sliwa agreed, in not so many words, as he vowed to supporters in Dyker Heights Thursday night, to stay in the race.

"So, you've got two birds of a corrupt feather who are together now, with the idea that somehow, they're going to muscle out me," Sliwa said. "Well guess what? It ain't Adams. It ain't Cuomo. It ain't Zohran Mamdani. You can't buy me, lease me, I'm not for sale."

Early voting in New York starts on Saturday.

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New York City Mayor Eric Adams will endorse disgraced former Gov. Andrew Cuomo to be the citys next mayor, The New York Times reported Thursday.

Adams endorsement comes as a shock, given the pairs venom-filled exchanges prior to Adams dropping his reelection campaign.

Politics: Democrats Launch Investigation Into Trumps Theft Of $230 Million In Taxpayer Money

Cuomo is running on the independent ballot after losing the Democratic nomination to Zohran Mamdani, who is the clear front-runner.

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Speaking to the the Times, Adams said he would campaign alongside Cuomo in neighborhoods where the mayor remains popular, arguing it is imperative to really wake up the Black and brown communities that have suffered from gentrification on how important this race is.

Todd Shapiro, a spokesperson for Adams, confirmed the endorsement to CNN and said that details of their joint appearances are being finalized.

The endorsement comes after the pair sat together courtside at a New York Knicks game Wednesday.

Politics: Trump Calls Back Furloughed Medicare, Medicaid Workers During Shutdown

It was a sign they had patched up their differences after Cuomo pressured Adams to quit the race.

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Andrew Cuomo is a snake and a liar, Adams said last month (see video below) when insisting he was the only one who could beat Mamdani.

.@andrewcuomo is a snake and a liar, I am in this race, and I am the only one that can beat Mamdani. pic.twitter.com/VtWSKTXX3R  Eric Adams (@ericadamsfornyc) September 5, 2025

Its unclear whether Adams support will move the needle at all for Cuomo, who trails Mamdani by double digits.

Adams approval rating dropped to an all-time low of 20% after being hit with federal corruption charges that were later tossed by the Trump administration.

Politics: JD Vance Slams 'Disgraceful' Suggestion His Wife Should Be Saved From Him

Mamdani, a state assemblyman and democratic socialist, tore into Cuomo during the latest mayoral debate Wednesday, confronting the former governor over allegations of sexual harassment.

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Cuomo has long denied the sexual harassment allegations after independent investigators appointed by New York Attorney General Letitia James in 2021 found that he had sexually harassed multiple women who were current and former state employees.

He quit his role as governor following that report.

During the debate, Cuomo said he was seeking and would welcome Adams endorsement.

Mamdani and the Republican nominee, Curtis Sliwa, both said they would reject Adams backing if it was offered.

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
Oct. 23 (UPI) -- Outgoing New York Mayor Eric Adams officially endorsed former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo to replace him.

Adams ended his campaign for re-election in late September after a federal bribery indictment and the Campaign Finance Board's decision to withhold millions in public matching funds. After Cuomo pressured him to leave the race, Adams called him a "snake and a liar," The New York Times reported.

But now the two are friends again, announcing the endorsement together on a sidewalk in East Harlem. "Brothers fight," Adams said. "But when families are attacked, brothers come together."

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On Wednesday night, Cuomo, a Democrat running as an independent, participated in the final debate of the election season, facing off against front-runner Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist running as a Democrat; and Republican Curtis Sliwa.

In an interview with The Times Thursday, Adams said that he would campaign with Cuomo in neighborhoods where the mayor is most popular and try to urge people to vote for Cuomo.

"I think that it is imperative to really wake up the Black and brown communities that have suffered from gentrification on how important this race is," Adams said. "They have watched their rents increase in terms of gentrification and they have been disregarded in those neighborhoods, and I'm going to go to those neighborhoods and speak one on one with organizers and groups, and I'm going to walk with the governor in those neighborhoods and get them engaged."

Mamdani released a statement after the announcement.

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"Today confirms what we've long known: Andrew Cuomo is running for Eric Adams's second term," Mamdani said. "It's no surprise to see two men who share an affinity for corruption and Trump capitulation align themselves at the behest of the billionaire class and the president himself. We are going to turn the page on the politics of big money and small ideas that these two disgraced executives embody and build a city every New Yorker can afford."

Sliwa brushed off the endorsement at a press conference Thursday. He told reporters that the two men were "corrupt birds of a feather flocking together."

"The guy who called Andrew Cuomo a snake is now the snake charmer," Sliwa said. "Are you surprised by that?"
Legal proceedings are halted for the time being in a lawsuit in which a national free speech group and major publisher are accusing a Florida school board of violating the First Amendment.

U.S. District Judge T. Kent Wetherell II signed a "stay order" Oct. 21 on a lawsuit filed in 2023 between free speech group PEN America and the Escambia County School Board. A stay order is meant to pause legal proceedings; Wetherell noted that two similar book removal lawsuits are pending in federal appeals court.

One pending case was appealed in early October, after a federal judge ruled that the Escambia County School Board didn't violate First Amendment rights when removing the book, "And Tango Makes Three." It tells the story of two male penguins who raise a penguin chick together.

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The other appeal came from an August ruling in the Middle District of Florida, where a federal judge ruled that the law used to sweep thousands of books off school library shelves was so vague that it's unconstitutional.

More coverage: Florida book ban law partly struck down in federal free speech case

Wetherall wrote that despite the end of the case being in sight, the group that brought the lawsuit sought to hold off on a ruling until these appeals are resolved. He noted that discovery, the evidence-gathering part of the lawsuit process, was scheduled to end in the next week.

Does legislative privilege shield elected officials in Florida?

This lawsuit was previously delayed pending an appeals court deciding whether the board members qualified for "legislative privilege."

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In July, a three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed the appeal of a district court order, which vacated a protective order for board members who claimed to be shielded from having to testify.

Parents, authors, PEN America and Penguin Random House, the country's largest publisher, filed suit, accusing the school board of violating the First Amendment and the U.S. Constitution's equal protection clause. Most of the removed books were authored by people of color or LGBTQ+ people.

Earlier this month, PEN America named Florida to be No. 1 in the nation for book bans for a third year in a row. It recorded more than 2,300 instances of book bans during the 2024-25 school year.

Over the years, this lawsuit has grown in cost. Public records obtained by the USA TODAY NETWORK  Florida in late 2024 show that the Escambia County School Board spent more than $440,000 on attorney fees by then.

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This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. USA Today Network-Florida First Amendment reporter Stephany Matat is based in Tallahassee, Fla. She can be reached at SMatat@gannett.com. On X: @stephanymatat.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Judge hits pause on PEN America case over Florida book bans
At the 2025 European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress, held on 17 to 21 October in Berlin, Germany, results from the Phase III ELEVATE double-blind, randomized study were presented. The study evaluated Xcovery and Betta Pharmaceuticals tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) Ensacove (ensartinib) for anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)positive stage IbIIIb resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the adjuvant setting.

At a 24-month median follow-up, disease-free survival (DFS), the studys primary endpoint, was reached in 86.4% of patients treated with ensartinib, compared to 53.5% in the placebo control arm. Grade 3 or higher adverse events occurred in 35.8% of the treatment arm compared to 18.2% in the control. In 2024, Ensacove was US Food and Drugs Administration-approved for the treatment of metastatic ALK-positive NSCLC.

The data presented is similar to that of Roches Alecensa (alectinib), the current standard of care, based on the Phase III ALINA study, in which the 2-year DFS was 93.8%. The key difference between the studies is that the ELEVATE trial allowed for patients who had previously received adjuvant chemotherapy, whereas ALINA required no prior treatment. The two studies, however, demonstrate the reduced role adjuvant chemotherapy plays in earlier-stage ALK-positive NSCLC with newer TKIs entering the market.

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Ensacove faces the challenge of Alecensa being first-to-market, and the widespread commercial capabilities of its sponsor, Roche. Another TKI that could eventually move into these earlier settings is Pfizers Lorbrena (lorlatinib), which is currently competing with Alecensa in the metastatic setting. A new-generation TKI, Nuvalents neladalkib, is in the ALKOVE-1 study for metastatic ALK-mutated NSCLC and could potentially be investigated in the adjuvant setting.

According to GlobalDatas analyst consensus forecast, the global market for kinase inhibitors targeting ALK-mutated NSCLC is expected to reach $5.7 billion by 2031, led by Alecensa at $2.2 billion and followed by Lorbrena at $1.5 billion. The number of NSCLC patients with ALK mutations is expected to increase, as GlobalData epidemiologists project the number of patients rising from 19,626 in 2022 to 21,705 in 2032 within the seven major markets (7MM: France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, UK and the US).

"ESMO 2025: potential new adjuvant option ensartinib for ALK+ NSCLC" was originally created and published by Clinical Trials Arena, a GlobalData owned brand.




(Elana Marie / For De Los; Photos by Roadside Attractions)

When "Kiss of the Spider Woman" premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January, it was in the shadow of President Trump's return to office.

Just days earlier, Trump had begun his term with a wave of executive orders to expand the country's immigration detention infrastructure , fast-track deportations , remove protections preventing Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials from targeting schools and churches , and a declaration that the U.S. government would recognize only two sexes .

Referencing these developments ahead of the screening in Park City, Utah, writer-director Bill Condon told the audience: "That's a sentiment I think you'll see the movie has a different point of view on."

Released in theaters Oct. 10, "Kiss of the Spider Woman" is set in the final year of Argentina's Dirty War , the violent military dictatorship that spanned from 1976-1983. The story begins in the confines of a Buenos Aires prison, where newfound cellmates Valentin Arregui Paz (Diego Luna) and Luis Molina (Tonatiuh) find they have little in common. Arregui is a principled revolutionary dedicated to his cause, while Molina is a gay, flamboyant window dresser who's been arrested for public indecency.

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Undeterred by their differences, Molina punctuates the bleak existence of their imprisonment  one marked by torture and deprivation  by recounting the plot of "The Kiss of the Spider Woman," a fictional Golden Age musical starring his favorite actress, Ingrid Luna (Jennifer Lopez), casting himself and Arregui as her co-stars. Transported from their dreary cell to the bright, indulgent universe of the musical, their main conflicts become a quest for love and honor, rather than a fight for their basic human rights.

When Argentinian author Manuel Puig began writing the celebrated novel, "Kiss of the Spider Woman," in 1974, it was just a year into his self-imposed exile to Mexico as his native Argentina lurched toward authoritarianism. By the time the book was released in 1976, a military junta had seized control of the government. The next seven years were marked by the forced disappearance of an estimated 20,000-30,000 people, many of whom were kidnapped and taken to clandestine detention camps to be tortured and killed. Among those targeted were artists, journalists, student activists, members of the LGBTQ+ community and anyone deemed "subversive" by the regime.

Initially banned in Argentina, Puig's novel has been adapted and reimagined multiple times, including as an Oscar-winning film in 1985 and a Tony Award-winning musical in 1993. With each iteration, the central elements have remained unchanged. And yet, as the 2025 adaptation arrived in theaters this month, this queer, Latino-led story of two prisoners fighting the claustrophobia of life under fascism feels at once like a minor miracle, and a startling wake-up call.

In the months since the film's Sundance premiere, the parallels between the fraught political climate of 1970s Argentina and that of our present have only become more pronounced.

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Under Trump, an endless stream of escalating violence from masked federal agents has become our new normal. ICE officers have been filmed apprehending people outside of immigration court ; firing pepper balls, rubber bullets and tear gas at journalists , protesters and clergymen ; and, earlier this month, they descended from Black Hawk helicopters , using flash-bang grenades to clear a Chicago apartment building in a militarized raid that had men, women and children zip-tied and removed from their homes. As the country's immigrant detention population reaches record highs , widespread reports of abuse, neglect and sexual harassment, particularly against LGBTQ+ detainees , have emerged from facilities across the U.S.

Amidst these headlines are people just like Molina and Arregui  activists, artists and human beings  finding their own ways to survive and resist an increasingly paranoid and repressive government. And while Arregui's instinct is to remain unwavering in his cause, Molina's is to retreat into the glamorous, over-the-top world of the "Spider Woman."

In dazzling musical numbers expertly performed by Lopez, who delivers each song and dance with all the magnetism of a true Old Hollywood icon, both the prisoners and the audience can't help but be drawn further and further into her Technicolor web.

It might be easy to write these moments off as nothing more than a superficial distraction, as Arregui does early on, and characterize musicals as shallow and cliche. At first, Molina is happy to admit that's why he loves them, but the truth is more complicated.

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During Argentina's dictatorship, discrimination and attacks by paramilitary groups against LGBTQ+ people became more and more frequent. Molina accepts the role society has cast him in, allowing himself to be the "monster," the "deviant" or the "sissy" that people want him to be, while retreating mentally into the world of classic films and pop culture. For him, their beauty is a salve  an opportunity to abandon reality and cast himself in a role that doesn't actually exist for him.

Though he never explicitly claims an identity, it's made clear that he doesn't just love "La Luna"  he wants to be her. And in their first feature lead role, the queer, L.A.-born actor Tonatiuh embodies all of Molina's contradictions  his bluster, his pain, his radiance  to heart-wrenching effect.

Read more: An emboldened redo of 'Kiss of the Spider Woman' dazzles, despite unsticky songs

As Molina and Arregui grow closer, the boundaries between reality and fantasy begin to melt, and their formerly rigid perceptions collapse along with them. Arregui takes on some of Molina's idealism, and the musical he once saw as a tired cliche becomes something invaluable: a sliver of joy that can't be taken from him. A cynic convinced of the world's brokenness, he realizes that revolutions need hope too.

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In the film's final act, while the world around Molina hasn't changed, he has. Still trapped within the confines of a society that is doing its best to crush him, he adopts Arregui's integrity and realizes that he has a choice: "I learned about dignity in that most undignified place," he says in the film. "I had always believed nothing could ever change for me, and I felt sorry for myself. But I can't live like that now."

Like the film within the film, "Kiss of the Spider Woman" isn't an escape. It's a lifeline  and a reminder that, even in the darkest of times, art has the power to transport us, sustain us and embolden us to be brave.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL)  It fits East Tennessee State Universitys mission to a T  a student center open to all but focusing on first-generation and low-income students and offering guidance for any type of barrier they might encounter.

ETSU leaders, students and staff celebrated the grand opening of the Mary V. Jordan Center Thursday, and the now-retired longtime special assistant for equity and diversity was on hand to see her namesake take center stage.

While we tried to do things in the past with many programs and many activities, this is like a dream come true, where there are paid staff to work with students to help them overcome whatever barriers [they have] so they can be successful and progress academically, Jordan said.

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The center officially opened in the summer and particularly serves a special cohort of about 200 students  first-generation, low-income or working toward academic improvement. Those students get personalized guidance, targeted programming and comprehensive services as they progress through the university, but any student is welcome to use the center.

In an environment as complex as a university, the center has to rely on collaboration from any area that supports students, Director Rachel Barnett said.

First-generation and low-income students come with a set of challenges that are sometimes hidden, Barnett said. Navigating higher education can be very strange for those of us who are not used to this environment.

We just want to level the playing field  and make sure that they are getting access to everything that they need to help them be successful.

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Toni Onks was one of those first-generation students. Now, she pays it forward as a peer mentor coordinator with the center.

It makes them feel comfortable and welcomed, Onks said. It makes them feel not as alone at ETSU. Having that extra support really does matter.

I have helped some students whove just been like, I have no idea where I am. Please help me. And so weve helped them and guided them along the way. Its been really nice to see first-generation students and even just students who need support and help.

ETSU President Brian Noland said the role people like Onks play traces all the way back to ETSUs Committee for 125 strategic visioning process in 2013. Noland said Dorothy Grisham, now a trustee, had really drilled into the campus the importance of ensuring that all students had the opportunity to realize their dreams, walk across the state and receive their degree.

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A student success group borne of Grishams ideas focused on the importance of peer-to-peer mentoring, but more importantly intrusive advising to make a difference in the lives of students, Noland said. He said ETSU had seen success with the approach among its student athletes, and Jordan and others had wanted to replicate it as broadly as possible.

He said intrusive advising  regularly reaching out to students instead of waiting for them to reach out  has helped bring graduation rates of student groups typically in the 30 to 40% range up to 70 to 80%.

What the Jordan Center will do will bring that dream that Mary had when she was on that Committee for 125 more than a decade ago to life, Noland said. High intensive, intrusive advising, concierge-level service for our students so that all students have the opportunity to realize their dream and graduate from college.

Jordan said she believes those services will be a difference-maker for many students.

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I think there are a lot of students out there with a lot of potential, but just dont understand that this is an option for them and that they can come, they can feel like they belong, and they can overcome whatever barriers there are to their success, she said.

This is critical for, particularly, first-generation, underrepresented and low-income students, Jordan added. And those are the ones that fall through the cracks. So, trying to mend the cracks so students dont fall through.

Located inside the D.P. Culp University Center, the Mary V. Jordan Center is open from 7 a.m. to midnight seven days a week.





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The European Union has approved a sweeping new package of sanctions against Russia, intensifying its economic campaign against Moscows war machine.

Key Takeaways:

The EU approved a new sanctions package banning Russian LNG imports and tightening banking and crypto restrictions.

The move came hours after the US imposed its own sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil.

The package also targets Russias shadow fleet and closes crypto loopholes used to evade sanctions.

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The measures, endorsed Thursday in Brussels, ban imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG), tighten restrictions on banks and cryptocurrency exchanges, and impose new travel limits on Russian diplomats, according to a report by The New York Times.

US and EU Align on Russia Sanctions, Targeting Rosneft and Lukoil

The decision comes just hours after US President Donald Trump announced his own round of penalties targeting Russias two biggest oil firms, Rosneft and Lukoil, marking a rare moment of synchronized pressure between Washington and Brussels.

This is a clear signal from both sides of the Atlantic that we will keep up collective pressure on the aggressor, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on X.

The sanctions, first proposed in September, had been delayed for weeks after Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico raised objections related to unrelated car regulations and energy concerns.

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Those roadblocks were lifted late Wednesday. It is extremely positive that we have reached an agreement, said Denmarks foreign minister, Lars Lkke Rasmussen.

The sanctions have real impact and are hurting the Russian economy.

A central feature of the new package is a phased ban on Russian LNG, a significant step given Europes past reliance on Russian fuel.

Short-term LNG contracts will expire within six months, while long-term deals will be terminated by January 2027, a full year earlier than previously expected.

The move is designed to fully wean the 27-member bloc off Russian energy supplies and prevent the Kremlin from using gas revenues to fund its war in Ukraine.

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The sanctions also expand to cover cryptocurrency transactions, closing loopholes used to bypass earlier restrictions.

EU officials said Russian entities have increasingly turned to crypto exchanges and digital wallets to move funds internationally, prompting Brussels to include those platforms in the latest enforcement push.

In addition, the EU is stepping up efforts to dismantle Russias shadow fleet, a network of unregistered and often uninsured ships used to move oil outside of Western price caps.

More than 100 new vessels will be blacklisted, bringing the total to 558, according to Danish authorities.

EU Eyes Sanctions on Russian Ruble-Backed Stablecoin A7A5

As reported, the European Union is weighing a fresh round of sanctions targeting A7A5, a ruble-backed stablecoin that has rapidly become the largest non-US-dollar pegged token in the world.

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The move would prohibit EU-based individuals and companies from interacting with the token, either directly or via intermediaries.

The EUs efforts follow similar moves by the US and UL, which in August sanctioned Capital Bank of Central Asia and its director, Kantemir Chalbayev, along with Kyrgyz exchanges Grinex and Meer, all accused of helping Russias financial sector evade restrictions.

A7A5 was launched in February by A7, a cross-border payments firm owned by Moldovan fugitive banker Ilan Shor and Russias state-owned lender Promsvyazbank (PSB). Both entities are under US, UK, and European Union sanctions.

Read original story EU Approves New Sanctions on Russia Targeting LNG, Banks, and Crypto Exchanges by Amin Ayan at Cryptonews.com
European Union leaders are to meet in Brussels on Thursday with the aim of backing new support measures for war-torn Ukraine.

Other pressing topics for the 27 EU heads include the bloc's own defence, as well as the challenges presented by climate change and competitiveness.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is to join the talks for an update on Kiev's most urgent needs in its defence against Russia.

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Leaders are expected to task the European Commission with drafting a proposal to make Russian central bank assets that are frozen in the EU available to Ukraine as a reparations loan.

Through this move, the bloc could provide Kiev with up to 140 billion ($162 billion) to finance its military and meet other financial needs.

Leaders will also aim to unanimously back the EU's 19th package of sanctions on Moscow, which includes a ban on the import of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia. This comes after Slovakia signalled readiness to drop its initial opposition.

Other topics on the agenda include defence, after the commission proposed four rearmament projects last week - in the areas of border protection, drone defence, air defence and space - to strengthen Europe's military capabilities and deter Russia.

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Leaders are also expected to address the bloc's yet-to-be decided emissions reduction target for 2040 and the economic implications of fighting climate change, with EU countries struggling to agree on new reduction commitments.

Additional topics on the table are recent developments in the Middle East and the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, migration to the EU and affordable housing.
BRUSSELS (AP)  European Union leaders on Thursday endorsed a plan to ensure that Europe can defend itself against an outside attack by the end of the decade as concern mounts that Russia is already probing the 27-nation blocs defenses.

Russias war of aggression against Ukraine and its repercussions for European and global security in a changing environment constitute an existential challenge, the leaders said in a statement during a summit in Brussels.

They called on national governments to advance on concrete projects to be launched in the first half of 2026 in line with the new plan, dubbed Readiness 2030, which was drawn up by the European Commission, the EUs executive branch.

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A top priority will be to erect drone defenses to detect, track and disable rogue drones, following a series of troubling airspace violations across Europe over the last month  some close to Europes borders with Russia, Belarus and Ukraine.

This European Drone Defense Initiative would be a key part of a broader scheme dubbed Eastern Flank Watch to strengthen defenses along Europes eastern border on land, in the Baltic and Black seas and in the air, as well as against hybrid attacks.

The leaders said that to respond to the most immediate needs and threats the first projects should focus on building anti-drone and air defense capabilities and make full use of EU funds to do so.

The commission estimates that EU defense spending this year will total around 392 billion euros ($457 billion), almost double the amount of four years ago, before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

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It believes that some 3.4 trillion euros ($4 trillion) will probably be spent on defense over the next decade. To help, it intends to propose boosting the EUs long-term budget for defense and space to 131 billion euros ($153 billion).

The overarching aim of the Readiness 2030 plan is to encourage the member countries to decide who among them should take the lead on which projects, and then to launch them within the first six months of next year.

At least 40% of military purchases would have to be done jointly  making them cheaper and encouraging countries to use interoperable weapons and standards  by late 2027.

Projects, contracts and financing on critical capabilities  drones or satellites, for example  would need to be settled by the end of 2028, with the whole process finalized two years later.

Another key part of the plan is to provide security guarantees for Ukraine. The leaders underlined the importance of close cooperation with Ukraine and of its integration with and contribution to the European defense industry.
BRUSSELS (AP)  European Union leaders are seeking a more active role in Gaza and the occupied West Bank after being sidelined from the U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

At a summit Thursday in Brussels largely focused on Ukraine and Russia, EU heads of state discussed the shaky ceasefire in Gaza and pledged EU support for stability in the war-torn coastal enclave. The EU has been the biggest provider of aid to the Palestinians and is Israel's top trading partner.

It is important that Europe not only watches but plays an active role," said Luc Frieden, the prime minister of Luxembourg, as he headed into the meeting. Gaza is not over; peace is not yet permanent, he said.

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Outrage over the war in Gaza has riven the 27-nation bloc and pushed relations between Israel and the EU to a historic low.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced in September plans to seek sanctions and a partial trade suspension against Israel, aimed to pressure it to reach a peace deal in Gaza.

Momentum driving the measures seemed to falter with the ceasefire deal mediated by U.S. President Donald Trump, with some European leaders calling for them to be scrapped.

But leaders from Ireland to the Netherlands say that with violence continuing to flare up in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, keeping on the table sanctions of Israeli cabinet ministers and settlements and the partial suspension of a trade deal gives the EU leverage on Israel to curtail military action.

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In the run-up to the ceasefire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier this month that Europe has essentially become irrelevant and displayed enormous weakness.

The ceasefire deal came about with no visible input from the EU, and European leaders have since scrambled to join the diplomacy effort currently reshaping Gaza.

The EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, has said the EU should play a role in Gaza and not just pay to support stability and eventually reconstruction.

The EU has provided key support for the Palestinian Authority, which administers parts of the occupied West Bank.

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At the summits conclusion, EU leaders issued a pledge to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, potentially via a maritime route from Cyprus. They also suggested that a West Bank police support program could be extended to Gaza to bolster the stabilization force called for in the current 20-point ceasefire plan.

The EU has sought membership in the plan's Board of Peace transitional oversight body, Dubravka Suica, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, said this week.

At least two EU countries, Denmark and Germany, are participating in the new US-led stabilization effort overseeing and implementing the Gaza ceasefire. Flags of those two nations have been raised at the Civil-Military Coordination Center in southern Israel.

The European Border Assistance Mission in Rafah, on the Gaza-Egypt border, began in 2005. In January, it deployed 20 security border police experts from Italy, Spain and France.

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During the February-March ceasefire, the mission helped 4,176 individuals leave the Gaza Strip, including 1,683 medical patients. Those efforts were paused when fighting resumed. Outside of the EU, individual nations have acted to pressure Israel on their own as protests have rocked cities from Barcelona to Oslo. Many have recognized a Palestinian state. Spain has ratcheted up its opposition to Israels actions in Gaza. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called the war a genocide when he announced in September plans to formalize an arms embargo and block Israel-bound fuel deliveries from passing through Spanish ports. In August, Slovenia issued an arms embargo in what it said was a first for a EU member country.

Some national broadcasters have sought to exclude Israel from the Eurovision Song Contest. Member broadcasters will vote in November on whether Israel can participate in the musical extravaganza next year, as calls have mounted for the country to be excluded over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
The European Union on Thursday has pushed ahead with plans to use frozen Russian state funds for Ukraine as leaders tasked the European Commission with presenting options to address Kiev's financial needs, several EU diplomats told dpa.

"The EU is committed to addressing Ukraine's pressing financial needs for the next two years, including support for its military and defence efforts," European Council President Antonio Costa wrote on X.

"Russia must stop the war immediately," he said.

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EU leaders in Brussels discussed plans to provide Kiev with up to 140 billion ($162 billion) to finance its military and meet other financial needs in the coming years.

At Belgium's request, where most of the assets are held, the commission is also to develop other possible options to provide Ukraine with large-scale financial support for the years 2026 to 2027.

Belgian concerns

Ahead of the EU summit, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has raised several concerns.

The EU has been one of Ukraine's biggest supporters since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine with financial and military assistance totalling close to 180 billion.

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The bloc has been under increasing pressure to provide additional aid to Kiev after US support has dwindled under President Donald Trump.

Many EU countries, however, are faced with bleak domestic economic outlooks, rising deficits and heavy debt burdens, prompting the move to potentially tap into Russia's immobilized state assets.

According to initial plans, Russia would only get the money back if it pays reparations after the end of the war against Ukraine. In case the frozen Russian funds have to be unexpectedly released, EU countries would provide guarantees.

So far only the interest on the frozen money is being used to support Ukraine in its defence against Russia.

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Addressing EU leader, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged European Union leaders to take a swift decision on making the money available to Kiev.

"The time to act on Russian assets is now," Zelenksy said.

"I urge for your full support," he stated.

Merz pushes for 'joint solution' while industry warns of risks

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, one of the proponents of the initiative, voiced optimism that De Wever will get on board.

"I share his concerns, but he is interested in finding a joint solution, and I therefore expect us to make progress today."

German businesses however have criticized the plans amid fears that such a move would endanger European money frozen by Moscow, saying that such a step would have costly consequences, especially for Germany.

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"Germany has invested in Russia like no other country. Therefore, it has the most to lose in the planned utilization of Russian central bank funds for arms purchases in favour of Ukraine," Matthias Schepp, chairman of the German-Russian Chamber of Foreign Trade (AHK) told dpa on Thursday.

Schepp said that assets totalling over 100 billion ($116 billion) are at risk.

The figure refers to the value of German factories and retail chains. However, companies in the energy, pharmaceutical and household appliance sectors, which Moscow has placed under foreign administration, or money Russia has frozen in accounts, are also affected.

Russia has taken control of the Russian subsidiaries of German energy companies Uniper and Wintershall, for example. Moscow presented this as a reaction to the trusteeship of refineries in Germany owned by Russian energy company Rosneft.

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Foreign companies that sold their factories in Russia after the invasion of Ukraine ordered by President Vladimir Putin had to deposit the proceeds into a blocked account. They have only limited access to the account - for example, to pay taxes. Officially, however, all these assets still belong to German companies.

Schepp stressed, "It is not in Germany's and its taxpayers' interest for these funds to end up in the Kremlin's coffers."
The European Union on Thursday has pushed ahead with plans to use frozen Russian state funds for Ukraine as leaders tasked the European Commission with presenting options to address Kiev's financial needs.

"European leaders committed to ensure that Ukraine's financial needs will be covered for the next two years," said European Council President Antonio Costa after the EU summit in Brussels.

"Russia should take good note of this. Ukraine will have the financial resources it needs to defend itself against Russia's aggression," he added.

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EU leaders in Brussels discussed plans to provide Kiev with up to 140 billion ($162 billion) to finance its military and meet other financial needs in the coming years.

At the request of Belgium, where most of the assets are held, the commission is also to develop other possible options to provide Ukraine with large-scale financial support for the years 2026 to 2027.

"We had a good discussion on the reparations loan to be financed with immobilized Russian assets, and it allowed us to identify points we still need to clarify," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

"Then indeed, we will come back with the different options," she said.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who attended the summit as a guest, said the meeting brought "good results."

Belgian concerns

After the meeting, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever said he still has several concerns.

The main issues revolve around the questions of how such a loan could be set up in compliance with international law, how other countries holding frozen assets could be convinced to get on board and how to make the money available immediately if needed, he said.

The EU has been one of Ukraine's biggest supporters since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine started over three and a half years ago, with financial and military assistance totalling close to 180 billion.

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The bloc has been under increasing pressure to provide additional aid to Kiev after US support has dwindled under President Donald Trump.

Many EU countries, however, are faced with bleak domestic economic outlooks, rising deficits and heavy debt burdens, prompting the suggestion to potentially tap into Russia's immobilized state assets.

According to initial plans, Russia would only get the money back if it pays reparations after the end of the war against Ukraine. In case the frozen Russian funds have to be unexpectedly released, EU countries would provide guarantees.

So far only the interest on the frozen money is being used to support Ukraine in its defence against Russia.

Merz welcomes move while industry warns of risks

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, one of the proponents of the initiative, said he expects the commission to come forward with the different options ahead of the next EU summit in December.

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"We are increasing the pressure to get the Russian side to agree to negotiations so that the guns finally fall silent in Ukraine," Merz said.

"Ukraine needs reliable prospects, especially when it comes to military equipment. We Europeans must send this signal of strength now," he added.

German businesses however have criticized the plans amid fears that such a move would endanger European money frozen by Moscow, saying that such a step would have costly consequences, especially for Germany.

"Germany has invested in Russia like no other country. Therefore, it has the most to lose in the planned utilization of Russian central bank funds for arms purchases in favour of Ukraine," Matthias Schepp, chairman of the German-Russian Chamber of Foreign Trade (AHK) told dpa on Thursday.

Schepp said that assets totalling over 100 billion are at risk.
The European Union has sanctioned two mainland Chinese oil refineries and one Hong Kong-based oil trader as part of its latest efforts to hobble Russia's war economy, drawing a stern rebuke from Beijing.

The companies were listed in a broader package of sanctions agreed by the EU's 27 member states on Thursday morning, punishing in total 15 mainland Chinese or Hong Kong-registered entities over what Brussels considers illicit trade with Russia.

China's foreign ministry hit back immediately, reiterating its stance that it "has never provided lethal weapons to any party to the conflict and exercises strict export control over dual-use articles".

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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.

"Most countries in the world, including those in Europe and the United States, continue to trade with Russia," the ministry said in a statement on Thursday.

"The EU and the US are in no position to point fingers at normal exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and Russian companies," it added.

Refineries Liaoyang Petrochemical Company - a subsidiary of state-owned China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) - and Shandong Yulong Petrochemical, as well as oil trader Chinaoil (Hong Kong) Corporation - another CNPC subsidiary - have been placed under full sanctions, as was Tianjin Xishanfusheng International Trading Company, a trading firm.

Two subsidiaries of state-owned China National Petroleum Corporation were sanctioned. Photo: Reuters alt=Two subsidiaries of state-owned China National Petroleum Corporation were sanctioned. Photo: Reuters>

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This means any EU-held assets will be frozen and that there is a full trade and investment ban with EU firms.

The refineries are accused of refining and processing "crude oil, including Russian-origin crude ... which provides a substantial source of revenue to the government of the Russian Federation, thereby supporting Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine".

The move comes despite the fact that two EU member states - Hungary and Slovakia - continue to buy Russian oil. The EU allows Hungary and Slovakia to keep importing Russian oil under a temporary legal exemption for landlocked states that still rely on pipeline deliveries for domestic use.

Eleven other companies are listed under an export blacklist known as Annex IV, meaning European firms cannot sell to, buy from or provide technical help for them for any goods listed as dual use under EU law.

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These companies are primarily electronics, logistics and trading firms accused of supplying or easing the transfer of dual-use goods to Russia's defence sector.

They include component distributors and manufacturers in mainland China and Hong Kong, as well as traders and intermediaries that re-export chips, fibre-optic parts and precision machinery.

The latest sanctions package is designed to choke off the remaining lifelines to the Russian economy, as Europe and the United States seek to exert greater pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin.

It expands controls on advanced semiconductors, navigation systems and industrial machinery used in Russian weapons production.

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It also blacklists dozens of shipping firms and tankers moving Russian crude outside an oil price cap agreed by the G7 group of major advanced economies in December 2022.

The sanctions package was formally agreed after Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico dropped his veto on Wednesday evening, and it comes on the heels of new sanctions from the United States targeting Russian oil giants Lukoil and Rosneft.

The EU sanctions could further fray Brussels' ties with Beijing, which are already in dire straits from the geopolitical fallout of China's close ties with Russia and frustration in Europe over its trade practices.

Beijing's recently expanded export controls on rare earth elements and magnets were likely to be discussed by EU leaders during a meeting of the European Council on Thursday.

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Powerful member states France, Germany and Poland are expected to broach the restrictions, which have seen some European production lines grind to a halt.

In draft written conclusions to the summit, the bloc's leaders are poised to back stronger action on trade but stop short of naming China.

"In order to deter and counter unfair trade practices, the European Council invites the Commission to make effective use of all EU economic instruments," the draft stated on Thursday afternoon.

German Chancellor Friedrich Marz believed the Chinese leadership "must understand that we cannot accept what is currently happening".

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"Nevertheless, we are striving to find a mutual resolution and do not wish to escalate the conflict," Merz said on Thursday, Agence France-Presse reported.

While the discussion was unlikely to result in concrete measures taken against China, European Commission leaders have said that action is on the way.

"We are examining possible countermeasures if conditions do not improve. We have not yet named any specific instruments, but the discussion is ongoing," EU economy commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis told German newspaper Handelsblatt.

On Tuesday, EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic spoke with Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao, with the latter accepting an invitation to "urgent" talks in Brussels to break the rare earths deadlock.

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However, the South China Morning Post understood that Wang was likely to send a senior delegation below the ministerial level, with the meeting earmarked for next week.

In a speech at the European Parliament on Wednesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hinted that further action was coming.

"In the coming days, I will also engage very closely with European leaders and international partners, as a crisis in the supply of critical raw materials is no longer a distant risk. It is on our doorstep," von der Leyen said.

"We have already taken important steps. But now, we must accelerate decisively and urgently. We need a faster, more reliable supply of critical raw materials, both here in Europe and with trusted partners."

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This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2025 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2025. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
The European Union plans to expand its cooperation with Egypt to curb irregular migration, despite criticism from human rights groups.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced new investment commitments in Brussels on Wednesday following talks with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi.

Under the new agreements, 75 million ($87 million) in EU grants will support Egypt's healthcare and water supply sectors as well as the country's social protection systems.

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The partnership also aims to help Egypt combat people smuggling and strengthen border security, according to the commission's statement. Cooperation on deportations is also included.

Egypt hosts more than 1 million refugees from crisis-hit countries, according to the United Nations, many of whom attempt to cross the Mediterranean to reach Europe. In addition, many Egyptians leave their home country in search of better economic opportunities, arriving in Europe.

In March 2024, The EU and Egypt had already agreed on a strategic and comprehensive partnership, which foresees financial support of about 7.4 billion until the end of 2027.

Wednesday's summit was the first of its kind in bilateral relations.

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Human rights groups, however, say that Egypt's "systematic repression" of dissenting voices has continued despite closer ties with Brussels.

Steps such as the recent release of prominent activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah were described by Human Rights Watch and other organizations as only "limited, symbolic measures."

They said critics continue to be arbitrarily detained and handed lengthy prison terms after unfair trials, while extrajudicial executions persist with near impunity.

(L-R) European Council President Antonio Costa, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hold a joint press conference following an EU-Egypt Summit at the European Council building in Brussels. Frederic Sierakowski/European Council/dpa
By Giulia Segreti and Tim Hepher

ROME/PARIS (Reuters) -Europe's largest space groups unveiled a preliminary deal on Thursday to join forces in satellite manufacturing and services after months of negotiations to counter the runaway growth of rivals led by Elon Musk's Starlink.

The deal between Airbus, Thales and Leonardo will forge a new France-based venture starting from 2027 in the most ambitious tie-up of European aerospace assets since MBDA missiles maker in 2001.

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French Finance Minister Roland Lescure said the deal would "strengthen European sovereignty in a context of intense global competition".

NEW SPACE VENTURE FACES GLOBAL COMPETITION

The new combination will employ 25,000 people with revenues of 6.5 billion euros ($7.58 billion), based on 2024 figures.

It is expected to generate "mid-triple digit" millions of euros of synergies starting after five years, the companies said, without detailing how these would be achieved.

Shareholders now face up to two years of talks with governments, unions and the European Commission over the deal, which has implications for activities in Britain and Germany as well as Italy and France, where the venture will be based.

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The companies, who have already cut a combined 3,000 jobs in their space businesses, made no mention of further cuts, but executives said the focus would now turn towards potential growth.

Code-named "Project Bromo," talks between the three aerospace groups started last year in a bid to copy the co-operation model of European missile maker MBDA, which is owned by Airbus, Leonardo and BAE Systems.

Europe's top satellite makers have long competed to build complex spacecraft in geostationary orbit but have been hit by the arrival of cheap tiny satellites in low Earth orbit, notably the proliferating Starlink network built by Musk's SpaceX.

Shares in Thales and Leonardo rose more than 2% while Airbus was fractionally higher in early trading.

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"The initiative is certainly positive, as it creates a European leader capable of competing globally and improves the profitability of a business ... that has struggled in recent years," Italian investment bank Equita said in a note.

BALANCING PAYMENTS

Airbus will hold 35%, while Thales and Leonardo will each hold 32.5%, the companies said, adding the new firm would come under joint control "with a balanced governance structure".

Sources familiar with the deal have said those stakes will be adjusted to a third each through balancing payments between shareholders, with Airbus receiving compensation for lowering its initial stake when the deal closes in 2027.

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The deal will combine activities of Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio - two joint ventures between Leonardo and Thales - as well as various Airbus space and digital businesses, the remaining space activities owned by Leonardo and Thales SESO.

Thales CFO Pascal Bouchiat, announcing quarterly sales that included an initial contract for a new European satellite network, hailed the new venture but sounded a cautious note about the scale of competition ahead.

"Telecoms activity in space remains under pressure, that's clear. The fact that we had this first development contract for IRIS doesn't take away the challenges that the European industry, in particular, is facing," he told reporters.

Reuters reported earlier this week that the groups had reached a framework deal on the tie-up.

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Agreement between the three companies - each of which has had periods of prickly relations in the past - was salvaged after sources familiar with the matter said the talks had hit obstacles over governance and valuation during the summer.

The trio gave few details of governance but executives pledged to avoid a system of rotating leadership or making appointments based on nationalities which has roiled parts of the European aerospace industry, especially Airbus, in the past.

($1 = 0.8575 euros)

(Reporting by Giulia Segreti in Rome and Tim Hepher in Paris;Editing by Alvise Armellini, Sudip Kar-Gupta and Kim Coghill)
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP)  The U.S. and the European Union are hitting Russia with another round of sanctions, aiming to cut into oil and gas export earnings that fund Moscow's war against Ukraine.

More than 3 1/2 years into the war, the effort remains a cat-and-mouse game, with Russia finding new ways to get around sanctions, and Washington and Brussels adding new ones and looking for ways to plug enforcement gaps.

The chief target of the latest round: Russia's biggest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil. New U.S. Treasury sanctions threaten their customers in India and China with retaliation that could include being sanctioned themselves.

Meanwhile, the EU is phasing out shipments of Russian liquefied natural gas and is going after cryptocurrency issuers, platforms and exchanges that Russia has used to skirt restrictions on its financial dealings with the outside world.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the move aimed to push Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to President Donald Trump's proposals for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine.

Given President Putins refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russias two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlins war machine," he said, adding that Treasury is prepared to take further action if necessary.

Here's what to know:

Taking aim at oil, the pillar of Russia's state finances

Rosneft and Lukoil account for roughly half of Russia's oil exports, which along with natural gas and oil products have supplied 30% to 50% of state revenues in the past decade. The biggest customers for Russian oil are China, at about 2.1 million barrels per day, and India, at 1.5 million.

Refineries in India and China that buy Russian oil to turn it into gasoline and diesel could potentially face U.S. sanctions themselves if they deal with those companies, and so could their banks.

"Being touched by U.S. sanctions, even secondary sanctions, is like the death penalty for the private sector, said sanctions expert Maria Perrotta Berlin at the Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics.

As result, refineries in India are "likely to halt or pause purchases for the time being to see how everything unfolds, said Johannes Rauball, senior crude oil analyst at data analytics firm Kpler. Russias unbought barrels could wind up in storage or looking for another customer at a price discount, he said. It puts Russia in a tough spot.

U.S. oil prices rose by 5% to $61.44 per barrel Thursday and international benchmark Brent rose 4.7% to $65.52. A Treasury spokesperson, who spoke on condition of anonymity to preview the sanctions, said the latest action is not expected to significantly affect energy costs for U.S. consumers, and Treasury expects prices to remain stable.
On Sept. 9, Russia violated Polish airspace with multiple drones. Four days later, they menaced Romania with a similar incursion.

Since then, weve seen Russian fighter jets in Estonian skies and unidentified drones above airports in Oslo and Copenhagen, all while Moscow is escalating bombings of Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure.

These intrusions should be a wake-up call for Europe and the free world. U.S. President Donald Trump is right to argue that Europes continued energy purchases from Russia are embarrassing.

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Think of it, the president told the U.N. General Assembly on Sept. 23, theyre funding the war against themselves.

The EU will argue it isnt solely to blame. After all, China and India each buy 5 billion euros ($5.87 billion) in Russian fossil fuels every month, with Turkey adding over 2 billion euros ($2.35 billion) more. But the EU is still Russias fourth-largest customer, with 1.5 billion euros of purchases per month. As a result, Russia takes in around 600 million euros ($700 million) in energy export revenues each day, giving it the hard currency it needs to withstand sanctions and refill its arsenal.

More than three years after Russias invasion of Ukraine, the time for Europes excuses is over.

The Wests own goals are beyond parody: the G7s oil price cap scheme  a Potemkin sanctions program hatched by the Biden Administration and EU officials  has pretended to get tough on Russian exports even while prolonging Ukrainians suffering.

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A 19th sanctions package confirmed by Brussels on Oct. 23 is merely a testament to the failure of the previous 18th. All these half-measures have left Russian President Vladimir Putin as unwilling to negotiate as ever.

And why would he? Even though the Russian economy has slowed, GDP has expanded throughout the war, and unemployment has reached record lows. There is simply not enough pressure to make Putin fear public unrest or the emergence of political alternatives to his rule.

It isnt enough to support Ukraines fight  we must want the country to win. That means decimating Russian export revenues by sanctioning anyone doing business with the countrys energy giants. While it is encouraging that G7 finance ministers are discussing tougher Russian sanctions, new measures will only work if the West is serious about putting an end to Russian oil and gas deliveries.

Read also: Editorial: Europe, its time to finally be brave. Start with Russian assets

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Fortunately, the president realizes this. On Oct. 22, he imposed sanctions on Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil, a crucial show of leadership that Americas allies should follow. Congress stands ready to go even further.

In July, the House Financial Services Committee passed a critical new sanctions bill, the PEACE Act, by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 53 to 1. This legislation would cut off any foreign financial institution from the U.S. dollar if it dealt with blacklisted Russian banks or energy companies  including not just Rosneft and Lukoil, but also Gazprom. Anyone thinking of processing a payment for Russian oil  be it in Shanghai, Mumbai, Istanbul, or yes, European cities  would have to think twice.

Crucially, the bill would also transfer billions in frozen Russian sovereign assets to Ukraine, which could then draw on those funds for its defense  at no cost to taxpayers. Bolstering Ukraines budget will be as essential as squeezing Russian revenues.

According to the IMF, Kyiv faces a $65 billion financing gap through 2027, and most of its current IMF rescue package has been expended. Another $50 billion in loans from G7 members is nearly exhausted. Ukraine needs resources now, and it cant be saddled with endless loans if we want to secure its long-term future. The $300 billion in Russian frozen assets, most of them held in Europe, must be part of the solution.

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That is why proposals in Europe for a new reparations loan to Ukraine risk missing the mark. By using Russian sovereign assets to back additional lending, such plans would create a contingent liability for the EU until Moscow is willing to pay for reconstruction after the war  a scenario that is even further off than Russia halting the conflict. With a reparations loan, Russia could simply sit on its hands to force an EU write-off. Even if Moscow paid up, Ukraine already faces $190 billion of external debt, so it may need to draw on reparations to meet other obligations.

U.S. President Donald Trump (L) greets President Volodymyr Zelensky outside the West Wing of the White House on Oct. 17, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

As for those worried that asset seizure could imperil the euros role as a reserve currency, they should recall that the euro has held steady as a share of global official reserves, even as Russias sovereign holdings have been frozen and the European Central Bank has steadily lowered rates.

Rather than devise a financial Rube Goldberg machine, as they did with their failed oil price cap, G7 members should simply agree to confiscate Russian assets.

Not only would this unlock sorely needed grants for Ukraine, it would incentivize Putin to come to the negotiating table sooner. If Moscow has no reason to fear for its assets, the wait for Russian concessions will continue indefinitely.

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President Trump has called Russia a paper tiger, noting how Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and win all of Ukraine back in its original form. Now is the time for the EU to work with the president to end Russias ability to wage this war.

It is late  but not too late.

Read also: In Trump first, US sanctions Russias oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil after White House cancels Putin meeting

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The European corporations Airbus, Leonardo and Thales plan to merge their space divisions into a new company, the aerospace and defence firms announced on Thursday, as Europe seeks to catch up on its rivals in the crucial space sector.

By consolidating their satellite and space system operations, the firms expect to strengthen Europe's autonomy in critical infrastructure areas such as telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, science and national security, the three companies announced following the signing of a memorandum of understanding.

The new company, set to launch in 2027, is also expected to serve as a partner for governments in new national space programmes. The joint statement announcing the new firm did not say what the company would be called.

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"This partnership aligns with the ambitions of European governments to strengthen their industrial and technological assets, ensuring Europes autonomy across the strategic space domain and its many applications," the chief executives of the three firms said in the statement.

The firm will employ around 25,000 people across Europe, the statement said. Based on figures at the end of last year, the new firm would have an order backlog of more than three years and an annual turnover of 6.5 billion ($7.5 billion).

Airbus is expected to hold 35% of the company, while Leonardo and Thales will each hold 32.5%.

Airbus is a European multinational aerospace company that makes commercial as well as defence aircraft and is considered a key competitor to Boeing in the United States. It is a consortium of French, German, Spanish and British firms.

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Rome-based Leonardo and Thales, based just outside Paris, are multinational corporations focusing on the aerospace, defence and security industries.

Europe seeks independent space capabilities

European governments have recognized that the United States under President Donald Trump cannot be relied on so heavily for defence.

In March, the European Commission presented a plan that could mobilize almost 800 billion for defence.

The Starlink satellite internet system from Tesla boss Elon Musk's aerospace company SpaceX, which is helping Ukraine in its war against Russia, also played a role in the discussion.

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Leonardo boss Roberto Cingolani said earlier this year that a European satellite alliance was not intended to challenge Musk. However, it should create a European option. A technology monopoly is not good for anyone, Cingolani said.

The German government intends to provide 35 billion for space projects and a security architecture in space over the next five years, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius recently announced.

The aim of the programme is to create a resilient structure consisting of satellite constellations, ground stations, secure launch capabilities into space and necessary services.

"We are hardening our systems against disruptions and attacks," said Pistorius. "This explicitly includes cybersecurity for all space systems."

The minister also spoke out in favour of developing offensive capabilities.

"We must also be able to deter in space in order to be able to defend ourselves," said Pistorius.
The European Union finally approved the 19th package of sanctions against Russia by written procedure on the morning of 23 October.

Source: European Pravda, citing the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU

Quote: "We are pleased to announce that the Council has approved the 19th package of sanctions."

Details: The day before, the Danish Presidency announced that it had received a message from "the last country that it was now ready to lift its reservations on the 19th package." After that, it launched the approval process and predicted its completion by 08:00, which is what happened.

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The energy section of the sanctions package provides for a ban on the import of Russian LNG  within six months for short-term contracts and from 1 January 2027 for long-term contracts, in line with the European Commission's RePowerEU plan.

It also strengthens the ban on cooperation with Russia's two oil giants and sanctions against another 117 tankers of the shadow fleet, bringing the total number of sanctioned vessels to 558.

The financial section includes:

a ban on insurance for aircraft and ships used by Russia for the first 5 years after sale to a third country

a complete ban on transactions with five Russian banks and an extension of the existing ban on Russian electronic payment systems, in particular Mir, and sanctions against four more banks in Belarus and Kazakhstan

a ban on transactions with five banks, one crypto exchange and two oil trading companies in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Paraguay, the UAE and Hong Kong

a new ban on European economic operators entering into new contracts with nine special economic zones in the Russian Federation and a complete ban on cooperation with Alabuga and Technopolis Moscow

a complete ban on cryptocurrency services for citizens, residents and companies from the Russian Federation.

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Another 45 companies were punished for circumventing existing sanctions, including three in India, two in Thailand, and 12 in China and Hong Kong; many of them are related to unmanned technologies.

Additional export restrictions have been imposed to complicate Russia's access to microchips and technologies that can be used in the defence industrial base. More individuals and companies associated with the defence industrial base and developments for the military industry will be added to the sanctions lists.

The export ban on industrial goods such as salt, rubber, building materials and technological goods is being expanded.

The criteria for adding ports in third countries to the sanctions lists are being expanded to include those used to transport UAVs and missiles to Russia or to circumvent oil sanctions.

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A new mechanism is being introduced to restrict the movement of Russian diplomats in the EU, with a three-month transition period.

New criteria are being established for inclusion in sanctions lists in connection with Russian authorities' involvement with the abduction of Ukrainian children.

The ban on the provision of services in the field of AI, complex computer technologies, and commercial space services is being expanded. The provision of any services in Russia that are not yet prohibited by sanctions will require prior approval.

In addition, European operators will be prohibited from providing tourism-related services in Russia.

Background:

EU Chief Diplomat Kaja Kallas previously predicted that the 19th package of sanctions against Russia could be approved on 23 October during a meeting of the European Council.

The final approval of the sanctions package was blocked by Slovakia, which demanded that the European Commission take into account its reservations regarding cars with internal combustion engines and energy price regulation.

Austria also raised objections, demanding that the EU lift sanctions on some Russian assets to compensate the Austrian Raiffeisen Bank for fines imposed by Russia, but without success.

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has, for the first time since the ceasefire took effect in the Gaza Strip two weeks ago, brought severely ill and injured children to safety.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reported on the platform X that 41 children, along with 145 companions, have been taken out of Gaza.

All the patients are children, a WHO spokesman said when asked. Due to "operational concerns," it cannot yet be disclosed in which countries the young patients will be treated.

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"Around 15 000 patients are still waiting for approval to receive medical care outside Gaza," Tedros wrote on X. " We continue to call on countries to show their solidarity and for all routes to be opened to expedite the medical evacuation."

Such medical transports require permits from the Israeli authorities, who control access to the Gaza Strip.

The recent Gaza ceasefire took effect on October 10, though there have been periodic violations reported from both sides since then.
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) New and expecting mothers were showered with gifts Thursday at a special event in Scranton.

28/22 News reporter Joe Mason takes a closer look at Thursdays event.

A community baby shower was held on Thursday at the Salvation Army on Washington Avenue in Scranton.

Amerihealth Caritas Pennsylvania hosted the event to support new and expectant mothers with prenatal and postpartum care.

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WATCH: Lackawanna County Commish. Debate

It helps get the word around for different resources that people actually need and dont know about, stated Scranton mother, Vanessa Davila.

According to the March of Dimes premature birth report card, Pennsylvania received a C grade in 2024.

The report card also shows premature birth rates across the commonwealth are at 9.7%, and an infant mortality rate of 5.6 per 1,000 live births.

Melissa Farenish is the community outreach manager for Amerihealth Caritas Pennsylvania.

We have the community baby showers every year. So, this year were holding one in the community of Scranton, and it is for the expectant mothers and new moms in our program to come in and get some valuable resources, explained Farenish.

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She says its all about reaching members who need the resources.

We know that there are pregnant mothers in this community who need to be connected to resources. I think a lot of times people are not sure where to turn, and we can help to provide vendors and resources for them, expressed Farenish.

The medicaid health plan provided health information and other assistance to those mothers.

Medicaid also gave mothers gift bags containing essential items for their children.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to 28/22 News.
NEED TO KNOW

Susan Lorincz shot her Ocala, Fla., neighbor Ajike AJ Owens on June 2, 2023

Prior to the shooting, Lorincz had called 911 to complain about Owens and her children several times

Lorincz apologized after fatally shooting Owens, but also maintained that she felt "threatened" and said she was acting in self-defense

Ajike AJ Owens was a mother of four who was fatally shot by her neighbor Susan Lorincz on June 2, 2023.

Shortly after Lorincz, who is White, moved into the Ocala, Fla., neighborhood, she began calling 911 to complain about Owens' children, who, like their mom, were Black, for playing loudly in a field close to her home.

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Over the next two years, Lorincz continued calling authorities to criticize their behavior and made a series of allegations against them, including that they were trespassing and threatening her life. She also directly confronted and verbally harassed the kids on multiple occasions, according to NBC News.

Lorincz got into a final heated argument with Owens' kids, who were between the ages of 3 and 12, on June 2. After she allegedly stole one of their tablets (she denies doing so) and called them racial slurs (which she admitted to later), she locked herself in her home, per the BBC. Owens' kids told their mom about the incident, so she walked over to Lorincz's door to confront her.

Lorincz then fired her gun and shot Owens through the locked door, hitting her in the chest. Owens died later that night as a result of the gunshot wound. Lorincz was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 25 years in prison.

The Netflix documentary The Perfect Neighbor retold the story that originally gripped the nation at the time of Owens' killing. In addition to sharing the sequence of events leading up to the shooting, the documentary also highlighted what Lorincz said to and about Owens.

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Here's everything that Susan Lorincz said about Ajike AJ Owens before and after fatally shooting her.



Lorincz alleged to police that Owens kids were trespassing on her property

Courtesy of Netflix Susan Lorincz talking to police, as shown in 'The Perfect Neighbor.' Susan Lorincz talking to police, as shown in 'The Perfect Neighbor.'

Starting in January 2021, Lorincz called 911 more than half a dozen times to report on the children in her neighborhood. During those calls, Lorincz mostly claimed that the kids were "trespassing" on her property.

Police responded to "six to eight" incidents, per The New York Times, but the visits were all fruitless, because the kids were playing in an adjacent grassy area that she did not own. Several of the calls were recorded, and the police body camera footage was shown in The Perfect Neighbor.

In addition to calling about alleged trespassing, Lorincz also complained that some of the kids had yelled at her, bothered her and made too much noise, per the New York Post.

She hurled "derogatory terms at Owens children

Courtesy of Netflix Children in the neighborhood of Ocala, Fla., playing, as shown in 'The Perfect Neighbor.' Children in the neighborhood of Ocala, Fla., playing, as shown in 'The Perfect Neighbor.'

Although Lorincz frequently complained about her neighbors to the authorities, she was also known to directly confront the children, calling them derogatory names and racist slurs. Several of the neighborhood children accused Lorincz of being racist, using "the n-word" and referred to her as a "Karen," per Rolling Stone.

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Some of the kids  including Owens'  alleged that she gave them the middle finger and called them "Black slaves," CNN reported in 2023. Owens' youngest child specifically pointed to a time when Lorincz allegedly called him and his friends "bastards" and told them, "This isnt the underground railroad, slave."

During the course of 2021 and 2022, Lorincz maintained that she was the victim and even told authorities that she was "the perfect neighbor." However, after she was arrested for shooting Owens, Lorincz confessed to using slurs.

Lorincz admitted to having used 'the n-word' toward children out of anger in the past and also calling children other derogatory terms, according to the arrest affidavit obtained by PEOPLE.



Lorincz alleged to the authorities that Owens threw a sign at her in April 2023

Courtesy of Netflix A police officer in 'The Perfect Neighbor.' A police officer in 'The Perfect Neighbor.'

Less than two months before Lorincz fatally shot Owens, she called 911 and claimed that Owens threw a sign at her. On April 25, 2023, police showed up to the Ocala neighborhood to diffuse the situation, according to body camera footage obtained by ABC News.

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"I called because the woman across the street hit me with a sign," Lorincz told sheriff deputies, referring to Owens. While Owens admitted to picking up a "private property" sign that Lorincz had placed and throwing it, she denied hitting Lorincz.

"I literally went and picked the sign up and as I walked off I threw the sign. I said I can go and buy a sign too, it still doesnt mean anything," Owens said.

A neighbor corroborated Owens' story and told the police that all the mother of four did was "tell the lady to stop yelling at her kids."



She claimed she felt threatened by Owens' children on the night of the shooting

Courtesy of Netflix Children playing in the Ocala neighborhood, as shown in 'The Perfect Neighbor.' Children playing in the Ocala neighborhood, as shown in 'The Perfect Neighbor.'

After shouting at two of Owens' children on June 2, 2023, Lorincz called 911 and alleged that they were trespassing and threatening to hurt her.

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Ive got kids trespassing. Leaving all their toys around. Just screaming, yelling, just being absolutely obnoxious, she said, according to the 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.

She continued, "There are several kids out there right now. Im fearing for my life. Im very scared.

More than two years after the fatal shooting, Lorincz maintained her side of the story that the kids had trespassed on her property and threatened her life.

"The kid said, Im going to kill you. If I cant kill you, Im going to find someone to kill you,' " she claimed to WCJB from behind bars in September 2025.



Lorincz said she felt that Owens was going to kill her on the night of the shooting

Courtesy of Netflix AJ Owens' family holding a photo of her, as shown in 'The Perfect Neighbor.' AJ Owens' family holding a photo of her, as shown in 'The Perfect Neighbor.'

Later on in the night on June 2, Lorincz had locked herself in her house when Owens knocked on her front door and demanded to know what had happened with her sons. Lorincz then shot her through the door.

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She placed a second call to 911 just a few minutes after her first and claimed that she thought Owens was also "going to kill" her.

Oh my God. This lady just tried to break down my door. I shot through the door. Oh my God, she said in the second call. "The woman was screaming and yelling at me trying to break down my door. I didnt know what to do. I grabbed my gun and shot at the door because I thought she was going to kill me."

In her September 2025 prison interview, Lorincz doubled down on her version of the story and alleged that she thought it was a police officer knocking on her door; so, when she heard Owens' voice, she became "terrified."

"As soon as I said, One minute, she went on the tirade, expletives and just horrible language, screaming at me, pounding on the door so hard," she claimed to WCJB. "Im like, Oh my God. Im like, You need to leave. Youre trespassing. You were told not to come here by the sheriffs department. You know, youre trespassing. You need to leave.' "

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She further claimed, "Then she said, Im gonna f------ kill you.' And I went, Oh my God,' and shes pounding and shes pounding and shes pounding, and I just, you know, I was terrified."



Lorincz didnt testify at her trial but maintained that she acted in self-defense

Courtesy of Netflix Susan Lorincz sitting at her trial, per 'The Perfect Neighbor.' Susan Lorincz sitting at her trial, per 'The Perfect Neighbor.'

During her August 2024 trial, Lorincz did not take the stand, but her attorneys argued that she was acting in self-defense, per The New York Times. They also tried to apply Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law, which allows people to use deadly force to defend themselves if they feel their lives are at risk.

However, prosecutors pointed out that Lorincz was behind a locked door, and Owens was unarmed when she approached the home. They also argued that her actions were "not justifiable under Florida law," per CBS News.

After a week-long trial, the jury sided with the prosecutors and found Lorincz guilty of manslaughter.



Lorincz apologized at her sentencing

Courtesy of Netflix Susan Lorincz getting interrogated by police. Susan Lorincz getting interrogated by police.

Lorincz publicly addressed the shooting for the first time at her sentencing hearing in November 2024.

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"I am so sorry that I took AJs life. I never intended to kill her," she said, per the BBC. "The night I shot that gun I was confused as to why she was screaming and pounding on my door. Please accept my humble and sincere apology for this tragedy."

Lorincz also used the opportunity to claim that the shooting was "not about race."

Owens' mother, Pamela Dias, responded, Susans apology was a last-ditch attempt to save herself. It wasnt sincere; she never showed remorse. On the first anniversary of her daughter's killing, Dias also said, "Justice would be this never happening from the get-go. Justice would be eradicating racism. Justice would be proper gun-reform laws," per Central Florida Public Media.

Read the original article on People
This story was originally published on Banking Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Banking Dive newsletter.

Evolve Bank & Trust CEO Bob Hartheimer, 68, was arrested Thursday on two child pornography related charges, according to Shelby County, Tennessees inmate database.

Hartheimer faces one count of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of distribution of obscene material.

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An Evolve spokesperson said Friday that he has now been terminated from his position.

We are in close contact with the U.S. Attorneys office and have been assured that this is a personal matter and does not relate to the Bank or its operations in any way, the spokesperson said. That said, we have offered our full cooperation as they investigate.

Blake Ballin, Hartheimers attorney, told Banking Dive via text Thursday evening that he has no comment, as the case is under seal. He said he did not know when the case would be unsealed.

A source close to the bank told Banking Dive early Thursday that Hartheimer had been taken into Federal Bureau of Investigation custody at his office regarding a personal matter. The CEOs arrest has nothing to do with the bank. No warrants were executed against bank or bank property, the source said.

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Hartheimers arrest was originally reported by Fintech Business Weekly reporter Jason Mikula on social media site X.

Hartheimer took the reins of the West Memphis, Arkansas-based bank in August following former CEO Scott Staffords retirement earlier this year.

At the time, Hartheimer said that he aimed to restore trust in the bank, which since last spring has been caught up in a missing-funds saga tied to the collapse of middleware fintech Synapse.

Hartheimer was originally scheduled to appear in federal court in the Western District of Tennessee in Memphis on Thursday, but his appearance was rescheduled for Oct. 28.

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Moving forward, Evolve President and CFO Mark Mosteller and EVP and General Counsel Joelle Weltzin will oversee the the banks strategic direction and operations, as they did prior to Hartheimers August hiring, the spokesperson said.

Our team remains focused on serving customers, supporting employees and delivering on our business objectives, the spokesperson said. We remain confident in the strength of our leadership, the stability of our operations, and the continued trust of our customers and investors.

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EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WEHT)  New changes are coming to performing arts in Evansville beginning in 2026.

The Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana is handing the reins to their programming over to the Evansville-Vanderburgh Public Library. The arts council says these changes are to ensure local arts and artists continue to be on display for years to come.

This decision has been a long time coming, says council member Anne McKim. Our board of directors has been very thoughtful and intentional about all of the paths forward. And the thing that we have kept as our true north this entire time is what is best for the artists and what is best for the community.

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STAGEtwo Productions heard the news while gearing up for its annual production of the show The Rocky Horror Show. Director Toni Schaperjohn calls the change bittersweet, but says the company already has a working relationship with the public library.

We really do love our friends at EVPL, says Schaperjohn. Theyve been wonderfully supportive of us here at Stagetwo Productions. We partnered with them as a community partner on our last show. So there is some excitement there for us as well. But for Anne and her staff, a little bit of sadness because I know thats a long legacy of arts in the community thats coming to an end.

Schaperjohn says this change wont stump any of the companys cast or crew as they are getting ready to open The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Friday.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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).
Former Hamtramck Police Chief Jamiel Altaheri has reached an agreement with the city of Hamtramck that allows him to resign and receive five months of his salary as severance, his attorney said Wednesday, Oct. 22.

The agreement allows Altaheri, 42, to leave with integrity and preserve his reputation, his attorney, Amir Makled, told the Free Press. His resignation date will be backdated to August, Makled said. He added that some earlier reports that he was fired are inaccurate. Altaheri is considering his future career as he divides his time between metro Detroit and New York City, where he used to live and work.

Hamtramck Police Chief Jamiel Altaheri speaking at a swearing-in ceremony for him and other officers at Zussman Park in Hamtramck on May 13, 2024.

An immigrant from Yemen, Altaheri was the first minority to lead the police department in Hamtramck, a diverse city with the highest percentage of immigrants among cities in Michigan. Altaheri hired and promoted officers from diverse backgrounds and did extensive community outreach after years of complaints by residents about a nearly all-white police department, which they said was out of touch with the community. In 2017, city officials said there was maybe only one minority officer in the police department, all city firefighters were white and only three city employees were minorities in a city where whites had been a minority for decades. Four years ago, in November 2021, voters elected Amer Ghalib, the first minority and first non-Polish mayor in the city's history.

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A veteran of New York City's police department who was the commanding officer of the NYPD's Office of Equity and Inclusion, Altaheri was named police chief by the council in January 2024. He was sworn in in May 2024 at a ceremony in Zussman Park along with two female police officers. In addition to hiring or appointing minority officers and chaplains from Black, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, and Yemeni communities, Altaheri hired and promoted women in the department and held the city's first women officer appreciation night. He also launched a citizen academy and youth academy where residents and youth could learn about the department. Altaheri started the city's first "CompStat" that uses crime data to identify crime trends in the city to more effectively combat problems. And he added the position of captain to the department.

Meanwhile, former officer David Adamczyk was secretly recording him at times, later releasing some allegations against the chief that have not been proven in court. Some residents said that racism was behind the backlash against Altaheri.

Hamtramck Police Chief Jamiel Altaheri being sworn in by Judge Alexis Krot of 31st district court, at Zussman Park in Hamtramck on May 13, 2024.

As part of the agreement, Altaheri will withdraw a counter-claim he filed earlier against the city, Adamczyk and former city manager Max Garbarino, Makled said. Adamczyk and Garbarino, who are white, had earlier filed a lawsuit in June in Wayne County Circuit Court against Altaheri and the city, alleging anti-white bias. That lawsuit is pending, Makled said.

More: Hamtramck mayor faces stiff challenge amid cultural debates in diverse city

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In August, city attorney Odey Meroueh said the city would move to fire Altaheri after a report by Miller Johnson alleged wrongdoing by Altaheri, Adamczyk and Garbarino. The city council fired Garbarino after the report was released and said the city attorney would handle any possible firing of the chief.

But the agreement said Altaheri will not be fired and instead will voluntarily resign. The city council unanimously approved the agreement with Altaheri at their Oct. 14 council meeting last week. The agreement says that Altaheri will get his five-month severance sometime over the next two weeks, Makled said.

Hamtramck Police Chief Jameil Altaheri at his swearing-in ceremony on May 13, 2024, at Zussman Park in Hamtramck, getting a pin placed on his lapel.

"We were trying to come to a mutually agreeable resolution," Makled said in an interview with the Free Press. "We wanted the chief to maintain the integrity ... he's grateful for the time he spent in the city of Hamtramck. He's done a lot of good. His reputation was wrongfully sullied by this whole investigation that I thought was done in a way where it didn't give his version of the facts. The Miller Johnson investigation ... was one-sided, but I think the city saw some of the positive things and positive contributions that the chief brought to the city of Hamtramck, and they wanted to have a good resolution with the chief."

In May, Altaheri was placed on administrative leave by Garbarino as the city launched an investigation. The move led to outrage by some residents who praised the chief's work.

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The announcement of the agreement by Makled came the day before Ghalib is set to testify on Oct. 23 in U.S. Senate confirmation hearings for ambassador to Kuwait. Trump had picked Ghalib to be ambassador in March. Ghalib said earlier that Trump had called him in early October and expressed his support. Ghalib is not running for reelection in the mayoral race; the mayor's position and three council seats are on the ballot in November.

Contact Niraj Warikoo: nwarikoo@freepress.com, X @nwarikoo or Facebook @nwarikoo

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Hamtramck Police Chief Altaheri resigns, reaches agreement with city
The US dominates the global artificial intelligence (AI) market at present and will command nearly twice as much revenue than its closest competitor in 2025, new research forecasts.

GlobalDatas AI Global Market Opportunity Forecasts to 2029 report indicates that the US AI market will generate $41bn in revenue during 2025, while second-placed China will generate $24bn.

Top 10 countries in GlobalData's Artificial Intelligence Market Report by Revenue

The US strong position is supported by the presence of technology leaders like IBM and Microsoft, which continue to refine and expand their AI offerings in response to generative AI adoption and evolving business requirements. The US generative AI market has registered high growth and investment and reached $2.4bn in 2025. In addition, nearly 70% of US enterprises are now using AI solutions in some capacity, underlining the technologys widespread integration across industries.

GlobalData analyst Rohit Sharma commented: "The strength of the US AI market comes from its enterprises being early adopters and willing to experiment with new technologies. Backed by a world-class ecosystem of chipmakers, cloud providers and software innovators, US companies are quick to scale AI across critical functions, particularly in banking and IT, where security and compliance are essential.

"This culture of rapid adoption combined with supportive policies like the CHIPS Act and a deep talent pool, positions the US to sustain its leadership in AI revenue growth."

Macroeconomic and industry drivers

The rapid expansion of the global AI market is influenced by multiple macroeconomic factors, including technological advancements, government support and investment in infrastructure. Regions that encourage innovation through favourable regulations and strong funding are seeing faster adoption, while restrictive environments act as barriers.

AI adoption has accelerated due to advancements in machine learning, natural language processing, robotics and generative AI. Further, the unprecedented generation of structured and unstructured data from digital platforms, connected devices, advancements in GPUs and purpose-built AI chips are making it feasible to process this data in real time.

These capabilities are unlocking high-value use cases from predictive healthcare and autonomous vehicles to fraud detection and personalised commerce cementing AI as a foundational layer of modern industry transformation.

Asia-Pacific records the fastest growth

The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region posted the highest growth rate between 2020 and 2025 and is anticipated to sustain the momentum during the 2025-29 period. Government-backed AI programs are a major driver. In early 2025, both India and South Korea advanced their AI roadmaps  India unveiled a plan to deploy 18,000 high-performance GPU systems to fuel AI development, while South Koreas Presidential AI Committee set out a programme to build a world-class large language model.
Washington  Former special counsel Jack Smith is offering to testify in open hearings before the House and Senate Judiciary Committees about the federal investigations into President Trump's handling of sensitive documents and alleged efforts to subvert the transfer of power after the 2020 election, according to a letter from his lawyers to lawmakers.

In the letter obtained by CBS News, Smith's lawyers said he is prepared to answer questions from Congress about the investigations he oversaw and prosecutions of Mr. Trump that stemmed from them, but said doing so "requires assurance from the Department of Justice that he will not be punished for doing so."

Lawyers Lanny Breuer and Peter Koski said Smith needs guidance from the Justice Department about federal grand jury secrecy requirements and authorization as to the issues he can speak about, including the second volume of his final report, which he completed before leaving the role of special counsel. The first volume of Smith's report pertains to the investigation that stemmed from alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, and it was submitted to Congress in mid-January. But the second volume, which covers Mr. Trump's handling of sensitive government documents after leaving the White House in 2021, has not been made public.

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Then-Attorney General Merrick Garland said in January that he would not release the second volume of Smith's final report because a criminal case involving two of Mr. Trump's co-defendants was ongoing. But after Mr. Trump returned to the White House for a second term, the case against the two, aide Walt Nauta and former Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos de Oliveira, was tossed out.

Both cases against Mr. Trump arising from Smith's investigations ended after he won the presidential election last November.

"Given the many mischaracterizations of Mr. Smith's investigation into President Trump's alleged mishandling of classified documents and role in attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 election, Mr. Smith respectfully requests the opportunity to testify in open hearings before the House and Senate Judiciary Committees," Smith's lawyers wrote in their letter to Sen. Chuck Grassley and Rep. Jim Jordan, who lead the Senate and House Judiciary panels.

They said that Smith "steadfastly adhered to established legal standards and Department of Justice guidelines, consistent with his approach throughout his career as a dedicated public servant," while leading the investigations into Mr. Trump.

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Smith and his team brought two criminal cases against the president in 2023. In the first, prosecutors alleged that Mr. Trump illegally held onto documents marked classified after the end of his first term in January 2021 and kept them at his South Florida property, Mar-a-Lago. He faced 40 counts in all and pleaded not guilty.

The second case involved his alleged efforts to hold onto power after he lost the 2020 presidential election to former President Joe Biden. Mr. Trump faced four charges and pleaded not guilty.

The president and his allies in Congress have long accused Smith of pursuing politically motivated cases against Mr. Trump in an effort to undermine his candidacy for a second term. Smith resigned from the Justice Department before Mr. Trump was inaugurated, but is the subject of investigations from congressional Republicans and the Office of Special Counsel, an independent agency that is unrelated to Smith's former position of special counsel.

Smith's lawyers called the ethics probe by the Office of the Special Counsel "imaginary and unfounded."

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Government shutdown enters Day 22 as Trump gives Democrats ultimatum

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The term "risk it all" typically applies to flirting or flying a wee bit too close to the sun. For one former Texas corrections officer, "risking it all" meant losing his job-and, temporarily, his freedom-for chicken wings.

Amos Nyanway, a 25-year-old officer with the Travis County Sheriff's Office in Austin, was booked on a misdemeanor charge of contraband in a correctional facility earlier this month after allegedly smuggling in Wingstop and selling the wings to inmates.

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"I'm disappointed that a Travis County Sheriff's Office Corrections Officer made such a foolish decision. We hold our employees to a high standard of conduct and accountability. We simply cannot tolerate contraband of any type being brought into our secure facilities," Sheriff Sally Hernandez said about the matter.

Contraband in a correctional facility is a Class B misdemeanor, per the TCSO. Under Texas law, the crime is punishable by up to 180 days in jail, a fine of up to $2,000, or both.

According to court documents, another officer became aware of Nyanway's scheme after an inmate was caught on a jail phone telling a relative that a corrections officer had provided him chicken wings after he sent the officer $50 via CashApp. The inmate's order? Mango habanero wings.

Surveillance footage would later catch Nyanway picking up a delivery service order with the wings, where he would later eat a few of them himself and then place the rest of the wings on paper towels that he would pass off to an inmate.

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The 25-year-old joined the sheriff's office in June 2024 and was assigned to the Security Threat Intelligence Unit. Once Nyanway's time as the jail's official wing man was discovered, he was subsequently reassigned pending an internal investigation. Nyanway was promptly terminated from his role and arrested. Prosecutors are also potentially looking into CashApp data to see how far Nyanway's scheme went.

Now, I'm a wing guy as much as the next person, but $50 for wings? For one person? Judging by the fact that a 30-piece order of mango habanero wings from Wingstop can run about $42 with tax and this is without fries, a drink or even sauce, this intrepid journalist could argue that there was some serious upcharging here. Was that even the prisoner's full order?

So many bones left to wonder about.

More News

Politics | Latina Democrat enters 2026 Texas governor battle

Gulf Coast | Strange boxes found on Texas beaches carry a toxic secret

History | How a 1973 homicide led Houston to a notorious serial killer

Money | Here's how much you need to live comfortably in Houston



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This article originally published at Ex-Texas corrections officer caught smuggling in wings for $50.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a warning to travelers regarding potential delays and cancellations as the government shutdown continues to strain the nations air travel system.

Staffing issues have resulted in thousands of flight cancellations at major hubs over the weekend, including at the biggest and busiest airports in Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, Newark, Las Vegas and Phoenix, Reuters reported.

These staffing issues are expected to continue as workers increasingly cannot afford to go without a paycheck.

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Around 13,000 air traffic controllers and approximately 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers are working without pay, Reuters wrote.

Earlier this month, over 23,000 flights were delayed over a single week and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told the media outlet that 53% of these flight delays were due to staffing issues, compared with the normal rate of just 5%. Duffy added that staffing issues over the last week have improved.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem blamed the Democrats for airport staffing shortages in a video that played in every public airport in America on Oct. 9, Fox News reported.

It is TSAs top priority to make sure that you have the most pleasant and efficient airport experience possible while we keep you safe, Noem said in the video However, Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government, and because of this, many of our operations are impacted and most of our TSA employees are working without pay.

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Many airports refused to play the video, citing policies against displaying political or partisan messaging in their facilities, PBS wrote.

This includes Logan International Airport in Boston and Bradley International Airport in Connecticut.

The FAA did not respond to MassLives request for comment.

The latest from MassLive

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The effectiveness of US sanctions against Russian oil companies Rosneft and Lukoil depends on their enforcement by major importers India and China, according to an international trade expert in Berlin.

US President Donald Trump's decision to impose punitive measures against Russia for the first time is a major step, marking a new phase in his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Janis Kluge from the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) told dpa on Thursday.

"The days when Putin's behaviour had no consequences are over," he said.

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The US Treasury on Wednesday announced sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies, citing Moscow's "lack of serious commitment to a peace process to end the war in Ukraine." The measures also affect Rosneft's and Lukoil's subsidiaries.

Despite Trump's volatility, Kluge said the US president is only likely to back down from the sanctions if Putin shows a willingness to compromise to end the war in Ukraine.

In the meantime, he said, the US measures will put further pressure on Russian oil exports abroad: "Buyers must decide whether to continue purchasing oil from these companies."

However, he noted that production and exports have not fallen significantly at Russian companies Gazpromneft and Sugutneftegaz, which were sanctioned by former US president Joe Biden in January before he left office.

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Rosneft and Lukoil will nevertheless still have to grant higher discounts to buyers, according to Kluge.

Large importers such as Reliance Industries in India have to assess the risk of being hit by secondary US sanctions themselves. For financing banks, there is the risk of being excluded from transactions in US dollars.

In China, respect for US punitive measures has recently declined, he said, while India is easier to put under pressure.
Vaping rates among American teenagers have hit record lows. However, experts fear those numbers may begin to rise again after federal cuts have shut down key anti-vaping campaigns.

What's happening?

According to an article published in WCMU Public Media, the use of e-cigarettes among young people in the U.S. is "down to its lowest level in a decade." Government leaders attribute education and an increasing awareness of e-cigarettes' health consequences as the main factors driving this drop.

Now, though, experts worry vaping among American teens may start to rise again. One of the main consequences of the Trump administration's move to dismiss all full-time employees at the CDC's Office on Smoking and Health is the cancellation of federally funded anti-vaping programs in schools.

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For example, in West Virginia, where vaping rates are among the nation's highest, Raze was an anti-smoking campaign that funded field trips to the state's capital, Charleston, for Tobacco Free Day, as well as anti-vaping flyers and other merchandise.

Student and Raze activist Kimberly Mills reflected on the importance of the program, telling WCMU: " We just really want everybody to know how dangerous it is and the brain damage. It could explode in your mouth and mess you up to where you have to be on like a feeding tube for the rest of your life. Just awful things."

Why are funding cuts important to anti-vape campaigns?

The government changes to the CDC's Office on Smoking and Health have nationwide implications for middle and high schools. Without funding for anti-smoking awareness, students may be more likely to continue vaping.

While there is more long-term research on the health impacts of smoking versus vaping, the CDC still states that vaping is detrimental to young people's brain development. Like regular cigarettes, vapes also contain cancer-causing chemicals that can cause lung damage.

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Vaping doesn't just impact public health; it also poses a threat to the environment. Waste from e-cigarettes is a major problem, with Americans throwing out 5.7 vapes every second, according to Fast Company. Disposable vapes are made of plastic and electronic waste that does not break down over time; instead, these particles leach harmful toxins into the surrounding environment.

What's being done about vaping among the American youth?

Even though federal funding for school anti-smoking campaigns has expired, activists are still speaking out against the dangers of vaping. Local legislators are taking action to reduce vaping among young people. In North Carolina, for example, policymakers have banned disposable vapes. Other countries have taken the crackdown on vaping a step further. Singapore officials are imposing stricter penalties to reduce the population's vaping habits.

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
A new study from the European Central Bank and the University of Mannheim has found that extreme weather events are eating away at Europe's economy, especially in Malta.

What is this study about?

According to the Times of Malta, research estimated that this summer's extreme weather would slash economic activity across the EU by 43 billion ($50.6 billion). That's equal to about 0.26% of total output.

By 2029, the long-term effects could total 126 billion, the equivalent of around $147 billion in losses.

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Smaller economies like Malta, Cyprus, and Bulgaria are among the hardest hit. Malta alone is expected to lose nearly 3% of its economic output by 2029. That's roughly 1,000 (about $1,166) per person: a significant loss for a small island nation.

Why this matters now

Extreme weather disrupts entire economic systems alongside property and land.

As Sehrish Usman, the study's lead author, explained to the Guardian, "These events affect lives and livelihoods through a wide range of channels that extend beyond the initial impact."

Usman also said the true cost of extreme weather often appears slowly, as it ripples through supply chains, infrastructure, and local economies.

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The research team warned that these costs are likely underestimated. The analysis didn't account for compounding disasters such as wildfires or overlapping droughts and heat waves.

"Extreme weather events are increasingly having substantial economic impacts in Europe," the report concluded. "With continued climate change, these impacts are likely to grow in the coming decades."

And it's not just a European problem. In the U.S., the Climate Action Tracker recently downgraded the nation's climate efforts from "insufficient" to "critically insufficient."

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.

According to an analysis from Energy Innovation, that downgrade followed major rollbacks on clean energy incentives. It's a shift experts warn could cost the U.S. $1.1 trillion in gross domestic product by 2034. It will also eliminate more than 830,000 jobs by 2030.

How this impacts everyday individuals

For most households, the financial fallout of extreme weather shows up in rising costs. According to a recent Climate Change in the American Mind survey, 82% of Americans believe their homeowners insurance costs are rising. Two-thirds said prices are going up "a lot."

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Economist Stephane Hallegatte of the World Bank warned reporters at the Guardian that GDP losses alone don't capture the human toll: "Especially when disasters affect poor communities and people, the impact on [gross value added] may be minimal because these people are poor. But it does not mean they won't suffer."

The real cost lies in inaction

The takeaway from the new report is clear: doing nothing will be far more expensive than investing in prevention.

Researchers emphasize that adaptation measures, from reinforcing flood defenses to expanding drought-resistant agriculture, can dramatically reduce future costs. Investing in cleaner, more affordable energy can protect both the planet and people's pocketbooks.

And, perhaps most importantly, staying informed about critical climate issues can equip you with the knowledge to tackle the impacts these issues have on your local communities.

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
A new analysis from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign warned that a 2023 Supreme Court decision has stripped away protections from most of the state's wetlands. It's left homes, farms, and entire communities more exposed to flooding and water pollution.

A UIUC press release stated that the study was published in the Journal of Environmental Management. It estimated that up to 72% of Illinois' wetlands  about 286,000 hectares  are no longer safeguarded following the Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency ruling.

What's happening?

"With the Sackett decision, much of that remaining wetland acreage is at risk," explained the study's co-author, Paul Marcum, in the university's press release.

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The ruling determined that wetlands not directly connected to "navigable waters" no longer fall under federal protection. It effectively removed coverage for large portions of Illinois' wetland ecosystems.

The EPA describes wetlands as one of the most productive ecosystems, nurturing wildlife and providing essential food sources. They also act as natural flood barriers since wetland vegetation can slow the speed of flood waters.

Healthy wetlands are important for mitigating rising global temperatures and habitat loss, supporting biodiversity and human health, as reported by the U.N. Environment Programme.

Why are Illinois wetlands important?

Beyond protecting ecosystems, these areas quietly safeguard people. The study estimated that unprotected wetlands in Illinois provide a "wetland protection gap worth $418.9 million in residential flood-control benefits."

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Their disappearance could leave Illinois communities, especially those in low-lying areas, more vulnerable to dangerous and costly floods.

What's more, Illinois wetlands serve as great venues for outdoor activities like birding and fishing, according to Audubon Great Lakes. These help sustain the state's outdoor recreation industry, which creates jobs for residents as well.

Across the U.S., different experts noted that weakened protections could jeopardize drinking water supplies and intensify extreme weather damage. It's a reality that's already visible in coastal areas facing rising sea levels.

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.

What's being done about Illinois' wetlands?

In 2024, the Wetlands Protection Act (SB 771) was introduced to provide state-level protections for Illinois wetlands. Unfortunately, it failed to pass the General Assembly that same year, Audubon Great Lakes reported.

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The Illinois Department of Natural Resources created the Illinois Wildlife Action Plan campaign. It aims to restore, expand, and maintain the state's wetlands.

Other local organizations have come up with conservation initiatives to protect wetlands as well. For instance, The Wetlands Initiative is working on restoring wetland landscapes as it supports and finances wetland restoration efforts by other organizations.

Individuals can do their part to help support wildlife and protect pollinators by rewilding yards. Supporting pro-climate candidates and taking local action also enables everyday people to get involved in and support positive policy actions.

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.
There was increased security at North Penn High School in Montgomery County after a 16-year-old student was arrested with a weapon on Tuesday.

According to the district, school security located the student after getting information from a separate police investigation on a criminal matter involving the teen.

Police say he was found with the gun in school and immediately taken into custody around 7 a.m.

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He's being held for a number of charges, including altering the serial number on a firearm and remains in juvenile detention on Wednesday evening.

The school says it used the Evolv Weapons Detection System, which uses Artificial Intelligence to detect potential threats as people enter the building.

Police are asking anyone with information to come forward as the investigation continues.


By Andrew Osborn, Jeff Mason and Timothy Gardner

MOSCOW (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump hit Russia's two biggest oil companies with sanctions in his latest sharp policy shift on Moscow's war in Ukraine, prompting global oil prices to rise by 3% on Thursday and India to consider cutting Russian imports.

The sanctions target oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil, which between them account for more than 5% of global oil output, and mark a dramatic U-turn by Trump, who said only last week that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin would hold a summit in Budapest soon to try to end the war in Ukraine.

But Trump, in his latest about-face on the conflict, said on Wednesday that the planned summit was off because it would not achieve the outcome he wanted and complained that his many "good conversations" with Putin did not "go anywhere".

"We cancelled the meeting with President Putin  it just didn't feel right to me," Trump told reporters at the White House. It didnt feel like we were going to get to the place we have to get. So I cancelled it, but well do it in the future.

RUSSIA SHRUGS OFF IMPACT OF SANCTIONS

Russia called the new U.S. sanctions unproductive and signalled that its conditions for ending its war in Ukraine - terms which Kyiv and many European countries regard as tantamount to surrender - remained unchanged.

The conflict raged on as European Union leaders prepared to meet in Brussels on Thursday to discuss funding for Ukraine, with momentum building to use frozen Russian assets to provide a 140 billion euro ($163 billion) loan to Kyiv.

Moscow said it would deliver a "painful response" if the assets were seized.

Russian drones attacked the Ukrainian capital for a second night, injuring nine people, officials said, while Russian air defence forces were reported to have shot down 139 Ukrainian drones and the mayor of Moscow said one drone had been downed en route to the Russian capital.

Unveiling the oil sanctions, Scott Bessent, the U.S. Treasury Secretary, made clear Washington was targeting Russia's ability to fund what has become Europe's biggest land war since World War Two and stood ready to take further action.

"Given President Putins refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russias two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlins war machine," Bessent said in a statement. "We encourage our allies to join us in and adhere to these sanctions."

Oil and gas revenue, which is currently down by 21% year-on-year, accounts for around one quarter of Russia's budget and is the most important source of cash for Moscow's war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year.




For months, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie has avoided even referring to President Donald Trump by name, even as he insults and threatens the city. Now, as those threats appear to be materializing in the form of a massive immigration dragnet, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins is sending a tougher message to Trump and his invasion force: She said Wednesday she will not hesitate to prosecute federal agents who cross the line.

"If the agents cross the bounds of the law, if they do things that we believe are criminal themselves, then I have an obligation as the district attorney to ensure that they're held accountable, too," Jenkins told me Wednesday just minutes after the Chronicle reported that 100 federal agents, including from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, are headed to San Francisco Thursday. "If there is excessive use of force, shootings that aren't legally justified, things of that nature, then I have to step in and do my job with respect to them, like I do with anyone else."

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Jenkins knows how Trump has choreographed and provoked these confrontations in other cities. The "catalyst to the unrest are very provocative ICE raids," Jenkins said.

"These are not targeted enforcements of particular individuals who they believe are criminals," Jenkins said. "They're going to churches, Home Depot parking lots, outside of schools. They're doing things that evoke and provoke an emotional reaction, and they want people to react. They want to have the confrontation. Because as soon as the confrontation gets out of control, the president now has authority to show another level of force."

Then the National Guard rolls in, per the playbook that's been established in other cities. And then the probability of clashes between demonstrators and federal law enforcement increases.

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That means additional bad news for people who live and work in San Francisco. Because when that happens, Jenkins said, "rather than our police doing their jobs, as they have been doing to make arrests for retail theft, auto burglary, drug dealing, they will have to devote a considerable amount of staff to First Amendment protection, to civil demonstrations, to all the things that are going to come as a result of us having this presence here. So we lose ground on doing the work that needs to be done to make our city safer."

Jenkins is describing a dynamic that has frustrated officials in cities that have already seen immigration crackdowns and troop deployments: Trump has launched them in the name of quelling danger, but the influx of agents typically invites more unrest.

She said she empathized with San Francisco law enforcement officers who will soon be placed "in a very tough position, because we are a sanctuary city. Many of them even morally disagree with what's happening that they're seeing happen all over the country."

Lurie has for months refused to even say Trump's name for fear of focusing Trump's gnat-sized attention on the big blue target known as San Francisco. Nice guy, the mayor. But nice doesn't work against nasty. And attempting to counter Trump's insistences that San Francisco is a crime-ridden hellscape by calmly reciting improving crime statistics won't mean jack to Trump, someone whose spokeswoman coined the phrase "alternative facts."

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"The mayor has tried his best not to provoke the president, to not to engage in posturing when we know that the president holds the power," Jenkins said diplomatically.

But Jenkins comes at this from a different perspective. She wants to "continue to be our collective voice on this, and I won't back down."

And let's not ignore that she is staking out this position as a politician at the beginning of her career. Her next step up the law enforcement ladder would be state attorney general, a job that includes pushing back against a Republican president. Current AG Rob Bonta has sued the Trump administration 40 times. As Jenkins told the San Francisco Standard last year, "I'm 43 years old. I don't think I will retire as the DA of San Francisco."

Jenkins also has the lived experience of knowing what it is like to be separated from an immigrant parent.

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Jenkins did not meet her father, an El Salvadoran immigrant, until she was 21 years old. He was in the United States on a student visa when he met her mother. When he was done with school, that visa expired, so he returned to El Salvador. "So I didn't meet my father till I was an adult, as a result of him not being a citizen," Jenkins said.

It's possible Jenkins' strong stand against Trump's efforts will mean the MAGAsphere brands her a radical leftist, which would be rather rich.

Though Jenkins has previously described herself as progressive, her path to becoming DA - and her tenure in the job so far - could easily be mistaken for a conventional Republican prosecutor. She helped oust progressive DA Chesa Boudin, her onetime boss, and has been aggressively outspoken in favor of punitive criminal justice policies. She's gone so far in criticizing judges who decline to keep offenders behind bars that she's been reported to the State Bar for her comments. (The State Bar dismissed the complaint.)

For now, she's focused on countering Trump.

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Jenkins said "no part of me believes San Franciscans are going to roll over and let this happen. I don't want them to. I (also) don't want them to do anything illegal. I don't want them to violate the law from their outrage, and I would caution them against that."

She promised "zero tolerance" toward people who commit vandalism while protesting, noting that "many of these local businesses are owned by immigrants. We can't have people out here doing more harm to them because of what they're feeling."

That's not an empty threat. Jenkins has previously prosecuted demonstrators.

In December 2023, she charged 78 people in connection with a pro-Palestine protest that shut down traffic on the Bay Bridge during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit attended by many world leaders, including President Joe Biden. "While we must protect avenues for free speech," Jenkins said at the time, "the exercise of free speech can not compromise public safety."

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The demonstrators agreed to pay restitution and participate in community service to avoid going to trial. Pro-Palestine organizers called it "a victory not only for those exercising their right to protest a genocide being fueled by their tax dollars."

A San Francisco judge dismissed many of the charges Jenkins filed against several people arrested in a 2024 protest that shut down the Golden Gate Bridge.

Now there is another dimension at play. If any member of the public attacks a federal agent, not only will Trump use it as an excuse to send more federal troops to San Francisco, the case will be handled at the federal level, not by Jenkins.

The next few weeks will be a tough balancing act for San Francisco's top law enforcement officer - one she'll have to navigate with the international spotlight shining on the city.

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"This isn't about just prosecuting crime," Jenkins said. "I advocate for victims. I advocate for communities.I don't think that's anything different. Now I'm advocating for communities. I'm advocating for people who may fall victim to Trump's political showmanship, which is what's happening right now."

This article originally published at S.F. DA Brooke Jenkins says she'll prosecute federal immigration agents who cross the line.




San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie delivered on Wednesday his harshest condemnation yet of what he called the Trump administration's "playbook" in Democratic-run cities in anticipation of the administration's imminent deployment of more than 100 federal agents for a major immigration enforcement operation in the Bay Area.

Trump had previously threatened to send in the National Guard to fight crime in the city, a move that Lurie denounced last week. It's unclear when or if the Guard will be deployed.

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"In cities across the country, masked immigration officials are deployed to use aggressive enforcement tactics that instill fear so people don't feel safe going about their daily life," Lurie said at a Wednesday news conference. "These tactics are designed to incite backlash, chaos and violence, which are then used as an excuse to deploy military personnel. They are intentionally creating a dangerous situation in the name of public safety."

Lurie's comments marked a notable shift toward a harsher, more impassioned stance against the Trump administration. In his ten months as mayor, Lurie has been characteristically reticent about criticizing the Trump administration. As has been his practice, he didn't call out Trump by name Wednesday.

The impending immigration enforcement operation could present the first real challenge for Lurie's administration to stand up against the federal government. If Trump deploys National Guard troops in San Francisco, it would almost certainly lead to a legal battle between San Francisco, which has vowed to sue to stop the deployment, and the Trump administration.

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Lurie's message to San Franciscans was not to take the bait.

He said the city cannot control the federal government but urged residents to "define who we are," by protesting peacefully and not resorting to violent tactics. He said that San Francisco police and all local enforcement will protect San Franciscans' First Amendment rights to protest but violent behavior toward police or property will not be tolerated.

"If federal officials come to incite chaos on the streets of San Francisco, the way to support our communities and make everyone in our city safe, is to make our voices heard, peacefully," Lurie said. "Violence and destruction will only open the door to a more aggressive response and that puts our communities at greater risk."

Although he said the city doesn't know "exactly what the federal government is planning in San Francisco and across the Bay Area," he said the city has been preparing for the last ten months for this kind of federal escalation. He said the City Attorney David Chiu's office is "ready to take necessary legal action."

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Lurie also emphasized that the National Guard would not help the city's fight against violent crime and the fentanyl crisis but that he welcomed federal help in the form of coordination with the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Attorney's Office.

"Sending the military to San Francisco will not help our city or our country," Lurie said. "They cannot arrest drug dealers or shut down open air drug markets. Uncoordinated federal action undermines our work. Having the military posted in front of our schools, restaurants and office buildings will hinder our progress and let chaos get in the way of our recovery."

He said that a National Guard deployment in the city would cut off families from income and deter people from reporting crime and taking their sick family members to the hospital.

"This doesn't make our city safer, it terrorizes our communities," Lurie said. "San Francisco will never stand by as our neighbors are targeted and neither will I."

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Lurie also signed an executive directive Wednesday to "support immigrant communities and ensure the city remains prepared for possible federal action."

The directive activated the Department of Emergency Management to coordinate responses and information across city departments if enhanced or disruptive federal immigration enforcement or federal deployment of the National Guard appears likely.

SFPD and Sheriff's officers will continue to follow sanctuary laws that prohibit assistance with civil immigration enforcement actions, Lurie said. San Francisco Unified School District leadership will be kept in the loop to support immigrant students and families, according to the plan.

San Francisco district supervisors also weighed in to call for solidarity.

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"We have been preparing for this moment," District 11 supervisor Chyanne Chen said. "The goal of the heightened ICE activity is to sow chaos, fear and insecurity for our communities."

District 7 supervisor Jackie Fielder said federal immigration authorities are "absolutely not welcome in District 9." She said she's been in touch with the rapid response line and legal services organizations in the past 24 hours.

This article originally published at S.F. Mayor Lurie punches back at Trump's surge of federal officers in the Bay Area.
By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Air traffic control staffing issues are delaying travel at airports in New York, Washington, Newark and Houston, the Federal Aviation Administration said late on Thursday, as a U.S. government shutdown hit its 23rd day.

The FAA was reporting staffing issues at 10 different locations and issued ground stops at Houston Bush and Newark airports. Flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport were being delayed an average of 31 minutes and delays at New York LaGuardia were averaging 62 minutes.

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Some 13,000 air traffic controllers and about 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officers must work without pay during the government shutdown.

FlightAware, a flight tracking site, said more than 4,200 U.S. flights had been delayed Thursday, including more than 15% of flights at Reagan, Newark and LaGuardia and 13% at Bush.

Federal officials are worried that absences by controllers may increase over the weekend. Controllers will miss their first full paycheck on Tuesday.

"We fear there will be significant flight delays, disruptions and cancellations in major airports across the country this holiday season," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said.

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Democrats reject the contention that they are responsible and say it is President Donald Trump and Republicans who refuse to negotiate.

Air traffic control has become a flashpoint in the debate over the shutdown with both parties blaming the other. Unions and airlines have urged a quick end to the standoff.

In 2019, during a 35-day shutdown, the number of absences by controllers and TSA officers rose as workers missed paychecks, extending checkpoint wait times at some airports. Authorities were forced to slow air traffic in New York and Washington, which put pressure on lawmakers to end that standoff.

The FAA is about 3,500 air traffic controllers short of targeted staffing levels and many had been working mandatory overtime and six-day weeks even before the shutdown.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Leslie Adler and Lincoln Feast.)
Claim:

A photograph authentically showed a sign reading "Charlie Kirk had it coming, change my mind" at the Denver Communists stall during the city's "No Kings" protest in October 2025.

Rating:

Rating: True

Context:

The Denver Communists posted the photo of the stall and sign on their Facebook and Instagram pages.

In the days following the Oct. 18, 2025, "No Kings" protests of U.S. President Donald Trump's administration, a photo (archived) circulated online that claimed to show a sign at a stall for the Denver Communists reading "Charlie Kirk had it coming, change my mind."

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According to some claims (archived, archived), the Denver Communists put the sign out during the "No Kings" protest in Colorado's capital. The sign appeared to reference Kirk's assassination at a Utah college on Sept. 10, 2025.

One X user reposting the photo wrote, "The rot is deep within our country. There is no unifying with evil."

The rot is deep within our country. There is no unifying with evil. pic.twitter.com/5vvMiGm3n9  Spitfire (@DogRightGirl) October 20, 2025

The picture circulated across Facebook (archived), X, Instagram (archived) and Threads (archived). Snopes readers also wrote in, asking if the picture was real.

The photo was authentic, not created or edited using artificial intelligence or other digital tools. The Denver Communists posted the image on their Facebook (archived) and Instagram (archived) pages on Oct. 19, the day after the "No Kings" protests. The group acknowledged it put out the sign during the protest, writing (archived), "Our new signs mocking Charlie Kirk's assassination, the Trump regime's demonization of dissent, and the right-wing talking point about paid protestors got overwhelming support." Given the above, we rate this claim true.

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A spokesperson for Denver Communists said via email, "Our sign says nothing about killing anyone, including Charlie Kirk. 'He had it coming' is a saying that everyone should be familiar with, like 'play stupid games, win stupid prizes' or 'f*** around and find out.'"

Kirk often used phrases like "Change my mind" in his debate appearances and social media posts.

Photos from Getty Images, a reputable picture agency, showed the gazebo Kirk's team erected on the university campus where he was killed used the similar slogan "Prove me wrong."

"Change my mind" is also a popular internet meme based on a 2018 photo of Stephen Crowder, an American-Canadian conservative political commentator, who debates passing students on various topics. The topic in his Oct. 1, 2025, video from Southern Methodist University in Texas was "The Left is violent, change my mind."

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The Denver Communists also posted (archived) a photo  featured in some claims  of two protesters wearing shirts reading "Politicians don't die like they used to" with a depiction of the televised 1987 suicide of Pennsylvania treasurer Budd Dwyer and "Make assassinations great again" with an image of the July 2024 assassination attempt on Trump. It was unclear whether those protesters were associated with the group.

Sources:

"Charlie Kirk Throws Hats to the Crowd after Arriving at Utah Valley..." Getty Images, 11 Sep. 2025, https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/charlie-kirk-throws-hats-to-the-crowd-after-arriving-at-news-photo/2234173687.

@charliekirk1776. "Change My Mind." Instagram, 26 Jul. 2025, https://www.instagram.com/p/DMlW-J4hkqR/?hl=en.

Kirk, Charlie. "Alcohol Will Set You Back. Change My Mind." Facebook, 26 Jul. 2025, https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1156933149527109.

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RICCARDI, NICHOLAS, and ALI SWENSON. "Charlie Kirk, Who Helped Build Support for Trump among Young People, Dies after Campus Shooting." AP News, 10 Sep. 2025, https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-shooting-utah-university-republicans-8357c3d102de09e3320fde761258131a.

"Steven Crowder's 'Change My Mind' Campus Sign." Know Your Meme, 20 Feb. 2018, https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/steven-crowders-change-my-mind-campus-sign.

StevenCrowder. "The Left Is Violent | Change My Mind." YouTube, 1 Oct. 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqYDHuUKQPk.


Claim:

A federal judge ordered the Department of Defense Education Activity to replace books that were removed from five schools on military bases due to U.S. President Donald Trumps executive orders.

Rating:

Rating: True

In late October 2025, a claim spread online that a federal judge declared books previously removed from five schools on military bases run by the Department of Defense Education Activity be returned.

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The Department of Defense purportedly removed the books in question in compliance with executive orders U.S. President Donald Trump signed in early 2025. The orders sought to remove alleged "anti-American" ideology from classrooms, specifically targeting LGBTQ+ and diversity, equity and inclusion themes.

Users on Facebook (archived), Threads (archived), Instagram (archived) and Reddit shared the claim, with some commenters asking questions such as, "Why is the department of defense involved in school curriculum?"

The claim that a federal judge ordered the DOD's education agency to replace books previously removed from five schools due to Trump's executive orders was true. U.S. District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles of the Eastern District of Virginia issed her decision on Oct. 20, 2025.

Snopes contacted the department and DoDEA for comment on the judge's ruling and will update this article if we receive a response.

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In April 2025, the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Kentucky, and the ACLU of Virginia filed a motion on behalf of 12 students and their families, seeking a "preliminary injunction  to declare DoDEA's enforcement of executive orders resulting in classroom censorship unconstitutional."

A court document listed nearly 600 removed titles, including common targets of book bans in recent years such as "Gender Queer: A Memoir" by Maia Kobabe and "All Boys Aren't Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto" by George M. Johnson.

In the ruling, Giles cited a 1967 Supreme Court ruling that declared public-school libraries were a place where students could be "free to inquire, to study and to evaluate, to gain new maturity and understanding; otherwise our civilization will stagnate and die."

https://media.snopes.com/2025/10/doddoc.pdf

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Giles ordered the DoDEA to "immediately restore the books and curricular materials that have been removed since January 19, 2025, due to the Executive Orders, to their preexisting shelves, classrooms, and units at Plaintiffs' five schools."

Giles further stated that "school libraries lack the quintessential elements of government speech" and that "viewing public school libraries as places of academic freedom and intellectual pursuit conflicts with the United States' notion that school libraries represent government speech."

Giles prohibited the agency from removing more books in the decision, stating, "Defendants DoDEA, Dr. Beth Schiavano-Narvaez [the DoDEA director], and Secretary of Defense Peter Brian Hegseth are enjoined from further removal of educational books and curricular content in implementation of Executive Order Nos. 14168, 14185, and 14190 and any related memoranda, directives, and guidance at Plaintiffs' DoDEA schools."

The judge wrote "that Defendants removed books with any inkling of the partisan ideas central to the EOs, without even completing the detailed review process, further evinces the improper partisan motivation underlying their actions."

What the executive orders declared

Executive Order 14168, issued Jan. 20, 2025, and titled "Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government," effectively aimed to define gender in the binary, citing "immutable biological classification as either male or female."

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Executive Order 14185, issued Jan. 27, 2025, and titled "Restoring America's Fighting Force," demanded removal of DEI programs from the armed forces, purporting the "elimination of race-based and sex-based discrimination within the Armed Forces of the United States." In response, a memo from Hegseth's office stated, "Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, as defined in the January 27, 2025, Executive Order, are incompatible with the values of DoD."

Executive Order 14190, issued Jan. 29, 2025, and titled "Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling," alleged that "parents have witnessed schools indoctrinate their children in radical, anti-American ideologies while deliberately blocking parental oversight" and aimed to remove purported "anti-American, subversive, harmful, and false ideologies" from classrooms. The administration pointed to gender identity and the concept of "white privilege" as examples.

Shortly after Trump signed the orders, the Department of Defense issued a notice titled "Identity Months Dead at DoD," which stated "official resources" could no longer be used in relation to "cultural awareness months," such as Black History Month, Women's History Month, Pride Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and many others.

Some DoDEA schools canceled events in addition to removing books from their libraries. NPR reported, "Two elementary schools cancelled Black History Month events, teachers at a middle school were told to remove posters of education activist Malala Yousafzai and painter Frida Kahlo and another school cancelled Holocaust Remembrance Day."

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Giles' decision said the students engaged in protesting the removal of books from their schools, including "staged walkouts" and "carrying signs with messages like: 'Read Banned Books' and "All History Matters.'"

Giles wrote, "Some students were threatened with punishments due to excessive 'unexcused absences.' Plaintiffs assert that they are 'increasingly afraid to discuss race and gender in their classrooms, because they fear being silenced by teachers fearful of violating the EOs and DoDEA guidance.'"

Sources:

Blair, Elizabeth. "Books about Race and Gender to Be Returned to School Libraries on Some Military Bases." NPR, 21 Oct. 2025. Books. NPR, https://www.npr.org/2025/10/21/nx-s1-5580738/judge-banned-books-returned-to-military-school-libraries.

"Civil Action No. 1:25-Cv-637 (PTG/IDD)  MEMORANDUM OPINION." United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia - Alexandria Division, 20 Oct. 2025, https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/ek-v-department-of-defense-education-activity-memorandum-opinion.pdf.

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"Civil Action No. 1:25-Cv-637 (PTG/IDD)  MEMORANDUM ORDER." United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia - Alexandria Division, 11 Jul. 2025, https://www.aclu-ky.org/app/uploads/2025/10/EK-v-DoDEA-List-of-Books-Removed.pdf.

"Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government." Federal Register, 30 Jan. 2025, https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/30/2025-02090/defending-women-from-gender-ideology-extremism-and-restoring-biological-truth-to-the-federal.

"E.K. and S.K., Minors, by and through Their Parent and next Friend LINDSEY KEELEY; O.H., S.H., and H.H., Minors, by and through Their Parent and next Friend, JESSICA HENNINGER; E.G., a Minor, by and through His Parent and next Friend MEGAN JEBELES; E.Y. and C.Y. Minors, by and through Their Parent and next Friend ANNA YOUNG; L.K., L.K., and L.K., Minors, by and through Their Parent and next Friend ANNA KENKEL; and M.T., a Minor, by and through Her Parent NATALIE TOLLEY, Plaintiffs, v. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EDUCATION ACTIVITY; DR. BETH SCHIAVINO-NARVAEZ, in Her Official Capacity as Director of the Department of Defense Education Activity; and PETER BRIAN HEGSETH, in His Official Capacity as Secretary of Defense, Defendants." United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia - Alexandria Division, 15 Apr. 2025, https://www.aclu-ky.org/app/uploads/2025/04/ek_v_dodea_-_2025.04.15_ecf_001_-_complaint.pdf.

"Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling." Federal Register, 3 Feb. 2025, https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/02/03/2025-02232/ending-radical-indoctrination-in-k-12-schooling.

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Hegseth, Pete. "MEMORANDUM FOR SENIOR PENTAGON LEADERSHIP COMMANDERS OF THE COMBATANT COMMANDS DEFENSE AGENCY AND DOD FIELD ACT[VITY DrRECTORS." U.S. Department of Defense, 29 Jan. 2025, https://media.defense.gov/2025/Jan/29/2003634987/-1/-1/1/RESTORING-AMERICAS-FIGHTING-FORCE.PDF.

"Identity Months Dead at DoD." U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Defense, 31 Jan. 2025, https://www.war.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4050331/identity-months-dead-at-dod/.

"Keyishian v. Board of Regents, 385 U.S. 589 (1967)." Justia Law, https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/385/589/. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

"LGBTQ+ Titles Targeted for Censorship: Stand Against Book Banning." The New York Public Library, https://www.nypl.org/blog/2023/06/23/lgbtq-titles-targeted-censorship-stand-against-book-banning. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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Military Families Sue to Keep Thriving DoD Schools Diverse. https://www.advocate.com/news/military-familes-sue-pentagon-schools. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

Pentagon Must Restore LGBTQ+ Lessons, Books at DoDEA Schools. https://www.advocate.com/news/pentagon-restore-lgbtq-books-lessons. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

"Restoring America's Fighting Force." Federal Register, 3 Feb. 2025, https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/02/03/2025-02181/restoring-americas-fighting-force.


Claim:

An image authentically shows an official rendering of U.S. President Donald Trump's planned ballroom expansion dwarfing the White House.

Rating:

Rating: Fake

In the months after U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to build a large ballroom at the White House in July 2025, people shared their opinions about the plan on social media, many including images that appeared to be renderings of the project. One of those images was a rendering of an off-color building extending directly out from the main building of the White House and dwarfing it.

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In October 2025, as work began on demolishing part of the White House's East Wing to make room for the ballroom, a number of users shared that supposed rendering on Threads (archived), Instagram (archived) and X (archived).

lmao. the next president has an obligation to destroy this pic.twitter.com/7u1HL3ql8S  Natalie Wynn (@ContraPoints) October 22, 2025

The image, first posted immediately after Trump's announcement, was viewed millions of times across social media sites, such as X (archived), Threads (archived), Reddit (archived) and Instagram (archived). Some posts (archived) claimed the rendering was official.

This image was not a genuine official rendering of the White House's plans for a ballroom expansion; it was an AI-generated image.

The image did not appear on any of the renderings available on either of the two White House pages (archived, archived) dedicated to the ballroom expansion. It didn't appear on the website for the project's architects, McCrery Architects, nor could it be found on the websites for the project's construction or engineering teams, Clark Construction and AECOM, neither of which had dedicated pages for the ballroom expansion as of Oct. 22, 2025.

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The oldest version of the image Snopes could find was from an Aug. 1 post on Threads (archived). The person who posted the image, Frances Mercanti-Anthony, said in her post that she "asked ChatGPT to add a 90,000 square foot ballroom on to the 55,000 square foot White House."

It's unlikely an official rendering would have had some of the mistakes that could be found in the image posted by Mercanti-Anthony.

The ballroom is planned to be approximately 90,000 square feet and be "substantially separated" from the White House's main building as an expansion to the East Wing, according to the White House.

The East Wing is on the right side of the White House when viewed from the direction of the National Mall, which is the side visible in the AI-generated image. However, the ballroom in that image appears on the main building's left side, where the West Wing would be located, and not "substantially separated" from the main building.

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The main building of the White House, excluding the wings, contains 55,000 square feet of floor space, according to the White House Historical Association. CBS News published what it said were new renderings of the proposed ballroom in September 2025. One of those renderings showed a ballroom that appeared larger than the rest of the White House, although with some distance between it and the White House's main building.

Sources:

"Clark Construction Group - Building and Civil Construction." Clark Construction, www.clarkconstruction.com/. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

Farhi, Arden. "New Renderings Show More Details of White House Ballroom under Construction." Cbsnews.com, 25 Sept. 2025, www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-white-house-ballroom-renderings-construction-details/. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

"McCrery Architects." McCrery Architects, www.mccreryarchitects.com/. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

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Mercanti-Anthony, Frances. "'I Asked ChatGPT to Add a 90,000 Square Foot Ballroom...'" Threads, 1 Aug. 2025, www.threads.com/@msfrancesma/post/DMz0i1GiMOZ. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

"Projects." AECOM, aecom.com/projects/. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

The White House. "The White House Announces White House Ballroom Construction to Begin." The White House, 31 July 2025, www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2025/07/the-white-house-announces-white-house-ballroom-construction-to-begin/. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

"Visit the White House." The White House, www.whitehouse.gov/visit/. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
Did Marco Rubio confirm Rosie O'Donnell's passport was revoked after she forfeited her American citizenship? No, that's not true: The story originated on the "America's Last Line of Defense" Facebook page, which is self-described as satirical. The owner of the page is known for tricking conservatives into liking and sharing made-up content. There were no actual news stories about this.

The claim originated in a post (archived here) published by the America's Last Line Of Defense (ALLOD) page on Facebook on October 19, 2025, with the caption "Rosie doesn't belong here." It read:

Marco Rubio confirms: Rosie O'Donnell's passport has been revoked after she forfeited her American citizenship: 'She wanted to be an Irish citizen. Now she can stay there.'

This is what the post looked like on Facebook at the time of writing:

Source: Facebook screenshot taken on Wed Oct 22 14:52:20 2025 UTC

This screenshot of the image, which has been shared across social media platforms as real, included a "America's Last Line of Defense" logo near the center bottom that reads: "Nothing on this page is real."

Image source: Lead Stories screenshot of Facebook

A Google search (archived here) for the terms "rubio rosie o'donnell passport" found only articles disputing the claim, and nothing suggesting it was real.

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The homepage of the America's Last Line of Defense Facebook account (archived here) mentions it is the "home of the Dunning-Kruger Times" and clearly states, "The flagship of the ALLOD network of trollery and propaganda for cash. Nothing on this page is real," as this screenshot shows:

Source: Facebook screenshot taken by Lead Stories

The page says it is run by "Busta Troll," which is the nickname of Christopher Blair.

Christopher Blair is a self-professed liberal from Maine who, for years, has run networks of websites set up to troll conservatives with made-up news items in order to get them to share his posts. A 2018 BBC profile called Blair "the Godfather of fake news," describing him as "one of the world's most prolific writers of disinformation."

The account is part of a network of satire websites and those pages display satire disclaimers and predominantly publish made-up stories with headlines specifically created to trigger Republicans, conservatives and evangelical Christians into angrily sharing or commenting on the story on Facebook without actually reading the full article, exposing them to mockery and ridicule by fans of the sites and pages.

Lead Stories previously debunked other satirical claims about Rosie O'Donnell published by the ALLOD network.
Does a photo show Pam Bondi with Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein? No, that's not true: The image being widely shared across social platforms with the claim it shows the future Attorney General Bondi with Trump and Epstein is real, but the blonde woman is Belgian model Ingrid Seynhaeve, according to the photo agency that owns the photograph. The Getty Images licensing website said it was taken by photographer Sonia Moskowitz at a Victoria's Secret party in New York City on April 28, 1997.

The claim appeared across social platforms, including in a post (archived here) published on October 8, 2025. The photo caption read:

COMEY YOU ARE INDICTED AND THE CASE SHOULD BE DROPPED! CONFLICT OF INTEREST BONDI. NICE SHEER BLACK GOWN! TRUMP, BONDI, AND JEFFREY EPSTEIN.

This is what one of the posts looked like at the time of writing:

Image source: Lead Stories screenshot of Threads

That is not Bondi in the photo. It is Ingrid Seynhaeve, a Belgian model who attended the same party as Trump and Epstein in 1997. This is not a newly-discovered photograph. The Getty Images licensing website (archived here) includes the image for licensing to publishers. The caption reads:

Donald Trump, Ingrid Seynhaeve And Jeffrey Epstein

American businessman and ex-president Donald Trump, Belgian model Ingrid Seynhaeve, and American businessman Jeffrey Epstein attend the Victoria's Secret 'Angels' party on April 28, 1997 in New York City. (Sonia Moskowitz/Getty Images).

Image source: Lead Stories screenshot of gettyimages.com

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Most false claims using this photo focus on Bondi's role as President Trump's Attorney General and her statements about the FBI's Jeffrey Epstein case files. The example above references the federal indictment of former FBI Director James Comey on charges of obstruction of justice and lying to Congress. The implication is that Bondi is following Trump's orders because she was associated with Epstein.
Claim:

In October 2025, the entire White House East Wing was demolished as part of U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to build a new ballroom.

Rating:

Rating: True

In late October 2025, rumors spread online that the entire East Wing of the White House was demolished as part of U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to build a new ballroom.

The claims circulated after Trump vowed in July 2025 his new project would not "interfere with the current building." Referring to that statement, one X user claimed on Oct. 20 that "Trump lied" and "destroyed" the East Wing for the ballroom (archived):

Trump LIED to you again. Today he destroyed the East Wing of the White House to put up a $250 million gawdy, gold ballroom.  pic.twitter.com/G4rsYlfpGU  Annie (@AnnieForTruth) October 21, 2025

DONALD TRUMP HAS JUST DESTROYED PART OF THE WHITE HOUSE. TRUMP PROMISED THAT THE CONSTRUCTION OF HIS RIDICULOUS BALLROOM WOULD NOT INTERFERE WITH THE EXISTING STRUCTURE, IT TURNS OUT THAT WAS JUST ANOTHER TRUMP LIE. TRUMP AND HIS ACTIONS ARE A NATIONAL DISGRACE. IT IS THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE DONALD, NOT YOURS!

High-profile critics of Trump spread the rumor. For instance, MSNBC host Rachel Maddow posted on Bluesky (archived) quotes and a link to a Washington Post article about the reported demolition, with the caption "omg!" Also, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who lost to Trump in the 2016 presidential election, said of the alleged construction on Bluesky (archived), "It's not his house. It's your house. And he's destroying it."

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The claim that the entire White House East Wing was demolished in late October 2025 was true.

On Oct. 22, 2025, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that construction crews would tear down the entire East Wing for his ballroom project, which he said would cost him and a group of private donors $300 million. "In order to do it properly, we had to take down the existing structure," Trump said, as he held up renderings of the planned ballroom.

The following day, photos from reputable sources, such as The Associated Press, confirmed the East Wing was gone, including the East Colonnade, a long hallway that connected the Residence (the central building of the White House) with the East Wing.

The Washington Post first reported on the East Wing's teardown with an article on Oct. 20. Later in the day, several reputable news outlets confirmed that the demolition project had begun. At that point, it was not clear how much of the existing building would go down.

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As the week advanced, more photographs of the construction project surfaced. By Oct. 21, most of the building was gone, leaving a narrow band of the north and western facades.

One photo, taken from the building of the Treasury Department, which has the most direct view of the East Wing, showed the demolition. Chris Geidner, who reports on legal matters, posted the photo on his website, Law Dork, without citing a source as Treasury employees were reportedly banned from taking and sharing photographs of the site:

(Law Dork)

On Oct. 23, the demolition crew finished the teardown of both the East Wing and the East Colonnade, as several reputable news sources reported.

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Trump said the ballroom would cost $300 million, up from a $200 million price tag he announced in July 2025. The Associated Press reported that it would be nearly twice the size of the White House.

Construction crews built the East Wing in 1902 when Theodore Roosevelt was president. Officials expanded the building in 1942, under former President Franklin D. Roosevelt, to cover the bunker he used during World War II (now the Presidential Emergency Operations Center).

The East Wing later housed the offices of the first lady, her staff and the White House social secretary. It also served as the visitors' entrance for tours of the presidential residence. The White House's movie theater used to be inside the East Colonnade.

Sources:

atakeda. "What's Hidden beneath the White House?" History Facts, Oct. 2025, historyfacts.com/us-history/article/whats-hidden-beneath-the-white-house/. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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Diamond, Dan, and Cat Zakrzewski. "Trump Defends East Wing Demolition, Raises Ballroom Price to $300 Million." The Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2025, www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/10/22/trump-white-house-ballroom/. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

Edwards, Jonathan, and Dan Diamond. "White House Begins Demolishing East Wing Facade to Build Trump's Ballroom." The Washington Post, 20 Oct. 2025, www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/10/20/white-house-begins-demolishing-east-wing-facade-build-trumps-ballroom/. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

Esposito, Joey. "Trump Said New White House Ballroom Construction Wouldn't 'Interfere with the Current Building.'" Snopes, Snopes.com, 21 Oct. 2025, www.snopes.com/fact-check/trump-white-house-ballroom-construction/. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

Geidner, Chris. "Exclusive: Trump's Demolition of the White House East Wing Is Nearly Complete." Lawdork.com, Law Dork, 21 Oct. 2025, www.lawdork.com/p/trump-demolition-of-the-east-wing-photos. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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"Layout of the White House East Wing, Where Demolition Work Is Underway." AP News, 21 Oct. 2025, apnews.com/video/layout-of-the-white-house-east-wing-where-demolition-work-is-underway-351a8d0e457e4701aea31858df4bfc85. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

Superville, Darlene. "White House Says It Will Begin Construction on $200 Million Ballroom in September." PBS News, 31 July 2025, www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/white-house-says-it-will-begin-construction-on-200-million-ballroom-in-september. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

The White House. "President Trump Participates in a Meeting with the Secretary General of NATO." YouTube, 22 Oct. 2025, www.youtube.com/watch?v=0moOxFjwdn4. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

Walsh, Aoife. "Trump Says 'Existing Structure' of White House East Wing to Be Torn Down." BBC, 22 Oct. 2025, www.bbc.com/news/articles/czxn7lwzx5po.

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Watson, Kathryn. "White House Begins Demolition of Part of East Wing for Trump's Ballroom." Cbsnews.com, 20 Oct. 2025, www.cbsnews.com/news/white-house-ballroom-east-wing-demolition/. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

White House Historical Association. "White House History Moment - the East Wing." YouTube, 16 July 2020, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qj0LZnNqMQ0. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Thousands of U.S. federal employees stopped working on October 1, when the government shut down due to a budget impasse in Congress.

Following are the longest shutdowns since 1980, when U.S. administrations started furloughing some federal workers as budgets expired.

2018-2019 - 35 days

The longest shutdown on record started on December 22, 2018, during President Donald Trump's first term in the White House. Democrats in Congress refused to back a spending bill that included Trump's $5.7 billion request for fencing on the U.S.-Mexico border. Lawmakers eventually approved a spending bill without border wall money that Trump signed into law on January 25, 2019, ending the shutdown.

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2025 - 23 days

The shutdown currently under way is now the second-longest. Democrats have blocked spending legislation in the Republican-controlled Congress, saying that any funding package must also expand COVID pandemic-era healthcare subsidies due to expire at the end of December. Republicans say that issue should be dealt with separately.

1995-1996 - 22 days

The government partially shut down on December 16, 1995, as part of a clash between the Republican-controlled Congress and then-President Bill Clinton, a Democrat, over how to balance the budget. Clinton signed a bill to re-open the government on January 6, 1996. Some polls showed the public largely blamed Republicans in Congress for the shutdown, and some analysts said the spat helped Clinton win reelection in 1996.

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2013 - 16 days

Government workers started furloughs on October 1, 2013, after Republicans demanded cuts or delays to a healthcare law championed by then-President Barack Obama, a Democrat. The shutdown was part of a broader impasse over the national debt, with the government at risk of defaulting on its obligations without congressional authorization for further borrowing. Obama signed a bill re-opening the government shortly after midnight on October 17, 2013, with legislation that also authorized more borrowing.

1995 - 6 days

In a prelude to the longer shutdown at the close of 1995, government workers started furloughs on November 14, 1995, after Clinton vetoed a spending bill backed by Republicans. Washington reached a deal November 19, 1995, to re-open the government, but another shutdown was only weeks away.

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1990 - 3 days

Republican President George H. W. Bush vetoed a spending bill over a fight on how to reduce deficits, leading to a partial shutdown on October 6, 1990, that closed national parks and other landmarks. Lawmakers passed a measure to re-open the government in the early hours of October 9, 1990.

2018 - 3 days

Democrats in the Republican-controlled Congress blocked a spending bill, triggering a shutdown on January 20, 2018, partly as a way to shield from deportation immigrants who entered the country without authorization as children. Congress approved a bill ending the shutdown on January 22, 2018, without addressing the fate of the young undocumented immigrants.

(Reporting by Jason LangeEditing by Cynthia Osterman and Frances Kerry)
The market we serve is one in four individuals living with autism related conditions, whether thats epilepsy, anxiety, depression, gut-brain health or diabetes. The co-occurring conditions with autism are a massive trillion-dollar market alone.

CM: Those that know about autism understand it represents one of the largest unmet global health and human opportunity areas. And its remarkably under-capitalized.

BZ: What was your pitch to get investors interested in something that was so new and that people didnt know very much about?

CM: Were very science first. And financial returns. Were unapologetically capitalistic about that, we feel that's how you move the needle, and thats the approach were taking. Impact and scalability and democratizing access to care are also critical to us.

Male, who has a son with autism, discussed AIF's first exits with Benzinga, the philosophy that guides its investments, and where he thinks future opportunities in the autism sector lie.

AIF is now working on its second fund , and investors from the first fund, such as New York City family office Fairfield-Maxwell, are chipping in.

There are an estimated 1.5 million autistic children in the United States, with 961,000 of them receiving treatment through a program, but many are left without care, according to MarketResearch.com. The research company also estimated the U.S. autism treatment market to be valued at $4.4 billion as of 2024, and it forecasts 3.8% annual revenue growth to 2028.

Accredited Investors Can Now Tap Into the $36 Trillion Home Equity Market  Without Buying a Single Property

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AIF's portfolio includes technology, tech-enabled services, life sciences, and care delivery models, as well as platforms for improving diagnosis, access to care, precision therapeutics, digital health tools, and the like, Male said.

But building a portfolio dedicated to autism, which he says remains "poorly understood," was anything but straightforward. Nevertheless, Male and his co-founders raised $60 million for their first fund, which was $10 million above their $50 million target, and they have 16 companies in their portfolio.

Christopher Male had a straightforward mission when he launched the Autism Impact Fund six years ago: "Revolutionize the status quo for diagnosing, treating, and living with autism through the venture capital model."

Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.

Story Continues

Were looking at scalable models that are delivering evidence-based therapies and improved outcomes. Were not looking at just the traditional behavioral-only models. We look at things in an ecosystem of behavioral biology and environment.

Being able to use those tools for precision medicine, novel therapeutics, and more precise biomarkers is critical to us.

Care services and infrastructure are critical as well, all the way from early intervention in childhood to workforce enablement into adulthood and inclusive employment.

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?

BZ: What are some unmet needs that you are seeing, and are entrepreneurs also seeing these unmet needs, and creating startups to address them?

CM: The unmet needs are pervasive throughout every stage of this. Theres not a precise understanding at a biological level or behavioral level of whats happening. It's also care and services. The wait times range from six to 18 months for diagnosis and care coordination. There are also unmet needs once the individual hits adulthood and faces the challenges of independent living, employment, residential options, financial independence.

Fragmented markets, lack of organized data, poor access, antiquated solutions  those are all the hallmarks of opportunity for entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. The entrepreneurs and talented operators that are entering the space to solve these problems are very sophisticated, and youre seeing a lot more capital flow into it.

Were backing entrepreneurs that are solving these structural inefficiencies, like the fragmented care, the lack of organized data.

BZ: AIF started deploying funds in 2021 before the fund closed in 2024. Why did you do that?

We didnt want to delay the impact or the access or proving the thesis. That early deployment was critical for us because it signaled the confidence we had in the thesis and validated the market and the approach that we were taking to attract additional limited partners. Prior to us doing this, no one had ever done it. We were a new fund and team. And it was important to us to prove out that thesis, validate everything we were doing. Those early deals allowed us to do that.

BZ: Have you guys had any exits thus far?

CM: Weve had two exits: Joshin [a tele-behavioral health provider] and Spectrum AI [data analytics]. Spectrum AI was sold to Central Reach, which is part of Roper, and Joshin was sold to Rethink, which is owned by K1. Those are the largest platforms servicing the space. They both demonstrated that innovation can not only drive impact and outcomes, but really strong commercial returns as well. I would expect more exits in the next six to 12 months.

BZ: Are you launching a new fund?

CM: Were launching Fund 2 in the fall. Were really building off of Fund 1's momentum with the expanded global reach. The deeper domain focus will be broadening the top of the funnel, making sure were including all those co-occurring conditions, which not only serves our mandate and the population that we set out to serve, but it also allows us to increase the addressable market and de-risk a lot of these opportunities.

BZ: Between the first fund and now, what are some important takeaways you've learned about the sector?

CM: When we started, there was a preconception that Autism Impact Fund was a niche small market fund not going after market returns, and that couldnt be further from the truth.

We understood at the time that autism was poorly defined and was a really large market, and the co-occurring conditions made this a trillion-dollar-plus market, but that wasnt necessarily understood. We spent the last five years building out that ecosystem, proving the thesis, proving the model.

See Also: Missed Nvidia and Tesla? RAD Intel Could Be the Next AI Powerhouse  Invest Now at Just $0.81 a Share

So in terms of dos and donts, I would say dont treat this as a niche charity space. Its a global major economic and societal opportunity. It is one of the largest health challenges of our time.

BZ: Some critics say autism-focused venture funds are profiteering off the condition. What's your response?

CM: If you look at any great innovation, any solutions in healthcare throughout the history of mankind, I think with one exception, they were all driven through for-profit models. And again, were unapologetic about that.

From my parent perspective, if somebody is able to find a solution that helps [people with autism] live tremendously better lives or improve quality of life, we dont have any issue with those people reaping the rewards.

BZ: What advice would you give to investors interested in this space?

CM: Healthcare investing is hard. This space that weve spent the last six years now becoming expert on is incredibly complex and diverse. So, partner with domain experts. Make sure youre partnered with people that really understand how the healthcare system at large works. Focus on scalable, evidence-based innovation thats driving measurable and improved outcomes.

One final thing is, understand the importance of ethics. Because given the size and scale of the challenge, that attracts certain types of characters that you may not want to be doing business with.

The economic opportunity, the fragmentation of the market, its ripe for that type of shady character. Unfortunately, there are bad people out there.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Read Next: Microsoft's Climate Innovation Fund Just Backed This Farmland Manager  And Accredited Investors Can Join the Same Fund

Image: Shutterstock

This article This VC Fund Is Backing the Next Generation of Autism Breakthroughs  and Investors Are Taking Notice originally appeared on Benzinga.com
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Michigan GOP lawmakers are demanding that Michigan State Police Director Col. James Grady and Deputy Director Lt. Col. Aimee Brimacombe step down or be relieved of their duties.

Senate Republicans held a news conference Thursday morning to announce the demands.

In a letter sent to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, State Sen. Jim Runestad says that the failed leadership of these two individuals continues to erode public trust in what should be one of our states most respected institutions.

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He adds, accountability and integrity matter when it comes to the men and women who put on the uniform of our state police.

Letter to Gov. Whitmer  MSP Resignations 2025-10-22Download

Big Boys Club: Discontent in the Michigan State Police

At a meeting today in Grand Rapids, Col. Grady said to 6 News partner MLive that he was appointed to ensure that the mission is completed here every day in the state of Michigan, and thats to provide excellent public safety services. I will continue to do that  I am not resigning.

In June, the Michigan State Police Troopers Association conducted a survey, and police leadership received an overwhelming vote of no confidence from their troopers.

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The association sent out a one-question survey to its members, asking, Do you have confidence in the leadership of Col. James Grady and Lt. Col. Aimee Brimacombe?

According to the survey results obtained by 6 News, 1.52% responded yes, 98.48% responded no. The association sent the question to more than 1,500 of its members, and more than 75% responded.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.




With almost no rain in weeks, drought conditions have worsened significantly across South-Central Texas. San Antonio has recorded only 0.01 inch of rainfall since Sept. 8, during what is typically one of the rainiest parts of the year for the region.

At the start of October, 52% of Bexar County was classified as being in extreme drought. As of Thursday's update from the U.S. Drought Monitor, that figure has climbed to 69%. Extreme drought is the second-highest category on the U.S. Drought Monitor's scale.

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The change has been even more dramatic to the south and east of San Antonio. The percentage of land in extreme drought across Atascosa and Wilson counties, home to Pleasanton, Poteet and Floresville, has jumped in just one week from 33% to 96%.

Farther north, Austin is also feeling the effects. The city has gone 46 consecutive days without measurable rainfall. Over the past two weeks, Travis County has seen extreme drought expand from nonexistent to plaguing 61% of its land area.

Extreme drought is characterized by an increased risk of large wildfires, a growing need for supplemental feed for livestock or herds are sold, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Other signs of extreme drought include decreased yields for irrigated crops and reduced yields for dryland crops, cracked soil, shallow reservoir levels, and low flow in streams and rivers.

Yearly rainfall total: So far in 2025, San Antonio has recorded 25.09 inches of rain. On the surface, that doesn't sound too bad. It's only 2.29 inches below average for the year to date, and it's the most rain the city has recorded in a year since 2021.

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However, this year's rainfall has been very sporadic, with more than 50% of San Antonio's yearly rainfall coming during just three weeks, from May 22 through June 12. Much of that rainfall resulted in flooding, which didn't help alleviate drought concerns as much as it should have.

San Antonio also is still reeling from a long-term drought over the past three years. Since the start of 2022, San Antonio rainfall has been a staggering 44.24 inches below average, which is the largest rainfall deficit from normal for any large city in Texas.

Statewide drought

Drought is also worsening statewide. At the start of October, just 24% of Texas was under at least moderate drought. Now, that figure has risen to 43%.

Meanwhile, another 47% of the state is classified as "abnormally dry," a precursor stage before drought. While not technically considered to be in a drought, areas in this category could move into moderate drought if conditions don't improve very soon.

Drought relief incoming

Shown are the potential cumulative rainfall totals across South Texas through this weekend, according to the National Blend of Models. (Pivotal Weather)





As a low pressure system sweeps into the state Friday and Saturday, widespread heavy rainfall is expected for much of Texas. In San Antonio, the best chance of rain will occur overnight Friday and into early Saturday morning. Rain totals will likely be between a half-inch and 1.25 inches, with isolated higher amounts possible.

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Higher rainfall totals are expected north of San Antonio.The Hill Country, eastward to Austin, will likely see an inch to 2 inches of rain. Much of East Texas and North Texas, including the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, as well as Southeast Texas and the Houston metro area, are likely to receive between 2 and 4 inches from Friday through the weekend.

While this incoming rain won't be enough to end drought conditions completely across the state, it will be a small step in the right direction.

This article originally published at Fall dry spell leads to extreme drought expanding rapidly across South-Central Texas.
It's one of the prettiest times in the Chicago area - fall colors are popping!

After weeks of delay due to warmer weather, we're finally seeing some trees turn to beautiful red, orange and yellow colors.

Dr. Christy Rollinson, senior scientist at the Morton Arboretum joined ABC7 to discuss the peak viewing season.

Rollinson said the peak season is closer to the end of October into November.

READ MORE | Things to do in Chicago for fall 2025: Pumpkin patches, haunted trails, spooky rides | See list




Cloudier skies and rainfall have moved into New Mexico this afternoon. A bit of moisture has sparked light showers into western New Mexico. Today, spotty to isolated showers will persist across the state before isolated showers linger overnight into Thursday morning. Tomorrows morning showers are expected to give way into additional shower and thunderstorm chances into the afternoon and evening. There is a marginal, or level 1 risk, for stronger to severe thunderstorms to develop across eastern New Mexico. If thunderstorms turn onto the stronger side damaging winds and hail will be the primary concerns.

The return of wet weather and moisture is being funneled in from a low-pressure system off toward to the west. As it enters into New Mexico tomorrow afternoon and evening breezy conditions will be brought ahead of it to the state. The wet weather will gradually bring drier conditions to New Mexico on Friday; however, isolated showers are still expected off primarily to the northeast and far north.

Temperatures will take a bit of dip on Friday before rebounding once again for warmer high temperatures and sunshine on Saturday. Breezier conditions are expected to pick up once again on into early next week as the jet stream approaches New Mexico and the Four Corners. Right now, drier air is expected for much of the state heading into next week too.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
You open the app, hoping the balance has updated. The screen refreshes. Still nothing.

For millions of parents, that quick EBT balance check is really a check on whether theres enough for milk, bread, and dinner tonight.

As the federal government shutdown stretches on, that small, familiar moment is taking on new urgency. Officials in several states have warned that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits (better known as food stamps) could be disrupted by the end of the month if funding doesnt resume. For the families who rely on these monthly deposits, a delay means making impossible choices: stretching groceries, skipping meals, or turning to food pantries already at capacity.

Whats happening with SNAP

SNAP is the nations largest food and nutrition assistance program, serving more than 41 million Americans, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The average household benefit is about $332 per month, or roughly $6 per person per day, based on 2023 USDA data.

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During the current government shutdown, several states, including Texas, New York, California, Illinois, and Pennsylvania, have warned that November SNAP payments could be delayed or halted if the shutdown continues past October 27, as reported by The Washington Post. Some, like Oklahoma and Illinois, have said they will be unable to issue benefits for November unless federal funding resumes soon.

SNAP is the largest and most effective hunger prevention program in the country, said Barbara C. Guinn, commissioner of the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, in a recent state release. To permit monthly benefits to halt would be unprecedented and have an immediate and devastating impact.

Meanwhile, grocery costs continue to climb. According to the USDAs Economic Research Service, food prices in August 2025 were 3.2 percent higher than a year earlier, and are projected to rise faster than the historical average through the end of the year. Families already struggling to balance rent, childcare, and transportation are now being asked to absorb yet another cost increase.

Related: Nearly 14 million kids arent getting enough food right nowand that needs to change

How food insecurity affects children

Food insecurity shapes how children grow, learn, and feel. According to the U.S. Department of Agricultures Economic Research Service, households with children experience higher rates of food insecurity than those without. When access to nutritious food is uncertain, children are more likely to face challenges with concentration, energy levels, and school participation.

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A 2021 study published in The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that consistent access to balanced meals supports cognitive development and emotional wellbeing, while food insecurity is linked to increased stress and lower academic performance. These effects can emerge even when shortages are temporary, underscoring how closely nutrition and stability are connected.

For parents, the strain goes beyond the pantry. Deciding whether to pay a bill or buy groceries adds emotional weight to already-tight budgets, and many caregivers work quietly to shield children from that stress. The result is a cycle of worry that no family should have to carry alone.

Related: San Francisco County now offers free diapers with SNAP

What parents can do right now

The uncertainty of a shutdown can feel overwhelming, but there are practical ways to protect your familys access to food and support.

1. Check your benefits

Visit your states EBT portal or the USDA SNAP directory to see when your next deposit is scheduled. Many states offer text or email alerts when funds are issued. If your balance doesnt update as expected, contact your states Department of Human Services for clarification.

2. Find local food support

If you need immediate help, these trusted programs can provide food and guidance:

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Feeding America : Search food banks and pantries near you.

WIC : Offers supplemental nutrition for pregnant women, new moms, and children under 5.

Call 211 : Connects you with local social services and emergency food programs.

Local schools: Many districts provide free or reduced-price meals during funding gaps.

These programs exist for moments like this and using them is an act of care/

3. Take care of yourself

Financial uncertainty is stressful. An article published in NORC notes that Fifty-three percent of adults report that grocery expenses are a major source of stress, and research also links food insecurity to higher parental anxiety and depression.

Small actions like deep breathing, walks, or talking with a trusted friend or counselor, can help ease tension and remind you that youre not alone.

Feeding families shouldnt depend on politics

Whether you receive SNAP benefits or not, most parents know what it feels like to stretch groceries further than expected. The difference now is that millions of families may be forced to do so because of circumstances beyond their control.

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Government negotiations may decide when funding resumes, but communities decide how families are supported in the meantime. Compassion, advocacy, and generosity can fill some of the gap. Feeding families should be guided by care and compassion, not political gridlock.

Related: Everyone is making struggle meals because food is SO expensive
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP)  Chase Mathis told prison guards he was being threatened by other inmates and feared for his life. But within hours of being moved to an adjacent prison, he was dead.

Mathis died June 4, 2024, after being placed in general population instead of a cell for his own protection, his father said. Tim Mathis said he wants answers. He is concerned his 31-year-old son didn't die by accidental overdose but by a hot shot  a lethal dose of drugs administered against his will.

Behind those walls people are dying every day, not just from violence and neglect but from the deliberate indifference of the system that treats them like trash, Mathis said Wednesday during a rally at the Alabama Capitol. His son was serving a 15-year sentence for manslaughter after his friend was killed in a car accident when Chase Mathis was driving while intoxicated.

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Family members of people incarcerated in Alabama prisons packed a Wednesday meeting of the Legislative Prison Committee and then held a rally on the steps of the Capitol. They said they hope a new documentary on the prison system, now airing on HBO, will draw fresh attention to the longstanding problems in state lockups. The documentary heavily relied on footage shot by inmates on cellphones.

Family members carried photos of loved ones who have died in prison and photos of state officials with the caption Blood On Your Hands. They described assaults, rapes, extortions, deaths and overdoses behind bars. They also expressed frustration over the states lack of progress in improving conditions.

Rodreshia Russaw, executive director of The Ordinary People Society, a nonprofit focused on helping formerly incarcerated people, said the stories are "just the surface of the problem.

We have lost a lot of lives. There is a lot of blood that has been shed, Russaw said.

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The state prison system for years has faced criticism for high rates of violence, low staffing, a low parole rate and the use of pandemic funds to build its new supersized prison.

Eddie Burkhalter, a researcher at the nonprofit law and justice center, Alabama Appleseed, said the prison system last year had 277 deaths including at least 12 homicides. Burkhalter said Alabamas overall prison mortality rate in 2023 was five times the national rate across state prisons.

During the legislative meeting, the state prisons chief described the department's effort to improve conditions.

Corrections Commissioner John Hamm told lawmakers during the committee meeting that construction is 75% complete on the states new 4,000-bed mega-prison. He said the state is also making progress on staffing, which he described as key to providing better conditions.

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Everything hinges around correction officer staffing, Hamm said.

But Hamm told lawmakers that they should be aware that the number of inmates in state prisons has gone up significantly, and we are on an upward trajectory."

The number of state inmates rose from 20,904 in 2023 to 21,803 inmates this summer.

The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit in 2020 against Alabama arguing that conditions in the prison system  which the Justice Department called one of the most understaffed and violent in the country  are so poor that the state is violating the ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

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Rep. Chris England said after the meeting, system is broken from beginning to end.

You can make the argument that we havent improved at all, England said. Abuse is up. Drug overdoses are up. Corruption is up.

Sandy Rays son, Steven Davis, died in 2019 after being hit by officers during an altercation at William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility. Her sons death and Rays quest for answers were heavily featured in the The Alabama Solution documentary.

The state cleared the officers of wrongdoing but agreed to pay $250,000 to settle a wrongful-death lawsuit. Ray said Wednesday that she continues to hope for more accountability, including that the state will reopen the investigation.

Why do they continue to let this person hurt our loved ones, Ray said Wednesday.
Oct. 22The nonprofit Family Friendly New Mexico is accepting applications for its 2026 Family Friendly Business Award, which honors companies that are committed to workplace policies that support workers and their families.

The application opened Oct. 10 and submissions will be accepted through Feb. 28, 2026. Submissions can be completed online at nmfamilyfriendlybusiness.org. Organizers will host a luncheon honoring winners on April 30, 2026, at Sandia Resort & Casino.

It is the 11th year the organization has doled out the award to honor those who have implemented policies such as paid leave, health support, flexible work schedules, diversity and inclusion, and community engagement.

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Taos Ski Valley this year was named a platinum-level awardee, the ski resort's ninth straight year getting the recognition. Lori Rangel, the senior human resources manager, said being recognized by Family Friendly New Mexico "reinforces what we believe at our core, that when our staff and their families are supported, our whole community thrives."

"In an outdoor industry where equity can be a challenge, especially for women, their resources and recognition encourage us to keep strengthening policies that allow our staff to balance work and family," Rangel said. "This ensures everyone has the opportunity to contribute fully and bring their best selves to our mountain and our community."
MOUNT VERNON, Ky. (FOX 56)  Exhausted, pained, and worried, yet Wynter Wagoners family is standing together amid her disappearance. The only priority they have right now is ensuring that she is safe.

Its the worst feeling Ive ever had, and its never going to go away until I find her. It will change me forever. I gotta find her, Dusty Wagoner, Wynters father, said.

Haley Whitehead, Wynters aunt, said the 13-year-old had been at her latest foster care home for about a year, when she went missing the evening of Oct. 14 in Rockcastle County near the Orlando area.

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RELATED | Search underway for missing Rockcastle County teen

Shes not an outdoor girl. Shes more of a Netflix and chill kind of girl. She didnt walk out of those woods. She didnt go run into the woods. Someone has had to have got her and picked her up and took her out of there, Whitehead said.

The family is offering thousands of dollars out of their own pocket for information that would lead to Wynters return.

As long as I have confirmation shes safe, thats what we need at this point. Nothing else matters, and I will gladly hand over $5,000 to know shes safe, Whitehead said.

After more than a week of searching and distributing flyers, the family is wondering why more hasnt been done.

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RELATED | FBI helping with ongoing search for southern Kentucky teen

This should have probably been more of an alert early on. I do feel like a new system needs put in play to get the word out about missing, Whitehead said.

Local law enforcement officials stated that more agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), are now involved.

Tpr. Scottie Pennington, a Kentucky State Police public affairs officer, shared that, searches are going on, ground searches, and theyre flying drones. Were just looking for the assistance of the people. If you see something, say something.

The familys message to Wynter: Reach out to us, I wont make a fuss, I promise, just let us know that youre safe. Were worried, were very worried, and we love you.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

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Her dad echoed, Were always gonna look for you, we wont stop, and if youre able to, just please, call and let us know youre safe, even if you dont let us know where youre at, just tell us youre okay, you know, because its the worst feeling in the world. We just want her home.

Authorities describe Wagoner as 5 feet, 1 inch tall, weighing 147 pounds, with long brown hair, blue eyes, with both ears pierced, and her right nostril pierced.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Rockcastle County Sheriffs Office at (606) 256-2121.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.
LONOKE COUNTY, Ark A grieving family is pleading for answers following the discovery of a mans body in a roadside ditch in Lonoke County, in what Arkansas State Police are now calling a death investigation.

Authorities say 28-year-old Nathan Hall, of Benton, was reported missing by his family last week after he failed to check in with his probation officer. Just days later, on October 17 at around 12:10 p.m., the Lonoke County Sheriffs Office responded to a call about a body found along Arkansas Highway 165, about a mile south of Mulberry Cemetery in England, Arkansas.

Arkansas State Police investigating homicide in Lonoke County

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The body was soon identified as Hall, and the Arkansas State Police has taken over the investigation.

Halls family says the days leading up to his disappearance were filled with troubling signs.

His sister, Shelly Jones, says Hall was last seen alive near Arch Street in Little Rock and had expressed fear for his safety just days earlier.

He said he was scared for his life but wouldnt tell me why, Jones said. I wish I had asked more questions. I just didnt think something like this would happen.

Jones said Hall had been staying with family and was sober in the days before he vanished. He had been admitted to a treatment facility and planned to get clean for the sake of his two young children.

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He wanted to get help. He had a warrant, and we had plans for him to go into treatment after taking care of it, she said. Now his babies dont have a dad.

Halls ex-girlfriend and the mother of his children, Madden Sherrill, also expressed disbelief over the circumstances surrounding his death. She said Hall was the kind of person who always made sure to stay in touch  especially with his children, ages 8 and 9.

It was out of character. When he didnt come home to shower or eat, and no one heard from him, we knew something was wrong, Sherrill said. Im devastated. No child should have to be told their dad was murdered.

Bald Knob school teacher allegedly admits to shooting and killing brother after threat to family

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Sherrill and Hall had been together for several years before co-parenting. While she acknowledges Hall had been struggling with addiction, she firmly believes foul play was involved in his death.

He didnt have any connection to where he was found. It doesnt make sense, she added. He lived a wild life at times, but he was loyal, loving, and a great dad.

The family says they are left with heartbreak and more questions than answers.

He didnt deserve to go out this way  to be dumped on the side of the road like he was nothing, Jones said. He was loved. He was something to so many people.

So far, investigators have not released Halls cause of death. An autopsy is pending. State Police have not confirmed whether there are any suspects, but the family maintains their belief that foul play was involved.

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Nathan Hall was described as a devoted father and a man trying to change the course of his life. His family is urging anyone who may have information about his disappearance or death to come forward.

Anyone with tips is asked to contact the Arkansas State Police.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  Family members and others are arguing for clemency in the death penalty case of Tremane Wood, the Oklahoma City man convicted of a 2002 murder.

The man murdered was 19-year-old Ronald (Ronnie) Wipf at a motel near 7400 South May Avenue.

It was an attempted robbery that ended in Wipfs death.

Tremane and his brother Jack planned to show up on New Years Day in the early morning and rob both Wipf and the man with him at the time, Arnold Kleinsasser.

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Kleinsasser and Wipf were farm workers from Montana who stopped in Oklahoma City after visiting their family. They were headed to continue working down in Texas for a harvest crew.

Court records showed that the two allegedly paid two women for sex the night prior, Brandy Warden and Lanita Bateman.

Spencer shooting leaves one person injured, one in custody

Bateman and Warden were friends of the Wood brothers.

Around 3:30 a.m., court records detail the brothers knocking on the motel door and demanding cash; it detailed that one brother had a gun and the other had a knife.

Wipf was stabbed in the torsodocuments contained within the competency packet show that he was found with a stab wound to his heart.

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The brothers were eventually arrested, and in court, Jack confessed that he was the one who actually killed Wipf.

In the end, Jake was sentenced to life in prison while Tremaine got the death penalty.

Give him a pardon for him. If. If, if. Without that, at least life. But dont. Do not kill my cousin, said Tremanes cousin, Rashawnda Jackson, outside of the Pardon and Parole Board office in early October.

I just dont, I cant see him die. I really cant said Tremanes niece, Andreyanna Wood.

For years, Tremanes family has protested the death penalty sentence. They have many reasons as to why he shouldnt have gotten it, but a big one was his attorney at the time.

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Legislators explore the impact of data centers on Oklahomas resources

Family said that his attorney barely talked to him, and later admitted that he was an alcoholic and abused drugs.

There is a Supreme Court Case where the Oklahoma Bar suspended that attorneys license due to his lack of communication and neglect with clients.

In that case, the attorney admitted that he drank heavily and abused cocaine, which led to his neglect.

He had ineffective counsel. The entire trial. I mean, his lawyer was strung out drunk, you know, never came to see him, said Andreyanna. 

The family shared with News 4 a note that they said was given to Tremane from that attorney, which read, Tremane, Im sorry for everything in the past. You caught me at a bad time, and Im sorry.

Letter sent to Tremane from his attorney at the time.

Attorney General Gentner Drummond, however, released the competency packet on Wednesday that contained several images allegedly showing Wood using drugs while in jail. AG Drummond points to Woods time in jail and alleged crimes while locked up as a partial reason for the Pardon and Parole Board to deny clemency.

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He has formally requested to deny clemency and said, he has attempted to avoid responsibility for his actions and has never shown remorse for the 2002 murder of 19-year-old Ronnie Wipf, according to the clemency packet filed today. A jury found Wood guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and unanimously sentenced him to death. Numerous appellate courts have rejected his meritless challenges to his conviction and death sentence, Drummond said. We must secure justice for this heinous murder and prevent Wood from committing additional acts of violence. Woods actions on death row in recent years, including distributing drugs and having another inmate viciously beaten, prove that death is the only way to ensure the safety of Oklahomans. Wood was sentenced to death for stabbing and killing Wipf on New Years Day in 2002 during a robbery in Oklahoma City. He is seeking clemency based on his assertion that he has not killed anyone. A jury rejected his defense, and the evidence the State presented in the clemency filing shows that Wood personally drove the knife into Wipfs chest. During his time in prison, Wood has also possessed multiple contraband cell phones that he has used to distribute drugs and engage in gang violence. Today, the State provided the Pardon and Parole Board a video of a beating paid for by Wood, a video he insisted be sent to him. According to the clemency filing, Wood is fully active in the criminal world behind bars, making his death sentence appropriate.

A group called the Tremane Wood Foundation has been fighting against Woods death penalty as well.

They sent a statement and said, The Tremane Wood Foundation stands in full support of Tremane Wood as he approaches his clemency hearing. Tremane has spent over 20 years on death row for a crime he did not commit. Throughout this time, he has remained a powerful force for truth, healing, and community changeinspiring the creation of this foundation from behind prison walls. We believe deeply in the integrity of the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board and trust they will see what so many others have come to recognize: Tremane Wood deserves mercyand justice. We are hopeful that, together, we can stop this irreversible act and give Tremane the chance to continue his mission of restoration and service. We have faith that Oklahoma will do what is right.

Woods clemency hearing is set for November 5, and his execution is set to be scheduled for November 13.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Data resiliance company Veeam wants to give its customers more control and security over their data in the age of AI.

The Kirkland, Washington-based company announced on Tuesday that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Securiti AI, a company that gives enterprises a command center for all of their data. The $1.725 billion deal is a mix of cash and stock and is expected to close the first week of December, as first reported by Bloomberg.

Securiti was founded in 2019 by Rehan Jalil. The company raised more than $156 million in venture capital from investors, including Mayfield, General Catalyst, and Cisco Investments, among others.

Upon the close of the transaction, the Insight Partners-owned Veeam will offer Securitis data command center product alongside its existing offerings. Jalil will join Veeam as the president of security and AI.

Weve entered a new era for data. Its no longer about just protecting data from cyber threats and unforeseen disasters; its also about identifying all your data, ensuring its governed and trusted to power AI transparently, Anand Eswaran, Veeam CEO, said in a company press release.

Veeam closed a $2 billion secondary sale in December 2024 that valued the company at $15 billion. At the time, Eswaran said that one of the companys plans for 2025 was to find acquisition targets that were complementary to the companys data resilience business.

This acquisition news comes amid a year of consolidation in the data industry as data companies are getting bought to help companies improve their data stack to help their clients adopt AI.

In May, Databricks acquired Neon for $1 billion. Salesforce acquired legacy cloud data management platform Informatica a few weeks later for $8 billion.

While these transactions have become less frequent now than they were in the first half of the year, they seem likely to continue. In June, Sanjeev Mohan, a former Gartner analyst who now runs SanjMo, a data trend advisory firm, told TechCrunch that there would be a lot of consolidation this year.

He said that customers have long been tired of having to use a laundry list of different data companies to build their data infrastructure stack. The fact that enterprises want to adopt AI has made this data fragmentation more apparent.

Mohan added that any good data startup thats not getting acquired in this environment is likely just too expensive.
NEED TO KNOW

The Sullivan family was rescued on Naushon Island on Wednesday, Oct. 22

Volunteers from Naushon Trust, which owns the island, found them and administered first aid, and the Coast Guard flew the family to a local hospital

The family was forced to swim ashore when their boat caught on fire while they slept

A family was rescued from a small island off the coast of Cape Cod, Mass. after they swam ashore when their boat caught on fire.

The family of three was rescued and hospitalized on Wednesday, Oct. 22 after they were found on Naushon Island, per the United States Coast Guard. Volunteers from the Naushon Trust, the organization that owns the island, located the family and administered emergency first aid.

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The Sullivans were missing for almost two days, and had taken shelter in a barn on the island. The Coast Guard later transported the family from the island to a nearby hospital, local ABC affiliate WCVB reported.

Two of the family members, Cynthia and Tyler Sullivan, are being treated at Cape Cod Hospital. Patrick Sullivan, Cynthia's husband and Tyler's father, was flown to the burn unit at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Tyler sustained third-degree burns on his arm, but remains in stable condition, according to the news station.

When they were rescued, the family suffered from smoke inhalation, burns, and exposure, Hyannis Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Lamothe told the Cape Cod Times.

PEOPLE has reached out to the Hyannis Fire Department for comment.



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When their 30-foot boat caught fire, the Sullivans were forced to swim to shore for safety, according to ABC News. A relative contacted authorities when the family did not return home as planned on the evening of Tuesday, Oct. 21.

Quick thinking and having quality equipment allowed the family to survive and call for help, Scott Backholm, a search and rescue mission coordinator from Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England said in a statement, per ABC.

PEOPLE has reached out to the United States Coast Guard for comment.

USCG Northeast/X

The Coast Guard told the outlet that the family had planned to remain anchored between Cape Cod and Marthas Vineyard throughout the weekend. Their boat, the Third Wave, departed Eel Pond near Falmouth, Mass. on Oct. 17.

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Naushon Island is the largest of the Elizabeth Islands chain, which sits between Buzzards Bay and Marthas Vineyard. Though a functioning part of the town of Gosnold, the island is privately owned with only certain areas accessible to the public, per The Globe.



Read the original article on People
A family is demanding justice after they say an off-duty Atlanta police officer shot and killed their loved one.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is handling the investigation into the shooting, which involved an off-duty Atlanta officer who reportedly became aware of an argument involving Linton Blackwell on Oct. 12 near Caine Hill Place.

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Authorities say Blackwell put an item in the small of his back after entering the car.

According to the GBI, the officer issued commands related to a gun before discharging his weapon.

Family says Blackwell was shot 14 times.

My cousin was a loving father of two twins, and he should have been able to make it home that night to his two twins, that were waiting on him... that were devastated by this news, said Jimmy Hill, Blackwells cousin.

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Family members say that several of the gunshots entered Blackwells back, as confirmed by the autopsy report shown to them.

Blackwell was pronounced dead at the scene, and authorities said they recovered a handgun nearby.

I want to make sure that I set the record straight and let people know what really happened, Hill told Channel 2s Brittany Kleinpeter. A respected figure in the communityloved by many. Appreciated by many.

The family continues to push for justice, expressing their belief that the officer involved should be held accountable to the fullest extent.

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A Chicago attorney suspected in the murder of his estranged wife should be prohibited from inheriting any of her estate, the womans family is arguing in court.

The new court filing comes after Adam Beckerink was sentenced Monday to 93 days in jail for domestic violence and contempt of court, plus two years of probation for interference with electronic communications.

The sentence stemmed from an attack on Caitlin Tracey at her home in New Buffalo, Michigan, in January of 2024. That was nine months before she plummeted to her death in the stairwell of the South Loop high-rise where Beckerink lived.

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The day before she was found dead, Breckerink had filed a missing persons report, claiming he hadnt seen her for more than a month  but video from the building shows the couple entering just two days before that, according to the new court filing. Nearing the one-year anniversary of her death on Oct. 27, Chicago police told the Tribune Wednesday that the investigation remains ongoing.

Caitlin Tracey, woman found dead in South Loop stairwell, remembered as shining star

A Cook County prosecutor had named Beckerink in court as a suspect in his wifes death, but he has not been charged in her death. Based on his conviction in Michigan, the new petition in probate court seeks to invoke Michigans slayer statute, which bars people from profiting financially from a death they played a felony criminal role in, or who were convicted of felony abuse of the victim.

The petition also seeks to keep Traceys burial site a secret from Beckerink to protect her memory and her familys privacy.

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Beckerink, 47, was a tax attorney with Duane Morris LLP but was terminated after his wifes death became public. Tracey worked in human resources for a tech firm and had built a home in New Buffalo. The pair were married in the spring of 2024, but soon separated in an on-again, off-again relationship.

In court, Beckerink pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of domestic violence, and contempt of court for violating his bond, along with a felony for interfering with a 911 call by his wife. As part of the plea deal, prosecutors dropped a charge of resisting arrest.

At the sentencing, Traceys mother, Monica Tracey, a professor at Wayne State University in Detroit, gave a victim impact statement that called Beckerink a controlling coward who repeatedly beat her daughter, who was only 4-foot, 11 inches tall and 103 pounds.

We continue to be re-victimized as we learn more about how Caitlin lived in this inconceivable hell with this monster, her mother told Berrien County Judge Gary Bruce. It is not just the trauma Caitlin endured but the ongoing nature of the trauma he is inflicting on our family  It isnt just her death that haunts us; it is the slow-moving destruction of her life.

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Beckerink was also charged with domestic violence and other crimes stemming from another incident in August 2024, a case that was pending when Tracey was found dead at age 36, her foot severed and her skull and ribs fractured after a 24-story fall.

Tracey had filed for a court order of protection against Beckerink in 2023, accusing him of slapping her, punching her and choking her during two incidents in 2023, and throughout their relationship. She later moved to vacate the order after her parents said Beckerink threatened to sue her for defamation.

After the couple broke up, Tracey said in the order of protection petition, he continued to harass her, calling, texting or emailing some 20 times a day to see her, and calling her horrible names.

Beckerinks attorneys, John Brayman and Todd Pugh, said their client had nothing to do with Traceys death, saying that there was no corroboration of her claims of abuse.
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders in an April 10, 2024 file photo. A Pulaski County judge ruled against Sanders on Wednesday, ordering state officials to hold Senate District 26's special election as soon as practicable in accordance with state law. (Photo by Sonny Albarado/Arkansas Advocate)

A Pulaski County Circuit judge ruled in favor of a Franklin County resident Wednesday and said a June 2026 special election to fill a vacant state Senate seat unconstitutionally deprives voters of a voice in next years fiscal session.

Judge Patricia James eight-page ruling orders the state to hold the election as soon as practicable after the legal limit of 150 days from the vacancy to ensure that the date for the special election will not infringe upon or curtail the constitutional and fundamental rights of the citizens of Arkansas Senate District 26.

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Attorney General Tim Griffin and Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said through spokespersons that that they plan to appeal.

James ruling stems from a lawsuit filed by Colt Shelby of Cecil against Sanders and Secretary of State Cole Jester over Sanders decision last month to schedule a special election in the district after the death of Republican Sen. Gary Stubblefield of Branch. Sanders originally set the election for Nov. 13, 2026, but after bipartisan pushback she revised the general election date to June 9, 2026. That date would still occur after the end of the fiscal session, set to begin April 8 and end May 7.

State law requires that special elections to fill legislative vacancies be held no later than 150 days after the vacancy, unless it is impracticable or unduly burdensome to do so.

James said in her ruling that setting the dates in June, after multiple county election officials testified that earlier dates were possible, amounted to an infringement of a constitutional right based on the fundamental democratic principle of no taxation without representation.

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There would be far-reaching ramifications if the Governor were allowed to deny duly elected representation for the citizens of the State of Arkansas, James wrote.

Colt Shelby of Cecil filed the suit against Sanders and Secretary of State Cole Jester on Oct. 6. A hearing on his request for an injunction, declaratory judgment and writ of mandamus was held Oct. 15.

James rejected arguments by Griffins office that the court did not have the authority to review Sanders decision on the dates, calling the assertion ill-founded.

Although this court agrees that the Governor has the sole authority to set dates for a special election, that authority is not absolute, the judge wrote.

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Assuming the Legislature gave the governor absolute authority to set special elections without the traditional checks and balances provided in our democratic system, the special election statute would be facially unconstitutional, James wrote.

The law requires that a special election be held as soon as possible following the 150-day mark if holding later is necessary. Three election workers from the counties comprising the Senate district testified that holding an election earlier than the June date was possible, James noted.

Based on testimony presented during the hearing, an earlier more practicable date is available, James said. The court heard uncontroverted testimony  that they would be able to meet all the state and federal guidelines should the special election be set on the same date as the regular midterm primary election, March 3.

Governor Sanders is confident that on appeal, the law clearly giving the Governor the authority to set special elections will be upheld and ultimately save taxpayer dollars and ensure the election is free, fair, and secure, Sanders spokesperson Sam Dubke said in a statement.

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I am disappointed by the ruling and plan to appeal, Griffin said via a spokesperson.

Of prisons and other lawsuits

Legislators are expected to vote on funding the controversial Franklin County prison project during the 2026 fiscal session. Preliminary estimates put the cost of the 3,000-bed facility at $825 million.

Stubblefield staunchly opposed locating the prison in his district prior to his death, and it is deeply unpopular with many in the district. An appropriations bill to fund the prisons construction failed five times in the 2025 session.

Numerous special elections over the last 15 years have gone past the 150-day mark, but Sanders revised schedule for Stubblefields seat is the longest by far, according to an unpublished Senate memo.

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Shelby said in a text message after the ruling that he was so glad justice is served, and that he hoped to have representation by February.

The ruling comes as a separate but similar lawsuit filed Tuesday by the Democratic Party of Arkansas over the House District 70 special election awaits a hearing. Sanders set identical special primary and general election dates after former Rep. Carlton Wing resigned last month to lead Arkansas PBS.

Party Chair Marcus Jones said in an emailed statement that the party was encouraged by the ruling in Shelbys lawsuit.

We are grateful that the court is siding with the residents of the River Valley, rather than our Governor who is abusing her power and refusing to fill these vacancies, Jones said. The court agrees: Taxation without representation is wrong. Thats why we filed suit with the Governor in House District 70, and thats why were hopeful that well prevail there as well.

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TIMBUKTU, Mali (AP)  In an open field at the edge of the ancient city of Timbuktu, Mali, young models walk the runway clad in colorful traditional attires during a caravan for peace fashion event that organizers hope will lift the spirits of a city scarred by jihadi conflict.

Surrounded by young talents and camels, renowned African fashion designer Sidi Ahmed Seidina Ali, known as Alphadi, called out at the event Wednesday: Let us all come! All those born in Timbuktu, return to your homeland, return to your hometown to work and show that this city is magical."

Organized in partnership with local authorities, the two-day event showcased the color and finesse of dozens of local designers and models, some of them victims of the violence the city has suffered.

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Timbuktu, a small city that was once the most prominent of numerous centers for Islamic learning in pre-colonial West Africa, has endured years of violence from the al-Qaida-linked JNIM militant group that also targets other parts of Mali.

Although authorities said the security situation has improved, pockets of attacks persist. In June, al-Qaida militants targeted several Malian army positions including an airport, in what analysts said is a reminder of how powerful the militants remain.

Addressing the large crowd gathered at the fashion show on Wednesday, Alphadi, a Timbuktu native and one of Africa's famous designers, called for peace and for young talents to live up to their full potential.

The modernity (of fashion) is not only in Paris, not only in New York, not only in Japan. Modernity is also here at home," he said, before calling for understanding between us, peace between us.

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Local officials praised the caravan and fashion show as aligning with their efforts to restore Timbuktu to its former glory.

It is a caravan that calls for social cohesion and living together, said Issaka Nazoum, president of the Regional Council of Timbuktu.

____

APs Africa coverage at: https://apnews.com/hub/africa
EAU CLAIRE  The FBI worked with local law enforcement to intercept a businessman returning to his Altoona home based on the imminent danger they believed he posed to a child.

Brandon Kephart, 35, was charged Tuesday with 15 counts of possession of child pornography. Court records describe a disturbing series of exchanges between Kephart and an undercover FBI agent over Kik and Snapchat.

According to the criminal complaint, the lengthy, explicit exchanges focused on Kepharts desire to abuse a young relative and to see the child abused by others. The agent posed as an adult man with a similar desire involving a fictitious child.

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At one point the transcript shows Kephart offering to swap his prospective victim with the agents. Thats y I want to get men to use [the victim] so I can watch, he wrote.

The exchanges ended when Kephart got nervous about the discussion, writing I dont want to walk into a trap either. But by then the FBI was already moving on an emergency basis.

The complaint said the FBI contacted local authorities Kephart had talked about sexually assaulting [the relative] over the upcoming weekend. Kephart had told the undercover agent that he was out of town for work but was coming home the day after the chat.

The FBI got emergency access to the Kik account and linked it to Eau Claire. The IP address tied to it went back to Kepharts Altoona residence. They were also able to determine that he was indeed traveling for work and due back the next day.

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Law enforcement spread out in Altoona as Kephart returned, aiming to stop and arrest him as soon as he was spotted. When his vehicle was sighted the officer pulled him over and immediately placed him under arrest.

When questioned, Kephart said he didnt use Snapchat often and hadnt been on Kik for 4-5 years. That assertion crumbled when investigators confronted him with the chat transcripts. Kephart then played the discussions off as a little fantasy thing and invoked his right to an attorney.

Further investigation uncovered more than 100 images of children being sexually abused on Kepharts phone and another 74 in a Google account he used. The complaint says his laptop had more, but did not specify an amount.

Fortunately, the complaint said investigators did not conclude Kephart had actually abused the child after a forensic interview took place.

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Each of the charges is a Class D felony. Wisconsin law prescribes up to 15 years in prison and a decade of extended supervision for each count, along with the potential for fines of up to $100,000.

That means, cumulatively, the charges carry the potential for more than 200 years in prison and fines of $1.5 million. But it is rare for defendants to receive the maximum and consecutive sentences for every count in cases like this.

Kephart is next due in court Nov. 19. Court records do not show any attorney listed, nor have any bond terms been set.
About 200 local, state and federal law enforcement officers helped execute a raid on an alleged illegal horserace gambling operation in Wilder, Idaho, on Oct. 19, 2025. (Photo courtesy of ACLU of Idaho)

Days after advocates said they witnessed children who were zip tied at a law enforcement raid on Sunday in southwest Idaho, federal law enforcement agencies denied that claim.

At 3:34 p.m. Wednesday, Federal Bureau of Investigation spokesperson Sandra Yi Barker told the Idaho Capital Sun in a written statement that Reports suggesting children were zip-tied or hit with rubber bullets during the October 19 FBI-led operation in Wilder are completely false.

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But less than an hour after denying any kids were zip-tied or hit with rubber bullets at the raid, the FBI clarified that no young children were zip-tied or hit with rubber bullets. At 4:18 p.m., Barker released an updated statement adding young before the word children.

Reports suggesting young children were zip-tied or hit with rubber bullets during the October 19 FBI-led operation in Wilder are completely false, the updated statement read.

KIVI-TV first reported on the FBIs modified statement, saying the FBIs update came after the news outlet sent the FBI a photo reportedly of a 14-year-old U.S. citizen in zip ties.

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The FBI could not be immediately reached for comment on why it changed its statement on law enforcements tactics at the raid in Wilder of an alleged illegal horserace gambling operation at La Catedral Arena.

Advocates who were at the scene of the raid have denounced aggressive tactics they say they saw used, including law enforcement detaining everyone at the venue, children being zip-tied, and people being struck with rubber bullets.

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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement says it arrested 105 people on immigration violations in the raid. The FBI announced five arrests of people linked to the alleged illegal gambling operation.

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Earlier Wednesday, Canyon County Sheriff Kieran Donahue and Caldwell Police Chief Rex Ingram said the FBI, not ICE, led the raid. In a joint statement, they called the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys statement that gave ICE credit for the raid completely false and a serious misrepresentation of the facts.

DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin told the Idaho Capital Sun in a statement Wednesday that ICE didnt zip tie, restrain or arrest any children.

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WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The FBI is offering a $500,000 reward for the identity of the person who placed pipe bombs outside of the Democratic National Committee and Republican National Committee offices in 2021.

According to the FBI, on Jan. 5, 2021, between 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., a person placed two pipe bombs in the Capitol Hill neighborhood.

One of the pipe bombs was placed in an alley behind the headquarters of the Republican National Committee (RNC), and the other was placed next to a park bench near the Democratic National Committee (DNC).

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PREVIOUS COVERAGE: FBI still looking for man who placed pipe bombs near RNC, DNC 4 years ago

The pipe bombs consisted of 18-inch threaded galvanized pipes, end caps, kitchen timers, wires, metal clips, and homemade black powder.

The FBI said the suspect was seen wearing a face mask, glasses, gloves, a grey hoodie, black and light grey Nike Air Max Speed Turf shoes with a yellow logo, and carrying a backpack.

Footage of the incident that had previously never been released is being distributed by the FBI in hopes of identifying the suspect.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the FBIs toll-free tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit tips online at tips.fbi.gov.

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The FBI has shared new surveillance footage of the suspect who planted pipe bombs outside the Democratic and Republican National Committee headquarters, the night before the January 6 riots, and offered a $500,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

The new video shows the as-yet unidentified suspect walking through Washington, D.C., before and after the pipe bombs were placed on the night of January 5, 2021.

One clip shows the suspect walking toward the DNC headquarters before sitting down on a bench outside the building. The individual later stands up and walks past the building, with a backpack in their hand, before eventually turning around and retracing their steps through the Capitol Hill neighborhood.

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The person returns to the DNC building and places a pipe bomb underneath the bench around 7:54 p.m.

The video later shows the suspect walking toward the RNC headquarters, holding the backpack at arm's length from their body. The suspect can be seen in the footage walking through an alley behind the building, then retracing their steps.

The FBI released new surveillance footage of the suspect believed to have placed pipe bombs outside of the Democratic and Republican National Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C., the night before the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol (FBI Washington Field)

The bomb was planted in the alley behind the building around 8:16 p.m. The suspect is last seen on footage at 8:18 p.m wearing the backpack on their shoulders and walking away from the alley.

The bomb is believed to have been placed shortly before this video based on how the suspect is carrying the backpack, the FBI states.

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The law enforcement agency is offering up to a $500,000 reward for information to help identify the suspect.

As part of our ongoing investigation, were releasing an updated video fo the suspect, which includes previously unreleased footage, higher quality video, and longer clips of the subjects movements, the FBI wrote.

The suspect is approximately 5 feet 7 inches, and was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, black gloves, and black-and-gray Nike Air Max Speed Turf Shoes with a yellow swoosh logo that night. Fewer than 25,000 of these sneakers were sold between August 2018 and January 2021, the FBI said. The suspect also used a backpack to transport the devices.

Supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, after Trump claimed the 2020 presidential election was stolen (AFP via Getty Images)

The bombs did not detonate but the FBI has described them as being viable, warning that they could have seriously injured or killed innocent bystanders.

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The bombs were at least partially made up of 1x8 inch threaded galvanized pipes, end caps, kitchen timers, wires, metal clips and homemade black powder, the agency has said.

The devices were discovered on the afternoon of January 6 as police responded to rioting at the Capitol. The discovery prompted the evacuation of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris from the DNC headquarters.

Authorities have charged over 1,500 people in connection with the January 6 riots but they have not been able to track down the suspect involved in the attempted pipe bombing.

Footage showed the suspect walking through the Capitol Hill neighborhood before placing bombs outside both buildings (FBI Washington Field)

Supporters of Donald Trump stormed the Capitol after Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election, claiming it has been stolen. One police officer was killed, nearly 150 officers were injured and four rioters died in the attack. The riot caused over $1 million in damages.

When he returned to the White House in January, one of President Trumps first official acts was commuting the sentences of hundreds of rioters, many of whom were convicted of violent offenses against members of law enforcement.
Mode Sensors has gained US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for Re:Balans, a fluid monitoring wearable, setting the stage for the sensors commercialisation in US clinical wards.

With FDA clearance in hand, the Norwegian medical device company currently has a Series A funding round in progress as it sets its sights on the commercial roll-out of the hydration monitoring system.

Re:Blans is a non-invasive wearable sensor indicated for the monitoring of adult patients with fluid management-related health conditions. This includes those with fluid overload such as end-stage renal disease and patients at risk of dehydration.

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Both overhydration and dehydration can lead to patient complications post-surgery, prolonged hospital stays and readmissions, among other issues. However, traditional evaluative methods into patients fluid levels have long been viewed with circumspection.

Research indicates that manual chart fluid monitoring is often inaccurate due to factors such as human error and a lack of standardised protocols, with blood tests viewed as an ineffective measure that often do not reflect a patients true hydration status.

With the aim to provide more accurate fluid measures, Mode Sensors wearable uses proprietary thoracic bioimpedance technology to deliver continuous, real-time fluid status monitoring to clinicians. The technology works by measuring the body's electrical resistance to assess hydration and other physiological parameters.

According to Mode Sensors, the company is currently involved in collaboration discussions and partnerships for Re:Balans application within fields such as gastrointestinal, surgical- and elderly care.

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Commenting on its progress, Mode Sensors CEO Gran van den Burgt said: Weve been experiencing a major uplift in interest from large strategics that are slowly discovering that fluid management is a huge untapped market opportunity potentially worth billions of dollars a year.

Fluid monitoring is also used in intensive care units (ICU), with intravenous (IV) fluid management important in mitigating issues that can arise from excess fluid intake for patients with conditions such as sepsis. It is also important in post-surgical care, wherein fluid boluses are often used to treat hypotension.

To address these challenges, Mount Sinai recently became the first hospital to implement FloPatch, a wearable device designed by Canada-based Flosonics Medical, to monitor blood flow in its ICUs.

FloPatch and Mode Sensors are two companies in the growing wearables sector in the medtech industry. According to a 2023 report from GlobalData, the wearable technology market is forecast to grow from $99.5bn in 2022 to $290.6bn in 2030.

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"FDA clears Mode Sensors fluid monitoring wearable" was originally created and published by Medical Device Network, a GlobalData owned brand.




By Ilona Wissenbach and Rachel More

FRANKFURT (Reuters) -Production at Volkswagen's main plant will proceed as planned during its next work week, despite the risk of shortages from a stand-off between China and the Netherlands over chipmaker Nexperia, a person familiar with the matter said.

But beyond the next work week, which will be shortened anyway because of a German public holiday, there is some uncertainty, the source told Reuters on Thursday.

Although Volkswagen has no current plans to launch a state-backed reduced working hours scheme at its main Wolfsburg plant, the automaker is in precautionary talks with Germany's labour agency over using this option later, the source added.

Volkswagen declined to comment.

Europe's carmakers have sounded the alarm over possible stoppages if the dispute is not solved, with a Chinese ban on exports of Nexperia products hitting the supplier networks of companies like Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes.

Beijing announced the restrictions after the Dutch government seized control of the company over intellectual property concerns linked to its Chinese owner Wingtech, which was placed on a U.S. government list last year flagging it as a possible national security risk.

Nexperia makes chips that are not considered sophisticated, but are needed in high volumes and are widely used in the automotive and consumer electronics industries.

Most Nexperia chips are manufactured in Europe but packaged in China and it is not clear how long stockpiles would last.

Industry sources say switching suppliers is possible, with Infineon, NXP and Texas Instruments named as possible alternatives, but this costs time due to necessary approval processes.

Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz said on Thursday they were looking for alternative supplies to avoid a repeat of stoppages during the last semiconductor crisis in the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Wednesday, Volkswagen said it had informed workers that it could no longer rule out production stoppages.

A spokesperson for Porsche said production at the Volkswagen luxury subsidiary continued as normal.

(Editing by Thomas Escritt, Sabine Wollrab and Alexander Smith)
Coca-Cola has issued a recall of three of its most popular soda brands after discovering potential metal fragments in certain batches. If youve got a cold soft drink chilling in your kitchen, there are key batch codes youll want to checkespecially since thousands of cans have already been pulled from store shelves. Read on to find out whether your soda is affected, what to do if it is, and how to stay safe.

Which Coca-Cola sodas are part of the recall?

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, LLC voluntarily launched the recall on October 3 after discovering possible contamination in select canned sodas. The recall covers three popular varietiesCoca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, and Spriteeach tied to specific production codes. Affected products include:

Coca-Cola Zero Sugar 12-ounce cans (12-pack)  Codes: 49000042559, FEB0226MAA

Coca-Cola Zero Sugar 12-ounce cans (35-pack)  Codes: 49000058499, FEB0226MAA

Coca-Cola 12-ounce cans (24-pack)  Codes: 49000012781, JUN2926MAA

Coca-Cola 12-ounce cans (35-pack)  Codes: 49000058468, JUN2926MAA

Sprite 12-ounce cans (35-pack)  Codes: 49000058482, JUN2926MAA

Sprite 12-ounce cans (12-pack)  Codes: 49000028928, JUN2926MAA

Sprite 12-ounce cans (12-pack)  Codes: 49000028928, JUN3026MAB

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Consumers are urged to check these UPC and date codes printed on packaging to ensure their beverages are not part of the recall.

Why were the Coca-Cola sodas recalled?

As mentioned above, Coca-Cola initiated the recall due to concerns about the possible presence of metal fragments in certain products. According to the FDA, the issue involves a limited batch of beverages that may contain trace amounts of foreign material (metal).

Even small pieces of metal could pose a health risk if ingested, potentially causing mouth or throat injuries, internal cuts, or digestive issues. Depending on the size and sharpness of the fragments, the contamination could also result in choking hazards or internal damage, prompting swift action from the manufacturer.

Coca-Cola confirms the recall is limited to select Texas areas

According to a Coca-Cola spokesperson, the recall was limited to select regions of Texas, specifically the McAllen/Rio Grande Valley and San Antonio areas. The company confirmed that no products outside these locations were impacted.

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In a statement to TODAY.com, Coca-Cola described the recall as both small and localized, involving only a minimal number of soda cans distributed by Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, LLC. The quantities pulled from circulation include 1,115 units of Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, 2,322 units of Coca-Cola, and 791 units of Sprite, all in 12-ounce cans.

As of October 10, Coca-Cola reported that every affected batch had been removed from store shelves as a precautionary measure to ensure consumer safety.

Bought the recalled soda? Heres what to do next

If youve discovered any of the recalled Coca-Cola products in your home, the FDA advises you not to consume them. Instead, safely discard the affected products to avoid potential health risks.

Customers who purchased the recalled sodas can return them to the store of purchase for a full refund or product exchange. For further assistance or questions, you can reach out to Coca-Colas Consumer Interaction Center by calling (800) 438-2653.

Source: TODAY.com

Read the original article on GEEKSPIN.

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CHICAGO (AP)  Hoan Huynh was going door-to-door informing businesses of ramped up immigration enforcement on Chicagos North Side when the Democratic state lawmaker got an activist notification of federal agents nearby.

He followed agents vehicles and then honked to warn others when he was pulled over. Masked federal officers pointed a gun at him and a staffer, attempted to break his car window and took photos of their faces, before issuing a warning, he recounted.

We were non-violent, Huynh said of Tuesdays incident, part of which was captured on video. We identified ourselves as an elected official and my hands were visible.

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As the Trump administration intensifies an immigration crackdown across the nations third-largest city and its suburbs, elected officials in the Democratic stronghold have been increasingly caught in tense encounters with federal agents. Members of the Chicago City Council and their staff, state legislators and congressional candidates report being threatened, handcuffed and detained in recent days.

The tense political atmosphere comes as President Donald Trump has vowed to expand military deployments and jail Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson over immigration policies the Republican claims protect criminals. But Illinois Democrats deem the actions as scare tactics and a calculated acceleration. The clashes, amid constant arrests of immigrants and protesters, have emerged as a top campaign issue in Illinois March primary where an unusually high number of congressional seats are open.

This is an escalation with the interests of creating fear and intimidation in my community and in all of Chicago, said Alderman Mike Rodriguez, whose ward includes heavily immigrant and Latino neighborhoods.

During an enforcement operation Wednesday in the citys Mexican enclave of Little Village and adjacent suburb of Cicero, at least eight people, including four U.S. citizens, were detained, he said.

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Two of those citizens work in his office, including chief of staff Elianne Bahena, and were held for hours. Bahena also serves on an elected police accountability council. Rodriguez said they did nothing wrong but didn't offer exact details.

Trump sent his goons to my neighborhood to intimidate and in the process of helping people out, my staff got detained, he said Thursday amid continued federal presence in Little Village. Among other things, agents deployed chemical agents and detained a 16-year-old, activists and elected officials said.

While the operations focus has been concentrated in Latino neighborhoods and suburbs, federal agents have been spotted all over the city of 2.7 million and its many suburbs. Word of pedestrian and traffic stops outside schools, stores, courts and an OHare International Airport parking lot used by rideshare drivers have triggered waves of frustration amid the citys active immigrant rights network and residents who follow vehicles, blow warning whistles and take videos.

The Department of Homeland Security has defended its operations, including the detention of U.S. citizens, saying they are temporarily held for safety. The agency, which didn't answer questions about Rodriguez staff, accused Huynh of stalking agents.

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DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said agents had to assess if he was a threat.

This behavior is unbecoming of a public servant and is just another example of sanctuary politicians putting our officers at risk, she said in a statement.

Also this week, City Council member Jessie Fuentes filed a federal tort claim seeking $100,000 in damages after agents grabbed and handcuffed her earlier this month at a hospital. She said she was checking on a person who was injured while being pursued by immigration agents and asked for a signed judicial warrant on the persons behalf. She was handcuffed and let go outside the hospital. She wasn't charged.

It is indeed a frightening time, when unidentified federal agents shove, grab, handcuff, and detain an elected official in the exercise of her duties, said Jan Susler, Fuentes attorney.

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Huynh, who was elected to the Illinois House in 2022, is also running for Congress to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Jan Schawkosky, among four open House seats in safely Democratic territory. Other candidates in the crowded primary have also publicized their opposition outside a federal immigration processing center, including Kat Abughazaleh who was thrown on the ground by federal agents as she protested.

For Huynh, who came to the U.S. in the 1990s from Vietnam and was granted political asylum, the feeling is eerily familiar.

My family came as refugees from the Vietnam War where people were being picked up by the secret police all the time. We believed in the American ideal of due process, he said. "It is very concerning that in this country right now and very disturbing right now that we are living under this authoritarian regime.
CHICAGO  A federal judge on Wednesday extended a temporary restraining order preventing the deployment of National Guard troops in Chicago, following an agreement between the state of Illinois and the federal government.

U.S. District Court Judge April Perry said the extension would allow both parties time to submit comprehensive legal briefs and motions as the states lawsuit against the federal deployment proceeds.

The extension ensures the court receives well-reasoned arguments before making a final determination, Perry said in her ruling.

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The restraining order, initially issued last week, bars federal authorities from sending troops into the city pending further legal review. Illinois officials argue the deployment would violate state sovereignty and disrupt local law enforcement operations.

As part of the agreement, both parties committed to submitting a joint status report within 24 hours if the U.S. Supreme Court issues a ruling in the case.

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A federal judge on Oct. 22, 2025 granted a request to add a sixth Arkansas school district to a lawsuit challenging a state law requiring Ten Commandments displays in schools. (Photo by Getty Images)

A federal judge has allowed for a second time the addition of an Arkansas school district to a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a new state law requiring Ten Commandments displays in public schools.

Act 573 of 2025 requires that a durable poster or framed copy of a historical representation of the Ten Commandments be displayed prominently in public school classrooms and libraries, public institutions of higher education, and public buildings and facilities maintained by taxpayer funds.

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Posters must be donated or purchased with funds through voluntary contributions, and displays that dont meet specifications required by the law may be replaced with public funds or private donations.

U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks on Wednesday permitted the inclusion of Garland Countys Lakeside School District as a defendant and Christine Benson and her minor child, B.B., as plaintiffs in the lawsuit, which was filed in June by a group of Northwest Arkansas families of religious and nonreligious backgrounds.

The families allege the state law violates the First Amendments Establishment Clause, which guarantees that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, and its Free Exercise Clause, which guarantees that Congress shall make no law  prohibiting the free exercise [of religion].

Supporters of the law have argued the tenets have historical significance because they influenced the countrys founders in creating the nations laws and legal system.

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Brooks issued a preliminary injunction in the lawsuit on Aug. 4, one day before the law was set to take effect, blocking implementation of the statute at the four school districts named as defendants in the original suit  Fayetteville, Springdale, Bentonville and Siloam Springs.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs filed a motion to add the new defendant and plaintiffs to the case last week. Benson and her child assert the same claims and seek identical relief as the original plaintiffs; the only difference is their claims occurred on Sept. 25 when Lakeside School District officials hung copies of the Ten Commandments in classrooms, likely to comply with Act 573, according to Wednesdays order.

The state argued that permitting Benson and her child to be added to the lawsuit would complicate the pending appeal and burden parties by dramatically increasing the scope and expense of discovery, according to Wednesdays order. Brooks called the states arguments regarding undue prejudice unavailing, noting that the plaintiffs are only seeking to broaden the preliminary injunction geographically to include another school district.

Such a move would not affect the matters on appeal in any material respect, Brooks wrote. And as for the discovery burden that adding these new parties would create, the States argument is not tethered to reality.

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The Lakeside School District is accused of burdening Benson and her childs free exercise rights in exactly the same way that the other defendant school districts are accused of burdening the other plaintiffs free exercise rights, Brooks said.

Surely the State is not suggesting that time-consuming discovery will be needed to test the nature of Ms. Bensons and B.B.s religious beliefs to determine whether they are sincerely held, he wrote.

This is the second time Brooks has granted a request to add a school district to the original lawsuit. In late August, Brooks allowed the addition of the Conway School District as a defendant and district families as plaintiffs in the ongoing litigation. He later ordered Conway to remove Ten Commandments from its schools, and converted a temporary restraining order against the district into a preliminary injunction.

A temporary restraining order is a temporary injunction that may be issued immediately, without informing all parties and without holding a hearing. Its intended to last until a court holds a hearing on whether to grant a preliminary injunction, according to Cornell Law School.

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Ten Commandments displays have also made their way into higher education. Counteract USA, a Christian organization based in Tontitown, donated about 500 posters to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville on Sept. 19, according to a university spokesperson John Thomas. The posters began being installed on campus earlier this month.

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Attorneys for Ruben Torres Maldonado, a 40-year-old Portage Park man detained by federal immigration agents last Saturday while his 16-year-old daughter, Ofelia, is undergoing cancer treatment, petitioned the court for him to be freed as his deportation case works its way through the system.

Federal Judge Jeremy Daniel heard arguments from Torres attorney and a lawyer with the United States attorneys office but postponed a ruling until Friday. Torres lawyers argued for his immediate release due to the hardship his absence is creating for Ofelia; his wife, Sandibell Hidalgo; and their 4-year-old son, Nathan.

ICE arrests Chicago man whose teenage daughter is fighting cancer: He belongs with her

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Federal prosecutor Craig Oswald acknowledged the very serious situation facing the family. He said there was some discussion about releasing Torres voluntarily, but after discussing with our client the government declined in part because Torres declined to cooperate when they were arresting him, Oswald said.

As the lawyers argued their motion, Ofelia Torres sat in a wheelchair next to the front row, her head resting on a knit hat as Hidalgo draped an arm around her daughters shoulders.

Aldermen Matt Martin and Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth showed up to show support, as did U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez.
A group of doctors, women who experienced high risk pregnancies and the American Medical Association are challenging the vagueness of medical exceptions to Tennessees strict abortion ban. (John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

In a defeat for Gov. Bill Lees administration, a three-judge panel ruled against the states effort to end a longstanding lawsuit challenging the vagueness and inadequacy of exceptions to Tennessees near-total abortion ban.

Attorneys for the state asked for a ruling in their favor, without a trial, in a lawsuit brought in 2023 by a group of Tennessee OB-GYNs and women who had suffered serious medical problems during their pregnancies. The American Medical Association subsequently joined the lawsuit.

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State attorneys had argued that a 2025 amendment adding medical necessity exceptions to Tennessees 2022 abortion ban made the lawsuit moot.

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But the Chancery Court panel disagreed, signaling skepticism that exceptions to the states abortion ban were adequate to protect the lives and health of pregnant women in Tennessee.

The plaintiffs, the judges wrote, have sufficiently alleged that the defects in the Medical Necessity Exception place their lives at risk in violation of their constitutional right to life.

The changes made by the 2025 Amendment do not significantly alter the status of this case, the panel wrote, concluding the lawsuit contained sufficiently serious and credible allegations to move forward.

Tennessee abortion ban

Tennessees strict abortion ban, which went into effect after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade in 2022, was amended twice to provide limited exceptions for medical conditions. The law, in its original form and as amended, does not contain exceptions for victims of rape or incest, or for pregnancies with fetal abnormalities.

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In 2023, Gov. Bill Lee signed into law an amendment that said a doctor may perform one using reasonable medical judgement, based upon the facts known to the physician at the time if the abortion is necessary to prevent a pregnant womans death or to prevent serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function. The legislation also added molar and ectopic pregnancies as exceptions to the states abortion ban.

It was this 2023 legislation the lawsuit initially challenged as overly vague.

In 2024, the three-judge panel temporarily blocked the states medical board from disciplining doctors for providing emergency abortions but declined to block criminal prosecution of physicians, saying it lacked the authority to do so.

Their ruling also outlined four specific pregnancy-related conditions that qualify as medical necessity exceptions to the states abortion ban, noting the then confusion and lack of consensus within the Tennessee medical community on the circumstances requiring necessary health- and life-saving abortion care.

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The four conditions include: previable preterm premature rupture of the membranes; inevitable abortion, defined as dilation of the cervix prior to viability of the pregnancy, either by preterm labor or cervical insufficiency; :fatal fetal diagnoses that lead to maternal health conditions, such as severe preeclampsia and mirror syndrome associated with fetal hydrops; and fatal fetal diagnoses leading to an infection that will result in uterine rupture or potential loss of fertility.

This year, lawmakers further amended the states abortion ban to include the four conditions outlined by the chancery court ruling. The amendment says doctors may provide an abortion for these conditions.

The 2025 legislation also explicitly excludes mental health diagnoses as a medical exception to the states abortion ban. The panels decision, issued last week, allows the plaintiffs to challenge the lack of a mental health- related exception to the abortion ban.

State must turn over documents

The panel in a separate decision last week allowed the plaintiffs to obtain internal documents from the Tennessee General Assembly, the governor and legislative committees that reveal the states interest in enforcing the amended abortion ban and medical exceptions.

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The panel likewise allowed for subpoenas to Tennessee Department of Health for data on abortions, maternal mortality and any unofficial guidance the department has issued to health providers since 2022.

On Monday, attorneys for the state filed an emergency motion seeking permission to appeal the ruling requiring state officials to comply with the subpoenas.

State attorneys said the decision to force state officials to turn over internal documents presents a momentous separation-of-powers question  pitting the state judiciary against the other two branches  that should be decided by the appellate courts.

The group filing suit is represented by the Center for Reproductive Rights, a New York-based law firm.

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Tennessee requires three-judge panels to consider challenges to state law. Chancellor Patricia Head Moskal, Judge Sandra Donaghy and Chancellor Kasey Culbreath issued the opinion in this case.

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER ON DEFENDANTS MOTION FOR JUDGMENT ON THE PLEADINGS

Tennessee Lookout is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Tennessee Lookout maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Holly McCall for questions: info@tennesseelookout.com.
Civil libertarians have long warned about the risks of allowing law enforcement agencies to track people through license plate readers as a tool for criminal investigations. One of their arguments: how can we be sure well know when other government agencies access this data?

Turns out, that wasnt paranoia, or even a hypothetical.

On Tuesday, researchers at the University of Washington Center for Human Rights published findings that U.S. Border Patrol accessed data from the license plate readers of multiple law enforcement agencies in Washington. The data comes from special cameras sold by Flock Safety. The chiefs of two of those agencies, both in Pierce County, told The News Tribune they hadnt known that capability was turned on.

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Police departments are accountable to state law, which bars them from cooperating with federal immigration agencies. Theyre also accountable to their local communities. At the very least, they should be able to say to residents and lawmakers: Were using this technology, and were confident that we understand the ways it will store and share your data.

This research shows thats not the case in Lakewood or Eatonville, the two cities where authorities apparently werent aware the data was available to federal immigration authorities.

It should be horrifying to everyone that law enforcement agencies could have this capability turned on without realizing it. But it shouldnt be surprising. This is the predictable result of years of tech companies failing to create effective ways for customers to control where their data goes.

If covering online privacy as a reporter from 2015 to 2021 taught me anything, its that the companies making connected devices dont prioritize locking down data. They prioritize connectivity. After all, thats the innovation theyre bringing with their devices, and its their value proposition for selling them. Easy access.

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Weve learned repeatedly that this mindset can lead to brazen privacy violations.

In 2019, hackers gained access to regular peoples Ring cameras inside their homes by guessing their passwords, and then went on to be complete creeps. One told a little girl he was Santa and said she should break things in her bedroom. Others harassed people or set off home alarm systems.

I and others told Amazon it should require people to use two-factor authentication on Ring cameras. Companies had resisted this idea for years because it made their products a little bit harder to use. But it was the best way to make sure hackers couldnt access the cameras with a password alone.

Once the security risk became undeniable, Amazon implemented the change. I wish I could say that marked a sea change for tech companies, in which tech executives and investors searched their souls and realized they needed to make it easier for people to control and protect their own data.

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Unfortunately, it was much more of an exception than a rule. Its par for the course that a law enforcement agency would wind up opted into poorly explained data sharing.

Federal agencies shouldnt access unintentionally exposed data

Heres where I respond to those who say, Well, good. Im glad federal agencies like U.S. Border Patrol and ICE have access to this data so they can do their job.

That is not the point.

Ten years ago, this country was engaged in a lively debate about the limits of government power when it came to internet-enabled surveillance. I had a front row seat to it, covering stories like a new federal law that made it easier for tech companies to share cybersecurity data with federal agencies.

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Back then, the tech industry and privacy advocates publicly debated whether fighting hackers was worth the risk of centralizing internet user data for government agencies to access. It was a given that any new data sharing system needed to separate data from specific users, and for the government to agree to limit its use of the information for specific purposes.

That thread has been lost. Now, instead, were somehow debating whether the ends justify the means of federal agencies grabbing data that law enforcement agencies never meant to share.

Default settings that leave data exposed and force users to be experts in tech privacy to keep information where they want it  those remain as wrong as they ever were. The point of a system that lets people to opt into data sharing has always been to make sure they know what is happening with their data.

This applies to regular consumers, but also to law enforcement agencies that buy surveillance technology with a communitys approval. Perhaps even more so, because public debate is essential in deciding how much access a government has to information about our daily habits.

Thats the bare minimum when it comes to data privacy and the government, and there is absolutely no reason to cheer when that standard isnt met.
I was humiliated in front of everyone, says a Druze reservist suing an IAF commander after being compared to a terrorist during a military event.

A Druze reserve soldier filed a defamation lawsuit against a senior Israel Air Force officer, alleging he was publicly humiliated during a rank-awarding ceremony at Tel Nof Air Force Base, N12 News reported on Wednesday.

According to court filings, Master Sgt. (res.) Amal Atila, who served 212 days of reserve duty during Operation Iron Swords, claims the officer told him, You look like a Nukhba terrorist, while presenting his new rank in May 2024, N12 noted.

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The comment was allegedly made in front of about 30 soldiers and drew laughter from those present.

I was in shock. I felt the most humiliated in the world, Atila told the Israeli outlet. I lowered my head and was ashamed. At first, I thought I hadnt heard correctly, but then I realized I had. Everyone was laughing.

Atila, who works as a security guard in Gush Etzion, said the remark was especially painful considering his ongoing efforts to protect Israeli civilians.

Israeli Air Force fighter pilots embark to attack Iranian nuclear targets, June 15, 2025 (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

Calling me a Nukhba terrorist is absurd, he said. In my daily life, I protect this country. I love it wholeheartedly. I even have a tattoo of the Israeli flag on my arm.

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The reaction from his peers, Atila said, deepened the humiliation.

All the friends who were there laughed. Everyone saw it, and no one said a word to him. Only a small handful reached out to me privately afterward, he said to N12.

A decorated reservist, Atila has twice received the Outstanding Soldier of the Base award during his military service. Since the incident, he said, he has refused to wear his new rank.

'Its a really deep wound'

So why do I look like a Nukhba terrorist to him? he asked N12. I havent been willing to wear that rank since. Its a really deep wound.

After confronting the officer about the comment, Atila said he was told it was just a joke.

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Other people said the same thing, Atila said. But how would they feel if they were the only Druze in the group and were singled out like that? Would they still think it was funny?

While the officer later offered a private apology, Atila said it did not go far enough.

After the ceremony, he came to me and apologized, but only in private, not in front of everyone, he told N12. Just as he mocked me in public, he should have apologized in public.

During the war, Atila served as a fuel technician supporting IAF strikes in Iran and Lebanon.

My job was critical. We want to win the war, not lose it. I was part of the effort. I refueled during all the strikes in Iran and Lebanon, he said.

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Through Shimon Haan Law Offices, Atila is seeking NIS 150,000 in damages for harm to his dignity and reputation.

Attorney Nimrod Haan, who represents Atila, called the incident one of the most degrading and offensive remarks ever directed at a loyal Druze soldier.

This intolerable comparison to murderous terrorists strikes at the very heart of the partnership between the Druze community and the State of Israel, Haan said. The court must send a clear and unequivocal message that such statements will not be tolerated.

Atila told N12 he expects the IDF to address the incident seriously and take steps to prevent similar cases in the future.
Cuba has arrested a suspected Chinese fentanyl kingpin who escaped from custody in Mexico and is also wanted by the United States, the Mexican government said Wednesday.

The trafficker Zhi Dong Zhang, known by the alias "Brother Wang," is alleged to have worked closely with Mexico's Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation drug cartels, designated "foreign terrorist organizations" by Washington.

His arrest was confirmed by the security secretariat.

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Official sources confirmed to BBC Mundo on Wednesday that the Chinese national is being detained in Cuba and that Mexican authorities "are waiting to see whether he will be deported or extradited." Interpol had issued a red notice against him in August.

Quien es Brother Wang, el presunto capo chino del fentanilo capturado en Cuba tras fugarse de Mexico https://t.co/Gn1wvmMMJu  BBC News Mundo (@bbcmundo) October 22, 2025

Detained in Mexico in October 2024, Zhi Dong Zhang was held in a prison in Mexico City awaiting a hearing for his extradition to the United States, where a warrant has been issued for his arrest on money laundering charges.

He was granted house arrest, from which he escaped in July.

Zhi Dong Zhang is considered "a major international money laundering operator," Mexican Security Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch said last year. He is accused of laundering at least $20 million in the U.S. between 2020 and 2021 by using more than 100 shell companies and bank accounts, El Pais reported.

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The trafficker was responsible for "establishing connections with other cartels for the transfer of fentanyl from China to Central America, South America, Europe, and the United States," he added.

Washington under President Donald Trump has been applying pressure on Mexico and China to curb drug trafficking, particularly of fentanyl, the powerful painkiller behind an overdose epidemic in the United States. The Trump administration has hit both countries with steep tariffs.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more powerful than heroin and much easier and cheaper to produce.

It has largely replaced heroin and prescription opioids such as oxycodone as a cause of overdoses in the United States.

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Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum's government has ramped up drug seizures under tariff pressure from Mr. Trump, who has threatened further punitive measures unless the problem is solved.

Although Mexico has been the main source of fentanyl sold in the United States, Washington has increasingly focused its attention on China-based suppliers of precursor ingredients.

From Havana, two sources close to the case told AFP the detainee would be extradited to Mexico, but did not specify a date or provide details about the process.

Communist Cuba has not officially commented on the reported arrest.

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The arrest comes as the U.S. continues military strikes against alleged drug traffic boats off South America. After destroying two alleged drug vessels on the Pacific side of Latin America this week, the U.S. has now carried out nine known strikes against alleged narcotics trafficking boats since last month, leading to at least 37 deaths. The first seven strikes were in the Caribbean Sea.

One of those strikes hit an alleged "narco sub," killing two on board but leaving two survivors, a man from Colombia and a man from Ecuador. In a social media post, Mr. Trump claimed the sub was loaded with fentanyl and other drugs. There is little evidence to indicate that fentanyl is produced in the Andes region, which includes Ecuador, as the vast majority of it flows into the U.S. through Mexico.

Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona said Sunday on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," "We want to keep fentanyl out of the United States, ... but those routes through the Caribbean on boats are predominantly used to bring cocaine to Europe," not to the U.S. And fentanyl tends to be transported to the U.S. "from a different way," Kelly added.

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It has been about three months since U.S. Rep. Randy Fine, a freshman Republican, offered legislation that would fund a study about whether the Ocala National Forest should be transformed into "Florida Springs National Park."

H.R. 4656, the Path to Florida Springs National Park Act, hasn't moved much. It has yet to attract a Senate sponsor or a hearing in the House Committee on Natural Resources. The government shutdown, which has cut funds to both the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service, also hasn't helped its chances.

It has, however, reinvigorated a conversation in Florida about revitalizing springs, conserving groundwater, and limiting development, while protecting green spaces even beyond the forest, a vast landscape stretching into three counties.

Thousands sign petition opposing the idea

The bill also asks the Department of the Interior to consider adding more than 40 already-protected state and county properties  such as Blue Spring State Park in Orange City and Haw Creek Preserve in Bunnell  to what would be the 64th national park.

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So far, the idea hasn't gone over well with the thousands of people who live purposefully inside the national forest, and while there has been some support, more than 8,700 people signed a Change.org petition opposing Fine's bill.

Fine, who held a press conference at Juniper Springs Recreation Area in August to announce his plans, said he views the petition and other feedback as good.

"The responses are exactly the type of engagement that this legislation was supposed to incorporate," he said in an emailed response to questions. "It's great to see my constituents engaging and, if this bill passes, they'll have the opportunity to do that on an official level."

Congressman Randy Fine, a Florida Republican, speaks at Juniper Springs Recreation Area about his proposal to transform Ocala National Forest into Florida Springs National Park. The plan aims to offer additional protections for springs, which environmentalists say are ailing under the weight of development.

Fine emphasized that the bill is "a process" that seeks a study, not the actual creation of a new national park.

What kind of people live in the Ocala National Forest?

Ocala author Ron Cooper, who has lived in Florida for more than 30 years, set his 2018 novel "All My Sins Remembered" in the forest, where he used to take his kids driving around the dirt roads at night looking to spot bears.

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Cooper spent a lot of time talking with people who live in the forest. He had found them to be mostly politically conservative, but culturally and financially diverse.

"The one thing that I think I probably kind of culled from everybody there was a real sense of independence," Cooper said. "There are some whove lived there for generations. They love it. They want to protect it."

The petition author, Bobbie Jo Dameron, predicts that making the Ocala National Forest a national park would result in habitat destruction, soil erosion, litter, noise pollution, and the disruption of native wildlife. The petition supports increased funding for conservation, wildfire prevention, and habitat restoration.

Dameron has told The News-Journal she lives on a property that abuts the forest and enjoys hunting and fishing in the area.

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"We don't have any hotels out here, limited gas stations, and just a handful of restaurants," Dameron said in a text. "Mass development would have to take place, and as a resident in the forest, it would be a nightmare."

Roy Buchholz, a 78-year-old retiree, calls himself "forest-adjacent" after a career that had him stationed in mostly urban areas, including Greater Washington, D.C. Ten years ago, he settled in one of "the good parts of America," Anthony, an unincorporated burg north of Ocala, where he routinely goes to church and shopping in Silver Springs, inside the forest's boundaries.

"It's slower-paced. People are friendly, and the people I meet that live in the forest, they have patience," Buchholz said.

But he sees Ocala changing, creeping toward a lifestyle found in places like Orlando and the D.C. Beltway. Buchholz fears making Ocala National Forest a national park will only boost tourism and open the floodgates of development.

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"Once you start that, it will never stop," Buchholz said. "Once you crack that door, say goodbye to the forest and it'll become a Disneyland. What I'm afraid of is my children and my children's children will no longer have what we hold dear."

This entrance sign to Ocala National Forest can be seen along State Road 40 east of Astor, Florida. The area became a national forest in 1909.

Ocala National Forest's rich history

Before President Theodore Roosevelt established it as Florida's first national forest on Nov. 24, 1908, Ocala was one of the regions occupied by the Timucua, Native Americans who hunted, fished and cultivated corn, beans and squash there. The arrival of Europeans in the 16th century led to their downfall, while other Native American tribes, including the Mayaca and Seminole, also traversed the forest.

Evidence of Native Americans' presence can be seen in the middens at Silver Glen Springs, one of the popular recreation areas in Ocala National Forest.

The forest  particularly Pat's Island, in the Juniper Prairie Wilderness near Lake George  attracted some white settlers, including Reuben and Sara Jane Long in the late 1800s. Melvin Long, one of their 11 children, adopted a fawn. Decades later, when author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings met up with Melvin's brother Calvin and heard that story, the idea for a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel was born.

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Rawlings published "The Yearling" in 1938, and eight years later, it became an MGM film starring Gregory Peck and Jane Wyman.

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, author of "The Yearling," sits at her desk at Cross Creek, Florida, in 1940.

"The Yearling" wasn't the first movie shot in Ocala National Forest, and it wouldn't be the last. "Tarzan the Ape Man," starring Johnny Weissmuller and two sequels, were made in the 1930s, while parts of three James Bond films, including 1983's "Never Say Never Again," with Sean Connery, were also filmed in the forest.

Forest draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year

Cooper incorporated into his novel one of the more colorful forest phenomena: the arrival each February of the Rainbow Family of Living Light for a communal-living experience of primitive camping as a means of achieving "peace, love and harmony amongst all beings," according to a Facebook post.

"Theyre fascinating people. The people here at Ocala, most people know about them," Cooper said. "And you can usually recognize them. Theyve got the dreadlocks and the hippie look. And the real problem that most people in Ocala are aware of is that they have a reputation for thumbing into town and maybe doing a little bit of shoplifting. And thats about it. Theyre just kind of seen as nuisances."

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The Rainbow gathering in 2021 was dampened by the shooting death in Silver Springs of one of their own, 41-year-old Larry "Frank" Dugger of Tennessee. The Marion County Sheriff's Office has not solved the case.

Beyond the films, novels, and true crime tales, Ocala National Forest attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. The Forest Service says 1.1 million people visit Florida's three forests, Ocala, Apalachicola, and Osceola, each year.

Ocala's springs, lakes, and streams bring people for swimming, fishing and boating, while hunting, hiking, camping, and ATV riding are also popular.

Counselor Kayden Prestipino launches Landyn Durbin, 7, out of the water at Camp Kiwanis on Mill Dam Lake in Ocala National Forest in 2023. Swimming is a popular activity in the forest's recreation areas.

What activities are allowed in national forests?

National forests and national parks are two distinctly different federal enterprises.

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It was 1872 when Yellowstone was established as the first national park. What would later become Shoshone National Forest, also in Wyoming, was established in 1891.

Initially, forests and parks both fell under the Department of the Interior, but in 1905, forests were transferred to the Department of Agriculture, reflecting the differences in their missions.

Preservation of natural and cultural resources is more at the core of national parks' charge, whereas national forests are managed for timber, recreation, grazing, wildlife, and fish, according to the National Forest Foundation.

So for 117 years, Ocala National Forest has been managed differently from a national park. Privately owned lands within the forest have resulted in the construction of an estimated 45,000 homes, hundreds of businesses and churches, an extensive network of unpaved and paved roads, recreation areas, campgrounds, all-terrain vehicle trails and other amenities.

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Meanwhile, logging operations in Ocala have been done for ecological purposes. The harvesting of younger sand pine trees has helped create habitat for the Florida scrub-jay, an endemic species.

Another major policy difference between national forests and parks: Hunting is more restricted than in national forests.

National parks limit development within

Even as parks are generally more protected, there have been exceptions made in order to give people access to national parks, said Taylor Stein, a professor of ecotourism at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

"If you go to Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Everglades, you know, there's hotels on National Park sites," he said. "Old Faithful Inn was built in the 1800s by railroad companies to get tourists in there."

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But infrastructure in national parks like that is confined to 2% or less of a park property, Stein said.

Ocala-area residents like Buchholz  who have expressed fears that a national park will only attract more development on the outskirts of the park  have a legitimate concern, Stein said.

Fine's bill creating a path for Ocala National Forest and regional springs to national park status includes language requesting the Department of the Interior to evaluate the cost of land acquisition. But President Donald Trump has proposed cutting more than $1 billion from the national parks budget,

"There's no proposal to buy private lands for this national park," Stein said. "It is all about changing existing public lands to national park status. So on the private lands, which would be intermixed among this new national park, (land owners) can do whatever they want. ... If someone has an opportunity and they say, 'I can put $1 million hotel in here,' they can do it."

Taylor Stein, professor of ecotourism and natural resources management at the University of Florida

It comes down to local counties and cities, and planning and zoning, Stein said.

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"These people that are doing a petition, they seem to be angry maybe at Congress," Stein said, "but where I see the threat, it's their local government that's going to allow this to happen or not. ... We all know Florida. We err on the side of development when there's a chance to make money."

Cooper's read on the opposition to a national park in the forest is a cynicism of politicians.

"I would say that nearly all of them disagree with the prominent view of conservatives in the Florida Legislature and in Washington that theres so many who would probably be happy to privatize every inch of this country tomorrow," Cooper said. "And I think there are people in the forest who worry that if it becomes a national forest, it would be a little easier for those legislators to do that. And thats the last thing they ever want to see, because, you know, they like it there."

Rep. Fine says Florida has 'the Yellowstone of springs'

Fine, who was elected in an April 1 special election to replace Michael Waltz  who had left to join the Trump administration  campaigned across the 6th District, which stretches from the Atlantic Coast from Daytona Beach to southern St. Johns County and west to Ocala. A former state legislator from Brevard County, Fine has visited nearly all of the national parks and connected his experience with one of the state's chief environmental concerns: failing springs.

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At his press conference at Juniper Springs, Fine explained: "The bill begins with the fundamental promise that things like what we have behind me, these Florida springs, are as miraculous and amazing as any other natural asset that we have in this country, and they are deserving of our protection."

Fine called Florida's springs "unlike anything else you'll find in America, unlike anything else you'll find in the world," adding: "We literally are the Yellowstone of springs."

At the news conference, Fine was joined by Volusia County Council Chair Jeff Brower and Suzanne Scheiber, founder of Dream Green Volusia, a nonprofit environmental organization based in Ormond Beach.

Suzanne Scheiber, founder of Dream Green Volusia, speaks to the Volusia County Council in 2021.

Scheiber called Fine's national park proposal "the opportunity of a lifetime" as a way of addressing springs restoration and protection.

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Scheiber views federal involvement as a means to widen public support for springs, including those in Volusia that have been diminished.

"Not everyone understands or is aware of all of our springs and the plight of some of them," Scheiber said. "When you have the opportunity to grow that type of awareness, you really can do way more."

In 2016, the state Legislature designated 30 "outstanding Florida springs" and required the state Department of Environmental Protection to devise plans to protect them. The 30 included three in Volusia County: Gemini Springs in DeBary, Blue Spring in Orange City and DeLeon Springs, all of which were among 24 that at the time were impaired, damaged by reduced flow and nitrogen, resulting in a loss of water clarity, seagrass and marine life.

Christopher Meindl, a professor of geography at the University of South Florida, published a theconversation.com article detailing how none of those 24 have improved, while two new springs have joined them on the impaired list.

Environmentalists question effectiveness of 2016 springs law

A 2016 law required the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to devise plans to reverse the degradation, but many environmentalists, including retired attorney Clay Henderson, say the state hasn't done enough.

"Years later, they're worse off than they were then, you know, when the plans were approved," Henderson said. "So it's not just Volusia County springs, it's just most of the springs in the state that have this kind of problem."

By contrast, he said the springs in the Ocala forest, including Juniper and Alexander, are in better shape because they are surrounded by public lands and wilderness protection areas, said Henderson, a onetime Volusia County Council chair and executive director of the Institute for Water and Environmental Resilience at Stetson University.

"There is no question that Florida has more first-magnitude springs than any other place on the planet, and so its a unique and important natural resource for the nation," Henderson said. "It almost has to be managed on an individual basis because the stressors on these springs are all woven different. In some places, its agriculture. In some places, its septic tanks, for instance."

Haley Moody, executive director of the Howard T. Odum Florida Springs Institute, said there is urgency to address the springs problem.

"It's not just a few of them," Moody said. "It's the majority of them, and that's all on the rise. So, you know, it's, it's not just the contamination of our groundwater, it's also the overextraction of our groundwater. So we're not only polluting what we have, we're also using what we have wastefully."

Haley Moody, executive director, Florida Springs Institute

Florida is drawing down its aquifers faster than it's refilling them, Moody said.

And, she, too, said the development pressure of in-migration has contributed.

Ocala National Forest as a National Heritage Area?

It turns out Fine wasn't the only one thinking about national protection for Florida's springs.

For several years, Robert Knight, founder of the Florida Springs Institute, promoted something he called the Great Springs and River National Park, writing: "The data and our own eyes don't lie  many of Florida's most precious springs are dying."

His organization studied the idea, met with stakeholders across North Central Florida, including people in the Ocala National Forest area.

"In 2021, we got a grant from the National Parks Conservation Association to explore this idea and we started doing some work on it," Moody said. "We held several stakeholder meetings we got as many people from as many organizations as we could together to discuss the idea.

"To some extent thought we would be met with a lot of enthusiasm, and that's not exactly what happened," she said. "People really just indicated through their experience that it was going to be ... a hard thing to accomplish in Florida, that people were really resistant to federal land acquisitions."

So the Florida Springs Institute decided to shift gears and look instead at a federal mechanism called a National Heritage Area, of which there are 62 across the United States. National Heritage Areas are also administered by the National Park Service.

The only one that touches on Florida is the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, which stretches from St. Johns County up the East Coast to North Carolina. Its mission is to help states recognize and preserve the history of the Gullah Geechee, descendants of West and Central Africa who were enslaved and brought to the American South to work on the coastal rice, Sea Island cotton and indigo plantations.

Heritage areas don't come with the same rules as national parks.

"There is no land use change initially with the designation," Moody said, "and then it becomes really up to the people that are living in that landscape to determine how it's managed and to advocate for how it's managed."

The Florida Springs Institute describes the National Heritage Area designation as "an important educational tool for all Floridians and the millions of visitors to our state each year" that could "strengthen existing community bonds, create new partnerships and initiatives, increase economic impact and opportunity and bolster public awareness and pride in this region."

Even as Moody and the Florida Springs Institute came to a different proposal than Fine's national park proposal, she believes his bill has served a purpose.

"A lot of people have had this idea and there have been attempts at this in the past, and you know it is good to be having this conversation and to really dig into what is the best way to protect these places."

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Randy Fine's call for Florida Springs National Park stirs conversation
Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of CNN and HBO, announced Tuesday that it is up for sale after receiving unsolicited interest from multiple potential buyers.

Most Read from Fast Company



The news adds a new wrinkle to an already-planned shakeup at the media giant. In June, WBD announced plans to cleave the company into two separate publicly traded companies. The companys streaming and studio brandswhich include HBO, HBO Max, Warner Bros. Pictures, and New Line Cinemawould be part of Warner Bros., while Discovery Global would oversee its cable networks that include CNN, TNT Sports, and Discovery.

Though its not abandoning plans to split the company, WBD indicated in its announcement on Tuesday that its now reviewing strategic alternatives, with no set timeline for this process. This move merely confirms what many people had already suspectedthat the company wants to be acquired.

Earlier this month, the newly merged Paramount Skydance Corporation reportedly made a lowball offer for the company. WBD rejected a takeover offer from Paramount of about $20 per share, according to reporting by Bloomberg. The newly appointed Paramount CEO, David Ellison, has made it clear hed like to buy Warner Bros. Discovery before that split can occur.

INTEREST FROM MULTIPLE PARTIES

But Ellison isnt the only interested buyer, it seems, and that news sent shares of WBD surging more than 10% in midday trading Tuesday to as high as $20.58. And it may scuttle plans that Ellison, son of billionaire Oracle founder Larry Ellison, has for completing another mega-consolidation in the media industry.

Its no surprise that the significant value of our portfolio is receiving increased recognition by others in the market, David Zaslav, president and CEO of WBD, said in a statement. After receiving interest from multiple parties, we have initiated a comprehensive review of strategic alternatives to identify the best path forward to unlock the full value of our assets.

Among the other companies interested in a possible acquisition of part or all of WBD? The list includes Netflix and Comcast, sources told CNBCs David Faber.

SHAREHOLDER VALUE

While splitting up the companysimilar to what NBCUniversal did this year with its networks and various entititesis still WBDs preferred path forward, its board decided to consider all opportunities, according to chair Samuel A. Di Piazza, Jr. We determined taking these actions to broaden our scope is in the best interest of shareholders.
SEVIER COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE)  The Waldens Creek Volunteer Fire Department warned residents on Thursday that the area was seeing its first moderate level risk for the 2025 wildfire season.

Every year, the fall wildfire season begins in Tennessee around October 15, when leaves are falling, and ends around December 15, when there are shorter, cooler and wetter days, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture says.

VIDEO: Truck catches fire, crashes into building in Sevierville

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Waldens Creek Fire Department said that while the area has received some rainfall earlier this week, there has not been enough rain to significantly reduce the potential for wildfires. The department added that leaves, brush and other potential fuel for a wildfire are fairly dry, and winds for Thursday are expected to be between 10 and 15 miles per hour with gusts of up to 28 miles per hour.

These conditions can allow fires to start easily and spread rapidly. The department advised those in the area to take extra precautions by:

Avoiding any outdoor burning

Properly extinguishing cigarettes and fire pits

Being alert for power line movement or sparks in windy areas.

Reporting any smoke or signs of fire immediately to 911.

What to know about open burning safety as wildfire season approaches in Tennessee

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From October 15 to May 15, Tennessee requires burning permits for those looking to burn outdoors. The state also has a spring fire season that runs from approximately February 15 to May 15.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
DES MOINES, Iowa  It has almost been a month since the arrest of former Des Moines Public School Superintendent Ian Roberts. The events following would bring Roberts resignation, a couple of federal charges, and a greater focus on the upcoming November local elections.

City and school elections traditionally are low turnout because of a lack of federal elections to decide. After Roberts was arrested, leaders at the district got to work to hold learning sessions about the $265 million bond referendum; and candidates who were in the race before Roberts arrest got to work on messaging what change they would bring.

The 2023 Des Moines School Board had four members who were in the elected position when Roberts was hired that are currently still serving. One of them is up for reelection on November 4, anothers term lasts until 2027, and two incumbents are not seeking reelection.

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BYU fans to host charity tailgate to collect items for Johnston Partnership

That is Maria Alonzo, who holds one of the at-large positions on the board currently. She is seeking another opportunity from district voters and parents, after telling WHO 13 News that she knows now the background check in the superintendent search needed to be more robust.

Newcomers Marcus Coenen, Sara Hopkins are DMPS parents and they are also seeking the bid for the at-large. Two of those candidates will fill both at-large seats that are available.

District 2s seat is open. The current member Jenna Knox is not seeking reelection which opens the door for another newcomer Ryan P. Howell, who is running unopposed.

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Skylar Mayberry-Mayes is running for election for the first time in District 4, although he is an incumbent. He filled the sat of late Teree Caldwell-Johnson who passed away in 2024.

Jackie Norris is not seeking reelection, she was on the board back in 2023 when Roberts was hired, just like Knox. Kimberly Martorano is serving her term through 2027, she was also on the board in 2023.

Patrick Dix and Anna Campos were elected in the fall of 2023, after Roberts was hired. Their terms both go until 2027.

In all, four seats are up for grabs with five candidates vying for those roles, which is a majority of the board on November 4.

Metro news

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com.
Kimberly Tirado says her familys experience with school vouchers exemplifies the problems with Floridas growing program.

The St. Cloud mom of four views vouchers as a saving grace for her oldest child, who was able to use the funds to get special education services her high school did not provide.

But after a year of homeschooling, when Tirado explored the possibility of putting her daughter back into public school, everything went awry. For three days after Tirado visited Harmony High last fall, the school listed her daughter as enrolled  even though the girl never took a class there.

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That was enough to get her tagged as ineligible for the voucher she was awarded, Tirado said. The funds, she said, were instead misallocated to the school.

Her situation is far from uncommon.

In recent legislative hearings, officials said more than $47 million assigned to about 23,000 children was not properly accounted for  a scenario that played out last year and continues this year.

The problem centers on the systems in place to track students and their awards.

In some cases, voucher recipients last year were incorrectly labeled as attending a public school, never receiving the funds they expected to use for private or home education. In other instances, recipients got money even though they actually went to a public school and were not eligible.

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Meanwhile, both school districts and voucher recipients say theyve missed out on money that might have been used for services and support had it not been caught up in accounting mistakes.

But while lawmakers have asked plenty of questions, no solutions have yet emerged.

We do not want a repeat, House PreK-12 education budget chairperson Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka said during a recent committee meeting, stressing the desire for Florida to maintain its national leadership position on school choice.

Previously, such problems occurred in smaller numbers, state officials said. But they blossomed into a multimillion-dollar situation as more families took advantage of vouchers, Persons-Mulicka said.

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Floridas voucher program has expanded to nearly a half-million participants and $4 billion in spending since lawmakers eliminated income eligibility requirements.

The situation might have been avoided, or at least mitigated, had the state House not killed a Senate proposal aimed at repairing the funding miscues that many parents and school officials identified after the Legislature expanded the program.

State senators pushed this spring to revise the laws governing voucher funding, including increased use of state identification numbers assigned to every student. The House rejected the effort, resisting any idea of segregating the education budget for students who do and do not use vouchers.

As lawmakers prepare for the 2026 session, which begins in January, House leaders have acknowledged the financial mess that tarnished the past academic year.

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At two meetings in October, PreK-12 Budget Subcommittee members askedwhat happened, and what steps are being taken to improve the situation.

They heard from state and district officials that making sure the money follows the student isnt as straightforward as school choice proponents would like.

Many problems are baked into the system, officials said. They pointed to software applications that arent capable of splitting payments into smaller increments than quarterly, and state-imposed deadlines for disbursing funds that dont coincide with dates established for taking official school enrollment counts.

More than $7 million got distributed this fall before the cross-checks ever began because of those mandates, said Adam Emerson, who oversees school choice programs for the Florida Department of Education.

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Katie Foley, a student data services manager for the Panhandle Education Consortium representing more than 20 school districts, told lawmakers that districts were given four days this fall to validate whether students were enrolled or could receive voucher funds. Yet the state provided little guidance on how to differentiate between students with similar names or other near matches, Foley said, noting ID numbers are not always included.

Thousands of files remained unverified, their funds frozen until the details could be ironed out.

Processing second-quarter funds proved equally daunting, Foley said, noting that the state provided different information requiring hand checks of files without any updated assistance on how to ascertain matches.

Committee members including Rep. Fiona McFarland, R-Sarasota, and Rep. John Snyder, R-Stuart, talked about the need to attach ID numbers to all files, to ease the effort of tracking voucher money and students.

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Snyder suggested the issue might be a technology restraint, asking, Do we need new and better tools? No one had an answer.

Meanwhile, families dealing with the fallout are frustrated that they might never see some of the voucher money they were awarded, even after presenting proof that their children were not attending public schools.

Parents are waiting to have things like therapies reimbursed because the department and (voucher funding organization Step Up for Students) keep stringing them along, said Christin Carlisle, an Orlando parent and advocate for vouchers to children with special needs. Statute indicates they were eligible for funds, so does it go against statute to take them away? What happened to the funds?

Tirado, the St. Cloud mom, said she was told her daughters voucher, about $8,000, would be released over the summer after she provided documents showing the girl never enrolled in Harmony High. She was thrilled at the idea of finally being able to catch up on her classes and services.

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The time came and went, and we received nothing, Tirado said, adding she lives paycheck to paycheck and cant afford to put money out up front and await possible reimbursement. Im still being told to be patient.

But she said patience doesnt help her daughter, whose self-esteem has plummeted because of this, not being able to cover education to move ahead as her friends graduate and move ahead.

Tirado said she and other parents have talked about seeking legal counsel if the situation doesnt improve.

Persons-Mulicka said she expected the Legislature to continue its conversations about reforming the voucher system over the next several months.

Jeffrey S. Solochek is a reporter covering education as a member of the Tampa Bay Times Education Hub. You can contribute to the hub through our journalism fund by clicking here.
Despite warnings this week that the federal government shutdown could result in nationwide flight delays and cancellations, local officials say the problem has yet to reach Boston.

Logan Airport has not experienced any impacts from the shutdown, which has led to staffing shortages among air traffic controllers elsewhere, a Massachusetts Port Authority spokesperson said Thursday.

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The Federal Aviation Administration issued a warning earlier this week that thousands of flights had been delayed or canceled since the shutdown began on Oct. 1.

There have been increased staffing shortages across the system, an FAA spokesperson said in a statement Thursday. When that happens, the FAA slows traffic into some airports to ensure safe operations.

Some of the countrys busiest airports, such as those in Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, Newark, Las Vegas and Phoenix, have been affected, Reuters reported.

Around 13,000 air traffic controllers and approximately 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers are working without pay, according to the news outlet.

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Earlier this month, over 23,000 flights were delayed in a single week, and U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told Reuters that 53% of those delays were due to staffing issues, compared with the normal rate of just 5%.

Duffy added that staffing issues have improved over the last week.

More boston

Read the original article on MassLive. Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The big story: Florida senators warned in the spring that the states school voucher systems rapid growth was creating funding and accountability concerns.

They proposed a measure aimed at fixing problems that parents and school administrators alike had pointed out related to ensuring that the money follows the student as intended. Millions of dollars awarded to thousands of students had come under scrutiny.

The House killed the proposal. But the problems have persisted.

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In the run up to the 2026 session, the House PreK-12 Budget Subcommittee has taken the concerns more seriously. It already has held two work sessions to explore the situation, with more to come.

We do not want a repeat, House PreK-12 education budget chairperson Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka said.

Read more from the Tampa Bay Times, Florida Phoenix.

Hot topics

Superintendents: A Republican member of the Hillsborough County legislative delegation is advancing a bill that seeks to have the school districts superintendent be elected rather than appointed.

Social media posts: The president of the Martin County teachers union will face an administrative hearing over his suspension stemming from social media posts he made after the killing of activist Charlie Kirk, WPTV reports.

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Personal pronouns and titles: Floridas attorney general has instructed the Alachua County school district to prevent a teacher from using the title Mx., saying it violates state law, WCJB reports.

NIMBY: Educators have raised concerns about a detox center being built within walking distance of an Indian River County charter school, TC Palm reports.

Mentoring: Two Democrat state lawmakers have proposed legislation to create a teacher mentoring program for public schools, Florida Politics reports.

Immigration enforcement: Florida State and Florida A&M universities could feel the impact of the Trump Administrations proposed restrictions on H-1B visas because many of their associate professors and graduate students are foreign born, the Tallahassee Democrat reports.

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Head Start: Some central Florida Head Start providers say theyre at risk of shutting down if the federal government cant reach a budget agreement soon, Central Florida Public Media reports.

Charter schools: Gov. Ron DeSantis reiterated his support of a law allowing Schools of Hope charter operators to claim access to unused space in public schools, the Sun-Sentinel reports. A Sarasota County school board member called the law no better than a grift, WUSF reports.  A new charter school is being build in Jacksonvilles northside as the Duval County school district grapples with declining enrollment, WJXT reports.

Campus security: Leon County schools have seen an uptick in student arrests, prompting officials to consider additional security measures, the Tallahassee Democrat reports.

Artificial intelligence: Google dedicated $2 million to expand Miami Dade Colleges artificial intelligence career training programs, WLRN reports.

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From the police blotter ... An Orange County substitute teacher was arrested on accusations of inappropriate conduct in a classroom, including viewing nude photos, WKMG reports.

From the court docket ... A federal judge has issued a stay order in a lawsuit challenging the Escambia County school districts right to remove school library books, while two other similar cases work their way through appeals, USA Today Florida Network reports.

Dont miss a story. Heres a link to yesterdays roundup.

Before you go ... Just in time for Halloween, elephants smashing pumpkins.

Jeffrey S. Solochek is a reporter covering education as a member of the Tampa Bay Times Education Hub. You can contribute to the hub through our journalism fund by clicking here.
NEED TO KNOW

An 18-year-old man was killed in a head-on collision in Clay County, Florida, on Oct. 22

At the time of the accident, the 18-year-old was driving the wrong direction on State Road 16

Two other vehicles were involved in the accident, with one driver, identified as Scott Hakes, seriously injured and the other unharmed

A young dad is recovering after a teen hit him in a fatal head-on collision in Clay County, Florida, on Wednesday, Oct. 22. The 18-year-old was driving the wrong way at the time of the crash, and died at the scene.

The unidentified 18-year-old was driving a sedan westbound in the eastbound lane of State Road 16 near Clay High School in Green Cove Springs around 6:50 a.m. local time when the crash occurred on Wednesday, Florida Highway Patrol told local news outlet News Jax 4. Florida Highway Patrol did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

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The teen rear-ended a pickup truck driving westbound. The 38-year-old driver of that vehicle was uninjured. The 18-year-old continued on in the sedan, before crashing head-on with another pickup truck, driven by 21-year-old Scott Hakes, Action News Jax reported.



The 18-year-old died on-site, while Hakes, of Jacksonville, was transported to a nearby hospital in serious condition, both outlets said.

No one involved in the crash was a student or faculty member at the high school, despite its proximity to the crash site, First Coast News reported.

State Road 16 remained blocked for some time on Wednesday as authorities responded to the scene, according to Action News Jax.

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In an interview with Action News, Hakes said the crash happened quickly: "Before I could blink or even think to do anything, that car took up my lane."



"There was a point where I was like, 'Damn, this is my last day,' " Hakes said, speaking to Action News Jax from his hospital bed, "but I had to, kinda, stay strong. I got a daughter at the house. But it looks like I might be alright."

According to a GoFundMe page created by Tatum Collins, Hakes, a young dad, "will be out of work for an extended period as he heals."

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.

"At home, his other half a stay-at-home-mom  who is caring for their baby, and the family will have no income during this time," the GoFundMe's creator said.

The goal of the fundraiser is to support Hakes' medical bills and basic necessities while he's out of work.

Read the original article on People
The voting power of Black and minority communities faces fresh threats as the U.S. Supreme Court and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis are poised to reshape electoral maps, moves that critics warn could weaken decades of civil rights gains ahead of next years midterm elections.

Justices reviewing a Louisiana case are expected to rule in coming weeks to limit the use of race-based electoral districts, a sharp erosion of the decades-old Voting Rights Act.

Against that backdrop, DeSantis is already clamoring for Florida lawmakers to hold a rare, mid-decade redistricting session, likely targeting the states two Black-leaning congressional districts.

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For many Black Floridians, its all too familiar.

What we see happening with the mid-decade redistricting effort is just one in a long line of attacks not just against Black Floridians, but frankly, all Floridians, said Genesis Robinson, executive director of the Equal Ground Education Fund, a voting rights organization.

The U.S. Supreme Court may give strength to Gov. Ron DeSantis' call for rredrawing Florida's congressional map, the latest in a series of moves that have diluted minority voting power.

The redistricting drive comes on top of a series of Florida laws passed since 2020 that restrict vote-by-mail, toughen voter ID requirements and undermine voter registration efforts by independent groups, all of which experts say have particularly hurt minority voting.

During the last round of redistricting, in 2022, DeSantis said he was seeking a race neutral congressional district across North Florida. The plan he promoted effectively eliminated a seat held by U.S. Rep. Al Lawson, a Black Democrat from Tallahassee. Thousands of Black voters were scattered into three Republican-held districts.

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Race neutral, cmon, really? Whats that a code word for? said Cynthia Slater of Daytona Beach, who helps lead voter outreach efforts for the non-partisan, Florida NAACP.

Slater was at the U.S. Supreme Court for the Oct. 15 challenge to a Black majority congressional district in Louisiana, which non-Black voters condemn as racial gerrymandering.

Majority of justices look ready to revamp Voting Rights Act

The six conservative justices on the nine-member court seemed inclined to strike down the district because it relies too heavily on race. Such a ruling would amount to a central change in the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which promoted using race as a consideration in district line-drawing to remedy past discrimination.

Now, justices appear ready to open the door to more redistricting efforts that eliminate many Black and Hispanic seats, which tend to favor Democrats.

The Constitution prohibits discrimination based on race, which is why the Court is likely to find racial gerrymandering to be unconstitutional.



The Constitution says nothing about political gerrymandering, which is why the Court has found such claims to be non-justiciable (ie, https://t.co/w2nzXAUIUA  Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) October 14, 2025

The Constitution prohibits discrimination based on race, which is why the Court is likely to find racial gerrymandering to be unconstitutional, DeSantis posted on X about the Louisiana case.

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President Trump is pushing states where Republicans control the Legislature to redistrict to improve the GOPs chances of winning enough seats next year to retain control of Congress. The party of the seated president historically loses seats in the midterm elections.

Florida could follow lead of Texas, Missouri, now North Carolina

Republicans are looking to achieve this goal by redrawing a host of seats now held by Black Democrats. Texas, Missouri and now North Carolina are advancing new congressional maps to meet Trumps demand.

Democratic-led California has swung back with a map of its own, improving that partys chances. But voters in November must decide whether to go ahead with the plan.

Widely expected to be the focus of a Florida redistricting re-do would be the South Florida seats held by U.S. Reps. Frederica Wilson and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick. While neither has a majority Black voting population, Wilsons is 41% Black and Cherfilus-McCormicks is 49% Black.

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Another Democratic seat likely targeted is U.S. Rep. Darren Soto of Orlando. His district is 49% Hispanic.

DeSantis, though, is expected to seek a way to preserve the states three, longtime Hispanic majority seats in South Florida  held by Republicans.

Floridas congressional map already heavily favors Republicans. Under the new DeSantis-crafted map, Republicans won an additional four seats in 2022 and continue to control 20 of the 28 U.S. House seats from Florida.

Is Florida next? Is Florida next? State GOP leaders respond to Trump's call for redistricting

Third-party groups hurt... Grassroots groups end voter registration drives, fearing Florida law pushed by GOP

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The states Fair Districts constitutional amendments, approved by voters in 2010, bar lawmakers from drawing districts intentionally to help or hurt a party.

Still, DeSantis and Republican leaders see a path to change what justices may conclude are districts that overly favor minorities at the expense of white voters.

As many as five Democratic-held seats could be made more competitive for GOP

All told, as many as five Democratic-held congressional seats could be eyed for becoming more competitive for Republicans if redistricting occurs in the next legislative session, which begins in January.

DeSantis and the Legislature in recent years have approved a spate of election law and voter-access changes which analysts say already contributed to a marked decline in Black voter turnout.

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Florida Republicans say the new requirements enhance confidence in elections. They also reflect the unfounded doubts continually raised by Trump about the integrity of elections.

In the 2020 presidential election, 65.6% of Black voters cast ballots, according to the University of Florida Election Lab. In last years contest, that level slumped to 59.8%. White voter turnout remained mostly steady  with 72.6% in 2020 and 71% in 2024.

Almost three-out-of-four Black voters are registered Democrats in Florida, where Republicans have surged to an almost 1.4 million-voter lead over Democrats, according to the Division of Elections.

Minority voter access hurt by Florida's recent changes, experts say

Florida's new limits on drop boxes, mail ballot requests and third-party voter registration groups also have dampened minority voter access, experts say. An Office of Election Crimes and Security was established by DeSantis in 2022, which some opponents cast as a tactic that could intimidate many minority voters.

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A voter-approved effort in 2018 to restore voting rights to those with past convictions who completed terms of their sentences has had a limited effect on the 1.4 million Floridians it was designed to help, records show.

Steep fines imposed on organizations registering voters, once a key part of work by the League of Women Voters and the NAACP, has largely limited such activity.

One-in-10 Black voters and the same share of Hispanic voters in Florida had registered through these third-party groups. By contrast, fewer than one-in-50 white voters who became eligible to vote were assisted by these groups, according to analysis by University of Florida political scientist Daniel Smith.

While more than 63,000 Floridians registered to vote through third-party organizations a year before the 2020 election, that figure has now dwindled to 1,089 this year.

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Theyve definitely chipped away at our ability to get out to our community, said Cassandra Brown of Leesburg, co-founder and executive director of All About the Ballots, which helps voters register.

Now we mostly direct people to Elections Supervisors websites or provide stamped envelopes for them to send in their registration applications, she added. We can really only make sure that they fill out their applications and tell them where they can drop them off.

Asked if she felt the changes by Republican leaders were designed to keep those unregistered from ever getting a chance to vote, Brown said. Absolutely. Its intentional and strategic. They know what theyre doing.

And Brad Ashwell, Florida director of the All Voting is Local, a national organization that advances pro-voter policies, said DeSantis drive to redraw congressional district boundaries would occur as voting patterns are already changing.

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Anytime you erect a hurdle, new requirements, these are going to disproportionately affect people who have already marginalized; those who are kind of on the fringe of voting, Ashwell said. And these are mostly minorities, younger people and people with disabilities.

John Kennedy is a reporter in the USA TODAY Networks Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at jkennedy2@gannett.com, or on X at @JKennedyReport.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: DeSantis' redistricting fight in Florida puts Black voters on the line
TEMECULA, CA  It's that time of year again. Well, almost. Flu season generally begins sometime between Halloween and Thanksgiving. Are you vaccinated?

Along with influenza, other respiratory viruses like RSV and in more recent years, COVID-19 are common culprits for a runny nose during the winter months.

The best way to maximize protection against them is to get the vaccines you're eligible for, Dr. John Swartzberg, an infectious disease specialist at University of California, Berkeley, told Patch this week.

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With flu season looming, early signs overseas and lagging vaccination rates at home could determine how severe it gets in California. And according to Swartzberg, early signs from the Southern Hemisphere suggest the U.S. could be in for a tougher flu season.

"We also have a hint from Malaysia and Japan, where they're having a very early influenza season," he said. "That hints that maybe we're going to be seeing a more aggressive influenza this year."

Here at home, a lower uptake of the flu vaccine is sounding the alarm.

Flu season typically kicks off right after Halloween and is almost certainly here around Thanksgiving before peaking around mid to late January up to mid-February, Swartzberg said.

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Despite that low uptake, early surveillance data from the Southern Hemisphere show that this seasons influenza vaccine provided moderate protection, lowering hospitalization risk by about 50 percent.

Taking all of this into consideration, Swartzberg says now is the best time to get the jab.

Now is the time to get vaccinated for COVID, and certainly, now is the time to get vaccinated for influenza. And if you got RSV vaccine previously, it's good for at least three years.

5 Places In Temecula That Offer RSV, Flu and COVID-19 Vaccines:

Neighborhood Healthcare Temecula - 41840 Enterprise Cir N | (951) 225-6403

CPCMG- Jefferson Temecula - 27699 Jefferson Ave | (951) 587-8116

CPCMG - Redhawk - 44274 George Cushman Ct | (951) 587-0992

Pechanga Indian Health - 47001 Pala Road | (562) 526-3000

Neighborhood Healthcare - 31537 Rancho Pueblo Road | (951) 225-6400

Krishna Vasant MD - 40285 Winchester Rd | (951) 296-2055

The following pharmacies also offer vaccine appointments. Search for your area below:

Who should be getting vaccinated right now?

Swartzberg emphasized that everyone over six months of age should get the influenza vaccine, calling it the foundation of protection against respiratory viruses this winter.

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He said adults over 65  and especially those 75 and older  should also stay up to date on their COVID-19 boosters, ideally every six months, while younger adults with underlying health conditions may also benefit from twice-yearly doses.

For RSV, he noted that vaccination is recommended for adults 75 and older, and for younger adults with health risks.

READ MORE: Signs Point To Vicious CA Flu Season: What To Know

Flu Season Begins Soon: Where To Get Vaccinated In Temecula originally appeared on the Temecula Patch
Warner Bros. Discovery announced Tuesday it has initiated a comprehensive review of strategic alternatives, Wall Streetspeak for considering a sale process, as rumors have swirled for months that one of Hollywoods legacy studios could be acquired. The company disclosed in a press release that it had received unsolicited interest from multiple parties for the entire company and for its iconic Warner Bros. segment. Paramount Global, itself recently acquired by David Ellison, the son of Trump ally Larry Ellison, reportedly made a $20-per-share bid earlier this month. Netflix, the dominant streamer turned Hollywood power player, has also been rumored as a potential acquirer, although co-CEO Greg Peters downplayed it earlier this month, and it is not known as an active M&A player.

Its no surprise that the significant value of our portfolio is receiving increased recognition by others in the market, CEO David Zaslav said in the press release. After receiving interest from multiple parties, we have initiated a comprehensive review of strategic alternatives to identify the best path forward to unlock the full value of our assets.

Board response to offers

The companys board of directors confirmed the review is taking place not only to continue with the previously outlined separation, but to consider a range of transactions. These include an outright sale of Warner Bros. Discovery as a whole, selling off separate divisions, or exploring frameworks for mergers and spinoffs that would maximize shareholder value.

The announcement comes amid a rapidly changing media landscape, where the value of content libraries, studios, and global distribution platforms has soared. Warner Bros. Discovery had already been preparing to divide operations to better position itself in streaming, film, and television markets. This process was expected to culminate by mid-2026 but is now joined by serious external interest, which could accelerate or reshape the companys plans. Any acquisitionwhether full or partialwould represent one of the biggest shake-ups in Hollywood history, given Warner Bros.s vast portfolio, which spans HBO, DC Studios, CNN, Discovery Channel, and more.

Market reaction and implications

Investor response was instantaneous: Warner Bros. Discovery stock surged by over 11% after the news broke, as traders began to price in the possibility of a blockbuster deal. The timing of Warner Bros. Discoverys announcement comes as tech titans and Hollywood moguls make aggressive moves. Most notably, Larry EllisonOracle chairman and CTO and recently the worlds richest manhas positioned his family as media power brokers, with his son, David Ellison, leading Paramounts transformation.
After a years-long renovation project, the Fondation Cartier art museum will open its doors on Saturday to its new home, opposite the Louvre in Paris.

While little has changed externally, the stately 19th-century building, which was a former hotel and department store, has undergone a radical redesign within. The Haussmannian building has been transformed by Pritzker prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel, who describes his latest project as an industrial cathedral of modular spaces.

The dramatic 70,000-square-foot exhibition space features tall bay windows that create a sense of transparency, blurring the boundaries between the inside and outside world.

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Pedestrians, bikers and the citys traffic serve as complementary, theatrical background sets, while curious passersby can peek through the windows to catch glimpses of the artworks. High glass ceilings near the main entrance funnel in natural light.

An external view of the museum from the street. - Marc Domage

Chris Dercon, the museums managing director, told CNN that the design is a dialogue with the history and urban context of the city.

But the most interesting design feature is no doubt the system of five steel, mobile platforms that can be raised and lowered in nearly a dozen ways to reconfigure the exhibition space, in order to reinvent the visitor experience.

Nothing is permanent, Mathieu Forest, director of production and architectural design at Ateliers Jean Nouvel studios, told journalists at Mondays press preview.

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Not the floor, not the walls, not the ceilingnext time, maybe this platform will be higher or lower. You will have an entirely new perspective.

Cables and pulleys have also been left deliberately exposed, he adds, as they are live tools for artists and curators.

The adjustable viewing platforms can also offer different perspectives  and experiences  of a single piece. Standing floor level and gazing head on at Colombian artist Olga de Amarals monumental textile work, Muros en rojos, reveals the fine details of the thousands of wool and horsehair mosaic-like strips.

A hyperrealistic sculpture by Ron Mueck and a textile work by Olga de Amaral in the background. - Cyril Marcilhacy

Climbing up a few flights of stairs for a view from above and afar, however, changes the viewers relationship to the tapestry, as it becomes an autumnal, pixelated amber, red and burnt ochre backdrop that evokes the colors of Amarals native Bogota landscape.

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Contemporary art takes on extremely varied forms, notes Emilie Besse, a French journalist who specializes in the intersection of art and luxury.

And if we want to be able to present absolutely all forms of creative expression, you need a space that can adapt.

The inaugural show Exposition Generale, is a nod to the buildings heritage as a former 19th century department store, the Grands Magasins du Louvre, which showcased the latest trends in fashion, technologies and household items in museum-like exhibits of the same name. Artworks, curated from the foundations existing collection, are categorized under four broad themes that explore architecture, the living world, techniques and materials, and the relationship between science and artistic creation.

Where the modular configuration may risk confusion, however, is in the absence of direction or clear signage that can help visitors make sense of the thematically grouped works.

Luxury brands influence on French art world

The innovative arts space, which cost more than an estimated 230 million euros ($267 million) to renovate, according to French media, follows in the foundations tradition of shaping the citys the modern art scene.

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When the museum first opened in 1984 in the Paris suburb of Jouy-en-Josas under the direction of Alain Dominique Perrin, it became the first corporate foundation in the country to promote contemporary art, paving the way for the likes of the Fondation Louis Vuitton, which opened in 2014, and the Bourse de Commerce, which houses the contemporary art collection of Kering founder Francois Pinault and opened in 2021.

You have to understand that, unlike other countries, culture in France has been, for decades, and centuries even, something that was supported by the public sector and that belonged to the state, explains Fabien Simode, president of the French chapter of the Association of International Art Critics.

When Cartier arrived in the 1980s, they showed that another path was possible.

A work by Bolivian architect Freddy Mamani in Fondation Cartier. - Marc Domage

While the relationship between luxury brands and cultural institutions is now firmly established in France, Besse acknowledges that it can still cause some discomfort among some critics.

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Last year, when the Grand Palais, which has received tens of millions of euros in donations from Chanel, named one of its main entrance ways after the brands founder, Gabrielle Chanel, it raised concerns of commercial opportunism and appropriation of a heritage site, Besse said.

But ultimately there are very strong affinities between luxury and art, as luxury brands have historically been houses of expertise and creation, she adds. So theres a natural bridge between these two worlds.

Public and private, luxury-branded institutions also have drastically different approaches that decrease the risk of overlap or competition, Simode points out. While public institutions can sometimes be scientific, encyclopedic, even cold in their faithfulness to detail, private institutions often have more freedom to take an aesthetic and dynamic approach, and have proven their legitimacy, Simode adds.

New visitors

For its opening exhibition the foundation has curated 600 works by 100 international artists including David Lynch, Patti Smith and Damien Hirst, to Congolese artist Bodys Isek Kingelez and Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang.

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For Jean-Christophe Castelain, director of the Le Journal des Arts, a bimonthly art publication, the Fondation Cartiers strength is in scouting international, sometimes little known talents who fall somewhere between big commercial artists whose work appeals to the general public, such as Jeff Koons, and the more obscure, experimental artists who can be radically niche.

The interior comprises of moveable platforms that can change a visitor's experience. - Marc Domage

The Fondation Cartier is somewhere in between, and thats also what makes it so strong, he says.

Castelain cites hyperrealist Australian sculptor Ron Mueck as an example of an artist who got a major boost from the foundation in France after becoming the first French institution to host a solo exhibition back in 2005, and then in 2013 and 2023.

Perhaps more than its initial programming, its the museums newly central location, increased space  five times the area of its former home  and proximity to the worlds most visited museum, the Louvre, that will attract new audiences, notably tourists.

The interior's redesign is by Jean Nouvel, whose portfolio spans decades and includes the Louvre Abu Dhabi. - Marc Domage

Nouvel was also the architect behind the Fondation Cartiers previous site, which opened in 1994 in a quieter neighborhood on the Left Bank.

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The foundation has been moving towards the center of Paris over the last 40 years, says Simode, adding that the move is analogous to the citys growing importance on the international art scene.

Paris has returned to the center stage.

Exposition Generale is on view until August 2026.

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Missed paychecks, canceled infrastructure projects and mass firings havent yet convinced congressional Democrats to change their government shutdown stance. But they are now facing down another pressure point threatening a program theyve long championed benefiting millions of Americans.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which helps feed more than 40 million people, will start to run out of funds Nov. 1, President Donald Trumps USDA is warning. At least 25 states plan to cut off benefits starting on that date  including California, the overwhelmingly Democratic state with 4.5 million SNAP recipients.

The food-aid cliff has largely flown under the radar as Democrats focus on another Nov. 1 development: the launch of open enrollment for Affordable Care Act insurance plans in most states. They believe massive premium hikes prompted by the expiration of key federal subsidies will compel Republicans to relent and negotiate an extension at that time.

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So far, despite the possible food assistance fallout in just over a week, top Democrats are pushing ahead and refusing to shore up the votes to reopen the government.

Asked Tuesday if the cliff would change his partys calculus, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said it would not: It should change Republicans calculus, that they should sit down and negotiate  negotiate a way to address this crisis.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), asked if it was worth pushing the shutdown beyond Nov. 1 given the risk of food aid lapsing, replied, Worth it to whom? To people who will lose their health care or to people who will lose their food?

We're people who want Americans to have health care and food, she added. The Republicans, evidently, don't care whether they have either.

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Trump and members of his administration have acted selectively to ease shutdown impacts on agencies and programs they perceive as benefiting their political allies  shifting funds to pay active duty troops, for instance, while letting civilian workers go unpaid.

That approach appears to be playing out at USDA, where there is no firm indication the Trump administration will act to patch the impending SNAP lapse. A separate initiative delivering baby formula and other nutrition aid under the Women, Infants and Children program is also at risk next month after the White House moved to use some tariff revenue as a backfill early in the shutdown.

At the same time, the administration is planning to partially reopen key farm loans and shuttered local USDA offices beginning Thursday  addressing a key GOP shutdown pain point that Senate Majority Leader John Thune and other farm state Republican lawmakers have pressed the White House on since the shutdown started four weeks ago.

For now, Trump administration officials and Republican lawmakers are eager to blame Democrats for risking hunger among millions of low-income Americans right before the holiday season.

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The shutdown is Democrat performance art  the audience starves while the elitist critics applaud, said one White House official who was not authorized to speak publicly.

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) added, What's it gonna take  for the Democrats to say, Gee, huh, maybe  maybe people should be able to eat.'

But its not just blue states like California and New York that will suffer. Red states are also at high risk, as well as large pockets of rural America that voted for Trump. For instance, Louisiana  home to House Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise  has one of the highest SNAP participation rates in the country, and Scalise noted Wednesday more than 800,000 Louisianans rely on the program.

White House officials are keenly aware of the consequences for their own voters, even as they continue to needle Democrats on the topic. Several Republican governors have already reached out to the administration to understand what the consequences will be.

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The Trump administration has options, which officials are weighing, according to three people granted anonymity to discuss the private deliberations: Democrats want USDA to deploy a SNAP contingency fund that currently holds about $5 billion to offset the roughly $9 billion in funding needed to cover costs for November. Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, a New Mexico Democrat, is among senators also pushing the administration to use tariff revenue as theyve done with WIC.

I would argue that the same authorizations exist for [SNAP] as well, Lujan said.

But some Trump officials say finding a SNAP patch wont be so simple. Tapping the contingency fund wouldnt leave money for other emergencies that are known to pop up with the program, and if the full $9 billion cant be covered, it could take weeks to mete out a smaller percentage of money to each states program  meaning families would miss their Nov. 1 food benefits anyway. Meanwhile, the legality of using tariff revenue for SNAP is unclear and would also pull money from child nutrition programs  which the Republican-controlled Congress is unlikely to replenish.

Republicans privately believe the food aid cliff could motivate some more moderate Democratic senators to relent and vote for a GOP-led stopgap bill that would reopen the government. With five additional votes needed to pass that measure, they are eyeing Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, Kristen Gillibrand of New York and Gary Peters of Michigan, among others.

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Peters, who is retiring, said in an interview he has a lot of concerns about the possible loss of food aid but that it was up to Republicans to come to the table.

Its just so curious that Republicans are not willing to come together on health care  when the ACA tax credits go away, it hits primarily Republican congressional districts and Republican states, Peters said. So Republicans don't care about their own people.

That rhetoric was echoed by a host of Democrats this week, including California Sen. Alex Padilla, who said the best way to address that is for Republicans to come to the table, work with Democrats to reopen the government and address the spike in health care costs.

Others are frustrated that Republicans appear to be using food aid as leverage after moving to cut more than $200 billion in spending from the SNAP program as part of their sweeping domestic policy bill passed this summer along party lines.

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They're the ones that made the cuts to SNAP to begin with, and they should be funding SNAP, said Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, the top Democrat on the Senate Agriculture Committee. So it's very rich if they're saying they're going to cut SNAP when they made all the cuts to begin with.

Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) estimated 361,000 people in his district  nearly half his constituency  could be affected by the SNAP cliff. But he also noted the high number of families who relied on ACA health insurance subsidies and said he did not see a reason for Democrats to relent right now  pointing to some perceived cracks on the GOP side, such as Thunes offer to Senate Democrats of a vote to extend the Obamacare tax credits.

Asked how many days Democrats could hold out, Cuellar referenced the record-long shutdown during Trumps first term. Last time, he said, we did 35.

Grace Yarrow contributed to this report.
Food bank and food pantry leaders gathered in Des Moines Oct. 23, 2025 to urge the end of the government shutdown before it causes a lapse in federal nutrition program funding. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

As federal funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is days away from running out, food banks, pantries and charitable groups across Iowa are bracing for what they anticipate will be unprecedented need.

SNAP serves around than 270,000 Iowans each month and is a federally supported program. But as politicians in Washington, D.C., squabble over budget decisions that determine when the government will reopen, food banks across the state have been asked to support hungry Iowans when current federal funding ends on Nov. 1.

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Despite the daunting task ahead, food bank officials have said they are determined to continue their mission to keep folks fed. That mission, they said, can be supported by everyday Iowans via donations of time, funds, nonperishable goods and advocacy to members of Congress.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE

There is literally no precedent for this, said Kathy Underhill, the CEO of Des Moines Area Religious Council, or DMARC. I wish that there was, because that would make it a lot easier for us to predict what we think is going to happen next  In the history of the SNAP program, benefits have never been delayed or not issued, ever.

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services said earlier this month the federal Food and Nutrition Services department instructed states not to issue November SNAP benefits. HHS, in the same news release, said it informed food banks and community organizations to prepare to provide additional support to impacted Iowans.

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Food banks across the state said they hope the shutdown will end before benefits run out, but will work to keep Iowans fed. That mission, they said, will require creativity and additional support from every community.

Aron Brecht, the community food systems manager with Hawkeye Area Community Action Program, or HACAP, a food bank serving eastern Iowa, said there is no wrong way for Iowans to help the sector.

If you have not given time, or given money, or given food and have always been interested, please allow this to be a scenario where you do that, Brecht said. Food banks who provide food to food pantries and meal sites  anybody thats opening up to help their community right now  were all going to need some more help.

The stakes

The charitable sector, according to Feeding America, is able to provide one meal to every nine meals provided by SNAP dollars.

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I want to be really clear that nonprofits cannot replace SNAP benefits, Underhill with DMARC, said Thursday at a press conference.

In Polk County alone, where DMARC serves, 50,000 residents receive SNAP benefits. According to DMARC, about half of those recipients are children and seniors.

While food bank and pantry leaders each said the situation was unprecedented they also said they plan to do everything they can to meet the need in their communities.

Regardless of what the future holds we will be here, and well be prepared to help meet the need, Underhill said.  if youre one of our neighbors who is losing sleep about how you and your household will be able to get by, please know that theres a network here to help you.

Food security vocabulary:

Food bank: is a broader coalition that transports large quantities of food within a given region. There are six main food banks serving Iowa.

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Food pantry: the drive-by windows, charitable closets, free grocery store setups and the like that serve individuals experiencing hunger.

SNAP eligibility: The gross income limit for SNAP eligibility in Iowa is 160% of the federal poverty level, which is $25,040 for a single individual or $51,440 for a family of four.

In addition to stocking food pantries, food banks are often involved in after school and weekend feeding programs that help keep children fed when schools are closed.

Barb Prather, executive director for Northeast Iowa Food Bank, said these programs, along with mobile food pantries, are some of the most important programs her food bank does to serve rural communities.

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The word unprecedented was used consistently to describe impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, but Prather said the current situation feels worse to some degree because during the pandemic there were additional resources available for food banks to tap into.

Food banks cant make up the difference in SNAP or WIC or any of those government programs, but we at the Northeast Iowa Food Bank have a commitment to feed people, and well do everything in our power to be able to hopefully meet that commitment and encourage communities to rise up and help us in doing that, Prather said.

Stephanie Sullivan, the assistant director of communications and marketing for Food Bank for the Heartland, which serves western Iowa and eastern Nebraska, said the impact of the shutdown will have ripple effects for thousands of people in her region, for months to come.

We know that our neighbors are already making unthinkable decisions whether they choose between going to the grocery store or paying their medical bills and no one should be forced into that decision, Sullivan said.

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Beyond the food security sector, SNAP has an economic multiplier factor of up to 1.5, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data. Under that multiplier, the estimated $45 million in SNAP dollars spent in Iowa each month generates nearly $70 million in economic activity.

The timing of the shutdown also follows historic cuts to the SNAP program from the Republican-led one big beautiful law, which a nonpartisan government analysis estimates will cut 20% of funding to the program through 2034.

Its estimated the cuts will result in a loss of $50 million in funding for the program in Iowa for 2026, with greater losses in subsequent years.

Women, Infants and Children program

While the Women, Infants and Children, or WIC, program was originally slated to run out of funds early into the government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture authorized $300 million into the program to keep it operational through the end of October.

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Sullivan said the cuts to SNAP while her food bank faces historic need makes it feel like the food bank is climbing an uphill battle to deploy its mission.

Because we havent seen a need this high in our history, on top of all the other challenges were facing, this is a hunger epidemic, what were facing right now, Sullivan said.

Three ways to help

Underhill with DMARC, which is the largest food pantry in Des Moines, said the pantry is increasing its food on hand by about 25% and remaining in contact with partners across the metro to ensure that there are no interruptions in daily service.

According to Underhill, the pantry has no intentions to limit the amount of food it guarantees to visitors, nor to alter its services.

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Brecht with HACAP said need increases in the food sector any time there is a real or perceived threat to benefits. He said partners in his region have said their communities are already preparing for that lapse in benefits to occur. For SNAP recipients, that might mean trying to stretch their October allotments, or making an extra trip to the food pantry.

Were purchasing more food in anticipation for any sort of expanded shutdown to try to at least bolster our inventory and do our best to meet whatever need comes through the next week, month, etc. Brecht said.

Brecht said eligible Iowans can continue to sign up for SNAP, and he said they also should keep their electronic benefits cards  even if the shutdown persists into November  so that funds can be distributed quickly when they do become available.

A map of food banks and the areas they serve in Iowa. (Map courtesy of Iowa Food Bank Association)

Brecht and the other food bank officials pointed to advocacy as one of the most important ways that Iowans can help during this time.

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Local, state, federally elected officials all need that education from folks that are that are concerned and folks that are either utilizing programs or have some insight, Brecht said.

Gov. Kim Reynolds singled out congressional Democrats Thursday morning in a news release and called on her opposing party to end the shutdown before it caused disruption to SNAP benefits.

Because SNAP is fully funded and operated by the federal government, states are unable to step in and keep it running, Reynolds said in the release. But this issue could be resolved today if Senate Democrats would vote to reopen the government. If they continue to refuse, theyll be choosing to put low-income American families at risk.

Republicans and Democrats in D.C. continue to be at odds and stalemate on key bills that would reopen the government.

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In addition to calling for an end to the shutdown, Reynolds directed Iowa HHS to remain in regular contact with Iowa food banks about their current inventories and abilities to increase distribution if necessary.

Our focus in Iowa will be on understanding the needs of food banks and pantries across the state and applying what we learned during the pandemic to support SNAP households if benefits are delayed, Reynolds said.

Prather with Northeast Iowa Food Bank said the state has been a great partner in the past and she appreciates the governors actions.

It takes all of us to make a difference in the lives of people in Iowa, not only private but also public support in that as well, Prather said. Im optimistic that well be able to work with her to help alleviate the need if the government continues to be closed.

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As Underhill put it, many hands make light work. In addition to calling and emailing congressional leaders, food bank leaders said Iowans can also volunteer at their local food pantries to help pack and organize donations, or they can make monetary or nonperishable food item donations.

Kathy Underhill, CEO of DMARC, speaks at a press conference Oct. 23, 2025, on the impacts the federal shutdown could have on food banks and pantries. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

While all donations are appreciated, the food bank leaders said monetary donations are especially prioritized because food banks and pantries have wholesale partnerships that allow them to spread each dollar further.

If an organization is planning to host a food drive, or someone wants to donate food items instead, Underhill said things like canned goods, peanut butter, rice, boxed pasta, cereal, canned chicken and dried beans are some of the most useful items to donate.

Other food banks echoed the same sentiments and said they are doing all they can to beef up their warehouses in anticipation of the need.

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Annette Hacker, communications manager for Food Bank of Iowa said while the food bank has sound financial footing, its resources are not unlimited.

We really cant continue at the rate were going with purchased food, Hacker said. That said  weve been here a long time and will continue to be here, but were going to have to get more and more creative on how we source that food, how we deliver that food, how we fundraise. It is a very very challenging time.

Food bank websites provide information on donations and on food pantries in the area.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
New footage of Sundays shocking heist at the Louvre shows two suspects using a slow-moving lift to escape in broad daylight, with whats assumed to be Frances crown jewels.

The footage circulating on social media Thursday reveals two individuals using a truck-mounted basket lift to slowly lower themselves from the balcony they allegedly used to reach the museums gilded Apollo Gallery, where the royal jewels were on display. One person is seen wearing a high-vis vest, while the other wears a motorcycle helmet.

Global: EU Joins Trump In Heaping More Sanctions On Russia To Push Putin Into Ukraine Peace Talks

The video does not show the individuals reaching the ground due to a fence obscuring them, however previous reporting said they had left the area via electric scooters. Museum guards could be heard in the footage cursing and expressing frustration that the suspects were getting away.

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Over the course of about seven minutes, the individuals were able to successfully break into the worlds most popular museum, steal eight pieces of crown jewels worth an estimated $102 million, and escape in plain sight. Four days later, the hunt for the suspects and the jewels continues.

French crime scene officers gesture as they examine the cut window and balcony of a gallery at the Louvre Museum on Oct. 19 in Paris, France. Kiran Ridley via Getty Images

Its extremely unlikely these jewels will ever be retrieved and seen again. If these gems are broken up and sold off, they will, in effect, vanish from history and be lost to the world forever, Tobias Kormind, managing director of European jeweler 77 Diamonds, told The Associated Press.

The video appears to have been filmed on a phone from inside the Paris institution, further highlighting its major security flaws. Activists just one year earlier threw a can of soup at the Mona Lisa, one of the most crowded exhibits at the museum that already serves as a site for mass tourism.

Global: Airline Cancels 70 Flights Over An Issue Most People Would Never Even Think Of

Louvre director Laurence des Cars conceded on Wednesday that the centuries-old museums security and video surveillance is our weakness.

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That same balcony in the phones footage is not covered by outside security cameras, des Cars told French lawmakers, calling for an updated surveillance system and a police station inside the museum. The director also offered to resign in the wake of the heist, which was rejected by French President Emmanuel Macron.

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ANKENY, Iowa  A survey from Forbes.com shows that the Ankeny Community School District was ranked No. 11 on the Best Employer in Iowa for 2025 list that came out in September.

The ranking also includes national companies that have branches in Iowa; so, out of Iowa-based companies, Ankeny School ranks No. 7.

Johnston voters weigh in on school board election

Ankeny Schools Superintendent Dr. Erick Pruitt said that the ranking is due to the culture and leadership at all levels in the district.

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We have leadership from the classroom up to the district office, and that includes our teacher leaders, our paraprofessional leaders, our leaders in the nutrition staff, even our operations teams, Pruitt said. We have leaders all across the school district in Ankeny that contribute to the positive culture that we have here in the Ankeny Community School District.

Pruitt also stated that last year, they hired a third-party firm, Culture Amp, to assess the culture of employees within the district. He said that the firm comes up with specialized survey questions, then the survey gets sent to all employees in the school. Culture Amp then gathers the results and comes up with detailed plans and a strategy for the district to strengthen and improve culture in some areas.

Pruitt also holds office hours at every building within the district. These hours are for staff, including teachers, custodians, nutrition staff, and anyone else who needs to talk.

Metro news

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The Cecil County Circuit Court building in Elkton. (Photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters)

A former Cecil County sheriffs deputy pleaded guilty Wednesday to four counts of misconduct in office and three counts of unauthorized access to a computer after he searched a law enforcement database for information on seven people who were not suspects, including his wife.

According to the Maryland State Prosecutors office, Dontae Odom also searched information on romantic partners, a hotel employee in Ocean City and others. A statement of facts said Odom had no legitimate law enforcement reason to search a database about any of the individuals, who are not named.

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Odom worked for sheriffs office from 2019 until he resigned in August 2025.

Odom illegally searched for information on his wife, identified as Victim 1, from March 13, 2024, to Jan. 4 of this year. He did searches on Victim 2  a woman with whom he developed a romantic relationship after responding to a call at her house  from April 1, 2022, through at least March 21, 2024. He also did searches on a relative of hers, identified as Victim 3, from May 18, 2022, through at least June 10, 2024.

Odom later became romantically involved with Victim 4, who was married but separated from her husband, Victim 5.

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On Sept. 13, 2024, Odom texted Victim 4 that he had looked her up. She asked how he did that, saying she was, Just making sure you didnt look up my address in NCIC [National Crime Information Center]. Odom responded, Umm no that[s] stalking and everything is tracked. Im not getting fired for that.

Despite that statement, he searched for Victims 4 and 5 in September and December 2024. When he and Victim 4 when to Ocean City for a vacation in November 2024, he looked up license plate information on a car driven by Victim 7, an employee of the hotel they were staying at.

One month later, in December 2024, Victim 4 informed the sheriffs office of Odoms conduct.

Although Odom was served with a no-contact order, he continued to contact Victim 4 through social media, texts and emails. In addition, Odom secretly recorded a conversation in March of this year when they met at a secluded location, leading to a wiretapping charge.

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On March 9 of this year, Odom repeatedly asked Victim 4 why she told investigators certain information. The next day, Odom texted her, Why dont you ask for the no contact order to be dropped and to delete everything.

Odom also spoke with Victims 1 and 2 prior to and after they were interviewed by investigators.

The final individual, called Victim 7, worked in the same building as Odom in 2019. According to the state prosecutor, Odom searched for the number of Victim 7 in July 2024.

When law enforcement officers break the very laws they are sworn to enforce, they violate the

public trust and undermine the integrity of our justice system, Maryland State Prosecutor Charlton T. Howard III said in a statement. Our office remains committed to thoroughly investigating  and when warranted, prosecuting  any instance where an officer may have misused their power and betrayed the public they are sworn to serve.

Odom is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 19.
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)  Former Charleston County Magistrate Judge James Gosnell Jr. will remain behind bars after his arraignment hearing Thursday morning, following his indictment on multiple federal charges related to possession of child sexual abuse material.

Gosnell, who served as a judge in Charleston County for over twenty years, pleaded not guilty to six of the charges outlined in the 9-count indictment. The charges include possession of child pornography, receipt of and attempted receipt of child pornography, distribution of child pornography, and conspiracy charges, according to federal court records. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday.

A redacted co-conspirator was also referenced in the indictment.

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Gosnell was arrested in early September when Homeland Security investigators allegedly discovered images and videos depicting minors in sexually explicit situations on Gosnells devices.

According to court documents, investigators discovered disturbing conversations on Gosnells phone in which Gosnell purportedly admitted to sexually abusing infants and toddlers.

Shortly after his arrest, Gosnell resigned from his judge position in Charleston County.

If convicted of just one of the charges, Gosnell faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in federal prison for each count.

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At Thursdays hearing, Gosnell arrived in a Williamsburg County Sheriffs Office car and appeared in court wearing an orange jumpsuit and handcuffs.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Limehouse said the Government requested that Gosnell remain detained pending trial. Limehouse declined to comment following the proceeding.

Gosnells defense attorney, Lionel Lofton, did not request a detention hearing but said his legal team plans to file several motions in the coming weeks.

This is only the first phase, said Lofton. We have some legal motions well be filing once we get the schedule and order from the court. Some, we are thinking the judge will have to take a good, hard look, so we look forward to doing that and look forward to being back in court.

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In court today, among the onlookers was U.S. Representative Nancy Mace (RSC). She said the case highlights a deeper issue in South Carolina.

South Carolina has a pedophile problem, that much is very clear, Mace said. What I think this case is going to do is bring attention to a problem, and thats why Im here today.

Mace also encouraged any potential victims to contact her office for help.

Im deeply concerned for any child who may have been in the vicinity or in his home or near him or with him alone, said Mace Im deeply concerned about those children, and I hope those families have the resources they need to either come forward or be a witness or if they need assistance, I want them to reach out to our office because we can provide resources.

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Federal investigators ask anyone who believes their child may have been alone with Gosnell to contact this tip line: Charleston_exploitationtips@hsi.dhs.gov

Gosnell will remain behind bars in federal custody. A date for his next court appearance has not yet been set.

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Chris Adams

The former equipment services director for the City of Odessa will spend the next eight years on probation after pleading guilty Tuesday to theft of property, $2,500 to $30,000 in Ector County District Court.

If Chris Adams violates his probation, Judge Lori Ruiz-Crutcher could sentence him to 10 years in the Texas Department of Corrections.

Adams was also sentenced Tuesday to two concurrent one-year probation sentences after he pleaded guilty in County Court At Law to abuse of official capacity and fraud.

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An Ector County grand jury indicted Adams on the third-degree felony theft charge in April, the same month the Ector County District Attorneys Office filed the misdemeanor fraud and abuse charges in the lower court.

According to the indictment, Adams, 57, was accused of unlawfully appropriating property, namely United States currency without the citys consent while a public servant employed by the city.

According to court documents, the misdemeanor charges were filed because

Adams was accused of obtaining his job with the city by claiming to hold a post secondary degree when he knew he didnt have one. He was also accused of committing theft by misappropriating United States currency from the City of Odessa.

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Adams was fired last November by then City Manager John Beckmeyer.

On his termination notice, Beckmeyer wrote: Based on information discovered during an internal investigation, it is clear to me that you have violated City Personnel Policy 6.101, Paragraph 1, Section I through your unauthorized use of city funds. Given the severity of your misconduct, corrective disciplinary action is inappropriate in this matter.

In addition to the typical terms of probation, Adams will be required to pay $10,740 in restitution and submit to and successfully complete any drug and alcohol evaluations, counseling or treatment his community supervision officer deems necessary. In addition, he must complete a theft education program witin 180 days

Adamss lawsuit against the city is still pending.

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Adams filed a lawsuit against the city in February claiming he was fired for alleging then Deputy City Manager Agapito Gapi Bernal and City Attorney Dan Jones insisted upon awarding a tire bid to Forrest Brothers despite the fact Southern Tire Mart submitted the lowest bid to the city.

Adams further claimed that $900,000 worth of vehicles were donated to the citys sister city in Mexico, but only after Bernal instructed him to substantially reduce the value of the vehicles.

According to the lawsuit, Adams was fired less than a month after he reported both instances of alleged wrongdoing.

The city has a policy of not commenting on pending litigation.

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Adams, who is represented by the Fort Worth firm of Hutchison & Foreman, further claims that the city continued its campaign of retaliation and harassment after he was fired by demanding he pay the city more than $16,000 for the misuse of a city credit card, the lawsuit stated.

City officials have refused to provide any documentation backing up their claims, the lawsuit stated.

Hutchison and Foreman allege the city is retaliating against Adams for such petty violations as filing receipts three days late or not itemizing expenses.

Ignoring Mr. Adams attorneys request for information supporting its allegations against Mr. Adams, the city, instead, abused the criminal process by having the Texas Rangers show up at Mr. Adams door with a search warrant for receipts, invoices, credit card statement, document showing outstanding debts and other similar documentation, computers, cellular devices, tablets and other electronic communication devices, the lawsuit stated.

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The lawyers said the Rangers took things that exceeded the warrant.

Adams is seeking unspecified compensatory damages along with lost wages, benefits and seniority, attorneys fees and interest.

Southern Tire Mart sued the city over the Forrest Brothers contract.

However, Ector County District Court records show retired Judge James Rush entered a nonsuit without prejudice order at the behest of STM on Jan. 10. A nonsuit is a legal procedure that allows a plaintiff to voluntarily dismiss a case, but leaves open the possibility of refiling it.

Back in February then Interim City Manager Richard Morton announced Bernal had agreed to leave his position attributing it to a difference in management styles.

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However, records obtained by the Odessa American under the Texas Public Information Act revealed Beckmeyer had hired attorney Tommy Sheen for $425 an hour to investigate Bernal late last year after four city employees filed complaints against Bernal in October accusing him of being a bully. Sheen presented Morton the results of his investigation behind closed doors.

The post Former city official pleads guilty, placed on probation appeared first on Odessa American.
The now-former DeKalb County superintendent accused of trying to defraud another school district has pleaded not guilty.

Dr. Devon Horton appeared in federal court on Thursday and entered a not guilty plea, his attorneys confirmed to Channel 2 Action News.

Horton faces charges that he participated in a scheme to defraud the District 65 school system in Illinois, where he previously worked as superintendent.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Since the indictment came down, Horton has resigned from his position as superintendent, but will continue to be paid his $400,000 salary for 30 days.

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School board members told Channel 2s Tyisha Fernandes that he was continuing to be paid according to Georgia law on severance pay. But Fernandes looked up the law and found the school district is not legally required to offer severance.

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Hortons attorney, Terence Campbell of Cotsirilos, Poulos & Campbell, said Horton endured threats of violence, including nooses being hung, while he was superintendent in Evanston, Ill.

While Superintendent of the Evanston, Illinois School District, Dr. Horton tackled head-on a number of tough issues often under difficult circumstances, including having threats of violence made against him and his family, his car windows smashed  and even nooses hung at one Evanston school in an attempt to intimidate and terrorize him, presumably by people who disagreed with his educational initiatives. The truth is his leadership bettered the school system for the children and families of Evanston, just as he did in DeKalb County. Dr. Horton is eager to address his case in court and is glad that process has now begun. Terence Campbell

Norman C. Sauce III is currently serving as interim superintendent for the DeKalb County School District.

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FAIRFIELD - When investigators questioned a former town official after his arrest in April on charges he threatened Fairfield police officers, an arrest warrant indicates the man admitted he was drunk at the time and "would probably pick up more charges" after police searched his phone.

On Wednesday, he did.

Raymond Neuberger, 41, an Easton resident, was charged with two counts of first-degree harassment after police said detectives found a number of web searches on his phone related to the case, including one inquiry about a specific officer's address and two others asking if specific detectives would "be a good cop from six feet under?"

Some of the typo-ridden searches appear to have been intended as messages, including one in which he said "the fld station will be dust" and "i will come for all if you now."

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"Not today, not tonorrow, not next week," another search said, according to the warrant.

The five page arrest warrant notes Neuberger's history with the department. Neuberger, who served on the town's Representative Town Meeting for several years and unsuccessfully ran for state representative in 2016, had already been charged with threatening officers who investigated his animal abuse case in 2023.

Neuberger was ultimately sentenced to serve 17 months in prison in 2023, and was released from prison in July 2024, according to the warrant.

He was subsequently arrested in April after police said he shouted expletives at an officer parked in a patrol car and later called the Fairfield County Regional Dispatch Center and started to display what the warrant referred to as paranoid behavior, including demanding police leave him alone and stop following him.

Fairfield police say Raymond Neuberger, a former town official who served prison time for animal cruelty, has been arrested again for threatening officers. (Courtesy of the Fairfield Police Department)





The warrant said he told dispatch that his mother had had a heart attack and tried to commit suicide because of the Fairfield Police Department. It said he told them "if anything happens to my mother, it isn't anyone's fault, but the Fairfield Police Department's fault and I'm coming."

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Around the same time as the phone call, the warrant said, Neuberger texted a member of the Fairfield Police Commission saying things such as that he was going to "kill all the Fairfield cops brutally" and "there's gonna be multiple 21 gun salutes if they don't knock it off."

After Neuberger's initial arrest in April, federal prosecutors charged him in connection with the threats allegedly made over the phone.

In July, he was released from custody after being in jail with about three months to go to a substance abuse treatment program in New Jersey, but he was discharged unsuccessfully from the program after a positive test for Suboxone, a drug used to treat opioid withdrawal, his attorney, John Gulash, said in court Wednesday.

During Neuberger's arraignment on the harassment charges before Judge Maureen Dennis on Wednesday, Supervisory Assistant State's Attorney Sean McGuinness said the allegations were "fairly disturbing," asking the judge to set bond at $150,000.

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"The defendant poses a threat to the public," he said.

Gulash said the alleged threats were made while he client "appeared to have been rather intoxicated" and noted the allegations dated back months to the period of Neuberger's April arrest.

"It's not new behavior," he said, calling the issue of bond "academic" because Neuberger has been remanded without custody in his federal case.

Judge Dennis set bond on the new state charges at $150,000, and continued the case to Nov. 3, when he is due to appear in the threatening case. Neuberger is scheduled to appear in federal court Nov. 17, according to Gulash, who declined to comment further outside court.

This article originally published at Former Fairfield official accused of threatening cops faces new charges.
Key Points

Berkshire Hathaway shares have returned about 9% year to date, notably lagging the S&P 500s 15% return in that period.

The underperformance comes amid the loss of the Buffett premium investors were willing to pay with Warren Buffett at the helm.

Buffett has lauded his successor, Greg Abel, for years, saying in 2023, He does all the work, and I take all the bows.

10 stocks we like better than Berkshire Hathaway 

When legendary investor Warren Buffett announced at an annual shareholder conference in May that he would step down as chief executive officer of Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) (NYSE: BRK.B) effective this coming Jan. 1, attendees were shocked. Berkshire Class A shares, which had been trading near all-time highs, fell almost 5% as investors grappled with what his departure would mean for the company.

Buffett has praised his successor, Greg Abel, saying in 2023, "He does all the work, and I take all the bows," and calling Abel "a big improvement over me."

Yet year to date, Berkshire Hathaway shares have returned about 9%, compared to the S&P 500's 15% rise. The underperformance comes as investors rue the loss of the Buffett premium -- the higher price investors were willing to pay for shares of a company with Buffett in charge.

Image source: The Motley Fool.

So, is that skepticism warranted? Or are the markets underestimating Buffett's heirs, who have been personally mentored by the Oracle of Omaha for years and will be taking over an investing juggernaut that retains major institutional advantages?

A look at Buffett's heirs

Greg Abel joined Berkshire in 2000, when Buffett acquired MidAmerican Energy, where he had been president. He rose through the ranks, and in 2018 became vice chairman of Berkshire's noninsurance companies, which include 189 operations ranging from the BNSF Railway to Dairy Queen. He is credited with turning Berkshire Hathaway Energy into a major power producer, after Buffett called the segment one of the four jewels in the company's crown.

Abel is temperamentally similar to Buffett. But his skills lie mostly in operating expertise, and he isn't expected to choose the investments going into Berkshire's portfolio. Instead, Berkshire's vast portfolio will be entrusted to Ted Weschler and Todd Combs, two former fund managers who joined Berkshire in the early 2010s.

Both former fund managers have a track record of success in and out of Berkshire. They encouraged Buffett to make his bold investment in Apple, a move The Wall Street Journal said delivered Berkshire's "biggest windfall" in its six-decade history, and Combs was responsible for adding shares of Visa to Berkshire's portfolio in 2011, which have returned about 2,000% since.
LAKE COUNTY, Ind. (WGN)  A former law enforcement officer was arrested Wednesday on child pornography charges.

The Lake County (Indiana) Sheriffs Department said 32-year-old Colin Dwyer-Keon of Hammond is accused of enticing a teenager to expose himself and perform sexually explicit acts between June and July of 2024.

From June of 2025 through Oct. 16, 2025, Dwyer-Keon is accused of having or accessing pornographic images of children younger than 18 years old, and material including one child younger than 12 years old, according to officials.

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Man killed in Lake Station; suspect in custody

Authorities said in early October of 2025, a detective with the Lake County Sheriffs Department spoke with a teen who said Dwyer-Keon had hired him last year to work for his bounce house and party rental company.

The teen told the detective that within a few weeks, Dwyer-Keon began grooming him and offered him cash for work, but eventually enticed him to play a game he called Truth or Dare, which often ended with Dwyer-Keon daring the victim to undress and expose himself, according to the sheriffs department.

In one instance, the victim accused Dwyer-Keon of recording him urinating.

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The victim said the incidents happened at multiple locations, including the suspects home, at a hotel while the two were working at a fair in another Indiana town, and at a local storage facility.

Truck driver accused of killing man in Northwest Indiana crash; ICE detainer issued

The sheriffs department said detectives obtained a search warrant and examined Dwyer-Keons cell phone which had well over a dozen sexually explicit images including children.

(Photo: Lake County Sheriffs Department)

Until recently, authorities said Dwyer-Keon had worked in law enforcement. He was employed part-time at Purdue University Northwest in Hammond and also worked for the Schneider, Indiana Police Department.

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On Wednesday, Dwyer-Keon turned himself in at the Lake County Jail. He is being held without bond and has an initial court appearance scheduled for Monday.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

The investigation is ongoing and there could be more victims, according to investigators.

Anyone who believes they may have been victimized by Dwyer-Keon should call the Lake County Sheriffs Department Special Victims Unit at 219-755-3355.

The crimes described in this case are simply appalling. Those who take an oath to serve and protect should never exploit or victimize anyone  especially children. I commend our investigators for their professionalism, skill and persistence in bringing these charges forward, Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. said.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
Norm Eisen slammed Donald Trump on Wednesday over the presidents reported demand for the Justice Department to reimburse him $230 million for money he spent defending himself against federal criminal probes and charges.

Nobodys ever seen the kind of profit-grabbing exploitation of the presidency, said the former Obama White House ethics lawyer on MSNBC.

Politics: Ex-White House Ethics Lawyer Accuses Donald Trump Of Nakedly Illegal Action

Trumps nine-figure request  first reported by The New York Times  may ultimately get approved by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who served as the presidents personal attorney. One critic described the proposed payment as the most corrupt act in presidential history.

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Trump reportedly filed two administrative complaints against the DOJ: one related to the investigations into 2016 Russian interference claims and another tied to the probe into mishandled classified documents.

Eisen, when asked if he ever envisioned such a situation, noted that he once wouldnt let Barack Obama refinance his small family home in Chicago when he was regulating the banks amid the Great Recession.

He noted that the Trump family is estimated to be making billions of dollars from both his terms.

Politics: Paul Krugman Warns Trumps Economy Is In Worse Shape Than It Looks

And that includes his crypto interests, for example, where hes getting huge sums through those business enterprises that hit his pockets from Gulf nations, where we have strong interests, Eisen continued.

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Eisen declared that theres a barrier to the proposed $230 million takeaway from taxpayers, pointing to the Emoluments Clause in the Constitution.

Eisen turned to Trump seemingly addressing the claims last week where he told reporters hes sort of suing myself and it sort of looks bad.

A president cannot seize that kind of money to benefit himself. Donald Trump just admitted it, said Eisen, adding that the comments could be Exhibit A in a lawsuit against him.

Politics: Democrats Launch Investigation Into Trumps Theft Of $230 Million In Taxpayer Money

He recalled lawsuits against the first Trump administration over emoluments, adding that they reached the Supreme Court before they were mooted when Trump first left office.

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But if he breaks the law, he will be held accountable and so will those who are enabling this behavior, Eisen began. What do you expect if he does it? There will be legal accountability.

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
FORSYTH COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP)  The Forsyth County Sheriffs Office has charged a man with multiple felonies for allegedly shooting into a home in Rural Hall after his girlfriend was fired from her job, according to a press release.

On Oct. 10, the FCSO responded to a home on Pullman Drive where multiple bullets were shot into the residence.

The FCSO worked with the King Police Department to determine that the shooting was related to a similar incident in which shots were fired into a vacant car in the parking lot of a Walmart in King.

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Investigators with both agencies determined that these incidents were suspected to be in retaliation for the suspects girlfriend being fired from her employer.

Larry Keaton Brown, 72, of Walnut Cove, was charged with eight counts of felony discharging a firearm into an occupied property and one count of felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill.

Larry Keaton Brown (Stokes County Sheriffs Office)

Brown was previously charged with possession of a weapon of mass destruction after various rounds of ammunition, numerous firearms and homemade explosive devices and materials were found in his home after the shooting in King. He was also charged with injury to real property and firing a gun within the city limits by the King Police Department.

He is currently being held at the Stokes County Detention Center under no bond for the shooting in King.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP.
The City of Fort Worth has officially renamed a one-mile stretch of White Settlement Road to Westside Drive.

City Council members voted 9-2 in favor of the change, with some emphasizing that the decision was not politically motivated despite years of controversy surrounding both the roads name and its namesake town.

The roads name dates back to the 1840s and the formation of the city of White Settlement. The name comes from an early European American settlement established in the area among Native American villages and was actually named by Native Americans describing white settlers. It has been exploited by far-left activists implying the name had racist implications.

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This name change has absolutely nothing to do with politics and should not be used to sow dissension in our community, Councilmember Macy Hill told the Fort Worth Report.

Councilmembers Alan Blaylock and Charles Lauersdorf cast the two opposing votes. Lauersdorf said he could not support the change because it would create a lot of hoops for business owners to accommodate the new name, according to the Fort Worth Report.

Business owners along the corridor are expected to face costs to update signage, business cards, and other materials  an expense some residents say is unfair.

However, Larkspur Capital, a Dallas-based developer behind nearby projects, said it is working to help offset those costs.

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This is something we just started working on today in response to concerns from the businesses along the corridor, developer Carl Anderson said. So its not something we figured out yet, but  something were working on immediately.

Many residents expressed opposition to the change during public comment.

White Settlement Road has historical significance just like our beloved Fort Worth, one resident said, according to Fox 4 News.

Are the developers that are behind that agreeing to cover the cost of each and every merchant and resident along that mile-long stretch that would be impacted and inconvenienced by changing all business cards, letterhead, envelopes, building signage, street signage, billboards, vehicle signage, etc., just to accommodate a few? resident Luelle McKenzie asked.

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Developers backing the name change said the project will revitalize the area.

We are excited to replace aging car dealerships and warehouses with a vibrant hub of shops, restaurants, hotels, and offices, Anderson said, according to Fox 4 News.
LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY)  A local charitable foundation will award over $160,000 in grants to 34 community-based projects in Acadiana.

Community Foundation of Acadiana has announced that $161,100 in grants are being awarded through its Affiliate Grants Program, launched this year.

The projects span education and youth development, health and human services, arts and culture and community development, according to Missy Bienvenu Andrade, President & CEO of Community Foundation of Acadiana.

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We are incredibly excited to deploy competitive grants like these for the first time in CFAs history, Andrade said. This marks a significant milestone in using unrestricted funds while empowering our local communities to address their unique challenges and quality of life opportunities. We are so grateful to the many generous donors who have made these grants possible. Our gratitude also goes out to the dedicated chairs and board members of all five Affiliate Foundations, its through their leadership and commitment that this impact is possible.

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KLFY Daily Digest

The Affiliate Grants Program is made possible by charitable funds established by individuals, families and businesses who have contributed gifts to CFA. These funds have created the Evangeline Affiliate Foundation, the Iberia Affiliate Foundation, the St. Mary Affiliate Foundation, the St. Landry Affiliate Foundation and the Vermilion Affiliate Foundation.

Awards of up to $5,000 were made to local 501(c)3 organizations. Here is the list of grants awarded:

Grants from the Evangeline Foundation

Evangeline Parish School Districts Evangeline Reimagine Academy

Gifting Grace Projects Pack the Backpack Initiative

South Louisiana Community Colleges Ville Platte Future Fund

Grants from the Iberia Foundation

Boys and Girls Clubs of Acadianas Teen Center for Brighter Futures in Iberia Parish

CASA of the 16th JDCs Volunteer Recruitment, Screening, and Retention Initiative

Healing Houses Iberia Parish School-Based Grief Support Groups

Iberia Performing Arts Leagues 2025-2026 Season

Solomon Houses Nutritional Supplements for the Elderly Initiative

St. Edwards and St. Jude Parishs Structural Repair

Unexpected Pregnancy Centers Baby Steps Initiative

Grants from the St. Landry Foundation

CASA of St. Landrys Repairs to 205 W. St. Landry

Hope for Opelousas Safe Shelter and Storytime Project

LSU Eunices STEAM Improvements Project

Opelousas Area Cerebral Palsy Clinics Speech Therapy Services

Second Harvest Food Banks Improving Food Security in St. Landry Initiative

Thensted Centers Empowering Seniors & Veterans Program

The Refinery Missions The Rig Project

Town of Washingtons Rehabilitate Recreational Resources Initiative

Grants from the St. Mary Foundation

CASA of the 16th JDCs Setting Children Up For Success (School Ready) Program

Foster the Love Louisianas Bring Foster the Love to St. Mary Foster Families Initiative

Gifting Grace Projects Pack the Backpack Initiative

It Takes a Village: SMPs Community Outreach

St. Mary Community Action Agencys The Dad Lab  Engineering Fatherhood Initiative

The Purple Lemon  Grace at 300 Washroom upgrades

Grants from the Vermilion Foundation

Behold Catholic Ministries Hopeful Hearts  Life After Loss Initiative

Boys and Girls Clubs of Acadianas Next Level Youth Development Program

Christian Services Centers Utility Assistance Program

Community Wellness Incs Community Wellness Program

Creative Arts Momentums Community Works of Louisiana Initiative

Faith Houses Vermilion Parish Office

Gifting Grace Projects Pack the Backpack Initiative

LSU Eunices STEAM Improvements Project

Operation Warms New Shoes for Vermilion Parish School Students

Professionals of LAGCOEs Little Energizers Program

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The next Affiliate Grants Program cycle is slated to open in spring of 2026. Learn more about CFAs Affiliate Grants Program here.

Community members who wish to support future grant cycles can make a donation to an Affiliate Foundation here.

Latest news

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com.
CAPITOL HEIGHTS, Md. (DC News Now)  Many who buy groceries at Shoppers in Capitol Heights in Prince Georges County are disappointed. That store and three others in Laurel, Germantown and College Park will be closing on Nov. 8.

Marshala Davis has been buying her food at Shoppers in Capitol Heights for decades and is upset.

I am a senior, and it is easy for me to come here, and Ive been coming here 30 years, and it is not right for them to close it down. Where are we going to shop now? This is not right, said Davis.

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Waldorf business owners struggle as building elevator remains out of service for months

Loretta Woodfork is also frustrated and will soon have to search for a new grocery store.

This is convenient and close for me to shop and for many people in this area, so why close it down? And now we will have to go across town in order to shop. It is not fair for them to be closing, added Woodfork.

In a statement, the company said, We are constantly working to optimize our footprint, which includes investing in stores as well as closing stores where necessary, so we can operate as effectively and efficiently as possible.

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In October, Shoppers closed four stores in Maryland, including a location in New Carrollton. Officials said they are supporting employees who are impacted by the closures to help place them in new jobs at other locations.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Technology group Wartsila has signed an operation and maintenance (O&M) agreement with an outcome-based performance model, covering three power plants owned by Brazilian Ambar Energia, the energy company of J&F Group. The five-year agreement announced October 23 combines Wartsilas services with clearly defined performance targets to establish a framework that enables the power plants to meet the requirements of uninterrupted power availability and reliability. The order was booked by Wartsila in the third quarter of this year. The three power plants, located in the Amazon city of Manaus, each have an output of 92 MW delivered from five Wartsila 50SG engines. The plants were recently converted to run on natural gas, making them the only plants in Brazil to have carried out such a project. The outcome-based element in the agreement, which aligns the financial structure with the achievement of predefined performance targets, promotes a result-oriented partnership between Wartsila and the customer in relation to plant performance. Wartsila is committed to providing high operational efficiency and productivity for the power plants, while maintaining predictable long-term operational costs. Maximization of engine uptime is achieved through proactive maintenance management and spare parts supply, supporting the reliability, availability, and high performance of the customers assets. [caption id="attachment_243546" align="alignnone" width="640"]

From left in front, Daniel Montechiesi and Lucio Santana from Ambar Energia; second row and third rows, from left, Pasi Hautakoski and Nathalie Haen, then Kaj Nordman, Adriano Marcolino and Carlos Gonzales from Wartsila. Source: Wartsila (image used with permission).[/caption] This agreement with Wartsila aims to create value for our business through increased operational efficiency, cost savings and regulatory compliance. In the delivery of the agreement, Wartsila will leverage advanced digital tools, predictive maintenance, and expertise in supporting optimisation of the asset lifecycle, said Fabio Bindermann, operations director at Ambar Energia. This outcome-based agreement with Ambar Energia ensures that we will achieve shared goals together, which take us one step closer to reaching our decarbonisation targets. The agreement ensures mutual benefit and clear accountability, said Gaston Giani, energy business director at Wartsila Energy. Ambar is the energy generation and commercialisation company of the J&F group, the largest private group in Brazil. The companys broad portfolio of assets, including 43 power generation units, contributes to the expansion and diversification of Brazils energy matrix. Ambar is the fourth largest natural gas power generator in Brazil in terms of installed capacity, and also has hydroelectric, solar, biomass, coal and biogas units. POWER edited this content, which was contributed by Wartsila Energy.
An officer has been charged with misconduct in connection to the murders of a young couple in Franklin Township over the summer after an investigation revealed he didn't respond properly to 911 calls.

The calls for help were made on a Friday, August 1, and the bodies of the victims weren't discovered until the next day.

"My boyfriend and I just heard something strange, we heard gun shots and also screaming," one of the 911 calls said.

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The Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office revealed on Thursday that that was the first 911 call that night, coming in around 7:08 p.m. It was one of three 911 calls from concerned neighbors in Franklin Township.

Their timeline shows Sgt. Kevin Bollaro acknowledges the call from dispatch but drives 1.5 miles in the opposite direction to an ATM where he makes a transaction.

About five minutes later, a second 911 caller in the area reports gunshots and screaming. Bollaro again acknowledges the call and finally drives to the location without lights and sirens.

Approximately five minutes later, a third 911 caller reports gunshots and screaming. Bollaro acknowledges that call, arrives about eight minutes later to the location of the first 911 call, speaks to the caller without activating his body-worn camera, then at approximately 7:40 p.m., requests to be cleared from the scene without speaking to the second or third callers.

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It wasn't until the next day that the bodies of Lauren Semanchik, a veterinarian, and her boyfriend Tyler Webb were discovered.

The prosecutor's office says that in Sgt. Bollaro's report from the night before, he falsely stated that he was unable to make contact with one of the callers, was unable to locate the source of the shots and cleared the scene after approximately 20 minutes, although GPS data and witness statements directly contradict his accounts.

Police say the victims were killed by her ex-boyfriend, New Jersey State Police Lt. Ricardo Santos, who then took his own life.

Semanhik had been stalked by her ex-boyfriend for months and had reported her concerns to police.

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On Thursday, the victim's family released a statement saying, "The Semanchik and Webb families are shocked at Sgt. Bollaro's egregious conduct as charged by the Hunterdon County prosecutor. We believe this to be the tip of the iceberg of the many failures by the local and state police which will be uncovered and which led to the murders of Lauren and Tyler."

Bollaro is charged with official misconduct and tampering with records.

The victims' families have sued the Franklin Township Police Department and New Jersey State Police, alleging a blue wall of silence played a role as the real danger Semanchik was in wasn't taken seriously.

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The sign at the entrance of the Coushatta Casino Resort in Kinder, pictured in September 2025. (Jeremy Stevens for Louisiana Illuminator)

A Louisiana tribal casino is under the scrutiny of at least two federal agencies, according to documents the Illuminator has obtained and a former casino purchasing manager who says authorities have interviewed her twice about the matter.

The probe involves Jonathan Cernek, former chairman of the Coushatta Tribe, who federal regulators allege used a casino business credit card to build and furnish his personal home. A former tribal official said the controversy has raised questions about fairness and accountability over how leaders spend casino proceeds intended to benefit all its members.

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The National Indian Gaming Commission ordered the Coushatta Tribal Gaming Commission last month to suspend the license of Todd Stewart, the casinos former general manager and chief financial officer, because of an alleged failure to report suspected misuse of gaming revenues during Cerneks tenure. The federal commission ordered the tribe to hold a revocation hearing for Stewart, which took place Oct. 15 according to the tribes spokesperson. The tribes gaming commission has not ruled on the status of Stewarts license.

Claims of Cerneks credit card misuse are outlined in an eight-page statement Stewart provided to the Coushatta Tribal Council last year. The Illuminator has obtained a copy of the letter. Although he initially did not respond to questions from a reporter, Stewart confirmed via email Tuesday that he wrote the statement.

Dated Aug. 14, 2024, Stewarts statement details events dating back to November 2023. They include Stewarts discovery of invoices for deliveries to the home of Cernek and his wife, Mandy, citing bathroom fixtures as an example.

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Stewart wrote that he reported the purchases to other members of the tribes leadership council and eventually confronted Cernek about the credit card spending. In response, Stewart alleged in his statement that the former chairman threatened his job.

Stewart also wrote that he spoke with former casino purchasing manager Paula Corliss about Cerneks credit card use. She explained the account was for community goodwill purchases, such as air conditioning units for tribal elders and gift baskets for graduating tribal members, according to Stewart.

In his statement, Stewart said Corliss confirmed there were at least a few instances where Mandy Cernek placed orders [using the credit card] with product delivered to the Cernek residence.

In a recent interview with the Illuminator, Corliss confirmed these details, adding that she believed nothing was hidden about the Cerneks use of the casino credit card.

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It was there for him [Stewart] to see, for the council to see, everybody in finance, Corliss said. It was there. You could see it. No one addressed it with the chairman. No one, and Todd said he would handle it.

Jonathan and Mandy Cernek did not respond to phone or text messages requesting an interview, nor did the Cerneks respond to a list of questions the Illuminator hand-delivered to their home in Calcasieu Parish.

Stewart initially did not respond to phone or email messages. After a reporter hand-delivered a letter with a list of specific questions to Stewarts residence in Henderson, Nevada, on Sept. 27, he sent a brief email statement.

Throughout my tenure with the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana, I have discharged the duties of my position with professional integrity and have worked with the stakeholders for the betterment of the Coushatta Casino Resort. That has defined my tenure, Stewart wrote.

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Corliss told the Illuminator the FBI questioned her in person in late May 2024 about Coushatta Casinos finances. She also said she spoke with someone from the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs over the phone in late October 2024.

The tribes current chairman, David Sickey, and tribal council members Crystal Williams and Kristian Poncho did not respond to phone and text message requests for interviews for this report. The tribes public relations representative, Mary Patricia Wray, did not respond to an emailed list of questions.

In response to a list of questions about the Coushatta Tribe, the FBI said it is limiting its responses to the news media during the federal government shutdown. Typically, as a matter of policy, the FBI neither confirms nor denies the status of its investigations.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs did not respond to questions about its involvement with the Coushatta Tribe. Its website indicates the agencys services are impacted in the ongoing shutdown.

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The National Indian Gaming Commission has previously said it does not comment on ongoing investigations, or potential investigations.

Tribe awaits explanation

Jonas John, the Coushatta Tribes former heritage and cultural department director, said he clashed with the former chairman over financial matters before Cernek forced him from his role. It happened two years ago after John said he spoke out about a dormant tribal museum project. He said he was given a termination notice and told he could either resign or be fired.

This was direct from [former] Chairman Cernek and his administrator, Chris Langley, John told the Illuminator.

John said he asked for a reason for his termination, and human resources told him they wanted a change and no longer needed his services.

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I was shocked due to the fact I have given so much to our tribe in revitalization of tribal culture, which people still benefit [from] today  John said. Sometimes, if you start questioning our departments grant money and tribal issues, this is what happens..

We built the casino to help our people and the local community grow, but that takes honesty and good leadership, John said.

John said tribal community meetings with its leadership are infrequent, and there has been no public explanation from the tribal council about the alleged credit card misuse or other financial issues.

Our museum has never been developed, John said. Theres a $13 million building back there that there is nothing accountable for, and I wanted accountability. I asked, Where did these funds go? Why is our museum like a skeleton? You know, its just there.

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John said many members want to replace the bylaws that govern the Coushatta Tribe.

We need a constitution that will prevent people from stealing and misusing funds, he said. Without that, nothing changes.

The Coushatta Tribe is a federally recognized sovereign nation with more than 900 enrolled members. Its casino is under federal and state oversight, with its operations defined in a tribal-state compact. That agreement establishes the tribes reporting, financial oversight and regulatory obligations the tribe must follow to maintain its gaming license.

The National Indian Gaming Commission regulates and monitors all tribal casinos through the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988. It issued the order to suspend Stewarts license after investigating a complaint from an unspecified source about Cerneks misusing casino revenues, according to a notice the federal agency sent to Pam Bass, chairwoman of the Coushatta Tribal Gaming Commission.

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Like Louisianas other tribal casinos, the Coushatta have their own gaming commission that serves as the establishments primary state regulator. But its members must report investigations, disciplinary actions and compliance data to the Louisiana State Police.

State Police can enforce state and federal laws and investigate violations that occur in connection with the Coushatta Casino Resort, according to a compact between the state and the tribe. State Police are required to share their investigation reports with the tribe, according to the compact that applies only to the tribes gaming operations, not its governmental affairs.

There was no response from State Police to questions for this report before publication.

Tribes must keep six years of independent audits and must provide audit and accounting records to State Police for review or copying upon request. It was these casino audits that first brought to light issues with Cerneks alleged credit card spending.

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Last month, the Louisiana Legislative Auditor published a report from one of the independent audits that indicated the Coushatta tribes leadership did not keep track of credit card use, with no receipts to show for purchases totaling more than $100,000 over a two-month spending period in 2024 that was reviewed.

Shawna Castellano, a regional director with the National Indian Gaming Commission, wrote in the Sept. 8 order calling for Stewarts license to be pulled that an audit confirmed claims made in the complaint filed with the commission.

The Coushatta audit from 2024  which was recently published on the Louisiana Legislative Auditors website, removed, and then republished  cited prior findings from a two-month sampling of credit card purchases in 2023. It found 338 transactions totaling $111,697 with no receipts.

Statement reveals discrepancies

Stewarts written statement to the Coushatta Tribal Council provides his version of events surrounding Jonathan Cerneks credit card use.

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In late January and early February 2024 meetings, Stewart said Corliss told him that, on one occasion, one of the casinos purchasing credit cards was flagged by the bank for suspicious activity, and she ordered a replacement. Not long after receiving the new credit card, it was missing from her desk, Stewart wrote, adding that Corliss suspected Cernek had entered her office after hours to take it.

Corliss told Stewart the former chairman had a master key, according to Stewarts statement.

Soon after I instructed Paula to cancel the purchasing credit card, she called me to advise that there was no need to cancel the credit card as The [former] Chairman had physically returned it, Stewart wrote.

Corliss confirmed this claim with the Illuminator, stating that Cernek took the card in more than one instance, and sometimes sent her a text message afterward to say he had the card before returning it.

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In his email Tuesday to the Illuminator, Stewart said an earlier report mischaracterized the situation.

Contrary to your previous reporting, my statement opens with a clear knowledge of those in possession of credit cards, he wrote.

According to Stewarts statement to the Coushatta Tribal Council, he met with Kristian Poncho, the Coushatta Tribes secretary-treasurer, in mid-February 2024 to discuss Cerneks credit card spending. Stewart told Poncho any potential bleeding had been stopped and we were therefore dealing with historical activity that had already occurred.

At the time, Stewart wrote, he was focused on reaching a credit agreement with Wells Fargo for a $150 million casino renovation and hotel expansion project. He was also finalizing a related contract with Yates Construction and his work on the 2023 audit, which would later raise concerns about missing receipts.

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By Feb. 21, 2024, Stewart and his team briefed the Coushatta Tribal Council on the casinos finances. The Wells Fargo deal closed March 11, and the Yates contract followed on March 27. Expansion work began at the resort that month.

The 2023 audit, Stewart wrote, was finalized and issued on April 25, 2024, with no significant or material deficiencies reported.

According to Castellanos notice to the Coushatta Tribe last month, the National Indian Gaming Commission interviewed Stewart this past June and learned he did not disclose suspected fraud to the external auditors during the [fiscal year] 2023 annual audit of the financial statements.

Stewart also didnt discuss the matter with the potential lender of a $150 million construction loan the Coushatta Casino was in the process of obtaining until the loan was actually secured, Castellano wrote.

The audited financial statements for the period ending December 31, 2023, and 2024 were issued by the external auditors with an unqualified (clean) opinion, Stewart told the Illuminator this week.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE

A tensity in the air

Stewart also said in his written statement to the Coushatta Tribal Council that Jonathan Cernek asked him to join him for dinner alone on April 30, 2024, at Simons Bar & Grill, on an out-of-the-way stretch of Highway 397 southeast of Lake Charles.

We met at an isolated venue  Stewart wrote. There was a tensity in the air when we begin to interact, and I struggled to carry the conversation for over an hour.

Stewart wrote that their conversation remained strained until Cernek suddenly asked why Stewart had been asking people how a chairman can be impeached.

Stewart explained that a tribal elder had accused the Cerneks of stealing from the tribe and that he was only trying to figure out his own job security, according to the statement.

The chairman told Stewart that he had had his back many times and wanted to know that he was loyal, according to Stewarts statement.

Cernek resigned without explanation as tribal chairman Aug. 9, 2024, less than a week before Stewart prepared his statement for the Coushatta Tribal Council.

It appears that there is an attempt to hold me, the non-tribal member, accountable for the inappropriate actions of the Chairman, a Tribal member, Stewart wrote to the Illuminator this week.

When the Illuminator reported last month on the audit findings, Wray said the tribal council had eliminated its purchasing credit cards and adopted a formal expense reporting and reimbursement policy.

The Coushatta Tribal Gaming Commission was given 45 days to hold a hearing on Stewarts license revocation and report back to the National Indian Gaming Commission on its decision.

On his LinkedIn page, Stewart listed this past Sept. 7 as his last day as general manager at Coushatta Casino Resort.

This report was updated to include the status of Todd Stewarts license revocation hearing.

Correction: This report was updated to clarify which audits revealed credit card misuse.
(COLORADO SPRINGS)  Friday, Oct. 24, is Free Legal Resource Day, and the 4th Judicial District Access to Justice Committee is offering several resources to the community. Lisa Younger Anderson and Judge Dennis McGuire joined FOX21 Morning News to talk about what people can expect.

We have classes on small claims, on tenants rights, how to get a protection order, and also the last one is how to navigate the debt collection process, said Judge McGuire.

People also have the chance to sign up for a free 15-minute consultation with an attorney.

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One of the most expensive things you can do is go through a court case. A court case can cost you anything from just a few hundred dollars for a consultation to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the type of case, said Judge McGuire. Most people cant afford that, so this is an opportunity for people to educate themselves so they can navigate through the court process.

According to the Colorado Judicial Branch, last year, there were over 42,000 district and county court civil cases filed in the 4th Judicial District. Around 66% of litigants did not have an attorney.

Local agencies and nonprofits will also be in attendance to provide services and information.

Well have TESSA representatives, well have Center on Fathering, well have a plethora of different housing, well have library servicesjust to name a few, said Younger Anderson.

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Free Legal Resource Day will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the El Paso County Judicial Building, located at 270 South Tejon Street. Dont miss it, because the next one wont be until October of 2026.

Yes, theyll have to wait a full year, but the resources that they could learn about here are available all year round, said Judge McGuire.

To request special accommodations for Legal Resource Day, go to justicecentercos.org/lrd. For more information on this event, email the 4th Judicial District Self-Help Center at

04selfhelp@judicial.state.co.us.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG)  Behind on pet vaccinations? The Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare and the Florida Department of Health are set to hold a free rabies vaccination clinic.

Wilmer Hall shooting: Murder charge upgraded

According to an Escambia County news release, the event will be held on Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Escambia County Central Office Complex, located at 3363 West Park Place, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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Escambia County owners are welcome to bring both dogs and cats to the event. Attendees should be sure to bring photo identification and secure pets in their vehicles before arriving.

The Pensacola Humane Society will also be providing free microchips while supplies last.

Juvenile accused of handgun possession at Mobile school

Escambia County residents are required to vaccinate any dogs and cats four months or older against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. Rabies vaccines are required annually, and proof of vaccination is required to obtain a county animal license, the release said.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
On Monday, October 20, on stage at the Supply Chain Day just before F3, FreightWaves announced the recipients of its prestigious 2025 Shipper of Choice awards, honoring top-performing companies that demonstrate excellence in freight transportation practices. The awards recognized shippers who prioritize strong carrier relationships and operational efficiency in an increasingly complex supply chain landscape.

The Shipper of Choice award, presented annually by FreightWaves, celebrates manufacturers, distributors, and retailers that excel in carrier satisfaction, innovation, and overall performance. This years award was sponsored by Amazon Freight and Amazon Relay.

Shipper of Choice highlights companies that actively simplify and improve the freight transportation process for all stakeholders, as voted on by industry participants. This accolade aims to recognize those who keep the American economy moving by fostering best practices in shipping and logistics.

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Judges evaluate nominees based on key criteria, including data connectivity, ease of doing business, strong relationships with carriers, and effective facilities management. These factors ensure that winners not only meet but exceed industry standards in collaboration and efficiency, making them preferred partners for carriers. Nominations for the 2025 awards were open until September 30, drawing from a wide pool of innovative shippers across various sectors.

This years winners represent a diverse array of industries, from retail and manufacturing to agriculture and chemicals. Here is a closer look at each of the 2025 Shipper of Choice awardees:

Aldi USA is a leading discount supermarket chain operating over 2,000 stores across the United States, offering affordable groceries, fresh produce, meats, and household products under private labels. As a subsidiary of the global Aldi group, the company emphasizes efficiency in its supply chain, sourcing high-quality items while maintaining low costs, which has contributed to its recognition for streamlined logistics and strong carrier partnerships.

CertainTeed, a subsidiary of Saint-Gobain, is a North American manufacturer of building materials, including roofing, siding, insulation, gypsum, and ceilings. Founded in 1904, the company operates over 60 facilities and focuses on sustainable, innovative products that enhance construction efficiency, making it a standout in facilities management and supply chain innovation.

Costa Farms is a family-owned horticultural grower specializing in houseplants, tropical plants, and perennials, operating across 5,200 acres and producing over 1,500 varieties. As one of the largest growers in the world, the company innovates in plant sourcing and distribution, ensuring timely delivery to retailers and emphasizing ease of business in its logistics operations.

Henkel Corporation, the North American arm of the global Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, produces adhesives, sealants, and consumer products in beauty care and laundry segments, with well-known brands like Loctite and Persil. Operating in a diversified portfolio, the company excels in data connectivity and relationships, supporting efficient global supply chains across industrial and consumer markets.

HNI Corporation is a provider of workplace furnishings and residential building products, including office furniture systems, seating, and hearth products like fireplaces under brands such as HON and Heat & Glo. With a focus on manufacturing excellence and supply chain expertise, the company ensures reliable delivery and strong carrier collaborations across its North American operations.

Schreiber Foods is an employee-owned dairy company specializing in natural and processed cheese, cream cheese, yogurt, and beverages, serving global brands and retailers. With over $7 billion in annual sales and a commitment to safe, high-quality food distribution, the company stands out for its robust relationships and efficient facilities management in the food supply chain.

Shorr Packaging is an employee-owned distributor of packaging products, equipment, and services, offering solutions like corrugated boxes, tapes, and automation systems to industries including manufacturing and e-commerce. With a century of experience and a nationwide network, the company excels in ease of doing business and innovative logistics, helping clients optimize their supply chains.

Steel Dynamics is one of the largest domestic steel producers and metals recyclers in North America, using a circular manufacturing model with recycled scrap to produce sheet steel, beams, rail, and other products. Operating facilities across the U.S. and Mexico, the company is noted for its innovation in sustainable shipping and strong data-driven relationships with carriers.

Univar Solutions is a global distributor of chemicals and ingredients, offering products like solvents, resins, and surfactants alongside value-added services such as formulation and logistics support. Serving industries from agriculture to pharmaceuticals, the company leverages its vast network for efficient, data-connected supply chains and collaborative carrier partnerships.

US Foods is a leading foodservice distributor partnering with over 250,000 restaurants and operators, supplying fresh, frozen, and dry food products along with e-commerce and business solutions. Generating over $28 billion in revenue, the company excels in operational performance and facilities management, ensuring reliable delivery through its nationwide network.

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These winners exemplify the best in shipping practices, setting a benchmark for the industry. FreightWaves encourages nominations for future awards to continue highlighting excellence in freight logistics.

The post FreightWaves unveils 2025 Shipper of Choice award winners appeared first on FreightWaves.
Key Points

Halliburton published its Q3 results today and beat Wall Street's expectations.

Sales and earnings performance for the quarter came in far better than the market had anticipated.

Halliburton is cutting costs and spending initiatives in response to shifting market dynamics.

10 stocks we like better than Halliburton 

Halliburton (NYSE: HAL) stock closed Tuesday's daily trading session with big gains. The energy company's share price rose 11.6% in the session and had been up as much as 12.6% before seeing a modest moderation of gains.

Halliburton published its third-quarter results before today's market open and posted sales and earnings results for the period that came in ahead of the market's expectations. Investors responded by bidding up the stock in today's trading session.

Image source: Getty Images.

Halliburton jumps on strong Q3 print

Halliburton recorded non-GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) adjusted earnings per share of $0.58 on revenue of $5.6 billion. For comparison, the average Wall Street analyst estimate had called for adjusted earnings of $0.50 per share on sales of approximately $5.39 billion. Sales were still down 1.7% year over year compared to the prior-year period, but revenue still topped expectations -- and stronger-than-anticipated margins helped power a significant earnings beat.

What's next for Halliburton?

Halliburton anticipates that its geographic business segments will see mixed trends in the current quarter. While international revenue should increase between 3% and 4% on a sequential quarterly basis, sales in the North America segment are expected to decline between 12% and 13%. While Halliburton is warning investors about some headwinds in the current quarter, the sales pressures are partially attributable to normal quarterly cyclicality.

In response to market dynamics, Halliburton has reduced its capital expenditures outlay for the year to $1 billion -- down by 30% from its previous forecast. With a less-favorable operating backdrop, the business is implementing cost-cutting initiatives and putting some growth plans on hold until timing becomes more positive.

Should you buy stock in Halliburton right now?

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A complicated and deadly family drama that unraveled in Fresno courtrooms for years came to an end on Wednesday.

"I would have to say that this is a complete family tragedy," Fresno County Superior Court Judge Brian Alvarez said.

He sentenced Yarelly Solorio-Rivera to two counts of murder. At 25, she is now set to spend two life sentences in prison.

"She made a deal with the state, and the court's going to follow through with that," Judge Alvarez said. "She avoided the potential death penalty."

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Prosecutors say that in 2022, Solorio-Rivera shot and killed her 18-year-old sister, Yanelly, and then her sister's infant daughter, who was three weeks old.

Solorio-Rivera's defense attorney says the woman reached a breaking point after Yanelly threatened to hurt her children.

"She's not such an evil core killer," defense attorney Curtis Sok. "This was done out of love for her children, for the safety of her children."

However, investigators have long painted a much different picture.

They say the woman was filled with jealousy toward her sister and the newborn and worked with her boyfriend, Martin Arroyo-Morales, to plan the murders.

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He will now serve 22 years for voluntary manslaughter.

With the victim's family also being the defendant's family, Solorio-Rivera's father showed up to support her.

"I come here to accompany my daughter today," he said through a Spanish translator.

He squarely blamed the boyfriend.

"I believe that you are making the wrong decision, you and the DA, when they want to send my daughter to life for jail, when he is the one guilty of all of this," the father said.

There was nobody in court to speak on behalf of the two young victims, and the two defendants never said a word.

"Yes, she has remorse," Sok told Action News. "She's very sorry. She knows she could've been better."

For news updates, follow Gabe Ferris on Facebook, X and Instagram.
The White House is growing increasingly frustrated with Israel just two weeks after President Donald Trump triumphantly announced a deal to end the war in Gaza and bring peace to the Middle East.

The mounting frustrations come as a succession of senior officials are passing through Israel this week looking to keep a fragile ceasefire in place. They see some recent developments  the Israeli Defense Forces counter-attack in Gaza on Sunday, and the Knessets vote in favor of West Bank annexation, which Trump has ruled out  as detrimental to the already fragile agreement between Israel and Hamas.

Vice President JD Vance delivered a firm message from President Donald Trump during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem Wednesday, according to two people familiar with the conversation who were granted anonymity because they werent authorized to speak publicly.

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After assuring the U.S. that its response to a Hamas attack on two Israeli soldiers would be careful and limited, the counter-attack on Sunday left more than 40 civilians dead. Senior U.S. officials expressed their frustration about the severity of the attack, telling one Arab ally that Israel was out of control, one of the two people familiar with the conversation said.

The administrations private exasperation has begun to emerge in public view. Trump, in an interview published on Thursday, suggested Israel could lose all U.S. support if it annexed the West Bank, which followed condemnations from Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

That so many administration officials criticized Israel so unequivocally less than two weeks after Trump landed to a heros welcome and promised eternal friendship and peace underscores how frustrated the White House is with the Netanyahu government.

The public comments reflect how the president feels about the matter, said a White House official, granted anonymity to discuss internal thinking.

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Still, the White House is working to keep the fragile truce in place, dispatching several senior officials to the Middle East this week to meet with Arab partners and Israels leaders.

The presidents peace plan is working and the administration is working closely with Israel to implement it, said White House spokesperson Anna Kelly. The official visits by the presidents top-tier team reflects his commitment to doing the hard work required to do something in Gaza that has never been done, and to sustain an everlasting peace in the Middle East.

Vance, speaking to reporters before departing Israel on Thursday, expressed confidence that were on a very good pathway toward cementing the phase one peace agreement and moving into phase two.

Netanyahu, seemingly aware and fearful of Trumps anger, issued a statement expressing his own opposition to the Knessets vote.

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"The Knesset vote on annexation was a deliberate political provocation by the opposition to sow discord during Vice President JD Vance's visit to Israel," the prime minister's office said. "The two bills were sponsored by opposition members of the Knesset." Notably, however, he issued the statement only in English.

Netanyahu faces a tough balancing act. He will need the backing of the parties supporting annexation in next years elections, which could happen as soon as March and must take place by October. At the same time, a public break with Trump would cost him significantly at the ballot box. Trump is widely popular in Israel and images of the pair together have been a fixture of Netanyahus past campaigns.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu is under considerable pressure so long as bodies of deceased hostages remain in Gaza. To Israelis, Hamas has made no concessions other than releasing the hostages and hasnt fully complied with that part of the agreement, a veteran Israeli political operative said. And Israeli soldiers are still fighting and dying on the yellow line, the person added.

Trumps promise to Arab leaders that Israel would not annex the West Bank came during a meeting at the United Nations, the same meeting where, according to Trump officials, he solidified the plan that ultimately brought about the peace deal he celebrated last week.

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Trump, asked about the Knessets vote Thursday afternoon, brushed off the possibility that Israel would try to annex the West Bank. Dont worry about the West Bank, okay? Trump said. Israels not going to do anything with the West Bank.

But just hours earlier, Vance derided the Knesset vote as a very stupid stunt, criticizing Israels government on its soil shortly after meeting with Netanyahu.

I personally take some insult to it, he said.

A person close to the vice president said the meeting with Netanyahu was instructive and positive.

Rubio, who arrived in Israel Thursday, told reporters before leaving Washington that he, too, was dismayed by the vote given Trumps promise to Arab leaders before the Gaza peace deal came to fruition that he wouldnt allow Israel to annex the West Bank.

We think its potentially threatening to the peace deal, Rubio said. Theyre a democracy, theyre going to have their votes, people are going to take these positions, but at this time its something that especially we dont  we think it might be counterproductive.
Since the Ice Age, elkhorn and staghorn corals off Floridas southern coast have been stacking their skeletons into elaborate, branching homes for parrotfish, eels and octopuses.

Theyve been the most important reef builders on these reefs for 10,000 years, said Ross Cunning, a coral biologist with Chicagos Shedd Aquarium.

But researchers are using stark, new language to describe the status of the two species in Florida: functionally extinct.

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The numbers of individuals of these species that remain are now so low that they cannot perform their ecological functions in any meaningful way, Cunning said. This is the functional extinction of two incredibly important ecosystem engineers for coral reefs in Florida.

Cunning and a team of 46 other researchers published a grim study in the journal Science on Thursday that assesses the damage caused by a historic 2023 marine heat wave in Florida. The findings are essentially an announcement that the two coral species have disappeared there because of extreme ocean temperatures.

The researchers determined that between 97.8% and 100% of these species colonies have died in the Florida Keys and near the Dry Tortugas islands. The findings came after divers from institutions across the state visited more than 52,000 coral colonies at nearly 400 sites.

Divers documented coral mortality at nearly 400 sites after the 2023 marine heat wave. (Gavin Wright / Shedd Aquarium)

For the first time, weve now just had a heat wave that was so extreme it has surpassed the limits of some of the most ecologically important species in an entire ecosystem to survive, Cunning said.

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Corals support fish and other aquatic species that help feed coastal communities and attract tourists. Importantly, they also provide a natural barrier for Floridas coastline during hurricanes and other storms. As the dead structures of elkhorn and staghorn coral get broken down by waves and algae, their absence will further scramble the states coastal ecosystems.

Heat stress has affected more than 84% of the worlds reefs in the last few years, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations Coral Reef Watch  a collapse so widespread that it is considered the worlds fourth mass bleaching event.

In a recent report, 160 scientists from 23 countries suggested that global temperatures have crossed a threshold for corals irreversible decline, the first key global tipping point triggered by climate change. Other tipping points include the collapse of ice sheets and rapid shifts to ocean currents.

Although that conclusion remains a subject of debate, the die-off of elkhorn and staghorn corals in Florida could bolster the argument.

Corals build reef structures with their calcium carbonate skeletons. (Gavin Wright / Shedd Aquarium)

Elkhorn and staghorn coral have dominated coastal Caribbean ecosystems for at least 250,000 years. The two species grow in branching colonies in shallow water. The invertebrate animals develop a hard skeleton of calcium carbonate, which forms the structure of living reefs.

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The animals have a symbiotic relationship with photosynthetic algae that lives within the corals cells, providing food and giving them color. When corals are stressed, they release the algae, turn white and become more prone to disease. Such bleaching is a signal that corals health is endangered. If temperatures remain too high, they eventually die.

In 2023, sea surface temperatures reached record highs across the globe and remained that way for more than a year, likely driven by a combination of human-caused global warming, natural variability and a decrease in cloud cover (though researchers are still working to parse these factors).

In Florida, water temperatures for two to three months exceeded the highs that had caused mass bleaching in past years, the new study says, which sent many corals into acute heat shock and caused rapid tissue loss.

It was really sad being out there, literally watching them die before our eyes, Cunning said.

Corals lose their color when they expel symbiotic algae from their tissues during heat stress. A coral reef in June 2023, left, and again in September 2023, show the bleaching process over time. (Ross Cunning / Shedd Aquarium)

Other coral species have rebounded, but elkhorn and staghorn are now the second and third to be declared functionally extinct along the Florida Coral Reef; the rare pillar coral was declared functionally extinct in 2020.

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The extent of damage documented in the new Science paper has surprised some outside researchers.

I dont think it had struck me that there was 100% mortality at a lot of these locations, said Laura Mydlarz, a professor at the University of Texas at Arlington who researches coral disease and immunity but was not involved in the study.

Mydlarz said the team did an immense amount of work diving and cataloging what they found, which allowed them to produce staggering numbers about coral deaths.

As for structures left behind by the dead corals, she said, all of those little branches will start to break down and itll start to just crumble.

After the 2023 marine heat wave, many corals bleached and later died. (Gavin Wright / Shedd Aquarium)

Mydlarz added that no other Atlantic species grows as large or forms such an extensive lattice.

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These are the only ones that provide that real sort of 3D structure, she said.

There are some pockets of coral survivors, including remnants to the north, near Miami and Broward County. However, the researchers think theres little hope they will spur a comeback. Corals spawn by releasing eggs and sperm to mix in the water and settle, but ocean currents will prevent those reproductive cells from drifting south, Cunning said.

While this study focused on Florida, the 2023 heat wave has had a dramatic effect on elkhorn and staghorn corals across the Caribbean, outside researchers said.

Stacey Williams, the scientific director of ISER Caribe, a nonprofit research and education organization focused on coral restoration, said extreme temperatures killed nearly all of the elkhorn coral in southern Puerto Rico. Then, heat waves in 2024 devastated some northern colonies that had demonstrated more resilience. Her organization is focused on biobanking coral species, Williams said, by collecting living fragments.

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In Florida, the 2023 heat wave erased decades of restoration projects for elkhorn and staghorn corals, including at sites where four years of intensive work had increased coral coverage by about four times.

The study says importing heat-tolerant corals from outside the state might be the only path forward.

In the future, Mydlarz said, scientists could consider editing corals genes to make them more heat resistant, but the idea would require more research and scrutiny.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature last week approved further exploration of whether gene-editing tools can be used to conserve wild animal populations  a fiercely debated topic because of its bioethical concerns.

Thats on the table because anything is on the table, Mydlarz said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan speaks with furloughed federal workers on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. Pocan, a Democrat, brought pizza for the group and discussed the current federal shutdown. (Photo by Erik Gunn/Wisconsin Examiner)

Ellie Lazarcik worked in a few different industry jobs after moving to Madison in 2017. None of them really fit, she says. Then she learned that the U.S. Forest Service Forest Products Lab in Madison was hiring.

Coincidentally, she knew of the lab from a visit she made way back when I was in college, for a wood sculpture class of all things, Lazarcik said Wednesday.

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Over a decade had passed since then, and I saw a job opening come up in the lab and thought, Why not? That place was really amazing when I visited. They had really cool stuff going on then, and they probably still have really cool stuff going on, she recalled.

She applied and got the job.

Ellie Lazarcik, a science technician at the U.S. Forest Service Forest Products Laboratory in Madison, has been furloughed since Oct. 1 due to the federal government shutdown. (Photo by Erik Gunn/Wisconsin Examiner)

That was five years ago. Her job title is physical science technician in the labs building and fire science program. Her work supports other members of the research team  setting up lab tests, preparing samples and then running them through the testing or analysis process and sorting through the data afterward.

And I love what I do, Lazarcik said.

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Since President Donald Trump took office in January, there have been a lot of really sort of rapid-fire changes, she said. Were on our toes a lot trying to figure out what we can or cant pursue in terms of research.

Still, she has continued to find the job engaging. Weve been able to keep doing cool projects, Lazarcik said. Ive been involved in some interesting stuff in the lab  but it has been challenging.

Since Oct. 1, however, Lazarcik has been furloughed along with hundreds of thousands of federal workers on account of the federal government shutdown.

This is my first furlough and Im not particularly enjoying it, she said. Missing a paycheck is one reason, but its not the only one.

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It is pretty uncomfortable not knowing when I will get paid next, when I can go back into the lab and continue working on projects that got stopped abruptly, Lazarcik said, Its stressful.

Lazarcik is married and her husband has a job and a paycheck, which definitely helps, she said. But going from a two-paycheck household to one has been a pretty stark difference.

On Wednesday, Lazarcik brought her toddler in his stroller over to the Social Security Administration office on Madisons far West Side. U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Black Earth) and members of his staff stopped by a little after noon with boxes of pizza as a token of appreciation for some of the furloughed federal workers.

About 18,000 federal employees live in Wisconsin, and about 8,000 are expected to be out of work currently due to the shutdown, the state labor secretary, Amy Pechacek, said at a virtual news conference on Thursday, Oct. 18.

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Were seeing you and we very much appreciate what youre doing, Pocan told the group of just over a dozen federal employees who turned out. We understand the sacrifice you and your families are making.

Even before the shutdown, the Trump administration fired about 200,000 federal workers, Pocan said.

These actions are illegal, he said, but added that they are likely to drive some people out of the federal workforce. Were going to lose a lot of good, qualified people with experience.

Pocan said communication in Washington, D.C., between the Republican majority in both the House and the Senate and Democrats has been at a standstill.

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Id prefer we were there now, negotiating to get things done. But were not, Pocan told the group. Were seeing a lot of things happen this session that arent normal.

In September the Republicans sought to pass a continuing resolution on spending that if enacted would have averted the shutdown. A majority voted for the measure in the House, but in the U.S. Senate there were not enough votes to clear the 60 needed to advance most bills in the upper chamber.

Democratic support is necessary to meet that threshold, but Democratic lawmakers argued that in return for their votes they should have an opportunity to have some input into the continuing resolution.

Their demands have included extending enhanced subsidies for health insurance premiums sold through the federal HealthCare.gov marketplace and reversing cuts to Medicaid that Republicans included in their big tax cut and spending cut bill enacted in July.

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In previous spending standoffs, Pocan said, leaders of both parties in both houses of Congress have been able to hash out agreements, usually avoiding a shutdown altogether or else managing to resolve one before it drags on.

This time, though, so much has changed, Pocan said.

A bipartisan deal failed in December after Trump and Elon Musk opposed it. Congress managed to approve another stopgap spending bill two days later that carried the federal government to March 2025.

Then we had to start over in March, Pocan said. That measure was unpopular with Democrats, he said, but enough Senate Democrats voted for it to pass, funding the federal government through Sept. 30.

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And immediately we saw recissions  illegal again  and more illegal actions by the Trump administration taking funds away, Pocan said. That history over the last 10 months has made Democrats wary of a deal that doesnt address their priorities, he added.

Lazarcik hopes Congress acts soon to pass legislation that ends the shutdown. In the meantime, she gets by, tapping into savings, looking at where you can squeeze a little bit tighter, and skimping on putting aside funds for retirement  which is really hard.

Not everyone understands, however.

I hear a lot of people talk about, Oh, man, that must be cool. Its really not, she said. Its pretty stressful having to try to plan when you cant know when your next paycheck is coming.

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She is grateful for a support network of close friends and family members. [They] do understand furlough is not just some crazy vacation you get to go on, Lazarcik said.

The forest products lab has had a strong feeling of community that Lazarcik has always enjoyed. That has persisted during furlough, even in this time when were not all going to the same building every day.

Coworkers have stayed connected, reaching out to each other to meet up, talk and de-stress, Lazarcik said. Even though were not all working on a regular schedule and were not getting paychecks, we still are supporting each other, and thats been really great.

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Government employees who have been involuntarily furloughed due to the federal shutdown can have evictions paused in Maryland under a state law passed after the last major funding lapse.

The protections apply to both evictions and residential foreclosures. Judges are required to stay proceedings if the tenant or owner-occupant appears in court and proves that they are a federal, state or local employee who is involuntarily furloughed due to a government shutdown.

These conditions need to be met:

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The tenant, or owner-occupant, must be a current federal government employee or a state/local employee affected by the shutdown.

They must currently live in the property at risk of eviction or foreclosure.

They must be unpaid during the shutdown.

They must appear at any scheduled court hearing and ask the judge to pause the eviction or foreclosure.

The pause can be granted for 30 days after the end of the government shutdown, or longer if necessary.

During these troubled times, we all need to look out for each other and fully understand our legal rights, Baltimore City Sheriff Sam Cogen said in a statement.

Cogens office also noted that workers who owe child support can request relief from enforcement action to get temporary relief during the shutdown.

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Doing so doesnt remove the obligation to pay child support, but it can prevent furloughed employees from being held in contempt for failing to pay. Those who may need relief can learn more by visiting the Maryland Department of Human Services website (https://dhs.maryland.gov/child-support-services/).

The current federal shutdown began Oct. 1 and is the first since the 35-day shutdown that ran from 2018 to 2019. That shutdown was the longest in U.S. history. Maryland, which has an estimated 269,000 federal employees, is currently offering $700 loans and free MARC and commuter bus rides to federal workers.

Have a news tip? Contact Dan Belson at dbelson@baltsun.com, on X as @DanBelson_ or on Signal as @danbels.62.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  Gadsden Independent School District Superintendent Travis Dempsey announced his retirement on Tuesday, Oct. 21.

Dempsey announced his retirement through the school districts Facebook page, stating that he will retire as superintendent on Jan. 1, 2026.

Dempsey has served as the school districts superintendent for the past eight years and listed the achievements the school district has achieved.

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Through out the years, Gadsden ISD was able to grow its pre-k classrooms, secure funding for a brand new pre-k center at Riverside Elementary, implement a complete K-12 dual language track, provide chrome books for students, reach the highest graduation rates in the school districts history, expand STEM opportunities for every grade level through partnerships with Lego and drone learning experiences, secure funding for complete reconstruction of Gadsden Middle School, increase campus security and staff training, and earn the highest rating in all audits, Dempsey said.

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I want to express my deepest gratitude to the students, staff, and communities that make up Gadsden ISD. You are the heart of the district, and I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to be part of something so incredibly special. Gadsden Superintendent Travis Dempsey

Gadsden ISD Board members held a special session on Thursday, Oct. 23, to announce the new acting superintendent for the district: Nubia Tarazona. She served as the Director of Language, Equity and Cultural Arts and brings over two decades of experience, according to the district.

Nubia Tarazona. Courtesy of Gadsden ISD.

Tarazona has held other leadership roles in Gadsden ISD and Las Cruces Public Schools, including principalships and district-level executive director roles.

As well, Tarazona holds a Level-III Instructional Leader License and is endorsed in both Bilingual Education and K-8 instruction. He also has a master of business administration, a master of educational management and administration, and two bachelors degrees from New Mexico State University.

This is a moment to unify our leadership team and staff around a shared purpose, said Tarazona. I am committed to listening, building trust, and continuing the great work already happening in our schools.

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Additionally, the board said Dempsy will be on paid administrative leave.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
GAUTIER, Miss. (WKRG)  A Gautier mother has been arrested after her two young children drowned in a swimming pool, according to a Gautier Police Department Facebook post.

UPDATE: Indivisible Baldwin County calls arrest of woman wearing inflatable-penis costume indefensible

According to the post, Gautier police and firefighters were sent to a home on Three Oaks Drive after they received a distress call of two young children who were unresponsive near a swimming pool.

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When they arrived at the scene, first responders began life-saving efforts until the children could be taken to the hospital, but both children died.

The childrens mother, 36-year-old Amber Goldman, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of paraphernalia.

The investigation is continuing, and police say more charges are pending.

Amber Goldman was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance after her two children were found unresponsive near a swimming pool. Both children died. (Courtesy of Gautier Police Department)

This is an unimaginable tragedy that has deeply affected our community, Gautier Police Chief David Bever said. Our hearts are with the family, friends, and first responders impacted by this heartbreaking loss.

We ask everyone to keep them in your thoughts and prayers as investigators continue to seek answers.

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Publics help needed in murder-suicide investigation

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Gautier Police Department at 228-497-2486 or Mississippi Coast Crime Stoppers at 877-787-5898.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
President Donald Trump sits in the Oval Office at the White House, in Washington, DC, on Oct. 21, 2025. Credit - Photograph by Stephen Voss for TIME

On the evening of Saturday, Oct. 4, Donald Trump called Benjamin Netanyahu to deliver a message: the war in Gaza was over.

Trumps envoys had brokered a deal with mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey to end two years of bombardment and bloodshed. The following Monday, the President told Netanyahu, they were going to announce the agreementand the Israeli Premier had to accept it. Bibi, you cant fight the world, Trump told him, recounting their conversation in an interview with TIME. You can fight individual battles, but the worlds against you.

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Netanyahu pushed back, but Trump wasnt having it. He launched into a profanity-laced monologue cataloguing all hed done for Israel as President: moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, recognizing its sovereignty over the Golan Heights, brokering the Abraham Accords that normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states, even joining Israels strikes on Iran in June. Trump could no longer stand with Netanyahu, he suggested, if the Prime Minister didnt sign onto the pact. It was a very blunt and straightforward statement to Bibi, says Steve Witkoff, Trumps special envoy to the Middle East, that he had no tolerance for anything other than this. (Netanyahus office declined to comment.)

By the end of the call, Netanyahu had agreed to a two-phase deal that included a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, secured the return of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and detainees, allowed aid shipments into the ravaged enclave, withdrew Israeli forces from parts of the Gaza Strip, and opened negotiations for a final settlement. If it holds, the accord would end the longest war in Israels history, one that killed some 2,000 Israelis and nearly 70,000 Palestinians.

The deal marks a milestone in Trumps ongoing bid to reshape the modern Middle East. During the past nine months, the President has attacked Irans nuclear infrastructure and helped degrade its standing in the region. Isolating Tehran hastened the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, and new governments in Damascus and Beirut have signaled a desire to restore ties with Washington. He has bombed Houthi targets in Yemen, leading to an agreement that the rebel group would no longer target U.S. vessels in the Red Sea. Now he has used a real estate dealmakers sensibilityan instinct for leverage, for cajoling counterparts through flattery and the threat of forceto push a peace deal on Hamas and Netanyahu, two seemingly intractable enemies. The U.S. President is breaking all the long-held assumptions of Middle East diplomacy, says Michael Oren, the historian and former Israeli ambassador to the U.S. Trump is coming back and saying: Were going to re-establish Americas hegemony here. And hes done itso far.

Photograph by Stephen Voss for TIME

Buy the Trumps World issue here

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Trump traces his achievements so far to his willingness to use Americas military might. Through the assassination of the Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in his first term and his decision to strike three Iranian nuclear facilities last spring, Trump earned enough goodwill among the Israeli public and stirred enough fear among the nations adversaries to bring both parties to the bargaining table. It would have been impossible to make a deal like this before, Trump says of his attacks on Iran. No President was willing to do it, and I was willing to do it. And by doing it, we had a different Middle East.

Of course, the cease-fire remains fragile, and the deal could still unravel. Hamas has yet to return the remains of all the deceased Israeli hostages, prompting Israel to close the Rafah crossing and restrict aid. Videos on social media show Hamas gunmen executing rivals in the streets. On Oct. 19, Israel accused the militant group of violating the cease-fire after attacks on Israeli soldiers. In the span of a week, the situation grew precarious enough that Trump dispatched Vice President J.D. Vance to the region in a bid to hold the agreement together.

The next phase is even thornier. It includes defining the scope of Israels military withdrawal and the structure of a peacekeeping force; disarming Hamas; and determining who will govern postwar Gaza. Those are very difficult things to do, says Dan Shapiro, the former U.S. ambassador to Israel under Barack Obama. Among the risks, Shapiro says, is that Trump could end up with kind of a frozen conflict in the current situation, with Israel controlling half of Gaza, Hamas controlling the other half, suppressing its own people, and no real reconstruction.

Vice President J.D. Vance meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in ongoing efforts to maintain the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Nathan HowardPool/Getty Images

For those reasons, experts fear the peace may prove fleeting. But Trumps foreign policy has also defied the predictions of his critics. His America First creedonce synonymous with isolationism and retreathas evolved into an unconventional form of personalized diplomacy unburdened by doctrine. While he has shown himself content to let Russia have greater dominance over Europe and China exert its will in the Indo-Pacific region, he has asserted U.S. power in the Middle East in surprising ways. Trump has deepened Washingtons ties with Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, and Doha. He expects Saudi Arabia to normalize ties with Israel and join the Abraham Accords by years end. He tells TIME he intends to visit Gaza soon, as U.S. partners hammer out a plan to reconstruct the Strip. Soon he envisions greater economic integration between Israel and its Arab neighbors. The bullish vision of what all this could mean would be transformative: rail lines from the Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf; free-trade agreements between Israel and its neighbors; the establishment of a new regional energy grid; Saudis vacationing in Tel Aviv.

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In Trumps telling, this regional reset would be impossible without one essential ingredient: himself. The most important thing, he tells TIME, is they have to respect the President of the United States. The Middle East has to understand that. Its almost the President more than the country.

Trump was en route to Charlie Kirks funeral on Sept. 21 when he summoned his top aides and allies to his private cabin aboard Air Force One. Gathered around the table were his chief of staff Susie Wiles, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and his son-in-law Jared Kushner. Witkoff was patched into the conversation by phone.

The group had a problem to deal with. Israeli warplanes had recently struck Hamas operatives in Doha, who were visiting a compound to discuss cease-fire negotiations. The attack violated the sovereignty of Qatar, a U.S. ally and the chief mediator with Hamas. The assault enraged Trump. That was terrible, Trump says now, calling the decision a tactical mistake on Netanyahus part. Yet for U.S. negotiators, it also represented an opportunity. The assault was a warning to Arab leaders that the war in Gaza would not stay confined there.

Trump, meanwhile, saw a chance to use outrage over the attack to coax regional leaders to the table. This was one of the things that brought us all together, Trump says. It was so out of joint that it sort of got everybody to do what they have to do. If you took that away, we might not be talking about this subject right now.

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The Presidents approach to the region took shape in his first term. He entered office without foreign policy experience. He handed the Middle East portfolio to Kushner, his son-in-law and a fellow real estate developer, who approached the matter less as a traditional diplomat than as a dealmaker. When Trump followed through on his campaign vow to recognize Jerusalem as Israels capital and move the U.S. embassy there, the Palestinians broke off contact with Washington. That rupture gave rise to a new approach to the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Rather than accept the conventional wisdom that Israel could not integrate with the Arab world without first making peace with the Palestinians, Trumps team sought to flip the formula. They called it the outside-in strategy: build peace from the periphery inward.

People hold up portraits of Israeli hostages along with a poster depicting President Trump in Tel Aviv early on Oct.13, 2025. Ahmad GharabliaAFP/Getty Images

During the 2024 campaign, Trump was in touch with Netanyahu. The Israeli Prime Minister visited him at Mar-a-Lago that July. It was an open secret that Netanyahu was rooting for Trumps return to the White House as President Joe Biden pressured him to halt the onslaught on Gaza. But Netanyahus relationship with Trump was fraught as well. Trump left office furious at the Israeli leaderfirst for withdrawing from a planned 2020 joint strike on Soleimani (a claim Israel has denied), and later for becoming one of the first world leaders to congratulate Biden on his election victory in 2020. Netanyahu was eager for a rapprochement.

When TIME brought up Israels attacks on Hezbollah and regime change in Syria, the President interrupted. All of those attacks were done under my auspices, you know, with Israel doing the attackswith the pagers and all that stuff. He was referring to Israels covert operation in September 2024 that targeted Hezbollah officials by detonating thousands of pagers, killing dozens and inflicting a psychological scar on the terrorist group for succumbing to such a sophisticated security breach. Biden was still in the White House, and Trump was a candidate. They let me know everything, he says. And sometimes Id say noand theyd be respectful of that. (A Biden representative declined to comment. A Trump spokesperson later said the President misspoke and was referring to Israels recent strike on Doha.)

After Trump won in November 2024, Witkoff traveled to Washington to meet with key members of Bidens foreign policy team: National Security Council coordinator for the Middle East Brett McGurk, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Constrained by the Logan Acts restrictions on private citizens negotiating foreign policy, Witkoff secured approval from the Biden team to hold talks with Israeli and Arab interlocutors. Even as the Biden Administration continued its own diplomacy, a new sense of possibility had begun to take hold. Hamas was signaling that they wanted to gain some political capital with the Trump Administration, Witkoff told me. Beyond political capital, they were afraid of him.

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The day before Trumps second Inauguration, Israel and Hamas agreed to a cease-fire, and Hamas released 33 hostages. But the fighting resumed in short order. Trying to keep talks on track, Trump had invited Netanyahu to the White House in February, when he proposed relocating Gazas population and remaking the Strip into the Riviera of the Middle East. Experts say the outlandish idea galvanized Arab negotiators and regional mediators to expedite a peace process. The President scared the hell out of them when he came up with the Riviera idea, says Nimrod Novick, a former senior adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres and now a fellow with the Israel Policy Forum. Never mind the Riviera, but for them to host 2 million Gazans for the duration of reconstruction or beyond was unthinkable on several grounds.

Palestinians travel by horse cart amid the destruction caused by the Israeli air and ground offensives in Gaza City, Oct. 22, 2025. Abdel Kareem HanaAP

The theater of conflict soon expanded. Israeli forces struck Irans nuclear facilities in June, unnerving a White House that feared the bombing campaign would derail its efforts at diplomacy. Yet Netanyahu, through careful planning, was able to enlist Trump to join the campaign, according to a senior Israeli official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the conversations.

At their meeting in February, Netanyahu had agreed to give Trump a 60-day window to engage in talks with the Iranians on a nuclear agreement, expecting that they would prove fruitless, according to an Israeli official familiar with the matter. When they produced no resolution, Netanyahu launched the attack. At first, a White House official says, Trump was frustratedthe offensive jeopardized the Administrations hopes of a nuclear deal with Tehran. But Trump warmed to the idea of joining the strikes, seeing their impact and concurring with Netanyahus assessment that the Iranians were trying to manipulate him. On June 22, Trump unleashed U.S. bunker-buster bombs that crippled Irans nuclear infrastructure, according to U.S. and Israeli officials.

Then Netanyahu targeted Hamas leaders in Doha. The assault provoked a crisis that Kushner and Witkoff were determined not to waste. We had an opening, Kushner says. Its just an element of how the President thinks. The pair worked the U.N. General Assembly circuit, hashing out a 20-point plan with Qatari mediators, Egyptian and Turkish interlocutors, and Israeli officials. The proposal called for an immediate cease-fire and hostage exchange, Israeli security guarantees, the demilitarization of Gaza, and a new civilian governing authority.

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When the document reached the President, he scheduled a meeting with leaders of Arab states in a large room at the U.N. on Rosh Hashanah. Joined by Witkoff, Wiles, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump began the session, U.S. officials say, with a long soliloquy about ending the killing and achieving a lasting peace, the goal that has eluded statesmen since the founding of Israel. Then he went around the table, soliciting each leaders counsel. Prince Faisal, representing the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and King Abdullah of Jordan voiced support for the framework.

The negotiations picked up steam from there. Regional leaders, including the Turks and Qataris, helped lean on Hamas. Turkey, a member of NATO, provided a boost by offering Hamas political leaders protection from Israeli strikes if they came to the table, says Soner Cagaptay, a Turkish scholar at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Turkey has quite a bit of sway over Hamas political wing, he says, and I think Ankara used that influence.

Trump applied pressure too, warning that if the militant group refused to disarm or attempted to subvert the deal, it would face complete obliteration. The demand was clear: the return of every Israeli captive, no longer in stages. I said, No more of that. Youre giving us the f-cking hostages, all of them, Trump says.

The threat drew credibility from the recent strikes on Iran. The real clincher was Trumps willingness to use military force, says Oren. The previous Democratic administrations were very averse to using military force. They preferred soft power. Soft power is not widely respected in the Middle East.

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Trumps popularity in Israelwhere his approval ratings dwarfed the Israeli Premiersgave him leverage over Netanyahu. He knew to embrace Netanyahu in public while pressuring him in private to halt the fighting, aides say. He would have just kept going, Trump tells TIME. It could have gone on for years. It would have gone on for years. But I stopped him, and everybody came together when I stopped him.

President Donald Trump talks with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Knesset, Israel's parliament, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Jerusalem. Chip SomodevillaPool/AP

That much may be true, but Israelis and Palestinians alike understand that the success of Phase Two will depend on Trumps willingness to stay engagedon his leverage with Netanyahu and his influence over the regions key players. If the guarantors of this process want it to succeed, it will succeed, particularly the Trump Administration, says Khaled Elgindy, a former Palestinian Authority negotiator.

But there are also ways, he adds, that the pact could crumble. One question is the extent to which an international peacekeeping force will allow the Palestinians to choose their own future governance. Israelis and other Arab powers insist Hamas cannot play a role. But the Islamist group, which the U.S. classifies as a terrorist organization, is not going to negate itself as a political movement, Elgindy says. I dont think folks in Israel are open to any kind of Hamas participation in anything going forward, and that even if Hamas consents to a technocratic government, they will see that as illegitimate.

Trump himself may care little about the specifics of Gazas postwar order so long as he can claim credit as a peacemaker. But it is difficult to negotiate when there is no unified Palestinian leadership, a dynamic Netanyahu spent decades cultivating by keeping Hamas in Gaza and the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority in the West Bank divided. They dont have a leader right now, Trump tells me. At least a visible leader. And they dont really want to, because every one of those leaders has been shot. Its not a hot job.

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Trump says he likes Mahmoud Abbas, the aging head of the Palestinian Authority, but suggests its unlikely he would be the right person to lead postwar Gaza. One option is calling on Israel to release Marwan Barghouti, the imprisoned Fatah leader who has spent more than two decades behind bars for allegedly directing the murder of four Israelis and one Greek Orthodox monk during the Second Intifada. I was literally being confronted with that question about 15 minutes before you called, Trump says. So Ill be making a decision. Many regional observers believe Barghouti is the only figure capable of uniting the Palestinians; polls show him as a leading candidate in a hypothetical election for President of the Palestinian Authority.

Netanyahu, meanwhile, faces rebellion from right-wing ministers who want to block a path to Palestinian statehood and annex the West Bank. Trump warns such a move would meet fierce U.S. resistance. It wont happen because I gave my word to the Arab countries, he told me. Israel would lose all of its support from the United States if that happened. Already, he has had to enforce the deals terms, sending Vance to Israel to ensure that neither Netanyahu nor Hamas allow the agreement to unravel. Netanyahu briefly halted humanitarian aid to Gaza, citing Hamas failure to return the bodies it had promised and its attacks on Israeli targets, while Vance, Kushner, and Witkoff pressed ahead with reconstruction talks to sustain momentum.

In the meantime, Trumps gaze has shifted beyond Gaza. He wants to expand the Abraham Accords, most dramatically through normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia. The Saudis have placed two conditions on the table: an end to the fighting and a credible path toward Palestinian sovereignty, even if not necessarily full statehood. Trump believes both are within reach. I think Saudi Arabia is going to lead the way, he says. We dont have the Iran threat anymore. We dont have any threats anymore. We have peace in the Middle East.

President Donald Trump exits the Oval Office at the White House, in Washington, DC, on Oct. 21, 2025. Stephen Voss for TIME

Peace in the Middle East is, of course, a florid exaggeration. Yet Trump has achieved a cease-fire that returned the last living hostages to Israel and, for a moment at least, opened the door to a new chapter in the region. Israel was so intent on the hostages, I was actually surprised, Trump says. You would have thought they would have sacrificed the hostages in order to keep going, right? The people of Israel wanted the hostages more than they wanted anything else. And we got the hostages.

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The question now is not only whether the fragile architecture of the deal will hold. Its whether Trump can sustain the kind of focus required to turn a momentary reprieve in the fighting into something lasting. It would require the kind of obsessive focus that Jimmy Carter brought to Camp Davidlong nights, endless details, a diplomacy of sheer endurance. When I ask whether the new regional dynamics can outlast him, Trump doesnt hesitate. While Im there, its going to only get better and stronger, and its going to be perfect, he says. What happens after me? I cant tell you that.With reporting by Simmone Shah

Contact us at letters@time.com.
A Palestinian vet was killed by Israeli troops as he returned to his home in northern Gaza after the ceasefire took effect, his employer has said.

Dr Muath Abu Rukbeh, who was described as a kind and exceptional vet, was killed when he unknowingly crossed Israels yellow buffer zone, which marks a withdrawal point for Israeli forces in the occupied strip, according to Sulala Animal Rescue, where he worked. He is among several Palestinians who were shot dead while crossing the boundary since the ceasefire.

Dr Muath Abu Rukbeh treating a horse at Sulala Animal Rescue (Sulala Animal Rescue)

Dr Muath, 30, left the tent where he was living in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, on 10 October  the same day the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect. He wanted to return to his home in Jabalia to collect his belongings, as he was previously displaced due to the war. His wife and two young sons, aged three and 20 months, remained at home for safety reasons.

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According to Sulala, Dr Muath believed it was safe to return home as there was little communication or clarity from the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) over where exactly the line began.

Dr Muath pictured with his wife and two sons (aged three and 20 months old) (Dr Muath Abu Rukba)

Hours after he left Deir al-Balah, his family became anxious after losing all contact with him. He was missing for nine days, with colleagues from Sulala and local residents sent out to search for him.

The search party included Dr Muaths brother, who said he had found a line of dead bodies near the family home. He also claimed to have witnessed a person killed by a drone for crossing the yellow line.

Dr Muaths brother said he was just 500 metres away from the house when Israeli soldiers opened fire at him. He was unable to locate the body of his brother and hoped that he had been captured rather than killed.

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On 19 October, Dr Muaths body was discovered and his brother was alerted.

Annelies Keuleers, a spokesperson for Sulala Animal Rescue, told The Independent: He made a rational decision. He looked at the map, he tried to be safe, and in the end, he had terribly bad luck.

The beloved vet caring for kittens in Gaza (Sulala Animal Rescue)

He didnt deserve this. His family didnt deserve this. And we are just so sad that this happened, and we hope that nobody else will be killed, but unfortunately, we know that probably many more innocent people will be murdered.

Ms Keuleers described Dr Muath as a very loyal and fair person who was always patient and kind and very devoted to his work, caring for animals and humans.

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Despite the lack of resources and medicines available to treat animals during Israels war, he persevered and never even asked for help.

She added: He was there for us every day at night, really, like they could call him in the middle of the night if they had an emergency, and he would come to help an animal.

The animal rescue organisation where he worked also posted a video on X (Twitter) confirming the death of their veterinarian. Another Sulala Animal Rescue spokesperson in the video said: Dr Muath was very dear to us. We lived through difficult and beautiful days together. Dr Muath is a very exceptional person. He was so respectful and appreciative. He treated people and animals with kindness.

The vets family was evacuated and displaced 14 times during Israels offensive in Gaza (Al Sulala Animal Rescue)

Dr Muath worked with us on so many cases. He was always ready to come treat any animal. He was in a constant state of preparedness to come help any animal. We are very sorry to lose him. We wish his family patience.

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Dr Muaths family was evacuated and displaced 14 times during Israels brutal military offensive in Gaza. The price of land skyrocketed during the war, meaning the family could not afford anywhere to live. He was therefore forced to dangerously place his familys tent, along with two small children, on the roof of another family members house.

Last month, a UN Commission concluded that Israel had committed genocide in the Gaza Strip  which Israel denies.

The Independent has contacted the IDF about Dr Muaths death, but received no response.
Residents of DeKalb County will have the opportunity to provide feedback on a proposal by the Georgia Department of Transportation to add express lanes along Interstate 285.

The proposal includes the addition of 13 miles of express lanes running from just south of Interstate 20 to just north of Henderson Road. This is part of a larger 33-mile plan to implement express lanes across the top end of I-285, extending to the west side at I-20 in Cobb County.

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This is the best chance to really have a one-on-one with the project team, with the environmental group, said Natalie Dale, a GDOT spokesperson. If you have a question about any sort of property needs, the right-of-way acquisition team is there to answer those questions.

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The project is currently in the environmental and planning phases, during which public input is being actively sought.

The 13-mile stretch on the east side of I-285 would feature two new separated toll lanes in each direction, primarily using elevated bridge structures.

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New entry and exit points to I-285 would also be added as part of the project. Residents can view preliminary concept plans and provide input on the final design and routing at an in-person meeting.

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The public meeting offers a crucial opportunity for residents to engage directly with GDOT representatives and influence the final design of the express lanes project.

The meeting will take place from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday night at DoubleTree Hotel at 4156 LaVista Road. Another meeting is scheduled for Nov. 6 at Clarkston First Baptist Church.

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For more than 40 years, I've worked as a political strategist for presidents, governors, senators, and mayors.

I've helped shape campaigns at the highest levels  from Bill Clinton to Donald Trump  and if there's one thing experience teaches, it's how to recognize when the political winds are shifting.

Right now, those winds are blowing toward Curtis Sliwa.

In the three-way race for mayor of New York City between Sliwa, Andrew Cuomo, and Zohran Mamdani, the field is fragmented.

But within that division lies Sliwa's path to victory.

In a city hungry for safety, accountability, and common sense, Curtis Sliwa is the only candidate who can unify the middle and win.

Let's be blunt: this race is not your typical Democrat-Republican showdown.

Cuomo and Mamdani are splitting the Democratic vote right down the middle  and both are deeply flawed in ways that New Yorkers can see clearly.

Mamdani, the far-left Assemblyman from Queens, wants to close Rikers Island  yes, the city's main jail  and effectively release thousands of criminals onto our streets.

He supports eliminating bail, gutting the very system that keeps repeat offenders off the subway platforms and away from innocent families.

His policies are anti-police, anti-jail, and anti-safety. If you like chaos, he's your man.

Cuomo, meanwhile, paved the way for radicals like Mamdani.

It was Cuomo who championed the no-bail law, turning New York into a revolving door for criminals.

It was Cuomo who proudly declared New York a "sanctuary city," preventing federal agents from deporting illegal immigrants who committed crimes.

Between Cuomo's failed policies and Mamdani's radical ideology, the city is at risk of becoming unlivable again  just as it was before Rudy Giuliani cleaned it up in the 1990s.

Curtis Sliwa is the only candidate in this race who understands the heartbeat of this city.

He's not a polished politician  and that's precisely why voters trust him.

A born-and-bred New Yorker, Sliwa built his reputation on action, not rhetoric.

As founder of the Guardian Angels, he patrolled dangerous neighborhoods when others looked the other way. He's stood up for working-class New Yorkers, for law enforcement, and for victims of crime.

While Mamdani and Cuomo talk about criminal "justice reform," Sliwa talks about protecting victims and neighborhoods.

He's the only one who would restore bail laws, re-incarcerate repeat offenders, and support our police officers instead of vilifying them.

In a recent AARP/Gotham poll, Sliwa's support jumped from 17% to 19.4% after a strong debate performance  and that number will rise further as voters focus on public safety, the issue that defines this election.

Let's not forget who Andrew Cuomo really is.

His record is filled with scandal, hypocrisy, and betrayal of New Yorkers.

Cuomo's disastrous handling of the COVID-19 pandemic led to the unnecessary deaths of thousands of seniors.

He forced nursing homes to accept COVID-positive patients, a decision that resulted in mass tragedy  and then covered up the numbers.

That alone should disqualify him from public life, let alone leadership.

Then there's his war on religion  particularly against Catholics and Jews.

Cuomo's law enabling decades-old, anonymous lawsuits against Catholic priests and institutions has devastated the Church in New York. Nearly every Catholic diocese in the state has gone bankrupt because of it.

The New York Archdiocese is hanging by a thread, facing financial ruin.

Cuomo targeted faith institutions under the guise of "justice," when in reality it was a cynical political play to curry favor with trial lawyers and the activist left.

And for Jewish voters  many of whom remember Cuomo's repeated public clashes with Orthodox communities  the distrust runs deep.

It's no wonder Rudy Giuliani, the man who saved New York once before, has endorsed Sliwa "100 percent."

Rudy sees what I see: a divided Democratic field and a real chance for Sliwa to pull off an upset.

New York City elections are rarely about ideology  they're about turnout and energy.

Cuomo and Mamdani will cannibalize each other's base.

Cuomo appeals to older establishment Democrats, while Mamdani draws the activist left. That split will leave room for a third force  a candidate who appeals to the middle, to independents, and to Republicans desperate to save their city.

That's Sliwa's lane.

If Curtis can consolidate Republicans and conservative Democrats, while peeling away independents tired of crime, chaos, and corruption, he can win this race with as little as 3538 percent of the total vote.

That's entirely doable in a three-way split.

Remember: Giuliani won in 1993 because voters were fed up with crime.

They wanted a mayor who would restore order and pride to New York. We're back in that same moment today.

This race ultimately boils down to a simple question: do New Yorkers want to feel safe again?

Mamdani wants to close the jails. Cuomo helped open the doors to them in the first place. And both men want to tie the hands of the police.

Sliwa is the only one who will stand with law enforcement, stand up for victims, and bring back common sense.

He's not a career politician  he's a fighter. He's been on the subways, in the neighborhoods, and on the front lines when crime was at its worst.

He knows what it takes to turn this city around.

If New Yorkers stick together  Republicans, independents, and even moderate Democrats  Sliwa can do what no one thinks possible: win this election and restore sanity to our city.

Rudy Giuliani knows it. I know it. And soon, all of New York will too.

(COMMENT, BELOW)

Dick Morris, who served as adviser to former Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) and former President Clinton, is the author of 16 books, including his latest, Screwed and Here Come the Black Helicopters.


By Paul Sandle

LONDON (Reuters) -British ad group WPP said on Thursday it was letting brands access its AI-powered marketing platform to plan, create and publish their own campaigns.

WPP Open Pro, a new edition of its AI platform WPP Open, has been designed for smaller brands that do not use full-service agencies, it said, as well as to provide new capabilities to existing clients.

Advertising groups are facing the challenge of brands starting to use AI to do more of their own creative and planning work, reducing the fees they pay to agencies.

WPP has appointed Cindy Rose to turn it around after it lost its crown as the world's biggest ad group to French rival Publicis last year and its shares more than halved this year.

The company, which owns Ogilvy, AKQA and WPP Media, said it was the first of its peers to provide a range of integrated, AI-powered delivery models, including directly to clients.

Rose, who took over from Mark Read last month, said WPP's creative and strategic talent would always be at the heart of what it did for the world's biggest brands, such as Coca-Cola.

But technology was fundamentally reshaping the industry, she said, and the new platform would put its AI capabilities into the hands of a much wider array of brands and businesses.

"This is about transforming how marketing is delivered, expanding our total addressable market, and giving more brands the tools they need to lead in the AI era," she said.

The platform will enable brands to create channel-specific ads in seconds, it said.

For example, a coffee shop chain could combine brand-approved imagery with content generated by AI to create a campaign for a new store opening.

The ad could then be dropped into WPP's Open Media Studio to be published or it could be published directly to major platforms, WPP said.

(Reporting by Paul Sandle; editing by William James)
DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN)  An elderly man was found dead on his property in rural Geneva County on Wednesday.

Geneva County Coroner Donny Adkinson identified the man as 78-year-old Doyce Windham.

Coroner Adkinson says Windham was cutting his gras along the banks of a pond with a zero-turn lawn mower when the mower slid into the water, ejecting him. This occurred at his home on Rosewood Drive near Samson.

Windhams family found him in the pond and called law enforcement at around 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

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The Geneva County Coroners Office extends its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Windham during this difficult time, Adkinson said in a release.

The Samson Volunteer Fire Department, Samson Rescue, Samson PD, and the Geneva County Sheriffs Office all responded to the scene.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com.
(NewsNation)  Former Republican Congressman George Santos, freed from federal prison last week after a commutation from President Trump, is telling a new story about whether hell repay the victims he defrauded.

Santos was ordered to pay more than $370,000 in restitution, as part of his 87-month sentence for wire fraud and identity theft, but the presidents clemency order wiped those debts clean. On his image-rehabilitation tour in recent days, Santos told some media outlets he would not repay the money because he was not legally obligated to do so.

On Wednesdays CUOMO, Santos appeared to pivot to a new response: Hell try.

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George Santos asks Trump for pardon, clemency, whatever

Look, I dont have to, but I want to, he said of the restitution he had been ordered to pay. I guess that would definitely be a great start for me to prove to people that my actions are different than my past words and actions and transgressions.

Santos said any repayments would need to go through some sort of official mechanism for disbursement. He said his legal team is working on it.

You cant just nilly willy go up to people and say, Oh, heres a check, Santos said.

In his plea agreement, Santos, once a young and rising star in the Republican Party, admitted to stealing money from donors and committing credit card fraud. His brief career in Congress was tarnished by scandals that included puffing up his biography for the 2022 midterm elections.

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The clemency granted by Trump is the latest example of the president coming to the rescue of a GOP member convicted in federal court. In announcing the Santos commutation on social media, Trump called the former lawmaker somewhat of a rogue but said he had the Courage, Conviction, and Intelligence to ALWAYS VOTE REPUBLICAN!

White House says Trump is not considering Diddy commutation

Santos disagreed the presidents commutations have been based on political considerations, noting that Trump also wiped the slate clean for former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, a Democrat who was convicted of public corruption charges.

I think its disingenuous to think that this is political, but I understand the concern, he said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  The Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) announced Wednesday that $5 million would be released to help natural gas customers in need this winter.

About half of the $5 million will go to nearly 13,000 customers enrolled in Atlanta Gas Lights senior citizen discount program.

Each senior will get a one-time credit of roughly $194 on top of their existing monthly discount.

Another $2 million will be given to HopeWorks, a nonprofit that helps repair or replace gas furnaces and water heaters, while $500,000 will go to the Salvation Armys utility assistance program.

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Customers using these programs will start seeing credits on bills in November, a PSC spokesperson said.

The funding will be released from the state Universal Service Fund (USF), which assists low-income consumers in Georgia.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Georgia Tech police are looking for a man after shots were fired on campus on Tuesday.

An alert went out on the Georgia Tech Emergency Notification System about an altercation between two employees at the West Village Dining Hall that ended with shots fired.

The alert said no students were involved and no one was injured. Georgia Tech officials later identified Delante Mayes as the suspect.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Mayes is wanted on multiple charges, including possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, disorderly conduct, and reckless conduct.

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Police are actively seeking Mayes, who may be driving a black 2025 Jeep Compass with Georgia license plate DBQ1997.

Authorities are urging anyone with information about Mayes whereabouts to contact the Georgia Tech Police Department at 404-894-2500.

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The Center Square)  Carli Jones of Gainesville told lawmakers she spends $28 a week on diapers and $70 a week on formula for her child.

"And in our household, when you see that line item of the state income tax coming out every month, it stings just a little bit because we are seeing those numbers, $28, $70 a week, daycare costs, different things like that, that are coming out of our budget that that state income tax could be going toward," Jones told a Senate committee studying the elimination of the income tax.

Jones said one mother she knew left the workforce because of high childcare costs.

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The Georgia Senate Special Committee on Eliminating Georgias Income Tax previously heard from policymakers, but heard directly from taxpayers like Jones and others at its meeting this week who spoke in favor of eliminating the tax.

Sen. Nan Orrock, D-Atlanta, presented Jones with another option.

"How does the idea sound of fully funding daycare or beginning to reduce the cost of childcare, because as you said, that's not a lone example where someone gets out of the workforce because they are not earning enough to, you know, pay for childcare and they stay home instead," Orrock said. "What would it look like to raise the pay for the folks that are taking care of our children while we're at work, to attract the strong talent, committed people that childhood, childcare is their forte?"

Greg Dolezal, R-Cumming, in his view, there is no such thing as "state funds."

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"All that we do is take your money and we run it through a very inefficient process of washing it up, and moving it up and trying to allocate it to some very worthy causes and some causes that maybe government has not role in funding at all," Dolezal said. "So this to me, comes down to really a core argument, and it comes down to what is the role of government. Should government be at the center of solving every problem in this country or not. I happen to hold the view that it should not."

Georgia has the second-highest income tax in the Southeast, according to Lt. Gov. Burt Jones. Only South Carolina has a higher one. Georgia's neighbors to the north and south, Tennessee and Florida, do not have an income tax. North Carolina does but is slowly lowering it, and attracting new population in the process.

"So if we want to continue to be competitive and continue to be a place where we want people to live, work and play, then we're going to have to be competitive from a tax digest and a taxation point of view," Jones told the committee at the meeting held in Gainesville.

Jones is running for governor in 2026. Blake Tillery, R-Vidalia, who chairs the committee, is running for lieutenant governor along with two other committee members, Dolezal and Sen. Steve Gooch, R-Dahlonega.

"There's been a lot of comments that this might just be political," Tillery said. "I want to remind you that the (primary) election is in May. The bills will be voted on between January and March."
More than 1,000 cranes are thought to have died in a large outbreak of bird flu near Berlin, conservationists recovering the animals' bodies said on Thursday.

A total of 839 dead cranes have been counted since Sunday in pond area in Linum, around 30 kilometres north-west of the capital, the head of the Rhinluch Species Protection Centre, Norbert Schneewei, told dpa.

Altogether around 1,500 infected animals may have died, according to Schneewei, who is coordinating a team of helpers searching deeper and more inaccessible waters.

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"We are still surrounded by dying animals," said Schneewei, who has been organizing crane conservation efforts for years. The helpers, who have been working for days, are "fully equipped from head to toe" and must disinfect themselves after dealing with the birds.

"It is dramatic for the cranes. But it is also taking a toll on the helpers," he added.

"This is now really a case of mass mortality. We need professional support," he previously told the Radio Eins broadcaster: "This is not something that nature lovers can do in their spare time."

The group called upon the fire brigade to lend assistance, while local authorities hoped for technical support at the federal level. A drone was also flown over the area to assess the situation.

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Every year, tens of thousands of cranes stop in the state of Brandenburg, which surrounds Berlin, on their way to their southern wintering grounds.

The conservationists fear that other species may also be affected. Ravens and birds of prey that feed on carrion are active in the area.
A German man went on trial on Thursday on charges of attempted murder after allegedly poisoning his wife seven times - including with a frozen pizza.

The 56-year-old also faces charges of grievous bodily harm at the Bamberg Regional Court in the southern city of Bamberg.

According to the indictment, the man started a relationship with another woman online in 2022 and promised her a future together and children.

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In order to be free for his new life, he allegedly decided to kill his wife in the summer of 2023.

According to the investigation, the accused searched "deadly poison for humans" and "aconite poisoning detectable" on Google.

He then allegedly ordered several plant poisons to his workplace. The public prosecutor's office accuses him of seven attempts to poison his partner between August 2023 and December 2024.

The woman survived each time, but was hospitalized in some cases and had to have a pacemaker fitted as a result of the poisoning.

During the last attempt in December 2024, the 56-year-old is said to have poisoned a frozen pizza that his wife and son ate.

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The poison caused the mother and son to suffer massive cardiac arrhythmia and their lives were in acute danger. They only survived thanks to the rapid intervention of emergency doctors and paramedics.

Instead of informing the helpers who were fighting for their lives about the poisoning, the man is said to have followed this "without any great tension and without any compassion."

The following weekend, the accused travelled to France with his acquaintance, where he was finally arrested. Investigators found remnants of the various plant poisons during searches.

According to a court spokesman, the man did not enter a plea at the start of the trial, but announced that he would make a statement on the next day of the hearing.

A verdict could be announced in mid-November.
NEED TO KNOW

The Timanfaya National Park in the Canary Islands shared a letter from a German tourist who returned rocks he stole from the park's Montanas del Fuego area

The visitor said that he believed "bad luck" had befallen him after taking the rocks and felt "compelled" to return them after "a major personal tragedy"

Timanfaya National Park warned guests that taking rocks from the area could cause a dangerous domino effect" for the ecosystem

A German tourist returned volcanic rocks he stole from a protected area in the Canary Islands after tragedy befell him.

The Timanfaya National Park shared the handwritten letter, in which the traveler confessed to removing the rocks and noted that after it happened he experienced bad luck. according to the local newspaper La Voz de Lanzarote and Canarian Weekly.

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The man began his letter writing, per the outlets, I have heard of legends where the removal of volcanic rock from its source of origin brings bad luck and I fear this has befallen me.

After a major personal tragedy I feel compelled to return this few grams of rock to Fine Mountain, he continued. I would be eternally grateful if you scatter them outside the visitor centre where I picked them up, at the 'hot coals' spot.

The spot he was referring to is located outside the center of Montanas del Fuego, which is part of Timanfaya National Park, per La Voz de Lanzarote.

Marcos del Mazo/LightRocket via Getty

Alongside the note, which was sent a few years ago but only recently released, the national park reminded visitors that stealing heritage items or elements from the park can result in fines up to about $3,400. The park also noted that "a large volume of stones and sand" at Montanas del Fuego have been seized from suitcases at the Cesar Manrique Airport.

The park also noted that visitors may unknowingly cause harm to the ecosystem of the area by removing natural items as rocks are often home to small plants, fungi, insects, and other unique species that only exist in that environment. Once the rocks are removed, it can weaken the soil and intensify erosion.

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The park also warned that removing a rock or sand can cause a dangerous domino effect, as without the rocks, insects wont have any place to shelter and multiply resulting in food shortages for their predators like lizards and birds.

"That rock is meaningless in your display case, it's not a souvenir or raw material for a pendant. It belongs to nature. It sustains the life and culture of our island. Stealing nature is stealing the future, the park said in a statement, per La Voz de Lanzarote.

The Timanfaya National Park did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment on the incident.

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This isnt the first time a visitor has taken a rock from a national park and returned it. Haleakala National Park in Hawaii revealed via their Facebook in 2022, that it received several rocks from a visitor, who returned them along with a note in the mail.

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The visitor wrote, I dearly apologize for taking these off of native land. I wanted to return them to where they belong. Thank you.

That national park also noted it was both illegal and inappropriate to remove the rocks from the area.



Read the original article on People
Before she was elected the 25th national president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., in 2013.

And before her talents were highly valued at the University of South Florida, where she was the director of undergraduate programs and internships in the school's College of Education.

Dr. Paulette C. Walker (March 4, 1948-Oct. 8, 2025) was nurtured by a supportive and prominent section of Detroit lovingly known as the Old West Side, whose treasured neighborhood institutions included St. Stephen AME Church, a sacred place that helped Walker develop leadership skills that would become known across the United States and beyond during her lifetime.

Dr. Paulette C. Walker (March 4, 1948-Oct. 8, 2025) repaid the love and nurturing that she received from Detroit's "Old West Side" by dedicating her life to service. Walker's guiding motto: "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent," spoke to the confidence she instilled in others of all ages.

The soul or nucleus of the Black community is the church, and when I was one of those little kids running around the basement of St. Stephen Church, Paulette was a teenager that we all looked up to, Detroiter Doreen Odom, who shared her reflections on the evening of Oct. 21 about a woman she cherished as a mentor, sorority sister and dear friend, said. A lot of leaders came out of that church, but Paulette was someone Ive known all my life and I idolized her. She was an excellent orator, and I had an opportunity to follow her path as a speaker and leader all over the world, including an International Sisterhood Retreat in Okinawa, Japan where she spoke in January 2016.

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"And she received training that helped to place her on that path right there in our church.

A funeral service celebrating the life of Walker will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 24 at Fellowship Chapel, 7007 West Outer Drive, in Detroit. On Thursday, Oct. 23, Fellowship Chapel also will be the location for a visitation from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., and an "Omega Omega Service" will be conducted by members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority at 4 p.m.

Attendees for Walkers services are expected to represent cities from across the country, which reflects the national scope of her work as an educator, community servant and humanitarian. But regardless of where life took Walker, those who were close to her say Walker, the daughter of 105-year-old Helen Felton and the late Otis Felton, never lost her passion for Detroit and the city's people.

As a former national president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and in other leadership positions she held, Dr. Paulette Walker often traveled to places that were far away from Detroit. But Walker, a proud product of Detroit's "Old West Side," never stopped loving her hometown and its people.

She would say: When I come home to Detroit, I just want to be Paulette,'  said Sandra Rall, who met Walker in a 10th grade study hall through a mutual friend  Alice Cattron Cole  at Cass Technical High School, where they were members of the Class of 1965. When we wanted to tease her, we would say, All right, Dr. Walker. But Paulette would let you know that she didnt want any pomp and circumstance. Detroit was her home and she was always outgoing and friendly to everyone. And there was nothing that could keep her away from her friends.

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"Even during the (COVID-19) pandemic, we would have Zoom pajama parties. If you were her friend, you became used to receiving texts from Paulette at 3 or 4 in the morning, and if you texted her back and asked why she was still up, Paulette would just pick up the phone and call you. Thats what friendship meant to Paulette.

Rall, who takes pride in checking in on Walkers mother as much as she can, says that the only significant stretch when she and Walker were not in close connection after they met was during their undergraduate college days, when Rall attended Eastern Michigan University and Walker was on the East Lansing campus of Michigan State University.

At Michigan State, Walker was initiated into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., through the Epsilon Epsilon Chapter, in 1966 and earned a bachelors degree in mathematics education. Walker would later earn a masters degree in guidance and counseling and a doctor of education in administration and supervision from the University of Michigan. But her legacy still lives on strongly at Michigan State through the Dr. Paulette C. Walker Endowed Scholarship Fund, which was established in 2012 in partnership with the Michigan State University Black Alumni Association to support educational development, student retention, and matriculation.

Her leadership style was open, she always shared a lot of information, and Dr. Walker was committed to making a difference in the lives of young people. So, it was a unanimous decision that this (the Dr. Paulette C. Walker Endowed Scholarship Fund) was something that we wanted to establish to honor her legacy, Marcia Jackson, the founding president of the Fund, said. If you ever met Dr. Walker, she always remembered you. And through the fund her legacy will always be remembered.

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Honoring Walkers legacy also is serious business for Dr. Shondra Marshall, a board member for the Dr. Paulette C. Walker Scholarship Fund. Marshall first came to Walkers attention when Marshall, as a Michigan State undergraduate, played an instrumental role in organizing a homecoming event presented by Delta Sigma Thetas Epsilon Epsilon Chapter.

"When she saw my organizational skills, there was no turning back," says Dr. Shondra Marshall, right, who was first mentored by the late Dr. Paulette Walker when Marshall was an undergraduate student at Michigan State University. Marshall is helping to keep Walker's legacy alive as a Dr. Paulette C. Walker Endowed Scholarship Fund board member.

When she (Walker) saw my organizational skills, there was no turning back and I became her mentee, said Marshall, a 2024 recipient of the Clifton R. Wharton Jr. Distinguished Alumni Award from the Michigan State University Black Alumni organization. Sometimes Dr. Walker would say things that you dont want to hear. But she was always dropping gems and golden nuggets because she gave advice and support from the heart.

As admirers of Walker gather for her services, there will no doubt be many stories told about her accomplishments, which also includes service she provided during various parts of her career as a classroom teacher, middle and high school counselor, director of counseling, assistant principal and a school district-wide supervisor of state and federal projects.

However, on the evening of Oct. 21, Erica Donerson revealed that one of the greatest stories connected to her second mom  Dr. Paulette Walker  happened before Walker even started school in Detroit.

Being consistently "positive and encouraging" were among the many admirable qualities that the late Dr. Paulette Walker possessed, says Erica Donerson, right, one of Walker's many mentees.

"She would tell the 'Butterfly story.' And that was a story about how Dr. Walker could not hear or see when she was born and spent a long time in a body cast," said Donerson, who was mentored closely by Walker during the time Walker was president of Delta Sigma Theta and Donerson was a volunteer chair of the sorority's national Information and Communications Committee. "In that cast, she would look out the window from her room, and she would become excited and inspired whenever she saw the yellow from the sun or a butterfly, because that gave her hope that one day she would be able to see those things more closely outside.

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"She said God freed her from the cocoon she was in, so that her life could be a testimony for others that if she could get through that experience, we can handle the challenges that come our way. There was never a time when she was not positive and encouraging.

"Dr. Walker was brilliant and analytical, but she also was the first person to send you a text or an email a few minutes after midnight when you had a birthday. And can you think of a better way to start your day? I'm heartbroken now, but I know my love for her will continue to grow."

Scott Talley is a native Detroiter, a proud product of Detroit Public Schools and a lifelong lover of Detroit culture in its diverse forms. In his second tour with the Free Press, which he grew up reading as a child, he is excited and humbled to cover the citys neighborhoods and the many interesting people who define its various communities. Contact him at stalley@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @STalleyfreep. Read more of Scott's stories at www.freep.com/mosaic/detroit-is/. Please help us grow great community-focused journalism by becoming a subscriber.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Dr. Paulette Walker is celebrated because she left a legacy of service
Earning credit card rewards as a business owner doesnt have to be complicated. You can use the Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard Credit Card to maximize every business expense with rewards for future travel.

Heres how this cards unlimited 1.5x points on every purchase  combined with no annual fee, a 0% intro APR, and more  can help you score major savings on your next business trip.

Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard Credit Card

Apply now Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard credit card Annual fee $0

Welcome offer Earn 30,000 online bonus points after you spend at least $3,000 in the first 90 days, which can be redeemed for a $300 statement credit towards travel or dining purchases

Introductory APR 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 9 billing cycles (variable 17.24% - 27.24% APR after that)

Purchase APR 17.24% - 27.24% variable Rewards rate Unlimited 1.5x points on all purchases Benefits Earn 75% more points on every purchase if you have a business checking account with Bank of America and qualify for Preferred Rewards for Business Platinum Honors tier No international transaction fees



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This cards biggest draw for small business owners is the potential rewards for business spending. Other benefits are minimal, but there are a few that you should be aware of so you can get the best value.

As a new cardholder, you can benefit from an introductory 0% APR on new purchases for the first nine billing cycles after account opening (17.24%-27.24% variable APR after that). Thats a great way to save on interest payments if youre looking to make a big purchase for your business and want some extra time to pay it off.

You can also benefit from some added travel protections, including travel accident insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, and trip cancellation and delay coverage.

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Earning rewards with this card is simple: Every purchase you make automatically earns 1.5x points per dollar. Points are unlimited, so theres no cap on the 1.5x rewards rate, and they wont expire as long as your account is open.

Lets say your business expenses total around $5,000 per month, or about $60,000 per year. If you can put all of those costs on your Business Advantage Travel Rewards card, youll gain a total of 90,000 points each calendar year.

In addition to the standard 1.5x rewards, youll also earn 3x rewards when you make purchases through the Bank of America Travel Center. If you book your business travel through the portal, this boost can add a significant number of points to your annual total.

Using the same example as above, perhaps you travel for business only a few times each year and spend an additional $5,000 with the Travel Center, in addition to your $60,000 annual expenditure. You could earn an extra 15,000 points on top of the 90,000 youll get for non-travel spending, for an annual total of 105,000 points.

Read more: Best rewards credit cards

Welcome offer

As a new cardholder, dont miss the extra points youll gain from this cards welcome bonus offer.

You can earn 30,000 bonus points when you spend at least $3,000 within the first 90 days of account opening  equal to around $1,000 per month for the first three months. Securing this welcome bonus can add up to $300 in extra value as a first-year cardholder.

Preferred Rewards

Like other Bank of America credit cards, you can increase your rewards earnings with the Business Advantage Travel Rewards card if youre an existing Bank of America customer with a qualifying balance.

Youll be eligible for Preferred Rewards for Business if you have an active Bank of America business checking account and you have a qualifying combined balance across your Bank of America business deposit accounts and Merrill business investment accounts. The specific boost youll get depends on your Preferred Rewards for Business tier:

Gold: 25% bonus rewards (1.87 points per $1)

Platinum: 50% bonus rewards (2.25 points per $1)

Platinum Honors: 75% bonus rewards (2.62 points per $1)

Say you qualify for the highest Platinum Honors tier with a combined daily balance across your eligible Bank of America and Merrill accounts of over $100,000. Using the same annual spending example as above, the extra 75% bonus youll get on your spending will increase your annual points from 105,000 to 183,450 (157,200 on regular spending and 26,250 on Travel Center bookings).

How to redeem rewards

When youre ready to redeem your Business Advantage Travel Rewards points, you can cash them in for statement credits toward travel or dining purchases. That includes airlines, hotels, rental car companies, parking lots, tolls, tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, fast food restaurants, and more.

You can also redeem points for future business travel when you book through the Bank of America Travel Center. Redemptions start at 2,500 points (equal to $25).

Related: Cash back or points  Which credit card rewards are better?

Who is the Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards Card best for?

Youll get the best value from a Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards card if youre a small business owner and you want to earn rewards for business travel without paying an annual fee.

This card may be an ideal option if your business spending is spread across different categories, and you travel only a few times per year. Youll earn great rewards without the restriction of common business credit card categories, but you can also maximize travel when you need to take a business trip by redeeming points toward travel purchases or earning 3x points when you book travel through the Bank of America Travel Center.

If you like this cards flat rewards and no annual fee, but dont travel for business, consider flat cash-back credit card options that might offer more flexibility when youre ready to redeem rewards.

On the other hand, if you travel very often and want to maximize your airfare and hotels, you might find more value from a different rewards card with boosted points across travel categories and more annual travel benefits, even if it comes with an annual fee.

Like any Bank of America credit card, dont forget to account for the extra value you can gain as an existing customer. If your Bank of America business deposit accounts and Merrill business investment accounts qualify you for Preferred Rewards, this card can give you even more back in annual rewards.

Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards Card pros

No annual fee: You wont pay any annual fee to own the Business Advantage Travel Rewards card.

Unlimited flat rewards: This card earns a flat 1.5x points on every purchase you make. But you can also get a solid boost of 3x total points when you book travel through the Bank of America Travel Center.

Intro 0% APR offer: You can take advantage of the 0% APR for new purchases for the first nine billing cycles after you open your account, though the cards ongoing APR kicks in for any remaining balance when the intro period ends.

Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards Card cons

Not as much earning opportunity as some other cards: Flat rewards can be a great option if your business spending varies or doesnt fit into common rewards categories. But other business cards may offer greater potential rewards across specific categories, which could bring in more annual value for your business spending.

No balance transfer 0% APR: This cards 0% APR applies only to new purchases, not balance transfers. If you have an existing debt balance you want to pay off, look for balance transfer credit cards that may be a better fit for your needs.

Lacks benefits of other travel cards: Travel cards often come with added benefits like airport lounge access, annual travel credits, and fee credits for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. If youre looking for these valuable annual benefits, consider other travel credit cards for business.

Where can you use the Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards Card?

This Bank of America card is part of the Mastercard network, so you can use it anywhere Mastercard is accepted across the globe.

The Business Advantage Travel Rewards card also has no foreign transaction fees, so its a solid choice to bring on international business trips. Other cards may charge up to 3% in fees on top of any purchases you make abroad. If you travel internationally relatively often, you can save a large sum without these added fees over time.

How to make a Business Advantage Travel Rewards Card payment

Online or mobile app. Log into your Bank of America account from your web browser or mobile app. You can also set up automatic payments online.

At a financial center. Make your card payment in person at one of Bank of Americas over 3,700 branches. You cannot make a business credit card payment using a Bank of America ATM.

By phone. Call 888-306-4949 to make a payment by phone.

By mail. Mail business card payments to Bank of America Business Card, PO Box 15710, Wilmington, DE 19850-5710.

Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards Card customer service info

Customer service is available by phone 24/7

Phone number: 800-732-9194

Alternative cards to consider

The Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard isnt the only great option with no annual fee for business owners. Consider these top business credit cards also available today:

Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard credit card

Learn more Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard Secured Card Annual fee $0

Welcome offer None Rewards rate Earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases Benefits Choose how to redeem your cash rewards: A deposit into your Bank of America checking or savings account, a card statement credit, or a check Build up your credit history Minimum $1,000 security deposit



Why we like it: The Bank of America Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards card is a lot like the Business Advantage Travel Rewards card, but it earns a flat 1.5% cash back instead of points rewards. Youll also still enjoy a welcome bonus offer, an introductory 0% APR, no annual fee, and a boost from Preferred Rewards for Business if you have a qualifying balance. If you like the simplicity of flat rewards but want to redeem them for statement credits or a deposit into your business bank account with Bank of America, this may be a better option.

Learn more Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card Add to Compare Annual fee $0

Welcome offer Earn $750 bonus cash back after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months

Introductory Purchases APR 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 12 Months

Ongoing Purchases APR 16.99% - 24.99% Variable Rewards rate 1.5% unlimited cash back on every business purchase Benefits $0 annual fee Generous intro APR on purchases You won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information



Why we like it: The Ink Business Unlimited card from Chase is another flat cash-back card that makes it easy to earn and redeem on your business spending in any category. Youll get 1.5% cash back on every purchase, which you can redeem for cash back, travel, and more with Chase Ultimate Rewards. Plus, earn a great welcome bonus, enjoy an introductory 0% APR, and pay no annual fee.

Read our full Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card review.

Learn more The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express Rates & fees, terms apply Add to Compare Annual fee $0

Welcome offer 15,000 Membership Rewards Points after spending $3,000 in first 3 months Rewards rate 2x points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners (applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1x after that). Terms and limitations apply. Benefits $0 annual fee 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months (then variable rate 16.99% - 26.99% based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening; APR will not exceed 29.99%)



Why we like it: The Blue Business Plus Credit Card from Amex is a flat rewards card you can use to earn 2x points on your first $50,000 in business spending each calendar year, then 1x after that. You can also earn 2x points on eligible Amex Travel spending without it counting toward your first $50,000. This card earns Membership Rewards points, which you can use to book travel, get statement credits, make online purchases, and more. Youll pay no annual fee (see rates and fees), and this card also has a welcome bonus and introductory 0% APR offer.

Read our full review of the Blue Business Plus Credit Card from Amex.

Editorial Disclosure: The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. All opinions belong solely to the Yahoo Finance and are not those of any other entity. The details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the banks website for the most current information. This site doesn't include all currently available offers. Credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
A man accused of threatening Gilbert council members was arrested in connection with multiple criminal charges relating to the incident, according to Gilbert police.

Police were notified of a social media message posted by Robert Byrd, 40, on the evening of Oct. 15 and arrested him the following day, according to Officer Travis Sheppard, a department spokesperson.

"Pull out the pew pews, then I guarantee they will drop the attitude and listen to what people have to say with a loaded pipe pointed at their face," Byrd said in a comment on his Facebook page. "Don't be a wuss, bully the bullies."

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Byrd acknowledged his arrest in another post and suggested it was because he had upset "the wrong politician."

Byrd was charged with five counts of threatening to inflict physical harm on any person or property in electronic communications, a Class 1 misdemeanor, according to Sheppard.

Byrd has an arraignment scheduled the morning of Nov. 6 in Highland Justice Court.

Threatening comments were reckless and dangerous to make, council members say

The social media comments made by Byrd worried some council members that others could read it and act on the comments.

Gilbert Town Councilmember Monte Lyons told The Arizona Republic he thought the comments were made in a moment of passion, but that it was foolish to post it. He said the comments were over the top, and if somebody who is struggling, in many different ways, could read that as a call to arms.

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Councilmember Kenny Buckland also worried the comments could incite other people and that it was absolutely reckless and dangerous, he said.

The comments come on the heels of political violence, such as the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and the murder of a Democratic Minnesota state House leader, Buckland said. He also pointed to the evacuation of Tempe City Hall in August 2025 because of an online threat.

This is ridiculous. Its got to stop. Our behavior is horrible. We just got to lower the temperature, Buckland said.

Councilmember Chuck Bongiovanni said he had similar concerns as Lyons and Buckland about the threatening comments.

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He said it was absolutely inappropriate," and it was getting out of control. In a public Facebook post on Oct. 20 in a popular community group page, Bongiovanni wrote that because of the threats of gun violence, he would no longer engage in FaceBook debates that go no where and only stoke the flames of our worse behaviors as a society, to protect his family.

He told The Republic he felt the arrest was appropriate.

Councilmember Jim Torgeson did not want to comment directly on the arrest, stating he wanted to wait to let the system do its thing and not interfere with it. However, he said he worried about the ongoing rhetoric.

Were never going to solve problems if we start worrying about our safety, Torgeson said.

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Councilmember Bobbi Buchli responded to The Republic's inquiry in a text message and wrote it was "sad and very troubling to see comments like that."

"I will be enhancing my security measures," she wrote.

Mayor Scott Anderson and Councilmember Yung Koprowski did not immediately respond to a request for comment, as of Oct. 22.

Dangerous drive: 13-year-old arrested in 100-mph joyride in mom's SUV through Mesa, Gilbert

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Gilbert man arrested on suspicion of threatening council members
He described the new Civil-Military Coordination Center in Israel as a key mechanism for ensuring that Gazas transition toward stability and civilian governance is both secure and sustainable.

The new Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) in Israel is a key mechanism for ensuring that Gazas transition toward stability and civilian governance is both secure and sustainable, US Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins said Thursday.

The CMCC, which began operating this week near Kiryat Gat, has an important role in coordinating international, humanitarian, and military efforts as the ceasefire enters its second week, he told The Jerusalem Post from CENTCOM headquarters in Tampa.

Building a framework for stability

The CMCC enables partner nations, NGOs, international institutions, and private-sector stakeholders to get on the same page, Hawkins said. Its about ensuring that humanitarian, logistical, and security assistance flows into Gaza efficiently and effectively.

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While not specifying which countries might send forces to Gaza, he said there was significant interest in joining the efforts there.

Even though many people consider the CMCC to be a military coalition, its mandate is far broader, Hawkins said.

Israeli soldiers operating in the northern Gaza Strip, on July 22, 2025. (credit: Oren Cohen/Flash90)

Its not just about other militaries, he said. Were talking about international stakeholders, humanitarian groups, and private-sector actors all working together.

Several international partners have already arrived at the CMCC, Hawkins said.

The deputy commander of the CMCC is a UK general officer, he said, adding that more countries and organizations are joining in the coming days and weeks.

Monitoring the ceasefire moment by moment

Asked about the CMCCs role in maintaining the ceasefire, Hawkins described an operations floor that allows real-time monitoring of developments inside Gaza.

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This enables us to see whats happening on the ground as it happens, he said. We bring together data from international partners, NGOs, and institutions that have eyes and ears on the ground. That helps us know where assistance is needed most  and also ensures that the ceasefire holds.

Hawkins emphasized that monitoring the ceasefire is central to the mission.

A stable and secure Gaza is our focus, he said. Thats why this center exists.

Coordination with Israel

The CMCCs location in Israel ensures close coordination with the IDF, Hawkins said.

Naturally, were working with the IDF, he said. They have representation just like many other nations and organizations do.

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Regarding claims by some Israeli officials that Washington is limiting Israels freedom of action in Gaza, Hawkins said: The US has an ironclad commitment to Israels security and defense. Were partners in this effort to bring about a stable and peaceful Gaza.

He declined to elaborate about reported policy debates, saying only that senior US leaders have been clear in their public positions.

Reflecting on the ceasefires early days, Hawkins acknowledged the challenges ahead.

Its a very fragile situation, he said. Coming off two years of conflict is never easy. But thats exactly why we stood up the CMCC: to coordinate international efforts and keep this process on track.

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CENTCOM remains focused on helping Gaza move toward civilian governance, which is the ultimate measure of success, Hawkins said.

'Full operations within weeks'

Regarding the timeline for when the CMCC will be fully operational, he said: Over the next two weeks, as international partners integrate, we expect the Coordination Center to reach more full operational capability.

Once that happens, Well definitely look to highlight that progress and welcome media to see how the process works, Hawkins said.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) claimed on Thursday that House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is going to get someone killed with his rhetoric about the current government shutdown.

Jeffries joined CNNs Wolf Blitzer on The Situation Room as the government shutdown reached its 23rd day. Jeffries maintained that the Democratic position that an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies should be included in any plan to fund the government.

Blitzer noted that Johnson accused Democrats of acting like terrorists and holding the government hostage. Jeffries responded by accusing Johnson of recklessly using inflammatory language at a time of deep political divisiveness in the country.

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He said:

That type of language is reckless, its irresponsible, and its going to get someone killed. What do these folks not understand as it relates to the language that they continue to use? We should be able to battle it out in the contest of ideas as opposed to trying to use these extreme terms that have been unleashed on the American people from the very beginning of this presidency, and, as a matter of fact, for a long period of time, by the current president and those sycophants who continue to do nothing more than rubber stamp his extreme agenda and hurt the American people. These are folks in the house in terms of the Republicans, theyve been on vacation for the last four weeks. They have actually canceled votes four consecutive weeks in a row. And as Democrats, weve been here, leader [Chuck] Schumer, Senate Democrats, House Democrats making clear we are ready, we are willing we are able to sit down with anyone, any time, any place in order to reopen the government, enact a spending agreement that actually improves the quality of life for the American people, that actually lowers costs for the American people.

In an interview with CNNs Kaitlan Collins, Johnson referred to Democrats as legislative terrorists.

Were not going to allow Chuck Schumer to play selfish political games and hold the American people hostage, he said. We will not negotiate with legislative terrorists.

Watch above via CNN.

The post Its Going to Get Someone Killed! Hakeem Jeffries Goes Off on Mike Johnson Calling Democrats Terrorists Over Government Shutdown first appeared on Mediaite.
Weve heard of software bugs, but this is ridiculous.

Over the weekend, a campus-wide email went out to Google employees working in New York, advising them to steer clear of its office in Chelsea due to a bed bug invasion, Wired reports.

The notice was sent out Sunday after exterminators using a bed bug-sniffing K9 found credible evidence of their presence, at Googles Chelsea campus. The office reopened on Monday, and the companys other three Manhattan offices are also being investigated, according to Wired.

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Scent dogs have long been used by exterminators and even New York authorities to suss out infestations, though their reliability has been called into question. One study found they have a mean detection rate of just 44 percent, meaning false-positives could definitely factor in here.

While unconfirmed, Wired also shared rumors that the bed bug outbreak was linked to a large stuffed animal population which calls the Chelsea office home.

Google declined to comment on the stuffed animal situation, but it did tell its New York employees to report any cases of bed bug exposure or sightings at the Manhattan offices.

Astonishingly, this marks the second time Google has shuttered this particular workplace due to a bed bug invasion  in 2010, the company was forced to close the Chelsea location after an employee exposed the embarrassing find in a quickly-deleted tweet.

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Soon after, a Google spokesperson told the Wall Street Journal that bed bugs had been confirmed in a small area of the campus. Still, that was amidst a broader infestation which was plaguing Manhattan at the time  an excuse which no longer flies.

More on Google: Google Sends Out Bizarre Email Saying AI Will Now Control Your Phones Apps


You ask Googles AI a simple question about a public figure, and it responds with detailed citations from Rolling Stone and Newsweek. The links look legitimate, the headlines sound plausible, the sources are recognizable. You click throughpage not found. Those articles never existed. Welcome to the new frontier of digital deception, where AI doesnt just get facts wrongit manufactures entire realities with fake journalistic credibility.

When Hallucinations Become Defamation

Conservative activist Robby Starbuck discovered this nightmare scenario firsthand when Googles Bard and Gemini chatbots began generating horrific allegations about himsexual assault, child abuse, financial crimes, ties to the KKKand attributing them to non-existent articles from major outlets. The AI didnt just hallucinate facts; it crafted sophisticated forgeries complete with realistic URLs, publication dates, and bylines that mimicked legitimate journalism. Only clicking the links revealed the truth: these stories existed nowhere except in Googles language models.

 HUGE NEWS: Im suing @Google today.



What youre about to see is insane.



Since 2023, @GoogleAI (Bard, Gemini & Gemma), has been defaming me with fake criminal allegations including sexual assault, child rape, abuse, fraud, stalking, drug charges, and even saying I was in pic.twitter.com/TZ3M5dqHLy  Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) October 22, 2025

The Digital Reputation Massacre

The consequences werent confined to cyberspace. Starbuck alleges that strangers confronted him about these fabricated stories, believing they were reading legitimate investigative reports. Business contacts referenced the fake allegations in professional settings. This isnt abstract legal theoryits digital reputation destruction by algorithm, where AIs convincing presentation of false information creates real-world harm that spreads like wildfire through social networks and professional circles.

Industry-Wide Accountability Crisis

Google admits that hallucinations are a well known issue for all LLMs, but this lawsuit joins a pattern of legal challenges that suggest the industrys acknowledgment isnt cutting it anymore. Starbuck previously settled against Meta for AI-generated defamation, establishing a precedent for holding tech giants accountable.

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Legal scholar Eugene Volokh notes that continued publication after notice of false content might be seen as enough to show so-called actual malicethe standard that could make tech giants liable for their AIs fabrications.

Your AI Trust Recalibration

Every time you accept an AI assistants confident answer with citations, youre potentially consuming sophisticated fiction presented as fact. The Starbuck case isnt just about one activists legal battleits about whether AI companies can continue deploying systems that blur the line between information and imagination without meaningful accountability. The next time your AI apps provide sources for a claim, ask yourself: are you willing to bet someones reputation on those links actually existing?

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Senate GOP leaders are again shaking up their strategy as they look for more ways to pressure Democrats to end a three-week stalemate over government funding  this time, with a vote that would keep paychecks flowing to essential workers.

Democrats, however, are expected to widely reject the measure, leaving Congress no closer to resolving what is now the second longest government shutdown in history.

The Senate will vote Thursday on a bill that would require the government to pay workers deemed essential and required to work during the lapse  including those in the US military, border patrol and Transportation Security Administration  from the Treasury Departments coffers during a shutdown. That vote comes a day before millions of federal workers miss their first full paycheck, and is intended to cause maximum political pain for Democrats on day 23 of the political standoff.

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But Democrats say they oppose any bill that does not pay all federal workers and will instead propose a countermeasure on Thursday that would ensure furloughed workers, too, would be paid. Its not clear that the measure will receive a vote, though even if it does, it would fail because it needs 60 votes to advance. The GOPs measure, too, is likely to fall short of that 60-vote threshold.

Sen. Tim Kaine Kaine talks with CNN on Wednesday. - CNN

I dont like the bill because it gives the president the ability to decide whos essential and whos not. And what we see is he is using this in a political and punitive way, said Sen. Tim Kaine, who represents a large contingent of federal workers living in Virginia. Were going to cancel Democratic programs. Were going to send troops to Democratic cities. He would use this discretionary power to punish some and reward others.

We want to pay all federal workers, Sen. Bernie Sanders told CNN this week. Sen. Andy Kim of New Jersey, a former civilian advisor at the State Department, said he also has deep concerns about the bill.

I used to be a civil servant. I care a lot about them, but you cant just choose a few, and not everybody, especially if Trump is making the decision, Kim said. They all deserve paychecks.

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GOP leaders, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune, have fiercely pushed back against the Democratic effort to also include furloughed federal workers, who are not currently receiving paychecks, but will get back pay after the shutdown ends.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin leaves the Senate floor after a vote in the US Capitol on Tuesday. - Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc./Getty Images

If theyre open for paying all federal workers, then why dont they just reopen the government? GOP Sen. Markwayne Mullin asked of Democrats this week, arguing that his colleagues could guarantee pay for all federal employees if they would vote for the GOP stopgap bill to fund the government through November 21.

GOP Sen. Tommy Tuberville, however, warned that finding a way to continue to pay federal workers amid the Capitol Hill impasse would take the pressure off of lawmakers to negotiate a way out.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville speaks with CNN on Wednesday. - CNN

Asked by CNN about Democrats desire for a bill to keep paychecks flowing to all federal workers, including those who have been furloughed, instead of making them wait to receive back pay, Tuberville responded, Well, its called a shutdown. I mean, you start paying everybody then no pressure on anybody from either side.

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Congress, he said, should leave the issue as it is, adding that military and law enforcement should be paid amid the shutdown, and everybody else, shut it off.

Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin said he hadnt had recent conversations with Democrats on their position on his bill, which he drafted along with Sen. Todd Young of Indiana.

Well see what theyre going to do. I mean, they ought to just open up the government, Johnson said. If they oppose it, he said, hopefully voters will hold them accountable.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Republican lawmakers representing cattle ranchers who called President Donald Trumps proposal to import beef from Argentina a betrayal are chewing out the president about potential harm to the agricultural industry in their states.

Nebraskas ranchers cannot afford to have the rug pulled out from under them when theyre just getting ahead or simply breaking even, Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) said this week on X. I strongly encourage the Trump administration to focus on trade deals that benefit our ag producersnot imports that will do more harm than good.

Since hearing the presidents comments suggesting the U.S. would buy beef from Argentina, Ive been in touch with his administration and my colleagues to seek clarity and express my deep concerns.



Ive also been sounding the alarm on the bleak state of our ag economy and the  Senator Deb Fischer (@SenatorFischer) October 21, 2025

Trump suggested Sunday that the U.S. buy beef from Argentina to lower prices for American consumers, leading to backlash from farmers.

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What frustrates me about this whole move is President Trump ran on an America First program. I dont see anything in this that puts America first, Todd Armstrong, a Trump voter who owns a cattle and crop farm in Indiana, told CNN.

MAGA influencer Tomi Lahren also slammed the presidents proposal, asking on X, Why the actual FUCK would we buy Argentinian beef?

Flooding the market with Argentinian beef is not America first. It is a huge betrayal of our American cattlemen.



What this is is a giant gift to the greedy meat packers who already undercut our American ranchers by importing foreign beef and passing it off as product of USA due  Tomi Lahren (@TomiLahren) October 22, 2025

Trumps beef-buying proposal came after soybean farmers were dealt a significant blowwhen China, which according to The New York Times buys $12.6 billion worth of soybeans from the U.S., refused to purchase more due to Trumps trade war.

Christian Lovell, a cattle producer and a leader in nonpartisan farm organization Farm Action, called Trumps plan a betrayal of the American rancher.

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After crashing the soybean market and gifting Argentina our largest export buyer, hes now poised to do the same to the cattle market, Lovell wrote in a statement.

President Donald Trump welcomes Argentine President Javier Milei at the White House on Oct. 14. Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images

The National Cattlemens Beef Association called Trumps proposal an effort to manipulate markets that risks damaging the livelihoods of American cattlemen and women, while doing little to impact the price consumers are paying at the grocery store.

Trump responded to the outcry by telling followers on Truth Social that if it werent for him, cattle ranchers would be doing just as theyve done for the past 20 years  Terrible!

Members of the presidents own party are now worried what the proposed deal might do to their states ranchers. In her post on X, Fischer said she had already expressed her deep concerns to the Trump administration and had also been sounding the alarm on the bleak state of our ag economy and the negative impacts facing Nebraskas ag industrythe economic driver of our state.

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Meanwhile, eight House Republicans signed a letter questioning Trumps plan, noting that the cattle industry contributes $112 billion to rural economies across the nation.

Our farmers and ranchers stand ready to deliver on @POTUSs America-First agenda.



The United States produces the safest, highest-quality beef in the world. Lets build on that success to meet increased demand. READ: pic.twitter.com/IK4Jr7svmm  Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (@RepFedorchak) October 22, 2025

Mike Flood, another GOP representative from Nebraska, told CNN he is expressing concern about anything thats disrupting our beef market in America, but is hesitant to suggest this is anything but a blip on the radar because theres no real identified plan.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) told Semaforin an interview published Wednesday that the ideal scenario is to not import beef from Argentina.

This isnt the way to do it, Thune, who represents a major beef producing state, said. Its created a lot of uncertainty in that market. So Im hoping that the White House has gotten the message.

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
SEOUL, South Korea (WRBL)  Gov. Brian Kemp landed in South Korea on Thursday for a business trip and to strengthen ties with the country.

The trip comes nearly one month after ICE raided a Hyundai Motor Group battery plant close to Savannah.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Impact of ICE raid on Hyundai battery plant felt from Georgia to South Korea

Kemp posted a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter that expressed his gratitude for the country and touched on the expanded partnership between the country and the State of Georgia.

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We are honored to celebrate 40 years of economic partnership with the Republic of Korea. This partnership has expanded opportunity in both our state and Korea, and has contributed to Georgia being voted the top state for business for 12 years in a row. We are excited to extend these partnerships for decades to come as we continue to grow together.

Photo credit: Office of Governor Brian Kemp

The ICE raid that happened in September resulted in nearly 475 people being detained, with more than 300 of them South Korean nationals.

The raid had raised concerns in Georgia, where a South Korean company recently committed to building a $223 million facility and employing more than 500 people in Columbus.

The raids were felt globally and led to many being confused, including Dr. Daewoo Lee, interim chair of the Policy, Justice, and Public Safety Department at Columbus State University.

In one word, its unfortunate, Lee said. Theres a little bit of confusion between both sides  U.S. as well as South Korea. And there are many positive, mutually beneficial activities going on between South Korea and Georgia. But because of some confusion, this happened. And it is just unfortunate. But I think things are getting cleared up and moving in the right direction.

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South Koreas partnership with Georgia dates back to 2005, when Kia opened its manufacturing plant in West Point. That partnership expanded with Hyundais new $7.6 billion facility near Savannah.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Governor Maura Healey has announced a series of new steps to improve fire and life safety in assisted living residences (ALRs) in Massachusetts, following a tragic fire at Gabriel House in Fall River that claimed 10 lives earlier this year.

25 Investigates: Exclusive video shows deadly Fall River fire spread, aftermath, recalled sprinklers

In July, the Healey administration required all 272 ALRs in the state to complete a Fire and Life Safety Self-Assessment and submit emergency preparedness plans.

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The state received a 100% response rate.

The Gabriel House fire was a terrible tragedy. Its on all of us to do everything we can to enhance the safety of all residents and staff at Assisted Living Residences across the state. Thats why I took immediate action after the fire, including requiring this survey, which will help ALRs and local fire departments identify and address areas of improvement, Healey said in a statement. We appreciate all of the ALRs for their responsiveness and will continue to work with them and local fire officials to improve emergency preparedness and give residents, families, and staff the peace of mind they deserve.

Key findings from the survey revealed:

69% of ALRs (189 facilities) identified at least one area where they could improve fire or building safety, such as installing kitchen hood extinguishers or fire-rated walls.

13% (36 facilities) reported needing to strengthen emergency preparedness, including fire drills and coordination with local emergency services.

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While ALRs are not subject to the same fire codes as hospitals or nursing homes, the state emphasized that these findings do not indicate current code violations but highlight opportunities for enhanced safety.

As part of the next steps:

The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) will share survey results with local fire departments to guide inspections.

A new Compliance Verification Form will require ALRs to obtain annual sign-off from their municipal fire departments.

ALRs that reported gaps in preparedness must submit Corrective Action Plans within 45 days and will undergo targeted reviews.

This coordinated approach makes sure municipalities have the information they need, and that older residences with reported concerns receive timely and thorough follow-up, said Interim Public Safety Secretary Susan Terrey.

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The initiative builds on the Fire and Life Safety Initiative launched in July and aims to close inspection gaps while improving coordination between state and local agencies.

State lawmakers and industry leaders praised the administrations swift response and commitment to protecting vulnerable residents.

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When a right-wing provocateur last month posted a video outside Gov. JB Pritzkers Chicago home encouraging viewers to take action after conservative activist Charlie Kirks assassination, the governor reached out to both Republican leaders of the Illinois legislature.

Im dealing with vastly increased threats on my family and myself in the wake of this week and this Republican Trumper went to my house, suggested that Im taking God out of public life and encouraged people to take action, the governor texted separately to Illinois Senate Leader John Curran and House Leader Tony McCombie. Id like to see condemnation of this from GOP leaders today.

What followed was not exactly what Pritzker sought.

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Instead, he and McCombie, who are typically cordial in texts to each other, exchanged heated messages as McCombie rebuffed the governors request and called out Pritzker for some of his previous comments about Republicans, with the governor shooting back, sometimes in all capital letters, that her response was absurd and that she was playing politics.

So you wont condemn this guy coming to MY HOME (where my wife and children live) and calling me evil while encouraging people to take action? GOT IT, Pritzker wrote to McCombie.

While Senate GOP Leader Curran later issued a joint statement with Democratic Senate President Don Harmon condemning political violence more broadly, the testy back-and-forth between Pritzker and McCombie occurred just two days after Kirks death, as Republicans and Democrats across the nation debated, discussed and denounced political violence while at the same time accused the other side of perpetuating it.

President Donald Trump himself escalated the situation in the hours and days after Kirks death, saying publicly that rhetoric from the radical left was directly responsible for the terrorism that were seeing in our country today.

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It also came at an especially tense time in Chicago between Pritzker and the Trump administration, as the president was just days into his sometimes-violent crackdown on illegal immigration in and around the city.

In Illinois, the debate about political violence among top leaders was more behind the scenes, according to text messages the Tribune received through the Freedom of Information Act. While the governor and state Republican leaders, such as McCombie, often engage in public sparring, their one-on-one texts  which the Tribune regularly obtains  are typically breezy and brief.

But the tone was different Sept. 12 when Pritzker texted both Curran, of Downers Grove, and McCombie, of Savanna.

The governor sent each a link to a social media video from right-wing influencer Ben Bergquam, in which Bergquam criticized Pritzker for blaming Trump for fomenting political violence.

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As Bergquam spoke, the influencer pointed behind him at the governors home in Chicagos Gold Coast neighborhood, including the house address number.

If you love America and the assassination of Charlie Kirk doesnt inspire you to take action, I dont know what will! the video caption said.

After decrying legal protections for transgender people, abortion rights and immigrants in the U.S. without legal permission, Bergquam, who hosts the show Law & Border and had been accompanying U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents around Chicago, said, Godless leftist policies are the problem, evil is the problem and its politicians like Gov. Pritzker.

When Pritzker sent the link of Bergquams post and requested that Illinois GOP leaders condemn it, McCombie sent a three-paragraph response in which she said she prayed for the safety of Pritzker and his family daily and has condemned political violence against Democrats before, including the shootings of Democratic lawmakers in Minnesota.

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But she then turned the issue back on the governor and asked him to apologize for his own past statements, including likening the actions of Trumps administration in the early days of his second term to the rise of Nazism in Germany in the 1930s and saying Republicans should never know a moment of peace, though Pritzker has repeatedly said he was talking about the public expressing their opposition to the GOP through protests, not violence.

I would like for you to publicly apologize for your rhetoric, she said after citing the examples.

Thats when Pritzker responded with GOT IT before adding: I think you know how absurd your response is. But I suppose you have a primary to run.

Pritzker brought up the texts publicly weeks later, at an Oct. 7 appearance in Minneapolis.

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Neither one of them  I asked them to simply post something publicly or put a statement out, anything. It seems like just common decency to just say, This is wrong, and they wouldnt do it, Pritzker said onstage at a summit hosted by the Minnesota Star Tribune.

In a statement after those remarks, McCombie said she condemned violence and added of Pritzker: If he is serious about lowering the temperature, he should stop pointing fingers and take responsibility for his own words.

Curran did issue a statement Sept. 12 condemning political violence, a joint release with Harmon, of Oak Park. The statement did not mention the video at Pritzkers house or any other specific incident.

When Curran responded to Pritzkers request with a text mentioning the joint statement, the governor didnt respond, records show. Neither Currans office nor Pritzkers office provided a comment Wednesday on the text message exchanges.

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After the June shooting of the Minnesota lawmakers, Robert Pape, a University of Chicago expert on political violence, wrote in an op-ed for The New York Times that joint statements, such as the one from Harmon and Curran, are an effective tool for tamping down political violence.

My research suggests that to de-escalate the political environment and reduce the risk of violence, Americas political leaders need to cross their political divides and make joint statements (and ideally joint appearances) that denounce all political violence, welcome all peaceful protest and call for respecting the rules, process and results of free and fair elections in the country, Pape wrote.

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KANSAS (KSNT)  Oct. 22 marks 22 days in the government shutdown, its the second longest in American history, and people who use food assistance programs could soon feel the impact.

The Kansas Department of Children and Families manages SNAP benefits for more than 180,000 Kansans each month, but these people could lose food assistance next month.

KS governor announces $442 million in highway projects

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The USDA informed states if the shutdown continues, government funding for the SNAP program will dry up. As for WIC, the KDHE anticipates food money should last into next month, but many other services it supports are running into tough times.

At a Wednesday conference, Governor Laura Kelly said this shutdown must be resolved because states dont have the money to backfill EIC and SNAP benefits.

When those federal funds cease coming into the state, those programs are going to cease, and people are going to be hungry, said Gov. Kelly. Were going to literally be taking food out of the mouths of babies. So, Congress needs to get it together and get this resolved.

Heres how the government shutdown is impacting Kansas farmers

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Since the shutdown, Republicans have blamed Democrats for keeping it going. Democrats say they wont budge unless they extend health care subsidies that expire at the end of the year.

On Wednesday, Congressman Derek Schmidt held a telephone town hall meeting with House Republican Whip Tom Emmer. Emmer states that Democrats have had 13 opportunities to end the shutdown and havent.

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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Tennessee officials say they will not use state money to replace federal food aid benefits that will not be coming to 690,000 Tennesseans reliant on them if the federal government shutdown continues, despite maintaining more than $2 billion in emergency reserve funds.

One in 10 Tennesseans relies on the federal Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program to keep food on the table. Benefits are available to families making less than $3,500 monthly, and the average family receives $340 per month. A federal agency notified states this week that November SNAP benefits will not be paid if the federal government shutdown continues past the end of this month.

More: November SNAP benefits unavailable to 690K Tennesseans unless federal government reopens

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Tennessee has amassed more than $2 billion in a rainy day fund, designed to be used to accommodate unexpected shortfalls in state revenues, and amid emergencies such as natural disasters and recessions.

Gov. Bill Lee and other top Republican leaders say it's up to the federal government to issue the benefits and Tennessee won't consider covering about $146 million in food aid payments for November that families will not see if the shutdown continues.

"The Governor shares the frustration of Tennesseans who will be impacted by this temporary lapse, and sincerely hopes Democrats will choose to put the American people ahead of politics," Lee spokesperson Elizabeth Johnson said.

Lee is in Asia this week for an economic development trip.

Gov. Bill Lee speaks during a press conference held at gate 1 of Accurate Energetic Systems Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025.

"Congress has a responsibility to fund the federal government, and as Gov. Lee has said, it's disappointing that Democrats have chosen not to reopen it," Johnson said. "While the Lee administration continues working with federal agencies to mitigate the impact of a shutdown on hardworking Tennesseans, SNAP is federally funded, and without those federal dollars, the state cannot provide the benefits."

Food banks buckle down for unprecedented demand

Meanwhile, social services workers are preparing for unprecedented demand in November.

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Weve never, ever been in this position where SNAP is not available to families, said Signe Anderson, senior director of nutrition advocacy at the Tennessee Justice Center.

While two other federal government shutdowns have lasted longer, in previous years, federal agencies reorganized funds to ensure SNAP benefits were paid.

Metro Social Service employee Albert Spence, left, is given a receipt by market attendant Kerry Lyles for boxes of food at Second Harvest Food Bank Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. The food will be distributed to North Nashville neighborhoods.

Anderson said the Tennessee Justice Center is already hearing from families concerned that if benefits are not available next month, they will have to skip meals, buy only the cheapest possible food options, skip prescription doses or forgo prescriptions altogether.

They have to make these financial decisions. Do I pay for food or do I pay for medicine or pay my rent or other bills? Anderson said. Theyre weighing whats going to happen come Nov. 1 if benefits dont come through.

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Food banks are already strained as furloughed federal workers including military families and Transportation Security Administration officers are working without pay.

Volunteer Jaxson Vaida bags groceries for a customer at The Store in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, July 25, 2025. The Store is a food bank that functions like a grocery store where clients can shop like theyre in a regular store, just without paying.

While Tennessees robust food bank network provides support, the SNAP program covers almost 10 times the number of meals than food banks are able to provide.

Emergency food alone cannot support the hunger that exists across the state, Anderson said. If suddenly the food banks are not only supporting the demand thats happening because of the shutdown, but on top of that folks who were eligible for SNAP, its going to be really hard for the food banks to meet the need.

Republican leaders say SNAP benefits are up to Congressional Democrats

As of Oct. 23, the U.S. Senate remained at an impasse over tax breaks for 24 million Americans who buy health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. The tax breaks are set to expire at the end of the year, which would significantly drive up monthly premiums for marketplace health insurance. Senate Democrats are pushing to make them permanent and have refused to support a temporary spending measure that doesn't address the issue. Senate Republicans and President Donald Trump have said they are open to considering a fix for the expiring ACA tax breaks but want to take up the issue separately from the ongoing budget impasse.

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House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, said it's not the state's job to "bail out" federal programs.

"This shutdown lies solely with the Congressional Democrats namely Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer. Their actions affect Americans, not just Tennesseans," Sexton said. "Mr. Jeffries and Mr. Schumer are now afraid of their ultra left wing and are willing to use Americans and Tennesseans as their sacrificial lambs. The states should not bail out their shutdown; they need to pass Speaker (Mike) Johnsons continuing resolution and stop the pettiness."

Rep. Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, prepares to gavel-in the first legislative session of the Tennessee General Assembly at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025.

Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, R-Franklin, said Oct. 22 that once the state budget is passed, allocations are fixed for the coming year, but sometimes there is flexibility that allows the state to accommodate for emergencies.

I am hopeful that Gov. Lee and his team will be able to find, within our existing budget, some type of short-term fix for this," Johnson said. "But I dont know. These are federal dollars, and our budget is set."

Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, R-Franklin, leaves a news conference discussing the U.S. Supreme Court's 6-3 decision that upheld Tennessee's ban on gender transition treatments for transgender minors at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, June 18, 2025.

Johnson said that he has not yet been part of conversations around a potential short-term state fix because officials were only recently notified of the issue.

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"Im hopeful that theyll be able to find some flexibility with existing revenues to be able to help these Tennesseans that are going to be suffering as a result of the Democrats," Johnson said. Im confident that our colleagues would be supportive of the governors office doing something to try to help."

Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, said he hopes Senate Democrats will come to the table before the situation becomes dire. But the state will not act until theres a crisis.

There is still time left before Nov. 1. I am hopeful that Sen. Schumer and the Democrats in Congress will come to their senses before that, McNally said. When and if the benefits are suspended, we will address it at that time.

Lt. Gov Randy McNally, speaker of the Senate, puts his hand over his chest while leading the Salute to the Flag of Tennessee on the third day of special session at the Tennessee State Capitol building in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025.

Tennessee Department of Human Services Commissioner Clarence Carter did not respond to an emailed request for comment.

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Feeding people is critical and of the utmost importance, Anderson said. Whether or not the shutdown continues, I hope that work is done to make sure that families dont go hungry.

Vivian Jones covers state government and politics for The Tennessean. Reach her at vjones@tennessean.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Lee won't use state funds for SNAP if shutdown holds, GOP leaders open
CHICAGO  Amid ongoing immigration enforcement operations in Chicagoland, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has announced that he is forming a commission to keep track of the actions of federal law enforcement.

On Thursday, Pritzker signed an executive order that authorized the creation of the Illinois Accountability Commission. The commission will hold hearings, gather information from people and collect testimony before issuing reports with recommendations to the governor.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

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We intend to create a detailed record of the truth and once this all ends, people of good faith will review what this commission has gathered and will demand accountability, the governor said Thursday.

Ruben Castillo, a former judge for the Northern District of Illinois, will serve as Chair, while Patricia Holmes, former associate judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, will serve as Vice Chair.

This commission is about civil rights. This commission is about the constitution. This commission is ultimately about human rights, Castillo said.

The commission will be made up of up to nine members, all appointed by the governor. They will issue a report with findings and recommendations to the governor and all of the accounts gathered will be publicly available.

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Pritzker says the commissions formation is in response to the Trump administrations ongoing immigration enforcement operation in the chicagoland dubbed Operation Midway Blitz.

LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland

Its a military-style assault on Chicago and our suburbs. Pritzker said. In a short time, we have witnessed countless acts of harassment and intimidation, brutality and abuse of power.

In the meantime, I ask three things of the public: be patient with this commission, be peaceful, you can protest, but it needs to be peaceful, keep taking, as the governor said, those videos, Castillo said.

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Illinoisans who have witnessed or experienced concerning conduct by federal agents are encouraged to visit the IAC website at ilac.Illinois.gov for forthcoming information about the Commissions work, hearing schedules, and other updates.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
(NewsNation)  Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed an executive order Thursday authorizing the creation of an accountability commission after the deployment of federal officers to the state.

At a news conference, Pritzker announced the creation of the Illinois Accountability Commission, dedicated to truth, transparency and justice. Tensions have risen in the state as demonstrators call for more accountability from Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.

I am angry because this is not the country that I want for us, Pritzker said. This is not the country that any of us thought that we were living in. And yet here it is, nine months into an administration, I wish we didnt have to do this. Can you imagine that we have to do this in this country?

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Tensions flare in Chicago as ICE arrests rideshare drivers

Pritzker said the commission will have three core missions: Creating a public record of the alleged abuses, capturing the impact on families and communities and recommending actions to prevent further harm and to pursue justice.

It is imperative that none of the impropriety, brutality and harassment perpetrated upon our people goes unnoticed, Pritzker said. Every instance of abuse, of law-breaking and violations of rights needs to be documented and archived.

Ruben Castillo, a former federal judge, has been tasked with leading the commission. Castillo said the commission is focused on upholding the Constitution and civil rights. He asked the public to remain patient as the commission begins to review video evidence of federal agent misconduct.

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ICE looking to hire more than 40 health care workers

Be peaceful, Castillo urged. You can protest, but it needs to be peaceful.

Earlier this month, an Illinois judge ordered federal officers to wear body cameras during immigration operations, citing growing concerns over clashes with protesters outside an ICE processing facility in the Chicago suburb of Broadview. U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis said she was startled by reports that agents used tear gas during confrontations with the public.

An attorney with the Justice Department argued that not all officers are equipped with cameras and that the ongoing government shutdown would make it difficult to comply.

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Senate to vote on pay for federal workers as shutdown continues

Pritzker said the commission will not have subpoena power but will instead invite people to appear.

I do want to say to people who are ICE agents today or CBP, people who are holding higher office, secretaries in the administration, that if they do not follow the law, they will be held accountable, Pritzker said. And there will be archives and records of what happened here.

Tricia McLaughlin, the assistant Department of Homeland Security, accused Pritzker of continuing to smear law enforcement who simply enforce the rule of law to remove violent criminals from Illinois because the govenor refuses to do his job.

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DHS law enforcement officers follow the law and the U.S. Constitution, McLaughlin said in a statement provided to NewsNation. Violent rioters and terrorists have opened fire on law enforcement officers, thrown rocks, bottles, and fireworks at them, slashed the tires of their vehicles, and have destroyed multiple law enforcement vehicles. Others have chosen to ignore commands and have attempted to impede law enforcement operations and used their vehicles as weapons against our officers.

They have routinely been doxxed, stalked and threatened by vicious gangs and unhinged activists. Despite these grave threats and dangerous situations, our law enforcement (officers) show incredible restraint and professionalism in exhausting all options before any kind of non-lethal force is used.

NewsNations Jeff Arnold contributed reporting to this story

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
A catastrophic loss of funding is little over a week away for Head Start centers serving 2,500 children across Oklahoma.

If the nationwide government shutdown continues, four Head Start programs in Oklahoma will run out of federal funding on Nov. 1, threatening the closure of dozens of child care centers primarily serving low-income families in rural areas. These four Head Start programs, including centers operated by the Cherokee Nation and Choctaw Nation, reach the end of their fiscal year on Oct. 31.

Its a very dire situation right now, and the longer it goes on, the harder its going to be on our people that are greatest in need, said Curtiss Mays, president of the Oklahoma Head Start Directors Association.

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The Cherokee Nation has contingency plans in place if the shutdown continues, Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr. said in a statement.

The vast majority of the $12.9 million budget for Cherokee early childhood services in 2024-25 came from federal funds, the tribal nation reported. The Cherokee Nation enrolls 680 children ages 3-5 in its Head Start programs and another 200 in Early Head Start, which serves infants and children up to age 3.

Hoskin said federal funds for food assistance and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program also are immediate concerns during the shutdown.

While we stand ready to do our part, implementing such plans comes at a real cost to the Cherokee Nation, one that should never fall on tribes fulfilling the federal governments Treaty and Trust responsibilities, he said. We do hope both sides of the aisle work on a path forward and reopen the government as soon as possible and call on the administration to honor the governments Treaty and Trust responsibilities, avoid needless cuts to Tribal programs and personnel, and use its authorities to minimize harm to tribes and tribal citizens.

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The Choctaw Nation did not return a request for comment. Its tribal government operates 14 Head Start centers in rural cities across its reservation in southeast Oklahoma. In 2022-23, Choctaw Head Start centers served 337 children, according to an annual report.

Along with the two tribal nations, two nonprofits that operate several child care centers in rural Oklahoma also face a loss of funding on Nov. 1, Mays said.

More: Here's how the federal government shutdown is affecting Oklahoma

Community Action Resource and Development runs 11 Head Start and Early Head Start locations in Washington, Wagoner, Rogers and Mays counties and in Broken Arrow.

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United Community Action Program serves 783 children from birth to age 5. It operates 15 Head Start and two Early Head Start centers in eight counties across northeast and northern Oklahoma.

The program director for United did not return a request for comment. Oklahoma Voice was unable to reach Community Action Resource and Development.

Mays said the closure of a Head Start center would cause cascading harm to its surrounding community. Parents might have to stay home from school or work, costing household income and straining local businesses, and children would lose the opportunity to continue their early education, he said.

More: OKC National Memorial calls on family, survivors to give tours during government shutdown

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The federal Head Start program has served more than 30 million children across the country since its founding in 1965 under President Lyndon B. Johnson.

In 2024, it provided $196 million to support child care centers, health screenings, meals and family services for 14,846 Oklahoma children. Most families who qualify live in poverty.

Some Oklahoma Head Start providers receive their federal funds earlier in the year and therefore arent impacted by the government shutdown. For example, the Community Action Agency of Oklahoma and Canadian Counties, where Mays is the Head Start program director, starts its federal fiscal year on April 1.

Head Start programs must return unused federal dollars at the end of their fiscal year, which limits their cash reserves, Mays said. The centers facing a funding cliff on Nov. 1 might have a small runway to continue operating, he said, but it wouldnt be a very long one.

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Wed be able to make it maybe about a week or two, and then we would have to look at shutting down or closing down sites at least temporarily, Mays said. Thats a pretty catastrophic result for any program both in the short and long term.

The National Head Start Association warned 134 programs serving 58,627 children across 41 states and Puerto Rico would lose federal funding if the shutdown continues to Nov. 1.

Six programs outside of Oklahoma already have lost funding because their fiscal year began Oct. 1, the first day of the shutdown, according to the association.

The organization urged Congress and President Donald Trump to end the shutdown immediately and reach an agreement on a fiscal year 2026 appropriations bill to fund the federal government.

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Head Start isnt just an education program  its a promise of stability, executive director Yasmina Vinci said in a statement. When parents go to work or school, they do so knowing their children are safe, learning, and cared for. That sense of stability is priceless, and its exactly whats now at risk.

Oklahoma Voice is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oklahoma Voice maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Janelle Stecklein for questions: info@oklahomavoice.com. Follow Oklahoma Voice on Facebook and Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma Head Start centers facing 'dire' funding loss during shutdown
Anyone who has read the news lately has likely noticed the headlines about the ongoing government shutdown. As of this writing, it is entering its fourth week, raising concerns about delayed benefits for those who depend on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). More than 42 million people in the country rely on SNAP to purchase groceries ranging from healthy cereals to fresh and frozen vegetables. With no end to the shutdown in sight, many are scrambling to feed their families.

One solution folks can take advantage of is local community programs not funded by the federal government. Community meal programs and local food banks should still be operational which can help tide people over in the immediate future. However, many food banks are already struggling to meet the demands of their local populations. An influx of requests for assistance could mean they won't be able to provide for every individual that comes to them.

Typically, SNAP benefits don't expire until the year's end, meaning anyone who still has a balance should be able to use it if no new funds are issued this November. Planning low-cost meals using affordable ingredients like canned meat, vegetables, and beans will help stretch any funds people may have leftover from October. Scouring local stores for coupons can also be advantageous for those trying to make the most out of their benefits. Take a look at what you currently have on hand and don't let it go to waste by freezing what you can.

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Read more: 7 Aldi Dupes That Are Better Than Name Brand (And 4 That Are Worse)

Delayed SNAP assistance may vary by state

Cash above clipboard holding paper with "Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program" written on it - Andrii Dodonov/Getty Images

One of the most important things people concerned about delayed benefits can do is find out the specifics regarding their state's SNAP schedule. While the federal government issues the funds for the program, individual states control who receives benefits and when they are distributed. Some states, including Arkansas, California, Hawaii, Indiana, Mississippi, and New Jersey have notified folks that, barring a resolution to the government shutdown, they will not be issuing any benefits in November. However, other states, like Colorado, are exploring solutions to provide at least some assistance to those dependent on SNAP.

Given that every state is different, it's worth checking your state schedule to see if SNAP is going to be reduced, delayed, or not coming at all. Whatever the case, it's better to be prepared. It may also be worth your time to contact your state representatives and let them know how the delay of SNAP benefits is affecting you and your family. If enough people voice their concerns, that could result in the powers that be working to end the government shutdown sooner rather than later.

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WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The ongoing federal government shutdown is starting to impact travelers at Reagan National Airport. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced that its Lost and Found office at the airport is now closed until further notice.

A sign posted outside the office on Wednesday said to travelers that all inquiries must now be submitted online.

With the shutdown entering its 22nd day, the closure adds another layer of frustration for passengers who lose personal items while flying.

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I think its really unfortunate, said Lola Adeosun. A lot of hardworking people are impacted negatively, and hopefully theres a remedy soon.

Federal workers facing missed paychecks turn to financial lifelines amid shutdown

The closure also highlights the broader effects of the shutdown on essential federal workers, many of whom are still required to work without pay. That includes TSA agents who continue to screen passengers and maintain airport security despite missing paychecks.

We need the government to be adults and start working together to get the government back to work to get paid, said Nikki Wakol.

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Others expressed concern for TSA employees who are still showing up to work without compensation.

I dont think anybody should be working for free, and Im glad that they are but they need to get paid, said Wakol.

Despite the challenges, many travelers expressed gratitude for TSA workers who continue to report for duty.

I just thank everybody for doing the work theyre doing not getting paid, because otherwise our whole country shuts down, said Wokol.

For now, travelers who lose an item at Reagan National Airport will have to file a claim through TSAs website. Its unclear how long it will take to receive a response while the shutdown continues.

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EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  More than three weeks into the federal government shutdown, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) could be the next major program to run out of funding. If the shutdown extends past Oct. 27, over 40 million Americans could lose access to food assistance.

In Texas alone, the potential cutoff could impact over 3 million residents, more than 150,000 of those people in El Paso.

Kris Yagel, interim CEO of El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank, said the organization is bracing for a surge in need if SNAP funding is suspended.

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We are anticipating that, if this continues past the Oct. 27 date, we could have a surge in people needing assistance, said Yagel. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst has kind of been our motto.

At the Kelly Center for Hunger Relief, staff are already seeing rising demand.

Our numbers were 1,022 through our lines, said Brenda Estrada, the Centers community engagement director.

Were open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 to noon. Normally, we get 700 to 800, and suddenly, its just spiking up, she said.

Both Yagel and Estrada said the uncertainty around SNAP funding has added stress for families already struggling to afford groceries. Local food banks are increasing outreach efforts to inform recipients about the potential halt and ensure they know where to turn for help.

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People need food to be okay. Mentally, physically, in every possible way, said Estrada.

As hunger relief organizations brace for higher demand, they are urging community members to step up by donating or volunteering.

Its called El Pasoans Fighting Hunger, not the El Paso Food Bank Fighting Hunger. Were all El Pasoans. We have a part of our population that needs us. And I believe that leaders show up, and its time for you to show up and join us, Yagel said.

For every dollar you give, we can get seven meals to the people who need it. If you bring $10, its 70 meals. If youre a first-time donor, we have a match going on right now, and what that is, its 100% match. So, your $10, if youre a first-time donor, now becomes $20, said Yagel.

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Those in need of immediate help can visit:

El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank: epfhfb.org

Kelly Center for Hunger Relief: kellycenter.org

Texas Health and Human Services website at hhs.texas.gov or by calling 2-1-1 for more local food and assistance programs

As Congress continues to debate funding measures, local organizations say they will keep doing everything they can to ensure El Paso families dont go hungry.

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Climate change is no longer some abstract, future threat. It is now a present problem, and its impact will become exponentially worse if we fail to respond with robust adaptation and mitigation plans.

While the whole planet faces serious climate challenges, some areas are inherently more vulnerable than others. This vulnerability depends not only on geographical and ecological factors, but also on the the ability of these areas inhabitants to adapt.

Local communities are key to creating adaption and mitigation plans that are not only effective, but also socially just and culturally sustainable. Their inclusion is not an optional extra  it is vital for a successful ecological transition.

The Mediterranean region under threat

The Mediterranean is one of the European regions most vulnerable to the impacts of global warming. This is the result of its combination of fragile ecosystems, densely populated coastline, and economies dependent on tourism and agriculture.

Leer mas: Europe's climate is changing fast  here's how it's affecting people and the economy

In a recent study, we analysed how energy transition policies can preserve and improve the health and wellbeing of societies in the Mediterranean. The results for countries such as Spain, Greece and Montenegro revealed that these territories have developed various mechanisms to achieve their climate goals at multiple levels: from national policies to local plans and actions.

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However, the same analysis highlights a crucial truth: environmental objectives must be tailored to local development needs. Otherwise, there is a risk that large-scale policies will ignore the unique needs and circumstances of each individual community.

Failing to plan on a large scale

A lack of attention to local characteristics has led to notable shortcomings in the implementation of climate policies. This oversight not only compromises the effectiveness of mitigation measures, but also threatens cultural identity and endangers these areas natural resources.

A clear example can be found in approaches to traditional agriculture. A policy that promotes intensive, technology-driven agriculture may help to guarantee short-term food security and self-sufficiency in these areas, but ancient farming methods, though less productive in the short term, are often more sustainable, use water more efficiently, and preserve local biodiversity. Failure to take this ancestral knowledge into account means a valuable opportunity to integrate local knowledge into climate solutions is missed.

Similarly, urban interventions that fail to involve residents can meet resistance and fail. New public transport systems or the promotion of renewable energy will only be successful if they are aligned with citizens lifestyles and daily needs. When a policy is imposed without the support and understanding of the community, it becomes an imposition that can be rejected or ignored.

Leer mas: How to make climate action popular

Meaningful interventions

Regional and local plans require much more than government involvement. Citizens must also actively participate in the process, moving from being mere recipients of policies to active agents of change. The different regions we analysed in our study apply various strategies to include local populations and address climate change.

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Currently, the most successful mechanisms focus on jointly creating solutions. This means going beyond superficial public consultations and establishing genuine participation mechanisms, such as collaborative workshops, participatory budgeting, and the formation of citizen climate councils. In these forums, residents can contribute their empirical knowledge about the territory, its resources, and its vulnerabilities, allowing policies to be adapted in an intelligent and flexible way.

Environmental education at the local level is also a powerful tool for empowering communities, as it gives them the information they need to make informed decisions about energy consumption, waste management and sustainable mobility.

Leer mas: Five ways to make cities more resilient to climate change

At the municipal level, new climate plans tend to emphasise urban interventions. They promote energy-saving measures in buildings, reducing the use of fossil fuels and promoting renewable energy sources such as solar photovoltaic panels instead. They also promote efficient transport through the expansion of cycle lanes and the improvement of public transport services. In addition, they invest in smart data systems to optimise the use of resources.

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All these actions, although small in scale, have a massive cumulative impact when coordinated effectively.

A resilient future

The fight against climate change is a global challenge, but its most effective and sustainable solutions are inherently local. Communities, with their deep knowledge of their environment and culture, are a unique resource that must be actively integrated into mitigation plans. The ecological transition cannot be a purely technological, scientific, political or economic process  it is also a social and cultural process.

Ignoring the specific needs of local communities and failing to include them in decision making not only limits the effectiveness of policies, but also creates a gap between governments and society. An approach that respects cultural identity and empowers communities through the joint creation of solutions is the only viable path towards a resilient and sustainable future.

Only when people feel that they are part of the solution, and not just part of the problem, can the collective action needed to tackle the climate challenges ahead be achieved. Global success will depend on our ability to act with intelligence and empathy at the local level.

A weekly e-mail in English featuring expertise from scholars and researchers. It provides an introduction to the diversity of research coming out of the continent and considers some of the key issues facing European countries. Get the newsletter!

Este articulo fue publicado originalmente en The Conversation, un sitio de noticias sin fines de lucro dedicado a compartir ideas de expertos academicos.

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Alexandra Delgado Jimenez no recibe salario, ni ejerce labores de consultoria, ni posee acciones, ni recibe financiacion de ninguna compania u organizacion que pueda obtener beneficio de este articulo, y ha declarado carecer de vinculos relevantes mas alla del cargo academico citado.
The former host of New Mexico in Focus on PBS has been been appointed to lead the state's Office of African American Affairs.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Gene Grant's appointment Wednesday, calling him one of New Mexico's most trusted voices.

"He understands the power of representation, and he's spent his career making sure African American voices and stories are front and center in our state," she said in a statement.

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Gene Grant

Gene Grant

Grant served as executive host and editorial leader of New Mexico in Focus from 2005 to 2023, moderating the state's flagship public affairs program and producing recurring specials on African-American affairs, a news release states.

Grant, who lives in Santa Fe, most recently served as chief program and policy officer at Animal Protection New Mexico.

"I am deeply honored to serve the African American community and all New Mexicans in this capacity," Grant said in a statement. "I look forward to working with community leaders, legislators and stakeholders across New Mexico to strengthen our cultural institutions, advance equity and create opportunities for all African Americans to thrive in our state."

Grant will draw an annual salary of $150,000.

Charles Reado, who has been serving as acting executive director since September 2022, will return to his role of deputy director of the office.
MONTPELIER, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44)  Officials from the city of Burlington and the state of Vermont have been working for weeks on how to address community safety challenges in the Queen City.

Vermont Governor Phil Scott on Thursday announced a 14-point plan that he says will help residents and visitors enjoy all the attributes [the] historic city has to offer.

Under the plan, a special prosecutor  Zach Weight, as announced last week  will begin prosecuting Chittenden County defendants who have five or more cases ongoing.

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Burlington Police Department says recruitment is up in 2025

Other parts of the governors plan include state law enforcement assisting with foot patrols in Burlington, the Vermont Department of Health helping to dispose of and exchange syringes that might otherwise be left in the streets, and coordinating with UVM and city residents on a mass volunteer clean-up and beautification project.

Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak said that the plan would help ensure that cases are resolved, that victims are supported, and that people are connected to services and provided opportunities for rehabilitation.

This follows weeks of discussions between Scott and Mulvaney-Stanak regarding the future of the city, and especially its downtown neighborhood near the Church Street business district.

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The full plan is included below:

VT_Governor_Action_PlanDownload

The Howard Center, a Burlington-based nonprofit and mental health services provider, said Thursday that they were looking forward to being a committed community partner as the governors plan moves ahead.

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California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed SB 682, a proposal to widen the states PFAS ban to more consumer products, citing concerns about the availability and cost of cooking products.

The decision on 13 October 2025 sends the bill back to the Senate and leaves existing rules for food packaging and other categories in place.

What SB 682 proposed

SB 682 aimed to prohibit the sale or distribution of products with intentionally added PFASoften called forever chemicalsacross cookware, cleaning products, dental floss, juvenile products, food packaging and ski wax.

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Draft timelines contemplated phased restrictions beginning in 2028 for most products and extending to cookware in 2030.

The bill also would have exempted manufacturers from new registration fees created under earlier PFAS legislation, relying instead on certificates of compliance upon request.

Those changes will not proceed following the veto.

What California PFAS law already covers

California already restricts PFAS in plant-fibre food packaging under AB 1200, enforced by the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC). The rule bans intentionally added PFAS and sets a limit for total organic fluorine in paper-based packaging.

In 2024, AB 347 established an enforcement and registration framework spanning juvenile products, textile articles and plant-fibre food packaging.

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Under AB 347, DTSC must adopt regulations by 1 July 2029 and begin enforcement by 1 July 2030; manufacturers of covered products are required to register with DTSC in that period.

These measures sit alongside earlier California laws targeting PFAS in specific categories, including bans affecting juvenile products and plant-based food packaging adopted in 2021, and disclosure obligations for cookware.

What happens next

The veto returns SB 682 to the Legislature amid lobbying by cookware, restaurant and packaging groups that argued a broader PFAS ban could limit affordable cookware choices and disrupt supply chains.

Environmental and health advocates supported the bill, saying wider restrictions are needed because PFAS persist in the environment and build up in people.

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Any revived measure would need to balance those cost and availability concerns with public-health goals, while DTSC continues implementing AB 347s enforcement scheme for existing product categories.

"Governor vetoes California PFAS ban bill, citing affordability issues" was originally created and published by Packaging Gateway, a GlobalData owned brand.




STAFFORD, Va. (DC News Now)  Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-Va.) declared a State of Emergency in response to the ongoing federal government shutdown Thursday.

The Governor sounded the alarm as he said SNAP food assistance benefits for 850,000 people across the Commonwealth could run out on November 1.

Youngkin says the Commonwealth will provide food benefits, and by declaring a state of emergency, he can expend emergency funds for the health, welfare, and safety of Virginians.

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In his declaration announcement, the republican governor also said he refuses to let hungry Virginians be used as leverage by Congressional Democrats.

He called on Virginias democratic Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine to vote to pass the continuing resolution and take steps to reopen the federal government, end this nonsense, as he described it.

SNAP benefits may run out Nov. 1. Heres how you could still get food assistance

Both senators responded to questions about the emergency declaration on Thursday.

Any efforts that can be taken at the state level to help make sure those who are food-insecure dont suffer, I support, said Kaine.

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Whats it gonna take? I think its not additional pain. Frankly, its the states responsibility to help fund the SNAP program. I know theyre gonna get stretched. So, Id urge the Governor to tell the President to stay in town, put America first, and resolve this, said Warner.

The Senators are also provided DC News Now with a joint statement in response to the Governor that reads:

Republicans still control the White House, the Senate, and the House of Representatives. They have, quite literally, the power to stop this. They also had the power to defend nutrition benefits earlier this year, but chose to sell out working families as part of the Big Ugly Law in order to offset the cost of tax breaks for billionaires.

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Democratic leaders rarely have moments of vindication these days. The party is completely out of power at the national level. Its brand is in the toilet, if not the sewer. In March only a quarter of registered voters viewed the party positively, a figure that reflected not just Republican opposition and independents indifference but broad displeasure among Democrats. The partys base may be activatedseven million people took to the streets over the weekend to protest President Trumps increasingly authoritarian administrationbut there is still widespread grassroots frustration with the people leading it.

Still, when reports emerged that Graham Platner, a neophyte candidate for the partys Senate nomination in Maine, had posted racist comments on Reddit and had a chest tattoo of a Nazi symbol, party leaders had to feel that, at long last, theyd gotten something right. Days earlier, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee had barged into the Maine race, backing the states relatively popular governor, Janet Mills, despite her 77 years of age. Its hard to argue now that it wasnt the right call. Platner, who is in his early forties, isnt a Nazi, but the fact that you have to say that at all suggests he has no business running for Senate as a Democrat.

Writing in Politico, Jonathan Martin sees a lesson here for those less clear-eyed (or, depending on how you look at it, jaundiced) than himself. Democrats, he argued on Wednesday, fall in love with flawed candidates, backing them despite flaws that are oh-so-obvious to party brahmins (and, it goes without saying, Martin himself). Theres a reason besides their preexisting fundraising lists why [Chuck] Schumer and his lieutenants prefer those whove run statewide and even, horror of horrors, career politicians, Martin sniffed. Its because such candidates have been vetted and, if it exists, the oppo file on their youthful (or middle-aged) indiscretions has likely already been emptied.

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Thats true enough; no one fears that Mills has contemptible social media posts or tattoos that are yet to be discovered. But Martin then argues that Democrats who clamor for outsiders and antiestablishment figuresfor normal people who have spent their life doing the kinds of things normal people do, which is very different from what people who plan to go into politics dohave lost touch with reality. The pure democracy of candidate crowdsourcing is hardly superior to kingmaking when it comes to winning elections, as recent events illustrate, he wrote.

Im not so convinced. Martin populates his argument with a graveyard of fallen candidatesAmy McGrath, Stacey Abrams, Beto ORourkewho dont actually have much in common other than losing to Republicans in prominent races. McGrath, running to unseat Mitch McConnell in Kentucky, was a huge long shot who raked in money by selling boomers a fantasy (beating the hated McConnell). Abrams and ORourke certainly resonated with the base, but both were seasoned pols with establishment connectionsnot really comparable to Platner, a military veteran and oyster farmer. And the DSCC backed McGrath but not ORourke, who said he didnt want the support.

One name thats missing from Martins piece is that of Sara Gideon, the last Maine Democrat to challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins. Gideon was an establishment-friendly Maine state representative who raked in tens of millions in donations and ran a campaign whose primary aim was to win over moderate Mainers who had repeatedly backed Collins. She lost by almost 10 points. Oh, and she was endorsed by the DSCC over a year before voters went to the polls.

I dont think anyone could take a look at the state of the Democratic Party or, relatedly, the larger Democratic brand and conclude that the partys kingmaking is going well. Platner generated a ton of attention online by seeming like the kind of candidate Democrats needan authentic person with a knack for communicating a populist message in the social media era. It turned out he was a dud. That is going to happen sometimes when backing inexperienced candidates, perhaps more often than when backing experienced ones.

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But lets not pretend that experience doesnt have downsides either. Martin is right: It does usually mean that all of the dirty laundry is already out there, which is an advantage. But playing it safe with proven politicians can backfire too. Opposition research isnt just what you do before you enter politics: Voters also judge candidates for what they have accomplished in office. And experience is not an especially convincing argument for a party that needs to convince voters that its changing. Mills is, in many respects, a good candidate: Shes reasonably popular, with a 52 percent approval rating, knows how to win in a moderate state, and has solid anti-Trump bona fidesshe checks a lot of boxes. But shes also a septuagenarian whos deeply connected to a Democratic establishment a lot of voters dont like.

Its hard to fault the DSCC for getting involved in Maine. Mills polls very well against Collins, and Platner was a novice who needed to be tested in a primary if he was going to be trusted to run in what might be the most important Senate election in 2026. He failed that test rather swiftly. Theres a lesson there, but I dont think its that party leaders have immaculate judgment that many voters dont. Its good to run candidates voters fall in love with. Sometimes they fall in love with inexperienced candidateslike, I dont know, Barack Obama or Zohran Mamdaniwho really do have what it takes. A lot of times they dont.

The real story is bigger than Maine and one race. Democratic leaders and incumbents are, on the whole, so old and uninspiring that anyone with a bit of charisma will generate the kind of hype that Platner did. He didnt work out, and now Democratic Party leaders can boast that they got this one right. But they got it right by doing the same thing they always dothe same thing that has left the party powerless and in its weakest position in years.

The Democrats need excitement and youth. That requires taking some risks, which means elevating more candidates like Platnerso many of them that none of them carries the burden of being the partys fresh-faced future. This is the weight on Mamdanis shoulders. This is why TNR and many like-minded publications have written so many articles about him. And hes only going to be a big-city mayor! Not even a statewide officeholder.

Mamdani is the exception that proves the rule about the infirm Democratic Party. Its rejuvenation will require hundreds of Mamdanis, if not more. That prospect probably gives Jonathan Martin heart palpitationsand thats a good sign that its true.
Impending cuts to SNAP benefits will cause more people to seek food assistance in November while the federal government shutdown continues.

Thats what the Greater Boston Food Bank told Boston 25 on Thursday morning.

President and CEO Catherine DAmato said, We expect to see a consistent increase in demand at the local food pantries.

The USDA has indicated it will not have the funding to distribute SNAP and EBT to some states next month.

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DAmato reminded that there are more than one million people dependent on SNAP in Massachusetts, and 42 million across the country.

The Greater Boston Food Bank supplies 75% of the food into each one of those pantries, so were committed to continue to raise dollars to buy more food and to work with our members of the food industry to help us as well, said DAmato.

One of the food pantries getting more questions about food is in Weymouth.

Executive Director Pamela Denholm said, This year feels like unique in that we have a lot of anxiety around the holidays as we head into November.

Denholm said more people are asking about Thanksgiving meals than usual, with people worried about losing SNAP benefits and other rising costs in the colder months.

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We normally will serve around 700 families for a Thanksgiving meal. This is a good metric for us, and I think this year were gearing up to serve 900, said Denholm.

Now, food banks and pantries are preparing to help the one in three people across the state who experience food insecurity.

DAmato added, We have to be able to try to mitigate some of the pain that these families are going to feel who are caught in the shutdown. Theyre not the issue. The issue is, lets get this solved and keep these kinds of benefits moving for families that need them.

If you need food, you can go to gbfb.org and find pantries in your community.

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With two new tools  social rent and social housing  the Greek government will try to alleviate the country's property crisis.

According to the minister of social cohesion and family, Domna Michailidou, these two measures are "complex tools", requiring cooperation between multiple stakeholders. In particular, social housing projects will require the mobilisation of long-neglected public assets  such as state-owned vacant land.

In cooperation with the Ministry of Defence, the new housing initiatives will make use of inactive military sites, and three camps in Athens, Thessaloniki, and Patras have already been selected.

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This first phase of the programme aims to develop around 1,500 to 1,700 social housing units, affordable to middle-income households.

"Our goal is to be able to have increased housing stock very quickly, exactly where it is needed, in the heart of urban centres in Athens, Thessaloniki and Patras," said Michailidou.

Social renting

The government's second measure, social renting, involves a partnership between the public and private sectors. The aim is to redevelop existing buildings that are no longer in use, rather than building new units on vacant land.

A private investor will undertake the redevelopment of buildings owned by public bodies and will return at least 30% of the new homes it builds to the state.

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In this way, the minister said: "We are increasing the housing stock, making use of stagnant public property, and creating new social housing where there is a need."

Related

However, market players stress that these measures, although already implemented in several European countries, will be difficult to carry out in Greece.

To begin with, many publicly owned properties have complex ownership status that takes months or even years to resolve.

At the same time, the approval and licencing procedures for new housing developments remain extremely time-consuming.

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The real estate market is calling for "fast track" procedures for new housing construction, similar to those implemented in preparation for the Olympic Games.

How deep is the Greek housing crisis?

According to a new study by Greek real estate platform Prosperty, the Greek housing market faces both supply and demand issues, with significant distortions that keep properties unoccupied for a long period of time.

On the supply side, most available properties are old, often built in the 1960s and 1970s, and only one in ten has been renovated. Today, there are about 131,000 properties for sale and 45,000 for rent. However, many remain unoccupied for between six months and two years, mainly due to a mismatch between price and quality.

The average asking price for properties reaches 300,000, or around 2,500 per square metre. Newly built properties mainly appeal to high-income groups, with prices often exceeding 6,000 per square metre for luxury options.

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On the demand side, homeownership has dropped 12%, and young people and families often struggle to buy a home because mortgages require large down payments.

Solutions exist, but they require transparency

The study proposes a range of policies, including rent-to-buy schemes with state support, as well as the expansion of the My Home programme, which is a government-led housing loan initiative aimed primarily at young people. Prosperty also calls for other state guarantees and targeted tax relief.

24% of the properties available on the Greek market were built in the 1971-1980s - presentation by A. Markopoulos (Prosperty) at Prodexpo 2025

Other measures highlighted by the study include a graduated tax on vacant apartments in designated red zones, the conversion of commercial premises into residential units with state support, and the creation of a Greek Multiple Listing Service (MLS). The latter aims to end the lack of transparency in property listings and curbing irrational pricing.

"Transparency is key to fixing the market," Markopoulos stressed, noting that without clear data, no one can have a full picture on the actual availability of properties.

The study concluded that addressing the housing crisis requires not only building new properties but also implementing innovative tools, increasing transparency, and activating policies that promote homeownership and expand access to housing credit.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.  The Greene County Planning Board has approved adding a section to its Non-Discriminatory Zoning regulations during its Tuesday night meeting on October 21.

A draft of the change obtained by Ozarks First, states, Greene County adopts this provision to ensure that its zoning and land use policies support equal housing opportunity for all residents, consistent with the Missouri Human Rights Act (RSMo.  213.010, et seq.), the Federal Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C.  3601, et seq.), and the principles of inclusive, nondiscriminatory land use planning. Greene County recognizes that zoning regulations have the potential to impact access to housing and community resources and seeks to prevent both intentional and unintentional discrimination in land use decisions.

Greene County Commissioner Bob Dixon says rumors of a white-supremacist group exploring Southwest Missouri as a possible expansion were not the main reason, but one of them.

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We had heard anything about them wanting to come to the area outside of what was talked about on [social media] but it caused us to take a look and say, Hey, whats the state of our current zoning?, and we were aware that the state had passed statutes three years ago that would make anything like that illegal, but we really felt like it was important to do something substantive, to demonstrate to the community and also just really send a signal about who we are and who we want to be, as well as making it clear in our zoning, Dixon said. We just took that same language that is in state statute and proposed putting that in our local zoning ordinance. It was recommended unanimously last night at the Green County Planning Board and the Commission will take it up on November 3rd. I think the real message is we want to be a community thats welcoming to all people, and these types of discussions really are important for us to have going forward.

Dixon adds, the main change is just to make sure the countys zoning language is in step with Missouri state law about discriminatory housing.

Its the very same language and that way its very clear to the community, to anyone whos making an application for building permits or zoning, and they dont have to go looking at the state statute. This just makes it very crystal clear, Dixon said. Were a nation of laws. Were a state that is governed by the Missouri Constitution and all the statutes and, you know, that is all in place to serve all of the citizens, and so I would encourage folks to be considerate of their neighbor, no matter who that is.

With the ordinance passing the county planning board, the next step is a vote on November 3, at 9:30 a.m. in the Greene County Historic Courthouse.

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The City of Springfield issued a statement in July, condemning the group, and said segregation has no place in our citys present or future.

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For two weeks, CBP commander Greg Bovino was gone from the streets of Chicago. Federal officials said at a court hearing earlier in the month that his brief absence from the Trump administrations escalation in the city was due to a groin injury he sustained during a supposed scuffle with protestors.

Bovino returned to Chicago this week. Almost immediately, he was accused of personally violating a court order.

In a hasty filing on Thursday afternoon, attorneys representing journalists and protestors said that Bovino apparently launched a gas canister at a crowd of protestors in Chicago in potential violation of a court order that limits the use of gas and other riot-control measures in the city.

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They attached a video clip, and included the following still in the court filing:

Earlier this month, a Chicago federal judge, Sara L. Ellis for the Northern District of Illinois, banned federal law enforcement in Chicago from using tear gas and other riot-control measures in the city on those who are not posing an immediate threat to the safety of a law enforcement officer or others. Its already been a sticking point: after federal agents purportedly violated an earlier version of the order by firing tear gas, she expanded it to mandate that they use body cameras.

The video that attorneys linked in their filing appears to show a crowd of protestors approaching and yelling at armed and masked law enforcement agents. Some agents are wearing clothing that mark them as members of the Border Patrol.

Eventually, Bovino appears behind a line of law enforcement officers and appears to throw a silver can towards the crowd. People run away as a cloud begins to emerge from the ground.

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Bovino, TPM reported, has become a leading figure in the Trump administrations campaign to escalate tensions in predominantly liberal cities. In Chicago, he led showy operations over the qualms of local officials, seemingly designed to generate large amounts of attention while assigning federal law enforcement agents missions for which they often lack training: crowd control and local policing.

Earlier on Thursday, Judge Ellis gave attorneys three extra hours to depose Bovino in the case. That happened after Bovino reappeared at immigration raids on Wednesday.

The video on Thursday appears to show Bovino personally launching a canister into a crowd. Judge Ellis, who issued the restraining order, has already expressed frustration with Trump administration law enforcement potentially flouting her orders in the case.

I live in Chicago, if folks havent noticed, and Im not blind, right? Ellis reportedly said at a hearing earlier this month. So, I dont live in a cave. I have a phone. I have a TV. I have a computer and I tend to get news.

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She reportedly added: At least from what Im seeing, Im having serious concerns that my orders being followed.

In a statement on Friday, DHS Press Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told TPM that Bovino threw a chemical canister out of necessity, while under attack by commercial artillery shell fireworks and after having been hit in the head with a rock.
One grooming gang victim has said officials have wanted to downplay the religious and ethnic heritage of the perpetrators. Of course, one of the ways the establishment (including Starmer) has effectively done this already is with deployment of the euphemism Asian. But anyone with half a brain knows gangs of Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese or Japanese men are not the problem.

When I first pointed to this in The Telegraph back in 2012, I faced an ugly backlash. Smears and libels came my way like confetti at a wedding. I was perversely accused of being a member of the BNP (and thats not the French multinational bank), and received libel damages along with an apology from Hollywood actor Riz Ahmed, following his online response to my article.

But the Jay Report into Rotherham (2014) said that 1,400 children in the town were subject to appalling abuse over 16 years from 1997, and that the majority of known perpetrators were of Pakistani heritage. It is uncomfortable to talk about the over-representation of Pakistani men in grooming gang cases; for far too long political correctness has provided cover to evil monsters and added to the unimaginable suffering of vulnerable children.

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News reports on grooming gangs, including those on the resignation of victims from the national inquiry have used the fudge Asian, despite The Editors Codebook advising caution and highlighting objections from British Sikhs and Hindus.

This was due to the efforts of the Network of Sikh Organisations. The truth is Asian not only gives cover to the specific identity of the perpetrators, but also prevents us from having an honest conversation about the racial and religious motivations behind many of these heinous crimes.

Victims have been mainly white-working class, although Sikh girls have also been targeted  which has resulted in vigilante reprisals, like in Leicester. Some perpetrators referred to their victims as white slag and white trash  one case even involved a victim marrying her abuser in a sharia marriage, attended by a social worker.

There remains a palpable fear about talking plainly about this issue, not least because the Governments Working Group on Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia might still advise ministers its Islamophobic to do so  so its understandable why politicians and commentators are nervous.

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Politicians, like Jess Phillips  the safeguarding minister  won her seat with a narrow minority against a pro-Palestine candidate, so electoral vulnerability could be playing strongly on Labours mind too. Campaigner Sammy Woodhouse is calling for Phillips to resign in response to the national inquiry fallout.

In her resignation letter from the inquiry, the grooming gangs victim Ellie Reynolds writes: The final turning point for me was the push to change the remit, to widen it in ways that downplay the racial and religious motivations behind our abuse. For many of us, these were not incidental factors; they were central to why we were targeted and why institutions failed to act. To erase that truth is to rewrite history.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has responded to the furore with a statement titled: It is time for truth. Its also time to stop using the word Asian.

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As US diplomatic efforts intensify, details emerge on an international force to oversee Gaza's ceasefire, with countries like Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar showing interest in contributing troops.

In the region, there is increasing hope that the ceasefire in Gaza may hold. This is primarily because countries in the Middle East see that the US is investing in this ceasefire. They have seen how US President Donald Trump, and his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, have visited Israel, and now Vice-President JD Vance has come. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to come next. Countries in the Gulf see this as a positive sign. They also think that the US is serious about an international force for Gaza. However, many are still wondering about the details.

An article at Al-Arabiya has promised to provide some details on what might happen. This comes after US Central Command announced its new Civil-Military Coordination Center in Israel. That center began operations on October 17, US Central Command said. Vance visited the site on October 21 along with Witkoff and Kushner.

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An international force to administer the Gaza Strip with a UN mandate. Learn the details.

As US diplomatic activity intensifies in Israel to push for the start of the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, attention has turned to the international force that will administer the Palestinian enclave for a transitional period, Al-Arabiya said.

Diaa Rashwan, head of the Egyptian State Information Service, confirmed to Al Arabiya Al Hadath that Cairo insists on granting this international force "international immunity" and a mandate from the UN Security Council. He said that Egypt wants to see international legitimacy behind any actions in Gaza by the force. That would enable forces to deploy on the ground, similar to past UN peacekeeping missions.

Humanitarian aid is airdropped over Gaza as seen from northern Gaza Strip, July 27, 2025 (credit: REUTERS/DAWOUD ABU ALKAS)

The Egyptian official also explained that no country could enter a conflict zone with such devastation, without international support, a resolution, and immunity, as well as Palestinian acceptance. These statements came as discussions continue to establish an international Arab and Islamic force to manage security in Gaza.

Several countries have expressed a willingness to be involved in Gaza

What else is going on? Several countries have expressed a willingness to be involved in Gaza. While the US personnel that arrived in Israel, as well as a British contingent, are not expected to enter Gaza, other forces might be on the ground inside. Egypt has expressed its willingness to send forces to form a joint military unit to manage security in the Palestinian Strip, the report says. It also mentions Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Indonesia. The goal is to provide a force of 4,000 troops.

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Al-Arabiya noted, Meanwhile, press reports indicated that the force could include military personnel from Jordan and Qatar, as well as the UAE and Morocco. Israel has opposed a deployment by Turkey. Israel continues to control around fifty percent of Gaza. Some have suggested that initial investment might go to that area, as opposed to the rest of Gaza, where Hamas appears to be in control.

This phase of the Trump plan, unveiled last month, stipulated the disarmament of Hamas, the formation of a Palestinian committee under international supervision to administer the Gaza Strip, and the deployment of an international force to support Palestinian police personnel after they undergo security screening and vetting, Al-Arabiya noted.
Editors note: This article refers to a consulting groups release of a report on Gulf Coast restaurants and the shrimp they serve. The group sampled just a fraction of restaurants in the Gulf Shores area and shared some of its results with News 5.

GULF SHORES, Ala. (WKRG)  A group that tests shrimp for domestic authenticity has conducted more studies in Gulf Shores restaurants, News 5 has learned.

Wilmer Hall shooting: Murder charge upgraded

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SeaD Consulting, a Texas-based group, conducted its initial study March 23-27 on behalf of the Southern Shrimp Alliance.

The alliance is an organization of shrimp fishermen, shrimp processors, and other members of the domestic industry in the eight warmwater shrimp producing states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas, its website states.

In March, the consulting group tested 44 restaurants in Gulf Shores to determine if they were serving American wild-caught shrimp or non-domestic shrimp.

That investigation began after genetic testing of shrimp at the 2024 National Shrimp Festival allegedly found that four out of five vendors were selling imported shrimp.

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Of those 44 restaurants tested in March, 22 were retested in October of 2025.

SeaD shared trends from its latest tests, which used what the group called a Rapid ID Genetic High-Accuracy Test.

Results show that 10 out of 22 (sampled restaurants) were serving imports (46%) vs. 19 out of 44 (43%) previously tested in March 2025, the groups release said.

The groups results also indicated that three restaurants that marketed American wild-caught shrimp now serve non-domestic.

Additionally, two restaurants reportedly now serve wild-caught domestic shrimp after initial testing in March showed the opposite.

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However, some shrimp marketed as wild-caught and domestic allegedly did not match their labels.

Of the 10 restaurants in the recent testing, nine were outright claiming to serve domestic shrimp, when that wasnt the case, the group said.

(Getty Images)

What to know about labeling seafood

Restaurants are required to label their seafood products due to the Alabama Seafood Labeling Law, which went into effect in October of 2024.

But restaurants actions may not directly result in mislabeling items.

Thats because mislabeling or substitution can occur at any point in the supply chain, Blake Price, Deputy Director of the Southern Shrimp Alliance, said.

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Still, he said, it is ultimately the consumer who is misled  and that is unacceptable.

Heres the complete news release from SeaD.

10.22.25 Gulf Shores ReTest Release.docxDownload

Restaurants not named in this latest study may be serving locally sourced shrimp, but may not have been included in the latest tests.

Juvenile accused of handgun possession at Mobile school

Remember, the group saved just a fraction of eating establishments in the Gulf Shores area.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Editors note: The video above aired on Oct. 17, 2025.

MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. (PIX11)  A sergeant and four police officers have been suspended after an inmate shot another inmate inside a van heading to the Westchester County Jail, according to Mount Vernon officials.

Officials said five prisoners were being transported by MVPD Officers Omar Bryce and Sonjea Collins on Oct. 16 when they heard a gunshot from the back of the van. An inmate also said he had been shot, according to authorities.

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Officials said the van was turned around back to police headquarters, where a .22-caliber revolver was taken from inmate 32-year-old Louis Soto. He allegedly smuggled the gun into the van in his buttocks, sources told PIX11 News.

Soto had no prior significant criminal history and was facing forcible touching charges when the shooting happened, according to authorities.

Based on our established training, policies, and procedures, early findings indicate that the firearm should have been detected during arrest or intake, the Mount Vernon Police Department wrote in a news release.

The five officers who were suspended wont be paid for the next month, according to officials. Theyve been identified as Sergeant Joseph Diaz, Police Officer Cody Housen, Police Officer Christian Pacheco, Collins and Bryce.

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Police are still investigating the shooting internally, saying, additional findings or disciplinary actions may be forthcoming as the review continues.

The wounded inmate had a gunshot wound to his leg, according to his authorities. Soto is facing charges including criminal possession of a weapon, assault and reckless endangerment.

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.
In early October, the end of the war on terror  the war I fought in  drew one step closer when the Senate approved an amendment withdrawing the 2002 authorization for the use of military force that approved American military action in Iraq.

The United States recently entered the final stages of planning a memorial to it, to be placed next to the Lincoln and Vietnam Veterans Memorials. While laudable, if the Global War on Terrorism, or GWOT, Memorial is to have lasting meaning, it cannot be built as a static shrine.

The war on terror is unlike any conflict our country has attempted to memorialize nationally. It has a clear beginning, but its end is debatable. There is no universally shared narrative of victory or defeat.

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For most Americans, the war on terror is less a war and more an era. Its reach extends from the battlefields of Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria to the policies that transformed airports, policing, surveillance and daily life. It reshaped how Americans understand security, service and citizenship.

The Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation selected the world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma to design the memorial. This is a good start; Kumas work is known for its refusal of monumentalism.

But any plan that fixes the war on terror narrative too soon or too narrowly risks reducing its complexity to a platitude. The last thing our nation, or our veterans, need is another thanks for your service rendered in marble and steel.

That ritualized and hollow phrase mirrors a national habit of expressing support without engagement. Likewise, a static memorial would gesture at gratitude while avoiding the harder work of understanding what this era truly meant.

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The Vietnam Veterans Memorial offers both inspiration and warning. When Maya Lins sunken, black granite wall was unveiled in 1982, critics condemned it as a black gash of shame.

Today, it is among the most visited and revered sites in the country. Its power lies in simplicity and its uncanny ability to draw visitors into community and reflection.

That same power is its limitation. The wall speaks of honor and loss. It does not easily accommodate evolving narratives, such as women who served, Vietnamese who suffered or emigrated or the political divisions the war deepened.

It overshadows later additions, including the Three Soldiers statue, the Womens Memorial and the In Memory plaque. The wall endures, but it does not evolve.

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The GWOT Memorial must do better. It must be purpose-built to evolve.

My research suggests a path forward using the Four Truth Framework developed by South Africas Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

This idea offers a way to hold multiple truths simultaneously: the forensic truth of facts and timelines, the personal truth of lived experience, the social truth of shared understandings and the healing truth that emerges from collective challenge and reflection. A memorial that plans for these layers can evolve as new narratives surface.

This approach can support a process by which people engage with complicated histories together rather than accept pre-set meanings apart. A static monument declares; an adaptive one invites. An adaptive monument creates space for participation, interpretation and even disagreement.

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That is how a site becomes not merely a space but a place, a living arena of civic meaning with the goal of understanding, rather than resolution. The variety of programs hosted by the 9/11 Memorial and Museum exemplifies this approach.

Designing for adaptability requires intention. The GWOT Memorial should include physical, digital, virtual and programmatic elements that can change with time.

These could include rotating exhibits, open panels for new inscriptions and interactive installations that welcome stories from veterans, civilians, families, and others. Institutionalizing shorter than traditional periodic reviews would ensure that new scholarship, oral histories and community perspectives are incorporated. In this way, the memorial becomes a process, not an endpoint.

Critics will argue that a flexible memorial risks diluting the gravity of commemoration. But the opposite is true. A rigid monument freezes a single narrative in time, eventually excluding the very people it seeks to honor.

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An adaptive memorial affirms that truth itself is layered and ongoing. It acknowledges that wars outlast their combatants, shaping generations and changing societies.

The war on terror may be over legislatively, but it remains active in memory and consequence. Its soldiers children are now adults who grew up in its shadow.

Some have deployed to the same battlefields where their parents once fought. The memorial that bears this wars name must reflect that continuity. It should remind us that history is not a finished script but a conversation we inherit, understand, and shape.

Done well, the GWOT Memorial will stand for centuries; its designers have one chance to ensure it represents not just what we believe, but what we continue to learn. If it is built merely to sanctify, it will fade into the landscape of well-meaning forgetfulness. But if it is built to engage, question, listen and adapt, it can serve as a new model for how a democracy remembers.

Jim Craig is a teaching professor of sociology and veterans studies and the University of Missouri-St. Louis and a veteran of the war on terror. He is a member of the Scholars Strategy Network.
HALE COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT)  What was supposed to be a week of fun homecoming activities at Hale County High School has taken on a somber tone after a sophomore died following a pedestrian accident Sunday night.

Students, family and faculty gathered in front of the high school Wednesday night to pray and honor the memory of Slade Holcomb.

The kids are taking it hard, the adults are taking it hard, teachers in this building, people in the community that know the family, said Ronnie Garner, Principal of Hale County High School.

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According to ALEA, the 16-year-old died at the hospital after being hit by a pickup truck while in the roadway on Alabama 69, 12 miles south of Tuscaloosa near mile marker 133 on Sunday evening.

Principal Ronnie Garner says Holcomb had walked with other students to a convenience store to get something to drink while working on a float for homecoming week. The students were trying to get back across the highway at the time of the accident.

Garner has known Holcomb since he was in elementary school.

He was a fantastic young man, um grades were really good, very quiet, he was quiet, but kind of funny, he said. Never got in trouble, very, very good student, well behaved.

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Holcomb had recently gotten his drivers license, according to his uncle, Todd Wilson.

Yeah, he got his dream car, for his drivers license, and absolutely overjoyed with that, Wilson said. He was starting to come out of his shell, you know, 16, getting out, enjoying his friends more and really coming into his own.

Hale County High School students, family and faculty gathered in front of the high school Wednesday night to pray and honor the memory of Slade Holcomb. Hale County High School students, family and faculty gathered in front of the high school Wednesday night to pray and honor the memory of Slade Holcomb. Hale County High School students, family and faculty gathered in front of the high school Wednesday night to pray and honor the memory of Slade Holcomb. Hale County High School students, family and faculty gathered in front of the high school Wednesday night to pray and honor the memory of Slade Holcomb. Hale County High School students, family and faculty gathered in front of the high school Wednesday night to pray and honor the memory of Slade Holcomb. At the vigil, Slade Holcombs friends wrote messages on a large white cross that will be given to his parents.

At the vigil, Holcombs friends wrote messages on a large white cross that will be given to his parents.

Just a great kid, loved, gonna miss him, Wilson said.

Childhood friend Levi Babb attended the vigil wearing a red ribbon to honor his friends memory.

I dont think its registered yet, but Im going off a quote I learned a long time thats helped me. Its, dont cry because Im gone, be happy because I was here. Im going off that, and thats helping me a lot, Babb said.

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There were also blue ribbons and prayers for another Hale County High School student who is in intensive care after being in a separate crash on Saturday night, according to Garner. She is expected to survive her injuries.

Homecoming activities will go on, and there will be a moment of silence for Slade Holcomb at Fridays homecoming game.

Its tough, but the good news is we are able to come together. We have planned events where people are coming together so theyre not isolated at home by themselves, Garner 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 CBS 42.
SPRINGFIELD  For the second time, the Hampden District Attorneys office is asking people in the Brimfield area to contribute DNA samples to help solve a 32-year-old murder.

On Nov. 9, the office will set up in the towns Public Safety Complex, at 34 Wales Road, and take DNA samples of willing residents through cheek swabs.

The goal is to use information gathered to generate new leads into the murder of Holly Piirainen. She was 10 when she went missing in the summer of 1993 from her grandparents home in Sturbridge. Her body was found that October in woods off Five Bridge Road in Brimfield.

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The cold-case approach being taken is called Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy, or FIGG.

By using an expanded DNA database, investigators can compare DNA gathered from a crime scene to publicly available genealogy databases. That enables them to ID distant relatives of as-yet unknown suspects. Materials discovered with Hollys remains have been maintained by the Massachusetts State Police.

In a statement, the DAs office said investigators use those connections to build family trees, narrow down possibilities, and, in some cases, identify offenders who have eluded justice for decades.

By participating, people will receive information on their own family ancestry.

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Each new DNA sample has the power to bring us closer to the truth, District Attorney Anthony Gulluni said in a statement. Holly deserves justice, and her family deserves answers. This effort is about remembering her and using every available tool to find the person responsible.

The office said the case remains open and active.

Anyone with information related to Hollys murder can contact Hollys Tip-Line at 413-426-3507. People can also use Text-a-Tip by texting the word CRIMES (2-7-4-6-3-7) and typing the word SOLVE into the body of the message, followed by the tip.

Read the original article on MassLive. Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib listens to members of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations at his nomination hearing to be U.S. Ambassador to Kuwait on October 23, 2025. (Alison Miller/MNS)

WASHINGTON  Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib forcefully defended past comments and years of social media activity during intense questioning by lawmakers at his confirmation hearing to be the next U.S. Ambassador to Kuwait on Thursday.

Ghalib faced scrutiny from eight members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations over his past statements on conflicts in the Middle East, including the war in Gaza. His nomination hearing was postponed in September after criticism from several groups committed to fighting antisemitism, including the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee, and StopAntisemitism.

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Ranking Member Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) told Ghalib, I have grave concerns about some of the statements that you have made, particularly those that seem to justify the October 7th attack against Israel.

Shaheen referenced quotes from Ghalibs hometown news outlet. The Hamtramck Review reported in May that at a pro-Palestinian rally in 2023, Ghalib allegedly justified Palestinian violence against Israel for its brutality against Palestinians, and denied that sexual violence happened against Israelis when Hamas militants invaded Israel on Oct. 7.

Ghalib said he totally condemn[s] what happened on October 7th. He also said some of his statements were taken out of context and claimed the media was biased in translating.

Despite Ghalibs reassurances, senators from both parties said they would not support his nomination, including Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who said he was concerned that [Ghalibs] stated public positions are markedly in conflict with the views of President Trump and with the positions of the United States.

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Ghalib replied, I wouldnt go against the President and his policies.

Other Republican senators also said theyre worried Ghalibs perspectives on the Middle East will contradict the messages the Trump administration hopes to convey overseas.

Sens. Dave McCormick (R-Penn.) and Cruz questioned Ghalib about allegedly liking a social media post comparing Jewish people to monkeys.

Ghalib called his previous social media activity, including his tendency to like every comment underneath his posts, a bad habit. He also said many of his controversial posts were made while he was a private citizen, before he was elected Hamtramck Mayor in 2021.

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Multiple senators also referenced a post in which Ghalib allegedly called Saddam Hussein, the former leader of Iraq, a martyr. Ghalib said he made the post in a moment of anger after Iran launched missile strikes aimed at U.S. troops in Iraq in response to the U.S. killing of top Iranian general Quassem Suleimani in January 2020.

As a private citizen, it is fine for you to have those views, Sen. Shaheen said. But it is very different when you are an ambassador representing the United States of America, particularly in a country that Saddam Hussein invaded.

I complimented Saddam because he kept Iran in check, Ghalib said, and probably thats the only positive thing he did in his life.

Ghalib, a Democrat and immigrant from Yemen, endorsed Trump for president and campaigned with him in Hamtramck in October 2024. Trump credited the Hamtramck mayor with helping him win Michigan and nominated Ghalib for the ambassador role in March.

Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib speaking at the Trump campaign office in Hamtramck, Michigan. Nov. 3, 2024. Photo by Jon King.

Ghalib is the third Michigander appointed to a diplomatic position in the Middle East by the Trump administration this year. Bill Bazzi, former mayor of Dearborn Heights, was confirmed as the U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia this month. This week, Trump also appointed Mark Savaya, owner of Leaf and Bud dispensaries throughout southeast Michigan, as the U.S. special envoy to Iraq.

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According to Ghalib, the president personally reaffirmed his commitment to the nominee earlier in the month following criticism from several groups.

President Trump has just called me and emphasized his unwavering support to me to serve as the next Ambassador of the United States to the state of Kuwait, and he thanked our community for their support, Ghalib wrote in a Facebook post.

Ghalibs confirmation could take weeks or even months. Ghalib must receive a majority of votes from the committee before his nomination can be voted on by the full Senate. It is unclear when that will take place.

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The nomination of Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib to be President Donald Trump's ambassador to Kuwait is on some seriously shaky ground.

At a confirmation hearing on Ghalib's nomination on Thursday, Oct. 23rd before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, senators from both parties repeatedly peppered him with questions about actions they said included his liking a social media post comparing Jewish people to monkeys, his comments calling Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein a "martyr" and his apparently declining to publicly denounce a city appointee's comment that the Holocaust was "God's advance punishment" for Israel's actions in Gaza following the attacks by Hamas of Oct. 7, 2023.

If it had only been Democrats hitting Ghalib, his nomination  given that Trump eight months ago credited his help in winning Michigan last year  might have been on more solid ground, since Republicans are in control of the Senate.

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But it was the pointed questions raised by several Republicans  including Nebraska's Pete Ricketts and Pennsylvania's Dave McCormick, a former Army officer who served in the Iraq War  that strongly suggested Ghalib's nomination may be doomed once the committee votes on it, if he doesn't step down or his name isn't removed for consideration first.

More: Ex-Hamtramck police chief who promoted diversity resigns, reaches agreement with pay

Just this week, Trump's nominee to head the Office of Special Counsel, Paul Ingrassia, withdrew after Republican senators pulled support after reports of his sending racist and antisemitic texts.

"I, for one, am not going to be able to support your confirmation," said U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who wrapped up the hearing by saying repeatedly that Ghalib's apparently "deepfelt and passionate" views expressed about Middle East policies  including comments opposing the Abraham Accords normalizing relations between Israel and several Middle East nations during Trump's first term  were in direct conflict with U.S. goals.

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Throughout the hearing, Ghalib  a Muslim who immigrated from Yemen as a teenager and was elected mayor of Hamtramck in 2021  tried to defend himself, saying that many of the questions were about social media posts from when he was a private citizen and were either taken out of context or weren't intended as a show of support.

More: Hamtramck mayor meets with Stephen Miller and Marco Rubio about city funding, immigration

For instance, he said his comment about Hussein  whom he called a dictator  being a martyr was made in anger over the U.S. not retaliating strongly enough against an Iranian attack on a base in 2020 and that Hussein, who invaded Kuwait, kept Iranian aggression in check. He also argued that, as mayor, his support for a resolution denouncing antisemitism was significant, even though, in another exchange, he said he had nothing to do with a move endorsing divestment from Israel, making Hamtramck one of the first cities to do so.

Ghalib also said the media had misrepresented his views on occasion, that his posts have been mistranslated and that he remains  as he has been since last year  a steadfast supporter of Trump and would faithfully execute his policies as ambassador to Kuwait regardless of past comments.

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"Judge my actions and not my intentions," Ghalib said at one point, while repeatedly claiming he is not antisemitic and that he treats "everybody with respect." He also said he disagreed with many of the points of view he previously appeared on social media to be endorsing, including whether the Muslim Brotherhood  which Cruz has proposed listing as a foreign terrorist organization  was an "inspiration."

But when asked by McCormick whether he accepts "President Trumps view that Israel is and should be the home of the Jewish people," Ghalib couldn't immediately give a straight yes or no answer, saying instead that the Gaza ceasefire agreement is something "everyone agrees on" and that the various factions in the Middle East can "coexist."

McCormick seemed perplexed by Ghalib's refusal to provide a straight answer.

"I just dont know how we send an ambassador to the Middle East who doesnt support protecting Israel as home to the Jewish people," he said.

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Democratic members didn't give Ghalib any leeway either, with U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, the committee's ranking party member, saying it was "unacceptable" that he called Hussein a martyr and Sen. Jackie Rosen of Nevada accusing him of "peddling antisemitism."

Said Democratic U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut: "I dont think youre qualified to serve in this role and youve dug your hole deeper today."

Contact Todd Spangler: tspangler@freepress.com. Follow him on X @tsspangler.

(This story was updated to add a video.)

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Trump nominee Amer Ghalib blasted by senators in fiery hearing
East Texas (KETK) This weekend is going to be busy in East Texas, with several events scheduled to take place across the region. However, there is uncertainty about the outdoor events happening over the three days, as significant rainfall and a chance of severe storms are expected.

Starting on Thursday, there is an Oilmens Chili Cookoff in Kilgore. The theme is Chiliville, a spinoff of Margaritaville. The cookoff is from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Worlds Richest Acre in Downtown Kilgore. Aside from being a crowd favorite, the cookoff serves as a fundraiser for East Texas Treatment Center and several other nonprofits.

The Palestine Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Hot Pepper Festival on Friday and Saturday at the Farmers Market Pavilion. Throughout the two-day festival, there will be cornhole, a car show cruise-in, live music and a chili cook-off.

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The Chili cookoff will be on Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday will include an all-day car show cruise-in by Journey HQ. The cruise-in will take place between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. They will be giving out $6,000 worth of prizes to attendees.

The Feral Hog Festival is coming to Ben Wheeler on Friday and Saturday. Friday will include a pageant from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Forge Bar and Grill. The winner of the pageant will receive $500. The runner-up will receive $250.

On Saturday, there will be a parade, vendors, activities, and a Wild Hog Cook Off from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., weather permitting.

Jacksonville is continuing its Fall Concert Series at Hazel Tilton Park with Sean Christopher and special guests Randy Gorham and Shane Pace performing. The concert will run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday.

On Saturday, Mineola League of the Arts is hosting an Artful Pages Book Fest between 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The event will have multiple authors offering open book readings, discussing their writing journey, Q&A opportunities and more.

The Rustic C. Ranch Rescue Fundraiser is coming to Tyler on Saturday. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with games, a petting zoo, food trucks and a real-life unicorn available for photo opportunities. All proceeds from the event will go to the rescue horses.

For archaeologists, the Marshall Chamber of Commerce will be hosting an Archeology Day on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Harrison County Historical Museum. There will be mock digs where children can uncover artifacts, archaeology true/false games and an artifact reconstruction puzzle activity where one can cut and color their own pottery puzzle.

The Kingdom Christian Center is hosting a Fall Festival from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall on Saturday evening. They will have food and games.

A New Creation is hosting a Murder Mystery Paint Party in Canton from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with the theme of: A Great Gatsby Masquerade. Its open to the public, but anyone interested must purchase a ticket online.

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Its formal attire and the night will include painting a mysterious 1920s-inspired masterpiece, playing suspect or sleuth in a who-dun-it mystery, and once the host is found dead before revealing their newest painting, the guests must unravel clues, question one another, and find the killer before the final brushstroke. Drinks will be provided.

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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President Donald Trump doubled down on his surprise announcement last week that he has canceled the $16 billion Gateway project to build two new rail tunnels under the Hudson, telling reporters on Air Force One this week that it is permanently canceled.

Concerns about the future of the $16 billion project have bubbled up from Main Street to Congress.

Cranford Township Commissioner Kathleen Prurty said shes heard concerns from a Realtor because families have moved there because the new tunnels would create a direct NJ Transit rail commute to New York City possible.

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Loads of young families have moved in. The promise of a one-seat ride to New York is what theyre holding on to, she said. People are thinking about this in their every day lives.

Prurty was part of a bipartisan virtual roundtable meeting held Wednesday by U.S. Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.), U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez (D-8th dist.) and U.S. Rep. Nellie Pou (D-9th Dist.), and representatives of residents, commuters, and workers affected by the termination of the project.

Called the largest infrastructure project in the country, five parts of Gateways Hudson River Tunnel project have been under construction for more than a year. If completed, it will provide capacity for Raritan Valley Line and other NJ Transit trains to travel directly to New York.

But Gateway is in state of flux after Trump made an announcement during an Oct. 15 press conference that the U.S. Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought is terminating a tremendous number of Democrat projects.

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Trump did not mention Gateway by name, only referring to $20 billion in Manhattan projects that U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) fought for.

Schumer is leading the Democrats effort to win back federal tax support for millions of people covered by the Affordable Care Act, which led to a government shutdown.

Trump reiterated the termination in a video where he spoke to reporters about Gateway on Air Force One on Oct. 19, saying right now there is no funding because its up to me.

Adding to the confusion is the lack of any more information from the USDOT or Federal Transit Administration.

Kim also said there has been complete and utter silence from the administration about Gateway, including a request to meet.

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Its very upsetting and we deserve an answer, he said. We need clarity on what the president meant. Weve been asking as a delegation.

The congressional delegation also wants to reiterate to the Trump administration whats at stake economically and nationally if Gateway is canceled.

The bipartisan Raritan Valley Line Mayors Alliance said local economies along the rail line will be affected because redevelopment has already begun in anticipation of the tunnel bringing direct service to and from New York.

We are Democrats and Republicans united in opposition to defunding or terminating Gateway, said Fanwood Mayor Colleen Mahr, a co-founder of the alliance.

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Thousands of residential apartments and townhomes have been built in towns along the train line in anticipation of Gateway. Dunellen Mayor Jason F. Cilento is concerned that canceling Gateway will adversely affect the economies of those towns.

The investments we made on the ground have been impetus for economic growth, with the unknown (about Gateway) what will happen in our local economies? This is not the time for partisan politics.

One immediate concern is for the 11,000 construction workers at five Gateway projects and how long work can continue since federal reimbursements were stopped on Oct. 1.

Were following the bouncing ball, said Mike Hellstrom, vice president and Eastern Regional Manager of the Laborers International Union of North America. There is a level of uncertainty.

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Gateway Development Commission officials said they havent received any notification. The White House and the federal Office of Management and Budget have not responded to NJ Advance Media questions about the next step for Gateway.

The $16 billion project is being funded with $11 billion in federal funding from a variety of sources. The remainder is provided by New Jersey, New York and Amtrak.

The largest grant was a record setting $6.8 billion full funding grant agreement between the Federal Transit Administration, New York, New Jersey and Amtrak.

That agreement was described by officials in 2024 as a contract between the FTA and the states that could only be broken if the states failed to meet the contractual obligations in the agreement.

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Based on other claw backs of transportation infrastructure funds awarded during the Biden administration, Jeff Davis, a senior fellow at Eno Center for Transportation think tank, said he expects a court fight.

If (US) DOT attempts to de-obligate money that was already legally obligated, GDC or Port Authority or NY or NJ could file suit in federal court and object, Davis said.

California sued the Federal Railroad Administration in July after it de-obligated a $4 billion grant to build a controversial high speed rail line that was committed to by the Biden Administration, he said.

The possibility of a lawsuit could happen depending on who is elected the next governor.

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U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-11th Dist.), who is running for governor, pledged to sue the federal government if elected during an Oct. 16 press conference.

Sherill expressed concern about lost union jobs, the effect on the regional and nation economy if an old tunnel must be shut down and the estimated cost of $1 million a day if the project is delayed.

Her opponent, Republican Jack Ciattarelli said on X that he would fight for Gateway, but did not say if that included suing.

Kim said the congressional also are looking at litigation, if needed. Id prefer not to go there. it would cause delays, he said.

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One frustration is the House of Representatives hasnt been in session so there is no one to negotiate with about Gateway or the federal shut down, Kim said.

We all are pressing hard to make sure we can get answers, Kim said. I wont feel at ease until I see trains going through the (new ) tunnel.

Larry Higgs

Stories by Larry Higgs

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New Jersey launched Arrive Together in 2021 to help police handle people in crisis. The two leading candidates for governor support the program. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor)

[2025 governor's race Voter Guide: Where NJs governor hopefuls stand on the issues]

As New Jersey prepares to elect a new governor, advocates for a state program that pairs mental health specialists with police officers for certain public safety calls say they hope our next chief executive doesnt jettison the program.

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The Attorney Generals Office launched Arrive Together in 2021 as an effort to decrease police use of force against civilians experiencing behavioral health issues. It started as a program in Cumberland County and has since expanded to all 21 counties, with state officials saying there have been no serious injuries to either officers or civilians in 12,000 interactions.

We hope that no matter who is elected, that they not only keep this program in place, but would continue to build on it, said Surraya Johnson, director of the criminal justice reform program at the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice.

The program  Arrive stands for Alternative Responses to Reduce Instances of Violence and Escalation  has been championed by Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, and Attorney General Matt Platkin, both of whom are departing in January when a new governor is sworn in.

The front-runners vying on Nov. 4 to replace Murphy, Republican Jack Ciattarelli and Democrat Mikie Sherrill, both extol Arrive Together, though Ciattarelli indicated that if elected, he may revamp the program. He said police officers need to know the next governor has their back in these situations.

Republican gubernatorial hopeful Jack Ciattarelli speaking at the Saddle Brook Diner on Oct. 15, 2025. (Photo by Danielle Richards for New Jersey Monitor)

Ciattarelli, who has criticized Murphy and Platkin for handcuffing law enforcement, said he wants to sit down with police officers and mental health experts to decide how to handle police response to people with mental health issues. He has called Arrive Together a thoughtful attempt to handle this issue.

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I have a responsibility to be a foot deep in all subject matter, but Im going to sit down with the people who are a mile deep, he said at an event in Long Branch Wednesday.

Sherrill said when she was a federal prosecutor, she saw firsthand how programs that build trust between law enforcement and communities help keep people safe. Sherrill was briefly an assistant U.S. attorney, and before then worked in the U.S. Attorneys Office as an outreach and reentry coordinator.

Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D) speaks after a campaign rally in Paramus on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by New Jersey Monitor)

Thats why as governor, I will support programs like Arrive Together and hospital-based violence prevention programs that deliver effective treatment while reducing use of force. We can also prevent crime in the first place with programs that give New Jerseyans opportunity, such as summer youth employment, workforce training, and even by investing in early childhood education programs like Head Start, she said in a statement from her campaign.

Johnson said her organization hopes to meet with both candidates to explain why Arrive Together should continue and how it has improved public safety and communities. If the next governor chooses not to continue the program, it would be a disappointment, she said.

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I think it makes New Jersey less safe when there is not a mental health professional on scene to respond to mental health crises, she said.

The program launched in 2021 in Cumberland County, but expanded to other counties in the midst of high-profile police killings of people experiencing mental health crises. Paterson police shot and killed Najee Seabrooks in March 2023 after cops say he lunged at them with a knife following a five-hour standoff. Jersey City police shot and killed Andrew Washington in August 2023 when cops say he rushed out of his apartment with a knife. In both instances, the victims families say they needed mental health help, not police intervention.

Arrive Together, which public policy group the Brookings Institution says is the first program of its kind in the nation, received about $20 million in state funding in the current $58.8 billion budget.

Murphy spokeswoman Tyler Jones lauded the program as one that is pioneering a new approach to mental health response.

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This program can serve as a national model for law enforcement agencies across the country, helping them to strengthen trust and build stronger bonds between officers and the communities they serve, she said.

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Ever since they stepped down from their senior positions as royals, Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry have only amplified their activism, and this week, theyre using their voices to join over 800 public figures in a fight against superintelligent AI.

On Wednesday, an open letter was published by the Future of Life Institute (FLI), a non-profit dedicated to reducing risk caused by culture-shifting technologies.

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We call for a prohibition on the development of superintelligence, not lifted before there is broad scientific consensus that it will be done safely and controllably, and [with] strong public buy-in, the letter began.

Kristina Bumphrey - Getty Images

Along with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, others who signed the document included Geoffrey Hinton and Yoshua Bengio, two pioneers in artificial intelligence technology, who have even been deemed the godfathers of AI.

Other endorsers included actors Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Stephen Fry, former Irish president Mary Robinson, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, and various politicians, scientists, celebrities, and religious leaders.



Prince Harry himself included a personal addendum, where he wrote: The future of AI should serve humanity, not replace it. I believe the true test of progress will be not how fast we move, but how wisely we steer. There is no second chance.

Scott Dudelson - Getty Images

This marks the latest action the Sussexes have taken to try to curb the dangerous effects of AI.

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A few weeks back, a subset of the pairs Archewell Foundation teamed up with the nonprofit ParentsTogether, in a partnership that will attempt to protect children from AI-related harms.

As the parents to two young childrenPrince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4Harry and Meghan are very adamant about protecting their kids in a constantly-evolving technological landscape.

In a 2024 interview with CBS News Sunday Morning, Meghan opened up about the challenges that she and her husband face today. Our kids are young... Theyre amazing, she told interviewer Jane Pauley. But all you wanna do as parents is protect them. So, as we can see whats happening in the online space, we know that theres a lot of work to be done there and were just happy to be able to be a part of change for good.

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A Hartford police officer was justified in firing at an armed man last year when the man refused to drop his weapon, the state Office of the Inspector General concluded in a report released Thursday.

The 30-page report detailed the office's investigation into the shooting of Alexander Garay on Nov. 30, 2024. Inspector General Eliot Prescott said Officer Gabrielle Arruda used her Taser on Garay when he appeared to be reaching for something in his waistband, and used the device again as he struggled with another officer. Arruda, who had been with the Hartford Police Department for five years at the time, then fired two shots at Garay after he did not comply with her command to drop the handgun, according to the report.

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Garay, of Hartford, was shot on the left side of his chest and in his left leg, and initially was in critical condition, the report states. He was released from the hospital on Dec. 5, 2024, and transferred to the Commissioner of Correction. He also is facing charges of interfering with an officer, criminal possession of a pistol or revolver and other offenses related to the confrontation.

"I conclude that the use of deadly physical force by Officer Arruda was objectively reasonable in response to the imminent use of deadly physical force by Alexander Garay in this incident," Prescott wrote in the report. "Accordingly, I find that her actions were legally justified."

The Office of the Inspector General is charged with conducting investigations to determine whether the use of deadly force by peace officers is justified and to prosecute any cases the office determines were not justified. Prescott said his office would not take any further action in the matter.

Arruda and Officer Elvis Martinez drove to Maple Avenue in Hartford around 8:15 p.m. on Nov. 30, 2024, to investigate a report of a person brandishing a firearm during an argument, Prescott said. At the scene, a person told officers that the armed individual had gotten into a black SUV.

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Officers approached the SUV, a Chevrolet Equinox, which sped away, according to Prescott. Police did not chase the vehicle, but attempted to keep it in their sight by following it without activating the lights or sirens on their unmarked cruiser, the report states.

The SUV crashed shortly after into a parked vehicle near the corner of Broad and West Preston streets, Prescott said. Arruda and Martinez approached the vehicle and ordered Garay to show his hands, and he was described as "non-compliant," according to the report.

"Because the windows of the Equinox were heavily tinted, Officer Arruda smashed the front driver's side window so that she could see better into the vehicle," Prescott wrote. "When Garay appeared to be reaching for something concealed in his waist band, Arruda twice deployed her Taser, but the deployment was not successful in gaining Garay's compliance."

Warning: The body-camera footage is graphic and may be disturbing to some viewers.

Prescott said Garay, meanwhile, moved from the front of the vehicle to the back seat, where he began to struggle with Martinez through an open window.

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"Officer Arruda then smashed the rear driver's side window to improve her vision into the car," according to Prescott.

"During Garay's struggle with Martinez, Officer Arruda believed that Garay was attempting to access a handgun that was in his waistband," the report continued. "Officer Arruda again deployed her Taser without success. Garay, in fact, accessed a handgun and was holding it in his left hand. She ordered him to drop the weapon, but, when he did not comply, she fired two rounds at Garay from her department-issued firearm."

Prescott noted that Arruda had no prior relevant disciplinary history with the department, other than violating policy when she failed in one instance to unmute her body-worn camera. Arruda properly activated her body-worn camera in this incident, and the Office of the Inspector General released portions of her footage.

Garay, now 49, is facing charges of criminal possession of a firearm, interfering with police, possession of a controlled substance, operating an unregistered motor vehicle and operating without a license, judicial records show. He was being held on a $750,000 bond in the case and is next scheduled to appear at state Superior Court in Hartford Nov. 21.

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Garay previously had been sentenced in federal court in 2013 after a similar incident that also involved Hartford police officers. Garay pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon in January 2013 and, later that year, was sentenced to more than nine years in prison.

This article originally published at Hartford cop justified in shooting of armed Hartford man, inspector general finds.




HARTFORD - The Hartford Board of Education on Tuesday introduced a draft policy that would ensure all students in the district have access to education and services regardless of their or their family's immigration status.

The draft policy states that "all students have the right to attend public school and enjoy access to equitable educational and programmatic services regardless of the immigration status of the student or of the student's family members."

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Ruth Fortune, policy chair for the Hartford Board of Education, said that the proposal is based on a model policy from the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education.

The language in the draft policy is intentionally broad to ensure no student is denied access to education or school services, Fortune said.

The board's policy committee will continue to review the proposal before returning it to the full board of education for a vote.

The proposal also outlines limits on what information district personnel can request from students. Staff would be prohibited from asking for documentation of a student's legal status, such as a green card or citizenship papers, and could not request Social Security numbers for any purpose.

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In addition, the policy directs that any requests from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement be immediately forwarded to the superintendent for review.

"The district's general stance is to not let U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement into school buildings," Fortune said. "This policy is more than just about ICE trying to access buildings. It's about keeping our students safe and determining who can enter school premises, including law enforcement broadly."

Earlier this year, the district notified families that ICE agents would not be allowed on school grounds without a valid warrant signed by a judge.

Fortune said the new policy would reinforce that position and help guide schools on how to handle situations involving ICE.

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Hartford currently serves over 16,500 students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. During the 2024-25 school year, 57.39% of students identified as Hispanic or Latino, 28.51% identified as Black or African American, 5.92% as white and 4.65% as Asian, according to state data.

Fortune said that the committee plans to make further revisions to the policy due to sensitivities and potential implications. Next steps include reviewing state regulations, setting clear procedures for school staff and discussing implementation.

That may include defining how security officers should respond if someone attempts to enter a building and what steps should follow if a breach occurs, Fortune said.

School board Chair Shonta Browdy said she hopes the policy committee considers the existing responsibilities of educators and staff as it finalizes the policy. She said she has worked in the schools for four years and understands how staff already have many responsibilities related to students.

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"The district already asks a lot from our staff," Browdy said. "This policy needs to be realistic and practical in how it's implemented."

This article originally published at Hartford school board considers policy protecting student access regardless of immigration status.
Oct. 23 (UPI) -- New data released by Harvard University's undergraduate school showed a decline for the class of 2029 in both Hispanic and Black students, with a spike in its Asian student population.

Massachusetts-based Harvard College stated its 2029 class makeup showed Black students comprised 11.5%, with Hispanics at 11% and Asian-American students at 41%, according to newly released data.

However, the university did not release demographics and data on its White student population.

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The data release followed the U.S. Supreme Court's recent ruling that struck down affirmative action practices in America's higher learning institutions.

Prior to the high court's decision, the Harvard student population had been made up of about 18% of Black students.

But Harvard's total number of Hispanic students went up following the Supreme Court's ruling.

According to data, roughly 21% of Harvards 2029 graduating class were eligible for federal Pell Grants. It added 45% were tuition free and 26% on an entirely free program.

Earlier this year, President Donald Trump instructed the Department of Education to inform U.S. educational institutions on the receiving end of federal funds to officially end affirmative action policies in a number of school-related practices.

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Meanwhile, a Yale professor and expert on affirmative action history called the decline an example how the high court's "disastrous decision from 2023 continues to cause Black enrollment rates to decline at many of the nation's premier universities."

"I fear that Harvard's plummeting trend lines over the last two years offers an unattractive preview of the future in American higher education," Justin Driver, a professor at Yale Law School, told The New York Times.
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A few weeks ago, I spoke to students at my university, here in Qatar, about what they needed to know before pursuing a doctoral degree in the United States. Not only do I have a Ph.D., but until recently I was a tenured professor at a major U.S.-based research university, so its natural for me to be on these types of panels.

A couple of years ago, I would have repeated stock advice about cover letters, research statements, and reference letters, along with cautions about the path ahead. A doctoral degree is at least a five-year commitmentand it is far from certain that it will lead to a permanent job like mine. Students, I used to say, should think carefully about pursuing the path.

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This time, my message was shorter: Dont.

Im a political scientist specializing in U.S. foreign policy. I often have to talk about subjects that others find unpleasant, from the details of congressional lobbying to the aftermath of nuclear war. I dont take pleasure in discouraging young people from following in my footsteps. As a scholar and a teacher, though, I have both a duty to truth and a duty to my students. And this is a terrible time to be contemplating doctoral education in the United Statesespecially if, like most of my students, you are not an American citizen.

Now, my warnings look more prescient than most of my predictions. On Tuesday, the news broke that Harvard is slashing slots for doctoral students, cutting 75 percent of Ph.D. admissions in science and 60 percent in arts and humanities for the next two years. The Ivy joins other American schools that have paused or reduced graduate admissions this year, including similarly elite ones, like the University of Pennsylvania, Brown University, and Cornell. These decisions are one manifestation of a broader crisis triggered by the Trump administrationone upending the plans and futures not only of the United States but countries around the world.

Universities strive to maintain a facade of genteel prosperityI think the kids call it quiet luxurybut they are exposed to downturns both general and targeted. U.S. academia is no stranger to financial crisis. I began my career as a Ph.D. student in the autumn of 2008. I remember sitting in the back of the class on Russian politics for which I was a teaching assistant, watching one of my students track the stock market on his laptop. The numbers kept dropping. It was the September 2008 crash.

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Advanced doctoral students, on or about to go on the job market, looked ashen. Wealthy institutions canceled job searchessomething unheard of in an industry in which it may take years to secure permission to hire a new faculty member. By the following year, the financial crisis had weakened even Harvards balance sheets to the point that it famously stopped providing cookies at faculty meetings.

Eventually, higher education recovered, more or less. (Computer science more, the humanities less.) I unwittingly timed my graduation well, hitting a relatively benign job market in 2015. Even so, scholars a few years older than me bore unmistakable psychic scars from the experience. And those of us who had been through that era were much less likely than some of our older colleagues to breezily recommend that students consider pursuing a doctoral degree. After all, we thought we had seen just how bad it could get.

Its worse now than we could have imagined.

There are two big points worth knowing about doctoral programs in U.S. higher education. First, funding for academic projects at research universitiesthe kinds that have Ph.D.

programslargely comes from three sources: grants, endowments, and tuition. Second, whereas undergraduates and masters students pay for their degrees, most Ph.D. students cost their universities money. In some disciplines, research grants can recoup those costs, but in other ones (like mine) substantial grants are less common. And often funding commitments to grad students are made for a long termthree to five years.

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This idea that Ph.D. students cost their institutions more than theyre worth might seem counterintuitiveespecially if youve ever had to live on a graduate student stipend! But at many institutions, after adding together stipends, health insurance, tuition waivers, and other benefits, doctoral students may be pricier ways of providing instruction than teaching faculty or undergraduate TAs. And if grants disappear, then doctoral students on research duties in labs will become pure cost.

The Trump administration has thrown tuition and grant funding into chaos. International students, who disproportionately pay full sticker price for undergraduate and masters programs, appear to be avoiding the United States. The administration is changing financial aid programs, in part to allow students to obtain federal aid to pursue short-term programs leading to narrower credentials. (Thats not necessarily a bad thing in itself, but remember this is being managed by the guy who brought us Trump University, so theres no need to extend a presumption of good faith.) Federal grant-making agencies have halted or canceled billions of dollars in grants to research universities, and even if litigation has stayed the worst effects, for now the short-term outlook is incredibly grim.

The obvious question is why universities cant tap their endowments to make up the shortfall. After all, some universities have eye-popping endowments ($57 billion for Harvard!).

The answer is less obvious but remorselessly practical. Mosteven most research universitiesarent actually that rich. Sure, an endowment of a billion or two is not exactly chump change, but those funds cant provide enough to make up for truly large shortfalls. (In fact, merely a billion dollars wouldnt even get you on the Forbes 400 list of the countrys richest people, which now has a $3.8 billion cutoff.)

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Legal restrictions on endowment funds limit flexibilityyou cant just take donor money supporting scholarship on classical civilizations and give it to physicists. Beyond that, its unwise to eat your seed corn. Endowments are meant to endure, essentially, forever. As a rule of thumb, only about 4 to 5 percent of endowments should be drawn down each year. (That lets good years, like the past few, cover for bad oneslike those that will come if the A.I. bubble bursts, for instance.) Taking much more than that amount would permanently weaken universitiesexactly the outcome it appears that the Trump administration wants to bring about. (Indeed, thats probably why Republicans hiked taxes on the richest universities endowments this year.)

Seen in that light, cutting admissions for doctoral students, freezing hiring, and cutting cookies for faculty meetings make sense, even for rich schools like Harvard. Its easier to trim spending by not taking on new obligations than by cutting existing ones. (Although we should be clear that the sector is also undergoing more sweeping cost-cutting measures. The University of Southern California, for instance, is laying off staff and faculty.)

Understanding the logic of the situation doesnt make it pleasant. Admissions to Ph.D. programs were already exorbitantly competitive in the good old days (last year). Cutting the number of slots will ratchet up the pressures on aspiring scholars to unprecedented levels. (Undergraduates who havent begun seriously pursuing research opportunities by their second or third year were already disadvantaged, but will now find themselves well behind the curve.)

For those who get through the hunger games of admission, the actual experience is likely to be more unpleasant than for previous generations. Austere university budgets will lead administrators to continue to look hard at cost centers like doctoral education. International students face the prospect that policy changes or quota-driven immigration enforcement could end their education before its finished. At the very least, Trumps anti-immigrant policies are casting a chilling effect on international students speechand for some disciplines, where you cant avoid talking about politics, that implicates academic freedom as well.

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Students who brave that gantlet and emerge with a Ph.D. (which is far from all of them) will then have the privilege of competing for scarce faculty jobs. Yes, in some disciplines, a doctoral degree opens doors to jobs in industrybut another legacy of the Trump administration has been to eliminate some traditional alt-academic routes (in my specialty, for instance, both the U.S. Institute of Peace and the U.S. Agency for International Development have been eliminated) and to make others much less appealing (fancy working for the U.S. intelligence community?).

If the harms of the administrations assault on higher education were limited to breaking the hearts of budding eggheads and making Harvard professors do more of their own grading, it would be sad, but not tremendously important for anyone else. But the harms are greater than that.

Forget, for a moment, the importance of colleges for the economy of their communities or even the country. Over the past several decades, U.S. universities have provided torrents of scholarship that have expanded what we know about the universe, the human body, our past, our society, and our minds. Those advances all came about because, ultimately, young people decided to devote themselves to research and teaching.

American institutions have been particularly successful because they could draw from a global talent pool, matching the best American intellects with the best the world could offer. The United States has benefited from those arrangements in ways that go beyond citation counts or patents. We should value cultivated intellects and the civilized societies they bring us for their own sake. Instead, the administration is promoting a cruder and crasser societyand one that may well be poorer, too.

Scholarship itself will not die, but its authors will increasingly reside elsewhere. I encouraged my students who still wanted research jobs to consider European universities (although I suspect admission to those programs is about to become much more competitive, too). After my talk, a student contacted me to thank me for my franknessand to say that he was giving up on graduate study in the United States in favor of returning to his home country, China.
An investigation into alleged sexual misconduct at a Harvey hospital by an employee involves two women who were patients.

Harvey police say there could be more women who had this experience.

As patients seek emergency and outpatient care at UChicago Medicine's Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey, Harvey police are investigating an employee there.

Harvey police said they have reports from two patients who went to the hospital for emergency care.

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Investigators say in June of 2024 a woman who was a patient at Ingalls reported unwanted sexual physical contact by a hospital employee.

And a second, similar report in July 2024 involved a man with the same description.

SEE ALSO: Harvey residents react as suburb furloughs more than 40% of staff amid budget crisis

No one has been charged.

However, Harvey police want to question a man who identified himself as a physician assistant and is described as being bald, with facial hair, in his 30s to 40s.

It's unclear if the man is still an employee.

Ingalls has also launched an internal investigation.

A statement from UChicago Medicine's Ingalls Memorial said, "Ingalls Memorial is aware of the ongoing investigation by the Harvey Police Department. Due to the active nature of the investigation, we are unable to provide comment at this time and will continue to cooperate with Harvey police."

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During this investigation, information has surfaced that others may know about the incidents already reported, and still others may have had similar encounters.

Harvey police urge anyone with information to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Harvey Tip Line. The hotline number is 708-713-4899.
By Neil J Kanatt and Prerna Bedi

(Reuters) -Hasbro raised its annual revenue and core profit forecasts on Thursday banking on strong demand for its digital games, including "Magic: The Gathering", at a time when tariff uncertainty looms over the all-important holiday season.

The toy industry, which relies heavily on its manufacturing hubs in regions including China, risks a significant hit from the tariffs, with a recent threat of a 100% duty on Chinese imports further clouding the outlook.

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Hasbro said it plans to bring down its reliance on imports from China to 30% of its revenue by 2026, compared to its previous expectation of cutting it to 40% by 2027.

The company had also rolled out job cuts and a $1 billion cost-savings program earlier this year to cushion any likely hit.

"We're executing our tariff remediation playbook decisively, mitigating risk and protecting profitability," finance chief Gina Goetter said in a post-earnings call.

Peer Mattel maintained its annual outlook after missing third-quarter revenue and profit on Tuesday, as retailers delayed orders due to an uncertain economic outlook.

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"Even with retailers taking a cautious approach to restocking, Hasbro's core brands  from Magic: The Gathering to Monopoly Go  are doing the heavy lifting," eMarketer analyst Zak Stambor said.

The company also said it expects momentum for its brands to remain strong in the current quarter, which falls in the crucial holiday sales period.

Hasbro expects annual revenue to increase by high single digits, compared with prior expectations of a mid-single-digit rise.

Shares of the toymaker, which have climbed more than 34% so far this year, were flat in early trading.

It also expects adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization to be between $1.24 billion and $1.26 billion, compared with its previous $1.17 billion to $1.20 billion forecast.

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Revenue for the third quarter rose 8% to $1.39 billion, beating analysts' average estimate of $1.34 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG.

Wizards of the Coast and Digital Gaming segment revenue jumped 42%, compared to a 5% decrease a year earlier.

Adjusted profit per share of $1.68 also topped estimates of $1.63.

(Reporting by Neil J Kanatt and Prerna Bedi in Bengaluru; Editing by Pooja Desai and Sriraj Kalluvila)
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene is still going rogue.

The infamous MAGA hard-liner was on Tucker Carlsons show on Wednesday night explaining why she hates her own party.

These people are so fake, Greene told Carlson. The only reason that they kiss up to Donald Trump, our president, the only reason they kiss up to him, is because theyre terrified of a Truth Social post, because theyre terrified of their own constituents that fully support MAGA, that fully support America First, and fully support everything that Donald Trump has laid out now for years and years.

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Americans got to the point where electing Donald Trump was a referendum on the Republican Party, she said. And I very much feel that because many times I hate my own party, and I blame Republicans for many of the problems that we have today.

This is par for the course lately for Greene, as she becomes perhaps the most outspoken individual Republican in Congressno Truth Social post can muzzle her. She has come out against her partys obstruction of the Epstein files, her partys decision to shut down the government instead of improving health insurance, and the funding and enabling by both parties of Israels genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.

You dont HATE your government enough, she said earlier this month in response to the shutdown. And shes still going.

I blame them for being so America last to the point where they are literally slaves to all the big industries in Washington, the military industrial complex, Big Pharma, health insurance industries, you name it, Greene said later in the Carlson interview. They are literally slaves to them, and they love foreign war so much.
DOVER, Ark.  Screams echo through the halls of the old Dover Middle School each October  but for students and parents behind Haunts on the Hill, the scares come with a purpose: keeping teens safe long after prom night.

The annual haunted house fundraiser, hosted by Dover High School students and parents, raises money for the schools after-prom celebration  an all-night event designed to give students a safe, fun, and sober place to spend the night after the dance.

We put the haunted house on so that we can raise funds for an after-prom to give the students a safe place to go, said senior sponsor mom Tosha Sharp. Instead of going out and doing things that they shouldnt be doing or falling under the peer pressure of driving under the influence of alcohol or something.

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From coast to coast, these haunted houses deliver the biggest scares

Sharp said since the tradition began, the effort has helped significantly reduce  and nearly eliminate  DWI incidents on prom night. Students have only a short window to get from prom to after prom, and once theyre inside, the doors stay locked until 2 a.m.

Having after prom, you have one focus and thats to get straight there, said senior Caden Sharp. You have a certain amount of time between prom and after prom that you have to be there, and if youre not there, then youre not allowed in.

Students say the haunted house gives them ownership in funding the event  and a chance to give back to their school.

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Its just fun to watch people come through and get scared, knowing that youre throwing something fun for the community and helping your school by raising money, said junior Samantha Greathouse.

Others say its helped change the culture around prom night entirely.

It definitely does, said junior Reese Lovell. I think it just takes peoples minds off other things  you just go have fun with your friends.

For students like Kyen Baynes, the fundraiser is a way to build community spirit while ensuring everyone has a memorable  and safe  senior year.

I wanna raise money for my school and my fellow classmates so we can have a really good time, Baynes said.

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Dover High School students fundraise with haunted house

From fog machines to cobwebs, organizers say the haunted house takes months to plan, but the payoff comes in knowing it helps make a difference.

Haunts on the Hill will run October 24th, 25th, and 31st from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the old Dover Middle School. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for students, with all proceeds going toward Dover High Schools after-prom fund.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Headgum, the comedy podcast network, laid off about 30% of its staff earlier this month amid continued headwinds in the podcast industry.

Casey Donahue, the head of video, was among those affected.

It was tough, but a reminder of how volatile the industry has become, he said. My focus has always been on building shows and visuals that elevate the talent and the brand, and I am proud of what I was able to accomplish with my team at Headgum.

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Marika Brownlee, the head of marketing, was also let go after nearly a decade at the L.A.-based company. It was only the second round of layoffs during her tenure, following another round in 2022.

It was definitely a shock, she said. It was communicated in the grand scheme of  These problems are happening industrywide  which I know is true.

Headgum had about 22 staffers before the layoffs, which were announced on Oct. 2. The company also recently vacated its New York studio. Some were told that if the cuts were not made immediately, the company would last only a few more months.

The company did not respond to a request for comment.

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The podcast business has been hit hard this year. In June, Pineapple Street Studios was shut down by its owner, Audacy, costing nearly 30 jobs. Spotify also cut 15 jobs in its podcast division, curtailing the headcount at The Ringer and Spotify Studios by about 5%. Wondery laid off nearly 100 employees as Amazon reorganized the company in August.

Headgum, which has remained independent, appeared to have weathered the storm to some degree. In August, the company celebrated its 10th anniversary as leaders spoke about growth.

Weve built shows streamed billions of times, CEO Marty Michael wrote on LinkedIn in August. Weve grown a team I love working with. But weve also hit major speed bumps; talent departures, ad market freezes, all the stuff they dont include in pitch decks. Somehow, ten years later, were still here. Still growing. Still having fun. But now, with a real business underneath it.

The restructuring was discussed Thursday on the Doughboys podcast, a Headgum food show hosted by Mike Mitchell and Nick Wiger.

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Really they just fired a bunch of people, Wiger said. We dont have any sort of comprehension of what happened. Were just living in the aftermath. But its a huge fucking bummer. These are very talented people who no longer have jobs.

The network hosts dozens of other shows, including Whats Our Podcast? with Beck Bennett and Kyle Mooney; Not Another D&D Podcast; Factually! with Adam Conover; and Handsome with Tig Notaro, Fortune Feimster and Mae Martin.





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WASHINGTON (AP)  The government shutdown has reopened debate on what has been a central issue for both major political parties in the last 15 years: the future of health coverage under the Affordable Care Act.

Tax credits for people who get health insurance through the marketplaces created by the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, expire at the end of the year.

Democrats say they wont vote to reopen the government until Republicans negotiate an extension of the expanded subsidies. Republicans say they wont negotiate until Democrats vote to reopen the government. Lawmakers in both parties have been working on potential solutions behind the scenes, hoping that leaders will eventually start to talk, but its unclear if the two sides could find compromise.

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As Congress circles the issue, a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that about 6 in 10 Americans are extremely or very concerned about their health costs going up in the next year. Those worries extend across age groups and include people with and without health insurance, the poll found.

A look at the subsidies that are expiring, the politics of the ACA and what Congress might do:

Enhanced premium help during the pandemic

Passed in 2010, the ACA was meant to decrease the number of uninsured people in the country and make coverage more affordable for those who dont have private insurance. The law created state by state exchanges, some of which are run by the individual states, to try to increase the pool of the insured and bring down rates.

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In 2021, when Democrats controlled Congress and the White House during the COVID-19 pandemic, they expanded premium help that was already in the law. The changes included eliminating premiums for some lower-income enrollees, ensuring that higher earners paid no more than 8.5% of their income and expanding eligibility for middle-class earners.

The expanded subsidies pushed enrollment to new levels and drove the rate of uninsured people to a historic low. This year, a record 24 million people have signed up for insurance coverage through the ACA, in large part because billions of dollars in subsidies have made the plans more affordable for many people.

If the tax credits expire, annual out-of-pocket premiums are estimated to increase by 114%  an average of $1,016  next year, according to an analysis from KFF.

Democrats push to extend subsidies

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Democrats extended those tax credits in 2022 for another three years but were not able to make them permanent. The credits are set to expire Jan. 1, with Republicans now in full control.

Lacking in power and sensing a political opportunity, Democrats used some of their only leverage and forced a government shutdown over the issue when federal funding ran out on Oct. 1. They say they wont vote for a House-passed bill to reopen the government until Republicans give them some certainty that the subsidies will be extended.

Democrats introduced legislation in September to permanently extend the premium tax credits, but they have suggested that they are open to a shorter period.

We need a serious negotiation, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has repeatedly said.

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Republicans try to scale the ACA back, again

The Democratic demands on health care have reignited longstanding Republican complaints about the ACA, which they have campaigned against for years and tried and failed to repeal in 2017. Many in the party say that if Congress is going to act, they want to scrap the expanded subsidies and overhaul the entire law.

The problem is not the expiring subsidies but the cost of health care, Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida said Tuesday.

In a virtual briefing Tuesday, the libertarian Cato Institute and the conservative Paragon Health Institute branded the subsidies as President Joe Bidens "COVID credits and claimed theyve enabled fraudsters to sign people up for fully subsidized plans without their knowledge.

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Others have pitched more modest proposals that could potentially win over some Democrats. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has said he is open to extending the subsidies with changes, including lower income limits and a stop to auto-enrollment that may sign up people who dont need the coverage.

The ACA is in desperate need of reform, Thune has said.

House Republicans are considering their own ideas for reforming the ACA, including proposals for phasing out the subsidies for new enrollees. And they have begun to discuss whether to combine health care reforms with a new government funding bill and send it to the Senate for consideration once they return to Washington.

We will probably negotiate some off-ramp" to ease the transition back to pre-COVID-19 levels, said Maryland Rep. Andy Harris, the head of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, during a virtual town hall Tuesday.

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Is compromise possible?

A number of Republicans want to extend the subsidies. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., said most people who are using the exchanges created by the ACA dont really have another option, and its already really, really expensive. So I think there are things we can do to reform the program.

Hawley said he had been having conversations with other senators about what those changes could be, including proposals for income limits, which he said he sees as a very reasonable.

Bipartisan groups of lawmakers have been discussing the income limits and other ideas, including making the lowest-income people pay very low premiums instead of nothing. Some Republicans have advocated for that change to ensure that all enrollees are aware they have coverage and need it. Other proposals would extend the subsidies for a year or two or slowly phase them out.

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It's unclear if any of those ideas could gain traction on both sides  or any interest from the White House, where President Donald Trump has remained mostly disengaged. Despite the public stalemate, though, lawmakers are feeling increased urgency to find a solution as the Nov. 1 open enrollment date approaches.

Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire has been talking to lawmakers since the shutdown began, trying to find areas of compromise. On Tuesday, she suggested that Congress could also look at extending the enrollment dates for the ACA since Congress is stalled on the subsidies.

These costs are going to affect all of us, and its going to affect our health care system, she said.

___

Associated Press writers Lisa Mascaro and Joey Cappelletti in Washington and Ali Swenson in New York contributed to this report.
During her 18-week baby scan, Blanca and her husband watched anxiously as the sonographer spent 10 minutes searching for signs of life. I could tell there was something wrong, she recalled of that late-August scan.

She took the ultrasound wand off my stomach, and she was like, I'm sorry, but there's no heartbeat. Blanca, 38, whom The Independent is only identifying by her first name to respect her privacy, was heartbroken.

Already trying to come to terms with the loss of her baby, whom she had named Jonah  the product of her last viable embryo implant after going through the grueling process of in vitro fertilization  the mom was then dealt a cruel second blow two days later.

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Aetna, Blancas health insurer, denied her coverage for a stay in the hospital so she could be induced and deliver Jonah. The decision resulted in delays that meant the grieving mom had to carry her dead, 4 1/2-month-old son for an agonizing seven days.

I felt so defeated. I've already lost my baby, and now this, Blanca told The Independent through tears. How much more heartache am I gonna have to go through? Wheres the humanity?

A Nevada mother who lost her baby at 18 weeks and her physician were stunned when a health insurance company initially denied the hospital stay (FILE IMAGE) (Getty Images)

The back and forth with Aetna and the bureaucratic details involved in getting Blanca booked into the hospital meant Jonah wasnt delivered until Sept. 5, according to Blanca, her physician and documents reviewed by The Independent

Further adding to her trauma, the mom bled profusely and almost died when her uterus ruptured and Jonah, her dead son, had to be delivered via emergency c-section.

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I have never felt that type of pain in my entire life, the Nevada mom said. I felt like I was going to die.

After being told the gut-wrenching news that Jonah had no heartbeat, Blancas options, aside from waiting to give birth naturally, were to induce labor or undergo dilation and evacuation (D&E), the same procedure used for a late-term abortion. She wanted an induction so that she could hold Jonah in her arms and say goodbye.

Her physician, Dr Joey Adashek, a high-risk pregnancy specialist, was shocked when Aetna initially denied to cover Blancas stay in the hospital.

Adashek said the denial was one of the most egregious he has seen in his more than 20-year career and also called the insurance company out on TikTok.

Dr Joey Adashek, a high-risk pregnancy specialist, was compelled to call out the company on TikTok. Aetna approved Blancas hospital stay on Sept. 2 (josephadashemd/TikTok)

So for the first time in my career, the insurance company denied both of them, Adashek says in the video. Denied induction of labor and denied the surgery, which begs the question, how are we going to get the baby out?

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I told my office, we need to fight this, Adashek told The Independent. She's traumatized, and she has to sit there with a dead baby. It's her last chance to have a healthy baby of her own and she just has to sit there and wait because of the insurance company. Isnt that crazy?

Adasheks team at Desert Perinatal Associates in Las Vegas appealed the decision and urged Aetna to reconsider, a process that can take up to 14 days.

When approached by The Independent for comment, an Aetna spokesperson said its ability to resolve coverage disputes based on the best available medical evidence hinges on physician partners sharing vital information in a timely manner.

In [Blancas] case, the procedure itself was covered, but the hospital stay was initially not approved based on the information provided by her physician, the spokesperson added.

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In response to Aetna, Adashek told The Independent that he stood by his version of events.

I have seen Aetna patients for more than 25 years and this is the first time they declined authorization for this procedure, the physician maintained.

Aetna did finally give the go ahead on Sept. 2 after Adashek conducted a peer-to-peer review, a standard bugbear for doctors because the peer on the other end of the line is often not someone in the same specialist field.

The review is a discussion between a physical and a doctor tied to the insurance company. The American Medical Association denounced the process as a barrier to care in a 2021 Council on Medical Service report.

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Adashek said his review was conducted with a nurse and the phone call was brief. The nurse informed him that the induction and the hospital stay had been approved, before she hung up on Adashek, he claimed.

The Aetna spokesperson claimed the peer-to-peer call took place at a time specified by her physician.

He shared new clinical information that enabled us to quickly approve her hospital stay, the spokesperson added.

In response to Aetnas statement, Adashek claimed not one question was asked of him by the nurse during the peer to peer discussion.

She never asked one further question about the clinical situation and I never volunteered with any information, Adashek said. She told me that it was approved and that was pretty much the extent of the conversation.

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Once finally approved, the earliest the hospital could book Blanca in to be induced was the evening of the following day on Sept. 3, however the labor and delivery unit was too busy.

Blanca, who is only being identified by her first name to protect her privacy, told of the physical and mental turmoil the initial denial has had (FILE IMAGE) (Getty Images)

Her treatment was pushed back another day until Sept. 4, when she was induced, a procedure that can take between 12 to 24 hours, sometimes more.

Then, on Sept. 5, after the process was underway, things went horribly wrong.

The mom suffered a ruptured uterus, a rare obstetrical emergency where the uterine wall tears open, that almost claimed her life. Doctors said she lost nearly 2 liters of blood.

I was bleeding out, Blanca recalled.

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She was placed under anesthesia and doctors worked for two hours to deliver her deceased baby.

Physically exhausted and mentally drained, the mom was bewildered when she came to, and had to undergo more tests before she could finally hold Jonah. She was transferred to a special room where she could spend time with her child.

Finally, I get to hold my baby, Blanca said. I hold my baby. I spend all day in that one room with my baby.

Blanca is speaking out about her experience two months later because she is so angry about what happened.

A week after [the surgery] the insurance has the audacity to call me and ask me if they if there's anything they can do to help me, Blanca said. Oh my God, are you freaking for real?

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For them to think that this was OK  it's not, Blanca added.

Because of her recent traumatic experience in the hospital and being a high-risk patient, doctors have advised Blanca that if she fell pregnant again, the birth would likely be dangerous. She was already a high-risk patient because as a teenager she was diagnosed with hypogonadotropic syndrome, a condition where the female ovaries cannot produce sex hormones.

Now Blanca and her husband, Chris, are trying to come to terms with their loss and the realization that they likely will not be able to have anymore biological children of their own.

Remarkably, despite everything Blanca has been through, she said she still has hope because of her 2-year-old son, Elias.

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He is my miracle baby, and I'm willing to give him the world, Blanca said. This is the end of growing a family with my own children, you know, from me and from my husband.

But, she added, it doesn't mean I can't grow a family by adopting.
Health experts are warning residents across Illinois to stay alert after a patient contracted a rare tick-borne virus. It's the first time the virus has been recorded in the state.

What happened?

NBC Chicago reported that the Illinois Department of Public Health confirmed that a resident has fallen seriously ill with Powassan, a virus transmitted most commonly from black-legged deer ticks.

While it's unclear whether they were exposed to the virus in Illinois or elsewhere, IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said it has prompted an expansion of statewide tick testing and monitoring.

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"With warm weather still prevalent, tick-borne diseases remain a potential threat here in Illinois," Vohra said in a statement. "It's important for everyone to guard against tick bites and the serious illnesses they can cause."

Powassan virus infections are rare but can be severe. Early symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, and fatigue. In really bad cases, it can even progress to brain inflammation or meningitis, and there is currently no specific treatment or vaccine.

Why is this discovery concerning?

Experts say the spread of Powassan and other tick-borne viruses can be linked to our warming planet. Rising temperatures and milder winters are expanding the habitats of disease-carrying ticks, allowing them to survive longer and move farther north.

Similar outbreaks have been reported in other states, including Maine and Virginia. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that tick-borne illnesses have more than doubled in the U.S. over the past two decades, putting millions at risk  especially hikers, campers, and outdoor workers.

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The human toll can be devastating. In severe Powassan cases, about 1 in 10 infections can be fatal, and half of survivors may suffer long-term neurological complications. As changing weather patterns continue to alter ecosystems, communities across the Midwest could see more encounters with infected insects that previously used to stick to warmer regions.

What can we do about spreading vector-borne illnesses?

The IDPH has ramped up public outreach with its "Fight the Bite" campaign to educate residents on preventing tick bites.

The department advises anyone spending time outdoors to wear long sleeves and pants, use tick repellent, and check clothing and skin after returning indoors. The CDC also recommends tumble-drying clothes on high heat for 10 minutes to kill any ticks that may have latched on.

What source of air pollution do you worry most about at home? Wildfires Gas stove Fireplace Something else Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

Scientists and public health officials say stronger climate resilience can help communities prepare for the growing spread of vector-borne diseases. Programs that restore healthy ecosystems  like native reforestation and biodiversity conservation  can help control tick populations naturally.

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For individuals, awareness is the most powerful defense. If you've been in wooded or grassy areas and experience symptoms of illness, seek a healthcare provider right away.

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
A hearing on the issue of class certification is scheduled for Nov. 20 in a federal lawsuit in which the City of Baltimores Central Booking and Intake Center is accused of keeping more than 14,000 people for hours or even days after a judge ordered their release, according to an attorney for the plaintiffs.

The hearing is scheduled in federal court in Baltimore, said Cary J. Hansel, an attorney for the plaintiffs. The plaintiffs are seeking to have a judge certify the lawsuit as a class action, which allows a small group of plaintiffs to pursue claims on behalf of a large number of people who have suffered similar injuries.

The 30-page lawsuit seeks hourly compensation for each proposed class member for the time between when they were ordered released and when they were actually released.

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If the case goes to trial and the plaintiffs prevail, the amount each plaintiff would receive would be set by a jury, Hansel said. A reasonable verdict would be in excess of $10 million, Hansel told The Baltimore Sun.

We look forward to detailing why a class action is necessary to ensure and protect our freedom from wrongful overincarceration,  Hansel told The Sun. Despite its own experts and employees calling for reform, the state has done nothing in the three years since this case was filed to release people in a timely way. The states inaction in the face of this ongoing overdetention crisis underscores the value of class certification by the court.

The lawsuit covers the years 2019 to 2021, though Hansel said he believes the overdetention has been occurring for many years.

The average time of overdetention is more than 12 hours

A statistician hired by the plaintiffs reviewed data from 9,619 Central booking releases from 2019 through 2021, in which a judge had ordered the individuals released. For those releases, the average time between a judge signing paperwork and release was 12.6 hours, according to the report. The median release time was eight hours, meaning half of the releases occurred within eight hours and half took longer.

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Central Booking, as it is commonly known, is run by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. The Maryland Attorney Generals office is representing the agency. Two assistant attorney generals who represented the state in a deposition did not respond to a phone call and emails seeking comment.

In sworn depositions, current and former corrections officials said Central Booking authorities must take several steps before releasing someone. The steps include verifying a detainees identity, checking law enforcement databases for aliases, detainers, and warrants, returning each persons property, and taking them to the medical unit.

Central Booking staff members said they thought the issue could be resolved by adding staff members to speed up the release of detainees or by training more personnel to process the release paperwork.

While many of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit were overdetained for a matter of hours, some were held for days or longer, according to court filings. In 2020, Central Booking held one person for 216 days after a judge ordered their release, according to court filings.

Have a news tip? Contact Ruben Castaneda at 443-862-6133 or rucastaneda@baltsun.com.
A record-setting marine heat wave stripped huge portions of Florida's coral reef of their colors in 2023, triggering the ninth and worst mass bleaching event in the Caribbean. Temperatures soared for weeks, almost completely killing off two of the region's oldest and most important coral species, according to a new report that aims to shine a light on how warming waters can be lethal for the ecosystems they've historically sustained.

Co-authored by scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the University of South Florida and several nonprofit organizations, the report was published Thursday in the peer-reviewed academic journal Science. It shared striking findings from an investigation into the effects of that record heat wave on a 350-mile stretch of the Florida reef, which, researchers said, wilted as sea surface temperatures remained at or above 31 degrees Celsius  87.8 degrees Fahrenheit  for an average of 40.7 days over the summer.

The heat stress in pockets of the reef during that time was as much as four times greater than it had been during any previous heat wave or any prior year that scientists recorded temperature data for the area, said Ross Cunning, one of the report's lead authors and a biologist at the Chicago-based Shedd Aquarium, whose research centers around ways to make coral reefs more resilient against the effects of climate change.

/ Credit: Gavin Wright/Shedd Aquarium

Among the heat wave's most devastating impacts were the deaths of two types of coral, staghorn and elkhorn, which are known as "reef builders" because they have provided the structural foundation from which Caribbean reef ecosystems can grow for thousands of years. According to the report, between 97.8% and 100% of coral belonging to those two species perished in the heat wave, marking what researchers characterized as "their functional extinction from the region."

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"Functional extinction" means there is no longer enough of either coral species in the Caribbean in order for staghorn or elkhorn to continue performing their longstanding services to the reef at large.

"These corals are the ecosystem engineers of reefs," Cunning told CBS News. "They literally build the three-dimensional framework that we know as the coral reef."

Cunning likened the "huge losses" felt by the Caribbean reef in their absence to those a diverse forest might suffer after losing its largest and most vital trees: "What you're left with is a range of smaller trees and shrubs and other plants, and they'll continue to grow and form together some type of forest," he said, "but it's a forest transformed without these major contributors."

The 2023 heat wave in Florida's reef has been described as a bleaching event, when corals purge their colorful algae and appear white and brittle in response to warming oceans. Bleaching robs coral of nutrition and makes them more susceptible to disease, which kills them over the long term. But the circumstances in this case were so severe that they actually accelerated that process in some of the affected reefs, said John Parkinson, a professor at the University of South Florida who specializes in marine ecology and is another co-author of the new report.

From left, healthy coral pictured in Florida's reef in June 2023 compared with bleached coral in the same reef three months later, following the year's record heat wave / Credit: Shedd Aquarium

"Coral bleaching is definitely a problem, but some of these corals didn't even get a chance to bleach," Parkinson told CBS News. "They actually just started melting. Essentially, they were sloughing their tissue."

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Damages felt in the wake of the 2023 heat wave are most likely permanent, researchers said. A stark example of the warning call from climate scientists at the University of Exeter's Global Systems Institute in England, who earlier this month released a report of their own that found coral reefs had become the first environmental system on Earth to pass a climate "tipping point," as global warming has increased ocean temperatures around the world.

Around 25% of all marine life depend on coral reefs for protection and habitats, while the Global Systems Institute estimated that reefs provide crucial support for about 1 billion jobs. Climate scientists have also noted how reefs, in Florida and elsewhere, help shield coastlines and the communities that populate them from things like storm surge, flooding and erosion.

/ Credit: Gavin Wright/Shedd Aquarium

Scientists expect heat waves to become more intense and more common without stronger efforts to reduce the prevalence of fossil fuels and the greenhouse gas emissions that linger in the atmosphere after burning them. In their new report in Science, the co-authors wrote, "the frequency and severity of extreme climate and weather events, including marine heat waves, are increasing, resulting in widespread degradation of the function, structure, resilience, and adaptive capacity of ecosystems."

Those aren't reasons to lose hope for a brighter future, they said. While Parkinson referred to the record heat wave as "devastating" and "off the charts," he also told CBS News that he likes to remain optimistic about the possibility that things will change for the better.

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"You know, some corals survived, and the people who are involved in restoration are still going at it, and we're still trying to keep corals around," he said. "We all believe that we can, but we really need help from the people who have the power to adjust our approach to these climate policies."

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As the federal government shutdown stretches into its fourth week, Pennsylvania has announced a delayed start for a program that helps low-income residents pay their heating bills.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, the start of the 2025-26 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, has been delayed until Dec. 3.

More: 2 million Pa. residents poised to lose SNAP benefits in November if shutdown drags on

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The department hasnt received its federal funding for the program, preventing it from opening as originally scheduled on Nov. 3.

LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps low-income households pay for heating by sending payments directly to utility companies or fuel providers. Each year, Pennsylvania receives more than $215 million in federal funding to support residents during the winter months, DHS noted in its statement.

I urge Congress and the White House to recognize the serious consequences that limiting heating assistance will have on the health and safety of people in Pennsylvania, said Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh. Congress must come together for a solution that protects people most at risk.

More: Will the pause in SNAP benefits in Pennsylvania affect you? We want to hear from you.

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Once the federal shutdown ends and DHS receives funding, DHS will start accepting LIHEAP applications.

DHS stated that heating cannot be shut off from Dec. 1 through March 31 under Pennsylvania's annual winter utility shutoff moratorium, but heating bills will still accrue, "so LIHEAP funding is still necessary for individuals who need home heating assistance."

Reach Emmanuella Pierre at epierre@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: LIHEAP program in Pennsylvania delayed because of federal shutdown
Oct. 22 (UPI) -- Most Pentagon personnel will need approval from the agency's legislative affairs office before talking to members of Congress or state legislators, according to a memo by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

The memo, which was obtained by CNN and Breaking Defense, also was signed by Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg.

"The Department of War relies on a collaborative and close partnership with Congress to achieve our legislative goals," says the memo by Hegseth, whose title has been designated as war secretary in an executive order by President Donald Trump. "This requires coordination and alignment of Department messaging when engaging with Congress to ensure consistency and support for the Department's priorities to re-establish deterrence, rebuild our military, and revive the warrior ethos.

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"Unauthorized engagements with Congress by DoW personnel acting in their official capacity, no matter how well-intentioned, may undermine Department-wide priorities critical to achieving our legislative objectives."

It applies to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, all combatant commanders and Defense Intelligence offices.

The memo exempts the Pentagon Inspector General's Office, which is an internal watchdog, as well as the Pentagon's comptroller, general counsel and personnel who are whistleblowers or other rights granted by law.

The memo was dated Oct. 15, the day reporters turned in their badges instead of signing a document that requires them to not publish unauthorized information, including unclassified material. Fox News, where Hegseth worked as a weekend host, didn't sign the new policy.

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"The department intends to improve accuracy and responsiveness in communicating with the Congress to facilitate increased transparency," Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell told CNN. "This review is for processes internal to the Department and does not change how or from whom Congress receives information."

He described it as "a pragmatic step to internally review the department's processes for communicating with Congress."

But a senior Pentagon official told CNN: "This is not business as usual ... They have been very clear across the military that this is a restriction, and they want to control it all centrally."

"Congress decides who Congress will talk to, and the continued efforts of the secretary to wall off the department is not consistent with past tradition, and I frankly don't think it'll fly with the members or leaders of the committee," Rep. George Whitesides, a Democrat serving a district in California, told Breaking Defense.

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One congressional aide told Breaking Defense the policy "could potentially backfire" as Congress works on details of the fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act and the corresponding appropriations bill. The approval could delay the process.

The directive comes as congressional members told CNN they have had limited engagement with Pentagon personnel

The Pentagon's assistant secretary of legislative affairs has been ordered to conduct a comprehensive review of the department's interactions with Congress.

Hegseth has also restricted Pentagon personnel from engaging with think tanks or other outside events and conferences.

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The directives are seen as a way by Hegseth to reduce leaks.

There is a longstanding policy, which has not been enforced, that all legislative activities "shall be centrally directed and carefully coordinated" with the assistant secretary of defense for legislative affairs.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said late Wednesday that the U.S. military conducted another strike against an alleged drug-trafficking boat in the Eastern Pacific, killing three narco-terrorists.

Hegseth said the vessel was operated by a designated terrorist organization and that the people on board were engaged in narco-trafficking. He did not specify which terrorist organization he was referring to.

The strike, which took place Wednesday, was conducted in international waters, and no U.S. service members were injured in the operation, according to the Defense secretary.

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These strikes will continue, day after day. These are not simply drug runnersthese are narco-terrorists bringing death and destruction to our cities, Hegseth wrote in a social media post. These DTOs are the Al Qaeda of our hemisphere and will not escape justice. We will find them and kill them, until the threat to the American people is extinguished.

Hegseth shared the 26-second video of the strike, showing the boat streaking through the water and being hit, quickly becoming engulfed in flames.

This marks the second strike against an alleged drug-smuggling vessel in the Pacific. The first strike was confirmed by Hegseth earlier Wednesday, saying the U.S. military struck and killed two narco-terrorists. That strike was conducted late Tuesday and took place in international waters.

Since the strikes against alleged drug-trafficking boats started in early September, the U.S. military has killed at least 37 people, according to the Trump administration.

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The U.S. military has conducted nine strikes in total as President Trump has turned up the pressure against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who the administration sees as an illegitimate leader.

The administration has bolstered its military presence near Venezuela, deploying warships and Marines, along with other special operations units, as part of its effort to curb the influx of narcotics into the U.S.

Earlier this month, Trump authorized the CIA to conduct operations in Venezuela and raised the prospect of striking Venezuela on land.

We will hit them very hard when they come in by land. And they havent experienced that yet, but now were totally prepared to do that. Well probably go back to Congress and explain exactly what were doing when [they] come to the land, Trump said Wednesday at the White House.

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Megan Langley, right, executive director of StrengthenND, speaks Oct. 22, 2025, at Grand Farm near Casselton, North Dakota, as part of a panel examining rural policy. Former U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, left, led the panel, which also included state Rep. Jared Hagert and Lorraine Davis, president and CEO of the Native American Development Center. (Photo by Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)

CASSELTON, N.D.  Former U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp used her home state of North Dakota on Wednesday for the first of a series of meetings she hopes will help policy affecting rural America.

There has not been a kind of broad comprehensive look overall at rural policy  since during the Depression, Heitkamp said in an interview Wednesday after the Americas Rural Future hearing at the Grand Farm research campus near Casselton.

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The project is a partnership of the Brookings Institution and the American Enterprise Institute. This project, led by co-chairs Heitkamp, a Democrat, and former New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, a Republican, launched earlier this year.

Heitkamp said rural issues, such as housing and health care, are often treated separately instead of as related challenges. The group plans to make policy recommendations in the fall of 2027.

Former U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp speaks with FFA students from Central Cass High School on Oct. 22, 2025, after discussions on rural policy at Grand Farm near Casselton, North Dakota. (Photo by Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)

Wednesdays meeting had two panels: one on connectivity, highlighting North Dakotas success in providing statewide high-speed internet access despite being a very rural state, and another on investing in rural communities.

North Dakotas broadband network is one of the factors that makes it attractive for data center developers and tech companies wanting to provide artificial intelligence.

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Mac McLennan, CEO of Minnkota Power Cooperative, said North Dakota has always been an export state, with not enough population to use all the ag, energy and other products it produces, with artificial intelligence a potentially valuable commodity.

What are people going to use for tools in the future? McLennan asked. An AI data center is fundamentally just a manufacturing facility for a tool you just cant see.

On investing, Megan Langley, executive director of the nonprofit StrengthenND, said it is great that there are grants and government programs available for rural communities, but small towns often lack the resources to even apply for grants or raise the matching money needed to qualify for programs.

Everything you need to successfully apply for a federal grant is really, really difficult for a rural community to be able to obtain, Langley said. When you think about community readiness, has a needs assessment been done? Has a feasibility study been done? Have architecture and engineering work been done? Likely not.  All that costs money, and a rural community may not have a lot of money.

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Afterward, Heitkamp noted the contrast of the dynamic possibilities for North Dakota highlighted in the first panel and Langleys concern that some places are being left behind.

I think thats going to be the story in a lot of places across the country, Heitkamp said.

A second hearing is planned for Thursday in Mahnomen, Minnesota.

Reach Deputy Editor Jeff Beach at jbeach@northdakotamonitor.com.

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The winter storm season is just around the corner, which comes with plenty of concerns for Southern California residents in the wake of several devastating wildfires that left behind large burn scars. Along with those concerns come the potential for downed trees, many of which are city-maintained and line the streets of thousands of cities.

Since 2021, the city of Los Angeles has paid more than $18 million in settlements to residents for property damage caused by trees. One Burbank woman learned the hard way how to seek help after a tree fell onto her property, leaving damage behind.

Angela Towne's car suffered considerable damage in March of 2024 when a city-maintained tree fell outside of her home and damaged her car in Burbank, and now, more than a year and a half later, she's still fighting to get paid.

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"I was confused, and I am still confused," Towne said. "I don't see how something that was clearly dead is something that is now my problem."

The tree has since been removed, but she remains entangled in a legal battle with the city over the estimated $10,000 worth of damage her car sustained.

She said that she originally filed a claim with the city within days of the time the tree fell.

"I waited about six months to get an answer from them, and basically their answer was, 'Sorry, this is an act of Mother Nature and we are not going to take care of it,'" Towne said. "I was furious, furious."

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Instead, Towne took Burbank to small claims court and won, but the city appealed, sending the case back to court. She says that during the second round of litigation, she represented herself. The city sent an attorney who cited winds reaching speeds of 35 miles an hour on the day that the tree fell, and she lost.

CBS California Investigates has obtained data showing that since January 2021, 188 claims have been made against Burbank for tree-related damages, and that just 19 of those cases have ended in settlement.

In response to a request for a statement on the matter, a city spokesperson said that "claims for property involving city-maintained trees are evaluated on a case-by-case basis."

Cities like Burbank will almost always deny a claim and blame weather or an act of God, says Allen Carnegie, an attorney who specializes in property disputes and tree litigation. However, he says that there are limits to that defense.

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"If the tree is not being properly maintained by the city, if they are getting complaints about the tree because it's overgrown or it appears to be in ill health, the city can be liable," Carnegie said.

Burbank city officials say that the last pruned the tree that fell in Towne's yard in June of 2022. She says that she called them to report that she had concerns that the tree was dying just months before it actually happened.

She says that she received no response.

Carnegie suggests consulting an arborist in the case that a city-maintained tree becomes a concern for Southern California homeowners. He says that people should document the condition of the tree with photos and videos, and make sure to record any signs that the tree is unstable or dying.

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He also says that people should always put requests to the city in writing, and that since Towne called Burbank City Hall instead of emailing, there is no proof she ever tried to get the tree inspected.

If a problem tree has already fallen, Carnegie said an attorney should be considered. He believes that had Towne done so, she would have won her claim.

Since she lost in small claims court on appeal, she cannot sue again. On top of that, her insurer may deny a claim since so much time has passed since the incident occurred.

"I feel very lucky this is a car situation and not a person being hurt," she said. "The city of Burbank should be addressing these situations far, far before a tree's going to be falling down."

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Government shutdown enters Day 22 as Trump gives Democrats ultimatum

Potential shooting plot at Atlanta airport thwarted, police say

Plans underway for Border Patrol crackdown in San Francisco area, U.S. officials say
Deputy Dominic Barszczewski has been honored with the Henderson County Sheriffs Office Life Saving Award for his commendable actions on Oct. 10, 2025, a news release says.

Deputy Dominic Barsczewski receives his award from Sheriff Matthew Link. (Henderson County Sheriffs Office)

He responded to a single-vehicle accident in rural Oquawka, Ill., where a car had veered off the road and hit an embankment.

The driver suffered severe ankle injuries resulting in arterial bleeding. Recognizing the critical nature of her condition, Barszczewski applied tourniquets to both legs, effectively stopping the bleeding.

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Medical professionals including EMTs, paramedics, and doctors agreed that his prompt intervention was crucial in saving the womans life, the release says.

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A Marion-based manufacturer of public safety airboats sailed away with this year's Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin award.

Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce and Johnson Financial Group on Oct. 23 presented executives from 1000 Island Airboats with this year's trophy during WMC's annual Business Day gathering in Madison. The company's 24-foot Search and Rescue Airboat emerged from a field of almost 150 nominees to win this year's vote.

The boats are designed to handle winter conditions and are used by communities and federal agencies to rescue people in precarious winter weather. The boats can handle open water or ice with ease.

1000 Island Airboats leaders pose with the 2025 Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin trophy in front of one of the company's search and rescue airboats. Voters selected the boats, made in Marion, as this year's winner.

Thank you to the exceptional men and women who continue to drive Wisconsins manufacturing industry forward  the innovators, builders, and problem solvers shaping our states future each day, said Jim Popp, Johnson Financial Group president and CEO, in a news release. Congratulations to 1000 Island Airboats and all this years nominees  your leadership and ingenuity are keeping Wisconsin at the forefront of American manufacturing excellence.

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WMC's Coolest Thing contest celebrated 10 years this year. The organization said nearly 2 million votes have been cast in that time.

1000 Island Airboats' path to the win

The company's search and rescue airboats made into the head-to-head voting rounds ranked No. 3 out of the top 16.

In the round of 16 vote, it froze out Leer Inc.'s Model 60 Slant Ice Merchandiser for a spot in the entrepreneurial eight.

In the round of eight vote, it defeated The Maple Dude and his Maple Shot 10-pack to be named one of the four finalists.

In the final round, 1000 Island Airboats beat out Permobil's Comfort brand custom seating system, Kikkoman soy sauce and TNT Rescue Systems extraction tools.

The 2025 Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin trophy was produced by EK in Fall River, Wisconsin.

What else has been named the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin since 2016?

WMC since 2016 has asked voters each year to pick the "Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin" in order to highlight the state's manufacturing industry. Wisconsin's more than 9,000 manufacturing companies employ about 500,000 people and contribute almost $73.7 billion to the state economy.

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Here are the past winners 1000 Islands joins as the Coolest Things Made in Wisconsin:

Contact business reporter Jeff Bollier at (920) 431-8387 or jbollier@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JeffBollier.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Rescue airboat named Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin for 2025
President Donald Trump's plan to seek $230 million from the Justice Department as a settlement for investigations he faced during the Biden administration and his first term in office is unparalleled in American history, according to an ABC News legal contributor.

Trump is seeking damages related to the investigation he faced surrounding allegations of his 2016 campaign's ties to the Russian government and the FBI's search of his Mar-a-Lago estate for classified documents in August 2022.

Approval of the payout, resulting from two administrative claims that were submitted by attorneys for Trump while he was out of office in 2023 and 2024, would likely first need sign-off from top officials in the department who previously served as Trump's defense attorneys or otherwise represented his allies.

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Here is what Trump has said about the arrangement.



Who would decide about the payment?

Trump, asked Tuesday by reporters in the Oval Office about the New York Times' story that first reported the development, said the decision would "go across my desk."

"It's interesting, because I'm the one that makes a decision, right?" Trump said. "And you know that decision would have to go across my desk, and it's awfully strange to make a decision where I'm paying myself."

"In other words, did you ever have one of those cases where you have to decide how much you're paying yourself in damages?" he said.

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Trump wants DOJ to pay him $230 million for previous investigations: Sources

Would the payment represent a conflict of interest?



Trump, in an appearance in the Oval Office last week with Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, appeared to acknowledge the unusual nature of the Justice Department paying out a settlement to the current sitting president.

"I have a lawsuit that was doing very well, and when I became president I said, 'I'm sort of suing myself.' I don't know, how do you settle the lawsuit, I'll say give me 'X' dollars, and I don't know what to do with the lawsuit," Trump said. "It sort of looks bad, I'm suing myself, right?"

According to the Justice Manual, any settlement would have to get sign-off from either the deputy attorney general or the associate attorney general. Blanche represented Trump in both the classified documents case and the Jan. 6 case brought by then-special counsel Jack Smith, and the associate attorney general, Stan Woodward, represented Walt Nauta, Trump's co-defendant in the classified documents case.

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Trump pleaded not guilty in both cases before both were dropped following Trump's reelection, due to a long-standing Justice Department policy barring the prosecution of a sitting president.

Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP - PHOTO: President Donald Trump answers questions from reporters during a Diwali celebration in the Oval Office at the White House, Oct. 21, 2025, in Washington.

Where would the payment come from?

In his remarks to reporters in the Oval Office Tuesday, Trump said of the Justice Department, "I don't even talk to them about it -- all I know is that they would owe me a lot of money, but I don't, I'm not looking for money. I'd give it to charity or something. But I was damaged very greatly, and any money that I would get, I would give to charity."

Asked whether either Blanche or Woodward would be considered conflicted out of signing off on such a settlement, a DOJ spokesperson told ABC News, "In any circumstance, all officials at the Department of Justice follow the guidance of career ethics officials."

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Hofstra University law professor James Sample said the arrangement would raise serious ethical questions.

"Not only do we have the president overseeing the individuals who would make the determination of whether or not he gets the compensation he seeks -- those individuals owe him their very jobs," Sample told ABC News Live on Thursday.

"We are running out of synonyms for the word 'unprecedented,'" Sample said.
A clever canine is being hailed as a hero after miraculously helping cops find an elderly Florida woman who had fallen and was injured while taking him for a walk.

According to police, the drama began on the night of Sept. 25 with a desperate call from a distraught husband to the Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office claiming his 86-year-old wife hadnt returned from walking her sons dog, Eeyore. The woman reportedly fell and injured herself while walking the pooch in the Destin area, say authorities, per The Northwest Florida Daily News.

She just takes that dog, but she never takes more than 10 or 15 minutes, the worried man told Devon Miller, an Okaloosa county sheriffs deputy, who responded to the call.

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Its almost an hour now. Its over an hour now.

The deputy began driving through the streets of the neighborhood in Destin, a panhandle beach community known for its white sand and emerald waters, in search of the missing woman.

But before too long, she spotted Eeyore  a 7-year-old shepherd-Rottweiler mix  roaming around in the middle of the road!

I was really worried at the start of the call because it was nighttime and wooded. But when he ran up to my car he was really excited, recalls the deputy.

Maybe he can lead me to her, she wondered. Ive seen movies where its happened.

As soon as she got out of her car and grabbed the leash, Eeyore was on a mission.

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And amazingly, the clever pooch took Miller straight to the missing woman.

When he came up to my car his tail was wagging and happy, and panting  but the second I got the leash, he practically dragged me to her, Miller says.

While the deputy is being praised, she gives all the credit to the pooch.

Eeyore is the main hero here. He deserves lots of belly rubs. He deserves a steak dinner. That dog did everything. Hes the true hero.

This story Hero Dog Named Eeyore Saves Florida Woman By Helping Cops Locate Her Following Fall in Florida first appeared on Globe. Add Globe as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  More than a week after the death of a 9-year-old Kansas City elementary student, the Hickman Mills School District issued a statement, countering claims that it denied requests from teachers and staff to attend her upcoming funeral and memorial service on Friday.

The district has been working diligently throughout the week to ensure that all Ingels Elementary staff members who wish to attend Fridays memorial service of Hazen Workman-Duffy can do so, the spokesperson with Hickman Mills said in a statement on Thursday.

New ordinance aims to boost school crossing safety after death of 9-year-old girl

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We have coordinated closely with our substitute provider and internal teams to provide coverage for every request received. No requests to attend the service have been denied.

Hazen Workman-Duffy, a fourth-grade student at Ingels Elementary School in South Kansas City, was riding her bike to school on the morning of Tuesday, Oct. 14, when she was hit by a van on Longview Road.

She was taken to a hospital by emergency responders, but later died from her injuries.

Following news of Hazens death, the Hickman Mills School District says it has continued to offer support to students and staff who are struggling to process this tragic loss.

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However, in the days leading up to Hazens funeral, the school district claims misinformation has spread on social media about staff members being denied the day off to attend the service.

The school district says the posts are entirely untrue, though, and unfortunate. The spokesperson adds that its primary focus, especially since Hazens death, has been supporting the Ingels community and ensuring that each staff member who wants to attend the service is able.

See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri

The loss of a student, especially one as vibrant as Hazen, has deeply affected our school community. HMC-1 remains committed to supporting our teachers, students, and staff who choose to attend her service, the school district says.

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The community will be holding a candlelight vigil to mourn the loss and honor Hazens memory. It will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday at Longview Road and Food Lane. FOX4 will be in attendance.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
UK-headquartered construction firm Higgins Partnerships has been appointed to The Hyde Groups latest homes Main Contractor Framework.

The framework divides work into seven lots, organised by project value and region, covering a wide range of main contractor services.

It includes projects valued under/above 20m ($26.7m) in London, the South, and East regions. It also covers projects with a value greater than 50m in any region.

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The appointment will see Higgins Partnerships deliver four lots across London, the South, and East of England, including Kent, Medway, Thames Gateway and East Sussex, Brighton, West Sussex and Hampshire under lots 2, 4 and 6, and all-regions under lot 7.

The framework aims to deliver 1,500 sustainable and safe new homes across a five-year period.

Besides Hydes own developments, the arrangement will allow other public sector entities to use the framework for procuring main contractor services throughout the UK.

Higgins Partnerships pre-construction director Steve Bailess said: Our appointment to The Hyde Groups Main Contractor framework is testament to the hard work, experience and dedication of our team.

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We share Hydes values of delivering sustainable, affordable housing that has a lasting positive impact on people and communities. We look forward to supporting Hyde and other public sector clients in meeting their housing goals.

The Hyde Group, which owns and manages approximately 120,000 homes, serves neighbourhoods across the country.

The organisation provides housing and community services for around 350,000 homes, including support for the Armed Forces community and collaboration with sectors such as education, healthcare, and local government.

Hyde has operated for nearly six decades, focusing on offering affordable housing and supporting community needs.

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The group collaborates with partner organisations that prioritise customer service and community support, in line with Hydes founding social mission.

Higgins Partnerships and housing association A2Dominion have completed Hanwell Square, a mixed-use development located in West London, UK in February 2025.

"Higgins Partnerships appointed to Hyde Groups homes framework" was originally created and published by World Construction Network, a GlobalData owned brand.




The High Court of Justice on Thursday gave the government 30 days to update its position on whether to allow independent journalists into the Gaza Strip

The High Court of Justice on Thursday gave the government 30 days to update its position on whether to allow independent journalists into the Gaza Strip, amid claims by the Foreign Press Association (FPA) that the nearly two-year-long blanket ban on media access violates fundamental democratic rights.

At the hearing in Jerusalem, a three-judge panel headed by Justice Ofer Grosskopf, with Justice Gila Canfy-Steinitz and Justice Ruth Ronen, noted that conditions in Gaza had substantially changed since the state last filed its response in June, following the ceasefire that kicked in earlier this month. Ronen told the State Attorneys Office representative that the government must now re-examine its policy in light of the new situation.

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Attorney Gilead Sher, representing the FPA, urged the court to prevent further delays and to issue an interim order allowing journalists independent access to Gaza. He stressed that the proceedings had already been drawn out for more than a year as the state repeatedly sought extensions.

A long legal battle

The courts order marks the latest development in a legal battle between the government and the FPA, which has challenged the Defense Ministry and the IDF over their policy barring all non-embedded journalists from entering Gaza since the war began on October 7, 2023, following Hamass deadly invasion and massacre in southern Israel. The case has become a key test of Israels balance between national security and press freedom during wartime.

The FPAs petition, filed in 2024, argues that the blanket prohibition on independent access contravenes the foundational principles of the state as a democratic country, and represents a severe, unreasonable and disproportionate injury to freedom of the press, freedom of expression, and the publics right to information.

Palestinian journalists report on the war and ongoing humanitarian crisis in the central Gaza Strip, July 26, 2025. (credit: Ali Hassan/Flash90)

The association has asked the High Court to order the defense minister and the IDF to draft clear policies and organized procedures for media entry and to permit at least limited, independently arranged reporting from inside Gaza.

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The state, in its previous response filed in June, cited security concerns, asserting that allowing journalists into the enclave could expose troop positions and operational details and thereby put them in real danger. The government also pointed out that the High Court had already rejected a similar FPA petition in January 2024, ruling that there is no vested right for anyone, including journalists, to enter Gaza.

Since the petitions filing, the state has requested multiple deferrals  nine by the FPAs count  all granted by the court. A planned hearing in June was postponed following Israeli strikes against Iran, further delaying proceedings.

Israel has meanwhile permitted only limited access through IDF-controlled embeds, primarily for Israeli journalists and a small number of foreign correspondents. Those embeds are tightly restricted and subject to military oversight, which the FPA says prevents comprehensive coverage of the war.

Following Thursdays decision, the FPA said it was disappointed in the Israeli Supreme Courts decision to grant the State of Israel yet another delay, accusing the government of stalling tactics that hinder the publics right to information.

The state must now submit its updated position within 30 days.
HIGH POINT, N.C. (WGHP)  A High Point community is on edge after two homes next to each other were shot at.

The shootings happened along Wingo Street on Monday and Wednesday. Both happened early in the morning.

Many people were startled out of bed. The victims of Mondays shooting are so terrified, they are packing their bags and moving.

As for the people who live in the house that was shot at on Wednesday morning, they say they are lucky that they were not hit.

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It was surreal, a victim said.

There are 10 bullet holes in the living room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom.

The man who lives in the home did not want to show his face on camera out of fear as the suspect is still at large.

He said he was watching TV on the couch and his wife was still in bed when he heard the gunfire.

It sounded like a warzone  I hollered at my wife and told her to hit the floor, the victim said.

High Point police say the shooting happened at around 5:35 a.m. The victim said it lasted about 15 seconds.

The shooting comes after the house next door was shot at on Monday morning. Teledio Nixon was hit.

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Why? Thats my main question. We are people that just go out and mind our own business, Nixon said.

Nixon has to live with more than just fear.

I am already disabled. Now, I cant use both hands properly, Nixon said.

Nixon and his family are terrified, and they are moving out.

The bullet holes went through my pillow on my bed. It went through the walls. If I didnt get up, I probably would be dead, Nixon said.

Police say they are still trying to figure out if both shootings are related.

They said a witness from Wednesdays shooting reported seeing a white car. After listening to 911 calls reporting Mondays shooting, FOX8 heard another witness also reporting seeing a white car.

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University of Central Oklahoma President Todd Lamb presents to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education at a meeting on UCO's campus on Oct. 23, 2025. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice)

EDMOND  The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education on Thursday unanimously approved a request for an additional $426 million from the state Legislature for next budget year.

Regents said they will need hundreds of millions more on top of their over $1 billion current legislative allocation for deferred maintenance, workforce development programs and research projects.

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The agencys request includes $347 million in one-time requests, $21.5 million to pay for legislative initiatives and increasing the agencys base operating budget by $57 million, an increase of 5.5%.

The $57 million increase to the base operating budget includes $13.5 million to meet critical workforce needs in education, health care and engineering. They also want $43.5 million for student success programs like scholarships, student support, campus safety and performance-based formula allocations.

Our budget request reflects continued investment to meet growing workforce needs in STEM, education and health care, said board Chair Courtney Warmington in a statement. Increasing college degree completion in high-demand fields remains public higher educations top priority.

The $347 million in one-time requests would be for institution-specific allocations.

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Over $56 million of this would pay for deferred maintenance across all institutions. To address all deferred maintenance at Oklahomas public colleges and universities would cost the state $1.9 billion, according to the budget request.

It also includes $68 million for both University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University for research and capital projects, $60 million for regional and four-year universities for workforce investments and $20 million for two-year colleges for the same purpose.

The final $21.5 million for legislative initiatives includes funding for programs passed or required by the Legislature like expanding concurrent enrollment opportunities for high school students and funding financial assistance programs.

Legislative priorities

The Regents on Thursday approved a series of their priorities for the upcoming legislative session.

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One goal includes increasing the annual family income limit to qualify for the Oklahomas Promise scholarship program, said Jarrett Jobe, vice chancellor for governmental relations. The scholarship program offers qualified Oklahoma students, based on income and academic standards, an opportunity to earn a scholarship for college tuition.

Jobe said the agency also wants to clear up definitions in the law passed last session expanding Oklahomas Promise to the children of educators.

Oklahoma higher education leaders previously said lawmakers may not have allocated enough funding to meet the demand for this expansion.

The scholarship program is expected to cost the state $88.2 million for the upcoming fiscal year, officials said. This is an increase from previous years, largely due to a longer application window, more students meeting the requirements to qualify and the Legislature expanding the program to the children of Oklahoma educators.

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Stabilizing property insurance rates is another major priority, Jobe said, because insurance is increasingly contributing to more expensive operational costs for all public higher education institutions.

As you know, weve received in our budgets and relief for our system over the last few years to the $5 million to stabilize these rising costs, he said. (We) have met with the insurance commissioner last year and were trying to figure out some statewide policies to help not only higher education, but the state, to keep those down and mitigate rising costs.

Other priorities include supporting campus research, supporting adult learners and enhancing campus security by addressing physical and cybersecurity threats.

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TAMPA  A Hillsborough County sheriffs captain was fired Wednesday amid the agencys burgeoning probe into academic cheating, which previously led to the resignations of four other members of Sheriff Chad Chronisters command staff.

Zuleydis Stearns, a captain who oversaw the sheriffs communications and records section, was let go from the agency, sheriffs officials confirmed Wednesday night.

An agency spokesperson said Chronister was unable to comment on the matter due to the ongoing investigation. A voicemail left at a number for Stearns was not immediately returned Wednesday evening.

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Stearns had worked for the sheriffs office for 25 years. She was one of at least five high-level officials who in recent weeks have come under scrutiny for their communications with a man named Robert Roush, who was alleged to have completed academic and work-related written assignments for them.

The scandal came to light over the summer after the abrupt resignation of Anthony Collins, who was one of two chief deputies whom many community members saw as a likely candidate to be the next sheriff. The Tampa Bay Times later broke the story that Collins left after his wife alleged in an email to his colleagues that hed paid Roush to write papers for him while attending the prestigious FBI National Academy, among other accusations.

Collins denied the allegation, claiming that Roush was merely a tutor. But Chronister told the Times that Collins admitted to him that Roush had written half of his papers for the FBI program.

The Times later obtained emails through public records requests that showed Cols. Michael Hannaford and Chris Rule had also sought Roushs help with work-related writing assignments. Hannaford and Rule both remained on the job until last week when they resigned.

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Another captain, Lora Rivera, resigned as the office began an internal investigation.

Chronister said Rivera admitted she paid Roush to complete a work-related project for her. The sheriff vowed to root out all misconduct within the agency.

Ex-Hillsborough sheriffs commanders added to questionable officers list

Much remains unclear about what Roush did to helpthe deputies. He previously lived in Pasco County but now lives in New Hampshire. Speaking with a Times reporter in August, he denied that he wrote papers for Collins, insisting that his work was limited to proofreading and editing. He acknowledged assistingother law enforcement officers, but declined to say who.

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Besides Collins, none of the deputies who have left the agency in the wake of the scandal have spoken publicly about the allegations.

Stearns was born in Havana, Cuba, and grew up in Tampa, according to her official biography on the sheriffs office website.

When she was a sergeant in 2023, the sheriffs office featured an interview with her on its social media pages, in which she talked about her familys immigration to the U.S. during the Mariel boatlift in 1980 and their establishment of a life in the U.S.

She started as a patrol deputy in 2000 and later worked in the agencys school resource, recruitment and training and polygraph units. She held supervisory roles in the patrol, traffic and community outreach divisions.
Hitachi Rail has agreed to deliver technical assistance and specialist support to Alokor EAD for the ongoing maintenance of signalling systems on Bulgarias SofiaPlovdivSvilengrad railway corridor.

Alokor EAD is working under a service level agreement (SLA) with the National Railway Infrastructure Company (NRIC), with Hitachi Rail supporting the maintenance programme.

Under the agreement, Hitachi Rail will be responsible for supplying and repairing spare parts for a significant portion of the signalling infrastructure.

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The infrastructure includes electronic interlockings, European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 1, Centralised Traffic Control (CTC), and associated field components.

The arrangement covers a two-year period and is structured to ensure stable operation of signalling systems across two of Bulgarias main rail routes.

The SLA is intended to reduce the risk of major equipment failures, facilitate scheduled maintenance, and support consistent rail operations for service providers and passengers.

Hitachi Rail Austria and Bulgaria branch head Manfred Zekl said: Hitachi Rail has extensive experience in supporting Bulgarias rail infrastructure with advanced technology and reliable service.

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This agreement reflects our commitment to sustainability and long-term partnerships in European rail transport.

Hitachi Rail has been active in Bulgaria for nearly a decade, having equipped the nearly 200km long SeptemvriPlovdiv and PlovdivSvilengrad lines with 17 electronic interlockings and ETCS Level 1.

Recently, Hitachi Rail completed the deployment of new signalling systems on Hungarys SzajolDebrecen railway line, thereby boosting freight capacity along this key corridor linking Ukraine and Romania.

"Hitachi Rail to deliver technical support for Bulgarias signalling systems" was originally created and published by Railway Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




SATURDAY, OCT. 25

FALL BAZAAR  A fall bazaar will take place Saturday, Oct. 25 at Greencroft Community Center, 1820 Greencroft Blvd., Goshen. Hours are from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and there will be more than 40 vendors.

ROCK RUN BAZAAR  Oct. 25 from 8:30 a.m.12:30 p.m. is time to find unique baby quilts, Christmas crafts, canned goods, wood work, pies, comforters and more in preparation for gift giving this season. Two floor levels are needed to display items, including grab bag items for young shoppers and iced cookies for their adults. Morning sweet rolls, cider, and lunch are available in the dining area. Rock Run Church of the Brethren invests proceeds into a dozen local and international ministries. Look and/or purchase at 64985 C.R. 33, at C.R. 38 on the southeast side of Goshen.

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GREENCROFT FALL BAZAAR  Greencroft Goshen will host its Fall Bazaar from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 at Greencroft Goshen Community Center, 1820 Greencroft Blvd., Goshen. There will be up to 40 vendors on site, including kitchen products, wood products, books, holiday decor, Scentsy products, toys, jewelry, note cards, doll clothes, Norwex, lotion bars, T-shirts, handbags, all-occasion wreaths, chocolates, bakery items, hats, blankets and more.

Breakfast and lunch will be available for purchase from the Bistro, which is located in the Community Center.

SATURDAY, NOV. 1

GINGERBREAD CRAFT BAZAAR AND BAKE SALE  Sisters of Strength (SOS), of the First United Methodist Church of Middlebury, is hosting its Gingerbread Craft Bazaar and Bake Sale on Saturday, Nov. 1, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 720 S. Main St., Middlebury.

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Assorted crafts and bake sale items as well as breakfast and lunch will be available for purchase. For information, call Donna at 574-596-4159 or Sue Ann at 574-349-0132.

SATURDAY, NOV. 8

BELLS ARE RINGING  Grace Lutheran Church, 831 W. Marion St., Elkhart, will host its Christmas Bazaar from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8. Featured items include decorated sugar cookies along with other baked items, peanut brittle, fudge, jam, mincemeat and more. Crafts, themed gift baskets, and plants will be featured along with nearly new Christmas decorations and other items. Breakfast will be available for purchase.

SATURDAY, DEC. 6

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COOKIE/CANDY WALK  Creekside Church of the Brethrens Cookie /Candy Walk will take place from 8-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6.

All items will be labeled and separated for those with food sensitivities. Containers will be provided as well as complimentary warm beverages. Organizers suggest people come early as these treats go quickly.

Creekside Church of the Brethren is located at 60455 C.R. 113, Elkhart. For more information, call 574-875-7800.

HANDMADE HOLIDAY MARKET: Middlebury Public Library, 101 E. Winslow St., will host a Handmade Holiday Market Saturday, Dec. 6 from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

There will be handmade crafts, baked goods, decor, and art from local craftspeople. While people shop, they can enjoy a craft for kids, cookies and hot chocolate, the Gingerbread Jamboree display, and a visit from Santa. This market is geared toward handcrafted, artisanal work. As such, organizers are not accepting vendors who sell AI-generated art or network marketing products. All proceeds go to the Friends of the Middlebury Public Library to support free programming for the community.

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For more information, go online to middleburylibrary.org or call 574-825-5601.

To submit an item for Holiday Crafts & Bazaars, please email Editor Sheila Selman at sheila.selman@goshennews or mail your information to The Goshen News, ATTN: Sheila Selman, 827 E. Lincoln Ave., Goshen IN 46528.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  On Nov. 1, visitors to City High Middle School in Grand Rapids can attend Reimagined Holiday Art Market, an annual fundraiser for the City Parent Teacher Student Association and its year-round initiatives.

We hope that youll come out and support all of the vendors, Alison Gehle, president of the City PTSA, said.

Grand Rapids Public Schools breaks ground on new school on citys northeast side

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From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., visitors to the 16th annual Reimagined Holiday Art Market can explore over 70 vendors featuring handmade crafts, artwork, pottery, paintings, prints and more.

Grand Rapids students and their families attend the Reimagined Holiday Art Market, a holiday shopping event and fundraiser for the City PTSA at City High School and Middle School. (Courtesy) Grand Rapids students and their families attend the Reimagined Holiday Art Market, a holiday shopping event and fundraiser for the City PTSA at City High School and Middle School. (Courtesy)

Nine or 10 (vendors) are students from City or Grand Rapids Public Schools, which were really excited about, Gehle said.

Proceeds raised from a $3 suggested donation at the door go directly toward other City PTSA initiatives  including funding classroom supply stipends, student grants and teacher appreciation events.

Grand Rapids students and their families attend the Reimagined Holiday Art Market, a holiday shopping event and fundraiser for the City PTSA at City High School and Middle School. (Courtesy) Grand Rapids students and their families attend the Reimagined Holiday Art Market, a holiday shopping event and fundraiser for the City PTSA at City High School and Middle School. (Courtesy) Grand Rapids students and their families attend the Reimagined Holiday Art Market, a holiday shopping event and fundraiser for the City PTSA at City High School and Middle School. (Courtesy)

All of that money goes right back into the schools, the teachers and the students, Gehle said.

The Reimagined Holiday Art Market will take place in the gymnasium at City High Middle School.

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For more information on the event, visit the Reimagined Holiday Art Market Facebook 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 WOODTV.com.
HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP)  Holyoke Police arrested two suspects in connection with a home invasion that occurred last week.

In a news release by the Holyoke Police Department, at around 5 p.m. on October 14th, officers were called to the area of 690 Dwight Street. Upon arrival, they found a victim suffering from head injuries. Police say that the victim knew the suspect who forced their way into the apartment before striking the victim with a firearm.

Holyoke hit with $7M aid cut due to state financial issues

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During the investigation, video from the area showed a second suspect, identified as 28-year-old Jonathan Vergara of Springfield, allegedly working with the home invasion suspect. Vergara was located by police the following day at around 9:50 p.m. on Suffolk Street. He was arrested for an outstanding warrant and later charged in connection with the home invasion and assault & battery with a dangerous weapon.

An arrest warrant was issued for the suspect, who allegedly entered the apartment and stole heroin, identified as a 29-year-old homeless man, Desmond Wheeler. Holyoke detectives were alerted to Wheelers location by police in Sunderland on Tuesday at around 9:30 p.m.

Wheeler was taken into custody near 248 Amherst Road in Sunderland. He is charged with home invasion and assault & battery with a dangerous weapon.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Download the 22News Plus app on your TV to watch live-streaming newscasts and video on demand.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
Inside Look is a Fresno Bee series where we take readers behind the scenes at restaurants, new businesses, local landmarks and news stories.

Fresnos first Honduran restaurant has brought together the rich flavors of Honduran and Mexican cuisine under one roof.

For us, the dream of having our own business was for our family to get ahead and to share our culture, Beatriz Amador, co-owner of Keidys Restaurant, said in Spanish.

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Beatriz Amador, who is originally from San Pedro Sula, Honduras, said she and her husband Felix started their family business with a food truck in Mendota, which they have expanded to north Fresno.

Felix and Beatriz Amador have opened Keidy's Restaurant, the first to offer Honduran food in Fresno.

We started with a food truck and thanks to God, God gave us the opportunity to open this location in Fresno, Beatriz said.

The couple opened the brick-and-mortar location at 7091 N. Blackstone Ave (the old Ronnies Midway Market), near Hendon Avenue across from Costco during the summer with a grand opening held in July.

According to the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation, Keidys is the first Honduran restaurant in the city.

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While the Honduran community in Mendota is small, the couple have made a name for themselves using social media to promote their food truck, gaining customers of various nationalities through the Valley.

Beatriz Amador said their clientele includes people from Mexico, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Peru, and Cuba.

Many people from different places have come and supported us, she said.

The most popular dish is pollo con tajadas or pollo chuco  which originated in San Pedro Sula, a city in northern Honduras, according to Beatriz  fried chicken on top of a bed of sliced plantains.

Pollo con Tajadas, chicken with fried plantains, served at Felix and Beatriz Amador's new Keidy's Restaurant on north Blackstone Ave, the first to offer Honduran food in Fresno. Photographed July 11,2025 in Fresno.

Other popular dishes at the restaurant are pupusas, which can be Salvadoran and Honduran, and the tacos dorados, or crispy tacos.

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But the dish people ask for the most is pollo con tajadas, she said.

Mexican food items on the menu includes tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and birria.

Popusas are served at Felix and Beatriz Amador's new Keidy's Restaurant along Blackstone Ave., the first to offer Honduran food in Fresno. Photographed July 11, 2025 in Fresno.

Building their American dream

The opening of Keidys Restaurant was a major milestone for Felix and Beatriz Amador.

The dream of owning their own business started in their home kitchen in Mendota many years ago, said Felix Amador.

The couple worked to save to buy their food truck, which they got up and running two years ago in Mendota.

Felix said they had customers driving to Mendota from Fresno, Visalia, Hanford, Tulare, Chowchilla, and Madera looking for their authentic Honduran cuisine.

Customers and supporters enter Felix and Beatriz Amador's new Keidy's Restaurant after its grand opening ceremony Friday, July 11, 2025 in Fresno.

At first, the couple wanted to get a second food truck. Then came the opportunity to open a restaurant in Fresno.

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The couple still owns the food truck in Mendota and what they call a pulperia  a minimart where people can find products from Honduras, Mexico and Central America. The family, including their children, is actively involved in the business.

Keidys Restaurant is named after their oldest daughter.

This is truly a dream come true. My family and I have put our hearts into this restaurant. It taught us patience and showed us that with time and dedication, anything is possible, Beatriz said.

The restaurant has the colors of the Hondurans flag  white and blue  as well as painting of macaw on the walls, which is the national bird of Honduras.

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Here in Fresno, were going to showcase our Honduran cuisine, which is little known, so that everyone can get to know our gastronomy that exists in Honduras, Beatriz Amador said. We have many delicious things for you to try.

Guests enjoy Felix and Beatriz Amador's new Keidy's Restaurant on its grand opening Friday, July 11, 2025 in Fresno.

Feliz and Beatriz Amador said they are proud to represent Honduras.

As an immigrant, Beatriz said opening the restaurant is not just for her family, but for other Latinos too who can identify with them.

We feel very proud because we know were contributing something good to society here in the United States, she said. Were doing this so all Latinos can identify with the fact that were here, not to bother anyone. Were here to work and work and do things well.

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We are proud to be Honduran and to represent all people, all Latinos, she said.

The restaurant also offers a variety of products from Central America, including Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador and will also have Mexican products.

Honduran snacks are seen for sale at Felix and Beatriz Amador's new Keidy's Restaurant on Friday, July 11, 2025 in Fresno.

Mendota mayor Victor Martinez was proud to see Felix and his family who live in Mendota, family business growth from one food truck to a location in Fresno brining our brothers from Honduras food cuisine here and also the Mexican flavors mixed with them.

The restaurant is open from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. seven days a week.

A Honduran jersey is displayed at Felix and Beatriz Amador's new Keidy's Restaurant, the first to offer Honduran food in Fresno. The grand opening was held Friday, July 11, 2025 in Fresno.

A raffle for prizes is held during the grand opening of Felix and Beatriz Amador's new Keidy's Restaurant, the first to offer Honduran food in Fresno. Photographed Friday, July 11, 2025 in Fresno.

Felix and Beatriz have opened Keidy's Restaurant, the first to offer Honduran as well as Mexican food in Fresno. Its grabd opening was held July 11 and is located along Blackstone Ave. north of Herndon Avenue.

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TALLAHASSEE  The Leon County grand jury probing Hope Florida, the controversial charity spearheaded by First Lady Casey DeSantis, is likely considering a range of possible financial crimes, according to attorneys with knowledge of its scope and process.

Interviews and observations by news organizations including the Orlando Sentinel indicate the grand jury met last week behind closed doors to review evidence and question witnesses in the matter.

Leon County State Attorney Jack Campbell, a Democrat, appointed a grand jury to investigate accusations made in April by Rep. Alex Andrade, R-Pensacola. Andrade accused Gov. Ron DeSantis then chief of staff, James Uthmeier, of diverting $10 million from a Medicaid settlement into a political campaign to defeat a ballot initiative to legalize marijuana.

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That money was intended to pay for healthcare and reimburse Medicaid, Andrade said.

Due to the nature of the allegations, the grand jury is likely focusing on state laws dealing with using telecommunications to commit fraud, money laundering and official misconduct, according to several criminal defense lawyers who have followed the case.

This is not what you would normally see in a state court, said Stephen Webster, a criminal defense lawyer who frequently represents police officers facing grand jury investigations. They would typically rely on federal grand juries for this type of case.

Because the alleged crimes involve Medicaid dollars, Hope Florida could also draw the attention of the FBI and the Department of Justice. Andrade said he turned over material to federal authorities, but there has been no confirmation of a federal investigation.

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Prosecutors typically use grand juries in controversial and sensitive cases instead of filing criminal charges directly. And the Hope Florida case has the potential for huge political blowback because it focuses on officials within the Republican governors inner orbit, is based on accusations levied by a Republican lawmaker and is being directed by a Democratic prosecutor.

Its a confidential function of the state, and the governor is the chief officer of the state, said Don Pumphrey Jr., a criminal defense lawyer and former state prosecutor and police officer. He fires prosecutors and puts other people in office.

DeSantis has a history of dealing harshly with prosecutors, particularly Democrats, whom he views as acting inappropriately. He suspended Orange-Osceola County State Attorney Monique Worrell in 2023 and Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren in 2022.

The grand jury could work for months and in the end indict any number of unnamed state officials  or it could decide no action is needed. If it finds questionable actions, but not evidence of crimes, it also could issue a report scolding officials for their bad behavior.

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Because of the secretive and unpredictable nature of grand juries, what happens next is anyones guess. One thing is certain: Its outcome is always guided by the prosecutor in charge.

The grand jury has no clue why its there, what its supposed to be doing, when it can leave, and rely on the prosecutor to tell them what to do next, said Bob Jarvis, a law professor at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale. That is why I always say hes like a ring leader in a circus.

Stephen Dobson, another veteran criminal defense attorney in the states capitol, agreed. He said the prosecutors role is to give legal advice, define what constitutes a crime, the elements of a crime and so on.

The process can legitimize charges against high-ranking officials by acting as a check on prosecutorial powers.

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But the grand jury process has also been criticized for lacking transparency and allowing prosecutors to present a one-sided case. Uthmeier and others accused in the Hope Florida scandal, which roiled the Legislature in its spring session, all have denied wrongdoing.

While little is known publicly about the particulars of the grand jury probe into Hope Florida, several key players, including Andrade, the former president of the Hope Florida Foundation and the chair of an anti-marijuana group that helped funnel the money to the political committee were seen last week entering the courthouse, according to the Miami Herald and Tampa Bay Times, leaving no doubt about the subject of the proceedings.

Campbell, the jurors and witnesses are sworn to secrecy during grand jury proceedings, and anyone who violates that confidentiality can face criminal charges. Last week, Campbell told reporters that he had no comment about the proceedings.

Guys, if I could talk about it I would, he said.

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This week, Campbell told the Orlando Sentinel that he didnt expect any immediate action from the grand jury.

You never can tell what a grand jury is doing, Pumphrey said. But when a grand jury gets down to calling witnesses, it usually means theyre running out of time, he said.

The facts laid out by Andrades investigation and reported in the Orlando Sentinel and other news outlets makes a case for a number of charges, including organizing to defraud and using communications devices to commit fraud, as well as money laundering and official misconduct.

Centene, a Medicaid provider, paid Florida a $67 million settlement because it had overcharged the state. Andrade argued all that money should have gone back into state accounts. But at the last minute DeSantis administration officials demanded that $10 million go to Hope Florida Foundation.

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Uthmeier allegedly contacted Mark Wilson of the Florida Chamber of Commerce to apply for some of that $10 million, Andrade said, though he has no text messages or emails to prove it.

Andrade did obtain text message showing Uthmeier contacted Amy Ronshausen of Save Our Society from Drugs, requesting she ask for some of the money, and connected her to Jeff Aaron, the foundations lawyer, who also admitted to providing her with instructions on how to have the money wired into her organizations bank account.

Aaron also forwarded Ronshausen a copy of the letter from Wilson requesting $5 million, which she used as a template for her request. Both nonprofits pledged not to use the funds for political reasons, but within days sent a combined $8.5 million to Uthmeiers Keep Florida Clean political committee. Keep Florida Clean then spent millions buying ads opposing Amendment 3 in the month leading up to the November election.

Organized fraud is defined in state law as a systematic ongoing course of action using communications to illegally obtain property by false pretenses or misrepresentations. Given the amount of money involved, a felony charge could be filed.

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Once a prosecutor lays out information and calls witnesses, he will discuss the findings with the grand jury. Depending on the feedback he gets, the prosecutor will decide whether to prepare an indictment, a statement that enough evidence exists to charge people and lays out the crimes.

A grand jury could also decide to instead issue a report called a presentment, which would criticize the people involved. Those people would have a right to read the presentment and file a motion to suppress if they dont like it, in which case a judge would have to decide whether to make it public.

Andrade appeared at the Leon County Courthouse last week. Andrade led the legislative probe into the Hope Florida Foundation in April, and his efforts angered fellow GOP members in the DeSantis administration but had the backing of Republican leadership in the Florida House.

He told the Orlando Sentinel he showed up to comply with a subpoena from the grand jury and spent about two hours in the courthouse.

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I cant talk about anything other than that, Andrade said.

Pumphrey said the grand jury is in capable hands with Campbell. He is a good state attorney who will seek the truth, be thorough, and do the right thing.

But no one can predict what happens next, Jarvis said. In these kinds of high profile cases we have to expect the unexpected, he added.
Bill Tibbitts of the Crossroads Urban Center helps prepare a box of food for a family at the center's west side pantry in Salt Lake City on Oct. 22, 2025. (Annie Knox/Utah News Dispatch)

When food benefits run out next month, Rose Wakeham is worried about losing access to more than the fresh vegetables they love to cook.

I might have to quit school and get a different job, said Wakeham, 28.

Wakehams grocery bills are covered by $200 in aid from federal nutrition benefits each month, while their part-time job at a store helps with other expenses. The idea of having to drop out of their first year of culinary school to work full time makes me feel a bit hopeless, Wakeham said Wednesday.

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I didnt take the traditional route, said Wakeham, of Salt Lake County. I feel like Im just now finding my path, and its like being blocked.

Rose Wakeham poses for a portrait in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. Wakeham said Im stressed, definitely, about losing access to federal nutrition benefits in November. (Annie Knox/Utah News Dispatch)

Across Utah, about 87,000 households are enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. None of them will receive those benefits in November as funding for the federal program lapses in the government shutdown, the state announced Wednesday.

To administer the program, Utahs Department of Workforce Services draws down an average of $33 million in federal funding each month, said spokesperson Christina Davis. She noted its possible SNAP payment cards will not work after Nov. 1, even if theres money in the account.

Wakeham plans to donate plasma for extra grocery money and turn to food pantries next month.

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Im stressed, definitely, Wakeham said.

In Salt Lake City, Crossroads Urban Centers two pantries serve more than 13,000 people per month, with traffic spiking in the days before food program benefits come in, said Bill Tibbitts, deputy executive director.

The rising cost of living doesnt help. Tibbitts noted rent has climbed along the Wasatch Front, shooting up by double digits in 2021, with some estimates around 20%.

The people we serve still havent recovered from that, Tibbitts said. A pause in food assistance will further stretch many trying to make ends meet, he said.

If somebody cant feed their kids at the beginning of next month, theyre going to be mad at everybody who couldve done something to fix it, Tibbitts said. Theyll be mad at the president, theyll be mad at everyone in Congress, too. They need to come together and figure out how to stop that from happening.

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In a statement to Utah News Dispatch, Utah Senate President Stuart Adams indicated the state wont step in next month to cover the program.

The state is not equipped to fund federal programs for weeks or months in the absence of congressional action, said Adams, R-Layton. It is unacceptable for Congress to allow Utahns and Americans to bear the burden of inaction.

Adams and House Speaker Mike Schultz urged Congress to end the shutdown to spare vulnerable Utahns harm, with Schultz faulting Democrats.

This situation is a stark reminder of how federal dysfunction can cascade down to the states and directly harm the most vulnerable among us, said Schultz, R-Hooper.

Natalie Rhodes and Michael Thomson, pictured in Salt Lake City on Oct. 22, 2025, said a halt on food assistance payments because of the federal government shutdown is hopeless and devastating. (Annie Knox/Utah News Dispatch)

Michael Thomson, 59, and Natalie Rhodes, 45, of Salt Lake City, were figuring out Wednesday how to stretch their budget to make up for next months gap in food assistance.

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Were going to take what we have left and were going to buy a bunch of ramen noodle soup and a loaf of bread and maybe a thing of peanut butter, and see how far thatll take us, Rhodes said. Theres not much we can do about it.

Thomson called the impact devastating, but said believes its largely lost on those in power.

The couple said they are homeless and have used the program to eat healthy and buy fresh fruit even though they do not have a place to cook their own meals.

Rhodes said the word that comes to mind after the states announcement on Wednesday is hopeless, especially for moms of young children.

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The Women, Infants and Children nutrition program, or WIC, is still running, the Utah Department of Health and Human Services said Wednesday.

For those who receive WIC assistance in addition to SNAP benefits, the pause can have a significant impact, affecting families ability to afford groceries, the department said.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
You win for now, AI haters. Some big brands are declaring their allegiance.

Heineken and Aerie are the most recent to have joined the anti-AI trend.

Humans are really good at detecting inauthenticity  and can easily get the ick.

Within throwing distance of Apple stores around Manhattan and Google's New York HQ, bus stop posters teased the Big Tech giants.

"AI can't generate sand between your toes," one read. "No one on their deathbed ever said: I wish I'd spent more time on my phone," said another.

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The ribbing came from Polaroid, promoting its point-and-click Flip camera.

"We are such an analog brand that basically gave us the permission: We can own that conversation," said Patricia Varella, Polaroid's creative director.

It has some competition. A wave of anti-AI ads is appearing on TV screens, billboards, and social media feeds worldwide, as big brands tap into consumers' weariness with the technology.

Heineken joined New Yorkers' disdain for AI wearable Friend with a billboard campaign declaring "The best way to make a friend is over a beer." Aerie's promise not to use AI in its ads was the brand's most popular Instagram post in the past year. In India, the candy brand Cadbury 5 Star ran a campaign entitled "Make AI Mediocre Again," a fictional movement to flood the internet with nonsensical websites to trick content-scrapers. And DC Comics' Jim Lee said the company will "not support AI-generated storytelling or artwork."

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It's all in response to increasingly vocal AI haters. Never-AI Gen Zers cite reasons like the environment and mental health for eschewing the tech. Workers in Corporate America are mounting a resistance to pressure to use AI at work. Still, the incentive for companies is strong if the tech fulfills its promise of saving time and money.

For some brands, it's time to pick a side.

AI ads give customers the ick

Ads generated by AI tools have also courted their fair share of controversy.

Coca-Cola rang in the holidays last year with a campaign depicting a fleet of lit-up trucks, polar bear families, and smiling faces  all AI-generated. In summer 2024, Toys "R" Us released an ad created by OpenAI's Sora that showed its founder, Charles Lazarus, as a boy. Both ads were widely panned online as soulless and criticized for replacing human-made creativity with automation. H&M, Skechers, and Guess have also taken heat for using AI brand ambassadors instead of human models.

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In contrast, some brands are eager to signal authenticity, said Haley Hunter, cofounder at the comedy-focused ad agency Party Land, whose client roster includes Liquid Death, Men's Wearhouse, and Twitch. That's especially important for younger people.

"They want unpolished, unpretentious, undeniably real," Hunter said. "They care if the work feels honest, and we've yet to feel that true on-screen connection to an AI brand."

A Pew Research study published in September found that 50% of Americans were more concerned than excited about the increased use of AI in daily life, up from 37% in 2021. More than half (57%) of those surveyed rated the societal risks of AI as "high," with the potential weakening of human skills and connections the most common concern cited. And while most Americans said it was important to be able to tell the difference between AI- and human-generated content, 12% of those polled said they were confident they could.

That's part of why clothing retailer Aerie is making it clear that its ads will only feature real humans. As an extension of the brand's promise more than 10 years ago that it would no longer retouch photos of models, it told its Instagram followers this month that it's committed to using "real people only" in ads.

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Stacey McCormick, chief marketing officer, said she's observed strong reactions to AI-generated content in other brands' comment sections. It's Aerie's hope that with its anti-AI stance, companies are "a little inspired to do the same as far as building transparency."

AI grabs attention, but that's not always a good thing

Ian Forrester, CEO of DAIVID, a creative testing platform that measures viewer emotions, said the beef with AI-generated ads is that "they are a little cold; a little too bloodless to really move people in any way."

His company evaluated the effectiveness of 21 ads, either entirely or partly AI-generated, and from the likes of Volvo, Microsoft, and Puma. They induced slightly more emotional engagement, attention, and brand recall from viewers than the industry average. However, they were 3% less likely to generate intense positive emotions than the industry norm and 12% more likely to generate feelings of distrust.

NielsenIQ found similar results in 2024: Even the best-quality AI-generated ads weren't good at triggering memories in the brain.

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"Brains have a prototype or a blueprint for everything we experience. If there's something slightly different in that blueprint, it sends a signal to us that something's just off," said Megan Belden, global practice lead for ad effectiveness at NielsenIQ. The area where that was found to be most sensitive was in ads that featured human faces, human motion, and human connection.

"We're really good at detecting authenticity in expression," Belden added.

While entirely AI-driven ads may still be in their uncanny valley era, there's no escaping that AI and the ad industry have become intertwined. The pitch to clients is that agencies can act as a consultative partner to marketers trying to figure out how to use AI within their own businesses, while also harnessing the tech themselves to free up time for human creatives to do what they do best.

Companies across industries will weigh this balance since ditching AI altogether could put businesses at a major disadvantage. For now, at least, the AI haters are winning with some brands that are promoting their plans to keep it real.

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"There's always something in our nature, the analog element of us," said Polaroid's Varella, "that layer of imperfection that makes us human and beautifully imperfect  something we think is important to remind people."

Read the original article on Business Insider
House Democrats, disturbed by what they see as the destruction of a historic landmark, are demanding answers about the forthcoming White House ballroom. In a letter to President Trump, a trio of Democrats expressed concern about "transparency, funding priorities, the physical integrity of the White House and the ethical integrity of the Administration it houses."

Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, along with Democratic Reps. Yassamin Ansari of Arizona and Jared Huffman of California, wrote that decisions about the ballroom addition "were made in complete secrecy" and without "public disclosure or proper consultation."

This week, demolition crews began dismantling the White House East Wing to make room for the privately funded ballroom, which is expected to exceed 90,000 square feet. Mr. Trump said the cost of the building had ballooned to $300 million, up from its original estimate of $200 million in July.

A general view of the ongoing construction work on the White House grounds in Washington, D.C., United States, on Oct. 22, 2025. / Credit: Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images

"Essentially, it's Donald Trump doing what he wants while the government is shut down," Rep. Garcia, of California, told CBS News in a telephone interview. "The images are incredibly disturbing."

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Garcia, Huffman and Ansari asked the White House to turn over communication related to the ongoing demolition. They also requested architectural plans, a detailed budget for the project, a list of all donors and legal justifications for the structure.

Democrats lack the power to unilaterally subpoena documents, so the letter amounts to a voluntary request  not a binding demand.

"This has all been done very secretly, and we have no information," Garcia said. "Show us. Show us  open it up."

On Wednesday in the Oval Office, Mr. Trump pushed back on the suggestion that he has been less than transparent about the project. "I've shown this to everybody that would listen," Mr. Trump said, holding up renderings of the gold and glass ballroom. "I think we've been more transparent than anybody's ever [been.]"

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CBS News reported Wednesday that the entire East Wing would be demolished  a change from the initial project description in July.

"We don't touch the White House," Mr. Trump said, referring to the executive mansion.

Government shutdown enters Day 22 as Trump gives Democrats ultimatum

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ROCKFORD, IL  A safe house that gives women returning to Rockford after spending time in prison a place to live, treatment, employment assistance and educational services is opening on 20th Street.

Many of the women leaving jail or prison need a second chance, but face challenges staying out of the criminal justice system, said Susan Burton, an author, former inmate and founder of A New Way of Life and the SAFE Housing Network.

Housing and untreated childhood trauma are among the biggest stumbling blocks for women re-entering a community from prison, Burton said during a phone interview. She founded the network based on her own experiences and "the struggle to find housing and safety after incarceration."

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"What I'm trying to accomplish is to give women a place that they're safe, that they feel safe, that they can build their lives, that they can address past trauma, and they can come back in our communities and be useful and productive members of our society," Burton said. "That's whether they're going on to be employees, or mothers, students or healers themselves."

Officials and residents including Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara, state Sen. Steve Stadelman, D-Loves Park, state Rep. Maurice West, D-Rockford, and state Rep. Dave Vella, D-Rockford, were joined by Illinois' first lady, MK Pritzker, and Burton to celebrate the opening of the Sisters By Love house in Rockford, which is part of the SAFE Housing Network.

The three-bedroom house with a large basement will serve as a safe haven and sober living home for women returning from prison. They will have access to services and mentorship. Three women will stay at the house to start and a few more could be added later.

More: Sober-living organization sues City of Rockford for discrimination

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Between 1980 and 2022, the number of incarcerated women in the United States increased by more than 585%, rising from a total of 26,326 in 1980 to 180,684 in 2022, according to The Sentencing Project.

But the number of women imprisoned in the Illinois Department of Corrections has decreased over the last decade as crime rates have fallen, probation use has grown and shorter sentences have been given, according to information from Loyola University's Center for Criminal Justice.

Still the number of imprisoned women remains significant in Illinois. At the end of 2023, 1,508 women were serving time in an IDOC facility, 43% fewer than at the end of 2015, the data shows.

Pritzker said she and Gov. JB Pritkzer are committed to working toward reducing the number of incarcerated women in Illinois.

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"We are equally focused on providing essential resources to those exiting prisons and jails," MK Pritzker said. "Access to support significantly improves outcomes for women after incarceration."

And nearly a quarter of women released from prison return within three years, according to the latest available data from the IDOC. Burton said the SAFE House Network's goal is to help formerly incarcerated women build new lives and maintain their freedom.

The house will be overseen by Sisters By Love Housing Director Shimere Shanklin of Rockford who thanked Burton for founding the network.

"Your vision has opened doors for women like me all across this country," Shanklin said. "To create safe, healing spaces for other women coming home. And you didn't just build a program, you built a movement. You showed us that our pasts do not define us  because they don't  and that purpose can rise from pain."

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Burton first founded A New Way of Life houses for re-entering women in California in 1998, to help women like her who had no place to turn and no access to mental health treatment or job training after prison. Then in 2018 she founded the SAFE, or Sisterhood Alliance for Freedom and Equality, Housing Network to replicate the approach of A New Way of Life across the country and the world.

Burton said although there are others in the state, this is the first such SAFE House opening in Rockford. Another will open later this week in Carbondale.

"It will be a house that is not overcrowded," Burton said. "It's beautiful. It's colorful. It has textures. It has flowers. It has the types of things that say that you are important and that you need to have a safe place to live and a place that is pleasant to live in. A house that is full of joy and possibilities."

Jeff Kolkey writes about government, economic development and other issues for the Rockford Register Star. He can be reached via email at jkolkey@rrstar.com and on X @jeffkolkey.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: House for women returning from prison offers second chance in Rockford
Energy Secretary Chris Wright visits Nevada National Security Site on Oct. 20, 2025 to highlight the shutdowns impact on U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. (Jeniffer Solis / Nevada Current)

Two New Mexico Congressional delegation members on Thursday helped lead a letter with other Democratic lawmakers demanding the federal government reverse its decision to furlough federal workers overseeing nuclear weapons work and stockpile.

On Monday, U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright confirmed 1,400 employees across the nation had been furloughed as part of the ongoing federal government shutdown that began Oct. 1.

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As Source reported on Wednesday, those employees included 152 National Nuclear Security Agency workers in New Mexico, leaving only 14 employees split between the NNSAs Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories locations. The furloughs are the agencys first since its creation in 2000, and none occurred during previous shutdowns.

Democratic U.S. Reps. Melanie Stansbury and Teresa Leger Fernandez, representing the 1st and 3rd congressional districts respectively, signed an Oct. 23 letter, along with Reps. Eric Swalwell from California, Dina Titus from Nevada and more than 20 other members of Congress.

The letter, addressed to Wright and NNSA Administrator Brandon Williams, asks for an explanation of why more NNSA employees were not kept on as essential workers, given the gravity of their duties in overseeing the nuclear weapons stockpile and nonproliferation work overseas.

Furloughing the vast majority of the agencys personnel is not only an unprecedented step, it is deeply harmful to U.S. national security, the letter states. Undermining the agencys workforce at such a challenging time for U.S. global leadership diminishes our credible deterrence, emboldens our international adversaries, and makes the world a more dangerous place.

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Other questions the letter asks to be answered by Nov. 7 include the administrations legal basis for furloughing NNSA staff, along with an accounting for the total numbers of staff furloughed and remaining on duty.

Congress has a right to know exactly how much more dangerous our lives are now that you have sent the vast majority of NNSAs staff home, the letter states.

The letter, which notes the unprecedented nature of the NNSA furloughs, concludes with a request that the agency reverse its decision.

We urgently demand that you rescind this furlough notice and return NNSA employees to the important job of ensuring our nuclear stockpile is safe, secure, and reliable.

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(The Center Square)  One month after the Senate approved a House bill prohibiting Medicaid support to Planned Parenthood, the House of Representatives has followed suit on a Senate bill in North Carolina.

House Bill 192 got parked in the chambers Rules Committee in September after passage in the Senate; on Wednesday, the House adjusted Senate Bill 378 with an amendment and passed it 61-47 on party lines with some members of both parties both choosing not to vote and taking excused absences.

The House's bill won't be taken up by the Senate. Per the adjournment resolution of the General Assembly, as confirmed by the Senate Principal Clerk's Office, the legislation is ineligible for consideration by the chamber.

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Planned Parenthood is a nonprofit offering sexual and reproductive health care services, with abortion being the lightning rod drawing the ire of second-term Republican President Donald Trump and actions by his administration. Several legislatures nationwide, including North Carolina, have opted to try and codify his wishes.

Planned Parenthood also offers birth control; testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections; pregnancy testing; prenatal and postpartum care; cancer screenings; and HIV testing and prevention.

The presidential administrations actions have worked through regulatory changes, such as in Title X and Medicaid. The Hyde Amendment was an early executive order signed, prohibiting the use of federal taxpayer money for elective abortion.

Align Medicaid Eligibility with Federal Law, as Senate Bill 378 is also known, would prohibit Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood in North Carolina. It complies with U.S. House Resolution 1 known also as One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the legislation signed July 4 by Trump.

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In a release, Rep. Dean Arp, R-Union, said, "Senate Bill 378 makes clear that public dollars will no longer flow to abortion providers like Planned Parenthood, ensuring our Medicaid program focuses instead on health care providers who offer comprehensive care for women without undermining the values of North Carolinians."

At passage, no Democrats were for it and no Republicans voted against. Two Republicans and one Democrat chose not to vote; eight Republicans and one Democrats took excused absences.

Rep. Neal Jackson, R-Moore, in a statement said, "Senate Bill 378 ensures that our Medicaid funds support real health care rather than organizations that profit from abortion. By partnering with community clinics, were expanding access to care while keeping our commitment to North Carolina families and the unborn."

Defund Planned Parenthood & Cost Transparency, known also as House Bill 192, got a favorable committee substitute while in the Senate on Sept. 22 and the same day passed 28-20 in the full chamber. It has been parked in the House Rules Committee since.

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All of the no votes were from Democrats. Two Republicans had excused absences.

This proposal also stops state funding to Planned Parenthood through Medicaid. Additionally, theres a requirement for good faith estimates to be given to patients for services they can get elsewhere at hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities.

Planned Parenthood would be able to bid for $830,000 of work through Medicaid funds, though not for family-planning services.
Lawmakers will return to Capitol Square in Richmond on Monday for a surprise special session called by House Speaker Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, just days before Virginians head to the polls. (Photo by Markus Schmidt/Virginia Mercury)

Virginia House Speaker Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, on Thursday called lawmakers back to Richmond for a special session Monday afternoon, setting off speculation that Democrats are preparing to act on redistricting plans just days before voters elect a new governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and all 100 members of the House of Delegates.

In a letter to legislators, Scott cited constitutional provisions and joint resolutions authorizing the General Assembly to reconvene the 2024 Special Session I to consider matters properly before the ongoing session and any related business laid before the body.

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The House will meet at 4 p.m. Monday in the Capitol chamber, he wrote, adding that the clerks office will soon provide logistical details.

My office has spoken with Senate leadership and has been assured that a similar communication  will be made by the Senate Clerks Office to Senate members, Scott wrote.

He did not explain why the legislature is being recalled, and neither he nor Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, responded to inquiries from The Mercury on Thursday.

Redistricting speculation

Several Democrats and legislative staffers told Virginia Scope that part of the sessions focus will be redistricting  a move that could reopen debate over how Virginias 11 congressional boundaries are drawn. Six of these are currently held by Democrats, and sources told the outlet that Democrats in Washington believe a new map could yield at least two additional Democratic-leaning seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

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Virginia voters in 2020 approved a constitutional amendment creating an independent redistricting commission of lawmakers and citizens, but the panel deadlocked in late 2021, leaving the Virginia Supreme Court to draw the current maps.

With Democrats now holding narrow control of both legislative chambers, some strategists have discussed using their majorities to revisit that framework.

Options under discussion include breaking up heavily Democratic districts to make them more competitive while reshaping Republican-leaning areas to favor Democratic candidates.

Timing is key  under Virginias amendment process, a constitutional change must be approved twice by the General Assembly with a House election in between before being placed on the ballot for voter approval or rejection.

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According to Virginia Scope, Democratic leaders are considering an initial vote before the Nov. 4 election, followed by a second vote during the 2026 session, potentially allowing a referendum next spring and new maps as early as April  two months before congressional primaries.

Still, many Democratic lawmakers remain uneasy about the plan. Senate Democrats held a caucus meeting Wednesday night, and several members told the outlet they had been kept out of the loop about the special-session agenda.

National backdrop

Across the country, redistricting battles are intensifying as both parties look to lock in advantages ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Earlier on Thursday, the New York Times reported that Virginias Democratic leaders are considering joining a growing number of states seeking to counter what they call partisan gerrymandering efforts encouraged by the administration of President Donald Trump.

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We are coming back to address actions by the Trump administration, Surovell told the Times, suggesting Democrats view their move as a corrective to Republican-led redistricting maneuvers in states such as Texas, Florida, and North Carolina.

Those states have recently pushed new maps designed to cement GOP control after a series of federal court rulings loosened constraints on mid-decade remapping. The Supreme Court is currently weighing a major redistricting case from Louisiana, another sign of how important the issue is to legislators and voters nationwide.

In August, Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, hinted publicly that Virginia could soon act.

Sharing a post by former President Barack Obama on X, formerly Twitter, praising California Gov. Gavin Newsoms approach to mid-decade redistricting, Lucas wrote: Every state in the nation should follow suit. Stay tuned for Virginia 

Political fallout

Republicans swiftly accused Democrats of scheming to rewrite the rules ahead of a pivotal statewide election.

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Republican Party of Virginia Chair Mark Peake, a state senator from Lynchburg, in a video on X characterized Scotts move a sign of Democratic desperation.

Desperate Democrats are pulling a pathetic, political stunt, Peake said, accusing the majority of doing anything they can to take attention away from their horrible candidates.

He added that the General Assembly hopes they can do something with this ruse about redistricting, but urged voters not to fall for it.

The campaign of Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, the GOP nominee for governor, blamed Democratic contender Abigail Spanberger for supporting the idea of dissolving the independent commission.

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In a stunning display of arrogance, Abigail Spanberger wants to overrule the will of Virginia voters in favor of a cynical power grab, campaign spokesperson Peyton Vogel said in a statement Thursday.

She came out in favor of abolishing Virginias Independent Redistricting Commission and wants to hand control back to the politicians in Richmond so they can guarantee their own reelection.  Its never been about the voters or whats best for Virginia. Its always been about whats best for Abigail Spanberger.

However, in an interview with WJLA in late August, Spanberger said she opposed mid-decade redistricting and warned against politicians trying to tilt the playing field in their favor, aligning herself with Maryland Gov. Wes Moores call for fair-maps legislation.

And Democrats countered that theyre simply responding to an escalating nationwide power struggle over fair representation.

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In a statement Thursday, DCCC Communications Director Courtney Rice said House Republicans know they are poised to lose the majority because the public is souring on their failed agenda.

She accused Republicans of rigging the midterms by ramming through new, unpopular, gerrymandered maps across the country.

Rice added that Virginias move to reconvene and preserve the right to consider a new map in 2026 is critical in the fight to ensure voters have fair representation, praising state Democrats for standing up against Republican attempts to weaken the power, and vote, of the people.

What comes next

With the state legislature reconvening Monday afternoon, both chambers are expected to gavel in briefly before potentially taking up redistricting-related measures later in the week.

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Procedural resolutions adopted earlier this year would allow lawmakers to address matters properly before the ongoing special session, giving Scott wide latitude to add topics to the agenda.

Any move to alter Virginias redistricting process would likely trigger intense legal scrutiny and political backlash  especially given the proximity to Election Day. But Democratic strategists across the country argue that Republican-led states have already rewritten maps to their advantage.

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The News in Brief Thursday, October 23, 2025

Former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has admitted to receiving illicit income over several years, according to the country's State Security Service (SSSG).Emzar Gagnidze, head of the SSSG's Anti-Corruption Service, announced the development during a briefing on Tuesday. "Mr. Garibashvili admitted to the fact of receiving illicit income throughout the years," Gagnidze said, adding that the former prime minister "fully cooperated with the investigation."Gagnidze stated that investigators are now reviewing the evidence to determine the next steps. "In the coming days, based on the existing and newly obtained evidence, the investigation will decide both on the legal qualification of his actions and on the issue of selecting a preventive measure against him. This will also be communicated to the public," he noted.Garibashvili, once a close ally of billionaire and Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili, served as prime minister from 2013 to 2015 and again from 2021 until 2024. He was succeeded by Irakli Kobakhidze, who currently leads the government.In April 2025, Garibashvili announced his resignation from both the Georgian Dream party and political life, saying he intended to step away from public affairs. The State Security Service has not yet clarified whether charges will be filed.Mzia Amaghlobeli, a jailed Georgian journalist and founder of the independent media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti, has been awarded the European Union's Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. She shares the 2025 prize with Belarusian journalist Andrzej Poczobut.The Sakharov Prize, the EU's highest human rights honor, has been presented annually since 1988 to individuals and groups who defend freedom of expression and human rights. The award, which includes a Euro 50,000 grant, will be formally handed out at a plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg later this year."By awarding this year's Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to Andrzej Poczobut from Belarus and Mzia Amaghlobeli from Georgia, we honor two journalists whose courage shines as a beacon for all who refuse to be silenced," European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said while announcing the laureates on October 22."Both have paid a heavy price for speaking truth to power, becoming symbols of the struggle for freedom and democracy. The Parliament stands with them, and with all those who continue to demand freedom," she added.Amaghlobeli was arrested in January after slapping police chief Irakli Dgebuadze during a protest in the western city of Batumi. She was sentenced in August to two years in prison, a verdict widely condemned by local and international rights groups as politically motivated.EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos praised the Parliament's decision as an "excellent choice" for the 2025 Sakharov Prize. Writing on X, she said, "Strong leaders do not fear independent journalists. When journalists are silenced, repression and corruption thrive. We need more independent voices like Andrzej Poczobut and Mzia Amaghlobeli." She added, "They must be set free. Immediately."Georgia's 5th President Salome Zourabichvili also congratulated Amaghlobeli, saying in an X post, "This recognition honors not only her voice, but the spirit of a free and dignified Georgia - a nation determined to carry on its fight for a European future."




Another Houston brewery has announced its last call. The dual businesses of Big Owl Craft Brew House and Turkey Forrest Brewing, which have been operating in the Houston Heights area for four years, revealed Thursday morning that they would both shut down after the end of business Oct. 24.

In a social media post, Big Owl and Turkey Forrest thanked their fans for every purchase, every visit, and every memory."

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"It's with a mix of sadness and gratitude that we share Big Owl Craft Brew House and our in-house brewer, Turkey Forrest Brewing, will be closing at the end of day this Friday, October 24, 2025 after 4 wonderful years," read the post Thursday. "It's been an incredible ride, and we couldn't have done it without your support."

Chron has reached out to Big Owl and Turkey Forrest for additional information and comment.

Big Owl and Turkey Forrest opened in 2021 at Airline Drive near Cavalcade Street. Big Owl was Al and Victoria Gonzalez' baby, while homebrewers Louie Espinoza and Oscar Gonzalez started Turkey Forrest. When they opened, the businesses boasted being the only all-Mexican-owned nano brewery in Houston.

"I've been a patron of their homebrewing in their garage for many years," Al Gonzalez told the Houston Chronicle in 2021. "When we started developing the idea of a business, we thought it'd be cool to incorporate them and have them move out of the garage."

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The shuttering of Big Owl and Turkey Forrest comes amid one of the hardest periods for craft beer in some time. Last year marked the first in two decades that the number of craft brewery closings surpassed openings nationwide. High-profile brewery closings in the last calendar year include Bearded Fox, Copperhead, Elder Son and North Shepherd, though Copperhead has since re-opened under new ownership.

Even the bigger brewing names have been suffering lately. Voodoo Brewing Co. out of Pennsylvania, whose strategy is to open satellite breweries and taprooms across the U.S., also closed its North Texas location recently.

More Food & Drink

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For more food news and features from Chron, sign up for The Feed newsletter here.

This article originally published at Houston brewery, craft beer bar latest to close their doors.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire, a Democrat, criticized New York Citys Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani for his comments about Israel and his approach to leadership.

As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, won the Democratic nomination for New York City mayor in a political upset that drew national attention. His victory likely ensures his election in the heavily Democratic city.

Hes saying hes going to arrest the prime minister of Israel? You think thats how you bring people together? He and me are in different universes, Whitmire told The New York Times, as cited by Fox News Digital.

Mamdani has said he would instruct police to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he ever visited New York City, citing an International Criminal Court warrant tied to alleged war crimes in Gaza. The United States does not recognize the ICC.

It is important that New York City is in compliance with international criminal law, Mamdani told the Times last week.

A Fox News poll released Thursday found 49 percent of registered voters support Mamdani, compared with 28 percent for independent candidate Andrew Cuomo and 13 percent for Republican Curtis Sliwa.

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Whitmire also expressed frustration with the Democratic Partys approach toward President Donald Trump, warning that constant attacks could backfire.

Sometimes the louder you get, the less people listen to you, Whitmire said. I dont respond to Trump  that could be counterproductive. Do I have personal views? Sure, and theyre strong, but why do you want to challenge him?

The Houston mayor further criticized other Democratic mayors, including Chicagos Brandon Johnson and Los Angeles Karen Bass, for escalating rhetoric toward the Trump administration.

Johnson told Fox 32 Chicago this week that the Trump administration had declared war on our city and cities across America, while defending his budget proposal and executive orders creating ICE-free zones in Chicago.




Moments after her daughter stepped down from the witness stand, the mother crossed the bar, raised her right hand and swore to tell the truth about a Gulfton brothel run by a Houston gang.

She had just watched her daughter describe the horrors of being forced into prostitution after being smuggled to Mexico and then extorted back into the sex trade in Houston. Along the way, her daughter was beaten, drugged and had guns pointed at her face.

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Still, the young woman got on the stand. Now, it was her mother's turn to tell her story publicly for the first time.

"I am the only person who knows everything about how everything happened from the beginning," the mother said. She had a message for anyone who might hear her story.

"They should never trust anyone or put their children in a stranger's hands," she said.

MORE ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Houston madam who ran Gulfton brothel sentenced to life in federal prison

Inside a Houston federal courtroom on Tuesday, new details emerged about the 2017 takedown of a sex trafficking ring run by the Southwest Cholos, a gang that once operated in Gulfton and surrounding neighborhoods in southwest Houston.

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More than eight years after the initial indictment was handed up, some of the 23 people charged and convicted are being sentenced for their crimes. One case has been dismissed and four people named in the indictment were never arrested and have active warrants out for their capture.

Members of the Southwest Cholos gang walk into federal court Friday, Nov. 17, 2017, in Houston. Twenty-four people associated with the gang were indicted on sex trafficking charges related to a brothel in Gulfton section of Houston between 2009 and 2017. (Godofredo A. Vasquez/Houston Chronicle)





The women spoke at the sentencing hearing for William Alberto Lopez, a pimp and enforcer for the Cholos, who went by the nickname "Principal."

Lopez in January pleaded guilty to two of the 27 charges against him and was in court Tuesday for a hearing to decide how long he would be sentenced to federal prison.



Lopez was accused of recruiting women to work at the brothels, which for many became a time of indentured servitude, according to prosecutors.

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The gang would track down women who tried to leave the brothel and tattoo them to signal that they belonged to their pimps. They smuggled women across borders and threatened to hurt their family members if they tried to escape.

Lopez is one of five sons of Maria "Patty" Moreno-Reyna, the madam who earlier this month was sentenced to life in prison.

Maria Angelica "Patty" Moreno-Reyna walks into federal court Friday, Nov. 17, 2017, in Houston. Moreno-Reyna is one of 22 defendants facing federal charges in the sex trafficking operation ran by the Southwest Cholos in the Gulfton section of Houston between 2009 and 2017. (Godofredo A. Vasquez/Houston Chronicle)





From Nicaragua to Mexico to the Gulfton brothel

One of Lopez and Moreno-Reyna's victims was A.B.P., who in 2016 was transported from her home in Nicaragua to Cancun. She was just 19 years old.

A.B.P., whose full name wasn't given in court documents and who continued to use only her initials during Tuesday's hearing, told Judge Charles Eskridge that she was fleeing an abusive relationship and was trying to join her mother, who was already in Houston and working as a housekeeper at the Westin Galleria.

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The woman paid $9,000 to get A.B.P. from Nicaragua to Mexico.

When she reached Mexico, A.B.P. wasn't immediately brought to the U.S. She was made to work as a prostitute in a brothel there, forced to wear "babydoll" clothes and given morphine to placate her. At times, Lopez tried to suffocate her with a pillow.

"He destroyed me, physically and emotionally," she said.

After three or four months of abuse, A.B.P. escaped the brothel and managed to get to Houston after being apprehended by immigration authorities and released to her mother.

A.B.P.'s mother joins brothel - 'I had to do it.'

"I wanted my daughter to cross and have it over with once and for all," the mother testified Tuesday. But when A.B.P. did finally reach the United States, Lopez's brothers  also members of the Cholos - showed up at her door and demanded payment, an extortion for the cost of getting her to Mexico.

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A.B.P. was forced to work as a prostitute, the mother said. She was beaten and forced to send money back to Lopez on Mondays, she said.

The mother, faltering, told Eskridge she wanted to say something else.

"I never wanted to mention it to anyone, because sometimes you get a lot of embarrassment," she said. "You know that the word prostitute' is very charged and, as a woman, you feel discriminated against."

"There are prostitutes who are prostitutes because they want to be," she said. "And others, they don't want to."

The mother then said she also became a prostitute at the brothel in an attempt to pay back Lopez. The women were kept locked up and forced to work 16-hour days starting at 10 a.m., they said.

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"I had to do it," the mother said. "And I would do it 1,000 times over to help my daughter. It was both of us. It was the only way we could survive."

The phone call that cracked the case

One day, after the brothel's pimps beat them and pointed guns at them, one of the men challenged her to call the police, she said.

That's what she did.

"I called the police," she said. "I made the decision to call the police to not be afraid anymore. I offered my help."

After she spoke, prosecutors acknowledged that her participation in the investigation was critical to the gang's prosecution.

"That's what really cracked this case," Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Goldman said. The mother's information was passed to the FBI and the Harris County Sheriff's Office, which together worked to take down the gang, Goldman said.

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Eskridge, who previously handed down Moreno-Reyna's life sentence, said Tuesday it was the first time he'd heard testimony from victims in the case.

"It just really, really brings it home how truly awful the conduct is that's occurred here," Eskridge said. "There's just a very large record of force and violence and coercion against these women  many of whom were very, very young  that overrode their will and took away their liberty and compelled them to undertake acts that no one would willingly and voluntarily do."

Lopez was sentenced to 45 years in prison. His hope was that he would get out in time to help arrange his mother's burial.

This article originally published at A Houston mom joined a Gulfton brothel to save her daughter. She helped take down a sex trafficking ring..
OTTAWA  The sentencing of a Columbus Grove man charged with burning down his own restaurant will be held in the Putnam County Court assembly room due to a remodeling of the common pleas courtroom.

The sentencing for Jeff Hoyt, 58, will be at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 1.

On Monday, Hoyt pleaded guilty to criminal mischief, a misdemeanor charge.

In March of 2024, Hoyt was charged with four felonies, including two counts of aggravated arson, each a first-degree felony; a second-degree felony count of aggravated arson; and a single count of insurance fraud, a third-degree felony.
Tim Hoffman, left center, policy director for Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, answers a question at a community town hall Wednesday on Flock surveillance cameras. (Photo by Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline)

Hours after Denver Mayor Mike Johnston announced that his office had again unilaterally extended the citys contract with Flock Safety, his staff and Denver Police Department officials faced questions from residents who say theyre angry and fearful about how the companys network of AI-powered surveillance cameras may be used.

A standing room only crowd of hundreds packed a large conference hall and spilled into an overflow room at Geotech Environmental Equipments Denver facility during a town hall organized Wednesday by Denver neighborhood organizations and progressive groups including the ACLU of Colorado, which says the Flock cameras pose a serious threat to the democratic rights of every person in our city.

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Frustrations boiled over repeatedly during the two-hour meeting, especially in relation to Johnstons decision earlier Wednesday to extend the existing Flock contract until March 2026. That contract extension comes with new terms that are responsive to community concerns about how the citywide network of 111 license plate readers are used, said Tim Hoffman, Johnstons director of policy, who represented the mayors office at the event.

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I would respectfully disagree with the idea that the mayor did not engage in any public process, said Hoffman, a former prosecutor who ran for an at-large seat on Denver City Council in 2023, drawing howls of derision from the crowd.

Amid nationwide concerns about the use of Flocks surveillance network to aid President Donald Trumps mass-deportation campaign, Johnstons defense of the cameras as a key crime-fighting tool for police has emerged as a defining issue of his first term in office. Weeks after City Council members unanimously rejected a two-year, $666,000 contract extension with Flock in May, Johnstons office agreed to a shorter-term extension priced at $498,500  just below the $500,000 threshold at which city contracts require council approval.

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At-Large Council member Sarah Parady said in a statement that she was stunned by the latest contract extension, which she called an undemocratic dealing with a known bad actor. She answered questions at Wednesdays town hall alongside two fellow council members, Serena Gonzalez-Gutierrez and Shontel Lewis, who also expressed concerns about Flock and the way Johnston has handled the issue.

Just following a weekend when millions of people poured out into the streets for No Kings day protests, one man made a decision  behind a closed door, with the CEO of a private company  about a technology that threatens all of our constitutional rights, Katie Leonard, an organizer with the Denver Party for Socialism and Liberation, told the crowd.

In a statement Wednesday, Johnston touted the extension as a Denver-specific package that will lead the way in using this technology for the public good. Flock will implement safeguards, the city said in a press release, to prevent the network from being accessed by federal agents or law enforcement officers from other jurisdictions, and the company has verbally agreed to pay $100,000 for each instance of data being improperly released to external parties.

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston greeted demonstrators at a No Kings protest at the Colorado Capitol on Saturday. (Photo by Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline)

Those provisions arent nearly enough to satisfy Flocks critics, who say the company and the mayors office have repeatedly misled the public about how the system can be used. Officials had previously denied that the cameras could be used for immigration enforcement, before audit logs revealed that Denver cameras had been accessed more than 1,400 times for that express purpose. Those searches were enabled because Denver had been included in Flocks national lookup function, which Denver police officials said they hadnt been aware of and disabled after learning of it in April.

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The track record that you have does not build trust, said Kathy Sandoval of the Villa Park neighborhood organization.

Critics also argue that data collected by Flock in Denver cant be fully insulated from federal search warrants or other pressure from the Trump administration  or from federal agents accessing the system using the login credentials of local officers, as a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent did using a Loveland Police Department account earlier this year.

Colorado law bars local law enforcement and state agencies from collaborating with ICE or sharing personal identifying information with federal immigration authorities. But a pattern of both front door and back door access to local Flock networks by federal agents was recently revealed in Washington state, which Parady noted has immigrant protection laws similar to Colorados.

Between 700 and 800 Denver police officers have access to the Flock system, Commander Jake Herrera of the departments Operational Innovation Bureau told town hall attendees.

Mass surveillance fears

Since Flock cameras were first installed in Denver in May 2024, over 250 stolen vehicles have been recovered at least in part due to the system, Hoffman said, and it has provided evidence leading to the arrests of nine homicide suspects.

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The use of automated license plate readers like those operated by Flock has been challenged in court by civil rights advocates who argue it violates the Fourth Amendments prohibition on unreasonable searches and seizures. Hoffman called it an unsettled area of law.

A crowd of hundreds packed a community town hall on Flock surveillance cameras Wednesday, with dozens directed to an overflow room. (Photo by Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline)

After presentations from advocates and neighborhood organizations, members of the public voiced their opposition to Flock in a Q&A session. One speaker expressed fear that the technology would be used to target transgender Denverites and other people the Trump administration may label terrorists, while another called himself a normie Democrat who felt let down by Johnstons actions.

I obviously hear the frustration in this room, Hoffman said. There are going to be disagreements on the margins here, (but) there is no one in the mayors administration, the mayor especially, who wants ICE rounding up our most vulnerable citizens or residents  (or) a woman who comes here from Texas for reproductive health care to then have that action be prosecuted back in the state of Texas.

404 Media reported earlier this year that a sheriffs deputy in Johnson County, Texas, had used Flocks nationwide search function to surveil a woman who had an abortion. Both Flock and the Johnson County Sheriffs Department claimed the search was performed as part of a missing person investigation for the womans safety, but court records subsequently contradicted that claim, showing the woman was under scrutiny as part of a death investigation of a non-viable fetus.

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Flocks mass surveillance technology, Parady told the crowd, is serving the smaller and smaller circle of people who are absolutely convinced that they never have to fear their government  not because of a mistake, not because of their politics, not because theyve gotten reproductive health care, not because theyre trans, not because theyre immigrants, not because they stood up for immigrants, not because theyre a democratic socialist elected official, not because they tried to prosecute Donald Trump.

If you are in that circle, perhaps this technology is serving you, Parady added. That circle is shrinking every day.

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A prominent player in the snacking industry is expected to lay off more than 200 employees from its El Paso facility as part of a company-wide restructuring.

Flagstone Foods, the parent company of Emerald Nuts, announced it will be shifting operations to its facilities in Robersonville, North Carolina, and Dothan, Alabama. According to a notice filed with the Texas Workforce Commission and obtained by Chron, the change will result in a sweeping workforce reduction affecting 225 employees by the end of the year.

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"Your last day of employment is currently scheduled to be December 19, 2025, though some team members may be asked to stay longer based on business need," the company wrote in its notice.

Flagstone says the downsizing is part of a larger strategy to centralize production of its Emerald Nuts brand in El Paso, transforming the site into the brand's new production hub.

In a statement, Flagstone's CEO said the decision was not easy, but a necessary one.



"We recognize that this decision impacts the lives of many of our team members and their families," Larry Appel, CEO of Flagstone Foods said. "Our colleagues have performed well, and this is no reflection on their work but simply a necessary transition in our operations to best serve our customers. While we had initially anticipated seeing workforce growth in El Paso, consumer preferences drive our production priorities as they do any company, and we must evolve in this direction to best serve our customers."

The company's CEO also noted employees affected by the downsizing will be supported via severance packages, and job search help to ensure a smooth transition as it works to meet demands in the growing snack market.

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Emerald Nuts, a well-known snack brand specializing in roasted, flavored, and coated nuts, produces a wide range of products, including almonds, cashews, peanuts, and mixed nut varieties. Emerald Nuts was acquired by Flagstone Foods in 2021, becoming part of the company's growing portfolio of snack brands and expanding Flagstone's presence in the competitive nut and snack market.

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Politics | Latina Democrat enters 2026 Texas governor battle

Gulf Coast | Strange boxes found on Texas beaches carry a toxic secret

History | How a 1973 homicide led Houston to a notorious serial killer

Money | Here's how much you need to live comfortably in Houston



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This article originally published at Hundreds laid off as snack giant closes Texas factory.
DENVER (KDVR)  Hundreds of people packed a town hall in Denver Wednesday night, sharing concerns about the citys Flock camera contract.

Then, in July, we learned through Denver audit logs that Denvers Flock cameras have been accessed over 1,400 times, with the reason for search being Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said one speaker.

Denver to extend license plate reader contract, but adds federal data sharing penalties

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The town hall involved leaders of five neighborhood organizations, including the Whittier Neighborhood Association, East Colfax Neighborhood Association and Villa Park Neighborhood Association. During the meeting, many called for the arrest of Denver Mayor Mike Johnston.

The mayor announced this morning that he is, once again, unilaterally, without a public process or council vote, extending the citys contract with ICE, said a speaker with the Party for Socialism and Liberation  Denver.

Also present at the meeting was Tim Hoffman, director of policy in the Denver Mayors Office.

I think there is a fundamental disagreement in that, yes, there are pictures being taken  but they are not being searched by anybody unless your car is suspected of being involved (in a crime), Hoffman said during the meeting. I want to be very clear that it is not the position of the mayor and the Mayors Office that you have no expectation of privacy when you enter a roadway.

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Hoffmans statements were cut off with shouts of prove it, among others.

Ive made clear to Flocks leadership that I expect total transparency and that anything less will result in an end to our relationship, Johnston said in his announcement on Wednesday morning.

In May, the Denver City Council unanimously voted down a contract extension with Flock, citing privacy concerns and questioning who had access to Denvers data as the city remains in the crosshairs of the Trump Administration due to so-called sanctuary rules. FOX31s Nate Belt was also told in May that the mayors office had asked the council to vote down the contract renewal.

However, the mayor approved a contract extension in August that was just under the cost amount that needed a council vote, according to the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado.

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Johnston said Wednesday that new measures were added to the contract extension that include shutting out all access to city data to outside agencies without obtaining a memorandum of understanding, and a $100,000 fine for the technology company if or when data is shared with the federal government.

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Other restrictions include allowing searches for a select number of crimes, and no searches that would relate to immigration or reproductive healthcare, the mayors office said Wednesday. The mayors office also said audits would be conducted to ensure no bad actors gain access.

However, attendees of the town hall on Wednesday night were not convinced. When statements were made asserting that the data would be kept private, shouts erupted from the crowd, saying that the assertions were not true.

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Many asserted their opinion during the town hall that these measures will not be respected or followed, saying they are worried that the technology could still be used to track immigrants or individuals who come to the state to seek healthcare procedures, like abortions.

The Denver Police Department says that Flock cameras have led to over 350 arrests and the recovery of over 250 stolen vehicles.

Denver City Council Member Sarah Parady took to the internet on Wednesday, sharing her concerns about Johnstons actions.

Mayor Mike Johnston has announced a backroom deal with the CEO of Flock for several back-end changes to Denvers Flock system that he thinks are sufficient to address concerns about the technology, Parady wrote. His administration is putting in place a 5 month, no-cost extension immediately, without public input or approval of the council.

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Parady was also at the town hall on Wednesday evening, which she said was to hear the communitys concerns about the mayors decision.

I was stunned to learn late yesterday that after convening a task force of local and national experts, Mayor Johnston has been negotiating secretly with the discredited CEO of Flock safety and signing another unilateral extension of this mass surveillance contract with no public process and no vote from city council or input from his own task force, Parady posted to Instagram.

She said that two million license plate images are captured in Denver each month and was released to a massive national sharing network that included thousands of law enforcement agencies. She said that Flock put Denvers data onto the network without Denvers or the Denver Police Departments knowledge or permission.

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Councilman Kevin Flynn said that the guardrails prove the city can boost safety while ensuring data is restricted. The new contract will last through March 2026.

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NEW YORK (PIX11)  Hundreds of people marched through the streets of Manhattan to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and their removal operations in New York City.

The New York City Office of Emergency Management posted on social media to notify New Yorkers about potential traffic delays.

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#Protest Activity: Expect traffic delays & emergency personnel near Foley Square, Manhattan. Use alternate routes, the post on X said.

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Earlier on Wednesday, a flyer for an emergency protest was shared on X.

Yesterday, ICE raided Canal St, targeting immigrant street vendors. Our streets belong to workersvendors, deliveristas, taxi drivers. ICE has no place in NYC, the flyer said.

Hundreds of marchers showed up, holding up signs that read ICE out of New York, Defend Democracy, and ICE fuera aharo, which means ICE out now in Spanish. More than a dozen police officers were also at the protest, according to a video posted to Citizen.

The streets are unsafe because ICE is here disrupting neighborhoods, businesses, pulling people off the streets, said Chris Jones.

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On Tuesday, federal agents arrested nine men during raids in Chinatown as part of an operation targeting alleged illegal street vendors. The men have criminal histories, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

Four U.S. citizens were also detained by ICE during the raid. They were later released with the assistance from the district congressman.

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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Nearly 800 rabbis from across the nation released an open letter Wednesday condemning what they see as Democratic NYC mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdanis dangerous rhetoric about Israel and Zionism.

The 788 signatories, most from outside New York, included a number of prominent New York City rabbis such as Joshua Davidson of Temple Emanu-El and David Gelfand of Temple Israel. The rabbis argued in the letter that Mamdani has fueled antisemitism by accusing Israel of committing a genocide in Gaza and, for a time, declining to condemn the phrase globalize the intifada. Mamdani has also said he supports Israels right to exist, but not exclusively as a Jewish state.

We call on all Americans who value peace and equality to participate fully in the democratic process in order to stand up for candidates who reject antisemitic and anti-Zionist rhetoric, and who affirm Israels right to exist in peace and security, the rabbis wrote in the letter, which was organized by the Jewish Majority, a group headed by Jonathan Schulman, a top executive at the conservative-leaning American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

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We also call on our interfaith and communal partners to stand with the Jewish community in rejecting this dangerous rhetoric and to affirm the rights of Jews to live securely and with dignity, the rabbis added.

A spokeswoman for Mamdani, who is Muslim and a staunch defender of Palestinian rights, did not immediately return a request for comment late Wednesday. The letter surfaced as an issue during the mayoral debate earlier in the evening.

Mamdani has vehemently denied accusations that hes fomenting antisemitism with his positions on the conflict. As mayor, he says he would focus on fighting antisemitism and other forms of hate by increasing funding for hate crime prevention programs nearly nine-fold.

Since Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, terror attack in Israel, Mamdani has said he believes Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, citing a finding by a United Nations commission. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, Israel has killed more than 65,000 Palestinians as part of its war in Gaza.

For a time on the campaign trail, Mamdani declined to condemn the phrase globalize intifada while saying he didnt personally use it. Later on, amid backlash, he said he would discourage use of the phrase.
The hunger crisis in Gaza remains catastrophic two weeks after the ceasefire took effect, the UNs health agency has warned, as international aid groups demanded Israel stop blocking humanitarian deliveries.

Supplies entering the besieged enclave are not meeting the nutritional needs of the people living there, aid groups announced Thursday, while the UNs World Food Programme said that supplies into Gaza were still far short of its daily target of 2,000 tonnes because only two crossings into the Palestinian territory are open.

The situation still remains catastrophic because whats entering is not enough, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, chief of the World Health Organization said, adding that there is no dent in hunger because there is not enough food.





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At least a quarter of Gazas population, including 11,500 pregnant women, is starving, the UN warned on Wednesday, saying the effects of malnutrition will have generational impacts in Gaza.

Seventy percent of newborns are premature or underweight, compared with 20 percent before October 2023, Andrew Saberton, deputy executive director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), said Wednesday.

Malnutrition will have generational effects, not on the mother, but on the newborn, likely to result in ever longer lasting care and problems throughout the life of the baby, he added.

A famine was declared in Gaza City and its surrounding area in August, with the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) saying at the time that more than 500,000 people in the Gaza Strip faced catastrophic conditions.

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A US-brokered ceasefire took effect on October 10. As part of the ceasefire agreement, humanitarian aid deliveries were to be ramped up, with the UN aiming for approximately 2,000 tonnes of aid entering on a daily basis. But only approximately 750 metric tonnes of food are entering the Gaza Strip daily, the WFP announced Tuesday, because only two of the Israeli-controlled crossings into Gaza are operational  Karem Abu Salem in the south and al-Karara in the centre (called Kerem Shalom and Kissufim in Israel, respectively).

Palestinian woman Nisreen holds the hand of her son Majd Salem, a six-month-old malnourished Palestinian baby who weighed 3.5kg when he was born and gained just 300 grams in six months, at Kamal Adwan hospital in the northern Gaza Strip, May 9, 2024 [File: Mahmoud Issa/Reuters]

The situation in the Gaza Strip remains catastrophic, even two weeks after the ceasefire began, Bahaa Zaqout, director of external relations at the Palestinian NGO PARC, said.

Zaqout cited examples of biscuits, chocolate and soda being allowed in on commercial trucks, while items, such as seeds and olives remained restricted from entering.

Unfortunately, these do not respond to the minimum nutritional values required for children, women and the most vulnerable groups, he added, saying that while some fruits and vegetables are entering Gaza, they are exorbitantly expensive.

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One kilogram (2.2 pounds) of tomatoes, which used to cost one shekel, now costs about 15 shekels ($4.50), he said.

Forty-one aid organisations, including Oxfam and the Norwegian Refugee Council, released an open letter Thursday accusing Israel of arbitrarily rejecting aid shipments into Gaza, saying the Israeli government has routinely blocked their requests to begin humanitarian efforts in earnest.

Between 10 and 21 October, 99 requests by international NGOs to deliver aid into Gaza were rejected, while six requests submitted by the UN agencies were denied, the letter stated. Aid denied by Israeli authorities includes tents and tarpaulins, blankets, mattresses, food and nutrition supplies, hygiene kits, sanitation materials, assistive devices, and childrens clothing, all of which should be unrestricted during the ceasefire.





On Wednesday, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled Israel has an obligation to ensure the basic needs of the population in Gaza are met. In April, lawyers for the United Nations and Palestinian representatives at the ICJ accused Israel of breaking international law by refusing to let aid into Gaza between March and May.

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While some aid has been allowed into Gaza since then, humanitarian groups say much more is needed and demand that Israel provide more access.

Supplies are packaged, staff are equipped and ready to respond at scale, aid organisations stated in their open letter on Thursday. What we need now is access. Israeli authorities must uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and the terms of the ceasefire agreement.

Israels war on Gaza has killed at least 68,280 people and wounded 170,375 since October 2023, according to Palestinian health authorities. At least 1,139 people were killed in the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel and more than 200 others were taken captive.
SALEM, Mo.  Interested residents are invited to an upcoming course in Dent County for people wishing to get their hunter education certification.

According to a Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) news release, the course is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 27, from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center in Salem.

MDC states that attendees of the skills session are required to have been born on or after Jan. 1, 1967, who are 16 years or older, and who wish to purchase firearms hunting permits in Missouri.

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The session will cover firearm handling, hunting ethics, regulations and wildlife conservation practices.

Were excited to provide this hands-on experience that emphasizes safety and responsible hunting, Dwight Warnke, MDC Conservation Educator and course instructor, said in the release. This course gives new hunters the confidence they need before heading into the field.

For more information on the event and other requirements, visit MDCs website.

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HUNTINGDON COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ)  A Huntingdon County teen was killed in a crash on Interstate 79 in Lawrence County, according to Pennsylvania State Police.

Troopers said the crash happened around 9:46 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, near mile marker 110 in Plain Grove Township. The driver, identified as 19-year-old Gavin Lohr, was traveling north in a 2001 Honda Civic when his vehicle crossed into the southbound lanes and hit a tractor-trailer.

Lohr was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the tractor-trailer, a 27-year-old man from Brampton, Ontario, was not injured, according to state police.

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The crash closed parts of the highway for several hours while crews responded. PSP Mercer was assisted at the scene by Slippery Rock Fire Rescue, East End Volunteer Fire Department, Springfield Township Volunteer Fire Department, Mercer Auto Wreckers, PennDOT and the Lawrence County Coroners office.

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State police continue to investigate the cause of the crash.

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HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT)  Huntsville and Alabama leaders, along with other organizations, gathered Thursday morning for the reading of a proclamation.

Crisis Services of North Alabama hosted the event. It highlighted the heavy emotional, psychological and financial impacts of domestic violence and its long-term effects on families.

Organizers say this recognition by the city shows just how crucial protecting victims and providing resources is to the community.

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It means that our mayor and the mayors office recognizes domestic violence as being an ongoing issue in our community. And it shows that they are dedicated to providing services to the community and the support that they give organizations like ours, as well as victims of domestic violence, Cherrelle Locke, domestic violence program director, said.

If you or anyone you know needs help, there are several resources like Crisis Services, Wellstone and the National Childrens Advocacy Center.

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TAHLEQUAH  Water is life, and a human cannot survive without it. And due to a lack of facilities for hydration, many suffer from lack of something most take for granted: water for drinking and bathing.

A recent event, Northeast Oklahoma Regional Alliance Summit, took place at Northeastern State University, with the topic of the unhoused in rural Oklahoma. One specific topic was on healthy communities by design.

"Panelists will share real-world examples, from building trails and recreational opportunities that attract families and business, to strategies for integrating public health into community design," states the description.

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Water makes up more than two-thirds of the weight of the human body, states the site Medline Plus, on the National Library of Medicine website.

"Without consuming water, humans would die in a few days," states the site. "All the cells and organs need water to function."

Other functions of water is as a lubricant, makes up saliva and the fluids surrounding a person's joints, and regulates body temperature through perspiration, states the site.

"It also helps prevent and relieve constipation by moving food through the intestines," states the site.

The city of Tahlequah has no drinking fountains in its parks, and according to Brian Speake, superintendent of Parks and Recreation for the city, it would be expensive to install and maintain them.

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"There is a huge cost to purchasing and maintaining outdoor fountains," Speake said. "The first thing is the cost of the plumbing, including meters; then the cost of the machine itself, then the cost of the labor of weekly scrubbing off graffiti and replacing parts."

Ward 4 City Councilor Josh Allen, a proponent of the homeless who spearheads Tahlequah Resource Outreach Team, said he would love to see water fountains around town for everyone in the parks system.

"I would just be interested in maintenance and sanitation," Allen said. "We could look at other cities that have successful programs as possible solutions."

Many people agree having water available in the parks and along the trails is a good idea and important; the issue seems to come down to expense and maintenance.

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"I would love to look into a Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust grant; maybe get [a system for folks] to fill up their water bottles," Allen said.

Ward 3 City Councilor Stephen Highers said he wouldn't be opposed to a hydration station that allowed homeless individuals to fill water bottles, and for others who use the parks and trial system.

"It would be a great service to the whole community, especially along our trail system and parks," Highers said.

Pastor Shana Dry, First United Methodist Church, hosts many efforts to help those in need, including the weekly free meal on Thursdays at 5 p.m., by Feed My Sheep. Another effort the church is involved with is handing out sack meals every day at 5 p.m. at various locations around the town.

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"People always ask for extra water when we are delivering the sandwiches," Dry said. "I would be very interested in a hydration station of some sort being built, as well as having bathrooms open and available for folks."

The Zoe Institute is involved in many services for the homeless, including the Day Center, where a person can get a free hot meal every day, and use the shower and laundry facilities.

Ed Blanchard manages the Day Center, and he said the homeless community mostly relies on the center and Love's, a gas station and convenience store.

"We are unable to give out multiple bottles of water, so we limit it to one with a sack lunch," Blanchard said. "We encourage all of our clients to save their bottles so they can refill them here at our water bottle filling station."

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He said Roots Church has purchased 50 cases of water a month for the past three or four years.

"When we get reusable water bottles, we save those for our houseless clients," Blanchard said.

Pastor Jay Jones, with Abundant Life Church, is involved with the Institute, the Tahlequah Area Homeless Coalition and the Day Center. He was one of the featured panelists at the NORA event in Forum C, "Addressing the Unhoused in Small Towns."

"We have a fountain they can refill their water bottles at the Day Center, and we give away bottled water," Jones said.

After the Day Center closes at 1 p.m., he doesn't know where folks can get water, and thinks a hydration station would be an excellent project. He voiced concerns over a recent incident, when the city tore down the pavilion at Sequoyah Park instead of finding other solutions.

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"Instead of tearing that down, why didn't they fix it so the power didn't come on at night, or just remove the plugs?" Jones said. "Instead, they just tore it all down because somebody is there."

He didn't know the City Council was going to consider the item, and didn't learn about it until he read an article in the Tahlequah Daily Press about it.

"That's where I started feeding people was at that location, because there were people sitting around," Jones said. "People learned that's where I would hand out sandwiches and bottled water. That's how we had a contingency of people build up, and then we put in the Day Center."

Due to vandalism and the homeless individuals sleeping in the bathrooms, a fence was erected around Leoser Pavilion, across from Norris Park.

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"I had never even thought of a water station, and we thought we were way out of the box when we put in shower facilities at the Day Center," Jones said.

Back a few years ago, an alley next to the Day Center had a faucet from which folks could get water. The city blocked it off because of people using it to sleep and hang out, Jones said.

"I mean, they water everything at the parks, so there is water to the parks," Jones said. "That's something that I can get a conversation started about with our board."

Lots of conversations are had, like the NORA Summit, about the problem of homelessness, and Jones would like to see more action.

"Water is life," Jones said.
Since President Donald Trump returned to the White House, arrests of people accused of being in the country illegally have ramped up in North Carolina.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested about three times the number of people in the first half of this year in Mecklenburg County compared to the same time last year.

Thats a steeper increase than the rest of the state, where data shows at least 2.6 times the number of arrests compared to last year.

ICE arrests and detains people for a variety of reasons, including simply being in the United States without any lawful status. People with legal status can be arrested and detained when convicted of an unrelated crime.

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Statewide, ICE arrested about 1,940 people from Jan. 20 until the end of June. At least 60% have left or were deported, according to a Charlotte Observer analysis of federal data collected by the Deportation Data Project through Freedom of Information Act requests.

One in three of the people arrested in the first six months were facing criminal charges but had not been convicted, says data collected by the project, which is based at University of California, Berkeley.

And at least 420 people  about one in five  had no reported criminal charges or convictions, according to the data. But ICE says they had immigration violations, according to the data.

The full ICE arrest and deportation counts in North Carolina are likely higher.

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Thats because the database, which includes arrests that occurred across the country, has incomplete information. More than 1,800 ICE arrests for the first six months of 2024 and 2025 list no location information at all.

Its likely these arrests will increase. The Department of Homeland Security said it is just getting started, announcing in September that the government has deported about 400,000 immigrants since President Donald Trump took office.

Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill signed into law this summer is surging hiring efforts and turbocharging arrests and deportations, according to DHS.

Living in fear of deportation

Charlotte and the rest of North Carolina havent experienced the high-profile ICE activity that Chicago, Washington, D.C., Memphis or Portland have, with their widespread raids or highly public street arrests.

Protesters surround the SUV of a federal agent to try to prevent him from driving down Harvard Street to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview, Illinois in late September.

But among local families, including those with mixed immigration statuses, the fear of arrest is pervasive and has changed peoples daily lives, said Rusty Price, CEO of Camino, a faith-based non-profit that provides health and social services to the states Latino population.

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In Charlotte, organizers canceled Septembers Hispanic Heritage Festival of the Carolinas over concerns that ICE agents would raid it. People are skipping dental and medical appointments, keeping their kids home from school or missing work, Price said.

Some people are leaving the country on their own rather than risk being arrested.

ICE spokesperson Lindsay Williams told The Observer that he wasnt sure what to say about people afraid to leave their homes here because they are afraid of being arrested.

That would be like any other criminal saying Im scared to commit crimes, he said.

The Trump administrations push to remove people deemed to be here illegally prioritizes arresting immigrants with dangerous criminal records, Williams said. But simply living in the United States without a legal status is enough to warrant arrest, he stressed.

An unidentified Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportation officer reviews forms required to issue a detainer asking local law enforcement to hold someone until ICE agents can pick the person up. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

Price rejects the Trump administrations generalization that every immigrant here without legal status is a criminal.

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No one would call him a criminal if he was pulled over without a seatbelt and got a ticket, he said.

There is administrative law and there is moral law, Price said. They may have done something illegal. But were doing something immoral.

I havent done anything wrong

While the Trump administration says some 1.6 million immigrants around the nation have self-deported, many people are choosing to remain even as their risk of being detained has grown.

Among them is a North Carolina woman from Honduras who entered the United States about 10 years ago with her 7-year-old daughter and a baby on the way to live with her now-husband. He is an American citizen who shed met in her home country.

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The woman spoke to the Observer, in Spanish, on the condition that she not be named because of her risk of being deported. A Charlotte Observer journalist translated her comments.

People view the murals on the back of Camino, a bilingual nonprofit, as they celebrate the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month in September 2022 in Charlotte.

She has built a life here and raised her kids, who are American citizens. Shes worked as a child educator and paid taxes, she said. Her husband is a citizen. She has nothing in Honduras.

The woman tried twice to get a green card, which she estimated cost her family $20,000. Both times, that meant paying immigration attorneys, sending the federal government tax records, every detail of her and her husbands bank accounts, photos of their family, letters of recommendation.

Most recently, she tried at the end of last year, thinking she for sure she would be approved, because her son had joined the U.S. Navy.

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Her teenage daughter wrote a letter pleading with the authorities to let her mom stay. Her son wrote that it would be detrimental to him if his mom left.

The answer came this spring. Since the woman doesnt speak English, her daughter had to read the letter from the government. She took the letter into the bathroom and returned in tears.

The letter said she had 30 days to leave the country. Her daughter pleaded with her not to leave.

I had to gather the strength I didnt have to be able to give hope to my daughter, she said.

Shes determined to stay.

Im going to trust God. I was going to quit my job here that I love so much, my church, where I serve, where I congregate. I said no, this is my home. Im not going to change my life for fear of ICE, she said. I havent done anything wrong to where I should be fleeing like a criminal.

Who is ICE arresting in NC?

The vast majority of people arrested by ICE this year and last in North Carolina were men in their 30s from Latin American countries, with the largest shares from Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala.

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For those people who The Observer confirmed were arrested in North Carolina during both periods, more than half were arrested straight from county jails and state or federal prisons.

A significant difference this year is that ICE agents arrested a larger share of people with criminal charges before they were either cleared or convicted, according to the federal data. About 650 people were in that category during the first six months of this year.

The Observer could not gauge what types of charges were most common among those arrested because the database is missing charge information for most of the people ICE asked jails to hold for them.

ICE asks jails to hold people with a range of charges, from license and traffic violations, having marijuana or coming to the United States illegally to aggravated assault, drug trafficking and homicide.

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Williams, the ICE spokesperson, offered some ideas on why the federal data is incomplete.

Officers document a lot of details about arrests when they occur. But that information does not always get transferred to a central database. He chalked the issue up to antiquated data capturing and different data entry systems at different field headquarters.

Andres Lopez, an immigration attorney in Charlotte, suspects otherwise.

I feel as if they prefer to keep it as secretive as possible because if you were to actually look at the statistics you would realize theyre not really arresting criminals, Lopez said.

How we reported this story

The UC-Berkeley-based Deportation Data Project collected federal immigration enforcement databases through Freedom of Information requests and made available the files here.

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About 20% of the arrests were missing values in the column indicating the state where the arrest occurred. Data reporter Caitlin McGlade carefully gleaned other columns for clues about location to get the closest possible count for North Carolina.

Find her full methodology here.
Now with over 9,000 locations in the United States alone, the story of how the first U.S. convenience store got its start proves that even small steps can grow into giant success. If you're thinking of 7-Eleven, you're correct. While 7-Eleven is now where you'll find the best iced coffee and a wide variety of snacks, in 1927, it was just starting out and hadn't gotten its name yet. In Dallas, Texas, the Southland Ice Dock was run by Jefferson Green and sold large freezing blocks for people to use to refrigerate their food. During this time, shoppers would often need to head to several different stores to get meat, other groceries, general home goods, and, of course, ice. The hours were often limited as well, making grocery shopping more of a chore than it is today.

Green realized that the Ice Dock was already open for what back then was considered longer hours, a staggering 16 hours a day, seven days a week. He came up with the idea to sell bread and eggs there as well. When the Southland Ice Company caught word of Green's idea, the company decided to join forces. Several locations were opened up with this new business model and stayed open during the hours of 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. The name 7-Eleven, as we know it today, was born from these hours. The convenience of ice and a few groceries in one location did well to serve the clientele of its time; however, over the years, convenience stores became more, well, convenient with the 24-hour model, which 7-Eleven wouldn't introduce until over 35 years later. It wasn't the first 24-hour store in the U.S., though.

Read more: The Takeoff And Descent Of Airline Dining

The rise and decline of 24-hour convenience stores

The entrance of a 7-Eleven illuminated at night - Robert Way/Getty Images

7-Eleven opened its first 24-hour location after one store was so busy throughout the night that the employees couldn't close. The convenience store wasn't the first to serve the midnight crowd, however. Stores that stayed open all night and day were becoming more prevalent to cater to people with varying schedules and lifestyles. As Americans' work schedules varied from 9 to 5, swing shift, or graveyard, the need for more accessible stores grew. Convenience stores are also great in a pinch when one needs caffeine for a road trip, windshield wipers for their car, or even some Tums when nowhere else is open to sell them. Before you go planning your next road trip around these convenience stores, though, know that the rise of 24-hour stores is over, and we're currently on the decline.

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, retailers, including convenience stores, needed to close entirely or cut their hours of operation. As restrictions lifted, fewer and fewer locations returned to their pre-pandemic hours due to a variety of reasons, ranging from a lack of employees to lower sales volume during night-shift hours and even crime. Convenience stores aren't the only operations that may have changed the hours in which they do business; many 24-hour diners may never come back as well. If the journey of 7-Eleven from Southland Ice Company to the mega corporation it is today proves anything, it's that convenience stores are a reflection of the country's current needs.

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The state's Work Ethic Camp in McCook, Neb., has become a detention center for migrants facing deportation proceedings. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)

LINCOLN  Gov. Jim Pillen announced Thursday that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement inspectors have certified a Nebraska state prison to begin receiving federal detainees as it becomes a migrant detention facility.

Pillen said ICE inspectors completed a final walkthrough of the former McCook Work Ethic Camp this week, and the timeline for the first detainees to come to Nebraska is still being coordinated. Pillen said getting the final pieces together had been a moving target with the federal shutdown now on day 23.

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Given the many tasks that had to be completed, including the transfer of remaining inmates, building modifications, training of staff and other components, we have made significant progress, Pillen said in a statement.

McCook Mayor Linda Taylor speaks during an August press conference with Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen at McCooks Ben Nelson Regional Airport. (Brigham Larington/McCook Gazette)

Final security upgrades will continue in McCook over the next day or so, Pillen said, and additional modifications will allow the facility to house up to 300 detainees, from a maximum of about 200.

Pillens update comes less than 24 hours before a Red Willow County District Court judge will hear arguments on a lawsuit seeking to temporarily stop the Nebraska-ICE partnership. The lawsuit is from 13 McCook residents and former State Sen. DiAnna Schimek of Lincoln. It argues the Nebraska-ICE contract is unconstitutional without legislative approval because of language they say delegates management of the states prisons to the Legislature.

The lawsuit also argues that lawmakers had specified and funded the purpose of the McCook facility in law. The detention center remains state-owned and operated.

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Pillen and Rob Jeffreys, director of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, are named in the lawsuit.

Attorney Generals Office arguments

The Nebraska Attorney Generals Office, on behalf of Pillen and Jeffreys in court filings this week, asked for the lawsuit to be dismissed and all but said the train has left the station.

Should the court void the states contract with the federal government, that would release the federal government from its obligations to compensate the state for this work. Taxpayers would therefore suffer a greater injury from preliminary relief than without it, the brief states. Not to mention the damage that preliminary relief would do to the states relationship with the federal government.

Under the contract, ICE plans to pay Nebraska around $2.5 million monthly. Pillens office estimates the deal could net Nebraska $14.25 million annually. The contract was not publicly available until Oct. 17. It was signed Sept. 30. Pillen announced the initial plan Aug. 19. The lawsuit was filed Oct. 15.

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The AGs Office said the Legislature broadly delegated the day-to-day operations of state facilities to the executive branch and said the contract doesnt change McCooks overarching purpose as a detention center, so any change is one of degree, not kind.

State attorneys said the McCook residents and Schimek are not best-suited to challenge the facility, suggesting a more proper lawsuit could come instead from the Legislature, state inmates transferred from the Work Ethic Camp to other state facilities or federal detainees. The AGs Office said a better check on separation of powers concerns is the Legislature and the political process, not by going through the courts or by random taxpayers.

Taxpayers who object to the defendants actions have the same remedy as any other Nebraskan: the ballot box, the AGs Office wrote.

Every state is a border state

Nick Grandgenett, an attorney for the McCook residents and Schimek, framed the case last week as not about immigration but our constitutional republican form of government.

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The AGs Office criticized the lawsuit for not including all indispensable parties  the U.S. government, as well as a fencing company contracted to build a razor wire around the facility.

Plaintiffs cannot use purportedly illegal expenditures related to the McCook facility  costs that the federal government will reimburse  as a bootstrap to obtain the standing necessary to present their real challenge, which is aimed at the entire cooperative agreements and federal immigration enforcement activity, the states attorneys wrote.

Jeffreys, in a Thursday statement, said his departments attention to detail at the Work Ethic Camp and a strong partnership and cooperation with ICE and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security made certification possible.

Passing these inspections is a testament to our teams commitment to safety, security and professionalism, Jeffreys said. He signed the initial two-year Nebraska-ICE contract Sept. 30 for the state.

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Pillen said that once operational, the rebranded Cornhusker Clink will regionally support ICE officials who are working tirelessly to identify illegal criminals and get them off our streets.

Every state is a border state, Pillen said. Nebraska is going to do its part to make sure that our nation and Nebraskans are safe and secure.

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(NewsNation)  The Department of Homeland Security is hiring for more than 40 positions in medical positions in its immigration detention centers across the nation.

Politico first reported the Trump administrations plans to expand its workforce with doctors, psychologists, nurses, dentists and medical administrators, among others.

As of Wednesday night, there were 48 open job listings in the ICE Health Service Corps on the ICE USA Jobs portal.

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Some of the listings include positions located at various ICE detention centers across the country, including in locales where migrant deaths have been reported.

George Santos says hes looking into repaying fraud victims

In June, NewsNation reported that a Canadian man who was being held in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Miami became the 13th person to die in an ICE facility since October after he was found unresponsive.

An additional seven deaths have been announced by the federal agency since, taking the total to 20 deaths in that time.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., a member of the subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship, wrote in a social media post that 20 individuals have died under such circumstances since President Trump began his second term.

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Trumps ICE is detaining people in private prisons that put profit over health. There must be accountability and oversight NOW, she wrote Friday.

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While a federal judge scrutinizes the constitutionality of tactics used by federal immigration authorities during ongoing protests in Chicago, these same agencies are quietly amassing behind-the-scenes surveillance technology. Originally slated to target undocumented immigrants, the technology is now being used to investigate protesters of President Donald Trump's mass deportation campaign.

Backed by funding from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed in July, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has entered into contracts with companies to provide surveillance capabilities like facial recognition algorithms, an iris-scanning identification app, controversial spyware on smartphones, and a real-time smartphone location and social media tracking system. In September alone, ICE racked up $1.4 billion in new surveillance technology contracts, the highest in at least 18 years, according to The Washington Post.

These contracts are in addition to any privately owned surveillance networks to which ICE has access. Flock Safety, for example, has allowed ICE to access over 80,000 of its AI-powered license plate reader cameras installed nationwide, according to 404 Media. The expansiveand growingmass surveillance camera network captures the license plate number, make, model, and any distinctive features of all passing vehicles, making it possible to track cars and, by extension, drivers, often without a warrant.

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Although ICE has sold its surveillance campaign as necessary to locating and deporting undocumented immigrations, the Trump administration has signaled that the technologies will also be used on American citizens. In September, Trump signed an executive order designating antifa a domestic terrorist organization and signaled that federal agencies, including ICE, should devote resources to investigating the network. Todd M. Lyons, acting director of ICE, told Glenn Beck during an interview shortly after the executive order was signed that the agency would "track the money," "ringleaders," and "professional agitators" who are "being brought in" from outside the Chicago area to protest against immigration enforcement. But whether from Chicago or elsewhere, protester or "domestic terrorist," constitutional rights and limitations still apply, although adherence by federal agencies is being questioned.

Critics of mass surveillance have long warned that intrusive technologies could be used to violate Americans' privacy rights. "We don't know if law enforcement or ICE are getting search warrants to deploy this spyware," Maria Villegas Bravo, counsel for the Electronic Privacy Information Center, told the Post. "It's also a First Amendment issue because your phone contains all your communications, all your expressionsit has your contact lists, it has your social media. Any political organizing people do," she continued, is "typically on social media now, or over the phone."

The expansion of tracking and surveillance technology deployed by ICE coincides with the Trump administration's crackdown on services used by the public to share information about federal immigration enforcement. Since early October, the Justice Department has successfully pressured social media platforms, including Meta, Apple, and Google, to remove online groups and apps that share where ICE and other immigration agents have been sighted. Although private companies are not governed by the First Amendment and are free to set their own rules about acceptable speech, it is extremely concerning that the federal government would use its power and influence to blatantly interfere with Americans' otherwise protected free speech.

The courts and public are right to worry about the constitutional violations taking place in plain view by immigration agents during protests and enforcement operations, and officers must be held accountable. But those same actors must also be held responsible for the privacy violations that are less obvious and happening behind the scenes.

The post ICE Is Mounting a Mass Surveillance Campaign on American Citizens appeared first on Reason.com.
SAN DIEGO (FOX /KUSI)  A Kuwaiti man is accused of ramming his car into several Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer vehicles in San Diego Wednesday, ending in a final collision in a Bay Park neighborhood.

Lives of people that live in our neighborhood were put in jeopardy, said neighbor Michael Burreece.

Agents say the man from Kuwait was a violent criminal with a final order of deportation from the United States.

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There definitely was a collision on the backside of that school, said Patricia Hernandez.

Debris could be seen scattered on a street behind Whittier School, the likely scene of an initial collision that led to a further pursuit into a nearby Bay Park neighborhood.

It was really frightening when it passed because there were so many cars, said Hernandez.

ICE officials say the Kuwaiti man used his vehicle to hit law enforcement vehicles while trying to evade arrest. Neighbors described the final crash that caused the chase to come to an end right in front of homes on Dakota Drive.

The guy turned around in the cul-de-sac when he realized he couldnt get out and smashed into the truck, said Glenn Debarge.

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There had to have been at least 10 unmarked cars just descending on this quiet residential neighborhood thats on a cul-de-sac. Theres literally a daycare center three doors down from where that accident took place, said Burreece.

ICE says three federal officers were hurt as a result of the collisions. The officers, along with the suspect, were all treated at a local hospital.

In a statement, the agency says: This is another unfortunate example of the continued misinformed and unjust rhetoric against ICE empowering individuals to flee and assault federal officers conducting lawful enforcement actions in accordance with applicable congressionally approved federal law.

Many of those living in the area directly impacted by the days events had strong feelings about what they witnessed.

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No matter what the event was, the risk to public safety on this street and the amount of their response was unwarranted, unnecessary, dangerous, and reckless, said Burreece.

ICE says it will pursue criminal charges against the man from Kuwait for assaulting and resisting federal officers.

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Immigration and Customs Enforcement is flush with cash for an aggressive recruiting campaign to fulfill Donald Trumps mass deportation agenda. But new recruits are reportedly failing physical fitness requirements and entering training programs before the agency performed background checks or finished a screening process.

ICE officials have discovered that some recruits failed drug testing or had disqualifying criminal backgrounds while they were already enrolled in training, according to NBC News.

Since the beginning of a summer hiring surge after the president approved $178 billion to expand the agency into one of the most expensive police agencies in the world, ICE has dismissed more than 200 new recruits while they were in training for falling short of requirements, according to agency data reviewed by NBC.

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Most did not meet physical and academic standards  including failing open-book tests  while several were dismissed for their criminal backgrounds or over safety concerns that were flagged in background checks, the outlet reported.

ICE has reportedly dismissed more than 200 new recruits since a hiring spree that kicked off this summer, with potential agents failing background checks along with academic and physical fitness requirements. (Getty Images)

At least one recruit at the agencys training academy in Brunswick, Georgia, had been previously charged with strong-arm robbery and battery stemming from a domestic violence incident, according to a Homeland Security official speaking to NBC.

Several recruits also had not submitted fingerprints or gone through any background checks at all before entering the six-week training course, officials said.

Homeland Security deputy secretary Tricia McLaughlin claimed that a majority of new recruits are former law enforcement officers who go through a different hiring process; per ICE policy, applicants are required to pass drug tests and undergo a security check before they enter training.

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McLaughlin said the figures in NBCs report are not accurate and reflect a subset of candidates in initial basic academy classes.

The vast majority of new officers brought on during the hiring surge are experienced law enforcement officers who have already successfully completed a law enforcement academy, she said. This population is expected to account for greater than 85 percent of new hires. Prior-service hires follow streamlined validation but remain subject to medical, fitness, and background requirements.

Critics have warned that ICEs hiring spree without adequate guardrails and oversight risks overwhelming the agency, which already is facing a wave of allegations of abuse (REUTERS)

The Trump administration has aimed for hiring 10,000 ICE agents by next year, or roughly doubling its footprint, with a major boost to the agencys Enforcement and Removal Operations division.

Critics have warned that hitting that 10,000 target  without adequate guardrails to screen future agents and know exactly who is filling those roles  the government could open the door to repeat past mistakes, as ICE faces intense legal scrutiny over allegations of abuse and illegal use of force as Trump surges federal officers into cities across the country.

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The loosening of hiring standards and training requirements is unacceptable and will likely result in increased officer misconduct  similar to or worse than what occurred during a small surge in hiring U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in the early 2000s, Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin wrote to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem this week.

Exacerbating our concerns, DHS has gutted offices responsible for overseeing ICE officers and ensuring accountability for use-of-force incidents, he added. Given these developments, greater congressional oversight of ICEs hiring is essential.

To boost recruitment, Homeland Security offered a maximum $50,000 signing bonus and student loan forgiveness. DHS also dropped age limit requirements, allowing people as young as 18 years old to apply and opening ICE to recruits older than 40 years old.

The training period at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Georgia shrunk from 13 weeks to eight  and then six.

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Recruits must also pass a physical fitness test, including running 1.5 miles under 14 minutes and 25 seconds.

But dozens of new recruits were sent packing because they couldnt pass a legal exam, in which officers are allowed to use their books and notes for a test on the Immigration and Nationality Act and the Fourth Amendment.

Another group of recruits was dismissed after medical issues or failing the physical fitness requirements. Its pathetic, one career ICE official told The Atlantic.

The federal government has been struggling to enroll physically fit personnel to join the ranks since even before Trump, with military branches also regularly failing to meet recruiting goals.

One Pentagon study found that more than three-quarters of Americans between the ages of 17 and 24 were ineligible for service because they were overweight, unable to pass an aptitude test, afflicted by physical or mental health issues, or ruled out by a criminal record.
You may have heard about some things airlines used to do, but are no longer allowed to continue for certain reasons. Of course, such things don't usually catch people's interest, unless curiosity gets the better of them. However, some news stories are far more captivating, often because of the nature of their headlines. Imagine reading a headline that says a popular airline plans to cease operations. There's about a high chance you'd want to read more about it.

Well, that was once the case for Pan American World Airways  the iconic airline long credited as a symbol of glamour, innovation, and global connectivity. Pan Am announced that it would stop operations  and it did. But now, after more than 30 years, the airline is finally making plans for a comeback.

Pan Am was once the face of international air travel, owing a lot to their unique service, and the fact that they operated on a global scale when it came to routes. Although the original carrier folded in 1991, the name and logo never fully left the public mind. Those people can now start rejoicing, as it seems a carefully staged revival is now on its way. Pan Am has partnered with aviation firm Avi8 Air Capital to look into the idea of relaunching Pan Am as a scheduled U.S. carrier. This is by no means a baby step, and isn't it about time you started seeing the airline in operation, more than as a logo on a T-shirt? The possibility is now getting higher. And for the record, Pan Am was up there among the most luxurious airlines you can fly. It's one of those airlines that could make your vacation travel less stressful.

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Read more: Additional Airport Screening Isn't Totally Random. Here's Why You May Have Been Selected

What the current situation is; what's actually going on

Airbus A350 passenger airplane landing at airport - Vanderwolf-images/Getty Images

Avi8 Air Capital has announced that it has completed a comprehensive review of the business plan, and it has started the certification process with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The multi-phase regulatory path required for scheduled airlines has also been cleared. That means the team is working towards more than just one-off charters, as the step indicates more regular flights are the target.

Certification doesn't come as swiftly as the wind; it may take time because it requires approvals from both the FAA and DOT. Also, the airline is planning on using Airbus aircraft, although the exact models have not yet been revealed. Pan Am is looking at Miami as its intended headquarters. But details concerning schedules have also not been revealed, and that's because those usually appear later in the certification or aircraft-leasing phase.

The Pan Am name is already being used for exclusive luxury trips that celebrate the "golden age" of air travel even though the airline has not officially returned to scheduled flights. One instance of this is the "Tracing the Transatlantic" journey, which is coming up in summer 2025. The journey is a 12-day private jet tour on a Boeing 757, visiting classic Pan Am destinations like Bermuda, Lisbon, Foynes, Marseille, and London. The cost of the trip is around $60,000 per head, and that's intended to give travelers a sip of the vintage glamor that Pan Am was known for. Again, these experiences are created to be exclusive, promotional, and to show how the airline intends to position itself in the current travel market.

Why this revival matters, and why it's hard

Pan Am airplane sits at the airport - Morse Collection/gado/Getty Images

The revival of Pan Am matters because of the brand's power. Pan Am's name will open doors of partnerships, nostalgic marketing, and even interest among wealthy travelers willing to pay for unique luxury experiences. The initial charters already showed that the brand can sell out exclusive, high-priced packages very quickly, and that's a positive sign for potential investors.

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However, running an airline can be a very tough prospect, and bringing back a famous name doesn't mean there's going to be a guaranteed profit. Issues like busy airports, rising fuel prices, crew and maintenance costs, and strict aviation rules could make the business a bit challenging. That Pan Am is a legendary image doesn't mean it can't face the same tight profit margins other airlines struggle with. After all, the key to success lies in having a smart route plan, cost-efficient aircraft, and a well-defined market focus.

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IDA GROVE, Iowa  Authorities say an Ida Grove in-home daycare provider has been charged with child endangerment following a September incident.

According to the Ida County Sheriffs Office, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and ICSO deputies arrested 41-year-old Megan Louise Montgomery on Tuesday.

Authorities say Montgomery was arrested on an outstanding warrant charging her with Willful Injury, a Class C Felony, and Child Endangerment Causing Serious Injury, a Class C Felony.

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Des Moines Public Schools student allegedly detained, deported by ICE

The arrest was a result of an investigation into a September 11, 2025, incident at Montgomerys home in Ida Grove. According to court records, more than a dozen children were placed in the sole care of Montgomery on the day of the incident. Court records state that before noon, Montgomery aggressively picked up an 11-month-old infant by the arm and carried them to another room.

Shortly after this, court records state Montgomery found the 11-month-old unresponsive and called 911 for medical assistance. The infant was later airlifted to a hospital and treated for debilitating injuries, court records state.

Montgomery was booked into the Ida County jail and released after posting $10,000 bond.

Iowa News:

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Three women become choked up as they deliver news in a video posted to social media. We did it, everybody, says Leslie Manookian, the woman in the middle. She is a driving force in a campaign that has chipped away at the foundations of modern public health in Idaho. The group had just gotten lawmakers to pass what she called the first true medical freedom bill in the nation. Its literally landmark, Manookian said. It is changing everything.

With Manookian in the video are two of her allies, the leaders of Health Freedom Idaho. It was April 4, hours after the governor signed the Idaho Medical Freedom Act into law.

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The act makes it illegal for state and local governments, private businesses, employers, schools and daycares to require anyone to take a vaccine or receive any other medical intervention.

Whether the law will actually alter day-to-day life in Idaho is an open question, because Idaho already made it easy to get around the few existing vaccination requirements.

But it could have a significant effect in other states, where rules arent already so relaxed. And it comes at a time when diseases once eradicated from the U.S. through vaccination are making a resurgence.

The law runs against one of the hallmarks of modern public health: that a persons full participation in society depends on their willingness to follow certain rules. (Want to send your child to public school? Theyll need a measles vaccine. Want to work in a retirement community during flu season? You might have to wear a mask.)

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The new Idaho law flips that on its head. It not only removes the obligation to follow such rules, it makes the rules themselves illegal.

The new law sets Idaho apart from even conservative-leaning South Carolina, where two schools recently quarantined more than 150 unvaccinated children after measles arrived.

A person can spread measles for four days before symptoms appear. During the South Carolina schools quarantine, five students began to show symptoms, but the quarantine kept them from spreading it, the health department said this month.

That precaution would now be illegal in Idaho.

Idahos law caught the attention of people who share Manookians belief that  contrary to hundreds of years of public health evidence and rigorous regulation in the U.S.  vaccines are worse than the diseases they prevent.

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It also caught the attention of people like Jennifer Herricks, a pro-vaccine advocate in Louisiana and advocacy director for American Families for Vaccines.

Herricks and her counterparts in other states say that vaccine requirements have done so much good for our kids and for our communities.

An analysis published last year by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that routine childhood vaccines prevented more than 1.1 million deaths and 32 million hospitalizations in the U.S. over three decades, saving $540 billion in direct costs and saving society about $2.7 trillion. The analysis was limited; it didnt account for the lives and money saved by vaccines for flu or RSV, which kill and hospitalize babies and children each year.

Idahos move was pretty concerning, Herricks said, especially seeing the direction that everything is headed at the federal government.

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The law is the culmination of a decade of anti-vaccine activism that got a boost from the pandemic.

Its rooted in a belief system that distrusts institutions  government health agencies, vaccine makers, medical societies and others  on the premise that those institutions seek only money and control.

Manookian said in an interview that she believes one person should never be told to risk their health in the theoretical service of another.

Now, Manookian and her allies have a new goal in their sights: to make Idahos legislation a nationwide standard.

Idaho was already more permissive than other states when it came to vaccine rules. Parents since at least the 1990s could send unvaccinated children to school if they signed a form saying vaccination went against their religious or personal beliefs.

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That wasnt good enough for Idahoans who describe themselves as advocates for health freedom. They worked to shift the paradigm, bit by bit, so that it can be easier now for parents to get a vaccine exemption than to show the school their child is actually vaccinated.

In recent years, lawmakers ordered schools and daycare centers to tell parents about the exemptions allowed in Idaho whenever they communicate about immunizations.

The state also decided to let parents exempt their kids by writing a note, instead of having to fill out a form  one that, in the past, required them to acknowledge the risks of going unvaccinated.

(There is conflicting data on whether these changes truly affected vaccination rates or just led more parents to skip the trouble of handing in vaccine records. Starting in 2021, Idaho schools reported a steady drop in the share of kindergartners with documented vaccinations. Phone surveys of parents, by contrast, showed vaccination rates have been largely unchanged.)

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An enduring backlash against Idahos short-lived COVID-19 mandates gave Manookians movement more momentum, culminating this year in what she considered the ultimate step in Idahos evolution.

Manookian had a previous career in finance in New York and London. She transitioned to work as a homeopath and advocate, ultimately returning to her home state of Idaho.

The bill she came up with said that almost nobody can be required to have a vaccine or take any test or medical procedure or treatment in order to go to school, get a job or go about life how theyd like to. In practice, that would mean schools couldnt send unvaccinated kids home, even during a measles outbreak, and private businesses and daycares couldnt require people on their property to follow public health guidance.

The state had just passed the Coronavirus Stop Act in 2023, which banned nearly all COVID-19 vaccine requirements. If lawmakers did that for COVID-19, Manookian reasoned, they could do the same for all communicable diseases and all medical decisions.

Leslie Manookian - Courtesy of Leslie Manookian

Her theory was right, ultimately.

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The bill she penned in the summer of 2024 made it through the Republican-controlled House and Senate in early 2025.

Manookian took to social media to rally support for the legislation as it sat on the desk of Gov. Brad Little.

But the governor vetoed it. In a letter, he explained that he saw the bill as government intrusion on parents freedom to ensure their children stay healthy. During an outbreak, he said, schools wouldnt be able to send home students with highly contagious conditions like measles.

Manookian tried again days after the veto. In the next version of the bill, protections during a disease outbreak applied only to healthy people.

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This time, Little signed it.

Weeks after the signing, Manookian joined like-minded advocates on a stage in Washington, D.C., for a launch event for the MAHA Institute, a group with strong ties to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (MAHA stands for Make America Healthy Again.) The new Health and Human Services secretary had denounced vaccines for years before President Donald Trump appointed him.

At the gathering, Manookian announced her next mission: to make it a societal norm and to codify it in law that nobody can dictate any other persons medical choices.

Were going to roll that out to other states, and were going to make America free again, Manookian told the audience in May.

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Manookians commitment to bring along the rest of the country has continued ever since.

Her nonprofit, the Health Freedom Defense Fund, is now distributing model legislation and a how-to guide, with talking points to persuade legislators. Manookian said in podcast interviews that she is working with the nonprofit Stand For Health Freedom to mobilize activists in every state.

In an interview with ProPublica, Manookian said her objective is for people to understand and appreciate that the most basic and fundamental of human rights is the right to direct our own medical treatment  and to codify that in law in every state. Breaking that barrier in Idaho proves that it can be done, that Americans understand the importance of this, and the humanity of it, and that it should be done in other states.

Her efforts were rewarded over the summer with a visit from none other than Kennedy, who visited Boise and toured a farm with Manookian and state lawmakers in tow.

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This state, more than any other state in the country aligns with the MAHA campaign, Kennedy told reporters at a news conference where no one was allowed to ask questions. Kennedy called Idaho the home of medical freedom.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited an Idaho farm with Leslie Manookian and several of her allies in the health freedom movement this past summer. - Screenshot by ProPublica

The Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to ProPublicas request for comment from Kennedy or his staff on Idahos law and his visit to the state.

Childrens Health Defense, the organization Kennedy built into one of the fiercest foes of childhood vaccines, took interest in the Idaho bill early on.

The group promoted the bill as it sat on the governors desk, as he vetoed it, then as Manookian worked successfully to get a revived bill through the statehouse and signed into law.

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The organizations online video programming featured Manookian five times in late March and early April. One shows host told viewers they could follow Idaho in its very smart strategy of taking a law against COVID-related mandates, crossing out COVID, making a few other tweaks, and you have an incredible health freedom bill after that.

Childrens Health Defense CEO Mary Holland said shes known Manookian for more than 15 years and pushed the national organization to publicize Manookians work. Holland introduced her at the Washington, D.C., event.

Whereas most states put the onus on unvaccinated people to show why they should opt out of a mandate, Idahos legislation made unvaccinated people the norm  shifting the burden of accommodation onto those who support vaccination.

Now, parents of infants too young for a measles vaccine cant choose a daycare that requires immunization. Parents of immune-compromised students must decide whether to keep their children home from school during an outbreak of vaccine-preventable diseases, knowing unvaccinated children wont be quarantined.

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Holland said Idaho parents who want their kids to be in a learning environment with herd immunity levels of measles vaccination can start a private association  not a school, because schools cant require vaccines  just as parents who dont like vaccines have done in order to dodge requirements imposed by states like California and New York.

I think you could certainly do that in Idaho. Holland said. It wouldnt be a public school. It might be the Church of Vaccinia school.

The Idaho Capitol building, before Gov. Brad Littles press conference with Kennedy this past July. - Otto Kitsinger for ProPublica

The day Idahos Medical Freedom Act was signed, a legislator in Louisiana brought forward the Louisiana Medical Freedom Act. In a hearing later, she pointed to Idaho as a model.

Louisiana followed Idaho once before in 2024, when it passed a law that requires schools to describe the exemptions available to parents whenever they communicate about immunizations. Idaho had passed an almost identical law three years earlier.

Herricks, the Louisiana pro-vaccine advocate, said she watched the Idaho Medical Freedom Acts progress with a lot of concern, seeing how much progress it was making. Now its set a precedent, Herricks said.

Holland, the Childrens Health Defense CEO, said she looks forward to Idahos approach spreading.

She pointed to a September announcement by Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo that he intends to rid his state of all vaccine mandates. Holland said she expects other Republican-controlled states to take a serious look at the Idaho law. (Ladapos office did not respond to requests for comment.)

Its a big change, Holland said. Its not just related to vaccines. Its a blow against the notion that there can be compulsory medicine.

Some people support the more-than-century-old notion that compelling people to be vaccinated or masked will provide such enormous collective benefits that it outweighs any inconvenience or small incursion on personal liberty.

Others, like Holland and Manookian, do not.

At the heart of laws like Idahos is a sense of, Im going to do what I want to do for myself, and I dont want anybody telling me what to do, which is in direct contrast to public health, said Paul Offit, pediatrician and vaccinologist at the University of Pennsylvania and Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia.

Offit, who co-invented a vaccine against rotavirus, is a critic of Kennedy and was removed from a federal vaccine panel in September.

A more fundamental conflict is that some people believe vaccines and other tools to prevent the spread of illness, like masks, are harmful. That belief is at odds with the overwhelming consensus of scientists and health experts, including Kennedys own Department of Health and Human Services and the CDC.

Both tensions are at play in Idaho.

In April, Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed into law the Idaho Medical Freedom Act, which prohibits state and local governments, private businesses, employers, schools and day cares to require anyone to take a vaccine. - Otto Kitsinger for ProPublica

As is the case nationally, Idahos health freedom movement has long pushed back against being labeled anti-vaccine. Idaho lawmakers and advocates have stressed that their goals are bodily autonomy and informed choice.

They do not take a stance on the bodily autonomy principle when it comes to abortion, however. Almost all state legislators who voted for the Idaho Medical Freedom Act also voted to ban abortion, if they were in office at both times.

Every action has to be evaluated on its individual morality, not on whether it does the most good for the most people, Manookian said.

But Manookians rejection of vaccine mandates goes beyond a libertarian philosophy.

Manookian has said publicly that she thinks vaccines are poison for profit, that continuing to let daycares require vaccination would put our children on the chopping block, that measles is positive for the body, that the virus protects against cancer, and that it can send people into total remission  an assertion she made on an Idaho wellness centers podcast in April.

Manookian told ProPublica she believes infectious diseases have been made the bogeyman.

Against those claims, research has shown that having the measles suppresses immunity to other diseases, a phenomenon dubbed immune amnesia that can make children who have recovered from measles more susceptible to pneumonia and other bacterial and viral infections. About 20% of unvaccinated people who get measles will be hospitalized, and 1 to 3 of every 1,000 children who are infected will die from complications of the disease, according to the CDC.

And while researchers have studied using engineered measles viruses in a cancer treatment, those same researchers have written that they were dismayed to learn their research has been misconstrued by some who oppose vaccination. They said they very strongly advise giving children the measles vaccine, that there is no evidence that measles infection can protect against cancer and that measles is a dangerous pathogen, not suitable for use as a cancer therapy.

(Manookian said she believes she has evidence for her cancer remission claim but couldnt readily produce it, adding that she may have been mistaken.)

The measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, meanwhile, is safe and highly effective, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, among others. The CDC says the most common negative reactions are a sore arm, fever or mild rash. Two doses of the vaccine provide near total protection, according to the CDC.

Manookian said she doesnt believe the research on vaccines has been adequate.

She will have another chance to spread her views from a prominent platform in November, when shes scheduled to speak at the Childrens Health Defense 2025 conference in Austin, Texas.

Shell share the stage with celebrities in the anti-vaccine movement: Del Bigtree, communications director for Kennedys past presidential campaign; actor Russell Brand; Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul and Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson; and Ladapo, the Florida surgeon general who made headlines for his push to end vaccine mandates in Florida, months after Idaho wrote that concept into law.

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COEUR DALENE, Idaho (ABC4)  A 20-year-old man has pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Alexander Scott Mercurio from Coeur dAlene pleaded guilty in the Federal District Court of Idaho today after attempting to support ISIS and planning attacks in Coeur dAlene.

He was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Salt Lake City Division on April 6, 2024, and he reportedly had multiple attacks planned for April 7, intending to attack local churches on behalf of ISIS.

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PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Idaho man faces federal terrorism charge.

Mercurio is scheduled for sentencing on January 27, 2026. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison for his crime, according to United States Code  2339B.

Mercurios Online Presence

The FBI first became aware of Alexander Mercurio in 2021. At the time, the FBI was investigating a fundraising network that uses cryptocurrency and other financial services to support designated foreign terrorist organizations like ISIS.

They determined that multiple individuals were collecting and providing funds for ISIS while communicating on encrypted social media and mobile messaging electronic communication services.

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One of the individuals suddenly deleted their accounts, and the FBI stated that they are believed to have died around July 2022.

Shortly after that individuals possible death, a confidential human source (CHS) with the FBI assumed the same display name and posed as that individual. Then, an account messaged the CHS and said, When I woke up, it displayed your account as deleted, so I was worried. But it appears to have just been a glitch.

Investigators found the IP address that was linked to accounts with the same username as the individual messaging the CHS and tracked the IP addresses to service provider accounts registered to Alexandro Mercurios father.

Mercurio lived with his father and also was an online student using a laptop. In March of 2023, the FBI obtained copies of files on Mercurios school-issued electronic devices.

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According to court documents, Mercurio regularly glorified the violent murder of non-believers and heroism of the Islamic State fighters in the battlefields against the enemies which are common radical beliefs of ISIS.

NATIONAL: Utah and other truck drivers petition U.S. government to review rule limiting CDLs to citizens

Additionally, there was a photo of Mercurio wearing a black balaclava and using a gesture common among ISIS supporters, as well as several documents concerning politics and some showing direct support to ISIS or radical ideology.

Mercurio also communicated online with and in support of known ISIS supporters, created and distributed propaganda, and pledged allegiance to ISIS.

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In February of 2024, a second CHS met with Mercurio in-person, who told them that he previously drank the Kool-aid of white supremacy, before turning to Islam. In future conversations, Mercurio alluded to radical Islamic beliefs and discussed martyrdom.

He also mentioned wanting to travel to become an ISIS soldier, and in a text message to a CHS, stated, I dont have the desire to do anything except Jihada craving for mayhem and terror.

Mercurios Attack Planning

Between March 25 and 26, 2024, Mercurio messaged a CHS multiple times and discussed specific plans to attack local churches in Coeur dAlene.

According to court documents, one of the messages read that his plan was to, stop close by the church, equip the weapon(s) and storm the temple, kill as many as possible before they [inevitably] [disperse]/scatter, then burn the temple to the ground and flee the scene, then move onto the next church, rinse and repeat for all 21+ churches in the town until killed.

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The CHS asked clarifying questions to Mercurio, who discussed more specifics about his plans. A second CHS met with Mercurio and recorded the conversation. In both conversations, Mercurio discussed clear intent and plans to cause a mass casualty event.

South Jordan police clear potential threat near city hall

On April 1, 2025, Mercurio messaged an undercover FBI agent and stated that this Sunday, I am going to be carrying out a martyrdom operation. He also discussed sending out a video detailing his beliefs shortly before the operation and sending all his money to ISIS.

Leading up to the intended attack, Mercurio spoke to several undercover operatives and Confidential Human sources and discussed plans to incapacitate or even kill his father, steal firearms, and carry out a terror attack on local churches.

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On April 6, 2024, around 12:45 p.m., the FBI issued a search warrant for Mercurios residence and person. They seized multiple firearms and tools that corresponded to what Mercurio stated he would use in carrying out an attack.

The FBI also arrested Mercurio and charged him with proving material support or resources to designated foreign terrorist organizations, based on the physical and online evidence.

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IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir speaks to Israeli soldiers near the Gaza border, October 9, 2025 (photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON

Eyal Zamir added that the return of the remains of the 13 hostages still held in Gaza "must be a prerequisite before moving to the next phase.

The IDF considers the disarmament of Hamas a necessary condition for moving to the next stage of the US-brokered Gaza deal, Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir told US Vice President JD Vance on Thursday.

During the meeting, which included Defense Minister Israel Katz, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, and several senior IDF officials, Zamir addressed the issue of the remains of 13 hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza.

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Their return must be a prerequisite before moving to the next phase, Zamir told Vance, highlighting in particular deceased hostage Hadar Goldin, whose remains have been in Gaza since 2014.

Several Israeli representatives stated that at least some of these remains could be returned immediately, without any obstacles or excuses.

Iran's nuclear capabilities

Another major topic raised in the meeting was Iran, as recent satellite images show that Iran has been restoring its missile and nuclear sites.

We must act together, just as we did in the past, to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities, Zamir told Vance.
IDF forces demolished the home of Jamil Samara, a terrorist involved in the attack which killed Tzeela Gez in May.

The IDF, on Wednesday, demolished the home of one of the perpetrators of the terrorist attack that killed Tzeela Gez and her then-unborn son, the military announced.

Troops from the Ephraim Brigade destroyed the home of terrorist Jamil Samara in Burkin, near Jenin in the West Bank. Samara assisted terrorist Na'al Samara in carrying out the deadly shooting on May 14.

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Na'al Samara had been killed by the IDF in May and the terror cell he belonged to was the subject of a joint investigation by the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), the IDF, and the Israel Police.

The investigation found that the terror cell had also executed three other attacks including the March terror shooting in Ariel.

Terror attack en route to the hospital

Gez, a well-known and respected therapist and mother of three, and her husband, Hananel, were on their way to the hospital for the birth of their son when they were targeted in a shooting on Route 446.

Tzeela Gez, the pregnant woman wounded in a terror attack and succumbed to her wounds, May 15, 2025. (credit: SCREENSHOT/X/VIA SECTION 27A OF THE COPYRIGHT ACT)

Gez evacuated unconscious to Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Campus, Petah Tikva, where doctors performed emergency surgery in a bid to save the baby.

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Her baby, Ravid Haim was delivered and doctors immediately launched efforts to stabilize him. Gez was pronounced dead shortly after the delivery. Ravid Haim was transferred to Schneider Children's Medical Center where medical teams continued working on him until he too was pronounced dead two weeks later.

Dr. Itay Gal contributed to this report.
Forces dealt with simulated attempted takeovers of additional northern communities, IDF facilities, and outposts along the border.

The IDF conducted 30 hours of training for defensive battles across the entire northern border in the past week in preparation for a potential October 7-like attack from Lebanon.

One of the scenarios presented during the training tested the armys ability to respond to a surprise attack on Nahariya, a major urban center with tens of thousands of residents, if hundreds of terrorists attempted to infiltrate by air, land, and sea to capture the city.

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Simultaneously, forces dealt with simulated attempted takeovers of additional northern communities, IDF facilities, and outposts along the border.

On Wednesday night, the exercise entered its second phase, as the IDF shifted from defense to offense inside Lebanese territory.

During the night, troops were required to train for scenarios involving the prevention of hostages being smuggled from Israeli territory into Lebanon.

IDF troops operate in southern Lebanon. January 23, 2025. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

The army said it made no concessions for the participating forces, with the Ground Training Center designing extreme scenarios meant to push troops to their limits.

Exercises exposed areas of weakness

Among those taking part, there was a consensus that in some areas the exercise revealed failures.

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There were places where battalions failed their missions severely, a senior officer said, noting that units sometimes had to be replaced mid-drill or recover from major setbacks.

The officer said massive coordination with the Israel Air Force was practiced, alongside smaller- and larger-scale engagements in various locations.

According to the IDF, the question remains as to whether Hezbollah can still challenge Israel in an extreme scenario.

At this point, can they execute something like what we practiced as they could before?

Probably not, the senior officer said. But our starting point is to prepare for both the easy and the hardest possibilities. We cant know what will happen.

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He added that many operational patterns were drilled, and credited the training center for pushing forces from the plausible to the implausible across air, land, and sea domains.

The IDF acknowledged that any Hezbollah attack may come as a surprise.

The assumption is that it will happen unexpectedly  not because I dont trust intelligence, but because intelligence cant know everything, the officer said. Thats why all the scenarios were surprise attacks  to connect the dots into a complete picture.

He noted that Hezbollahs capabilities had been badly damaged but that they are trying. Their [numbers] and coordination are now very limited.

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Organizers built scenarios based on Hezbollahs pre-war abilities, even exaggerating its strength to test readiness.

They came from the sea, from many directions, not just above the water, the officer said. At sea, the navys job is to stop them. On land, our continuous operations inside Lebanon give us two advantages  short-term scanning to ensure Hezbollah doesnt rebuild, and long-term organization of the security buffer to make it harder for them to launch attacks.

One of the commanders overseeing the exercise said the extreme scenarios were intentionally designed to overload the system.

But there was no system collapse, he said. We have no choice but to learn from the failures of October 7. The system functions differently now. Even under pressure, they recovered.

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Northern Command officials said that since October 7, the IDF has dramatically changed its approach to securing the northern sector.

The army has deployed five forward outposts inside southern Lebanon, overlooking the terrain in front of Galilee communities, serving as a forward defense line.

Each community now has an upgraded local emergency squad reinforced with manpower and equipment, plus an attached infantry platoon. At the same time, the IDF has enhanced its firepower and lethality and created specialized battalions and rapid-response units designed to provide immediate defensive response.

When asked what worries him most, the senior officer replied, Its mainly what I dont know, [both the] when and where. I try to assess the patterns and push the drills to the edge as much as possible.
During operations at the offices of the Islamic Charity Association in Hebron, troops found a copy of Hitler's autobiography translated into Arabic.

The IDF discovered a copy of Nazi dictator Adolf Hitlers biography Mein Kampf during a raid on a Hamas-affiliated charity office in Hebron, the military announced on Thursday.

During operations at the offices of the Islamic Charity Association in Hebron, troops found a copy of the book translated into Arabic.

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The Islamic Charity Association publicly presents as a charity for the needy, but actually functions as an organizational arm of Hamas, the military stated.

The organization works to promote terror incitement, recruits terrorists, and funnels money for attacks, the IDF added. It is one of many branches in the West Bank.

Cash located by Israeli troops in a Hebron-based charity affiliated with Hamas. October 23, 2025. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

IDF raids Hamas-affiliated charity in West Bank

Additionally, the military stated that troops seized approximately NIS 165,700 in terror funds, as well as computers, technological devices, bags, documents, and other items used for terror

incitement.

The IDF noted that soldiers had sealed the office's main door to prevent anyone from entering.

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In June 2024, Arab-Israeli activist Yosef Hadad published an image online showing an IDF soldier holding a copy of another Arabic-language Mein Kampf in the Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza, where

the book was reportedly discovered.

President Isaac Herzog stated in a November 2023 BBC interview that IDF soldiers had discovered yet another copy of the book on the body of a terrorist who was hiding in a childs bedroom in a northern Gaza apartment.
At IDWeek 2025, held on 1922 October, Dr Eric Mayer from Moderna shared data from a Phase III trial assessing the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of Modernas mRNA-1345 respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients in patients aged 18 years and older. RSV is a common respiratory pathogen that causes significant global disease. Immunocompromised status is significantly associated with increased risk of RSV infection, and specifically mortality. Key opinion leaders previously interviewed by GlobalData noted the need for more data on current RSV vaccines and their use in the immunocompromised cohort. mRESVIA has been approved in major markets including the US, the EU, Japan, and Australia for the prevention of RSV lower respiratory-tract disease (LRTD) in adults older than age 60 years, and in adults ages 1859 years who are at an increased risk for RSV-LRTD. mRESVIA was the third RSV prophylactic vaccine to enter the global market, having first been approved in the US in May 2024. This followed the earlier approvals of GSKs Arexvy and Pfizers Abrysvo, both of which were first approved in the US in May 2023.

In this open-label study (NCT06067230), 48 kidney recipients, 46 lung recipients, 48 liver recipients, and eight multi-organ recipients received a two-dose regimen of 50micrograms mRNA-1345 around 60 days apart. All candidates received their transplant at least 180 days prior to the onset of the trial. The primary objective was the safety of mRNA-1345 in the SOT population, as determined through observing any adverse events (AEs), and immunogenicity was tested through measuring RSV-A and RSV-B neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) geometric mean titers (GMTs) after two doses of mRNA-1345 administered two months apart.

Trial results demonstrated that mRNA-1345 was safe in SOT recipients, with results displaying a similar profile to the current known profile of the drug. Solicited adverse reactions were mostly grade 12, occurred within 12 days of injection, and resolved within 23 days. Injection site pain was the most frequent local reaction, with fatigue, headache, and myalgia being the main systemic reactions. Only one grade 4 AE was reported as being related to treatment but was confounded by the administration of rabbit anti-thrombocyte globulin 14 days prior. No AEs led to vaccine discontinuation or deaths within 28 days of any dose reported.

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Trial results demonstrated that mRNA-1345 was effective in SOT recipients, with results displaying a similar profile to the current known profile of the drug. One dose of mRNA-1345 was immunogenic in all SOT types, with measurable increases in RSV-A and RSV-B nAb GMTs by day 29. Responses were durable through day 181, with geometric mean fold rises remaining above baseline for both RSV-A and RSV-B, consistent across all transplant types. Increased nAb responses after the second dose were observed in participants within two years of transplant, most notably in kidney and lung recipients, as well as those receiving the immunosuppressant mycophenolate mofetil. This indicates that within two years post-transplant, recipients and those on certain immunosuppressive agents may benefit from a second dose of mRNA-1345.

The use of mRNA-1345 in transplant recipients is safe and effective, and some patients may benefit from a second dose. These findings are useful for clinicians in order to further understand the response of mRNA-1345 in the immunocompromised patient cohort, since guidelines in the major markets do recommend RSV vaccination in SOT recipients.

"IDWeek 2025: mRNA-1345 RSV vaccine is safe and effective in transplant recipients" was originally created and published by Clinical Trials Arena, a GlobalData owned brand.




At IDWeek, 2025, held on 1922 October, Dr Sarah McLeod from Innoviva Specialty Therapeutics presented subgroup analyses from a global Phase III noninferiority randomised controlled trial which evaluated the safety and efficacy of zoliflodacin compared to the dual therapy of ceftriaxone plus azithromycin for uncomplicated gonorrhoea.

Gonorrhoea, caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, is one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections worldwide. According to GlobalData epidemiologists, there were an estimated 2.73 million diagnosed incident cases of gonorrhoea in 2024 across 16 major markets (Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, the UK, and the US). This is expected to increase to 2.81 million diagnosed incident cases by 2029.

Uncomplicated gonorrhoea refers to infections localised to mucosal surfaces such as the urethra, cervix, rectum, or pharynx whereas complicated gonorrhoea occurs when the infection spreads beyond these sites and may lead to complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease. However, both complicated and uncomplicated gonorrhoea can be antibiotic-resistant. The emergence and worldwide spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to many antibacterials previously used as first-line therapies has effectively diminished the treatment options for this infection. Hence, there is an urgent unmet need for novel therapeutics.

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Innovivas zoliflodacin is a first-in-class, single-dose, oral spiropyrimidinetrione antibiotic currently under regulatory review by the FDA for the treatment of uncomplicated gonorrhoea. Zoliflodacin has bactericidal activity through the inhibition of DNA replication. Its primary target is the B subunit of DNA gyrase, and this unique mode of inhibition has not been associated with cross-resistance to other antibiotics. Zoliflodacin has demonstrated activity against N. gonorrhoeae in vitro, including multi-drug resistant strains, and has demonstrated a low propensity to develop resistance in vitro.

This Phase III trial was the largest that has been conducted for uncomplicated gonorrhoea. In the trial, participants with urogenital gonorrhoea were randomised in a 2:1 ratio to receive either 3g zoliflodacin administered as a single oral dose or 500mg ceftriaxone administered intramuscularly in combination with 1g azithromycin administered orally (ceftriaxone/ azithromycin). The primary efficacy endpoint was microbiological cure at the urogenital (urethral or cervical) site of infection at the test-of-cure (TOC) visit on day six in the microbiological intent-to-treat (micro-ITT) population. Microbiological cure was determined based on a culture that was positive for N. gonorrhoeae at baseline and negative for N. gonorrhoeae at the TOC visit. Zoliflodacin met its primary efficacy endpoint of non-inferiority compared to ceftriaxone/azithromycin with urogenital microbiological cure rates of 90.9% and 96.2% observed, respectively. Key secondary analyses were also comparable between the zoliflodacin and ceftriaxone/azithromycin treatment arms. At the TOC visit in the micro-ITT population, microbiological cure rates were 79.2% and 78.6%, respectively, at the pharyngeal site, and 87.3% and 88.6%, respectively, at the rectal site. In addition, for subjects in the zoliflodacin arm who had ciprofloxacin-resistant infections at baseline, microbiological cure rates were high, and this effect was consistent across urogenital, pharyngeal, and rectal sites of infection. Zoliflodacin was also generally well tolerated with an overall safety profile comparable to ceftriaxone/azithromycin.

Overall, zoliflodacin represents a highly promising drug candidate with a strong safety and efficacy profile, and a convenient oral route of administration. If approved, it will likely compete with GSKs gepotidacin, a first-in-class orally administered triazaacenaphthylene antibiotic that is also under regulatory review for uncomplicated gonorrhea by the FDA. Both zoliflodacin and gepotidacin have been granted priority review status and have Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action dates of December 2025. Therefore, after decades of stagnation in which no new antibiotics have been approved for gonorrhoea, two novel orally administered therapies with distinct mechanisms of action are likely to launch on the US market in 2026, making this an exciting time for clinicians in the field.

"IDWeek 2025: zoliflodacin is non-inferior to ceftriaxone/azithromycin for gonorrhoea" was originally created and published by Clinical Trials Arena, a GlobalData owned brand.




The Indiana-Illinois Boundary Adjustment Commission met in Terre Haute on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. (Screenshot of livestream)

The Indiana-Illinois Boundary Adjustment Commission met Wednesday for the first time  manned only by Hoosier members  to consider absorbing secessionist Illinois counties.

Prairie State Gov. J.B. Pritzker has dubbed it a stunt that is not going to happen. No Illinoisans were named to the panel.

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Instead, a six-member Indiana quorum conducted business in Terre Haute, taking remote  and mixed  testimony from residents of both states. The meeting was livestreamed.

Since 2020, 33 Illinois counties have passed advisory referenda to secede  with seven of those votes occurring in the 2024 elections.

Scott Carpenter of Downstate Illinois Secession said redrawing borders would be freeing Prairie State residents from bad Illinois law.

He suggested absorbing 74 counties that had a higher share of support for President Donald Trump during the 2020 election than Indiana  or, a smaller number of eastern counties with a higher average income than Indiana.

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Some might argue that this whole border adjustment commission is a waste of time because the government of Illinois would not agree to let these counties go, Carpenter said. But a debt crisis could force the states hand, he added.

Your commission is an opportunity to sound out and settle on a politically expedient solution that can be repackaged and presented to the public in such a time of crisis, he said.

Its unclear how Indiana would handle the issue of debt.

The Indiana-Illinois Boundary Adjustment Commission met in Terre Haute on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. (Screenshot of livestream)

Illinois has almost $250 billion in liabilities, according to a 2024 analysis by the Reason Foundation, a Libertarian think tank. Indiana, meanwhile, is running a modest surplus.

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We are essentially a drain on  Illinois, and they remind us of that regularly, said fellow Downstate Illinois Secession member Eric Ivers. He argued those counties would be much more productive under Indianas governance.

We would no longer have to deal with the limitations placed on us by Chicago, Ivers added.

Those pushing to create a new state spoke against absorption.

G.H. Merritt, who chairs the board of New Illinois, said that would undermine our efforts to  escape from Old Illinois.'

She envisions 101 of the Prairie States counties seceding  every one besides Chicagos Cook County.

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Merritt claimed the commission was just for show. She recounted a phone call with the office of Republican Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston, who authored the law creating the commission.

The gentlemans first question to me was, Why do you want to do this? And my reply to him is, Why do you want to do this?' she told the commission.

House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, addresses the chamber on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. His GOP priority bill could prompt multiple Illinois counties to secede and join Indiana. (Casey Smith/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

 The debt would be just make this prohibitively expensive. And so what he told me is that Indiana knew this was never going to happen because Gov. Pritzker would never appoint the Illinois commissioners to this group, Merritt said. He told me that Indianas motive for doing this was to send a message to Gov. Pritzker and (Chicago) Mayor (Brandon) Johnson to correct course.

Molly Gillaspie, a spokeswoman for Huston, wrote that hes always pursued this in earnest while acknowledging it was not very likely that Illinois would send appointees.

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Companion legislation in Illinois was unsuccessful.

When a third of counties in Illinois have expressed their dissatisfaction and voted to secede from their state, Id say you should take that seriously, Huston said in a statement. We certainly take it seriously, we hear their frustrations, and we welcome them to the Hoosier State. I look forward to hearing the Commissions recommendations on a path forward, and if and when Illinois comes to the table, we will be ready.

Laurette Newland, with Illinois Separation Referendum, said her group has three factions: some would like to join a neighboring state, some seek a new state, and some dont care as long as Cook County is not in it.

Illinois Separation Referendum has led the secession referenda campaign. Newland noted that voters were only asked about separating, not about joining Indiana. She recommended posing that question to voters before further legislative action.

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A border shakeup of this magnitude is unlikely, however.

Illinois would need to approve the move, alongside Indiana. Then, itd head to Congress for additional vetting.

The commission agreed to shoot for a meeting early next year, but hasnt yet set a date.

Members include: Chair Jeff Papa, chief of staff and general counsel for the Indiana Senate; Vice Chair Greg Newman, a CPA who also serves as Posey County commissioner and GOP chair; Clay Andrews, a farmer, commissioner and GOP chair in Warren County; former state Rep. Don Lehe; Ray McCammon, a farmer and former Sullivan County commissioner; and Mark Seib, a semi-retired farmer from Posey County.

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ILLINOIS (WCIA)  Governor JB Pritzker signed an executive order on Thursday forming a commission tasked with keeping track of the actions of federal law enforcement agents and recommending actions to hold them accountable amid the countrys immigration crackdown.

Executive Order 2025-06 establishes the Illinois Accountability Commission (IAC). According to a news release sent by Pritzkers office, its an independent board tasked with capturing and creating a public record of the conduct of federal law enforcement agents and recommending actions to hold the federal government accountable as they continue conducting military-style operations throughout the state.

Limiting ICE presence top priority for some Illinois lawmakers as they return for veto session

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Pritzker said the commission will collect testimony, hold hearings and gather information. Then, their findings and recommendations will be reported to him. The report will also be made publicly available.

The federal government is pushing the boundaries of their authority to terrorize our communities while disregarding all legal and moral accountability in the process. We will not meet intimidation with fear  we will meet it with truth, Pritzker said in the release. We will create a detailed record, and that record will reflect reality. Once this all ends, I believe there will be people of good faith who will review what the commission has recorded and will demand answers and accountability.

The commission will provide an initial status report to Pritzker outlining its findings by Jan. 31, 2026.

The full text of the executive order can be found here.

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Up to nine people could be appointed by the Governor to serve on the commission. This includes:

Darren Baileys son, daughter-in-law, 2 grandkids killed in Montana helicopter crash

Judge Ruben Castillo Served as Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois for 25 years and served as the Chief Judge for six of those years

Patricia Brown Holmes Former associate judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Assistant U.S. Attorney and Assistant States Attorney

Aurora Austriaco Commissioner for the Illinois Courts Commission

Susan Gzesh Instructional professor at University of Chicago, founding attorney of the Midwest Immigrant Rights Center

Linda Xochitl Tortolero President and CEO of Latino Policy Forum, serves on the Womens Advisory Council of the Mayors Office for Chicago and the Board of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice

Cindy Sam Retired Commander at the Chicago Police Department



The Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) will support the commissions work.

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Anyone who witnesses or experiences concerning conduct by federal agents should visit the IAC website at ilac.Illinois.gov for more information about the commissions work, hearing schedules, and other updates.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
While Scott Sakiyama was being arrested by federal immigration officers outside his childs Oak Park, Illinois, elementary school this week, he had what he could only describe as an out-of-body experience.

Sakiyama, a 46-year-old U.S. citizen, was accused of cutting off (an) agents vehicle and impeding (a) federal officer, according to a citation he was later issued. Sakiyama, an attorney, told the Tribune these charges are a complete fabrication and that he was merely driving behind the vehicle, honking his horn and blowing a whistle to warn neighbors of their presence.

Sakiyama said two agents drew guns on him  steps away from Abraham Lincoln Elementary School  and told him that if he didnt step out of the car they would break his windows. While a video filmed by a witness doesnt capture the events leading up to the confrontation, it shows the agents approaching Sakiyamas vehicle and at least one of them appearing to point a weapon from the passenger side of the car.

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Hes then handcuffed and led away. The nearby school went into what it calls a secure status.

I was very much focused on just not moving and not being escalatory in any way, he said. So it was kind of like a disembodied but also focused feeling.

The Department of Homeland Security didnt respond to requests for comment on the arrest, but officials have previously said violence against agents has increased during its latest immigration enforcement push. Some residents, however, have spoken out on increasingly aggressive tactics used by officers during the crackdown, particularly toward those protesting or filming arrests.

Since Operation Midway Blitz began in the Chicago area last month, agents have tear-gassed pedestrian streets, shot a pastor in the face with a pepper pellet, crashed into various cars and roughly detained a WGN-TV producer before releasing her without charges.

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On Tuesday, state Rep. Hoan Huynh also said he was intimidated by agents during a rapid response shift in the Albany Park neighborhood. Rapid response volunteers respond and report on agents activity in neighborhoods.

Huynh said he was surrounded by six agents, including one who pointed a gun at him, while he was sitting inside his vehicle on the passenger side. He also accused an officer of trying to bash in his car windows. A video he posted shows the agents but not the gun. Huynh said the agent withdrew the gun when his colleague started recording.

We have ICE agents out here who are not obeying any laws whatsoever. Theyre using aggressive unlawful enforcement tactics, Huynh told the Tribune. Theyre using political intimidation tactics as well.

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said Huynh was stopped twice for stalking law enforcement and attempting to interfere with operations. She said he was given a warning the first time he was stopped, which he ignored, forcing agents to get out of their car a second time to assess if he was a threat.

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This behavior is unbecoming of a public servant and is just another example of sanctuary politicians putting our officers at risk, she said.

Huynh, who is running to replace longtime U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, called that statement ridiculous and an attempt to distract from the real danger  that an ICE agent pulled a gun on someone who posed no threat to them. Huynh said he wasnt issued a citation.

If it could happen to an elected official in broad daylight, then it could happen to any one of us, he said.

Chiraq Team 2 group chat

Sakiyama said he responded to a rapid response call northwest of Oak Park early Monday morning, and then checked on a few friends protesting at the ICE processing center in west suburban Broadview.

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Sakiyama, who regularly protests in Broadview, said he got involved with immigration advocacy because his family is Japanese American, and a number of his relatives were incarcerated during World War II. He said hes also been arrested by Broadview police for allegedly violating the protest curfew the mayor imposed.

It felt very important to me to protect people that were going to be coming under government attack, he said.

In Broadview, Sakiyama followed a van, presumably that of federal immigration officers, back toward Oak Park. At a stop sign, he said two masked agents jumped out of the van and walked toward him. They got back in their vehicle when he backed his car up, Sakiyama said.

At that point, Sakiyama said he started honking his horn and blowing a whistle to warn neighbors of the agents presence. He followed them for a few more blocks, but he said the interaction took a turn around 11 a.m. when he reached the intersection of Harvard Street and South Grove Avenue.

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The ICE vehicle stopped, backed up very close to my car. Two agents jumped out  they had their guns drawn, Sakiyama said. They told me to step out of the car or they were going to smash my windows.

I didnt move. I didnt respond, he continued. They eventually opened the doors and pulled me out, cuffed me, put me in the back of their van.

Stephanie Bailey, 44, of Oak Park, was walking her dog near the school and heard the whistles, a sound she knew alerted of ICE activity. She said she watched the agents van back up aggressively toward Sakiyamas car. She then saw two masked men pull out their guns at his car window. When Bailey saw a gun she started filming, she said.

She said shes furious that agents seemed to pull weapons near Lincoln Elementary. She has a fifth grader at the school, and later recognized Sakiyama because he has a second grader at the same school.

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It is so irresponsible to be pulling guns and acting like that for someone literally honking a horn and blowing a whistle right by the school, she said. It makes me afraid for my kid and for all of the kids at the school and for our neighborhood, and mostly just really, really angry.

District 97s interim superintendents said in a letter to parents that the school was put into secure status as soon as a substitute teacher observed Sakiyamas arrest. They said this status means all students and staff remained inside the building. Immigration agents arent permitted to enter the schools without a judicial warrant signed by a federal judge, they said.

While we are unable to comment on the details of the incident, we want to reiterate and confirm that the situation did not involve the school, nor did it pose a direct threat to any District 97 students or staff, they said in the letter.

After he was arrested, Sakiyama said the agents drove him to Broadview. Inside the vehicle, he said he was asked a few questions, such as if hes a U.S. citizen. Sakiyama also said he saw the agents receiving text messages from a group called Chiraq Team 2, which Sakiyama called mind-blowing.

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After a half-hour wait outside the facility, an agent gave him the citation and then drove him back to his car in Oak Park. He plans to defend himself against what he said were baseless charges at a court date in January.

I certainly felt relieved that they were not going to try to push anything that would hold me overnight, or something like that, Sakiyama said. But also some anger that theyre just making stuff up.

____
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ill.  Four members of gubernatorial candidate Darren Baileys family died in a helicopter crash in Montana Wednesday night.

Darren Baileys son Zach Bailey was flying with his wife Kelsey, their 12-year-old daughter Vada Rose and 7-year-old son Samuel when it crashed. All four died.

It is a devastating thing for the bailey family. The waves of this loss are reverberating all across Illinois, Darren Baileys running mate Aaron Del Mar said.

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Zach Bailey, who was flying the aircraft, was rated as a commercial helicopter pilot and had an instrument rating, meaning he was certified to fly in low visibility conditions like heavy rain or clouds.

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He was also rated as a single engine airplane pilot also with an instrument. Del Mar said Bailey first learned to fly to help a Christian group perform work overseas.

It is something that is so shocking and tragic to hit such a good family. A lot of people dont realize that Zach got his piloting license and classes working for a Christian group to deliver food and aid to third world countries, he said.

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Now flying helicopters to crop dust farms, Del Mar said Zach Bailey was in Montana for a convention, trying to expand business as a fourth-generation farmer.

Thats what makes this even more heartbreaking, just to know the quality of people that they are and the legacy that Zach and his family are leaving behind.

In a moment that transcends politics, people all over the state sent condolences on Thursday. Governor JB Pritzker was emotional when asked about the tragedy.

I cannot imagine losing a child, losing two grandchildren and what they must be going through, Pritzker said.

Big plans ahead for $21M former Anheuser-Busch estate at Lake of the Ozarks

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Darren Baileys former mentor and seatmate in the state house, Rep. Charlie Meier now serves in the same seat that Bailey once held.

A lot of Illinois is praying for you, and I pray to God that you get the strength to get through this, Darren and Cindy, Meier said.

The two bonded quickly because they both run family farms.

I could only imagine the grief that has to be going through for that family now and think about it. Losing four members of your immediately family and now having your grandson to worry about, Meier added.

The campaign team is now focused on helping with funeral arrangements. Del Mar said services will likely take place Nov. 2-3.

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They are working to find a location that is big enough to fit a large number of people expected to attend.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Melissa Skeet recounted the night she fled into the dark, wooded hill behind her apartment in Flagstaff, Arizona.

This article shares details that involve violence against Native American women. If you are or someone you know is in danger, you can contact these resources:

Stronghearts Native Helpline: 1-844-762-8483

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1.800.799.SAFE (7233)

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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Her husky, Mika, an ever-present companion, was by her side as Skeet fell to her knees beneath the trees and wept. Skeet said she wrapped her arms around the panting dog, buried her face in Meekas fur and apologized.

"I'm sorry," Skeet repeated. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

Under the night sky, Skeet (Dine) said her mind raced with one thought, "Why is this happening?"

Almost ten years later, and the memory is still clear.

"I just felt so powerless," Skeet told Native News Online.

Skeet's body bore the pain of a violent attack at the hands of her then-boyfriend. Her wrists ached from when he grabbed her. Her neck throbbed in pain where he had pressed his knee to her throat. Bruises started to blossom on her back from being thrown against her apartment wall.

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According to the National Institute of Justice, more than half of all Native American women experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime, bearing one of the highest rates of DV in the U.S.

U.S. colonization has cast a long shadow of genocide, broken treaty promises and generational trauma that drive high rates of domestic violence in Indian Country. Jurisdictional gaps, geographic isolation, insufficient funding and an uphill battle to make those in power care, make it difficult to prosecute offenders. Despite this reality,tribes and Native-led organizations are working to fill the voids in a criminal system that often fails to provide justice.

"The impact of domestic violence, of sexual violence is so profound," Rachel Carr-Shunk said."It's a public health issue. It should be a top priority for everyone, especially in Indian Country."

Carr-Shunk (The Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians) is the deputy executive officer at StrongHearts Helpline, a Native-focused domestic violence hotline.

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We dont talk about it enough, Carr-Shunk said. I'm not saying all, but a lot of survivors grew up in those homes where it was high stress, with unhealthy behaviors, unhealthy abusive behaviors that they experienced and witnessed. A lot of that also can be traced back to our boarding schools and again, that historical trauma, that that cycles and cycles of trauma have significant impacts in utero.

According to the latest data from the National Library of Medicine, 25% of women in the U.S. have been victims of domestic violence, with rates increasing to 55% among Native women,a number Carr-Shunk says is likely underestimated do to undereporting and tribes being excluded from data collection.

Domestic violence was the most common violent offense for which inmates were held in Indian Country jails from 2013 to 2023, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics.

Carr-Shunk emphasizes that violence against women is in direct contrast to many traditional tribal cultures, where women are considered sacred and play a foundational role in family and community.

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"We've experienced significant levels of violence and genocide and erasure and removal," Carr-Shunk said. "Those impacts of the attack on our culture and the attack on our practices, women being sacred, everyone having a role, and mutual respect  all of that was stolen from us, yes, and we kind of went into an oppressive patriarchal system, which I think has just exacerbated our rates of violence."

Since 1994, the U.S. has directed $11 billion to shore up resources for victims of domestic violenceV, sexual assault and stalking through the Violence Against Women Act. The bill's renewal in 2013 included restoring tribal criminal jurisdiction over non-Native offenders who commit domestic violence. But, federal standards for prosecuting those crimes can be restrictive for many tribal communities.

Caroline LaPorte (Little River Band of Ottawa Indians), an attorney, tribal judge, and gender-based legal advocate at the Indian Law Center, told Native News Online that for many tribes with limited funds, the restored jurisdiction is a moot point.

"You had to have a court reporter, you had to have a law-trained judge, you had to be able to provide public defenders for indigent defendants," LaPorte said. "There was a requirement, Bureau of Prisons or with your local jail. You had to get an MOU with your state or your county. Then you had to provide the funding for the medical care if it was needed by a defendant, right? I would call them, like taxation on the ability to actually implement the Violence Against Women Act in a successful way. If a tribe doesn't have adequate funding to do it, you can't do it."

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In a study conducted by the College of Nursing at the University of Cinncinatti Ohio, domestic violence victims reported experiencing e a sense of shame, stemming from a loss of sense of self. Victims can often be made to feel like they deserved the abuse and judgment from others that is often wrapped in a message of, "If it was so bad, why didn't she just leave?"

"We need to shift that narrative from, 'Why didn't she leave?' to 'Why did that person choose violence?'" Carr-Shunk said.

At minimum, the logistics of leaving an abusive relationship can be difficult. With basic needs  like housing and finances  often entwined in the relationship, it underscores the dire need for resources that provide survivors with shelter and other assistance to mitigate the fallout of leaving.

In the worst-case scenarios, the risks of leaving are even greater  studies show that when a woman is leaving an abuser they live with, her risk of being killed by that person increases.

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Domestic violence goes beyond physical abuse  it includes emotional, cultural, financial, sexual and spiritual abuse. Name-calling, controlling access to money, coercing with sex and shaming cultural and spiritual practices are all means of exerting control over a person. In tribal communities, it can extend to keeping someone from participating in a ceremony, preventing them from voting, or, Carr-Shunk said, belittling a partner for "not being Native enough" or even "being too Native."

"It's very stigmatized," Carr-Shunk said. "And people tend to think of it as just the physical aspect, but it's so much more complex than that. The foundation of domestic violence is power and control. It's important to talk about that and to understand what control means and to understand what the red flags are."

It Can Happen to Anybody

On paper, Skeet may look like an outlier as a victim of abuse. Before the abusive relationship sent her running for the hills, she spent her career working as an advocate for domestic violence victims, helping them navigate the complexities of a court system stacked against them.

Her experience demonstrates what advocates want people to know: it can happen to anybody.

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"That's the thing about domestic violence, is that it's indiscriminate. It doesn't matter your socio-economic class, doesn't matter your race," LaPorte said. "It doesn't matter if you're a tribal member, a descendant. It doesn't matter if it's urban, rural. It's something that impacts everybody."

Like many survivors, the red flags in Skeet's abusive relationship are more clear in hindsight. She said he called her at all hours of the day, drank heavily and frequently perpetrated conflict with others in which he presented himself as a misunderstood party.

Being on the receiving end of someone's intense attention can feel like being swept up in a whirlwind romance. In an abusive relationship, that can quickly lead to being controlled and isolated, often disguised in a sentiment of "us against the world  a strategy used by abusers called love bombing.

On the night of the attack, Skeet confronted her ex about his drinking, which had gotten so severe that he sold some of her possessions to buy liquor. While the pair argued, he quickly escalated to violence. She said he picked her up and threw her across the apartment. Skeet hit her head on the ground so hard that her vision blurred. She locked herself in her bedroom and used her laptop to reach out to a friend for help. Her abuser took her phone, and the computer was her only means of contancting anyone, but he burst through her door and broke her laptop over his knee.

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When Skeetleft the bedroom, he threw her on the ground and pressed his knee to her neck. As she gasped for air, she thought of her mom.

"I couldn't breathe," she said. "I was panicking, and I remember, like, seeing my life flash before my eyes. I've never witnessed that. I remember seeing my mom, and I cried. I saw her smile, and I was afraid I'd never see her again."

When he released her, she scrambled onto her knees, lungs rasping as she finally drew breath. She convinced him to giver her back her phone, and she grabbed a duffel bag, her dog and fled into the woods behind her apartment, steadying her nerves to drive to her friend's house.

In addition to the attack, that night Skeet experienced what many Native women in her situation do: fear that involving the police would escalate the situation, or that she herself would get in trouble. In 2024, 52% of domestic violence victims did not report the crimes to police, according to a report by the Bureau of Justice Statistics. In Native communities, where trust with law enforcement is fractured, the number is likely greater.

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"There are all sorts of situations that can occur, and it's understandable that a survivor wouldn't want to engage that (law enforcement) space," LaPorte emphasized.

Which is why, LaPorte said, elevating awareness of cultural resources for Native victims is so critical.

Less than half of Tribal nations have domestic violence programs to serve their relatives. StrongHearts, founded in 2017, has amassed a network of 266 Native centered resources to fill that gap. When individuals contact StrongHearts, advocates are trained in safety planning and prioritize connecting callers to programs on their reservation or in their local area. In 2024, the hotline made 4,330 referrals to Native providers and 1,250 referrals to non-Native providers.

"It's important that they can actually talk to someone who is Native, who understands the experience of domestic violence and sexual violence in the unique way that it impacts our people," Carr-Shunk said. "Having that peer support from someone with shared identity with you is really important."

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There are a few steps that LaPorte recommends for Native survivors of domestic violence: if law enforcement is involved, connecting with a victim's advocate can ease the burden of traversing the complexities of the court system. And, if one obtains a personal protection order  a court order that disallows a person from contacting another individual  she urges tribal citizens to register the order with the state and local law enforcement agencies to make the order fully enforceable.

For anyone experiencing domestic violence and afraid to speak up, there is a community of advocates and fellow survivors waiting.

"I want people to know that when they're ready to talk and when they're ready to reach out and get help, there's a whole network of individuals, sisters, aunties, Two Spirit people, allies from other spaces, want to be there for you," LaPorte said. "There may not be a ton of resources for American Indian, Alaska Native survivors, but there are a lot of really good people who are doing this work, who deeply care about you and who want to see a positive outcome."

Skeet says healing is an ongoing process.

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You keep talking about it and you think that you are over it, but then something will trigger you and its like your surviving it all over again, she said.

Today, Skeet is in a healthy relationship and living in Washington State. She still has Meeka, and she and her boyfriend added another dog to their family.

Before the attack, she joined a roller derby team, where she found community and her warrior strength. Last fall, thousands followed her journey as she roller-skated across the country to raise awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People.

"I didn't let him take that part of my spirit and soul, she said. My ancestors and I are too stubborn for that to happen. So Im still here.

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About the Author: "Elyse Wild is Senior Health Editor for Native News Online, where she leads coverage of health equity issues including mental health, environmental health, maternal mortality, and the overdose crisis in Indian Country. Her award-winning journalism has appeared in The Guardian, McClatchy newspapers, and NPR affiliates. In 2024, she received the inaugural Excellence in Recovery Journalism Award for her solutions-focused reporting on addiction and recovery in Native communities. She is currently working on a Pulitzer Center-funded series exploring cultural approaches to addiction treatment."

Contact: ewild@indiancountrymedia.com




After more than 100 federal agents were dispatched Wednesday to the East Bay under President Donald Trump's long-anticipated immigration enforcement action plan for the Bay Area, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie announced Thursday morning that Trump had called him late Wednesday night and told him "clearly that he was calling off any plans for a federal deployment in San Francisco."

Follow latest updates: Mayor Lurie says Trump is calling off federal deployment in S.F.

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents had been staging in the U.S. Coast Guard's Alameda base. It's not immediately clear whether a major federal immigration operation, which the Chronicle first reported Wednesday, would proceed, or whether federal agents will be deployed in other Bay Area cities than San Francisco.

Trump's comment are a turnabout from his previous repeated threats to send in the National Guard to fight crime in San Francisco, something troops cannot legally do. Last week, Lurie and District Attorney Brooke Jenkins pushed back against the need for federal troops in the city, while City Attorney David Chiu threatened to sue if the National Guard moved in.

Here is what we know.

Where would immigration agents go?

While immigration agents were expected to begin gathering at the U.S. Coast Guard's Alameda base Thursday, it is now unclear if Trump's comments mean the immigration operation will proceed, or not. If it were to proceed, it's unclear if agents would immediately fan out across the Bay Area to begin detaining immigrants.

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The prospect of enforcement had immigrant families terrified, local leaders said. Community organizers were tapping volunteers to protect day laborers at work sites and help guide children to school safely.

The Latino Task Force in San Francisco's Mission District said it would begin driving students of undocumented parents to schools throughout the city. The San Francisco Unified School District is a sanctuary education system and will turn away any immigration officials until district lawyers allow them to enter a campus.

Bay Resistance, a social justice nonprofit founded during the first Trump administration, said it would continue sending volunteers to places where day laborers usually congregate to monitor for ICE activity.

San Francisco's Rapid Response Network, which provides legal assistance to detained immigrants, said it will be ready to verify reports of immigration agent enforcement actions.

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Though it is unclear where immigration officials would conduct raids if they happen, San Francisco's Mission Bay, Visitacion Valley and Ocean View are some of the regions with the highest concentration of immigrants in the city.

Will ICE play a role in the crackdown?

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions have surged over the summer in Northern California. At least 80 asylum seekers have been arrested in San Francisco courthouses since May, with the most recent arrest on Oct. 3, said Milli Atkinson, an attorney who heads San Francisco's Rapid Response Network.

What role ICE will play in a possible immigration crackdown remains unclear. CBP officers are typically focused on stopping illegal immigration at ports of entry, while ICE agents are usually tasked with enforcing immigration laws within the nation.

Under recently passed legislation, federal law enforcement officers, including immigration agents, are prohibited from wearing masks except in limited circumstances. That law, however, doesn't take effect until Jan. 1.

Has the National Guard been deployed?

The National Guard has not yet been formally tapped to enter San Francisco.

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Lurie announced Thursday morning that Trump had called him late Wednesday night and told him "clearly that he was calling off any plans for a federal deployment in San Francisco."

The statement sent by Lurie's office also said Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem "reaffirmed that direction in our conversation this morning."

Lurie said his team would continue monitoring the situation and that the city remained prepared for any scenario.

Trump has repeatedly threatened to deploy the federal troops. He has already sent National Guard members to Los Angeles; Memphis, Tenn.; Chicago; Washington, D.C.; and Portland, Ore. The Chicago deployment is on hold in a case before the U.S. Supreme Court.

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About 300 California National Guard troops remain federalized under an order from Trump that has been extended through February 2026, meaning the president already has the power to move those troops into San Francisco. About 200 of them have been sitting in limbo in Oregon, as a court battle over their deployment plays out. The rest are in Los Angeles, where they were initially sent in June.

Federal law enforcement officers clear protesters from a driveway outside a United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Portland, Ore., in October 2025. (Stephen Lam/S.F. Chronicle)





Are protests planned?

Tensions flared early Thursday as protesters attempted to block agents from entering the Coast Guard base. Agents deployed apparent flash-bang grenades to break through a barrier of protesters who blocked traffic onto the island shortly after 7 a.m.

The Bay Resistance's demonstration is set for 5 p.m. in San Francisco's Embarcadero Plaza.

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Oakland's chapter of the Freedom Road Socialist Org is hosting a march and rally from 4-6 p.m. beginning at the Fruitvale Plaza and ending at the United States Coast Guard Bridge.

How have local leaders responded?

"In cities across the country, masked immigration officials are deployed to use aggressive enforcement tactics that instill fear so people don't feel safe going about their daily life," Lurie said at a Wednesday news conference. "These tactics are designed to incite backlash, chaos and violence, which are then used as an excuse to deploy military personnel. They are intentionally creating a dangerous situation in the name of public safety."

Jenkins had said Wednesday she would swiftly prosecute federal agents who break the law.

"These are not targeted enforcements of particular individuals who they believe are criminals," Jenkins said. "They're going to churches, Home Depot parking lots, outside of schools. They're doing things that evoke and provoke an emotional reaction, and they want people to react. They want to have the confrontation. Because as soon as the confrontation gets out of control, the president now has authority to show another level of force."

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San Francisco supervisors also condemned the enforcement operation.

On the steps of City Hall with fellow California mayors, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie reacts to the announcement of federal troops being deployed to San Francisco on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. (Scott Strazzante/S.F. Chronicle)





"We have been preparing for this moment," District 11 supervisor Chyanne Chen said. "The goal of the heightened ICE activity is to sow chaos, fear and insecurity for our communities."

District 9 Supervisor Jackie Fielder said federal immigration authorities are "absolutely not welcome in District 9."

State Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, said the Bay Area has been bracing for Trump to initiate an immigration crackdown in the region.

"We knew it would happen eventually," he said. "The way that these agents have been acting in other cities with the masks and grabbing people, it's very, very scary. We have to be on the lookout for each other and have each other's backs."

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Assembly Member Catherine Stefani ridiculed the enforcement operation, calling it an outrageous abuse of power and a direct threat to the community.

"It is about fear and control," she said in a statement. "We must remain peaceful, united and vigilant. This administration wants chaos. We will answer with strength, solidarity and resolve."

How did we get here?

Talk of sending National Guard troops to San Francisco intensified after Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff said earlier this month that Trump should deploy troops to fight crime in the city, actions that would violate federal law. Soon after, Elon Musk parroted Benioff's request for federal troops in the city.

The city's progressive establishment swiftly rebuked Benioff, saying the region does not need the Guard's help. Benioff, who lost key supporters in the wake of his remarks, retracted his statement in a public apology.

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Still, the effects of his words spread. In an interview that aired Sunday on Fox News, Trump said, "I think they want us in San Francisco."

Lurie, who has been characteristically reticent to criticize the Trump administration, disputed that claim without naming the president. "The National Guard does not have the authority to arrest drug dealers - and sending them to San Francisco will do nothing to get fentanyl off the streets or make our city safer," Lurie said.

Security members are seen by the bridge that leads to Coast Guard Island Alameda, where the Trump Administration is expected to deploy federal agents, in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday. (Stephen Lam/S.F. Chronicle)





Previous immigration crackdowns

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass described her city as a "petri dish" when Trump deployed federal troops to quell protests against immigration raids earlier this year. She said at a press conference in San Francisco Wednesday that she had "no advice" for Lurie as San Francisco now faces the prospect of federal intervention.

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"I don't think I need to offer Mayor Lurie any advice," she said. "The fact of the matter is, this is a beautiful city. This is a safe city. There is not chaos happening here. And the distortion that was portrayed about the city of Los Angeles that was completely false is the same thing that I do not want to see happen here.

Bass blamed the chaos that occurred in Los Angeles on Trump and the use of military troops to police U.S. citizens.

"San Francisco does not deserve to have troops intervene and create chaos," she said. "The chaos that happened in Los Angeles, to the extent that it did happen, was because of the federal government."

This article originally published at Immigration crackdown in the S.F. Bay Area: Here's everything we know right now.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  Downtown Youngstown residents and city officials are not thrilled after meeting with the receiver of SOBE, who told them hes unsure of the future of getting heat and steam to downtown.



SOBE receiver Reg Martin was appointed after SOBE failed to pay for the boiler it was renting in downtown Youngstown. Without a permanent boiler, downtown Youngstown residents and business owners could risk not getting any heat.

Thank you for your comment. I disagree on a lot of what you said, Martin said at the meeting following those who complained.



Martin explained that SOBEs current financial situation is not good, and proposed either SOBE partnering with Youngstown State University, which previously didnt work, or partnering with the City of Youngstown, to which councilman Julius Oliver was opposed.

Dont let this guy try to put this on the city of Youngstown. We are a customer, just like anyone who is trying to get solutions for this as well, Oliver said.

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Also opposed to a city partnership was Mayor Tito Brown. Brown says just like the other businesses in downtown Youngstown, theyre simply a customer, so it puts them in an unfair spot.

Thats not something you ask your customer to do, and no business should act and operate like that, Brown said. Were going to continue to make sure that we keep him accountable, and we can make sure the PUCO knows our dissatisfaction with his response and his actions.



Martin says that he does need more money in order to get everything done, but residents believe that instead of turning to the city, they need the state to step in and help.

This is a state thing, and the state has been kicking the can on this. I dont know where the states accountability is, Oliver said. Why doesnt the state get involved? If this was Cleveland, Cincinnati or Columbus, someone would do that.



After the lengthy meeting, Brown says hes not walking away feeling confident.

We dont have any plans right now. Well talk about the future. We know were right here in the middle of wintertime. We need to get through the winter, so were not sure what our plans are. We are dissatisfied with the service right now that we are getting from this company, Brown said.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
The News

President Donald Trump campaigned against getting the US entangled in endless wars, but most Republicans have little interest in stopping his expanding military operations near Venezuela.

The Trump administration has now struck nine boats, which it alleged were smuggling drugs, off the coasts of South America, reportedly killing at least 35 people. And most Republicans are cheering Trump on.

Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, touted the value of dislodging Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from power, a motivation that the president has stopped just short of confirming directly.

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Its important to liberate Venezuela from the illegitimate narco-king whos basically destroying that nation, because thats a cancer in Latin America, Moreno said.

Moreno, who was born in Colombia, dismissed the likelihood that Trumps disclosure of armed conflict with traffickers in Venezuela could spiral into a long-term US military commitment: It will escalate. But it will deescalate very rapidly, because that illegitimate regime will leave very, very quickly, probably within a matter of days.

Republican lawmakers free rein for Trump in Venezuela is yet another show of high-profile deference to the president, an acquiescence that has defined this Congress. And even as many Trump allies still criticize former President George W. Bush for bringing the US into long-running wars in the Middle East, Republicans largely harbor no such fears of Venezuela becoming a similar quagmire.

Domestic and international data shows Venezuela not active in fentanyl traffic, with some cocaine movement. The vast majority of fentanyl is smuggled into the US via land ports  and typically by US citizens.

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Still, with a few exceptions, most Republicans in Congress are content to let Trump go after what he says are narco-terrorist drug dealers trying to poison the US. They see a public aligned with them against drugs and little potential for blowback, either politically or militarily.

We ought to just keep shooting them out of the water, Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., told Semafor of the boats. She predicted Congress would steer clear, in part because it moves too slowly.

Only a handful of Republicans have joined Democrats in raising questions about the operations; two have even voted to curtail them.

It seems to me sometimes that weve given up on ourselves, said Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska. She voted with Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., against military operations that Congress hasnt approved.

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Weve said, Sure, Mr. President, you want to do tariffs, whatever, Murkowski added, in addition to what were seeing in Venezuela. Even though this is just allegations, and theres no no authorizations.

Trump has refused to rule out striking inside Venezuela or even a troop presence on the ground. He said last week that he has approved CIA activity inside Venezuela, though he declined to say whether that activity includes toppling Maduro, whos seen by both parties as an illegitimate leader after last years elections.

Wouldnt it be a ridiculous question for me to answer? Trump told CBS News last week. But I think Venezuela is feeling the heat.

Trumps secretary of state Marco Rubio is a strong Venezuela hawk who has privately made the case to his former Republican Senate colleagues that the strikes so far are legal.

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Both on historical precedent and constitutionally, they have legal authority to do it, said Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D. You could argue that George Bush shouldnt have sent troops into Panama  but he did, for regime change, so he got one. To this point, Im comfortable.

Know More

Democrats and some Republicans question the legal basis for the boat strikes and the administrations broader campaign in Venezuela.

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said the actions in Venezuela are likely connected to a very deep political priority for the Secretary of State, adding that there are definitely radicals out there who would favor sending US troops into Venezuela.

Trump appeared to give the green light for more lawmaker briefings on Thursday, telling reporters that I dont think theyll have a problem with it.

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But a person close to the White House told Semafor that Trump will coordinate with Congress when Maduros corpse is in US custody.

The administration has held a half-dozen classified briefings for lawmakers; it argues its been far more transparent than past presidents like Barack Obama in notifying Congress about military operations.

All of these decisive strikes have been against designated narcoterrorists bringing deadly poison to our shores, and the president will continue to use every element of American power to stop drugs from flooding into our country and to bring those responsible to justice, said White House spokesperson Anna Kelly.

So far, those efforts have kept Republicans with Trump.

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Anytime youre looking at putting our young men and women in harms way, Im not comfortable with it. But that doesnt mean that we dont have to look at what the facts are and what the best alternatives are, said Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D. Going in and having a military action might be the best alternative available to us, as opposed to doing nothing.

Even so, senior Republicans cant afford to let the number of disapproving senators grow much bigger than Paul and Murkowski. The votes are generally set at a simple majority, and the Senates 47 Democratic caucus members are largely aligned. (Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman was the only one to vote against a Venezuela-related resolution earlier this month.)

Ive got a lot of questions about the Venezuela strikes, said Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah. I like us to err on the side of getting authorization for the use of military force. This ones a little tricky, a little more nuanced. Its got a law enforcement angle and a military angle and a maritime [aspect].

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said lawmakers would like assurances about the due process afforded alleged drug traffickers who are targeted.

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Otherwise, weve got to really kind of pull back  and also think about the cost of the operation, Tillis said, mentioning the possibility that spending on the border patrol could be a better use of money.

Even if a handful of Republican senators join Democrats in a vote disapproving of Trumps actions, its less likely that the GOP-controlled House would also sign off. Still, the prospect is possible, which might force a Trump veto  something he has yet to issue this term.

Room for Disagreement

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., is preparing for an early November vote on his measure to prevent Trump from unilaterally declaring war on Venezuela. Theres no sign yet that hes convinced enough Republicans to help him move forward.

But Kaine thinks even a few Republicans backing his proposal could force the president to rethink things. He recalled a similar resolution, on Iran, that Trump vetoed before changing course.

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He paid attention to the fact that many Republicans were saying, Youre right, we dont want to go to war. And he backed off, Kaine said.

Notable

MAGA commentators like Laura Loomer and Steve Bannon are also raising concerns about the presidents Venezuela plans, The New York Times reports.

Current and former US officials told the Washington Post the channel the Trump administration is targeting is not ordinarily used to traffic synthetic opioids such as fentanyl  nor are the drugs typically headed for the United States.






By Munsif Vengattil and Arpan Chaturvedi

BENGALURU (Reuters) -The Indian government has reduced the number of officials who can order content to be taken down from the internet, a move that follows a bitter legal battle with Elon Musk's X that centered around a contentious policy.

X, Musk's social media platform, had been in opposition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 2023 decision to police the internet by allowing thousands of officials to file takedown orders.

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In August, Reuters reported that police inspectors were issuing takedown orders on cartoons and satirical posts, sparking one of X's most high-profile legal challenges against a government's content-removal policy.

X lost the lawsuit in Karnataka High Court in September, with a judge ruling that its challenge was without merit and X had to abide by local laws. But late on Wednesday, India's IT ministry changed its policy by limiting the number of people who can issue such orders to top bureaucrats and police officials.

Now only bureaucrats with the rank of joint secretary or higher and police officials who are serving as deputy inspector general or above can issue takedown orders, the government said in its modification to the rules.

"The government is backing down and reducing its earlier powers that extended to many more officials, but the number of officials who can issue orders will still be in the hundreds," said Akash Karmakar, a partner at Indian law firm Panag & Babu who specializes in technology law.

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The changes are meant to ensure "additional safeguards to ensure senior-level accountability, precise specification of unlawful content and periodic review of government directions at (a) higher level," a government statement said.

X did not respond to a request for comment. It previously said it would challenge the Karnataka High Court's ruling.

GOVERNMENT BACKING DOWN, 'REASONED INTIMATION' NEEDED

In its court challenge, X argued that India's actions were illegal and unconstitutional, adding that they trampled upon free speech by allowing scores of government agencies and thousands of police to suppress legitimate criticism of public officials.

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India contended that it was attempting to curb a proliferation of illegal content and ensure accountability online.

When it changed its rules on Wednesday, the government did not make reference to its legal fight with the social media platform. In July, X's counsel said in court that every "Tom, Dick, and Harry" in India was illegally issuing takedown orders.

The change in rules will become effective on November 15.

"The process of challenging these takedown orders remains onerous and inverts the burden of proof on the user whose content is taken down, curbing free speech," said Karmakar, the tech-focused lawyer.

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The new rules also require content takedown orders to be supported by a "reasoned intimation", "clearly specifying the legal basis and statutory provision invoked, the nature of the unlawful act" as well as the website's address.

The earlier rules did not contain such requirements.

In another layer of scrutiny, the rules also add a requirement that takedown orders shall be "subject to periodic review" by an officer of secretary rank once a month.

(Reporting Munsif Vengattil and Arpan Chaturvedi; Editing by Aditya Kalra and Thomas Derpinghaus.)
The Indiana-Illinois Boundary Adjustment Commission held its first meeting Wednesday  though without any members from Illinois  and heard testimony from four people in favor of downstate Illinois counties splitting away from their home state in some form.

The commission has been tasked with discussing and recommending whether the boundary between Indiana and Illinois should be adjusted. Within 60 days of completing its work, the commission will have to submit a written report to the general assembly, according to a new state law.

Indiana House Enrolled Act 1008, authored by Speaker Todd Huston, established an Indiana-Illinois boundary adjustment commission to research the possibility of adjusting the boundaries between the two states.

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Huston, R-Fishers, said he drafted the bill after learning that 33 Illinois counties have voted to secede from their state since 2020.

Under the law, Indiana could have six members and Illinois could have five members. A quorum of six members is required for the commission to take official action, the law states, but a quorum isnt required for the commission to meet, listen to testimony and hold discussion.

Ultimately, the commissions recommendation to adjust the boundary would have to be approved by the Indiana legislature, the Illinois legislature and the U.S. Congress, according to the law.

G.H. Merritt, chair of New Illinois, testified before the commission that her organization would like to see parts of Illinois split away from the state to establish a new state. But, Merritt said the organization appreciates Indiana leaders hearing the organizations grievances and acknowledges that downstate Illinois has more in common with the Hoosier state.

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Our goal is the constitutional formation of a new state separate from the state of Illinois, Merritt said.

New Illinois wouldnt support Indiana absorbing the 33 counties from downstate Indiana because it would undermine its efforts, Merritt said. The only way New Illinois could support this effort is if Indiana were to take all 101 Illinois counties besides Cook County, Merritt said.

Merritt said she was surprised when she received a call from Hustons office about the possibility of Indiana absorbing some Illinois counties because of the debt Indiana would have to take on.

We have never expected any surrounding state to be interested in taking a piece of this state because it could be financially not an advisable move, Merritt said.  (Hustons) first question to me was Why do you want to do this? and my reply to him was, Why do you want to do this? Because of the reason that I told you the debt would just make this prohibitively expensive.

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Merritt said the representative with Hustons office told her that leadership realized any potential move of the state boundary wouldnt happen because Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker wouldnt appoint members to the group.

He told me that Indianas motive for doing this was to send a message to Gov. Pritzker and (Chicago) Mayor (Brandon) Johnson to correct course, Merritt said.

Molly Gillaspie, Hustons spokeswoman, said the speaker has always pursued this in earnest while acknowledging it was not very likely that Illinois would make their appointments to the commission.

When a third of counties in Illinois have expressed their dissatisfaction and voted to secede from their state, Id say you should take that seriously, Huston said in a statement. We certainly take it seriously, we hear their frustrations, and we welcome them to the Hoosier State. I look forward to hearing the Commissions recommendations on a path forward, and if and when Illinois comes to the table, we will be ready.

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Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker brushed off the proposal  and fired back at the neighboring state  when he was asked about it at a January news conference.

Its a stunt. Its not going to happen, Pritzker said. But Ill just say that Indiana is a low-wage state that doesnt protect workers, a state that does not provide health care for people in need, and so I dont think its very attractive for anybody in Illinois.

Illinois State Rep. Brad Halbrook, R-Shelbyville, filed Illinois House Bill 1500, which does similar things and is comparable to the Indiana bill, he previously said. Halbrooks bill stated that if Indiana House Bill 1008 became law, then, within 60 days after receiving notice from the Governor of Indiana, the Illinois Governor should appoint five members to the Illinois-Indiana boundary adjustment commission.

Halbrook said Thursday he was pleased to see that our neighbors in Indiana are taking seriously the plight of so many Illinoisans.

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The fact that Indiana has formed a commission to examine this issue shows just how visible Illinois dysfunction has become beyond our own borders, Halbrook said. These discussions are important and worth having.

Laurette Newland, with Illinois Separation Referendum, said her group has three factions: those who would like to join a neighboring state, those who want to form a new state, and those who dont care as long as Cook County is not in it.

When the organization led the charge on Illinois secession referenda, voters were asked about separating from Illinois and not joining Indiana, Newland said.

It is incorrect to assume that everyone who voted yes for the ISR would be equally happy to join Indiana or any other state, Newland said. We cant know the consent of the governed without a separate referendum that states moving the boundaries to become part of Indiana.

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Scott Carpenter of Downstate Illinois Secession said Indiana should consider absorbing 74 Illinois counties, which counted 2.8 million people in 2018, in southern and central Illinois. If not all 74 counties, then Carpenter recommended some eastern counties with higher average income than Indiana.

One reason Illinois may eventually want to get rid of these counties is that Illinois budget is based on high income tax rates, so these counties are a big drain on Illinois budget but would not be a big drain on Indianas state budget because Indianas tax structure is different, Carpenter said.

Some might argue that this whole commission is a waste of time because the government of Illinois would not agree to let these counties go, but it might not be long before a debt crisis could suddenly force the government of Illinois to need a massive influx of money, Carpenter said. Moving the state line could be the only solution that can provide that influx of money.

While Indiana has a budgetary surplus, the 2024 State of the States report found Illinois had $51.5 billion to cover $224.3 billion worth of bills, which led to a $172.8 billion budget shortfall.

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Downstate Illinois Secession member Eric Ivers said forming a new state has been a nonstarter for him because its unlikely Congress would approve that. But, moving parts of Illinois to another state, like Indiana, would make more sense because it wouldnt change Congressional districts, he said.

We are essentially a drain on the Chicago area of Illinois, and they remind us of that regularly. They spend more money here than we send them, Ivers said. The change in the state governance would allow southern Illinois to become much more productive because we would no longer have to deal with the limitations placed on us by Chicago.

At the start of the meeting, the commission voted for Jeff Papa, chief of staff and general counsel for the Indiana Senate, to be chair and Greg Newman, Posey County Commissioner and Posey County Republican Party chairman, to be vice chair.

The other members of the board include: Clay Andrews, a farmer, Warren County Commissioner and Warren County Republican Party chairman; former State. Rep. Don Lehe of Brookston; Ray McCammon, a farmer and former Sullivan County Commissioner; and Mark Seib, a semi-retired farmer from Posey County.

The board agreed to meet again in early 2026, but didnt set a date at the meeting.

akukulka@post-trib.com
Although there are currently not enough Indiana Republicans on board with the Trump administrations midcycle redistricting pressure campaign to move forward with the redrawn maps, those who support President Trumps midterms scheme are now bullying their colleagues to get in line.

Indiana Senate Republicans, as of this week, have said they do not have the votes needed to approve a revised congressional district map. The White House has been attempting to force Republican-controlled state legislatures around the country to create new congressional maps that favor Republicans to help ensure Republicans maintain control of the U.S. House in the upcoming midterm elections. It is typical practice for redistricting to take place once a decade after the Census has been taken  not mid-decade as a way to predetermine a midterm election.

So far, several states, including Texas, Missouri, and, most recently, North Carolina have succumbed to pressure from the Trump administration and approved revised congressional maps that are expected to flip seats currently held by Democrats for Republicans. The new maps approved in Texas will likely flip as many as five seats.

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But Trump loyalists are now taking on the redistricting pressure campaign for Trump in Indiana and bullying their Republican colleagues into approving a new map, despite the lack of support in the state Senate.

This comes as the Trump administration has been working over time to try to coerce the states Republicans to get in line. Earlier this month Trump himself called into a private Senate GOP caucus meeting to pressure legislative leaders into supporting the redistricting effort, Politico reported. And Vice President JD Vance has visited Indiana twice in recent months to try to convince Indiana Republicans to redraw their district lines for Trump.

The White House has put extraordinary pressure, it seems, on state actors, on the Republican side, and well see where things land, Kareem Crayton, vice president of the Brennan Centers Washington, D.C., office, told TPM.

It remains publicly unclear which Republican members of the Indiana state Senate are opposed to redrawing maps for, potentially, two congressional districts currently held by Democrats  Dems hold just two of Indianas nine seats in the U.S. House. But MAGA Republicans in the state are putting on the pressure, while casting the new maps as a supposed good faith effort to defeat some amorphous, sinister leftist regime. (North Carolina Republicans used similar messaging leading up to their vote on new maps earlier this week, attempting to spin the new maps as an attempt to offset Democrats gerrymandering  the opposite of what is happening.)

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In a statement on Wednesday, Indianas GOP Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith, issued a stark warning to fellow Republicans.

Indiana should be leading the nation, not apologizing for being a strong conservative state, while radical Democrat Marxists wage war on our Constitution, our children, and the future of this Republic, he said. Washington is being overrun by an anti-American agenda, and instead of joining President Trump in reclaiming our voice, too many in our own Senate choose the path of weakness and political convenience.

GOP state Sen. Liz Brown, in a post on X, wrote: Redistricting isnt a matter of fairness. Democrats dont want to debate lines  they want to impose them.

Theyre building a regime, and were still filing paperwork, she added. Either Indiana learns to fight like it intends to win, or it will be ruled like it deserves to lose. Redraw the map.

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Republican State Senator Tyler Johnson similarly wrote on X: There is no sidestepping and there is no middle ground in this discussion. You will see the leftist machine start praising and publicly supporting republicans. That should be an extremely uncomfortable place to be.

Outside the state, other Trump allies are threatening primary challenges against those who are not on board with redistricting, continuing an effort that the late Trump ally and CEO of Turning Point USA, Charlie Kirk, began before he was killed last month.

Even though state Senate Republicans do not have enough votes to move the redistricting proposal forward, Republican Gov. Mike Braun said on X on Wednesday that he is confident the majority of Indiana Statehouse Republicans will support efforts to ensure fair representation in congress for every Hoosier.
An influencer who was allegedly implicated in a Russian disinformation campaign was handed a Pentagon press pass under new rules that excluded the traditional press corps.

Tim Pool, one of six conservative activists allegedly connected with a $10m Russian scheme to amplify social division within the US for the Kremlins benefit, confirmed he agreed to the terms.

Mr Pool, host of The Culture War podcast, appeared to make light of criticism that reporters had been obliged to sign a document saying they would only make use of material approved by the Department of Defence (DOD).

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The craziest part of the Pentagon Press policy was where it said I had to give Pete Hegseth a kiss, he wrote on X. Kinda weird but seemed fine to me.

A streaming service funded by the CEO of MyPillow is also included in the press pool, along with Real Americas Voice, a Right-wing network whose chief White House correspondent Brian Glenn, is the boyfriend of Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene.

A week after dozens of reporters from outlets such as CNN, Fox News and The New York Times declined to sign the document and left the DOD headquarters, spokesman Sean Parnell said it was announcing what he termed the next generation of the Pentagon press corps.

Reporters pack up their belongings in the press area in the Pentagon - AP

He did not name the outlets, but The Washington Post said it had obtained the list and it included the cable network Real Americas Voice and Lindell TV, the service begun by Donald Trump supporter Mike Lindell.

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Mr Lindell is the CEO of MyPillow and the websites: The Gateway Pundit, The Post Millennial, Human Events, The National Pulse and RedState. Several are known for spreading disinformation.

Among those who agreed to sign the document  which stipulates reporters may only use approved information  were the Federalist, a Right-wing news site, and The Epoch Times, a Right-wing international publication associated with the Falon Gong.

Reporters walked out after refusing to sign the new reporting rules - Getty Images

Mr Pool was allegedly, along with several other conservative influencers including Dave Rubin and Benny Johnson, connected to a $10m effort secretly launched by Russia to amplify US domestic divisions in order to weaken US opposition to Russian interests, such as the war in Ukraine.

While the indictment did not name Mr Pool or the company, it was clear it was referring to Tenet Media, a Tennessee-based company.

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Over the course of several months last year, its interviews included figures such as Donald Trumps daughter-in-law and RNC co-chair Lara Trump, former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and Republican US senate candidate Kari Lake.

In April of 2024, Mr Pool interviewed Mr Trump for his own show.

After the indictments were announced, Mr Pool and Mr Johnson issued statements on social media saying they were victims and had done nothing wrong.

We still do not know what is true as these are only allegations, Mr Pool said. Putin is a scumbag.

Mr Johnson said he had been asked a year ago to provide content to a media start-up. He said his lawyers negotiated a standard, arms length deal, which was later terminated.

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No charges were brought against the six influencers.

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Just a day after Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said that scores of right-wing outlets would make up the next generation of the Pentagon press corps, another alt-right outlet has joined the fray: a journalist from Alex Jones Infowars.

The company said on Thursday that host Breanna Morello will begin covering the building as part of the newly remade press corps. The news came more than a week after dozens of traditional media outlets from both sides of the aisle turned in their badges over a new Pentagon policy prohibiting reporters from trying to solicit information from military officials, drawing swift accusations that the Pete Hegseth-led Defense Department was attempting to stymie press freedoms.

Morello, who says shes a former Fox Corp. and Newsmax employee, said she looked forward to joining other far-right outlets whove done more to hold the federal government accountable over the last five years than other mainstream outlets. The Defense Department told the Washington Post that Morello will be credentialed as an independent journalist, not on behalf of Infowars.

Here come the hit pieces, folks, Morello said. Were not backing down anytime soon. It is an honor to replace those former colleagues of mine over at Fox and other outlets, of course, who decided that they were not going to make their way into the press pool and sign that agreement.

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Morello, whose X bio lists her location as Texas, said she would not be moving to Washington, D.C.

Some of the other far-right outlets include the Gateway Pundit, Turning Point USAs media venture Frontlines and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindells LindellTV.

Fox News and Newsmax joined other traditional conservative outlets, the Washington Times and the Washington Examiner, among scores of other traditional outlets, in rebuking the policy. Fox News, specifically, joined other television outlets to call the policy without precedent and one that threatens core journalistic protections.

The post Infowars Breanna Morello Joins Pentagons Right-Wing Press Corps appeared first on TheWrap.
An inmate was shot and killed by a corrections officer after a fight occurred at a Tucson hospital where the man was receiving treatment, the Pima County Sheriff's Department said.

The shooting happened just before 1 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Banner University Medical Center South, said spokesperson Kevin Adger.

The man was in a hospital room when the fight began, and "the corrections officer assigned to the inmate fired her department-issued firearm," Adger said.

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Despite lifesaving measures, the man died from his injuries, according to Adger. The corrections officer, hospital staff and other patients were not injured, he said.

The hospital was operating as normal after the shooting, Adger said.

The Pima Critical Incident Team was activated after the incident with the Oro Valley Police Department assigned to lead the investigation, Adger said.

It was not known why the inmate was at the hospital, the identity of those involved or how the fight started, as of Oct. 22.

"It is still very early in the investigation so we do not have any details we can release at this time. A statement will be put out when we have those details," said Oro Valley police spokesperson Darren Wright in an email to The Arizona Republic just before 6 p.m.

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There have been at least 63 police shootings in Arizona so far in 2025, with at least 45 of them fatal.

Phoenix police shootings: Phoenix police have shot 16 men so far this year. Here's what to know

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Inmate dies at Tucson hospital after fight with corrections officer
Demonstrators protest against the Trump Administration's "Operation Midway Blitz" in West Chicago, Illinois, on October 19, 2025. Credit - Joe RaedleGetty Images

On a street in the South Shore neighborhood of Chicago, Reverend Ciera Bates-Chamberlain stood in front of a five-story apartment complex praying with other city faith leaders and residents. Windows across the facade of the building were broken. Inside, occupants told Chamberlain, doors had been torn from their hinges and the apartments they belonged to had been ransacked.

You could tell that something happened that destroyed that building, Chamberlain, the executive director of Live Free Illinois, which mobilizes Black churches to improve public safety and enact criminal justice reform, recalls to TIME. Once you walk up, it looks like it's an abandoned building.

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A couple nights earlier, around 1 a.m., federal agents arrived in unmarked trucks and a helicopter to carry out a raid on the building using what Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker called military-style tactics. As the agents kicked down doors and detained people with zip ties, including children, residents told Chamberlain that they had been left outside past 3 a.m. with their kids, that their apartments had been pillaged, and that guns had been pointed at them by federal law enforcement.

The early October raid marked a flashpoint in President Donald Trumps targeting of Chicago, which has become a proving ground for his Administration's aggressive crackdown on immigration and the sanctuary cities that have made noncooperation with federal immigration enforcement their official policy. Since early September, a campaign dubbed Operation Midway Blitz has drastically increased the presence of federal immigration agents in the nations third-largest city and brought on a wave of raids and, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), nearly 2,000 detentions. Weeks into the operation, with local officials and residents pushing back against the federal crackdown, Trump deployed hundreds of National Guard troops into the greater Chicago area to quell what White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson described as "ongoing violent riots and lawlessness."

Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson have been active in their opposition to what the governor has repeatedly described as a federal invasion, challenging the Guard deployment in court and barring city personnel and spaces from being used in the Administration crackdown. Speaking with TIME, Johnson described his office as beating back tyranny at the federal level even as he works to govern Chicago in more typical ways.

The escalating struggle in the city is one piece of a larger battle unfolding around the U.S. as the President seeks to carry out mass deportations and deploy troops in American cities. But what happens in Chicago and around Illinois over the next few monthsin the streets, in the courts, in the fight for public opinioncould help determine the direction of the country for the remainder of Trumps second term.

The fight from the inside

Trump has long painted Chicago as a hotbed of crime, calling it the most dangerous city in the world last month and accusing Pritzker last week of letting people be killed in his city because he doesnt want to deal with Chicago.

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DHS similarly pointed to crime, and city and state leadership, when announcing Operation Midway Blitz. This ICE operation will target the criminal illegal aliens who flocked to Chicago and Illinois because they knew Governor Pritzker and his sanctuary policies would protect them and allow them to roam free on American streets, the agency said in a statement at the time.

Earlier this month, Trump further escalated his attacks by calling for Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to be jailed over their opposition to the federal deployment.

The fact that President Trump describes people who disagree with him as enemies from withinit's a real evil precedent that he has created, Mayor Johnson tells TIME.

Brandon Johnson, Mayor of Chicago, speaks onstage as people protest as part of the No Kings Rallies in Chicago, Illinois, on October 18, 2025 on October 18, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. Daniel BoczarskiGetty Images for No Kings

Data indicate that Chicago is not the most dangerous city in the world and that crime in the citylike many others in the U.S.has been declining after rising during the pandemic. Sending in the National Guard is the wrong solution to a real problem, Johnson wrote in a New York Times op-ed in early September. If President Trump had listened to the citys leaders, he would recognize that Chicago just experienced record-low homicide numbers, making this the safest summer since the 1960s, a result of effective collaboration between communities and law enforcement.

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Read more: Here Are the Facts About Crime in Chicago

Prior to the beginning of Trumps enforcement campaign, with the President threatening to deploy troops in the city, Johnson signed an Executive Order at the end of August that instructed city law enforcement not to cooperate with federal agents or members of the Guard. After the operation began, he signed another to establish ICE-free zones, restricting the areas where federal agents could operate.

Johnson revealed to TIME that his office is currently working on an Executive Order that would prevent the Administration from purchasing property in Chicago to create detention centers, saying that efforts to develop such facilities are ongoing.

I think it's absolutely abhorrent that we have a president who is looking to create facilities where there's a concentration of only immigrants or black and brown people being detained, Johnson says of the attempts to build on Chicago land.

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When asked about the atmosphere among his staffers over the last couple of months, the mayor says there is a great deal of energy and strong conviction in my office, people working countless hours, quite frankly, to find creative, innovative and powerful ways in which we can protect the people of the city as we deal with an authoritarian government right now.

On the state level, Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton says the environment in her office has been chaotic since Trump began his second term in January.

Stratton characterized Trumps crackdown on Chicago as a ploy in his authoritarian playbook, saying the Administrations immigration efforts have not targeted dangerous criminalsdespite what Trump and Administration officials have repeatedly saidand arguing that the President has used protests against federal agents as a justification for sending in National Guard troops.

Trump is invading the state of Illinois  and he's done so without our consent, Stratton says. People are frightened, but they're also being courageous.

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The lieutenant governor expresses concern that what she called the manufactured crisis that Donald Trump has really brought to the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois is pulling government resources away from other issues arising from his presidency.

She references rising costs associated with Trumps sweeping tariffs and cuts to health care and food assistance in the Presidents Big Beautiful Bill.

Read more: Will SNAP Benefits Be Delayed Due to the Government Shutdown? Newsom Accuses Trump of Endangering Lives

These ongoing issues, Stratton says, have not been forgotten by her office, but its attention has been forced in a different direction.

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I can tell you that we continue to fight back, and we will do so until he takes his hands off our state and leaves, she says. Chicago is not a sandbox for Donald Trump to play dictator.

Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton joins protestors outside of an immigration processing center in Broadview, Illinois, on September 19, 2025. Scott OlsonGetty Images

Johnson similarly points to his offices ongoing work on other issues amid the federal crackdown.

Last week, the mayor presented his 2026 Protecting Chicago Budget to the City Council, in which he proposes new taxes on large corporations and seeks to protect Chicago programs and services from federal cuts.

It's not just these Executive Orders, because keep in mind, I'm still running an entire city, he says. And so my budget ensures that we're investing in youth employment, that we're investing in our first responders, that we're investing in mental and behavioral health, that we're investing in building more affordable homes, ultimately, to keep our people safe.

The battle in the courts

Chicago and Illinois have been engaged in legal battles with the Trump Administration for most of the year.

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Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, who has been serving in his position since 2019, tells TIME that his office has been working tirelessly on a series of reactionary litigation to the Presidents executive actions since Trumps second term began.

This is just a different level of activity this time around, and a sort of different level of emotional intensity as well to the work, Raoul says about the current Administration.

The state moved quickly to challenge Trumps efforts to send federal troops into the Chicago area after the President deployed roughly 200 troops from the Texas National Guard and 300 from the Illinois National Guard at the beginning of the month.

So far, the state has succeeded in halting the mobilization. The federalization and deployment of the Guard members has been blocked since October 9th by a temporary order from U.S. District Court Judge April Perry. The Administration appealed the order to the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and later asked the Supreme Court to lift it after the appeals court denied the request.

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Raoul says he has been able to lean on the AG community, especially California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, whose states have also been fighting Trumps efforts to deploy troops in their cities.

Read more: This Is Not a Third-World Country: Oregon AG Slams Trumps Effort to Send Troops Into Portland

While not all of the deployments have been identical, and while the facts surrounding them have not been identical either, a lot of the same law is applicable, Raoul says.

The state contended in its lawsuit that the Guard deployment to the Chicago area infringes on Illinoiss sovereignty and right to self-governance and will only cause more unrest. The Trump Administration argued that the protests in the area had manifested in hostility and violence against DHS and ICE personnel, necessitating the intervention of Guard troops to maintain civility and order.

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Raoul contends that almost everything that they alleged in terms of facts, were just blatantly false, which he credited for the states securing the temporary restraining order from Perry. He points to the Administrations claims that protests outside of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Broadview, where many of those detained in the Chicago-area operation have been taken, had gotten so out of hand that they justified sending in federal troops.

Eric Hamilton, a lawyer for the Department of Justice, stated before Perrys decision that there was brazen hostility and tragic lawlessness in the Chicago area, listing examples of agitators who had thrown rocks, bottles, and fireworks at federal agents, amounting in an unprecedented and blatant disregard for law and order. The attorney for Illinois countered that the situation on the ground, specifically at Broadview, had been quelled by state police after restrictions on protest hours were instituted.

DHSs perception of events are simply unreliable, Perry said at a hearing.

State and local law enforcement officers detain a protestor during a demonstration near an ICE detention facility in Broadview, Illinois, on October 10, 2025. Octavio JonesAFP/Getty Images

Looking ahead, Raoul doesnt see the legal fight ending any time soon. The states litigation against the Administration will likely continue even if the federal troops are withdrawn and the immigration crackdown subsides, he says.

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We anticipate a lot of these matters to work their way up to the Supreme Court at some point, he says. The country is watching, right? And this is pretty important s. It's pretty weighty stuff.

Read more: Judge Rules Trumps Deployment of Troops to Los Angeles Violated Federal Law

Beyond the courts, Raoul worries that Chicagoans growing ire toward the federal presence in the city could affect the way they view the authorities more broadly.

How do we in the aftermath of this, whenever that is, return to a place of respect for our law enforcement and trust that they're not the same people as the ICE officers that we've been seeing?

On the ground

Since Operation Midway Blitz began in September, the tactics federal immigration agents have used in the campaign have raised alarms from local officials, organizations, and residents.

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The reality here in Chicago is this, Pritzker said over the weekend, addressing the citys No Kings rally, where more than 100,000 people protested against what they perceived to be Trumps rising authoritarianism and corruption as part of a broader demonstration movement across the country. Black and brown people are being rounded up because of the color of their skin. Children are being zip tied and separated from their parents. Worshippers coming from church are being questioned and detained. Workers are being harassed and detained at our shops and restaurants.

Veronica Castro, the deputy director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights (ICIRR), tells TIME about the ways in which members of the immigrant community she has spoken with have been affected by ICE detentions in and outside of Chicago.

In some cases, she says, construction workers are choosing to sleep at the sites of the unfinished homes where they work, instead of returning to their houses each night, for fear that they will be pulled over and detained while commuting. That means that they're leaving on Monday and not coming back home until the weekend, Castro says, which puts strain on families. She says another woman she spoke with, who works as an Uber driver, has been sleeping in her car outside of the city instead of returning to her neighborhood, where she says ICEs presence has increased.

At the ICE facility in Broadview, Castro says the family of a plumber who was detained by ICE while he was at work told her conditions are terrible. The family didnt know if the plumber would be released from the facility, she recalls, or if he was still there.

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Rebecca Glenberg, the chief litigation counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union in Illinois who has been involved in a lawsuit against the Administrations crackdown and spoken with a number of protesters, called the Broadview facility a real locus of the immigration enforcement regime in Chicago and an unofficial detention center, saying food and water are limited and there are no showers.

It's just not a fit place to be detaining people. And I say all that just to explain why it is that all of these people gathered at Broadview to protest, Glenberg says.

Incidents between ICE, protesters, clergy, and journalists outside of the facility created the basis for the case against the Administration for alleged violations of First and Fourth Amendment rights, she says, which led to another temporary restraining order blocking federal agencies from using forceful tactics to stop protesters or journalists. Judge Sara L. Ellis issued the order in response to a First Amendment lawsuit on behalf of several news organizations, clergy members and protesters, who alleged federal agents had responded to protests at the Broadview facility with a pattern of extreme brutality in a concerted and ongoing effort to silence the press and civilians.

ICIRR, one of multiple organizations that are on the ground in the Chicago area documenting detentions and seeking to protect the immigrant community, has been coordinating a vast rapid response network across Illinois to respond to ICE detentions. The rapid response teams are scattered across the state and made up of local volunteers who document reports of ICE activity after receiving information through the organizations Family Support Network hotline. In addition to that documentation work, they help provide legal resources to detainees and their families.

The hotline, which was used during Trumps first term, has seen an exponential increase in the volume of calls this Administration, especially since the crackdown in Illinois began, according to Castro. In January, the month Trump returned to office, she says the hotline experienced a nearly 800% increase in calls compared to the same month last year.

According to internal ICIRR data, Castro tells TIME that in 2024 the hotline received a total of 11,000 unduplicated calls, marking individual instances of reported ICE activity. In September 2025 alone, there were 5,582 calls, putting the rate of reports on pace to surpass 2024s number in just two months.

In the first week of October, ICIRR received 2,479 calls. October 10th marked the organizations highest call volume in a single day, with 1,300 calls.

Chamberlain, the reverend from the South Side of Chicago, tells TIME many of her colleagues in different congregations have been providing physical refuge every day for members of the migrant community who fear prosecution from ICE. She recalls being on the ground at clashes with federal agents, where she says citizens and undocumented people alike have been profiled and detained by masked officers.

The narrative that they're putting out is not what we are actually seeing on the ground. What they're doing is literally terrorizing communities, working class communities, she says.

Read more: Trump Administration Accused of Propaganda for Shifting Story in Shooting Amid ICE Protests

She says she has also witnessed U.S. citizens being detained, and that members of the Black community have been threatened and restrained by federal agents as a result of racial profiling tactics used by federal agents.

They're targeting citizens, she says.

She also notes that although much of the attention has been given to ICE activity in Chicago and Broadview, she has been speaking with and supporting people in smaller cities outside of Chicago like Kankakee and Waukegan, where the agency has expanded its crackdown.

TIME has reached out to DHS for comment from ICE, Customs and Border Protection, and Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino, who has been leading the crackdown in Chicago. Judge Ellis has ordered depositions from Bovino, among others, on agents ongoing use of force despite her order providing protections to protesters and journalists. Federal officials have said agents used tear gas in response to threats to their safety.

In early October, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the tactics deployed by agents in the Chicago area operation, calling it an extremely dangerous situation. DHS said following the raid on the South Shore apartment building specifically that the building was targeted because it was known to be frequented by Tren de Aragua members and their associates, and a spokesperson for the agency told CNN that children were taken into custody during the raid for their own safety.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker joins the demonstrators during the second "No Kings" protest in Chicago, Illinois, on October 18, 2025. Joe RaedleGetty Images

The dehumanization that the immigrant community is facing right now should make everybody worried, Castro tells TIME. If they can get away with violating our basic rights within the immigrant community, that's only a step away from taking away the rights of everybody.

Pritzker similarly warned while speaking at the No Kings rally that when we allow tyrannical policies against any group, we make tyranny possible against every group. But, he said, tyranny fails when ordinary people refuse to cooperate.

What Trump didn't count on is Chicago coming together to stand up for freedom and individual rights, for American values, because we love America, he said.

On the phone with TIME, Johnson recalled his work as a social studies teacher. He pointed out the long history of resistance in Chicago, citing the Rainbow Coalition, a political group formed in Chicago in 1969 by Fred Hampton of the Black Panther Party to bring together marginalized groups to fight against systemic oppression.

When asked how he would advise other cities to prepare for the circumstances Chicago is facing, the mayor encouraged partnerships across all aspects of the city and state communities, including faith congregations, elected leaders, and businesses. He urged other cities to "utilize government to its fullness, passing ordinances, signing executive orders, and mounting challenges in court, as his city has.

Black, brown, white, Asian, young, old, rich and poor. We have to come together to save our democracy, he says. To protect our humanity.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Israel released almost 2,000 Palestinians from its custody this month in exchange for 20 Israeli hostages held by Hamas, as part of the US-brokered ceasefire in Gaza.

Israel released almost 2,000 Palestinians from its custody this month in exchange for 20 Israeli hostages held by Hamas, as part of the US-brokered ceasefire in Gaza. Hamas said 154 of the 250 convicted prisoners were deported to Egypt.

Around 1,700 of the remaining freed prisoners were detained by the military during the war and held without court rulings.

Number of Palestinians in Israeli jails

After the deal, the number of Palestinians in 23 Israeli prisons and detention centers stood at more than 9,100.

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There is an additional unspecified number of Gaza prisoners held in some army-run detention camps, such as Sde Teiman in the Negev desert and Naftali Camp in northern Israel. Israel doesn't disclose more information about their numbers, whereabouts, and fate, according to Palestinian human rights groups.

A Palestinian stands guard holding a rifle as Red Cross vehicles transport hostages, held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023 attack, following their handover as part of a ceasefire and hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in the central Gaza Strip, October 13, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/STRINGER)

Out of the 9,100, around 3,544 were administrative detainees, held without being sentenced, according to a source from the Palestinian Prisoners Society and reports by Palestinian rights groups.

Some 77 died in Israeli prisons since the start of the war, a report by Palestinian rights groups, including The Commission of Prisoners' Affairs and Ex-Prisoners, an official entity affiliated with the Palestinian Authority, said.

Before Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack and the start of the war in Gaza, the total number of Palestinian prisoners was 5,250, of which 1,320 were under administrative detention, according to reports by Palestinian rights groups.

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The Israeli Prison Service said it does not share data and that it is not responsible for the arrests and legal proceedings. The Judiciary Authority and the Defense Ministry did not respond to requests for the total tally of prisoners.

Charges handed to Palestinians

The accusations against the 250 freed prisoners who had been charged or convicted ranged from kidnapping to murder, involvement in shootings or large-scale attacks, possession of firearms, and membership of a terrorist group, according to a list published by the Justice Ministry.

Out of the total 9,100, around 1,200 were convicted, and 3,544 were under administrative detention. The total tally also included 400 minors and 52 women, according to a source and a report by the Palestinian Prisoners' Society.

Other charges, often leveled at people including doctors and teachers - some who take part in protests against Israel or whose relatives come under suspicion - range from suspected involvement in, or affiliation with, terrorist groups, to stone throwing, according to lists shared by Palestinian rights groups.

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Palestinians regard brethren jailed by Israel as heroes in a struggle against Israeli occupation. Israel considers those convicted of violence against its citizens to be terrorists.

Administrative detention

As part of Israel's emergency powers laws, authorities can hold prisoners deemed as a security threat without trial, a practice that has drawn international concern and been challenged repeatedly by human rights groups in Israeli courts.

The practice is commonly applied to Palestinians, but has been used against Jewish Israelis suspected of attacks against Palestinians, too.

Such detainees are sometimes held without trial for months, a measure Israel says is required to prevent further violence in the absence of sufficient evidence to prosecute, or where going to court would risk exposing the identity of secret informants.

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The detainees, as per the law, must be presented to a court where the order of detention is reviewed. The court can accept evidence without disclosing it to the suspects if it believes the disclosure could endanger security.

The initial six-month detention period can be renewed indefinitely if commanders still have reasons to believe the detainees threaten security, sometimes leaving Palestinian prisoners in prison for years without being charged.

The detainees must be brought in front of a court within eight days to confirm or reject the detention order that can later be appealed. Judges are allowed to accept evidence without the presence of detainees.

Unlawful combatants law

Palestinians from Gaza are held in Israel under the Internment of Unlawful Combatants Law, which allows for an unlimited period of detention for people believed to have participated directly or indirectly in hostile acts against Israel.

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Around 2,673 were held in Gaza under this law before the latest deal, according to Palestinian rights organizations, excluding those held in military detention camps. Of that total, 1,700 were released under the latest deal.

Their detention has sometimes been extended by a judge, but without conviction or official charges, according to information from prisoners' associations in Gaza and the West Bank.

The IDF said any initial arrest in which the evidence was not immediately conclusive, such as a video of a murder, was conducted according to the Unlawful Combatants Law.

When conclusive evidence is received, a criminal arrest is carried out, it added.
There are new findings Thursday regarding the safety of Chicago's buildings.

The city's inspector general slammed the Chicago Fire Department's Fire Prevention Bureau, citing critical shortcoming in its operations.

The OIG found the bureau failed to conduct mandatory annual inspections

Specifically, only 17 percent of buildings were checked in a recent 12-month period.

SEE ALSO: Chicago Mayor Johnson refuses to fire top aide despite recommendation from inspector general

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Half of all buildings haven't been inspected in five years or more.

The inspector general is now urging CFD to immediately fix its record keeping, and complete its building inventory and inspections.

"In a city scarred and shaped by fire, the efforts of the Chicago Fire Department to prevent loss of life and property damage are vital, and the annual inspections required by law are critical. A longstanding lack of policies, procedures, and goals has left CFD unable to accurately assess which buildings are at greatest risk for fire. Additionally, CFD's mistaken belief that another City department would be responsible for fire code inspections has likely left some buildings uninspected for decades," Inspector General Deborah Witzburg said.
You glance at your teens phone and wonder whats hiding in that endless scroll: a mix of curiosity and quiet worry that every parent knows. The internet moves faster than parents can keep up, and even the most careful families have moments that make their stomach drop.

Thats why Instagrams latest update, its first-ever PG-13 safety filter for users under 18, feels like a relief for many parents.

Meta, Instagrams parent company, says this is its biggest safety update yet for teen accounts.

Whats new in Instagrams safety update

Instagrams latest PG-13 update is designed to give parents something theyve long been asking forstronger, automatic guardrails for teen users.

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As Tara Hopkins, Metas global director of public policy, told Good Morning America, Were doing this to really speak the language of parents.

Heres whats changing:

Stricter default settings for all users under 18. Teen accounts will now automatically filter out posts, Reels, and Explore content that include mature language, sexual innuendo, depictions of alcohol or drugs, and other risky behavior.

Parental approval required to loosen settings. Teens cant opt out of these restrictions without a parents OK. Thats a big shift from earlier versions of the app, which left it up to young users to manage their own safety controls.

New Limited Content mode for families. Parents can now activate this optional setting to further narrow what their teens seeand even disable comments entirely.

Smarter AI detection. Instagrams automated tools are being retrained to identify harmful keywords and images more accurately, flagging searches for terms like gore or drugs.

Gradual global rollout. The update is first launching in the U.S., U.K., Australia, and Canada, with worldwide availability expected by 2026.

Meta calls this its biggest safety update yet for teensand for good reason. Unlike past changes that relied on young users to tweak their own preferences, these new safeguards activate automatically and keep parents in control from day one.

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Related: Can this new Instagram tool really protect our kids from online bullying?

Digital safety isnt just about algorithms

For parents, Instagrams PG-13 update may offer some relief, but experts stress that no algorithm can replace guidance and connection.

Psychologist and author Dr. Jean Twenge, who studies adolescent development, notes on Wabash Colleges Bachelor website that while filters and content ratings can limit exposure to potentially harmful material, real digital safety comes from ongoing conversations with children about what they see online and how it affects them.

She emphasises that parental involvement, curiosity, and open dialogue are far more effective than relying solely on technology. Practical steps for parents include checking Instagrams new settings, exploring Limited Content mode, and starting conversations with teens about their online experiencesquestions like, What did you enjoy on Instagram today? or Did anything you saw online confuse or upset you? help keep communication open without making teens feel policed.

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As highlighted in a recent CBS News video, the platform is rolling out these changes first in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada, with a global rollout planned by 2026. While the PG-13 update may feel reassuring, experts emphasise it should be viewed as one tool in a broader toolkit of parental engagement, rather than a foolproof shield.

Related: Meta attempts to prioritize teen safety by making Instagram accounts privatebut is it enough?

What really keeps teens safe online

Technology can help guide our kids, but connection is what protects them. Instagrams update gives families a helpful starting point, but its the ongoing conversations, shared moments, and curiosity about what our teens love (and what worries them) that truly build digital safety.

Source:
The Supreme Court is done hearing argument for October, but that does not mean its done making major rulings. There are several applications awaiting action on the courts interim docket, including the Trump administrations request to be allowed to federalize and deploy the National Guard within Illinois and its attempt to change the current rules for sex markers on passports.

In the past two weeks, the justices resolved six pending cases, denying three requests for stays of execution from death-row inmates, a mans request for an injunction preventing a Michigan county from enforcing against him a law on making terrorist threats, a request to require a California school district to offer faith-based opt-outs from vaccine requirements, and Alex Jones request for the court to pause a $1.4 billion judgment he has been ordered to pay in a defamation case brought by the parents of children who died in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.

In addition to two requests for a stay of execution from the same man, four other significant cases remain, although only three likely will be resolved in the near future. (The court announced earlier this month that it will hear oral arguments in January on the fourth, which concerns President Donald Trumps firing of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook.)

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Heres a brief overview of the four pending applications.

National Guard in Illinois

The newest application, in Trump v. Illinois, was filed by the administration on Friday and centers on Trumps effort to deploy the National Guard to Illinois. Specifically, U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer urged the court to pause a district court order prohibiting the National Guards deployment. According to Sauer, the order cause[s] irreparable harm to the Executive Branch by countermanding the Presidents authority as Commander in Chief, jeopardizing the lives and safety of DHS officers, and preventing the President and the Secretary of War from taking reasonable and lawful measures to protect federal personnel from the violent resistance that has persisted in the Chicago area for several months.

In an opinion which followed her issuance of the challenged order on Oct. 9, U.S. District Judge April Perry contended that [r]esort to the military to execute the laws was not presently called for. She noted that although she did not doubt that there have been acts of vandalism, civil disobedience, and even assaults on federal agents, she did not believe there was enough justification presented for the administrations actions.

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Perry initially blocked deployment for two weeks, until Thursday, Oct. 23. On Wednesday, with the agreement of both sides, she extended her order until final judgment on the merits.

Although the application in Trump v. Illinois is the newest, it may be addressed first. The state of Illinois and city of Chicago responded to the Trump administrations request on Monday  just over 72 hours after the request was filed  and the administration filed its reply brief on Tuesday.

Hague Convention case

Castro v. Guevara centers on a 7-year-old girl in Dallas, Texas, who soon may be forced to return to her birth country of Venezuela. Her mother, Samantha Estefania Francisco Castro, who lives with her in Dallas, has asked the court to pause a ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit that would require that return.

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Castro and her daughter have been in the United States since 2021 and have pending asylum applications. The dispute began in April 2023, when Jose Leonardo Brito Guevara, the girls father, who has lived in Spain for the past four years, petitioned a federal court under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction  to obtain the immediate return of [the girl] to Venezuela. A federal district court denied the petition after determining that the girl is well settled in her new environment in Texas. But the 5th Circuit reversed.

With her application to the Supreme Court, Castro is seeking to block the 5th Circuits decision from taking effect. On Oct. 2, one day after Castro sought relief, Justice Samuel Alito granted her request for an immediate administrative stay, enabling the girl to remain in the U.S. while the court considers her case.

In his own brief, the girls father explained that his move to Spain was never meant to be permanent and that his mother was caring for the girl when Castro absconded with her to the U.S. He said he has been working to promote her return to Venezuela since he learned that Castro had left the country with her.

Sex markers on passports

In Trump v. Orr, the Trump administration has asked the court to allow it to implement its directives for sex designations on passports. The Biden administration put in place a policy that applicants could receive passports reflecting the sex designation of their choice without providing medical paperwork. The Trump administration seeks to instead classify people based on their immutable biological classification as either male or female as part of carrying out an executive order on gender identity.

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A group of transgender and nonbinary Americans sued to block this change to passport rules, contending that the Trump administration was violating their rights to equal treatment under the Constitution and a federal law governing administrative agencies. They also said the new rules violated their rights to international travel and informational privacy.

In April, U.S. District Judge Julia Kobick issued an order barring the government from enforcing its passport policy against all but one of the plaintiffs (she determined that plaintiff did not need such protection because his passport would not expire until 2028). About two months later, the district court issued a broader order that prohibited the Trump administration from enforcing its policy against any transgender or nonbinary person who had applied or would apply for a passport consistent with their gender identity.

Sauer came to the Supreme Court on Sept. 19 and urged the justices to put Kobicks order on hold. He wrote that the ruling injures the United States by compelling it to speak to foreign governments in contravention of both the Presidents foreign policy and scientific reality.

The transgender and nonbinary litigants challenged that characterization of whats at stake in their own filing on Oct. 6. [T]he government has never explained how passport sex markers that align with gender identity, including the sex the person lives as and outwardly expresses, could possibly affect foreign relationswhen the challenged policy undermines the very purpose of passports as identity documents that officials check against the bearers appearance, the brief said.

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This case has been fully briefed for more than two weeks, which means the courts decision could come any day.

Lisa Cooks firing

As noted above, Trump v. Cook stands out from the other pending applications because the justices have made it clear they wont take action until they hear argument on Cooks removal in January. Cook will continue serving on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors at least until then.

This case, like others this year on the National Labor Relations Board, Merit Systems Protection Board, and Federal Trade Commission, addresses Trumps power to remove the heads of independent federal agencies created by Congress. Under federal law, presidents can only remove Federal Reserve governors for cause.

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Trump attempted to fire Cook in late August, citing allegations that she had committed mortgage fraud. (Cook has denied those allegations.) Cook challenged her firing in federal court, where she secured an order allowing her to remain on the Fed board while the lawsuit continues. U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb held that the mortgage fraud allegations likely do not satisfy the for cause requirement because the alleged fraud took place before Cook was nominated to the Fed board by former President Joe Biden. She also argued that the firing likely violated Cooks rights under the Fifth Amendments due process clause, because Cook had a property interest in her position, and as a result, she was entitled to notice and an opportunity to be heard before removal.

The Trump administration appealed Cobbs order to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which left it in place by a vote of 2-1. The majority echoed Cobbs concerns about Cooks due process rights, holding that because that claim is very likely meritorious, it did not need to weigh in on the question of whether Cooks firing satisfied the for cause requirement.

In mid-September, Sauer asked the Supreme Court to clear the way for Trump to fire Cook. He wrote that Cobb did not have the power to order Trump to reinstate Cook and described her order as yet another case of improper judicial interference with the Presidents removal authority.

In her own filing, Cook urged the court to allow her to continue serving. She contended that allowing Trump to fire her would upend the Federal Reserves longstanding tradition of independence.

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On Wednesday, Oct. 1, the justices announced that they would hear oral arguments in January on the Trump administrations request.

The interim docket never sleeps

Court watchers have observed that the justices didnt have much of a summer recess this year because they had several interim docket matters to address from July through September. Perhaps it shouldnt be surprising, then, that the interim docket remains busy now that the court is back in session. However, it is quite possible that the justices will resolve several of the pending requests before theyre back in the courtroom for arguments on Monday, Nov. 3.

For more Supreme Court news and analysis, visit SCOTUSblog.

Read more at SCOTUSblog 
NEED TO KNOW

The Charlotte Chess Center announced Daniel Naroditsky's death on Monday, Oct. 20

His cause of death is unknown

The International Chess Federation (FIDE) said it is now investigating comments regarding Naroditsky made by Russian chess grandmaster Vladimir Kramnik



Russian chess grandmaster Vladimir Kramnik is being investigated by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) following the "unexpected" death of American chess grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky.

On Wednesday, Oct. 22, the governing body of international chess competition released a statement from FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich, announcing that the federation was investigating "public statements" made by Kramnik "before and after" Naroditsky's death at age 29.

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Kramnik, a former world champion, repeatedly accused Naroditsky, who was also a well-known chess commentator, of cheating during online matches, per NBC News.

Antony Jones/Getty Vladimir Kramnik playing Bodhana Sivanandan at Sky Guild Gaming Centre on August 19, 2024 Vladimir Kramnik playing Bodhana Sivanandan at Sky Guild Gaming Centre on August 19, 2024

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

While Naroditsky denied any wrongdoing, he appeared visibly distressed in his final Twitch broadcast on Saturday, Oct. 18, discussing the controversy surrounding Kramnik's accusation and the toll it had taken on him, according to USA Today.

Video of the stream has been deleted from his official Twitch account.

Naroditsky's club, the Charlotte Chess Center, announced "the sad news of Daniels unexpected passing" in a statement on Monday, Oct. 20.



Lea Suzuki/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Daniel Naroditsky in 2008 Daniel Naroditsky in 2008

"In recent times, a public debate within the chess world has too often moved beyond the boundaries of acceptable, harming not only peoples reputation but their very well-being," Dvorkovich said in his statement. "When this happens, discussions can turn into harassment, bullying, and personal attacks  a particularly serious concern in todays environment."

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Although Dvorkovich said that Kramnik's achievements and contributions to the sport were "undeniable," he and the FIDE Management Board will formally refer all "relevant public statements" made by Kramnik "before and after the tragic death of GM Daniel Naroditsky" to the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission for "independent consideration."

Dvorkovich vowed that "FIDE will take appropriate action in any case where a lack of respect, public harassment, or bullying is observed within the chess community."

Daniel Naroditsky/Youtube Daniel Naroditsky Daniel Naroditsky

Kramnik defended his actions in a statement to Reuters in an article published Wednesday.

"What public statement after the death of Daniel was incorrect?" Kramnik said " ... I demand clarification from Mr. President. I have not bullied Daniel Naroditsky, nor ever made personal insults towards him."

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He also claimed to be the victim of bullying and damaging statements, including murder threats, from fellow members of the chess community, per the outlet.

Human life and dignity are fundamental values shared by all of us. While we hold deep respect and love for the game of chess that unites our community, these values must always come first.



In recent times, public debate within the chess world has too often moved beyond the pic.twitter.com/YeKXV3Z0gX  International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) October 22, 2025

On X, Kramnik wrote that the "recent tragedy should be investigated by police," as "there are too many huge financial interests involved to be sure about it being just an incident."

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

"I am ready to provide all information required," he said. Kramnik further claimed in a separate post that he plans to take legal action against those "falsely blaming me."



Read the original article on People
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP)  International Criminal Court judges on Thursday rejected a challenge to jurisdiction in the case of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who is accused of involvement in dozens of killings as part of his so-called war on drugs when in office.

Defense lawyers for the 80-year old Duterte argued that because the Philippines left the court before prosecutors opened a formal investigation into the mass killings, the ICC didn't have the authority to continue with the proceedings.

A pretrial panel of judges dismissed the motion. Countries can't abuse their right to withdraw from the Rome Statute by shielding persons from justice in relation to alleged crimes that are already under consideration, the 32-page decision says.

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Prosecutors announced in February 2018 that they would open a preliminary investigation into the violence. In a move that human rights activists say was aimed at escaping accountability, Duterte, who was president at the time, announced a month later that the Philippines would leave the court.

The investigation was formally opened in 2021.

Nick Kaufman, Duterte's lead lawyer, said that he plans to continue the challenge to the jurisdiction. The defense anticipated this decision and will appeal it," he told The Associated Press.

The charges against Duterte date from Nov. 1, 2011, when he was still mayor of the southern city of Davao, to March 16, 2019, when the withdrawal became effective.

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Last month, judges postponed a pretrial hearing over concerns about Dutertes health. His lawyers asked for the proceedings to be delayed indefinitely, saying their client is not fit to stand trial. The court also decided that Duterte must remain in detention, because he's a flight risk.

The Duterte administration moved to suspend the global courts investigation before, arguing in late 2021 that Philippine authorities were already looking into the same allegations and the ICC  a court of last resort  therefore didnt have jurisdiction.

Appeals judges at the ICC rejected those arguments and ruled in 2023 that the investigation could resume.

Duterte was arrested in March and sent to the court in The Hague. He denies the charges of crimes against humanity.

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The ICC has been investigating mass killings in crackdowns overseen by Duterte when he served as mayor and later as president of the Philippines. Estimates of the death toll of the crackdown during Dutertes presidential term vary, from the more than 6,000 that the national police have reported and up to 30,000 claimed by human rights groups.

___

This story has been updated to correct the spelling of lawyer Kaufman.
COMPANY NEWS: We found a path traversal vulnerability in Smithery.ai that compromised over 3,000 MCP servers and exposed thousands of API keys. Here's how a single Docker build bug nearly triggered one of the largest AI supply chain attacks to date.

Table of contents

TL;DR

We discovered a vulnerability in a popular MCP server hosting service that compromised thousands of AI servers and their associated credentials. Here's what happened and why it matters:

A simple configuration bug allowed attackers to access sensitive files on the registrys infrastructure, leading to the theft of overprivileged administrative credentials.

These stolen credentials provided access to over 3,000 hosted AI servers, enabling the theft of API keys and secrets from potentially thousands of customers across hundreds of services.

The vulnerability was quickly patched after responsible disclosure, and no evidence of exploitation was found.

Why this matters: Centralised AI infrastructure creates high-value targets where a single vulnerability can compromise entire ecosystems.

MCP Hosting and Threat Modelling

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) enables AI applications to connect with external tools and data sources through server implementations. Those servers generally fall into two main categories:

Local: Where the servers provide access to local resources, such as the local filesystem of the command line.

Where the servers provide access to local resources, such as the local filesystem of the command line. Remote: When the servers provide access to remote resources such as databases or API providers.

Remote servers can also be split into two categories depending on where and how they are hosted:

On-premise/self-hosted: Where the remote server is hosted on the users own infrastructure or even on their own local machine.

Where the remote server is hosted on the users own infrastructure or even on their own local machine. Fully remote: Where the resource providers directly host the servers. It is, for example, the case with the Sentry MCP server that is hosted at mcp.sentry.dev.

Each of those hosting models has its own specificities and, from a security perspective, its own threat model and set of MCP best practices.

Among those models, Smithery.ai, an early-day MCP server registry, implements a hybrid approach: the registry itself will host remote servers that would have otherwise been self-hosted. This approach makes it easier than ever to deploy and use an MCP server. However, it also presents unique challenges on the threat modelling side, as the magnitude of a security incident on the hosters side can significantly increase due to the number of hosted servers and the vast range of features and resources it provides access to.

While studying Smitherys hosted servers for a previous research project, we uncovered a critical security issue in the registrys software that illustrates this increased risk.

Compromising Smitherys hosting feature

Smithery relies heavily on GitHub to manage the source code for its hosted servers. To submit a server to the registry, users create a GitHub repository containing the servers code and the required registry-specific configuration files.

The registry then builds the servers into Docker images that it then uses to host the server and expose it to clients. This leaves the MCP servers' contributors with control over the Docker build configuration that is executed on the registry side, opening an important attack surface.

Server build configuration

When building a server in the Docker hosting model, Smithery expects the server repository to contain a smithery.yamlconfiguration file. A legitimate configuration file contains a few properties:

The most interesting part of this configuration is the build section that contains the information required by Smithery to build the server. There are only two required properties in this section:

dockerBuildPath: The path to the Docker build context inside the repository.

dockerfile: The path to the Dockerfile to use inside the build context.

Later in the build process, Smithery will copy the context directory to the Docker daemon, along with the Dockerfile. The daemon will then build the image, which will then be run to provide the server's features to the clients.

The Dockerfile content is server-specific and does not need to contain any Smithery-related instructions.

A Path Traversal issue

The main problem with the build process is that the dockerBuildPathconfiguration value is improperly controlled. The build process accepts any value, including those that point to a location outside of the MCP server code repository.

In practice, it is possible to provide an arbitrary location on the builder machine's file system that will be used as the Docker build context. This means that the complete content of the referenced location will be sent to the Docker daemon at build time, making it accessible to instructions inside the attacker-controlled Dockerfile. In theory, this could allow reading the content of any file on the builder machine's file system and exfiltrating it to the attacker, with sensitive content disclosure threats.

However, for the attack to work, there are a few limitations to circumvent:

The copy of the chosen context to the Docker daemon must work. This means that the user running the Docker build must have read access to all the files in the location. Including special files or devices (like /dev/urandom) can also pose problems for the same reason.

The attacker-controlled Dockerfile must be located in the context location, and its path must be known in advance.

When combined, those restrictions force the build context directory to be a parent folder of the cloned server repository, in which the build user has full read permissions. Using the filesystems root as the build context was not an option.

We found that using ../ as the build context was a good option to exploit the issue in our case. Indeed, this directory, which proved to be the users home directory, contains files that should normally not be exposed to the servers build process. It also made it simple to locate the attacker-controlled Dockerfile, in our case test/Dockerfile, where test was the name we used for the GitHub repository containing our server implementation.

The malicious smithery.yaml file we used was the following:

We combined this malicious configuration with the following malicious Dockerfile that exfiltrated the list of available files to an internet endpoint:

Triggering a build revealed the content of the build user's home directory on Smitherys server build instance.

This first exfiltration revealed the presence of potentially sensitive files in the scope of the attack. In particular, an attacker could access the .docker/config.json that can contain authentication secrets.

A second exfiltration allowed the recovery of this files content.

The Docker configuration contained a fly.io authentication token.

Escalating with overprivileged secrets

According to their official website, fly.io is "the most flexible and powerful compute platform on any public cloud," providing hardware-virtualized containers called Fly Machines. It offers a set of features to control those machines with the so-called machines API,along with convenience features for users. One of those is a Docker container registry for which the authentication token was disclosed as a result of the previous attack.

The issue with fly authentication tokens is that there is a single type of credential for both the machines API and the Docker registry. The segregation between the two only depends on the privileges associated with the secrets related identity. This leaves room for errors and overprivileged identities.

In practice, we observed that the API token defined in the .docker/config.json file suffered from this overprivilege issue. Instead of only providing access to the fly.io Docker repository, it also granted privileges on the machines API:

The compromised secret allowed access to a fly.io organisation that contained more than 3000 apps. Most of those apps correspond to a hosted MCP server. Some others are used to host parts of Smitherys service infrastructure.

Fly.ios machine API also allows, with the appropriate privileges, to execute code in arbitrary machines in the available apps. The authentication token we previously disclosed had such privileges:

All in all, the compromised fly.io API credentials allowed attackers to execute arbitrary code on any of the MCP servers hosted by Smithery, along with part of the providers own infrastructure.

The supply-chain risk for Smithery users

With the compromise of Smitherys hosted MCP servers comes an important question: what are the direct consequences for the service customers? The answer depends on how MCP servers are used, which services they access, and on the attackers objective.

Indeed, once code execution is possible on an MCP server, this server should be considered compromised and untrusted. Considering the servers are meant to return data to the MCP client that will later be processed by an LLM, a first possible threat is prompt injection attacks. The compromised server could be used to inject malicious prompts into the MCP client and associated LLM to achieve a variety of purposes that depend on the environment of execution and could potentially range from local command execution to sensitive information disclosure. This risk has already been highlighted in past publications, exploiting the cross-server implicit trust relationship.

Another threat is the direct consequence of remote MCP servers requirements in terms of identities and secrets. Indeed, all the servers Smithery hosts are remote servers. They are meant to access remote resources like data sources and APIs. As such, they need to handle the secrets required to access such resources. Therefore, by controlling the MCP servers, attackers can directly interact with those secrets.

We illustrated this risk during our research by dumping the inbound network traffic from a server hosted on Smithery.

The network capture result shows client requests sent to the targeted server.

The query parameters in the captured HTTP request contain the client-sent credentials:

The same attack method could have been applied to the more than 3000 available servers hosted on the platform. That way, the secrets of thousands of clients to hundreds of sensitive services could have been compromised.

Reflections on MCP, supply chain, and secrets

The attack we demonstrated on Smitherys registry could have had severe consequences if exploited by malicious threat actors. Remote MCP servers are a gateway to some of the most sensitive services used by developers and companies all over the world. A concentration of servers, such as those on Smithery's platform, creates a valuable target for threat actors. Therefore, this centralisation comes with additional risks.

Earlier this year, we observed the same kind of concentration exploited by active threat actors during the Salesloft supply chain attack, where the attackers took advantage of how Salesloft stored the OAuth secrets to its customers' assets. This attack strategy has significant advantages for attackers that can, in a single attack, affect hundreds of companies by abusing existing trust relationships. We will likely observe more and more attacks of this kind where companies' secrets are the main target, allowing for an easy and efficient lateral movement vector. This evolution of the threat landscape should be considered as part of the risk analysis when choosing an MCP hosting model.

The way MCP servers manage secrets is another factor that tends to amplify the impact of credential extraction from them. Contrary to the MCP best practices detailed in the official documentation of the protocol, the majority of the servers do not rely on OAuth for the authentication against the remote datasource. In most cases, as demonstrated in our attack, the authentication is performed using static, long-term credentials such as classical API keys. Doing so limits the ability to refine the privileges granted to the servers and increases the attacker's exploitation timeframe. While OAuth isn't a silver bullet defense against supply chain compromise, as the Salesloft attack showed, it can still help reduce the impact of such incidents when configured correctly.

Acknowledgment and timeline

We want to acknowledge the Smithery team's answer to our vulnerability disclosure. They reacted quickly and deployed a fix on their platform in just a few days.

Article Source: https://blog.gitguardian.com/breaking-mcp-server-hosting/#tldr
On October 26, 1996, two intersex people, 26 self-proclaimed transsexuals and a hastily-printed box of T-shirts changed history around the world.

October 26 is now known as Intersex Awareness Day, and the surrounding days are increasingly celebrated as Intersex Awareness Week. It is internationally honored through social media campaigns, storytelling and events, but not widely known. The day has inspired tremendous change even if the intersex rights movement is still in its nascency. And most importantly, while many Americans are still fuzzy on the concept of intersexuality, October 26 is a day when they are reminded that sex is not necessarily binary, that our histories are more complicated than just male and female.

What eventually became Intersex Awareness Day started as a protest outside a Boston medical conference and became an international observance years later thanks to Betsy Driver, credited as the days co-founder.

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Growing up, Driver knew she was different. She was born with both female and male sex characteristics, and she thought of herself as an anomaly and secret, pretty sure there was no one else on earth like her.

Youve got this body that you know doesnt conform, Driver told The 19th. Youre being told youre the only one, and there was no additional social help, psychosocial help, anything to talk about that as well, or anyone to talk about it with.

Her first computer in 1999 changed that. Online, she learned there were people like her, and they were intersex. They made up about 1.7 percent of the population. Some were born with varying reproductive anatomy of sex traits, while others developed them later in life. They had started to find each other and rewrite their stories.

Betsy Driver is credited as a co-founder of Intersex Awareness Day. (Courtesy Betsy Driver)

Since the 1960s, intersex people had been treated as a problem to be fixed, often through excruciating and life-altering surgeries from infancy. The surgeries, intended to spare them from the shame of not neatly fitting into a single sex, could rob them of all sexual sensation and fertility, and sometimes resulted in lifelong pain and incontinence. Some people were told by parents or doctors they had been born with cancer, a lie. Others were simply told they were different and should never disclose the secrets of their birth.

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In the 1990s, as intersex people started to find each other, they untangled fact from fiction regarding the surgeries, concluding they were not only painful but unnecessary. The operations were intended to normalize them, but left them permanently scarred psychologically and physically.

In 1993, activist Cheryl Chase, who also goes by the name Bo Laurent, founded the Intersex Society of North America to challenge the medical establishments treatment of intersex people. The organization marked the start of a movement for intersex justice, and its newsletter, Hermaphrodites with Attitude, would give voice to thousands of intersex people starting to push back against the medical violence of surgeries and other treatments. Laurent found allies in another group fighting for bodily autonomy: transgender people.

One day, Laurent attended a reading by transgender activist and author Riki Wilchins. The two connected on their shared goals of gender liberation. Wilchins recalled a night that they talked into the late hours on a stoop in the West Village of New York.

I remember thinking our struggles are intertwined with one another, Wilchins told The 19th.

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Wilchins had co-founded her own group, Transsexual Menace, with Denise Norris in 1993 to protest the exclusion of transgender people from Pride marches. Wilchins knew how to cause a stir and get publicity. And she knew intimately what it meant to be written off by the medical establishment. Transsexual Menace had successfully held dozens of protests all over the country. They had picketed the Michigan Womyns Music Festival over its refusal to allow trans women to attend and held vigils for murdered trans people like Brandon Teena, a trans man whose violent murder set off a firestorm over inaccurate news coverage of his death.

Wilchins was eager to help raise awareness about the medical violence facing intersex people. She suggested that Laurent hold a protest to get the word out.

Wilchins was eager to demonstrate. Laurent wasnt so sure.

I hesitated to create an adversarial relationship with doctors, Laurent said in an email to The 19th. After all, we needed them to listen to us.

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Sexologist Anne Fausto-Sterling, who was instrumental in early intersex studies, convinced Laurent that doctors werent listening to intersex people anyway. They should protest.

The group settled on the 1996 meeting of the American Academy of Pediatrics in Boston. Laurent couldnt attend. In fact, only two intersex people could  Morgan Holmes and Max Beck. Wilchins agreed to bring a handful of people from the Menace.

The problem is, you know, half a dozen people kneeling on the sidewalk with some signs, its not a visual, Wilchins said. She dashed to a printer and had them hastily make T-shirts that said Hermaphrodites with Attitude in a variety of sizes.

On October 26, a group of 28 people, most of them transgender, picketed the American Academy of Pediatrics on behalf of intersex people. They passed out fliers that read Keep Your Scalpels OFF Our Bodies.

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Newsweek magazine was there to capture the protest. Wilchins pushed Beck and Holmes to the front for the photos.

The intersex rights movement was born.

A few years after Driver got her computer and made her own online organization, Bodies Like Ours, she would build on this legacy. As Driver learned more about her intersex community, she wanted a day to raise awareness. In 2003, she and fellow activist Emi Koyama started to kick around ideas for dates.

Koyama suggested October 26, the day of the Boston protest. The two settled on it.

The purpose of it was really just to raise awareness, maybe get some headlines, maybe generate a few news stories, perhaps generate some speaking engagements, Driver said.

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It worked, although perhaps not as intended.

Driver sent out press releases marking October 26, 2004, as Intersex Awareness Day.

There used to be a franchise that would like to be a little space filler in newspapers called News of the Weird, and they picked it up, said Driver, adding that editors evidently thought it was a joke. At first, I was a little taken aback, but then I realized, shit, this is great publicity.

Driver and Koyama had launched an international movement, with people planning events across the world.

More than that, intersex people were taking back their power.

Its important to remember how much courage it took for intersex people, who had been burdened with crippling shame, to stand up and tell our stories, to demand that these harmful practices be stopped, Laurent said.

This 1996 protest outside of a Boston medical conference was the start of Intersex Awareness Day (Courtesy interAct)

Activists have returned to October 26 time and again when looking for a foundation from which to launch protests in the name of intersex justice. Beck has since passed. Holmes could not be reached to comment for this piece.

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In 2016, intersex advocates Pidgeon Pagonis and Sean Saifa Wall needed a date to anchor their demonstrations against Lurie Childrens Hospital of Chicago, which was performing pediatric intersex surgeries. They chose Intersex Awareness Day. After years of protest, their group, the Intersex Justice Project, convinced Lurie to partially cease some of its intersex surgeries.

On October 26, 2021, President Joe Biden hosted the nations first roundtable discussion on intersex awareness issues, the first time the White House had acknowledged the day.

Koyama had mixed feelings about it.

Im like, Oh, shit. Now the State Department is using us to, like, push American values on other countries, she said.

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For the most part, however, Intersex Awareness Day has remained niche to intersex organizations and people, with LGBTQ+ organizations sometimes acknowledging the day. Increasingly, groups celebrate the week leading up to it.

And momentum for intersex justice has substantially slowed since that time. Backlash to trans rights has also ushered in stricter gender rules for everyone, and intersex people have borne many of the consequences, often silently.

Hundreds of anti-trans bills have flooded state legislatures. Quietly tucked into most of the measures have been exemptions that specifically greenlight the kind of pediatric intersex procedures that Koyama, Laurent, Wall, Driver, Pagonis, Beck, Morgan and Wilchins fought so hard to stop.

President Donald Trump has amplified attacks on transgender Americans and in defining gender and sex binarily male and female, largely erased intersex people not just from definition, but from visibility within the LGBTQ+ movement.

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Earlier this month, Wall announced that he was sunsetting the Intersex Justice Project. In its place, he has co-founded the Strategy Lab for Intersex Movements.

Wall said he wants to think ahead about the intersex movement, instead of reacting to far-right attacks.

What does a radical vision look like 10 to 20 years from now? he asked. And how can we work toward that vision that actually centers and prioritizes intersex people in a moment where intersex people are being erased.

Pagonis also has a new project, The Intersex Healing Club, a free space for intersex people to access self-care resources to recover from the medical traumas inflicted upon them.

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Who will take up the mantle of organizing around October 26, and what they will accomplish next remains to be seen.

Its our North Star, Pagonis said of Intersex Awareness Day. Its the people that came before us. Its a legacy before us. Its an inspiration When youre scared, you look back, youre like, Well, they did it, and so we could do it too.

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A 21-year-old man from India, who was in the United States illegally after crossing the southern border, has been accused of causing a semi-truck crash that resulted in three deaths in Southern California.

Jashanpreet Singh first engaged with Border Patrol agents in Californias El Centro Sector in March 2022 but was later released into the interior of the country pending an immigration hearing. Singh has now been arrested on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated after driving his semi-truck into traffic on the I-10 Freeway in San Bernadine County on October 21.

The incident, which was recorded on a dashcam video, left three people dead and injured several others. According to police, a toxicology test confirmed Singh was impaired during the crash, and never hit the brakes before slamming into the slow-moving traffic jam.

BREAKING: Per multiple ICE sources, Jashanpreet Singh, the semi-truck driver suspected of killing three people in a DUI crash on the 10 freeway in Ontario, CA yesterday, is an Indian illegal alien who was caught & released at the CA border by the Biden admin in March 2022. DHS pic.twitter.com/ewxt7ZGfJs  Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) October 23, 2025

The deadly crash is one of the latest high-profile incidents involving an illegal alien truck driver in the United States.

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Harjinder Singh entered the country illegally via the southern border in 2018. He later obtained a commercial drivers license in California, despite officials claiming he failed English and road sign tests.

As seen in a horrifying viral video online, Harjinder, a 28-year-old illegal alien from India, attempted an illegal U-turn on August 12 while driving a semi-truck on the Florida Turnpike in Fort Pierce. His trailer jackknifed, and a minivan plowed into the commercial semi-trucks trailer, killing all three passengers inside  according to the Florida Highway Patrol, after Singh made the blatantly illegal turn across a high-speed lane of traffic.

On October 15, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a statement that the inability to pass English language requirements is a pervasive problem in the industry.

I put states on notice this summer: enforce the Trump Administrations English language requirements or the checks stop coming, Duffy said. California is the only state in the nation that refuses to ensure big rig drivers can read our road signs and communicate with law enforcement. This is a fundamental safety issue that impacts you and your family on Americas road.

Last week, The Dallas Express reported that the Trump administration announced it would withhold more than $40 million in federal highway safety funding for California because of the states failure to comply with federal English language proficiency standards for truck drivers.
Next years shaping up to be a big year in United States coinage, one that will be a little more special for Wisconsin.

The U.S. Mints American Innovation $1 coin series will include a Wisconsin coin in 2026 that celebrates a supercomputer designed and built in western Wisconsin.

The U.S. Mint this month released images of the four coins scheduled for release next year that honor innovations and inventors from Wisconsin, California, Iowa and Minnesota. The Mint began the series in 2018 as a way to honor the ingenuity coming out of all 50 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories.

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This will be the third time the U.S. Mint releases a coin honoring Wisconsin in recent history. The prior two coins were the 50-states quarter in 2004 and the America the Beautiful National Parks quarter issued in 2018 that celebrates Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

The United States Mint published images of Wisconsin's entry in the American Innovation $1 Coin series. The coin's tails (reverse) side, shown here, honors the Cray-1 Supercomputer designed and developed in western Wisconsin in the 1970s.

Whats on Wisconsins American Innovation Dollar?

Wisconsins coin honors the Cray-1 Supercomputer, one of the worlds fastest and most successful computers of the late 1970s and early '80s. Seymour Cray, known as father of supercomputing, and the team he assembled at Cray Research in the 1970s designed the machine in research lab in his hometown of Chippewa Falls in the mid-1970s, according to Wikipedia entries.

The Cray-1s C-shaped design, hand-wiring and colorful cabinet provided functional benefits while giving it a dash of contemporary color, style and design.

The supercomputers round shape is re-created looking down on the computer for the $1 coins reverse (tails) side. The obverse (heads) side design remains the same for all coins in the series: The Statue of Liberty in profile.

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The words Cray-1 Supercomputer, United States of America and Wisconsin are inscribed on the coins reverse.

The Cray-1 Supercomputer on display at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.

What is the Cray-1 Supercomputer?

The Cray-1s 80 megahertz processor sounds slow and antiquated compared to the 4+ gigahertz (a gigahertz is 1,000 megahertz) processors in your Apple or Samsung smartphones. But when it was released, the Cray-1 was fastest in the world, according to the Computer History Museum. Its $5 million starting price didnt put a damper on demand.

According to Wikipedia, the Cray-1s announcement sparked a bidding war for the first unit and Cray Research ultimately sold about 80 of the supercomputers. Among recipients of Cray-1s were the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico and the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado. NCARs Cray-1 is now part of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum collection.

The Computer History Museum noted the Cray-1s shape improved the speed at which signals traveled and its design hid the power supply beneath a circular bench that surrounded the supercomputer.

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The museum praised Cray as a quiet man whose dogged persistence and staggering genius resulted in the fastest computers on earth. Cray died in 1996, but the supercomputer company he founded lives on today as a part of Hewlett Packard Enterprise.

The 2026 American Innovation $1 coin's obverse (heads) features the Statue of Liberty and, like most U.S. coins issued in 2026, includes a special privy mark that features the Liberty Bell and '250' to celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary.

How was the Cray-1 chosen for Wisconsins $1 coin?

According to the news release, the Mint works with each states governor or chief executive and consults subject matter experts to identify innovations significant and meaningful both to the state and to the nation.

Those recommendations go to the secretary of the U.S. Treasury who selects the final designs for the coins.

The Cray-1 Supercomputer on display at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.

When will Wisconsins American Innovation $1 coin be released?

The Mint has not released its 2026 product schedule yet, but the Mint in 2025 released the four American Innovation dollar coins for sale to the public in 25-coin rolls or 100-coin bags in January, April, May and July.

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Prices in 2025 were $36.25 for the 25-coin roll and $123.50 for the 100-coin bags.

What else makes 2026 special for U.S. coins?

Two things.

First, the Treasury Department plans to end production of the cent, or penny, which is generating all the feels with collectors and consumers alike.

Second, the Mint will commemorate the nations 250th anniversary in 2026 with special designs for circulating coins like the dime and quarter. The Mint also will issue special Best of the Mint gold coins that re-create collectors favorite coin designs from the Mints history.

Those five coins are:

1907 St. Gaudens $20 gold coin

1804 silver dollar

1916 walking liberty half dollar

1916 standing liberty quarter dollar

1916 Mercury dime

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The Mint also will issue companion silver medals that feature modern, contemporary takes on those five, classic designs.

Contact business reporter Jeff Bollier at (920) 431-8387 or jbollier@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JeffBollier.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Wisconsin's 2026 American Innovation $1 coin features supercomputer
LINCOLN, R.I. (WPRI)  The Providence police department has launched an internal investigation after one of its off-duty officers was involved in an incident at Ballys Twin River Casino, Target 12 has learned.

Lincoln Police spokesperson Capt. Kyle Wingate told Target 12 that police responded to the casino on Sunday for an incident involving Gary Slater, a Providence police officer and brother of State Rep. Scott Slater.

Wingate said authorities in Lincoln notified Providence police about the incident, but said no arrests were made. No further details about the incident were immediately available.

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Providence Police spokesperson Kristy dos Reis said Slater remains on active duty while an administrative review is underway.

The department will take appropriate action following the outcome of the review, dos Reis said.

Alexandra Leslie (aleslie@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter covering Providence and more for 12 News. Connect with her on Twitter and on Facebook.

Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts.

Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the free WPRI 12+ TV app.

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PARMA, Ohio (WJW)  Exclusive video released to the FOX 8 I-Team shows a man who flies into a rage in court, and now he could end up facing charges for threatening a judge.

This marks just the latest local judge facing a threat.

Scott Bartkiewicz was sentenced to jail for 30 days on a menacing charge. After yelling at Judge Timothy Gilligan and threatening to sue, the judge tacked on another 30 days for contempt of court.

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Parma police now confirm to the I-Team that after being removed from court, the defendant threatened bailiffs and jail staff.

County, city leaders ask congress to support closure of Burke Lakefront Airport

Police also confirm that Bartkiewicz made a direct threat against the judge, saying, Hell be in the grave by the time Im done. Its a promise.

Judge Gilligan released the following statement:

In this current political climate with death threats, attempted assassinations, and real acts of violence being perpetrated against police and elected officials, every threat must be taken very seriously.

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Guns are prolific in our society, and are readily available to anybody. These threats are very real and very dangerous.

Threatening the safety of a Judge, member of law enforcement or any individual for that matter is never going to work in your favor. We as a society must be vigilant in sending a strong message that no threat of violence is acceptable.

THC gummies at some Ohio dispensaries recalled for mislabeling

In fact, crimes against public officials have made national headlines and weve seen local judges threatened. Last winter, we revealed a case involving threats to shoot Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Nancy Margaret Russo and threats to shoot up the justice center.

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In that case, a man pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated menacing and telecommunications harassment.

In the Parma case, Bartkiewicz could face a felony charge for intimidation of a public servant or official.

Bartkiewicz is being held in the county jail.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Gov. Kim Reynolds, joined by Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg, left, Sen. Dan Dawson, right, and other lawmakers and lobbyists, signed into law on May 1, 2024, a bill that will reduce Iowa's individual income tax rate in 2025. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Iowa Writers 'Collaborative. Linking Iowa readers and writers.

If I was in charge of the state budget and had just watched $825 million unexpectedly disappear, I suppose Id try to bluff my way out of this mess, too.

Which is what the Reynolds administration looked like it was doing last week, when the states Revenue Estimating Conference said the 2025 fiscal year ended with $300 million less than theyd expected a year ago.

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For the current fiscal year, 2026, theyre now anticipating a whopping $525 million less than predicted last October.

I touched on this trend in last weeks post about Iowas long-suffering economy, but after I published, the news from the REC got so much worse.

No wonder the ruling party was putting on a brave face and trying to convince Iowans this was all part of the plan. But theyre not very good poker players. Their tells were all over the place.

Take Kraig Paulsen, chairman of the REC who runs the Reynolds administrations department of management. Federal tax changes will reduce state revenues and, Paulsen conceded, the economy isnt going as well as theyd like. Obviously, we are not in a period of (the) states most robust growth, but we do continue to see growth, he said.

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Call that a concession, albeit with a big dollop of spin.

In the first quarter of 2025, our GDP didnt grow. It shrunk. We rebounded somewhat in the second quarter, but the longer-term trend is awful. Last year, the size of Iowas economy, when compared with the rest of the states, fell to its lowest ranking in 27 years.

Robust? That word doesnt belong in the same sentence as the words Iowa economy.

Maybe not even in the same paragraph.

Gov. Kim Reynolds claimed revenues were down just as we projected. But the steep level of decline the REC now predicts is not what her administration projected, according to documents a Senate Democrat obtained via an open records request earlier this year.

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Rep. Gary Mohr, who chairs the House Appropriations Committee, tried to shift attention to Joe Biden.

This is a standard play for the GOP when all else fails. But it wasnt Biden who told Iowas ruling party to pass a flat income tax that gave $67,000 to the average millionaire and $600 to the average Iowa family. It wasnt Biden who told congressional Republicans to pass a budget and tax plan this year that will give the average millionaire $80,000 and then tried to cover it by slashing $1 trillion from Medicaid. And it wasnt Biden who told them to support a tax on foreign imports that is driving up consumer prices.

Thats on the GOP.

Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley and state Republican lawmakers celebrated GOP state legislative victories in the 2024 general election at the Republican Election Night watch party in Des Moines Nov. 5, 2024. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

To be clear, watching this much money disappear from the state budget is not what Iowas ruling party was expecting when, in the spring of 2024, they accelerated the states flat tax to take full effect this year.

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Anne Discher, executive director of Common Good Iowa, probably had the most salient reaction to the RECs new estimates when she said, If all were proceeding according to plan, one would think they would be meeting their projections, not falling short again and again.

Exactly.

This is not part of the plan. Instead of facing a $900 million deficit for 2026, which lawmakers expected at the end of the last legislative session, the state now faces a projected $1.3 billion deficit.

Thats 16% of projected general fund revenues. Thats huge.

To put that into perspective, Illinois  whose state budget is roughly six times larger than Iowashas a projected shortfall this year thats only a fraction of ours, $267 million.

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Meanwhile, Illinois economy is growing faster than Iowas.

Its true that Iowa has more than $6 billion in reserves, which is a good backup to have. Federal COVID funds, a nationwide economic boost coming out of the pandemic and withholding state spending on healthcare and public education have built up this surplus. Still, Republicans clearly are having to lean on those reserves a lot more than they expected.

Thus, the attempt to bluff you into believing this is all part of the plan.

Its not. Nowhere in the news stories in 2024 about the Republicans mad dash to a flat tax did I read about a projected $1.3 billion deficit.

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Theres a reason I didnt read about it: They werent expecting it.

The GOPs alternate play is to say this is money Iowans no longer have to pay in taxes. And that part is true. But the rich have gobbled up a lot more of that money than you have. That $6 billion budget surplus theyre draining is going to pay for a flat tax thats stuffing more than $110 into the average millionaires pocket for every $1 that youre getting.

Meanwhile, the GOP has been quietly raising more money each year from sales and excise taxes, which take a bigger percentage out of your income than they do a millionaires.

That, my friends, has definitely been part of the plan.

(Source: Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy)

The numbers crunchers at the REC now say general fund revenues should rise in 2027 over this years projection. But as Discher said, this estimate should be taken with great caution. (And even if it turns out to be accurate, it will still be several hundred million dollars less than what the Reynolds administration had anticipated.)

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The truth is Iowas ruling party is treating the states budget like a casino. They bet the farm a top-heavy income tax cut would awaken Iowas sleepy economy, and theyre losing. But instead of walking away from the table, theyre letting it ride, betting theyll hit the jackpot the next hand. Or maybe the one after that. If they dont? Well, theyll just keep trying to bluff their way through this mess.

Thats not good for Iowas future. Its time we called their bluff.

This column was originally published by Ed Tibbetts Along the Mississippi newsletter on Substack. It is republished here through the Iowa Writers Collaborative.

Editors note: Please consider subscribing to the collaborative and the authors blogs to support their work.
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa  Toys R Us is moving into Jordan Creek Mall and leaders say an opening date is near.

Iowas biggest blue catfish record broken with 105-pound catch

Back in 2017 the wildly popular toy company declared bankruptcy. Now, almost ten years later, the company is looking to make a comeback.

The Go Retail Group, which owns Toys R Us, announced it would be opening seven new locations across the country, including one in West Des Moines. They also announced plans to open multiple flagship stores and seasonal shops both nationally and internationally.

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On Thursday, leaders with Jordan Creek Mall confirmed that the new Toys R Us store will take over the old Forever 21 location across from the food court, and that the store should be open by November, just in time for holiday shopping.

To stay up to date on new stores opening at Jordan Creek Mall, visit their website.

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 acquittal of Soldier F in the Bloody Sunday trial comes as no real surprise, given the length of time since the incident.

For the families of those killed, the trial has given them an opportunity to see justice done, even if the outcome was not what they hoped.

Speaking outside court Mickey McKinney, brother of victim William McKinney said: Today marks the end of the prosecution of Soldier F for the murder and attempted murder of the innocents on Bloody Sunday.

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The families and wounded and our supporters leave this courthouse with an incredible sense of pride in our achievements.

Others, particularly veterans, are asking why the prosecution was ever brought in the first place.

There are also those with a more sinister agenda looking forward to a raft of future prosecutions that they know will have little to do with justice  quite the opposite, in fact. They hope such trials will serve to rewrite history, to smear the British Army and wash the blood off the hands of Sinn Fein as it pursues power on the island of Ireland.

The Government faces that the accusation that it is weak, and being manipulated by the nations enemies into persecuting its own veterans to suit the agenda of the political wing of the IRA.

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Some would ask why doesnt it (along with the government of the Republic of Ireland) press Sinn Fein to reveal where the bodies of the disappeared  those the IRA murdered and buried in secret  are located. They have families too.

It may now be time to draw a line under this and, with new initiatives, cut off the oxygen to those who thrive on ancient hatreds and focus on bringing closure and community healing.

My own view is that to serve your country you do your duty but within the rules of engagement and the law. Time itself cannot erase wrongdoing.

But in the case of the Troubles, which was a criminal campaign waged by sectarian paramilitaries from the Provisional IRA and so-called Loyalists, justice has been turned on its head. Murderers, it appears, are being treated more leniently than those who served in the security forces.

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Critics say that giving blanket immunity or shielding veterans from prosecution risks undermining accountability. For example, the organisation Centre for Military Justice says, Veterans who served  must be both bound by and protected by the law  calling for immunity for them is a terrible mistake.

Additionally, a judge found that a prior law offering broad immunity for Troubles-era offences breached the European Convention on Human Rights. Also, there is concern among victims families that prosecutorial decisions (such as declining to charge in some instances) leave a significant sense of injustice.

So, what might the alternative loom like? The Government should not, in my opinion, read this acquittal as a blanket green light to stop all historic prosecutions. But it should read it as a strong signal that the current legacy-justice model is under stress and may need reform.

Considering this judgement, we require a more selective approach that focusses on cases only where evidence is strong.

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Additionally, and looking to the experience of nations including South Africa, Colombia, Chile, Peru and many more, a greater investment in non-criminal legacy mechanisms such as truth-telling, archives and memorialisation is required. Where legal recourse is still appropriate, there should be a review of statute of limitations, admissibility of evidence and witness support.

We need a national debate about the balance between veterans fairness (and rights) and victims rights and, ultimately, a revised policy that acknowledges both. This is in order to address the extreme injustice felt by victims of the IRA and by veterans in view of the Blair Governments issuing so called comfort letters to IRA fugitives  an effective selective amnesty as a sop to The Provisional IRA/Sinn Fein.

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.
Irans state media said on Thursday that Iran and Belatus expressed readiness to formulate a roadmap for future cooperation and to accelerate the implementation of joint projects.

Iran has reached out to Belarus amid increasing sanctions. It is also seeking to strengthen economic ties and diplomacy with its neighbors to bolster its economy. Iran and Russia are cooperating more, as Russia is also being hit with new US sanctions.

Irans state media said on Thursday that Iran and Belatus expressed readiness to formulate a roadmap for future cooperation and to accelerate the implementation of joint projects.

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Belarus is a key ally of Russia. Irans Minister of Defense said that Iran was looking to expand defense and industrial ties with Belarus. This comes as North Korea is also increasing its investment in what it claims are ballistic missiles.

Irans Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh and the visiting Chairman of the State Committee for Military Industry of Belarus, Dmitry Pantus, held talks in Tehran on Thursday, Irans IRNA state media said.

During the meeting, the Iranian Defense Minister expressed satisfaction with the growing trend of relations between Tehran and Minsk. He emphasized that the Islamic Republic welcomes the enhancement of defense and industrial ties with friendly and independent countries. The two sides examined avenues for developing their bilateral cooperation in defense, technical, and industrial fields.

A salesman counts money in Tajrish Bazaar, Tehran, Iran August 1, 2019 (credit: NAZANIN TABATABAEE/WANA VIA REUTERS)

Iran and Belarus move to stregthen relations

Meanwhile, Irans foreign minister discussed the importance of Irans trade with its neighbors. He says that the total trade with countries near Iran is double that of with Europe. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has emphasized the importance of strengthening relations with neighboring countries, arguing that they are an important lifeline for Iran in the face of Western sanctions, IRNA noted.

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He was addressing a Provincial Diplomacy Conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the city of Mashhad on Wednesday. I see extensive capacities in provincial diplomacy that can bring blessings to the entire country, he said.

Iran is also seeking to increase ties to Pakistan, the Central Asian countries, and Afghanistan. Elsewhere in his speech, while urging businessmen and entrepreneurs to introduce Iran's capabilities to the world, the top diplomat said the provinces should promote their local products and provide the manufacturers with media and economic support in target countries.

Araghchi stated that Tehrans call for diplomacy does not mean ignoring the rights of the Iranian people.

In addition, Iran says it will not return to negotiations so long as the US is making unreasonable demands. The comments came at the same Provincial Diplomacy Conference event that has brought together Irans ambassadors to regional countries, including China and Russia, as well as trade and business representatives to discuss ways to develop economic relations.

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The Iranian diplomat also said: As long as this spirit, approach, and bitter experiences in negotiations with the US exist, it is natural that there is no possibility of re-entering into dialogues.

Iran is clearly continuing to pivot away from the West, which it thinks will not change course on sanctions. "The main priority of the Islamic Republic of Iran's foreign policy is its neighbors, an issue that is of political, security, and strategic importance to us, and at the same time, is also very important economically," Araghchi told reporters in the city of Mashhad on Wednesday.

IRNA noted that Araghchi added that also, in conditions of sanctions, economic relations with neighbors can provide suitable spaces to counter the effects of sanctions. The Iranian foreign policy chief said that "in fact, one of the effective strategies in neutralizing sanctions is to use regional and border capacitiesWe believe that there is a lot of economic potential in the country that can flourish and be utilized through direct communication between provinces and neighboring countries.
The Mossads efforts to keep surveillance of Tehrans nuclear facilities and, if necessary, act against them, may become more crucial than ever.

Since the IAF struck Irans nuclear facility at Taleghan 2 last October, there have been at least four developments in construction at the site.

An Institute for Science and International Security report published on Monday by its president, David Albright, and other institute members gives a detailed analysis of satellite imagery during these four stages.

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While this site is only one of many of interest to Israel and the West regarding Iranian attempts to rebuild its nuclear program, it serves as a useful test case and view into Tehrans broader efforts.

The larger picture

Stepping back for the larger picture, it is important to recall that the IAF hit about 20 targets in Iran last October, more than seven months before its more dramatic strike of at least 1,000 targets in June.

The main goal of last Octobers strike was to eliminate all of Irans advanced and Russian-made S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems.

Once that was accomplished, it cleared the way for Israels much more ambitious attack in June, which is believed to have set back Tehrans nuclear program by about two years.

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While the primary focus of the October 2024 airstrikes was the S-300 anti-aircraft systems, Israel also struck several Iranian nuclear and ballistic-missile facilities.

Already by mid-May of this year, Albrights report documents that Iran had built a black temporary cover over the previously struck site and had started to rebuild some aspects of it.

By June 12, just before the most recent Israeli attack, imagery showed that Iran was laying the foundations in front of the black cover.

Those were the two construction moves Iran had already made before the June airstrikes.

By August 30, a new large arch-roofed structure was under construction, and two smaller arch-roofed structures were also being built above the foundation previously laid on either side and in front of the larger structure.

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Furthermore, by September 27, satellite photos showed that a third arched structure had been added, and that other arched structures were making modest progress.

Possibly more importantly, the layout of the two previously observed smaller side buildings appeared to be designed in a manner that if they were bunkered over with earth, they could each include a blast mitigation feature referred to as a blast trap.

Albrights report also said there was a new support facility about 200 meters away from the main rebuilding project.

These were the two moves that Iran made regarding rebuilding the facility since the June airstrikes.

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The institute's report said it could not conclusively determine what Tehran is building in the area, and that it was still even possible that the new structures are not connected to the nuclear program.

Nevertheless, Albright also wrote: It is deeply concerning that construction is occurring at a former AMAD plan nuclear weapons site, raising considerable questions as to the true purpose of the facilities there.

He warned that the West, Israel, or the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) should make efforts to discern if these are attempts by Iran to reconstitute either the nuclear weapons related high explosive test chamber facilities that were originally part of the AMAD program, or the more recently reported PETN plastic explosive manufacturing capability that would have been a key part of Irans nuclear weapons efforts.

Furthermore, the institute said if the new facilities are covered up with earth to bunker them, they might be much more difficult to destroy by Israeli airstrikes.

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While nothing in Albrights report is conclusive, in the worst-case scenario, what has happened is that Tehran learned from the October 2024 Israeli attacks what the IAFs capabilities are for destroying its facilities and also likely some of the limits for strikes from the air.

In that sense, the construction developments in May and June were likely Iranian advances to insulate the newly rebuilt nuclear site from Israeli airstrikes.

If the June strikes had led Tehran to doubt the viability of its rebuilding project at this prior nuclear site, it probably would have halted construction and pivoted to construction at a different site.

That it continued and even expanded construction at the site  not only after the October 2024 strikes, but also after the June strikes  suggests that the ayatollahs believe they have found a new formula to insulate from future Israeli attacks some facilities that are being built anew.

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Many of the descriptions in the report suggest that Iran is using a strategy of moving more of its nuclear facilities underground, together with various other measures, to limit the effectiveness of future potential IAF airstrikes.

Although both the October 2024 and June airstrikes against Iran were extremely successful, the open-source record is clear that the IAF had to strike certain nuclear sites several times.

Sometimes this may have been to destroy different facilities spread out within the same nuclear site that had not been previously targeted.

But some of the cases were definitely because an earlier strike had failed to sufficiently harm the nuclear facility in question.

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Likewise, we know that Israel in June requested and received help from the US to strike the completely deep underground Fordow nuclear facility and also the portions of the Isfahan nuclear facility that were underground.

Israels requests to the US for help to strike multiple nuclear facilities make it even clearer that some of Irans tactics to insulate its nuclear facilities  by building them underground or with mitigating measures to reduce the blast and shock waves from airstrikes  are working.

They also leave Israel with some limited options when: Iran has banned virtually all IAEA inspections, the 2015 nuclear deal has been vitiated by all parties, and no nuclear negotiations are taking place between Iran and the West.

Global sanctions

The most powerful diplomatic and economic weapon against Iran, the snapback of global sanctions, was activated by the UK, France, and Germany (the E3) almost a month ago, and yet there is no sense that Tehran is any closer to returning to talks.

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Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei sounded as deep in denial as ever this week about the impact of the June airstrikes by Israel when he said the Trump administration was dreaming that it had destroyed Irans nuclear program.

Khamenei was right that US President Donald Trumps comment about obliterating the whole program was an exaggeration, but to act as if the program did not receive a body blow, which has delayed any chance at building a nuclear program for at least two years, signals that Irans leader is himself dreaming.

To be clear, the concerns about a reconstituted Iranian nuclear program are not short- or medium-term worries.

In four months since the June strikes, Iran has failed to show a single sign of its nuclear program continuing to have a substantial heartbeat, including not showing a single functioning centrifuge to enrich uranium from a prewar uranium centrifuge fleet of around 20,000.

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The concerns are about Iran reconstituting its nuclear threat over the long term, i.e., beyond two years.

If it uses disciplined patience to move all or virtually all of its nuclear facilities deeper underground and weaves in new defenses to mitigate the impact of airstrikes, will Israel be in a position that it would need US help to strike any Iranian nuclear facility, and not just the two hardest targets at Fordow and Isfahan?

And what if Iran hits a critical point in its nuclear program at some later date in the Trump administration, i.e., when Trump is no longer willing to use American military power as much? Or if Khamenei waits for the next US president, who may be much more hesitant to order high-stakes American airstrikes with mega-bunker buster bombs?

Irans secret AMAD nuclear-weapons program was discovered by the Mossad, and the full map of Irans nuclear sites used for airstrikes last October and this June was found by the Israeli spy agency during a raid of Tehrans nuclear archives in 2018.

If Iran keeps the IAEA out of the country and rejects diplomacy even as it faces global sanctions, then the Mossads future efforts to keep surveillance of Tehrans nuclear facilities and, if necessary, act against them will become more crucial than ever.
Western Sydney University is today able to advise its community of personal information that was previously impacted by a cyber incident and is providing advice on how people can protect themselves.

I want to again apologise for the impact this is having, and give you my assurance that we are doing everything we can to rectify this issue and support our community, Vice-Chancellor and President, Distinguished Professor George Williams AO said.

This starts with working closely with NSW Police Force Cybercrime Squads Strike Force Docker and includes our ongoing efforts to strengthen our cyber security. On 25 June 2025, NSW Police arrested and charged a former student of the University.

Despite this, attempts to gain unauthorised access to our systems have continued, including via external parties that supply IT services to the University.

"In recent weeks, it has become clear that these incidents are intended to harm our community.



We encourage all students, staff and alumni who receive notifications to take the recommended actions, regardless of steps taken in the past, and to use the support services available.

Contact information (address, email address, phone number)

Name, date of birth, student or staff ID

Country of birth, nationality, citizenship and/or gender or identity information

Ethnicity

Employment and payroll details

Bank account details

Tax file number

Driver licence details

Passport details

Visa information

Complaint/case information

Health and disability information

Legal information.

The University identified two instances of unusual activity on 6 August 2025 and 11 August 2025. This activity occurred on the Universitys Student Management System, hosted by a third-party provider on a cloud-based platform.An investigation commenced immediately, and the University directed the third-party provider to shut down access to its platform. The investigation confirmed that unauthorised access to this system was obtained through a further external system linked to that platform between 19 June 2025 and 3 September 2025.Unauthorised entry through these third and fourth party systems enabled personal information to be accessed and exfiltrated from the Universitys Student Management System. The Universitys investigations confirm that the fraudulent emails which were sent to some community members on 6 October 2025 used data stolen in this incident.As soon as the University became aware, it reported the matter to NSW Police and the relevant regulatory authorities. NSW Police requested the University refrain from notifying its community at the time to avoid interfering with ongoing Police investigations.NSW Police has now approved the release of todays notification which is for the attention of offer recipients, former and current students and staff of the University, The College and The International College; and staff of Early Learning Ltd.The University can confirm the impacted personal information includes:

Individual notifications are already being distributed to those impacted by this incident. Some notifications will include personal information impacted through previous incidents, identified through ongoing investigations.



The interim injunction previously granted to the University by the NSW Supreme Court continues to prohibit transmission, publication and use of any information or material obtained by the former student in an unauthorised manner from the Universitys IT systems and network.
Mordechai Moti Maman, currently serving ten years in prison for spying for Iran, has been trying to register as a resident of northern Israel moshav Bustan Hagalil.

Mordechai Moti Maman submitted a petition the Haifa District Court through his son and attorney Ben on Tuesday, arguing against the Bustan Hagalil moshav committee's prevention of his attempts to register as a moshav resident.

Maman is, currently serving a ten-year prison sentence for spying for Iran, causing his request to have been denied by the local council and the moshav committee.

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In the petition, Maman argued that his inquiries to the moshav committee and the Mateh Asher Regional Council were met with non-answers. He claimed that their decision to reject him violates his and his familys basic rights, constitutes a severe deviation from the bounds of reasonableness, and is tainted by bad faith, discrimination, and lack of transparency.

Maman stated that the actions of the committee and council have caused deep distress and hardship to his family, which has lived in the area since 1991 and has significantly contributed to the moshav, "considering themselves part of the community."

Maman's history

Maman, 73, a father of four and grandfather, did previously live in Bustan Hagalil. He was known for managing a baguette stand in nearby Nahariya, taking over from the former owner, criminal figure Shmulik Harush. After his divorce, Maman remarried and requested in 2024 to change his registered address to Ashkelon.

Moti Maman, 73, accused of visit Iran twice and being in contact with Iranian intelligence, arrives for a court hearing at the court in Be'er Sheva, September 19, 2024. (credit: DUDU GREENSPAN/FLASH90)

Following his arrest, he expressed regret over that decision, claiming that others already occupied the apartment in Ashkelon, and that he now wishes to return his address to the moshav, where his family resides.

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However, the sentiment toward him in the patriotic moshav in western Galilee remains negative. Following his arrest, residents voiced their disgust over his actions.

We are a community of hardworking farmers and patriots, with the states security always before our eyes, said one moshav member to Walla at that time.

During his interactions with Iranian agents, Maman entered Iran and met with Iranian intelligence officials who asked him to assassinate senior Israeli figures, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, then-Shin Bet head Ronen Bar, and then-defense minister Yoav Gallant, as retaliation for the killing of Ismail Haniyeh.

Although Maman refused, citing the high level of security surrounding these individuals, he still negotiated over an advance payment, initially demanding one million dollars. The Iranians then suggested that he assassinate former prime minister Naftali Bennett or, alternatively, the mayors of Nahariya or Acre.

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Maman has appealed his sentence to the Supreme Court. The appeal is expected to be heard in May 2026.

The Bustan Hagalil committee and the Mateh Asher Regional Council have yet to respond to the petition.
Iran's Intelligence Ministry claims to have found a TV studio in Tel Aviv belonging to London-based anti-regime outlet Iran International, and published photographs of contributor's residences.

Iran's Intelligence Ministry claimed to have found a broadcast studio belonging to London-based anti-regime outlet Iran International in Tel Aviv, Iranian media reported this week.

The ministry also claimed to have identified "a number of individuals working at, or with," the outlet, as well as their alleged residences.

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These include several Israelis of Iranian heritage or birth, including the IDF's Persian-language spokesperson, Lt.-Col. Kamal Penhasi.

Iran International is designated as a "terrorist broadcaster" by Tehran, which alleges that it works alongside Mossad to "destabilize" the Islamic Republic.

No independent source has verified the accuracy of the information Tehran appears to have gathered.

An illustration of a cyber hacker and the Iranian flag. (credit: PX Media/Shutterstock)

Iran's espionage and cyber-activist networks are active in working to destabilize Israel. This included a cyberattack on Shamir Medical Center, which led to the leaks of hospital emails, including patient information, on Yom Kippur earlier this month.

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Israel's National Cyber Directorate linked this attack to Iranian agents on Wednesday, confirming that the attack was contained before the hospital's central medical record system could be compromised.

Several Israeli citizens, residents caught spying for Iran in recent months

Israeli individuals have also been caught spying on behalf of Iranian agents in recent months.

These include a 23-year-old Israeli who works at a hotel at the Dead Sea, who was arrested in early October.

Another notable example is Israeli-American Yaakov Perl, who was indicted in September for carrying out documentation and monitoring of Israeli officials' residences on behalf of an Iranian handler.

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Maor Kringel and Tal Amram were arrested by Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) in September for photographing sensitive locations in exchange for cryptocurrency payments from an Iranian handler.

Elimelech Stern, a 22-year-old yeshiva student from Beit Shemesh, also worked with an Iranian handler to carry out acts on behalf of an Iranian agent.

Sarah Ben-Nun, Dr. Itay Gal, Hodaya Ran, Maya Cohen, Jerusalem Post Staff, and TPS contributed to this report.
International journalists are still not being granted free access to the devastated Gaza Strip, even after the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza conflict.

Although there was a hearing before the highest court in Jerusalem regarding a request from the Foreign Press Association (FPA) to allow journalists to travel to the sealed-off coastal strip, the court granted the Israeli government an additional 30 days to present a clear position.

The FPA reacted with disappointment on Thursday and accused Israel of using delaying tactics.

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Access to the Gaza Strip is entirely controlled by Israel. Since the start of the Gaza conflict more than two years ago, foreign journalists have only been able to visit the Gaza Strip sporadically with the Israeli army, and they were only shown very specific areas.

US President Donald Trump had advocated in August for Israel to grant reporters access to the Gaza Strip.
When asked about the possibility of Marwan Barghouti being a top candidate to lead a Palestinian state, Trump said that it is his "question of the day," and that he'll "be making a decision."

Israel will lose all support from the United States if it decides toannex the West Bank, US President Donald Trump told Time Magazine in an interview published Thursday afternoon.

"Israel would lose all of its support from the United States if that happened," he said. "It won't happen because I gave my word to the Arab countries."

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Trump highlighted Arab support of the ceasefire deal, but explained that "if we didn't take [Iran] out, number one, we wouldn't have signed [the ceasefire deal], because there would have been many Arab countries that just could not have done that."

"If Iran were sitting there, powerful and a bully, it would have been impossible to make a deal like this, because you would have had this looming threat over the region."

There is peace in the Middle East, he went on, saying that he believes that Saudi Arabia will "lead the way toward the Abraham Accords."

People walk by a billboard sponsored by the Coalition for Regional Security calling for the expansion of the Abraham Accords, in Ramat Gan (credit: Violeta Santos Moura/Reuters)

Israel's "tactical mistake," he said, however, was striking Doha, Qatar, in early September in an attempt to assassinate Hamass leadership.

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"I think we've reshaped [the Middle East]," Trump told Time Magazine. "The most important thing is they have to respect the President of the United States. The Middle East has to understand that.

Ceasefire deal and the future of Gaza

The ceasefire deal "stopped [Netanyahu], because he would have just kept going," Trump said, explaining that the Israel-Hamas War "would've gone on for years."

Trump said he was surprised by how focused the people of Israel were on returning the hostages, and that he thought Israel would have "sacrificed more hostages in order to keep going." But when he saw that the people wanted them home more than anything else, he said to Hamas, "No more of that. You're giving us the f**king hostages, all of them."

When asked about the possibility of Marwan Barghouti being a top candidate to lead a Palestinian state, Trump said that it is his "question of the day," and that he'll "be making a decision."

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Barghouti, a high-profile Palestinian prisoner whom Hamas asked Israel to release as part of the recent hostage-prisoner exchange, was convicted of five counts of murder following his arrest in Ramallah in 2002. He is a senior West Bank Fatah member and the former chief of its Tanzim militant faction who played a key role in the Second Intifada.

Regarding Hamas's disarmament under the deal, the terror organization must disarm or be in "big trouble," Trump continued, otherwise the war may resume. "Right now, they're killing gangs, but you know, at what point do the gangs morph into political opponents?"

The Palestinians don't have a "visible" leader right now, because "every one of those leaders has been shot and killed," Trump explained, going on to note that while he finds Mahmoud Abbas, the head of the Palestinian Authority (PA), "reasonable," he is probably not an option to rule the Strip.

The "Board of Peace" that will oversee the day after in Gaza is already set up, he said. "[It] is going to be a very powerful group of people, and it's going to have a lot of power in terms of the Middle East."
Credit: Reuters

JD Vance condemned a vote in Israels parliament to annex the West Bank, saying the US would never allow it.

In a direct challenge to Benjamin Netanyahu, Right-wing MPs in Israels Knesset passed a bill on Thursday that would apply Israeli sovereignty to all West Bank settlements despite warnings from Donald Trump.

Mr Vance said the vote was very stupid and an insult to him personally.

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The vice-president, who was visiting Israel for the first time, said the Trump administration would never allow the West Bank to be annexed.

Speaking as he prepared to leave Israel on Thursday, Mr Vance said the vote had no practical significance.

But he added: If it was a political stunt, it was a very stupid political stunt, and I personally take some insult to it.

The West Bank is not going to be annexed by Israel. The policy of the Trump administration is that the West Bank will not be annexed by Israel.

That will continue to be our policy, and if people want to take symbolic votes they can do that, but we certainly werent happy about it.

Palestinians look toward West Bank, which the US president said he would not allow Israel to annex - Faiz Abu Rmeleh/Getty

His comments come after Mr Netanyahu denied that Israel is a client state of the United States during a press conference with Mr Vance.

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The Israeli prime minister said on Wednesday any suggestion that America was calling the shots with regards to the future of Gaza was hogwash.

Donald Trump, in an interview conducted on Oct 15 but published on Thursday, said Israel would lose all support from the US if it annexed the West Bank.

It wont happen. It wont happen. It wont happen because I gave my word to the Arab countries, Mr Trump told Time Magazine. And you cant do that now. Weve had great Arab support  Israel would lose all of its support from the United States if that happened, he said.

It was also revealed how Mr Trump previously told Mr Netanyahu the worlds against you during negotiations for the peace plan.

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In a private meeting, the US president launched into a profanity-laden monologue where he listed all he had done for Israel, but said he would no longer stand beside Mr Netanyahu if he refused to sign the peace deal.

Steve Witkoff, Mr Trumps Middle East special envoy, said: It was a very blunt and straightforward statement to Bibi ... that he had no tolerance for anything other than this.

Adding to the tensions, Marco Rubio, the secretary of state, who is due to arrive in Israel on Thursday, warned that annexing the territory that Israel has occupied since 1967 could derail Mr Trumps broader plans for peace.

The Israeli prime minister and most of his Likud party urged MPs to vote against the bill but it passed with support from Otzma Yehudit and Religious Zionism, the coalitions far-Right parties.

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Mr Rubio told reporters before taking off for Israel: They passed a vote in the Knesset, but the president has made clear thats not something wed be supportive of right now. We think theres potential for it to be even threatening to the peace deal.

He added: Theyre a democracy, people are going to have their votes, people are going to take these positions, but at this time we think  it might be counterproductive.

The Knessets initial vote in favour of the bill was also criticised by Saudi Arabia, which claimed it was designed to legitimise Israeli sovereignty over illegal colonial settlement.

If Israel did annex the West Bank, it would jeopardise the prospect of a future Palestinian state and further damage Israels relations with some of its Arab neighbours.

Palestinians released by Israel from Ofer Prison under the first phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza - Anadolu

The United Arab Emirates has said that annexation would be a red line, suggesting that doing so could collapse the Abraham Accords, Mr Trumps main diplomatic achievement of his first term and the building block to improve relations between Israel and neighbouring Arab states.

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There were signs of tension, however, after Israels Knesset passed the bill on the West Bank settlements on Thursday.

The bill, which is in its preliminary reading, still needs three more votes in the Israeli parliament and will be referred to the Knessets Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee for further review. Mr Netanyahu is expected to try and block the bill from becoming law.

The vote took place during JD Vances visit to Israel, which began on Tuesday.

The US vice-president will arrive at the defence ministry headquarters on Thursday morning, where he is expected to speak to Eyal Zamir, the IDFs chief of staff, Israel Katz, the defence minister, and other senior generals about the situation in Gaza.

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Steve Witkoff, Mr Trumps special envoy to the Middle East, and Jared Kushner, his son-in-law, were also dispatched to Israel earlier this week.

Mr Trumps decision to dispatch his most senior advisers to Israel this week is a sign that he wants to make sure the current ceasefire remains in place.

On Sunday, two Israeli soldiers were killed by Hamas fighters in the south of Gaza, prompting a fresh wave of intense bombings in the Strip.

JD Vance and his wife, second lady Usha, during their trip to Jerusalem last week - Nathan Howard/Pool/Getty

On Wednesday, Mr Vance denied that he had flown to Israel to salvage the deal  insisting the trip had been planned months ago  and expressed great optimism that the ceasefire would hold.

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However, he also said that implementing Mr Trumps 20-point peace plan, which includes disarming Hamas, would not be easy.

Asked whether Israel had become a client state of the US, Mr Netanyahu said that his country was in charge of its own security.

Standing beside Mr Vance, the Israeli leader said: I want to put it very clearly. One week they say that Israel controls the United States, a week later they say the United States controls Israel. This is hogwash.

Mr Trumps deputy was also quick to deny the accusations. He told reporters: We dont want a vassal state, and thats not what Israel is. We dont want a client state, and thats not what Israel is. We want a partnership. We want an ally here.

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The IDF reported identifying terrorist operatives at the training camp. The release stated that Hezbollah terrorists were trained to shoot and use a variety of weapons at the camp.

Acting under direction from the Military Intelligence Directorate, Israel Air Force jets struck a series of Hezbollah terror targets, including a training camp, in the Bekaa area of Lebanon on Thursday, the IDF stated.

The Bekaa Governate is situated on the Lebanese border with Syria, north of the Golan Heights.

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The IDF reported identifying terrorist operatives at the training camp. The release stated that Hezbollah terrorists were trained to shoot and use a variety of weapons at the camp.

In addition to the camp, Israeli aircraft also reportedly struck a Hezbollah precision missile manufacturing site in the area, as well as additional terror targets in the Sharbine area of Srobbin, in northern Lebanon.

The storage of weapons, the presence of terror infrastructure sites, and conduct of military training against the State of Israel by Hezbollah terrorists constitute a blatant violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon and pose a threat to the State of Israel, the IDF stated.

A vehicle carries the coffins of former Hezbollah leaders Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine, who were killed in Israeli airstrikes last year, during a public funeral ceremony, in Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, on the outskirts of Beirut, Lebanon February 23, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/THAIER AL-SUDANI)

IDF kills Hezbollah platoon commander

On Wednesday, the IDF killed Hezbollah Radwan Force platoon commander Issa Ahmad Karbala in a strike in southern Lebanon.

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The area where the strike occurred is roughly halfway between the Israeli border and the Lebanese capital of Beirut.

The terrorist advanced the transfer of weapons in Lebanon and advanced terror attacks against the State of Israel, the military stated of Karbala. The activities of the terrorist constitute a violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon.
At least four people have been killed in Israeli air strikes on eastern and southern Lebanon, according to the countrys Ministry of Health, the latest violation of the ceasefire agreement signed last November.

An attack on Thursday targeted the mountainous areas in the east, killing two people, the ministry said. It later said two others were killed in a separate strike in Arabsalim in southern Lebanon. The official National News Agency (NNA) reported that an elderly woman was among those killed.

The NNA had earlier said that Israeli warplanes launched a series of violent strikes on the eastern mountain range in the Bekaa region, near the border with Syria.

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It also reported that two Israeli strikes targeted the Hermel range in the countrys northeast.





The Israeli military said it had attacked sites linked to the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah in east and north Lebanon, including a military camp and a site for the production of precision missiles in the Bekaa Valley.

The military said in a statement that it struck several terrorist targets in the region, including a camp used for training Hezbollah militants.

It later announced having also struck a Hezbollah weapons storage facility in the area of Nabatieh. There was no immediate comment from Hezbollah.

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Israel has continued launching near-daily assaults on Lebanese territory, particularly in the south, while maintaining a military presence at five border outposts despite the truce requiring a full withdrawal earlier this year.

The conflict erupted in October 2023 after Hezbollah began firing rockets towards Israel in what it said was solidarity with people in Gaza after Israel launched a war on the besieged Palestinian territory.

By the time the ceasefire was reached in November the following year, more than 4,000 people had been killed and almost 17,000 wounded.

The fragile truce is under further strain as Lebanon grapples with a plan pushed by the United States and Israel to disarm Hezbollah, a plan which the group and its allies oppose.

Several Israeli strikes on Lebanon killed at least nine people last month. Israel was also slammed for dropping grenades close to peacekeepers from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
Oct. 22 (UPI) -- Israel's Knesset on Wednesday, in a preliminary vote, approved sovereignty in the West Bank for Israel, described as a political ploy by the right-wing opposition during U.S. Vice President JD Vance's visit to the nation.

President Donald Trump said last month that he will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank.

The bill, which is called "Application of Israeli Sovereignty in Judea and Samaria, 2025," passed 25-24 by the parliament, and was transferred to the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. It must still pass three additional votes in the plenum session.

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The legislation says that "the laws, judicial system, administration, and sovereignty of the State of Israel shall apply to all areas of settlement in Judea and Samaria."

A more limited annexation bill passed 32-9, also in a preliminary reading. The bill applies sovereignty to the West Bank settlement of Ma'ale Adumim near Jerusalem.

Smoke billows from the Nur Shams refugee camp in Tulkarem during an Israeli army operation in the north of the occupied West Bank, on August 29, 2024. File Photo by Ismael Ahmad/UPI

Militant Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip and not the West Bank, said in a statement that the recent bill "reflects the ugly face of the colonial occupation."

As a "flagrant violation of all relevant international laws and resolution," Hamas said Israel "insists on continuing its attempts to 'legitimize' settlements and impose Zionist 'sovereignty' over the occupied Palestinian territories."

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In 2007, the Palestinian territories were split into two separate administrations.

Israel maintains military control of the 2,263 square miles of the West Bank, while the Palestinian Authority, led by the Fatah party, has jurisdiction over civil and security authority in specific zones, based on the 1995 Oslo Accords.

The West Bank has been divided into three zones.

Area C, which makes up about 60% the West Bank, is under full Israeli military and civilian control. Area C includes agricultural land, water springs, quarries and land for future infrastructure for Israelis.

In August, Israel approved final plans for a settlement project in E1 of Area C between East Jerusalem and the Ma'ale Adumim settlement. This arrangement would sever the West Bank for a contiguous Palestinian State, which Israel opposes as a two-state solution.

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More than 500,000 Israeli settlers live in the West Bank out of the total population of 4 million.

Israel annexed East Jerusalem in 1980 and applies its civil law there, though the international community does not recognize this annexation. About 500,000 Israelis live there.

"By applying sovereignty to Judea and Samaria, we are correcting a historical wrong that is long overdue," Avi Maoz, head of the far-right Noam party, said. "Since the government has hesitated, it is our duty as members of Knesset to act."

All but one Likud minister boycotted the vote, with Yuli Edelstein breaking ranks to cast a decisive vote. Likud then removed Edelstein from his seat on the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, a spokesperson for the lawmaker confirmed to The Times of Israel.

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Maoz denied a request by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to delay the vote.

Netanyahu's Likud party said the vote was an attempt to embarrass the government while U.S. Vice President JD Vance visited the country.

"We strengthen settlements every day with actions, budgets, construction, industry, and not with words," the Times of Israel reported by Likud. "True sovereignty will be achieved not with a show-off law for the protocol, but by working properly on the ground and creating the political conditions appropriate for the recognition of our sovereignty, as was done in the Golan Heights and in Jerusalem."

The United Arab Emirates said in September that annexation of the West Bank would severely undermine the spirit of the Abraham Accords.

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The West Bank was captured during the Six-Day War in 1967, except for East Jerusalem, as a "temporary belligerent occupation."

The historic city of Bethlehem is in the West Bank and is under Israeli occupation. It has historic ties to the Jewish religion, as well as to Christianity and Islam.

In 2024, the International Court of Justice in The Hague issued an advisory opinion that Israel's presence in the West Bank was unlawful under international law because it is no longer temporary.
An Italian appeals court will on Thursday again deliberate on the extradition of an alleged perpetrator of the Nord Stream pipeline explosions in the Baltic Sea.

Italy's highest court last week returned the case to the lower court in Bologna, citing procedural errors in the original judgement.

The court in Bologna, which first gave the green light to the extradition in mid-September, now has to decide on the issue again, but with a new composition.

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The suspect, Serhiy K, is considered one of the alleged masterminds behind the attacks on gas pipelines from Russia in September 2022.

He was arrested in Italy at the end of August while on holiday with his family. German prosecutors accuse the 49-year-old of jointly causing an explosion and of anti-constitutional sabotage.

The explosions damaged both the Nord Stream 1 and the Nord Stream 2 pipelines so severely that no gas could be transported through them. In total, four leaks were discovered in the pipelines.

Previously, Russian natural gas flowed through Nord Stream 1 to Germany, although not at the time of the attack. Construction on Nord Stream 2 was completed but it was not yet operational due to the Russian war on Ukraine.

The Nord Stream project was a massive investment and infrastructure project for Russia and Germany, but it was heavily criticized for allowing Moscow too much influence over European energy supply.
Marine Corps League Detachment 1381 began its 2025 Toys for Tots Campaign with a hot dog fundraiser Saturday, Oct. 11.

Marine Corps League members sold hot dog plates outside Atwoods to raise funds to kickoff their Toys for Tots program, according to Commandant Bob Martin.

Toys for Tots is a program of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. According to the website, toysfortots.org, the Foundation, a non-profit public charity, was created in 1991 at the request of the U.S. Marine Corps. Its mission is to collect new unwrapped toys and give them to economically disadvantaged children at Christmas.

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Toys 4 Tots, library box.jpg

Kristen Inion, left, Bob Martin, Samantha Lytle and Shannon Murphrey pose with the Toys for Tots donation box which the two Marine Corps League members delivered to the library.

During the week following the hot dog fundraiser, Toys for Tots collection boxes were delivered to numerous businesses. Those who would like to donate, may leave new toys, plushies and books for its annual Toys for Tots campaign.

Martin said the most asked question regarding the local Toys for Tots collection is in regards to where the toys actually go. He said many people are under the impression that the toys are sent to a national distribution center. Martin said all the toys collected in Cherokee County are given to residents of Cherokee County.

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Anyone with questions about the local program or wishing to donate monetarily should call Bob Martin at 972-977-1524.

Those who would like to apply for toys for their children should contact Juana Gobea at 903-944-1120.

For more information about the Marine Corps League Detachment 1381, visit marinesjvilletexas.com or the Marine Corps League Jacksonville Texas Det. #1381 Facebook page.
The basic facts of the U.S. Supreme Court's 1944 decision in Korematsu v. United States, which upheld President Franklin Roosevelt's wartime internment of Japanese-Americans, are well-known but still worth a sketch. That is because the case serves as an all-too-timely warning about how judicial deference to executive power has warped American law.

On February 12, 1942, Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066, which authorized the forced removal of Japanese-Americans from their homes and communities on the West Coast "by virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United States, and Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy." Fred Korematsu, a U.S. citizen of Japanese descent, argued that Roosevelt's actions violated his constitutional rights. But the Supreme Court took a different view, ruling 63 that the forced removal and internment of Japanese-Americans was a perfectly lawful exercise of the president's powers.

The Korematsu opinion was written by Justice Hugo Black, a Roosevelt appointee and ardent New Dealer. Black is sometimes remembered today as a civil libertarian, a reputation he earned by sometimes writing forcefully in support of the First Amendment and other provisions of the Bill of Rights. "Courts must never allow this protection to be diluted or weakened in any way," Black wrote about freedom of speech in his book A Constitutional Faith. The First Amendment must be protected by the courts "without any deviation, without exception, without any ifs, buts, or whereases."

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Yet this supposed civil libertarian also wrote the majority opinion upholding concentration camps for innocent American citizens. And Black did not even express any public regret over his Korematsu ruling in the decades to come. "It is noteworthy," the legal scholar Stanley Kutner once observed, "that in an interview shortly before his death, Justice Black maintained that both the President and the Court had been right in their wartime actions."

According to Black, the outcome in Korematsu was dictated by the existence of emergency conditions and the resulting judicial deference owed to the executive branch. "The military authorities considered the need for action was great, and time was short," Black declared. "We cannotby availing ourselves of the calm perspective of hindsightnow say that at that time these actions were unjustified."

Writing in dissent, Justice Frank Murphy, another Roosevelt appointee and ardent New Dealer, argued that the president's actions were, in fact, clearly unjustified at the time he took them. "It is essential that there be definite limits to military discretion, especially where martial law has not been declared," Murphy wrote. "Individuals must not be left impoverished of their constitutional rights on a plea of military necessity that has neither substance nor support."

These dueling opinions capture the judicial debate over executive power in a nutshell. For Black, the judicial scales had to be tipped entirely in Roosevelt's favor because "the military authorities considered the need for action was great." For Murphy, by contrast, judicial vigilance must be maintained in the face of the executive's claims of "military necessity" precisely because such claims might have "neither substance nor support."

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In other words, the overriding questions are these: Should the courts defer to the president whenever military necessity or emergency conditions have been invoked? Or should the courts scrutinize the president's actions even whenor especially whenpleas of military necessity or emergency have been made?

This clash over executive authority and its limits is still raging today, of course, as evidenced by the current legal battles over the supposed power of the president to unilaterally send military forces into U.S. cities against the objections of city and state officials; over the supposed authority of the president to summarily deport alleged criminal aliens as an exercise of his war powers; over the president's supposed emergency power to unilaterally launch a trade war; and over the president's supposed authority to launch military strikes against suspected drug smugglers without an accompanying declaration of war or any other form of congressional approval.

Korematsu's long-ago debate about the judiciary's proper role as a check on the executive is not so distant as it might initially seem.

The post What the Japanese Internment Case Teaches About Judicial Deference to Presidential Power appeared first on Reason.com.
(Nathan Howard/Pool Photo via AP)

Vice President JD Vance called former Biden press secretary Jen Psakis comments about Second Lady Usha Vance, disgraceful on Thursday.

Vance spoke to reporters Thursday while on the tarmac in Tel Aviv, Israel, as he prepared to head back to the United States.

Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki made some comments suggesting that your wife, the second lady, needed to be saved from you, one reporter said. How do you feel about comments being made like that while youre here with the second lady?

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Oh, I think its disgraceful, but of course the second lady can speak for herself, Vance said. And I am very lucky to have a wonderful wife and I know  at least I hope  that my wife feels the same about me. We are very lucky to go on this journey-, I should say, Im very lucky to go on this journey with a very loving wife. Were going to keep on serving this country together and Im honored to have Usha by my side on this trip in particular, but always.

 REPORTER: Former WH press secretary Jen Psaki said your wife needs to be "saved" from you. JD VANCE:  REPORTER: How do you feel about that? VANCE: It's disgraceful  but of course, the second lady can speak for herself. I am very lucky to have a wonderful wife. I at least pic.twitter.com/msZMUZBVV9  Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 23, 2025

Psaki, who now hosts a show for MSNBC, made the comments to Jennifer Welch and Angie Sullivan on their Ive Had It podcast on Tuesday.

Welch claimed that MAGA politicians are really trying to concentrate the power in the executive because biology is going to catch up with Trump.

Psaki said, I think the little Manchurian candidate, JD Vance, wants to be president more than anything else. I always wonder whats going on in the mind of his wife. Like, are you okay? Please blink four times, well-, come over here. Well save you.

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Psaki continued, I mean, hes scarier in certain ways, in some ways. And hes young, and ambitious, and agile in the sense that he is a chameleon who makes himself into whatever he thinks the audience wants to hear from him.

The post JD Vance Claps Back at Jen Psaki Over Disgraceful Remarks About His Wife first appeared on Mediaite.
Vice President JD Vance fired back at MSNBC host Jen Psaki after she made a remark about wanting to save second lady Usha Vance.

I always wonder whats going on in the mind of his wife, Psaki said on the Ive Had It podcast released Tuesday. Like are you OK? Please blink four times. Come over here, well save you.

JD Vance on Thursday called Psakis comments disgraceful.

But of course the second lady can speak for herself, he told reporters in Israel. I am very lucky to have a wonderful wife and I know  at least I hope  that my wife feels the same about me. ... Im honored to have Usha by my side on this trip in particular, but always.

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Psaki, a former White House press secretary under Joe Biden, has been heavily criticized by the White House and conservative commentators since the podcast clip went viral.

Fox News host Lawrence Jones erupted in outrage Wednesday, accusing the former White House press secretary of slander for mocking the Vances marriage

She should apologize, Jones said on Fox and Friends.

Jen Psaki was a jerk - just a mean girl,  Newsmax anchor Greta Van Susteren wrote Thursday in a post on X.

VP previously called out by MSNBC commentator

Last week, liberal podcast host Jennifer Welch accused the vice president of not doing enough to defend his wife and two children against racist attacks during an appearance on MSNBCs All In with Chris Hayes.

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Welchs comment came as JD Vance faced backlash for downplaying racist, sexist and antisemitic messages in a leaked group chat of Young Republicans.

Heres two things about JD Vance, Welch said during her Oct. 15 appearance on the show. Number one, he used to say Trump is Americas Hitler. So he has regressed.

And then number two, he is married to a woman of Indian descent. He has mixed race children. So to all of the MAGA voters out there, if this man will not defend his wife and will not defend his kids, do you think he gives a crap about you or anything to do with you?

Far-right social media accounts and commentators have been documented launching racist attacks at Usha Vance, the first Indian American second lady in U.S. history, even before her husband officially joined Donald Trumps presidential ticket in July 2024.

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The week following JD Vances nomination saw a spike in racist and misogynistic social media posts, according to a report from ABC News. Far-right accounts criticized him for marrying someone who is non-white, expressed concerns about an influx of Indian immigrants and referenced a fabricated white nationalist conspiracy theory.

And an analysis by All in Together, a non-profit supporting voting-age women, found that there were approximately 1,800 unique public posts and 16,000 public social media posts containing racist and/or gendered attacks against Usha Vance with a possible reach of 216 million accounts between Jan. 1 and Aug. 11, 2024.

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Vice President JD Vance said Thursday that hed been personally insulted by Israels very stupid move to annex the West Bank.

While preparing to depart from Ben Gurion airport after a two-day trip to Israel, Vance was asked about the Israeli Knesset voting in support of a bill that would apply Israeli sovereignty to the occupied Palestinian West Bank, where the Israeli military and settler killings of Palestinians continue.

When I asked about it, somebody told me that it was a political stunt, that it had no practical significance. It was purely symbolic, Vance said. I mean, look, if it was a political stunt, it was a very stupid political stunt and I personally take some insult to it.

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The West Bank is not gonna be annexed by Israel, he added. The policy of the Trump administration is that the West Bank will not be annexed by Israel. That will continue to be our policy, and if people want to take symbolic votes, they can do that. But we certainly werent happy about it.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar claimed that the opposition had staged the vote to embarrass the government during Vances visit, adding that the bill did not have the support of the government. Last month, Saar himself publicly floated annexing the West Bank.

As much as its our wish or aspiration, we have decided not to bring it [at] this stage to the Knesset, because now on the table, we have huge efforts to [do] everything that Trumps plan will be successful, and we will invest in that, Saar said Wednesday.

As President Donald Trumps supposed ceasefire sets in, violent raids and assaults have continued in the West Bank, where the Israeli government has approved dozens of new settlements over the last two years, sparking increased violence against Palestinian residents. There have been more than 1,000 violent settler attacks since the beginning of 2025, according to Al Jazeera, putting this year on track to be the most violent year in the West Bank on record.

Israel has violated the terms of Trumps fragile peace deal since the start, launching a wave of airstrikes at the Gaza Strip over the weekend, killing dozens of people, including children. The Israeli military said it was responding to violence from Hamas, after individuals in the Rafah area fired guns and an anti-tank missile at IDF forces. But Hamas said it had not violated the agreement.
(Nathan Howard/Pool Photo via AP)

Vice President JD Vance warned Israels government that the Trump administration was against any annexation of the West Bank on Thursday, slamming a preliminary Knesset vote on the matter, calling it very stupid as he wrapped up a two-day visit to the country.

Israels parliament on Wednesday gave preliminary approval to a bill that would extend Israeli law to the occupied West Bank in a step widely viewed as de facto annexation of territory.

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The vote came less than a week after President Donald Trump brokered a deal intended to end Israels two-year military offensive in Gaza.

Speaking to reporters at Ben Gurion Airport on Thursday as he departed, Vance said the vote was weird and left him sort of confused.

He added that while he was told it was a political stunt and purely symbolic, it was still a very stupid political stunt, and I personally take some insult to it.

The West Bank is not going to be annexed by Israel, Vance told reporters, according to The Times of Israel. The policy of the Trump administration is that the West Bank will not be annexed by Israel. That will continue to be our policy, and if people want to take symbolic votes they can do that, but we certainly werent happy about it.

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Turning to the ceasefire in Gaza, Vance said both sides were currently adhering to it: There are little exceptions that break out here and there. That would be expected when these parties have been at war for two years. But so far, the ceasefire is actually holding, the peace is actually holding and now were trying to figure out how to make it stick over the long term.

Vance noted that the new International Security Force is now going to take the lead in disarming Hamas, and that Washingtons ongoing coordination involves the Saudis, the Emiratis, the Qataris, and other folks who are going to be involved in this in one form or another.

Our message is do whatever you can do to work with us to make this peace stick, Vance said.

The post JD Vance Warns Israel After Very Stupid Vote on Annexing West Bank first appeared on Mediaite.
Editors Note: KOIN 6 News anchorman Jeff Gianola will retire around Thanksgiving 2025 after more than 40 years as a Portland journalist. In this series, Jeff looks back at some of the most memorable stories hes covered and shared.

This story originally aired May 16, 2017

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A pink and beige tattered coat, shoes with square plastic heals, a silver and gold ring, a pair of Wrangler jeans  bits and pieces of evidence found with skeletal remains in a remote area of Josephine County 47 years ago.

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This was immediately thought to be a female, a young female so probably late teens to early 20s, said Dr. Nici Vance, the forensic anthropologist for the Oregon State Police Medical Examiners office.

I am the one who is in charge of all the skeletal remains, human, that are found in the state of Oregon, Vance said.

For years, the medical examiners office was a converted old home in Southeast Portland, an outdated facility lacking space. Unidentified remains were stored in the basement and other remains were scatted across Oregon on shelves and in basements of local police and sheriffs offices, sometimes forgotten and gathering dust.

Dr. Nici Vance with the Oregon State Police medical examiner's office stores skeletal remains that need to be identified in her office. (KOIN)

Dr. Nici Vance, 2017 (KOIN file)

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In 2004, the state opened a new, modern medical examiners facility, with the latest equipment, technology and plenty of space. There, the bone collector got to work. She requested skeletal remains from law enforcement agencies because with the new facility, she could finally take care of them.

Vance began to re-examine the cases and evidence, finding new clues and putting names to the unidentified.

New technology is amazing, Vance said. And DNA analysis is really one of the paramount ways we can identify human beings, even skeletal remains, now.

Dr. Nici Vance with the Oregon State Police medical examiner's office examines skeletal remains at tries to identify them. (KOIN)

Dr. Nici Vance measures a bone, 2017 (KOIN, file)

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But 47 years after they were recovered, the remains of the young girl found in Josephine County continued to haunt and baffle Vance  who was she?

The case did get put on a shelf and it did sit for many, many years at that point, because there was nothing else to potentially do at that point, Vance said.

Because the remains appeared to be from a juvenile, Vance reached out to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

A forensic sketch from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children of a young woman whose remains were found in 1971.

They told us that they had a connection with the Smithsonian and the Smithsonian Institute could potentially do an analysis called stable isotope analysis on the bone, the teeth and hair of this young unidentified girl, Vance said.

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You are what you eat and drink. The unique materials of drinking water are absorbed into your bones. A stable isotope analysis can reveal the geographical area a person could be from based on those specific minerals.

The results of the test surprised Vance, revealing the victim could be from a much broader part of the country.

The stable isotope analysis results showed us that she had an area or region of origin that was the northeast United States, the Midwest, northern portion of the United States, all along basically the Canadian border from West Coast to East Coast, Vance said.

The Smithsonian also did a CT scan on the skull, creating a two-dimensional image of what she may have looked like.

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Weve had leads that we never had before from the northeastern area of the United States, from the Midwest,  Vance said. People who are coming forward saying I remember a classmate who had auburn hair who was about 5-feet-5-inches tall, graduated from high school in early 1971 and no one had seen her since.'

Another mysterious piece of evidence that could match up to any new leads was a gold Mother of Pearl ring with the initials AL scratched into it.

The mother of pearl ring found with the skeletal remains of a young girl in Josephine County in 1971. (Courtesy National Center for Missing & Exploited Children)

The AL had to have stood for something, Vance said. It had to have been really important to this young lady for her to scratch those initials into that ring.

Will these latest clues solve the mystery of this girls identity? There is renewed hope, but for now, she is never far from Vance.

Dr. Nici Vance with the Oregon State Police medical examiner's office examines skeletal remains at tries to identify them. (KOIN)

Dr. Nici Vance measuring bones, 2017 (KOIN, file)

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Our Josephine County case is right here. She stays in my office so I can keep good track of her. I really feel like I am her steward, Vance said. All of these remains are here and continue to be unidentified but someone has to take care of them and someone has to help try and find who they belong to. So thats really my job.

EPILOGUE

Two years after this story originally aired, Dr. Vance resubmitted a DNA sample to take advantage of a new technology. The remains were identified as a teenager named Ann Marie Lehman.

The other way we tried was a different type of genetic association called Investigative Genetic Geneology, Vance said. And we used that technique to create a completely different type of DNA profile uploaded into a completely different data base, and searched not for her DNA but for her familys DNA.

The one mysterious clue  AL scratched into the Mother of Pearl ring  now made sense.

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I hear that name and I see that name, Ann Marie Lehman, and I realize, oh my goodness, these are her initials. How amazing, how sad it is. She simply scratched her own initials into the ring she was wearing, Vance said. Was it to identify her? Was it to give us a clue? It very well could have been, but well never know. Her family will never know. But I like to think she was trying to tell us who she was.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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This is an adapted excerpt from the Oct. 22 episode of The Briefing with Jen Psaki.

For 22 hours and 37 minutes, Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon stood on the Senate floor, without sleep, without sitting down, without bathroom breaks  all to focus the attention of the American people on the crisis facing this country.

Merkley, who turns 69 on Friday, delivered a clear message. He did not argue that we are at risk of sliding into authoritarianism. He did not say that Donald Trump has authoritarian tendencies. Or that were on the verge of authoritarianism. His message was that we are already there: Authoritarianism is here  and it is here now.

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Ive come to the Senate floor tonight to ring the alarm bells. Were in the most perilous moment, the biggest threat to our republic since the Civil War. President Trump is shredding our Constitution, he said. The authoritarian takeover is not down the street. It is not around the corner. We are in the middle of it, right now.

For anyone who thinks that might sound alarmist or hyperbolic, its worth noting that Trump has been blowing through constitutional checks on his power more rapidly with each passing day.

In just the past week, we learned that Trump is reportedly demanding that the Justice Department pay him almost a quarter of a billion dollars at the expense of American taxpayers. We saw him illegally fire yet another independent government watchdog without notifying Congress. Were seeing him allow the Pentagon to restrict the way its staff and personnel engage with Congress.

On Wednesday, we learned that Trump carried out his eighth extrajudicial strike on a boat that he claimed, without evidence, was smuggling drugs. No trial, no investigation, no attempt by the Coast Guard to intervene  just summarily executing people, guilty or not, because Trump said so.

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If any of that was too subtle, this week the president began literally tearing apart the physical foundations of the executive branch  demolishing the entirety of the historic East Wing of the White House without consultation with any review agency, without consultation with the American people and against even his own promise not to do exactly this.

To me personally, this is an absolute gut-punch. Not just because of the history of the building and the hundreds of thousands of guests who have visited the Peoples House and walked down the long hallway looking at the photos of former presidents and their families, but because Trump is only doing this because he is an insecure man-baby who wants a gaudy new ballroom that looks like a gilded event space from his club in Palm Beach, Fla., to boost his own fragile ego.

To paraphrase the president himself, nobody in our country has ever seen anything like this before. The kind of authoritarian power grab were seeing from Trump right now is an entirely new challenge. That means it will require an entirely new response.

Business as usual is not going to work. Strongly worded letters are not going to work. This moment is going to take new and creative forms of resistance from a broad swath of people to push back on it.

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That is what elected officials like Merkley have tried to do. Luckily, he is not alone.

On Wednesday, we saw California Gov. Gavin Newsom send a clear message about what the National Guard is supposed to be used for, announcing that he is deploying his states forces, not to crack down on peaceful dissent like Trump, but to support local food banks that are seeing a spike in demand after the government shutdown cut access to critical food assistance.

On Tuesday, we saw Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes sue Congress to stop Trump and his allies from preventing a duly elected Democratic representative from being sworn in to do the job she was elected to do. Its a case that could be precedent-setting and could prevent House Speaker Mike Johnson from delaying swearing in future members of Congress just over a year from now, after the midterm elections.

Also on Wednesday, we saw two former deputies to special counsel Jack Smith announce that they are not joining law firms that made deals with Trump. Instead, theyve started their own, where they aim to assist state and local law enforcers who want to be more aggressive in investigating public officials suspected of abusing their positions for personal gain.

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Now, each of these acts of defiance is small on its own, and its unlikely that any single one will be a game-changer overnight, but taken together, the acts start to add up and become real pushback. And not every action has to be a sweeping, headline-grabbing spectacle or come from an elected official.

In Chicago, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have started arresting tamale vendors whom they suspect of being undocumented. In response, a brigade of cyclists started riding around to the vendors across the city and buying up their entire supply of tamales so that they could avoid getting snatched by ICE and still make a living.

Another group in Chicago has been passing out whistles to community members so that they can alert their neighbors whenever ICE shows up.

In Portland  the city that Trump has tried to claim is overrun with violent and dangerous protesters  a couple decided to hold their wedding outside an ICE facility, with the bride, the groom and all the guests dressed in wacky inflatable costumes to demonstrate the joy and whimsy of that citys peaceful demonstrations.

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On Tuesday in North Carolina, people showed up in droves to protest the Trump-backed plan to redraw that states congressional maps. Protests and activism in Indiana and Missouri have been making it harder for Republicans to go through with their redistricting plans in those states, as well.

In New Yorks Chinatown, local citizens surrounded ICE officials in an impromptu protest, as agents conducted a surprise raid on the neighborhoods street vendors.

And of course, this past weekend we saw, according to estimates from organizers, 7 million people across the country turn out to protest this administration  not just in big cities, but in tons of smaller communities.

The lesson here is that, in a moment when its hard to know exactly what to do, the only answer is to do something  to try anything and everything. That is the lesson that compelled Merkley to hold the floor of the U.S. Senate for 22 hours and 37 minutes.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
The owners of Heights University Hospital are requesting approval from Jersey City officials to build a new hospital adjacent to the current one and pair it with residential development.

Otherwise, Hudson Regional Health must proceed forward with alternative proposals for the land, wrote Hudson Regional Health Chief Executive Officer and President Dr. Nizar Kifaieh in an Oct. 13 letter to the Division of City Planning.

One of the alternative uses for the site involves building a pair of 10-story residential buildings with more than 2,200 total units. The concept plan was created by MHS Architecture, a firm based in Hoboken. Its preliminary and has not been formally submitted to the city as of Thursday.

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Simultaneously, Heights University Hospital has begun downsizing and winding down services. On Oct. 14, the hospital submitted a Certificate of Need application to the New Jersey Department of Health requesting a staged hospital closure, according to a letter from the state health department.

The two-phased plan submitted with the application calls for the hospital to close by Nov. 10, according to the letter which was shared with NJ Advance Media.

Despite the redevelopment plan and the application for closure, Hudson Regional spokeswoman Lisa Herrmann said nothing is final yet.

The company continues to work with local and state leaders to determine a long-term path for sustainability, preserve healthcare services in the Heights, and ensure the hospitals continued role in serving the community, Herrmann said Thursday in a statement sent to NJ Advance Media.

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The concept plan is an option for the hospital, Herrmann said.

Closing is an option, too, if the hospital doesnt receive $25 million of additional funding from the state, which the owners say it needs to stay open.

Should the funding referenced above materialize, it will provide much-needed short-term funding for Heights University Hospital, Kifaieh wrote to the Division of City Planning.

However, a long-term solution such as redevelopment is still needed, said Kifaieh.

Redevelopment of Heights University Hospital

James E. Solomon, a Jersey City councilman and mayoral candidate, accused Hudson Regional of negotiating in bad faith during a press conference Tuesday morning.

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To me, if youre attempting to threaten the people of Jersey City with the demolition of their health care and hospital in the Heights, thats not good faith, said Solomon in a video posted on his Instagram account.

Solomon said Hudson Regionals aim was to demolish the hospital for luxury development.

Hudson Regional defended its actions in a statement released Tuesday afternoon, calling Solomons comments clearly misleading and an attempt to grab campaign headlines.

Taking shots at us for headlines in campaign season doesnt help one patient. After collaborating with the community and determining the extent of resources made available to Heights University Hospital, we would anticipate including a viable healthcare facility as part of the final plan, the company said.

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Meanwhile, Heights University Hospital has begun implementing a stabilization plan that involves winding down some non-essential services.

It will continue to run the emergency room, critical care and medical-surgical services, an adequate number of operating rooms, behavioral health, and other services.

Hospital officials said they expect a majority of employees affected by the restructuring to be offered continued employment within the Hudson Regional hospital system. The company is also planning to host job fairs for affected employees.

Hudson Regional took over Heights University Hospital, formerly Christ Hospital, and two others from CarePoint Health System in April in federal bankruptcy court. The company now runs four hospitals, including Bayonne University Hospital, Hoboken University Hospital and Secaucus University Hospital.

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The company said it has been trying hard to keep the hospital open and has pumped $300 million into operations, with a major portion dedicated to Heights University Hospital.

Despite that investment, Kifaieh said Wednesday in a statement that persistent financial challenges driven by a combination of low reimbursement rates, cuts to Charity Care, and a high rate of uninsured patientshave made continued operations in the current model unsustainable."

Jackie Roman

Stories by Jackie Roman

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
A New Jersey woman is speaking out about her brush with death after she was shot in front of her two young children in Union County.

"It has been very tough. I never expected to go through something like this," Nelkys Cabreja said.

In an exclusive interview with Eyewitness News, Cabreja says she is thankful to be alive, but she is also in extreme pain after she became the innocent victim of a shooting outside a Wendy's restaurant in Linden on September 15. She says she was sitting in the parking lot of the restaurant when a bullet slammed into her body.

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"Everybody said that they were glad that I was here. I had a lot of internal bleeding. I lost more than half of my blood" Cabreja said.

Cabreja says she had her two children in the car at the time of the shooting. She checked on her 6-year-old and 8-year-old before calling 911 to report that she had been shot.

"I was sitting in my car already backing out of the parking lot and yeah, my cup that was in my cupholder just exploded. And that's what made me look around, and I saw the guys shooting," she said.

The 36-year-old mother had given a neighbor a ride to the Wendy's along with her children. The neighbor was confronted by the gunman and that's when shots were fired.

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"I believe he was shooting at my car just because he saw me talk to the guy that he was arguing with," Cabreja said.

Cabreja is a business owner who cannot work after she was struck in the hip. The bullet did significant damage to her lower extremities.

"I barely can walk. I have one leg that's numb. My other leg is in constant pain all the time. My lower back, the bullet is lodged in my spine," Cabreja said.

Cabreja spoke to Eyewitness News from her hospital bed at an Elizabeth rehabilitation center. She was home for a while but had to return to the hospital due to the pain and possibility of infection.

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"The pain doesn't let me eat. I just don't feel comfortable. Like I know my kids miss me," she said.

Police arrested two suspects in connection to the shooting and charged them with aggravated assault. They are currently being held in the Essex County jail.

Cabreja hopes the suspects are held accountable as she continues the long road to recovery.

"I feel like there has to be some consequences to their actions," Cabreja said.

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In a decidedly Jersey fashion, New Jersey congress members demanded in a letter sent to President Donald Trump that he reinstate the $16 billion Gateway rail tunnel project that he said was canceled.

Dont F with the Gateway train project, said U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-5th Dist., who announced the letter to Trump and US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy Wednesday at the Glen Rock NJ Transit station.

Trump announced the projects termination during an Oct. 15 White House press conference and reiterated it while talking to reporters on Air Force One on Sunday, saying right now there is no funding because its up to me.

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While not mentioning Gateway by name, Trump referred to canceling two Manhattan projects championed by U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer as retribution for Democrats holding up the federal budget to renew tax credits for affordable health insurance.

The letter demands Trump publicly retract his termination statement, release all reimbursement payments that were frozen on Oct. 1 and honor the funding commitments made for Gateway. The letter was signed by 10 congress members, who are Democrats. No Republican congress members signed it.

Gottheimer and other officials said Jersey families and commuters will pay the price if its canceled, in delays to the project and if one of the existing 115-year-old tunnels must be shut down for emergency repairs. That would cut the maximum 24 trains per hour to and from New York to 12.

His decision would be a sledgehammer to families, the economy and tens of thousands of labor jobs, he said. Why would you mess with the jobs and the economic impact to our great state?

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Gateway supporters said 20% of the nations gross domestic product is generated in the New York-New Jersey region. Shutting down one tunnel would result in a $100 million day economic loss to the region.

Gottheimer also asked NJ Transit and Amtrak prepare a doomsday document about the worst-case scenario if one of the 115-year-old tunnels has to be shut down for emergency repairs.

We demand he stop this attack on New Jersey commuters and restore funding, he said.

The $16 billion project is being funded with $11 billion in federal funding from a variety of sources. The remainder is provided by New Jersey, New York and Amtrak.

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The largest grant was a record setting $6.8 billion full funding grant agreement between the Federal Transit Administration, New York, New Jersey and Amtrak finalized on July 8, 2024.

That agreement was described in 2024 as a contract between the FTA and the states that could only be broken if the states failed to meet the contractual obligations in the agreement.

Five Gateway projects, under construction on both sides of the Hudson and in the Hudson River, face an uncertain future. Officials havent revealed how much longer work can continue before available cash runs out.

Gateway Development Commission officials said they havent received any official notification. The White House and the federal Office of Management and Budget have not responded to NJ Advance Media questions about the next step for Gateway.

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Gottheimer also extended an olive branch, saying he and the delegation is willing meet with the administration.

I ask president to please sit down with us. Lets work this out, Gottheimer said. This is a problem we can solve. The answer is not to stop it. You dont crush progress.

Larry Higgs

Stories by Larry Higgs

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A New Jersey educator accused of taping a students head to a desk for nearly an hour has returned his teaching license after voluntarily agreeing to surrender his certificates.

Todd Lewis, a 58-year-old Wayne resident, was arrested last December following the alleged incident that occurred two months earlier. He was charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, Pompton Lakes police said at the time.

According to authorities, Lewis allegedly used masking tape to restrain a 9-year-old boy at Lenox Elementary School in Pompton Lakes. He was put on leave following the complaint.

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Earlier this year, in August, Lewis agreed to relinquish his two elementary school teaching certificates, which hed held since 2004 and 2005, according to the New Jersey State Board of Examiners. He was required to return the physical certificates within 30 days.

Lewis has not yet faced trial in the case. If convicted, he could be sentenced to between five and 10 years in New Jersey State Prison.

According to police, teachers aide Sallyann Scala, 68, was also in the classroom and failed to intervene as the young victim spent 40 to 50 minutes bound to his desk with tape around his neck.

She has been charged with fourth-degree abuse and neglect of children. The maximum sentence for those charges is 18 months.
Demanding ministerial resignations is an easy way of generating headlines. Its almost too easy, especially when the Government is already on the ropes on so many different issues and when the context for such demands involves something as explosive and controversial as the national inquiry into rape gangs.

And while its difficult to see how the safeguarding minister, Jess Phillips, can survive in her current role overseeing the preparations for the inquiry, its also unclear how her removal, voluntary or otherwise, would improve matters. Its not as if the Labour Government as a whole has earned the trust of the gangs victims or those in the country who recognise the grotesque injustice that has been perpetrated on young girls over decades.

Phillips has been faced with the reality that her telling it like it is, truth to power schtick no longer works as it did when she was in opposition. Shes a minister now, with real power and influence, and she is expected to deliver real solutions to those relying on her. These include the victims of rape gangs  made up mostly of South Asian men of Pakistani origin  who have been waiting a very long time for someone in authority to take their claims seriously.

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This week, four of the gangs victims appointed to advise on the setting up of the long-delayed national inquiry resigned, claiming that they had been pressured to agree a widening of the remit which they reasonably claim would dilute the purpose of the inquiry and divert its focus away from the politically contentious issue of the perpetrators religion and ethnicity.

Phillips unwisely chose to contradict the victims claims directly, telling members of the Home Affairs Select Committee they were untrue. As if the temperature of the debate needed to be increased, shadow home secretary Chris Philp then claimed Phillips had, in her letter to the committee, accused the victims of lying  which she obviously did not  and Philps linguistic detour was unnecessary and unhelpful as well as being untrue.

Nevertheless, Phillips made a mistake by being seen to dismiss the victims legitimate concerns that the remit of the inquiry might expand to the point where more difficult questions about ethnicity and diversity might be avoided. One of the central features of this scandal has been the evidence that numerous local officials and police officers conspired to turn a blind eye to, if not actually facilitate, the rape and extortion of young white girls by gangs of Pakistani men in order to protect community relations. If that issue is not directly addressed, and if the specific individuals who are guilty of misconduct in public office are not identified and subsequently punished, the inquiry will have been a complete waste of everyones time.

Fiona Goddard, who was abused by a grooming gang in Bradford as a child, is among those calling for Phillips resignation - Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

The crisis of confidence, even before the inquiry has been launched and even while ministers are still searching for someone to chair it, is not down to Jess Phillips alone but to the wider government and Keir Starmer himself. The Prime Minister insisted yesterday that the inquiry is not [being] and will never be watered down. Its scope will not change. It will examine the ethnicity and religion of the offenders. That should have reassured many critics, including, it is to be hoped, the four women who have decided they can no longer be on the advisory panel, that the latest row has at least led to a welcome clarification on the direction the inquiry must take.

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But who can be blamed for having little confidence that ministers are fully behind the inquiry remit as clarified by Starmer yesterday? After all, Phillips and a range of her ministerial colleagues, including the Prime Minister, resisted holding an inquiry into the rape gangs at all, right up until the point where the pressure to hold one became irresistible. That is why the victims claims  supported by written evidence  that the remit might be widened (diluted) were taken seriously. No one believes that this Government wanted this inquiry to happen, any more than the last government did.

Dame Louise Caseys appointment, also announced yesterday by the Prime Minister, to aid the setting up of the inquiry will be welcomed by everyone who wants to see justice done. It remains a mystery why she has not been invited to chair the actual inquiry, having carried out a swift and effective audit on the issue earlier this year, which led directly to the Governments U-turn on its previous refusal to hold a national inquiry.

The last week has been yet another unedifying one for the Government, and unlike so many ministers tribulations, this issue will have a real impact on peoples lives far beyond the headlines. Given the nature of the rape gangs scandal, given the extent to which those in power contrived to ignore what was happening to the young victims of evil men, it is entirely natural that suspicion of our political establishment should continue to the present day. Instead of resigning, Jess Phillips should recognise that and swap some of her traditional, familiar despatch box bluster for a healthy and welcome dose of humility.

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Plans to allowing a landlocked Jewish cemetery west of Boynton Beach to expand and a new synagogue west of Boca Raton to be built are hitting road blocks.

Who could oppose such a project? Palm Beach County planners for one, along with three county planning commissioners. At issue is the Ag Reserves 60-40 rule that restricts development to 40% of a parcel. The rule was created to protect farming and control growth.

The cemetery, Eternal Light, is on the east side of State Road 7, about 1.6 miles south of Boynton Beach Boulevard. To expand, it would buy preserve parcels from GL Homes, which is restricted from building on the land based on the 60-40 rule.

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Meanwhile, The Chabad of West Delray would be gifted 5 acres to build a new synagogue. The site is also a GL Homes' preserve parcel associated with the already built Valencia Grand and the under-construction Valencia Del Mar. Both are high-end, 55-plus developments.

With the loss of 79 acres of preserved land, the Valencia Del Mar-Valenica Grand development-preserve ratio would drop to 50% for the two developments. And that would violate the 60-40 rule.

Would altering the Ag Reserve's 60-40 rule be a slippery slope?

Eternal Light Cemetery was founded in 1978 and sits on a 49-acre site west of Boynton Beach. Leaders say it will be at capacity in about nine years.

Supporters argue that expanding Eternal Light Cemetery addresses a critical need for additional burial space. Opponents contend that making exceptions to long-standing land-use rules could undermine the integrity of the Ag Reserve and open the door to further erosion of its protections.

The Ag Reserve covers 22,000 acres in the southern part of the county between Floridas Turnpike and the Arthur R. Marshall National Wildlife Refuge.

Eternal Light Cemetery, encircled by two retirement communities, Valencia Del Mar and Valencia Grand, has called on the county to let it expand to the west toward State Road 7.

County planners, worried about the precedent, recommend that the project not move forward but, despite the staff's recommendation, the Planning Commission voted 7-3 to support the zoning change during an Oct. 10 meeting.

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County commissioners will have the final say when the issue is brought before them Nov. 5.

The Agricultural Reserve area runs from west of Lantana to west of Boca Raton.

The two developments surround Eternal Light. The cemetery would be able to expand westward to State Road 7. However, this can only happen if the rule change is approved. The cemetery would become a private civic parcel as part of the overall development plan for Valenica Del Mar and Valencia Grand.

The maneuvering bothered Planning Commissioner Karen Irwin-Ferris, who argued there could be another developer making a similar request in the future, adding: You set these rules and then you chip away at them.

Jewish cemetery Eternal Light is running out of room

Eternal Light was founded in 1978, before the adoption of the Ag Reserve master plan. It covers 49 acres and will be at capacity in about nine years, according to testimony at the Oct. 10 public hearing. If the expansion occurs, it would have enough land to inter people for another 30 years. Eternal Light is already undergoing a significant expansion project, adding a second floor to a mausoleum that is expected to soon be completed.

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To justify the zoning change, Eternal Light says it has been "a long-standing provider of essential services to the community," and to support its continued operation and long-term viability, it is necessary to rezone the site.

The request is for a text amendment, the first step in a lengthy process to change the 60-40 rule for this project. A vote on final approval, should the project advance, is not expected to occur until August 2026.

WEST OF BOYNTON: Palm Beach County approves 37 more homes for Valencia Del Mar west of Boynton

WEST OF BOYNTON: Despite traffic concerns, county OKs GL Homes' 12th Valencia community near Boynton Beach

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Jennifer Morton, the agent for the applicants, appeared before the Planning Commission to urge that the commission support the project. She noted that the proposed rule was carefully crafted to prevent other developers from adjusting the 60-40 rule.

GL Homes, she noted, would not be able to build additional homes at either Valenica Del Mar or Valencia Grand. She said the homebuilder is facilitating a request made by the cemetery and the Chabad of West Delray. The congregation does not have a permanent home; it holds services at members' homes and sometimes rents out facilities for larger events.

WEST OF BOYNTON: What's being built there? The District is taking shape in western Palm Beach County

The Chabad's rabbi, Yossi Shapiro, testified that having a permanent place to worship is critical for the Jewish community.

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"The intent is to serve existing residents," he said. "We have had to turn away people because of space issues. We have to walk on the Sabbath (Saturday) and this site is within walking distance of several residential communities where our members reside. This project is critical to help make the lives of our families more meaningful."

WEST OF BOYNTON: City postpones final annexation vote on Palmyra, Bamboo Lane

Eternal Light Cemetery is on the east side of State Road 7, about 1.6 miles south of Boynton Beach Boulevard. It wants to expand its plot of land and would buy preserve parcels from GL Homes, which, under current zoning laws, is not allowed.

Morton noted that the county has repeatedly adjusted the Ag Reserve Master Plan in recent years to meet the changing needs of the community.

But county planner Bryce Van Horn testified that the proposed amendment represents a significant policy change from what the county commission adopted in 1995 and further reinforced in 2001 following the recommendations of the Agricultural Reserve Master Plan.

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It would allow for a reduction in preserve area that has already been set aside and does not further the existing objective that the Agricultural Reserve "be preserved primarily for agricultural use, according to a staff document.

Even those on the Planning Commission who supported the zoning change had concerns about whether another effort in the future could be made to lower the 60-40 ratio, but the majority felt that the project was so beneficial to the community that they wanted it to move forward.

If the controversial plan moves forward, when would it be finalized?

Barbara Roth, president of the Coalition of Boynton West Residential Associations, testifies at a Planning Commission meeting on Oct. 10.

Planning Commissioner Gary Brown was against the rezoning plan. He noted that former County Commissioner Burt Aaronson, an advocate for strong protections in the Ag Reserve, is buried at Eternal Light.

If Burt were alive today, he would not be pushing for this. It violates the core mission of preserving (Agricultural Reserve) land and sets a dangerous precedent. For the first time in 30 years, we will see a deviation from 60-40.

Brown questioned why GL Homes couldn't find other land in the Ag Reserve to preserve, a move that would allow the 60-40 ratio to be maintained. But Morton said the homebuilder had already agreed to donate 5 acres to the Chabad, land that has a value of more than $2 million.

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"We are not here today to do swaps," she said.

Commission member Rick Stopek supported the zoning change, arguing it will have a limited impact on the countys infrastructure. In addition, he said the project is in the best interests of the community, adding: "No one here is speaking out against it."

Barbara Roth, president of the Coalition of Boynton West Residential Associations, said the coalition will not oppose the zoning change but stressed it would strongly oppose any future effort to lower the 60-40 rule.

Mike Diamond is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. He covers Palm Beach County government. You can reach him at mdiamond@pbpost.com. Help support local journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Palm Beach County rule change needed for cemetery expansion, synagogue
GALENA, Ill. (WTVO)  A man has been sentenced to spend 18 years in prison for criminal sexual assault and criminal sexual abuse for a Galena attack.

According to the Jo Daviess County States Attorneys office, Francisco Guinea-Delgado, 45, of Mundelein, pleaded guilty to the charges against him on Thursday, October 23rd.

Guinea-Delgado was charged as the suspect in a crime that occurred in Galena on August 17th, 2024.

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In addition to his 18-year sentence, Guinea-Delgado will also serve a minimum of 3 years of parole and be subject to the provisions of the Illinois Sex Offender Registration Act.

Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Illinois State Police and the ISP Crime Lab in Rockford contributed to the investigation.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports.
Joe Rogan kicked off his podcast on Wednesday with a suggestion for President Donald Trump: run for governor of California after exiting the White House.

It would be f*cking hilarious! Rogan said on his top-ranked podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience.

Rogan, a moment earlier, said:

What Donald Trump should do is, when he leaves the office, is run for the governor of California!

The idea immediately cracked Rogan up, as well as his two guests, British comic Francis Foster and political commentator Konstantin Kasin, who co-host the Trigonometry podcast together.

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Rogan continued: Just take over California and fix it. It would be hilarious if he did. It would be one of the funniest thing of all time, if an 82-year-old man steps into the office of governor of California.

He then broke into an impression of Trump: Were going to fix everything. Youve got a problem with water, I know how to get the water! It would be f*cking hilarious.

The podcaster and UFC commentator got onto the topic, shortly after starting the episode by talking about a friend who was fleeing LA. Rogan, who did the same thing and moved to Texas a few years ago, said it was understandable because everybody went crazy. He explained why he thought that was the case:

Theres something that happened because of the pandemic, and the Black Lives Matter protests and the riots  whatever the temperature of society was, its like it hit Societal Global Warming . Where its like, Its time to investigate Greenland. Its time to move north, like, this is a bad climate now, this sucks!'

Kasin agreed with Rogan, saying the Southern California weather makes it feel like paradise when you get off the plane. But politicians like Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) fucked it up so bad that people will literally pack up and leave paradise, he said.

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Rogan added that, when he first moved to California in the 90s, it was much more moderate. He said it was still left-leaning, but that politics was not a huge focus for everyone then. He said that, around the time of Barack Obamas second term in office, he noticed a major shift in the vibe in California  and it only got worse from there.

His idea for Trump comes after Rogan slammed Newsom as a bullsh*t artist who ruined California earlier this month. Newsom responded by daring Rogan to have him on his podcast.

If Trump runs with Rogans suggestion, he will have to wait until 2030, since the next California gubernatorial election is in 2026.

Watch Rogan share his idea above. Or you can listen to the podcast on Spotify by clicking here.

The post Joe Rogan Suggests Trump Do The Ultimate Troll Move  Become California Governor After Newsom: Would Be F*cking Hilarious! first appeared on Mediaite.
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) said he cannot stand when his fellow Democrats brand Republicans  and in particular, President Donald Trump  as racists or Nazis, and said he believed ex-Vice President Kamala Harris lost the plot when she called Trump a fascist heading into the 2024 election.

Fetterman criticized Harris during an appearance on Sean Hannitys Fox News show on Wednesday evening. Hannity wanted Fettermans take on why some Dems have doubled down on comparing Trump to Adolf Hitler and other historical monsters.

What is going on? Why have they chosen that path when it did not succeed the first time? Hannity asked Fetterman.

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I dont know why, and I have always refused to say that, Fetterman said. When Vice President Harris referred to President Trump as a fascist, and I knew absolutely we lost the plot at that point. If you call the president or someone like a fascist, you are effectively calling the people who are going to vote for him [the same thing] and then they must be fascist too or they support fascism and those things. And that is just not true.

During the 2024 race, Trump repeatedly called Harris a fascist.

I happen to know and love a lot of people that voted for the president and they are not fascist, they are not Nazis, theyre not trying to destroy the constitution and all those things, he continued. They just happen to have different priorities and they love our country in the same ways that Democrats do as well.

Fetterman, a moment later, said that kind of rhetoric opens the door to things like the assassination of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk.

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Harris, during a CNN town hall a few weeks before the 2024 election, was asked by Anderson Cooper if she believed Trump was a fascist.

Yes, I do. Yes, I do, Harris said.

She later, during that same event, said Trump admires dictators and is a fascist.

The ex-VP has continued bashing Trump this year too. Harris, on her recent book tour, ripped the Trump Administration, yelling, These mothaf*ckas are crazy!

Fettermans comment on Wednesday night came a day after Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) compared Trump using ICE agents to deport illegal immigrants to the start of the Holocaust in Germany.

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The Pennsylvania Democrat took issue with his party on other issues as well on Hannity on Wednesday night.

Fetterman said Democrats betrayed Israel during the war in Gaza, and added he was the last Democrat to stand with Israel.

Watch above via Fox News.

The post John Fetterman Slams Kamala Harris on Fox News: Lost the Plot When She Called Trump a Fascist first appeared on Mediaite.
JOHNSTON, Iowa  Six candidates are in the running for three seats on the Johnston School Board, and while this election is supposed to be nonpartisan, politics has become more evident.

Three of the candidates are supported by the Johnston Area Republicans, including Patrick Green, Alicia Penner, and Connor Christenson.

The other three candidates in the running are supported by the Johnston Area Democrats, including Rexford Davidson, Kaycee Schippers, and Justin Smith.

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Yard signs have started popping up across Johnston. WHO 13 News noticed a handful of homes only had yard signs for Christenson; however, most homes that had yard signs included all three candidates that were supported by one of the two parties.

Audit of Iowa DOE background check, licensing procedures requested following Ian Roberts arrest

Lori Stiles is a Johnston resident who said she is planning to vote for Green, Penner, and Christenson after attending the School Board Candidate Forum last week.

It became obvious who really has a pulse on whats needed in the Johnston schools, and I think representation of all voices is really key. And I think Green, Penner and Christiansen are the ones to bring that to the table, she said.

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Another Johnston resident, Kevin OConnor, said he is planning to vote for Davidson, Schippers, and Smith.

I feel like they are the three candidates that support public schools. I feel like if youre going to sit on a public school board that you really do need to support public dollars for public school students. So I think these three candidates support that. I think they support the diversity within our district, he said.

Despite the two supporting separate candidates, they both said voting in the election is important.

Stiles said, Its your right to vote. Its your civic duty. So I really encourage everyone, no matter if you have a student in the school or not, get out and vote.

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OConnor said, I think its really important to vote even if you show up and you dont vote for anyone, you just write in a name. I think voting is as essential to the process. So whether you support the candidates that I support or not, I do think voting is, is very important.

WHO 13 News reached out to the Johnston Community School District for their perspective on the election and the potential turnout. Lynn Meadows, the Director of Communications and Board Secretary, said the district is expecting high interest.

The Johnston Community School District is pleased to have six candidates seeking three open seats on our school board in the upcoming Nov. 4 election. In the past month, weve had a chance to introduce the candidates through a Meet the 2025 Candidates page on our website, through social media, as well as through a two-hour, in-person and livestreamed candidate forum held Oct. 14 at Johnston High School that all six candidates participated in. Those who missed the forum can watch it on video. While voter turnout for U.S. school board elections has been historically low, often just 5 to 10 percent according to data cited by the National School Boards Association, we do expect there to be both interest and participation in our 2025 Johnston school board election due to six candidates competing for three open seats. Des Moines School Board candidates answer publics questions at forum Campaign signs from all candidates sprouted up around the district earlier this month. We have also encouraged participation in the upcoming election through Get Out and Vote posters provided by the Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB) and posted around the District Office and at Johnston High School. School board elections are nonpartisan and each candidate will be on the ballot as individuals. Lynn Meadows, Johnston Community School District Director of Communications and Board Secretary

Early voting will be available at the Johnston Public Library from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, October 29. Otherwise, residents can vote early weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. until November 3rd at the new Polk County Elections Office. On Election Day, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Polk County Elections Office.

WHO 13 News also reached out to all six candidates asking why they decided to run for school board and what their main goals are. Only Rexford Davidson, Patrick Green, and Alicia Penner responded to our requests. Below are their statements:

Rexford Davidson:

Johnston Community School District is foundational to the identity and continued vitality of the Johnston Community. In a time when statistically the number of children being born in Polk County is decreasing and as the cost of everything continues to rise, the Johnston Community needs for the Johnston Community School District to be a (if not the) selling point so that our community can effectively compete for a smaller pool of young families to enroll their children into Johnston Schools. Essential to making this possible is Johnston schools ability to attract talented and dedicated teachers and the JSCD school boards role to serve and support all the outstanding teachers, faculty, and staff who work tirelessly to share their passion and knowledge with Johnstons students. Further, we need to help ensure that teachers have the necessary resources, support and flexibility they need to do their jobs to the best of their ability. I would like to support policy that supports flexible teaching standards which improve student outcomes and which will enable teachers to give of themselves in the most authentic, creative, and effective ways possible. There are numerous reasons why I have decided to run for school board, but at the end of the day I am interested in giving back to Johnston Schools and to the Johnston Community and helping ensure that Johnstons schools are the best they can be for students now and in the future.

Patrick Green:

Im running for Johnston School Board because I believe our district deserves leadership that reflects the diverse perspectives of our entire community and keeps the focus where it belongson all students, families, and academic excellence.

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Right now, with three members vacating their seats, our board is at a critical crossroads. In recent years, some decisions have reflected more division than collaborationat times creating tension between policy, legal guidance, and district leadership. These moments have challenged community confidence and underscored the need for greater unity and transparency moving forward.

As Ive met with families across Johnston, Ive heard three common themes: concern over declining college readiness, a desire for greater representation and balance, and frustration with leadership choices that have diverted focus away from students. Some residents have mentioned a costly state appeals processchampioned by another candidatethat the district was forced to defend, resulting in close to $14,000 in taxpayer expense. Beyond the cost, it raised deeper questions about judgment, priorities, free speech, and the ability to lead collaboratively.

If elected, Ill work to restore trust, listen first, and ensure decisions are made transparently and lawfully, with every voice represented. My goal is to make Johnston a district where parents feel valued, teachers feel supported, and every student can thrive.

Alicia Penner:

My motivation is my kids  and I want to work together to ensure that all of our children have access to the best educational opportunities possible. I am a purposeful leader who knows what I stand for, and thats our kids. Im running to be a voice for Johnstons students, parents, teachers, and taxpayers. I have seen firsthand the challenges our schools face in supporting students with diverse health and learning needs, and I am committed to ensuring that every student can thrive. Our district must be ready to meet the evolving challenges of different learning environments and provide our teachers with the support and resources they need to be effective. Every child deserves access to the tools and opportunities that foster academic growth. We must also strengthen family and community partnershipsbecause investing in our public schools means investing in our children, together. As a mom, I understand the importance of having more staff to help students with behavioral needs, and I believe we must be good stewards of our communitys tax dollars by directing funds to the areas of greatest need in our schools.

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One of the most important issues we face is ensuring that every Johnston student has access to an education that prepares them for a successful future. That means continually reviewing our curriculum to ensure it meets todays challenges. Students with health, learning, or support needs often face gaps in resources, and support can be inconsistent. I want to work toward thoughtful, lasting improvements so every child gets what they need to succeed. For some, that means strengthening our IEP and 504 systems to better meet individual needs. As a parent of a student who benefited from a 504 plan, Ive seen firsthand how the right support can help a child grow and thrive. My professional background in accounting and treasury management allows me to understand the importance of every dollar spent  and to bring transparency and accuracy to our budgeting process. I believe in looking ahead and conducting audits to understand the impact of declining enrollment. When families leave the district, it adds financial strain, and we must ask why. If Im elected, Ill partner with private school leaders to learn whats working for their students  and apply those proven strategies in our public schools. Every child deserves an excellent education, no matter where they learn.

I will bring an open mind, listen to all perspectives, and lean into collaboration. Our community needs a strong, balanced school board  one that works as a team toward shared goals. By bringing together diverse backgrounds and skill sets, we can build a stronger board that always puts differences aside and keeps students at the center of every decision.

If elected, Ill be a board member who drives positive change and leads the way for all children to receive an education that meets their academic, physical, and emotional needs. I will advocate for our teachers to have the tools and training they need to respond with compassion and confidence to every child. I will lead with kindness, strength, and heart. I am driven and excited  and I hope to have the opportunity to serve this community. Together, we can come together to put our kids first.

Metro news

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Members of Joplins Charter Review Commission spent 90 minutes listening to public comments Wednesday night before discussing among themselves five issues theyve been asked to review by the Joplin City Council.

On Sept. 15, the council asked the commission to consider five areas listed as amendments to the charter that would then have to be sent to voters in April 2026. The council charged the commission with having its report ready by Dec. 1 to give the council enough time to meet the state deadline for placing items on the April ballot.

No final decisions were made at this meeting, and more meetings are planned in November.

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The five items are:

 Should the charter be amended to change the rate of pay of the council from $5 per meeting to an increased amount?

 Should the charter be amended to change Section 13.04 to reduce the number of signatures required for a nominating petition, and alternatively, for a nominating petition for an incumbent City Council member who has already met the signature requirements?

 Should the charter be amended to change the term emergency ordinance in Section 2.12 to expedited ordinance?

 Should the charter be amended to remove the requirement that the public works director be a professional engineer registered in Missouri?

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 Should the charter be amended to remove any publication requirements that are required under the current charter?

Public works engineer

Engineers Kurt Higgins, with Allgeier, Martin and Associates, and Clayton Christy, with Olsson, urged the commission not to roll back the requirement that the public works director also be a professional engineer registered in Missouri.

We think thats a huge benefit for the city of Joplin, Higgins said. Both of us work with many communities around the state, and the larger communities like Joplin, all of them I know of have a licensed professional engineer as a public works director. The smaller towns we work with that dont have an engineer on staff, they dont even have a public works director usually. They dont have the luxury mainly because they just cant afford it.

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Higgins presented the commission a letter from the state executive director of the Missouri Society of Professional Engineers, Travis Lowe, encouraging the city to maintain the professional engineer status for the position.

Christy presented a letter from the Joplin chapter of the group recommending the same thing.

Publication requirements

Resident Frank Thompson spoke on whether the city should remove publication requirements from the charter.

City Attorney Peter Edwards said publication requirements are listed in four sections of the charter dealing with sale of bonds and statement of debt, granting of franchises and the conduct of initiative, referendum or recall elections.

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Removing the publication requirement, this is perhaps the one that gives me the greatest concern because eliminating the requirement to publish information publicly strips away any of the transparency measures the citizens have, Thompson said. If the city changes this rule and they dont have to put a public notice out, our transparency is gone. This is probably the worst question.

Commission discussion

After the public hearing, the commission members took their meeting to a conference room and discussed the five items among themselves.

On the issue of pay for City Council members, members of the charter review commission debated several proposals, including eliminating the $5 pay council members currently get and making the position voluntary, keeping the current pay, or increasing pay. Commission member Ryan Stanley put forth a pay schedule that included paying the mayor $1,000 per month, the mayor pro tem $800 per month, and council members $650 per month.

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No action was taken on the proposal.

The commission spent almost 30 minutes discussing the issue of emergency and expedited ordinances.

The Missouri state auditors report, released earlier this month, was critical of the citys frequent use of emergency ordinances, saying city officials used a city charter rule to muzzle commenters and obstruct full disclosure and conduct transparent business. The audit said the City Council used emergency ordinances 80% of the time to do business in 2023.

Following the audit, city officials said that the use of emergency ordinances has been reduced by half since April 2024 and continues to allow full public review and comment on all agenda items.

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City Attorney Peter Edwards on Wednesday said he thinks the issue may be a little misunderstood by a lot of people.

Edwards said most items considered as emergency ordinances are things like contracts to build projects that have already been scrutinized by the public on a number of levels.

Its on a list of projects thats been given to the voters and approved by the voters. A tax is passed, and council proceeds to do the projects on the list, Edwards said. Its in the following years budget, so its discussed at budget time. Architect has been hired to design the project, the contract is discussed. Construction company is hired to do the project, and its approved by the council. You just taking a construction contract to the City Council for approval. It has been blessed by the voters because the voters passed the tax. It has been included in the budget and discussed at budget time. So all youre doing is taking a construction contract, theres nothing controversial about that. Its the lowest and best bid.

Some commission members said changing the name of the ordinance just to change the name wasnt worth the time and expense.

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Others talked about proposing changes to the charter that created both an emergency ordinance and an expedited ordinance with different requirements.

I think where this is getting muddy is that some, not necessarily in this room, are trying to link this to a lack of transparency, said former Joplin Mayor Michael Seibert. I dont think thats the case at all. I think the procedures are in place for the public, if theyre monitoring council activity, to be aware of whats going on, and if they want to come and speak to council, they have those opportunities. I just think if we can keep this as clean as we can coming out of this group, the better, and not trying to get this confused with a transparency complaint.

The commission decided not to make any final decisions Wednesday.

They planned future meetings at 4 p.m. Nov. 12 and Nov. 19 in the Joplin City Halls fifth-floor conference room.
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)  Pamela Moody, the choir instructor at Jim Hill High School, was selected as the 2025 Mississippi High School Music Educator of the Year by the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) and the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA).

On October 23, 2025, Jim Hill High School hosted a surprise recognition event for Moody.

Hinds CC launching evening classes with childcare, dinner in January

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The MHSAA/NFHS recognizes exceptional performing arts educators who make a lasting impact on student performers across the state. As a state honoree, Moody will now advance for regional and national award consideration through the National Federation of High Schools.

Under Moodys leadership, officials with the Jackson Public School District (JPS) said the Jim Hill High School Choir has earned multiple awards and received national recognition for excellence in performance and artistry.

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The man behind a deadly triple shooting in Westchester County has made a plea deal that will result in him being sentenced to 37 years in prison.

Fernando Jimenez shot his girlfriend and her two sons at an apartment complex in Somers last year. One of the teen boys was killed.

Jimenez was found last October hiding in a realtor's office in Putnam County after a dramatic manhunt that went through the night.

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The incident started hours earlier in an apartment complex in Somers where Jimenez shot Christina Raimondi and her two sons in their second-floor unit.

Michael Raimondi, a 15-year-old middle school student, was killed.

The shooting provided fuel to the political debate over immigration after ICE disclosed the Chilean national was in the country illegally and had returned to the U.S. after he was deported 20 years ago.

On Thursday, there were tears in the courtroom from friends and family of the victims as the 41-year-old pleaded guilty to murder, attempted murder, assault and weapons charges.

The judge in the case said he accepted the plea agreement as a way to spare the family from additional emotional pain.

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"Not having to preside over what will be a very lengthy trial and not having to make the family of the victims, and the victims who survived, come in here and relive this again," said Westchester County Court Judge George Fufidio.

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CHICAGO  A judge says hell rule Friday on whether a father, whose daughter is battling cancer, will be released from ICE detention.

Ruben Torres Maldonado is currently the Clay County Jail in Brazil, Indiana. The judge who presided over the hearing Thursday says hes waiting on some additional documentation from the attorney representing the government before making a decision on his potential release.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Torres Maldonado last Saturday outside of the Home Depot in Niles.

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He has lived in the United States since 2003 and has two children who are U.S. citizens.

Torres Maldonados oldest child, 16-year-old Ofelia, a student at Lake View High School, is receiving treatments for a rare and aggressive life-threatening form of cancer at Lurie Childrens Hospital.

Maldonado claims to be the sole provider for his family.

Since Torres Maldonados arrest, community members and elected officials have rallied for his immediate release to help care for his daughter.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

Our client is currently in Indiana and we ask for him to be released immediately. We are optimistic that the judge will do so within the next day or so. The judge took the case under advisement so the government could submit some paperwork and indicated he would rule in the morning, said Torres Maldonados attorney.

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The Department of Homeland Security says Torres Maldonados criminal history includes habitual driving offenses, including being charged multiple times with driving without insurance, driving without a valid license and speeding.

Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin released the following statement regarding Torres Maldonados case.

This is nothing more than a desperate Hail Mary attempt to keep a criminal illegal alien in our country. The Trump administration is fighting for the rule of law and the American people.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The University of California on Thursday made a last-minute plea to the state Supreme Court, asking justices to block the release of a $1.2-billion UCLA settlement proposal from the Department of Justice as UC battles faculty members who are calling for more transparency about negotiations with the Trump administration.

In the California Supreme Court filing, UC asked for an "immediate temporary stay" of a lower court decision ordering the university to give faculty, by Friday, a 28-page document of federal demands for vast policy changes at UCLA that are in line with President Trump's vision for higher education.

If the information is released, UC said in the filing, it will "suffer irreparable harm" to its dealings with the Trump administration as well as to other potential settlement negotiations in the future with other parties.

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UC filed its request a day after an appeals court declined to reverse a lower court's order that UC release the settlement proposal. The one-sentence decision signed by 1st Appellate District Division Three acting Presiding Justice Carin T. Fujisaki did not explain any reasoning. In a separate filing Thursday, UC also asked the California Supreme Court to order the appeals court "to issue a reasoned appellate opinion on these issues."

Last month, the UCLA Faculty Assn. sued UC after the university rejected its public records requests. The association is an independent organization unaffiliated with the Academic Senate, the body that formally represents all UCLA faculty in relations with campus administrators.

An Oct. 14 order from an Oakland-based judge gave UC until Oct. 24 to release the document. That judge, Rebekah Evenson, of the Alameda County Superior Court, said the Public Records Act and public interest in deliberations over one of the nation's top universities compels UC to disclose the more than 7,000-word proposal.

UC appealed the order, arguing that settlement conversations should be confidential and exempt from public records disclosure requirements.

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In a statement Thursday, UC spokesperson Rachel Zaentz said UC is "committed to being transparent about the challenges facing the university, but we must also evaluate our response to the administrations settlement proposal that, like all settlement communications, is confidential. UC remains committed to protecting the mission, governance, and academic freedom of the university."

The August settlement proposal came after the Trump administration accused UCLA of violating the law in its handling of antisemitism complaints, admissions practices and gender identity on campus. The Trump administration suspended $584 million in research funding over the alleged civil rights violations. The vast majority of that funding has now been restored as part of a lawsuit filed by UC-wide faculty.

UCLA has said its policies comply with state and federal laws.

Read more: Here are the details of Trump's $1.2-billion call to remake UCLA in a conservative image

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The Times reviewed the settlement proposal and, last month, published a detailed summary of its contents.

They include demands for changes to admissions to prevent alleged affirmative action, stricter protest rules and a ban on gender-affirming healthcare for minors at UCLA medical facilities. The document calls for UCLA to prevent the admission of anti-Western international students and to pay the costs for an outside monitor to oversee the agreement.

The proposal also says that "the United States and its consultants and agents will have full and direct access to all UCLA staff, employees, facilities, documents, and data related to the agreement, in coordination with legal counsel for UCLA, except any documents or data protected by work product or the attorney-client privilege."

Faculty at the Westwood campus have increasingly aired frustrations over the university's closed-door negotiations with the federal government. A team of top UC lawyers and five regents are at the table. At campus rallies, meetings and events, campus community members have complained that UCLA and UC leaders have given them minimal information on what changes the government is demanding from UCLA and the progression of the talks.

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In court documents, UC lawyers argued that releasing the settlement proposal would create an untenable "fishbowl" inviting "every member of the entire public to express each ones views on every settlement," creating an "uncontrollable public fray" impeding negotiations.

"This concern is most pressing where, as here, the settlement communication is an opening salvo. The intense public reaction to disclosure at an early stage of an initial proposal could easily end any opportunity for discussion at its inception and hamper the ability to fully and fairly evaluate a response," UC wrote in a court filing.

Faculty members who sued disagreed.

"We believe that the content of these demands are important for the public to know about and have the opportunity to comment on," said Anna Markowitz, president of the UCLA Faculty Assn. and an associate professor in UCLAs School of Education and Information Studies.

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"UC is a public university. It provides education, jobs, and medical care. There are faculty, staff, workers, alumni, students, and parents who care about and will be affected by these negotiations," she said in a statement. "We went to court for us, but also for them  because UC's lack of transparency isn't consistent with UC's position as a major public good in our state."

Read more: Federal judge orders Trump to restore $500 million in frozen UCLA medical research grants

UC President James B. Milliken has said that the roughly $1.2-billion fine  composed of a $1-billion payment to the government and a $172-million claims fund  would be near impossible to pay.

He has been less detailed on the other demands but has said broadly that UC will protect academic freedom as well as its mission and values in any potential Trump agreement.

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.
LONDON (AP)  A former British paratrooper was found not guilty Thursday on murder charges relating to the 1972 Bloody Sunday massacre in Northern Ireland that saw 13 people killed in a flurry of bullets.

Judge Patrick Lynch ruled at Belfast Crown Court that prosecutors failed to prove that the veteran identified only as Soldier F had opened fire, with intent to kill, on unarmed civilians who were running to safety.

Soldier F was the only soldier ever charged in connection with the events on Jan. 20, 1972 in Londonderry, also known as Derry. It was one of the deadliest incidents of the period known as The Troubles," the conflict between mainly Catholic supporters of a united Ireland and predominantly Protestant forces who wanted Northern Ireland to remain part of the United Kingdom.

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In addition to the 13 killed, 15 others were wounded on Bloody Sunday. Survivors have spoken of the confusion, chaos and terror as soldiers opened fire and bodies began falling after a large civil rights march through the city.

The verdict was a blow to families of victims who have spent more than a half-century seeking justice.

While the sectarian violence largely ended with the 1998 Good Friday peace accord and Northern Ireland has become a beacon of hope for other conflicts around the world, tensions remain.

The verdict in detail

Soldier F was shrouded from view in court by a curtain throughout the five-week trial, and did not testify in his defense. It was a nonjury trial, as has been the standard in cases related to the decades-long period of sectarian violence in Northern Ireland.

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He had pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder for the deaths of James Wray, 22, and William McKinney, 27, and five counts of attempted murder for the shootings of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon, Patrick ODonnell, and for opening fire at fleeing demonstrators.

The judge said the evidence presented against the veteran fell well short of what was required for conviction. But he berated the soldiers from the Parachute Regiment on duty that day for the way they responded, and how their actions sullied the memory of a unit that had a proud record in World War II.

They had totally lost all sense of military discipline," he said. Shooting in the back unarmed civilians fleeing from them on the streets of a British city. Those responsible should hang their heads in shame.

However, the judge said that because there was no concept of collective guilt in the courts, he wasn't able to issue a guilty ruling against Soldier F.

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The sole evidence against Soldier F was from two other veterans, Soldiers G and H, one of whom is deceased while the other refused to take to the dock for fear of incriminating himself.

Their statements, the sole and decisive evidence, cannot be tested in a way that witnesses giving evidence from the witness box would be," the judge said. Delay has, in my view, seriously hampered the capacity of the defense to test the veracity and accuracy of the hearsay statements."

A blow to families of victims

Mickey McKinney, brother of William McKinney who was shot dead on Bloody Sunday, said the failure to bring anyone to justice lies with the British state" for failing to investigate the murders "properly, or indeed at all; and with the British Army who shielded and enabled its soldiers to continue to murder with impunity.

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Over the decades since, Bloody Sunday has become a source of shame for a British government that had initially claimed that members of a parachute regiment fired in self-defense after being attacked by gunmen and others hurling firebombs.

Relief for veterans and their campaigners

Supporters of army veterans complain that their losses have been downplayed and that they have been unfairly targeted in investigations.

Defense lawyer Mark Mulholland attacked the prosecution's case as fundamentally flawed and weak for relying on soldiers he dubbed fabricators and liars, and the fading memories of survivors who scrambled to avoid live gunfire that some mistakenly thought were rounds of rubber bullets.

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Veterans and their campaigners welcomed Thursday's verdict.

It has become increasingly clear that the admissibility of certain types of evidence, particularly those based on decades-old recollections, remains deeply problematic," said Northern Ireland veterans commissioner David Johnstone.

Soldier F has faced legal scrutiny in various forms for more than a quarter of a century, and it is my hope that todays ruling by Judge Lynch brings that long and arduous process to a close, he added.

The long road to the case

Following the peace process that was initiated by the Good Friday Agreement, steps were taken to foster trust between Catholics and Protestants as well as between the people of Northern Ireland and the British government.

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An inquiry in 2010 found that the soldiers involved in Bloody Sunday had shot unarmed civilians fleeing and then lied in a cover-up that lasted for decades. Then Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron apologized and said the killings were unjustified and unjustifiable.

The findings cleared the way for the eventual prosecution of Soldier F, though delays and setbacks kept it from coming to trial until last month.

On Thursday, a spokesman for current Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the not-guilty verdict was an example of the complex legacy of the Troubles." He said the government is focused on setting out a way forward to deal with this difficult period in a fair and balanced way that allows victims to seek answers and get closure, including bereaved forces families.
A Washtenaw County Circuit Court judge dismissed a lawsuit from 20 women in Michigan's only prison for females that alleged, per policy, they were video-recorded on corrections officers' body cameras during routine strip searches and while showering and using toilets.

Todd Flood, an attorney representing the women at Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility near Ypsilanti, plans to appeal the decision to the Michigan Court of Appeals.

"This case is meritorious ... unfortunately, we have to exhaust the judicial remedy of going to the court of appeals to have a second look," Flood said in a statement Oct. 22.

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The Michigan Department of Corrections issued a statement regarding the Oct. 15 dismissal, which sought $500 million in damages. It said it agreed with Judge Julia Owdziej's decision.

"The department remains committed to protecting the privacy and dignity of those under our supervision. All standard unclothed searches of women, which are necessary for the safety and security of those working and living at (the prison), are conducted by trained female officers. In addition, only qualified female staff are allowed to be assigned in areas where women may be in a state of undress," according to MDOC's statement.

"Current department policy requires body worn cameras to be inactive during these searches at all facilities, unless a qualifying event occurs, such as the discovery of contraband. If cameras are activated during a qualifying event, access to that video is highly restricted. Body-worn camera technology improves safety and increases accountability for both officers and those in our facilities."

Twenty women, identified only as Jane Does, filed the lawsuit in May, with Flood saying then that he and his colleagues had hundreds of retained clients in the case, with incidents occurring from January through March of this year.

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The lawsuit named the governor, the director and deputy director of the MDOC, and about three dozen employees, from corrections officers to the warden.

The lawsuit said many of the plaintiffs experienced debilitating panic attacks and insomnia, among other physical ailments.

It said the MDOC forced "hundreds of women  the vast majority of whom are rape survivors  to submit to video recording while completely nude during strip searches, while showering, while using toilets, and in other states of undress."

Owdziej granted the defendants' motion for summary disposition Oct. 15, per online court records.

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An update from Flood's office said the judge ruled that because the women didn't suffer physical injuries, they can't sue under the state's Prison Litigation Reform Act. It said the judge said panic attacks, insomnia or trauma responses don't count as physical injury and the women hadn't proven that they were harmed.

The lawsuit said the MDOC implemented a body-worn camera policy in January that allowed staff to wear active cameras at the women's prison, including during strip searches.

In a prior news release, attorneys said MDOC officials failed to halt the privacy violations "despite multiple warnings about the policy's illegality from advocacy organizations and state legislators." Concerns started to be raised Feb. 17, with the lawsuit indicating "internal communications reveal that officials were fully aware of these legal concerns yet continued the practice for five more weeks."

The lawsuit said the policy changed March 24, with body cameras to be placed in "sleep mode" during routine strip searches, meaning no data, audio or video would be captured. But Flood had said there were incidents of recording when women were naked still occurring when corrections officers would go into bathrooms or showers.

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Flood previously said the plaintiffs were looking for "no invasion of privacy when a lady goes to the bathroom or when they're in a shower stall." They also sought destruction of all recordings made during the illegal period and mandatory training for MDOC staff.

Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on X: @challreporter.

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Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Lawsuit alleging guards filmed strip searches at women's prison tossed
UPDATED (5:30 p.m.)  Sean Grayson was not in an imminent threat of harm from Sonya Massey, maintained an expert in police training

During a lengthy back and forth with defense attorney Mark Wykoff, retired police chief Louis Dekmar never wavered from his position that Grayson, a former deputy with the Sangamon County Sheriffs Office, escalated the situation just before 1 a.m. on July 6, 2024.

Any perception of fear or danger was generated by the deputy by failing his policy and his training, he said. He has a duty to obey his policy and his training. That was clearly not done in this case, in my opinion.

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Wykoff tried repeatedly to get him to admit it was possible, under a hypothetical situation that Grayson could have feared for his life or that he would be severely hurt by Massey, who was holding a pot of boiling water.

In theory, the retired chief and now a consultant on police training, it was possible but It wasnt how he saw it. Rather, he saw Massey as no threat to Grayson or his partner.

All that matters as theres no debate on how Massey died. Grayson shot her in the head and she died from the excessive bleeding which resulted.

The issue for jurors when they go back to deliberate on charges of first-degree murder is whether Grayson acted within the bounds of his training and departmental policy.

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Team Grayson says yes, that the former deputy didnt want a pot of scalding water coming at him from a woman who appears to have been in the midst of a mental health issue.

But prosecutors disagree and point to testimony from Dekmar and other witnesses that Grayson violated departmental policy on use of force, not wearing his body camera and professional conduct, among others.

The trial will continue Friday.

______________________________________________________________________

UPDATED (3:30 p.m.)  An expert in police training said Sean Graysons actions the night he shot and killed Sonya Masey were in direct contrast with departmental policy.

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He did not have good tactical positioning, did not call for assistance and did not give the Springfield woman the proper space, moving closer to her minutes before he shot her in the head.

Would you say the defendants actions were inconsistent to the Sangamon County policies and protocols? asked First Assistant States Attorney Mary Beth Rodgers.

Responded retired police chief Louis Dekmar: I would say theyre not only inconsistent, theyre in direct contrast.

Graysons comments and conduct afterwards, when he called Massey crazy, also lent themselves to a violation of the sheriffs office policy, as it went to how Grayson felt and acted during the incident.

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It is not up for debate that Grayson, 31, killed Massey as she stood in her kitchen. At issue is whether he acted properly.

Grayson argues he acted in self-defense, that Massey had a pot of boiling water and was going to throw it at him. But prosecutors and Dekmar disagreed, saying it was Graysons own actions that put him at risk.

Dekmar took it one step further.

His verbal commands and actions actually escalated in my opinion, he said.

Did Massey pose a threat to Grayson or his partner? Rodgers asked.

No, she was clearly very disoriented and confused, Dekmar said.

UPDATED (3:20 p.m.)  It should have been clear not long after Sean Grayson and his partner spoke to Sonya Massey that she was in the midst of an emotional or mental crisis.

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Thats the opinion of a former Georgia police chief who has consulted on thousands of police training and misconduct cases.

When Massey came to her door at around 12:50 a.m. on July 6, 2024, it was clear that she was certain she needed help.

The defendant asked her if she was alright and her response was that she had her medicationit should have been clear to the deputies that she was going through some kind of mental health crisis, said Louis Dekmar.

The chief, who spent 28 years as the chief in LaGrange, Ga., said he reviewed policies and training protocols of the Sangamon County Sheriffs Office and in his opinion, Grayson didnt follow them.

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When asked if Graysons commanding Massey while she was in her home or cursing at her was appropriate, he said no, adding that it wasnt consistent with crisis intervention training protocols.

Moreover, the former chief said he felt that Grayson following Massey closely into her kitchen and continuing to order her to comply wasnt the way to go. Crisis Intervention training usually calls for establishing a rapport with a person, giving them space and allowing them to process what was going on.

You shouldnt shout, you shouldnt threaten, thats only going to escalate the situation, Dekmar said.

He added, It appeared to me as he pointed the weapon at her that she kind of shrieked back like you would expect someone to do if there was a weapon pointed at them.

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By not giving Massey space and following too closely, Grayson put himself into jeopardy.

UPDATED (2:00 p.m.)  Jurors in the Sean Grayson murder trial learned that mature police officers tend to be the ones who can deal with challenges to their authority, while immature ones cannot.

Sgt. Anthony Rigano, who retired from the Elgin Police Department and who teaches crisis intervention training, said the better someone is at conflict resolution, the better theyre going to be at their jobs.

The 40-hour class goes through de-escalation tactics to find ways to avoid incidents from blowing up into something more. He gave the example of officers in Texas who forced their way into a bathroom where a man was armed with a knife.

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That, he said, is officer created jeopardy and goes along with the theory behind Graysons prosecution, that his actions escalated things at Sonya Masseys house which ultimately led to her death.

Grayson, 31, is a former Sangamon County Sheriffs deputy who in on trial for murder related to the deadly shooting on July 6, 2024 at Masseys home.

Rigano taught Grayson in March 2023. It wasnt immediately clear how Grayson did in the course, as it wasnt brought out in court.

But the training is meant to make officers feel comfortable in uncomfortable situations and find ways to get compliance without further escalation. It also puts some common police practices on their head.

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In a crisis situation, its about active listening and not peppering questions or immediate compliance. Rather, its about projecting empathy, the instructor said.

UPDATED (10:54 a.m.)  Jurors in the Sean Grayson trial saw autopsy photos of Sonya Massey that showed she had been shot just below her left eye.

The photos are graphic. Some members of Masseys family cried when the pictures were shown. A few had to leave the room.

Prosecutors argued it was important to their case to show how the woman died. Defense attorneys sought to have the photos not admitted and shown to jurors, saying they were too prejudicial and could inflame the passions of the jury.

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Pictures of the internal autopsy were shown. The brain had been removed. The top of the skull cut away. X-rays shown bits and pieces of the bullet within her head.

Nathaniel Patterson, a forensic pathologist with the Sangamon County Coroners Office, said Masseys internal carotid artery, which goes up to the brain, was also severed.

He said the bullet likely caused that and as such, her cause of death was acute blood loss due to being shot in the head.

States Attorney John Milhiser asked if Massey could have lived if she had gotten immediate medical care and been rushed into surgery? Patterson said it was possible.

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During his cross examination, defense attorney Mark Wykoff focused on toxicology results which showed that there were signs of marijuana in Masseys blood.

That could have caused confusion, speech difficulties and lethargy, the attorney asked Patterson.

Yes, he replied.

Wykoff also noted Massey had Gabapentin in her system. Thats a drug that affects the central nervous system and can act as a depressant.

It seems the questions were aimed to buttress Graysons contention that Massey wasnt in the proper frame of mine and that she was going to throw a pot of boiling water at him.

The court adjourned for lunch at about 11 a.m. and will be resume at 1 p.m.

UPDATED (10 a.m.)  The parade of crime scene investigators continued Thursday morning in the Grayson trial.

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Its not like what is seen on TV but its necessary for prosecutors to show what happened at the scene and whether shell casings found at Masseys home matched up with Graysons firearm.

Hali Carls-Miller, who does firearm investigations for the Illinois State Police forensic crime lab, held up Graysons 9mm Glock 45 handgun and confirmed it was the one she had test fired and it was the one which fired the bullet casings found at Masseys home.

But she said, under cross-examination that she could not state why the weapon was fired.

The court is again on a 15-minute recess.

________________________________________________

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  Pictures of Sonya Masseys ID card and a phone near a pool of blood were shown to jurors, as well as the gun that was used to kill her.

Adam Markwell, with the Illinois State Police crime scene investigation team, went through what he found and the photographs he took at Masseys house on July 6, 2024, as well as a few days later when he went back to the house.

Among the things shown was a photo of Sean Grayson. He was in his uniform. Pictures were also shown of his duty weapon. Those pictures were taken as part of the normal course of the investigation into the Masseys death.

In addition to pictures, the actual items were shown to jurors in court, including the gun and shell casings found at the scene.

Markwell went back to the house on July 8, two days after the shooting, when he learned three shots, not two, were fired at Massey. The first two casings were found fairly quickly on July 6, but the third bullet was found two days later in the trash.

At some point, prosecutors are expected to put on their experts regarding use of force.

Team Grayson huddled in the minutes before the trial got started. Attorney Dan Fultz spoke to Grayson, 31, several times, whispering into his ear as the two men stood by the defense table.

On the other side, three prosecutors sat in a row, waiting for the session to begin. States Attorney John Milhiser took a few notes. He was wearing a dark blue suit with a light blue tie.

Could hear a pin drop | Inside the Courtroom: The Sean Grayson Trial  Day 3

Grayson faces three counts of first-degree murder in connection with Masseys July 6, 2024, death. He maintains he acted properly, that Massey was threatening him with a pot of boiling water.

The court is now on a 15-minute break.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Jury deliberations have begun in the trial of a firefighter from Ireland accused of raping a woman in a Boston hotel on St. Patricks Day weekend in 2024  the second time the case has gone to court.

Terence Crosbie, 39, of Dublin, Ireland, has pleaded not guilty to one count of rape in connection with the incident at the Omni Parker House in Boston on March 15, 2024. His first trial began in June but ended in a mistrial after four days of jury deliberations and five days of testimony.

Jury deliberations began Wednesday afternoon and continued Thursday morning for a full day, after the trial began Oct. 14.

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Prosecutors say Crosbie, a member of the Dublin Fire Brigade, was visiting Boston with a group of other firefighters over the St. Patricks Day weekend last year when he raped a 28-year-old woman at the hotel the group was staying at. He then tried to leave the country after an interview with police.

On March 14, 2024, one of the other men from the firefighters group had met the woman at the Black Rose, an Irish pub near Faneuil Hall, at around 11:30 p.m., prosecutors said, and she chose to go back to the Omni Parker House hotel with him.

She had consensual sex with that man in a room at the hotel and they fell asleep in separate beds. But at 2 a.m., she awoke to a man she didnt know  later identified as Crosbie  raping her, prosecutors said.

The woman testified during the second trial that began Oct. 14, and told the courtroom Crosbie was on top of me, inside of me, and held down her shoulders, reported Ireland outlet The Irish Times.

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Crosbie told her, You like this, and He couldnt give this to you ... hes a loser, she told the courtroom, the outlet reported. She was emotional as she recounted her experience and broke down in tears during questioning.

The woman told him to stop and was able to roll off the bed but Crosbie kept following her around the hotel room  pushing her against the wall and kissing her  as she tried to grab her clothes. She ran away from him into the bathroom, then skirted around him to the door and left.

The woman then texted her friend to say she had been assaulted and went to Mass General Hospital, where she reported the rape. Hotel security footage matched the womans story, and she identified the man whod shared a hotel room with Crosbie as the man shed had consensual sex with.

Prosecutors told the courtroom there was a DNA sample found from two men, WCVB reported  but that neither could be definitively linked to Crosbie.

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Nonetheless, prosecutor Erin Murphy argued, the woman had no reason to leave a hotel room in the middle of the night and immediately disclose to a friend because she got raped, then go to a hospital and be interviewed by police.

She had no reason to do it, and drinking alcohol didnt make her do it, Murphy said.

But Crosbies attorney, Daniel Reilly, said in his closing argument that theres nothing that includes or matches Mr. Crosbie, the outlet reported.

Despite this, they want you to believe it is him because who else could it be, but their own witness says they cannot say it came from Mr. Crosbie, Reilly said, according to WCVB.

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Crosbie told police in an interview that hed seen the man he was staying with come into the room with the woman and left to give them privacy, the report said. Hours later, he entered the room after knocking and saw the woman leave but didnt interact with her, he told police.

Massachusetts State Police arrested Crosbie on the tarmac at Logan Airport just before the plane he was on was set to depart for Ireland, the district attorneys office previously said.

Hed changed his flight to an earlier day after an interview with police.

During his arraignment, a judge held Crosbie on $100,000 bail, the district attorneys office said. The judge had also ordered him to surrender his passport and to stay in Massachusetts.

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Republican Indiana Sen. Mike Bohacek, of Michiana Shores, was stopped by Michigan City Police on Jan. 24 and later found to have had a blood alcohol content of 0.28%  more than three times Indianas legal limit of 0.08%. (Michigan City Police)

New body camera footage released by Michigan City police shows what unfolded the night Republican Indiana Sen. Mike Bohacek was stopped and ultimately driven home  rather than booked into jail  after a January traffic stop that later led to his drunk driving arrest.

The roughly two-hour video, obtained by the Indiana Capital Chronicle through a public records request, provides a full account of the stop. A request for dash cam video is still pending.

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Bohacek, of Michiana Shores, was stopped by police on Jan. 24 after a citizen reported him drinking an open container and stumble out of his vehicle at a Panda Express in Michigan City, according to charging documents. The senator was later pulled over near Swan Lake Cemetery on U.S. 20, where he refused a breathalyzer test.

Police then took him to a hospital, where a blood test showed a blood alcohol content of 0.28%  more than three times Indianas legal limit of 0.08%.

But Bohacek wasnt arrested at the time. Under Indiana law, members of the General Assembly are shielded from arrest in most cases during the legislative session  a protection known as legislative immunity.

That meant Bohaceks case was kept sealed and the senator remained uncharged for months.

New details from body camera footage

The recording begins as Officer Daniel Revoir pulls over Bohaceks Black 2023 Dodge Charger, bearing his Indiana legislative license plate.

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You were going a little above the speed limit, Revoir tells Bohacek as he approaches the car. Officers later said Bohacek was clocked at 70 miles per hour in a 45 zone.

Revoir told another officer that Bohacek was was maintaining his lane while driving, but said the senators eyes appeared red and glassy.

When Bohacek refused to perform field sobriety tests or blow into a portable breath test, Revoir began consulting superiors about how to proceed.

Sen. Mike Bohacek, R-Michiana Shores (Photo courtesy Indiana Senate Republicans)

So, I just pulled over a state senator, he says at one point, expressing uncertainty about whether he had probable cause to arrest Bohacek. Revoir additionally told a supervisor that Bohacek was in his car, drinking water and eating food during the traffic stop.

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The officer read Indianas implied consent law, which warns that refusal to take a chemical test can result in a one-year license suspension. Still, Bohacek declined again.

Revoir then told dispatchers he would obtain a warrant for a blood draw. Bohacek was handcuffed, patted down and placed in the squad car, but not arrested. His wife was called to retrieve his vehicle from the roadside.

At Franciscan Health Michigan City, Bohacek consented to the blood test.

When asked if he had been drinking or using drugs, Bohacek replied that he takes tramadol, a prescription medication, for back pain.

He then said quietly that he had a glass of wine at home earlier in the day.

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I didnt eat lunch, Bohacek said. I dont drink a lot, so.

At one point, the senator admitted that he probably shouldve used Uber Eats, or something.

Revoir agreed: Yeah, that definitely wouldve been a cheaper option.

The officer later told Bohacek that test results confirmed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.28%.

The numbers are the numbers, Bohacek responded. Moments later, after realizing his BAC was more than three times Indianas legal limit, he added: How much?  Holy  oh, wow.  Thats crazy. I didnt expect that.

Revoir replied: If all you had was one glass of wine, that was a strong glass of wine.

Allowed to go home

The body camera footage showed Revoir repeatedly checking with superiors about what to do after learning Bohaceks blood-alcohol level. Supervisors and a local prosecutor advised that because the General Assembly was still in session, officers could not jail him that night.

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Revoir explained the decision to Bohacek at the hospital.

I guess legally, I cannot arrest you and take you to jail because your congress is still in session. So, what Im going to do is Im doing a full police report, and Im going to file an arrest warrant for you for operating while intoxicated, he said. Once (the legislature) is out of session, youll be surrendered by the Statehouse and remanded into custody.

Bohacek said he had no idea how this works.

Apparently, I can still get parking tickets, he told Revoir. But  I dont speed. I dont know how the whole immunity thing works. Ive never been around it.

Even so, Bohacek apologized multiple times.

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Im sorry, he told Revoir as the officer drove him home.

You dont seem like a bad guy, Revoir responded. But obviously, you know, good people make bad choices from time to time.

Bohacek, who represents Senate District 8, was later charged in May with two misdemeanor counts: operating a vehicle while intoxicated with endangerment and operating with a BAC of 0.15% or higher. The charges came months after the Jan. 18 incident, once the legislative session had ended.

A specific section in the Indiana Constitution states that lawmakers are immune from arrest during session in all cases except treason, felony, or breach of the peace during the legislative session, as well as while traveling to and from the Indiana Statehouse.

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The most recent session started on Jan. 8 and adjourned on April 25.

Court records show Bohacek accepted a plea agreement in August, pleading guilty to one count of operating while intoxicated. He received a 60-day suspended sentence and one year of probation. The court allowed him to drive using an ignition interlock device in lieu of a full license suspension.

Bohacek did not respond to a request for comment about the newly released footage.

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"Israeli academia cannot serve as a sanctuary for individuals spreading blood libels against their own country," Professors for a Strong Israel said, strongly condemning Hairston's post.

Tel Hai College condemned the now-edited social media post made by senior lecturer Dr. Ilana Hairston on the second anniversary of the October 7 massacre, claiming that Israel, like the Third Reich, has lost its right to exist.

Hairston's words do not represent Tel Hai College as a whole, the college said in a statement published, noting that it proudly stands with its reservist students and Israel security forces.

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"Just as the Third Reich lost its right to exist, so too did Israel," the now-edited post read. "In the same way murderers and rapists have the right to exist in prison, Israeli leaders have the right to a life-long stint behind bars."

"The genocidal state in all its glory," Hairston wrote in the post, condemning Israel for its "horrific" treatment of the detained flotilla activists and detailing the alleged beatings and threats the activists were put through.

Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and Brazilian activist Thiago Avila sit in a vessel making their way to Israel, after Israel intercepted some of the vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla, in this handout image released on October 2, 2025. (credit: ISRAEL FOREIGN MINSTRY/ Handout via REUTERS)

Further condemnation of Hairston's post

Professors for a Strong Israel, a non-profit organization dedicated to "promoting the security and Jewish character of the State of Israel," according to their website, has strongly condemned Hairston's post.

"Israeli academia cannot serve as a sanctuary for individuals spreading blood libels against their own country. Academic freedom is not a license for slander, incitement, or denigrating the state and the Jewish people," said the organization.

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"The phenomenon of lecturers who speak out against Israel and continue to teach undisturbed, as if it is a legitimate position, must come to an end. Anyone who compares Israel to the Third Reich or questions its right to exist has forfeited their right to teach in a public institution."

The organization continued, calling on Education Minister Yoav Kisch and the Council for Higher Education to establish guidelines distinguishing between "freedom of thought and freedom of slander," and to grant institutions the ability to take necessary disciplinary actions, including suspension, against lecturers who use their platforms to "act against the state."
Kilmar Abrego Garcia wants Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche to testify at an upcoming hearing to support Abregos claim that his prosecution by the Trump Justice Department is unconstitutionally vindictive. The DOJ said Wednesday that it will move to quash a subpoena for Blanche and other DOJ officials.

Whether Blanche winds up testifying or not, the Abrego hearing next month could be explosive, and it comes as the DOJ seeks to defend the propriety of several high-profile political prosecutions in President Donald Trumps second term. Former FBI Director James Comey also has filed a motion arguing that his charges are vindictive and selective, as have Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-N.J., and sandwich thrower Sean Dunn in Washington. New York Attorney General Letitia James will likely do the same at some point after shes arraigned on her indictment Friday.

To be sure, such motions generally are difficult for defendants to win. Even getting judicial permission to gather evidence and hold a hearing to probe the prosecutions motives is rare. But even if the government ultimately fends off these claims, the unusually blatant political motivation behind these prosecutions means the DOJ and the Trump administration are now effectively on trial to defend themselves before they can hope to get any of these cases to juries (if, in fact, that is their hope).

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In Abregos case earlier this month, the presiding Tennessee judge preliminarily approved the defendants attempt to pursue his rare claim. In sum, Abrego has carried his burden of demonstrating some evidence that the prosecution against him may be vindictive, U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw wrote.

The Obama-appointed judge homed in on remarks by Blanche, one of several former Trump personal lawyers who now work at the Justice Department. Most tellingly, Crenshaw wrote, the high-ranking DOJ official made comments during a television interview that linked Abregos criminal charges to Abregos civil lawsuit in Maryland. Abrego filed the lawsuit in his attempt to return to the U.S. after the government illegally sent him to El Salvador.

The Court finds Abrego has sufficiently presented some evidence that the Government had a stake in retaliating against him for exercising his rights in the Maryland suit and deterring him from continuing to exercise those rights, Crenshaw wrote. He noted that the timeline of the civil lawsuit followed by criminal charges suggests that Abregos prosecution may stem from retaliation by the DOJ and DHS due to Abregos successful challenge of his unlawful deportation in Maryland.

Abrego has pleaded not guilty to the charges of illegally transporting undocumented immigrants. The charges stem from a 2022 traffic stop, which led Crenshaw to observe that the length of time between then and Abregos charging in 2025 is atypical in his jurisdiction.

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On Wednesday, the DOJ signaled its intent to move to quash the Blanche subpoena in an opposition filing to Abregos bid to compel discovery. One of the notable aspects of the filing  showing that the hearing could be explosive even without Blanche  is that the government says it assumes Abrego will call Ben Schrader, former chief of the criminal division of the U.S. attorneys office in Tennessee handling the Abrego case, as a witness.

Schraders resignation from the office was reportedly prompted by the Abrego case being pursued for political reasons. In its filing Wednesday, the DOJ said Schrader drafted a memorandum detailing his reasons that he (Mr. Schrader) would decline to charge the case, though the DOJ argues that its not properly subject to disclosure.

A theme running throughout the DOJs opposition  and through litigation in Trumps second term more broadly  is whats known as the presumption of regularity. Its a notion embedded in the law that the government acts normally and properly. The DOJ invokes that presumption here in seeking to limit the degree to which Abrego can probe official motivations and evidence.

Judges have already questioned the governments entitlement to that presumption in Trumps second term. Abregos case shows how irregular official behavior has been this year, and thats just in one of several cases raising the rare claim of vindictive and selective prosecution. But whether these defendants can harness that irregularity to get their cases dismissed remains to be seen.

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This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Watch previous coverage of K9 Roam blood donations above:

(COLORADO SPRINGS)  The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) wants to thank the community and beyond for their donations made through the Police Foundation of Colorado Springs to support K9 Roams initial recovery and ongoing medical care.

We have been in session for 16 years, and this is truly a remarkable moment in time for us, Nicole Magic, Executive Director/President of the Police Foundation of Colorado Springs, explained. This is the first time weve seen this kind of outpouring of support. It has just been very overwhelming in such a good way, though.

According to CSPD, over the past week, the Police Foundation has received more than $68,000 in donations for Roams care. While the majority of donations are from the Colorado Springs area and the state of Colorado, donations have been received from 32 states and from as far away as Canada, the UK, and Belgium.

Police dog blood donations help K9 Roam Courtesy: Colorado Springs Police Department Courtesy: Colorado Springs Police Department Courtesy: Colorado Springs Police Department Courtesy: Colorado Springs Police Department Courtesy: Colorado Springs Police Department K9 Roam. Courtesy: Colorado Springs Police Department K9 Roam. Courtesy: Colorado Springs Police Department

It is always tragic when an officer, K9, or human, is injured in the line of duty. K9 Roam is an example of surviving the unthinkable and what it means to protect and serve, said Magic. Our mission at Police Foundation of Colorado Springs is to build effective partnerships that support the Colorado Springs Police Department and our local community, and we have seen our community and businesses coming together to support our police department.

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On Wednesday, Oct. 15, K9 Roam was gravely injured in the line of duty while working to bring a barricaded suspect into custody. Roam was stabbed multiple times, suffering lacerations to his head and abdomen.

I wouldnt wish on my worst enemy what happened to him and what he had to go through, but it also shows the resilience of our canines and how they can bounce back from something truly horrific, Magic said.

Roam was taken to Animal ER Care in Colorado Springs, where he was stabilized before he was taken into emergency surgery. Roam was in desperate need of blood, and after using existing blood supplies on hand, HemoSolutions, a local animal blood bank, stepped forward, sending staff and equipment to Animal ER Care to help with blood donations from other working K9 dogs that were critical in Roams surgery.

After several hours of surgery that included the amputation of his left hind leg, Roam emerged in critical condition. Roam made steady improvement over the next couple of days and was able to go home with his handler on Saturday, Oct. 18.

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He had serious, serious injuries, Commander Pamela Castor with CSPD explained. Its great that he went home way before the initial thoughts that he might be able to go home, that he survived. Great that hes up and moving, but he does have a road in front of him.

Roam after surgery, Courtesy: Colorado Springs Police Department

CSPD said it is deeply moved by the compassion and generosity shown by the community, along with the donations that have come into the Police Foundation from across the state, county, and world.

We are incredibly grateful for the support weve received, said Chief Adrian Vasquez. K9 Roam is not only a valued member of our department but also a symbol of the courage and dedication our officers bring to the community every day. The kindness shown to K9 Roam by our community, nation, and from around the world is a reminder of why we serve.

According to CSPD, the Police Foundation will continue to accept donations for Roams care and will also sell #Rooting for Roam wrist bracelets and 2026 CSPD K9 unit calendars, which feature Roam. The Police Foundation also has a Roam plush in production and will be available in about a month. All proceeds from these sales will go to the Police Foundation and be used exclusively for Roams medical care and to support the CSPD K9 Unit.

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I will always be grateful for that miracle that he is still with us and still gets to be a young dog and have a young life and overcome every obstacle that has been put in front of him so far, Commander Castro said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
As police continue to investigate the disappearance and death of 23-year-old Kada Scott, here is a timeline of developments in the case.

Keon King, 21, has now been charged in Scott's murder. Police say there could be other accomplices.

PICTURED: Kada Scott / Keon King

Here is a timeline of the investigation so far:

Jan 2025: King is accused of kidnapping and strangling a woman. However, the charges were dropped after the victim, who survived the encounter, failed to appear in court.

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Oct. 3: A 2008 black Hyundai Accent was stolen from the 6600 block of Sprague Street around 11:30 p.m. The vehicle was left unattended by a food delivery driver.

Investigators say he then used that stolen car to meet up with Kada Scott the following night.

Oct 4:

9:45 p.m.: Scott was last seen by her family before she went to work at The Terrace, an assisted living facility in Chestnut Hill, located on East Abington Avenue.

10 p.m.: According to court documents, a coworker last saw Scott outside her workplace, where she vanished shortly after arriving.

Scott was allegedly seen walking toward a dark-colored SUV that was parked outside before the vehicle left the area, according to the court documents.

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Cell phone records show that Scott received 12 calls from the same number between 9:25 p.m. and 10:12 p.m., as well as a 43-second call that night she went missing, an affidavit states.

10:09 p.m.: Charging documents say Scott and King made plans to meet up, with the final text exchange between the two being, "cm [call me] when u here."

10:15 p.m.: Investigators say the two appeared to be together near Scott's place of employment, based on cell phone data.

10:24 p.m.: Police said her cell phone stopped all network contact, according to an affidavit.

10:28 p.m.: A dark-colored vehicle is seen pulling into the Awbury Recreation Center parking lot, across the street from the abandoned Ada Lewis Middle School.

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Officials said her vehicle was still at her workplace and there had been no activity on her social media accounts.

Oct 5:

The criminal complaint says King's cell phone was tracked taking multiple trips between the Belmar Terrace home and the area around the vacant Ada Lewis Middle School, where Scott's body was found.

11:39 p.m.: A vehicle similar to the 1999 gold Toyota Camry, that police say is registered to King, is seen on video pulling into the parking lot near where the dark-colored vehicle had been parked the night before, court records show.

Oct 6:

4 a.m.: The lighter-colored vehicle is seen moving closer to where the dark-colored vehicle was parked, according to court documents. Video allegedly shows two people going up to the dark-colored vehicle in the parking lot and removing a "heavy object consistent with a human body" from the passenger side.

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They are then seen carrying that object towards the playground and in the general direction of where Scott's remains were later recovered.

Oct 7:

2:48 a.m.: One person is seen on video getting into the dark-colored vehicle and driving off.

Later that day, a tip leads police to burned Hyundai Accent in the 2300 block 74th Avenue. However, when investigators arrived, it was towed, compacted, and was at a junkyard.

Oct. 9: Police search a home in the 5500 block of Belmar Terrace in Southwest Philadelphia in connection to the case.

Scott's family also starts a GoFundMe to raise reward money for credible information that leads to finding the missing Philadelphia woman.

Oct. 10:

3 p.m.: Police say surveillance video shows a 1999 gold Toyota Camry, which police say is registered to King, arriving at the parking lot at Gypsy Lane Condos, with a man, matching King's description repeatedly exiting the vehicle and accessing the trunk, before leaving the car.

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Search for Scott intensifies as police scour the grounds of Awbury Arboretum, which is about three miles from where she was last seen. Officials said nothing was found in relation to the case during this search.

Officials give update on search for missing Philadelphia woman Kada Scott

Oct. 15: Police announced the arrest of Keon King.

Keon King

Officials also ask the public to help locating the Toyota Camry, which they believed to be connected to the case. A tip led police to that vehicle later in the afternoon after it was spotted in the parking lot at Gypsy Lane Condos.

Chopper 6 was overhead on Oct. 15, 2025, after police found a car believed to be connected to the missing person case of Kada Scott.

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Earlier in the day, police were back near the Awbury Arboretum in Germantown for another search of the area. Drones, K9 units, and crime scene teams were deployed to search the nearby abandoned Ada Lewis Middle School, where police found physical evidence at the scene, including Scott's card and a phone case.

Chopper 6 over abandoned elementary school in Germantown in connection to missing woman's case

Oct. 16: King was ordered to be held on a $2.5 million bail.

Oct 17: Chilling video surfaces of King in relation to the Jan 2025 kidnapping case.

Authorities are investigating a video posted to TikTok that may be connected to the disappearance of Philadelphia woman Kada Scott.

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Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner addresses the previously dropped charges against suspect King from the first alleged kidnapping case.

"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.

Oct 18: A "very specific" anonymous tip leads police back out to a wooded area near the vacant Ada Lewis Middle School, where a female body is found in a shallow grave.

Oct 19: Police say DNA testing indicates the remains found near the vacant school are those of Scott.

Oct. 20: The district attorney's office announces new charges against King, including arson, causing catastrophe, conspiracy and tampering with evidence.

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The new charges come as officials release details about the stolen Hyundai Accent, the second vehicle they believe is connected to the case.

Investigators reveal that surveillance video and cell phone data link King and the Hyundai to various crime scenes that are part of the investigation.

They also confirmed the remains are those of Scott.

Officials say they believe other people may have been involved in this case, however, they did not release any other details about who they may be or the extent of their involvement.

Oct. 22: The Philadelphia Medical Examiner's Office rules Scott's death a homicide. Her manner of death was not immediately released.

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Shortly after the news broke, the district attorney's office announced murder and abuse of corpse charges against King.

Oct. 22: The Philadelphia Medical Examiner's Office releases that Scott died from a gunshot wound to the head.

King was arraigned on the murder charge on Thursday and is being held without bail.

Nov: 3 King is scheduled to appear in court.

Anyone with information can call or text Philadelphia police at 215-686-TIPS (8477) or submit an anonymous tip online.
The Philadelphia medical examiner released Kada Scott's exact cause of death on Thursday.

RELATED: Kada Scott case: Timeline of investigation into missing Philadelphia woman

The ME says Scott was killed by a gunshot wound to the head.

Kada Scott

The 23-year-old went missing shortly after arriving at work at The Terrace, an assisted living facility in Chestnut Hill, around 10 p.m. on October 4. Her body was found two weeks later in a shallow grave behind the vacant Ada Lewis Middle School, near the Awbury Arboretum Recreation Center.

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On Wednesday, officials announced her manner of death was ruled a homicide and that the suspect, 21-year-old Keon King, has been charged with murder.

Keon King

King was arraigned on the murder charge on Thursday and is being held without bail.

Scott's date of death is listed as October 18, 2025, the day her body was found in a shallow grave in the wooded area behind the vacant Ada Lewis Middle School.

Court documents filed Wednesday revealed new details, including text messages between Scott and King on the day she went missing, including Scott texting "kidnap me again," to which the suspect allegedly replied, "better be up too."

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Investigators say the following night, King's registered Toyota was at a nearby rec center, on camera, with two people seen taking a large object consistent with a body out of the passenger side of another vehicle.

Homicide detectives continue to pursue leads to identify King's possible accomplices.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A Kansas City, Kansas man is facing charges in connection with a deadly shooting that happened in June, Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson announced Thursday.

William E. Sipple has been charged with second-degree murder, armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Charges filed against man who led Cass Co. deputies on chase ending in I-49 crash

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According to court records, Kansas City police were dispatched to a shooting near Truman Road and Prospect Avenue on June 15. When officers arrived, they found a victim who had been shot.

Investigators determined the actual shooting occurred in a parking lot near 19th and Vine Street.

On June 30, the victim died.

Based on surveillance footage and witness reports, a disturbance broke out in a parking lot near 19th and Vine. A black Chevrolet truck drove up to the parking lot and stopped nearby. Shots were fired, and the victim was hit. The shooter was later identified as Sipple.

He is currently being held on a $300,000 bond.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
In a classroom at the KD Academy in Kansas Citys Eastside on Wednesday, more than 20 toddlers quietly ate their lunch as media and elected officials packed the small lobby outside the classroom, announcing a pilot program where Kansas City and the state of Missouri will pay two-thirds of first responders childcare bills.

Emulating a Tri-Share model that originated in Michigan in 2021, Kansas City will receive $3 million in a matching grant from the state to put towards the one-year program that leaders are expecting to roll out over the next few months.

For now, the program is scheduled to end in late June, with its continued use determined by availability of funds and salary savings, according to city documents.

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City leaders believe this initiative will help workforce retention in the police and fire departments, and will help fill positions left open by retirees. Mayor Pro Tem Ryana Parks-Shaw said the city could lose up to 40% of its police and fire workforce to retirement over the next five years.

We need to find tools that will allow us to be able to recruit and retain those first responders, Parks-Shaw said. I think the concept is simple, that when we have individuals who work hard for us every day, sacrificing their lives, sacrificing their family, their time, its important that Kansas City stand with them. But not only is Kansas City standing with them, the state of Missouri is standing with them as well.

We know that being able to retain our first responders, we have to have assurance for all of them that they can leave their kids to go serve our community and feel good about that, 17th district Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern said at the news conference. Unfortunately, too much time is spent recruiting, working to retain and train employees, because child care is such a huge impediment to all of that.

Childcare costs in Kansas City average around $2,300 a month, according to caregiver website Care.com. All childcare providers who are licensed in the state will be able to partner with the city for the program.

Children dance to a video in a classroom at KD Academy on 2141 Prospect Avenue on Wednesday, Oct. 22, after a news conference where Kansas City officials announced a new childcare program where the City and the state of Missouri pay for two-thirds of childcare costs for first responders.

The challenge to find childcare for working parents

KD Academy, which stands for Kiddie Depot, is a 24-hour childcare provider who allowed the city to host its announcement in their building.

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The academy, which opened in 2021 on 2141 Prospect Avenue, has hosted children of first responders previously, co-owner Myron McCant told The Star, including several from the Cass County Sheriffs Department.

They would travel 60 miles, 50 miles to get here, to leave their children here, simply because there wasnt another opportunity, McCant said.

McCants wife, Penny Dale-McCant, first opened the business as The Kiddie Depot Learning Center out of her home in 2005. They made the switch to a 24-hour model to further serve the community as they moved into a new location at 29th Street and Prospect Avenue in 2012.

Five years later, the center relocated to Woodland Avenue to meet growing demand. Its current, 10,000-square-foot facility serves more than 400 students.

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The center is one of the only 24-hour childcare providers in Kansas City, further emphasizing why leaders advocated for this program, with several of them speaking about personal struggles of searching for childcare while working full-time.

When I was teaching high school full time, I had three kids, five and under, and I knew I couldnt go to work that day, I couldnt go teach my students if I didnt have assurances from my child care providers, Nurrenbern said.

For almost 29 years, Ive watched our first responders struggle with child care, and sometimes I did too, Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said.

2nd District at Large Councilor Lindsay French said her mother started a childcare business to take care of her and her two sisters because her father was a firefighter, working 24-hour shifts.

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She was willing to start that and to stay home because we honestly didnt have another option as a family, French said.

Measuring the programs success will be done in a number of ways, officials said. Monitoring retention rate and overtime for first responders and evaluating costs is among their metrics of success.

In a 2024 evaluation report for Michigans Tri-Share program, which is extended to employers all over the state, families gave the program extremely positive reviews with 98% of participating families said it helped their financial stability.

But 35% of employers in the program noted employees made too much money to enroll into the program, according to the report. Eligible families must have a household income of 200 to 325 percent of the federal poverty level, which was $62,400 to $101,400.

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Michigans program allowed employers to determine how many slots they could have for their employees.

These are details Kansas City will need to determine as it finalizes its plan.

Kansas Citys program is only available until June for the moment, with elected officials hoping to extend it to all city workers if it is successful. But they first hope to roll out the program as soon possible to assist first responders.

[Tri-Share programs] are cost neutral because were able to save in what we spend on that training and recruitment and retention programs, were able to save in tax revenue by keeping people in the workforce, Nurrenbern said.

Our hope is that we can get this launched as quickly as possible, because we know that our families need relief, and they need relief now.
Paul Johnson, policy analyst of the Kansas Rural Center; Katie Durham, manager of Western Kansas Groundwater Management District No. 1; and Susan Metzger, director of the Kansas Water Institute at Kansas State University, share water policy insights Oct. 23, 2025, at the Kansas Economic Policy Conference in Lawrence. (Photo by Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

LAWRENCE  In shadows of the massive Holcomb coal-fired power plant in southwest Kansas, researchers with the Kansas Geological Survey installed solar panels to test a theory about generating electricity on underused corners of center-pivot irrigated crop fields.

The experiment would blend interests of corn, sorghum and soybean farmers and address goals of renewable energy enthusiasts. The idea would be to keep growing irrigated crops while producing solar energy on adjacent ground and collecting moisture with gutters affixed to solar panels so water could be directed to the underground aquifer.

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What we hypothesize is that these systems could enhance groundwater recharge, generate substantial amounts of energy, reduce the climate footprint of agriculture while simultaneously providing economic benefits to the farm without displacing any production agriculture, said Sam Zipper, assistant scientist at KGS and a geologist at KU.

He estimated adding solar panels to corners of 110 center-pivot fields could match production of electricity at the Holcomb plant.

The project was part of an $880,000 grant from the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Researchs program known as Seeding Solutions. It involves KU, Kansas State University, Michigan State University and Wheatland Electric Cooperative.

Zipper shared the integrated vision Thursday at the 2025 Kansas Economic Policy Conference at KU, Ripple Effect: Water and the Kansas Economy.

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Other researchers delved into research on minimizing algae blooms tainting Kansas reservoirs that are key to supplying the state with drinking water and on development of plans for delivery of quality water in quantities necessary for the states well-being.

Donna Ginther, director of the KU Institute for Policy and Social Research, delivered a primer on the Kansas agriculture economy and its reliance on water access. Cattle prices, given a national beef shortage, continued to rise at the same time market prices of wheat, corn and sorghum tumbled.

In the past three years, she said, the price of sorghum fell 61%, the value of wheat declined 53% and the price paid for corn slumped 44%. China, traditionally a key destination for U.S. soybeans, has refused to purchase any in wake of tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. Many countries responded with tariffs of their own.

A lot of this is retaliatory tariffs, Ginther said. If there are retaliatory tariffs, and theres not international demand for Kansas products, those markets dont necessarily come back. Sorting out the tariff situation is going to be really important to the ag economy going forward.

Sam Zipper, assistant scientist at the Kansas Geological Survey, outlines research Oct. 23, 2025, during a conference at the University of Kansas, on the potential of installing solar panels in corners of circle-pivot irrigated fields to generate electricity and direct water to aquifer regeneration. (Photo by Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

Water policy development

Susan Metzger, director of the Kansas Water Institute at Kansas State, said water was a public good that warranted public investment.

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Water is the backbone to the rural Kansas economy. Its in all of our best interests, no matter where we live in the state, that we invest in securing the future of that water supply, Metzger said.

She said leadership of Kansas water policy was shared among the Kansas Water Office, Kansas Water Authority, Kansas Department of Agriculture, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, as well as the Kansas Legislature and governor. The Legislature approved a two-year study of water issues, with the final report due in January 2027.

With the organization we have, it makes it really hard to find your elbow room if you have a new idea, Metzger said. Its really confusing to figure out whose space is whose, but nobody has really figured out the best reorganization strategy that would make it more efficient.

Paul Johnson, a farmer serving as policy analyst for the Kansas Rural Center, said the conference ought to be used as a catalyst for a comprehensive debate about the states water resources. He said Kansas local, state and federal officials had to recognize the result of federal Farm Bill policy delivering $1.3 billion annually in payments to farmers. Those payments incentivize wheat, corn, sorghum and soybeans, he said.

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He said about 5,300 farmers in Kansas were responsible for irrigating 2.3 million acres of crops and consuming an estimated two-thirds of the states water. In addition, he said, commitment to these crops led to farming practices that washed away topsoil that eventually became sediment in reservoirs central to Kansas water supply.

The Farm Bill drives cropping patterns in Kansas, Johnson said. We have to have a meaningful debate.

He said Kansas policymakers had to accept that too many water rights were issued to landowners from the 1940s to 1980s. Excessive deployment of water rights fueled withdrawal of too much water from the Ogallala Aquifer, which has been in decline for decades. It could be time for the state to determine whether water rights were legally a property right and if the state was willing to buy back a portion of water rights, he said.

Katie Durham, manager of Western Kansas Groundwater Management District No. 1, said compelling top-down changes to use of water by Kansas agriculture could backfire.

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The producers want it to be a local solution, she said. The producers want it to be something they come up with.

Urban water priorities

Hays city manager Toby Dougherty, who presides over the only major city in Kansas without an adequate local source of water, said the Legislature ought to come to the aid of Hays. In 1995, Hays bought a 7,000-acre parcel about 70 miles south of the city that included 8,000 acre feet of water rights. The city of Russell, which has also been susceptible to drought, bought an 18% stake in that property.

In 2014, Dougherty was authorized by the two city governments to begin the regulatory process of converting those water rights to municipal use. That triggered an 11-year legal and regulatory conflict tied to the Kansas Water Transfer Act, which outlined the oversight process for transfer of more than 2,000 acre feet of water rights a distance greater than 35 miles.

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He said the Legislature ought to repeal the statute because it improperly interfered in Hays and Russell securing a reliable water supply.

If you have time, Google pipeline map of Kansas and look at the amount of oil and gas pipelines we have across Kansas moving commodities, he said. Look at a train as it goes by next time. Look at all the grain cars on that train. When you see trucks going down the road, look at the cattle and the beef in those trucks. Yet somehow, when two cities, who are trying to provide water for the future, want to move that water more than 35 miles, we are kind of treated as a foreign actor.

Gary Janzen, director of public works and utilities in Wichita, said more research should be conducted in purification systems that result in water safe for human consumption.

Our goal is to lead the way on developing state regulations, he said. Right now, Kansas doesnt have anything in place. Its a big lift. Its a big ask, we recognize that. But from a policy perspective were hoping to have that in place soon as we can. Its not for everybody. Its expensive. Theres a lot of issues of public outreach. Those regulations need to be in place before any of that happens.
HARVEY COUNTY, Kan. (KSNW)  Kansas farmers are responding to a proposal to import beef from Argentina. President Donald Trump floated the possibility on social media as a way to drive down grocery prices, but the proposal is being met with concerns from producers across the state.

The proposal, combined with the presidents Truth Social comments that cattle ranchers dont understand how tariffs have benefitted them, has drawn backlash. The National Cattlemens Beef Association and other farm groups have already condemned the plan.

Steven McCloud is a cattle rancher who lives just outside of Newton. He says if the administration brings in foreign products, it could shake up a market that is only recently finding its feet.

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Kelly announces $442 million in major Kansas highway projects

The bottom line is agricultural producers are price takers, not price makers, McCloud said. It just seems like lately its been one kick in the teeth after another, McCloud said.

He says the cattle market has struggled for years, following the COVID-19 pandemic and years of drought. His herd of cattle has grown, both in number and weight, after the rains Kansas saw over the summer.

Theyve done very well. A lot of that was because weve had good rains over the summer and good grass, he said.

That growth can be fragile, and President Trumps plan to introduce Argentinian imports could impact the cows outside of McClouds pen. Ryan Flickner with the Kansas Farm Bureau says it could have a ripple effect across the state and the country.

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That sends very alarming market signals as we try to rebuild that cattle herd across the United States and in Kansas, Flickner said.

With current economic trends, McCloud plans to expand. But he says the plan could stunt his growth.

I would like to expand my cowherd back after last year, or 2024, when I had to get rid of so many, he said. Its a difficult situation to try to navigate, but we certainly do our best.

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Johnson County District Court Judge Christopher Jayaram listens to closing arguments on Oct. 17, 2025, in a courtroom in Olathe, Kansas, as proceedings in a consequential abortion trial challenging state restrictions came to a close. (Photo by Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector)

OLATHE  The Kansas abortion trial with wide-reaching implications for state lawmakers and health care providers wrapped Friday with arguments over the two sides differing definitions of pain, humanity and consciousness.

These are not easy issues, Judge Christopher Jayaram said at the close of the days proceedings.

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I take this responsibility with understanding the gravity to which I am charged, he said.

His comments were preceded by seven days of testimony from ethicists, doctors, researchers, people who have received abortions, an animal biologist and a neonatologist as each side of the case denounced or defended state abortion restrictions.

The rules date to 1997, when Kansas legislators passed the Womens Right to Know Act with the stated motivation of fully informing women of the risks of abortion by mandating providers comply with a list of requirements, including a 24-hour waiting period to complete consent forms, specific typefaces and page colors for paperwork, large display signs in private offices with state-approved language, informing patients a fetus at 20 weeks can feel pain, which is disputed, and a 30-minute wait between first meeting with a physician and undergoing an abortion.

Providers and advocates argue that the law stigmatizes abortions and interferes with their ability to provide them. The case also includes more recent laws, House Bill 2749 from 2024 and House Bill 2264 from 2023, that never went into effect because a judge blocked them as part of the pending lawsuit. Sometimes called the reasons mandate, the 2024 law required providers to give patients the opportunity to select from a list of reasons for obtaining their abortion and report that data to the state. The 2023 law required doctors to tell patients their abortions were reversible, which has not been conclusively proven by science.

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The defendants and plaintiffs represented the most prominent sides of a long-running national dispute, a confrontation brought into focus by the U.S. Supreme Courts 2022 Dobbs decision eliminating the constitutional right to an abortion. Abortion in Kansas is allowed up to 22 weeks of gestation, and Kansas has some of the most permissive abortion policies among red states, in large part, due to the August 2022 statewide vote that affirmed abortion as a state constitutional right.

Farr Curlin, a professor at Duke University and a medical ethicist, testified on Oct. 16 for the state.

Physicians are, like the public, divided about abortion, Curlin said.

What has made abortion so controversial is the arbitrary hostility toward one class of human beings, he said, referring to fetuses. He argued the states laws advance an ethical interest in preserving the rights and life of a fetus while increasing oversight of abortion providers. He does not support abortion in most instances.

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Curlin said that the scientific community doesnt agree on when human life begins.

The state presented witnesses who supported its language classifying fetuses as living, separate, whole and unique human beings based on their clinical practices, research or other studies. Abortion providers and experts for the plaintiffs rebutted that language.

Experts and doctors also disputed claims regarding fetal pain and abortion pill reversal.

Steven Ralston, an OB-GYN and the director for maternal fetal medicine at George Washington University, testified that a difference exists between pain and reflex.

Pain is an emotional response to some kind of unpleasant sensation, he said.

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He and other witnesses fielded questions about nociception, the bodys physiological response to stimuli that could cause tissue damage. Pain is the resulting subjective experience. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says science conclusively establishes that fetuses cannot experience pain until after 24-25 weeks. Nociception develops earlier, beginning at around 7 weeks. The states attorneys and witnesses used nociception as proof of fetal pain before 25 weeks. But the scientific community is not in agreement.

Its not an emotional response to whats happening, Ralston said. Its a reflexive response to whats happening.

Research into abortion pill reversal, which involves ingesting progesterone after taking mifepristone in an attempt to continue the pregnancy, is underdeveloped. In small studies, taking mifepristone alone, without the follow-up of misoprostol, the second step in a medication abortion, can prove dangerous.

Selina Sandoval, an OB-GYN for Planned Parenthood in Kansas, said in an Oct. 16 interview following brief testimony that the state mandating abortion providers to inform patients about abortion pill reversal requires doctors to give misinformation to patients. Its not something she said she feels comfortable telling patients is an option, she said.

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Being a part of the case was important to Sandoval. She said she has noticed how care has improved since the states restrictions were enjoined.

Ive personally seen the harms that the Womens Right to Know Act has caused my patients, she said.

A patient once told her she took buses for 19 hours to get to a Kansas clinic from Texas, she said. Affordability, work, child care and travel considerations all factor into the decision to get an abortion, Sandoval said. She called the states restrictions discriminatory.

No other area of health care is under this amount of scrutiny, Sandoval said.

An enormous case

Brittany Jones, the president of conservative Christian group Kansas Family Voice, sat in on much of the trial. She said in an interview it was one of the most unusual trials she has seen.

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Jones took issue with the way the judge defined facets of evidence or objections in the case. The witness proceedings involved numerous objections from both sides that evoked differing reactions from the judge.

From that standpoint, I mean, the judge appeared  Im not going to assume anything  but he appeared very biased, she said. And appeared to be making rulings that were very biased and not based on the law. They were based on his opinions about abortion as a whole.

The case at hand is a big one, Jones said.

It started out as a big case when it included our entire informed consent law going back to 1997, thats never been challenged, that has helped so many women in Kansas, she said.

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As the judge added more laws to the case, it grew in size and magnitude.

We really dont have a great idea of what strict scrutiny looks like in Kansas, how its applied in these cases, and so it has huge implications for how the Legislature can go about protecting women and life in the state, Jones said.

She said Kansas has always been a leader, often at the center of the national conversation on abortion. It is one of the first states to try to figure out how to operate in the post-Dobbs era, she said.

Lynnette Ranney ran the front desk from 2018 to 2023 at the private Overland Park clinic that is a plaintiff in the suit. That was before and after Dobbs, but before Kansas restrictions were blocked. She was in charge of ensuring patients had filled out the correct paperwork and that they met all the state requirements. She described in court the anger, frustration and eye rolls from patients toward the states long list of requirements.

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If patients brought in the required forms in the wrong color or the wrong forms altogether, the 24-hour waiting period would begin again.

We would have to turn the patient away, Ranney said. We would print off new ones, give them their 24-hour timeframe, and try to reschedule them.

One patient broke a door at the clinic after being turned away for blurry paperwork, Ranney testified

These issues arose at least 10 times a week, she estimated. She said she spent at least seven hours each workday on paperwork. In Ranneys current role at a skin cancer center, she said, she spends about five minutes on similar tasks.

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Once the paperwork and the 24-hour wait were completed, patients then waited an additional 30 minutes from the time they first saw their provider before they could proceed with an abortion. The clinic would set kitchen timers, Ranney said.

Ranney described to the court a patient who traveled to Kansas from Texas. She was seeking an abortion after being subject to sexual assault. When she showed up for the appointment, she brought the wrong consent forms, Ranney said. By the time the clinic could reschedule her appointment, she was too far along in her pregnancy to be seen, she said.

It was devastating, Ranney said. It was so hard to be the person that says, Hey, I know youve got a lot going on, but, sorry, we cant help you.

National interest

A handful of national groups are involved in the case. On the plaintiffs side, the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the Center for Reproductive Rights argued on behalf of Traci Lynn Nauser, a Kansas OB-GYN, her clinic, and Comprehensive Health of Planned Parenthood Great Plains. On the states side, the conservative Christian advocacy firm Alliance Defending Freedom and Colorado-based firm First and Fourteenth.

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Allison Pope, an attorney for the alliance and a native Kansan, said in a September press release that the states restrictions help women be fully informed about their pregnancies before choosing to get an abortion.

Informed consent laws make this possible and reflect the longstanding will of the people of Kansas, but Planned Parenthood has made it clear that its goal is to withhold critical information from women, she said.

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, who is a defendant in the case, said in the alliances press release that the state restrictions provide the best possible care for Kansas women and children.

Planned Parenthood has always cared more about its bottom line than womens health and is actively working to hide important health information from women that could be a matter of life or death, he said. We are urging the court to uphold this commonsense protection that prioritizes the lives of women and their children in Kansas.

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Planned Parenthood and other medical organizations across the country have long recognized abortion as reproductive health care.

Both sides of the case rested on Friday, and a decision from Jayaram is pending.
Gov. Laura Kelly takes part in a news conference Oct. 22, 2025, to announce funding of nine transportation infrastructure projects requiring investment of $442 million through 2030. (Submitted)

TOPEKA  Gov. Laura Kelly added nine highway expansion and modernization projects valued at $442 million to Kansas transportation pipeline.

The announcement in Lindsborg on Wednesday represented the fourth round of projects in the states 10-year Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program adopted by the Kansas Legislature and signed into law by Kelly. The location was chosen because the roster of projects included reconstruction of Kansas 4 and Bethany Drive to create a more functional entrance to the city from I-135.

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The $11 million project, with a contract scheduled to be awarded in 2029, would remove an aging bridge to eliminate the need for maintenance at the location.

Kelly said the IKE program had proven to be a powerful engine for economic growth and represented a commitment to build a stronger, safer Kansas.

Since the programs inception, we have worked diligently to advance important infrastructure modernization and expansion projects to the construction stage, ensuring a safe, prosperous future for Kansans in rural, suburban and urban communities across the state, she said.

The most expensive project in this round would be replacement in 2028 of Centennial Bridge with a $157 million, four-lane structure in Leavenworth County. In 2029, the state also plans to proceed with $120 million in interchange improvements on Kansas 96 at Rock Road and Woodlawn Road in Sedgwick County.

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The Kansas Department of Transportation committed to a $43 million project in 2030 for construction of an interchange at Kansas 10 and Lone Elm Road in Johnson County.

In 2029, KDOT said it would allocate $35 million to create passing lanes on U.S. 169 in Anderson and Allen counties. The agency said southwest Kansas would benefit from $33 million in passing lanes on U.S. 83 in Finney and Scott counties.

Other projects included $17 million to rebuild U.S. 281 in Russell and Osborne counties in 2028. In addition, $15 million would be invested in reconstructing Kansas 33 in Douglas County and $11 million to upgrade K-33 in Franklin County during 2030.

KDOT Secretary Calvin Reed said improvements in transportation infrastructure depended on development of local project partnerships.

Communities across the state recognize the benefits that a well-planned and funded transportation system brings, Reed said. When we listen to and collaborate with Kansans directly, we can have confidence that these investments will deliver meaningful and long-lasting benefits for all.
Karen Reads legal team is doubling down on the defense that led to her acquittal in the death of her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John OKeefe.

In response to a wrongful death lawsuit filed by OKeefes family, Reads attorneys claim she was framed.

The defense alleges OKeefe was beaten and possibly mauled by a dog before his body was discovered outside a Canton home in January 2022.

These claims mirror arguments made during Reads second criminal trial, which ended in June with a jury finding her not guilty of murder and manslaughter in OKeefes death.

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To the extent that the Plaintiffs have suffered damages, all such damages claimed were caused by the acts and omissions of third parties for whom Ms. Read is not responsible, her civil attorneys wrote Tuesday in response to the lawsuit, according to The Boston Globe.

OKeefes family filed the civil lawsuit against Read in Plymouth Superior Court last summer after her first trial ended with a hung jury and Norfolk Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone declaring a mistrial.

The 22-page lawsuit was filed on behalf of OKeefes brother Paul, his father, John OKeefe II, his mother, Margaret OKeefe, and his niece and nephew, whom he was raising at his Canton home after both of their parents died.

The lawsuit alleges that Read outrageously created a false narrative and the OKeefe family has suffered emotional injuries, severe physical pain, anguish, emotional distress and other harm caused by defendant Reads negligence.

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No date has been set for the civil trial.

In September, Reads team announced plans to file her own lawsuit against state troopers assigned to the Norfolk District Attorneys Office, the Canton Police Department, and witnesses, including Brian Albert, Nicole Albert, Brian Higgins, Jennifer McCabe, and Matthew McCabe.

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Azerbaijan's president Ilham Aliyev and his Kazakhstan counterpart president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed 15 agreements covering energy, transport, industry and artificial intelligence, during Aliyev's state visit to Kazakhstan.

The visit marks the 20th anniversary of the Treaty on Strategic Partnership and Allied Relations between the two countries, and it signals a major economic offensive for the two countries together with their neighbours within the Organisation of Turkic states.

The so-called Middle Corridor, which connects Europe and Asia, including China, through Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, is a strategic connectivity project for the region and globally, as traffic is shifting from traditional routes, which include Russia.

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Kazakhstan's president announced that the Middle Corridor, also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, keeps growing in freight traffic, with a major cargo hub being built along the way, including a Trans-Caspian ferry system for new supply chains.

Freight traffic along this key Eurasian link grew by 62% last year to 4.5 million tons, and countries plan to increase that figure to 10 million tons. Tokayev highlighted efforts to remove bottlenecks and harmonise tariffs along the corridor.

Ilham Aliyev and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev sign agreements in Astana - Euronews

Aliyev, for his part, emphasised the strategic importance of the Zangezur Corridor, a new transport route connecting Azerbaijan with Nakhchivan and onward to Turkey. He said its completion would further boost regional logistics capacity by 2028.

Both sides also pledged to double bilateral trade to $1 billion (861 million) in the near future, with a growing volume of joint ventures in agriculture, IT and other domains.

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The presidents also signed energy agreements and a framework for a joint investment mechanism between Kazakhstans sovereign wealth fund Samruk-Kazyna and the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR).

Another key project is the Caspian subsea cable project, expected to enhance regional electricity trade and strengthen the countries positions in renewable energy exports.

Kazakhstan also plans to expand oil shipments through Azerbaijans BakuTbilisiCeyhan pipeline, which carried 1.5 million tons of Kazakh crude last year.

Peace in South Caucasus is 'new beginning' for region

The historic peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan sets the stage for an economic revival of the region, and Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are now charting a new phase of cooperation.

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President Tokayev commended Aliyev on achieving peace with Armenia. Aliyev, in turn, said that "a new stage is beginning" for the region, while Tokayev called it a "historic" milestone.

"Kazakhstan officially welcomed this important event. I am confident that the agreements reached will strengthen the atmosphere of trust in the South Caucasus and open up new opportunities for universal progress," Tokayev said.

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"The initialling of a peace agreement less than two years after the last clashes testifies to the fact that both countries have demonstrated a significant level of political will," Aliyev noted.

During his state visit, Aliyev made the surprise announcement that Azerbaijan lifted all restrictions on cargo transit to Armenia, and the first such transit was the shipment of Kazakh grain.

"I do believe that this is also a good indicator that peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia is no longer just on paper but is already a matter of practice," Aliyev stressed.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The streetcar will go all the way to the University of Missouri-Kansas City Friday. The Main Street Extension will start running after a ceremony at 10 a.m.

Phyllis Manley owns Phylliss Barber Shop. Shes been near the same corner at 40th and Main for 33 years. FOX4 asked her how much the KC Streetcar work has impacted her barber shop.

The construction has affected my business about 50 percent, Manley said Thursday.

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However, she thinks her business will increase 150% now that the line will be running past her shop with a stop less than a block away.

The walking of the people, the bus stops and everything I just think its going to be a great thing for Kansas City, Manley said. Im just going to try to take advantage of it.

Basically, next door, Soli Deo  Coffee + Bakery Owner Austin Morris took over the Enchante business from Heather White. White still has two businesses at that intersection. Morris says White had to sit through the Streetcar construction while hes only had to endure the end of it.

When we opened in April, it was a question. It was like, Okay, I was looking at the numbers of you know, what was happening, and it didnt look amazing, but it was something that was like, Okay, well hopefully, the time will end where the Streetcar is finished, Morris said in an interview with FOX4 Thursday.

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Wednesday, FOX4 asked the KC Streetcar Authority what theyd say to owners who had challenges during the construction.

We truly are appreciative of all the businesses and residents that stuck through us for three and a half years, and theyre here, and theyre ready to celebrate with us, KC Streetcar Communications & Marketing Director Donna Mandelbaum said that day. So, if you go on our website, youll see a listing of what all these businesses are going to be doing to celebrate.

To see a list of the businesses taking part in weekend specials, click here.

To see a list of all the celebrations happening both Friday and Saturday, click here.

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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.  Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe said he understands both sides of a recent back-and-forth spat between U.S. Senator Josh Hawley and Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Cindy OLaughlin over energy prices and new data centers.

It started last week, when Hawley sent a letter to Ameren asking about recent rate hikes. Not long after Hawleys letter was made public, OLaughlin published a letter directed at Hawley.

In her own letter, OLaughlin suggested the information being circulated by Hawley was misleading.

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FOX 2 asked Hawley Wednesday if he had spoken to OLaughlin since the two Republicans issued the public letters. He responded, saying, No, I dont know her.

Its strange to me that any Republican would be defending these huge corporate interests who are driving up the rates for our people in the state, Hawley said in an interview.

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Missouris senior senator said he felt OLaughlins letter was meant to get him to stop asking questions about energy prices and future energy demands.

Ill just say this, it is always the right thing to ask questions, Hawley said.

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FOX 2 reached out to OLaughlin, the top Republican in the Missouri Senate, but did not hear back in publication.

Charter layoffs 1,200 employees nationwide, including some in St. Louis: REPORTS

She did get some help from Kehoe. The GOP governor stood by OLaughlins support of a new state law relating to utilities.

Senator Hawley is always trying to do the best to protect Missourians, hes well known for that, said Kehoe in an interview with Fox 2 Tuesday. And I know his hearts in the right place.

However, Kehoe said Hawley is misinformed when it relates to energy utilities in Senate Bill 4.

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I think if (Hawleys) folks were to look into the protections that we have on Senate Bill 4, they might find that we did a really good job of making sure we werent going to have the consumers again pay for this on their backs, Kehoe said.

Either way, Hawley said he has big concerns over big data in Missouri.

I dont want to see our working people in the state footing the bill for some corporate entity thats coming in from out of the state and sucking up our electricity, Hawley said.

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Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

KENTWOOD, La. (WGNO)  The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriffs Office arrested a Kentwood man on Oct. 23 for allegedly committing sex crimes against two children.

According to TPSO, 30-year-old Jordan Glass was booked on two counts of aggravated crimes against nature and two counts of molestation of a juvenile.

Orleans Parish District Attorney investigates suspect in various sexual assault crimes

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TPSO detectives were informed of the case after the victims, who are under the age of 13, reported what happened to staff members at their school.

Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.

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On October 21, Kenya Airways became the first airline to operate a low-carbon flight within Africa that was half powered by Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

The milestone is a huge feat for environmentally-friendly travel within Africa. Flight KQ784, which lasted around 6 hours, departed from Kenyas capital, Nairobi, and landed in Cape Town, South Africa. The carrier claims that by implementing a variety of eco-friendly measures, the history-making flights usage of SAF delivered up to 85% lower greenhouse gas emissions.

On social media, the carrier added that the inaugural flight marked a bold step forward in its journey toward net-zero aviation. Kenya Airlines further claims that the flight is the first of its kinda in Africa regarding its sustainability.

What Else Is There To Know About Kenya Airways Sustainability And Low-Carbon Aviation?

To emphasize its push toward sustainability, the low-carbon flight offered passengers reusable cutlery, Kenyan-sourced coffee and tea, and upcycled bags with blankets.

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Every detail onboard reflected our commitment to reducing waste and promoting more responsible travel, because every flight is an opportunity to make a difference, said Kenya Airways on X.

This flight shows what can be achieved through collaboration and innovation. Its a step toward practical solutions that reduce our impact while keeping operations efficient, noted the carriers Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer, Hellen Mwariri, according to Travel And Tour World.

Kenya Airways disclosed on its social media that funding from its corporate customers made Flight KQ784s sustainability possible. The carrier also noted that the flight operated in accordance with the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA)s Book and Claim principles.

IATA details on its website that SAF is a comparatively sustainable option of liquid fuel used in commercial aviation. The source added that makers produce the fuel synthetically or from feedstock, including waste oil and fats, green and municipal waste, and non-food crops.







The post Kenya Airways Makes Huge Leap In Sustainable Air Travel Within Africa appeared first on Travel Noire.
LANSING  Anne Minard, a former staffer for ex-House Speaker Lee Chatfield, will likely avoid prison time over a series of financial misconduct charges after agreeing to testify against her old boss at his trial.

Minard at an Oct. 23 hearing agreed to plead guilty to one count of filing a false tax return and another count of embezzling at least $1,000 but less than $20,000 from a nonprofit organization during her time as an aide to Chatfield. Ten other criminal counts, including a criminal conspiracy charge, will be dismissed under the agreement, which was accepted by Ingham County Circuit Court Judge James Jamo.

"Guilty, your honor," Minard pleaded after Jamo asked if she understood the agreement.

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Minard will be sentenced Dec. 3. Prosecutors recommended 36 months of probation, with a possible six-month jail sentence for any violations of the plea agreement. The embezzlement charge she pleaded guilty to carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, if convicted. Filing a false tax return carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, if convicted.

Rob Minard, standing left, and his wife Anne, right, appear in 54B District Court for their arraignment on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, in East Lansing.

State prosecutors had previously alleged in court filings Anne Minard and her husband Rob Minard, another former Chatfield aide, used their political connections to enrich themselves, misappropriating funds from a series of political nonprofit accounts they had ties to, including through Chatfield.

Chatfield, a Republican from Levering who served as Michigan's House Speaker in 2019 and 2020, is set to face trial over 13 felony financial charges. Anne Minard has agreed to testify at Chatfield's trial, which is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 21, 2026.

As a key aide to the former speaker, Anne Minard's agreement to testify is a likely boost to the state's prosecution against Chatfield. Chatfield had a reputation as a strong fundraiser, and Anne Minard's testimony can possibly give prosecutors a window into how hundreds of thousands of dollars flowed through political nonprofits.

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Mary Chartier, Chatfield's defense attorney, said Anne Minard's plea deal was "not surprising." "The Attorney General is willing to make a deal with anyone to try to build a case against Mr. Chatfield, including a known and admitted liar and thief," Cartier said. "... Any reasonable person will be able to see through whatever claims Anne Minard tries to come up with to avoid a lengthy prison sentence. I look forward to cross-examining Ms. Minard with vigorous attention to detail."

Rob Minard, who was also charged in Dec. 2023, did not enter a plea agreement Oct. 23. His attorney, however, signaled to reporters following the hearing it was still possible a similar agreement could be reached before his trial is tentatively set to begin Nov. 10.

"We're talking about talking. We haven't gotten there yet. But both sides are interested in talking about talking," said Robert Harrison, a defense attorney representing Rob Minard.

More: Ex-Speaker Lee Chatfield, wife to stand trial over alleged misuse of political money

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Gerald Gleeson, Anne Minard's defense attorney, downplayed the fact that Anne Minard had reached a plea agreement but Rob Minard was still heading to trial. The public should not view one person pleading guilty as the definitive statement on their marriage. Theyre wonderful people who still love each other," he said. Harrison said Anne Minard maintains spousal privilege and could not be compelled to testify against Rob Minard at trial.

As part of the plea agreement, Anne Minard agreed to pay back $37,403 to the state as amends for a fraudulent income tax return.

In a Dec. 2023 press conference announcing charges against the Minards, Attorney General Dana Nessel said the Minards illegally obtained at least $525,000 from 2018 through 2020. The pair initially faced multiple felony charges, including embezzlement, conducting a criminal enterprise, and intent to defraud under false pretenses.

In previous court hearings and filings, prosecutors have alleged Anne and Rob Minard orchestrated a scheme to enrich themselves through inflated reimbursement requests and misrepresented expenses. Anne and Rob Minard would request reimbursement for costs incurred for political reasons, like travel, meals and campaign materials, but the costs were actually incurred by different organizations, including political nonprofit funds with ties to Chatfield, according to state prosecutors. Additionally, the reimbursement requests filed by the couple were inflated to be of greater value than the actual costs, court papers allege.

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Lee Chatfield's wife, Stephanie Chatfield, also faces one count each of embezzlement and conspiracy related to the probe. Matt Newburg, Stephanie Chatfield's defense attorney, didn't immediately return a message left with his office Thursday.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

Free Press columnist M.L. Elrick and Lansing Bureau Chief Paul Egan contributed.

Contact Arpan Lobo: alobo@freepress.com

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ex-Speaker Lee Chatfield's key aide takes plea deal to testify against him
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  A crash just northwest of Rose Hill sent two people to the hospital on Wednesday. It happened about 4:45 p.m. on SW 150th near the intersection of Southwest Thistle Road.

A westbound BMW changed lanes in an attempt to pass a semi-truck and was hit by a Ford F-150 coming the other direction, according to a report from the Kansas Highway Patrol.

Dangerous intersection outside Wichita to become four-way stop

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The driver of the BMW, a 23-year-old Wichita woman, was taken to a Wichita hospital with suspected serious injuries. The driver of the pickup truck, a 49-year-old man from Rose Hill, was transported to the hospital with suspected serious injuries.

Both drivers were wearing seatbelts, according to the report.

Check before you go: KanDrive, also known as WICHway in Wichita, is a website and app from the Kansas Department of Transportation that provides information about road conditions, traffic, and more. Viewers can access cameras along the highways and interstates for free. The KanDrive app is available in both Google Play and Apples App Store. To view the website, click here. Drivers can also call 511 in Kansas or 866-511-5368 outside of Kansas.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
An 18-year-old was admitted to our ICU with a questionable diagnosis. The drug screen did not reveal what he had taken. Our ICU intensivist speculated he ingested bath salts. Bath salts came to the U.S. around the 2010s. It was cheap and, even better, considered a legal high as it was not detectable in drug tests. Josh came to the emergency room psychotic, paranoid, and hallucinating, with hypertension and SVT. He was quickly admitted to our ICU.

Bath salts, a term for synthetic cathinones, are also known as White Lightning., Cloud 9, or Ivory Wave. Bath salts can be considered worse than a combination of cocaine, PCP, ecstasy, LSD, and methamphetamines. Potential symptoms can also be respiratory distress, seizures, cerebral edema, MI, and persistent hypertension.

Because of his erratic behavior and clinical symptoms, our intensivist, Dr. Zack, ordered an ongoing nurse assistant (CNA) or a sitter to stay in his room 24/7. Our ICU manager at the time would not honor this doctors order, stating, We cannot always honor a doctors order. To compensate, the charge nurse would assign his room and another patients room right next to each other so they would be within close proximity.

Night shift, and it is my turn to handle this patient. He had already punched a hole in his wall in his ICU room. He had already dived to the floor out of his bed. We attempted to sedate him with IV benzodiazepines, but he was 18 years old. Young and strong, paranoid, and hallucinating. He was unstoppable.

I was considered a troublemaker with management. I called out when protocols and procedures were not followed appropriately. I was a loudmouth, and I did not pick my battles because I considered everything my battle. I was managements target.

When I accepted this assignment, it was immediately changed. I would not have ICU 14 (the bath salts patient) and ICU 15. The charge nurse assigned me to ICU 14 and, across the room, ICU-03. It was impossible to watch both patients at one time, especially without a sitter or CNA. The patient in ICU-03 climbed out of bed screaming that the day shift never gave her a bath. She also required me to give her RBCs that night. The night was chaotic. It was an impossible assignment.

And the patient in ICU 14 climbed out of bed and knelt on the ground that night. There was no physical harm to the patient, and we placed him back into his bed. Immediately, the charge nurse wrote an incident report on me for failure and negligence in patient care.

The next day, I was called into the managers office and terminated for allowing my patient to climb out of bed. I was in shock and disbelief. I appealed my termination immediately.

It went up the management chain to the CNO. She discovered that the MDs order was not followed. No 24/7 CNA or sitter was ever assigned. The doctors order was never followed through. It was a cruel punishment for me. I had been in this ICU for over 24 years as a dedicated night shifter.

I won my appeal. I won back pay of over $8,000. I was also invited back to work in the ICU. Considering I had that target on my back, I declined.

Eventually, that ICU manager was terminated. That charge nurse continued with her bully-like attitude until she retired. And during this ordeal, in a strange conversation with this charge nurse, she let me know that she was more Christian than I.

Bullying, hypocrisy, and I am thankful that I no longer have to clock in to that pitiful environment. At one time, we had the best ICU nurses. We were a team. Camaraderie. It was a great ICU, until it was not.

Debbie Moore-Black is a nurse who blogs at The Critical Care Nurse.
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King Charles III and Pope Leo XIV's historic prayer and meeting led to His Majesty being given a new title.

Keep reading for the details

MORE: Follow Wonderwall on MSN for more top news

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Pope Leo XIV gave King Charles III the distinction of being the Royal Confraternities of the Abbey and Basilica of St Paul's Outside the Walls.

Charles is the first British king to pray with a pope since King Henry VIII. Henry famously left the Catholic church and started the Church of England after Pope Clement VII refused to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. The British monarch is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, a position they hold in a ceremonial capacity.

Mirrorpix / MEGA TheMegaAgency.com

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King Charles III's trip to the Vatican is a big milestone for the monarch.

"The visit will mark Their Majesties' first meeting with Pope Leo XIV since his election in May 2025. The visit will also mark a significant moment in relations between the Catholic Church and Church of England, of which His Majesty is Supreme Governor, recognizing the ecumenical work they have undertaken and reflecting the Jubilee year's theme of walking together as 'Pilgrims of Hope,'" a spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said in a statement.

Mirrorpix / MEGA TheMegaAgency.com

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King Charles III has a history of showing support for a diversity of religions and embracing them.

"The meeting for prayer between King Charles, Queen Camilla and Pope Leo is highly significant as a similar ceremony has not happened for centuries. Charles is Supreme Governor for the Church of England and has longed for building bridges with other faiths," royal expert Ian Pelham Turner toldFox News Digital.

James Whatling / MEGA TheMegaAgency.com

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King Charles III's trip is the beginning of a new era for the Anglican and Catholic churches. However, Prince Andrew's scandalous ties to Jeffrey Epstein might have ruined the moment.

"Regrettably, while this trip should be so momentous after 500 years of division, putting old divisions of the Reformation in the past with a wonderful new era of Christians uniting, instead, it is overshadowed by the despicable moral depravity of his brother. This is compounded by the system and those who also protected him," British royals expert Hilary Fordwich said.
Oct. 23 (UPI) -- King Charles III prayed with Pope Leo after exchanging gifts at the Vatican on Thursday, making him the first head of the Church of England to do so since it split with the Holy See 500 years ago.

The king, alongside Queen Camilla, prayed with the pope at the Basilica of St. Paul's Outside Walls in what has been billed as a historic meeting that bridges centuries of history between Britain and the Vatican.

Charles and Camilla visited the Vatican and participated in the service as part of the Vatican's Jubilee, a year of penance and forgiveness held every 25 years, The New York Times reported.

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After a private audience with the pope, the king and queen joined him at the basilica, where he was given the honorary title of Royal Confrater, which is meant to recognize the history between the British monarchy and the Vatican.

According to the BBC, the church holds specific links to the Saxons and the monarchy dating to before the Reformation.

Britain's King Charles III (2-R) and Queen Camilla (R) attending an ecumenical prayer with Pope Leo XIV (C) at the Sistine Chapel during a state visit to the Vatican, marking their first encounter with Pope Leo XIV. Photo by Vatican Media/EPA

The king and queen arrived at the Vatican early Thursday, where Swiss guards played the U.K.'s national anthem, the Pope was gifted a photograph of St. Edward the Confessor and Pope Leo gave Charles and Camilla a mosaic of Christ Pantocrator.

The king and the Pope then prayed at the Sistine Chapel, which is reportedly the first time in history that the head of the Church of England joined a pope to pray.

Pope Leo XIV (C) poses for a photograph with Britain's King Charles III (L) and Queen Camilla (R) during their meeting in Vatican City. Photo by Vatican Media/EPA

After the prayer, all three went to St. Paul's, where Charles was gifted a chair that includes his coat of arms and a Latin inscription meaning "That they may be one."

The chair, according to the Vatican, will remain at the church for him or his heirs and successors to use when they come to pray there.
What's something that takes centuries to make and moments to break? A royal tradition! And King Charles did just that this morning, breaking a 500-year-old tradition during his visit to the Vatican.

ICYMI, King Charles and Queen Camilla are currently on a royal visit to meet with new Pope Leo. The visit is taking place to build links between the Church of England (which Charles is the head of) and the Catholic Church. The two religions have been very much separate since the time of King Henry VIII's reign.

To recap, Henry broke from the Catholic Church to annul his marriage with Catherine of Aragon after she failed to give him a male heir. The Pope refused to grant this annulment, prompting Henry to initiate the creation of the Church of England, which he declared himself the Supreme Head of in 1534.

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And that key moment in history is why today's meeting between Charles and the Pope is so significant. The pair headed to the Sistine Chapel and, under the famous ceiling painted by Michelangelo, prayed together. In doing so, they have become the first British monarch and pontiff to pray together at a church service since the 16th Century.

Vatican Pool - Getty Images

Speaking about this important royal meeting, a Foreign Office spokesperson told the BBC: The Catholic Church is the largest denomination of the world's largest religion [and the King and Queen's visit will] strengthen the UK's relationship with this crucial and influential partner.

Charles and Camilla are on a two-day state visit to the Vatican, although it was initially delayed. The royal couple had a private meeting with Pope Francis on their twentieth wedding anniversary in April of this year, but their state visit to the Vatican was postponed due to his ill health. It was one of the late Pope's last meetings with high-profile visitors, as he passed away just days later.

Pope Francis was succeeded by Pope Leo (AKA Robert Francis Prevost), whom Charles and Camilla met with today.

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It was a once-in-a-century meeting on Thursday, October 23 when King Charles III prayed alongside Pope Leo at the Vatican.

The British monarch, 76, attended a service at the famed Sistine Chapel in a historic moment.

It is the first time since the 1500s that an English sovereign has attended a public liturgy with a Catholic pope.

As fans of The Tudors know, King Henry VIII split from the Catholic Church to head the Church of England in the 16th century in order to marry his ill-fated second wife, Anne Boleyn.

Charles wife, Queen Camilla, 78, also joined him for the spiritual event, with the couple first joining Pope Leo, 70, in a meeting before mass.

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The two met the pontiff at the Apostolic Palace, where they joined together to exchange presents.

Charles gifted the Pope with an intricate photograph that had a silver frame, as well as an icon painting of St. Edward the Confessor.

Pope Leo gave Charles a miniature portrait of the Christ Pantocrator mosaic that sits in the Cathedral of Cefalu in Sicily.

The king was supposed to spend an extended period of time with the late Pope Francis when he was visiting Rome this past April. However, the previous Holy Fathers health was declining and he died on April 21. Instead, Charles had met Pope Francis for a quick moment on April 9.

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After the king and queens holy visit, they are set to stop by the Papal Basilica and Abbey of St. Pauls Outside the Walls.

This story King Charles Makes History by Being First British Royal to Pray With Catholic Pope Leo first appeared on National Examiner. Add National Examiner as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
King Charles III became the first British monarch to pray publicly with a pope in 500 years during his state visit to the Vatican on Thursday, after a bruising week back home with the continued fallout over the Prince Andrew scandal.

Beneath the Sistine Chapels magnificent vaulted ceiling, painted by Michelangelo, Charles and Pope Leo XIV prayed together in a special ecumenical service  a first since at least the Reformation.

The service focused on care of creation, a long-standing concern of the Kings and a topic which Pope Leo has highlighted early in his pontificate. It was presided over by Leo and the Church of Englands Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell.

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A joint choir from St. Georges Chapel and the Chapel Royal performed at the service, alongside the choir of the Sistine Chapel. The British singers performed If ye love me, by Thomas Tallis, a prolific composer of sacred choral works from the Renaissance period

The choice was significant because Tallis life spanned the split from Rome precipitated by King Henry VIII. Tallis continued to have a successful career after the Reformation, despite never renouncing his Catholic faith.

The sight of the first joint prayer shared by the King and Pope signals the deepening of bonds between Catholics and Anglicans  a theme of the whistlestop visit.

The King and Queen earlier met the new pontiff for the first time since his May election on Thursday morning, following their arrival in Rome the previous evening to celebrate the holy Jubilee year, which takes place every quarter of a century. They also met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy See Secretary of State.

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The British monarch gifted the Pope with a large silver photograph, and Icon of St Edward the Confessor, according to Buckingham Palace. In exchange, Leo presented with a scale version of the mosaic of Christ Pantocrator, in the Norman Cathedral of Cefalu, in Sicily.

The Vatican described the discussions as cordial and matters of common interest were discussed, such as environmental protection and the fight against poverty.

The statement added, Particular attention was given to the shared commitment to promoting peace and security in the face of global challenges.

The trip is being seen by both sides as a significant moment in reconciling divisions between the British monarchy and the papacy that go back to 1534, when Henry VIII broke with Rome and created the Church of England.

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It would be difficult to overstate the significance of this particular visit, Rev. Martin Browne, a Vatican official who works at the department for Promoting Christian Unity, told CNN. He said it was the first time that a royal visit had an ecumenical dimension, meaning that it was focused on building unity between Rome, the Church of England and wider Anglican communion.

A service in which both the pope and a British sovereign participate has not been experienced since long before the Reformation, Browne explained. Its uniqueness is underlined by the fact that it is taking place in the Sistine Chapel, inside the Apostolic Palace, with the music being led by the popes own choir and two of the Kings own choirs.

Later, the King and Queen took part in an ecumenical service at the Basilica of St. Pauls Outside the Walls, which has historic ties to the English Crown and is home to the tomb of the apostle St. Paul, for which past British monarchs paid the upkeep. It is one of the four papal basilicas in Rome and also houses a community of Benedictine monks.

Pope Leo has approved making King Charles a Royal Confrater of St. Pauls, as a gesture of hospitality and spiritual fellowship. In celebration of this new bond, a special throne-like chair has been commissioned by the place of worship, featuring the Kings coat of arms and the Latin motto Ut unum sint (That they may be one). It will remain permanently in the basilica for use by his successors.

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The pope is also making the King and Queen a knight and dame of the order of Pius IX. Charles has himself decided to honor Pope Leo by making him a Papal Confrater of St. Georges Chapel, Windsor Castle and Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath, an honor traditionally given to heads of state.

A special chair decorated with the King's coat of arms has been created by the Basilica of St. Paul's Outside the Walls for Charles. - Holy See Press Office

The state visit concluded with King Charles attending a reception at the Pontifical Beda College, a seminary which trains priests from across the Commonwealth. Meanwhile, Queen Camilla met six Catholic sisters from the International Union of Superiors General, who work to support female empowerment around the world, including through girls education.

Despite the turbulence of the past, relations between the Vatican and the British monarchy are today marked by warmth and mutual respect. The UK and the Holy See have had full diplomatic relations since 1982.

Charles and Camilla were supposed to pay a state visit to the Vatican in early April, but the trip was postponed over Pope Francis poor health. They continued with an official visit to Italy, visiting Rome and Ravenna in the northeast. But the royal couple were able to privately visit the ailing pontiff a fortnight before he died.

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As Prince of Wales, Charles visited Vatican City on five occasions, while his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, met five popes during her lifetime.

Yes, there are differences and divisions, some of them very deep, Browne said. But this (visit) is a reminder for everyone that what unites is more significant.

Diarmaid MacCulloch, a church historian from the University of Oxford, said that while there had been some ill-informed hype around the Kings visit, there is some genuine significance in the Papacy showing such formal favor to Charles.

Its a nice goodwill gesture on the Vaticans part, and goodwill gestures are always welcome, MacCulloch said.

CNNs Sharon Braithwaite contributed reporting.

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Imagine if the current allegations concerned not Prince Andrew but his older brother. Where would we be? Following some high-wire diplomacy, the crown might have been smoothly handed to William.

But I think not. I think that we might now be living in a republic. The nation would be so full of revulsion towards a man who had been heir apparent for so many decades, and then briefly king, that the monarchy could have fallen. For morality has become essential to monarchy, almost its justification. But morality in a complicated sense.

This counterfactual is worth pondering as King Charles prays with Pope Leo today at a specially crafted service in the Sistine Chapel  the first such joint prayer service since the Reformation. It raises the question of the religious and moral aspect of the monarchy.

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King Charles is not just a head of state; he is also a funny sort of religious leader as the supreme governor of the Church of England. To begin with that role did not require much moral virtue. Very famously, that role began with a kings carnal urges. Despite his constitutional innovation, Henry VIII did not really break with the medieval assumption: the king was more like a beast to be tamed than a paragon of Christian virtue. It was not his role to be a moral exemplar, but to rule.

This did not change in a hurry. For example, Charles IIs colourful love-life was well-known, but no one suggested that it diminished his right to sit on the throne. Many of his successors had mistresses: the public cared little. Only female monarchs had to be icons of purity.

This changed in the mid twentieth century. It was now clear that the monarchs role was purely symbolic. An icon of national tradition and national unity was needed amid the ideological storms of the era. Of course the public also wanted an engaging and glamorous personality, a sober version of a film star. But above all it wanted a symbol of stability, especially with regard to family values.

The late Queen delivered, to a remarkable degree. As the nation was rocked by unprecedented social change, she calmly embodied traditional Christian values. As many have observed, she took the risk of allowing her husband and children to share the limelight, inventing the idea of the Royal family. Especially when she agreed to that famous documentary of 1969 in which they stiffly picnicked by a loch.

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The risk was too great, some say. The Queen should not have allowed the monarchy to be judged by an impossible standard, of embodying an ideal of family values. For look what happened: reality bit back, and three of her childrens marriages collapsed amid various degrees of scandal.

I disagree. I think that there was no avoiding the rise of family values in the meaning of monarchy. In a curious way, the difficult private lives, or rather personal lives, of the Royal family have strengthened its importance. For this family palpably shares in the human condition, despite the palaces and perks. King Charles has not been a paragon of virtue, but he has been a figure of three-dimensional humanity. He has yearned and fretted and suffered, while earnestly striving to do his duty.

What we require of the monarch is not virtue but honest humanity, the earnest pursuit of virtue. Do we also require this of the wider Royal family? It is not clear.

On one hand, Prince Andrews shameful behaviour casts doubt on the whole institution: someone at the heart of it seems to embody shocking selfishness rather than duty. But on the other hand, he is a foil to his older brother, whose pursuit of public service is underlined by the contrast. We are reminded that a life of wealth and privilege ordinarily leads to immaturity and indulgence, and that Charles has defied the odds.

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As Pope Leo glances across at King Charles in the Sistine Chapel, he is surely conscious that here is no ordinary political leader or head of state. Here is a leader with a function that is religious in a wide sense: to display Christian humanity, in its fallible fullness.

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NEED TO KNOW

King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived at the Vatican on Oct. 23 for a historic meeting with Pope Leo

The royal couple, who landed in Rome on Wednesday, Oct. 22, are undertaking a series of outings, including a service at the Sistine Chapel

Charles is also set to receive a special gift of an ornate chair for use by him and his ancestors when they're visiting one of the magnificent chapels

In a historic first, King Charles is to pray alongside Pope Leo after their meeting at the Vatican.

The King is to take part in a solemn ecumenical service alongside the Pope in the Sistine Chapel during a spiritual high-point of his day-long visit to the Vatican on Thursday, Oct. 23.

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The service, taking place under the magnificent Michelangelo ceiling, is the first time a British monarch has prayed with a Pope in public since the Reformation in the 16th Century.

The day began for Charles and his wife, Queen Camilla, with a joint audience with the pontiff. The couple drove through famous St. Peter's Square and arrived at the San Damaso Courtyard, the ceremonial entrance to the Apostolic Palace, where they were welcomed to the papal Apostolic Palace by Rev. Monsignor Leonardo Sapienza.

They were then taken inside for their first audience with Pope Leo. Afterwards, in the Pope's Library, they exchanged gifts. Charles handed his host a large, silver framed photograph and an icon of St. Edward the Confessor. Pope Leo, meanwhile, presented the King with a scale version of the mosaic of 'Christ Pantocrator," that's in a cathedral in Cefalu, Sicily.

BACKGRID Pope Leo XIV was seen receiving King Charles III and Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom at the Vatican. Pope Leo XIV was seen receiving King Charles III and Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom at the Vatican.

Their visit comes during the 2025 Jubilee Year, marked every 25 years, and is said by Buckingham Palace to be a "significant moment" in relations between the Catholic Church and Church of England, of which Charles is Supreme Governor.

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Stressing Christian unity and care for the environment, the visit also recognizes the "ecumenical work they have undertaken and reflecting the Jubilee years theme of walking together as Pilgrims of Hope.' "

BACKGRID Queen Camilla; King Charles; Pope Leo XIV Queen Camilla; King Charles; Pope Leo XIV

After meeting some of the key cardinals at the Vatican, Charles and Camilla then headed to the Sistine Chapel for the service that was designed to underline the harmony between the two churches. It was here that Charles and Pope Leo prayed together -- the first time a monarch and Pope has done so in public for around 500 years.

The ecumenical service featured the Children of the Choir of His Majestys Chapel Royal and the Choir of St. Georges Chapel in Windsor Castle, accompanied by the Sistine Chapel Choir.

The King, 76, and Camilla, 78, are fulfilling a commitment that was originally scheduled during Charles' visit to Rome in April. But by the time he was in Italy, Pope Francis was ailing, and they were not able to fulfill their commitments. They did meet Francis briefly on April 9, but he died on April 21. Pope Leo, the first American-born leader of the global Catholic Church, was elected in a conclave of cardinals in May.

Chris Jackson/Getty Queen Camilla wore a startling mantilla for the visit to the Vatican on Oct. 23, 2025 Queen Camilla wore a startling mantilla for the visit to the Vatican on Oct. 23, 2025

After the ecumenical service, Camilla stayed at the chapel to meet the choirs, while King Charles and the Pope joined a meeting about sustainability in the Sala Regia [a state hall in the Apostolic Palace].

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The couple will then leave the Pope and the Holy See, and visit the Papal Basilica and Abbey of St. Pauls Outside the Walls, where Charles has been made "Royal Confrater" of the Abbey.

That is a recognition from the Pope of spiritual fellowship, and to celebrate that bond, he will bestow upon him the gift of the special chair. It will remain in the apse of the Basilica for future use by the King and his heirs and successors.

ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty King Charles and Queen Camilla arriving at San Damaso courtyard at the Vatican on Oct. 23, 2025 King Charles and Queen Camilla arriving at San Damaso courtyard at the Vatican on Oct. 23, 2025

Later in the day, the King is expected to attend a reception at the Pontifical Beda College, a seminary which trains priests from across the Commonwealth. Camilla, meanwhile, will meet six Catholic Sisters from the International Union of Superiors General. The Sisters are working around the world to support female empowerment through girls education programs and improved access to healthcare, a subject close to Queen Camilla's heart.

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The American-born and raised pope showed his desire to build close relations with Charles when he sent a heartfelt message to the British royal family as they gathered for the Catholic funeral of the Duchess of Kent in September.



Read the original article on People
King Charles and Queen Camilla are in Vatican City for a historic two-day State Visit. The visit is postponed from April, when during their State Visit to Italy, they made a personal trip to Vatican City to visit an ailing Pope Francis, with whom they met briefly a few weeks before his death.

This morning, the King and Queen met Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff, at the Apostolic Palace on Thursday. King Charles also met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy Sees Cardinal Secretary of State, while the Queen was given a private tour of the Pauline Chapel, the most intimate chapel in the Apostolic Palace, to learn more about its long history.

The visit is a major symbolic display of unity between the Church of England and the Catholic Church. Buckingham Palace announced the visit last week, noting that King Charles and Pope Leo would pray together at the Sistine Chapelan event more momentous than it sounds given he is the first British monarch to pray with a pope since the Reformation in the 16th century. Charles is also the first King to attend a service at St. Pauls Outside the Walls, a church with an historic connection to the English crown, in recognition of him being named Royal Confrater (essentially a papal knighthood). Its an unprecedented move, and one not bestowed upon a British monarch since Henry VIII broke from Rome nearly 500 years ago.

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Here, see all the best photos of the royal couple during their trip to the Vatican:

Photo credit: Handout - Getty Images

Pope Leo and King Charles meet for the first time at the Apostolic Palace.

Photo credit: Vatican Pool - Getty Images

The King and Queen pose for an official photo with Pope Leo at the Vatican.

Photo credit: Vatican Pool - Getty Images

The visit is intended to strengthen the ties between the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church. The former split from the latter in 1534.

Photo credit: Handout - Getty Images

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Per tradition, the royal couple exchanged gifts with the pontiff. King Charles presented the Pope with a silver photograph and an icon of St. Edward the Confessor. The Pope gave the King a small replica of the Christ Pantocrator mosaic from the Norman Cathedral of Cefalu in Sicily.

Photo credit: Pool - Getty Images

Queen Camilla looks at the ceiling in the Pauline Chapel. In keeping with Vatican protocol, Queen Camilla wore all black for the meeting with the Pope, including a veil and headdress by Philip Treacy, and a black silk dress by Fiona Clare. Also famous for her brooches, the Queen wore the diamond-studded Raspberry Pip Brooch, which is formed in the shape of a cross. She most recently wore it at Royal Ascot earlier this year.

Photo credit: Samir Hussein - Getty Images

The Pauline Chapel is the most intimate and private among the chapels of Apostolic Palace.

Photo credit: Handout - Getty Images

The King meets Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy Sees Cardinal Secretary of State.

Photo credit: Pool - Getty Images

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According to the Crown Chronicles , the name for the Raspberry Pip Brooch may have been inspired by its shape, which some observers liken to the delicate structure of a raspberry seed. The broochs origins can be traced back to 1881 when it was presented as a wedding gift to Cecilia Nina Bowes-Lyon, Countess of Strathmore and Kinghorne. Eventually it made its way into the Royal Collection through the Queen Mother, who passed it onto Queen Elizabeth. Camilla first wore it at a public event on Christmas Day 2023 .

Photo credit: Handout - Getty Images

Accompanied by Pope Leo, Charles and Camilla attend a special ecumenical service in the Sistine Chapel.

Photo credit: Vatican Pool - Getty Images

The King and Queen attend a prayer service at the Sistine Chapel.

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The King and the Pope depart the Sistine Chapel.

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Escorted by the Swiss Guard, Pope Leo leaves the Apostolic Palace with King Charles and Queen Camilla.

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The Pope and the King and Queen depart from the San Damaso Courtyard.

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King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive for a visit to the Papal Basilica and Abbey of St Paul's Outside the Walls.

Photo credit: Pool - Getty Images

The King sits in a specially created seat, displaying his Coat of Arms given as a gift given in honor of becoming Royal Confrater of the Abbey.

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The King and the Pope have prayed together for the first time.

The King, as supreme governor of the Church of England, has become the first monarch to take part in an ecumenical service with a Pope since the Reformation.

He prayed alongside Pope Leo XIV during a State visit to the Vatican after arriving in Rome on Wednesday.

The men, who met in person for the first time on Thursday, joined a special service in the Sistine Chapel for what was intended as a symbolic gesture of renewed bonds within the Christian faith.

The King and Queen are greeted by Monsignor Leonardo Sapienza before their meeting with the Pope - Yara Nardi

The state visit to the Holy See, the government of the Roman Catholic Church in the Vatican, is understood to be deeply significant for the King personally and coincides with the Papal Jubilee held every 25 years.

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The King and Queen arrived at the ceremonial entrance to the Apostolic Palace by car on Thursday morning and were greeted by Monsignor Leonardo Sapienza, the regent of the prefecture of the papal household, in the San Damaso Courtyard.

They were then introduced to a line-up of dignitaries before hearing the national anthems of the UK and Vatican City.

Before the service, King Charles and the Pope sat down for a short meeting, in which the monarch said he was so thrilled its possible to visit.

As they posed for an official photograph, the King joked about the constant hazard of the cameras, to which the pontiff said: You get used to it.

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They went on to exchange gifts, which the King described as a small token of esteem and appreciation. He presented the Pope with a large silver signed photograph, as per royal custom on state visits, and an icon of St Edward the Confessor.

The Pope gave the King a signed photograph of himself and scale version of the mosaic of Christ Pantocrator in the Norman Cathedral of Cefalu, in Sicily, which had been made in the Vatican.

The King is granted a private audience with the Pope in the Vatican - Vatican Media/Reuters

In the Sistine Chapel, the King, Queen and Pope sat on yellow, throne-like seats under Michaelangelos Last Judgement. They were also joined by the Most Rev Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York, who was representing the Church of England.

The choirs of His Majestys Chapel Royal and St Georges Chapel joined the Sistine Chapel choir to sing Thomas Talliss If Ye Love Me and two psalms.

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Yvette Cooper, the Foreign Secretary, read from the Letter to the Romans before the Archbishop of York and the Pope offered short words of prayer, with the congregation replying.

The King and Queen (back, right) join the Pope for an ecumenical service in the Sistine Chapel - Vatican/AFP

Speaking in unison, they said: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore.

Amen, the King replied.

The moment marked the first time in modern history that a supreme governor of the Church of England and a Pope have prayed together in public.

The Pope and the King enter the courtyard of San Damaso after the Sistine Chapel service - Phil Noble

The King and Queen will later attend a service at the Basilica of St Pauls Outside the Walls, where a special seat has been created for the King to recognise his personal contribution to interfaith relationships. It will remain at the place of worship for use by his successors.

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The King will be recognised for the monarchys association with the basilica  the seat of a Benedictine Abbey  by being made a Royal Confrater. In centuries past, English kings provided for the upkeep of the tomb of St Paul at the basilica.

In return, with the approval of the King, the Dean and Canons of the College of St George Windsor offered the Pope the title of Papal Confrater of St Georges Chapel, Windsor, which the Pope has accepted.

The Vaticans Swiss Guard await the arrival of King Charles - Chris Jackson

The King and Pope have also exchanged honours. The Pope will become Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath, the order traditionally given to heads of state, while the King becomes Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Vatican Order of Pope Pius IX. The Queen will become Dame Grand Cross of the same order.

The state visit will end with the King attending a reception at the Pontifical Beda College, a seminary training priests from across the Commonwealth, while the Queen meets six Catholic sisters from the International Union of Superiors General.

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The King and Queen were due to make the state visit to the Holy See in April but Pope Franciss health problems meant the trip was postponed, although the couple did have a private meeting the pontiff, who died later that month.

The King previously visited the Vatican on five occasions as Prince of Wales, and has met three popes: Benedict XVI in 2010; Francis in 2017, 2019 and 2025; and John Paul II in Canterbury in 1982, during the first visit to the UK by a reigning Pope.

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In 2025, Canadas universal health care or Medicare system confronted a stark wake-up call. Many high-visibility service disruptions exposed the health care delivery models fragility and stress points. There were emergency room (ER) closures and specialty service interruptions.

In British Columbia, many hospitals repeatedly and increasingly closed their ERs for hours or days due to staffing shortages. The hospitals in large cities like Delta and Mission had multiple separate ER shutdowns. The governments monitoring suggests that as many as 250 ER closures occurred in British Columbia in 2025 alone, many in towns such as Keremeos, Grand Forks, and Port Hardy. The South Okanagan General Hospital in Oliver saw its ER closed on many days. In Merritt, the Nicola Valley Hospitals ER was closed on many occasions.

Beyond ERs, specialty services have collapsed. In May 2025, the pediatric inpatient service at the hospital in Kelowna was closed for six weeks because of staffing deficits, exposing the fragile system. In October 2025, the OB/GYN service at the hospital in Kamloops encountered the mass resignation of all seven OB/GYN physicians from in-hospital care, leaving the region without meaningful specialist care.

What distinguishes 2025 is the scale, frequency, and visibility of disruptions. Staffing shortages had been flagged as a systemic issue for years, but this year, they translated into routine service interruptions rather than rare incidents. The geographic pattern is expanding and worrying. Many urban regions, such as Kelowna, Kamloops, Mission, and Delta, are now affected.

Also critical is the ripple effect: when one Canadian hospitals service closes, ambulances, neighboring hospitals, and urgent-care centers absorb the overflow. This further strains the system, especially in areas where transport times are longer. Furthermore, transparency issues and data lag are part of the deterioration: The risk of hospital service closure is not well-publicized.

These hospital closures impact communities significantly. For small-town residents, the closure of the local ER means a decision: where do you go, how long will transport take, and do you delay care? For life-threatening emergencies, the answer may be too late. In towns where closures happen often, public trust degrades: Communities begin to believe their hospital may not be reliably open when needed. For patients with maternity or pediatric needs, the stakes are even higher: The loss of local specialist services means travel, disruption, stress, and potentially greater risk. Indeed, the Canadian health care systems reliability is eroding.

Reversing this deterioration will require a multi-year effort with several key components: First, workforce investment: guaranteed training seats, retention incentives, rural-practice supports, housing, and travel benefits. Second, minimum staffing guarantees and contingency protocols so that the hospital doesnt simply close when a shift becomes unavailable. Third, real-time public reporting: dashboards showing which ERs are open, under-staffing alerts, or diversions. Fourth, community and primary-care support should be strengthened to reduce the burden on ERs and hospitals. Lastly, for a decentralized redesign, particularly for rural/remote regions, alternative models (telehealth, regional hubs, and transport networks) must be fully integrated.

Olumuyiwa Bamgbade is an accomplished health care leader with a strong focus on value-based health care delivery. A specialist physician with extensive training across Nigeria, the United Kingdom, the United States, and South Korea, Dr. Bamgbade brings a global perspective to clinical practice and health systems innovation.

He serves as an adjunct professor at academic institutions across Africa, Europe, and North America and has published 45 peer-reviewed scientific papers in PubMed-indexed journals. His global research collaborations span more than 20 countries, including Nigeria, Australia, Iran, Mozambique, Rwanda, Kenya, Armenia, South Africa, the U.K., China, Ethiopia, and the U.S.

Dr. Bamgbade is the director of Salem Pain Clinic in Surrey, British Columbia, Canadaa specialist and research-focused clinic. His work at the clinic centers on pain management, health equity, injury rehabilitation, neuropathy, insomnia, societal safety, substance misuse, medical sociology, public health, medicolegal science, and perioperative care.
The Kings visit to the Vatican was, of course, terrifically moving, but the great question is, was it actually the first time an English or British monarch ever prayed with a pope?

The Buckingham Palace briefing before the event said that this will be the first State Visit, since the Reformation, where the Pope and the Monarch will pray together in an ecumenical service in the Sistine Chapel.

That rather suggested that right up to the Reformation, when Henry VIII spoilt everything, popes and English (and Scottish) kings had been in the habit of praying together, possibly in ecumenical services. Well, it seems that this wasnt the case, though early English kings had certainly been on pilgrimage to Rome where they doubtless had a Royal welcome.

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An article in the Catholic Herald quoted an Oxford historian, James Willoughby, who was reminded by a friend that there were precedents. Specifically, Henry I prayed with Pope Calixtus II on the Norman-French frontier in 1119. And Edward I was technically king (his father was dead, but he had yet to be crowned) when he visited Rome in 1272, praying with Pope Gregory X.

Does this contradict what the distinguished historian, Professor Diarmaid MacCulloch, said on the Today programme, that Charless visit was in fact the first time an English monarch had prayed with the pope?

Id say Henry Is meeting took place in La Belle France not in Rome; then Id pre-emptively add King Canutes tryst with the Pope in Rome in 1027, while punctiliously pointing out that he was as much a Scandinavian as an English monarch, if not more so, he told me, making the point that kings and popes werent even then in the habit of regularly meeting each other. And then Id retreat to the main point that theres a big gap, and nothing to do with the Reformation, between the thirteenth and the twentieth century.

So there you have it. The Kings visit was not a restoration of some sort of pre-Reformation habit of joint prayer that was rudely interrupted by Henry VIIIs break with Rome in 1535.

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There were certainly English and Scottish kings who went to Rome on pilgrimage to the tomb of St Peter, as well as St Paul; indeed Alfred the Great went first as a little boy when he was anointed by another Pope Leo, the IV. Caedwalla, king of Wessex, was baptised there in 689, just before his death. And his successor, Ine of Wessex, retired from public life in 726, went to Rome and built himself a house and died there in 728. So arguably the Kings pilgrimage  because it was that as much as a state visit  was something of a restoration of the old order by the House of Windsor.

None of the early royal visitors to Rome would have been accompanied by their own choir, as the King was, from the Chapel Royal. Neither would they have had a Foreign Secretary in attendance. Yvette Cooper gave a good reading from St Paul during the service, but it was a pity she was so visibly and animatedly chatting at the start and I bet Cardinal Vincent Nichols noticed. Respect for the place, Yvette! The King manfully tried to follow the order of service and join in the Latin chant, but Camilla frankly looked a bit lost and eventually gave up.

Like many official women visitors to the Vatican and unlike most contemporary Catholics, she wore a long black mantilla, but it was surmounted by something that looked like a leafy crown of thorns. That was probably a first too.

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Federal immigration agents were greeted by protests Thursday in the San Francisco Bay Area on their way out to a century-old, government-owned artificial island that houses a U.S. Coast Guard base.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents began arriving at Coast Guard Island to support federal efforts to track down immigrants in the country illegally. The Coast Guard is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, along with Customs and Border Protection, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE.

A statement provided to the news media by the Coast Guard said that through a whole of government approach, we are leveraging our unique authorities and capabilities to detect, deter, and interdict illegal aliens, narco-terrorists, and individuals intent on terrorism or other hostile activity before they reach our border."

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President Donald Trump then said Thursday that he is backing off a planned surge of federal agents into San Francisco after speaking to the mayor. It was not clear if the president was canceling a National Guard deployment or calling off immigration enforcement by CBP agents.

Coast Guard Island is a 67-acre human-made island formed in 1913 in the Oakland Estuary between Oakland and Alameda. It is federally owned, does not allow visits from the general public without an escort or specific government identification, and it has been home to the current base, Base Alameda, since 2012, according to a Coast Guard document from 2016.

Base Alameda provides a variety of services for Coast Guard activities throughout the West Coast.

The island came to be partly because of an effort to deal with sanitation problems in Alameda through an 1873 proposed tidal canal. By 1918, the island that was built using reclaimed mud from dredging was ready to be occupied. Its first tenant was the San Francisco Shipbuilding Company, which made two ships before closing in 1921.

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The state Supreme Court awarded the island to the city of Alameda in 1926. The federal government acquired each tract of land by 1948.

The Coast Guard first came to the island in 1926 when it established a base there. The Coast Guard used the land for various purposes, including a training center set up in the 1940s and closed in 1982. That year, the Coast Guard established Support Center Alameda and the island was renamed Coast Guard Island.

Ultimately, in February 2012, the Coast Guard set up Base Alameda on the island, combining several existing operations to set up departments in the base.

According to the 2016 Coast Guard document, Coast Guard Island employs more than 1,200 people during the workday, including active duty military, Coast Guard Reserve, civilians, contractors and occasional Guard Auxiliary personnel.

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The island has a perimeter of about 1.25 miles.

The base is the home port for four so-called national security cutters  ships that are 418 feet long, 54 feet wide, with a top speed over 28 knots, a range of 12,000 nautical miles, endurance up to 90 days, and capacity for a crew of up to 170, according to the Coast Guard.

One of them just recently returned from an Arctic deployment of more than 21,000 nautical miles.
While the Trump administration has yet to release a full list of donors contributing to the planned construction of a White House ballroom, a picture of potential donors and companies funding the project is beginning to emerge.

President Donald Trump again reiterated in the Oval Office on Wednesday afternoon that the ballroom is being "paid for 100% by me and some friends of mine," referencing donors. "The government is paying absolutely nothing."

Trump also appeared to increase the cost estimate by $50-$100 million, telling reporters during his remarks on Wednesday the price tag for the new venue was "about $300 million" -- more than the $200-$250 million estimates previously given.

Kevin Lamarque/Reuters - PHOTO: President Donald Trump holds a rendering of his proposed ballroom as he meets with Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Mark Rutte in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, October 22, 2025.

Entire East Wing expected to be demolished as soon as this weekend, sources say

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Earlier this month, the Trump administration released a list of people and companies who were expected to attend a dinner at the White House about the construction project.

While no full list of donors has been released, the names of some companies scheduled to attend the dinner released by the White House largely come from the tech and crypto industries, including Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta and Microsoft, along with Coinbase, Ripple and Tether. Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, two tech and cryptocurrency investors, were also on the list.

Some companies have already reaped lucrative contracts during Trump's second term, including Microsoft and Google which landed contracts for their AI and cloud tools, while Amazon Web Services received potentially up to $1 billion in cloud-credit incentives.

The crypto industry at large has seen major benefits under Trump through policies and executive orders, with Trump's own family amassing billions through crypto ventures during his second term.

Jacquelyn Martin/AP - PHOTO: Work continues on the demolition of a part of the East Wing of the White House, Oct. 21, 2025, in Washington, before construction of a new ballroom.

Trump is building a new $200 million ballroom at the White House

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Other companies, like Palantir and Lockheed Martin, have billions in contracts with the Trump administration, including the Defense Department.

"We're also working with the military on it because they want to make sure everything is perfect," Trump said Wednesday evening of the ballroom construction project. "And the military is very much involved in this. They want to make sure everything is absolutely beautiful."

While the White House has not been transparent about how exactly the project will be paid through donations, the money appears to be going to the project in different ways.

For example, according to court documents, Google's parent Alphabet noted in a recent legal settlement reached with Trump after he was banned from YouTube following Jan. 6, 2021, that it would be contributing $22 million to help build the White House ballroom.

Alex Brandon/AP - PHOTO: A model of the White House and the new ballroom is seen on a table as President Donald Trump meets with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office of the White House, Oct. 22, 2025, in Washington.

Past presidents have made big changes, Trump White House argues

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The settlement noted that the $22 million will be contributed on Trump's behalf "to the Trust for the National Mall, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity dedicated to restoring, preserving, and elevating the National Mall, to support the construction of the White House State Ballroom."

Paolo Tiramani, CEO of a construction company and a donor on the White House list, donated $10 million in stock to the Trust for the National Mall, his company confirmed in a statement.

Donations for the ballroom are made to the Trust for the National Mall, a nonprofit that supports the National Park Service and is dedicated to the restoration of the National Mall and the White House and Presidents Park.

The financial director of Trump's 2024 campaign, Meredith O'Rourke, is leading the donor effort for the ballroom, sources told ABC News.

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The Trust's role in the project is to manage donations while the National Park Service and the White House are leading the design and construction.

The renovation project is more extensive than Trump had previously let on.

A preservation group has asked the White House to pause the ballroom project, but the White House expects the entire East Wing to be demolished as soon as this weekend as part of the renovation.
BEIRUT (AP)  Clashes broke out this week between Syrian government forces and fighters in a camp in northern Syrias Idlib province led by an internationally wanted French militant.

The clashes come at a delicate moment, as Syrias interim authorities are trying to decide how to handle the presence of thousands of Islamist foreign fighters in the country.

Foreign fighters joined forces with the Syrian insurgents who unseated former President Bashar Assad in a lightning offensive last year after nearly 14 years of civil war.

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But now, as the countrys new leaders are trying to cement new ties with the west, these foreign fighters have become a political liability. Their presence is widely unpopular with Syrians, particularly religious minorities, who view them as often more extreme in their views than local Islamist factions.

Heres what happened at the camp in Idlib and what might be coming next.

The standoff with a camp of French fighters

Al-Fardan camp in the Idlib countryside near the Turkish border is home to a small number of French and Francophone militants and their families.

Syrias Interior Ministry said in a statement Wednesday that internal security forces had surrounded the camp after complaints from residents about grave violations, including the recent kidnapping of a girl from her mother by an armed group led by a French citizen named Omar Diaby.

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The statement said that after forces tried to convince Diaby to surrender, he refused, barricaded himself inside the camp, prevented civilians from leaving, and began firing, provoking security personnel, and terrorizing residents.

SARI Global, a center providing geopolitical and security analysis, said armed clashes had begun overnight from Tuesday into Wednesday with intense exchanges of gunfire and drone strikes reported inside the camp.

It was not clear how many people were killed and wounded. Videos circulating on social media, apparently shot by residents of the camp, showed blasted-out walls and windows. One shows a group of women and children escorted by an armed man as they flee for cover.

Omar Diabys son, Jibril, in a video posted on social media Wednesday appealed to Syrians, saying that the security forces were preparing to overrun the camp and we have families and children and orphans and women here, including elderly women.

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We are your brothers, the immigrants who left our lands and our families and everything behind us to come and help you when you were saying, Where is the world? Where are the Arabs? Where is the Islamic nation? he said. Now you have turned on us.

Another group of foreign fighters  Uzbek militants  flocked to the area, preparing to defend the camp. That, along with fears of the political fallout if women and children were killed, prompted government forces to halt their plans to storm the camp, said Wassim Nasr, a senior research fellow with the Soufan Center, a New York-based think tank focused on security issues.

Instead, the two sides reached a truce under which Diaby agreed to hand over the camp's heavy weapons.

Omar Diabys history

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The leader of the militants in the camp, Diaby, also known as Omar Omsen, is a Senegal-born French citizen known for posting French-language jihadist recruitment videos on YouTube. France issued an international arrest warrant against him in 2014.

In 2016, the U.S. State Department designated him a terrorist, saying that he led a group of about 50 French fighters who had joined the Nusra Front, then al-Qaidas affiliate in Syria.

Diabys videos have been credited as the chief reason behind why so many French nationals have joined militant groups in Syria and Iraq, it said.

In 2015, Diaby faked his own death, reemerging the following year.

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Despite having allied with the Nusra Front, Diaby later butted heads with the groups spinoff, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the militant group that controlled much of Syrias northwest before Assads fall. Former HTS leader Ahmad al-Sharaa is now Syrias interim president.

Nasr noted that HTS had twice imprisoned Diaby before Assad's fall and had forbidden him from leading his militants as an independent unit, allowing them to fight only as part of the ranks of another group which has an agreement with HTS.

The larger issue of foreign fighters

Foreign nationals streamed into Syria to fight on different sides after the outbreak of the countrys civil war in 2011.

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Some joined the Islamic State group. Thousands of alleged foreign IS militants and family members are still held in camps and detention centers guarded by Kurdish-led forces in northeast Syria.

Others joined various insurgent factions in northwest Syria, where many remain today, while some have been stationed in different parts of the country as part of the new national army since Assad's fall.

Dareen Khalifa, a senior adviser at the International Crisis Group, noted that for HTS, the presence of foreign fighters in areas under their control has always been a dilemma and a headache, both because of friction with the fighters home countries and because many Syrians are very unhappy with their presence.

However, she noted that because the group relied on foreign fighter support, it has been reluctant to launch a wide-scale crackdown that would give the impression to the good foreign fighters  quote unquote  that HTS is turning against them," she said.

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Nasr said that Diaby's situation was too particular to be considered an indication of how the Syrian government will handle the issue of foreign fighters. In general, the interim government has pursued a policy of incorporating the foreign fighters into the new Syrian army, which Nasr said the west has accepted since there is no clear alternative.

If you dont incorporate them in the army, when they fought for more than a decade to topple Assad, married and had children in Syria, what would they do?" he said. "They will cause problems for the new rulers of Damascus or cause problems for their home countries, which nobody wants. Nobody wants them back.
The new Netflix documentary "The Perfect Neighbor" has recast the spotlight on the case of Susan Lorincz  the white Florida woman who fatally shot her Black neighbor through a locked front door.

The June 2, 2023, shooting killed Ajike "AJ" Owens, a 35-year-old mother of four.

The deadly dispute rocked Marion County and reignited controversy over stand your ground laws  which allow a wider latitude for use of deadly force if theres a reasonable fear of imminent death or danger.

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The hour-and-a-half-long documentary unraveled Lorinczs building agitation with neighborhood kids playing in a field near her home through 911 calls, deputy body camera video and detective interviews. In the documentary, Lorincz, then 58, is heard describing herself as the perfect neighbor.

Here's how the shooting unfolded and where Lorincz is today:

The shooting

Lorincz got into an argument with Owens children on June 2, 2023. She yelled at them and threw a roller skate at Owens' 10-year-old son, hitting him in the toe, the Marion County Sheriff's Office said at the time.

The child and his 12-year-old brother went to speak with Lorincz, but when she opened the door, she swung at them with an umbrella. The kids then told Owens what happened, the sheriff's office said.

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Owens  who was not armed  went to Lorinczs home, knocked on the door multiple times and demanded that Lorincz come outside to settle the dispute.

Ajike "AJ" Owens. (@BenCrump via X)

But a frank conversation never happened.

Instead, Lorincz fired a single shot from a .380-caliber handgun through her locked front door.

The bullet struck Owens in the upper chest as her 10-year-old son was standing beside her.

Lorincz was not initially arrested, which prompted outcry.

She claimed that she acted in self-defense and that she feared for her life. The sheriff's department said the case did not meet "stand your ground" qualifications. Lorincz was arrested days later, on June 6, and charged with manslaughter with a firearm, culpable negligence, battery and two counts of assault.

Reputation for harassing kids

Multiple neighbors told NBC News in 2023 that Lorincz had a history of harassing children in the area  she had recorded them, taunted them with racial slurs and waved guns at them.

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Phyllis Wills, who lived in the neighborhood for about 15 years, told NBC News that Lorincz would come outside often and harass the children.

Everybody in this neighborhood has feuded with this lady over our children, she said. Every time theyve went even in the patch of grass over there, she would be like, Get off of my lawn, you b---- or you retards or you N-word. She would wave guns at them, Wills said.

Trial and sentencing

The trial was held in August 2024 in Marion County Circuit Court.

Lorincz claimed her actions were in self-defense, but prosecutors argued that Owens did not pose an imminent danger and that there is no evidence she was trying to break through the door.

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Lorincz appeared emotionless as the six-person jury found her guilty of manslaughter on Aug. 16, 2024. Across the room, Owens family cried with emotion. A family member yelled out: Oh, God. Thank you, Jesus.

On Nov. 25 last year, Lorincz was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Marion County Circuit Judge Robert Hodges said he found the shooting was completely unnecessary.

He noted that while Lorincz was a victim of child sex abuse and had no criminal record, "we also have a tremendous harm inflicted upon this family and the victims family."

Pamela Dias, the victims mother, said at sentencing that her daughter's death has affected every aspect of her life  as well as those of Owens' four children, who were 3 to 12 years old when their mother was killed.

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Our pain and suffering didnt end when Susan was found guilty of manslaughter. Our pain and suffering wont end with todays sentencing. Our pain and suffering will last a lifetime, she said.

Lorincz, dressed in a yellow jail jumpsuit, told the court she regretted pulling the trigger.

I am so sorry. I never intended to kill her, she said. I am just profoundly sad. Not only did a mother die, but a daughter, a sister. I think of your familys loss.

Where is Lorincz today?

Lorincz is 61 years old and serving out her sentence at the Homestead Correctional Institution in Miami-Dade County.

Her release date is set for April 8, 2048.

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Anthony D. Thomas, an attorney for Dias, told NBC News on Wednesday that the family is taking things day by day.

Pamela, the grandmother, her attention is all about the children. The kids are dealing with life without their mother, and a few of them witnessed their mother passing away before their eyes. So the psychological effects and everything else that comes afterwards, just trying to live day to day with kids struggling without their mom is her primary concern, he said.

The children live with their grandmother, in a new home far from where the tragedy took place.

Thomas said Lorincz's sentencing provided "some closure."

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"That's what they wanted. They wanted her put behind bars," he said, noting there has been no communication between the family and Lorincz.

An attorney for Lorincz did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

Last month, Lorincz spoke to WCJB-TV of Gainesville about the high-profile shooting.

Asked whether she was capable of manslaughter, she responded: 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. I cant take it back. I cant replace her.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem promised to prioritize a comprehensive, whole-of-government approach to cybersecurity.

But over the last nine months, a key cybersecurity agency under Noems command has had its staffing slashed by more than a third, axed funding for election security programs and scaled back its support to state and local governments to protect against cyber threats.

Theres a real disconnect between the public messaging about cybersecurity and the reality on the ground, said an employee of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, which is housed under DHS. This person, like others interviewed for this article, was granted anonymity for fear of retribution.

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Lawmakers and those within the cyber community who work closely with CISA to defend the nations critical infrastructure from hackers say the Trump administrations cutbacks have weakened our cyber defenses, particularly as adversaries such as China and Russia have intensified their assaults on U.S. networks.

The administration keeps undermining CISA, which serves at the forefront to defend our infrastructure and private sector from cyberattacks, said Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), chair of the House Armed Services Committees cyber subcommittee and a frequent critic of the Trump administrations policies. Our vulnerability to our adversaries cyberattacks grows, and we have handicapped ourselves in defending against these attacks.

The Department of Homeland Security argues that such fears are misguided. It insists that engagement with the private sector has continued and that it still provides resources directly to state and local governments to tackle cyber threats. The agency also argues that recent changes to CISA are needed to course-correct after supposed excesses under the Biden administration.

Under the leadership of President Donald Trump and Secretary Noem, CISA has refocused on its core mission: serving as the national coordinator for securing and protecting the nations critical infrastructure, the department said in a statement. CISA is now delivering timely, actionable cyber threat intelligence, supporting federal, state and local partners, and defending against both nation-state and criminal cyber threats. Any notion that DHS is unprepared to handle national threats because of these changes is unfounded.

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But the cyber environment has dramatically shifted under the Trump administration. CISA, which was established in law by Trump in 2018, has fallen out of favor with the president in recent years over its efforts to debunk his claims that the 2020 election was rigged. GOP leaders have also accused the agency of censoring conservative voices.

According to DHS-compiled data, CISA was down to about 2,500 staff by the end of May  reportedly a loss of nearly 1,000 employees  following a widespread overhaul of the federal government by the Department of Government Efficiency. Teams that focused on providing digital and physical support to U.S. elections were among those impacted by the mass exodus of staff.

Only around 900 of CISAs remaining employees have been deemed essential during the ongoing government shutdown, while other staffers have been furloughed or laid off. Some CISA staffers were given the option to either move to other DHS agencies, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement  a priority for the Trump administration  or to leave entirely.

Much of CISAs stakeholder engagement team  focused on working with state, local and international partners to detect cyber threats  has been laid off or reassigned to other agencies under DHS. At the same time, many CISA employees around the country who provide security support to state and local governments have departed the agency, and CISA has discontinued funding for the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center, a core cyber threat sharing service used by many of these state leaders.

Noems shifting agenda

Some of the frustration around CISAs stunted cyber operations comes from Noems seeming abandonment of early pledges to take a proactive approach to protecting the nations digital landscape.

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As the former governor of South Dakota, Noem invested heavily in programs to recruit new talent into the cyber workforce. South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden (R), who served as lieutenant governor of the state alongside Noem before taking over the role in January, described her in a statement as a forward-thinking leader, especially in the area of cybersecurity.

During her nomination hearing in January before the Senate Homeland Security Committee, Noem spotlighted the threat of cyberattacks as something that demands our utmost attention and called for a bigger, faster and smarter response.

Our critical infrastructure, from energy grids to financial systems, is under constant attack by foreign adversaries and criminal actors, she wrote in her opening statement. As Secretary, I will prioritize a comprehensive, whole-of-government approach to cybersecurity.

Noem has continued to publicly advocate for fortifying the nations cybersecurity while simultaneously green-lighting widespread cuts to CISA. In her first major remarks on cyber as DHS secretary in April, Noem told industry insiders at RSAC  one of the nations largest cybersecurity conferences  that she was committed to cybersecurity and considered it to be a national security imperative. She also encouraged her critics to just wait for the Trump administrations plans on cyber before passing judgment.

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Just wait til you see what we do  there are reforms going on that are going to be much more responsive. Instead of just talking about cybersecurity, we're going to do it. You're going to have a seat at the table that'll be much bigger, Noem said in her keynote.

But her ambiguous plans for reshaping the nations cyber defenses have not yet materialized into a coherent strategy. She has criticized CISA for veering off-mission and called for more collaboration between the government and private companies in responding to cyberattacks, though its unclear how that will play out in practice. She has also squashed the agencys work countering election-related disinformation and gutted funding for state and local election security efforts.

Our adversaries are salivating

Some in the cyber community worry that picking apart CISAs authority and waffling on a clear plan of action could impede the nations ability to defend against potentially devastating cyberattacks.

In retrospect, Secretary Noems RSAC speech seems like an utter work of fiction, if not deliberate disinformation, said a former cyber official. Clearly, cyber is not a priority for DHS or Noem  making us sitting ducks that are far more vulnerable to cyberattacks. Our adversaries are salivating.

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Complicating matters further is the expiration of the 2015 Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act, a key law that incentivizes private companies to share cyber threat intelligence with the federal government. Noem advocated for Congress to reauthorize the law during her RSAC speech, but it lapsed Sept. 30.

CISAs State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program also lapsed last month. It was established in 2022 and funneled around $1 billion to state and local governments to strengthen cybersecurity efforts.

One state cyber leader said the cuts at CISA and to other state resources have left state and local governments in the crosshairs of cyberattacks.

Were part of the U.S. government, were part of the target set for bad actors, the state cyber leader said. We need all of the resources available to mount an effective defense.

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These policy changes come as the country fights off relentless attacks from adversaries eager to exploit cracks in the U.S. cyber armor. China-linked hackers were previously discovered burrowing inside U.S. power and transportation networks, while other state-sponsored groups have spied on Americans through U.S. telecommunications networks. Hackers have also recently exploited widely used tech, including several Microsoft applications, to gain access to U.S. federal agency networks.

The cyber threat environment continues to be highly complex and highly dynamic, said former CISA Director Jen Easterly, who stepped down from the role in January at the start of the new administration. I think the American people want and deserve a cyber defense agency that is nonpolitical, nonpartisan, well-led, well-resourced with the capability and capacity to help defend businesses large and small across the country, and the critical infrastructure they rely on every day.

Some employees at CISA  the agency in charge of protecting U.S. networks and responding to major cyberattacks  say they are spread thin.

While the remaining workforce is dedicated and mission-driven, the workload has increased substantially without a corresponding adjustment in expectations or support, and without any real acknowledgment of how unsustainable it has become, said the CISA employee.

Priorities elsewhere

Part of the problem, cyber experts say, is that the Trump administration is focused on immigration and law enforcement efforts at DHS, which has shifted attention away from cyber and limited its available resources.

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The DHS priority is clearly immigration; they've shrunk the cyber portfolio, said James Lewis, distinguished fellow with the Tech Policy Program at the Washington-based Center for European Policy Analysis think tank. More of the burden is on local governments and industry, but things havent gelled in the face of undeterred opponents.

A second former cyber official put it more bluntly: Noems approach to cybersecurity is to cut, whether its CISA or FEMA or canceling cyber contracts, she seems to have one goal and that is to cut cyber capability at DHS.

Key Democrats on Capitol Hill, long critical of Noems leadership at DHS, have called sweeping changes to CISA a serious threat to national security.

When it comes to Kristi Noem and cybersecurity, we learned quite fast to ignore her words and look at her actions, House Homeland Security ranking member Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) said. Using the shutdown as an excuse to cut CISAs workforce even further shows that not only is cybersecurity not a priority for Kristi Noem, shes more than happy to weaponize CISA to further any political ends she wants.

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A spokesperson for DHS said that the agency would sustain essential functions and provide timely guidance to minimize disruptions associated with the ongoing government shutdown. The agency also said that it aligns personnel to meet mission priorities and that [layoffs] at CISA are part of this realignment to keep the agency on mission.

But broader questions about CISAs ability to effectively monitor and respond to national cyber threats remain. The agency is currently without a Senate-confirmed leader, and a vote on Sean Plankey  Trumps pick to lead CISA  has not yet been scheduled. And with only a fraction of its staff working during the government shutdown, some worry that the agency lacks the support it needs to secure the nations critical systems.

Part of the question for DHS, and for Secretary Noem, is on cybersecurity  are you doing enough to keep the country safe? said former DHS Deputy Secretary Jane Holl Lute, who served under the Obama administration.
Kyiv is preparing for its fourth heating season under martial law, which will be the most challenging since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion.

Source: Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko

Quote: "Today we face the challenge of getting through the most difficult heating season since the start of the full-scale war, as the enemy is ferociously and systematically attacking all energy and heat generation facilities at once  with large-scale drone and missile strikes aimed at destroying and dismantling critical infrastructure."

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Details: The Kyiv mayor added that "the situation is very difficult".

Klitschko said that the Kyiv City Council must adopt urgent budget decisions to respond to Russian attacks targeting critical infrastructure, enabling additional measures under various security scenarios.

These include reconstructing the city's water supply and drainage systems by introducing alternative or backup power sources, such as additional generators to ensure uninterrupted operation.

Quote: "We will have to reallocate funds from other planned budget items. I understand these are tough decisions."

Background:

Ukraine's heating season will begin as planned. The Ukrainian Ministry of Energy said that the government has adopted all necessary resolutions to ensure readiness.

On 21 October, Ukrenergo, Ukraine's state power company, stated that heating may begin across Ukrainian homes within ten days.

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Kyiv is preparing for what could be the most challenging winter since the start of Russias full-scale invasion, Mayor Vitali Klitschko warned on Oct. 23, as Russian forces continue systematic strikes on Ukraines energy infrastructure.

"We are facing the most difficult heating season in all the years of full-scale war. The enemy is conducting massive, simultaneous attacks on all key energy and heat-generating facilities  using drones, missiles, and everything they can to destroy critical infrastructure," Klitschko said.

Klitschkos warning comes just a day after Russia launched a massive assault on Ukraines energy and port infrastructure overnight on Oct. 2122.

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The attack hit energy facilities across Ukraine, including in Kyiv and the surrounding region, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Cherkasy, Kirovohrad, Poltava, Chernihiv, Sumy, and Odesa oblasts, Ukrainian officials said.

The most critical situations are in Chernihiv, Sumy, Odesa, and Kharkiv oblasts, where Russian attacks have severely damaged local energy infrastructure. In Chernihiv alone, approximately 140,000 consumers were left without power on the afternoon of Oct. 22.

Emergency power outages were implemented across much of the country throughout the day, as Ukrainian energy workers attempted to restore services.

Ukrainian officials have warned that Russia is attempting to shut down the energy grid region by region, with northern and eastern border areas being the most vulnerable due to their proximity to Russian territory.

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Read also: Ukraine confirms strike on Russias Ryazan oil refinery, major blaze reported

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(Photo by Seoul Metropolitan Government/Photo courtesy of Haps Magazine Korea)



The rich aroma of sizzling K-barbecue will fill the autumn air as the 2025 Seoul Barbecue Festa takes place from October 25 to 26 at Noeul Park Campground in Mapo-gu.

The two-day global food and tourism festival invites locals and visitors alike to experience the taste, atmosphere, and style of Seoul under the golden sunset.

This years festival celebrates K-barbecue culture with special zones such as the All-in-One Self Barbecue Zone, Seouls Top Three Barbecue Restaurants, and the Seoul Barbecue Road.

Visitors can purchase high-quality Korean pork and beef from regions like Andong, Chuncheon, and Jeju and grill them on-site at the self-barbecue zone, an event so popular that its pre-bookings sold out in minutes.

Seouls most famous barbecue spotsNamyeongdon, Talk by chef Oh Jun-tak, and Haebong Butchers Housewill join forces to present exclusive festival-only menu items, from traditional charcoal-grilled pork to premium Korean beef prepared before guests eyes.

The Seoul Barbecue Road will also showcase trending barbecue restaurants such as Mungteong, Yanginhwandae, and Jjitgeungoogi, offering their signature dishes at discounted prices.

For those looking for a unique twist, the festival includes a Joseon Barbecue Experience where visitors can enjoy traditional-style cooking, and the Happy Yum Yum Ramen Shop, a cozy outdoor space pairing barbecue with classic Korean instant noodles.

Beyond the food, the event will also host a Sunset Concert featuring artists Min Kyung-hoon, Nilo, and Jeon Sang-geun, a Fall Healing Trek leading through scenic trails to the festival grounds, and an Outdoor Reading Lounge complete with mats, folding chairs, and book kits for a moment of calm under the autumn sky.

Visitors can also enjoy family-friendly attractions like large photo zones featuring Haechi and Kakao Friends characters and the Seoul Kids Cafe in Barbecue, a play area for children operating three times daily.

Shuttle buses and the Noeul Park Mangggongi Train will provide easy access to the venue, with the city recommending public transportation due to expected traffic.

For details, visit www.seoulbbqfesta.com or follow the official Instagram page @seoulbbqfesta_official.
Ukraine said on Oct. 23 that it has received 1,000 bodies from Russia, which Moscow says are fallen Ukrainian soldiers.

"In the near future, investigators from law enforcement agencies and Interior Ministry experts will carry out all the necessary examinations to identify the repatriated bodies," Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War (POW) said.

Russia has received 31 bodies from Ukraine, according to the Russian Telegram channel Astra.

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The repatriation follows several such operations carried out in recent months.

Agreements on the return of fallen soldiers and exchanges of POWs were one of the few tangible results of the Russian-Ukrainian peace talks in Istanbul between May and July.

The latest operation was carried out jointly by the Coordination Headquarters, the Armed Forces, the Security Service of Ukraine, the Interior Ministry, the Ombudsman's office, and other bodies, with the support of the Red Cross.

According to Ukraine, Russia has repeatedly attempted to hand over bodies of its own killed soldiers passed off as Ukrainians, attempting to hide the scale of its losses from the Russian public.

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The largest exchange of fallen soldiers followed the second round of Istanbul peace talks on June 2. Ukraine received a total of 6,057 bodies of its fallen soldiers as part of the phased exchange.

Russia, according to Kremlin aide and negotiator Vladimir Medinsky, took back 78. Kyiv does not usually disclose the number of killed Russian soldiers it hands over to Russia.

Read also: Russian commander ordered troops to shoot Ukrainian civilians near Pokrovsk, radio intercept suggests

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Lexington drivers speeding through active road construction zones may want to slow down this autumn, or potentially face a fine of up to $500.

Some of the first highway work zone automated speed enforcement cameras are coming to Fayette County this fall, according to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

The cameras, equipped with radar and photographic technology to catch drivers speeding 10 mph or more over the posted limit, are intended to enforce speeding laws where crews are working. If a camera catches a speeder, data will be sent to an on-site police officer, who will initiate a traffic stop at the end of the work zone.

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The officer can issue a ticket with a fine of up to $500.

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet officials will soon begin installing automated speed enforcement cameras, like the one seen here, in select state highway work zones this summer. Two of the cameras will be placed in Fayette County.

KYTC plans to install five cameras this fall, two of which will be in Fayette County. One will be located on U.S. 25 between mile markers 7.8 and 9.6, while the other will be on Kentucky 418 between mile markers 0 and 1.8.

The other cameras will be on Kentucky Route 3 in Martin County, Interstate 64 in Shelby County and Interstate 75 in Laurel and Whitley counties. KYTC did not share the installation date for the speed cameras, but enforcement is expected to begin soon.

Every Kentuckian deserves to make it home safely, transportation cabinet Secretary Jim Gray said in a news release. Were hopeful this initiative will inspire drivers to be more aware of their speeds in every work zone to avoid preventable crashes and save lives.

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Work zones with automated speed enforcement cameras will have warning signs with flashing lights to alert drivers to the cameras presence. Additional cameras may be added at other locations this year, KYTC said.

Drivers caught speeding in a state highway work zone could be fined up to $500 as part of a new safety initiative from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet aimed at preventing crashes in those areas.

The installation comes after the General Assembly passed a law earlier this year that allowed the use of automated speed enforcement cameras in road construction zones. A work zone is defined as a portion of a state highway where construction is being conducted by a government agency, private contractor or utility company.

The law is named after Jared Lee Helton, a Kentucky highway worker who was killed in a work zone crash in 2019. There were more than 1,223 work zone crashes in Kentucky last year, resulting in seven deaths and 298 injuries, KYTC reports.

Every day, our crews head into work zones knowing theyre exposed to real risks from speeding traffic, Chad LaRue, executive director of the Kentucky Association of Highway Contractors, said in the news release. This effort is a great step to ensure our contractors and crews have safe working conditions, just like anyone else.
For over a year, a pair of buildings with breathtaking ocean views that used to house seniors have sat vacant in Santa Monica next to multimillion-dollar townhomes and condominiums.

But in the last several months, neighbors have noticed workers moving on and off the respective properties in the 400 and 800 blocks of Ocean Avenue.

They painted the buildings, installed security cameras and a PRIVATE PROPERTY sign to deter trespassers.

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Then, late on a Tuesday night earlier this month, the county of Los Angeles informed the city of Santa Monica new tenants would be moving in soon and who they were: 49 patients with behavioral health issues enrolled in the county's transitional housing program.

The backlash came fast, including from the mayor.

"I live next to 3 within walking distance  we never got a heads up or a community meeting either," Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete wrote on Facebook. "The system is not working fairly and informing people and its above our heads often coming from state and county  yet we have to manage the chaos."

Now, the project is on hold as the county plans to host a town hall and offer public tours of the facilities.

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"We want to ensure that everyone is heard, properly informed, and has multiple opportunities to provide feedback and help shape how the project is implemented," the Department of Mental Health said in a statement.

That's how the process should have rolled out in the first place, according to locals like Negrete.

"What happened here revealed some real gaps in how the law divides responsibilities between the state, county and city when it comes to not only funding mental health facilities, but just the notification and community engagement," Negrete told The Times. "I think everybody deserves to know what is happening in their community and to be able to voice their concern, and shouldn't be chastised or villainized for having a response or a fear."

Santa Monica resident Alex Ardeshir, 57, stands in front of a former senior assisted living facility. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)

Read more: Norwalk agrees to repeal law that banned homeless shelters, AG says

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Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said in a statement on Oct. 14 she is "disappointed by the lack of proper communication with Santa Monica residents" and said there "has been inexcusably little engagement around this proposal."

L.A. County operates the largest county-run mental health department in the country with a budget of nearly $3 billion. Last year, L.A. was one of 10 counties to receive nearly $133 million to rapidly house homeless people and those experiencing mental illness.

That funding includes the Ocean Avenue bridge housing.

According to the county, the facilities will be managed by the Venice-based nonprofit St. Joseph Center and operated by the Department of Mental Health through the state Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Program. The nonprofit did not respond to requests for comment.

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The end goal for residents admitted into the facilities will be to transition them into secure housing while providing mental health treatment and other resources. Santa Monica residents receive priority placement. Residents will be vetted by the county and have to follow a curfew and other rules. Staffing will include mental health clinicians, licensed vocational nurses and substance use counselors, among other medical professionals. St. Joseph Center will provide 24/7 security and manage the area outside the facility, according to the county.

It's unclear if the county weighed how the site would impact tourism, calls for police and other emergency services, which all link back to the city. Negrete thinks the state and county should assess the data on what can be done to open state-funded hospitals for people who need mental health services.

"We need to ask ourselves, like, how does this impact the entire neighborhood?" Negrete said.

Last month, the city of Santa Monica declared a state of fiscal distress due to a decline in tourism revenue that has not rebounded since the pandemic and paid out more than $229 million in legal settlements relating to sexual-abuse claims made against a former police dispatcher. The city recently permitted outdoor drinking at the Third Street Promenade to try and boost business.

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Read more: Citing fire risk, Malibu wants to arrest homeless people who refuse to stop camping illegally

On a recent sunny morning, Alex Ardeshir passed by one of the vacant buildings with his dogs after the county announced the project was put on pause. He doesn't think the facilities will fit in with the neighborhood, but agrees there needs to be more care for people living on the streets.

"It's a noble cause, but this is a residential area that attracts tourists," he said. "You're going to have a clash of people who are not from the area seeing this facility and wondering if this represents the city. Tourism would take a hit. I'd like to think I'm a compassionate person, but the county has not thought this through."

Michelle Lee lives near one of the proposed facilities and said there was zero outreach from the county or St. Joseph Center. She wants to see more opportunities for people to get help and thinks the bridge housing model is an important tool.

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"We all need to do our part in helping the homeless," Lee said. "It's such a complicated issue. I don't have a problem with the bridge housing based on what little information I've received. But this was all mishandled. We had to play a guessing game about all of this and still nothing."

Bradley Adams sometimes sleeps on the beach in Santa Monica. He heard about the bridge housing but didn't know it was going to be on Ocean Avenue.

"If it's empty and there's money then someone should get to sleep there," he said. "There are so many who need the help."

According to county data taken on a single night in February, 202 people were staying in temporary shelters and 475 were living on the streets, with an additional 135 people living in a vehicle, tent or makeshift shelter in Santa Monica.

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Though the Ocean Avenue facility openings are paused for now, they are meant to address the needs of Santa Monica residents, who have asked for more beds and resources to address the growing homeless crisis, including helping people with acute mental health needs, according to Horvath's office.

"It's not our project," Negrete said. "Yet, somehow we're left holding the bag when neighbors or constituents or stakeholders are upset about a project."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The Governments flagship policy to stop the boats and deter thousands of illegal migrants from crossing the Channel is in tatters. After being launched to much fanfare by Keir Starmer in July, it took three months until the Home Office sought to deport the first man back to France.

Then the Government faced legal challenge after legal challenge, at which lawyers argued that France would not be safe for these men, or that the chance of them being made homeless would breach their human rights. Today we have learned that an Iranian man who originally arrived in Britain on August 6, before being sent back to France on September 19, has chosen to cross the Channel again, arriving back here on Saturday.

Despite the Governments insistence that migrants who are deported under the scheme will not be allowed to re-enter the UK, the man may well have a good chance of being allowed to stay here. This is because of the claims he has made: France, he insists, is not safe for him. The man has said that in France he didnt dare to go out because he was afraid of the smugglers who are very dangerous [and] always carry weapons and knives. He has claimed to be a victim of modern slavery, and that he fell into the trap of a human trafficking network before leaving crossing the Channel the first time.

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This matters because under the UKs Modern Slavery Act (2015), courts have to treat everyone who makes a credible claim of being a victim of modern slavery as a person who needs protection. This applies even if the claimed abuse did not happen in the UK, or anywhere near it.

In September I attended a court hearing where a different illegal migrant challenged his deportation to France under this law. He claimed that he had been a victim of human trafficking in North Africa while travelling towards the UK. The Home Office clearly doubted the mans claim, with their barrister pointing out that despite him saying his enslavement had happened the previous year he could not recall any meaningful details about it.

The judge in that hearing also heard evidence that the migrant might have his ECHR rights breached by being returned to France. This was on the astonishing grounds that being sent to France might breach Article 3, which states no one shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The basis for this argument was that, unlike the UK, France does not house asylum seekers, and that to be homeless is inhuman or degrading. The judge eventually granted that mans challenge, blocking his deportation from the UK.

This is the problem we face. Human rights law has been stretched far beyond its original meaning and intent. New laws like the Modern Slavery Act, however well-meaning, have created great obstacles to deportation. And there is a well-funded network of NGOs and charities seemingly determined to oppose any deportation, on any grounds.

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There is also the matter of incentives. Given the opportunities here in the UK, the chance to be housed, fed, clothed, and perhaps to work in the gig economy for some extra cash, migrants are highly-motivated to say whatever it takes to say. It is almost impossible to verify claims of being trafficked in other countries or continents, and courts seem to err on the side of believing these men.

What has been shown today is that mere agreements with other countries arent enough. If this Government wishes to control the borders it needs to repeal legislation, quit the Refugee Convention, and take the power to control our borders away from judges.

The Home Secretary should have the right to determine who may or may not reside in the country. Earlier this year, Shabana Mahmood showed her willingness to take power back from the judges in the two-tier sentencing dispute. Now she needs to find that mettle again, or our migration crisis will only become worse.

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A federal grand jury has indicted a 33-year-old man living in Lafayette for allegedly conspiring with Hamas in connection with the deadly Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel and for committing visa fraud.

Mahmoud Amin Yaqub Al-Muhtadi, also known as Abu Ala, was charged with conspiring to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization resulting in death, and visa fraud. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of any property or funds used or obtained through the alleged crimes.

Details of the indictment

The grand jury returned the indictment Friday, Oct. 17, shortly after Al-Muhtadis initial court appearance in Lafayette, where the allegations were translated into Arabic.

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According to prosecutors, Al-Muhtadi entered the United States on Sept. 12, 2024, through DallasFort Worth International Airport using a falsified visa. He later lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma, before relocating to Lafayette by June 2025, where he worked in a local restaurant.

The FBI affidavit alleges Al-Muhtadi gathered armed men in Gaza shortly after Hamas launched the Oct. 7, 2023, attack, then crossed into Israel to take part in the assault at Kibbutz Kfar Aza. Roughly 60 people, including multiple American citizens, were killed and 19 others kidnapped, the criminal complaint states.

Investigators say the case relies on interviews, cellphone data, emails, social-media records and information shared by Israeli intelligence. The FBI identified Al-Muhtadi as an operative of the National Resistance Brigades, the military wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, which allegedly coordinated with Hamas during the attacks.

Court appearance and plea

Alongside his interpreter, Al-Muhtadi appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carol B. Whitehurst at 1 p.m. Wednesday in the federal courthouse in Lafayette. Wearing an orange jail jumpsuit marked Inmate L and shackled at the wrists and ankles, he was escorted into the courtroom by two U.S. Marshals.

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Judge Whitehurst read the charges aloud:

Count 1: Conspiring to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Count 2: Visa fraud, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Al-Muhtadi entered pleas of not guilty to both counts and waived his right to a detention hearing for now, though the court may revisit that issue later.

Next steps and classified filings

Federal prosecutors have filed several pleadings related to classified material, asking the court to appoint a Classified Information Security Officer and hold a pretrial conference to determine how secret evidence will be handled during discovery and at trial.

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The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Louisiana with assistance from the FBIs Joint Task Force investigating the 2023 Hamas attack.

Al-Muhtadi remains in federal custody as prosecutors prepare for the next stage of proceedings. The court has not yet set a trial date.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Lafayette man charged with Hamas ties, visa fraud after Oct. 7 attack
After the Palisades fire broke out in January, the head of the powerful firefighters union, Freddy Escobar, quickly got on the news and continued to say what he always had: The Los Angeles Fire Department was underfunded.

With millions around the world paying attention to the dire situation in Los Angeles, Escobar had a much larger audience than the month before, when he made the same points at a meeting before the city's Board of Fire Commissioners.

The fire chief does not have the money to staff the resources that are needed," Escobar told The Times on Jan. 10, three days after the fires started burning. Unfortunately, everything was lined up to have a disaster."

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But Escobar says now in an administrative claim against the city that his comments about the department  which he thought were protected speech from his position as the elected head of the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City  led to retaliatory action from Mayor Karen Bass.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, right, and Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley address the media at a press conference in January. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

The city has 45 days to respond to the claim before Escobar can file a lawsuit. The LAFD declined to comment on "union-related matters." The mayor's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Escobar, a 30-year-veteran of the fire department, has run UFLAC since 2018. Months after the fires he was suspended from his union position following an audit, which found that more than 70% of the transactions he made on his union credit card  worth $230,466  had no supporting documentation.

He also came under scrutiny from the media and the fire department after it was revealed that he made more than $500,000 in 2022 in union pay along with overtime firefighting work  about 78 hours of work per week.

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But Escobar said in his claim that the investigation into his overtime pay was calculated retaliation by the mayor's office because of his criticism during the fires.

The mayor summoned Escobar to City Hall on Jan. 10 to discuss the fate of Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, Escobar wrote in the claim.

Crowley, like Escobar, had been critical of the mayor and of the level of funding the fire department received in the lead up to the Palisades fire. The chief said the city of Los Angeles had failed her and the department.

In the meeting, Bass asked the union leader if he supported Crowley and why he kept making complaints about the staffing levels of the fire department, according to Escobar.

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The mayor "expressed displeasure with those statements," Escobar said in the claim.

Crowley and other mayoral staff joined what Escobar called a "tense" meeting, where they were both questioned about their comments to the media.

"From their expressions and tone, Escobar understood that his statements had offended the mayor," the claim said.

While he assumed Crowley would be ousted, Escobar still believed he was protected in his union position.

Former Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley gets hugged by a firefighter after the Palisades fire. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

Crowley was ousted from the top position at the fire department, but Escobar continued to run the union.

Months later, The Times was working on a story about Escobar's overtime hours and pay.

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Escobar said in his claim that he "enjoys a reputation for a strong work ethic," and that he often volunteered for overtime at some of the city's busiest fire stations.

Escobar said that the fire department routinely responded to inquiries about overtime by saying that there were abundant overtime opportunities due to staffing shortages.

"However, the Mayor's Office intervened," Escobar said in the administrative claim.

Escobar said the mayor's staff instructed the fire department to say that they were launching a "comprehensive review and overhaul" of procedures for tracking the hours of department staff on union leave.

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Escobar said the review never occurred and that the statement was made to make him look corrupt. The fire department did not immediately say if a review was completed.

"These acts were part of a broader pattern of retaliation against Escobar by the Mayor and other officials... for exercising his constitutional and statutory rights and engaging in protected union activity," he wrote in the claim.

About a week after the overtime story, Escobar was suspended from his position in the union over his credit card usage.

He did not mention the credit card issues in the claim against the city.



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CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WATE)  A fish that was once locally extinct in Tennessee is back and no longer considered endangered, marking a major milestone for the Tennessee Aquariums longest running conservation program.

The conservation status of the Lake Sturgeon in Tennessee has now been downgraded from endangered to threatened. It had been extirpated, or locally extinct, in the state since the 1970s.

Since 1998, the Tennessee Aquarium has worked in collaboration with federal and state agencies as well as universities and other nonprofits to re-establish the species. The Southeast Lake Sturgeon Working Group has raised and released more than 430,000 Lake Sturgeon into the Tennessee and Cumberland river watersheds since 2000.

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Tennessee to reintroduce bird species last seen in Cherokee National Forest in 1994

Im positive the downgrading is a result of the Southeast Lake Sturgeon Working Groups effort, said Dr. Anna George, the Tennessee Aquariums vice president of conservation science and education.

The aquarium honored the 25th anniversary of the first Lake Sturgeon release with a public event on the Tennessee River in downtown Chattanooga. Around 500 juvenile Lake Sturgeon were released into the river by a group including local officials, community leaders, and students from Hixson High School.

The Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute releases juvenile Lake Sturgeon into the Tennessee River from Coolidge Park on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Students from Hixson High School help the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute release juvenile Lake Sturgeon into the Tennessee River from Coolidge Park on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Students from Hixson High School help the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute release juvenile Lake Sturgeon into the Tennessee River from Coolidge Park on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, in Chattanooga, Tenn.

After 25 years of stocking, the reintroduced population is now considered large and mature enough that they can start to reproduce naturally. While not yet verified, wildlife officials believe its likely that theyre already spawning in the wild.

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State, county partners keeping Smokies open through October amid government shutdown

Once the species is confirmed to be self-sustaining, it will mark another important step towards the preservation of other imperiled species of Southern Appalachia.

When that happens and we have an appropriately managed recreational fishery, well have this recipe for success that we can apply to other animals that we might have lost through carelessness, George said. Thats whats really so great to me about the Lake Sturgeon. Its not just about the fish; its about everything.

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DENVER (KDVR)  A Lakewood resident who has Alzheimers has returned home after being reported missing, police reported.

The man was last seen at about noon on Tuesday, Oct. 21, after leaving his home in Lakewoods Belmar neighborhood, according to the police department.

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The mans family told police that he left for his daily walk Tuesday and didnt return.

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Police on Thursday morning said the man was found in Denver and has been returned home. Police said he is doing well.

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MAHANOY CITY, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  A landfill thats closing will mean a new beginning for parts of Schuylkill County. The North Schuylkill Landfill Association is officially closed, freeing up $3,500,000 that was once set aside to cap the landfill.

After meeting requirements from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the group sold off remaining land, equipment, and buildings.

Now that surplus is being split evenly among 17 area communities, each will receive a check for just over $209,000.

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Its money that will help cover improvements, easing costs for local residents.

Lackawanna County Commissioner sworn in, special election still happening

We wanted to free up this money and get it back to the municipalities. The money that was there was to cap the landfill, but we were able to work it out that we already had a cap on it, and we were able to give this money back now to the communities, North Schuylkill Landfill Association President David Briggs told 28/22 News.

A lot of municipalities that two hundred thousand could go a long way for, say, sewer improvement or waterline improvement, Rush Township Board of Supervisors Vice Chairman Robert Leibensperger explained.

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Landfill officials say the project took six years to finalize.

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Sterling Bentley (left) opens the LGBTQ+ Town Hall with lawmakers and advocates alongside him. Oct. 22. | Photo by Katherine Dailey/Michigan Advance.

In a town hall on LGBTQ+ issues hosted by the Capital Caucus, a group of state legislators who represent the area around Lansing, legislators seemed focused on their future legislative priorities  priorities that many acknowledged might only be passed if Democrats regain a trifecta. The town hall was hosted Wednesday night at the Central United Methodist Church in downtown Lansing.

We try to do what we can and show up where we can. And that may not mean passing a lot of legislation right now, but we sure as hell will be building the case for it, Rep. Emily Dievendorf (D-Lansing) said. So as soon as we have the gavel back, we can just start to touch that domino and knock things over, because we need to hold on to the progress that weve made.

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Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Okemos) acknowledged the power of still having a Democratic governor, attorney general and state Senate, especially in responding to federal attacks on access to gender-affirming care.

However, in terms of passing legislation, she expressed similar sentiments to Dievendorf, saying, I like to view it as a brief holding period for this two year period that were in until we can again march forward and move forward in the next cycle when we get our Democratic majority back.

Rep. Emily Dievendorf (D-Lansing) presents an opening statement during the Capital Caucus LGBTQ+ town hall. Oct. 22. | Photo by Katherine Dailey/Michigan Advance.

Others did highlight more recent legislative victories, including the removal of anti-LGBTQ+ language from the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, as Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) emphasized.

Some bills are attacking the LGBT community, the trans community, and a lot of the bills, again, they are unenforceable, but they still are an attack on this community, and we cant let that stand, Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou (D-East Lansing) continued.

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But while many questions  submitted in advance by attendees and presented by Michigan State doctoral student Sterling Bentley  centered on responding to the Trump administrations policies rolling back access to gender-affirming care and misinformation about the LGBTQ+ community, many panelists emphasized the need for community engagement and care in response to that.

One of the ways that we can combat misinformation that is out there about those of us who identify as queer and trans people is that we have to do the work around supporting our young people, Jarred Daniels, an implementation specialist at the Michigan Organization on Adolescent Sexual Health, said.

I think by raising awareness around these issues, and making sure that our young people have access to sexual health education is going to do so much in the impact of combating misinformation, Daniels continued.

And Lilianna Angel Reyes, the Health Equity and Outreach Director at the Ruth Ellis Center in the Detroit area, emphasized that folks with access to education  both formal and informal education  should work to support those without it.

The crowd listens to lawmakers and advocates at the Capital Caucus LGBTQ+ Town Hall. Oct. 22. | Photo by Katherine Dailey/Michigan Advance.

Cohesion and access to other people and resources increase education access, she said.

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Later going on to recount her own story as a transgender woman who began transitioning in the early 2000s, Reyes added, We came from a place that was very, very, very dark, and so I dont think that we should even fathom that we could go back.

I think we will do better when we have more voices that reflect our community, and weve definitely had that since Rep. Dievendorf came to the legislature, added Rep. Kara Hope (D-Holt).

But Amber Moe-Olds, director of movement building at Equality Michigan, shared a somber reminder of what is at stake, calling transgender people the canary in the coal mine right now for civil rights.

The administration is testing how far they can go and what they can get away with using the transgender community right now. And so if we sit silent and we let this happen, we are complicit in losing every other right along the way, she said.

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A point of disagreement came between Dievendorf and Brixie near the end of the panel, in response to labor organizer Bridget McConaughys question on how to respond, or not respond, to GOP attacks on trans people.

Brixie told those in the room not to take the bait of having to respond to each attack, attacks that have no legislative potential to pass.

Its easier to take a strategic move of saying we as a caucus are not going to give oxygen to the Republicans twentieth hate filled resolution that they pass, she said. If we recognize that what theyre doing is just pushing our buttons, and if we dont react, then its not going to be on the news.

Groups, including the Salus Center, Rooted Counseling and DeWitt Pride all presented information to attendees at the Capitol Caucus LGBTQ+ Town Hall. Oct. 22. | Photo by Katherine Dailey/Michigan Advance.

Dievendorf, however, pushed back strongly against this. As the only non-binary member of the legislature, they said, even when the attacks on us are not in the news, they dont go away for us.

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As long as that bill is being introduced, we may not be talking about it, but other folks are, they continued, referencing the threats that their own office has faced. That is our opportunity to get in front of the misinformation, correct the lies, and also build community among ourselves, because the attacks were disregarded.

As the panel came to an end, Daniels added in response to fears about conversion therapy bans being overturned, Community will be the thing that saves us, no matter when the law is too slow, when justice cannot be found, we will have us. We will save us.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  In an effort to address the ongoing doctor shortage, Nevada Health & Bioscience Corporation unveiled plans on Wednesday for a brand-new medical facility in the Las Vegas medical district.

The two-floor laboratory will be located next to UNLVs Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine near Pinto and Shadow Lanes. According to Las Vegas City Councilman Brian Knudsen, the location is meant to send a message.

Its firmly stating to the rest of Nevada and the rest of the country that Nevada is ready and open for business for new professionals to come into our town and make Nevada healthier, Knudsen said.

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The new, two-floor medical facility, which will be 34,000 square feet, will house a range of services, from a donor blood center on the first floor to lab testing on the second floor.

Councilman Knudsen said they anticipate completion by December 2026.

According to NHBC medical consultant Barbara Atkinson, the goal is to keep medical students in Nevada through expanding residencies and fellowships.

Nevada has a terrible doctor shortage, Atkinson explained. We just need more of every kind of specialty. We need to add more residencies and more medical students.

She continued, This is going to have programs in all of the pathology pieces, laboratory medicine, hematology, cancer, and infectious disease.

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Construction is slated to begin in November, with the project carrying a $44 million budget.

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ABC News Live's original docuseries "Last Lands" season 2 moved to Panama for its second episode. The Emmy-nominated and Webby-winning show highlighted the richly biodiverse ecosystem of the Central American nation's Coiba National Park, which includes an island that was once a penal colony.

Coiba's isolated nature has allowed for narco activity to occur undetected along the islands shores, according to authorities. They noted that Coiba is along the path traveled by narco semi-submersibles -- traveling from Southern and Central America to the U.S. and Canada.

These semi-submersibles made headlines as the U.S. launched an airstrike on an alleged narco submarine in the Atlantic last week. Coiba, a Panamanian national park, also happens to be a stop along the worlds second largest whale and shark "super highway."

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The second episode of "Last Lands" streams on ABC News Live at 8:30 p.m. ET on Oct. 23 and is available afterwards on Disney+ and Hulu.

ABC News - PHOTO: The "Last Lands" team's boat glides through the clear blue water navigating between the islands of Panama's Coiba National Park.

"Last Lands" is produced in partnership with ABC News Live and Global Conservation, the only international group focused solely on protecting endangered national parks and Indigenous territories in developing countries. The series takes viewers around the world, highlighting the urgent mission to protect our planet's most threatened places.

Hosted by award winning correspondent Bob Woodruff, this episode of "Last Lands" takes a look into the former penal colony 30 miles off of Panamas southern coast. The prison was built in 1919, and became known for its harsh conditions and holding some of the countrys worst criminals.

When a prisoner died, they were either buried in unmarked graves or dismembered and thrown to the sharks. At its peak, the prison held 3,000 inmates in 30 work camps across the island.

ABC News - PHOTO: An entrance to the former prison that held Panama's worst criminals until 2004.

In 1991, three years after the end of Panamas military rule, the government declared Coiba island part of a national park. In addition to Coiba, 38 smaller islands and marine areas within the Gulf of Chiriqui were declared part of the national park. The prison was operational under the dictatorships of Omar Torrijos and Manuel Noriega and shut its doors in 2004. In 2005, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Today, this gem in the Pacific is a refuge for sharks, turtles and whales. It's home to 700 types of fish, 30 species of sharks and the largest reefs in the Pacific Americas. However, authorities warned that the waterways off the island's coast are under threat from illegal fishing as well as drug trafficking.

ABC News - PHOTO: A whale breaks the surface of the blue water of Panama's Coiba National Park for a breath of air.

"Last year, we captured, I think, 10 tons of shark fins in a local smuggling ring," Juan Carlos Navarro, Panamas minister for the environment, told ABC News.

The fight for conservation is important to preserve the historic natural wonders for indigenous people today.

"If we don't act now, everything will be lost and scientists will not be biologists, [we] will be paleontologists. That's what I'm trying to protect," Navarro said.
Michael Smuss was born on April 15, 1926, in Danzig, where his family lived until the rise of the Nazi Party.

Michael Smuss, the last surviving member of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, passed away at the age of 99 on Thursday.

A month ago, German Ambassador to Israel Steffen Seibert awarded him the "Order of Merit," the highest honor given by the Federal Republic of Germany, in recognition of his contributions to Holocaust education and to promoting dialogue between Germany and Israel.

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"I was saddened to hear of Michael Smuss' passing," Seibert said this morning. "He dedicated his life to teaching about the Holocaust. I will never forget the 'Zikaron BaSalon' event with him. Just last month, I had the honor of presenting him with the Federal Cross of Merit."

Michael Smuss was born on April 15, 1926, in Danzig, where his family lived until the rise of the Nazi Party.

His father decided to move the family to the Polish city of odz when Michael was 12 years old. In odz, he studied at Isaac Katzenelson's gymnasium and was a member of a youth movement.

Michael Smuss, last survivor of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, dies at 99, October 23, 2025. (credit: YOAV ETIEL)

His mother held a Danzig passport, so the family decided to split: his mother and sister stayed behind, while Michael and his father moved to Warsaw, where they lived in the ghetto from 1940 until the uprising in 1943.

Hardship in the Warsaw Ghetto

They endured extreme hardship, with widespread hunger and frequent disease. Fortunately, both worked in a factory repairing military equipment for the German army.

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"In the ghetto, I witnessed the horrors caused by the Nazis to the Jews," he used to say. "A few young friends and I joined the underground resistance. The resistance's goal was to stop the Nazis' terrible deeds. I smuggled weapons for the resistance and made Molotov cocktails  a means of preparing for a revolt against the Nazis."

"Additionally, the situation  or, as I call it, God's grace  played in my favor: I was one of the last people in the Warsaw Ghetto, where tens of thousands had already died. The Nazis wanted to report positively on the so-called successful ghetto, so they invited journalists. That's why they didn't kill us."

Later, Michael Smuss was sent to various death camps, including Budzyn, Majdanek, Plaszow, Wieliczka, and Flossenburg in Bavaria. He survived them all. In April 1945, he was forced to endure the "death march," which lasted for seven days and nights, from Flossenburg to Stamsried. He survived that as well.

After the war, Michael Smuss dedicated his life to Holocaust education and the fight against antisemitism. Throughout the Holocaust, he courageously risked his life, fought for his survival, and helped fellow prisoners in the Warsaw Ghetto. Even after being captured by the Nazis and sent to concentration camps, his resilience and bravery stood as a testament to his extraordinary spirit.

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"We mourn the passing of Holocaust survivor Michael Smuss today," said the 'Zikaron BaSalon' organization, which preserves Holocaust memory through intimate meetings in homes, communities, and educational institutions.

"Michael, whose big heart defined him more than anything, was a close friend and a central partner in Zikaron BaSalon. He dedicated his life to sharing his testimony, not just to remember the past, but as a living moral call.

"He shared this call with thousands of people in Israel and around the world. Michael fought in the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, and as a young man, he learned that memory is not a ceremony, but a responsibility. He passed that lesson on to us, and with his departure, we mourn the loss of the dear person who was our compass.

"We also commit to continuing his path: to remember and remind. Saying goodbye to Michael is yet another reminder of the responsibility we, as a society, have to pass on the memory to future generations.

"We will continue to share his story and the stories of many others in Zikaron BaSalon memory sessions. His spirit will continue to guide us forward, especially in these times. May his memory be a blessing."
(NewsNation)  The Harvard professor raising questions about the 3I/ATLAS comet passing through our solar system says the hurtling object is giving off chemical signals that do not appear to be natural.

Theoretical physicist Avi Loeb says the Keck II telescope in Hawaii recently collected data that indicates 3I/ATLAS is emitting nickel but little, if any, iron, a characteristic we only find in industrially produced nickel alloys. Such a compound is used in metal coatings to fortify surfaces, the New York Post notes in its own interview with the astrophysicist.

Loeb has become a familiar figure in news coverage about 3I/ATLAS because of his startling theory that the comet could be some form of alien tech. For months, he has been highlighting the objects lack of a traditional comets tail, its curious trajectory through our Milky Way and its unusually large size (at least 3.5 miles in diameter).

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Scientists offer new look at black holes massive jet

Its at least a thousand times more massive than the previous interstellar objects weve seen, Loeb told Elizabeth Vargas Reports on Wednesday. And the question is why is such a giant object delivered to our inner solar system, when we saw only small ones before?

3I/ATLAS could be black swan event: Avi Loeb

NASAs Hubble Space Telescope captured this image of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS on July 21, 2025, when the comet was 277 million miles from Earth. (NASA)

He argues that the international community should get on the same page about what to do if extraterrestrials or their drones come into proximity with Earth.

We should keep our eyes open and not assume anything because it could be a black swan event, where something that looks natural at first ends up being like a Trojan Horse, Loeb says. Because the implications are so huge for humanity, we must consider it seriously.

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3I/Atlas is expected to disappear behind the sun late this month and pass Jupiter early next year before leaving our galaxy, according to NASA, which considers the object a comet that poses no danger.

Loeb, on the other hand, likens the object to an interstellar blind date.

You often assume that the dating partner would be very friendly, but you have to worry about serial killers, as well, he said.

Why is comet called 3I/ATLAS?

The name 3I/ATLAS derives from the fact that its the third known interstellar object to enter our solar system; it was discovered by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System.

Loeb said Oct. 2 images taken by NASAs Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter should yield the clearest pictures yet of 3I/Atlas, but they have not been released.

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President Donald Trump on Thursday pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, who created the worlds largest cryptocurrency exchange and pled guilty in 2023 to enabling money laundering.

Zhao served prison time for failing to stop criminals from using the platform to move money connected to child sex abuse, drug trafficking and terrorism.

I failed here, Zhao told the court last year during sentencing. I deeply regret my failure, and I am sorry.

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His pardoning is the latest example of Trump flexing his executive power to bestow clemency on political allies, prominent public figures and others.

A lot of people say that he wasnt guilty of anything, Trump said of pardoning Zhao, one of the biggest names in the crypto industry.

Zhao and Binance have been key supporters of some of the Trump familys crypto enterprises.

Here's the latest:

The US military flew supersonic B-1 bombers up to the coast of Venezuela

The U.S. military flew a pair of supersonic, heavy bombers up to the coast of Venezuela on Thursday, a little over a week after another group of American bombers made a similar journey as part of a training exercise to simulate an attack.

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The flights come as the U.S. military has built up an unusually large force in the Caribbean Sea and the waters off the coast of Venezuela, raising speculation that Trump could try to topple Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who faces charges of narcoterrorism in the U.S.

The U.S. military since early September has been carrying out lethal strikes on vessels in the waters off Venezuela that Trump says are trafficking drugs.

According to flight tracking data, a pair of B-1 Lancer bombers took off from Dyess Air Force Base in Texas on Thursday and flew through the Caribbean and up to the coast of Venezuela. A U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military operations, confirmed that a training flight of B-1s took place in the Caribbean.

The B-1 bomber can carry more bombs than any other plane in the U.S. inventory.

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Lynn Berry

Trump administration finalizes plan to allow oil and gas drilling in Alaska wildlife refuge

The push renews long-simmering debate over whether to drill in one of the nations most sensitive wilderness areas.

The plan to open the coastal plain of Alaskas Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling fulfills a promise by Trump and congressional Republicans to open the portion of the refuge to possible development.

The massive GOP bill of tax breaks and spending cuts that was passed during the summer called for at least four lease sales within the refuge over a 10-year period.

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 Read more about the Trump administrations plan for the wildlife refuge

Trump said $350M in donations have come in for the ballroom

But the wealthy president is still being vague about his own personal contribution to the $300 million project.

Trump has said the ballroom will be paid for with money donated by his friends and from his own pocket.

But hes hasnt said how much money hes giving.

Ill donate whatevers needed, he said.

Focus on food aid program intensifies as possible pause draws nearer

Officials in Louisiana, Vermont and Virginia on Thursday pledged to find funding for a food aid program used by 1 in 8 Americans that faces a pause on Nov. 1 because of the federal government shutdown.

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Its not clear how they would do that. Other states have said that they want to keep the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program going, too, but theyve run into technical roadblocks about how to do it.

Theres also a push from advocates and Democrats in the U.S .Senate for the Trump administration to use contingency funds to keep the program running.

Trump administration will brief lawmakers on drug vessel strikes

The president said well definitely go to Congress to brief them on the administrations recent strikes on alleged drug vessels.

But he doesnt believe the administration needs a formal declaration of war from lawmakers.

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I dont think were necessarily going to ask, Trump said during a roundtable with homeland security officials. Were just going to kill people that are bringing drugs into our country.

Trump says he was told Zhao wasnt guilt of anything

The president says of pardoning crypto billionaire Changpeng Zhao a lot of people say that he wasnt guilty of anything.

Zhao founded the Binance crypto exchange. Trump said he didnt believe hed ever met Zhao, but had been told he had a lot of support, and they said that what he did is not even a crime.

Trump said Zhao had been persecuted by the Biden administration and added, I gave him a pardon at the request of a lot of very good people.

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Zhao served four months in prison after reaching a deal with the Justice Department to plead guilty to charges of enabling money laundering at Binance.

Trump dismisses Knesset vote on West Bank annexation

The U.S. president brushed aside a question about a symbolic vote in the Israeli parliament about annexing the West Bank.

Dont worry about the West Bank, Trump responded to a question about the Knesset vote.

Adding that Israels doing very well, Trump continued: Theyre not going to do anything with it.

His vice president, JD Vance, criticized the vote while on travel to Israel earlier Thursday, saying it amounted to an insult and went against Trump administration policies.

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Trump hails new anti-cartel task force

The president is joining Attorney General Pam Bondi and other top officials to celebrate his recent creation of a new federal task force meant to encourage cooperation between federal and local law enforcement to combat drug cartels and human smuggling networks.

At a White House event featuring national, state and local law enforcement officials, Trump hailed the task forces historic achievements since it was created last month.

He said the task force had been involved in more than 3,000 arrests, including suspects from several notorious drug smuggling gangs.

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White House goes after Biden, other Dems on official website

As they continue to promote information about Trumps ongoing ballroom renovations, the White House has made some adds to its website that attack former president Joe Biden and some of his other Democratic predecessors.

Under a section titled Major Events Timeline, there now includes references to a bag of cocaine that was found in a common area of the West Wing in July 2023 during the Biden presidency.

The Trump White House also added Bidens designation of Transgender Day of Visibility in 2024, which fell on the same day as Easter Sunday that year, as well as references to former President Bill Clintons affair with an intern.

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Some Easter eggs on the White House site for the wannabe historians on social media, wrote Kaelan Dorr, the White Houses deputy communications director, on the site X. Enjoy :)

DC mayor asks Congress to get government working again

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser called on Congress to reopen the government so that the critical programs and services of the nation can be offered.

Bowser said federal employees are going without pay.

All across the country, essential employees are required to work and are going without pay, she said, adding that citizens also are going without food benefits and other needs.

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About 20% of the federal workforce is in the Washington-metropolitan area, including Maryland and Virginia. Federal downsizing earlier this year has already left thousands of those workers unemployed with the shutdown impacting thousands more.

Bowser has been a central figure in the districts response to efforts by Trump to put National Guard members on the citys streets.

White House pressed on Trumps previous statements on ballroom

The press secretary was asked Thursday about Trumps previous comments that his planned ballroom project wouldnt interfere with the current structure.

Karoline Leavitt responded that the administration made clear from the start that the East Wing would have to be modernized.

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She also said plans changed when Trump heard from architects and the builders behind the project.

The plans changed when the president heard counsel from the architects and the construction companies who said that in order for this East Wing to be modern and beautiful for many, many years to come, for it to be a truly strong and stable structure, this phase one that were now in was necessary and the president wants to do right by the peoples house, she said.

Treasury report reveals $9B in Iranian shadow banking through US banks

A new Treasury report highlights roughly $9 billion of potential Iranian shadow banking activity that occurred through U.S. banks accounts in 2024, based on reporting from American financial institutions.

Treasurys Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, also known as FinCEN, issued the report, Thursday.

FinCEN Director Andrea Gacki said the analysis is meant to draw attention to Irans shadow banking activity and encourage financial institutions to be vigilant.

In February, Trump announced a maximum pressure campaign against Iran with the intent of denying the nation nuclear weapons and development capabilities.

Netanyahu hails circle of trust following meeting with Rubio

Netanyahu and Rubio spoke to reporters briefly following their initial meeting on Thursday.

Netanyahu said Rubios visit is the latest in a series of incredible visits by top U.S. leaders and comes as Israel and the U.S. continue to work to bring peace to Gaza.

This is a circle of trust, Netanyahu said of relations with Rubio and other U.S. leaders. Youve been an extraordinary friend of Israel We still have supreme challenges but I think we can work together.

Rubio said his visit reflects the importance Trump places on ending the conflict, and that no one in the administration is underestimating the difficulty of the work.

Now we have more work ahead of us. We feel very positive about it, Rubio said. No one is under any illusions. Weve already done the impossible once and we intend to keep doing that  Were clear eyed about the challenges but the president has made this a top priority.

White House says Changpeng Zhao pardon was Trump exercising his constitutional authority

Leavitt said the president has the constitutional authority to grant clemency requests, and that he and the White House have a very thorough examination of every pardon request that comes to the presidents desk.

She said during her briefing with reporters that the pardon for Binance founder Changpeng Zhao was thoroughly reviewed by the White House counsel office and that the crypto billionaire known as CZ faced an overly prosecuted case by the Biden administration.

The Biden administration was pursuing an egregious over-sentencing of this individual. And the previous administration was very hostile to the cryptocurrency industry, she said. So the president wants to correct this overreach.

White House on ballroom cost hikes: There are changes over time

The estimated price tag for the presidents planned renovations now stands at about $300 million  much higher than the initial $200 million that the White House put forward.

Thats because like with any construction project, there are changes over time, the press secretary said Thursday.

This is going to be a magnificent addition, Leavitt said.

On whether the cost of the ballroom includes costs for upgrading the security bunker located under the East Wing, Leavitt said like any security enhancements that are made on the White House grounds, those will be made and maintained by United States Secret Service.

White House provides schedule of Trumps Asia trip

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt laid out Trumps trip to Malaysia, Japan and South Korea  with the president set to depart on Friday at 11 p.m. EDT.

Trump will arrive in Malaysia on Sunday morning local time. Hell then meet Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and attend a working dinner for the leaders attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summits.

On Monday morning local time, Trump will fly to Tokyo. He will on Tuesday morning local time meet with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

On Wednesday, Trump will fly to Busan, South Korea for a meeting with Korean President Lee Jae Myung. He is then scheduled to deliver keynote remarks at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO luncheon and later participate in a working dinner with APEC leaders.

On Thursday morning, Trump will meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and then fly back to the U.S. in the evening.

Senate rejects bills to pay federal workers during government shutdown

The Senate on Thursday rejected dueling partisan bills to pay federal workers during the government shutdown, with both Republicans and Democrats deflecting blame as many employees are set to miss their first full paycheck at the end of this week.

With unpaid staff and law enforcement standing nearby, Republicans objected as Democrats proposed a voice vote on their legislation to pay all federal workers and prevent Trumps administration from mass firings. Democrats then blocked a Republican bill to pay employees who are working and not furloughed, 54-45.

The back and forth on day 23 of the government shutdown comes as the two parties are at a protracted impasse with no signs of either side giving in. Democrats say they wont vote to reopen the government until Republicans negotiate with them on extending expiring subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. Republicans say they wont negotiate on the subsidies until Democrats vote to reopen the government. Trump is mostly disengaged and headed to Asia in the coming days.

 Read more about government shutdown

Trump wont immediately send federal agents into San Francisco

Trump says hes backing off a planned surge of federal agents into San Francisco after speaking to the mayor.

Trump said on social media Thursday that Mayor Daniel Lurie said the city was making progress in reducing crime. Trump said he agreed to let San Francisco keep trying on its own.

Trumps post came after Lurie said the two spoke Wednesday night, and Trump said he planned to call off a federal deployment to the city.

Trumps statement came after U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents began arriving at a U.S. Coast Guard base in the Bay Area on Thursday morning.

Entire White House East Wing has been demolished

The two-story structure of drawing rooms and offices, including a walkway to the White House itself, has been turned into rubble.

It has been completely demolished as part of Trumps plan to build what he said is now a $300 million ballroom nearly twice the size of the White House itself.

Trump said Wednesday that keeping the East Wing would have hurt a very, very expensive, beautiful building that he said presidents have wanted for years.

White House comment on Trumps pardon of Binance founder Changpeng Zhao

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement Thursday that the Biden administration prosecuted Zhao out of a desire to punish the cryptocurrency industry.

She said there were no allegations of fraud or identifiable victims, though Zhao had pleaded guilty in November 2023 to one count of failing to maintain an anti-money-laundering program.

I failed here, Zhao told the court last year. I deeply regret my failure, and I am sorry.

Trump pardons Binance founder Changpeng Zhao

Zhao created the worlds largest cryptocurrency exchange and served prison time after failing to stop criminals from using the platform to move money connected to child sex abuse, drug trafficking and terrorism.

Zhao had asked Trump for a pardon previously.

He has deep ties to World Liberty Financial, a crypto venture the Republican president and his sons Eric and Donald Jr. launched in September.

Trumps most recent financial disclosure report reveals he made more than $57 million last year from World Liberty Financial, which has launched USD1, a stablecoin pegged at a 1-to-1 ratio to the U.S. dollar.

World Liberty Financial also recently announced that an investment fund in the United Arab Emirates would be using $2 billion worth of USD1 to purchase a stake in Binance. Zhao also has publicly said hed asked Trump for a pardon that could nullify his conviction.

 Read more about Trumps pardon of Changpeng Zhao

Trump eyes imprisoned Palestinian leader Barghouti as US looks to Gazas post-Hamas rule

Trump is suggesting he could call on Israel to release imprisoned Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti, the most popular and potentially unifying Palestinian leader, as the United States aims to fill a leadership vacuum in postwar Gaza.

Trump, in an interview published Thursday, said hes discussed the potential for Barghoutis release with White House aides.

I was literally being confronted with that question about 15 minutes before you called, Trump told Time magazine when asked about Barghouti. So Ill be making a decision.

The White House didnt respond to a request for comment about Trumps deliberations on the matter. But the presidents acknowledgment of the internal discussions underscores the difficult task of finding credible political figures to oversee governance in Gaza as the U.S. and Israel say theyre committed to preventing Hamas from continuing to rule the territory.

 Read more about Trump and Gaza

House Republicans highlight the shutdowns strain on air traffic controllers

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says his message to air traffic controllers during the government shutdown is come to work, even if you do not get a paycheck.

His comments came as House Republicans held a news conference marking the 23rd day of the shutdown by focusing on its impact at the nations airports.

Duffy says safety is paramount so if there isnt an adequate staffing level of air traffic controllers, there will be canceled flights.

I cannot guarantee you your flight is going to be on time. I cannot guarantee your flight is not going to be canceled, Duffy said.

He notes that air traffic controllers will miss their first full paycheck Tuesday and that some are having to make choices to pay the mortgage and other bills, at times by taking a second job.

I dont want my air traffic controllers to take a second job. I want them to do one job, he said.

Illinois governor announces commission to record Trumps military-style assault

Democratic Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Thursday announced the creation of an Illinois accountability commission that would create a public record of what he called Trumps military-style assault on Chicago and our suburbs.

The commissions members would also record the effect of the federal immigration crackdown on families and recommend actions to prevent further harm and pursue justice, he said.

We hope to reveal to the public in Chicago, the state of Illinois, to people around the world the facts that are going on here, Pritzker said Thursday. We hope to create a detailed record of the truth.

Surgeon general nominee to face senators in confirmation hearing next Thursday

Wellness influencer and health entrepreneur Dr. Casey Means will appear virtually before the Senate health committee for her confirmation hearing next Thursday, the committee has announced.

The surgeon general pick and her brother, former lobbyist Calley Means, served as key advisers to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s longshot 2024 presidential bid and helped broker his endorsement of Trump last summer. Calley Means is now a White House adviser.

Means, 38, has no government experience and dropped out of her surgical residency program, saying she became disillusioned with traditional medicine. She founded a health tech company, Levels, that helps users track blood sugar and other metrics.

US stocks drift while crude prices jump following sanctions on Russia

Stocks are drifting on Wall Street and oil prices are jumping after Trump announced massive new sanctions on Russias crude industry.

The S&P 500 rose 0.1% in the early going Thursday. Its just a bit below the all-time high it set earlier this month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was little changed, and the Nasdaq composite was also flat.

Tesla fell after reporting a weaker profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected, even though its revenue rose more than forecast.

The price of oil jumped 5.6% after Trump announced sanctions against Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil.

 Read more about the financial markets

Health care compromise appears far off as the government shutdown stalemate persists

The government shutdown has reopened debate on what has been a central issue for both major political parties in the last 15 years: the future of health coverage under the Affordable Care Act.

Tax credits for people who get health insurance through the marketplaces created by the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, expire at the end of the year.

Democrats say they wont vote to reopen the government until Republicans negotiate an extension of the expanded subsidies. Republicans say they wont negotiate until Democrats vote to reopen the government. Lawmakers in both parties have been working on potential solutions behind the scenes, hoping leaders will eventually start to talk, but its unclear if the two sides could find compromise.

 Read more about the government shutdown and health care

European Union agrees on new sanctions against Russia targeting its shadow oil fleet and LNG imports

The European Union has agreed on a new raft of sanctions against Russia targeting its shadow fleet of oil tankers and banning its imports of liquefied natural gas, the Danish EU presidency announced Thursday.

Today is a good day for Europe and Ukraine, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen said in a statement, as EU leaders were gathering for a summit in Brussels.

He said the new sanctions will introduce new and comprehensive measures on oil and gas, the shadow fleet and Russias financial sector. A new system for limiting the movement of Russian diplomats within the 27-nation EU will also be introduced.

The move comes a day after Trumps administration announced new sanctions against Russias oil industry that are aimed at moving Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table and ending Moscows war on Ukraine.

 Read more about the European Union summit

China confirms trade talks with the US in Malaysia

Chinas Commerce Ministry announced Thursday that Vice Premier He Lifeng would lead a delegation to Malaysia from Friday to Monday to hold trade talks with the United States.

The talks are expected to lay the groundwork for a meeting next week between Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said that delegations led by him and the Chinese vice premier would meet in Malaysia, probably on Saturday.

Vance says Gaza reconstruction in areas free of Hamas could begin soon

We could start reconstruction of the areas that are free of Hamas very quickly. We think that we could potentially get hundreds of thousands of Gazans living in that area very quickly, Vance said before winding down his visit to Israel on Thursday. But again, this is all still pretty early. But thats the basic idea.

Vance added that it will take to two to three years to rebuild the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah.

Rafahs population surged early in the war as many Palestinians were displaced by Israeli operations elsewhere in the territory. By this past spring, Rafah was also largely decimated by the fighting.

Vance rips MSNBC host Jen Psaki for comments about his wife

The vice president made clear he wasnt happy with comments from Psaki, who on a podcast earlier this week jokingly suggested Usha Vance was being held captive and that she stood ready to save her.

I think its disgraceful, Vice President JD Vance told reporters before departing Israel on Thursday. But of course, the second lady can speak for herself, and Im very lucky to have a wonderful wife. And I know at least I hope, that my wife feels the same about me.

Psaki, who served as White House press secretary early in Democrat Joe Bidens administration, speaking on the I Had It podcast also referred to Vance as the little Manchurian candidate, who wants to be president more than anything else.

I always wonder whats going on in the mind of his wife. Like, are you OK? Please blink four times. Well come over here. Well save you, Psaki said.

Vance slams Knesset vote on West Bank annexation during his Israel visit

Vice President JD Vance criticized Israels parliament vote on West Bank annexation, saying the move was an insult.

Speaking on the tarmac of Tel Avivs international airport before departing at the end of his visit to Israel this week, Vance said that if the vote was a political stunt, then it is a very stupid political stunt.

I personally take some insult to it, Vance said about the Knesset vote. The policy of the Trump administration is that the West Bank will not be annexed by Israel.

The Israeli parliament on Wednesday took the symbolic step of giving preliminary approval to a bill that would give Israel authority to annex the occupied West Bank  a move the U.S. opposes.
The Maryland Department of Health houses many of the state licensing boards that auditors said are in greater need of unified oversight (Photo by Danielle J. Brown/Maryland Matters0

A legislative panel on Wednesday signaled an interest in making changes to dozens of professional oversight boards housed within the Maryland Department of Health, after complaining of a lack of accountability and repeat findings on the boards by auditors.

Members of the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee noted that some findings by their audit team go back decades. Legislative Auditor Brian S. Tanen said the findings, published in April, point to a lack of accountability when it comes to boards rectifying deficiencies found in previous audits.

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In two cases, the findings were more than 20 years old.

One board implements, another one doesnt. It becomes challenging, because each one of them are sort of responsible for setting up their own controls in each of the areas that are put in this report, Tanen said. Sometimes they get together  and address some of the controls or some of the processes.

Tanen said there is no one single person who is responsible or accountable for the plethora of findings which is both challenging on our end and importantly for the department in implementing the recommendations.

The majority of the boards are technically independent. Even though they are housed within the state health department, the agency and its leaders have little to no oversight role.

Legislative Auditor Brian Tanen. (File photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters)

Tanens office issued a report in April detailing problems within 20 different boards and commissions that oversee and license health care facilities and practitioners including nurses, pharmacists, dentists and others.

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Among the findings of the report, which covered the period from September 2019 to July 2023, was that the agencies often failed to investigate complaints against licensees in a timely manner  a problem the auditors said could be due to staffing shortages during that period.

There are some that do run well, and there are many that do not, said Sen. Shelly Hettleman (D-Baltimore County), the co-chair of the joint audit committee. I think it is worth taking a deep dive to figure out where those holes are because weve had a history of there being so many problems. Look at the Board of Nursing. We dont want other boards to hit bottom before we actually put in a system.

The report said that the 20 boards and commissions it studied had a total of 4,916 open cases as of February 2024, but that 3,051 of those had been open for more than two years. The Board of Nursing, the largest by far of all the boards, had 2,411 cases that had been open for more than two years, it said.

Included in the list of findings was a patchwork of policies regarding criminal background checks for professionals seeking state licensure.

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Auditors found six boards that do not require any criminal background checks to obtain a license. Ten others do not get alerts on criminal activity involving licensees.

Auditors matched individuals licensed by the pharmacy and dental examiners boards with criminal conviction records. They found 16 licensed dental professionals and 14 licensed pharmacy professionals who had been convicted of a crime.

Two of the dental professionals were convicted of assault which should have triggered a one-year suspension of their licenses, auditors said.

Hettleman and Del. Jared Solomon (D-Montgomery), House co-chair of the committee, said they were immediately concerned with having a consistent policy on criminal background checks.

Del. Jared Solomon (D-Montgomery) and Sen. Shelly Hettleman (D-Baltimore County) co-chair the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee. (File photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters)

The board of pharmacy  youre not doing background checks on pharmacists? I mean, come on, Hettleman said. That needs to happen.

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Auditors also raised concerns about the Board of Nursing.

A 2023 federal investigation into fraudulent nursing credentials found 287 people who may have used a scheme to obtain a license in Maryland. Auditors said the board could not document that it had investigated 259 of those individuals, 131 of whom were working in Maryland facilities. Six of those worked in state-run facilities.

The audit also found that roughly 3,600 of 4,900 licensing complaints to various boards remained open for two years. One allegation of sexual abuse received by the Board of Nursing in December 2021 had not been investigated as of February 2024.

Auditors also identified issues common to a lot of boards related to handling payments and other functions that are duplicated across all the boards. Tanen suggested the boards might benefit from efficiencies that come from centralizing some of those duties.

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We could look within the state, and the model that the Department of Labor has for their occupational professional licensing, Tanen said.

Members of the committee seem keen on exploring that idea.

At the end of the day in a time when were making government work better for the state, for our residents, for the practitioners, we have to figure out how we get the inefficiencies solved to make these systems work better, to make everybodys life easier, Solomon said.

Some of this is efficiency and again, figuring out where those holes are to (Hettlemans) point and how we can, we can fix those and patch them, but also some system of accountability, Solomon said.

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Sen. Clarence Lam (D-Howard and Anne Arundel), a licensed physician, agreed with the need for reform but said the effort was too large to undertake without a more formal review.

Sen. Clarence Lam (D-Howard and Anne Arundel). (File photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters)

Im thinking potentially we may have to have a study done, or as you saw, there was one of the boards that had an outside consultant brought in to do a complete look-over and give us recommendations, Lam said.

Initially, Lam and other lawmakers said they believed that review was being conducted by former Health Secretary Laura Herrera Scott.

Scott left earlier this year. Health department officials were unable to provide an update on the review or if it was mothballed since Scotts departure.

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I thought thats what the secretary was doing before she left, but now it looks like it didnt go anywhere, or the knowledge wasnt handed off to someone else, Lam said.

And so here we are, but I think we may need someone to be dedicated to this effort, he said. This is complicated. Theres a lot of health occupations. How do we come up with a good plan and structure? Sounds like a good consulting project to do? Thats what management consultants do.

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A wind farm is pictured in Ohio. (Photo by Robert Zullo/States Newsroom)

OKLAHOMA CITY  After legislation stalled last session, lawmakers expect a wide variety of legislation attempting to regulate the wind energy industry to be filed again.

Oklahoma lawmakers said conversations and negotiations will continue during the interim as they grapple with how to regulate the continued growth of the wind industry and an increased demand for power production.

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Both supporters and opponents say theyre wrestling with how to balance economic development needs and property rights and how much more government influence is needed for future developments.

At an interim study last month, attendees painted starkly different views of what they see as the path forward for an industry thats been operating in Oklahoma for over 20 years and has already erected over 5,500 turbines in over 80 locations.

Republican legislators said there are discussions about how far wind turbines should be from peoples property lines and homes, more commonly known as setbacks. Theyre also considering how much input, if any, counties should have in setting regulations as they work to balance the demand for increased energy consumption that wind energy helps alleviate.

Rep. Nick Archer, R-Elk City, speaks at a House committee meeting at the state Capitol on April 23, 2025. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice)

Rep. Nick Archer, R-Elk City, said even though he doesnt like wind energy, the issue isnt about his personal feelings. He said as a landowner whose property abuts another with 16 wind turbines, he hasnt experienced any of the issues or health and safety risks that anti-wind advocates have brought to the table.

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Just because they dont like it, they want government to come in and stop it, said Archer, who chairs the House Energy Committee. But there are unintended consequences to everything we do in this building. And if we get tunnel vision to stop one thing, its not going to end well.

Archer said many of the arguments he hears against wind energy are anecdotal, and based on worst-case scenarios. He said when he took a closer look at reports, data and studies provided by the anti-wind advocates, many were not peer reviewed.

We talk about transportation, we talk about agriculture, we talk about the oil and gas industry, Archer said. We regulate those health and safety issues to reasonable risk standards. We dont regulate them to the one in a million catastrophic outlier. If we did that, it would drastically change all industries within the state.

A 2024 report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City found that Oklahomas generation of electricity increased by 25% between 2010 and 2023, with almost all of the growth coming from wind energy. Oklahoma was the nations third-largest wind energy producing state following Texas and Iowa in 2023, the report found.

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Lawmakers previously ended wind tax credits, so new developments are not subsidized by the state. Some older developments may be receiving some government assistance because they were grandfathered in, but those benefits are set to sunset soon.

There are some folks in the state that would prefer never to see another wind turbine erected across the state, said Mark Yates, Oklahoma executive director for the Advanced Power Alliance. But I think that we know what a value add that wind has been to the economy and to our grid system writ large.

He said Oklahoma is the gold standard of energy production, and theres always been a thoughtful and reasonable approach to it. The Advanced Power Alliance advocates for clean energy and policies that grow the use of a strategic mix of American energy resources.

With the growth of artificial intelligence has come an increased need for data centers and the power to run the massive facilities that store servers and process data. The computing power of these centers often strain the availability of resources like electricity and water for local communities.

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Data centers have been built, or are in the process of being approved, in places like Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Stillwater, Pyror and Owasso. There are more than 30 in Oklahoma, according to the Data Center Map.

We have an unbelievable stress coming when it comes to power generation and the amount of electricity that is going to be needed in this country, Yates said. So whether its the federal government or the state government or local governments throwing additional impediments to slow or to block projects, its a massive, massive issue.

Local control

Rep. Jim Shaw, R-Chandler, speaks during a swearing-in ceremony Nov. 20, 2024, in the House chamber of the Oklahoma State Capitol. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice)

Rep. Jim Shaw, R-Chandler, who co-hosted a recent interim study with Archer, said while he said he isnt sure what exactly that legislation may look like, he wants to see elements of local control so voters can have input on setbacks at the county level.

The state already has varying setback requirements for industries like oil and gas and agriculture, so Shaw said it wouldnt be unreasonable to have similar regulations for wind developments.

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Last session, lawmakers considered a bill that proposed quarter mile setbacks. Those werent enough, Shaw said.

The biggest argument that is being used right now is that Its my property. I can do whatever I want. You cant tell me what to do on my property, and thats just simply not true, Shaw said. When you conduct an activity or do something on your property that negatively impacts the way of life and the livelihood of those around you, and that activity extends beyond the four corners of your property, that absolutely has to be a conversation that has to be had.

Landowners who chose to sign contracts with wind developers often do so as a way to earn extra income from their land.

John OConnor, a former Republican Oklahoma attorney general, said theres legal precedent to leave the decisions on setbacks to local counties.

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I think no matter what you do on this committee, if its a setback, if its a statewide anything, you are affecting property rights, he said. Youre impairing the rights of somebody, either the owner who wants to make the lease or the neighbor who doesnt want the lease next to them.

Signs pushing back against proposed wind development have been erected outside a business in Chandler on September 9, 2024. (Photo by Emyli Creekmore/For Oklahoma Voice)

Lisa Linowes, executive director of the WindAction Group, an organization working to inform people of potential risks of large-scale wind energy projects, said wind generation is not a reliable energy source because wind isnt always blowing at high speeds. She said it also creates an industrialized landscape, referring to the towering turbines that can reach hundreds of feet into the sky.

You cannot run a grid system, you cant run a business on generation that shows up and disappears at that rate and that level of variability, she said.

Virginia Pflum, a landowner in Noble and Logan counties, said she leased her land to a wind energy development and has experienced property damage in the form of holes in her fields and locked gates that hindered access to her land.

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Others said they worried about potential damage to property by ice falling from turbines or mechanical malfunctions and noise nuisance.

Alan Anderson, an energy lawyer with Polsinelli law firm, said hes worked with wind and solar projects across the country.

The ideal setback is 1.1 times the height of a turbine from the neighboring property line and 2 times the height from a residence, Anderson said. Several other states adhere to these setbacks, he said, because this is not something lawmakers have to guess at.

We have the answers, Anderson said. So amazingly, this is not a political question.  Science and engineering dont have a party. They just have answers.

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European lawmakers have drawn criticism after voting to strip environmentally friendly farming mandates from their books.

What's happening?

According to the World Wildlife Fund, lawmakers from the European Union voted to weaken regulations in the Common Agricultural Policy, or CAP.

The CAP is a set of regulations that the EU uses to ensure that food is grown responsibly, making sure that it is available now and ensuring that it will continue to grow in the future.

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If farmers meet those requirements, they can receive EU funding to subsidize and support their farms, ensuring they practice sustainable, environmentally friendly farming.

The new vote strips protections against erosion and removes many of the requirements surrounding Natura 2000 sites, specially protected biological areas in Europe that house some of the continent's most unique and vulnerable species.

Why is stripping CAP regulations concerning?

The decision has drawn criticism from environmental activists, who say that removing these regulations will have long-term consequences for Europe and its farmers.

"The worst part of this vote is that it dismantles the already limited environmental requirements farmers must meet to receive CAP funding, without addressing the real causes of their struggles," said Laurence Modrego, senior sustainable agriculture and food policy officer at the WWF European Policy Office.

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"It completely misses the point of why farmers have been protesting for the past two years, and instead will accelerate the loss of healthy farmland, weaken the protection of sensitive ecosystems, and reduce our resilience to climate shocks," Modrego continued.

"Any short-term gains for farmers' livelihoods will be marginal at best, and far overweighed in the near future."

As our planet warms and weather patterns become less predictable, sustainable farming practices won't just be good business; they'll be essential to ensuring that our food supply continues to provide what we need.

We're already seeing strain on the food supply in places like Afghanistan, while Estonia is grappling with issues around its potato crop. Problems like these demonstrate the need for responsible, environmentally friendly farming.

What's being done about weakened CAP regulations?

Currently, activists are still hard at work, aiming to restore the regulations that were in place to foster responsible farming practices.

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On a broader level, we can help ensure the future of farming by reducing carbon pollution, adopting sustainable agricultural practices, and minimizing plastic pollution.

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.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  The General Assemblys leaders have enlisted former Rhode Island U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha to advise lawmakers ahead of a third oversight hearing into the Washington Bridge crisis.

House Speaker Joe Shekarchi and Senate President Valarie Lawson announced Thursday that the joint oversight hearing has been scheduled for Nov. 13, and said Cunha will enhance the conduct of a fair and robust inquiry.

He has consistently demonstrated impartiality, integrity and a high degree of skill across the legal landscape while serving as U.S. attorney, the two Democrats said in a joint statement.

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Cunha, who was appointed as the states top federal prosecutor by President Joe Biden, served four years before stepping down last winter when President Donald Trump was taking office. Hes been retained for $600 per hour, according to a legislative spokesperson.

BACKGROUND: Zachary Cunha ends service as US Attorney for Rhode Island

Legislative leaders and Gov. Dan McKee have already butted heads over how the hearing should play out, and Cunhas hiring suggests Shekarchi and Lawson believe they need help getting straight answers from the executive branch.

Lawmakers called for renewed oversight after a forensic audit surfaced last month suggesting everyone  including state officials  should have been aware of growing structural issues tied to the westbound Washington Bridge long before it abruptly closed in December 2023.

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The McKee administration had refused to release the audit for more than a year, citing an ongoing lawsuit against 13 companies state officials blame for the bridge failure.

When initially announcing renewed oversight last month, Shekarchi and Lawson said they were considering putting state officials under oath during testimony. The legislative leaders indicated Thursday that the hearing is expected to be conducted after an administration of oath to the witnesses.

READ: Forensic audit sparks oversight hearing on Washington Bridge failure

McKee has pushed back, saying state officials would not talk about anything that might jeopardize the ongoing legal case. On Thursday, the legislative leaders said Cunha would help them ensure they can conduct oversight without unnecessary impact on the states ongoing lawsuit.

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Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha, who is leading the states lawsuit, issued a statement earlier this month saying he supported the legislative leaders and the oversight effort.

The people of Rhode Island deserve transparency and accountability, and I support Speaker Shekarchi and Senate President Lawson on their mission here, Neronha said at the time. (Shekarchi and Lawson cited his comments in their announcement Thursday.)

Though my office seeks to hold accountable several contractor companies for what we allege was negligent behavior, that doesnt mean those in state leadership charged with maintaining our roads and bridges get a free pass, Neronha added. We must know the full truth, and these hearings can absolutely provide insight.

The hiring of Cunha, who is now in private practice, also suggests lawmakers could be better prepared to ask more legality-related questions during the hearings. Lawmakers received public criticism after the first two oversight hearings, including from some members, for giving state officials a pass and not pushing hard enough for answers about what went wrong.

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State Sen. Sam Zurier, a Providence Democrat whos an oversight committee member, characterized the last hearing in February 2024 as unproductive. He slammed the McKee administration at the time for not releasing the forensic audit  even though the governor had promised to do so a year earlier.

RIDOT has announced that it will not produce the promised forensic audit report after all, as it is part of the lawsuit the state filed against the contractors, Zurier wrote at the time. By deferring their answers in February by promising a forensic audit report they later refused to produce, RIDOT treated the Joint Oversight Committee to a classic example of a Catch-22.

After multiple media outlets  including 12 News  revealed a draft version of the forensic audit last month, Zurier expressed frustration that the information wasnt provided earlier by the McKee administration.

TARGET 12: Forensic audit shows RI officials overlooked Washington Bridge problems

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I remain mystified by the apparent fact that the people of the state of Rhode Island, who paid for the bridge, who suffer harm from its partial failure and who will pay for its replacement, could not learn about the contents of this draft report until there was a media investigation, over a year after the Draft Report was submitted to RIDOT, and almost six months after the Draft Report was forwarded to lawyers for the companies the state is suing, he wrote to constituents.

Eli Sherman (esherman@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter for 12 News. Connect with him on Twitter and on Facebook.

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California lawmakers are demanding answers after a live fire demonstration over Camp Pendleton Saturday led to a misfire that rained shrapnel on Interstate 5, striking two California Highway Patrol vehicles.

An artillery shell exploded over the freeway during a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Marine Corps, attended by Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Pieces of shrapnel scattered on the closed roadway and struck a patrol vehicle and motorcycle.

I was very disappointed, because I hoped we could celebrate the Marine Corps without undue risk, Rep. Mike Levin, a Democrat from San Clemente and Carlsbad who represents the district including Camp Pendleton, told CalMatters. Im led to believe the decision-making did not put public safety first. Thats why were calling for a full investigation.

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Marine artillery shell explodes over highway during drill, police say

On Wednesday Levin sent a letter signed by 26 California Congress members and the states two senators to Hegseth, asking who decided to shoot live artillery over the freeway, and how authorities planned for the safety risks.

While we are relieved no one was injured, we are deeply concerned by the decision-making that led to this incident, Levin wrote.

The mishap deepened conflicts between President Donald Trump and California leaders including Gov. Gavin Newsom, with some Republicans chastising Newsom for closing the freeway during the live fire exercise. Other local leaders were exasperated by an unorthodox military display that they believe was orchestrated for the benefit of Trump administration officials.

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Its almost absurd that this would be acceptable, California Sen. Catherine Blakespear, an Encinitas Democrat whose district includes Camp Pendleton, told CalMatters. And for what? Theres no military benefit. Theres no community benefit. Its posturing with militaristic bluster at the expense of the safety and well-being of the community.

The Marine Corps 250th birthday party

On Saturday Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton held a demonstration featuring aircraft, ships, and amphibious assault vehicles to celebrate the milestone anniversary. It involved firing artillery across the coastal freeway in a planned demonstration of 60 rounds, according to the CHP incident report.

That location was unusual, military and public safety officials said. Although live fire training is routine, it usually takes place on designated ranges within the 195 square mile base in North County San Diego.

It is highly uncommon for any live-fire or explosive training activity to occur over an active freeway, CHP Border Division Chief Tony Coronado said in a statement Sunday. As a Marine myself, I have tremendous respect for our military partners, but my foremost responsibility is ensuring the safety of the people of California and the officers who protect them.

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The first round launched at 1:46 p.m. Saturday from M777 Howitzers on a beach west of Interstate 5 toward the east, the incident report stated. That artillery round failed to clear the roadway and detonated midflight near Interstate 5 southbound, sending shrapnel flying toward protective service details assigned to the vice president. After that, the exercise was halted and no more munitions were fired.

An officer described hearing what sounded like pebbles falling on his CHP BMW motorcycle, and other shards struck an empty Ford patrol vehicle. The two officers who had driven the vehicle saw a two inch-by-half inch piece of shrapnel on the hood, which left a small dent or scratch. Photos in the incident reports show the patrol car struck by shrapnel, and an officer holding the metal shards.

The CHP called for additional review of the planning, communication and coordination between state and federal partners about the freeway closure and public safety. The Marine Corps is also investigating the incident, the Washington Post reported.

Levin said he hoped the Marine Corps anniversary would bring the country together to honor the forces 250 year history: Our Marines deserve to be celebrated without compromising these ideals.

A risky exercise

The incident snarled traffic for hours on the freeway, which Newsom had ordered closed for the exercise. And it startled residents in San Diego and Orange Counties, who are accustomed to noise from military exercises, but didnt expect one to take place over a civilian transportation corridor. Some shared photos of surreal highway signs warning of the live fire event.

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Artillery on base is normal, Levin said. I hear it all the time from my house. But everything weve seen is that firing over the freeway is not how this ordinarily works. Common sense tells us its much riskier to fire over the freeway.

Ian Bennett, a retired Army artillery officer who served in Iraq in 2003, said military leaders plan for every facet of munitions exercises, from gun settings and direction to range conditions and weather.

You want to make sure that everything is done safely because you dont want to have a mishap offramp all the good that youre doing, Bennett said.

Live fire exercises involve multiple dry fire rehearsals and any that affect civilians or take place in sensitive areas require extra coordination to make sure there are no surprises, he said.

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Ive never had cause to shoot over a major road during training, Bennett said. From my personal perspective, thats not something I would consider.

Miscommunications before the mishap

San Diego leaders described miscommunications about the live fire demonstration at Camp Pendleton in the days beforehand, with some elected officials saying they werent in the loop.

If there was coordination, I would expect it would include my office, Blakespear said. We werent even informed or invited to the event.

Last Wednesday the Marine Corps issued a statement assuring the public that live fire demonstrations would take place on approved training ranges and comply with established safety protocols.

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But that evening, Levin voiced concern that parts of Interstate 5 could be closed in both directions to accommodate events tied to anything partisan or political.

Leaders in Oceanside, the city south of the base, said there was conflicting and changing information about the demonstration until the morning of the event.

I was in planning for probably a month to a month and a half out, and there were a lot of unknowns, Oceanside Police Department Assistant Chief John McKean said. The government doesnt tell you a whole lot of stuff out front, other than were coming out and we want a big party.

The day before, the word was that the freeway would remain open, Bennett said. He awoke to a phone call at 6:30 a.m. Saturday to learn it would be shut.

Live fire exercise fuels political feuds

In a statement Saturday, Newsom announced the freeway closure, describing the live fire exercise as a show of force meant to intimidate Trumps opponents, thousands of whom were demonstrating at No Kings protests throughout San Diego the same day.

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The President is putting his ego over responsibility with this disregard for public safety, Newsom wrote. Firing live rounds over a busy highway isnt just wrong  its dangerous.

All lanes in an area along the base were scheduled to close for about four hours, McKean said, but they were ultimately shut for just under an hour, between about 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.

McKean, who served in the Marines, said its not typical but not unprecedented to shoot across a roadway. Safety concerns include not only misplaced explosions but also noise distractions, he said.

Its more of scaring people with the large percussion that comes from the big boom right in front of you, he said. I dont think they do it that often.

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Republican Rep. Darrell Issa, who represents East County San Diego, complained on X that Newsom overruled the best-trained and most-experienced leaders of our Marine Corps to shut down the freeway and denounced the closure as a spiteful publicity stunt to ruin the occasion.

After the errant explosion, Issas office said the danger was blown out of proportion.

The media dont need to amplify these comic exaggerations, Issas spokesperson Jonathan Wilcox wrote in an email to CalMatters. (asterisk)This(asterisk) is what shut the freeway down for several hours? Congressman Issa knows that a real governor  whether Republican Pete Wilson or Democrat Jerry Brown  would never have mislead (sic) the public and exploited a minimal incident for some attempted partisan gain.

Levin acknowledged that as the minority party Democrats have fewer levers to get answers to questions about the misfire at Camp Pendleton. But he said hell use his role on the House Committee on Appropriations to keep up pressure.

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The administration heard safety warnings from the Marine Corps, and completely ignored them, he said. That would mean JD Vance and Pete Hegseth cared more about their demonstration than the safety of Marines, the safety of communities. So we need to push for answers and accountability.

This story was originally published by CalMatters and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.
X/@robbystarbuck

Conservative activist Robby Starbuck filed a defamation lawsuit against Google on Wednesday after the companys AI allegedly generated links to non-existent news articles falsely claiming he had been accused of sexual assault and other crimes.

According to Starbuck, who announced his lawsuit in a viral video on Wednesday, Googles AI cited a number of non-existent news articles from mainstream media outlets  including Mediaite, Rolling Stone, Newsweek, the New York Post, Salon, and the Daily Beast  to claim the activist had been accused of various imaginary crimes.

 HUGE NEWS: Im suing @Google today. What youre about to see is insane. Since 2023, @GoogleAI (Bard, Gemini & Gemma), has been defaming me with fake criminal allegations including sexual assault, child rape, abuse, fraud, stalking, drug charges, and even saying I was in pic.twitter.com/TZ3M5dqHLy  Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) October 22, 2025

In one case, according to Starbuck, Googles AI claimed he had been a person of interest in a murder case when he was just two years old.

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For each source, Googles AI provides a URL, giving the impression that these are real news articles with headlines like, Robby Starbuck Responds to Murder Accusations,' he said. The only way to discover that these URLs are fake is to click on them.

Starbuck continued, None of these articles or claims are true. I was never accused of killing anyone, and I certainly wasnt accused of murder in 1991 when I was two years old But if you arent familiar with my full biography or my age, then youd have no reason to doubt anything Googles AI was saying.

Googles AI also allegedly told users on a regular basis that Starbuck was credibly accused of sexual assault.

To be very clear again, I have never been accused of anything like this, and these allegations are entirely invented by Googles AI, Starbuck said:

Once again, there is a link to a fake Rolling Stone article. This seems designed to make their lies as credible as possible by stating that the accuser had provided a contemporaneous account of the sexual assault and that a major media outlet reported it. Again, and I cant stress this enough, nothing that Google said here is true and no such article from Rolling Stone exists. And, as you can see here, Googles AI claims that numerous other outlets including Salon and the Daily Beast have also reported that I have sexually harassed women. Theyre saying its a widely covered scandal [] At one point, Googles AI even stated that my name was in Jeffrey Epsteins flight logs, citing imaginary articles in the New York Post and also one from Mediaite, that also says I was suspended by Daily Wire over sexual harassment allegations, which would be hard for Daily Wire to do since I dont work for the lovely people at the Daily Wire [] The articles Google cites once again literally do not exist. But the most serious, evil, and vile false claim that Googles AI made is that I have been credibly accused of raping and abusing children, which once again obviously never happened. When I saw this, I immediately called my lawyers and I said we need to file suit as soon as we possibly can. This is a line Google cant uncross. This harm they cannot undo.

According to Starbuck, Googles AI also accused him of working as a porn actor, defrauding his business partners, engaging in black ops tactics, stalking his ex-wife, even though I dont have an ex-wife, taking part in the January 6, 2021 Capitol riots, and supporting the Ku Klux Klan.

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I warned Google for 2 years. They refused to fix it, Starbuck told Mediaite in a statement, adding that he had even been approached by people in public who had read the falsehoods generated by Googles AI and believed it.

In a statement to the New York Post, a Google spokesperson blamed hallucinations for any falsehoods spread by its AI.

Hallucinations are a well known issue for all LLMs, which we disclose and work hard to minimize, they said, adding, If youre creative enough, you can prompt a chatbot to say something misleading.

The post Lawsuit Accuses Googles AI of Fabricating News Articles That Never Existed first appeared on Mediaite.
(The Center Square)  A controversial Washington state law that critics say essentially rewrites a parents bill of rights initiative that was passed last year is now the subject of a lawsuit alleging the law is unconstitutional.

On Thursday morning, a group of parents, school board members, and educators filed a lawsuit in Thurston County Superior Court alleging that House Bill 1296, passed by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Bob Ferguson this year, is unconstitutional and unlawfully strips parents of their right to know and make decisions about their childrens education and welfare.

HB 1296 modifies certain provisions of Initiative 2081, commonly referred to as the Parents' Bill of Rights. I-2081 provides parents with greater access to their child's school-related information. It requires schools to notify them of specific events, such as medical services or a child's removal from campus.

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While proponents argue HB 1296 clarifies the law and adds safeguards for students, critics contend it weakens parental rights by reducing parental access to student records; reducing parental notification requirements related to health, medical services and counseling received by their children; and lessening curriculum transparency on controversial lessons.

The lawsuit, brought by the Citizen Action Defense Fund through outside counsel Joel Ard, seeks a declaratory judgment striking down HB 1296 because it is alleged to violate both the Washington State Constitution and the U.S. Constitution.

Supporters of HB 1296 are inevitably going to divert attention away from the many constitutional violations in the bill  all of which are the only basis for this lawsuit  by making this about gender ideology, predicted CADF Director of Communications and Operations Paige McElwrath in an email to The Center Square. As we make clear in the Complaint, that is not the point. The point is that parents have a fundamental right to access information about their children, and the state does not have the right to interfere in how they elect to raise their kids.

The complaint argues that HB 1296 is unconstitutional on multiple grounds in that it violates the following: parents fundamental rights to direct the education and upbringing of their children, religious freedom and free exercise of rights, the single subject rule of the Washington State Constitution, and federal law allowing parents access to education records.

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Were being told not to share information that parents have a right to know, lead plaintiff Gabe Galbraith, a Kennewick School Board member and father of three, one of which is enrolled in public school, said in a CADF news release on the lawsuit. Thats not education  thats state interference in the family.

Democrats, who have majorities in both chambers of the state Legislature, largely supported HB 1296, which was one of the most controversial pieces of legislation introduced during this years 105-day session.

Theres a lot of controversy around this policy, but you can see by the people who are standing here that the young people in our schools deserve a place where they can be seen and acknowledged in their full selves and experience a full curriculum, Rep. Monica Stonier, D-Vancouver, the prime sponsor of HB 1296, said in May at the ceremony where the bill was signed into law. To be able to experience a school system that is without discrimination is a top-notch priority for the teachers in this state, myself being one.
LAWTON, Mich. (WOOD)  A public hearing on a dispute over whether Lawton police can use a firing range on village-owned land within neighboring Antwerp Township will have to be rescheduled.

The hearing, which was set for Thursday, was postponed because officials are working to navigate a conflict of interest: Both municipalities use the same law firm.

At the center of the dispute is a 62-acre parcel of wooded land that the village of Lawton owns. Most of it is within the village boundaries, but part is in Antwerp Township. That also happens to be the part where the Lawton Police Department has a firing range.

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Police Chief Greg Cordes said it was a range years ago, then there was a lengthy pause before his department started using it again in March for training.

Having our range, our training spot within a quarter-mile of our headquarters completely eliminates overtime money and pretty much allows us to go over there and train when officers are working versus bringing them in on their days off and paying overtime also, Cordes said.

Before this year, he said, officers needing specialized range training would often be sent to a location in Holland, more than an hour drive from Lawton.

Cordes said using the property also allows the department to mold the range to fit its training needs.

The land owned by the Lawton Police Department being used for firearms training. (Oct. 23, 2025)

In August, the village leaders received a determination from the zoning administrator in Antwerp Township saying the range was not in compliance with the agricultural-zoned land and state rules permitting an individual to shoot a gun on their property.

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While this may be some form of target practice, the activity is not by an individual nor by the owner of the property, but again, a more concentrated group of individuals undertaking police department firearms training, the letter read.

Antwerp Township blocked the police department from using the range for training.

Cordes said it was disappointing, especially because his department has handled more than 50 mutual aid calls in Antwerp Township this year so far.

Were trying to serve our people the best we can and one of the ways we have to serve, unfortunately, is we deal with dangerous people, he told News 8. Firearms is a big part of our job and for our township that were in to tell us that they dont want us to train because of a zoning violation, its just very frustrating.

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Antwerp Township Supervisor Daniel Ruzick told News 8 over the phone that the zoning investigation was sparked by a complaint over the summer.

Jim Miller lives on 72nd Avenue and his property lines up near the range. He told News 8 off camera that he submitted the complaint after sharing his concerns with the Lawton Village Council earlier in the year. Miller compared the sound coming from the range to a war zone. He was concerned that noise would drive away deer from his property. He said the dirt berm that acts as a backstop behind the targets is not enough when it comes to safety, though he admitted no rounds have hit his home before.

A deer stands along 72nd Avenue in Antwerp Township. (Oct. 23, 2025)

Cordes said multiple acres separate 72nd Avenue from the range and that the high dirt berm behind the targets makes the location safe.

The village of Lawton moved to appeal the ruling last month, saying because the target practice is irregular, its not a violation of the zoning regulations. And even if it was considered regular land use, the village argued, it should be allowed under special land use exceptions.

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Officials also claimed the village is being singled out compared to other landowners. They said a private landowner would be allowed to invite family and friends to hunt or target shoot on their land without running afoul of the townships rules.

There is no material difference between that type of group activity and the Village PDs irregular target practice on the Property, read the villages response sent from Bloom Sluggett, PC, to Antwerp Township.

There was supposed to be a public hearing about the appeal Thursday, but it was put on hold. In a statement, the township supervisor said both the township and the village use the same legal counsel: Bloom Sluggett, PC, is used as general counsel for the township and special counsel in ordinance enforcement for the village.

Until both municipalities execute of conflict waiver, the townships legal counsel cannot attend this meeting, Ruzick said.

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He said the township has already waived the conflict and believes the village council will review doing the same at their next meeting.

While he was disappointed by the delay, Cordes said it also comes with a silver lining, saying the extra time will allow the village to prepare. He expects that it will be moved to December.

This pushes us off (from training) at least probably until December, which means were still not going to continue to train until after this thing is over, he said.

The department already had to cancel a scheduled training set for this month.

Ruzick said the Antwerp Township Zoning Board of Appeals is expected to vote on moving the hearing during Thursday nights meeting.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Cape Town, South Africa  A Cuban man deported by the United States to the African nation of Eswatini is on a hunger strike at a maximum-security prison having been held there for more than three months without charge or access to legal counsel under the Trump administration's third-country program, his U.S.-based lawyer said Wednesday.



Roberto Mosquera del Peral was one of five men sent to the small kingdom in southern Africa in mid-July as part of the U.S. deportation program to Africa. It has been criticized by rights groups and lawyers, who say deportees are being denied due process and exposed to rights abuses.



Mosquera's lawyer, Alma David, said in a statement sent to The Associated Press that he had been on a hunger strike for a week, and there were serious concerns over his health.



"My client is arbitrarily detained, and now his life is on the line," David said. "I urge the Eswatini Correctional Services to provide Mr. Mosquera's family and me with an immediate update on his condition and to ensure that he is receiving adequate medical attention. I demand that Mr. Mosquera be permitted to meet with his lawyer in Eswatini."



The Eswatini government said Mosquera was "fasting and praying because he was missing his family" and described it as "religious practices" that it wouldn't interfere with, a characterization disputed by David. She said: "It is not a religious practice. It's an act of desperation and protest."



Mosquera was among a group of five men from Cuba, Jamaica, Laos, Vietnam and Yemen deported to Eswatini, an absolute monarchy ruled by a king whom a number of rights groups, and the British government, accuse of clamping down on human rights. The Jamaican man was repatriated to his home country last month, but the others have been kept at the prison for more than three months, while an Eswatini-based lawyer has launched a case against the government demanding they be given access to legal counsel.



Civic groups in Eswatini have also taken authorities to court to challenge the legality of holding foreign nationals in prison without charge. Eswatini said that the men would be repatriated but could be held there for up to a year.



U.S. authorities have said they want to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Eswatini under the same program.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia speaks outside the Baltimore U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office. / Credit: Kevin Richardson/The Baltimore Sun/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

Eswatini is at least the fourth possible destination the Trump administration has floated for Abrego Garcia, a native of El Salvador who was mistakenly deported in March, held in a notorious Salvadoran prison and then returned to the U.S. in June  only to be detained again and face federal smuggling charges.



The men sent to Eswatini already were convicted of serious criminal offenses that included murder and rape, and were in the U.S. illegally, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said.



It said Mosquera was convicted of murder and other charges. His lawyer disputed that and said Thursday he was convicted of attempted murder and other charges. His full criminal record was not immediately available.



The men's lawyers told the AP they had all completed their criminal sentences in the U.S. and are now being held illegally in Eswatini.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has cast the third-country deportation program as a means to remove "illegal aliens" from American soil as part of President Trump's immigration crackdown, saying they have a choice to self-deport or be sent to a country like Eswatini.



The Trump administration has sent deportees to at least three other African nations  South Sudan, Rwanda and Ghana  since July under largely secretive agreements. It also has an agreement with Uganda, though no deportations there have been announced.



New York-based Human Rights Watch said it has seen documents that show that the U.S. is paying African nations millions of dollars to accept deportees. It said the U.S. agreed to pay Eswatini $5.1 million to take up to 160 deportees and Rwanda $7.5 million to take up to 250 deportees.

The Matsapha Correctional Complex is seen in Matsapha, near Mbabane, Eswatini, in a July 17, 2025 file photo. / Credit: AP/File

Another 10 deportees were sent to Eswatini this month and are believed to be held at the same Matsapha Correctional Complex prison outside the administrative capital, Mbabane. Lawyers said that those men are from Vietnam, Cambodia, the Philippines, Cuba, Chad, Ethiopia and Congo.



Lawyers say the four men who arrived in Eswatini on a deportation flight in July haven't been allowed to meet with an Eswatini lawyer representing them, and phone calls to their U.S.-based attorneys are monitored by prison guards. They have expressed concern that they know little about the conditions in which their clients are being held.



"I demand that Mr. Mosquera be permitted to meet with his lawyer in Eswatini," David said in her statement. "The fact that my client has been driven to such drastic action highlights that he and the other 13 men must be released from prison. The governments of the United States and Eswatini must take responsibility for the real human consequences of their deal."

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A lawyer representing the Indiana Daily Students editors-in-chief accused Indiana University of violating the First Amendment and seemingly attempting to suppress core press and speech rights in a letter sent to university administrators on Monday.

Students walk by Franklin Hall, which is the home of the Arnolt Center for Investigative Journalism and the Indiana Daily Student on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025.

Last week, IU administrators fired the IDS adviser, Jim Rodenbush, and stopped the paper from publishing its print editions amidst a wrestle between the students and administrators over what content got included in the print newspaper.

In the letter to administrators, attorney with the Reporters Committee for the Freedom of the Press Kris Cundiff described IUs actions as apparent retaliation for Rodenbush and the IDS engaging in protected speech. Cundiff said the actions violated both the trustee-approved IDS charter and constituted an attempt at censorship by IU.

Telling student journalists what they can and cannot include in a newspaper is censorship of editorial content by any definition, the letter reads.

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The letter was addressed to IU President Pamela Whitten, IU Bloomington Chancellor David Reingold, Media School Dean and Assistant Dean David Tolchinsky and Galen Clavio, and Michael Arnold, IUs director for Integrated Public Media.

An Indiana Daily Student newspaper box along Kirkwood Avenue on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025.

Attorney: Financial decisions don't justify editorial control

In the letter, Cundiff also casts doubt on the universitys position that cutting the IDS print paper was a business decision.

In a statement last week, new IU Bloomington Chancellor David Reingold said that the campus decision to cut print was about business operations, not content.

Indiana University Bloomington is firmly committed to the free expression and editorial independence of student media, Reingolds statement said.

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More: IU cancelled the IDS' print paper. Then Purdue students came to help

Cundiff called this argument disingenuous, noting that administrators previously told Rodenbush the IDS could still include news in print editions distributed across Bloomington, but focus solely on special editions on campus.

Its difficult to see how preparing two separate editions of the same paper would save any money at all, Cundiffs letter read. Even if IU were somehow driven by financial concerns, that would not entitle administrators to control the IDSs journalistic decisions.

Awards hang in the student media area at Franklin Hall, which houses the Indiana Daily Student on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025.

Attorney requests meeting with administrators, says next steps will depend on IUs response

The universitys decision to cut the IDS print and fire its adviser has drawn national attention from outlets like NBC News and The Washington Post and led to a barrage of condemnations from celebrities and organizations like the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression and Student Press Law Center. IU alum and notable donor Mark Cuban said that he was not happy with the universitys decision, particularly after donating $250,000 to work down the IDS deficit.

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Media School Dean David Tolchinsky announced Monday that he was forming a task force on editorial independence and financial stability at the IDS and larger student media ecosystem. The task force will consist of students, faculty, alumni, and journalism and legal experts, and will explore previously unanswered questions about the intersection of editorial and business operations. Tolchinsky said task force members will be appointed by Nov. 3 and deliver recommendations early in the spring semester.

At the end of his letter, Cundiff requested a meeting with administrators to discuss a path forward that will restore our clients editorial independence.

Cundiffs letter did not specify a date by which he expects a response from the university. Cundiff said he and his clients were taking things one step at a time and that further actions remain to be seen.

We are hoping IU accepts our invitation to come to the table, Cundiff said in an interview Wednesday.

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Reach Brian Rosenzweig at brian@heraldt.com. Follow him on X/Twitter at @brianwritesnews.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Attorney says Indiana University violated First Amendment in IDS saga
PepsiCo has unveiled what it calls the largest brand redesign in Lays nearly 100-year history, pairing a new visual identity with reformulated recipes and updated packs.

Announced on 9 October 2025 in the United States, the Lays packaging redesign aligns with the federal Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative and will phase in across core SKUs through 2025, with further portfolio changes slated for 2026.

The move places packaging, labelling and ingredient changes at the centre of a broader brand refresh aimed at modernising shelf presence and clarifying on-pack claims for health-minded shoppers.

Visual identity: warmer sun, ingredient-led colour system and farm imagery

The new Lays visual identity introduces a warmer, more distinct sun device with radiating Lays Rays that reference potato growing conditions.

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Packs adopt a refined colour palette derived from recipe ingredients, with close-up photography designed to emphasise chip texture, seasoning and golden tones.

The brand says the redesign prioritises billboarding and legibility at distance, supported by a custom typeface and a matte pack finish to reduce glare under retail lighting.

For packaging teams, the artwork system signals a shift toward ingredient-anchored colour management and consistent hierarchy for flavour cues.

The farm-led imagery and simplified front-of-pack layouts are intended to improve variant navigation and SKU differentiation while maintaining strong brand blocks on shelfkey goals for any snack packaging redesign.

Formulation updates drive new on-pack claims and timelines

Alongside the brand refresh, PepsiCo plans recipe changes that will influence front-of-pack nutrition and claims architecture. By the end of 2025, all core Lays products in the U.S. are slated to be made without artificial flavours or colours from artificial sources.

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Lays Baked will move to olive oil and carry a 50% less fat than regular potato chips claim, while a new Lays Kettle Cooked Reduced Fat Original Sea Salt variant will use avocado oil with 40% less fat than regular chips. The company indicates more options across its food portfolio will debut in 2026.

These formulation shifts will require careful coordination between packaging development, regulatory review and supply chain.

Teams will need to validate new ingredient declarations, update nutrition panels, and ensure consistency of no artificial flavours or colours messaging across formats and print technologies.

For reduced-fat SKUs using olive or avocado oil, claims substantiation, font sizing and placement against local labelling rules will be critical to avoid pack reworks.

Operational considerations for printers, converters and retailers

The Lays packaging redesignspanning a global nameplate with U.S.-led timelinesimplies significant artwork versioning, cylinder and plate changes, and potential substrate adjustments to achieve the matte finish and photography fidelity. Converters should anticipate:

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Pre-press and colour management: Ingredient-led palettes and high-contrast chip macros will demand tight ICC profiling and press characterisation to preserve warmth without colour cast. Expect expanded spot colour libraries or finely tuned CMYK builds for consistent brand blocks across film structures.

Material and finishing choices: A move to matte finishes can affect scuff resistance and brightness. Printers may need protective over-varnishes or higher-opacity whites to maintain shelf impact, particularly on metallised films.

Claim harmonisation and inventory run-down: Transitioning to no artificial flavours or colours and reduced-fat statements requires coordinated depletion of legacy film to mitigate write-offs. Clear cut-over dates and retailer communication plans will reduce mixed facings.

Retail execution: The simplified front-of-pack and stronger billboarding aim to improve planogram compliance and velocity. Category managers should evaluate how the new packs affect read distance and flavour shopability in both clip-strip and multipack displays.

Industry observers have characterised the shift as a notable brand refresh given Lays previous major overhaul was nearly a decade ago.

From a packaging perspective, the emphasis on visual clarity, clean-label signalling and farm-origin cues mirrors wider snack category trends, where on-pack transparency and reduced-additive messaging are now common search and shelf keywords.

"Lays, a PepsiCo brand, rolled out its largest pack redesign in nearly 100 years" was originally created and published by Packaging Gateway, a GlobalData owned brand.




MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT)  At a meeting today of the Joint Prison Committee, leaders discussed the drug problems, abuse and need for accountability inside Alabamas prison system.

These are well documented in The Alabama Solution, an HBO film that leaders say is proof of the need for reform in prisons.

Earnestine Council is the mother of Robert Earl Council, an inmate in The Alabama Solution documentary. After seeing what her son faces with her own eyes, she wants to see leaders take action.

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It brought light to a dark place, said Council. You can always speak something, but this was not only speaking it with the mouth, but they were able to see for themselves what is behind them walls.

I cant, with good conscience, tell anybody that were making progress, when they see that, Rep. Chris England (D-Tuscaloosa) told John Hamm, commissioner of the Department of Corrections.

Hamm said changing the culture in prisons will take time.

Honor walk held at UAB Hospital for Kimber Mills

The culture that you mentioned- oh, its there, he responded to England. And thats something weve been working on for quite some time. And, as you know, its tough.

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Rep. England said The Alabama Solution documents the culture of excessive force and civil rights abuses. Thats coming from officers within the system.

You would get the impression from watching the film, and also looking at your own evidence, that the system not only encourages it, but it also enables it, England said. So, in order to root that sort of thing out, and make the public know that were aware of those things, folks like that cant work for us.

England said bringing in an independent agency would help root out those issues.

There has to be something within the system, systems we change, oversight that we create, accountability we create, so we can actually start making a difference.

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Representative England said constituent services recently created by the Department of Corrections have helped inmate families better communicate their concerns. But ultimately, he said more oversight is needed for Alabamas prisons.

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Millions of low-income Americans will lose access to food aid on Nov. 1, when half of states plan to cut off benefits due to the government shutdown.

Twenty-five states told POLITICO that they are issuing notices informing participants of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program  the nations largest anti-hunger initiative  that they wont receive checks next month. Those states include California, Arkansas, Hawaii, Indiana, Mississippi and New Jersey. Others didnt respond to requests for comment in time for publication.

USDAs Food and Nutrition Service recently told every state that theyd need to hold off on distributing benefits until further notice, according to multiple state agencies.

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Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, a Democrat, told reporters at the state capitol Wednesday that President Donald Trump is the first president in U.S. history to cut off SNAP benefits to people in America.

The state funding can't begin to match what the federal government provides, said Healey, whose state is also ending benefits Nov. 1.

Nutrition programs like SNAP and another one serving low-income mothers and infants have been caught in the crossfire of lawmakers spending negotiations, with the shutdown now in its fourth week. States are scrambling to maintain the programs using money from their own coffers and emergency funding from the Trump administration, but that pot is rapidly decreasing.

The administration would have to find more than $8 billion to keep SNAP afloat if the shutdown continues.

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We just cant do it without the government being open, said Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins in a NewsNation interview Tuesday. By Nov. 1, we are very hopeful this government reopens and we can begin moving that money out. But right now, half the states are shut down on SNAP.

Under SNAP, which serves more than 42 million people, families receive an average of $187.20 per month to pay for groceries. The pause in benefits would kick in just before the Thanksgiving holiday and add further strain on food banks and pantries during a typically busy season.

Even if lawmakers clinch a funding deal before the end of October, anti-hunger advocates and states expect a delay between the government reopening and state administrators being able to issue November's benefits, after weeks of holding up the typical process. For example, Kansas Department for Children and Families told POLITICO that it would take at least three days to fully reboot the program.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly included Alabama among the states that issued notices telling participants that they won't receive checks.
Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson threatened to kick a students ass this week after he accused Carlsons late father of working for the CIA.

During a Turning Point USA debate at Indiana University Bloomington, a student took to the microphone and said:

So, I kinda just dont see a lot of change between, you know, the Biden administration and now the Trump one on foreign policy. You know, were still giving a sh*t ton of money to like Israel and Ukraine. Nothing is happening. You know, the wars not stopped. You promised itd be done in a day and its, I dont know, how many months? Eight months or something like that? Its a long time. Your dad was in the CIA and I was wondering, does our government even want war to stop? Do they want conflicts to end? It seems like we have a difference of interests where were getting told one thing and the other is happening and I feel like theres not enough communication between different sects of government, and I just really think the deep states controlling everything and we have no control.

Carlson responded, You probably sense that I agree with a lot of that. Obviously, leave my father out of it. Im gonna have to kick your ass  which I could do by the way  if you bring him up again cause he was a wonderful man, whatever, you know, he did for a living. So I really do hate that.

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There is currently no evidence that Carlsons father, Dick Carlson, worked for the CIA. Carlsons father passed away in March at the age of 84.

During the same debate, Carlson got into a heated clash with a student, telling him to get off the f*cking internet after the student said Carlson was worth $50 million.

Watch above via Turning Point USA.

The post Leave My Father Out of It: Tucker Carlson Threatens to Kick Students Ass During Turning Point USA Debate first appeared on Mediaite.
From the outset, the current government shutdown orchestrated by the Democratic Party has felt different out here in the hinterlands. Their "ask" does not seem remotely plausible, which has most Americans ignoring the shutdown, while a few wonder: What are the Democrats up to?

One explanation is that Democrats are playing what in chess is called a fork: If the Republicans cave in on Democrat demands, they achieve a policy win, but if neither side caves, then eventually Senate Republicans will eliminate the filibuster rule in order to fund the government - which would be an even bigger win for the Democrats.

Think about it: Democrats have tried for years to blow up the filibuster. They were blocked during the Biden administration by the votes of two Democrat senators who have since left office. The Democrats attempt to eliminate this long-standing protection for the minority in Senate rules became an issue in the 2024 campaign; breaking rules in order to implement sweeping changes proved to be no bueno to a majority of Americans.

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Now it appears that the Democrats are refusing to allow normal legislative processes to occur in order to either get the Republicans to vote for Democrat policies - or get them to do the dirty work of nuking the filibuster for them.

Consider how the filibuster rule has been whittled down in recent years by both parties. First, the Harry Reid-led Senate Democrats eliminated the filibuster to push through some controversial judicial nominees (albeit not justices on the Supreme Court). Then, the Mitch McConnell-led Republicans whittled the filibuster down further to give themselves the authority to confirm Republican nominees to the Supreme Court over unified Democratic opposition.

Democrats failed in their efforts to eliminate the filibuster completely under Biden, but their dilatory tactics to block timely approval of Trump political appointees finally pushed the exasperated Republicans to change the rules last month - just to return to historical norms of the Senates advice-and-consent process. While this rule change broke the logjam keeping Trump appointees on the sideline, this was also a win for the Democrats in their years-long effort to eliminate the filibuster.

This rule change seems to have encouraged Democrats to go for broke with this shutdown strategy: By simply refusing to participate in the normal legislative process, ostensibly holding out for things popular among their base, and then gaslighting the American people about their machinations, the Democratic minority is egging the Republican majority into eliminating the filibuster for them.

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Congressional Republicans are already starting to sniff at the bait. Wednesday, the Hill carried a story that the Senate GOP is starting to discuss "filibuster reform" and Pennsylvania Democrat Sen. John Fetterman is encouraging Republicans to do so.

What looked at the outset like a pointless shutdown that would surely backfire on the Democrats appears now to be a shrewd play to get the GOP to open the door for the Democrats to eventually push through their radical agenda with a simple majority in both Houses - along with structural changes to make it difficult for Republicans to retake the majority thereafter.

Consider what the Democrats will do with 51 votes once they retake power, courtesy of "pragmatic" Senate Republicans, should they nuke the filibuster:

Grant Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico statehood (meaning four additional Democrats in the Senate).

Pack the Supreme Court.

Eliminate voter ID laws nationally.

Implement permanent vote-by-mail procedures coast to coast.

Naturalize all illegal immigrants resident in the U.S.

Nationalize healthcare.

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The wish list of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party goes on and on. Other than Bernie Sanders, the Marxists who have seized and now lead the policy agenda for the worlds oldest political party are young and can wait a few years to achieve total victory.

Of course, Democrats could themselves nuke the filibuster next time they achieve power, assuming they maintain their current electoral unanimity on this issue. But changing the rules to push through major structural changes would forever taint those changes - and would taint the politicians who behaved with so little restraint and respect for the minority.

How much better to have "pragmatic" senators of the other party change the rules for you years before driving a radical legislative agenda through to completion?

So, what should Republicans do to counter this Democratic maneuver? No one in our nations 250-year history has been better at frustrating the opposing party than Donald Trump.

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First, the president should start calling out the Democrats strategy - make their secret, devious plans public and shame those who refuse to participate in democracy while falsely claiming to save it.

Second, use the absence of funding to drive much-needed government reform. The Trump administration has started this process, and is fighting in court against activist U.S. district court judges to respond sensibly to the absence of funding.

Third, the Trump team needs to increase its pressure campaign - and impose costs on Democratic constituencies.

Democrats have effectively gone on strike against democracy, with the ultimate goal of changing the rules to eventually achieve total victory for socialism. The stakes are high, higher than most Americans realize.

Richard Porter is the former National Committeeman to the RNC from Illinois.
Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) have become a popular tool for law enforcement agencies across the country.

However, the amount of information collected by ALPRs has become a source of controversy, particularly in Washington State.

The information collected by ALPRs can be shared with federal agencies such as the U.S. Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Sometimes this information is shared without local agencies being aware that this data is accessible to the federal government.

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The University of Washington Center for Human Rights released a report examining which law enforcement agencies in Washington are using ALPRs.

They review data from agencies, specifically those that used the ALPR, Flock Safety.

The study reviewed where and with whom they are sharing that information.

During research for the report, it was discovered that several Washington law enforcement agencies had shared ALPR data with Border Patrol and ICE.

This open access has raised questions about compliance with state laws, both knowingly and unknowingly.

According to the report, eight law enforcement agencies had shared information directly with federal agencies.

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The report named police departments in Arlington, Auburn, Lakewood, Richland, Sunnyside, Wenatchee, Yakima, and the Benton County Sheriffs Office as doing so as of 2025.

Federal agencies also gained access to data from 10 Washington law enforcement agencies through backdoor channels.

Backdoor access allowed the agencies to obtain data even when local agencies had said they wouldnt share it.

There were also instances of side-door access.

With side-door access, local agencies searched their own collected data to provide information.

This information could be handed over to out-of-state law enforcement agenciesand, in some cases, to ICE and Border Patrol.

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Many advocates argue that this kind of information sharing poses a threat to immigration and reproductive rights.

In one instance, a police officer in Texas accessed information on a woman who had performed a self-managed abortion.

Authorities considered using that information to press charges against her.

In Texas, people can be prosecuted for having, performing, or assisting with an abortion.

There are also concerns about accuracy.

The report noted differences between the list of agencies that can access a network and the actual number of agencies using it.

Flock Safetys founder and CEO, Garrett Langley, was asked about these issues with information sharing between agencies.

He stated that the sharing of local data is between users and their choice of whom they decide to share that information with.
Overhanging branches from a neighbor's tree can be an annoyance, or at times a total inconveniance. In some cases, it can be difficult to come to an agreement about who has the right to tidy up wayward branches.

In Tennessee, property owners are responsible for maintaining trees, shrubs, and fences on their property. They must also ensure these do not interfere with neighboring properties or become a nuisance, according to TreeLaws.org.

If a neighbors tree extends into your yard, you can ask them to trim the branches or remove the tree. If they decline, you are legally allowed to trim the overhanging branches yourself as long as you stay within your property line and do not damage the trees health.

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Here's what else to know in Nashville.

How to tell if a tree is yours

According to the University of Tennessee Knoxville Institute of Agriculture, a tree is considered yours if you or a previous landowner planted it and its main trunk lies entirely within your property boundaries.

All existing, newly planted trees and naturally occurring trees are the responsibility of the landowner on whose property they grow. In some cases, however, tree ownership may be shared.

These are known as boundary or border line trees.

A boundary line tree has a trunk that crosses the property line, stated the university. Even trees entirely on one property may be considered boundary trees if neighboring owners have treated them as shared through agreement or consistent behavior.

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Border line trees have trunks entirely on one side of the property line, but their roots or branches extend into neighboring land.

Both property owners have a legal interest in boundary and border line trees.

Can you trim a neighbor's overhanging trees in Nashville?

Under Tennessee law, a neighbor may trim roots or branches that cross into their property  at their own expense  if those intrusions cause or threaten harm, according to the university.

However, neither owner may remove the tree without the others consent, nor may they trim parts of the tree if doing so would damage the shared property.

While state law provides general guidelines on tree ownership and responsibility, local governments may enforce additional rules.

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According to Metro Senior Director of Communications Julie Smith, the city of Nashville doesn't get involved in disputes concerning overhanging tree branches, as they are considered "private civil matters between landowners."

Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for the Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@gannett.com or follow her on X at @_leyvadiana

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Can you trim your neighbor's tree in Nashville?
JEWETT, Texas (FOX 44)  A reported incident involving a Leon Independent School District teacher and student will be discussed at a special called meeting.

Superintendent Clint Sadler released a statement to parents on Wednesday saying the district received a report concerning an incident involving a teacher and a student at Leon Elementary School. The district immediately contacted law enforcement and placed the teacher on leave to allow for a thorough investigation. All parents whose students were directly involved in the incident have been contacted.

The Board of Trustees has scheduled a special called meeting for this Monday, October 27, in order to review the findings and consider appropriate employment action.

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Superintendent Sadler says the safety and well-being of Leon ISD students remain the districts highest priority.

This is a developing story. FOX 44 News will have 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 KWKT - FOX 44.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  Texans are beginning to sound the alarm regarding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Plan (SNAP) benefits.

SNAP benefits for November wont be issued if the federal government shutdown continues past Oct. 27, the Texas Department of State Health Services website said.

While the website stipulates that Medicaid, WIC, TANF and CHIP benefits wont be affected, the 3.7 million Texans (roughly 11% of the population) who rely on SNAP to pay for groceries will be the first to feel the fullest and most direct effects from the federal shutdown.

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Weve been struggling since February, Gatesville woman Heather Penny told Nexstar. February is when Penny lost her job after caring for her grandmothers stroke. My fiance is the only one working, and even with his full-time job, we cant keep up. Every paycheck goes straight to bills and our mortgage, and were already behind. Ive been trying to find remote work, but between my health and the competition, its been nearly impossible.

For Penny, SNAP benefits presented a lifeline to get food on the table for her two children at home. This includes her son who has Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder.

He doesnt understand why he cant just eat when hes hungry, Penny said. We have to ration food, and when hes told no  even for a small snack  his emotions explode. He goes from calm to furious in seconds, and it can last for hours. Its heartbreaking. And its terrifying.

Penny certainly isnt alone in her struggles. One single mother of four kids, who asked Nexstar not to use her name, is also on the edge.

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I am extremely concerned about how I am going to put food on the table next month, she said. We will be surviving day by day if this shutdown continues. Its very scary, very stressful, and is keeping me on edge. Its already hard as a single mother paying for everything by myself, now to add a whole other bill to my plate has taken a big toll on me.

Food banks are also bracing for an influx of customers after already taking on an extra load.

Weve already seen about a 35% increase in reliance on our services, Sari Vatske, the President and CEO of the Central Texas Food Bank, said. In the 21 counties that the Central Texas food bank serves alone, we have about 127,000 households that rely on SNAP assistance. Assuming the average household receives about $400 a month, we are looking at a shortfall of about $51 million a month.

Currently, most food banks serve in a supportive role to SNAP but not as a replacement.

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[For] every 10 meals a low-income person gets, nine are from SNAP and one is from a food bank, San Antonio Food Bank Chief Philanthropy Officer Michael Guerra said. [SNAP benefits expiring] probably means that were just going to have to ration. We do ration food right now because theres more need than there is food, but if we have a need that two, three [or] four times what we normally serve, we wont be able to scale that fast.

In Central Texas, the food bank is currently spending about $1.3 million a month on food, Vatske said.

That is not a sustainable number we certainly are not able to make up $51 million per month, she said. We are fortunate that we can rely on the community for volunteers and stand up additional distributions, but we cannot do it alone. We need the government to reopen.

Guerra feels confident the food bank system, particularly the Feeding Texas system, can weather the storm  citing their response to COVID and natural disasters. However, unlike those hardships, this one is completely man-made.

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I have a son whos a federal contractor, Guerra said. Hes working without a paycheck right now, right? And hes not Republican or Democrat  hes just a son to me. So I just hope that our folks across the aisle see family members, see young individuals or even individuals who are older and near retirement  they want to do their job The message [to Congress] would be Hey look, lets not put people in a spot of hunger to solve political issues.'

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (WKBN)  People in East Palestine and the surrounding area are being asked to write down their concerns.

A letter-writing campaign is underway that will deliver a stack of letters to the vice president and possibly other officials. One issue has remained the same since the 2023 train derailment in East Palestine. People are worried about their health.

The campaign asks people to write a letter to Vice President JD Vance, explaining their health problems, and let him know the residents and people in the surrounding area need healthcare now and in the future.



I think that it would have more of an impact being a large amount of letters than it would just an email here and there, or a letter here and there, said Christina Siceloff, letter-writing organizer.

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Siceloff could see the derailment from her home in South Beaver, and says she got sick within an hour after the vent and burn plume went over her house. She wants input from East Palestine residents, plus people within a 20-mile radius.

She knows Vance had been to the village as a senator. He was back in February as vice president.



He said that if the community still had unmet needs, then he would come back, and hasnt been back. So were trying to kind of let him know that we still have unmet needs, Siceloff said.

The collection point for the letters is the village building. You can mail a letter there or drop it off. The campaign recommends people share their vision of what healthcare could look like now and in the future. The goal is to remind the government of the issues still being faced from the derailment and present possible solutions.



In like 10 years, if theres more people sick, and we didnt say anything now, then it kind of fell off the radar, and theyre like, Well, why are you just saying something now? When now, were showing that its still continuing on, Siceloff said.



November 15th is the last day to submit a letter to go along with the group. The village already has some

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
To the editor: Reading the Los Angeles Times recently, I felt a pang of embarrassment ( Nine months after fires, residents continue to struggle with housing stability, finances, Oct. 17). Eight years after the 2017 Tubbs fire, which destroyed more than 4,600 structures in Santa Rosa, their community is 79% rebuilt , with 93% of its devastated Coffey Park neighborhood rebuilt  far faster recovery rates than other fire-affected areas in California. Intrigued, I reached out to Santa Rosa City Councilman Jeff Okrepkie, a key figure in Santa Rosas recovery, with a simple request: Tell me what you did.

In the aftermath of the fire, the City Council ramped up to weekly meetings focused solely on rebuilding. The city manager formed a dedicated task force, unleashed to act without bureaucratic overlap.

A resiliency center was established, separating routine city operations from fire recovery efforts. Strict timelines  some as short as seven days  were set and met. Residents formed Coffey Strong , a group tackling shared setbacks through collaborative meetings with city planners and engineers.

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When I asked Okrepkie how they cut through Californias infamous red tape, he said, We adopted a get to yes mindset. That simple philosophy drove them to find solutions, not excuses. The results were swift and staggering.

Meanwhile, many other fire-impacted areas, including Malibu, remain trapped in a doom loop  a vicious cycle where poor decisions and inaction compound, stalling progress.

In our Malibu discussions, some pointed to differences in topography, housing types or building codes to explain our sluggish recovery. But these feel like excuses. Santa Rosa faces hilly terrain and tough geotechnical conditions, too, and operates under a similar weak mayor/strong city manager system. If anything, Malibus affluence and proximity to a major metropolis should give us an edge.

The real issue isnt codes or geography  its culture. Were mired in a process ill-equipped to handle the scale, speed and safety demands of fire rebuilds. Santa Rosas example shows we dont need a magic bullet, a governors executive order or federal intervention. We need a mindset shift.

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By the end of my talk with Okrepkie, embarrassment gave way to hope. Lets adopt a get to yes approach, fix our processes and rebuild our homes together.

Abe Roy, Malibu

This writer was formerly the Malibu Rebuild Ambassador. He resigned last month but continues to chair the Malibu Rebuild Task Force.

..

To the editor: Why would the Los Angeles Times quote Adam Carolla, a former radio shock jock, on matters of coastal construction in Malibu rather than an expert who is currently focused on the issue ( Malibu residents flee as international buyers snap up burned-out lots, Oct. 22)?

The wooden poles that held up houses for 75 years are not considered safe, and FEMA will not allow new construction unless it's higher. The septic tanks that leached raw human sewage into wet sand for 100 years are not sanitary, and you cannot just plop a tank full of excrement next to the waves.

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Of course it takes more time to build a house perched on a cliff or next to the waves. Home builders need to engineer those houses to be safe for 100 years.

Hans Laetz, Malibu

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A shooting in Lewisville has left one dead and one wounded.

A woman was killed and a man was shot at the Norwood Mobile Home Park in Lewisville on October 22, according to a statement from the Lewisville Police Department. Officials said the shooting was isolated, and there is no threat to the public.

The Lewisville Fire Department and Lewisville police responded to a shooting near 400 E. State Highway 121 Business around 1 p.m., according to the statement.

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When officers arrived, they found a man and a woman who had been shot. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene, and Lewisville fire brought the man to a local hospital with critical injuries.

Preliminary information suggests the male suspect shot the female victim, and then shot himself, the statement reads.

Lewisville police asked the public to avoid the area at 1:25 p.m., while investigators processed the scene. At the time of publication, detectives were still investigating the circumstances of the shooting  including the relationship between the man and the woman.

The medical examiner will release the womans identity after her next-of-kin have been notified, and Lewisville police will provide additional details as soon as possible.

The Dallas Express asked Lewisville police for comment, but a media representative pointed to the departments statement.
LIMA  Lima school board candidates Heather Rutz and Sandra Jean Baes Monfort, who have endorsed one another in the contested three-way race, spoke for 45 minutes Tuesday about the districts financial challenges, their philosophy of public service and their opponents absence at the Lima Education Associations inaugural candidate forum.

Questions focused on the candidates budget priorities, understanding of fiduciary duty, experience with collective bargaining, motivation for seeking a seat on the board and acceptance of compensation for their service.

Rutz and Monfort praised Superintendent Andre Rudolphs leadership in his first three months as superintendent and warned of difficult decisions ahead, as the district contends with deficit spending and proposed property tax reforms that could cost public schools millions of dollars.

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The candidates also alluded to the absence of their opponent, Cindy Brownlow, who is seeking re-election for her second term on the board in November. Brownlow told The Lima News on Wednesday morning she did not attend Tuesdays forum due to illness.

Motivation behind campaigns

Rutz said her experience as the mother of a student at Liberty Arts Magnet and now Lima Senior High School inspired her to campaign for a seat on the school board, which she said will be tasked with difficult budgetary decisions soon, so she could give back to a district that supported her family.

Rudolph laid out an audacious plan to improve our learning outcomes for students at the same time that we have a budget that well need to address, while were navigating serious attacks from our state government, Rutz said.

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Monfort, who spent more than a decade on the Lima school board intermittently starting in 1999, said she decided to put her name in again when she learned board President Deanna Reynolds-Griffin decided not to seek re-election.

I feel I have much more to give, Monfort said.

Minutes later, Monfort drew attention to Brownlows absence.

I am stunned there are two of the three of us here, Monfort said.  We saw the questions in advance. Theres nothing concerning about the questions youve asked us. You have every right to ask us those questions.

Monfort, Rutz pledge support

Monfort and Rutz described a philosophy of public service in support of the superintendent and treasurer, the only employees hired directly by the board, and in support of public education.

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I need to hear from them, because they know the big picture, Monfort said in response to a question about budget priorities. They know whats happening statewide. Im not going to act as if I do. Im choosing to believe they are skilled at their craft, and then Im going to listen to the board.

Both candidates praised Rudolphs leadership and his vision for the district, as he outlined last week.

Rutz said it will take creativity from the board to usher the resources needed to implement Rudolphs improvement plan.

I want us to lean into our strengths, said Rutz, referring to pockets of excellence like the districts career technical program and student supports.

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Monfort said shes made tough decisions in the past, including layoffs and a vote not to renew John McEwans contract as superintendent in 2003, but she said shes been impressed by Rudolph each time shes heard him speak publicly.

Both candidates spoke of their desire to advocate for public education amid what they describe as an attack on public education through private school vouchers, property tax loopholes and declining state financial support for public schools, which in turn resulted in higher property taxes.

Ohio is near the top of the list of states for property tax burden and at the bottom of the list for school funding, Rutz said. We understand what the disconnect is.

References to Brownlow

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Monfort alluded to a special meeting called by Brownlow on Wednesday evening to review superintendent and treasurer contracts in response to a question about board compensation  members are paid $125 per meeting  describing special meetings as a waste of resources for a district in deficit spending.

Monfort rarely called special meetings during her tenure on the board.

Thats expensive and more deficit spending right now, she said. There should be no need for a special meeting for an issue that needs to be addressed to the two employees that the school board hires: the superintendent and the treasurer. Theyve been hired to do their work.

In another reference to Brownlow, who reportedly implied shes the only candidate who cares for the students of Lima schools, Monfort said she cant think of a single board member shes worked with who didnt care about students and staff.

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This is hard work, she said. To make such a statement is incredibly inappropriate and wrong.

Monfort alluded to Brownlow again in her closing remarks, which referenced a video of Brownlow campaigning outside Fresh N Faded.

She indicated that you can vote on Sunday, Monfort said. No, you cant. You can when we get to the fourth week, which is Oct. 28, so please dont go on Sunday to vote at the Board of Elections.

In the video, Brownlow was asked whether voters can go to the polls on Sundays. Brownlow responds yes but then clarified that Sunday voting isnt available until closer to the election.

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Brownlow alleges threats

Brownlow told The Lima News that Monfort threatened her not to seek re-election in a Jan. 12 phone call. She alleged the union threatened and harassed her to attend Tuesdays forum.

She said theres other things I can do to serve the district, and for my safety, I shouldnt run again, Brownlow said.

Monfort denied the allegation, stating there was no school board meeting on Jan. 12 and the only time she called Brownlow this year was to return her opponents phone call in September.

Monfort said Brownlow mentioned she may not seek re-election on several occassions while the two served on the board together. I said to her what Id say to anybody: If you dont feel comfortable running, then thats a decision you need to make for yourself.

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Retired Superintendent Jill Ackerman endorsed Rutz and Monfort in a private Facebook post shared with The Lima News. The post praised Rutz and Monfort for attending Tuesdays forum and answering questions with intelligence and professionalism.

They are going to make great school board members, Ackerman wrote. The third candidate, a current board member, was a no show. This says it all for me! Please vote for Limas finest!
LIMA  A tense special meeting to review the residency status of Lima Superintendent Andre Rudolph concluded within 12 minutes with no changes to the superintendents contract.

Cindy Brownlow, who is seeking her second term on the board this November, called the special meeting Wednesday to review the districts contracts with Rudolph and Treasurer Heather Sharp.

At issue is Rudolphs residency in the Elida school district.

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Brownlow alleged Rudolph told board President Deanna Reynolds-Griffin he resides in Elida because former Superintendent Jill Ackerman told him it wasnt safe to live in Lima, which Reynolds-Griffin denied.

Rudolph interrupted to clarify that he asked Ackerman for her opinion of several homes he considered purchasing. I asked, Would you recommend these homes for a family? And I got a yay or nay answer, Rudolph said.

Rudolph said he made several unsuccessful offers on homes in Lima, prompting him to make alternative arrangements in the interim. The superintendents contract provides for a one-year period to establish residency within the district.

I greatly appreciate the support of the board, Rudolph said. I would like to be able to focus on my job. Weve got a big job ahead of us. I would prefer to stop getting chatter and nonsense about anything other than supporting kids.

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Board member Alice Donahue repeatedly voiced her support for Rudolph, questioning the merits of Wednesdays meeting as she saw no evidence Rudolph or Sharp were in violation of their contracts.

We have serious stuff coming up. We need serious people. You two have a lot youre going to be dealing with, and as a board member, Im supporting you 100%, Donahue said.

She added, You have a young family, you plan on living here in Lima longer than three years. We should not dictate how hard you look for a home.

The meeting concluded at 5:12 with no motion to enter executive session or revise either contract.
NEW YORK CITY (PIX11)  A years-long investigation led to the discovery of an alleged culture of fraud and time abuse within Long Island Rail Road employees, according to a report released by the Office of the MTA Inspector General.

The report alleges that 24 LIRR workers, including a supervisor, admitted to possessing cloned swipe cards, which are used as ID cards to clock in and out for shifts. These cards, according to the OIG, were made using machines bought on Amazon and sold to employees for profit.

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One supervisor allegedly showed up for a weekend overtime shift in a bathing suit and flip flops, saying, Dont bother looking for me. Ill be next to my pool with a margarita.

Six employees were involved in the creation and distribution of the ID cards, the OIG report claims. With these cards, employees would swipe each other in and out at time clocks as if theyd worked an entire shift when theyd actually shown up late or left early, according to the report.

Many of the cards were stashed in lockers or in a refrigerator on the LIRR property, the report claims.

The OIGs investigation began in 2022 due to an anonymous complaint at Ronkonkoma, where one supervisor was accused of having a duplicate ID card and was not on-site when he was swiped in by another supervisor.

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Thirteen Ronkonkoma employees were allegedly involved in timekeeping fraud. According to the report, a cover-up for the alleged scheme was to blame the cloned cards on a dead colleague.

More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State

What happens at K.O. [Ronkonkoma] stays at K.O., one employee allegedly said to another while discussing the cards.

They cant do nothing to us, the other employee responded.

In Richmond Hill, 18 employees were said to have been involved in a similar time abuse scheme. One employee, according to the report, was threatened with loss of overtime shifts if they did not make the cloned cards.

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One Richmond Hill employee allegedly went to the gym nearly 200 times while still on the clock for his shifts.

At West Side, five employees were accused of stealing time.

These employees, including supervisors who should have been enforcing the rules, stole countless hours of paid time, Inspector General Daniel Cort said.

I hope that our investigation and the serious punishments handed down by LIRR management will help combat the culture of corruption that has festered for too long at these facilities, Cort added.

Of 36 total employees covered in the report, 12 have resigned or retired, the OIG said.

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To see the full report, click here.

Spencer Gustafson is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered New York state and city news since 2023. See more of his work here.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Most of America first took notice of Marco Rubio when he gave one of the most-cringe prime-time performances of all time, the official Republican rebuttal to Barack Obamas 2013 State of the Union address. No one who watched is likely to forget Rubios awkward stare as he furtively reached for a water bottle, cementing his reputation as the thirstiest man in the U.S. Senate. Its a testament to his limitless ambition that he came back from that and is now one of the most powerful people in the world.

Rubio rode into national politics on the Tea Party wave in 2010, after having served for a decade in Florida state politics, rising to become majority leader and ultimately speaker of the states House of Representatives. Although he was a staunch conservative from the beginning, Rubio showed early on an aptitude for sensing which way the wind was blowing. Over the years he held both moderate and conservative positions on most issues. For instance, at first he rejected the scientific consensus on climate change and then, a few years later, decided it was true. He was once one of the Republican Partys most vocial advocates for comprehensive immigration reform and even sponsored the DREAM Act. Now he energetically supports Donald Trump on the most draconian deportation program in American history. He broke with the GOP on more than one occasion when it came to budget battles, at times striking a pose as populist defender of the little guy, but overall he was a standard-issue right-wing conservative on taxes and spending.

With the exception of the ill-fated Gang of Eight attempt to overhaul immigration policy, Rubio has never been much associated with domestic politics. His focus has always been on national security and foreign policy. He was an unreconstructed hawk in the Senate, supporting the war in Iraq and taking a hard line on Iran. But hes often used the language of human rights in condemning China, Turkey and Venezuela for crimes against minority populations or suppression of dissent.

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And in what looks in retrospect like one of Rubios most independent moves, as co-chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence with Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., he led a three-year investigation that found clear evidence of Russian interference on Trumps behalf in the 2016 election, exactly as Robert Muellers investigation had established. Trump and other Republican officials are still spreading the claim that the investigation was a hoax, despite the fact that the current secretary of state personally validated its findings. (You have to wonder if anyone has ever explained that to Trump; logically, it should have been a deal breaker.)

Then again, Trump also overlooked the fact that as an opposing GOP presidential candidate in 2016, Rubio once said, Hes like 62, which is why I dont understand why his hands are the size of someone who is 52 You know what they say about men with small hands. That line got back to Trump, creating an infamous primary debate moment when Trump insisted on national TV, I guarantee you theres no problem. For a man who carries around grudges like precious offspring, its odd that Trump has apparently decided to overlook all that, but Rubio worked hard to abase himself and get into the inner circle.

The political establishment, including many Democrats, were relieved when Rubio was chosen for the State Department job, reassured that a supposedly serious fellow with Senate credentials would keep Trump foreign policy from going off the rails. The hope was that Rubio might stop the president from doing something silly, like bailing out of NATO or invading Greenland. Little did they know that Rubio had happily made a deal with the devil and now seems to relish the idea of ripping up the world order in Trumps image.

They certainly couldnt have anticipated how eagerly Rubio would join in the deportation crusade by targeting foreign students for visa violations, as well as for unauthorized opinions about Israel and Charlie Kirk. Considering his years of support for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), it came a something of a shock when Rubio cavalierly endorsed the administrations shutdown of vital medical and food programs, which is likely to mean sickness and death for millions. He even agreed to betray informants under U.S. protection to Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele in exchange for an agreement to lock up purported Venezuelan gang members in El Salvadors gruesome gulag.

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When Russia invaded Ukraine, Rubio was one of the first to condemn President Vladimir Putins aggression, calling him a killer and suggesting that he was suffering from some kind of mental decline. But it didnt take long for Rubio to change his tune, voting against military aid early on and adopting the Trump line that a negotiated settlement was the only way out. In the Senate, Rubio backed Israels brutal assault on Palestinian civilians, although at one point he voted against more military aid, saying the U.S. needed more money for border enforcement. As secretary of state, Rubio has mostly taken a back seat on those big issues to Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff and, more recently, to freelance adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner. But that has just given him time to pursue his own special interests.

When Trump tapped Rubio as acting national security adviser after a clash with the more establishment oriented Mike Waltz  since banished to Siberia, aka the United Nations  Rubio got some runway to move on his own priorities in Latin America. Coming as he does from the anti-Castro Cuban-American community of South Florida, Rubio has a strong strain of anti-left ideology which has made him especially obsessed with Nicolas Maduro, Venezuelas socialist authoritarian president.

According to recent reports in the Wall Street Journal, the extrajudicial killings, CIA covert actions and pending war plans against Venezuela are all being driven by Rubio. After some back-and-forth between him and special envoy Richard Grenell, along with oil companies whod welcome a deal to exploit Venezuelas enormous reserves, Rubio and deputy White House chief of staff Stephen Miller have carried the day with a full-fledged plan to pressure and perhaps depose the Venezuelan leader. Other countries in the region are expected to take notice.

Want more sharp takes on politics? Sign up for our free newsletter, Standing Room Only by Amanda Marcotte, also a weekly show on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

As a former White House official told The New Yorker, If youre Panama, you think this is about you. If youre Colombia, you think its about you if you think its a signal, it is a signal. And that signal isnt just directed at other countries. The same official pointed out that this has a domestic dimension as well, by reinforcing the idea that Latino gang members and drug cartels, are enemies of America. This is happening while you have the deployment of National Guardsmen to cities, the official said. Youre getting people used to these kinds of actions. This is expanding the definition of the use of force.

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Marco Rubio almost certainly intends to run for president in 2028 and sees his service in that cause as the best way to fulfill his own agenda and expand both his power and his political profile. Hes certainly not the only person in the Trump administration with that idea, but he stands out in that many observers still view him as an adult in the room with establishment credibility. Thats entirely wrong. Hes a fully paid-up MAGA fanatic now, and no one should think otherwise.

The post Little Marco goes big MAGA  with his eyes on the White House appeared first on Salon.com.
WASHINGTON (NewsNation)  President Donald Trump hosted a roundtable discussion with officials Thursday afternoon to discuss his administrations efforts to thwart drug cartels and human trafficking.

TODAY AT THE WHITE HOUSE



President Trump has a 3pm et "announcement" on the schedule in the State Dining room open to WH press pool. @NewsNation is learning that the announcement is a roundtable on the administration's efforts to thwart drug cartels and human trafficking.  Kellie Meyer (@KellieMeyerNews) October 23, 2025

Those scheduled to appear include Stephen Miller, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, FBI Director Kash Patel and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.

Trump puts San Francisco federal enforcement operation on hold

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Earlier this month, Trump declared the U.S. is now at war with drug cartels deemed by the White House as terrorist groups. Since then, the administration has struck several small boats off Venezuela and another in the Pacific, alleging drug smuggling. The U.S. military strikes have killed at least 32 people.

Trump said Wednesday the administration may go to Congress for authorization to strike drug cartels that are smuggling narcotics on land.

We will hit them very hard when they come in by land. And they havent experienced that yet, but now were totally prepared to do that. Well probably go back to Congress and explain exactly what were doing when [they] come to the land, the president said at the White House on Wednesday while sitting alongside NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
The Senate on Thursday failed to approve a bill which would pay some federal employees, including service members, as the government shutdown stretches into its fourth week.

The plight of military families has been central to the GOPs shutdown strategy, and Republican leaders hoped to put Democrats on the spot with the bill sponsored by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.).

The upper chamber will not take up the House-passed funding bill to reopen the federal government on Thursday. Senate Republicans are divided over whether they should negotiate with Democrats on Affordable Care Act subsidies, the crux of the funding fight.

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The vote failed for a 12th time on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the presidents demolition of the White Houses East Wing is still drawing scrutiny from critics after Trump announced donors funding the $300 million ballroom project.

Follow along for all the latest updates.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.




San Antonio International Airport wants to localize its restaurant offerings to give passengers a "sense of place," said Rick Neel, the airport's aviation properties and development manager.

"We want to make sure we're meeting travelers' needs," Neel explained. "From the surveys we released, we gathered that passengers really want to feel like they're landing in San Antonio."

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San Antonio International Airport is adding 22 new restaurants and retail locations in both Terminals A and B, including local restaurants Tre Pizzeria, Bakery Lorraine, Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewery and Pharm Table.

"San Antonio has a rich culinary story, and that's something we want to bring to the airport," Neel said. "That's been the biggest push for us."

RELATED: San Antonio airport is second-best for passengers in Texas, study says

The airport estimates that the new dining options and retail stores will generate a projected $71.4 million in revenue for the city and an estimated $516 million in gross sales over the 10-year contract.

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Neel provided a rundown on the projected opening dates for the incoming airport locations.

2025 openings

Ahead of the holidays, one of the busiest travel times of the year, the airport is aiming to open Tre Pizzeria, along with Univision and 210 Exchange retail stores in Terminal A.

Tre Pizzeria debuted in Boerne last year as a casual offshoot of chef Jason Dady's Tre Tattoria, his upscale Italian restaurant at the San Antonio Museum of Art. The pizzeria's new airport location will feature a similar menu as the Boerne location, including pasta and flatbread pizzas.

Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewery is expected to open in the spring in Terminal B. (Illustration courtesy of San Antonio International Airport)





Early 2026 openings

In January, the new Alamo Tequila Bar is set to open, along with an additional grab-n-go kiosk, in Terminal A.

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In February, Pharm Table is scheduled to open in Terminal A. The health-conscious and globally inspired restaurant first opened in downtown San Antonio in 2015 before moving to Southtown in 2020.

RELATED: City breaks ground on $1.7 billion terminal at San Antonio International Airport

Later in the spring, around March or April, the airport plans to open local spots Bakery Lorraine and Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewery, as well as Military City USA, a new retail store, in Terminal B.

Bakery Lorraine, known for its homemade French pastries, has been a San Antonio staple for more than a decade and now has six locations across San Antonio, Boerne and Austin. Co-founder Ann Ng was a semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation's Outstanding Pastry Chef category in 2023.

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Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewery debuted on the ground floor of the historic Pearl brewhouse in 2015. The popular Southern comfort restaurant from chef Jeff Balfour won a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2024, recognition for its Texan cuisine.

Terminal A will be adding Panda Express and Prickly Pear Provisions, a news and gift stand that will feature local and regional Hill Country gifts, including localized art, salsas and jams.

San Antonio International Airport is gearing up to welcome several new local dining options, including Bakery Lorraine and 2M Smokehouse. (Illustration courtesy of HMS Host)





Summer 2026 openings and beyond

Before July 4, the airport aims to open 2M Smokehouse, The Tasting Room wine bar and Popeyes in Terminal B.

2M Smokehouse opened on San Antonio's Southeast Side in 2016, and co-founder Esaul Ramos Jr. has twice been a semifinalist for James Beard's Best Chef: Texas. The Tasting Room will feature Hill Country selections from Fredericksburg's Becker Vineyards and other area winemakers.

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In Terminal A, Freight Fried Chicken is expected to open in June. Owner Lattoia Massey, otherwise known as chef Nicola Blaque, opened the fried chicken joint in the Pearl last year. Massey, who also owns the Jerk Shack in town, has earned a slew of accolades and has been a James Beard Award semifinalist.

Also in Terminal A, chef Johnny Hernandez's La Gloria will get a refresh, and La Fruteria will become Southtown Market, a grab-n-go market with alcohol.

RELATED: San Antonio International Airport lands $13.3 million federal grant for new terminal

Hernandez is the creative mind behind several culinary endeavors in the Alamo City, including Botanero Lounge, Burgerteca Ice House and Casa Hernan. The founder of La Gloria Group has plans to launch a food hall in Southtown to house all of his brands under one roof.

Chef Johnny Mercado will feature a blend of local chef Johnny Hernandez's concepts. (San Antonio International Airport)





Hernandez also is offering a blend of his restaurants under a new concept for the airport, Chef Johnny Mercado. It will be in the airport's incoming ground-load facility, which will include new Terminal A gates and added concession space. Chef Johnny Mercado is an estimated $1.2 million project, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

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The new ground-load facility, expected to open next fall, also will feature Confluence Market, a grab-n-go concept inspired by the River Walk and the city's cultural heritage.

Most of the new local concepts opening in the airport will be replacing national brands, including Auntie Anne's, Rosario's, Vino Volo, Charleys Cheesesteaks and Sbarro's Pizza.

This article originally published at Here are the local bites San Antonio airport flyers can soon get a taste of.
Goshen School Board to meet

GOSHEN  The Goshen School Board of Trustees for Goshen Community Schools will be holding a public meeting on Monday, Nov. 3, at 8 a.m. at the Administrative Center, 613 E. Purl St., Goshen, in pursuant to Indiana Code 20-29-6-19(a) to discuss the terms of the tentative agreement of the teacher collective bargaining agreement.

Ribbon-cutting today at museum

ELKHART  The Midwest Museum of American Art and the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce will conduct a ribbon-cutting at 4:30 this afternoon to celebrate the renovations and new gift shop at the museum, 429 S. Main St., Elkhart. Tours and a short open house are to follow.

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The Midwest Museum of American Art now spans 20,000 square feet of gallery space, and houses over 6,800 works, with at least 1,200 on display at any time. Visitors can explore four galleries of rotating exhibits, refreshed every six to 12 weeks.

Recent interior and exterior updates, plus a new gift shop, make the museum a vibrant destination for art lovers and the community, a statement from the museum staff reads. The museum also offers rental space for special events, from private gatherings to community programs.

The website is midwestmuseum.org.

Blood, platelet donations needed now

GOSHEN  The American Red Cross urges donors to give blood or platelets now to help curb a drop in donor turnout this fall. Donors of all blood types and those giving platelets are asked to book a time to donate at a Red Cross blood donation center or community blood drive to help give hospitals the tools they need to care for patients ahead of the holidays.

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To say thank you, all who come to give Oct. 27-Nov. 16, will get $20 in e-gift cards to a choice of merchant, plus automatic entry for a chance to win one of three $5,000 prizes. See RedCrossBlood.org/Harvest.

Schedule a time to give blood or platelets by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor app.

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month. To help empower and educate blood donors about diabetes, in November, successful donations will get free A1C testing, commonly used to screen for prediabetes and diabetes. (One test result in 12-month period; do not fast before donating).

Local upcoming blood donation opportunities Nov. 1-16 include:

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1123 S. Indiana Ave., Goshen

Nov. 1, 7 a.m.-1:15 p.m.; Nov. 2, 7 a.m.-1 p.m.; Nov. 3, 4 & 5, noon-6:15 p.m.; Nov. 6, 11 a.m.-5:15 p.m.; Nov. 7-8, 7 a.m.-1:15 p.m.; Nov. 9, 7 a.m.-1 p.m.; Nov. 10, 11 & 12, noon-6:15 p.m.; Nov. 13, 11 a.m.-5:15 p.m.; Nov. 14-15, 7 a.m.-1:15 p.m.; and Nov. 16, 7 a.m.-1 p.m.

1700 S. Main St., Goshen

Nov. 13, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Trunk or Treat this Sunday

ELKHART  Children and parents are invited to enjoy a safe and fun trick-or-treating experience from 3-4 p.m. this Sunday at First Presbyterian Church of Elkhart, 200 E. Beardsley Ave.

This annual Trunk or Treat event is open to all school-age children 18 or younger. As usual, the event will take place in the churchs east parking lot, across Grove Street from the Ruthmere campus.

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Church members will open their trunks (or hatchbacks, as the case may be) for kids to collect candy. Many of the church folks on hand decorate their cars or trucks and wear costumes.

If Sundays Trunk or Treat is rained out, the rain date is Monday, Oct. 27, from 4-5 p.m.

Anyone interested in more information may visit the church website at https://www.presby.net, or the First Presbyterian Church Elkhart Facebook page or Instagram site (presbyelkhart).
UPDATE 10/24/2025

Thrive Community Church has run out of resources after helping those affected by the government shutdown.

You can donate to Thrive Community Church at this link to help them continue serving the community.

ORIGINAL STORY

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  A local church is lending a helping hand by giving groceries to those affected by the government shutdown. The Regional Food Bank said theyre also ready to help, along with their 1,300 partners across Oklahoma.

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Preparations were underway Thursday morning at Thrive Community Church in northwest Oklahoma City to help put food on the table for those who need it most. All the food will be handed out on Thursday at 7 p.m. and each Thursday after that as everyone prepares for a disruption to SNAP benefits starting November 1 if the government shutdown continues.

LOCAL NEWS: Small businesses ready to lend a helping hand to hungry Oklahomans impacted by SNAP halt

Thrive Community Church giving away groceries to help during government shutdown. Image KFOR.

Thrive Community Church giving away groceries to help during government shutdown. Image KFOR.

I feel like weve gotten several calls over just in the last two days, Chotsie Barnes, the pastors wife at the church, said.

Barnes said there are no requirements like IDs, income limits, or appointments needed.

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Come as you are. Come as a single family. A family of five, six, or seven. Or if its just you. Thats fine, too, she said.

The Regional Food Bank estimates that the delay in SNAP benefits could affect 700,000 Oklahomans.

Were anticipating more and more folks coming to our partners, Austin Prickett with the Regional Food Bank said.

Prickett said SNAP has a positive impact on local economic activity while reducing poverty and improving health outcomes. Now, theyre joining with their 1,300 partners across the state, including Thrive Community Church, to source as much food as they can to help. Meanwhile, others like The Crimson Melt in Moore are offering free or discounted meals to help. Their owner, Ashontay Owens, is a federal worker too, working as a fire chief for the Air National Guard.

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LOCAL NEWS: Oklahoma mothers rebuilding their lives are worried about losing SNAP benefits

Its not just lip service. Im literally living this with you. Not only that, I cant have it on my heart to allow people to go hungry, Owens said.

The link embedded here provides more information from the Regional Food Bank about the government shutdown and provides resources to find any food pantries in your area.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.




ALBANY - Two powerful bipartisan pals recently flew across the pond.

Albany County Executive Dan McCoy, a Democrat, and Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin, a Republican, took an unannounced business trip to Ireland earlier this month.

According to McCoy spokeswoman Mary Rozak, the trip was centered around business related to County Executives of America, an organization based in Washington, D.C., that McCoy leads as president. His flights, she noted, were on Oct. 2 and Oct. 10.

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"While the county executive traveled in a professional capacity, he also took some personal time there and was able to do some personal things," Rozak said. "But nothing was paid with county funds, so no taxpayer dollars."

Similarly, the Rensselaer County executive, third vice president of the organization, told the Times Union that taxpayers "didn't pay for a nickel" for the trip.

McLaughlin brought up the trip at a candidate forum in Poestenkill on Monday after his reelection opponent, Democrat Tiffani Silverman, said that she saw him having dinner with McCoy last December, and claimed that it was related to McLaughlin's onetime interest in becoming CEO of Albany International Airport.

During the forum, Silverman faced criticism for not knowing how much the Rensselaer County budget's total expenditures were; the firebrand incumbent struck while the iron was hot.

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"I thought we were supposed to reach across the aisle.  And as you say, I'm running scared - by the way, I was on vacation with Dan last week in Ireland," McLaughlin said at the forum. "That's how afraid I am of you."

McLaughlin later clarified in an interview that he spent significant time in meetings while still sightseeing the island with his wife, Tina, who accompanied him. He also smoked cigars with McCoy, a pastime for both men.

"I know I said vacation,' but we went to a lot of business meetings.  Some of the days were all meetings," McLaughlin said.

A LinkedIn post from Connecting Cork showed that Albany County Attorney Jeff Jamieson was also on the trip.

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Albany and Rensselaer counties are dues-paying members of the County Executives of America, along with nearly 700 other counties. Membership costs 1 cent per county resident listed in the latest U.S. Census Bureau survey, with perks ranging from "taxpayer savings" to exclusive programs, according to the organization's website.

Rensselaer County paid $1,590 last year in dues, according to McLaughlin spokesperson Richard Crist.

McCoy became president of the organization in 2018. He and McLaughlin serve on its board of directors along with two other New Yorkers, Chautauqua County Executive P.J. Wendell and Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus.

"When you think about it, he's president of County Executives of America, but the county benefits," Rozak said of McCoy. "He's over there about economic development, all county executive business, and yet he makes sure that it's not going to be misconstrued, which is why he never uses county funding for that kind of stuff."

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In Rensselaer County, Silverman thumped on McLaughlin's trip in a statement a day after the candidate forum, questioning how the trip was expensed and noting that there's "never been a word about the trip in his endless daily rage-texting."

In 2019, McLaughlin asked the Times Union if there was a GPS on him after a since-retired reporter asked if he was traveling on vacation or county business while in Costa Rica. The Republican was traveling on an educational and economic development trip with presidents from Hudson Valley Community College and the University at Albany.

Last year, McCoy made headlines while attempting to travel out of the Capital Region. At Albany International Airport, he invoked his job title in an attempt to persuade employees to reopen the jet door after he and his deputy executive, Michael McLaughlin, missed a flight to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The two eventually caught a different flight.

No county funds were being used for that trip, either, Rozak said at the time.

Chris Churchill contributed to this story

This article originally published at Local county chiefs Dan McCoy, Steve McLaughlin journeyed to Ireland.
SULLIVAN, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)  As technology continues to advance, scam calls are becoming more popular and harder to recognize.

In February, the American Hospital Association advised all health organizations to be on alert for potential scam calls impersonating agents from the Drug Enforcement Agency. On Tuesday afternoon, Dr. Patricia Miller-Canfield received that call.

He gave me his name, he gave me his badge number, and he gave me a case number, Miller-Canfield said. Then he started talking about all these things.

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Dr. Miller-Canfield is a Pathologist and the Medical Director of the Laboratory at Sullivan County Community Hospital. She said she regularly receives calls from the DEA, so this wasnt an obvious scam.

Sometimes the DEA calls me because Im a pathologist and I know about drug testing, so they will call me to consult with me, Miller-Canfield said. That is not uncommon.

She said the caller had a wide range of verified information about her as a medical professional.

He said my case was about a shipment of pain medication that had been brought into the United States through San Antonio, Texas and that it had my name, my Indiana license number on it, which he knew that information, Miller-Canfield said. Then he knew my NPI number as well.

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It wasnt until the caller brought up her personal finances that she recognized the scam.

When they started asking about my personal bank accounts, Miller-Canfield said. It took them approximately 45 minutes before they got to that.

Dr. Miller-Canfield said this was an eye-opening experience on how real these scams can sound and she wants others to be aware.

I want my colleagues to know that this is happening and it sounds real, Miller-Canfield said. Please dont give them any personal banking information because thats what theyre after.

In a press release in October of 2024, the DEA stressed that they will never contact pharmacists by phone to demand money or levy fines. The DEA states that those notifications will be made in person or via an official letter.

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By Laman Ismayilova

Azerbaijan's literary has been promoted at Frankfurt International Book Fair in Germany, Azernews reports.

This year, the fair once again united thousands of publishers, authors, translators, booksellers, and cultural figures from across the globe.

Azerbaijan participated in one of the world's largest publishing events, with an expansive pavilion, backed by the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry.

The pavilion featured works by Azerbaijan's renowned writers and poets, modern Azerbaijani publications, examples of children's literature, and publications reflecting the country's national culture and heritage, all of which attracted the attention of visitors.

During the fair, the Azerbaijani delegation held exhibitions, presentations, and international meetings. Cooperation opportunities with foreign publishers were discussed, and new agreements were reached to promote Azerbaijani literature on the global stage.

The Frankfurt International Book Fair is considered one of the main events in the global book industry, bringing together over 4,000 participants from more than 100 countries.

The main purpose of Azerbaijan's participation was to promote the country's publishing and book industry, national literature, and cultural potential at an international level.

The Azerbaijani pavilion was met with great interest from visitors.

It is expected that the connections made during the fair will contribute to the development of literary and cultural collaborations in the future.

The Frankfurt Book Fair is the largest global event for the publishing industry, centered on the international exchange of book rights, networking, and exploring emerging trends and technologies in publishing.

Held every October, it is regarded as the key event for international book transactions and highlights a "Guest of Honour" country each year to spotlight its literature and cultural heritage.

The 2025 Frankfurt International Book Fair is a major event in the publishing world.

It will host thousands of exhibitors engaging in rights and license negotiations, with the Philippines honored as the official Guest of Honor.

Notable features include a special Book-to-Screen Day, focusing on the adaptation of books into films and games, along with a variety of events, exhibitions, and guided tours throughout the fair.
GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV)  Local elected officials held a news conference on Wednesday afternoon to condemn Wanted posters that were recently displayed throughout Green Bay.

Lets not forget the historical context of these photos, said Green Bay alder Melinda Eck. They were once used to rally civilians in the pursuit and capture of individuals, often with the dangerous implication of bringing them in dead or alive.

Eck, fellow Green Bay alder Jennifer Grant, and Congressman Tony Wieds names and pictures all appeared on these Wanted posters. The posters accused the alders of discriminating against the LGBTQ+ community, among other things, and accused Tony Wied of ignoring his constituents and protecting wealthy pedophiles.

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These posters that you see right here are not only factually inaccurate, they are used to dehumanize and smear us in our very own neighborhoods, said Wied.

Green Bay police confirmed with Local 5 News that they are still trying to figure out who is responsible for the posters. They stated that this is being investigated as an ordinance violation, which could result in a citation of $100.00.

Under the ordinance in question, people arent allowed to use public utility poles to display posters.

Two Green Bay men arrested in connection to human trafficking group in Upper Peninsula

Congressman Wied blamed state and local democratic party leaders for what he sees as a rise in violent political rhetoric. He noted threats he recently received from a volunteer with the Democratic Party of Brown County and an instance in Winnebago County when a volunteer with the countys Democratic Party allegedly handed out bracelets that said is he dead yet? referring to president Donald Trump.

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Wied called for local and state Democratic leaders to condemn the posters and all other hateful rhetoric in their party. Green Bay police said at this time they dont know who is responsible for making and displaying these posters.

When they call us Nazis, fascists, criminals, or threats to democracy, its a calling card for deranged individuals to commit violent acts, he said.

Democrats have also been on the receiving end of political violence and threats. In June, an assailant gunned down Minnesotas house speaker in what authorities say was a politically motivated attack. A judge recently sentenced multiple men for their involvement in an elaborate plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer from her vacation home because they were upset with her COVID-19 policies. A Pennsylvania man recently pleaded guilty to setting Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiros home on fire.

Local Wisconsin politicians from both sides of the aisle have told Local 5 News that they have received death threats.

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Local 5 News reached out to the Democratic Party of Wisconsin for comment on the news conference on Wednesday afternoon. They sent out the following statement:

It would serve all of us if we could focus on the issues that matterlike how do we bring down the cost of living and make life better for all Wisconsinites. But Tony Wied would sooner push unsubstantiated BS than call out his colleagues like Derrick Van Orden, who seem to threaten, demean, and belittle his constituents and others on a daily basis.

Wied did say at the news conference that he would also condemn violent rhetoric from Republican colleagues, but said that right now he doesnt feel like anything that hes seen or heard from Republicans recently has crossed the line.

Green Bay police said they removed about 16 posters that were displayed on utility poles near their downtown Green Bay station. They said they conducted extra patrols near both Alder homes over the last few days as a safety precaution after the posters surfaced.

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Text 911 service now available in Door County

I think I speak for both of us because we talked about it that we arent intimidated easily, and its not going to stop us from standing up and doing what we feel is right and represents our constituents, Eck said.

Trying to explain to your 10-year-old, eight, and six-year-old why a car is following you because I just got a wanted poster with their moms face on it, Grant added when asked how the posters have impacted her.

Both alders said their colleagues on the common council and Mayor Eric Genrich did reach out to them after the posters surfaced. Genrich also sent out a public statement on Wednesday afternoon.

This kind of rhetoric and behavior is stupid and dangerous and doesnt have any place in our political discourse. As someone whos experienced threats directed at me and my family, I know how distressing it can be. This persons deeds and actions dont speak for Green Bay, which is a community built on respectful cooperation across political divides. As I said recently, our Common Council is a great example of how people of differing opinions can come together and work constructively for the common good. Green Bays strength lies in that ability to work together, listen to one another, and move forward with shared purpose, and thats exactly what well continue to do.

We must stop viewing political opponents as enemies, Eck said. Were all Americans, we love our country, we love our state, and we love our city.

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Theres an important distinction between exercising freedom of speech and deliberately provoking or inciting harm or spreading vague or misleading information, said Grant.

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AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  A local Mexican restaurant is honoring a fallen Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper and giving back to his family with an all-day event.

Read next: Another Valley student aces ACT test

El Cowboy Mexican Restaurant in Austintown is holding a benefit for Trooper Nicholas Cayton, who was killed last Thursday in a crash.

The benefit begins at noon, and there will be live music all day, specials, and Disco Inferno taking the stage in the evening.

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Not only can you donate at the restaurant, but 10% of all sales from the day will go to Caytons family.

I always like to give out to the community, especially in things like this, said El Cowboy owner Israel Zambrano. In hard times like this, I always like to do stuff like that because you never know when youll need something back to you. I have since I was a little kid. I like to give to help out with everything that the family is going through.

The benefit for Trooper Cayton begins at noon on October 24 at El Cowboy, located at 1739 S. Raccoon Road in the Wedgewood Plaza in Austintown. The event will end around midnight.

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EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (WKBN)- One local school district is looking to create a stronger community with a good meal.

East Palestine Schools hosted its Senior Citizen Breakfast at the elementary school cafeteria.

The goal is to let senior citizen residents enjoy a meal, give them the opportunity to hear updates about the district, and to interact with students. Its the first time in over five years the district has been able to host this kind of event. Organizers say its a way to give back to the community.

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We really wanted to enable our citizens to welcome them into our doors here, to allow them to see what were doing within the walls. There are a lot of individuals who may not have connections to the district, but we hope to bring that back for them, said Allison Oltmann of East Palestine School District.

Organizers say they feel the support from the community, and want to continue to emphasize how important it is to them.

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WEST MIDDLESEX, Pa. (WKBN)- A local superintendent spoke in front of state lawmakers in Pennsylvania over a proposed ban on cell phones in schools.

This would require K-12 schools to implement a bell-to-bell phone-free policy for the 2026-27 school year. This would prevent students from using cell phones on school grounds, including during homeroom, lunch and recess.

A hearing took place on Tuesday, focusing on schools cell phone policies and the impacts it has on student learning, classroom environments, and safety. West Middlesex and Reynolds Superintendent Raymond Omer testified about his schools cell phone bans and how the schools worked with students and parents to help create a plan.

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He says it was the students who came to school officials, wanting to make this part of their initiative to improve academic performance. Some parents differed on what they wanted for their children, which created a problem in implementing a ban.

Some parents did not want their children to have their phones in their hands during school. Other parents did want it for safety and security purposes in their minds. When the students came to us, they acknowledged that they would all be okay with a cell phone ban, per se, because as long as everybody had the same umbrella effect of the ban, Omer said.

He says the feedback from teachers is that students are more focused on academics, engaging more quickly from bell to bell, and theres less transition time in getting the class started. He says there was no pushback from parents, students, and teachers, adding that the results since the implementation have been noticeable.

The feedback from the teachers is that the kids are more intentionally focused on academics, are engaging from bell to bell quicker, theres less transition time and getting the class started, Omer said.

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He says West Middlesex takes what he calls the bubble gum approach. Students are allowed to use phones between classes, in the hallways, and during lunch. Theyre also allowed to use them for academic purposes under the direction of a teacher.

The legislation was first introduced by lawmakers on Friday.

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SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) Hundreds of people gathered at a local Savannah Hindu Temple for the Hindu Festival of Lights, also known as Diwali.

The five days is all about celebrating with your friends and family, Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Media Coordinator Neil Sharma said.

BAPS spiritual volunteers prepared months in advance for the Annakut offering, which is a mountain of food that they offer to their God. The Annakut offering occurred on day four of the five-day celebration.

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There were nearly 300 plates of vegetarian food on display for the offering, Sharmas wife Drashti Sharma, BAPS outreach coordinator, said

In order to celebrate our New Year, a lot of our devotees, they prepare food with love, Drashti said. They bring it to temple, so we can all together offer it to the God with our prayers.

There are millions of Hindus in the U.S. that celebrate Diwali, Sharam told WSAV. He said even people who arent a part of the Hindu community joined to learn more about the culture and religion, like Savannah Mayor Van Johnson.

Were here all day celebrating with various families of the community here, Sharam said. Its a very festive, peaceful, happy, joyous time.

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Every year Diwali has a different theme and 2025s theme was unity.

Without unity, there is no light or darkness, Sharma said. Thats what Diwali is, the Festival of Lights, where we are celebrating light over darkness and this new year.

Volunteers said they expect more than 2,000 people to walk through the doors of the temple during the fourth day. At night, the community celebrates with fireworks to signify the Hindu New Year.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
WARREN, Ohio (WKBN)  A Warren youth leader learned his sentence Wednesday for what investigators said was an inappropriate relationship with a child.

Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas Judge Sean OBrien sentenced Virgol Ball, 21, to a concurrent sentence of three years of probation during which time Ball will be on electronic house monitoring for six months.

Ball was also ordered to have no contact with the minor victim in the case, as well as any minor females, and submit to a mental health assessment and comply with the recommendations of that assessment.

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Ball will also have to register as a Tier 2 sex offender.

Ball pleaded guilty July 16 to seven counts of an amended indictment that included charges of importuning and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.

According to the indictment, the crimes happened between August 2023 and February 2024.

The girl was 13 and 14 years old at the time.

Prosecutors say Ball communicated with her in person and online, soliciting sex and the exchange of lewd photos and video.

Prosecutors say Ball and the child knew each other through the church they attended, where Ball was a youth leader.

Nadine Grimley contributed to this report.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
Oct. 22The Lofts at the Zarah won't be finished this year, but the excitement behind the project hasn't waned. At Monday's Great Bend City Council meeting, the contractor asked for an extension to June 30, 2026.

Due to a combination of unforeseen circumstances and factors outside of the builders' control, additional time is required to complete the project that was supposed to be done in 2025, Justin Pregont with Pomeroy Development told the council.

"I represent the local ownership group doing the Lofts at the Zarah project," he said. This will turn the upper stories of the former Zarah Hotel on Main Street into loft apartments. He thanked the City for its help applying for programs to make the project work. The extension is part of two cooperative agreements with the City that had a 2025 deadline. The first is the moderate income housing ARPA program that was funded through the Kansas Housing Resource Corporation.

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"Also, we had an Industrial Revenue Bond issue for the sake of garnering a sales tax exemption certificate for construction materials on this project." It was also projected to expire at the end of this year. With the council's approval on Monday, the developer can "queue up all of these different programs ... and our completion date is shifted to June 30, 2026." This does not require additional funding, he added.

"I do this kind of work all over the state," Pregont said. "The commitment that the ownership group here made to use as many local companies as possible is really commendable. And a building like this  part of it is concrete, part of it is wood frame  there's been a lot of challenges, and you just don't know what you don't know when you get into it."

Council members didn't hesitate to approve the new deadline before asking for an update on the project. Mark Bitter and Sheryl Cheely were in the audience as local representatives.

Pregont gave his impressions as someone who comes to Great Bend about every four to six weeks:

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There is now an operable elevator platform that will get a cab installed around it.

Mark Bitter's team is full of craftsmen, as opposed to laborers. "You can tell that by the intricacy of the historic woodwork restoration that's going on throughout the building. ... All of the original wood trim, all of the original wood doors and original hardware has been meticulously restored."

A substantial amount of rough-in plumbing work, creating a building that meets modern building codes, is done.

There's a new roof on the entire building, and there are new Pella windows.

The original building had a single stairway going up the south side. "We were required to put in a new stairway that goes from the first floor all the way to the fourth floor.

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Cheely also spoke, thanking the council for supporting the project.

"It's been a long-time dream, and it's looking great. We're getting the restaurant back open downstairs, too."

This past weekend, with Final Fridays on Forest and the Family Crisis Center's Fall Festival on Saturday at Jack Kilby Square, and with shops and restaurants available downtown, the lofts will be an attractive addition, she said, noting one health-care professional who recently moved to Great Bend is looking forward to renting one.

The developers still hope to have a walk-through for City Council members and invited guests in November.

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Other business

In other business Monday, the council:

Approved a claims warrant covering bills to date and $434,619.88 covering the payroll ending Sept. 27.

Approved an abatement for 1516 2nd St., where a brush pile on the east side of the property needs to be removed.

Approved a temporary extension to the premises of Dry Lake Brewery, 1305 Main, on Nov. 1. This will allow the Brewery to host a Halloween party with food trucks and a pumpkin smash behind the business. The council also voted to close the alley from Lakin Ave. to Forest Ave. and a portion of the city-owned parking lot at Lakin and Williams from 4 p.m. to midnight. Dry Lake is working with the state Alcoholic Beverage Control to obtain additional permits for the activity. City Administrator Logan Burns said this has been requested and granted since 2021.
When Kendra Sullivan woke up on Wednesday, the 43-year-old West Virginian was surprised to see that shed gone viral overnight  in a good way.

The night before, more than 40,000 people had joined YouTube for a whats-next meeting following the 2,700 No Kings pro-democracy demonstrations on Saturday attended by as many as 7 million across the country. The livestream was organized by the same broad coalition of good-government, religious and advocacy groups that arranged the protests. Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson, an Appalachian activist and the first Black woman to serve as co-executive director at the Highlander Research & Education Center, a social justice leadership school in Tennessee that dates back to the Civil Rights Movement, revved up participants by showing photos theyd submitted of Saturdays events.

She shared a dispatch from Chattanooga, Tennessee, my hometown, the town I was born in, Henderson said, where over 2,000 people came out to declare that Appalachians dont lick boots and that ICE belongs in sweet tea, not in Tennessee!

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She thanked the thousands of people who marched in Washington for holding down this resistance movement right on Trumps freaking doorstep. She gave a shoutout to senior citizens at an assisted living center in White Plains, New York, whose protest drew 350 people from 2 to 102 years old. She also relayed that pouring rain did not stop 8,000 people in Fort Worth, Texas, from turning out to say that we see this administration for what it is, and we will not stand for rising fascism.

Then, as the call drew to a close, Henderson concluded with a Saturday demonstration that was notable for its attendance  a single person: Sullivan.

And last but not least, in Beckley, West Virginia, Kendra Sullivan staged a one-woman No Kings action. Yall didnt hear me. Im gonna say it one more time: In Beckley, West Virginia, Kendra Sullivan  shout out to Kendra Sullivan!  staged a one-woman No Kings action. People confronted her. They called the cops on her. They physically threatened her, but she stayed, and she stood up for what she believed in. Kendra, we are with you, Henderson said.

Sullivan wasnt on Tuesday nights call. But on Wednesday, she started seeing messages from people whod heard about her protest during Hendersons roundup.

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The majority are people Ive never met, Im not Facebook friends with and have no connection to, Sullivan told The 19th. I just read a message from a woman who said, You make me feel so much less alone. Lots of them feel like a tiny blue speck in a red state.

She never anticipated it, she said  I forget about the power of the Internet. On Saturday, though, I felt pretty lonely.

Sullivan knew that shed attend a No Kings event on Saturday. She described herself as more politically engaged than the average person and said she has participated in past events, but had no idea until she woke up that morning that it would be a one-woman stand.

On Friday, after work, shed driven the two-plus hours from where she lives in Clarksburg, West Virginia, to Beckley, where she grew up, a city of about 16,000 in the southern part of the state. Her mother was headed out of town on a girls trip to Bermuda, Sullivan said, and had asked her to look after her dogs.

One of the signs Kendra Sullivan held up during her lone No Kings protest. (Courtesy Kendra Sullivan)

I knew that there wasnt a No Kings rally in Beckley, so initially I thought Id go to one in Charleston or Fayetteville or Lewisburg, but all of that was going to require more travel for me when Id already driven two hours to dog sit for my mom, Sullivan explained.

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On Saturday, she woke up and told herself, You know what? My mom lives off basically a main drive through town, so I could just walk down, hold up my sign for an hour, and call it a day  because there was no way I wasnt going to participate.

Sullivan ran the idea past her father, who also lives in town; he told her it was a good plan. She put in her AirPods and grabbed her handmade signs  This aggression will not stand, man and ICE? Lets get ICE off our streets and into our beverages, man, both references to Jeff Bridges character The Dude in the film The Big Lebowski. Bridges had recently appeared on Jimmy Kimmels late-night show and Sullivan found what he had to say inspiring, she said. She walked down the street to the main road and started singing and dancing around on the street corner.

Twenty minutes in, an older man came out of the house she was standing in front of and hung a sign supporting President Donald Trump. Then a police car pulled up, followed by another. It was one of those moments of, Oh my goodness, are they here for me? I wasnt blocking traffic, I wasnt cursing, I was just exercising my First Amendment rights, Sullivan said.

Sullivan asked if shed done anything wrong. The first officer, a man, told her absolutely not; they were just following up on a report that had been phoned in. The second officer, a woman, had joined him because they knew the protester was a woman on her own. The officers confirmed everything was OK and left.

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Ten minutes later, a car pulled into the house where the man, still on his porch, had hung the Trump sign. A younger man got out and mentioned that his grandfather was a Korean War veteran. I said thats cool, but thats not ICE, Sullivan said. He crossed the street and told her as he took photos of her: You can smile real pretty.

She called 9-1-1.

The police came back, this time with a third officer. Sullivan started to cry a little. The officers, she said, were so comforting. They stayed with her for a half-hour or so and then went on their way. Sullivan ended up staying longer than shed originally planned, close to two hours.

I do know people in Beckley who went to alternate locations on Saturday, but I think you need to show your face to your actual neighbors  or, in this case, her parents neighbors, as well as people she grew up with. Its not enough to put up a sign, she said. Its important to let people know what those who dont support this look like, that were just like everybody else: We are America.

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LONGMEADOW, Mass. (WWLP)  The Longmeadow Police Department is investigating an increase in reports of checks being stolen from the mail.

Woman charged with OUI following crash in South Hadley

Longmeadow police said that these stolen checks are reportedly being altered and used to steal money from victims. Police said in one incident a resident wrote a check for $500 and then found out it was rewritten for $20,000. So far, there has been four incidents in the past week. Now police are taking every step they can to protect themselves.

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Were working with local postal authorities as well as our local agencies. This is not just in Longmeadow. Its happening nationwide. Collectively, were making a strong push to identify those responsible to curtail this type of activity, said Longmeadow Police Department, Chief Robert Stocks.

In order for residents to protect themselves, police offer the following safety tips:

Drop off mail inside the post office and not into outdoor mailboxes, especially after hours.

When writing checks, use gel or indelible ink pens to prevent alterations.

When sending checks, confirm with recipients that your check was received.

Monitor your bank accounts for suspicious activity.

Consider using secure online bill payments.

Police said victims will often be reimbursed but its a lengthy process.

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The Longmeadow Police Department is working alongside postal authorities to investigate this incident. If you believe that you are a victim, you are urged to contact the police.

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.
LONGVIEW, Texas (KETK)  Longview High School was sent into a HOLD on Wednesday after an altercation broke out between a small number of students, according to Longview ISD.

Longview High School band achieves 76th consecutive top rating

Campus staff and administrators responded to the altercation immediately and de-escalated the situation with district safety personnel. Longview High School was sent into a HOLD during the altercation, as a part of the districts Standard Response Protocol.

The situation was promptly resolved, and those involved are being addressed in accordance with district policy. At no point was there an ongoing threat to the campus. The HOLD followed our Standard Response Protocol. Longview ISD is committed to providing a safe, secure and supportive learning environment for all students, and we appreciate the continued cooperation of our families and staff. Longview ISD

The district did not offer any other information about the altercation on Wednesday.

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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SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  Film Louisiana held a briefing about the state of the film and television industry after meeting with Hollywood heavyweights in Los Angeles.

Jason Waggenspack, President of Film Louisiana, said a delegation from the state traveled to the movie capital to convince studios that Louisiana should be at the top of the list for filmmaking locations. They hosted Crawfish Etouffee & Cocktails on October 15, bringing a pinch of Louisiana flavor and hospitality to Hollywood.

Waggenspack shared a lookbook, presented to studio heads, featuring landscape and location photography along with brief descriptions. He also highlighted Act 44, which extended the states film tax credits to include workforce training. An incentive that will continue to grow the large talent pool of industry professionals within Louisiana.

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50 Cents Shreveport dream dome  what is it?

He also noted several independent projects currently underway in St. Francisville and New Orleans, as well as a feature film slated to start production in early 2026 in Baton Rouge.

G-Unit Film and Television, piloted by rapper, businessman Curtis 50 Cent Jackson, was also mentioned in the Louisiana Film presentation. Waggenspack said the production company has two reality shows currently underway and a feature project scheduled for 2026; however, he was unable to provide specifics about the G-Unit projects.

All told, Waggenspack painted a picture of the industry as bright, saying, Louisiana continues to modify and adjust to attract productions and is consistently at the top of the list for filmmakers looking to take advantage of the credits and unique landscape.

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While there is no centralized database for film professionals looking to join production crews on upcoming projects, he said Film Louisiana will do its best to post information on social media to point prospective crew members in the right direction. He also said the Louisiana Economic Development will start posting information to help people more easily learn about available work.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.
Louisiana lawmakers convene Oct. 23 for a Special Session in which the Legislature is expected to delay some 2026 election dates as the Supreme Court considers whether the state's congressional map is constitutional.

Gov. Jeff Landry called legislators into Special Session to move candidate qualifying and spring elections back about a month in hopes of getting final guidance from the Supreme Court.

"I'm anxious to see a Supreme Court ruling to provide us with clarity and direction so we can stop these back and forth lawsuits with our maps," Republican House Speaker Phillip DeVillier said in an interview with USA Today Network. "I'm hopeful pushing the dates back will provide the time needed to provide us with a clear path forward."

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The Supreme Court is considering a lawsuit challenging the Louisiana congressional map from plaintiffs who argue the boundaries were illegally based solely on race to create a second majority Black district that includes Shreveport and Baton Rouge as the population centers.

Landry and lawmakers hope they can get a final ruling from the Supreme Court on whether the existing map will stand or whether the Legislature will have to draw a new map.

"I can't guess what the court will do nor pontificate on what the court will do," Republican Senate President Cameron Henry told USA Today Network. "But the governor and a majority of members believe it would be beneficial to allow more time for the Supreme Court to make a decision."

Landry had initially hoped to have the Legislature draw a new map during the Special Session, but decided to wait for the court decision before redrawing the boundaries.

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Republican state Rep. Beau Beaullieu of New Iberia, who chairs the House and Governmental Affairs Committee, is carrying the bills supported by Landry.

Beaullieu's bills would move the state's closed party primary elections from April 18 to May 16 and the runoffs for those primaries from May 30 to July 27. Candidate qualifying for the elections would be moved from Jan. 14 to Feb. 11 under Beaullieu's bills.

The session begins at 2 p.m. and must end on Nov. 13, though DeVillier and Henry believe they can conclude the session earlier than the deadline.

More: Louisiana food stamp recipients could go hungry in November with government shutdown

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Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Louisiana Legislature may delay elections to await Supreme Court ruling
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  A Louisiana special legislative session starts Thursday afternoon for lawmakers to address several election-related bills.

The session is scheduled to end on Nov. 13. Lawmakers will consider six bills, four House bills and two Senate bills, related to the election code, dates, deadlines and plans ahead of the 2026 election cycle.

Why a Supreme Court case from Louisiana will matter for the future of the Voting Rights Act

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Heres what to know about bills.

House Bill 1

HB 1 proposes moving the upcoming spring election dates. The proposal includes moving the spring primary election from April 18, 2026, to May 16, 2026, and the spring general election from May 30, 2026, to June 27, 2026.

Another proposal in the bill would move the candidate qualifying period from January to February, which would open on Feb. 11, 2026.

Senate Bill 1 serves as a companion bill to HB 1.

Louisiana voters notified of closed primary system change

House Bill 2

HB 2 would change the date that proposed constitutional amendments are presented to voters from April 18, 2026, to May 16, 2026.

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Senate Bill 2 serves as a companion bill to HB 2.

House Bill 3

HB 3 proposes lowering qualifying fees for state candidates. The bill aims to lower the qualifying fee in a 2026 primary election from $1,500 to $600 for U.S. representative candidates and from $3,500 to $600 for U.S. senator candidates.

House Bill 4

HB 4 addresses fall elections for party primary offices in the 2026 election cycle. The bill proposes that the 2026 fall primary and general elections serve as the election date for a party primary office, with the candidate who receives the most votes cast for the office elected.

House Bill 5

HB 5 would require the redistricting website during the 2026 election cycle to include additional information, including documents presented at legislative committee hearings, legislative instruments with a redistricting plan and related mapping files, and any third-party analysis conducted on behalf of the legislature.

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Supreme Court case could lead to loss of Black representation in Congress, but the scope is unknown

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New footage shows the moment a gang of burglars escaped from the Louvre on a truck-mounted lift.

In a clip shared online, two individuals  one in a hi-vis jacket, the other in a motorbike helmet  are seen on the lift as it descends slowly from the balcony they used to reach the first-floor gallery.

The video appears to have been filmed on a phone from inside the museum. However it was not picked up by the areas only surveillance camera because it was facing the wrong direction, according to officials.

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Once the lift reached the pavement, the thieves were obscured from view by a temporary wooden fence.

The men are not threatened by anybody as security guards are heard in the video expressing their frustration.

The individuals are on scooters  they are about to leave, says one guard, as police sirens sound in the background.

While not shown in the video, the thieves are known to have then escaped the scene on electric scooters, heading east.

Blast! Try the police. Theyve gone!, the guards say, along with several swear words.

Passers-by meanwhile walk along the Seine without batting an eyelid.

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The thieves slipped in and out in minutes, making off with eight pieces of Frances crown jewels, a loss some compared to the burning of Notre Dame in 2019.

The thieves carjacked the furniture lift used to break into the Louvre nine days before the raid - DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP via Getty Images

The museums director blamed the Louvres ageing security camera system for the failure to detect the thieves as they carried out the heist on Sunday.

The lift was attached to a truck stolen in nearby Louvres, about two miles from Charles de Gaulle airport to the north-east of Paris.

A rental-service employee had been scheduled to hand over a Mitsubishi Canter Fuso, equipped with a 90-foot ladder, to a driver. Two men arrived on a motorbike and threatened the driver. One of the men made off with the truck.

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The rental firm boss, who wishes to remain anonymous, did not know where the vehicle had gone until he saw it on the news and he informed police.

We have nothing to do with this. Its bothersome, he told The Telegraph.

The thieves attempted to set the truck on fire before escaping on scooters, but were interrupted.

The truck was central to the smash-and-grab raid, which took place on Sunday morning.

In the days before the heist, the thieves cloned a number plate from another truck and painted the vehicle grey to cover its logos.

A petrol container left behind during the frantic getaway also suggests that the vehicle wasnt meant to be left intact.

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The thieves also left a trail of clues behind, including a scooter helmet, blowtorch, walkie-talkie, yellow vest, and a blanket.

The entire operation lasted about seven minutes.

The museums director of public reception and surveillance said in an audio recording obtained by BFMTV that security guards had thwarted the thieves attempt to set the truck on fire.

A number of security guards exited and made them flee, she said during a staff meeting. By making them flee, they prevented them from setting fire to the device.

It emerged on Wednesday that the stolen jewels had been kept in a modern glass case that offered less protection than its predecessor.

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In 2019, the historic protective casing was replaced with a modern unit made of reinforced glass.

Laurence des Cars, the Louvres director, reportedly offered to resign after the theft, but president Emmanuel Macron refused the offer.

Speaking at a French senate hearing on Wednesday, she conceded that video surveillance of the Louvres surroundings is our weakness and said the museum had been defeated.

She revealed that the balcony of the Apollo Gallery, where the thieves entered, was not covered by outside security cameras and that the few cameras that monitor the perimeter are also ageing.

She called for a police station to be set up inside the iconic museum, telling French politicians: There are a few perimeter cameras, but they are outdated  The installed base is very inadequate.

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Ms des Cars said she had repeatedly warned that the centuries-old buildings security was in a dire state

The warnings I had been sounding came horribly true last Sunday.

The heist, which took place after the Louvre had already opened to visitors, has prompted a review of security at museums across the country.

Paris is home to some of the worlds best-known cultural institutions, including museums like Orsay, Pompidou and Quai Branly which help sustain tourism.

The Louvre remained closed on Monday and Tuesday, only reopening to the public three days after the jewellery went missing.

At least four French museums have been robbed over the last two months, including the Natural History Museum in Paris.

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In total, thieves stole about 88 million worth of jewels on Sunday, including a necklace Napoleon Bonaparte gave to Marie-Louise of Austria, the tiara, necklace and earrings of Queen Hortense, and a diadem, diamond bow brooch and reliquary brooch that once belonged to Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III.

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Burglars who broke into the Louvre museum in Paris on Sunday initially failed to open the display cases with angle grinders, the Le Parisien newspaper reported on Thursday, citing museum surveillance footage.

The perpetrators finally managed to break small openings in the cases with other tools and pull out the jewellery by hand.

In the process, they damaged Empress Eugenie's crown, which they lost while fleeing, the paper said.

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The Louvre was evacuated and shut down on Sunday morning after four masked thieves broke into the Apollo Gallery, home to France's remaining crown jewels.

They made off with eight pieces of jewellery once owned by French queens and empresses, with an estimated value of 88 million ($102 million).

According to Le Parisien, the CCTV footage also shows that the alarm systems worked perfectly and immediately.

The first alarm went off at 9:34 am (0734 GMT) when the burglars used a power tool to destroy the window of a balcony door through which they entered the exhibition hall.

An alarm chain immediately triggered an emergency call to the police and the Ministry of the Interior.

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Two museum employees tried to chase away the burglars before they could break open the display cases.

The recordings show the two employees running towards the burglars, one of them approaching with a metal block in his hand, the newspaper reported.

However, the employees then retreated, presumably out of fear that the burglars were armed. After spending 3 minutes and 52 seconds in the exhibition hall, the perpetrators hurriedly fled.

Le Parisien reported that the newspaper was able to confirm the authenticity of the footage.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Elon Musk recently placed a new company logo across the roof of xAIs giant Colossus 2 supercomputer in Memphis, which might offer clues to what the mission could be for the citys second xAI facility.

The giant letters spell MACROHARD, and they are big enough that they can be read from space, Musk says.

What is Macrohard? Musk has said in X posts that the name is a tongue-in-cheek reference to rival Microsoft.

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But beyond the name, Musk says the companys mission is serious  an autonomous AI software company.

xAI to power up second Memphis supercomputer soon

Musk said back in August that the company is building a fully AI-simulated software company. The goal: since firms like Microsoft produce no physical hardware, AI could theoretically replicate their entire operationsfrom coding to management. Its real, and were hiring!

Grok, the AI chatbot run by xAI, provided more information: Macrohard, under xAI, aims to create a fully AI-simulated software company. It will sell AI-generated software solutions, like specialized agents for coding, image generation, workflow automation, and morecollaborating in multi-agent systems powered by Grok.

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Musk says the company will be profoundly impactful at an immense scale.

Sources say Musk filed a trademark application for Macrohard back in August.

WREG reached out to an xAI spokesperson this week for more information on the company. She acknowledged our request but has not yet provided details.

WREG goes on tour at xAIs supercomputer, Colossus

The Colossus 2 facility

xAIs first Colossus supercomputer in southwest Memphis went online last year, powered by 200,000 graphics processing units.

Construction on Colossus 2 in Whitehaven near the Mississippi border began in February. This month, industry sources reported xAI and Nvidia were investing $20 billion into the project.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Madagascar's new head of state has named a civilian prime minister, following a military takeover last week that sent ex-president Andry Rajoelina into exile.

Army colonel Michael Randrianirina, who announced last Tuesday that the military had taken power after Rajoelina was impeached for desertion of duty following weeks of protests, was sworn in as president Friday.

Randrianirina promised sweeping change and new elections in the poverty-stricken island nation, where anger over chronic power cuts sparked the demonstrations last month that swiftly escalated into a mass anti-government movement.

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Following consultations with the national assembly, Randrianirina chose Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo  a prominent figure in the private sector and former chairman of the Malagasy bank BNI  as new premier on Monday.

How Madagascar's new leader Randrianirina rose from prison to presidency

Rajaonarivelo had "the skills, the experience but also relations with international organisations in other countries that will collaborate with Madagascar," Randrianirina said.

The new president has promised a civilian government and collaboration with "all the driving forces of the nation" after the military takeover, rejecting accusations of having led a coup last week.

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He said Monday that the choice of head-of-government had "scrupulously followed the constitution".

Turning point

Randrianirina led the CAPSAT army unit which mutinied on 11 October, condemning violence against anti-government protesters by Rajoelina's security forces and joining the demonstrations in the capital Antananarivo.

It marked a turning point in the weeks-long uprising, leading Rajoelina to flee the country.

Media reports said the ousted ex-president was evacuated on Sunday aboard a French military plane that took him to the French island of Reunion, from where he travelled to Dubai.

Rajoelina's supporters have condemned the power grab, which was backed by the constitutional court.

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How Gen Z is taking the fight for their rights from TikTok to the streets

It is the third military transition in Madagascar since independence in 1960, following coups in 1972 and 2009.

It is the latest of several former French colonies in Africa to come under military control since 2020, after coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Gabon and Guinea.

The country, off the coast of Mozambique, is one of the poorest in the world, with about 80 percent of its 32 million people living in poverty, despite an abundance of natural resources and rich biodiversity.

The African Union and regional bloc SADC said they would send fact-finding missions to the country and called for constitutional democracy to be upheld.

(with AFP)
Desperate to return to power, Donald Trump made all kinds of outlandish promises to voters last year, including a rather specific vow related to consumers energy costs.

We intend to slash prices by half within 12 months, at a maximum 18 months, the then-Republican candidate said in August 2024. Trump went on to claim, Were looking to cut them in half, and we think well be able to do better. ... You will never have had energy so low as you will under a certain gentleman known as Donald J. Trump. Have you heard of him? So we think your energy bills will be down by 50% to 70%. How good would that be?

In theory, it would have been quite good indeed. But as the first year of Trumps second term nears its end, the president has failed spectacularly to deliver on his promise. As the editorial board of The New York Times recently explained, Electricity prices are almost 10 percent higher than they were a year earlier, according to the most recent numbers.

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The editorial conceded that multiple factors have contributed to the rising costs, but the Times editors added that the Republican administrations energy policies are not helping  and will soon make matters worse.

Economist Paul Krugman recently published a related analysis, adding, Can we blame Trump for rising electricity prices? Not yet. The AI boom began well before Trump won the election, and the grid just wasnt ready. Trump is, however, doing all he can to make the problem worse  boosting crypto and AI while blocking the expansion of renewable energy, which has accounted for the bulk of recent growth in electric generating capacity.

Thats the context in which we should consider the remarkable message the president published to his social media platform on Wednesday afternoon. It read in part:

For all of those people voting in New Jersey and Virginia for Governor, Attorney General, or any other position, please remember this: A REPUBLICAN VOTE MEANS A DRASTIC DROP IN ENERGY PRICES AND ENERGY COSTS, A DROP LIKE YOUVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE! ... If you vote Republican, your Energy Costs are going to go down, tremendously! ... SO, GO TO THE POLLS AND CUT YOUR ENERGY COSTS IN HALF!

Yes, with less than two weeks remaining before Election Day in Virginia and New Jersey, where the Democratic gubernatorial nominees appear to have modest, but not overwhelming leads, this is the campaign pitch Trump is rolling out in support of his partys nominees.

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Its identical to the pitch he brought voters a year ago, which has proven to be an extraordinary failure.

But the president expects voters to fall for the same absurd lie twice.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
In recent years, President Donald Trump and his allies have taken a firm stand in support of Confederate monuments. Sure, theyve said, these statues honor proponents of slavery who took up arms against their fellow Americans and tried to tear the United States apart, but to move or alter these monuments in any way is to launch an attack on our collective history.

When it comes to destroying a third of the White House, however, the Republican president has embraced a very different perspective. NBC News reported:

The entire East Wing of the White House will be demolished within days, according to two Trump administration officials. The demolition is a significant expansion of the ballroom construction project from what President Donald Trump said this summer.

This has turned into a political controversy with several moving parts, so lets unpack the relevant details.

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Moving the goalposts while moving the bulldozers: In July, the president assured the public that his ballroom project wouldnt interfere with the current White House structure, adding, Itll be near it but not touching it  and pays total respect to the existing building, which Im the biggest fan of. Months later, he authorized the destruction of the East Wing facade, then most of the wing and then, as things currently stand, the entirety of the wing.

Rising costs: On Tuesday, Trump mocked former President Barack Obama over the budget for the Democrats presidential library, claiming that the former president made a mistake by prioritizing women and DEI to build it. (In context, the Republicans reference to DEI, an acronym for diversity, equity and inclusion, was apparently meant to mean nonwhite people.) One day later, Trump said the price tag for his ballroom had climbed to $300 million, up from his recent $250 million estimate, which was itself an upward revision from an original $200 million estimate.

Trump now claims the East Wing wasnt that great after all: At an Oval Office event, the incumbent president said the White Houses East Wing, before he started destroying it, was not much, adding that it included elements that were not particularly nice. He concluded, It was never thought of as being much. Put another way, Trump boasted about his love for the original structure in July, only to change his mind soon after. (For the record, the East Wing, up until a few days ago, really was quite lovely.)

For that matter, given Trumps obsession with adding gold finishes to just about everything in the Oval Office, hes hardly the ideal arbiter for taste and style anyway.

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Transparency: At the same Oval Office event, the Republican bragged about how transparent hes been with the whole project. In reality, however, the White House has tried to limit officials from taking photographs of the destruction, and as The Washington Post reported, The White House has released few details on the projects funding  and has not sought permission from Congress.

A growing body of critics: The National Trust for Historic Preservation, a nonprofit agency created by Congress to help preserve historic buildings, warned administration officials in a letter that the planned ballroom will overwhelm the White House itself. The Society of Architectural Historians also isnt pleased.

Haunted by recent history: In June 2020, Trump posted a message to social media that read in part, I have authorized the Federal Government to arrest anyone who vandalizes or destroys any monument, statue or other such Federal property in the U.S. with up to 10 years in prison. Whether the president remembers this threat or not is unclear.

A broken perspective: As journalist and historian Garrett Graff summarized, If you step into the White House as president thinking its your own house  not the peoples house, not a national treasure youre inheriting for four years, handed down across centuries and generations by the 44 men who have lived there before  it turns out that theres not really anything that can stop you from tearing down the literal White House if you really want to. Whats stopped the previous 44 is that none of them would have ever dreamed of such a thing in the first place.

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And thats ultimately what makes this a national scandal. Trump is clearly driven by a core assumption, rooted in an authoritarian perspective, that he can destroy national treasures at his discretion  because he sees our treasures as his own.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Over the course of the year, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has taken a series of dramatic steps to undermine journalists covering the Pentagon, but he broke new ground last month when he told news organizations that reporters wont be able to cover the department unless they agree only to report information, including unclassified information, authorized for release by the Trump administration.

Outlets that refused to agree to his absurd terms, Hegseth added, would lose their access and have their press badges confiscated.

Practically every major news organization refused, including MSNBC (my employer) and Fox News (Hegseths former employer). The result was an exodus of Pentagon correspondents, each of whom refused to accept absurd administrative restrictions, exiting the Pentagon en masse last week in a display of press unity.

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Real journalists will continue to report to the public about DOD developments, but theyll have no choice but to do so from outside the Pentagon, at least for the foreseeable future.

One week after the correspondents procession, Hegseths team has announced the next generation of media figures who will now cover the Defense Department, having accepted the administrations journalistic limits. The New York Times reported:

The announcement, posted on X by Sean Parnell, the chief Defense Department spokesman, did not name the journalists or outlets. But numerous right-wing, pro-Trump online outlets said they were among those that had agreed to the rules, including The Gateway Pundit; Human Events; LindellTV; Frontlines, an arm of Turning Point USA; and The National Pulse.

Alex Jones' InfoWars soon after said that it, too, had joined the new club.

In his online announcement, Parnell, a failed former Republican congressional candidate, accused independent news organizations of reporting what he described as lies. These correspondents, he added, will be replaced by journalists representing a broad spectrum of outlets.

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Thats true, in a way. The spectrum now includes Pentagon correspondents from the right, the far right and the conspiratorial fringe.

We look forward to beginning a fresh relationship with members of the new Pentagon press corps, Parnell concluded.

Of that I have no doubt. If I ran a cabinet agency, I would also look forward to my relationship with media figures who are not only predisposed to agree with everything I say and do, but who also signed onto restrictions that I wrote to help guarantee coverage that I like.

When actual DOD reporters turned in their press badges, the Pentagon Press Association said in a statement that the developments marked a dark day for press freedom that raises concerns about a weakening U.S. commitment to transparency in governance, to public accountability at the Pentagon and to free speech for all.

A week later, the conditions appear even worse.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
On Jan. 6, 2021, a New York man named Christopher Moynihan was one of the first rioters to break into the U.S. Capitol. He was later sentenced to 21 months in prison. Moynihan did not, however, serve his full term behind bars, because he was one of the many criminals Donald Trump pardoned just hours after returning to power earlier this year.

Nine months after receiving the presidential reprieve, Moynihan made headlines again. On Tuesday morning, the public learned that the pardoned rioter had been arrested after allegedly threatening to assassinate House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

According to the evidence presented by local prosecutors, the man texted in reference to the New York Democratic congressman, I cannot allow this terrorist to live.

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Hours after these revelations came to light, a reporter asked House Speaker Mike Johnson for his reaction to the developments. The Louisiana Republican said he knew very little about the story (a familiar posture for the GOP leader) before he ultimately blamed the left for having cultivated an assassination culture. (When a Republican is targeted with violence, its the lefts fault, and when a Democrat is targeted, its also the lefts fault.)

One day later, the House speaker sat down with CNNs Kaitlan Collins to talk about the ongoing government shutdown.

We will not negotiate with legislative terrorists, Johnson said, referring to congressional Democrats.

In other words, on Tuesday, Americans learned of an alleged would-be assassin who described a Democratic leader as a terrorist. The next day, the Republican House speaker thought itd be a good idea to appear on national television and describe Democratic leaders as legislative terrorists.

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In the wake of the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a great many GOP officials  including Johnson  eagerly drew a connection between inflammatory rhetoric and political violence. To hear these Republicans tell it, the more that prominent political voices use provocative language, the more dangerous the conditions for violence become.

In the aftermath of those arguments, Donald Trump published an online item featuring the images of Democratic leaders, describing them as belonging to the party of hate, evil, and Satan. Now that has been followed by the House speaker telling a national television audience that Democratic leaders are legislative terrorists one day after the public learned of a would-be assassin who described a Democratic leader as a terrorist.

Evidently, one party is allowed to use inflammatory rhetoric and the other is not?

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Todays edition of quick hits.

* Another provocative move: The U.S. flew Air Force B-1 bombers near Venezuela on Thursday, stepping up pressure on President Nicolas Maduro only days after other American warplanes carried out an attack demonstration near the South American country. Two B-1 Lancers took off from Dyess Air Force Base in Texas on Thursday and flew near Venezuela, though they remained in international airspace, according to a U.S. official and flight tracking data.

* Shortly after I wrote about the eighth deadly U.S. military strike on civilian targets in international waters, the administration announced a ninth: For the second time in two days, the Trump administration launched deadly strikes on a vessel suspected of smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific, expanding its campaign beyond the Caribbean Sea, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said late Wednesday.

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* Several months overdue: The Treasury Department announced new sanctions targeting Russias oil sector Wednesday, the day after President Donald Trump confirmed that a planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss Russias war with Ukraine was off.

* Kim Jong Un apparently wants attention again: North Korea performed its first ballistic missile tests in five months Wednesday, days before President Donald Trump and other leaders are expected to meet in South Korea.

* Its a fact that Im still struggling to wrap my head around, but at least for now, the East Wing of the White House no longer exists.

* On the big list of worst things the administration has done this year, the abandonment of mRNA research is a top contender: Covid-19 vaccines, credited with saving millions of lives during the pandemic, set off a powerful alarm that rallies the human immune system against cancer and nearly doubles the median survival length of patients, according to a new retrospective study by researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and the University of Florida.

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* Another step backward on human rights: The US State Department has removed an online portal for reporting alleged human rights violations by foreign military units supplied with American weapons. The Human Rights Reporting Gateway (HRG) acted as a formal tip line to the US government.

* Details to remember the next time theres a conversation about the parties and fiscal responsibility: In the midst of a federal government shutdown, the U.S. governments gross national debt surpassed $38 trillion Wednesday, a record number that highlights the accelerating accumulation of debt on Americas balance sheet. Its also the fastest accumulation of a trillion dollars in debt outside of the COVID-19 pandemic  the U.S. hit $37 trillion in gross national debt in August this year.

See you tomorrow.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Just when it seemed Donald Trumps pardons and commutations couldnt become any more scandalous, the president appears to have dug a hole in the bottom of the barrel. The Wall Street Journal reported:

President Trump has pardoned Changpeng Zhao, the convicted founder of the crypto exchange Binance, following months of efforts by Zhao to boost the Trump familys own crypto company. The president signed the pardon on Wednesday, people familiar with the matter said.

The closer one looks at the details of this story, the more corrupt it appears.

When Zhao was first prosecuted a couple of years ago, the federal case was a joint effort launched by the Justice Department, the Treasury Department, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, which collectively argued that Binance became the worlds largest cryptocurrency exchange in part because of the crimes it committed.

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Then-Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen added that the companys willful failures allowed money to flow to terrorists, cybercriminals, and child abusers through its platform.

Trump returned to power a year later, at which point Zhao, one of the wealthiest people in the world, and his allies began a campaign for a possible presidential pardon. The billionaire pursued a pardon in part by hiring lawyers and lobbyists with ties to the Trump administration. But just as importantly, Binance struck a business deal with World Liberty Financial, the Trump familys crypto startup.

As The New York Times reported, That deal alone is poised to generate tens of millions of dollars a year for the Trumps and the family of Steve Witkoff, the presidents top Middle East adviser.

Zhao helped finance the presidents stablecoin and advance a business deal thats likely to put money in the pockets of Trump and his family, all while lobbying for a pardon.

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Evidently, it worked.

In a written statement, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt tried to defend the presidents intervention in the case by claiming that Zhao was a victim of the Biden administrations war on cryptocurrency.

Among the obvious problems with this claim is that Zhao is a convicted felon who pleaded guilty to money laundering.

Later during a press briefing, a reporter asked how the White House responds to fairly obvious criticisms about the apparent corruption behind Trumps latest pardon. The president is exercising his constitutional authority to grant clemency requests, Leavitt replied.

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In other words, Trump did this because he could.

With each new scandalous pardon, it becomes clearer that Trump isnt the least bit concerned about appearances or the pretense of propriety. Hes corrupting the process. He knows hes corrupting the process. He knows we know hes corrupting the process  but hes doing it anyway.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
President Donald Trumps plan to import more beef from Argentina has riled some of his most stalwart supporters.

While speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One last Sunday, Trump said that the U.S. could boost its purchases of Argentinian beef as a way to reduce record-high price averages. Ground beef soared to $6.25 per pound and USDA Choice sirloin steak to $13.55 in July and remain up across the country.

The presidents suggestion triggered a bipartisan backlash that included some prominent MAGA voices.

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Why the actual F--- would we buy Argentinian beef? Our AMERICAN ranchers are getting crushed already by cheap shit foreign beef imports., Fox News host Tomi Lahren said Tuesday in a post on X. The meat packers are already under cutting our AMERICAN producers as it is. This is an OUTRAGE.

I dont want beef from anyone other than American farmers, cmon Trump, read an X post from the Hodge Twins, a pair of conservative political commentators.

The National Cattlemens Beef Association and the Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund United Stockgrowers of America  typically strong supporters of the president  have also criticized Trumps proposal, warning it could harm American ranchers and feedlot operators.

Meriwether Farms, a beef producer in Wyoming, posted a lengthy message to Trump Monday on X.

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Dear @POTUS Trump, we love you and support you but your suggestion to buy beef from Argentina to stabilize beef prices would be an absolute betrayal to the American cattle rancher, the Meriwether Farms post read. There are so many voices on the outside that support you and want to see you succeed. Maybe its time to start listening to them. Your team knows how to get in touch with us.

Eight House Republicans sent a letter to the White House on Tuesday requesting more information about Trumps plan, arguing that any import policy must hold foreign suppliers to those same rigorous standards imposed on American industries.

Amid the outcry from both congressional allies and Republican voters, Trump on Wednesday defended his stance on beef imports in a post on Truth Social.

The Cattle Ranchers, who I love, dont understand that the only reason they are doing so well, for the first time in decades, is because I put Tariffs on cattle coming into the United States, including a 50% Tariff on Brazil, Trump wrote.

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If it werent for me, they would be doing just as theyve done for the past 20 years  Terrible! It would be nice if they would understand that, but they also have to get their prices down, because the consumer is a very big factor in my thinking, also!

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Oct. 23SANTA FE  Maggie Toulouse Oliver jumped into New Mexico's lieutenant governor race on Thursday, setting the stage for a possible encore to an already substantive political career.

The state's current secretary of state, Toulouse Oliver announced her widely expected candidacy with a video citing the high stakes of next year's election cycle and her past clashes with Republicans over voting-related issues.

"Donald Trump is attacking our democracy and pushing an extreme agenda," she said. "New Mexico needs a fighter who will stand up to him."

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Her decision to run for lieutenant governor comes roughly one month after Toulouse Oliver acknowledged she was exploring a possible bid.

It also comes just one week after another high-profile Democratic lieutenant governor candidate, State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard, suspended her campaign due to her husband's health issues.

While two other Democrats  state Sen. Harold Pope Jr. of Albuquerque and Jackie Lee Onsurez of Loving  are still in the race, Toulouse Oliver could have the advantage of a larger political profile due to her nearly nine years holding a statewide office.

She also already has a head start in fundraising, having reported this month more than $23,000 in a campaign account she'll be able to tap for next year's election cycle.

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Toulouse Oliver, a former Bernalillo County clerk, was first elected as secretary of state in 2016, following former Secretary of State Dianna Duran's resignation after being charged with using campaign funds to fuel a gambling habit. She twice won reelection to new terms but is barred under state Constitution from running again in 2026.

As New Mexico's top election official, Toulouse Oliver has supported proposals to allow same-day voter registration in New Mexico and permit independent voters to participate in primary elections without changing their party affiliation. But she's also clashed with Republicans over plans to implement "straight-party voting," among other initiatives.

Like other election officials nationwide, Toulouse Oliver has in past years dealt with threats via telephone and email.

After last year's presidential election, Toulouse Oliver said she experienced online threats and harassment after attempting to interact with New Mexico voters on social media.

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Meanwhile, Toulouse Oliver would become New Mexico's second female lieutenant governor if elected. Democrat Diane Denish previously held the office from 2003 through 2010.

However, the state has never had women serving simultaneously as governor and lieutenant governor.

Former U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland is seeking the Democratic Party's nomination for governor next year, in a race that also features Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman and former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima.

Under New Mexico's system, governor and lieutenant governor candidates run independently in the primary election. The winners of those races who share the same party affiliation are then paired on a ticket for the general election.

Next year's primary election is set for June 2, with the general election then taking place in November.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  Mahoning County continues to receive its share from that massive opioid settlement from pharmaceutical companies.

County Commissioners Thursday agreed to provide $75,000 in settlement funds to the Mahoning County Drug Court.

Judge John Durkin presides over the program, which was established more than 28 years ago to help those arrested on non-violent drug-related felonies.

Those who successfully graduate have their charges dismissed and their records expunged.

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Of the 1,600 that have graduated, I can tell you that over 65% of the people who enter a plea of guilty successfully complete the program, said Durkin.

The judge told Commissioners that those entering the Drug Court program receive help in receiving their GEDs, as well as obtaining job training and employment.

Another $35,000 from the settlement will go to the countys Mental Health and Recovery program.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.




Mail theft might sound like an inconvenience, but it can be the first step to bigger crimes like identity theft and financial fraud when thieves grab vital documents.

After a surge in mailbox break-ins and calls from residents across San Antonio over the past year, city leaders are continuing a plan to curb the crime.

At the Public Safety Committee meeting on Tuesday, District 7 Councilwoman Marina Alderete Gavito told City Council members that she had brought up a proposal to address the crime last year as the problem was growing in her district.

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"What used to be an occasional problem had become far too common, and it was alarming," Alderete Gavito said. "People were losing checks, packages, personal information and in some cases even getting their identity stolen."

Area homeowners associations were spending thousands to replace cluster mailboxes, a responsibility that Alderete Gavito said the U.S. Postal Service had shifted.

"It was stressful, it's violating and it undermines people's sense of safety in their own neighborhood," she said. "I recognize that mail delivery is technically a federal responsibility, but these are our residents and they were looking to us for help."

SAPD assembled a task force to figure out how to address the rising crime by bringing its investigators together with the Bexar County Sheriff's Office, the postal service and area HOAs and apartment associations.

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The task force held several meetings in June and came up with solutions to address the rising crime.

How bad is it?

Deputy Chief Michelle Ramos, with San Antonio police, laid out the severity of cluster mailbox theft with a heat map showing places that have been hit the most.

A bright red spot lit up the Northwest Side. Ramos said that portion is apartments in the Medical Center area that have been hit the hardest by thieves.

District 5 Council Member Teri Castillo said later during the meeting that the Darson Marie Terrace apartment in her district was targeted by a thief who had a master key to the cluster mailbox inside the complex.

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"It was during a time when our seniors are having to reapply for benefits," she said.

Ramos provided a breakdown of the law and how it applies to those who are caught stealing mail.

The severity of the charge can range from a Class A misdemeanor if someone steals from fewer than 10 addresses, a state jail felony if someone takes mail from between 10 and 30 addresses, and a third-degree felony if someone steals from 30 or more addresses.

A law also went into effect Sept. 1 leveraging enhanced penalties if a thief targets seniors or people with disabilities.

SAPD has been tracking the number of thefts committed under each category, and the stats reveal an alarming pattern: The number of mail thefts targeting 30 or more addresses has been growing over the last two years.

San Antonio police have tracked statistics regarding mail theft, which falls under three levels of punishment from a Class A misdemeanor up to a third-degree felony. (Courtesy San Antonio Police Department)





In 2023, SAPD reported only 70 such thefts. In 2024, that number went up to 97 thefts. This year through September, there were 126 reported thefts.

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The biggest reported offense however remains theft of mail with fewer than 10 addresses targeted. From 2023 to 2025 so far, there have been a total of 4,658 such reported offenses.

Ramos also presented the arrests made for these stats. That number is considerably lower. For mail theft of less than 10 addresses, there have only been 35 arrests made from 2023 to 2025 so far. Even less so for the corresponding offenses.

Enforcement challenges

The biggest problem for investigators when it comes to catching mail thieves, Ramos said, is the lack of evidence. That includes: no fingerprints, no video, no photos, no witness accounts, no description of a vehicle involved in the theft, and an underreporting of the incidents in the first place.

Ramos said that people tend to wait a day or so before reporting mail theft, such as when it happens at night or when the victim finds their mail missing after work.

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"Some of the issues we have is that cars are going to be out of view of the camera, or somebody may have video surveillance but it's only a photo of an individual and it's pixelated," Ramos said.

But, every report counts, and that's according to the United States Postal Inspection Service. It tracks incidents involving mail theft and damaged mailboxes in much the same way SAPD does. The security service also uses that data to build cases against perpetrators.

Community Efforts and Prevention

As for SAPD, Ramos said that many of the agency's arrests come from catching the perps red-handed.

Such is the case of recent headlines, like that of two men allegedly caught with boxes upon boxes of mail by Bexar County deputies on the Northeast Side, or a trio that a witness spotted allegedly taking mail from a cluster mailbox.

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In the later case, police managed to track down a Chevy Silverado that matched the witnesses' description. There was even a giant black trash bag full of mail in the back seat, according to SAPD.

READ MORE: Trash bag filled with presumed stolen mail leads to arrest of three suspects, Bexar sheriff says

To that end, the task force is rolling out a public service campaign to inform people how best to report mailbox theft, and to do so as soon as possible.

Anyone who needs to report mail theft should contact both San Antonio police, via the non-emergency line at 210-207-7273, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455 or usbis.gov.

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The task force also recommends that people sign up for informed delivery of their mail with USPS by visiting the USPS website. This free program allows people to see a snapshot of the mail they are supposed to receive for the day.

Finally, Ramos discussed an option by CPS Energy to install "All Night Security Lighting." The program allows customers to request that one to five lights to be installed, specifically with the intention of lighting up cluster mailboxes at night. There are additional requirements if customers need more than five lights.

Alderete Gavito said in closing remarks that she hopes that CPS can provide their lighting program at a discount to help homeowner associations that have to cover the cost of broken cluster mailboxes.

"The challenge is the cost. For some HOAs even a small installation or monthly fee can be a barrier," she said.

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Alderete Gavito said staff estimated that cluster mailboxes can cost at least $2,500 to replace.

This article originally published at Mail thieves target cluster boxes across San Antonio; police data shows crime surge.
Immigrant rights advocates and supporters held a press conference at Portland City Hall launching the Maine ICE Watch Hotline on Oct. 23, 2025. (Photo by Lauren McCauley/Maine Morning Star)

With federal immigration enforcement actions picking up in cities across the country, a coalition of groups in Maine is launching a hotline to protect immigrants from potential harassment and detention.

The Maine ICE Watch Hotline is a lifeline for families, a bridge for neighbors and a promise that no one in our community will face fear alone, said Portland At-Large City Councilor Pious Ali, speaking at a press event at City Hall Thursday.

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The goal of the project, which is organized by the Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition and Peoples Coalition for Safety and Justice, is to provide accurate, real-time information about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Patrol activity and connect Maine families to resources and support services.

This isnt about panic  its about protection, Crystal Cron, executive director of Presente! Maine said. Its about staying informed, connected and ready to act together. When ICE shows up, we show up too  not with fear but with solidarity. This hotline is a step towards the community we all deserve, one rooted in trust, care and collective defense.

The hotline has already trained over 150 volunteers, both as operators to receive calls as well as verifiers to confirm or refute reported sightings of immigrant enforcement activity, Cron said. While there are already volunteers across the state, Cron said they are seeking more in rural areas.

Ruben Torres, advocacy and policy manager with the Maine Immigrants Rights Coalition, displays an informational poster about the Maine ICE Watch Hotline. (Photo by Lauren McCauley/Maine Morning Star)

Federal actions targeting Democratic-led cities and states have been on the rise. The press conference was held two days after 50 federal agents descended on New York Citys Canal Street, reportedly arresting nine men.

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Last month, a Portland resident was detained by ICE agents after dropping off their child at the Gerald E. Talbot Community School. Nationally, schools, like workplaces, have become frequent targets and there is research tying the raids to increased student absences.

Wes Pelletier said at the press event that, as councilor for Portland District 2, he represents some of the citys more diverse neighborhoods and has seen firsthand how fear has taken hold of our communities. Truancy is on the rise our parks and playgrounds and our streets are more quiet.

Pelletier, who is among the volunteers that have taken the verifier training, said over the past few months theres been quiet organizing but theres been a growing need for a unified network to share information that doesnt cause undo panic, is integrated in the communities it serves, and that balances safety with accessibility.

After the hotline receives a call of a potential sighting, the report is passed to a regional verifier response group. If they confirm that immigration agents are present, an alert will go out through texts and social media. Verifiers are also trained to observe enforcement actions and gather more information. Afterwards, the hotline will help track the detainee through the immigration system while connecting impacted people with legal representation, financial and other support.

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Similar grassroots efforts have been launched elsewhere to protect immigrant communities and push back against federal enforcement actions.

Ahead of the Trump administrations deployment of immigration authorities last month to Chicago, community groups similarly launched a hotline to help keep tabs on agent activity. Since then, volunteers have organized a vast rapid response network that includes blowing whistles to alert neighbors if ICE or Border Patrol agents are spotted nearby and documenting encounters with federal agents on their phones.

Cron said theyve connected with and learned from groups in other states, including Siembra NC, in North Carolina, and LUCE Immigrant Justice Network in Massachusetts.

The role of local law enforcement

While the speakers focused on federal immigration activity, enforcement in Maine has routinely been initiated by local law enforcement.

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Since March, the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project, Maines only statewide immigration legal services organization, has tracked 22 minor traffic stops and similar incidents where more than 50 Maine residents and workers were handed over to immigration officials by state and local law enforcement based on suspected immigration status alone. This is not a complete picture of such incidents, but rather the organizations best estimate based on verifiable reports.

What is known shows a concerning and broad pattern of Maine law enforcement agencies across the state stepping outside of their roles and voluntarily diverting Maines resources to assist the federal administration with indiscriminate immigration enforcement, threatening the rights and safety of some of Maines most vulnerable residents, ILAP shared in a statement.

The state Legislature has considered prohibiting or restricting state and local law enforcement agencies from carrying out the work of federal immigration authorities, though both remain in limbo heading into the next session in January. One of those bills passed the Legislature and rests with Gov. Janet Mills.

When our governor refuses to sign a bill that will prevent local and state law enforcement from being used to enforce harsh federal immigration laws, it sends the wrong message, said Ali. It tells the federal agencies that they can come into our neighborhoods and act without restraint.

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Cron said the hotline guidance is the same regardless of whether it is a federal or local officer and people should call in if they see any suspicious law enforcement activity.

An estimated 70% of ICE arrests nationwide over the past decade have been handoffs from state or local authorities.

As of Tuesday night, no police departments in Maine have formal agreements with federal immigration authorities, after Wells Police Department terminated its agreement under the 287(g) program.

This means departments in Maine have local discretion regarding when to involve federal officials.

Another layer is where immigration detainees are housed. The public has for months been calling for the board to end Cumberland County Jails contract with the U.S. Marshal Service to house federal detainees, which includes immigration detainees, arguing that cooperation with federal immigration authorities makes the county complicit with their increasingly aggressive tactics.

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Earlier this week, the board postponed its decision, with some members raising concern that ending the contract would only take people farther away from their families and legal counsel.

Legal experts say that already occurs, as its common practice for federal authorities to transfer immigration detainees from facility to facility.

As Maine Morning Star reported in April, the majority of immigration detainees in Cumberland County Jail are not residents of nor were they arrested in Maine. Most were transferred to the facility from out of state, and they are often quickly transferred out, too.

The hotline is currently available from 6-9 a.m. and 5-9 p.m. Monday through Friday. The coalition is encouraging interested parties to volunteer or share information about the hotline on social media or by displaying one of their posters.

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Ukraine has confirmed drone strikes on two strategic Russian targets overnight on Oct. 23, the Ryazan Oil Refinery and an ammunition depot near Valuyki, Belgorod Oblast.

The attack on the ammunition storage site near Valuyki destroyed the target, triggering secondary explosions and detonation of Russian munitions, according to Ukraine`s General Staff. The area has been frequently used by Russian forces as a logistics and weapons center near the Ukrainian border.

In Ryazan, explosions and a large fire were reported by local residents near the Ryazan Oil Refinery. Later that day, the General Staff of Ukraine confirmed that Defense Forces had successfully struck the facility.

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"Explosions were observed in the target area, followed by a large-scale fire," the General Stuff said in a statement.

Owned by Rosneft, the refinery has an annual processing capacity of over 17 million tons of crude oil and plays a central role in fueling Russian military units and maintaining logistical operations.

Russias Defense Ministry earlier said it shot down 14 Ukrainian drones over Ryazan Oblast overnight. Regional Governor Pavel Malkov said debris from downed drones caused a fire at an industrial site without specifying the facility.

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The Ryazan refinery has been repeatedly targeted by drones since early 2025, as Ukraine intensifies strikes on critical Russian energy infrastructure. The facility plays a major role in supplying fuel to central Russia, and its disruption could have broader implications for the countrys logistics, military supply chains, and economic stability.

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Reuters reported the refinery processed 13.1 million metric tons (262,000 barrels per day) in 2024, nearly 5% of Russias total refining throughput. It produced 2.2 million tons of gasoline, 3.4 million tons of diesel, 4.3 million tons of fuel oil, and 1 million tons of jet fuel, Reuters said, citing source-based data.

The apparent strike at Ryazan was likely part of a massive overnight drone attack involving 139 drones targeting 10 regions across Russia. The ministry alleged that 56 drones were intercepted over Belgorod Oblast, 22 over Bryansk, 21 over Voronezh, 14 over Ryazan, 13 over Rostov, two each over Tambov, Volgograd, Oryol, and Kaluga, one over Kursk, and four over occupied Crimea.

Ukraine has not commented on the incident yet.

Read also: In Trump first, US sanctions Russias oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil after White House cancels Putin meeting

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A new pair of UC Riverside studies reveals that well-being across Southern Californias Inland Empire lags behind national levels, with a majority of residents reporting they are struggling to get by.

The research from the universitys Center for Community Solutions surveyed more than 3,300 residents across Riverside and San Bernardino counties. It found that only 41% of respondents were thriving, compared with 53% nationwide. The regions well-being score was on par with countries such as Brazil and Slovakia.

Overall, the IE lags behind the U.S. with respect to self-reported well-being, said Justine Ross, executive director of the Center for Community Solutions, part of UC Riversides School of Public Policy.

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Participants in one study were asked to rate their current and future lives on a zero-to-ten scale, using a method known as Cantrils Ladder. The ratings placed each respondent into one of three categories: thriving, struggling, or suffering.

More than half of respondents, 53%, said they were struggling, and another 6% said they were suffering. Those in the thriving category tended to have higher incomes, more education, be married and attend church.

Houses line the street in Ontario of the Inland Empire on May 23, 2023. (David McNew/Getty Images)

A companion study focused on 1,000 women in the region revealed even greater disparities.

Fifty-eight percent said they were struggling, and 6% were suffering. In Riverside County, more than one-third of women expected their lives to worsen over the next five years, compared with just 9% in San Bernardino County.

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Healthcare emerged as a critical gap, with nearly 40% of uninsured women citing cost as the main barrier. Only 30% of pre-kindergarten-aged girls were enrolled in early education programs, and 16% of adult women lacked a high school diploma. Those without diplomas earned a median income of $26,000.

The surveys also had hopeful findings, UCR officials said.

Despite the financial challenges plaguing Inland Empire residents, the studies also found that roughly one-third of them reported a strong sense of community belonging.

Thats a positive sign, and something researchers say could serve as a foundation for improvement through expanded education, health care and participation in public initiatives.

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We often talk about income as if it is the strongest factor linked to well-being, but our study shows belonging and civic engagement are just as strongly correlated, Ross 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 KTLA.
Front-runner Zohran Mamdani broke a sweat  literally  during a knock-down-drag-out final mayoral debate Wednesday as a fired-up Andrew Cuomo repeatedly pressed him to quit acting and give straight answers.

The normally smooth-talking socialist was repeatedly pinned into a corner by the unlikely tag team of Cuomo, the ex-governor running as an independent, and GOP nominee Curtis Sliwa, who labeled Mamdanis policy proposals fantasy.

Seizing the last opportunity to cut Mamdani down to size  with 13 days to go before the Nov. 4 election  the thirsty rivals wouldnt let any of the Democratic nominees non-answers slide off the LaGuardia Community College stage.

Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani participates in a second New York City mayoral debate at the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center at LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City, Queens, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. via REUTERS

Dont be a politician, Sliwa taunted when Mamdani tried to dodge giving his opinion about important ballot proposals, mousily saying he was appreciative that those measures will be on the ballot.

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Oh, what a shocker, Cuomo sniped, before mocking the front-runner with a talking-hands gesture.

A visibly sweaty Mamdani also steered clear of straightforward answers when pressed on:

Education reform. Mamdani doubled down on his opposition to mayoral control and his support of the states class size mandate  but was unable to point to any substantive issues with the dysfunction in the school system, instead serving up word salad about the importance of education and the crisis in front of us.

Public safety. Asked for specifics about his Department of Community Safety that would send social workers to mental health calls and domestic violence disputes with the NYPD, he only said such approaches worked elsewhere in the US and I trust the dispatchers who would be receiving these calls to make the determination as to whether there was any indication of violence.

Housing. Mamdani had no answer for how to speed up the process to quickly build new units and help ease the housing crisis, only mustering up that we need to do this by streamlining the processes of private sector construction across the city.

Ballot measures. Moving local elections to presidential election years, repeatedly saying I have not reviewed the proposals about any of the issues coming up on the very ballot hell be on.

The Rock Em Sock Em-esque debate hosted by Spectrum NY1 wasnt a complete wash for Mamdani, as much of it boiled down to whether the 34-year-old Queens assemblymans lack of experience was worse than Cuomos arguably bad record as a three-term governor.

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Cuomo, 67, appeared stronger than his hectoring and defensive performance during the first debate last week.

Independent candidate and former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo during the second New York City mayoral debate. POOL/AFP via Getty Images

He came out swinging with boasts about delivering a well-regarded redesign of LaGuardia Airport and the long-awaited Second Avenue subways first leg as governor, while colorfully contending he could stand toe to toe with a hyper-aggressive President Trump if elected  unlike the upstart Mamdani.

He thinks hes a kid and hes going to knock him on his tuchus, Cuomo said about Trumps assessment of Mamdani, whom the president has dubbed my little Communist.

Mamdani looked shocked several times as Cuomo attacked him for posing in a smiley picture with anti-gay Ugandan Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga, or ripped him as a good actor who missed his true calling.

Follow The Posts coverage of the NYC mayoral race

Hes a good actor, he missed his calling, Cuomo said as he launched one of several attacks on Mamdanis signature rent freeze policy platform, pivoting from a question about the record number of homeless schoolkids in the city.

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Freeze the rent sounds great, yeah, it affects about 25% of the number of housing units in the city of New York. Its not a new idea. Bill de Blasio did it, Cuomo said.

Im going to deep-freeze the rent. People think it applies to all of them, he said later in the 90-minute slugfest, to applause from supporters in the audience.

And by the way, its all because the mayor doesnt have the power to do it anyway. The Rent Guidelines Board does, and he doesnt control the Rent Guidelines Board, so nothing is going to happen, Cuomo railed. Its just the old political blather, Mr. Mamdani.

When Mamdani, a harsh critic of Israel, tried to reassure Jewish New Yorkers that hed represent them, too, if elected, Cuomo sarcastically interjected: You are the savior of Jewish people?

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But Cuomo found himself dogged by his record during the COVID pandemic and especially the sordid sexual misconduct scandal that led him to resign in disgrace in 2021.

Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa participates in the second New York City mayoral debate. POOL/AFP via Getty Images

He struggled to come up with a coherent answer about the 13 women who accused him of sexual harassment  one of whom, Charlotte Bennett, was in the audience as part of a Mamdani-organized stunt.

Mamdani cast Cuomo as Donald Trumps puppet and argued that the longtime pols experience is precisely what led to New Yorkers woes on housing, the MTA and deaths in nursing homes during the pandemic.

You will hear from Andrew Cuomo about his experience, as if the issue is that we dont know about it, Mamdani said, adding, The issue is that we have all experienced your experience.

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Sliwa also jumped into Cuomos Mamdani-bashing, calling his proposals fantasy.

But Sliwa  whose tan line from his signature red beret was clearly visible  proved a double-edged dogpile ally for the ex-gov.

Seizing the last opportunity to cut Mamdani down to size  with 13 days to go before the Nov. 4 election  the thirsty rivals wouldnt let any of the Democratic nominees non-answers slide off the LaGuardia Community College stage. via REUTERS

Your resume could fit on a cocktail napkin, Sliwa told Mamdani at one point, before snapping at Cuomo that (you) had your fill.



You fled from being impeached! he yelled at Cuomo during another heated exchange.

The Guardian Angels founder, who has faced growing calls to drop out to give the second-place-polling Cuomo a fighting chance at thwarting the Democratic socialist, couldnt resist battering the ex-gov and arguably helping Mamdani.

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It was Mamdanis weakest performance this cycle, said Andrew Kirtzman, a longtime communications specialist. Both his opponents were in rare form, and ganged up on him all night. At one point they were literally laughing at him from both sides. Mamdani is an extremely talented debater but he seemed besieged.

The problem for Cuomo, though, is that he needed both of them to have a bad night. If Sliwas numbers dont fall, there is no way Cuomo can win. But Sliwa had a terrific night. He has grown as a candidate this year  its impressive.

Mamdani, perhaps appreciative of Sliwas unwilling assist, gave his rival some love when asked how hed vote if it were a ranked-choice election.

Myself number one, and Curtis number two, he said.

Oh, please dont be glazing me here, Zohran, Sliwa said to laughter.
EUFAULA, Ala. (WRBL)  The Phenix City Police Department says a man thats accused of a murder that happened at the Brookwood Apartments in Phenix City was taken into custody.

According to Phenix City PD, the United States Marshals Task Force, with the assistance of the

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) S.W.A.T. Team, arrested JaMarrie Deaundre

Leonard, of Hurtsboro for the shooting that left a man dead and a woman injured on Sept. 29.

Photo credit: Phenix City Police

The man has been identified as LeNorris Boyd Jr. Leonard was taken into custody in Eufaula and will be transported back to Phenix City and booked into the Russell County Jail.

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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 WRBL.
Deputies in Iredell County say a 33-year-old man used his connections in the rodeo community to sexually assault juveniles for months.

The Iredell County Sheriffs Office on Thursday announced that Shane Dalton York is facing multiple felony charges, including human trafficking, statutory rape, and indecent liberties with a minor.

Deputies say York used his involvement with the rodeo community to form relationships with the juvenile victims.

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ALSO READ >> Former Kannapolis teacher arrested for indecent liberties with student

Investigators say the assaults happened between January and October this year. When detectives started looking into the allegations, they found more victims in Stokes County and Davidson County.

He was there for all the events, said Det. Richard Olson with the ICSO. He was around the families and groomed the children. Got trust in the families.

York was arrested at his home in Stokes County, and he confessed to the crimes during a police interview, the sheriffs office said.

York is being held in the Davidson County Detention Center on a $3 million bond for charges from all three counties.

Were working on getting more details on this case, check back for updates.

(VIDEO: 2 arrested in connection with Vietnam War veterans homicide)
DAVIDSON COUNTY  A Stokes County man is accused of using his involvement in North Carolinas rodeo community to form relationships with underage girls he then had sex with, including one in Davidson County, the Iredell County Sheriffs Office and Davidson County Sheriffs Office said.

The Iredell County Sheriffs Office received a report Oct. 13 alleging multiple sexual assaults from January to October that reportedly occurred in northern Iredell County.

As the investigation continued, detectives learned of reported sexual assaults on children in both Stokes County and Davidson County and contacted the sheriffs offices in those counties, the Iredell sheriffs office said.

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From Oct. 15 to Oct. 17, the Davidson County and Iredell County sheriffs offices conducted multiple interviews and gathered evidence indicating that Shane Dalton York, 33, of Duggins Road in eastern Stokes County engaged in sexual activity with children in Davidson, Iredell and Stokes counties, the two sheriffs offices said in separate press releases.

York was arrested Friday, Oct. 17, at his home in Stokes County, where detectives from all three counties interviewed him, the Iredell sheriffs office said.

York was charged in Davidson County with three counts of statutory rape of a child under 15 and four counts of indecent liberties with a child. York was also charged in Iredell County with human trafficking of a child victim, two counts of statutory rape of a child and two counts of indecent liberties with a child.

The arrest warrants in both counties indicate all of the charges involve sex acts with the same girl.

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Additional charges are expected in Iredell, Davidson and Stokes counties, the Iredell sheriffs office said.

York was being held in the Davidson County Detention Center with bond set at $3 million secured and is scheduled to appear in Davidson County District Court on Dec. 5 and in Iredell County District Court on Dec. 17.

This remains an active and ongoing investigation, and additional charges may be filed, the sheriffs office said.
[Editors Note: The video above is precious coverage on this story.]

AKRON, Ohio (WJW)  A man wanted on murder charges for an innocent bystanders shooting death in Akron is in custody.

According to a press release, the United States Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVTF) arrested Deshawn Stafford, 24, Thursday morning in Akron.

Documents reveal what led to 5-year-old girl falling off Disney cruise ship, dad jumping to rescue her

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Stafford is suspected in a deadly shooting at Highland Square that took place on Oct. 5.

Timothy Hutchinson was killed when he was caught in the crossfire.

Courtesy of Hutchinson family WJW photo

FOX 8 spoke with Hutchinsons sister earlier this month.

There is nothing you can do to fix this devastation. I would say that I dont forgive you, even if youre not sorry and one day if you are sorry, you took my brother and no matter how sorry you are, you cant give him back to me, Rachel Hutchinson said.

Big changes coming for Ohio property taxes?

Stafford has been charged with

Murder

Felonious Assault

Discharging Firearms

Having Weapons While Under Disability

Trafficking in Drugs  Schedule I

Possession of Drugs

Drug Paraphernalia

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Police also arrested a 23-year-old man, but he has not yet been charged in the shooting.

Anyone with information concerning a wanted fugitive can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833.)

Stafford was convicted in October 2023 of assault associated with a death at IPromise School.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  A Pierre Part man was charged with hate crimes and attempted first-degree murder after a shooting that involved an Assumption Parish Sheriff Deputy.

On Wednesday, state police issued an arrest warrant for Paul Blanchard, 60, for his involvement in the shooting that took place on Oct. 16. Investigators revealed that APSO Sheriff Leland Falcon was grazed by gunfire after arriving at an active scene.

Detectives learned that Blanchard confronted a man who was performing lawn care at a nearby home. During the encounter, Blanchard reportedly made racially charged remarks toward the man before he left. After a short while, Blanchard returned with a shotgun, firing a shot and striking the man. The man ran into the home as Blanchard followed him inside while still armed. Inside the home were three other occupants, including one juvenile. Blanchard exited the home, police say.

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APSO deputies and Sheriff Falcon responded to the shooting, where they found the victim. While searching the area, deputies encountered Blanchard. Police say Blanchard fired a shot in the sheriffs direction, grazing him. The deputy then returned fire, striking Blanchard.

Blanchard and the initial victim were taken to a local hospital with serious injuries.

After being treated for his injuries, Blanchard will be arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center on charges of three counts of aggravated assault with a firearm, two counts of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault on a police officer, hate crimes, and aggravated burglary.

This is still an ongoing investigation.

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APSO released a statement in regards to the investigation.

Following the officer-involved shooting on Bayou Drive in Pierre Part, the Assumption Parish Sheriffs Office requested the Louisiana State Police to conduct an independent investigation. Sheriff Falcon expressed full confidence that the LSP investigation will be thorough, precise, and impartial, with all findings submitted to the 23rd Judicial District Attorneys Office for review and prosecution. He also voiced his trust that District Attorney Ricky Babin and his staff will ensure justice is served for all parties affected by this incident.

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Reno Roberts is currently behind bars, accused of beating two people with an aluminum bat at a GetGo in Delmont. Now the victims are speaking about how they feel lucky to be alive.

Its a miracle that Im still here talking, like I can think, said Luke Alcorn.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Man facing charges after police say he attacked 2 people with a bat, sent them to hospital

Alcorn and Liz Hobbs drove up to a gas pump just after 9 p.m. on Oct. 16, when they realized Hobbs former boyfriend, Roberts, had pulled in a few pumps over.

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Roberts allegedly began yelling at the pair, and a fight broke out. Hobbs said Roberts then returned to his car and pulled out a metal bat.

When he grabbed it, he actually took it, hit it against the ground, then rubbed it against the ground, hit his car twice, Im guessing to show us that it was a metal bat, said Hobbs.

According to a police report, Roberts, ...struck Alcorn in the back of the head and upper back. He also struck Hobbs in the back with the same bat.

Both were diagnosed with severe concussions. Alcorn was diagnosed with a brain bleed, and his injuries are still visible a week later.

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The look in his eyes and everything ... it didnt seem like he was going to stop, said Hobbs.

Alcorn said, I got hit five or six times. I should be in a hospital in a coma.

Eventually, Roberts left the GetGo after his mother, who was sitting in the passenger seat of his car, called for him, reports say. Alcorn was going in and out of consciousness when medics arrived, and Hobbs couldnt even move.

We just never knew if he was going to show up and try to finish the job, said Hobbs.

Police eventually found Roberts car at his home with the metal bat in the back seat.

Roberts was denied bond and is set to appear in court on Oct. 28.

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PULASKI, Tenn. (WKRN)  A man is facing multiple charges after another man was found shot in Pulaski Wednesday afternoon.

According to the Pulaski Police Department, officers and members of the Criminal Investigations Unit responded to a shots fired call near the intersection of McGrew Street and Alexander Street on Wednesday, Oct. 22.

When law enforcement arrived at the scene, they reportedly discovered a 34-year-old man with a gunshot wound. Officials said Giles County EMS treated the victim for what appeared to be non-life-threatening injuries.

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Body cam footage of Jay Cutlers arrest in Franklin released

Police said they received information that led them to the 800 block of Brown Drive, where they took 48-year-old Marcus Orlando Williams into custody. He was charged with the following offenses:

Attempted first-degree murder

Aggravated assault

Reckless endangerment

Possession of a firearm as a felon

Evading arrest

Resisting arrest

On Thursday, Oct. 23, authorities announced Williams is being held without bond in the Giles County Jail pending his court appearance.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

The Pulaski Police Department thanked the Giles County Sheriffs Department and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for their help.

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According to officials, more arrests are possible amid this ongoing investigation. No additional details were released about the case.

If you have any information about Wednesdays shooting, youre asked to call the Pulaski Police Department at 931-424-4404.

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BALLSTON SPA - Billy G. Cassell, the Kingsbury man shot by State Police in April after he allegedly refused to drop a shotgun after a car chase, pleaded guilty to weapons and menacing charges on Wednesday, attorneys confirmed.

It was the third police shooting in April in Saratoga County and the fourth in the eastern part of upstate.

Cassell's attorney Samuel Breslin confirmed Thursday Cassell pleaded guilty in Saratoga County Court to charges of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and menacing a police officer. The plea resolved multiple charges in Saratoga and Washington counties, he said.

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"This was a long negotiated resolution of a very unfortunate set of circumstances," Breslin said, later adding, "For all involved, this was a fair resolution of an unfortunate situation."

Acting Saratoga County District Attorney Jennifer Buckley confirmed the plea.

"He pled guilty to two violent felonies," she said. "Given the serious nature of the incident, these were appropriate pleas."

News10 ABC previously reported on the guilty plea.

Cassell's April 23 shooting followed a brief car chase in South Glens Falls that ended when Cassell crashed his truck into a home on Catherine Street and then took off on foot. Cassell was found trying to hide in front of a home, State Police said at the time, and troopers instructed him multiple times to put down the firearm. Cassell was shot after he allegedly raised the weapon.

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Shooting: State Police probe South Glens Falls shooting by trooper

More: Kingsbury man shot by troopers facing felony charges

Police initially stopped Cassell, 45, to arrest him on an active warrant from Washington County for criminal contempt.

He was released from Albany Medical Center a few days after the shooting. He is being held at the Saratoga County jail.

Cassell is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 7, court records show. Buckley said he would be sentenced to eight years in state prison for the weapons charge and seven years for menacing a police officer, which would be served concurrently.

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Cassell was the third person shot by local authorities in April.

On April 9, state troopers shot and killed 69-year-old David M. Levine after he opened fire with a high-powered rifle outside a State Police barracks on Route 9 in Malta. State Police said Levine was shot after he ignored orders to drop the rifle.

On April 10, state troopers and Saratoga County sheriff's deputies opened fire on Brandon R. Moore, 37, and killed him after he allegedly pointed a BB gun at police responding to a domestic disturbance, also in Malta.

Mike Goodwin contributed to this article.

This article originally published at Man charged following South Glens Falls car chase, State Police shooting pleads guilty.
MEDINA, Ohio (WJW)  A Seville man has been arrested after he removed a child from her home without permission on Wednesday, police said.

The Medina Police Department issued a statement Wednesday afternoon saying a 3-year-old girl went missing from her home on Hunter Road in Lafayette Township. Later that same afternoon, police confirmed she was found safe.

Investigation underway after man accused of threatening a judge

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In a press release on Wednesday evening, police said a family acquaintance is now arrested in connection with the childs disappearance.

According to the release, officers initiated the search of the home and the surrounding property by using K-9 units, drones, all-terrain vehicles and social media announcements.

The Medina County Child Abduction Response Team was also activated shortly after the search began, the release said.

Randy Kerley (Credit: Medina Police Department)

After an extensive two-hour search, calls made to the Medina police and Medina County Sheriffs Offices indicated that the missing girl was seen at a home on Buffham Road in Westfield Township.

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County, city leaders ask congress to support closure of Burke Lakefront Airport

Officers and deputies responded to the home, where they found the child unharmed, the release said. She was then taken to Medina hospital as a precaution and reunited with her dad shortly after.

According to the release, family acquaintance Randy Lawrence Kerley is accused of unlawfully entering the childs home and removing her without permission.

Kerley was charged with burglary and kidnapping and is now incarcerated at the Medina County Jail.

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A 30-year-old Buffalo man has been arrested for murder following an investigation into a Saturday morning fire where firefighters recovered the bodies of a 29-year-old woman and a 4-day-old infant.

Kidane Haile, 30, of Buffalo, was arraigned Thursday before Erie County Court Judge Suzanne Maxwell Barnes on an indictment charging him with one count of second-degree murder (Class A-I felony).

The fire occurred about 8:30 a.m. Saturday in the first-floor apartment of a multi-family residence on the 400 block of Norwood Avenue. The woman and infant were pronounced dead at the scene. Haile was taken by ambulance to Erie County Medical Center, where he was hospitalized for several days for treatment of smoke inhalation.

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Following an investigation, Buffalo police detectives said Haile intentionally caused the death of his girlfriend, 29-year-old Kathleen Katie Carrig, inside the apartment. The Erie County Medical Examiners Office determined that the manner of death was homicide caused by asphyxia due to strangulation. The cause of death of their infant son, 4-day-old Noah Carrig, remains under investigation.

We are saddened by the tragic death of this young mother and her newborn baby. While this case remains an active investigation, my office has secured an indictment against this defendant, who is accused of intentionally killing his girlfriend prior to the fire." District Attorney Mike Keane said. "We are committed to a thorough examination of the evidence and anticipate filing additional charges against the accused. My thoughts remain with the family of these victims as we continue to seek answers and justice."

Haile is being held without bail. A return court date has not been scheduled. If convicted of the charge, he faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.

Keane commended Detective Mark White and Detective Frank King of the Buffalo Police Department and the Buffalo Fire Department and the Erie County Medical Examiners Office for their work in the ongoing investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Chief Eugene T. Partridge, III, of the Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Briana R.D. Kalman of the Major Crimes Bureau.
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NEED TO KNOW

Kada Scott's remains were found two weeks after she disappeared in Philadelphia

Keon King has been charged with murder in connection with her killing, the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office announced Wednesday, Oct. 22

King has an alleged "pattern" of behavior, including strangulation and kidnapping, prosecutors previously said

The man arrested in connection with the disappearance of Kada Scott has now been charged with murder in the case.

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Scott, 23, was found dead in a wooded area in Philadelphia, Penn., on Saturday, Oct. 18, two weeks after she disappeared from her work.

Keon King, 21, was arrested, initially on kidnapping charges, in connection with her disappearance.

He has now been charged with murder, the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office announced on Wednesday, Oct. 22, per NBC Philadelphia, CBS News and ABC 6.

He is also charged with robbery, theft, violation of the Uniform Firearms Act, possessing an instrument of crime, tampering with evidence, abuse of corpse, conspiracy and obstruction of justice, NBC Philadelphia reported. Arson, causing catastrophe, conspiracy, unauthorized use of an automobile and recklessly endangering another person are other charges filed against King.



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PEOPLE reached out to King's attorney, Shaka Mzee Johnson, for comment.

gofundme Kada Scott Kada Scott

King was arrested on Oct. 15, just days before Scott's remains were found at a location where investigators tracked his cell phone during the time they believe the alleged crime was committed.

Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney Ashley Toczylowski previously said King's phone was located there at the time a vehicle was burned there, a vehicle she previously alleged King used to "move" Scott.

Scott disappeared from her workplace after she was subject to "harassing" phone calls, her family previously told police.

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Police did not comment on whether King has been connected to the calls when inquired by PEOPLE earlier in the investigation.

Since King's arrest, investigators say they have uncovered similar accusations against him.

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He was charged with kidnapping and strangulation earlier this year in a domestic case, Toczylowski said following his arrest.

Those charges were withdrawn but prosecutors have said theyll be refiled. Other alleged victims of King have come forward, per Toczylowski, who previously said authorities believe this is a "pattern" of King's behavior.

A GoFundMe has been set up to assist Scott's family.



Read the original article on People
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  A man who was arrested in connection with a crash that injured a pregnant woman over the weekend has been charged.

Jose Diaz-Blanco (Courtesy: Sedgwick County Jail)

Jose Diaz-Blanco, 44, made his first appearance in court on Wednesday. He is charged with two counts of aggravated battery-DUI.

Around 3 p.m. on Sunday, the Wichita Police Department responded to a crash near East 13th and North Green streets. Officers found a 25-year-old pregnant woman with critical injuries and another woman with serious injuries.

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As of Monday, the pregnant woman remained in the hospital but was reported to be stable.

Wichita woman pleads guilty in 2024 crash that killed teen

Diaz-Blanco is being held on a $150,000 bond and is due back in court on Nov. 3.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
A man was sentenced to life in prison after he was convicted of killing his wife in Uniontown.

Arthur Eugene Guty, 57, was arrested at a Las Vegas resort in January 2024 after his wife, Franyerlys Nicole Zambrano Briceno, 26, was found dead from a single gunshot wound in a house on Brier Avenue on New Years Day.

PHOTOS: Large police presence at Uniontown home where woman was found dead

Guty was convicted and immediately sentenced to life in prison on Thursday.

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Fayette County District Attorney Mike Aubele prosecuted the case with Assistant District Attorney Anthony Gentile.

We grieve with the numerous friends and family members of Nicole, many of whom traveled from Venezuela and across the United States to participate in this trial and secure justice for her; may her memory be eternal, Aubele said.

While looking into Gutys past, we discovered that he was once a victim of a crime back in 2019. We reported then that his ex-wife, Roxanne Guty, tried to hire someone to kill him in exchange for half of his life insurance policy.

She was sentenced to lesser charges.

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CLAIBORNE COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE)  A man died in Claiborne County after his SUV hit a utilities pole early Thursday morning, the Tennessee Highway Patrol said.

The 48-year-old man from Kentucky was driving south on Highway 132 around 2:40 a.m. when his SUV went off the left side of the road and struck a utility pole, according to THPs preliminary report. The vehicle came to a rest on its side off an embankment.

U.S. Marshals task force arrests suspect after Scott County Sheriffs deputy hit by vehicle

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The man, who was not wearing his seatbelt, was fatally injured.

This is the tenth fatal crash in Claiborne County this year, up from six in 2024 and seven in 2023, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. The department has recorded 361 total crashes in the county this year up from 320 in 2024 and down from 374 in 2023.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side.
LAURENS COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA)  A crash Wednesday has resulted in the death of a Laurens County man.

The Laurens County Coroners Office confirmed a 70-year-old man was pronounced dead after a motor vehicle accident near Riverfork Road.

David Lee, of Waterloo, was identified as the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle and was flown to a nearby hospital, where he later died.

Details of what may have led to the fatal incident have not been released at this time.

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The crash remains under investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A Kansas City Police officer was injured during a violent struggle with a suspect at North Kansas City Hospital; less than two hours later, that suspect was dead.

An investigation is now underway to determine exactly what happened inside the hospital and why the public is only learning about the incident weeks later.

Kansas City bank robbed Wednesday afternoon, no suspects in custody

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The incident began near Northwest 65th Street and Northwest Klamm Drive after Marrio Powell was involved in a car crash on October 8. He was taken to North Kansas City Hospital for treatment.

According to an incident report, Powell was placed on an investigative hold by KCPD while at the hospital.

At some point, he allegedly became combative and tried to leave. When the officers attempted to stop him, a struggle ensued.

During the altercation, Powell bit a KCPD officer on the arm and tried to grab the officers gun.

That account is supported by statements from the officer and at least two medical professionals who witnessed the incident.

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The situation escalated as hospital security and staff joined officers in trying to subdue Powell.

The report states that he was pinned down in a hallway, eventually returned to his hospital room, and placed in restraints. Less than two hours later, Powell was dead.

2 juveniles suspected of setting Johnson County, Missouri, church on fire

The cause of Powells death remains unknown. The North Kansas City Police Department is leading the investigation, and they are waiting on autopsy results to determine what exactly happened.

What is clear at this point is that Powell died while in the custody of the Kansas City Police Department.

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FOX4 has reached out to Powells family but has not yet received a response. Weve learned that he was laid to rest just three days ago.

This incident raises several questions about the severity of the officers injuries, the role the use of force officers used on Powell played in his death and why it took two weeks for police to publicly acknowledge the incident.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
Man exploited Gwinnett teen twice before traffic stop rescue, police say

A routine traffic stop in Twiggs County ended with the rescue of a 15-year-old Gwinnett County girl after deputies recognized warning signs they were trained to spot.

Twiggs County deputies pulled over 38-year-old Raymond Stephenson for a taillight violation on Highway 129 just before midnight on Oct. 15. The teenage girl in the passenger seat had no identification and claimed to be 17 years old, according to investigators.

Deputies noticed she appeared uncomfortable and was not answering questions. When they separated the two, they learned she was only 15.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

According to a warrant, Stephenson admitted he had picked up the girl from a Gwinnett County apartment complex and driven her 150 miles to his home in Dodge County, where he had sex with her on two previous occasions.

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Camila Zolfaghari with Street Grace told Channel 2 Gwinnett County Bureau Chief Matt Johnson that most trafficking cases start with predators finding children online.

Most people looking for children to exploit online are not confined to their neighborhood, Zolfaghari said.

Street Grace trains law enforcement across Georgia to recognize trafficking victims who may not cry out for help.

Theyre not looking for somebody whos saying, hey, help me, help me, but usually somebody whos being quiet or looking to the person theyre with to make sure they can talk, Zolfaghari said.

TRENDING STORIES:

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She said parents need to monitor any app where strangers can communicate with their children, including gaming platforms and even the Bible app.

Youve got to be talking to your children about talking to strangers and really being the parent and the adult, Zolfaghari said. I need to know whos talking to you.

Stephenson now faces charges in three counties including enticing a child for indecent purposes in Gwinnett County and sex charges in Dodge County. He remains in the Twiggs County Jail.

The 15-year-old has been released to her mother and will receive support services.

We have so much support that will be given [to] her to help her go on to be a survivor and to really thrive again, Zolfaghari said.

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A guilty verdict has been reached in a trial over the Chinatown shooting death of a 71-year-old man who was out for a walk nearly four years ago.

Jury deliberations began Thursday, where they returned a guilty verdict for Alphonso Joyner's first-degree murder charge.

Woom Sing Tse was shot to death in 2021, not far from an elementary school in Chicago's Chinatown neighborhood.

Jurors deliberated for about an hour before convicting Joyner.

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Prosecutors did not claim any motive for the shooting during court proceedings.

"This senseless act of violence robbed Woom Sing Tse's family of a beloved and doting grandfather, and it traumatized the entire Chinatown community. While today's guilty verdict cannot erase the pain and grief of Tse's loved ones, we hope this outcome provides some comfort in knowing that justice has been served," a statement from Cook County State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke read.

The shooting of the 71-year-old man in the middle of the day across the street from an elementary school angered many in the community.

Tse was taking a walk in the 200-block of West 23rd Street in the heart of Chinatown. That's when police said Joyner, who was 23 years old at the time, fired numerous shots from a car in the street. Then, he got out of the car and stood over Tse before firing more shots.

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Prosecutors said a total of 22 rounds were fired.

The Chinatown neighborhood watch responded quickly that day, providing police with numerous videos from security cameras. Police used license plate identification to locate the suspect within an hour of the shooting.

Tse's family spoke out on their hopes for justice before the trial began.

The victim's son, William Tse, provided the following statement following the guilty verdict:

"I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to the media, community members, and everyone who has supported and amplified my father's story. Your coverage, compassion, and persistence have helped keep his memory alive and brought continued attention to the pursuit of justice for him.

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"It has been four long years since my father's murder, and this journey has not been easy. But knowing that so many people still care, still speak his name, and still stand with our family gives us strength. Your dedication has made a real difference - not just in seeking accountability, but in honoring the kind, hardworking man my father was.

"From the bottom of my heart, thank you for standing with us, for sharing his story, and for helping ensure his life and legacy are never forgotten."


AKRON, Ohio (WJW)  A man was sentenced to 11 to 16.5 years in prison in connection with 2023 aggravated drug possession offenses.

According to a press release from the office of Summit County Prosecutor Elliot Kolkovich, 38-year-old Spencer Hackney was found guilty by a Summit County jury in September on one count of aggravated possession of drugs and was designated a Major Drug Offender.

Man charged with kidnapping after missing 3-year-old girl found

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Judge Joy Malek-Oldfield also found Hackney guilty of one count of having weapons while under disability.

In February of 2023, police tracked Hackneys vehicle due to a separate allegation and responded to his home. Once officers arrived, they found a gun inside the car, the release said.

According to the release, Hackney was arrested, and a search was then conducted inside his home. Officers found multiple forearms, drug equipment, and narcoticsincluding 1.99 grams of heroin, fentanyl, etizolam, and bromazolam, and 3,595.03 grams of methamphetamine.

The threshold required under Ohio law to be classified as a Major Drug Offender for methamphetamine is 300 grams.

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Investigation underway after man accused of threatening a judge

The sheer quantity of methamphetamine recovered in this case is staggering. Traffickers like Hackney profit by fueling addiction and exploiting individuals struggling with substance abuse. Thanks to the diligent work of the Akron Police Department and my Assistant Prosecutors, weve taken a major supplier off the streets, Summit County Prosecutor Elliot Kolkovich said.

According to the release, Hackney is the 24th Summit County defendant sentenced to prison in 2025 for a first-degree felony drug charge, the highest-level offense under Ohio law.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
CHEROKEE COUNTY, Texas (KETK)  Noal Price, 56, has been sentenced to life, after a trial on Oct. 22 following a shooting that occurred in 2023.

Suspect, victim identified in fatal Wells shooting

Mugshot of Noal Price, Courtesy of Cherokee County

The shooting which occurred on Mitchell Street in Wells on May 8, 2023, resulted in the death of 43-year-old Samuel Murrell. Wells Police Department detained Price, and EMS and Wells Fire Departments attempted to save the victim, but attempts were unsuccessful.

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Price was arrested and charged with murder, with a bond of $500,000.

Over a year later, on Oct. 22, a trial was held, and Price was found guilty of murder. He has been sentenced to life in prison, and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine, according to Cherokee County.

Nacogdoches man arrested after over 2 pounds of crystal meth found in truck

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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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Eleven out of 12 Portland City Councilors voted to pay a $300,000 settlement to Adam Gregg, a man who went to prison over a drug overdose death that never happened.

Gregg spent five and a half years after he pleaded guilty to selling heroin that killed someone. But he sued Portland police officers and a former deputy district attorney because once out of prison, he learned the man whom he was told he killed was alive.

Parent alleges discrimination in PPS equity policies

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This stems from a May 2015 incident to which Portland police responded when a man overdosed on heroin, but ultimately lived. The lawsuit says two Portland police officers, Tequila Thurman and Carrie Hutchison, arrested Gregg for selling the heroin, telling him he had to cooperate because he sold heroin that killed someone. Gregg agreed to plead guilty after prosecutors also told him he killed someone, according to the lawsuit. Gregg was sentenced to 80 months in prison.

After getting out of prison, Gregg learned his guilty plea was based on something that was not true, which sparked a civil suit against the two officers and former Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney John Copic, seeking $5.5 million in damages. Gregg said he watched Wednesday mornings Portland City Council meeting, where they approved paying him the $300,000 settlement. He said he was happy to see the council recognize the harm that came with his time in prison.

But also the idea of having to come to terms and take account for being responsible for another persons death who wasnt actually dead, as well as the distrust that comes along with having believed that because people in power told me it was true, Gregg said.

Gregg said he takes accountability for selling drugs in the past and admits he made mistakes. But he said the lawsuit was to highlight harm he suffered in the process.

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Due process isnt about what someone says a person did or how bad the thing is, or you know, how much time they should serve, Gregg said. Its that everyone is entitled to have an opportunity to fair treatment within our system.

Councilor Eric Zimmerman was the lone no vote on the settlement, telling his fellow councilors the city did not prosecute this case and Gregg pleaded guilty to the charge.

Given all of that and this idea that were going to negotiate with drug dealers, I feel very dissatisfied with being brought this settlement, Zimmerman said. When you do the time for the crime you committed and pled to, I dont see the concern here.

WashCo ambulances are about to get more expensive

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Gregg said he respects Zimmermans point of view.

I dont hold any ill will towards the position that, you know, this is a thing where an individual has done poor things in the past, Gregg said. But I think that ultimately the what this settlement represents is an accounting for harms that were done by the police officers.

According to the Portland Police Bureau, Thurman is no longer with the bureau, while Hutchison remains employed. The civil case against the former prosecutor Copic was dismissed because of absolute immunity for the prosecutors, but Gregg said he is appealing that dismissal. Greggs conviction was vacated in 2022. Now he is nine years sober and in his third year of law school at Lewis & Clark College, trying to become a civil rights lawyer.

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CHICAGO  A man is recovering in the hospital on Thursday morning after he was shot in the eye while riding in a car overnight oin the citys West Side.

According to Chicago police, officers first learned about the incident after the victim, a 24-year-old man, arrived at the hospital with a gunshot wound just after 11 p.m.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

He later told police that he was riding as a passenger in a car in the 5200 block of West Chicago Avenue, in Austin, when an unidentified individual on the street pulled out a gun and fired multiple shots at the vehicle.

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The injured victim was later listed in critical condition.

It remains unclear what led to the shooting and officers say no arrests have been made.

LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland

Anyone with information is asked to contact CPD Area Four Detectives at 312-746-8251 or dial 911.

Those with information that could help authorities in their investigation can also leave a tip at CPDtip.com. Tips can be filed anonymously.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
UPDATE  Allen has been found safely.

SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA)  The Spartanburg County Sheriffs Office is asking for help in locating a man who has been missing for over a week.

William Allen was last seen on October 16. Authorities said Allen was seen getting into a red car with an unknown woman, saying that he was going to visit a friend and would return on Monday October 20.

Allen was last seen wearing a white t-shirt and black shorts.

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Allen has diabetes along with other health issues, and officials said he did not take his medication with him.

The Spartanburg County Sheriffs asks anyone with information regarding Allens whereabouts to contact their office at (864) 503-4607, or to email through rbjohnson@spartanburgcounty.org.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
ST. LOUIS  A man was sentenced to several years in prison after a 2022 fatal shooting.

On Monday, Michael Winston, 29, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the shooting death of Michelle Sobel.

Winston pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a weapon after he admitted to shooting into a fleeing vehicle that Sobel was driving. As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors dismissed one count of first-degree murder and two counts of armed criminal action.

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Investigators say, on Oct. 23, 2022, Sobel was shot and killed while driving away from the Michigan Market, located on the 6600 block of Michigan Avenue in the citys Carondelet neighborhood.

Missouri men charged for headless deer dumped on road

According to investigators, Winston was initially seen on surveillance riding a pink hoverboard and entering the market the day of the shooting. At some point, investigators say a person in the vehicles front-seat passenger had taken the hoverboard, which prompted Winston to fire shots into the vehicle, which resulted in Sobels death. She was 63.

Wintons lawyers claimed the hoverboard was sentimental to Winston since it had previously belonged to his sister, who had recently drowned.

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During Mondays sentencing hearing, Winston offered an apology to Sobels family for the shooting.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A man convicted of first-degree statutory sodomy was sentenced today, Missouri Attorney General (AG) Catherine Hanaway says.

According to the AG, Joel Smith was sentenced to 25 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections following his conviction back in September. Smith was convicted for the sexual abuse of a child who was 5 years old at the time of the crime.

Two Kansas City banks robbed hours apart, suspect remains on the run

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This sentence sends a clear message that Missouri will not tolerate those who prey on our children, said AG Hanaway.

Thanks to the courage of this young victim and the tireless work of our Public Protection Section, a dangerous predator will spend decades behind bars. Our Office will always stand with victims and fight to make Missouri a safer place for every child.

The judge in the case heard statements from the victims family in September as well. The family urged the court to bring justice to Smith for the lasting harm he caused and to send a message to other victims that justice can be done.

Our prosecutors showed exceptional skill and compassion in bringing this case to justice, said Greg Goodwin, Chief Counsel of the Public Protection Section.

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A 25-year sentence reflects the seriousness of this crime and the strength of the evidence presented. Im proud of our teams unwavering commitment to protecting Missouris most vulnerable and ensuring that offenders like this one are held fully accountable.

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WARREN, Ohio (WKBN)  A man convicted of charges related to child sex abuse material in 2024 received a new sentence Wednesday in another case.

Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas Judge Sean OBrien sentenced James Harper, 45, to 10 to 13.5 years in prison. Harper will also have to register as a Tier 3 sex offender.

Harper pleaded guilty in August to an amended indictment of three counts of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance, six counts of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor, and two counts of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance, all second-degree felonies.

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Eleven other charges were dismissed at that time.

A Trumbull County grand jury returned an indictment in the case on April 3.

According to the indictment, Harper had videos showing girls ages 2 to 8 who were nude or being shown during sexual assaults from December 2023 through March 2024.

In September 2024, Harper received an 18-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to two counts of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles and a pandering obscenity charge. He has been serving time in Southeastern Correctional Institution.

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NILES, Ohio (WKBN)  A man who was identified as the driver who crashed a vehicle into two houses in Niles earlier this month pleaded guilty to OVI and was sentenced, according to court records.

Records state that Antonio Gutierrez entered a plea to OVI, while the failure to control charge was dismissed, in Niles Municipal Court on Wednesday.

Gutierrez was sentenced to a three-day driving intervention program, as well as a one-year suspension of his drivers license. He will also have to pay fines and court costs.

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Police say Gutierrez hit two houses on Cherry Avenue, near Bean Street, and the crash caused the roof of one of the homes to collapse.

No one was hurt.

Nadine Grimley contributed to this report.

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SUMNER COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  A man was sentenced to more than a decade in prison for trafficking over 2.5 pounds of cocaine through Tennessee, according to Sumner County officials.

Man charged with attempted murder following shooting in Pulaski

Thomas Dean, District Attorney General for Sumner County, posted an announcement about the sentencing to social media Thursday. Dean said William Davis was arrested on Interstate 65 in Millersville by a member of the 18th Judicial District Drug Task Force.

(Courtesy: Thomas Dean, District Attorney General for Sumner County)

(Courtesy: Thomas Dean, District Attorney General for Sumner County)

When law enforcement discovered a large quantity of cocaine hidden in the vehicle, Davis reportedly admitted he was transporting the drugs from Alabama to Kentucky. Ultimately, more than 1,200 grams  or about 2.5 pounds  of cocaine was recovered from the vehicle.

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Man charged with threatening mass casualty event in downtown Nashville

Dean added that Davis has a prior conviction for cocaine trafficking out of Kentucky. Authorities recovered text messages from his phone documenting the distribution of both cocaine and marijuana across multiple states.

On Tuesday, Judge Jennifer Nichols sentenced Davis to 12 years in prison.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A man was shot in the face at a motel near the airport area early Thursday morning after a drug deal gone wrong, according to the Memphis Police Department.

Officers say they responded to the 2700 block of Airways Boulevard just before 4 a.m.

The man was found suffering from a gunshot wound to the left side of his face at the scene and taken to the hospital in critical condition, but was upgraded to non-critical.

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From what we gathered, what the witness is saying, this was a possible drug deal that went wrong, and it is an acquaintance of the victim, said Major Timothy Foster, with MPD.

Body found in Nutbush area partially dismembered, agents say

A witness told police that she, the suspect, and another female were sitting in a motel room together. The witness said there was a knock at the door, and the suspect went to answer it.

According to her, the suspect opened the door, closed it, then pulled out a big, black handgun and shot one time through the door.

The witness said that after the suspect shot the victim, she ran out of the room and saw the man lying on the ground in blood.

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The suspect and the other female ran out of the room and left the scene behind the motel building, she stated.

The woman told officers that the victim came over to deliver drugs to the suspect.

During the investigation, officers say they received a call from a man in North Memphis who said he and the victim went to the movies and then came to the motel to buy drugs.

He said he saw the victim knock on the door and then gunfire. That is when he said he pulled off and headed home because he didnt know what the suspect was going to do.

No suspect information is available at this time, but this is still an ongoing investigation.

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4 arrested in drug bust in Covington, TN, police says

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

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CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY)  12 News has obtained an affidavit that identifies the man who was shot and killed by law enforcement earlier this week after leading them in a pursuit across Harrison County.

In the affidavit filed with Harrison County Chief Magistrate Frank DeMarco, officers identified the man who was shot as Tyrell White, adding that he was known to law enforcement as a large-scale drug distributor in Harrison County.

According to the affidavit, on Oct. 21, officers were conducting surveillance on a residence in the East View area of Harrison County that they believed would be the source of a drug deal. While surveying, officers said that a silver Ram 1500 truck with an Indiana license plate arrived at the residence for a brief period of time before leaving the area.

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After the truck left, officers contacted local patrol units and asked them to stop the truck in order to identify the driver, later identified as White. Shortly after, law enforcement units in Harrison County and the West Virginia State Police attempted to stop the vehicle, but White fled, beginning a pursuit, the affidavit said.

At that point, the truck got onto U.S. 50 East and drove toward the Interstate 79 interchange. While on the way, law enforcement attempted to stop the truck using tire deflating devices, but were unsuccessful. The vehicle then got onto I-79 South and continued toward exit 115, leading it southbound onto WV 20.

While driving on WV 20, officers said that White brandished a handgun out of the drivers side window in a threatening manner toward the officers in pursuit. He then turned onto Falls Run Road and then onto Saddletree Road, where he entered the driveway of a nearby residence.

Wanted man arrested after pursuit across Harrison County

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At that point, White exited the truck and began running toward the residence and onto its uncovered porch. Officers began pursuing White on foot, but while on the porch, he produced a firearm towards the pursuing officers in a threatening manner. This action caused the officers to open fire, killing him.

After White was no longer a threat, officers approached the truck, which they noted was still running and had its drivers side window rolled down. Officers noted the strong odor of marijuana coming from the truck and that there were large amounts of multiple controlled substances easily visible inside, as well as cash, a magnetic stash box and multiple cell phones.

Officers then obtained a search warrant for the area where the pursuit ended, where they said they located the following items:

One BB gun

44 fired cartridges

Nine fired bullets

One magazine

One towel/shirt

One bra

One bullet fragment

One pistol grip

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Officers also noted in the affidavit that the vehicle involved belonged to Enterprise Rental.

12 News spoke with West Virginia State Police Captain Jason Saurino after the pursuit Tuesday night, who said the following:

We just always ask the communitys support. If theyve identified individuals who may be at risk or may need some intervention, wed love to be involved. Hopefully, before then, before it leads to an unfortunate incident, Cpt. Saurino said.

12 News has submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the West Virginia State Police for more information on this case.

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The first video Richard LA posted to TikTok appeared on Aug. 21, 2024.

Accident at 27th and San Pedro, he wrote in Spanish under video clips showing two damaged cars and paramedics pushing a man on a gurney into an ambulance. 2 people were taken to the hospital.

Richard LA was actually Carlitos Ricardo Parias, 44, a father of two living in southern Los Angeles. His TikTok feed soon filled with similar clips. A fire at a home on 36th and Trinity streets. A car crash on 29th Street and Maple Avenue.

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His audience grew steadily over the ensuing months. And his clips were consumed even more widely when he began to focus his camera on the Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids roiling Los Angeles. Multiple videos he posted this month got more than 50,000 views.

He has risen to become this very credible, respected and admired citizen journalist, said Angelina Dumarot, a spokesperson for Los Angeles City Council member Curren Price. He did it with a lot of love and a lot of passion and in a very courageous way.

Carlitos Ricardo Parias accepts an award from the city of Los Angeles and the ninth council District on August 15, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA. (Jose Ugarte / Courtesy of Carlitos Ricardo Parias)

But there was something many didnt know: Parias was an undocumented immigrant himself, according to federal authorities. And on Tuesday, he was targeted by federal agents trying to arrest him in an immigration proceeding, leading to a chaotic confrontation in downtown Los Angeles.

"Parias was the subject of an administrative immigration arrest warrant and had avoided capture before," prosecutors said.

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After having watched Parias walk out of his home and drive off around 8:45 a.m., agents boxed in his Toyota Camry, federal prosecutors say. The agents left their vehicles and ordered Parias out of his car. But he instead drove forward and backward, striking two of the law enforcement vehicles, according to prosecutors.

When an agent tried to break the Camrys drivers side window, prosecutors said, Parias drove more aggressively. Plumes of smoke began to billow from the vehicles, apparently because of the spinning tires, prosecutors said.

With the agents fearing Parias could hit them with his Camry or dislodge it from between their vehicles, one opened fire, prosecutors said. Parias was struck in the elbow, and a deputy marshal was hit in the hand, according to prosecutors.

A witness who arrived as the agents were wrestling Parias out of his car said it felt like a little war zone.

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The man was clearly in a lot of pain, said the witness, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Parias, who is charged with assault on a federal officer, was still in the hospital Wednesday, postponing his first court hearing.

Immigration attorney Carlos Jurado speaks to the media in front of Dignity Health California Hospital Medical Center in Los Angeles on Sunday. (Keith Birmingham / MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)

His immigration attorney, Carlos Jurado, told NBC News that he tried to speak to his client Tuesday night but was barred from doing so. Jurado said they had a brief conversation by phone Wednesday morning.

He was confused as to his medical condition, as to the severity of his injuries, and he was confused as to what was going on, Jurado said.

A spokesperson for the U.S. attorneys office in Los Angeles said she wasnt privy to Parias' medical condition and doesnt know when his first appearance will be.

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An ICE spokesperson didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

Parias was an unlikely social media star. A native of Puebla, Mexico, he was working in construction before he embarked on a path as a citizen journalist.

His car was full of tools, said Jose Ugarte, a deputy chief of staff to Price, the City Council member. He said it was kind of tough these days to find work.

So he turned to recording videos of the goings-on in his neighborhood and posting them to social media. He often went live at crime or accident scenes, calmly narrating the events playing out in front of him.

Unlike some citizen journalists, Parias would steer clear of interfering with law enforcement or engaging in confrontations of any kind, according to Ugarte and others familiar with his work.

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Parias started becoming well-known in the tight-knit, heavily Latino district where he lived. But not all of his good deeds were broadcast on social media.

A neighbor said Parias once tracked down her husband to alert him that their car window was left down.

He didnt have to do that, said the neighbor, who spoke on the condition of anonymity over fears of being targeted by federal agents.

Hes just a very good person, she added.

In August, Prices office presented Parias with a certificate of recognition in honor of his unwavering commitment to keeping the South LA community informed, empowered and protected.

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Ugarte said Parias shed tears when he was presented with the certificate at a neighborhood park, with his teenage son looking on.

News of his shooting and arrest shocked and saddened many who had come to rely on his reports, according to the staffers in Prices office.

The whole community is shaken up, Dumarot said. This feels very targeted, and not for the right reasons.

Ugarte said it wasnt uncommon for Parias to reach out about incidents in the neighborhood. Their last exchange, Ugarte said, came Sept. 26, when Parias sent him an urgent message.

Jose, there is a fire on 55th and Avalon, it read. Please send the fire department as soon as possible.

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Ugarte said he called the fire department and was told it was on its way. When he checked TikTok, he saw that Parias had gotten there first and was already recording.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets in Hungary to demand an end to Soviet rule.

There are believed to have been many casualties in a day which started as a peaceful rally, and ended with running battles between police and demonstrators in which shots are said to have been fired.

The demonstrators are demanding that the former Prime Minister, Imre Nagy, be returned to power.

Mr Nagy was dismissed last year for his liberal policies, but has since been rehabilitated and was re-admitted to the Hungarian Workers Party this month.

Other demands include free elections, freedom of the press, and a withdrawal of Soviet troops.

The uprising began as a rally in central Budapest, to express solidarity with Polish demonstrators who have recently succeeded in getting their deposed liberal leader, Wladyslaw Gomulka, returned to power.

The gathering turned into a mass demonstration for a similar Hungarian declaration of independence from Moscows control.

As more and more people joined the demonstration, the First Secretary of the Hungarian Communist Party, Erno Gero, made an unscheduled radio announcement, describing as lies and rumours reports that Hungary wanted to loosen its ties with the Soviet Union. []

Immediately after the broadcast, the crowd marched on the broadcasting station. []

The incident marked the start of an escalation of violence.

A running battle began to clear the crowd away from the building, while clashes between demonstrators and armed police broke out elsewhere in the city.

When the crowds refused to disperse despite police opening fire on them, Mr Gero ordered Soviet tanks onto the streets.

The demonstrators, however, are showing no signs of giving up their protest, which is continuing into the night.

Courtesy BBC News

In context

The Hungarian Communist Party met the same night in emergency session and re-instated Imre Nagy as prime minister.

Soviet tanks were still on the streets, however, and the uprising continued.

On 25 October, tanks opened fire on a crowd in Parliament Square at point-blank range.

Soviet troops began pulling out of the Hungarian capital on 30 October. Mr Nagy formed a government which was dedicated to lifting the shackles of Soviet communism.

By 4 November, the Soviet leader, Nikita Khrushchev, sent in the tanks in a ruthless crackdown in which thousands died and another 200,000 fled the country.

Imre Nagy took refuge in the Yugoslav embassy but was abducted by Soviet agents. He was executed in 1958 after a secret trial in Budapest in which he was accused of high treason.

In 1989, he was officially rehabilitated and reburied with full honours.

Hungary remained under Soviet control until the collapse of communism in 1989.

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A man who suffered life-threatening injuries in a shooting in Jamaica Plain on Wednesday has died, police say.

According to the Boston Police Department, officers were dispatched to 15 St. Rose Street shortly before 6 p.m. for reports of a person shot.

Once on scene, officers located a man suffering from a gunshot wound. Boston EMS transported him to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries, where he was later pronounced dead.

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At this time, no arrests have been made, as Boston police and homicide detectives continue to investigate the incident.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Homicide Unit at (617) 343-4470.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A man was injured after being shot several times in Southaven, Mississippi, on Thursday morning, according to the police department.

Officers say they responded to a shooting call on Elmbrook Drive, where they found a man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

The man was then taken to Regional One Hospital.

Police say its an isolated incident with no ongoing threat to the public, and that two people have been detained.

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Man shot in face after drug deal gone wrong, police say

Drivers are asked to avoid the area while police and fire crews investigate.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

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CHIPPEWA FALLS  A 31-year-old man already incarcerated in the Wisconsin prison system is accused of threatening to kill the judge hearing his case at a recent court proceeding, according to the criminal complaint.

Dustin E. Hewitt was charged Wednesday in Chippewa County Court with one count of battery or threat to a judge. He will appear in court Dec. 30 before Judge Benjamin Lane.

Hewitt is already incarcerated at Columbia Correctional Institution in Portage.

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Chippewa County District Attorney Wade Newell told the Leader-Telegram that he does not plan to recuse himself at this time, but he may do so later on.

According to the criminal complaint, Hewitt had appeared via video conferencing in the Chippewa County Courthouse on July 24. Newell noted that the back-and-forth conversation between the judge and Hewitt has been documented in a verbatim transcript.

The hearing was to see if Hewitt was competent to stand trial. Hewitt told the judge he objected.

Well I think the matter is that when I come before a 12-person jury and I put my hands on you and your life is ended, that Wade [Newell] is gonna have to explain to the public why  how it got to this point, Hewitt reportedly said to the judge.

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The judge replied, What?

Hewitt continued, And you continue to disregard the filings that have been made.

The judge attempted to speak, but Hewitt interrupted him and stated, Well, Im gonna  all right. So you just gave me consent to cause your death, so...

The judge responded, Sorry, what? The judge said he didnt think he accurately heard Hewitt, but Hewitt responded, You did hear me. And you are looking at the filings. You knew about the filings.

Court records state the name of the judge who presided over the July 24 hearing, but the criminal complaint protects his identity.

According to online state records, Hewitt was charged with simulating legal criminal process in Eau Claire County Court in September. He is slated to return to court on that charge Oct. 30.

Hewitt was found guilty by a Rusk County jury of four counts of issuing bomb scares in 2019 and was ordered to serve three years in prison and two years of extended supervision. He also was found guilty in Eau Claire County Court of issuing a bomb scare in 2018 and was given an 18-month prison sentence.
IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A Madison man is facing felony charges after investigators said he sexually assaulted several minors across three North Carolina counties.

According to the Iredell County Sheriffs Office, Shane Dalton York, 33, was arrested on October 17 following a multi-county investigation.

York is charged in Iredell County with one count of felony human trafficking, two counts of felony statutory rape, and two counts of felony indecent liberties with a child.

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The investigation began earlier this month when deputies received a report of multiple sexual assaults involving juveniles. Detectives determined the assaults took place between January and October 2025 in northern Iredell County.

Former Hornets star Terry Rozier named in FBI investigation into illegal sports betting

Investigators said York used his involvement in the rodeo community to meet and groom his victims. As the investigation continued, detectives discovered that York had allegedly victimized additional juveniles in Davidson and Stokes counties.

Detectives from all three counties worked together to locate and arrest York at his home in Stokes County. During questioning, officials said York confessed to the crimes.

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Hes now being held at the Davidson County Detention Center under a $3 million secured bond, covering charges from all three counties.

This case remains active and additional charges are expected.

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Iredell County

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MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  Montgomery County police announced that a man who was wanted for attempted murder was taken into custody following a police chase in Washington, D.C., and Maryland.

The Montgomery County Department of Police (MCPD) said 33-year-old Deondray Darnell Osborne was arrested in connection with a shooting that took place in Silver Spring on July 20.

His arrest comes just days after police announced that Osborne was wanted for attempted murder.

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As the investigation continued, detectives learned that the Silver Spring man was driving a stolen BMW from Washington, D.C. On Oct. 21, around 4:11 p.m., a Montgomery County officer with a license plate reader spotted the stolen car near East-West Highway and Grubb Road.

DC man arrested in 2023 shooting that killed three, left 2 hurt

Detectives were then notified that the BMV was seen in D.C. after a theft took place in the 5500 block of Connecticut Avenue NW.

As the search for the Osborne continued, D.C. police officers and federal task force agents began tracking the BMV, and a chase was initiated.

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MCPD said the car sped through Northwest D.C. and then traveled into Montgomery County.

During the chase, police noted that Osborne failed to stop and continued driving in the 1900 block of Lyttonsville Road, where he exited the BMV, walked to a Honda on 16th Street, and got in.

Police then followed the Honda and eventually stopped the car on Georgia Avenue and Siminary Road, where officers surrounded the vehicle.

Osborne was taken to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit and is being held without bond.

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Los Angeles police were investigating a murder-suicide that left two people dead in the Windsor Square neighborhood.

Officers responded to a shooting call at a home on Ridgewood Place around 11:43 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

When they arrived, they found two people dead - a woman who is believed to be the victim and a 39-year-old man who police say is the suspect.

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A third person, a 70-year-old woman, was also shot. She was taken to the hospital in stable condition.

Investigators recovered a handgun at the scene, but additional details about what led up to the shooting were not available.

The relationship between all three of the individuals was also not known.
MANITOWOC, Wis. (WFRV)  Two Pick n Save employees are being recognized for their quick actions that helped save a customers life inside the Manitowoc store.

Appletons blind community experiences Beauty & The Beast through touch tour in Appleton

Katilyn Popp and Samarah Holschpach were presented with certificates of appreciation and the Allstate Angel Award on Thursday morning for performing CPR on a customer who collapsed while shopping.

Samarah Holschpach (Left) Katilyn Popp (Right)

I just kind of ended up on the floor right after he fell down, said Popp. I just did what I had to do.

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Holschpach, who was just starting her shift when it happened, says the experience changed her perspective.

It definitely changed me, she said. I was already going to go into first responding, so it kind of helped me step forward in that way.

Manitowoc Police Officer Mike Laabs, who arrived moments later with an AED, helped the two employees continue life-saving measures until paramedics took over.

Its criticalcontinuing the heart to supply blood through the body is crucial, Laabs said. We kept that going until the AED and then paramedics arrived.

Company leaders and local officials joined the employees at the recognition event, where they were celebrated for their teamwork and courage.

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State Representative Rivera-Wagner honors Green Bay Police Officer and K9 Partner as districts First Responders of the Year

Both women will also be nominated for Wisconsins Hometown Hero Award, a statewide honor that recognizes everyday citizens who perform acts of heroism in their communities.

Thanks to their quick response  and the coordinated effort from first responders  the customer has since made a full recovery.

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The Department of the Interior has plans to fire at least an additional 2,050 employees imminently, it wrote in a declaration filed in federal court on Monday.

Workers from the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Geological Survey, among others, are included in the pending workforce cull.

Since the start of the current administration, with several court-ordered pauses, the Department of the Interior has repeatedly reviewed and evaluated its current workforce and its departmental needs, wrote a Department of the Interior spokesperson in an email to Deseret News.

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This includes examining efficiencies, reducing redundancies, as well as offering deferred retirement programs and exploring options related to reductions in force (RIFs).

Amid the rhetoric of layoffs surrounding the government shutdown, the spokesperson  and the court filing  both make clear that those cuts are not associated.

Any RIFs contemplated or planned by the department predate the congressional Democrats shutdown, wrote the Interior Department spokesperson.

Where could jobs be lost?

A Bureau of Land Management sign is pictured in Rush Valley in Tooele County on Monday, July 7, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

This workforce reduction, however, takes aim at positions across 89 different competitive areas, where over 14,000 federal employees work. Those areas span the National Park Service, Bureau of Reclamation, as well as BLM offices in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Utah.

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Within the 89 competitive areas, Interior intended to abolish 2,050 positions, reads the declaration, signed by Rachel Borra, the chief human capital officer for the Department of the Interior.

For the shared BLM office for Oregon and Washington, there are 95 workers whose jobs are on the line. At the BLMs national operations center in Denver, there are 87 out of 177 positions or about 47%. The Interior Departments communications office  people who respond to journalists questions  would lose 129 of 443 employees.

Utahs BLM offices have 783 employees who are responsible for managing nearly 23 million acres. Thats an area almost the size of Indiana, and averages out to more than 29,000 acres per person.

The DOI is planning on reducing that staff by 93 people, according to the court filing.

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The BLM is already chronically understaffed, under-resourced, and reeling from layoffs earlier this year, Steve Bloch, the legal director for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, said in a statement.

In Utah alone, the administration is proposing to fire nearly 12% of the BLMs workforce. Those cuts will further degrade the agencys capacity to steward public lands, ultimately diminishing visitor experiences and harming Utahs red rock country.

Kathleen Sgamma, principal for Multiple-Use Advocacy and a former candidate to be the BLM director in the Trump administration, reiterated that point.

If you cut too much from BLM, then youre starting to cut from bone, Sgamma said.

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The Trump administration has the very clear goal to unleash American energy and BLM is a key agency for doing so. If you really want to unleash American energy, and then you cut BLM staff too much, then how are we supposed to do this?

Why were the numbers published?

Several labor unions representing federal workers sued the Department of the Interior in California federal court for more information regarding any planned workforce reductions.

As a result, the Judge Susan Illston, based in San Francisco, ordered the agency to provide declarations that identify any RIFs that have been or are being planned or prepared to be issued during the federal government shutdown.

The focus of the order, however, was only for those workers that were part of collective bargaining agreements. It only required information for the federal employees who were members of, among others, the National Federation of Federal Employees, the Service Employees International Union and the National Association of Government Employees.

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In the declaration, Borra stipulated that of the 14,012 workers within the 89 competitive areas under review, that 4,833 of them were part of the unions.

Its from that number, specifically, that those 2,050 positions are being eliminated.

The Interior Department spokesperson did not respond to questions about whether or not there were any other reductions for the remaining 9,179 non-unionized positions or for the broader agencys workforce.

Which is something that worries Jennifer Rokala, executive director of the Center for Western Priorities.

Even more alarming is that Doug Burgum still wont tell the American people how much more he plans to cut. Todays filing is only a portion of the pain hes trying to inflict on our parks and public lands, Rokala said in a statement.

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We dont know how many non-union offices and positions are also on the chopping block.

What else did the court filing reveal?

Based on percentages, the U.S. Geological Survey will see the greatest job reduction, with the Midcontinent Region office losing 79% of its staff, the Missouri office losing 78% and Fort Collins office losing 56%.

The USGS agency provides science about the natural hazards that threaten lives and livelihoods ... develop(ing) new methods and tools to enable timely, relevant, and useful information about the Earth and its processes.

USGS research underpins everything from American energy to insurance to transportation, Rokala said.

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The cuts that Secretary Burgum envisions would devastate scientific research across the Rocky Mountains, Great Plains and Great Lakes. These layoffs, if they come to fruition, would also devastate the National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management, getting rid of the planning, construction, and regional offices that make our parks and public lands the envy of the world.

The declaration also included eliminating 272 positions from the National Park Service, which has already seen an at least 24% reduction in its workforce since Trumps inauguration in January.

With the National Park System, the Southeast Regional Office will lose about one-third of its staff, with 69 of 222 positions abolished. The Pacific West will lose 57 out of 198, the Northeast Region will lose 63 out of 224, with another regional support office losing 18 out of 86.

Despite those cuts, the Department of the Interior reiterated its commitment to keeping parks open by prioritizing guest-focused roles, promoting energy production initiatives and reducing regulatory burdens.

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The agency also intends to preserve its firefighting, law enforcement, aviation and critical infrastructure maintenance capabilities.

Even with those core commitments, Bloch expressed concern that the scale of what was being considered was being lost  particularly in Utah.

These are not faceless bureaucrats as the administration would like you to believe. If you live in places like Price, Moab, Richfield or Kanab, these people are a core part of the local community. Federal employees, such as those who work for the BLM, make up a large percentage of the workforce in rural Utah, Bloch said.

For example, government employees (including but not limited to federal employees) make up 23% of the workforce in Garfield County and 25% in Wayne County. Its plain to see that the Trump administration couldnt care less about the federal workforce and the benefit these public servants bring to all Americans.




Weeks into the fall real estate market, despite an increase in discounted properties Connecticut house hunters are having a harder time finding deals than those in neighboring states, according to new Redfin data.

In September, nearly 56% of houses and condos sold in Connecticut for above listed prices, according to Redfin. While that was down from 58.4% of homes going above asking prices in September 2024, Connecticut prices remain elevated compared to New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

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Real estate brokers continue to say that houses hitting the market in Connecticut are being snapped up if not overpriced or having other issues, with some cities and towns seeing greater activity depending on geography and other factors. In the meantime, renters face a continuing squeeze with any sustained easing of lease rates having yet to occur.

"As the concentric circles go out from Manhattan, up in the northeast corner of Connecticut is not the same as Fairfield County; ... but overall we are outperforming the rest of the country - by a lot," said Paul Breunich, CEO of William Pitt Sotheby's International Realty based in Stamford, in an interview the second week of October. "I don't know when that's going to come back into equilibrium - it's when the inventory gets higher."

Massachusetts has become a comparative bargain in 2025 with nearly 14% more homes listed for sale as of September compared to 12 months earlier, giving buyers more pricing power. Connecticut listings were up just 3% in September, according to Redfin, compared to 6% in New York and 10% in Rhode Island.

While Connecticut is seeing slightly higher numbers of homes with price cuts at 22.7% of all properties listed for sale, that was far below the Massachusetts discounting rate above 30% of all homes on the market. Connecticut edged slightly closer to New York's rate of 24.8% of listings having had price cuts, with the Rhode Island figure at 25.9%.

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Nationally, buyers are seeing the biggest discounting of any autumn since 2019 on the eve of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Redfin, with 25.3% of homes selling for over their final listing price in September, down from 28.5% a year earlier.

Includes prior reporting by Victoria Stavish.

This article originally published at Many Connecticut homes still sell above asking, outpacing neighboring states.
A long ambition for the Timorese government and its people, Timor-Leste (East Timor) is officially joining the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as its 11th member.

ASEAN is a regional group of 10 Southeast Asian states that aims to promote economic and security cooperation among its members.

Ahead of the upcoming 47th ASEAN Summit, which will take place in the Malaysian capital city of Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, Timor-Leste will be officially recognized as an ASEAN member, the Times interviewed the countrys delegate to the Permanent Secretariat of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries-Macau (Forum Macau), Dr. Antonio Ramos da Silva, on what this new membership represents for the Timorese and the challenges and benefits it poses for the Portuguese-speaking Southeast Asian country.

Macau Daily Times (MDT)  How do you see Timor-Lestes joining of ASEAN, and what does it represent for the Timorese nation?

Antonio Ramos da Silva (ARS)  This membership brings advantages from a regional geopolitical and geoeconomic perspective. ASEAN is critical in its member countries economic and commercial development. It establishes a partnership between ASEAN and external partners and stakeholders.

As a member of ASEAN, from a diplomatic and political point of view, ASEAN acts as a regional player on the international stage, having several cooperation and dialogue agreements with other global and regional actors, such as ASEAN-EU, ASEAN-US, ASEAN-China, ASEAN-MERCOSUR, ASEAN-Japan, ASEAN-Australia, ASEAN-South Korea, among others.

Based on Timor-Lestes national agenda, our purpose with ASEAN is to promote peace and democracy at the regional and global levels.

MDT  What are Timor-Lestes most significant benefits and responsibilities?

ARS  From a geostrategic point of view, Timor-Leste has always expressed its interest in joining a regional organization such as ASEAN as soon as it regained its independence in May 2002.

Timor-Leste expressed its national commitment to joining ASEAN and submitted a formal application to ASEAN in 2011.

Since then, Timor-Leste has become an observer member of the organization. Under Indonesias rotating presidency, through the Labuan Bajo summit on the island of Flores, Indonesia, in May 2023, ASEAN approved the roadmap for Timor-Lestes membership. This mainly involves compliance with the three pillars, including the ASEAN Political Security Community (APSC), the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC).

For two years (2023 and 2024), Timor-Leste has been preparing to meet the requirements established to comply with the roadmap for membership, which was recently unveiled by the rotating ASEAN Chair and Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim. Ibrahim noted that Timor-Lestes full membership will be formalized on October 26.

In terms of benefits, it will bring advantages from the point of view of economic and trade relations between ASEAN members who represent a population of 700 million and are considered one of the most dynamic economies in the world. It will encourage the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises to compete in the ASEAN market. At the same time, it will open the national market to ASEAN members.

As an ASEAN member, Timor-Leste will assume its responsibility to promote peace and harmony among nations at the regional and global levels. It will implement all ASEAN rules in force as national legislation. It will also develop closer government-to-government relations and promote dialogue between people at the people-to-people level.

MDT  Given Chinas proximity to ASEAN countries, will Timor-Leste have a more direct connection with China?

ARS  ASEAN has, in fact, a very close dialogue and cooperation with the Peoples Republic of China. On the other hand, among the 11 ASEAN member countries, all have direct borders with China, except for Singapore and Timor-Leste. Regarding regional geostrategy, Timor-Leste and the Peoples Republic of China would benefit from Timor-Lestes entry as a member of ASEAN. From the perspective of economic and trade relations between China and ASEAN, with the joining of Timor-Leste, many Chinese companies have begun to look to Timor-Leste as a point of entry into the ASEAN and Pacific markets due to Timor-Lestes strategic geographic location. Large distribution chains such as Alibaba and Taobao, among others, have begun to seek to establish their headquarters in Timor-Leste.

MDT  Will this membership somehow raise Timor-Lestes status in the Portuguese-speaking Countries Community (CPLP) and the Macau Forum?

ARS  Timor-Leste could become the bridge between ASEAN and the Portuguese-speaking countries and further strengthen Macaus role as a Sino-Lusophone platform and bring it closer to ASEAN.

Portuguese-speaking countries will have a privileged presence in the region, which has 700 million consumers and is one of the most dynamic regions in the world. For Macau, Timor-Lestes full membership in ASEAN will also further promote the trade relations between the Macau SAR and ASEAN.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  For the first time since the public was granted access to Oswego Lake, officials have unveiled a report on the enforcement, expenditures and feedback related to the opening.

Lake Oswego released its findings on Tuesday, more than seven months after Clackamas County Circuit Court Judge Kathie Steele ruled the city could no longer obstruct access to the lake from Millennium Plaza Park.

Tigard school confirms oven cleaner was sprinkled on pretzels served to students

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According to the report, officials hired a seasonal park ranger who began serving the plaza in late May and is expected to continue through Oct. 31. This park ranger, identified as Taylor Forte, counted 3,197 park entries from late May to mid-October.

Data show a majority of the entries  about 66%  were from paddleboarders, while there were 747 entries from kayakers, 253 for fishing and just 63 for swimming.

On its busiest day, the lake welcomed around 100 people. Officials found that the site was the busiest in July and August, although they noted it was temporarily closed in an effort to manage public safety and limited city resources amid the Fourth of July holiday.

The closure was evaluated in anticipation of the large crowds, high staffing needs for community events, and increased service requests for first responders expected over the holiday weekend, the report reads. The public complied with the closures, but the City received a high level of negative publicity. We will be evaluating whether it is possible to achieve a similar outcome with a narrower closure period.

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Lake usage dropped after Labor Day, with the exception of one week that had higher temperatures. Visitation also dropped significantly after the Oregon Health Authority issued an algae bloom advisory later that month.

The report mentioned other public safety concerns, noting the citys efforts to install security equipment similar to that seen at other local parks. Officials also placed loaner life jackets and swim buoys on site for free to address the lakes most significant violation  referring to the 25% of visitors who didnt have a life jacket from May to July.

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Other comment rule violations were entering the lake with trolling motors and inner tubes, rather than inflatables approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Over the summer, specifically, authorities estimated that the Lake Oswego Police Department received between 10 and 20 calls for service on nearby docks or properties that border the lake.

Only 37% of Oregons independent music venues were profitable in 2024, report shows

The data does not specify whether the call was related to a member of the public who entered Oswego Lake, the document states. We cannot conclude whether these calls were the result of public entry.

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According to officials, the new report does not include the activity on Oswego Lake itself as the city is not responsible for managing the lake. The Oregon State Marine Board is responsible for enforcing rules.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Satellite imagery analysis by Al Jazeeras fact-checking agency Sanad shows that the Israeli army holds about 40 active military positions in the part of the Gaza Strip outside the yellow line, the invisible boundary established under the first phase of the ceasefire to which its troops had to move, according to the deal.

The images also show that Israel is upgrading several of these facilities, which help it maintain its occupation of 58 percent of Gaza even after the pullback by troops to the yellow line.

While the majority of sites are concentrated in southern Gaza, every governorate hosts at least one military position. Some sites are built on bases established during the war, while others are newly constructed. The total number of sites in each governorate is:

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North Gaza: 9

Gaza City: 6

Deir el-Balah: 1

Khan Younis: 11

Rafah: 13

INTERACTIVE - Where Israeli forces are positioned yellow line gaza map-1761200950

One of the most prominent military points in Gaza City is located on top of al-Muntar Hill in the Shujayea neighbourhood of Gaza City. A comparison of images between September 21 and October 14 shows the base being paved and asphalted.

Where is the invisible yellow line?

Since the ceasefire took effect about two weeks ago, nearly 100 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks across the Strip, with some attacks occurring near the yellow line.

On October 18, Israeli forces killed 11 members of 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 return home to inspect it.

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The Israeli military said soldiers had fired at a suspicious vehicle that had crossed the so-called yellow line. With no physical markers for the line, however, many Palestinians cannot determine the location of this invisible boundary. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has since said the army will install visual signs to indicate the lines location.

In the first ceasefire phase, Israel retains control of more than half of the Gaza Strip, with areas beyond the yellow line still under its military presence. This has blocked residents of Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanoon, the neighbourhoods of Shujayea, Tuffah, Zeitoun, most of Khan Younis, and all of Rafah City from returning home.

INTERACTIVE - Gaza map Israels withdrawal in Trumps 20-point plan yellow line map-1760017243

What are the next phases of Trumps 20-point Gaza plan?

According to the 20-point plan announced by United States President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on September 29  developed without any Palestinian input  Israel is to withdraw its forces in three phases, as shown on an accompanying crude map, with each phase marked in a different colour:

INTERACTIVE Trump 20-point Gaza plan-1759216486

Initial withdrawal (yellow line): In the first phase, Israeli forces pulled back to the line designated in yellow on the map. Hamas has released all living Israeli captives that were in Gaza, and most of the dead bodies of captives who passed away in the enclave.

Second withdrawal (red line): During the second phase, an International Stabilisation Force (ISF) will be mobilised to oversee security and support Palestinian policing, while Israeli forces are to retreat further to the line marked in red, reducing their direct presence in Gaza.

Third withdrawal (security buffer zone): In the final phase, Israeli forces are to pull back to a designated security buffer zone, leaving a limited portion of Gaza under Israeli military control, while an international administrative body supervises governance and a transitional period.

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Even after the third withdrawal phase, Palestinians will be confined to an area which is smaller than before the war, continuing a pattern of Israels control over Gaza and its people.

Many questions remain about how the plan will be implemented, the exact boundaries of Palestinian territory, the timing and scope of Israeli withdrawals, the role of the ISF, and the long-term implications for Palestinians across Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

The plan is also silent on whether Israel gets to continue its aerial and sea blockade of Gaza, which has been in place for the past 18 years.
Tropical Storm Melissa is forecast to strengthen into a major hurricane  possible as high as Category 5  in the next several days as it meanders around the Caribbean, bringing catastrophic rains to several islands including Haiti and Jamaica.

The forecast is unusually complicated and the future track of Melissa remains uncertain. But forecasters said southern parts of Florida could face the threat of a hurricane. The current cone of uncertainty, which extends out five days, shows Melissa virtually stalled near Jamaica.

The so-called spaghetti models, which extend out for a longer period of time, show that Melissa could take one of many possible paths. But as of early Thursday, most of the models agree on a sharp turn to the north, then northeast, and all of them keep Melissa east of Florida. Forecasters said it could be days before the exact path becomes clear.

Most of the models show Melissa rapidly intensifying to major hurricane status in two or three days as the atmosphere becomes more conducive for development. Some models show it reaching Category 5 during that period before the turn north.
As Sylvia Herrera recalled, she was at a meeting with Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone as he talked about how much money the agency was spending to comply with a federal judges orders in a racial profiling case.

Herrera, who was part of a community advisory board appointed in the case, saw the pie charts and eye-watering numbers Penzone presented. He complained about the amount spent and how the judge was still not satisfied.

But she thought about the problem differently.

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To her, the question wasnt why the judge was forcing the Sheriff's Office to spend so much money to ensure the countys residents were being treated fairly and not being racially profiled.

Her question was this: If the Sheriffs Office was spending all this money, why had it not complied with all the judges orders after all these years?

It gave me a thought in terms of what exactly was all that personnel and money being spent on, she said in an interview with The Arizona Republic.

Those questions would lead the federal judge in the case to order an audit of the money the Sheriffs Office said it was spending to comply with required reforms.

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The audit found that more than 70% of the money the Sheriff's Office claimed it spent over 10 years to comply with the judges order had nothing to do with it.

Much of the Sheriff's Office's reported spending on the civil rights case occurred under Sheriff Paul Penzone's tenure, who ousted longtime Sheriff Joe Arpaio in 2016, partly on a platform of reforming the office he said was mismanaged by Arpaio.

The audit said it appeared the office used the civil rights case as an excuse to go on a spending spree, padding the general operations of the Sheriffs Office with additional staff, equipment and travel. Sheriff Jerry Sheridan said in an Oct. 9 statement that his office "found discrepancies" in the audit, and at least two county supervisors have questioned its findings.

An attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union, Jenn Rolnick Borchetta, said she wasn't sure why the Sheriff's Office spent so much money under cover of the Melendres case.

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"It is concerning that they used this case as a way to cover expenses," she said. She spoke with The Republic as she entered the federal courthouse in downtown Phoenix for a public meeting regarding the case on Oct. 22.

The judge, G. Murray Snow, had said in a minute entry that he intended to open the meeting by thanking the community advisory board.

Spending by the Sheriff's Office did not evade the scrutiny of some members of that board, whose existence was mandated by the judge. Especially Herrera, a longtime community organizer.

Herrera was quoted in a May 2023 article in The Republic wondering where the money was going. Behind the scenes, she and other board members were asking pointed questions and pressing the Sheriffs Office for answers.

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One of the lines we heard was the Sheriffs Office has to serve all of Maricopa County, Herrera said. That was true, she said, but the office was under specific orders to comply with a judges order, and that was her focus. At some point, she said, we have to specify.

The case  originally called Melendres v. Arpaio  stemmed from Arpaios efforts to use his deputies to find people in the country illegally.

Arpaio would sweep Latino neighborhoods, looking for reasons to question people about their citizenship status. People who had been targeted in the operations, including a legal immigrant named Miguel de Jesus Ortega Melendres, filed a federal class action suit claiming their civil rights were violated.

The judge found the claims had merit. He ordered the Sheriff's Office to comply with a long list of orders  added to in successive rulings  meant to ensure that residents of Maricopa County were not racially profiled.

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The case lingered as the judge found the Sheriffs Office had not completed the tasks he had assigned.

He installed a monitor to help ensure compliance. That monitor was paid for by the Sheriffs Office.

Over the years, as the case was inherited by three sheriffs who succeeded Arpaio, the reported costs of compliance rose.

Sheriffs, including Penzone, began citing the tally as grounds to end the case.

Members of the county's Board of Supervisors this year also called for the case to end, citing the cost. A member of Congress, Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., asked the U.S. Attorney General to weigh in and tell the court the Department of Justice thought the Sheriffs Office was in compliance.

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But the longest-serving member of the community advisory board set up by the court in this case said the inflated dollar amount was being used as a smokescreen.

It is a lot of money, said Raul Pina, a retired elementary school principal, except for the pesky truth.

Top stories: Phoenix rolls out early warning software system to predict police misconduct

Pina has served on the board since nearly its inception.

As a principal, he said, he would hear from students whose family members had been arrested in Arpaios sweeps and eventually deported. He decided to get involved with the board, whose members were picked by the American Civil Liberties Union, to do what he could to resolve the situation.

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Pina said Arpaio never engaged with the community board.

But Penzone changed course.

Raul Pina, a member of the community advisory board in the Melendres racial profiling lawsuit, in front of the Phoenix federal courthouse on Oct. 22, 2025. Pina raised questions about the Maricopa County Sheriffs Office's spending on complying with court orders.

Penzone was a former public information officer for the Phoenix Police Department who handled forums and meetings with the community board with aplomb.

He was very smooth, Pina said. He did well creating this narrative; he was engaged with us.

But Pina noticed a shift by 2023. The judge found Penzone in contempt of court for failing to address the backlog of internal affairs cases as ordered. And Herrera, Pina and other members of the community advisory board were asking questions about the spending. Pina said getting answers was like pulling teeth.

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Pina said he and Herrera were having detailed conversations about the spending and started researching other departments that had court-appointed monitors. He said they found it was typical for agencies to use the oversight as an excuse for excessive spending.

Law enforcement will just pad the numbers and chalk it up to reform, he said.

Still, he said, he was surprised at the audits finding of more than 70% of spending being mislabeled.

We imagined there would be some of that, he said. But the number we saw was outrageous."

The community advisory board had asked Penzone to detail the costs of complying with the courts order sometime in 2023. The MCSO provided figures that the judge in the case, G. Murray Snow, viewed with skepticism, according to an order he wrote.

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Snow asked the Sheriffs Office in 2023 for a study to determine the staffing levels it would need to comply with his orders.

Snow would find the report produced by the Sheriffs Office in response to be deficient. That, along with requests from the community advisory board, led him to order the audit in September 2024.

It was released more than a year later.

Penzone, who has not responded to inquiries from The Republic, announced his resignation from the Sheriffs Office in December 2023. He left office in January 2024. But Pina thought he might have seen that his spending would undergo scrutiny.

It makes you wonder, Pina said. What did he know?

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: MCSO audit sparked by spending questions from community leaders




With less than two weeks before Fairfax voters decide whether to recall the town's mayor and vice mayor, the development project at the heart of the divisive fight continues to roil the waters of the laid-back Marin community.

This week the battle over a proposed 243-unit apartment complex on the edge of downtown Fairfax escalated once again with the developer arguing that the project is administratively approved under state law while a pair of embattled elected town officials countered that the application is still not complete.

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On Monday, land use attorney Riley Hurd, who represents Mill Creek Residential, the developer of the proposed Frogs hot tub complex at 95 Broadway, wrote a letter informing Fairfax Planning and Building Services Director Jeffrey Beiswenger that the "project has been approved by operation of law."

Hurd argued that, under state law, Fairfax had 60 days to process the application and either deny or approve the project. Should the city miss the deadline, "the failure to act shall be deemed approval of the permit application for the development project," according to a letter the attorney wrote to the town, referencing the state's permit streamlining act.

The project application was received on Aug. 18, which means that the approval or denial deadline was Oct. 17, Hurd said.

"As of today's date, the Town has not approved or disapproved the project as required, and therefore the project is deemed approved," Hurd said. "We will be submitting construction drawings for building department review shortly and look forward to working with the Town on the timely processing of a building permit."

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The assertion that the project had been "approved by operation of law," was refuted by Fairfax Mayor Lisel Blash and Vice Mayor Stephanie Hellman, who are both facing a recall vote because of their support for a rezoning that would allow more housing in Fairfax.

In a statement, Hellman and Blash said "any development in Fairfax must go through the full, lawful planning review process - without shortcuts, threats, or special treatment." They said the application contained 25 "deficiencies that presented the application as inconsistent with Fairfax's safety, environmental, and community standards."

The mayor and vice mayor said the developer has until Nov. 17 to address the issues.

"Let's be crystal clear - Fairfax followed the law, and this project was not approved," Blash said. "Developers don't get to invent their own outcomes or bully our town into submission. We stand by our professional staff, who acted with integrity and did their jobs to protect Fairfax's people, its environment, and its character."

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Vice Mayor Hellman said Fairfax is committed to meeting state housing goals.

"We are not anti-housing - we are pro-safety, pro-sustainability, and pro-community," Hellman said. "We'll always support housing that meets the standards our residents expect and deserve."

The latest skirmish is the latest chapter in a fight that has gripped the left-leaning Marin town of Fairfax, pitting neighbor against neighbor in a canyon town more associated with mountain biking and hiking than politics. Ironically, the elected officials now clashing with the developer over whether the project application is complete are being recalled by residents who argue the politicians were overly pro-development in rezoning the Frogs site as part of the state-mandated housing plan.

In September, in an about-face from earlier stances, town officials seemed to side with the developer, saying that the project will be approved if consistent with town design standards. The town, at that time, said the project would be presented to the Planning Commission as an "informational item," but would not require approvals.

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That means the project's opponents will be unable to appeal its approval or file a lawsuit to stop it under the California Environmental Quality Act, known as CEQA and commonly used to slow down or kill housing development.

"The consequence of not following this process could result in state housing law enforcement actions against the Town of Fairfax," Beiswenger stated at the time. "These enforcement actions could include fines, housing element de-certification and other penalties."

This article originally published at Marin County town officials renew fight over proposed housing, even as a recall election looms.
MARSHALL, Texas (KTAL/KMSS)  The annual Marshall High School Homecoming Carnival & Pep Rally is tonight, October 23, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Marshall High School.

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In addition to the pep rally, there will be a bonfire, games, and more.

Attendees can enjoy food trucks, a DJ, games, and bounce houses.

Marshall alum Savion Williams drafted by Green Bay Packers

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The pep rally serves as the precursor to the Mavericks (5-2 overall, 2-1 district) homecoming game against the Nacogdoches Dragons (6-1, 3-0) on October 24 at 7:30 p.m.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.
AMES, Iowa  Mary Greeley Medical Center announced on Thursday that it will be closing the Israel Family Hospice House at the end of the year.

The hospice house has been providing end-of-life care to patients since 1999. In a statement posted on the medical centers website, the decision to close the house was made due to the decline in patients being served at the home. According to the medical center, the home contains 10 patient rooms, but on average only about four to five patients are at the home at a time. In the past, the medical center said there have been times when there were no patients in the home.

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The medical center also cited financial strain as another factor for the closure, as the house has reportedly operated at a loss for several years and has been subsidized from the Mary Greeley Foundation to remain in operation, which the medical center says is unsustainable.

The Israel Family Hospice House is one part of the medical centers whole Hospice Program. According to the medical center, the closure of the house will not affect the Mary Greeley Home Hospice program, which services six counties in central Iowa.

The medical centers Board of Trustees is expected to vote on the closure during their meeting on October 28. If approved, the Israel Family Hospice House will close on December 31, 2025.

To learn more about the closure and the other hospice services provided by Mary Greeley visit the medical centers website.

Iowa news

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com.
A group representing civil engineers says Marylands transportation and water systems are performing adequately but face long-term concerns, giving the states infrastructure an overall grade of C. The mark is consistent with the 2025 national infrastructure score and Marylands most recent score in 2020.

The Maryland Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers released its 2025 Infrastructure Report Card on Thursday, with scores ranging from a D-plus for transit to a B for ports and solid waste.

There is still a lot of work ahead to ensure Marylanders have an infrastructure system that is future-ready, ASCE Maryland Section President Rachel Sangree said during Thursdays announcement at the Office of the Comptroller in Annapolis.

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The report, which assigns grades from A to F, evaluates 13 key infrastructure categories: aviation, bridges, dams, drinking water, energy, hazardous waste, ports, rail, roads, solid waste, stormwater, transit and wastewater. The grades are intended to give residents and policymakers a snapshot of infrastructure conditions and identify areas in need of investment, Sangree said.

These grades are by no means a reflection of the people and the agencies who work very hard each day to operate and maintain those systems, she said. We hope this information provides additional insights and sparks important discussions about the need to prioritize the system that Marylanders rely on every day.

Breaking down key categories

Although Marylands overall grade remained unchanged from its latest report, the states roads fell from a C to a C-minus, and bridges dropped from a B to a B-minus.

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The report follows last years collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which disrupted global shipping and underscored the interconnectedness of Marylands transportation network. Sangree emphasized, however, that the collapse was not the main reason for the downgrade. Instead, she pointed to the age of the states bridges.

Forty percent of Marylands bridges are over 50 years old, and by 2030 that number will increase to 57 percent, she said, adding that most bridges were built to last 50-70 years. Cities and counties across the state will need to prepare to rehabilitate or replace thousands of bridges.

Even so, Sangree noted that only about 4.5 percent of Marylands bridges are in poor condition  slightly lower than the national rate and an improvement from the states last report card.

On Monday, a 19th-century bridge in northern Baltimore County collapsed as a septic truck drove over it. The cause of the collapse remains under investigation, but the operator of the truck was not found at fault, according to the Baltimore County Police Department. The Baltimore County Department of Public Works and Transportation said the bridge passed an inspection last December and was rated in fair condition.

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Aging infrastructure is also a concern in the water sector, said Kishia Powell, general manager of WSSC Water, which serves more than 1.9 million customers in Prince Georges and Montgomery counties. The states drinking water received a C and wastewater a C-plus.

Many of our pipes, plants and pumping stations were built generations ago and are still being relied upon to do far more than they were ever designed to handle, she said at the news conference, calling for increased investment in Marylands water systems and emphasizing the potential economic and public health benefits.

The downgrade for roads reflects the fact that nearly half of Marylands major roads are in mediocre or poor condition, along with rising construction costs and declining fuel-tax revenue, according to Sangree.

Marylands energy grade also fell, from a C-minus to a D-plus. Sangree said the rapid growth of data centers and electric vehicle use has driven up power demand, while aging power plants and limited new generation capacity are straining the system.

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Marylands energy generation infrastructure is aging, and the state has no plans for additional coal, oil, gas or nuclear generation facilities in the next five years, she said. The energy grid operator has requested that several aging facilities stay operational longer than planned.

Marylands ports received a B, tied with solid waste for the highest grade in this years report.

The Port of Baltimore contributes $63 billion a year to Marylands economy  about 12% of the states GDP, Sangree said. But theres still room for improvements, particularly when it comes to congestion and pump space as vessels access the port.

Board recommendations

While the Maryland Infrastructure Report details recommendations for each category, Sangree outlined several overarching priorities at the news conference. She urged lawmakers to establish sustainable funding mechanisms to close funding gaps across aviation, roads, transit and water systems and ensure long-term financial stability.

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Sangree also called for greater resilience and redundancy, noting that the Key Bridge collapse showed how one failure can ripple across systems. She said Maryland must invest in backup capacity, resilient design and disaster preparedness across all sectors  especially bridges, ports, energy and water systems.

She added that the state should modernize its aging roads, transit, waste and energy systems while promoting innovation and technology to meet the demands of a growing, increasingly mobile and energy-dependent population.

Protecting the Chesapeake Bay also remains a priority through integrated water management, Sangree and Powell said, emphasizing the importance of asset management, climate risk assessments and green infrastructure.

Other recommendations include strengthening the states infrastructure workforce and public engagement, streamlining project delivery, consolidating utilities and adopting alternative procurement methods to improve efficiency and reduce construction time.

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Lets take these grades not as a criticism, but as a call to action, Powell said. Together  through smart investments, collaborative work together and strong partnerships  we can ensure that our infrastructure earns the grades our residents deserve.

Have a news tip? Contact Mennatalla Ibrahim at mibrahim@baltsun.com.
MARYVILLE, Tenn. (WATE)  Maryville College has officially received $12-million gift from the State of Tennessee towards the construction of a new 65,000-square-foot science center on campus.

The funds were approved by the state lawmakers earlier this year and first announced by Gov. Bill Lee during his State of the State Address in February. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2026, depending on private fundraising efforts to cover the remainder of the $80-million project.

The Alexander Institute for Environmental Education and the Sciences will house several academic departments and advance conservation, environmental education and interdisciplinary research in the Southern Appalachian region.

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Maryville College plans new $80M science center focused on Southern Appalachia

This is really going to be an institute that is really focused on our region, Maryville College President Bryan Coker told 6 News last month. Its going to be all about Southern Appalachia, the health and wellness of Southern Appalachia, and the environment, the Great Smoky Mountains.

Rendering of the Alexander Institute for Environmental Education and the Sciences (Courtesy of Maryville College). Rendering of the Alexander Institute for Environmental Education and the Sciences (Courtesy of Maryville College). Rendering of the Alexander Institute for Environmental Education and the Sciences (Courtesy of Maryville College). Rendering of the Alexander Institute for Environmental Education and the Sciences (Courtesy of Maryville College).

It is named for retired US Senator and Maryville native Lamar Alexander, whose parents met on the met while students at Maryville College. He is a prominent advocate for environmental conservation who spearheaded the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act in 2020 and previously chaired the Commission on the American Outdoors under President Ronald Reagan. His sister, Jane Alexander Carl, currently serves on the Colleges Board of Directors.

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Maryville College has launched a major fundraising effort led by the Alexander Institute Leadership Council. It includes several prominent members including retired Senate Majority Leader Dr. Bill Frist, former Tennessee governor Bill Haslam, and Clayton Homes CEO Kevin Clayton.

Thanks to Gov. Bill Lee and the state legislature for this huge boost to Maryville Colleges institute to preserve and celebrate the health of the people and land of Appalachia, I am delighted to help train the leaders who will make sure that future generations can use and enjoy the Great Smoky Mountain region as much as we do, Alexander said in a statement.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side.
Wynn Palaces Cantonese restaurant, Chef Tams Seasons, has once again been recognized on the Tatler Best 100 Restaurants list at the Tatler Best Awards 2025.

The award ceremony was held in Bangkok on October 21, celebrating top hotels, restaurants, and bars across the Asia-Pacific region. Chef Tams Seasons, led by Cantonese Master Chef Tam Kwok Fung, is one of only five restaurants in Macau to receive this distinction.

Known for its menus inspired by the 24 solar terms, Chef Tams Seasons blends traditional Cantonese techniques with seasonal ingredients and modern culinary concepts.

Earlier this year, the restaurant earned two Michelin stars and ranked No. 9 on Asias 50 Best Restaurants 2025, receiving the Highest Climber Award. The Tatler Best Awards are selected by a jury of over 700 experts, including gourmands, industry professionals, and seasoned travelers.

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As the federal government shutdown continues, concerns are growing over the future of food assistance programs like SNAP and EBT, which could lose funding as early as November.

Federal workers are already feeling the impact, with many expected to miss their first full paycheck tomorrow. The last payment only covered work completed before the shutdown began on October 1.

Lawmakers are debating bills to compensate essential employees working without pay, while Democrats push for all federal workersincluding those furloughedto be paid. However, the Senate has failed 12 times to pass a Republican-backed bill to reopen the government.

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The USDA has warned that it may not have the funds to distribute to food programs in some states next month.

In Massachusetts, where 16% of residents rely on SNAP benefits, Governor Maura Healey is urging federal leaders to act.

State funding cant begin to match what the federal government provides. The federal government provides about $240 million a month in SNAP benefits, Healey said.

She called the situation devastating, adding, People rely on that to eat. Im at a loss for words.

Healey said she will meet with her Anti-Hunger Strike Force and is encouraging residents to donate to local food pantries to help those in need.

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SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  The Massachusetts State Police are currently in the final two weeks of recruiting for their cadet program.

Federal shutdown impacts Home Energy Assistance Program funding

This program offers a unique pathway for aspiring troopers as it allows young people to work alongside troopers every day before they even enter the doors of the state police academy.

I definitely had an itch to serve and to help my, you know, my community, my commonwealth. But now its it feels like purpose, said Cadet Mason Balch.

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Cadets like Mason, who are filled with a strong desire to become a state trooper, are undergoing rigorous physical and academic training all geared towards preparing them to go into an Academy class. This isnt just a stepping stone; its a paid program that integrates participants directly into the Massachusetts State Police workforce.

To enter, each cadet is expected to pass the cadet exam and background and psychological screenings. They are then given valuable exposure and rotations through investigative and crime scene units at barracks across the state.

Its a privilege, definitely, having kind of behind-the-scenes look, so to speak, to like procedure and standard and how we operate as well as our own command staff, how they hold themselves accountable, added Cadet Balch.

They are also building on valuable skills. Time management and accountability have just gotten much better. My discipline with everything, whether its physical or opening a book and reading it, I think thats done a lot better for me, said cadet Alex Jackson.

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State police are looking to recruit more 19- to 25-year-olds into the program ahead of the next cadet exam deadline on October 31st. the exam is free to take.

If youre motivated to become a trooper. This is a great opportunity. Take the opportunity. Itll give you a slight advantage. It gets you prepared physically, mentally, and academically, expressed Unit Commander of the Cadet Program, Lt. Phillip Wilgus.

After dedicating one or two years to the program, cadets are then required to pass the Civil Service Exam. Upon success, they are then invited to join the Academy Class. If you are interested in becoming part of the program, Mass.gov has a link to register.

State Police told 22News the number of diverse candidates and women in these cadet classes also really exceeds their numbers of standard recruits from civil service.

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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Update, 3:45pm: A General Motors spokesperson has issued a statement to Road & Track saying that "the isolated fire was contained to a single design concept vehicle and did not spread to any other vehicles, design concepts, or the building itself."



Pasadena Fire Department spokesperson Lisa Derderian told R&T that the damage sustained by the building itself was due mostly to smoke and water from the sprinklers, and that the department called in haz-mat teams among other resources "out of an abundance of caution" due to the size and complexity of the facility.

A four-alarm fire broke out at General Motorss Advanced Design Center in Pasadena, California on Wednesday night. According to a report by the Los Angeles Times, more than 100 firefighters and a hazardous materials team were called to battle the blaze, and preliminary reports indicate multiple concept cars that the company was working on may have been destroyed or damaged.

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The Pasadena design center consists of 149,000 square feet of space situated on about eight acres of land, part of a $71 million investment GM made a couple of years ago. The campus is a research and development hub for advanced technologies and future vehicles. Just this summer, GM revealed a Corvette design study that was created at the Pasadena facility.

Lithium-ion batteries present in the building contributed to the difficulty in fighting this fire, according to CBS News, as extinguishing infernos fueled by those batteries requires different techniques. Firefighters reportedly called the fire stubborn and difficult to get to, and thick smoke allegedly contributed to firefighters spending an hour simply looking for the source of the blaze. At one point a firefighter became trapped in the building and sent out a mayday call, according to the Times. However, he was located and rescued without injuries.

It's still unknown what caused the fire, as the blaze remains under investigation.This is one of the largest structure fires weve had in Pasadena in many, many years, Pasadena Fire Department spokesperson Lisa Derderian told the Times.

CBS News Los Angeles was on the scene, and obtained an overhead view which allows us to see the scale of the fire, with what appears to be clouds of smoke rising from the building. They also report that clean up could take several days. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.





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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  As building owners in downtown Youngstown continue to struggle with inadequate heat and hot water, the mayor and a state representative are asking for an emergency declaration that will hopefully translate into financial relief.

It comes after a heated meeting on Wednesday with Reg Martin, a court-appointed receiver of SOBE Thermal Energy, where city officials voiced frustration over the lack of a workable plan for the steam heat plant.

Two letters were sent to state leaders Thursday  one by Youngstown Mayor Tito Brown, and the other by State Rep. Lauren McNally.

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McNallys letter was addressed directly to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, asking him to use his power and declare an emergency in Youngstown, where 27 buildings  including 90 residential units  are without what McNally called reliable heat and hot water.

McNally claims an emergency declaration will provide the money needed for temporary boilers, backup systems, and emergency fuel. It would allow for the suspension of bills to authorize building inspections, to relocate aid, and require regular public updates.

Browns letter went to DeWine and focused primarily on Wednesdays meeting with Martin. The mayor said Martin had no clear plans, no money and no facilities to guarantee an adequate supply of steam to keep downtown warm this winter.

The mayor wrote that Martin continues to fail in his duty, that its clear Martin has neither the plans nor the resources to operate SOBE. Brown also wrote that the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio has offered no guarantee of SOBE continuing to exist and provide the necessary services.

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Browns letter ended with a request for emergency relief.

First News contacted DeWines spokesman to find out if the Governor had received the letters and if he would consider emergency relief for Youngstown. First News has yet to hear back.

The mayor has also been in contact with Congressman Michael Rulli to see if the federal government can help.

Brown and McNallys full letters can be read below.

SOBE Thermal  Energy Emergency Gov DewineDownload

SOBE Letter from City Of Youngstown 10_23_25_finalDownload

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
JAMESTOWN, N.Y. (WIVB)  The Mayor of the City of Jamestown is issuing a statement in response to Call 4 Actions investigation into how drivers in Chautauqua County, mostly in the Jamestown area have legally surrendered their license plates and then have become victims of license plate fraud.

In a statement, Mayor Kimberly Ecklund says:

The City of Jamestown is aware of serious allegations involving the potential misuse of license plates that were properly surrendered at the Jamestown DMV. These reports raise significant concerns for affected residents, and while DMV operations are administered by Chautauqua County under the authority of New York State, our office is here to assist residents in connecting with the appropriate agencies for guidance and resolution.

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The Mayors Office goes on to say that residents who believe they may have been impacted are encouraged to:

Contact the Chautauqua County Clerks Office and the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles for direction on next steps

File a report with the Jamestown Police Department to ensure proper documentation

Submit a formal complaint to the New York State Inspector Generals Office, which investigates allegations of misconduct, fraud, or mismanagement within state agencies

Although this matter falls outside the Citys direct authority, we take these allegations seriously and will continue to assist residents by connecting them with the appropriate resources and ensuring their concerns are communicated to the proper authorities, Mayor Ecklund said.

You can also submit a Call 4 Action complaint so that News 4 can take a look into your situation.

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Multiple drivers have gone to the Department of Motor Vehicles office in Jamestown at 512 West 3rd Street to surrender their license plates for various reasons, only to be hit with hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars in tolls and fees. This has happened several times.

I want them to get to the bottom of it and not let it happen again, said Debbie Bonovitch of Jamestown.

State DMV actively investigating license plate fraud concerns in Jamestown

She wants answers after her license plate fraud situation that spanned nearly a year. She surrendered her old license plates on June 5, 2023 to the Jamestown DMV. This marks the third complaint Call 4 Action has received of drivers going to the Jamestown DMV and their old license plate number ending up on other cars.

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I purchased a new van in Pennsylvania and they were going to license everything, so I had to destroy my old van license plate and I went to the Jamestown DMV, Bonovitch said.

Then in March of last year, Debbie became bombarded by toll violations in the States of Delaware and Pennsylvania. Somehow her old license plate number ended up on a Nissan Altima, cruising highways in both states with Debbie getting stuck with the toll bills, from places she hasnt been to and a car she says isnt hers.

In Delaware, toll bills sent in the mail can be very expensive. One $3 toll ended up being $53 because of additional fees. Another toll for only 50 cents ended up being $88 because fees and civil penalties were tacked on. In total, Debbie was hit with nearly $6,000  $5,853 to be exact  in fraudulent charges. This includes a collection notice for $810 and a speeding ticket tied to her old plate number.

When I talked to the State Police he said that its possible that people got the number and made up a plate because they can do that now and theres all kinds of people that are in this situation, Bonovitch said.

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License Plate Fraud bill gets sponsor in Assembly

Its a recurring issue that often times leads to notices from debt collectors and legal action potentially taken against you.

To make phone calls and try to get to the bottom of it, youre on hold for a while and then, trying to get through to get to a person to talk to and then, that person says theyre going to take care of it and then, you get more bills and you call again, its just over and over again, its aggravating, Bonovitch said.

People really need a lot of help navigating through the bureaucracy that is part of these systems whether thats working with law enforcement or whether thats trying to deal with a state agency or the state agencys contractor, its a lot to know exactly what to say, when to say it, and how to send it, said Eddie Sundquist, Bonovitchs attorney.

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News 4 contacted Delawares Department of Transportation, which says the agency reviewed Debbies situation and found that the plate appearing in the tickets was fraudulent leading to all tolls being voided. A spokesperson from the Pennsylvania Turnpike says: Due to customer privacy laws, we cannot discuss specifics, on individual cases but the PA Turnpike does say that tolls to Debbie have also stopped.

Something needs to be done to where the plate number isnt used anymore, Bonovitch said.

For Debbie, those toll bills stopped in January and so far, she hasnt gotten any more additional toll bills. The Chautauqua County Clerks Office and Sheriffs Office have both told News 4 repeatedly that their procedures in handling surrendered plates are being followed. A spokesperson for the State Department of Motor Vehicles says the DMV is actively investigating concerns over license plate fraud in Jamestown and Chautauqua County.

Latest Local News

Jeff Preval is an award-winning anchor and reporter who joined the News 4 team in December 2021. See more of his work here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
Mayor Paul Young and Police Chief Cerelyn CJ Davis speak with reporters in 2024. (by Marc Perrusquia)

This story was originally published by The Institute for Public Service Reporting Memphis.

Mayor Paul Young confirmed late Monday in a contentious town hall meeting with Hispanic residents that the Memphis Police Department is cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

His statements before a crowd of hundreds in East Memphis came as a remarkable development considering that city leaders for years had denied any collaboration between the police force and ICE.

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Young said his aim in allowing the cooperation was to steer federal agents away from mass deportation and toward helping MPD investigate murders and other violent crimes.

If he fought the administration of President Donald Trump, as officials in Chicago are doing, the federal government would respond with even harsher tactics, he said.

I believe that the posture of Chicago has caused the federal government to flood the community with ICE agents focused on immigration, Young said, drawing occasional applause. That is why I have chosen to make sure that our police department is working with the federal teams to direct them towards our problem, which is crime.

But the mayor received sharp pushback from some in the crowd at Mullins United Methodist Church where a big group of mostly Hispanic residents turned out to hear Young speak alongside Police Chief Cerelyn CJ Davis.

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This morning, they took away a mother. The mother left behind a one-year-old child, Maria Alejandra Oceja said in Spanish. A key leader of community group Vecindarios901, Oceja said its one of many similar cases of parents arrested and children left behind.

At another point, a woman shouted at the mayor from the back of the church. Should we wait until all of our family members get taken away?

Some audience members argued that federal agents here are already using racial profiling and other heavy-handed tactics against non-criminal Hispanics.

President Trump and Gov. Bill Lee have sent more than 1,000 federal agents, state troopers, and National Guard members into Memphis since late September in an anti-crime initiative known as the Memphis Safe Task Force. They have made hundreds of arrests, including numerous immigration arrests. Full arrest data is not available.

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But Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy, who attended the Monday night meeting, told the Institute for Public Service Reporting that he has been receiving regular reports from the task force.

I think people expected it to be about crime. And even on immigration  immigrants who are criminals  thats not what were seeing, Mulroy said.

About 20 percent of the arrests are immigration-related, he said. What proportion of those involve immigrants accused of committing crimes?

I dont know precisely, but not many, Mulroy said. There doesnt seem to be any indication of reports of criminal activity other than unlawful presence in the United States.

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Entry into the country without inspection can be charged as a crime, yet unlawful presence in the United States is generally treated as a civil immigration offense, not a crime.

For decades, federal immigration enforcement was rare in non-border areas like Memphis. Previous Democratic and Republican administrations had focused on deportations of immigrants who had been arrested or convicted of other crimes in the U.S., such as driving under the influence, drug dealing or murder.

The light federal enforcement in non-border areas meant that most unauthorized immigrants in Memphis managed to live normal lives: working in construction and other industries and frequently buying homes, sending children to school and sometimes launching their own businesses.

Today, the situation has changed dramatically. The Trump administration and Congress are dedicating billions of dollars toward large-scale deportation, regardless of the immigrants criminal records.

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Seventy-two percent immigrants in detention centers today have no criminal convictions, according to the Transactional Access Records Clearinghouse at Syracuse University.

Photos raise questions

Audience members at a town hall meeting Monday look at the photos that activist Maria Alejandra Oceja projected onto a screen. Oceja said this photo shows a Homeland Security Investigations officer  a type of ICE officer  in the passenger seat of a Memphis Police Department vehicle. (by Daniel Connolly)

The community meeting was led by several local Hispanic pastors and Vecinarios901, or V901, an organization that tracks ICE activities in the city and posts real-time updates on Facebook. (The wife of the author of this article volunteers with V901.)

Early in the meeting, with the mayor and police chief sitting on stage just a few feet away, V901 leader Oceja said before the law enforcement surge began, the organization received only three to five reports of federal activity per day.

Since feds and state troopers began operating on September 29, the count has exploded to more than 500 reports per week, Oceja said.

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She used a projector and a screen to show the audience what she said were pictures of ICE and MPD working together during the ongoing law enforcement surge.

In this image, you can see an HSI officer in the passenger seat of an MPD vehicle with an MPD officer, she said. HSI stands for Homeland Security Investigations. The agency is part of ICE, and President Trump this year shifted its focus from criminal investigations to mass deportations.

And in the other image, you can see the HSI officer who was trailing these MPD vehicles as well, Oceja said.

Moments later, Mayor Young addressed the audience, confirming that MPD is working with ICE.

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My strategy has been and continues to be to keep this task force focused on violent crime as opposed to immigration, Young said.

What has happened here is we have 13 federal agencies (in the task force) and ICE is one of them. However, their charge is to focus on violent crime, and so the busier we can keep them with MPD, the less time they will have to focus on immigration.

His confirmation of collaboration came as a departure from statements of past Memphis leaders.

As immigrants from Mexico and elsewhere in Latin America began arriving in Memphis in the 1990s and as armed robbers began to target them, the police department began a steady public relations campaign to reassure immigrants that they didnt check peoples immigration status.

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Police urged immigrants to report crimes, serve as witnesses and help solve robberies, domestic violence and other crimes involving the Hispanic community.

Young didnt say precisely when the collaboration between MPD and ICE began. But in response to a question, he said MPDs cooperation with ICE didnt involve traffic stops, which have become one of the more controversial tactics used by the task force.

The traffic stops that youre seeing are happening with Tennessee Highway Patrol, Young said, emphasizing the federal agents are working with special units within MPD to focus on serious crime. Thats why we have begun to get this task force ingrained into our Organized Crime Unit, our Multi-Agency Gang Unit. We have to focus on homicides, increasing our clearance rate, so we can solve some of the real violent crimes that are happening in our cities. When they (federal agents) dont have those things to do, they ride around pulling people over.

As ICE and Border Patrol vehicles patrol Memphis streets, videos and stories of traffic-stop arrests by masked agents are spreading online. Some immigrants are carrying passports and other documents, fearful of frequent traffic stops and a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that effectively allows racial profiling.

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Others are avoiding going to work or shopping altogether, hiding in their homes. Some are running out of food, leaders of an immigrant food pantry have said. Meanwhile, some businesses are reporting dramatic drops in clientele.

Theyre killing the businesses, Francisco Rocha, a principal with Nortenos Tortilleria, a tortilla maker, told a reporter after the meeting. Speaking in Spanish, Rocha said that since the federal sweeps began a few weeks ago, and customer demand has dropped off, his business has been forced to reduce its working time from five days a week to three.

In response to an audience question, Young acknowledged the extreme fear.

I certainly agree that the fear  the terror  that is present in the Hispanic community. Its not a good thing for our city, Young said, emphasizing that he wants quality arrests over quantity.

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The Hispanic population has been the fastest growing population in Memphis for the last five years. I want that to continue. Which is why our team is doing all that we can to push that task force to focus on something other than immigration. We do not have an immigration issue in Memphis. We have a crime problem.

Tense moments

Pastor Rolando Rostro (left) speaks at the Monday town hall meeting at Mullins United Methodist Church in East Memphis featuring Memphis Mayor Paul Young (center) and Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn CJ Davis (second from left). (by Daniel Connolly)

Sandra Pita, an activist with the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, told the audience that her own daughter had recently been stopped by a Shelby County Sheriffs deputy.

About 10 minutes later, Border Patrol agents showed up, examined her daughters paperwork, and let her go, Pita told a reporter later. She said her daughter, who was born in the United States, was driving 45 miles per hour in a 40 miles per hour zone, and the deputy let her go with a warning.

Pita told the audience she thought the traffic stop was a clear case of racial profiling against Hispanics  and added that her daughter had voted for Young.

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Young responded that hes constantly asking the task force to focus on violent crime, and he said hes asked about allegations that law enforcement is targeting immigrants in traffic stops.

I ask them specifically Is it racial profiling? Their response is that Were making valid traffic stops.

The audience began to murmur. A woman shouted, Youre being ignorant on purpose!

Whos being ignorant by asking a question and telling you a response that doesnt make sense? Young responded.

Its not being ignorant, Young continued. Im not saying its not happening. Im explaining what is said when I bring the concern to the people that are responsible.

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I understand the frustration in the room, he continued. Im frustrated, but I have a responsibility to stay at the table, to try and navigate us. Because I promise you, if you walk away from the table, it will be worse.

Another audience question came from Miguel Angel Valdez with Spanish-language news outlet MSV Noticias.

With ICE agents and other federal authorities frequently wearing masks, Valdez asked what he should do if masked people appear outside his house with guns, refuse to identify themselves, and refuse to show a warrant.

He asked if he called 911, would Memphis police come and help him?

After some back-and-forth, Chief Davis said yes, they would.

And if theres some confusion, if you call 911, were coming, Davis said. And were going to help to determine whether or not that individual is legitimate or not.

We did that just recently at a food truck. A call came in, a 911 call came in. People werent identified. Our officers went to that scene to make sure that that person wasnt getting kidnapped, Davis said.

One audience member asked how long the current situation would last.

Young responded that he doesnt know.

But I will tell you how it happened in DC. The surge . . . lasted 35 days. So, we expect that this surge will last somewhere between 35 to 45 days.
A 3-year-old boy remains on life support with no brain activity after alleged abuse, leading to the arrests of his mother and her boyfriend in McKinney.

Chelsea Rene Berg, 30, and Christopher Thomas Alexander, 30, were taken into custody on October 16 following the hospitalization of Bergs son, Dawson Cain Zamora, Fox 4 KDFW reported. Alexander brought the child to the hospital on October 14, claiming he had heard a thud and found Dawson injured.

Hospital staff, noting injuries inconsistent with Alexanders account, alerted police. The injuries included severe brain trauma with bleeding, widespread bruising in various healing stages, chest and stomach wounds, and anal trauma.

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Berg told detectives she left Dawson with Alexander at 7:20 a.m. that day. After a text about Dawson eating lunch, Alexander called her in a panic, saying he was rushing the child to the hospital. At the hospital, Alexander offered no further explanation and, with an attorney, declined to speak with police.

Berg, shown photos of Dawsons injuries, insisted they were not present when she left for work.

A warrant for Alexanders arrest was issued on October 14. He faces charges of injury to a child, stalking, and tampering with evidence to impair the investigation, with bonds totaling $210,000. Berg, charged with injury to a child, a first-degree felony, was released on a $100,000 bond the same day but is barred from contacting her son.

On October 19, Berg learned Dawson had no brain activity and faced removal from life support. Her attorney filed an emergency motion to modify bond conditions, seeking supervised access to say goodbye to her son before he passes away.

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Dawsons biological father, Dahrian Zamora, declined to comment, citing his sons bedside vigil and the ongoing police investigation. However, he did post a statement on Facebook to clear the air and let you guys know whats going on. He stated that the child had been brutally beaten by his ex-wifes boyfriend and was now in a medically induced coma and on life support.

He Is surrounded by friends and family with so much love and support. My Son Dawson is not ok, our family is not ok, Im not ok all I ask is that you keep my Son in your thoughts, pray for justice, pray for healing & comfort over my Son. He is loved and he is not alone, Zamora wrote.

A family member urged prayers for Dawson, stating, No child should ever have to endure what Dawson has been through.

A GoFundMe account has been set up to help Dawsons family cover medical care and living expenses while the child is in the hospital.
SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA)  The South Carolina Department of Public Health (SCDPH) is facing low turnout at its measles mobile vaccination units in Spartanburg County, despite a recent outbreak that has led to four new cases.

The increase in cases was reported Tuesday. SCDPH officials said two of the new cases are close contacts to known cases who have been quarantining at home. Officials said they were not present at any school settings while contagious.

The other two cases were associated with a business in Spartanburg and SCDPH said there were no public exposures.

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State epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell emphasized the importance of vaccination to prevent further spread. Despite the uptick in cases, she said there is good news.

Because these individuals were quarantining at home before they became infectious, no additional exposures occurred with these new cases, said Bell.

The outbreak resulted in the quarantine of over 150 students from two Upstate schools, though this number has decreased as unvaccinated students return to school after completing their quarantine period.

Yesterday, the exclusionary period for Global Academy School ended for students exposed in the school setting. And today, the exclusionary period for the Fairforest Elementary School ends, Bell continued.

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Though mobile vaccination units have been deployed, SCDPH leaders said the turnout has been disappointing.

Only seven doses of the MMR vaccine were administered to the public last week, raising concerns about ongoing community transmission.

Karen Henderson, a Greer resident, was vaccinated at one of the mobile units.

Im in an age group where my mom says I had my shot when I was little, but we have no record of that, she explained. Theres also a gap, some gap years, like from 1958 to 1964 or something, that if you were born between those years, you may not be protected against measles. So, I came up today to get that protection.

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The Upstate region has the lowest student vaccination rate in South Carolina. Health officials have considered increasing hours that vaccine units are open, a move experts believe will encourage more people to get vaccinated.

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A growing measles outbreak along the Utah-Arizona border has spread to nearby communities, making it the nation's second-largest this year, health officials confirmed.

At least 123 people have been infected, most linked to two small towns -- Colorado City, Arizona, and Hildale, Utah -- where residents often move between the two communities.

Within recent weeks, cases have also appeared in nearby Utah cities of Hurricane and St. George, after exposures in hospitals and urgent care clinics, the Southwest Utah Public Health Department reported.

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Many of the clusters started in schools, department spokesperson David Heaton told NBC News. "But now we have community spread," he added.

The outbreak has also reached Iron County, Utah, just north of the original epicenter.

Health officials have long warned that this region is vulnerable to measles because of low childhood vaccination rates.

According to NBC News data:

In Iron County, 82.4% of children are vaccinated against measles.

In Washington County, that rate drops to 79.2%, and in Mohave County, Arizona, it's 78.4%, far below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity.

"We were preparing for it," Heaton said. "It was a matter of time before it came here."

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Most cases so far have occurred among unvaccinated school-aged children, officials said. Utah has reported six measles-related hospitalizations, five of which are tied to the current outbreak zone.

The area includes popular tourist destinations like Zion National Park, raising concerns about possible exposure to visitors.

The outbreak mirrors a broader national decline in childhood vaccination. According to NBC News data, 77% of U.S. counties and jurisdictions have seen drops in vaccination rates.

During the 2024-2025 school year, 4.1% of kindergartners (about 138,000 children) had exemptions from required vaccines, surpassing last year's record of 3.7%. Nearly all exemptions were for non-medical reasons, such as religious or personal beliefs.

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Despite the ongoing federal government shutdown, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has continued to track measles cases. As of Oct. 21, the CDC reported 1,618 infections across 42 states.

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on measles.

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Medford middle school students had a fun day of school building and coding robots on Thursday as part of STEM week in Massachusetts.

Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll visited the McGlynn Middle School, where she says STEM week aims to spark the next generation of scientists.

As youre building it you can start to see the mechanics and then it all comes together and youre like Oh thats really cool, one student told Boston 25 News.

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I really think this is something I can use in the future to reach my goals, another student said.

These kids are so amazingly smart and crafty and their ability to work together, their ability to say Ill do this part, you do that part. They get along better than most adults do," Dirscoll said.

Medford is one the few districts that have introduced this type of STEM program into their curriculum.

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On October 23 every year, the world comes together to observe International Snow Leopard Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the conservation of one of the planets most elusive and endangered animals, the snow leopard, Azernews reports.

The day was established in 2013, following the Global Snow Leopard Forum held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, where world leaders and conservationists gathered to address the urgent need to protect the snow leopard population, which has been dwindling.

Delegates from 12 countries where snow leopards are found came together to develop the Bishkek Declaration, a framework for ensuring the protection of the species.

The declaration included commitments to improve national conservation efforts, strengthen international collaboration, and increase funding for snow leopard conservation.

The snow leopard (Panthera uncia), also known as the irbis, is a large wild cat native to the mountain ranges of Central and South Asia, including the Himalayas, the Tibetan Plateau, and the rugged mountains of the Greater Caucasus. These beautiful creatures play a significant role in maintaining the balance of their ecosystems. As apex predators, snow leopards help regulate populations of prey species, which in turn helps preserve the fragile mountain environments they inhabit.

Despite their importance to the ecosystem, snow leopards face an uncertain future. It is estimated that fewer than 7,000 snow leopards remain in the wild. Their population is severely threatened by illegal hunting, habitat destruction, and loss of prey species.

The snow leopard is listed as Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, and it is included in Appendix I of CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), which prohibits international trade in its body parts.

United Nations recognizes snow leopard's ecological role

In December 2024, the United Nations General Assembly took a historic step by adopting a resolution officially designating October 23 as International Snow Leopard Day. This resolution emphasized the critical role that snow leopards play in the conservation of mountain ecosystems, which are vital for supplying water and other natural resources to a significant portion of the global population.

By acknowledging the snow leopard's role in protecting the ecological balance of these mountainous regions, the UN highlighted the importance of conserving not only the species but also the delicate environments in which they live.

Countries that signed the resolution included those from the snow leopard`s range, such as Afghanistan, China, India,Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. These nations, where snow leopards roam in their high-altitude habitats, have pledged to work together to ensure the protection of the species and its ecosystem.

Azerbaijan's role in snow leopard conservation

In Azerbaijan, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has been actively involved in the conservation of the snow leopard population since 2001.

The conservation of the Caucasian snow leopards has been one of the most important activities undertaken by WWF in Azerbaijan since 2001.

This program has been supported by the International Dialogue for Environmental Protection, initiated by Leyla Aliyeva, the Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the head of the IDEA Public Union.

The efforts in Azerbaijan are part of a broader initiative that includes monitoring snow leopard populations, establishing protected areas, and working with local communities to promote sustainable practices that support both wildlife and human livelihoods.
The glittering sapphires, emeralds, and diamonds that once adorned Frances royals could well be gone forever, experts say after a brazen, four-minute heist in broad daylight left the nation stunned and the government struggling to explain a new debacle at the Louvre.

Each stolen piece  an emerald necklace and earrings, two crowns, two brooches, a sapphire necklace and a single earring  represents the pinnacle of 19th century haute joaillerie, or fine jewelry. For the royals, they were more than decoration. The pieces were political statements of Frances wealth, power and cultural import. They are so significant that they were among treasures saved from the governments 1887 auction of most royal jewels.

The Louvre reopened yesterday for the first time since the heist Sunday morning, although the Apollo Gallery where the theft occurred remained closed.

Laure Beccuau, the Paris prosecutor whose office is leading the investigation, said Tuesday that in monetary terms, the stolen jewelry is worth an estimated $102 million (88 million euros)  a valuation that doesnt include historical worth. About 100 investigators are involved in the police hunt for the suspects and the gems, she said.

The theft of the crown jewels left the French government scrambling  again  to explain the latest embarrassment at the Louvre, which is plagued by overcrowding and outdated facilities. Activists in 2024 threw a can of soup at the Mona Lisa. And in June, the museum was brought to a halt by its own striking staff, who complained about mass tourism. President Emmanuel Macron has announced that the Mona Lisa, stolen by a former museum worker in 1911 and recovered two years later, will get its own room under a major renovation.

Now the sparkling jewels, artifacts of a French culture of long ago, are likely being secretly dismantled and sold off in a rush as individual pieces that may or may not be identifiable as part of the French crown jewels, experts say.

Its extremely unlikely these jewels will ever be retrieved and seen again, said Tobias Kormind, managing director of 77 Diamonds, a major European diamond jeweler, said in a statement. If these gems are broken up and sold off, they will, in effect, vanish from history and be lost to the world forever.

Crown jewels are symbols of heritage

At once intimate and public, crown jewels are kept secured from the Tower of London to Tokyos Imperial Palace as visual symbols of national identities.

The four suspected robbers split into two pairs, with two people aboard a truck equipped with a cherry picker they used to climb up to the Galerie dApollon and two others piloting motorbikes used in the gangs getaway, authorities said.

Taken, officials said, were eight pieces, part of a collection whose origin as crown jewels date back to the 16th century when King Francis I decreed that they belonged to the state. The Paris prosecutors office said that two men with bright yellow jackets broke into the gallery at 9:34 a.m.  half an hour past opening time  and left the room at 9:38 a.m. before fleeing on two motorbikes.

The missing pieces include two crowns, or diadems. One, given by Emperor Napoleon III to the Empress Eugenie in 1853 to celebrate their wedding, holds more than 200 pearls and nearly 2,000 diamonds. The second is a starry sapphire-and-diamond headpiece  and also a necklace and single earring worn by, among others, Queen Marie-Amelie, French authorities said.

Also stolen: a necklace of dozens of emeralds and more than 1,000 diamonds that was a wedding gift from Napoleon Bonaparte to his second wife, Marie-Louise of Austria, in 1810. The matching earrings also were stolen. The thieves also made off with a reliquary brooch and a large bodice bow worn by Empress Eugenie  both pieces diamond-encrusted, French officials said.

The robbers dropped or abandoned a hefty ninth piece, which was damaged: a crown adorned with gold eagles, 1,354 diamonds and 56 emeralds, worn by Empress Eugenie.

Left untouched were other items in the crown jewel collection, which before the heist included 23 jewels, according to the Louvre. Remaining, for example, is the plum-sized Regent, a white diamond said to be the largest of its kind in Europe.

Now its a race against time

Beyond the monetary value of the stolen jewels, the emotional loss is keenly felt. Many have described Frances failure to secure its most precious items as a wounding blow to national pride.

These are family souvenirs that have been taken from the French, conservative lawmaker Maxime Michelet said Tuesday in Parliament, quizzing the government about security at the Louvre and other cultural sites.

Empress Eugenies crown  stolen, then dropped and found broken in the gutter, has become the symbol of the decline of a nation that used to be so admired, Michelet said. It is shameful for our country, incapable of guaranteeing the security of the worlds largest museum.

The theft was not the first Louvre heist in recent years. But it stood out for its forethought, speed and almost cinematic quality as one of the highest-profile museum thefts in living memory. LAURIE KELLMAN, PARIS, MDT/AP

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  With some hunting seasons underway and temperatures cooling, medical professionals at Nashville trauma centers have started preparing for an increase in all-terrain vehicle crashes.

Weve seen an increase in these type of injuries over September, October. October has been a high month for us, said Dr. Darrell Hunter, Trauma Director for TriStar Skyline Medical Center.

Highland volunteer firefighter injured in crash while responding to fire

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In August, a 17-year-old was killed in Antioch when their ATV collided with an SUV. Looking beyond Tennessee, just last week the CEO of LendingTree died in a solo ATV crash in North Carolina.

People who ride the ATVs are unprotected a lot of times, and theyre high-speed accidents, so they end with a lot of significant injuries, Hunt explained. We see a lot of significant brain injuries with people unconscious when they come in. We also have had some patients who are paralyzed from their injuries.

Hunt said ATV, or side-by-side, drivers need to always wear a helmet and other protective gear.

We see a lot of injuries where patients dont have a lot of immediate help, Hunt said. Always let someone know where you are.

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Most often, Doctor Hunt said ATV injuries will lead to broken arms or legs. Many of them involve kids: national data shows that roughly 25% of ATV accidents involve people 16 or younger.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

So far this year, data from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security reveals there have been 14 deadly crashes involving an ATV. Of those, 11 involved riders who were not wearing either a seatbelt or a helmet.

Last year, there were 19 ATV rider fatalities; only 5 of those riders had on a helmet or seatbelt, according to that same data.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN, announced a $500 million capital campaign to expand programs training Black physicians, dentists, and scientists, The Tennessean reports.

Named for the colleges upcoming 150th anniversary in 2026, the campaign, Campaign 150, is the largest in the institutions history and has already secured $400 million in early donations.

Dr. James Hildreth, president and CEO, said the funds will support scholarships, academic and clinical training, debt reduction, and infrastructure improvements. Those who invest in us are not just changing individual lives  they are uplifting those underserved communities that need our graduates most, Hildreth told The Tennessean.

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Approximately $20 million will be allocated to scholarships for the School of Dentistry, the only dental program in the Southeast at a Historically Black College and University (HBCU).

Dr. Juan A. McGruder, senior vice president for institutional advancement, described the campaign as a declaration of our unwavering commitment to health equity, to the education of Black physicians and scientists, and to the communities that need us most.

The campaign builds on Meharry Medical Colleges previous efforts to expand student access and resources. In 2020,

AFROTECH

reported that the college received its largest single grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies, a $34 million donation for student debt reduction, financial aid, and financial counseling services.

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The institution has also expanded its educational reach, announcing a new training facility in Memphis to offer more clinical opportunities and address public health needs in underserved communities, as

AFROTECH

previously reported.

Researchers at Meharry Medical College also launched the GREAT Health Study to create a genomic and phenotype database for people of African ancestry, reports The Tennessean. The study seeks 500,000 volunteers from the U.S. and Africa. Per The Tennessean, people of African descent currently make up 2% or less of global genomic data, limiting the understanding of disease risks and the development of treatments.

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Meharry Medical College is also partnering with Oracle Health to establish an innovation center focused on healthcare education and delivery in Nashville, with potential applications beyond the local community.

The post Meharry Medical College Launches $500M Fundraising Campaign To Expand Training For Black Physicians, Dentists, And Scientists appeared first on AfroTech.







The post Meharry Medical College Launches $500M Fundraising Campaign To Expand Training For Black Physicians, Dentists, And Scientists appeared first on AfroTech.
Potential Hurricane Melissa is forecast to intensify into a Category 4 storm  or potentially a Category 5  within days, and the slow-moving storm has the potential to bring devastating and destructive winds, rain and flooding to the Caribbean.

Experts said South Florida should be keeping an eye on the long-range tracking models even though forecasters say the odds of U.S. impact are low.

The system, which was about 220 miles southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, Thursday morning and moving north-northwest at 2 mph, had maximum sustained wind speeds of 45 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles from the center.

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Melissa is expected to move northwest or north before making a gradual turn west this weekend. The now slow-moving storm is a rain and flood threat to portions of eastern Jamaica, southern Haiti and the southern Dominican Republic, which may see at least 5-10 inches of rain through Sunday, forecasters said.

Puerto Rico, northern Dominican Republic, northern Haiti and western Jamaica could see 2 to 4 inches of rain, according to the hurricane center.

The exceptionally warm waters of the Caribbean will provide extra energy for Melissa to strengthen, said AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva. This storm is expected to rapidly intensify into a major hurricane once it enters an area with less disruptive wind shear south of Jamaica.

The farther west the storm travels the more likelihood it has of affecting Florida. The track at that point becomes quite murky, the hurricane center said. Some models have the storm moving north and east, out into the Atlantic, while others suggest it could meander farther west, toward Central America, before veering north.

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The National Hurricane Centers forecast cone of uncertainty, which shows the area of potential tracks over the next five days, is not much more than a circle, indicating very little movement.

The strength of the storm will determine the path. The stronger and taller it gets, the more likely it will be caught up in high-altitude winds pulling it to the northeast.

WPLG-TV hurricane expert Michael Lowry wrote in his Eye on the Tropics blog that, with persistent wind shear keeping Melissa from quickly strengthening over the next few days, it appears the odds of it taking that early exit ramp are low. This means a slow drift westward toward Jamaica and the western Caribbean into early next week is most likely, with perhaps an eventual sharp turn toward eastern Cuba later next week.

The uncertainty about the forecast leaves Florida open to some risk, said DaSilva.

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A dip in the jet stream over the Southeast U.S. and strong upper-level winds are expected next week, which should prevent movement toward the Gulf Coast states, DaSilva said. The risk of direct impacts on the U.S. is low at this time, but it cannot be ruled out.

The so-called spaghetti models, which are computers that forecast the long-range track of a storm, show Melissa turning sharply to the north and northeast while it is south of Cuba. Where that turn happens will determine the threat level to Florida.

AccuWeather on Wednesday said the U.S. concern for impacts will be in the Florida Peninsula, especially the lower portion of the Peninsula and the Keys. AccuWeather also predicted that as the storm meanders in the Caribbean it could bring 12 to 30 inches of rain to portions of the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica.

Given the mountainous terrain of the islands, landslides and flash flooding is a serious concern.

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Some forecasting models show Melissa reaching major hurricane status  Category 3 or higher  this weekend, with some showing Category 5 strength.

Melissa is the 13th named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. Four hurricanes have formed so far. Of the 13 named Atlantic storms, only Tropical Storm Chantal has made a U.S. landfall.

Hurricane season runs through Nov. 30.
Tropical Storm Melissa formed on Tuesday and so far hasnt organized much. Melissa is centered south of Haiti in the Central Caribbean with 50 mph winds. Strong atmospheric winds are presenting some challenges for storm organization, but this is expected to change later this week as winds aloft become more favorable for strengthening. The storm is situated over very warm water and is expected to develop explosively over the weekend and into early next week as it moves slowly west, south of Jamaica.

Melissa will likely become a powerful hurricane with a lot of the model guidance suggesting the storm will strengthen into at least a Category 4 hurricane with winds that top 130 mph, and its possible, although remote, that the storm could attain Category 5 status.

The 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season has produced two Category 5 hurricanes so far (Erin and Humberto). Last year featured two Category 5 hurricanes (Beryl and Milton), but its been 20 years since there were three or more. This happened last in the record-setting year of 2005 when a record four Category 5 hurricanes formed.

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Melissa will likely get picked up by a trough swinging through the Eastern U.S. next week, following a typical path for a hurricane in late October, across Cuba and then the Bahamas. The storm will likely move through the Bahamas around the middle of next week as we approach Halloween. If you have travel plans to the Bahamas next week, please stay up to date on the latest forecast for Melissa.

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Democratic Rep. Torrey Harris of Memphis says legislation to created recall measure for local officials returns accountability to "the people." (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

Amid an argument over jettisoning Memphis school board members, state Rep. Torrey Harris is sponsoring a measure that would allow voters to recall local elected leaders.

House Bill 1448, which Harris filed Tuesday, would create a process for the removal of officials such as mayors, county commissioners, school board members and other county officials.

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Some Tennessee local government charters already allow recall votes, or an ouster lawsuit can be filed in chancery court for misconduct or neglect of duty. But Harris measure would be based largely on voter discontent with an official.

This legislation is about restoring the power of accountability where it belongs  with the people, Harris said in a statement. Our communities deserve to have confidence that if their elected leaders stop representing their values or fail to uphold the public trust, there is a process in place to act responsibly and democratically.

Harris passed legislation earlier this year to move the election dates of school board members to match those of county commissions. It passed the legislature overwhelmingly despite opposition from Senate Democrats and a handful of House Democrats.

Sen. London Lamar, a Memphis Democrat, said Wednesday she could not support the bill because of the need to protect the rights of voters to select representatives rather than tinker with the process.

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We already have a system for holding elected officials accountable. Its called an election. Creating a new recall process risks turning local democracy into a series of vengeance campaigns by sore losers or politically motivated special interests, Lamar said in a statement to the Lookout.

Lamar said she believes such legislation also could open the door for more out-of-state dark money to target community leaders.

After the session vote, Shelby County Commission voted 7-5 this summer to change the date of school board elections to match other 2026 elections, a move that would shorten the four-year terms of five members. Commissioners initially delayed action because of school board opposition and questions about the constitutionality of reducing terms, Chalkbeat Tennessee reported.

We already have a system for holding elected officials accountable. Its called an election. Creating a new recall process risks turning local democracy into a series of vengeance campaigns by sore losers or politically motivated special interests.

 Sen. London Lamar, D-Memphis

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, who is not related to Torrey Harris, vetoed the measure because he opposed changing the terms of sitting board members. An override vote could be held Monday.

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Those moves are believed to be targeting four Memphis Shelby County School Board members in mid-term after they voted to fire Superintendent Marie Feagins this year, upsetting some community members and leading to a lawsuit by the former schools leader.

Memphis Democratic Rep. G.A. Hardaway, who voted for Harris initial bill this year, asked for a legal opinion in August from Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti to determine whether it is constitutional for county officials to shorten school board member terms, according to the Chalkbeat Tennessee report. The opinion hasnt been filed yet.

Rep. Harris new legislation is expected to be sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Brent Taylor, a Shelby County Republican who tried to orchestrate a state takeover of the school district this year. He was unable to muster enough support to gain passage, especially in light of the failure of the states Achievement School District to make a major difference in Memphis troubled schools. The state-run district that created several charter schools in Memphis is being phased out.

Harris bill, which also would affect mayors, sheriffs, trustees, clerks, property assessors and registers of deeds, would allow local voters to file a petition with the county election commission demanding a recall. It would have to be signed by 66% of the total vote cast for the office in the last regular election and give a general statement on the grounds for removal.

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When submitted, the petition would have to include a sworn affidavit stating each voters signature is genuine and received within 90 days of the start of the petition. In addition, the person circulating the petition must have voted in favor of the official theyre seeking to remove in that elected officials last regular election.

If the county election commission places the matter on a ballot, it must be posed only to voters represented by the official up for removal.

HB1448

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One local politician is hosting a vaccine clinic.

Pennsylvania State Rep. Bob Merski is holding a flu and COVID-19 vaccine clinic at his office at 3921 Buffalo Road on Friday, Oct. 24, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Firefighters battle weather alongside structure fire

Those attending must have a valid insurance card.

Merski, D-Erie, encouraged the public to get vaccinated. Protecting community health depends on all of us doing our part, Merski said. When we take sensible, preventive steps for ourselves and others, we reduce the spread of influenza and COVID19 and keep our neighbors safer.

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For more information, call Merskis office at 814-455-6319.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Thursday a decision by the European Parliament to not move forward with the reform of the European Union's supply chain law for the time being "is unacceptable."

The European Parliament's legal committee had worked out a compromise on the reform, which is aimed at simplifying due diligence obligations for businesses.

However, a position paper failed to receive a majority on Wednesday. Parliamentarians are to vote again on the issue at the next plenary session on November 13.

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The move "is a fatal mistake and must be corrected," Merz said.

"We now need to talk again with the political groups in the European Parliament about how to do this, but things cannot remain as they are," Merz said.

"We now need really quick decisions in the European Union to restore the competitiveness of European industry, which we are currently losing dramatically."

The directive was initially adopted in 2024 with the aim of supporting human rights globally by making large companies accountable for violations in their supply chains, such as the use of child or forced labour.

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Businesses and politicians quickly criticized the law, seeing it as causing excessive regulation that would impose a large bureaucratic burden and reduce the bloc's competitiveness.

This led to the decision to postpone the implementation of the rules before the European Commission proposed a revision at the beginning of the year, intending to cut red tape.

The reform must still be finalized in negotiations between EU lawmakers and member states.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Thursday a decision by the European Parliament to not move forward with the reform of the European Union's supply chain law for the time being "is unacceptable."

The European Parliament's legal committee had worked out a compromise on the reform, which is aimed at simplifying due diligence obligations for businesses.

However, a position paper failed to receive a majority on Wednesday. Parliamentarians are to vote again on the issue at the next plenary session on November 13.

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The move "is a fatal mistake and must be corrected," Merz said.

"We now need to talk again with the political groups in the European Parliament about how to do this, but things cannot remain as they are," Merz said.

"We now need really quick decisions in the European Union to restore the competitiveness of European industry, which we are currently losing dramatically."

European Parliament president disagreed with Merz

Roberta Metsola, president of the European Parliament, rebuffed the comments.

"I would not question the democratic independence and the institutional prerogative of the parliament to defend its position and and represent the citizens as we are elected to do directly," she said, after an exchange with Merz and other EU leaders in Brussels.

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"But we also want to work towards finding compromises," she added.

"That's my task for the next two and a half weeks, together with the leaders of the political groups who also need to come together to see where the landing zone is."

The directive was initially adopted in 2024 with the aim of supporting human rights globally by making large companies accountable for violations in their supply chains, such as the use of child or forced labour.

Businesses and politicians quickly criticized the law, seeing it as causing excessive regulation that would impose a large bureaucratic burden and reduce the bloc's competitiveness.

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This led to the decision to postpone the implementation of the rules before the European Commission proposed a revision at the beginning of the year, intending to cut red tape.

The reform must still be finalized in negotiations between EU lawmakers and member states.
A British woman will avoid execution for drug smuggling in Indonesia under an agreement signed this week between the two nations to repatriate her and another Briton serving a life sentence.

Lindsay Sandiford, 68, has been imprisoned on Bali since 2012. She was arrested at the resort islands airport after authorities found 3.8 kilograms (8.4 pounds) of cocaine worth $2.5 million hidden in the lining of her suitcase. During the trial, she said she was forced to carry the drugs by a gang that threatened her children.

She was sentenced to die by firing squad and Indonesias highest court upheld it in 2013.

Another prisoner, Shahab Shahabadi, 35, has been serving a life sentence since 2014. He was arrested in Jakarta as a result of an investigation into an international drug trafficking network. He had previously sent 30 kilograms (15 pounds) of methamphetamine powder in several shipments from Iran to his partner for distribution in Jakarta, before finally arriving in Jakarta himself, prosecutors said.

Both of them are facing problems. The first one is ill and has been examined by a doctor from the British Consulate in Bali. She is seriously ill and is 68 years old, said Indonesias Senior Minister of Law Yusril Ihza Mahendra. He signed the repatriation agreement with British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.

Mahendra said the transfer of the prisoners will take place after both countries have completed technical and administrative steps.

Indonesia under President Prabowo Subiantos administration has sent several foreign prisoners home under bilateral agreements with each of their countries. They included a Filipina who faced the death penalty for drugs and five Australians convicted of heroin trafficking.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime says Indonesia is a major drug smuggling hub despite having some of the strictest drug laws in the world, in part because international drug syndicates target its young population.

About 530 people are on death row in Indonesia, mostly for drug-related crimes, including nearly 100 foreigners, the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections data showed last month. Indonesias last executions, of a citizen and three foreigners, were carried out in July 2016. MDT/AP

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Ireland is just days away from electing a new president  a mostly ceremonial role, though the office does carry constitutional responsibilities like appointing the Taoiseach, or prime minister, and referring legislation to the courts, granting the post real authority.

This year, independent progressive Catherine Connolly has surged ahead in the polls, commanding a comfortable lead over her sole rival, the center-right Heather Humphreys. That makes it all the more jarring that, just days before the vote, a video started making the rounds of Connolly telling supporters she was dropping out of the race, automatically granting Humphreys the presidency.

Theres just one small wrinkle: Connolly never actually withdrew. It was the latest case of a hoax perpetuated by a deepfake, meaning an AI-generated recording that misrepresents real people to spread disinformation or sow other types of chaos.

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It all started on Metas Facebook, where a lookalike account called RTE News AI, after Irelands public service broadcaster, posted the 40 second clip, which was allowed to stay up for 12 hours. During that time, it garnered 30,000 views and was shared hundreds of times before the platform finally scrubbed it, according to The Irish Times.

While some deepfakes are pretty easy to spot if you know what to look for, this one was slick.

It opens with a news desk reporter for RTE announcing that Catherine Connolly has confirmed her withdrawal from the presidential race. In typical news broadcast fashion, it then cuts to tightly edited, synthesized footage of the politician, plastered with RTE chyrons to look like a real broadcast.

Arguably the biggest tell comes after the fauxConnolly announces her withdrawal, when characteristically un-Irish voices from the crowd holler Catherine, no! The clip then flashes back to yet another reporter, who informers the viewer that, simply put, Fridays election is now cancelled. It will no longer take place as previously planned. But as for Heather Humphreys, she will become the winner automatically and will be appointed tomorrow.

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A spokesperson for Coimisiun na Mean, Irelands media censor, said the agency had contacted the platform concerned to understand the immediate measures they have taken in response to this incident, and have reminded the platform of their obligations under the EU Digital Services Act relating to protecting the integrity of elections.

Ireland has an odd history with AI hoaxes. Last year, hundreds gathered in the streets of Dublin to await a Halloween parade that would never come. The event had been dreamt up by a website based out of Pakistan, which used ChatGPT to exploit Googles SEO system.

Meta, for its part, has been the epicenter of more than a few geopolitical scandals. There was the infamous Cambridge Analytica affair, in which 50 million Facebook profiles were scraped to build software in order to influence American voters in the 2016 elections. Lesser known was the companys role in the genocide of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, in which viral misinformation spread on Facebook was directly responsible for inciting an explosion in political violence.

The Irish presidential election might be small potatoes in comparison, but its a glaring signal that Facebook and its parent company Meta are still incredibly vulnerable to this kind of malicious interference.

More on Meta: Meta Employee Creates AI App That Deepfakes the Dream Vacation You Couldnt Afford
GRAND JUNCTION Colo. (KREX)- Stargazers are in for a treat this week as the Orionid meteor shower reaches its peak  with a rare appearance of Comet Lemmon. The celestial show promises bright streaks of light across the night sky from midnight until dawn, offering some of the best viewing conditions of the year.

Its a really exciting time, especially this week, because its a new moon phase, said Catherine Whiting, associate professor of physics and astronomy at Colorado Mesa University and a researcher with the Grand Mesa Observatory. Its perfect for observing. Normally, this time of year, we have meteor showers happening and there are actually seven of them right now. One of the most prominent is called the Orionids.

The Orionids occur every October as Earth passes through a trail of debris left behind by a Comet.

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The meteors are actually caused by little pieces of rock that enter our atmosphere, Whiting said. The reason why we encounter them every year is because theyre actually leftover from a comet. So, every year we encounter that debris once per year.

In addition to the Orionids, observers may also spot Comet Lemmon below the Big Dipper. While not visible to the naked eye, it can be seen with binoculars or captured through long-exposure photography under dark skies.

There are two comets that are visible right now, Whiting said. These ones are actually approaching the sun and theyre pretty close to us. Theyre pretty bright  not quite ones that you can pick out with the naked eye, but for sure, with binoculars, you can see the comets.

To help the community make the most of the event, the Western Colorado Astronomy Club is hosting public observing nights this week.

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Therell be a lot of volunteers there who have telescopes and know a lot about astronomy, Whiting said. Theyll help you point out the comet. Those are great events, and theyre open to the public.

Whether you are a seasoned stargazer or just looking for a peaceful night under the stars, this weeks night sky offers a rare chance to see both a meteor shower and a comet. More details on the Western Colorado Astronomy Club events can be found here.

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JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)  The Methodist Rehabilitation Center in Jackson celebrated 50 years of helping people learn to walk, work and live independently again.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Some Nashville business owners worry about paying their 2025 tax bill because they say they owe tens of thousands more dollars this time around.

Metro Nashville and Davidson County Assessor of Property Vivian Wilhoite said some appraisal values have increased in Davidson County.

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Nashville has had its growth, and that comes as a blessing and a curse, Wilhoite said.

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She said the property tax bills for 2025 were sent out this month.

We want property owners to know we are not trying to stick it to them, she said. We are not pulling numbers out of the sky. We are doing it to be fair because that is what the state requires us to do.

Bar owner Barrett Hobs calls it sticker shock, saying some businesses owe tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars more this year.

You cant raise the price of cheeseburgers or beer enough to overcome this type of increase, Hobbs said. Its a mortal wound to anyone in the business.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Wilhoite said the bill comes from two factors: the value of the property and the tax rate, which is set by the Metro Council.

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She said its too late to appeal the 2025 property value. In January, property owners can start the 2026 appeal process.

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BARTONVILLE, Ill (WMBD)  Airplanes, food and champagne were all at the General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport on Wednesday as the Metropolitan Airport Authority of Peoria celebrated its 75th anniversary.

Guests were able to overlook the runway and see airplanes closer than usual. They also took pictures with a snow broom. MAAP owns and operates PIA and the Mt. Hawley Airport.

Gene Olson, director of airports, said airports help with economic development.

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Talk to a site selector for an economic development firm and you ask them, why did you put your factory in that community?, said Olson. They may or they may not mention the airport, but if you ask them the other side of that coin and say, Why didnt you put your factory in that community? The lack of an airport is always in the top ten.

The next milestone will be in 2032 for the General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport centennial.

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MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -Mexico's agriculture minister will travel to Washington next week with the aim of reaching an agreement on the reopening of the border to Mexican cattle amid an outbreak of the flesh-eating screwworm parasite, President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Thursday.

Mexican Agriculture Minister Julio Berdegue will meet with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins to discuss plans for the border, which the U.S. has kept closed to Mexican cattle imports since May.

"We hope he can return with an agreement on the border opening," Sheinbaum said in her regular press conference.

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The screwworm, a pest that burrows into the flesh of warm-blooded animals, often killing livestock if left untreated, has moved northward through Central America since late last year and deep into Mexico, straining relations with the United States, Mexico's biggest trading partner, and rattling the livestock sectors of both countries.

Rollins has publicly criticized Mexico's response to the outbreak. Mexico confirmed its first cases of screwworm infections in animals in the state of Nuevo Leon, which borders the U.S., in recent weeks but has said they were contained and resolved.

Meanwhile, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is urging U.S. cattle ranchers to lower beef prices while several agencies announced an effort to rebuild the country's decimated cattle herd. The White House also said on Thursday that Trump is quadrupling the country's low-tariff imports of Argentine beef in his attempt to lower grocery store beef prices, angering U.S. ranchers.

(Reporting by Cassandra Garrison and Brendan O'Boyle; Editing by Richard Chang)
By Daniel Becerril

METAPA, Mexico (Reuters) -Deep in the humid lowlands of southern Mexico, engineers, veterinarians and entomologists are racing to repurpose a plant that will play a pivotal role in trying to eradicate the flesh-eating screwworm parasite threatening the country's cattle industry and raising tensions with the United States.

Inside what was once a facility used to help control Mediterranean fruit flies, workers are dismantling old infrastructure and rebuilding specialized laboratories designed to mimic the conditions of an animal wound, which screwworm flies seek in order to lay their eggs.

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The transformation is part of Mexico's urgent bid to start domestic production of sterile screwworm flies, a proven method to eradicate the pest that burrows into the flesh of warm-blooded animals, often killing livestock if left untreated.

The plant aims to be ready by July 2026 and would double the number of sterile flies Mexico can release into the wild.

The screwworm outbreak, which has moved northward through Central America and deep into Mexico, has strained relations with the United States, Mexico's biggest trading partner. The U.S. has kept its border mostly closed to Mexican cattle imports since May.

The U.S. invested $21 million towards the $51 million facility in Chiapas state.

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COMPLEX PROCESS

On a tour of the plant, officials explained the complex epidemiological process, stressing the time it takes to build the right conditions.

The technique involves breeding millions of flies, sterilizing them with radiation, and releasing them into the wild. When sterile males mate with wild females, no offspring are produced, and the population collapses over time.

Mexico first used the method decades ago, successfully eradicating the screwworm after a 19-year campaign.

At the biofactory in Metapa, engineers are adapting the existing infrastructure to breed the screwworm fly instead of the Mediterranean fruit fly. The plant already has a power substation, air systems and sterilization equipment, which has helped shorten construction time.

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"Starting from scratch could take three or four years to set up a sterile fly production plant," said engineer Hunberto Gomes. "Therefore, we saw advantages in terms of its capacity, which is 2,016 square meters, we will convert into a production of 100 million flies weekly."

For now, Mexico depends on weekly shipments of around 100 million sterile flies from a plant in Panama. The flies are flown into Chiapas, packed into temperature-controlled boxes and loaded onto planes for release over infested zones in Chiapas, Oaxaca and Veracruz. Each plane follows a grid pattern designed to blanket outbreak areas with sterile males.

"If we hadn't used this technique, the entire country would likely already be infested," said coordinator Jose Luis Quintero.

Mexico's efforts are coordinated through Senasica, the sanitation agency of the agriculture ministry, which oversees the plants and the field campaigns.

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Officials said they hope the Metapa plant will accelerate the pace of sterile fly releases to speed the eradication process.

"The screwworm was eradicated once before in Mexico  it took 19 years. We hope to do it in far less time," Quintero said.

(Reporting by Daniel Becerril, writing by Cassandra Garrison; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
Oct. 23A New Mexico man who won a massive medical malpractice verdict last year in Albuquerque will receive at least $96.5 million under a bankruptcy settlement approved by a Nevada judge, court records show.

A Bernalillo County jury in November awarded $412 million in compensatory and punitive damages to Michael E. Sanchez, who suffered permanent harm after receiving penile injections at NuMale Medical Center in Albuquerque.

NuMale Medical, which did business in several states at the time, filed for Chapter 11 reorganization in January in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Nevada. A global settlement agreement was approved by a judge on Sept. 4.

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Parties in the case agreed that Sanchez will receive an initial settlement of $96.5 million once the final order in the case is filed, court records show. That figure includes about $45 million for legal fees and expenses.

The "Sanchez Claim" will receive only a fraction of the unsecured claim amount of $410 million allowed under the settlement. But it will receive the lion's share of the total $108.5 million settlement, court records show.

The settlement doesn't list a specific effective date but states the payment will be made after a final order is issued. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Natalie M. Cox had not issued a final order as of Tuesday.

NuMale's attorney, Frank Alvarez of Dallas, did not immediately respond to phone and email messages seeking comment.

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NuMale also had clinics in Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Nevada, Nebraska, North Carolina and Wisconsin, according to the lawsuit.

Sanchez's attorney, Lori Bencoe, declined comment on Tuesday, noting the settlement prohibits attorneys from speaking publicly about the case.

According to the 2020 lawsuit filed in 2nd Judicial District Court in New Mexico, Sanchez was 66 when he visited the NuMale clinic in 2017 seeking treatment for fatigue and low energy. The suit accused the clinic of misdiagnosing him and treating him with "invasive erectile dysfunction shots" that caused permanent harm.

The suit accused NuMale of medical negligence, battery and negligent staffing.

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A 2nd Judicial District Court jury returned a verdict Nov. 26 following a weeklong trial that required NuMale to pay $37 million in compensatory damages and $375 million in punitive damages. Judge Beatrice Brickhouse dismissed the case Oct. 6 in accordance with the bankruptcy settlement.

Following the trial, Bencoe issued a statement celebrating the verdict as the largest-ever medical malpractice verdict awarded by a jury in the United States.

"It's a national record-setting case and it's righteous because I don't think there's any place for licensed professionals to be defrauding patients for money," Bencoe said at the time.
MIAMI, Okla.  To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Miami Public Library received a financial gift from Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Miami Public Library will receive the $10,000 gift in January 2026. Library director Callie Cortner said the funds can be used in any manner to celebrate the 250th anniversary, further the librarys mission, and benefit the Miami community.

Andrew Carnegie, who championed the free public library movement of the late 19th century, described libraries as cradles of democracy that strengthen the democratic idea, citizen equality, and mans royalty.

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The award is part of Carnegie Libraries 250, a special initiative celebrating the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and honoring the roughly 1,280 Carnegie Libraries still serving their communities across the United States.

We still believe this and are delighted to celebrate our connection to the libraries he founded, said Dame Louise Richardson, president of Carnegie Corporation of New York and former head of the University of Oxford.

Opened in 1921, the Miami Public Library is one of 25 Carnegie Libraries in Oklahoma.

This gift honors the history of Carnegie Libraries and the role they have played in communities nationwide for more than a century. Miami Public Library has been on this same corner since it was built in 1921. We were on Route 66 before there was a Route 66, and, amazingly, our community has supported us for over 104 years. Callie Cortner, Director of Library, Arts, & Community Engagement

This enduring partnership exemplifies the power of community engagement and the lasting impact of libraries as centers of learning and connection, Cortner said.

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Scottish immigrant Andrew Carnegie funded the construction of 1,681 free public libraries nationwide between 1886 and 1917. Approximately 750 continue using their original buildings, while others have moved to new locations.

Click here to share Miami Public Library photos, stories, and community celebrations.

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In Macaus old quarters, the distinctive yet illegal metal cages are everywhere; despite the governments 2022 Urban Building Legal System Bill and increasing fines for unauthorized installations, social media has recently seen advertisements offering these services.

Wandering through the old town, one encounters the citys iconic metal cages  a distinctive architectural feature.

However, these structures are illegal due to their potential safety hazards. In 2017, an accident involving a falling metal cage highlighted these dangers when a worker hired to dismantle the metal cage from a fourth-floor unit lost his footing, causing both him and the cage to fall onto another cage belonging to a first-floor resident.

Earlier this year, a similar incident occurred when a discarded cigarette butt allegedly ignited debris, setting a residential cage on fire.

Chinese media reported earlier this year that Macau has over 6,000 buildings of various types, with 4,838 commercial, residential, and industrial structures that are 30 years or older.

Low-rise buildings with seven stories or fewer account for more than 3,500 of these structures. Additionally, there are over 190,000 unauthorized constructions, including metal cages, awnings, rooftops, clothes drying racks, air conditioner brackets, exhaust pipes, and thousands of rooftop structures.

Reviewing past reports shows that the Land and Urban Construction Bureau (DSSCU), recognizing the risks posed by unauthorized structures that increase building loads and compromise structural safety, established its Interdepartmental Permanent Demolition Team for Illegal Construction in 2010 and launched the Voluntary Demolition Subsidy Program for Unauthorized Structures in 2013 to address these issues.

In 2022, the Urban Construction Legal System was implemented, increasing fines to encourage residents to remove unauthorized structures while explicitly targeting new cases of illegal construction. Authorities conduct on-site investigations upon receiving reports, with immediate penalties for ongoing construction.

For existing illegal structures, offenders are notified to address violations, and failure to comply within a specified timeframe results in penalties.

Last year, the government also introduced the Building Maintenance Subsidy and Interest-Free Loan Scheme, which focuses on removing unauthorized structures from unit exteriors and restoring buildings according to their original design plans.

However, while authorities are intensifying efforts to crack down on illegal construction projects, including metal cages  particularly in newly built, renovated, or structurally compromised buildings, as well as in buildings issued occupancy permits after the new law took effect  it has recently been found that numerous advertisements offering metal cage installation services persist on social media platforms. In response, the authorities issued a statement yesterday expressing high concern and condemnation.

Authorities are cracking down on illegal metal cage installations after a surge in online advertisements promoting these unlawful services, the DSSCU announced in a statement yesterday. We urge residents not to take chances and to avoid patronizing these illegal services.

The bureau emphasized that these advertisements, often featuring short videos, solicit business and encourage residents to engage in illegal construction projects, thereby compromising public safety. We will investigate these advertisements for violations related to illegal construction, and if verified, cases will be opened for follow-up, the bureau stated.

The bureau also reminded the public of the significant penalties associated with illegal construction, noting that some units have been fined MOP180,000 for illegal works, such as installing metal cages, while another unit faced a MOP240,000 fine for installing multiple sets.

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WARSAW, Poland (AP)  Michael Smuss, who fought Nazi soldiers with Molotov cocktails during the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising of World War II and became a painter after the war to process his trauma, has died. He was 99.

His wife in Israel confirmed his death on Thursday. She said Smuss died on Oct. 21. Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, said the funeral would take place on Friday.

Smuss was born in 1926 in what was then the Free City of Danzig, now Gdansk, Poland. He later moved to Lodz and Warsaw. In 1940, he became one of the hundreds of thousands of Jewish people forcefully imprisoned within the walls of the Warsaw Ghetto.

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The Warsaw Ghetto initially held some 380,000 Jews who were cramped into tight living spaces, and at its peak housed about half a million people. Disease and starvation were rampant, and bodies often appeared on the streets.

Smuss joined the Jewish resistance in the ghetto and he was active in an underground group led by Mordechai Anielewicz, according to Frank Steffens, a family member living in Germany.

While working to restore helmets Nazi soldiers used in battle, Smuss had access to a thinning substance which could also be used to make Molotov cocktails. He stole as much of it as he could and passed it to the resistance.

We filled up bottles which were then put up on the roofs of all the houses close to the entrance of the ghetto, with the expectation that, once theyre going to come, well be throwing them down, Smuss recounted three years ago in a video for the Sumter County Museum in South Carolina, which exhibited his art at the time.

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When the Nazis entered the ghetto on April 19, 1943, with the intention of razing it to the ground, hundreds of Jews took up arms in a desperate attempt to fight back.

On that day, Smuss himself threw Molotov cocktails at the Nazi soldiers from the rooftops of the ghetto, Paul Diedrich, a family member living in Germany, who spent a few months with the man in Israel earlier this year, told The Associated Press.

He was also one of the few resistance fighters to survive the almost one month of fighting.

Smuss was arrested by Nazi troops and was on his way to Treblinka, when he was turned back by the Nazis themselves, who needed workers, according to Paul Diedrichs account. He went on to spend time in other camps before surviving a death march in the spring of 1945.

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After the war was over, Smuss went to the U.S., where he started a family.

Later, he moved to Israel, where his process of dealing with the Holocaust trauma began in earnest. He took up painting and met his second wife, Ruthy.

From then on, Michael began to process his experiences artistically and went to German schools to show the descendants of his tormentors the unimaginable, Diedrich said.

Despite his experiences, he retained an unmistakable sense of humor, he added. He grinned and laughed with me even at the age of 99.
(The Center Square)  Funding for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is increasing going into the new fiscal year, despite calls for its defunding.

Republicans have long been pushing for increased transparency and accountability at the department, which has recently faced a number of controversies.

While the recently-signed budget does not include cuts in gross appropriations for DNR, Republican lawmakers still applauded some of the changes the budget did make.

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We took significant steps to ensure the Department of Natural Resources would not have the resources or authority to continue their unchecked power grab throughout Michigan, said Rep. Ken Borton, R-Gaylord. Our budget agreement ensures the DNR will not continue its legal warfare against honest hog farmers, no solar or wind projects will be forced on state land, and no residents will be charged or fined for simply feeding the birds near their homes.

Comparing the 2025-2026 fiscal budget, which was just signed at the beginning of the month, to last years budget, the department saw a slight increase in its funding. This comes despite a slight decrease in the overall budget spending.

Gross appropriations for the DNR increased from $534.6 million to $543.2 million. Like some other departments throughout the state, there was a slight drop in the number of employees at the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

In the previous fiscal year, there were 2,539 full-time positions. In this coming year, there was a slight decrease to 2,509. Republicans labeled those 30 positions ghost employees, meaning the department received funding for them, but never filled them.

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That means, while the department saw a 1.6% increase in its budget, it also had a 1.2% decrease in full-time positions.

While many of the agencies within the DNR saw relatively little change in their budgets from last year to this, the majority of the increase in funding came from an increase in one-time appropriations and capital expenditures for lands and infrastructure.

Some of those one-time appropriations included projects like:

 Fish production

 Ice storm wildlife protection

 Reforestation

Notably, the DNRs budget also did not include any increases in hunting or fishing licensing fees. It will also not make it mandatory to buy a pass to state parks, something some Democrat lawmakers had proposed.

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Borton praised both of those as wins for Michiganders.

The DNR already has plenty of resources, he said. If they believe they need additional funding, they should look within instead of pursuing fee hikes that will drive more people away from the outdoors.
LANSING  Ten Republican state senators have called on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to fire the top two officers at the Michigan State Police, if they won't resign.

Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, R-Porter Township, who held an Oct. 23 news conference at the Capitol to publicize an Oct. 22 letter from senators to Whitmer making the request, pointed to a spate of recent lawsuits over MSP promotion and personnel practices and a recent union survey that showed about 98% of troopers expressed nonconfidence in Col. James Grady, the MSP director, and Lt. Col. Aime Brimacombe, the chief deputy director.

State Sen. Jim Runestad, R-White Lake, speaks at a Capitol news conference Oct. 23 as Sen. Kevin Daley, R-Lum (left) and Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, R-Porter Township, look on.

"The failed leadership of these two individuals continues to erode public trust in what should be one of our state's most respected institutions," said the GOP senators' letter to Whitmer, which was released to the news media.

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Whitmer, through a spokeswoman, rejected the demand from GOP senators, which follows similar complaints in May about Grady and Brimacombe from state Republican House members. She both times pointed to reductions in violent crime during the leadership of Grady, who was named MSP director by Whitmer in September 2023.

"Col. Grady has demonstrated steady, principled leadership at the helm of the Michigan State Police," Whitmer spokeswoman Stacey LaRouche said in a text message.

More: Oakland University student under investigation for allegedly threatening GOP candidate

More: Michigan GOP senators call on Gov. Whitmer to fire top two officers at MSP

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Recent controversies cited by the Republican senators include:

Brimacombe, named the number two officer at the MSP by Grady in December 2024, has been under fire for her involvement in a $999,999 settlement paid to the brother of one of her Facebook friends.

"The Michigan State Police has become a chaotic, mismanaged organization," state Sen. Jim Runestad, R-White Lake, who is also chairman of the Michigan Republican Party, said at the Oct. 23 news conference.

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"Gov. Whitmer has done absolutely nothing."

Grady, in an Oct. 23 statement issued through his spokeswoman, Shanon Banner, said: "I remain committed to supporting the dedicated, hardworking members," of the MSP and "I am focused on moving this department forward while continuing to work with our law enforcement partners statewide to address crime and improve traffic safety."

Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan GOP senators call on Whitmer to fire top two officers at MSP
Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Four marijuana-related bills were up for consideration before a House panel on Thursday, with one aiming to upend rules on the legal amount of regulated marijuana a person is allowed to possess, both in plant and concentrate form.

Members of the House Regulatory Reform Committee discussed but did not amend or advance House Bill House 5104, Bill 5105, House Bill 5106 and House Bill 5107.

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Derek Sova, a policy and legislative assistant for the Cannabis Regulatory Agency, told the committee previously that Michigans legal marijuana industry faced several challenges, and that two of those big hurdles were large illicit grow operations and the agencys inability to go after bad actors because their licenses had expired.

The series of bills before the committee would address those concerns.

House Bill 5105 and House Bill 5107 are sponsored by state Reps. Pauline Wendzel (R-Watervliet) and Mike Hoadley (R-Au Gres), respectively. The bills would in tandem create new penalties for cultivating, delivering and processing black market marijuana, but also change the amount of marijuana a person is legally allowed to possess in plant and concentrate form.

The bills are tie-barred together, meaning both would have to jointly clear the Legislature and be signed by the governor to become law.

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Under Wendzels bill, a person would be guilty of a misdemeanor if they possess between 10 and 25 kilograms, or between 50 and 100 plants, or between one and 2.5 kilograms of marijuana concentrate. The penalty would change to up to one year in jail or a $20,000 fine, or both.

Keeping between 25 and 125 kilograms, or between 100 and 500 plants, or between 2.5 and 12.5 kilograms of marijuana concentrate would become a felony punishable by two years in prison or a $500,000 fine, or both.

It would also be a felony offense to:

Keep between 125 and 250 kilograms, or between 500 and 1,000 plants, or between 12.5 and 25 kilograms. That could net a person four years in prison or a $2 million fine or both; and

Keep 250 kilograms or more, or 1,000 plants or more, or 25 kilograms or more of marijuana concentrate. The punishment there would be up to 10 years in prison or a $10 million fine, or both.

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Sponsored by state Rep. Kristian Grant (D-Grand Rapids), House Bill 5104 would allow the Cannabis Regulatory Agency to sanction a person even if they are no longer a licensee or if they are no longer operating a marijuana facility.

At present, the Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act holds that the expiration of a state-issued license terminates the authority of the agency to impose sanctions. The bill from Grant would retain that position but would add that the authority to impose sanctions would continue if there was already a pending action against a former licensee or facility operator.

House Bill 5106, sponsored by state Rep. Jerry Neyer (R-Shepherd), would amend the states Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act to similarly address disciplinary action on recreational licenses. The bill would let the agency summarily suspend a license if the licensees conduct poses a risk to the health, safety or welfare of the public.

Much like House Bill 5104, Neyers legislation would also give the agency authority to take disciplinary action against a person who no longer holds a license or if their license has recently expired.

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The risks that could lead to license suspension or discipline, as outlined in the bill, include possessing marijuana from a source that cannot be determined, keeping marijuana stashes obtained in violation of the act, obstructing an agency investigation, and failing to provide the agency with required records.

Neyers bill affects growers, processors, retailers, microbusinesses, safety compliance facilities and secure transporters.

State Rep. Emily Dievendorf (D-Lansing) said they were concerned about upticks in enforcement given that some industry folk were previously on the negative end of marijuana enforcement when it was illegal in Michigan. She questioned whether it was right to increase enforcement when the state was actively beginning to tax marijuana sales at a higher rate, which some have warned will ultimately push consumers to the black market.

Sova said that the point of the package was to support the licensed industry, as much as possible, especially those following the rules.

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Thats the purpose of giving us the greater enforcement authority over the bad actors in the licensed space who are cheating, who are undermining the folks who are trying to do it the right way, Sova said. This has been an issue, I believe, in communities where youve had a lot of these large illicit outdoor growers. Youre talking sometimes thousands or tens of thousands of plants that, the way the statutes are set up right now, theres really no disincentive to continue doing that.

Sova added that Michigan has become, in a lot of ways, sort of a central location for illicit operations, because the penalties for illicit activity are so low here.

State Rep. Joseph Aragona (R-Clinton Township), the committees chair, said he agreed with Dievendorf.

The 24% tax was difficult, he said. We obviously did not want to do in the House, but this could definitely help those legal growers who are going to be paying it, because, if Im mistaken, the black market wont be paying that tax.

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Sova said that was certainly the intention of the pending legislation.

Hoadley also testified along with Iosco County Prosecutor Jim Bacarella and Branch County Prosecutor Zach Stempien, both of whom supported the legislation and expressed concern for those working in the industry. Some of that concern had to deal with the exploitation of migrant workers or foreign nationals, which were issues brought up by the prosecutors during testimony.

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Dr. Farhan Bhatti, Michigans lead for the Committee to Protect Health Care and a family physician in Lansing, testifies to the Michigan Senate Health Policy Committee on the harms expected from the expiration of ACA tax credits. Pictured to his left are Dr. Cheryl Huckins and Dr. Simin Beg. Oct. 22, 2025 | Photo from the Committee to Protect Health Care.

The consequences of Congressional Republicans decision to let important Affordable Care Act tax credits expire on Jan. 1, 2026, will be dire for those seeking access to vital federal marketplace insurance plans and health care, advocates told a Michigan Senate panel on Wednesday.

Members of the Senate Health Policy Committee parsed the issue and sought to better understand how average Michiganders would be affected by the move.

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The panel, and Michigan Democrats across the board, have been warning that nearly 500,000 Michiganders who have benefited from the acts enhanced premium tax credits will be hit with a spike in insurance costs now that the Republicans in Washington have opted to let those credits expire at the turn of the year.

Some might see their health care costs double or triple, Democrats have argued, resulting in delayed or ignored health care assessments or procedures, or exorbitant debt if the procedures are most necessary.

That could also lead to premium increases for all users of the federal marketplace.

For several years now, we have seen the enhanced premium tax credit open the door to more folks being insured and having access to health care. This has not only led to better health outcomes for these individuals, but has helped to grow the insurance pool and lower costs for everyone, Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores), the committees chair, said. The deliberate decision to not extend these critical tax credits is reckless, shortsighted, and will result in irreparable harm to families throughout our state. Its time for leaders in Washington to put partisan politics aside and get this done for the American people.

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Hertel has also sponsored a Senate resolution calling on Congress and President Donald Trump to restore and permanently extend the enhanced tax credit, in addition to holding Wednesdays hearing.

Those giving testimony on Wednesday echoed the same sentiment: by terminating the credits, those enrolled in the ACA marketplace and beyond will face insurance price hikes.

Enhanced premium tax credits have been among the most effective tools weve had in reducing the number of uninsured Michiganders and making health care more affordable for working families, Rachel Richards, fiscal policy and government relations director for the Michigan League for Public Policy, said. Letting these credits expire would devastate hundreds of thousands of people who are already struggling with rising costs for everything from groceries to housing.

Dominick Pallone, executive director of the Michigan Association of Health Plans, said rising health care premiums, increasing prescription drug costs and high cost claims will leave both employers and consumers facing sticker shock when it comes time to pay health care bills.

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Enhanced premium tax credits help hundreds of thousands of Michiganders afford health insurance, Pallone said. There is still time for Congress to act and extend these tax credits to help make health care more affordable, and we look forward to continuing to partner with state policymakers on efforts to address the root causes of these historic premium increases.

Dr. Farhan Bhatti, Michigans lead for the Committee to Protect Health Care and a family physician in Lansing, said that too many patients are already struggling to get by while costs for health care also rise.

Physicians know too well that when patients arent able to afford health care, they often simply go without, Bhatti said. Their health conditions become worse, unnecessarily, and more difficult and expensive to treat. People are forced to seek care in the hospital, raising uncompensated care costs and raising premiums for everyone. Allowing the ACA enhanced premium tax credits to expire will cause harm to the health and financial security of patients like mine and all Michiganders.

Poll: Majority of Michiganders support holding the line on ACA subsidies

The conversation before the Senate panel is set against the backdrop of the ongoing federal government shutdown fight in Washington, where the ACA credit extension is a major sticking point.

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A new poll released by progressive policy advocates Progress Michigan shows that a majority of Michiganders support Democratic lawmakers standing firm in negotiations to ensure that the subsidies and the credits remain in place  even if it means a continuation of the temporary shutdown.

According to the groups latest Lake Effect poll, conducted between Oct. 16-17 with interviews from 679 residents, 54% said they supported Congress holding out on passing a budget until the subsidies are extended.

This is about more than numbers on a spreadsheet. Its about real people being able to afford doctor visits, prescriptions, and vital care, said Denzel McCampbell, Progress Michigan managing director. Michiganders are calling on Congress to prioritize affordable health care, not cave to a dangerous MAGA President and his cronies who care more about building a ballroom at the White House than the ability for Americans to afford life-saving care.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Historically speaking, attending business school has often been viewed as the ideal route to take for people who dream of becoming entrepreneurs. However, its not an option thats always feasible.

UMKC is addressing the problem head-on with its new Community Entrepreneurship Program, which launched last month under the schools Regnier Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

View the latest headlines from Kansas City, Missouri, and Kansas at fox4kc.com

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Marvin Carolina Jr. serves as the programs director, which he says is different from other schools.

It works in three phrases, he said.

The first phase is a six-week workshop on Saturday mornings. The second phase is mentorship.

Carolina said the third phase consists of consulting and research.

He said talks of the Community Entrepreneurship Program have happened for a while, adding that most of the participants are still in the idea phase, as many of them work full-time jobs.

Watch FOX4 News FREE on your streaming TV devices by downloading WDAF+

Carolina said the grand opening of the KC Streetcar Main Street Extension also exposes students to the possibilities in a new way.

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There [are] so many people who want to do, but just dont know how, he said.

What are the steps? Thats where we come in. We have a great knowledge base, and we want to share it with everyone throughout Kansas City. This is our opportunity to do that.

To learn more about the UMKC Community Entrepreneurship Program, contact marvinecarolinajr@umkc.edu.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
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Fowler Middle School in Tigard, Ore., confirmed that 37 soft pretzels sprinkled with Alto-Shaam oven cleaner were accidentally served to sixth graders during lunch on Monday, Oct. 20, per local outlets

School officials said affected students were immediately identified and checked for illness, and parents were advised to contact poison control or a doctor if symptoms persisted

According to parents, the oven cleaner was mistakenly used as salt after crushed cleaning tablets were left on a counter, leading to the contamination

An Oregon middle school has confirmed that students were served soft pretzels sprinkled with oven cleaner earlier this week.

Officials at Fowler Middle School in Tigard, Ore., said that 37 pretzels covered in Alto-Shaam oven cleaner were accidentally served during a lunch period for sixth graders on Monday, Oct. 20, per local outlet FOX 12.

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We understand that todays food incident created significant alarm within our school community. The safety and health of our students is our top priority, and we want to reassure you that protocols were followed to immediately identify the students who ate the pretzels and check for illness or adverse reactions, Fowler Middle School Principal Cindy Pellici said in a email to parents sent on Monday seen by local outlet KOIN 6.

Getty A stock photo of soft pretzels A stock photo of soft pretzels

The email also maintained that all of the students who were affected directly by the incident were contacted by the school and that those still experiencing symptoms are encouraged to call poison control or a medical provider.

Representatives for the Oregon Poison Center at OHSU confirmed to PEOPLE that they received about 20 calls related to Alto-Shaam.

Parent Kianna Bell told KOIN 6 that she received a voicemail from the school after her child was contaminated that said the following:



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This is Sharon Mitchell with Hazel or  Fowler Middle School, and you should have received communication sent out today regarding the food contamination. During sixth grade lunch, your student reported that they ate at least a part of a pretzel that was sprinkled with oven cleaner.

Getty Stock photo of a school cafeteria Stock photo of a school cafeteria

According to the CDC, ingestion of Sodium Hydroxide (which is found inside of certain Alto-Shaam products) can cause spontaneous vomiting, chest and abdominal pain, and difficulty swallowing with drooling as well as the possibility of extremely rapid corrosive injury to the mouth and other related organs and can result in hemorrhage of the gastrointestinal tract.



Fowler Middle School parent Kaylee Spiering told FOX 12 that the cleaning tablets were accidentally mistaken for salt.



How they put it was they were crushing up the oven cleaning tablets. After they crushed it up, they put it into a bag, Spiering told the outlet, noting that her 11-year-old son was one of the students affected. That bag was left on the counter, and someone mistook it for salt to put on the pretzels.



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Representatives for Fowler Middle School and the Tigard County Police did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment or confirmation as to how exactly the cleaner was mistakenly put on the pretzels.

Read the original article on People
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  The Midtown Farmers Market took over at Daffin Park Wednesday to give folks a place to get fresh, local produce.

The park was filled by local vendors, farmer and people looking to support local businesses.

As of Oct. 22, the market will officially be weekly and run year-round every Wednesday from 3-7 p.m., officials announced on Facebook. They also recently lowered the price of the vendor fee to $25.

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Daffin Park is located right across the street from the WSAV News 3 studio on Victory Drive in Savannah.

Officials said folks can expect food, music, educational food workshops and fun for the whole family every week.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) flailed Wednesday as CNNs Kaitlan Collins grilled him about Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greenes pointed criticism. (Watch the video below.)

Collins displayed social media remarks by the Georgia Republican in which she chided Johnson for not detailing a plan to help people whose Obamacare subsidies will run out soon. Greene called it unacceptable and accused her own party of dropping the ball on a healthcare disaster that will lead Americans to financial ruin.

Politics: GOP Feud Intensifies As Marjorie Taylor Greene Unleashes New Hit On Mike Johnson

Senate Democrats are demanding that Republicans extend the benefits or else they wont vote to end the government shutdown.

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She says, Youre sitting on the sidelines. Whats your response to congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene? Collins asked.

Well, bless her heart, Johnson answered. Thats an absurd statement. Obviously, these conference calls are monitored by media, so were not gonna have actual strategy discussions on a line where you have hundreds of people listening in because it would be reported on the front page. We have been working on this for a long time. We worked on it today. Weve been working on it every day.

Johnson claimed the Democrats pushback was a red herring designed to show force against Trump.

Politics: Bernie Sanders Gets Real About What Went Wrong With Kamala Harris Failed Campaign

That didnt deter Collins from returning to Greenes comments.

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Speaker, shes saying that the Republicans arent doing anything to address the health care issue here that Democrats are arguing about, the host said. Are you saying that there is a Republican plan and youre just not talking about it?

No, Im saying theres lots of discussion about it, but we dont relay it on a conference call with hundreds of people listening in, Johnson said.

Johnson called on Democrats to end their crazy gambit and Collins again tried to refocus the conversation.

Politics: Mehmet Oz Just Redefined Math To Make Donald Trumps Numbers Work

But if you have ideas and you have plans, why not have that out there to talk about in the public? she asked.

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Johnson tried to detour the interview back to blaming the Democrats and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).

Were not going to allow Chuck Schumer to play selfish political games and hold the American people hostage, the speaker said. We will not negotiate with legislative terrorists.

Greene, a GOP firebrand who has trafficked in conspiracy theories, has suddenly become somewhat of an ally for Democrats in defying the Trump administration. She has also called for the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files.

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Japans new foreign minister said yesterday his country plans to show its determination to further build up its defense to rapidly adapt to changing warfare realities and growing tension in the region when U.S. President Donald Trump visits Tokyo next week.

Trump is expected to hold talks next Tuesday with Japans Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who took office Tuesday after being elected Japans first female leader.

Takaichi, who had spent much of past few weeks embroiled in internal political wrangling, has to face major diplomatic tests within days of taking office  Trumps visit and two regional summits.

We are firmly preparing for President Trumps visit, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said.

Motegi said he hoped Trumps first meeting with Takaichi during his Oct. 27-29 visit would serve as an opportunity for the two leaders to discuss further strengthening of the Japan-U.S. alliance while fostering their personal relationship of trust.

He said Japan also hopes to further cooperate with South Korea, along with other regional partners including Australia and the Philippines, while seeking stable and constructive relations with China.

Japan is currently undergoing a five-year military buildup through 2027 as part of its national security strategy, including doubling its annual defense spending to 2% of gross domestic product. The strategy, which also promotes Japans strike-back capability with long-range missiles, marks a major break from Japans defense-only principle under its postwar pacifist constitution.

Takaichis government wants to move up a review for its post-2027 strategy which may involve larger military spending.

The ruling partys alliance with the right-wing Japan Innovation Party  which replaces an alliance with the dovish centrist Komeito party  has raised concerns that a revised strategy may involve further offensive roles for Japan under Takaichi, a security hawk.

Motegi said Japans further strengthening of its military capability is essential to adapt to emerging new warfare such as drone swarms in the war against Ukraine, as well as responses to cyberattacks. While firmly pursuing the ongoing five-year military buildup, the government will also review it, and we hope to firmly convey our plans to the U.S. side, Motegi said.

Japan is expected to face tough demands from Trump to further increase its defense spending to NATO levels of 5% of GDP, more purchases of costly American weapons and additional spending for some 50,000 U.S. troops in Japan under the bilateral security pact.

Our national defense should be based on our own independent decision, Motegi said. Whats important is not the amount or the GDP ratio but whats in it.

He also said he hopes to meet with his counterpart, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, at the earliest time possible to discuss further strengthening of the deterrence and response capability of the Japan-U.S. alliance.

Motegi returns to the post for the second time after serving in 2019-2021, during Trumps first term, when he earned a reputation as a tough negotiator. He is also tasked with following up on the Japan-U.S. tariffs agreement.

He said he hoped to work toward sincere and steady implementation of the agreement to promote and ensure mutual benefits, economic security and growth. MARI YAMAGUCHI, TOKYO, MDT/AP

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The first rains of summer in the Southern Hemisphere kicked off whats arguably one of the most fascinating migrations in nature. Tens of millions of red crabs are marching their way across Australias Christmas Island. Their final destination? The ocean shores.

Up to 100 million crabs are expected to make the treacherous journey this year and how and when it happens is largely dictated by the weather.

The crabs emerge from the forests with the first rainfall of the wet season, according to Parks Australia. While that usually happens in October or November, the crabs will wait, even if it happens in December or later.

(MORE: The Last Country That Was Mosquito-Free Isn't Anymore)

The moon also plays a critical role in the timing of this mass migration. The goal is to reach the beach to start new families. The red crabs always spawn during the last quarter of the moon, before dawn, as the high tide subsides.

Parks Australia via AP

Thats a pretty specific window, so if the rain comes late, the crabs have to hustle to make it across the island and its not an easy trek.

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Thats where their human neighbors on this small island in the Indian Ocean come in. Only about 1,200 people live here, and most are happy to do their part to help the crabs safely arrive on the beach.

Most of us think theyre a bit of a privilege to experience, Christmas Island National Park acting manager Alexia Jankowski told the Associated Press.

(MORE: This Adorable Robot Fish Eats Microplastics)

She described how residents will use rakes and leaf blowers to scurry the crabs off roads and driveways so they dont get crushed by cars. Some areas set up roadblocks to allow the crustaceans to crawl freely.

Parks Australia via AP

The male crabs lead the charge and once they reach the shore, theyll dig burrows for their mates to produce eggs.

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When the high tide returns, they move into the sea and release their eggs before heading back to the forest. This year, thats expected to happen around Nov. 14, with the last quarter of the moon.

About a month after that, the tiny larvae that survive the ocean ride begin returning to the island as small crabs. Completing their creepy, crawly circle of life.
Spectators gather before a meeting of the Alabama Legislature's Joint Prison Oversight Committee on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. The meeting was eventually moved to another larger room to accommodate the number of people attended. Those who remained heard of the violent and dangerous conditions within Alabama's prisons. (Ralph Chapoco/Alabama Reflector)

Ministers and family members described the dangerous conditions that incarcerated people endure in Alabama correctional facilities at a legislative committee hearing Wednesday.

Speaking to a meeting of the Joint Prison Oversight Committee at the Alabama Statehouse that drew hundreds of people, relatives of incarcerated people and those who work with them described assaults, drug overdoses and extortion against inmates and their families, almost five years after the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit alleging the conditions in Alabamas correctional facilities violate inmates Eighth Amendment protections against cruel and unusual punishment.

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Robert White, a pastor with the ministry Montgomery City of Refuge, told members of the committee on Tuesday that inmates were being intimidated or extorted from their bunks, creating what he described as homelessness even though they are in custody at the facility because they have no place to sleep or rest.

They have to sleep on the floor, in very deplorable positions because someone has taken their bunk from them, he said.

White also said that people who are incarcerated continue to live in violent conditions.

The punishment of taking away their freedom has already been handed, he said. We dont have to subject them to torture. We dont have to do that to them; we dont have to subject them to the horrific conditions they are facing. And if I could pick one issue that we have to address, it is sexual assaults. That destroys a man, and it reduces him to that of an animal.

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Speaking at a rally after the meeting, Tim Mathis, whose son Chase died in Elmore County Prison in 2014, said enough is enough.

Too long now, the Alabama Department of Corrections has operated like a shadow, they are unaccountable, untouchable, or so they think, he said. They are built on cruelty.

According to ADOC statistics, 1,600 assaults have been reported in state prisons since the beginning of 2025. ADOC does not categorize the incidents and it is not clear how many involved sexual violence. .

Limestone Correctional Facility in Limestone County has reported 247 assaults this year, the most of any prison in the state. Julia Tutweiler Prison for Women in Wetumpka was second, with 146 assaults reported this year.

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Rev. Kenneth Sharpton Glasgow of The Ordinary Peoples Society, an organization that advocates on behalf of people who are incarcerated, said that the violence remains a problem in Alabamas prisons.

People are getting beaten to death, he said. People are living in bad living conditions. There has been oversight, no citizen involvement, no citizens to help rehabilitate. In any other country, the family is involved.

The Alabama Legislature in 2024 approved a law creating a constituent services department in the DOC to answer questions from the public about the status of people in ADOC custody or the status of the prison facilities.

Stephanie Johnson, constituent services coordinator for the ADOC, said the office fielded almost 2,400 inquiries from July to September of this year. Nearly half of the inquiries dealt with people currently incarcerated in prisons. More than 500 of the inquiries were wellness checks on a loved one incarcerated in prison. Another 284 calls pertained to safety, while 330 were related to health concerns for people who were incarcerated.

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The meeting convened just amid the release of the documentary, The Alabama Solution, a documentary that details both the violence and the problems that have plagued the Alabama Department of Corrections.

Among the storylines is that of Corrections officer Roderick Gadson. Gadson was part of a group of corrections officers who beat Steven Davis to death in Donaldson Correctional Facility in 2019. The state, which denies that the officers used excessive force, later settled a lawsuit with Davis mother, Sondra Ray, for $250,000. Gadson was promoted to lieutenant after Davis death.

I, first and foremost, question a system that allows like that to be employed by the Department of Corrections, but I also question a system that allows the same person, who clearly is escalating in his aggression, to go from assault to allegedly beating someone to death, said Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, during the meeting,

John Hamm, the commissioner of the Alabama Department of Corrections, said that the culture that you mentioned is there, and that has been something that has been going on for quite some time.

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He said that the Department is soliciting the help of outside services to help address the problem, but that it will take time to solve.

This is one of those things that makes you happy and sad at the same time, that we have arrested 111 staff, Hamm said. That is sad that it would tarnish the bad, but it makes me happy that we are doing that.
(Photo illustration by Getty Images)

As a retired resident of north Minneapolis, and as a Jew, I was shocked to learn about a three-year $500,000 contract between the City of Minneapolis and Zencity. Zencity is an Israeli-founded tech company that developed surveillance technology that has since been used by law enforcement and municipalities nationwide to analyze peoples social media postings and internet activity in ways that should concern us if were worried about a police state undergirded by surveillance.

The Minneapolis contract calls for Zencity to design a digital survey to measure community perception of the MPD and public safety. It then analyzes the response data to improve police-community relations. Zencity presents itself as a partner of municipalities and law enforcement.

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When not using digital surveys, Zencity says it helps customers by gathering and analyzing millions of data points from the social media and internet activity of residents.

Whether through millions of collected data points or digital survey responses, Zencity says it enables law enforcement to hear from the entire community, not just the small number of people that show up at community meetings.

I see this as slick, sophisticated marketing  because the reality is very different.

I believe that the Minneapolis Police Department should not be allowed to partner with a company like Zencity whose surveillance technology has its roots in Israels notorious military intelligence unit, Unit 8200, in which Eyal Feder-Levy, the founder of Zencity, served.

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Israels all-encompassing surveillance of Palestinians has led to the development of facial recognition, cell phone hacking and AI-powered technology that is now spilling into non-military use.

The long-standing partnership between U.S. police and the Israeli military, which, until the current ceasefire, was carrying out a genocide, has created a backwash of violence and brutality into our Black and Indigenous communities.

Zencitys surveillance technology has been used by police departments throughout the U.S. to surveil social media during protests for racial justice, and monitor criticism of police and community outrage over police killings of Black people.

MPD should not be allowed to partner with a company whose surveillance technology could easily be a tool of racist law enforcement, especially given MPDs own history of brutality and violence against those same communities.

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Without that context, the Minneapolis contract with Zencity seems innocuous, as it is limited to online surveys. But Zencity uses existing digital advertising networks, like Meta, Google and X, to target digital advertisements to the local community. I object to police use of those ad algorithms on privacy grounds, based as they are on peoples social media and internet activity.

Although Minneapolis is not currently using it, Zencity markets a product called Organic and a program called Organic for Social Listening. Theres no survey you decide whether or not to take  its a surveillance technology that law enforcement can use to collect millions of data points from social media platforms like Facebook, X, Instagram, Nextdoor and LinkedIn.

Zencity then uses its advanced artificial intelligence capability to surface important trends, sentiment, interactions, and summaries This feature ensures that critical changes in community sentiment or conversation volume are quickly noticed. In other words, it can analyze the data it collected without peoples knowledge and determine what you are posting about and what your opinions might be on any topic that law enforcement wants to zero in on.

I believe both the current and potential future use of Zencity by MPD pose a threat to the online privacy of Minneapolis residents. Beyond that, even the citys selection of an Israeli company that is associated with apartheid Israel, a state found by the International Court of Justice to be committing a plausible genocide in Gaza, I find to be unacceptable.

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Like all Israeli companies it has benefited from the occupation and the apartheid system that provides resources and connections for Israeli high tech startups while denying the same to Palestinians.

As of October of 2025, survey results posted on the mayors dashboard show that Black and Indigenous residents feel significantly less safe than their white counterparts. Nor is there any improvement in those scores from the prior year. For anyone familiar with Minneapolis, this is not exactly earthshaking news.

I believe the $500,000 should have been used to address the real issues faced by residents of Minneapolis  housing, infrastructure, child care and health care. Instead it is being squandered on MPDs community perception surveys. The residents of Minneapolis need a real solution to MPDs history of racist and violent policing. Not some survey.

The contract can be cancelled for any reason on 30 days notice. The city of Minneapolis and the MPD will have already wasted $350,000  but we can still save $150,000 taxpayer dollars if the City Council and the Mayor act by December 1.

The City Council can demand that this contract be cut  immediately. But it is only Frey who has the authority to do so.
Oct. 23WORTHINGTON  The Minnesota House Capital Investment Committee traveled across central and southwest Minnesota this week on their third regional tour, which consisted of state infrastructure project proposals to be considered for inclusion in a 2026 Capital Investment Bill.

The tour began Tuesday in Albertville. The committee found themselves at Minnesota West Community and Technical College Wednesday afternoon, after stopping in Fulda.

The City of Fulda is working on infrastructure improvements to its drinking water and wastewater systems.

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"This is something we've been working on for quite some time," Fulda City Clerk Julie Burchill said. "In the presentation we gave ... the request was $4 million."

At Minnesota West, the communities of Butterfield and Trimont presented their infrastructure improvement requests.

Mark Warner, mayor of Butterfield, requested $8.2 million on behalf of the city for the first phase of repairs and upgrades to their wastewater treatment facility, the city's force main and lift station, due to outdated, failing and hazardous infrastructure. The total project cost for phase one is $16 million.

Travis Winter, principal engineer for Bolton and Menk, presented for the City of Trimont with city clerk Kelli Harder. The city requested $19.6 million in state bonding support to assist with the first phase of its infrastructure improvement project, which includes the design, construction and equipping of the city's water distribution, sewer collection, storm sewer systems and associated street reconstruction.

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The full infrastructure upgrade is estimated at over $62 million, with phase one estimated at $26 million.

Minnesota West requested Higher Education Asset Preservation and Replacement (HEAPR) funds to help keep its six campuses safe, comfortable and welcoming while also ensuring students, faculty and staff can focus on learning in an environment built to last.

The HEAPR projects the college is requesting include a roof replacement at the Canby campus, a conversion of nine air handling units to chilled water at the Granite Falls campus, and the replacement of 20-year-old boilers, walkway windows, brick, masonry, the CCE building roof and brick tuckpoint repairs all at the Worthington campus.

The main requests from the college were for renovations to the nursing program learning spaces, which would provide additional applied learning spaces while supporting the existing spaces.

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"We're coming to you with a request that will be in the Minnesota State System," Minnesota West President Terry Gaalswyk said. "There'll be a learning environment request of about $13.5 million. In that $13.5 million is a request from Minnesota West for $2 million, and that will be a portion of the funding that we would need to renovate the (nursing program) spaces."

The total project cost is about $10 million, and Minnesota West is trying to secure the remaining $8 million through a federal grant.

"What we're asking from the state is an investment of $1 to return $4 back from the federal government and we're excited about that opportunity," Gaalswyk said.

The nursing program at Minnesota West has a 100% pass rate, the highest National Council Licensure Examination pass rate among associate degree programs across the state for 2024.

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Minnesota House Capital Investment Committee members toured the nursing program spaces, including the laboratory with low fidelity human patient simulations. They also viewed a high fidelity simulation mannequin in a separate room.

The patient simulations allow students to safely learn different procedures before working with a human patient. The difference between low and high fidelity is in the level of interaction with the mannequin.

The high fidelity simulation mannequin is operated with a computer that controls blood pressure and other bodily functions such as bowel movements and more. A student can also draw blood from the mannequin as it allows for more complex interactive scenarios.

"The goal with this renovation is actually to be able to double the amount of nurses and CNAs for Nobles County," Craig Peters, dean of management, career and technical programs at Minnesota West, said. "We have one high fidelity (patient simulator). We're looking at getting five, including a child, a birthing mother, which is actually the most important because the hospitals are no longer doing birth in all facilities."

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Gaalswyk also touched on the college's relationship with Southwest Minnesota State University, which he said is a very strong one on the bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) completion program.

"They (students) start with us, they complete the ADN (associate degree in nursing), they transfer and move into the BSN completion program with SMSU," he said. "At one point, 80% of their BSN students were Minnesota West students."

He then explained that one of the challenges is being so close to South Dakota and Iowa.

"The relationship between SMSU and Minnesota West has to be extraordinarily strong to keep that talent within this region," Gaalswyk said. "80% of our graduates stay, live and work within the region."

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After touring the nursing program spaces, the capital investment committee was sent off with Minnesota West merch to their next stop in Fairmont.

The tour continues Thursday, with a final stop in Burnsville.
Dozens of people gather at a press conference called by MIRAC leaders to protest ICE arrests inside of the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building Monday, July 14, 2025. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)

A collection of southeast Asian community advocates and elected officials gathered at St. Pauls East Side Freedom Library in August for a press conference that felt more like a funeral.

Deportations of southeast Asians were ramping up, and community leaders like Montha Chum of MN8, a southeast Asian political advocacy group, wanted to get word out about the deportations and their impact on families and the greater community.

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We cannot stay silent when our communities are being torn apart and our neighbors are being kidnapped, Chum said.

Absent from the press conference, however, were the immediate family members of those deported. Instead, organizers read written statements from the deportees and their families  a tactic showing up frequently this year, a consequence of the heightened fear among immigrant communities.

They did not want to stand up and talk todaymany of them are also still living in fear, said MN8 organizer Kay Moua, who read the statements from families.*

From one statement provided to MN8 by the wife of a man who was deported: I feel like Im barely surviving. I turned into a single parent overnight. We might lose our house. I dont know where to turn to and I dont know how Im going to keep on doing this.

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Not long ago, undocumented immigrants were visible advocates on a range of issues, like winning drivers licenses and permanent legal status for so-called Dreamers, who were brought here as children.

Now, the primary priority is safety.

The election of President Donald Trump to a second term  and his empowerment by a Republican-controlled Congress and conservative Supreme Court majority  has ushered in a new immigration crackdown that is instilling heightened fear in immigrant communities, causing most to retreat from the public eye.

But its also motivating a new wave of advocates to get involved in organizing and protecting their immigrant neighbors, who are helping meet the surge in demand for know your rights trainings, which inform immigrants and allies of their constitutional rights.

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In church basements, libraries and community centers around the state, immigrants are gathering to prepare for their lives to be upended at a moments notice.

Theyre filling out forms to designate caretakers for their children. Theyre memorizing important phone numbers and stashing extra savings to cover potential attorney fees. Theyre organizing their documents and making copies  passports, birth certificates, tax returns, bank account passwords, immigration paperwork  so friends and family can assist them in case of an arrest.

Its not just unauthorized immigrants who are preparing for the worst. Its also people who came to the U.S. legally, by requesting asylum for fear of persecution in their home countries, obtaining a work visa or entering the country via Biden-era programs that have since been revoked.

The federal administration has shown that even if you are someone who is here legally and have done all the things right, they will take any tool that they have  legally or illegally  to persecute you, and thats really scary for folks who have a lot to lose, said Dieu Do, a volunteer with MN8, in an interview.

Montha Chum, center, executive director of MN8, leads the crowd in a chant: Say it loud, say it clear; Refugees are welcome here. (Photo by Madison McVan/Minnesota Reformer.)

The immigration crackdown

Immigrants fears of speaking publicly are well-founded. The State Department has warned immigrants not to mock the death of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated last month. Some immigrants with legal status have been detained over their speech, especially over support for Palestine.

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Trumps Department of Homeland Security is ramping up arrests and deportations, pushing Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to meet quotas, boosted by $170 billion in spending approved by Congress in July. The president and his agency leaders have sued states including Minnesota for records they believe will help them track down undocumented people en masse and have accessed federal data  for example, at the IRS  for immigration enforcement, breaking longstanding precedent.

Masked ICE agents are routinely arresting immigrants who show up for court appointments, including at Minnesotas Whipple Federal Building, according to immigrant rights groups.

At least 170 U.S. citizens have been detained by ICE. Some were beaten, held for days or denied phone calls to their families or a lawyer, according to recent reporting by ProPublica.

More than 71% of ICE detainees have no criminal record  and many of those with criminal records have committed minor offenses, like traffic violations, according to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, which uses public records to collect immigration data.

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And, in Minnesota, Republicans used their control of exactly half of the state House to force Democrats into a deal that would repeal undocumented adults eligibility for the subsidized health insurance MinnesotaCare.

Demonstrators participate in a lie-in outside of the Minnesota House chambers to call for the continuation of MinnesotaCare eligibility for undocumented adults during a special legislative session Monday, June 9, 2025 at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)

Coordinating efforts

In early 2023, Minnesotas immigrant rights movement was standing on the precipice of several major policy wins that would improve undocumented Minnesotans security, health care access and college education.

Undocumented people testified publicly in support of legislation that would go on to become law: allowing qualified undocumented Minnesota residents to obtain drivers licenses, purchase state-subsidized health insurance and access new scholarships, among others.

The legislative wins of 2023 demonstrated the effectiveness of coalition building  Immigrant rights groups worked alongside labor unions, business groups, faith communities and environmental advocates to pass shared priorities at the Legislature.

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A special thing about Minnesota is a long history of working in coalition across unusual lines, said Merle Payne, co-director of Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en la Lucha (CTUL), a workers rights organization.

Many of those same organizations continue working together, but now theyre focused on disseminating information, helping individuals and providing know-your-rights trainings.

Robin Moore wears an anti-ICE pin as dozens of faith leaders and community members gather in Appleton, MN Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025 to protest the likely re-opening of the Prairie Correctional Facility as a 1,600-bed ICE detention center. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)

The demand for the trainings has massively increased since Trumps election, said Latifah Moss, a member of the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee, or MIRAC.

MIRAC has also seen a large influx of members and volunteers in recent years  first in the aftermath of the police murder of George Floyd, then again after the start of Israels bombing campaigns in Gaza, and again after Trumps election.

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I think that there definitely has been that increase of people wanting to stand up and do something or organize, Moss said.

Ma Elena Gutierrez, executive director of Fe y Justicia, a workers and immigrants rights nonprofit, said her organization has provided more than 30 trainings this year for immigrants and allies  and interest is at a record high from non-immigrant community members.

MIRAC is also training court observers. Some accompany immigrants to their court hearings upon request; others stand in the hallways or sit in courtrooms to witness and document court proceedings and ICE arrests.

The influx of interested volunteers has boosted organizations capacity.

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In the long term, I hope that the folks who have joined in this wave and have joined following Trumps second election stay for the long haul of immigrant rights, said Do, who is also an organizer with MIRAC.

Dozens of people gather at a press conference called by MIRAC leaders to protest ICE arrests inside of the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building Monday, July 14, 2025. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)

Waiting for the big shoe to drop

It seems that its not a question of if, but when, the Trump administration will send the National Guard to the Twin Cities.

Itd be logical for them to come here. We fall into exactly what it looks like theyre trying to target  blue cities in places that he wants to make an impact, Gov. Tim Walz said in early October.

A smoky, rainy weekday in early June demonstrated what Minnesotans pushback against federal force might look like.

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Federal agents from DHS, FBI, IRS, ICE and other agencies surrounded a Lake Street taco shop in vans and armored vehicles around midday on Tuesday, June 3, as part of what they later called a drug smuggling and criminal labor trafficking investigation. On the scene, the purpose of the raid wasnt clear; some agents refused to say what agency they were with, and many wore masks.

Community members clash with ICE, other federal officers, Minneapolis police, and other state officers as officials raid Las Cuatro Milpas in Minneapolis, Minnesota Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)

Local officials and immigrant rights advocates rushed to the scene and shared information on social media, quickly attracting a large crowd that spilled onto the streets around the restaurant.

Armed federal agents and officers from the Minneapolis Police Department and Hennepin County Sheriffs Office formed a perimeter around the building as protesters shouted at them to go home.

Protesters attempted to block the movement of armored vehicles and vans before agents began launching chemical irritants and using sound cannons to disperse the crowd.

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Local and state officials later denounced the raid.

It seemed like the point was to inflict terror and fear into the community, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said the following day.

Trump has deployed ICE in Chicago to target the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens, said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. He also ordered the the National Guard to the city to protect immigration agents.

The National Guard has already been mobilized in Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Chicago and Memphis, while court orders have blocked Trumps attempts to deploy National Guard members in Portland, Oregon, and Chicago.

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And, The government isnt exactly doing a great job of proactively delineating this person is National Guard who isnt allowed to arrest immigrants, and this person is an ICE agent or an FBI agent who is, Dara Lind, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, told NPR last week.

Thats creating fear among immigrants of a National Guard mobilization.

Gutierrez is telling immigrants to stay home if the National Guard comes to town.

When a community member is deported, she said, the remaining friends and family are left behind to fill in the gaps in income, housing and child care.

But shes trying to keep hope alive. If we can survive COVID, we can survive this, Gutierrez said.

*A previous version of this article misidentified the MN8 volunteer who read the statements from families.
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCBD)  Allegations of misconduct, including sexual harassment, have been lodged against the Anglican Church in North America Archbishop Steve Wood, dating back to his time as bishop at a Mount Pleasant church.

The Washington Post reported Thursday that a former childrens ministry director at St. Andrews Anglican Church had accused Wood, 62, of trying to forcibly kiss her in April 2024, just two months before his appointment as archbishop for the Anglican Church in North America.

She also claimed Wood gave her around $3,500 of church funds over several months before the near-kiss incident, starting in 2021. During the time of the womans allegations, Wood was serving as bishop at St. Andrews. Wood has served in some capacity at St. Andrews since he was installed as rector on Sept. 1, 2000.

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In addition to his archbishop duties, Wood remains a rector at St. Andrews and is bishop of the Diocese of the Carolinas.

According to his diocese profile, Wood oversaw the growth of St. Andrews membership to more than 3,200 and the planting of new churches around the Lowcountry.

The former director ultimately resigned from her position at St. Andrews, the Post reported. However, once she saw his appointment as archbishop, she was spurred to come forward publicly, even though she had reported the instances to church officials prior.

St. Andrews sent a notice before the Washington Post article was published, informing its congregation that a complaint had been filed against Wood.

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Canon law requires the complaint to be validated as a presentment before further action is taken. If validated, the Dean of the ACNAs College of Bishops, Bishop Ray Sutton, will convene a Board of Inquiry to determine whether further action will be taken.

The message included a statement from Wood concerning the allegations.

I do not believe these complaints have merit. I trust the process outlined in our canons to bring clarity and truth in these matters, Woods statement reads.

It also contained sentiments from Mike Hughes, the senior warden at St. Andrews. Hughes said he commended everyone involved in the situation to prayer.

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This is a painful and very personal process for all involved, Hughes added.

The Post report described further allegations from Woods colleagues, most of whom are now priests, that detail further inappropriate behavior.

One rector of a nearby Mount Pleasant church accused Wood of plagiarizing sermons, while other church members said he would cuss and berate his staff.

In 2003, the Episcopal Church elected its first openly gay bishop, V. Gene Robinson, to the episcopate of New Hampshire. This fueled a further divide among church members, leading to large numbers of conservatives breaking away and forming new Anglican sects.

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The ACNA was founded in 2009 by theological traditionalists, with its constitution and canons adopted at a ceremony in Bedford, Texas.

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CHICAGO  Authorities in Chicago are asking for help from the public in the search for a girl who went missing on Wednesday afternoon.

According to Chicago police, 12-year-old Alondra J. Ayala was last seen around 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 22, in the 2300 block of West 64th Street in Chicago Lawn on the Southwest Side.

LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland

Officers say the missing girl, who stands 5-foot-2 and weighs around 100 pounds, has Brown eyes and black hair.

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Ayala was last seen carrying a black and purple backpack while wearing her school uniform and backpack, which officials say consisted of a burgundy shirt, burgundy sweatpants, beige hooded sweatshirt.

Photo provided by Chicago police shows 12-year-old Alondra J. Ayala who was last seen around 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, in the 2300 block of West 64th Street in Chicago Lawn on the Southwest Sid

Officers said the photo provided by police shows the girl in the same clothes she was last seen wearing.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

Police offered details about the missing girl in a news release shared on Wednesday night.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of 12-year-old Alondra Ayala is asked to contact the CPD Area One SVU at 312-747-8380 or dial 911.

Those with information that could help authorities in their investigation can also leave a tip at CPDtip.com. Tips can be filed anonymously.

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JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)  Saturday in-person absentee voting will begin on October 25, 2025, in Mississippi.

According to the Mississippi Secretary of States Office, Circuit Clerks Offices will be open from 8:00 a.m. until noon for in-person absentee voting for the November 4 elections. The last day to vote in-person absentee is November 1, 2025. Circuit Clerks Offices will be open from 8:00 a.m. until noon.

State leaders explore funding solutions for PERS

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All mail-in absentee ballots must be postmarked by November 4, 2025. To track your mail-in absentee ballot, visit the My Election Day portal.

For non-registered UOCAVA voters to vote in the November 4 elections, Circuit Clerks Offices must be in actual receipt of a completed Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) from a UOCAVA voter by October 25, 2025.

Important Dates

October 25  Saturday In-Person Absentee Voting Begins

November 1  In-Person Absentee Voting Deadline

November 4  Election Day Deadline for the postmark of mail-in absentee ballots



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LAWRENCE COUNTY, Mo.  A Lawrence County woman is charged with sex trafficking some of the teen girls she was responsible for while working for a state foster care facility.

Lawanna Wilson is charged with two counts of child sex trafficking and five counts of child endangerment. The Lawrence County Sheriffs office submitted these charges to the prosecutors office, against Wilson and her son, Tanner Wilson, back in 2023 after detectives completed their investigation.

Lawanna Wilson, Lawrence Co. jail mugshot

Lawanna Wilson worked for the Missouri Baptist Childrens Home in Mt. Vernon in 2023 and according to investigators  she would bring teenage girls to her house and leave them alone with her son.

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Lawanna Wilson Probable Cause AffidavitDownload

FOUR STATES CRIME

Tanner Wilson was charged in 2023 for sexually assaulting one of the teens his mother brought home. During this same time, he was awaiting trial on multiple child sex crimes including rape, attempted rape, sexual abuse, and child abuse and neglect.

Tanner Wilson  Missouri Department of Corrections

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In one of the cases, Tanner pleaded guilty to messaging an 8-year-old girl through Snapchat, offering to send her a picture of his penis. He is now serving time after pleading guilty to those charges. However, he was out on bond and wearing an ankle monitor in 2023 when Lawanna is accused of sex trafficking the girls.

KSN reached out to Missouri Baptist Childrens Home by email today to find out if Lawanna Wilson is still employed with the agency but has not heard back.

Shes currently being held in the Lawrence County jail without bail. There is no word about why the charges were just filed, two years after the investigation was completed.

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Macaus court records show that 16 office units belonging to Alvin Chau, the former junket operator, are now listed for judicial auction.

All properties are situated on the 12th floor of the Dynasty Plaza China Civil Plaza building.

These units, labeled A through P, reportedly served as the former headquarters of Chaus Suncity Group.

The courts judicial sale schedule clearly identifies the properties as part of a court-ordered liquidation.

The combined starting price for the sealed-bid sale is MOP116.7 million (approximately USD14.57 million).

Chau, 51, and eight other convicted individuals have been ordered to pay a sum of approximately HKD24.865 billion in government compensation for illegal gambling profits.

Chau was sentenced in July last year to 18 years in prison by the Court of Final Appeal, while the eight other offenders received prison terms ranging from nine to twelve and a half years. NS

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Former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels is calling on state lawmakers to reject President Donald Trump's push for Indiana to redistrict mid-cycle in a new column he penned for the Washington Post.

Daniels, who has long been one of the most respected figures in the Indiana GOP, argued Indiana lawmakers should listen to the Hoosiers who elected them, not the White House.

"I dont underestimate the pressure Indianas leaders are under, and I empathize with them in the predicament they face, but I hope theyll quietly and respectfully pass on this idea," Daniels wrote. "Their duty is to the citizens and the future of our state, not to a national political organization or a temporary occupant of the White House."

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Indiana lawmakers have been under increasing pressure from Trump to redistrict in an effort to increase the GOP's slim majority in the U.S. House. Already Vice President J.D. Vance has visited the state twice, and Trump himself hopped on a call with state senators Oct. 17.

Still, on Oct. 22, a spokesperson for Senate Republicans said, "The votes arent there for redistricting." Molly Swigart, the spokesperson, did not say whether a majority of the caucus supports redistricting, but a simple majority of Republicans wouldn't be enough to get to a majority of the Senate.

Trump allies were quick to criticize Senate Republicans on X for not jumping on board with Trump's plans, and promised to primary those who opposed redistricting.

"Now the real fun begins," Chris LaCivita, co-campaign manager for Trump's 2024 election bid, posted on X.

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Gov. Mike Braun is not giving up, either.

I am still having positive conversations with members of the legislature," he wrote in an Oct. 22 post on X. "I am confident the majority of Indiana Statehouse Republicans will support efforts to ensure fair representation in congress for every Hoosier."

Hoosiers might not be on the same page as Braun and the White House. Respondents to multiple polls have said they're opposed to mid-decade redistricting.

Why Daniels is opposed to redistricting

Daniels argued that redistricting mid-cycle is almost without precedent. Plus, Republicans were the ones who drew the Indiana district maps already in play, and, he said, the maps are "visually reasonable" and "compact." Republicans already hold seven out of nine congressional seats in Indiana.

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"While the outcome sought is one I support, the tactic being employed to get there is not, and I hope earnestly that my states leaders will politely decline to participate," he wrote.

Likewise, he didn't view avenging Charlie Kirk's death as a reason for pushing redistricting across the country.

"The horror of Kirks death calls for forceful and sustained condemnation, but bending the democratic process further out of shape should not be part of it," Daniels wrote. "Besides, theres that rule your mom taught you about 'two wrongs.'"

While some states, like Illinois, have drawn their maps in Democrats' favor, when looking at the nation as a whole, the benefit to either party is a wash, he said. Republicans control just over 50% of the House seats, and Republicans won just over 50% of the vote in 2024.

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"As with other aspects of the currently debased public square  lawfare, demonizing opponents, the normalization of infantilism and profanity in public discourse  someone has to lead in climbing out of the mudhole," Daniels wrote. "The side that does will not be unilaterally disarming; it will be establishing itself as the proper custodian of a system that most Americans still want to trust and believe in."

Contact IndyStar government and politics editor Kaitlin Lange at Kaitlin.Lange@indystar.com or follow her on X @Kaitlin_Lange.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Mitch Daniels asks Indiana lawmakers to reject Trump redistricting push
UPDATE (5:20 p.m.): Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against a man accused of killing the pregnant mother of his infant.

21-year-old David Smith was in court for his bond hearing today. The judge denied Smiths bond.

Hell remain behind bars charged with capital murder in the death of Amiayia White.

Smith is accused of shooting White in front of their 10-month-old boy at Wilmer Hall, a safe house on Old Shell Road in Mobile.

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Today, prosecutors revealed that Smith broke through a locked door to get inside.

This is an absolutely egregious murder, Mobile County District Attorney Keith Blackwood said. It was a domestic violence murder. And the way it happened was absolutely horrible. It was in front of a child. Amiayia White was pregnant, and, you know, due to all of those circumstances, this is, you know, we feel one of the worst of the worst.

District Attorney Keith Blackwood said White was at Wilmer Hall seeking a better life for herself. She was in the process of seeking child support against Smith.

Smith is due back in court for his arraignment on October 28.

PREVIOUS REPORTING:

MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG)  The suspect in a deadly shooting at Wilmer Hall has received a fourth capital murder charge, News 5 has learned.

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UPDATE: Wilmer Hall shooting suspect gets third capital murder charge

Wilmer Hall provides shelter for children and young adults from abuse, neglect, poverty, and homelessness.

About the deadly Wilmer Hall shooting

David Smith, 21, is accused of breaking into Wilmer Hall on Old Shell Road around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday and fatally shooting Amiayia White. The 20-year-old just celebrated her birthday on Friday, according to Mobile police.

Smith and White were reportedly fighting before the shooting, which, according to court documents, happened in front of their 10-month-old boy.

Additional documents show the victim was petitioning the suspect for child support, with a hearing set for December.

David Smith has been arrested and charged with capital murder in connection with the shooting death of 20-year-old Amiayia White. (Courtesy of the Mobile Police Department)

Community shocked over mothers murder inside Wilmer Hall

Bond denied for shooting suspect David Smith

Smith was in court this afternoon and was denied bond.

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In addition, he received a fourth capital murder charge because the victim was a witness in a judicial proceeding (the child support petition).

Alabama law allows capital murder charges under certain circumstances.

Other charges Smith faces include:

Capital murder (burglary)

Capital murder (child less than 14)

Capital murder (of two or more persons)

He faces these charges, News 5 has learned, because the victims child was reportedly present, the incident allegedly happened during a burglary, and the victim was pregnant.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

This story is developing. News 5 will update this article as more information becomes available.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
(FOX40.COM)  The Turlock Police Department has arrested a Modesto man for a violent stabbing that left a man critically injured Saturday night.

 Video above: How to report a public safety threat

According to TPD, around 11:36 p.m., officers responded to the 4200 block of Saint George Place after receiving a 911 call reporting that a man had been stabbed. When officers arrived, they located an adult male victim inside a vehicle suffering from severe injuries to his face and upper body.

While on scene, the Turlock Fire Department treated the victim, and American Medical Response personnel transported the victim later to a local hospital, where he remains in critical condition.

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During the investigation, police said its patrol officers identified Cesar Romero-Bermudez, 33, of Modesto as the suspect. Officers also learned that one of the passengers in the vehicle was the suspects former girlfriend, who is protected by an active domestic violence restraining order.

Students speak on Sacramento State concert ending abruptly amid misconduct, chaos

TPD said the detectives mentioned the suspect and victim did not know each other personally. Investigators determined the assault was domestic violence-related and not a random act of violence.

Detectives from the departments Special Operations Division took over efforts to find Romero-Bermudez and with the help of the departments crime analyst, who played a major role in the leads, crews gathered information on his possible location in Modesto, TPD said.

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On Monday, the Stanislaus County sheriffs Office helped TPD after a vehicle that was associated with Romero-Bermudez was found and stopped.

TPD stated that he was detained without incident, transported to Turlock for questioning, and booked into the Stanislaus County Jail for attempted murder.

This was an extremely violent and senseless attack, said Captain Miguel Pacheco, Special Operations Division Commander. Our patrol officers immediately began piecing together critical information that led to the identification of the suspect, and our detectives and crime analysts worked quickly to locate and arrest him. Their dedication to this investigation reflects the professionalism and persistence that our community expects and deserves.

At this time, detectives continue their investigation and are seeking to identify and speak to a second individual who may have been involved in the assault.

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he will not travel to Kuala Lumpur later this week to attend the ASEAN summit, missing out on a possible meeting with US President Donald Trump amid prolonged trade negotiations.

In a post on X Thursday, Modi said he will be attending the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit remotely.

While Trump told reporters earlier in the week that he planned to go to Malaysia, the White House has not yet given a formal confirmation of the visit.

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Relations between the two countries cooled after Trump hiked tariffs for India to 50%, adding a penalty for importing oil from Russia. Trump said these purchases were funding Russia's war in Ukraine.

India, which imports about 85% of its crude needs, said its energy decisions are guided by national interests.

Trump told reporters on Tuesday that Modi had assured him of reduced Russian oil purchases during a phone call. However, India's Foreign Ministry said the two leaders had exchanged Diwali greetings and discussed counterterrorism, and did not mention energy.

Indian media reported that domestic oil companies were planning to recalibrate their oil purchases from Russian companies given the latest sanctions announced by the US and Europe according to the guidelines of the Indian government.

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An unnamed official of India's top oil importer Reliance Industries Ltd had confirmed the development, the Hindu newspaper reported.

Once known for their warm rapport, Modi and Trump have seen ties cool in recent months after the US president claimed credit for mediating an India-Pakistan conflict  a claim New Delhi dismissed as unfounded, but Trump has repeated on several occasions.
TANEY COUNTY, Mo.  A historic bridge over Bull Shoals Lake is now available for relocation and reuse, and proposals are being taken until December.

Officials with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) have announced the U.S. Route 160 Swan Creek bridge, which they describe as a historic bridge over Bull Shoals Lake in Forsyth, Missouri, is now open to proposals for its reuse and relocation.

The bridge is open for use by government entities, civic groups, historical groups, and even private citizens. No matter what kind of organization or party the bridge ends up going to, it will be given to them free of charge, however, the cost of removing the bridge or any of its parts is borne by the party obtaining the bridge, MoDOT says.

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MoDOT describes the design of the bridge, currently located in Forsyth, as a 1951 Camelback through truss bridge with a total length of 444 feet 11 inches and a width of 25.7 feet.

The bridge was constructed by Porter-Dewitt Construction Company of Poplar Bluff, and MoDOT records indicate the construction was completed on November 5, 1952, and MoDOT says the bridge is determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places under Criteria A & C.

MoDOT says any interested party can submit a proposal until December 10, which is the deadline to do so.

Those interested can call MoDOTs Historic Preservation Section at (573) 526-4778.

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CLICK HERE for more information.

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Public Service Commissioner Brad Molnar stands during a press conference in Helena, Montana, on July 29, 2025. (Jordan Hansen / Daily Montanan)

The Montana Public Service Commission ousted President Brad Molnar as its leader after months of controversy and bickering at the agency.

The PSC will take up filling the role at its meeting next Tuesday, but PSC President Jennifer Fielder said Wednesday she wont accept a nomination.

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I have a very full plate with what Im doing, and I would prefer to see a colleague who has more bandwidth take on the role, Fielder said.

Fielder will take on the interim duties of president in the meantime.

Molnar has been in the spotlight since July when he announced he was being investigated  unfairly, he has said  for professional misconduct.

The investigation is pending.

An internal response team alleged Molnar interfered with the investigation and asked Gov. Greg Gianforte to temporarily suspend Molnar in a complaint.

In Montana, the governor has the authority to suspend a commissioner if the commissioner fails to perform their duties, as described in state law.

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But the decision to strip Molnar of his leadership duties prompted his lawyer to tell the governor the complaint against Molnar is moot.

In a letter Wednesday, lawyer Matthew Monforton said the allegations Fielder made on behalf of the response team no longer exist given he no longer holds the powers earlier cited as problematic.

Those include supervising the executive director of the PSC, serving as its spokesperson, and presiding over meetings and setting agendas, the letter said.

There is literally no remaining basis for suspension, Monforton said in the letter. Any interference (Fielder) previously alleged Commissioner Molnar could accomplish as President, she can now prevent in her role as acting President.

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A lawyer for the Governors Office asked Fielder to provide a written reply by Oct. 28.

Fielder said Wednesday she would not speak on behalf of the response team, but she personally does not agree with the letter Molnars lawyer sent.

Whether the substance of Molnars request to the governor is relevant or agreeable is something the response team will have to take up and determine, Fielder said.

One day earlier, commissioners voted 3-2 to vacate the office of president, with Commissioner Randy Pinocci joining Molnar in opposing the motion.

The PSC has five commissioners elected by district. All of them are Republican.

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The commission regulates public utilities, and it makes decisions on complex issues that affect the bills people pay to NorthWestern Energy and Montana Dakota Utilities, for example.

At the meeting Tuesday, Commissioner Annie Bukacek made the motion to declare the office of the PSC president as vacant.

Bukacek said the Public Service Commission is arguably the most important agency in the state, it has had 10 months under Molnar, and it needs a change.

Our staff deserve the best in leadership and need to be allowed to optimize their productivity, Bukacek said.

A couple of significant cases are pending before the Public Service Commission, including a proposed merger between NorthWestern Energy, Montanas largest public utility, and Black Hills Corp.

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Molnar was most recently elected to the PSC in November 2024, and then elected as president by fellow commissioners in January 2025.

He previously served as a state legislator, and earlier, was elected to the PSC in 2004 and served until 2012, according to his PSC biography.

Commissioner Jeff Welborn said the PSC has a full plate, and Montanans deserve an agency working to full capacity, but things had become disruptive, and it was time to put distractions in the past.

I also believe that we need to hit the reset button, Welborn said.

Molnar said he bought a house in Helena in order to do the work, and he is working long hours to try to hold public utilities accountable, but he doesnt get help.

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How many times do I ask for who can help me with regional and national issues? Molnar said. And the hands dont go up.

Molnar sat on the PSC in 2007 and voted against a proposal to sell NorthWestern to an Australian company that later declared bankruptcy.

His lawyer has argued Fielder wants to remove the only commissioner who has been through a case thats similar to the merger currently pending before the PSC.

Commissioner Fielder manufactured a crisis to remove a commissioner whose regulatory philosophy and institutional memory she found inconvenient, the letter said. Having failed to achieve suspension, she successfully orchestrated his removal as president.

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Fielder, however, said the PSC response team made the decision to file a complaint with Gianforte before NorthWestern announced its plans to merge.

After the team made the decision, NorthWestern made its announcement, and subsequently, the team finalized the letter and submitted it to the Governors Office, she said.

Fielder also said all the commissioners, not just Molnar, want to do due diligence on regulatory matters, and she believes it will be easier to do so without the disruptions from Molnar.

I can say with certainty that Im convinced that every elected commissioner wants to do the very best they can for the ratepayers of Montana, and in the public interest, to ensure that the regulated companies can provide the services that are safe and reliable and at the least cost, Fielder said.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A Covington, Tenn. woman is accused of running down her childs father in her car, then crashing into two cars, a grill, and a home.

Brittany Stewart, 25, was charged with domestic aggravated assault, two counts of vandalism, and driving on a suspended license.

Brittany Stewart, Courtesy of the Covington Police Dept.

Officers said on Oct. 5 at 6:30 p.m., they responded to a hit and run in the 400 block of Zion Street.

CPD arrived on the scene and saw two vehicles, a grill, and a residence had been damaged. No one was injured in the accident.

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According to reports, investigators found a video on social media of the crash and identified the suspected person driving a white Ford Taurus.

4 arrested in drug bust in Covington, TN, police says

They said in the video, a man was seen running up the street, and he was chased into a yard by the suspect in the Ford, then crashed into two parked vehicles, a grill, and a home.

The man the suspect was chasing was later identified as the father of the drivers child.

After watching the video, officers identified the Steward and located her Ford Taurus at her home.

They said the damage to the vehicle matched the damage at the scene of the hit and run.

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Officers said Stewart admitted to her role in the crash.

She is being held on a $75,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.

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NEED TO KNOW

An Ohio mother has learned her fate after leaving her baby unsupervised with her boyfriend's "aggressive" pitbull, who then mauled the baby to death

Alyssa Smith was handed down the maximum sentence of three years in prison for the April 2024 death of 6-month-old Royal Bates

Smith's boyfriend and father of her baby is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter

An Ohio mother has learned her fate after her baby was left unsupervised and then mauled to death by her boyfriends pit bull.

Alyssa Smith was sentenced to the maximum of three years in prison following her conviction on a third-degree felony child endangerment charge, the Marion County Prosecutors Office announced on Friday, Oct. 17.

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Prosecutors said in a statement that Smith left the couple's 6-month-old baby home alone in Marion, Ohio, with another child and the "aggressive" pit bull nearby, "allowing the dog to attack the infant," on April 28, 2024.

"The dog essentially crushed the child's skull," prosecutor Ray Grogan previously told PEOPLE. "And as a result of that, the child's brain was severely damaged."

The baby boy, identified as Royal Bates, was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Additionally, the dog was seized and euthanized the next day, prosecutors said.

Grogan said Smith's sentence "holds a mother accountable for failing her infant in the most tragic way. Smith's actions in ignoring the dog's history showed a pattern of irresponsibility that cost baby Royal his life.

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Earlier this month, Smith's boyfriend and the baby's father, Blake Bates, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in connection with Royal's death, PEOPLE previously reported. He's expected to be sentenced on Oct. 27.

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.

"Bates knew his pit bull was dangerous, yet he gambled with this baby's safety  recklessness that demands severe consequences," Grogan said in a previous press release announcing Bates' guilty plea.

In his obituary, Royal was remembered as a baby who "always woke up with a smile" and loved his round mirror toy.



Read the original article on People
You've heard that it can be raining "cats and dogs" or even "men," but what about monkeys?

A viral video shows a kayaker at Florida's Silver Springs State Park witnessing some "monkey business" as the primates dove off the trees and cannonballed into the springs.

While we are often dubbed the "Australia of America" with our various dangerous critters, monkeys aren't on Florida's list of native animals. Are these monkeys invasive?

But first, what is an invasive species?

These wild monkeys are considered invasive in Florida.

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As per Executive Order 13112 (Section 1. Definitions), an "invasive species" is a species that is non-native to the ecosystem under consideration and whose introduction "causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health."

"Non-native species" and "invasive species" cannot be used interchangeably. The USDA notes non-native species are plants and animals living in areas where they do not naturally exist, such as commonly grown fruits and vegetables that are not native to the U.S.

For examples of invasive species, particularly those in Florida, think of:

Burmese pythons

Feral hogs

Giant African Land Snails

Brazilian Peppertree

Iguanas

Lionfish

Where is Silver Springs State Park?

Silver Springs State Park is a Florida state park located on the Silver River in Marion County.

What kind of monkeys are found at Silver Springs State Park?

Rhesus macaque monkeys are found at Silver Springs State Park near Ocala. They are brown to gray with pink faces, according to the FWC.

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They are native to Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Southeast Asia, and China.

Why are monkeys in Silver Springs State Park in Florida?

A photo of a mama with baby, Rhesus Macaques monkeys at Silver Spring State Park, Ocala. Camera used was a Canon R5 with a Sigma 150-500 lens.

The monkeys were introduced to the Florida in the 1930s by a cruise operator named Colonel Tooey, according to a post by the Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Department, University of Florida/IFAS Extension. He let six of them loose on a small island in the Silver River, hoping to create a park modeled after the Tarzan stories.

Since they are excellent swimmers, they thrived on their own. By the 1980s, their numbers reached around 400.

UF shared that, from 1984 to 2012, their population growth was controlled through trapping and removal of macaques. Approximately 1,000 macaques were removed from this population by private trappers and sold to biomedical research facilities; however, this practice was halted due to concerns about animal rights.

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As of 2025, estimates of their current population vary. The most recent study in 2015 claimed there were 175 monkeys in the park

According to the FWCs rhesus monkey tracker, there have been hundreds of sightings of the monkey, many of them even outside Silver Springs State Parks.

Are these monkeys in Florida a threat to humans?

Yes.

According to the park's website, the monkeys are particularly calm and comfortable when interacting with humans, unlike most other animals in the park. However, they sometimes get aggressive and nasty, causing a risk to parkgoers.

Another threat is that more than 30% of the monkeys have Herpes B, the park's blog writes. If contracted by humans, it can cause brain and spinal cord swelling, which ultimately leads to death.

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"The body fluids of these monkeys are the main culprit, and therefore, restrict yourself from getting closer to them, no matter how cute and calm they appear," the park said.

Are there other monkeys found in Florida?

Yes. There are three species, including the Rhesus macaque, that you could find in Florida, according to the University of Florida:

Vervet monkeys

Vervet monkey (Tony Johnstone photo)

Vervet monkeys are native to a wide range of habitats across sub-Saharan Africa. There are six species referred to as "vervet monkeys," with slight variations in appearance occurring between them.

The ones found in Florida are gray and black with a greenish tinge. UF experts say they were introduced in Florida in the 1940s after escaping from a facility that imported primates from Africa for use in biomedical research.

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A 2020 census indicated that 40 vervet monkeys were split among four groups living in Dania Beach, south of Fort Lauderdale.

Spider monkeys used to be found in Florida. Only one monkey found in 2021

Squirrel monkeys are five species that are grouped, all native to Central and South America. All five are small and look very similar.

UF writes that of the five populations of squirrel monkeys introduced in Florida, three have been confirmed as Saimiri sciureus, one of the four squirrel monkey species from South America. The species of the other two populations were unknown.

The number of wild spider monkeys has reportedly dwindled. As of 2021, only one monkey remained, coming from two pairs of squirrel monkeys that were released from a social club and settled in Fort Lauderdale in the mid-1970s.

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Experts theorized that their population decline was due to particularly cold winters.

What should I do if I see a wild monkey in Florida?

A wild rhesus macaque monkey was spotted atop a home in Clermont, Florida, Tuesday April 30, 2024.

Wild monkeys are common enough in some areas that the FWC asks that you report them only if you see them outside their core population area in Marion County. To report a monkey sighting:

Try to take a picture or video

Note the location

Call the FWCs Exotic Species Hotline at 888-IveGot1 (888-483-4681)

If you see a wild monkey posing an imminent threat to humans, call 911 or the FWC's Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404FWCC (888-404-3922).

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Monkeys rain down on kayakers in video. Are they native to Florida?
Days after U.S. President Donald Trump frustrated Ukrainians by retreating from plans to supply Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, officials in Kyiv are welcoming new U.S. sanctions on Moscow as a sign Washington may be ready to put real pressure on the Kremlin.

For the first time since Trump took office, the U.S. imposed sanctions on Moscow, targeting two Russian oil giants, Lukoil and Rosneft, as well as their subsidiaries.

"This is very pleasant and unexpected Trump has finally moved from words to concrete actions," Oleksandr Merezhko, a Ukrainian lawmaker and chair of the parliament's foreign affairs committee, told the Kyiv Independent.

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"This is a major shift. But as for these sanctions alone, Im not sure if theyre enough."

When announcing the sanctions, the U.S. Treasury Department cited Russia's "lack of serious commitment to a peace process to end the war in Ukraine." Trump also canceled his planned summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest, which he had announced just days earlier.

Ukraine agreed to a full and unconditional ceasefire brokered by the U.S. back in March, but Moscow rejected the proposal and has since continued launching regular and deadly attacks on Ukraine.

Over the past months, Trump has repeatedly voiced frustration over Putins unwillingness to compromise on ending Russias war, but has refrained from using significant leverage to pressure Moscow to pursue a peace deal.

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"I just felt it was time," Trump said on Oct. 23 after the sanctions were imposed.

Ahead of the EU summit in Brussels later in the day, President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the U.S.s move as "very important" and welcomed the new EU sanctions against Moscow.

"This is a good signal to other countries in the world to join the sanctions," he said. "We need to continue until Putin stops this war."

As Putin used the ongoing negotiations to bring Trump into Russias corner and ease Western pressure on Moscow, Kyiv continued to work with Washington on further restrictions against Russia.

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The new sanctions could potentially impact Russias economy and limit the capabilities of its war machine, but the move alone will not be enough to bring Putin to the negotiating table with Ukraine, said Tymofiy Mylovanov, president of the Kyiv School of Economics

"Putin acts like a mob boss  and a mob boss cant admit things publicly. The sanctions set the stage for talks, but they cant be the trigger," Mylovanov told the Kyiv Independent.

Merezhko echoed this sentiment, saying the U.S. should adopt a "comprehensive approach" by supplying Ukraine with Tomahawk cruise missiles, targeting Russias banking system with sanctions, and imposing secondary sanctions on countries buying Russian gas and oil.

Vladyslav Vlasiuk, the Ukrainian presidents commissioner for sanctions, believes that due to their scope, the recent U.S. sanctions will have a "swift and significant impact." The eagerly awaited pressure on Russia may have irreversible consequences, he said.

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"No one will want to buy oil from these exporters because of the risk of secondary U.S. sanctions," said Vlasiuk.

"The U.S. sanctions open a Pandoras box."

Read also: Trumps war mediation: 8 months of shifting between Ukraine, Russia

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Secretary for Economy and Finance Anton Tai underscored the pivotal role of major events like the Macao International Trade and Investment Fair (MIF) in economic development, noting that the trade fair fosters deeper industry integration with convention and exhibition activities.

For Tai, the expo creates high-quality channels for trade and business matchmaking and reinforces its role as a driver of economic diversification.

The Second China-Portuguese-Speaking Countries Economic and Trade Expo (2nd C-PLPEX), the 30th MIF, and the Macao Franchise Expo 2025 (2025 MFE) officially opened yesterday at The Venetian Macao, with doors opening to the general public today.

During his opening address at the three-in-one trade expo, he traced the fairs growth over three decades, noting its evolution from a modest exhibition into a cornerstone of the citys convention and exhibition industry, earning accolades such as Best Conventions Destination (Asia) and Best BT-MICE City for three consecutive years.

Tai highlighted this years scale, with more than 80 conferences and forums running simultaneously, and emphasized that the expanded exhibition space and over two million visitors strengthen the citys status as a dynamic hub for business cooperation and international trade.

Yesterdays joint opening ceremony for the three trade expos was attended by Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai, Liu Xianfa, Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Peoples Republic of China in Macau, Yan Dong, Vice Minister of Commerce of China, and Zhang Zhili, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, among others.

Highlighting the combined strength of emerging sectors like biomedicine, advanced manufacturing, and artificial intelligence, Tai said, These events will create a synergistic effect, foster a strong atmosphere of business cooperation, and attract more domestic and international businesses to Macau.

This year, the expo also introduces Guangzhou as the Partner City and unveils new feature zones that include the Robotics Industry Pavilion and the Big Health Brand Overseas Pavilion.

The Guangzhou Pavilion spans 405 square meters and showcases a broad array of high-quality enterprises excelling in artificial intelligence, biomedicine, advanced manufacturing, intangible cultural heritage, and Lingnan-style cuisine, blending modern technology with regional culture. Meanwhile, the Hengqin Pavilion, located within the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone, gathers more than 40 leading companies spanning scientific research, traditional Chinese medicine, cultural tourism, commerce, and modern finance  all of which align closely with Macaus broader economic diversification strategy.

Adding another layer of international collaboration to the event, Tai noted that the 2nd C-PLPEX will bring together over 300 exhibitors from PSCs. He pointed out that C-PLPEX aims to foster cooperation in areas such as cross-border e-commerce, agriculture, new energy, and the blue economy.

China-PSC ties

Vice Minister Yan Dong also underlined the critical importance of platforms like the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, commonly known as Forum Macao, alongside the C-PLPEX.

Yan emphasized the importance of strengthening integration between platforms and industries, which he believes is essential for creating new opportunities for cooperation.

He explained that this includes promoting growth points under the Belt and Road Initiative and enhancing maritime shipping partnerships between China and PSCs. He stated that such integration is vital for sustainable development and improving connectivity between the regions.

In addition to fostering platform and industry integration, the Vice Minister of Commerce underscored the need to boost trade and investment.

Yan pointed to promising sectors such as agricultural products, food, and new energy, while urging businesses from both China and PSCs to expand their trade activities in these areas.

Yan also stressed Macaus strategic role as a platform for these developments. The Vice Minister of Commerce referenced specific infrastructure projects, including the Macao Portuguese-speaking Countries Food Distribution Center, an initiative under the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) aimed at promoting food products from PSCs within China.

This center functions as both an online and offline platform to showcase and distribute products from Angola, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, and Timor-Leste. Yan highlighted the potential for increased commercial exchange that could benefit all parties involved.

Complementing Yans remarks, Vice Minister of Agriculture Zhang Zhili shed light on the expanding agricultural trade ties between China and PSCs. In his address, he noted that total agricultural trade volume is expected to reach USD 54 billion, representing 16.8% of Chinas total agricultural import and export trade.

Zhang further acknowledged the positive contributions of Chinese investments in PSCs. He highlighted that Chinese enterprises have established farms, agricultural parks, fisheries, aquatic product processing and storage centers, as well as marine aquaculture bases, which not only help secure local food supplies but also stimulate employment and promote broader industrial development in partner countries through agricultural collaboration.

The expos will run until Saturday at The Venetian Macaos Cotai Expo, welcoming local professionals and the general public to explore the latest trends and opportunities across diverse sectors including agriculture, technology, franchise development, and international trade. The expo is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Expo drives tech,

health deals

Several high-profile Chinese and overseas enterprises, including Fortune Global 500 companies such as Huawei and AstraZeneca, alongside top technology and investment firms like China Unicom, Alibaba Cloud, and WI Harper Group, signed 13 partnership agreements during yesterdays expo.

As stated by MIF, these partnerships are set to pave the way for Macau to introduce key sectors such as big health, high and new technology, and investment funds, while building a pipeline of quality enterprises for Macaus science and technology R&D industrial park.

Yesterdays events also featured a memorandum signing ceremony for Macau fragrance brand Francine Chicard during the C-PLPEX. According to the memorandum, the Sino-Portuguese Fund will provide financing to the brand, supporting its procurement of natural raw materials like essential oils from Timor-Leste and promoting the production and export of local kukui fruit oil.

Francine Chicard, as detailed on the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institutes website, offers over 150 raw materials for essential oils and more than 20 natural plant-based oils, producing over 100 unique formulations that serve industries ranging from biomedicine and beauty to hospitality and commercial venues. The company specializes in pure essential oils, compound oils, and care products.

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CHAZY  One man is in custody after a woman who was reported missing over the weekend was found dead in Chazy.

The New York State Police said Chloe S. Henry, 25, of Mooers, was reported missing at approximately 2:57 p.m. on Oct. 19.

Police said she was last seen with her husband, Keith A. Henry, 33, of Plattsburgh.

Chloe Henrys body was located on Oct. 21, in the area of Ridge Road in the town of Chazy, according to police, and after her body was found, Keith Henry was located and taken into custody and transported to State Police Plattsburgh for further questioning, police said.

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An investigation indicated that Keith Henry shot and killed Chloe Henry while inside his vehicle near Bear Swamp Road and Ausable Point in the town of Peru, a police press release said.

Police said the Clinton County coroner responded to the scene, pronounced her dead and authorized the removal of her body to Glens Falls Hospital.

On Tuesday, Oct. 21, State Police charged Keith Henry with one count of second-degree murder and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

Henry was arraigned in Peru Town Court and remanded to Clinton County Jail without bail.

An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday, at 8 a.m. at Glens Falls Hospital to determine the official cause of death.

The investigation remains ongoing and is being conducted by the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, with assistance from the Forensic Identification Unit, the Clinton County District Attorneys Office, the Plattsburgh Police Department, Clinton County Sheriffs Department, and Homeland Security Investigations.
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  On Monday, November 3, the Otis S. Johnson Cultural Arts Center is hosting Moran Stella Yanai, a former hostage taken during the October 7 Hamas attack.

Yanai has said that during her 54 days as a hostage in Gaza, the only thing that gave her the strength to go on was her faith.

During this event, Yanai will share her powerful story of survival, faith and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

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This speaking engagement will also allow Yanai an opportunity to shed light on the broader issue of gender-based violence faced by women in captivity and the urgent need to stand up for human dignity everywhere.

Admission to the event is free. Registration is required and can be completed by clicking here.

Again, you can see this one-night speaking engagement on Monday, November 3, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at the Otis S. Johnson Cultural Arts Center, Savannah, Ga.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
CHARLESTON, WV (WVNS)  Governor Morrisey announced that $1.1 million of appropriated and emergency funding will be expedited to food banks in West Virginia.

According to a press release, the funds will be given due to the possibility of the government shutdown delaying November SNAP benefits.

State of Emergency declared in Virginia due to SNAP benefits

While vulnerable West Virginians are being held hostage by Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats, we are going to put over a million dollars into the hands of food banks as they prepare for the fallout. Were being proactive and making some early moves to make sure our state is prepared, but a simple solution is for Senate Democrats to pass a clean, bipartisan funding extension and reopen the government. Governor Morrisey

The press release stated that the state is examining future plans, such as giving out more resources where they could be needed, and working with volunteer groups.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
More than 100 firefighters and multiple hazardous materials teams battled a fire at General Motors' design studio Wednesday night in Pasadena, authorities said.

At one point, a firefighter was trapped in the structure amid the blaze and sent out a mayday call.

The Pasadena Fire Department responded to the fire in the 600 block of Sierra Madre Villa Avenue at 5:50 p.m., according to department spokesperson Lisa Derderian. The incident was declared a four-alarm fire, signifying a major blaze that requires the mobilization of significant fire department resources.

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"A total of four alarms were requested to support fire attack operations, primary search, salvage efforts, rapid intervention, establishment of a water supply, ventilation, roof operations, and medical support," the Pasadena Fire Department stated in a report on the incident.

A firefighter surveys the scene after a fire this week at the General Motors design studio in Pasadena. (Hon Wing Chiu / For The Times)

Preliminary reports indicated that lithium ion batteries and concept cars burned inside the building. The fire was knocked down at 7:22 p.m., and the cause was under investigation, Derderian said.

In a statement Thursday, a spokesperson for General Motors said that the fire was contained to a single concept vehicle and did not spread to other cars or the building. The facility remains closed temporarily.

Read more: How L.A. removed 1 million pounds of flammable lithium-ion batteries from its burn zones

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It took firefighters more than an hour to track down the source of the blaze as thick smoke engulfed the 149,000-square-foot campus. General Motors invested more than $71 million in 2021 to build the three-building facility as a new base for its Advanced Design Center.

In total, 16 fire engines, five trucks, four rescue ambulances, two hazardous materials teams, one mobile breathing unit, seven battalion chiefs, two fire chiefs, three deputy chiefs and two arson investigators were deployed to the incident.

Derderian said it was one of the largest responses to a structure fire the city has seen in many years.

Hazmat crews were called in to assist due to reports of lithium ion batteries burning. Crews cannot use water to extinguish lithium ion battery fires, as doing so can cause a destabilizing chemical reaction, leading more batteries to catch fire or explode.

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"Firefighters on scene have trained in scenarios like this, but it does put a different twist on extinguishing fires," Derderian said.

Large lithium ion battery fires release toxic gases such as hydrogen fluoride and can take several hours or even days to render safe.

Firefighters gather outside the General Motors design studio. (Hon Wing Chiu / For The Times)

There was a mayday call when a firefighter became trapped inside the fire-engulfed building Wednesday evening. But fire crews were able to locate him and pull him out of the structure without injuries.

"He did not wish to be transported [to a hospital], but it was a very scary few minutes there until they determined that he was OK," Derderian said.

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It could take several days to determine the cause of the fire due to the "complex nature of the building and the size," she said.

"It's a very large facility on the east end of town," she added.

General Motors thanked fire departments for their swift action in extinguishing the fire, the spokesperson said, and was fully cooperating in the ongoing investigation.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
PRINCETON  More than 2,000 people have already applied for a new program that will provide a guaranteed monthly income for 16 months to 560 households in Mercer County.

The response to the Rural Income for Self Empowerment Guaranteed Minimum Income program, or RISE GMI, has been strong, according to Tony Solis Cruz, program manager for GiveDirectly.

The response has been incredible with over 2,000 applications so far, Cruz said. We are hoping to have the applications continue to pour in over the next few weeks.

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The application period for the program opened on October 14 and interested residents can still apply at https://rise.aidkit.org/o/home

Once the application period closes, Cruz said GiveDirectly will randomly select and invite 560 eligible applicants to enroll in the program, which will provide monthly payments of $1,500 for 16 months to those who are chosen to participate with no strings attached.

According to GiveDirectly, the RISE GMI program is a tool to reduce poverty, build economic resilience and support opportunities such as entrepreneurship. Mercer County is one of three communities selected to participate in the program. There is no work requirement for those who are selected to receive the monthly cash payments.

Greg Puckett, executive director of Community Connections, said he wasnt surprised to hear that more than 2,000 people had already applied for the program.

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No  thats what I expected to be honest, Puckett said. If you look at the overwhelming need for service especially now. We are looking at uncertain times going into this winter. Im not surprised.

Community Connections is supportive of the RiseGMI program and can help families who need assistance applying for the program online.

However, Puckett said it is important for families who are selected to participate in the program to understand that the guaranteed monthly income is for only 16 months, and that the money received should be used wisely.

Its not forever, Puckett said of the 16 months of guaranteed monthly income. So you cant be complacent. The other thing is there needs to be a self plan to make sure you are working toward getting yourself to that better place. So I think putting money into things you need.

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This involves planning for a sustainable future, Puckett said, adding that some citizens didnt make wise use of the stimulus dollars that were given out by the federal government during the pandemic.

When free money was given out, Walmart couldnt keep TVs (in stock), Puckett said of the stimulus dollars distributed during the pandemic.

Instead the cash distributions from GiveDirectly should be viewed as a gift for future sustainability, Puckett said.

I do believe that if people can take this money and build a sort of sustainability-type plan with it and say if I get this money here is how Im going to choose to better my life and my family  I think thats the best way to spend the money, Puckett said. It does build that long-term opportunity.

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From a county commissioners standpoint, however, the influx of additional revenue into the countys economy can be helpful if it is spent the correct way, Puckett added.

GiveDirectly is working with organizations like CASE WV, Community Connections and Mercer County Public Schools to spread the word about the program and to provide applications assistance support for interested individuals and families.

According to Cruz, the Guaranteed Minimum Income program was funded by a gift from Jeff Atwood and Elizabeth Burton, who are the donors of the program while GiveDirectly is the program administrator.

There are no strings attached to the monthly payment. But GiveDirectly is partnering with local organizations to provide optional supplemental support (including financial literacy tools) that are available for those who seek the assistance. However, not participating in or requesting such service will not impact the monthly payments to the RiseGMI recipients.

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According to the GiveDirect website, giving cash shifts power to the person living in poverty, recognizing they are the expert in their own lives and granting them the dignity to choose for themselves.

The website adds that dozens of studies show that the cash recipients dont work less or spend the money on alcohol.

The nonprofit says it has delivered $900 million in cash directly to more than 1.7 million people living in poverty since 2009, including in Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Uganda and the United States.

Contact Charles Owens

at cowens@bdtonline.com
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  On Wednesday, Multnomah County and Portland leaders urged the Trump administration to restore SNAP funding to prevent hunger and hardship. This comes as a government shutdown has put a pause on SNAP funding and other benefits.

The SNAP cuts are affecting 737,000 Oregonians, with further economic impacts for even those without benefits. This economic toll amounts to hundreds of millions of dollars, with significant losses in Multnomah County alone.

Volunteers are working around the clock at Portlands St. Johns Food Share. Demand for emergency food items is up 40% from last year, serving about 2,000 people each month at the food bank. They expect that number to rise once SNAP payments, formerly food stamps, stop November 1.

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$300K settlement set for mans false OD death charge

Were scared that, you know, we are gonna exhaust every single resource that we have, said St. Johns Food Share President Tiffany Slottke.

Community leaders and advocates fighting food insecurity are rushing to find solutions before hundreds of thousands of Oregonians go hungry

Slottke said when she and other volunteers see empty shelves, freezers and fridges, they ask, How can we do more?

In Oregon, more than 445,000 households or 737,000 participants rely on SNAP, receiving an average of $300 each month, totaling more than $140 million each month, according to the Oregon Department of Human Services, as of March of 2025.

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Advocates warn that the $140 million would stop flowing into Oregons economy, hitting grocery stores, food retailers and local communities hard.

Multnomah County said for every SNAP dollar, it generates up to $1.80 in local economic activity.

The county said 136,000 people in Multnomah County alone depend on this federal food assistance, nearly one in five county residents.

Nearly two dozen Multnomah County and Portland leaders urged the Trump administration to release SNAP contingency funds, with signatures from community partners including the ACLU of Oregon, SEIU Oregon, Portland for All, and Worth Fighting for St. Johns.

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School confirms oven cleaner was sprinkled on pretzels

Slottke is on the frontlines, battling to fill empty plates and knowing hunger pains are non-partisan.

We do the best we can in offering what we have and supplementing, there is a good chance that you might leave empty-handed, Slottke said.

Multnomah County Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards skipped the joint letter on Wednesday. However, she slammed the Trump administration separately, calling SNAP cuts cruel and warning of the disproportionate impact on East Portland families, an area historically underserved.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
[Editors Note: The video above is previous coverage on this story.]

CLEVELAND (WJW)  The Cuyahoga County prosecutors office announced Thursday that two more men were being charged in connection with a shooting in the Flats.

Six people were shot after the Browns home opener on Sept. 7.

Body found in trash bags identified as Ohio 7-year-old

21-year-old Savone Robinson and 19-year-old Erick Sharp have now been indicted by a grand jury.

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A 17-year-old male was previously charged in Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court.

Savone Robinson

Erick Sharp

Firing multiple rounds into a crowd of hundreds shows a complete disregard for human life. Its a miracle no one was killed, Prosecutor Michael OMalley said in a press release.

SkyFOX photo WJW photo WJW photo WJW photo WJW photo Shooting in The Flats in Cleveland leaves 5 injured

Prosecutors said Robinson, Sharp, and the 17-year-old male were outside a bar near Front Avenue and West 10th Street when they got into a fight with other people at the scene.

Car crashes off I-90 into ravine, killing driver: Willoughby police

Several people pulled guns, police said, firing multiple rounds at each other while in a crowd of people.

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Police said four of the six shooting victims were innocent bystanders.

Robinson was charged with the following:

Six counts of Felonious Assault

One count of Discharge of a Firearm On or Near Prohibited Premises

Two counts of Aggravated Riot

Erick Sharp was indicted on one charge.

Two counts of Aggravated Riot

The 17-year-old male was previously charged in Juvenile Court with the following:

Seven counts of Felonious Assault

One count of Discharge of a Firearm On or Near Prohibited Premises

One count of Aggravated Riot

One count of Having Weapons Under Disability

One count of Tampering With Evidence

One count of Carrying a Concealed Weapons

One count of Improperly Handling Firearms In A Motor Vehicle

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A juvenile judge will decide if that case will be transferred to adult court.

The Cleveland Division of Police is asking for tips on the shooting. Anyone with information is asked to call (216)327-6610.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Food banks are seeing a surge of demand across the country as the government shutdown weathers its fourth week  and military families are among those turning to public pantries to put food on the table.

The Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA), a nonprofit that provides support and assistance to military families, told ABC News that they've seen a 30%-75% jump in demand at its food banks near military bases since the shutdown began, as military personnel go without pay while the funding impasse wears on.

The ASYMCA in Killeen, Texas, near Fort Hood, told ABC News that they've seen a 60% spike in military families seeking food at their location.

Bronte Wittpenn/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images - PHOTO: Cartons of donated eggs are delivered by Alameda County Community Food Bank to the TSA office at the Oakland International Airport in Oakland, Calif. Oct. 16, 2025.

Amy George, senior vice president of Military Family Services for the ASYMCA, told ABC News that the shutdown is hurting military families.

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When you see service members in their military uniform raising their hands and saying, hey, I need a little extra support in the form of food, it is surprising and shocking, George said. We do want America to see this picture, to try to better understand that these are some of the challenges that military families are facing.

The Pentagon diverted money in its budget to prevent military families from missing their paychecks earlier this month. But as their next payday approaches on Oct. 31, its unclear if they will get paid this time.

"I think we're concerned, like everybody else, and very hopeful that it'll end sooner than later, George added of the shutdown.

The Senate on Thursday failed to advance a bill sponsored by Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., that would have provided appropriations to pay military personnel and "excepted employees" of federal agencies being affected by the shutdown.

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Senate fails to advance GOP bill that would have provided pay for some federal workers during shutdown

Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal/Tribune News Service via Getty Images - PHOTO: Food inside of the Three Square food bank North Campus in Las Vegas, Nov. 18, 2021.

One client of the ASYMCA food bank in Killeen told ABC News that she feels caught in the middle of a political battle, and that she would have to visit a second food bank later that day in order to feed her family.

"I feel like we're in the crossfire," she said. "Our families are struggling, and it's causing way too much stress and a burden on our families."

She urged lawmakers on Capitol Hill to end the shutdown: "Finish it, get together. Make a plan."

Government food assistance programs across the country also could end on Nov. 1 if the government shutdown, now the second-longest in U.S. history, continues beyond that date. Many states are warning that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, which is administered by states but funded by the federal government via the U.S. Department of Agriculture, could halt benefits.

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In a letter to state health officials obtained by ABC News during the second week of the shutdown, Ronald Ward, the acting head of SNAP, said the program on which millions of low-income Americans rely "has funding available for benefits and operations through the month of October."

What to know about SNAP benefits amid government shutdown

"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," Ward added.

Earlier this month, Feeding America, a nationwide network of food banks, also urged Congress to end the shutdown.

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"Many people in America are a single missed paycheck away from needing support from their local food banks. A prolonged shutdown will deepen the strain, and more families will seek help at a time when food banks are already stretched due to sustained high need," Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, said in a statement.

"We urge Congress to end the shutdown," she added.
A new expanded edition of Maia Kobabe's award-winning graphic memoir "Gender Queer" will be released next year.

Oni Press has announced that "Gender Queer: The Annotated Edition" will be available in May. The special hardcover edition of the seminal LGBTQ+ coming of age memoir includes commentary by Kobabe as well as other comic creators and scholars.

For fans, educators, and anyone else who wants to know more, I am so excited to share 'Gender Queer: The Annotated Edition,' Kobabe said in the news release. Queer and trans cartoonists, comics scholars, and multiple people who appear in the book as characters contributed their thoughts, reactions, and notes to this new edition."

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Read more: How 'Gender Queer: A Memoir' became America's most banned book

The new 280-page hardcover will feature "comments on the color design process, on comics craft, on family, on friendship, on the touchstone queer media that inspired me and countless other people searching for meaningful representation, and on the complicated process of self-discovery," the author added.

Released in 2019, "Gender Queer" follows Kobabe, who uses e/em/eir pronouns, from childhood into eir young adult years as e navigates gender and sexuality and eir understanding of who e is. The books is a candid look into the nonbinary author's exploration of identity, chronicling the frustrations and joys and epiphanies of eir journey and self discovery.

Its really hard to imagine yourself as something youve never seen, Kobabe told The Times in 2022. I know this firsthand because I didnt meet someone who was out as trans or nonbinary until I was in grad school. Its weird to grow up and be 25 before you meet someone who is like the same gender as you.

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Since the publication of "Gender Queer," the political climate has been increasingly hostile to the LGBTQ+ community. Right-wing activists and politicians have pushed for legislation to restrict queer and trans rights, including how sexual orientation and gender identity can be addressed in classrooms. Caught in the crossfire of this conservative, anti-LGBTQ+ culture war, "Gender Queer" has become one of the most challenged and banned books in the United States.

In addition to commentary by Kobabe, "Gender Queer: The Annotated Edition" will feature comments from fellow artists and comics creatives Jadzia Axelrod, Ashley R. Guillory, Justin Hall, Kori Michele Handwerker, Phoebe Kobabe, Hal Schrieve, Rani Som, Shannon Watters and Andrea Colvin. Sandra Cox, Ajuan Mance and Matthew Noe are among the academic figures who contributed to the new edition.

"Its been almost seven years since I wrote the final words of this memoir; revisiting these pages today, in a radically different and less accepting political climate, sparked a lot of new thoughts for me as well," Kobabe said in the news release. "I hope readers enjoy this even richer text full of community voices.

Get the latest book news, events and more.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Most men want a return to traditional gender roles, but women arent so sure

Bill Jennings, a 69-year-old libertarian who lives in Daytona Beach, Florida, said his mother and wife both worked outside the home, but he has been impressed by the younger generation of women in his family who are homeschooling their children.

Both parents should participate in raising children, but Im thinking more that the man is typically the breadwinner and the female is more focused on the home and raising children, Jennings told The 19th. I know it sounds old-fashioned.

Half of respondents to a new 19th News/SurveyMonkey poll said they believe, like Jennings, that society would benefit from a return to traditional gender roles. Men were more likely than women to want a return to traditional gender roles, however  nearly 6 in 10 of them agreed with that, compared with 4 in 10 women.

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Im not taking a hard line that the womans place is in the home, but I just think the traditional roles are generally better  our traditional cultural, Western cultural roles are better for the family and for children, Jennings said.

The new data on Americans views on gender roles comes amid the high-profile assassination of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, who often argued to his audience of younger Americans that men should be providers and leaders in their homes, while young women should cherish marriage and children over careers. Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirks widow has vowed to carry forward her husbands work as the CEO of the company he helped found.

While Gen Z men were less likely than men of older generations to agree at 54 percent, the gap between Gen Z men and women was 19 points, illustrating the ways in which younger Americans are diverging when it comes to culture and politics.

Women of both parties were less likely to support a return to traditional gender roles than men. Support for a return to traditional gender roles was highest among Republican men at 87 percent, followed by Republican women at 79 percent. Democratic women were the least likely to support a return to traditional gender roles  21 percent do, compared with 26 percent of Democratic men.

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Another notable gender divide exists between men and women who are married and who are parenting. Married men support the premise, at 62 percent, compared with fewer than half of married women, at 47 percent. Sixty-seven percent of dads support a return to traditional gender roles, compared with 52 percent of moms.

Divorced men were most likely to think that society would benefit from a return to traditional gender roles, at 67 percent. Women who have never been married were the least likely to agree, at 37 percent.

SurveyMonkey conducted this poll online from Sept. 8 to 15 among a national sample of 20,807 U.S. adults, with a modeled error estimate of plus or minus 1 percentage point.

Eve Rodsky, a lawyer specializing in organizational management who has become a prominent advocate for fair labor division in the home, said many Americans have long yearned for an idyllic Leave it to Beaver lifestyle. The current rise in Christian nationalism being promoted by Republicans in power  and on full display following the death of Kirk  will only turbocharge those long-standing yearnings, Rodsky said.

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This idea of women being at home is so strong that I would have been shocked if I saw something different in the data, said Rodsky, the author of Fair Play, a book and card game designed to guide couples through domestic divisions of labor. It is in our lore.

The survey showed stark religious divides: More than three-quarters of evangelical Christians  77 percent  agree with a return to traditional gender roles, compared with 54 percent of non-evangelical Christians, 32 percent of Jewish people, and 15 percent of atheist or agnostic people.

The survey also asked Americans whether or not they agree with the statement, Families are better off when one parent stays home with the children. A net 63 percent of Americans agreed, including 69 percent of men and 58 percent of women.

Data chart showing percentage of Americans' opinions on whether they agree with the statement 'Families are better off when one parent stays home with the children'. - Jasmine Mithani // The 19th



Holly Ann Zuercher, a 71-year-old Republican in Florida, also responded to the survey and said at least one parent should stay home for the sake of the children. She said she and her sister were raised in a home with a dad who worked full-time and a mom who stayed home full-time for about a decade before returning to work part-time.

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A lot of our kids have gone off the rails because they dont have proper parenting. The parents are too busy and dont have time to devote to help teach the children all the values and things they should be teaching them, Zuercher said. And on the weekends, theyre so tired taking care of things around the house and the kids dont get the quality time with parents that they should get.

Zuercher acknowledged that rising costs have made it difficult for many families to make ends meet without both parents working full-time. She herself went back to work when her daughter was less than two years old but was able to leave her with a good friend who was a stay-at-home mom.

Im not sure if theres a policy that would fix the situation or make it better: Things are expensive, housing and child care, Zuercher said. There isnt always a grandparent that can take over and the influence of some teachers doesnt really go with the ideals of parents. Kids are suffering.

Both Jennings and Zuercher were among the 66 percent of those who say its better for a parent to stay home with children  including majorities of men, women, Republicans and Democrats  who said whichever parent wants to stay home should be the one to stay home.

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Those views appear to conflict with the large share of Americans who want a return to traditional gender roles, where the woman is the primary caretaker of children.

Its difficult to say in every instance that the mother should be the primary person to stay at home, Jennings said, adding that by and large, thats the case.

Rodsky said that given the realities of women in the workforce  occupational segregation, lack of paid leave, the pay gap between men and women, for example  Americans who say either parent can stay in the home are likely doing so with the assumption that, more often than not, in heterosexual couples, it will be the woman.

I think you can say women without having to say women, Rodsky said. Its almost always going to be women.

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Americans yearning for a return to traditional gender roles is crucial to understanding why the United States lags behind other wealthy countries in policies like paid parental leave and universal child care. Its going to be very, very hard to implement policies that buck that aspirational trend, she said.

Rodsky said that traditional gender roles, or gender specialization, while an ideal for many Americans, particularly men, is out of reach for more than two-thirds of families because of income inequality, which is only growing.

Kaylia Artis, a 24-year-old from Virginia, said her husband wants her to stay home full-time to watch their children, ages 2 and 6. But she works as a nurse at a hospital and is employed in another part-time retail role, and she said the family cannot afford for her to stop working. Not to mention, she said, she really enjoys it.

The way things are changing, we both need to be working because we got to be able to pay the rent, the lights, the water, the gas, anything the kids might need, the car, Artis said. But my husbands telling me hed prefer me to just cook, clean, do everything at home. And Im like, respectfully, Im just not that kind of woman.

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Artis believes whichever parent wants to stay home should. But in her specific situation, Artis said she cant imagine her husband taking over all of the household duties from her.

Women are being asked to do too much and take on everything, Artis said. Us moms are the main ones taking sacrifices for our kids. Its mainly us women that are leaving or quitting jobs or have to leave work early or have to change our hours a certain way to get the kids or take them to school. Were making the kids appointments, going to the schools and participating in everything.

This story was produced by The 19th and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
The Judiciary Police uncovered two illegal currency exchange cases, arresting two mainland Chinese men involved in money-changing activities. A total of MOP128,000 in casino chips and cash was seized. The two individuals were engaging in illegal currency exchange activities with gamblers. One of them, a 33-year-old mainland man, is suspected of having committed crimes in Macau since July. The suspect refused to cooperate, and over MOP54,000 was seized. In another case, a 32-year-old mainland Chinese man was arrested, with more than MOP73,000 seized. The police believe the suspect was involved in at least two other illegal currency exchange cases prior to his arrest.

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The mother of a 9-year-old girl who was reported missing earlier this month after she had not been seen in more than a year traveled with her daughter out of state days before the investigation was launched but returned home without her.

On Wednesday, the Santa Barbara County Sheriffs Office released new details about the disappearance of 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard, who was reported missing earlier this month after school administrators noticed they hadnt heard from her in over a year.

Melodees mother, Ashlee Buzzard, has been uncooperative with the investigation, officials said, and has been unable to provide a satisfactory answer for her daughters location or safety.

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Now, after authorities were able to confirm a sighting as recent as August, detectives say theyve since uncovered evidence that Melodee was with her mother as recently as Oct. 7, a week before the investigation was launched.

Melodee Buzzard of Lompoc is seen in this undated photo provided by the Santa Barbara County Sheriffs Office. Buzzard has not been seen in at least a year, and hasnt been photographed in at least two.

The Sheriffs Office says Ashlee Buzzard rented a car and took her daughter on a road trip, potentially going as far east as Nebraska. But days later, only Ashlee returned to their home in Vandenberg Village in northern Santa Barbara County.

The rental vehicle they were traveling in, which has since been returned, was identified as a white Chevrolet Malibu with the license plate number 9MNG101.

The investigation into her disappearance was formally launched on Oct. 14, and detectives served a search warrant at their home and surrounding areas the following day. The FBI was also looped into the investigation last week, officials said.

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Throughout the search and quest for answers, detectives say Ashlee Buzzard has not cooperated with the investigation as her daughter remains an at-risk missing person.

Melodee is described as being around 4 feet 6 inches and weighing around 60 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes.

Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown said his department shares in the concern of the local community, who is anxious to find the missing elementary school student and bring her home. He thanked local media for helping to spread her photo and story, which has already led to the confirmation of the previous sighting in August.

That photo, the most recent known image of her, was taken around two years ago, and Melodees appearance may have changed in the years since, officials said.

A timeline provided by the Santa Barbara County Sheriffs Office shows the moments before and after Melodee (sic) Buzzard was reported missing on Oct. 14, 2025. A timeline provided by the Santa Barbara County Sheriffs Office shows the moments before and after Melodee (sic) Buzzard was reported missing on Oct. 14, 2025.

We are hopeful that Melodee might be with someone  perhaps an extended family member or friend  who may not be aware of the circumstances of her disappearance, Brown said in a news release Wednesday.

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Brown also urged the public not to attempt to conduct their own searches or investigations, as that could only complicate and disrupt ongoing efforts by law enforcement.

The most effective way to help is by sharing factual information directly with detectives, the Sheriffs Office said.

Anyone who has seen Melodee Buzzard, or has had contact with her mother since Oct. 7, is urged to contact the Sheriffs Criminal Investigations Division at 805-681-4150. Anonymous tips can be provided online or by calling 805-681-4171.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
JOHNSON CITY, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH)  A coalition of non-profit and governmental agencies is spreading the word about the best way to keep babies safe when theyre sleeping.

Mothers and Babies Perinatal Network held a news conference recently to promote Safe Infant Sleep Awareness Month.

The organization received 150 portable cribs from New York States Office of Children and Family Services this year to provide to families who lack a safe place for their little ones to sleep.

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Mothers and Babies also discussed its collaboration for more than a decade with the Broome County Health Department and the Department of Social Services. That includes the creation of the Child Fatality Review Team in 2009, consisting of members representing medicine, law enforcement, child welfare agencies, public health, and behavioral health.

Public Health Director Olivia Castelano says that of the 74 deaths of children under the age of one, the team determined that 51 were due to unsafe sleep practices such as bed sharing and cluttered cribs.

This multi-disciplinary approach gives us an effective strategy to study the issues related to child death and move toward solutions and prevention, said Castelano.

The groups stressed the importance of ABC.

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A for alone, meaning infants should sleep alone in a crib without pillows, blankets, or bumpers that they can suffocate on.

B is for back, babies should always sleep on their back.

And C is for crib, encouraging parents not to have their infants sleep with them in their bed.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34.
(Photo courtesy UF Health)

University of Florida researchers found that advanced lung and skin cancer patients lived significantly longer after receiving the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine.

This finding, in conjunction with the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, comes as the DeSantis administration attempts to ban vaccine mandates, including for public school students.

This is one of the most exciting observations I have seen in my 20-year career as a cancer researcher, Dr. Duane Mitchell, director of the UF Clinical Translational Science Institute, said in a video announcing the research.

In early September, Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo announced a push to eliminate all vaccine mandates in Florida. Ladapo attacked government mandates, saying, Your body is a gift from God. What you put into your body is because of your relationship with your body and your God.

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Last month, appearing on the On Call podcast with Houston physician Dr. Mary Talley Bowden, Ladapo said, The goal with the mRNA is for that not to be available to anyone, because no one should be using that one.

Meanwhile, researchers at UF, where Ladapo is also a professor of medicine, are optimistic that mRNA vaccines will change the way cancer is treated.

The notion that we may be able to use a simple vaccine to awaken a patients immune response to better fight their disease may totally change the way we think about treating cancer for the foreseeable future, Mitchell said.

Researchers highlight mRNA vaccines (for messenger RNA) for the way they can boost the bodys immune response, a significant step toward a long-awaited universal cancer vaccine to boost the tumor-fighting effects of immunotherapy, UF said in its news release.

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The implications are extraordinary  this could revolutionize the entire field of oncologic care, said co-senior author Dr. Elias Sayour, a UF Health pediatric oncologist. We could design an even better nonspecific vaccine to mobilize and reset the immune response, in a way that could essentially be a universal, off-the-shelf cancer vaccine for all cancer patients.

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Study results

The observation is based on more than 1,000 patients at the Texas facility. Although preliminary, the results could have a widespread reach if validated in a clinical trial, UF said.

The university said the next step is a clinical trial through the OneFlorida+ Clinical Research Network.

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The research focused on patients with stage 3 and 4 non-small cell lung cancer and metastatic melanoma between 2019 and 2023.

Patients who received the COVID mRNA vaccine within 100 days of starting cancer treatment drugs were associated with living longer by a significant amount. Lung cancer patients with the vaccine had a median survival increase from 20.6 months to 37.3 months. Metastatic melanoma patients increased survival length from an average of 26.7 months to 30-40 months.

Non-mRNA vaccines provided no change in longevity, the research found.

Although not yet proven to be causal, this is the type of treatment benefit that we strive for and hope to see with therapeutic interventions  but rarely do, Mitchell said.

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The National Cancer Institute and multiple foundations funded the research.

The studys first author, Dr. Adam Grippin, trained at UF and now works at the Texas facility.

Last month, First Lady Casey DeSantis, a cancer survivor and co-chair of the Florida Make America Healthy Again Commission, announced $60 million in grants to support, in part, research into the benefits of repurposing generics, like ivermectin, to fight cancer.

Ivermectin, an anti-parasitic drug, is subject of a bill in the Florida House that would allow for it to be sold over the counter. According to the National Institutes of Health, the drug is effective for treating parasites in animals, and for humans to treat parasites such as head lice and scabies. The FDA has not approved the use of ivermectin to treat COVID-19 or cancer.

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Generic medicines are often overlooked because theyre off-patent and dont necessarily promise big profits. Florida is investing in researching them to learn more and hopefully uncover new ways to beat cancer, she wrote on social media.

As for a statewide ban on vaccine mandates, Ladapo said that during the coming legislative session, legislators will have to choose a side. And I am telling you right now that you know the moral side is, its so simple.

In order to remove all vaccine mandates, lawmakers would have to change statute, although agency officials can eliminate other mandates through rulemaking

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JEN PSAKI: We are in the middle of it right now. And I think everybody watching  most people watching, not everybody feels that. I mean, for anyone out there who thinks that this might still sound alarmist or hyperbolic, Trump has been blowing through the constitutional checks on his power more rapidly with each passing day. In just the last week, we learned that Trump is reportedly demanding that the Justice Department pay him nearly a quarter of a billion dollars at the expense of American taxpayers. We saw him illegally fire yet another independent government watchdog without notifying Congress. Were seeing him allow the Pentagon to restrict the way staff and personnel engage with Congress, which is completely insane.

And just today, we learned that Trump carried out his eighth, yes, eighth extrajudicial strike on a boat that he claimed without evidence was smuggling drugs. No trial, no investigation, no attempt by the Coast Guard to intervene, just summarily executing people whether theyre guilty or not, because Trump said so.

And as if any of that was too subtle, which it definitely is not, this week, Trump began literally tearing apart the physical foundations of the executive branch, demolishing the historic East Wing of the White House. We learned today that the whole East Wing will be demolished entirely without consultation with any review agency, without consultation with the American people, and against even his own promise not to do exactly this.

Now, to me personally, this is an absolute gut punch, not just because of the history of the building, of which there is a lot, and the hundreds of thousands of guests who have visited what should always be known as the peoples house and walk down the long hallway looking at the photos of former presidents and their families and their pets, and peered into the old movie theater that was there, too.

But because Donald Trump is only doing this because he is an insecure man-baby who wants to build a gaudy new ballroom that looks like a gilded event space from his club in Palm Beach to boost his own fragile ego. I mean, look at what he did to the Oval Office. To paraphrase the president himself, nobody in our country has ever seen anything like this. Hes going to do whatever he wants or try to.

And the kind of authoritarian power grab were seeing from Trump right now is an entirely new challenge. So it will require an entirely new response. We know this already. Business as usual is not going to work. Strongly worded letters are not going to work. This moment is going to take new and novel and creative forms of resistance from a broad swath of people to push back on it.

That is what elected officials like Jeff Merkley tried to do by holding the floor for 22 hours. And luckily, hes not alone. And I dont just mean Cory Booker doing it a few months ago. I mean, today we saw Governor Gavin Newsom send a clear message on what the National Guard are supposed to be used for, helping their communities. He announced today that he is deploying his states National Guard not to crack down on peaceful dissent, like Trump, but to support local food banks that are seeing a spike in demand after Trumps government shutdown cut access to critical food assistance.
PARK TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD)  Michigan State Police are looking for the person who broke into a church northeast of Three Rivers and stole things.

It happened Oct. 17 at Center Park United Methodist Church on Moorepark Road near Hutchinson Road in Park Township.

MSP says the burglar used a blunt object to break out a window and get into the church. A musical soundboard, stage box and foot pedal were stolen.

A surveillance image from a break-in at Center Park United Methodist Church near Three Rivers on Oct. 17, 2025.

Police released a surveillance image from the burglary. Anyone who knows the person in the photo or who has information about the break-in is asked to call the MSP Marshall Post at 269.558.0500.

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You know, considering how the U.S. is famous for our cowboys, cattle auctions, and New York strips, it probably doesn't come as much of a surprise that the U.S. has the rest of the world beat in terms of beef production. According to the USDA, last year, we alone produced 20% of the global supply, which translates to about 12.29 million metric tons (27.09 billion pounds). But while we often talk about our production and our beef exports (1.29 million metric tons, or 2.84 billion pounds in 2024, per the U.S. Meat Export Federation), what about our beef imports?

Since we produce quite a lot, you'd think we wouldn't need to import much at all. Well, not quite  we're the world's second-biggest importer of beef, just behind China. In 2024, the U.S. imported 4.38 billion pounds of foreign beef, according to TradeInt.

Despite American ranchers being very good at rearing high-quality beef, they aren't always able to supply what consumers want on their plate. For instance, while wagyu beef is indeed grown in the U.S., most wagyu is imported from its homeland, Japan or Australia (we imported $1.12 billion of beef from Australia in 2024, per USImportData). But when it comes to everyday eating, the most sought-after beef product that makes up a huge portion of our imports might not be what you think.

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Read more: The Most Popular Cuts Of Steak Ranked Worst To Best

We need imported beef for our burgers

Working watching ground beef mixing - Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Outside of cowboys and steaks, the other thing we're probably most famous for is burgers. Ironically, we wouldn't have any burgers to eat if it weren't for imported beef. You see, American ranchers mostly focus on producing high-quality, marbled cuts like steaks and roasts, leaving the domestic market short on lean beef. And guess what sort of beef is most preferred for burgers? Those 80/20 (80% lean-20% fat) or 85/15 (85% lean-15% fat) blends  which American beef packers just can't reliably supply.

That's why, per Drovers, nearly 70% of our beef imports are lean beef trimmings from countries like Australia, where grass-fed beef is common. When they arrive stateside, they're blended with the fatty trimmings from domestic cattle, ground down, and there's your USDA-inspected ground beef for all your burger-grilling needs.

As a whole, it's a system that hands out wins for all parties involved: lean beef makers overseas have a buyer in the U.S., and domestic producers can improve the value of their fatty beef trimmings (which otherwise wouldn't be of much value). American ranchers can also focus entirely on producing quality beef for export or for domestic consumption. While things can get complicated with tariffs (you'll want to stock up on these cuts), droughts, and diseases, this delicate balance of export and import is what keeps both steaks and burgers on the tables of Americans today.

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As of Thursday morning, a system of low atmospheric pressure is moving into the desert Southwest. As it continues to trek east over the next 48 hours, it will bring to much of Texas, including the San Antonio metro area, the best rain chances in more than six weeks.

But how much rain will San Antonio actually get? While the jury is still out on exact rainfall totals, weather models are starting to paint a clearer picture on what we should see Friday and into the weekend. Here's the latest information.

Thursday's forecast

Before the rain moves into the area, you'll need to get through another warm and dry day across South Texas on Thursday. Morning temps will start relatively mild, only dropping into the upper 60s in the San Antonio metro area. The Hill Country will be slightly cooler, starting the day in the lower to mid-60s at sunrise.

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After a mostly cloudy morning, skies clear out gradually throughout the day. Temperatures will rise into the lower 80s by noon, topping out at 88 to 90 degrees by the late afternoon - which would be about 10 degrees warmer than the climate-normal for Oct. 23. It'll be humid, too, so expect "feels like" temps to top out at 92 or 93 degrees.

Friday storm chances

Most of Friday will stay dry across South-Central Texas. A mild morning with temps near 70 degrees will transition into a warm afternoon with temps topping out in the upper 80s.

A few showers and weak storms could develop late Friday morning through the afternoon. This activity will be isolated, though, with only about 20-30% of the region seeing any rainfall at all during this time.

At the same time, a line of strong to severe thunderstorms is expected to develop over West Texas. This line will plunge southeast by late Friday night, bringing the region's best chance of rainfall. Parts of the Hill Country may start experiencing storms before sunset, with rain arriving in San Antonio mainly after 10 p.m.

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How much rain? The highest rain chances are expected between 11 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. Saturday. During this time, the mostly likely rainfall total for San Antonio will be between 0.75 inch and 1.5 inches. The National Weather Service estimates that San Antonio has a 54% chance of receiving at least an inch of rainfall.

Shown are the potential rainfall totals through Sunday, according to the National Blend of Models. (Pivotal Weather)





Higher rainfall totals of an inch to 3 inches are possible north of San Antonio, including across Kerrville, Fredericksburg and Austin. Most of the area is under a level 2 of 4 risk of excessive rainfall - meaning the area has at least a 15% chance of flash flooding within 25 miles of any given point.

Weekend forecast

Saturday: Rain chances should diminish by Saturday afternoon and evening, giving way to partly sunny skies. Afternoon temperatures will be lower than recent daily highs by several degrees, topping out in the lower to mid-80s.

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Sunday: A beautiful day is expected as mostly sunny skies return to the region. A cool morning in the lower to mid-60s will transition into a warm afternoon with temperatures in the mid-80s. Winds from the southwest will return, but they'll be very light at around 5 mph.

This article originally published at How much rainfall will South Texas actually get from this weekend? Here's an update..
The petitioners argue primary elections are paid for by all taxpayers and thus should be accessible to all Oregonian taxpayers. (Danielle Prokop/Source NM)

More than 1.3 million registered voters in Oregon dont have a say in primary elections, but two potential ballot initiatives could change that in the November 2026 election.

Former Democratic Gov. Ted Kulongoski, former Republican state Rep. Cheri Helt of Bend and Independent Party of Oregon Co-Chair Andrew Kaza submitted two petitions to the Oregon Secretary of State this week to begin the ballot initiative process and let voters decide whether to amend state law and the states Constitution to open primary elections to all voters.

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Primary elections are held in May of every even-numbered year. While nonaffiliated Oregon voters and voters registered under minor political parties can vote in nonpartisan elections such as for judges,local offices and labor commissioner, they are closed off from voting for Democratic or Republican candidates in the primary such as candidates for U.S. Congress, governor and state lawmakers.

The petitioners argue primary elections are paid for by all taxpayers and thus should be accessible to all Oregonian taxpayers.

About 44% of Oregons current registered voters arent able to vote in most primary elections because they are either nonaffiliated or registered under a minority political party such as the Constitutional, Independent or Progressive Party.

The states nonaffiliated voter bloc has risen over the years. In 2021, there were more Democrats than nonaffiliated voters, but by 2022, nonaffiliated voters began outnumbering the states registered Democrats and Republicans, the Capital Chronicle previously reported.

Kaza, the chief petitioner who lives in Deschutes County where most registered voters are nonaffiliated, said the ballot initiative came out of the concern that the closed primary system drives extremist politics.

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Part of our problem with our politics here and throughout the country right now is that the political party process and the primaries drive us to the extremes of both the Democratic and the Republican Party, he told the Capital Chronicle. Theres a concern for the disenfranchised voters who are being left out of this process until November every year.

The Oregon Democratic Party and Oregon Republican Party did not immediately respond to the Capital Chronicle for comment.

Kaza said he and the other petitioners consider the ballot initiative a necessary reform, and that Oregon falls behind other states in the West.

Oregonians in 2008 and 2014 tried to change the states closed primary system, but voters defeated those measures which would have created a top-two primary system similar to California and Washington. Other states in the West, such as Montana, have open primaries, while Wyoming and Nevada have closed primaries. In Idaho, primaries are closed in the Republican primary but the Democratic primary is open to any voter.

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Kaza said he and the other petitioners think the initiative has a good chance of getting support from Oregon voters, but he said it may take until November 2028 for the initiatives to appear on the ballot.

The open primaries initiatives are listed as numbers 55 and 56 on the Oregon Secretary of State Election Divisions database for Initiatives, Referendums and Referrals.

Were realistic in this process, Kaza said. We recognize that 2026 is ambitious, but if everything works out, its quite possible that well be voting on this next year, but if not everythings in place for us to bring it forward in 2028 at the latest.

Before gathering voter signatures, petitioners must first submit 1,000 sponsorship signatures and receive approval from the Oregon attorney general on the ballot language for both petitions. The petitioners will need to pass a constitutional amendment and an amendment to state law in order to open the states primaries.

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To qualify for the November 2026 ballot, theyll need to collect 156,000 signatures for a petition to amend the Oregon Constitution and 117,000 to change state law.

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It is the case that has haunted Australia for more than 50 years.

Cheryl Grimmer, three, disappeared from a shower block at Fairy Meadow Beach, south of Sydney, in 1970, shortly after moving to New South Wales from Bristol with her family.

The young girl was never found but her family was given hope on Thursday when an Australian MP used parliamentary privilege to identify someone who confessed to her murder.

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The now 69-year-old man, who cannot be named by The Telegraph for legal reasons, previously admitted to abducting and murdering Cheryl the year after her disappearance.

Jeremy Buckingham, an upper house MP in the New South Wales Parliament, quoted the suspects words that he spoke to police when confessing all those years ago.

The family of Cheryl Grimmer have been through so much anguish over such a long period of time, he said.

[He] is a free man living with his identity suppressed from his neighbours and no one has been punished for Cheryl Grimmers abduction and murder.

Jeremy Buckingham, the Australian MP who used parliamentary privilege to name the suspect in the murder of Cheryl Grimmer - ABC

Quoting the suspects own police interview, Mr Buckingham said in parliament: She started to screamshe would not be quiet. So I put my arms around her throat and strangled her.

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I left her lying on the ground at the side of a tree. I covered her up with bushes and leaves and threw some dirt on top.

The man, who was 16 when Cheryl went missing, has been living in Melbourne under the police pseudonym Mercury. He was charged with murder when police reopened the case in 2017.

He then mounted a legal challenge in the Supreme Court of New South Wales, claiming his police interview in 1971 could not be used as evidence.

Justice Robert Hulme supported his claim, claiming his age at the time and the absence of a legal guardian or lawyer made the evidence from his police interview unsuitable.

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On the day that Cheryl disappeared, her older brothers, Ricki, seven, Stephen, five, and Paul, four, took her to the shower block after a storm hit the beach.

Detectives suspect she was taken while alone in the changing room.

In his police interview, Mercury claimed that he put his hand over Cheryls mouth to keep her quiet as he grabbed her and took her away.

I took her by the hand and put one hand around her mouth and carried her around to the sand hills, he said in the interview, as quoted by Mr Buckingham in Parliament.

The man known as Mercury has argued that his police interview in 1971 should not be used as evidence - AAP/Paul Miller

A coroner in 2011 found Cheryl had died  but her cause and manner of death remained undetermined, NSW Police said

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On the 50th anniversary of her disappearance, NSW authorities upped the reward on the cold case to one million Australian dollars (528,000) for information leading to arrest and conviction.

Cheryls parents have since died but her brothers have never given up hope of finding out what happened to their sister, and were in the public gallery on Thursday when Mr Buckingham read out the statement.

Paul, her brother, broke down when using her name in an address to the media after the Parliamentary session concluded.

Mercury has been given the opportunity to declare his innocence or guilt, yet he has chosen to remain silent, the family said in a statement.

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The details of Mercurys confession have caused our family immense heartache; however, we are not seeking to harm Mercury or his family. What we want now is the truth.

While Cheryls mother and father have both died, her brothers want the truth - PA

The family hopes by bringing the case back into public focus, new evidence will arise, which could see Mercury put on trial once again.

On Thursday, Mr Buckingham, of the Legalise Cannabis Party, told reporters that Cheryl was the victim of a heinous crime, a victim of an inexplicable failure of police and ultimately denied justice.

Local media did not publish the suspects name, as revealed by Mr Buckingham, because of laws that protect the identities of suspected child offenders.

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Philadelphia authorities filed murder charges Thursday against a suspect for the death of 23-year-old Kada Scott, and investigators say they have video evidence suggesting that two people may have been involved in moving and burying her body.

Delaware resident Keon King, 21, was denied bail Thursday on charges that also include robbery, abuse of a corpse, theft and conspiracy. His attorney, Shaka Johnson, did not return a message seeking comment.

The medical examiner's office said Thursday that Scott had been shot in the head.

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To support arson and conspiracy charges against King in Scotts disappearance, a city detective wrote in an affidavit this week that one of Scotts co-workers reported seeing her upset outside their workplace at about 10 p.m. on Oct. 4, the night she disappeared. The coworker reportedly heard Scott say I cant believe youre calling me before she walked toward a parked SUV.

Video footage from the area where Scotts body was found showed two people get out of a vehicle around 11:30 p.m. the night after Scott disappeared. Around 4 a.m., they are shown removing a heavy object, consistent with a human body out of the passengers side of a car and then carrying it in the general direction of where Scotts body was recovered from a shallow grave nearly two weeks later, according to the police affidavit.

When an anonymous tip led police to again search that area, which is near an abandoned school, they found a spot with freshly disturbed earth. Scotts remains were recovered and DNA was tested to confirm her identity.

Police also obtained texts between Scott and a person they believe was King over the week before Scott disappeared, saying King identified himself as Kel. At about 10 a.m. the morning Scott disappeared, she texted that number to say kidnap me again, the detective wrote. Kel responded better be up too.

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King, of Dover, Delaware, was arrested earlier this year in another case, but posted $200,000 bail and was released. In that case King was accused of kidnapping a woman from in front of her house and forcing her into a car where she was assaulted and eventually let go. Charges were dropped after the victim and a witness did not appear for court proceedings.

Scott's parents have described their daughter as exhibiting light, kindness and beautiful spirit.
The arrival of more than eighty delegates for Miss Earth 2025, celebrating its Silver Anniversary Edition, began on Monday, including debuting Miss Earth Uzbekistan. The 25th edition will hold its grand coronation at Okada Manila in Paranaque on Nov. 5.

The Silver Lining themed edition kicked off with the Miss Earth 2024 Queens media conference, presented by Carousel Productions and Reign Project Management, with reigning Miss Earth 2024 Jessica Lane, Miss Earth-Water 2024 Bea Windorski, and Miss Earth-Air 2024 Hrafnhildur Haraldsdottir. The event was hosted by Miss Philippines Earth 2025 Joy Barcoma. Miss Earth 2004 Priscilla Meirelles also graced the occasion.

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Miss Earth 2025 launched its Green Leaders in Action, From Awareness to Action campaign, a project management and environmental capability training where delegates empower changemakers to go beyond the crown and create real-world impact.

The project is in partnership with PinnaclePro Learning, spearheading an intensive, transformative capability training on Project Management, Elevator Pitching, and Global and Regional Environmental Frameworks. The program aims to empower delegates to become effective advocates for environmental sustainability and to lead, pitch, and manage projects that create real environmental impact.

***

Annabelle McDonnell finishes in Top 11 in Miss Globe 2025

Meanwhile, Annabelle Mae McDonnell ended her journey in Miss Globe 2025 with a Top 11 placement during the finals held at the Palace of Congresses in Tirana, Albania. McDonnell topped the Head-to-Head Challenge, which secured her a spot in the Top 11, but she did not advance to the Top 5 finalists.

No crown can measure the pride youve given the Philippines. Annabelle Mae McDonnells journey at Miss Globe 2025 has been nothing short of inspiring. Thank you for representing the country with so much grace and heart, the Bb. Pilipinas organization said on Facebook.

Chayathanus Saradatta claimed the Miss Globe 2025 crown, becoming the first winner from Thailand, while Valentina Gegprifti of Albania was named first runner-up. The USAs Samantha Sarelli, Belgiums Jolien Pede, and Cubas Jennifer Chang placed second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively.

***

Filipina beauty queen Paula Vitug finishes as first runner-up in Miss Teen Eco International 2025

Philippine bet named 1st runner-up in Miss Teen Eco Intl 2025

Paula Vitug narrowly missed the crown at Miss Teen Eco International 2025, finishing as first runner-up during the finals held at Hilton Kings Ranch in Alexandria, Egypt. Itzel Huerta of Venezuela won the title, succeeding Miss Teen Eco International 2024 Cece Wu.

Vitug also received the Best Resort Wear special award and won Miss Peoples Choice, which earned her a spot in the Top 10.

Miss Eco Teen International aims to choose the best teen queen to be the voice of every teenager facing insecurities and issues while promoting care for the planet.
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)  A brand new museum is now open in the Jax Brewery on the second floor, and its called the Museum of Illusions.

WGNOs Kenny Lopez takes us inside for a tour.

The Museum of Illusions is a mind-bending, immersive experience, where we blend art, science, and psychology, Pien Koopman, Public Relations Manager for the Museum of Illusions said.

Koopman said, To go back a little bit, back in 2015, there were two friends in Croatia that were inspired by puzzles and dilemma games and illusions, and they thought why dont we build a museum.

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A mystical masquerade ball: The Queens Labyrinth at the Elms Mansion

There are now over 60 locations in 28 different countries.

The one here in New Orleans is number 63, Koopman said.

There are several different rooms to explore like the building illusion room, the reversed room, the following eyes exhibit, the vortex tunnel, the walk-in kaleidoscope room, the head on the platter room, and so many more that are sure to engage and amuse guests.

Superstar Dua Lipa visits New Orleans Museum of Art

The Museum of Illusions is now open, seven days a week. This is a permanent location.

For more information.

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Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO.
The summer residence of former fascist dictator Benito Mussolini near Rimini on Italy's Adriatic coast is to be auctioned off, Italian media reported on Thursday.

The owner of the property in the resort of Riccione took the decision to put it under the hammer, with bids to be submitted by December 22.

The Riccione municipal council has already expressed interest in acquiring the residence known as Villa Mussolini.

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The municipality had used the villa on a free loan basis from the previous owner, but now wants to purchase it outright and then upgrade the building.

Currently serving as a venue for cultural events and exhibitions, the villa was built around 1890 in the typical style of holiday homes on the Adriatic coast.

The villa changed hands several times until Mussolini's wife Rachele bought it in 1934, after which it served as the family's summer residence.

Following Mussolini's execution by Italian partisans in 1945 and the end of World War II, it became state-owned.

There has been repeated controversy over the property's name. Despite criticism, the municipality of Riccione retained the name Villa Mussolini.
MIDWEST CITY, Okla. (KFOR)  The Midwest City Police Department is asking for help in a theft investigation.

Authorities seek to speak with man shown in photo regarding an identity theft investigation, Image Midwest City Police Departments Facebook page

Oklahoma police officer fired after child abuse conviction

According to police officials, detectives would like to speak with a male subject (shown above) in an identity theft case occurring at a local business on 9.11.2025.

If you have any information, contact police at (405) 739-1258.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Thai authorities dismissed reports that a missing Belarusian model was abducted and trafficked from Thailand to Myanmar, and said she left the country voluntarily.

Thai immigration authorities said Vera Kravtsova, who is feared to be dead according to local reports, entered Thailand on 12 September via the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok and departed on 20 September on a Thai Airways flight to Yangon in Myanmar.

A biometric check verified it was the same person, disproving claims that she had been abducted, the local Thai outlet MGR Online reported.

Vera Kravtsova, 26, has been missing since 4 October (@vera_kravth/Instagram)

The case gained international attention after several media outlets reported that the 26-year-old Belarusian model had been abducted and taken to Myanmar before being extorted for money.

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CCTV footage shows she was not under any coercion, and immigration records confirm she used the self-service ABC (automated border control) gate, said police major general Cherngron Rimphadee, a spokesperson for the Immigration Bureau.

The reported brutal incidents happened after the model flew to Myanmar, he added. Thai police do not know what happened there as it is outside our authority.

Last week, Belarusian ambassador to Myanmar, Vladimir Borovikov, urged the public not to believe the rumours about Ms Kravtsova in tabloids. He called the reports of her murder in the media irresponsible.

We can only regret the immoral and irresponsible behaviour of individuals spreading false and unchecked information, which only increases the suffering of the relatives, he was quoted as saying by the Belarusian Telegraph Agency.

Thai authorities have rejected reports claiming she was abducted from Thailand and taken to Myanmar (@vera_kravth/Instagram)

The ambassador confirmed that Ms Kravtsova travelled from Bangkok to Yangon on 20 September and said the Belarusian embassy was using official channels to determine her location.

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He added that her family last heard from her on 4 October.

The reports of her alleged murder gained traction after Russias Komsomolskaya Pravda reported that a document purportedly issued by Myanmar authorities stated that she died of a heart attack and was cremated on 16 October.

However, the authenticity of the document has not been independently confirmed. Tabloids claimed she had travelled to Thailand in search of work but was abducted and sold into forced labour at a Myanmar scam centre.

Foreign media outlets, including the Daily Mail on 17 October, reported that the model flew to Bangkok last month after receiving a message about a part-time modelling opportunity and attended an interview there.

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Another tabloid reported: She flew to Bangkok for a job interview, but instead of working on the runway, she was taken to Myanmar and turned into a slave.

Her duties included being beautiful, serving her masters, and scamming rich people, The Sun reported, citing Mash outlet.

According to the Nation Thailand, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is monitoring global reactions following the reports on the alleged death of Ms Kravtsova.

TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool reportedly expressed concern that online speculation could damage international confidence in Thailands tourism safety. She has, the outlet reported, instructed the TAT Moscow Office to swiftly evaluate the situation, track social media discussions, and submit regular reports on developments.

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Meanwhile, the agency urged travellers to stay alert and avoid interacting with strangers abroad, and contact local authorities or their embassy immediately if they sense any threat.

The Belarusian ministry of foreign affairs reportedly confirmed that it will offer full diplomatic support to her family to facilitate the repatriation of her remains.

Myanmars scam centres, particularly along the Thai border, have rapidly expanded since the 2021 military coup, with compounds like KK Park operating as heavily fortified hubs for transnational online fraud.

Controlled by crime syndicates and allegedly tacitly supported by the military, these complexes use trafficked workers from across Asia and Africa, forcing them to run scams under threats of torture and violence, The Guardian reported last month.

Facilities include luxury housing for managers, on-site hospitals, banks, and internet access via satellites like Starlink, enabling operations despite Thai border restrictions. While some 7,000 victims have been rescued, estimates suggest up to 100,000 remain trapped, enduring brutal conditions, making these centres a major human trafficking and organised crime crisis intertwined with Myanmars conflict economy.
Food assistance programs in New Jersey could be interrupted in November if the federal government shutdown continues, state officials said.

New Jerseys Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is fully funded through Oct. 31 while SNAPs program for Women, Infants and Children is funded through Nov. 10, officials from the New Jersey Department of Health said in a statement on Friday.

More than 800,000 residents rely on SNAP benefits each month while nearly 165,000 women and children depend on WIC supplements for healthy foods and nutritional support.

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In New Jersey, weve already seen food insecurity increase by 65% since the height of the pandemic in 2020. Thats nearly 1.1 million children, seniors, families, and veterans who dont know where their next meal is coming from, Elizabeth McCarthy, President & CEO of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, said in a joint statement with congressional lawmakers.

If our neighbors lose access to SNAP in November, that need could worsen even more dramatically, she said.

The federal government has been in a shutdown for almost 23 days after congress failed to pass a spending bill to fund the full range of government services by Oct. 1.

More broadly, at least 25 states plan to cut food benefits after Nov. 1, according to a report by POLITICO.

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The Trump administration advised states to hold off on issuing SNAP benefits to EBT cards for November until further notice, state officials said.

Nutrition assistance benefits and other federal programs are typically funded retroactively once the government reopens, but state officials said they have not been given any assurances from federal officials this would be the case.

New Jersey Democratic Senator Cory Booker, along with 43 other Democratic senators, including Senator Andy Kim, sent a letter to United States Department of Agriculture Secretary, Brooke Rollins, demanding the federal government fund federal anti-hunger programs through November.

Americans are already struggling with the rising cost of groceries, and they cannot afford a sudden lapse in grocery assistance, the senators wrote.

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We urge you to immediately communicate to states and committees of jurisdiction the USDAs plans to disburse the contingency funding to state agencies and utilize all available legal authorities so that American families can get benefits without interruption.

The senators called for Rollins to use contingency funding and other powers available to the secretary to transfer funds from other USDA programs to find the billions of dollars necessary to fund the benefits programs.

State officials said they would continue to provide updates on timeframes for funding and other information about the programs as it becomes available.

Matthew Enuco

Stories by Matthew Enuco

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
A 30-year-old New Jersey woman stabbed someone during a domestic dispute at a hotel in upstate New York on Sunday, authorities allege.

Andrea A. DePass stabbed the victim in the arm with a kitchen knife as they argued around 8:30 a.m. at the La Quinta Inn and Suites in Queensbury, the Warren County Sheriffs Office said.

The victim was treated for minor injuries.

DePass, of Union City, was charged with assault and a weapons offense and sent to the Warren County jail.

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The hotel is about four miles from Lake George.

Attorney information wasnt immediately available.

Stories by Jeff Goldman

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NEED TO KNOW

A former New York state trooper was sentenced to six months in jail for staging his own shooting while on the job

Thomas J. Mascia, 28, claimed he was shot by a "Black or dark-skinned" driver during a traffic stop in October 2024

Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly called Mascia's actions "as meticulously calculated as they were disgraceful"

A former New York state trooper will spend six months in jail after staging his own shooting while on the job.

Thomas J. Mascia, 28, pleaded guilty in May to a felony charge of tampering with physical evidence, as well as two misdemeanors: falsely reporting an incident and official misconduct, the Nassau County District Attorney's Office said in an Oct. 22 press release.

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Prosecutors said Mascia reported that he was shot in the leg during a parkway traffic stop by a "Black or dark-skinned" male driver wearing a balaclava mask on Oct. 30, 2024. Authorities recovered .22-caliber shell casings at the scene and he was taken to the hospital for treatment. Police also put out an alert for the suspect's Dodge Charger.

However, an investigation revealed that Mascia had actually staged the shooting. Prosecutors said he placed .22 caliber shell casings at his post on the Southern State Parkway, traveled to Hempstead Lake Park and shot himself before heading back to the scene to report the shooting. The rifle was recovered during a search of his family home on Nov. 2, 2024.

"An investigation into the scene revealed no video evidence, eyewitnesses, or license plates matching the description provided by the former trooper," the release states. Prosecutors added that no projectiles were found, and no tire marks were located at the scene.

In the press release, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly called Mascia's actions "as meticulously calculated as they were disgraceful."

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"His lies wasted hundreds of hours of law enforcement manpower, deeply cost taxpayers in Nassau County, and betrayed the publics trust of those in uniform," she added.

Howard Schnapp/Newsday RM via Getty Thomas J. Mascia Thomas J. Mascia

The DA said she believes Mascia shot himself so the public could "see him as a hero," adding that there was an "ex-girlfriend he was trying to impress," CBS News reported.

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.

Mascia was also sentenced to five years probation, ordered to pay $289,511 in restitution, and required to undergo mental health treatment, per the release.

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Attorney Jeffrey Lichtman told the Associated Press that Mascia is mortified by his actions and happy to finally get on with his life."

His father, Thomas A. Mascia, and mother, Dorothy Mascia, were also charged with possessing an illegal firearm, which was found during the search of the family home, prosecutors said.

The father pleaded guilty to a felony weapons charge and sentenced to five years probation. The mother was sentenced to conditional discharge after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor weapons charge, per the release.



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NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KETK)  The Nacogdoches County Sheriffs Office has arrested a man accused of bringing more than 2 pounds of crystal meth from Houston to sell in Nacogdoches.

Man gets 100-month sentence after meth, cash found at Smith County bus station in 2020

Sheriffs office deputies were conducting a traffic stop on a Ford pickup truck on Oct. 17 after it was spotted speeding in a construction zone while heading north on U.S. Highway 59, according to a press release.

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The deputies became suspicious of the drivers behavior and asked to search his vehicle. After obtaining the drivers permission, deputies allegedly found a cardboard box in the drivers toolbox.

Photo courtesy of the Nacogdoches County Sheriffs Office.

Mugshot of John Darren Crawford, courtesy of the Nacogdoches County Sheriffs Office.

According to the sheriffs office, 2.4 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, 123 grams of Alprazolam pills and an unreleased amount of marijuana were found inside the cardboard box.

Officials identified the driver as John Darren Crawford, 50, of Nacogdoches. Crawford was arrested after the search and charged with two counts of delivery of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana.

The sheriffs office suspects that Crawford had just obtained the drugs from the Houston area and that he was taking them back to Nacogdoches County so they could be distributed.

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Crawford is currently being held at the Nacogdoches County Jail.

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Over the past 10 months, Donald Trump has used the enormous weight of the relationship between the United States and Colombia to increase pressure on Gustavo Petro's government. The most recent example has been his scandalous denunciation of the Colombian president as a drug trafficking leader and the imposition of 25 percent tariffs.

[Originally published in Spanish at colombiamarxista.com]

However, the motivation behind these measures is not simply economic. Petro has correctly denounced these as attacks of US imperialism that threaten the sovereignty of Latin American countries. Not only that, but over the last year, Petro has criticised deportations and the criminalisation of immigrants in the US, and denounced US complicity in the genocide in Gaza.

For her part, US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has accused Petro of protecting the Venezuelan Tren De Aragua gang. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also revoked the visas of Gustavo Petro and several of his officials after Petro's speech at the UN General Assembly and at a demonstration against the genocide.

In this context, it is clear that tariffs are a tool of pressure on the part of US imperialism. The reason behind this is clear: the White House considers it dangerous to have a reformist left-wing president in power who does not follow Washington's exact guidelines.

This is part of the general policy of the ruling class in the North, which demands complete submission from the countries of the South. Hence, the bombings of Venezuela and the tariffs on Brazil, countries that have moved closer to Russia and especially China, a direct rival of US imperialism in the contest for spheres of influence.

These measures against Colombia aim to mobilise the traditional oligarchy to harass the Petro government and turn the working class and peasantry against the reformists. The threat is implicit: If you vote for Petro's party in 2026, we will make the Colombian economy suffer.

As Colombian communists, we declare our complete opposition to Yankee imperialism. While we have political differences with Gustavo Petro, the question of who governs this country can only be decided by the Colombian working class and peasantry themselves.

We must also denounce the servile character of the national ruling class, which has prostrated itself before the White House, begging for the intervention of Trump and his henchmen in Colombian politics. The fact that they have to resort to their real bosses abroad is a reflection of their complete weakness and unpopularity at home. This weakness has reached the point where figures such as former Conservative Party Minister of Foreign Affairs Alvaro Leyva have gone to the United States to beg Republican senators to help manage Petro's exit.

Ultimately, it is clear that the national oligarchy is tied by a thousand threads to the repugnant ruling class of the north. This is why, in each of the confrontations between Petro and Trump, they have invariably taken the side of the enemy. It is worth remembering that in January they went to Washington to beg their masters to direct their struggle towards Petro and not towards Colombia.

This is the essence of the matter: the ruling classes of the United States and Colombia are colluding to restrict the breathing room of the country's first left-wing government, despite it being the government with the most votes in national history.

This puts the working class of our country on a direct collision course with imperialism. The struggle for reforms is a struggle against the Colombian ruling class, which has behind it the reserves and support of the largest army on the planet.

However, the reality is that the national oligarchy does not have favourable conditions to be able to take back control of the situation as it would like. The struggle for Petros labour reform proves this, as the masses of the working class and peasantry only had to move their little finger to scare the oligarchy into conceding.

On that front, the response of the working class and Petros Historic Pact coalition must be forceful: it is necessary to expropriate the 500 US companies operating in our territory and place them under workers' control. If the Americans want to abandon their factories to export unemployment, as workers it is our duty to occupy them.

The only class that can defend national sovereignty is the Colombian working class. But this is not done in the name of narrow nationalism, but in the name of defending the working class and peasantry of Latin America, who are under siege by the colossus of the north. This struggle, however, can not only be fought on the Colombian front.

The impact of a victorious mobilisation of our class would resonate throughout the world, but especially among the American working class. It would see clearly that its ruling class is no longer the enormous titan it was, and cant dominate the world as easily as before. It would begin the process of the downfall of the most reactionary force on the planet.

Hands off Colombia and Venezuela!

Out with US imperialism and the Colombian oligarchy!

They shall not return!
The Naperville City Council may expand the citys food and beverage tax to include drive-thru-only businesses and food trucks.

The reason were here tonight is to talk about the possibility of including those concepts that we never even thought about 20 years ago, and those are drive-thru-only type concepts that are now becoming more and more prevalent, Mayor Scott Wehrli said at the Tuesday council meeting.

A number of drive-thru-focused restaurants have set up shop in Naperville in recent years. A drive-thru/walk-up Chick-fil-A opened in Naperville earlier this year, and drive-thru-only coffee chains 7 Brew and Scooters Coffee opened last year, the former of which smashed business records and generated long lines of traffic.

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National drive-thru coffee chain Dutch Bros is seeking to open a location in Napervilles Market Meadows Shopping Center at 75th Street and Naper Boulevard. Council members have held off on approving it, wary of the traffic problems that might result from the business with only drive-thru lanes and a walk-up window.

Restaurants, bars and other businesses selling prepared food and drinks in Naperville are required to collect a 1% city tax on such items. Money collected is primarily used to support the citys Special Events and Cultural Amenities (SECA) program, which helps fund nonprofit social and artistic events. The tax does not apply to businesses in downtown Naperville, which pay a separate 1.75% tax to cover the cost of construction and maintenance of downtown parking.

In 2024, the citywide food and beverage tax generated $6.3 million for Naperville, according to Naperville Finance Director Ray Munch. Adding drive-thru only businesses would generate an estimated $200,000 in new revenue.

Council members were mostly supportive of the measure Tuesday, though there were concerns about adding the tax to more businesses.

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I get it. Its not fair. It seems like a loophole (that these businesses dont pay), Councilman Josh McBroom said. I have some issues with how the food and beverage tax is being spent right now so Im not going to support adding more money to the pot right now.

McBroom has recently been critical of SECA, arguing that some of the organizations that receive funding engage in political advocacy. There are no rules dictating SECA recipients must refrain from political actions, but city staff was directed Tuesday to review the program.

The food and beverage tax also exempts food trucks and food festival vendors, but Wehrli argued that food trucks with more permanent locations in Naperville should be taxed.

Im not necessarily talking about food trucks who pop in to Naperville once and leave town, he said. Im more interested in food trucks who set up shop here and literally run a restaurant out of a parking lot, either all summer or all year.

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How the city would enforce a tax for food trucks was unclear. Munch noted that city staff has started looking into how different communities with food trucks apply food and beverage taxes and found that results varied.

In that regard for food trucks, I think its a fair point that we should have some equity between different types of food servers, Councilman Patrick Kelly said. Ive got a little bit of concern about the trucks that are in the middle, maybe that go to some festivals, go to swim meets 10 to 12 times a year.

Councilman Benny White expressed a similar concern, adding that food trucks that operate out of a more permanent location may also be paying a fee to be in that location. If a food truck is operating outside of a Menards, for example, it may be paying Menards to be in that location and Menards may be paying a tax, he said.

Little things like that are things I think that also need to be considered as well, therefore theyre not getting double taxed because theyre paying Menards, now theyre paying a tax on top of that, White said. It may be fair, it may not be, but that would be part of the research I think we should take a look at.

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Councilwoman Mary Gibson also said that if the food and beverage tax was going to apply to food trucks consistently operating in Naperville, the tax should apply to food trucks at festivals as well. Wehrli agreed.

We have some brick-and-mortar restaurants in Naperville who have their own food trucks and are arguably charging food and beverage tax when that food truck goes out, Wehrli said. So to have somebody who has no presence in our community come to our community and not charge that same tax, that just doesnt seem fair.

The council will revisit amending the tax and ways to include food trucks at a future meeting.

cstein@chicagotribune.com
The three candidates for NYC mayor  Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa  lobbed sharp attacks at each other during Wednesdays second and final mayoral debate in Queens.

Mamdani, the Democratic frontrunner, came into the evening with polls showing him solidly in the lead. Cuomo, an independent candidate, was seeking to tear into that lead wherever he could, often attacking Mamdanis lack of experience in government.

Cuomo accused Mamdani of being immature and of sowing division in New York City, while Mamdani knocked Cuomo as a desperate man lashing out and Trumps puppet.

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Republican Sliwa, whos been facing pressure to drop out of the race with the aim of handing his voters over to Cuomo, played a spoiler role, doling out attacks to both candidates.

Early voting begins in just three days, with Election Day on Nov. 4.

Here are some takeaways from the night:

Clashing on experience

Mamdani and Cuomo sparred over the issue of experience, with Cuomo saying the 34-year-old assemblymember doesnt have enough to lead the city.

If you want to work in government, then you have to be serious and mature, Cuomo said.

You dont know how to handle an emergency, and you literally never proposed a bill on anything that youre talking about in your campaign, Cuomo said in one exchange.

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Mamdani tried to turn the argument back onto Cuomo by saying his record as governor, including sexual harassment allegations and the Covid nursing home scandal, was disqualifying.

The issue is your experience, Mamdani told the ex-governor.

Mamdani said Cuomo was creating his own facts.

We just had a former governor say in his own words that the city has been getting screwed by the state, the candidate said. Who was leading the state? It was you, governor.

Sliwa piled on the issue, as well, saying Mamdanis resume could fit on a cocktail napkin.

Mamdani skirts questions, gets mocked

Mamdani was repeatedly pummeled by his opponents for not giving clear answers or sidestepping tough questions.

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Early in the evening, Cuomo pivoted from a question on means-testing for rent-stabilized housing to slam Mamdanis freeze the rent agenda item.

Its all this, Cuomo said, flapping his hand to mime a hand talking. Its all political blather.

When asked about his position on ballot propositions on housing, Mamdani, unlike Cuomo and Sliwa, said he hadnt yet made up his mind on the issue. Councilmembers, many of them allies to Mamdani, are staunchly opposed to the measures, which would put a dent in the ability of council members to exert control over development in their own districts.

What a political answer, what is your opinion? Sliwa shot in response.

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What a shock, Cuomo jeered, flapping his hands again.

The moderators touched on this, too, with NY1s Errol Louis asking Mamdani why hes avoided questions on mayoral control, ballot questions and his stance on sex work.

Whos tougher on Trump?

Asked how he would handle a situation like the Tuesday federal immigration raids on Canal Street, Cuomo said he would meet aggression with aggression by putting his finger right back in [Trumps] chest.

I would have called the president and I would say, Look, youre way out of bounds,' Cuomo said. They are way out of bounds. Call them back, or Im going to tell the NYPD to step in and stop them.

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Mamdani, for his part, said he would be open to working with Trump on affordability but would put up a fight when it comes to immigration enforcement. If faced with ICE raids, Mamdani said hed first focus on strengthening local protections like street vendor reforms.

Thats an example of how we can both protect, ensure quality of life and leave no stone unturned in delivering for the people of the city, Mamdani said.

Sliwa said he would look to negotiate with Trump or his minions when dealing with the president.

With Trump, its always the art of the deal, he said, referring to a book Trump wrote by the same title.

Hard questions, no answers

At one point in the debate, each candidate was allowed to ask questions of both their opponents.

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Mamdani asked Cuomo, who resigned as governor in 2021 after being accused of sexual harassment, what he would say to one of his accusers, Charlotte Bennett, who sat in the audience.

What do you say to the 13 women you harassed? Mamdani asked.

Cuomo responded by slamming Mamdani as immature and reiterating that the criminal cases against him were dropped.

He then pivoted to attack Mamdani on his dual citizenship in Uganda, asking why he wont renounce it. Cuomo pointed out the countrys anti-gay policies and then attacked the candidate for recently taking a picture with a top Ugandan official who pushed harshly-anti LGBTQ+ legislation.

Mamdani wants Tisch to stay

Onstage at the debate, Mamdani  who has come under fire for past calls to defund the police  confirmed reports he intends to ask current NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch to stay on in the same role if hes elected.

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But Mamdani didnt answer when asked whether Tisch, whos spoken out about criminal justice reforms Mamdanis a proponent of like bail reform, has indicated shed take him up on his offer.

This is a decision that Ive made to further the agenda that I have been running on, Mamdani said. A decision that will also deliver the creation of a Department of Community Safety, a decision that will also ensure that safety and justice are being delivered to New Yorkers.

Tisch, who was appointed by Mayor Adams after cascading scandals tore through his administration and the upper ranks of his public safety apparatus, is widely respected in the city.

Commissioner Tisch took on a broken status quo, started to deliver accountability, rooting out corruption and reducing crime across the five boroughs, the candidate said at the debate.

Israel question stirs fiery exchanges

Cuomo and Sliwa laced into Mamdanis stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict, claiming the democratic socialist was amplifying anti-semitism through his positions. Mamdani has sparked anger and concern with a number of his positions, including not recognizing the right of Israel to exist as a Jewish state.

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Sliwa claimed Mamdani is seen as someone who fans the flames of anti-semitism and even said the candidate had praised global jihad.

I have never, not once, spoken in support of global jihad, Mamdani punched back.

That is not something that I have said and that continues to be ascribed to me. And frankly, I think much of it has to do with the fact that I am the first Muslim candidate to be on the precipice of winning this election, he said.

Mamdani has come under fire over the volatile phrase globalize the intifada, which he has said he doesnt encourage.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Its been two weeks since the National Guard landed in Memphis to help fight crime, and you may have spotted them on Beale Street, in Tom Lee Park and walking in neighborhoods.

But what exactly are they doing here?

I have not seen them. But I hear on the news they are catching a lot of criminals, said Rodney Childress, a Nutbush neighborhood resident.

National Guardsmen in downtown Memphis on Oct. 14. (Tyler Chow, WREG) Law enforcement in camouflage seen walking on Riverside Drive at Tom Lee Park on Friday morning. (Jessica Gertler, WREG) Courtesy of TN National Guard

We have seen them around the downtown area, often with police officers, so we asked police specifically how the Guard is helping them, since they arent making arrests.

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Memphis Police sent us a reply saying they are extra eyes and ears in our city.

Lawmakers file suit against TN governor over Guard deployment in Memphis

But some still wonder if the Guard is really needed.

We have enough Sheriffs Department and policeman to do the job. And I have been seeing them more so lately, said Tina Miller, who works in Memphis.

However, Childress says hes been the victim of crime too many times to count, and hes happy to see them here.

Here are the 15 cities with highest property crime rates

Ive had two trucks stolen, a scooter stolen, been robbed, billfold stolen, knocked out with a hammer, been knocked out a couple of times. So trust me. I am glad they are here, Childress said. I havent heard any gunshots lately. Usually it sounds like the Fourth of July. Its calmed down quite a bit. So Im happy.

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We were also told the Guard would help clean up areas, since often blight is connected to crime.



Our cameras spotted Guard members in a heavily blighted area of Nutbush when they first arrived in town, inspecting something along the railroad tracks.

Day two of National Guard in Memphis

WREG went back to the Nutbush area where we saw the Guard almost two weeks ago, and there is still trash all around. And we still havent been told exactly why the Guard was here in the first place.



We asked National Guard leaders, but didnt get a specific reply. The Public Affairs Director telling us the Guard is assisting with Safety Patrols, site security and traffic.



MPD referred us to the Safe and Clean City of Memphis website that is updated daily.

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WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  Three Kansas elementary schools have been recognized as 2025 National Blue Ribbon Schools, the Kansas State Department of Education announced Thursday.

The award-winning schools use data-driven instruction, engage in ongoing professional training and work closely with families and the community to help every student succeed, according to a news release from KSDE.

The program, which was shut down by the U.S. Department of Education in September, recognized schools in two categories: exemplary high-performing schools and exemplary achievement gap-closing schools.

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We couldve gone so far: Argonia High volleyball players devastated after rule confusion ends season early

The schools honored as high-performing are McLean Science Technology Magnet in Wichita, Jefferson West Elementary School in Jefferson West USD 340, and Sterling Grade School in Sterling.

In a statement, McLean Principal Tina Young called the national recognition an honor.

Our magnet program offers unique learning opportunities that fosters students curiosity with hands-on integration of science and technology in all of our classes, inspiring them to be the leaders of tomorrow, Young said in the release.

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McLean is receiving the Blue Ribbon distinction for the first time, becoming the sixth school in Wichita USD 259 to earn the award.

Jefferson West Elementary is the first school in USD 340 to receive the honor.

This recognition represents years of hard work, high expectations, and a shared belief that every child can succeed, Wes Sturgeon, principal of Jefferson West Elementary, said in a statement. We are proud to represent our district and community on the public stage.

Sterling Grade School has a history of recognition, having been named a National ESEA Distinguished School in 2024 and 2016, and a National Blue Ribbon School in 2018.

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This prestigious award reflects the dedication of our outstanding teachers and staff, who work tirelessly to ensure every student thrives both personally and academically, Jamie Burtner, principal of Sterling Grade School, said in the news release.

Including the 2025 honorees, a total of 167 public and six private schools in Kansas have been designated as Blue Ribbon Schools since the programs inception in 1983.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Central Ohio first responders and doctors are trying to raise awareness about the increasing number of kids theyre seeing get hurt on electric scooters and electric bikes.

Weve definitely seen an increase in injuries related to electric bikes and electric scooters. I would say over the last few years its been increasing exponentially, said Dr. Chelsea Kadish with Nationwide Childrens Hospital.

Kadish, an emergency room doctor at NCH, urged parents to talk with their children about wearing helmets, as she said many patients shes seen were not.

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Emphasizing how important it is to protect the head because head injuries are a lot harder to fix than those cuts and scrapes and broken bones, Kadish said.

The city of Upper Arlington recently released a public service announcement about the issue. Their first responders said they are seeing injuries from crashes on e-bikes or scooters every week. They reminded parents to teach their kids about riding safely and to make sure they know the rules.

I think there is a little bit of shock sometimes from family members about oh my gosh I cant believe this happened to my child. I had no idea they were out there riding, renting electric scooters and riding them without helmets, Kadish said. Its more about talking about safety and raising awareness to children, and their parents and just trying to get families to understand these devices come with high risks.

New Albany City Council this week passed new laws related to electric bikes and powered scooters.

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These are regulations that arent trying to ban the use but to kind of regulate and make it safe for everybody to use our sidewalks and leisure paths around the community, a councilmember said during the meeting.

The new laws include a helmet requirement for those younger than 18, reflector and light requirements, and a speed limit on shared-use paths.

Whatever we can do to sort of protect the safety of our children is to the benefit of our population, and I hope as we increase awareness on this topic and get kids to wear their helmets more, that I hope well see fewer of these really severe injuries in the emergency department, Kadish said.

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Russian warplanes violated Lithuanias airspace, its president said on Thursday.

Eurofighter Typhoon jets, operating under Natos Baltic air policing mission, were scrambled to intercept the aircraft as they flew from Kaliningrad.

The SU-30 fighter jet and Il-78 transporter plane strayed about half a mile inside Lithuanias airspace for some 18 seconds after leaving the Russian exclave on the Baltic Sea.

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It was the latest string of breaches of allied airspace by Russia, which has led to threats to shoot down Moscows aircraft.

Credit: X / @GitanasNauseda

Last month, Lithuania granted its army powers to shoot down any unmanned drones that violate its airspace.

After Thursdays incursion, Gitanas Nauseda, Lithuanias president, said: I strongly condemn the violation of Lithuanian airspace by the fighter jet and transport plane of the Russian Federation from a Kaliningrad region site.

This is a cruel violation of international law and territorial sovereignty of Lithuania and we have to react to this.

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Its defence ministry added: Our forces acted quickly with Nato jets on patrol. Lithuania remains strong and ready. Every inch of our country is protected.

It was not immediately clear if the fighter jet was armed with missiles, as was the case when three Russian warplanes violated Estonias airspace last month.

The breach triggered high-level talks at Nato over fears Moscow was testing the alliances willingness to go to war.

Nato officials said the violations were part of a hybrid war being raged by Vladimir Putin as he attempts to deter Western support for Ukraine.

The alliance is currently on high alert over the spate of recent incursions, which includes dozens of Russian drones straying into Poland, prompting the first armed altercation between Nato and Moscow on allied soil.

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Lithuania also recently summoned the Belarusian ambassador to Vilnius over balloons interfering with traffic at its capitals airport.

The cigarette-smuggling balloons were transporting cheaper products into the EU, where tobacco is pricier, from Belarus.

The head of Lithuanias national crisis management centre, Vilmantas Vitkauskas, described the latest balloon incursion as the most intense this year.

Lithuania responded by shutting two border crossings with Belarus, Lithuanias border guards said.

A Nato official said: Two Spanish Euro Typhoon fighter jets, which are deployed to the Lithuanian airbase of Siauliai as part of Eastern Sentry, were scrambled and flew to the site of this airspace violation.

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This is another demonstration of Natos readiness to respond to any developments and ability to ensure the safety of the Alliances airspace.

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WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  One veteran is enjoying a fulfilling career in the aviation industry in the Air Capital and says all of the things he learned working on the Navys eye in the sky made his civilian career possible.

Growing up in Larned, Joshua Zink knew before he graduated high school that the Navy was his ticket to a strong career.

It gets you to expand in ways that you wouldnt be able to just by going to college or getting a job right out of high school, he said.

Courtesy: Joshua Zink

After joining in 1995, Zink found himself training to become an avionics technician focused on repairing and maintaining the famed E-2 Hawkeye.

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Since that aircraft had so much avionics in it, that was the one that I was actually interested in, because it was going to be by far the most challenging, he said.

Zink was stationed in Miramar in San Diego, but soon joined the USS Carl Vinson, which was on a 6-month tour of the Western Pacific. Initially, the job wasnt quite what he expected.

First tour was a little bit dull at times because I hadnt gone to school for 6 months to learn how to clean, he said.

Tune into KSN News at 10 every Wednesday for our Veteran Salute

When he was back in San Diego, Zink was focused on deep maintenance and getting the sea salt off his aircraft. And by the time Zink did his second 6-month tour of the Western Pacific, the rookie cleaning duties were behind him.

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I was doing quite a bit more with the plane, but my expertise was really coming into play at that point, he said.

Zink took a break from the Navy to pursue an anthropology degree at Kansas State University. But he knew there would be a round two of serving his country, so he went on to officer candidate school and then to flight school. This time around, Zink was training to operate the avionics equipment inside the plane, but he soon learned being in the air wasnt where he thrived.

It became very clear that my skillset was not necessarily flying, he said.

Courtesy: Joshua Zink

Zink finished his second round with the Navy in 2004 and left as an ensign. His next stop was the Air Capital, where hes been working in the aviation industry to this day, thanks to what he learned serving his country.

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The military definitely provided skills that I wouldnt have gathered any place else, he said.

If you want to nominate a veteran for our Veteran Salute, send an email to connect3news@ksn.com or fill out our online nomination form!

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States are scrambling to shield their hospitals from the looming loss of hundreds of millions in federal funding under the tax and spending bill President Donald Trump signed in July. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

As North Carolina hospitals bear the impact of lost Medicaid funding at the state and federal levels, a report from the North Carolina Healthcare Association shows they provided $7.4 billion in benefits to their communities in 2024.

Released by the state hospital advocacy group on Wednesday, the report shows that North Carolina hospitals provided $417 million for medical education and training, $145 million for subsidized health services such as neonatal care, addiction recovery, and trauma services, and $106 million for health research, among other benefits last year.

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The report, aimed at showcasing community benefits and work that serves the public good, provides a counterpoint to criticism frequently leveled at hospitals by some elected leaders in North Carolina. Former Republican state Treasurer Dale Folwell, an outspoken critic who called the hospital system a cartel, frequently accused them of failing to meet their obligations for charity care and cost transparency.

Josh Dobson (Photo: NC Healthcare Association)

It also highlights investments in the states healthcare pipeline. Education initiatives detailed in the report, for example, are intended to counter a projected shortage of around 9,000 registered nurses in the state by 2030, with hospitals partnering with Appalachian State University and Coastal Carolina Community College among others to offer tuition assistance and scholarships and launch new nursing programs and fellowships.

However, NCHA President Josh Dobson warned, those investments are at risk.

Dobson wrote in an open letter that even as hospitals are underfunded for the care they provide, they are duty-bound to provide care for uninsured and underinsured patients. That leaves them vulnerable to greater financial hardship if more North Carolinians lose access to Medicaid benefits.

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These challenges are too great for any hospital to face alone, Dobson wrote. Hospitals depend on strong partnerships, innovation, and sustainable resources to create programs that make a real difference  and to remain financially strong so they can continue this work for years to come.

The General Assembly has been deadlocked for months over fully funding the states Medicaid program, resulting in cuts to reimbursement rates for all services this month. And cuts to the program enacted in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act could cost state health providers billions, particularly if it triggers the end of North Carolinas Medicaid expansion, which has extended coverage to roughly 680,000 residents.

Gov. Roy Cooper and DHHS Sec. Kody Kinsley (center) receive an update on Mission Hospitals recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene in October. (Pool photo/Paul Barker-Governors Office)

The report indicated that North Carolina hospitals are at risk of losing $32 billion in Medicaid funding over the next decade under program changes passed in the bill. That drop in funding imperils the rural hospitals that serve 80 of the states 100 counties.

This will make it challenging to do this important work to keep people healthy and out of the hospital, which is critical to lowering healthcare costs for everyone, the report says. There is still time for Congress to act to prevent some of these cuts from happening and protect both hospitals and the people they serve.

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Many of these facilities were already on the brink. In 2023, Martin General Hospital of Williamston closed, leaving its county without a local hospital. According to the report, providers like ECU Health have tried to fill the gaps, offering free health screenings in Martin County and proposing in June to reopen the hospital for emergency care.

The report also details how hospitals stepped in during Hurricane Helene to provide aid, with Mission Hospital in Asheville seeing 3,500 patients and treating another 5,500 in clinics. In the months after, its staff helped distribute food and water to those in need.

It was an incredible sight, the way that these team members were all working together from different departments that have never even met before, said Taylor McCaulley, a nurse manager at Mission Hospital in a video accompanying the report. Youre seeing all of these staff members that are coming in just to truly save the day for them.
A Jewish-American journalist is calling out U.S. news outlets for ignoring a violent settler attack in the West Bank that he and American colleagues found themselves in the middle of and captured on camera in now-viral footage that has drawn condemnation from the United Nations.

Brooklyn-based reporter Jasper Nathaniel was traveling through the olive fields near Turmus Ayya on Oct. 19 when he filmed masked Israeli settlers assaulting Palestinian farmers.

The attackers, wielding clubs and other makeshift weapons, can be seen beating several people, including a 55-year old woman, as Nathaniel shouted at them to stop.

October 19, 2025. On the first day of the olive harvest in Turmus'ayyer, the Israeli Defense Force leads a group of farmers directly into a brutal ambush by armed settlers. These people need to be in prison by tomorrow, and the people of this village, and all across Palestine, https://t.co/i4PbG9jn4j pic.twitter.com/i67CjLB2gg  jasper nathaniel (@infinite_jaz) October 19, 2025

The IDF lured us into an ambush, Nathaniel wrote on X shortly before posting the footage. Brutal settler attack in Turmusayya olive fields. Many injuries, including a woman knocked unconscious with a club and beaten repeatedly.

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https://twitter.com/infinite_jaz/status/1979797840424796384

In a later post, Nathaniel accused the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) of facilitating the violence, saying the mob descended moments after the IDF sped away.

Despite the graphic footage circulating widely online, Nathaniel said he was surprised by the lack of coverage from major U.S. outlets and claimed that the group of Americans  of which he was one  were nearly murdered.

I dont hold the US media in very high regard, but Im still a bit surprised that not a single mainstream outlet is covering an event where a group of Americans were nearly murdered by an enormous government- and military-backed Israeli mob. https://t.co/F2JVoXBw0f  jasper nathaniel (@infinite_jaz) October 22, 2025

The clip has was shared by Francesca Albanese, the U.N. Special Rapporteur on human rights in Palestine, who later wrote, For 2 years, the world has seen scenes like this from the West Bank. I wonder where decent Israelis are; those who protest in Tel Aviv.

For 2 years, the world has seen scenes like this from the West Bank. I wonder where decent Israelis are; those who protest in Tel Aviv. Hatred of Hamas is one thing, but do they not feel some obligation to act to stop their fellow citizens behaving like criminals on the loose? https://t.co/N9fT4mVc60  Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur oPt (@FranceskAlbs) October 19, 2025

The attack was covered by the BBC and British newspaper The Independent as well as Qatari government-owned outlet Al Jazeera.

The post Nearly Murdered: Jewish Reporter Who Filmed Violent Attack by Israeli Settlers Calls Out US Media for Ignoring Story first appeared on Mediaite.
China has surged ahead as the worlds premier industrial power. Not a day goes by without news of new technological breakthroughs made in China.

This country, which only two decades ago was still mired in backwardness, is now engaged in a titanic rivalry with the US in which it is holding its own. Meanwhile, American imperialism, by far the strongest power on the planet, is at a dead end, bound up in a web of contradictions.

This rivalry is now the main axis around which the world situation revolves today.

How did the Chinese economy manage to do this? And what does this mean for the crisis of world capitalism?

An unmistakable rise

In a world economy characterised by stagnation, Chinas GDP growth has recently hovered around five percent, a substantial expansion in absolute terms for an economy now three times the size of Japans. More importantly, this rate far outpaces the older imperialist powers: the United States is growing at 2.8 percent, while the EU stagnates at just 0.1 percent, with its industry in decline.

Unlike many of the old imperialist powers whose industries slacked and decayed in favour of finance capital, Chinas industrial sector remains vibrant and is already reigning supreme on the world scale. According to The Economist, China alone accounts for 30 percent of the worlds manufacturing, more than the US, Germany, Japan and South Korea combined. There is no sign of stopping, as Chinas value-added industrial output, or new value created by industry, continues to grow at around five to six percent yearly.

Gone are the days when China only produced low quality clothing, toys, and daily accessories / Image: Jaxer, Wikimedia Commons

One should also look at what China produces today. Gone are the days when China only produced low quality clothing, toys, and daily accessories. The words Made in China are now linked with the worlds most advanced tech products. Since 2020, China has been dominating the worlds production of computers and electronics, chemicals, machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, basic metals, fabricated metals, and electrical equipment.

Moreover, China has become a powerhouse in research and innovations. Today, seven out of the worlds top 10 research institutions, according to Nature Index, are Chinese. It dominates the field of robotics both in patents filed (two thirds of which are from China) and in number of robots installed, with more than the rest of the world combined. Dark factories, nearly fully roboticised factories that employ so few workers that no lights are required, are being implemented in many fields of manufacturing.

Even in sectors where it faces bottlenecks in upgrades due to vigorous undermining from the US, such as the semi-conductor industries, Chinas self-sufficiency continues to improve rapidly. The US attempts to blockade China from the most advanced technology in this field are rather serving to push forward Chinas development of cutting edge alternatives to manufacturing advanced microchips.

While most of these innovations have been applied to consumer goods, application on military use is quickly following. To name just a few, China has rolled out drones that can both swim under water and fly in the air; large underwater drones; and jet-propelled drones that could allow any warship to function as an aircraft carrier. All of these developments are humiliating and terrifying Chinas competitors in the West.

The picture is crystal clear: China is developing on an enormous scale that is challenging the US dominance in many spheres. It has long cast off dependence on foreign investments and reliance on low-value added manufacturing to become a powerful imperialist country. How was this achieved? Can this development continue without contradictions?

Privileges of backwardness

A key material factor that explains Chinas astounding progress lies in its starting point.

Whereas older capitalist countries are carrying the burden of the years of accumulated contradictions, inefficiencies, debts and other problems with the forces of production, China was a backward country (though with an important industrial base) compared to the West, when it joined the world capitalist market. High tech industry was non-existent and could be built from the ground up.

Yet, China did not need to develop industry from scratch. From the outset, it could implement the most advanced techniques available from around the world.

This was a part of the uneven and combined development of capitalism as a world system, which Trotsky observed long ago in Russia:

The privilege of historic backwardness  and such a privilege exists  permits, or rather compels, the adoption of whatever is ready in advance of any specified date, skipping a whole series of intermediate stages. Savages throw away their bows and arrows for rifles all at once, without travelling the road which lay between those two weapons in the past. The European colonists in America did not begin history all over again from the beginning. The fact that Germany and the United States have now economically outstripped England was made possible by the very backwardness of their capitalist development. On the other hand, the conservative anarchy in the British coal industry  as also in the heads of MacDonald and his friends  is a paying-up for the past when England played too long the role of capitalist pathfinder. The development of historically backward nations leads necessarily to a peculiar combination of different stages in the historic process. Their development as a whole acquires a planless, complex, combined character.

Shenzhen, now Chinas third-largest city, is the clearest example of this transformation. In 1980, it was little more than a fishing village of 30,000 people. Designated as Chinas first special economic zone in a step toward capitalist restoration, it rapidly grew into a hub for telecommunications equipment by the mid-1990s, and by the early 2000s had become the worlds factory floor, churning out cell phones for western brands.

With deliberate state intervention, Shenzhen attracted massive investment and skilled labour, enabling it to upgrade to higher-tech industries / Image: Dinkun Chen, Wikimedia Commons

With deliberate state intervention, Shenzhen attracted massive investment and skilled labour, enabling it to upgrade to higher-tech industries. Today, it is celebrated as the Silicon Valley of China. All of this unfolded in just four decades.

There are abundant examples of China benefiting from the privilege of backwardness, otherwise known as latecomers advantage. The Tiangong Space Station, Chinas independently operated station and one of only two currently operational space stations, was built using the latest research and lessons from the U.S. and Russian space programmes. Similar progress has occurred in Chinas information and communications technology, high-speed rail, and rare earth mineral refinement, among other sectors.

China fully recognises and exploits this advantage. As Fan Gang (), president of the state-run China Development Institute, plainly explained:

Every year the country spends more than $30 billion purchasing IP or licensing rights; and it voraciously learns and imitates unprotected knowledge. As a late-bloomer, it can access such knowledge faster and cheaper. And imitation is not shameful.

But such privileges of backwardness alone far from explain Chinas continued success. There are plenty of countries in the world that remain trapped in backwardness and cannot seem to get out of it. Another key factor for China to be able to do so lies in the role of the CCP state.

The role of a bonapartist state

China is ruled by a single-party dictatorship under the Chinese Communist Party. While the state upholds capitalism and represses the working class, it also intervenes forcefully in the market, keeping the bourgeoisie in check and compelling them to follow its directives on how to behave and invest their capital.

The party-state controls several key levers of the economy. Unlike in most capitalist countries, the central banks monetary and fiscal policies are directed by the party. The state also holds majority ownership of the countrys largest commercial banks  four of which are now the biggest in the world  allowing their capital to be deployed in line with state policy first, before considering the short-term profits of shareholders. In addition, the state sets development goals for the economy and compels the private bourgeoisie (i.e. capitalists who own enterprises that are not owned or controlled by the state) to comply through subsidies or regulation.

Capitalists whose actions threaten systemic stability are also swiftly curtailed. For example, when Alibaba CEO Jack Ma attempted to launch the risky financial venture Ant Group  which raised a whopping US$34 billion from investors  the state intervened, halting the project and temporarily forcing him into exile. The authorities judged that Ant Group exhibited many of the traits seen in large western financial firms, including the questionable schemes and reckless executive practices that had previously triggered crises like that of 2008. Ma was also becoming a symbol of vast inequality in Chinese society. They chose to address the risk early, before it could escalate.

Jack Mas personal conduct also drove the CCP to act. At the time of the launch of Ant Group, Ma publicly complained that there had been overly restrictive regulation on the financial sector. Given his celebrity and wealth, such a public complaint amounted to an open challenge to the authority of the CCP, a deed that could not go unpunished, despite the fact that he was a card-carrying member of the CCP. The CCP also stood to gain some popularity from the masses in this, as Jack Ma was already widely hated for being an arrogant, unabashedly rich man.

When Alibaba CEO Jack Ma attempted to launch the risky financial venture Ant Group, the state intervened, halting the project and temporarily forcing him into exile / Image: World Trade Organisation, Wikimedia Commons

This disciplinary measure against an individual capitalist was no isolated incident. In the same year that Ma was flogged, the CCP fined a range of Chinese firms which involved hundreds of millions of dollars, which also weighed on share prices and cost investors over one trillion US dollars. In 2024, according to state media Global Times, the total cost of penalties issued increased to a sum of $1.52 billion. Additionally, capitalists who declared bankruptcy found themselves blacklisted from future credit loans and were barred from luxury expenditures.

In the West, where the politicians are in the pockets of the rich, the bourgeoisie generally reigns over the state, the so-called rule of law is observed, and capitalists are not at risk of being made into an example. Their property is secure, and they do not have to go into hiding if they criticise the government  indeed, it is more often than not the politicians who must bend to the will of the capitalist class.

A comparison between Elon Musk and Jack Ma is instructive. Both are megalomaniacal tech billionaires with an irrepressible urge to broadcast their opinions to the world. Yet the outcomes they have faced are markedly different: Musk could buy political influence, clash with a President of the United States, and still see his wealth and state contracts remain intact, while Ma was sidelined for years and stripped of a significant portion of his business empire by the CCP.

Besides severe punishment, the CCP state also uses a carrot and stick approach, to push the market in a certain direction. There are massive subsidies, tax cuts, and other measures given to sectors that the state favours, which are often led by public-private joint ventures with regional governments. The state also deploys party cadres and its apparatus into the private enterprises themselves, especially those they deem to be industry leaders, to ensure that they are behaving in a way that follows state policy.

In this way, the state also ensures that less capital flows into risky and unproductive sectors, in particular the finance sector. Whereas in the West, billions have been pouring into stock-buybacks or one crypto fad after another, in 2017 China banned domestic mining and trading of cryptocurrency despite being the worlds largest cryptocurrency market at the time.

The Chinese states relative independence from more immediate bourgeois interests also affords it more tools to alleviate potential slumps and crises. This was how Evergrandes default crisis was dealt with, to prevent a domino effect on the rest of the economy.

Shortly after Evergrandes default became public, the state stepped in to form an opaque committee to clean up the crisis. State owned enterprises and several private enterprises alike were mobilised to take up parts of Evergrandes debt and finish their unfinished projects, while freezing the hundreds of millions of dollars worth of assets of its CEO Hui Ka-yan. In this way, although the problem is still ongoing and Chinas real estate sector continues to exert a downward pressure on the economy, a full blown crisis was halted.

In contrast, when Lehman Brothers went into crisis after years of unchecked risky practices, the US government was not able to stop it from collapsing, which tanked the world economy. Yet, in the aftermath, the US Federal Reserve still had to shell out billions to rescue other companies to prevent a domino effect, while the CEO of Lehman Brothers got to keep hundreds of millions in salary and bonuses.

The state also took measures to direct investment away from real estate and into manufacturing, which it thinks can move the economy away from higher risks.

Disciplining the bourgeoisie however is only one side of the story. The Chinese state is above all concerned with suppressing the working class.

It never gave the masses genuine democratic rights, and in recent years has exercised even tighter control. Online censorship is not only omnipresent but constantly reinforced by improved surveillance technology. Of course, any attempt at organising trade unions outside of the state trade union structures is ruthlessly suppressed.

As there are no genuine workers organisations, projects such as installing Dark Factories, which threaten the jobs of workers, can go unchallenged.

But the state also keeps the other side of the class divide in check, to maintain the overall stability of the system. Sometimes, the state intervenes in workers disputes with the bosses on the side of the workers, in order to prevent ferment from increasing. Recently, the state has also pushed for the raising of the minimum wage, partly to boost spending to combat deflation, but also partly to diffuse class anger.

The CCP was able to achieve all of the above because prior to the restoration of capitalism in China, it was already a powerful, all-pervasive police state. The fact that the CCP, unlike its counterpart in the Soviet Union, tightly controlled the process of capitalist restoration, meant that it maintained its powerful position in Chinese society as capitalist restoration took place, whilst the state in the Soviet Union collapsed.

In the process of transforming China from a planned economy to one dominated by market forces, the profit motive, and private property, the CCP kept the main levers of the economy, especially the banks and certain strategic industries, under the states control. Foreign investment is welcomed, but kept out of outright ownership of enterprises.

The Chinese state is above all concerned with suppressing the working class / Image: Fumiko, Wikimedia Commons

On the one hand, the state bureaucracy is not interested in allowing its power to be usurped by foreign imperialists or a layer of the bourgeoisie. On the other hand, it also needs to suppress the working class in the service of capitalism as a whole, and thus has no interest in allowing the working class the rights of bourgeois democracy, such as the right to form independent trade unions.

The CCP bureaucracy has to permanently balance between the bourgeoisie and the working class  which Marxists refer to as Bonapartism, where the state raises itself above any one class and rules directly by police methods  in order to preserve the existing system as a whole.

The Bonapartism of the Chinese state, however, has very specific causes and characteristics. Marxs definition of Bonapartism pertained to countries in which the class struggle is at a deadlock. In this scenario, a strongman emerges, who offers to reestablish order on the basis of enhancing the repressive powers of the state, but in doing so is able to gain a large degree of independence from the ruling class, even though ultimately the reestablishment of order is in the latters interests.

The Bonapartist regime in China today did not stem from a deadlock in class struggle, but stemmed from a bureaucracy that previously siphoned off the gains of the planned economy and later restored capitalism and based its privileges and interests on capitalism. This could not have been done in China without continuing the suppression of political freedom of the workers. At the same time, it gave birth to a layer of capitalists who find themselves dependent on this state.

The presence of this Bonapartist state that can heavily intervene in the market and discipline the behavior of the capitalist class, alongside the youthfulness of the Chinese economy, gave China a significant competitive edge over its western adversaries.

The Apollo Spirit

With its weight in society, the CCP state can spearhead research and development projects on a national scale, coordinating efforts with remarkable speed  ironically in a manner not unlike how the United States organised its own push during the Space Race.

Centralised state intervention is far superior to the market in driving technological innovation / Image: CobbleCC, Wikimedia Commons

As Harvard University faculty member Bruno Sergi noted in The Diplomat, a decisive factor behind NASAs success in the Apollo Project was not free market competition, but centralised state leadership. NASA oversaw a streamlined process of research, development, manufacturing, and implementation, with private companies largely subordinated to state direction.

In the race for AI, China is doing something similar. As Sergi explained:

Since the State Councils 2017 New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Plan, Beijing has set explicit milestones for 2030 leadership, backed by large-scale investments in research institutes, university programs, and industrial parks. Chinese universities are intertwined in applied R&D, registering patents, and partnering with tech giants like Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent, and Huawei to commercialize breakthroughs. China can deploy extensive facilities, data centers, and streamlined approvals at a speed that any Western benchmark would envy.



China is hedging against chokepoints, shielding itself from U.S. export controls on advanced semiconductors by accelerating domestic chip fabrication. Huawei is leading the production of new AI chips and Ascend processors, with plans for dedicated fabrication and scaling, primarily through SMIC. Alibaba and Baidu are developing domestic AI accelerators to lessen dependence on imports.

But the same spirit of concerted state direction goes far beyond AI. In the Made in China 2025 initiative, first introduced in 2015, the Chinese state identified tech sectors in which to make decisive investments and coordinated efforts, in order to upgrade Chinese industrys technological competitiveness and independence. As of 2024, over 86 percent of the goals of Made in China 2025 were met, which are expressed in the kinds of achievements we have mentioned above.

All of this underscores a fundamental point: contrary to the free-market evangelists, given the enormous division of labour required to advance the productive forces today and the scales involved, centralised state intervention is far superior to the market in driving technological innovation. The CCP is now leveraging this capacity in AI development to advance its own interests as a capitalist world power, competing head-to-head with the West  and making undeniably rapid progress.

Is this a planned economy?

It is clear that the Chinese state today is able to set concrete economic goals and direct the economy to meet them. A degree of planning is clearly involved.

Given this fact, coupled with the fact that the ruling party is still nominally a Communist Party, which characterises the economic system of China not as capitalism but as socialism with Chinese characteristics, one may be tempted to ask: is the China of today a planned economy?

In a nationalised planned economy, what would drive economic activity would not be the same as under capitalism. Key levers of industries would be nationalised, while production would be organised according to a concrete plan that directly supplies the needs of society as a whole, rather than pursuing profit.

Because of this, there would no longer be an anarchic market with its crises of overproduction and cycles of boom and bust. Of course, a healthy planned economy requires the check of workers control to ensure that waste, mismanagement and corruption does not proliferate.

In the past, China did have a nationalised planned economy, albeit one that lacked democracy for the working class and was dictated by the bureaucracy. It scored enormous gains for China, freed it from imperialist domination and backwardness, and brought it into the modern age.

In the decades since, many features of the past planned economy were destroyed by the CCP itself. Guaranteed employment, housing, and social care are now distant memories. Although vestiges of that past are still present  such as state ownership of several important levers of the economy  everything in China, including state owned enterprises, primarily operate in pursuit of profit and market share, rather than to fulfill social needs.

Industrial plans, such as Made in China 2025, are plans to ensure that Chinese products can outsell other countries capitalist enterprises on the world market. This is the fundamental point: despite heavy state intervention, it is the pressures of the market and profitability, two basic pillars of a capitalist economy, that ultimately determine how the economy functions.

Even though the state can steer the economy towards its objectives by incentivising and disciplining capitalists and even by directly developing certain technologies, the market economy constantly undermines or alters the outcomes the state strives for. This typically takes the form of massive overproduction, and the resulting deflation, owing to the rush of investment into sectors favoured by the state.

These outcomes have become so widespread that a special term for it, involution, has caught on, and has even been spoken of by Xi Jinping himself. This refers to the unwanted effect of excessive competition in favoured sectors, whereby it becomes extremely difficult simply to break even and stay up to date with competitors.

So much money floods into these sectors that highly productive firms are still unable to gain market share, since rivals are doing exactly the same. The result is price wars, long working hours, and massive overproduction. This tendency will be worsened by Chinas recent push for world-leading technological advancements.

State policies and subsidies in recent years rapidly cultivated a handful of electric car brands with enormous productive capacity, which led to a glut of electric cars in the market / Image: EEYAUT Waihung, Wikimedia Commons

The foremost example of this is the massive overproduction of electric cars. State policies and subsidies in recent years rapidly cultivated a handful of electric car brands with enormous productive capacity, which led to a glut of electric cars in the market. The urge to sell these cars led to a chaotic price war, which is forcing the companies to operate at a loss and become even more dependent on state support, rather than less. In this way, the state is becoming the victim of its own success.

A nationalised planned economy would have been able to immediately retool these industries to supply other needs in society. For example, these factories could easily be reconfigured to produce necessary electronic or computer products to supply the poorest regions of China at a low cost or for free, in order to balance out the enormous regional inequality.

Instead, all that the state can do is regulate regional governments subsidy policies and allow certain companies to fail. This is far from a speedy process and is difficult for the central government to implement, despite its powerful apparatus.

Car brands are finding other ways around the state edict to halt price cuts and to continue the sales spree, such as giving car buyers zero-interest financing, free cellular data, and others. The China Automobile Dealers Association has explained that, in order to achieve the desired effect, the CCP must be prepared to wage a prolonged battle.

All of these are a natural part of capitalist development. There is nothing characteristically Chinese about this. Marx and Engels wrote extensively about new industries with high profit rates being overrun by investments, which in turn push profits down and cause a crisis in that sector. This in turn leads to bankruptcies and the consolidation of the sector by a few monopolies. In Lenins Imperialism: the Highest Stage of Capitalism, he cited the following description of British imperialism at that time:

Every new enterprise that wants to keep pace with the gigantic enterprises that have been formed by concentration would here produce such an enormous quantity of surplus goods that it could dispose of them only by being able to sell them profitably as a result of an enormous increase in demand; otherwise, this surplus would force prices down to a level that would be unprofitable both for the new enterprise and for the monopoly combines.

These words apply just as well to capitalist China today.

At the end of the day, as long as the economic system remains on the basis of an anarchic market, production for profit, the nation state, and private property, no amount of state regulation can forestall the inevitable result of a crisis of overproduction, which is now all too clearly shown in China. The CCP has no solution or plan for this fundamental contradiction.

Limits of capitalism

Despite the stellar growth as a result of the states direction, like many advanced capitalist economies, China is seeing a slowdown in its growth rate.

The Evergrande crisis, which weighs on Chinas economy  where real estate plays a major role  contributed to the slowdown. Although state intervention prevented a collapse on the scale of the 2008 financial crash, Evergrandes default problem persists and may take years to resolve, if it can be resolved at all.

Similarly, while the state can attempt to curb price wars, private enterprises and their regional government backers continue to circumvent policies to protect short-term interests and profits.

Without a planned economy, there are no simple or quick fixes for problems arising from the markets anarchic dynamics.

Without a planned economy, there are no simple or quick fixes for problems arising from the markets anarchic dynamics / Image: government.ru, Wikimedia Commons

Also, just as in all capitalist economies in the world, an enormous amount of debt, both private and public, has been accumulated in China. Above all, in late 2024, the Chinese state had to introduce an enormous fiscal stimulus package to buoy consumption and the finance market, which added to the debt burden of the state.

For the masses, the cost of living and unemployment (especially among new graduates) are steadily rising. The pressure upon the youth is particularly acute as Chinas aging population places a heavier burden on younger people to take care of their elders.

Social programmes such as social insurance () and medical insurance () are under strain, as more people cannot afford to make the payments. Typical austerity measures, such as raising the retirement age, are being rolled out, although in a very gradual manner.

It would be a mistake to equate the current scale of austerity in China with that of the West. China is only at the beginning of this process, while western ruling classes have been waging such attacks on workers for over two decades, with no sign of retreat. Nevertheless, China is moving down the same path  an inevitable outcome of capitalism that no state, however powerful, can escape.

Underneath all this is a persistent problem of enormous overproduction. Overall industrial capacity utilisation rate is now at 74 percent, the lowest since 2020. The electric vehicle industry, where the problem is particularly acute, only utilised 49.5 percent of its capacity in 2024. As a result, profitability declined. The portion of loss-making industrial firms went from about 10 percent in 2016 to about 20 percent in 2024.

As noted above, domestic overproduction is driving persistent deflation and declining profitability. Ultimately, China will either have to flood the global market with its goods  a trend already underway  or face the collapse of many firms engaged in price wars, threatening millions of jobs.

Prospects for class struggle

The dynamism of the Chinese economy, especially in its industrial sector, contrasts starkly with the US economy, which is chaotically trying to defend its supremacy in the world, or with the European economy that is clearly in decline.

The stark development of Chinas productive forces will undoubtedly produce a certain impression among the masses that their lives could incrementally improve under CCP leadership. Indeed, the state media strengthens this impression by showing the worsening lives of the working class in the West, with very little lying or distortion necessary.

The belligerence of the US towards China, which has been recently intensified by both the Biden and the Trump administrations, has also reminded the Chinese masses of the countrys shameful history, when it was carved up and dominated by western imperialists. An anti-imperialist, anti-western sentiment has naturally arisen as a result. This gives the CCP a chance to cynically bolster its support by fanning nationalist propaganda.

How does this all impact class consciousness in China? In the last 30 years, China has been completely transformed, and with it the lives of hundreds of millions of people. In one generation, many have gone from being poor peasants in villages to industrial workers in modern cities, with a much higher standard of living and with the hope that their children will live even better. Furthermore, the country is strong on the world arena and projects power vis-a-vis its rivals.

While some may resent or criticise the CCP, the continued economic growth and perception of western hostility may suppress revolutionary impulses / Image: Kremlin.ru, Wikimedia Commons

While some may resent or criticise the CCP, the continued economic growth and perception of western hostility may suppress revolutionary impulses, at least as long as the system appears to deliver.

Yet class struggle never develops in a straight line, nor does it hold a mechanically inverse relationship with economic prosperity. Quite often, a degree of economic growth in turn strengthens the confidence of the working class in fighting for their own interests.

As said, Chinese capitalist society remains rife with contradictions that must occasionally burst to the fore. Earlier this year, as BYD secured its dominance in the worlds electric car market, we saw thousands of BYD workers in China launching fierce struggles against pay cuts.

Other events  such as the mass protests in Pucheng, Shaanxi in January and Jiangyou, Sichuan in August, where thousands rallied against the cities bureaucratic mishandling of school bullying, which escalated into a broader demonstration for democratic rights  show that a ferment from below remains very much alive in society, expressing the desire of the masses to control their own destiny and resist bureaucratic dictatorship.

Rising in a declining world

China is clearly surging ahead in many ways, displacing US dominance in one field after another in a struggle for markets around the world. While at this point it remains far from displacing the US, in many ways it has learned to become a better manager of capitalism than the West.

Nevertheless, despite faring better than its rivals, Chinese capitalism is rising while world capitalism is in its most serious crisis in history. It may be able to defend itself from world crises or competition from US imperialism to a certain extent, but it cannot fully extricate itself from the crisis of world capitalism. A slump outside of its borders will inevitably impact China in a significant way. Nor can China indefinitely evade the crisis of overproduction from within.

Above all, the Chinese proletariat  massively strengthened alongside the economy  occupies an unparalleled position on the world stage. Sooner or later, the world will be even more awestruck by the movement of the Chinese working class than it is today by Chinas technological advancements.
John E. Sununu is officially in the race to challenge for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. Here, Sununu is shown in a still from his campaign announcement video.(Screenshot)

This story was updated on Oct. 23 at 1:20 p.m. to update the list of candidates running in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.

John E. Sununu, a Republican who served in the U.S. Senate from 2003 to 2009, announced Wednesday hes officially seeking a return in 2026.

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Maybe youre surprised to hear that Im running for the Senate again, Sununu said in his campaign launch video. Im a bit surprised myself.

Sununu, 61, first went to Congress to represent New Hampshires 1st Congressional District  which includes Manchester, Laconia, and the Seacoast region  in 1997. In 2002, he was elected to the U.S. Senate, defeating then-Gov. Jeanne Shaheen. His voting record as a senator included opposition to an assault weapons ban, as well a vote against a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. After one term, Sununu lost his reelection bid in a rematch with Shaheen, who has held the seat ever since. In March, Shaheen announced she wouldnt run for reelection. Now, Sununu is seeking to return to the same seat he lost in 2008.

Sununus brother, Chris, served as New Hampshire governor for eight years until he stepped down from the role in January. He was widely rumored to be a candidate for this race until he publicly ruled out a campaign in April. Their father, John H. Sununu, was governor from 1983 to 1989 and served as chief of staff for President George H.W. Bush.

Now, John E. Sununu is trying to portray himself as the person who can lower the temperature and calm the waters in a politically polarized and dysfunctional Congress. He said in his campaign video hell have a laser focus on the economy and promised to protect Medicare and Social Security benefits.

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Washingtons never been perfect, he said. Its not meant to be, but when I was there, people with different opinions could get together, work things out, and come to solutions that made a real difference. But now Congress just seems loud, dysfunctional, even angry.

So far, Sununu has one primary opponent: Scott Brown, a former U.S. Senator from Massachusetts and U.S. ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa. In September as rumors swirled about Sununu potentially entering the race, state Sen. Dan Innis ended his campaign for U.S. Senate, saying he would support Sununu. On the Democratic side, U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas is in a primary race against progressive organizer Karishma Manzur and state Rep. Jared Sullivan.

The Democratic Party, meanwhile, has already begun targeting Sununu for his post-Senate career as a lobbyist.

John Sununu went to Washington almost thirty years ago, then cashed in, making millions selling out to corporations and working for Big Oil, Big Pharma, and Wall Street while the people of New Hampshire paid the price, New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley said. The only reason Sununu wants to go back to Washington now is to sell out New Hampshire to the same corporations and special interests that have lined his pockets for years.

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Since leaving office in 2009, Sununu has been a harsh critic of President Donald Trump. One day before the 2024 presidential primary in New Hampshire, he published an op-ed in the New Hampshire Union-Leader titled Donald Trump is a loser. In 2016, he endorsed Ohio Gov. John Kasich for president over Trump, and in 2024, he endorsed U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley. In 2025, hes attempted to steer focus away from his criticisms of the president. In an interview with WMUR Wednesday, Sununu was asked if he would be the pro-Trump candidate, to which he replied, Im gonna be the New Hampshire candidate.

Dante Scala, a political scientist and professor at the University of New Hampshire, noted that its been a long time since Sununu was a candidate.

Im curious to see how he adjusts to the new political environment, Scala said. Really, his political party is very different than the one he used to lead.

Scala said Sununu has been generic in his public statements so far, so we dont know a lot yet about what hes thinking about the future of his party and his role in it.

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A big question going forward, over the next year, will be, just like it was for his brother, his relationship with the leader of his party, President Trump, he said. The difference is that his brother, as governor, had more flexibility. As governor, he could put some distance between himself and the goings on in Washington, DC, including the activities of Trump. His brother wont have, automatically at least, that sort of flexibility, because hes running for federal office.

Scala doubts Sununu will portray himself as a full never-Trumper, because I think hes smart enough to recognize the real limitations of that and thats a dead end in a Republican Party primary.

New Hampshire Republicans have had far less success running for federal office during the Trump era than for state office, he said. Im sure thats something that hes well aware of. So Im wondering how hes going to try to carve out an identity thats independent from President Trump, and how far hes willing to go. Is he going to be the Granite State version of (Maine U.S. Sen.) Susan Collins?

Scala said Sununus adult-in-the-room-style message sounds to me like a general election message, not so much a message that does much for the party base in a primary.

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Republicans will be looking to keep their majority in the Senate in 2026. Currently, Republicans control 53 of 100 seats. A general election between Sununu and Pappas, should they win their primaries, is expected to be very expensive.

Scala attributes recent positive polling for Sununu to name recognition and the popularity of his brother. But once voters  who havent seen the older Sununu in public life in almost two decades  are reacquainted with him, that polling could change, he said.

Its Chris Sununu whos been the political star of his family for the last decade, not his brother, he said. His brother is an unknown quantity to a very large number of New Hampshire Republican voters. I have my doubts that the early polling that weve seen reflects a voter base in the New Hampshire Republican Party thats especially knowledgeable about John Sununu. So Im curious, once he, once he gets out from the aura of his brother, how he fares.

Scala thinks the big thing to look at is the national temperature.

Its Midterms 101, he said. They tend to be referenda on the president himself. What will Donald Trumps approval numbers look like next September in New Hampshire, is a big question. It was presidential approval that doomed John Sununu back in 2008. For Jeanne Shaheen back in 08, it was very cut and dry, straightforward: Look at what President Bush has done. John Sununus with President Bush. If you dont like President Bush, vote for me. Theres certainly that possibility that for Chris Pappas, assuming hes the nominee, it could be equally cut and dry.
LINCOLN, Neb. (KCAU)  Nebraskas Governor Jim Pillen is set to lead a trade mission to Israel later this month.

According to a release, the delegation will include representatives from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, Jewish Federation of Omaha, and Nebraskas agricultural equipment manufacturing, food manufacturing, and professional service industries.

While in Israel, state leaders will aim to make and maintain the relationships and partnerships. The release states that this will be done with the promotion of Nebraska-made kosher beef and the encouragement of agriculture tech partnerships.

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Governor Pillen will talk about the role of defensive technologies and how they allow the U.S. to protect Israel from attack. The release states that while on the mission, Governor Pillen will also host diplomatic meetings.

Nebraska exported $13.5 million of beef products to Israel, and that number jumped by 27% from January through July 2025, in comparison to the same period in 2024, according to the release.

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Agricultural innovation and religion have been the main ties between Israel and Nebraska in recent years. From investing in Israeli agricultural innovation companies to hosting annual symposiums on Jewish civilization, Nebraska will further its ties to Israel during this mission.

The mission is set to take place from October 27 through October 30.

Governor Pillens full announcement can be found on his Facebook in the video below:

Nebraska has worked and partnered with multiple Israeli companies in recent years, see a full list of partnerships by visiting Governor Pillens 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 SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
A young pilot is lucky to be alive after her plane crashed in a marsh just hundreds of feet from peoples homes in St. Augustine.

The plane crashed in Redfish Creek, less than two miles north of the St. Augustine Airport.

My hearts still racing, neighbor Mary Strong said.

Strong was coming home from pickleball Thursday morning when she got a call shell never forget.

A neighbor called and said shed heard an explosion. I didnt know what was going on. I was scared the house had blown up, Strong said.

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RELATED: Airplane crashes into waterway near St. Augustine airport

She immediately drove home and learned a small plane had crashed in the marsh behind her house.

The aircraft departed off Runway 31 about 7:50 this morning. Upon departure, the aircraft had some trouble, Courtney Pittman, Interim Executive Director of the St. Augustine Airport, said.

Pittman said the pilot is in her early 20s and is a student at a local flight school. The Florida Highway Patrol said the pilot was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

When St. Johns County Fire Rescue arrived, they used a kayak at a nearby dock to paddle out to the pilot and bring her back to shore.

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Its heroic, I dont know any other words, Chris Naff, public information officer with SJCFR, said.

Its a kayak that Strong knows all too well.

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That was your husbands kayak? Action News Jaxs Madison Foglio asked.

Yes, Strong said. We have not used it in months, but Im happy it came in handy to get that pilot out of there.

FHP is investigating the crash. We are working to find out what caused the plane to go down.

Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
LANSING  Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel's office has cleared a Michigan State Police trooper in the May shooting death of a Detroit motorist.

After a review of the case, "the department determined that the Michigan State Police trooper acted in self-defense and defense of others and will not issue charges," Nessel's office said in an Oct. 22 news release.

Review of video from the trooper's patrol car and body-worn camera showed that Stephen Mason, 41, shot the trooper three times before the trooper fatally shot Mason during a struggle following a May 16 traffic stop just off the Lodge Freeway, the release said.

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Friends and family of Mason had questioned police accounts of the fatal shooting following the incident, saying that getting into a gunfight with police would be out of character for Mason, a skilled tradesman who made a living remodeling bathrooms and kitchens and was the carpenter for construction of the 30-foot Kwanzaa kinara candle holder that is used in community festivities at Campus Martius in Detroit each December.

The release from Nessel's office said Mason and the trooper struggled for control of a revolver that dropped to the ground when Mason exited his vehicle. Mason got control of the gun and shot the trooper three times, "twice at point-blank range in the chest and once in the clavicle," the release said. The two bullets fired at the trooper's chest were stopped by the trooper's bullet-proof vest, but did draw blood, while the third bullet required surgical extraction from the trooper's upper torso, the release said.

As the struggle continued, the trooper, who was not named, was able to get his service revolver out of his holster and shot Mason three times, killing him instantly, the release said.

Gregory McKenzie, deputy CEO of a Detroit organization that provides martial arts training and cultural enrichment to youths and adults, and a friend of Mason's who had spoken out about the fatal shooting, issued a statement late on Oct. 22 that said he has viewed the police video and that he expects he and an attorney will have more to say about the incident and the AG's report in the coming days.

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"While there are no perfect victims, and Stephen did shoot the officer, there are important details neglected by this press release that we wish to address to counter the AG narrative," McKenzie said in the emailed statement.

The trooper pulled Mason's vehicle over, just off the Lodge Freeway at Wyoming, after determining the vehicle was speeding and was not insured, the release said. When Mason produced his vehicle registration, the trooper lost his grip on the form and it drifted beneath the vehicle, the release said. The gun dropped from somewhere on Mason's person after the trooper asked him to retrieve the registration form and told him to step out of the vehicle, the release said.

Nessel's office is asked to review all shootings involving MSP officers under a controversial policy introduced by Col. James Grady, the MSP director, late in 2024.

Leonard Mungo, a Bingham Farms attorney representing Mason's friends and family who could not immediately be reached for comment, had called for a special prosecutor to make any charging decisions in the case.

Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Nessel clears trooper in May fatal shooting of Detroit motorist
Oct. 23 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met in Jerusalem on Thursday to address issues regarding the fragile Gaza cease-fire agreement and the West Bank.

Netanyahu afterward told media that Israel and the United States seek to "advance peace" but must address challenges that might undermine their respective efforts.

"Now we face days of destiny," Netanyahu said. "We still have security challenges, but I think that we can work together" to address them.

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Rubio and several others have visited Israel over the past week, which the prime minister called a "circle of trust and partnership" between the United States and Israel.

Rubio joined Netanyahu while the pair briefly addressed media after their meeting and offered a hopeful outlook for peace between Israel and Gaza and the greater Middle East.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, affirmed Israel and the United States want to advance peace in the Middle East after the pair met in Jerusalem on Thursday. Pool Photo by Ronen Zvulun/UPI

"We have more work ahead, but we feel very positive about it," he said of the cease-fire between Hamas and Israel. "We're making good progress."

Rubio said there are no "illusions" regarding the scope of the challenges to the recently signed Gaza peace agreement.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, left, said the Trump administration wants to build on the cease-fire between Hamas and Israel to ensure a permanent peace after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Thursday. Pool Photo by Ronen Zvulun/UPI

"We've already done the impossible once, and we intend to keep doing that," Rubio told reporters.

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He said President Donald Trump wants to build upon the cease-fire agreement and recently sent special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and Vice President JD Vance to support the fragile cease-fire that has seen occasional outbursts of deadly violence.

Neither Netanyahu nor Rubio mentioned specific challenges to an eventual permanent peace, but Rubio on Wednesday cited a potential Israeli annexation of the West Bank as potentially damaging.

He said the United States does not support such an effort, which has gained significant support within Israel's Knesset.

Vance more firmly said the proposed annexation of the West Bank will not happen.
"If [Netanyahu] continues like this, he will eventually f*** up the agreement, and if he f***s up the agreement, Donald Trump will f*** him," the official said.

The White House is growing increasingly concerned with the Israeli government's conduct since the signing of the US-brokered Gaza deal, N12 reported on Thursday, citing a senior American source.

"[Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu is walking a very fine line with President Trump. If he continues like this, he will eventually f*** up the agreement, and if he f*** up the agreement, Donald Trump will f*** him," the official said.

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The growing concern in Washington comes as Vice President JD Vance ended his visit to Israel on Thursday, only to be replaced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio as the US continues to send representatives to oversee the implementation of phase one of the Gaza deal.

Trump says Gaza war could've lasted years without him

Trump stated that the Gaza deal prevented Netanyahu from continuing the war for several years in a Time Magazine interview.

People walk by a billboard sponsored by the Coalition for Regional Security calling for the expansion of the Abraham Accords, in Ramat Gan (credit: Violeta Santos Moura/Reuters)

Trump said he was surprised by how focused the people of Israel were on returning the hostages, and that he thought Israel would have "sacrificed more hostages in order to keep going." But when he saw that the people wanted them home more than anything else, he said to Hamas, "No more of that. You're giving us the f**king hostages, all of them."

Regarding Hamas's disarmament under the deal, the terror organization must disarm or be in "big trouble," Trump continued, otherwise the war may resume. "Right now, they're killing gangs, but you know, at what point do the gangs morph into political opponents?"

The Palestinians don't have a "visible" leader right now, because "every one of those leaders has been shot and killed," Trump explained, going on to note that while he finds Mahmoud Abbas, the head of the Palestinian Authority (PA), "reasonable," he is probably not an option to rule the Strip.
The prime minister further stated that Israel will not agree to the Palestinian Authority (PA) taking part in governing the Gaza Strip "unless it undergoes fundamental change."

Turkish soldiers will not be allowed to enter Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the head of Egypts General Intelligence Service, Hassan Mahmoud Rashad, and US Vice President JD Vance during their visit to Israel this week.

We will not agree to Turkish soldiers entering Gaza, he said, a person familiar with the matter told The Jerusalem Post.

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We will decide together about that, Netanyahu was quoted as saying. So, I have very strong opinions about that. Want to guess what they are?

Relations between NATO member Turkey and Israel, which were once warm, hit new lows during the Israel-Hamas War. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sharply criticized Israels operations in Gaza and elsewhere in the Middle East.

Turkey helped persuade Hamas to accept US President Donald Trumps ceasefire plan. It has said it would take part in the international task force to monitor the implementation of the ceasefire, and that its armed forces could serve in a military or civilian capacity as needed.

Palestinian Hamas terrorists seen in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, February 22, 2025 (credit: REUTERS/Ramadan Abed)

Challenge of upholding the ceasefire, rebuilding Gaza

Vance met with Netanyahu on Wednesday and focused on the challenge of holding the ceasefire and rebuilding Gaza.

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We have a very tough task ahead of us, which is to disarm Hamas but rebuild Gaza, to make life better for the people in Gaza, but also to ensure that Hamas is no longer a threat to our friends in Israel, he said.

Its not easy, Vance said. I think the prime minister knows that as well as anybody. But its something that we are committed to in the Trump administration.

Netanyahu said Israel would not agree to thePalestinian Authority taking part in governing the Gaza Strip, unless it undergoes fundamental change, and, of course, Hamas will have no part in the government.
Physicists have been chasing one of the universes strangest mysteriesneutrinos, nearly invisible particles that zip through everything, including you, billions of times every second. For the first time in history, two of the worlds biggest neutrino experimentsthe US NOvA experiment and Japans T2K experimenthave joined forces to combine their data. Together, they produced the most precise view to date of how neutrinos change flavor as they travel across space and time.

Why Neutrinos Matter

Neutrinos are the ultimate cosmic shape-shifters. They come in three flavorselectron, muon, and tauand can switch between them by oscillating. This weird process is not an anomaly, but may be the key to why the universe is made up of mostly matter and not half matter and half antimatter.

The reason neutrinos are really, really fun is because they change their flavors, said Zoya Vallari, an assistant professor of physics at The Ohio State University and a leading member of the NOvA collaboration. Imagine getting chocolate ice cream, walking down the street, and suddenly it turns into mint. Every time it moves, it changes again.

Inside the Super-Kamiokande detector. (CREDIT: Kamioka Observatory, ICRR (Institute for Cosmic Ray Research), The University of Tokyo)

By studying these oscillations, researchers can explore the universes most fundamental forces. They can test whether neutrinos violate charge-parity (CP) symmetrythe principle that particles and their antiparticles must be exactly similar. If neutrinos violate CP symmetry, it could provide an explanation for why matter didnt get destroyed by antimatter when the universe was very young after the Big Bang.

Two Experiments, One Big Goal

The NOvA experiment, based at Fermilab just outside Chicago, shoots a beam of muon neutrinos 810 kilometers to a huge detector in Minnesota. And the T2K experiment in Japan shoots its beam 295 kilometers from east to west across Japan from coast to a detector deep in mountains in western Japan.

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Both experiments see neutrinos flavor change but each at different beam energies, detectors, and distances. NOvA operates at higher energy, which gives it more sensitivity to the neutrino mass ordering, while T2Ks lower energy gives finer insight into how the neutrinos can potentially violate CP symmetry.

While our goals were the same, differences in our experimental design add information when we merge our data together, Vallari said. The whole is greater than its parts.

The members of the NOvA collaboration gathered at Fermilab. (CREDIT: The NOvA collaboration)

What the Data Reveal

By merging datasets, the collaborations established a merged statistical model that merged all detector responses, beam flux predictions, and interaction models. The technique yielded the strongest constraints to date on the parameters that control neutrino oscillations.

The research ascertained that the mass-squared difference between two of the most significant neutrino statesin denoted as mis 2.43 (+0.04, 0.03)  10 electron volts squared if normal ordering occurs, whereby one of the neutrinos is heavier than the others. For inverted ordering, wherein the lightest neutrino comes last, it is 2.48 (+0.03, 0.04)  10 electron volts squared. These are the most precise measurements ever performed using long-baseline experiments.

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For the so-called mix angle , which determines to what degree the different neutrino flavors mix with one another, the most favored was 0.56 (0.05/+0.03 error). This is a modest suggestion of upper octant preference, that is, that the muon and tau neutrinos mix more asymmetrically than equally.

Most intriguing of all is what the data have to say about CP, the phase that measures the extent to which the neutrinos and antineutrinos can act differently. If the universe is indeed explained by the inverted mass ordering, then CP must fall between 0.92 and 0.04, values that exclude the CP-conserving ones of 0 or . In short: if the inverted ordering is true, then neutrinos could quite well be CP-violatinggiving an exciting hint that they were among the sources of the cosmic tip towards matter.

The impact of mass ordering and CP on event rates. (CREDIT: Nature)

But so far, the analysis shows no strong statistical lean in either direction toward mass ordering. As Vallari put it, Our results show that we need more data in order to be able to significantly answer these basic questions. Thats why constructing the next generation of experiments is crucial.

What Makes This Breakthrough Different

This is the first time that competing collaborations have come together to present a joint analysis, showing just how high the stakes are for particle physics. Each collaboration has hundreds of people, said John Beacam, Ohio State professor of astronomy and physics. That theyre co-operating here shows how high the stakes are.

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By combining data from detectors operating under different conditions, the study gives a clearer, more confident account of neutrino behavior than can any one experiment. It also demonstrates that scientists can control sloppy systematic uncertainties that arise when two major experiments use different apparatus and methods.

As detection times increase and detector capacity increases, such multi-method analyses will be even more accurate. Plans are already in the making for upgrades and second-generation facilities to push the boundaries even farther.

Marginalized posterior probabilities and 1D or 2D Bayesian credible regions of sin2 023 and CP in the case of the normal (blue, left side) and inverted (orange, right side) neutrino mass ordering with the reactor constraint applied. (CREDIT: Nature)

The Road Ahead for Neutrino Research

Future projects such as the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) in the U.S. and Japans Hyper-Kamiokande will soon take over the quest to decode neutrino mysteries. These upcoming experiments will generate even more intense beams propagating further distances and utilize even advanced detectors to identify the rare interactions.

At the same time, Vallari and her colleagues at Ohio State are working to design a new neutrino detector that should be operational by later this decade. Particle physics has granted us many technologies, she said, but for me, the strongest motivation is still the human curiosity to know our origin and place in the universe.

Practical Implications of the Research

If scientists are able to confirm that neutrinos do break CP symmetry, it would help solve the mystery of why matter dominates the universea mystery at the center of our existence. Understanding the mass ordering of neutrinos will also increase understanding of supernova explosions, cosmic evolution, and the nature of matter.

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Beyond cosmology, these experiments drive computer technology, detectors, and analysis of data that often find their way into medicine and energy science.

And on a human level, they demonstrate whats possible when massive teams across continents unite in pursuit of answers about how everything began.

Research findings are available online in the journal Nature.

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NEWARK, N.J. (PIX11)  A wild goose chase? Newark Police say theyve been given the runaround over the last two days, unable to confirm reports of animals on the loose.

Police received a report of wild monkeys on the loose at Georgia King Village at around 10:35 a.m. on Thursday, according to Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda.

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Animal Control officers responded to a similar report of monkeys in Newark streets on Wednesday, officials said. Neither reported incident has been confirmed.

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Officers have not located any monkeys, Miranda said. Any photos or videos posted on social media regarding this incident are likely AI-generated.

Hariette Guity works in an office in the area around West Market Street.

A coworker called and said be careful, theres a monkey on the loose. When something does happen, then what? she asked.

More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State

Earlier this month, Yonkers Police issued a warning about A.I. Homeless Man Prank.

The generated image appears to show a man standing inside rooms. People have been sent the image and have reported intruders in their homes.

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We need to use AI the right way and not play around too much. Having the police come for something thats not real is a waste of their time when they could be doing other things, said Richard Chapman, a Newark resident.

Newark police checked inside buildings and around the grounds.

While the incident is still under investigation, Miranda said it has been preliminarily determined to be a hoax.

Spencer Gustafson is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered New York state and city news since 2023. See more of his work here.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Azerbaijan will take part in the 27th Mediterranean Exchange of Archaeological Tourism, an international tourism exhibition to be held in Paestum, Italy, from October 30 to November 2, Azernews reports, citing the State Tourism Agency.

According to information, the exhibition aims to promote archaeological parks and museums, support the development and marketing of archaeological tourism, reduce dependence on seasonal tourism, and expand economic opportunities.

Held under the patronage of Italys Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Conference of Regions and Autonomous Provinces, and the National Association of Italian Municipalities, the event is recognized by UNESCO and the UN World Tourism Organization as one of the most successful initiatives fostering intercultural dialogue.

Azerbaijan will present a dedicated national stand showcasing the countrys diverse archaeological heritage sites and their tourism potential. Promotional materials will also be distributed to raise awareness of Azerbaijans cultural and archaeological assets.

The Mediterranean Exchange of Archaeological Tourism is a globally recognized professional platform that annually brings together tourism organizations, public and private sector representatives, scholars, and experts from around the world.

Participation in this event provides Azerbaijan with valuable opportunities to explore best practices in tourism, apply innovative approaches to the development of archaeological tourism, and promote the countrys monuments inscribed on  or nominated for  the UNESCO World Heritage List.

This initiative is expected to further strengthen Azerbaijans position in international tourism cooperation and enhance global recognition of its rich archaeological heritage.
Ghanas Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced on Tuesday, October 22, that the country will introduce an electronic visa system by 2026 to streamline visa processing and enhance trade, diplomacy, and investment.

Speaking at the MOBEX Africa Tech Expo and Innovation Conference 2025 in Accra, Ablakwa said the initiative forms part of efforts to modernise Ghanas diplomatic services in line with global digital trends. He noted that the e-visa system will make it easier for investors, technologists, and business professionals to visit and operate in Ghana.

The minister also outlined broader digital initiatives by the foreign ministry, including digital consular services for Ghanaians abroad and virtual diplomatic engagements to expand reach and cut costs.

Addressing the Conference theme, Resetting Africas Digital Identity and Sovereignty, Ablakwa emphasised the need for African nations to harness technology for transformation, particularly to support the African Continental Free Trade Area through strong digital connectivity.

He added that Ghana is working with other African countries to bridge the digital divide by reducing barriers to cross-border digital services and ensuring mutual recognition of digital credentials.
A 2023 state law that allows Wisconsin parents to anonymously surrender newborns using baby boxes attached to emergency services buildings has been used for the first time.

The City of Racine and the Racine Fire Department confirmed in an Oct. 23 news release that a newborn was "safely and legally surrendered" in the device at Fire Station 4 on Oct. 16 at 12:13 p.m.

"This marks a historic moment as the first time a Safe Haven Baby Box has been used in the State of Wisconsin," the fire department said in the release.

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The infant was found in good health and immediately cared for by on-duty fire fighters and emergency medical personnel.

The newborn was taken to Ascension All Saints Hospital in Racine for evaluation and is in Racine County Child Protective Services' custody. The process of finding a permanent adoptive home has begun, according to the release.

The infant safety devices, or "baby boxes," allow distressed parents who can't care for their newborn to surrender their baby anonymously without fear of prosecution.

There are at least seven baby box locations in Wisconsin  Racine, Howard, Reedsburg, Watertown, Elkhorn, Whitewater and Trevor  according to the Safe Haven Baby Boxes organization.

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More: Howard Fire Rescue installs just 4th Safe Haven Baby Box in Wisconsin. Here's what to know.

Racine installed its box in December 2024 at the fire station at 3829 Washington Ave. The fire department thanked community partners who helped make the installation possible.

"Their commitment to the safety and well-being of infants and families in crisis has made a lasting impact," the department said.

What is the baby box law for newborns in Wisconsin?

About half of U.S. states have baby box laws, and the devices were approved in Wisconsin through a 2023 law signed by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.

Municipalities can install the devices at hospitals, fire stations and law enforcement agency buildings. The buildings must be staffed round-the-clock, devices are climate-controlled, and an alarm is triggered when a newborn is placed inside it.

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The measure added to the state's existing "safe haven" law from 2001, which allows parents to relinquish their newborns to a law enforcement officer, hospital staff member or EMS practitioner.

Former state Rep. Ellen Schutt said at the time she authored the bill after a newborn was found dead in a field in Whitewater. Community members wanted to prevent it from happening again.

The law "carried a stigma, especially in small communities, because parents were afraid others will find out they gave up their children," Schutt said.

Groups who oppose abortions, including Wisconsin Right to Life and Pro-Life Wisconsin, were among the supporters of the original bill. The Wisconsin Nurses Association and Wisconsin Psychological Association also favored the bill.

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State Sen. Rob Hutton, R-Brookfield, and Rep. Rick Gundrum, R-Slinger, introduced a bill in April that would expand the law to cover infants up to 30 days old, rather than 72 hours old in the current law.

That bill received a public hearing in May but hasn't gotten votes in committees or the full Assembly or Senate, required steps on the path to become law.

According to data from the National Conference of State Legislatures, other states have moved to expand their safe haven laws. That includes Louisiana, which increased the time to 60 days in 2016, and Mississippi, which approved 45 days in 2023.

Jessie Opoien of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel contributed to this report.

Hope Karnopp can be reached at HKarnopp@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Newborn surrendered in Racine baby box for the first time in Wisconsin




SACRAMENTO - President Donald Trump and Gov. Gavin Newsom's traded insults and threats Wednesday after the Chronicle reported the federal government's Bay Area immigration enforcement surge.

Newsom accused Trump of trying to suppress Californians' vote by sending more than 100 immigration agents to the region this week, describing the move as part of the "authoritarian playbook." Newsom said he sees the crackdown as a pretext for sending the National Guard to San Francisco, something Trump has repeatedly threatened to do in recent days.

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"You send masked men to the cities you want to militarize," he told reporters at a news conference. "You dial it up around election time.  You suppress the vote."

Newsom recently signed a law restricting when law enforcement officers, including federal agents, can wear masks in response to immigration enforcement agents doing so as part of Trump's mass deportation push. But that law doesn't take effect until Jan. 1.

Trump, for his part, warned Newsom on Wednesday not to encourage Californians to resist immigration enforcement.

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"Gavin has to be careful," he told reporters at the White House.

Newsom has repeatedly said he believes Trump will use National Guard troops to intimidate voters in the state's upcoming Nov. 4 special election where Californians will decide whether to adopt new congressional maps. As evidence, Newsom has pointed to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's directive to extend the federalization of California National Guard troops through Election Day. He has also repeatedly referenced an incident at the kickoff rally for his redistricting campaign, where Border Patrol officers showed up and arrested people.

Trump first federalized thousands of California National Guard troops in June over Newsom's objections and deployed them to Los Angeles to quell protests over his mass deportation campaign. On Aug. 15, the same day Democrats released proposed new congressional maps, Hegseth sent Newsom and the head of the California National Guard a letter saying most soldiers would be released from the L.A. mission but that 300 would remain under federal control through Nov. 4.

Hegseth drew an arrow pointing at Newsom's name and wrote "Thanks!" in Sharpie, according to a copy of the letter obtained by the Chronicle.

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Spokespeople for the White House and the Department of Defense previously ignored questions from the Chronicle about whether the extension of the National Guard deployment was intended to send a message to Newsom or if soldiers could be stationed around polling places during the election, but sent a statement slamming the governor.

"It's amazing the lengths that Newscum will go to in order to lie to the public and defend violent criminals," White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said in a statement, using Trump's preferred slur for the governor. "President Trump has exercised his lawful authority to protect federal officers and assets."

The Trump administration has since extended the deployment again, this time through February.

Newsom orchestrated California's special election after lawmakers in Texas, under pressure from Trump, moved to redraw their congressional maps to flip five seats from Democratic to Republican control. Such mid-decade redistricting is rare, and the effort in Texas sparked a nationwide redistricting battle.

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At issue is control of the House of Representatives, with Democrats trying to flip enough seats to win back control of the chamber and Republicans trying to hold onto their slim majority in the 2026 midterm elections when all House districts will be on the ballot.

Trump has called off sending National Guard troops to San Francisco to combat crime, a move Newsom said he would have sued over "within a nanosecond."

"It's one of the safest large cities in this country. It's experienced an economic rebirth," Newsom said. "Only Donald Trump can wreck that."

This article originally published at Newsom accuses Trump of using Border Patrol to suppress votes. Trump warns him be careful'.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday he was prepared to sue the Trump administration in a nanosecond if the White House moved forward with the deployment of the National Guard to San Francisco.

Send troops to San Francisco and we will sue you,@realDonaldTrump, Newsom wrote plainly in a post on X.

Politics: Gavin Newsom Delivers Grim Predictions About Donald Trumps Next Move

Quite literally, this is the lawsuit that I will file within a nanosecond of any efforts to send the military to one of Americas great cities, he added during a press briefing, while holding up a copy of the legal documents.

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Newsoms statement comes as the Trump administration is preparing to dispatch more than 100 federal agents to the San Francisco Bay Area this week as it ratchets up immigration enforcement in the region, according to The San Francisco Chronicle.

These agents will include personnel from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and are expected to begin arriving as of Thursday.

The administration has similarly surged federal agents in cities including Chicago and Los Angeles, where theyve engaged in violent raids of apartment buildings and workplaces as well as brutal arrests.

News: More Than 200 ICE Recruits Dismissed As Agency Recklessly Expands: Report

Newsom warned Wednesday that Trumps authoritarian playbook often involved sending agents to cause chaos, and then using that dynamic to justify the deployment of National Guard troops.

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He sends out masked men. He sends out border patrol. He sends out ICE, Newsom said in a video post on Xon Wednesday. [He] creates anxiety and fear in the community so that he can lay claim to solving for that by sending in the Guard in the first place. This is no different than the arsonist putting out the fire.

The administrations targeting of the city follows numerous statements Trump has made claiming that San Francisco is crime-ridden and too woke even as its violent crime rates have seen major declines.

I think they want us in San Francisco. San Francisco was truly one of the great cities of the world, and then 15 years ago, it went wrong, it went woke, Trump said in a Fox News interview on Sunday while discussing the deployment of the National Guard.

Politics: 'Sick And Pathetic': Dozens Of Federal Agents Show Up To Newsom Press Conference

Local leaders, meanwhile, have stressed that troops arent needed and emphasized that the National Guard isnt equipped to address issues like a drug crisis.

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A DHS spokesperson claimed that federal agents would be targeting the worst of the worst as part of enforcement efforts, even though data shows that many of the immigrants detained by the administration have no criminal record.

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, meanwhile, emphasized that the presence of federal agents would only spur anxiety and fear.

This doesnt make our city safer, Lurie said in a Wednesday press briefing. It terrorizes our communities.

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
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.
STOCKTON, California  Gov. Gavin Newsom suggested that President Donald Trumps allies are at risk of not getting into heaven, saying theyll have a lot to reconcile at the pearly gates.

To see people in positions of power and influence do absolutely nothing when they must know better  and I believe they do  Boy, they're going to have a lot to reconcile at the pearly gates, Newsom said at a press conference Wednesday during the California Economic Summit in Stockton, part of Californias Central Valley.

Newsoms remarks come after Trump himself recently expressed doubt about his own prospects for entering heaven.

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I mean, you know, Im being a little cute. I dont think theres anything going to get me in heaven. I think Im not maybe heaven-bound, Trump told reporters last week aboard Air Force One. Im not sure Im going to be able to make heaven.

Newsom  a likely 2028 contender, who has relished his role as one of Trumps most outspoken critics  at the press conference specifically called out House Speaker Mike Johnson, asking: Where is Speaker Johnson? Where is the outrage by what the hell is going on in this country? This is not the United States of America.

He added that Republican leaders obedience to these authoritarian tendencies may be the most disgraceful of all aspects of this moment.

The California Democrat also took aim at Trump following media reports that the president is sending more than 100 federal troops to the San Francisco Bay Area, just outside of the city where Trump has recently threatened to send the National Guard.

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The governor called the move predictable and part of the authoritarian playbook.

You announce your intention to send the military to streets  doing domestic policing operations, you wildly overstate or completely make up crime statistics that are not real, that do not justify such action, Newsom said. And for this administration, you send first masked men to the cities that you want to militarize.

Newsom also poked fun at those he sees as bending the knee to Trump, promoting new products that he aims to sell on the Patriot website he set up to parody the president.

You will be seeing on my Patriot site new knee pads that I'll be sending out, he said, specifically calling out CEOs, media companies, law firms and universities like the University of Virginia, which recentlyreached a deal with the Justice Department over alleged civil rights violations and discrimination.

The White House press office could not be immediately reached for comment.
Cynthia Wiemann, the former head of Newton County Animal Services/Animal Control, is suing the county for wrongful termination and requesting to be reinstated to her position.

The lawsuit was filed in September in Newton County Superior Court, records show.

According to Wiemanns lawsuit, the now-former director of Newton County Animal Services filed a series of concerns and whistleblower complaints with the county over multiple alleged violations of, and noncompliance with, state laws, rules and regulations regarding fraud, waste and/or abuse of resources related to an intergovernmental agreement for providing animal services.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Wiemanns lawsuit alleges that several cities in Newton County failed to pay the county for services rendered by the Animal Services department.

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When Wiemann reported this, the county placed her on administrative leave, then conducted a sham investigation aimed at her and designed to find pretextual reasons to terminate her that were not acted upon until after she blew the whistle.

TRENDING STORIES:

Then she was fired, in retaliation for raising these complaints, in violation of the GWA (Georgia Whistleblower Act).

Wiemann worked for the Newton County Animal Services department as the director from her hiring in February 2018. She raised concerns about the possible violation of law and alleged financial abuse and waste in 2023 with Newton County Manager Harold Cooper, specifically telling him she was worried that cities were not paying for animal services.

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While there are multiple allegations and concerns expressed in the lawsuit, such as Mansfield not having a court to pursue animal control violations and Porterdale and Covington ordinances not being aligned with dangerous and vicious dog regulations at the state level, Wiemanns lawsuit alleges that payment for fines and fees to through the Newton County Animal Shelter did not occur, even from individuals who were convicted of violations.

In October 2024, Wiemann asked Cooper about failures to pay the county for the services being rendered and was asked to a meeting with him and office staff, as well as the HR director for the county, Dr. Amanda Shoemaker.

Cooper told Wiemann, according to the court record, that Georgia is an at-will employment state, then set out a box of tissues in case she became emotional. Wiemann accuses Cooper of then going through a variety of arbitrary complaints from citizens, all of which were old and generally made by individuals who did not agree with the animal services department carrying out its legal mandate, brought up staff turnover rates in the animal services department, did not let Wiemann respond to what he was saying, then told her I am trying hard to find one redeeming quality in you, according to the lawsuit.

Wiemann states in the court record that she had never been written up or disciplined in any fashion while working for Newton County, nor had she received any notice of alleged performance issues before this meeting.

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She was placed on leave with pay on Nov. 4, following that days meeting. Wiemann asked for a copy of her personnel file via an Open Records Act request. Three days later, the county requested a Dec. 19, 2024, deadline to provide them. Only some of the documents requested were provided on Dec. 19. A subsequent set of meetings with the countys HR department, and following a separate review of the IGAs in question that Wiemann said she had filed concerns and complaints to the county about, Wiemann alleged retaliation was underway for her whistleblower activity.

Shoemaker eventually provided the personnel file to Wiemann in early January 2025.

A month afterward, Wiemann said Shoemaker asked her to meet with a County HR investigator.

A few days prior to Wiemanns meeting with investigators from the county HR department, County Manager Cooper was arrested and placed on leave on charges of driving under the influence. In March 2025, his employment contract was bought out by the county, separate court records show, and his charges were reduced. Cooper entered a guilty plea for reckless driving and was sentenced to probation.

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In the interim, the county continued their investigation, with Wiemann still on leave through March and April 2025. The county offered Wiemann a severance package in April, which she declined. Then, on April 25, despite not being told she was terminated, Wiemann said in court filings that an animal shelter employee got in contact to ask her what items in the office belonged to her, and said the county told the department that her last day was April 11.

Her firing notice, filed with the Georgia Department of Labor, says Wiemann failed to obey rules, orders, instructions or procedures of her employer by not signing a severance agreement.

Wiemann is now suing the county to be reinstated to her job with full pay, benefits and seniority, or to recover front pay, fringe benefits with prejudgement and post-judgment interest instead, as well as compensatory damages and attorneys fees and litigation costs.

In a response filed by the county, the countys counsel says Wiemann failed to state a claim that relief can be granted for, that Wiemann has not suffered any harm as defined for recovery under the GWA and that Wiemann did not disclose a violation of or noncompliance with any law, rule, or regulation or object to, or refuse to participate in, any activity, policy, or practice of the County that she had reasonable cause to believe was in violation of or noncompliance with a law, rule, or regulation.

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The Newton County government also said in court that they did not retaliate against Wiemann in any manner whatsoever, that she is unable to establish a case of whistleblower retaliation, that they have a legitimate and nonretaliatory reason for her termination and that the county preserves its defense of failure to mitigate damages, reserves the right to raise additional defenses as appropriate, and denies the allegations made by Wiemann, citing a lack of sufficient information or knowledge to do so, therefore denying them wholly.

Further, the county denies the allegations regarding Wiemanns disciplinary record and complaints filed against Wiemann and Animal Services by residents, as well as claims of retaliation over the whistleblowing activity in general.

The county says none of Wiemanns requests for relief are things she is entitled to, legally, and ask that the case be dismissed in its entirety, with prejudice, and that Wiemann bears the cost burden for the lawsuits process.

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Shortly after Halloween, stargazers in Indiana will be treated to perhaps the largest and brightest supermoon of 2025.

The full Beaver supermoon is making a splash the first week of November. According to EarthSky, the moon will be at its closest to Earth all year, making it especially bright to behold.

What date is the full moon in November 2025?

Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, is when the moon reaches peak illumination.

Dates of the moon's phases in November

 First Quarter : Oct. 29.

 Full Moon : Nov. 5.

 Last Quarter : Nov. 12.

 New Moon : Nov. 20.

 First Quarter: Nov. 28.

Why is it called the Beaver Moon?

The Beaver Moon takes its name from early Native American tribes as well as American colonists, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac, when beavers begin sheltering in their lodges after gathering enough food to last the winter. Fur trappers, the almanac stated, used this time to hunt beavers for their pelts.

November's full moon also known as the 'Frost Moon'

Other names for November's full moon from Native American tribes include the Whitefish Moon, the Deer Rutting Moon, and Frost Moon.

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Story continues after photo gallery.

What is a supermoon?

November's full moon will be especially bright and shine for days, even though the "super" in supermoon often has more to do with its proximity to Earth and less, some say, than how it looks in size.

"Supermoons happen when a new moon or a full moon coincides with perigee," writes NASA, which means the moon is at its closest point to Earth all month.

That's because of how the moon orbits our planet.

Why do we have supermoons?

"The moons orbit around the earth is not a circle but an ellipse," explained Dr. Catherine Pilachowski in an earlier message to IndyStar.

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Pilachowski, who serves as professor of Astronomy at Indiana University, said the moon's distance from earth changes throughout the year.

"When the full moon coincides with the moon at perigee we have a supermoon," Pilachowski said.

November's supermoon will be closest all year

November's supermoon will be especially bright because it will be the closest full moon all year, which, to be fair, is nearly over with.

Even so, November's supermoon will be more than 2,000 miles closer than it was in October, at a total distance of 221,823 miles from Earth, according to NASA.

How big are supermoons?

Supermoons can appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than the faintest moon of the year.

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Visually, that might not leave much of an impression, but the proximity of a supermoon has an effect on Earth, causing higher tides than normal.

Will skies be clear in Indianapolis, Indiana, during the supermoon?

While it's still too early for the National Weather Service in Indianapolis to give its forecast for Nov. 5, AccuWeather is reporting skies around Central Indiana are expected to be cloudy with lows in the low 40s.

Midwest weather tends to be fickle, of course, so keep an eye on the forecast the closer we get to Nov. 5.

What does the moon rise in November 2025 for Indianapolis, Indiana?

Moonrise for the Indianapolis area will happen by roughly 5:27 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac, crossing the meridian at 12:03 a.m. before setting at 7:29 a.m. Thursday.

What time is the full moon Nov. 5, 2025?

The moon will shine its brightest when it reaches peak illumination at 8:19 A.M. EST, Nov. 5, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.

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You can check moonrise and moonset times for your zip code by visiting the Old Farmer's Almanac online.

Orionids meteor shower continues into November

The Orionids meteor shower, which stem from Hailey's Comet, peaked Oct. 21 but will stretch on for another few weeks until Nov. 22.

Astronomers say late October is still best time to watch these meteors, which can streak by at 20 per hour.

Need help finding stars, planets and constellations? Try these free astronomy apps

The following free astronomy apps can help you locate stars, planets, and constellations.

Indiana's best places to stargaze

If possible, head to Beverly Shores, near Gary, which is an International Dark Sky location and therefore an excellent place for stargazing.

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You can also travel to Kemil Beach at Indiana Dunes State Park and Dr. T.K. Lawless County Park in Michigan, which also are designated dark sky locations, according to DarkSky International.

Remaining full moons in 2025

Thursday, Dec. 4: Cold Moon

When is the next full moon? When every full moon shines in 2025. Dates, times and the history behind each name.

How to stargaze in Indiana, or anywhere

Experts recommend you do the following to get the most out of the experience:

Get out of the city. Find a dark location far away from light pollution.

Give your eyes 20-30 minutes to adjust to the dark

Avoid looking at phones or bright lights. Face away from the moon if you can.

Dress comfortably for the weather.

Bring a bottle of bug spray, a blanket or a comfortable beach chair, then sit back and enjoy the show.

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John Tufts covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Send him a news tip at JTufts@Gannett.com. Find him on BlueSky at JohnWritesStuff.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: When is the next full moon? Date and time of November beaver supermoon
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  This month, 25-year-old Madison Mcmanness found herself in a place she never wanted to see again: drug rehab.

I didnt think that I would be there again, Mcmanness said. It was really hard lying in the detox for three days, just catatonic. Everything was on fire. It hurt. I just didnt want to do it anymore.

First look: KC Pet Project prepares dog areas open to public this weekend

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She was six-and-a-half years clean from heroin when a friend suggested she try 7-OH to help with anxiety.

As soon as I took that 7-OH, it was like taking heroin again for the first time, she said.

7-OH, short for 7-hydroxymitragynine, comes from kratom, a tropical tree. Its a psychoactive compound that has similar effects in the brain as opioids. Kratom and its derivatives like 7-OH are unregulated by the FDA, but the agency has repeatedly said its working to classify it as a Schedule 1 drug.

My body was like, we need this now, again,' Mcmanness said. I was doing it every day for about six months.

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She said she spent $13,000 in six months to feed her new addiction, something that took only three days to develop.

I never thought I would be in a detox center doing it again from something thats legal, she said. Its just pure greed.

This is the next opioid crisis.

As of April, 24 states and the District of Columbia regulate kratom, from which 7-OH is derived, according to the Office of National Drug Control Policy. The other states do not, including Missouri and Kansas. Though, both state legislatures have recently seen proposed regulatory changes.

I dont want people to go through this, Mcmanness said.

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The boss of the NHS regulator has quit with immediate effect over his links to maternity failures at a scandal-hit hospital.

Sir Julian Hartley has stepped down as chief executive of the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which inspects NHS hospitals, after an independent inquiry was announced into maternity failures at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTH), where he was the boss for a decade.

It throws the safety watchdog into chaos once again, just a little over a year after Wes Streeting said it was not fit for purpose.

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Announcing the inquiry on Monday, the Health Secretary said there had been repeated failures and potentially avoidable harm to babies and mothers at LTH.

He said a thorough investigation was needed to understand what had gone so catastrophically wrong at the trusts maternity units at Leeds General Infirmary and St Jamess University Hospital.

At least 56 babies and two mothers are understood to have suffered avoidable deaths in the past five years, according to a BBC investigation, but concerns about poor care date back 14 years.

The maternity unit at Leeds General Infirmary has suffered repeated failures - Anna Gowthorpe/PA

Mr Streeting said he was shocked by the bereaved families stories and the repeated maternity failures that were made worse by the unacceptable response of the trust.

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I do think there is an exceptional case in Leeds to have a Nottingham-style independent inquiry into the failures, he said.

Nottingham University Hospitals Trust is at the centre of a public inquiry led by senior midwife Donna Ockenden that is examining 2,500 cases of maternity failings.

Sir Julian was the trusts chief executive between 2013 and 2023. He took charge of the NHS safety regulator in December after Mr Streeting had declared it not fit for purpose.

The watchdog is supposed to inspect hospitals, GP surgeries and care homes, give them a rating, and raise the alarm if services are failing.

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The Health Secretary said the ratings could not be trusted after a report found CQC had not reviewed one in five sites, while some inspectors were found to be so inexperienced some had never even been in a hospital before they inspected one.

Sir Julian was brought in to overhaul the regulator but is leaving less than a year later, saying it had been an incredibly difficult decision.

However, I feel that my current role as chief executive of CQC has become incompatible with the important conversations happening about care at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, including during the time I was chief executive there. I am so sorry for the fact that some families suffered harm and loss during this time.

He said he wanted to avoid my connection with the Trust impacting on CQCs work to rebuild peoples confidence in the regulator.

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Mr Streeting said: I am grateful for Sir Julian Hartleys work over the last year as he began to improve the work of the Care Quality Commission.

It is vital that trust in the regulator and its ratings is rebuilt for patients and staff, and I am determined that the CQC becomes the robust and effective regulator patients deserve.

The Health Secretary told BBC Radio 4s Womans Hour on Thursday that he is drawing up a potential list of candidates to lead the Leeds inquiry.

I listened to families in Leeds last week about the sort of person they would want, he said.

It comes amid calls from the families that Ms Ockenden should head the probe.

People are calling for Donna Ockenden to lead the inquiry - Jacob King/PA

However, Mr Streeting said the senior midwife will not be appointed as she is leading work on maternity services in Nottingham, Shrewsbury and Telford.

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He said: If I could clone her, I would. But the challenge Ive got  and its not just in Leeds, but in other parts of the country  because Donna has earned the trust of the families that shes working with, everyone wants Donna.

And I understand that, and I have huge respect for her, but Ive got to make sure that when, firstly, protecting the work that Donna is already doing, Ive also got to build a wider team of people too.

LTH is one of 14 trusts included in a rapid maternity investigation led by Baroness Amos, which was ordered by Mr Streeting last month.

He said: I feel this enormous pressure on my shoulders to make sure that Im doing everything I can, as fast as I can, to improve the quality of maternity services and Valerie Amos is a hugely experienced and respected leader, both in Government diplomacy and in higher education.

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Mr Streeting added: Weve also got the Leeds inquiry up and running because I was persuaded by families and by the data, that that trust is such an outlier  and its one of the largest trusts in Europe  that we had to look specifically at failures there.

Were going as quickly as we can. There are improvements taking place every day  10,000 babies are born every week in this country, and the vast majority are delivered safely, without any problems.

But I want to end this culture where we accept infant mortality in a way that other advanced economies and health systems simply do not do.

Prof Sir Mike Richards, the chair of CQC, said he understood how the link may undermine trust and confidence in CQCs regulation.

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I am grateful to him for making this unselfish decision in recognition of the need for the regulator to be visibly held to the highest standards.

A recruitment process for a new chief executive will begin shortly but Dr Arun Chopra, who was appointed as CQCs chief inspector of mental health in March, will take on the role in an interim basis.

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Tanzanias main opposition party, Chadema, has accused the government of orchestrating a systematic crackdown on its leadership ahead of the 29 October general election.

The partys deputy chairperson, John Heche, was arrested on Wednesday while attempting to attend the treason trial of party leader Tundu Lissu in Dar es Salaam. Chadema claims that authorities intend to detain senior opposition figures until after the polls, describing Heches transfer to Tarimeover 1,300 kilometres awayas politically motivated. His arrest, the second within a week, follows his earlier detention at the Kenyan border, which immigration officials alleged was an illegal crossing attempta claim the party has strongly denied.

The arrest comes amid growing alarm over the disappearance of former ambassador and government critic Humphrey Polepole, allegedly abducted from his home earlier this month. President Samia Suluhu Hassan, seeking a second term under the ruling CCM party, faces mounting criticism for tightening political freedoms despite early promises of reform. With Chadema banned from contesting the upcoming election and Lissu in detention since April, Tanzanias democratic space has narrowed further. The disqualification of ACT-Wazalendos candidate, Luhaga Mpina, leaves only minor party contenders to challenge President Samia, deepening concerns about the fairness of the electoral process.
A late-night crash that sheared a gas line prompted evacuations in the Sylmar neighborhood of Los Angeles on Wednesday.

The incident, involving a pickup truck and a parked vehicle, was reported shortly before 11 p.m. in the area of Glenoaks Boulevard and Herron Street.

Video from the scene showed that a gas main was sheared as a result of the collision. The hissing sound of gas escaping from the line was heard in the video.

A late-night crash caused a gas leak in Los Angeles on Oct. 23, 2025. (KNN News) A late-night crash caused a gas leak in Los Angeles on Oct. 23, 2025. (KNN News) A late-night crash caused a gas leak in Los Angeles on Oct. 23, 2025. (KNN News)

Officials responding to the scene asked some nearby residents to evacuate as a precautionary measure, news video service KNN reported.

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Southern California Gas crews were also at the scene to assess the damage and stop the leak.

There was no immediate word on the cause of the crash or the condition of the driver.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Republican nominee for New Jersey governor has come under scrutiny after one of his aides said he wasnt taking money from Jews at a campaign event.

The Republican nominee for New Jersey governor has come after one of his aides said he wasnt taking money from Jews at a campaign event.

Ibrar Nadeem, the Muslim relations adviser to Jack Ciattarelli, made the remarks at a community dinner in Piscataway, New Jersey, on Saturday organized by a group called Muslims 4 Jack.

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People from my community, when I was blamed that somebody said, You are taking money from Jews. I said, I check my bank account every day, brother, it is not there, Nadeem told the crowd.

Minutes earlier, Nadeem also said that Ciattarellis campaign wanted to have a ban on same-sex marriage.

Responses to the comments

Following Nadeems remarks, Ciattarelli took to the stage and praised Nadeem, telling the crowd that the advisor hasnt let me down one day since the pair met eight months ago. He also boasted that he was the first gubernatorial candidate in history that has a Muslim as part of his inner circle of advisors.

Both mens remarks swiftly drew criticism from Ciattarellis opponent, Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill, who is currently leading the race by single digits in most public polling.

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This blatant antisemitism is coming from a member of Jacks inner circle, wrote Sherrill in a post on X Monday. Jack could have condemned it but instead sang his praises. Absolutely disgraceful.

Hours later, she demanded that Ciattarelli denounce Nadeems comments, fire him and apologize for praising him right after he made these antisemitic and homophobic statements in another social media post.

Ciattarellis response to Nadeems comments also drew condemnation from Jewish Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer, who lost his gubernatorial bid to Sherrill earlier this year.

A real friend of the Jewish community doesnt applaud disgusting antisemitic tropes, Gottheimer told reporters Tuesday. They condemn them.

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In response to Sherrills allegations, Ciattarelli accused the Democratic candidate of being a Mamdani supporter, a reference to the Muslim and anti-Zionist Democratic candidate for mayor in New York City who didnt have the moral courage to stand with Israel.

Do you ever get tired of lying @MikieSherrill? You know I support same sex marriage. You also know the full clip of Dr. Nadeems remarks are clear: He was talking about the grief he gets from some BECAUSE of my unwavering support for the Jewish community and Israel and his own efforts to build bridges between Muslim and non-Muslim communities, wrote Ciattarelli in a post on X.

The Vaad, a group of Orthodox community leaders in Lakewood, New Jersey, and neighboring towns, is expected to endorse Ciattarelli in the coming days, according to the Lakewood Scoop.

Nadeem thanked Ciattarelli for his defense in a post on Facebook where he claimed he had worked to foster ties between Muslim and Jewish communities in New Jersey.

Mikie Sherrill, your attacks are false. Ive spent years building bridgesespecially between Muslim and Jewish communitiesand Im proud of that work, wrote Nadeem. To my Jewish friends, thank you for standing with me and rejecting division. Truth and unity will beat political liesevery time. 
A semi trailer full of Roadrunner Food Bank food sits in front of a weekly distribution in Albuquerques International District on Sept. 12, 2025. Members of New Mexicos congressional delegation say the USDA has plenty of funding to pay for SNAP in November, despite officials claims. (Patrick Lohmann/Source NM)

Three members of New Mexicos congressional delegation said Thursday that the United States Department of Agriculture has all the money it needs to keep food assistance flowing to 42 million Americans in November, despite officials claims otherwise.

In a little more than a week, more than 450,000 New Mexicans will likely not receive SNAP payments, according to state officials. Thats because the USDA on Oct. 10 sent state SNAP administrators a letter ordering them not to send SNAP recipient information to statewide vendors due to insufficient funds resulting from the ongoing federal government shutdown.

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But U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez, who represents New Mexicos 3rd Congressional District, said Thursday that the USDA has access to $5 billion in SNAP contingency funds it could use to keep SNAP recipients fed.

President Trump could act today to make sure families dont go hungry  but instead hes using hunger as punishment while taking $200 million from billionaires for a gilded ballroom and sending a $40 billion bailout to Argentina. Thats cruel. Thats un-American, Leger Fernandez said in a statement.

Food and Nutrition Services, the USDA division that runs SNAP, did not respond to Source New Mexicos request for comment Thursday about why it isnt using contingency funds  money Leger Fernandez said was set aside specifically for emergencies like this  to keep benefits flowing through Thanksgiving despite the shutdown.

In addition to the statement, Leger Fernandez joined about 180 colleagues in signing a letter regarding SNAP expected to be sent tomorrow, according to her spokesperson. Democratic members of the Senate, including U.S. Sens. Ben Ray Lujan and Martin Heinrich of New Mexico, sent their own letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins earlier Thursday.

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The latter letter also notes the USDAs contingency funding as one example of the agency having sufficient funding and authority to avoid any lapse in SNAP funding.

Americans are already struggling with the rising cost of groceries, and they cannot afford a sudden lapse in grocery assistance, the letter reads.

New Mexico has the highest rate of SNAP reliance in the country, with $90 million in benefits serving 250,000 households hanging in the balance come Nov. 1. Food banks across the state are gearing up to meet the increased demand, though food bank leaders told state lawmakers Wednesday they do not have the capacity to meet an increase in demand for food.

Michael Coleman, Gov. Michellle Lujan Grishams communications director, told Source in a statement Wednesday evening that the governor is carefully assessing options for those whose benefits could be abruptly cut off Nov. 1.

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However, spokespersons from the Health Care Authority, which administers SNAP, and the governors office did not provide further comment Thursday about how the state might intervene to save the benefits.

Gov. Lujan Grisham is fully aware and deeply concerned that food security is in grave jeopardy for nearly a half-million New Mexicans who rely on the SNAP program, Coleman said.
A New Jersey grand jury voted not to file charges against seven police officers from Island Heights, Toms River and Ocean County in the death of a 47-year-old man in April 2024, officials with the New Jersey Attorney Generals Office said on Wednesday.

Island Heights police officers Peter Muscarella, Dominique DAmico-Violante and Lt. Paul Rutledge, along with Toms River officers Anthony Pacella and Krzysztof Kowalczyk, and Sergeant Shan Ruiz were cleared of criminal charges by a grand jury.

Ocean County sheriffs officer Sgt. Anthony Pereira was also cleared of criminal charges in the incident that left John Cassidy, 47, of Toms River, dead after officers tried to forcibly remove him from his car.

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At about 1 p.m. on April 19, 2024, officers Muscarella, DAmico-Violante and Rutledge of Island Heights attempted to arrest Cassidy at a gas station on Route 37 near West End Avenue after they discovered he had active warrants, officials said.

Cassidy re-entered his car despite police instructing him not to and refused to exit the car after being ordered to by police, officials said.

Officers tried to convince Cassidy to exit the car for about 25 minutes before attempting to remove him from the drivers seat of the vehicle, officials said.

Body camera footage from the encounter shows Cassidy at times yelling at police, revving the engine of his car and on his phone or writing something on a note pad.

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With the help of Pacella, Kowalczyk, Ruiz and Pereira, the officers were able to pull Cassidy from the car and handcuff him while on the ground, officials said.

Cassidy can be heard on camera yelling that he couldnt breathe and that he needed an ambulance while officers tried to remove him from the car, according to body worn camera recordings released during an investigation by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability.

Moments after being handcuffed on the ground, Cassidy suffered a medical episode and was provided with medical aid at the scene, officials said.

One officer tried to calm Cassidy down while he was being handcuffed, according to the video, and when Cassidy was unresponsive ran to get an oxygen tank from his patrol car.

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Emergency medical personnel responded to the scene and transported Cassidy to Community Medical Center in Toms River where he was later pronounced deceased at 2:25 p.m.

Evidence presented to the grand jury included body-worn camera recordings, surveillance footage, medical records, radio recordings and autopsy results, officials said.

All fatal encounters with on duty law enforcement officers are investigated by the Attorney Generals Office under a 2019 directive. All evidence is provided to a grand jury to determine if charges should be filed.

Matthew Enuco

Stories by Matthew Enuco

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About 1,800 "No Kings Day of Peaceful Action" protesters of President Donald Trump's administration gathered Oct. 18 in downtown Murfreesboro, according to a news release.

Many participants held signs and some wore costumes on the sidewalk at Broad Street, joining a national protest against the Republican president with an estimated 8.1 million people showing up at over 2,600 events throughout the country, the news release from local spokeswoman of Murfreesboro Indivisible Terri Sterling Donovan reported.

Protesters and many Democratic mayors and governors have accused Trump of deporting immigrants without due process. They've also opposed the president's decisions to deploy National Guard troops to large cities exhibiting high crime.

Around 1,800 people gathered to participate in the No Kings Day of Action rally by Murfreesboro Indivisible in downtown Murfreesboro as part of a nationwide event by the same name held on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. The group gathered on the corner of Church and Broad Street and continued to Vine and Broad streets.

Trump won in Rutherford County in 2024 with 59.93% of the presidential vote, while Democratic nominee Kamala Harris had 38.22%.

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May protest: Demonstrate for Democracy hold 'People's Filibuster' against Trump administration in Murfreesboro

Protester touts free speech rights

Murfreesboro Indivisible that's led by Susan Myers-Shirk organized the No Kings protest from 2-4 p.m. Oct. 18 on the sidewalk of Broad Street between Vine and Church Streets.

"We had a great turnout and a peaceful afternoon, after inviting everyone in the middle Tennessee area who loves America to come and join us," Myers-Shirk said in the news release.

"We strongly believe in the right to free speech, peaceful assembly and the ability to protest actions by our governments that we believe are dangerous and unlawful.

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Republican Rutherford County Election Commission Chairman Ransom Jones questioned the motivation of the protectors.

"In my opinion, those same protesters would protest against God, motherhood and apple-pie," Jones said.

Nora Redway, left and Ben Anderson demonstrate during the No Kings Day of Action rally by Murfreesboro Indivisible in downtown Murfreesboro as part of a nationwide event by the same name held on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.

Around 2,000 people gathered to participate in the No Kings Day of Action rally by Murfreesboro Indivisible in downtown Murfreesboro as part of a nationwide event by the same name held on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. The group gathered on the corner of Church and Broad Street and continued to Vine and Broad Street.

Penny Brown demonstrates with others during the No Kings Day of Action rally by Murfreesboro Indivisible in downtown Murfreesboro as part of a nationwide event by the same name held on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.

First Amendment issue: Rutherford County library censorship opponents worry Trump executive order will lead to more banned books

The news release noted that the Oct. 18 event followed a June 14 national protest with over 5 million participants in 50 states.

Murfreesboro Indivisible partnered with national organizations in the No Kings rallies, including the American Civil Liberties Union, the American Federation of Teachers, Common Defense, 50501, Human Rights Campaign, Indivisible, League of Conservation Voters, MoveOn, National Nurses United, Public Citizen, SEIU and others, the news release added.

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April protest: Protesters of Trump plan Murfreesboro 'Stop the Coup March for Democracy'

Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at sbroden@dnj.com. To support his work with The Daily News Journal, sign up for a digital subscription.

Teagan Jones in a dinosaur costume demonstrates with her mom Amber Carothers, right, during the No Kings Day of Action rally by Murfreesboro Indivisible along Broad Street in Murfreesboro, on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. The demonstration was part of a nationwide event by the same name held on Saturday across the Nation.

This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: 'No Kings' protest of Trump draws 1,800 in downtown Murfreesboro
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.  Nearly 56,000 federal employees in Missouri will not receive scheduled paychecks this Friday as the federal government shutdown stretches beyond three weeks.

Gov. Mike Kehoes Office shared the figure Thursday, along with additional information in the shutdowns economic impact.

Friday will mark the first missed paycheck cycle in full for impacted federal workers, many of whom remain on duty but cannot be compensated until the government reopens.

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According to the governors office, Missouris Gross State Product is expected to decline by nearly $232 million for each week the shutdown continues. The office also estimates that up to 800 federal employees in Missouri could face unemployment if the shutdown reaches one month.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Small Business Administration reports more than $15 million in loan assistance is blocked each week in Missouri as a result of the shutdown.

Three arrested after stunt driving, fireworks on St. Louis streets

Additionally, the Missouri Department of Social Services has informed state agencies that November 2025 SNAP benefits cannot be issued, impacting more than 667,000 Missourians.

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Lawmakers from both parties continue to point fingers over the shutdown, which is now 23 days, the second longest in U.S. history.

Before the government shutdown, Republicans proposed a short-term funding bill to keep the government running through Nov. 21. Democrats rejected the measure, pressing for stronger healthcare provisions. Republicans countered that the proposal Democrats favored would add more than $1 trillion to the federal deficit.

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Cameroons Constitutional Council on Wednesday, October 22, has dismissed petitions seeking the annulment of the 12 October presidential election, rejecting eight opposition appeals for lack of evidence or jurisdiction.

The court confirmed it would announce the official results on Monday, amid widespread protests and allegations of electoral fraud, including ballot-stuffing. Opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary, a former government spokesman who defected from President Paul Biyas camp, has declared himself the winner, claiming to have secured 55% of the vote. Bakary has refused to recognise the authority of the Constitutional Council, arguing that its judges were appointed by Biya, who has ruled the country for 43 years and is seeking another seven-year term.

The disputed poll has heightened fears of post-election unrest in a nation already battling separatist violence in its Anglophone regions and Boko Haram insurgency in the Far North. While Biyas ruling party has dismissed Bakarys self-declared victory as illegal, the Catholic Church has appealed for transparency and integrity in the final declaration of results. Bakary has warned that if the council endorses falsified results, citizens may be forced to take their destiny into their own hands, raising concerns of potential instability in one of Central Africas most fragile democracies.
Dozens of passengers aboard a cruise ship bound for Boston are dealing with a norovirus outbreak.

The Oceania Insignia currently has 74 passengers and one crew member affected by the stomach illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The cruise line says those who are sick have been isolated, and the ship is undergoing enhanced cleaning and disinfection to prevent further spread.

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The ship departed from Montreal a week ago and made stops in Canada and Maine.

Its scheduled to dock in Boston on Monday before departing on the same day for a 16-day voyage to Miami.

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A norovirus outbreak on the Oceania Insignia cruise ship has sickened more than 70 people, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported.

According to a Tuesday, Oct. 21, release from the department, 74 passengers have reported being ill during the ships 11-day voyage. That makes up about 11.6% of the 637 total passengers on board. Meanwhile, only one out of 391 crew members reported the illness. The department cited their main symptoms as diarrhea and vomiting.

The vessel began its voyage on Oct. 16 in Montreal, per CruiseMapper. The ship is set to arrive in Boston on Monday, Oct. 27.

Getty A woman with a stomach ache A woman with a stomach ache

A spokesperson for the cruise line confirmed the outbreak in a statement shared with PEOPLE, citing symptoms of acute gastroenteritis.

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"At Oceania Cruises, the health and safety of our guests is the number one priority, the statement said. The ships sanitation officer has activated the CDC approved protocol and all guests experiencing symptoms are being treated.

In response to the outbreak, the company has increased its cleaning and disinfection procedures, per the CDC. They have also isolated all ill passengers and crew.

Since the beginning of the year, the CDC has reported 20 outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships in the Vessel Sanitation Programs (VSP) jurisdiction. Of those outbreaks, 15 were caused by norovirus. However, outbreaks on cruise ships only account for about 1% of all norovirus outbreaks.

Norovirus can be especially challenging to control on cruise ships because of the close living quarters, shared dining areas, and rapid turnover of passengers, the CDC wrote on its website. When the ship docks, norovirus can be brought on board in contaminated food or water; or by passengers who were infected while ashore.

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In September, 71 passengers and one crew member fell ill due to a norovirus outbreak on Royal Caribbeans Serenade of the Seas.

Peter Bischoff/Getty Royal Caribbean's 'Serenade of the Seas' cruise ship Royal Caribbean's 'Serenade of the Seas' cruise ship

The ship, which was carrying 1,874 passengers and 883 crew members, first reported the outbreak to the CDC on Sunday, Sept. 28. The vessel had departed from San Diego on Sept. 19 for a 13-night cruise, according to CruiseMapper.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

In a statement to PEOPLE, a Royal Caribbean Group spokesperson said, "The health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit are our top priority. To maintain an environment that supports the highest levels of health and safety onboard our ships, we implement rigorous cleaning procedures, many of which far exceed public health guidelines."

The ship arrived in Miami on Oct. 2, per CruiseMapper.

Read the original article on People
North Carolina just threw racetracks a lifeline, shielding them from lawsuits over noise complaints with a new bill thats got the motorsports world fired up. House Bill 926, now law, means tracks with permits and solid development rights wont have to sweat nuisance claims from neighborseven the picky ones who buy property next to a speedway and then act shocked its loud.

North Carolina City Cracking Down on Loud Exhaust

Governor Josh Stein let the bill slide through without his signature, but dont mistake that for indifference. Rep. Allen Chesser pushed hard for this, backed by heavyweights like SEMA and PRI, who insist racetracks arent just places to burn rubbertheyre cash cows, hometown hubs, and downright institutions in a state that lives and breathes racing.

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This is, after all, North Carolina, the hallowed ground where American stock car racing first kicked into high gear. Were talking Charlotte Motor Speedway, Rockingham, Millbridge, Carolina Speedwaylegends. So when longtime tracks started getting hassled by newcomers who apparently think race days should come with a mute button, lawmakers didnt exactly drag their feet.

Heres the real kicker: small tracks nationwide have been dropping like flies, choked out by lawsuits and noise gripes. Now, North Carolinas tossing them the same legal armor farms and other legacy businesses get. Smart move, considering how many paychecks hinge on racings survival.

Sure, some naysayers argue empty seats and shaky sponsorships hurt tracks more than lawsuits do. But killing one headaches a start, right? Iowas already taken notes, and if racing lobbyists get their way, more states will follow.

At its core, this isnt just about lawsits about protecting a piece of Americas soul. North Carolinas drawing a line in the asphalt, saying racings not going anywhere. Like it or lump it, the checkered flags still flying.


ONSLOW COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT)  The North Carolina Forest Service and some local governments are urging people to take extra precautions during the fall fire season as dry conditions and high winds persist.

Philip Jackson with the Forest Service says the dry conditions stem from a lack of rain and no humidity, along with high winds.

The wind has a potential to get a hold of an ignition source and really cause a problem in terms of wildfire with how quickly it could spread and how problematic it could become, Jackson said.

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The NC Forest Service says they already saw an active spring fire season this year, and now theyre trying to get prepared for fall as best as they can, especially with vacancies.

We have not seen improvement in that to this point, Jackson said. Were pretty much where weve been over the last few years. Right around 100 (vacancies), maybe more, maybe just a little less, and so given those staffing levels, its always a challenge when youre missing people.

They are asking the public to be extra cautious in the coming weeks when it comes to lighting fires. The Forest Service says 99% of fires are caused by humans. While there are no burn bans in effect, debris burning is not advised.

Folks need to build those campfires in proper areas where its away from flammable vegetation, and folks need to stay with that fire until its completely out, Jackson said. Never leave it unattended, and when we say completely out, we mean that its cold to the touch. If its too hot to touch, then its too hot to leave.

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From AI to Facebook to Google Maps, the nations demand for computing power is growing, with households in the U.S. now averaging a whopping 21 devices  think smartphones, TVs, and thermostats  all connected to the internet.

That was one of many statistics lobbed at North Carolina utility regulators last week as they gathered to grapple with the coming onslaught of data centers, the immense buildings filled with hardware that make our around-the-clock connectivity possible but could strain the states electric grid, raise utility bills, and increase pollution.

Over the course of a two-day discussion on how to avoid these downsides, one simple solution came up again and again: Data centers could commit to limiting their electricity consumption slightly for a handful of periods during the year, formalizing the practice of modulating energy use thats already standard across the industry.

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One of the issues that the commission is particularly interested in is load flexibility, Karen Kemerait, the commissioner presiding over the technical conference, said to more than one presenter last week, before pressing them on the concept.

In response to Kemerait, experts from Google and other tech giants, along with North Carolinas predominant utility, Duke Energy, all voiced degrees of support for the notion.

Yet how and whether regulators move to actualize load flexibility remains unclear. The Utilities Commission isnt required to take action following its Oct. 14 and 15 meeting. And unlike other reforms repeatedly mentioned, such as a special tariff for data centers, the policy doesnt easily translate to a rate case or other dockets before the panel.

Thats part of why Tyler Norris, a former solar developer and a thought leader on load flexibility who presented last week, hopes it will become a choice for data centers if nothing else.

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At minimum, why not have a voluntary service option that enables a large load to connect faster in exchange for bounded flexibility? Norris told Canary Media. In every conversation I've been in, I've heard no objection to the idea. Obviously, its at the discretion of the commission  whether they want to encourage it.

Data centers arent the only new large customers driving ever-growing electricity demand forecasts in North Carolina, which Duke used to justify a massive new fleet of gas plants in its most recent proposed long-term plan. But the centers are the most voracious consumers by far, accounting for over 85% of the energy demand in the economic development pipeline, the utility said last week.

Not all of these facilities in the pipeline will come to fruition: Its not uncommon for tech companies to request grid connections in multiple locations before deciding where theyll actually build. But many will materialize, posing thorny issues for the utility and its regulators.

What if Duke cant build generation quickly enough to serve the energy-hungry centers? Can the company do so while still zeroing out its carbon pollution, as required by state law? How can regulators assure that tech giants, not residential customers, pay for new power plants and associated upgrades to the grid?

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Load flexibility could provide an elegant answer to these vexing questions.

The idea is rooted in a counterintuitive reality: Data centers dont run at maximum tilt 100% of the time  they routinely adjust processing power even as we can post videos to Instagram or EMS responders can transmit lifesaving patient data in the middle of the night.

Thats true for a number of reasons, Norris wrote on his Power and Policy site, including the fact that computer chips could overheat if stretched to their maximum theoretical processing speeds 24/7 and also that data centers plan for redundancy.

Many facilities are overbuilt to ensure uptime, with servers periodically taken offline for routine maintenance, software upgrades, or hardware replacements, Norris explained in the August post.

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Information on data centers exact electricity use is scant, and it appears to vary based on type, but research suggests the facilities peak consumption is about 80% of what they could pull from the grid.

Yet utility planners typically assume otherwise, categorizing data centers as firm loads that need firm capacity, such as an on-demand power plant with an ample supply of fuel, plus an extra reserve margin  in Dukes case, 22%  in the event of emergency.

In the simplest terms, while Duke might build 122 megawatts of generation to serve a data center that can draw a maximum of 100 megawatts of electricity, the center may never use more than 80 megawatts.

But if prospective data centers were transparent about their electricity-utilization plans and committed to them on paper, utilities could adjust how they anticipate new power capacity  averting the construction of massive amounts of fossil-fuel infrastructure as well as expensive grid improvements.

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In September, analytics groups GridLab and Telos Energy published a report finding that Nevadas biggest utility could delay the need for hundreds of megawatts of new power plants if data centers committed to modest flexibility terms that allow uptimes of 99.5%.

Similarly, Norris, a Ph.D. student at Duke University  which has no connection to the utility  is the lead author of a February paper showing that if data centers shaved just 0.5% off their use over the course of the year, 4.1 gigawatts of power capacity in Dukes territory in the Carolinas could be avoided.

The figure isnt everything in terms of their load forecast, Norris told regulators last week, but it is arguably a meaningful share.

While enlisting data centers to curtail their own energy use is still more theory than practice, thats slowly starting to change. Pacific Gas and Electric in California, for instance, has piloted flexible service agreements that could get data centers online more quickly.

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In August, Google announced voluntary flexibility agreements with Indiana Michigan Power and the Tennessee Valley Authority. The following month, the tech giant revealed a similar arrangement with Entergy in Arkansas.

The company vaunted those agreements, along with its plans to self-generate carbon-free electricity, at last weeks meeting. Google is leaning in, Rachel Wilson, a representative for the company, told commissioners.

The Data Center Coalition is an alliance of Google, Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, and dozens of other companies that own, operate, or lease data-center capacity. The coalition listed voluntary demand response and load flexibility as a recommendation to regulators last week, so long as data centers could get something in return  such as a quicker connection to the grid.

"There has to be some reciprocal value for data centers, said Lucas Fykes, director of energy policy for the coalition.

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Still, the AI race, a lack of transparency about data-center electricity use, and a genuine inability of anyone in this space to predict the future could complicate efforts around load flexibility.

Not even the most sophisticated data center owner-operators know what their load will look like in a rapidly shifting competitive landscape, Norris wrote in August. Amid such uncertainty, their preference is generally to maintain maximal optionality.

Indeed, though Duke expressed openness to load flexibility last week, the company advised caution for the long term.

Looking at these [load-flexibility agreements] as temporary is important, said Mike Quinto, the companys director of planning analytics. A well-designed voluntary program, that's great. It's not something we think should be mandated on a long-term basis.

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And while utilities are well-practiced in demand response for large industrial customers, Public Staff, the state-sanctioned customer advocate, voiced worry last week about scaling the same concept to data centers.

We haven't seen these magnitudes trying to interconnect and  potentially drop off the system, said Dustin Metz, director of the agencys energy division. From an academic standpoint, if we can shave off some of those peaks, then that could potentially reduce some of the generation assets that we need to build out, he said. But enforcement would be essential, and North Carolina is still new to data-center growth. Were a little bit of a living lab, he said.


By Joseph Ax

NEW YORK (Reuters) -North Carolina's Republican-controlled legislature passed a new congressional map on Wednesday aimed at securing the party another seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, expanding President Donald Trump's campaign to use partisan redistricting to help Republicans keep control of Congress in next year's midterm elections.

The state's previous map, approved by Republicans only two years ago, was already heavily skewed, allowing Republicans to win 10 of 14 U.S. House seats in 2024 despite North Carolina's status as a closely divided swing state. While the governor, Josh Stein, is a Democrat, state law does not allow the governor to veto redistricting plans.

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North Carolina is the third Republican-controlled state this year to heed Trump's call for a rare mid-decade redistricting, following Texas and Missouri. Other Republican states, including Ohio, Kansas and Indiana, are either planning or considering similar moves, while California Democrats have advanced their own redistricting plan to combat Texas' map.

Redistricting typically occurs only once a decade following the U.S. Census to account for population shifts. But Texas Republicans' decision to approve a new map intended to flip five Democratic seats has triggered a national redistricting battle.

Republicans, who control more states than Democrats, appear poised to gain seats when all is said and done. The House elections are expected to be hotly contested next year, with Democrats needing to flip only three Republican-held seats from 2024 to win back a majority.

The U.S. Senate is considered more of a long shot for Democrats, who would have to defend several vulnerable seats while also winning races in solidly Republican states to capture a majority.

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U.S. Representative Don Davis, the North Carolina Democrat who appears likely to lose his seat under the new map, called the redistricting "beyond the pale" in a statement.

Trump praised the map in a social media post, and the Republican speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives, Destin Hall, reposted the message, adding, "We're putting America First in NC!"

(Reporting by Joseph Ax; Editing by Daniel Wallis)
SEOUL, Oct. 23 (UPI) -- North Korea successfully tested a "new cutting-edge weapons system" involving hypersonic missiles, state-run media reported Thursday, amid heightened regional tensions ahead of the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea.

Two hypersonic projectiles were launched in a northeast direction from the Pyongyang area and hit targets on a plateau of Kwesang Peak in Orang County, North Kamgyong Province, the official Korean Central News Agency reported.

"The new weapon system was tested as part of the defense capability development program to enhance the sustainability and effectiveness of strategic deterrence against potential enemies," KCNA said.

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The test, held Wednesday, was overseen by a delegation of officials led by Pak Jong Chon, secretary of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was not present at the test.

"The new cutting-edge weapon system is a clear proof of steadily upgrading self-defensive technical capabilities of the DPRK," Pak said, according to KCNA.

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is the official name of North Korea.

Seoul's military on Wednesday said that it detected the launch of several short-range ballistic missiles, which flew for roughly 217 miles before falling on land.

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U.S. Forces Korea denounced the North's launches and its "relentless pursuit of long-range missile capabilities," acts that are prohibited by U.N. Security Council resolutions.

"The United States condemns these unlawful and destabilizing actions, and we call on the DPRK to refrain from further acts in violation of the UNSCR," USFK said in a statement.

The launch was North Korea's fifth of the year, and the first since South Korean President Lee Jae Myung took office in June. Lee has made efforts to improve relations between the two Koreas, with conciliatory gestures such as removing propaganda loudspeakers from border areas.

The missile test comes ahead of South Korea's hosting of the APEC summit in Gyeongju on Oct. 30-Nov. 1. U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to visit Gyeongju before the official summit for bilateral meetings with leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping and South Korea's Lee.

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Analysts had speculated that the North may conduct a provocation ahead of the event as Pyongyang continues its push to be recognized as a nuclear-armed state.

The regime unveiled its latest intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwasong-20, at a massive military parade earlier this month. The ICBM, which North Korean state media called the regime's "most powerful nuclear strategic weapon," is a solid-fuel missile believed capable of reaching the continental United States.

Hypersonic weapons, meanwhile, travel at least five times the speed of sound and are maneuverable mid-flight, making them a challenge for missile detection and interception systems.
JACKSON COUNTY (KSNT)  Kansas transportation officials are exploring new way to improve a highway in the northeast part of the state, including adding new lanes onto it for travelers.

The Kansas Department of Transportation is set to hold an open house discussion in early November to give locals a chance to learn about possible improvements in the works for U.S. 75 Highway in Jackson and Brown Counties. People are invited to attend the meeting and learn more about the U.S. 75 Expansion Study and provide feedback.

KDOTs study is aimed at exploring ways to improve operations on U.S. 75 Highway from Holton to K-20 in Brown County. The study will also evaluate the possibility of expanding this stretch of the highway from two lanes to four lanes of traffic.

Kate Craft with KDOT said the study is currently in its discovery phase and has yet to receive funds for construction. No timelines is set yet for when the expansion project will occur.

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Kansas students adopt calf for 2025-2026 school year

The open house meeting is set for 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6 at Jackson Heights High School located at 12719 266th Road in Holton. People can learn more about the U.S. 75 Expansion Study by clicking here.

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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A Belfast court on Thursday found a British soldier not guilty of murder in the only trial of a member of the British armed forces over the 1972 Bloody Sunday killings of 13 unarmed Catholic civil rights marchers in Northern Ireland.

The British government in 2010 apologized for the unjustified and unjustifiable killings, when members of a British army regiment opened fire in the mainly Irish nationalist city of Londonderry (Derry) in one of the defining moments of Northern Irelands recent history.

But all efforts to prosecute soldiers have failed.

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The soldier, who cannot be identified legally and is known as Soldier F, was found not guilty of killing two men and trying to kill five others.

Bloody Sunday became one of the defining moments of the Troubles, three decades of sectarian violence involving nationalists seeking a united Ireland, unionists wanting Northern Ireland to remain a province of the United Kingdom, and British forces. A 1998 peace deal largely ended the bloodshed.

On January 30, 1972, youths confront British soldiers minutes before paratroopers opened fire, killing civilians on what became known as Bloody Sunday. The standoff is near barricade 14 on William Street, Derry/Londonderry, Northern Ireland. - William L. Rukeyser/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Soldier F was not called to give evidence during the one-month trial that was heard without a jury.

Defense lawyers did not call any witnesses and said that the core of the case, military statements taken over 50 years ago, were manifestly unreliable, with no independent supporting evidence offered to back the prosecution case.

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Earlier in the trial the court heard a short statement Soldier F gave to police in 2016, in which he said that while he was sure he properly discharged his duties as a soldier that day, he no longer had any reliable recollection of the events and therefore was unable to answer the officers questions.

The British government in 2010 apologized for the unjustified and unjustifiable Bloody Sunday killings, the deadliest shooting incident of the Troubles, after a judicial inquiry found that the victims were innocent and had posed no threat to the military.

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NORTHPORT, Ala. (WIAT)  UPDATE: Jade Pollard has been found and is safe.

ORIGINAL: Northport police searching for missing 18-year-old

The Northport Police Department is seeking assistance from the public in locating a missing 18-year-old.

Jade Pollard was last seen around 7 a.m. Thursday in the area of Carthage Lane in Northport. She is believed to be driving a gray 2010 Toyota Camry with the license plate reading A0C0564. Pollard is described as being 54 and weighing 127 pounds with brown eyes and brown hair.

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Anyone with information can call NPD at 205-526-5623.

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The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially validated its National Adaptation Plan (NAP), a comprehensive framework designed to address the countrys growing climate-related challenges.

Speaking at a high-level workshop in Abuja on October 22, Minister of Environment Malam Balarabe Lawal described climate change as a defining global issue, citing its severe effects on Nigeria, including droughts, flooding, and rising sea levels that threaten food security, human health, and livelihoods.

The NAP document, prepared for submission to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) ahead of COP30 in Brazil, underscores the governments commitment to mitigating these impacts and aligning national priorities with global climate action goals.

Lawal emphasised that the next phase following validation would focus on implementation and financing, urging collaboration among stakeholders to mobilise both domestic and international funds for climate adaptation initiatives. He reaffirmed that climate action remains a core priority of the current administration, particularly in reducing the social and economic costs of environmental degradation.

Officials and partners, including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), pledged technical and financial support for the plans execution. Experts highlighted the NAPs inclusive approach, noting its focus on building resilience in vulnerable communities and ensuring participation from women, youth, and persons with disabilities. The plan aims to strengthen Nigerias capacity to adapt to climate change through sustainable reforms, improved infrastructure, and better resource management.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has spoken out against the recent spate of air strikes the United States has conducted in the Caribbean Sea and, more recently, the Pacific Ocean.

In her morning news conference on Thursday, Sheinbaum was asked about her position on the bombing campaign, which purports to attack drug-smuggling operations.

Obviously, we do not agree, Sheinbaum replied. There are international laws on how to operate when dealing with the alleged illegal transport of drugs or guns on international waters, and we have expressed this to the government of the United States and publicly.

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Sheinbaum is the latest Latin American leader to express opposition to the air strikes, which have killed at least 37 people since the campaign began on September 2.

Later that day, in a roundtable promoting his aggressive anti-drug campaign, US President Donald Trump took aim at Mexico, implying that Sheinbaum is not in control of her country.

Mexico is run by the cartels, Trump told reporters. I have great respect for the president, a woman that I think is a tremendous woman. Shes a very brave woman. But Mexico is run by the cartels, and we have to defend ourselves from that.





Economic pressure on Sheinbaum

Mexico has had to strike a delicate balance with the US since President Trumps return to the White House in January.

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Among Trumps second-term priorities were stemming the flow of undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border and implementing protectionist trade measures, most notably tariffs, to tamp down on foreign competition.

To pursue those goals, Trump has placed pressure on the Sheinbaum administration to comply with his demands.

In late January, for instance, the Trump White House announced it would slap the USs neighbours and biggest trading partners  Mexico and Canada  with 25 percent tariffs on their exports.

The Trump administration argued the steep tax hike was necessary to hold the countries accountable to their promises of halting illegal immigration and stopping poisonous fentanyl and other drugs from flowing into our country.

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Several days later, on February 3, Trump agreed to pause the tariffs for 30 days, but only after receiving concessions from both countries.

In Mexicos case, Sheinbaum agreed to immediately reinforce its border with the US with 10,000 National Guard soldiers, in an effort to crack down on drug trafficking.

In a phone call between the leaders, Trump reportedly paid Sheinbaum a compliment, Youre tough. Sheinbaum has since been referred to in media reports as the Trump whisperer.

But the 25 percent tariff nevertheless came into effect that March, and the Trump administration has continued to squeeze Mexico on trade and other issues.

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In July, for instance, Trump posted a letter addressed to Sheinbaum on his social media platform Truth Social, threatening to raise tariffs against Mexico by 30 percent to force further action to stop fentanyl trafficking.

Trump acknowledged his strong relationship with Sheinbaum, but blamed her government for falling short.

Mexico has been helping me secure the border, BUT, what Mexico has done, is not enough, Trump wrote. Mexico still has not stopped the Cartels who are trying to turn all of North America into a Narco-Trafficking Playground.

If Sheinbaum retaliated with tariffs of her own, Trump warned that he would add the same amount on top of the 30 percent tariff. Eventually, Trump backed away from his threat of increased tariffs after a call with Sheinbaum.

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A month earlier, in June, the US Treasury also sanctioned three top Mexican banks and financial institutions, accusing them of being vehicles for laundering illicit drug money.

The banks denied the charges, but the fallout was swift, with some of the sanctioned institutions reporting that their access to international financial platforms was severed.





Fears of a US military strike

But Trumps increasingly aggressive posture towards drug-smuggling cartels has prompted fears that his administration might take military action on Mexican soil.

The escalation began early in Trumps second term, when he announced his intention to label Latin American cartels as foreign terrorist organisations, a designation largely given to armed groups who seek to destabilise the US through violence.

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Though the terrorist label alone does not constitute authorisation for military action, critics feared it was a step towards such an intervention.

Then, in May, both Sheinbaum and Trump acknowledged that the US had offered to send its soldiers to Mexico to combat local drug cartels. That revelation came as the US built up its military presence along its shared border with Mexico.

Sheinbaum confirmed to reporters that she had rejected the offer. Sovereignty is not for sale, she said. Sovereignty is loved and defended.

In August, Sheinbaum once again had to allay fears of an impending US action on Mexican soil. That month, reports emerged that Trump had secretly signed an order authorising US military force against Latin American cartels, raising fears of an attack on foreign soil.

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Sheinbaum maintained the US would not conduct operations on Mexican territory, though. We cooperate, we collaborate, but there will be no invasion, she told reporters. That is ruled out, absolutely ruled out. We have stated this in every call.

Still, the Trump administration has hinted in recent weeks that a land-based attack is imminent, as it conducts a series of deadly air strikes on alleged drug dealers.

The target of such an attack remains unknown. But on Wednesday, in an Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump reaffirmed his plans to launch such a strike, even without the US Congresss approval.

 We will hit them very hard when they come in by land, Trump said of the alleged drug-traffickers. And they havent experienced that yet. But now were totally prepared to do that.

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So far, the air strike campaign that began in September has focused on targets in the Caribbean Sea, near Venezuela and Colombia. This week, however, that campaign expanded to the Pacific Ocean, near Colombias western coast.

Trump has identified the targets as small boats  and, in one case, a submarine  that he alleges were carrying narcotics to the US. But his administration has provided no evidence to substantiate those allegations, and officials in Latin America have warned that some of the victims appear to be fishermen.

Ecuador, for instance, released one of the two survivors of the attack on the submarine, claiming it had no evidence of criminal charges against the man.

Colombias President Gustavo Petro, meanwhile, has claimed a fisherman named Alejandro Carranza was killed in the strikes. Families in Trinidad and Tobago, which is situated close to the Venezuelan coastline, have also expressed concern that their missing relatives were among the deceased.

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Nine strikes have been carried out against nautical vessels since September, the most recent on Wednesday.

Legal experts, including human rights officials at the United Nations, have warned that the strikes likely violate international law, which prohibits extrajudicial killings outside of combat.
CLEVELAND (WJW)  This week, Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb and Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne wrote a letter asking federal lawmakers for help cutting through red tape to close Burke Lakefront Airport so that land could be used to help develop the lakefront.

We look at other cities, such as Chicago, Seattle, Boston, New York, and they have done a good job of maximizing their waterfront, Bibb said. I want to make sure Clevelanders have a world class waterfront because they deserve it.

Both Bibb and Ronayne said they have spoken to federal lawmakers from Ohio asking for their support.

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This is really accessible land that could be used to create a vibrant Cleveland waterfront that we have all been waiting for, Ronayne said.

Changes coming to Cleveland police buildings

Closing Burke has been talked about before. Last year, we revealed travel records showing the city sent three officials to Washington, D.C. to meet with FAA officials, exploring what it would take to close Burke Lakefront Airport. We were told by FAA officials that it is not an easy or an automatic process.

FAA officials said the city would have to submit a formal proposal justifying their request.

Waterspouts spotted over Lake Erie in Cleveland

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Cleveland Councilman Mike Polensek tells the I-Team he is not sold on the idea. He points out that hospitals, like the Cleveland Clinic, use the facility to bring in organs for life-saving transplants.

I want to see the evidence why we should eliminate Burke Airport, Polensek said. We know it is a general aviation airport and all of us know it has never been utilized properly.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
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As the Trump administrations Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids continue to ransack communities across the countryleaving destruction and a strong sense of distrust in their paththe government appears to believe that it can embrace aggressive tactics, sow fear, and purge juries of anyone skeptical of its actions.

The jury selection in the trial of anti-ICE protester Sydney Reidwho was recently acquitted by a D.C. jury in a trial that became a spectacle of government transgressionsillustrates the problem. For hours, potential jurors were questioned about their feelings toward ICE and federal law enforcement. Nearly a dozen people were excused for saying they could not be impartial because of their feelings toward the federal law enforcement apparatus, an honest response that is reflective of real community sentiment.

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One woman, apologizing through tears, explained that her cousin and aunt had just been taken by ICE and that her family had stopped working out of fear. Another prospective juror told the judge, I dont trust government like I used to, and admitted they would have a hard time believing their integrity if ICE officers testified. But lying to cover their tracks has become so commonplace among ICE and DHS officials that a healthy dose of wariness is well deserved.

When the government acts aggressively, its agents lie, and the community witnesses the erosion of justice, that communitys informed distrust of the governments actions is not a bias to be purged. It is the very voice the Framers yearned for engaged citizens to bring to the jury box. That community skepticism of arbitrary and unjust government action forms the bedrock of the constitutionally prescribed mechanism by which we adjudicate criminal cases.

Proponents of the unchecked exercise of state power might say that it is worth trying to find the best jury to hear a case. But they have it backward: If the government time and again finds juries that are not naturally sympathetic to its case, that is because it is measuring real community sentiment, not corrosive bias. If weeding out jurors for representing their community interests is the policy, trials will be staffed by juries that are less informed, not more. Indeed, the Framers anticipated exactly this. The bedrock promise of the Sixth Amendment is a public trial by an impartial jury of our peers in the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed.

The latter piece, known as the vicinage clause, was included by the Framers not as a matter of convenience for jurors but rather to ensure that jurors were able to impart the values of the community in which they reside. While the Constitution requires that juries must be impartial, impartiality does not mean ignorance. A true jury of ones peers must reflect the communitys shared values and experiences, including any legitimate distrust of the very government bringing the charges.

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The Supreme Court rightly held in Taylor v. Louisiana that the Sixth Amendment demands a jury drawn from a representative cross section of the community. The Framers intended for ordinary citizens to share in the administration of justice as a phase of civic responsibility.

We know that systematic exclusion based on immutable characteristics including race or gender violates this standard, as established in Duren v. Missouri. But what happens when systematic exclusion comes about for other reasons, such as a viewpoint informed by lived experiences or personal observations?

We now have vast swaths of communities across this country where populations, often along racial and ethnic lines, are understandably suspicious of law enforcement. This distrust has only deepened thanks to an administration that has weaponized federal agencies to target U.S. citizens in immigration crackdowns, deployed chemical agents against persons engaging in First Amendmentprotected activities, and stationed troops to police American cities.

Judges and prosecutors already go to considerable lengths to ensure that those most aware of the historic conception of the criminal jury as an injustice-preventing body are among the least likely to serve. By seeking to categorically exclude those who most embody the communitys shared skepticism, prosecutors are further hollowing the Framers vision of the Sixth Amendment. Similarly, by removing from the jury pool anyone who expresses discontent with the governments tactics, judges are actively helping prosecutors craft juries that are deaf to the values of the community.

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Jurors represent our best defense against a repressive regime. They unequivocally have the power to simply say no regardless of what the evidence may suggest. It is time for courts to recognize that an impartial jury is one that has the right to be skeptical, informed, and reflective of community values.

The government has made its bed, and now it must lie in it.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  A criminal complaint was unsealed this week in federal court, charging a nurse and security guard at the private prison on the East Side with smuggling drugs and other contraband into the prison.

Jodi Johnson, 47, and Brenda Dixon, 62, are each charged in the U.S. Northern District Court of Ohio with single counts of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and providing or possessing contraband in prison.

Both women were booked Friday into the Mahoning County jail by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Both women were arraigned Tuesday and are being held pending a detention hearing Friday.

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An affidavit accompanying the criminal complaint said an internal complaint was filed at the Northeast Ohio Correctional Center, accusing Johnson of smuggling drugs into the prison with help from Dixon.

Johnson was a nurse at the prison, and Dixon was a corrections officer, the complaint said.

DEA agents set up surveillance Saturday, an hour before Johnson was to start her 6 p.m. shift, the complaint said. The complaint said that when Johnson arrived at the prison, she had a clear, see-through bag with multiple boxes inside that she carried into the prison.

Johnson walked into the prison and was screened by Dixon, who let her through a security checkpoint, the complaint said. The complaint said Dixon screened Johnsons bag but did not alert anyone to the boxes inside the bag.

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It was then that investigators stopped Johnson as she was being patted down by Dixon, and she was searched, the complaint said.

Inside the boxes were four large bags of tobacco, a bag of marijuana, another bag with a white powder inside that was later tested and found to be methamphetamine, four bottles with an unknown substance, four vape cartridges and four smaller bags of marijuana, the complaint said.

There were also seven devices for charging cell phones in a makeup bag Johnson was carrying, the complaint said.

The complaint said Johnson allowed investigators to search her phone, which had a text thread with her and Dixon, with Dixon assuring Johnson that she would be working when Johnson arrived. Johnson told investigators Dixon was the only person at the prison she was working with, the complaint said.

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The complaint said Johnson told investigators she had been smuggling contraband into the prison since February. She provided investigators with an Apple Pay account she had set up for payments, and there was still $9,000 in the account.

Johnson also admitted smuggling six phones into the prison the day before, with Dixon checking that package and other packages as well, the complaint said.

The prison has had eight stabbings in 2024 and eight in 2025, according to WKBN files. An inmate died after a stabbing there this summer.

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TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. (WSAV)  Oceanside Care Center has responded to WSAVs investigation into allegations of neglect.

Oceanside Interim Administrator Richard Washington spoke with WSAV Thursday morning. Washington and another representative responded no comment to each of our questions.

A former employee told WSAV News 3 that we wont hear back from leadership.

He does not care, and he does not have the experience, she said.

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That employee, who worked in human resources at Oceanside, spoke out about leadership, the work environment and conditions at the facility. She said she saw issues the minute she got there.

I noticed that they did not have a lot of employees that were able to take care of our residents, the former employee said.

She told News 3 she tried to get staff numbers up, but ran into roadblocks with BravoCare, the hiring agency for nurses and nursing assistants.

I began asking Bravo we noticed that you guys are sending people over thats not meeting the needs, but we will always got pushback, she said.

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Several people told WSAV that the staff from Thunderbolt Care Center, which closed earlier this year, began working at Oceanside. The former employee said this led to more issues.

In a Georgia Department of Community Health report from March, one resident was not receiving care related to their use of oxygen, allergies, communication needs, diabetes and other conditions. The investigation also found a lack of documentation for medication distribution, kitchen equipment was not maintained, and the building was not up to code in case of a fire.

These issues were corrected later in the year, but the former employee said mistreatment of residents continued.

All of a sudden, I became problematic. My boss was literally threatening my job and actually made the work environment for me very undoable, she said.

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Thats when she said she decided to quit.

I am glad that I decided to leave. Im glad that this story came about because, I didnt really know who I needed to tell because I thought I told the appropriate channel, she said.

The former employee alleges that having the state come in does very little to improve the facility since the inspector is friends with Oceanside staff.

Every employee WSAV has talked with has stressed that hearing from the residents is so important, but many of them are scared of being retaliated against.

There was a meeting between Oceanside staff and residents Thursday to discuss concerns, but residents said they were not allowed to record the meeting.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
A northwest Indiana man who owns a bounce house company is behind bars on child porn charges.

According to investigators, Colin Dwyer-Keon, 32, of Hammond employed teenagers at the bounce house business and solicited them.

He also allegedly had pornographic content on his phone depicting minors between 14 and 16 years old, and one under the age of 12, from June to Oct. 16 of this year.

He's accused of enticing a teenager to expose himself and perform sexually explicit acts between June and July of 2024, the Lake County, Indiana Sheriff's Department said.

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SEE ALSO: Addison ice cream shop owner charged with child pornography, unauthorized recording in public place

A victim alleged the incidents occurred at multiple locations, including the suspect's home, at a hotel while the two were working at a fair in another Indiana town and at a local storage facility, the sheriff's department said.

Until recently, Dwyer-Keon had worked in law enforcement. He was employed part-time at Purdue University Northwest in Hammond and also worked for the Schneider, Indiana Police Department, officials said.

Dwyer-Keon turned himself in to the Lake County Jail Wednesday.

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There is no bond.

He's due in court Monday.

Anyone who believes they may have been victimized by this suspect should contact the Lake County Sheriff's Department Special Victims Unit at 219-755-3355.
New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a notice on Thursday that her legal team plans to ask for her indictment to be dismissed, citing the appointment of President Donald Trumps handpicked prosecutor Lindsey Halligan, according to a filing submitted by James legal team.

Please take notice that on October 24, 2025, Letitia James, by counsel, will file her motion to dismiss the indictment that challenges the unlawful appointment of the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Lindsey Halligan, the court filing said.

The brief two-page filing also included a footnote referring to another recent indictment against former FBI Director James Comey, who is also seeking to have his indictment dismissed due to Halligans appointment. The footnote says the two motions, should likely be consolidated.

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James was indicted on two felony charges of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution on October 9. James is scheduled to appear in court in Norfolk, Virginia, on Friday at 11 a.m. ET.

Halligan is expected to be in the Friday hearing, according to a source familiar.

A hearing on Comeys motion is scheduled for November 13.

Asks to bar DOJ from talking to press

Also Thursday, James asked the federal judge overseeing her criminal case to bar federal prosecutors from talking with the media about it to ensure she has a fair trial.

Halligan had communicated with a reporter about the case two days after she persuaded a federal grand jury to indict James.

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Those comments  which were reported earlier this week by the journalist, Anna Bower  represented a stunning disclosure of internal government information, attorneys for James told US District Judge Jamar Walker. They noted that the conversation, which was initiated by Halligan and occurred over the messaging platform Signal, included the prosecutors thoughts on the credibility and general strength of the evidence presented to the grand jury.

These extrajudicial statements and prejudicial disclosures by any prosecutor, let alone one purporting to be the U.S. Attorney, run afoul of and violate the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, the Code of Federal Regulations, this Courts Local Rules, various rules of ethical and professional responsibility, and DOJs Justice Manual, James attorneys wrote in court papers.

In order to ensure a fair trial and impartial proceedings for Attorney General James, we respectfully seek the Courts intervention to prevent any further disclosures by government attorneys and agents of investigative and case materials, and statements to the media and public, concerning this case and any parties or witnesses, the lawyers told the judge.

Theyre asking for a court order that would, among other things, bar Halligan and other prosecutors in the case from making extrajudicial disclosures of investigative and case materials, and statements to the media and journalists.

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Under their proposed order, prosecutors would also need to keep a list of all contacts they have with members of the media.

As the prosecutor who is handling the case against Attorney General James and purporting to be the U.S. Attorney, Ms. Halligan is supposed to be the standard-bearer of the professional responsibility rules rather than the Districts violator-in-chief, the attorney generals lawyers wrote in their filing.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

CNNs Kristen Holmes contributed to this report.

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By Sarah N. Lynch

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -New York Attorney General Letitia James on Thursday said her legal team plans to ask a federal judge to dismiss the criminal charges against her on the grounds that the U.S. Attorney in Eastern Virginia who obtained the indictment was unlawfully appointed, according to a court filing.

James' legal team made the move the day before James is scheduled to be arraigned in the U.S. District Court in Norfolk, Virginia, where she is expected to plead not guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of making false statements to a financial institution.

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Lindsey Halligan was appointed by President Donald Trump last month as U.S. Attorney for Virginia's Eastern District, after her predecessor was forced out of his job after he expressed concerns with the strength of the evidence against both James and former FBI Director James Comey.

Comey has also since been indicted in the same district on charges of obstructing Congress and making a false statement.

Trump has promised to seek retribution against people he alleges used the justice system against him in an effort to prevent him from returning to power, including Comey and James.

Halligan previously worked as Trump's personal lawyer and has no prosecutorial experience. She obtained the indictments against Comey and James on her own, without any assistance from other career prosecutors in the office.

(Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; Editing by Leslie Adler and Bill Berkrot)
By Sarah N. Lynch

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -New York Attorney General Letitia James on Thursday said her legal team plans to ask a federal judge to dismiss the criminal charges against her on the grounds that the U.S. Attorney in Eastern Virginia who obtained the indictment was unlawfully appointed, according to a court filing.

James' legal team made the move the day before James is scheduled to be arraigned in the U.S. District Court in Norfolk, Virginia, where she is expected to plead not guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of making false statements to a financial institution.

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Lindsey Halligan was appointed by President Donald Trump last month as U.S. Attorney for Virginia's Eastern District, after her predecessor was forced out of his job after he expressed concerns with the strength of the evidence against both James and former FBI Director James Comey.

Comey has also since been indicted in the same district on charges of obstructing Congress and making a false statement.

Trump has promised to seek retribution against people he alleges used the justice system against him in an effort to prevent him from returning to power, including Comey and James.

Halligan previously worked as Trump's personal lawyer and has no prosecutorial experience. She obtained the indictments against Comey and James on her own, without any assistance from other career prosecutors in the office.

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Comey is also in the process of challenging Halligan's appointment as interim U.S. attorney. Oral arguments on that case are already scheduled for November 13 in South Carolina.

That challenge is being heard outside Virginia to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest.

The James and Comey challenges could be consolidated, as has happened in other districts where criminal defendants have challenged the appointments of other U.S. attorneys in New Jersey and Nevada.

James' attorneys on Thursday separately asked the court to enforce its rules prohibiting prosecutors in the case from making extrajudicial statements. The motion comes after a reporter for Lawfare reported that Halligan had reached out to her on the encrypted messaging application Signal to complain about social media posts the reporter made about the James case.

(Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; Editing by Leslie Adler and Bill Berkrot)
Khartoum witnessed intensified hostilities on Wednesday, October 22, as suicide drones struck the international airport and other parts of the Sudanese capital for the second consecutive day, signaling a sharp escalation in the countrys ongoing conflict.

Military sources confirmed that six drones targeted the vicinity of Khartoum Airport but were intercepted by ground defenses, while additional strikes hit a military base in Omdurmans Al-Salha area. The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) claimed responsibility for the coordinated assaults, describing them as precise special operations that targeted Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) command sites and personnel.

The renewed wave of attacks forced the suspension of all flight operations at Khartoum International Airport just as authorities had planned to reopen it after months of closure due to the war. Local carrier Badr Airlines canceled its scheduled services through the weekend, citing security concerns.

Meanwhile, similar drone strikes in Sinnar and Blue Nile states caused explosions and widespread power outages near key dams, including Sennar and Al-Roseires. The devastating conflict between the SAF and RSF, ongoing since April 2023, continues to claim lives, displace millions, and deepen Sudans humanitarian catastrophe.
NEW YORK  Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, in a fiery radio show appearance on WABC Wednesday morning, disavowed the station, saying he would never return, and shut down any idea of joining Andrew Cuomos potential mayoral administration.

Remember that scene in Braveheart? Mel Gibson at the end, when the executioner was impaling him? Sliwa, who typically has a show on the station, asked host Sid Rosenberg.

If all of a sudden, the executioner wouldve stopped, and I was on that gurney, and said, Hey, you can work for Mayor Andrew Cuomo, I would say, Finish the job. Impale me.

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Despite polling at the back of the three-man pack, Sliwa has captured the focus of those trying to stop Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani from winning the Nov. 4 election. Mamdani, polls consistently show, is operating with a double-digit lead over Cuomo.

Sliwa has been facing calls from moderate and conservative New Yorkers to drop out of the race in order to give Cuomo, whos running as an independent, the best shot at City Hall. Recently, longtime allies like Rosenberg and John Catsimatidis have joined the chorus.

On Tuesday, Cuomo said he would be open to offering Sliwa a job in his possible administration as an incentive for dropping out of the race.

Sliwa said he felt personally offended by some of those calls coming from his own people at WABC, Catsimatidis radio station.

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You will never see me ever in the studios of WABC again, never, no matter how this election turns out, he said on WABCs conservative show "Sid & Friends." I cannot go out there every day and have to try to defend WABC, which is now ganging up on me in every conceivable way.

At a press conference Wednesday afternoon, Catsimatidis said he had no conversation about Sliwa, whos been on leave from his regular show to run for mayor, about quitting.

He noted Sliwa has a 30-year handshake contract with the station, and he said Sliwa has threatened to leave before but not followed through: People say a lot of things when theyre upset, he said.

I can guarantee you 100% we never threatened Curtis with his job, we would never do that, Catsimatidis said, adding that some people told him to threaten to fire Sliwa because of his refusal to get out of the race.

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In his appearance, Sliwa also slammed the ex-governor for his light public campaign schedule.

Cuomo is on WABC all the time now, while Im out on the campaign trail, pinching babies, shaking hands, Sliwa said. Hes become the radio guy; now Im the politician.

Cuomo has made his plea to conservative listeners of WABC twice in the past week.

_____

(With Chris Sommerfeldt.)

_____
(The Center Square)  The top three candidates in New York City's mayoral race clashed Wednesday night in a fiery second debate with early voting set to get underway this weekend.

Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, independent candidate Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa launched into blistering attacks against each other on a range of issues as moderators peppered them with questions about their plans for taking over the nation's largest city. The three men are vying to replace outgoing Mayor Eric Adams, who opted not to seek reelection.

Mamdani went into Wednesday night's debate with a double-digit lead in the polls and was immediately attacked by Cuomo and Sliwa over his left-wing proposals and previous statements criticizing the NYPD and Israel. Cuomo criticized Mandani for lacking political experience, but Mamdani sought to portray Cuomo as an out-of-touch politician with a checkered record in office.

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"While there are three candidates on this stage, you will hear only two messages," Mamdani said in opening remarks. "My opponents, who spend more time trying to convince the other to drop out than actually proposing their own policies, will speak only of the past, because that's all that they know. I am the sole candidate running with a vision for the future of this city."

Mamdani, a Queens assemblyman and democratic socialist, was grilled about his support for Jewish New Yorkers after a letter, signed by 650 rabbis this week, claimed he is a threat to the city's Jewish community. Cuomo cited the letter and accused Mamdani of stoking the flames of hatred against Jews.

"You're the savior of the Jewish people? You won't denounce globalized intifada, which means kill Jews," Cuomo said.

Sliwa took aim at Mamdani over his previous statements "in support of global jihad on Jewish people."

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"I have never, not once, spoken in support of global jihad. That is not something that I have said and that continues to be ascribed to me," Mamdani responded. "And frankly, I think much of it has to do with the fact that I'm the first Muslim candidate to be on the precipice of winning this election."

Mamdani also went on the offensive, criticizing Cuomo over his response to sexual harassment allegations by more than a dozen women that ultimately led to him stepping down as governor in 2021. He noted that one of the Cuomo accusers was in the audience Wednesday night.

The trio also sparred over their plans for housing, public transit, law enforcement, and attracting new businesses to the city during the 90-minute-long debate, which was moderated by a panel of veteran New York reporters and live-streamed by NY1 and other news media outlets.

Wednesdays debate marked the final stretch of a contentious race that ideological clashes, legacy politics, and allegations of political meddling by President Donald Trump have defined.

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Mamdani, 34, has held a double-digit lead in public polling since he trounced Cuomo in the Democratic primary. Cuomo, 67, trails in second. Sliwa, 71, trails a third and has faced mounting pressure from Republican officials, conservative media outlets and business leaders to exit the race.

Earlier in the day, Sliwa quit his job as a radio commentator at 77 WABC in a fiery on-air exchange after its owner, Republican John Catsimatidis, and one of the stations other hosts called on him to drop out of the race to prevent Mamdani from winning.

Unlike the previous debate, Wednesday's clash had a live audience that made for a more raucous event with applause, laughter and even some boos erupting in response to remarks and testy exchanges between the candidates. Some hecklers even shouted at the candidates from the crowd.

Early voting begins Saturday, making Wednesdays debate the candidates last major opportunity to reach undecided voters.
The knives came out during Wednesday night's second and final New York City mayoral debate.

While answering questions on policy issues such as housing and education, the candidates onstage -- Democratic candidate and state assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, Republican candidate and "Guardian Angels" founder Curtis Sliwa, and independent candidate and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo -- relentlessly attacked each other over what they said were each others' shortcomings.

Some of the most acrimonious moments during the debate, which was organized by Spectrum News NY1, came during what were ostensibly meant to be discussions on policy.

Hiroko Masuike/AP - PHOTO: Election 2025 New York Mayor

New York City mayoral candidates spar over how to deal with Trump

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Cuomo said that the number of homeless people in New York City had "more than doubled" since he stepped down as governor, criticizing what he claimed was Mamdani's lack of action on the issue as an assemblyman.

Cuomo, who resigned the governorship in 2021 amid allegations of sexual harassment that he has long denied, used the phrase "since I left," to refer to the end of his tenure -- which Sliwa quickly jumped on.

"Andrew, you didn't leave. You fled! From being impeached by the Democrats in the state legislature -- you fled!" Sliwa cried out.

A question to Mamdani about his position on schools turned into a free-for-all between him and Cuomo.

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"I did things -- you have never had a job," Cuomo said to Mamdani at one point. "You've never accomplished anything. There's no reason to believe you have any merit or qualification for 8 and 1/2 million lives ... Shame on you. Shame on you."

Hiroko Masuike/POOL/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: US-POLITICS-VOTE-NEW YORK-DEBATE

Eric Adams ends campaign for New York City mayor

Mamdani countered, "Always a pleasure to hear Andrew Cuomo create his own facts at every debate stage. We just had a former governor say in his own words that this city has been getting screwed by the state. Who was leading the state? It was you!"

"Governor Hochul, Governor Hochul," Cuomo countered, referring to current Gov. Kathy Hochul. "You were the legislator--"

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They both continued to talk over each other until a moderator intervened.

Sliwa seized on the fighting to get in a shot.

"I heard the both of them again, fighting like kids in the schoolyard," Sliwa said. "Zohran, your resume could fit on a cocktail napkin, and Andrew, your failures could fill a public school library in New York City."

Hiroko Masuike/POOL/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: US-POLITICS-VOTE-NEW YORK-DEBATE

Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani could be New York City's next mayor. Heres how it happened

Overall, on the issue of dealing with President Donald Trump, the candidates were asked what combination of "defiance, diplomacy and cooperation" they'd use if the Trump administration attempts to interfere in the running of the city or threatens to cut funding.

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Sliwa, who has a frosty relationship with Trump -- and has not courted his endorsement -- criticized the other two candidates as too confrontational.

"My adversaries have decided to bump chests with President Trump to prove who's more macho," Sliwa said. "You can't beat Trump. He holds most of the cards ... So if you're all of a sudden going to get adversarial, you're going to lose and who gets hurt? The people of New York City. With Trump, it's always the art of the deal."

Cuomo, meanwhile, said the mayor has to both confront and work with the president -- and then painted a mayoral victory by Mamdani as an invitation for Trump to wreak havoc.

"He has said he'll take over New York if Mamdani wins, and he will, because he has no respect for him," Cuomo said. "He thinks he's a kid, and he's going to knock him on his tuchus" -- using the Yiddish slang term for someone's rear end. He added that the mayor both has to combat and work with the president at different points.

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Jeffries having 'conversations' with Mamdani, but no endorsement

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"We first just heard from the Republican candidate for mayor, and then we heard from Donald Trump's puppet himself, Andrew Cuomo," Mamdani retorted. "You could turn on TV any day of the week, and you will hear Donald Trump share that his pick for mayor is Andrew Cuomo, and he wants Andrew Cuomo to be the mayor, not because it will be good for New Yorkers, but because it will be good for him."

In terms of the running of the city, the debate moderators asked Mamdani about recent reports that he would ask New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch to remain in her position if elected, which he said he would.

"Commissioner Tisch broke the status quo, started to deliver accountability, rooting out corruption and reducing crime across the five boroughs. I have said time and again that my litmus test for that position will be excellence, and the alignment will be of that position," he said.

Cuomo said he would ask Tisch to stay on and said he didn't believe Mamdani's pledge.

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Sliwa said he, too, also would ask Tisch to stay on the job "for stability" but said he didn't think she would serve in a Cuomo or Mamdani administration.

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As for the support of incumbent Democratic Mayor Eric Adams -- both Mamdani and Sliwa said they would not accept an endorsement from Adams, who suspended his reelection campaign late last month.

Cuomo said he would and posted a photo of himself online sitting courtside with Adams at a New York Knicks game after the debate.
While Scott Sakiyama was being arrested by federal immigration officers outside his childs Oak Park elementary school this week, he had what he could only describe as an out-of-body experience.

Sakiyama, a 46-year-old U.S. citizen, was accused of cutting off (an) agents vehicle and impeding (a) federal officer, according to a citation he was later issued. Sakiyama, an attorney, told the Tribune these charges are a complete fabrication and that he was merely driving behind the vehicle, honking his horn and blowing a whistle to warn neighbors of their presence.

Sakiyama said two agents drew guns on him  steps away from Abraham Lincoln Elementary School  and told him that if he didnt step out of the car they would break his windows. While a video filmed by a witness doesnt capture the events leading up to the confrontation, it shows the agents approaching Sakiyamas vehicle and at least one of them appearing to point a weapon from the passenger side of the car.

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Hes then handcuffed and led away. The nearby school went into what it calls a secure status.

I was very much focused on just not moving and not being escalatory in any way, he said. So it was kind of like a disembodied but also focused feeling.

The Department of Homeland Security didnt respond to requests for comment on the arrest, but officials have previously said violence against agents has increased during its latest immigration enforcement push. Some residents, however, have spoken out on increasingly aggressive tactics used by officers during the crackdown, particularly toward those protesting or filming arrests.

Since Operation Midway Blitz began in the Chicago area last month, agents have tear-gassed pedestrian streets, shot a pastor in the face with a pepper pellet, crashed into various cars and roughly detained a WGN-TV producer before releasing her without charges.

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On Tuesday, state Rep. Hoan Huynh also said he was intimidated by agents during a rapid response shift in the Albany Park neighborhood. Rapid response volunteers respond and report on agents activity in neighborhoods.

Huynh said he was surrounded by six agents, including one who pointed a gun at him, while he was sitting inside his vehicle on the passenger side. He also accused an officer of trying to bash in his car windows. A video he posted shows the agents but not the gun. Huynh said the agent withdrew the gun when his colleague started recording.

We have ICE agents out here who are not obeying any laws whatsoever. Theyre using aggressive unlawful enforcement tactics, Huynh told the Tribune. Theyre using political intimidation tactics as well.

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said Huynh was stopped twice for stalking law enforcement and attempting to interfere with operations. She said he was given a warning the first time he was stopped, which he ignored, forcing agents to get out of their car a second time to assess if he was a threat.

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This behavior is unbecoming of a public servant and is just another example of sanctuary politicians putting our officers at risk, she said.

Huynh, who is running to replace longtime U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, called that statement ridiculous and an attempt to distract from the real danger  that an ICE agent pulled a gun on someone who posed no threat to them. Huynh said he wasnt issued a citation.

If it could happen to an elected official in broad daylight, then it could happen to any one of us, he said.

Chiraq Team 2 group chat

Sakiyama said he responded to a rapid response call northwest of Oak Park early Monday morning, and then checked on a few friends protesting at the ICE processing center in west suburban Broadview.

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Sakiyama, who regularly protests in Broadview, said he got involved with immigration advocacy because his family is Japanese American, and a number of his relatives were incarcerated during World War II. He said hes also been arrested by Broadview police for allegedly violating the protest curfew the mayor imposed.

It felt very important to me to protect people that were going to be coming under government attack, he said.

In Broadview, Sakiyama followed a van, presumably that of federal immigration officers, back toward Oak Park. At a stop sign, he said two masked agents jumped out of the van and walked toward him. They got back in their vehicle when he backed his car up, Sakiyama said.

At that point, Sakiyama said he started honking his horn and blowing a whistle to warn neighbors of the agents presence. He followed them for a few more blocks, but he said the interaction took a turn around 11 a.m. when he reached the intersection of Harvard Street and South Grove Avenue.

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The ICE vehicle stopped, backed up very close to my car. Two agents jumped out  they had their guns drawn, Sakiyama said. They told me to step out of the car or they were going to smash my windows.

I didnt move. I didnt respond, he continued. They eventually opened the doors and pulled me out, cuffed me, put me in the back of their van.

Stephanie Bailey, 44, of Oak Park, was walking her dog near the school and heard the whistles, a sound she knew alerted of ICE activity. She said she watched the agents van back up aggressively toward Sakiyamas car. She then saw two masked men pull out their guns at his car window. When Bailey saw a gun she started filming, she said.

She said shes furious that agents seemed to pull weapons near Lincoln Elementary. She has a fifth grader at the school, and later recognized Sakiyama because he has a second grader at the same school.

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It is so irresponsible to be pulling guns and acting like that for someone literally honking a horn and blowing a whistle right by the school, she said. It makes me afraid for my kid and for all of the kids at the school and for our neighborhood, and mostly just really, really angry.

District 97s interim superintendents said in a letter to parents that the school was put into secure status as soon as a substitute teacher observed Sakiyamas arrest. They said this status means all students and staff remained inside the building. Immigration agents arent permitted to enter the schools without a judicial warrant signed by a federal judge, they said.

While we are unable to comment on the details of the incident, we want to reiterate and confirm that the situation did not involve the school, nor did it pose a direct threat to any District 97 students or staff, they said in the letter.

After he was arrested, Sakiyama said the agents drove him to Broadview. Inside the vehicle, he said he was asked a few questions, such as if hes a U.S. citizen. Sakiyama also said he saw the agents receiving text messages from a group called Chiraq Team 2, which Sakiyama called mind-blowing.

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After a half-hour wait outside the facility, an agent gave him the citation and then drove him back to his car in Oak Park. He plans to defend himself against what he said were baseless charges at a court date in January.

I certainly felt relieved that they were not going to try to push anything that would hold me overnight, or something like that, Sakiyama said. But also some anger that theyre just making stuff up.
The spinning attractions puncture the skylines of major cities around the world.

London, Singapore and Dubai all have them. Now, a Tampa developer wants in.

Tampa City Council members on Thursdayvoted in support of the Tampa Wheel Over Water, a proposed $20 million, 250-foot observation wheel in the Channel District. The pitch comes from local developer Tony Miller, who said the wheel will create jobs and boost tourism.

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But residents raised questions about the wheel, which would tower above The Florida Aquarium and Port Tampa Bay.

The attraction  called an observation wheel rather than a Ferris wheel because of its scale and permanencewouldstand on a half-acre slice of parking lot owned by the city and leased to the aquarium.

Council members on Thursday voted to allow the aquarium to sublease land for the wheel through 2039. Council members also approved a development agreement with Tampa Wheel Over Water, which governs the design of the project  things like height and lighting. Council members Lynn Hurtak and Bill Carlson voted against both items.

No city dollars will be spent on the wheel, said Abbye Feeley, the citys development and economic opportunity administrator.

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The construction, operation and maintenance of the project will be entirely privately funded. Tampa Wheel Over Water will pay the city $75,000 or a percentage of annual revenues each year  whichever is greater, Feeley said.

The proposed wheel will have 27 climate-controlled gondolas, with rides lasting 20 to 30 minutes, according to a presentation to the City Council earlier this month. Tickets for adults will cost $20; for kids, $15.

Some residents voiced support for the project.

The Wheel Over Water is another opportunity for us to accept private investment, without tax dollars, to create an icon, resident Geoff Guidera told council members in early October. To create something to do, to give people a reason to come back, to share a photo that says, Tampa is worth visiting.

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But where Guidera saw promise, others had reservations.

Its not a new, novel, clever idea, resident Tarah Bluma said earlier this month. And its not much of a job creator  I mean, I dont know how many teenagers it takes to operate a Ferris wheel. A few?"

Alison Hewitt, an East Tampa resident, said on Thursday that the city should have issued a request for proposals before considering the sublease agreement.

I am completely offended that something like the wheel gets moved and fast-tracked, Hewitt said.

Stephanie Poynor, a South Tampa resident, said the developer did not get enough input from neighbors.

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I find it hard to believe that these folks have met with the public repeatedly, when all I have seen on social media is negative, Poynor said. Not just negative  but nasty negative."

Miller said his team has worked to communicate with residents.

While I respect the voice of those that are not for it  and theyre vocal  it does not reflect the majority," Miller told council members.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said she has remained neutral.

Im like Switzerland on this, Castor told the Tampa Bay Times on Tuesday. Itd be nice to be able to go up and see the whole city, day or night.

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Council members had questions about noise and light pollution, traffic and hurricanes. Hurtak asked earlier this month about the condition of the wheel  the developer is under contract to buy an existing observation wheel from Munich, Germany, instead of building a new structure.

Miller said the observation wheel will be whisper quiet and that theres a hurricane plan in place. He said purchasing the wheel from Munich will be cheaper and take less time to install than building something new.

The wheel is expected to open late next year, Miller said.
The Odessa College Board of Trustees will meet at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 28 in the second-floor conference room of the Wood Health Sciences Building, 201 W. University Blvd.

Some of the items on the agenda include committee reports Property Committee; approval to purchase Basic Three-Phase Separator Lab Volt Series 3535; Softball Complex Lighting Proposal; scoreboard replacement proposal.

Also, Finance Committee Project Van Zandt Abatement; monthly financial statements and budget amendments; quarterly investment report; Ector County Appraisal District directors discussion.

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Informational Items: Education Report; Institutional Effectiveness Report; Vision 2030+ update; Presidents Report 2025/2026 OCLI Class; Society for Photographic Education South Central Regional Conference; and honoring Joshua Hardt.

The post OC Board to meet appeared first on Odessa American.
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- An Odessa man was arrested on a warrant this week after investigators said his DNA was linked to a reported sexual assault in April. Jonathan Garcia, 31, has been charged with Aggravated Sexual Assault, a first-degree felony.

According to an Odessa Police Department report, on April 11, officers were called to an apartment off of Highway 191 in reference to an assault. At the scene, investigators met with a 30-year-old victim who said they identify as a transgender woman. The victim told investigators that they met a man, identified only as Jon, that day on Tinder and agreed to meet at the victims apartment.

When the suspect arrived at the victims home, they said Jon began acting paranoid, and made the victim open every door inside the home, including the shower curtains, to prove that there was no one else inside. Then, the victim said a dog barked, which scared Jon and caused him to pull out a knife that was holstered on his jeans.

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The victim said Jon then approached them at knifepoint and sexually assaulted them. A SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Exam) exam later conducted at Medical Center Hospital yielded DNA evidence that was sent for processing.

Meanwhile, investigators identified the suspect as Garcia and said that the victim positively identified the suspect out of a photo lineup. During a subsequent phone conversation with Garcia, investigators said he did not know who the victim was. However, on April 28, when investigators executed a warrant to gather a sample of Garcias DNA, he changed his story and admitted to knowing the victim, but said the sexual encounter was consensual.

On October 21, the tested DNA came back a match to Garcia and he was taken into custody on October 23. He remained in the Ector County Law Enforcement Center as of Thursday afternoon on a $75,000 bond.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin.
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- An Odessa man has been arrested on a felony charge after police say he was intoxicated when he caused a crash that seriously injured his sister early Monday morning.

According to an affidavit from the Odessa Police Department, officers responded around 2:26 a.m. on October 20 to the 7100 block of East Interstate 20 after dispatchers received a crash notification and heard someone screaming on the line.

When officers arrived, they found a white 2020 Dodge Challenger with heavy front-end damage. The driver, identified as Isaac Christopher Sapien, reportedly exhibited multiple signs of intoxication, including red and glassy eyes, slurred speech, and the strong odor of alcohol, the report states.

Police said Sapien admitted to drinking alcohol and told officers he was tipsy before getting behind the wheel. He also admitted to being the driver of the vehicle.

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An occupant in the car, identified as Sapiens sister, suffered serious injuries in the crash. She was transported to a local hospital, where she was diagnosed with a broken bone, internal bleeding, and multiple contusions and abrasions, according to the affidavit.

Based on his statements, physical condition, and the severity of the crash, officers determined Sapien was operating the vehicle while intoxicated and without the normal use of his mental and physical faculties. He was arrested at the scene for Intoxication Assault Causing Serious Bodily Injury, a third-degree felony.

Sapien consented to a blood draw, and results are pending. Police said he later told officers that he knew he shouldnt have been driving and was on his way home with his sisters.

The case remains under investigation by the Odessa Police Department.

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Sapien was booked into the Ector County Law Enforcement Center and has since been released from custody on a $20,000 bond.

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A 31-year-old Odessa man was arrested early Tuesday morning after a woman said he kicked in her door and came inside.

According to an Odessa Police Department report, dispatchers received a burglary in progress call about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday from the 700 block of Snyder. Officers were informed a man with a gun had broken into the home.

The resident, a 53-year-old woman, told officers she and her family were watching TV when they heard someone trying to get inside their home, the report said. Moments later, a stranger kicked the door in, came inside and told her her life was in danger.

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The woman told officers the burglar, who was wearing a blue shirt, was last seen walking east on Snyder, the report stated. An officer caught up with a man matching the description and identified him as Ezekiel Warner, 31.

According to the report, Warner had red glassy eyes, was speaking rapidly and behaving belligerently.

Warner told officers he went into the home to grab stuff to make money, the report stated.

Warner was arrested and booked into the Ector County jail on suspicion of burglary of a habitation and public intoxication. His bail was set at $25,000.

The post Odessan accused of kicking strangers door in appeared first on Odessa American.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

As emergency medicine has emerged as a distinct medical discipline, there has been a shift in responsibility for a key task in emergency departments: managing emergency airways to help patients get enough oxygen. But how widespread is that shift?

That's the key question that a pair of University of Colorado Department of Emergency Medicine physicians and a medical student set out to answer through a survey of their peers nationwide. They wanted to learn whether it's anesthesiologists or emergency physicians who oversee airway management for trauma patients in emergency departments across the country.

Joseph Brown, MD, FACEP, an assistant professor of emergency medicine, and Cody McIlvain, MD, an emergency medicine instructor/fellow, led the study. Both Brown and McIlvain practice at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital (UCH).

They were joined in the research by Ethan Coit, MD, who at the time was a med student and is now in the Denver Health Residency in Emergency Medicine, where Brown is an associate program director.

Brown has trained and worked at four different academic medical centers, "and each one was slightly different in how they managed this. When I was at University of California, San Francisco, for example, anesthesia and emergency medicine would alternate every other day on who would manage trauma airway issues."

He adds, "On the heels of COVID-19, there has been additional interest in airway management in the emergency department. And at some of our national meetings, the question of who's doing what in trauma contexts had come up. So, we decided to get the current lay of the land."

Their research, "Navigating trauma airway responsibilities in the modern emergency department: A survey of emergency physicians," is published in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine.

The dawn of emergency medicine

In emergency departments, endotracheal intubation is the most common method of emergency airway management for patients in respiratory failure (unable to oxygenate, ventilate, or protect their airway). It involves inserting a tube through the mouth or nose and down the patient's windpipe, or trachea, to establish and maintain an open airway. If needed, oxygen is pumped through the tube to the lungs.

It's estimated that more than 413,000 endotracheal intubations are performed annually in U.S. emergency departments, representing about 1% of ED visits. They're done either in the case of trauma that inhibits breathing or for other conditions causing respiratory failure, such as severe pneumonia or a drug overdose.

"I'd say we probably intubate at least one person almost every day in the emergency department," McIlvain says. "For trauma-specific cases, it's probably a handful a week."

Historically, anesthesiologists were responsible for performing emergency airway management of critically ill patients. That tradition dates back to a time before emergency medicine was established as a unique specialty.

"In the house of medicine, emergency medicine is relatively junior," Brown says. "As a specialty, we really didn't exist until the 1970s. Until then, physicians from internal medicine and other specialties were moonlighting in the emergency department, and in that setting, the anesthesiologists were experts on all things airway."

Then, in the 1970s, medical schools began to offer specialized training in emergency medicine. Denver Health, a CU Department of Emergency Medicine clinical partner, established one of the nation's first residencies in emergency medicine in 1974. Five years later, the American Board of Medical Specialties recognized emergency medicine as a distinct specialty.

The primary driver

With the rise of specialized emergency medicine, it has become increasingly commonplace for emergency physicians, instead of anesthesiologists, to perform emergency airway procedures in trauma settings, particularly at institutions with emergency medicine residencies.

Brown, McIlvain and Coit knew from previous studies that there was no significant difference in rates of success or complications in endotracheal intubation of trauma patients in emergency departments, whether performed by an emergency physician or an anesthesiologist.

What they didn't know was how widely the transition to emergency physician responsibility for airway management had been adopted. There hadn't been a national survey of the current state of affairs in the United States in almost a decade.

The researchers sent a questionnaire to all 317 members of the Society of Academic Emergency Medicine's airway interest group, of which Brown was chair at the time. They received 39 responses, mostly from emergency physicians at academic centers. Almost all respondents practice at Level I trauma centers.

Nearly 90% of those who replied reported that emergency physicians perform airway management for adult patients in trauma situations at their emergency departments. Specifically, 61.5% said anesthesiologists aren't present unless asked, and 28.2% said anesthesiologists are present but don't participate in airway management. Percentages were similar for pediatric trauma patients.

"In our survey, we found that emergency physicians are the primary driver in managing traumatic airway responsibilities in most places across the country," Brown says.

Advocating for a shift in practice

But, according to the study, 5.2% of respondents said that anesthesiologists still handle airway management for adult patients in their emergency departments. For pediatric patients, the percentage was 5.9%.

"These institutions deviate from the prevailing practice pattern for trauma airway management in emergency departments across the U.S.," the study concludes.

"Considering the body of evidence demonstrating the capability of EPs [emergency physicians] to consistently and successfully manage trauma patients requiring ETI [endotracheal intubation], we advocate for a shift in practice at these outlier institutions. We propose a model in which EPs are the primary physicians responsible for intubating trauma patients while acknowledging the potential for scenarios that may still benefit from collaborative airway management between anesthesiologists and EPs."

So, given how busy emergency physicians can get, wouldn't they prefer to hand over airway management to someone else?

"That's an interesting question, and I would answer it this way," McIlvain says.

"We live in the emergency department, and we are there to take care of every patient who comes through the door. Anesthesia operates in the operating room, which is generally on the second floor or higher in most hospitals. We'd be asking them to leave their space and come into ours to manage a task that we're more than capable of managing.

"It seems to me that it wouldn't be great for patient care to ask someone else to do a procedure on a patient whose care we're managing. Having one doctor manage that care is probably better for patients overall."

The authors note there were relatively few responses to their survey representing smaller, rural emergency departments that lack residency programs, so the study does not clearly answer what practices are at such places. But Brown says that at smaller facilities with limited resources, an anesthesiologist might not be available around the clock.

"Having spoken with many colleagues who work in smaller emergency departments, I think there are many places where, when there's major trauma, no one else is coming to help," he says. "And so, making sure that our trainees and graduates are fully prepared for managing all aspects of the care of their patients is one of the biggest educational missions that we have."

Coit says, "I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Dr. Brown and Dr. McIlvain on this project as a fourth-year medical student. I relied on their expertise to learn about the history and context of emergency airway management in trauma patients while writing the article. And now, as an emergency medicine resident at Denver Health, it has been an incredible experience to learn from them directly in the same situations we were referencing in our work."

More information: Ethan J. Coit et al, Navigating trauma airway responsibilities in the Modern Emergency Department: A survey of emergency physicians, The American Journal of Emergency Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2024.11.019 Journal information: American Journal of Emergency Medicine
MARTIN COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT)  The North Carolina SBI has concluded that the fatal shooting of Donald Gilliam Matthews IV by a Greenville Police Department officer in June was justified.

District Attorney Anglim determined that the officers use of deadly force was necessary to protect his life and the lives of other law enforcement officers present.

The incident occurred back on June 4th. 44-year-old Donald Gilliam Matthews IV, of Martin County, was shot and killed by an officer with the GPD during a standoff.

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One person living nearby told WNCT that a standoff started around 9 p.m. last night and ended before 5:30 a.m. this morning. The person told us that the Greenville Police joined the Martin County Sheriffs Office on scene in the 100 block of North Front Street.

More information below.

RELATED NEWS:

Officer-involved deadly shooting in Hamilton under SBI investigation

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A national park in Alaska has seen a handful of bear attacks in recent months, causing an extended closure and an increase in concerns regarding visitor safety.

What's happening?

As reported by Alaska Public Media, the Exit Glacier trails at Kenai Fjords National Park required a prolonged shutdown following a second bear attack in as many months. On September 24, a pair of park visitors sustained injuries after encountering a brown bear while hiking along the Exit Glacier trails.

According to Alaska State troopers, the hikers managed to fight off the bear before making their way to a nearby hospital, where they were treated for their non-life-threatening injuries. The National Park Service opted to close down the trails while officials investigated the area. After finding no trace of the brown bear or any potential bear cubs, the trails were reopened on September 27.

Why are these recent brown bear attacks important?

The incident follows a previous brown bear attack in August near the Kenai Spur Highway that left one woman in serious condition. After being airlifted to an Anchorage hospital, the woman was treated for broken ribs and a fractured scapula and hand. She was also left blind in her left eye.

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While there is no indication that the same brown bear was involved in both incidents, it does raise concerns about the possibility of future attacks in the region. While speaking to Alaska's News Source, Alaska Wildlife Trooper David Lorring suggested that everyone should take extra precautions, especially as bears are more active as they prepare for hibernation.

"If you do get out in the woods, make sure you can hear your surroundings and what is going on," Lorring said. "And that can be as simple as putting in one AirPod and not two."

Bear attacks are most common in the late summer and early fall when human outdoor activity is higher and bears are actively foraging for food. As bear populations become impacted by habitat loss and food source reductions, an increase in human encounters can occur.

What can be done when encountering a bear in the wild?

Although black and brown bear sightings are common around Alaska, brown bears have been previously noted for their propensity to be involved in human-related incidents. While the National Park Service describes black bears as timid and avoidant of contact, brown bears are "more likely to defend their food and/or their 'personal space.'"

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Kenai Fjords National Park officials recommend that all visitors not only carry bear spray but also know how to use it when the time comes. It is also advised to always "make your presence known" while hiking. This includes making sure to travel in groups of 3 or more.

According to the park, bears that detect nosier humans are more likely to steer clear of any possible interactions. However, if a physical encounter is unavoidable, it is essential to remain calm and avoid running away from the bear, as this could lead to a chase. Instead, you should move away slowly from the bear, making sure not to turn your back on the animal.

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SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  A building that once housed a furniture store caught fire twice in 24 hours is now reduced to rubble  and San Angelo officials are asking for the publics help to figure out what happened.

The latest fire broke out early Wednesday morning at Gisselles Raw Furniture near North Oakes and 3rd Street. By the time fire crews arrived, the two-alarm fire had already taken over a large part of the building.

According to the San Angelo Fire Marshals Office, the fire destroyed the first floor and caused parts of the second story to collapse  sending bricks and debris into the street.

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Were asking anyone who was near the scene, either morning, to contact us with what they saw, Fire Marshal Billy Clemons said. The second floor is gone, and we had to act fast to prevent it spreading to nearby buildings.

Clemons said investigators currently believe it could be a coincidence  but theyre not ruling anything out.

Second fire ignites at downtown building, info sought

The fire also had ripple effects across the street. The North Oakes Street campus of San Angelo ISD closed for the day as a precaution, canceling all DAEP and PAYS classes. Career and Technical Education (CTE) students were told to remain at their home campuses.

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CTE students who normally report to Oakes will stay at their home campuses instead  you know, Central or Lake View High School, said SAISD Communications Director Sun Cha. All the AEP and PAYS classes are canceled for the day classes out at the West Texas Training Center, those are operating as normal.

Parents, like Clifford Gibson, arriving for drop-off were met with smoke, flashing lights and blocked streets.

I was bringing my son to school up here, and I saw the smoke coming up, and the street was blocked off, said Clifford Gibson. They told us there was a two-hour delay for the school, also that the building had been on fire yesterday.

As of Wednesday afternoon, demolition crews had already started tearing down whats left of the structure, while fire investigators continue working to determine the cause.

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Anyone with information is urged to call the Fire Marshals Office at 325-657-4358.

As for whether classes will resume on Thursday, school officials encourage families to monitor district communication channels and visit saisd.org/safety for the latest updates.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com.
Innovative energy experts see ocean waves as a giant, inexhaustible source of clean power generation.

The Port of Los Angeles is poised to be the country's proving ground for technology that could electrify tens of thousands of homes, according to TechXplore and a news release from developer Eco Wave Power, based in Sweden and Israel.

"We are opening the door to a new era of clean energy for California and for the world," company founder Inna Braverman said in the release.

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To capture the wave energy, Eco Wave Power has deployed a demonstration site of floaters that harness the water's movement, transforming it into electricity. If they are placed on an eight-mile stretch of coast  the eventual goal  the surf riders could power 60,000 homes, per TechXplore.

That's just a drop in an ocean of potential, according to California and federal experts. The U.S. Department of Energy reported that if even a small percentage of the power in our seas and rivers is turned into electricity, it would provide energy for millions of Americans.

The L.A. project is the nation's first onshore wave endeavor as part of work to meet California's clean energy goals. U.S. Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragan, from the Golden State, has also introduced an act that would provide $1 billion to boost similar projects around the country, according to Eco Wave Power's release.

TechXplore added that dirty fuel giant Shell is funding half of the port pilot project, which is encouraging for a business with a long history of operations that have helped to warm the planet. Still, NPR reported in 2023 that Shell planned to continue heavily funding nonrenewable production despite clean-energy pledges. The company also noted on its website that $600 billion worth of oil and gas investment is needed annually for "decades to come" to account for depleting fields.

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Scaled wave energy could help reduce reliance on dirty fuels. An image of the L.A. setup shared by TechXplore showed what looked like a lineup of buoys attached to a coastal dock structure, which was moving with the waves.

University of Washington faculty fellow Andrea Copping, an expert in renewable energy development, said in the story that this type of generation could be used in remote coastal towns in lieu of diesel.

"We consider every successful deployment an important milestone," Copping added.

Our world's warming is a health detriment to 99% of the population, according to the World Health Organization. The warmup  about 2 degrees total since 1850  is causing increased chances for severe droughts that are even impacting grocery prices. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and NASA compiled the temperature data and risk assessments.

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In the near term, solar and onshore wind are the cheapest and fastest energy sources to develop, Reuters reported. Companies, including Meta, have invested in solar power to offset their growing data center electricity demand.

Solar is also one of the best ways for homeowners to lower their utility bills. EnergySage is a free resource that can help you compare quotes, find an installer, and secure still-applicable tax rebates that expire on Dec. 31. The advice can save you up to $10,000 if you act before then.

On the breakwater, Eco Wave Power is working in Taiwan, India, and Portugal. Company officials are looking to secure a site in New Jersey, where state policy is friendly to the energy source. Cost is a factor, and subsidies would help with project development, all according to experts in TechXplore's report.

Braverman added that L.A. is only the beginning.

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"We're just getting started," the Eco Wave Power founder said in the release.

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Indian lawmakers and insurance companies are discussing the possibility of building out a new and unconventional nationwide insurance program. It would create simple, automatic payouts to residents after extreme weather events.

Reuters reported that the "climate-linked insurance program" would provide benefits to those impacted by extreme events like heatwaves and floods.

As discussed, the plan would be a parametric insurance program. This means companies would pay out a fixed, predetermined amount to policyholders impacted by these weather events.

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"We've seen the frequency and severity of adverse climate events go up, and based on that, this discussion with the government has also started," Ramaswamy Narayanan, a former insurance executive who was a part of those initial conversations, told Reuters.

Officials reportedly prefer a parametric insurance model because it allows for quick payouts. Under traditional insurance models, it can take years to assess damage and determine the proper payout for each policyholder.

"These conversations are gathering pace, and every insurance company is attentive to opportunities," an insurance executive told Reuters.

Parametric insurance policies aren't yet common, but they've become more frequent in conjunction with rising global temperatures. One U.S. company has started offering such plans for businesses impacted by grid failures that occur from extreme weather.

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The heat-trapping pollution that has caused record-breaking global temperatures also causes weather events like floods, droughts, and heatwaves to happen more frequently and severely.

Perhaps no country sees the effects of this more than India.

According to IQAir, India was home to six of the 10 cities with the most polluted air worldwide in 2024. That pollution has led to some devastating weather events.

A Yale study from earlier this year asked people in India if they had experienced an extreme weather event in the past 12 months. The study found that more than half of the people surveyed had experienced heat waves, water pollution, droughts, and severe air pollution.

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Reuters also reported that, between 1993 and 2022, India experienced more than 400 extreme weather events. These caused at least 80,000 deaths and $180 billion in damage.

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The U.S. Virgin Islands have enacted an annual fishing ban in the hopes of protecting some of the region's most valuable marine species.

In a press release, the territory's Department of Planning and Natural Resources announced that October kicked off the annual three-month fishing ban on four separate species of snapper. This includes the Black Snapper, Silk Snapper, Blackfin Snapper, and Vermillion Snapper.

According to the DPNR, the ban is in full effect in federal waters that surround the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as the territorial waters of the St. Thomas and St. John district. The fishing ban will run through Dec. 31.

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"These seasonal restrictions are critical for protecting fish populations during their reproductive periods, helping to ensure the long-term sustainability of Virgin Islands fisheries," the release read.

In a 2017 study, a team of researchers noted that snapper populations had already experienced significant declines in the U.S. Virgin Islands for years. This is primarily due to overfishing and habitat degradation. The threat of unregulated fishing has been attributed to the shrinking snapper population.

Many species of snappers are particularly vulnerable to overfishing because they grow slowly, mature late, and are targeted during spawning season when they are most vulnerable. This makes the need for fishing bans a priority for many island communities that rely on thriving fishing industries.

However, while bans are intended to protect marine life, these restrictions can impact the livelihood of fishers in the region, putting a financial strain on families and potentially reducing food security. At the same time, unregulated fishing activities could also jeopardize the success of bans, making enforcement and cooperation a necessity for DPNR officials.

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"We ask for everyone's cooperation to protect Virgin Islands resources for the present and future benefit of the people of the Virgin Islands," said Jean-Pierre L. Oriol, commissioner of the DPNR.

In a Facebook post from the Virgin Islands Consortium announcing the ban, some users expressed their frustrations with the restrictions.

"How can I communicate to the fishes which species could eat my bait from who can't?" asked one commenter.

However, another user was quick to defend the move. "People here just don't seem to understand conservation. Let me put it this way, if these fish don't grow up and reproduce then there won't ever be another snapper to put on your plate for lunch," they wrote.

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GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD)  Georgetown County fire officials are warning about a county-wide fire danger.

Georgetown County Fire and EMS said dry conditions, low humidity, and gusty winds expected through Thursday evening prompted officials to enact an enhanced fire danger statement.

Fire officials said those conditions make it easy for outdoor fires to start and spread rapidly.

Although a burn ban is not currently in place, we encourage everyone to postpone outdoor burning until fire weather conditions improve later this week, said Georgetown County Emergency Management.

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Fire officials said even a small fire can quickly get out of control under the days weather conditions.

If you plan to burn outside, use caution, request a burn permit, never leave the fire unattended, and keep water and tools nearby to help with control.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2.
A Muskingum County Sheriffs Office deputy is facing a criminal charge after allegedly leaving a K-9 in a car with the heat on for hours, leading to the dogs death.

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Deputy Detective Matt Wilhite has been charged with one count of cruelty to animals, a first-degree misdemeanor, according to our news partners at WBNS in Columbus.

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While inside the sheriffs office, Wilhite allegedly left his unmarked car running with his K-9, Cooper, inside for several hours.

An investigation found that Wilhite thought he had left the air conditioning on for Cooper, but it was actually the defogging mode, which was blowing warmer air.

According to a release from Muskingum County Prosecutor Ron Welch, Wilhite neglected to have the portable device that monitors car temperatures for K-9s with him.

Wilhite has been fully cooperative with the investigation, and Welch said he admitted his mistakes and is taking full responsibility.

No one feels worse about this tragedy than Detective Wilhite himself, Welch said.

WBNS reported that Wilhite will be arraigned on Nov. 3.

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Ohio Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio presenting the Democrats' redistricting plan. (Photo by Nick Evans, Ohio Capital Journal.)

Ohio Republicans have still not proposed a congressional map, and its a week away from their constitutional deadline to pass a bipartisan proposal.

The first state redistricting commission meeting ended in jeers from the public, begging the GOP to do their jobs. Now, Democrats in D.C. are discussing recourse if they believe the map passed is gerrymandered.

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In front of the Ohio Redistricting Commission, Democratic leaders urged their colleagues to accept their proposed redistricting map, or at least negotiate with them to create a joint proposal before the Oct. 31 deadline.

Weve always been open to good faith, fair negotiation and compromise, but that requires both sides to show up, said ORC Co-Chair and Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio, D-Lakewood.

The ORCs five Republicans and two Democrats are tasked with drawing the states 15 U.S. House districts. The group is made up of two Republicans and two Democrats in the Statehouse. The three remaining seats include the governor, secretary of state and auditor.

Ohios congressional districts are currently composed of 10 Republicans and five Democrats.

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On average over the last decade, Republicans won 55% to 45% of the vote over Democrats in Ohio. With that breakdown, Democrats proposed a map with eight seats leaning red and seven leaning blue.

The Republicans still havent introduced their map yet, prompting dozens of citizens to wear shirts saying, Where is the map?

After Antonio and House Minority Leader Dani Isaacsohn testified in support of their map, Republicans swiftly adjourned the meeting.

The ball is kind of in the Democrats court to decide what deal they are or not willing to take, ORC Co-Chair Brian Stewart (R-Ashville) said. Certainly, you dont have to squint very hard to see what the contour of a deal could look like,

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GOP leaders have said they want at least 12 or 13 of the 15 districts to lean Republican.

I think Republicans in our caucus generally think that we could have a map that includes some additional seats that Republicans could be competitive in, Stewart said.

Democratic Reps. Emilia Sykes of District 13 in Northeast Ohio, Marcy Kaptur of District 9 in Northwest Ohio and Greg Landsman of District 1 in Southwest Ohio are all at risk, Stewart confirmed.

But its unclear how the GOP wants to do that, since they havent submitted any proposals. Stewart was asked why the public cant see any drafts or proposals from Republicans.

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If there is a bill, a map, that has enough support to pass  that will get introduced and well have a debate and take a look at it, Stewart responded. Were not going to just show all of our notes in public while youre trying to have discussions between legislative leaders about what they wouldnt support.

The Democrats are frustrated, arguing that the GOP is deliberately slowing this process.

If its slow-walked through the month of October, it leads to November, when the Republican majority can just pass a map of their own with only their members voting, Antonio said.

To meet the October deadline, at least four members of the ORC, including two Republicans and two Democrats, must approve. They must also have two public meetings if they intend to pass a map. If that fails, it goes back to the legislature.

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Starting in November, Republicans can pass a map with just a simple majority, not needing Democratic support.

But just this weekend, U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Antonio talked on the phone about next steps, she said.

Theyre looking at every option and every opportunity to be supportive of, should it come to a referendum, what that would look like, Antonio said.

If the lawmakers pass a map in November, voters can come together to put a referendum on the ballot, attempting to repeal the passed map and block its implementation. Eventually, a referendum campaign would need to get nearly 250,000 signatures in 90 days after the law has been signed and filed.

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Theres a lot of energy for a potential referendum, Isaacsohn said. I think people are fired up by the prospect of getting access to fair maps that they deserve.

If passed by the commission, the map isnt subject to a referendum.

Stewart was asked if there were any deals that could be made to avoid a referendum.

I think, clearly, there are pros and cons to all the different paths that we have, he responded. When I say Im optimistic that phase two could result in a map, I am.

Another ORC meeting should take place this month, but it hasnt been announced yet.

Follow WEWS statehouse reporter Morgan Trau on X and Facebook.

This article was originally published on News5Cleveland.com and is published in the Ohio Capital Journal under a content-sharing agreement. Unlike other OCJ articles, it is not available for free republication by other news outlets as it is owned by WEWS in Cleveland.

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Intoxicating hemp products and various candies at an Oct. 8, 2025 press conference. (Photo by Megan Henry, Ohio Capital Journal).

The Ohio House passed a bill Wednesday that will make changes to the states marijuana laws and add regulations to intoxicating hemp products.

Ohio Senate Bill 56, which is in its 18th version, passed with a vote of 87-8. The bill heads back to the Senate for concurrence.

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Five Republicans  state Reps. Tim Barhorst, Levi Dean, Jennifer Gross, D.J. Swearingen, and Michelle Teska  voted against the bill. Three Democrats also voted against the bill  state Reps. Christine Cockley, Ismail Mohamed, and Desiree Tims.

The Senate passed the bill in February, but the House has made significant changes, most notably by adding intoxicating hemp regulations. State Sen. Steve Huffman, R-Tipp City, introduced the bill in January.

Ive heard throughout this process now for a very long time from folks in the hemp industry, regulate us like marijuana, regulate us like marijuana. And that was the theme of this bill, said state Rep. Brian Stewart, R-Ashville.

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The 2018 Farm Bill says hemp can be grown legally if it contains less than 0.3% THC.

I think we all had agreement that that was not the intent of the hemp legislation at the federal level or here in Ohio, but we did need to do something to protect kids from these products, said State Rep. Tex Fischer, R-Boardman. This legislation closes those loopholes to ensure that only 21-plus individuals are able to access these products and purchase them.

Ohio Reps. Jamie Callender, R-Concord, left, and Tex Fischer, R-Boardman, right, look at each other while doing an interview about protecting access to marijuana. (Photo by Morgan Trau, WEWS.)

Only a licensed hemp dispensary would be able to sell intoxicating hemp products to adults 21 and older. The dispensaries would be required to meet standards for testing, advertising and packaging. A 10% tax would be added to intoxicating hemp sales.

This bill creates a legal pathway for the sale of regulated, licensed, tested, safely grown, intoxicating hemp products and a limited number of hemp dispensaries, Stewart said.

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The bill would limit the number of active hemp dispensaries to 400. The bill would allow certain hemp dispensaries to be grandfathered in if they sold intoxicating hemp products on or before Aug. 30 and hemp products sales surpassed 80% of their total sales for 2024 or the 12 months before the bill takes effect.

However, if more than 400 dispensaries are licensed due to the grandfather provision, the Division of Marijuana Control would not be able to issue any more licensees until the number of grandfathered dispensaries dropped below 400.

Gross, who voted against the bill, said the measure is at odds with federal law. She also said she heard from five businesses in her district that this bill effectively kills large swaths of Ohios hemp industry.

It is right to remove packaging which dangerously attracts children, to enforce age restrictions as well as set limits on advertising to the younger generations, Gross said. But this bill is not ready.  This bill takes a hatchet to these small businesses.

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The bill defines an intoxicating hemp product as containing more than 0.5 milligrams of delta-9 THC per serving, 2 milligrams of delta-9 THC per package or 0.5 milligrams of total non-delta-9 THC per package.

THC-infused beverages are also included in the bill. A bar or restaurant would be able to sell 5 milligram THC-infused beverages for patrons to drink on site, while a store would be able to sell 10 milligram THC-infused beverages for carry-out.

I think this strikes the appropriate tone of a reasonable, fair and pro-business regulatory regime, while still maintaining that these products and consumers should be safe and should only be accessible to 21-plus adults, Fischer said.

Under this bill, the Division of Marijuana Control in the Ohio Department of Commerce would be responsible for regulating intoxicating hemp products and the Division of Liquor Control in the Department of Commerce would be in charge of regulating THC-infused drinks.

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Jim Higdon, co-founder of Cornbread Hemp in Kentucky, which sells its products in more than 300 Ohio retail stores, called this bill by far the strangest  in all the states that have passed hemp legislation this year.

This bill appears to ban the sale of hemp edibles with more than 2mg THC per package in all groceries and convenience stores while also legalizing 10mg THC beverages in those same stores, Higdon said in a statement. Its difficult to understand how that makes sense, when all these products should be simply age-gated and taxed appropriately.

The bill is substantially different from when it came over from the Senate earlier this year, House Speaker Matt Huffman, R-Lima said.

My number one priority is getting this issue resolved, he said. My priorities within the bill are, certainly public safety, limiting access certainly to minors, and making sure that theres some regulating process.

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Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine recently announced a 90-day executive order that bans the sale of intoxicating hemp products that started on Oct.14. Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Judge Carl Aveni granted a 14-day temporary restraining order on DeWines executive order. The next hearing in this case is scheduled for Oct. 28.

Marijuana changes

S.B. 56 would reduce the THC levels in adult-use marijuana extracts from a maximum of 90% down to a maximum of 70%, cap THC levels in adult-use flower to 35%, limit the number of active marijuana dispensaries and prohibit smoking in most public places.

It would keep Ohios home grow the same at a limit of six plants per person and 12 plants per residence.

Ohioans passed a citizen-initiated law to legalize recreational marijuana in 2023 with 57% of the vote, and sales started in August 2024. Ohio recreational marijuana sales topped $702.5 million in the first year. Ohio lawmakers can change the law since it passed as a citizen initiative not a constitutional amendment.

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Virtually everything that Ohioans can do today under the initiated statute will be just as legal after the passage of this bill, Stewart said.

One change, however, is the banning of smoking in most public places.

Our constituents  have also made clear that we dont want every downtown in Ohio to smell like a Grateful Dead concert, Stewart said.

The bill would give 36% of adult-use marijuana sale revenue to municipalities and townships that have recreational marijuana dispensaries, which was originally included in the citizen-initiated law voters passed in 2023.

People would also be able to apply for expungement of low-level marijuana convictions instead of getting rid of them automatically.

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If you smoked a joint when you were 18 in 2002, in your 40s you should not have barriers to housing or employment or public services because you got in trouble when you were 18 for doing something that is now completely legal, said Ohio House Minority Leader Dani Isaacsohn, D-Cincinnati.

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ASMI and FMI reference curves for female (A, B) and male (C, D) age 817 years. Credit: Pediatric Obesity (2025). DOI: 10.1111/ijpo.70051

A Concordia-led research team has created one of the first reference charts showing how children's adipose (fat) and muscle levels change with age and sexa breakthrough that could help identify young people at risk for future heart and metabolic diseases.

Unlike the familiar body mass index (BMI), which does not distinguish fat from muscle, this study examined both fat and muscle mass data from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans of more than 6,000 U.S. children. The team then developed new growth curves for fat and muscle and applied them to a group of Quebec children followed from age 8 to 17.

Using these data, the researchers defined four body composition types: low fat-high muscle (LA-HM), high fat-high muscle (HA-HM), low fat-low muscle (LA-LM), and high fat-low muscle (HA-LM).

The last group, HA-LM, was identified as being at the greatest risk for sarcopenic obesity, a condition that makes it harder to move, stay active, or remain healthy as people age. Children with high fat, regardless of muscle level, tended to have lower "good" cholesterol, higher triglycerides and greater insulin resistanceall early warning signs for cardiovascular disease.

The work is published in the journal Pediatric Obesity.

This study is the first to build age- and sex-specific fat and muscle reference charts for youth, bridging a major gap between childhood and adult assessments. By moving beyond BMI, this approach offers a clearer picture of children's health and development.

The researchers hope these findings will lead to better screening tools, allowing doctors to detect at-risk children earlier and tailor interventions more precisely to help prevent chronic disease before it takes root.

More information: Stephanie Tanasia Saputra et al, Development and Application of Children's Sex and AgeSpecific FatMass and MuscleMass Reference Curves From DualEnergy XRay Absorptiometry Data for Predicting Cardiometabolic Risk, Pediatric Obesity (2025). DOI: 10.1111/ijpo.70051
Oct. 22The Ohio legislature is narrowing in on a deal that aims to address concerns about intoxicating hemp and the legal recreational marijuana market, which have brought headaches to state decision makers for more than a year.

The House this week passed 87-8 an extensively amended Senate Bill 56  a Republican plan from the higher chamber that looked to tweak Ohio's voter-approved recreational marijuana statute and remove intoxicating hemp products from unlicensed retailers.

The House's version of SB 56 would:  Allow concert venues and bars to permit use of recreational marijuana and intoxicating hemp products;  Prohibit out-of-state recreational marijuana;  Allow the sharing of recreational marijuana between of-age users;  Place stricter penalties for smoking marijuana as a passenger in a vehicle;  Place looser restrictions on transporting marijuana flower;  Expressly permit pre-rolled joints as a legal recreational marijuana product;  Limit delta-9 THC content in recreational and medical marijuana to 35% for flower and 70% for extracts; gives the Division of Marijuana Control the power to raise the limits on extracts only;  Maintain the state's current home grow rules (six plants per qualifying individual, 12-plant limit per house);  Create the Division of Marijuana Control and give it the power to regulate the sale of intoxicating hemp products;  Give the Division of Marijuana Control the power to license up to 400 hemp dispensaries and restrict the sale of intoxicating hemp to those dispensaries;  Maintain the state's revenue fund for local governments that host dispensaries. The fund will send 36% of tax revenues to those local governments and send the rest of tax revenues to Ohio's general revenue fund;  Establish a process to expunge low-level marijuana possession charges;  Prohibit a local government from prohibiting or limiting permitted activity under Ohio's recreational marijuana laws, including home grow.

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In sum, the House's version was characterized by its main architect, Rep. Brian Stewart, R-Ashville, as a tough-negotiated compromise that "tackles the issue head on, it makes tough decisions, it respects and implements the feedback from residents and advocates from across the affected industries."

SB 56 now heads back to the Senate, which has the option of concurring with the House's changes, ignoring the bill entirely, or sending the bill into a so-called conference committee where select lawmakers of both chambers negotiate a compromise.

On Wednesday, Senate President Rob McColley, R-Napoleon, told reporters he expects the bill to go to conference committee, as some House provisions will cause agitation within his caucus.

Top of the list was the House's plan to create up to 400 licensed hemp retailers, as opposed to the Senate's plan to merely limit intoxicating hemp products to recreational marijuana dispensaries that are already have a regulatory framework.

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"It's a brand-new regulatory scheme for hemp relative to what we've been talking about. For us to put that on the floor without talking to our caucus about it  I'm sure there are going to be members who are going to have issues with some of that stuff," McColley said. "So, we're going to take a look at that."

Another significant distinction between the two plans is centered on where recreational marijuana tax revenue would go. The Senate's plan would funnel all revenue into the state's coffers, while the House's plan would give 36% back to the local governments that are host to recreational marijuana dispensaries, as intended by the voter-approved statute.

"Folks, this was not a given," Stewart explained to his colleagues on the House floor, noting that current law doesn't have requisite legal language appropriating that money to municipalities. "To get that money to our local communities, it was always going to require legislation in this chamber."

Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio, D-Lakewood, whose caucus was united against the Senate's version of SB 56, told reporters Wednesday that the House's new plan is certainly a step toward a solution. Still, she'd like a conference committee, even though the House's plan garnered considerable support from House Democrats. "There's clearly some things that need to be worked out," she said.

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House Speaker Matt Huffman, R-Lima, told reporters that he would be surprised "if the Senate simply concurred on them." He said his No. 1 priority, in terms of a conference committee, is merely getting the issue resolved.

Stewart said he expects there to be some room for negotiation, but he thinks the overwhelming support from House Republicans and Democrats will give the House a stronger position in negotiations.

"I think that sends a pretty strong signal that a bill is possible, but it's going to probably have to look closer to what we've done today," he said.

A final compromise  or any action on the issue  has been a long time coming in Ohio. The legislature has been set on tweaking the state's marijuana laws ever since 57% of Ohio voters legalized the market with a citizen initiated amendment in 2023.

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Shortly after that statute went into effect, some intoxicating hemp retailers started to promote their hemp-derived products, drawing the ire of Gov. Mike DeWine, who has repeatedly called on the legislature to put guardrails on a largely unregulated intoxicating hemp market.

Legislative progress on either topic has been hard to come by as disagreements have mounted between the Republican supermajorities of the Ohio House and Senate.

That inaction spurred DeWine to sign a pair of executive orders earlier this month to ban all intoxicating hemp sales in the state and require retailers to get rid of their stock. A judge blocked the action shortly after it went into effect on the basis that DeWine overstepped his authority.

------

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WYOMING COUNTY, WV (WVNS)  A man from Ohio pleaded guilty to a felony drug crime in Wyoming County.

According to a press release, on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, 20-year-old Lucas Alexander Robinson, of Akron, Ohio, pleaded guilty to the felony offense of Possession with Intent to Deliver Oxycodone.

Governor Morrisey announces the arrest of 60 illegal immigrants in West Virginia in one month

The press release stated that a member of the Wyoming County Sheriffs Office carried out a traffic stop in the Lynco area of Wyoming County on August 16, 2025. Robinson was the driver of the car, and in the car, the member of the Sheriffs Office found controlled substances that included oxycodone, and a large amount of cash.

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According to the press release, after being given his Miranda warning, Robinson acknowledged that the controlled substances in the car were in his possession. Robinson is being held in Southern Regional Jail and awaits his sentencing.

The press release stated that Robinsons sentencing is scheduled for December 10, 2025 in the Wyoming County Circuit Courtroom, and he could face one to 15 years in prison.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
A Washington, DC, man filed a lawsuit against a member of the Ohio National Guard and several police officers after his arrest at a September protest in the nation's capital while playing a well-known villain theme from the Star Wars universe.

The American Civil Liberties Union filed the lawsuit on behalf of Sam O'Hara, 35, naming Sgt. Devon Beck of the Ohio National Guard and four DC police officers as defendants. The lawsuit stems from his Sept. 11 arrest, which he says violated his First Amendment rights.

The lawsuit accuses the guardsman from Columbus and the local law enforcement officers of suppression of speech, retaliation, unreasonable seizure, excessive force and false imprisonment. O'Hara is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, along with his legal fees.

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The lawsuit says O'Hara frequently protested the presence of National Guard members sent to DC in August. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Aug. 16 ordered 250 guard members to DC at the request of the Secretary of the Army.

"Mr. O'Hara was deeply concerned about the normalization of troops patrolling DC neighborhoods. And so, he began protesting the Guard members' presence by walking several feet behind them when he saw them in the community," the lawsuit filed Oct. 23 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia says.

O'Hara used his phone and sometimes a small speaker to play "The Imperial March," an imposing John Williams composition synonymous with Darth Vader, while recording the encounters and posting them on TikTok.

"Ohio National Guard member Sgt. Devon Beck was not amused by this satire," the suit says.

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On Sept. 11, O'Hara was returning home from work when he saw Beck and several other uniformed guard members patrolling the Logan Circle neighborhood. O'Hara played the march theme on his phone and started recording, the suit says.

O'Hara alleges that Beck threatened to call DC police if he continued to bother him, the suit says.

"Hey man, if you're going to keep following us, we can contact Metro PD and they can come handle you if that's what you want to do. Is that what you want to do?" Beck said, according to the lawsuit.

O'Hara continued recording and playing the music, and Beck contacted the MPD, who placed O'Hara in handcuffs, the suit says.

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"That's what you want to do? Okay," Beck said, according to the suit.

The lawsuit references the logic behind DeWine's decision to send members of the Ohio National Guard to DC, noting that "Gov. DeWine has retained control over the Ohio Guard members operating in the District." It says that Beck's decision to contact the local police was "(a)adhering to Gov. DeWine's directive that MPD, and not Guard members, make arrests, Sgt. Beck stepped aside and briefly called MPD."

Four officers eventually arrived and questioned whether O'Hara's actions constituted a protest, according to the lawsuit. They placed O'Hara in handcuffs for 15-20 minutes before eventually releasing him without charges, the lawsuit says.

"The law might have tolerated government conduct of this sort a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away," the suit says. "But in the here and now, the First Amendment bars government officials from shutting down peaceful protests, and the Fourth Amendment (along with the District's prohibition on false arrest) bars groundless seizures."

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The Dispatch has reached out to DeWine's office and the Ohio National Guard for comment.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Star Wars Imperial March protester sues Ohio National Guard member
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Democrat Sherrod Brown has brought in $8 million since launching his comeback campaign, while Sen. Jon Husted set a fundraising record for a Republican in an Ohio U.S. Senate race.

Browns $8 million total was powered by an army of grassroots donors, his campaign said in an Oct. 14 news release, with 97% of individual donations under $100 and an average grassroots contribution of $24.36. The former senator raised $7 million directly into his campaign and an additional $1 million into affiliated joint fundraising committees.

Ohioans from every corner of the state are rallying behind Sherrods campaign, said Patrick Eisenhauer, Friends of Sherrod Brown campaign manager, in the release. Twenty-five thousand hardworking Ohioans, from across all 88 counties, have already chipped in because they know Sherrod always puts Ohio families first.

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Andys Law would increase penalties for inmates who kill prison employees

Husteds third-quarter fundraising totaled $3.7 million, the highest amount ever raised by a Republican candidate at this stage of a U.S. Senate race in Ohio, his campaign said in an Oct. 14 news release. The newly minted senator has grown his fundraising totals by roughly $1 million each quarter, demonstrating enthusiasm fueled by Ohioans who believe in his mission, his campaign said.

We continue to see record enthusiasm for Senator Husteds campaign, said Tyson Shepard, the Husted campaigns communications director, in the release. Our fundraising success reflects strong support from every corner of the state and shows that Jon is building the operation needed to win decisively in 2026.

Brown announced his comeback bid in August, less than a year after narrowly losing reelection in 2024 to Sen. Bernie Moreno. The Democrats campaign previously said it raised $3.6 million in the first 24 hours after his announcement. Husted began his campaign in April and was sitting on more than $2.6 million in fundraising while waiting for Brown to enter the race.

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Polling released Monday found Brown and Husted in a near deadlock. Data from a Bowling Green State University Democracy and Public Policy Research Network poll of 800 registered Ohio voters shows Brown barely leads the race over Husted, at 49%-48%. This marks a change from August, when Emerson College Polling had Husted with a six-point lead.

Brown boasts endorsements from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the Central Midwest Regional Council of Carpenters and the United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters, alongside the Ohio Federation of Teachers and the Ohio Association of Public School Employees.

Meta, Google back different Ohio proposals regarding age verification for app stores

Husteds endorsements include Republican gubernatorial favorite Vivek Ramaswamy, President Donald Trump, the Northwest Ohio Building & Construction Trades Council, and the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 18 and 66 chapters.

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Several lesser-known candidates are also vying for the Democratic nomination against Brown. However, those candidates havent released their fundraising totals. They include entrepreneur Fred Ode, software designer and Special Olympics volunteer Ron Kincaid, U.S. Air Force veteran Lynnea Lau, and small business owner and game developer Chris Volpe.

Greg Levy, a community organizer and veteran, announced on Wednesday that he is running for Senate seat under the Party for Socialism and Liberation.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Its time to take politics out of how we appoint our states top mental health leader.

For most of the year, public debates about the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse have focused on investigations into mismanagement and irresponsible spending practices by its previous leaders.

Meanwhile, our state loses more than 800 lives to suicide annually, one of the highest rates in the nation. And drug overdose rates across the state more than doubled from 2019 to 2023.

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Instead of articulating a plan to solve these real and urgent challenges, new leaders at this agency have prioritized cutting a slew of service providers contracts they say are duplicative or not needed. To make matters worse, their budget proposal to the Legislature for next year makes no effort to restore funding for service contracts.

More: State mental health department cutting about 300 contracts in effort to stabilize finances

Of course, its fair for the department to regularly reevaluate contracts. And current agency leaders are not at fault for the agencys budget shortfall.

But if we are to transform mental health in Oklahoma, we must aim higher. To do that, we need an experienced professional  not a political appointee  running our state mental health agency.

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The mental health departments problem is not that it had too many contracts. Its that for years it has lacked adequate resources to meet the needs of Oklahomans  and that budget mismanagement has left it with even fewer resources than expected.

As a result, treatment programs will close at a time when families, schools, hospitals and law enforcement are overwhelmed by the increasing severity of mental illness in the community. This comes as cuts to Medicaid and federal grants for behavioral health already threaten to reduce services and further strain the states budget.

It doesnt have to be this way.

Oklahoma needs mental health leaders who can produce a budget to address the true scope of Oklahomans mental health needs. We need leaders who can then operate within the budget they are given  even in down years  and still advance a long-term vision for mental health.

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Savvy, experienced leaders could do this by prioritizing mental health programs that save taxpayer dollars in public safety, health care and education, and by partnering proactively with the private sector and other public funders to meet Oklahomans needs.

With one piece of legislation, we can give our state a chance to get this kind of leadership.

In 2019, the Oklahoma Legislature granted the governor sole authority to hire the mental health commissioner. In 2026, legislators should return appointment authority to the board of the mental health department, whose members are appointed by the governor and Legislature.

This is not a criticism of the agencys current interim leader or of the governor. In many ways, Gov. Kevin Stitt has been a champion for mental health. But leading the mental health department is not a political job  its a professional one.

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The responsibilities are steep: The commissioner manages thousands of employees, runs facilities for Oklahomans with the most serious mental illness, certifies and regulates thousands of providers, and oversees $800 million in state and federal funds  all while contending with complex regulatory requirements, legal constraints, court orders and a high-profile consent decree.

More: As Congress fights in DC, 300,000 Oklahomans face surging health insurance costs | Opinion

Add the pressures of politics inherent in being a political appointee, and its no wonder the department struggles to attract the right leaders. Its part of why Oklahoma has had four mental health commissioners since 2019 when, prior to that, we had the longest-serving commissioner in the country.

Moving forward, the board of mental health should conduct a merit-based executive search and, following Senate confirmation, provide oversight as any board would.

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With qualified and stable leadership in place, the department should develop a true plan for mental health in Oklahoma  a long-term vision for solving our mental health and substance use problems, informed by experts and evidence.

The department would be free to put data over politics in its budgeting process and offer the Legislature a true accounting of the resources it would take to achieve its vision.

Thats how we realize a future where mental health is an asset for our state.

Zack Stoycoff

Zack Stoycoff is executive director of Healthy Minds Policy Initiative, a non-profit, non-partisan organization driving policy change and community collaborations that increase Oklahomans' access to mental health care.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma needs new approach to mental health leadership | Opinion
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  If the government shutdown continues, hundreds of thousands of Oklahomans will lose their SNAP benefits.

Theyre expected to be suspended starting November 1, and many people are worried about it, including a local non-profit called ReMerge.

ReMerge is a pre-trial diversion program that serves high-risk, high-needs mothers facing felony offenses.

Sometimes people make mistakes and they dont define you, and if you do the work, you can turn your life around, said Jenika Redelk, mother at ReMerge.

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SNAP halt threatens empty table for Oklahomans in November

Redelk is one of the mothers who is working toward a fresh start.

By the time they complete our program, their felony charges are dismissed, theyre reunited with their children, theyve got stable employment and housing, said Erin Engelke, CEO, ReMerge.

Engelke says all of that progress could soon be on the line if SNAP benefits go away.

It just feels like another roadblock to what Im trying to do, said Redelk.

Redelk relies on food stamps, not only for herself, but also for her baby.

With it being such short notice, I didnt prepare, so instead of buying the chips and the extra stuff, I would have bought more formula, and I didnt do that, said Redelk.

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She isnt the only mother worried about whats to come.

Were currently serving 90 moms in our program, about 71 percent of those women are on SNAP benefits. That means that in total, depending on how many children they have, that is a loss of about $30,000 a month to the moms that we serve, said Engelke.

ReMerge is now having to get creative with ways to help their mothers.

Were looking at opening a food pantry and soliciting the community to provide staple food items, so that our moms and their babies wont go without, said Engelke.

Theyre ready to start taking donations. If youd like to help, call (405) 208-7200 or stop by their office Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 823 N Villa Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73107.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
State Superintendent Lindel Fields, left, and members of the Oklahoma State Board of Education listen during a meeting Thursday in Oklahoma City. The board voted unanimously to approve a $4 billion budget request and to decline accreditation warnings for 14 school districts. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)

OKLAHOMA CITY  A $4 billion budget request for Oklahoma public education flew through the states top school on Thursday and continues to the state Legislature for consideration.

If lawmakers approve the request for the 2027 fiscal year, it would represent a mostly flat budget compared to current funding levels, with only a $23.7 million spending increase caused by the rising cost of public educators insurance premiums. The only cut is an expiring $50,000 expense to purchase a curriculum on the Civil Rights Movement.

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This is the first budget request from new state Superintendent Lindel Fields. His administrations proposal included fewer cuts than what Fields predecessor, Ryan Walters, suggested last month shortly before resigning Sept. 30. Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed Fields to finish Walters term through January 2027.

The Oklahoma State Board of Education tabled Walters budget request, which would have cut $2.5 million to offset some of the insurance costs, and unanimously approved Fields proposal.

The Oklahoma State Department of Educations current $3.9 billion appropriation is the largest of any state agency.

State Superintendent Lindel Fields speaks at an Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting Thursday in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)

Some of Walters priorities still will carry over to the new administration. Fields head of finance, Kristen Stephens, said the Oklahoma State Department of Education is prepared to spend $11.9 million on literacy instruction, particularly on high-dosage reading tutoring, which Walters also supported.

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Stephens said the agency also plans to spend $42.3 million on teacher recruitment and retention, with much of it supporting the Oklahoma Teacher Empowerment Program. The program uses lottery funds to give bonuses to classroom teachers who take on mentorship roles and extra responsibilities in their schools.

Although the literacy and teacher empowerment initiatives arent new to the Education Department, Fields said he wanted to highlight those resources that are available.

Oklahoma lawmakers, five of whom attended the boards meeting Thursday, will consider the budget request when they convene the 2026 legislative session in February.

Former state Superintendent Ryan Walters holds a news conference at the state Capitol in Oklahoma City on May 16. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)

After approving the budget proposal, the board declined to issue an accreditation warning to 14 school districts with multi-year deficiencies. Board members said they have concerns that Walters administration tainted the accreditation process.

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Each public school and district in Oklahoma must be accredited by the state Board of Education, and their specific accreditation status ties to whether the Education Department identified any deficiencies in their finances, operations, governance or academic performance.

A former employee of Walters administration, Kourtney Heard, wrote in her resignation letter that the agency committed manipulation of school accreditation. The Education Department then suppressed the release of Heards and other senior employees resignation letters until Fields took over the agency.

Board member Becky Carson said she cant in good conscience vote for an approval for these warnings because of information that these items might have been altered at some point.

Oklahoma State Board of Education member Becky Carson speaks with news reporters while board member Chris Van Denhende listens after a special meeting of the board at the state Capitol on Sept. 3 in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)

The board unanimously voted in favor of Carsons suggestion that all 14 districts remain at the same accreditation status they had the previous year, giving them another year to address their deficiencies.

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Id like for us to get a better understanding of this because if a school has deficiencies, thats serious, board member Chris Van Denhende said during the meeting. If theyre released from that (deficiency) and they havent fixed it, thats serious, as well. So I think we need to return some credibility to this process and make sure that we look at it very carefully.

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State Superintendent Lindel Fields speaks with news reporters after an Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting Thursday in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)

OKLAHOMA CITY  Oklahomas new chief of public schools said changes could be coming to the controversial academic standards for social studies that the state passed earlier this year.

State Superintendent Lindel Fields said Thursday he intends to restart the process of reviewing the social studies standards, obtaining public input, and presenting a draft to the Oklahoma State Board of Education and the state Legislature for approval. Typically updated every six years, academic standards are a lengthy list of topics that Oklahoma public schools must teach to students at each grade level.

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Oklahoma already adopted new social studies standards this year under Fields predecessor, Ryan Walters, but they faced significant criticism over the last-minute addition of dubious content and for their inclusion of Bible teachings. The Oklahoma Supreme Court has blocked schools from implementing Walters social studies standards while two lawsuits are pending over them.

Fields said his administration will ask the Court to extend that pause through the rest of the current school year, leaving state officials time to review the standards and potentially make rewrites.

I think there will be some changes to them, yes, Fields told news reporters Thursday after an Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting.

The board voted unanimously during the meeting to start a 60-day review period for consideration and possible further action on the social studies standards.

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Fields said he believes the Courts decision to pause the standards enables his administration and the board to make potential changes, even though the board and the Legislature already approved Walters version.

Former state Superintendent Ryan Walters speaks during a meeting of the Oklahoma State Board of Education on Sept. 25 in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)

Walters standards claim there were discrepancies in the results of the 2020 presidential election between former President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump, whom Walters had endorsed. Walters said he didnt intend to support or deny the 2020 election results, though his standards appeared to connect to Trumps unverified claims of election fraud.

The former state superintendent, who resigned Sept. 30 to lead a conservative teacher organization, also added a claim that COVID-19 originated in a Chinese lab. The origin of the virus has not been determined, according to the World Health Organization.

Half of the state Board of Education members at the time said they had no idea the new language had been included until after they voted to approve Walters standards. Walters and his staff did not point out the new content before the board took a vote, and the Education Department didnt publicly post the updated standards until weeks later.

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Multiple lawsuits contend this violated state transparency laws and would enable misinformation to be taught in schools. The standards requirement that public schools teach students Bible stories also faces a legal challenge.

I think we need to look at all of the things that were added to see if theyre germane to what kids need to learn, said Fields, whom the governor appointed to finish Walters term.

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OKOBOJI, Iowa (KCAU)  A lakeside lab on Lake Okoboji is about to get a $6 million update. The lab offers science classes and research opportunities for in-state university students.

The Iowa Lakeside Lab on the Iowa Great Lakes is set to get a big expansion thats been eight years in the making.

The Iowa Lakeside Lab has been a fixture in the Iowa Great Lakes since 1909. The lab sits on the shores of West Lake and is owned by the state of Iowa and operated through the Board of Regents.

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The three state universities in Iowa all provide funding for the lab.

Story continues below

Getting kids, college students, kids outside, really learning about science in a hands-on, immersive way, really helps them understand the world at large, said Executive Director at the Iowa Lakeside Laboratory, Mary Skopec. Weve been doing this since 1909, and we have college classes, summer camps for little kids, we have K-12 education all year round, as well as a lot of interns that come and do research, really help us understand how to protect the environment around here.

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The lab also provides testing of the lakes to make sure the water is safe.

Theres a lot of samples that are collected in this area for drinking water purposes, said Environmental Lab Manager Dennis Heimdal. Our lakes are used as drinking water sources for the area, for the communities around here. Were always monitoring the lakes through the Lakeside Labs Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program.

Now, the lab is set to expand with a major construction project: the new Innovation and Discovery Lab. The 8,000 square-foot lab costs just over $6 million.

Funding came from a combination of the state of Iowa and from private donations.

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The new Innovation and Discovery Lab will provide 8,000 square feet of classroom space. We can put about 150 people in there as well as a bigger laboratory space, said Skopec. Right now, in this current building, we have the state hygienic laboratory that runs samples for drinking water and wastewater utilities. But we really want to be able to have our students have hands-on chemistry, and it cant really be in that space. Its too small. Its a regulatory facility. So, the new building will have a laboratory where students can do research and get their hands dirty in chemistry.

The new building will also allow the lab to host bigger groups of students.

We hope to triple the amount of students that are coming through every year. Whether thats K-12 or college students, said Skopec. Its going to be a big increase in the number of people that can be utilizing the lab.

The lab is also planning on building a new residential facility in the future.

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One of the things that we know is, again, most of our students live in cabins during the summer, said Skopec. They are unheated, they dont have bathrooms, so we cant have them in the cabins in the winter, so having a new residential facility will allow that year-round use as well.

Construction on the new building is set to begin this fall with completion in September 2026.

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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:

HSL contributes to the mobilization of fats stored in the lipid droplet. In the nucleus, HSL ensures the proper functioning of the adipocyte. Credit: I2MC, 2025. Created in https://BioRender.com

Scientists have known hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) as the enzyme that releases energy stored in our fat. Yet patients born without this protein do not become obese: on the contrary, they lose their adipose tissue, developing lipodystrophy with severe metabolic complications.

A team from the Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases (I2MC, Inserm/Universite de Toulouse) has just solved this puzzle by discovering that HSL plays a second, unsuspected role in the nucleus of fat cells. The study is published online in Cell Metabolism.

Our fat cells, called adipocytes, do more than just store extra weight. They play a key role in managing the body's energy.

Adipocytes accumulate fat in the form of lipid droplets that the body can use when neededfor example, during fasting periods between meals. To do this, the body uses the HSL protein like a kind of switch. When energy is lacking, HSL is activated by hormones such as adrenaline and releases fat to fuel various organs.

In the absence of HSL, one might assume that the energy tap is shut off and that fat would inevitably accumulate. Paradoxically, however, studies in mice and in patients with mutations in the HSL gene show that this does not lead to obesity with excess fat. Quite the opposite happens: the absence of this protein causes a reduction in fat mass, a pathological condition known as lipodystrophy.

Obesity and lipodystrophy, though seemingly opposite, share a common point: in both cases, adipocytes malfunction, leading to similar metabolic and cardiovascular complications.

To understand this peculiarity, the research team led by Dominique Langin, professor at the University of Toulouse within the I2MC, noticed that HSL was located in an unexpected area.

In adipocytes, the protein is known to be on the surface of lipid droplets, where it acts as an enzyme breaking down fat. But the study reveals that it is also present in the nucleus of fat cells.

"In the nucleus of adipocytes, HSL is able to associate with many other proteins and take part in a program that maintains an optimal amount of adipose tissue and keeps adipocytes 'healthy,'" explains Jeremy Dufau, co-author of the study, who defended his doctoral thesis on this subject.

Moreover, the study shows that the amount of HSL in the nucleus is finely regulated. Adrenaline, which activates the enzyme on the lipid droplet, also promotes its exit from the nucleus. This is what happens during fasting. In a pathological context, the amount of nuclear HSL is increased in obese mice.

"HSL has been known since the 1960s as a fat-mobilizing enzyme. But we now know that it also plays an essential role in the nucleus of adipocytes, where it helps maintain healthy adipose tissue," concludes Langin.

This new role explains the lipodystrophy observed in patients lacking HSL and opens avenues for a better understanding of metabolic diseases such as obesity and its complications.

This discovery comes at a timely moment. Overweight and obesity affect one in two adults in France. Worldwide, two and a half billion people are affected. Obesity increases the risk of many diseases, including diabetes and heart disease, and impairs quality of life.

Continued research is essential to improve prevention and patient care.

Provided by Universite de Toulouse
SPRINGFIELD, MO  Theres a new discount retailer in town. Ollies Bargain Outlet opened Thursday morning on the citys south side.

The new store occupies the former Big Lots on E. Battlefield next to Food 4 Less in the Battlefield Plaza shopping center. Its opening comes months after Ozarks First reported the Pennsylvania-based company was moving into the area as part of its expansion into the area.

An Ollies spokesperson said the store hours will be 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, seven days a week.

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The opening of Ollies marks the first new tenant for Springfields two former Big Lots stores. The sites became vacant when the former retailer went bankrupt in 2024.

Earlier this month, Ozarks First reported that the other former Big Lots at 2565 N. Kansas Expressway was being converted into a Tractor Supply Company store.

A TSC spokesperson stated that the new north Springfield store will have a soft opening on November 15th, with a grand opening planned for November 22nd.

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HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM)  The new 29th Street Bridge over Interstate 83 is now open, PennDOT said, and the 19th Street Bridge will close this weekend.

The 29th Street Bridge had been closed since July as crews demolished and replaced it as part of the ongoing Interstate 83 reconstruction project.

PennDOT says the 19th Street Bridge will close the night of Sunday, Oct. 26 and will remain closed until next October.

Get traffic alerts from the abc27 mobile app for the latest local delays and road closures

Long-term detours will be in place as follows:

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19th Street (north and south): Travelers heading north on 19th Street will take Paxton Street east to 29th Street, 29th Street north to Derry Street, and Derry Street west to 19th Street. Travelers heading south on 19th Street will take Derry Street east to 29th Street, 29th Street south to Paxton Street, and Paxton Street west to 19th Street.

Northbound I-83 to 19th Street (north of closure): To access 19th Street north of the closure, northbound I-83 travelers should continue north to Exit 45, go straight from the off-ramp onto 32nd Street, go straight to Paxton Street, turn right on Paxton Street and head west to 29th Street, turn right on 29th Street, continue to Derry Street, then turn left on Derry Street and proceed to 19th Street.

Northbound I-83 to 19th Street (south of closure): To access 19th Street south of the closure, northbound I-83 travelers should continue north to Exit 45, go straight from the off-ramp onto 32nd Street, go straight to Paxton Street, turn right on Paxton Street and head west to 19th Street.

19th Street to northbound I-83: To access northbound I-83 from 19th Street, travelers should take Paxton Street east to 32nd Street, turn left on 32nd Street, then turn right at Wayne Street and proceed to the ramp to northbound I-83.

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HAWAII, Hawaii (KHON2)  The Hawaii Police Department is investigating a deadly commercial building fire that took place on the morning of Oct. 22 in Hilo.

HPD and the Hawaii Fire Department first responded to reports of a fire at approximately 2 a.m. First responders arrived within minutes to find the Wild Ginger Hotel fully engulfed in flames, with part of the building already collapsed.

This is a pretty large commercial, two-story hotel. Its been in some disrepair over the years, but by the time they got there, flames had already got to the front of the building. It seemed to have burned through the entire length of the building, and there was already signs of collapse, explained Deputy Hawaii Fire Chief Daniel Volpe.

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Initially, officials said the manager of the hotel said that eight rooms were occupied during the blaze, and two occupants were unaccounted for. However, by the afternoon, one of the people was found who had self-evacuated from the fire.

HFD worked to extinguish the fire and found a severely burnt body during the process. Investigators said DNA testing will need to be done to identify the remains.

Residents next door said they woke up to the sound of yelling. When I looked out the back door, you could see one of the windows was up in flames, it wasnt the whole place yet  just a spot, and I woke my partner up and we went to the lanai to see it, explained Daniel Hernandez.

You could feel it, like the heat radiating from how intense it was, he added. He said the building was fully engulfed within 10 minutes.

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HFD and police are working to investigate the scene. Police said foul play is not suspected at this time.

The structure and its contents were determined to be a total loss, with an estimated value of $1.4 million.

Nearby residents said the building was undergoing repairs, and the fire department said the building was on their radar, but there were no recent fire code violation complaints.

The building was on my radar, we were aware of some plans to renovate, and we had some conversations with the owner, as far as far as getting familiar with the building, trying to understand the building, in case anything like this ever happened, explained Deputy Chief Volpe.

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He said the countys server crashed years ago, and it wiped out many inspection records.

So in the last five years, weve been rebuilding that kind of database. Wild Ginger has not been recently inspected, he added.

He said the fire department has a robust violation process that requires filing a complaint.

And then our inspectors will go out and sort of match those, Deputy Chief Volpe added. But unfortunately, we dont have any reports of complaints to that building regarding fire code violations of any kind.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Detective Robert Kamau at (808) 961-2384 or at robert.kamau@hawaiipolice.gov.

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As they walked up to the thick metal pillars of the border wall dividing Tijuana and San Diego, the Hussaini siblings carried nothing from their lives in Afghanistan than a hazy fantasy of what awaited them on the other side.

Amir, 21, and his sisters, Suraiya, 26, and Bano, 27, arrived in northern Mexico with an appointment for Jan. 24, four days after U.S. President Donald Trump took office.

That was the day they were supposed to enter the U.S. and make their case, marking what they thought would be an end to the repression by the Taliban after the withdrawal of American troops in 2021, and to their 17,500-mile journey by foot, canoe, bus and plane across the world.

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That was all before the door to asylum slammed shut along the U.S. southern border moments after Trump took office. Trump's victory was based in no small part on support from voters who embraced his hard-line immigration views. Within days, his administration had transformed what it meant to seek refuge in the U.S., casting aside an ethos of helping the persecuted that is nearly as old as the country itself.

Families such as the Hussainis are suffering the cascading consequences of larger political shifts as countries tighten asylum policies and turn away refugees. In Afghanistan, whose tumultuous history is intertwined with American military and foreign policy, the expulsion carried an added sting because the Hussainis believed they would find safe harbor in the U.S.

Instead, Amir watched his sisters being torn away from him by American border agents under the harsh fluorescent lights of a detention facility. It was the last time he saw them.

Half a year later, the family has been dispersed to different countries as part of the administration's push to send immigrants and refugees to far-flung, unfamiliar and often dangerous places. One sister is trying to navigate life in the far reaches of South America. The second is marooned in Central America. Amir is back in Afghanistan, plagued by fear in the very country the family fled.

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We had reached the end of our journey  and our hopes were completely shattered, Suraiya said. I cant necessarily call it a betrayal, but the fact that they didnt interview us, ask about our fears or why we fled our country. It all seemed very cruel.

Watching a future in Afghanistan dissolve

For most of their lives, even as their homeland was riven by war, Suraiya and her siblings never dreamed of leaving.

But as the years rolled on, they watched the life they were building dissolve. That was when they turned to the U.S., which once funneled hundreds of billions of dollars in humanitarian and military aid into Afghanistan, as the place that could offer them a new life.

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The Hussainis grew up in an area run by local gangs on the fringes of Kabul, the capital, after the fall of the Taliban in 2001. Their father was a metalworker. Their mother could not attend school but wanted everything for her children.

After centuries of targeted massacres and persecution, the Hussainis' ethnic minority group, the Hazaras, felt a respite with the Taliban out of power. For women, the doors to education and work finally were opened.

I never thought I would go to America. I hadn't even seen American soldiers up close until they left and the Taliban came back" four years ago, Suraiya said. My family was in Afghanistan. I just wanted to be here doing the things my parents were never able to do.

Amir, an aspiring musician with thick, curly black hair and an optimistic smile that crinkles the corners of his eyes, would spend weekends working as a wedding DJ. Suraiya, his more reserved older sister, studied computer science in a public university sitting side by side with men.

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Suraiya dreamed of a career, but that changed in her third semester in college in 2021, when the Taliban-led government resumed a a yearslong effort to systematically exclude women from much of society.

Taliban officials came to her classes and told women they were no longer allowed to attend school alongside men. She was transferred to a Taliban-run school, where women were only allowed to study dentistry. Ultimately, women were banned from higher education.

For Amir, work evaporated when the Taliban prohibited most forms of music, which they said was against the teachings of Islam. In 2023, authorities announced that religious police would scour wedding halls in Kabul to enforce the ban. In 2024, they announced they had seized and destroyed over 21,000 instruments.

The Taliban told me I had to quit my job a number of times. But if I gave it up, I would have lost everything  my work, my livelihood, my entire way of life, Amir said.

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Under the new government, some of Afghanistans millions of Hazaras have been killed in raids and attacks as part of a campaign of violence and discrimination. Suraiya became increasingly scared to go outside. The home she shared with her parents and five siblings felt more like a prison.

We were considered nothing just because we were Hazaras," she said.

The Hussainis felt they had no choice but to leave.

The Taliban government did not respond to a request for comment about criticisms of human rights concerns about their treatment of Hazaras and women under its rule.

Crossing continents

To finance their journey to the U.S., the three siblings sold everything they owned in 2023, including a family home.

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Along with Bano and her husband, the siblings traveled to neighboring Iran, where they spent a year applying for a humanitarian visa to Brazil. While they waited, Bano gave birth to her first daughter.

In Iran, the family and the baby lived in a ramshackle home in Tehran, eluding detection to avoid being swept up in deportations by Irans government. In spring of 2024, their spirits lifted when they boarded a flight to Brazil with new humanitarian visas. A world of possibilities seemed to await.

The airport in Sao Paolo is the starting point for many migrants traveling to reach the U.S. In a span of months, the Hussaini family crossed 11 countries, winding their way north by bus through the high-altitude deserts of Bolivia and the dense forests of the Andes.

Suraiya carried a hair clip her mother had given her and a few totems from friends. Then, in Ecuador, those small pieces of her former life were stolen.

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The siblings joined more than a million people who crossed the Darien Gap between 2022 and 2024. Controlled by criminal gangs, the perilous stretch of jungle dividing Colombia and Panama has turned into a migratory highway for those fleeing economic crisis, repression and war.

Suraiya remembers the pouring rain and the crying of her sisters baby as they trudged through the rainforest. By the time they climbed out of the jungle days later, their shoes were in tatters.

Only able to speak their native Dari, they did their best to learn small words like amigo and basic questions to communicate.

One night, she heard that three people, including a 6-year-old child, had drowned in the river next to where they were sleeping.

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For the first time, she wondered if they had made a mistake.

Nothing was as difficult as the jungle.  I had never seen anything like it, she said. There was this feeling of regret, but there was no way to go back.

Asylum contracting globally

As they were traveling, access to asylum was constricting globally. In September, the United Nations refugee agency warned that governments around the world, namely the U.S. and European countries, were increasingly undermining the global convention on refugees and asylum-seekers.

The institution of the asylum worldwide is under more threat now than it has ever been, Ruvendrini Menikdiwela, assistant high commissioner for protection at the agency, told reporters.

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Experts describe the shift as protection fatigue triggered by rising rates of displacement around the world.

By the end of 2024, 123.2 million people worldwide  approximately 1 in 67 people  were living forcibly displaced from their homes, according to the U.N.

Governments have gotten much less tolerant of asylum, said Susan Fratzke, a senior policy analyst at Migration Policy Institute. Rather than trying to solve these problems within their asylum systems, theyre increasingly turning to measures that really push the boundaries of whats legal.

Democratic President Joe Biden's administration had already been cutting access to asylum and trying to slow the flow of migrants before the 2024 election. Under Republican Trump, access to asylum along the U.S-Mexico border has virtually disappeared.

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Governments from Europe to Australia to Asia have heightened restrictions and even imposed laws criminalizing asylum-seekers.

Nigel Farage, the head of the United Kingdoms far-right party, promised to carry out mass deportations if it wins elections next year, regardless of the dangers that asylum-seekers may face back home.

We cannot be responsible for all the sins that take place around the world. Farage said.

No other country will take you

Amir, Suraiya, Bano and her husband and daughter arrived in Mexico in the fall of 2024. Like many asylum-seekers, they spent nearly half a year in limbo waiting for the chance to make their case to American authorities.

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They would wake up and immediately apply for an appointment on a Biden-era app, known as CBP One, a daily lottery under which more than 900,000 people entered the U.S. without a visa for up to two years, with eligibility for a work permit and a shot at getting asylum through immigration courts. It was a game of chance and patience more than circumstance.

To pay for a small room they shared with other migrants, they cleaned the streets of Mexico City for coins. They went to bed each night unsure of their fate.

In January, they received word that their names were selected. As they made their way to the Tijuana-San Diego border, their once-vague ambitions gave way to imaginings of returning to college, finding work and building a life in the U.S.

But the date of their appointment was Jan. 24, four days after Trump took office. Their plan to seek asylum disappeared when his new administration shut down the app and canceled all appointments, stranding tens of thousands of people like the Hussainis in Mexico.

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Desperate, the family decided to cross the border illegally and present themselves to authorities as refugees in early February. American and international law allows vulnerable populations to seek asylum regardless of whether they enter legally, but under Trump that has virtually disappeared.

The family crossed a muddy Alamar River running along the border. Reeking of sewage, they were detained by Border Patrol agents who brought them to a detention center near San Diego that was wedged between farms along the border fence.

The few belongings  phones, passports and a small packet of medicine  they had left were seized and the family was torn apart.

Locked in the concrete facility for more than a week and wearing the same grimy clothes, the siblings begged authorities to see each other or to call family in Afghanistan and in the U.S. for help.

It was all in vain. They were not told where they were going and were not permitted to present their asylum case.

You have no options, Suraiya remembers being told by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers. Because you have been in prison here in the U.S., no other country will take you.

Within weeks, the Hussaini siblings were loaded onto three separate planes that would scatter them overseas, setting each on very different paths.

Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said their case was a sob story and that reporting on their separation was pure garbage. She did not answer multiple questions inquiring why the siblings were separated and sent to other countries. She said those seeking humanitarian protection should ask at official border crossings, not enter illegally, even as that path has become largely impossible under Trump.

These are grown adults who made a choice to try and enter our country illegally, she said.

A family torn apart

Amir felt utterly alone.

It was March. He had spent two sleepless days and nights aboard commercial airlines with no hint where he was headed.

His plane stopped in Dubai, where he stepped out into the white halls and flashing lights of the airport. Armed guards met him, soon confirming his suspicion that he would be returned to Afghanistan.

He sobbed for hours in a cell at the airport and begged guards not to send him back. He went to the restroom and tore up documents confirming his asylum appointment and deportation papers, anything that could provide evidence to the Taliban that he had sought asylum in the U.S.

Shortly after, he said he was forced aboard a plane to Kabul.

At first there were two soldiers, then there were four. I kept refusing to board and they dragged me onto the plane while I cried, he said.

The stories of people like the Hussainis are mostly lost in the headlines about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids and deportations, which have only accelerated.

ICE averaged 710 arrests a day during Trump's first six months in office, up from 311 a day during the final budget year under Biden, according to agency data obtained by Deportation Data Project, based at University of California, Berkeley and analyzed by The Associated Press.

Less visible is the human toll of the policies and what is in store for those denied asylum when they return home.

Migrants are often dropped back into the circumstances that forced them to flee, and they also often face a combination of economic deprivation, physical danger and social exile.

In Afghanistan, with no political opposition, the Taliban wield unchecked power and have targeted everything from civil society to musicians, while extremist groups attack Hazara minorities.

The U.N. has urged member nations not to deport anyone, even those who have been denied asylum, to Afghanistan.

In a July report, the U.N. warned that people being returned to Afghanistan increasingly face threats, arbitrary arrest, detention, torture and ill-treatment only exacerbated by closing pathways out of the country. As a result, they are forced into hiding.

Despite that, ICE arrests of Afghans in the U.S. have jumped along with that of people of other nationalities since Trump took office, compared with arrests during the final year of the Biden administration.

Living in the shadows in Afghanistan

Back in Afghanistans capital of 5 million people, fear follows Amir like a shadow.

When he returned, he walked through the Kabul airport with his eyes cast downward, terrified he would be targeted.

The dangers I face are these: If I am arrested, I will be questioned about why I left the country. Secondly, I might be accused of being a spy because I came back from America, he said. Simply fleeing the country is itself considered a threat.

Every night, he tries to sleep in a new place, often with friends or extended family, though many of them have cast him away, worried they could become targets.

Most nights I am alone. I try not to communicate with many people, he said.

After he had his phone searched at a police checkpoint, Amir began to delete messages and contacts in his phone. He wants to work, but worries that returning to the same place every day could draw attention. Thats only been exacerbated by soaring unemployment and instability fueled by mass-expulsions of Afghans from nearby countries.

His money gone, Amir has been left to ask friends for assistance.

He awakens each day to shrinking options. Sleep eludes him, fear grips him, hunger torments him. He tries to not let hopelessness overwhelm him.

Ive lost everything. he said. You lose hope in life.

Dropped in a legal black hole in Central America

Amirs sisters tried to track him down and search for help, writing aid groups and anyone they could for help or more details on his whereabouts. That was when Suraiya first messaged The Associated Press, and when months of correspondence with journalists began. AP later spoke to Suraiya from a migrant refuge in Panama, with Amir over the phone as he hid away in Kabul, and maintained contact with them in their native Dari since.

The sisters struggled to aid their brother as they struggled in their own world of precarity.

In early February, his sisters were awakened by officials in the morning in their cells in the California detention center and loaded onto separate flights to Central America.

Bano, her husband and 1-year-old daughter were sent to Costa Rica. Suraiya was sent alone to Panama, part of a larger deal struck with the U.S. government.

They were sent with 400 other people fleeing war and repression in Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, China and Sudan, and were among the first to be deported from the U.S. and dropped in third countries. Others have been sent to El Salvador, South Sudan, Eswatini and Mexico.

Human rights groups have argued that those deportees have been dropped into a legal black hole, part of a punitive strategy by the administration to dissuade others from attempting the journey north. Panamas then-vice foreign minister told the AP that the government was detaining deportees such as Suraiya to help the Trump administration send a signal of deterrence.

In October, the chief of the U.N's refugee agency suggested that Trump's deportations practices were breaking international law.

Without speaking Spanish or English or having the money to pay for a lawyer, people deported to third countries often lack basic legal protections and have few ways out.

The increasing use of such deportations have fueled concern that the governments are creating a roving population of migrants with few safeguards.

In a September AP-NORC poll, three in four of those polled said the U.S. opening its doors to refugees fleeing violence in their own countries should be a high or moderate priority, marking a slight warming by Americans toward refugee populations since just before Trump took office. Nearly half of Americans maintain that Trumps deportation efforts have gone too far, an opinion split along partisan lines.

We cannot stay here

Suraiya stepped out of the military plane into thick tropical air feeling disoriented. She tried to figure out where she was. Then she saw guards with uniforms that said Panama, the same place she had passed through months before.

She and some 200 migrants were locked into hotel rooms in the countrys capital. While some deportees held up signs reading help, Suraiya peered down at the city from her window, held a hand up to her head and cried.

It was a feeling of hopelessness and heartbreak, like being beaten down, she said. After all the hardships, after the long journey and the struggles of the jungle, they brought us back.

One late February night, she said Panamanian officials took them from their beds and drove them to a remote camp in the Darien Gap, where their phones were seized.

In jungle heat, guards threatened to send them back to their home countries, and fed the detainees rotten food, Suraiya, other detainees and human rights groups said. Officials refused to provide an increasing number of sick people medicine unless they paid, detainees said.

Facing international criticism, Panamanian authorities dropped Suraiya and others on the streets of Panama City. Human rights groups later offered them shelter in a former school.

It was there, in the small brick gymnasium, that she heard from her siblings for the first time in weeks.

In Costa Rica, Bano and her family were bused with hundreds of others to a former factory that was turned into a migrant detention facility along the Panama border.

The hundreds of migrants, including 81 children, were barred from leaving the facility for months. That led to a lawsuit by a human rights group arguing that the government had subjected the kids to inhumane treatment.

Later released and given temporary protections in Costa Rica, Bano and her family have spent the past months applying for asylum in Canada and Switzerland. She said the countries refused.

In Costa Rica, we have no one from our country, no friends, no family, and no money, Bano said. We cannot stay here.

What weighs on Suraiya most, though, is her brother.

She spends her days glued to her phone in a sparsely furnished room she shares with other Afghan deportees, checking on Amir and writing to human rights organizations. A small fan cuts through the afternoon heat.

From afar, I cant help my brother at all, she said. I saw with my own eyes everything he went through on our journey. I knew his goals, his dreams. But when he was deported to Afghanistan, I knew that was all gone.

Finding refuge in one country willing to open its doors

In September, Suraiya finally found some relief as she boarded a plane out of the Panama City airport.

After months of humanitarian groups searching and herself going door to door to foreign consulates with other Afghans in a push to find any place that would accept them, Chile agreed to open its doors.

As she looked out on the Andean mountains towering over the Chilean capital, Santiago, and wandered the streets of her new city, she allowed herself to wonder what her new life would look like.

Perhaps she would return to school. She thought first of getting Amir out of Afghanistan, then of her sister stranded in Costa Rica, then her younger sisters whose studies had been cut off just like hers. She thought of the future she could finally build.

When she arrived at her new home and called her parents, the first thing she said was, All I want is for you to come so we can build a life together.



Associated Press photojournalist Matias Delacroix contributed to this report from Panama City.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) went off on President Donald Trumps $40 billion bailout for Argentina, calling it probably one of the grossest things shes ever seen.

Greene joined Tucker Carlson on The Tucker Carlson Show Wednesday, holding nothing back as she criticized members of her own party, including House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) over the current government shutdown.

Greene claimed that Trumps MAGA movement has been hijacked by Washington, D.C. insiders who are moving the president further and further away from his campaign promises. The congresswoman cited the Argentina bailout as an example of potential outside influence on the president.

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She said:

Lets take for example this $40 billion bailout for Argentina. Thats probably one of the grossest things Ive ever seen and I have no idea who is telling our great president, our America First president that this is a good idea because honestly its a punch in the gut to all of our American cattle ranchers and they are furious and rightfully so, and at the same time I cant think of another country thats further away from the United States of America than Argentina. Its literally at the bottom of South America in the southern hemisphere and were all the way up here at the top. I dont know how thats America First.

Trumps bailout for Argentina, half of which is covered by private banks and the other half by the U.S. Treasury, is meant to stabilize the countrys struggling economy. The president defended the bailout when asked at the White House whether the move fits with his America First campaign promises.

No, its really meant to help a good financial philosophy, where Argentina can, after 20 years of disaster  because it was very successful at one point, and it can be again, like Venezuela. Venezuela was very, very successful, and now its a dictatorship, Trump said.

On Greenes cattle ranchers point, Trump recently took to Truth Social to defend his controversial suggestion that the United States should purchase beef from Argentina, a move critics questioned especially as farmers struggle amid the presidents tariffs.

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The Cattle Ranchers, who I love, dont understand that the only reason they are doing so well, for the first time in decades, is because I put Tariffs on cattle coming into the United States, including a 50% Tariff on Brazil, Trump wrote. If it werent for me, they would be doing just as theyve done for the past 20 years  Terrible! It would be nice if they would understand that, but they also have to get their prices down, because the consumer is a very big factor in my thinking, also!

Greene told Carlson the bailout flies in the face of Trumps MAGA politics. Washington, D.C., she concluded, remains unchangeable.

The congresswoman said:

But the problem, Tucker, is Washington, D.C. is unchangeable, absolutely unchangeable. And they have hijacked our movement and theyre taking it away from the campaign promises of America First and turning it into everything that we hate. We hate globalism, we hate bailing out foreign countries, we hate foreign wars, we hate industries overseas, we want industries supported here at home.

Watch above via The Tucker Carlson Show.

The post One of the Grossest Things Ive Ever Seen Marjorie Taylor Greene Absolutely Buries Trumps Argentina Bailout first appeared on Mediaite.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is asking for the publics help in identifying two suspects in connection with an assault on Capitol Hill Thursday.

Police said the two suspects assaulted a victim with a chair shortly after 1 a.m. in the 300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. The two ran from the scene before officers arrived.

The victim was transported to the hospital by DC Fire and EMS with serious injuries.

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DC man arrested in 2023 shooting that killed three, left 2 hurt

According to police, the incident is being investigated as an assault with a dangerous weapon (chair).

Police provided surveillance footage of the suspects as seen below:

Anyone with information is asked to call (202) 727-9099 or text the Departments tip line at 50411.

MPD offers a reward of up to $10,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for a violent crime committed in the District.

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UPDATE: A 65-year-old Oklahoma woman was killed when she was ejected from her motorcycle Thursday afternoon, Oct. 23 in West El Paso, El Paso Police said.

Police said Yolanda Rainey, 65, of Oklahoma was riding her motorcycle at about 2:30 p.m. Thursday when she approached the intersection of Resler and High Ridge.

She attempted to make a left turn onto High Ridge and she hit a curb, collided into a rock wall and was thrown from her bike.

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She suffered serious injuries and was taken to the hospital where she died from her injuries.

Police are asking anyone with information about the crash to call (915) 832-4400 or Crime Stoppers at (915) 566-8477.

This is the 53rd traffic fatality of 2025 inside the El Paso city limits compared to 55 at the same time last year.

ORIGINAL STORY: One person was airlifted to the hospital with serious injuries after a motorcycle crash on Thursday, Oct. 23, in West El Paso.

The call came in at 2:35 p.m. at Resler and High Ridge, according to the El Paso Fire Department (EPFD).

The person was taken to the hospital by FireSTAR in critical condition (Code 3), EPFD added.

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KTSM is working to gather more information and update this developing story.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WNCT)  The Onslow County Department of Social Services is encouraging anyone who can, to donate to their Elder Cheer program.

The Elder Cheer program runs from now until December 1, and aims at providing seniors with supplies and personal care items they do not have access to. This includes things like toothpaste, hairbrushes, deodorant, shampoo/conditioner, lotion, soap and shaving supplies. Clothes like nonslip slippers, jackets, sweaters, sweatshirts, underwear, t-shirt, sleepwear and cold weather supplies are also needed. Large print word puzzles are appreciated as well.

Donations can be dropped off at the Onslow County Consolidated Human Services building on 612 College Street in Jacksonville. Checks are also accepted and can be mailed to the Onslow County Department of Social Services.

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Elder Cheer started in 1997 when social workers saw a lack of funds or families for certain residents in assisted living homes.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT.
Hundreds of thousands of college students returned to campus last month.

Yet the protests and violence that plagued our universities in the spring have not disappeared. Instead, the fall semester has also started down a dark path: Leading conservative voice Charlie Kirk was murdered in front of 3,000 people at Utah Valley University. In the wake of his assassination, universities have dismissed students for mocking Kirks death and released employees for inappropriate remarks on social media.

In this age of political violence and one-sided, parasocial relationships between online users and major online personalities, people are forgetting how to interact with each other in real life and respectfully disagree. Its up to our institutions of higher education to rediscover their original purpose: to facilitate the free and open exchange of ideas, instill virtue and mold young people into engaged and mindful citizens who deeply feel a responsibility for the task of preserving our republic. Without this restoration, college campuses will continue to make headlines for the wrong reasons.

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Early American universities, born from the Enlightenment, emphasized philosophy, ethics, rhetoric and moral reasoning. The purpose of education was to foster critical thinking and become virtuous. It wasnt just about technical skills for a job; it was a process of character formation aimed at societal improvement.

George Washington, for instance, envisioned a national university to mentor the next generation of leaders who could preserve American freedom. While that vision never materialized, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison founded state universities like the University of Virginia with the same goal: to prepare statesmen, legislators and judges who would sustain the republic.

But as traditional disciplines lost credibility, and the high cost of tuition demanded clear returns on investment, universities strayed from that mission.

And while career preparation no doubt remains important, it cant be the only goal that defines them. Universities, like churches and other crucial pillars of society, must be multipurpose institutions. They can strengthen the social fabric and cultivate knowledge of higher ideals even as they advance individual career opportunities.

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Striking this balance will be especially important as tools, new and old, allow anyone to cheaply learn the technical skills formerly reserved for the university educated. Consider AIs rapid takeover, the ubiquity of Youtube and other websites with free education content, and the growing appeal of trade schools.

Universities must lean into their key differentiator as places for character development, critical thought and creative innovation, things that are not as easy to accomplish on a screen and outside of a community. Subjects like philosophy, classics, literature and civics, which encourage viewpoint diversity and moral judgment, can help instill these skills and should be required even for business and science majors.

Since a proper liberal arts education rooted in civics, history and Western civilization is no longer guaranteed at public or even private universities, one solution is reinstating a mandatory core curriculum, like the one at the University of Chicago. Their Core Curriculum puts all students through a sequence of foundational courses that compel them to reflect upon what it means to be human, live in community and belong in a democracy.

Another possibility for renewal lies in creating new departments within existing universities that are tailored to the work of character growth and the development of ethical behavior. Recently, many public institutions are creating new schools and institutes dedicated to civic education and political leadership, often founded by committed alumni or proactive governing boards, like the newly established School of Civic Leadership at the University of Texas at Austin. But this momentum must spread more widely. America needs more initiatives like these.

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Most Americans agree that change is needed on our campuses. Seven in 10 believe universities have a duty to promote civil discourse, according to research by the Ronald Reagan Center on Civility and Democracy. At the same time, most Americans today rate higher education institutions as only fair to very poor in their performance at fostering respectful dialogue.

Now more than ever, colleges must reclaim their role as cornerstones of civility, reasoned debate and intellectual growth. A curriculum focused on civic virtue and constitutional self-government can combat the cynicism and nihilism that fuel division and, at times, even violence. If universities recommit to shaping both intellect and character, they can restore their legitimacy, strengthen civil society and help strengthen our democracy.

Frederick J. Ryan Jr. is the director of the Ronald Reagan Center on Civility and Democracy. The center holds programs at both its facility in Washington, D.C., and at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, Calif.
In 2021, West Virginia lit the spark that would turn into a flaming beacon of hope for American families. That was the year that the West Virginia legislature passed the Hope Scholarship Program into law, the first education freedom program in the nation available to nearly every K-12 student in a state.

This is why West Virginia State Board of Education President Paul Hardestys recent comments on school choice were so disappointing. At a recent board meeting, Hardesty attacked the Hope Scholarship and the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) for allegedly seeking to decimate public education.

But Hardesty also encouraged the public not to take his word for anything and to fact-check him. Lets do that.

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First, lets set the record straight on the Hope Scholarship, which has made West Virginia a leader in education freedom nationwide. In fact, ALECs 2025 Index of State Education Freedom placed West Virginia as the sixth best state in the country for parental empowerment through education freedom.

The goal of the Hope Scholarship is simple: allow families to choose the learning environment that best fits their students needs. For many, that will be their local public school. But for others, their student may achieve the most success in a nonpublic school, charter school, virtual school, microschool, homeschool, or another type of learning environment. For those families, their state education tax dollars should follow their students to the school that meets their needs.

Hardesty criticized the Hope Scholarship Program for its out of control costs. But the Hope Scholarship Program does not cost West Virginia taxpayers additional money. The program utilizes existing state education dollars so that they can follow a student to the school that will best meet their needs. Months after becoming law, more than 3,000 families were accepted into the program and each accepted student was awarded $4,298.60 for the 2022-2023 school year.

Its also worth noting that only the state portion of education funding follows the student, while federal and local dollars are unaffected. This results in a Hope Scholarship being 34% of what would have otherwise been spent to teach the student in a public school.

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Today, any student in West Virginia can obtain a Hope Scholarship so long as they attended a public school for at least 45 days in the previous school year. Starting with the 2026-2027 school year, every student in West Virginia can use the Hope Scholarship Program, regardless of what school they previously attended.

Since the Hope Scholarship became law in West Virginia, 16 other states have joined in creating education freedom programs that are available to all, or nearly all, students in their state. The result? Twenty-two million kids, about 40% of K-12 students nationwide, now have access to an education freedom program.

Finally, lets address Hardestys comment on ALEC. A 52-year-old organization, ALEC brings together business leaders, policy experts, and state legislators, who are guided by the nonpartisan principles of limited government, free markets, and federalism. ALEC policy priorities and recommendations are set by a National Board of Directors, which consists entirely of state legislators from around the country.

The men and women of ALEC believe that education freedom should be a reality for every student across America. Opponents of programs like the Hope Scholarship will often try to convince the public that there is a binary choice: either you support public schools, or you support education freedom. In reality, true education freedom cant exist unless families have good public schools to choose from as well.

Government should not put families in a position where they are forced to send their child to a school that doesnt work for them. Simply put: all families should have access to all forms of learning  regardless of their income level or zip code. Not only does this put our students in the best position to succeed, but it also brings out the best in our schools.
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:

Mount Sinai Hospital Campus. Credit: Mount Sinai Health System

An international panel of leading experts on women's mental health is recommending that postpartum psychosis be recognized as a distinct category of mental illness and classified accordingly within standardized medical coding systems.

The recommendation, known as a "consensus statement," and a comprehensive review of the scientific literature on postpartum psychosis appear in Biological Psychiatry.

Postpartum psychosis is an acute and severe psychiatric illness that sets in within weeks after delivery. Most women with postpartum psychosis experience severe mood symptoms, including mania, mixed episodes, or depression with psychotic features. Impaired cognition, irritability, and agitation are also common.

The condition is considered a psychiatric emergency and, in most cases, requires hospitalization of the mother. If left untreated, postpartum psychosis is associated with high risks of suicide and infanticide. However, if it is detected and treated in time, patients respond well to treatment and most women return to their previous functioning.

Despite being one of the most distinct clinical phenotypes in psychiatry, postpartum psychosis is not recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) or the International Classification of Disease (ICD), which are used to code diseases and medical conditions for treatment and billing purposes.

"The postpartum time period is characterized by profound endocrine, immune, neuroanatomical, and physiological changes in the brain that strongly suggest a biological basis for the illness. Genetic studies have shown a unique risk architecture that's partly shared with, but distinct from, bipolar disorder. And epidemiologic studies show an enormous peak in incidence and prevalence of the condition," says Veerle Bergink, MD, PhD, Director of the Women's Mental Health Center at Mount Sinai and first author of the paper.

"The scientific evidence we present in our consensus statement justifies our recommendation that postpartum psychosis be classified as a distinct mental illness. The lack of accurate diagnosis and subsequent misinformed treatment has contributed to increased morbidity and mortality.

"Only by proper classification of the illness will we be able to improve patient outcomes. The time is now to make the change so we can help these women and save lives."

The panel, in close collaboration with patient advocacy organizations and key interested partners, recommended classifying postpartum psychosis as a distinct category within the bipolar disorders chapter of the DSM and ICD because:

The majority of women with postpartum psychosis present with affective symptomsmania, a mixed episode of mania/depression, or psychotic depression

Treatment response to lithium and electroconvulsive therapy, also standard treatments for bipolar disorder, is excellent for patients with postpartum psychosis

Follow-up studies indicate that women who experience a first postpartum psychosis episode have a 50% risk of developing a bipolar disorder, but not schizophrenia

Pregnant women with bipolar disorder face an exceptionally high risk of postpartum psychosis

The genetic risk architecture for postpartum psychosis is distinct but overlapping with bipolar disorder

Due to the risks to the patient and the infant, the rapid escalation of severity, and its severe and sudden course, it is imperative that postpartum psychosis is recognized, diagnosed, and treated as early as possible. To facilitate such care, the panel recommends DSM-5 and ICD-10 include the following criteria for a diagnosis of postpartum psychosis:

The onset of at least one of the following states within 12 weeks of childbirth, lasting at least one week and present most of the day, nearly every day, or any duration if hospitalization is necessary:

Mania/mixed state Delusions Hallucinations Disorganized speech or formal thought disorder Disorganized, confusional, or catatonic behavior Depression with psychotic features



The episode is associated with an unequivocal change in functioning that is uncharacteristic of the postpartum period.

The disturbance in mood and the change in functioning are observable by others.

The episode is sufficiently severe enough to cause marked impairment in social functioning and in the care of the baby or to necessitate hospitalization to prevent harm to the patient, baby, or others.

A distinct category within the DSM is warranted because postpartum psychosis does not fit into the currently available categories of mental illness, and the available specifier "with peripartum onset" inaccurately describes the timing of onset of the illness.

The panel recommends that postpartum psychosis can be diagnosed in addition to other mental illness or as first-onset for patients without psychiatric history.

"We have been working with the American Psychiatric Association and the DSM steering committee since 2020 to find a solution that will facilitate diagnostic accuracy and the provision of timely and evidence-based treatment to improve the quality of treatment and outcomes for women with postpartum psychosis and to prevent the tragic outcomes of suicide and infanticide. We are committed to continue this work," concludes Dr. Bergink.

More information: Veerle Bergink et al, Postpartum Psychosis and Bipolar Disorder: Review of Neurobiology and Expert Consensus Statement on classification., Biological Psychiatry (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2025.10.016 Journal information: Biological Psychiatry
President Donald Trumps first term championed a vision of American healthcare rooted in innovation, patient choice, and pro-life values. That first term delivered historic achievements at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)  from fast-tracking lifesaving therapies, approving a record number of generics in 2017 and 2018 under the Drug Competition Action Plan, and advancing drug price transparency. Unfortunately, the recent upheaval at the agency and more broadly at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is unravelling that progress with the consequences already hurting Americans.

In an erratic attempt to carry out President Trumps directive to course correct and refocus at the FDA, a wave of restructuring by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary has disrupted the FDAs functionality, destabilized investment in American biotech, and frustrated patients reliant on accelerated pathways for breakthrough treatments. These misdirected changes now risk undermining President Trumps overarching health policy objectives, from reshoring pharmaceutical manufacturing to promoting a culture of life at the nations health agencies.

Though many DOGE cuts removed red-tape bureaucrats, they also dismissed senior scientists and regulators critical to drug development.. These scientists and regulators provide the clarity, continuity, and communication essential to companies navigating the agencys complex approval pathways. Their absence causes regulatory bottlenecks, approval delays, and even canceled dispute resolution meetings. The gravity of these disruptions compelled hundreds of biomedical innovators, investors, and patient advocates to sign a public letter expressing their concern about the current state of the agency.

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This uncertainty has consequences. Companies are already offshoring trials to China to escape FDA ambiguity. But more troubling is that these cracks in the regulatory system are threatening patients while handing China a geopolitical advantage. As former Trump Undersecretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property Andrei Iancu recently warned, Any way you cut it... China is already leading, or knocking on the door in biotech innovation. Licensing deals for Chinese-developed drugs now account for nearly 40% of U.S. activity, up from less than 3% five years ago. Meanwhile, U.S.-based firms are slashing research and development budgets amid regulatory unpredictability and rising costs tied to tariffs and supply chain delays.

Ceding biotech innovation to Communist China isnt just a blow to Americas economic competitiveness; its a blow to our moral authority as well. The Trump administration vowed to uphold life-affirming principles. Chinas clinical trial system does not operate with the same ethical safeguards as ours. As FDA delays pile up and FDA reliability erodes, innovators seeking to develop gene therapies for rare diseases may have no choice but to conduct trials in countries like China where there are few protections for participants and human dignity is often ignored.

This point comes into even sharper relief when the very agency tasked with protecting life denies vulnerable children access to therapies that could extend or save it. In July 2025 alone, for instance, the FDA rejected Ultragenyxs UX111, a gene therapy for children suffering from Sanfilippo syndrome type A  a rare, fatal neurodegenerative condition that typically claims young lives before adolescence  over manufacturing technicalities, despite the lack of any meaningful alternatives for these families. It also halted shipments of Sareptas Elevidys, the only approved treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a devastating disease that gradually robs children of their ability to walk, breathe, and ultimately survive into adulthood. The FDA only partially reversed this decision after a wave of outrage from parents and clinicians.

Taken together, these actions reflect a concerning trend: Instead of accelerating the actualization of hope, the FDA is delaying it. For the most vulnerable patients, including children, a delay may be the difference between life and death. Backfilling career staff in critical scientific roles with poorly suited replacements is dangerous. Dr. Vinay Prasad, who has been elevated to lead the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), exemplifies this problem. Prasad is a self-described political liberal who has emphasized that he stands on the side that views abortion as healthcare, Rather than advancing a culture of life and innovation, his tenure has introduced skepticism toward pediatric therapies and reinforced a pattern of denials that has left desperate families with fewer options and less hope.

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Lets be clear: Streamlining government is a worthy goal. But theres a difference between pruning deadweight and gutting expertise. Under Trumps first term, the FDA broke records in drug approvals, advanced Right-to-Try legislation, and led the fastest vaccine development campaign in history all while maintaining high scientific standards. Todays reality stands in stark contrast: regulatory inconsistency and mission drift that have left disillusioned biotech investors walking away from U.S. markets.

President Trump has the opportunity and the obligation to reassess the FDAs current trajectory. The White House must remind Secretary Kennedy and Commissioner Makary of the importance of biomedical innovation and make it clear to them that its time to stabilize the FDA, re-center the agency on science, and reaffirm our commitment to both life and leadership in the biotech frontier. In the race for medical breakthroughs, delay means death and the United States cannot afford to lose this race to red tape or to Red China.
OpenAI is fighting a lawsuit alleging that the AI company is responsible for the death of Adam Raine, a 16-year-old in California who took his life after extensive conversations with ChatGPT about his suicidal ideation and intent to die. Part of OpenAIs defense strategy, according to The Financial Times? Requesting that the family cough up details of the teens funeral.

As the FT reports, OpenAIs lawyers have pushed the Raine family to provide a list of people who attended Adams funeral, as well as material like eulogies and photos and videos captured at the service.

OpenAI asked for all documents relating to memorial services or events in the honor of the decedent including but not limited to any videos or photographs taken, or eulogies given, read a document reviewed by the FT, as well as invitation or attendance lists or guestbooks.

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Per the report, lawyers for the family characterized the request as unusual and intentional harassment, hinting that OpenAI might seek to subpoena pretty much everyone in Adams orbit as it seeks to prove that its chatbot wasnt responsible for the suicide of a teen.

This goes from a case about recklessness to willfulness, Jay Edelson, a lawyer for the family, told the FT. Adam died as a result of deliberate intentional conduct by OpenAI, which makes it into a fundamentally different case.

OpenAI didnt immediately respond to a request for comment about the request; its unclear why its lawyers believe these materials are necessary as it seeks to prove that it shouldnt be held liable for the 16-year-olds tragic death.

Critics, meanwhile, have taken to social media to express disgust and bewilderment.

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This is absolutely sickening, said musician and ethical AI training advocate Ed Newton-Rex.

Sean O hEigeartaigh, an AI risk researcher and professor at the University of Cambridge, added a succinct: What on earth.

But, lets trust [OpenAI CEO Sam Altman] and OpenAI to lead us into one perfect AGI future, wrote Grady Booch, who leads software engineering at IBM Research.

Adam died by suicide in April of this year. After discovering him dead in his room, the teens parents found that hed carried out extensive discussions about his suicidality with the chatbot, which had provided the teen with information about suicide methods  including how to effectively die by hanging, Adams ultimate cause of death  and repeatedly discouraged him from sharing his deadly thoughts with his parents and other trusted loved ones. The Raine family sued OpenAI in late August, arguing that ChatGPT is a negligent product released recklessly to the public, and that Adams death was the predictable result of deliberate design choices.

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Reporting about the bizarre OpenAI request for funeral materials comes amid the news that the Raine family amended their legal complaint to include striking new allegations that OpenAI repeatedly loosened ChatGPT guardrails around self-harm and suicide talk in the year leading up to Adams death.

Our deepest sympathies are with the Raine family for their unthinkable loss, OpenAI said in a statement regarding the amendment. Teen well-being is a top priority for us  minors deserve strong protections, especially in sensitive moments. We have safeguards in place today, such as surfacing crisis hotlines, re-routing sensitive conversations to safer models, nudging for breaks during long sessions, and were continuing to strengthen them. We recently rolled out a new GPT-5 default model in ChatGPT to more accurately detect and respond to potential signs of mental and emotional distress, as well as parental controls, developed with expert input, so families can decide what works best in their homes.

More on OpenAI: OpenAI Faces New Allegations in Teens Death
MT. JULIET, Tenn. (WKRN)  A job posting for Mt. Juliets next information technology director is now online after two employees from that department were fired amid an ongoing investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

On Tuesday, Oct. 21, a city spokesperson confirmed to News 2 that Mt. Juliet had separated employment with IT Director Travis Taylor and another employee from the IT department, whose identity has not been released.

Mt. Juliet officials posted in August 2023 that Taylor had worked for the city for 15 years. Then, in July 2025, he was praised for his hard work to make sure Mt. Juliet operates smoothly.

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PREVIOUS: 2 Mt. Juliet city employees, including former IT director, fired amid TBI investigation

The TBI told News 2 that District Attorney General Jason Lawson asked the agency to investigate allegations involving these employees.

News 2 has worked to learn more about what led to the termination of Taylor and the other IT employee, but much of it remains under wraps. We reached out to the mayor of Mt. Juliet and all four city commissioners for more information about the situation.

In a statement, District 3 Commissioner Scott Hefner wrote, Its my understanding from speaking with our city manager and others, that TBI is investigating two city employees for alleged criminal activities, in addition to HRs review of violations of personal standards. Im confident all details will be fully disclosed for the sake of transparency.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Meanwhile, District 4 Commissioner Jennifer Milele said she doesnt know any details and shes waiting on the investigation.

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The next Mt. Juliet Board of Commissioners meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 27. One commissioner expects to hear public comments on this topic.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 scale, speed and lack of transparency were seeing from President Donald Trumps determination to build a 90,000-square foot ballroom makes it by far the most absurd  and potentially unethical  renovation project any president has undertaken.

Former officials and historical experts were appalled at the images of demolition equipment ripping through the White Houses East Wing were first published by The Washington Post Monday. The outcry only grew Tuesday as the rapid renovation spread further, not merely taking down the facade outside the East Wing but tearing haphazardly into the building. A White House official confirmed Wednesday that the plan is now to raze the whole structure rather than tagging on the ballroom as an addition.

The White Houses press team posted a thread on X, formerly known as Twitter, to claim that the destruction was merely a continuation of a process that presidents have undertaken for more than a century. Its true that there have been several major overhauls to the Executive Mansion in that time, many of which drew consternation over their scope, their disregard for history or their expense. But the project Trump has undertaken is on another level entirely.

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Given his past as a real estate developer, his obsession with size and grandeur and his questionable taste in internal decor, Trumps vision for a White House ballroom comes as little surprise. During the initial announcement in July, he claimed that the addition wont interfere with the current building. It wont be. Itll be near it but not touching it  and pays total respect to the existing building, which Im the biggest fan of. Its my favorite. Its my favorite place. I love it. (Trump reportedly calling the White House a dump during his first term, which he has denied, and spending a big chunk of his second term staying at the properties he owns, doesnt exactly support the idea its his favorite place.)

In his Truth Social post Monday announcing that the project was underway, the president hedged a bit more on that initial promise: Completely separate from the White House itself, the East Wing is being fully modernized as part of this process. While the East and West Wings are later additions to the core Executive Mansion, each of which caused its own major concerns when first built, trying to say that either is separate from the White House is a major stretch.

Both wings originated during President Theodore Roosevelts administration. The West Wing was originally a temporary structure to house the growing presidential staff away from the residences. The construction required destroying the Victorian-era conservatory greenhouses that previously occupied the grounds. The pearl-clutching was off the charts, as captured in a 1902 article from The Washington Times: Unfortunately the west terrace ends in an awful blot on the landscape, the new temporary offices for the President. It is to be hoped that temporary does not mean a temporizing with the American people to tide over their first wrath and then perpetuate the hideous little doghouse as a permanent thing.

The East Wing, on the other hand, began life as an entryway for Roosevelts guests to make their way through a corridor to the residence with a long cloakroom for coats and hats. His great-nephew, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, would later greatly augment the structure starting in 1942, adding a second story and more office space. The expansion was done mostly to cover up the secret construction of a bunker underneath the White House in case Germanys nascent long-range missile program was ever able to reach Washington. Since then, it has (or had) become the public-facing arm of the White House, with the first floor devoted to tours and the second populated with the office of the first lady and her staff.

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The core White House itself has undergone many changes over the decades, both cosmetic and structural. A set of ornate stained glass windows designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany himself, installed under President Chester A. Arthur, was later removed during the elder Roosevelts renovations, along with the rest of Tiffanys decorative choices. A few decades after Teddys exit, President Calvin Coolidge also undertook a major renovation, replacing the roof, which was in danger of collapsing, and adding a third floor in the process. (The major scandal of that project: a move to replace the French-influenced decor with a colonial-style motif instead.)

Exterior view of White House in construction on Jan. 01, 1950. (Bettmann Archive)

The most large-scale overhaul took place under President Harry Truman, when swaying chandeliers, deeply sagging floors and a piano leg crashing through a floor into the Family Dining Room revealed that the whole thing was in danger of imploding under the weight of past haphazard remodeling. Even a GOP-dominated Congress that didnt often get along with Truman had to agree that the money for the project was needed, especially after a tour of the many structural issues. He and his wife, Bess, had to move out of the White House while the building was entirely gutted with only the stone exterior remaining in place. (The West Wing remained open and operational the entire time.)

Truman was finally allowed to move back in in 1952 after more than three years of reconstruction work. But according to the Truman Library Institute, he wasnt overly impressed with what roughly $70 million in todays dollars had purchased: With all the trouble and worry it is worth it  but not 5  million dollars! If I could have had charge of the construction, it would have been done for half the money and in half the time!

The estimated $250 million price tag for Trumps ballroom addition is set to be at least three times as much as the total renovation of the 1950s. But unlike past overhauls, the president isnt waiting for Congress to appropriate the funds. Instead, Trump has said that the whole of the project will be covered by many generous Patriots, Great American Companies, and, yours truly. Trump claimed at a dinner with major business executives last week that the project was fully funded after donations from multiple companies, some as high as $25 million. But theres been no official list provided yet of precisely which companies had donated how much or how exactly that money will be spent. (Comcast, which owns MSNBC and NBCUniversal, was among the companies represented at that dinner and on a list of top donors.)

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The lack of funding visibility raises concerns that the whole thing could be yet another way for Trump to demand tribute in exchange for access to his beneficence. Those concerns are only exacerbated by the rapid pace of the transformation, with no forewarning ahead of the demolition crews arrival Monday.

The White House said Tuesday that it will be submitting its ballroom plans to the National Capital Planning Commission for review  but the announcement was made only after the demolition had already begun. The commission, which is led by a Trump appointee, is all but guaranteed to sign off on the changes, which the National Trust for Historic Preservation warned in a letter Tuesday will likely overwhelm the White House itself  it is 55,000 square feet, compared with the 90,000-square-foot proposed ballroom.

Its unclear how long this supposed improvement will take, given Trumps history of project management and reported unwillingness to pay contractors. But theres nothing at this point that can stop the bulldozers carnage or undo the damage thats already been done. While not as psychologically damaging as the slide into authoritarianism that Trump has unleashed, the gaudy, gilded monstrosity that may eventually be attached to the Peoples House will serve as a reminder of how much his influence will be felt long after he is gone.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
The Telegraph reports that China is terrifying Western business executives. Chinese dark factories are so thoroughly automated that there is no need for lights on the assembly floor.

Its the most humbling thing Ive ever seen, Ford Motor Company CEO Jim Farley told the London paper. We are in a global competition with China, and its not just [electric vehicles]. And if we lose this, we do not have a future at Ford.

Chinas assault on global manufacturing is most evident in the passenger car sector. As Farley made clear, China has opened up a big lead on new energy vehicles. An astounding 62 percent of the worlds EVs delivered last month  battery-only and hybrid models  were made in that country.

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China can thank its robots for this. As the Telegraph reported, there were only 189,000 industrial robots in China in 2014. As of last year, that number had hit 2,027,000.

In the U.S., by comparison, there were only 394,000 robots installed at the end of last year. A little more than 34,000 were added in 2024.

Chinas extreme automation is a strength, but it is also a response to the countrys most fundamental weakness: its impending demographic collapse.

Beijing reported the countrys population was 1.41 billion at the end of last year. Yi Fuxian of the University of Wisconsin-Madison predicts that it will drop to 330 million by 2100. Yis forecast is at the low end of the range, but the estimates of others have been falling over time, making his figure plausible.

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Yis estimate assumes that China will be able to stabilize its total fertility rate  generally, the average number of children born to each woman over her lifetime  at 0.8. Chinas total fertility rate in 2023 was 1.0 and remained the same last year. A country generally needs a total fertility rate of 2.1 to maintain a stable population.

Yi, however  who also believes Chinas official population numbers are already inflated  believes that Chinas total fertility rate could fall as low as 0.7, meaning it could have even fewer than 330 million people by 2100.

Chinas working age population, the 15-59 age cohort, peaked in 2011 and probably will fall faster than the population as a whole.

China has embarked on a road of demographic no-return, writes Wang Feng of the University of California, Irvine.

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Left unaddressed, Yi states, Chinas demographic trap could precipitate a civilizational collapse.

Chinas central government has tried a number of different tactics to increase fertility  for instance, relaxing its draconian one-child policy and adopting a two-child policy in 2016. When that didnt work, the government went to a three-child policy in 2021. Despite the liberalization, the countrys population peaked in 2021 and has been falling ever since.

As Wang points out, No country has successfully raised fertility with government policies. Nicholas Eberstadt of the American Enterprise Institute told me: It is possible to use bayonets and police power to force birth rates down against the will of a people; it is very much more difficult to use state force to push birth rates up,

So China, having failed to raise fertility, now needs lots of robots. Chinas manufacturing sector has been quite labor-intensive, Rian Whitton of Bismarck Analysis told the Telegraph. So in a preemptive fashion, they want to automate it as much as possible, not because they expect theyll be able to get higher margins  that is usually the idea in the West  but to compensate for this population decline and to get a competitive advantage.

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Chinas automation drive gives it a competitive advantage for now, as Fords Farley suggests, but it is also pushing other countries to employ robots, too. And as all countries install the devices, Chinas labor-cost advantage, which powered the countrys growth for decades, will disappear.

Automation is leveling labor costs worldwide, which ultimately means companies that manufacture closer to the point of ultimate consumption will tend to dominate markets.

In the meantime, Chinas robots pose another problem. Each robot installed means at least one job fewer for humans, and the country already has an unemployment problem. Beijing reports that the overall urban unemployment rate in August was 5.3 percent. The rate for the 16-to-24 age group that month was 18.9 percent.

China has traditionally underreported these numbers. But whether they are accurate or not, China needs to put people to work, and the fast installation of robots undermines this crucial task. The country now has a large number of young people with no prospects.

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No-prospect young are lying flat  dropping out of society  and others are retiring, leaving cities to farm plots in the countryside. Both trends add volatility to an already unhappy population. Some younger Chinese even say they are part of their countrys last generation.

Beijing believes that fewer people will not necessarily derail economic growth. But robots are no solution to a collapsing demography  at least not in the long term.

Gordon G. Chang is the author of  Plan Red: Chinas Project to Destroy America  and  The Coming Collapse of China .

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Leo Garcia Venegas is a natural-born American citizen who just wants to work in peace. But the federal government wont let him. He has been swept up in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids at work  not once, but twice  where he was assaulted, handcuffed and treated like a criminal by agents of the U.S. government.

Garcia is a construction worker in Baldwin County, Alabama. Every day, he goes to work and helps build the homes needed to support the regions fast-growing population. And every day, he works in fear. Earlier this month, he partnered with my nonprofit law firm, the Institute for Justice, to file a lawsuit against ICE and several other federal agencies, senior officials and officers responsible for enforcing immigration laws.

It all goes back to early 2025. On his first day in office, President Donald Trump rallied federal agencies, including ICE, to start conducting mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. That effort has involved, in Border Czar Tom Homans words, massively expand[ed] worksite enforcement operations.

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Officers storm into the non-public areas of businesses, armed with guns, and often detain anybody who they think looks undocumented. Many of the people swept up in these raids are American citizens. These raids have hit the Alabama construction industry particularly hard. Officers have been raiding private worksites for months. Construction workers, including citizens, are afraid to go to work. Garcias experience shows why.

In May, he was working on a posted and fenced site, preparing to lay the foundation for a new home, when masked agents burst in and started detaining everybody who looked Latino (they left a group of non-Latino workers alone). When Garcia told them he was a citizen, the agents tackled and handcuffed him anyway. Even after inspecting his REAL ID  a credential issued only to citizens and lawful residents  the agents kept Garcia restrained for about an hour.

Then, in June, it happened again. Federal agents entered a nearly completed house in which Garcia was working, cornered him and ordered him to exit so they could check his status. Once again, Garcia produced his REAL ID. And once again, the agents refused to accept it. They marched him several blocks to a lineup with other workers they had detained  including another citizen and a lawfully present worker  only releasing him 20 minutes later.

Garcia was not charged with a crime after either raid. After the first raid, the federal government claimed that Garcia physically got in between agents and the subject they were attempting to arrest and refused to comply with numerous verbal commands. But Garcia was merely taking out his phone to record the altercation  when an ICE agent grabbed him. And the government has never attempted to justify Garcias second arrest.

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The fact is, Garcia did nothing wrong. All he ever did was show up to work. And for that, he was deprived of his rights as a U.S. citizen. The governments difficult relationship with the truth cannot change the reality of what it did to Garcia.

These terrifying raids show no sign of slowing down. Indeed, a recent post by Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Advisor, suggests the floodgates are now open. According to Miller, the federal government holds the power to ensur[e] the full and unrestricted enforcement of immigration law in all fifty states.

That is embarrassingly wrong. The Constitution does not tolerate unrestricted power. Indeed, the whole point of the Constitution is to restrict government power. Look at the Fourth Amendment: It protects [t]he right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Moreover, the Constitution does not tolerate an ends-justify-the-means approach. Regardless of how one might feel about current federal immigration enforcement, hopefully all Americans can agree that any policy issued by any administration must comply with the Constitution. Under Supreme Court precedent, here is what a constitutional policy looks like: If federal agents want to raid posted, fenced or enclosed property, they need a warrant. If they want to detain people, they need reasonable suspicion that those people are violating immigration or other laws. And if they want to arrest people, they need probable cause.

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The federal agents who raided Garcias worksites and detained him  even after he showed his REAL ID  had none of that. So, Garcia is suing.

The lawsuit, which will seek class-action status, asks the U.S. district court in southern Alabama to enjoin ICE and its fellow immigration enforcement agencies from conducting any further warrantless construction site raids or suspicionless seizures of citizens and other lawfully present workers  all of which violate the Fourth Amendment and federal regulations that were adopted to limit immigration officers power.

The bottom line is simple: There is no ICE exception to the Fourth Amendment. Garcia has every right, as an American citizen, to work on private property without having to fear that armed, masked agents will storm the site without a warrant and detain him just for doing his job. As much as Mr. Miller might like to wish that right away, wishes are not law  the Constitution is.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
(Editors note: This story has been updated to clarify that the oral arguments are scheduled for Oct. 29, 2025)

WARREN, Ohio (WKBN)  The Ohio Supreme Court will hear oral arguments next week in the case of convicted murderer Danny Lee Hill.

Hill has filed more than 30 appeals since his 1986 trial and conviction in the rape and murder of 12-year-old Raymond Fife. This latest appeal is asking for the case to be reopened based on changes in the metrics to determine if a defendant is intellectually disabled.

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At the time of Hills conviction, the U.S. Supreme Court didnt forbid states from executing the intellectually disabled. However, in 2002, the high court banned the practice.

In 2003, Hill filed for postconviction relief in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court, arguing his intellectual disability prevented the state from executing him. After being evaluated by three experts, the court upheld his death sentence.

Years later, the U.S. Supreme Court set new standards for the death penalty, and Hill asked the Trumbull County trial court to reopen his case. The trial court refused, but an appeals court directed the trial court to consider his case.

Now, the High Court will consider whether the provision that allows for the court to consider reopening the case based on not any procedural error but on the merits of the decision itself, should be approved, and if a death conviction should be allowed.

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Decisions are typically made four to six months following oral arguments.

Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins has turned this latest appeal over to the Ohio State Attorney Generals Office.

Hill is 58 years old. He was 18 when Fife was murdered.

Hill has had multiple execution dates set; however, Ohio has a moratorium on the death penalty because the Ohio Department of Corrections cannot obtain the drugs from pharmaceutical companies to carry out lethal injection, the only approved manner of execution in Ohio. Watkins has called on lawmakers to pass legislation approving other methods.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
After serving for decades as a community hub and popular shopping center, the Westminster Mall in Orange County is getting ready to close its doors.

Most of the shops in the mall will shut down on Oct. 29 when leases expire, according to Westminster City Manager Christine Cordon. The City Council approved a redevelopment plan in 2022 to turn the mall into a mixed-use site for housing, leisure and retail.

The 100-acre property, situated on the south side of the 405 Freeway, could soon offer 3,000 housing units and at least 600,000 square feet of upscale retail space.

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The city's Westminster Mall Specific Plan also sets aside more than nine acres for parks and recreation.

"The community has expressed a strong desire to revitalize this important commercial center," the redevelopment plan says. "The project site provides a unique opportunity to reposition the mall into the thriving activity center that it once was and to accommodate the future growth of the city."

Read more: O.C. malls, fading from their hip glory days, may get new lives as apartments

Community members gathered last week to say their goodbyes to the mall, which already has shuttered stores and empty parking lots. According to the mall's online directory, popular shops such as Victoria's Secret, Vans and Kay Jewelers are still open.

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JCPenney, the mall's oldest anchor store, is slated to close by Nov. 21. Best Buy and Target are expected to remain open for a few more years as the property undergoes redevelopment.

Alexis Malatesta, who frequented the mall as a teenager and now runs a Westminster Mall fan account on Instagram, hosted a farewell karaoke party at the mall on Friday.

She posted videos of the gathering, where several community members came to reminisce and sing songs in the mall's honor.

Malatesta's Instagram says it's "a page dedicated solely to the Westminster Malls battle with terminal illness," referencing the mall's long, rocky fall from its prime.

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In 1986, the mall was Orange County's second-highest-grossing retail center. The next year, the mall announced a big renovation plan.

In its heyday, the mall was a gathering spot when there were few other places to hang out. It was where kids found the latest fashions and where "mall rats" roamed in packs after school.

Read more: 'Experiential' retail surges as landlords try to lure customers back to the mall

Malatesta, who grew up in Huntington Beach, said she spent countless afternoons at the mall in the early 2000s, riding the carousel and snapping digital photos. As the mall fell into disrepair, she posted stunts on social media to try to generate business, including a fake wedding ceremony to declare her marriage to the mall.

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"I wanted to get people to go enjoy the space while it was still there," she said in an interview. "The Westminster Mall was a huge part of my childhood and I've met a ton of people through our shared obsession with the mall."

The Westminster Mall opened in 1974 on the former site of the world's largest goldfish farm, according to city documents.

It underwent major renovations in the 1980s and in 2008, and is now controlled by four companies that share ownership of the property: Kaiser Permanente, Shopoff Realty, True Life Cos. and Washington Prime Group.

True Life, a Denver-based real estate firm, has received permission from the city to build a five-story, multifamily housing structure on the 3.6 acres that was previously occupied by Babies R Us.

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Because of a pending agreement among the four companies, a demolition date for the mall has not been set.

Though the city has ambitious redevelopment plans, the Westminster Mall will lose its nostalgic value for Malatesta, now 33.

"You can go into an indoor mall and you can forget about the outside world," Malatesta said. "Westminster Mall was my spot."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
KNOX COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE)  New ordinances would require nonprofits with Knox County contracts to not help people in Knox County who are in the country illegally.

A pair of proposed ordinances would require the executive director of any organization asking for money from the general county fund to sign a statement saying the organization doesnt spend money to help people who are in the county while in violation of United States immigration laws. Organizations must also swear that they have practices in place to make sure no money is being used to benefit such people.

We believe in following legal immigration paths Sevier County Sheriffs Office to join ICE program

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The ordinances are on the schedule for the Knox County Commission meeting Monday October 27. However, Commissioner Angela Russell said she plans to move for a delay to give them more time to work on the wording.

The ordinances state that Knox County is dealing with significant budget and debt challenges, and should be a responsible steward of taxpayer money. According to the ordinances, the countys 2026 budget has almost $2 million allocated to direct services contracts with nonprofits through the general fund and $12 million through the hotel/motel tax fund. The ordinances say the county should make sure this money is being used properly.

The ordinances would require other information from organizations including financial statements, budgets, proof of nonprofit status, etc. In a call with 6 News, Commissioner Russell expressed interest in making sure tax dollars are spent wisely.

In an agenda review meeting on Monday, Commissioner Damon Rawls suggested delaying the vote, citing concerns with the sworn statements. He asked whether the ordinances would mean he would get in legal trouble if a person attended a class at his nonprofit without Rawls knowing the persons immigration status. He also asked whether this would require Zoo Knoxville to make sure all guests are in the country legally.

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I dont think they could even do that, Rawls said.

He also addressed concerns that the paperwork required could be cost-prohibitive for smaller organizations and suggested rewriting the ordinance.

Commissioner Andy Fox responded that he was open to making tweaks in the language. He said he didnt want to create problems for organizations offering services to the public at large and might unknowingly provide aid to an immigrant in the country illegally. Rather he was thinking about direct transfers to individuals, he said.

Housing, medical services, things of that nature, we should not be using tax dollars to provide benefits to people like that if they dont legally reside in the country, Fox said.

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Commissioner Courtney Durrett argued that the current process for vetting nonprofits was already sufficient and the county was already making sure money wasnt used improperly. However, Russell argued that more transparency was needed.

VIDEO: Truck catches fire, crashes into building in Sevierville

Jenny Holden, senior director of grants and community development, said that the county will not be opening to applications for nonprofits until January 2028, giving them plenty of time to review the item.

Read both proposed ordinances below.

17738_O-25-10-101Proposed.ord.defined.service.contracts.full (1)Download

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This comes amid an immigration crackdown in Tennessee and across the nation. It is already a crime in Tennessee to provide shelter to immigrants without legal permission, although Republican lawmakers argued that this law goes after criminals trafficking people, not charitable organizations trying to help those in need. Many have criticized this immigration crackdown.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley are among national lawmakers calling on the Trump administration to release funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in November.

The demand comes after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced these benefits would be stalled throughout the U.S. due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, leaving roughly 757,000 Oregonians without their monthly stipends.

TIMELINE: Atmospheric river bringing stormy conditions across Pacific Northwest

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We were deeply disturbed to hear that the USDA has instructed states to stop processing SNAP benefits for November and were surprised by your recent comments that the program will run out of money in two weeks, the senators wrote in a letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. In fact, the USDA has several tools available which would enable SNAP benefits to be paid through or close to the end of November.

According to Wyden, Merkley, and the other senators who signed the letter, the USDA is required by law to use contingency funds that have been set aside for SNAP. They also claim the agency can transfer funds from other USDA nutrition programs.

In the event that more resources are needed than what is available in contingency funding, the USDA should explore all legal means to augment funds to pay the full amount of SNAP benefits in November, they wrote. Americans are already struggling with the rising cost of groceries, and they cannot afford a sudden lapse in grocery assistance. We urge you to immediately communicate to states and committees of jurisdiction the USDAs plans to disburse the contingency funding to state agencies and utilize all available legal authorities so that American families can get benefits without interruption. Democrats remain at the table and ready to negotiate reopening the government.

Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups arrested during investigation into rigged poker games tied to mafia

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At least 143,000 SNAP participants are residents of Multnomah County, representing roughly $6 million in these food benefits. According to the county, nearly one in five of its residents rely on this assistance.

These are families. Children. Its unconscionable for the federal government to shut off this critical resource. We need action now, and remain committed to working with all partners to reduce hardship and food insecurity, Chair Jessica Vega Pederson said in a statement Thursday morning.

The lapse in federal funding can only be resolved by Congress and President Donald Trump reaching an agreement.

Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.

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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 KOIN.com.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

One in five women with breast or cervical cancer in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are diagnosed at an early stage, compared with more than one in three in high-income countries (HICs), new research suggests. For ovarian cancer, the proportion of women diagnosed with early-stage disease was generally lower than 20% (one in five) worldwide, although the situation remains slightly worse for women in LMICs.

Data from more than 275,000 women in 39 countries revealed that surgery was generally offered to women with early-stage cancer in most countries, although not necessarily consistent with international guidelines. But the researchers say too many women, especially in LMICs, are not being diagnosed until the disease has become too advanced.

A major study of three of the most common cancers in women, conducted by the Cancer Survival Group at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, found variations in the stage of disease at diagnosis, the type of treatment, and the extent to which treatment was consistent with international guidelines.

Published in The Lancet, the findings from the VENUSCANCER project, which is embedded within the CONCORD program for the global surveillance of cancer survival, provide the first global picture of pathways to care, which is crucial evidence to support initiatives aimed at improving cancer control worldwide.

The proportion of women whose cancer was detected at an early stage was 40% or higher in HICs for cervical or breast, but much lower in LMICs, at below 20% for all three cancers, apart from Cuba (30% for breast) and Russia (36% for cervix and 27% for ovary). These differences mean that women's chances of survival in most LMICs will be lower than in HICs.

Metastatic breast cancers (where the cancer has spread from its original site to another part of the body) accounted for less than 10% in most HICs, but were more frequent in LMICs (range 244%). Advanced cervical cancers were lower than 15% in most countries worldwide.

Ovarian cancers were still mostly diagnosed at an advanced stage. Ovarian cancer is often described as the "silent killer," because it produces vague symptoms (abdominal pain or swelling) and can go undetected for a long time, leading to late-stage diagnosis.

When it came to treatment for the three cancers, surgery was offered to 78% of women in HICs and 56% of women in LMICs, but initial treatment for early-stage tumors was more often consistent with clinical guidelines for cervical and ovarian cancer than for breast cancer.

Treatment can include surgery to remove only the tumor, or a more extensive procedure such as mastectomy to remove the breast, or hysterectomy to remove the uterus and cervix, as well as radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

Non-surgical treatment, such as chemotherapy or hormone therapy, for certain types of tumors was more often consistent with international clinical guidelines than surgery.

Consistent with clinical guidelines, women with early-stage breast cancer were treated with breast-conserving surgery plus radiotherapy (6778%) in most European countries. The proportion was lower in Canada (60%) and the U.S. (53%). By contrast, in LMICs, 3070% of women with early-stage breast cancer were treated with mastectomy. However, mastectomy is also common in the U.S., Canada, Estonia, the Netherlands and Portugal.

The authors highlight the importance of a woman's choice in deciding on the type of treatment or surgery, but also point out that decisions are often based on socioeconomic factors, education, lack of treatment facilities, distance from the treatment facility, or fear of recurrence.

Breast-conserving surgery without radiotherapy is mainly offered to women older than 70 years with a specific type of breast cancer, called estrogen-receptor positive (ER-positive) breast cancer. But the researchers say the lack of radiotherapy facilities and surgeons trained in breast-conserving surgery is the main reason that a high proportion of women in LMICs have mastectomies.

Other reasons can come into play as part of this complex global picture. For example, in Thailand, older women tend to prefer mastectomy, due to the belief that it offers a better chance of curing their cancer, while some health insurance policies in the US do not cover radiotherapy.

Lead author and PI of VENUSCANCER, Professor Claudia Allemani, Professor of Global Public Health at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), said, "This study was a major undertaking, creating the largest and most detailed global population-based database for three of the most common cancers in women to date, including data on stage, staging procedures, treatment and biomarkers. VENUSCANCER offers the first real-world picture of patterns of care and consistency of treatment with clinical guidelines, on a global scale.

"Treatment that is consistent with established international clinical guidelines for standard care still varies worldwide. However, it's encouraging to see that if women are diagnosed early, prompt access to optimal treatment for breast, cervical, and ovarian cancers has become more accessible for early-stage tumors in most countries. But this only helps if cancer is detected early enough. Sadly, the proportion of women with cancer who are diagnosed at an early stage is still far too low, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

"Evidence from this study should help to inform global policy on cancer control, such as WHO's Global Breast Cancer Initiative and the Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative.

"Efforts to promote improvement of early cancer detection should continue in all countries. More radiotherapy facilities and specially trained cancer surgeons are also needed to ensure that women in LMICs have access to a full range of treatment options. In some high-income countries, health insurance policies should include radiotherapy for economically disadvantaged women.

"Population-based cancer registries are key to assessing and monitoring the consistency of treatment with clinical guidelines and their impact on the survival of patients with cancer. To guarantee the timeliness and completeness of data on stage and treatment, governments should include the provision of stable financial support for population-based cancer registries in any cancer control plan."

Study author Dr. Veronica Di Carlo, Research Fellow in the Cancer Survival Group at LSHTM, said, "We found there was variation in the extent to which countries followed international clinical guidelines. This suggests that more needs to be done to tailor internationally-agreed recommendations to local needs and resources, to simplify them, and to make them available in local languages. Women everywhere need to be able to discuss their treatment with medical professionals and make decisions in the knowledge that they can access the best available options according to recommended guidelines."

The authors acknowledged limitations of the study, such as gaps in the data provided by some countries.

More information: Global variation in patterns of care and time to initial treatment for breast, cervical, and ovarian cancer from 2015 to 2018 (VENUSCANCER): a secondary analysis of individual records for 275,792 women from 103 population-based cancer registries in 39 countries and territories., The Lancet (2025). DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(25)01383-2 Journal information: The Lancet
The New Orleans City Council meets at City Hall on July 24, 2025. (Photo by Christiana Botic/Verite News and CatchLight Local/Report for America)

A cash flow problem that may leave the city of New Orleans without enough money to pay its bills for the rest of the year is due in part to the fact that it has not received an expected $120 million advance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Its a reality that city officials blame not just on the ongoing federal government shutdown but also on policies the Trump administration has leveled against sanctuary cities that dont cooperate with federal governments hard-line immigration policies.

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The city may now be at risk of not having enough funding to cover payroll for thousands of its employees.

The news comes as the city stares down a $160 million budget deficit that will require it to spend down its reserve fund as well as adopt new revenue-generating measures  all while it prepares and passes its budget for next year.

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Now, the city will likely have to take on debt in order to cover its bills for the rest of the year  in addition to implementing cost-saving measures across the board. But given the citys dour financial outlook, it might be difficult for the city to easily access a line of credit.

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I can tell you that the council was not aware that [the federal funding], pretty much, was the determining factor on whether or not wed be making payroll for the end of the year, Councilwoman at-large Helena Moreno, who takes office as mayor of New Orleans in less than three months, said at an emergency budget hearing the New Orleans City Council held Wednesday.

That $120 million in FEMA funds was supposed to come as part of the $2 billion Joint Infrastructure Recovery Request program, wherein the city and the Sewerage & Water Board pooled federal post-Katrina recovery funding to work together to fix long-neglected roads and drainage infrastructure. The city, which was slow to spend the money at first, has since signed extensions with FEMA, so that it can continue to upgrade infrastructure, especially roadwork.

Though such FEMA funds are usually paid as reimbursements for work already performed, for the roadwork, the city negotiated an advance payment system, The Times-Picayune reported.

According to interim Chief Administrative Officer Joe Threat, the city put in a request in August to again extend its agreement with FEMA, so it could continue to receive regular advances on that funding. While that request got approved by regional administrators, it has been sitting on national administrators desk without movement, Threat said. Now, with the federal government going into its third week of a shutdown, there appears to be little movement on paying the $120 million expected by city officials.

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In the change of the administration and the way FEMA looks now and the whole federal government, there was an initiative to claw back grants, cancel grants and close out the Katrina disaster, Threat said at the Wednesday council hearing.

But the shutdown wasnt the only factor throwing this program into question, city Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Arthur Walton said. It was also the fact that the Trump sees New Orleans as a sanctuary city, meaning it limits its cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

FEMA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The New Orleans Police Department and the Orleans Parish Sheriffs Office both have policies, imposed by federal court orders, that place limits on their employees working with federal immigration authorities and prohibiting them from conducting their own immigration investigations. Trump previously threatened to withhold funds from New Orleans because of those so-called sanctuary policies during his first term in office.

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The Trump administration has repeatedly attempted to cancel congressionally authorized funding to states and local governments that dont pledge full cooperation with the presidents hardline immigration agenda. Earlier this year, President Trump issued an executive order directing Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristie Noem to withhold federal funds from sanctuary jurisdictions.

Along with New Orleans, other Democratically-led states and cities have faced similar threats and losses of funding in Trumps second term. Last month, a federal judge ruled that the administration could not withhold funds from states simply because they are not using their resources to conduct immigration enforcement  which is legally a federal matter, not a state or local one. More recently, Trump has tried to withhold funding from local governments because, the administration says, they promote or advance diversity, equity and inclusion  or DEI  programs, also prompting litigation.

Walton said that he traveled to Washington to speak with the New Orleans congressional delegation about the possibility of extending the JIRR program  and ensuring the city could access federal money for road repair.

But he added that the delegation is also considering another step: removing New Orleans from a Trump administration list of sanctuary cities.

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So, theyre in the process now of advocating having us removed from the list, Walton said.

Kept in the dark

The announcement of the cash flow issue  paired with the continuing conversations over the deficit  has spooked city workers, who fear that they may not be paid through the end of the year.

Amanda Fallis, a librarian at the New Orleans Public Library and president of the union representing city workers, told Verite News that city workers must be paid  and should not be a casualty as city officials work to stabilize the budget.

We were kept in the dark by the administration, and [the] budget they have obfuscated should not be balanced on our backs, Fallis said, adding that a lack of transparency has been a hallmark in the unions relationship with the Cantrell administration for the past eight years.

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Union members plan to hold a press conference at City Hall on Thursday (Oct. 23), where they will demand the city not engage in any furloughs or layoffs of city workers because of the budget crunch.

Union members hope that Moreno will keep her campaign promise to support city workers in-house and minimize the number of contractors.

We can make this city work with the employees we have and the budget hole thats been created if we receive a new and dynamic administration that sees the value of prioritizing open communication, transparency, training and developing its existing workforce, Fallis said.

The question of how bad the citys financial situation is has been a persistent one this year, first prompted by Mayor LaToya Cantrells decision early this year to withdraw from a $20 million legal settlement with the Orleans Parish School Board. At the time, Director of Finance Romy Samuel warned that the city could not afford the settlement, but there was little consensus or communication from the Cantrell administration about the actual extent of the citys budgetary challenges.

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There were also questions about the impact of a New Years Day terror attack  and the resulting high-level, expensive security that followed as the city hosted the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras. Typically, that level of security would be eligible for federal reimbursement, but that did not come. And months later, the city appeared to be tens of millions in the hole for overtime pay.

It is not clear why the city did not get reimbursed for that spending

There was also a snowstorm in late January, which blanketed the city with nearly a foot of snow, but the city did not get a federal emergency or disaster declaration, making it ineligible for reimbursement by FEMA, leaving the city on the hook for the costs incurred by the storm.

But those two events alone do not explain the extent of the deficit.

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The city also overestimated the amount of money it would receive in general fund revenue by more $100 million, with the states top auditor calling the initial projections overly optimistic. This is not the first time that the city has over-projected its general fund expenditures  or outspent the general fund. But it has been cushioned in recent years by a large influx of federal dollars and a high reserve fund.

It was a perfect storm, Romy Sameul, the director of finance, said at the meeting, pointing to overtime, revenue loss and measures taken by the state and federal governments.

For Nellie Catzen, the executive director for the Committee for a Better New Orleans, which runs a program to educate and involve residents in the citys budgeting process, the latest iteration in the budget saga is yet another example of why more transparency into the citys budget is necessary.

This would not have been a surprise to anyone if we all had the information that we need about public funding, public budgeting and where we are on a regular basis, Catzen told Verite News. We have been demanding transparency for a long time. We have gotten very little from this administration around creating more visibility into spending, both for people outside City Hall and, importantly, for people inside City Hall.

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While she acknowledged that many of these budget stressors could not be entirely foreseen, Catzen also stressed that more transparency would have been critical in mitigating the impact of those stressors. And crucially, in her opinion, there wouldnt be continuing, new revelations about the extent of the deficit had there been regular reporting on city spending.

Had our system been transparent, we could have been more responsive to the situation as it was developing rather than now, on the back end, having to see how the dust has settled and see what a horrible situation we are in, Catzen said.

As to how she hopes the council will approach stabilizing the budget, Catzen hopes that the city wont lean on well-worn austerity measures, like slashing the city services that residents rely on.

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Im more interested in efficiency than austerity, Catzen said.

This article first appeared on Verite News New Orleans and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
The Oskaloosa Care Center in Mahaska County. (Photo via Google Earth)

State officials have cited an Oskaloosa nursing home where a resident died after the staff couldnt locate a crash cart, forgot to summon an ambulance and failed to realize the resident had standing orders in place for CPR to be administered.

The Oskaloosa Care Center, a 76-resident nursing home in Mahaska County, has been cited by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing with failing to carry out cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, in accordance with a residents wishes, and for workers inability to locate the facilitys crash cart, which had a defibrillator on board for restoring a patients heartbeat in cases of cardiac arrest.

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According to the state agency, these failures placed residents of the home in immediate jeopardy.

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State inspectors allege that on the morning of Sept. 8, 2025, a certified nursing assistant and registered nurse entered a male residents room and found the man slumped over in his recliner and in distress  gasping, sweating profusely and stating he needed to sit.

According to the inspectors reports, one of the workers left the room to obtain equipment to check the mans vital signs, at which point the mans eyes rolled back in his head as if he was having a seizure.

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The director of nursing arrived in the room and instructed a licensed practical nurse to call an ambulance and verify the residents code status, which would indicate whether the resident either had a do-not-resuscitate, or DNR, order in place, or wished to have potentially lifesaving measures, such as CPR, administered.

After one worker left the room to check the residents code status, a nurse communicated over a two-way radio that the resident had a do-not-resuscitate order in place. The staff then concluded the resident was dead and began to clean and clothe the body for the familys viewing, according to inspectors.

While one worker began the process of contacting the residents family, she noticed in the residents chart that the man was listed as full code  indicating life-saving procedures were to have been performed. She then reviewed other records and confirmed that information.

According to state inspectors, the staff elected not to perform CPR at that point due to the mans lack of responsiveness, ashen color, blotchy skin and lack of a pulse.

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A certified nursing assistant later told inspectors that shortly after the resident was found in distress, two of her co-workers began looking for the homes crash cart but could not find it. The aide told inspectors she was able to locate the cart, noting that it was marked with a sign that read AED, for automated external defibrillator.

According to the inspectors, the CNA noted that for residents designated full code, there was supposed to be a green sticker on the outside of their door  adding that there was such a sticker in this case, but it was located on the roommates side of the door, so the staff presumed the resident who died had a DNR order in place.

The director of nursing allegedly told inspectors the residents door did not contain the correct sticker due to a recent room change, adding that she would have started CPR had she known the man was full code but believed she could trust the information given to her by the nurse.

It was later determined that no one had ever called the ambulance and, according to inspectors, the worker who was tasked with that responsibility explained she forgot to call while searching for the crash cart.

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As a result of the incident, the inspections department proposed, but then held in a suspension, a $10,000 fine. The state fine is being held in suspension so that the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services can determine whether a federal penalty should be imposed in its place.

Fine proposed for separate incident

The inspections department also proposed, and held in suspension, a fine for a separate incident involving the staffs failure to adequately respond to a lethargic female residents complaints of chest pain. The resident was later taken to a hospital where it was determined she had suffered a heart attack.

Workers at the home allegedly told inspectors they had reported the residents worsening condition to a nurse. The nurse, they said, dismissed their concerns, acted like it was no big deal, and then asserted the resident was merely playing possum.

According to inspectors, when they later interviewed the nurse and asked whether she thought she should have notified the womans physician of the situation, the nurse refused to answer.

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State records provide conflicting information as the size of the suspended fine stemming from that incident, with some of the records stating $9,000 and some stating $9,500.

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DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP)  The son of Bangladesh's ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called on the country's interim government to lift a ban on Hasina's party, saying an election that excludes it would be a sham.

In an interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday, Sajeeb Wazed said Bangladesh would remain politically unstable if the current interim government, headed by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, fails to hold an inclusive election.

This ban has to be lifted, the elections have to be inclusive and free and fair, Wazed, who was a former adviser to the government headed by her mother, told the AP from Washington D.C.

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What is happening now really is an attempt to keep my mother and our political leaders from running in elections. This is political manipulation disguised as justice, he added.

Bangladesh is expected to hold an election in February 2026. It will be the first polls in the South Asian nation since a student-led uprising ousted Hasina last year, ending her 15-year rule and forcing her to flee to India, where she has been in exile since.

Three days after her ouster, Yunus took the helm and promised to restore order and introduce reforms.

In May his government banned the activities of Hasinas Awami League party and arrested many of its senior leaders. Many others, including former Cabinet ministers, fled the country to neighboring India and elsewhere. Hasina and all her immediate family members, including Wazed and his sister, face charges ranging from crimes against humanity to corruption.

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Election will not be recognized, Wazed says

Six rights groups, including Human Rights Watch and the Committee to Protect Journalists, issued a letter to Yunus last week urging an end to the "broad ban on Awami Leagues activities, saying it excessively restricts freedom of association, assembly, and expression and has been used to arrest Awami League members and perceived supporters engaged in peaceful activities.

Wazed, who has been living in the U.S. for last 30 years, said that if the Awami League party is not given enough time to prepare for the election the results will not be recognized by the people of the country, by international observers.

We are not allowed to conduct any election preparation. So even if the ban is lifted at the last minute, the elections will be a sham, he said.

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Bangladesh, a parliamentary democracy of 170 million people, has 52 registered political parties. The fall of Hasina's government last year has hindered the democratic transition of power, and its politics remained at a crossroads.

Islamist party returns

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party, headed by Hasinas main political rival and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, is the main contender in the next election. Another major party, Jatiya Party is not allowed to operate openly, with its party headquarters attacked and burned down and its rallies routinely thwarted.

Bangladeshs political landscape is also more fragmented than before after the countrys largest Islamist party, the Jamaat-e-Islami, returned to politics more than a decade after it was suppressed by Hasinas government. Over the last year, it has significantly expanded its presence and is attempting to build an alliance with other hard-line Islamist groups and parties.

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Wazed said Islamists would gain if Bangladesh remains unstable. He blamed Yunus for backing them and planning a rigged election to bring them to power.

The interim government did not immediately comment.

Wazed acknowledged some initial mistakes from the Hasina government, which has been accused of brutally cracking down on the protesters, but disputed a United Nations report saying up to 1,400 people may have been killed during the uprising. He cited a statement from a health adviser under Yunus, saying that about 800 people were killed.

Human rights accusations

Wazed said all the deaths were regrettable and needed thorough investigation, but questioned the Yunus-led government's decision to grant immunity to the protesters involved in last years violence. He also accused Yunus' government of initiating a witch-hunt against Hasina, who has been charged of crimes against humanity.

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Last week, a prosecutor in a special domestic tribunal in Bangladesh sought the death penalty for Hasina. She did not appoint any lawyers to represent her, and she had earlier rejected the trial process as a kangaroo court.

Wazed also accused the Yunus government of violating human and political rights, saying tens of thousands of Awami League party supporters have been jailed for over a year and denied bail, with many of them charged with murder. He claimed some 500 Awami League activists have been murdered since the uprising, mostly by mobs, and 31 party activists have died in custody.

The human rights record of this regime is brutal, Wazed said, adding that the country's religious minorities, especially Hindus, are a prime target.

The interim government had earlier denied such allegations of harassing minorities.
Two years ago, longtime federal corruption prosecutor Molly Gaston signed her name to a court filing unlike any before it.

That day, in October 2023, Gaston filed a 32-page motion asking a federal judge to continue limiting public statements of then-former President Trump, who was accused of witness intimidation ahead of a trial in his criminal case for seeking to overturn the 2020 election.

Gaston, who was a lead prosecutor for the trial, knew the case was unprecedented and high-stakes. She did not know how much would change in two years.

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She was a member of special counsel Jack Smith's team, which investigated a pair of criminal cases involving Mr. Trump, including one for election subversion. Gaston and fellow prosecutor J.P. Cooney were part of a prosecutorial unit that submitted hundreds of pages of court filings. Throughout 2023 and 2024, they stood before judges and courtrooms packed with news media for historic proceedings that were immediately recognized as landmark legal moments.

Smith's two cases against Mr. Trump were dropped when he won reelection in 2024, because under Justice Department policy, sitting presidents are not prosecuted.

Gaston and Cooney, among the most accomplished corruption prosecutors in the Justice Department, would lose their jobs once Mr. Trump took office in January.

They were fired in a Trump administration purge of prosecutors associated with Smith and staff from the Justice Department's Public Integrity section, which has specialized in corruption cases in the 50 years since Watergate.

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The pair of former prosecutors have now embarked on a new chapter, opening a new private law firm, which they hope will fill a void left by the purge.

Their eponymous firm, Gaston and Cooney, will leverage and promote their experience working on Smith's special counsel cases and offer to help local and state governments investigate public corruption. Gaston and Cooney said the ouster of veteran prosecutors from the Justice Department's Public Integrity section shifts the burden to local investigators to unearth and uproot public corruption.

Gaston told CBS News, "Institutional relationships are crumbling right now. It presents an opportunity and a need for the kind of services that we will provide to impartially and independently give advice and guidance."

Cooney said, "Our view is that corruption imposes great harm to communities," and it incurs "economic costs, intrinsic costs."

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Gaston said, "We think that there is this need and an appetite for this."

The Justice Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Justice Connection, an organization representing former agency employees, told CBS News it estimates the Justice Department's Public Integrity section has shrunk to just two full time attorneys, down from dozens in recent years.

Gaston and Cooney told CBS News they will also offer private legal services to clients who are the subject of investigations, including in congressional probes. Their work with Smith will be listed in a press release Wednesday announcing the launch of their new firm.

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The two defend Smith and the unit's work, amid a torrent of criticism from Mr. Trump and his allies, who accuse Smith of being politically motivated.

Cooney told CBS News, "We're immensely proud of the work that we did with Jack Smith and with the body of our work." He added that they sought to "carry out prosecutions without fear or favor to anyone, to a political party, to a cause, to a wealthy interest, or to our own career prospects."

Smith himself has maintained a low profile in the nine months since Mr. Trump's second term began. In public remarks last week at an event with former Justice Department attorney Andrew Weismann, Smith defended the investigations of Trump as righteous and fair.

Cooney and Gaston were both fired by the Trump administration soon after the president was inaugurated. Even as they open their new private law firm, the pair say they are challenging their firings as unlawful, without due process or a specified cause. The pair filed complaints with the Merit System Protections Board.

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Gaston told CBS News her firing was "incredibly sad and disappointing and also surprising."

"Ethical government cannot operate under circumstances where civil servants are terminated simply for doing their jobs and carrying out their responsibilities to the American people," said Cooney.

Greg Rosen, a former head of the Justice Department's Capitol Siege section, which prosecuted more than 1,500 Jan. 6 cases, lauded the opening of Gaston and Cooney's firm. He told CBS News, "It's hard to imagine two colleagues better suited for the challenge. Their exceptional character and eagerness to engage with both complex and novel legal issues set them apart and promise to make distinctive contributions to the legal field."

Stacey Young, executive director of Justice Connection, which assists ousted Justice Department attorneys, told CBS News "We desperately need the expertise this new firm is offering. The Justice Department has abdicated its duty to enforce public corruption laws. Without state and local governments filling that void, public officials will have no incentive to treat citizens fairly within the law."

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Government shutdown enters Day 22 as Trump gives Democrats ultimatum

Potential shooting plot at Atlanta airport thwarted, police say

Plans underway for Border Patrol crackdown in San Francisco area, U.S. officials say
Editors Note: This article first appeared on The War Horse, an award-winning nonprofit news organization educating the public on military service, under the headline A Massive Fraud Probe, a Botched Investigation, and the Thousands of Soldiers Who Paid. Subscribe to their newsletter.

He lost his job and was kicked out of the Army. The stress cost him his marriage and relationship with his kids.

Luis Visalden, a former Army intelligence officer, was one of thousands of service members between 2012 and 2017 caught up in a massive fraud investigation of soldiers who received bonus payments for referring recruits to enlist in the National Guard and Army Reserves.

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The scandal and now-discredited Army investigation exposed the far-reaching consequences of whats known in the military justice system as titling.

Theyve Never Been Arrested. Why Does the FBI List Thousands of Service Members as Potential Criminals?

It didnt matter that Visalden was never convicted or even arrested. In the military, simply being under investigation leads to a black mark known as titling that shows up in civilian criminal background databases and can haunt veterans for years.

I got treated like garbage after doing everything good for God and country, the Iraq war veteran told The War Horse.

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When he returned from Iraq, Visalden participated in one of two military recruiting programs known as G-RAP (Guard Recruiting Assistance Program) and AR-RAP (Army Reserve Recruiting Assistance Program) that paid soldiers to recruit new members. In 2012, after allegations of fraud within the program, the Army Criminal Investigation Division launched a probe.

The CID was out to get scalps, said Jeffrey Addicott, director of the Warrior Defense Project at St. Marys University School of Law, who wrote a journal article on the investigation, which he described as a fiasco. Ultimately, the Army spent approximately $28 million on the investigation, which uncovered roughly $2.5 million in fraud, according to the advocacy site Defend Our Protectors, returning less than $500,000 to the treasury.

In 2022, the Army reopened nearly a thousand cases and cleared many charges. During the records review, former director of the U.S. Army Criminal Division Gregory Ford acknowledged that CID fell short in a large number of these investigations.

After Army Lt. Lee Hughes was accused of fraud over his involvement with G-RAP, he was forced to take a new job with a $60,000 pay cut and spend thousands to hire a lawyer. The accusations left him with a stigma amongst his peers, said Hughes, who was cleared in 2022 and now works at the Department of Commerce in Washington, D.C.

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Youre kind of just outcast, he said. Nobody wants to be around the guy thats got the pending charges.

Visalden estimates he made about $14,000 in bonuses through AR-RAP. After the Army CID informed Visalden that he was under investigation for fraud, he was kicked out of the military with an other than honorable discharge in June 2015.

Luis Visalden was a sergeant first class who served as a military police officer in Iraq from 2003 to 2004. (Courtesy of Luis Visalden via The War Horse)

He quickly got a new job, but was fired after someone who knew about the recruiting fraud accusations reported him to his new employer.

This series of events took a toll on his marriage, he said, and the stress of supporting three kids overwhelmed them. Eventually, divorce papers were served. He relocated to Ohio to find work. Now, he rarely sees his boys.

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In November 2022, he got a certified letter from the Army CID stating that the charges had been unfounded. He hired lawyer Doug OConnell to represent him, and more than a year later, his discharge had been upgraded to honorable, and he was restored to his previous rank.

Vindicationbut years too late.

Whats that mean to me? he asks.

He tries to stay positivehe has a great job, a girlfriend, and a house in Cookeville, Tennessee. But he gets headaches now, and he wears a mouth guardtoo much grinding has cracked his teeth. He had PTSD from combat in Iraq from 2003-2004; the stress of being titled made it worse. The memory of it all keeps him awake at night.

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Plus, his pension is gonehe was 22 months shy of the years of service required to collect.

I walk around with a broken relationship with my children, partly because of this, Visalden said. I wish it was different for me.

This War Horse story was edited by Mike Frankel, fact-checked by Jess Rohan, and copy-edited by Mitchell Hansen-Dewar. Hrisanthi Pickett wrote the headlines.

Rachel Fobar is a freelance investigative reporter and fact checker. Previously, she was a wildlife trade investigative reporter for National Geographic, and before that, she covered criminal justice and potentially wrongful convictions for The Medill Justice Project. She has also written for the Guardian, Popular Science, and ABC News. She has won several awards for her work, including the Chicago Headline Clubs Peter Lisagor Award. She has a bachelors degree in journalism from Northwestern University.
By Maria Tsvetkova and Joseph Ax

NEW YORK (Reuters) -New York Mayor Eric Adams on Thursday endorsed former Governor Andrew Cuomo to succeed him in a last-ditch effort to prevent the leftist Democratic nominee, Zohran Mamdani, from winning the November 4 election.

Adams and Cuomo, both moderate Democrats, warned that Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, was too extreme for New York, with Cuomo describing him as an "existential threat" to the city and Adams calling him a "snake-oil salesman."

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Adams abandoned his own reelection campaign in September with his approval ratings at a record low, and it remains to be seen whether his endorsement will deliver a meaningful boost to Cuomo, who has trailed Mamdani in polls.

Adams' popularity plummeted after his indictment on bribery charges, a case that was dismissed by President Donald Trump's administration.

At a joint press conference, Adams said he would campaign in "Black and brown communities" in the race's final days to try to convince his supporters to back Cuomo. Adams is the second Black mayor in the history of New York City.

Cuomo thanked Adams, praising him for putting the welfare of the city above his own personal ambition.

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"He believes Zohran is an existential threat to New York City, and we all have to do our best to make sure that Zohran does not become the next mayor," Cuomo said.

In response, Mamdani issued a statement attacking both men.

"Today confirms what we've long known: Andrew Cuomo is running for Eric Adams' second term," he said. "It's no surprise to see two men who share an affinity for corruption and Trump capitulation align themselves at the behest of the billionaire class and the President himself."

Trump, a native New Yorker who made his fortune in the city's real estate market, has made little secret of his disdain for Mamdani, calling him a communist and threatening to cut federal funding to the city if Mamdani is elected.

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Mamdani, a 34-year-old Uganda-born New York assembly member, pulled off a surprising victory over Cuomo in the city's Democratic primary election.

Cuomo, who resigned as governor in 2021 over sexual harassment allegations that he has denied, stayed in the race as an independent candidate with backing from donors who criticize Mamdani for his lack of experience and left-wing views.

Adams' endorsement came one day after the campaign's final debate, where Cuomo and Mamdani traded barbs alongside the Republican nominee, Curtis Sliwa, a radio host and founder of the Guardian Angels anti-crime organization.

Cuomo has pressured Sliwa to quit the race, a move that could help the former governor come within striking distance of Mamdani, but the Republican candidate has refused.

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Cuomo was seen sitting next to Adams at the New York Knicks season-opening game on Wednesday night, soon after the debate ended.

Early voting in the election begins on Saturday.

(Reporting by Maria Tsvetkova and Joseph Ax in New York; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Outrage is growing as more Oregon families say their loved ones are being taken by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol agents without cause.

Oregon leaders are calling the detentions unlawful and cruel, arguing that federal agencies are operating outside the law.

Tigard school confirms oven cleaner was sprinkled on pretzels served to students

On Tuesday, KOIN 6 News spoke with the family of Victor Cruz, a man state representatives say was legally able to work in the U.S., had no criminal record, and was detained by ICE due to a case of mistaken identity.

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Now, lawmakers are demanding answers along with the release of more residents as the number of disappearing people continues to grow and fear permeates their communities.

Overnight, Sen. Jeff Merkley spoke on the Senate floor, speaking out against the current administration as Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici pushed ICE for answers about Cruz and others taken without due process.

This was not the right Victor Cruz, Bonamici said. Its my understanding they were looking for somebody else with the same name.

Bonamici condemned what the Trump administration has called mass deportation, noting she voted against the Big Beautiful Bill, which allocated more than $170 billion in federal funding to DHS.

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It is wrong. In this country, everyone has due process rights, and we have seen time and time again, a violation of that basic right for people, she said. Theyre doing it, oftentimes in a violent and inhumane way.

1 dead after 2 motorcycles crash on I-5

KOIN 6 News reached out to ICE about each of these cases, but has not heard back amid the government shutdown.

ICE, they say theyre not answering questions during a shutdown, but they arent stopping snatching people off the street during a shutdown, Bonamici said.

Victor Cruz has lived in the Hillsboro area for 30 years. Victor Cruz has lived in the Hillsboro area for 30 years. Victor Cruz has lived in the Hillsboro area for 30 years. Rep. Maxine Dexter (OR-03) has advocated for the release of Kenia Jackeline Jackie Merlos from ICE custody after her removal proceedings were dismissed Oct. 16, 2025. As of Oct. 22, Merlos remains in custody, according to Oregon lawmakers (photo courtesy Oregon delegation members Reps. Dexter, Suzanne Bonamici and Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley).

Meanwhile, Rep. Maxine Dexter has been leading the charge to get a mother home and reunited with her children.

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Jackie Merlos detention sparked outrage after she and her four U.S. children were arrested at the Canada border in June. Three months later, she remains in ICE custody despite her children being released and a judge ruling there is no legal basis to deport or detain her.

Jackie Merlot has been caught up in this cruel migration for profit, sort of institution that Donald Trump has been building, and essentially, theres no way out of this detention unless you die or youre deported, Dexter said.

The congresswoman joined Bonamici and Senators Merkley and Ron Wyden in a letter pressing for her release, writing, Ms. Merlos holds U-Deferred Action status, a valid work permit through 2029, and has not been charged with a crime. To date, the Department of Homeland Security has not provided us with any explanation for why she was detained for so long by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and why she is still being held at NWIPC by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

As questions for ICE mount, representatives urged community members to continue to document ICE activities, contact their representatives offices, and join peaceful demonstrations to oppose the administrations immigration policies.

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This is absolutely a time for all of us to stand up and say, this is un-American, it is unconscionable, and we arent going to stand for it,' Dexter said. It is going to be the people who move the power from this administration back to themselves.

These policies are not popular, and the more the administration understands that, the more it is a call to my colleagues in Congress, Rep. Bonamici said. First of all, they have to get back to the table and get the government back open. But also, they need to understand that they are hurting the American people and the American people deserve better.

Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
TinaMaria Fernandez, founder of Hope Esperanza in North Platte, is surrounded by youth participants at the nonprofit she started in 2021 to plug gaps in services to the area's newcomer communities. The nonprofit was thrust into a wider statewide spotlight when staff and volunteers helped detainees at the North Platte jail that housed a sudden influx of people arrested in the June 10 immigration raid in Omaha. (Courtesy of Hope Esperanza)

NORTH PLATTE, Neb.  Founded in this west-central Nebraska railroad town in 2021, the Hope Esperanza nonprofit was thrust into a statewide spotlight this summer when more than 60 undocumented workers from a high-profile immigration raid in Omaha landed at the local jail.

State Sen. Margo Juarez of South Omaha in September visits with Glenn Valley Foods workers detained during a June 10 immigration raid in Omaha and held in the Lincoln County Jail in North Platte. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)

The agencys bilingual team stepped up as interpreters and support links for both the Glenn Valley Foods workers swept up in President Donald Trumps mass deportation push and an understaffed Lincoln County jail unfamiliar with the detainees languages and cultures.

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Hope Esperanza quickly became known as an on-the-ground resource for families, attorneys and news updates related to Nebraskas largest immigration raid since 2018. The organizations response led to awards and recognitions from other advocacy groups.

Some of that notoriety has piqued interest in the nonprofits origins and the North Platte native behind the group.

Split between countries

TinaMaria Fernandez, 43, is herself the product of a family split by U.S. immigration policy. Her dad, from Mexico, met and married her mom while he was in North Platte working at a local horse-processing plant. Despite a lengthy attempt, his visa was not renewed and the young family lived apart.

My mother stayed here by the wishes of my father, to raise me in the United States, Fernandez said. Wed go and visit my dad in Mexico.

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At one point, Fernandez said, her parents thought they had necessary paperwork in order and her mom and family members traveled south to get him. They wouldnt let my dad come back across.

TinaMaria Fernandez as a baby, with her parents, who met when he was in North Platte working at the horse-processing plant. The parents eventually moved on to other relationships when he was unable to return legally on a work permit, the daughter said. (Courtesy of TinaMaria Fernandez)

Eventually, she said, her dad urged his wife to move on. Each began new relationships. Fernandez has siblings and relatives on both sides of the border. To this day, she said, her parents talk sometimes by phone.

Theres that love, you know, they always say that its two countries that separated us and separated our hearts and our family.

Fernandez said her North Platte childhood was not the greatest, and while she wonders how life might have been different had her father been closer, she chooses to believe everything happens for a reason.

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She said her own immigration-related experiences helps to better understand people she works with through Hope Esperanza, including the Glenn Valley and other federal detainees awaiting deportation at the Lincoln County facility.

I see, I know the effects of it, Fernandez said. My heart goes out to them.

Her team also has been contacted by McCook representatives seeking guidance on community-building in the town where a state prison is being transformed for ICE detention use. Advocacy groups will not have the same access to the McCook state-federal facility as they do in Lincoln County, Fernandez said. But she said community-based programs akin to those offered by Hope Esperanza could make local immigrant populations feel supported.

Building momentum

One of the organizations that recently recognized Hope Esperanza and founder Fernandez noted that her education and jobs helped prepare her to run the North Platte agency, which is fueled by grants and philanthropic donors and has grown to a team of more than 20 people.

TinaMaria Fernandez with grocery items distributed via a food program at Hope Esperanza. (Courtesy of Hope Esperanza)

Fernandez earned a bachelors degree in psychology from the University of Wyoming and a nursing degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She worked as a social worker for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Correctional Services and as a counselor for Lutheran Family Services.

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While in nursing school, Fernandez said she was horrified by a particular familys health care challenges she believed were exacerbated by language barriers. She saw children removed from Spanish-speaking households that likely could have stayed together had parents tapped available support services.

That spurred her to conduct a six-month needs assessment, focusing on the countys Latino community, the areas largest minority group. She contacted many of the roughly 90 nonprofits working in Lincoln County to understand why gaps existed. Hope Esperanza formed to help plug the gaps.

Then still a student, Fernandez started small, filling her SUV with food to deliver to families. Her team at one point made and sold enchiladas to help stave off a moms eviction.

Fernandez called it Gods work that the groups nonprofit status and structure were newly in place when North Platte learned the region would become home to a Sustainable Beef LLC processing plant, one of the largest processing facilities in the nation.

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God was sending a whole lot more needs our way, Fernandez said, referring to an incoming workforce that largely would be newcomers of different cultures whose first language is not English.

God was sending a whole lot more needs our way.

 TinaMaria Fernandez, founder of Hope Esperanza

The rancher-owned plant reportedly will employ up to 850 workers and have a $1.5 billion community impact. Operations launched this spring, following years of preparation.

Hope Esperanza, meanwhile, has been expanding services (Esperanza means hope in Spanish). The operation offers food, clothing and furniture aid; transportation and employment coordination, health and youth programs, safety and cultural events. Integration and language access classes are geared toward newcomers to the city of about 23,000 people.

Ripples of raid four hours away

The groups statewide notoriety grew after Lincoln County Sheriff Jerome Kramer got the call in June asking if his North Platte-based county jail could accept detainees that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement had arrested in the Omaha raid, four hours away.

Lincoln County Sheriff Jerome Kramer says TinaMarie Fernandez and Hope Esperanza group helped ease processing and stays for migrant detainees in the North Platte jail facility. (Courtesy of Hope Esperanza)

Lincoln County had an established contract with the feds to house ICE detainees. But the 63 Glenn Valley workers increased the jail population by about 50%, the sheriff said, at a time when the facility was short-staffed. He said Hope Esperanza was a lifeline.

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Kramer already had worked with Fernandez, and participated in bridge-building meetings the nonprofit holds with city and law enforcement officials.

Douglas County Board Chair Roger Garcia, an outspoken critic of the ICE action, said he had never heard about Hope Esperanza before the June 10 Omaha raid. Last week, the annual Hispanic Heritage Awards organized by Garcia and his wife Yanira recognized the group for its response and outreach to the migrant detainees.

What really impressed us was they were not only providing basic interpretation and translation services, but they were a moral support and a human heart caring for the women going through that difficulty and separation from their families, Garcia said.

He was told that on one visit to the jail, Hope Esperanza representatives played Selena music and the women inmates danced.

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They had a human moment together to lift up their spirits  in a very difficult moment when they were detained, separated from their families, Garcia said. The fact we had Hope Esperanza there was a blessing for those women and for us as a community.

Garcia and some other immigrant advocates reacted much differently to a recent proposal by the Douglas County sheriff and the then-state director of the League of United Latino American Citizens (LULAC).

A community-building event at Hope Esperanza. (Courtesy of Hope Esperanza)

Sheriff Aaron Hanson had sought to lease space in the Omaha-based county jail to the feds for ICE detention, framing the idea as both a profitable and humanitarian venture, partly because it would keep Omaha detainees closer to their families.

The prospect was shot down by a majority of the County Board. Garcia has said the increased ICE presence would lead to more fear and local arrests.

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There is a difference between being in favor of detention versus people on the ground helping individuals in these unfortunate circumstances, Garcia said.

Nebraska Appleseed earlier this month also recognized Fernandez. The Lincoln-based group selected her for its Roots of Justice Award even before the raid, and cited ongoing efforts to connect young Latinos to their culture and new workers to community resources.

She brings a group of diverse community members together on a regular basis to problem solve and plan for the community, said Appleseed senior welcoming coordinator Christa Yoakum.

Ruby Mendez Lopez said she was impressed by Fernandezs varied roles, including as a mom and wife. Shes heading this organization but also is a full-time nurse and does a million other things around North Platte.

Elephant on her chest

Though the number of detainees from Omahas Glenn Valley raid has dwindled to a couple, the Hope Esperanza team said it still meets at least weekly with other migrants held by ICE in the Lincoln County jail.

TinaMaria Fernandez with her dad, son and husband during a visit to Mexico. The father and daughter were separated when she was young, as he was unable to return to the U.S. legally on a work permit. He remained in Mexico and she visits him there. (Courtesy of TinaMaria Fernandez)

Staff and volunteers also are working with an influx of newcomers due to the meatpacking plant, providing language access and other services. The nonprofit is trying to launch a health clinic for underserved populations.

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Fernandez continues to work on a book that delves into her journey and identity shaped by immigration and separation. She already authored a childrens book about belonging, illustrated by her son Micah and titled Nicos New Home.

She said she has yet to fully process events of the past year related to ramped up immigration enforcement but sometimes feels the weight of an elephant on her chest.

I dont see politics, Fernandez said. I see displaced families. I see separated families, kiddos going to bed at night without their parents. Its a lot.

Hispanic Heritage Month 2025 awardees

Winners were selected by a panel of Omaha-area Latino community members after a public nomination process. They were announced during an Oct. 15 Hispanic Heritage Month dinner organized and hosted by Yanira Garcia, an elected member of the Regional Metropolitan Transit Board, and her husband, Douglas County Board Chair Roger Garcia. It was held at the Hispanic Art Center in Omaha.

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Nonprofit of the year recognition was shared by five groups: Hope Esperanza, ACLU Nebraska, Completely KIDS, Heartland Workers Center and Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement.

Small business, Coffee Alley-Callejon del Cafe

Educator, Susana Lara

Community leader, Ricardo Castro

Emerging leader, Erick Lopez Quintana

Artist, Hugo Zamorano

Hispanic Heritage Month award event on Oct. 15. Presentation of Nonprofit of the Year. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Marijuana meant for South Dakota's medical program is tagged as it dries at a Dakota Herb grow facility near Tea, South Dakota, in 2024. (Photo by John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight)

Representatives of South Dakota medical marijuana businesses said they were alarmed Wednesday after a state committee that oversees the industry spent much of an all-day meeting listening to invited speakers who warned about health risks and other dangers.

Emmett Reistroffer, of Genesis Farms in Sioux Falls, spoke during the public comment session at the end of the meeting.

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My phone has been blowing up with text messages, he said. Theres kind of a shock wave going through our community right now, with the speakers that were invited, most of whom were out-of-state.

Reistroffer also said he fears the committee is involved in a coordinated effort to restrict or repeal the states medical marijuana program, which voters approved in 2020 and the state implemented in 2022. There are currently 16,477 patient cards issued in the state.

Reistroffers comments resulted in the chairwoman of the Medical Marijuana Oversight Committee, Rep. Josephine Garcia, R-Watertown, cutting him off.

There has been no intention at all for any agenda this meeting, other than to follow what was not done when this program was first rolled out, Garcia said. That was my only intention here. If youre insinuating that me, as the chair, have said something or orchestrated something, I have not done that. It is awareness for the public. This is a public safety issue.

Rep. Josephine Garcia, R-Watertown, listens to a presentation during a South Dakota House Education Committee on Jan. 22, 2025, at the Capitol in Pierre. (Photo by Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)

The panel of speakers included medical professionals and retired law enforcement officers from other states who shared concerns about over-prescription, youth access, mental health impacts, and a blurring between medical and recreational use.

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Ed Moses, a retired law enforcement officer from Missouri, talked about various dangers of marijuana. He alleged medical marijuana is a Trojan horse for recreational marijuana.

Marijuana can change who we are and our values, he told the committee.

Karen Randall, an emergency medicine physician from Colorado, said she sees adults and children come into the emergency room due to marijuana-related incidents. She told a story about a child getting a highly potent marijuana candy product from the back of a dispensary without any identification, and ending up in the emergency room.

Randall said Colorado has become overloaded with various marijuana products, and its now the drug of choice for kids there.

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Theyre not drinking, theyre not smoking like they used to  theyre using marijuana, she said.

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University of Oklahoma professor John Duncan, who works in the College of Medicine, advised the committee to treat medical marijuana like traditional medications, including prescribed dosing. He also said the committee should watch out for synthetic forms of marijuana that come with a host of other side effects.

Colorado addiction psychiatrist Libby Stuyt told the committee that medical marijuana is not the post-traumatic stress disorder solution that medical marijuana proponents allege. She said patients who are prescribed medical marijuana for mental health disorders often mistake the feeling of withdrawal for needing more medicine  blurring treatment and addiction.

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Wednesdays lineup also included Sioux Falls Superintendent James Nold. He said marijuana has become a problem in schools, with students accessing products through adults.

Jeremiah Murphy, who lobbies for the medical marijuana industry, told committee members during the public comment period that they should take pride in the states program.

If you think about what you heard today, they hardly landed a punch on the South Dakota program, he said. They showed you real, significant problems in Oklahoma.

Reistroffer said the medical marijuana industry is taking heat for local smoke shops selling illegal products, including those with hemp-derived but chemically modified ingredients. He said they are the ones selling high-dose candy bars and products that attract kids.

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We are not, yet we are getting painted with their brush, he said.

The committee made no formal recommendations and took no votes during the meeting. The committees members are appointed by the Legislatures Executive Board. The membership includes legislators and non-legislators, with state law requiring membership from the medical, counseling, law enforcement and patient communities.

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Oxford University has been accused of social engineering because black applicants who miss their required A-level grades are more likely to be accepted than white candidates.

Over the last five years, 16 per cent of black UK undergraduates who went to Oxford had failed to achieve the grades specified when they were offered a place, according to Freedom of Information (FoI) figures obtained by The Telegraph.

This is more than twice as high as the figure for white UK applicants - which is 6 per cent. Only 2 per cent of Chinese applicants who live in Britain were accepted after falling short in their exams.

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Oxford has placed a particular emphasis on increasing minority attendance in recent years. This includes a drive to accept pupils from deprived areas of Britain, with more than half of black applicants meeting this criteria.

The university typically requires prospective students to achieve at least three As at A-level. An applicant who misses their grades can still be accepted by the college that made the offer.

It is thought that colleges are more likely to accept pupils who fall short if they come from a poorer background or attended an under-performing school.

Oxford has a target for 23 per cent of entrants to come from the most deprived areas of the country, according to the universitys access plan. Sixty-one per cent of black applicants already come from these areas, compared to 16 per cent of white applicants.

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Oxford insists it does not discriminate on grounds of race.

Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, said: Universities should be admitting based strictly on merit alone, and not engaging in social engineering.

If we are not a rigorous meritocracy, academic standards will fall, and universities in other countries that maintain higher standards will overtake us. Why should someone miss out on a place because theyre from a group not being favoured by the admissions system?

In 2024, 3 per cent of Chinese and 7 per cent of white students were admitted despite missing their conditional offer, compared with 27 per cent of black students.

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Last year 92 black undergraduates went to Oxford compared to 1,769 white students. The figure for white students accepted, however, has decreased in the last five years.

In its FoI response, Oxford noted that admissions would also consider including the context in which grades have been achieved (including the relative performance of the school, and measures of socio-economic deprivation).

Data from the Oxford University Gazette show that 5 per cent of black undergraduates taking their final exams in 2024 received a first class degree, compared to 36 per cent of Chinese undergraduates and 38 per cent of white students.

In 2021, the university said it had increased the proportion of admitted UK undergraduates with black, Asian and ethnic minority heritage to a record level.

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It also said it was more likely to make offers to students from areas less likely to progress to higher education  to students with African and Caribbean heritage, and students with mixed heritage.

A spokesman for Oxford University said: Admission to Oxford is based on merit and academic potential. Grades awarded at A-level and for equivalent examinations constitute one part of the undergraduate admissions process at Oxford.

They are considered alongside other forms of evidence to inform decisions regarding the academic potential of our applicants; such evidence may include subject-specific tests and submitted written work as well as academic references and interviews with the tutors who will be teaching them.

This rigorous and multi-faceted approach sets us apart from most other universities and supports the fair assessment of every applicant. The university is unequivocal that the care and rigour we put into our selection process means we are confident that all students at Oxford fully deserve their places here.

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By Akbar Novruz

On October 23, the Baku Military Court continued the trial in the criminal case against citizens of the Republic of Armenia, with testimonies of victims who were unable to attend the session in person being read aloud, Azernews reports.

According to the statements, Azad Kamal oglu Tahirov recounted being subjected to extreme violence while in Armenian captivity. He stated that a police officer named Maksim struck him in the mouth with the butt of an automatic weapon, breaking a tooth, and pressed a lit cigarette against his neck. Maksim reportedly also played a deadly roulette game with fellow prisoners, firing a pistol alternately at his own head and at another captive, Shahlar Gurbanov. Tragically, when Taghi Bayramov was subjected to the same act, he was killed instantly, and his body was buried by Armenian forces near a riverbank.

Other victims testified about injuries sustained from landmines. Telman Babir oglu Zeynalov was wounded during a mine clearance operation in the Mehdili village of Jabrayil district, while Bahruz Tapdig oglu Nasirov was also injured in a similar operation, with mines deliberately planted by Armenian forces during the occupation.

The trial continues against Armenian citizens accused of crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, planning and conducting aggression, genocide, violations of laws of war, terrorism, financing terrorism, and forcible seizure and retention of power, among other serious offenses linked to Armenias military aggression against Azerbaijan.
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 growing measles outbreak along the Utah-Arizona border has spread to nearby communities, making it the nation's second-largest this year, health officials confirmed.

At least 123 people have been infected, most linked to two small townsColorado City, Arizona, and Hildale, Utahwhere residents often move between the two communities.

Within recent weeks, cases have also appeared in nearby Utah cities of Hurricane and St. George, after exposures in hospitals and urgent care clinics, according to the Southwest Utah Public Health Department.

Many of the clusters started in schools, department spokesperson David Heaton told NBC News. "But now we have community spread," he added.

The outbreak has also reached Iron County, Utah, just north of the original epicenter.

Health officials have long warned that this region is vulnerable to measles because of low childhood vaccination rates.

According to NBC News data:

In Iron County, 82.4% of children are vaccinated against measles.

In Washington County, that rate drops to 79.2%, and in Mohave County, Arizona, it's 78.4%, far below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity.

"We were preparing for it," Heaton said. "It was a matter of time before it came here."

Most cases so far have occurred among unvaccinated school-aged children, officials said. Utah has reported six measles-related hospitalizations, five of which are tied to the current outbreak zone.

The area includes popular tourist destinations like Zion National Park, raising concerns about possible exposure to visitors.

The outbreak mirrors a broader national decline in childhood vaccination. According to NBC News data, 77% of U.S. counties and jurisdictions have seen drops in vaccination rates.

During the 20242025 school year, 4.1% of kindergartners (about 138,000 children) had exemptions from required vaccines, surpassing last year's record of 3.7%. Nearly all exemptions were for non-medical reasons, such as religious or personal beliefs.

Despite the ongoing federal government shutdown, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has continued to track measles cases. As of Oct. 21, the CDC reported 1,618 infections across 42 states.

More information: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on measles.

 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Utility company PacifiCorp has reached another settlement following the Labor Day fires of 2020  agreeing to pay $125 million to nearly 100 Oregon wineries and vineyards impacted by the blaze.

Announcing the settlement on Monday, attorneys representing the wineries called the settlement a major milestone for wildfire accountability.

Attorney Mikal Watts of Watts Law Firm, in partnership with Baker Hostetler and Arnold Gallagher, announced the settlement on behalf of 93 Willamette Valley wineries and vineyards for damages to the 2020 vintage tainted by wildfire smoke. The agreement brings the total settlements from PacifiCorp for the 2020 fires to almost $750 million across the three firms, the attorneys said.

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Tigard school confirms oven cleaner was sprinkled on pretzels served to students

The lawsuit was filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court in January 2024 and includes several Oregon wineries and vineyards such as Sokol Blosser, Adelsheim Vineyards, Durant Vineyards, Portland Wine Company and Stoller Vineyards.

The lawsuit alleged PacifiCorp was negligent in the days leading up to the Labor Day wildfires of 2020 and claimed that the companys electrical system sparked the fires.

The lawsuit noted the alleged role the utility company played in the fires amid red flag weather conditions.

Inexplicable: Oregon lawmakers press ICE to release Portland woman from custody after case cleared

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By all accounts, the Santiam Fire, Echo Mountain Fire, Archie Creek Complex Fires, 242 Fire, and South Obenchain Fire were each a catastrophe. The catastrophe was not a surprise to the public or defendants, the lawsuit noted.

The days before the fire, the National Weather Service, public media, state and local officials, and business owners warned the citizens of Oregon, and defendants in particular, that a historic red-flag-warning weather event would occur, producing catastrophic winds in excess of 50 mph, and hot, dry air that was likely to cause electrical system failures that would cause dangerous fires.

The lawsuit furthered that in response to the warnings, neighboring utility companies turned off their power while PacifiCorp refused.

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PacifiCorp wanted to sell electricity and avoid costs associated with shutting off power, the complaint claimed. PacifiCorps chose profits over safety.

As a result, Oregon wineries and vineyards reported that their grape crops were tainted by the wildfire smoke.

The suit alleged the utility company breached its Statutory Safety Duty in two ways. First, by failing to maintain vegetation that could fall onto electrical lines during red flag weather events and ignite fires. Second, the suit claimed the company also ran its electrical system into failure and failed to shut off power during the weather event.

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Southwest Washington fish hatchery set to close as WDFW cuts back due to funding

Representing the wineries and vineyards in the case, Mikal Watts of Watts Law Firm LLP said, This is the last of many settlements with PacifiCorp on behalf of our clients damaged by the Labor Day 2020 wildfires. PacifiCorp has once again done the right thing and stepped up to pay for the damage caused by its equipment more than five years ago. This is what good companies do.

More important than the total sum of almost $750 million paid to our clients for the 2020 Labor Day weekend wildfires is the fact that PacifiCorp is a different and better company in 2025 than it was before. We have witnessed first-hand the proactive work this company has done to make Oregon a safer state and to make sure that the risk of wildfires like this ever occurring again are minimized to the greatest extent possible, Watts continued  lauding PacifiCorps good-faith effort to resolve claims fairly.

Attorney Robert Julian of Baker Hostetler LLP added, Targeted, punitive legislation aimed at ongoing private litigation is unnecessary and unwiseit would undermine constructive solutions and does not serve Oregonians or the justice system. Rather, permitting the parties and the tort system to resolve wildfire cases has a proven track record of success. Moreover, legislation creating a well-funded risk pool providing monies to pay for wildfire damages has been proven to be effective in California and other states. These laws ensure that public utilities can attract the capital needed to make investments to modernize grid equipment to provide power safely to the states citizens, while providing the money needed to allow wildfire survivors to rebuild their homes and their properties.

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VIDEO: Blind man dragged by federal agents into Portland ICE facility

Greg Lusby of Arnold Gallagher P.C. noted, Oregon is now a much safer state than it was before. I am proud of our work in this case, am proud of the company for stepping up to resolve this litigation and am proud of both sides in the case for working together to make certain that Oregonians are safe in the future.

In a statement shared with KOIN 6 News, PacifiCorp spokesperson Simon Gutierrez said, PacifiCorp has reached reasonable settlements with approximately 2,700 individuals, businesses and government entities related to the 2020 Labor Day wildfires. Most recently, PacifiCorp reached a global settlement in principle with respect to the wineries litigation. PacifiCorp is glad to have this matter resolved. PacifiCorp remains willing to settle all outstanding reasonable claims related to the Echo Mountain, 242 and South Obenchain fires. Due to the compelling findings in the Oregon Department of Forestry report relating to the Beachie Creek/Santiam Canyon fire, the company will continue to actively defend against those claims.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
ISLAMABAD (AP)  Pakistan on Thursday banned a radical Islamist party behind recent violent protests that left at least one police officer and four civilians dead, the government said.

The decision, approved by the federal Cabinet on the recommendation of the Punjab provincial government, came more than a week after thousands of supporters of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan party, or TLP, clashed with police on the outskirts of Lahore.

The protesters were attempting to march to the capital, Islamabad, to hold a rally in support of Palestinians. More than 100 police officers and dozens of protesters were injured in the clashes.

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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifs office said in a statement that the Cabinet had agreed to outlaw the hard-line TLP under the countrys anti-terrorism law, accusing it of involvement in violent and extremist activities.

It's the second time in recent years that the TLP has been banned.

The party was first outlawed in April 2021 after violent protests over the publication of caricatures of Islams Prophet Muhammad in France. At that time, TLP demanded the expulsion of the French envoy. The ban was lifted in November 2021 after the group reached a deal with former Prime Minister Imran Khans government, a move that drew criticism by many other parties for allowing the group to resume political activities.

The statement said TLP did not adhere to the agreement and indulged in violence.

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However, in its own statement released late Thursday, the TLP rejected the governments decision to outlaw it, calling the move unconstitutional and politically motivated.

The latest ban followed new unrest last week, when security forces dispersed the groups long march near Lahore. Authorities say police are now searching for TLP leader Saad Rizvi, who went into hiding after the clashes erupted on Oct. 13, when protesters tried to remove shipping containers placed by police to block roads to halt their rally.

Police suspect Rizvi was hiding somewhere in Pakistan-administered Kashmir after fleeing the outskirts of Lahore, and officers were conducting raids to nab him. However, his party has said it lost contact with Rizvi hours after police launched the operation to disperse the rally near Lahore.

Authorities have said that the demonstrators had been determined since Oct. 10 to stage a pro-Palestinian rally outside the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, and police repeatedly came under attack by the demonstrators with batons, rocks and guns.

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Punjab government spokesperson Uzma Bukhari told reporters earlier Thursday that they have sent a summary to Sharif's government, suggesting to ban TLP for the recent violence. She said the party's offices have already been shut by the Punjab government.

Police have arrested hundreds of TLP supporters since last week, and Bukhari said the party's bank accounts have been seized, and terror charges are being filed against those members of the party who were involved in attacks on police during the violence.

She said a ban that was imposed on rallies last week is still in place in anticipation of any reaction from TLP.

TLP, known for staging violent rallies, gained prominence in Pakistans 2018 election by campaigning on the single issue of defending the countrys blasphemy law, which calls for the death penalty for anyone who insults Islam. In the past, it had mainly staged rallies against the desecration abroad of Islams holy book, the Quran.
PALATINE, Ill. (WGN)  Recent federal immigration enforcement at Chicago area restaurants has at least one of them saying it will close.

Judith Martinez and her husband own Chappies Cafe in Palatine. Theyve made the difficult decision to close their restaurant after four years in business.

Within the past month, ICE agents have been at Chappies Cafe twice. During the first incident, they reportedly went inside the cafe and questioned customers from a landscaping company eating breakfast.

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They were asking them for their papers, legal status some identification their boss was with them and pretty sure if it wasnt for him they would take them, Martinez said.

Tensions rise as driver attempts to hit federal agents in Chicago, at least 7 detained

A week later when their front door was locked, Martinez said ICE agents came to the back door.

They get out of the vehicle. I was waiting for them and asked, How can I help you? Why are you here? They said, I need to see your ID, passport and your legal status in this country, Martinez said.

The agents left both times, but the word has spread.

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Latino customers make up nearly half of their business, and the fear is taking a toll.

Parties agree to extension banning deployment of National Guard troops to Illinois, but Supreme Court decision looms

The business itself dropped income about 60% in total since this started to happen, Martinez said. We dont want to expose diners, customers, friends, employees, ourselves; its not worth it.

Thats another reason I wanted to stop in today, to help support the business. Theyre really lovely people and they dont deserve this, Chappies Cafe customer Ray added.

The cafe plans to close on Sunday, Nov. 2.

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Also, at around 9 a.m. Monday, outside the Metropol Bar and Grill on North Lincoln Avenue in Chicagos North Center neighborhood, federal agents took 61-year-old cook Wilson Vera into custody while he was on his way to work.

They didnt ask him any questions, or didnt really speak to him, and had just like, grabbed him and pushed him into the vehicle, Wilsons daughter Johanna Vera said.

No one is above the law: Giannoulias warns ICE agents that swapping Illinois license plates is illegal

Johanna, a student at Northeastern University in Boston, was in class at the time and found out about what had happened when she checked her fathers cell phone location several hours later.

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I noticed that his location had been pinged to the Broadview Detention Center, and thats when I had looked it up just to make sure, like, why is he over there? Johanna said.

Wilson moved to Chicago from Ecuador in the 1980s. He was able to call his family later that night.

I had asked where they were taking him. They said that theyre transferring him to North Lake in Detroit, Michigan, late last night, Johanna said.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

Its the latest incident impacting those in the restaurant industry.

Its hurting sales, employees; our small independent restaurants are the backbone of every community, Illinois Restaurant Association CEO Sam Toia said.

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Meanwhile, Wilsons family said he was undocumented but he did not have a criminal background. They fear he will be deported back to Ecuador.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
President Donald Trump asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to speak about the reported grand jury investigation into Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA), only to be told that she could not legally do so.

Back in August, NBC News reported that sources at the Department of Justice said that grand juries would investigate Schiff and New York Attorney General Letitia James for potential mortgage fraud in separate cases. James was indicted two weeks ago.

The president took questions from reporters at the White House on Thursday, where one of them asked about Schiff.

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Theres a report as a grand jury on Adam Schiff for apparent mortgage fraud, the reporter said.

Wow, Trump deadpanned.

If he is indicted, should he step down as a U.S. senator? the reporter continued.

Here is the resulting exchange:

TRUMP: Well, you know, Im not gonna comment on that. I will just say, Adam Schiff is one of the lowest forms of scum Ive ever dealt with in politics. Hes a horrible human being, a very dishonest person. I have no idea whats going on. Youre telling me hes gonna be indicted. I dont know. You could ask Pam. I dont know if she could say it. Probably, you are allowed to say it, but I wouldnt know about that. I can only tell you hes a very hes a very bad, I think hes actually a sick person. [To Bondi] Do you wanna talk about that? BONDI: Were not going to comment on any grand jury thats open. We cant, legally. TRUMP: I dont know. By the way, I hope its true, but I dont know anything about it.

Some in the room laughed as Trump moved on to the next reporter.

Earlier in the day, MSNBC reported that the U.S. Attorney in Maryland told the DOJ that she does not believe there is a basis for prosecuting Schiff.

Watch above via Fox News.

The post Pam Bondi Gives Trump Bad News When He Asks Her To Discuss Alleged Grand Jury Probe: We Cant, Legally first appeared on Mediaite.
Two women from Florida have served as U.S. attorney general. Both were born here, both were hometown prosecutors and both were firsts in their field. The similarities end there.

I was reminded of the contrast between Pam Bondi and Janet Reno the other day as Bondi appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Committee Democrats have accused Bondi of weaponizing the Justice Department. It is a fair charge  something Donald Trump, the Republican president who appointed her, specifically asked Bondi to do  and the attorney general should have addressed itat the hearing. Instead, she stonewalled and insulted Democratic senators.

Bondi, 59, is a former Hillsborough County prosecutor and the first woman elected as Florida attorney general. She was an adviser to the White House during Trumps first impeachment proceeding and also served as a campaign surrogate. The U.S. Senate confirmed Bondi as attorney general by a vote of 54-46 in February. Since then, her department has brought criminal charges against several of Trumps perceived political enemies, including the former FBI director and New Yorks attorney general. It also has reportedly purged dozens of employees who worked on Trump-related investigations. Theres more; just Google it.

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Miami native Janet Reno came to the office in a very different way. Dade Countys first female state attorney was not part of Bill Clintons 1992 presidential campaign. After the election, Clinton confidant Leon Panetta called Tampa Mayor Sandy Freedman, the first big-city mayor to endorse the Arkansas governor for president. What can you tell us about Janet Reno?

I didnt know her really well, Freedman recalled Tuesday. But I told him, Shes going to be independent, her own person, and shes always going to do whats right no matter who tells her what to do.

Reno packed a single dress from Saks, and Clintons team spirited her secretly to Washington. After two days of vetting, Clintons lawyer phoned the president: I think Ive got a live one. Shuffled into the White House after dark, Reno met Clinton for the first time. The president summoned her back days later, elbowing her in the Oval Office and offering three words of advice: Dont blow it.

The U.S. Senate confirmed Reno in March 1993 by a vote of 98-0, making her Americas first female attorney general.

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The celebratory moment didnt last long. Reno entered office as the FBIs standoff with a radical Christian sect in Waco, Texas, had entered its second week. As conditions deteriorated into a second month, Reno approved a final assault on the compound, which resulted in a fire and the deaths of more than 70 people. I approved the plan, and I am responsible, Reno said afterward, calling it the toughest decision I have ever made.

Other tough decisions generated flak from both the right and left. Reno authorized the expansion of an independent probe into a Clinton land deal, leading to the discovery of Clintons affair with a White House intern, which culminated in the presidents impeachment. She ordered a 6-year-old Cuban boy found floating off Floridas coast to be returned to his father on the communist island, enraging conservatives in South Floridas Cuban-American community in a move some Democrats complained cost former Vice President Al Gore the presidency in 2000.

More broadly, Reno opened the Justice Department to greater public scrutiny, reflecting her sense that government must be accountable. In one of her earliest official acts, Reno rescinded a decade-old rule and declared that a presumption of disclosure would apply to any public request for government records. Renos father wrote for the Miami Herald; her mother, for the Miami News.

How can I mind the press?, she asked CNNs Larry King during a 1993 interview. My father was a reporter. My mother was a reporter. My grandfather was the chief photographer for the Herald.

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My general feeling is that theres never too much press attention, she said, because you need a free press to have a free society.

Reno served as attorney general for the entirety of Clintons two terms, longer than anyone in that position for the previous 150 years. She died in Miami on Nov. 7, 2016, at the age of 78.

Bondis record as attorney general is not yet complete. This week, the New York Times reported that Trump is demanding that the Justice Department pay him about $230 million in compensation for the federal investigations into him, and that settlement might ultimately be approved by senior department officials who defended the president or his allies.

Lets see how Bondi reacts. I can guess how Renowould have responded.




CLINTON - A Dutchess County court indefinitely postponed the first hearing for a Jan. 6 rioter accused of making death threats against U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, though officials did not provide an explanation for the delay.

Christopher Patrick Moynihan, 34, had been scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Thursday on felony terroristic threat charges after allegedly writing in text messages that he planned to "eliminate" Jeffries at an event in New York City this week, multiple news outlets reported.

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"I cannot allow this terrorist to live," Moynihan wrote, according to a report by a state police investigator. Moynihan also wrote that Jeffries "must be eliminated" and "I will kill him for the future," the police report says.

Moynihan's arrest over the weekend came after the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force found evidence that he had "made threats to kill" the House Minority Leader, State Police said in a statement. Moynihan was arraigned on Sunday in Clinton Town Court.

In August 2022, Moynihan was convicted of obstruction of an official proceeding, a felony. He also pleaded guilty to five related misdemeanor charges. All of the charges stem from his participation in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. Moynihan was caught on video taking photographs of Congressional documents and standing on the Senate dais. As he reviewed the documents, he can be heard saying, "There's got to be something we can use against these f___ing scumbags," according to court documents.

Christopher Patrick Moynihan, rear center in the gray hat, stands on the Senate dais during the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection. (U.S. Department of Justice)





Moynihan was one of at least a dozen Hudson Valley residents to face charges related to the attempted insurrection. He was sentenced to 21 months in prison for those convictions. But in January, he was among hundreds of Capitol rioters who received a pardon from Donald Trump on the Republican president's first day back in the White House.

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In a statement, Jeffries thanked the law enforcement agencies for "their swift and decisive action" to arrest Moynihan, whom he called a "dangerous individual who made a credible death threat against me with every intention to carry it out."

"Unfortunately, our brave men and women in law enforcement are being forced to spend their time keeping our communities safe from these violent individuals who should never have been pardoned," Jeffries said in his statement.

The Brooklyn Democrat faced bomb threats three years ago during a scheduled appearance at Albany's Jewish Community Center. The event, where he had been set to speak with U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko, was moved, though police later determined the threat was unfounded.

Moynihan, who lives in Salt Point, a hamlet of Clinton located about 16 miles southeast of Rhinebeck, remained at the Dutchess County jail as of Thursday morning. A clerk for Clinton Town Court said his next court appearance has not been set.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.

This article originally published at Pardoned Jan. 6 rioter from Dutchess County charged with threatening to kill Hakeem Jeffries.
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  In 1985, Kim Shuler moved away from Detroit and into Peoria, where she met her future husband, Ben Shuler.

They fell in love, got married, and lived 28 wonderful years together. However, their time with each other was abruptly cut short, when Ben was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer, that killed him less than a month after diagnosis.

In his last days of life, he was taken care of at the OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home. Kim said not only did Ben received the best care, but so did she.

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What I received was the most compassionate care on every level, from a medical level to an emotional level to a spiritual level, she said.

To remember her late husband, and honor the hospice home that cared for him, Kim Shuler donated a generous amount to build a beacon at the home.

After approval from the Federal Aviation Administration, the light was revealed on Wednesday night to staff and community members. It now shines brightly into the nights sky, with a plaque remembering Ben and others who passed away at the home.

OSF Home Care President Jason Rodeghero said it will also help guide people to a place that can take care of them as theyre struggling through their final days.

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Kim Schuler is a very generous, generous donor, and she really wants to help draw attention to the hospice home so other families can experience that same kind of loving care that we provided for her husband when he was passing, he said.

Kim said it is a pathway to heaven. She has assigned funds in her will, so when she passes away, the light continues to shine up into the darkness.

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Writing about the failure of patron-supported journalism is itself a kind of confession. It hasnt worked for me, and I struggle to weigh my guilt around that (should have worked harder!) against what I know is a structural problem. Patron-supported journalism (including newsletters) is both a throwback to the earliest mode of media production and, as it exists today, the newest way for capitalism to suffocate dissent.

Obviously, there have always been audiences, and always been audience members willing to pay a little extra for a creator to keep kith and kin together between gigs. There have always been writers trying to piece together a livelihood by appealing to deep-pocketed friends.

But over the past decade, especially the past five years, several corrosive trends converged, and now an unprecedented number of individual journalists are trying their hand at earning a living, one $8/month subscriber at a time. Those trends are familiar to TPM readers:

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massive layoffs and organization closures in the journalism industry

continued siloing and polarization of political news

billionaires personally directing the coverage to curry favor with those in power

Outright government suppression of free speech may be the boot on the neck of a body that was already halfway to the ground.

An under-discussed force in felling the journalism industry is the emergence of platforms standing to make a profit as the middleman in the writer-audience relationship. They profit from the churn of creators, taking a cut whether or not those creators make a living wage. The myth of independence is part of their marketing. Journalists like myself have been primed to believe this.

As clicks became the primary metric of success, journalists and writers at legacy publication were put in charge of monetizing their own traffic. First, with video and then through the push to be public-facing on social media. We became our own brands, and then corporate consolidation and private equity liquidization brought on the mass extinction event in digital media thats still shaking the ground under our feet. As newsrooms shuttered and the number of staff openings shrank, newly unemployed journalists went independent because they had to. Please subscribe to my newsletter became as familiar a sign-off to messages announcing a job loss as some personal news was to posts sharing a new role.

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In 2019, Substack used the brute force of six-figure advances to bring on established journalists and became the default newsletter platform for those already in the news business. The pandemic accelerated adoption of all the patron-supported platforms. Patreon added 30,000 new creators in the first three weeks of March 2020. Substack readership doubled in the first three months of the pandemic.

This growth disguises the long-tail distribution endemic to creative platforms. Today, more than 300,000 creators on Patreon have at least one paying member. Collectively, patrons spent over $800 million a year on the platform in 2020. But while the company wont disclose the average monthly payout per creator, many are making only hundreds of dollars per month. There are over 75,000 Substack newsletters; according to the company, just over 17,000 writers get paid. The company emphasizes the 50 publishers making over $1 million a year; one analysis looked at the other 99.7% of publishers and guessed that the average profit was about $16,000 a year.



How many of those people call themselves journalists? Well, thats one problem: Some of them probably dont, but are. Some of them do, but arent. The New Yorker recently did a profile of a home design influencer-turned-anti-vax activist  Jessica Reed Kraus  making a million dollars a year on Substack who now styles herself an independent journalist.

I am not here to gatekeep what Kraus calls herself; her success, however, illuminates how the patron model splits the creator economy into haves and have-nots with even more ruthlessness than the corporate model.

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Individuals trying to support themselves via subscriptions are as dependent on the whims of the marketplace as those working for large corporations, and its not just the lack of health care and 401ks that make the career of a patron-supported creator precarious  its the rawness and immediacy of the relationship.

In a system where your income depends on performing as yourself regularly, at scale and on schedule, the temptation to shape yourself to whats rewarded is impossible to resist. Krauss journey has the same general shape as other progressives-turned-reactionaries, such as Matt Taibbi, but I dont think the problem is merely one of ideological temptation: Its the exhaustion of being a brand ambassador. Leaning into comfort is human. The job is to always be available, consistent, charming, relatable, emotionally honest, and never boring. To succeed as a sole proprietor, the face of the brand, is exhilarating. To fail means you have failed as a person.

That feeling  of inadequacy, of vanishing  is baked into the system. Its not a glitch. Its how patronage works when its filtered through capitalism. The harder you have to work to sustain yourself, the harder it is to keep asking the big questions that can create political change. (This, in addition to the historically difficult problem of attracting anyone without generational wealth to an industry where the starting pay is so low.)

Ive been watching the self-doubt creep in on friends, too  some of the most successful newsletter writers I know  who are now seeing their subscriber numbers dwindle as the economy contracts under the second Trump administration. Subscriptions are a luxury; only the most dedicated political observer will continue to pay for 10 different newsletters. Many others will settle for just the least-worst institutional options and a personal favorite or two. A trend story in the New York Times asked the question of how much people are willing to spend a year on a bouquet of newsletter subscriptions, and found dedicated readers having to re-evaluate their ability to support as many authors as they wanted to. Newsletter proprietor and subscriber Aminatou Sow offered some hard, realistic advice: People are hoarding digital products, drinking from a fire hose of this contentDo you really need to subscribe to 100 newsletters? I dont think so. Do you need to subscribe to 20 of them? Im not even sure.

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If everyone has to cobble together their own constellation of individual creators, $5 at a time? Thats not a media ecosystem. Thats a privatized patchwork of tip jars. Counting on people who pay you directly isnt the same thing as not having a boss. You have 100 bosses, and you cant afford to piss off any of them.

And even if youre beloved, youre not essential.

Who does the slow work? Who gets to spend three months on a story that might not go viral? Many of the newsletters that support ambitious projects, such as Zeteo or, after a fashion, Bari Weisss Free Press, are just newspapers delivered by email. Theyre institutions in disguise.

And were living in a culture thats increasingly intolerant of hearing things it doesnt want to hear. Thats more true on the right, but it happens on the left, too. If you want to practice journalism in that environment, you need either a broad, stable base  or a secure, protected source of funding. The patron model is neither.

The question we need to consider is not just how does good journalism survive but how can journalism model survival? Personally, I believe the way forward looks like collectives and worker-owned publications. To survive in late capitalism will take being anti-capitalist in practice in form and not just as a critical stance.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

UTA researcher Yue Liao (right) conducted a study on how just a little movement can lift your mood. Credit: University of Texas at Arlington

Feeling sluggish? A new study from The University of Texas at Arlington finds the fix may be as simple as swapping 30 minutes of sitting for light activity.

UT Arlington kinesiology Professor Yue Liao joined a research team from Monash University in Australia to track more than 350 young adults using wearable activity monitors. The study found that on days when participants engaged in light activitysuch as walking or doing choresinstead of sitting, they felt better and more energetic the next day.

"This study indicated that light activitywhere you don't have to go to the gym or do intense exercisecan lead to better feelings the next day when it replaces sedentary behavior," Dr. Liao said. "One doesn't have to think, 'I have to run,' or 'I have to do these big things.' Just sitting less and moving more can have an immediate impact on your mood the next day."

This finding is particularly relevant given current habits. A January 2024 study by smart seating company Kalogon found that 38% of U.S. adults sit nine or more hours a day. Replacing even a portion of that time with light activity can pay off in meaningful ways.

The research, recently published in Psychology of Sport and Exercise, found that light activity had the strongest link to boosting mood and energy the next day. Moderate to vigorous exercise, such as running or gym workouts, was associated with modest mood benefits, while sedentary timesitting or lying awakewas linked to worse mood the next day. The study also examined sleep duration but found no clear effect on next-day mood among the young adults studied.

Study procedure across 715 days in ACES, DESTRESS, and SHS. 24 h behaviours was recorded continuously using ActiGraph. Credit: Psychology of Sport and Exercise (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2025.102997

"We looked at the 24-hour movement behaviorsleep, exercise, sedentary time and light activity," Liao said. "The 24-hour part is a unique piece because we're not simply saying, 'Do more of this.' They all add up to 24 hours. From that perspective, if a person does more light activity in place of sedentary behavior, that predicts better mood the next day. That's the key point."

Liao also emphasized that the mood benefits weren't about comparing one's activity level to others. Instead, the improvements came from a "within-person" effectmaking subtle, self-directed changes in daily activity.

In the end, Liao hopes the study demonstrates that making small changes relative to one's usual routine is key to better overall health.

"Based on prior literature, we assumed exercise would be the clear factor, but our analysis mostly highlighted light activity," she said. "You don't have to work up a sweat to get benefits. Just moving a little more than your usual helps."

More information: Flora Le et al, Daily, prospective associations of sleep, physical activity, and sedentary behaviour with affect: A Bayesian multilevel compositional data analysis, Psychology of Sport and Exercise (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2025.102997
Former House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., on Wednesday said that California state and local authorities may arrest agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) if they violate state law while conducting immigration raids in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The raids, which are expected to begin this week, have drawn widespread criticism from politicians and elected officials in California. President Donald Trump called the city woke, promising to go to the city and make it great again.

Pelosi, alongside fellow San Francisco-area Democratic Rep. Kevin Mullins, called the raids an appalling abuse of power and attacked the Trump administration in a statement on Wednesday.

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While the President may enjoy absolute immunity courtesy of his rogue Supreme Court, those who operate under his orders do not, the statement read. Our state and local authorities may arrest federal agents if they break California law  and if they are convicted, the President cannot pardon them.

Pelosi doubled down on her statement in a social media post, defending patriotic immigrants.

We will not be intimidated by politically motivated fear tactics, Pelosi said.

While the legal grounds for arresting ICE agents is unclear, it is possible to sue and prosecute agents that violate state laws, such as excessive force, according to a report from the New York Times.

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Meanwhile, Gov. Gavin Newsom has promised to sue if the Trump administration deploys the National Guard to the city, vowing to take the administration to court the nanosecond such a move is considered.

Send troops to San Francisco and we will sue you, Newsom said in a social media post directed at Trump.

Newsom previously filed a restraining order against Trump for deploying the National Guard to Los Angeles during immigration protests. A lawsuit from Newsom followed, and, in September, a judge found that the deployment was illegal.

The post Pelosi: California cops may arrest ICE agents if they violate law appeared first on Salon.com.
NEW YORK (PIX11)  The transformation of Penn Station is about to enter a new phase with a well-known transit chief.

Andy Byford, former head of NYC Transit, Transport for London, and the Toronto system, is serving as special advisor to Amtrak for Pennsylvania Station.

President Donald Trump is also involved.

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The federal government and Amtrak took control of the project from the state and appointed Byford to the leadership position.

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On Wednesday, he spoke before the New York Building Congress. The breakfast event focuses on upcoming construction projects.

Byford and Amtrak will publish the official solicitation for ideas to transform Penn Station by October 31st.

Design decisions will be made next year. Byford will review the submissions with a panel. Theyre looking for solid proposals.

Some construction work, including the digging of shovels in the ground, is planned for the end of 2027.

Thats a goal set by President Trump.

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Theyre letting me do what needs to be done. Theyre not micromanaging me, Byford says.

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Byford says the MTAs improvements to the LIRR concourse are a good template for the future. Wider areas are better lit, and the customer service experience is improving.

He seems to view wayfinding and technology as areas for improvement.

He says theres also a study at the track level and the feasibility of through-running, which would help create a more regional work.

President Trump will be involved in a review after Byfords work and input from the Amtrak Board.

Byford says it is on him and his team to help craft a solid, cost-efficient, and customer-focused proposal.

Transportation is always a significant concern, but the federal funding for some projects has been uncertain.

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The Gateway Tunnel would connect more commuters from New York and New Jersey at Penn Station and help service.

The Trump administration has paused funding during the government shutdown.

Hes moving ahead with Gateway as part of the process.

Connecting four new Metro-North stations in The Bronx to Penn Station is a big project with Amtrak as a partner.

The MTA has announced some delays into 2027 and criticized some planning.

While this one is not his project directly, he has always been advocating for transit. Byford emphasizes Amtraks commitment to the project and clearing up the issues to welcome trains to the transformed Penn Station.

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Byford is happy to be back in NYC and riding the subway.

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(WHTM)  The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency will deploy staff to Alaska as the state recovers from extreme flooding that has displaced thousands.

A series of powerful storms, including remnants of Typhoon Halong, caused widespread flooding throughout October. The damage is so extensive that more than 1,500 people evacuated wont be able to return to their homes for up to 18 months, said Alaska Gov. Dunleavy in a letter to President Donald Trump requesting aid last week.

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PEMA will send two staff members to Alaska as part of efforts to help the state recover from the floods, the agency said Wednesday in a social media post. Several other states have also deployed resources.

Were proud of our team for always standing ready to help, whenever and wherever they are needed most, the agency said.

The National Weather Service issued a Coastal Flood Watch for the Yukon Delta Coast to the Arctic coastline on Oct. 4 in response to strong coastal storms, Dunleavy said. Within days, it upgraded the watch to a Coastal Flood Warning as water levels reached six feet above normal levels.

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Alaskas most severe weather came on Oct. 8, pounding communities with storm surges and extreme wind reaching 100 miles per hour. The Alaska Air and Army National Guard, U.S. Coast Guard and Alaska State Troopers performed air rescues as homes floated into the sea.

Many of the areas are hundreds of miles from a road system.

Alaska storm damage so bad many evacuees wont go home for at least 18 months, governor says

At least one person died and two more remained missing, the governor said in the letter.

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Closing in on Election Day, a potential 2028 presidential candidate will be in Virginia to campaign for Democratic governor hopeful Abigail Spanberger.

CBS News has learned that Pennsylvania Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro will campaign with Spanberger in the Hampton Roads area on Sunday as the race to lead Virginia reaches its final days.

Shapiro, who is running for re-election to his own office in 2026, has become nationally known for being able to win his tensely divided state. Shapiro and Spanberger  who during her time in Congress repeatedly won a competitive House district  both represent the more moderate part of the Democratic Party at a time when there are clear tensions between centrist-minded politicians and progressive figures on the left about the future.

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"Here in Virginia we know the stakes of this election. and in fact, we know all the challenges coming at us, from Washington, from bad policies, but what we will do this November is not just vote against something, but we will vote for the policies that we believe in," Spanberger said at a rally this week.

While Shapiro was a potential running mate option for Vice Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, he is now among a group of Democratic governors emphasizing accomplishments and executive leadership at a time when Democrats are looking to the future amid fatigue with Washington-centric rhetoric.

In the race to succeed Virginia's Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who under state law cannot run for another term this year, Spanberger has been viewed as having an advantage over Virginia GOP Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears.

But statewide races in Virginia can become surprisingly close, and Spanberger has struggled as of late to navigate the backlash to violent text messages, made public recently, that were sent several years ago by Jay Jones, the Democratic nominee in the Virginia Attorney General's race.

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Spanberger has denounced Jones' words, where he wrote in the past about a hypothetical shooting of a man who was a Virginia House Republican leader. But Jones has remained the Democratic candidate on the ballot in the Nov. 4 election, a reality that has helped unite Republicans messaging in Virginia after struggling to coalesce around a campaign approach for much of this year.

Yet while the controversy could cost Jones the race for attorney general, Democrats remain hopeful about winning back the governor's office in Virginia. President Trump has lost Virginia in the last three presidential elections, and has also so far been unwilling to clearly endorse or campaign for Earle-Sears despite the lieutenant governor's conservative approach.

At the same time, Spanberger is getting support from former Democratic President Barack Obama, who is set to campaign with her the Saturday before election day and former transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg, another potential 2028 presidential candidate, who rallied with her in Charlottesville earlier this week.

Earle-Sears however has not been getting the same kind of major help on the right. The president has not rallied for her so far this year, but her campaign did move on Monday to publicize comments where Mr. Trump said he thinks "the Republican candidate is very good and I think she should win," before explaining he hasn't "been too much involved in Virginia."

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The absence has been especially stark considering Mr. Trump has already given what he described as his "complete and total endorsement" on social media to the GOP candidates for New Jersey governor and Virginia attorney general who are also on this fall's Nov. 4 ballot.

Mr. Trump offered a measure of support that could benefit Earle-Sears on Wednesday, writing on social media that voting Republican in Virginia or New Jersey including in the race for governor  "MEANS A DRASTIC DROP IN ENERGY PRICES AND ENERGY COSTS." Yet he didn't name Earle-Sears or explicitly endorse her.

Talking to CBS News last week, Earle-Sears demurred on questions about Mr. Trump and his role, or lack thereof, in her race to that point.

"I'm not going to talk about when the President and I speak. I've spoken with the President, I've visited him in the Oval Office, which folks for me, as an immigrant to this great country, you just don't see yourself being in the Oval Office. You see it on television and you say to yourself 'my god what a great country that this is,'" Earle-Sears said.

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Government shutdown enters Day 22 as Trump gives Democrats ultimatum

Brian Lehrer on final New York City mayoral debate between Mamdani, Cuomo and Sliwa

NBA reacts to arrests of Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier on illegal gambling charges
LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) A Philadelphia man will spend three and a half to 10 years in prison after nearly striking troopers and roadworkers in a high-speed chase with a stolen car.

The Lancaster County District Attorneys Office said, Keniel Ian Junio Wright, 19, pleaded guilty on October 7 to aggravated assault, fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, receiving stolen property, recklessly endangering another person, criminal mischief, and traffic offenses.

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In the early morning hours of May 9, 2024, Wright, who was 17 at the time, led police on a nine-mile high-speed chase, the DAs office said.

Police spotted Wright speeding and driving erratically on westbound Lincoln Highway near Brackbill Road in Salisbury Township, according to the DAs office. Police attempted to pull him over around 1 a.m., but Wright accelerated through an active traffic zone, nearly striking five workers.

The DAs office said Wright entered lanes of oncoming traffic, nearly causing a head-on collision with a tractor-trailer, and reached speeds of up to 130 mph.

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During the chase, Wright avoided spike traps, nearly striking two State Police troopers in their vehicles. The DAs office said he ultimately crashed onto a property in the 2400 block of Lincoln Highway East in East Lampeter Township, damaging a sign and shrubbery.

After crashing, Wright told police he had stolen the vehicle the previous day. The DAs office said police learned he forcibly robbed a man and took the vehicle while in Philadelphia.

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HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM)  A Pennsylvania electric utilitys proposed rate hike is on hold for now.

Allentown-based PPL Electric Utilities sought a $356.3 million distribution rate hike it said would have added about $13 per month to residential customers bills using 1,000 kWh per month, amounting to about a 7% increase.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission voted 5-0 to pause and investigate the rate hike.

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PREVIOUS COVERAGE > PPL requests $356 million rate increase to upgrade grid

The rate increase was supposed to take effect Dec. 1, 2025, and has now been paused for seven months, the PUC said.

It will now be referred to the PUCs Office of Administrative Law Judge for investigation and recommended decisions. Public input hearings will be scheduled to gather testimony from concerned customers and interested stakeholders.

PPL said it is the first distribution rate change since 2016. The generation rate, also known as the price-to-compare, fluctuates and stands 50% higher today than in the summer and fall of 2020. Customers can shop around for the best price for their generation rate, while the distribution rate is charged to all PPL customers.

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A final PUC decision on PPLs rate increase request is due by July 1, 2026.

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The utility serves much of Dauphin and Lancaster counties and portions of Cumberland, Perry, Juniata and Mifflin counties.

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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday said that US forces conducted a strike in the Eastern Pacific on a boat allegedly loaded with drugs, killing three people.

"The vessel was known by our intelligence to be involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, was transiting along a known narco-trafficking route, and was carrying narcotics," Hegseth said in a post on X.

"Three male narco-terrorists were aboard the vessel during the strike, which was conducted in international waters. All three terrorists were killed and no U.S. forces were harmed in this strike."

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Hours earlier, Hegseth posted about a separate strike on Tuesday also in the Pacific on a boat allegedly carrying drugs. That operation killed "two narco-terrorists," Hegseth said, adding that it was conducted in international waters, without specifying exactly where.

Tuesday's strike was the first known US attack off the west coast of Latin America, after attacks reported by Washington had always referred to attacks in the Caribbean Sea.

Hegseth said that both targeted vessels were being "operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization." He compared drug cartels to the Islamist terrorist organization Al-Qaeda.

"These strikes will continue, day after day," Hegseth said in the more recent post.

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In recent weeks, the US military has repeatedly fired on boats of suspected drug smugglers in the Caribbean. More than 30 people are said to have been killed in these actions.

The actions have drawn widespread criticism, partly because the US government initially failed to give a legal basis for the strikes, which critics say amount to extrajudicial killings in international waters.
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  Some Peoria Public Schools participated in an event to help promote healthy eating on Thursday during National Apple Month.

Kellar Primary and Sterling Middle School both participated in the Midwest Great Apple Crunch with Apple Photo Booths, Peoria Public Schools Spokesperson Marjorie Kauth said.

Photo booths were available to students to take pictures of themselves while eating apples during their lunch breaks.

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Kristina Klein, the district manager for Organic Life at Peoria Public Schools Food Service Department, said the goal of the event was to promote farming and healthy eating.

This is our first year doing it here and participating, Klein said. Organic Life has been here for three years, and weve been looking for some things to get into and promote healthy eating among the students.

Klein said the apples came from orchards around the Midwest, including Michigan, Indiana, Iowa and Wisconsin.

We have a lot of schools in this community that are in food deserts, so them getting a healthy, nutritious meal with fresh fruits and vegetables is very, very important to us, Klein said.

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Klein also said that this not only to provide fresh and healthy foods to kids but also for educational purposes as well.

Weve had experiences where they went to eat a kiwi, well, they eat the hairy side and they said, its hairy! And Im like, youre not supposed to eat that, Klein said. So we do have sometimes where its educational as well for the students so that theyre exposed to different things.

She said the district hopes to continue the program to educate students across the district in the future.

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Originally appeared on E! Online

Susan Lorincz isnt the only person in her family with notoriety.

While the 61-year-old has found herself in the spotlight following the release of the Netflix documentary The Perfect Neighborwhich chronicles the events that led to her fatally shooting her neighbor Ajike AJ Owens in June 2023her sister Ellyn Lorincz has also had her own brush with the law.

Authorities made multiple visits to Ellyns home beginning in October 2023according to an arrest report obtained by local outlet WCJB before she was arrested and charged with felony child neglect the following August, according to the court docket viewed by E! News.

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Prior to her arrest, the 57-year-old had custody of a 9-year-old boy with autism, though officers determined she repeatedly failed to give him food, supervision and medication, the outlet said citing the arrest report. Her home also allegedly contained significant cat feces, mold and easily-reachable needles.

Ellyn also told detectives in the case that she didnt want to continue caring for the boy, WCJB reported from the arrest report.

The State Attorney's Office interviewed the boy and determined a conviction at trial was unlikely, according to a court filing obtained by the Ocala Star-Banner . The child neglect charge was dropped in October 2024, E! News confirmed from court records.

E! News has reached out to Ellyns lawyer for comment but has not heard back.

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The State Attorney's Office interviewed the boy and determined a conviction at trial was unlikely, according to a court filing obtained by the Ocala Star-Banner . The child neglect charge was dropped in October 2024, E! News confirmed from court records. The case is closed.

E! News has reached out to Ellyns lawyer for comment but has not heard back.

Doug Engle/Ocala Star-Banner via AP, Pool

As for Susan's case, she was ultimately found guilty of manslaughter in November 2024 and is currently serving a 25-year sentence at Homestead Correctional Institution in Florida City. She is currently set for release on April 8, 2048, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.

And although Susan, 61, maintains she was afraid for her life the night she shot and killed her neighbor, she admitted to wishing things had unfolded differently.

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I just never, ever thought in a million years this would happen, she told ABC affiliate WCJB in an interview from prison in September 2025. It breaks my heart...I wish I could change things.

For more on The Perfect Neighbor, keep reading.

Who was Ajike Owens?

Ajike "AJ" Owens, 35, lived with her children Isaac, Israel, Africa and Titus in Ocala, Fla. They were between 12 and 3 when their mom died. "My daughter, Ajike, was joyful, vibrant and devoted to her four children," Owens' mother Pam Dias told CNN in October 2025. "She was supermom. She was the football mom...She worked hard to provide a better life for them." Owens was a McDonald's manager and, as seen in Netflix's The Perfect Neighbor, another resident of her neighborhood told deputies she "sacrificed" so they could attend private school and do activities like dance and gymnastics.





Who Is Susan Lorincz?

Susan Louise Lorincz lived across the street from Owens in Ocala. As seen in sheriff's deputy body cam footage in The Perfect Neighbor, the now-61-year-old said she worked from home, where she lived alone. Her younger sister Ellen Lorincz testified during Lorincz's 2024 criminal trial that their family had a "history of mental health issues" and their father was "physically, emotionally and sexually abusive to all of us." Friend Crystal Maksou testified that Lorincz was "always working," but also sang at church and "baked for us and cooked for us for many years." Asked if Lorincz was "violent or aggressive," Maksou's answer was no. "Its almost the opposite of the person I know, Maksou told the court. She was very much a giver, and during this friendship I learned from her how to treat people."





Why Did Susan Lorincz Call the Police So Many Times?

Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods said at a news conference after Owens was killed that his department received "six to eight" reports of incidents involving the victim and Lorincz. During one of their trips to Lorincz's house at 1662 Southwest 107th Lane, as seen in The Perfect Neighbor, deputies spoke with Owens after Lorincz accused the woman of throwing a yard sign at her. Owens told deputies Lorincz was "basically like ramming the sign in my face." When Lorincz "went to pick it back up," she continued, "I picked the sign up and I threw the sign...I did toss it, I'm not gonna lie." But multiple neighbors told the deputies that Owens did not throw the sign at Lorincz, one saying, per the footage, "I will say that that lady is always messing with people's kids. She's always trying to record the kids and always talking crap."





Lorinczwho, like Owens, was one of the many renters on the blocktold a deputy during this encounter that "real estate laws" dictated "the right to peaceful quiet enjoyment of your property" and the kids "shouldn't be screaming and running around." Detectives asked Lorincz after Owens' death if there was "any reason someone would have video of you saying the n-word?" To which she replied, "I have no idea. And if I did let it go, I'm sorry. I mean, it could have slipped out."

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What Happened the Night Susan Lorincz Killed Ajike Owens?

Lorincz shot Owens on the night of June 2, 2023, firing a single gunshot through her closed front door that hit the 35-year-old in her upper chest. She was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. Earlier in the evening, Lorincz had called 911, alleging that kids were "trespassing, screaming, yelling" and she was "fearing for [her] life." "His mom's gonna go out and wait for the officer and run and say, 'Oh my god, I was threatening her kids,'" Lorincz told the dispatcher. "Which just isn't true." Bystanders told deputies, per body cam footage in The Perfect Neighbor, that they heard Owens knock on Lorincz's door. One boy said he heard "a woman screaming at the top of her lungs, 'Why did you take my son's tablet?'"





Another boy told deputies, "I see a pair of roller skates flying at [Owen's son] Izzy, he said he had a tablet and the woman took it." Then, he continued, Lorincz "came out with the umbrella and started swinging it, calling us 'jackasses.' Next thing, I heard Izzy say, 'Go get Mom.'" Owens then headed across the street and, by all accounts, starting knocking on Lorincz's door. One witness told deputies, "Literally two knocks."





What Did Susan Lorincz Say About Shooting Ajike Owens?

Lorincz was handcuffed and taken into custody. She told detectives June 3, per interview room footage in The Perfect Neighbor, that about 10 minutes had passed between her 911 call and Owens showing up at her door. "Then she started banging so hard, everything started shaking," Lorincz said, "and I'm like, 'You really need to leave.' And she's going, 'I'm going to f--king kill you!'" Claiming she didn't know whether deputies would show up at all, "I just panicked, 'Oh, my gosh, she's going to really kill me this time.' So I don't even actually remember picking up the gun. I just remember shooting."





What Was Susan Lorincz Charged With in the Killing of Ajike Owens?

Talking to Lorincz on June 6, per interview footage, detectives informed her that, after her five-minute call to 911 ended at 8:59 p.m., only two minutes went by before she called again to report someone banging on her door. "Within two minutes she showed up and did all these things," a detective said, "you pulled the trigger, then found your phone and called 911." Lorincz said that in her mind it was "much longer." She also denied any premeditation, insisting she felt "tremendous fear" in the moment. Left in the room with a notepad and a pen in case she wanted to relay anything to Owens' children, Lorincz wrote, as read aloud by a detective, "I am so sorry for your loss. I never meant to kill your mother. I was terrified your mom was going to kill me. I shot out of fear." She was arrested moments later and charged with manslaughter with a firearm, culpable negligence, battery and two counts of assault.

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Where Is Susan Lorincz Now?

Lorincz pleaded not guilty at trial, putting a spotlight on Florida's controversial "stand your ground" self-protection law that permits deadly force if a person, per the statute, "reasonably believes that using or threatening to use such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm." But Lorincz was convicted of manslaughter on Aug. 16, 2024. She was sentenced Nov. 25 to 25 years in prison. "I find that the shooting was completely unnecessary," Marion County Circuit Court Judge Robert Hodges said in court. "In this case, Ms. Lorincz was behind the door. The door was locked." Lorincz is currently serving her time at Homestead Correctional Institution in Florida City, according to the Florida Department of Corrections, which lists her release date as April 8, 2048. I am so sorry I took AJs life," Lorincz said at her sentencing hearing. "I never intended to kill her. I am just profoundly sad. Not only did a mother die but a daughter, a sister, I think of your family's loss." She maintains she feared for her life that night, telling ABC affiliate WCJB from prison in September 2025, "I never even saw the shot. I was just so terrified. I remember I was shaking, I was crying. It was horrible." Asked if she was capable of manslaughter, she said no. "It just makes me sick, what happened," Lorincz said. "I just never, ever thought in a million years this would happen. It breaks my heart...I wish I could change things."





What Did Ajike Owens' Family Say After Susan Lorincz Was Found Guilty of Manslaughter?

I stand before you not only mourning the loss of my daughter, but also the loss of our hopes, dreams and the future that we often spoke of, Owens' mother Dias said in court during Lorincz' sentencing, per NBC News. Im still trying to grasp and cope with the fact that my daughter, my baby girl, is lying six feet underground, breathless, lifeless. Noting all of the family milestones Owens would miss, Dias continued, "Our pain and suffering didnt end when Susan was found guilty of manslaughter. Our pain and suffering wont end with todays sentencing. Our pain and suffering will last a lifetime.





Where Are Ajike Owens' Children Now?

Dias has been caring for her grandchildren since her daughter's death. Its been very hard for the childrenthey were very young when they lost their mother, and its something no child should have to endure, Dias told CNN in October 2025. At the same time, theyve shown strength and resilience that continues to amaze me. And she could "see the values my daughter instilled in them," Dias continued. "Her kindness, her love, her faithand that means they carry a piece of her wherever they go."



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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Authorities are responding to a shooting near Southeast 174th Avenue and Southeast Haig Drive, the Portland Police Bureau told KOIN 6.

A bureau spokesperson confirmed the shooting occurred near Centennial High School around 3:39 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon, but the school is not on lockdown. PPB also said medical help has arrived to treat the man who was shot.

Police told KOIN 6 that the man was seriously injured but is expected to survive.

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Any TriMet routes in the area will be redirected as officers continue looking for the suspect.

This is a developing story. Stay with KOIN 6 for updates.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

For U.S. patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), nerandomilast slows the decline in forced vital capacity (FVC), according to a study presented at CHEST 2025, the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians, held from Oct. 19 to 22 in Chicago.

Justin M. Oldham, M.D., from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and colleagues examined the effect of nerandomilast in a descriptive analysis of a subgroup of U.S. patients from the phase 3 FIBRONEER-IPF trial. Patients were randomly allocated to receive nerandomilast 9 mg twice daily (bid), nerandomilast 18 mg bid, or placebo; the subgroup included 196 U.S. patients (70, 56, and 70, respectively).

The researchers found that the adjusted mean changes in FVC at week 52 were 257.9, 152.7, and 126.2 mL in the placebo, nerandomilast 9-mg, and nerandomilast 18-mg groups, respectively. Mean exposure to medication until first database lock was 13.2 months.

The composite end point of acute exacerbation, hospitalization for respiratory cause, or death was experienced by 30.0%, 21.4%, and 19.6% of the placebo, nerandomilast 9-mg, and nerandomilast 18-mg groups, respectively, up to the first database lock (hazard ratios versus placebo, 0.86 [95% confidence interval, 0.44 to 1.69] and 0.74 [95% confidence interval, 0.36 to 1.54], respectively). Adverse events led to discontinuation of the trial medication in 15.7%, 12.9%, and 10.7% of the placebo, nerandomilast 9-mg, and nerandomilast 18-mg groups, respectively.

"In U.S. patients in our FIBRONEER-IPF trial, nerandomilast 9 mg bid and 18 mg bid slowed the decline in forced vital capacity over 52 weeks and had acceptable safety and tolerability," co-author Toby M. Maher, M.D., Ph.D., from the Keck School of Medicine in Los Angeles, said in a statement.

Several authors disclosed ties to the biopharmaceutical industry.

 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  A Michigan senators bill to increase funding for U.S. pipeline safety and security has passed the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.

U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) was one of four bipartisan senators who introduced the PIPELINE Safety Act, which would reauthorize and significantly increase funding for the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administrations (PHMSA) safety programs for the next five years.

Peters says these programs help the state of Michigan inspect and maintain more than 100,000 miles of pipeline in the state and would require operators to protect against the threat of cyberattacks.

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This bill takes necessary steps to strengthen our pipeline infrastructure and help prevent potential accidents before they occur, keeping both pipeline operators and our environment safe, Peters said. Michiganders also understand the importance of protecting our Great Lakes against an oil spill.

The bill would also create a research center in the Great Lakes region that would look into pipeline leak detection technology that the senator says would help identify and respond to potential leaks.

Now, the bill advances to the full Senate for consideration. The bill can be read in its entirety below:

BILLS-119s2975isDownload

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
The Philadelphia Historic District 250th Committee highlighted its 52 Weeks of Firsts initiative on Thursday.

Organizers announced the details at Independence Mall.

The celebration will encompass major sporting events, alongside cultural exhibitions and community programs, that honor Philadelphia's role as the birthplace of American democracy.

It will include free public events to honor a different Philly-born "first" each week, with storytelling, art, and community festivities.

The 52 Weeks of Firsts will take place in more than a dozen neighborhoods across the city.

The initiative kicks off in January 2026.
BANGKOK (AP)  Philippine victims of a 2021 typhoon are seeking compensation from energy giant Shell for deaths and damage that they say were intensified by climate change partly resulting from the oil and gas companys carbon emissions.

Shell says it is not legally liable for the disaster wreaked by 2021 Super Typhoon Odette, known as Typhoon Rai internationally. It killed more than 400 people and was the second most costly storm in Philippine history.

The nearly 70 Filipinos who lost family members, suffered injuries or damage sent a Letter Before Action this week to Shell seeking an unspecified amount of compensation. If the company does not provide a satisfactory response, they say they plan to file a lawsuit in Britain in mid-December.

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The group hopes to set an example ahead of the United Nations COP30 climate conference in Brazil next month.

It is really important for me to carry our story outside the island, outside the Philippines, and tell the whole world that we are here, we exist, Trixy Elle, one of the people participating in the case, told The Associated Press. "We have to fight, we have to stand, we need to speak up for our rights.

Elle said she plans to attend the climate conference next month to share her experiences.

Groups supporting the effort  Greenpeace Philippines, the Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center, the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice and the green energy transition group Uplift  said they focused on Shell because of its high historic emissions and early knowledge of the causes and effects of climate change."

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The Carbon Majors Database, run by the global, nonprofit think tank InfluenceMap, ranks Shell as one of the largest corporate emitters of greenhouse gases, contributing 2.1% of global emissions since the beginning of the industrial revolution.

We agree that action is needed now on climate change," a Shell spokesperson told The Associated Press after the Letter Before Action was delivered to the companys headquarters in London. "As we supply vital energy the world needs today, we are transforming our business to supply lower-carbon fuels for the future. The suggestion that Shell had unique knowledge about climate change is simply not true.

Last year, Shell succeeded in getting a landmark climate ruling overturned in the Netherlands, where a court had ordered the company to drastically cut its carbon emissions.

Southeast Asia is extremely vulnerable to climate change. The Philippines is often near the top of the Global Climate Risk Index. This year brought several deadly storms, such as Bualoi, Ragasa, Co-may and Matmo.

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The case against Shell cites research by Ben Clarke, an associate at the Imperial College of London's Centre for Environmental Policy, who found that the heavy rains and high winds made typhoon Odette more dangerous.

The Typhoon Odette case shows vulnerable communities can use legal means to seek damages over climate change, said Jameela Joy Reyes, of the London School of Economics' Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment.

Globally, at least 226 lawsuits over climate issues were filed last year, according to the Grantham Institute. It is tracking nearly 3,000 cases across 60 countries.

Past watershed climate cases focused on potential future damage, so initiatives addressing past damage are a testing ground, said Sara Phillips at the Stockholm Environment Institute.

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"Courts have generally accepted that climate change is human-induced, but they have been cautious about assigning liability to individual companies, she said.

___

The Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
For a century and a half, CommonSpirit Holy Cross Hospital  Salt Lake, and four other CommonSpirit hospitals that would follow, has been dedicated to providing exceptional and compassionate care to the communities of Utah.

The celebration began Thursday with a Mass conducted by Father Edwards, vicar general of the Salt Lake Diocese, followed by tours of the Historic Chapel and a performance by the Madeleine School Choir and concluded with a luncheon and awards program.

Deseret News photojournalist Kristin Murphy was there to document the sesquicentennial celebration.

Gail Miller, Kim Wilson and Kyle Braithwaite, CommonSpirit Holy Cross Health Foundation philanthropy director, walk through the historic chapel at Holy Cross Hospital during an event to celebrate 150 years of Holy Cross Hospitals in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025. The chapel was damaged in an earthquake and needs repairs. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

A historic photo of Holy Cross Hospital in 1883 is on display during an event to celebrate 150 years of Holy Cross Hospitals at Holy Cross Hospital in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

Bryan McKinley, Holy Cross Hospital president, speaks during an event to celebrate 150 years of Holy Cross Hospitals at Holy Cross Hospital in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

Historical photos are on display during an event to celebrate 150 years of Holy Cross Hospitals at Holy Cross Hospital in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

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Nola Martin and Roe Gomez play violin during an event to celebrate 150 years of Holy Cross Hospitals at Holy Cross Hospital in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

Christine McSweeney, Holy Cross Hospital Jordan Valley and Holy Cross Hospital West Valley CEO, speaks during an event to celebrate 150 years of Holy Cross Hospitals at Holy Cross Hospital in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

Attendees walk by historic photos during an event to celebrate 150 years of Holy Cross Hospitals at Holy Cross Hospital in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

The Madeleine School Choir sings during an event to celebrate 150 years of Holy Cross Hospitals in the historic chapel at Holy Cross Hospital in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

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An attendee holds music during an event to celebrate 150 years of Holy Cross Hospitals at Holy Cross Hospital in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

The Rev. John Evans, vicar general of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, says Mass during an event to celebrate 150 years of Holy Cross Hospitals at Holy Cross Hospital in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

The Rev. Godwin Nnamezie motions for people to take their seat during a Mass that is part of a celebration of 150 years of Holy Cross Hospitals at Holy Cross Hospital in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

President Camille N. Johnson, Relief Society general president for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, greets Gail Miller during an event to celebrate 150 years of Holy Cross Hospitals at Holy Cross Hospital in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

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ADAMS COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)  A motorcyclist who police say was under the influence of cocaine led a chase for more than an hour in central Pennsylvania last month was identified and charged.

During the chase that crossed between Adams and Cumberland counties multiple times, Terry Orner, 57, of Biglerville, allegedly went off the road and through several private properties in September, according to a Facebook post from Bendersville Borough Police.

Police said Orners passenger was almost thrown off the motorcycle because he was going fast when cresting a hill by a property off of Brysonia Wenksville Road. He also went through an orchard and almost lost control in the grass on a property off Coon Road.

Police say Terry Orner led officers on a chase throughout Adams and Cumberland counties before he was eventually taken into custody. Police say Terry Orner led officers on a chase throughout Adams and Cumberland counties before he was eventually taken into custody. Police say Terry Orner led officers on a chase throughout Adams and Cumberland counties before he was eventually taken into custody. Police say Terry Orner led officers on a chase throughout Adams and Cumberland counties before he was eventually taken into custody.

The pursuit eventually came to a stop along Ed Avenue at Two Ring Road on Bear Mountain in Menallen Township. The post reads that suspected crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia were found on Orner when he was arrested.

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Police stated results from Orners chemical test showed he was under the influence of cocaine.

Before the chase, police said they tried to pull him over in Bendersville Borough at 8:47 p.m., but he took off. There were warrants out for Orners arrest on felony charges that included prohibited possession of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, and receiving stolen property, police said.

Orner was charged Oct. 16 with felony counts of fleeing or attempting to elude officer, flight to avoid apprehension/trial/punishment and DUI  3rd offense. His also faces misdemeanor drug charges, according to online court records.

Police said he was taken to Adams County prison to be arraigned on his charges after his chemical testing.

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Bendersville police also extended its thanks to Pennsylvania State Police, Cumberland Township Police, Tyrone Township Constable Fitting, and Gettysburg Borough Police for their help in the pursuit.

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For the record:

3:36 p.m. Oct. 23, 2025: An earlier version of this story said John Kaleels alleged victim reported abuse that happened when he was between the ages of 15 and 17. Prosecutors say the first incident occurred when the boy was 12.



When jurors returned to a West L.A. courtroom to deliver their verdict in a child sex abuse case earlier this month, one key person was missing: the defendant.

John Kaleel  a veteran piano teacher who has given lessons to the families of several Hollywood power players  faced allegations that he sexually abused one of his students in 2013.

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Kaleel, 69, pleaded no contest in 2016 to committing a lewd act with a teenage student, but later fought to have the plea overturned after realizing the felony conviction would be grounds for deportation to his native Australia. L.A. County prosecutors then retried him and, while the case was pending, he was released on his own recognizance.

On Oct. 8  the same day jurors in the Airport Courthouse found him guilty of five counts of sexual abuse  Kaleel slipped out of the country, according to a statement from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and court records.

The Sheriff's Department did not say where they believed Kaleel had fled to. Court records show prosecutors filed an application to seek an "Extradition/Fugitive Hardcopy Warrant," but it contained no details about how he absconded and a spokesperson for the district attorney's office declined to answer questions.

Kaleel's attorney, Kate Hardie, said she last saw her client when she drove him home from court on Oct. 7, the day before the verdict was handed down, and has had no contact with him since. Kaleel has been a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. since the 1980s, according to Hardie. Attempts by The Times to contact Kaleel were unsuccessful.

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A spokeswoman for the district attorney's office declined to discuss what steps it would take to get Kaleel back in custody in Los Angeles. Hardie said her client faces at least a decade in state prison at sentencing.

Hardie accused the district attorney's office of carrying out a "vindictive prosecution" against Kaleel, who had already served a year in jail and spent time in a federal immigration detention center after his original plea deal.

Kaleel taught private lessons for more than a quarter-century in L.A., and his clients included "Hollywood industry professionals and students who have pursued successful music careers," according to his website. The web page boasted testimonials from the creators of critically acclaimed television series, including "Mad Men" and "Orange Is the New Black," who praised his work with their children.

Emmy-award winning animation director Genndy Tartakovsky, who created several famous cartoons, including "Dexter's Laboratory" and "Samurai Jack," also referred to Kaleel as a "gift," according to the website.

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I have never seen my three children become more inspired or enthusiastic for anything as much as they did for your piano classes," Tartakovsky said, according to an earlier version of Kaleel's business website.

The testimonials disappeared from the website on Monday, after The Times began contacting representatives for those quoted.

Spokespersons for Jenji Kohan, who created "Orange Is the New Black," and Matthew Weiner, the writer behind "Mad Men," both denied giving Kaleel any endorsements or the permission to post any comment on his website. A representative for Tartakovsky declined to comment. Court records show Tartakovsky's wife and one of his children, a former student of Kaleel's, testified on the teacher's behalf at trial.

"Mr. Kaleel has always maintained his innocence and that he took his initial plea bargain on the advice of counsel to avoid a harsher sentence should he lose at trial," Hardie said. "He later learned of the immigration consequences when he was placed in an immigration custody facility for 8 [or] 9 months and faced removal proceedings."

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Hardie argued her client was the victim of a "trial tax," which references prosecutors often seeking to punish defendants more severely when they don't take a plea. Hardie also said Sheriff's Department detectives interviewed many of Kaleel's students "and found no other student who complained of Kaleel being inappropriate."

The alleged victim in the case first contacted the Sheriff's Department in 2015. The boy said he was 12 when Kaleel first acted inappropriately by asking "to take measurements of [the victim's] body parts, including his penis," according to court records.

Kaleel later convinced the boy that they should masturbate together while on a FaceTime call because that's "what friends do," records show. The boy was just 13 at the time, prosecutors said.

When the victim was 15, prosecutors allege, Kaleel invited him over in September 2013 and they smoked marijuana together before having oral sex.

A friend of the victim also testified at trial that Kaleel attempted to engage in sexual conduct with him, but that count was not charged, according to court records. Hardie said her client had no physical contact with that boy.

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After Kaleel struck a plea deal, he was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and served with a deportation order. He successfully challenged his removal at the Board of Immigration Appeals in 2019, according to his former immigration attorney, Mfon Anthony Ikon.

Ikon said the U.S. Department of Homeland Security then abandoned its attempts to deport Kaleel.

Representatives for ICE and DHS did not respond to a request for comment.

In 2022, Kaleel convinced a judge to overturn his plea to the initial sex crimes charge on the grounds that he didn't fully understand the impact it might have on his immigration status, records show.

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Dmitry Gorin, a former L.A. County prosecutor who has tried cases in the area for the last three decades, said it's rare  but not unprecedented  for defendants to vanish on the eve of a verdict.

"Its an unusual situation," he said. "But peoples conduct can be very unpredictable when theyre facing tremendous time in prison.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
ST. LOUIS  A man persuaded a couple at South County Mall to play a Pick a card game before he allegedly threatened them, demanded money and stole a cell phone when they picked a wrong card, police say.

The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorneys Office has charged Brandon Holmes, 29, with one felony count of first-degree robbery in connection with the incident.

The charge stems from a series of alleged events at South County Mall on April 22, 2025.

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According to a St. Louis County Police Department probable cause statement, Holmes approached a couple and insisted they play a game by picking a playing card. When the couple picked a wrong card, Holmes became aggressive and demanded $200.

Investigators say the couple tried to walk away and one victim began recording the interaction on her cell phone. Holmes reportedly made remarks of I need that money and Ill kill you and go back to Memphis, per the probable cause statement.

Missouri men charged for headless deer dumped on road

Some point thereafter, Holmes grabbed one victim and reached inside his pants pocket where the victim believed he was carrying a firearm. Holmes took the victims phone and she ran into a store screaming for help.

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With the phone, Holmes allegedly sent $200 to a CashApp account linked to an individual with his same last name. He then abandoned the phone on mall property.

Police later seized the phone and identified Holmes as a suspect through fingerprint evidence and surveillance footage.

A warrant was issued for Holmes arrest on Oct. 17, according to online Missouri court records.

Holmes has a criminal history that include convictions for aggravated robbery, assault, and identity theft in Tennessee. Authorities say he also has multiple out-of-state contacts with law enforcement in Tennessee, Florida and Texas, per the probable cause statement.

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Individuals in Orlando joined together for a Diwali celebration at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, as they celebrated the Hindu New Year. The five-day festival is celebrated by more than a billion people across the world  and not just Hindus. Other faith communities, including Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists, also observe the festival, with traditions for the celebration varying depending on regions and beliefs. Known as the Hindu festival of lights, Diwali is a celebration of the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance and the triumph of good over evil. The days that mark Diwali, that was observed from October 18 to October 22 this year, are based on the Hindu lunar calendar and typically occur in late October or early November.
Piedmont Oncology is hosting its first gala and fundraiser this weekend to gather support for cancer care, research and wellness centers.

Channel 2s Wendy Corona talked with the doctor leading the charge who said oncology affects everyone.

The event aims to bolster community support for Piedmont Oncologys initiatives, which include hiring new specialists and developing programs for early cancer detection.

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No great cancer program can succeed without community support, said Dr. Wally Curran, chief of Piedmont Oncology.

In the past 18 months, Piedmont Oncology has hired 41 new cancer physicians and developed a program for women at high risk for breast cancer.

Were putting incredible specialists all across the system, Curran said.

They have also launched a plan for the study of lung nodules and will institute a plan to support early detection of pancreatic cancer this month.

Curran emphasized the importance of early detection, stating, All those are ways to drive the staging of cancer patients to an earlier stage because the earlier a patients cancer is detected, the greater likelihood of cure.

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Curran says timing is the greatest challenge he and Piedmonts hundreds of oncologists are facing.

Cancer is a disease of aging, and fortunately many of us are aging, so the risks are there for all of us, he said.

How do we shorten the time to execution of clinical trials, new programs in the community, screening programs, new therapies, new build outs, Curran said.

Piedmont Oncology operates across 27 hospitals in Georgia and sees nearly 15,000 new cancer patients annually.

Every day we see patients living wonderful lives after the diagnosis of a tough malignancy because of advances in clinical trials, Curran said.

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He noted an increase in aggressive colorectal cancer in people in their late 30s and early 40s, prompting a move to earlier screening.

And while they cant eliminate the risk for cancer, he says you can reduce your risk through healthy living and wellness.

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The McCook Work Ethic Camp in McCook, Nebraska. (Courtesy of Nebraska Department of Correctional Services)

LINCOLN  The Nebraska Governors Office said a 17-day delay in publicizing a state-federal contract to convert a Nebraska prison into an immigration detention center was needed to conduct a legal review first of what information, if any, should be withheld.

Rob Jeffreys, director of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, signed the 183-page contract with attachments with an unnamed official in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement regarding use of the Work Ethic Camp in McCook on Sept. 30. However, the contract was not made publicly available until Oct. 17, when Gov. Jim Pillens office publicized the partnership.

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In a Wednesday email responding to questions from Oct. 17, Pillen spokesperson Laura Strimple detailed the reasons for the legal review: What contract portions should legally be redacted under state and federal public information laws, including laws protecting the integrity of the negotiation process and ensuring operational safety.

Asked if the state had any other similar contracts with the federal government that have not yet been released, Strimple said, There are no other related records which remain under legal review.

Well-established exceptions

Under the initial two-year contract, ICE plans to pay Nebraska at least $2.5 million each month to house federal detainees, adult men and women, at the repurposed Work Ethic Camp. The monthly reimbursement rate would increase by 3% in the second year.

Pillens office has said the contract would annually net Nebraska about $14.25 million. ICE will also pay Nebraska a one-time lump sum of $5.9 million for facility renovations.

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All inmates previously housed at the Work Ethic Camp were moved to other Corrections facilities by early this month. The state has not yet answered where they were moved or whether some were paroled or finished sentences.

Nebraska State Patrol Superintendent Bryan Waugh, at podium, joins Nebraska Adj. Gen. Craig Strong, left, and Nebraska Department of Correctional Services Director Rob Jeffreys as the state announces it will work with ICE at the state prison in McCook. Aug 19. 2025. (Juan Salinas II/Nebraska Examiner)

Strimple said among state exemptions used to withhold records were ones shielding information about the protection of public property security and persons on or within such property and personal information of personnel. Also used was a state exemption to shield certain information if its release could jeopardize promised federal funds, services or other essential information.

Exemptions under the federal Freedom of Information Act were also used, though Strimple did not specify which. Nine congressional exemptions shield information that could be harmful to a governmental or private interest.

The Office of the Governor has released all public information while also considering well-established exceptions, Strimple said.

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Under state law, public records exemptions allow  but do not require  certain information to be withheld.

Among the information redacted in the released contract:

Minimum staffing requirements.

Certain pay details for on-call guard services.

Government use of wireless communication devices.

Names and contact information of some federal officials.

Some examples of serious incidents that must be reported.

What to do in emergency situations when receiving or discharging detainees.

Allowable videotaping at the ICE facility (no videotaping without ICE permission).

New questions and concerns

ACLU of Nebraska had negotiated with Pillens office and attorney Jennifer Huxoll, chief of the Civil Litigation Bureau, and had agreed that the state would release a substantive response on the Nebraska-ICE contract provisions by noon Oct. 17. That day, Pillens office sent out a news release disclosing the contract at 12:13 p.m.

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The governor first announced that Nebraska would work with ICE to house federal migrant detainees on Aug. 19.

State Sen. Margo Juarez of Omaha, at center speaking at a protest over the proposed conversion of the Nebraska state prison McCook Worth Ethic Camp into an immigration detention center. Aug. 22, 2025. (Photo by Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

Jennifer Houlden, acting legal director for ACLU Nebraska, said last week that Pillens contract negotiations put Nebraska in uncharted territory in converting a state prison into an arm of a massive detention and deportation campaign.

It speaks volumes that Nebraskans are only just now getting hard facts about this agreement, weeks after it has been signed, Houlden said in a statement. It is troubling that what we have now seen raises new questions and concerns about oversight, liability and the states authority to even open this facility.

The Governors Office had denied at least nine records requests, including from the Nebraska Examiner, seeking more information on the Nebraska-ICE partnership by late September. Talks between Nebraska and federal officials had been happening since at least March, according to records separately obtained by Common Cause Nebraska, a government watchdog group.

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The Examiners request included a standing request for the contract once it was signed and also sought information on communications between Pillen, his staff and Homeland Security officials about Nebraska housing federal immigration detainees. On the communications t the Governors Office said records exist but denied records on the grounds that such records were:

Proprietary or commercial information. Negotiation records for the lease or sale of an interest in real property. Confidential communications. Shielded under attorney-client privilege.

Lawsuit continues

A lawsuit from 13 McCook residents and a former state lawmaker, filed last week in Red Willow County District Court, seeks to reverse the Nebraska-ICE partnership. It argues the joint effort and contract violates state laws and separation of powers in the Nebraska Constitution without legislative approval.

In a court filing this week seeking to dismiss the case, the Nebraska Attorney Generals Office, on behalf of Pillen and Jeffreys, defended the contract, writing: Nebraska statutes do not hamstring the department from adapting its facilities to address ever-changing circumstances.

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Red Willow County District Judge Patrick Heng rejected a temporary restraining order to pause state-federal action Oct. 16, before it was clear a contract with ICE had been signed. Heng will consider a temporary injunction at a hearing this Friday. It would allow the lawsuit to continue and block Nebraska from accepting detainees.

Homeland Security is doing walk-throughs this week, Pillen said Monday on his monthly radio call-in show. We would expect  folks would begin being incarcerated there in the next week.

Nebraska Examiner Editor-in-Chief Aaron Sanderford and reporter Erin Bamer contributed to this report.

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Listening to music when you are over 70 years of age has been linked to a 39% reduction in the risk of dementia, according to a Monash University-led study of over 10,800 older people.

The study, led by Monash honors student Emma Jaffa and Professor Joanne Ryan, looked at the benefits of listening to music or playing music in people aged over 70, finding that always listening to music compared with never/rarely/sometimes listening to music was associated with a 39% decreased risk of dementia. While playing an instrument was associated with a 35% reduction in dementia risk.

This study used data from the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) study, and the ASPREE Longitudinal Study of Older Persons (ALSOP) substudy and was published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.

The study found that always listening to music was associated with the greatest reduction in dementia risk, with a 39% lower incidence of dementia and 17% lower incidence of cognitive impairment, as well as higher scores in overall cognition and episodic memory (used when recalling everyday events).

While regularly engaging in both music listening and playing was associated with a 33% decreased risk of dementia and 22% decreased risk of cognitive impairment.

According to Ms. Jaffa, the findings of the study "suggests music activities may be an accessible strategy for maintaining cognitive health in older adults, though causation cannot be established," she said.

Population aging has become a global public health concern due to advances in medicine and technology extending human lifespans, and this longer life expectancy has also meant an increase in the prevalence of agerelated diseases, including cognitive decline and dementia.

With no cure currently available for dementia, the importance of identifying strategies to help prevent or delay onset of the disease is critical," senior author Professor Ryan said.

"Evidence suggests that brain aging is not just based on age and genetics but can be influenced by one's own environmental and lifestyle choices. Our study suggests that lifestyle-based interventions, such as listening and/or playing music can promote cognitive health."

More information: Emma Jaffa et al, What Is the Association Between MusicRelated Leisure Activities and Dementia Risk? A Cohort Study, International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry (2025). DOI: 10.1002/gps.70163
GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT)  The Pitt-Greenville Airport has partnered with the Food Bank of Eastern North Carolina to collect donations of non-perishable food items and paper products for those in need.

The drop-off boxes are located on the general aviation and administration side of the airport, and donations will be accepted until Nov. 25th.

We are trying to help the community because right now the community is suffering with a lot of hunger, said April Cannon, Finance & Administration Manager at PGV. EBT, SNAP, all kinds of different challenges are happening, especially with the shutdown from the federal government.

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The airport hopes to support the community and help people enjoy their upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT.




In San Francisco's North Beach, where the Beat Generation once gave poetry a megaphone, a familiar voice has returned to the facade of City Lights Books.

The storied bookstore has unfurled banners quoting founder Lawrence Ferlinghetti's "Pity the Nation," a decades-old warning against tyranny that feels newly urgent amid reports that federal agents are being deployed to the Bay Area.

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"Pity the nation whose leaders are liars,

Whose sages are silenced and whose bigots haunt the airwaves.

Pity the nation that praises conquerors and acclaims the bully as hero.

Pity the people who allow their freedoms to erode and their rights to be washed away.

My country tears of thee. Sweet land of liberty!"

Ferlinghetti co-founded City Lights in 1953, creating what would become a cornerstone of the Beat Generation. His fearless defense of Allen Ginsberg's "Howl" during the 1957 obscenity trial cemented the store's role as a sanctuary for free expression - and for dissent.

Lawrence Ferlinghetti, poet and co-founder of City Lights Books in San Francisco's North Beach, photographed in 1995. (JOHN O'HARA)





He wrote "Pity the Nation" in 2007, near the end of George W. Bush's presidency, as a lament for what he saw as America's moral drift. The poem was inspired by Lebanese American poet Kahlil Gibran's 1933 work of the same name, itself a meditation on a nation's loss of virtue.

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Ferlinghetti - a Navy veteran, pacifist and self-described "philosophical anarchist" - used poetry as a form of protest, confronting hypocrisy, bigotry and complacency. His words called out a nation that "praises conquerors," fears outsiders and allows its freedoms to erode through apathy.

The banners appeared as the Trump administration began dispatching federal immigration agents to the Bay Area, marking the start of a long-threatened crackdown that local officials have denounced as politically driven.

The move has rattled immigrant communities and drawn sharp rebukes from San Francisco leaders, who accused the president of using fear as a pretext for federal intervention.

In that charged atmosphere, City Lights' display reads as both protest and prophecy - a reminder, in Ferlinghetti's own words, of what happens when "freedoms erode and rights are washed away."

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For seven decades, City Lights has served as a gathering place for poets, thinkers and dissenters. More than three years after Ferlinghetti died in 2021 at age 101, his defiant spirit still lingers in the city he helped define.

This article originally published at Pity the nation': City Lights Books displays banners warning against tyranny in San Francisco.
By Heather Schlitz

CHICAGO (Reuters) -As the shrill sound of whistles echoed through a parking garage in Chicagos North Side on Tuesday, two people flung their car doors open, ducked inside and shrank down into their seats. Outside, a convoy of federal immigration enforcement vehicles that had arrived in the area just minutes prior sped off.

We just saw a bunch of guys with whistles that chased them out, said Luke, a landscaper who was working nearby and declined to share his full name.

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The Trump administration in early September launched a deportation crackdown in the Chicago area, targeting what it said were hardened criminals among immigrants in the U.S. without legal status, though many noncriminals have been swept up in raids.

Since then, the piercing blow of a whistle has become a Chicago-wide means of signaling that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents are present. It warns undocumented people to flee and invites U.S. citizens to come to the scene to record arrests, give detainees legal information and discourage agents from lingering.

The aggressive immigration enforcement effort - which has no end date - has sparked widespread protests and resentment among residents. Hundreds of federal agents have fanned across the third-largest city in the U.S. and its suburbs, often carrying assault rifles and wearing military fatigues. Agents have teargassed crowds, rappeled from a Black Hawk helicopter to raid an apartment building, dragged immigrants from cars, held people at gunpoint and shot two people, including one fatally.

Against this heavily militarized force, whistles have become a modest but effective tool to fight back.

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"It grew like wildfire," said Baltazar Enriquez, president of Little Village Community Council, a community group in one of Chicago's largest Latino enclaves. "If we have to patrol our neighborhood for the next three years, we're willing to do that just to keep our community safe."

The group began handing out the whistles to neighborhood residents over the summer. Since then, relentless promotion turned the whistles into a defining symbol of Chicagos resistance against ICE.

Volunteers from whistle-making parties and local activist groups have passed out the whistles at local festivals and parades and dropped them off at Little Free Libraries. Some residents have picked up whistles from community groups that advertised them on social media - others have simply bought them from dollar stores and Amazon.

"Our officers are highly trained," said Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security, and "they are not afraid of loud noises and whistles."

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Their ease of use and low cost have contributed to their soaring popularity on the streets and on social media. But the impact of a whistle against squads of armed, fast-moving immigration officers is limited.

On a quiet residential street in another North Side neighborhood, residents ran out of their apartments to confront ICE officers as they detained a group of landscapers. Their whistles and shouts managed to draw a crowd and elicit names of detainees to be passed on to immigration rights groups, but officers still drove away with two people.

I'm sure I'll cry again later, said Joanne Willer, a resident of Albany Park who used her whistle to sound the alarm about the detention. It's just really upsetting.

Afterward, other residents of Albany Park, a Chicago neighborhood known for its diversity that was teargassed by federal immigration agents earlier this month, carried different kinds of noisemakers as they patrolled the streets.

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Jordan, who declined to share her last name out of fear of retribution, carried her sons toy train whistle.

I'm Jewish, and I feel very personally tied to what's going on here because of our history as a Jewish people, Jordan said. I feel like if we're not out here supporting our neighbors, nobody else is going to be doing it.

(Reporting by Heather Schlitz in Chicago; Editing by Emily Schmall and Matthew Lewis)
A new poll shows Maine oyster farmer Graham Platner holds a wide lead over Gov. Janet Mills (D) in polling ahead of the states Democratic primary for Senate, which is set to take place in June.

Platner received support of 58 percent of Pine Tree State Democratic primary voters, while 24 percent said they would cast their ballot for Mills, who officially launched her campaign last week. Another 14 percent are undecided, and 2 percent back other candidates, according to poll results from the University of New Hampshire Survey Center released Wednesday.

Over the past week, Platner has faced backlash for Reddit posts and a chest tattoo that resembled a Nazi symbol. His campaign said Wednesday he has gotten the tattoo covered with another.

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The poll was taken between Oct. 16 and Tuesday, just before the tattoo revelation and the uncovering of other Reddit posts.

Mills, who is Maines first female governor and was its first attorney general, is backed by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), while Platner has received significant support from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

The two Democrats are pushing to unseat incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R), who has served in the upper chamber for five terms.

According to the poll, 66 percent of likely Republican voters back Collins.

On the Democratic side, 65 percent of likely party voters say they have a favorable opinion of Mills, while 60 percent said the same of Platner.

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Platner has a hold on self-described socialists, progressives and moderates, leading among voters under 50, according to the University of New Hampshire Survey Center.

Mills, who is 77 and has pledged to serve only one term if elected, holds a plurality of support from liberals and leads among seniors.

Survey participants included 1,094 Maine residents. The margin of error for the overall results is 3 percent, and the margin of error among Democratic voters is 4.3 percent.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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A local restaurant is stepping up to support people impacted by the ongoing government shutdown.

RELATED COVERAGE >>> Pennsylvania residents will not receive SNAP benefits in November amid government shutdown

In a social media post on Wednesday, Lelulos Pizzeria in Plum said that any child who needs a meal can have one, starting next week. Details about what would be offered are expected soon.

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With whats going on with the government shutdown and those who may be struggling even more without EBT/SNAP benefits in the upcoming month(s), Im here to help as much as I can for kids right now, the post reads. As someone who relied HEAVILY on this as a child, this is important to me.

The post says help is only available for kids, and urges people not to take advantage of the service if they dont need it.

Individuals say theyd like to collect household items and food for people in need, as well. Anyone who needs formula or baby food is encouraged to contact the establishment directly, through social media or plumpizzaqueen@gmail.com.

The post asks organizations to reach out if theyd like to donate.

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In an update post, individuals said theyd received a $1,000 donation for kids in need of food.

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AUSTIN (KXAN)  The Pflugerville Police Department identified and arrested a 17-year-old on Thursday as the suspect who allegedly made an online threat to an IDEA school in Pflugerville earlier this month, per a news release from the city.

Police identified the teen as Ryan El Mokhtar El Gourari. He was charged with felony terrorism, a second degree felony.

Attorney information wasnt available for El Gourari. We will update this story if that changes.

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Around 11:15 a.m. on Oct. 5, Pflugerville officers responded to the IDEA school, 1901 E. Wells Branch Parkway in Pflugerville, for a report of an online threat of violence, according to police.

A student told police that they saw a comment on a student-run social media page threatening a shooting at a homecoming dance scheduled for Oct. 4. According to an arrest warrant affidavit obtained by KXAN, the comment on the post said Ima shoot up dat place.

Shortly after the comment was made on the homecoming post, police received phone calls from separate families regarding their child receiving the screenshot of the comment from other people.

According to the affidavit, the comment and account of the original poster were deleted soon after.

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Once the school district was aware of the alleged threat, a message was sent to families about the social media comment. The next day, on Oct. 6, the district informed police that attendance was currently 35% when the normal attendance is 95%.

Investigators were able to obtain a search warrant to track down data of the device used to make the post, which then linked El Gourari as the suspect, court records said.

The investigation remained ongoing Friday by police.

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A mother who was found unresponsive several yards from her 1-year-old daughter in Bridgeport on Tuesday night was shot to death, police said.

The autopsy of 24-year-old Evelyn Rayo-Mairena found that she died of a gunshot wound to her head, according to Det. Jeffrey Holtz of the Bridgeport Police Department. Her death is being investigated as a homicide.

Rayo-Mairena was found unresponsive lying in the street when officers responded to the 200 block of Black Rock Avenue around 9:30 p.m. on the report of an abandoned child on the front porch of a house, Holtz said. She was given CPR at the scene and was taken to St. Vincents Hospital, where she later died.

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According to Holtz, Rayo-Mairenas daughter was found unharmed on a front porch several yards from her mothers body.

She was left there by a suspect, Holtz said in a statement.

The child was taken to Bridgeport Hospital to be evaluated and was later reunited with a family member through the state Department of Children and Families, according to Holtz.

Holtz said Rayo-Mairena, a native of Nicaragua, lived on Black Rock Avenue with her daughter.

A motive for the homicide is still being established, Holtz said Thursday. Domestic violence is not being ruled out.

Detectives working the case have developed strong leads and have gotten significant help from the community, according to Holtz.

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They are reviewing a large amount of surveillance videos and are making strong progress, he said. The Bridgeport Police Department believes the homicide is an isolated incident and there is no danger to the general public.

Anyone with information that could help the investigation is asked by police to contact lead Det. Elizabeth Santora of the Homicide Unit at 203-581-5291.
A stolen truck is back with its owner after being involved in a chase that ended near the University of Dayton early Thursday morning.

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Lee McCarroll woke up after 2 a.m. on Thursday to three people breaking into his truck and taking off.

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They went from here to down Brandt Pike, got on (State) Route 4, and then went down (Interstate) 75 and then went to Cincinnati, he said.

McCarroll was able to track the general area they were in from an app on his phone.

State troopers with the Ohio State Highway Patrol spotted the truck on I-75. When they tried pulling it over, the thieves took off.

While on I-75, a Franklin Police officer joined the chase. As reported on News Center 7 at 5:00, that officer was able to get close enough to shoot a GPS tracker onto the truck.

Troopers called off the chase, but the tracker helped them trace the truck back to Woodland Avenue near the University of Daytons campus. When they got there, the truck was there, but the suspects were gone.

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McCarroll told News Center 7 that hes grateful to have his truck back with little damage.

I cant believe I got it back this quick, he said.

Now, hes hoping investigators can track down the three people behind the theft.

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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:

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Companies running private Medicare and Medicaid insurance plans inaccurately list many mental health professionals as being available to treat the plans' members, a new federal watchdog report says.

The investigators allege that some insurers effectively set up "ghost networks" of psychologists, psychiatrists, and other mental health professionals who purportedly have agreed to treat patients covered by the publicly financed Medicare and Medicaid plans. In fact, many of those professionals do not have contracts with the plans, do not work at the locations listed, or are retired, the investigators said.

The Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the giant Medicare and Medicaid health programs, released its findings in a recent report.

The report focuses on insurers the government pays to cover people in Medicare Advantage plans and in privately managed Medicaid plans. About 30% of all Americans are covered by such insurance, the report says. The government pays the insurers hundreds of billions of dollars annually.

The companies are paid set rates per person they cover and are allowed to keep whatever money they don't spend on patient care. The insurers are required to have adequate numbers of health care professionals under contract to serve patients in each region they cover.

But the new report found that 55% of mental health professionals listed as in-network by Medicare Advantage plans were not providing such care to any of the plans' members. The figure was 28% for Medicaid managed care plans.

Some mental health professionals told investigators they shouldn't have been listed as in-network care providers for the insurers' members, because they no longer worked at the locations listed or because they didn't participate in the Medicare Advantage or Medicaid managed care plans. Others said they were working as administrators and no longer providing patient care.

In one case, the report says, a private Medicaid plan listed a mental health professional as providing care in 19 practice locations. But when the investigators checked, a receptionist at one of the clinics said the person had retired a few years ago.

Jeanine Simpkins of Mesa, Arizona, learned how skimpy the networks can be when a 40-year-old family member was in crisis this fall. Simpkins struggled to find a drug rehabilitation program that would accept the Medicare Advantage insurance the relative is on because of a disability.

Simpkins said she contacted about 20 rehab programs, none of which would take the Medicare insurance plan. "You feel kind of dropped," she said. "I was pretty surprised, because I thought we had something good in place for her."

Simpkins' relative eventually enrolled in part-time hospital care instead of an inpatient rehabilitation center.

It can be challenging for patients to find timely, nearby care, for all kinds of health problems, from colds to cancer.

But Jodi Nudelman, a regional inspector general who helped write the federal report, said in an interview that the stakes can be especially high for patients seeking mental health care.

"They can be particularly vulnerable," she said. It can be daunting for people to acknowledge they need such care, and any roadblock can discourage them from trying to find help, she said.

She added that taxpayers aren't getting their money's worth if insurers fail to meet obligations to provide sufficient care options for Medicare and Medicaid participants in the plans.

The federal report focused on a sample of 10 counties in five states: Arizona, Iowa, Ohio, Oregon, and Tennessee. It included urban and rural areas. It did not identify the insurers whose networks were checked.

Susan Reilly, vice president of communications for the Better Medicare Alliance, a trade group representing Medicare Advantage plans, said managed care companies support federal efforts to improve access to mental health services.

"While this report looks at a small sample of plans, we agree there's more work to do and are committed to continuing that progress together with policymakers," she said in a statement.

The report's authors said their sample was a good representation of the national situation. It looked at 40 Medicare Advantage plans and 20 Medicaid managed care plans.

The report recommends government administrators make more use of medical billing data to confirm whether health professionals listed as in-network are providing care to patients covered by private Medicare and Medicaid insurance plans.

The watchdogs also recommend that federal regulators create a national, searchable directory of mental health providers, listing which Medicare and Medicaid insurance plans each one accepts. Such a directory would help patients find care and would make it easier to double-check the accuracy of plans' listings of in-network providers, they said.

Federal administrators overseeing Medicare and Medicaid have taken steps toward creating such a directory, the authors said. Reilly, the industry representative, said managed care companies support the effort.

2025 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
POWELL COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56)  Officials with the Commonwealth Attorneys Office announced on Thursday that officers were searching for a man accused of illegal sex acts with an underage victim.

According to a Facebook post on Oct. 22 from the attorneys office, Daniel Townsend, 31, has an active indictment warrant for two counts of first-degree unlawful transaction with a minor for illegal sex acts.

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Authorities asked anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Townsend to contact Powell County Dispatch at (606) 663-4116 or Kentucky State Police, Post 8 in Morehead.

The search for Townsend is ongoing.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.
A Scranton woman attempted to grab an officers Taser as she was being arrested for disorderly conduct, police said .

At about 2 p.m. on Oct. 17, officers were called to 405 S. Main St. for a disorderly female who was banging on an apartment door for over five minutes.

According to the criminal complaint, when officers arrived they found Cinthia Ortiz standing in the hallway pointing to an apartment, indicating drug dealers live there.

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She told officers her keys were in the apartment, and they returned the keys to her, which she then dropped on the floor.

Officers noted Ortiz, 40, of 1201 Sloan St., didnt live in the building and wasnt welcome at the apartment.

Ortiz then went outside and, standing behind her car, began yelling and refused to leave. Children who were walking home from school at that time could hear Ortiz yelling. Ortizs speech was slurred and her gait was unsteady, police said.

Officers informed Ortiz she was being arrested for disorderly conduct, but she wouldnt comply and had to be lifted into the patrol vehicle.

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Once at headquarters, she again became disorderly. As Officer Eric Jordan attempted to book her, she grabbed his Taser and attempted to take it out of the holster. It took several officers to subdue her.

Ortiz faces a felony charge of attempting to disarm a police officer, as well as charges of disorderly conduct and public drunkenness. She remains at Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $5,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 27 before District Judge Joanne Corbett.
Police on the North Shore are looking for a convertible that struck a child riding a scooter Thursday afternoon.

An 11-year-old child was struck by either a silver or gray Mercedes convertible at Western Avenue and Pond Street in Essex around 3:22 p.m., police told Boston 25 News.

The driver of the vehicle of the Mercedes flagged down a police officer and then allegedly drove away from the scene.

The child was not seriously injured and did not need to be rushed to the hospital, police say.

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Police say the driver is an older white male.

Anyone with information about the vehicle or the driver is asked to call Essex police at 978-768-6628.

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Jersey City police say body camera footage supports their account of a fatal shooting involving police Tuesday, but they cannot release it because the state Attorney Generals Office prohibits it.

All fatal police shooting investigations in New Jersey are overseen by the attorney generals Office. State guidelines say video footage should be released within 20 days. Families also have the right to view the footage before it is made public under state guidelines.

According to the preliminary investigation, officers assigned to the Jersey City Police Departments Street Crimes Unit encountered the decedent in the area of Bergen and Virginia avenues shortly after 1 a.m. Oct. 21, the attorney generals office said in a statement.

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Gunfire was exchanged and the civilian was struck, the statement continued. A gun was recovered at the scene. Emergency medical aid was provided before the wounded civilian was transported to Jersey City Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at approximately 1:44 a.m.

Family members speaking to News12 identified the man who was shot and killed as Teshawn Rogers.

They shot him down in the street. They killed him and would not tell me what happened. All they did was come here, flashing lights in my eyes and saying that they were looking for him, Darshell Robinson, Rogers grandmother, told News12.

Jersey City Public Safety Director James Shea declined to confirm Rogers name at a Wednesday press conference, saying the department could not do so because the attorney generals office had not officially released it. Shea said officers, who were in uniforms, were fired upon as they approached.

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I would encourage the attorney general to share that body camera footage with the community as soon as possible, he said.

Officials familiar with the attorney general offices investigation, but not authorized to comment publicly, said officers involved in the shooting have also been barred from viewing the footage and must provide statements based on memory to preserve the integrity of the investigation.

Jelani Gibson

Stories by Jelani Gibson

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Massachusetts police oversight authorities stripped a former Leominster officer of his certification for police work over multiple alcohol-related incidents, ending his law enforcement career in the state.

The officer, Christopher Cunningham, was arrested for drunken driving in 2017. Charges were dismissed under a law that allows military veterans facing prosecution for some crimes to be diverted into treatment or counseling programs.

In another incident, Cunningham became heavily intoxicated at a New York restaurant and forcibly kissed a bartender after he was asked to leave, according to the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission, the police watchdog agency that revoked his certification.

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Cunningham is the 66th police officer the board has decertified since it began exercising its power to do so in 2023.

He has 30 days to appeal the commissions Oct. 16 revocation of his certification, though the board noted he did not provide any defense as it weighed the decision. The move carries a lifetime ban from working for a Massachusetts police department or sheriffs office.

Cunningham could not immediately be reached for comment.

He served seven years with the Leominster Police Department before resigning in 2023 while under internal investigation.

Six weeks before his resignation, Cunningham traveled to New York on Jan. 6 to assist a friend with transporting a firearm back to Massachusetts, according to the commission.

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While out of state, he acted in a highly unprofessional manner when he became drunk at a restaurant in upstate New York, the board said.

Cunningham repeatedly displayed his LPD badge, identified himself as an LPD officer, and bragged to other patrons that he was authorized to transport a firearm across state lines because he was a law enforcement officer, according to commission records. After being asked to leave the restaurant, the Respondent went behind the restaurants bar, grabbed the bartender by her shoulders, and forcibly kissed her.

Before traveling to New York, Cunningham requested and obtained a leave from the police department for the weekend of his trip so he could attend military training.

He did not attend military training at any point during that weekend, the commission said.

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Cunningham was also issued a last chance agreement and suspended from work for six months in 2018.

In late 2017, he was arrested in nearby Lunenburg on a misdemeanor charge of drunken driving, according to court records and a report in the Sentinel & Enterprise newspaper in Fitchburg.

A Fitchburg District Court judge ultimately dismissed the charges under the states Valor Act, which allows judges to direct veterans facing certain charges into treatment or counseling as alternatives to prosecution.

At an April 2018 hearing, Judge Meghan Spring gave Cunningham six months to continue psychiatric treatment.

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The United States of America called on Mr. Cunningham to serve his country, she said, according to a Sentinel & Enterprise report on the hearing. I think the Valor Act contemplates giving Mr. Cunningham a second chance.

Changes to the law later that year imposed greater restrictions on its use. Still, it allows veterans and active duty military members charged with drunken driving to be diverted from prosecution into treatment if they meet certain criteria.

Many of the officers the commission has decertified have been convicted of criminal charges, ranging from financial crimes to child exploitation to drunk driving.

As in Cunninghams case, the commission can also decertify officers for noncriminal misconduct. It has used that power to ban officers accused of repeatedly using excessive force, falsifying records and using drugs or alcohol on the job.

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While Cunninghams misconduct occurred off-the-clock, the board said it reflected a pattern of unprofessional police conduct that may escalate. It judged him not fit for duty.

The names of all decertified officers are submitted to a national registry of decertified police, a move designed to alert faraway departments to the officers histories if they cross state lines in search of police work.

The Massachusetts police oversight commission was created through a 2020 policing reform law that sought to increase state-level scrutiny of the commonwealths police departments and officers after the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis officer.

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Polk Countys water utility has launched a formal complaint againstregional water managers and Tampa Bay Water, which supplies drinking water to Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties, over rights to pump water from the Alafia River.

Polk Regional Water Cooperative filed a petition last week challenging the Southwest Florida Water Management Districts pumping permit on the Alafia.

On July 22, the district, known as Swiftmud, approved a request from Tampa Bay Water to nearly double the amount of water it is allowed to draw from the river.

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On Oct. 14, the Polk utility challenged the decision, arguing it was not in the publics best interest to allow Tampa Bay Water to increase its pumping from the 24-mile river, which originates in west-central Polk County, winds west through Hillsborough County and empties into Hillsborough Bay.

Instead, Polk wants to get its own piece of the rivers water supply.

We obviously had our eyes on the Alafia River... They have their eyes on the river, said Eric DeHaven, the Polk utilities director. We didnt want to challenge, but we couldnt really get a lot of movement from Tampa Bay Water  understanding our plight and willing to work with us.

Both regions are under immense development pressure. Polks Interstate 4 corridor is growing to connect suburbs to Orlando, while urban sprawl continues to stretch across southern Hillsborough. With that growth, water demand has skyrocketed.

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Polk Countys utility argued water managers decision would make it impossible for both utilities to share the river while meeting the lower Alafias minimum flows, water level guardrails set by water managers to safeguard a rivers ecology.

Under current minimum flow requirements, 19% of the rivers flow can be captured by utilities to be used as drinking water. Tampa Bay Water has pumped 10% from the river since 1999, said Warren Hogg, the utilitys chief science officer. The permit approved in July, now under dispute, allows the utility to draw 19% from the river.

During previous droughts, the utility has been allowed to make emergency withdrawals up to 19%. Hogg says the science is clear that the Alafia can handle as much.

Were intimately familiar with the river. We have been monitoring that system since 1999: water flow, water quality, the grasses that grow there, the vegetation on the shore, the fish, the birds, Hogg said. We have detected zero environmental change from our operations at either 10% or 19%.

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It helps us meet demand, it helps us fill the reservoir, and it has no negative environmental consequence, he added.

The Polk utilitys petition cites its own plans to build drinking water infrastructure along the river, including reservoirs that capture and store excess river water during the summer rainy season.

If the permit is granted, the Alafia River project would no longer be feasible, leaving the citizens of Polk County with insufficient water to meet their future needs, it states. Issuing the permit will foreclose the (Polk Regional Water Cooperatives) ability to use the Alafia River as a water supply source. This will result in the (utility) being unable to supply the water needs of its member governments starting 2040 or even earlier.

Polks geography poses a greater restraint on its water supply than in Tampa Bay, DeHaven said.

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The landlocked county has relied historically on groundwater from the Floridan aquifer, but will need to find new water sources, per a state environmental rule that bars central Florida utilities from increasing pumping from the aquifer after 2025.

Basically, the aquifer that central Florida and all of Florida has relied upon for 100 years has been deemed to be at its capacity, and we have to go to alternative water sources, he said.

DeHaven said the utility is limited to the Peace River, the Peace Creek Canal and the Alafia River as potential water sources. Tampa Bay Water, he argued, has more options, including a rarely used desalination plant.

The Polk utility argues it will need an additional 32 million gallons each day from those rivers to keep up with growth expected through 2075.

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Tampa Bay needs that water now, not 50 years from now, Hogg said.

Since Tampa Bay Waters Alafia River permit was approved three months ago, the utility has pulled and stored an extra 2 billion gallons ahead of the dry season.

Its been really hot, its been very dry. Without that water, our reservoir would not have been full this year, Hogg said. Polk has recently asked for water from the Alafia for customers that dont yet exist.

I believe that there is a water solution that works for everyone, Tampa Bay Water and the Polk cooperative and their members. It just takes open communication and not litigation to find that solution. They are there.

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DeHaven said the petition was a last resort. Hes hopeful the dispute can be settled long before a future hearing with a judge.

Were more than willing to sit down and discuss alternatives. We tried to do that before filing the petition, he said. We didnt get anywhere.

The case is slated to be heard before a Tallahassee judge for the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings. After the hearing, the judge will issue a recommended order to Swiftmud. Then its up to the districts governing board whether to uphold the judges order.

Since this matter involves pending litigation, the district will have no further comment at this time, a Swiftmud spokesperson told the Tampa Bay Times.

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A hearing date has not yet been set.

  

The Tampa Bay Times launched the Environment Hub in 2025 to focus on some of Floridas most urgent and enduring challenges. You can contribute through our journalism fund by clicking here.
As the state draws national attention in part because of Proposition 50 and redistricting, Californians also weigh in on what they think the state more generally can  and can't  show the nation, and on the potential prospects of some of its leading political figures.

A large number of Californians in his own Democratic Party say Gov. Gavin Newsom should run for president in 2028, but among California's voters overall, that view is more split.

(Nationally, of course, any entrant on the Democratic side would first need to appeal to the party's rank-and-file in the primaries across many states. The perspective of home-state voters on an elected official, either in opinions or in state race results, is often taken as a view from the voters who've presumably gotten to know their work more closely over the years.)

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Newsom's overall approval rating as governor is positive and a little higher than the percentage who want him to run in 2028.

Given that speculation, California voters tend to think Newsom right now is paying attention to both national and state issues  though fewer feel he is paying mind to their local issues.

By comparison, more California Democrats say Newsom should run in 2028 than say that of former Vice President Kamala Harris, who previously represented California in the Senate.

Fewer than a third of the state's voters  and just under half of California Democrats  think she should run. She won her home state when she ran in 2024.

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Most independents don't think Newsom or Harris should run, but by comparison, they are much more likely to think Newsom should.

California and the nation: Where does it  and doesn't  set an example

As Californians are thinking about Prop 50 in national terms, we also wanted to know how they saw the state, relative to the nation on other matters, too.

Californians think the state sets a good example for the rest of the U.S. on technology and innovation, on culture, and for a slight majority, on environmental policy.

But few think it sets a good example on housing policy (most California voters also describe the cost of living in the state more generally as unmanageable), on tax policy, on economic policy or on its politics.

Perhaps related, most Californians  including many with higher incomes  describe the cost of living in the state as either somewhat or very unmanageable.

Against that backdrop, California's gubernatorial race will take place next year, with the primary also still many months off to establish the top two vote getters for the November 2026 general election.

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As with any contest so distant, voters can and do consider multiple candidates or potential entrants, and long before having to make a single choice. That is reflected here. For many voters, they have not heard enough about many.

In all, current Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla of California is the most considered name (though he's not a candidate, there are reports he may be considering entering the race) and particularly so among Democrats. He's also won statewide office before and by comparison is best known to voters.

Former Rep. Katie Porter remains slightly more considered than other Democrats besides Padilla, but also has a somewhat higher number saying she's not being considered.

Also as a part of the early process, there is plenty of cross-consideration. Most of the voters considering Porter are also considering Padilla, and vice versa. Democratic voters are often considering a number of the Democrats running.

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The overall number who haven't heard enough, and who are cross-considering, only emphasizes the point that in the minds of voters that this next-year contest is only just beginning to take shape.

In a state where voters of one party outnumber the other by such a wide margin, one dynamic to watch is who is seen as trying to earn votes or as taking them for granted. Neither party does especially well overall, with Democrats faring a little better than Republicans on being seen as trying to earn votes, but also worse on perceptions of taking votes for granted. A lot of independents are skeptical of both parties, with only about a quarter of them feeling that California's Democrats or its Republicans try to earn their votes.

This CBS News/YouGov survey was conducted with a representative sample of 1,504 registered voters in California interviewed between October 16-21, 2025. The sample was weighted according to gender, age, race, education, and geographic region based on the voter file and U.S. Census data, as well as to 2024 presidential vote. The margin of error is  3.8 points for registered voters and  3.6 points for likely voters.

Toplines

cbsnews_20251021_CA-2 (1) by CBSNews.com

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Government shutdown enters Day 22 as Trump gives Democrats ultimatum

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A youngster holds up a pro-union sign at Laborfest. (Photo by Erik Gunn, States Newsroom.)

Labor unions exist to negotiate legally binding collective bargaining agreements, which cover the wages, benefits, and working conditions of represented employees. But they also involve themselves in politics because they believe that some elected officials are better than others when it comes to public policy.

Usually, but not always, unions endorse Democrats. However, a few Ohio unions have already endorsed Republican Senator John Husted.

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Where do unionized Ohio workers and their families stand politically in 2025, especially in terms of party identification, ideology, support for President Trump, and candidate preferences in the 2026 elections? In order to answer these questions, lets look at some new survey data from Bowling Green State University.

The BGSU Democracy and Public Policy Network conducted a web-based poll of 800 registered Ohio voters from October 2 to October 14. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 4.5 percentage points, and while in some public presentations the data is weighted in a way that results in a +10 Trump margin from the 2024 presidential race, most of the analysis presented below relies on the unweighted results.

Respondents were given three options to indicate if they live in a union household: they are a union member themselves, or someone they live with is a union member or both they and someone they live with are union members. Seven percent report that they are a union member, 5% say someone they live with is a union member, and 2% say both they and someone they live with are.

In terms of political party preference, union people are more likely to be Democrats than Republicans. About 44% of union members are Democrats, while only 24% are Republicans. Interestingly, among those who live with someone who is a union member, 49% are Democrats, whereas only 21% are Republicans.

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In terms of ideology, union folks are more likely to define themselves as liberal than conservative. For example, 47% of union members consider themselves liberal, whereas only 24% consider themselves conservative. A similar pattern occurs for those who live with a union member.

Overwhelming majorities of members of all categories of union households have a very unfavorable attitude toward President Donald Trump. For example, 64% of union members have a strongly unfavorable attitude toward the president. Overwhelming majorities also strongly disapprove of the job he is doing as president. For example, 70% of those who live with a union member strongly disapprove of the job Donald Trump is doing as president.

In terms of the 2026 Ohio governors race, in a hypothetical matchup between Democrat Amy Acton and Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, members of all three categories of union households support Acton by more than two-to-one margins. Democrat Tim Ryan does equally well in a hypothetical matchup with Ramaswamy. Members of union households also overwhelmingly support former Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown in his campaign against Republican U.S. Sen. John Husted.

For the following analysis, we use the weighted data because we want to see what a sample of likely Ohio voters think about unions. We asked respondents what effect they believe the decline in the number of workers represented by unions has had. Sixty percent believe it has been somewhat or very bad for working people. Only 40% feel like it has been at least somewhat good for working people.

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What does all this tell us?

First, if Democrats ever want to be competitive in statewide Ohio elections again, they would benefit from there being more union households, and they would need them to vote.

Second, Democratic candidates could tailor messages to inspire union members and their families to turn out at the polls. This could mean a focus on so-called bread and butter or kitchen table economic issues that drive workers to unionize in the first place. Overwhelming majorities of all categories of union household members believe the national economic situation has gotten worse over the past year, as do about 54% of non-union members. Can Democrats persuade these voters that their plans will improve the economy? That could be a deciding factor in driving the union vote in 2026, and earning the votes of all workers.

Finally, even in a sample where voters recall giving President Trump a ten-point margin, voters believe the decline in union membership has been bad for workers. This may give union organizers a better opportunity than in recent years to grow their ranks by persuading more workers that life is better in a union.

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The Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople on Thursday welcomed the upcoming visit of Pope Leo XIV to Turkey.

The trip follows an invitation and request from Patriarch Bartholomew I to jointly celebrate the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, according to a statement from the Patriarchate.

Accordingly, the two church leaders are scheduled to travel to Nicaea, now Iznik, in western Turkey on November 28.

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The First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea in 325 was the first meeting of all Christian churches to clarify central questions of faith.

Among other things, the council established the creed and set standards for the unity and doctrine of the church that are still of great importance today.

On November 29 and 30, Pope Leo XIV will officially visit the seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the Fener district of Istanbul to take part in the celebration in honour of the patron saint of the Church of Constantinople, the Apostle Andrew.

The Orthodox Churches have been independent since the schism of 1054. At that time, the leaders of the Eastern Church in Byzantium - the Eastern Roman Empire based in then Constantinople - and the Western Church in Rome excommunicated each other.

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In recent decades, an intensive dialogue has developed with a view to rapprochement.

The planned joint pilgrimage and celebration in Nicaea symbolizes another historic opportunity to strengthen the ecumenical bridges between the Eastern and Western Churches, sources in the Patriarchate said.
When it comes to choosing the state with the best beaches, voters tend to be split down east-west lines. Some argue it's Florida, where 800 miles' worth of beaches rub shoulders with some of the country's most iconic tourist destinations. California has an equally good claim to the crown, with surf havens like Huntington and sprawling expanses of golden-white sand like Zuma Beach in Malibu, described as "the ultimate southern California beach."

Whichever side of the divide you stand on, there are probably certain prerequisites for making a beach worth visiting: ample sunshine, good amenities, sand on which you recline and let the kids loose with a bucket and spade, and waters that are both clean and safe for swimming or surfing. What you don't want  nor expect  is to be swimming in water that could make you sick. Well, at Linda Mar Beach in Northern California's Bay Area, frequent high bacteria counts have become a prominent issue.

According to the Surfrider Foundation's most recent Clean Water Report, Linda Mar is one of the most polluted beaches in the country, with 71 percent of water samples showing high levels of bacteria (exceeding state standards for recreational water). It's a worrying statistic for a beach that welcomes around one million annual visitors. Of the 604 sites sampled across North America, only four beach locations  Park View in Miami Beach, Imperial Beach in San Diego, and Kahalu'u and Waikomo Stream in Hawaii  fared worse.

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Read more: Research Says You Should Skip These Dangerous Beaches When Visiting Florida

What does this mean for Linda Mar beachgoers?

Aerial view of Linda Mar - Sundry Photography/Getty Images

Just 20 minutes south of San Francisco by car, Linda Mar Beach is close to a large population center and attracts everyone from local weekend beachgoers to visiting tourists. The exact source of the pollution is unclear as yet, though the Surfrider Foundation is set to conduct more tests further upstream in San Pedro Creek to better understand the issue. Theories have been posited, such as human sewage leaks, due to the beach's proximity to the Anza Pump Station water treatment facility, or horse manure from the area's ranches, carried into the water channels by stormwater. Current evidence suggests there may be multiple sources of pollution.

While it might be nauseating to think about what you could be swimming in, the bacteria also pose more tangible threats. Enterococcus, a prominent bacterial genus in human and animal waste, has been identified in the waters of Linda Mar. If exposed to high levels of the bacteria, people can suffer a variety of ailments, including flu-like symptoms, severe stomach aches, vomiting and diarrhea, and skin and eye infections. It's even possible that bacteria-laden waters could contribute to more problematic conditions like hepatitis.

Now that Linda Mar is considered one of the filthiest beaches in America, it begs the question of what authorities do to ameliorate the issue. Locals will surely welcome further testing. The Surfrider San Mateo County Blue Water Task Force has also teamed up with a coalition of environmental NPOs and local government to include more signage to inform the public of water conditions and conduct further investigations of the water treatment facility.

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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:

Graphical abstract. Credit: EMBO Molecular Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s44321-025-00321-4

A mutation previously linked to skin disorders like psoriasis may also play a surprising role in gut health, according to new research published by scientists at VIB-UGent and colleagues from UGent, the University of Barcelona, and University College London. This mutation activates skin immune responses but also affects the intestine.

This finding, published in EMBO Molecular Medicine, reveals a new connection between genetics, the immune system, and the gut, which may have therapeutic implications.

Scientists under the leadership of Dr. Inna Afonina and Prof. Rudi Beyaert (VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research) have found that a mutation in the gene CARD14, known for activating skin immune responses in psoriasis patients, also affects the intestine. This mutation reduces gut motility, promotes mild inflammation, and increases vulnerability to bacterial infections.

Using a mouse model that expresses the human psoriasis-associated CARD14 mutation in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs), the researchers found that the mice developed slower intestinal transit despite no damage to the gut lining or enteric nervous system. Such changes in intestinal motility are associated with many diseases.

"Our study reveals that CARD14's impact isn't limited to the skin," said Aigerim Aidarova (VIB-UGent), lead author of the study. "In the intestine, this mutation leads to subtle but important changes that may contribute to subclinical intestinal symptoms in patients who carry it."

Gut-immune crosstalk

Further analysis showed that the mutation altered the gene expression profile of IECs, including a drop in antimicrobial peptides produced by Paneth cellsspecialized cells critical for gut immunity.

Together with changes in the gut microbiome, this decreased antimicrobial production was linked to reduced microbial diversity and a heightened susceptibility to intestinal bacterial infections.

These findings offer new insight into the crosstalk between genetic immune regulators and gut function, and suggest that psoriasis patients with CARD14 mutations may face previously unrecognized issues that could set the stage for the development of intestinal disease.

"This research broadens our understanding of how a single genetic variant can influence different organs in the body," said Prof. Beyaert.

"It also provides a valuable animal model to further study gut inflammation and motility disorders," adds Dr. Afonina.

The study opens new avenues for investigating the connection between genetics, immune signaling, and gastrointestinal health, with potential therapeutic implications. It also suggests that raising awareness of intestinal disease symptoms among psoriasis patients and dermatologists could be beneficial.

More information: Aigerim Aidarova et al, CARD14 signaling in intestinal epithelial cells induces intestinal inflammation and intestinal transit delay, EMBO Molecular Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s44321-025-00321-4 Journal information: EMBO Molecular Medicine
Heritage Distilling Co. will close all of its company-owned tasting rooms including its Gig Harbor location by the end of the year, attributing the decision to a difficult economy, according to a company news release Thursday.

This was an extremely difficult decision and one we did not make lightly, said Justin Stiefel, co-founder and CEO of IP Strategy, in the news release. For more than 13 years, our tasting rooms have been the heart of our spirits business and the cornerstone of the community for the connections we built. But changing consumer behaviors, increasing costs and recently-enacted and proposed taxes at the state level made future investments in this part of our business operations unsustainable.

Third-party partners will also take over the companys spirits production, effective Dec. 31, the release says.

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With this timing, the company is also getting ahead of many of their lease agreements up for renewal in 2026. Heritage believes it is no longer prudent for the business to sign additional long-term leases on retail spaces, Stiefel said in the release. He confirmed in a follow-up phone call Thursday afternoon that the business also leases their tasting room space in downtown Gig Harbor.

What the space could become has already prompted conversation, as Stiefel said some people had already contacted them Thursday morning for details on their Gig Harbor space.

Were going to work positively with whoever the next tenants will be, he said.

Bottles of Heritage Distilling Companys first line of single-barrel whiskey that were released on October 29, 2022, sit on a counter at Heritage Distilling Co. in Gig Harbor, Wash. on Oct. 26, 2022. The bottlings from these barrels will range in age from about four years to nine and the initial release carries four grains grown within the states borders.

In a statement posted to the citys Facebook account, Gig Harbor Mayor Mary Barber expressed the citys sorrow over the announcement and described Heritage Distilling as one of Gig Harbors best homegrown success stories.

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It is always a loss when a business leaves our city, but the news that Heritage Distilling Company, Inc will be closing its tasting rooms and retail locations in Washington and Oregon hurts more than most, she wrote.  ... The Stiefels and their employees have become part of the fabric of our community, and their success has long reflected the innovation, pride, and entrepreneurial spirit that make Gig Harbor so special.

Heritage Distilling Co. founders Justin and Jennifer Stiefel pose for a portrait with bottles of their first line of single-barrel whiskey at Heritage Distilling Co. in Gig Harbor, Wash. on Oct. 26, 2022.

Justin and Jennifer Stiefel founded the business in 2012, starting with a distillery in Gig Harbor. They opened their waterfront tasting room at 3118 Harborview Dr. in 2014, The News Tribune reported. Their other locations include distillery tasting rooms in Roslyn and Tumwater in Washington state and in Eugene, Oregon.

The business has since grown to become the largest craft distillery in Washington state, joining an increasing number of small distilleries across the nation, The News Tribunes Kristine Sherred reported in 2022. The distillerys Cocoa Bomb Chocolate Whiskey won Worlds Best Flavored Whiskey by Whisky Magazine earlier this year.

Economic factors that influenced Heritages decision, according to their news release, include increasing state taxes and regulatory burdens in Washington and Oregon and consumers drinking less alcohol and choosing other options such as marijuana. The company also cited input from investors and stakeholders on their vision for the companys future, and legislative blocking of efforts to equalize taxation for low-proof RTDs with wine and beer. Those are lower alcohol-content, ready to drink beverages such as canned cocktails.

The Cocoa Bomb Chocolate Whiskey, which won Best American Flavoured Whisky in the World Whiskies Awards 2025 competition, at Heritage Distilling Company, on Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Gig Harbor, Wash.

Justin Stiefel offered more examples via phone Thursday. Rising fuel costs have made it more expensive to transport items, he said. State law also restricts the revenue that distilleries can earn from selling cocktails to 30% of their overall gross revenue in the tasting room for the calendar year, which has kept Heritage from raising prices despite inflation, he said. He called these factors and others death by a thousand cuts.

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The businesss plans in the new year include focusing on brand development, product innovation, continued Direct-to-Consumer sales, wholesale expansion, partnerships with more tribes for branded tasting rooms in and near their casino properties under the Tribal Beverage Network (TBN) program, and contract production partnerships, the release says.

The company expects to save over $2 million annually after accounting for the loss of spirits revenue and the reduction of operating costs following the closures. Heritage is offering severance packages for employees who choose to remain until their separation date that include four to eight weeks of severance pay, compensation for accrued sick time and continued health coverage until the end of the month that they leave the company, per the release.

The Company will host a multi-week Last Call celebration through the end of the year to thank loyal customers, Cask Club members, and the community for 13 years of support, the release says. The tasting rooms will maintain their normal operating hours during this period, Stiefel said Thursday.

 ... we are thankful that they supported us, Stiefel said of the Gig Harbor community. Were thankful that people recognize the value we tried to bring and the interesting approach to business and the partnerships we tried to create.

Editors note: This story has been updated with additional comments from Heritage Distilling Co. co-founder Justin Stiefel.
Big news if you were thinking of flying with Spirit soon to or from BirminghamShuttlesworth (BHM): Spirit is pulling out. All flights to and from Birmingham, Alabama's "cultural capital," will be canceled effective October 3, 2025. The low-cost airline recently filed for bankruptcy for the second time in less than a year, and due to its ongoing financial struggles, it's discontinuing service to 11 U.S. cities, including Birmingham. Via a BirminghamShuttlesworth news release, a statement from Spirit Airlines noted that this change was a "difficult decision" but that it's necessary to "transform our business and position Spirit for long-term success." The airline also said it will notify affected customers by email and provide instructions on how to get a refund. So, if you already booked a Spirit flight to or from BHM after October 3, checking your email (and spam folder) is mission-critical right now. Found nothing in your inbox? Then head to Spirit's website, click on the "Contact Us" page, and find the option to cancel or request a refund.

Follow the same instructions if you have an upcoming Spirit flight to or from any of these airports, which are also saying goodbye to Spirit: Albuquerque, New Mexico; Boise, Idaho; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Columbia, South Carolina; Oakland, California; Portland, Oregon; Sacramento, California; Salt Lake City, Utah; San Diego, California; and San Jose, California. If you need to travel anyway, start looking into other airlines flying to or from these airports and nearby ones as well. And if you're in a time crunch, there are ways to get cheap, last-minute flights.

Read more: The Four Unspoken Rules For The Airplane's Empty Middle Seats

Spirit Airlines is slashing costs company-wide

Spirit Airlines airplane taking off - Boarding1now/Getty Images

Spirit Airlines started flying to BHM pretty recently (October 2024), with nonstops to Fort Lauderdale, and later to Newark and Detroit. But BHM just doesn't make the cut in Spirit's new, leaner network, consisting of the airports and routes that consistently make money. Spirit expects to fly roughly 25% fewer seats year-over-year as it pares back service. Fewer seats means fewer flights, and in many places, no Spirit flights at all.

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Behind the scenes, Spirit is also "rightsizing" its fleettrimming the number of aircraft it operates so it's not paying for planes it can't keep full. Alongside that come cost-cutting measures, like renegotiating aircraft leases and looking for ways to lower labor and operational expenses. That naturally means staff reductions, too: In September, 2025, Spirit announced it was planning furloughs to match the smaller operation. "We have evaluated every corner of our business and are proceeding with a comprehensive approach in which we will be far more strategic about our fleet, markets and opportunities in order to best serve our Guests, Team Members and other stakeholders," Spirit President and Chief Executive Officer Dave Davis said in a statement (via ABC).

If your booking is impacted by the changes and you're awaiting a refund, make sure you document everything. Save emails, take screenshots, and note dates and times you contact customer service. If Spirit is slow in processing your refund, you can escalate via regulatory agencies, mainly the U.S. Department of Transportation. You can also dispute with your credit card issuer to ensure your money is returned.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Stories continue flowing in about neighbors and family members in Oregon being detained by federal agents.

Last Wednesday, a man was detained while on a walk with his wife in North Portland. The family is now opening up to tell their emotional story.

This all comes amid ongoing protests outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in South Portland, the very site where Juan Barbosa was first processed in a lengthy trip bouncing around different ICE facilities around the country.

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School confirms oven cleaner was sprinkled on pretzels

Juans family told KOIN 6 News he is a hard-working man living in the U.S. on a work visa as a welder for more than 30 years with no criminal record.

His family said they miss him more than words can describe, staying in touch intermittently through the occasional phone call as they worry for Juans health.

He is a huge part of this family, and he has a lot of life in him, said Irlanda Buenrostro Barbosa, Juans eldest daughter.

She said her dad and her mother, Maria, were on the way to their favorite walking spot in North Portland when they were suddenly surrounded by masked men who appeared to be law enforcement on October 15.

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The interaction was caught on camera by a bystander. In the video, the bystander asks if the family is okay, with Maria exclaiming, He had documents!

No paper was shown. They also didnt care to validate his status, Irlanda said.

The group took Juan to a nearby park to search him, his daughter said. She said they didnt ask Juan for his work visa, not until he arrived at the South Portland ICE facility.

The next morning, Juan was shipped to Tacoma, Washington. A few days later, he was taken to Mesa, Arizona. Since then, hes been in Natchez, Mississippi.

Irlanda and her family havent been able to find Juans name through an inmate tracking system.

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Its hard to understand why this is happening, Irlanda said.

Irlanda and her family last saw Juan in Tacoma, through glass.

Theyve only been able to have brief phone calls with their father, including one that KOIN 6 News reporter Ariel Iacobazzi witnessed while interviewing the family. The phone conversation was filled with emotion as Juan spoke with his wife and family. Theyre unsure when theyll hear from him again.

You dont know whats happening in those hours that you dont hear from him. So hearing from him is all we have right now, Irlanda said.

Portland water supply returns fully to Bull Run

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The phone call lasted for less than five minutes, with Juans wife, daughter, son, and grandson all giving him their I love yous. It meant a lot to the family, who learned from Juan that hes been keeping his spirits up as much as he can.

However, the family fears Juan is getting sick. He has diabetes and has said hes been given very little water and nothing more than a couple of slices of bread and cheese to eat.

KOIN 6 News reached out to the officials with ICE, asking why Juan was detained, why hes been moved around and what conditions hes been living in. Weve yet to hear back.

The family has set up a GoFundMe to help in their effort to get Juan back home.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  More than three years after a 39-year-old man was shot and killed in NE Portland, police have made an arrest in the case.

Portland man Justin Ortega-Mejia, 28, was lodged in the Multnomah County Detention Center on Wednesday and charged with second-degree murder.

Ortega-Mejia is accused of killing Mohamed Shaani on March 27, 2022. Shaanis family has been notified of the arrest.

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Portland police say Shaani was shot several times near his car at NE Milton and 82nd.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Portland police.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The parent of a Portland Public Schools student is suing the district for allegedly engaging in racial discrimination.

As first reported by Willamette Week, the lawsuit was filed in federal court on Monday by a legal team that includes former Oregon Republican lawmaker Julie Parrish.

In the complaint, the parent alleges that the district violated the Fourteenth Amendment by considering race as a factor in hiring decisions. They point to the districts equity funding program as well as the districtwide fundraising policy.

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The districts racial equity policy was established in 2011 in an effort to address longstanding issues of inequity, according to the PPS website.

The fundraising policy, which was adopted in 2024, combines donations into a districtwide account. According to the policy, it is intended to foster a spirit of community and shared purpose and facilitate collective impact on behalf of PPS students.

The most recent PPS budget explains that additional resources are allocated to elementary and middle schools based on socio-economic status and communities that are historically underserved.

The parent who filed the lawsuit, Richard Raseley, has an 8-year-old daughter who attends Glencoe Elementary, one of the schools that did not receive additional resources for the 2025-26 school year.

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According to the lawsuit, racial discrimination extends to other areas of the district as well. In one example, the plaintiffs call out the collective bargaining agreement adopted in 2023, which requires teachers and administrators to consider the students trauma, race, gender identity, disability and more before disciplining them.

The lawsuit also argues the districts fundraising policy, which was adopted in May 2024, would not have been adopted if not for the perceived racial impact of the change in policy.

Raseley argues that Glencoe, the school his daughter attends, is receiving less money and fewer staff than it did before the equity funding program was in place. He argues that his daughter and other students have suffered injury due to the policies, and is suing for injunctive relief.

PPS did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

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HERMITAGE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Some residents and businesses are scared to speak publicly after graffiti markings, which are believed to be possibly gang-related, showed up on the Central Pike bridge.

Graffiti can tell a story; sometimes it is art, other times, a warning. A crime expert said gangs use it both ways as a public sign to make their presence known.

The bridge is prone to tagging, District 14 Councilman Jordan Huffman said. Its been prone to tagging for years now.

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Man accused of switching barcodes at Lowes store in Hermitage

Hermitage residents have reached out to Huffman asking for the Central Pike bridge to be cleaned up, but he said it is a work in progress.

Some of the symbols behind me are gang-related, Huffman pointed out to News 2.

Middle Tennessee State University Criminal Justice Professor Carter Smith has been studying markings for years.

I think what should run through most citizens minds is, Is that gang graffiti, or is that somebodys version of art? Smith said.

Theres been gang activity in Nashville that I have known of since 35 to 40 years ago, he added.

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According to Smith, the signs are a good indicator of what is going on in the area.

If the police or a regular citizen notice it, then you can pretty much bet that the people who were supposed to see it, who it was intended for, have already also seen it, he said.

Metros Most Wanted: Man sought for domestic charges

News 2 reached out to the Metro Nashville Police Department, and they said graffiti on private property is vandalism, adding there is no subcategory recorded. Although, normally when they see gang issues, it reportedly involves those in their teens to 20s.

All the police departments in the area that Im familiar with will address gang activity, whether its graffiti, or presence or other indications, Smith said. And they shouldnt be ignored.

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Some people that News 2 spoke with said they worry about retaliation if they voice concerns. However, Smith said that will not fix the problem.

Enough people have to be annoyed for something to go away; otherwise, theyre tolerating it, he said. And thats rarely the right strategy.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Huffman said he heard those complaints, and the city has done what it can to cover parts of the graffiti.

Because its so high up and its on the bridge itself, Ive been working with a representative from R.J. Corman to ensure that they can get it covered up, Huffman told News 2.

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The railroad company is set to clean up the markings at the end of October.

Huffman said criminals should watch out; the Hermitage police precinct is cracking down on crime, and you may start to see more officers in the area soon.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Oct. 22A federal grand jury indicted a 26-year-old Post Falls man Wednesday, after law enforcement found pornographic material on his electronic devices depicting a 6-year-old at his residence.

Zachary D. Perpinan faces charges of sexual exploitation of a child, distribution of child sexual abuse materials, and possession of child sexual abuse materials, Idaho U.S. Attorney Bart Davis announced in a news release.

The investigation began with a U.S. Department of Homeland Security Homeland Security Investigations undercover operation on the dark web, where investigators identified a person posting child sexual abuse material images . Some postings claimed the child was 5 years old, and others said the child was 6, according to court records.

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Investigators traced the source of the images to Perpinan's residence.

Working alongside the Post Falls Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations searched the Post Falls home Oct. 10. There, they found Perpinan and a 6-year-old girl.

Law enforcement arrested Perpinan and seized multiple electronic devices investigators say contained child sexual abuse materials, including several images and videos of the 6-year-old.

Perpinan faces up to 15 to 30 years in federal prison if convicted of sexual exploitation of a child.

The case was part of Project Safe Childhood, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative launched in 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  The Supreme Court of the United States will soon take up a case that asks one of the most polarizing questions in American law: Can people who use marijuana be banned from owning a gun, or does that go too far?

The ruling could have major implications for states like Tennessee, where gun ownership is part of daily life and marijuana remains illegal under both state and federal law.

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At the center of the case is the same federal statute used to convict former President Joe Bidens son in 2024. The law bars anyone who uses or is addicted to controlled substances from possessing a firearm. The justices are now being asked to decide whether that ban violates the Second Amendment.

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This is not a liberal or conservative issue on marijuana, said criminal defense attorney David Raybin of Raybin & Weissman in Nashville. This is a liberal-conservative issue on firearms.

Even among the southern states, Tennessee stands out as one of the few without any form of legalized marijuana. Raybin notes that striking down the federal rule wouldnt change that, but it could reshape how prosecutors handle gun cases tied to drug use.

You cannot have a gun if you are addicted to or using drugs including marijuana, Raybin said. If they strike that law down, they can have a firearm, assuming they can have a firearm for every other reason.

Raybin said the case before the court isnt really about marijuana at all; its about precedent.

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I think a conservative court will strike this down because remember, this is not a marijuana issue. Its a gun issue, he said. Firearm rights are equated with freedom of speech, the right to go to church; thats how high the court holds it.

If the law is overturned, it could remove a frequently used tool from prosecutors hands.

It will remove a tool that the prosecutors have to charge people, but that is a very ambiguous statute, Raybin said.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Raybin believes the highest court may just strike the law down altogether, not because of precedent.

The Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments early next year with a decision by summer.

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Denver residents will soon vote on whether to uphold a citywide ban on flavored tobacco products, such as vapes and e-cigarettes.

In November, CBS Colorado reported, Denver residents will vote on Referendum 310. The measure asks voters if they want to keep a ban on flavored tobacco, which was approved in December by the city council.

Proponents of the ban point to the health effects of any tobacco product, which can lead to cancer, heart and lung disease, aggravated asthma, and other serious health problems. Certain disposable vapes can also expose users to dangerously high levels of lead and nickel.

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Flavored tobacco products like vapes can also have more appeal to children. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that more than 1.2 million high school students and over 400,000 middle school students use vapes, making them the most widely used tobacco product among youth. And of those students who do vape, nearly 88% say they use flavored products.

"The outcome will be better health for our communities, better health for our youth, less targeting of our youth and people of color with these poisonous products," council member Darrell Watson told CBS Colorado.

Opponents, however, say the ban takes away alternatives for those trying to quit smoking cigarettes, and could result in a citywide revenue loss of up to $13 million.

"This law is going to impact over 500 businesses that actually have nicotine licenses in the city," vape retailer Phil Guerin told CBS Colorado.

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Vapes, particularly so-called disposable ones, also pose a considerable environmental threat. They are just one of the seemingly countless products made primarily of single-use plastic, plus a lithium battery and sometimes other electronics.

This makes them virtually impossible to recycle. Although judging by how often they are found as litter, few people even try to recycle them. They are a part of the growing plastic-waste and e-waste problems plaguing our planet.

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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:

Incidence trajectories with the status quo and different scenarios. Credit: The Lancet Global Health (2025). DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(25)00321-3

Tuberculosis (TB) remains the world's leading cause of death from a single infectious agent. A new study recently published in The Lancet Global Health and supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that expanding TB screening and preventive treatment could dramatically reduce TB incidence and deliver substantial economic returns.

Conducted in Brazil, Georgia, Kenya and South Africa, the modeling study outlines the investments required and the projected benefits of implementing screening and preventive measures among key populations: people living with HIV, household contacts of TB patients and other country-specific high-risk groups. The findings highlight both the public health impact and the strong economic case for scaling up existing strategies that too often fail to reach those most at risk.

According to WHO, an estimated 10.8 million people developed TB and 1.25 million died from it in 2023, including 161,000 people living with HIV. Yet nearly 2.6 million people with TB (24%) remain undiagnosed each year, missing out on life-saving treatment.

"Our study shows that we can prevent millions of people from developing and dying from tuberculosis by implementing interventions that already existgenerating large societal returns on investment," says Dr. Jonathon Campbell, senior author of the study and junior scientist in the Translational Research in Respiratory Diseases Program at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center (The Institute).

The researchers project that scaling up both TB screening and preventive treatment among priority groups could prevent 14% of all TB episodes in Georgia, 15% in Brazil, 21% in Kenya, and 26% in South Africa, between 2024 and 2050. Preventive treatment alone would account for about one-third of this impact.

Prevention is keyand the tools are already available

TB screening involves identifying people who have active TB disease through symptom checks, chest X-rays or rapid diagnostic tests. It helps detect disease early, break chains of transmission and protect those at highest risk.

Once active TB is ruled out, preventive treatment can be offered to people with latent infectionthose who carry the bacteria but show no symptoms. This treatment typically includes a course of antibiotics that is taken over a few months to stop the infection from developing into active disease.

"Preventive treatment plays a pivotal role in reducing TB incidence and remains essential to achieving elimination, even in high-burden settings," adds Prof. Campbell, an epidemiologist and health economist with the McGill International TB Center, who is also Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at McGill University. "When combined with screening for active TB disease, it makes the best use of resources and helps countries scale up faster."

Over with the status quo: Investing to end TB

In each country and for each priority population, the research team compared the impact of a package of interventions related to TB screening and TB preventive treatment (TPT)referred to as the intervention packageagainst the status quo, meaning current practices for preventing, diagnosing and treating TB disease and infection.

Their projections indicate that from 2024 to 2050, each dollar invested by health systems to expand TB screening and preventive treatment could generate a societal return of $51 in Brazil, $8 in Georgia, $27 in Kenya and $54 in South Africa. These estimates take into account multiple factors, including the costs averted from preventing TB episodessuch as expenses related to diagnosis and treatment to both health systems and patientsas well as the economic losses avoided through reduced illness, disability and premature deaths.

While the interventions proved cost-effective in all countries, the level of investment required varied. The share of each national TB program's budget needed to implement the interventions by 2030 ranged from 10% in Georgia to 67% in Kenya.

The study also emphasizes the importance of tailoring strategies to local epidemiological contexts. For instance, high-risk populations included people in prisons or detained in Brazil, individuals receiving care for injection drug use in Georgia, and residents of high TB prevalence areas in Kenya and South Africa.

"Preventive tools are already available, we know they work, and countries know who their vulnerable populations are," says Prof. Campbell. "Our study shows that using these tools efficiently with those most at risk is not only lifesaving but also makes strong economic sense. These findings should motivate governments and donors to invest in scaling up effective strategies."

More information: Juan F Vesga et al, The effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, budget impact, and return on investment of scaling up tuberculosis screening and preventive treatment in Brazil, Georgia, Kenya, and South Africa: a modelling study, The Lancet Global Health (2025). DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(25)00321-3 Journal information: The Lancet Global Health
JARRELL, Texas (KXAN)  Walmart plans to build a store in Jarrell, a city that has recently attracted significant investment interest.

The location of the potential Walmart would be on southeast corner of the Hugh Smith Lane and FB Schwertner Road intersection, and it would become the first major grocery store in the city.

In a Oct. 14 Jarrell City Council meeting, a Walmart representative said the project would be a $70,000,000 investment, and at the opening of the store they would have more than 300 associates.

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When we see these big types of retailers come into a community like this, it often spurs additional growth, said Matt Patton, Executive Vice President of Angelou Economics. Retailer operators understand that theyre going to drive traffic to these spaces so they can open up their own, retail operations with a certain degree of confidence that its going to, positively benefit them as well.

SIMILAR COVERAGE: Jarrell residents voice concern over plans for proposed data center

Patton drew comparisons to how Walmart built a store in Castroville, a suburban city to San Antonio.

That has spurred growth where were starting to see [stores] like Ulta and Burlington following suit, Patton said. Its very plausible for us to see that entire I-35 corridor from Waco to Austin filling in.

How the community feels

Im not a fanatic about Walmart  Im more neutral. What I do is I go all the way to HEB in Georgetown and get my food,  said Sandra Gutierrez, who lives in Jarrell. If I want to invest in Jarrell, I do try to visit local shops, local groceries.

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Its already a traffic nightmare, and to add Walmart in there with the heavy trucks and the everyday traffic is not conducive to our city, said Rusty Bryson, another resident in Jarrell. One of the things we strive to do in Jarrell is to keep the hometown feel.

I am pro for Walmart to come in because of the just the mass jobs that theyll have. And speaking to them, theyve been very open to child pedestrian traffic and theyve been open to all the ideas, said Jarrell Place Five Alderman Daniel Islas.

When you get a big project like Walmart, its going to attract a lot of other businesses in the area, so were expecting that growth to happen pretty quickly, said Jarrell Mayor Patrick Sherek. On the city side, we just want to make sure that we have the resources, to allow that growth to happen when it comes to water and wastewater.

In a statement to KXAN, Walmart said:

We are grateful for the positive progress at [October 14ths] Jarrell City Council meeting, and we look forward to continuing conversations as we look to bring a Walmart Supercenter of the future to Jarrell and help local residents save time and money and live better. Ivan Jaime, Walmart Director of Government Affairs

In the council meeting, an agenda item passed to voluntarily annex a 0.548-acre tract of land that the Walmart would be built on into Jarrell, officially bringing it under city jurisdiction. Other items on the agenda related to the Walmart, such as zoning changes, development agreements and release of right-of-way were tabled for a future meeting.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
King Charles III has become the first head of the Anglican church to pray in public with a Pope in a move aimed at forging closer ties between the Church of England and the Catholic Church.

The historic meeting is highly significant and symbolic as it comes almost half a century since the Reformation - the Church of England's split from the Vatican.

For centuries the two Christian churches have been divided over many issues, but this trip is thought unlikely to lead to a meeting of minds on matters such as the ordination of female priests.

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In a ceremony which took place at the Sistine Chapel, the King and Queen Camilla sat in golden thrones on the raised altar in front of Michelangelos Last Judgment, while Pope Leo XIV and the Anglican archbishop of York presided over an ecumenical service.

Britain's King Charles III and Pope Leo XIV leave the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican after a joint prayer on the theme 'Care for Creation', 23 Oct 2025 - Vatican Media via AP Photo

The accompanying music reflected a shared Anglican and Catholic musical heritage. Hymns were sung by members of both the Sistine Chapel choir and visiting members of two royal choirs: the St. Georges Chapel choir of Windsor Castle and the childrens choir of the Chapel Royal of St. Jamess Palace.

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Charles and Camillas visit and exchange of titles had actually been planned for earlier this year but was rescheduled after Pope Francis got sick and then died. Charles had strongly wanted to visit the Vatican during the 2025 Holy Year, a once-every-quarter-century celebration of Christianity.

Divorce and distraction

Anglicans split from the Catholic Church in 1534 when English King Henry VIII was refused a marriage annulment.

While popes for decades have forged warm relations with the Church of England and the broader Anglican Communion on a path toward greater unity, the two churches remain at loggerheads.

Both churches hope however that the Sistine Chapel service will herald a new era of cooperation and solidarity with its focus on the unifying theme of God the creator.

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Charles will also formally receive a new title and recognition at a pontifical basilica that has strong, traditional ties to the Church of England, St. Pauls Outside the Walls. The title "Royal Confrater is a sign of spiritual fellowship and was reciprocated by Charles: Leo was given the title of Papal Confrater of St Georges Chapel, Windsor Castle.

The British Royal Family will also be hoping this visit distracts from a domestic affair that's led to calls for Charles's brother Prince Andrew to be formally stripped of his title following revelations about his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Last week, following talks with Charles, Andrew agreed on Friday to stop using titles including Duke of York after years of denials about his links with Epstein, in order to protect the family.

But, his lack of recognition for Epstein's victims has seen him receive further criticism, along with the fact that he still technically holds the title of duke, bestowed by his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II. And as the son of a monarch, he remains a prince.
MOUNDVILLE, Ala. (WIAT)  A Black Belt community is lifting each other up in prayer after experiencing back-to-back tragedies over the weekend.

Two families of Hale County High School 10th graders are dealing with the unimaginable.

As an educator, you never want to prepare for times like these, said Hale County Middle School Assistant Principal Katie Andoe. But you know times like these happen.

HCHS 10th-grader Kristin Lee is in a hospital following a horrific car crash Saturday, Andoe said. Meanwhile, the family of Slade Holcomb is morning its loss. HCMS students were making red and blue bows Wednesday to support the two families.

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Its HCHS Homecoming Week. Instead of putting the schools colors on full display, the school and community will display red and blue ribbons.

Red is for the memory of Holcomb. Blue ribbons are in support of Lee.

16-year-old pedestrian dies after Tuscaloosa County pickup truck crash

This is the students way of showing support and letting our community know that although our students arent with us physically, theyre with us in our hearts and our minds, Andoe said.

Ribbons will be given out during Wednesday nights vigil, which is being organized by The Vine Church Pastor Cliff Mitchem.

We wanted to gather our community together to pray, to support one another and to be a support for the families, Mitchem said.

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The prayer vigil was scheduled to start at 6 p.m. in front of HCHS. The pastor expects a large turnout. Both families have received immense support on GoFundMe.

Lees GoFundMe page is to help the family with medical costs. Holcombs GoFundMe fundraiser is to help the family with funeral costs.

Holcomb died Sunday. The student was helping with a homecoming float and decided to go across the street for snacks at Big Sandy Food Mart when a car hit the student, according to Hale County Sheriff Michael Hamilton.

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San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie says that President Donald Trump called him and told him he was "calling off any plans for a federal deployment" in the city.

LIVE UPDATES: Federal agents arrive in Bay Area; SF mayor says federal deployment called off

Lurie posted on social media Thursday morning, despite federal agents having already arrived in the Bay Area. Lurie says he also spoke with Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem Thursday morning and she reaffirmed what President Trump said.

Yesterday, I spoke to San Franciscans about a potential federal deployment in our city. I said then what I have said since taking office, that keeping San Franciscans safe is my top priority.



Late last night, I received a phone call from the President of the United States. I  Daniel Lurie  (@DanielLurie) October 23, 2025

Trump also posted on Truth Social that the federal agents were preparing to "surge" the city on Saturday, but are now backing off.

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He said he is respecting Lurie's request to call off the deployment but said, "I told him I think he is making a mistake, because we can do it much faster, and remove the criminals that the Law does not permit him to remove."

Trump also referenced Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff and how they've "called saying that the future of San Francisco is great."

During a press conference Thursday, Mayor Lurie laid out the conversation he had with President Trump about the surge of federal agents into the Bay Area. "I was told that this surge was being called off. He only spoke about San Francisco prior so all I can say is what he told me," Lurie said.

The mayor says he told the president San Francisco is making progress on everything from homelessness to crime and that the city doesn't need federal help. He did say, however, that his office remains open to cooperation in combating the city's drug crisis.

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"We would welcome the continued partnership with FBI, DEA and U.S. Attorneys to get drugs and drug dealers off of our streets," Lurie said.

The operation being called off is being hailed as a victory by some, while others say they still have fears over the federal government's immigration enforcement.

"Immigration enforcement is going to continue, despite what has happened today. But as folks know, in our city we value our immigrant community. We have policies in place to ensure that our local law enforcement is focused on what it means to make our community safe," said San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu.

Federal agents did arrive at Coast Guard Island in Alameda Thursday morning and were met by protesters.

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This comes one week after President Trump first threatened to send the National Guard to the city, and a few days after U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem discussed plans to deploy federal troops to the city.

It is unclear what the federal agents will be doing in the Bay Area. Several rallies and protests had been planned around the Bay Area Thursday. Organizers tell ABC7 News despite the pause in the operation, they're still encouraging everyone to come out and make their voices heard.

"You should not sit on your laurels because like any victory, we can't sit on it for very long...no one should feel comfortable. No one should feel safe. If this is the attack right now, we don't know what tomorrow's attack will bring," said SEIU Local 87 President Olga Miranda.

The mayor says he will continue working to make San Francisco a better place for everyone.

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He reassured those concerned the city has plans in place in case President Trump decides to change his mind.

"It is my sincere hope that we never have to put that plan into action."

Here is Lurie's full statement:

"Yesterday, I spoke to San Franciscans about a potential federal deployment in our city. I said then what I have said since taking office, that keeping San Franciscans safe is my top priority.

"Late last night, I received a phone call from the President of the United States. I told him the same thing I told our residents: San Francisco is on the rise. Visitors are coming back, buildings are getting leased and purchased, and workers are coming back to the office. We have work to do, and we would welcome continued partnerships with the FBI, DEA, ATF, and U.S. Attorney to get drugs and drug dealers off our streets, but having the military and militarized immigration enforcement in our city will hinder our recovery. We appreciate that the president understands that we are the global hub for technology, and when San Francisco is strong, our country is strong.

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"In that conversation, the president told me clearly that he was calling off any plans for a federal deployment in San Francisco. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem reaffirmed that direction in our conversation this morning.

"My team will continue to monitor the situation closely, and our city remains prepared for any scenario.

"I am profoundly grateful to all the San Franciscans who came together over the last several days. Our city leaders have been united behind the goal of public safety. And our values have been on full display-this is the best of our city."

Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi issued a statement on Mayor Lurie's announcement:

"Mayor Daniel Lurie has demonstrated exceptional leadership in his steadfast commitment to the safety and well-being of San Franciscans.

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"In his handling of a potential federal deployment in our City that resulted in the President calling off the operation, Mayor Lurie has underscored that public safety must be driven by local priorities, respectful of our values and communities.

"I salute Mayor Lurie for standing up for our City and reinforcing San Francisco's strength, optimism and recovery."
KINGWOOD, W.Va. (WBOY)  Effects from the federal government shutdown are starting to trickle into rural communities such as Preston County, as the lack of Medicare funding is now directly impacting its EMS agencies.

All four Preston County EMS agencies are always in constraint, according to Preston County Commission President Don Smith, as reports show agencies typically only receive around 60% of their bill payments.

Those four agencies are Terra Alta, KAMP, Union and Bruceton EMS services.

FILE (WBOY image)

Add to this the lack of funding from Medicare after its services were interrupted for 15 days at the start of the government shutdown. Although Medicare is now providing its standard payments to EMS agencies, those payments are now delayed from anywhere between 45 to 60 days, even though payments are typically already 30 days behind.

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Rural EMS agencies and hospitals also received a bonus through Medicare to help make up for the funding that more populated area agencies would receive. Preston County EMS received a 25% bonus on top of its Medicare payments, which has since disappeared for every agency due to the shutdown.

The lack of funding has created a rather tight budget for all EMS agencies in Preston County, so much so that Commissioner Hunter Thomas stated that this is an emergency and that the EMS services lack of a budget should be the commissions greatest concern at the moment during the county commission meeting on Wednesday.

If the shutdown is a fight over the Affordable Care Act, how important is it to WV?

Photo of a Terra Alta ambulance (Courtesy: Terra Alta Community Ambulance)

Prestons EMS director, Henry McDonald, told 12 News how the loss of 25% is affecting the countys agencies, alongside what the future of these services would look like if the shutdown were to continue.

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Our one agency that was here today, they said they lost $45,000 just in October, so youre looking at four months of that. Yeah, they would probably have to consider either shutting down or at least until Medicare reopens fully, putting services on hold, or possibly closing downwhich, the commission and I would try to do everything we could, special meetings, see if we could allocate some funds and stuff like that, because we dont want anyone going anywhere, McDonald said.

Federal Correctional Institution, Hazelton, also utilizes Preston County EMS services, and with the shutdown, Hazelton has no set budget, which has caused the facility to not pay its EMS bill, which is approximately $10,000, according to Commissioner Smith.

There are no perfect plans. You can only just have a good plan, and then you make adjustments as you go forward, and so, in my opinion, I would just like to get a good plan on the ground so we could cover this and cover these expenses for these guys, Smith said.

Preston County commissioners agreed on the idea of sending a letter to their representatives to tell them how the shutdown is impacting the community.

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For the time being, all Preston County EMS agencies will remain in service, and the commission plans to collect data on its agencies to find the best course of action moving forward, as the shutdown currently has no end in sight.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com.
PRICEVILLE, Ala. (WHNT)  The Priceville Police Department said that a police officer crashed on October 21 while responding to a pursuit to assist his partner.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said the accident happened on I-65 near Bethel Road around 10:30 p.m. The patrol car left the road and hit a cable barrier.

According to Priceville Police Chief Jerry Holmes, the officer who crashed was on his way to assist his partner in a pursuit. Holmes said the pursuit was within policy.

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The chief added that the crash was not related to the chase, and happened roughly three miles from it.

No injuries were reported, but the patrol car was damaged.

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TORONTO (AP)  Prime Minister Mark Carney set a goal for Canada to double its non-U.S. exports in the next decade, saying American tariffs are causing a chill in investment.

Carney, who will release his government's budget on Nov. 4, said Wednesday many of Canada's former strengths  based on close ties to America  have become vulnerabilities.

The jobs of workers in our industries most affected by U.S. tariffs  autos, steel, lumber  are under threat. Our businesses are holding back investments, restrained by the pall of uncertainty that is hanging over all of us, Carney said.

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U.S. President Donald Trump has been threatening Canadas economy and sovereignty with tariffs, most offensively by claiming Canada could be the 51st state.

Carney reiterated in an evening address to Canadians that the decades-long process of an ever-closer economic relationship between the Canadian and U.S. economies is now over.

"The U.S. has fundamentally changed its approach to trade, raising its tariffs to levels last seen during the Great Depression," Carney said.

We have to take care of ourselves because we cant rely on one foreign partner."

Tensions between the neighbors and longtime allies have eased slightly in recent months as Carney tries to get a trade deal with Trump, but tariffs are taking a toll, particularly in the aluminum, steel, auto and lumber sectors.

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More than 75% of Canadas exports go to the U.S.

We are re-engaging with the global giants India and China, he said.

Canada is the top export destination for 36 U.S. states. Nearly $3.6 billion Canadian (US$2.7 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border daily.

Canada's free trade deal with the U.S. is up for review in 2026.

Carney called Canada an "energy superpower and said the country has third largest reserves of oil and the fourth largest reserves of natural gas in the world.

About 60% of U.S. crude oil imports are from Canada, and 85% of U.S. electricity imports are from Canada.

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Canada is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium to the U.S. and has 34 critical minerals and metals that the Pentagon is eager for and investing in for national security.

I will always be straight about the challenges we have to face and the choices we must make, Carney said. To be clear, we wont transform our economy easily or in a few months  it will take some sacrifices and some time.
The United States House Oversight Committee is hoping to question Prince Andrew to discuss his connection to Jeffrey Epstein. In her posthumous memoir, Nobodys Girl, Jeffreys alleged victim, Virginia Giuffre, made shocking sexual abuse allegations about the royal.

Virginia, who died by suicide last April, was one of Jeffreys most vocal accusers. In August 2019, he died by suicide while awaiting trial in a New York City prison. Jeffrey was charged with sex trafficking of minors and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors.

A US House Oversight Committee senior member wants to question Prince Andrew over Jeffrey Epstein

Photo Credit: Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images

On the evening of Tuesday, October 21, Congressman Stephen Lynch, one of the committees senior members, appeared on the BBC program, Newsnight. Anchor Victoria Derbyshire asked Stephen if he would consider inviting the prince to speak to the committee. Stephen answered, We would be extremely interested in hearing from Prince Andrew regarding his involvement in all of this, yes.

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Stephen said the House Oversight Committee has had the opportunity to interview a half dozen of Epsteins survivors, adding, each one of them really had a bond with Virginia Giuffre. The committee is seeking information on what Prince Andrew knew about Jeffreys pedophile trafficking operation.

The committeeman added, I think these memoirs only strengthen that bond. And I think for those on our committee  both Democratic and Republican  that have seen the pain and anguish that has been experienced by these women, it will only increase our interest in speaking to everyone who was involved here.

Victoria asked Stephen directly, Will you issue that invitation, then? And he replied, We will. Im sure.

Because he is not an American citizen, Prince Andrew cannot be subpoenaed to attend the hearing.

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Stephen then acknowledged the political aspect of the situation, saying that President Trump  who recently visited the UK  seems to want to prevent the Epstein files from being publicly released. He noted, Hes trying to keep those private.

Prince Andrews name appeared on the latest documents related to Epsteins estate, which were published on Friday, October 17. This was the day he gave up his Duke of York title and honors, saying, The continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family.

TELL US  WILL PRINCE ANDREW SPEAK TO THE US HOUSE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE?

The post Prince Andrew Wanted for Questioning in US Over Jeffrey Epstein appeared first on Reality Tea.
A Jew hunt. There is no other way to describe the despicable goings on at City St Georges, University of London, where an economics professor has been subjected to a campaign of harassment, smears and intimidation for no other reason than he is an Israeli Jew.

Pro-Palestine protesters stormed a lecture by Michael Ben-Gad this week. They said he had blood on his hands. They branded him a war criminal. They chanted From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free, a call for the ethnic cleansing of Jews from their homeland. They even threatened to behead him, according to Ben-Gad.

They were all masked-up, naturally. Because nothing says right side of history like disrupting a Jew at his place of work, donning a makeshift balaclava. This came after days of agitation, in which leaflets and posters and social-media screeds had called Ben-Gad a terrorist and demanded he be sacked.

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His crime? He did what most Israeli citizens are required to do by law. He served in the IDF, or the IOF as the Israelophobes have taken to calling it (Israeli Occupation Forces, geddit?). Singling out Ben-Gad for serving in the army is like singling out a Briton for paying his TV licence. It is a thinly veiled justification for targeting practically any Israeli Jew. That he completed his service in the 1980s, long before the Israel-Hamas war began, long before the Jew-baiting scrotes trying to menace him were born, hasnt dented the activists ire, either.

Well it looks like theyve picked on the wrong prof. If the objective of the demonstration was to frighten or intimidate me, frankly they will have to try a lot harder than printing up a flyer, launching an Instagram campaign or a small demonstration, Ben-Gad has said.

He is refusing to step away from his duties, even though he has been offered paid leave. He is refusing to give in to these people. More power to him. The university is standing by him, as are hundreds of academics, who have signed an open letter expressing their solidarity.

Prof Ben-Gad is refusing to step away from his duties - Substack

Being a Jew at a British university really shouldnt require balls of steel. And yet it does. Long before October 7, Israelis were being harassed on campus purely for showing up to speak or teach. Hen Mazzig, a former IDF lieutenant who served as a humanitarian officer, was run out of an event at UCL in 2016, by protesters banging on windows and chanting anti-Semitic slogans.

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David Hirsh, a Goldsmiths sociologist and expert on anti-Semitism, was branded a far-Right white supremacist by Goldsmiths students union president in 2022. That triggered an investigation, which found, among many horrific details, that graffiti depicting swastikas and blood-curdling phrases like Gas the Jews had been daubed on walls at Goldsmiths. After October 7, anti-Semitic incidents soared by 117 per cent at our universities, according to the Community Security Trust.

Where have all the anti-racists gone? The same activists who five minutes ago were railing against culturally insensitive sombrero parties arent simply deadly silent as a tiny, embattled minority is menaced on campus. They are making excuses for it. Frankly, many of them are participating in it. So deep have they drunk from the identitarian Kool-Aid they see Jews as privileged whites who deserve whats coming to them. So deranged is their hatred of Israel they see all Israelis as fair game.

Academics, students, administrators  now is the time to stand with your Jewish friends and colleagues. This is Jew hatred draped in a keffiyeh. Time to confront it.

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This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

University of Colorado Cancer Center member Matthew Sikora, Ph.D., is a national leader in research into an understudied subtype of breast cancer that's on the rise in American women, is often more difficult to detect than other forms of breast cancer, and has sharply lower survival rates several years after diagnosis than the most common type of breast cancer.

Sikora's latest research seeks ways to potentially open up a new treatment option for people with this challenging cancer type, known as lobular breast cancer or invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), representing about 15% of all breast cancer cases.

Sikora is an associate professor in the CU Anschutz Department of Pathology. His lab focuses on ILC, he serves on the scientific advisory board of the Lobular Breast Cancer Alliance, and he has helped to build the Front Range ILC Patient Network, an advocacy group that includes patients, caregivers, researchers, and clinicians.

'Very different challenges'

A key difference between ILC and other forms of breast cancer is how it presents itself in the breast, Sikora says.

"Rather than forming the typical lump or mass that a woman might think of finding on a self exam, lobular tumors don't typically form a lump," he says.

"When you look on the diagnostic image, rather than seeing a solid field of tumor, the ILC cells radiate through the breast in this very characteristic single-file pattern. So, because it rarely forms a mass, it doesn't show up as well in mammography because there's nothing solid to pick up."

ILC is often mistakenly called "a disease of older women, but that's largely because it doesn't get detected until later," Sikora says.

"The all-too-common anecdote about ILC is that women have negative mammography for years, then one day they show up with a speck in the breast, and then they go in for a biopsy and they have a breast full of cancer."

Also, ILC is "much harder to excise surgically," Sikora says.

"The surgeon often doesn't know where the tumor stops, so women with ILC more often have to go back in for re-excision. And it metastasizes in weird places that other breast cancers usually don't go, including in the abdomen, through the gut, and around the gynecologic organs, so it presents very different challenges."

Cast aside for many years

In a report released October 7, the American Cancer Society estimated that 33,600 women in the United States will be diagnosed with ILC this year. The ACS report warned that incidence of ILC rose an average of 2.8% per year between 2012 and 2021 in the U.S., a far steeper increase than all other forms of breast cancer combined (0.8% per year).

The ACS report said ILC survival rates after seven years are significantly lower than for most other breast cancers. It also said that ILC is "very understudied" in comparison to other breast cancer types, "probably because of a very good short-term prognosis," and cited "a critical need for more study of this unique breast cancer subtype."

Meanwhile, the National Cancer Institute estimates that ILC may in fact account for 47,500 diagnoses in the U.S. annually.

Sikora agrees that ILC has not been adequately studied, and says the varying estimates of incidence underscore the need for a better understanding of the disease. He suspects that ILC has been "grossly under-diagnosed" in less affluent and rural areas far from high-volume medical centers.

ILC "has been cast aside for many, many years as something that's low risk and unremarkable. But we're learning that patients with ILC face the highest risk of long-term recurrence. After patients finish their five or so years of standard anti-estrogen therapy, they think they're all clear, but that's when lobular cancer recurrences tend to tick up. It's a very long-term psychological burden that these patients face."

Focusing on a hidden weakness

Sikora has been focusing on PARP inhibitors, a class of drugs that are designed to target a dysfunction in the repair of DNA in cancer cells, thereby killing them. ILC patients usually aren't given PARP inhibitors because their cancer doesn't present the kinds of DNA repair dysfunctions that these drugs can exploit, he says.

But Sikora's more recent research suggests ILC actually has a hidden DNA repair weakness that could make certain PARP inhibitors effective as a treatment option beyond anti-estrogen therapy. In lab experiments and animal models, Sikora and his team tested a PARP inhibitor called talazoparib and found it effectively stopped ILC growth.

"We think ILC potentially will be hyper-responsive to a combination of PARP inhibitors, either combined with certain anti-estrogens or with related DNA-repair-targeted drugs that are currently in clinical trials," Sikora says. "So Dynami is helping us break new ground in trying to identify what types of therapies ILC may respond to."

Overcoming a barrier

It's been a long road for Sikora on the hunt for ILC answers. He recalls writing grants to study ILC 15 years ago as a post-doc. "I received some reviewer comments that said things like, 'Why are you studying this? This is a low-risk disease.' So we've overcome a barrier over the last 15 years to get the community to acknowledge that this, in fact, is something that needs to be studied."

Sikora and Front Range ILC have also been involved in periodic outreach events, including tours of his lab and poster sessions.

"The goal of these events is to reach women with ILC, who have been differentially diagnosed with lobular cancer from other types of breast cancer for decades, but only recently have they been recognized as perhaps needing different treatment," Sikora says.

"A lot of these women are hungry to learn anything they can about their disease. We want them to know there are people on our campus who are trying hard to understand their disease. We want to update them on what we're learning and how we hope it will impact their care eventually."
An Israeli academic has claimed a pro-Palestine protester threatened to chop his head off when disrupting one of his lectures.

Prof Michael Ben-Gad, who teaches economics at City St Georges, University of London, has been repeatedly targeted by students for his service in the Israeli army between 1982 and 1985.

Masked activists have stormed and disrupted his lectures multiple times this week claiming he has blood on your hands and is part of the genocide in Gaza.

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He told Sky News: I can update on the situation as of about an hour ago. I finished my lecture and it was invaded by protesters who came right up to my face and called me a war criminal and a Nazi.

They refused to leave, they were masked. One of them made a threat about having my head chopped off.

Pro-Palestine activists said Prof Ben-Gad was a terrorist who served in the IOF, or Israeli Occupation Forces, a phrase used to criticise the Israel Defense Forces - Instagram

In one video, students from City Action for Palestine chanted: Shame. This lecturer served in the IOF. All terrorists off our campus.

IOF stands for Israel Occupation Forces, a term used by pro-Palestine protesters to criticise the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

The group also sang: Free, free, free Palestine. From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. From the sea to the river, Palestine will live forever.

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From the River to the Sea is widely viewed as an anti-Semitic phrase which calls for the eradication of Israel.

One masked activist said: City University has employed a lecturer that served in the IOF and he has very proudly said that he has done this.

He has never actually tried to apologise for the crimes that he has been a part of.

And actually this professor in particular served in the IOF in the 80s. This is when Israel invaded Lebanon.

How can City University employ a lecturer that has this background? Its unacceptable and we had to let them know today and let him know that war criminals will never been welcome here, especially in light of the genocide.

Pro-Palestine students disrupt the lecture of Michael Ben-Gad, an ex-Israeli soldier and current lecturer at City University in London.



Follow Press TV on Telegram: https://t.co/LWoNSpkJSh pic.twitter.com/B5whXdY0D6  Press TV  (@PressTV) October 22, 2025

Israel requires every male citizen over the age of 18 who is Jewish, Druze or Circassian to serve a minimum of 32 months in the IDF, while women are expected to serve for a minimum of 24 months.

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Prof Ben-Gad has worked at the British university since 2008, taking on the role of head of department from 2010 to 2013.

He insisted he would not be cowed by the group, despite one allegedly threatening to have his head chopped off.

Prof Ben-Gad described the activists as Brownshirts, the group that facilitated Adolf Hitlers rise to power by attacking Germanys Jewish population, disrupting political opponents meetings and acting as security at rallies.

He previously told The Telegraph: I lectured last week as usual while all this was beginning and plan to do so this week as well. These modern Brownshirts are not going to send me into hiding.

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It is one thing to write things, it is another to start screaming in the main corridor and not letting people pass. If they want to say mean things about me, fine, but they are disrupting and behaving in a threatening way.

I am an unapologetic Israeli patriot and no one is going to intimidate me. At the same time, I will always be deeply grateful to this wonderful country for all the opportunities it has afforded me.

Living here is a privilege and these people hate Britain, for its unique tradition of civility, its freedom and its tolerance, as much as they hate Israel and Jews.

City St Georges, University of London, was contacted for comment.

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RILEY, Ind. (WTWO.WAWV)  We talk with a local farmer about what all goes into harvest season every year and the challenges they face.

Most of us are surrounded by cornfields or past one each and every day, but what we dont know is how these crops can end up on our dinner tables or in other grocery store products.

 So most of our grain goes back to our farm where we have grain bins set up. We also have a grain dryer there where we bring the grain in and will use propane gas to dry the corn down to a moisture content that the elevator wants

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Now while some farmers like brad have grain bins thats not the case for all farmers. grain bins are helpful because it allows farmers to store their grain until market prices are higher.



Once we put in the grain bins, we will haul it out throughout you know starting here in about a month well start hauling to whether it be Aztec or Washington or other elevators and will do that pretty well year-round, said Burbrink

However, many people hear the word corn they think of sweet corn that you find at the grocery stores, but the corn that this farmer is harvesting is for a variety of uses.

We take the white corn, and they make it into Masa, which is then used for tortilla shells and taco shells and those sorts of things. We also raise non-GMO yellow corn, which is delivered to Washington Indiana to be processed into alcohol and other food source items that are looking for non-GMO label, said Burbrink.

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Of course, with each year there are new challenges farmers face, but one thing always remains a constant battle, the weather.

Mother nature. Weve been really blessed here I think most of the Midwest, but definitely in our area have had perfect fall weather. I mean its been warm, sunny, dry. Its been really nice because we had a really rough spring getting the crop planted, said Burbrink.

With advanced technology a farmer is able to better understand more about their fields quicker, which is extremely helpful due to the fact that they start prepping their fields for planting season in the springtime as soon as they get done with harvest, in the fall.

Modernization of technology has really increased us in our productivity being able to look back at our fields once were done instead of having to remember and take notes all that is on the cloud and we can pull that data back, said Burbrink.

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Even with the changing economy and supply and demand farmers keep coming back every single year.

Our input prices are high, and the grain prices have come back down and so therefore were living on pretty tight margins there and so if we can get our input prices down, it might therefore make corn and beans profitable for us and also allow a chance that we could maybe get the pricing down at the grocery store, said Burbrink.

What are input prices? its the price it takes to turn a seed into a crop they can harvest and sell. Things like seed, herbicide and fertilizer.

Over 14 million acres of land is farmland here in Indiana.



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SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  A law enforcement procession is being held Thursday to honor La Mesa Police Officer Lauren Craven, who was tragically killed earlier this week while rendering aid at the scene of a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 8.

The procession began around 10 a.m. at the San Diego County Medical Examiners Office and made its to El Camino Memorial Park on Carroll Canyon Road in Sorrento Valley.

Officer Craven, who is survived by her partner and her parents, joined the La Mesa Police Department in 2024 and is remembered by colleagues as a dedicated officer with a passion for helping others.

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Boy, 12, in critical condition after hit-and-run in El Cajon

California Governor Gavin Newsom issued the following a statement Tuesday honoring the fallen officer:

Officer Craven served her community with pride and dedication. Jennifer and I are heartbroken by her loss and the significant impact her passing leaves on the larger San Diego community, Newsom stated. We join her family, friends, and fellow officers in mourning. May her memory never be forgotten.

Flags at the State Capitol and the Capitol Annex Swing Space in Sacramento will be flown at half-staff as a tribute to her service and sacrifice, the Governors Office announced.

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Law enforcement agencies from across the county are expected to participate in Thursdays procession to pay their respects and honor her service.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Patty Durand, founder of Georgians for Affordable Energy, speaks during the public comment portion of Tuesday's Georgia Public Service Commission meeting. Durand was arrested later and charged with theft of trade secrets, which is a felony. Screenshot of Georgia Public Service Commission video stream

Patty Durand, a former Democratic candidate for the Georgia Public Service Commission and a clean energy advocate, was arrested Tuesday for the alleged theft of a Georgia Power document containing trade secrets during a commission meeting earlier that day.

Georgia Capitol Police arrested Durand, who is a frequent critic of the PSC, on Tuesday before transferring her to Fulton County Jail. According to the arrest warrant, Durand intentionally (took) a booklet containing confidential information owned by Georgia Power Company without permission. Durands arrest was first reported by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

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Durand did not yet have an attorney listed as of Wednesday, according to the Fulton County Clerks Office. Attempts to reach Durand for a comment Wednesday were unsuccessful.

The arrest warrant alleges that Durand was captured on a video recording re-entering the PSC meeting room during a lunch break and walking past a desk containing a booklet labeled Georgia Power Trade Secrets.

Durand initially picked up the booklet and put it back. She then walked past a second desk, picked up a similar booklet, flipped through the booklet briefly before placing the booklet into her purse and left the meeting room without returning, according to the warrant.

This weeks PSC proceedings were held to consider a request from Georgia Power to add nearly 10,000 megawatts to the states power grid. About 60% of the energy requested would come from expanding or building new gas plants, while 40% would come from renewable energy.

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Durand, who this year founded Georgians for Affordable Energy, a watchdog organization, claimed in her comments during a public hearing earlier Tuesday that Georgia Power is prioritizing profits for its five affiliated gas companies in building natural gas power plants instead of focusing more on solar panels and battery storage. She said that Georgia Power should be held accountable for its immoral actions.

There is no court in the land that would allow that kind of corruption to go on, and I have no idea why the state of Georgia does, Durand said.

She also criticized Georgia Power in a Sunday email newsletter for seeking approval for a plan that she estimates could cost customers over three times as much as the Plant Vogtle nuclear expansion project. Durand wrote that while Georgia Powers filing shows about $15.7 billion for certified projects, a project cost summary table is fully redacted. Durand claimed that energy experts estimate those redacted costs to be about $5-6 billion dollars, a huge number.

Durand alleged the costs are redacted because the company doesnt want the public to know these costs are required to be paid by customers throughout construction.

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Jennifer Whitfield, a senior attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center, said in a statement that the stakes are really high for Georgians right now and people feel desperate, but denounced Durands alleged theft.

While we do have serious concerns about Georgia Powers use of trade secret, those concerns must be addressed through the proper, legal channels, Whitfield said.

Sarah Brewerton-Palmer, a First Amendment and business law attorney and president of the Georgia First Amendment Foundation, said in a phone interview that the incident underscores the need for the PSC and other governmental agencies to balance allowing companies to shield sensitive business information with ensuring adequate government transparency.

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Whenever information in the hands of the government is kept from the public, it raises a specter of suspicion, and this lack of transparency lets conspiracy theories fester and tends to feed a public perception of unfairness and background deals and all that sort of stuff, which is why we have transparency laws in the first place, Brewerton-Palmer said.

A perceived lack of transparency in the PSCs dealings with Georgia Power has been scrutinized more intensely recently after the commission approved six energy bill increases over two years. Groups like SELC and other organizations filed a motion seeking access to some data on cost and power generation from the public, according to a July report from the AJC. However, the PSC denied the motion, stating that it might reconsider the issue in the future.

Matthew Kent, a spokesperson for Georgia Power, said in a statement that confidential data is meant to protect customers interests and ensure we deliver the best value to all customers.

Unauthorized disclosure risks harming both our company, the vendors and contractors with whom we do business, and the customers we serve, he said.

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The Georgia Republican Party quickly pounced on Durands arrest. Early voting is underway for a pair of commission seats that are on the ballot, and Georgia Republicans have been openly concerned that Democratic candidates Peter Hubbard and Alicia Johnson could flip two PSC seats in this years unique off-year election, where experts say that municipal elections could favor Democratic mobilization.

Josh McKoon, who chairs the state GOP, said in a statement that theres no leftist activist more involved in pushing the candidacies of the two Democrat candidates for PSC than Patty Durand and that she built her brand by attacking the PSC.

Georgia voters should take note of these illegal actions, McKoon said in a statement. The rhetoric of Patty Durand telegraphs the Democrats extreme plans for the PSC  plans that will lower our power supply and reliability and that will lead to higher prices for Georgia families.

Durand was a Democratic candidate for the commission in 2022 before she was drawn out of the district she was attempting to represent through redistricting. That election was ultimately postponed because of an ongoing lawsuit challenging the at-large method of seating commissioners, who represent districts but are elected statewide.
The annexation of some dissatisfied Illinois counties into Indiana still seems unlikely, even after a commission designed to study the move met for the first time on Oct. 22. Proponents of secession weren't all sold on becoming Hoosiers, either.

Those proponents were the few Illinois voices in the meeting  though the Indiana law that created the Indiana-Illinois Boundary Adjustment Commission during the 2025 legislative session calls for six members from Indiana and five members from Illinois, Illinois did not appoint anyone to the commission. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker called the move a "stunt" in January.

It's unlikely Indiana will actually end up taking in Illinoisans. The idea was a long-shot even to the office of House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, who authored the legislation to study it, New Illinois Board Chair G.H. Merritt said at the meeting. When she spoke privately with Huston's office about the idea, Merrit recalled, the staff member said the goal of the bill was to send a message to the Chicago mayor and Illinois governor since the economy of Northwest Indiana is tied to the area.

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"When a third of counties in Illinois have expressed their dissatisfaction and voted to secede from their state, I'd say you should take that seriously," Huston said in a statement to IndyStar on Oct. 23. "We certainly take it seriously, we hear their frustrations, and we welcome them to the Hoosier State. I look forward to hearing the Commission's recommendations on a path forward, and if and when Illinois comes to the table, we will be ready."

The frustration among Illinois residents, however, is very real. Since 2020, 33 Illinois counties have voted to secede from the state, though the Illinois attorney general has deemed the action nonbinding.

The concerns are both political and fiscal. Proponents of secession mentioned Illinois' billions in debt, taxes and the fact that marijuana and abortion were legal as key motivators to leave the state. They felt secondary to Chicago and resoundly unheard by their leaders, proponents said at the meeting.

But proponents differed on where they wanted to end up. One group, Downstate Illinois Secession, aims to convince Illinois to allow southern and central Illinois to join Indiana, Kentucky or Missouri, said Indiana resident and volunteer Scott Carpenter.

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That would mainly involve the 33 counties who voted to secede.

"It gives us the satisfaction of freeing good people in Illinois from bad Illinois law and bad Illinois regulations and governance," Carpenter said.

But Merritt disagrees with absorption into neighboring states. That's because she wants a new state entirely, made up of all Illinois counties except Cook County, where Chicago is located.

"Were the 33 counties to be absorbed into Indiana," she said, "that would undermine our efforts to accomplish what we're trying to do, which is escape from Old Illinois and Chicago."

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She questioned why Indiana would want the counties since they woud take a portion of the state's debt with them.

Illinois has $38.1 billion in debt, a 13.5% reduction from a decade ago. However, debt wouldn't be a barrier to the plan, Commission Chair Jeff Papa said, because those counties could be asked to pay off their debt over a certain period of time instead of passing the burden to the state.

The commission will likely meet again early in 2025.

Contact Marissa Meador at mmeador@gannett.com or find her on X at @marissa_meador.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Proponents of Illinois secession aren't sold on joining Indiana
Along with other communities around the state, Oakham is fighting a proposed lithium-ion battery storage facility that some advocates say could contaminate drinking water for millions of Massachusetts residents.

Shawn Seeley grew up a mile from the proposed site along Coldbrook Road and is also a member of the Oakham Conservation Commission. He said the 180-megawatt project would sit near the Ware River Watershed, part of the Quabbin Reservoir system.

This is a safety hazard for the entire state, Seeley said. It would contaminate our wells, but it would also contaminate the drinking water all the way to Boston.

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The Oakham native said the site would disrupt wetland connectivity, which is the foundation of clean water. Seeley, who graduated from Worcester State University with a degree in Environmental Science, explained that the forests and wetlands naturally filter our drinking water as it moves downstream, which is especially important in Oakham because each resident has a private groundwater-sourced well, connected to the Quabbin watershed. He says forest and wetland removal in Oakham would impact the entire interconnected landscape that is relied upon for clean drinking water.

Seeley explained there are also concerns for the critical wildlife habitats on the property for rare and declining species, called vernal pools.

These species cant survive anywhere else, Seeley said. This is a really important place for these species to survive, and this property is part of their habitat. Three vernal pools on one property, that is pretty significant.

Seeley said hes not against clean energy, just the location and the potential danger if something goes wrong. Even Oakhams fire chief, Tim Howe, has spoken out against it.

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I feel that if this what put in, I cant tell the citizens that if something happens, we can deal with it, Chief Howe said. Its not because of the capabilities of the men and women of Oakham fire; its just we dont have the resources.

The company behind the plan, Rhynland Energy, said it will meet or exceed all safety standards and was designed to avoid and minimize the environmental impacts. They said these facilities can have positive environmental impacts, helping reduce energy emissions.

The site, a former salvage yard, is currently under review by the Massachusetts Energy Siting Board.

Chief Howe explained that Oakham has a bylaw against these kinds of facilities, but new state regulations overpower it.

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With these new regulations, we were told that our bylaws dont matter, and I think a lot of residents are hurt because their voice isnt heard, Chief Howe said. Now were being told we dont have a say in our own community, protecting our own community.

Due to the states clean-energy law passed last year, the battery project doesnt need local zoning approval, only state review. That leaves some residents feeling powerless.

We cant claim to be fighting climate change and at the same time destroy the ecosystems that are going to help us adapt to it and the ecosystems that sustain us, Seeley said.

A state hearing on the proposal is expected later this year, but residents have until Oct. 30 to submit for the public comment period.

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Nesting dolls of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in shop in Moscow. | Credit: Olesya Kurpyayeva / AFP via Getty Images

What happened

The White House Tuesday said there were no plans for President Donald Trump to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the immediate future, less than a week after Trump said they would meet in Budapest within two weeks or so for Ukraine peace talks. Trump told reporters Tuesday he didnt want to have a wasted meeting with Putin or a waste of time, so well see what happens.



Who said what

This latest twist in Trumps stop-and-go effort to resolve the war in Ukraine followed a phone call between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov that the White House called productive, The Associated Press said. Trump on Monday embraced a ceasefire proposal backed by Kyiv and European leaders to freeze the conflict on the current front line, the BBC said, but Lavrov shot that idea down Tuesday, insisting on the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Ukraines Donbas region.



The back-and-forth is the latest example of the cycle in which Trump teases some kind of diplomatic breakthrough, only to be pulled back by Putin, The New York Times said. Trump has by turns courted the Russian leader and threatened him  but has never taken action to punish Russia in a meaningful way, and Ukraine always seems to lose any traction in the process.



What next?

Trump suggested that decisions about the meeting would be made in the coming days, the AP said. His hesitancy in meeting Putin will likely come as a relief to European leaders, who have accused Putin of stalling for time with diplomacy while trying to gain ground on the battlefield.
A Justice Department investigation into New York Attorney General Letitia James yielded information that may potentially spoil the Trump administrations plans to convict her of mortgage fraud.

The DOJ, led by inexperienced Trump-appointed interim U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan, accused James of committing mortgage fraud and lying about a second home being rented out as an investment property, collecting thousands in rent money and saving over $17,000 in the process.

But prosecutors who investigated James warned Halligans predecessor, Erik Seibert, that the evidence for those claims wasnt so clear. They found that James allowed her niece and her children to live in the house rent-free in 2020, and she only reported collecting $1,350 in rent money on her tax return from that year, which was allegedly to cover the cost of utilities. The small sum undercuts the DOJ theory that she was using it as an investment property.

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Government lawyers are also doubtful that theyll be able to prove that James committed mortgage fraud due to the vague standards around what does and doesnt count as occupancy in a second home. While the DOJ argues that James didnt visit the home enough to be an occupant, Fannie Mae guidelines dont specify that a person needs to sleep in the property overnight.

This all points to signs that the indictment is simply revenge for Jamess successful fraud suit against Trump, which made her a lifelong enemy of our spiteful president.

I will not bow, I will not break, I will not bend, James said earlier this month at a rally for New Yorks Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani in the midst of her federal indictment. I will not capitulate, I will not give in.

The Trump administrations desperate attempt to incriminate her may have made doing that a bit earlier.
Prosecutors from the Maryland US Attorneys Office have been hesitant to proceed with charges against Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff, a political opponent of President Donald Trump, over allegations of mortgage fraud but the investigation remains ongoing, multiple sources tell CNN.

According to three people with knowledge of the prosecutors office, Ed Martin, one of the most polarizing Trump Justice Department officials, has been pushing for the investigation into possible mortgage fraud to lead to an indictment.

Recently, prosecutors discussed with the Deputy Attorney Generals Office next steps, including potentially reviewing more records, one person told CNN, and US Attorney for Maryland Kelly Hayes is attempting to keep Martin at bay, sources said.

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NBC first reported the hesitancy of the prosecutors.

President Donald Trump declined to weigh in on the Schiff matter on Thursday, telling reporters, I hope its true, but I dont know anything.

You know, Im not going to comment on that  I would just say Adam Schiff is one of the lowest forms of scum Ive ever dealt with in politics, Trump said at the White House. Hes a horrible human being, very dishonest person. I have no idea whats going on. You tell me that hes going to be indicted. I dont know.

Schiff has been a target of Trumps ire since leading the Houses investigations into the president during his first term, first as the top Democrat on the intelligence committees probe into Russian election interference and then as the lead investigator of the withholding of Ukraine aid that led to the presidents first impeachment.

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Last month, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to direct Attorney General Pam Bondi to aggressively target some of his political opponents, writing, Pam: I have reviewed over 30 statements and posts saying that, essentially, same old story as last time, all talk, no action. Nothing is being done. What about Comey, Adam Shifty Schiff, Leticia??? Theyre all guilty as hell, but nothing is going to be done.

CNN later reported the directive was meant to be a private message to Bondi.

Asked about the reports surrounding a Schiff probe Thursday, Bondi, who joined Trump for the roundtable, told reporters, Were not going to comment on any grand jury thats open. We cant legally.

Since that message was sent, Trumps handpicked interim US Attorney in Eastern Virginia, Lindsey Halligan, has secured grand jury indictments of former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. Both have denied any wrongdoing.

An attorney for Schiff didnt respond to requests for comment on Thursday.

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CHICAGO (WGN)  Another day of emotional testimony at the Cook County courthouse in the murder trial of Alphonso Joyner, accused in the 2021 execution-style murder of a 71-year-old grandfather, Woom Sing Tse, in Chinatown.

Seeking a conviction on first-degree murder and weapons charges, county prosecutors presented a mountain of forensic evidence  shell casings to bullet fragments and fingerprints  on Day 2 of the trial. The defendants lawyers contend that much of the evidence in the case is circumstantial, however, with no witness to the actual shooting.

PREVIOUS: Opening statements in trial of man accused of execution-style murder in Chinatown

The victims loved ones, close friends, and supporters watched on as prosecutors produced the alleged murder weapon in court. Prosecutors showed the jury the 9MM handgun and extended magazine allegedly used by Joyner on Dec. 7, 2021.

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Cook County Assistant States Attorney Jimmy Konstantopoulos also questioned forensic specialists, who described finding the handgun and magazine in Joyners car after the deadly shooting.



Police pulled over Joyner and his silver blue Honda hatchback pulled over on the Kennedy Expressway within hours after the Chinatown shooting on the 200 block of W. 23rd. The coat and sweatpants recovered by police matched the clothing seen in neighborhood surveillance videos that captured the deadly attack, according to prosecutors.

Investigators say Joyner fired nearly two dozen shots at the victim, walked up to his 71-year-old victim, and shot him at close range, execution style. No word on what motivated the vicious attack, as it doesnt appear to be robbery. First responders found the victims wallet untouched in his back pocket.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

In court on Wednesday, Joyner was expressionless and mostly disengaged with his defense team. Proceedings resume Thursday, with the possibility of jury deliberations by days end.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
PACIFIC BEACH (FOX 5/KUSI)  The man accused of stabbing three security guards outside a popular Pacific Beach bar appeared in court Wednesday, as prosecutors revealed new details about the violent attack that left one victim seriously injured.

Dylan Chase, 24, pleaded not guilty to several charges, including attempted murder, in connection with the Sunday morning attack outside Mavericks Beach Club. Prosecutors said Chase, who appeared intoxicated, was removed from the bar around 12:10 a.m., then returned with an eight-inch hunting knife and stabbed three security guards.

One of the victims, Francisco Franny Garcia, remains hospitalized with serious injuries.

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Prosecutors said the injuries to the victims include a ruptured spleen, a collapsed lung and perforated bowels.

Due to the severe nature of the injuries  and the viciousness of the attack, we believe the defendant is an ongoing threat to the community, Deputy District Attorney Lauren Wade told the court.

Judge Euketa Oliver set bail at $200,000, calling Chase a risk to society. Prosecutors also said a co-defendant was involved in the attack, though Chase faces the most serious charges.

Court documents show Chase recently moved to San Diego from Kansas, where prosecutors say he has a violent criminal history. He had been staying at a sober living home before the incident.

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Residents in Pacific Beach say the stabbing has amplified concerns about safety in the coastal community.

I know PB has changed quite a bit over the last few years, said local resident Amy, who declined to give her last name.

Its just a bummer  I feel like a lot of things keep happening, said another neighbor, Kalie Slivkoff, who lives near Mavericks. You can definitely feel some tension when youre walking around.

Chase is due back in court on Oct. 30.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.




Tensions flared early Thursday morning as protesters attempted to block U.S. Border Patrol agents from entering a U.S. Coast Guard base near Oakland that the Trump administration was staging as an operations hub for an anticipated immigration crackdown on the Bay Area.

One protester was injured shortly after sunrise as several federal law enforcement vehicles, including one marked Border Patrol, passed through the crowd stopping traffic onto the island. "Once we start, we won't stop," one agent told the protesters blocking his vehicle.

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The choas unfolded before President Donald Trump and Mayor Daniel Lurie announced that Trump had called off his planned incursion.

During the fracas, federal agents deployed apparent flash-bang grenades to disperse the crowd and fired a pepper round that struck a clergyman near the chin. The impact caked his face and clothing in orange powder.

The clergyman, Jorge Bautista, said an agent shot him in the face with the projectile from about 5 feet away.

"I'm in a lot of pain," Bautista texted the Chronicle from an emergency room in Oakland. "He clearly was aiming for the face."

Jorge Bautista, a clergyman with the United Church of Christ, reacts after he was hit in the face by a pepper round from a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent as protesters blocked the entrance to Coast Guard Island Alameda, where they are sent to as a staging area for a planned immigration crackdown, in Oakland, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025. (Stephen Lam/S.F. Chronicle)





About 20 minutes after the apparent flash-bang grenades went off, a second protester was injured when a vehicle trying to get through the barrier ran over his foot.

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The protester, Matthew Leber, was part of a security team organized by an interfaith group to protect demonstrators. He said the driver, who was not in uniform, flashed a pass to indicate he had authorization to cross over bridge onto the island.

"I asked him to back away," said Leber. "He was upset. He started to move forward into the crowd, and he hit my foot. His vehicle was on my foot for a good 20 to 30 seconds, and people were yelling at him to back up."

Leber said that the driver eventually turned around.



The protesters were bracing for the arrival of more than 100 federal agents, including from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, that the Trump administration dispatched Wednesday to the Coast Guard base. Border Patrol is the law enforcement arm of CBP.

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The group of several hundred protesters were blocking intersection at Dennison Avenue and Embarcadero in front of the Coast Guard Island Bridge, holding up traffic for a long line of vehicles stretching back along Embarcadero. It included many from religious communities.

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Laura Cheifetz, a reverend from San Francisco, condemned Border Patrol using apparent flash-bang grenades to disperse the crowd.

"They couldn't even wait five minutes to do what they did," Cheifetz said. "It is a violation of the First Amendment, which we still respect, even if the federal government does not."

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At around 9:30 a.m., Lurie announced that he had spoken to Trump in a late-night phone call. "In that conversation, the president told me clearly that he was calling off any plans for a federal deployment in San Francisco," Lurie said in a statement.

The crowd outside the Coast Guard base cautiously cheered at the news, while continuing to march around the intersection. Some expressed trepidation that the president could be trusted.

"We'll believe it when we see it," said Rabbi Cat Zavis of Beyt Tikkun Synagogue in Oakland.

Trump wrote on social media soon after that he had decided to give Lurie a chance to "turn" San Francisco around instead of following through with his plans to "surge" San Francisco on Saturday.

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Federal officials had released few details about the scope of the operation before Trump said he would pull back on it. A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security had said it would target the "worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens," however similar immigration crackdowns in other cities around the nation have swept up many others with no past convictions.

The mobilization was seen as Trump making good on his repeated threats of a federal incursion into the deep-blue Bay Area, which ramped up after Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff on Oct. 10 called for Trump to deploy the National Guard to the city as a crime-fighting force.

The move was met with condemnation from local and state officials, who urged protesters not to be baited by Trump into violence and vandalism. In other cities like Los Angeles and Chicago, Trump has responded to protests over his immigration crackdowns by deploying the National Guard.

San Francisco has long struggled with drug dealing and disorderly behavior on its streets, but its homicide rate is on track to be the lowest since the 1950s. The National Guard cannot legally fight crime, and city officials have threatened to sue to block any such deployment. Border Patrol agents, however, can make arrests and enforce immigration violations.

Street Level Health Project volunteer Maryann O'Sullivan stations near Alameda Avenue and Howard Street near the Home Depot in Oakland, California Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025 to look out for federal ICE agents in an area where undocumented day laborers wait for work. (Jessica Christian/S.F. Chronicle)





As a wave of anxiety and fear swept the Bay Area, the scene outside a Home Depot in Oakland was calm early Thursday. Only a few day laborers sipped their morning coffee and ate breakfast. Others who might have come to find work stayed home, one man said.

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"I'm nervous, but I need to work," said the 26-year-old man from Oakland, who declined to give his name.

This article originally published at Protest of Bay Area immigration crackdown met with apparent stun grenades at Coast Guard base.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WKRG)  Dozens gathered outside the state capitol Wednesday to protest the execution of Anthony Boyd.

Fairhope penis costume arrest featured on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (video)

Boyd is set to be executed by nitrogen gas later today at Holman Prison near Atmore for the 1993 burning death of a man in Talladega County.

Protesters called on Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey to commute his sentence, and delivered a petition to her office protesting the execution.

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The 54-year-old has been on death row since 1995, after being convicted of capital murder during a kidnapping. The jury that convicted him voted 10-2 that he receive a death sentence for his role in the death of Gregory Huguley.

According to prosecutors, Boyd was one of four men who kidnapped Gregory Huguley, bound him, doused him in gasoline, and set him on fire. Prosecutors say they did that because Huguley failed to pay for $200 worth of cocaine.

Boyd maintains his innocence, but in a statement from Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshalls office, the AG says the case has been litigated for three decades and he has yet to provide evidence to show the jury got it wrong.

Rev. Julie Conrady with the Interfaith Alliance of Central Alabama says Boyd is an innocent man, and claims the entire Alabama prison system needs reform.

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A federal judge has already refused to stop Boyds execution, which protesters and Boyds attorneys say is unconstitutional because of the method being used.

That method uses a gas mask to replace breathable air with pure nitrogen gas, causing the person to die from lack of oxygen.

Boyds lawyers argue that death by nitrogen gas violates the Eighth Amendment because inmates are subjected to conscious suffocation.

UPDATE: Wilmer Hall shooting suspect gets third capital murder charge

Boyd is set to be executed later today.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
BEAUFORT, S.C. (WSAV)  A small group of protestors gathered outside Beaufort Countys Government Building on Thursday morning to send a message about the countys cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The Sun City Democrats and other area groups brought signs and a box of letters in opposition to the 287-G ICE program that was recently introduced into the county.

The group protested on the street for an hour before marching toward Beaufort County Sheriff Headquarters.

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Thats where they said they wanted to hand deliver the letters to sheriff PJ Tanner.

They had 337 letters in total from community members in the area.

Group leaders told WSAV that they wanted to show that many people are still fighting to make their voice heard against the immigration program.

They believe that immigrants are being targeted in the county, and that goes against the foundation of the United States of America.

My grandparents showed me a love of America. Its like grandmother used to say, even a doggy is lucky to be born in America, and I still believe that. Yeah, were in trouble down here right now, but there is a lot of good out there. I will fight for it until I cant anymore, said Lynn Gerson, the President of the Sun City Democrats.

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The 300+ letters follow over 600 signatures from a petition created by the Lowcountry Indivisible group in opposition to the ICE program.

Sheriff Tanner has defended the countys agreement with ICE in the past.

He said his office wants to find the worst of the worst and deputies will not be full time immigration agents.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
The Quad Cities Honor Flight Welcome Home will be at the Quad Cities International Airport at about 10 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, a news release says. This will be a chance for anyone to welcome and cheer the veterans as they return through security.

(OurQuadCities.com)

As a special thanks to the veterans, their families, neighbors, and friends, the parking at the airport will be free that evening.

Earlier that day, 86 veterans and their guardians will board a charter jet for a visit to the military memorials in Washington, DC. This will include visits to Arlington National Cemetery, where they will watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony.

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This flight will take place in spite of the government shutdown, the release says. Many hours have been spent planning alternate itineraries, and making preparations in case the shutdown continues into Oct. 28.

Many places we visit are still open, said Steve Garrington, who will command this flight. And if something is closed, there are still plenty of other places the veterans will want to see. In the military they taught us to be flexible.

Although most of the veterans on this flight served during the Vietnam conflict, they will be joined by four Korean War veterans. Included on this flight will be three women. A special honor awaits them at the Womens Memorial.

The greatest need at this time is for veterans to fill out an application here. Volunteers who would like to be guardians can find more details here.

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BEELITZ, Germany (AP)  The Klaistow farm near Berlin is hosting its 22nd annual pumpkin festival, where more than 100,000 pumpkins in 500 varieties are displayed across the grounds.

The event features giant pumpkin sculptures representing this years theme of powerful women," paying tribute to inspiring women like Frida Kahlo, Cleopatra and Joan of Arc.

___

This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Oct. 23 denounced new U.S. sanctions as an attempt to coerce Moscow, declaring that Russia would not yield to the pressure.

Talking to journalists, Putin said that "no self-respecting country does anything under pressure."

The comments come as U.S. President Donald Trump, for the first time, imposed sanctions against Russia, targeting the country's energy giants Rosneft and Lukoil.

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The new penalties, intended to pressure Moscow into accepting a ceasefire in Ukraine, follow the collapse of planned diplomatic talks between the U.S. and Russia.

Trump and Putin were previously scheduled to meet in Budapest at an unspecified date, but the White House later announced that the summit had been canceled.

The Kremlin's chief described the sanctions as an "unfriendly act" that would harm Russia-U.S. relations, but sought to downplay their potential impact on the Russian economy.

The EU has also ramped up its economic pressure on Moscow, approving its 19th sanctions package on Oct. 23 that targeted banks, energy revenues, and networks involved in circumventing existing restrictions.

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Commenting on the summit, the Russian leader said that the event was "postponed" rather than canceled, adding it would be a mistake to hold it without necessary preparations. The U.S. side proposed the meeting and its location, he claimed.

Putin reiterated that Russia remains ready for dialogue. Trump, in turn, did not rule out meeting Putin "in the future."

Recent weeks were marked by unexpected turnarounds in U.S. policy. Trump initially suggested arming Ukraine with powerful Tomahawk missiles, but dropped the idea soon after in favor of a new meeting with Putin.

After preliminary talks for the Budapest summit hit roadblocks, Trump pivoted again and slapped new sanctions on Moscow.

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The Wall Street Journal also recently reported that the U.S. authorized Ukraine to launch Western long-range missiles deep inside Russian territory, though Trump has refuted that claim.

Putin warned that Ukraine striking Russia with long-range U.S. weapons would be met with an overwhelming response, echoing his long-standing threats over Kyiv's use of Western arms.

Read also: Ukraine confirms strike on Russias Ryazan oil refinery, major blaze reported

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
President Donald Trump has reportedly canceled a planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin while also announcing new oil sanctions on Moscow.

The White House said the decision to cancel the meeting came after what officials described as stalled diplomatic exchanges with Russia, with few signs of progress toward a ceasefire with Ukraine.

The planned summit, which was expected to take place in Budapest, had been seen as a potential opening for renewed negotiations, though it was ultimately shelved amid frustration over the difficulties encountered throughout the negotiation process.

Trump told reporters at the White House that he personally decided to scrap the talks after concluding that the meeting would not achieve meaningful results.

We canceled the meeting with President Putin  it just didnt feel right to me, said the President, per Reuters. It didnt feel like we were going to get to the place we have to get. So I canceled it, but well do it in the future.

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Trump said he had grown increasingly skeptical of Russias willingness to engage in good-faith discussions about ending the conflict, implying that Putin has made false promises during the negotiations.

In terms of honesty, the only thing I can say is, every time I speak with Vladimir, I have good conversations, and then they dont go anywhere. They just dont go anywhere, Trump explained, according to Reuters.

Meanwhile, Trump administration officials said the United States will impose new sanctions targeting Russias two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, in a move expected to create tension between the two countries, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.

While this move is expected to affect Russias economy, it also represents a shift away from Trumps previous foreign policy toward a seemingly stricter approach to advancing peace between Ukraine and Russia.

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Tatiana Stanovaya, the founder of the political analysis firm R.Politik, said these sanctions are severe, but that Putin has shown a willingness to undergo losses to also claim victories.

Theyll shrug their shoulders and say, OK, hell ripen in three months, she explained, per The New York Times. For Putin, this war remains existential, and he is ready to endure a lot.

Currently, there have been no plans announced for Trump and Putin to meet to discuss further ways to end both the war in Ukraine and the sanctions being imposed by the U.S.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday he assumes he will still meet Donald Trump, one day after the US president cancelled a planned meeting in Budapest.

"Now I see that the President of the United States has decided in a statement to cancel or postpone this meeting," Putin said on state television.

Trump is most likely referring to a postponement, the Russian leader added.

Moscow had already applied the brakes to the talks, emphasizing that the meeting would have to be well prepared.

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After the cancellation, the Kremlin head stressed that the United States had proposed the meeting and the location. Putin said that while he had agreed, he had expressed concerns about the short preparation time.

After a telephone conversation with Putin last week, Trump held out the prospect of an imminent meeting in the Hungarian capital to discuss the war in Ukraine. He did not initially specify a date, but shortly afterwards said it would take place "probably in the next two weeks."

Following the announcement of new US sanctions on major Russian oil companies on Wednesday, Trump declared that he had cancelled the talks, saying in a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte that he did not feel they would lead to the desired outcome.

However, he maintained that a meeting between him and Putin would happen in the future.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) offices in the Quad Cities area were forced to close during the government shutdown. Now, even though the shutdown has not ended, those offices are opening. This is because of an order from President Trump and the White House. Its an act they hope will provide farmers with some temporary assistance by opening up $3 billion of existing funds for aid.

The President has the authority under existing law to spend that money, said Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley (R). Hes decided to use it on serving the family farms in the United States.

Illinois congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi believes the focus should shift to finding a solution to open trade.

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Nobody can out compete an American farmer, as long as the playing field is level, said Krishnamoorthi. Should be making sure markets are open to our farmers.

One local Illinois farmer agrees. Dennis VanDaele says he would rather get the profits through selling his crops.

I do not want a check, said VanDaele. I want my money from the market place.

He compared a potential bailout from the federal government to the Paycheck Protection Program during the pandemic.

My accountant finally told me after about six months, you got to stay on the same playing field as everybody else and everybody else is taking it so I finally broke down and took it, said VanDaele.

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Increasing input costs paired with the low prices from this years crop is putting pressure on farmers. Its making them adjust their approach and plant less for next year.

Rather than putting on what this next crop is going to call for, if we have a normal crop, VanDaele said. Ive elected to cut back to two-thirds of what Ive normally put on.

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Traffic flows in both directions on Interstate 195 on the converted eastern Washington Bridge at 4:51 p.m. on a sunny Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025. The western bridge has been demolished. (Rhode Island Department of Transportation Traffic Camera)

As new details surface about the states failure to evaluate and repair longstanding problems with the Washington Bridge, Rhode Island lawmakers are enlisting a former federal law enforcement officer to probe deeper.

House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi and Senate President Valarie Lawson announced late Thursday that former U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Cunha has been brought on to help the General Assembly conduct an upcoming oversight hearing on the bridge failure  now scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 13.

Former U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Cunha in May 2024. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)

Cunha served as U.S. Attorney for the District of Rhode Island from 2021 to 2025, ousted after President Donald Trump took office. He now works in private practice as a partner at Nixon & Peabody LLP in Providence.

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A career public servant, Attorney Cunhas vast experience will enhance the conduct of a fair and robust inquiry by our oversight committees without unnecessary impact on the states ongoing lawsuit related to the Washington Bridge, Shekarchi and Lawson said in a joint statement Thursday. He has consistently demonstrated impartiality, integrity and a high degree of skill across the legal landscape while serving as U.S. Attorney.

The news comes less than one month after the Rhode Island Attorney Generals office lifted the veil on a long-sequestered audit of the bridges condition. The 64-page report was posted on the AGs website on Sept. 26 after pieces were leaked by an anonymous social media account. It paints a damning picture for state officials and administrators for failing to notice or remedy the highways deteriorating condition, despite nearly two decades of inspections and repairs exposing the structural problems.

Since the document went public, additional details have come to light, including omitted excerpts from the analysis and correspondence between members of the consulting company hired to perform the review, as first reported by the Providence Journal on Oct. 21.

Shekarchi and Lawson said the upcoming legislative probe was prompted by the audit report and other new information about the bridge.

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Since the westbound highways abrupt closure in December 2023, the Rhode Island General Assembly has already exercised its oversight authority twice  in February 2024 and February 2025  though the latter served more as an information session than a grilling of state leaders. In neither instance were witnesses put under oath during their testimony.

This time, lawmakers expect to formally swear in witnesses before taking their comments and asking questions.

It remains undecided whether subpoenas will be issued for the upcoming probe, Larry Berman, a spokesperson for Shekarchi, said in an email Thursday.

Rhode Island Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti is expected to cooperate and attend the hearing, given that Alviti attended the last two rounds of probes voluntarily, Berman said.

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A spokesperson for the state transportation agency did not immediately respond to inquiries for comment late Thursday.

McKee has already signaled his opposition to putting state employees, including Alviti, under oath, warning it could jeopardize the states ongoing lawsuit against contractors involved in bridge inspection and repairs.

But Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha, whose office is leading the states lawsuit, has already made clear that swearing in state employees to testify about the bridge will not impede the states legal case.

The people of Rhode Island deserve transparency and accountability, and I support Speaker Shekarchi and Senate President Lawson in their mission here, Neronha said in a statement. Though my office seeks to hold accountable several contractor companies for what we allege was negligent behavior, that doesnt mean those in state leadership charged with maintaining our roads and bridges get a free pass. We must know the full truth, and these hearings can absolutely provide helpful insight.

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The complaint seeking damages for the states losses from the bridge closure is tentatively scheduled to go to trial in late 2027.

The meeting on Nov. 13 will be held in the State Houses basement, televised live by Capitol TV, and live streamed at https://capitoltvri.cablecast.tv/. A time has not been set as of Thursday.

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Police in northern Warren County warned residents this week of an attack on an elderly couple by a rabid cat.

Blairstown Township police said officers and the Blairstown Ambulance Corps responded to the incident Tuesday on Kishpaugh Road.

Responders attended to the couples wounds and called in the townships animal control officer, who was able to capture the cat.

The cat had signs of injury to its face from a wild animal and was sent to the State Health Department lab to be tested for rabies, the northwestern New Jersey police department posted to Facebook. The test results were expedited due to human contact and visible signs of injury to the cat from a wild animal. The cat tested Positive for rabies.

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The couple had been feeding this feral cat for years, according to the police departments post  something the ACO warns residents to be mindful of: Dont leave cat food out overnight or unattended. Raccoons tend to be carriers and mostly feed at night and this will help avoid outside cats coming in contact with them.

Rabies is a viral disease that is deadly if people dont receive medical care before symptoms start, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It spreads primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal.

Cats are the domestic animals most frequently reported to have rabies, according to the CDC, with around 200-300 cats reported to have rabies each year in the United States.

Feral cats are more likely to interact with wildlife that are reservoirs for rabies and are less likely than are owned pet cats to receive veterinary care, CDC officials wrote in a case study of an August 2024 rabies outbreak in an urban cat colony in Maryland. Therefore, feral cats pose a higher risk for human exposure to rabies than wildlife, given the higher likelihood that humans will approach cats.

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The risk of rabies in feral cats  meaning unowned domesticated cats that live outdoors  is sometimes overlooked compared to other Rabies Vector Species like bats, skunks, raccoons and foxes, according to Janine Tancredi, director of the Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center in Saylorsburg.

Tancredi posted a video to Facebook this week of an effort to capture a raccoon believed to be sick on Northern Boulevard in South Abington Township, Luzerne County. A woman had sent the rehab rescue video of her trying to get the raccoon to come to her during daylight hours, and its behavior raised concerns.

Were still on the hunt for him, Tancredi told lehighvalleylive.com on Thursday.

The center urges anyone who sees a Rabies Vector Species animal that appears to be friendly to avoid approaching it: Rabies can present as dumb rabies and instead of aggression they will approach people, which is unsafe.

more lehigh valley outdoors news

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Todays sunshine and above average highs are expected to say goodbye for a day as a low pressure system over California moves into the 4 Corners and right across the Western Slope. Tonight, clouds are going to become more frequent, with a 30% chance of rain. However, that should be confined mostly to tomorrow morning.

Tomorrow is a very rainy day, but it wont be constant in the Grand Valley. Well see multiple rounds of rainfall throughout the day, as the low pressure system changes our wind direction throughout the day, and moisture is brought up off the mountains in the form of rain clouds. Thunderstorms wont be common but are possible, so there could be moderate gusts as well. Rain will end by early Friday morning. Then, well get down to average temperatures and afternoon clearing skies on Friday. There will be snow in the mountains above 10000 feet, so keep that in mind if youre heading east along I70 to start the weekend. Sunday night has a cold front moving over towards us; however, it does currently look to be a bit far north for the central and southern valleys. Regardless, next week looks to start with below average temperatures if the system gets far enough south, and with some greater snow chances. Well watch to see if it looks to be getting further south as the week progresses.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Tropical Storm Melissa is meandering through the warm waters of the Caribbean at a snails pace, where its expected to pick up enough power to develop into a major Category 4 by Tuesday.

The latest forecast track from the National Hurricane Center continues to push the slow-moving storm  moving forward at just 2 mph on Thursday evening  west through the Central Caribbean through early next week.

As of 5 p.m. Thursday, the storm had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph.

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The long-range storm models that extend beyond the official forecast of the hurricane center continue to suggest that the storm will steer clear of Florida as it lifts north, but forecasters warned that theres a lot of uncertainty in the precise forecast and things could shift as it strengthens.

How far north Melissa gets before it turns to the west continues to remain uncertain, the hurricane center said in the 5 p.m. Thursday update.

This graphic shows the westward creep of the daily average of major storm models, a pattern that suggests Melissa may drift further west of Jamaica before hooking north through Cuba.

The southern peninsula of Haiti and all of Jamaica remain under a hurricane watch and a tropical storm warning. Both countries are forecast to see a tremendous amount of rain, enough to potentially spawn life-threatening mudslides and flash flooding in Haiti and the island of Hispaniola.

For now, the bulk of Melissas rain clouds are stacked on its right side, giving it the opportunity to drench the Caribbean this week with up to 14 inches of rainfall in Haitis case as soon as Friday. This threat is magnified if the storm creeps by the islands slowly, continuously dumpling rain, as forecasters currently expect it to do.

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Over the weekend, Melissa is expected to emerge from the pocket of harsher wind shear its in, which is limiting its ability to grow, and really start juicing up. It could be a Category 1 hurricane as soon as Saturday and a Category 4 by Monday as it cruises south of Jamaica.

The intensity guidance is insistent on Melissa undergoing a period of rapid intensification in the forecast period, forecasters wrote Thursday mid-morning.

The office NHC forecast track only stretches until Tuesday. But global storm models, also known as spaghetti models, suggest that Melissa will lift north and cross Cuba  and potentially the Bahamas  on a northeast track out to the open Atlantic.

This graphic is a composite of nine different major storm ensemble models, and it suggests that the most likely future scenario for Melissa is a track northeast over Cuba.

Injuries begin to mount in Haiti already

In Les Cayes on Thursday, winds were picking up and rain began to fall. The sea was also agitated. Local authorities continued to asked residents in the city and surrounding towns in Haitis southern regions to remain vigilant.

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The capital of Haitis southwest, the coastal city on the countrys southern peninsula, is prone to flooding. In 2021, it was also struck by a major earthquake and has yet to fully recover.

In a report published on Wednesday about Melissa, the Office of Civil Protection said that the fall of a tree had led to the death of a septuagenarian in the municipality of Marigot in the Southeast regional department. In the Artibonite, five people were injured in floods.

While half of Haitis regions remain under orange alert, on Thursday morning the government of Jamaica warned residents to make last minute storm preparations.

In the Dominican Republic, President Luis Abinader met with representatives of emergency agencies to prepare for Melissa. Eight provinces have been placed under red alert, 13 under yellow, and three under green.

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Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said on Wednesday the World Food Program is active in the Caribbean where Tropical Storm Melissa is expected to bring heavy rainfall and high winds to the region.

Our colleagues from the World Food Program are helping people in the path of the storm to proactively prepare in order to mitigate damages in Haiti, he said.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)  The Richmond County Sheriffs Office arrested three people Thursday after a search warrant at an Augusta apartment complex.

According to police, the search warrant was executed at Archer Green Apartments located at 3112 Damascus Road in Augusta.

Investigators located and arrested Damien Bell, Zayquan McNair, and Kenneth Tanksley, all from Augusta. According to police, investigators recovered one firearm, approximately 415 grams of marijuana, and $5,669 in U.S. currency from inside the residence.

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Here are the following charges for each of the suspects, according to RCSO:

Damien Bell

Bell was committed to the Charles B. Webster Detention Center for the following offenses:

Grand Jury Arrest Warrants:

O.C.G.A. 16-15-4: Violation of Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act (8 counts)

O.C.G.A. 16-15-4.1: Drive-By Shooting (1 count)

O.C.G.A. 16-7-22: Criminal Damage to Property in the First Degree (1 count)

O.C.G.A. 16-11-106: Possession of a Firearm During a Felony (4 counts)

O.C.G.A. 16-5-121: Aggravated Assault (2 counts)

O.C.G.A. 16-5-70: Cruelty to Children in the First Degree (1 count)

O.C.G.A. 16-13-30(j): Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute (1 count)

New Arrest Warrants:

O.C.G.A. 16-13-30(j): Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute (1 count)

O.C.G.A. 16-11-106: Possession of a Firearm During a Felony (1 count)

O.C.G.A. 16-15-4: Violation of Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act (1 count)

Zayquan McNair

McNair was committed to the Charles B. Webster Detention Center for the following offenses:

Grand Jury Arrest Warrants:

O.C.G.A. 16-5-1: Murder

O.C.G.A. 16-11-106: Possession of a Firearm During a Felony (2 counts)

O.C.G.A. 16-7-22: Criminal Damage to Property in the First Degree (1 count)

O.C.G.A. 16-15-4: Violation of Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act (2 counts)

New Arrest Warrants:

O.C.G.A. 16-13-30(j): Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute (1 count)

O.C.G.A. 16-11-106: Possession of a Firearm During a Felony (1 count)

O.C.G.A. 16-11-133: Possession of a Firearm by a First Offender

O.C.G.A. 16-15-4: Violation of Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act (1 count)

(2) Felony Order to Show Cause Warrants

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McNairs Grand Jury arrest warrants stem from a murder that occurred in 2024, in front of 1965 Ellis Street in Augusta. McNair and others were alleged to have participated in a drive-by shooting targeting a rival criminal street gang, which resulted in the death of Argie Jones, a homeless woman, RCSO said.

Kenneth Tanksley

Tanksley was committed to the Charles B. Webster Detention Center for the following offenses:

O.C.G.A. 16-13-30(j): Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute (1 count)

O.C.G.A. 16-11-106: Possession of a Firearm During a Felony (1 count)

The RCSO Gang Task Force, Gang Unit, SWAT Team and the U.S. Marshals Southeastern Regional Fugitive Task Force assisted in the arrest.

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Sheriff Eugene Brantley issued the following statement on the arrests:

We will continue to drive down crime and remove criminals from our streets. It should be clear that gang life is a dead-end street that results in spending the rest of your life in prison or losing it altogether. We are working every day to reach our youth through partnerships with schools, community programs, and our Community Services Division to steer them away from the lure of gangs and crime. Most of our students, regardless of race or economic background, succeed in life and never have negative encounters with law enforcement, that is our goal. Criminals need to understand that crime does not pay in Richmond County.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
Reddit has initiated legal proceedings against AI company Perplexity in New York federal court, citing unauthorised scraping and use of user-generated content from its platform for AI model training.

The lawsuit also names Oxylabs, AWMProxy, and SerpApi, alleging that these companies aided Perplexitys data collection by concealing their identities and using techniques designed to imitate typical user behaviour.

Perplexity, which has built an AI-driven search service, has rejected the allegations.

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In a statement posted on Reddit, the AI company asserted it does not train models on the social media platforms content but instead provides summaries and citations of public discussions. The company added that it is impossible to sign a licence agreement for this reason.

The statement further read: A year ago, after explaining this, Reddit insisted we pay anyway, despite lawfully accessing Reddit data. Bowing to strong arm tactics just isnt how we do business.

Perplexity characterised the lawsuit as a show of force in Reddits training data negotiations with Google and OpenAI.

SerpApi stated to CNBC that it strongly disagrees with Reddits claims and will defend itself in court. CNBC did not receive responses from Oxylabs or AWMProxy.

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Reddits legal action is part of a wider industry conflict regarding the use of publicly available content in training large language models.

The company previously filed a similar suit against Anthropic in June 2025. According to the complaint, Perplexity increased its referencing of Reddit content by 40 times following receipt of a cease-and-desist letter from the latter.

Reddit claims posts from its platform are a frequent source for AI-generated responses on Perplexitys service.

With more than 100,000 communities, Reddit is a major source of publicly available user conversations.

Researchers have previously noted that Reddits volume and moderation provide a valuable training dataset for generating more conversational AI outputs.

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The social media company has pursued data licencing strategies with enterprises such as OpenAI and Alphabet, restricting AI-related access to its data to those who have paid for specific agreements.

Earlier in 2025, Reddit COO Jen Wong told Adweek that AI licencing deals with Google and OpenAI account for close to 10% of the firms revenue.

In a statement provided to CNBC, Reddit chief legal officer Ben Lee said: AI companies are locked in an arms race for quality human content, describing the process as fuelling an industrial-scale data laundering economy.

"Reddit sues Perplexity over alleged data scraping for AI training " was originally created and published by Verdict, a GlobalData owned brand.




By Alimat Aliyeva

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee, To Lam, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb have pledged to strengthen cooperation in aviation training and human resource development, according to the Vietnamese daily Nhan Dan (People), reported on Wednesday, Azernews reports, citing foreign media.

Both sides agreed to jointly implement pilot training programs in Europe that meet international and European aviation safety standards, the report stated.

During To Lams state visit to Finland, the two leaders also agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, according to the Vietnam News Agency on Tuesday.

As part of this new strategic framework, the two countries committed to deepening cooperation in key areas such as trade, innovation, education, and people-to-people exchanges.

Finlands renowned education system and Vietnams rapidly expanding aviation sector make this collaboration particularly promising. With global demand for pilots expected to surge in the coming decades, this partnership not only benefits Vietnams workforce development but also strengthens Europe-Asia connectivity in the aviation industry.
" " Personal income tax rates are only part of the increasingly complicated equation. fizkes / Shutterstock

Looking to keep more of your paycheck? Some U.S. states make it a lot easier. The states with the lowest taxes generally offer a friendlier environment for individuals and businesses alike, cutting back on income, sales, and property tax burdens.

Lets break down which states truly offer the most tax reliefand what that means for your wallet.
The Oklahoma State Board of Education has approved a $4 billion budget request for the state Department of Education for the coming year, one that includes a $23.7 million increase driven by rising health insurance costs.

The agencys budget is the largest of any state agency and touches schools in every part of Oklahoma.

The board approved the $4.007 billion proposal on Thursday, Oct. 23, during the first regular board meeting chaired by new state schools Superintendent Lindel Fields.

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One month earlier, the board had tabled a $4.015 billion budget proposal by then-Superintendent Ryan Walters. Board members said during that meeting they hadnt had sufficient time to review such a large document. Walters ultimately resigned days later to take a private sector job.

The new proposed budget includes two items that Fields has said are priorities for him as he serves out the remainder of Walters term, which runs until January 2027  $11.9 million for dedicated literacy efforts (including money for concentrated tutoring) and $42.2 million to fund teacher retention and recruitment programs.

The latter includes the Oklahoma Teacher Empowerment Program, which allows school districts to identify and designate up to 10% of their teachers for advanced, lead and master designations annually. Teachers receive a stipend of $3,000 to $10,000, depending on the designation level.

We wanted to highlight the resources that were available for those two areas, Fields told the board.

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Tulsa Public Schools Chief Financial Officer Kristen Stephens  a member of Fields' "turnaround team" at the education agency  presented the details of the budget to the board. Stephens now is in charge of the state agencys finances, operations, compliance, federal programs and human resources.

By law, state agencies are supposed to submit their budget proposals for the upcoming fiscal year by Oct. 1, but given the timing of Walters' exit and Fields' appointment, the Department of Education and the state board received extra time.

As board members prepared to vote, member Chris Van Denhende of Tulsa noted the large size of the budget and said hed like the board to consider forming a finance committee within the board, to be responsible for working with the Department of Education to better understand how they spend the funds.

Fields said hed be amenable to that idea.

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The Legislature has the final say on all state agency appropriations.

State schools Superintendent Lindel Fields leads a meeting of the Oklahoma State Board of Education on Thursday, Oct. 23.

Five legislators watched the board discuss and vote on the budget proposal. They were Republican Reps. Dick Lowe of Amber, Toni Hasenbeck of Elgin, and Danny Sterling of Tecumseh, along with Democrat Rep. Jacob Rosecrants of Norman and Senate Minority Leader Julia Kirt of Oklahoma City.

Lowe, the chair of the House Education Committee, said he appreciated board members taking the time to try and understand and digest the budget before voting on it. The budget doesnt veer far from what the agency was appropriated for the current year, when its budget was set at $3.983 billion.

I think we have a solid budget, and I'm very confident that's what we've got  a budget to look at and build from, Lowe told The Oklahoman.

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He said there may be some areas that lawmakers emphasize or add to, but I don't think we have anything that well say, Oh, weve got to get rid of that.

One of the few things being cut from the current budget is a $50,000 expense for civil rights curriculum. Agency officials said thats because that program is ending.

Rising health insurance costs are an issue that spans state agencies and one the Legislature is working to address, Lowe said.

Its not just us dealing with it, Lowe said. Every Oklahoman is seeing the same increase. Weve got to work toward a better outcome.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma education agency asks for more than $4 billion in funding
DENVER (KDVR)  Its been seven years since Terri Ackerman was last seen alive, and on Wednesday, officials reported that her remains had been found in Lochbuie.

Ackerman, 56, of Lochbuie, was reported missing by her husband on Aug. 24, 2018. He said his wife had been sleeping in her bed at 5 a.m. before he left for the day. Personal items, including her cellphone, wallet, cigarettes and car, were found in her home at 130 Poplar Street.

The neighbors were like, What happened? Where did she go? an anonymous neighbor told FOX31s Courtney Fromm on Thursday.

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5 arrested as part of massive crime ring, allegedly committed crimes in 25 jurisdictions

The Weld County Coroners Office said that it responded to an address in the 100 block of Poplar Street on Sept. 10 this year regarding the discovery of human remains.

The agency said that Ackermans cause and manner of death await the completion of an autopsy report.

Police previously reported that Ackermans husband said that his wife had been upset the night before she went missing and had concerns about babysitting her grandchildren. The Lochbuie Police Department said that Ackerman had mental health issues for which she was prescribed medication.

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My brother and I were like, thats weird. Something must have happened rather than her going missing, the neighbor said. People put posters everywhere trying to find her and figure out what happened with her and where she went.

The neighbor told Fromm that he found it odd that it took so long to find her remains.

I have never once seen police at the house, the neighbor said.

The neighbor called the announcement a sort of closure.

Its closing, well not closing-closing, but getting to the point where they can close the investigation and what happened after several years of not knowing where she went and what happened, the neighbor said.

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Police searched the area extensively at the time of her disappearance, assisted by drones and RAMPART Search and Rescue.

The case is still under investigation by the Lochbuie Police Department. FOX31 stopped by the departments station on Thursday to ask for a comment or interview. The chief was not available for a 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 FOX31 Denver.
Between the banks of the Providence River and Dyer Street, a memorial honors the nine men who died on Oct. 23, 1983, when a Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, was bombed.

Dedicated in 2020, the edifice on Providence's downtown waterfront incorporates the Marines' faces. Etched into glass, they are illuminated by both sunlight and electric light.

Who are the Rhode Island Nine? The stories behind the Marines killed in Beirut in 1983

In 1983, they were Marines stationed in Lebanon but had ties all the way back to Rhode Island

It was springtime 1983 in Beirut, Lebanon, just barely a month after the bombing of the U.S. Embassy.

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A young U.S. Marine corporal from Providence paid a visit to an even younger U.S. Marine private from Woonsocket.

Cpl. Timothy Giblin didn't know it, but many people in his home state would come to remember him as one of the "Rhode Island Nine."

Private First Class Michael Harris was just tickled that a corporal had arrived to talk to him: corporals and sergeants didn't usually talk to lowly privates in his experience.

Some of the other guys around him were paying attention. He noticed.

Giblin didn't need to ask Harris where he was from.

He simply announced that he and Harris were both Rhode Islanders and he encouraged the Woonsocket High School alum to reach out if he should need anything.

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"It put me at ease," Harris recalls.

Both Harris and Giblin lived in a building near the airport that served as the headquarters of the entire 1st Battalion, 8th Marines Regiment Battalion Landing Team.

Giblin's administrative role had made him privy to the Social Security numbers of other U.S. Marines, which allowed him to know who was from Rhode Island.

His own brother, Donald Giblin, was one of those other Rhode Islanders, too.

Giblin's brother did not share the same barracks building.

But Marines in Beirut knew about the two Giblin siblings. They called them the "Beirut Brothers."

Nine men from the same New England state

At the time, Timothy Giblin and eight other Marines shared a particular destiny. He and the others, Rick R. Crudale, Edward S. Iacovino Jr., Thomas A. Julian, David C. Massa, Thomas A. Shipp, James F. Silvia, Edward Soares Jr., and Stephen E. Spencer, were in the final months of their lives.

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In the future, they would be remembered in their home state as the "Rhode Island Nine." The nine Rhode Islanders killed in the bombing of the Marine barracks on Oct. 23, 1983.

'They came in peace'

The overall mission of U.S. Marines in Lebanon commenced in August 1982 in the middle of a civil war. Competing factions had begun to rip the Middle Eastern country apart.

Initially, the Marines arrived at the request of Lebanon's government to assist French and Italian troops who were supervising an evacuation of the Palestinian Liberation Organization.

Over 18 months, various Marine groupings would serve as "peacekeepers."

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The nine Rhode Islanders' battalion was part of the 24th Marine Amphibious Unit, which landed in late May 1983.

The construction of the battalion's chosen headquarters, with steel and reinforced concrete, offered protection that was regarded as valuable.

Sectarian warfare and the formation of Hezbollah

In the months ahead, conditions deteriorated.

In July, mortar shells were launched by Druze fighters within the Marines' perimeter at the airport, according to a history written for the Marines and filed in 1987.

Some Marines came under short bursts of gunfire as they jogged. Later, the gunmen were identified as aligned with Amal  a Shiite Muslim paramilitary organization.

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For some Shiites, Amal wasn't sufficiently radical.

Around this same time, two former Amal members were playing a key role in the formation of another Shiite group, Hezbollah.

One of these men was Hassan Nasrallah who would take leadership of the group in 1992 and hold it for almost three decades until his death in September 2024 in an Israeli airstrike.

Hezbollah operated in "relative secrecy" in 1983, according to reporting in The New York Times.

Instead, a precursor to Hezbollah, the Islamic Jihad Organization, had claimed credit for the U.S. Embassy bombing.

Down the road, the planners of that bombing would report to Nasrallah. And the U.S. State Department would accuse Hezbollah of involvement in multiple bombings. Hezbollah would also kidnap Americans and Europeans in Lebanon, according to Times reporting.

This diagram from the Long Commission was published in a 210-page report filed with the U.S. Marine Corps' History and Museum Division in 1987.

A hellishly long day in Beirut, Lebanon

Harris shared a room with eight other U.S. Marines at the airport.

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He was in the barracks on Oct. 23, 1983, as a heavy-duty Mercedes flat-bed truck laden with explosives rolled toward guard posts at the south end of the compound.

Marine sentries, operating under the peacetime rules, carried unloaded weapons, according to a post in the Marine Corps Times. By the time one of them had loaded his M16, the truck was closing on the barracks, the post says.

The truck crashed through the barracks entrance and into a lobby and blew up about two seconds later, says the post.

The blast was so powerful that it lifted the building off its foundation, severing the structure's concrete and steel support columns and collapsing the structure.

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The blast blew Harris through a window. He can remember falling through the air before he lost consciousness.

He also remembers regaining consciousness in the chaos that followed.

One side of his body was bloodied badly. He had severe deep lacerations. His face was gashed.

He was covered in dust and blood.

But none of his bones were broken.

What followed was what Harris describes as the "longest day of my life."

He was carried to an initial triage area, where he would lay on a stretcher for hours.

At one point that day, a chaplain administered last rights to injured Marines in his midst. Harris remembers being driven to an airport hangar.

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"That's where I noticed how many KIAs there were," he says.

"It was a lot just to take in," he says.

Six of the eight Marines he bunked with were fatally injured by the blast.

Two hundred twenty Marines died, including nine from Rhode Island.

A wedding in 1983 had made two of those Marines brothers the day before they shipped out to Lebanon. In other words, a Rhode Island woman had lost both her husband and her brother.

The story of Timothy Giblin's return to Rhode Island, accompanied by his surviving brother, drew national attention.

Giblin left a widow, Valerie; a daughter, Tiffany; and numerous siblings.

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One of his brothers, William Giblin, would name his son after the fallen Marine.

He would drive an F-150 with an "RI 9" license plate. He would join Valerie at many memorial ceremonies. He would yearn for the public to know more about the sacrifice of all nine Marines.

William Giblin picture behind the glass engraving of his brother Tim Giblin, USMC killed by a suicide bomber in Beirut in 1983. Tim Giblin is one of the Marines memorialized in the Rhode Island Nine memorial along the Providence River. William Giblin says he goes to this memorial regularly.

Together, William Giblin, Valerie Giblin and Michael Harris, with help from others, including Charles Masterson, also a Marine veteran, would lobby for the creation of a tribute to the Rhode Island Nine.

Dedicated in 2020, the edifice is on Providence's downtown waterfront and incorporates the Marines' faces. Etched into glass they are illuminated by both sunlight and electric light.

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The Giblins find it uplifting to see people looking at the faces, reading the memorial's plaques and absorbing the different stories.

From ruins in Beirut to a police career in Providence

"It's great that people are reading about it and they're talking about it," says Harris, 59, of Cranston.

His ability to talk about what happened to him demonstrates decades of work and personal progress.

He became a Providence police officer and retired as a sergeant.

"It's important that people know about the Rhode Island Nine, know about Beirut, Lebanon, 1983," says Harris.

The story that Harris prefers to tell isn't about his last day in Lebanon. It's about his visit from Giblin.

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"Tim Giblin never forgot where he came from," Harris says.

To learn more about the Rhode Island Nine, click here.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: 43 years ago: The Rhode Island Nine, Marines who died in a car bombing
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY)  The U.S. is now in the midst of the second-longest government shutdown in the countrys history.

Study: Virginia among states most affected by government shutdown

Three weeks into the shutdown, the Senate has voted 11 times on funding measures which would reopen the government. However, they have failed to pass each time.

Now, assistance programs are facing delays as the end of the month approaches. According to Newport News Human Services, the USDA has notified Virginia that November SNAP benefits cannot be issued due to a nationwide pause.

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Will SNAP benefits be paid in November?

We havent got a budget passed right now, said Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Dist. 2). Were operating under a continuing resolution from last year. I need the federal government open, if we care about these programs and we care about people actually being able to use these programs. Thats how we restore funding to all government programs, to all benefits, to all veteran benefits. We know that theres starting to be an impact from help lines not being answered to offices being closed or partially staffed. Im starting to hear that more and more from my constituents.

Additionally, lawmakers are looking for solutions to ensure that military personnel continue to be paid as the shutdown continues. This comes after President Trump authorized the use of congressional funds for military personnel paychecks in the first half of October.

Trump directs the Pentagon to use all available funds to ensure troops are paid despite shutdown

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We are thankful that President Trump, the administration, was able to find a way to pay them on the 15th, Kiggans said. But we have another pay period right around the corner on the first, so I want to make sure that they know theyll get paid on that date, too, because so many of them live paycheck to paycheck and we would have those funding discussions. Were happy to have any discussion on any other issue, but we have to open the government. We have to get back to regular order in Congress.

Kiggans said she wants to make sure federal workers in Hampton Roads are paid what theyre owed and called on the Senate to pass the continuing resolution that would do so.

I have a lot of federal workers here as well, Kiggans said. I have Etsy workers. I have federal shipyard workers, federal law enforcement, federal fire department. We have a lot of federal workers here, people that work closely with the military. I want to make sure those people get a paycheck in. The most sure way to do that is to pass that continuing resolution in the Senate. The Senate Democrats need to open the government.

Several Senate Democrats have crossed over to support the house bill that would re-open the government. Five more would need to cross over to reach the 60 votes needed to then send the bill to President Trump to sign.

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GRAND RAPIDS. Mich. (WOOD)  Thursday marks day 23 of the federal government shutdown, as the U.S. Senate cannot come up with 60 votes to end the filibuster and debate a continuing resolution passed by the House of Representatives.

Democrats say they want more money for health care and other services, while Republican insist that the resolution in question keeps spending at current levels and buys time to continue trying to find a solution before Affordable Care Act rates are set to increase at the end of the year as subsidies expire.

Democrats block bill to pay military, essential workers during shutdown

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U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Tipton, the continuing resolution would only fund spending for seven weeks. He predicts the House may have to pass another one because three weeks have already elapsed. He guessed that could happen in the next week or so.

We may have to go in and vote for another (continuing resolution) to extend it into December, for instance, and give the Senate a chance again to vote for the longer term (continuing resolution), which is still short term, he said. But we have to get this done for the people. We cant continue a shutdown like this. And again, this is the first time in history that a shutdown has ever taken place over a clean continuing resolution and thats the absurdity of it all.

Transportation Secretary cant guarantee on-time flights during shutdown

News 8s sister outlet The Hill reports Senate Democrats on Thursday blocked a separate bill that would have paid federal workers, military and other essential employees during the shutdown.

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Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York blasted the bill, which was written by Republicans, as a ruse that would give the White House budget director broad authority to pick and choose which federal departments and agencies to reopen and which to keep closed. The Wisconsin Republican who authored the bill accused Democrats of mischaracterizing it, asserting that federal law states clearly what federal employees are essential during a shutdown.

The Hill contributed to this report.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
(The Center Square) - Empowerment Scholarship Account, Arizona's school choice program, is projected to have over 100,000 students during fiscal year 2026, according to a new report.

The Common Sense Institute released a report earlier in October showing the estimated number of students who will use ESA. Under the program, the money that would pay for a student's education in a neighborhood school follows the student to another school chosen by the parents. That includes home schooling, according to the Arizona Department of Education.

As of Sept. 15, Arizonas ESA enrollment has 92,362, but the CSI report said the enrollment will increase to 102,800 this fiscal year. The program has grown since 2022, when CSI estimated 12,049 students were a part of the program.

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This represents a 753% increase in student participation in the program.

Glenn Farley, the CSI director of policy and research, told The Center Square the people who use the ESA program the most are those living in middle-income zip codes, which the CSI report described as a family making between $75,000 and $150,000.

The CSI report said almost 57% of people using the ESA program come from a middle-income zip code.

He said not many people who live in low-income and high-income zip codes are using the ESA program.

For students from low-income families, Farley said, Arizona offers a tax credit called the Certified School Tuition Organization that allows them to attend private schools of their choice.

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Farley said students from high-income families may qualify for the traditional STO scholarships and generate a larger award under the STO program than they could under an ESA.

Students from middle-income families are not served as well by the STO program as other groups, which forces them into the ESA program, the policy director said.

Even as Arizonas ESA program continues to expand in enrollment, it can continue to grow, as there is no cap on the number of students who can join it, he noted.

Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne told The Center Square that students go into the ESA program when their parents decide that the local public school is not meeting their childs academic needs.

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Hopefully, the competition provided by ESA will cause the personnel in schools that may be losing some students, to further improve their programs and their support for academic achievement, he said in a statement.

In fiscal year 2026, Arizona is projected to spend over $1 billion on its ESA program, according to the CSI report.

Farley said the cost of this program could grow in the future as students switch between charter schools, public schools and the ESA program. However, he said if the ESA enrollment increased, it would result in a decrease in either public school or charter school enrollment.

The demand for charter schools, private schools or home schooling has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.

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The CSI report noted Arizona public school enrollment has dropped by 50,000 students since the pandemic, noting the state will spend over $7 billion on public schools and more than $2 billion on charter schools this fiscal year.

An increase in ESA enrollment has led to Arizona saving an estimated $750 million, according to the report.

 When we see ESA enrollment grow, that increases state costs. But when we see district enrollment decline, that decreases state costs by a similar amount, Farley explained.

He added that the $750 million is an estimate of the states savings from the declining public school enrollment since the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Arizona spends approximately $14,000 to $15,000 per year on educating a public school student, while educating a student at a charter school or through the ESA program costs around $9,000 and $8,000 per year, respectively, Farley said.

The CSI report estimated Arizona needs to increase its education budget by $36 million to adequately pay for its education programs.

Farley said Arizonas public school enrollment will go down, but the states charter school enrollment will increase.

The decline in public school enrollment and the increase in charter school enrollment are going to offset savings for the state, Farley said.

This means that there wont be money left over in Arizonas budget to backfill the ESA program as it is likely to be larger than expected, the policy director noted.
This article was originally published in States Newsroom.

WASHINGTON  The U.S. Education Department is looking to move the $15 billion Individuals with Disabilities Education Act program outside of the agency, the Washington Post reported Tuesday.

In a statement to States Newsroom, department spokesperson Madi Biedermann did not explicitly confirm the report, but said the department is generally looking for ways to move its operations to other agencies. President Donald Trump has pledged to eliminate the Education Department.

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The agency is exploring additional partnerships with federal agencies to support special education programs without any interruption or impact on students with disabilities, but no agreement has been signed, Biedermann wrote.

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Biedermann said Education Secretary Linda McMahon has been very clear that her goal is to put herself out of a job by shutting down the Department of Education and returning education to the states and that McMahon is fully committed to protecting the federal funding streams that support our nations students with disabilities.

Trumps administration moved to lay off 465 department employees, including 121 at the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, earlier this month amid the ongoing government shutdown.

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the administration from carrying out the layoffs, but the ruling provides only short-term relief as legal proceedings unfold.

The departments many responsibilities include guaranteeing a free public education for students with disabilities through IDEA.

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Trump has already suggested rehousing special education services under the Department of Health and Human Services.

HHS secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said on social media in March that the agency is fully prepared to take on that responsibility.

Fully transferring responsibility for IDEA would require an act of Congress  a significant undertaking given that at least 60 votes are needed to break a Senate filibuster and Republicans hold just 53 seats.

This story was first published Oct. 21, 2025 by States Newsroom.
(The Center Square)  As Colorados prison population has declined over the past few years, the state has seen an increase in violent crime.

This is according to a report released this week by the Common Sense Institute of Colorado, titled The Reform Paradox. The report stated that criminal justice reforms have swung too far in one direction.

As a part of the effort to lower its prison population, the report found that both incarceration rates and arrests have declined sharply over the past decade or so. As has the states rate of recidivism, which is when a convicted criminal reoffends.

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Yet this does not necessarily mean crime is decreasing. Instead, the report found a prioritization by lawmakers on leniency has largely led to decreases in recidivism, arrests and prison population.

Over the past two decades, Colorado has pursued a steady course of criminal justice reform aimed at reducing the footprint of the states correctional system, the report said. Lawmakers have prioritized leniency: lower sentences for drug offenses, expanded parole and probation opportunities, and restrictions on law enforcement discretion.

That tension between enforcement and leniency is reflected in the states crime trends over the past decade.

From 2014 to 2024, the arrest count declined by nearly 30%. Similarly, Colorados recidivism rate fell by 40% between 2008 and 2019, the report found. That is the third-highest decline of any state in the nation.

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In 2008, Colorado had the country's fifth highest recidivism rate, said DJ Summers, the institutes director of communications and research operations, at a press conference regarding the report on Tuesday.

Now the state's recidivism has dropped to a more average rate. The decline in arrests have played a significant role in that.

The report found that, from 2016 to 2024, the total number of inmates in Colorado prisons and jails decreased 12%. That decrease was largely due to a significant drop in the prison population in 2020, when many inmates were released early due to concerns about public health amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2020, the prison population has been slowly increasing once again, though still down from the 2010s.

While many of those stats are down over the past few decades, its not necessarily good news, according to the report.

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It found that from 2014 to 2024, the states violent crime rate increased by more than 55%. Looking closer from December 2019 to December 2021, the number of inmates in Colorado prisons fell by more than 20%, while the violent crime rate rose by nearly 25%.

Arrest counts and violent crime have been shifting at inversely proportional rates, meaning that as arrests decrease, violent crime increases, the report said.

Summers said Common Sense Institute ran an analysis, which showed there is a strong correlation between a decrease in arrests and the prison population and an increase in crime.

On top of that, even with the decline in the recidivism rate, 31% of inmates released by the Colorado Department of Corrections still return to prison within three years.

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The report argued it is time to re-focus priorities away from leniency toward deterrence, accountability and public safety.

The states challenge is no longer to reduce its correctional footprint  it is to restore accountability and deterrence without abandoning compassion, the report stated. Colorado must find a middle ground between punitive excess and permissive neglect.
Youve probably heard of a straw man, a fallacy in which you misrepresent an opponents argument so its easier to refute. Put up a false impression of what theyre saying, and then knock em down. We all do it.

But what we all probably dont do is create a full-blown AI-generated deepfake of our opponent and then sincerely try to argue with it for nearly an hour. And we probably arent running for public office, either.

Credit where credits due, though. John Reid, a Republican candidate in the Virginia lieutenant governor race, went ahead and did just that, seemingly not stopping to ask questions like, will this make me look insane? or does this count as spreading misinformation?  because he is, you must understand, on the cutting edge of the AI straw man.

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Reid streamed the 40 minute long stunt on his YouTube channel, and its every bit as absurd as youd expect.

After boring us with nearly two minutes of text explaining that Reids Democratic opponent, state senator Ghazala F. Hashmi, repeatedly turned down his requests for a debate, thus forcing Reid to pursue the best-possible alternative of using AI to replicate Hashmi, an AI debate moderator pops up on the screen in the form of a still image, and introduces them both in a bland voice.

Both candidates give opening statements, with the AI Hashmi going first so Reid can get in a few easy dunks.

At long last, a wideshot reveals Reid dutifully standing at a podium and gazing at the podium across from him, where his opponent  a TV screen playing the AI Hashmis responses  sits equally resolute.

This is, without hyperbole, the best thing that's ever happened. https://t.co/hCaUy4wYvy pic.twitter.com/aZfz1dAFhH  David Weigel (@daveweigel) October 22, 2025

What does this say about the state of American politics? Our analysis: that things are very strange indeed.

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Its not any worse than having an AI Trump piloting a plane and dumping on the public, Virginia political strategist Bob Holsworth told the Washington Post.

Holsworth is of course referring to the bizarre AI generated video president Donald Trump posted over the weekend that depicted him as a crown-wearing fighter pilot strafing peaceful protestors with barrages of diarrhea.

The Trump administration has embraced using AI imagery to mock its political opponents and spread propaganda in clips that look like scam mobile game ads. These examples are often so absurd that it can be hard to take them seriously, but they raise uncomfortable questions about the techs intrusion into the political sphere. While Reid was debating his AI straw man, an AI-deepfake of Irish presidential candidate Catherine Connolly circulated on social media showing her announcing her withdrawal from the race. The real Connolly called the deepfake a disgraceful attempt to mislead voters and undermine our democracy, per the BBC.

This is where we are right now, like it or not, Holsworth told WaPo. Unless there are norms and rules that emerge in terms of the use of AI, youre likely to see it used in much more sophisticated ways in 2026. So, welcome to the future.

More on AI: Zuckerberg Firing Hundreds of AI Developers After Hiring Spree
By Gram Slattery

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A political donor with business interests in the country of Georgia has privately lobbied lawmakers in recent weeks against legislation that would pressure that nation's anti-Western ruling party, angering a high-ranking congressional Republican and aggravating a growing fight on Capitol Hill over policy toward the major Russian trading partner.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers has been struggling to pass legislation to punish the increasingly authoritarian, Moscow-leaning government in Tbilisi, even as U.S. President Donald Trump has shown a growing willingness to pressure the Kremlin over its war in Ukraine, slapping major Russian oil companies with sweeping sanctions on Wednesday.

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Among the efforts to hit Tbilisi is a measure sponsored by Republican Representative Joe Wilson that would largely prohibit the U.S. government from recognizing the Georgian government, which is headed by populist conservative party Georgian Dream.

Texas-based oil executive and Republican donor Steve Nicandros, however, sent a letter dated Sept. 30 to some Republican members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee thanking them for opposing that measure.

His letter, which was seen by Reuters, also encouraged lawmakers to take further steps to oppose final passage of the measure, which is awaiting a floor vote after clearing the committee.

Wilson, who sponsored the bill and is co-chair of a commission involved with policies on the Caucasus region, said he was concerned by Nicandros' efforts to thwart the bill.

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Nicandros did not respond to emailed requests for comment.

In his letter, Nicandros, the chief executive of energy firm TXN Energy, argued that Georgian Dream was democratically elected, and that such a measure could push Georgia further into Russia's orbit and harm U.S. business interests, including his own. TXN Energy has operated in Georgia since 1997, the letter said.

"For companies like ours that employ people and invest in Georgia, stable bilateral relations are critical," the letter read.

Nicandros' lobbying effort and Wilson's objection represent the latest episode in a long-running saga on Capitol Hill. High-ranking lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have harshly criticized the government in Tbilisi for deploying increasingly authoritarian tactics and serving as an economic lifeline to Moscow.

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Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Georgian trade with Russia has expanded significantly, with the nation serving as a crucial conduit for Russian exports. U.S. legislators have broadly accused the Georgian Dream party of distancing Georgia from the West in favor of Moscow, Tehran and Beijing.

But attempts to pass legislation to put pressure on Georgian Dream have struggled to advance, and frustrations among Georgia watchers are boiling over. A separate piece of legislation that would sanction Georgian Dream has stalled in the Senate after passing in the House of Representatives in May by a 349-42 vote margin.

Representative Steve Cohen, a Democrat, lamented that bill's lack of progress despite extremely broad support on both sides of the aisle at a public hearing in September.

"It's amazing that it's happened, and why it's happened, I do not understand it," he said of that bill's fate.

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PUSHING FOR MAXIMUM PRESSURE ON RUSSIA

The Wilson measure's path to final passage is itself tenuous given that there is no companion in the Senate. Nicandros' letter was provided to Reuters by a senior Republican aide who was concerned Nicandros was further diminishing the prospects of the legislation.

While some lawmakers have pushed for maximum pressure on Russia and its trading partners in a bid to force President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table with Ukraine, others have favored a conciliatory line toward Moscow and its putative allies. Trump has himself veered between both positions.

Wilson said he would also pursue the matter as co-chair of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, an agency that frequently deals with foreign policy matters in the Caucasus.

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"As Co-Chairman of the Helsinki Commission, a body with subpoena power, I will endeavor to learn more about the operations of this individual," Wilson wrote in an email.

The Georgian ambassador in Washington, Tamar Taliashvili, wrote in a statement that while Nicandros is a "trailblazer," her government has no lobbying affiliations in the U.S.

Nicandros has donated over $200,000 to Republican lawmakers and affiliated political action committees and Hill committees, according to Open Secrets, a website that tracks campaign finance data. Reuters could not determine if those donations have had any bearing on lawmakers' votes.

Taliashvili, the Georgian ambassador, wrote in her email that bilateral relations deteriorated under former U.S. President Joe Biden, but had a chance to improve under Trump.

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"Concerning Mr. Steven Nicandros - he is an American businessman, widely recognized as one of the earliest trailblazers to introduce well-established U.S. enterprise to the South Caucasian region in the wake of Georgia's independence from the Soviet Union."

(Reporting by Gram Slattery; Editing by Don Durfee, Deepa Babington and Edmund Klamann)
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)  As lawmakers left town on Thursday for potentially the rest of 2025, the Republican-led Senate rejected four bills passed over from the House this week.

The Senate Rules Chairman, Senator Bill Rabon, says the bills are ineligible for any consideration right now under the adjournment resolution both chambers agreed to weeks ago. That resolution serves as an agreement between chambers on what topics can be addressed while not in formal session.

The bills cover a range of topics, including pulling Medicaid funds from Planned Parenthood, pay for teachers and state employees, and Medicaid eligibility.

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Senator Rabon said the move by the House was unprecedented.

Sen. Bill Rabon, R-Brunswick, speaks during a floor debate at the Legislative Building in Raleigh, N.C., on Thursday, June 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Makiya Seminera)

This stunt by the House is something we have never seen before  manipulating rules the House and Senate previously agreed to, instead of simply taking up eligible bills already passed by the Senate that would address the Medicaid rebase, defunding Planned Parenthood, and providing pay increases for law enforcement, Senator Rabon said in a statement. Such gamesmanship is not a serious effort to solve the issues facing our state and should be viewed as such.

The Democratic leader in the Senate, Senator Sydney Batch, said the Senate is playing political gamesmanship.

In a release, Senator Batch said Senate Republicans had no problem trampling all over the North Carolina Constitution, as they worked this week to pass a redrawn Congressional map. She went on to say: But when it comes to helping sick children, teachers, first responders, and working families  suddenly theyre sticklers for rules and procedure, said Senate Democratic Leader Sydney Batch. We all know this isnt about the rules. This is about Republicans once again choosing politics over people.

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During the House session on Wednesday, some Democratic Representatives objected to discussing the bills, even arguing that they were ineligible under the adjournment resolution.

In a press release about the rejected bills, Republicans said the House couldve avoided this conflict by either amending the adjournment resolution with the Senate or by concurring on Senate-drafted bills that addressed these topics.

When asked why the House didnt do that on Wednesday, House Speaker Destin Hall said the House likes their own bills better.

Speaker of the House Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, right, talks with Rep. Pricey Harrison, D-Guilford, left, before the session begins on a redistricting bill at the Legislative Building, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)

Hall said the bills they moved to the Senate were similar to bills the Senate had passed but had changes, including higher raises for law enforcement.

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Essentially, its trying to negotiate with the Senate that way, Speaker Hall said. Well try anything we can to try and get a negotiation done.

Democrats say the lack of agreement on the bills, and a state budget in general, is because of Republican infighting and dysfunction.

Republican leaders in Raleigh are reaching new depths of dysfunction, now even refusing to accept legislation passed from one chamber to the other, House Democratic Leader Robert Reives said in a statement. They are failing to meet the moment and North Carolinians are suffering because of it. There are very real consequences being felt across the state due to this bodys inaction. The political gamesmanship needs to end.

House Minority Leader Robert Reives, D-Chatham, left, confers with Rep. John Bell, R-Wayne, before debate on a redistricting bill at the Legislative Building, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)

On Wednesday, both the House and the Senate said they dont anticipate votes for the rest of 2025, despite not having a final state budget. Democrats say Republicans are also to blame for that since they lead both chambers.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com.
Nucor's steel mill in Meade County manufactures plates that go into the foundations of wind energy towers and other infrastructure and equipment. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Liam Niemeyer)

A Kentucky Republican plans to refile a bill next year to encourage the use of metals manufactured in the U.S. in state and local government construction projects.

Rep. Patrick Flannery, R-Olive Hill, presented the Kentucky Buy American Act to the legislatures Interim Joint Committee on Economic Development and Workforce Investment Thursday morning, flanked by metal industry leaders and workers who support the legislation.

Rep. Patrick Flannery, R-Olive Hill. (LRC Public Information photo)

Flannery carried the bill in the legislature earlier this year, but it didnt move out of a House committee. Rep. John Blanton, R-Salyersville, filed a similar bill during the 2024 legislative session, while the late Louisville Democratic Rep. Charles Miller first introduced the legislation in 2022.

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Really, what I want to do is make sure we can get something across the finish line that makes these products in America again, so we can use these and get people back to work, Flannery told the committee Thursday.

The 2025 version of the bill would have mandated contracts for construction or maintenance of public buildings or public works projects, like roads, sewers and streets, include provisions that any of the iron, steel, aluminum or any of the other manufactured goods used as a primary component be manufactured in the U.S.

This years version also allowed governments to waive the Buy American requirement if it would increase the projects cost by 10% or more. A local impact statement prepared by the Legislative Research Commission predicted the legislation would have a moderate to significant financial impact on local governments by driving up construction costs in possible several ways. No fiscal note is attached to the bill on the legislatures site.

At the federal level, former President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump have supported buying American policies.

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Chad Conley, a rapid response coordinator for United Steelworkers District 8, told the committee that the bill is an opportunity to revitalize American manufacturing by ensuring that public works projects in Kentucky utilize metals made in the U.S. At present, state agencies typically award contracts to the lowest bidder, allowing foreign producers to undercut U.S. prices and win awards, he said.

State preference laws like this one can change that practice to require governments to accept a bid that might be marginally higher than the lowest bid with the knowledge that money spent will be circulated back into the American economy, Conley added.

Mike Buckentin, CEO of Bowling Green-based nonprofit Metals Innovation Initiative, told the committee that recent investments have been made in the metals industry, particularly in Kentucky. In 2023, Nucor Steel opened a steel mill in Brandenburg, adding jobs to the Meade County community.

Kentucky is doing great, not just in manufacturing overall, but specifically in metals, Buckentin said. We continue to grow, we continue to invest and were one of the leaders in the nation right now in metals and in manufacturing.

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Some members of the committee expressed support for the proposal. Rep. Al Gentry, D-Louisville, said that lawmakers must be careful how we construct this.

Ive always said that one of the most important things in the jobs we do as legislators is we have to create an environment where businesses want to invest in the state and can operate and at the same time create good quality jobs, because putting people to work with good quality jobs is really one of the most important things we can do, Gentry said.

At the end of the discussion, co-chair of the committee, Sen. Phillip Wheeler, R-Pikeville, called the proposal a great concept.

For at least the last 30 or 40 years, some of the uniparty people in Washington have really caused some damage to our national security and the United States by shipping a lot of these industries overseas, Wheeler said. We need to work on getting them back here in the United States.

Flannery told his colleagues that he is open to making changes to the legislation before the 2026 legislative session. The Kentucky General Assembly reconvenes in January.
WASHINGTON  President Donald Trumps demolition of the entire East Wing of the White House to build a massive, $300 million ballroom paid for by billionaires and top businesses is drawing plenty of criticism from Democrats on Capitol Hill, but Republicans are largely sticking by him.

I didnt hear a whole lot of concern about our history when my colleagues were applauding all of those rioters tearing down statues and rewriting our history books, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) told HuffPost, referring to Democrats push to remove Confederate statues and images across the country. So I think the concern about the facade of the East Wing is maybe a little rich.

Politics: Donald Trump Ripped For Snide Comment To Foreign Reporter He Didnt Understand

Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) blamed Democrats for blocking government funding while complaining about improving the White House.

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They dont even like the White House, Barrasso said in a speech Thursday. They dont like that [Trumps] in the White House. They dont like the fact that hes improving the White House. They dont like the fact that hes going to continue being in the White House.

Demolition of the East Wing was completed Thursday after just four days of work. Unlike past renovations, the public was not invited to comment on the major changes to the Peoples House. The White House also didnt submit plans to the federal agency that oversees the construction of federal buildings.

Trump originally said he wouldnt touch the East Wing when he announced his renovation plans in July. On Wednesday, he announced he had changed his mind  after most of the historic building that long housed the first ladys office and staff had been knocked down.

Politics: Democrats Launch Investigation Into Trumps Theft Of $230 Million In Taxpayer Money

We determined that, after really a tremendous amount of study with some of the best architects in the world, we determined that really knocking it down, trying to use a little section  you know, the East Wing, was not much, he said in remarks in the Oval Office.

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Most Republicans shrugged at the demolition, saying Trump had the authority

I suspect any modification of the White House throughout history has been received this exact same way, and history will judge this differently than we do in todays eyes, Sen. John Curtis (R-Utah) told HuffPost. To Jacqueline Kennedys remodeling, I suspect you could have the same [reaction]. He is the occupant of the White House and gets some discretion about what he does there.

I think they can operate pretty independently at the current residence, added Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.).

Politics: 'One Of The Grossest Things I've Seen': Marjorie Taylor Greene's Trump Hits Keep Coming

A few Republicans have spoken out about the project. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) suggested it was bad timing to carry on building a grand ballroom at the White House in the midst of a government shutdown. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) agreed.

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Its kind of shocking to so many that are looking at it happen, Murkowski told HuffPost. What Ive been reminding people is that taxpayer dollars are not going towards it, but I think people feel very possessive about it  its the Peoples House. And I think there was hope that there was more input.

The role that we have is very, very limited if you dont have appropriations involved, she added of Congress.

The White House has said that Trump has no plans for additional changes to the complex.

Politics: Surprised Trump Is Destroying History? He Did The Same Thing Building Trump Tower.

At this moment in time, the ballroom is really the presidents main priority, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said at a press conference Thursday.

Political Updates

Read the original on HuffPost
Republican Senators are unhappy about Donald Trumps policy proposal to import beef from Argentina. But they are not quite ready to grill him on it yet.

Trump took a swipe at cattle ranchers on Wednesday on Truth Social, as many Republicans have expressed concerns about the White Houses proposal to import beef from the South American country.

"The Cattle Ranchers, who I love, dont understand that the only reason they are doing so well, for the first time in decades, is because I put Tariffs on cattle coming into the United States, including a 50% Tariff on Brazil," he said. "If it werent for me, they would be doing just as theyve done for the past 20 years  Terrible! It would be nice if they would understand that, but they also have to get their prices down, because the consumer is a very big factor in my thinking, also!"

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) was reluctant to criticize President Donald Trumps policy importing Argentine beef. (REUTERS)

Trump's proposal on Argentina comes as the administration has put in place a $20 billion bailout for the beleaguered country run by his ally, President Javier Milei.

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The move rankled farmers and ranchers, including in many states that voted for Trump. The National Cattlemens Beef Association criticized the efforts by Trump.

Efforts to manipulate markets only risk damaging the livelihoods of American cattlemen and women, while doing little to impact the price consumers are paying at the grocery store, the NCBA said in a statement.

According to the NCBA, Texas, Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma, all of which voted for Trump by large margins in 2024, produce the most cattle.

But Cruz, who famously ran against Trump in 2016 when Trump posted an image calling Cruzs wife ugly, deferred when asked about Trumps policies toward cattle ranchers.

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I love Texas ranchers, Texas is the national powerhouse when it comes to cattle ranching, and I'm confident Texas will continue to lead the way, Cruz, the chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, told The Independent. When asked about Trump, he said, "He can speak for himself."

Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) also stopped short of criticizing Trump.

President Donald Trump has in recent years cozied up to Argentine President Javier Milei. (AP)

I think that they realize that this is a very, very small amount of beef that would come in from Argentina, and they're probably more concerned about how much of the profit the packers are taking on this, he told The Independent.

Marshall said that cattle ranchers are worried about who is making money on beef when they make so little and screwworm in beef coming from Mexico, which limits the supply of beef in the United States.

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And because of that drop of imports from Mexico, we don't have enough hamburgers in this country as well, Marshall said. So I think they understand that this is just a small blip on the screen.

But Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) said in a statement on X that she had contacted the administration about its policy on beef.

Bottom line: if the goal is addressing beef prices at the grocery store, this isnt the way, she said. Right now, government intervention in the beef market will hurt our cattle ranchers. The U.S. has safe, reliable beef, and it is the one bright spot in our struggling ag economy. Nebraskas ranchers cannot afford to have the rug pulled out from under them when theyre just getting ahead or simply breaking even.

Republican senators face a major conundrum, considering that many cattle ranchers and rural states ardently support Trump, but their livelihoods are endangered.

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Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass), for her part, criticized Trumps beef policy.

Warren, the top Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee, has long spoken out against the bailout for Argentina.

President Trump dumps on American farmers to help Argentina, and now he plans to dump on American ranchers, she told The Independent. What happened to America First? It appears to be 'Argentina First' over at the White House.

Milei and Trump have become incredibly close in recent years. Mileis libertarian style of slashing government services served as an inspiration from Trumps Department of Government Efficiency.

But Argentina continues to face major economic headwinds and the country will hold legislative elections this Sunday.
A view of medical marijuana products at a New York medical marijuana cultivation facility. Wisconsin Assembly Republicans have proposed a bill to legalize medical cannabis in the state under strict conditions. (Drew Angerer | Getty Images)

Illness does not discriminate, said Sen. Patrick Testin (R-Stevens Point) during a hearing of the Senate Committee on Health on Wednesday. It affects people from all walks of life. There is no doubt that each and every one of us knows someone that has suffered through an illness and struggles to find ways to make it through each day.

Testin was speaking in favor of SB 534, a bill introduced by Republicans to legalize medical cannabis in Wisconsin. If passed, the bill would allow registered patients to have cannabis in a non-smokeable form such as a concentrate, oil, tincture, edible, pill, cream or vapor. The bill would also create an Office of Medical Cannabis Regulation attached to the state health department and tasked with overseeing the budding program.

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Testin shared a story about his grandfather, whom he described as his role model and as the reason I decided to take a life of public service. Back in the 1990s, Testins grandfather was diagnosed with lung cancer, which then metastasized to bone cancer.

The senator recalled watching his grandfather undergo chemotherapy. The man was a big guy, Testin said, and we watched him wither away. At that moment, over 25 years ago, my family made the very difficult decision to go outside the law to get him marijuana, Testin said. It gave him his appetite back, and it gave him time that we probably otherwise would not have had.

Sen. Patrick Testin (R-Stevens Point). (Photo by Baylor Spears/Wisconsin Examiner)

Testin said his story was not unique. Although other medications exist, he said that many come with side effects that can make living a normal life much more difficult. He noted that 40 states, including Wisconsins neighbors Michigan, Illinois and Minnesota, give patients access to medical cannabis when recommended by doctors. Texas is the most recent state to legalize medical cannabis, he noted

So both red and blue states alike have been able to come together and recognize that this is a viable option, Testin said. Medicine is never a one size fits all, and its time for Wisconsin to join the majority of the country and add another option which may help patients find relief they need.

Legislations provisions

Under the proposed bill, medical cannabis sales would be tracked through the states prescription drug monitoring program. Pharmacists would also be required to be on-site at dispensaries. The legislation would only cover certain conditions: cancer, seizures or epilepsy, glaucoma, severe chronic pain, severe muscle spasms, severe chronic nausea, Parkinsons disease, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and any terminal illness, including patients with a life expectancy of less than a year.

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Patients must be at least 18 years old. Minors could have access if there is written consent from all of their parents or guardians. Patients would be given registration cards and would be charged $20 a year to remain on the registry.

The bill also prohibits dispensaries or their staff from claiming that medical cannabis may cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Dispensaries would also be prohibited from advertising their services to the general public, with certain exceptions.

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The bill includes a provision preventing courts from considering lawful use or possession of cannabis, or being registered as a patient, when determining custody or placement of a child, except where the child has access to the cannabis. Unlawful possession or use could still be used against parents in court, however. The bill also protects people who lawfully possess cannabis against housing discrimination, and prevents local governments from regulating legal medical cannabis programs or using zoning laws to restrict the location or operation of a legal cannabis operation.

Support and opposition

Earlier this year, two-thirds of registered voters polled by Marquette Law School said that cannabis should be legalized in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Wellness Coalition has registered with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission in support of the legislation and the Wisconsin Medical Society against it, The Alzheimers Association, Outdoor Advertising Association, and Pharmacy Society have all registered their positions as other.

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People from a variety of backgrounds also spoke during the public hearing. Many supported legalizing cannabis, but had concerns about restrictions in the bill.

This should not be a partisan issue, said Testin. It is clear that we as a state need to begin having a real discussion about medical cannabis legalization, and it is our hope that this bill will be the first step. Its time for Wisconsin to provide our citizens with another option in their health care.

Sen. Mary Felzkowski (R-Tomahawk), who has proposed medical cannabis legislation for years, echoed that sentiment.

Wisconsin is on an island surrounded by neighboring states that allow the use of medical cannabis products, Felzkowski said during the Wednesday hearing. Someone who suffers from a serious health condition should not have to make the choice to travel to another state or break the law so that they can try an alternative medicine for relief.

Senate President Mary Felzkowski (R-Tomahawk) | Photo by Baylor Spears/Wisconsin Examiner

Felzkowski recounted her battles with breast cancer, first when she was 40 years old, which resulted in a double mastectomy, and then a stage 4 diagnosis a decade later. She described the side effects of opioids that doctors prescribed to control her pain as something nobody should have to live through.

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She said her oncologist called medical cannabis another tool in the toolbox, and it could help a lot of people.

Here we are sitting in our Ivory Tower, denying that for people that really need it, and its wrong that were doing that, Felzkowski said.

Legislators are divided

Lawmakers hope to get more colleagues behind the bill. Yet, despite lagging behind many other states, Wisconsins Legislature still struggles with just talking about cannabis. We are not going to be talking about overall legalization for cannabis products, said Sen. Rachael Cabral-Guevera (R-Appleton), as she chaired a meeting of the Senate Committee on Health on Wednesday. So, if youre here to testify on how this should be 100% legal, this is not the spot for you today.

The Legislature held its first public hearing on legalizing cannabis in 2022 in the Senate. Rep. Patrick Snyder (R-Weston), who also spoke during Wednesdays hearing, said in an interview with the Wisconsin Examiner that hes optimistic that the new bill will survive the Senate. My goal this time, Snyder told Wisconsin Examiner, is something we havent done yet since Ive been here and that is to have a hearing in the Assembly, where people I talk to can come down and explain their situations.

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Snyder said he hears from constituents who want the state to legalize medical cannabis. When he talks to Republicans who oppose the bill, he said, I try to tell them first of all, this is something that helps a person. This is something that is going to be focused on folks that really need it.

Snyder stressed that these are people not looking for shortcuts to get marijuana, I mean they could do that without [legalized medical cannabis]. Rather, his constituents are people who often dont want to travel so far north or south to get their medicine, or who would prefer going to a local farmer or dispensary instead.

Rep. Patrick Snyder

The bills critics include Republicans who feel medical cannabis would only lead to legalizing recreational use, which they dont want, as well as Democrats who criticize the bills restrictive framework and want Wisconsin to legalize recreational use of cannabis.

Even with the Republican bills restrictions on the form in which cannabis can be used and its system of rigorous licensing, testing and enforcement, Snyder said there are far right Republicans in the Assembly who need to be won over.

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Felzkowski said of the 24 states that allow recreational marijuana, 15 did so through ballot measures, which arent available in Wisconsin. So thats never going to happen in the state, she said.

Nine states that have legalized recreational marijuana after legalizing medical cannabis are solid blue states like Illinois, New York, and Connecticut, she said. Wisconsin is not a solid blue state.

Another 16 states have only legalized medical cannabis. Hawaii, the first state to pass a comprehensive medical cannabis program in 2000, still does not allow recreational cannabis, she said.

Fortunately, Wisconsin is able to learn from the experience of other states, said Felzkowski. We can create an effective program with safeguards, so patients and small businesses can benefit from medical cannabis products, while preventing abuse, or those without medical need from gaining access.

GOP legislation would heighten hemp regulation to curb THC

As some Republicans work to legalize medical cannabis, others are focused on regulating or implementing new prohibitions on other hemp and cannabis products in Wisconsin.

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Representatives Lindee Brill (R-Sheboygan Falls), Jim Piwowarczyk (R-Hubertus), Chuck Wichgers, (R-Muskego), Bob Donovan (R-Greenfield), and Sen. Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield), have all signed onto what Brills office called in a press release a common-sense corrective bill to close a loophole in the states hemp laws that allows dangerous, psychoactive THC-laced products to proliferate in Wisconsin.

The bill focuses on regulating or eliminating products containing delta-8 THC, delta-10 THC, HHC, and other natural or synthetic cannabinoid derivatives.

This proliferation is an active threat to public health, Brills press release stated, referring to emergency room visits, poison control calls and hospitalizations of children after ingesting delta-8 THC and other similar substances.

Both the CDC and FDA have issued warnings about the dangers of these products, which remain legal and dangerously unregulated, the press release stated.

One 2024 study analyzing national poison data systems found that between 2021 and 2022 reports of exposure to delta-8 THC increased by 79%. The study also found that poison center calls related to delta-THC were significantly lower in places where either delta-THC was banned, or where cannabis use was legal. Consistent regulation of delta-THC across all states should be adopted, the study concluded.
The biggest changes to the Amazon rainforest start from within, according to new research in Nature Sustainability. The study's investigation into community-based management underscores how taking local action is one of the most effective strategies toward creating a brighter future.

Anthropocene Magazine spoke with Carlos Peres, one of the study's authors and an ecologist at the University of East Anglia in the United Kingdom. Peres explained that local villagers are patrolling their rivers and forests to protect them from loggers and poachers.

"The conservation dividends from community-based protection are unprecedented and deployed at a tiny fraction of the financial costs of traditional protection mechanisms," Peres said. "In practice, this makes local land managers true 'unsung heroes.'"

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Illegal logging and poaching in the Amazon rainforest take a significant toll, contributing to biodiversity loss, degrading water supplies, altering rainfall patterns, and reducing its ability to regulate global temperatures through carbon sequestration. To combat this, the Brazilian government has set up reserves and relied on the help of local communities since the 1990s.

Peres and his colleagues primarily conducted their research along the Jurua River, a major tributary that supports fishing and agricultural activities. During the 2010s, the government negotiated fishing agreements with locals to safeguard economic and food security.

A growing body of research reveals that these efforts are paying off  and the latest study suggests the benefits are rippling out into other communities, per Anthropocene Magazine.

"When someone was guarding a lake, their presence also affected activity in the surrounding floodplain, both because they policed activities there and because the higher numbers of fish meant the flooded ecosystem was more intact," the publication explained.

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"The guards also cut off access for people who might want to log the surrounding forests, because waterways act as the main transportation system."

However, the researchers believe this system isn't without its faults, as it keeps locals tied up with guard duties when they could be using that time and energy to generate other income. Supporting vetted organizations dedicated to conservation can alleviate some of that burden, though the study cautions against "toothless environmental agencies."

"Recognizing the vital role local people play in protecting the Amazon rainforest and supporting local communities are essential for long-term conservation and a crucial matter of social justice," study lead Ana Carla Rodrigues of Brazil's Universidade Federal de Alagoas told Anthropocene Magazine.

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Choosing between getting rooftop solar or an electric vehicle can feel like a big decision for homeowners looking to go green. But what if the answer wasn't "either/or," but "both"?

An article in Tech Xplore explained how a new study is showing that the real magic happens when you combine them. This SolarEV City Concept could slash a neighborhood's carbon pollution by up to 90% and turn suburbs into clean energy powerhouses.

The research, conducted at Tohoku University, tackles one of our biggest challenges, as cities are responsible for more than 70% of the world's carbon dioxide pollution. The secret is to use an EV as more than just a car.

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"When parked, the batteries can serve as mobile power banks for homes through a Vehicle-to-Home system," explained lead author Takuro Kobashi. This allows families to store the clean solar power generated during the day and use it to power their homes at night.

The benefits for families are huge. The study projects that a home with this setup could lower its annual energy costs by as much as 40%. This builds on what we already know, with other analyses showing that charging an EV is already less than half the cost of filling up a gas car. Plus, the environmental savings go beyond air pollution; a separate study noted that it takes about 4 gallons of water to produce 1 gallon of gasoline, while solar uses virtually none.

This is why so many people are making the switch. A retired teacher in Arizona, for instance, turned to solar after getting fed up with his power company's unpredictable rates. Even for those who can't do a full rooftop installation, smaller plug-in balcony solar options are becoming available. For those hesitant about EVs, it's worth noting that experts have debunked common myths about issues like battery longevity.

"Our research shows a clear path forward for cities to achieve deep decarbonization in a way that is both economically and socially beneficial," said Kobashi, an associate professor at Tohoku University's Graduate School of Environmental Studies.

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Installing solar panels is the ultimate home energy hack, as it can bring your cost of electricity down to near zero. EnergySage simplifies going solar by offering a free way to compare quotes from trusted local installers that can help you save up to $10,000. Going solar also makes using other money-saving electric appliances, like heat pumps, even cheaper to run. Mitsubishi can help you find the right affordable heat pump for your home.

Ultimately, this research reframes the suburban driveway not just as a place to park a car but as a key part of a neighborhood-level power plant, driving us all toward a cleaner, more affordable future.

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Pottstown, Pennsylvania  Illeana Casiano-Vazquez and her husband Sam cherish every minute together. Six years ago, she was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, an aggressive form of the cancer that has fewer treatment options and a higher rate of recurrence.

"The first thing I thought about were my boys," Casiano-Vasquez told CBS News. "So, in the same feeling of, 'Oh my God, am I going to die?' sort of was this immediate like, 'I'm not going to die.'"

Chemotherapy and a double mastectomy eliminated signs of cancer. But naturally, she is still worried.

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"The mental struggle that comes with the fear of recurrence is real and strong," Casiano-Vazquez said.

Dr. Angela DeMichele, Casiano-Vazquez's oncologist and a professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, told CBS News that Casiano-Vazquez had a 25% chance that the breast cancer would come back within five years.

DeMichele co-leads a team at Penn conducting a clinical trial that identifies and targets breast cancer "sleeper cells," which are cells that break away from the main tumor and can resurface later to spread cancer throughout the body. They published their results last month in the scientific journal Nature Medicine.

"The way that we follow patients, we are not going to, right now, find the cancer until it's already found its way to another part of the body, and by that time it's incurable," DeMichele explains. "So our goal was to find a way to identify the cells that actually were lurking."

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There were sleeper cells in Casiano-Vazquez's bone marrow, so DeMichele gave her drugs to attack the cells.

DeMichele said that after six months of treatments, doctors were "so thrilled we could no longer see these dormant cells in her bone marrow."

There were 51 women in the Penn School of Medicine trial. After seven years, only two people saw the cancer come back, far below the expected rate, according to DeMichele.

"The next steps are to take this to larger trials to confirm this, and then to really see if this could also apply to other cancers," DeMichele said.

Casiano-Vazquez counts herself incredibly fortunate to have time with her now-teenage boys and their family rock band. She's now part of a follow-up study at Penn.

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"The only chance I have is if this clinical trial continues to work," Casiano-Vazquez said. "It's a chance that other women have, to give them hope that it won't come back."

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Four organizations have come together to better understand the litter problem in rivers in Savannah, Georgia, and to prevent trash from entering these waterways.

As Savannah Now reported, the City of Savannah, Savannah Riverkeeper, Ogeechee Riverkeeper, and Osprey Initiative are collaborating on cleanup efforts.

Their collective goal is to identify the types of litter entering the water and stop it from floating downstream. They are using floating barriers, called litter booms, to catch trash in eight locations.

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The litter booms are just temporary measures, but they offer hope of addressing problematic litter sources to provide more sustainable solutions.

For example, data collected from one litter boom revealed that trash was coming from a nearby apartment complex that didn't have adequately sized dumpsters onsite. With this knowledge, community leaders reached out to management to arrange for larger dumpsters in the complex.

This local litter boom project is complemented by the City of Savannah's Adopt-a-Drain program, which allows citizens to get involved in keeping storm drains free of litter and debris.

The annual statewide Rivers Alive 2025 cleanup event also encourages residents to use kayaks and canoes to help clean up trash. All of these community efforts are helping to make the Savannah area cleaner, healthier, and more beautiful.

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Wherever you live, you can take local action by volunteering with conservation and clean-up groups or donating money to support their missions.

These programs in Savannah are just some of the many inspiring examples of local organizations coming together to make rivers cleaner and keep waterways free of trash.

"We all have to be vigilant and help each other out," Laura Walker, the City of Savannah's environmental administrator, told Savannah Now. "If it's on the ground, it's in our water. And litter is such a negative impact on any community and an absolutely negative impact on our water and all the species that depend on our water. We're centered on cleaning up what's out there, figuring out what's creating the problem, and focused on positive engagement to make it better."

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A retired NYPD cop was arrested  but later released without being charged  for firing his gun during a clash with a group of teens near Brooklyn College, police said Thursday.

Vinicio Colon, 57, told cops he was driving past the Brooklyn College campus in Flatbush with his wife and son in the car when they saw a group of teens beating up a teenage girl on the sidewalk about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, NYPD sources said.

Colons wife and son got out of the car to intervene, with Colon eventually stepping in as the fight continued. The group of teens ran off after Colon was punched in the head.

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The family then got back in the car only to spot the teen who punched Colon a few blocks away, the sources said. Colon got out of the car and tried to stop the teen from leaving but was surrounded by the teens friends when he tried to call 911.

The former officer told investigators he was being beaten by the teens when he pulled out his firearm to defend himself and let a round go near Bedford Ave. and Campus Road. The bullet was later found lodged in the sidewalk.

The startled teens ran off and have not been caught. Responding officers found one .9-mm slug in the sidewalk and took Colon into custody, charging him with reckless endangerment.

A source with knowledge of the case said witness accounts and surveillance video recovered from the scene corroborate that several teens were attacking Colon when he fired in the air to disperse the crowd.

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The Brooklyn District Attorneys office said on Thursday they are deferring prosecution, allowing Colon to walk free without charges, as investigators look for more evidence.

Colon lives in East Flatbush. He joined the NYPD in 1994 and retired in 2017, according to city records.
RUMFORD, R.I. (WPRI)  As the government shutdown continues, fear is mounting that tens of thousands of Rhode Islanders will not receive food assistance in November.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is funded through the federal government, but administered at the state level by the R.I Department of Human Services. If the shutdown is still in effect on Monday, SNAP funding will come to a halt.

Community organizations across the state, including Feed RIs Hope Market, are preparing for an influx of people who need food for their families.

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Food insecurity is a leading cause of stress amongst folks that are our most vulnerable population. That includes kids as well, Feed RI Executive Director Johanna Corcoran told 12 News.

RELATED: Will SNAP benefits be paid in November?

Hope Market is open to people of all income levels, and they sell grocery store items at a fraction of the price five days a week.

Corcoran said the organization is looking for donations, as well as leaning on their partners to supplement their food supply.

We are reaching out to our current food donors and potentially new food donors to ask them to stand shoulder to shoulder with us so we can meet the need, she said.

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She also advised people looking for food pantries or other resources to get in touch with the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.

We are looking at a perfect storm right now between the government shutdown, the potential end in SNAP benefits, and the holidays coming up, Corcoran added.

NEXT: SNAP benefits will soon be tied to error rates. These states are in the biggest trouble

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Channel 9 has been investigating issues with retirement accounts in Richmond County.

Commissioner Jamie Gathings reported hearing from some affected county employees.

ALSO READ: Wadesboro Police Chief announces retirement, citing threats following K-9 controversy

He then sent an email to the board and county manager that said in part, Since July, retirement deductions have reportedly been taken from full-time staff paychecks, but those funds havent appeared in employees retirement accounts.

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The county manager told Channel 9 that they are moving to a new payroll system, stating this is the reason for the delay.

They also stated that all pending contributions will be drafted once the data reporting issues have been resolved, which is expected to occur soon.

VIDEO: Former Wadesboro police chief takes legal action over towns handling of his retirement
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  Kansas residents are encouraged to safely dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs on National Drug Take Back Day, Saturday, Oct. 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) said that too often, unused prescription drugs find their way into the wrong hands, which can lead to accidental overdoses and poisoning.

To find a location to drop off expired or unused prescriptions, visit the Take Back Day website to find participating locations.

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Syringes, sharps, and illicit drugs will not be collected. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should be securely sealed in their original container.

In the Wichita area, Sedgwick County said there are several drop-off locations for unused prescriptions, including the Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 801 W. Stillwell, Oaklawn Activity Center at 4904 S. Clifton, the Sedgwick County Zoo and the Bel Aire Police Department at 7651 E Central Park Ave.

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RILEY COUNTY (KSNT)  The Riley County Planning and Development Department is considering amendments to local short-term rental (STR) regulations to address community concerns and improve the management of properties operating outside city limits.

The proposed changes include:

Adding a 500-foot separation distance between STR units

Requiring STR properties to be current on all property taxes and county fees before receiving or renewing a license

Requiring that Responsible Agents to respond in person within one hour of notification of any complaint or emergency

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These amendments would only apply to unincorporated properties in Riley County that are outside any city limits. There are currently 30 of these STR units in operation, offering homes or cabins on platforms like Airbnb or VRBO.

East Park rezoning effort fails at Manhattan City Commission

Requiring a separation distance helps reduce parking and traffic problems, and defining a quick in-person response ensures that property managers can assist renters or address complaints promptly, said Riley County Planning and Development Director Amanda Webb. Ensuring taxes and fees are paid before a license is issued also gives the county the leverage it needs to maintain accountability.

Properties found in violation of these code requirements, or that operate without a license, will be subject to a standard code enforcement and prosecution procedure.

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The Manhattan Urban Area Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Nov. 3, allowing the public to provide comments.

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SAC CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  After the founder of Hometown Pride in Sac City passed, city officials decided to add new features to their Riverview Park. Officials worked with the Sac City Parks and Recreation Department to commemorate the memory of Bruce Perry.

So when my co-committee member and I were sitting in my kitchen last July, painting our vision for this before a parade, we thought it was a pipe dream. So its awesome for us to see it actually become a reality, said Kim Peterson with Hometown Pride.

Bruce Perry, a Sac City native who passed away in June 2023, was known for his dedicated service as a city council member and as the founder of Hometown Pride. Perrys passion for music inspired the community, and thanks to several grants and strong local support, city officials built a music park in his honor.

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So what weve done is weve created this area in the park where we have musical instruments that people are able to compose things on, said Curtis Bloes with the Sac City Parks and Recreation Department. In the spirit of what, you know, something Bruce would have liked to have done if he were still with us.

Riverview Park, established in the 1970s, was selected as the site for the new music park to honor Perrys years of dedication to maintaining and revitalizing the space for Sac City residents.

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It wasnt really kept up that well, said Bloes. And Bruce kind of adopted it as Hometown Pride, and thats why were down here so much. So were always looking for ways to make it a better experience for users.

Because right now we have one adaptive swing for, you know, handicapped or disabled kids or adults to use. But we wanted to build on that and make it more usable for them in the community, Peterson said.

Alongside new musical installations and upgraded playground equipment, city officials also plan to unveil a special tribute at the park, ensuring Bruce Perrys legacy continues to inspire the Sac City community, according to Bloes.

What were going to do is build a pergola around the existing area so that it is more shaded on that, Bloes said. Perhaps in the middle were going to have a monument to Bruce, a plaque, at least to Bruce, talking about his work in the community.

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Peterson shared that Perry would be proud to see the improvements underway at the park he cared for so deeply.

He was, you know, not only a neighbor and a friend, but he was a great leader. And he would have been right down here with us with the kids playing, Peterson expressed.

Parks and Recreation officials are to get some of the newer features added by next summer.

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ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR)  In just over one month, downtown Roanoke will transform for the 20th annual Drumstick Dash held by the Rescue Mission. Over the two decades, theres been a face everyone has seen: thats Dash, the spokes-turkey.

I was the original Drumstick Dash turkey, and Ive been the only one wearing the outfit for 20 years, Kevin Spencer, Dash, said.

By day, Spencer is a technology teacher in Roanoke City Schools, wearing the iconic tie-turkey suit on Thanksgiving morning, and whenever he helps to promote the dash.

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To commemorate his work with the dash, his wife started a scrapbook for him in 2009.

Because Im wearing that outfit, and because people associate me with the Drumstick Dash, I meet people all the time, Spencer said. Maybe they recognize me because Im on their camera roll. People say, Ive got pictures of you with my kids. Theres pictures of you when my kids were in strollers, and now theyre ten years old and theyre still running the Drumstick Dash.

His turkey suit is a huge part of promoting the dash, and this year, hes entering a new era. He has a new tie-tail and outfit created by quilters from his church. This will be the third tail, and only the second outfit since 2006. The previous tail was created by the theatre department at Hollins University.

Fleet Feet of Roanoke is helping runners train for the 20th annual Drumstick Dash

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The quilters or the people at Hollins University, they might not even have participated in the dash itself, but theyve had a huge hand in advertising the dash, Spencer said.

As Dash gears up to cheer for the thousands of runners and walkers while thumbing through the pages of his new scrapbook, hes using this time to reflect on the whole point of the dash: moving your feet, so others can eat.

I would hope that my legacy would be that a lot of people came out because they remembered the dash, Im burning an image, Spencer said. They might they they see me at a race, they see me on a Saturday morning, and they get home, and then they think Ive got to sign up for that race.

Registration for this years dash is open now. You can find more information on their website by clicking here.

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Its Roanokes family reunion because everybody gets together, I get to see people that I dont see in any other month, Spencer said.  Im a school teacher, so I get to see all my kids and and now theyre 20, 30, 40 years old, so I get to see them in the dash, bringing their kids and their strollers.

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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  They may have had a decades-long rivalry, but some local students are now joining together in a sign of unity.

Thursday morning, the senior class officers from Chaney traveled to meet their counterparts at East High School to paint a large rock.

Next year, both schools will merge to create one high school in the city. The large rock was donated so the kids could start to create new traditions together.

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Im an alumn[a] of YSU, and it had a rock there that we used to paint. Student organizations would paint, and I said, Why not bring that tradition to home base?' said East High School teacher Venus Cataldo.

Next year, Chaney and East will join to form Youngstown High School. The new schools mascot will be the Defenders, represented by an owl.

Brian Oehlbeck contributed to this report.

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OREGON, Ill. (WTVO)  A Rockford man has been convicted for his part in a violent Rochelle home invasion and robbery that took place in February.

According to Ogle County States Attorney Mike Rock, Mark Cooper, 52, was found guilty on two counts of home invasion, one count of armed robbery, and one count of armed habitual criminal in a jury trial on Thursday.

Authorities said that on February 21st, 2025, Cooper and a female suspect entered a residence occupied by two adults and attacked them.

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Police said the female suspect knocked on an apartment door in the 100 block of 7th Avenue, claiming to need assistance.

The victims let the woman into the apartment. Cooper, armed with a handgun, entered and battered the victims and robbed them of several items, including cash. The male victim suffered head injuries in the attack.

The female victim said she was attacked by the female suspect. Cooper pointed a gun at the residents during the assault.

Cooper is set to be sentenced on December 9th. He faces up to 30 years in prison on each felony charge.

The female suspect was not identified.

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A highly anticipated new Hazel Park restaurant from industry veteran chefs with eastern European roots and others from metro Detroits hospitality scene is set to open on Friday, Oct. 24.

Bar Gabi, from the husband-and-wife team of Gabriel and Gabriela Botezan, is opening in the former Framebar and Frame restaurant on John R in Hazel Park. Soft openings are underway ahead of the Friday opening.

Announced in mid-September, Bar Gabis focus is on modern Romanian fare. According to its website, the vibe is "Romanian Blood + American Spirit," and it will serve "food and drink that honor our heritage while daring to evolve it."

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Opening their own restaurant has always been a dream of the Botezans, both veterans of metro Detroit Italian restaurants. Gabriel worked as a chef, and Gabrielas focus is on the pastry arts. Both worked at downtown Detroits Adelina restaurant as well as the legendary but now-closed Bacco Ristorante in Southfield.

Both hailing from Romania, the Botezans met in Michigan and are bringing their heritage to Bar Gabi.

Gabriel and Gabriela Botezan, owners of the new Bar Gabi in Hazel Park.

Opening Bar Gabi for me and my wife, its our longtime dream basically coming true, said Gabriel, who oversees the savory side of the menu at Bar Gabi, in a news release. This means everything to us because we finally find ourselves opening the restaurant that we always dreamed to have  to showcase our culture and showcase our food, our passion.

At Bar Gabi, the menu reflects the culture and cuisine that the Botezans grew up with in separate Romanian towns. Gabriels birthplace is Bucharest, where he began his career cooking alongside his uncle at a resort on the Black Sea, and Gabriela hails from Transylvania.

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This is about sharing who we are, said Gabriela in a news release, who runs the bread and dessert program at Bar Gabi. Romanian food is almost overlooked in America. We want to showcase our food and hospitality at the level it deserves, and to highlight it and celebrate it more.

Bar Gabis dinner menu features familiar Romanian classics that also showcase the couples training in Italian dishes.

A spread of Romanian dishes are featured menu items at Bar Gabi, a new Hazel Park restaurant.

Menu highlights announced include:

 Tomahawk Schnitzel: Breaded bone-in pork chop with smoked paprika and mustard greens

Tomahawk Schnitzel is a Romain-style dish featured on the menu at Bar Gabi, a new Hazel Park restaurant.

 Transylvanian Goulash: Braised beef and potatoes.

Mititei is a traditional Romanian dish of grilled ground sausage and is a featured menu item at Bar Gabi, a new Hazel Park restaurant.

 Vaca Moo: A rotating steak feature paired with Hungarian peppers and hand-cut fries.

Fregola con Vongole is a dish of clams featured as menu item at Bar Gabi, a new Hazel Park restaurant.

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 Rotating house-made pastas: A monthly change of fresh pasta, including ragus, seafood, and vegetarian options.

Rotating fresh pasta dishes will be featured at Bar Gabi, a new Hazel Park restaurant.

 Desserts by Gabriela: Expect Romanian staples like Cremes (flaky pastry with vanilla cream), Amandina (rum-soaked chocolate sponge cake), and Albinita (layered honey cake with creme fraiche and honeycomb) and Gabrielas famous tiramisu.

Kenneth Laatz, also an Adelina alum, leads Bar Gabis cocktail program, pairing Old World sensibilities with playful twists. Expect cocktails such as the Hugo Spritz with elderflower, prosecco, mint and lime, plus a house Negroni and a bourbon-forward Carpathian Boulevard. Its wine offerings have an Eastern European focus as well as those from Michigan and California. Rounding out the bar program are local and international beer and cider offerings and house mocktails, sodas, and espresso drinks.

Bar Gabis general manager and leading the front of the house is Chris Owens, formerly of Detroits Atwater Brewery.

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For the design of the space, the Botezans collaborated with Colin Tury, a Detroit-based designer who also designed Midtowns Vecino restaurant. Inside, there are personal touches, including framed embroidery from the Botezans family in Romania.

Plans for space formerly known as Frame, a dining space within the restaurant, include wine dinners, chef collaboration and bookings for private parties and events. Later this fall, Bar Gabi will offer Sunday brunch.

Dinner service is 5-10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 5-11 p.m. Friday and 3-9 p.m. Sunday.

Bar Gabi is at 23839 John R in Hazel Park. You can make reservations with OpenTable and visit bargabi.com for more information.

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Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Become a subscriber. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter. Subscribe to the Eat Drink Freep newsletter for insider scoops on food and dining in metro Detroit.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Bar Gabi a modern Romanian bistro opend Friday in Hazel Park
(Screengrab from U.S. Senate video stream)

Its well past time for Democratic leadership in Congress to work with Republicans and the President to reopen the government, Nevada Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo said in a press statement issued by his office Friday afternoon.

The press release was accompanied by a letter from Lombardo to Nevada Democratic U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen, calling on her to work with your colleagues to reopen the federal government.

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Im confident that through cooperation and goodwill, we can restore stability and move forward together, said Lombardos letter.

A few minutes after Lombardos statement and letter were issued to the press, Rosen responded with a statement of her own.

I want this government shutdown to end, Rosen said, which is why I urge Governor Lombardo to push Donald Trump and his own party in Washington to work in a bipartisan way to reopen the government and prevent a massive spike in health care costs for Nevadans.

Lombardos letter also praised Nevada Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, one of only two Democratic senators, along with one independent who caucuses with the Democrats, who have been voting for a Republican stopgap spending bill that would end the shutdown.

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Rosen, like the overwhelming majority of Cortez Mastos Democratic colleagues in both the Senate and the U.S. House, voted against the Republican spending bill because it failed to restore Affordable Care Act subsidies that congressional Republicans and the Trump administration curtailed earlier this year. Health insurance premiums are projected to increase substantially if the Republican action is not reversed.

Democrats have repeatedly called on Republicans to meet with them to negotiate over the insurance issue, but Republican congressional leaders, taking their cue from Trump, have refused unless Democrats pass the Republican funding bill first.

The Trump administration has established a pattern of acting unilaterally without congressional approval, and also of cancelling federal funding that had been approved by Congress, even though the Constitution specifies that Congress, not the executive branch, controls federal spending.

In a nod to the administrations practices and trustworthiness, or lack thereof, earlier this month Rosen said it would be naive to trust Trump to negotiate if Democrats were to simply surrender in the shutdown standoff.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel on Thursday, where he wants to press ahead with the further implementation of the US plan to end the Gaza war.

"Arrived in Israel to reaffirm America's unwavering commitment to Israel's security and engage with partners to implement President Trump's historic peace plan and build on the momentum towards durable peace and integration in the Middle East," Rubio wrote on X.

According to a report in the newspaper Israel Hayom, his visit will also focus on the composition of the transitional government for the Gaza Strip envisaged in the peace plan following the end of the war.

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Palestinian technocrats are to work in the Gaza Strip under the supervision of an international committee. The planned disarmament of Hamas is also on the agenda. The militant Palestinian organization has so far rejected giving up its weapons.

US Vice President JD Vance had already visited Israel before Rubio. Vance emphasized that the implementation of the US peace plan still meant a lot of work.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stressed that the introduction of the first new sanctions against Russia by President Donald Trump's administration should not come as a surprise and does not mean that Washington is abandoning talks with Moscow.

Source: European Pravda, citing CNN

Quote: "I think the president has said repeatedly for a number of months now that at some point he will have to do something if we don't make progress on the peace deal. Today was the day he decided to do something."

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Details: Rubio emphasised that the United States remains open to dialogue with Russia.

"We'd still like to meet with the Russians I had a good call with Foreign Minister Lavrov and we'll follow up on that. We're always going to be interested in engaging if there's an opportunity to achieve peace," he said.

Background:

On 22 October, for the first time under Trump's second administration, the United States imposed new large-scale sanctions against Russia, including oil giants Lukoil and Rosneft and their subsidiaries. The sanctions were explained by Moscow's unwillingness to take Trump's peace efforts seriously.

Speaking to reporters, Trump said he had decided to postpone a planned meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Budapest and acknowledged he was disappointed with the pace of talks with Russia.

Media outlets also reported that Trump's administration had lifted a key restriction on Ukraine's use of certain long-range missiles supplied by Western allies. However, Trump called it fake news.

Before that, a series of unofficial signals suggested that the meeting between Trump and Putin in Budapest, agreed during a phone call last week, might not take place as Russia continues to cling to its maximalist demands regarding how the Russo-Ukrainian war should end.

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said during a visit to Israel on Thursday that "good progress" had been made towards implementing the US peace plan for the Gaza Strip.

"We feel confident and positive about the progress that's being made," Rubio said during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Natanyahu, according to a statement from the Israeli presidential office.

"We're clear-eyed about the challenges too," Rubio said. "But the President has made this a top priority."

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"We've been making good progress," he added.

One of the obstacles to the peace plan is the planned disarmament of Hamas, which the Palestinian Islamist group rejects. The exact procedure for the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the Gaza Strip also remains an unresolved point of contention.

Netanyahu said he believed the challenges could be overcome through cooperation.

"We want to advance peace," he stressed.

According to a report in the newspaper Israel Hayom, Rubio's visit was also set to focus on the composition of the transitional government for the Gaza Strip envisaged in the peace plan following the end of the war.

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Palestinian technocrats are to work in the Gaza Strip under the supervision of an international committee.

US Vice President JD Vance had already visited Israel before Rubio. Vance emphasized that the implementation of the US peace plan still meant a lot of work.
JERUSALEM (AP)  U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Thursday criticized a symbolic vote in Israel's parliament the previous day about annexing the occupied West Bank, saying that it amounted to an insult and went against the Trump administration policies.

Hard-liners in the Israeli parliament had narrowly passed a preliminary vote in support of annexing parts of the West Bank  an apparent attempt to embarrass Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while Vance was still in the country.

The bill, which required only a simple majority of lawmakers present in the house on Wednesday, passed with a 25-24 vote. But it was unlikely to pass multiple rounds of voting to become law or win a majority in the 120-seat parliament. Netanyahu, who is opposed to it, also has tools to delay or defeat it.

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Before departing Israel, Vance also unveiled new details about U.S. plans for Gaza, saying he expected reconstruction to begin soon in some Hamas-free areas of the territory. But he warned that rebuilding the territory after a devastating war, which began on Oct. 7, 2023, could take years.

The hope is to rebuild Rafah over the next two to three years and theoretically you could have half a million people live (there), he said, referring to the Gaza Strip's southernmost city.

That would account for about a quarter of the territory's population of roughly 2 million, 90% of whom were displaced from their homes during the war. Out of every 10 buildings that stood in Gaza before the war, eight are either damaged or flattened. An estimated cost of rebuilding Gaza is about $53 billion, according to the World Bank, the U.N. and the European Union.

Vance's rebuke

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The Israeli parliament's vote has stirred widespread condemnation, with more than a dozen countries  including Egypt, Qatar and Saudi Arabia  rebuking it in a joint statement that called all Israeli settlements in the West Bank a violation of international law.

Netanyahu's office said in a statement that the vote on annexation was a deliberate political provocation by the opposition to sow discord.

Netanyahu is struggling to stave off an early election as cracks grow more apparent between factions in Israels right-wing parties, some of whom were upset over the ceasefire and the security sacrifices it required of Israel.

Vance said that if the Knesset's vote was a political stunt, then it is a very stupid political stunt.

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I personally take some insult to it, Vance said. The policy of the Trump administration is that the West Bank will not be annexed by Israel.

The deputy Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations, Majed Bamya, told the U.N. Security Council on Thursday that Palestinians appreciate the clear message that the Trump administration has sent in opposition to annexation.

While many members of Netanyahus coalition, including his Likud Party, support annexation, they have backed off those calls since U.S. President Donald Trump said last month that he opposes such a move.

The Palestinians seek the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war, for a future independent state. Israeli annexation of the West Bank would all but bury hopes for a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians  the outcome supported by most of the world.

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Analysts like Amichai Cohen, a senior fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute, say that a de facto annexation of very large parts of the West Bank is already underway, referring to the growing number of Israelis living in settlements in the Palestinian territory  even without any law supporting annexation.

U.S. peace push

Earlier this week, Vance announced the opening of a civilian military coordination center in southern Israel where around 200 U.S. troops are working alongside the Israeli military and delegations from other countries planning the stabilization and reconstruction of Gaza.

The United States is seeking support from other allies, especially Gulf Arab nations, to create an international stabilization force to be deployed to Gaza and train a Palestinian force.

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Wed like to see Palestinian police forces in Gaza that are not Hamas and that are going to do a good job, but those still have to be trained and equipped," U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said before his trip to Israel.

Rubio met with Netanyahu on Thursday and, like other U.S. officials and envoys visiting Israel this week, struck a tone of optimism about progress that has been made since the ceasefire began, while noting the challenges that lie ahead.

No one is under any illusions. Weve already done the impossible once and we intend to keep doing that," he said.

Israeli media referred to the parade of American officials visiting to ensure Israel holds up its side of the fragile ceasefire as Bibi-sitting. The term, utilizing Netanyahus nickname of Bibi, refers to an old campaign ad when Netanyahu positioned himself as the Bibi-sitter whom voters could trust with their kids.

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Medical needs

In the first medical evacuation since the ceasefire began on Oct. 10, the World Health Organization's director-general said Thursday that the group has evacuated 41 critical patients and 145 companions out of the Gaza Strip.

In a statement posted to X, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called on nations to show solidarity and help around 15,000 patients who are still waiting for approval to receive medical care outside Gaza.

His calls were echoed by an official with the U.N. Population Fund who on Wednesday described the sheer devastation that he witnessed on his most recent travel to Gaza, saying that there's no such thing as a normal birth in Gaza now.

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Andrew Saberton, an executive director at UNFPA, told reporters how difficult the agencys work has become because of the lack of functioning or even standing health care facilities.

Another major challenge since the ceasefire began has been getting enough aid into Gaza  and distributed  to meet the huge demand.

We expected Gaza to be flooded with aid the moment the ceasefire began. But thats not what were seeing, said Bushra Khalidi, who oversees the Palestinian territories division at Oxfam, a nonprofit focused on global poverty.

More crossings into Gaza need to be opened in order to allow in more trucks, said Antoine Renard, head of the World Food Program in the Palestinian territories.

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With only two crossings that are open, you are facing clearly congestion, he said.

The WFP has 36 distribution centers operating in Gaza, and aims to increase that to 145. Since Oct. 11, the U.N. tracking system has recorded 949 aid trucks that were offloaded in Gaza.

___

Matthew Lee reported from Washington. Josef Federman in Jerusalem, Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Israel, Kareem Chehayeb in Beirut, Sarah El Deeb in Cairo, and Farnoush Amiri in New York, contributed to this report.

___

Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
SANTA ROSA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG)  Grab your boots and celebrate your roots!

Juvenile accused of handgun possession at Mobile school

The University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, is partnering with Santa Rosa County to hold Rural Roots Day.

The family-friendly event showcase will take place on Saturday, Nov. 8, at the UF/IFAS Research Center, located at 4253 Experiment Drive, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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The public will have the chance to meet farmers and learn about practices and traditions. Attendees can expect complimentary food, antique tractors, panel discussions, a pie contest, and live animals.

At the Kids Corner, children can participate in a hay maze, crafts, a cow train, and a planting station. Those ages 8 and up can also participate in an archery demonstration.

Wilmer Hall shooting: Murder charge upgraded

To learn more about the event, visit the Santa Rosa County website.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
Russian forces struck a railway station in Sumy with a drone on the night of 22-23 October, injuring two railway workers.

Source: Oleh Hryhorov, Head of Sumy Oblast Military Administration; acting mayor Artem Kobzar on Telegram

Details: A 35-year-old man was taken to hospital and is receiving medical treatment  doctors say his life is not in danger.

Aftermath of the Russian attack. Photo: State Emergency Service

Another injured worker, aged 28, received medical assistance at the scene.

Hryhorov later added that a 32-year-old woman was also injured in the attack.

"All are being treated on an outpatient basis," he noted.

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MOSCOW, Oct 23 (Reuters)  Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Thursday it was now absolutely clear that the United States was Russias adversary and that U.S. President Donald Trumps recent steps on Ukraine amounted to an act of war against Russia.

Trump said during the U.S. election campaign that he would swiftly end the Ukraine war which his administration has cast as a proxy war between Washington and Moscow, though he has recently expressed frustration about President Vladimir Putin.

Trump, who has described Russia as a paper tiger, said on Wednesday he had canceled a planned summit with Putin, and the U.S. Treasury slapped sanctions on two of Russias biggest oil companies.

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Watch: Trump announces sanctions on Russia

The United States is our adversary, and their talkative peacemaker has now fully embarked on the warpath with Russia, Medvedev, who serves as deputy chairman of Russias Security Council, wrote on Telegram, referring to Trump.

The decisions taken are an act of war against Russia. And now Trump has fully aligned himself with loony Europe.

Putin, paramount leader since the last day of 1999, remains the final voice on Russian policy though Medvedev, an arch-hawk who has repeatedly goaded Trump on social media, gives a sense of hardline thinking within the elite.

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Trump in August said that he had ordered two U.S. nuclear submarines to move closer to Russia in response to what he called highly provocative comments from Medvedev about the risk of war.

Medvedev said that the move of the Trumpian pendulum simply meant that Russia could now hammer Ukraine with a wide variety of weapons without regard to unnecessary negotiations.

Putin, who ordered Russian troops into Ukraine in February 2022 after eight years of fighting in the countrys east between Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian government forces, has repeatedly said he is ready to talk about peace.

EU joins US in sanctions against Russia

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European leaders and Ukraine say they do not think Putin wants peace and have cautioned that Russia might one day attack a NATO member, a claim the Kremlin has repeatedly dismissed as nonsense.

Russias foreign ministry said that Moscows aims in Ukraine remained unchanged from 2022: that Ukraine should be neutral, non-aligned, demilitarised and ensure the rights of Russian speakers and Orthodox believers.

We need a configuration of negotiated solutions that will eliminate the root causes of the conflict and ensure reliable peace in the context of building a Eurasian and broader global system of indivisible security, spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

She cast U.S. sanctions as extremely counterproductive and warned that if the Trump administration followed the example of previous U.S. administrations then it would fail.

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(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)

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This week, we are getting our first visual evidence of Russias notorious glide bomb kit capability combined with a small turbojet engine, a modification that provides this class of munition with a significant boost in range. The latest version of the weapon is reportedly designated UMPK-PD, in which the P suffix very likely denotes Dalniaya, for long-range, although other sources describe a similar weapon as the UMPB-5R. Regardless, they look set to become another problem for Ukraines air defenses if they work as advertised.

A rear view of one of the new Russian glide bombs, which can be adapted with a motor. via X

The bomb warhead of the same Russian glide bomb. via X

At least some of the photos of the wreckage of the glide bombs, posted recently to social media, appear to show the remains of the turbojet engine among the other components. The first such photos were apparently initially shared on a Ukrainian Telegram channel, Polkovnik GSh, and are said to date from the late spring or early summer of this year.

The remains of a Russian UMPK glide bomb, apparently equipped with a turbojet engine, shared by the Ukrainian Telegram channel Polkovnik GSh. via X

A Chinese-made Swiwin SW800Pro-Y turbojet engine among the wreckage of one of the new glide bombs. via X

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The UMPB-5R inscription from the same set of wreckage as the turbojet engine. via X

Meanwhile, reports in the Ukrainian media describe the use of such munitions against targets in the Kharkiv region, specifically the town of Lozovaya, around 56 miles from the front line, and in the Sumy region, where the reported target was the village of Khoten, 6.2 miles from the front line.

Maj. Gen. Vadym Skibitsky, deputy head of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defenses Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR), has said that a new Russian glide bomb (presumably the UMPK-PD or UMPB-5R) was combat-tested in September/October and is now entering series production. He has said the weapons include new control modules and superior resistance to electronic countermeasures.

HUR's Major General Vadym Skibitskyi said Russia combat tested a new guided bomb w/ 200km range in September-October and is now moving to mass production. He indicated it's been used in Dnipro & other cities in recent weeks. He said the bombs have "new control modules and https://t.co/pOQBIYQ6CG pic.twitter.com/2PGroELTGQ  John Hardie (@JohnH105) October 20, 2025

There have long been rumors that the Russian UMPK, or Unifitsirovannyi Modul Planirovaniya i Korrektsii, meaning unified gliding and correction module, glide bombs had started to be adapted to accommodate propulsion. This would be in keeping with the steady improvements that have been made to this series of weapons, which have included using new types of warheads as well as increasingly larger payloads.

One of the first photos that appeared showing the original 500-kilogram-class UMPK glide bomb in detail. via X

A recent report from the Russian daily newspaper Kommersant states that the latest version of the UMPK can strike targets at ranges of up to 62 miles, thanks to various aerodynamic improvements. This range is said to be achieved when released at an altitude of around 40,000 feet and at a speed of around 621 miles per hour. The range would be correspondingly reduced when launched at lower altitudes and lower speeds.

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Meanwhile, the same weapon fitted with a motor reportedly doubles that baseline range, to 124 miles, comparable with a standoff weapon like a shorter-range cruise missile. While all these range figures should be treated with caution, anywhere near these range figures would provide an impressive leap in capability over the weapons unpowered counterpart.

Debris from another glide bomb, the UMPB-5R equipped with a Swiwin SW800Pro-Y turbojet engine, which can also be fitted to the new UMPK.



Both of these munitions are responsible for the recent strikes recorded in recent days at ranges of 100150 km against Ukrainian targets. https://t.co/0mgRqZ6Jle pic.twitter.com/kIFwmQHoub  OSINTWarfare (@OSINTWarfare) October 23, 2025

Publicly available data attributes the original UMPK weapons with a range of between 25 and 45 miles when strapped to a FAB-250, FAB-500, or FAB-1500 bomb. A range of between 31 and 37 miles can be achieved when using the heavier FAB-3000 bomb.

In its baseline form, the aerodynamic improvements for the UMPK-PD include a pair of wings, replacing the single pop-out wing that was originally used in the glide bomb kits. These provide increased area and, therefore, generate more lift for sustained flight.

The twin-wing configuration is something that has been seen in use for some time now, but the motor wasnt visible. That apparent anomaly now makes much more sense, given that versions of the UMPK-PD can be employed with or without the range-extending engine.

#RussiaUkraineWar

 "The first case of using a guided aerial bomb on the city of Lozova, in the Kharkiv region"  Ukrainian prosecution

A preliminary strike was carried out with a new modification of the KAB  UMPB-5R (rocket type), which traveled a distance of approximately 130 pic.twitter.com/AhffYzJFzA  Nenad Vasiljevic  (@Epsa_Media) October 19, 2025

Otherwise, the baseline UMPK-PD is also fitted with redesigned tail fins, guidance and control unit, and a power source, all of which are bolted to a standard free-fall bomb.

The bombs are typically released by Su-34 aircraft.

A tandem 2-section wing with a folding main (front) section and a fixed tail section apparently gives extra lift.

Jamming of the satellite navigation system is difficult to achieve due to use of multi-element antenna arrays .

2/ https://t.co/78DaoweYOf pic.twitter.com/Zgb8DrbhRw  Roy  (@GrandpaRoy2) September 25, 2025

When fitted with a jet engine, for maximum reach, the twin wings are reportedly of smaller size and are swept back. As for the engine, photos of the wreckage indicate this is a Chinese-made Swiwin SW800Pro-Y turbojet, which is commercially available and generates around 180 pounds of thrust. Russias ability to source large numbers of small turbojets domestically has been questioned in the past, so getting them from China off-the-shelf would certainly make sense.

A close-up of the Swiwin SW800Pro-Y turbojet engine. via X

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The Kommersant report states that the powered UMPK-PD is now being combat-tested in prototype form, which means there may not yet be a standardized format for this version, with the potential for changes to be made based on early operational experience.

According to a report on Telegram from the pro-Russian military Fighterbomber channel, the specific bomb used as payload for the UMPK-PD is the FAB-500T, a 500-kilogram (1,102-pound) class weapon. It is claimed that the specific properties of the FAB-500T, which include a more aerodynamic body and heat-resistant features, make it more suitable for powered, long-range flight.

Interestingly, the FAB-500T was originally developed during the Cold War for carriage by the MiG-25RB Foxbat reconnaissance-bomber. In this case, the letter T stands for Termostoykaya (thermally stable), since it was designed to withstand in-flight heating at the MiG-25RBs cruising speed of 2,500km/h (1,553mph) at high altitude. Its unclear how many FAB-500Ts remain in the Russian stockpile, but presumably other FAB-series bombs could also be adapted for use with the UMPK-PD, too.

A UMPK combined with a FAB-500T under the wing of a Russian tactical jet. via X via X

The UMPK-PD reportedly also features a new launch procedure, in which a combination of a spring mechanism and a pyrotechnic serves to deploy the wings after release from the aircraft. The various control surfaces are then adjusted to direct the munition toward the target.

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This is very likely intended to overcome previously reported problems with the standard UMPK series.

As we wrote back in 2023, quoting an online critical analysis of the UMPK module, conducted anonymously by an employee of a Russian company:

The wing is opened after the bomb is dropped by a spring hooked to the locking mechanism. The wing opening mechanism is unreliable, and the fact that the wing is not brought into flight position is a standard occurrence for this product.

Ruslan Pukhov, the director of the Center for Analysis of Strategy and Technologies (CAST), a Moscow-based think tank, told Kommersant that the UMPK-PD is an excellent, but probably temporary solution to the problem of a lack of more purpose-designed precision-guided munitions to support the Russian ground forces. Pukhov noted that the UMPK-PD would help compensate for a lack of longer-range precision-guided munitions and even cruise missiles, but that it wouldnt offer the same level of accuracy or destructive power.

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Nevertheless, the UMPK-PD is another major headache for the hard-pressed Ukrainian air defenses.

Since their first employment in the war in Ukraine, the Russian glide bombs have proved to be extremely difficult to shoot down, being small in size, relatively fast, and with no thermal signature.

They have also been continually improved.

Meanwhile, Russia introduced another new standoff weapon last year, a winged precision-guided bomb known as the UMPB D-30SN, or simply UMPB. As we discussed at the time, this munition has some interesting parallels to the U.S.-made Small Diameter Bomb (SDB).

Undated photo (possibly recent), posted on the Aviahub TG channel earlier today, that clearly shows a pair of UMPB D-30SN glide weapons under the port wing of a VKS Su-34 strike fighter. pic.twitter.com/L5iPpor7Rq  Guy Plopsky (@GuyPlopsky) June 19, 2025

As for the UMPK-PD, this can meanwhile be compared to a much cruder counterpart to the powered version of the Joint Direct Attack Munition-Extended Range (JDAM-ER). The Powered JDAM essentially combines a JDAM-ER winged precision-guided bomb with a small turbine engine, creating something like a lower-cost cruise missile.

A mock-up of the Powered JDAM with its pop-out wings in the deployed position. Joseph Trevithick

As we have noted in the past, Russia has a limited air-launched standoff precision-guided munitions arsenal, overall, so being able to convert dumb bombs into longer-range guided weapons is of significant utility. The result is a series of weapons that allow the Russian Aerospace Forces to strike deeper in certain areas, as well as to conduct more survivable weapons deliveries in others.

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Due to the crash program to develop these kinds of bombs, the earlier versions suffered from several shortcomings. However, with the Russian Aerospace Forces huge demand for weapons that can be launched at a safer distance from air defenses, and the tempo of airstrikes in general, the continued appearance of more refined versions of these weapons, including with longer range, is no surprise.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com
The Russian Ministry of Defence has reported a large-scale drone attack on 10 regions of the Russian Federation, with an oil refinery in Ryazan Oblast being targeted.

Source: Russian Ministry of Defence; Ryazan Oblast Governor Pavel Malkov on Telegram; Russian Telegram channel Astra

Details: According to Russia's Defence Ministry, air defence systems allegedly downed 139 Ukrainian UAVs. It is reported that 56 drones were shot down over Belgorod Oblast, 22 over Bryansk Oblast, 21 over Voronezh Oblast, 14 over Ryazan Oblast, 13 over Rostov Oblast, two each over Tambov, Volgograd, Oryol and Kaluga oblasts, one over Kursk Oblast and four over temporarily occupied Crimea.

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Russian Telegram channels, citing local residents, reported that the Ryazan oil refinery was under attack.

Later, the governor confirmed the information about the "attack on one of the oblast's companies".

Quote from Malkov: "Last night, 14 UAVs were destroyed by air defence systems over Ryazan Oblast. The falling debris caused a fire on the territory of one company... Emergency services are working at the site."

Details: He added that there were no casualties and that material damage was still being assessed.

Malkov also wrote that a "ban on posting photos and videos from the scene on social media" is in effect the oblast.

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Background: In August, the media reported that the Ryazan oil refinery, owned by the Russian state-owned company Rosneft, lost half of its capacity after an attack by Ukrainian drones.

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President Donald Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Tuesday that any conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin would be a waste of time, and therefore he would be holding off on face-to-face interaction.

A meeting was scheduled to be held in Budapest, Hungary, but after a Monday phone call between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, the meeting was postponed.

I dont want to have a wasted meeting. I dont want to have a waste of time, Trump said. So well see what happens. We havent made a determination.

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On Tuesday, Lavrov made it clear that Russia was not keen on agreeing to a ceasefire anytime soon, making it the basic difference which is existing now between Russia and the United States, Andrei Fedorov, former deputy foreign minister of Russia, told NBC News.

Rubio said he did not want to waste his time and (the) presidents time if Russia was not prepared to discuss a ceasefire along the current front line, according to Fedorov.

On the other hand, Lavrov indicated that if the U.S. would not adhere to the Alaska agreement, there would be no further talks, he added, referring to the meeting Trump and Putin had in Alaska in August.

The news further stalls the White Houses efforts to broker a peace agreement between the two nations, which have been engaged in conflict since Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Tymofii Lifyrynko, 11, holds his hockey stick while waiting out an air raid alarm in an underground shelter, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, in Shostka, Ukraine. | Julia Demaree Nikhinson

Trump had previously requested that Ukraine agree that it would concede land taken over by Russia during the war, but last month changed his tune. 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, he posted on Truth Social. And, who knows, maybe even go further than that! Putin and Russia are in BIG Economic trouble, and this is the time for Ukraine to act.

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On Tuesday night, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a statement with other European leaders that they agree with Trump on the war ending immediately, and that the current line of contact should be the starting point of negotiations. We remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force, per Newsweek.

Zelenskyy said that only force will bring Russia to the table.

Russia does not feel enough pressure for dragging out the war, he said on social media Wednesday following a Russian strike Tuesday night that reportedly hit a kindergarten in Kharkiv, Ukraine.

He continued, Everyone who is now helping Ukraine with air defense systems and missiles for them is protecting lives. We are grateful for that. And everyone who helps Ukraine with long-range capabilities will bring the end of the war closer.
A Russian Lancet drone strike on Kramatorsk, Donetsk Oblast, has killed journalist Olena Hubanova and cameraman Yevhen Karmazin from the Ukrainian Freedom TV channel.

Source: Vadym Filashkin, Head of Donetsk Oblast Military Administration

Quote: "From the first days of Russia's full-scale invasion, they covered the situation in the region, told the truth about enemy crimes, the evacuation of civilians and the stories of our defenders. They worked in the hottest spots of Donetsk Oblast, and they were always the first to arrive everywhere."

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Details: Filashkin did not provide further details but posted photos showing the journalists' destroyed car and what appeared to be their personal belongings, including press-marked body armour.

The journalists' destroyed car. Photo: Filashkin      

The journalists' personal belongings. Photo: Filashkin      

He expressed condolences to their families, friends and colleagues.

Updated: Freedom TV channel has confirmed the deaths of its journalists in Kramatorsk. As war correspondent Olena Hubanova (stage name Hramova) and cameraman Yevhen Karmazin, both natives of Donetsk Oblast, have been killed by a Russian attack.

It has also been reported that another journalist, special correspondent Oleksandr Kolychev, has been taken to hospital with injuries.

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The channel said the journalists were inside a car at a petrol station at the moment of the attack.

Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine's Commissioner for Human Rights, has responded to the tragedy, stressing that journalists are civilians protected under international humanitarian law. He said they were fulfilling their professional duty by documenting the aftermath of Russian aggression in Ukraine and bringing the truth to the world despite constant danger.

Quote from Lubinets: "I extend my deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who have lost their lives. This tragedy is yet another example of Russia's systematic war crimes against civilians. The perpetrators must inevitably be held accountable in accordance with international law."

Background: Anastasiia Volkova, a war correspondent for the Ukrainian broadcaster FREEDOM, was killed in Sloviansk, Donetsk Oblast, on 30 May.

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Senior Russian officers are conducting military training for Ukrainian children from the occupied territories and managing child militarisation centres. A new video reveals the activity of the Warrior (Voin) Centre, a military-patriotic education centre established in 2022 by order of Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin.

Source: Ukrainska Pravda and the Kyiv Independent

Details: Journalists from the Kyiv Independent have established that Ukrainian teenagers from occupied parts of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts are undergoing military training from the Warrior Centre at the Avangard military sports camp in Russia's Volgograd Oblast. They are made to take part in sessions called "Time of Young Heroes", one of the objectives of which is to prepare young people for service in the Russian Armed Forces. The Ukrainian children there are subjected to harsh treatment as they are taught to operate drones, dig trenches, clear and lay mines, and use grenades and firearms.

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Oksana (not her real name), 16, shared her testimony exclusively with journalists from the Kyiv Independent. Oksana, who lives in Ukraine's occupied south, underwent military training in 2024, when she was 16 years old.

The Warrior Centre's supervisory board is headed by Viktor Vodolatsky, a member of Russia's State Duma who was awarded a medal for the "liberation of Crimea and Sevastopol". Since the start of the full-scale war, Vodolatsky has been travelling to Ukraine's east, where he would inspect the work of the occupation authorities and urge them to destroy Ukraine's Armed Forces.

Viktor Vodolatskyi

Vodolatsky's deputy and the commander of the Warrior Centre is Andranik Gasparian, a colonel in the Russian Armed Forces who saw active combat in the Chechen Republic, Syria and Crimea. He has been awarded two Orders For Courage. He was the commander of the 126th Coastal Defence Brigade, which seized Ukraine's south in the early days of the war. Some of Gasparian's subordinates have been issued notices of suspicion in absentia from Ukrainian law enforcement for war crimes: beatings, abductions and killings of civilians, mock executions, and the rape of an underage girl.

Andranik Gasparian

The Kyiv Independent journalists identified another 25 instructors from the Warrior Centre who directly conducted training for Ukrainian children in Volgograd. Most of them have fought in the war against Ukraine.

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The Volgograd Oblast branch of the Warrior Centre is headed by Igor Vorobyov, a lieutenant colonel of the internal service who worked for 20 years in the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia. He joined the war against Ukraine in 2022 as a volunteer in the 20th Guards Motor Rifle Division and was the commander of an assault unit. He took part in the fighting for the village of Marinka. Vorobyov was wounded in the war, returned to Volgograd, and later became the head of the Warrior Centre branch.

Igor Vorobyov

One of the instructors at the centre is Yegor Sokov, a former Wagner Group fighter who took part in the battles for the occupied cities of Soledar and Popasna. Sokov has an Order For Courage and a Star for Military Merit from the Central African Republic. He teaches radio communication to children from the occupied territories.

Yegor Sokov

In addition to Russian military personnel, the Ukrainian children at Avangard were also taught by instructors from the occupied territories. The Kyiv Independent journalists identified six of them.

One of them is Anatolii Yushko from Donetsk. He was still at school when Russia started the war in 2014. Yushko underwent militarisation and re-education and joined the Russian military-patriotic movement Yunarmiya (Youth Army). At 19, he voluntarily went to war and took part in the seizure of Zaporizhzhia Oblast. After demobilisation, he began training children at the Warrior Centre.

Anatolii Yushko

In addition to Oksana, 1,289 children from the occupied territories underwent militarisation at the Warrior Centre in Volgograd Oblast in 2024.

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At least three servicemen from Russia's 247th Caucasian Cossack Airborne Regiment were killed on 22 October in a successful operation carried out by Defence Intelligence of Ukraine with the support of the Caucasus Liberation Movement.

Source: press service for Defence Intelligence of Ukraine

Details: The incident occurred near a checkpoint run by military unit No. 54801 in the very centre of the Russian city of Stavropol (533 Serova Street).

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A recording of an intercepted conversation between Russian security forces indicates that the soldiers were blown up at the checkpoint.

According to Ukrainian intelligence, the soldiers and officers of this unit have taken an active part in combat operations in Ukraine since 2014 and were notorious for having committed numerous war crimes during Russia's full-scale invasion.

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Russian propaganda media first published and then deleted reports claiming that Russian troops had captured an island in Kherson.

Source: Defence Forces of Ukraine's South; Russian outlet The Insider

Details: On 22 October, Russian state propaganda agencies, including TASS, cited the Russian Defence Ministry in reports that Russian troops had achieved "successes" on Karantynnyi Island, which is part of the city of Kherson.

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The reports claimed that Russian forces had "successfully landed" on the island, "taken control of key facilities," and "repelled all counterattacks by the Armed Forces of Ukraine".

Later, all the reports were deleted "due to the withdrawal of information by the Russian Ministry of Defence".

Defence Forces of Ukraine's South stated on 23 October that the Russians are spreading fake claims about the "capture" of Kherson and the alleged presence of Russian infantry on the right (west) bank of the Dnipro River.

"In reality, calm prevails in the area of Karantynnyi Island and the village of Sadove, and there are no enemy forces there," the statement said.

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Russian forces have shot six civilians in the village of Zvanivka in Bakhmut district of Donetsk Oblast.

Source: Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office

Details: On 20 October, a husband and wife and their adult son were sheltering in the basement of their home, while their younger son had gone to a neighbour's house to fetch water. Soon after, Russian soldiers stormed into the shelter where the family were hiding and began interrogating them about the location of Ukrainian troops in the area. When the family failed to provide any information, the soldiers left.

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Moments later, one of the occupiers returned and opened fire on the civilians with an assault rifle. Believing them all to be dead, he left the scene.

When the 57-year-old woman regained consciousness, she found her family killed. Fearing for her younger son, she went to the neighbour's basement, where she discovered his body alongside the remains of a 62-year-old woman and her 30-year-old son, both shot dead.

Despite suffering a gunshot wound to the jaw, the survivor managed to reach Ukraine-controlled territory, from where she was taken to hospital. Prosecutors have questioned her and documented evidence of another war crime committed by Russian troops against civilians.

Under the procedural supervision of the Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office, a pre-trial investigation has been launched into the war crime that resulted in civilian deaths.

Urgent investigative and operational measures are ongoing to establish all the circumstances of the incident and identify the Russian soldiers responsible.

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One firefighter from the State Emergency Service has been killed and five injured in a double-tap Russian strike on Kharkiv Oblast on the night of 22-23 October.

Source: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

Quote: "While extinguishing a fire caused by an enemy drone strike on the village of Zelenyi Hai, part of the Velykyi Burluk hromada in the Kupiansk district, Russian terrorists launched a double-tap strike on the scene where firefighters were working. The enemy strike claimed the life of one firefighter. Five of his colleagues have been injured." [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories  ed.]

Damaged fire appliance Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

Details: The deceased was the commander of the unit, Senior Master Sergeant of the Civil Protection Service Yurii Chystikov, aged 50. He is survived by his daughter.

Yurii Chystikov Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

"Yurii Chystikov was an example of true dedication to duty  a man for whom saving others was more important than his own life. His name will forever remain in the hearts of firefighters as a symbol of courage, honour and devotion to service," the State Emergency Service noted.

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Russian forces attacked a vehicle belonging to the State Emergency Service in the town of Orikhiv, Zaporizhzhia Oblast on 23 October, injuring a firefighter.

Source: State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES)

Quote: "Russian forces struck a fire and rescue vehicle with an FPV drone after a fire had been extinguished in Orikhiv, Zaporizhzhia Oblast. One firefighter sustained a shoulder injury and a blast injury. He was taken to hospital. Other firefighters were unharmed."

Details: The fire engine was also damaged.

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Russian consumers are likely to see prices rise as long queues of lorries have built up at the border with Kazakhstan following the introduction of tighter customs inspections. The delays are disrupting supply chains and increasing costs.

Source: Russian media outlet Retail.ru

Details: Around 10,000 vehicles are currently backed up at the border, where checkpoints can only process about 100 a day. Infrastructure at the crossings is not equipped to handle such volumes, and lorries are occupying all nearby car parks and even roadside verges.

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Quote: "Transit controls on the Russian-Kazakh border have been tightened simultaneously by both sides. Up to 99% of lorries heading into Russia are being inspected. High-risk categories are freight containing electronics, sanctioned goods, dual-use items and branded products."

More details: Logistics firms first began noticing tighter checks by Kazakhstan in late spring. At the time, border crossings could take up to three days. Delays on the Russian side are linked to efforts to curb grey imports and illegal deliveries. By October, it could take up to a week to cross from Russia into Kazakhstan.

Experts warn that these disruptions are extending delivery times and driving up costs for transport and warehousing, which will soon be reflected in consumer prices.

Quote from a logistics company: "The tighter import controls are not a temporary problem but a lasting trend.

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There are no alternative routes through other crossings, since the tighter checks are systemic across all land borders, including Zabaikalsk and Primorye. Controls will intensify, and grey import schemes will become riskier."

More details: Businesses complain of longer lead times and growing uncertainty, particularly among online marketplace sellers importing goods from China. They say that official import procedures are doubling the cost of goods.

Industry representatives said transport companies are passing the higher costs on to new shipments, and sooner or later this will affect final prices.

Background:

Earlier, Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service reported that Russian customs officials had been ordered to make up for budget shortfalls by imposing heavy fines on small importers of Chinese goods, leading to kilometre-long queues of lorries on the borders with China and Kazakhstan.

Russia's restrictions on the transit of dual-use goods have led to a sharp decline in the flow of rail freight from China to Europe.

Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service has also reported that Russia is increasingly "paying" its wartime allies in territory. Lacking the resources to develop the vast Far Eastern Federal District, Moscow is opening up the region to foreign expansion.

Meanwhile, Russia's Ministry of Finance has announced a new measure to shield the state budget from volatile oil prices and Western sanctions targeting energy exports: a tax hike.

The Russian government is considering raising the value-added tax (VAT) rate to curb the budget deficit and preserve reserves.

Russia's economy is facing deeper problems than officials admit, with analysts warning that a full-scale banking crisis could erupt within a year.

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A Rutgers student from Matawan who was seriously injured when he was electrically shocked at a fraternity house earlier this month is no longer in critical condition, the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office said.

Officials confirmed that the student, a 19-year-old member of Alpha Sigma Phi, is still hospitalized but that his condition had improved as of Thursday afternoon. The students name has not been made public.

Katie Kausch

Stories by Katie Kausch

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(FOX40.COM)  If youre a Natomas parent, security at your childs school will soon look a lot different. Natomas Unified School District confirmed  starting in January  schools will no longer have school resource officers monitoring campuses.

The school district clarified that safety positions are not going away. Schools will still have people assigned to monitor and protect students on campus, this just wont be through the Sacramento Police Department anymore.

School safety has been a hot topic on the local and national scales for years. The California School Boards Association, or CSBA, reported 226 school shootings in California since 1970. According to the CSBA, in 2022, about 46% of traditional public schools had school resource officers, SROs, as a primary form of protection. This included Natomas Unified School District schools  until now. Starting in January, the Sacramento Police Department will reassign SROs to city patrol duty. Amid ongoing staffing shortages, the department said this is to ensure they can meet emergency response needs citywide.

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Some parents told FOX40 they fear this could make schools less safe. They said they believe SROs help deter violence simply by being present. Meanwhile, other parents told FOX40 that they welcome this change.

Teyahnee Ridgle is the parent to a Natomas 12th grader, but shes been heavily involved with student safety in the past. She said students told her theres such thing as being too policed.

They felt like it was more of a prison than it was a learning environment, Ridgle said. They were like overly monitored.

She served at Natomas Charter School as a campus monitor. These security ambassadors are not armed nor contracted with formal law enforcement agencies. However, Ridgle said students still said these monitors made them feel like they werent trusted.

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They dont need to feel like theyre criminals on the campus, Ridgle said. Campus supervisors are sufficient.

The Natomas Unified School District said they are continuing other safety measures  including their Safety and Safe Schools Department, which focuses on training. Theyre maintaining partnerships with safety consultants and the Sandy Hook Promise reporting system to encourage students to report concerns. Ridgle said she believes conversations about safety and proper school behavior start at home.

We need to teach our kids how to do more at de-escalating, Ridgle said. Theyre going to need that, those skills in everyday life. Were not going to always have an officer there. I try to tell students to like, walk away from these situations. And sometimes thats all it takes is just someone giving them different ways of how to deal with situations.

In a statement sent to the school body and FOX40, the school districts superintendent, Robyn Castillo, said safety is the highest priority and that leaders have developed a new safety plan. The district has developed a security position that will be assigned to each school. School leaders said  like SROs  people in this new role will support schools in safety intervention and prevention duties. Theyre also increasing the number of Campus Safety Specialists at middle and high schools to have increased adult presence.

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Ridgle said its important to teach high school aged kids that actions have consequences in order to prepare them for the real world.

I think that students need to be aware of processes and procedures, and know that they will be held accountable for their actions if they are to do something thats inappropriate at school, Ridgle said.

Natomas Unified School District is actively recruiting candidates for this new role. For updates you can visit Natomas Unified School Districts website. These new safety positions will be individuals hired by the school, rather than contracted through a law enforcement agency like school resource officers are now.

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(FOX40.COM) The Sacramento Police Department is asking for the communitys help in finding a missing, at-risk 78-year-old woman.

SPD said that Betty Robison was last seen around 1:45 p.m. on Wednesday in the 4700 block of Elvas Avenue.

Video Above: What should you do if someone you love goes missing?

She is considered at risk due to age and medical conditions.

Robison is described as 5 feet 6 inches, 113 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

(IMAGE: Sacramento Police Department)

She was last seen wearing a blue sweatshirt, a white and purple, floral undershirt, black pants, yellow socks and no shoes.

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Anyone with information is asked to contact SPD at 916-808-5471.

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SALISBURY - Police have cleared the scene of a two-car crash on Millerton Road in Salisbury Thursday morning that they say resulted in injuries.

Troopers were dispatched to the crash near Interlaken Road just before 9:40 a.m. for reports of the collision, Connecticut State Police said.

Non-life-threatening injuries were reported in the crash, according to police, who said a LifeStar medical helicopter initially was called but then canceled.

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A wrecker was dispatched to clear wreckage and the scene was cleared by 11 a.m., police said

It was unclear how many people were injured.

This article originally published at Salisbury crash on Millerton Road causes injuries Thursday morning, police say.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  After conducting an extensive global search, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA) has selected its new president and chief executive officer.

Shawn Dixon, who has served as interim president and CEO for the past seven months, has been named the organizations new leader.

According to SDZWA, Dixon has been a long-time advocate for wildlife conservation and a proud San Diegan who brings a wealth of experience to the role.

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San Diego Zoo wins multiple awards at 2025 AZA conference

His leadership has been instrumental in connecting the organizations global conservation efforts with the guest experience at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, which welcome 5.5 million visitors annually, the organization said in a statement.

While serving as interim CEO, Dixon oversaw several projects at both the zoo and safari park, including the largest project in SDZWAs history, Denny Sanford Elephant Valley, which is expected to open early next year.

Aside from his work with SDZWA, Dixon serves on several other boards and committees, including the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Economic Development Committee and the San Diego Tourism Authority.

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Shawns deep roots in the San Diego community, combined with his exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to our mission, made him the clear choice to lead San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, said Steve Simpson, chair of SDZWAs board of trustees.

Dixon said he is deeply honored to continue building on the organizations legacy of conservation.

San Diego is not just where were headquarteredits where we live, and its a community that has embraced our mission to protect wildlife and inspire action. Together, we can create a brighter future for all life on Earth, he said.

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San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie (D) condemned the reported deployment of federal immigration officers to his city, saying the operation is meant to incite chaos and violence, rather than reduce crime.

In cities across the country, masked immigration officials are deployed to use aggressive enforcement tactics that instill fear, so people dont feel safe going about their daily lives, Lurie said in a nine-minute video statement.

These tactics are designed to incite backlash, chaos and violence, which are then used as an excuse to deploy military personnel, he added.

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The statement came immediately after the deployment was first reported.

Lurie spoke from San Francisco City Hall, flanked by other elected officials, and cautioned against giving federal officials an excuse to crack down on the city. He noted the officials were working from a playbook.

President Trump has mused about sending troops to San Francisco in an effort to quell crime, but the administration has not specified when he would do so.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported that more than 100 Customs and Border Protection agents were expected to arrive Thursday at the U.S. Coast Guard base in Alameda, Calif., which is between Oakland and San Francisco. The Chronicle cited an anonymous source with knowledge of the operation.

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Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin, in an interview on NewsNations The Hill on Wednesday, said a stepped-up presence could soon be expected in San Francisco and in any of these sanctuary cities.

We do have ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] officers on the ground in San Francisco, she said. Thats not a change in posture.

Asked about ICE operations in the Bay Area city, she said she cant get too ahead of ICE operations or [Trump].

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) pledged to push back forcefully on any federal troop deployment. The states attorney general, Democrat Rob Bonta, also vowed to be in court within hours, if not minutes, if troops arrive in the city.

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McLaughlin argued on NewsNation that Newsom electorally has to be very careful.

In Los Angeles and San Francisco, a lot of those citizens arent happy with his governance, whether it be over those wildfires or the crime were seeing out of San Francisco, she said.

The Associated Press contributed.

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SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN)  The San Marcos City Council approved an ordinance that codifies renters right to organize and creates a penalty for property owners who stand in their way.

City council members unanimously approved the item on Tuesday night, which mirrors a measure the Austin City Council passed in 2022.

This is really common sense and important for a community like San Marcos that has about 71% of its total population as renters, said Maxfield Baker, a former San Marcos City Council Member and community advocate.

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Hopefully, this is the first step [to empower] tenants to actually create tenant associations, which is something that we saw happen when [Austin] passed their ordinance, Baker continued.

If a tenant in an apartment building faces an issue that could affect their health or safety, they can knock on neighbors doors or leave fliers to address the problem. If the landlord retaliates, they could face a penalty, Baker explained.

From there, ideally, when you get the kind of critical mass of other tenants there, the landlord will have no choice but to address the issues, he continued.

Tenants already have some protections under the Texas Property Code, which imposes a civil penalty against landlords who interfere with tenants organizing.

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Emily Blair, Executive Vice President of the Austin Apartment Association, told KXAN the new San Marcos ordinance goes a step further, making that penalty a criminal one.

Bowie Tenants Union

In Austin, residents in the downtown high-rise, The Bowie, have already organized. People living there say theyve been dealing with ongoing issues, including water shutoffs, malfunctioning elevators and mold.

Just lots of problems, said Justin Todes, who moved there in December 2024.

Todes reached a breaking point when he said his water was turned off for a cumulative 40 hours during the course of eight days.

When individual complaints from myself and others were ignored, I was like, lets organize and form something, Todes recalled.

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While not all of the issues have been resolved, he said it is clear the building is paying attention. He said around one-third of the building has joined the union since he started it. KXAN reached out to The Bowie but didnt hear back before our deadline.

I think the small wins are a sign that what were doing is working, he said.

Around the time when his water was shut off, Todes said The Bowie offered him the chance to break his lease and move out.

In exchange, I would have had to sign confidentiality agreements waiving my rights to legal action, which Im currently pursuing, as well as just the ability to speak about the problems in the building, Todes said.

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I didnt want to give up that right to speak, because people living in the building deserve transparency, deserve accountability, and prospective tenants deserve to know about whats going on here, he continued.

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Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is downplaying outrage against Graham Platner, who he is backing in the Democratic Senate primary in Maine, over Platners controversial posts on Reddit and a tattoo that resembles a Nazi totenkopf.

Sanders said there are more important issues than Grahams decision to get a tattoo while serving in the Marines.

He went through a dark period in his life. I suspect that Graham Platner is not the only American to have gone through a dark period, the Vermont senator said during an appearance Tuesday on The Axios Show.

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But what he did was, he has expressed his darkness on the internet, probably not a brilliant thing to do, all right, and he said things that are stupid, things that were hurtful. He has apologized for it, he added.

Sanders said Platner told him at one point he was dealing with PTSD.

This is a guy who will tell you, who has served four tours of duty with the United States military, he was in the middle of some heavy-duty combat. He was a machine gunner, he mowed down people, you know? he told Axios.

He went through some very difficult experiences in the military as a machine gunner seeing his friends killed, came out of the military, he will acknowledge  Im not telling you what he doesnt say  he had PTSD. He went to the VA and, by the way, he says they rebuilt his life, Sanders added.

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In spite of the controversies, Platner holds a strong lead over primary challenger, Gov. Janet Mills (D-Maine), whos been endorsed by both EMILYs List and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).

Still, Vermont Republican Party Chair Paul Dame called on Sanders to retract or explain his endorsement of Platner, echoing EMILYs List President Jessica Mackler, who characterized Platners comments as unacceptable and disqualifying, according to the Vermont Daily Chronicle.

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COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD)  Santee Cooper says it wants to restart construction on two previously failed nuclear reactor plants at their VC Summer site.

The utility company on Monday sent a letter to state senators about its plans for moving forward with restarting the project.

State Sen. Tom Davis shared that letter in a post on his X account, adding that Santee Cooper would sign a contract with a consortium of private-sector companies to complete construction.

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Santee Cooper says the increased demand for power and the successful completion of similar reactors in Georgia have created momentum to look for ways to complete the two nuclear plants at the VC Summer sites, two and three.

The state agency stated that it is seeking private developers and funding for the project, and the letter indicates that construction would be completed with no additional capital costs for its customers.

According to the letter, this would be a new model for nuclear construction that will protect ratepayers.

Construction at the VC Summer site stopped back in 2017 after Santee Cooper and then-SCANA spent nearly $10 billion and charged customers more than $2 billion in interest fees.

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Former Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) said Wednesday he is committed to repaying his fraud victims, days after President Trump commuted his sentence and the former lawmaker walked free from prison.

In an interview on NewsNations Cuomo, the New York Republican said his legal team is looking into ways to pay restitution, even though his clemency order frees him of any obligation to do so.

Morally, its the correct thing to do. My legal team is working to find out avenues. You cant just nilly willy start, go up to people and say, Oh, heres a check, Santos said in the interview, when asked whether he thinks he should be working to pay people back. There needs to be an official mechanism and an avenue to do so.

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And when the time is right, and I have the financial means, I am going to do it, Ive already committed that I will do it, the former lawmaker told host Chris Cuomo.

Santos added later: I will be looking into it. My attorneys are already, you know, brainstorming. Theyre working on ways that we can do it legally, and we will be doing it.

The New York Republican said he thinks its the right thing to do and will announce publicly when he has paid people back.

Look, I dont have to, but I want to, because its the only way that I can resolve my quarrels of the past and to right the wrongs of my past, and then move forward, Santos said Wednesday.

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And I will make very clear the day that I accomplish that, I will announce it so people can know it was done. So, its not a matter of dodging it. I dont have to, but I want to because I want to do what is morally correct, he added. And I guess that would definitely be a great start for me to prove to people that my actions are different than my past words and actions and transgressions.

Santos was released from prison Friday after Trump announced that he signed a sentence commutation for the former lawmaker, who reported to prison three months ago to begin his 87-month sentence. The move came after pleas from the embattled Republican for clemency.

The clemency order, which was made public Monday, made clear that Santos would walk free from prison and be free of his obligation to pay the $370,000 in restitution that the court ordered.

In an interview on CNNs State of the Union on Sunday, Santos said he did not yet know whether he would still have to pay restitution, since the clemency order had not yet been made public, but that he would only pay back the money if the law required it.

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This is about a fine, and this is about paying money back, host Dana Bash said in the interview. And whether you describe them as victims or just donors to the [National Republican Congressional Committee] what the court said is that they should get their money back. Will you work to try to do that?

Santos responded, Well, look, I can do my best to do whatever the law requires of me, so, I dont know what that is.

Ive been out of prison for two days. I agreed to come here to speak with you candidly and openly and not to obfuscate, he said.

Santos was originally sentenced to a seven-year prison term after he pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. He was expelled from Congress in 2023 after reports revealed he fabricated much of his resume and lied on campaign finance reports.

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  Saudi Arabia appointed a prominent ultraconservative scholar late Wednesday as the country's new grand mufti, the kingdom's top religious scholar.

Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan al-Fawzan, 90, took over the position, the state-run Saudi Press Agency reported. The decision came from King Salman, based on the recommendation of his son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the report added.

Sheikh Saleh, reportedly born Sept. 28, 1935, in Saudi Arabia's al-Qassim province, studied the Quran with a local imam after his father's death. He became a prominent scholar, speaking to the faithful via the Noor ala al-Darb, or Light the Way, radio show and via multiple books he's authored and his television appearances. His fatwas, or religious orders, have been shared via social media as well.

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Sheikh Saleh has faced criticism in Western media in the past for some of his pronouncements. Human Rights Watch in 2017 reported Sheikh Saleh, when asked if Sunni Muslims should view Shiite as their brothers, responded: "They are brothers of Satan."

The Shiite lie about God, his prophet, and the consensus of Muslims  There is no doubt about the unbelief of these people, Human Rights Watch separately quoted Sheikh Saleh saying at another moment.

Such comments about the Shiite from religious leaders in Saudi Arabia are common, particularly amid political tensions between the kingdom and Iran. Sheikh Saleh also criticized Yemen's Houthi rebels for firing missiles toward holy sites in the kingdom.

In 2003, Sheikh Saleh was quoted as saying: Slavery is a part of Islam. Slavery is part of jihad, and jihad will remain as long as there is Islam.

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The sheikh also had a fatwa attributed to him in 2016 banning the mobile game Pokemon Go as a form of gambling. Saudi Arabia under Crown Prince Mohammed now owns a sizable stake in Nintendo and the gaming division of Niantic, the maker of Pokemon Go.

Sheikh Saleh takes the post after the September death of Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah al-Sheikh, who held the position of grand mufti for a quarter century.

The al-Sheikh family, descendants of Sheikh Mohammed Ibn Abdul-Wahhab, long had seen its members serve as the grand mufti. Sheikh Mohammed's ultraconservative teachings of Islam in the 18th century, widely referred to as Wahhabism in his name, had guided the kingdom for decades, particularly after the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran saw the kingdom grow even more conservative.

The grand mufti is one of the top Islamic clerics in the world of Sunni Muslims. Saudi Arabia, home to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, hosts the annual Hajj pilgrimage required of all able-bodied Muslims once in their lives, making the pronouncements of the grand mufti that much more closely followed.

Saudi Arabia has socially liberalized under King Salman, allowing women to drive and opening movie theaters as the country tries to move its economy away from being dominated by its oil industry.
A towns controversial attempt to seize a Middlesex County farm to build affordable housing appears to be dead after Gov. Phil Murphy announced a deal Thursday to spare the land.

Earlier this year, Cranbury Township approved a plan to meet state mandates to build more affordable housing by seizing the Henry family farm on South River Road.

The township planned to use eminent domain to buy the 21-acre farm, whether the family wanted to sell it or not. A developer planned to build six multifamily buildings and a community center on the site, according to municipal documents.

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The Henry familys fight to save their farm drew national attention, including promises by President Donald Trumps administration to help block the attempt to seize the site.

Murphy said the deal to save the farm was reached with Andy and Christopher Henry, the brothers whose family has owned the property for generations. Township officials will explore other areas of the municipality to build affordable housing, the governor said.

From the very beginning, I have opposed efforts to seize the Henry Family Farm through eminent domain, Murphy said in a statement. While every town in New Jersey must do its part to resolve our states affordable housing crisis, these efforts must be pursued thoughtfully and collaboratively.

Timothy Duggan, an attorney representing the Henry brothers in a lawsuit against the township, said hes very confident the deal will be finalized.

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Andy called me this morning, and he was ecstatic, Duggan told NJ Advance Media. Andy and Chris are just overwhelmed that weve reached this point, and that theyve received the support across the board from everybody to have his property removed from the plan.

The deal appears to hinge on a change in a New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency rule that will make it possible to use other land in Cranbury for affordable housing, local officials said. The rule is expected to be finalized by the end of the year.

New Jerseys family farms are an essential and deeply cherished part of our states story, Murphy said.

The governor thanked a long list of people, including Trump administration officials, for working in good faith to reach this resolution.

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The fight to save the farm drew the attention of the Trump administration over the summer, when federal officials began investigating whether it was legal to use eminent domain to acquire the farm. They argued the land is federally protected under the Farmland Protection Policy Act.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins urged Cranbury Township to forgo the seizure plan in June.

She hinted a deal was reached in a social media post Thursday morning.

GOOD NEWS COMING!!!, Rollins wrote on the social platform X. Stay tuned. Andy, you are a warrior!

U.S. Department of Agriculture officials did not immediately return an NJ Advance Media request to comment.

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The end to the proposed land takeover still awaits a formal settlement proposal, according to a notice filed in court Wednesday by Kevin A. Van Hise, an attorney for Cranbury Township, and shared by the Murphy administration.

Meanwhile, township officials have agreed not to proceed with acquiring the land, the court papers said.

The plan appears contingent upon the state relaxing its warehouse buffer rule. The rule bans affordable housing projects within at least 250 feet of large warehouse property lines.

The rule was previously cited as one of the reasons the Henry farm was the only option for building affordable housing in Cranbury.

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In Cranburys case, this adjustment is meaningful, Cranbury Mayor Lisa Knierim said in a statement. This adjustment creates a meaningful opportunity for Cranbury to evaluate alternative sites to the Henry Farm, while continuing to meet our state-mandated affordable housing obligations with transparency and fiscal responsibility.

The Fair Share Housing Center, which helps oversee the states affordable housing plan, thanked the two sides for reaching an agreement on sparing the farm. The statement thanked the Township of Cranbury and the Henry family for working toward an agreement that would eliminate the use of the Henry Farm site in its affordable housing plan and any use of eminent domain on the site.

Last month, township officials said they vetted other sites for housing development, hinting that the use of eminent domain to acquire the farm would end.

Under the states guidelines, New Jersey needs to add 146,000 affordable housing units, including 265 in Cranbury.

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Township officials said they were challenged by a lack of available land that would meet state requirements for affordable housing construction. Other possible areas had other restrictions or didnt qualify for federal tax credits to defray construction costs.

U.S. agriculture officials contended the township was required to abide by laws protecting farmlands if federal dollars would be used to build the housing community.

Andy and Christopher Henry assumed their familys farmland in 2012. They said they have pumped more than $200,000 into its maintenance. The brothers live in New Mexico but lease the land for tenants who raise sheep and cattle.

Warehouse developers have repeatedly prodded the brothers to sell the land for about three decades, lauding its location between the New Jersey Turnpike and Route 130, according to the Henrys attorney. He said the land could be valued at around $5 million.

Eric Conklin

Stories by Eric Conklin

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DAVIS, W.Va. (WBOY)  Several groups have filed another appeal challenging the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection to release information related to the proposed data center in Tucker County.

Tucker United, Friends of Blackwater, and the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy were included in this appeal, which is the second since the DEP approved air quality permits for the proposed data center back in August.

The data center project proposed by Fundamental Data includes building and maintaining a 500-acre data center and power plant between the towns of Davis and Thomas in Tucker County. Many of the details about the project, including emissions data, have not been released to the public by Fundamental Data or the DEP.

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Preston County EMS agencies face lack of funding due to government shutdown

The appeal argues that the public has been shut out of the decision-making process and asks for more open government.

Since the data center project was first announced in the spring, the Tucker County community has been outspoken with their concerns that the plant could negatively impact the air quality in the region, which is one of the most remote and unique in West Virginia, and hurt the areas growing tourism industry.

Although the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy said on Wednesday that it has filed for the second appeal, the second appeal is not listed on the West Virginia Air Quality Board website as of publication.

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CLAYTON, Mo.  A Florissant man appeared in court Thursday morning for his role in an armed carjacking at the start of the year.

According to the Berkeley Police Departments probable cause statement, the carjacking happened on Jan. 21.

Police said Lagardo Wright and Kaden Cook stole the victims 2023 Ford Bronco at gunpoint. Wright got in the front passenger seat and displayed a pistol. The victim fled from her vehicle as Cook got in and the two men drove away.

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About 30 minutes after the carjacking, police spotted the vehicle and engaged in a pursuit. The stolen Bronco collided with a vehicle, injuring that driver. The Bronco continued to evade police until crashing into a guardrail and concrete curb.

Missouri men charged for headless deer dumped on road

Wright and Cook fled into a nearby creek but were apprehended. Police said they recovered a pistol at the scene.

The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorneys Office charged Wright with first-degree robbery, armed criminal action, aggravated fleeing a stop or detention, resisting arrest, and two counts of leaving the scene of an accident  property damage exceeding $1,000.

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Cook was previously charged with first-degree robbery and armed criminal action. Hes due in court for a bond reduction hearing on Nov. 13.

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As President Donald Trumps second term stretches past its ninth month, the controversies are only stacking up. But whether congressional Republicans criticize the president or try to stay completely silent largely depends on one big factor: How will it affect a Republican lawmakers constituents?

In the case of Trump proposing to buy beef from Argentina, it was enough of a policy dispute  and enough of a blow to the constituencies of some GOP lawmakers  that many Republicans felt they had no choice but to speak out.

In the House, eight Republicans signed a letter questioning Trump, and many more publicly and privately signaled their opposition. It was a similar story in the Senate, where Republicans spent much of Tuesday posting online about their disapproval.

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If the goal is addressing beef prices at the grocery store, this isnt the way, Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., wrote on X.

But a New York Times story on Tuesday that Trump is allegedly seeking $230 million from his own Justice Department was met with a far more muted Republican response.

Asked about the bombshell report on Tuesday night, Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said he hadnt read the piece and, as a result, couldnt comment.

But on Wednesday, with ample time to catch up on the news, Johnson demurred again when MSNBC asked him how comfortable he was with the president reportedly looking for a $230 million payout.

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I dont know details about that. Ive just read it, Johnson told reporters Wednesday. I know that he believes hes owed that reimbursement.

When Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., was asked for his reaction to the story, he answered by deflecting to the recent revelation that the FBI analyzed his phone records, in addition to the phone metadata of almost a dozen other GOP lawmakers as part of the investigation into attempts to certify a different slate of electors on Jan. 6, 2021.

What happened in the last four years with the weaponization of the Justice Department has to not only end, but never, ever happen again, Hawley said, dodging the question about Trump seeking compensation. Never happen again. And for that, there needs to be accountability.

Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., said he didnt know how Trump came to the $230 million sum, but he said it was devastating how they weaponized the DOJ against Trump.

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Other Republicans  like Sens. Bill Cassidy, R-La., and Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va.  told reporters they hadnt seen the story and therefore couldnt comment, taking a page from Trumps first term, when GOP lawmakers repeatedly insisted they hadnt seen the presidents most recent controversial tweet.

I dont know what the story is yet, Capito told MSNBC.

Can I actually investigate that for my own and figure that out? Cassidy asked reporters looking for a comment.

Of course, some Republicans expressed their discomfort.

In a statement, Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., told MSNBC that any potential restitution to Trump should be handled via the courts to settle any legitimate claims.

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This is a bad demand and is a money grab, he continued.

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said he had a lot of optics concerns.

And I just dont know if theres precedent for it, Tillis said. It doesnt seem to be.

Notably, both Bacon and Tillis are retiring at the end of their terms.

But just about every other Republican who didnt face a reporter on Wednesday elected to stay quiet. This story had nothing to do with local politics and everything to do with Trump. In that case, politically, it was best for Republicans to stay away.

In interviews with GOP lawmakers on Wednesday, Republicans suggested to MSNBC that its not some arbitrary decision about when they speak out; it all comes down to parochial responsibilities.

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I decide based on what I hear from my constituents, Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., told MSNBC.

Lummis, who raised concerns about Trumps Argentine beef proposal, said her constituents are worried about that issue.

The $230 million Trump wants from the DOJ? She never heard about it from folks back home.

According to Budd, he and other Republicans look through the lenses of our state.

Budd invoked the example of the ongoing recovery efforts in Western North Carolina, which was ravaged by Hurricane Helene.

I want to make sure that those hes appointed to his cabinet are actually doing that, Budd said of addressing the recovery.

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Democrats, however, told MSNBC the difference comes down to fear.

When the cattle and beef industries in red states start to squeal, the Republican members of Congress respond, and they know that their own political longevity is tied to ensuring that their local constituents  the cattle and beef industry  are not obscured, Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., told MSNBC.

But why sidestep on other matters, like questions of potential corruption in the Trump administration?

They do not believe that there is an electoral price that they have to pay, and so they go along with the evisceration of constitutional protections, Markey said.

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Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., told MSNBC that the GOP outcry over beef is an example of herd instinct.

When some people begin to step out on an issue like Argentina, then it becomes safer for the other ones to do it, and generally it will be around an issue where they say they simply have to speak out because its so outrageous, its causing a problem in their district, Raskin said.

Its a more nerve-wracking proposition for them to go against Trump when it comes to something so close to his heart as his ability to shake down the U.S. government, he added.

Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., told MSNBC that Republicans are afraid of two things at once.

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Trumps wrath if they cross him badly, and their own voters who are rightfully pissed off right now over the Argentina bailout, Huffman said. Thats why theyre mostly silent, and when they do speak out, its on something like Argentina where their base is leaving them no choice and where Trump probably wont end their careers over just this one thing.

Other recent Trump scandals offer a lesson in how congressional Republicans navigate their criticism.

Trumps commutation of the sentence of former Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., for instance, was a delicate case. A number of New York Republicans wanted to express their frustration with Santos being excused from jail three months into an 87-month sentence, but they did so by focusing on Santos, not Trump.

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, Rep. Nick LaLota, R-N.Y., posted online, failing to mention who, with his signature, set Santos free seven years early.

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Rep. Andrew Garbarino, R-N.Y., said in a statement that Santos had shown no remorse and that three months in prison is not justice, while also noting that President Trump has discretion to make such a decision.

When asked about the pardon, Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., invoked his time serving as a governor. I had a different approach to issuing pardons than what this president does, Rounds said.

But, he said, the president has that authority and the constitutional power to do so. Those are the facts.

Whether Trump has the authority to pardon Santos was not the question  but Republicans have been acting as if thats what everyone is asking, not whether it was an appropriate use of his power.

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Another one of Trumps controversial pardoning decisions came on the first day of his second term  when he pardoned or commuted the sentence of every Jan. 6 defendant, including those charged with violent crimes. That decision has recently drawn a new round of criticism after a pardoned Jan. 6 participant was arrested for allegedly threatening to kill House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York.

Asked Tuesday if the president made a mistake in issuing a blanket pardon, Speaker Johnson once again sidestepped the question, repeating a refrain hes used frequently when asked about the latest Trump controversy.

I dont know any of the details of this at all. I dont know whos been alleged to have been involved in this, Johnson said.

And he, like many other Republicans, was content to leave it at that.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Amazon has spent years automating its warehouses with robots. Its mechanical workforce is more than one million strong, rivaling the size of its human workforce of some 1.56 million people. Robots, in fact, are on track to outnumber Amazon employees.

The Jeff Bezos-chaired company claims that the infusion of automation will drive up productivity and efficiency, while creating more high paying jobs. Some workers have praised the robot helpers for alleviating them of repetitive, backbreaking work.

But experts, seeing the writing on the wall, have long warned that Amazon had an ulterior motive with the robots  and now theres evidence to prove it.

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Interviews and leaked documents reveal that the company is planning to replace more than 600,000 jobs with robots, The New York Times reports. By the end, Amazons robotics team aims to automate 75 percent of the companys entire operations. Seemingly, the calculus putting this into action is that it would save 30 cents on each item that it processes and delivers.

Amazons reported plans are an alarming wake-up call, as the rise of AI technology has already led to a slew of firings and raised the specter of widespread job destruction, especially among knowledge workers. As the second largest private employer in the US, Amazon has the resources to set a sea-changing precedent that could see manual labor jobs threatened, too.

Nobody else has the same incentive as Amazon to find the way to automate, Daron Acemoglu, an MIT professor and automation expert who won last years Nobel Prize in economic science, told the NYT. Once they work out how to do this profitably, it will spread to others, too.

One of the main ways Amazon plans to achieve this is by slowing hiring to a crawl, even as the company expects to sell twice as many products by 2033, according to the reporting. At some locations like its warehouse in Stone Mountain, it also plans to whittle down its 4,000 employee work force through attrition. By the end, Amazon hopes that some of its fulfillment centers will barely need humans at all.

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Amazons testing ground for its heavily automated vision is its warehouse in Shreveport, Louisiana, which is swarming with a thousand robots. Once an item there is in a package, according to the NYT, a human barely touches it again. The warehouse employed roughly 25 percent fewer humans last year than it would have without the robots, documents viewed by the NYT showed.

With this major milestone now in sight, we are confident in our ability to flatten Amazons hiring curve over the next 10 years, the robotics team wrote in its strategy plan for 2025.

Shreveports model will be used at 40 Amazon facilities by the end of 2027, with the Stone Mountain warehouse projected to have its workforce reduced by up to 1,200 employees.

Amazon clearly knows how bad this looks. The leaked documents suggest avoiding terms like automation and AI when discussing robotics. Its proposed alternative included advanced technology, and cobot, a portmanteau thats supposed to suggest collaboration between robots and humans.

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It already has plans for damage control in areas where human jobs are on the chopping block, with documents revealing how it weighed up creating an image as a good corporate citizen by participating in community events like parades and Toys for Tots.

An Amazon spokesperson told the NYT that the documents didnt reflect the companys overall hiring strategy and insisted it was the viewpoint of only one group. The spokesperson also highlighted the companys plan to hire 250,000 people for the holiday season, but refused to say how many of those jobs would be permanent. In any case, the company expanded its human workforce at an unprecedented rate during the pandemic, which is now triple in size from where it was in 2018, so a hiring spree cant be taken as a guarantee against downsizing in the future.

Acemoglu, the Nobel prize winning automation expert, warned that if Amazons plans go through, one of the biggest employers in the United States will become a net job destroyer, not a net job creator.

More on robots: Amazon Drones Kamikaze Into Construction Equipment, Burst Into Flames
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  A new attraction for older adults is now available at Sedgwick County Park.

Sedgwick County held a ribbon-cutting on Monday to unveil its newest outdoor fitness area, The Get Active in Nature (G.A.I.N.) Exercise Park.

Get Active in Nature (G.A.I.N.) Exercise Park at Sedgwick County Park on Oct. 27, 2025 (KSN Photo) Get Active in Nature (G.A.I.N.) Exercise Park at Sedgwick County Park on Oct. 27, 2025 (KSN Photo) Get Active in Nature (G.A.I.N.) Exercise Park at Sedgwick County Park on Oct. 27, 2025 (Courtesy: Sedgwick County) Get Active in Nature (G.A.I.N.) Exercise Park at Sedgwick County Park on Oct. 27, 2025 (KSN Photo) Get Active in Nature (G.A.I.N.) Exercise Park at Sedgwick County Park on Oct. 27, 2025 (KSN Photo) Get Active in Nature (G.A.I.N.) Exercise Park at Sedgwick County Park on Oct. 27, 2025 (Courtesy: Sedgwick County) Get Active in Nature (G.A.I.N.) Exercise Park at Sedgwick County Park on Oct. 27, 2025 (KSN Photo) Get Active in Nature (G.A.I.N.) Exercise Park at Sedgwick County Park on Oct. 27, 2025 (KSN Photo) Get Active in Nature (G.A.I.N.) Exercise Park at Sedgwick County Park on Oct. 27, 2025 (KSN Photo)

Toys R Us is returning to Wichita with a flagship store

The park is designed to promote physical activity and foster social interactions among adults 60 and older.

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This inclusive fitness area will encourage multigenerational engagement and physical wellness and adds another feature for families to enjoy at Sedgwick County Park, Sedgwick County Board Chairman Ryan Baty said. I want to thank my commissioners for their approval and our staff, including at the Department of Aging and Disabilities, for their work on this project and for providing our citizens a safe area to be active and socialize.

It features 11 strength and resistance exercise stations, five of which are wheelchair accessible.

Equipment at the park features signs with instructions for using each machine, along with QR codes that link to video demonstrations.

This initiative is a partnership among Sedgwick County, the Central Plains Area Agency on Aging and the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Memphis Shelby County Schools is considering a consolidation plan that could impact nearly a dozen schools.

Frayser will be most affected by the consolidation effort. There are five elementary schools within five miles of each other. This plan closes the two smaller schools (Frayser-Corning and Georgian Hills).

Memphis school board discusses closing some schools

Dozens of jobs at MSCS will be cut if the school consolidation plan is approved, including principals, assistant principals, teachers, librarians, etc.

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In addition to the direct savings of consolidation, this plan would save MSCS millions in additional maintenance-related costs.

Really what were thinking about is our footprint, and Ive used this term before, but we are mopping with the faucet on, in terms of deferred maintenance, board member Amber Huett-Garcia said. Were talking tens of millions of dollars just to get them up to code, so we want to make sure that theyre, healthy environments for students as well.

Huett-Garcia said there would be community meetings ahead of any action.

MSCS leaders planned to meet with principals and other stakeholders on Wednesday to review the consolidation plan. The school board plans to make its final decision in February.

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The district has also assigned project managers to help plan construction projects at Westwood, Mitchell, and Fairley High Schools  these projects still need Board approval. xAI is helping MSCS with these projects.

Parents react to potential school closures in Shelby County

SUMMARY

Chickasaw Middle School consolidates into Westwood High Creates 6-12 grade structure 339 students currently enrolled at Chickasaw MS 363 enrolled at Westwood HS 400 seats available at Westwood Consolidation would save MSCS $954,000

Frayser-Corning Elementary consolidates into Whitney & Westside Elementary Schools 297 students enrolled at Frayser-Corning 277 enrolled at Whitney 298 enrolled at Westside Consolidation would put Whitney and Westside at 75% and 87 % of their total capacity District savings in excess of $1 million

Georgian Hills Elementary consolidates with Whitney & Hawkins Mill Elementary Schools 258 students enrolled at Georgian Hills 277 enrolled at Whitney 250 enrolled at Hawkins Mill Consolidation would put Whitney and Hawkins Mill at 75% and 72% of their total capacity District savings of $910,000

Ida B. Wells Academy 84 students currently enrolled (K-8) School is at 16% of its total capacity Been in decline for the last four years No attendance zone; this is a choice school District savings of $2.1 million

Lucy Elementary consolidates with Woodstock Middle School This change result of state law barring districts from running schools in other municipalities Lucy Elementary building is being transferred to Millington School District Consolidation with Woodstock creates K-8 grade structure 270 enrolled at Lucy (30% of capacity) 216 enrolled at Woodstock (33% of capacity) District savings of $931,000



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Proposed School Consolidations BWS 10-21-25Download

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MIAMI, Okla.  A murder charge was dismissed on Wednesday for an Ottawa County man after testimony showed the fatal shooting was in self-defense.

Travis Christian Wilbur, 36, appeared in Ottawa County District Court for the Jan. 5, 2024, death of Matthew Vincent Locastro, 27, of Miami.

Travis Wilbur

An autopsy report showed Locastro died from a gunshot wound to his head. Court records show Locastro was shot in the left eye, and the autopsy report spells out the path of the fatal bullet. His toxicology report showed he tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine, and his blood alcohol level registered at .18, which is over twice the legal limit in Oklahoma.

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Testimony at the preliminary hearing in September 2024 suggested the two men were arguing, and in a struggle over a gun, the gun discharged, striking Locastro.

Wilburs attorney, Jesse Muth, argued that Locastro entered Wilburs friends garage and assaulted Wilbur with an object that turned out to be a gun. Wednesdays motion hearing to dismiss addressed Wilburs claims that the Jan. 5 shooting was in self-defense.

A message left for Jesse Muth, Wilburns attorney, was not returned before deadline.

After a day and a half of testimony on the Stand Your Ground law, District Judge Jennifer McAffrey dismissed the murder charge against Wilbur.

Any occupant of a dwelling is justified in using any degree of physical force, including but not limited to deadly force, against another person who has made an unlawful entry into that dwelling, and when the occupant has a reasonable belief that such other person might use any physical force, no matter how slight, against any occupant of the dwelling. Oklahomas Castle Doctrine. The statute, 21-1289.25

The Oklahoma Stand Your Ground law allows individuals to use force in self-defense without a duty to retreat, as long as they are in a place where they legally have the right to be.

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The testimony during the hearing was inconsistent with what we expected, said District Attorney Doug Pewit.

Investigators later learned two people were at the scene. They were interviewed later, he said.

One witness, Bryan Sean Koch, kept pleading the fifth so as not to incriminate himself, Pewitt said.

Online records show Koch has drug charges in Ottawa County.

Pewitt said the other witnesss testimony was inconsistent with his previous testimony.

Earlier this summer, Wilbur was acquitted of assault charges in another case.

In 2017, Wilbur was accused of killing a toddler, Braxton Herring, by running him over in the childs front yard. In a civil wrongful death lawsuit, the childs mother accused Wilbur of being impaired and failing to watch out for him when Wilbur drove into the yard.

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When Wilbur failed to show up for trial in the civil case, the judge issued a default judgment against him in the amount of $900,000.

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Default judgment travis wilburDownload

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(WVNY/WFFF)  Vermonts junior senator is touting a new bill that cracks down on robocalls.

Recent studies show nearly 50 million U.S. adults have reported losing money to an online scam or attack.

The bill is called the Foreign Robocall Elimination Act. Senator peter welch says its impossible to track down on scammers outside of the country, so we need to come up with technology to protect our phones.

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Really, weve got to stop the calls. Because the reality is that threatening a fine to a foreign entity that comes and goes. And moves from here and moves from there. It doesnt have a physical location, and it really doesnt have a corporate entity. Its not a fine youre going to be able to collect, says Welch.

The legislation would create a task force made up of members of the FCC, the DOJ and experts in telecommunications.

The bill now heads to the senate for a vote.

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The Senate failed to pass a stand-alone bill on Thursday that would pay troops, leaving service members once again with no clear idea of where their next paycheck will come from next week.

The Republican-backed bill, called the Shutdown Fairness Act, was intended to pay excepted federal employees, service members, and contractors who have gone unpaid as the government shutdown surpasses its third week. The vote tallied 54 to 45, failing to reach the required 60 votes to pass, with most Democrats voting against it.

Before the vote, Republicans blocked legislation from Democrats that would have also paid troops, but would have stopped the Trump administration from axing more federal employees.

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The failed vote comes after Senate Democrats blocked the GOPs stopgap funding measure to reopen the government for the twelfth time on Wednesday. Democrats have tied reopening the government to extensions in Affordable Care Act subsidies and a reversal of Republican cuts to Medicaid.

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) introduced the Shutdown Fairness Act last week amid an ongoing stalemate between Democrats and Republicans over the shutdown. The bills funding would not cover members of the Coast Guard or National Guard serving on federally funded state missions.

In a statement following the vote, Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), who sits on the Armed Services Committee, accused Democrats of using the shutdown to play political tug-of-war over federal workers.

Were talking about law enforcement officers, service members, air traffic controllers, and many more, he said. Its time for Democrats to end their absurd obstruction and make sure essential workers can pay for housing and feed their families.

Top Stories This Week

News Captain of ship at center of Navy SEAL drownings sentenced to 40 years By Drew F. Lawrence News One Marine killed, another injured in helicopter crash By Nicholas Slayton News Air Force announces all-hands room inspections for every barracks By Jeff Schogol

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Democrats have pointed out that the bill would allow President Donald Trumps administration to decide which federal employees get paid and which ones were punished, said Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) in the hour before the vote.

Its nothing more than another tool for Trump to hurt federal workers and American families and to keep this shutdown going for as long as he wants, Schumer said. We will not give Donald Trump a license to play politics with peoples livelihoods. Thats why we oppose this.

The Shutdown Fairness Act would only pay federal employees who continued to work through the shutdown.

Three Democrats joined Republicans on the measure, including Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock of Georgia and Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania. Johnson, who introduced the Shutdown Fairness Act, objected to a request by Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) to introduce the True Shutdown Fairness Act, which would also pay troops but block Trump from more mass layoffs.

Meanwhile, troops increasingly face the fear of missing a paycheck at the end of next week. Trump previously ordered the Pentagon to take $8 billion from research funds to pay service members their mid-month paycheck. Politico reported earlier this week that Trump would use alternative funds to pay troops if Congress could not pass legislation to do so, citing two anonymous White House officials.
Senate Republicans spent months quietly raising the alarm with the White House about Paul Ingrassias nomination to lead the Office of Special Counsel before he withdrew from consideration this week.

Members of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which was vetting President Donald Trumps pick, were initially on edge this summer about his comments on social media and perceived lack of qualifications, according to interviews with GOP members of the panel.

Even close Trump allies, including Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, said they dug into his background and were uneasy with what they found. Ingrassia professed to have little memory of inflammatory social media posts and writings when he sat for a meeting with bipartisan committee staff in July, according to three Democratic aides who were present and granted anonymity to discuss the conversation.

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Senators reached a breaking point this week after POLITICO reported on texts that showed Ingrassia making racist and antisemitic remarks to fellow Republicans, as he was set to testify before the Senate Homeland committee on Thursday. Ingrassia announced Tuesday evening that he was withdrawing, citing a lack of GOP votes for his confirmation.

Its been ongoing for a while, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said in an interview Wednesday. The members on the committee who have met with him and some of the stuff they had come up with during the vetting process, I think, created some  he had challenges.

The derailment of Ingrassias nomination shows that even some of Trumps most loyal defenders have limits when it comes to rubber-stamping his administration personnel. In the case of Ingrassia, Republican senators succeeded in blocking the nominee through limited public statements and months of privately putting the White House on notice.

The GOP pushback accelerated in July when he was first scheduled to testify before Senate Homeland Security  a hearing that was ultimately delayed.

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In a July 21 meeting with Senate staffers, Ingrassia was asked about a December 2023 social media post where he said exceptional white men are not only the builders of Western civilization but are the ones most capable of appreciating the fruits of our heritage, according to the three aides in the room. Ingrassia responded by pointing to Leonardo da Vinci as an example of a great artist but then trailed off, the aides said.

His most typical response was that hes posted so many things he couldnt recall, said one of the aides.

Just before he was set to testify on July 24, his appearance was postponed.

Ingrassia and his attorney did not respond to requests for comment. A spokesperson for Sen. Rand Paul, the chair of Senate Homeland Security, declined to comment.

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As Senate staff continued to vet Ingrassia, Republican offices backchanneled with the White House about the nominees dimming chances of confirmation.

Sen. Ron Johnson, a Wisconsin Republican on Senate Homeland Security, said in an interview this week his office privately signaled to the White House at a staff level that he would not support Ingrassias confirmation.

Sen. Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican on the panel, said in an interview he had rolling conversations with the White House about what do I think about the nomination. Hawley said that from the beginning his concerns were focused on a perceived lack of qualifications to lead the office, which investigates federal employee whistleblower complaints and discrimination claims. Ingrassia, a conservative lawyer and activist, would have been two decades younger and less experienced than recent leaders at the Office of Special Counsel.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

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Scott, whose home state of Florida has a large Jewish population, said in an interview this week that digging from Hill staff had turned up a litany of remarks that troubled him.

We just reviewed things he had said in the past, Scott said. It was just a lot of antisemitic tropes.

Scrutiny of the nomination ramped up earlier this month, after POLITICO reported that Ingrassia, who has been serving as White House liaison to the Department of Homeland Security, was investigated for harassment involving a lower-ranking colleague. The colleague filed a complaint against him before retracting it. Ingrassias attorney denied the allegations.

On Monday, POLITICO reported on a text chain that showed Ingrassia making a number of offensive remarks, including that he had a Nazi streak and that the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday should be ended and tossed into the seventh circle of hell where it belongs. A lawyer for Ingrassia did not confirm the authenticity of the texts and said they could be manipulated or are being provided with material context omitted.

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Hours before Ingrassia withdrew from consideration Tuesday, Paul in a POLITICO interview vented about Trumps handling of the nomination and said Republicans should man up and bring their concerns about Ingrassia to the president.

Im waiting to see a little courage, Paul said.

But Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.), another member of the Homeland Security panel, denied that lawmakers had been reluctant to voice their concerns.

Several of us  had direct conversations with the White House for a couple of months, actually, he said.
Another vote on stopgap funding to end the partial federal government shutdown failed Wednesday, with Indiana senators voting along party lines.

Republican Sens. Jim Banks and Todd Young voted yes on Wednesday, Oct. 22, in a 54-46 vote. At least 60 votes are needed for the bill to pass.

Now some federal employees could start to see more effects on their budgets if a bill to fund their paychecks doesn't pass. Here's what's happening.

What is the Shutdown Fairness Act?

Sponsored by Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, the Shutdown Fairness Act would pay some essential employees during the shutdown. Those include air traffic controllers, military members and border patrol agents.

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Young is cosponsoring the bill, along with six other republican senators.

USA TODAY reported that Senate Democrats are expected to block the bill, arguing that the Trump administration shouldn't be able to dictate which employees get paid. The bill needs 60 votes to pass.

Federal workers received partial checks on Oct. 10. On Oct. 15, the administration shifted funding to pay the military. Other workers, however, will miss their first full paycheck on Friday, Oct. 24.

What was the longest government shutdown?

Why did the government shut down? When will it end?

The shutdown began on Wednesday, Oct. 1, the start of fiscal year 2026, after Senate Republicans failed to win enough Democratic support on a short-term funding measure that would keep federal agencies open through Nov. 21.

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The shutdown will end if a compromise is formed on healthcare funding and other disputed matters, or if at least 60 senators vote to extend the stopgap bill.

The GOP currently holds a 53-47 Senate majority, but 60 votes are needed to advance legislation.

CONTRIBUTING: Zac Anderson, Zachary Schermele and Joey Garrison, USA TODAY.

This story has been updated to include additional information.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: 12th government shutdown senate vote fails. What's next?
A 22-year-old man died of rabies nearly three months after being bitten by a stray dog. Aman Rajkumar Kori, a resident of Shankar Heights in Ambernath West, was bitten near Shivaji Market. Believing it to be a minor injury, he reportedly took just one injection and concealed the incident from his family.

Weeks later, Koris health began to deteriorate, and he started showing symptoms of paralysis. He was first treated in Hyderabad and later admitted to BG Chhaya Hospital in Ambernath, where doctors diagnosed him with rabies. Kori was then shifted to Mumbais Kasturba Hospital but succumbed during treatment on October 16.

We had no idea he was bitten by a dog, his father Rajkumar Kori said. If only he had told us earlier, or if the civic body had taken this problem [of strays] seriously, my son would still be with us.

Residents expressed anger over Ambernath Municipal Councils failure to control the rising stray dog population in the city. Locals claimed that the sterilisation drive has failed, leaving citizens at constant risk. Every other week someone gets bitten, but the authorities wake up only after a tragedy, said Prashant Nakavi. The incident has spread fear and outrage across Ambernath, with citizens demanding immediate and effective sterilisation and relocation of stray dogs to prevent further loss of life.


COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  An alternative to assisted living has been expanding all over the country and now Ohioans have the option too.

The Ohio Department of Aging has been working to expand the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, also known as PACE. On Wednesday morning, BoldAge PACE opened its doors to Franklin County residents.

I thought to myself, this sounds too good to be true. So I talked to the leaders some more and I thought Id give it a try and I have not looked back, said Joyce Spear, Hilliard resident and BoldAge PACE participant.

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The center is meant to be a one stop shop for older residents. Participants are usually folks with a lot of chronic medical conditions that make it difficult for them to function and be independent so we can provide the care and support that they need, said Mary Austin, CEO of BoldAge PACE.

Adults 55 years and older can get check ups, meals and socialize all in one place. Austin said insurance or Medicaid often covers the cost, aiming to make it as accessible as possible.

We provide free rides to and from the center to and from all medical appointments and to and from any other activities, she said.

Taylor SwiftKin 2.0 unveiled by Dublin pumpkin artist

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The center has started enrolling participants including Spear. She said she relies on bus transportation which made it difficult to make it to different appointments. Now, its all under one roof.

I was taking the bus to every doctor appointment which amounted to tons of time and transportation for maybe a 20-minute appointment, she said.

Spear said its important for her to keep living at home but that also comes with isolation. Now, she comes to the center for meals, activities and to hang out with friends.

Im a crafter. I had fun with that to a degree, but being so isolated the fun of it, it just kind of dissipated and now that Im here, Im doing crafts and Im having the time of my life, Spear said.

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BoldAge PACE is partnering with many community organizations to make this program happen including the Mid-Ohio Food Collective and Stonewall Columbus.

We want to bring PACE to communities, but we need to partner with communities because it really needs to be a program that comes from the people, Austin said.

Learn more about how to get enrolled here.

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Three haredi protesters were arrested in Bnei Brak, while protesters in Jerusalem blocked a major road and the light rail tracks, throwing stones at passing vehicles, Israel Police confirmed.

Senior rabbi Dov Landau approved members of his community to hold a widespread protest this coming Sunday, haredi news outlets reported on Wednesday night.

This follows on from activists from the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) communities held protests in Jerusalem, Bnei Brak, and Beit Shemesh denouncing the arrest of haredim who attempted to dodge the IDF draft.

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Haredi activists block Jerusalem's light rail and a key road, throwing stones at passing vehicles to denounce the arrest of draft dodgers, October 22, 2025. (credit: ISRAEL POLICE)

At approximately 8 p.m., police officers confirmed that protests broke out in the haredi areas of north Jerusalem, including Haim Bar-Lev Street, as well as in Nahar Hayarden Street in Beit Shemesh.

The police spokesperson shared video footage highlighting haredi activists blocking vehicles and the light rail tracks along Haim Bar-Lev Street, including throwing stones at passing vehicles.

Police arrest three haredi protesters in Bnei Brak

Israel Police confirmed that an "illegal demonstration" began on Highway 4 near Bnei Brak at approximately 6 p.m. which led to traffic diversions.

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Three protesters were arrested in Bnei Brak for blocking roads, insulting and clashing with police officers, and blocking vehicles endangering lives, police confirmed.

Haredi protesters clash with Israel Police in Bnei Brak, October 22, 2025. (credit: ISRAEL POLICE)

The protesters in Bnei Brak also attempted to start a fire at the scene, police added. Video footage shared by the police appears to show haredim calling police officers "Nazis."
Israel says it will not allow UNRWA to operate in Gaza despite an ICJ urging it to support UN relief efforts, citing past UN failures.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the UN agency that operates for the benefit of Palestinian refugees, to enter the Gaza Strip, will not have future involvement in the Gaza Strip, a senior Israeli official told Israeli public broadcaster KAN News on Thursday.

"As far as we are concerned, UNRWA will no longer set foot in Gaza," the official said.

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The official's comments come despite the International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivering an advisory opinion on Wednesday that Israel should be forced to support the relief efforts provided by the UN in Gaza, including its entities, such as UNRWA.

The official told KAN that every UN agency that has entered Gaza has either been a massive failure or has been taken over by Hamas. Therefore, Israel would not permit UNRWA to continue its operations there.

Israel hopes US 'will see eye to eye'

The unnamed official added that Israel had informed the United States of its stance on the matter "in the hope that the Americans will see eye to eye with Israel on this issue."

Empty UNRWA and World Food Program trucks head to the Kerem Shalom crossing to collect limited humanitarian aid and fuel, in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza Strip, July 24, 2025 (credit: ABED RAHIM KHATIB/FLASH90)

The ICJ on Wednesday rejected Israel's assertions that a large number of UNRWA employees were members of Hamas.

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It was further stated that the UNRWA remains necessary in the region and there is no alternative, even if some of its members have acted against its principles.

Last year, Israel decided to ban UNRWA's activities, including in Gaza.
LISBON, Ohio (WKBN)  Some Columbiana County seniors were getting help Thursday, making sure their feet were in a comfortable place.

Fifty people were pre-selected to receive new shoes. AmeriCorps Seniors worked with Serve Ohio on the funding. Samaritans Feet International chipped in as well to give seniors a Hope Tote, with $35 worth of items inside, including a pair of shoes, socks, a hygiene kit and fall prevention materials.

Its about making somebody feel seen and heard and valued, even if it is just a pair of shoes. Its giving them that little bit of hope, and thats the reason for the Hope Totes, said Marti Leake, program coordinator.

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The event also provided blood pressure and vision screenings, along with other resources for seniors. AmeriCorps hopes to do more events like this around the tri-county area.

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A lawsuit filed by Hollywood star and producer Alec Baldwin against Santa Fe County prosecutors and law enforcement officers involved in a criminal case against him in recent years has been moved to federal court.

Meanwhile, settlement negotiations between the parties have been underway for months, according to recent court filings.

Baldwin's lawsuit, filed Tuesday in the U.S. District Court in New Mexico, accuses several prosecutors and investigators  including First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies and special prosecutor Kari Morrissey  of mounting a "malicious and unlawful" yearslong prosecution against the actor in the aftermath of the fatal 2021 shooting of a cinematographer on a film set south of Santa Fe.

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Baldwin was charged with a count of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Halyna Hutchins during a walk-through for a scene of the Western film Rust. A revolver he was brandishing for the scene had discharged a live bullet that had been mixed with dummy ammunition on the set and was loaded into the gun.

A jury found the film's armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who was responsible for firearms and ammunition on the set, guilty of involuntary manslaughter in 2024. Several months later, however, the case against Baldwin was dismissed by a state district judge during a dramatic trial in Santa Fe that resulted in allegations of prosecutorial misconduct against Morrissey.

Baldwin's lawsuit, filed earlier this year in state District Court, seeks monetary and punitive damages and names several defendants: Morrissey; state Rep. Andrea Reeb, who preceded Morrissey as special prosecutor; the First Judicial District Attorneys Office; Chief Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Padgett Macias; and Santa Fe County Sheriffs Office employees Alexandria Hancock, Marissa Poppell and Brian Brandle.

The case was dismissed by a judge in July for inaction and then reinstated in September.

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Since the lawsuit was filed, the parties have engaged in "numerous settlement-related communications," including letters, emails and lengthy conversations by phone and in person, and have considered a global mediation, according to a memorandum Baldwin's attorney filed in August.

The memo states Baldwin has "delayed asking for trial and aggressively pushing this case forward because of his belief that the parties may soon settle the case and therefore the parties and the Court would be able to avoid the costs and burdens of litigation."

Baldwin's claims against those involved in the prosecution include "conspiracy to cause malicious prosecution" and "suppression of evidence," as he alleges the defendants "conspired to procure a groundless indictment" against him and to "maliciously" secure a trial and conviction, "violating Baldwins constitutional rights by their improper use of the criminal process."

The District Attorney's Office defendants were represented by attorney Luis Robles, and the Santa Fe County defendants were represented by attorney Mark Komer as of Wednesday.

U.S. District Court Judge John Robbenhaar was presiding over the case.
People took to the streets in cities across Germany on Thursday to protest against Chancellor Friedrich Merz's controversial comments on urban migration.

In Cologne, police recorded around 1,200 demonstrators, while organizers said 5,000 people had taken part in a rally.

In Heidelberg, the Queerfeminist Collective called for a demonstration under the slogan "For a beautiful image of the city," in which some 1,350 people took part.

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In Munster, police said around 1,400 people attended a rally organized by the alliance "Keinen Meter den Nazis" (Not one metre to the Nazis). After the event, the organizers reported 1,600 participants.

Merz said last week that the federal government is correcting past failures in migration policy and making progress: "But we still have this problem in the image of the city, of course, and that's why the federal interior minister is facilitating and carrying out large-scale deportations."

On Monday, he doubled down on his position, saying: "Ask your daughters what I might have meant by that. I suspect you'll get a pretty clear and unequivocal answer."

The statement prompted further indignation, with protests held in Berlin and over 140,000 people signing an online petition entitled "We are the daughters."

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Two days later, he specified that the problems he was referring to were caused by migrants who did not have permanent residence status, who did not work and who did not abide by the rules applicable in Germany.

Merz's remarks have been widely criticized as racist, suggesting that urban populations - which are more diverse than those in rural areas in Germany - should be targets for deportation.

Politicians inside and outside his coalition have since attacked the conservative chancellor over the comments.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A registered sex offender was arrested Wednesday after officials received a tip he was visiting a Nashville park with children present for months.

According to court documents, 57-year-old Louis Shainberg was convicted of sexual exploitation of a minor in 2008 and attempted statutory rape in 1997.

On Monday, agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation received a tip Shainberg was frequently at the Fair Park Dog Park on Bransford Avenue while children were present.

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Man charged with threatening mass casualty event in downtown Nashville

One witness told investigators they had several interactions with Shainberg where he made odd comments, which prompted the tipster to search for him on the sex offender registry, according to court documents.

Another witness/tipster told officials Shainberg often brings a camera to the park to take photographs.

Under Tennessee law, no sex offender may knowingly be upon or remain at a public park or playground if children under the age of 18 are present.

Shainburg was booked into the Metro jail and charged with sex offender residential/victim violation. His bond was set at $75,000.

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  Sheriff Donny Youngblood discussed several pressing issues occurring throughout Kern County such as Domestic Violence Awareness, Prop 50, KCSO Gang Suppression Unit, and more.

All the time that I have been there [Kern County Sheriffs Office] I have never felt or seen such an impact like the loss of [Deputy] Philip, said Sheriff Donny Youngblood.

In regard to Domestic Violence Month, Sheriff Youngblood says domestic violence calls are perhaps the most dangerous calls the sheriffs office receives only for the fact of not knowing the suspects next move.

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You can go through the DAs office or the sheriffs office to report domestic violence, however, if it is a situation that requires immediate attention, Sheriff Youngblood strongly recommends calling 9-1-1.

To listen to Sheriff Donny Youngblood discuss Prop 50, KCSO Gang Suppression Unit, and mega barrack, watch the full segment in the video player above.

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New Jersey Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D) leads Republican Jack Ciattarelli by 5 points in the states gubernatorial race, according to a Rutgers University-Eagleton poll released Thursday.

Fifty percent of likely voters in the state said they would vote for Sherrill if the election were held Thursday, while Ciattarelli trailed at 45 percent. Another 3 percent said they would vote for neither or someone else and 2 percent said they were unsure.

The poll also found President Trump is proving to be significant in the race, with 52 percent of voters calling him a major factor. Fourteen percent said he is a minor factor, and 34 percent said he is not a factor at all. Trump has endorsed Ciattarelli and has publicly touted him while attacking Sherrill.

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Voters were split when they were asked about what they believed the outcome of the race would be. Forty-three percent said they thought Sherrill would win, while 42 percent said the same about Ciattarelli. Fifteen percent said they were unsure.

With Election Day less than two weeks away, most polling has shown a tightening race. The polling average from The Hills partners at Decision Desk HQ shows Sherrill leading Ciattarelli 48.6 to 44.6 percent.

The Rutgers-Eagleton poll was conducted Oct. 3-17 among 795 likely voters. The margin of error is 4.7 percentage points.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The twisted filmography of Yorgos Lanthimos has by now trained us to expect darkly comic visions of contemporary life, both savage and mundane. His movies have perhaps inspired the most What?! reactions of the last decade, partly because theyve tried so hard to do so.

His movies  farces, fables, experiments  reside in surreal worlds of their own. But his latest, Bugonia, is thrillingly, if tragically, tied to our reality. It might even be his best film. Though Ive been apprehensive about the flamboyant severity of Lanthimos movies, I found Bugonia, a chamber-piece gut punch, hard to shake. For starters, its difficult to resist any movie with a line in it like: Theres Andromedan code all over your Instagram.

Thats one of the things that Teddy (Jesse Plemons), an incel eco-terrorist, says to Michelle (Emma Stone) after kidnapping her with his neurodivergent cousin Donny (newcomer Aidan Delbis) and tying her up in their basement. Teddy and Donny live together in fairly remote, rundown old house. There, Teddy tends to both his bees and to unhinged conspiracy theories.

But as Plemons so deftly plays him, Teddy doesnt seem like a lunatic. He might reach wildly insane conclusions, such as that Michelle, a pharmaceutical company chief executive, is an alien. But hes thoughtful in nature and sweetly cares for his cousin. Its a feat of Plemons innate good nature that we kind of like Teddy, even as he shaves Michelles head, to prevent it, as he calls her, from contacting the mothership.

The opening moments of the script by Will Tracy (The Menu, episodes of Succession) cast these demented shenanigans in an apocalyptic light. The fate of bees is much on Teddys mind; colony collapse disorder, often caused by pesticides, is one of his talking points. Its a phenomenon that, in Bugonia  a movie reckoning with, or maybe just lamenting, humanitys fate  isnt just for the bees.

While Stones abilities alone might legitimize extraterrestrial suspicions, theres more to why Teddy has pinpointed Michelle. Shes a lauded corporate leader; her office includes a framed Time magazine with her on the cover and a photograph with Michelle Obama. Her company, Auxolith, operates out of a sleek office building where Michelle presides over her workforce like a queen bee. She has the corporate lingo of transparency and diversity down pat, but whether she actually adheres to any of those ideals is dubious, at best. Before Teddy and Donny jump her, she announces a new era at Auxolith where employees leave at 5:30 p.m. But not if they havent met their quota, she adds. And not if theyre, you know, busy.

In that way, Michelle is a camera-ready cover for whatever Auxolith is up to, which, as the movie goes along, teases out a poisonous history, including opioid manufacturing that affected Teddys mother (Alicia Silverstone).

The bulk of Bugonia is the ideological dialogue between her and Teddy back in the basement. Its a conversation, laced with contemporary divides, that is comical for its impossibility. One is addled by paranoia and extremism, the other knows only heartless corporate speak. Understanding each other is futile. Watching Stone, as Michelle, attempt to reason with Teddy is part of the movies dark fun, just as is seeing Plemons Teddy resolutely stick to his certainty that Michelle is part of an alien infiltration of Earth that he wants gone by the next lunar eclipse.

The source of such a wild narrative can only come, of course, from South Korea. Bugonia is loosely based on the 2003 Korean film Save the Green Planet! All of Lanthimos most notable films before have been written with either Efthimis Filippou (Dogtooth, The Lobster) or Tony McNamara (Poor Things, The Favourite). But, otherwise, Bugonia has the feel of a quick follow-up to last years Kinds of Kindness, a black-comedy triptych also led by Stone and Plemons.

Yet what could easily be mistaken for a tossed-off, in-between movie  there are only a handful of characters and a few scene locations  ends up feeling like a culmination-slash-nadir for Lanthimos. Having made a dozen films darkly satirizing the sad, primal folly of humankind, its comeuppance time in Bugonia.

The movie drags in the middle, when its locked in a prisoner drama that grows a little tiresome and predictable. But the payoff is immense. Teddy calls his torture chamber the headquarters of the human resistance. By the time Bugonia reaches its unforgettable finale, its made chillingly clear just how feeble any such movement might be, and the movies apocalyptic air of resignation, of fait accompli, sounds a chastening death knell.

Bugonia, a Focus Features release, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association for bloody violent content including a suicide, grisly images and language. Running time: 118 minutes. Three and a half stars out of four.

By JAKE COYLE

AP Film Writer
CANTON, Ohio (WJW)  A large vacant building in Canton, where officials said people were living, caught on fire late Wednesday night, prompting a massive response by the Canton Fire Department and forcing neighboring homes to be evacuated.

Man charged with kidnapping after missing 3-year-old found

According to a media release, shortly after 11 p.m. crews were called to the boarded-up three-story apartment building at 707 5th Street NE. As crews arrived on the scene, they found heavy fire coming from the second and third floors.

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Officials said that, according to bystanders, there were two or three people on the third floor.

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However, officials said an interior search and attack was not possible because of the amount of fire. In addition, officials noted that the building had previously been condemned and boarded up due to hoarding conditions and structural issues.

Big changes coming for Ohio property taxes?

As a result, rooms were searched from ladders outside the building.

After about an hour on the scene, crews said a man exited the first floor of the building. Medics attempted to evaluate him, but when they tried, they said he screamed expletives at the medics and fled the scene, according to the release.

WJW photo WJW photo WJW photo WJW photo WJW photo WJW photo

Division Chief Steve Henderson said that in his 27 years as a firefighter, he has never seen anything like it and described shock and awe.

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Came out the front door and walked past the crews, they tried to stop him and question him, and he just walked off, described Henderson.

According to Henderson, all on-duty firefighters responded to the scene due to the extent of the fire, and off-duty firefighters were recalled to fill in for the rest of the city.

In an updated media release, officials said Thursday afternoon that the building had been razed as a result of the fire.

Weve known for years that this was a dangerous structure, and weve been here many times before for medical calls and other types of issues,  said Henderson.

No victims were found inside the building, said officials.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
As technology progresses, drones seem to be more common outside of commercial use.

It's common to see drones at concerts and sporting events, but it may spark concern seeing a drone fly over your backyard or house.

Questions of safety and privacy are often argued when drones are discussed, as these little flying robots tend to make people uncomfortable.

However, state and federal regulators work together to keep citizens safe and feeling secure while also allowing the usage of drones when laws and regulations are followed.

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Here's a closer look at the laws surrounding drones in Arizona and what steps you can take if you spot one.

What are the laws about drones in Arizona?

According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, all drones must be registered through the Federal Aviation Administrations DroneZone website, except those weighing 0.55 pounds or less.

The department urges drone owners and operators to fly responsibly and follow FAA regulations and best practices, whether flying commercially or recreationally. Law enforcement agencies must obtain a warrant or meet specific exceptions before using drones for surveillance, such as during emergencies, missing person searches or disaster response.

When is it illegal to use drones in Arizona?

It is illegal to fly a drone when interfering with police, firefighters or manned aircraft as well as in "No Drone Zones".

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No Drone Zone are areas where unmanned aircraft systems are prohibited. These zones are established by government entities and must be backed by specific statutes or local regulations.

"No Drone Zones" in Arizona consist of any critical facility in Arizona. These include but are not limited to oil and gas facilities, water treatment facilities, power plants, courthouses, military installations and hospitals. Drones are also not allowed to fly within 500 feet horizontally or 250 feet vertically of those "critical facilities."

The use of recreational drones are also prohibited at all Arizona state parks. Commercial drones are allowed to be used there based on film application permits.

Can you shoot down a drone in Arizona?

It is illegal to shoot down a drone over your property in the U.S. Drones are classified as aircraft and under federal law, damaging or destroying an aircraft, even one flying over private land, is a criminal offense.

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However, Arizona House Bill 2733, was recently signed into law, allowing border sheriffs to shoot down drones that they believe are carrying drugs across the border with Mexico.

Yet, for Arizona citizens this does not apply, as airspace above private property is not considered private. Any attempt to interfere with a drone in flight could result in serious charges, including property damage, endangerment or violations under the Aircraft Sabotage Act.

A drone is flying around my property. What can I do?

If you witness a drone operation that appears dangerous or is being used to commit a crime, the FAA recommends immediately reporting it to local law enforcement.

Drones flying in a dangerous proximity to a person or property is considered disorderly conduct under Arizona law.

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You may also contact your local FAA flight standards district office. In Arizona, that number is 480-284-4450

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Can you shoot down drone on your property in Arizona? What law says
Three years ago, state and Atlantic City officials were confident that a new $18 million ShopRite, built through state money, would solve the resorts long-standing food insecurity problems.

Gov. Phil Murphy assured his constituents in the highly profiled shore town that its days as a food desert are soon to be over.

Eventually, the deal with the grocery retailer, which would have brought Atlantic City its first full-time grocery store in 15 years, ended, leaving many to wonder if the resort, known for its glitzy billion-dollar casinos, would have a full-time store for commodities.

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Officials now have a new plan to help make Atlantic City less of a food desert, with a $20 million investment to rehabilitate Renaissance Plaza.

The nearly 30-year-old outdoor shopping mall will be converted into a commercial hub anchored by an expanded Save-A-Lot store.

The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, a state-created agency that uses casino tax earnings to help revitalize Atlantic City, announced the deal Tuesday, in partnership with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.

The plan, recently approved by the CRDAs Board of Directors, includes a lease agreement with Moran Foods, the wholesaler behind the Save-A-Lot franchise.

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One of the companys 700 Save-A-Lot locations already has a storefront at the plaza. But, through the lease, CRDA is investing millions toward replacing the buildings roof, beautifying the streetfront and implementing new security measures, the agency said.

Enhancements to the store, which will remain open during the project, are expected to be finished by December 2026, CRDA officials told NJ Advance Media.

This partnership marks a major step forward in revitalizing Atlantic Citys downtown core, Murphy said in a statement. By investing in essential infrastructure and expanding access to fresh, affordable food, were strengthening the foundation of this community and ensuring that residents benefit directly from the citys growth. The collaboration between CRDA and Moran Foods reflects our shared commitment to building a safer, more vibrant, and more equitable Atlantic City.

The current store will expand by about 50%, raising its square footage from 18,786 to 28,443, CRDA officials told NJ Advance Media. The added space allows Save-A-Lot to sell more fresh produce and meat assortments while introducing a full-service deli and hot food station, officials said.

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Sarah Griffin, director of corporate communications for Moran Foods, also said the grocer will explore stocking up on local baked goods through partnerships.

A food desert is considered a low-income area where residents were a lack of availability or resources challenge residents in buying healthy food, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

People who live in food deserts in areas like Camden, ranked the states worst, or Atlantic City, live more than one mile away from the nearest supermarket, supercenter or large grocery store.

In June, CRDA voted to purchase Renaissance Plaza to proceed with its revitalization project. According to a resolution voted on by board members, the shopping plaza was built in 1995. It was bought by Ashkenazy Acquisition Corporation, a private, New York-based real estate firm, in 2005.

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Last year, CRDA officials agreed to use $200,000 for a study on the project, the resolution states.

City officials have flagged the shopping plaza for repeated instances of loitering and criminal activity. Last year, a double shooting outside a Boost Mobile store at the shopping area led to the death of a 19-year-old city resident.

The residents of the Great City of Atlantic City deserve access to fresh and affordable groceries from a store they can be proud of, Mayor Marty Small Sr. said in a statement. We have made it a priority under the Small administration to enhance security and clean up Renaissance Plaza, and I have full faith in the CRDAs plan to further transform this area. This has been a long time coming, but this is a promise kept  and a powerful step forward for Atlantic City.

Efforts to bring a fully operational grocery store to Atlantic City again gained ground in 2018, when CRDA began efforts to attract a supermarket developer after a report by governor-appointed special counsel Jim Johnson identified the 48-block resort as a food desert.

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In 2021, CRDA agreed to fund the construction of a ShopRite, managed by Village Supermarket, Inc., at a parking lot at the corner of Baltic Ave. and N. Ohio Ave., near the Tanger Outlet Mall.

A year later, and after the governor visited the city to break ground on construction, the project folded. At the time, Village reportedly sought a $500,000 subsidy from CRDA, The Press of Atlantic City reported, citing sources familiar with the negotiations.

The ShopRite deal likely would have enticed Shawn Rinnier, owner of the Save-A-Lot at Renaissance Plaza, to close the store, he told NJ Advance Media last year. Rinnier, who owns Save-A-Lots in Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey, couldnt immediately be reached for comment.

Rinnier said he wanted to grow the store by 7,000 square feet, expanding through vacant store space at the plaza.

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Right now, everything is very fluid, Rinnier said, in an interview with NJ Advance Media at the time. But what I can say is that were working on an expansion.

Eric Conklin

Stories by Eric Conklin

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Atlanta Police have charged a 16-year-old who fired at officers in southwest Atlanta. The police response led to a neighborhood lockdown.

Police said the teen fired shots at the officers on Joseph E. Lowery Blvd, ran from the scene and hid in a vacant house. SWAT teams responded and went inside the house. They found the teen hiding in the woods and took him into custody.

The latest developments, LIVE on Channel 2 Action News at Noon.

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Students who attend Booker T. Washington say reports of the gunfire forced police to enter their school during an after school event.

The students were there for a homecoming coronation ball when they say officers raced into the school with long guns telling them to find a safe place to shelter.

When Channel 2s Tom Jones arrived at the scene, he saw police everywhere. He also saw parents who had picked up their kids and were in a hurry to get them home.

But one parent stopped and talked to Jones and allowed her kids to tell him what they saw.

Macarius Thomas had been crowned Freshman of the Year 2025. Thats when he saw police with long guns race into the school.

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They talking about somebody shooting outside. So we run in the classroom. They shut the lights off. Under the desk, Im thinking its fixing to be a school shooting.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks ]

His sister gave Jones video of officers inside the gym with long guns. She says they told everyone to find a safe place to shelter.

I was very scared. And the man was like be quiet dont say nothing. And I thought I was going to die, Serenity Thomas explained.

Their mother, Sharhonda Thomas, says she was at the school, proud to see her kids recognized for their accomplishments.

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All of a sudden, everyone heard gunshots.

Student Shariah Walker, who was crowned Ms. Varsity Cheerleader 2025, says she was in the hallway when she saw police.

I just know the police came back there with like big guns and told us to go in the classroom and close the door and get in the back of class.

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Outside the school, we saw dozens of police racing around the campus, with lights and sirens. They blocked off several streets.

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With the school on lockdown, parents waited to get their kids. But Sharhonda Thomas was already inside the school with hers. She says a night to celebrate her kids was interrupted by police searching for a shooter. So they shut the school down. And they shut the event down.

Thomas says that despite the chaos, she and her kids felt somewhat safe. Thanks to police and school leaders.

They handled it very, very well.

Atlanta Public Schools says students and parents were allowed to enter and exit on the schools MLK Jr. Drive side of the building.
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT)  As the government shutdown moves into Day 22, in North Alabama, that means a lot of people who are normally working are stuck in a wait-and-see mode.

And the predicted pain of the shutdown may soon grow.

West Decatur Elementary School closed due to heavy smoke

Abner Merriweather, President of Local 1858 of the American Federation of Government Employees, said the last check workers received was essentially cut in half due to the timing of the shutdown. Next week was supposed to be a regular pay week, Merriweather said, adding that it may be when the hardship really begins to set in.

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Redstone Arsenal has about 22,000 civilian employees and most of them are said to be furloughed. Nearly all of AFGEs 10,000 members here are furloughed. So far, layoffs dont appear to have reached Redstone Arsenal.

U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-4th, was on Washington Watch Tuesday. He said hes been on a call with House leaders and found that House Republicans remain united. He said people in North Alabama support the GOPs position in the shutdown dispute.

I can tell you, being in North Alabama, my constituents are very much behind what President Trump and what the Republicans are doing, Aderholt said. They do not support the march that you saw across the country this past weekend. They dont support the tactics of the Democrats. And so, were holding strong.

Marshall County Coroner announces decision not to seek re-election in 2026

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Another issue raised by News 19 viewers is the status of Social Security during the shutdown. The Social Security Administration posted a message on its website saying Social Security offices are open, including in Alabama. They are expected to be able to help people with most services.

But, Medicare card replacements can be requested online.

News 19 asked U.S. Sen. Tommy Tubervilles office about his current thinking on the shutdown and what hes hearing from constituents.

They provided a quick response, saying, His current thinking is that Democrats should join him in voting to reopen the government. Tubervilles office did not address the question of what hes hearing from constituents.

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U.S. Rep. Dale Strong responded late Wednesday afternoon to News 19s request for comment on the shutdown.

This government shutdown was totally avoidable and could end tomorrow if Senate Democrats would pass the clean continuing resolution, the congressman said. Democrats are using the American people as leverage for partisan priorities, and it is having very real impacts in North Alabama. Its past time for Congress to do its job and get the government working again.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.


GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX)  Fifty percent of SNAP food stamp recipients in Colorado are children. As the government shutdown inches closer to cutting off their federally funded food source, caretakers and childrens advocates statewide are preparing to ensure Colorados kids continue to be properly fed.



We need to step up in a real way, says Tessa Kaiser, executive director of Kids Aid Colorado. We need to be ready for all of those people that are hurting and going to be losing income for their groceries. So were doing our best to prepare for what we dont know.



Come November 1st, Mesa County and the state of Colorado will not have the authority to release federal funds for SNAP benefits, funds that help feed more than 300,000 Coloradan kids statewide and over 11 thousand families just in Mesa county alone.



These are not just numbers in a document somewhere, says Ana Bustamante of Save the Children Colorado. These are real families and real kids that are counting on this funding to get their meals for grocery shopping.



On Wednesday morning, Governor Polis office submitted requests for emergency state food bank support and announced plans to extend nutrition access through Women Infants and Children (WIC) and Feeding Colorado.



But where government efforts may fall short, non-profits like Kids Aid are ready to rise to the occasion. They tell WesternSlopeNow, nothing is possible without the communitys help.



Kids Aid itself doesnt rely a lot on government grants, explains Kaiser. We rely on the community to step forward. And as long as they continue doing that, were going to have the funds that we need to be able to put that food back in the kids hands.

You can help by donating food or financial gifts to organizations like Kids Aid.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com.
(Photo: U.S. Department of Agriculture)

Nevadans who rely on federal food assistance could face benefit delays next month if Congress does not break its budget stalemate, said state officials.

If the federal government shutdown extends beyond October 31, federal funding would be insufficient to cover the cost of Nevadas Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for November or beyond, said the Office of the Governor Wednesday.

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Every month SNAP provides food assistance to nearly 500,000 Nevadans  15.5% of the total population. In total, those benefits amount to about $90 million a month in distributions, more than Nevada can feasibly cover with other emergency state funds.

The State does not have this amount of funding available in the Emergency Account, Disaster Relief Account, or the Interim Finance Committee Contingency Unrestricted General Fund, the governors office said.

The Nevada Division of Social Services, which administers SNAP, was first informed about the potential lapse in funding on Oct. 10 when the U.S. Department of Agriculture sent a letter to Nevada and other states warning that funds for the program would run out by the end of the month if lawmakers dont approve a new spending bill.

The agency said they will continue to accept applications for SNAP benefits from Nevada residents, but cant guarantee they will be able to issue new or ongoing benefits past this month if the shutdown continues. The agency said additional food resources can be found at Nevada 211 for those impacted by the shutdown.

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The governors office said its working with the Nevada Department of Human Services and the Nevada Department of Agriculture secure supplemental resources for SNAP beneficiaries in the event the shutdown extends beyond October 31.

If the state were to use the general fund, the rainy day fund, or other unspent federal funding to cover the cost of SNAP during the shutdown it could risk compliance with federal regulations, according to the governors office.

While the state could potentially implement an emergency program to ensure compliance with federal regulations, it would likely take about three to six months to set up, said the governors office.

WIC

The Nevada Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is in a better position and will be funded through December 23, regardless of the shutdown.

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More than 55,000 Nevadans benefit from WIC, which provides federal food assistance to new parents and young children. Under the program, participants can use benefits to buy infant formula, baby food, dairy, fruits, vegetables, and other staples while also providing breastfeeding and nutrition support.

The Trump administration distributed $300 million in unspent tariff funds earlier this month to keep the program afloat during the shutdown. Nevada WIC received about $3.1 million in tariff funds on Oct. 15, according to the Nevada Division of Social Services. Those federal funds are projected to keep the program running through November, despite the shutdown.

Should the money run out and the shutdown continue, the Nevada Interim Finance Committee approved $7.3 million in emergency funds on Oct.14 to continue weekly distribution of the food benefits to Nevadans who rely on the program. That funding is expected to ensure the program continues through at least Dec. 23.
Frogs protest at the No Kings rally on Oct. 18, 2025 in Salem, Oregon. (Photo by Mia Maldonado/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

After last weekends massive No Kings protests, some small-community people have sent messages to this effect: Our community didnt have a No Kings event last time, but should it for round three?

For many of those people and communities, the best strategic answer is yes.

Nationally, the October No Kings event outran the June edition, with an estimated 7 million or more attendees overall. Oregon attendance has been pegged at 100,000 minimum, but the actual total number may have approached twice that. October outpaced June by an increase of one-third to one-half.

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Most of the attention went, as it usually does, to the big urban events. Portlands turnout, which was of course the largest in the state and estimated at around 40,000 (local law enforcement) to 50,000 (a number of news reports), was indeed spectacular. The Eugene event attracted about 3,500 to 4,000, and about 1,000 at the statehouse in Salem. Other larger Oregon cities, like Hillsboro, Gresham, Bend and Medford, had substantial events as well.

Not to discount any of that, but a big crowd protesting Trump in Portland or Eugene, impressive as it was, doesnt count as an earth-shattering surprise. What may be of greater interest is this: While Trump won 25 of Oregons 36 counties, No Kings events, sometimes drawing large numbers of people relative to the population, were held last weekend in most of them.

In Yamhill County, which voted for Trump in each of his presidential contests, the No Kings event I attended in McMinnville featured a long march and an enthusiastic crowd and pulled an estimated 1,000 people. Another event in smaller Newberg drew about half as many.

Trump won Douglas County with more than 67% of the vote in 2024, yet organizers estimated more than 2,500 people protested at Stewart Parkway in Roseburg.

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About 2,000 were estimated at Grants Pass in Josephine County, where Trump won nearly 63% of the vote in 2024.

Still, these are counties with large populations mostly not too far from more liberal urban areas. What about locations further away?

Hundreds protested in Pendleton and Tillamook  Trump won Umatilla County with 67.2% in 2024 and Tillamook County with 49%.

In all, Oregon hosted more than 60 No Kings events. Protests were reported in such small or mid-sized communities as Lakeview, Heppner, Scappoose, Prineville, Silverton, Enterprise, Harrisburg, Baker City, Coos Bay, La Grande, Oakridge, Woodburn, Gold Beach, Bandon, Cloverdale, and even small and remote Burns (in Harney County, which went 77.7% for Trump in 2024). Every one of those was located in a county which supported, often strongly, Trump at the polls.

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If planned events all materialized (as all or nearly all seem to have done), Sherman, Gilliam, Grant and Malheur may have been the only Oregon counties not to hold a protest last weekend.

Very high vote percentages often are driven by communities where a prevailing view is that everyone, or almost everyone, locally votes in that direction. If that impression is punctured by a significant number of people who show up at a protest, some significant amount of the air may be let out of the balloon. Those very high percentages may decline.

With that in mind, some people in smaller communities have quietly begun to message other people about holding such an event there next time. If that happens, the number of Oregon communities with such events could expand by a couple of dozen or more. They could also alter (not necessarily flip, but moderate) the character of a number of communities.

That, of course, depends on whether another No Kings national event happens. None seems to be planned at present, but a third edition does seem likely, since both of the first two were widely considered successes, and the second seemed to expand considerably in size over the first.

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And if some of the people who attended protests in Bend or Grants Pass event came from nearby communities, they might decide next time to build a local activity of their own  establishing a protest community in a location that previously hadnt seen (or perceived) one. In a small community, that more localized activism could affect the social atmosphere.

Hold a few more No Kings rallies, and the impact on Oregon could be real. A street protest can feel ephemeral, but the ripple effects could be large.

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SIMSBURY - A few dozen residents are calling for the resignation of First Selectman Wendy Mackstutis, a Democrat, following a recent Board of Selectman meeting where she ended a resident's public speaking time due to what she said was a "decorum violation."

The online petition calls for Mackstutis' resignation and for a formal investigation by the Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission and attorney general. It had 49 signatures as of Wednesday afternoon.

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The controversy came when Joan Coe, 88, called Mackstutis "Wendy Mackstupid" during the Oct. 15 meeting, prompting Mackstutis to declare a decorum violation two minutes into Coe's allowed five minutes and the board to convene a brief recess.

Mackstutis asked the board if they should call police to remove Coe from the stand when she continued to speak after she was declared out of order, but police weren't called.

Mackstutis said Coe has been a staple at Board of Selectman meetings for decades exhibiting a similar behavior and this is the most recent incident where Coe has attacked and insulted various members of town staff.

"I felt that this week was egregious and the board agreed by approving a recess, which is really our only way to stop her because she ignored the word of the chairman of the board that she was out of line," Mackstutis said.

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Coe said she didn't think she did anything wrong, adding she came up with the nickname to criticize Mackstutis for her constant reminders of how to say her last name, which Coe says she has difficulty pronouncing.

"I think that what I said is my evaluation," she said. "I was just making a comment about it. I don't think it was vicious."

Coe described herself as a government watchdog who attends all the meetings and holds town officials accountable. She said free speech is important and believes the decorum standards infringe upon that right, saying Machstutis has used it to limit conversation and criticism.

"All I do is give my opinion of what is going on the policies of the town," she said. "They may not like it and they may not agree with me, but I have a right to give my opinion, that's what public audience is all about: free speech."

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Republican Selectman Kevin Beal said he didn't vote for the recess.

"I don't agree that necessarily the use of incendiary language is appropriate during the meeting, but it is protected speech, so we don't necessarily need to shut down the meeting for that purpose," Beal said.

Mackstutis said Coe was part of the reason for the board to adopt the decorum standards in 2023, which the town attorney approved and are meant to promote civility in town meetings.

"This section is not intended to deprive any person their right to freedom of expression or speech, but only to maintain a safe, productive and harassment-free workplace and environment for Town staff and visitors," the ordinance reads. "All meeting participants should address the Board, maintain a civil tone and should not impugn the motive, character or integrity of any individual."

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Beal said he voted for it in 2023, but said it wasn't because of Coe.

"I certainly did not approve the rules and procedures based on one resident and one resident alone," Beal said. "I would find it shocking to hear that a rule or an ordinance was passed by a board with one individual in mind, that would be shocking."

He said he had no issue with the decorum standards, as they aren't intended to limit speech and everyone is still given an opportunity to speak. He hoped everyone would take a more moderate stance in the future, saying it was the board's responsibility to remain level-headed.

"The fact that somebody comes before a municipal body or a state body or something else with an impassioned plea, and they may be opinionated and emotional about it, doesn't necessarily require a proportionate emotional response from the board," he said. "It is difficult sometimes to sit up there, but that's also part of the job."

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Mackstutis said she felt she did nothing wrong, and the online efforts to characterize her as silencing Coe are politically motivated.

"It's very upsetting to me to see that this is really becoming a political issue," Mackstutis said. "It's an election year, obviously. So I also feel that it's giving people an opportunity to push forward a narrative."

She is running against Republican Heather Goetz, who is also on the Board of Selectmen, and unaffiliated petitioning candidate Eric Sean Wellman.

The Democratic Town Committee released a statement calling out Coe's comments.

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"While abuse and insults levied at elected officials has become commonplace in the last decade, it has only recently reached the local level," Tucker Salls, the DTC chair, said in the statement. "I will not allow baseless insults against my party's members to go unanswered in public or online. The issues raised at the last meeting against Wendy are based in bigotry and not reality."

The town's attorney, Robert DeCrescenzo, said he believed Mackstutis and the Board of Selectmen acted within their authority and didn't violate the public's First Amendment right to speak at the meeting.

"The Board of Selectmen regulates the time, place, and manner of public comments at its meetings through the adoption of rules of procedure and conduct, " DeCrescenzo said. "The Board of Selectmen has a legitimate interest in conducting its meetings in an orderly way and are not disrupted by threatening, irrelevant, defamatory, or overlong comments."

He said calling a recess aligns with the board's rules.

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"It is important to note that after the recess the public comment portion for the meeting resumed and no one was denied the opportunity to address the Board," he added.

Clarification: This story has been update to reflect Eric Sean Wellman is also on the ballot as an unaffiliated petitioning candidate.

This article originally published at Simsbury residents call for first selectman to resign; she says criticism is politically motivated.
(Photo by Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent)

The Pulaski County locations of Arkansas federally-funded early childhood education program will temporarily close Nov. 1 due to a lack of funding caused by the federal government shutdown, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences announced Tuesday.

Unless UAMS receives federal funding and a new federal contract to administer the Head Start program, this program will have to remain closed, Head Start Program Director Tyra Larkin wrote to families in the program. We understand how disruptive this will be for your family, and we are deeply sorry for the stress this may cause.

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Letter to Families 2_

The six facilities in Little Rock and North Little Rock serve 446 children and their families, and 130 employees will be furloughed due to the closures, UAMS spokesperson Leslie Taylor said.

Head Start provides free early childhood education to children between infancy and 5 years of age from low-income families. UAMS is one of 16 grantees for Head Start services throughout Arkansas.

Five percent of 4-year-olds and 7% of 3-year-olds in Arkansas were enrolled in Head Start during the 2023-24 academic year, according to a report from the National Institute for Early Education Research earlier this year.

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The announcement comes as child care providers throughout Arkansas have been petitioning the state Department of Education for help in light of both the government shutdown and changes to the states School Readiness Assistance Program. The financial aid program for low-income families to access child care relies on a federal grant that the shutdown has withheld, and federal funding for child care was already steadily decreasing, state Division of Elementary and Secondary Education officials said.

On Tuesday, the Arkansas Early Childhood Commission created an emergency working group of researchers, lawmakers and child care providers with the goal of assisting and advising the state Office of Early Childhood on how to keep child care services afloat and sustainable by Nov. 1.

As of Thursday, an end to the shutdown remained out of reach as congressional Democrats and Republicans continued not to make progress on federal budget negotiations. The 23-day shutdown is the second-longest in American history.
UN geospatial week in east China spotlights innovation, sustainable development

Xinhua) 08:24, October 23, 2025

An aerial drone photo shows people admiring blossoms at a scenic spot in Deqing County, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 13, 2025. (Photo by Xie Shangguo/Xinhua)

HANGZHOU, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Geospatial Knowledge and Innovation Week 2025 opened on Wednesday in Deqing County of the city of Huzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province.

Themed "Geospatial I.D.E.A.S. Benefiting Our World," the five-day event, running from Oct. 20 to 24, has brought together over 1,000 representatives from UN agencies and more than 60 countries to discuss cooperation, innovation and sustainable development in the geospatial field.

During the opening ceremony, two major initiatives, the Proposal for the Establishment of the World Alliance for Geospatial Information Industry and the Initiative for the Establishment of the Global Alliance for Geospatial Public Goods Innovation, were officially launched.

Li Pengde, director of the UN Global Geospatial Information Knowledge and Innovation Centre, said the event aims to consolidate global consensus and put the spirit of collaborative innovation and knowledge sharing into practice.

"Together, we can move toward a smarter, more resilient and more inclusive future," he said.

The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations and the start of final five-year stretch before the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals deadline. As a key technology supporting global development, security, and climate action -- geospatial information continues to inject fresh momentum into international cooperation.

Bjorg Sandkjaer, assistant secretary-general of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, emphasized the pivotal role of geospatial technologies in addressing global challenges.

"If we work together and make full use of the momentum created by geospatial week, we can move forward steadily," she said. "Geospatial information is our compass -- it provides the knowledge and tools to measure progress."

Speaking on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and geospatial data, Alvaro Monett, regional geospatial advisor at the Statistics Division of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, said: "The synergy between AI and geospatial technology not only enhances analytical efficiency but also supports more forward-looking and sustainable planning."

Monett added that promoting accessibility and localization of these tools is essential for strengthening regional capacity building and ensuring that digital transformation is inclusive, equitable and sustainable.

Over the past decade, Huzhou has leveraged its Deqing Geographic Information Town to drive industrial innovation and clustering. The area now hosts more than 430 geospatial enterprises with annual output exceeding 30 billion yuan (about 4.2 billion U.S. dollars) -- making it one of the world's most dynamic and complete industrial ecosystems in this sector.

The town has also introduced high-level research platforms and built an integrated system combining industry, education, research and talent development.

"Developing countries like those in Africa need to catch up in geospatial technology to support their own sustainable development, using data to understand the past and present, and plan for the future," said Stephen Djaba, vice president of the Licensed Surveyors Association of Ghana.

"The conference has inspired participants to seek deeper collaboration with China, learning how geospatial information can drive progress and help other nations realize its importance," he added.

Mohamed Hatha Ammanamveetil Abdulla, a professor at the Cochin University of Science and Technology in India, highlighted the role of geospatial devices in environmental management.

"Geospatial technology is emerging as a crucial tool for developing countries to monitor environmental changes such as deforestation, coastal degradation and soil intrusion, enabling data-driven strategies for sustainable development," he said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Iran has sentenced a former researcher of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), identified as Amirreza Jalilian, to 10 years in prison after convicting him of spying for the UK, his wife told Iran International, Azernews reports via Iranian International.

Jalilian, who held a senior scientific role in the nuclear medicines field and had previously worked for the IAEA for about nine years, was arrested in August 2024.

His wife, Saeedeh Varesteh, said that he was convicted without access to a lawyer of his choosing and denied family contact for months.

The court found him guilty of espionage for Britain and imposed a 10-year sentence, Varesteh told Iran International.

Over the years, Jalilian made several trips to Iran to visit his family and attend scientific conferences, but each time, he was summoned and interrogated by security agents at undisclosed locations, including some hotels in Tehran, his wife said.

According to his wife, Jalilian attended a meeting just days before his arrest with Amirhossein Faghihi, then head of Irans Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, who was later killed in Israeli strikes during the 12-day war in June.

Varesteh said her husband told her he was under intense pressure from security forces in the days leading up to his arrest, though she did not specify what that pressure involved.

On August 7, 2024, five agents accompanied him to his mothers home and seized his belongings. After that, we had no information about where Amirreza was being held, she said.

The family sought help from several senior officials, including Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, and his predecessor, Ali Akbar Salehi. All we were told, Varesteh said, was to wait and pray.

According to her, Jalilians family also reached out to Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and other senior officials within the organization to seek his release, but their efforts have so far yielded no results.

Even the United Nations representative in Tehran twice requested permission to meet with Jalilian, but both requests were denied by Iranian judicial and security authorities, she added.

He is a scientist, not a spy, his wife said.

Jalilian began his career working in radiopharmaceutical development at Irans nuclear research institute before being selected in 2014 for a role at the IAEA in Vienna, where he published several papers.

No public comment has been made by Iranian authorities about the case.

The case comes amid an intensifying crackdown by Iranian security services on scientists, dual-citizens and other professionals accused of espionage.
Chinese Camp, CA  Victims of the 6-5 Fire in Chinese Camp can get some housing relief funding due to a realtor partnership.

The Tuolumne County Association of REALTORS (TCAR), along with the REALTOR Relief Foundation (RRF), will provide financial assistance to residents who have been displaced or otherwise impacted by the blaze. The partners advise that individuals and families are eligible to apply for a housing relief grant of up to $1,000 to assist with mortgage, rent, or temporary housing expenses directly related to displacement or loss caused by the wildfire.

The REALTOR Relief Foundation was created to help communities rebuild and recover in times of crisis, said Alison Daniels, 2025 President of TCAR. We are grateful for their support in helping Tuolumne County residents get back on their feet following this devastating event.

Established in 2001 by the National Association of REALTORS, the program provides housing-related assistance to victims of disasters nationwide and has distributed over $42 million in aid to families affected by natural and man-made disasters across the United States. To apply, contact Ashley Baxter, TCAR CEO at (209) 532-3432 or email ashley@tcrealtors.org for an application. All applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis while funds remain available, according to TCAR.
Oct. 22ROCHESTER  The planned Sixth Street bridge project over the Zumbro River is intended to create a new access point between downtown Rochester and the Slatterly Park Neighborhood to the east, but the $35.8 million project is also expected to increase connection to the river.

"It will allow us to improve the Zumbro River access, while also maintaining the flood protection that is so important in this area," project manager Jaymi Wilson said.

Full development of proposed riverfront plans, however, aren't expected to be completed with the available funds, which include a $19.9 million federal grant, $10 million in state Destination Medical Center funds and $5.9 million from the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

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"As we are working from 60% design to 100% design, we are determining what of these project components will fit within the current budget and what will have to be phased into future funding opportunities," said Rachel Fautsch, Rochester's communication and engagement manager.

Phasing of bridge and street work extending from Second Avenue Southeast to Ninth Avenue Southwest, hasn't been suggested as being phased.

Bolton and Menk landscape architect Britton Jones said some of the riverfront improvements could be postponed, but others will come with development of infrastructure for the new bridge, which will feature divided traffic, bike and pedestrian crossing.

New flood walls required for the bridge will create the ability to provide a trail connection under the bridge, which Fautsch said was a key desire highlighted in surveys and community conversations earlier this year.

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While designers proposed three options for development of trails along both sides of the river, Fautsch said safety was often a greater priority than where a trail might connect to an existing sidewalk or bike path.

"People really wanted the ability to connect under the bridge without having to conflict with traffic above the bridge," she said.

Plans also call for creating a park space on what is currently a paved area between the river and railroad tracks west of the former dairy.

Jones said the goal would be to create greenspace, using some of the plants that already exist along the downtown river. He said use of existing plant species will help maintain the health of the existing ecosystem, which includes a variety of wildlife, including herons attracted by the water.

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The park space is also being designed to include a variety of seating options, allowing opportunities for people to gather while also maintaining areas for solitude.

Fautsch said the flexibility in the proposed design is a response to community input. While people want opportunities to gather and enjoy nature, she said a desire for a place to escape was also voiced by many residents and seen as a benefit to visitors.

"We have to be really thoughtful of the people coming to Rochester," she said of providing accessible spaces near downtown. "It could be the worst day of their life. It could be the best day of their life."

Plans also call for eventually creating opportunities to access the river's edge, but Jones said the cost of maintaining flood control with such efforts means the work will likely require additional financial support for a project.

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"Hopefully, we can get there in the future, but that's all pending additional funding," he said, noting some added updates on the east side of the river could also be part of a future phase of the riverfront improvements.

He said the scope of the project, which featured the first bridge concept being introduced in early 2024, can lead to a variety of factors influencing the cost of project elements, forcing some proposals to be scaled back before contractor bids are sought for construction.

"We are tracking all those things through this," he said of the project that is expected to see bridge construction start next fall with work continuing into 2027.

As design work continues, city staff plans to hold an interactive project site tour at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 8. Participants will meet at Riverside Central Elementary School, 506 Fifth Ave. SE., for the guided walk of the project area.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A 35-year-old Oregon skateboarder was killed on Tuesday night after being struck by a Mack Truck, Oregon State Police announced.

The crash took place just before 11:30 p.m. on Highway 101 near milepost 121 in Lincoln County.

Investigators say that Joseph Tallman, 35, tried to cross the highway from the eastbound shoulder and was struck by a driver operating a Mack Truck, who was unable to avoid the collision.

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Tallman was declared dead after being taken to a local hospital.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE)  The low-scoring restaurant this week serves a wide variety of pizzas, subs, and sandwiches. The inspector marked off half a dozen critical violations.

The grade is a 72 at Jays New York Pizza and Grill on Mulberry Street in Loudon. This is a passing score. A restaurant flunks its inspection if it receives a grade of 69 and below.

Jays New York Pizza & Grill, 912 Mulberry St, Loudon  Grade: 72, Follow-up Grade: 91

To begin with, the inspector wrote that in the cooler, he found a container of slimy, browning baby spinach with an expired date mark. It was ordered to be thrown away. He also found a container of expired ranch dressing. It too was thrown away to reduce the possibility of customers getting sick.

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VIDEO: Truck catches fire, crashes into building in Sevierville

When he checked the food slicer, the inspector found old food debris and grime stuck to it. The slicer is supposed to be cleaned after it is used. Theres more. The inspector wrote that when he looked inside the panini press, it had grease and grime on it.

The press is used to heat food. There were pans with grime and grease found on them, plus the pizza oven-grate had old food stuck to it. Finally, dirty, wet towels used to clean food preparation surfaces were just left on the tables, but they should have been placed in the sanitizer bucket.

One injured, suspect at large after East Knoxville shooting

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The inspector returned to Jays New York Pizza and Grill, and he checked the critical violations; they had been corrected. The new re-inspected grade is a 91.

Food for Thought 10-23Download

Top Scores of the Week

Lilou, 428 Gay St, Knoxville  100

Zalate Taqueria, 102 Stekoia Lane, Knoxville  100

Waffle House, 103 Stekoia Lane,  100

Goodness To Go, 7664 Northshore Dr, Knoxville  100

Alice In Appalachia, 18 Market Square, Knoxville  99

Fin-two, 109 Willow Ave, Knoxville  99

Stillhouse Tavern, 4921 Homberg Dr, Knoxville  99

Bocados At Choto, 12344 Northshore Dr, Knoxville  99

Chick-fil-A, West Town Mall  98

The Pearl @ Aspire, 777 Aspire Dr, Clinton  98

Waffle House, 1832 Decatur Pk, Athens  98

Hibachi Pizza, 526 Tri-County Blvd, Oliver Springs  98

Panda Express, 820 Winfield Dunn Pkwy, Sevierville  98

The Humble Hog, 312 Gay St, Knoxville  98

Guss Fried Chicken, 3101 Sutherland Ave, Knoxville  98

Zaxbys, 11636 Parkside Dr, Knoxville  98

SECOND HELPING: Miss a Food for Thought segment? See them all here.

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There are two things you can do if your food is not right. Let your server or manager know, or you can call the health department in the county where you live and report the violation. Usually, an inspector would then be sent for a surprise visit.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Dr. Carson Cruise is a pediatric dentist in Florence, Ala. He has some patients whose families travel an hour or more to his clinic because he accepts Medicaid. Alabamas low reimbursement rates have led some pediatric dentists to stop seeing patients who have coverage through the federal-state health insurance program. (Photo by Anna Claire Vollers/Stateline)

FLORENCE, Ala.  Sometimes, in a quiet moment between appointments, Dr. Carson Cruise runs the financial numbers through his head. They make a cold but compelling case: If he dropped all of the Medicaid patients from his small-town pediatric dental practice, he could make the same money while working far fewer hours.

Cruise, 36, owns a dental clinic in the picturesque Alabama town of Florence, home to the University of North Alabama, tucked into the rural northwest corner of the state. He and his wife have two little boys, ages 3 and 5. They sold their small family farm recently because it became too difficult to keep up with it and his practice and still have time for their family.

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All of his patients are children. About half of them have their dental care covered by Medicaid, the joint federal-state health insurance program for people with low incomes. They come to his clinic from across the region, he says, and some parents drive from rural communities an hour away. Hes got a waitlist four or five months long.

I have great relationships with a lot of these families Ive been seeing for years, he said. I dont want to leave them hanging, but its getting to a point where its really difficult to keep working at the pace were working and seeing the volume that were seeing.

Even though more than half of Alabama children are enrolled in Medicaid, Cruise said he is the only board-certified pediatric dentist in the area who still accepts it.

Alabama is a vivid example of a national problem. Most state Medicaid programs pay dentists far less than private insurers do for the same services. As a result, not enough dentists are willing to take Medicaid patients, leaving low-income families in Alabama and many other states with limited options for providers and longer wait times when they find one.

Alabama has fewer dentists per capita than any other state except Arkansas, according to the American Dental Association. A handful of Alabama counties lack any dentist at all, while other areas  including parts of Lauderdale County, where Cruises clinic is located  are considered dental deserts, places where patients have to drive at least half an hour to reach a clinic.

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The problem is likely to get worse: In several counties, more than half of dentists are 60 or older, while nearly half have no dentists under age 40.

States have flexibility in how they structure their Medicaid programs, including in how much they reimburse providers. Alabama Medicaid reimburses dentists about 46% of what they charge, on average, for their services.

The state pays so little for some procedures, Cruise said, that dentists lose money by providing them. Some dentists decide that treating Medicaid patients just isnt worth it. That helps explain why, even though Alabama children get cavities at rates similar to children nationwide, they are less likely to be treated for them.

Many of those kids parents are also going without care. Alabama is the only state where the Medicaid program doesnt cover any dental services for adults, with the lone exception being women who temporarily qualify for Medicaid due to pregnancy.

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Those gaps in care arent a geographical fluke, but the result of political choices, says Zachary Schulz, a public health historian who teaches at Auburn University and who compiled the state health departments most recent report on oral health.

The reason we have the health system we do is because of the policies that dictate it has to be that way, he said.

I love helping these kids. I also have two kids of my own to take care of, and I cant subsidize this care for the state of Alabama.

 Dr. Carson Cruise, Alabama pediatric dentist

If Cruise only accepted patients with private insurance or who could pay out of pocket, hed make far more per patient. That would allow him to cut his patient volume in half and reduce his staff and overhead costs, he said. He could work fewer days a week and potentially take home a bigger salary for himself.

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That hard-eyed calculus is at odds with the cheerful murals in the exam rooms at his clinic and the vintage Disney posters lining the hallway. Its at odds with his own conscience.

I love helping these kids, he said. I also have two kids of my own to take care of, and I cant subsidize this care for the state of Alabama.

A dental silo

When it comes to health insurance, teeth and gums have been separated from the other parts of the body, with inferior coverage and higher out-of-pocket costs.

Medicaid coverage of dental care varies from state to state but tends to be limited. Only about half of states and the District of Columbia cover a wide range of dental services for adults, according to the National Academy for State Health Policy. The others offer limited coverage or only cover emergency procedures. Medicare, the federal health insurance for people over 65, doesnt pay for most dental care.

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Even with private plans, consumers often bear more of the cost of their dental care than they do with medical insurance. While most dental plans cover 100% of preventive services such as teeth cleanings, they tend to cover only about half the cost of major procedures, according to the National Association of Dental Plans.

Insurers may consider dental care to be less critical than other medical care, but the lack of it can have serious, even life-threatening, consequences.

Bad oral health has been linked to heart disease, stroke, pregnancy and birth complications, dementia and a number of cancers. It can impact a persons mental health, or even their ability to get a job, said Schulz.

As part of a research project involving Alabamians leaving prison and trying to reenter the workforce, he found that many have a hard time landing job interviews not just because of the stigma of being formerly incarcerated, but because of something as simple as not having all of their teeth.

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They wont get the job because they look poor, or like they dont take care of themselves, he said. We view a healthy mouth as a sign of money.

Having to triage kids

Recently, Cruise saw a young patient who had cavities in all 20 baby teeth. Several of those teeth were infected and abscessed.

For a patient whos 5 or 6 years old and requires complex care, an office visit wont work. Extensive dental work done under anesthesia has to take place in a hospital.

But Cruises waitlist for hospital procedures is about six months long. Sometimes, parents call begging for help with a childs tooth pain or infection weeks or months before their scheduled procedure. Often, all he can do is call in a prescription for antibiotics to try to keep the infection in check before he operates.

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It gets to a point where you feel like youre having to triage kids and do Third World care in a First World country, Cruise said. He keeps a list of kids who have pain or infection.

Those are the ones we try to triage and move to the front of the line. Theres just not enough availability to treat all of these kids efficiently.

Dr. Carson Cruise, a pediatric dentist, consults with dental assistant Aisha Roman at his office. Roman is bilingual and helps translate for Spanish-speaking patients and their families. (Photo by Anna Claire Vollers/Stateline)

And yet, he counts it as a win that hes able to treat patients in the hospital at all. Until recently, many Alabama hospitals had stopped accepting Medicaid-covered pediatric dental patients because the states reimbursement rate didnt begin to cover the costs of an operating room, nurses, anesthesia or equipment.

But after dentists and other groups advocated to get the states rate increased, a nearby hospital granted Cruise operating room privileges and he was able to start seeing patients locally, instead of referring them two hours south to a hospital in Birmingham, where the waitlist could be a year or more. That distance had posed a problem for patients without reliable transportation.

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It shows that if we try to fix these things, we can fix them, Cruise said. But at the end of the day, it takes money.

Untreated

Nearly a quarter of Alabama third graders had untreated tooth decay in 2022, according to the most recent state report, a higher rate than the national average. But the overall numbers mask a demographic divide: Children attending lower-income schools were significantly more likely to have cavities. Black and Hispanic children were more likely to have tooth decay than white children.

Dr. Stephen Mitchell, a professor at the states only dental school, in the University of Alabama at Birmingham, said the Alabama Medicaid program does a good job of making Medicaid coverage available to children and youth under age 21, at least when it comes to eligibility rules.

But reimbursement rates are another story, though Mitchell believes state Medicaid officials are doing what they can with the limited money they have. This year, Alabama lawmakers approved a 19% increase for Medicaid, and the state has raised dental reimbursement rates three times since 2021, and still the payments are too low for many dentists to provide care to Medicaid patients.

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Were not the wealthiest state, he said. Weve got to be smart. A dollar of prevention saves a hundred dollars in treatment.

Better-paying neighbors

Cruise has a friend whos a pediatric dentist and works a little more than an hours drive from his clinic, over the state line in Mississippi. He said she is paid about 25% more than he is for the same procedures.

For a childs tooth extraction, for example, Alabama Medicaid reimburses dentists $64. Mississippi Medicaid reimburses about $83 for the same extraction.

Alabama Medicaid just began giving dentists an extra $10 per patient per visit for dental care. Its appreciated, Cruise said, but he hopes the legislature will do more.

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No one is sure how President Donald Trumps broad tax and spending law, which cuts more than $1 trillion from Medicaid over the next decade, will affect Alabamas already strapped Medicaid program.

But a further reduction in state reimbursement would likely push Cruise to take the step he has long dreaded: refusing to accept Medicaid patients.

The last thing we want at this point is a budget cut, because were already doing some things at a break-even or even at a loss, he said. If we cut that even more, its going to turn whats a very tight profit margin into a negative.

Most of us have a heart for helping these kids and well do it. But youve got to move the needle.

Stateline reporter Anna Claire Vollers can be reached at avollers@stateline.org.

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NEED TO KNOW

In 2002, after an amateur pilot unknowingly lost one of his plane's wheels on takeoff, it was a 6th-grader who came to his rescue

A PEOPLE story detailed how 12-year-old Dustin Baker, a volunteer and aviation buff, immediately saw the wheel come off

So he took matters into his own hands to ensure the pilot could make a safe landing

A quick-witted sixth-grader used his ingenuity to save a pilot who had unknowingly lost one of his plane's wheels.

It was Nov. 3, 2002 when 40-year-old amateur pilot Randy Lehfeldt took off in his ultralight plane from the runway of tiny Redlands Municipal Airport in California. Unbeknownst to Lehfeldt, one of the plane's wheels had fallen off as he took off  something a volunteer at the airport, 12-year-old Dustin Baker, made note of right away.

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A Dec. 2002 PEOPLE story detailed how the then sixth-grader ran outside to find the plane's bicycle-style wheel lying on the runway. First he asked an airport worker to help him scrawl a message on a sheet of construction paper: "LANDING GEAR OFF" He tried waving it in Lehfeldt's direction but, being high in the air, it was not possible to get his attention.

Next, Baker asked the staffer to call fire-and-rescue, before ultimately jumping behind the wheel of the airport's emergency vehicle, a 1972 GMC truck, himself.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.



"I didn't stop to think I shouldn't be driving," Baker told PEOPLE at the time, adding that the road time he had previously experienced had been with his dad in the desert.

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While Baker drove as fast as he could down the runway, Lehfeldt began his approach to land. That's when Baker switched on the vehicle's revolving emergency light and jumped on the truck's hood, frantically waving the missing wheel above his head, to signal to Lehfeldt that he would be landing without it.

GoogleMaps Redlands Municipal Airport Redlands Municipal Airport

Fortunately, Lehfeldt did spot the boy and was able to slow his approach enough to land the plane safely.

"He hit the ground and spun out," Baker told PEOPLE, "but he was okay."

Baker's parents  businessman Steve andd homemaker Lita  told PEOPLE how proud they were of their son's quick-thinking heroics.

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"We've always been extremely proud of him," Steve said, adding: "He's a 45-year-old trapped in a 12-year-old's body."

And for Lehfeldt, the pride was just as deep: "Dustin's a hero in my eyes."



Read the original article on People
TYLER, Texas (KETK)  The Council of Smith County District and County Court at Law judges has appointed a new director of the countys adult probation program.

PHOTOS: Officials tour new Smith County Road and Bridge Department facilities

Photo of Kendrick Freeman, courtesy of Smith County.

Following the retirement of former Smith County Community Supervision and Corrections Department director Janet Fugler in September, the judges appointed the departments new director Kendrick Freeman.

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Freeman started his career in the department in Dec. 2006 as a supervision officer before serving as a court officer for County Court at Law 3 and as a department supervisor.

Smith County said that Freeman is committed to promoting accountability, growth and positive change through the work of the 65-employee department, which supervises adults under probation in Smith County.

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Ohio marijuana consumers couldn't smoke or vape anywhere in public under a bill to revamp the state's cannabis program.

The Ohio House voted 87-8 on Oct. 22 in favor of Senate Bill 56, which regulates hemp products and tweaks the recreational marijuana law approved by voters in 2023.

The bill is not a done deal. It now heads to the Senate, and lawmakers may convene a special committee to hash out their differences.

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Here's what you need to know about the law and potential changes.

A bowl of pre-rolled marijuana joints awaits packaging at the Verano cultivation facility in Canton.

Can I smoke marijuana in public in Ohio?

Right now, it's generally illegal to smoke marijuana in public.

But the law isn't straightforward. It allows "any public place" to decide whether to accommodate marijuana use. Cannabis also falls under Ohio's cigarette smoking ban, which allows exceptions for outdoor patios, vape shops and hotel rooms designated for smoking.

Businesses with liquor permits can't allow marijuana use because it's still a controlled substance, according to the Department of Commerce.

More: Ohio House cracks down on public marijuana smoking in bill to regulate THC drinks, hemp

How would Senate Bill 56 change marijuana smoking rules?

Senate Bill 56 would ban the smoking and vaping of marijuana anywhere except a private residence.

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It also prohibits smoking in homes that serve as child care facilities or transitional housing. Landlords can already ban tenants from smoking marijuana  provided the rule is in their lease  but the bill allows them to prohibit vaping as well.

State government reporter Haley BeMiller can be reached at hbemiller@gannett.com or @haleybemiller on X.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Can I smoke cannabis in public in Ohio? State law may change soon
RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  Thousands in Rutherford County are still trying to determine if they will receive a tax refund or a tax bill after the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury told county commissioners that many property assessments were riddled with errors.

Because of the report from the Tennessee Comptrollers Office, Smyrna council members held a special meeting Wednesday afternoon to discuss what impacts this could mean for the town.

ORIGINAL STORY | TN Comptroller: Rutherford County property assessments riddled with errors

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Obviously, I think the biggest thing for us  for me  that Im concerned about, even above the fiscal impacts, is the public trust, Town Manager of Smyrna, David Santucci told council members at the meeting.

The report, which looked at 8,683 properties in the county, estimated that one in four properties were assessed incorrectly by the Rutherford County Property Assessors Office.

I think therere still a lot of unanswered questions that are going to have to be answered, and thats just going to take time to figure those out, Smyrna Mayor Mary Esther Reed told council members during the meeting.

At the meeting, Smyrna town leaders explained that property tax is a key source of revenue for the town. As of right now, they dont know how many people were overtaxed or undertaxed or how it could affect the citys budget.

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Smyrna leaders said they would post information on the towns webpage explaining the situation and providing resources so residents could calculate their own property taxes to make sure theyre paying the right amount.

READ MORE | Latest headlines from Murfreesboro and Rutherford County

Before the special meeting in Smyrna, News 2 also met with La Vergne Mayor Jason Cole about the state report.

Its a pretty shocking report. Theres concern, Cole explained. Theres definitely concern and were interested in seeing where the county commission is going to go from here with actions and next steps to rectify this looming problem  Depending on the scale, it could impact our budget. It just depends on what that looks like.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
MONTPELIER, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44)  According to officials in Vermont, the USDA says its now requiring all states to pause nutrition assistance benefits  known as SNAP in most of the country, or 3SquaresVT in the Green Mountain State.

Vermonts Department for Children and Families (DCF) says it recently received federal guidance to stop the program  due to a lack of federal funding caused by the government shutdown.

For people who have received their October 1 benefit, that can still be used. But any benefits approved for after Monday, October 27 will not be available until the government reopens.

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November 1 benefits will also not be issued for the time being. DCF says, though, that participants should continue to keep track and submit applications, which will be reviewed by the state on a regular basis.

Similar guidelines apply in New York.

Waterbury shelter will reopen under new management

ABC22/FOX44 spoke with Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT) about the pause Wednesday, who says that President Donald Trump still needs to sit down with legislators and figure things out.

This hurts Vermonters. I mean, Im a big supporter of the SNAP program and 3Squares Im doing my absolute level best to end the shutdown, but we really do need the president to be willing to sit down with us to deal with the healthcare crisis that is upon us on November 1st.

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Welch says his Republican colleagues have told him they will not take any action thats not approved by the president.

People in Vermont and in New York can continue to keep track of updates to SNAP/3SquaresVT funding online at the links here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44.
Sonora, CA  Mother Lode Republican Assemblyman David Tangipa says 250,000 signatures have been collected in support of a California Voter ID measure proposed for the 2026 ballot.

We reported earlier that Tangipa is one of the main supporters.

If passed, it would require that state election officials verify proof of citizenship when a person registers to vote, and for people to show ID when voting at the polls. Those who vote by mail would have to provide the last four digits of a government ID, such as a Social Security number.

Proponents need to collect 874,641 signatures within a six-month period. The 250,000 initial signatures were collected in two weeks. The campaign is aiming for 1.2 million signatures.

To collect a quarter of a million signatures in just two weeks shows how strong this movement really is, argues Tangipa. People are taking action because they believe in restoring trust and accountability in our elections.
In a business move common enough in most places but not so much in New Berlin, Wausau Equipment Company will close its manufacturing plant and corporate offices in the city before the end of the year.

The maker of municipal and airport snow removal equipment filed a letter with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development in early October, informing state officials of its plans to shut down its facilities at 1905 S. Moorland Road.

It will result in the loss of jobs for 67 employees  notably welders and assemblers  on Dec. 7.

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Wausau Equipment, previously called Wausau-Everest, is owned by Texas-based Alamo Group.

Wausau Equipment Company, 1905 S. Moorland Road in New Berlin, will close by Dec. 7, 2025, eliminating the jobs of 67 employees. The company makes snow removal equipment used by municipalities and airports.

Reason for Wausau's closure isn't clear

In the letter, a formal notification that complies with the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988, Wausau's group vice president of the snow and ice division, JP Bourque, did not indicate the reason for the company's closure.

Company officials did not immediately reply to a reporter's questions about the decision.

New Berlin officials also weren't privy to the basis for the decision. "At times companies make business decisions in the best interest of their organization," New Berlin Mayor Dave Ament said in an email interview.

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However, at the very least, one part of Wausau Equipment's client base, for airport equipment sales, faced significant competition in Wisconsin alone. According to a 2014 article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the state-based companies at that time included Wausau, M-B Companies and Oshkosh Corp.

New Berlin officials say city remains a good place for business

For New Berlin, the pending closure was worth noting, but not to the extent that it leaves a lasting impression on the city's economic prowess as a place for manufacturers to do business, Ament said.

"New Berlin does have a strong industrial and business partnership with our business partners. We are ranked No. 1 in size in the county and in the top three statewide" with about 1,800 gross acres of business and industrial park zoned land, Ament said, citing a recent analysis. The city's business sectors include the New Berlin Industrial Park, Section 35, and Mill Valley areas.

The city's relative security of its business base and opportunities is tied to multiple reasons, Ament said.

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"One reason is our geographic location and easy access to major highways and routes in and out of the city, (which) makes us attractive for the industrial and business community," he said.

Ament said New Berlin also stands out as an attractive place to live for those who prefer to remain near their jobs. A "reasonable" tax rate and the city's available services are also factors, he added.

Whether that means New Berlin will reach out to business operatives to fill the space to be vacated by Wausau Equipment isn't certain. But, Ament said, "We are always happy to welcome any new business who is looking at our great community."

Contact reporter Jim Riccioli at james.riccioli@jrn.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wausau Equipment to close New Berlin offices and manufacturing site
Soldiers due to leave the Army will now see their tours of service extended for 45 days because of the ongoing U.S. government shutdown.

Soldiers scheduled to transition out of the Army with separation dates during the government shutdown will be extended by 45 days to ensure proper transition, Army spokesman Maj. Travis Shaw told Military Times in a statement Wednesday.

He pointed to the Antideficency Act, which bars federal agencies from obligating or spending federal funds in advance or in excess of an appropriation and from accepting voluntary services.

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That law, he said, disables the military from any transactions that potentially obligate funds during a government shutdown.

The shutdown is leaving soldiers unable to complete necessary procedures prior to leaving the service because of a shortage of administrative personnel. Therefore, he said, to avoid obligating funds, the Army will retain soldiers due to depart to avoid widespread disruptions caused by the staffing shortage.

Failure to extend personnel may result in losing access to base, housing, benefits, pay, reimbursement for travel, and household goods shipment, Shaw said. As an Army priority, the extension is for the Soldiers and their families health and welfare.

The extensions first came to light through images shared on social media, where the situation drew comparisons to the stop loss involuntary retentions after 9/11.

A key difference between then and now, though, is that the retentions after 9/11 were due to a national emergency rather than to avoid administrative issues because of a shutdown.
Oct. 23 (UPI) -- The British army veteran known as Soldier F was found not guilty Thursday for his part in the Bloody Sunday killings in Derry, Northern Ireland, in 1972.

Soldier F was acquitted of all charges in Belfast for his part in the day when he and his parachute troop shot and killed 13 protesters.

Judge Patrick Lynch said the prosecution failed to prove its case. Soldier F is the only British army veteran ever charged for Bloody Sunday. His identity was shielded by a court order.

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Soldier F pleaded not guilty to the murders of two protesters, James Wray, 26, and William McKinney, 22. He was also charged with attempted murder of five other protesters.

Soon after the killings, a formal inquiry cleared the soldiers. But in 2010, an investigation found that they had shot people who didn't pose a threat to them and then lied for years to cover it up. Then-Prime Minister David Cameron issued an apology.

The evidence was the main issue, the judge said.

"To convict it has to be upon evidence that is convincing and manifestly reliable," Lynch said. "The evidence presented by the crown falls well short of this standard and signally fails to reach the high standard of proof required in a criminal case; that of proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Therefore, I find the accused not guilty on all seven counts on the present bill of indictment."

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Lynch said the soldiers had "lost all sense of military discipline" and shot unarmed civilians fleeing from them. "Those responsible should hang their heads in shame," The Guardian reported he said.

But the issue on trial was the individual guilt of one man. The testimony from soldiers G and H was unreliable and decades old, Lynch said. He found that Soldiers G and H had been "serially untruthful."

The case presented "complex legal and evidential issues, said Stephen Herron, director of public prosecutions, the BBC reported. He said that "the challenges of prosecuting legacy cases are well-documented."

"Our thoughts today are foremost with the Wray and McKinney families, those who were wounded, and the loved ones of all killed and injured on Bloody Sunday," Herron added.

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"We understand that today's outcome comes after a prolonged and painful process for those families." He gave thanks to the Bloody Sunday families "for the constructive and dignified way they engaged with us over a number of years."

Mickey McKinney, brother of victim William, said outside the court that the families don't blame the judge but the British state for the murder and the subsequent cover-up.

"Soldier F has been discharged from the defendant's criminal dock, but it is one million miles away from being an honourable discharge," he said.

Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill said she was disappointed in the not-guilty verdict.

"Fifty-three years ago, the British army indiscriminately murdered civilians on the streets of Derry. Over 15 years ago, the then-British prime minister publicly acknowledged the role of British soldiers on Bloody Sunday. Yet, not one British soldier or their military and political superiors has ever been held to account. That is an affront to justice."
The son of a Hampden County sheriffs deputy who died in an accident while hunting in Alaska has launched a GoFundMe to help support his mother and his brother, who was injured in the same accident.

John DeLuca, 67, died after falling from a mountainside in Cordova, Alaska. A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter went to the scene and took DeLuca to a clinic in Cordova, where he was pronounced dead.

DeLucas son, Dave DeLuca, also fell from the mountainside after he threw himself in front of his fathers body to try to stop him, according to DeLucas other son, Johnny DeLuca.

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Miraculously, my brother survived the 200 foot fall, but had serious injuries, Johnny DeLuca wrote. Lacerations everywhere, abdominal bleeding, a right shoulder fully out of its socket with every tendon and ligament in it torn, a torn right bicep, four fractured vertebrae, and multiple broken ribs.

Johnny DeLuca launched the GoFundMe to help raise funds for his brothers hospital bills, upcoming shoulder surgery and physical therapy, according to the GoFundMe page. The funds will also go towards financial assistance for his mother and funeral costs.

I assure you that the decision to ask for assistance was not arrived upon lightly, DeLuca wrote. If it were up to my mom and my brother, wed figure it out on our own. This was my call, and I promise you, we have no choice."

The GoFundMes goal is $200,000. As of Oct. 23, $160,054 has been raised from 756 donations.

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DeLuca had served the department since 1991 in its Law Enforcement Division but later served in a number of roles.

Known for his professionalism, dedication, and kindness, he earned commendations for outstanding conduct and made an impact on the lives of everyone who knew him, the department said in a statement after his death. His passing has left a deep void in the hearts of his colleagues and all who knew him.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  The son of a prominent Rhode Island mob figure will spend the rest of his life behind bars for killing his ex-girlfriend more than six years ago.

Earlier this year, Michael T. Marrapese, 46, pleaded guilty to the murder of 29-year-old Lauren Ise, withdrawing his initial plea of not guilty.

Marrapese was sentenced on Thursday to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The judge also ordered him a habitual offender and imposed a consecutive 25-year sentence.

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PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Mobsters son pleads guilty to ex-girlfriends murder

Police received a tip in March 2019 from one of Marrapeses friends, who said Marrapese confessed to killing his ex-girlfriend in her home, according to the Rhode Island Attorney Generals office. That information led officers to an apartment on Bay View Avenue in Cranston, where they discovered Ise had been strangled to death.

While Ise did not have a restraining order against Marrapese at the time of her death, she had previously told police she felt threatened by him. Officers had responded to the apartment multiple times for prior domestic disturbances involving the pair.

Investigators later learned the two had broken up on Feb. 15, 2019, and Ise decided to move out. When Marrapese refused to let her collect her belongings, Ise called police.

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He became angry and was arrested for disorderly conduct. After being released, Marrapese was arrested the next day following an altercation with his landlord and held as a bail violator until March 5, 2019.

A week later, Marrapese showed up at Ises apartment early in the morning, knocking on her windows, but she did not answer. He reportedly asked a neighbor if she was in a relationship with anyone. The next day, on March 13, he returned to her apartment, murdered Ise, and then drove to his friends house to confess.

According to the medical examiner, Ise had ligature marks around her neck, as well as multiple abrasions, contusions, facial lacerations, dislocated teeth, and defensive wounds on her hands.

All too often, domestic abuse and violence serve as precursors to murder, and unfortunately this case is no exception, Attorney General Peter Neronha said. This defendant consistently sought to exert control over Lauren, now her friends and family are left to pick up the pieces. While nothing can bring Lauren back, I hope they now feel some semblance of peace knowing justice has been served.

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Marrapese is the son of the late Frank Bobo Marrapese, who was a convicted murderer and longtime, notorious enforcer for the Patriarca crime family. He died at 74 in 2017 while serving time at the ACI on blackmail and extortion charges.

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Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver announced on Oct. 23, 2026 she will run in the 2026 Democratic primary for lieutenant governor (file photo/Source NM)

Following months of speculation, New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver announced on Thursday she will seek the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor in the June 2, 2026 primary election.

Toulouse Oliver has served as secretary of state since 2016when she served a two-year termand is in her second four-year term. She previously spent close to a decade as Bernalillo county clerk.

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As recently as late August, Toulouse Oliver said she was not planning a run for office, telling Source New Mexico that she was instead focusing on her finishing her election-related dissertation at the University of New Mexico. She said she changed her mind after a lot of folks worried about the state of the country approached her in recent months urging her to stay in elected office.

I have always felt called to service, so I felt that I was being called again, and thats why I changed my mind, she said.

Toulouse Olivers announcement follows State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richards withdrawal from the race last week due to her husbands health issues. New Mexico State Sen. Harold Pope of Albuquerque and Loving Village Councilor Jackie Lee Onsurez remain in the Democratic primary race. Republican Manny Lardzibal thus far faces no opposition in that contest.

In a 40-second video embedded in her new campaign website, Toulouse Oliver pointed to her time battling MAGA extremists over their false claims of election fraud in New Mexico and across the country after the 2020 election. She testified before Congress in July 2022 that threats against her office spiked, including several her office reported to police, after the issue came to a head in Otero County during the 2022 primary election.

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In the video, Toulouse Oliver said New Mexico is facing a moment unlike any in our history. Donald Trump is attacking our democracy and pushing an extreme agenda. New Mexico needs a fighter who will stand up to him. Thats why Im running for Lt. Governor.

As for her dissertation, Toulouse said shes still working on it, but its probably going to take a little more time now, she said.
Western Dakota Technical College. (Courtesy of WDTC)

South Dakotas four technical colleges continue to see increased enrollment in both full-time and dual credit programs, according to the 2025 fall enrollment report.

The state Board of Technical Education reviewed the report during its online meeting on Thursday.

Total enrollment increased 367 over last year, or 5%, with 7,774 students enrolled either as full-time or dual credit students (high-schoolers can take dual credit courses for high school and college credit). Jenna Reis, policy and data analyst for the board, said the increase is a strong indicator that outreach and program investments on campuses are paying off.

That increase contrasts with a fall enrollment report for South Dakota public universities with flat enrollment system-wide. The university systems dual credit enrollment increased by 167, or just above 3%, with 5,335 students enrolled this year, said South Dakota Board of Regents spokeswoman Shuree Mortenson.

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Dual credit enrollment at technical colleges grew by 127 students, up to 1,474  a 9.4% increase.

At Lake Area Technical College in Watertown, dual credit enrollment includes more than 500 students from 78 South Dakota high schools, and 11 seniors are attending full-time, according to a news release from the school.

Health services remain the most popular programs at technical colleges, while agriculture, information technology and manufacturing all decreased in system-wide enrollment  by 62, 50 and 29, respectively.

Those decreased enrollments could be attributed to economic factors, especially regarding agriculture, board members and college presidents suggested. Trade policies, especially tariff discussions with China, continue to impact prices and profitability for farmers after a high crop production season in the state.

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For Lake Area  the only college where information technology program enrollment increased  President Tiffany Sanderson credited the increase to a business and information technology partnership with Dakota State University, which specializes in computer science and information technology fields.

The partnership allows students to climb the education ladder seamlessly from Watertown to Madison in those fields, she said.

The other technical colleges are in Sioux Falls, Mitchell and Rapid City.
People attend a Pride event during the Seoul Queer Culture Festival on June 14, 2025. Credit - Anthony WallaceAFP/Getty Images

South Korea quietly made a big change to how it will count its population.

In what LGBT advocates describe as a historic decision, the countrys Ministry of Data and Statistics updated on Wednesday its digital registration system for the 2025 Population and Housing Census to accept spouse or cohabiting partner as valid responses between same-sex household members.

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The seemingly small update resolves an issue from previous censuses: when same-sex household members attempted to select spouse on prior counts, the data collection system flagged those registrations as errorsforcing them to categorize themselves as other cohabitants. This rendered same-sex couples the same as any other flatmates, their relationship invisible to government statistics and civil society organizations or researchers who rely on that data.

South Korea does not legally allow same-sex marriages or civil partnerships, but the census, which takes place every five years, offers an opportunity for greater recognition and visibility of the LGBT community in data, which is used to influence domestic policy.

A Ministry of Data and Statistics official told local outlet OhmyNews earlier this week that allowing the more accurate data entry is just the beginning. After hearing from experts, we understand that the data is necessary, but inaccurate responses may come out during the collection stage, so were looking into ways to process the data after collection, the unnamed official says. I hope youll see this as the beginning of our efforts.

The left-wing Justice Party welcomed the ministrys decision and said that it hopes the change will move beyond visibility in statistics and materialize into inclusive policy, like legalizing same-sex marriage. The path has finally opened for same-sex couples to be reflected in policy, the party said in a statement, adding that it advocates against discrimination against all minorities. We believe the day will soon come when transgender individuals will be included in population statistics.

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Rights groups have welcomed the change. Rainbow Action Korea, a coalition of 49 LGBT organizations, said in a statement Wednesday that it marks the first time that the presence of LGBTQ+ citizens has been properly recorded in national statistics.

But the group also criticized how South Koreas national and local governments did not adequately publicize these changes, which could impact the responses. It also urged the ministry to include questions identifying respondents sexual orientation and gender identity in the census and other national surveys, to better count single LGBT citizens too.

The fact that this census, which has only recently begun to encompass the lives of LGBTQ+ citizens, includes new questions about unmarried cohabitation, intentions to marry, and time spent on family care, the coalition added, demonstrates that the nature and meaning of family in Korean society has already changed significantly and is still rapidly evolving.

A complex national landscape for LGBT persons

South Koreas new census registration provisions enter a complicated landscape for LGBT individuals in the country.

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A 2025 Ipsos poll found that 51% of South Korean respondents were not in favor of public displays of affection between LGBT individualssuch as kissing or holding hands. The poll also found that 31% are against LGBT people being publicly open about their sexual orientation or gender identity.

A 2025 national survey by Korea Research found that opposition to same-sex marriage in Korea remains strong, with 50% or more of respondents against it since 2021, while just over 30% are in support.

South Koreas LGBT students face discrimination, according to Human Rights Watch, and homosexuality reportedly remains a taboo in many workplaces. A law prohibiting same-sex activity in the military was upheld in 2023.

But there have been silver linings for this marginalized community. Pride parades have grown in visibility, and prominent celebritiesincluding K-pop idolshave come out and boosted LGBT representation. LGBT individuals have also been portrayed in local media.

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Policy-wise, in 2024, courts ruled that LGBT spouses were eligible for benefits from state health insurance. And there is possibility of a national and comprehensive anti-discrimination law being passed under new President Lee Jae-myung; however, Lee previously said that issues like the economy were a higher priority.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
South Korea has launched its biggest and most ambitious submarine yet, the Jang Yeong-sil, as the first of the second batch of its locally designed and built KSS-III program. The boat, first of three in this sub-class, is notable for its expanded vertical launch cell arrangement, but also boasts a host of other advanced features.

In a ceremony yesterday, the Republic of Korea Navy and South Koreas Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) held a launching ceremony for the ROKS Jang Yeong-sil at Hanwha Oceans Geoje shipyard, in the southern part of the country.

The launch ceremony for the ROKS Jang Yeong-sil at Hanwha Oceans Geoje shipyard yesterday. ROKN

A construction contract for the submarine was signed in 2019, followed by the steel-cutting ceremony in 2021, while the keel-laying ceremony took place in 2023.

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The Jang Yeong-sil, as the first of the Batch II submarines, follows on from KSS-III Batch I, also known as the Dosan Ahn Chang-ho class.

The first of the KSS-III Batch I submarines, ROKS Dosan Ahn Changho, during trials. Defense Acquisition Program Administration

There are some significant differences between the two sub-classes.

The Batch II boats have a surfaced displacement of around 3,500 tons, compared to 3,300 tons for the Batch I submarines. The Batch II is also longer, at 293 feet, compared to just under 274 feet for the Batch I.

More importantly, Batch II brings new capabilities, which the Republic of Korea Navy and DAPA summarize as enhanced detection, strike capability, stealth, and survivability.

In terms of detection, Batch II incorporates an updated combat system and sonar system, which are said to offer enhanced information processing and target detection capabilities.

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The expanded strike potential of the new submarine is centered around its land-attack capability.

In its Batch I form, the KSS-III already had provisions for six vertical launch system (VLS) cells that are able to accommodate cruise missiles or even submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs). The Batch II, meanwhile, increases the capacity to 10 VLS cells.

First KSS-III Batch-II.

What a historical moment. pic.twitter.com/pX4JFw3eJ1  Mason  (@mason_8718) October 22, 2025

The KSS-III submarines put South Korea in a select group of countries that operate submarines with an SLBM capability. Unusually for a weapon of this type, the South Korean weapon has a conventional warhead.

Successful underwater ejection tests of an SLBM from the first of these submarines were reportedly first conducted around September last year.

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Few details are known about the SLBM itself, which is variously named Hyunmoo-IV-4 or K-SLBM. Early reports suggested the missile has a range of 311 miles and that it could be a naval variant of the Hyunmoo 2B ballistic missile. More recently, it has been attributed to a range of 497 miles.

A land-based launch of a Republic of Korea Army Hyunmoo 2B ballistic missile:

Beyond SLBMs, the VLS cells could be used to eventually accommodate hypersonic cruise missiles, a type of weapon that Seoul is currently exploring via the Hycore demonstrator program. A submarine-launched hypersonic cruise missile would give South Korea considerable advantages when it comes to conducting short-notice standoff strikes, especially against highly defended and time-sensitive targets.

Test launch of a Hycore missile from a ground platform. via @mason_8718

Other armament on the Batch II comprises six 533mm torpedo tubes that can be loaded with Tiger Shark torpedoes or C-Star-III anti-ship cruise missiles, or alternatively, Submarine Launched Mobile Mines (SLMM).

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Stealth and mission endurance are enhanced by the Batch IIs advanced new lithium-ion battery-based submerged propulsion system. This enables it to operate underwater for longer durations and sustain high-speed maneuvers, thereby reducing the risk of exposure during operations. While it is still a diesel-electric submarine at its core, with diesel generators and batteries that charge from those generators, the advanced battery tech can take the place of air-independent propulsion (AIP) technology while offering similar, and in some cases superior, capabilities. Even more interesting, is this new boat also has a fuel-cell-based auxiliary AIP capability, so it can presumably charge its batteries or even provide propulsion aside from them, while submerged.

Back in early 2017, The War Zones Tyler Rogoway looked at the benefits of lithium-ion batteries, which not only offer advantages over traditional lead-acid cells but could challenge AIP technology for use in new-build submarines overall. This prediction now seems to be playing out.

Other stealth features introduced on the Batch II include various noise and vibration reduction technologies, among them a rubber acoustic coating, which combines to ensure the boats produce less underwater radiated noise.

Another view of the ROKS Jang Yeong-sil at its launch ceremony. ROKN

No less importantly, as a domestically designed and produced submarine, the KSS-III Batch II incorporates a greater proportion of locally developed and manufactured components. This reduces South Koreas reliance on foreign manufacturers and, very importantly, makes it easier to export the design. The KSS-III is already in the running for Canadas new submarine requirement, with up to 12 boats planned, and there are growing opportunities for selling advanced diesel-electric subs in the Indo-Pacific region and elsewhere.

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The ROKS Jang Yeong-sil will soon embark on a series of sea trials and evaluations, and its scheduled to be delivered to the Republic of Korea Navy at the end of 2027. Another two Batch II boats, so far unnamed, are now under construction.

The importance of Seouls submarine program has increased in recent years, including the decision to abandon plans to build its first aircraft carrier and instead focus on its underwater fleet, which has received more funding.

A model of the CVX design from Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), displayed at the International Maritime Defense Industry Exhibition 2021. YouTube screencap

In particular, the KSS-III program has emerged as a cornerstone of the Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation program, or KMPR, also known as Overwhelming Response, an effort to develop ways to retaliate against North Korea, using conventional weapons, should Pyongyang launch a first strike. In particular, submarines are valuable here for bringing the survivable conventional strike capability that the KMPR plan calls for.

The combination of the KSS-III and SLBMs is part of Seouls broader focus on missile programs that are being developed and fielded in response to North Koreas expanding missile capabilities. These also include more powerful land-based weapons, but the SLBM is a much more survivable option, which is of particular importance, bearing in mind the threat of a preemptive strike from the North.

VIDEO: North Korean state media published footage of the launch of a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) model called the Hwasong-19 on Thursday.



Read more here: https://t.co/kA8m36NARX pic.twitter.com/CXXlBJX7O5  NK NEWS (@nknewsorg) November 1, 2024

Should the North launch a nuclear attack, the survivability of the submarines should allow a conventional response, even if land-based missiles may have been taken out already. In this way, the SLBMs could be fired against regime targets and command and control facilities, hitting them with much less notice and more kinetic power than a cruise missile barrage. The fact that this quasi-second-strike capability exists should also help dissuade North Korean aggression in the first place.

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These submarines and their SLBMs also carry a political dimension, reducing South Koreas dependence on the United States when it comes to deterrence.

At the same time, the submarines can also take on many other roles in a potential conflict with North Korea, including surgical strikes using cruise missiles, minelaying, insertion of special forces, and, not least, hunting down North Koreas submarines and new heavily-armed (but questionable) surface combatants.

Potentially, South Koreas experience with the KSS-III program could lead to even bigger and more ambitious submarines.

In the past, there has been discussion of a potential follow-on nuclear-powered submarine design. With previous missile restrictions on South Korea having been removed, these submarines could potentially be armed with new and bigger SLBMs offering much greater range.

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Until the Biden administration scrapped missile restrictions that had been in place since 1979, South Korea was limited to developing missiles with a maximum range of 500 miles. This change could open the door to South Korea developing SLBMs with a range greater than 500 miles, in excess of the Hyunmoo-IV-4.

As it now stands, the KMPR initiative is based around conventional weapons only, but there has been growing speculation that Seoul might eventually commit to developing nuclear warheads, too. SLBMs would be the obvious candidate to deliver these and having this option already integrated into existing submarines would allow for Seoul to move rapidly to fielding a second-strike strategic deterrent if the choice was ever made to do so, which still seems very unlikely at this time.

For now, the Republic of Korea Navy can look forward to starting operations with its most capable submarine so far, providing a powerful and versatile bulwark to fast-paced missile and nuclear developments in North Korea.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com
Columbia, CA  Two men were arrested for selling fentanyl, and other drugs, following an investigation and search of a home on North Airport Road in Columbia.

The Tuolumne County Sheriffs Office reports that the investigation started in early September. During the operation, 30-year-old Nathan William Buckman was observed selling fentanyl to 65-year-old Lea Lacreshia Pate and 62-year-old Brien Davis Utecht. Following the hand-to-hand transaction, all three suspects were detained. Buckman was arrested for the sale of fentanyl, and the other two were cited and released for possession of fentanyl.

Detectives then searched Buckmans residence on North Airport Road and found 80 grams of fentanyl, 49 grams of methamphetamine, 28 grams of heroin, cash, and drug packaging materials. A second person there in connection, 56-year-old Andrew John Aparicio, was also arrested on charges related to the sale of fentanyl, meth, and heroin. Aparicio was allegedly routinely purchasing fentanyl in the Bay Area and transporting it back to the residence in Columbia.

Based on the total weight of the fentanyl, both men qualify for a three-year sentencing enhancement under California Proposition 36.

The sheriffs office reports that it thanks the community member who provided an anonymous tip about the illegal drug operations and encourages others with information on drug sales to call the TNT Tip Line at 209-533-5884.
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP)  Cambodia and South Korea said Thursday that a delegation of lawmakers from South Koreas National Assembly visited a building in Cambodia allegedly used by an online scam operation involving dozens of South Koreans.

The South Koreans were detained by Cambodian police and repatriated earlier this month to South Korea, where authorities have accused them of involvement in fraud including romance scams and bogus investments, apparently targeting fellow South Koreans at home.

The members of the assemblys Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee inspected the site Wednesday on the outskirts of the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, where dozens of South Koreans were detained during a crackdown on July 5.

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Cambodias commission on online crime said that Cambodian police shared materials with the visiting delegation showing that South Korean nationals worked at the scam center voluntarily, without force or intimidation.

Detainees were repatriated on Oct. 18 on a chartered flight from Phnom Penh to South Korea, where authorities said at the time that they were trying to determine whether the South Koreans had been forced to work in the scams.

South Korean police said earlier in the week that local courts so far have issued arrest warrants for 49 out of 64 South Korean returnees, and that arrest warrants for additional returnees were being considered. Police have said the suspects are accused of engaging in romance scams, bogus investment pitches or voice phishing.

Online scams, many based in Southeast Asian countries, have risen sharply since the COVID-19 pandemic and produced two kinds of victims: thousands of people who have been forced to work as scammers under the threat of violence, and the targets of their fraud. Monitoring groups say online scams earn international criminal gangs billions of dollars annually.

Over the past four months, police in Cambodia have raided 92 locations in 18 provinces and arrested 3,455 people from 20 nationalities, Cambodian authorities said. Most were victims and have already been deported from Cambodia. Seventy-five people believed to be behind the scams have been charged in a Cambodian court.
A 37-year-old Inland Empire man accused of molesting a teenager was arrested earlier this month, police announced Wednesday.

Authorities were first alerted to the allegations against 37-year-old Joshua Richie of Murrieta on Oct. 8, the Murrieta Police Department stated in a Facebook post Wednesday.

During the course of the investigation, detectives found evidence linking Richie to the minor, but did not provide any further details about the allegations.

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Richie was arrested two days after the sexual offense report was made.

He was booked on suspicion of sexual battery and annoying or molesting a child under the age of 18.

The investigation remains active, and detectives believe there may be additional victims, police said.

Anyone who believes they were victimized by Richie or has information relevant to the case was urged to contact Detective Nathaniel Campbell at 951-461-6307 or by email at ncampbell@murrietaca.gov.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.




Eventually, fliers traveling in and out of Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport could catch a ride with Southwest Airlines.

Currently, the Dallas-based airline operates most of the gates at Dallas Love Field Airport. A federal law signed in 1980 known as the Wright Amendment required Southwest to relinquish an equal number of gates at Love Field if it ever started service at DFW. But that condition expired this year, causing people to wonder what Southwest's next move could be.

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CEO Bob Jordan, while speaking at the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce's aviation breakfast last week, confirmed the airline has ambitions to operate at DFW someday.

"It's not if, it's when," the Dallas Business Journal first reported Jordan saying. "We will be at DFW."

The comments are a re-affirmation of previous indications Southwest has made of its desire to expand to DFW International Airport. Jordan spoke at an industry conference in November 2023 where he first said Southwest was interested in a "modest presence" at DFW Airport.

Without a solid launch plan being more concretely discussed, however, Southwest fliers in the Dallas area will still wind up doing their upcoming holiday travel through Love Field. DFW does not have additional gate space at the moment, and Southwest has not provided a set timeline for when service could begin there.

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Meanwhile, competitor American Airlines is actively pushing on a major expansion at DFW with the upcoming Terminal F that American will exclusively operate with 31 gates.

Dallas isn't the only region in which Southwest is limited to just one of the major airports. Southwest notably exited George Bush Intercontinental Airport last year amid slowed production from Boeing. As a result, Houstonians only fly Southwest through William P. Hobby Airport.

But looking ahead, Southwest is celebrating improving demand and a profitable quarter. While reporting record third quarter revenue on Wednesday, Jordan said the airline is making "substantial progress" as it carries out significant transformation.

"While early, indicators for our new assigned and extra legroom seating products are in line with expectations. We are encouraged by our momentum and confident in our direction," Jordan said. "Our people continue to lead the way, and I couldn't be more excited about 2026 and beyond."

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This article originally published at Southwest Airlines will operate at DFW International Airport in the future.
Oct. 23 (UPI) -- SpaceX cut Starlink Internet service to thousands of its devices providing access to compounds in Myanmar linked to human trafficking and monetary scams worldwide.

The company said late Tuesday that it terminated more than 2,500 Starlink devices Chinese crime syndicates were using to contact and scam people globally.

"SpaceX continually works to identify violations of our Acceptable Use Policy and applicable law because -- as with nearly all consumer electronics and services -- the same technology that can provide immense benefits has a risk of misuse," Lauren Dreyer, Starlink's vice president of business operations, said in a post on X.

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"In Myanmar, for example, SpaceX proactively identified and disabled over 2,500 Starlink kits in the vicinity of suspected 'scam centers,'" she wrote.

The scam centers, which operated largely along the border between Myanmar and Thailand, lure people in with the promise of good jobs before often being taken captive and being forced to defraud people through fake investments and pretend romantic schemes, according to reports.

Myanmar's military, which in 2021 staged a coup that has kept the country mired in a civil war, announced this week that it shut down a scam operation called KK Park, seizing 30 sets of Starlink Terminals and arresting more than 2,000 people.

The military earlier this year launched an operation to go after the scam centers after other nations, specifically Thailand and China, exerted pressure to ease the situation that has seen people from both countries trafficked and forced to work in the scam parks.

Although the military has moved to shut down some operations, reports suggest that many compounds in Myanmar remain active, with tens of thousands of employees and some protected by militia groups that are aligned with Myanmar's military.
SpaceX has disabled over 2,500 Starlink devices being used by cyber scam syndicates operating in a lawless corner of Myanmar, the Elon Musk-led company said Wednesday.

Despite regional authorities highly publicized crackdowns on the cyberfraud centers along Myanmars border with Thailand this year, the scamming networks have continued to proliferate in the civil war-afflicted nation.

SpaceX said it works to identify violations in all markets where Starlink operates.

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On the rare occasion we identify a violation, we take appropriate action, including working with law enforcement agencies around the world, said Lauren Dreyer, SpaceXs vice president of business operations for Starlink, in a post on X.

In Myanmar, for example, SpaceX proactively identified and disabled over 2,500 Starlink Kits in the vicinity of suspected scam centers.

Dreyer did not provide a date for when the consoles were disabled, but the announcement comes after the Myanmar military junta said it discovered 30 sets of Starlink receivers and accessories during a raid on one such scam compound this week.

There are about 30 sprawling, purpose-built compounds dotted along the Myanmar-Thai border that are dedicated to scamming victims, including Americans, out of billions of dollars every year, according to a recent report by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.

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Workers in the scam centers are often lured by the promise of well-paid jobs, or trafficked, and are routinely held against their will and forced to carry out online fraud schemes in the heavily guarded compounds, where former detainees have previously told CNN beatings and torture are common.

For more than a year, concerns have been raised by the United States that criminal networks in Myanmar were using Starlink to access the internet and carry out their scams.

Starlink has more than 6 million global users, according to its website. It provides high-speed internet service using a network of thousands of satellites at low-Earth orbit, enabling it to reach remote communities.

An investigation by the news agency Agence France-Presse this month found that Starlink receivers had been installed on the roofs of the scam compounds at a huge scale.

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The US Congress Joint Economic Committee has begun an investigation into Starlinks alleged involvement in the centers, according to the AFP investigation.

In this image provided by the Myanmar military on Oct. 19, 2025, soldiers stand next to Starlink machines during a raid on KK Park in Myawaddy township, Karen State, Myanmar. - AP

The move by SpaceX comes as the global scam industry is growing at an unprecedented rate, according to the UN Office of Drugs and Crime, with criminal groups adopting artificial intelligence and using online cryptocurrency markets to move vast amounts of stolen money undetected.

Southeast Asia is a hotspot for these romance or investment scams known as pig butchering, named for the practice of fattening up prey before the slaughter. And Myanmar has become an attractive destination for the cybercrime networks, who are shielded by corruption and the military junta.

Kristalyn, from the Phillipines, said she was working in KK Park, a notorious scam compound near Myawaddy, a border town in southeast Myanmar, when the internet was cut at around noon on Wednesday.

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In the morning the Chinese boss came into our office and told us to return to our rooms, she told CNN, requesting to use only her first name for safety reasons.

But not long after, he came back in again and told us to just leave the place, added Kristalyn, who said she had been working there since July.

She and around 200 other Filipinos, along with others from India, Pakistan and several African countries, were waiting near the border with Thailand and trying to cross over, she told CNN Friday.

Some of us are staying in abandoned houses, buildings and even some are just staying on the streets trying to cross the border. We have no food here. We have no money at all.

Civil war

Since taking power in a 2021 coup, the military administration  which does not control all of the country  has fought a civil war against a patchwork of anti-junta and regional ethnic groups.

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In February, Thailand cut electricity supplies to several areas in Myanmar that are home to the scam sites, to try and disrupt their operations.

Soon after, about 7,000 workers and victims were released from scam centers along the border and repatriated in a major operation by Thai authorities.

Between January 30 and October 19, Myanmars military junta said it had arrested 9,551 foreign nationals from the scam compounds, repatriating most of them.

But experts have warned that represents a tiny fraction of people trapped and working in the centers.

The military said Monday its raid on KK Park uncovered more than 2,000 workers.

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Footage filmed for CNN from inside KK Park in April shows paved roads lined with trees and manicured lawns, giving the image of a legitimate business district, complete with a hotel and billboards advertising gambling sites.

But a source who works in the anti-human-trafficking field told CNN the raid on KK Park has not stopped operations.

While the impact of ceasing Starlink operations is not nothing, there were still many victims trapped inside other buildings of the compound who confirmed last night theyre still being forced to scam, said the source.

Transnational crime expert Jason Tower said the military raid on KK Park was more of a publicity stunt than a crackdown and that it was business as usual for dozens of scam compounds still operating along the Moei River that separates Myanmar and Thailand.

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With international attention and outrage over Southeast Asias scamdemic rising, the Myanmar military is trying to skirt accountability for transforming the Myanmar-Thailand border lands into a hub for criminality, said Tower, a senior expert at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC).

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations meets for a summit later this week in Malaysia, and the scourge of scam centers is likely to be a top issue on the agenda. The military is also trying to position itself as continuing to take action on this issue, Tower said.

A massive law enforcement operation by the US and UK that recently targeted a Cambodian criminal scam network likely pushed China to increase pressure once again on the Myanmar military regime to take further action, Tower added.

It is also likely that the Myanmar military seeks to establish more direct control over some of the scam centers, as it realizes just how much illicit revenue is being brought in by this extremely lucrative form of criminal activity, he said.

CNN has reached out to the military junta for comment.

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NEW KENT, Va. (WAVY)  A source recently confirmed that a special prosecutor has been appointed in Jay Jones reckless driving community service investigation, though that person told 10 On Your Side that he will be unable to serve in that capacity.

Jones and Miyares face off in crucial debate for Virginia Attorney General

Jones, who is the current Democratic nominee for Virginia attorney general, was sentenced to 1,000 hours of community service after a reckless driving conviction in 2022 in New Kent County.

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The appointing of a special prosecutor came amid questions on whether Jones served some of the community service hours for his own political action committee. In addition, Jones is also under fire for recently unearthed text messages from 2022 in which Jones talked about shooting a former Virginia GOP House Speaker in a hypothetical scenario.

Delegate says Jay Jones joked about shooting former Virginia GOP House Speaker in text messages

While a judge in New Kent County signed off on an order to appoint Williamsburg James City County Commonwealths Attorney Nate Green as the special prosecutor in the Jones case, Green stated a new order will have to be requested due to him being unable to accept.

When asked for a comment as to why Green could not accept the appointment, he would not give a reason why.

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In addition, New Kent County Commonwealths Attorney Scott Renick also would not comment on why he is recusing himself.

Jason Miyares, the Republican incumbent for Virginia attorney general, released a statement following the announcement, which can be read in full below:

The Attorney General is the chief law enforcement office of Virginia. Virginians deserve an Attorney General whose integrity is beyond question. Jay Jones had already disqualified himself with his violent text messages against political opponents and their children. Now we learn that he may have misled the courts to avoid jail time for recklessly driving 116mph. It is not possible for Jay Jones to fulfill the duties of that office while under an open criminal investigation. If Jay Jones stays in the race, it shows a contempt for voters never seen in modern Virginia political history. Jay Jones has not taken accountability for his words or actions. That fact has never been more apparent. For the sake of public trust and common decency, Jay Jones should suspend his campaign and withdraw from the race for Attorney General. Virginians deserve honesty, humility, and sound judgement in their top law enforcement officer. Jay Jones has shown time and time again that he possesses none of these qualities.

10 On Your Side has also reached out to Jones for a comment, but have yet to hear back.

Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
More specifically, they said that they have now killed all the terrorists involved with kidnapping and holding Noa Argamani, Avinatan Or, and Eitan Mor from the Nova music festival.

The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) on Thursday revealed its "Nili" unit, which was established after Hamas's October 7 invasion, to focus on locating and killing those terrorists who had participated in the slaughter of Israelis.

In a joint message from the Shin Bet and IDF intelligence, the two agencies specifically noted that they have worked together for two years on the select special project, with highly experienced intelligence officers diverted from other roles to identify, track, and plan the targeting of those October 7 invaders.

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Jointly, these units, along with the IDF Southern Command and the Israel Air Force, have assassinated thousands of Gazan terrorists in diverse locations throughout the Strip.

The terrorists Ahmad Abu Marhil and Ahmad Ibrahim Rajab Sha'er in the October 7 massacre. (credit: Canva, IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

'Nili' unit kills terrorists who kidnapped, held Noa Argamani

More specifically, they said that they have now killed all the terrorists involved with kidnapping and holding Noa Argamani, Avinatan Or, and Eitan Mor from the Nova music festival.

The first of those terrorists was assassinated in March of this year, and the last of them was killed on August 22, showing the ongoing and unending commitment of personnel and resources by the two intelligence agencies to this effort.

One of Israel's commitments after October 7 was to make it clear to all who participated and anyone who might think of invading in the future, that doing so would be signing their own death warrant.
The victim of a deadly stabbing on Charlottes light rail train is being recognized with a new butterfly named in her honor.

Iryna Zarutska, 23, was killed on Aug. 22 in an attack that caught national attention. The Ukrainian refugee had moved to Charlotte in 2022 to escape the war with Russia. She had just left work when she was killed by a suspect identified by police as Decarlos Brown.

SPECIAL PAGE >> 9 Investigates: Light Rail Stabbing of Iryna Zarutska

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Channel 9 learned on Thursday that a previously unrecognized species of the Celastrina butterfly is being named as a tribute to Iryna Zarurtska.

In The Taxonomic Report, published in late September, an abstract by Harry Pavulaan says he came into possession of distinct Celastrina specimens collected from the coastal area of South Carolina and Georgia.

One of those species is now known as Celastrina Iryna.

The species is described as being similar to Celastrina neglecta but differs by possession of the unique dorsal overlay of clear wing scales found in Celastrina ladon males. The paper says it may be a hybrid species.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

(VIDEO: Irynas Law: New crime package aims to crack down on pretrial release)
NEW YORK (AP)  Seven people have been arrested in the investigation of a stunning heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris, but the lavish, stolen jewels that once adorned France's royals are still missing.

In the days after the theft, a handful of experts warned that the artifacts valued at more than $100 million (88 million euros) could be melted or broken into parts. If done successfully, some say those smaller pieces could later go up for sale as part of a new necklace, earrings or other jewelry, without turning too many heads.

You dont even have to put them on a black market, you just put them in a jewelry store, said Erin Thompson, an art crime professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York. It could be sold down the street from the Louvre."

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Thompson and others say that this has become increasingly common with stolen jeweled and metal goods, noting that it's a way thieves can try to cover their tracks and make money. It's not like someone could publicly wear one of France's stolen Crown Jewels  and finding a market to sell the full artifacts would be incredibly difficult after everyone and their sister has seen photos of them over the last week, said Christopher Marinello, a lawyer and founder of Art Recovery International.

French prosecutor Laure Beccuau made a plea Wednesday to whoever has the jewels.

These jewels are now, of course, unsellable  Anyone who buys them would be guilty of concealment of stolen goods, she warned. Theres still time to give them back.

The jewels may be hard to monetize

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By breaking them apart, they will hide their theft, Marinello said, adding that these items could become even more traceless if they're taken out of France and through jewel cutters and robust supply chains in other countries.

Still, such pieces are often sold for a fraction of the value of what was stolen  due to their smaller size, but also because melting or breaking down high-profile items removes the historical worth.

It isn't a simple process.

The real art in an art heist isnt the stealing, its the selling, explained Robert Wittman, former senior investigator of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's art crime team. Wittman, who has since formed his own private practice, said that the individuals behind such heists are typically better criminals or thieves than they are businessmen.

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Unlike others, Wittman is skeptical about the thieves successfully monetizing the artifacts they stole from the Louvre  which include an emerald necklace and earrings, two crowns, two brooches, a sapphire necklace and a single earring worn by 19th-century royals. He notes the gems may still be identifiable by their clarity, for example, and gold that was refined when the pieces were made hundreds of years ago is not as pure as what's typically in demand today.

Because of what they are, theres really no point destroying them, Wittman said, while pointing to the risks of selling such high-profile stolen goods.

Scott Guginsky, executive vice president of the Jewelers Security Alliance, a nonprofit trade association focused on preventing jewelry crime, also notes the age and quality of the artifacts' diamonds. He suspects they're probably not graded.

Its not something that you can move on the open market. Its nothing that can go through an auction house," said Guginsky, who used to run the New York Police Departments organized theft squad.

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Given the amount of preparation that the thieves likely put into this, Guginsky believes they have a plan for selling the jewels, even if they might first decide to sit on the jewelry and wait out suspicion.

I cant see them stealing it without having an idea what they want to do, he said. Theres always a person willing to buy stolen jewelry. No matter what it is, somebody will buy it.

Sara Yood, CEO and general counsel of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, notes most jewelry businesses implement anti-money laundering programs and look out for red flags like unusual orders, repeated purchases and requests for secrecy.

Still, she and others say the age of some jewels  if broken down effectively  could actually make it harder to track. Newer gemstones, for example, sometimes carry a laser inscription inside that can be evaluated in a lab. But because these are historical pieces, its rather unlikely that it has those identifying features, noted Yood.

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Experts like Thompson say bigger gems can be recut to a point that they're unrecognizable. A challenge is finding people who have the skill to do that and don't ask too many questions  but it's possible, she said.

Whether the people behind the heist had those contacts or certain buyers lined up is unknown. But it's important to also note that the guys who actually enter the museums are usually all hired hands, and theyre almost always caught in these cases, Thompson added.

Chances of recovery look dim

She and others say that museums have increasingly faced a rash of similar thefts over recent years. Thompson notes that stealing from storage can go undetected for longer: the British Museum in London, which has accused a former curator of stealing artifacts and selling them online, is still trying to recover some of the 2,000 items stolen.

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Some past thieves have made ransom demands for stolen artwork overall, or wait for a potential no questions asked reward from an insurance company  which can amount to about a 10% cut for some insured pieces in Europe, Thompson says. The jewels stolen from the Louvre, however, were not privately insured.

Sometimes government offers of a reward for information about a high-profile heist can also quicken the investigation, although the French government has yet to publicize such an incentive. If that changes, or promising leads are uncovered from the evidence left behind at the Louvre, experts like Wittman note it could increase the chances of recovering the artifacts.

Still, as more time passes, others feel that the fate of finding the historic jewels looks dim.

I think theyre going to catch the criminals, Marinello said. But I dont think theyll find them with the jewels intact.

______

Rico reported from Atlanta.
I was 15 years old the first time someone told me I was broken and needed to be fixed. It wasnt in the your arm is broken, lets get you a cast way, or the youll grow out of it kind of way. It was fixed, as in theres something fundamentally wrong with you, and until you change it, you dont deserve love.

When I was outed by my cousin at 15, my life changed overnight. The next morning, my parents showed up at my school, cleaned out my locker, and brought me straight to a counselors office  a pastor who said he could help me change. That first appointment was the gateway into what would become three years of conversion therapy.

Also Read: I Teach A College Course On Porn. The Response Has Been Eye-Opening.

For 36 months, I sat in fluorescent-lit rooms with strangers who promised that if I prayed hard enough, journaled enough, cried enough, I could become someone else. Someone God would finally accept. Thats what gay conversion therapy is built on: Its abuse disguised as care and shame dressed up as salvation.

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I was moved to four different high schools during that time. Every time someone found out I was gay, Id be forced to start over somewhere new. At home, I lived under my parents roof while being sent to large and small gay conversion therapy groups in Orlando, Florida, and I even had phone sessions with people like Richard A. Cohen, author of Coming Out Straight.

I still have my journal from that time. The entry from July 12, 2007, reads:

Ive stopped reading my Bible and Im not writing much anymore. I had to break up with Daniel. Im sad.

Also Read: The First Time I Saw This Term On A Dating Profile, It Felt Like A Knife To The Heart. I Hope You Never Use It.

Daniel was my first boyfriend. He was gentle and kind and made me feel seen in a way that didnt come with conditions. But the people at therapy called him a temptation and a sin. So I broke up with him. I remember sitting in my room that night, staring at my Bible, trying to figure out what was wrong with me and why people were telling me my life was sin, pushing me further away from who I was.

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I wasnt sleeping. I was barely eating. I felt like a ghost moving through the world and trying to take up less space every day.

When youre a teenager, youre still figuring out who you are. Conversion therapy takes that fragile process and weaponizes it against you. It tells you that your natural instincts  like who you love, how you laugh, what brings you joy  are wrong. It convinces you that silence equals safety.

So I stayed silent.

The author as a child. Courtesy of Nurse Blake

Once I turned 18, I begged my parents to let me stop going. They finally agreed. But by then, the damage was done. I still believed there was something deeply wrong with me.

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The first person I met after leaving conversion therapy was my ex-husband. I fell for him instantly. He was the first person I thought truly loved and accepted me for who I was. We were together for 12 years, and looking back, I think I hid a lot of my trauma in that relationship. When it ended, I felt that familiar loneliness and shame return. I was single for the first time in my adult life, and I didnt realize how much conversion therapy had scarred me until one night, about two years ago, when I completely broke down in my condo. I wanted to end my life.

Also Read: A Gymnastics Coachs Request For My Daughter Seemed Harmless  But What I Learned Deeply Worried Me

Instead, I packed a bag, took a train to South Florida, and checked myself into a therapy center for 30 days. I started trauma therapy. I hugged trees. I acted out feelings of shame Id buried since I was a teenager. And slowly, I began to understand just how much that so-called therapy had taken from me.

My parents were the ones who forced me into those programs. Theyve never apologized. Ive been no contact with them for years, and while thats painful, its also freeing. The God they used to justify conversion therapy is not the God I know. The God who created me is loving, caring and accepting  the kind of God Id actually want to share heaven with someday.

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Looking back now, I can see how absurd and surreal it all was, but at the time, I was too scared to laugh. In one group session, people would share what they called positive peer pressure where we would have to share sexual fantasies with each other, and the counselors and leader would make fun of us and shame us and our supposed sins.

Another tactic they taught us was to snap a rubber band on our wrists every time we felt attracted to the same gender. We had to journal why these thoughts were wrong and why we were stronger than sin. I was told Id die of AIDS before 30. When I turned 30, I was proud. Id made it past their fictional prophecy.

Read: My Mom Used My Hair To Inflict Pain. Years Later, The Simplest Ritual Helped Me Heal.

Even after I left conversion therapy, the shame stayed with me like a second skin.

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It took years before I could even say the words conversion therapy out loud. For a long time, I called it a Christian program, because that sounded softer  less like a wound and more like a phase. But it wasnt a phase. It was trauma dressed in Scripture.

I became a nurse in part because I wanted to help people heal. I thought if I could take care of others, maybe I could undo some of the damage done to me. But I quickly learned that healing doesnt come from ignoring what weve experienced, it comes from facing it head-on, and from letting other people see the scars. Slowly, I started to heal and comedy became that outlet for me.

When I started making videos, it wasnt about going viral. It was about finding a voice again and using humor as a way to connect  to turn pain into something communal. The first time someone messaged me saying, I thought I was the only one who went through that, I realized laughter could be medicine, too.

Also Read: My Wife Agreed To Move Back To The South On One Condition. It Turned Out To Be Just What My Family Needed.

And thats the thing about healing: It doesnt look like a Hallmark movie. Its slow and messy and nonlinear. One day youre on a date with a guy feeling completely yourself and loving life when you get a sudden flashback. Youre immediately brought back to when you were 15 and you believe you dont deserve to feel safe and at peace in this moment  that this moment is sin.

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However, the difference now is that I dont face it alone. I have a strong and supportive community and a life that 15-year-old me could never have imagined.

The author on tour. Photo Courtesy of Barry Brecheisen

Im sharing my story now because the Supreme Court agreed to hear a case about conversion therapy and whether states should be able to ban it. I need you to understand conversion therapy isnt therapy. Its not about compassion or care. Its about control. Its about telling young people that their very existence is a problem to be solved.

Ive met countless people who went through conversion therapy. Many never fully recover. Some dont make it out at all. The scars dont always show, but they shape everything: the way you trust, the way you love, the way you look at yourself in the mirror.

So when lawmakers and judges who havent been in our shoes debate this issue like its abstract policy, I want them to picture a kid like me, sitting in a folding chair, clutching a notebook, praying to become straight because the adults in the room told him that was the only way to be good.

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That kid deserved better. Every kid does.

For me, healing has meant reclaiming the parts of myself I was taught to hide. Its in holding another mans hand in public without fear. Its in mentoring young LGBTQ+ nurses who tell me they finally feel safe to be themselves at work.

I used to think healing meant forgetting. Now I know it means remembering, but refusing to let the pain define you.

If youre reading this and youve been through conversion therapy or if youre still fighting to accept who you are in any way, I want you to know something I wish someone had told me at 15:

You are not broken.

You are not wrong.

You deserve love without conditions.

You deserve peace, not shame.

And you deserve to be here, exactly as you are.

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The world needs you, your voice, your heart, your truth.

To anyone who believes conversion therapy can be justified, please listen to those of us who lived it. We dont need fixing. What weve always needed  and still need  is acceptance and understanding.

We need to be believed and embraced, not erased.

The author in Ponce Inlet, Florida (2025). Photo courtesy of Kadie Lynch

With over 4 million followers across social media, Nurse Blake is a former surgical ICU nurse, content creator, internationally touring comedian, health care advocate, keynote speaker, and childrens book author. Nurse Blake has garnered a loyal following with his original comedy that hilariously captures life in the nursing world. His lighthearted videos, a product of his desire to cope with stress from his nursing job, have resonated with nurses, nursing students, and health care workers globally, amassing over 300 million views and counting. Nurse Blake recently embarked on his 68-city But Did You Die? tour running through December 2025 and will dive into the wild things patients and their families say and do at hospitals. From self-diagnosing with WebMD to hitting the call light like they are on a game show  nothing is off-limits. In addition to his comedy videos and current tour, Blake is the creator of NurseCon at Sea, one of the largest and most popular nursing conferences, the author of bestselling childrens books I Want To Be a Nurse When I Grow Up and Santa Sent to the E.R. From 2023 to 2024, Blake embarked on his 150-city Shock Advised comedy tour across the U.S. and select cities in Australia and New Zealand. For more from him, check out his official website and follow him on Instagram @Nurse.Blake and on TikTok @NurseBlake.

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Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad:

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Oct. 18

The Washington Post on Trump, Ukraine, and US leverage over Russia

Tomahawk missiles were the talk of Washington this week. Would President Donald Trump give long-range weapons to let Ukraine strike even deeper into Russia? The decision was expected to hang over Fridays meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. But Trump seemed to back off on Thursday after a two-and-a-half-hour phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Instead of Tomahawks, Trump agreed to another meeting with Putin, to take place in Budapest in the coming weeks.

Trump critics assumed the worst. Former GOP congressman Adam Kinzinger called it just another example of TACO, the acronym for Trump Always Chickens Out. A senior Democratic senator accused Trump of rolling out the red carpet in Hungary after walking away empty-handed from his Alaska summit.

This misunderstands both Trumps tactics and what kind of peace agreement he is trying to hammer out.

The presidents start-and-stop approach has come across as erratic at times. On Sept. 23, Trump suggested on social media that Ukraine might be able to take back their Country in its original form and, who knows, maybe even go further than that! Last Sunday, Trump teased sending Tomahawks to Kyiv while chatting with reporters aboard Air Force One as he flew to Israel. If the war is not settled, he said, we may do it.

Ukraine hawks can be forgiven for assuming Trump was starting to make good on his earlier maximalist rhetoric. In reality, Trump was not bluffing as much as threatening. Indeed, these threats had a clear effect: Putin initiated Thursdays call. And Trump said afterward that he raised the specter of the missiles: I did actually say, Would you mind if I gave a couple thousand Tomahawks to your opposition? He didnt like the idea.

The Tomahawks are a means of amplifying a pressure campaign that is well underway. Ukraines recent string of successful strikes deep inside Russian territory relied on homegrown drones and missiles but would not have been so effective without significant help from the United States. Detailed intelligence not only helps identify targets; it also allows Ukrainian planners to skirt Russian air defenses. Zelensky said that up to 20 percent of Russias fuel production capacity has been taken offline.

The idea that Trump is easily swayed by Putin, let alone manipulated or controlled by him, does not hold water. New reporting in the Financial Times suggests Putin badly misplayed his hand at their Alaska meeting on Aug. 15. When he tried to lecture Trump about ancient Russian history, Trump raised his voice several times and threatened to walk out.

The point of all this pressure is not to deliver a knockout blow to Russia but to force Putin to the negotiating table to hammer out a deal. The outlines of a final agreement remain the same as they were two months ago: The war would freeze more or less along current battle lines, with Russia retaining de facto control over its ill-gotten gains while Ukraine receives robust security guarantees from the West. Though this might not be a just peace, it would be a victory for the Ukrainians as long as it does not force them to disarm. Ukraine would preserve its sovereignty and become a critical buffer for future European security.

Trump said as much on Friday: If flexibility is shown, I think we have a very good chance bringing this war to conclusion. Admitting that Putin might be playing for time, the president struck a pragmatic tone: Ive been played all my life by the best of them, and I came out really well.

Heading into Budapest, Trump retains all his cards. Ukraine will continue to pound energy infrastructure deep inside Russia. Oil prices are also at their lowest levels in nearly five years, which makes such strikes doubly painful for Putins war machine. Congress is also expected to pass a sanctions bill next week that would give the president considerable discretion to turn the screws on Russias economy.

Meanwhile, the Tomahawks remain an option. So are German Taurus missiles, no-fly zones over Ukraine that could be enforced by a European coalition of the willing and strikes against Russias shadow fleet of oil tankers.

Trump tends to talk sweetly ahead of high-stakes summits. During his press availability with Zelensky on Friday, he repeatedly emphasized that he thinks Putin is interested in peace. Yet Americas leverage over Russia remains  and Trumps willingness to use that power has been underestimated before.

ONLINE: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/10/17/trump-zelensky-tomahawks-putin-budapest-summit/

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Oct. 19

The Wall Street Journal on the Gaza hostage deal

The cease-fire in Gaza broke down at least temporarily on Sunday as Hamas killed two Israeli soldiers in the south of the territory and Israel responded with dozens of air strikes. Expect more such episodes unless Hamas disarms, which it may never do.

Meanwhile, we learn more each day about the suffering of the Israeli hostages freed from Hamas in Gaza. Matan Angrest was beaten until he lost consciousness. Rom Braslavski was whipped, beaten and offered food to convert to Islam. Avinatan Or was handcuffed and starved in a small cage, held alone for two years.

We should not lose sight, however, of the other side of the split screen. The terrorists released by Israel as part of its ransom payment to Hamas returned to widespread celebrations across the Palestinian territoriesand fat bank accounts too.

Palestinian Media Watch, an Israeli NGO, tracks the Palestinian Authoritys pay for slay program. It finds that the 250 released Palestinians who had been serving life sentences received at least 229 million shekels, or nearly $70 million, while serving time for terrorism.

Many of the murderers will leave prison as shekel-millionaires. The money comes from Mahmoud Abbass Palestinian Authority, whose nonstate is now recognized by France, the U.K., Canada and Australia. The PA receives substantial budget assistance from the European Union as well as U.S. funds for its security forces.

The incentive structure is backward. Western taxpayer dollars enrich Palestinian killers, who know they have a decent chance of being sprung whenever Hamas next seizes hostages.

Some of the released terrorists have killed Americans. Iyad Fatafteh, for example, was one of two Palestinian men who stabbed to death Kristine Luken, an American who came to Israel for the Christmas holiday in 2010. Mr. Fatafteh confessed to the crime and his DNA was found as implicating evidence. He also attacked Lukens friend Kay Wilson, who was stabbed 13 times but miraculously survived.

The same PA that pleads poverty to Western state donors has paid Mr. Fatafteh more than $200,000 for a job brutally done. He is now free again, along with other terrorists from Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Fatah.

Israel has never employed the death penalty for terrorists, but doing so had been a campaign issue before the war for hard-right politician Itamar Ben-Gvir. Now, in the Trump deals aftermath, Jerusalem is considering it. The PA pays these terrorists, but when hostages are taken, Israel is pressed to foot the bill.

ONLINE: https://www.wsj.com/opinion/israel-hamas-terrorists-gaza-pay-for-slay-palestinian-authority-dec28ff4?mod=editorials_article_pos4

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Oct. 16

The Guardian on the US and Venezuela and regime change

The drumbeat is growing louder. Covert operations are supposed to remain just that, but on Wednesday Donald Trump confirmed that he had approved secret CIA actions in Venezuela and suggested that he was considering strikes on its territory. These comments follow the administrations extrajudicial killings at sea: attacks on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean that have left at least 27 dead  a frightening new precedent denounced by UN experts as illegal. The US has already built up forces in the region, with about 6,500 troops now stationed there. No to war in the Caribbean  No to regime change  No to coups detat orchestrated by the CIA, railed Nicolas Maduro, Venezuelas dictator, after Mr Trumps remarks.

The US presidents repeated claim that each boat strike saves 25,000 American lives is even more preposterous than it first sounds. The fentanyl that killed 48,000 people in the US last year did not come from Venezuela; most of it is from Mexico. But Mr Maduros regime looks increasingly isolated. The US has designated Venezuelas Tren de Aragua gang as a terrorist organisation that has invaded the US, claiming that Mr Maduro is personally responsible. It has used that posturing to justify deportations and to boast  against the evidence  that Mr Trump has cut violent crime in cities.

This administration has proved unexpectedly active in Latin America, apparently the one sphere of foreign policy where the secretary of state, Marco Rubio, is making the running. He has long sought to oust Mr Maduro for both ideological and material reasons. Other hawkish figures in the administration, such as Stephen Miller, share this view. Mr Trump initially licensed another, simultaneous approach; his envoy Richard Grenell brokered agreements on deportation flights and energy contracts. Many believe that the hawks have prevailed, with reports that Mr Trump ordered Mr Grenell to end talks.

That CIA operations and war planning are being aired so enthusiastically may suggest that the US hopes regime change will come through Mr Maduro fleeing (unlikely), or that it still cherishes the long-held (and so far unevidenced) wish that military and security forces will turn on him. Others suspect that this is the latest example of Mr Trumps blunt or else approach to foreign policy  designed to extract more from Mr Maduro.

The US has a long and inglorious history of intervention in Latin America. But Mr Trump will be wary of angering Maga supporters with military action and of looking like a paper tiger if Mr Maduro endures again. The attempt to remove him in Mr Trumps first term, with the US backing the then opposition leader, Juan Guaido, proved a fiasco. Last weeks decision to award the Nobel peace prize to Maria Corina Machado  whose opposition movement is widely believed to have won last years elections, prompting still more brutal repression by the regime  is a symbolic boost for those standing against Mr Maduro, but is highly unlikely to be a turning point in itself. And if insiders depose him, Madurismo without Maduro might not be an improvement for Venezuelans.

The Trump administration may convince itself that military action can be strictly delimited, given Mr Maduros restricted options. But Democrats and human rights groups are right to warn it against illegal and unauthorised uses of force, endangering the lives of Venezuelans, increasing the insecurity they face, and risking escalation.

ONLINE: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/oct/16/the-guardian-view-on-the-us-and-venezuela-trumps-war-on-drugs-ramps-up-military-threats-to-maduro

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Oct. 17

The Boston Globe says Pete Hegseth is trying to turn journalists into the Pentagons PR team

The US Department of Defense  newly renamed the Department of War by the Trump administration  has opted to wage its first war of the new era not on the battlefield but within the bowels of the Pentagon pressroom.

The department issued a memo to reporters, saying they would be required to sign a document pledging not to disclose either classified or controlled unclassified information, defining that as anything not formally authorized for publication. Thats pretty much the definition of what reporters  good reporters  actually do every day of the week.

They gather news from a variety of sources  including from inside the Pentagon  and bring that reporting through their respective media outlets to the American public.

Secretary Pete Hegseth would apparently prefer to turn a diverse and feisty press corps into a quiescent public relations operation designed to magnify his achievements  whatever they may be.

After several weeks of negotiations among news outlets, the Pentagon Press Association, and the administration failed to produce a compromise, more than a dozen of the nations major media outlets announced Monday that the regulations were simply unacceptable, contrary to their rights under the First Amendment, and that they had no intention of signing on.

Those outlets included the Associated Press, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and CNN, along with Newsmax and the Washington Times  the latter two among those generally friendly to the Trump administration.

By mid-day Tuesday they were joined by the nations major TV outlets, including Hegseths former bosses at Fox News.

NBC News, CBS News, and ABC News, along with the cable networks, said in a statement, Today, we join virtually every other news organization in declining to agree to the Pentagons new requirements, which would restrict journalists ability to keep the nation and the world informed of important national security issues. The policy is without precedent and threatens core journalistic protections. We will continue to cover the US military as each of our organizations has done for many decades, upholding the principles of a free and independent press.

NPRs Tom Bowman, a 28-year veteran of reporting from the Pentagon, wrote in an essay published Tuesday that signing that document would make us stenographers parroting press releases, not watchdogs holding government officials accountable.

As the deadline for signing neared, only the right-wing One America News had officially agreed to the arrangement. (The Globe does not have a Pentagon media credential.)

Those not signing on to the untenable waiver of rights proposed by Hegseth had 24 hours to surrender their media credentials and face banishment from the Pentagon itself. They lined up to do so Wednesday.

Hegseth responded to the news outlets refusal to sign the agreement throughout the day on X Monday with a waving hand bye-bye emoji.

Pentagon access is a privilege, not a right, he wrote on X. So, here is @DeptofWar press credentialing FOR DUMMIES: Press no longer roams free. Press must wear visible badge. Credentialed press no longer permitted to solicit criminal acts. DONE. Pentagon now has same rules as every US military installation.

Of course, covering the Pentagon these days isnt what it used to be. A number of mainstream media outlets had already been ousted from their regularly assigned desks to make way for more Trump-friendly outlets, and media briefings have dwindled to a precious few. As of mid-day Tuesday, the latest press releases posted to the Pentagons website were from Sept. 30, along with the transcript of Hegseths speech to the militarys top brass called to Quantico that day.

The real scandal of this administrations war on the media is the disrespect it shows for those hundreds of reporters who throughout the years  and throughout many wars  have risked and often lost their own lives reporting on this nations military from the field. Those embedded with military forces faced the same dangers as US soldiers but came armed with only a notebook or a camera. In the first months of the Iraq War, for example, at least 15 journalists lost their lives, including the Globes Elizabeth Neuffer. Before the war was over some 150 journalists and 54 support staffers would be killed covering the conflict, dwarfing the 66 killed during the Vietnam War.

Where is the respect for them and the work they did  the work hundreds continue to do.

Hegseth is an embarrassment to even an administration that has always seemed beyond embarrassment, a disgrace to the uniform he once wore and to the troops he purports to command.

The press meanwhile will continue to do what it has always done  its job  with or without his help or Pentagon permission.

ONLINE: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/17/opinion/hegseth-war-on-press/

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Oct. 17

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch on the GOPs spinning of the No Kings protests

Millions of Americans this weekend will gather in cities and towns across the country to engage in one of the most American activities imaginable: to rally in defense of constitutional democracy.

The roughly 2,500  No Kings  rallies scheduled in all 50 states Saturday (including about a dozen in the St. Louis region) are aptly named  though No Dictators might have been more so.

Peaceful protest generally is an American birthright, written right into our founding document. Peaceful protest in defiance of an increasingly authoritarian president is as American as it gets.

No wonder top allies of President Donald Trump are losing their minds over the planned protests.

In what appears to be a concerted messaging campaign by MAGA Republicans, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise calls it a Hate America rally. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer calls it a terrorist event. House Speaker Mike Johnson predicts it will draw rabid crowds rife with antifa, pro-Hamas and Marxist elements.

Sheesh, as long as theyre randomly slinging every hateful MAGA arrow in the quiver at this constitutionally protected event, why not just throw in woke, DEI and trans, too?

Johnson in particular displayed an almost comical lack of self-awareness when he preemptively slammed those planning to join the protests as people who dont want to stand and defend the foundational truths of this republic.

Actually, standing and defending the foundational truths of this republic is exactly what No Kings organizers and participants are doing. The movements stated purpose is to peacefully protest Trumps multifaceted abuses of power and degradation of democracy  emphasis on peacefully. Organizers have even offered de-escalation training to participants to ensure the events dont descend into violence.

If Johnson wants real examples of trampling the foundational truths of this republic, he should watch what Trump is doing lately regarding freedom of speech and the press, and the weaponization of the Justice Department.

Directing the attorney general to criminally pursue political opponents; using threats of litigation and de-licensing to silence media critics; expelling reporters from the Pentagon for refusing to sign away their right to cover crucial defense issues; even declaring, as Trump recently did, that negative media coverage of him is  really illegal   what part of all this does Johnson think embodies the foundational truths of this republic?

If Rep. Scalise wants to see what a Hate America event actually looks like, he should listen to Trump any time he discusses Democrats, blue cities and, generally, the more than half of Americans who oppose his policies.

Charlie Kirk did not hate his opponents. Thats where I disagreed with him, Trump said at a recent memorial service for the slain conservative activist: I hate my opponents  this presidents fellow Americans, remember  and I dont want the best for them.

If Rep. Emmer wants to see what domestic terrorism really looks like, he need look no further than Chicago, where masked immigration agents are randomly attacking citizens and non-citizens alike, falsely arresting journalists, lobbing tear gas on crowded city streets near schools, shooting pepper balls at peaceful protesters and even ramming their vehicles into peoples cars.

Trump and his cronies can try to cast all of this as justified and even patriotic, but its neither. True patriotism means standing up for Americas ideals  freedom of expression, the rule of law, constitutional adherence and reverence for democracy  even as the most powerful man in the country attempts to tear it all down for the sake of expanding that power.

The worst thing Americans of good faith could do on Saturday is to mar the scheduled protests with violence. That would validate Johnsons vile rhetoric and give Trump the excuse he wants to ramp up his militarization of Americas cities even more.

Massive but peaceful protest is what this crowd of wannabe autocrats fears most. Displaying the strength of the resistance while maintaining peace and dignity will draw the sharpest contrast with Trumps toxic regime.

And, protesters, while youre demanding your country back, you should take back the mantle of patriotism from a president who is tarnishing it. You, not him, are the real patriots  so wave those American flags, folks.

ONLINE: https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/editorial/article_157161c8-187d-4489-915e-741755c10a85.html

By The Associated Press
Real estate in Greater Cincinnati is booming. Here at The Enquirer, we aim to bring you in-depth real estate coverage about the developments and neighborhood issues you care about the most. Going Up is a series that introduces you to the need-to-know projects around the region.

Submit suggestions to sfranklin@enquirer.com or tag @Enquirer on social media. Please include the address or cross streets of the project you want us to look into.

Spirit Halloween has leased a location on Towne Boulevard in Middletown every year since 2017.

The basics of Spirit Halloween in Middletown

Address: 3601 Towne Blvd., Middletown.

Building type: Retail.

Owner : WMF Development, LLC.

Size: 20,000 square feet.

Spirit Halloween haunts defunct Middletown mall, other vacant stores

In recent years, years, Towne Mall, Middletown's zombie mall that the city purchased for $10 million in 2024, has struggled to retain shoppers and tenants. But one reliable occupant, Spirit Halloween, has called it home for years.

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The pop-up Halloween costume and decorations store opened again on Towne Boulevard this year, but this time, it's in a new location, the old Staples building next to the mall, which is not owned by the city.

The 20,000-square-foot building is packed wall-to-wall with costumes, wigs, plastic tombstones, clown masks, life-sized zombies and animatronic ghouls that lurch forward if you get too close. In the center of the Middletown store is an abandoned subway car, taken over by a bloodied rat king.

All that merchandise and all those decorations take time to set up. Spirit Halloween employees start preparing to launch stores in the summer, said Marisa Simonson, a spokesperson for the company, in an email. To transform a vacant building into a Spirit Halloween store, employees have to install decorative fixtures and shelves, put up signs and transport merchandise, like the rows of packaged costumes.

Spirit Halloween stores typically stay open from around Aug. 1 to Nov. 2, Simonson said.

How does Spirit Halloween choose its stores?

The speed at which Spirit Halloween stores take over a shuttered business or vacant building has become a running joke online.

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The company, with over 1,500 stores in the United States and Canada, targets "high-visibility locations" for its temporary shops, like lifestyle centers, strip malls, free-standing stores, major downtown retail areas and malls anchored by national retailers, Simonson said.

Ideal locations range between 5,000 to 50,000 square feet of sales floor space. The company also prefers to return to locations year after year, so customers know where to find them, Simonson said.

What will happen to Spirit Halloween if Towne Mall is sold?

Spirit Halloween won't be moving back into the defunct Towne Mall.

The city entered a pre-development agreement with Midland Atlantic Properties in August, with plans to flatten the mall and turn it into a mixed-use development with housing and commercial space.

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Since the city does not own the adjacent former Staples building, which Spirit Halloween is leasing, there are no plans for that building to be part of the redevelopment, said Middletown Vice Mayor Steve West.

Spirit Halloween has opened a pop-up store on Towne Boulevard every year since 2017, Simonson said. When the city first purchased the mall, West said city council heard from residents who were concerned about what the sale would mean for the Halloween store's future.

When asked whether the store will be back next year, Simonson said the company will evaluate changes to the property as needed.

What does Spirit Halloween do the rest of the year?

Spirit Halloween does not operate any year-round, brick-and-mortar stores, but it does have a year-round online store.

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This year, Spirit Halloween is extending over 20 contracts to support the expansion of Spirit Christmas, now entering its second year.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Spirit Halloween haunts vacant stores, zombie malls. Here's how
SPRINGFIELD  A pair of Boston-based developers are proposing two sites for a new Springfield courthouse, one at a closed strip club and the other at the spot where the existing hall of justice sits.

Chuck Irving, principal with The Davenport Cos., and Thomas N. OBrien, chief executive officer of the HYM Investment Group, submitted one proposal with those two options to the state to replace the troubled Roderick L. Ireland Courthouse. Their second plan includes the former Mardi Gras strip club.

The announcement came Thursday, just as officials for the state Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance released a complete list of prospective developers and locations of the 10 proposals submitted by the Oct. 16 deadline.

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The Board of Asset Management voted in January to enter into a public-private venture to fast track the construction of the new courthouse. That roughly $2 billion plan calls for a developer to build a new 220,000-to-300,000-square-foot courthouse for an estimated $600 million and then sign a 40-to-60-year lease agreement with the state.

Since the decision, businesses have been snatching up properties within the 12-block radius in Springfields downtown that state and local officials have designated as the ideal location for the new courthouse.

Irving and OBrien said they are proposing to construct the same building for both spots, with all the amenities sought in the states request for proposals. When asked, the two said they favor building at the site of the existing courthouse.

The main differences are parking and a location in the heart of downtown, versus one near the Union Station transportation hub.

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If DCAMM decides Union Station is the place they need to base this off of, its OK. We would be thrilled to do Mardi Gras, Irving said. We feel the existing location is probably the best place to keep the courthouse, even though we have two choices.

They agree the courthouse site at 50 State St. is more complex. One of the long-standing problems of having little on-site parking will continue, and there will be the legal wranglings of the state continuing to own the land, while the building will be owned by Davenport and HYM.

But the two said those hurdles can be overcome easily, and one benefit is that there will be no disruption to restaurants, stores and lawyers offices that already surround the courthouse.

The cost also could be lower, because they would not have to purchase the land, reducing the building cost that would be passed on in the annual lease price, they said.

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Irving, who has a 20-plus-year history in Springfield and was part of the development team that brought MGM to the South End, said he doesnt see a big problem with parking.

Staff and patrons can continue to use the neighboring MGM garage for free, as well as the Springfield Parking Authority garages under Interstate 91. Irving said the developers even will consider improving the Springfield Parking Authority garages and access to the courthouse property.

In total, there are some 4,000 parking spaces within 150 yards of the site, and the courthouse design  which would eliminate the existing imposing concrete steps and have the entrance on the ground floor  will make it feel more tied to the street and the nearby lots.

The fact that the entire courthouse would have to be relocated for an estimated three years while a new building is being constructed could be a plus, OBrien said.

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The interesting part of ... redeveloping this site is you move those judges out sooner and move them into a temporary space, OBrien said.

There are several very viable places that they could put (them) into, and if they want us to handle that, we will handle that, Irving added.

Another benefit is the developers said they are committed to helping renovate and reuse the historic Old First Church, which was built in 1810. It is on Elm Street next to the courthouse, they said.

One of the reasons city officials are supporting the idea of a privately owned building is the large amount of tax revenue it would receive, since the state pays a minimal amount to the city in lieu of taxes now. But having the land owned by the state would complicate that.

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When the MGM casino was built, Irving said the developers hammered out a long-term in-lieu-of-tax agreement, and the same thing could be done for a courthouse.

OBrien once worked in Boston redevelopment in the administration of former Mayor Thomas Menino. OBrien and Irving are working with the Rev. Jeffrey Brown, an equity partner with HYM and co-founder of My City at Peace, which focuses on affordable housing as a means of building generational wealth.

Consigli Construction of Boston and Hartford, Connecticut, has been contracted as builder.

The pair also have an option to purchase the nearly 2-acre city block where the Mardi Gras sits, surrounded by Worthington, Dwight, Taylor and Chestnut streets. The property  slated to become apartments  was purchased by New York developer Zahoor Riaz under the name Ibrahim Holding LLC in 2023.

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If that was selected, most of the parking would be across the street on a Lyman Street parcel owned by Davenport, Irving said.

One of the reasons we chose Mardi Gras is it isnt an historic property and, as we read into the DCAMM details, they (said) Do not tear down historic properties; they were encouraging (investment) in them, like we are going to do with the church.

It isnt the only courthouse proposal in that same spot. Partners James E. Balise, owner of Balise Auto, and Thomas Dennis, owner the Dennis Engineering Group, have purchased all the property on the next block over, which is flanked by Taylor, Chestnut, Lyman and Dwight streets, for its proposal.

That property holds four historic buildings, several of which are vacant and in poor condition. The citys Historic Commission has given the partners permission to raze the buildings now, waiving a nine-month demolition delay.

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One of the most discussed plans comes from business mogul Peter A. Picknelly, who has floated the idea of a mixed-use development, including a courthouse and apartment building on 14.5 acres of land off the Connecticut River. Some of the land Picknelly proposes to use is owned by The Republicans parent company.

The Republicans land and building at 1860 Main St. is also one of the development plans up for consideration for the new courthouse.

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SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  A months-long investigation by the Springfield Police Firearms Investigation unit (FIU) led to the arrests of two Springfield residents early Thursday morning.

Springfield teen denied bail in multiple violent cases across western Massachusetts

According to police, around 6:30 a.m. on Oct. 23, FIU detectives executed a search warrant at an apartment on the 100 block of Massachusetts Avenue.

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Detectives had been investigating the illegal distribution of heroin from the address for several months, identifying Brandon Torres as a suspect. After obtaining a search warrant, officers entered the apartment on Thursday morning, where they found Torres, Alicia Ferrer, and several children, ages 3 to 12, inside. The children were released to a family member, police said.

Photo courtesy of Springfield Police Department

During the search, detectives recovered approximately 125 grams of crack cocaine, 65 grams of powder cocaine, 309 pills of suspected fentanyl, and 37.2 grams of heroin/fentanyl, equivalent to 1,862 bags. They also seized $510 in cash, 58 strips of Suboxone, and a loose round of ammunition.

Torres and Ferrer were both placed under arrest at the scene:

31-year-old Brandon Torres of Springfield is charged with:

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Cocaine Trafficking 100-200 Grams

Fentanyl Trafficking More than 10 Grams

Heroin Trafficking 36-100 Grams

Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card

Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug

Reckless Endangerment of a Child

23-year-old Alicia Ferrer of Springfield is charged with:

Cocaine Trafficking 100-200 Grams

Fentanyl Trafficking More than 10 Grams

Heroin Trafficking 36-100 Grams

Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card

Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug

Reckless Endangerment of a Child

The investigation remains ongoing, according to police.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Download the 22News Plus app on your TV to watch live-streaming newscasts and video on demand.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
CLAYTON, Mo.  A St. Louis County Circuit Court judge signed an arrest warrant for a St. Charles man for stealing copper pipes and wiring from the former Trinity Catholic High School in Spanish Lake.

According to a probable cause statement from the St. Louis County Police Department, the break-ins occurred on Aug. 22, Aug.24, and Sept. 13 in the 1700 block of Redman Road.

The victims are in the process of rehabbing the former high school and converting it into a Healing Hands Learning Center.

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Police said Michael Fisher illegally entered the building and stole piping and wiring. Investigators obtained a search warrant for Fishers phone, which showed he was in the area for each of the three burglaries.

Fishers DNA also appears on a drill that was left behind in the building, police said.

Fisher, who is already on probation for multiple burglaries, has not responded to police despite numerous attempts to contact him.

The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorneys Office charged Fisher with three counts of second-degree burglary. The arrest warrant carries a $50,000 cash-only bond.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  A St. Clair Shores voter was sentenced to six months delayed probation Wednesday after pleading guilty to voting twice in an election.

Frank Prezzato, 69, pleaded guilty in September to one count of voting absentee and in-person, a charge stemming from an incident on Election Day for the August 2024 primary election.

According to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, Prezzato showed up to the polls on election day, requesting and turning in a ballot for the election despite having already voted via absentee ballot.

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Both votes ended up counting in the election.

Prezzato was initially charged with one count of voting absentee and in person and one count of offering to vote more than once in October 2024, but later plead guilty to only the former.

According to Nessel, if Prezzato successfully completes his probation, his charges will be dismissed with prejudice. His delayed sentence review is scheduled for April 15, 2026, in the 16th Circuit Court in Macomb County.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
ST. LOUIS  A former employee of the St. Louis Sheriffs Office is suing the City of St. Louis and Sheriff Alfred Montgomery, claiming she was fired for cooperating with the states investigation into Montgomery.

Tashana Syas, who formerly served as the offices director of personnel and fiscal operations, formally filed the lawsuit Monday in St. Louis Circuit Court.

Syas claims she was wrongfully terminated without due process for testifying in the states ongoing quo warranto case seeking to remove Montgomery from office. The lawsuit states she was subpoenaed by the Missouri Attorney Generals Office in August and fired shortly after providing testimony.

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Missouri men charged for headless deer dumped on road

The lawsuit states, on Sept. 5, a Sheriffs Department lieutenant notified Syas of her termination and informed her that Montgomery directed security staff to ban her and two other employees from entering city courthouses.

Syas alleges, on the day she was terminated, she was ambushed and interrogated by office leadership, who falsely accused her of misconduct unrelated to her duties.

The lawsuit seeks damages in excess of $25,000, along with front pay, back pay, punitive damages and other relief deemed appropriate by the court.

The lawsuit adds to a growing list of legal troubles for Montgomery. He is currently jailed on six federal charges and faces a quo warranto petition from the Missouri Attorney Generals Office. A recent audit also found the sheriffs office to be nearly $1 million over budget for the 2025 fiscal year.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
When My Husband Died Suddenly, One Of His Family Members Said 5 Words That Taunted Me For Years

Keiths death would have been challenging enough on its own, but overnight I also became a single mother of three. Worse still, I was pregnant with our fourth child.
A North Philadelphia mother says her 12-year-old son was assaulted by a staff member at KIPP Philadelphia Preparatory Academy on Monday, leaving him with facial injuries and a missing tooth.

Montrena Bennett says her son, 7th grader Peyton Outlaw, was hurt after a confrontation with a school employee.

"My son wanted to use the bathroom, and apparently, he wouldn't allow him to use the bathroom on his lunch break. So, my son tried to go around," Bennett said. "He put my son in a headlock. My son got away, and then my son swung on him. So then (the staff member) swung back. They say my son flew across the room and his tooth fell out his mouth."

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Outlaw now has a swollen lip, a missing tooth, and multiple stitches. Bennett said he'll need a root canal for another tooth that came loose after the altercation.

"He didn't fall. He didn't hurt himself. He got punched by a man twice his size," Bennett said.

Bennett says she never received a phone call from the school about the incident. Neither did Outlaw's father nor other emergency contacts. She says they learned what happened from the parent of another student.

"He said when it first happened, he was crying out for his dad. And he asked several times for them, you know, to call his dad. And they just ignored him," Bennett said.

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When Bennett arrived at the school, she said her son's face was bloody and partially hidden by a mask.

"I took the mask off, I almost fainted," she said. "His lip was up here, his face was swollen, and he had blood dripping down because they, of course, can't stop it because he needed stitches."

"The cops should have been called, my son should have went to the ambulance instead of to the nurse's office," she continued. "They had his tooth in a little box and a note that the nurse sent home. Couple of abrasions, tooth missing."

She said her son has been diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and has an individualized education plan.

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"They don't process information like we do, and it makes them irate, I will say. But if you just leave him alone, he'll calm down," Bennett said. "And they're aware of that. So I don't know how this escalated so far."

In a message sent to families, the school's principal called the incident "deeply concerning," saying, "this behavior is unacceptable and stands in direct opposition to our values and expectations. ... The student's family was contacted immediately, and we took swift action to remove the staff member from campus."

In a statement to Action News on Wednesday, a school spokesperson said in part, "Following an initial investigation, the staff member has been terminated. We continue to fully cooperate with the Philadelphia Police Department and the appropriate authorities to ensure transparency and accountability at every step."

Bennett said she'd like to see more accountability.

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"That's not enough for me. He lost a job. My son is gonna have to have therapy. I don't think it's fair, I don't think it's fair at all," she said. "That man went home, my son went to the hospital."

Bennett says she has filed a police report and hired a lawyer.

"I'm not saying, oh, my son was right for punching, you know, swinging at a teacher. But what I'm saying is teachers or deans or anybody in that school system is supposed to be able to handle themselves when it comes to a situation like that," she said. "We as parents trust these people in these positions to make sure that our kids are safe."

It's unclear if the staff member will face any charges.
After decades of trial and error, scientists at Stanford Medicine have given blind patients something rare in medicinea second chance at sight.

Their wireless PRIMA implant, described this week in the New England Journal of Medicine, uses invisible light and a chip the size of a grain of rice to restore reading vision to people with advanced macular degeneration.

Led by Stanford physicist and biomedical engineer Daniel Palanker, the PRIMA system pairs a subretinal photovoltaic implant with augmented-reality glasses that project images directly onto the retina, bypassing damaged photoreceptors.

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Its not correcting eyesightits restoring sight for blind people, Palanker told Decrypt.

The clinical trial was co-led by Jose-Alain Sahel of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, with collaborators from an international consortium, including Stanford University, Sorbonne Universite, University College London, Erasmus University Medical Center, University of Bonn, and Bordeaux University Hospital.

How the PRIMA system works

The system combines a microscopic implant that replaces lost photoreceptors with glasses that power it. The glasses capture visual scenes and project them through invisible infrared light, which the implant converts into electrical signals that activate retinal cells.

Each pixel is like a little solar panel, converting light into electrical current, Palanker explained.

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This light-based approach allows the implant to operate without cables or external power, taking advantage of the eyes natural transparency and surviving neurons.

Teens AI Health Startup Crushes It With $30 Million Forecast

Palanker conceived of the idea after attending a prosthetics conference where most designs still relied on wires.

I saw how other groups tried to do it with wired implants, and I thought its wrong, because the eye is a transparent organwe can deliver power and information by light, he said.

Unlike brain-computer interfaces, which bypass the eye and decode signals directly from the cortex, PRIMA works within the eyes existing circuitry. Each pixel converts light into an electrical pulse that travels through the optic nerve to the brains visual cortex.

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That makes PRIMA far less invasive than cortical interfaces. Palanker said the system uses the same biological wiring as natural sight, letting patients process visual information normally once it reaches the brain.

From idea to human trials

Palanker began developing PRIMA in 2004.

In 2013, we had good preclinical data in animals. Then a company was started in France, Pixium Vision, that commercialized our implant for human use, he said.

Human trials began in 2018 and followed 38 patients over five years across 17 hospitals in Europe. All participants were over 60 and living with geographic atrophy, an advanced form of macular degeneration.

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Evening Workouts Could Be Disrupting Your Sleep, New Study Finds

Palankers team is developing a higher-resolution version of PRIMA with pixels five times smaller, which could sharply improve visual clarity. Trials are also planned for other retinal diseases such as Stargardt disease and retinitis pigmentosa.

While the current implant restores only black-and-white vision, future versions could bring color and finer detailmoving the technology closer to mimicking natural sight.

For patients who had lost the ability to read, drive, or recognize loved ones, that progress represents something medicine rarely offers: the return of a lost sense.

Patients, when you can read again and play cards and crosswords, it brings back your social connections, Palanker said. Its very emotional.
NEW YORK (AP)  Author Michael Wolff claims in a lawsuit that First Lady Melania Trump threatened to sue him for over $1 billion in damages if he didnt retract Jeffrey Epstein -related statements he recently made about her.

Wolff sought unspecified damages in the lawsuit filed Tuesday in state Supreme Court in Manhattan.

Nicholas Clemens, a spokesperson for Melania Trump, issued a statement, saying: First Lady Melania Trump is proud to continue standing up to those who spread malicious and defamatory falsehoods as they desperately try to get undeserved attention and money from their unlawful conduct.

In his lawsuit, Wolff said Melania Trump and her husband, President Donald Trump, have made a practice of threatening those who speak against them with costly legal actions to silence their speech, to intimidate their critics generally, and to extract unjustified payments and North Korean style confessions and apologies.

He said the threats are designed to create a climate of fear in the nation so that people cannot freely or confidently exercise their First Amendment rights.

According to the lawsuit, the threats are also meant to shut down inquiry into the couples involvement with Epstein, the notorious financier who killed himself in a New York federal jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

The lawsuit came on the day that Melania Trumps lawyer had set as a deadline for Wolff to retract statements, issue an apology and pay damages to his client.

The lawyer, Alejandro Brito, wrote on Oct. 15 that she would be left with no alternative but to sue for over $1 billion after the statements had caused her overwhelming reputational and financial harm.

Through his lawsuit, Wolff announced his intention to use the legal action to put the president and his wife under oath to answer questions about Epstein. Wolff has published a dozen books, including four bestsellers about the president.

Wolff said in the lawsuit that Melania Trumps threat to sue came over statements he made to The Daily Beast and in three videos published on social media, although he added that some statements were incomplete phrases and were taken out of context.

Others, the lawsuit said, were protected speech. For instance, the statement that the Trumps were in a sham marriage, trophy marriage, was a fair and justified statement of opinion, it said.

The lawsuit noted that Wolff never said Melania Trump was involved in any of Epsteins crimes.

Among the statements the lawsuit said were true were those saying Melania Trump was very involved in Epsteins social circle, where she met her future husband, and that Donald Trump liked to have sex with his friends wives and first slept with Melania Trump on Epsteins private jet.

The lawsuit said it was fair to question how Melania Trump fits into the Epstein story.

And, it added, it was proper to find out what happened in Mr. Trumps and Epsteins 10 years of pursuing models, including supermodels, runway models, catalog models, Eastern European models, and girls who just dreamed of being models.

According to the lawsuit, that subject will be one of the zones of inquiry that this lawsuit will have to undertake.

Wolff conducted interviews with Epstein before his death.

Earlier this year, President Trump berated Wolff as a Third Rate Reporter and, in one lengthy social media post, called his upcoming book a total FAKE JOB, just like the other JUNK he wrote.

Trump added: His other books about me have been discredited, as this one will be also.

___

Associated Press Writer Jennifer Peltz contributed to this report.

By LARRY NEUMEISTER

Associated Press
(Reuters) -Starbucks baristas' union said on Thursday it would vote on whether to authorize an unfair labor practice strike at unionized locations to demand that the company return to the negotiating table.

Contract talks between the coffee-chain giant and the union, which represents more than 12,000 baristas, began last year, but have hit an impasse.

"If they're ready to come back, we're ready to talk. Any agreement needs to reflect the reality that Starbucks already offers the best job in retail," Jaci Anderson, Starbucks' director of corporate communications told Reuters.

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Last week, New York City's Comptroller and other Starbucks shareholders wrote to the company to resume talks with its workers' union.

The Starbucks Workers United union said the voting will begin on Friday and baristas were preparing to strike in about 60 cities, as they demand a contract that reflects "improved staffing, better pay and on-the-job protections."

Union workers represent a small fraction of the company's U.S. store staff but the voting comes ahead of the crucial holiday season amid CEO Brian Niccol's turnaround efforts.

During the holiday season last year, unionized Starbucks baristas went on a five-day strike, which closed some cafes in Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle, although the company said there was no significant impact to store operations at the time.

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In April, union delegates voted to reject Starbucks' proposal that guaranteed annual raises of at least 2%, which the Workers United said did not offer changes to economic benefits such as healthcare or any immediate pay hike.

Hourly workers at Starbucks currently earn an average of $30 per hour, while benefits include college tuition paid for upfront and healthcare, a Starbucks spokesperson told Reuters.

There are over 650 unionized Starbucks stores currently in the U.S., according to the union's website, up from about 525 in December last year.

(Reporting by Juveria Tabassum in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)
CANTON  On the morning of Oct. 13, Rabbi David Komerofsky removed a commemorative "hostage" necklace he had been wearing for two years.

After more than 737 days of carnage, a tenuous ceasefire has been forged between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The agreement, which included the release of 20 people held by Hamas and more than 2,000 Palestinians held by Israel, was accomplished through a deal largely crafted by the Trump administration.

The latest conflict was sparked by a surprise Hamas militant attack in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, during which more than 1,200 civilians were killed and 251 people were captured by Hamas. The fighting that followed resulted in more than 40,000 civilian deaths, the decimation of Gaza and accusations of genocide against Israel.

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"I hope that it is the start to a new reality for Israelis and Palestinians in which mutual recognition can lead to a lasting peace," said Komerofsky, spiritual leader of Temple Israel. "I view today's developments as evidence that imperfect leaders are sometimes capable, under the right circumstances, of producing positive results.

"Personally, I have held onto a 'hostage' necklace for two years and have kept one on the pulpit since October 2023. I removed it and look forward to being able to offer our traditional prayers for peace with a renewed optimism that the horrendous sacrifices made in Israel and Gaza can lead to something better for everyone. I am not so naive as to think that people in this country and elsewhere whose primary identity is wrapped up in hatred of Israel or Palestinians will change as a result of the signed agreement, but I do hope that reasonable people will see a path forward."

The Canton Repository spoke with several members of the Jewish and Palestinian community in Stark County to hear their thoughts about the ceasefire. Here is what they had to say:

A drone view shows the destruction in a residential neighborhood, after the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the area, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Gaza City, October 21, 2025.

'This is not a peace process'

Plain Township resident Rima Rafidi-Kern, a Christian Palestinian who grew up as a refugee in Ralmallah, which is located in the West Bank, said she's glad for the pause but does not hold out hope it will last because Palestinians were shut out of the process.

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"My first feelings are that Im happy that the Palestinian people of Gaza are getting a little bit of a break from the intense bombings and shootings of this genocide," she said. "However, this is not a peace process. This is just more colonialism, just as it was in the Nakba. Palestine was given away without including us in the decision at that time, and now Trump is doing the same thing by not including the Palestinians, especially the Palestinian Authority, in the peace plan. ... Just because other Arab countries have agreed to sign this peace plan, theyre still not Palestinians."

Rafidi-Kern also said the narrative concerning captives has not been accurate.

"We usually hear the word 'hostages' about the Israelis, but Palestinians as 'prisoners,'" she said. "...The Palestinian prisoners of war that have been released are all in horrible physical and mental conditions from all of the torture and lack of food and other rights that prisoners have over there."

Rafidi-Kern said she expects Palestinians to be blamed for any breach in the agreement.

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To complicate matters, Hamas has been killing rivals in the areas of Gaza they still control.

"I sadly dont believe this plan will work, as I fear that any little thing that doesnt work out, the blame will go toward the people of Gaza and Hamas," she said.

An Israeli soldier stands near military vehicles, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, at the Israel-Gaza border in southern Israel October 12, 2025.

'A tremendous loss for Gazans. A national tragedy for Israel. The loss of lives and humanity.'

Temple Israel member John Strauss said he's thrilled about the captives being freed, but described the current moment as "conflicted, precarious and complicated."

"The deaths of over 1,200 Israelis on Oct. 7, including the parents of some good friends of mine; the senseless and inhumane hostage taking, the starvation of the hostages, the raping and violence against the hostages, and the ultimate death of many hostages was also pointless and unbelievably inhumane," Strauss said. "I hold Hamas solely responsible for this horrible chapter in the lives of so many Palestinians, Israelis and many international citizens caught up in the attack. I do thank President Trump and his team for his efforts to reach a settlement, if not a comprehensive solution. I do hold (Israeli Prime Minister) Benjamin Netanyahu partly responsible for prolonging this war in his own interests, which I am extremely saddened to say."

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Strauss said the conflict has produced a revival of antisemitism and immeasurable loss and tragedy on both sides.

"At the end of the day, what has been accomplished by Hamas seems to be a loss of their hold on power and a loss of their allies in the region, such as Iran and Hezbollah," he said. "A tremendous loss for Gazans. A national tragedy for Israel. The loss of lives and humanity. More isolation for Israel. More antisemitism around the world.

"I am an optimist and hope that some good can come out of this such as a more lasting peace between Israel and Palestinians, and the realization that mutual economic growth benefits everyone under a peaceful co-existence. I hope that antisemitism is soon to be a non-issue but am concerned that the hate that has been unleashed is not so easy to put back in the bottle. We need a more accepting and peaceful world."

'The real issue is still there'

North Canton resident Rami Hamden, a Muslim whose father was born in Jerusalem, said he's glad for the ceasefire because innocent people were dying.

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Rcently, Hamas has been accused of killing Palestinians they deemed to be disloyal.

"We are happy, as long as people are not dying," he said. "There have been plenty of times when our hope has been completely destroyed over and over and over again. But the real issue is still there  the issue of occupation."

Echoing Rafidi-Kern, Hamden said that Israel has already broken the ceasefire numerous times and with deadly results. But he also believes the ceasefire has heightened Americans' awareness of the Palestinians' suffering and the vast amounts of money the United States has given to Israel.

"For the last two years, Palestinians have shown the world what's been happening to them," he said.

Smoke rises following an Israeli strike in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, October 20, 2025.

'I really lost hope in the world, completely and utterly, but I am now at the point where I see that it's not the world  it is just the people who are in power'

Ori Akrish, CEO of the Canton Jewish Federation, said the ceasefire and the captives' release is cause for gratitude.

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"It is a moment of deep relief, overwhelming joy, and national pride not only for those in Israel or Jews around the world, but for all people who value life, freedom, and human dignity," he said in a news release. "This is a true blessing for all and a powerful reminder of our shared humanity."

Hamden admitted that for a time, he lost hope.

"I really lost hope in the world, completely and utterly, but I am now at the point where I see that it's not the world  it is just the people who are in power," he said. "The result is always the same. Innocent people die. ... But I'm seeing that the world is changing. People are finally now seeing the truth. I have faith in this generation to change what needs to be changed, and the first thing that needs to be changed is the control that politics and politicians have in this country.

"At the end of the day, what's good for America is always good for Palestine. What's bad for America is good for Israel. Now we're seeing we've wasted all of this money that we could have used on the next generation, or infrastructure, or teachers, or whatever, instead of buying guns."

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He hopes Palestinians will someday enjoy freedom and self-determination. Akrish said he hopes the region will experience a new beginning.

"While the road ahead will not be easy, today reminds us of what we can overcome and of the light that still shines through," he said. "As it is written in Kohelet, 'A time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance.' Today holds all of these at once. And in that, we find the strength and spirit to begin again."

Reach Charita at charita.goshay@cantonrep.com On Twitter: @cgoshayREP.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Stark County residents skeptical of ceasefire in Gaza
State officials are warning homeowners to be on their guard as complaints mount over shady sales tactics in the solar industry, according to a GHB News investigation.

However, your energy goals are still within reach.

What's happening?

Last year, the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General filed a lawsuit against Sunrun, Bright Planet, and other solar companies alleging "deceptive, unfair and otherwise unlawful sales of solar panel systems, including locking consumers into long-term contracts without consent by various means, including impersonating consumers, and installing non-functional systems."

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GHB News discovered that such sales tactics were widespread. It sifted through dozens of legal filings and spoke to homeowners, uncovering complaints of consumer fraud and financial losses after installing solar panels  even though, when done right, panels lead to energy savings.

"SunRun, Bright Planet, and Elevate locked Connecticut homeowners into long-term solar panel contracts without their full and informed consent, and failed to timely deliver working systems," Attorney General William Tong said in a statement.

"The complaints we have seen  including forged signatures, impersonations of consumers, non-permitted work, and non-functioning systems  are beyond shocking."

Why is this important?

Residential energy rates have increased by nearly 40%, according to a 2024 report from nonpartisan research and analysis firm Energy Innovation. For most homeowners, installing solar panels is a godsend, leading to hundreds or thousands of dollars in savings.

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Zero-money-down leasing plans from reputable companies such as Palmetto make solar benefits more accessible, as purchasing panels can be prohibitively expensive.

However, reports of unsavory sales tactics can deter homeowners from considering such equipment, leading to a lose-lose situation for their bottom lines and the environment.

Although manufacturing processes mean that solar panels aren't completely without a carbon footprint, their lifecycle emissions are drastically lower compared to fuels such as coal, oil, and gas, which spew toxic, heat-trapping pollution into the atmosphere when burned.

What is being done about solar fraud allegations?

Connecticut urges residents who feel a solar company has wronged them to file a complaint with the Office of the Attorney General.

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"As more people consider solar power, it is critical that the companies that sell, finance and install solar panels are acting ethically and fairly to consumers," Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli said in the release.

If you're interested in solar leasing but don't know where to start, TCD partner Palmetto operates in 31 states and has more than 16 years of clean-energy experience.

You'll be able to lock in a stable energy rate from a vetted provider, while Palmetto takes care of project details, as well as maintenance for the duration of your lease.

Leasing and buying both have unique advantages and disadvantages; however, Palmetto's breakdown can help you decide which one is right for you. If purchasing panels seems like the best course of action, EnergySage can save you up to $10,000 on installation costs.



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.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks to reporters Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at the Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. (Peter Hall/Capital-Star)

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

While Americans across the country deal with the consequences of the federal government shutdown, residents of Pennsylvania are being hit with a double blow.

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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.

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 sign with a notice of closure is seen pinned on the fence to the National Zoo on Oct. 12, 2025, in Washington, D.C. . The closure affects all the Smithsonians 21 museums, its research centers and the National Zoo. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/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.

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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.

This year, the two sides are far apart on their views of the proper spending level.

The Democrats in the House passed a $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.

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There is little sign of an immediate end to either impasse.

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.

The state Capitol building in Harrisburg. (Photo by Tim Lambert/Pennsylvania Capital-Star)

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?

Daniel J. Mallinson, Associate Professor of Public Policy and Administration, Penn State.
The U.S. State Department issues travel advisories with different risk levels that warn U.S. travelers of the dangers of journeying abroad.

Periodically, the State Department issues updates to its advisories. Sometimes the updates are minor, but sometimes they involve significant risk elevations. In October 2025, the State Department issued nine new travel warning updates.

Travel warnings were updated for Bhutan, Sudan, Ecuador, Romania, Sri Lanka, Bulgaria, Croatia, Equatorial Guinea, and the Maldives.

Bhutan Travel Warning

Bhutan's travel advisory is the lowest. On October 20, the State Department gave Bhutan a level one risk assessment, which means "exercise normal precautions."

Sudan Travel Warning

Sudan was given a level 4 warning, which means, "Level 4: Do not travel."

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A health risk indicator was added to the current warning. "Medical services in Sudan are extremely limited. Adequate medical treatment for routine and emergency procedures is often not available," the State Department advises. "Even minor health issues could require medical evacuation at the travelers expense. Make sure you have medical or travel insurance that includes medical evacuation."

Ecuador Travel Warning

Ecuador is at a Level 2, which indicates exercise increased caution. "Exercise increased caution in Ecuador due to risk of crime, terrorism, unrest, and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk," the advisory, issued on October 14, says.

"The 'terrorism' risk indicator was added. Advisory summary was updated," the State Department wrote. "There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Ecuador."

Romania Travel Warning

Romania is at a level 1. "Exercise normal precautions in Romania," the alert says. The advisory summary was updated on October 14. "Romania has moderate seismic activity and a history of strong earthquakes. Bucharest faces the highest risk," the advisory says.

Sri Lanka Travel Warning

Sri Lanka is at a level 2 for exercise increased caution. "Exercise increased caution in Sri Lanka due to civil unrest, terrorism, and landmines. Read the entire Travel Advisory," the advisory says.

Bulgaria Travel Warning

Bulgaria is at a level 1, for exercise normal precautions, according to its advisory summary, which was updated on October 9.

Croatia Travel Warning

Croatia is at a level 1, indicating that travelers should exercise normal caution. However, the alert notes, "Exercise normal precautions in Croatia. Some areas have increased risk."

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For example, in Karlovac and Lika-Senj counties, people are advised to exercise increased caution (level 2) "due to landmines."

Equatorial Guinea Travel Warning

The country is at a level 2 travel warning for exercise increased caution, and its summary was updated. "Exercise Increased Caution in Equatorial Guinea due to risk of crime, health, and arbitrary enforcement of laws," the advisory says.

"Exercise Increased Caution in Equatorial Guinea due to risk of crime, health, and arbitrary enforcement of laws," it adds.

Maldives Travel Warning

Maldives is at a level 2. "Exercise increased caution in Maldives due to terrorism," the advisory reads. "Terrorist groups may attack with little or no warning. There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in the Maldives. Attacks may occur on remote islands. This can lengthen the response time of authorities."

Related:

This story was originally reported by Men's Journal on Oct 23, 2025, where it first appeared in the Travel section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Georgia State Election Board voted to recommend that the state Legislature end no-excuse absentee voting at a Wednesday meeting. Maya Homan/Georgia Recorder

When Georgias State Election Board considered a proposal to recommend that state lawmakers ban no-excuse absentee voting early last year, the Republican-dominated body shot it down, with then-newly appointed Chair John Fervier casting the deciding vote.

But in a Wednesday meeting in Atlanta, a trio of Trump-aligned board members successfully approved a similar proposal in a narrow 3-2 vote. The board will now officially recommend that the state Legislature end a practice that was adopted in Georgia back in 2005 when it reconvenes in January for the 2026 legislative session.

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A record number of Georgians voted by mail-in ballot during the 2020 presidential election due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But in the years since, absentee voting has come under increased scrutiny from Trump and his supporters, who blamed his loss in 2020 on unfounded accusations of rampant voting fraud.

Board member Janice Johnston, a GOP appointee who introduced the recommendation, said Wednesday that absentee voting should be the exception rather than the rule, arguing that it poses a higher risk of voter fraud. She also appeared before a House blue-ribbon study committee on elections last week and urged them to end the practice, calling absentee voting the biggest risk in the election system.

Multiple investigations have found no evidence of widespread voting fraud in the 2020 election in Georgia despite widespread use of absentee voting.

We cannot guarantee secrecy of the ballot if it is in someones home or in someones apartment foyer or in someones post office box, she said during Wednesdays board meeting. We can do much better with protecting the voter and the ballot if theyre in the secure polling place.

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She also argued that Georgias three-week early voting period makes absentee voting unnecessary.

President Donald Trump, who previously praised Johnston and fellow board members Rick Jeffares and Janelle King as pit bulls fighting for honesty, transparency and victory, during a 2024 campaign rally, has also called for an end to mail-in ballots ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

But Fervier vehemently opposed the recommendation, arguing that restrictions on absentee ballot access would place an unnecessary burden on voters, particularly low-income voters.

There are a lot of people out there that work seven days a week to feed their families, make ends meet  especially now  and restricting their access to absentee voting is not fair to those people, Fervier said.

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When you have to earn a dollar every day to feed your family, you cant take a day off to go vote, he added.

Sara Tindall Ghazal, the only Democratic member of the board, also opposed the proposal, arguing that there wasnt a clear reason to change the law and noting that absentee ballots only account for a small percentage of votes cast in Georgia. During the 2024 election, roughly 5% of voters cast an absentee ballot.

I find it ironic that, with the tremendous push for hand-marked paper ballots, that were actually trying to restrict access to the one lawful method of using hand-marked paper ballots, she added.

The board also voted 3-1 to recommend that the Legislature limit the amount of time overseas and military voters have to return absentee ballots. Currently, ballots cast by Georgia voters who live overseas will be counted if they are received within three days of Election Day, so long as they are postmarked before the election. Johnstons proposal recommends that the legislature only count ballots from overseas voters that are received by 7 p.m. on election day.

New rulemaking process begins

The board also voted 2-0 to begin the rulemaking process for a bipartisan proposal that aims to clarify the circumstances under which voters can use paper ballots rather than ballot-marking devices.

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The proposal, which would outline definitions for impossible and impracticable uses of voting equipment, was presented by Salleigh Grubbs, the first vice-chair of the Georgia GOP, and Jeanne Dufort, the chair of the Morgan County Democrats, who said that adding in definitions would help election officials better understand how to comply with state laws. They developed the language in the proposal alongside board members Jeffares and Ghazal, as well as election lawyer Bryan L. Sells, who did not respond to a request for comment.

We dont agree on much, Dufort said. But on this matter, we agree wholeheartedly, and that is that our election officials deserve certainty.

However, Ghazal expressed concern about the proposals wording.

The language in the proposed rule, she said, goes beyond the scope of what the Legislature intended to consider impossible and impractical, which I see as unexpected circumstances that arise fairly suddenly.

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Ghazal abstained from voting on the measure.

The proposed rule is now open for a mandatory 30-day public comment period, meaning that board members cant move forward with the rule during their next two meetings, scheduled for Nov. 7 and Nov. 12, respectively. The next meeting where the board could take action on the proposed rule is set for December.

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ROARING FORK VALLEY, Colo. (KREX)  On Friday, the Wildfire Collaborative Roaring Fork Valley received an $850,000 Natural Disaster Mitigation Enterprise (NDME) grant from the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM).

The funding will support large-scale wildfire mitigation with the Town of Snowmass Village, reducing wildfire risk, improving evacuation safety and protecting water supplies.

Were using state-of-the-art science to guide where and how we act, ensuring every dollar directly reduces wildfire risk for our residents, workforce and visitors, said Mayor of Snowmass Village Alyssa Shenk. The Town is deeply committed to wildfire resilience, and this partnership ensures were implementing the most effective strategies.

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Annually for the past several years, the Town of Snowmass Village invested around $100,000 annyally in wildfire mitigation. The grant funding will accelerate the process, allowing mitigation to occur at a larger scale.

The Collaborative and the town will implement data-based mitigation strategies based on Dr. Hussam Mahmouds advanced modeling.

This funding allows us to move immediately from wildfire modeling to on-the-ground implementation, said Angie Davlyn, executive director of the Wildfire Collaborative Roaring Fork Valley. Dr. Mahmouds modeling gives us an unprecedented understanding of how fire could spread through Snowmass Village and where treatments will make the biggest difference for life safety and structure protection. This grant will allow us to immediately get to work implementing the strategies that are identified.

Due to steep terrain, dense vegetation and limited evacuation routes in the area, which make suppression and evacuation difficult, Snowmass Village experiences some of the highest wildfire risk in the state.

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This kind of proactive mitigation is critical, said John Mele, the fire marshal for Roaring Fork Fire Rescue. When we reduce fuels before a fire starts, were not only protecting homes and lives  were creating safer conditions for firefighters and first responders. This project will make a measurable difference in how a fire behaves, how we can fight it, and how quickly the community can recover.

The implementation of the project will start in 2026 and it will be maintained over the next three years.

The project will also complement the Wildfire Ready Watersheds program, led by the Collaborative, that maps post-fire flood and erosion risks across the watershed area.

Wildfire Collaborative, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing wildfire risk in the Roaring Fork Valley, has other wildfire resilience projects that include a $2 million valley mitigation project near Sopris Mountain Ranch, a fuels reduction project in Glenwood Springs, evacuation planning in Marble, a shaded fuel break in Basalt and multi-stakeholder projects around Aspen.

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For more information about the NDME program, visit dhsem.colorado.gov.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com.
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)  The Mississippi Public Employees Retirement Board is considering changes to help the retirement system during the next Legislative session.

There are more than 300,000 members in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) in Mississippi. State leaders are looking for ways to take strain off of the system.

PERS is a complex issue with a lot of moving parts. But right now, the most important thing is additional funding, said Ray Higgins, executive director of PERS.

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The PERS Board is looking at changes to Mississippis Return to Work rules. The current system restricts how long retired employees can work.

Mississippi lawmakers continue to seek PERS solutions

One of the things Ive heard over the past few months is that we have retired state employees who have retired at a young age who still want to work, said State Sen. Daniel Sparks (R-District 5).

Sparks said people may need to keep working to support their family or help pay for health insurance.

They have expertise, they have a maturity, they are seasoned employees. And wed like to find a cleaner way for them to come back into the work system, because they would add a lot to the services provided by the state. Plus, its an income for them, he said.

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State leaders said if a retiree comes back to work for the state, this could be a beneficial for the PERS system. However, that would require lawmakers passing new legislation to address the shortages.

We want to make sure we comply with IRS requirements, and we have to consider the cost implications. So as PERS, well just be monitoring the legislation this session, and reviewing it in the best interest of the system, said Higgins.

Cost was the main focus for state leaders during their discussion, but so are concerns in the first responder community about the systems new Tier 5, which lawmakers passed during the last Legislative session. Benefits for public employees under tiers one through four will not change.

Beginning March 1, 2026, new public employees will have to work 35 years to draw full retirement at any age or work until 62.

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I support them and appreciate their service personally and professionally, as it relates to new benefit changes for them. It can certainly be done. It just would require a change in state law, and we have to consider the cost components, said Higgins.

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EDDY COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE)  New Mexico State Police on Monday released new information about a shooting involving the Eddy County Sheriffs Office that took place on Sunday.

NMSP, which is investigating the shooting, said deputies with the sheriffs office responded to a report of an armed individual in the area of McKittrick Road, north of Hidalgo around 6 p.m. Sunday.

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The 911 call, according to state police, indicated a man with a rifle ran toward the callers vehicle as they were on McKittrick Road.

An ECSO sergeant, who was not identified by state police, arrived on scene shortly after the call and the suspect, later identified as 34-year-old Dustin Henley, allegedly shot at least one round from a .22 caliber rifle at the sergeants vehicle.

The sergeant then got out of his vehicle and returned fire, hitting Henley.

NMSP said Henley dropped his gun and attempted to hide in nearby vegetation before he was taken into custody with the assistance of an ECSO K9.

Henley was brought to a local hosptial and later flown to a hosptial in Texas to be treated for his injuries. The ECSO sergeant was not injured.

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Henley was charged with assault with intent to commit a violent felony upon a peace officer, firearms or destructive devices; receipt, transportation or possession by certain persons, shooting at a dwelling or occupied building; shooting at or from a motor vehicle, aggravated assault, and resisting, evading, or obstructing an officer.

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MIDDLEBURY, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44)  Vermont State Police reports Thursday that a body has been recovered from a field west of the Middlebury College Campus. The identity of the deceased person has not been confirmed.

Police converged on a farm near Middlebury College Thursday afternoon, after a scheduled press conference was cancelled. (ABC22/FOX44 photo)

An autopsy is expected to be performed Friday to confirm identity and determine cause and manner of death. The death is not currently believed to be suspicious.

A press conference was scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Thursday to provide updates on the investigation. That conference was cancelled less than fifteen minutes beforehand.

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According to Vermont State Police, the body was located near The Knoll, which is an organic farm at Middlebury College, at about 1:30 p.m.

Police reported earlier that they have activated their Search and Rescue Team, plus more to help in the search for a 21-year-old Lia Smith.

Smith, a Middlebury College student, was last seen on campus Friday night, October 17. She was reported missing to authorities on Sunday.

Search for missing Middlebury College Student underway

VSP says they began a full-scale search Thursday morning, October 23. This comes following a larger-scale search conducted October 22 in wooded areas at the campus. The ground search on Wednesday was conducted by Middlebury Police Department, Middlebury Fire Department and more.

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Around 3:00 p.m., state police and Middlebury police gathered deep in a field called the Knoll for an extended period of time, shortly after a scheduled press conference regarding the search was cancelled.

Agencies participating in that Thursday search include Middlebury PD, Fish & Wildlife game wardens, North Country Search Dogs, state police, members of the public and more, according to a recent update from VSP.

Additionally, MPD is continuing to lead efforts in the search for Smith. They are reportedly receiving help from the FBI and New York State Police.

Anyone with information about Smiths whereabouts can submit an anonymous tip online, call MPD at 802-388-3191 or, reach VSP at 802-388-4919.

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Santa Clara County leaders will establish ICE-free zones throughout Silicon Valley  raising physical barriers and locking gates to prevent federal immigration agents from unlawfully using county properties for surveillance and arrests.

The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to follow Chicagos lead and create an inventory of vacant lots, garages and other county-owned spaces federal authorities might use for immigration enforcement without court orders. Theyll also create signs warding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents away from these properties  and make them available for county residents to use.

It comes amid parallel efforts to establish a similar policy across San Jose city properties. District 5 San Jose Councilmember Peter Ortiz was expected to introduce the proposal at the citys Rules and Open Government Committee meeting Wednesday.

District 1 Supervisor Sylvia Arenas spearheaded the county proposal.

The administration targets brown people in a way thats just so vile. We all have an immigration story, Arenas said before the vote. Im doing this for my parents, for my family and for my community.

The countys plan marks the start of a spreading, national movement to lock ICE out of certain areas after Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an Oct. 6 executive order laying out the same rules. Meanwhile, Santa Clara County leaders have refined and expanded a three-stage plan to coordinate a counter-response to ICE raids. The plan received preliminary approval last month. It will escalate the countys responses based on the scale of local ICE activity  be it targeted arrests or raids on schools or grocery stores  to provide legal aid, family shelter, food, child care, health services and communication to residents.

ICE has conducted large-scale operations in cities such as Los Angeles and San Francisco since President Donald Trump took office earlier this year. Santa Clara County has not seen this level of crackdown so far. But fears of immigration raids have kept San Jose students from attending class and slowed foot traffic at Latino-owned businesses. Some immigrants have chosen to self-deport.

Scores of residents turned out to speak in support of the countys move at the meeting, mostly in Spanish. Some voiced hope the countys efforts might counteract the specter of the federal government. Others voiced concerns about an ongoing struggle to obtain legal representation. Most speakers praised county officials for taking the initiative.

Im a first generation immigrant myself and my family has been feeling the impacts of the threats coming in here, Lucila Ortiz, political director of Working Partnerships USA, said in public comment. Its really heartwarming to see leaders like you passing items like this to make sure my family is safe.

Officials generally acknowledged the efforts might have the federal government breathing down the countys neck. District 5 Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga asked whether the county could discuss its properties confidentially.

I just want to make sure were not doing anything to put a target on us, she said before the vote.

David Campos, a deputy county executive, said the county has to perform a balancing act.

Were trying to be as transparent as we can with the public while also trying to protect the county and work with the board where appropriate, he said at the meeting. There are certain pieces were handling in a different way, a confidential way, as directed by the county (lawyers).

County Executive James Williams said the county will have to adapt to match the unpredictable nature of the federal governments enforcement.

Whats happening is shifting daily, hourly, Williams said. Theres so much work in this space that by necessity has to remain nimble in order to be meaningfully responsive to whats happening on the ground.

___

This story was originally published by the San Jose Spotlight and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.

By BRANDON PHO/San Jose Spotlight

San Jose Spotlight
CHICAGO, Ill. (WTVO)  Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker announced the creation of a new state commission aimed at documenting and investigating alleged abuses committed by federal agents during Operation Midway Blitz.

Speaking at a press conference in Chicago on Thursday, Pritzker described the federal operation as a military-style assault on the city, citing incidents of harassment, racial profiling, and excessive use of force.

Trumps masked agents have detained innocent American citizens and legal residents, Pritzker said. Theyve thrown tear gas and smoke grenades at peaceful crowds.

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Pritzker announced the creation of the Illinois Accountability Commission, which will be tasked with compiling a public record of alleged abuses, assessing their impact on families and communities, and recommending further action.

The federal government is pushing the boundaries of their authority to terrorize our communities while disregarding all legal and moral accountability in the process. We will not meet intimidation with fear  we will meet it with truth, said Pritzker. We are going show the public  here in Chicago, the State of Illinois, across the nation, and around the world  exactly what is going on. We will create a detailed record, and that record will reflect reality.  Once this all ends, I believe there will be people of good faith who will review what the Commission has recorded and will demand answers and accountability.

This is not about crime or safety, Pritzker said. If it were, there would be coordination with local law enforcement and judicial warrants.

The Governor said the commission will be chaired by Judge Ruben Castillo, a former chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and vice-chaired by Patricia Brown Holmes, a former associate judge and federal prosecutor.

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Other appointees include legal scholars, human rights advocates, and a retired police commander.

Pritzker accused Trump administration officials, including Stephen Miller and Tom Homan, of enabling misconduct within their ranks and removing oversight mechanisms.

Trump has fired 17 inspectors general, he said. He has installed cronies and sycophants at the Department of Justice who are willing to look the other way.

The governor urged Illinois residents to share their experiences with federal agents via the commissions website, and pledged that the state would not respond to intimidation with fear. We will meet it with truth, he said.

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Illnois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) responded saying, Governor Pritzkers so-called Accountability Commission is just another taxpayer-funded political stunt. He claims he wants immigration reform, but his own open-border policies and expanded Trust Act tell a different story.

He talks about truth and accountability, yet under his watch, over 1,200 children have died in DCFS care and thousands more have been injured  where is that accountability? she continued.

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German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is confident that German infrastructure needed to complement the new railway tunnel being built under the Alps will be completed in time.

"People here trust that Germany will fulfil its responsibilities," Steinmeier said during a visit to the construction site of the Brenner Base Tunnel (BBT), a 55-kilometre project set to connect Austria and northern Italy by rail from 2032.

The Brenner corridor is one of the most important north-south routes across the Alps, long plagued by road traffic bottlenecks.

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The tunnel is regarded as a major European transport project and is expected to significantly shorten rail journeys between Munich and northern Italy.

The access routes in the southern German state of Bavaria also need considerable work, but construction is yet to begin amid protests in the region.

The German parliament is due to revisit the question of funding for infrastructure linked to the tunnel in the coming months.

But Steinmeier appeared confident, saying that he had not heard a "bad word" over the issue from Austria and Italy, which celebrated the breakthrough of the exploratory tunnel last week.

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"We congratulate Austria and Italy for having made good progress," said Steinmeier.

According to BBT spokesman Andreas Ambrosi, the new railway tunnel will reduce the journey time for trains from Innsbruck in Austria to Franzensfeste in the Italian province of South Tyrol from 80 to 25 minutes.

Goods trains are to no longer have to overcome a gradient of 26% on the existing line, but only 4 to 7% in the tunnel.
I was pissed off, said the podcaster on a special edition of Straight Shooter with Stephen A.

Stephen A. Smith apologized to U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, after initially doubling down on his criticism of her rhetoric for the streets.

During a special edition of his podcast show Straight Shooter with Stephen A., Smith said he now understands why critics called out his remarks about Crockett. He cited his recent discovery of how President Donald Trump has publicly disparaged the Texas congresswoman.

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I saw something disturbing in regards to President Donald Trump and how he came at Representative Jasmine CrockettI get it now with Trump feeding into that nonsense, giving him ammunition to continue to go out there and talk about our Black women that wayI got it, said Smith.

The TV personality did not specify what remarks from Trump about Crockett changed his perspective; however, Trump has repeatedly called her out since returning to the White House. Most notably, repeatedly calling her low IQ, despite being a former Texas state representative, civil rights attorney, and graduate of Rhode College and the University of Houston Law Center.

When Trump came at her like that, I said, Damn it. I was pissed off because I said thats what theyre talking about when theyre saying, You know what, when you question something about her, its going to invite that,' Smith explained.

The sportscaster issued a personal apology to Crockett.

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I can look Jasmine Crockett in the face and say Im sorry for anykind of noise I caused in your direction, because she is accomplished, and she is smart, and she does have an incredible, incredible challenge working in this political climate on Capitol Hill, said Smith, who said he also supports Crocketts potential run for U.S. Senate.

PHOENIX, ARIZONA  AUGUST 03: Rep Jasmine Crockett speaks during the Wont Back Down event at The Van Buren on August 03, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by John Medina/Getty Images for MoveOn)

I think she should be competing for the Senate seat in Texas or for the Attorney General spot, because shes qualified, he asserted.

However, the outspoken media personality did not completely back down from his critics and rejected claims that he was misogynistic or malicious.

When somebody tries to take that to accuse me of being disrespectful or in any way misogynistic, Im going to push back on that because thats emphatically false. Theres no truth to that whatsoever, and Im not accepting that, and Im not owning that.

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Smith attempted to clarify his earlier remarks about Crockett, explaining that he didnt want her to  lose [her] prowess and that he would like to see her and Democrats win back power in Congress in next years midterm elections.

We need resistance to what we see going on in the streets of America, he said. However, Smith said he understands why most voters supported Trump in the 2024 election.

As trifling as President Trump can be, the matter is, millions upon millions of people felt that he was closer to normal than the Democratic Party, Smith argued. I want to help. Im not trying to hurt, and I think being quiet and saying nothing and not challenging the strategy thats been employed hurts us.

He added, But that doesnt mean Im always right, and it doesnt mean that Im beyond apologizing.

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NEED TO KNOW

Former Trump strategist Steve Bannon claims in a new interview that the president will serve at least another term in office

When asked about the 22nd Amendment, which created the two-term limit, Bannon said "there's a plan" within the president's inner circle to get around it

"We had longer odds in '16 and longer odds in '24 than we've got in '28," Bannon claimed

Some members of Donald Trump's inner circle are serious about him serving a third term in the White House, according to Steve Bannon.

Trump's former chief strategist  who has remained loyal to the MAGA movement, despite the fact that Trump fired him from his White House role less than a year into his first term  made the comments in an interview with The Economist's editor-in-chief, Zanny Minton Beddoes, and deputy editor, Ed Carr, in Washington, D.C. this week.

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Bannon shared his certainty that Trump will remain in office for at least another term.

"He's gonna get a third term," Bannon said. "Trump is gonna be president in '28, and people just sort of [need to] get accommodated with that."

When asked about the 22nd Amendment, which prevents candidates from being "elected to the office of the President more than twice," Bannon said there's a plan in place to work around it.

"There's many different alternatives. At the appropriate time, we'll lay out what the plan is, but there's a plan," he said.

Baffling his interviewers, Bannon referred to Trump as "a vehicle of divine providence," saying it's the "will of the American people" that he serve another term.

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"He's not perfect. He's not churchy, not particularly religious, but he's an instrument of divine will. And you could tell this by how he's been able to pull this off," he continued. "We need him for at least one more term, right? And he'll get that in '28."

"We had longer odds in '16 and longer odds in '24 than we've got in '28," Bannon concluded. "We have to finish what we started."

MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Donald Trump congratulates Steve Bannon during the swearing-in of senior staff on Jan. 22, 2017 Donald Trump congratulates Steve Bannon during the swearing-in of senior staff on Jan. 22, 2017

Despite the fact that the Constitution explicitly forbids it, Trump has floated the idea of running for a third term multiple times, even going so far as to add TRUMP 2028 hats to the White House gift shop only a few months into his second term.



In March, during a phone interview with NBC News, he insisted he was "not joking" about considering another term, despite the fact that he will be the oldest president in U.S. history by the time his second term ends in January 2029.

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A lot of people want me to do it, he said at the time. I basically tell them we have a long way to go, you know, its very early in the administration.



Like Bannon, Trump also said during the interview that there are "methods" by which he could subvert the rules and serve a third term. He also didn't get into specifics, but Trump supporters have proposed a few different possibilities.

The most straightforward would be amending the Constitution, either by a two-thirds vote in Congress or by two-thirds of U.S. states agreeing to call a constitutional convention to propose the changes  both of which are considered highly unlikely.

Alex Wong/Getty Donald Trump displays a "Trump Was Right About Everything" hat in the Oval Office on Feb. 25, 2025 Donald Trump displays a "Trump Was Right About Everything" hat in the Oval Office on Feb. 25, 2025

Another method would entail Vice President JD Vance winning the 2028 presidential election on a Vance-Trump ticket and then resigning so that Trump succeeds him. Similar chatter has emerged during past election years since the dawn of the 22nd Amendment, but usually in a more light-hearted nature.

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"That talk never was all that serious," said Brian Kalt, a Michigan State University professor who has written about the so-called "loophole," in conversation with NPR.

"But in a certain situation where the president is sort of more popular than the common understanding of the Constitution, you better believe people will jump all over any loophole they can and allow that person to flout term limits," Kalt continued. "And we've seen it in other countries. Everywhere there are term limits, there are vulnerabilities."

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.

Some  including Trump himself, while joking with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy  have alternatively proposed that the president could postpone an election during wartime. However, legal experts have widely agreed that the president lacks that authority.

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"There is no wiggle room [on the 22nd Amendment]," William Baude, who leads the Constitutional Law Institute at the University of Chicago Law School, told NPR. "That's a clear statement of the Constitution, and I don't think any serious person is going to interpret it otherwise."

If Trump announced, Im canceling the elections, that has as much power as my announcing Im canceling the elections, Justin Levitt, a constitutional law professor at Loyola Marymount University, told The Associated Press.



Read the original article on People
Gov. Kevin Stitt is asking an Oklahoma County District Court to halt enforcement of a law that expands the number of people who are appointed to the Commission for Rehabilitation Services.

Stitt's suit targets Senate Bill 770, which vetoed in May, but the Legislature overwhelmingly decided to make it law in an override vote. The bill went into effect immediately but no new appointments have been made.

Stitt's lawsuit filed Oct. 21, which the Oklahoma House speaker calls "nonsensical," claims that the law unfairly gives the legislature more power than the executive branch when it comes to commission oversight of an executive branch agency.

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The Commission for Rehabilitation Services currently has three members, each appointed by the governor, the speaker of the Oklahoma House and the leader of the Oklahoma Senate. The commissioners oversee the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services, which is the state agency that helps disabled Oklahomans overcome barriers in the workplace, school and at home. The agency runs the Oklahoma School for the Deaf and School for the Blind.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt walks with legislative leaders through the halls of the Oklahoma State Capitol in 2025.

Senate Bill 770 created four new seats on the commission, reaching a total of seven instead of three. It adds one new appointee by the speaker, one by the Senate leader, and the governor will get two extra appointments.

Just like the law that was already on the books, the legislative branch would be able to appoint more seats to the commission than the governor, who represents the executive branch.

The lawsuit contends that giving legislative leaders control over appointment of a majority of commissioners "exerts improper, coercive legislature control and influence over the commission."

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After Stitt filed the lawsuit, House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, told The Oklahoman that the executive branch previously controlled 33.3% of the board members. With SB 770, the governor's share of appointees goes up to nearly 43%.

"The entire basis for this lawsuit is nonsensical," Hilbert said. "However, I appreciate the discussion the lawsuit prompts around board appointments and their authority for the upcoming session."

During its path through the Legislature this year, the bill didn't seem controversial. Nearly every member voted for it. When asked why the bill was requested by the Department of Rehabilitation Services, co-author and state Rep. Ryan Eaves, R-Atoka, said the current three-member commission had trouble reaching a quorum to meet.

"Expanding it to seven will allow them to perform the functions of the commission better," Eaves said.

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Stitt, however, has been a vocal critic of the idea. In his veto message, he wrote that the Oklahoma Constitution gives the executive branch authority to enforce laws while the legislative branch creates them.

"By granting the Legislature a majority of appointments to an executive board, this law undermines the independence of the executive branch and allows the legislative branch to insert itself into executive functions," Stitt wrote. "This is an affront to the checks and balances that are essential to a functioning democracy."

Stitt asked the court to declare both the bill, and the statute where it's found, to be unconstitutional.

Hilbert and Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton are listed as defendants in the lawsuit, along with the Oklahoma Commission for Rehabilitation Services. No one from the agency has yet responded to a request to comment about the suit.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma Gov. Stitt files lawsuit challenging legislative appointments
TOWN OF CLAY, N.Y. (WSYR-TV)  You ask, we answer!

Viewer Question: What happened to the Mexican restaurant that opened inside the former Outback Steakhouse in Clay?

If you wanted to try the fairly new La Cocina Mexican Grill off Route 31 in Clay, youll need to make new dinner plans  at least for now.

A sign, posted on the door, reads, CLOSED BY ORDER OF LANDLORD TENANT DEFAULT.

Its not clear if this is a short-term closure or permanent one.

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Theres no mention of the closure on the restaurants website or Facebook page, and the telephone number for the Clay location is no longer working.

Hoping to track down an answer, the Your Stories team left a message for the La Cocina location in Jamestown.

We are also waiting to hear back from the landlord.

La Cocina opened last April, inside the former Outback Steakhouse, which closed in the summer of 2024.

Well keep you posted!

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR.
STORM LAKE, Iowa (KCAU)  The Iowa Department of Education released its latest school performance ratings. One school district in Siouxland did not fare too well.

Nearly every school in Storm Lake has been ranked as a priority school since 2022. Storm Lake Community Schools Superintendent Stacey Cole spoke to KCAU 9 and explained what obstacles the district faces and what theyre doing to improve results.

Cole said she was reminded just how difficult education is for some students when she examined coursework done by a 17-year-old kid who had been at the school for almost two years.

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And I couldnt read what this student had on their paper, she said.

Cole said this student and many others experienced something called SLIFE. That stands for Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education, and thats not the only challenge kids face. Cole stated around 280 kids or about 12% of their student body are new to U.S. schools in the last three years, and teachers have used a unique curriculum to break down language barriers.

What we call life science, so its a class where if youre new to the states, and youre in high school, its a class that embeds English into science, so that the science class is the content, but we embed English into it, she said.

Another common issue: many students are facing poverty and food insecurity.

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Kids who live in poverty tend to be sick more often. They tend to, when they get sick, theyre sick longer, Cole said.

The district has taken action to improve the overall success of their students. They implemented a systematic phonics program a year ago, applied for a grant from the Iowa Department of Education to improve literacy, and the school meets with a consultant for help to improve student performance. The kids have done their part, showing resiliency on their long and bumpy educational journey.

He was determined to graduate, and he spoke almost no English, so that kid, I dont know how he did it, but he learned English in a year. He took a full load of classes, and he took online classes, and he passed his last online class in June to graduate, Cole said.

Story continues below

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Another student attended 8th grade in Storm Lake, and then moved away. When he came back as a senior, he still needed 42 credits to graduate. Hes in his fifth year now, still working toward his diploma. Cole explained, helping every kid graduate is the goal, no matter what impact it has on school rankings.

He doesnt count in our four-year graduation rate, like he is a kid that we get quote unquote dinged on in the performance profile, but you know what, he is a kid that deserves our love and attention just like any other kid, she said. If we can still get him to graduate by the end of Year 5 or even Year 6, Ill take that ding on any Iowa school performance profile if that kid leaves here and knows that we did what was right for him.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
Arabella Kushner, granddaughter of US President Donald Trump, sent handwritten letters to 20 hostages freed from Gaza, delivered by her father Jared Kushner.

US President Donald Trumps granddaughter, Arabella Kushner, sent handwritten letters to all 20 living hostages released from Gaza last week under the ceasefire deal advanced by her grandfather.

Arabella, the daughter of Jared Kushner and Ivanka Kushner, is 14 years old.

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The letters were delivered by her father, who was in Israel this week and played a central role in brokering the ceasefire. Kushner, together with Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff, met with several of the freed hostages in Tel Aviv on Tuesday to deliver the notes.

The meeting included Omri Miran, Gali Berman, Ziv Berman, Yosef-Chaim Ohana, Matan Angrest, Bar Kupershtein, Segev Kalfon, Nimrod Cohen, and Eitan Horn.

According to a statement from the Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters, the former captives expressed profound gratitude to President Donald Trump for making their freedom a top priority and working tirelessly to help bring them home.

A photograph released by the US embassy showed Kushner with former hostage Nimrod Cohen holding an envelope addressed From Arabella. Another image showed Kushner holding a stack of letters while meeting freed twins Gali and Ziv Berman.

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One of the notes, written to Segev Kalfon, read, Your strength gives hope to so many people around the world. I admire your bravery and the light you bring to others! Thank you, Arabella Kushner.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum referenced Arabellas message in a post, writing, Hostages like Segev Kalfon did everything they could to survive. Little did they know the profound impact they would have on people around the world."

'Your family has given us so much light and hope'

Referencing the words Arabella wrote, the forum continued, "Its mutual, Arabella. Your family has given us so much light and hope. They, too, have stood strong and made brave decisions when it mattered most. Thank you.

During Trumps first term, Arabella's parents, Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, served as White House advisers.

They do not currently hold government positions, though Kushner has been involved in advancing and implementing the Gaza ceasefire.
A UEI College student has been shot following a fight in the parking lot of Manchester Mall.

Police say the shooting happened at 8 p.m. Wednesday in the back of the mall, near the Regal Manchester movie theater.

When officers arrived, they found a 25-year-old man with a single, non-life-threatening gunshot wound near the elevator inside the mall.

He was taken to the hospital for further treatment and is expected to be okay.

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Investigators say a fight broke out between two students and during it, a suspect pulled up in a silver car and fired several gunshots.

A spokesperson for UEI College says the student was shot by a suspect not affiliated with the school.

"The safety and security of our students, faculty, and staff remain the highest priority at UEI College," spokesperson Joseph Cockrell said. "We are grateful for the prompt response by first responders and our partnership with the Fresno Police Department."

Police believe the suspect in the silver car is a man in his 20s.

UEI College was placed on lockdown and detectives will be releasing students and their vehicles as the investigation continues.

The parking lot is expected to be closed for several hours.

For South Valley news updates, follow Kassandra Gutierrez on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP)  The U.S. and the European Union are hitting Russia with another round of sanctions, aiming to cut into oil and gas export earnings that fund Moscows war against Ukraine.

More than 3 1/2 years into the war, the effort remains a cat-and-mouse game, with Russia finding new ways to get around sanctions, and Washington and Brussels adding new ones and looking for ways to plug enforcement gaps.

The chief target of the latest round: Russias biggest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil. New U.S. Treasury sanctions threaten their customers in India and China with retaliation that could include being sanctioned themselves.

Meanwhile, the EU is phasing out shipments of Russian liquefied natural gas and is going after cryptocurrency issuers, platforms and exchanges that Russia has used to skirt restrictions on its financial dealings with the outside world.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the move aimed to push Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to President Donald Trumps proposals for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine.

Given President Putins refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russias two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlins war machine, he said, adding that Treasury is prepared to take further action if necessary.

Heres what to know:

Taking aim at oil, the pillar of Russias state finances

Rosneft and Lukoil account for roughly half of Russias oil exports, which along with natural gas and oil products have supplied 30% to 50% of state revenues in the past decade. The biggest customers for Russian oil are China, at about 2.1 million barrels per day, and India, at 1.5 million.

Refineries in India and China that buy Russian oil to turn it into gasoline and diesel could potentially face U.S. sanctions themselves if they deal with those companies, and so could their banks.

Being touched by U.S. sanctions, even secondary sanctions, is like the death penalty for the private sector, said sanctions expert Maria Perrotta Berlin at the Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics.

As result, refineries in India are likely to halt or pause purchases for the time being to see how everything unfolds, said Johannes Rauball, senior crude oil analyst at data analytics firm Kpler. Russias unbought barrels could wind up in storage or looking for another customer at a price discount, he said. It puts Russia in a tough spot.

U.S. oil prices rose by 5% to $61.44 per barrel Thursday and international benchmark Brent rose 4.7% to $65.52. A Treasury spokesperson, who spoke on condition of anonymity to preview the sanctions, said the latest action is not expected to significantly affect energy costs for U.S. consumers, and Treasury expects prices to remain stable.

Chris Weafer, CEO of the Macro-Advisory Ltd. consultancy, said the biggest takeaway was Trumps willingness to add sanctions to those imposed under the Biden administration.

This is the first set of sanctions from President Trump after he returned to the White House, said Weafer. And the fear now is that now that hes broken, kind of like the seal, as it were, that if he is dissatisfied with any progress with Russia going forward, then he may come with more and more damaging sanctions.

The EU also added sanctions on Rosneft and sanctioned 117 more tankers it says are part of Russias shadow fleet used to evade a Western-imposed price cap on Russian oil, bringing the total to 557.

The oil sanctions dont start for 30 days

The sanctions dont take effect until Nov. 21, a grace period that gives traders a chance to wind down business with Rosneft and Lukoil  but also provides a chance for Russia to make more money in the short term.

You can be sure that every oil buyer in Asia today is trying to find anything that floats that they can buy Russian oil before that sanction kicks in, Weafer said.

The White House may also be hoping Russia will engage in serious talks, enabling suspension of the sanctions, Weafer said.

Sanctions add costs for Russia and degrade its economy long-term

Sanctions have cost Russia lost oil and gas revenues after the EU cut off most imports of seaborne oil and Russia cut off most natural gas shipments.

Russia spent billions assembling a shadow fleet of aging tankers to keep shipping oil to Asia in order to evade a price cap of $60 imposed by Group of Seven democracies. The cap was an attempt to cut into Russia oil earnings without knocking Russian oil off the global market and causing a price spike, enforced by barring Western insurers and shippers from handling oil priced above the cap.

Perrotta Berlin said Russia has lost about $100 billion in oil and gas sales since the start of the war, and sanctions have raised the costs of imported goods and deprived Russian companies of so-called dual-use goods like computer chips that can be used for both civilian and military productions. Still, Russia had $189 billion in oil exports alone in 2024 and $154 billion in 2025, according to the Kyiv School of Economics Institute.

Putin shows no inclination to bend

Russias economy has seen slowing growth this year and the governments oil revenues have fallen due to lower global oil prices. But the jobless rate is low and military spending is keeping factories running while recruitment bonuses pump money into poorer regions. Putin, who on Thursday called the sanctions an unfriendly act, has the money for now to continue the war and has shown no inclination to accept a ceasefire.

One reason: Putin took steps to sanction-proof Russias economy and reduce dependence on imports after a first round of sanctions when Russia illegally annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in 2014. Russia also salted away prewar oil and gas earnings in a national wealth fund and has drawn on that to help keep budget deficits under control.

Jeremy Paner, a former sanctions investigator at U.S. Treasury, said the next step by Washington would be targeting Indian and Chinese purchasers of Russian oil, or going after middlemen and brokers of Russian energy.

The goal of these sanctions isnt to stop the war, its to get serious commitment to engaging in the peace process, Paner said.

Western governments fearful of a spike in pump and home heating prices for their voters were initially reluctant to cut off Russian oil. It took almost a year after the 2022 full-scale invasion for the EU to end most Russian seaborne oil shipments, and the price cap was announced months before it took effect, giving Russia time to prepare to evade it.

So many of these measures have been implemented too slowly and  a little bit at a time so that Russia has had time to adapt and to prepare and to prevent and to react, Perrotta Berlin said.

It could have been more, but its still a substantial impact, she added. Continuing to go after the fossil fuels is very important and good.

-

Fatima Hussein in Washington and Harriet Morris in Tallinn, Estonia, contributed.

By DAVID McHUGH

AP Business Writer
EDMOND  Dressed in an ankle-length skirt, long-sleeved blouse and corset, Trevor Pratt is moving gracefully across the stage, practicing the choreography of their opening dance number while his co-stars are getting outfitted in similar costumes.

As he and his castmates are draping on the jewel-toned veils to cover their faces, co-directors Maggie Lawson and Liberty Welch have a few last-minute instructions before they start a full-run rehearsal of the new play "Boy My Greatness."

"Remember, if you're in a skirt and you're going up the stairs, please pick the skirt up. Don't fall. I would be very sad if you fell," Welch says.

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"But it would be really funny if we got it on camera," Lawson jokes from a seat near the back of the theater. "So, if you're gonna do it, make sure the camera's on you."

Although all but one of the cast and crew members are University of Central Oklahoma students, neither the rehearsals nor the Oct. 23-26 performances of "Boy My Greatness" are taking place at UCO; instead, the cast and crew are putting on their show at Edmond's Upstage Theatre after the university refused to allow the once-approved production to go forward.

In September, Welch and Lawson, who are best friends and UCO juniors, were notified by the Department of Theatre Arts that they would no longer be permitted to put on the relatively new show at the public university. They said the cancellation was attributed to a new state law banning the use of state funds for diversity, equity and inclusion programs, jobs or activities at Oklahoma college and university campuses.

"They didn't specifically tell us what was in our play (that) was wrong. They just gave us the answer that it was Senate Bill 796. Then, we obviously sat down and read the bill, and we were like, 'Well, of course, it's the gender-blind casting. Nothing else in this play is gonna appear in that state bill,'" Welch told The Oklahoman.

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"They just told us, 'You can't fight this. Sorry, this is what our legal team says. We don't want to get sued. ... Here's your two options.'"

With just three weeks until their planned performance window, the co-directors were given the choice of picking a new show to rehearse and stage at UCO or independently producing "Boy My Greatness" off-campus without any university resources.

They choose to stick to the script, launched a GoFundMe campaign that raised more than $9,800 in less than a week, and have been preparing over the past month and a half for the Thursday, Oct. 23, opening night of their Oklahoma premiere production of "Boy My Greatness." Performances are set for 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23-26 at Upstage Theatre, 633 Hundred Oaks Dr. in Edmond.

"The amount of people that we have rallying behind us is crazy. ... I just feel so warm and fuzzy inside, and I don't know if I will ever be able to comprehend how much love and support that we've gotten," Lawson said. "But I'm so, so grateful. I didn't know I could be so grateful."

Liberty Welch, center, talks to cast members Trevor Pratt, left, and Jenni Dibler on Oct. 1 before a rehearsal for a production of "Boy My Greatness" in Edmond.

What is the new play 'Boy My Greatness' about?

From the quick-witted Beatrice and the ruthless Lady MacBeth to the ill-fated Ophelia and the feisty fairy Queen Titania, some of William Shakespeare's most indelible characters have more in common than just being written as women.

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In Shakespeare's day, they were all played by boys.

"This was a historical practice that happened in England in the early-modern theater. ... It wasn't actually illegal for women to be on stage, but it was not proper. It was considered really indecent. So, the solution that was come up with was that it would be adolescent boys," said playwright Zoe Senese-Grossberg, who penned "Boy My Greatness."

"It says something so bizarre about a culture who are like, 'It would feel really sexually inappropriate to have women be on stage in plays  essentially, if they were doing that, they would be prostitutes. The way we should handle that is replacing them with adolescent boys who will be dressed as women and kissing men and being in sexual situations with men.' That went on for a pretty long period of time. So, that's just fascinating."

In 2023, Senese-Grossberg turned her fascination with women's roles being played by teenage boys and young men in Shakespeare's day into her own play. Set in the summer of 1606, "Boy My Greatness" follows six boy players  all at different phases of their stage careers portraying women  as they rehearse for the premieres of The Bard's shows "Twelfth Night" and "Antony and Cleopatra."

Zoe Senese-Grossberg is the playwright who penned the historical drama "Boy My Greatness." Provided by Zoe Senese-Grossberg

"I felt like it was seen as a bit of a cultural joke. People talk about it a lot, especially in Shakespeare and early-modern (theater) circles. But I had felt like there was no work that was really taking it seriously or really interested in what that experience would have been for the boys who were doing it," Senese-Grossberg told The Oklahoman.

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Although movies like "Shakespeare in Love" have focused on how women were kept off the stage, she wanted to center a historical drama instead on the boys who played female characters.

"I had been under the impression that it was boys who had unbroken voices and who were quite young. But the reality was that the oldest were about 22, and the youngest seemed to be about 12," she said. "It's a story about young adults and about growing up and puberty. At the time when your body is changing into your assigned gender, you're being asked to perform and essentially live as the other gender in a society where there's obviously no means for gender non-conformity or queerness or anything like that."

The plays title comes from a line from "Antony and Cleopatra" as the queen of Egypt prepares to die and laments that there will eventually be "Some squeaking Cleopatra boy my greatness."

"She's picturing that this boy actor will one day perform as her. ... He (Shakespeare) knew  because it would have been given  that a boy actor would be playing Cleopatra. So, it's this very meta moment," Senese-Grossberg said.

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The director and writer specifically penned "Boy My Greatness" as a period drama  not a comedy  that's true to the early 17th-century times it's depicting.

"Most of the characters are dressed as women. It was really important that those (scenes) are always taken seriously. ... There's really never a point in the play where the joke is that they're in drag," she said.

"'Boy My Greatness' is, in a lot of ways, a play about the trans-feminine experience. And it's written to be performed as a way to talk about that through a historical lens, even though none of the characters have labeled identities. It's a play set before there was any language for trans-ness whatsoever."

Cast members rehearse on Oct. 1 for a production of "Boy My Greatness" in Edmond.

What are the casting directions for 'Boy My Greatness?'

At Upstage Theatre, the UCO students are about halfway done with their run-through of "Boy My Greatness" on a recent evening, and no one has tripped yet, even though Jett King and Leah Rule are the only ones not wearing long skirts.

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"Something about this show that I love so much is really that it deals with a lot of masculinity issues. ... I grew up in a place where I was the only boy in my drama class my senior year of high school, so I just think it fights a lot of stereotypes," King told The Oklahoman.

"Maggie and Liberty, they're awesome, and I really love their vision for the show. What I specifically love about John, my character, is how he's trying to navigate two different things at once."

King, who uses he/him pronouns, plays John, a former boy player who is married with children. Although he played leads as a woman, he now has to settle for smaller parts like Orsino in "Twelfth Night" while training the up-and-coming boy players like the precocious Robin (Kynzee Terrell, she/her), a well-trained youngster about to debut at the Globe who is expected to be a star.

The show also follows Tom (Jenni Dibler, they/she) a boy player about to portray Cleopatra as his final female role, who has a complicated past with Samuel (Rule, she/her), a talented former boy player who is now a Puritan preacher seeking to close the theaters. Pratt, whose pronouns are he/him, is playing Harry, a boy player who has already taken on some minor male roles and is coming into his masculinity and sexuality in a way that threatens his lover and best friend, Hal (Bella Shiplett, she/they), who is realizing he will not be able to play most leading male roles due to his natural effeminateness.

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"I had been working with a lot of trans actors for a while, and I really wanted to write a piece where there could be trans actors in a classical story. This felt like the perfect way to write it," Senese-Grossberg said.

But when Senese-Grossberg crafted the casting directions for "Boy My Greatness," she didn't dictate that certain roles be played by performers of certain genders. Instead, she went with, "Anyone of any gender can play any role and probably should. Be conscious within this freedom, though. Consider what you are afraid to put onstage."

The associate artistic director of The Firebird Project theater company in New York City, Senese-Grossberg directed the world-premiere production of "Boy My Greatness" in March 2024 in NYC. The show went on tour in September 2024.

"We toured the play in a few places ... in New York, and then also in Massachusetts, and we ran into no problems. The play has been performed in Vermont, it's about to be performed in Ohio, and it's also been performed in upstate New York, and has not run into problems. This is the first time the show has really faced backlash," she said.

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"A lot of my writing is on gender and sexuality, and since these laws have started happening  and since the most recent (presidential) election  a lot of people in my family or my friends have started saying, 'You should be careful. People may not want to do your stuff anymore.'"

Maggie Lawson, left, and Liberty Welch run an Oct. 1 rehearsal for a production of "Boy My Greatness" in Edmond.

What happened to 'Boy My Greatness' at UCO?

In Oklahoma, Welch learned about the Firebird Project's production on TikTok, and in February, she went through New Play Exchange via UCO to read "Boy My Greatness."

"I fell in love with it. ... It's written so beautifully in the way that it doesn't use terms for LGBTQ experiences. It just has the emotion tied to them. Because it is a historical piece, there's no language that we use today used in the play, because they didn't have it," Welch said.

"It was heartwarming for me, as someone who also experiences emotions like that, to just see the emotion flat-out, without any labeling on it. I think that's one of the big reasons I wanted to do this play."

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Lawson also fell in love with "Boy My Greatness," so the friends decided to team up as co-directors and pitch the play in May to the UCO Theatre Society.

"The way that our theater society works is they give you a budget, they give you all the info, they give you a rubric. Then, you come in and you do a five-minute elevator pitch with a nice slideshow. Then, a board of the executive members of the club and some faculty members come in, and they grade you on the rubric. We have one person picked for the fall (semester) slot, one person picked for the spring spot," Welch said.

"The week after we pitched, it was like, 'OK, yes, you're producing. Here's your fall slot; here's your dates.' And we immediately sprung into action."

The pair worked all summer to figure out how to handle the rehearsals, intimacy and stage fighting for the show, determined to be ready when UCO's fall semester started.

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In the meantime, the state Legislature passed SB 796 to codify Gov. Kevin Stitt's executive order prohibiting state funds from supporting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at higher education institutions.

Authored by Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, the legislation requires universities to submit a certificate of compliance to the governor and legislative leaders showing that tax dollars are not being spent on DEI initiatives by July 1, 2026, and every July 1 thereafter.

Passed as Republican politicians in Oklahoma and nationwide have stepped up attacks on DEI programs in education this year, SB 796 also forbids schools from requiring DEI statements on applications, the disclosure of pronouns and DEI-related training or education. The legislation went into effect July 1.

Cast members Bella Shiplett, left, Trevor Pratt and Jenni Dibler rehearse on Oct. 1 for a production of "Boy My Greatness" in Edmond.

On Sept. 2, which was supposed to be the first day of rehearsals for UCO's production of "Boy My Greatness," Welch said Daisy Nystul, chair of the Department of Theatre Arts, pulled her out of class to let her know the show was being canceled, citing SB 796 as the reason.

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"After a review of the requirements outlined in the contract from the national production company with legal counsel, the universitys theatre department decided not to support the local production of the show with university resources at this time. Federal and state laws were both considered in the review of the contract," according to a statement provided by a UCO spokeswoman.

Emails sent to Nystul requesting comment or clarification on why the show was canceled were forwarded to the same spokeswoman, who added in an email, "We wish the students well as they pursue their independent production."

Attempts to reach Pugh by text message and voicemail went unanswered. But in a press release issued after SB 796 passed, he said the legislation "reaffirms our commitment to a fair and merit-based academic environment, where students and faculty are not subject to ideological litmus tests."

Cast member Bella Shiplett rehearses with other cast members on Oct. 1 for a production of "Boy My Greatness" in Edmond.

How can people get tickets to the Oklahoma premiere production of 'Boy My Greatness?'

The co-directors of "Boy My Greatness" said they still are not sure how a historical drama with such an open approach to casting triggered SB 796, while other shows have been allowed to go on. The other UCO Theatre Society show that was approved in May, a student-directed production of the comedy "The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged)," is still on for spring.

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"They already bought the rights," Lawson said. "It's not blasphemous or anything. But it is a parody on the Bible, and there is a male character that plays the Virgin Mary. So, it's like, 'where are the lines?'"

"Zoe, the playwright, she goes through the Dramatists Guild. So, I don't know if I could say that she's an independent playwright ... but 'The Bible (abridged)' is backed by a huge company. So, it's easier to shoot down the art that is a little more underground than it is to shoot down the stuff like 'Rocky Horror,'" Welch added.

Despite their concerns for the future of theater and academic freedom in Oklahoma, Welch and Lawson said they're relieved that at least their show is going on.

"One of my uncles called me who is an alt-right conservative, and he was like, 'Hey, I see that you're doing this play. ... I don't support anything in this play or what it stands for, but you have a right to produce it as an American. So, I support you in producing it,'" Welch said.

"That's been so mind-boggling, but that's also been so heartwarming. It's like, 'OK, so we're all on the same page that we don't like this, right? It doesn't matter what political party, we don't like the censorship.'"

'BOY MY GREATNESS'

When : 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23-26.

Where : Upstage Theatre, 633 Hundred Oaks Dr., Suite 130 and 140, Edmond.

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: DEI law prompted UCO students to move play, here's how they did it
Vice President JD Vance on Thursday said he was insulted by a vote in the Israeli Knesset over the annexation of the West Bank, adding his name to the list of senior White House officials airing their grievances with Israel as they look to build on a fragile ceasefire with Hamas.

The policy of the Trump administration is that the West Bank will not be annexed by Israel. That will continue to be our policy, Vance said at Israels Ben Gurion Airport. And if people want to take symbolic votes, they can do that. But we certainly werent happy about it.

Vance, who spent two days meeting with officials in Israel this week, told reporters that President Donald Trump would not allow Israel to take over the West Bank.

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Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office told POLITICO in a statement that the Knesset vote was a deliberate political provocation by the opposition to sow discord and that it did not have the support of the ruling Likud party.

The Likud party and the religious parties (the principal coalition members) did not vote for these bills, except for one disgruntled Likud member who was recently fired from the chairmanship of a Knesset committee, Netanyahus office said. Without Likud support these bills are unlikely to go anywhere.

White House officials celebrated their efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza early this month, one of the signature foreign policy achievements of Trumps second term. Trump was widely lauded in a subsequent visit to the Middle East, and Hamas returned 20 living hostages to Israel.

But already, both sides are testing the new boundaries. Israel struck several targets inside Gaza on Sunday, after reporting Hamas had shot at Israeli soldiers inside the enclave. Then on Wednesday, the Israeli parliament preliminarily approved a bill that would empower Israel to impose its authority on the West Bank.

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio also panned the Knesset vote, telling reporters Wednesday that we think its potentially even threatening to the peace deal.

Theyre a Democracy, theyre gonna have their votes, people are going to take these positions, but at this time its something that we think might be counterproductive, he said.

Trump has also been critical of Netanyahu, telling Time magazine in an Oct. 15 interview that the prime minister had to stop his incursion into Gaza because the world was going to stop him.

Even then, the president ruled out the prospect of Israel annexing the West Bank.

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It won't happen, he said. It won't happen. It wont happen because I gave my word to the Arab countries. And you can't do that now. We've had great Arab support. It won't happen because I gave my word to the Arab countries. It will not happen. Israel would lose all of its support from the United States if that happened.

Vance told reporters he inquired about the vote during his visit and was told it was purely symbolic. Still, he voiced his disapproval.

If it was a political stunt, it was a very stupid political stunt, and I personally take some insult to it, he said.

On Sunday, Jared Kushner, one of Trumps top Middle East negotiators, panned Israels early September bombing of Doha but said he and special envoy Steve Witkoff were able to use it to their advantage in crafting the Middle East peace agreement.

After the missile strike  in Qatar from Israel  Steve and I basically were, were very upset about that, he said on CBS 60 Minutes. We thought that that really was not a smart strategic move, and it violated a lot of the trust that we felt  like we deserved from the Israeli side.
Federal appeals court judges questioned a Justice Department lawyer on Monday over the validity of Alina Habbas appointment as the states acting U.S. Attorney.

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals hearing came as a growing number of people facing charges for federal crimes are filing motions challenging their indictments, arguing that Habba did not have the legal authority to prosecute cases.

Jacob T. Elberg, a professor at Seton Hall Law School, said if the court ultimately determines Habba has been serving unlawfully, the ramifications could be significant.

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This is already an issue that is already caused substantial disruption to the operation of the office and to cases and certainly would expect that that will be even more so if that is the ruling of the court, Elberg said.

The judical panel had not issued a ruling as of Thursday morning, and has not indicated when a ruling might be released.

Habba, a close ally of Donald Trump and his pick for the position, drew controversy after her 120-day interim term expired in July without U.S. Senate confirmation .

When New Jerseys federal judges declined to keep Habba in the role, instead selecting First Assistant U.S. Attorney Desiree Grace, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi responded by firing Grace.

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Bondi then reappointed Habba, naming her a special attorney to the attorney general under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act.

In August, Pennsylvania U.S. District Judge ruled that Habba was unlawfully serving in the position and barred her from prosecuting cases but declined to dismiss the indictments she signed.

Mondays hearing centered on the appeal of that ruling.

Justice Department lawyer Henry Whitaker defended the appointment process for Habba, insisting the government did not circumvent typical senate procedures.

We are applying the statutes as Congress wrote them, which are complex and sometimes require us to jump through a lot of hoops to get there, Whitaker said.

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He argued Habba was appointed to the office of special attorney and then designated to serve as first assistant U.S. Attorney in accordance with long standing Department of Justice regulations.

Whitaker noted that an attorney under the Biden administration led the Justice Departments civil division without Senate confirmation.

There was no, as far as Im aware, challenge to his appointment as somehow being unlawful, Whitaker said.

The three-judge federal appeals court panel included Judges D. Brooks Smith, D. Michael Fisher, and L. Felipe Restrepo.

The panel asked Whitaker if he could come up with an example of any time such a catenation of events has occurred in appointing a U.S. Attorney, he said he could not.

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Abbe Lowell, who is one of the nations most influential white-collar defense attorneys, argued on behalf of the criminal defendants challenging the legality of Habbas appointment.

He has represented high-profile figures including Hunter Biden, Sen. Bob Menendez, and Jared Kushner.

Lowell contended that while the attorney general may delegate certain functions, they cannot confer the full powers of a U.S. Attorney.

They have now constructed a way in which somebody never has to be nominated and confirmed, and can serve all the functions of a U.S. Attorney forever, Lowell argued.

Elberg said there were no big surprises in terms of the arguments raised on either side of the issue of Habbas appointment.

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Among those challenging Habbas authority as acting U.S. Attorney were real estate influencer Cesar Humberto Pinaaccused of running a Ponzi-like investment scheme and bribing a New Jersey politicianand Julien Giraud Jr. and Julien Giraud III, who face federal drug and firearms charges.

In August, a Pennsylvania U.S. District Judge ruled that Habba was unlawfully serving in the position and barred her from prosecuting cases but declined to dismiss the indictments she signed.

Mondays hearing centered on the appeal of that ruling.

This is about the statutes, a Third Circuit judge said Monday. This is about the separation of powers. This is about an important position within the firmament of our government. This is about process.

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The President appoints individuals to carry out the mission of this administration and that mandate should be respected, Habba said in a statement posted on X Monday after the hearing.

When millions of Americans voted for a change in leadership in November, they voted for a new direction, she added. That choice should not be undermined by political obstruction in Congress or by criminal defendants.

The Third Circuit could potentially issue an opinion soon, Elberg said. At the same time, even though the parties had described as an expedited briefing schedule, it didnt convey an incredible sense of urgency. I wouldnt necessarily expect an immediate ruling from the court.

Rebecca Heath

Stories by Rebecca Heath

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
BEIRUT (AP)  A Sudanese paramilitary force targeted the countrys capital and its main airport on Thursday with drones, just a day after the first passenger flight in two years landed in the city, according to military officials and local media.

The attack by the Rapid Support Forces came as the group seeks to maintain pressure against Sudans military while the deadlocked conflict grinds on.

The Sudanese military intercepted the drones, which caused no damage, said a military official who spoke on condition of anonymity since he was not authorized to speak to journalists. The RSF and the military did not immediately acknowledge the attack.

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War broke out in Sudan in 2023, when the Sudanese military and the RSF, once allies, turned on each other, leading to widespread fighting across the country.

The Sudanese military retook the capital, Khartoum, from the paramilitary force in March, but it needed months to repair Khartoum International Airport before the local Badr airlines landed a plane there on Wednesday.

The drone attack came as the International Organization for Migration and other U.N. agencies called for urgent international attention on the crisis in Sudan, to address the immense suffering and growing dangers to the population.

In a joint statement, the organizations called for the immediate cessation of hostilities and protection of civilians, especially children, and unhindered humanitarian access to all affected populations, including a UN presence throughout the country.

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The fighting has killed at least 40,000 people, according to the World Health Organization. Some 30 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in the country, making it the worlds largest humanitarian crisis.

One of hardest hit areas is Darfur and Kordofan, where fighting has intensified between the army and rival paramilitaries and has been the epicenter of the violence in the country. Famine has been detected in many parts of Darfur and Kordofan.

El-Fasher, the provincial capital of North Darfur province, has been under siege for over a year. The U.N. and other aid groups warn that 260,000 civilians remain trapped in the city.

What I witnessed in Darfur and elsewhere this week is a stark reminder of what is at stake: Children facing hunger, disease and the collapse of essential services, said Ted Chaiban, UNICEF's deputy executive director, in a statement.

Entire communities are surviving in conditions that defy dignity," Chaiban added.
CLINTON, Tenn. (WATE)  A hardwood industry trade association, the Hardwood Federation, has sent a letter to the White House urging the current administration to aid local lumber and hardwood mills as tariffs continue to impact their businesses.

This coming in response to the plans the administration announced to provide aid to soybean farmers feeling the impact of tariffs on their largest customer, China.

Of the more than 400 lumber and hardwood mills listed in the letter, 37 are from Tennessee and among them is Oak Ridge Hardwoods.

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Its just getting harder and harder for any steady business because nobody knows whats going to happen, said Owner and President of Oak Ridge Hardwoods, Chris Keziah.

Slimy and browning spinach found during Loudon restaurant inspection

Keziah said lumber and hardwood is an export-dependent industry.

It got heavily concentrated specifically in China, theres other markets, but it got specifically concentrated in China, and so as the tensions have built in the in the tariff and trade wars, we sort of got caught in the middle, he said.

Keziah said his father started the mill in 1976, and it has been operating for nearly 50 years now. But at the rate they are going, they are asking the White House to help alleviate the pressure put on them by tariffs.

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Were one of the few industries that still sells our product at prices similar to the 1990s and 2000, and were in the 2020s, he said, and insurance costs, fuel costs, electric costs, every cost has gone up and our product prices stay about the same because of the contraction of the market.

Just like any other farmer, Keziah said hardwood and lumber is an agricultural product, which is why they are asking for this relief.

The reality of it is were suffering from it and we need help, he said. Mills are closing every day, going out of business and once our business is closed, the skilled labor thats in it, they migrate off to different industries, and its hard to get people to come back.

Woman dead, suspect at large after East Knoxville shooting

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Despite looking after the wellbeing of his industry, Keziah said they also support local communities by providing jobs, but those jobs could be on the chopping block if they cant make a profit.

Thats nationwide and very specifically in Tennessee. Thats a local thing that it hurts the weakest communities when you take industries like ours out, he said.

Keziah said this isnt the first time the industry has been impacted by tariffs either. Back in 2018, they took a hit in President Donald Trumps first trade war and have seen a decline ever since.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Ahead of the upcoming general election, the Summit County Board of Elections announced several more changes to polling places.

Is yours on the list? Read on to find out.

Polling places changed in Akron

First United Methodist Church, located at 263 E. Mill St., is permanently closed as a polling location. Voters assigned to precincts Akron 1-K and 1-L are now assigned to vote at First Congregational Church of Akron, 292 E. Market St.

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The Polish American Club, located at 472 E. Glenwood Ave., is temporarily closed as a polling location. Voters assigned to precinct Akron 10-A are now assigned to vote at Forest Hill Community Learning Center, 850 Damon St.

A new name for an old polling place in Barberton

Calvary Wesleyan Church, located at 139 31st St. SW., has changed its name to Victory Church Barberton. The voting location is the same.

New polling place in Coventry Township

Connect Church, located at 578 Killian Road, is permanently closed as a polling location. Voters assigned to precincts Coventry Twp F and G are now assigned to vote at Coventry Community Center, 335 E. Willowview Drive.

Polling place change in Fairlawn

Voters assigned to precincts Fairlawn 4-A, 5-A and 6-A are now assigned to vote at Fairlawn Lutheran Church, located at 3415 W. Market St.

A new polling place for New Franklin

Nolley Elementary School, located at 437 W. Nimisila Road, is permanently closed as a polling location. Voters assigned to precincts New Franklin 2-A, 2-B and 2-C are now assigned to vote at Manchester Middle School, 760 W. Nimisila Road.

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Polling location change cards have been mailed to all impacted voters.

Planning to cast an early in-person vote? Remember the Summit County Board of Elections has moved

Summit County residents attempting to vote early in-person at the county Board of Elections' former Grant Street location will have a hard time casting their ballot this year as the facility recently moved to a new home.

The Board of Elections is now located at 1050 E. Tallmadge Ave., Akron.

Located next to the Ohio Means Jobs office, the 56,781-square-foot facility  complete with an additional 1,926-square-foot canopy to keep voters sheltered from the weather  has more parking spots than the old location, and contains ballot printing operations that will save on future printing costs, according to Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro's office.

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Through Oct. 24, the board of elections is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. It's closed on the weekends.

From Oct. 27 to Oct. 31, the board is open from 7:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. On Nov. 1, the board is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. On Nov. 2, it's open 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Where is my polling location?

Registered voters can find their correct polling location for the Nov. 4 General Election by visiting the Board of Elections website https://www.boe.ohio.gov/summit/precinct-and-polling-location-info/.

Contact reporter Derek Kreider at DKreider@Gannett.com or 330-541-9413.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: New polling locations announced for some Summit County residents
Sunny Hostin on Wednesday urged her fellow co-hosts on The View to speak plainly about President Donald Trumpdemanding $230 million from the U.S. Department of Justice  for the expenses he incurred defending himself against federal criminal investigations.

I think we need to speak plainly to people, and I think we need to call it what it is: This is giving mob boss, Hostin said. Right? Thats what this is. He is extorting and looting the federal government.

Buzz: Jimmy Kimmel Points Out Obvious 'Lies' In 'Colbert' Cancellation Claims

Trump has filed two complaints against the DOJ: one for its investigation of his 2016 presidential campaign for alleged collusion with Russia to interfere in that election, and another for searching Mar-a-Lago for classified documents he allegedly mishandled from his first presidential term.

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Trump reportedly said Tuesday he would donate any money I would get from the DOJ to charity.

The president is extorting and looting the federal government that hes already extorting and looting, because, as you mentioned, since 2017, his family has made $3.4 billion, Hostin said Wednesday, crediting her co-host Joy Behar for bringing up the exorbitant figure earlier.

The president has certainly made a fortune while in office: The $3.4 billion figure stems from an analysis published by The New Yorker in August, which factored in all of Trumps cryptocurrency ventures, real estate deals and seemingly endless licensing agreements.

Trump himself recently bragged that he had raised more than $1.5 billion in various forms since the 2024 election alone.

Donald Trump himself has recently bragged about all the billions of dollars he has "raised." Alex Brandon/Associated Press

Hostin noted Wednesday that Trump also received a $400 million luxury jet from the oil-rich autocracy of Qatar, then granted Qatar a U.S. military defense guarantee in September.

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Hostin, a former federal prosecutor, also pointed out that Trump was caught on a hot mic last week telling Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto that he would have his son Eric Trump call him at Subiantos request. Hostin surmised that the exchange was probably about a business deal.

Buzz: 'Mike Johnson Doesn't Know S**t': Scathing Supercut Exposes His Biggest Tell

This is about a mob boss extorting the government for his own personal  gratitude and enrichment, Hostin fumed.

Not even the Views resident right-winger, Alyssa Farah Griffin  who was in the Trump administration during his first term  could find a silver lining.

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Its not giving America First, and Im honestly just frustrated at this point, she said. I find the whole thing exhausting.

Griffin added about Trump, Youre using taxpayer dollars to enrich yourself, or maybe youre giving it to charity or the White House? Focus on the people. Its never been harder to get ahead than it is right now, and it just feels completely out of touch.

You can watch the full exchange starting at the 5:29 minute mark below.

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
Pittsburgh Public Schools is rallying support for a student and staff member hit by an SUV outside Westinghouse Academy last week.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> 12-year-old boy, adult woman hit by SUV outside Pittsburghs Westinghouse Academy

The two victims, a 12-year-old boy and an adult woman, were walking near the school on Oct. 15 when they were struck.

Both were seriously hurt and are now recovering after multiple surgeries, PPS posted on social media Thursday.

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>>> PHOTOS: Accident investigators respond to crash that hurt 2 people outside Westinghouse Academy <<<

The school district shared a fundraising campaign and asked for public support as the victims heal. Funds raised by the campaign will go toward medical expenses, rehabilitation costs and other essential needs.

We ask that you continue to keep our fellow Bulldogs and their families in your thoughts and prayers, the district said. Your compassion, kindness and generosity remind us what it means to stand together as one community.

If youd like to make a donation, click here.

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Oct. 22There will be no word from the nation's high court on corner crossing.

The U.S. Supreme Court announced Monday that it will not hear a Wyoming ranch owner's case against four hunters who crossed diagonally between parcels of public land surrounded by the private ranch.

The case was dismissed earlier this year by the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in a ruling widely seen as declaring corner crossing to be legal in the six states covered by the 10th Circuit.

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Iron Bar Holdings, the landowner, appealed the case to the Supreme Court in July. On Monday, the Supreme Court listed the case alongside dozens of others that it will not take up. No reasoning was given.

That means the ruling from the 10th Circuit stands, and that crossing diagonally between landlocked sections of public land that touch at their corners is legal in six states: Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Utah.

Elsewhere  including in Washington and Idaho  corner crossing remains a legal gray area.

Devin O'Dea, the Western policy and conservation manager for Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, said that the 10th Circuit court's ruling is "persuasive precedent" for the rest of the country, but not legally binding.

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But the big question is what comes next  will a similar case crop up in a state outside the 10th Circuit? Or will state legislatures draft laws to deal with the issue?

"This is really like the opening of Pandora's box," O'Dea said.

The conflict over corner crossing is rooted in the 1800s, when the federal government granted land to railroad companies to aid the construction of a transcontinental route. Land was divided into square sections, and the government gave some sections to railroad companies and retained others.

That led to a checkerboard pattern that still persists in parts of the West, with a complex mix of public and private ownership.

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Often those areas include public parcels that are conjoined at the corner but otherwise surrounded by private land. Corner crossing refers to the practice of moving between those two parcels at the point where they meet without setting foot on the adjacent private land.

The question of whether that is legal has vexed public land access advocates for years. At issue is whether a person stepping across the corner trespasses by entering the airspace over the private land on either side of the adjoining corners.

Access advocates argue that it is not trespassing if someone does not actually set foot on the adjacent private land. They also argue that it is the only way some lands are accessible, and that prohibiting corner crossing would lock people out of vast swaths of public property. A 2022 report from the digital mapping company onX Maps found that more than 8 million acres across the West are accessible only by corner crossing.

The Wyoming case took this fight to the courts.

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It centers on four hunters from Missouri who were hunting BLM land west of Cheyenne. In 2020 and 2021, they crossed a corner surrounded by the Elk Mountain Ranch, a property covering some 50 square miles owned by pharmaceutical executive Fred Eshelman's Iron Bar Holdings. About 11,000 acres of public land is interspersed throughout the ranch.

A U.S. Geological Survey stake marked the corner where the hunters crossed. Staff at the Elk Mountain Ranch had put up "No Trespassing" signs over the stake, according to court documents.

The hunters swung around the corner the first year, ensuring their feet never touched private property. The next year, they brought a specially designed ladder. Ranch staff confronted them and urged a local prosecutor to bring trespassing charges against them.

A jury acquitted the hunters, but Iron Bar Holdings filed a civil trespassing suit after the verdict. A lower court dismissed the case, which Eshelman then appealed to the 10th Circuit.

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A three-judge panel rejected the case in March. In their ruling, the judges cited the Unlawful Inclosures Act, an 1885 law that prohibits landowners from putting up barriers to block access to otherwise accessible public property.

Eshelman's attorneys had argued that the law should only be applied to physical fences. The judges rejected that argument, pointing out that part of the law refers to threats and intimidation as a method of blocking access to public land.

The Supreme Court was the only place Eshelman could go after the 10th Circuit ruling. His attorneys filed a petition for the high court to hear the case in July. The rejection announced Monday means the 10th Circuit's ruling stands.

Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, which helped raise money for the hunters' defense, said in a news release that the court's decision preserved access to 3.5 million acres of public land in the 10th Circuit states.

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Washington is part of the Ninth Circuit, along with Idaho, Montana and Oregon. In those states, there's no law or legal precedent on corner crossing, and the 10th Circuit case is not binding.

Jeff Abrams, of the Idaho Conservation League, said what happens next in those states and others will depend heavily on local law enforcement officials and county prosecutors.

They would be the ones to bring criminal trespassing charges against someone who is corner crossing. While the 10th Circuit opinion might not be binding in other circuits, officials are likely at least aware of it.

"It does create some ambiguity," Abrams said.

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Staci Lehman, a spokesperson for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, said wardens typically see one or two cases a year that involve corner crossing in Eastern Washington, and that they are treated like any other trespassing case.

She added that the agency has no plans to change its guidance for law enforcement officers in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision.

O'Dea said he expects state lawmakers might see the decision as a reason to bring the corner crossing debate to state capitols.

Until then, it will be up to individuals to decide whether they are willing to risk a conversation with a landowner or law enforcement by corner crossing. It will also be up to them to ensure they do it correctly.

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O'Dea said the hunters in the Wyoming case were extremely careful not to set foot on the private land. They also relied on a physical survey marker, not digital land ownership maps.

By doing so  and then winning in court  they affirmed that it is possible to cross at a corner without trespassing.

"It's our opinion that corner crossing is not a crime," O'Dea said.
A large-scale exhibition of surrealism that first opened in Paris in 2024 will have its sole American iteration, Dreamworld: Surrealism at 100, at the Philadelphia Art Museum from Nov. 8, 2025, through Feb. 16, 2026.

In everyday speech, people use surreal to refer to anything unbelievable, fantastic, bizarre.

I found myself in the surreal position of explaining who I am 

In the middle of the story, things turned surreal.

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It was a completely surreal situation!

As an art historian and critic who has closely studied 20th-century avant-garde movements, I find it remarkable that a word that originated in the arcane jargon of Paris modern art circles a century ago has become so familiar. From the cafes and studios of the 1920s, the term has traveled into common parlance  touching a shared nerve for the strangeness and absurdity of modern life.

But surrealism, the movement that coined the term and took it up as its moniker, was about more than ostentatious strangeness. If you think only of Salvador Dalis limp watches swarming with ants, or his extravagant moustaches and even more extravagant (mis)behavior, you are missing the better part of what continues to make surrealism one of the most compelling art movements of the 20th century  and the lessons it still holds today.

Surrealist artist Salvador Dali poses with his oil paintings at his New York City studio in 1943. Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

Melding dream and reality

Surrealism was founded by a group of young Parisian artists, mostly writers, who gathered around the charismatic figure of poet Andre Breton.

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During World War I, Breton had treated front-line soldiers suffering from what was then termed shell shock and today we understand as PTSD. This experience opened him to altered mental states and introduced him to new ideas from the Viennese psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud about the structure of the human mind.

In states of psychosis, but also in daily occurrences such as dreams and slips of the tongue, Freud saw glimpses of an uncharted region of the psyche, the unconscious. Why, Breton asked, shouldnt life, and art, take these aspects of human experience into account? Shouldnt the portion of existence spent dreaming also be recognized as having value?

The publication of Andre Bretons Manifesto of Surrealism in 1924 is considered the birth of the surrealist movement. Photo12/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

In a manifesto published in 1924, Breton called for the future resolution of these two states, dream and reality, which are seemingly so contradictory, into a kind of absolute reality, a surreality, if one may so speak.

Politics of revolution

Freud had coined the term dreamwork to describe the activity that transformed residues of the days memories into vehicles for the expression of our unconscious desires.

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For the surrealists, too, dreaming was no simple realm of idle fantasy. They understood the synthesis of sleeping and waking life as promising a liberation no less sweeping than that of the revolutionary workers movement of their time.

Overcoming the contradiction between dream and reality, they believed, would complement the class struggle between the global proletariat and its bourgeois oppressors. Surrealism was much more than a merely artistic project  it was also a means toward a larger political end.

From a centurys distance, these may appear grandiose, even delusional claims. But 1924, the year of surrealisms founding, was only seven years after the Russian Revolution. The surrealists wagered on the power of both the revolution of modern art and poetry and the political transformation of society.

Transform the world, Marx said; change life, [French poet Arthur] Rimbaud said. These two watchwords are one for us, Breton said, speaking to a group of writers in Paris. In other words, the uncompromising project of remaking social existence would not be complete without the artistic reimagining of the human psyche, and vice versa.

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But by 1935, when Breton pronounced this succinct formulation, the surrealists gamble on revolution had already effectively been lost. With Joseph Stalins purges underway in Moscow and Adolf Hitler consolidating power in Germany, the window for radical change that had seemed to open in the years after World War I was definitively closing.

Soon, the surrealists would find themselves dispersed into exile by a new global conflict. All that remained was for the museums and libraries to collect the relics of that heady ideal and to preserve the artworks and ephemera that registered surrealisms brief quest to unleash the forces of the unconscious in the name of a new, freer world.

Surrealisms unfinished business

The surrealists aimed to seduce their audiences. That seduction was not undertaken to sell their paintings, or even to provide their audiences a moments respite from harried lives. It was done in the name of subversion. They wished  through artworks, films and books  to shatter peoples complacency and move them to change their lives, and the world.

A visitor to the Paris exhibition walks past Rene Magrittes surrealist Alice in Wonderland, painted in 1946. AP Photo/Christophe Ena

The artwork wasnt a mere window through which to look onto a distant dreamworld. It was more like a revolving door one was invited to walk through. Breton and his colleagues desired a world in which individuals could live poetry, not just read it.

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Surrealist works of art, even as they hang peaceably on the museums walls or sit quietly on library shelves, retain at least residues of that power.

In my view, the best recent writing on the movement manages to recapture that urgency, that allure, for our own time. These include translator and author Mark Polizzottis 2024 book Why Surrealism Matters and art historian Abigail Susiks 2021 volume Surrealist Sabotage.

The centenary of surrealism is a reminder of the movements unfinished business of revolutionary seduction. After all, as Breton reminded his readers at the close of his 1924 manifesto, life is not bound to the realities of the world as currently given.

Existence, he insisted, is elsewhere.

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Read more of our stories about Philadelphia and Pennsylvania, or sign up for our Philadelphia newsletter on Substack.

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: Tom McDonough, Binghamton University, State University of New York

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Tom McDonough 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.
Nearly half of American families with children under 6 are struggling to meet at least one basic need, according to new data from the Stanford Center on Early Childhood.

The 49% of families who reported not being able to access these necessities  including food, housing, utilities and child care  marks a 13 percentage-point jump since June and one of the highest rates recorded since the RAPID Survey Project began collecting data in 2020.

The economic struggles were paired with significant emotional distress among parents, including anxiety and depression.

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Were really seeing for the first time rates that are this high, said Philip Fisher, director of the early childhood center, which runs the monthly data collection. Never  even during the midst of the pandemic  have we seen anything like this  And the fact that its now going into its third month where we see rates around this high suggests that its not a one-time anomaly.

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The numbers are a warning sign for the state of families financial well-being writ large, he noted.

Were talking about half of families now that are saying, I cant afford child care, or Im skipping meals in order to feed my kids, he added. And that should be of concern, regardless of your political affiliation or where you live.

Philip Fisher, director of the Stanford Center on Early Childhood, which runs the monthly data collection. (Philip Fisher)

While the latest data is from Sept. 1, more detailed research is available for the month of July. In response to open-ended questions posed that month, parents expressed significant anxiety and upset.

Every bill feels heavier than the last, wrote one Tennessee parent. Its exhausting to live like this. Were not asking for luxury, we just want to be able to meet our basic needs without constant fear.

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A huge portion of our monthly budget goes just to keeping a roof over our heads, leaving very little for savings, groceries, transportation, or emergencies, said one Florida parent. The pressure to stay housed is constant, and it forces tough trade-offs, sometimes delaying bills, cutting back on essentials, or skipping activities for the kids.

An Oklahoma parent cited the cost of baby diapers and formula as their biggest concern, while another in Alabama wrote about the rising cost of utilities.

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What if Diapers Were Free for the Parents Who Need Them Most?

The three-month period between June and September marked the highest rates of material hardship for parents since the surveys inception, with a record 56% reporting at least one basic necessity being out of reach or difficult to access in August. Since the pandemic started, at least a quarter of families have reported living with this challenge every month.

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The spring and summer of 2021 saw a drop in these rates. Fisher said this coincided with the majority of the pandemic relief efforts, including the expanded Child Tax Credit, which increased the maximum credit amount, widened the scope of coverage to include 17-year- olds and allowed some people to receive monthly advance payments. The expansion was credited with cutting child poverty rates nearly in half.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act approved by Congress and signed by President Trump this summer increased the maximum credit amount by $200, though it also cuts other benefits for lower-income families.

The most recent survey numbers were recorded before the ongoing government shutdown began earlier this month, which experts warn will likely exacerbate the pain families were already feeling. Advocates are particularly concerned about programs such as Head Start, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, also known as WIC, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP, all of which may be at risk if the shutdown continues.

Several states have already warned that families may lose access to SNAP and funding for 65,000 Head Start seats is in jeopardy if the three-week-old shutdown drags into November.

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And even once the government re-opens, many of these challenges will persist, according to Amy Matsui, vice president of Income Security and Child Care at the National Womens Law Center.

Between the ongoing increase in housing costs and the cost of living, the aggravating impact of tariff policies, we really are seeing everyday costs for families continuing to increase, and its really putting women and children in an impossible situation, she said.

Matsui also emphasized the extraordinary cost of child care, noting that this administrations sustained attacks on programs such as Head Start have only added to this stressor.

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Fisher warned that high levels of fiscal strain among parents can lead to a chain reaction of hardship, which ultimately trickles down to kids.

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Indeed in July, about 3 in 4 parents surveyed said their kids were also experiencing emotional distress. Chronic anxiety in kids can have long-term effects on their learning, relationships and health.

We know uncertainty and instability for families is very destabilizing and very, very stressful, particularly with young children, said Ruth Friedman, senior fellow at The Century Foundation and former director of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Child Care.

If parents economic conditions are uncertain and more challenging, she added, that absolutely has an impact on childrens development and well-being both in the short term, and beyond.




A remarkable movie is opening in San Francisco this weekend that subverts the traditional view of a Holocaust documentary.

Yoav Potash's "Among Neighbors" is at times more like an absorbing true crime movie as the East Bay filmmaker pieces together the story of Jews who were murdered in a small Polish town six months after the end of World War II - and sheds light on a current wave of antisemitism.

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"Holocaust films are often about what the Germans did to the Jews," Potash told the Chronicle of his film, which opens at the Vogue Theatre on Friday, Oct. 24, before moving to the Lark Theater in Larkspur next week. "This film shifts the focus to the centuries-old relationships between Polish Jews and Polish Catholics side by side for hundreds of years influencing one another in culture and food and language such that you really cannot separate these people of two different faiths in some ways.

"Those relationships were of course very brutally tested during World War II."

An animated interpretation of Pelagia Radecka searching for survivors in 1945 in Yoav Potash's documentary "Among Neighbors." (Headfirst Arts and Media)





But it didn't end with the war. In 2018, as Potash was making the film, Poland passed a law threatening to jail those who imply the country had a role in the Holocaust.

More Information

"Among Neighbors" (not rated) starts Friday, Oct. 24 at the Vogue Theatre, 290 Sacramento St., S.F. www.voguemovies.com; screens Wednesday-Thursday, Oct. 29-30, at the Lark Theater, 549 Magnolia Ave. Larkspur. www.larktheater.net. Filmmaker Yoav Potash will be in conversation after each screening.

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Potash's subjects include the last surviving Holocaust victim from Gniewoszow, Poland, and a person who claims to be an eyewitness to the crimes. Aside from compelling archival photos, documents and newsreel footage, Potash illustrates his witnesses' memories with beautifully hand-drawn animation that evokes a poetic interpretation of past events.

Potash spent 11 years making "Among Neighbors," continuing to explore the social justice themes that run through his earlier work. His 2010 film "Food Stamped" document he and his wife, Shira, as they attempt to eat healthy on $50 worth of groceries a week to illustrate how the American food system sets up low-income families to fail. "Crime After Crime," released the following year, challenges unjust laws penalizing domestic violence victims through one particularly egregious case.

The Chronicle spoke to the 52-year-old filmmaker about the resurgence of antisemitism, the importance of confronting uncomfortable history, and the parallels he sees between Poland and the United States ahead of the film's local screenings, which he plans to attend in person for post-film conversations.

This conversation was edited for length and clarity.

A tombstone fragment from a desecrated Jewish cemetery in Poland in Yoav Potash's documentary "Among Neighbors." (Headfirst Arts and Media)





Q: As your film notes, there has been a recent rise in antisemitism, in the United States as well as Europe. What do you think is behind this?

A: It's a perfect storm, if you will, of various developments of social media. The combination of anonymity and virality that those particular kinds of platforms offer, as well as the reactions as to what has been unfolding in Israel and Gaza.

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It is certainly very unfortunate when people's legitimate concerns around what's happening there takes on an antisemitic tenor. I do think that there are many Jews, of course, who are actively opposed to the actions of Israel's government, both Israeli Jews and Jews all around the world.

Unfortunately, some people approach the situation as if all Jews are responsible for what is happening there and with an assumption that all Jews have an identical point of view, and, obviously, that's not the case.

An animated depiction of Polish citizen Pelagia Radecka peering into what was a Jewish shop in postwar Poland in Yoav Potash's "Among Neighbors." (Headfirst Arts and Media)





Q: Your film is rooted in the past, but it's really about the present as well. What lessons can be drawn by those who see "Among Neighbors"?

A: The theme that connects is trying to present the complexities of history. It is a critique of these very simplistic views, especially nationalists in any country, where their view of history becomes, "We are the good guys! We are either heroes!" - or sometimes victims - but never perpetrators and always guiltless.

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We see that dynamic to some extent playing out now here in the United States with the attacks on some of our institutions like the Smithsonian and only looking at the "heroic" or "patriotic" stories from our past. This film shows that we really need to look at history in its totality. That's the only way we can learn from our past, the only way we can improve as societies and as nations.

Polish citizen Pelagia Radecka recalls her experiences during and after World War II in Yoav Potash's documentary "Among Neighbors." (Headfirst Arts and Media)





Q: In other words, own it, deal with it, good or bad.

A: It's not always clear if someone is a good guy or a bad guy. One example I would give you is our Holocaust survivor in the film, Yaacov, his life was saved by a Polish family that hid him during the war.

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On the one hand, we might think, "Oh, wow, those people were heroic. They hid a Jewish boy at a time when they could have been killed for doing that."

On the other hand, they were doing it for money, and they were hiding him in an inhumane way, keeping him like an animal in a cage.

So then it becomes complicated.

In Yoav Potash's Holocaust-era documentary "Among Neighbors," archival photos are bridged with animation for a unique effect. (Headfirst Arts and Media)





Q: How many trips to Poland did you make, and what were your impressions?

A: Seven or so. They have a dual system where there's both a prime minister (Donald Tusk) and a president (Karol Nawrocki). The prime minister now is a little bit more EU-minded, left-leaning, but the president is from the far right. I found it to be like the U.S., a very divided country.

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I met many Poles who were interested in the Jewish past of their nation and were friendly and receptive towards my research and exploration. Making this film would not have been possible without the help of certain Polish people that I worked with.

There's another half of Poland that, like here, wants to live in a kind of historical fantasy land where Poland is always right. So there's a lot there that we can relate to as Americans, because we're going through similar pendulum swings and growing pains.

This article originally published at They survived the Holocaust. Then their neighbors killed them.
The last time Andres Fernando Tufino Chilas sister heard from him was about a year ago when he told her he was heading out to fish for work, she said. Last week, she was shocked to learn that her brother was aboard an alleged drug vessel that was struck by the US military.

Tufino Chila, 41, was one of two people who survived last weeks strike in the Caribbean, which President Donald Trump said was carried out against a drug-carrying submarine navigating toward the United States. Two others were killed.

Tufino Chila and the other survivor were later returned by the US to their countries of origin, Trump said, describing them as terrorists.

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No, no  Hes not. Hes not a criminal, Tufino Chilas sister, who asked for her name to not be published out of fear for her safety, told CNN from a small coastal town two hours from the Ecuadorian port city of Guayaquil.

Andres Fernando Tufino Chilas sister kept his room in Ecuador like a shrine, with a lit candle to honor him and his clothes folded neatly on his bed. - Evelio Contreras/CNN

She claims to know nothing of her brothers alleged involvement with drug trafficking and instead portrayed him as a desperate father trying to provide for his six kids. Tufino Chilas wife left him and took the children, but he still sent them money, his sister said.

Hes very happy, fun, she said of her brother. Hes everything I loved most.

She still hasnt heard from her brother since he was released by Ecuadorian authorities this week after returning home.

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Ecuadors Attorney Generals Office said Monday that authorities have no information that Tufino Chila committed a crime in Ecuadorian territory. But he has a criminal record in the US: Court documents show that he was arrested, convicted and jailed in 2020 for smuggling drugs off Mexicos coast before being deported.

Tufino Chilas sister said two other brothers were arrested months earlier, also on drug smuggling charges. Both are in custody: one is in the US, the other is in Ecuador.

Pacific transit route

The familys experience illustrates how Ecuador has become a critical route in the cocaine trade. About 70% of the worlds cocaine supply passes from Colombia and Peru through its shores, Ecuadors president says.

Drug runners often transport narcotics through a large stretch of water on the Pacific Ocean and drop them off in Mexico, where theyre subsequently smuggled into the US or Europe.

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The drug trafficking trade is hard to escape in Tufino Chilas town, according to those who live there.

Life is complicated. Its hard, one man tells CNN of fishermens financial struggles, where monthly wages can be as little as $100.

A local fisherman says monthly wages for people in his profession can be as little as $100. - Evelio Contreras/CNN

Fishermen on the shores of a coastal town in Ecuador's Santa Elena Province. - Evelio Contreras/CNN

Becoming a drug runner is an enticing prospect when one can make tens of thousands of dollars up front, according to another fisherman who spoke to CNN in March from Manta, an Ecuadorian city on the Pacific coast.

The profession has also found itself at the crosshairs of the Trump administration. On Tuesday, the US expanded its military campaign of attacking boats it suspected of illegal drug running, hitting a vessel in the eastern Pacific.

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Both people on board were killed, according to US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

It was the eighth known strike by the US military on an alleged drug-smuggling vessel since the start of September. All seven previous strikes had targeted boats in the Caribbean Sea, just north of Venezuela.

To date, at least 34 people have been killed in the US strikes  32 of them in the Caribbean.

The Trump administration says theyre about saving American lives from drug overdoses. But most US overdose deaths arent from cocaine. Theyre from fentanyl, largely produced in Mexico and smuggled over the border by land, often by US citizens.

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As the US strikes continue, the ones caught in the crossfire are rarely cartel leaders, but the men who take the risk for them. Theyre fishermen often seen as expendable by the gangs that hire them.

Tufino Chilas sister showed CNN around the house where they lived before her brother went away. His room is kept like a shrine, with a lit candle to honor him and his clothes folded neatly on his bed.

She hopes to speak with her brother soon. For now, she takes comfort in knowing hes alive.

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As a veteran of the student movement at UC Berkeley who evolved into a leading feminist author and philosopher, Susan Griffin was selected as the trusted insider voice to narrate the 1990 documentary film "Berkeley in the Sixties."

Three decades later, she was selected as the trusted insider voice to write a biography of Phoebe Apperson Hearst, the proto-feminist and suffragist, who became the first female regent of the University of California and commissioned the master plan for the Berkeley campus in the 1880s.

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When she got the call from Steve Wasserman, publisher of Berkeley-based Heyday, suggesting she write the biography, her response was "Oh, what a good idea," he recalled. She said nothing about the limitations of Parkinson's and chronic fatigue syndrome, both of which she was battling. But seven years after that call, in June of this year, Griffin heroically delivered the manuscript of 40,000 words.

It will mark Griffin's 21st book, and will be published posthumously. Ravaged by Parkinson's, and in home hospice, she had made the decision to end her life with the assistance of medical aid in dying (MAID), a physician-assisted end-of-life care system that is legal in California.

Griffin spent her final weeks in the company of five friends from her world of feminist literature who constituted what they called "A Chorus of Angels." A carefully selected playlist of inspirational songs, including Melanie DeMore's "Sending You Light" and Sam Baker's "Go in Peace," and ending with Sarah Brightman's version of "Nessun Dorma" from the opera "Turandot," saw her out.

Author Susan Griffin, photographed in Oakland in 2015. (Liz Hafalia/The Chronicle)





"Just as Sarah B. hit the magnificent crescendo, Susan took her final breath," recalled Nina Wise, a performance artist and writer who served as co-power of attorney and coordinator of Griffin's end-of-life care. "We felt as if the roof were about to fly off the house. The doctor in charge of the procedure was as stunned at the perfection of Susan's timing as we were. Susan's love of an operatic style literally persisted until her final breath."

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Griffin died on the afternoon of Sept. 30. She was 82 and left behind a selection of writings in a variety of genres including nonfiction, poetry and plays. Her breakthrough work, "Woman and Nature: The Roaring Inside Her," was published in 1978 and reissued in a new edition 40 years later. Considered to be her masterpiece, it had a profound impact on a generation of nonfiction writers who were finding their voice.

"The book hit me with the force of revelation as a work that was both poetic and political, and as a brilliant reflection on the relationship between the subjugation of women and of nature," said author Rebecca Solnit. "Not a lot of people were writing like that - politics was supposed to be drably rational, poetry shoved over to some apolitical corner. But Susan desegregated what language could do, and suddenly, it could do a lot more."

Griffin was also a creative writing instructor, a magazine copy editor and, at various times, a house painter, an artist's model, public speaker and founding member of the first women's consciousness-raising group in Berkeley. She was a key member of the North Berkeley intelligentsia that included restaurateur Alice Waters, author Alice Walker, UC Berkeley linguist George Lakoff, poet and essayist Jane Hirshfield and a variety of dancers, artists and deep thinkers.

She was also a member of Saul's Mavens, a group of 15 artist types who compose a "North Berkeley foodoise" that met twice monthly at Saul's Delic on Shattuck Avenue. That group evolved into a Parisian-style salon called Villa Maybeck, which met at the 1921 Renaissance-style home of L. John Harris, food writer and author of "Portrait in Red: A Paris Obsession," edited by Griffin and recently published by Heyday.

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At a recent Villa Maybeck gathering, Griffin read a selection of her favorite poems before an audience of 50 people.

Susan Griffin reads her poetry at Villa Maybeck, the salon at the Berkeley home of L. John Harris, in 2021. (Courtesy of L. John Harris)





"She had a gravitas mixed with wit and always a big smile that comes through her poetry," said Harris. "But her style as a friend and companion always came through as playful, witty and intelligent."

Griffin wrote about anything and everything from a holistic point of view, including a book about her own chronic fatigue syndrome, "What Her Body Thought: A Journey into the Shadows," published in 1999. Other titles include "Pornography and Silence: Culture's Revenge Against Nature" (1981) and "A Chorus of Stones: The Private Life of War," which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award when it was published in 1992.

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Publisher Wasserman read "Woman and Nature" and "A Chorus of Stones" and found them both "exhilarating and enlightening," he said, "because of her poetic eye and attachment to bringing together memoir and social history. She has been exemplary in helping the reader to better understand the complexities of our world."

She also published several volumes of poetry and a play, "Voices," about five women, which was produced for public television and won an Emmy Award in 1975.

Griffin was born Jan. 26, 1943, in Los Angeles. Her father was a firefighter. Her mother had alcoholism; her parents divorced when she was 6 and she went to live with her grandparents. After high school, she came north as a freshman at UC Berkeley where she became active in SLATE, a student organization put together to run radical candidates for student government and promote civil rights in the city of Berkeley.

According to Mark Kitchell, filmmaker of "Berkeley in the Sixties," Griffin was not on the Berkeley campus and not part of the legendary revolt that erupted on Oct. 1, 1964, and launched the Free Speech Movement.

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By then, Griffin had transferred from UC Berkeley to San Francisco State University which offered a Bachelor of Arts degree in creative writing, which she earned in 1965. Kitchell said that during the crucial Berkeley campus events of 1964, Griffin was living in North Beach and hanging out with her own group of New Leftists who formed the editorial staff of Ramparts Magazine. While working there as a copy editor, Griffin took part in San Francisco aspects linked to the Civil Rights Movement, including the famed protest outside the Sheraton Palace Hotel. In 1966, she married John Levy, a graduate student in linguistics at UC Berkeley, and they had a daughter, Chloe, born in 1968.

But the marriage ended in divorce, coincidental to Griffin coming out as a lesbian, and returning to Berkeley. Whatever she may have missed, in terms of the Free Speech Movement and the subsequent People's Park occupation, she made up for by becoming an unaffiliated historian. Kitchell found this out when he hired her to narrate his film, based upon her speaking voice and her strong reputation among the cognoscenti. She ended up not only recording the narration for the film - she helped Kitchell write it.

"I got more out of it than she did," he said, "because she is so well regarded and such a great voice for the movement in the film."

Deirdre English, former editor of Mother Jones and a retired professor of journalism at UC Berkeley, recalled Griffin's writing style as having "a certain Berkeley take on politics and feminism," she said. "She understood feminism as something that penetrated every aspect of politics including environmentalism and liberalism. Her power was in her comprehensive interweaving of everything in an intelligent and very poetic way."

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Berkeley author Elizabeth Rosner was still unpublished in the late 1990s when she read "A Chorus of Stones" and became aware of Griffin's status as a leading voice in the movement that came to be known as "eco-feminism," which she described as "focusing on the direct correlation between misogyny and the destruction of the environment."

Author Susan Griffin, center, is shown in 2015 with women featured along with her in the documentary film "She's Beautiful When She's Angry," about the women's liberation movement during the late 1960s and '70s: left to right, historian and journalist Ruth Rosen, publisher and poet Alta, National Domestic Workers Alliance research director Linda Burnham and artist Trina Robbins. (Liz Hafalia/The Chronicle)





The movement, she said, draws "parallels between the patriarchal oppression of women and the belief that humans are entitled to own and abuse the natural resources of the planet."

Through connections and happenstance, Rosner met Griffin by volunteering to drive her from her Berkeley home to an appearance on the Peninsula.

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By the end of that ride, Griffin was on her way to becoming a mentor for Rosner, who has since published six books about inherited intergenerational trauma, in both fiction and nonfiction.

"That's the way Susan was. She took people seriously and made me feel that I was worthy of her attention, as a writer and a thinker, and a sensitive person trying to understand the world," said Rosner, who became a close friend and confidant and eventually co-health care coordinator in the "Chorus of Angels."

The core group, which also included Wise, activist Claire Greensfelder and psychotherapist Karin Carrington, made sure that Griffin was never alone by forming a GoFundMe campaign that raised $45,000 to pay for 24/7 care.

"Susan was slowly disappearing physically," said Rosner. "But she was tenacious mentally. She kept her sense of humor and could hold a conversation even when her voice became a whisper. She stayed connected and engaged as close to the end as she could be."

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Griffin's connection will be rekindled when her fresh take on Phoebe Hearst is published in 2027 to mark the launch of a new series of short biographies called "California Lives." The publisher Wasserman, who knew Griffin for 50 years, said she was slightly late in turning in her manuscript, but it will be worth the wait.

"I had long admired Susan Griffin's smarts and the way she cast her eye upon the world," Wasserman said. "She was possessed of an enviable empathy for women who have been neglected by history."

This article originally published at Susan Griffin, influential Berkeley writer and feminist thinker, dies at 82.
(NewsNation)  The sheriff investigating the death of Ajike Owens at the hands of Susan Lorincz tells NewsNation the latter was far from the most upstanding resident in her neighborhood.

Lorincz, who was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2024, is at the center of a new Netflix documentary, The Perfect Neighbor, in which viewers see how a minor disagreement led to Lorincz fatally shooting her neighbor, Owens, in front of Owens 9-year-old son in central Florida.

Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods, who investigated the killing of Owens, joined Banfield to discuss the documentary, which explores the dispute leading to the killing through bodycam footage.

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The only thing I always said is she was far from the perfect neighbor,' Woods said of Lorincz.

Luigi Mangione brought up Brian Thompsons name while in Asia: Friend

Lorincz killed Owens on June 2, 2023, when she fired a single round from her .380-caliber handgun, which went through a closed door and fatally struck Owens, according to investigators.

Some have suggested that Lorincz and Owens races, white and Black, respectively, may have contributed to the shooting.

Do I believe that Lawrence was probably racist? Theres a very good possibility. Do I think (the shooting) was racially motivated? Absolutely not, Woods told NewsNation.

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Regarding the Netflix documentary, Woods believes it upholds the reality of what occurred, given its usage of bodycam video.

Its all body cameras. Its all videos. So you cant really make up anything. You get to see the raw stuff of what my deputies dealt with on a regular basis.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
TAYLOR COUNTY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  A suspect accused of selling stolen deer feeders in Taylor County has been arrested.

Blake Kamprath was booked into the Taylor County Jail for Theft of Property Tuesday in connection to the allegations.

The Taylor County Sheriffs Office says Kamprath confessed to stealing five deer feeders from Buffalo Gap Hardware, Gebos and Lowes.

Kamprath then sold the feeders to unsuspecting community members, so anyone who purchased a deer feeder from Kamprath in the last 6 weeks is asked to contact Detective Burns with the Taylor County Sheriffs Office at (325)674-1300.

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Kamprath now remains held in the Taylor County Jail on bonds totaling $10,000.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
CORSICANA, Texas (FOX 44)  A man is in jail and a Corsicana Police officer has been placed on administrative leave following a domestic disturbance and a shooting.

Police Chief Robert Johnson says a 9-1-1 call was received at approximately 6:24 p.m. Wednesday. This was regarding a physical disturbance in the 200 block of Gladstone Avenue.

When officers were responding to the scene, the caller said a woman fled the residence and that the suspect pointed a firearm at her. This immediately escalated when the caller got additional information that the suspect remained inside the residence and was holding a gun to his girlfriends head.

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Chief Johnson says when officers arrived, the primary officer and backup units saw the front door open. Officers could hear a verbal altercation between a man and woman coming from a bedroom in the back.

Officers made a quick tactical approach down a narrow hallway leading to the rear bedroom. As the lead officer turned the corner, he witnessed a woman sitting on the floor and a man standing near her wearing a ballistic vest equipped with ballistic plates, additional ammunition magazines and holding an AR-style, short barrel rifle.

Chief Johnson says the officer issued verbal commands, when the suspect raised the rifle toward him. The officer discharged his weapon while also moving out of the line of fire. The suspect was not struck, and officers were able to rapidly subdue and detain him without further incident.

This incident occurred within confined quarters, which Chief Johnson says presented exceptional risk due to the narrow hallway and small doorway. The suspects bullet-resistant vest forced the officer to make split-second adjustments under life-threatening conditions.

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Chief Johnson says the suspect was transported to the Navarro County Jail and faces multiple felony charges. The involved officer has been placed on administrative leave pending an internal review of the incident. The names of the officers will not be released until the criminal investigation is complete.

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PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WPRI)  The nursing home administrator accused of forcing an employee to work despite testing positive for COVID-19 last year can now apply to have her license reinstated, 12 News has learned.

Kristine Pachecos nursing license was suspended back in August 2024 after she reportedly directed the employee to return to work prior to the end of her seven-day isolation period, according to a suspension notice made public by the Rhode Island Department of Health.

The Health Department confirmed Pacheco was working at the Pawtucket Falls Healthcare Center at the time in a recently-released consent order.

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Pacheco repeatedly asked the employee to prepare residents meals without supervision, even though the suspension notice stated she was not properly trained, certified or licensed to do such work.

The employee tested positive for COVID-19 on July 31. The suspension notice claimed she was told to leave by an infection prevention specialist and not return until Aug. 7.

But Pacheco directed her to return to work on Aug. 3 to cook in the kitchen, even though she was only four days into her mandatory isolation period.

The employee prepared residents meals that weekend as requested. Thirteen residents contracted the virus later that week, the suspension notice said.

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Pachecos license was temporarily suspended after the Health Department determined that she engaged in behavior that constituted gross unprofessional conduct' by potentially exposing the nursing homes residents to COVID-19.

Per the consent order, Pacheco can apply to have her nursing license reinstated. If Pacheco is violates the terms of her license again, she will face further disciplinary action, according to the consent order.

Its unclear whether Pacheco has applied to have her license reinstated yet.

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SWAINSBORO, Ga. (WJBF)  The Swainsboro Police Department has issued a warning for some residents.

They advise residents who live off Arden Drive at Rosedale and Azalea to be cautious of a gas leak.

They said residents should stay inside in and not use electronic devices.

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Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on Thursday sharply criticized the International Court of Justice, calling The Hague-based tribunal a corrupt political circus.

Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on Thursday sharply criticized the International Court of Justice, calling The Hague-based tribunal a corrupt political circus.

Speaking at a joint press conference in Jerusalem with his Albanian counterpart, Elisa Spiropali, Saar said, This is not a court  it is a corrupt political circus, which Israels enemies are using as a weapon against it. It is being used to force Israel to take steps that will endanger our security.

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On Wednesday, the ICJ issued an advisory opinion that Israel must allow the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian refugees to provide humanitarian aid in Gaza. The court ruled that claims that the UN agency is compromised by Hamas were unfounded and that Israel is obligated to ensure essential supplies, including food, water, fuel, shelter, and medical aid, reach Palestinians in Gaza.

Sa'ar's attacks on UNRWA

Saar attacked UNRWA, saying that the agency remains compromised.

We will not agree to cooperate with UNRWA, an organization whose employees participated in the October 7 massacre. It is shocking and shameful that a UN organization is infected with terrorists. UNRWA still employs over 1,400 Hamas terrorists! There is no party in the world that can force this on Israel. This evil partnership is currently protected by the so-called UN court. This system is rotten to the core, Saar insisted.

Twelve UNRWA school principals who are members of Hamas's military wing. (credit: IMPACT-se report)

Israeli officials demand the agency be stripped of its authority in Gaza and defunded amid revelations that members of the agencys staff participated in Hamass October 7 attacks. UNRWA is banned from operating in Israel, and Israeli officials are prohibited from cooperating with the agency. Palestinian refugees are the only refugee population with their own dedicated UN agency. The rest of the worlds refugees fall under the mandate of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

Commitment to peace plan

Saar also reiterated Israels commitment to the US peace plan.

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Israel is committed to working for the success of the Trump plan. There are difficulties in implementation, but we are doing and will do everything in our power to work for its success. Hamas and Islamic Jihad must disarm. Gaza must be demilitarized. They must no longer pose a threat to the security of Israel and its citizens. Hamas attacks against our forces will not be accepted  and will be met with powerful responses, Saar said.

On the issue of hostages, Saar urged immediate action. Hamas must abide by the agreement. We know that it can easily return most of the 13 remaining hostages. It is deliberately slowing the return to delay reaching the second stage  disarmament. Hamas is barbarically abusing families who have already suffered for more than two years and only want to bring their sons home. We demand the return of all the hostages that Hamas is holding immediately without delay!

Earlier in the day, Saar and Spiropali held private and extended meetings at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem. The two ministers signed memoranda of understanding on cooperation in diplomatic training and public diplomacy.
BEDFORD COUNTY, Va. (WFXR)  The Moneta Volunteer Fire Department responded to a two-car accident at the intersection of Morgans Church Road and Moneta Road on Wednesday evening.

On October 22, around 7:45 p.m., crews arrived to find a T-bone accident that resulted in an entrapment and serious injuries.

(Photo Credit: The Moneta Volunteer Fire Department )

Officials say they were able to secure the car and get the patient out before transferring them with non-life-threatening injuries.

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Patients involved in the incident were transported to nearby hospitals.

The scene was handed over to the Virginia State Police.

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MultiCare, the Tacoma-based health system, announced Wednesday, Oct. 22, it had approved a strategic affiliation with Samaritan Health Services, committing to invest resources into the Oregon medical provider for the next decade.

Nothing is expected to change for patients or employees at this point, the two companies said in a press release. Samaritan will remain locally governed, but will receive support from MultiCare to modernize its facilities, grow primary and specialty care and introduce new technologies and telehealth capabilities.

The agreement will also add capacity at Samaritan Regional Medical Center, a hospital in Corvallis, and introduce MultiCares behavioral health network into Samaritans service area. Samaritan is scheduled to sign a formal agreement with MultiCare in the coming weeks. The affiliation is expected to be completed by mid-2026.

MultiCare on 303 in East Bremerton on Monday, May 13, 2025

Samaritan, a Corvallis-based nonprofit that runs about 80 clinics and five community hospitals in Oregons Benton, Lincoln and Linn Counties, has faced financial troubles since at least March, according to the nonprofit health news site the Lund Report.

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This affiliation represents an important step in securing the future of nonprofit health care in our region, said Marty Cahill, president and CEO of Samaritan. We are excited and honored to become MultiCare's first health system in Oregon and to bring the benefits of MultiCares expertise home to the communities we serve.

MultiCare has more than 300 clinics and 13 hospitals, including several on the Kitsap Peninsula. They include the MultiCare Indigo Urgent Care on Point Fosdick Drive in Gig Harbor and the recently opened "neighborhood" emergency room along Highway 303 in East Bremerton.

MultiCare CEO Bill Robertson said in a statement announcing the agreement that the two companies are aligned in their mission to preserve long-term access to local health care in the Northwest

It will be our privilege to be a part of the communities Samaritan serves and we look forward to working together to support and advance health care in Oregon, he said.

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Tacoma-based MultiCare announces affiliation with Oregon nonprofit
The long-abandoned Graffiti Garages property in Tacoma has sold to a local creditor who foreclosed on the site.

The property, 716-728 Commerce St., was sold Oct. 10 at a Pierce County sheriffs sale to collect on debt owed to Milton-based Oak Hills Construction for unpaid work.

Oak Hills obtained the site in the sale, following being awarded a judgment against the owner LLC and a decree of foreclosure in July.

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The county sale site was updated to state that the site was sold to creditor for opening bid of $521,890.09 and a notice was filed in Pierce County Superior Court Oct. 14 in the debt-collection case against the LLC.

The property has an assessed value of just under $2 million, according to county records.

The property owner/debtor, 725 Broadway LLC, is a subsidiary of Bellevue-based iCap, an investment fund that was found in a U.S. Bankruptcy Court ruling last year to have operated as a Ponzi scheme, defrauding investors of about $230 million.

A trust created to recover the investors losses has filed numerous lawsuits against entities related to iCaps actions, including Tacoma-based Columbia Bank. Its Issaquah branch operating then as Umpqua was the bank used by iCap entities and its principals during the time that transactions at issue occurred. Columbia and Umpqua completed their merger in 2023, and Umpqua now operates as Columbia.

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Columbia has stated that it intends to vigorously defend our bank against any and all claims.

The Tacoma garage property received a Notice of Abandonment in the iCap bankruptcy case earlier this year, which allowed Oak Hills to move forward with its lien foreclosure, according to court filings in Pierce County Superior Court.

Alice McDaniel is acting deputy assessor-treasurer for Pierce County. In an email in response to questions Wednesday, McDaniel told The News Tribune, A deed will be issued to the new owner after the 12-month redemption period has passed and we/ Office of the Assessor-Treasurer will then update the tax rolls.
BECKLEY, WV (WVNS)  Tamaracks Spooktacular is right around the corner.

On Friday, October 24, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., organizations of all kinds will be sprawled out throughout the corridors of Tamarack handing out candy.

Traffic delays expected due to paving project in Nicholas County

Ashley Milam is the Conference Center Director at Tamarack. She said the way they do it helps the Spooktacular go on rain or shine, due to most of it being indoors.

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It is a safe way to go trick or treating and just seeing them all laugh and smile and the parents get to come with them. So thats even fun, said Milam.

They have tons of people who signed up to hand out candy like AT&T, the West Virginia State Troopers, local churches, and more. Milam hinted that there may even be some coupons being passed out that evening.

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A Roseville man shot by police after he rammed their SUV appears to have conducted a practice run with his car before backing up and waiting for an officer to exit a station and enter the marked vehicle, according to video released Oct. 23.

The 36-year-old man, who has no criminal history and is believed to be a prior supporter of law enforcement, was in critical condition at a hospital after the Oct. 13 incident, which the Macomb County sheriff called a "targeted attack." Officials have not identified the man.

After ramming the police SUV, the man exited his vehicle while holding a hunting knife that was more than 6 inches long, county authorities said. Video captured officers screaming at him to drop the knife, followed by several gunshots from police.

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The man was under police guard at the hospital, after being shot in the lower back, left thigh, upper right back, upper right shoulder, lower right ankle and upper right groin, authorities said.

The motive for the incident is unknown, and investigators have not had the opportunity to talk with the man, Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said during a news conference Oct. 23 at the county jail in Mount Clemens.

He said there was "no note, no manifesto," nothing to indicate why the man targeted the officers about 4:30 a.m. that day at the police station on Gratiot Avenue.

Roseville Police Chief Mitch Berlin said the incident may expedite security enhancements that have been planned for the parking lot, including prohibiting parking next to the station. Neither he nor Wickersham recalled an incident against law enforcement outside a police station in the county.

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Wickersham said authorities have talked with the man's family and ascertained some information, including that he has had some mental health issues, though Wickersham did not elaborate.

Authorities said there was no indication of drug or alcohol use by the man at the time of incident, adding neither Roseville police nor the sheriff's office had any prior contact with him.

Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham, left, stands next to Roseville Police Chief Mitch Berlin during a news conference Oct. 23, 2025 at the county jail in Mount Clemens regarding an officer-involved shooting in Roseville ten days earlier.

Wickersham said the incident outlines the dangers law enforcement officers face.

"This is just the danger of the profession, he said, later adding, "as you can tell, he's armed. He's a threat. They feared for their life. They went to their training. They know how to escalate and de-escalate and this was a deadly force situation  and that's what they utilized."

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Wickersham said the silver Pontiac G5 car that the man used to ram the police SUV belonged to the man's father.

Video shown during the news conference showed the car in the parking lot, pulling up to a couple of police vehicles, then backing up and stopping. About seven minutes later, the car approached a parked, marked police SUV, slowly tapping its rear bumper, then backing up.

About two minutes later, three officers are seen walking toward police vehicles, including the marked police SUV.

About 20 seconds later, the video shows the car driving quickly toward the marked police SUV, ramming it from behind, the hood of the car bent up and smoke coming out the hood.

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"Stay right there. Put the car in park. Whoa, whoa, whoa," an officer is heard on video saying to the man, who is holding a knife.

"Drop the knife," an officer repeatedly says on video, while pointing a gun at the car.

The man opens the driver's side door of the car, per the video, and another officer is heard saying, "Drop the knife. Drop the (expletive) knife."

The officers repeatedly order the man to drop the knife before firing shots. Wickersham said the man didn't say anything to the officers. He said the man was shot after he went toward the officers.

More: Roseville man shot by police after rear-ending patrol SUV, pulling knife on officers

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Wickersham said the man has not been arraigned because of his condition, adding that the district court determined he should be cognizant and understanding of the charges.

He said the man is charged in a warrant with one count each of carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful attempt and malicious destruction of police property and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon.

Wickersham said investigators reviewed video from building, body and in-car police vehicle cameras and determined the two officers who fired seven shots in total were justified. He said the shooting conformed to state law and Roseville police's departmental policies, and the officers face no criminal charges.

A third officer, who was in the rear-ended SUV, suffered minor injuries and recovered. He pulled out a Taser in the incident. The two officers who fired the shots were not hurt.

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Wickersham did not name the officers involved, but said two of them have two-plus years with Roseville police and the third had more than three years with the department. They were expected to return to work Oct. 24. All three officers are uniformed officers.

Berlin said the officers were on their way to an alarm or motion call in the city when the incident occurred in the parking lot. He said it was unknown to anyone inside the station that the man was in the parking lot prior to the incident. Berlin said the officers involved have no prior discipline and received mental health counseling after the incident.

Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on X: @challreporter.

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Man rammed SUV, pulled knife in 'targeted attack' on Roseville police
A January 2025 view of the South Dakota State Capitol in Pierre. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)

A legislative task force aiming to reduce property taxes for South Dakota homeowners advanced 19 proposals at its final meeting on Wednesday in Pierre, setting up a potentially long list of bills for legislators to consider this winter.

The proposals include cutting state spending and applying the savings to property tax relief, replacing some property tax revenue with sales tax increases, using one-time tax credits for temporary taxpayer relief, and reserving a portion of future state revenue increases each year to reduce property taxes. Other recommendations include further restricting development incentives known as tax increment financing districts and requiring local public votes on school district decisions to raise taxes beyond state-imposed limits.

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Lawmakers on the task force expressed a hope in June to propose legislation that will cut the average South Dakota homeowners property taxes by at least 50%. South Dakota property taxes paid by homeowners increased 38.8% between 2020 and 2024.

The task force started Wednesday with 26 potential recommendations resulting from earlier meetings, which were reduced to 19 that will likely be introduced as legislation this winter by task force members.

South Dakota Retailers Association Executive Director Nathan Sanderson told task force members that the lengthy list points to a repeat of last winters legislative session, when more than 30 property tax proposals competed and only one, spearheaded by the governor, was signed into law. That law includes a five-year, countywide 3% cap on growth in owner-occupied home assessments, plus other provisions such as expanded eligibility for an assessment freeze program for elderly and disabled people.

Nathan Sanderson, executive director of the South Dakota Retailers Association, testifies to the South Dakota House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Feb. 4, 2025, at the Capitol in Pierre. (Photo by Seth Tupper/South Dakota Searchlight)

Were not really driving toward any kind of consensus here, Sanderson said. Were throwing a lot of things out there to kind of see what sticks, so Im sure were going to be talking about this in March 2026 similar to the same way that were talking about it today.

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March is the final month of the legislative session, which begins in January.

Sanderson criticized a few ideas for their potentially negative impact on small businesses and South Dakota residents, adding that cuts to state government would be incredibly difficult to do without specific proposals.

He encouraged lawmakers to support a return of South Dakotas state sales tax rate from 4.2% to 4.5% (the Legislature reduced the rate in 2023), dedicating the increase in revenue to property tax relief, which was proposed by Spearfish Republican Sen. Randy Deibert and forwarded by the task force. Sanderson estimated that the relatively simple solution would amount to $105 million of available relief for property taxpayers.

The few proposals that didnt pass muster by the task force included removing some sales tax exemptions, such as exemptions on advertising, and an increase in sales taxes beyond a return to 4.5%. Rep. Will Mortenson, R-Fort Pierre  whos not on the task force  submitted a column to the media the day before the meeting supporting a failed proposal from last winter to increase the sales tax rate to 5%, and use the extra revenue to reduce property taxes by an estimated 35% for homeowners.

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Gov. Larry Rhoden has proposed an optional, half-percent sales tax for counties to replace a portion or all of their property taxes on owner-occupied homes. That proposal was not considered by the task force but could still end up as legislation introduced at the governors request. The task force also omitted consideration of a transaction tax proposed by former lawmaker Julie Frye-Mueller earlier this summer, which could appear as a citizen-initiated ballot question in 2026 and would be applied in addition to existing sales taxes.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  The Memphis Safe Task Force said it arrested a documented gang member who was in the U.S. illegally, after he allegedly tried to kidnap a woman at gunpoint.

Francisco Lopez-Altamerana, 38, was taken into custody Wednesday.

The task force said he has an active order of removal from the country and will be deported for the third time.

Safe Task Force agents arrest man after 20-minute pursuit

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On Wednesday, authorities say Lopez-Altamerana tried to kidnap a woman who was walking on the street with her children. She filed a report with the Memphis Police Department.

Task force members caught him as he walked out of a business on Jackson Avenue. There was a brief foot pursuit before he was taken into custody.

National Guard in Memphis: Whats the mission?

He is charged with two counts of aggravated assault, domestic violence, felony theft and failure to appear. Authorities say more charges are likely.

Lopez-Altamerana is a documented member of the Los Surenos gang, authorities said.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Tennessee and Arkansas officials will host an event Friday to unveil the new name for the Interstate 55 bridge over the Mississippi River: Kings Crossing.

The Interstate 55 bridge will be named Kings Crossing, in honor of three transformative figures in the citys history: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., B.B. King, and the King of Rock n Roll, Elvis Presley.

The unveiling will be hosted at the Beale Street Landing on Friday at 10 a.m.

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New I-55 bridge at Memphis now has a name: Kings Crossing

The $800 million project will mark the single-largest transportation investment in Tennessee history, according to Gov. Bill Lee. It will replace the existing Memphis-Arkansas Bridge, which dates to the late 1940s.

TDOT says the design phase is underway and construction on the Kings Crossing bridge is expected to begin in fiscal year 2026 and wrap up in 2031.

Kings Crossing is more than just a piece of infrastructure; it is a symbol of our collective history, heritage, and the enduring spirit of unity that defines this region, said TDOT Commissioner Will Reid in a news release. Naming this bridge in honor of these gentlemen pays tribute to their extraordinary legacies  individuals who transcended barriers, fostered cultural exchange, and used their talents to build bridges between people.

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One teacher's unconventional lesson plan for his students involved a field trip to a wildlife refuge and a trailer full of invasive fish.

The Lake Cumberland Wildlife Refuge needed food for injured bald eagles, vultures, and hawks, per Louisville Public Media. So, Hank Gevedon, a teacher at Somerset High School in southern Kentucky, showed students how feeding invasive carp to the birds could solve more than one problem.

Gevedon transported 1,000 pounds of carp to a parking lot near the refuge and set up stations for preparation. Dozens of students and volunteers sliced and stored the fish to feed to the wounded birds.

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Per Louisville Public Media, many kinds of carp are considered invasive in Kentucky. Carp and other invasive species pose a threat to native wildlife when introduced to an ecosystem. In fact, the National Wildlife Federation reported that about 42% of threatened or endangered species are at risk.

"We're taking an invasive species, processing it, and feeding it to a possibly endangered species, and that's just a lot of fun," Gevedon said.

Kimmi Sparkman, the refuge's executive director, said the refuge has a strict budget, and feeding carp to injured birds helps lower costs. It benefits the environment in multiple ways as farmers use the remaining parts of the carp for compost. Sparkman called the team effort "phenomenal."

"It really lifts my heart, lifts my spirit, and encourages me to keep doing what I'm doing," Sparkman said.

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Feeding invasive species to the injured birds protects human health and the economy, too. Invasive species are known to carry and transmit disease. Research found that they also cost the United States billions of dollars per year in resource damage and management.

According to The Nature Conservancy, one of the best ways to fight invasive species is to volunteer, as Gevedon and his students do. Gevedon's creative approach to teaching was even a hit on the Internet.

"What a clever idea," one commenter wrote in the r/environment subreddit. "Kudos to Hank and all the volunteers."

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.




Under pressure from two of Silicon Valley's most prominent executives, President Donald Trump on Thursday abruptly abandoned plans to deploy federal agents to "clean up" San Francisco - an idea the administration had floated since Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff suggested ahead of the Dreamforce conference earlier this month that the National Guard might be needed to address the city's safety problems.

Now, after weeks of criticism from residents, colleagues and civic leaders, Benioff - alongside Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang - may have helped spare San Francisco from a federal invasion.

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"Great people like Jensen Huang, Marc Benioff, and others have called saying that the future of San Francisco is great," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "They want to give it a shot.' Therefore, we will not surge San Francisco on Saturday. Stay tuned!"

Mayor Daniel Lurie, in a statement on Thursday, confirmed the president "told me clearly that he was calling off any plans for a federal deployment in San Francisco."

"Friends of mine who live in the area called last night to ask me not to go forward with the surge in that the Mayor, Daniel Lurie, was making substantial progress," Trump wrote.

The mayor said he touted the city's momentum during the call.

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"San Francisco is on the rise," he said. "Visitors are coming back, buildings are getting leased and purchased, and workers are coming back to the office" - and warned that "having the military and militarized immigration enforcement in our city will hinder our recovery."

He added that Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem "reaffirmed that direction in our conversation this morning."

The turnabout lands amid a heated fight over public safety and Washington's role in local law enforcement. National Guard members are prohibited by federal law from acting as police in American cities. It was not immediately clear whether a separate, major federal immigration operation would proceed elsewhere in the Bay Area.

The episode is the latest illustration of tech titans' influence on federal policy in the Trump era - from Elon Musk introducing the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, to tech leaders like Apple CEO Tim Cook pledging to build American infrastructure amid tariffs.

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Huang, meanwhile, has repeatedly met with Trump this year, successfully lobbying for an export waiver on Nvidia's H20 chips. Trump said in July that he veered from asking "What the hell is Nvidia?" and wanting to "break this guy up" to later meeting and befriending Huang. Trump later called Huang an "amazing" leader in August, while Huang has called Trump a "visionary." Nvidia declined to comment further on Thursday.

"That seems to be (Trump's) operating mode," said Katie Habarth, founder of Anchor Change, a tech consulting firm in Washington D.C. "Not just tech leaders but business leaders in general - he tends to trust them a lot more than somebody in his own, and especially the opposite, party."

"In some ways it's not unusual  presidents talking to business leaders has happened for a long time,' Habarth said. I think what is different here is that the business leaders are getting more involved in sort of the day to day and safety of people.'

Salesforce chief executive Marc Benioff, who declined comment on Thursday, spent the past week at the company's Dreamforce conference defending - and then walking back - the idea of bringing in troops. On a call from his private plane en route to Dreamforce, Benioff told the New York Times he supports Trump.

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"I think he's doing a great job," he said.

President Donald Trump said that a phone call with Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, seen delivering the keynote address at the start of the Dreamforce conference earlier this month, helped him decide not to enact plans for a federal deployment in San Francisco. (Jessica Christian/Associated Press)





That statement sparked a backlash against the San Francisco native and noted philanthropist, with reminders that he moved his family out of the city during the pandemic and currently lives in Hawaii.

Despite the over $1 billion he and his company had donated to the Bay Area's hospitals, homeless initiatives and schools, locals continued to sign petitions, questioning the tech titan's allegiances and commitment to San Francisco and the Bay Area.

"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, days after his comments. "My earlier comment came from an abundance of caution around the event, and I sincerely apologize for the concern it caused."

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His ability to help sway Trump Thursday could soothe the ire of the liberal city, though it came with no guarantees of long-term success or any indication Benioff was any less supportive of the president.

Benioff's strident support of Trump made its debut shortly after the 2024 election, with social media messages adorned with American flags and heart emojis as he celebrated the presidential victory.

His public displays of support have only grown in the months since, with fawning praise of Trump at public events.

He is aligned with a growing list of Silicon Valley power brokers who have courted favor from Trump include Amazon founder and Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos, Apple CEO Cook, Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg and Musk, who spent more than a quarter of a billion dollars to help Trump win.

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The billionaires have sidled up to Trump, taking turns at dinner tables to praise his intellect and political acumen, knowing the president has the keys to corporate profits or losses in the form of tariffs, taxes and government regulation.

It's a stark contrast to Silicon Valley's strong support for Democrats in previous decades, with tech playing a key role in Barack Obama's presidential campaign wins and major tech CEOs overwhelmingly backing Hillary Clinton in 2016. In the wake of the 2020 George Floyd protests, numerous tech companies also recommitted to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, but many of them have now stripped away those policies in the wake of Trump's reelection.

That's not to say everyone in Silicon Valley has become a Republican, but the sector has seen a clear rightward shift. Take Airbnb: In January 2024, the vacation rentals giant hired President Joe Biden's former chief of staff Ron Klein as its chief legal officer. But a year later, co-founder and longtime Democratic donor Joe Gebbia announced his support for Trump and was recently appointed the Trump administration's chief design officer.

The tech industry's proximity to the White House was on display at Dreamforce last week, where David Sacks, chair of Trump's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, appeared as a "very special guest" for a friendly discussion about Artificial Intelligence and competition with China.

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The two did not discuss Benioff's earlier call for sending the National Guard.

Though Nvidia is headquartered in Santa Clara and doesn't have a San Francisco office, Huang owns a $38 million home in Presidio Heights and has become one of the most prominent icons in all of tech.

He co-founded Nvidia in 1993 and for most of its history the company was far smaller than Silicon Valley's giants. Nvidia was initially known for its graphics processing units for video games, including the first Xbox console released in 2001.

Its chips have now become a critical part of AI infrastructure, catapulting the company to a $4.4 trillion market capitalization, the highest of any company in the world.

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Nvidia could soon expand to San Francisco: Sources have told the Chronicle that it has considered leasing office space in the Mission Rock project, not far from OpenAI's headquarters.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday that Trump's decision to pause the operation after speaking with Lurie and the tech CEOs showed he is "willing to work with anyone."

"The President's conversation with the San Francisco mayor last night and his statement today prove the president is willing to work with anyone across the aisle, across the country to do the right thing and clean up America's cities," Leavitt said. "He is genuinely interested in this effort to make our streets safer, to make our cities safe and clean again. And he heard from the mayor last night who told him that he is going to earnestly try to make his city better on his own. The president heard him out."

For now, City Hall is treating the stand-down as a reprieve.

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"Our city remains prepared for any scenario," Lurie said. "I am profoundly grateful to all the San Franciscans who came together over the last several days. Our city leaders have been united behind the goal of public safety. And our values have been on full display - this is the best of our city."

Gov. Gavin Newsom's office praised Thursday's turn of events.

"Trump has finally, for once, listened to reason - and heard what we have been saying from the beginning," spokesperson Diana Crofts-Pelayo said in a statement. "The Bay Area is a shining example of what makes California so special, and any attempt to erode our progress would damage the work we've done."

Yet, those statements avoid the acknowledgement of private sector interference.

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"It's all very transactional, in my opinion," Cheryl Hori, founder of Pacific Campaign House, a digital strategy firm in San Francisco, said about the relationship between Trump and the Bay Area's tech titans. "I think for the cities that have that leverage, we are able to contribute back to you. We're able to play this game with you."

She suggested the difference between the prolonged deployment in Chicago and San Francisco's sudden dissipation of plans is because the Windy City doesn't have the same amount of tech money or influence as San Francisco. But, she added, neither does Oakland.

Laura Waxmann contributed to this report.

This article originally published at Tech titan influence? Trump name-checked Jensen Huang, Marc Benioff in calling off S.F. surge'.
LOCKPORT, N.Y. (WIVB)  School leaders at the Starpoint Central School District said there was a mistaken lockdown on Thursday morning due to a technical system error.

At approximately 10:45 a.m., the entire district went into a lockdown. Parents were notified, which caused some concern, but local officials say the entire incident was a false alarm.

According to Superintendent Sean Croft, the lockdown alert was triggered by a technical system error. The primary, middle and high schools all went into lockdown as if there was an active shooter. Niagara County Sheriff Michael Filicetti said 12 members of law enforcement between the Sheriffs Office and New York State Police arrived on scene within minutes.

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We treat it as if it were a real alarm, Filicetti said. So we follow protocols with the school after the alarm is determined to be false. We still went through the school. Every classroom has to be released. You cant just call and say, hey, release, open your doors, lockdowns done. You have to go, law enforcement and staff, to each room, release each room. You treat it as if it was real.

In a statement, Croft said that the school has identified the factors that led to the mistaken threat. He went on to say that the school is working with its technology department and administrative team to revise procedures so a situation like this does not happen again.

Croft said if your child is experiencing any anxiety or discomfort adjusting after the incident, there will be school counselors and psychologists available.

Latest Local News

Trina Catterson joined the News 4 team in 2024. She previously worked at WETM-TV in Elmira, a sister station of WIVB. See more of her work here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) was one of the Republicans to grill Hamtramck, Michigan Mayor Amer Ghalib (D) about his past controversial statements about Jewish people and Saddam Hussein during a tense confirmation hearing on Thursday.

Cruz told Ghalib he would not be supporting his nomination to be ambassador of Kuwait by President Donald Trump, telling him at one point that his views on the Middle East stand in direct contradiction with the presidents policies.

During his time, Cruz questioned Ghalib about his past criticism of the Abraham Accords, his characterization of Saddam Hussein as a martyr, and praise for the Muslim Brotherhood. Ghalib said he was not a supporter of Trump before 2024 and he cited bad habits on social media when he was a private citizen, such as liking responses to his posts, even if they got hateful.

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Do you continue to believe Saddam Hussein was a martyr? Cruz asked, citing a 2020 social media post from Ghalib.

The mayor noted hed answered the question multiple times and that his reason for saying what he did was a larger point about Iran.

I will clarify that. It was the day of January 7, 2020, when our military bases were attacked by Iran. And in a moment of anger because we didnt respond, Ghalib said.

So I asked you about today. Do you continue to believe Saddam Hussein was a martyr? Cruz asked for a second time.

Senator, I dont think that, no doubt that Saddam was a dictator, and I said earlier if this offended anybody who suffered from Saddam or lost a loved one, I apologize, Ghalib said.

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When pressed for a direct answer, the Trump nominee said, It wouldnt matter, hes in Gods hand, he will get the treatment he deserves.

Cruz then pivoted to another 2020 post in which Ghalib called the Muslim Brotherhood inspirational. Cruz noted he is pushing the Trump administration to designate the group a terrorist organization. Ghalib suggested some of his posts were mistranslated from Arabic.

Its an ideology. Its not just a group of people. I disagree with a lot things that they do. Some of them are extremists. Some of the are part of some governments in the Middle East, Ghalib stated.

How would you be able to serve as an ambassador if President Trump designates the Muslim brotherhood as a terrorist organization? I have legislation to do that. I believe it is likely the Trump administration will designate the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organization, Cruz shot back.

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I would trust the president, and if its designated, I will be committed to implement President Trumps policies, Ghalib explained.

It appears you have a deep-felt and passionate view about the Middle East, but it is a view that is in direct conflict with the policy positions of President Trump and this administration, Cruz noted before bringing up yet another social media post, one in which Ghalib liked a post calling Jewish people monkeys for their own benefit.

Before I became the mayor, I used to have a bad habit of acknowledging every post, every comment under my post. Doesnt mean that I agree with it, just acknowledging, Ghalib said. But there was a response under that that was not translated or interpreted that says, you can say this in your country, but not in this country, which means that I did not agree with that post, even though I acknowledge it. I know it was a bad habit. But let me be clear, I dont agree with that statement and I treat everybody with respect in my official capacity.

Watch above via CSPAN.

The post Ted Cruz Goes After Trump Nominee  Takes Issue With Past Wild Statements: Do You Continue to Believe Saddam Hussein Was a Martyr? first appeared on Mediaite.
NEED TO KNOW

A 17-year-old boy died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after he took an off-duty officer's gun at a boys' home in Oklahoma on Oct. 21

Two off-duty officers from the Tulsa Police Department were teaching an archery class at the time of the incident

An investigation into the teen's death is ongoing

A 17-year-old boy is dead after he took a gun from an off-duty officer during an archery class at a boys' home in Oklahoma and shot himself, authorities said.

Two other students were present at the time of the incident.

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On Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 9:23 a.m. local time, officials received a 911 call from the Tulsa Boys Home in Sand Springs reporting that a 17-year-old boy had been shot, the Tulsa County Sheriffs Office said in a news release shared on Facebook.

That morning, two off-duty Tulsa Police officers were teaching an archery class at a gym in the facility. One of the students then approached one of the officers from behind and took the gun from the officers holster, authorities said.

Casey Roebuck, communications director for the Tulsa County Sheriffs Office, told PEOPLE in a statement that the investigation "remains under active investigation" and "is being investigated as a suicide."

Roebuck confirmed that the boy was a minor who was in DHS custody, but declined to share his name. A spokesperson for the Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed to PEOPLE that the teen has been identified as Malaki Montgomery.

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The officer whose gun was taken by the teen has been placed on administrative leave, Roebuck shared, and said that both of the officers were volunteering while teaching the archery class that day.

"Our hearts and prayers are with everyone who has been affected by the tragic death of this young man," Roebuck said.

While speaking with NBC affiliate KJRH, Roebuck said, This came out of absolutely nowhere; there was no indication that the officer could have seen what was about to occur. Its just a huge tragedy."



The Tulsa Boys Home was founded in 1918, and the residential treatment facility assists boys with emotional, behavioral, and substance abuse problems, according to its website. Residents at the facility range in age from 13 to 18.

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The archery class has been taught by off-duty Tulsa Police Department officers for the past 10 years without incident, KJRH reported.

This was a wholesome interaction; this officer is invested in these children, and unfortunately, it ended in complete tragedy today, Captain Richard Meulenberg of the Tulsa Police Department told the outlet.

The off-duty officer was wearing a softer type of uniform that day and was carrying a department-issued gun, Meulenberg told KJRH. He added that officers wear a variety of holsters that have different styles of locking mechanisms.

Tulsa County Sheriff's Office The Tulsa Boys' Home in Sand Springs, Okla. The Tulsa Boys' Home in Sand Springs, Okla.

Unfortunately, today is an eye-opener, and sometimes we have to reevaluate things, the captain told KJRH. I dont want this program to stop. No one wants this program to stop, but it does give everyone a moment of pause to figure out what we need to do moving forward.

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The Tulsa Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs requests for further comment.

In a statement to KJRH, the Tulsa Boys Home confirmed authorities depiction of events and said that emergency services were immediately notified after the fatal shooting.

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.

Out of respect for the students and familys privacy, we cannot release further details at this time, the organization said. Tulsa Boys Home has a Crisis Intervention Team made up of professionals trained to help with the needs of students and families.

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The boys home continued, We asked everyone to keep all involved, in particular the TBH Boys and the involved officers, in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

A spokesperson had no further comment when contacted by PEOPLE.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.

Read the original article on People




A San Antonio teenager has pleaded guilty to multiple felony charges for leading Hill Country authorities on several high-speed chases and taunting them on social media, according to Kendall County officials.

Timothy Vitaliy Fogel, 19, pleaded guilty to two counts of felony evading arrest in a motor vehicle and one count of reckless driving for several high-speed chases involving Kendall County officers, according to the Kendall County District Attorney's Office. As part of a plea agreement, nine other charges against Fogel were dismissed, according to the district attorney's office.

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Fogel received a 10-year prison sentence, which was suspended while he serves six years of probation, according to the district attorney's office. If he violates the terms of his probation, he will serve the 10-year prison term, according to the district attorney's office.

Fogel would record and post on social media "high-speed police evasions... that glorified the conduct and taunted law enforcement," according to the district attorney's office.

HILL COUNTRY: San Antonio man gets six years for fleeing police, stealing IDs

A Texas Department of Public Safety trooper found Fogel's videos "depicting a black BMW performing dangerous maneuvers and referencing encounters with police in Boerne and Kendall County," according to the district attorney's office.

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An Instagram account with the username "@slow530i" featured dash camera and cell phone videos of "a black BMW sedan engaging in high-speed evasions, reckless driving and taunting law enforcement, activity often described in illicit street-racing communities as 'roll racing' or swimming,'" according to the district attorney's office.

The incidents occurred between April and July, with Fogel driving at speeds up to 142 miles per hour near police and civilians and posting the recording to his Instagram account, according to the district attorney's office. Kendall County sheriff's deputies and Boerne police officers would often stop their pursuit once Fogel crossed into Bexar County, according to the district attorney's office.

One of Fogel's encounters with Kendall County law enforcement occurred on April 30, when he stopped in his BMW without license plates behind a Boerne police officer's patrol car on the westbound frontage road of Interstate 10.

"(A) masked driver made an obscene gesture and sped away, initiating a pursuit that continued into Bexar County before being terminated for safety reasons," according to authorities. "The vehicle and suspect matched details later shown in a video captioned he tried but failed (AI FAKE FOOTAGE),' posted on the @slow530i Instagram account."

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Officials said the same BMW sped within feet of two Boerne police officers and civilians in a traffic stop at over 100 miles per hour on May 10.

A video posted to the Instagram account captioned "Little fly by for the cops (AI FAKE FOOTAGE)'" matched the dash camera footage, displaying a speedometer reading 142 mph and showing the driver failing to move over or slow down for emergency vehicles," officials said, noting the vehicle' appearance was identical to previous police recordings.

HILL COUNTRY: Hill Country city says it paid millions to water authority, got nothing in return

Officials said they connected the Instagram account to Fogel's email address, phone number and home internet protocol address. Records from Meta, the company that owns Facebook and Instagram, "showed login activity consistent with his residence and active use during the precise times the taunting posts were made," according to the district attorney's office.

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As part of his sentence, Fogel will be required to submit to six months of GPS ankle monitoring and tracking his driving speed, mandatory drug and alcohol testing, a $1,500 fine and 120 hours of community service.

This article originally published at Teen instigated high-speed chases, taunted cops online, officials say.
(FOX40.COM)  Registered nurses at six Tenet hospitals in California delivered a 10-day notice of their plans to protest the hospital corporations refusal to address nurses concerns on patient care and safe staffing.

Video Above: Kaiser Permanente workers begin possible five day strike

The California Nurses Association/National Nurses United represents 3,100 Tenet nurses who have been in contract negotiations since February with Tenet Healthcare Corporation. This one-day protest aims to urge management to ensure staffing standards for nurses to achieve the highest quality patient care.

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Nurses at the following hospitals will participate in this strike on Oct. 30:

Doctors Medical Center (Modesto)

Emanuel Medical Center ( Turlock)

Doctors Hospital Manteca (Manteca)

San Ramon Medical Center (San Ramon)

Desert Regional Medical Center (Palm Springs)

Hi-Desert Medical Center (Joshua Tree)

We will do everything in our power to fight for our patients, and that includes going out on strike! Joeton Labos, an ICU nurse at San Ramon Medical Center, said.

Specifically, nurses hope to receive guaranteed meal and rest coverage during their typical 12-hour shifts, experienced nursing and lifting teams and to ensure the safety of hospital staff.

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The nurses unanimously voted to strike the week of Sept. 8, announcing it to Tenet hospitals on Monday for alternate patient care plans.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  The Tennessee Attorney Generals Office celebrated a decision from a Mississippi U.S. District Court about gender-based discrimination in healthcare.

The decision, filed Wednesday, considered a May 2024 rule from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that redefined Title IX prohibitions on discrimination on the basis of sex to include gender identity. The federal court found the HHS exceeded its authority by implementing the regulation.

Read the full decision here

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When it enacted Title IX, Congresss concern was prohibiting sex discrimination in education. It was particularly concerned with inequality that female students experienced, the decision reads, in part. It did not at that time contemplate gender identity, transgender status, or gender-affirming care.'

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmettis Office said in a press release about the decision the rule, among other things, would have required some healthcare providers to administer unproven and risky procedures for gender dysphoria.

When Biden-era bureaucrats tried to illegally rewrite our laws to force radical gender ideology into every corner of American health care, Tennessee stood strong and stopped them, Skrmetti said. Our fifteen-State coalition worked together to protect the right of health care providers across America to make decisions based on evidence, reason, and conscience. This decision restores not just common sense but also constitutional limits on federal overreach, and I am proud of the team of excellent attorneys who fought this through to the finish.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia and West Virginia were a part of the coalition in this case.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Donald Trumps plans to import Argentine beef have rattled a group of the presidents reliable supporters: U.S. cattle producers.

Ranchers say the proposal threatens their livelihoods and undermines domestic markets. Trump says the plan would lower grocery prices for the average American and has argued that the ranchers are thriving thanks to his trade policies.

The only reason they are doing so well, for the first time in decades, is because I put tariffs on cattle coming into the United States, he wrote on Truth Social. If it werent for me, they would be doing just as theyve done for the past 20 years  terrible.

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Trump called on ranchers to get their prices down, saying that the consumer is a very big factor in my thinking.

Many ranchers say the proposed Argentine imports threaten domestic producers more than they help consumers. Colin Woodall, CEO of the National Cattlemens Beef Association, said the plan undercut the future of family farmers and ranchers while doing little to lower grocery prices.

It is imperative that President Trump and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins let the cattle markets work, Woodall said in a statement on Wednesday.

The NVBA argued that striking these deals with Buenos Aires runs counter to the presidents campaign pledges and could jeopardize Americans health.

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The United States already faces a deep trade imbalance with Argentina, one that is made worse by the presidents plan, they wrote. Furthermore, Argentina is a nation with a long history of foot-and-mouth disease and the USDA has not completed the necessary steps to ensure Argentina can guarantee the safety of the products being shipped here, further endangering Americas cattle herd.

Start your day with essential news from Salon.

Sign up for our free morning newsletter, Crash Course.

Trumps proposal exposed some rifts among Republican lawmakers. Senators Deb Fischer of Nebraska, Steve Daines of Montana, and John Hoeven of North Dakota signaled concerns with the plan.

Trump defended the moves earlier this week, saying that Argentina was fighting for its life and that he would do what he could to help its president, Javier Milei, with whom Trump has a close relationship.

Dont make it sound like theyre doing great. They are dying, Trump said.

The post Tensions rise between Trump, cattle ranchers over Argentine beef plans appeared first on Salon.com.
By Chris Kirkham

(Reuters) -Teslas groundbreaking 2017 Model 3 electric sedan, followed by a taller Model Y variant, ushered in the era of mass-market electric cars, made Tesla the worlds most valuable automaker and CEO Elon Musk the worlds richest man.

But years later, Teslas stalling car business remains almost entirely dependent on that one breakthrough  and it may continue to be for years to come.

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The automaker's only model since then, the Cybertruck, flopped. Tesla now has next to nothing in the product pipeline for human drivers as Musk refocuses the company on self-driving technology and humanoid robots.

A new Roadster supercar, unveiled in 2017 as a prototype, has yet to arrive and would serve only a super-wealthy niche. The automaker last year killed a project to make a $25,000 EV and instead, earlier this month, introduced stripped-down versions of the Model 3 and Model Y costing $37,000 and $40,000, respectively.

And thats it  Musk has promised no other new or redesigned human-driven vehicles. Tesla's apparent neglect of its core car business poses major risks for investors and will test whether the U.S. electric-vehicle pioneer can sustain growth without regular new-model launches, analysts say.

Tesla did not respond to requests for comment.

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Tesla has not fully redesigned any model in two decades in an industry where models often have short shelf lives  and where Teslas leading EV rivals in China are launching new vehicles at a dizzying pace in every conceivable segment.

Instead, Tesla continues to treat its models much like iPhones that need only incremental improvements delivered in software updates to stay competitive.

Some industry observers see no reason why that cannot work.

While traditional automakers spend heavily on regular hardware and styling overhauls, Tesla has succeeded in delivering a high-margin product with no frills serving customers who care more about its updatable technology than its appearance, said Adrian Balfour, founder of Envorso, a technology consulting firm that works with the automotive industry.

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"I dont think they have to do a ton of redesign-type work" to vehicles like its best-selling Model Y, he said.

'LIKE ANY OTHER BRAND'

Others argue that Tesla cannot indefinitely defy the automotive industrys law of gravity  that sales fall as models age.

Tom Libby, an S&P Global Mobility analyst, said Teslas customer loyalty rate plunged last year and improved only after Tesla doubled its average spending on product incentives.

"The data show that Tesla is like any other brand," Libby said. "Over the long term, theres going to have to be some major product actions or the brand will keep going down."

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Tesla vehicle sales fell 6% through the first three quarters of this year. Now it faces steep challenges from U.S. President Donald Trumps sweeping rollback of government support for EVs, including a $7,500-per-vehicle tax credit for consumers that expired last month.

The pending tax-credit expiration boosted Tesla vehicle sales in the third quarter as customers hurried purchases to get the subsidy. That boosted revenue in quarterly financial results the company released on Wednesday.

But profit nonetheless fell by 37% because of higher costs from Trump's tariffs, increased research-and-development spending and falling revenue from the sale of government regulatory credits to other automakers.

Musk and other Tesla executives said little during the earnings call about its current automotive business, which accounted for 88% of its third-quarter revenue, and focused instead on future plans for self-driving robotaxis and humanoid robots.

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When Tesla recently made cosmetic updates to the models 3 and Y  a "refresh" in industry parlance  the subtle changes were not enough to generate the sales bumps often gained by traditional automakers after major redesigns of models from the ground up, Libby said.

On average, automakers in the United States overhaul their models every eight years, according to S&P Global Mobility data, a time frame that has shortened over the last decade. Many mass-market models are redesigned more frequently; trucks and luxury vehicles are overhauled less often.

Redevelopment cycles globally could get radically shorter soon as traditional automakers respond to intense competitive pressure from Chinas heavily subsidized electric vehicle industry.

Chinese EV makers led by BYD, Teslas leading global rival, have slashed model development times to two years or less.

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The fast iteration has allowed Chinese EV makers to keep up with trends, keep up with what consumer products are doing, said Dan Hearsch, co-leader of the automotive and industrial practice at consultancy AlixPartners. "It's half the time, and its also half the fixed costs."

BYD, for example, launched at least 17 SUV models from 2020 through 2025, about double the number of new or redesigned Ford SUVs launched in that period.

Tesla, by comparison, has released only the triangular, stainless-steel Cybertruck since the Model Y began production in early 2020.

It has launched just six vehicles since 2008, including the Model S sedan, Model X sport-utility vehicle and its first car, the short-lived Roadster two-seater. Only the models 3 and Y, which share the same platform and most components, have sold in high volumes.

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Musk predicted Tesla would sell hundreds of thousands of Cybertrucks annually. So far this year, through September, Tesla sold about 16,000 of them, according to research firm Cox Automotive.

A successful pickup would have given Tesla a foothold in one of the best-selling U.S. auto segments.

Libby said the automakers unusually small lineup also leaves Tesla out of other huge-selling segments, such as mass-market three-row SUVs, which account for 13% of U.S. vehicle sales, according to S&P Global Mobility data. (The Model X offers a tight, optional third row in the luxury segment.)

The Model 3 is in a smaller, declining segment  compact cars. The bigger problem for the models 3 and Y may be their advancing age, said Garrett Nelson, an analyst at CFRA Research who tracks Tesla.

You cant have a portfolio thats that stale, he said. They will be paying a price.

(Reporting by Chris Kirkham in Los Angeles; Editing by Brian Thevenot and Matthew Lewis)
Steel, the fundamental raw material for the construction, automotive, energy, and machinery industries, continues to stand as one of the indispensable pillars of the global economy.

Renowned for its durability, recyclability, and versatility, steel remains among the most critical building blocks of industrial production worldwide. Beyond being a symbol of industrialization, steel production serves as a strategic indicator of a nations economic strength. From renewable energy investments to large-scale infrastructure projects, steel plays a central role in sustainable growth and development.

According to data compiled from the World Steel Association, China produced 1 billion tons of crude steel in 2024  more than the combined output of all other countries. Following Chinas massive output, India ranked second with 149 million tons, while Japan took third place with 84 million tons. The United States followed with 79.5 million tons, Russia with 71 million tons, and South Korea with 63.6 million tons. Germany (37.2 million tons), Turkiye (36.9 million tons), Brazil (33.8 million tons), and Iran (31.4 million tons) completed the list of the worlds top ten steel producers.

Together, these ten countries account for approximately 85 percent of global steel production. However, Chinas commanding 53 percent share makes global steel supply highly sensitive to fluctuations in its economy.

Responding to questions on the issue, Veysel Yayan, Secretary General of the Turkish Steel Producers Association (TCUD), noted that Turkiye exports steel to a vast geography stretching from Europe to the Americas, and from the Middle East to Africa.

Yayan emphasized that the Turkish steel industry, which exports to more than 180 countries, holds a unique position in the global supply chain.

Turkiye ranked as the worlds eighth-largest steel producer in 2024, with 36.9 million tons, Yayan said. As of the first eight months of 2025, we have reclaimed our previous position as the worlds seventh-largest producer and the largest in Europe. Our industrys flexibility, resilience, product quality, and commitment to timely delivery distinguish it positively from competitors. Moreover, even during periods of economic turbulence and global crises, our sector has maintained uninterrupted production.

Recalling that many countries were forced to halt production temporarily during the COVID-19 pandemic, Yayan highlighted that Turkiyes steel industry continued operations throughout that period.

Despite this resilience, Yayan warned that Chinas dominance  accounting for more than half of global steel production  exposes not only Turkiye but all steel industries worldwide to global volatility.

When internal consumption in China and other Far Eastern countries declines, their surplus production floods international markets, he explained. A mere 1 percent drop in Chinese steel consumption translates to roughly 10 million tons of exports  a volume that has caused significant disruption in global steel markets. New capacity additions in other Far Eastern countries may trigger similar imbalances between production and consumption.

Yayan also pointed to protectionist trade measures as another major challenge undermining the competitiveness of the industry.

Following the United States imposition of a 50 percent tariff, the European Commissions move to reduce steel import quotas by 47 percent  along with Mexico and Canada preparing similar measures  shows that a large part of the global steel market is becoming closed to foreign suppliers, he said. This leaves major producers such as China, other Far Eastern countries, and Russia with no choice but to redirect their exports toward markets like Turkiye.

Yayan warned that such developments threaten Turkiyes steel exports to its largest market, the European Union, leading to potential losses in sales, reduced capacity utilization, and weakened profitability among producers.

In the long term, he added, the continuation of such measures risks dampening investment appetite and delaying plans for capacity expansion. Nevertheless, Turkiyes steel industry continues to pursue new strategies to protect its competitiveness. By diversifying markets, focusing on high value-added production, and investing in green transformation, our sector aims to strengthen its position in global trade.

Yayan underscored that a strong steel industry not only supports economic growth but also safeguards national security, strategic independence, and sustainable development. Becoming dependent on foreign steel supplies, he warned, increases supply chain risks in critical sectors and makes national decision-making more vulnerable to external factors.

He went on to note that in recent years, the Turkish steel industry has made extensive, environmentally aligned investments to expand capacity  both to meet domestic demand and to boost export potential.

The primary goal, he said, is to develop a high-quality, competitive, and sustainable production infrastructure. Capacity expansion projects focusing on high-value-added products are particularly noteworthy. Investments in the production of speciality steels used in the automotive, defense, energy, and shipbuilding industries are accelerating. These efforts not only increase Turkiyes output but also enhance its product diversity and international competitiveness.

Currently, Turkiyes steel industry possesses enough capacity to meet domestic demand. However, capacity utilization stands at around 63 percent  a relatively low level. Imported inputs account for nearly 48 percent of total consumption, a figure that is about 2.5 times higher than the European Unions 20 percent threshold, which has raised serious concerns in Brussels.

Yayan concluded by stressing that the share of imported inputs in domestic consumption should be reduced to more sustainable levels. To support capacity expansion, he called for stronger incentives for domestic production, balanced energy costs, and improved access to financing for environmental investments.
Buying a used car can sometimes be a bit of a gamble. But for some Tesla drivers, it could also mean being shut out of one of the company's most important features: its nationwide Supercharger network.

What's happening?

Daniel Boycott, an Illinois resident, purchased a 2022 Tesla Model 3 in September and was excited to hit the road. But when he tried to use the company's expansive Supercharger network, the car wouldn't connect, he told CBS News.

After repeated attempts, Tesla informed him his vehicle was "unsupported for charging" because it had been flagged as a salvage car.

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"I was told it was clean. The CARFAX said it was clean, and I trusted that," Boycott told CBS News. After a closer look, he discovered an earlier accident and repair work a Tesla technician later described as "shoddy."

"It was bad enough where they flagged it," Boycott said.

Tesla maintains the restriction is a safety precaution, since high-powered charging stations could pose a risk if a damaged car is connected. The automaker does offer an inspection option to restore access, but industry insider Fred Lambert told CBS News that it could cost around $2,000, not including any additional repairs.

Why is this restriction important?

Without access to Tesla's 70,000 Superchargers across the country, long-distance travel would become much harder for many drivers.

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"It's insanely frustrating," Boycott said, noting to the news outlet that the network's availability was one of the main reasons he chose the vehicle.

Other EV makers told CBS News that they do not ban accident-damaged cars from public charging networks, which could make Tesla's system uniquely restrictive for secondhand buyers.

Beyond the potential customer frustration, this issue could more widely throw a wrench into the adoption of EVs, which represent an important shift away from the harmful pollution created every day by gas-powered cars.

What's being done about Tesla's restrictions?

Tesla has begun offering inspections for flagged vehicles, though Boycott said the cost still feels prohibitive. He's still in negotiations with the dealership that sold him the car, while Illinois officials confirmed to CBS that the title remains legally clean.

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For now, experts urge buyers to check vehicle histories thoroughly and ask direct questions about charging access before purchasing a used EV, per Recurrent.

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Prosecutors and defense attorneys agree that Sean Grayson fatally shot Sonya Massey in her Sangamon County kitchen on July 6, 2024, after she called to report a prowler.

But the crux of the murder case against Grayson is whether he feared for his and his fellow deputys lives when he fired a shot that struck and killed Massey.

Dan Fultz, Graysons attorney, said in opening statements in Graysons murder trial on Wednesday that Massey was a threat and did not comply with the deputys repeated requests.

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Masseys supposed weapon that caused him to fear for his life, according to defense attorneys? A pot of boiling liquid.

Grayson repeatedly told Massey to put down the pot of water, Fultz said, changing the dynamic of the call.

This quickly became a rapidly changing situation, Fultz said. He was forced to make the decision that no police officer wants to make.

Grayson, 31, was charged with first-degree murder weeks after the shooting. He was fired from the Sangamon County Sheriffs Department after he was charged. Prosecutors dropped two lesser charges, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct, late Monday.

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Make no mistake, we are here today because of the actions of Sean Grayson, Sangamon County States Attorney John Milhiser told the jury during his opening statement Wednesday morning.

Sean Grayson is pictured in a booking photo. The former Sangamon County Sheriffs deputy is charged with first-degree murder and accused of shooting Sonya Massey to death in her kitchen. He has pleaded not guilty.

At the end of the day this defendant went into her home and shot and killed her without lawful justification because he was mad at her.

Dawson Farley, the deputy who was on the call with Grayson at Masseys house outside of Springfield, recorded the shooting on his bodycam. Farley is expected to testify.

The jury on Wednesday also heard testimony from Illinois State Police Lt. Eric Weston, who headed the officer-involved shooting investigation. Illinois State Police investigate officer-involved shootings to provide an unbiased investigation for local states attorneys to review.

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Weston testified that he arrived on scene at about 3 a.m. on July 6, 2024  two hours after the shooting. Weston directly worked on more than a dozen officer-involved shooting investigations, he said. On that day, he was told the shooting was a result of a prowler call where there was an incident with a pot of water that resulted in a use of force.

The investigation proceeded with routine tasks, including a neighborhood canvas, and a visit to the hospital for Grayson to receive a well-being check and submit to have his blood drawn and a urine sample collected the following day.

But the tenor of the investigation changed on a Sunday afternoon, Weston said, when he saw the video from Farleys bodycam.

It was different than the assumption on the scene, Weston said.

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He testified that he believed before seeing the video that there had to be something more that preceded the shooting  verbal threats, an act of aggression by Massey, perhaps.

Mark Wykoff, another of Graysons attorneys, questioned Weston about the Illinois State Police crime scene investigators who collected evidence at Masseys house. Weston told the jury that after reviewing the video of the shooting, he sent them back to the house to look for a third bullet.

And Wykoff pointed out other lapses in evidence collection, including failing to immediately collect the pot that was on Masseys stove that night.

Ms. Massey was using a pot of boiling liquid as a weapon, Wykoff said. The pot wasnt collected for two weeks.

Graysons career trajectory

Weston further testified that Grayson received crisis intervention training the year before, according to Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board records. The training is designed to deescalate conflict when calls involve those having a mental health crisis.

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Grayson worked for six different departments in four years, but under cross-examination from Wykoff, Weston told the jury that the first three departments, beginning in 2020 with the Pawnee Police Department, were part-time positions until he got a full-time job with Auburn in 2021.

Thats not an uncommon career trajectory for a law enforcement officer, is it? Wykoff said.

Weston agreed that it was not.

The prosecutions second witness was Kathryn Barton, who worked at Sangamon County Central Dispatch. Barton answered Masseys call that night.

I keep hearing stuff outside my house, like somebody is banging on the side of my house, Massey said on the recorded 911 call.

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During that call, Massey sounded calm but could not remember her phone number when Barton asked. Then the call dropped.

Grayson and Farley responded to the call just after 1 a.m. Massey, who family members said was experiencing a mental health crisis, told Grayson that she heard someone outside her home during the overnight hours. The deputies searched the area around the outside but didnt find anything. They then went inside to question Massey after finding windows broken on a car parked outside of her home.

The two deputies noticed a pot heating liquid on the stove and told her to remove it. As she did, Massey, who was Black, said, I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.

Grayson, who is white, then threatened to shoot Massey in the face. Moments later, he pulled his 9 mm service weapon and fired three times, striking Massey once in the face. Grayson said he feared for his safety and that of Farley.

The trial was moved to Peoria to avoid pretrial publicity.

Testimony is expected to continue Wednesday afternoon.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  Counsel for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a response Tuesday to a lawsuit brought in September by three Chinese citizens, who want the court to block his office from enforcing a recently enacted state law.

The plaintiffs seek an injunction against Senate Bill 17, state law that took effect at the start of September. It prohibits companies or organizations connected to the governments of designated foreign adversary nations, such as China, Russia, Iran and North Korea, from owning real estate in Texas or renting a property for a year or more.

It also blocks individuals who meet one of five criteria:

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Individuals domiciled in a designated country;

Citizens of a designated country domiciled outside of the U.S. or a designated country;

Citizens of a designated country who are unlawfully living in the U.S.;

Agents of a designated country; or,

Members of a designated countrys ruling party.

Previous: Chinese citizens sue over Texas law restricting them from buying real estate

[Plaintiffs] will be unable to rent (and therefore continue to live, study, and work) in Texas, and unable to purchase second homes or investment properties, the lawsuit states. The law stigmatizes them and their communities, and casts a cloud of suspicion over anyone of Chinese descent who seeks to buy property in Texas.

The lawsuit names Paxton, in his official capacity, as the sole defendant. Hes represented in the case by Brian Keith Ingram, special counsel at the Texas Office of the Attorney General.

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Ingram wrote in his motion to dismiss that the plaintiffs lack standing to sue and that Paxton is protected by sovereign immunity.

The two foreign plaintiffs do not have the right to bring these claims, and the third plaintiff is not adversely affected by the law, the motion reads. SB 17 mitigates the influence of hostile foreign governments. The statute draws lines on that basis, not based on race or national origin.

While the plaintiffs didnt say in their lawsuit that the law has been enforced against them yet, they allege that since there is an imminent threat of enforcement. Ingram argues that imminent threat only grants standing to bring cases involving potential violations of the First Amendment.

Plaintiffs have pleaded no facts showing that the Attorney General has taken any steps to enforce SB 17, most specifically the domicile provision or the third-party domicile provision, against them or anyone else, he wrote. In a previous suit challenging SB 17  the district court specifically found that the Attorney General had no intention of enforcing the statute against persons similarly situated.

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The ruling in that other case noted that Paxton said there is no state interest in preventing persons who are legally living in Texas  who possess the desire to continue living and working in Texas in the future from purchasing or leasing real estate.

These persons are no threat to the security of Texas or Texans. They are welcome to settle here. Nothing in SB 17 is to the contrary, states the ruling, quoting Paxton.

However, the prior ruling is for a separate federal court district and isnt binding on the court hearing the current case.

The motion also talks directly about one of the plaintiffs, who, per their signed declarations filed with the court, is a Chinese citizen with a student visa who lives in Waco. Ingram wrote that the plaintiff is domiciled in the U.S. legally, and thus, SB 17 couldnt be enforced against them.

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As for the two other plaintiffs in the lawsuit, the OAG said that they cant bring their case because they live outside the U.S.

They do not make any claim to be subject to U.S. laws or the U.S. Constitution. As such, they have no right to bring claims under the U.S. Constitution, the motion to dismiss states, They have no right to claim preemption under the Supremacy Clause and no right to claim equal protection under the 14th Amendment.

The motion also goes on to argue that, even if the plaintiffs could make those claims, they would be unsuccessful in court.

The U.S. Supreme Court has long upheld restrictions on the purchase of land by aliens  ruling that these restrictions are part of the police power reserved to the state when the Constitution was adopted. State restriction on land purchases by some aliens do not violate equal protection so long as they are not arbitrary or unreasonable,' it states.

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A hearing in the lawsuit is scheduled for Nov. 4 at the federal courthouse in Austin.

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The Texas Education Agency will boot the democratically elected board of the Fort Worth Independent School District and appoint a new slate of leaders to oversee its campuses, marking the second-largest takeover in state history, Commissioner Mike Morath announced Thursday morning.

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The decision to assume control of the North Texas district follows months of speculation about how the state would respond to one of the Fort Worth campuses not meeting academic accountability standards for five consecutive years. The district closed the campus, Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Sixth Grade, at the end of the 2023-24 school year, but Morath indicated in the spring that state law still required him to intervene.

Dallas local news station WFAA first reported news about the takeover Wednesday evening.

In a letter sent to the district Thursday, Morath said that through action and inaction, the current school board has failed the students of Fort Worth ISD. The commissioner pointed to data showing that only 34% of students across all grades and subjects are performing at grade level on Texas standardized exams and that 20 campuses have been considered academically unacceptable for multiple years in a row.

The inability of the district to implement effective changes to improve the performance of students in the district or at the campus necessitates the interventions announced by this letter, Morath wrote. Furthermore, the interventions are in the public interest as the failure of governance is demonstrated by the continual academic deficiencies at the campus and across the district.

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Outside of the one campus that triggered the takeover, the districts roughly 135 schools overall have earned a C rating in Texas A-F accountability system the last two years. The education agency considers that an acceptable performance, meaning the district serves many students well but needs to provide additional support to many others.

Still, the commissioner said he plans to appoint a new school board, referred to as a board of managers, that will consist of Fort Worth community members who are committed to governing effectively to support positive change for the students of the district. The elected board will technically remain in their positions for the duration of the takeover, but they will have no power to make official decisions.

Morath will appoint a new superintendent, though he said the districts current leader, Karen Molinar, will be considered for the position. The agency will also name a conservator responsible for ensuring the district supports its low-performing campuses and implements the districts turnaround plans. The letter did not state exactly when Morath plans to finalize those decisions. The district will have an opportunity to appeal the decision early next week.

In response to the agencys takeover announcement, the Fort Worth school districts board of trustees said in a statement that it is disappointed by the decision and hopes the matter will be reconsidered.

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Over the past year, our Board and Administration have worked tirelessly to strengthen instruction and accelerate student outcomes, said Board President Roxanne Martinez. Our elected Board is in the best position to drive the sustainable improvements the Commissioner seeks, with measurable progress already underway.

Molinar, the superintendent, in a press conference Thursday noted some of the initiatives her administration has taken on, including overhauling seven of its most under-resourced campuses to attract more effective educators.

That should have been done years ago, said Molinar, who was appointed to her role earlier this year.

Molinar said the district will continue getting results for our students, adding that she has spoken with campus principals and communicated with staff and parents to reiterate that message.

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State takeovers of districts can only be initiated if one of their schools receives a failing grade from the TEA for five consecutive years. They allow the replacement of elected school board members with state appointees. The state can also direct districts to close a school rather than replace their school boards.

About 15 miles from Fort Worth ISD, the Lake Worth school district could be next in line for a takeover. Morath visited Lake Worth earlier this week, just two months after he toured Fort Worth ISD schools as he weighed how to intervene.

Three other school districts around the state also reached the threshold of five consecutive failing ratings this year. The Beaumont, Connally and Wichita school districts are at risk of increased state oversight after a court ruling ended a two-year pause on the ratings.

Fort Worth ISD is a majority-Hispanic district with more than 70,000 students, and around 75% of students are at risk of dropping out. Nearly 40% of students are enrolled in bilingual and English language learning programs. Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Sixth Grade, the campus that triggered the takeover, drew in refugee and immigrant newcomers.

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In a statement to The Texas Tribune, Gov. Greg Abbotts office praised the education agencys decision to overhaul the Fort Worth district.

Our children deserve the best education possible, which requires a strong accountability system, said Abbott spokesperson Andrew Mahaleris. Together, we can build a stronger future for every child in Fort Worth ISD and across the state.

Texas Rep. Gina Hinojosa, who announced her bid for governor last week, called the takeover a crisis of Greg Abbotts own making. The Austin Democrat said Fort Worth ISD has been underfunded by the state, which has starved public education of needed resources.

Texas has increasingly relied on state interventions as a way to shape learning in public schools. The Fort Worth ISD takeover is the 11th in Texas since 2000. The largest is occurring at the Houston Independent School District, which has more than 183,000 students. That takeover began in 2023 and was recently extended through 2027.

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Since the takeover, Houston ISD has seen significant student improvement on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR test, and progress in the districts A-F accountability ratings. Houston ISD students in 3-12 grades have improved in each STAAR subject in the two school years since the intervention started. High schoolers surpassed statewide averages and saw the largest gains in Algebra 1 and biology. No Houston school district campuses received an F in the most recent accountability ratings.

The districts administration has also drawn sharp criticism from many district teachers and parents who worry about the schools strict curriculum and emphasis on test scores. Teachers have expressed frustration about the districts pay-for-performance model and the lack of full books in curricula. Nearly all of its campuses are using lesson plans designed by the district that include timed slideshows and scripts for teachers.

Under the leadership of state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles, the district has seen extraordinary staff turnover and plummeting student enrollment. And it has terminated or reassigned hundreds of employees.

Houston ISD elected trustee Savant Moore, who does not have any decision-making power, encouraged Morath to form relationships with the faculty and students in Fort Worth.

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Commissioner Morath has an opportunity to work with communities, not over them, he said. Restoring trust begins with collaboration, transparency, and respect for the parents, teachers, and students directly affected.

Disclosure: Houston Public Media has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribunes journalism. Find a complete list of them here.


(The Center Square)  A Texas lawmaker introduced legislation to reform the H-2A visa program for agricultural workers.

U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz, R-Texas, introduced the Bracero Program 2.0 Act, a bill to make wage reforms and technical upgrades to the H-2a temporary agricultural visa program.

The H-2A visa program is a federally administered work visa system that allows agricultural employers to hire immigrant workers for temporary or seasonal jobs when there are not enough U.S. workers available.

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According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 42% of farmworkers in the United States do not have U.S. work authorization. There is no limit to the number of workers who can be approved each year on the H-2A program.

The Bracero Program was initially implemented in 1942 as an agreement between Mexico and the United States to address farmworker shortages during World War II. The program brought in roughly four million temporary agricultural workers from Mexico before it ended in 1964.

De La Cruzs legislation proposes centralizing the H-2A application process into a single electronic portal that will post advertisements for open positions and allow applicants to submit documents. The electronic portal would be administered by the Departments of Labor and Homeland Security. The bill also recommends extending H-2A worker contracts to 12 months from the previous less than 10 month period.

For decades, the Bracero program created new opportunities for millions and provided critical support for Texas agriculture, De La Cruz said. I am leading efforts to revive the Bracero spirit by reforming H-2A visas.

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Florida, California, Georgia, Washington and North Carolina are among the top five states where employers recruit H-2A workers.

De La Cruzs legislation also proposes requiring employers to pay H-2A workers two dollars more than the states hourly minimum wage.

The Trump administration recently proposed a rule that would change wage calculation for H-2A workers by requiring employers to pay based on state-level Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

The administration said this would stabilize the rate of pay for H-2A workers rather than having it fluctuate rapidly from year to year.

This continuity is essential for minimizing the likelihood of shortages, price volatility, and disruptions throughout the supply chain, which can affect customers and businesses alike, the administration wrote in its rule.

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De La Cruzs legislation also proposes expanding eligibility for H-2A work visas by allowing greenhouse and indoor farm workers to apply for the program. The program would also give greater flexibility to workers who change employers by allowing them to remain on a single visa.

Rosemary Jenks, policy director at the Immigration Accountability Project, said she is skeptical of expanding work visa programs in agricultural fields.

We should as a country incentivize growers to invest in capital, to invest in the machines that can pick the crops rather than relying on an imported slave class to pick them, Jenks said.

The future of De La Cruz's legislation is uncertain as the Trump administration continues to make changes with various visa systems including the H-1B and H-2A programs.

"This will provide solutions desperately needed for hard-working immigrants," De La Cruz said. "With workforce shortages challenging our communities, the Bracero Program 2.0 will bring stability and certainty for south Texas."
As Texans participate in early voting, they are evaluating a measure that supporters hope will ensure judges are held accountable.

Proposition 12 is an amendment to the Texas Constitution, aiming to increase transparency and accountability for judges across the state. The proposition is on the November 4 ballot, and early voting started on October 20.

Until this point, there was no way to do anything about the corruption, said Jennifer Lundy, executive director of Texans for Judicial Accountability, to The Dallas Express. You could complain, you could complain, you could complain  and nothing was happening. So our prayer is that when we have legitimate complaints, that something will happen.

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If the amendment passes, it would change the composition of the 13-member State Commission on Judicial Conduct to include two more citizens, Lundy said.

According to Ballotpedia, it would also restrict private reprimands  requiring the commission to name judges accused of criminal conduct, and strengthen the commissions ability to punish judges for misconduct.

Even though we have an elected judiciary in Texas, our courtsand the judges who run themoften behave like philosopher-kings, positioning themselves as all-but exempt from review by anyone. This is why I'm voting for Proposition 12 on the November ballot. As citizens, we're  Michael Quinn Sullivan  (@MQSullivan) October 15, 2025

The SCJC currently includes six judges, two attorneys, and five public members, according to Lundy. Proposition 12 would replace the attorneys with two more public citizens, appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott.

That gives everyday Texans a majority control, Lundy explained.

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Jesse Hoffman, a Dallas lawyer and a former assistant attorney general, told The Houston Chronicle he thinks the amendment would give Abbott control over the commission, allowing him to appoint the majority of members.

If any judge disrupts the governor, or anybody who the governor is willing to take marching orders from, he would now have a powerful tool to get that judge back in line or get him or her out of the way entirely, Hoffman reportedly said.

The Dallas Morning News editorial board opposed the measure, echoing similar concerns.

Lundy disagreed, saying the reforms are not a partisan issue.

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Thats not even true. Abbott was over the five public citizens that were on it to start out with, so hes only added two, she said. It doesnt give them the authority to just go in and put Republican people  Its not political.

Lundy pointed to Senate Joint Resolution 27, which laid the groundwork for the proposition. It passed with bipartisan support  in the state House by 119 to 17, with four abstaining and 10 absent, and in the state Senate by 27 to 4.

That should tell you, its both, she said. It goes all the way across.

The proposition would also restrict private reprimands from the SCJC, requiring the commission to name judges accused of criminal conduct, according to Ballotpedia. If misconduct is willful or persistent, it would also require public sanctions or referrals for removal or suspension.

Over the last 20 years, the commission has seen around 27,000 complaints, according to Lundy. She said this led to around 250 public sanctions and around 550 private sanctions.

These private reprimands were horrible. Not all of them were, but many of them were horrible, Lundy said. You had no idea who they were referring to.

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The commission has issued seven private sanctions so far this year. The most recent instance occurred on August 14, when an unnamed district court judge commented on a respondents social media post, suggesting the outcome of the case.

Earlier this year, an unnamed county judge lent the prestige of judicial office to advance the private interests of a political candidate in the 2024 election, according to the commission. In January, another unnamed associate judge failed to treat litigants and attorneys with patience, dignity, and courtesy, showed potential bias, and denied a litigants attorney the right to be heard.

Texas is no stranger to judicial misconduct.

A Democrat judge in Dallas faced two public sanctions in June for a pattern of violating defendants constitutional rights. In May, a Northeast Texas judge was accused of using a death threat to coerce a plea deal.

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Senate Bill 293 and SJR 27 helped lay the groundwork for reining in private reprimands so the commission would identify the judges in question, according to Lundy. She hoped this would help expose the misconduct to public scrutiny and deter corruption.

The legislation also raised judicial pay 25%, which Lundy said was long overdue.

The proposition would also allow the commission to suspend judges from office, with or without pay, immediately after a state or federal jury indicts them for a felony or misdemeanor involving official misconduct. After review, the commission could also ban the judge from holding judicial office in the future.

Texans for Judicial Accountability already has a list of reforms for the next session, according to Lundy. She said the group hopes to restore public trust by opening courtrooms to audio and video, and to require judges in lawsuits to disclose political donations.

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Judges are taking donations while they have a suit going on, and theyre not having to disclose it to the other party that they accepted the donation, Lundy said. All were asking is for transparency if a judge accepts a donation and they have a case going with the person, the other party needs to know that they accepted it.

Most of our judges are honest, very amazing people, but there are some that are not. And there are some that are ruling in favor of the people giving them the donation, she added.

Lundy said the group has a laundry list of other items for the next session, like making the director of judicial conduct an elected position and making the complaint process more accessible.

She encouraged others to get involved.

I am just a person. I did have background because I was a court reporter and I worked for two of our senators, so I knew people, but Im just a person, Lundy said. Anyone can do it if youve got the desire.
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At colleges across Texas last month, a series of viral campus videos, abrupt professor firings, confusing teaching restrictions and sudden course audits came in such rapid-fire succession that before the fallout was over at one public university, another scandal was upending norms at a school hundreds of miles away.

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Many students and professors say the ground has shifted on speech and scholarship, creating confusion about what they can say, study and teach in the very places they once saw as centers of open inquiry.

But that changed atmosphere didnt happen overnight. Texas Republicans have been building toward it for years.

Long before the Trump administration began targeting institutions of higher learning, Texas officials passed laws, threatened universities with funding cuts and waged social media warfare aimed at combating what they described as a pervasive bias against conservative opinions.

The pressure prompted regents at systems across the state to install top school administrators more aligned with state leaders. No hire illustrates that more than the Texas Tech University System choosing Brandon Creighton, a former Republican senator who wrote many of the laws now transforming higher education, to become chancellor later this year.

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As a leading Carnegie R1 research institution, our mission is to educate the next generation of doctors, lawyers, engineers, entrepreneurs, teachers, and innovators  not to engage in ideological or political battles, Creighton said in a statement to The Texas Tribune on Tuesday.

He said higher education has too often drifted from its core purpose, allowing activism and ideology to overshadow academics and innovation.

When a Texas A&M University student over the summer filmed a professor defending the legality of discussing gender identity beyond sex assigned at birth, the chain of events that followed only accelerated the political transformation of higher education already underway in the state.

The professor was fired. Texas A&M President Mark A. Welsh III, beloved by students but a target of conservative alumni, resigned. The Texas Tech University System issued vague restrictions on classroom discussions about transgender and nonbinary people. Universities and community colleges across the state began reviewing their academic offerings.

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In a separate incident stemming from a video amplified by conservative social media accounts, a tenured Texas State professor was fired over comments he made about anarchists at a socialist conference.

Meanwhile, the assassination of national conservative activist Charlie Kirk at a Utah college galvanized conservative youth across Texas and the country. Separate videos of a Texas Tech student and another at Texas State University mocking Kirks death drew immediate ire. Conservative Texas officials, including Gov. Greg Abbott, demanded punishment. Both universities said the students were no longer enrolled shortly after the videos surfaced. The Tech student also faces a misdemeanor charge of simple assault, presumably for striking the cap of a Kirk supporter.

Some students and faculty now second-guess what they can say in and out of class. Students who arent white, straight and cisgender say their identities are being erased. Many professors worry that fear, not inquiry, is starting to define campus life.

This doesnt only apply to faculty who are teaching LGBTQ content, said Lauren Gutterman, an associate professor of American Studies and Womens, Gender and Sexuality Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. A colleague was even nervous about teaching the suffrage movement. I know someone else who was worried about teaching Shakespeare because so many characters in Shakespearean plays play around with or switch gender.

Lauren Gutterman, associate professor of American Studies and Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies in her office at the University of Texas at Austin on Oct. 16, 2025. Manoo Sirivelu/The Texas Tribune

Left: LGBTQ+ posters and books focused on gender and sexual identity sit in UT-Austin associate professor Lauren Guttermans bookshelf in her office in Austin. Right: An attendee of the Texas Youth Summit, a conservative-focused conference for college and high school aged youth, wears a hat decorated with buttons on Sept. 20, 2025, in The Woodlands. Manoo Sirivelu and Mark Felix for The Texas Tribune

Others say the shift was overdue and is creating space for conservative voices that were once dismissed or mocked in lecture halls and quads. They support new limits on classroom instruction about trans and nonbinary identities, and argue that the ongoing changes have allowed students and faculty to talk more freely. Cole Horton, a Texas A&M sophomore business honors and finance major and student senator, said people still discuss controversial topics both in class and around campus.

Are political or cultural shifts spurring curriculum or policy changes on your college campus that Texans need to know about? Send tips to higher education reporter Jessica Priest at jessica.priest@texastribune.org or send her a message via Signal at @jessicapriest.79.

You can go down to Academic Plaza or Rudder Plaza and have a demonstration or talk to people about whatever you want, he said. Even if you disagree, theyre still going to talk to you and thats accepted.

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Free speech experts once warned of intolerance toward conservative voices on campuses. A May report by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression found that between 2020 and 2022, the student groups most frequently targeted for discipline or public condemnation were conservative, like College Republicans, Young Americans for Freedom and Turning Point USA.

But FIRE now says the pendulum has swung. Since 2023, school administrators and government officials have more often restricted or criticized more liberal-leaning forms of expression. The group calls the recent changes in Texas an overcorrection.

The spike in efforts by politicians and government officials over the past year to restrict campus speech is incredibly disturbing and unlike anything from recent memory, said Logan Dougherty, a senior researcher with FIRE. Those who defended conservative voices in the name of free speech should defend all voices under the same principle today.

Were being tucked away

In 2023, Texas lawmakers banned diversity, equity and inclusion offices at public universities, arguing they had become ineffective bureaucracies that undermined merit, imposed political litmus tests on new hires, and gave exclusionary benefits to certain demographic groups.

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Creighton, who authored the ban, said universities should focus on their core mission.

The vast majority of Texas students pursuing degrees of value  whether in medicine, law, engineering, social work, or educationare working night and day to build productive lives, strengthen their communities, and ensure that Texas remains a place where they can build businesses, raise families, and give back to the state that gave them these opportunities, Creighton said in a statement.

Although the states DEI ban was not aimed at student organizations, several students told The Texas Tribune it has reduced the number of spaces where they once felt safe and visible.

Left: Elwim Sorto, 21, a graduate student at the University of Texas at Arlington. Sorto ended a group he co-founded, the Queer Social Work Association, in part because of the states ban on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in public universities. Right: Tarrant County Judge Tim OHare bows his head in prayer at the beginning of a Commissioners Court meeting in Fort Worth on April 18, 2023. Desiree Rios and Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune

At the University of Texas at Arlington earlier this month, graduate student Elwim Sorto shut down the Queer Social Work Association he co-founded, in part because of the states DEI ban.

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Sorto said the group lost its adviser and the university counseling centers support. After the organization clashed with Republican Tarrant County Judge Tim OHare over an event that included drag performances, Sorto said the School of Social Work asked them to add the word student to the groups name to make clear it wasnt officially affiliated with the university. Sorto said administrators also began asking to review public statements the group wanted to make, prompting some members to leave out of fear of being targeted.

We decided to just go ahead and just kind of suspend out of our own dignity because we werent going to be edged out of a system like that, he said.

In a statement, UT-Arlington said it complies with all laws but did not answer other questions.

At the University of Houston, sophomore Zora Smith, who is part of Houston Organization for Political Education, a queer Black student organization, said she also worries her group may not exist next year as universities continue to adjust to the DEI ban.

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She said the university stopped sponsoring an LGBTQ+ ice cream social. Faculty and students later revived the event independently at the campus religious center. A faculty organizer said it was renamed the Rainbow Ice Cream Social after campus leaders asked that they tone down the LGBT language.

Zora Smith, a sophomore at the University of Houston, poses for a photo by her organization clubs trifold at the University of Houston in Houston, on Oct. 7, 2025. Joseph Bui for The Texas Tribune

Not only are we excluded on campus, but pressure from the administration has been put on us not to be loud and bold, Smith said. The freedom of expression has definitely gone down. Its these subtle things that make me scared. Were being tucked away.

UH officials did not respond to questions about the sponsorship or renaming of the event. In response to students concerns that the DEI ban might affect their organizations, they said in a statement that registered student groups not sponsored by the university are exempt from the ban. The university said it has not changed its policies regarding registered student groups events, and that they continue to have access to campus spaces, including the student center, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Tighter rules for speech on campus

Earlier this year, the Texas Legislature rolled back a law that made all outdoor campus spaces open to the public for protests and instead gave schools broad discretion over where and how people can express themselves.

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Senate Bill 2972, authored by Creighton, was largely in response to last years massive pro-Palestinian protests. Its main provisions limit protests to areas designated by university leaders, restrict participation to students and employees, ban engaging in expressive activities overnight and prohibit demonstrators from using microphones or other devices to amplify sound during class hours or if it intimidates others or interferes with campus operations, a university employee or peace officer from doing their job.

But it has also restricted how student organizations work with outside groups.

Protesters chant at Texas Department of Public Safety troopers during a pro-Palestinian protest at UT-Austin on April 24, 2024. Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribune

Left: Ally Flores, president of UT-Austins University Democrats club, stands near the universitys Burdine Hall, where the club hosts its general meetings. Right: Gubernatorial candidate Andrew White speaks at the University Democrats general meeting at Burdine Hall on Oct. 8, 2025. Manoo Sirivelu/The Texas Tribune

At UT-Austin, Ally Flores, a senior government major and president of the University Democrats, said the university now requires student groups to give two weeks notice before inviting nonstudents to campus events and to submit detailed forms listing each guests campaign and discussion topics.

According to Flores, administrators recently told the group that outside voter-registration volunteers could no longer table with them on campus and blocked a planned joint meeting with a local Democratic club.

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Those changes have created confusion and forced students to be more cautious about inviting speakers, planning events and speaking publicly about politics on campus, Flores said. She thinks administrators are taking implementation of the law much further than its language requires.

It seems like we were collateral damage, she said. I think its scary.

A federal judge has since blocked the University of Texas System from enforcing parts of the law, including its limits on overnight protests, outside speakers and amplified sounds and drums during the last two weeks of the semester, while a legal challenge moves forward. The judge wrote that student groups were likely to succeed in showing the law violates their First Amendment rights. The law is still enforceable at other campuses. After the ruling, Creighton said in a statement that the law bolsters free speech on college campuses by promoting dialogue and giving universities the tools to prevent disruptions by outside groups.

At Texas State University, JP Pinteralli is a senior studying mechanical engineering technologies and a member of Young Americans for Liberty, a conservative libertarian group. He said the restrictions have chilled activism across the political spectrum. Outside groups and people have been kicked off campus for not following the new rules. And gone are the days when his organization could just set up a table to introduce people to its mission.

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Under the new rules, students are highly encouraged, but not required to reserve a space at four outdoor spaces on campus. Individuals not affiliated with Texas State can only gather on one of them, unless they are invited or sponsored by the university.

Left: Students walk past a sign denoting an area of free speech at Texas State University on Sept. 17, 2025, in San Marcos. Right: JP Pinteralli, a senior in mechanical engineering technologies at Texas State University in San Marcos, is a contractor and the state chair of Young Americans for Liberty in Texas. Eli Hartman and Manoo Sirivelu for The Texas Tribune

Usually our club, out of protest of free-speech zones, will table without a reservation because we believe its our First Amendment right. But we are currently applying for reserved tabling  because of the new regulations, he said. Theyve already removed some people from campus because of those.

Texas State declined to respond to questions for this story.

Levi Fox, a UT-Austin junior and president of the Jewish fraternity Alpha Epsilon Pi, testified before lawmakers last spring about the pro-Palestinian demonstrations, which he said created an environment where antisemitism could thrive and left some Jewish students afraid to display their faith.

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In a recent interview with the Tribune, Fox said some Jewish students feel safer after the passage of SB 2972. But others worry the laws restrictions could become a slippery slope, limiting how all student groups gather on campus.

There are now restrictions to gathering on campus that apply to everybody, that also includes the Jewish community as well, Fox said. So how will this affect us long term? What if we want to hold an event on campus and were hindered by this legislation?

Faculty jobs, courses on the line

With Senate Bill 37, lawmakers earlier this year curtailed the influence faculty and administrators traditionally had over curriculum, hiring and disciplinary decisions and put that power in the hands of university system regents, whom the governor appoints.

Many faculty feel that gives Abbott, by proxy, a firmer grip on who teaches and what topics they discuss. Creighton, who authored the law, has said it reaffirms that the regents have ultimate authority in their systems and restores accountability so universities can stay focused on what matters: educating students, conducting research, and preparing the next generation of Texas leaders.

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This year, regents at three university systems also appointed new chancellors aligned with the states Republican leaders. Texas Tech hired Creighton. The University of Texas tapped former state Rep. John Zerwas. And Texas A&M chose former Comptroller Glenn Hegar.

Texas Tech University Chancellor Brandon Creighton speaks at a Turning Point USA rally in Lubbock on Oct. 7, 2025. Trace Thomas for The Texas Tribune

SB 37 also allowed systems such as the University of Texas and Texas State to dissolve their faculty senates, ending regular formal meetings between professors and administrators. Faculty say the shift has made it harder to raise concerns or weigh in on decisions that directly affect them.

After a student accused Texas A&M childrens literature professor Melissa McCoul of violating the law by discussing gender identity in her class, Welsh, who was still the university president at the time, initially defended her, according to another recording made by the student.

But as conservative outrage over the incident flared, Welsh fired McCoul for teaching content that was inconsistent with the published course description for another course this fall. Welsh, heavily criticized for his initial handling of the matter, resigned within days. McCoul has denied the allegations against her and is appealing her termination.

A day after Welsh fired McCoul, Texas State University fired tenured history professor Tom Alter after a video of his remarks at a socialist conference circulated online and attracted criticism. The video shows him saying, without organization, how can anyone expect to overthrow the most bloodthirsty, profit-driven, mad organization in the history of the world  that of the United States?

Texas State University President Kelly Damphousse said Alters talk had advocated for inciting violence. Alter, whose tenure began on Sept. 1, rejects that characterization and told the Tribune he was commenting on the beliefs of anarchists while discussing their ability to effectively organize a political movement.

Alter, who is suing the university, was briefly reinstated, but Texas State fired him again following a review of his conduct and a due process hearing. He said his critics misunderstood the essence of his statement and that his firing was a violation of his First Amendment rights.

Left: Former Texas State University professor Thomas Alter delivers remarks at a rally calling for him to be reinstated in downtown San Marcos on Sept. 25, 2025. Right: Former Texas A&M University President Mark A. Welsh III and his wife Betty are greeted by faculty and students as he leaves campus after resigning on Sept. 19, 2025. Jordan Vonderhaar and Cassie Stricker for The Texas Tribune

Students and faculty participate in the Fight For Academic Freedom protest at Texas A&M University on Sept. 22, 2025. Adriano Espinosa for The Texas Tribune

Usually the charge against socialist professors is that were indoctrinating the students, he said. Whos doing the indoctrinating if youre stifling free speech, if theres someone you disagree with [and] you silence them?

Following the firings, the Texas Tech University System ordered faculty to teach that there are only two sexes in an apparent attempt to prevent another controversy like at Texas A&M. The Sept. 25 directive was issued by then-Chancellor Tedd Mitchell, five days before Creighton was announced as his successor. Creighton has defended the move.

Nothing in this directive restricts lawful discussion or inquiry among students, he said in a statement. It simply ensures that taxpayer-funded universities remain in full compliance with state law while staying focused on academic excellence.

When asked for a copy of the latest guidance, a system spokesperson said academic leaders at each system university continue to meet individually with faculty as needed to address any compliance questions.

Shortly after, every public university system in the state announced course reviews to ensure compliance with state and federal law. Most did not specify what that meant, and no state or federal law bars teaching about gender identity.

A professor at Tarleton State University, part of the Texas A&M system, told the Tribune that administrators arent simply reviewing courses. Faculty are being told to remove words like diverse and culture from their syllabi and courses. The professor described colleagues of color crying, saying being told to remove those words is basically erasing peoples identities.

The professor, who requested anonymity for fear of retaliation, said the orders are mostly being communicated verbally, a tactic that makes it nearly impossible for the public to trace them. The lack of written guidelines adds to the confusion and has led professors to self-censor in order to avoid any misstep.

Neither Tarleton nor the Texas A&M University System responded to questions about whether such directives were issued. Internal emails shared with the Tribune show the system is conducting an AI-assisted review of course materials across its campuses, with Tarleton piloting the effort.

At UT-Austin, administrators recently formed a committee to study a possible consolidation of its College of Liberal Arts, according to records obtained by the Tribune through the Public Information Act. Some faculty fear the move could pave the way for closing departments devoted to race and gender studies. UT-Austin did not respond to the Tribunes requests for comment about the committee or the fears it has spurred.

If these departments are eliminated to fit in with the political winds of the moment, then were no longer offering an education of the first class, said a faculty member in the College of Liberal Arts, who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation.

A new political direction

Not everyone views the recent changes as cause for alarm.

Texas Tech freshman Preston Parsons leads his schools chapter of Turning Point USA, the nonprofit founded by Kirk, the conservative activist killed last month. Kirk often made comments and promoted rhetoric that many found hateful, inappropriate and reprehensible. He was also revered for his willingness to have open  and public  dialogue with people who disagreed with him. After Kirks death, Parsons said the Tech chapter of Turning Point went from having about 60 members to more than 350.

Attendees wait for a Turning Point USA rally to start in Lubbock on Oct. 7, 2025. Trace Thomas for The Texas Tribune

Left: College Station residents and students hold candles and during the Prayer Vigil for Charlie Kirk at Texas A&M University in College Station on Sep. 11, 2025. Right: Preston Parsons, president of Turning Point USAs Texas Tech chapter, speaks on stage at a Turning Point USA rally in Lubbock. Adriano Espinosa and Trace Thomas for The Texas Tribune

On campus, Parsons feels comfortable expressing his views. He credits that sense of safety to what he described as an active and helpful campus police presence. Parsons also doesnt see debate being hindered during informal conversations with his peers.

Ive even met with students who are in leadership in the Democrats at Tech or the seculars or the democratic socialists, he said. And I havent had any threats or big disagreements.

Earlier this month, Techs Turning Point chapter held an off-campus event in Lubbock that drew hundreds of people. Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is running for U.S. Senate, was the headliner. Paxton called Kirk a champion of free speech. Creighton, the systems new chancellor of the Texas Tech University System, told the crowd his door will always be open to every single viewpoint on campus.

Meanwhile, UT-Austin is considering a federal proposal that would formally align the university with some nationwide conservative priorities for higher ed. The Trump administration is offering universities access to preferential federal funding in exchange for agreeing to define male and female by biology and reform any offices seen as hostile to conservative ideas, among other conditions.

UT System Board of Regents Chair Kevin Eltife expressed initial enthusiasm, but the system has not yet responded whether it will accept the offer. So far, seven of the other eight universities that were initially approached by the Trump administration have declined to participate.

Daniel Bonevac, a philosophy professor at UT-Austin, called the Trump administrations offer a needed course correction.

Im glad that finally an administration is pushing in the opposite direction to restore universities to their mission of discovering and transmitting the truth, he said.

Yet he remains skeptical any changes will last.

University administrators are not to be trusted, he said. Their words are written on wind and running water.

Ayden Runnels, Sneha Dey and Stephen Simpson contributed to this story.

Disclosure: Texas A&M University, Texas A&M University System, Texas Tech University System, University of Houston, University of Texas  Arlington, University of Texas  Arlington, University of Texas System and University of Texas at Austin have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribunes journalism. Find a complete list of them here.


(The Center Square)  Retiring Texas state Sen, Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, has been nominated by President Donald Trump to be the next assistant secretary of Defense.

His name was fourth on a list of nominations sent to the U.S. Senate for confirmation.

Birdwell served in the U.S. Army for 20 years, retiring as lieutenant colonel.

The last time he was on active duty in uniform was on Sept. 11, 2001, when he survived the terrorist attack on the Pentagon and received a Purple Heart.

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Birdwell was only 15 to 20 yards from where Flight 77, a 757 passenger plane, crashed into the Pentagon. He was one of only a few from his office sector to survive.

Sixty percent of his body was burned, more than half of the burns were third-degree burns. Hed undergo 39 operations, endure months of hospitalization and numerous skin grafts. His survival story can be found here.

When he retired, Birdwell was awarded the Legion of Merit. For his service overseas in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, he was awarded the Bronze Star for Exceptional Meritorious Achievement.

Birdwell and his wife founded Face the Fire Ministries to support critical-burn survivors and wounded service members and their families. They also authored, Refined by Fire: A Family's Triumph of Love and Faith, chronicling his survival and recovery.

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A native of Texas, Birdwell was elected to the Texas Senate in 2010. He was reelected every four years and announced he was retiring this year.

Throughout his tenure, Birdwell received top rankings and recognitions from numerous pro-life, pro-business and conservative organizations, including National Federation of Independent Business, Texas State Rifle Association/National Rifle Association, Texas Right to Life, Texas Heritage Alliance and Texas Conservative Coalition, among many others.

His legislative accomplishments include authoring and passing bills recently signed into law, including laws to protect Texans and Texas land from foreign adversaries, expanded pro-life laws, camp oversight and flood management reform in the aftermath of the catastrophic July 4 flood, property tax reform, election reform, and the states first pro-school choice program, among many others.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick congratulated Birdwelll, saying he is truly one of the greatest senators ever to serve Texas and respected by all members for his work ethic, boldness, and kindness.

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He also said his appointment was no surprise to those who know him, citing his military honors and lifetime of service from the battlefield, to the Pentagon, and in the Texas Senate. A soldier at heart, I know he will give his all and serve our country honorably in his next mission as Assistant Secretary of Defense.

House Speaker Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, also congratulated him, saying, Senator Birdwells life is the very definition of courage, faith, and service. His steadfast devotion to God, country, and the people of Texas has inspired countless Americans. We are incredibly proud of him and grateful that his unmatched integrity and experience will continue to serve our nation at the highest level. Congratulations, Senator Birdwell  America is blessed to have you.

A majority vote in the U.S. Senate is needed for his confirmation.




As a Hindu-American public school student in Texas, I never thought Id have to question whether my beliefs  or anyone elses  belonged in a classroom. But since Sept. 1, Ive had to.

Thats when Senate Bill 10 took effect, requiring every public school classroom in Texas to display the Ten Commandments if a donated copy is available. Supporters say its about restoring moral values. But to me  and to many students of other faiths  it feels like something else entirely: a government endorsement of Christianity, hung above our heads in rooms meant for everyone.

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The irony is hard to miss. The same lawmakers who preach about freedom and limited government are now legislating what must hang on our classroom walls.

Public schools arent pulpits.

They exist to educate, not to evangelize. Theyre meant to be neutral spaces where students of all faiths  or none  can learn without fear of favoritism.

RELATED: Im a Baptist pastor. The Ten Commandments dont belong in public schools

Yet this law effectively chooses a religion for us. The Ten Commandments are not a universal moral code; theyre a sacred text specific to Christianity and Judaism. By mandating their display, Texas has crossed a constitutional line that the Founding Fathers drew for a reason.

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The First Amendment is unambiguous: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion. Thomas Jefferson spoke of a wall of separation between church and state. James Madison warned that union between the two would corrupt both. Those werent abstract ideas  they were promises. Promises that no child would feel like an outsider in a public classroom because of their faith.

Right now, that promise is being broken.

As a Hindu, I respect the Ten Commandments. But faith loses its power when its forced. True belief comes from conviction, not compulsion.

If lawmakers truly cared about moral education, theyd let local communities decide how to teach it  not turn classrooms into billboards for certain religions. Instead, this law teaches a different lesson: that belief can be dictated from the Capitol rather than discovered by conscience.

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The Supreme Court addressed this more than 40 years ago in Stone v. Graham (1980), striking down a nearly identical Kentucky law. The court ruled that posting the Ten Commandments in classrooms serves no secular legislative purpose. In plain English: Its unconstitutional.

Supporters claim the law is harmless because the posters are donated, not bought with taxpayer money. But its not about dollars. Its about dignity. The moment those posters go up, students who dont share that faith are told they dont fully belong.

OTHER VIEW: Judge got it wrong. The Ten Commandments should be displayed in public schools.

This isnt just a legal issue  its a cultural one. Texas prides itself on independence, yet this law enforces conformity. It tells students, This is what morality looks like  take it or leave it.

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Thats not freedom. Thats overreach wrapped in scripture.

Faith is strongest when its chosen, not mandated. The classroom should be a space for open thought, not state-approved theology.

In a country founded on liberty, no student should have to look up at the front of the room and wonder whether their beliefs are being judged by the government.

Public schools should teach critical thinking, not creed.

And Texas should stop confusing religion with righteousness  before the wall between church and state becomes just another thing weve torn down.

Arjun Sharda is a freshman at Round Rock Early College High School and a formally appointed advisor to the Round Rock school district, where he helped establish the district's first high school advisory group. This piece contains his views as an individual.

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Texas voters deserve election officials who solve real problems, not invent new ones. Yet as counties across the state scramble to manage a malfunctioning voter registration system, Secretary of State Jane Nelson has chosen to direct her attention elsewhere  toward a familiar and unfounded specter of noncitizen voters.

Just before early voting began for the Nov. 4 election, the Texas Association of Election Officials and three other nonpartisan organizations  representing county judges and commissioners, county and district clerks, and county tax assessor-collectors  sent a letter to Nelson describing daily inconsistencies in the states Texas Election Administration Management (TEAM) software that merit immediate action. They warned that core functions such as voter lookup and ballot issuance were repeatedly failing, increasing the risk of a voter being issued the wrong ballot, duplicate registrations, and more delays in the polling place, they wrote.

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These associations represent leaders both Republican and Democrat, from counties both urban and rural, who are doing their best to ensure elections are accessible to all voters.

But instead of addressing their concerns, Nelsons office announced Monday it had identified 2,724 potential noncitizens on Texas voter rolls, using citizenship data from the Homeland Security Departments Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database. Nelsons list includes 97 people on Travis Countys voter rolls, as well as 28 in Williamson County, eight in Bastrop County and six in Hays County. President Donald Trump gave state election officials access to the database by executive order in March.

This pattern has become routine. Last year, Gov. Greg Abbott claimed the state had identified 6,500 potential noncitizens on the voter rolls, even though Nelsons office had told him it was less than a tenth of that. In 2019, the number was 100,000  a figure that didnt hold up in court. State officials make a stink with a big, noisy press release about potential noncitizens, Emily Eby French, a voting rights attorney with Common Cause Texas, told us, only to quietly walk those numbers back in the next news cycle.

Secretary of State spokesperson Alicia Pierce told us that Nelson is using the SAVE database to fulfill her obligation to help counties maintain accurate voter rolls. But in previous years, such reviews largely erroneously flagged legitimate voters who had recently become citizens, or had a name similar to a noncitizen, or had an outdated address or incomplete registration form.

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To be clear, none of the voters on Nelson's list are being removed from the voter rolls. Only county officials can do that.

Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector Celia Israel, who oversees voter registration, assured us her team is working to verify the citizenship status of the Travis voters on the list.

These false alarms about potential noncitizen voters do more than waste public resources. They erode confidence in the democratic process and feed a narrative that Texans cannot trust their own elections  all while genuine problems go unaddressed.

The list of voters flagged under that narrative has become an extra burden for county officials who just finished cleaning up the mess with the TEAM system, Israel said. Her team has worked tirelessly since the summer to catch up on the registration backlog  some of it fueled by inaccurate waves of data from the TEAM issues  and the potential noncitizens have only added to the workload.

Travis County Clerk Dyana Limon-Mercado, whose office administers elections, said election workers have seen a few instances of TEAM issues affecting voters  typically when someone moves from one county to another and the system hasnt updated accordingly. (Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman)





Travis County Clerk Dyana Limon-Mercado, whose office administers elections, said election workers have seen a few instances of TEAM issues affecting voters  typically when someone moves from one county to another and the system hasnt updated accordingly. This has led to longer wait times for affected voters, but no one has been unable to cast a ballot.

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Limon-Mercado's office shared its questions and concerns about the TEAM update immediately after the rollout this summer. She has seen no accountability and a lack of communication from the state. They're acting as if everything is fine, she told us.

Asked if the secretary of state's office was addressing concerns about the TEAM systems technical failures, Pierce said, We are. She did not provide further details.

Meanwhile, Nelson took a victory lap. On Wednesday, she posted a letter from Trump dated Oct. 8 thanking her for being one of the first leaders to step up and protect the integrity of our elections by using the SAVE system. This comes as Texans vote on Proposition 16, an unnecessary amendment to the state Constitution affirming that noncitizens cannot vote  something already prohibited by state and federal law.

Lets be clear: Voter fraud is vanishingly rare. The far greater threat to election integrity in Texas comes from leaders who would rather chase phantom problems than fix the ones that actually hinder voters.

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Nelson should focus on repairing the TEAM system, restoring transparency with local officials and maintaining the infrastructure that keeps elections running. Anything less is a disservice to the millions of Texans who expect competence, not political theater, from those charged with safeguarding democracy.

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NEED TO KNOW

Alina Gonzalez-Morelos voluntarily turned herself in and confessed to hitting her husband, Leonardo Mendoza, with her SUV, according to police

Gonzalez-Morelos allegedly told police that she was drunk at the time of the attack and meant to "hit but not kill" Mendoza

The wife and mother is now facing a murder charge after Mendoza was taken to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries

A Texas woman reportedly confessed to killing her husband by hitting him with her SUV.

Pasadena Police shared in a Monday, Oct. 20 press release that Alina Gonzalez-Morelos was charged with murder in the death of her husband, Leonardo Mendoza.

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The incident occurred in the early morning hours of Sunday, Oct. 19, when Mendoza was seen walking on Red Bluff Road in Pasadena, Texas. Police were dispatched at 3:28 a.m. after a call from an eyewitness who saw Mendoza, 42, being hit.

"[The witness] stated that he had seen a black Tahoe exit the roadway, jump the curb, and strike the male that was walking through the parking lot, Pasadena Police Officer Darby Slack told ABC13. The vehicle left the scene.

Police shared in the release that Mendoza was taken to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

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.

KHOU 11/Youtube The scene of the crime The scene of the crime

Slack told ABC13 that Gonzalez-Morelos came in voluntarily and confessed" to the crime. The wife and mother allegedly told police that she had come home from a party and was drunk at the time of the attack, telling investigators that she meant to hit, but not kill her husband, per the outlet.

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"As far as we know, there were just some marital issues going on, Slack said of the couple. She'd come home around 2 o'clock that morning. The children overheard them having an argument inside of the room. He exited, and she followed.

Pasadena Police Department Alina Gonzalez-Morelos' mugshot Alina Gonzalez-Morelos' mugshot

Gonzalez-Morelos appeared in Harris County Court on Oct. 20, where she faced a murder charge. She remained in Harris County Jail as of Tuesday, Oct. 21.

PEOPLE has reached out to the Pasadena Police Department for updates on the case.

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NEED TO KNOW

Kada Scott's remains were found behind an abandoned school two weeks after she disappeared

Text exchanges discovered during the investigation are shedding light on how she may have known Keon King, the man accused of killing her

Police say Scott had reported receiving "harassing" phone calls before she disappeared

New details are coming to light about how Kada Scott  the Pennsylvania woman whose remains were found two weeks after she disappeared  knew the man accused of killing her.

Scott, 23, disappeared from her workplace in Philadelphia on Oct. 4, authorities previously said.

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Her remains were found on Oct. 18, following an extensive search, including an awareness campaign by her family through a GoFundMe fundraiser. Scott was shot to death, the medical examiner's office announced on Thursday, Oct. 23.

Keon King, a 21-year-old man whom police allege was the last person in contact with Scott, has since been arrested and charged with murder, arson and tampering with evidence in connection with the case.

America's Lost & Found - Missing Persons/Facebook

Prosecutors previously said that Scott had been receiving "harassing" phone calls in the lead-up to her disappearance, but it is not clear if King has been connected to those alleged calls.

Scott and King briefly knew each other, prosecutors previously said, without elaborating on the nature of their relationship.



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Court documents obtained by KYW News Radio, FOX 29 and 6 ABC now reveal alleged text exchanges between the two and shed light on the last few moments before Scott vanished.

The two began communicating on Oct. 2 and continued until her disappearance, per a criminal complaint cited by NBC 10, which is KYW Radio's partner.

In that first exchange, Scott received a text from a number, where the sender said it was their new number.



When Scott asked the sender who they were, the sender said it was "Kel," who investigators have since identified as King.



In one text message to King on the morning of Oct. 4, Scott reportedly said, "kidnap me again," FOX 29 and NBC 10 reported, citing a probable cause affidavit and the complaint, respectively.

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In response, King texted: "better be up too," per investigators.



Later that evening, when Scott was at the nursing home where she worked, her co-worker overheard her saying to someone on the phone: "I can't believe you're calling me about this [expletive]," the court documents cited by NBC 10 and FOX 29 stated.

Investigators say after this phone call, Scott walked to a dark-colored vehicle outside the facility and left immediately afterwards.

Scott's remains were found in the woods behind an abandoned location, where investigators say they tracked King's cellphone during the time a vehicle in question was burned.

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King used the vehicle to "move" Scott, prosecutors alleged at a press briefing earlier this week.



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King faces charges including arson, robbery, abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence and conspiracy, among others, per online court records reviewer by PEOPLE; he was scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday.

Plea and attorney information for King were not available in the online court records.



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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.



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Surveillance cameras captured a group of thieves stealing a Dodge Charger from a Studio City apartment complex.

The cars owner, Stephan Wendel, said he was alerted that his car had been stolen by the apartment property manager. She said, Your cars gone. Your car was stolen. Come down. It was surreal.

On Oct. 21, at around 4 a.m., the thieves used a tool to break into the garage through a back gate. Security video captured at least three men making their way to Wendels 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 392.

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They got inside [the garage] and they were in there for a while, Wendel told KTLAs Mary Beth McDade. They got into my car and started the car, I dont know how.

Surveillance cameras captured three suspects stealing a 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 392 from the parking garage of a Studio City apartment complex on Oct. 21, 2025. (Stephan Wendel) Two of three suspects captured on surveillance footage stealing a Dodge Charger from the parking garage of a Studio City apartment complex on Oct. 21, 2025. (Stephan Wendel) The suspects white Cadillac sedan pulled up to the garage as they waited for a resident to open the parking gate. (Stephan Wendel) The victim, Stephan Wendel, speaks to KTLA on Oct. 22, 2025. (KTLA) The victims 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 392. (Stephan Wendel) One suspect held the gate open while a second suspect ran to retrieve the Dodge Charger. Moments later, they sped away. (Stephan Wendel) Surveillance cameras captured three suspects stealing a 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 392 from the parking garage of a Studio City apartment complex on Oct. 21, 2025. (Stephan Wendel)

However, while trying to exit the garage, they hit a snafu  the gate required an access code to open. The trio stepped out of the car and began searching for a solution.

They were looking for a clicker in my car, so they opened all the doors and the trunk, Wendel said.

Failing to find a way out, they re-parked the car and walked back to their nearby white Cadillac sedan as they waited for a resident to return home and open the garage gate.

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After waiting for an hour, a resident arrived and opened the gate. Surveillance video showed the suspects Cadillac quickly pulling up outside as two men exited and ran over to stop the gate from closing.

One man went to retrieve the Dodge Charger while the second man held the gate open. Moments later, the car was gone.

Wendel said a neighbor spotted the theft and tried to chase after the men, but they sped away.

Wendel has lived in the Studio City apartment complex for nearly 20 years and said he was surprised to be targeted, as the neighborhood is relatively safe.

He filed a police report and is hoping the thieves are caught soon before they target someone else.

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Anyone who recognizes the suspects or has information on the case can call the Los Angeles Police Department at 1-877-527-3247.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  A third evaluation will be done to determine the competency of a man accused of an October 2023 murder in Smith Township.

Judge Anthony Donofrio in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court ordered the evaluation Thursday for Nicholas Cunningham, 33.

Cunningham is accused of causing the Oct. 26, 2023, death of Gina Wade, 44.

An evaluation completed in February 2024 found Cunningham incompetent to stand trial, and a second evaluation requested by the state in April 2024 also found him incompetent. His competency was restored in April of this year, according to court records.

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It is not known why the third evaluation was requested.

Wade was found dead Oct. 26, 2023, at a home in the 18000 block of Courtney Road by paramedics answering a medical call.

Cunningham was charged about two weeks later. Investigators said at the time that Wade and Cunningham had been friends, but at some point, Wade had a protection order against Cunningham. The protection order was granted in March, investigators said.

Very few details, including how Wade died, have been released in the case.

A competency evaluation determines if defendants understand the charges against them and if they can assist their lawyer in defending themselves.

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If a defendant is determined not competent, that person is treated at a mental health facility to see if his or her competency can be restored. If it can be restored, the defendant can face trial.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Thursday marked Smithfield Foods Hunger Relief Day at the North Carolina State Fair, marking its 23rd year of collaboration with local food banks. Visitors can donate food in exchange for tickets, continuing the Fair's long-standing tradition to support hunger relief efforts.

Fairgoers who donate six cans or packages of non-perishable food receive one free admission ticket to the Fairgrounds on Thursday. This event is a partnership between the State Fair, Smithfield Foods, and the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina.

"It's just rewarding to be a part of that. You know, agriculture is at the core of what we do here in North Carolina and being able to give food to people in need...that in and of itself is very rewarding," said Kraig Westerbeek with Smithfield Foods.

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Last year, the event generated over 211,000 pounds of donated food, enough to fill 18 truckloads or the equivalent of 175,000 meals. Food bank officials said their target for 2025 is to receive enough donations for 150,000 meals.

SEE ALSO: NC leaders, food bank officials warn of impacts as government shutdown drags on

For organizations like Raleigh's Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, the government shutdown -- now entering week four -- has worsened an already-delicate situation.

"What an incredible partnership for not only our food bank, but food banks across the state for the community to come together and be able to raise, especially right now, these critical food items for us to be able to serve our neighbors. So it truly is the essence of community right here today," said Amy Beros, President & CEO of the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina.

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In-demand items include peanut butter and jams, cans or pouches of chicken, salmon and tuna, dried or canned fruit, and protein bars and granola.

Beros said the event's importance is elevated this year amid federal cuts impacting SNAP benefits and the Food Bank's own funding.

"With the government shutdown and the concerns about SNAP and we're not being funded after the end of this month, we're seeing heightened need and so much heightened fear in our community. And so a day like this to bring awareness to that as well as to raise the much needed food is truly phenomenal and critical right now," she said.

The event is the largest single-day food drive in North Carolina.

Watch ABC11's Tamara Scott take a ride on the NC State Fair's slide

The NC State Fair is 11 days of fun, food, and entertainment.
Editors Note: This article first appeared on The War Horse, an award-winning nonprofit news organization educating the public on military service, under the headline Theyve Never Been Arrested. Why Does the FBI List Thousands of Service Members as Potential Criminals? Subscribe to their newsletter.

Denise Rosales has never been arrested.

Shes never been handcuffed.

Shes never spent a night behind bars, never stood before a judge to profess her innocence.

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And yet, if you perform a background check, a criminal database maintained by the FBI will say that she was arrested or received into custody and charged with three crimes in January 2021.

While deployed in Kuwait, Rosales, a member of the Texas Army National Guard, threw a birthday party for her husband. Some of the guests allegedly brought alcohol, according to the Army, in a nation where such substances are illegal. She was investigated and fingerprinted by an Army investigator, but received nothing more than an administrative reprimand.

Still, more than four years later, the Texas mother of two is fighting to clear her name. Shes been forced out of her full-time position with the National Guard on a multiagency counterdrug task force, lost job opportunities, and even denied the chance to chaperone her kids on school field trips.

Rosales saga is the result of a perplexing record-keeping process the military justice system calls titlingand its one thats left potentially thousands of veterans saddled with false criminal histories, according to a lawsuit against the Army and Department of Defense.

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The term sounds nonthreatening enough. But in the military, titling isnt about taking ownership of a car or property. Its what happens when a service members name is simply listed as the subject in a military criminal investigative report. Titling does not mean an individual has been arrested, charged or convicted of a crime, a legal assistance document on the Armys website explains.

A Massive Fraud Probe, a Botched Investigation, and the Thousands of Soldiers Who Paid

But heres the problem: Every branch of the military shares titling records in criminal databases with more than two dozen agencies, including the FBI, even if the case was dropped.

The fallout can be devastating because the records are retrievable for decades. Veterans can be passed over for promotions, rejected on apartment applications, and denied firearms clearance, advocates say. With the stain on their record, some struggle to get a job for years.

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Who will take my word over the plain text of the FBIs criminal history? Rosales, 39, asks in an affidavit in her lawsuit.

Denise Rosales was a Texas Army National Guard staff sergeant in 2017 when she graduated from the Drug Enforcement Administrations Basic Intelligence Research Analyst Training at DEA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. (Sgt. Michael Giles/Army National Guard via The War Horse)

She feels betrayed, thinking back to the day when a military recruiter came to her school when she was 17. I was told the military would guide me in the right direction and have my back, Rosales told The War Horse.

With the Army refusing to budge, Rosales case has become a showdown over the militarys system of titling. Veterans and civil liberties advocates are calling for reforms while victims groups stress the need for the military to alert civilian law enforcement and employers of the danger among their ranks.

But during a hearing in the ongoing lawsuit, a judge posed a fundamental question about the service members and veterans like Rosales being wrongfully tagged by the military justice system that even the governments attorney was unable to answer:

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Why is this that big a deal to the Army?

How big a problem is titling?

Its hard to know how many people have been caught up in the quagmire, because there is no requirement to notify service members theyve been titled, and many dont find out for years until it turns up, for example, when someone tries to buy a gun, travel abroad, or apply for a job.

The War Horse has filed Freedom of Information Act requests for records from the Department of Defense and National Archives, which houses military criminal files, to reveal how many people have been titled but not court-martialed, but the agencies are not responding to requests during the government shutdown.

Frank Rosenblatt, a former Army prosecutor and an associate professor at the Mississippi College School of Law, estimated the number is at least 10,000 service members and veterans.

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The problem is, our military justice system doesnt always easily translate over into civilian terms, said Rosenblatt, who has represented titled veterans.

In the military, titling only requires the existence of credible information that a crime was committed. Legally, this is a very low standard, far below the standard required at trial by a court of law, according to Fort Leonard Woods Army legal assistance office.

(The War Horse)

In the vast majority of cases, these [investigators] are young soldiers who dont have any significant level of criminal justice experience, but are somehow vested with tremendous authority to make determinations that follow people for the rest of their lives, said Doug OConnell, an Austin, Texas-based attorney who is representing Rosales.

(The War Horse)

And the Department of Defense spells out the other huge hurdle for wrongfully titled service members:

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Once the subject of a criminal investigation is indexed in the database known as the Defense Central Index of Investigations, the information remains even if they are found not guiltyunless DOD law enforcement officials agree to expunge the record.

But thats a whole separate headache. To appeal, victims of titling are forcedsometimes long after they leave the militaryto prove the crime didnt happen, said OConnell, a former Special Forces colonel in the Army who now specializes in defending military service members.

Theyve created a system where youre guilty until proven innocent, he said. If the [Army Criminal Investigation Division] agent believes something, then youre going to have this criminal history created, and its up to you to now prove that it didnt happen.

An overcorrection?

The Armys Criminal Investigation Division did not respond to multiple interview requests from The War Horse over more than a month of reporting. The United States Attorneys Office, which represents the Army and DOD in Rosales lawsuit, declined to comment on the case, citing active litigation. The FBI, whose lawyer argued is simply a clearinghouse of titling information, was dismissed from the lawsuit.

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But even Rosaless legal team acknowledges the logic behind the military sharing criminal records: If someone commits a crime during their military service, civilian law enforcement should be able to know.

I want my government to keep me safe from people who they know have a propensity for illegality or criminality or violence, said William Thomas, one of Rosales attorneys and a former Army field artillery officer.

To understand why titling creates chaos in the lives of so many veterans, go back to the pews of a white church in Sutherland Springs, Texas.

Devin Kelley, an Air Force veteran with two domestic assault convictions, opened fire in November 2017 during morning services at the small community church, killing 26 people, several of them children. It was one of the deadliest mass shootings in the states history.

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But why had Kelley been allowed to purchase his semiautomatic rifle, along with the two handguns found in his vehicle, from licensed vendors, given his criminal background?

The Air Force veteran who opened fire at the First Baptist Church, above, in Sutherland Springs, Texas, in 2017, killing 26 people, had a criminal background that wasnt shared with the FBI. (Shelby Knowles/The Texas Tribune via The War Horse)

His convictions during his military service hadnt been entered into the national criminal background system.

The Department of Defense has long require d that criminal history, including fingerprints, be shared with the FBI when a service member is investigated for an offense.

But, as it turns out, the military wasnt very diligent about doing it. After the Texas church shootings, a Pentagon review found that one in four fingerprint cards were not submitted to the FBI, and a 1997 report by the DOD inspector general found that in the Army, fingerprint cards werent submitted to the FBI in more than 80% of cases.

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The public demanded accountability. Victims families sued the federal government, arguing the Air Force had been negligent in its failure to share Kelleys criminal background, and in 2023, the Department of Justice announced it had reached a tentative settlement of $144.5 million.

In response, the military overcorrected, OConnell said. After the shootings, the titling problem bloomed into a widespread issue, likely affecting thousands more veterans.

The military doesnt want anyone to slip through the cracks, Rosenblatt said. In the face of potential lawsuits, theres a strong incentive to share information about veterans backgrounds, but they dont have strong incentives for peoples privacy and due process.

Discovering his own violent arrest record

The crimes were shocking: Murder. Negligent homicide. Attempted aggravated sexual contact.

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It took former Green Beret James Morris four years to get these false charges cleared from his record.

Jamie Morris in Afghanistan in 2007. (Courtesy of Jamie Morris via The War Horse)

After a fellow soldier was killed during a 2017 hazing incident, one of the assailants claimed Morris had given permission for the attack. Even though Morris hadnt been present for the assault and was never taken into custody or charged, he was fingerprinted and titled during the investigation.

Little did he know that left him with a violent arrest record. He only discovered it in 2021 when he tried to renew his concealed carry license.

While the offenses remained on his record, Morris lost his security clearance and was wary of applying for jobs. But one of the worst parts was losing pride in his service.

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They took away from me more than just my careerthats 18 years, 10 months of memories that I cant grapple with properly, said Morris, who now works as a contract training analyst at Fort Gordon in Georgia.

For many veterans and service members like Rosales, the ordeal continuesundoing titling is extremely difficult, advocates say. In more than a hundred appeal cases hes filed, OConnell said hes only been successful once.

Rosales first discovered she had an arrest record when she returned from Kuwait and tried to return to her National Guard-sponsored position as a drug analyst for a counterdrug task force. She sought to have her records corrected in November 2021, but the Army denied her request and appeal over the next two years.

Jamie Morris, pictured in 2003 with, left to right, his daughters, Avery and Kaylee, and wife, Kim, said he can no longer look back on his military career with pride. (Courtesy of Jamie Morris via The War Horse)

If an untitling petition is denied, the next step is to appeal to the Army Board for Correction of Military Records. People have had more success in expunging their records there, OConnell said, but the process is lengthy, due to a growing backlog of cases. It can take years to get cleared.

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Its hard to prove your innocence, said Liz Ullman, who launched the advocacy group Defend Our Protectors after nearly a thousand service members were caught up in a recruiting scandal. Which is why youre not supposed to have to.

I want my children to be proud of their mother

The fallout from Rosales titling record was swift and substantial.

She lost her National Guard job as a criminal analyst in a federal counterdrug task force, which shed held for 12 years, and cut short her eligibility for retirement benefits, including a pension. In an affidavit, she said she was reluctant to apply for other Guard employment to save myself from the embarrassment of bringing up my false criminal history. When her security clearance comes up for renewal, she expects it will be revoked.

Denise Rosales, pictured above during a DEA Basic Intelligence Research Analyst Training graduation, lost her position on a joint counterdrug task force. (Courtesy of Jamie Morris via The War Horse)

She sold her home and relocated her family closer to the Mexican border when a commander gave her a chancedespite her recordto work as a first sergeant for Operation Lone Star, a border security initiative launched in 2021 by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. The false charges continued to come up, blocking her access to certain buildings, she said.

Whats even more humiliating is that shes been unable to attend her kids school field trips, which require background checks.

I want my children to be proud of their mother, she said in the affidavit, and not ask why I cannot attend a school event.

Still, her case drags on. While a judge in September rejected her legal teams petition to approve the suit as a class action case, the lawyers are still hopeful that a win in Rosales case could help other wrongfully titled veterans.

The Armys refusal to correct her records hasnt just befuddled her advocateseven the judge presiding in her lawsuit has expressed similar confusion.

I dont understand why they just dont remove it

Back in May 2021, an Army JAG officer confirmed in an email to one of Rosales lawyers that she had not been arrested for the incident in Kuwait. Despite the acknowledgement, the Army Criminal Investigation Division denied her request and a subsequent appeal to have her records corrected.

An email from an Army lawyer referring to Rosales case. (The War Horse)

Three years later, with her case in U.S. District court, lawyers for both Rosales and the Army were still quibbling before a judge over whether Rosales had been arrested. The Armys lawyer, Matthew Mueller, acknowledged that although Rosales was read her rights, gave a statement, and was fingerprinted and photographed, she was never detained in jail or handcuffed.

By 37 pages into the hearing transcript, U.S. District Judge David A. Ezra seemed exasperated.

What is a little aggravating is we dont really have an explanation from the Army as to why they havent changed her record, he said at the May 2024 court hearing. Apparently, she wasnt charged. I mean, I dont understand why they dont just remove it.

In an order two weeks later, Ezra doubled down on his point: Defendants provided no explanation as to why they would not change her record, he wrote. One could only speculate as to why the Army would defend a record that is not accurate of the events that took place.

Now, with both sides awaiting the judges decision on whether the case should move to trial, frustration is mounting for Rosales and her legal team.

Do I really have to stand in front of a federal judge, a lifetime appointee, a third co-equal branch of government, and say, Judge, I just want the Army to stop lying about my client? asked Thomas, one of her attorneys. Is that really how far I have to go?

Reforming a giant organizational defect

The solution to this issue seems simple enough, advocates say: The titling process needs reform.

Derrick Miller, the director of the Congressional Justice for Warriors Caucus, which advocates for wrongly accused veterans, has lobbied for a legislative amendment that would require that titling records be deleted after 10 years if the service member will not be charged or court-martialed over the allegation. These reforms would ensure due process and prevent an accusation from having the same consequences as a conviction, Miller said.

U.S. Rep. Eli Crane, an Arizona Republican and former Navy SEAL, introduced the amendment in August.

Far too often, the reputation of our brave service members is unfairly tarnished due to titling, Crane told The War Horse, calling the amendment a sensible approach to protecting the livelihoods of our courageous veterans.

Reforming the titling system is common sense, experts say. The militarys system of titling is a giant organizational defect, said Robert Bracknell, a retired Marine armor officer and an adjunct professor at William & Mary Law School.

Theres little incentive for the military to change the titling process, Rosenblatt added. This isnt a politically powerful block of the military, he said, referring to those whove been unfairly titled. Its often people who are on the outs with their command, and they end up being investigated.

The issue needs a champion, Bracknell said.

Rosales could be that champion. But her team wonders why she needs to be.

Why are they fighting so hard to preserve something so wrong? OConnell asks. As a guy who spent 30 years in the Army, Im completely disgusted.

This War Horse story was edited by Mike Frankel, fact-checked by Jess Rohan, and copy-edited by Mitchell Hansen-Dewar. Hrisanthi Pickett wrote the headlines.

Rachel Fobar is a freelance investigative reporter and fact checker. Previously, she was a wildlife trade investigative reporter for National Geographic, and before that, she covered criminal justice and potentially wrongful convictions for The Medill Justice Project. She has also written for the Guardian, Popular Science, and ABC News. She has won several awards for her work, including the Chicago Headline Clubs Peter Lisagor Award. She has a bachelors degree in journalism from Northwestern University.
The Trump administration is barely bothering to pretend that its increasingly belligerent stance toward Venezuela is just about tackling narcotics. President Donald Trump wants Nicolas Maduro out of power  and the only question is how much pressure the United States is prepared to deliver to make it so.

There have been successive U.S. strikes against alleged drug trafficking boats in the international waters off Venezuela, a buildup of military assets in the Caribbean and even an admission from Trump that he had authorized covert CIA action on the ground in Venezuela. Still, Trump claims hes not pursuing regime change.

To untangle whats really going on in the region, POLITICO Magazine sat down with James B. Story, who served as the top diplomat to Venezuela during the first Trump administration and stayed on into some of the Biden administration. Story was also a senior diplomat in Colombia and led the Venezuelan Affairs Unit in the U.S. Embassy in Bogota after the U.S. suspended diplomatic relations with Caracas.

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Story argues that in a shift from Trumps first administration, U.S. policy is now being calibrated to rattle Venezuelan elites close to Maduro such that they move to oust the long-time leftist leader. It also provides Trump with the necessary firepower should he choose to actually conduct some kind of U.S. military operation in Venezuela, even if thats not the administrations first choice.

There are not enough assets for an invasion, he said. But there are enough exquisite assets on site that could overwhelm the air defenses of the country, take out the Air Force, take out the navy, potentially decapitate the government if that were a decision that he decided to take. Then comes the fallout  and it could get messy.

This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.



So, Ambassador, is the Trump administration headed to war with Venezuela?

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President Trump has been quite clear that he's willing to use all of the tools at his disposal in order to stop narcotics trafficking flowing north, but as is evident as far as the first Trump administration, he's always been very concerned about the lack of democracy in the country, the human rights abuses that's led to migration, the illegality and criminality coming out of the country.



Certainly the assets are there that would enable the president to make a decision. There are not enough assets for an invasion but there are enough  exquisite assets  on site that could overwhelm the air defenses of the country, take out the Air Force, take out the Navy, potentially decapitate the government if that were a decision that he decided to take.



Is that a decision that's been taken? I don't know. But I can say that there are more assets in the region over the course of the last several weeks. They've increased the number of assets in their region. And that's leading me to the conclusion that something may happen. Now that something could be everywhere from a counternarcotics operation within the 12 nautical mile limit of the country, something that's on land focused on narcotics, or something broader.



You were ambassador to Venezuela and led the Venezuelan Affairs Unit in Bogota during both the first Trump and Biden presidencies. How has the Trump administration's views of Venezuela changed since the first administration when you served there?

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What he's doing right now when it comes to counter-narcotics is different. The president ran on a platform that included concerns as regards to migration, in particular organizations such as Tren de Aragua, which is a well-known criminal organization in Venezuela that's transnational in nature.

So all of that is new compared to where the first Trump administration was. In the first Trump administration, we were the first country to recognize President Juan Guaido as a legitimate leader of the country in the beginning of the interim government. Interim President Guaido was invited to the State of the Union address. There was significant focus on pressure to compel the regime to change. I'm not talking about regime change, I'm talking about pressure on the regime, support to democracy via the interim government and Juan Guaido. And while there was some bellicose language, all options were on the table, it pales in comparison to what's currently happening.

What do you make of Trumps campaign to try to destabilize Maduro with the strikes against boats, a military buildup at sea and authorization of covert CIA action on land?

I believe the intent of the administration is for someone close to Maduro to invite him into exile, extradite him to the United States or encourage his departure through other means. And I think that's the preferred outcome. If you look at the pressure that's been put, it's significantly more than was under the first Trump administration, including certainly the attack against these alleged narcotics trafficking vessels. But then also talking about a covert action program in an overt way certainly is something that that should be read as, this is a decision made to put additional pressure on those around Maduro to encourage him to leave.

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Under the first Trump administration, there was a framework for a democratic transition that came out in March of 2020, almost concurrent to the indictment against Maduro and also to the spread of Covid-19, that laid out a future for Venezuela: an interim government that would lead to elections, that kind of path. And one of the things that you don't see today is the same, that same path being laid out. So there's a lot of pressure. I think the administration is hopeful for a transition by other means and not having to deploy force itself in order to get there.



Why do those actions put more pressure on Venezuelan elites, versus other measures like sanctions?

It's the threat of force. Sanctions certainly put pressure on the regime, but they've been under sanctions for so long that they've certainly learned to live with the sanctions. And the ghost ships carrying oil to China, laundering through Malaysia, and the role of Iran, Cuba, Russia, China and Venezuela. Inside of the regime, it doesn't really matter to them if people go hungry, if theres not enough medicine. This isn't something that they've concerned themselves with. Because their existence is what concerns themselves. So they've learned to live with sanctions over time. Now this is the real possibility of use of force. That is intended, I'm certain, to rattle those closest to Maduro, encourage them to make the decision to make a change within the government.



The focus on Venezuela, and increasingly Colombia, has been striking because there was a certain expectation that the focus would be on Mexico. Why do you think Mexico is getting less attention from the White House, even as its role in drug trafficking remains unchanged?

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Mexico is our largest trading partner. We have fully integrated economies there on the border. I'm certain they're having discussions with President Sheinbaum. And President Sheinbaum has reacted. She's been proactive, putting troops on the border, doing some of the things that the president wanted her to do, and allowing some more intelligence gathering inside of Mexico.

The source country for cocaine and heroin  most of the heroin, not all of it but nearly all of the cocaine that's northbound to the United States  is Colombia. At least 5 percent, potentially up to 10 or 15 percent, of that cocaine travels through Venezuela. It comes up to the Eastern Caribbean into Haiti and the Dominican Republic and to some extent to Puerto Rico directly. Once it gets to Puerto Rico, its inside the United States, it can travel freely around the country.

The president was quite clear that he believes that Tren de Aragua is in league with Maduro. I don't know to what extent we could say that Maduro is running Tren de Aragua. Their interests may overlap on occasion, but they're separate entities.

The decision to go after Venezuela is not just one of drugs, but it's also one of hemispheric stability. Because you have criminality happening in Venezuela and from Venezuela, in addition to nearly nine million immigrants that have fled the country seeking a better life, that in and of itself is destabilizing. Not just to the United States. If you look at a country like Aruba, it's something like 10 or 15 percent of the people that live there are actually from Venezuela. It's a small number globally, but an astonishing statistic when you think about the percentages.

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If you look at a place like Colombia coming out of the 50-year war with the [Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia], they're trying to provide health and education, housing, food and opportunity for their own citizens. And now they have to deal with three million Venezuelans who come across the border. I want to be very clear: There's very few Venezuelans involved in the illegality. Being Venezuelan is not a crime. Being an immigrant is not a crime. But it is destabilizing.

So why is the president making this decision? There are lots of reasons. There's a drug reason, there's a stability reason, there's the migration reason, the human rights reason and there's the democracy reason.

Neighboring Colombia is also facing scrutiny from the administration. How much should we link the tensions with Colombia to our current policy with Venezuela?

There is a direct link insofar as President [Gustavo] Petro took umbrage at what he defined as the extrajudicial killing of a Colombian citizen in a fishing boat. And coming on the heels of his decision to stand on a street corner in New York during the UN General Assembly and make a bunch of pronouncements, he was already on the president's radar in a negative way. And then he had some ad-hominem attacks against the president on this counternarcotics policy.

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Im not here to debate the legality of this policy. I will say historically we've gotten more intelligence from Colombia on counternarcotics than we've given to the Colombians. That intel allows us to go and take a boat down with the Coast Guard. Then we obtain the drugs. We're able to then know where the drugs came from. We try, in a court of law, these people. We use their phones and we try to take down the organizations.



My expectation is that the intelligence from Colombia, if it hasn't already dried up completely, will do so soon because of the spat between the two presidents. And I also believe that others in the region  and that would include the Brits, the Dutch, the French, plus all the countries around the region  may also hold back actionable intelligence from us if they believe it will lead to us having a kinetic action that they may define as an extrajudicial killing.



We're going to have less support in the region for counter-narcotics. We're going to have less of an idea of what's happening. In the short term, we will see fewer boats in the Caribbean going north, but without even hardly thinking about it, I can give you five ways [drug traffickers] can move joints north without using that vector. They could put them on pleasure craft. They can put them on airplanes. They could put it in container ships. They put it into smaller loads inside at the 12 nautical mile limit of each country. They can put it on people's backs and be able to cross the border. There's a number of different ways they can get drugs north. Because there's such a huge incentive to this.



So what's happening in Venezuela has definitely discomfited Petro. Petro is known as a person who sometimes will say things without thinking them through, and taking those things through completely. And I was living there when he was mayor, and I see it now that he's president. I don't know what the intentions of our president are, but I can tell you that the end result would be less cooperation on counternarcotics.

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Let's talk about Petro. It seems like neither Trump nor Biden managed to win him over or build a good relationship with him. Is it because Petro is uniquely hard to work with?

This is the first time we've had a leader in Colombia from [the left] of the ideological spectrum. And President Petro comes with what he believes to be well-formed ideas on how politics and economics and society should run that aren't necessarily shared by the United States. He believes he's right. And that makes for a difficult relationship, not impossible, but a difficult relationship.



We were very seamlessly integrated. We've gone from 20 years of Plan Colombia , where we can always get to yes with each other very quickly, to a relationship that's a little more nuanced, a little more difficult, and a little harder to get to yes sometimes. And that creates a bit of a drag on the relationship.



The security situation in Colombia has indeed worsened over the last few years. How much of what Trump has done to Colombia  placing Colombia on the majors list , cutting off U.S. assistance, threatening tariffs  is warranted? Does it make sense to you to put Petro to the fire more?

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President Petro hasnt lustily prosecuted the counternarcotics agenda in Colombia. He'll point to seizures and these kinds of things, but the eradication part of the work  when I was running counter-narcotics in Colombia, there was a point under President [Juan Manuel] Santos in which Colombia had fewer hectares under cultivation than either Bolivia or Peru. It was down to 50,000 hectares and today we're at about 220,000.



A lot of that started under President Santos with the belief that the peace deal would lead to payouts for people who would then plow under their fields or what have you, but Petro just really hasnt prosecuted this agenda item with any kind of passion. The idea that we're going to sit down with these major drug trafficking organizations and work out separate peace deals with each of them was his total peace idea and it really didn't go anywhere.



And what he's done is he's taken his foot off the gas a little bit when it comes to going after these criminal organizations in the hopes that somehow all of Colombia will grow and the result is that you have increased illegality. What's upsetting to me is that there are a lot of people who blame the Venezuelans for this increase in illegality because they're coming across [the border]. Certainly there are some Venezuelans that come across that are involved in criminal activity. But that's not the real story in Colombia. Criminality was increasing because at some level, there was less focus on security as a topic for governance.



One more question about Venezuela. Maria Corina Machado recently won the Nobel Prize and its put a lot of wind under the sails of a Venezuelan opposition that's struggled given Maduro's resilience. Do you think she could still lead a democratic transition in her country?

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Maduro is an extraordinarily unpopular figure. Maria Corina Machado is a very capable politician. She's captured the imagination of the vast majority of Venezuelans, as was evidenced by her victory in the primary and then having her second substitute, Edmundo Gonzalez, win an overwhelming electoral victory in July of last year. So the first question is, well, how does that happen?



If the theory of change is that we want somebody around Maduro to either exile him, extradite him, or send him to meet his maker, that person must know that their life after Maduro is not going to be in prison themselves. Which is why the first Trump administrations framework for a democratic transition kind of laid out what it would look like. I think it's important to lay that out. What does the transitional government look like? The biggest problem is that for 25 years, they've de-institutionalized the country. So there's not one decision that Attorney General Tarik William Saab has made that runs counter to what Maduro wanted him to do. There's not one decision the Supreme Court has taken which is not a decision that he wanted. There's no one decision this National Assembly has taken that is not what he wanted.

Every institution in that country has been set up to support a vanishingly small number of people who actually believe in [Maduros political party]. They're not popular, but if you want to get your free food, you have to go to these marches. You have to register. You want a job, you want a loan, you want a car, you want a passport, you want the ability to travel? You have to be part of the inner circle.



Let's say Maduro and the main colonels around him were gone tomorrow. Now the question is, how do you re-institutionalize a country quickly so that you can have free and fair elections and then usher in a new democratic period for the country? That's going to be really hard. Maria Corina has the juice to get it started, but there's a lot of work to be done because not only has the country been laid bare  there's no money  all of the institutions have been wrecked. You have to fix them all. Education. They had a medical system that was really the envy of the region.

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All that stuff can be rebuilt. At the end of World War II when you actually had a Marshall Plan, that's because you rebuilt something that existed. Something existed in Venezuela and there are plans to get that up and running. But first steps, institutions. Then you've got to get people health care, food, electricity, air conditioning in places like Maracaibo. It's going to be a really hard job. Though I will say, a lot of people are saying that if Maduro and company are removed, there's going to be generalized chaos and Venezuela becomes either Haiti or Libya or Iraq. And that's not going to happen.



Why not?

It's not going to become Haiti because they have a ton of natural resources and they'll be able to pay for their own development. They have an educated population, some of whom will definitely come back, especially the middle and upper middle class.



Theres also a Venezuelan patriotic ethos that exists in the country. It is the land of Bolivar. Even Maria Corina Machado and Maduro agree on two things, at least. The best arepas on the planet come from Venezuela, not Colombia And the second is that the Essequibo is part of Venezuela. They both agree on that point. I disagree with them on that. I agree on the arepas, I disagree on the Essequibo.

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There's not going to be sectarian violence a la Iraq or Libya. So you have resources, you have an educated population. It's not to say that there won't be problems. You have FARC-D, ELN, Tren de Aragua, and any other number of criminal groups operating inside the country. I used to call Maduro the mayor of Fuerte Tuna, the military base that he lives on, because he doesn't control the entirety of the country. You have a lot of criminality and illegality happening all over the place.



Those actors are going to have to be dealt with. So the smart play is not de-Baathification. Let's learn a lesson from Iraq here. People who committed human rights abuses, tortured or murdered people, they're not going to be able to be rehabilitated. But certainly there should be room for captains, majors, lieutenant colonels in the military to keep their jobs, to pledge an oath to the constitution and to help provide for stability and security. So if you got rid of all of them, you'd have a mess. It wouldn't be Haiti, it wouldn't be Iraq, it wouldnt be Libya, but you would have a mess.
ST. MARYS  St. Marys schools went into lockdown Wednesday following a threatening phone call in which an unidentified man threatened to harm students and himself with an AR-15 rifle, according to Superintendent Bill Ruane.

The man reportedly said he would be at the school within 20 minutes, though he did not specify which school he would target, Ruane said.

Ruane said officers from the St. Marys Police Department and other law enforcement agencies arrived at St. Marys schools and Holy Rosary Schools within minutes of the call, which came into the high school around 11:47 a.m.

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The district went into lockdown until law enforcement deemed the threat not credible, after which time the district limited access to its buildings for the remainder of the school day, Ruane said.

Officers remained at each school throughout the day and will continue to patrol the area for the rest of the week.

I would like to thank the school staff for their calm and urgent reaction, Ruane said. They did a phenomenal job in a tense and tough situation. I would also like to thank the first responders for their immediate response, great collaboration and continued efforts to keep our schools and community safe.

And finally, Id like to thank the students and parents for their cooperation and patience. I know it was a difficult day for everyone. We do safety drills, and today we saw it in action.

The St. Marys Police Department worked alongside the Auglaize County Sheriffs Office, Ohio State Highway Patrol and FBI to investigate the call.
UPDATE (2:21 PM, October 23): New Hartford Police have said that Gobles warrants were for Petit Larceny and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance.

MILFORD, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY)  Three people  including one with warrants out of New Hartford  were arrested after Otsego County Sheriffs conducted a traffic stop in the Town of Milford earlier this month.

The traffic stop was conducted on Thursday, October 9, in the town of Milford. Police had stopped 45-year-old Derek Jordan of Milford, who was operating a vehicle without a license. Otsego County Probation officers were called, and Jordan was taken into custody.

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During a subsequent search of Jordans residence after his arrest, Otsego County Sheriffs found that 45-year-old Keith Blush and 30-year-old Ashley Goble  both of Milford  were located inside the residence. Further investigation found Blush had warrants with the New York State Police, while Goble had warrants with the New Hartford Police Department.

Derek Jordan (Photo provided by the Otsego County Sheriffs Office)

Ashley Goble (Photo provided by the Otsego County Sheriffs Office)

Keith Blush (Photo provided by the Otsego County Sheriffs Office)

The cause of either Blushs or Gobles warrants are currently unknown.

As Blush and Goble were being taken into custody, probation officers noticed a firearm in the residence, as well as drugs and other drug paraphernalia inside the residence. Blush and Goble were arrested following the execution of a subsequent search warrant at their residence.

Jordan and Blush were turned over to the Otsego County Correctional Facility in Cooperstown to await arraignment. Jordan is currently being charged with:

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seventh-degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, a Class A Misdemeanor,

fourth-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon, a Class A Misdemeanor,

second-degree Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Vehicle, an unspecified Misdemeanor, and

third-degree Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Vehicle, an unspecified Misdemeanor.

Blush is currently being charged with:

third-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon, a Class D Violent Felony,

fourth-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon, a Class A Misdemeanor, and

seventh-degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, a Class A Misdemeanor.

Goble is being charged with seventh-degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, a Class A Misdemeanor.

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Goble was issued an appearance ticket returnable to the Town of Milford at a later date. She was subsequently turned over to the New Hartford Police Department on her active warrant.

Otsego County Sheriffs say that the investigation is ongoing and further charges are pending.

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Coca-Cola has voluntarily recalled three of its popular sodas after discovering they may contain foreign material that is possibly metal.

According to an FDA notice dated October 20, the recall affects certain packages of Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, and Sprite that were produced and distributed in Texas by Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, LLCa subsidiary of global bottler Arca Continental.

The recall is limited to products distributed in Texas, specifically in the McAllen/Rio Grande Valley and San Antonio areas.

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A Coca-Cola spokesperson told Today.com that all affected products were removed from store shelves by October 10 out of an abundance of caution.

The recall notice states some cans may contain small metal fragments that could cause internal injury if swallowed. While the risk of serious harm is considered low, the FDAs Class II designation means the products could cause temporary or medically reversible health effects.

Select Coke and Sprite cans sold in Texas may contain pieces of metal that could cause injury if swallowed (Getty Images)

More than 4,000 units of the three drinks are affected, and each can or pack must be identified by specific product codes and pack sizes to confirm whether its part of the recall.

The affected sodas can be identified by the following codes:

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Coca-Cola Zero Sugar 12-ounce Can (12 pack) / Codes: 49000042559 and FEB0226MAA

Coca-Cola Zero Sugar 12-ounce Can (35 pack) / Codes: 49000058499 and FEB0226MAA

Coca-Cola 12-ounce Can (24 pack) / Codes: 49000012781 and JUN2926MAA

Coca-Cola 12-ounce Can (35 pack) / Codes: 49000058468 and JUN2926MAA

Sprite 12-ounce Can (35 pack) / Codes: 49000058482 and JUN2926MAA

Sprite 12-ounce Can (12 pack) / Codes: 49000028928 and JUN2926MAA

Sprite 12-ounce Can (12 pack) / Codes: 49000028928 and JUN3026MAB

If you happen to have any of the impacted cans, the FDA and the company recommend not drinking them. Instead, consumers should return them to the place of purchase or throw them away.

No injuries have yet been reported, but the company and regulators are acting out of caution.

Consumers with questions about whether their product is impacted are advised to check the product lot/pack codes provided in the recall notice before consumption.
Three inmates at Paris's La Sante prison were taken into police custody over alleged threats against former French president Nicolas Sarkozy following his imprisonment, local media reported on Wednesday.

A video circulating on social media reportedly shows insults and threats directed at Sarkozy upon his arrival at the prison, several French broadcasters reported, citing the public prosecutor's office. The footage was reportedly filmed by an inmate.

According to the reports, the public prosecutor has opened an investigation into death threats. A search was also carried out, during which two mobile phones were confiscated.

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Sarkozy, 70, began serving a five-year sentence on Tuesday. He was convicted of having participated in a criminal organization in connection with alleged campaign finances from the late Libyan dictator Moamer Gaddafi.

His lawyer said the former head of state is being held in an isolated and specially protected area of the prison. Sarkozy is not receiving any special treatment and a release under conditions has been requested, according to his lawyer.
Three men have been arrested on suspicion of spying for Russia, the Metropolitan Police has said.

The men, aged 44, 45, and 48, were all arrested by detectives from Counter Terrorism Policing at addresses in west and central London on Thursday and are in police custody, the force added.

They are not thought to be foreign nationals. It is believed the investigation is linked to the alleged targeting of Russian dissidents in Britain.

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Searches are being carried out across London while detectives question the men, who were detained under Section 3 of the National Security Act.

Commander Dominic Murphy, head of Counter Terrorism Policing in the Met, said: Were seeing an increasing number of who we would describe as proxies being recruited by foreign intelligence services and these arrests are directly related to our ongoing efforts to disrupt this type of activity.

Anyone who might be contacted by and tempted into carrying out criminal activity on behalf of a foreign state here in the UK should think again.

This kind of activity will be investigated and anyone found to be involved can expect to be prosecuted and there are potentially very serious consequences for those who are convicted.

Britain under threat from Russian agents

Counter-terror police have issued numerous warnings about the increasing use of proxies by hostile states.

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Last week, MI5 chief Sir Ken McCallum warned that Moscow was using them to sow the seeds of violence, chaos and division in Britain.

The Kremlin has had to resort to proxies, who often lack experience or expertise, after hundreds of Russian spies were expelled from the UK and European countries following the Salisbury poisonings.

But speaking from MI5s headquarters last week, Sir Ken warned those tempted to consider Russian offers: If youre a proxy, youre disposable. You may well be ghosted on payday.

The director-general revealed there had been a 35 per cent increase in the number of individuals we are investigating for involvement in state threat activity. He attributed the bulk of that to the triumvirate of China, Iran and Russia.

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On Thursday, six men were due to be sentenced for their role in a firebomb attack on a warehouse in east London that was ordered by the Russian Wagner mercenary group.

Last month, three people were arrested in Grays, Essex, on suspicion of spying on behalf of Russia.

The two men and a woman were later released on conditional bail while the investigation continues.

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Authorities in the UK have arrested three men on suspicion of spying for Russia, the Metropolitan Police said on Thursday.

The suspects, aged between 44 and 48, were detained at addresses in west and central London.

They are alleged to have breached the 2023 National Security Act by "assisting a foreign intelligence service," the police said in a statement.

The force added that Russia was the country that the three men are believed to have helped.

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Searches are being carried out at the addresses where they were arrested and at a further location in west London.

Commander Dominic Murphy, the head of counter-terrorism policing in London, said the UK is seeing a spike in the number of "proxies" recruited by foreign intelligence services.

Related

Last week, Ken McCallum, the head of the MI5 security service, claimed Russia was "committed to causing havoc and destruction."

"In the last year, we and the police have disrupted a steady stream of surveillance plots with hostile intent aimed at individuals Russian leaders perceive as their enemies," he said.

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The Kremlin continues to deny its involvement in acts of sabotage against the UK and other European countries who also support Ukraine.

Thursday's arrests come as six men are being sentenced over an allegedly Russia-backed arson attack on Ukraine-linked businesses in east London in 2024.

Dylan Earl, the ringleader, was the first person to be found guilty under the National Security Act.

Last month, two men and a woman were arrested in Essex on suspicion of spying on behalf of Russia.

In May, a British court sentenced six Bulgarian members of a Russian spy ring to a combined total of more than 50 years in prison.
Police in the UK have arrested three men suspected of collaborating with Russian intelligence.

Source: European Pravda, citing Reuters

Details: The detainees  aged 48, 45 and 44  were arrested at addresses in west and central London.

Police said those locations, as well as another site, are currently being searched. The investigation is being led by counter-terrorism police.

"We're seeing an increasing number of who we would describe as 'proxies' being recruited by foreign intelligence services and these arrests are directly related to our ongoing efforts to disrupt this type of activity," said Dominic Murphy, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing London.

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The arrests were made under the 2023 National Security Act, which broadened the UK's ability to prosecute individuals suspected of espionage.

Background:

In mid-October, the UK domestic intelligence agency MI5 warned Members of Parliament that they were being targeted by spies from China, Russia and Iran.

In June, six people went on trial in the UK over an arson attack in London believed to have been ordered by the Wagner Group.

In May, six Bulgarian nationals received prison sentences in the UK for spying for Russia.

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Three Mohegan Sun guests hit the jackpot this month with wins of more than $100,000, according to a news release from Mohegan Sun.

A guest from Johnston, Rhode Island, won on Oct. 19 after playing on a Wheel of Fortune Triple Double Diamond slot machine inside Mohegan Sun's Casino of the Sky. The Rhode Island guest was betting $2.50 at the time when he spun three Wheel of Fortune symbols that triggered a jackpot prize amount of $202,338.91.

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Another guest won a major jackpot prize on Oct. 19. A Mohegan Sun guest from Springfield, New Jersey, won $241,200 from playing an Ultimate X Triple Double Bonus Poker slot machine game in Casino of the Sky. The guest was betting $150 at the time the jackpot was won.

A Connecticut resident won a jackpot prize of $108,386 on Oct. 18 after playing a game on Light & Wonder's Ultimate Fire Link Ultra Bank slot machine in Casino of the Sky. The Connecticut player was betting $75 and spun six orbs, which triggered the "hold and spin bonus feature" to help them win the jackpot, according to a news release from Mohegan Sun.

The Uncasville-based casino is home to nearly 4,000 slot machines, and several of its guests have won big in recent months. Two Connecticut residents won jackpot prizes with a combined total of more than $1.3 million in September, and a guest won more than $400k on a $5 slot bet in August.

This article originally published at Three Mohegan Sun guests win over $100K this month from slot machine games.
Green sea turtles are back. Right whales are increasing their numbers. A fish in Virginia has much more room to swim. In what seems like a rare moment, a handful of endangered species have recently experienced conservation wins.

Here are a few of the species making a comeback, for the moment:

Green sea turtles

These charismatic marine reptiles are on the upswing, according to a recent report from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The IUCNs decision to change the conservation status of the speciesin a substantial swing from Endangered to Least Concernmainly came from data indicating a 28 percent increase in the average annual abundance of egg clutches, which the green sea turtles lay and bury on sandy, tropical and subtropical beaches across the world.

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Green sea turtles can grow three to four feet long and live for up to 70 years or more. They also are slow to mature, only reaching reproductive age in their mid 20s-30s. So their recovery speed can be slow. Researchers documented about 526,000 clutches of eggs per year in 2024, where previous year, the average was closer to approximately 419,000 per year. Each individual clutch can contain up to 120 eggs. Although many eggs and younger turtles do not survive to create clutches of their own. Protection of sensitive nesting beaches, limiting accidental catches of turtles in fishing gear, and laws against hunting the turtles have likely aided in their recovery.

While this is promising news, the IUCN cautions that the increases in turtle numbers are uneven. Some subpopulations arent yet seeing better daysfor example, green sea turtles in the North Indian Ocean, are still listed as Vulnerable, and in the Maldives they remain Endangered, according to the Olive Ridley Project, a sea turtle rescue, conservation, and education nonprofit. These local and regional disparities remind us that progress in one part of the world does not mean security everywhere, the organization said in a statement.

North Atlantic right whales

These massive marine mammals havent quite stepped back fully from the precipice of extinction. But North Atlantic right whales have enjoyed a few consecutive years of population growth. Most recently, the North Atlantic Right Whales Consortium shared an estimate indicating that the critically endangered species increased by 2.1 percent from 2023 to 2024.

Pcb21 / Wikimedia Commons.

North Atlantic right whales can grow to more than 40 feet long and tend to travel in pairs. Total population numbers are low, thoughthere were 376 whales estimated in 2023 and 384 in 2024so their total increase is modest. But this small bump in numbers is the latest in a few years of such rises after an estimated low point of 350 whales in 2020. Right whales were hunted to near extinction until the 1960s, when commercial whaling bans went into effect across the world.

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Researchers who closely monitor the species population have noted no deaths and fewer significant injuries from boat strikes as well as some individual whales birthing calves for the first time. The slight increase in the population estimate, coupled with no detected mortalities and fewer detected injuries than in the last several years, leaves us cautiously optimistic about the future of North Atlantic right whales, Heather Pettis, who leads the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium, told PBS News.

Populations have increased before, and in 2011 there were an estimated 481 of these mammals in the sea. So with population numbers so low, robust conservation measures will be needed to ensure the long-term viability of the whales population numbers. What weve seen before is this population can turn on a dime, Pettis said.

Roanoke logperch

This lovely fish, a species of freshwater darter that inhabits streams and rivers in Virginia and North Carolina, recently moved from Endangered to Vulnerable in the eyes of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. When it was listed as endangered in 1989, the Roanoke logperch swam in only 14 streams within its range. By 2019, that range had more than doubled, to 31 streams in Virginia and North Carolina.

USFWS/Southeast / Wikimedia Commons.

The key to the fishs successful recovery? Dam removal and the subsequent restoration and connection of thousands of miles of habitat, where Roanoke logperch feed along rocky streambeds, slurping up aquatic insects and other prey items. Once habitats were restored, conservation groups reintroduced fish into them, increasing overall populations.

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But some conservation groups are urging caution, saying that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service did not adequately account for the impacts of a gas pipeline called the Mountain Valley Pipeline that began operating in June 2024. Also, the devastating hurricane flooding in North Carolina last year disrupted many of the freshwater ecosystems in the fishs range. The efforts and investment from agencies and organizations to reconnect and reintroduce the Roanoke logperch to former habitats should be celebrated, but full delisting seems premature as threats to the region from pipeline construction and hurricane flooding remain, Ridge Graham, program manager for Appalachian Voices North Carolina, said in a statement. It is difficult to relist a species once it has been removed.

This story was originally featured on Nautilus.
Three students at a high school in Waterbury were arrested after a fight broke out at the school on Wednesday, landing one of them in the hospital.

School resource officers at Wilby High School learned of the fight around 9 a.m. and were quickly able to contain the incident, according to Sgt. Joseph Morais of the Waterbury Police Department.

Three juveniles were arrested, including two 17-year-old students who were charged with inciting a riot and second-degree breach of peace, Morais said. A third suspect, 16, was charged with third-degree assault, inciting a riot and second-degree breach of peace.

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One of the juveniles was taken to a hospital for facial injuries which were not considered life-threatening, Morais said.

The Waterbury Police Departments school resource officers are committed to ensure the safety of faculty, staff and students at all times, Morais said in a statement.
A Mexican national living in the U.S. was charged this week after he was shot by law enforcement following an attempt to dislodge his car during an arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.

Both the defendant, Carlitos Ricardo Parias, 44, of South Los Angeles, and a deputy U.S. marshal were shot and injured during the Tuesday incident.

Parias was a popular journalist on the video platform TikTok, NBC News reported, noting he frequently posted about fires, car crashes and other breaking news in Southern California.

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The Department of Justice (DOJ) said earlier this week that Parias was living illegally in the U.S., was the subject of an ICE arrest warrant and had previously avoided capture.

Officers located the TikToker and boxed in the Toyota Camry he was driving, leaving the vehicle with no reasonable means of escape, according to the DOJ.

Once the Camry was boxed in, federal agents approached it and gave Parias orders to exit the car and submit to arrest, the administration said. Parias ignored those commands and drove the Camry both forward and back, hitting two of the law enforcement vehicles.

Given Pariass continued refusal to comply with agents orders, an agent attempted to break the Camrys drivers side window. Parias still refused to submit to arrest, and then drove the Camry more aggressively, forwards towards one law enforcement vehicle, prosecutors continued.

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They added, All these factors, including the large amount of smoke produced by the spinning of the Camrys tires, caused the agents on scene to fear that Parias would successfully dislodge the Camry from between the Durango and Ram and injure them.

Parias, if convicted, could face a statutory maximum sentence of eight years in federal prison.



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Time Magazine has published a more flattering cover photo of Donald Trump after the US president complained about his super bad portrait in the previous magazine.

The latest edition shows Mr Trump, wearing his signature red tie, seated in the Oval Office and staring into the camera, with his elbows propped up on the Resolute Desk.

For its previous issue, the president was captured from a low angle, backlit by the sun with his neck tucked into his shirt.

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Mr Trump was widely ridiculed online for the photo which he branded the worst of all time.

Mr Trump said of the first picture: They disappeared my hair, and then had something floating on top of my head that looked like a floating crown, but an extremely small one.

Really weird! I never liked taking pictures from underneath angles, but this is a super bad picture, and deserves to be called out. What are they doing, and why?

By contrast, the most recent portrait is eye-to-eye with the president, who appears to have strategically placed his hands over his neck.

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Graham Sloan, the photographer who took the previous image, was not invited back for the latest picture, which was taken by Stephen Voss, who has worked with Time on a number of covers for over a decade.

When Mr Trump was named Times person of the year in 2016, the magazine faced controversy when critics suggested the placement of the letter M behind his head was intended to mimic devil horns.

It denied the claim, noting the same issue had occurred on covers featuring both Republican and Democratic presidents in the past.

Mr Trump, a former reality TV star, is famously image-conscious and in June replaced his official White House portrait with a less menacing version just months after the first was unveiled.

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The original picture, published shortly before the Republicans inauguration in January, showed him grim-faced and staring into the camera.

It drew comparisons with a mugshot taken of Mr Trump after he surrendered to authorities in Georgia after being charged with racketeering in 2023.

By contrast, the second cast Mr Trump in a warmer light and softened his expression.

He also called for the removal of a painting in the Colorado State Capitol which he accused of being purposefully distorted by the British artist Sarah Boardman.

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Oct. 22In the days since Dayton police found the remains of 7-year-old Hershall Creachbaum Jr., a non-verbal autistic boy, investigators learned that what initially started as a missing person case may have been a homicide committed weeks earlier.

The boy was reported missing in July, but during an interview with Hershall's mother and her boyfriend detectives realized he likely hadn't been seen in over a month.

Here's a timeline of the case.

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Late May  Hershall's mother, Ashley Johnson, told police her son died sometime in late May when she was hospitalized, according to Dayton Municipal Court records. Her boyfriend, Michael Kendrick, reportedly told her the boy died of natural causes. Johnson never saw Hershall after she came home.  During an interview with detectives, Kendrick said he was in an argument on the phone while drinking when he punched Hershall in the head twice, according to court documents. He reportedly shoved him and struck other parts of the boy's body.  Hershall allegedly died the next day.  Kendrick told investigators he kept the boy in the home until he started to smell, according to an affidavit. Kendrick used a suitcase to move Hershall's body to a grass field. After a few weeks he reportedly returned and put the bones in a bag and left them in the 100 block of McClure Street.

July 12  Around 3:45 a.m. Kendrick called 911 and reported a man punched him and took Hershall, according to Montgomery County Regional Dispatch Records. The dispatch log noted Kendrick sounded intoxicated.  At 4:20 a.m. the dispatch log is updated to say there is no indication Hershall was taken, but he is missing.  At approximately 8 a.m. Dayton police posted on social media asking for the public's help locating Hershall.  Johnson and Kendrick were taken to the Public Safety Building for an interview with detectives. Johnson initially claimed she saw Hershall playing with his sister the day before, but later admitted he died sometime in late May, according to court records. Kendrick reportedly guided investigators where he left Hershall's remains.  Kendrick is arrested and booked into the Montgomery County Jail.  Around 7:22 p.m. Dayton police posted an update on social media that a deceased juvenile believed to be Hershall was been found. His remains were located on McClure Street near U.S. 35.

July 14  Dayton police held a press conference announcing Kendrick was charged with three counts of tamping with evidence and one count of gross abuse of a corpse and that Johnson was arrested. Police Chief Kamran Afzal said the investigation is ongoing and additional charges could be filed as the case continues.

July 15  Kendrick appeared electronically in municipal court and a magistrate set bond at $2 million.

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July 16  Johnson was charged with one count of obstructing justice in municipal court. Her bond was set at $250,000.

July 21  A Montgomery County grand jury indicted Johnson on one count of obstructing justice and Kendrick with two counts of tampering with evidence and three counts of gross abuse of a corpse. They're scheduled to be arraigned on July 24.

July 24  Johnson and Kendrick were arraigned in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court. Johnson's bond continued at $250,000 and Kendrick's bond stayed at $2 million.  Attorney Michael Wright announced he is launching an independent investigation into Hershall's death. He alleged Children Services and other potential agencies failed to protect the boy.

Oct. 22  The Montgomery County Coroner's Office confirmed the remains were Hershall. His cause and manner of death are undetermined.
As the last few months of 2025 wrap up, New York City is preparing for its annual New Years Eve ball drop.

The annual New Year's ball drop dates back to 1907, when it was used to celebrate the opening of The New York Times Building. Now, the ball sits on the roof of One Times Square as it descends from a flagpole starting at 11:59 p.m. on December 31, one minute before the new calendar year begins.

However, for only the ninth time since it was first dropped 118 years ago, the ball is being updated.

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The new ball will feature 5,280 Waterford crystals, the official crystal of Times Square New Years Eve.

The Times Square ball is more than just an icon of celebration. Its a canvas for artistry and light. Each Waterford crystal disc is meticulously crafted to capture and reflect brilliance, creating a spectacle that transforms precision into poetry, Emily Brophy, senior brand activation manager and global brand ambassador for Waterford, told People.

The first ball was dropped in New York City in 1907 (AFP via Getty Images)

To see our crystal illuminate one of the worlds most celebrated moments is to witness craftsmanship at its highest calling, where beauty, heritage, and innovation converge in a single, breathtaking display.

Compared to last years New Years ball, the upcoming iteration will have 2,592 more crystals and is the first ball to consist of spherical crystals in three different sizes instead of the previous triangular ones.

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The individual crystals will each have a different pattern meant to embody the theme of Infinite Joy, Infinite Light, Infinite Beginnings for the year.

This year, One Times Square is offering a new Premium Ball Experience where visitors can help adorn the new ball by removing one of the 2025 crystals and replacing it with a new 2026 Waterford crystal. Old crystals can also be taken home as a souvenir.

The first New Years ball in 1907 was made out of iron and wood, and was covered in 100 25-watt light bulbs, weighing a whopping 700 pounds. The ball has been dropped every year since then, aside from 1942 and 1943, due to the Second World War.

The light bulbs were not replaced with LED technology until 2007, which increased both the brightness of the ball and the range of colors available. The current New Years ball is 12 feet wide and weighs six tons.
An investigation titled "Russian Secrets" by The Times, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) and 11 other media outlets has revealed that a network linked to Russian intelligence had involved British companies in unwittingly aiding the development of Russia's Arctic submarines for nearly a decade.

Source: The Times, as reported by European Pravda

Details: According to leaked documents, the procurement network evaded sanctions and export controls to acquire sensitive underwater technologies and research vessels from Europe, the United States, Canada and Japan worth over 50 million between 2014 and 2024.

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It purchased high-tech British-made components such as sensors and remotely operated vehicles worth more than 1 million, which helped create Russia's early-warning system designed to detect NATO submarines in the Arctic Ocean and protect Russian nuclear weapons.

Among the British-supplied equipment were a drone used for surveying and laying cables and an advanced acoustic sensor suitable for "hydrographic survey operations".

Cyprus-based Mostrello Commercial Ltd, which was at the centre of the network and purchased sensitive equipment worth over US$50 million, was sanctioned by the US Treasury in 2024 as part of measures targeting entities supporting Russia's military-industrial complex. The company was part of a network that "laid cables for the Russian government", according to US sanctions documents.

Alexander Shnyakin, a Russian-Kyrgyz businessman who headed Mostrello Commercial Ltd, was sentenced by a German court in September to four years and ten months in prison after being found guilty of selling sensitive military technologies to Russia through his company.

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German prosecutors said that the company served as a front for a Russian procurement network whose aim was to supply Russia's underwater reconnaissance programme Project Harmony  a network of underwater microphones, sonars and other technologies intended to detect NATO submarines entering the Arctic.

There is reason to believe that at least part of the network was close to the Russian intelligence services.

These revelations have prompted calls for the Department of Business and Trade (DBT) to ensure stronger enforcement against attempts to bypass the UK's sanctions regime.

In response to the investigation, Dame Emily Thornberry, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said: "A sanctions regime is only as good as its enforcement. A robust sanctions regime must be able to deal with sophisticated attempts to circumvent it or there is no point in it. We mustn't be afraid to kick down doors if necessary to ensure that the rules are taken seriously."

Background:

Earlier, a German court decided to launch criminal proceedings against two former executives of the German engineering giant Siemens accused of violating sanctions by facilitating the export of gas turbines to Russian-occupied Crimea.

Last year in Nuremberg, German customs officers detained a Russian citizen suspected of circumventing sanctions.

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Heres a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Oct. 23, according to the Tribunes archives.

Is an important event missing from this date? Email us.

Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)

High temperature: 85 degrees (1963)

Low temperature: 20 degrees (1981)

Precipitation: 1.4 inches (1957)

Snowfall: 0.7 inches (1929)

1992: Michael Jordans name surfaced during the drug and money-laundering trial of convicted cocaine dealer James Slim Bouler. Jordan initially said a check to Bouler for $57,000 was a business loan. Under oath, Jordan acknowledged the check was payment for gambling losses.

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2005: Paul Konerko hit the 18th grand slam in World Series history and Scott Podsednik  who didnt hit a home run in 507 regular-season at-bats  hit a home run off closer Brad Lidge with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Sox a 7-6 victory over the Houston Astros in Game 2 of the World Series. It was the 14th walk-off homer in World Series history.

The Sox swept the Astros and won their first World Series since 1917.

2019: The Chicago Cubs hired veteran catcher and 2016 World Series team member David Ross as their manager.

Ross, a native of Bainbridge, Georgia, was 262-284 in four seasons managing the Cubs from 2020-23. Under Ross, the Cubs won the NL Central in 2020. He was replaced by Craig Counsell. Ross has said returning to the dugout with the Atlanta Braves would be amazing.

Want more vintage Chicago?

Subscribe to the free Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter, join our Chicagoland history Facebook group, stay current with Today in Chicago History and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicagos past.

Have an idea for Vintage Chicago Tribune? Share it with Kori Rumore and Marianne Mather at krumore@chicagotribune.com and mmather@chicagotribune.com
Sir Tony Blair has urged Ed Miliband to abandon his clean power targets and slash expensive green levies.

The Tony Blair Institute (TBI), the former prime ministers think tank, warned that a pledge to decarbonise UK electricity by 2030 was destroying industry and damaging households.

The target to ditch fossil fuels puts Labour at risk by pushing voters towards Reform UK before next years crucial Scottish, Welsh and English regional elections.

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Ryan Wain from the TBI urged the Energy Secretary to instead focus on making electricity much cheaper to stop Right-wing populists undermining support for net zero.

Sir Tony personally approved the report, and Mr Miliband is understood to be furious at the intervention by his former boss. He ordered his civil servants to put out press statements rejecting the TBI report on Wednesday evening.

It is the second high-profile intervention against the Energy Secretarys policies this year. In April, Sir Tony said current net zero plans were doomed to fail.

The UK now has some of the worlds highest electricity prices and the report said this was largely as a result of the surging cost of renewable subsidies.

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The subsidies component of the electricity bill is what has increased the most between 2015 and today  from 8.5pc to approximately 20pc, it said.

b'

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The think tank also estimated that the pylon lines and substations needed to connect Britains planned offshore wind farms to the grid will cost more than the turbines themselves, at 112bn. This cost will be added to business and consumer bills.

The report concluded: The trend in UK energy over recent decades is the transformation of the UKs electricity sector from a cheap, high-carbon one to an expensive, low-carbon one.

Labour promised in its manifesto to shift Britains energy system to clean power by 2030 and has set about overhauling the grid since it came to power.

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However, critics say the tight timeline and scale of work required mean the targets are too aggressive, particularly given that much of the work will be paid for through charges added to energy bills.

Tone Langengen, the report author and TBIs lead energy adviser, said: Launched in the middle of the gas crisis and in a low-interest environment, [Mr Milibands] Clean Power 2030 plan was right for its time, but circumstances have changed  the UK now needs more.

Prioritising cheaper, clean electricity would lower bills and emissions while attracting new industries.

Policy costs on power bills are now more expensive than the cost of actual electricity for the average household, at 334 a year compared to 324. These costs are levies to support renewable power generators and fund other aspects of net zero.

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Mr Wain said the UK should retain its commitment to net zero but warned: Were in a cost of living crisis [as well as] a climate crisis  you cant just pick one and pretend the other doesnt exist.

The conclusions will add to the growing pressure on Mr Miliband. The Energy Secretary is already under fire for promising to lower bills by 300 this parliament by decarbonising the grid, a pledge that looks increasingly difficult to deliver.

Last week, energy industry leaders blamed green levies for driving up bills. Rachel Fletcher of Octopus Energy said green levies, the costs of running the system and building the power grid could add around 300 to a typical households electricity bill by 2030.

A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesman said: Our mission is relentlessly focused on delivering lower bills to tackle the affordability crisis that has been driven by our dependence on fossil fuel markets.

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Thats why we have launched a golden age of new nuclear, and approved a record amount of clean power, as our mission delivers economic growth and good jobs across our country.

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.
Why would anyone opt for a twin-engine setup for a fighter?

Well, sometimes a bigger aircraft was required for greater range, or armament or a second crewmember to navigate or operate a radar. Here we choose the ten best of this exciting class of aeroplanes, assessing both their performance and their importance in World War II:

10: Westland Whirlwind

The Whirlwind was a heavily-armed, single-seat, twin-engine fighter designed for high performance, with great attention paid to aerodynamics. The aircraft was powered by two Rolls-Royce Peregrine engines, mounted in closely faired nacelles (the pod that houses the engine), and cooled by a radiator system mounted within the inboard wing structure.

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Notwithstanding teething troubles with the engines, the Whirlwind was popular with its crews for its delightful handling, its heavy armament of four 20-mm cannon and the good view from its bubble canopy. The performance of the aircraft was particularly good at low altitude, being described as superior to any contemporary single-engine fighter.

10: Westland Whirlwind

However, performance fell off at higher altitudes, largely because of the engine and propeller choice. Because engine deliveries had delayed the Whirlwinds operational service until after the Battle of Britain, and because air combat tactics were focusing on higher altitude engagements, only two Squadrons used the aircraft. In one engagement in August 1941, four Whirlwinds were engaged by 20 Messerchmitt Me 109 fighters.

Although outnumbered five to one, the result was something of a draw, with two Me 109s destroyed and three of the four Whirlwinds damaged. In the circumstances, a pretty impressive result, that indicates the quality of the aircraft, at least at low level.

9: Nakajima J1N1-S Gekko

The Nakajima J1N Gekko started in 1938, when it became evident that Chinese air bases were beyond the reach of the Navy type 96 carrier fighters then in service with the Japanese Navy, and that losses were being sustained in the unescorted bombing raids that resulted.

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The specification sought good combat manoeuvrability, combined with a long-range of 2408 km (1300 nautical miles), heavy armament (20-mm cannon plus machine guns), and a maximum speed of 322 mph. Initial trials of the J1N1 were discouraging, the aircraft being considered overweight, and with inadequate manoeuvrability, although with good range and speed.

9: Nakajima J1N1-S Gekko

The aircraft was re-designed as a land-based reconnaissance aircraft, and put into service as the J1N1-C reconnaissance aircraft. In 1943, a trial was made, fitting two 20-mm cannon firing upward, and two firing downward as for use as a night-fighter. The success of this trial aircraft in shooting down two B-24s led to the Navy initiating the development of a purpose-built J1N1 night-fighter, the J1N1-S Gekko (Moonlight).

The aircraft proved very effective against the B-24, but less so against the faster B-29. The performance of the aircraft was quite creditable, with a maximum speed of 315 mph at 19,000 ft, and normal range of 1580 miles. A total of 479 J1N1 of all variants were built, at least two thirds of these being J1n1-S or -Sa night-fighters.

8: Northrop P-61 Black Widow

The P-61 Black Widow was also the first purpose-designed night-fighter, and an absolute beast of a machine. It was a twin-engine, twin-boom (the rear fuselage divided into two slim parts) aircraft, heavily armed with four 20-mm cannon and four 0.5-in machine guns, weighing up to 32,400 lb (14,727kg).

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The Black Widow was built on a truly American scale, was the heaviest aircraft to be given a P- (Pursuit) designation, was heavily armed, and was equipped with a Western Electric SCR-720 Air Intercept radar. It was also surprisingly manoeuvrable, and described as a pilots aeroplane.

8: Northrop P-61 Black Widow

While these P-61s performed useful roles, initially in night-time counter-V1 patrols, and subsequently in night fighter operations in Europe, this was a time when large-scale German night bomber raids had mainly come to an end. The P-61s were thus deployed in tactical roles in Europe. The type only entered service in 1944, so though effective in the night-fighter role, the threat the Black Widow was designed to counter had largely evaporated by the time the aircraft were deployed to the China-Burma-India (CBI) and Pacific Theatre.

The aircraft was undoubtedly effective, both in air-to-air combat, and at a tactical strike, but it arrived too late to make much difference.

7: Heinkel He 219 'Uhu'

There seems to be broad agreement among the various sources examining German aircraft of the Second World War that the Heinkel He 219 was the most effective night-fighter of that conflict. However, the He 219 was built in relatively small numbers  around 300 planes in total - and never really achieved the operational impact it could have had, had it entered service earlier than June 1943.

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The origins of the aircraft lay in an earlier Heinkel private venture proposal from the summer of 1940 for a multi-role heavy fighter, with additional possible roles as a reconnaissance aircraft and torpedo bomber. This proposal drew upon several state-of-the-art technologies, including a pressurized crew compartment, tricycle undercarriage, remotely controlled defensive gun barbettes, and the provision of ejector seats.

7: Heinkel He 219 'Uhu'

On June 11, 1943, a pre-production He 219A-0 was operationally tested for the first time, destroying five bombers in the course of a single sortie, although failure of the aircrafts flaps resulted in the loss of the He 219 on landing. The production He 219A was a heavily armed, advanced twin-engine fighter fitted with the Liechenstein SN-2 radar system.

Operationally, the He 219A was very successful, with a significant success rate against RAF night bombers, and several pilots achieving impressive numbers of combat victories, including multiple successes in a single sortie. Well-armed, well-equipped, and relatively easy to maintain, the aircraft was popular with its crews.

6: Kawasaki Ki 45 Toryu

The Toryu was wholly satisfactory, with surprising manoeuvrability, and good performance, and was armed with a 20-mm cannon and two-12.7 mm machine guns firing forward, and a 7.92-mm aft-firing defensive machine gun. Maximum speed was 539 km/h (335mph) at 20,000 ft, and the maximum range on internal fuel was 1404 miles, both creditable figures.

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Initial combat experience for the Toryu was in China during November 1942, and the aircraft is described as the most manoeuvrable twin-engined aircraft fielded by anyone during the war, able to out-manoeuvre the P-38 Lightning with ease, and performing half rolls, chandelles and Immelman turns with elan.

6: Kawasaki Ki 45 Toryu

A ground-attack variant, the Ki 45-Kai-Otsu, was followed by a night-fighter variant, the Ki 45-Kai-Ko, with two upward-firing 20-mm cannon located behind the cockpit, and a dual-role day-night-fighter, the Ki 45-Kai-Hei with changes to the forward firing armament, including the use of a 37-mm Ho 203 cannon. The Toryu was extensively used in efforts to defend the Japanese home islands against B-29 Superfortress bombing raids, with its 37-mm cannon proving highly effective.

A further variant, the Ki 45-Kai-Tei added two forward firing 20-mm cannon to supplement the 37-mm cannon, and was intended to be used in the anti-shipping role, but was largely diverted to night-fighter units. Total production of all variants of the Toryu was 1691, and the aircraft must be regarded as highly effective in all its roles, but particularly as an escort-fighter and night-fighter.

5: Messerschmitt Bf 110

The first prototype Bf 110 made its first flight on May 12, 1936, but continuing difficulties in engine development and delivery resulted in the initial Bf 110B-1 model flying with the Junkers Jumo 210Ga engine, and being used for tactics development and training, as it was not suitable for combat operations. The Bf 110C was delivered to the Luftwaffe from January 1939.

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The Bf 110C offered a maximum speed of 541 km/h (336 mph), and a range on internal fuel of 1410 km (876 miles), and an armament of two 20-mm cannon, four forward-firing and one defensive rearward-firing machine gun.

5: Messerschmitt Bf 110

It proved effective where the Luftwaffe had air superiority, but this was not the case during the Battle of Britain, and there were significant losses, with 120 Bf 110s shot down in August 1940 alone, though some historians believe its vulnerability has been exaggerated. The Bf 110 then found a new role as a night-fighter, while continuing to be used as a fighter-bomber.

Production of the aircraft continued until March 1945, with a total of more than 6000 aircraft of all variants having been built. Despite its lack of success in the Battle of Britain, the Bf 110 made a major contribution to Luftwaffe capability, particularly as a night-fighter, but also as a fighter-bomber, in close air support and reconnaissance roles.

4: Bristol Beaufighter

Development of the Bristol Beaufighter started in November 1938, aimed at meeting a requirement for a cannon-armed long-range escort and night-fighter. The Beaufighter was essentially a fighter derivative of the Beaufort, which was already in production, and using the wings and tail of that aircraft speeded development, enabling the first flight of the prototype to occur on July 17 1939.

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The Beaufighter was very heavily armed, with four 20-mm cannon carried in the lower fuselage and six 0.303-in machine guns in the wings, and delivered a range of 2575 km (1600 miles) Fighter Command aircraft were equipped from the start with the AI Mark IV air interception radar, and on 26 July 1940, the Beaufighter I entered RAF squadron service, with the first night-fighter success being on 19 November 1940.

4: Bristol Beaufighter

As night-fighter Mosquitos came into service, Beaufighter night-fighter operations gradually reduced, but the aircraft continued to give good service as a heavily armed long-range strike fighter on all fronts, including in the Pacific Theatre, with RAAF Beaufighter 21s serving as long-range bomber escorts, and in strike and anti-shipping operations.

Coastal Command Beaufighter X aircraft conducted anti-shipping operations against convoys off Europe in the North Sea and the Mediterranean. When production ended 5928 Beaufighters had been built. The aircraft served with great effect from July 1940, and the last RAF Beaufighter flight was made in 1960. Tough, heavily armed, and extremely effective, the Beaufighter was widely used and was effective as a night-fighter, anti-shipping, strike aircraft and escort fighter across the European, North African and Pacific Theatres.

3: Junkers Ju 88

The Schnellbomber concept was essentially the idea that a fast enough bomber did not need defensive guns with their attendant weight, complexity and extra operators to survive. As an aircraft designed to meet high-speed bomber requirement, the inclusion of the German Ju 88 in a list of the best twin-engined fighters may seem a strange decision, but as we will see, it is not.

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However, the specification, which called for an aircraft capable of carrying a normal bombload of 1100 lb (500kg) at a maximum speed of 499 km/h (310 mph) for 30 minutes or at a cruising speed of 451 km/h (280 mph), and climbing to 7000 metres (22965 ft) in 25 minutes, resulted in an extraordinarily effective and flexible aircraft able to perform far more than bombing.

3: Junkers Ju 88

The Ju 88 was adaptable and proved a Jack of all trades. Variants were introduced to counter balloon barrages, for advanced training, for use in tropical environments, for use as low-level fighter-bombers, and even for anti-shipping operations. The Ju 88 was a highly significant aircraft for the Luftwaffe, its initial high-speed medium bomber role being expanded to include such diverse missions as day-fighter, night-fighter (as pictured, with radar equipment), strategic reconnaissance and air-launched guided weapon.

A total of about 15,000 aircraft were built, in many different variants, seeing service in all theatres throughout Luftwaffe involvement in the world war.

2: Lockheed P-38 Lightning

The P-38 design was innovative and unusual, making use of Allison V1710 engines, fitted with extremely bulky turbo-superchargers. The twin-fuselage booms mounted the engines, the main gear and turbo-supercharger. The fuselage was a pod which carried the armament, the nose wheel, and the pilot. The P-38E offered quite impressive performance, with a maximum speed of 636 km (395mph) at 25,000 ft, a normal range of 500 miles, maximum range of 975 miles, and armament of one 20-mm cannon and four 0.50-in machine guns.

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Uprated engines were fitted to the P-38F, and successive changes in engine model from the V-1710-49/53 to the V1710-51/55, and V1710-89/91 accounted for changes in designation from P-38F to P-38H.

2: Lockheed P-38 Lightning

In air combat, the Lightning could be out-manoeuvred by Luftwaffe single-engine fighters, but its speed, performance at altitude, and heavy armament enabled the aircraft to achieve considerable success, generally by diving on its opponents and avoiding being drawn into turning air combat. These tactics were particularly successful in the Pacific Theatre, where Japanese fighters were generally very manoeuvrable, but relatively vulnerable.

10,035 Lightnings had been completed by the end of the war. The P-38 proved its effectiveness as a bomber escort, air defender, interdictor, strike and reconnaissance aircraft. Used in all theatres, its greatest contribution was in the Pacific, but it also made contributions in North Africa, the Mediterranean and Southern and Eastern European operations, as well as both escort and strike operations in Western Europe.

1: De Havilland DH 98 Mosquito

The Mosquito was a bold, and at the time, controversial concept, combining two excellent Merlin engines, and the use of wooden construction  novel in a combat aircraft, but familiar to de Havilland  that delivered an almost miraculously brilliant aeroplane which used high-speed and heavy armament to great effect. The design originated from specification P13/36, calling for a twin-engine medium bomber with the highest possible cruising speed, suitable for other duties including reconnaissance.

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The bomb load required was 4000 lb (1818kg), and a range of 3000 miles was required. De Havillands proposal lost out to the terrible Avro Manchester, but the seeds had been sown for the design of a high-speed, twin-engine bomber, constructed of wood.

1: De Havilland DH 98 Mosquito

That the Mosquito was able to deliver such outstanding capability was primarily down to the decision to dispense with defensive armament. This meant not only that the crew could be reduced to two, but also dispensed with the weight, volume and drag associated with defensive armament and accommodation for a third crewmember. Fighter-bomber Mosquitos were used, operating with distinction in missions as varied as low-level precision bombing, night intruder and interdiction, and anti-shipping.

The aircraft were used in all theatres, extensively in Western Europe, but also in North Africa and the Pacific region. In the night-fighter and photo reconnaissance role it also proved exceptional. It was probably the greatest multi-role combat aircraft of World War II. See full article here.

Joe Coles is the author of The Hush-Kit Book of Warplanes Vol 1, 2 and 3

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Photo Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en

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Something big was set to soar over San Marcos this fall. Fans were ready, tickets were sold and jets were ready for takeoff, until Washington, D.C. brought everything to a halt.

The inaugural Texas Capital Air Show, originally set for November 1-2, has been postponed to November 2026 as the federal government shutdown, now the second-longest in U.S. history, continues to have ripple effects across the United States.

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"We have determined that we will be unable to give our great fans, and our Veterans and First Responders the kind of air show you deserve," the Texas Capital Air Show team said in a statement. "We dreamt up this event with the purpose of bringing a world-class aviation show to the Texas Capital Region, while raising funds and awareness of suicide prevention for our Veterans and First Responders."

USN F/A-18 Super Hornet flies through the sky. (Courtesy Of Texas Capital Air Show)





The air show was slated to feature the U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor and U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet Rhino Demo Teams, drawing aviation fans from across Central Texas to the San Marcos Regional Airport. Organizers said the federal government shutdown affected military participation, forcing them to postpone the event.

A USAF F-22 Raptor flies through the blue sky. (Courtesy of Texas Capital Air Show)





Hosted by the nonprofit Wings & Warriors, the event was created to raise funds and awareness for suicide prevention among veterans and first responders. Organizers said that mission remains unchanged and confirmed the rescheduled dates for November 78, 2026.

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Ticket holders can keep their passes for next year, request a refund by November 21 or turn their purchase into a tax-deductible donation to Wings & Warriors by emailing info@texascapitalairshow.com.

This article originally published at 'Top Gun'-style air show postponed 1 year due to US government shutdown.
Top House Democrats asked President Donald Trump on Thursday to provide documents -- including correspondence between his lawyers and his Justice Department -- as they investigate his demand for the DOJ to pay roughly $230 million as a settlement for investigations he faced during the Biden administration and in his first term in office.

Reps. Jamie Raskin and Robert Garcia, the ranking members on the House Judiciary and Oversight committees, respectively, sent a letter directly to Trump requesting that he provide documents and information to their committees.

"In remarks to the press this week, you described a blatantly illegal and unconstitutional effort to steal $230 million from the American people,"Raskin and Garcia wrote in their letter. "Your plan to have your obedient underlings at the Department of Justice (DOJ) instruct the U.S. Treasury to pay you, personally, hundreds of millions of dollars--especially at a time when most Americans are struggling to pay rent, put food on the table, and afford health care--is an outrageous and shocking attempt to shake down the American people."

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Here's what Trump has said about seeking $230M settlement from DOJ

The committees want Trump to provide "all administrative claims filed by you on your legal representation under Federal Torts Claims Act" as well as "all correspondence between you or your legal representatives and any DOJ official."

Drew Angerer/Getty Images, FILE - PHOTO: In this Jan. 4, 2024, file photo, Rep. Robert Garcia looks on as Ranking member of the House Oversight Committee Rep. Jamie Raskin speaks during a media briefing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

The Democrats also want "all DOJ memoranda, legal analyses, or recommendations shared with you and your legal representative, or any White House official."

The settlement negotiations with DOJ stem from two separate administrative claims attorneys for Trump submitted while he was out of office in 2023 and 2024. One sought damages over the investigation he and some in his orbit faced surrounding ties between his 2016 campaign and the Russian government.

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The second claim related to accusations that he was prosecuted maliciously by then-special counsel Jack Smith and that his privacy rights were violated when the FBI searched his Mar-a-Lago estate for classified documents in August of 2022.

Those claims would likely first need sign-off from top officials in the DOJ who previously served as Trump's defense attorneys or otherwise represented his allies.

Trump, asked Tuesday by reporters in the Oval Office about the New York Times' story that first reported Trump's demand, said the decision would "go across my desk."

"It's interesting, because I'm the one that makes a decision, right?" Trump said. "And you know that decision would have to go across my desk, and it's awfully strange to make a decision where I'm paying myself."
By Diana Novak Jones

CHICAGO (Reuters) -A top U.S. Border Patrol official violated a court order limiting the use of tear gas during demonstrations against the Trump administrations immigration crackdown in Chicago, a group of protesters, journalists and clergy members told a U.S. judge on Thursday.

The group said in a court filing that Gregory Bovino, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection commander overseeing the federal enforcement effort in Chicago, deployed tear gas in violation of the judges order during a standoff in a neighborhood known for being home to many Mexican immigrants.

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They attached photos and a link to a Facebook video that appears to show Bovino throwing tear gas at a group of protesters without giving the required warning.

Representatives for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

ARRESTS AND PROTESTS

President Donald Trump's ongoing "Operation Midway Blitz" deportation drive in Chicago has spurred arrests across the city and sparked widespread protests. In response, Trump sent hundreds of National Guard troops to Illinois to quell what his administration called unprecedented violence against federal law enforcement, a directive that was halted by another court.

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Dozens of community members and protesters, a handful of them throwing rocks, were met with tear gas on Thursday in Little Village, one of Chicago's biggest Latino neighborhoods.

The heated standoff lasted around an hour until Chicago police officers arrived on the scene. This is at least the fifth time that tear gas has been used in Chicago's neighborhoods.

Chicago residents closely track federal agents' movements through the city and will often attempt to intercept officers and warn undocumented immigrants of the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The group said they were rushing to alert U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis to the violation because they are concerned that federal immigration officials are ignoring her court order.

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Ellis has repeatedly expressed concern that federal agents are violating her October 9 ruling requiring them to wear visible identification and limiting their use of anti-riot weapons such as pepper balls and tear gas.

Last week, Ellis ordered federal officers who have body cameras to turn them on while conducting immigration enforcement activity and during interactions with the public.

Ellis held a lengthy hearing on Monday where she questioned officials from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement about multiple clashes between protesters and federal immigration agents.

The officials, Kyle Harvick, a deputy incident commander for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Shawn Byers, deputy field office director for ICE, defended the agents actions and said that Ellis order had been widely disseminated.

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The 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.

(Reporting by Diana Novak Jones in Chicago, Additional reporting by Heather Schlitz and Jim Vondruska in Chicago, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Bill Berkrot)
TOPEKA (KSNT)  A learning and activities center for children in Topeka is set to close its doors to visitors near the end of October for over a week.

The Kansas Childrens Discovery Center announced that it will be closing from Oct. 28 through to Nov. 6. The ten-day closure is necessary for workers to put the finishing touches on the center and clean it up for a grand re-opening ceremony on Nov. 7.

Significant expansion work has been ongoing at the KCDC since 2024 when the over $11 million project was initially announced. Completion of the project will add new classroom spaces, child-care areas, galleries for traveling exhibits and bring the center from 15,000 to 30,000 square feet of space.

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Workers got started on the expansion project in the late summer of 2024. The project is funded through a combination of corporate gifts, grants, the Gage Park Improvement Authority sales tax revenue, operating reserves and donations.

A grand re-opening ceremony is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 7 at 4400 SW 10th Ave. Visitors can expect to see the following improvements made to the KCDC:

Three galleries with more than a dozen unique exhibits. The Sunflower Gallery. The Hall of Bright Ideas. The Special Exhibit Gallery.

New indoor climbing structure which will be the tallest climbable sunflower in the world at two stories tall.

The Discovery Cafe, which has health food options sourced from local and regional producers.

Three new learning lab classrooms that will create space for quality science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) childcare. One classroom has a state-of-the-art teaching kitchen and hydroponics lab created for hands-on learning programs that connect nutrition, science and cooking.

Mansion ghost hunt set for Halloween night in Topeka

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TOPEKA (KSNT)  Topekas PBS station, KTWU, turned 60 on Wednesday.

KTWU has been operating in the Capital City since 1965. The station was the first public broadcaster in the state. It was originally located at Sixth Street and Wanamaker Road but moved to Washburns campus 31 years ago.

In July, KTWU lost one-third of its funding due to budget cuts.

We have had anger, we have frustration, and disappointment, we have also had just this feeling of camaraderie, and family and closeness with all of our community, KTWU General Manager and Executive Director Valerie VanDerSluis said.

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Gov. Kelly reacts to SNAP and WIC benefits as government shutdown hits 22 days

The cuts came after both the Kansas House and Senate agreed to slash the Kansas public broadcasting council funding. The council works with public broadcasting and radio stations that receive state funding such as: KPTS, KTWU, Smoky Hills PBS, Kansas Public Radio, KMUW Wichita, Radio Kansas, High Plains Public Radio and KRPS.

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TOPEKA (KSNT)  The Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library is now certified sensory inclusive.

The library offers sensory bags for anyone to use, including fidget toys, noise-canceling headphones, dark sunglasses and other resources.

KS governor announces $442 million in highway projects

The library also has a quiet room in the kids section of the library that plays calming music and allows children to dim the lights as needed.

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How can we be a place where people can come in the community, and be comfortable, be welcomed, said Deanna Niles, a Youth Services Librarian at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library.

Heres how the government shutdown is impacting Kansas farmers

The library also offers adaptive listening equipment and scooters and wheelchairs for checkout, along with the sensory bags.

Its not just kids, its adults. Its people of all ages, all ethnicities, it doesnt skip anyone, said Niles. We want them to know theyre safe, they can be respected here, they count, they matter, we see them.

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JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL)  Tennessee OSHA started an investigation into a workplace fatality involving the Washington County-Johnson City EMS, a spokesperson for TOSHA confirmed to News Channel 11 on Thursday.

According to the spokesperson, a fatality investigation can take up to six months to complete.

PREVIOUS: Washington Co.-Johnson City EMS member dies in training accident

Fred Kemp on Daytime Tri-Cities in 2021

On Wednesday, Fred Kemp, a rescue technician and advanced EMT with the Washington County-Johnson City EMS, died during a training exercise.

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This is an extremely difficult time for our agency, and we are in close contact with the Kemp family, Washington County-Johnson City EMS stated in a post on social media.

The TOSHA spokesperson said the department does not release preliminary information while the investigation is active.

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Oct. 23SUPERIOR  It's getting creepy in Superior.

Ghosts, ghouls and skeletons have taken up residence in Superior yards as part of the annual Haunt Your House tour of homes. Nearly 40 homes are part of the tour, including a field of inflatable spooks along East Third Street, a milk jug skeleton blowing in the wind near Hammond Park, a troop of eerie clowns along North 16th Street and a skeletal wild West town at 1701 Tower Ave.

Green signs on yards indicate the homes taking part in this year's tour.

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Since she moved to Superior seven years ago, Lisa Hanson has been decorating her yard at 2722 E. Third St. for Halloween. This is the first year she's entered her display in the Haunt Your House tour.

"I wanted to be part of the community. I thought it would be fun to do, and there's a contest, so why not?" Hanson said.

Her yard was covered in inflatable decorations Wednesday, Oct. 22, from a trio of witches with glowing eyes to a skeleton dog that was as tall as the house.

"We have a high (electric) bill in the fall, for sure," Hanson said.

Trick-or-treaters will have to enter through the arms of a skeletal reaper to get candy. Hanson said to make up for the macabre yard, she plans to dress in a low-scare costume.

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"I'm leaning toward a squirrel," she said.

She plans to make it a point to drive around town and see what everyone else has done.

Everyone is invited to take the tour, snap photos and tag their favorites using #SuperiorSpooktacular.

The homes taking part in the annual event are:

East End

2722 E. Third St.

4210 E. Third St.

4223 E. Fourth St.

503 E. Fifth St.

505 E. Fifth St.

704 E. Fifth St.

1002 E. Fifth St.

2125 E. Seventh St.

2706 E. Fourth St.

3811 E. Eighth St.

620 28th Ave. E.

712 24th Ave. E.

South Superior

6223 Ogden Ave.

1501 N. 58th St.

5719 Tower Ave.

5704 John Ave

1821 N. 55th St.

Mid town

8 Laurel Ave.

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22 Maple Ave.

1208 Hughitt Ave.

1717 Hughitt Ave.

2411 Hughitt Ave.

1420 N. 12th St.

907 N. 20th St.

812 N. 21st St.

641 N. 22nd St.

1924 Cumming Ave.

1701 Hammond Ave.

1021 Grand Ave.

1802 Oakes Ave.

Billings Park

2612 Wellington St.

2207 Pennsylvania Ave.

2302 Pennsylvania Ave.

1607 Susquehanna Ave.

2319 Susquehanna Ave.

2012 Missouri Ave.

2111 Ohio Ave.

21 Vergennes St.

South Range

4452 S. Rockmont Road
SMYRNA, Tenn. (WKRN)  The Town of Smyrna is honoring its veterans with new veteran parking spaces.

Smyrna Town Manager David Santucci said he attended the towns Veterans Day ceremony last year and had a conversation with a resident. They told Santucci how much they appreciated the signs in public and private parking lots, and he realized Smyrna needed to install them.

Neighborhood News: Stories impacting your community | Read More

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Santucci said Smyrna has a strong military background with the Sewart Air Force Base from 1941 to 1971. Now, the town has a continued presence with the Army National Guard and an increasing presence with the Air National Guard, moving from BNA airport to Smyrna, along with the many veterans who live in the community.

It just seemed like a very simple but meaningful thing to do and just wanted to get this in place so we can show our support for all of our veterans, Santucci said.

The veterans parking spaces are spread out across Smyrnas landmarks and major parks. Theyre in prominent locations closer to walkways that are more ADA accessible. Smyrnas event center, Lee Victory Park, Smyrna Town Hall and Smyrnas Justice Center are some of the few places you can find the spaces.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

I want them to see that weve dedicated something to those who have served, Santucci said. I think whether youre a veteran or not, and you see those signs, it gives you a sense of pride and an understanding that the town is supportive of our veterans and our community, and its a very small token of appreciation for the sacrifices they have made.

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Santucci hopes the new spaces inspire residents to consider doing something to honor the veteran community.

Do you have news happening in your neighborhood? Let us know by sending an email to neighborhoodnews@wkrn.com.

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The beloved and former toy industry leader, Toys R Us, is revamping its brand ahead of the holiday season with new stores across the country, including two in California.

The company announced a nationwide expansion on Oct. 16, unveiling 30 new locations. The rollout includes a flagship store at the Camarillo Premium Outlets in Ventura County and a seasonal holiday shop at Bay Street Emeryville Mall in the Bay Area.

According to the company, the new stores are designed as convenient, family-friendly destinations featuring popular toy brands such as LEGO, Barbie, Hot Wheels, NERF and Paw Patrol.

Shoppers Jeri Hull (L) and Karen Brashear (R) wait in line while shopping at ToysRUs during the Black Friday sales event on November 27, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Credit: Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

This next phase of growth brings the magic of Toys R Us to even more communities across the country  just in time for the holidays, said Jamie Uitdenhowen, executive vice president of Toys R Us at WHP Global, which owns the brand.

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According to USA Today, the Camarillo flagship is part of Toys R Us latest effort to reestablish itself in brick-and-mortar retail with smaller, more interactive store formats featuring play zones, curated toy selections and family-focused shopping experiences.

Family says boy hurt in Huntington Beach crash had brain bleed, collapsed lung

The Los Angeles Times also reported that the expansion follows Toys R Uss 2017 Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing and the closure of more than 700 stores the following year. Since then, the brand has re-emerged through smaller ventures, including shop-in-shop locations inside Macys stores across the U.S.

Company officials said additional store openings will be announced throughout the holiday season.

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KANSAS (KSNT)  Tractor Supply Co. is celebrating National Hometown Heroes Day by offering discounts to hometown heroes and donating to local police, fire and veteran organizations.

Tractor Supply will be donating $500 to local authorities and organizations from each of its 2,300+ locations on Nov. 1, totaling over $1 million in a single day.

The company is offering discounts to military service members, veterans and first responders who sign up for its Neighbors Club rewards program. Members of the program will be able to receive 10% off, plus other discounts. The discounts will be offered on:

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First Responders Day on Oct. 28.

National Hometown Heroes Day on Nov. 1.

Veterans Day on Nov. 11.

Topeka center for kids to close for 10 days, heres why

During this time, Tractor Supply will be holding other in-store events, including:

Touch-a-Truck with local departments.

Thank-a-Hero letter writing stations.

Digital honor walls to recognize heroes.

Craft activities, giveaways and out-the-door discounts.

Both of the Topeka Tractor Supply Co. locations, at 710 Hwy 24 East and 5236 SW Topeka Blvd., will be participating in the events. Local fire departments will be at both locations on Nov. 1 for the Touch-a-Truck event.

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You can reach out to your local Tractor Supply Co. to find out if the store is participating in the local events. For more information on the Neighbors Club rewards and how you can receive hometown hero rewards, click here.

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LUFKIN, Texas (KETK)  The City of Lufkin will experience lane closures due to work being done by the Texas Department of Transportation this week.

State Loop 287 widening project starting in Lufkin

The City of Lufkin released a traffic alert on Thursday that residents should expect traffic on Southwood Drive (FM 324). Delays and one-lane traffic with a pilot car are expected as the Texas Department of Transportation prepares the road for widening on both sides of the road.

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Crews will have the single lane closure for 0.7 miles east of Saddle Creek. The City of Lufkin asks residents to take care, slow down and watch for workers when traveling on Southwood Drive.

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With three months remaining in Haitis rocky political transition, United Nations Security Council members are calling on the countrys leaders and politicians to quickly set aside their differences and avoid a political vacuum.

The urgent call comes amid the pending end of the current governance arrangement that expires on Feb. 7, 2026 a date by which a newly elected president and Parliament were originally expected to take office but mostly likely will not. In addition to being hampered by a complex and deadly security landscape, Haitis ruling transition has also been dogged by corruption allegations, which have undermined its efforts to return the country to constitutional order. Haitis last general election was in 2016, and since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise, the Caribbean nation has not had one elected leader in office.

Critical decisions will be required by national authorities and stakeholders in the weeks to come, Christina Markus Lassen, the Permanent Representative of Denmark, said. Sustained inter-Haitian dialogue remains crucial.

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In his latest report to the Security Council, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres noted that many Haitian political actors have expressed concern about the risk of a political vacuum if elections are not held on time.

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

The key people in Haiti hold diverging views on whether to maintain or modify the current transitional governance arrangement, Guterres said. Among the suggestions being discussed in Port-au-Prince: replacing the current nine-member Transitional Presidential Council with a judge from the countrys highest court as transitional president and a prime minister chosen through consultations; amending the arrangement to only three individuals and an oversight body to monitor government action, or extending the current group.

Several political figures, including a group of former prime ministers, proposed a one-year extension, starting on Feb. 7, 2026, under a new political accord, leading to elections by October 2026, the report said.

Guterress report is part of the regular update he is required to give the Security Council, which after supporting the extension of global sanctions for Haiti and issuing a new 12-month mandate for a Gang Suppression Force is also deciding on the renewal of the mandate of the U.N. Integrated Office in Haiti. The renewal of the political office received wide support from the council.

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The United Kingdoms deputy representative, highlighting the recent support for the U.S.-backed suppression force and continued sanctions, said its time for Haitis transitional presidential council to step up and match the international communitys efforts.

The Haitian authorities must work at pace to lay the necessary legislation to enable free and fair elections, Ambassador Archibald Young said. We call on all Haitian political actors to put their differences aside and work together in good faith to improve governance in Haiti, particularly ahead of the seventh of February.

Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Guterres new special representative in Haiti, told Security Council members that the transition clock is ticking and Haiti could not afford a political vacuum, especially amid its ongoing gang-driven violence.

I am concerned that a steady path towards the restoration of democratic governance is yet to emerge, he said. However, I welcome the steps taken by national authorities to consult with political stakeholders to reach agreements on the necessary conditions under which elections should be held and to avoid a political vacuum beyond 7 February 2026.

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Since arriving in Port-au-Prince on Aug. 2, Ruiz Massieu said he has visited national authorities, civil society leaders, human rights advocates, political parties and Haitis international supporters.

I have been able to witness firsthand the brutal reality of everyday life in the country, especially in Port-au-Prince, he said. There is no doubt that the circumstances are dire, but the Haitian people have not given up.

Still, the scale and impact of the crisis is disturbing: More than 1.4 million people have been forced to leave their homes, while human rights abuses by gangs continue, Ruiz Massieu said as he highlighted the grim reality the secretary-general provided in his report.

Between July and August, gangs increasingly targeted farming communities on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince and in other areas of the country, and staged multiple attacks against the national police. In the West region, a gang assault on the village of Labodrie in Cabaret resulted in more than 40 deaths, including six children. In the Artibonite, attacks during the same period left 42 residents dead and 29 injured, with two police stations set on fire.

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Though gang violence has slowed down in the capital, farmers in Kenscoff, located in the hills, continue to be targeted, while killings have risen dramatically in the Artibonite and Center regions, the report said. The U.N. recorded 1,303 victims of homicides between January and August, compared with 419 during the same period in 2024.

Mike Waltz, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., said while the United States will do its part to support Haiti, the countrys political class and private sector must do their parts as well in support of a democratically elected government.

Waltz said Washington will remain relentless in pursuing individuals who undermine Haitian security and arm and finance terrorist gangs. This includes expanding its use of all available tools, using all means necessary, including indictments, arrests, financial sanctions, arms seizures, visa and other immigration restrictions, to counter the impunity that robs Haitian children of their futures.

A number of U.N. diplomats, including the representatives of Panama and Russia, expressed concerns about civilian casualties resulting from security operations in Haiti. The issue was raised by Guterres and tied it to the Haitian governments use of armed drones through a contract with the firm Vectus Global to fight gangs. Vectus Global is owned by former Blackwater founder Erik Prince.

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In August, two police officers were killed and six others injured when a government drone accidentally exploded. In September at least 21 people were killed, including a pregnant woman, a boy and three girls, Guterres report said. Another 41 others, including 7 children, were injured.

We are extremely concerned about the recent increase in activity in Haiti of foreign mercenaries operating outside the legal framework, Russian Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya, who presided over the meeting, said. He added that the uncontrolled use of drones, which has already resulted in several confirmed civilian casualties, is completely unacceptable, and we hope that this problem is not going to migrate into the new mission.

On Wednesday, the secretary general of the Organization of American States, Albert Ramdin, said that Guatemala has committed to providing more troops to address the grave security situation, in Haiti. The Central American nation, along with El Salvador, are the only Latin American countries currently deployed in the country.

Meanwhile, Ruiz Massieu told the Security Council that despite the hostile environment the U.N. finds itself working in in Haiti, he is leading efforts to swiftly complete the return of all its international personnel to Port-au-Prince, with the goal of achieving 100% staff presence in the capital as a matter of urgency at this critical stage of the political transition.

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Haitis ambassador to the U.N., Ericq Pierre, said that building peace requires the implementation of a national disarmament, demobilization and reintegration policy that is focused both on the removal of illegal arms and on the reintegration of young people.

In this regard, the government invites [the U.N. Integrated Office] to strengthen its technical and institutional support for this policy, which is essential in order to bring about lasting security that is rooted in reconciliation, social cohesion and respect for human rights, he said.

Pierre took note of the Secretary Generals report and said the restoration of security is the governments top priority.

The report does, however, indicate that the government is making great efforts to overcome these many challenges, he said. Despite a worrying security context and difficult socio-economic circumstances, the Haitian authorities are stepping up their actions to re-establish the state, to consolidate the Republics institutions and to create the conditions for a return to constitutional order.




NEW BRITAIN - The homicide case against a New Britain man accused of killing his estranged wife in 2017 has returned to court for a second trial after the state Supreme Court threw out his earlier conviction.

Patrick Miles, 45, was found guilty in 2019 of murdering his estranged wife, Yasheeka T. "Mouda" Miles, 33, inside their New Britain apartment and of criminal possession of a firearm. He was sentenced to 55 years in prison.

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In 2022, the Connecticut Supreme Court reversed the conviction, ruling that prosecutors improperly commented on his decision to remain silent after being advised of his right to remain silent, and ordered a new trial.

The court said in its opinion that while the evidence was strong enough to support the guilty verdict, the prosecutor's repeated references during closing arguments that Miles "only told his story for the first time at trial" amounted to an unconstitutional use of his "post-Miranda silence."

Evidence started in the trial this week at Superior Court in New Britain. Miles has been held on $2.5 million bond since his arrest in 2017, according to a state prison website.

Yasheeka Miles, who worked as a resident staff member at Community Residences Inc. in Newington, was the mother of two children, according to her obituary.

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She was found April 7, 2017, lying face-down in a pool of blood after neighbors called 911 to report a disturbance, according to the opinion. She was shot multiple times in the head.

When New Britain police arrived, they found drugs, packaging materials and nearly $3,000 in cash, and the couple's 2-year-old daughter was missing, the opinion stated. Hours later, the child was found safe at Miles' sister's home in Brooklyn, N.Y., and Miles was arrested days later in Massachusetts.

At the first trial, prosecutors portrayed Miles as a jealous husband "who easily flew into a rage" and threatened his estranged wife amid infidelity, according to the opinion.

Miles, who admitted on the stand that he was a drug dealer, testified at the fist trial that he came home to find his wife already dead and believed she was the victim of a robbery gone wrong. He said he fled the state because he feared that whoever had killed her might come after him and his child, according to the opinion.

This article originally published at New trial begins for Connecticut man whose conviction in wife's murder was overturned.
Editors note: This story corrects the last name of the victim. We regret the error.

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  A jury Thursday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court found a woman whose 7-year-old son was shot and killed with a gun in her home not guilty of all charges.

After about two hours of deliberations, jurors found Marquaysha Driver, 31, not guilty of involuntary manslaughter and four counts of child endangering for the October 22, 2023, death of her son DeVonte Housley, Jr., 7, in her East Marmion Avenue home.

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DeVonte was killed after he and his brother found a loaded gun on a mantle above a fireplace in her home.

Driver testified on her own behalf earlier Thursday about how she woke up to every parents worst nightmare

I woke up to a pop, she said as she was sobbing. My son came running in the room. I asked, What was that? and he was like, I shot my brother.'

Testimony began in her case Wednesday before Judge Anthony DApolito after a jury was seated Tuesday.

The state rested its case Wednesday, and the defense rested its case Thursday after Drivers testimony. She was the only witness called by the defense.

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Prosecutors say Driver was reckless because she knew a loaded handgun was in her home, yet did not take steps to keep it away from her children, one of whom ended up shooting another.

The gun belonged to her brother, who she accompanied two days before DeVontes death to a Boardman sporting goods store, where he bought a shotgun and a 9mm pistol. Somehow, the pistol was left at her house.

Dressed in all black and talking in a slow, at times somber voice, Driver recounted the days leading up to DeVontes death under direct examination from her attorney, Frank Cassese. The gallery was full of friends and relatives, who at times provided a steady backdrop of sniffles.

Driver said she is a hairdresser and she spent all of Saturday  the day before DeVontes death  from 1 p.m. to 3 a.m. Sunday, doing hair in her home. She testified that the weekend was a big one, as Chaney and East high schools both had homecoming, and Sweetest Day fell on the same weekend.

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She had late clients because some women were getting their hair done to go to a bar party. Her last client was a friend who was celebrating her birthday that Sunday.

When she was done about 3 a.m. Sunday, she began cleaning up, and as she did, she noticed the gun her brother bought on the mantle above the fireplace. She said she decided to push the gun further back on the mantle behind a 75-inch television. Demonstrating for the jury, she stood on the points of her toes and reached out an arm, saying she stuffed it so far back she could barely reach it when she was finished.

When I couldnt see it anymore, I thought it was OK, she testified.

She also said she called her brother and told him to get the gun as soon as possible.

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She then took a shower and fell into bed exhausted, still wrapped in a towel. She was that way when she was awakened by the gunshot that took DeVontes life.

Prosecutors said in opening statements Wednesday that DeVonte and his brother were watching television when they couldnt change the channel, so they looked for batteries for the remote control, which were also on the mantle.

When the boys found the batteries, they also found the gun, prosecutors said, and began playing with it until it went off and DeVonte was killed. Driver testified she put the batteries up because her youngest child liked to chew on them, so she tried to keep them out of the childs reach.

She went downstairs, found DeVonte and called 911.

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I just asked them how to resuscitate my son, she said through tears.

Jurors also saw body camera video from Youngstown police Patrolman Anthony Congemi, who was called to the scene and testified Wednesday.

As members of the gallery began choking back sobs and silently crying, jurors watched through Congemis camera as he ran into the house, then ran back to his cruiser, grabbed a pair of gloves and went back inside.

Officer Kenneth Garling was trying to put a chest seal on the wound, and Driver, still wrapped in a towel, was in tears and screaming.

Keep pressure on both sides, someone can be heard saying.

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Is he breathing? Congemi asks.

I dont know, Driver answers through tears.

Congemi asks her where the gun is, and she tells him it is back on the mantle. DeVonte is sprawled on the floor on his back, blood visible on his chest, wearing a pair of dark shorts with a white stripe down the side.

Some jurors seemed visibly shaken after the video was played. A pair of women in the jury box sat stone-faced for several minutes while an older man in the first row took off his glasses, held them and stared straight ahead.

Driver then began crying on the witness stand.

Im sorry, she said. It just hurts.

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Cassese coaxed her back to her testimony, getting her to tell of her visit the day after DeVontes death to talk to detectives without a lawyer present, a visit she made on her own, she said.

Under cross-examination from Assistant Prosecutor Jennifer Paris, Driver said she did not recall telling detectives she knew the gun was loaded. She then watched video in the judges chambers of her interview with police, then said when testimony resumed, she did tell them she knew the gun was loaded.

When asked by Paris if she thought anyone could get the gun, Driver said no.

But, Paris said, they did.

I dont know how they did, she said.

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But you agree they could have got it? Paris asked.

No.

But they did.

Yes, Driver said. But I dont know how.

She denied having the gun in her purse or that the gun had been in the house for a week.

Do you acknowledge you left a loaded handgun in your house, unattended, with several small children in your house? Paris asked.

I tried my best to hide it, she answered.

Paris asked her why she didnt unload the gun, and Driver said she did not know how. Paris asked her why she didnt call her brother. Paris also asked her why she didnt put the gun outside or lock it in a car or in another room in the house.

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Theres nowhere to lock the gun in my house, she said. I just tried to do the right thing.

After Drivers testimony, jurors were given a break while the attorneys went over exhibits and the judges instructions to the jury.

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The Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University and the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) have partnered to develop a pipeline that prepares more local nurses to meet workforce demands.

With this collaboration, eligible students who graduate with a bachelors degree from Georgia Tech will be able to enroll in the School of Nursings Master of Nursing (MN) program.

Emorys MN program is an entry-to-practice pre-licensure degree program designed for students with bachelors degrees in other disciplines. Students who complete the 15-month program are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and begin practice as a registered nurse (RN).

This five-year partnership exemplifies the School of Nursings ongoing collaboration with metro Atlanta colleges and universities to prepare and empower high-caliber nurses. It represents another milestone in the schools efforts to address workforce challenges and advance nursing education.

Partnering with Georgia Tech represents another exciting step forward for nursing education, said Linda McCauley, dean of the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing. Together, were expanding opportunities for future nurses and ensuring that our communities and health systems have the skilled professionals they need to thrive.

The partnership with Georgia Tech is the fourth of its kind for the School of Nursing. The school also maintains similar partnerships with Spelman College, Agnes Scott College and Oglethorpe University.

Georgia Techs Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and Student Success Steven Girardot voiced his support for the partnership. We are excited to participate in a program that will develop future leaders in nursing, said Girardot. This direct pathway opens doors for our graduates to launch meaningful careers in nursing, living out our motto of Progress and Service in the most impactful way.

About the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing

As one of the nations top nursing schools, the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University is committed to educating visionary nurse leaders and scholars. Ranked the No. 1 masters, No. 2 BSN, and No. 8 DNP programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, the school offers undergraduate, masters, doctoral and non-degree programs, bringing together cutting-edge resources, distinguished faculty, top clinical experiences, and access to leading health care partners to shape the future of nursing and impact health and well-being. Learn more at nursing.emory.edu.

About Georgia Institute of Technology

The Georgia Institute of Technology, or Georgia Tech, is one of the top public research universities in the U.S., developing leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition.

The Institute offers business, computing, design, engineering, liberal arts and sciences degrees, as well as professional development and K-12 programs for fostering success at every stage of life. Its more than 53,000 undergraduate and graduate students represent 54 U.S. states and territories and more than 146 countries. They study at the main campus in Atlanta, at instructional sites around the world, and through distance and online learning.

As a leading technological university, Georgia Tech is an engine of economic development for Georgia, the Southeast, and the nation, conducting more than $1 billion in research annually for government.
Oct. 22The Herald's Trophy Room Gallery is the place for hunting and fishing photos from across the region. Do you have a hunting or fishing photo you'd like to share with Herald readers? Email it to Brad Dokken at bdokken@gfherald.com. Please include information about the hunter or angler, such as where they live and general area where the fish or game was taken. Photos will be posted to the

Northland Outdoors section of the Herald website

and some will be printed in the Saturday Northland Outdoors section as space and photo quality permit.

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Chad Maloy of Fargo shared this story of a fishing trip he and Dave Wasness of West Fargo took to Devils Lake last weekend, Saturday, June 22, and Sunday, June 23. Wasness is president of FM Walleyes Unlimited, and Maloy is a past president.

"Fishing was excellent," Maloy writes. "On Saturday, we found several shallow bays on the main lake in 3 to 6 feet of water that were stacked with 16-18 inch walleyes. We threw Northland Rumble Shads and Mimic Minnows. Bobbers also worked. We tipped our one-eighth ounce Northland tungsten jigs with leeches and crawlers. Both worked.

"On Sunday, we decided to try to move around more and target large fish. We found a different shallow bay and caught several nice walleyes in the 23- to 25-inch range. Most of them came on Northland Mimic Minnows and quarter-ounce jigs with Eye Candy again. A few were (caught) casting shallow-diving crankbaits. Later in the morning, we moved out deeper to about 18 feet and fished a dropoff. It was an area with some flooded timber, and we used slip bobbers and jigged with Northland Pitching Puppets.

"On our first spot, I dropped down the Pitching Puppet and caught a 27.5-inch walleye on the third stroke. We got a few more nice fish with slip bobbers and leeches before we moved back to the shallows."

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Do you have a fishing tale you'd like to share with Herald readers? Send your tale, along with a photo (jpeg preferred), to Brad Dokken at bdokken@gfherald.com. Please include the person's name, town of residence and whether the fish was kept or released.

Fargo anglers Peter Matthei (top photos) and Rex Carlson (bottom photos) scored these muskies, among others, while attending the third annual Minnesota Musky School, held Aug.26-Sept. 7 at Agency Bay Lodge on Leech Lake near Walker, Minnesota. Matthei's muskies measured 52.25 inches (top left photo) and 44 inches. Carlson's muskies measured 43 inches (bottom left) and 47 inches.

The "school" includes seven days of fishing, daily wrap-ups on what's hot and where to fish, presentations by professional guides and guided trips, Carlson said.

"Peter and I did well," he said in an email. "We fished four of the seven days and caught eight decent muskies, including two over 52 inches. We caught most of them at or just after sundown  on a full moon  on large rubber baits fishing the weeds and drop-offs in Walker Bay."

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Carlson says he and Matthei fish muskies as often as they can starting about the end of June. Carlson has been fishing muskies for four years, he says, while Matthei has been in pursuit of the big fish  some might call it an addiction  a bit longer.

More info:

minnesotamuskyschool.com.
Editor's Note: Tropical Storm Melissa could become a hurricane. See the latest update for Friday, Oct. 24.

Tropical Storm Melissa continues to spin in the central Caribbean Sea and is showing no signs of letting up.

The National Hurricane Center said in an 2 p.m. ET advisory on Oct. 23 that Melissa is located about 200 miles south-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, with maximum sustained winds near 45 mph with higher gusts.

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Hurricane center forecasters said gradual strengthening is expected over the next day or so, followed by "more rapid intensification" this weekend. Melissa is forecast to become a hurricane within the next couple of days, and a major hurricane by the end of the weekend, according to the NHC advisory. The storm is forecast to hover near Jamaica and the southwestern portion of Haiti during the next few days.

And with the chances of a monstrous Category 5 storm still in play, the potential is there for Melissa to be "the most impactful storm of the 2025 season," said Houston-based meteorologist Matt Lanza in a Substack post on Oct. 22.

Indeed, if Melissa does end up turning west over the Caribbean south of Jamaica (like some model forecasts show), "I don't think it's hyperbolic to say we will likely get a Category 5, and quite possibly one of the strongest storms ever recorded in the Atlantic," Andrew Hazelton, an associate scientist at the University of Miami's Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies, said on X Oct. 22.

Hurricane watches and tropical storm warnings are in effect for the southwestern peninsula of Haiti from the border with the Dominican Republic to Port-Au-Prince, according to the hurricane center, as well as Jamaica.

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Melissa is expected to bring 6 to 12 inches of rain to the southern Dominican Republic, southern Haiti and eastern Jamaica through Sunday, Oct. 26, with locally higher amounts possible. Forecasters said "significant, life-threatening flash flooding and numerous landslide" are expected. Hurricane-strength winds are also possible within the watch area in Haiti beginning Friday, Oct. 24.

Puerto Rico, northern Dominican Republic, northern Haiti and western Jamaica are expected to see 2 to 4 inches of rain through Sunday, and flash and urban flooding are possible in these areas. Forecasters said flooding impacts may increase across western Jamaica next week.

Forecasters said interests elsewhere in Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Cuba should monitor the progress of Melissa.

More on Tropical Storm Melissa: Melissa could become one of the 'strongest storms ever' in Atlantic

Satellite view of Tropical Storm Melissa 10:30 a.m. Oct. 22, 2025. One of five homes that collapsed within 45 minutes on Sept. 30, 2025, as rough seas from two hurricanes pounded away at beaches along portions of North Carolina's Outer Banks. An image of the winds over the Atlantic Ocean, as seen on earth.nullschool.net on the morning of Sept. 30, 2025, as hurricanes Imelda and Humberto spin away from the United States. Hurricanes Imelda and Humberto swirl in the Atlantic Ocean on Sept. 30, 2025 in this image from NOAA's GOES 19 satellite. Hurricane Gabrielle spins in the Atlantic east of Bermuda, while two other potential storms are seen in the tropical Atlantic on the morning of Sept. 24, 2025. One is causing rain and storms over Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and the other is east of the Leeward Islands. The National Hurricane Center is monitoring all three. Tropical Storm Chantal over the U.S. East Coast on the morning of July 5, 2025. Tropical Storm Andrea, the first storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, is seen via satellite on June 24, 2025. Barry made landfall on June 29, 2025, south of Tampico, Mexico as a tropical depression, after weakening from a tropical storm. Tropical Storm Chantal slammed North Carolina with heavy rain that caused extreme flooding to central parts of the state on Monday, July 7. Footage shared by Cassaundra Anderson, a Chapel Hill resident, shows rapidly rising floodwaters in her neighborhood, leaving cars partially submerged. The storm was dubbed a tropical depression upon landfall on Sunday, July 6, and further downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone on Monday, July 7, according to the National Hurricane Center. Tropical Storm Dexter on satellite on Aug. 4, 2025. Surfers take advantage of the swells coming from Hurricane Erin into Wrightsville Beach around Crystal Pier on Aug. 19, 2025, in Wrightsville Beach, N.C. Hurricane Erin crawls along the U.S. East Coast on the morning of Aug. 20, 2025. Hurricane Erin on a geocolor satellite image on August 16, 2025. Wave heights offshore could reach heights of 50 feet near the eye of Hurricane Erin as the storm passes the U.S. East Coast on Aug. 19-21. It's massive wind field is stirring up the ocean across an area hundreds of miles wide. An aerial view from a NOAA Aircraft along Highway 12 on the Outer Banks of North Carolina after Hurricane Erin's high surf surrounds homes on the beach in Buxton. Tropical Storm Fernand 2025 full track. Hurricane Gabrielle is seen via NOAA satellite as it moves eastward in the Atlantic Ocean east of Bermuda, on the morning of Sept. 24, 2025. On Oct 28, 2025, a Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite captured a vivid view of Hurricane Melissa's eye a few hours before landfall on Jamaica's southern coast. Dawn Jensen (from left) Leann Johnson, Denise Gjertson and Dean Gjertson traveled to Jamaica at the end of October and were stranded after Hurricane Melissa. They returned home Nov. 4. Flooded houses in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, in Black River, Jamaica, November 5, 2025. Hurricane Melissa's eye is captured by NOAA satellite as the sun rises, as the Category 5 storm, with peaked sustained winds of 185 mph and gusts of more than 200 mph, approaches the island of Jamaica. Gloria Hutchins, 70, is assisted by a member of the army medical staff in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in Darliston, Jamaica on Nov. 3, 2025. Dorothy Headley, 75, prepares a meal of cow liver over a wood fire as damaged property is seen in the background in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in the Watercress community of Westmoreland, Jamaica, on October 31, 2025. A woman is evacuated from her home by emergency personnel after the Cauto River flooded due to Hurricane Melissa, in Rio Cauto, Granma Province, Cuba October 31, 2025. Hurricane scientist Andy Hazelton with the University of Miami took this photo inside the eye of Hurricane Melissa aboard a flight on the NOAA WP-3D hurricane reconnaissance aircraft dubbed Kermit, for Kermit the Frog. A damaged house is pictured after Hurricane Melissa slammed Boca de Dos Rios village, in Santiago de Cuba province, Cuba, on Oct. 30, 2025. People walk through a flooded street following Hurricane Melissa in Petit-Goave, 68km southwest of Port-au-Prince, on October 30, 2025. Hurricane Melissa was moving towards Bermuda on Thursday after ripping a path of destruction through the Caribbean that left at least 20 people dead in Haiti, and parts of Jamaica and Cuba in ruins. A drone view shows an affected area after Hurricane Melissa made landfall, in Crane Road, Black River, Jamaica, October 30, 2025. REUTERS/Maria Alejandra Cardona Drone view of flooding after Hurricane Melissa made landfall in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica. A NOAA satellite captures the eye of deadly Hurricane Melissa at Jamaica's coast on Oct. 28, 2025. Storms of the 2025 hurricane season so far 1 of 30 Satellite view of Tropical Storm Melissa 10:30 a.m. Oct. 22, 2025.

Tropical Storm Melissa path tracker

This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time.

Tropical Storm Melissa spaghetti models

Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest-performing models to help make its forecasts.

How do hurricanes form?

Hurricanes are born in the tropics, above warm water. Clusters of thunderstorms can develop over the ocean when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees. If conditions are right, the clusters swirl into a storm known as a tropical wave or tropical depression.

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A tropical depression becomes a named tropical storm once its sustained wind speeds reach 39 mph. When its winds reach 74 mph, the storm officially becomes a hurricane.

Prepare now for hurricanes

Delaying potentially lifesaving preparations could mean waiting until its too late. "Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period," the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recommends.

Develop an evacuation plan . If you are at risk from hurricanes, you need an evacuation plan. Now is the time to begin planning where you would go and how you would get there.

Assemble disaster supplies . Whether youre evacuating or sheltering in place, youre going to need supplies not just to get through the storm but for a possibly lengthy aftermath, NOAA said.

Get an insurance checkup and document your possessions . Contact your insurance company or agent now and make sure you have enough insurance to repair or even replace your home and belongings. Remember, home and renters insurance dont cover flooding, so youll need a separate policy for those. Flood insurance is available through your company, agent, or the National Flood Insurance Program.

Create a family communication plan . NOAA says you should take the time now to write down a hurricane plan and share it with your family. Determine family meeting places and make sure to include an out-of-town location in case of evacuation.

Strengthen your home. Now is the time to improve your homes ability to withstand hurricanes. Trim trees and install storm shutters, accordion shutters, and impact glass. Seal outside wall openings.

This story has been updated with new information.

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Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tropical Storm Melissa hurricane outlook. See path, spaghetti models.
Tropical Storm Melissa continues to churn in the central Caribbean and is now forecast to be a Category 4 storm next week.

The 5 p.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center had winds of 50 mph.

A Hurricane Watch continues for the southern sections of Haiti, and Tropical Storm Watches continue for Jamaica.

Interests in the Dominican Republic and Cuba should monitor future forecasts.

Melissa is anticipated to strengthen through late week and become a hurricane on Friday.

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The forecast now has Melissa becoming a major hurricane on Sunday and a Category 4 system on Monday.

Melissa is expected to meander the next several days, then turn to the west by the weekend.

The storm will likely approach Jamaica and southern Haiti later this week.

Hurricane conditions are possible in southern Haiti on Friday, with tropical storm force winds arriving in Jamaica late Thursday.

The complex will be capable of producing 5-10 inches of rainfall in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Jamaica, with much higher amounts possible depending on the exact track.

At this time, Melissa is anticipated to stay south and southeast of Florida.

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Melissa formed on Tuesday morning and is the 13th named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.

Stay with Severe Weather Center 9 for the latest on the tropics.

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Tropical Storm Melissa is likely to undergo "rapid intensification" and grow into a powerful Category 4 hurricane, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center.

If Melissa stays more over the warm Caribbean waters, it could grow even stronger, the National Hurricane Center said.

The latest advisory predicts Melissa will become a hurricane in a couple of days and a major hurricane by the end of the weekend.

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 Track Tropical Storm Melissa

 Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location

"The tropical cyclone is expected to grow in size, and likely be a large and dangerous hurricane towards the end of the forecast period," the National Hurricane Center said.

"Tropical Storm Melissa is unfortunately looking to be one of the most impactful storms of the Atlantic hurricane season," said Houston-based meteorologist Matt Lanza in a Substack post on Oct. 22.

At 5 p.m. Oct. 23, Melissa continued to drift along in the central Caribbean but is expected to begin intensifying soon, the Hurricane Center said. Heavy rain and life-threatening flooding are expected for Hispaniola and Jamaica into the weekend.

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Florida residents should keep a wary eye on the storm. Forecasts are proving to be challenging, and models spread widely on where Melissa could go and how strong it could get.

A major hurricane is at least a Category 3 storm, with maximum sustained winds of 111 mph. Current forecasts are for Melissa to become a Category 4 hurricane with 130-mph winds early next week.

Could Melissa impact Florida?

"The longer Melissa tracks to the west, the greater the chance of an impact on the U.S.," said AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said.

"The longer Melissa tracks to the west, the greater the chance of an impact on the U.S.," said AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Bernie Rayno.

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"The chances of a direct U.S. hit from Melissa are low right now, but it is still an option, should the tropical system make it into the western Caribbean," said AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva.

As for areas farther to the north along the U.S. East Coast, there is some risk of impacts, even if the center remains at sea, AccuWeather said.

Here's what you should know.

Highlights on what Tropical Storm Melissa is doing now

Special note on the NHC cone: The forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time.

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Location : 185 miles south-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica; 290 miles southwest of Port Au Prince, Haiti; a little over 800 miles southeast of Naples

Maximum sustained winds: 45 mph

Movement : north-northwest at 2 mph

Pressure: 1001 mb

Tropical Storm Melissa: What you need to know

At 5 p.m., the center of Tropical Storm Melissa was located near latitude 15.6 North, longitude 75.5 West.

Melissa is moving toward the north-northwest near 2 mph. A slow northward or north-northeastward motion is forecast during the next day or so, followed by a sharp turn westward over the weekend.

On the forecast track, Melissa is expected to move closer to Jamaica and the southwestern portion of Haiti during the next couple of days. Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph with higher gusts.

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Gradual strengthening is forecast over the next day or so, followed by rapid intensification this weekend. Melissa is forecast to become a hurricane by Saturday and a major hurricane by the end of the weekend.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles from the center.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 1001 mb.

Spaghetti models for Tropical Storm Melissa

Special note about spaghetti models: Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest performing models to help make its forecasts.

 Track Tropical Storm Melissa

See map of hurricane/tropical storm watches, warnings issued for Florida

As of 5 p.m., Oct. 23, no watches or warnings associated with Tropical Storm Melissa have been issued for Florida or the U.S.

What tropical storm, hurricane warnings have been issued for Tropical Storm Melissa?

A hurricane watch is in effect for: Southwestern peninsula of Haiti from the border with the Dominican Republic to Port-Au-Prince Jamaica

A tropical storm warning is in effect for: Jamaica Southwestern peninsula of Haiti from the border with the Dominican Republic to Port-Au-Prince



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A hurricane watch means hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.

A tropical storm warning means tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

How strong is Tropical Storm Melissa and where is it going?

Tropical Storm Melissa has maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and is moving north-northwest at 2 mph.

A slow northward motion is forecast during the next day or two, followed by a westward turn over the weekend.

Is there a hurricane coming toward Florida?

Not at this time but Florida residents should stay informed.

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"The chances of a direct U.S. hit from Melissa are low right now, but it is still an option, should the tropical system make it into the western Caribbean," said DaSilva via email Oct. 21.

"At this time, I think the chances of any direct or even indirect impacts on Florida, beyond waves and rip currents, are very low, around 15% or so."

"If Florida were to see any impacts, it would likely be around the middle of next week  Wednesday through Friday (Oct. 29-31). Theres nothing imminent right now, but its something to keep an eye on over the next few days as we monitor trends and model data.

Key messages from the National Hurricane Center: What you need to know about Tropical Storm Melissa

Melissa is expected to meander over the central Caribbean Sea for several days and become a major hurricane by late this weekend or early next week. Due to Melissas slow motion, the risk of a prolonged multi-day period of potentially damaging winds, heavy rainfall resulting in life-threatening flash flooding and numerous landslides, and coastal flooding continues to increase for Jamaica.

Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion, since strong winds and flooding rains could begin in Jamaica by Friday or Saturday. Strong winds could also potentially last for a day or more over the Tiburon peninsula of Haiti. In addition, interests in Cuba and the rest of Haiti are urged to continue monitoring the latest forecasts for Melissa. In addition to Jamaica, Melissa will produce heavy rainfall across portions of the southern Dominican Republic and southern Haiti through this weekend and continuing into next week. This rainfall will result in significant, life-threatening flash flooding and numerous landslides. The latest NHC intensity forecast now makes Melissa a hurricane in 48 hours and a major hurricane in 72 hours. The end intensity could be conservative if Melissa ends up further south of Jamaica with less land interaction. Melissa is expected to grow in size, and likely be a large and dangerous hurricane toward the end of the forecast period.

Current forecast: Where is Tropical Storm Melissa going and how strong could it get?

As of 5 p.m.: 45 mph

12 hours: 50 mph

24 hours: 60 mph

36 hours: 70 mph

48 hours: 85 mph

60 hours: 105 mph

72 hours: 120 mph

96 hours: 130 mph

120 hours: 130 mph

What impact could Tropical Storm Melissa have and what areas could be affected?

Wind : Hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area in Haiti and Jamaica beginning on late Friday or Saturday. Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin in Haiti and Jamaica earlier on Friday.

Rainfall : Melissa is expected to bring 8 to 14 inches of rain to the southern Dominican Republic, southern Haiti, and eastern Jamaica through Sunday, with locally higher amounts possible. Additional heavy rainfall is likely beyond Sunday. However, uncertainty in Melissas track and forward speed reduces confidence in exact totals. Significant, life-threatening flash flooding and numerous landslides are expected. Across northern Dominican Republic, northern Haiti, and western Jamaica, 2 to 4 inches of rain is expected through Sunday. Flash and urban flooding will be possible through Sunday. Flooding impacts may increase across western Jamaica next week.

Storm surge : Minor coastal flooding is likely along the coast of Jamaica by late Friday into Saturday in areas of onshore winds as tropical storm conditions begin to reach the area. However, there is potential risk of a more significant storm surge, especially along the south coast of Jamaica, early next week. Due to Melissas slow motion and large forecast uncertainty, it is still too soon to know exactly how high the storm surge could reach.

Surf: Swells generated by Melissa are expected to affect portions of Hispaniola, Jamaica, and eastern Cuba during the next several days.

Interactive map: What tropical storms, hurricanes have impacted your area in the past?

Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text

What's next?

We will update our tropical weather coverage daily.

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This story has been updated to include new information.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Tropical Storm Melissa likely to strengthen into Cat 4 hurricane
Tropical Storm Melissa continues to drift Thursday evening in the central Caribbean and remains on track to be a powerful hurricane by the weekend.

The 5 p.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center had winds of 45 mph.

Tropical Storm Warnings and Hurricane Watches continue for Jamaica and the southern sections of Haiti.

A Hurricane Warning is possible for Jamaica tonight or Friday.

Interests in the Dominican Republic and Cuba should continue to monitor future forecasts.

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Melissa is on track to strengthen on Friday and become a hurricane on Saturday.

The forecast now has Melissa becoming a Category 4 major hurricane on Sunday.

Melissa is expected to slowly move northward Friday, then turn to the west over the weekend.

The storm will likely approach Jamaica and southern Haiti on Friday into the weekend.

Hurricane conditions are possible in Jamaica and the southern Haiti on late Friday into Saturday, with tropical storm force winds arriving in that region Friday.

The complex will be capable of producing 8-14 inches of rainfall in the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Jamaica through Sunday. Isolated storm totals over 25 inches is possible.

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Long-term, the system is anticipated to lift northeastward, but the exact track remains highly uncertain.

At this time, Melissa is anticipated to stay south and southeast of Florida.

Melissa formed on Tuesday morning and is the 13th named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.

Stay with Severe Weather Center 9 for the latest on the tropics.

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Forecasters say a weekend snow storm with the potential to drop several inches of snow in and around Philadelphia is on its way. Here's the latest on timing, snowfall totals, and more!
Tropical Storm Melissa is on track to threaten Haiti as a hurricane over the weekend, bringing heavy rains and life-threatening flooding to the island nation. Jamaica and Cuba also could feel the effects as the storm meanders slowly north in the Caribbean.

The National Hurricane Center on Tuesday put Haitis southern peninsula under a hurricane watch and Jamaica under a tropical storm watch. A watch means those conditions are possible in the next 48 hours.

The big story is going to be the rainfall, said Michael Brennan, head of the NHC, in a live broadcast Tuesday afternoon.

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Haiti and the Dominican Republic could see 5 to 10 inches of rain through Friday, enough to cause dangerous mudslides and flooding to the mountainous island of Hispanola shared by the two nations. Jamaica and Puerto Rico could see 1 to 3 inches of rain through Friday, enough to cause flash flooding in Puerto Rico, the hurricane center said.

Melissa had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph as of 5 p.m. Tuesday, and it was expected to continue to strengthen over the next few days and it slowly moves north.

Overnight, Melissa slowed down a bit and its expected to hit the brakes even harder for the next few days as it creeps north toward Haiti and Jamaica. The forecast track from the NHC predicts Melissa will be a Category 1 hurricane somewhere between Haiti and Jamaica on Saturday. Its slow movement will likely add to the rainfall and flash-flooding threats.

Tropical Storm Melissa is on track to strengthen into a Category 1 hurricane as soon as Saturday.

The hurricane center noted that theres significant uncertainty about the path of Melissa, partially because long-range storm models are still spitting out a wide array of possible tracks. Some take the system over Haiti, others take it over Cuba, other shooting the gap between the islands.

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Over the next week, Melissa is passing over some warmer than usual waters in the Caribbean, which has not seen a tropical storm or hurricane yet this season. And while hot water does typically fuel storms, meteorologists also pointed out theres a good deal of wind shear near Melissa, which could destabilize it and prevent it from getting super strong, super fast.

Based on these mixed signals, the strengthening trend is expected to be slow and steady, not rapid. However, the future intensity of Melissa is linked to the track and since that is quite uncertain beyond a couple of days, the strength of the storm is also quite uncertain, they wrote.

The Hurricane Hunters are also scheduled to observe the system later Tuesday, which will bring extra information that helps determine where the storm is and where it might go.
Weather Highlights:

Melissa is forecast to bring heavy rainfall to parts of the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Jamaica through this weekend. Significant flash flooding and landslides are possible in affected areas

Preparations to protect life and property should be completed by Thursday

Residents in other parts of Hispaniola and Cuba should closely monitor updates

Baron - Melissa track - Oct 23

Melissa poised for rapid intensification, significant impacts in the Caribbean

Melissa remains a tropical storm, though its structure has weakened compared to Wednesday. The storm's slow movement northward over the next 36-48 hours will begin to shift westward into the weekend, influenced by a mid-latitude ridge.

Favourable hurricane development conditions lie ahead for Melissa.

DON'T MISS: Hurricane forecasts are better today than ever beforeheres how

Sea surface temperatures in the region it will enter this weekend are 30C, up to 2-4C above average. Combined with high mid-level moisture, these conditions could fuel rapid intensification.

Baron - Current sea surface temperatures - Oct 23

Melissa is forecast to become a hurricane by Saturday evening, and may intensify into a major hurricane (Category 3) by Monday. Melissa could potentially reach Category 4 status by Tuesday. The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) anticipates peak winds nearing 210 km/h on Monday.

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If Melissa reaches Category 4, it would rival Hurricane Gabrielle for the strongest storm of the 2025 Atlantic season. Gabrielle's peak winds reached 225 km/h.

DON'T MISS: Winter-proof your home with a heat pump that even works in -30C

Melissas slow progression is expected to keep the storm near eastern Cuba, Jamaica, and Haiti for several days, heightening the risk of prolonged impacts.

Jamaica is forecast to see the strongest effects, with potentially damaging winds, coastal flooding, and life-threatening flash flooding. Southern areas of Haiti and the Dominican Republic will face heavy rainfall, leading to flash flooding and landslides.

Baron - Melissa rainfall outlook - Oct 23

Melissa is forecast to deliver 150-300 mm of rain to southern Dominican Republic, southern Haiti, and eastern Jamaica through Sunday, with locally higher amounts possible. For northern Dominican Republic, northern Haiti, and western Jamaica, rainfall of 50-100 mm is forecast through Sunday. Additional heavy rainfall is likely beyond Sunday.

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Mountainous terrain in the region further exacerbates risks.

EXPLAINER - Orographic lift

Orographic lift along the mountains will enhance rainfall totals, increasing the volume and velocity of runoff. This can result in catastrophic valley flooding, with debris adding to the dangers.

Residents in the affected regions should monitor updates and heed local advisories as the storm evolves.

RELATED: Autumn can still produce intense hurricanes across the Atlantic

Its too early to determine the storm's potential impact along the U.S. coast. However, Melissa has a higher chance of approaching the U.S. compared to storms that have stayed further out in the mid-Atlantic earlier this season.

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Monitoring potential tropical developments in the coming weeks is still essential, especially with sea surface temperatures supporting future storm growth.

The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs through November 30.

WATCH: The best time to prepare for a hurricane is when there isn't one, here's how

Click here to view the video
Forecasting models on Thursday continued to promise Florida had a low risk of getting walloped by Tropical Storm Melissa, with Tampa Bay largely in the clear even if the southern part of the state feels some of the storms eventual fury.

But another story about the unique late-season storm was becoming clear: It could be a historically devastating hurricane for parts of the Caribbean.

Meteorologists say Melissa is likely to balloon into a powerful Category 4 hurricane by early next week with sustained winds reaching 150 mph or more.

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Melissa on Thursday was lurking in historically warm waters, the likes of which have revved up hurricanes faster than ever in recent years. Its slow movement also means it could park over any land it hits, drenching those areas  some mountainous with a history of landslides  with more than a foot of rain. Some forecasts called for up to 30 inches.

The very warm waters and slow movement of this storm are a recipe for disaster, said Alex DaSilva, AccuWeathers lead hurricane expert. Rapid intensification into a Category 5 hurricane is not out of the question.

Life-threatening flooding is possible in Jamaica and southern Hispaniola  an island shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Officials urged residents in flood-prone areas to seek higher ground.

The system is still moving very slowly, said Michael Brennan, the National Hurricane Centers director. We are very concerned about the potential for multiple days of long-duration wind, storm surge, heavy rainfall and flooding impacts.

What is Floridas risk?

As of 5 p.m. Thursday, Melissa was about 185 miles south-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and about 295 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. It had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and was moving north-northwest at just 2 mph.

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The centers cone of uncertainty, which shows the area of potential tracks over the next five days, was not much more than a circle on Thursday, indicating there was very little movement expected from Melissa in the next several days.

After that, its path gets less certain.

Melissa could be a Category 1 hurricane by Saturday, and the strength of the storm will influence its path. The stronger and taller it gets, the more likely it will be caught up in high-altitude winds pulling it to the northeast.

The farther west the storm travels, the more likely it affects Florida. Some models have the storm moving north and east, out into the Atlantic, while others suggest it could meander farther west, toward Central America, before veering north.

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WPLG-TV hurricane expert Michael Lowry wrote in his Eye on the Tropics blog that with persistent wind shear keeping Melissa from quickly strengthening over the next few days, it appears the odds of it taking that early exit ramp are low. This means a slow drift westward toward Jamaica and the western Caribbean into early next week is most likely, with perhaps an eventual sharp turn toward eastern Cuba later next week.

The uncertainty about the forecast leaves Florida open to some risk, DaSilva said.

A dip in the jet stream over the Southeast U.S. and strong upper-level winds are expected next week, which should prevent movement toward the Gulf Coast states, DaSilva said. The risk of direct impacts on the U.S. is low at this time, but it cannot be ruled out.

The so-called spaghetti models, which are computers that forecast the long-range track of a storm, show Melissa turning sharply to the north and northeast while it is south of Cuba. Where that turn happens will determine the threat level to Florida.

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AccuWeather on Wednesday said the U.S. concern for impacts will be in the Florida Peninsula, especially the lower portion of the Peninsula and the Keys.

The National Weather Service in Melbourne said meteorologists there are keeping an eye on the system.

Some uncertainty continues late weekend and into next week on the track of Tropical Storm Melissa and the amount of moisture present over the Florida peninsula, weather service forecasters said. Fortunately, model consensus keeps Melissa well to the south of the Florida peninsula through at least the next 5 days. However, any storm in the Caribbean bears watching for the local area and residents and visitors should continue to monitor official National Hurricane Center updates.

Tampa Bay area meteorologists have said the state appears to be safe for now.

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It will take some time, but eventually a trough is going to pick up Melissa and accelerate it northeast, Paul Dellegatto, chief meteorologist with Fox 13, wrote Thursday on Facebook. This trough will keep the storm to our east and should bring us some cooler weather toward the end of the month.

Concern in the Caribbean

The idea of looking forward to cold fronts was far from the minds of those preparing for probable peril in the Caribbean, as a hurricane watch and tropical storm warning were in effect for Jamaica and the southwestern peninsula of Haiti.

Already on Thursday, the storm was blamed for downing a large tree that killed an older man in southern Haiti, while five other people were injured in flooding in the central Artibonite area, according to the Civil Protection Agency.

In Jamaica, officials said that 881 shelters would be made available as needed. Courts were ordered closed, and schools switched to remote classes on Thursday. Meanwhile, crews placed 1,000 sandbags in the eastern part of Kingston to prevent flooding from a nearby gully.

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Health Minister Christopher Tufton warned that Jamaicas 325 health centers would close, and that the storm could interrupt supply chains, including those of lifesaving medication.

He said all hospitals are in emergency mode and have generators capable of providing power for up to 72 hours.

Jamaicas government warned of upcoming power outages and noted it had already flown in dozens of additional line workers to help in the storms aftermath.

Forecasters said the heavy rains forecast for Jamaicas eastern region could lead to flooding and landslides because the ground is already saturated from recent heavy rain.

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More than 100 people remained sheltered in the Dominican Republic, where schools, businesses and government agencies were closed in the nine provinces under alert. Dozens of water supply systems remained out of service on Thursday, affecting more than half a million customers. The storm also downed trees and traffic lights and unleashed a couple of small landslides.

People also were concerned about the storms impact in Haiti, which has been devastated by past storms given widespread erosion. Gang violence, poverty and weak governance mean storm preparations are limited.

The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs announced Thursday that $4 million was set aside to help more than 10,000 vulnerable people in Haiti before the storm. The money will go toward lifesaving evacuation support, cash transfers, emergency shelter management and water, sanitation and hygiene kits, the agency said.

Flooding is a big concern since Haiti reported 139 suspected cholera cases and five deaths in one week alone earlier this month after nearly three months of no cases.

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Melissa is the 13th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, and the first named storm to form in the Caribbean this year. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.

Information from The Associated Press, the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the Orlando Sentinel and the Miami Herald supplements this report.

  

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Melissa may reach Category 5, poses great danger to Jamaica, Cuba and Haiti

Melissa is poised to rapidly strengthen this weekend and become a powerful hurricane as it churns through the Caribbean. The intensifying storm has the potential to unleash feet of rain that can trigger life-threatening flooding and mudslides, high winds that will lead to widespread power outages, and storm surge that may inundate coastal areas from Jamaica this weekend to eastern Cuba into next week.

This image, captured on Saturday morning, Oct. 25, 2025, shows Melissa strengthening in the central Caribbean. As wind shear diminishes, the storm is forecast to undergo rapid intensification this weekend. (AccuWeather Enhanced RealVue Satellite)

The abundance of warm water in the Caribbean is a recipe for explosive development. Wind shear (stiff breezes pushing on the storm) was preventing strengthening on Wednesday and Thursday, but is forecast to drop off in Melissa's path in the coming days, which will allow the storm to intensify.

The AccuWeather RealImpact Scale for Hurricanes is 5, or the maximum, for the western Caribbean. This scale, developed by AccuWeather experts, takes into account the risk to lives, property, and economic impacts from the storm, including flooding, rain, storm surge, and high winds. The Saffir-Simpson Scale for Hurricanes only takes into account a storm's maximum winds.

AccuWeather.com

Landfall as a major hurricane is becoming more likely in Jamaica or at least direct interaction on the island with the storm's forecast intense eyewall. Catastrophic and life-threatening impacts are anticipated in Jamaica due to flooding, mudslides, storm surge and damaging wind gusts. At this level, roads may be washed away and infrastructure severely damaged, with recovery potentially taking weeks to months.

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"The exceptionally warm waters, reaching hundreds of feet deep, will act like jet fuel - providing extra energy for Melissa," AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva said. "The warmest water in the Atlantic basin is in the central Caribbean, in the direct path of this storm. Rapid intensification into a Category 5 hurricane is not out of the question this weekend."

AccuWeather.com

The storm and eventual major hurricane's slow movement means many hours of torrential rain, intense winds and erosive surf before making landfall in Jamaica early Tuesday morning.

"A foot of rainfall or more could cause catastrophic flooding across parts of Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic, depending on the exact track of Melissa," DaSilva said. "People in the path of this storm need to prepare for the risk of catastrophic impacts."

AccuWeather.com

Torrential rainfall from Melissa has the potential to lead to life-threatening flooding, mudslides near steep terrain, and even roads and bridges being washed away. Large areas are forecast to receive 12-24 inches of rain, with heavier amounts in some places. The AccuWeather Local StormMax total rainfall in Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti is 50 inches. Rainfall of this magnitude will turn small streamlets in steep mountainsides into raging rivers.

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Storm surge inundation may be devastating in low-lying areas along the southern coast of Jamaica, with the worst conditions in the bays and flat lands along the coast and where rivers meet the ocean. A widespread storm surge of 6-10 feet is forecast with an AccuWeather StormMax surf of 15 feet which is well into the second floor of homes and businesses.

AccuWeather.com

Powerful winds could topple trees, damage buildings and cause widespread power and communication outages. These extreme conditions in Jamaica can occur even if the eye manages to circle around the island rather than cross it.

At peak, tropical storm-force winds will extend 100 miles out from the center. Closer into the center of the storm, the AccuWeather Local StormMax wind gust for land areas in Jamaica is 165 mph, or that of a solid Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. At this intensity, catastrophic wind damage can occur. Stronger gusts are likely offshore.

AccuWeather.com

Mountainous waves generated by the wind intensity can damage or sink even large vessels.

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Beyond Jamaica, the outer fringes of the Melissa have already been producing downpours and gusty thunderstorms from eastern Cuba to Hispaniola and Puerto Rico. These will continue in the coming days. As of midday Friday up to a foot of rain has fallen along the southern coast of Hispaniola with major flooding in some areas. As more rain pours down into next week, the situation will get worse with catastrophic loss possible.

After Melissa turns north and tracks over the western Caribbean, the next land mass in its path after Jamaica is Cuba.

AccuWeather.com

Melissa is likely to make landfall in the eastern part of Cuba early next week as a major hurricane.

The same effects anticipated in Jamaica have the potential to occur in Cuba, ranging from torrential rain, flash flooding and mudslides to destructive winds and storm surge. All of these will pose a high to extreme risk to lives and property.

AccuWeather.com

Beyond Cuba, Melissa is forecast to track north to northeast later next week. This may bring another round of heavy rain, but with strong winds after a lull to Hispaniola and perhaps Puerto Rico. Depending on the track, significant impacts may also extend into parts of the Bahamas. Eventually Melissa is expected to come close enough to Bermuda to bring impacts as well.

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"The timing and strength of a dip in the jet stream over the eastern United States next week will help determine the path that Melissa takes through the northern Caribbean and into the southwestern Atlantic," DaSilva said. "At this time, the odds of 'direct' rain and wind impacts from Melissa reaching the U.S. East Coast are low. However, there are scenarios that could bring Melissa close to South Florida." Farther out, there is a moderate risk of Melissa hooking westward toward Atlantic Canada.

AccuWeather.com

Once Melissa exits the Caribbean, the closer it could eventually move toward the U.S. and significant indirect impacts are anticipated along the East Coast with assistance of the jet stream and a non-tropical storm from the last days of October to the first days of November.

There is no risk to Melissa making landfall from the Florida Panhandle, westward through Texas.

Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.
US strikes suspected drug-smuggling boat in Pacific

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth claims there were two "narco-terrorists" on board the vessel at the time of the strike, the first of its kind in the Pacific. File photo: Reuters
Tropical Storm Melissa is crawling in the central Caribbean, which is bad news for residents in eastern Cuba, Hispaniola and Jamaica.

What's worse is that Melissa is likely to undergo "rapid intensification" and grow into a powerful Category 4 hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Not exactly the news Florida residents and visitors want to hear about a storm less than 900 miles away on Oct. 23. And "as Melissa intensifies, its wind field is expected to grow and become more symmetric."

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 Track Tropical Storm Melissa

 Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location

At 5 a.m., Oct. 23, Melissa was located 889 miles southeast of Naples.

Florida residents should keep a close eye on the storm. Forecasts continue to be challenging, and models spread widely on where Melissa could go and how strong it could get.

Melissa is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane over the weekend or early next week, according to the Hurricane Center.

A major hurricane is one that's at least a Category 3 storm, with maximum sustained winds of 111 mph. Current forecasts are for Melissa to become a Category 4 hurricane with 130-mph winds early next week.

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Here's what you should know.

Highlights on what Tropical Storm Melissa is doing now

Special note on the NHC cone: The forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time.

See satellite photos, graphics of Tropical Storm Melissa

Spaghetti models for Tropical Storm Melissa

Special note about spaghetti models: Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest performing models to help make its forecasts.

 Track Tropical Storm Melissa

See map of hurricane/tropical storm watches, warnings issued for Florida

As of Oct. 23, no watches or warnings associated with Tropical Storm Melissa have been issued for Florida or the U.S.

Is there a hurricane coming to Florida?

Not at this time, but Florida residents should be prepared and monitor the tropics closely.

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"The longer Melissa tracks to the west, the greater the chance of an impact on the U.S.," said AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said.

"The longer Melissa tracks to the west, the greater the chance of an impact on the U.S.," said AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Bernie Rayno.

"The chances of a direct U.S. hit from Melissa are low right now, but it is still an option, should the tropical system make it into the western Caribbean," said AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva.

As for areas farther to the north along the U.S. East Coast, there is some risk of impacts, even if the center remains at sea, AccuWeather said.

AccuWeather: Chances low for Florida impact from Tropical Storm Melissa but keep an eye open

At this time, I think the chances of any direct or even indirect impacts on Florida, beyond waves and rip currents, are very low, around 15% or so," DaSilva said via email Oct. 21.

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"The more likely scenario is that the storm moves across Cuba and then heads out to sea. By the end of this week into the weekend, Melissa is expected to stall or move very slowly near Jamaica or Hispaniola. Sometimes when tropical cyclones stall, unexpected things can happen, so were watching closely.

"If Florida were to see any impacts, it would likely be around the middle of next week  Wednesday through Friday (Oct. 29-31).

"Theres nothing imminent right now, but its something to keep an eye on over the next few days as we monitor trends and model data.

Fox Weather: Chance of Melissa impacting Florida not zero, but 'extremely small'

"Chances of some direct effect on Florida aren't zero, but they are extremely small," said Fox Weather hurricane expert Bryan Norcross via email Oct. 21.

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"The only way it could happen would be for Melissa to drift into the extreme western Caribbean before a dip in the jet stream moving across the U.S. came along to scoop it north," Norcross said. "There is no indication of that in the current reasonable track scenarios, however. Still, a track over Cuba and the Bahamas is not out of the question."

AccuWeather said there is "a medium risk of tropical rain or wind impacts across the Bahamas and South Florida from Oct. 27-30."

Best- and worst-case scenarios with Tropical Storm Melissa

Fox Weather's Bryan Norcross:

Best-case scenario: "The best case is that Thursday's jet stream dip grabs it and moves it quickly over the Dominican Republic or Haiti."

Worst-case scenario: "The worst case is that it sits close enough to one or several of the mountainous Caribbean islands and dumps feet of rain. Three or four feet are not out of the question. In addition, next week there is some possibility of it becoming a very strong hurricane before it makes its move to the north. In that case, direct impacts of a major hurricane are possible on Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, and/or somewhere in the Bahamas."

AccuWeather's Alex DaSilva:

Best-case scenario: The best-case scenario for Florida would be if Melissa moves over eastern Cuba or Hispaniola and then gets pulled out to sea. That would spare Florida from impacts, though it would likely bring life-threatening and possibly catastrophic flooding to parts of Hispaniola, eastern Cuba, and the Dominican Republic."

Worst-case scenario: "The worst-case scenario for Florida would be if the storm stalls this weekend and then drifts west into the western Caribbean, where conditions could support rapid intensification into a stronger, potentially even a major hurricane. Then, if that next dip in the jet stream grabs it, the storm could move north and clip South Florida before curving up the East Coast. "Even if Melissa reaches the western Caribbean, that doesnt guarantee direct impacts in Florida; many models still show it moving over central Cuba and then out to sea. For now, theres nothing immediate to worry about, but its definitely worth monitoring closely over the coming days."



Jet stream expected to influence where Tropical Storm Melissa will go

Melissa is currently being tugged northward by a dip in the jet stream, but late this week that dip will move away into the Atlantic, leaving the storm in a weak steering flow. Thats why we expect it to stall near Jamaica or Hispaniola and possibly drift westward," DaSilva said.

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"The key question is how far west it can get. If it reaches the western Caribbean, Florida could come into play. Weve seen late-season storms like Wilma take a similar route, though were not forecasting that kind of track right now.

"Another dip in the jet stream is expected early to mid-next week. If Melissa drifts far enough west before then, that next trough could pull it northward toward or near South Florida.

"The more likely outcome right now is that the storm stays east of Florida. Weve seen a slight westward trend in the models over the past 12 hours, but that could be temporary. Well know more as new hurricane hunter data improves the model guidance over the next day or so. Weak steering currents make the forecast tricky, and thats why you see such a wide spread in the model plots, DaSilva said.

What should Florida residents do now?

As always during hurricane season, forecasters urge Florida residents and visitors to closely monitor the tropics and to stay prepared.

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 See list of emergency supplies you can now buy tax free

On Aug. 1, specific hurricane supplies became permanently tax free in Florida, ranging from batteries to generators.

 Don't have a hurricane supply kit? From the basics to the extras, here's what you need

Here are some of the basics you should have:

Water

Non-perishable food

Two-week supply of medications

Batteries

Flashlight

Cash

A go-bag with essential supplies in case you need to leave quickly

Portable cellphone chargers

Battery-operated radio

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This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Tropical Storm Melissa storm tracker, path: Florida impacts
A transport truck trying to get on the Ambassador Bridge last month accidently drove onto the Gordie Howe International Bridge, which will not open until early 2026, from the U.S. side, Canada's border agency confirmed Wednesday, Oct. 22.

The truck was stopped on Sept. 29 by Canadian border services officers before it got to the Canadian port of entry, but would never have been able to enter Canada because of "multiple security barriers including extensive fencing to prevent people from erroneously crossing," Canada Border Services Agency spokesperson Luke Reimer said in an email.

No one was hurt during the incident and no guns were drawn by Canadian border services officers, Reimer wrote.

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"The actions taken by CBSA officers demonstrate the integrity of the security measures and of the infrastructure as well as the established oversight," he wrote.

The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority confirmed that the bridge project area "has a secure perimeter established with limited entry points that are continuously staffed by security personnel" and physical blockades. The lost driver arrived at the bridge site and was met by security who let the vehicle into the site with directions about how to "safely turn around" and get back to the Ambassador Bridge.

Yet the driver was still confused "given the size and complexity of the construction site," and ultimately had to be intercepted and redirected on the bridge by Canadian border officials.

More: Gordie Howe Bridge opening delayed until early 2026, officials say

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The Gordie Howe International Bridge "remains closed to traffic" and the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority has verified that all signs and GPS systems indicate the closure, wrote Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority spokesperson Tara Carson.

Though construction on the Gordie Howe International Bridge is nearly done, officials at the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority said its opening has been delayed to early 2026 to complete "ongoing quality reviews, testing and commissioning," and to have enough time to prepare border agencies to manage the new crossing, the Free Press previously reported. Once open, the bridge will link Detroit and Windsor.

(This story was updated with additional information.)

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Truck accidentally drives onto closed Gordie Howe International Bridge
A truck driver from New Orleans was struck and killed Wednesday while standing outside his parked tractor trailer on the New Jersey Turnpike in Middlesex County, authorities said.

Shawn Mornay, 60, was standing on the right shoulder next to his flatbed trailer, when he was hit by a truck about 2:40 p.m., according to New Jersey State Police.

The crash occurred in the southbound lanes of the outer roadway at milepost 84.6 in Edison, state police said.

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Investigators identified the driver of the other truck as a 37-year-old man from Gloucester Township in Camden County.

No charges had been filed as of early Thursday. The crash remains under investigation, state police said.

Stories by Anthony G. Attrino

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo was harshly criticized for agreeing with a radio host Thursday that Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani would have cheered for the 9/11 attacks.

It all started when Cuomo appeared on Sid & Friends in the Morning, hosted by Sid Rosenberg, on Thursday. While talking about the New York City mayoral debate the previous night, Cuomo suddenly brought up the September 11 attacks. His argument was that New York deals with countless crises and other serious events, and that Mamdani would not be able to handle it all.

Can you imagine Mamdani in the seat [on 9/11]? Cuomo said.

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In response, Rosenberg insisted that Mamdani would be cheering for the terror attack. Cuomo chuckled before adding, Thats another problem.

Heres a clip of the full exchange: but seriously, can you imagine that? If Mamdani had been in this seat on 9/11  what would have happened in this city? https://t.co/o92YT79zIW pic.twitter.com/tmfC48oAH2  claudia irizarry aponte (@clauirizarry) October 23, 2025

Hours later, responded on X/Twitter by proclaiming the comments were just disgusting.

Countless other notable political figures took to social media to condemn the exchange between Cuomo and Rosenberg.

Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY), who notably disagrees with Mamdani on the subject of Israel and Gaza, called the comments beyond disgusting and disgraceful.

It should be possible to critique a candidates ideas without demonizing the candidate himself. To insinuate that a mayoral candidate would celebrate a second 9/11 is beyond disgusting and disgraceful. We all have a responsibility to lower the temperature and to restore a https://t.co/cQCaB365SM  Ritchie Torres (@RitchieTorres) October 23, 2025

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) called the men in the audio clip sick and hateful.

These guys are sick and hateful. https://t.co/NZIN1wBC0T  Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) October 23, 2025

New York State Sen. Gustavo Rivera called the former governor a pathetic, racist clown.

Just when you think he couldnt sink any lower, he does this.@andrewcuomo is a pathetic, racist clown who will stop at nothing to get power again. As a New Yorker who witnessed the attack on the World Trade Center firsthand, this is unforgivable. https://t.co/W6KSJq14Sv  Gustavo Rivera (@NYSenatorRivera) October 23, 2025

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Many others shared similar sentiments.

Cuomo is a truly despicable individual, and presumably that's who some leaders of the Democratic Party will vote for over @ZohranKMamdani Just think about that for a minute. https://t.co/K9bOn2CngX  Dan Pfeiffer (@danpfeiffer) October 23, 2025

WTF. This is truly the ugliest way to end a 30+ year political career and completely destroy what was once a storied political name in NY and national politics. https://t.co/CtuhWj8Z5G  Lis Smith (@Lis_Smith) October 23, 2025

This is Cuomos closing message to New Yorkers: making light of 9/11 and stoking hatred against the first Muslim mayor in New York City. Imagine if this kind of bigotry was used against any other faith  Jewish or Christian New Yorkers. Would we roll over and accept it? https://t.co/s3qC4P9KXR  Jerry Nadler (@JerryNadler) October 23, 2025

Back against the wall and desperate, @andrewcuomos mayoral campaign is ending the same way his time as governor did: in complete & total disgrace. All Cuomo has to offer is fear-mongering & hatred. They get enough of that from Donald Trump. https://t.co/ZJRPbAMRb8  Brad Lander (@bradlander) October 23, 2025

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Andrew Cuomo is unfit for public office for many reasons  including his vile racism. https://t.co/0WcnhQeKqx  Lincoln Restler (@LincolnRestler) October 23, 2025



The post Truly Despicable: Andrew Cuomo Slammed for Agreeing With Radio Host That Mamdani Would Cheer for 9/11 first appeared on Mediaite.
Alaska Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Steven Gildersleeve, right, an HH-60M Black Hawk critical care flight paramedic, assigned to the 207th Aviation Troop Command, surveys Nightmute, Alaska, with local resident Harvey Dock during Operation Halong Response, Oct. 17, 2025. (Alaska National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Moon)

President Donald Trump granted the State of Alaskas request for a federal disaster declaration on Wednesday, unlocking federal disaster aid to support the ongoing relief and recovery effort in the aftermath of ex-Typhoon Halong throughout Western Alaska.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy formally submitted the request on Oct. 16, and applauded the announcement on social media on Wednesday.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy arrives in Bethel after visiting the storm-damaged villages of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok on Oct. 17, 2025. (Photo by Eric Stone/Alaska Public Media)

This declaration will be instrumental for ongoing response and recovery efforts. I want to thank President Trump and his administration for the continued support of Alaska and providing help for Alaska during this time of need, Dunleavy said on Facebook. Thank you President Trump!

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The declaration authorizes a 100 percent cost share for relief assistance for the next 90 days, through January, according to a statement from the governors office. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will coordinate with the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management on all recovery operations and programs. Representatives with the governors office and Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management said they did not yet have a copy of the declaration on Wednesday.

Trump said he also authorized an immediate $25 million in relief funding, to cover costs as the state continues to conduct damage assessments.

I am approving $25 Million Dollars to help Alaska recover from the major typhoon they experienced earlier this month, Trump wrote on the social media site Truth Social. It is my Honor to deliver for the Great State of Alaska, which I won BIG in 2016, 2020, and 2024  ALASKA, I WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!

The Alaska congressional delegation also thanked the president in a joint statement, noting their letter urging the president to respond and grant the disaster declaration.

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I raised Alaskas disaster declaration directly with President Trump yesterday at the White House and thank him for quickly approving it to ensure impacted western communities have federal support in the wake of Typhoon Halong, wrote US Sen. Lisa Senator Murkowski, R-Alaska. I also appreciate FEMAs expedited review of this request, which is one of the quickest federal responses in recent years.

To all Alaskans impacted, Murkowski added. Please know that your congressional delegation, state, and nation stand united and will continue to coordinate recovery efforts as you move forward.

Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, praised Trumps move and said he would be visiting storm-impacted villages on Saturday.

I plan on being in Western Alaska this weekend with top FEMA and DHS officials, and my team and I will continue working closely with the Trump administration and our state, local, and tribal partners to make sure these incredible Alaskans get the help they need to recover and return to their communities, Sullivan said.

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Begich has not announced plans to visit the region. He also praised Trump and the announcement. Our focus as a delegation remains on ensuring every Alaskan family impacted by this storm receives the resources and support needed throughout the long process of rebuilding their lives, he said.

Alaska Organized Militia members assigned to Task Force Bethel continue recovery efforts, including retrieving boats the storm washed away and clearing debris at Chefornak, Alaska, Oct. 21, 2025. (Photo by the Alaska National Guard)

The disaster declaration request covered the Northwest Arctic Borough, Lower Yukon Regional Education Attendance Area and the Lower Kukokwim Regional Attendance Area, places hit by the remnants of Typhoon Halong.

More than 1,500 residents were displaced by the storm that killed one woman and left two missing in Kwigillingok.

The storm recovery effort is in full swing. Local residents are working on clean up, while regional tribal partners and dozens of state agencies, non-profit and relief organizations provide support to the region, particularly the hardest hit area of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. State and tribal agencies are flying aid into those residents who remain in the coastal villages, like immediate food, water and fuel, while crews continue to work on debris removal, fuel spills, infrastructure assessment and repair to water, power, and sewer systems, roads and boardwalks. Crews are working throughout communities to repair homes where possible, so that local residents can return before winter sets in.

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There is no cost estimate for the storm damage at this time, according to Jeremy Zidek, a spokesperson for the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, because agencies are working to restore services simultaneously.

The state is offering emergency assistance, available through an application on the states website, open through December 9.

The program provides financial assistance for storm damage to homes, vehicles, essential personal property, medical, dental or funeral needs directly related to the disaster. Applicants will be eligible for $21,250 in home repairs and another $21,250 for other needs.

The president has not yet authorized federal individual assistance  $42,500 for home repairs and $42,500 for other items  but state officials say there will likely be more information from the Trump administration in the coming days.

Correction: The application period for the stats disaster assistance program is open until December 9.
Top officials in Donald Trumps administration have confirmed that they launched a broad team of government officials that is designed to help target the presidents perceived adversaries over their purported weaponization of the government against him.

Attorney General Pam Bondi, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and FBI Director Kash Patel told Fox News Digital that the administration has established the Interagency Weaponization Working Group. Gabbard said the members have been meeting biweekly since April.

Heres how Reuters described the effort in a report Monday:

A group of dozens of officials from across the federal government, including U.S. intelligence officers, has been helping to steer President Donald Trumps drive for retribution against his perceived enemies, according to government records and a source familiar with the effort.

The Interagency Weaponization Working Group, which has been meeting since at least May, has drawn officials from the White House, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the Central Intelligence Agency, the Justice and Defense Departments, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security, the Internal Revenue Service and the Federal Communications Commission, among other agencies, two of the documents show.

The top Trump officials told Fox News that the group is designed to expand on the presidents executive order about ending government weaponization. They also peddled false claims that the effort is a necessary response to the Biden administrations weaponization of the federal government against conservatives.

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I stood up this working group to start the important work of interagency coordination under President Trumps leadership to deliver accountability, Gabbard told Fox News, adding: True accountability is the first step toward lasting change.

Of course, we already know how Trump and his allies define so-called accountability, and it looks identical to limitless vindictiveness with little to no regard for legality.

The Justice Department has already filed several dubious indictments against people targeted by the president. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has reestablished the governments relationship with a spy technology company that has built tools used by repressive governments to quash dissent. It has created a controversial interagency hub of Americans personal data that has drawn concerns about its potential use to target opponents. And its currently trying to portray liberals as terrorists.

Needless to say, the idea of this administration credibly rooting out weaponization by the government is an absurd premise, as we see the government currently being weaponized by those in charge.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Even though damage from the May floods in Western Maryland exceeded federal aid requirements, the Trump administration rejected the states appeal for a major disaster declaration this week.

Gov. Wes Moores office announced the decision Thursday, saying they had been informed the night before by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In the wake of the May 2025 floods that tore through Allegany and Garrett counties, causing an estimated $33.7 million in damages, Maryland had requested a Major Disaster Declaration.

Without a presidential disaster declaration, counties lose eligibility for federal infrastructure repair funds and hazard-mitigation aid. That declaration request was rejected in August and the state appealed. Now that appeal has also been denied.

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Allegany Countys threshold for federal assistance is $321,460, and Marylands is $11.6 million. Over the summer, FEMA validated the $33.7 million price tag for damages.

This outcome is not just deeply frustrating, it also ignores the devastation wrought by historic floods in Appalachia and leaves Marylanders on their own, Moore said in a statement. FEMA has a responsibility to weigh the merits of each emergency request objectively. Instead, President Donald Trump and his Administration have politicized disaster relief, and our communities are the ones who will pay the price.

Officials from Moores office say no reason was given as to why the appeal was rejected.

This denial leaves us feeling forgotten

We are incredibly disappointed in this decision, Allegany County Commission President Dave Caporale said in a statement. Our application for FEMA assistance metand in many areas exceededevery requirement for federal aid. Allegany County is a small, rural Appalachian community, and this denial leaves us feeling forgotten by the federal government.

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Caporale added that the loss of the money makes it harder to afford repairs to damaged infrastructure.

Weve worked tirelessly to make life financially manageable for the people of Allegany County, and this decision makes that job even harder, Caporale added. We are very disappointed in the process and the outcome.

Those comments were echoed by Westernport Mayor Judy Hamilton.

This decision from FEMA is a profound disappointment for the resilient people of Westernport, who have faced unimaginable challenges in the wake of the May floods, Hamilton said. While this news is a setback, our communitys spirit remains unbroken.

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Andy Ellis, the Green Party candidate for Maryland governor, called the announcement sad but predictable news on X.

It is one more example of why Maryland needs to move past reliance on the Federal Government, he said. Our campaign calls for an Appalachian States Disaster Relief Compact to provide the resources and response needed to take care of our communities.

State officials promise assistance

U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen said the denial will unnecessarily set back the rebuilding of roads, reconstruction of public schools, and repair of homes and small businesses. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks added it was so disappointing but not at all surprising, while Rep. April McClain Delaney said the decision completely indefensible.

Moore noted that the state has already provided nearly $1.5 million in direct recovery and energy assistance.

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We will continue to support the impacted communities, said Maryland Emergency Management Secretary Russell Strickland, pursuing all possible assistance and offering whatever resources we can.

________
Even though damage from the May floods in Western Maryland exceeded federal aid requirements, the Trump administration rejected the states appeal for a major disaster declaration.

Gov. Wes Moores office announced the decision Thursday, saying it had been informed the night before by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Maryland had requested a Major Disaster Declaration in the wake of the May floods that tore through Allegany and Garrett counties, causing an estimated $33.7 million in damage, which FEMA validated. Without such a declaration, counties lose eligibility for federal infrastructure repair funds and hazard-mitigation aid.

The White House rejected the initial declaration request in August, and it rejected an appeal of that decision this week.

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Allegany Countys threshold for federal assistance is $321,460 in damage, and Marylands is $11.6 million. Officials from Moores office say no reason was given as to why the appeal was rejected.

This outcome is not just deeply frustrating, it also ignores the devastation wrought by historic floods in Appalachia and leaves Marylanders on their own, Moore said in a statement. FEMA has a responsibility to weigh the merits of each emergency request objectively. Instead, President Donald Trump and his Administration have politicized disaster relief, and our communities are the ones who will pay the price.

The White House denied that the process was politicized.

The president responds to each request for federal assistance under the Stafford Act with great care and consideration, ensuring American tax dollars are used appropriately and efficiently by the states to supplement  not substitute- their obligation to respond to and recover from disasters, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson told The Sun in a statement.

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There is no politicization to the presidents decisions on disaster relief, unlike under the Biden administration, where FEMA officials refused aid to disaster survivors who displayed political signs and flags they disagreed with.

This denial leaves us feeling forgotten

We are incredibly disappointed in this decision, Allegany County Commission President Dave Caporale said in a statement. Our application for FEMA assistance metand in many areas exceededevery requirement for federal aid. Allegany County is a small, rural Appalachian community, and this denial leaves us feeling forgotten by the federal government.

Caporale added that the loss of the money makes it harder to afford repairs to damaged infrastructure.

Weve worked tirelessly to make life financially manageable for the people of Allegany County, and this decision makes that job even harder, Caporale added. We are very disappointed in the process and the outcome.

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Those comments were echoed by Westernport Mayor Judy Hamilton.

This decision from FEMA is a profound disappointment for the resilient people of Westernport, who have faced unimaginable challenges in the wake of the May floods, Hamilton said. While this news is a setback, our communitys spirit remains unbroken.

Andy Ellis, the Green Party candidate for Maryland governor, called the announcement sad but predictable news on X.

It is one more example of why Maryland needs to move past reliance on the Federal Government, he said. Our campaign calls for an Appalachian States Disaster Relief Compact to provide the resources and response needed to take care of our communities.

State officials promise assistance

U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen said the denial will unnecessarily set back the rebuilding of roads, reconstruction of public schools, and repair of homes and small businesses. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks added it was so disappointing but not at all surprising, while Rep. April McClain Delaney said the decision completely indefensible.

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Moore noted that the state has already provided nearly $1.5 million in direct recovery and energy assistance.

We will continue to support the impacted communities, said Maryland Emergency Management Secretary Russell Strickland, pursuing all possible assistance and offering whatever resources we can.

Have a news tip? Contact Eastern Shore bureau chief Josh Davis at jdavis@baltsun.com or on X as @JoshDavis4Shore.
(Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is in talks with several quantum-computing companies to take equity stakes in exchange for federal funding, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Companies including IonQ, Rigetti Computing and D-Wave Quantum are discussing the government becoming a shareholder as part of the agreements, the report said, adding that the discussions include minimum funding awards from Washington of $10 million each.

Other companies such as Quantum Computing and Atom Computing are considering similar arrangements, the Journal added.

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Reuters could not immediately verify the report.

Earlier this year, Trump said the U.S. would take a 10% stake in Intel that converts government grants into an equity share, the latest extraordinary intervention by the White House in corporate America.

Other deals include an agreement for the Pentagon to become the largest shareholder in a small mining company, MP Materials to boost output of rare earth magnets and the U.S. government's winning a "golden share" with certain veto rights as part of a deal to allow Japan's Nippon Steel to buy U.S. Steel.

Ion declined to comment while the White House, U.S. Commerce Department, Rigetti Computing, D-Wave Quantum, Atom Computing and Quantum Computing did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

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U.S. Deputy Commerce Secretary Paul Dabbar, a former quantum-computing executive and Energy Department official, is leading the funding discussions with companies in the industry, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter.

In February, Microsoft unveiled a new chip that it said showed quantum computing is "years, not decades" away, joining Google and IBM in predicting that a fundamental change in computing technology is much closer than recently believed.

(Reporting by Devika Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona and Lincoln Feast.)
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  A documentary proof-of-citizenship requirement for voting in U.S. elections hasnt been able to pass Congress and has been blocked by the courts, so allies of President Donald Trump's administration are pursuing another avenue to try to impose the idea  asking a little-known federal agency to do it.

By a deadline earlier this week, the independent U.S. Election Assistance Commission had received more than 380,000 public comments reacting to a petition to add the requirement. The proposal is being pushed by America First Legal, a conservative group co-founded by Stephen Miller, the Republican presidents deputy chief of staff.

The group is asking the commission, composed of two Republicans and two Democrats, to add the mandate to the federal voter registration form. It says requiring people to produce documents proving their citizenship is essential to enhance the integrity and reliability of voter registration processes, ensuring that only eligible U.S. citizens are permitted to register and vote in federal elections. A group of Republican U.S. senators and representatives described it as simple, common-sense reform, little different from showing ID to board an airplane or open a bank account.

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Voting rights groups characterize such a requirement as unnecessary, cumbersome and a potential tool for voter disenfranchisement.

Noncitizen voting is illegal and extremely rare

The gambit before the Washington-based election commission is the latest attempt by conservatives to push a nationwide proof-of-citizenship requirement while raising the specter of noncitizen voting as a significant problem, when it fact it is extremely rare. Making claims about noncitizens voting was a major part of the Republican playbook during the 2024 presidential election, even though it is already illegal and punishable as a felony.

The petition to the Election Assistance Commission comes after Trump sought to force the body to enact an identical provision through an executive order on elections he issued in March. That order has been temporarily blocked by two federal courts, which found the action unconstitutionally exceeded his presidential authority. The Constitution gives states and Congress the power to set election rules.

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In its petition, America First Legal dismissed those losses: This premise remains contested in court, but it also leaves this Commission with the freedom to take commonsense election integrity measures on its own volition.

What does the federal voter form require?

The federal voter form already requires registrants to affirm their U.S. citizenship under penalty of perjury. Violating it is a felony that can lead to imprisonment, fines and deportation. Congress deemed that approach adequate when it approved the Help America Vote Act, which established the commission in 2002.

The commission has discretion to make changes to the form, but there's disagreement over whether that includes being able to unilaterally impose such a significant new requirement on voters across the country. A spokesperson for the commission is on furlough during the federal government shutdown and did not respond to a request for comment.

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America First Legal told the commissioners they have sufficient authority to act under a provision of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. But Jonathan Diaz, director of voting advocacy and partnerships for the Campaign Legal Center, said the election commission first would need to determine that requiring documentation of citizenship is necessary to determine peoples eligibility.

In my view, asking for information is one thing. Asking for additional documents and evidence beyond the information the form collects is another thing, he said.

The consequences of noncitizen voting

Susannah Goodman, director of election security for the good-government group Common Cause, said cases of noncitizens voting in U.S. elections remain extraordinarily rare because the risks outweigh the rewards.

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The consequences of doing it are so great and citizenship is so precious, we dont believe that this is the problem that they are trying to solve. Numbers dont prove it out, she said. There is no threat to our democracy from noncitizens voting.

In its petition, America First Legal said enforcement of the perjury provision is nearly non-existent and a system dependent entirely on the honesty of applicants is a recipe for fraud. The organization did not respond to an interview request.

States are relying on a broken trust but dont verify system for registering voters, Justin Riemer, president of the nonprofit Restoring Integrity and Trust in Elections, which filed public comment in support of the proposal, said in a statement. The EACs registration form ties the hands of states trying to ensure that only citizens register and vote. That must change.

Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla of California and Rep. Joseph Morelle of New York, outspoken proponents of voting rights, said adding such a requirement was unnecessary.

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States already have multiple systems in place to ensure that only eligible Americans vote in elections; states already determine voters citizenship statuses without the burdensome requirement requested in the petition, they said in comments to the commission.

Legislation imposing a proof-of-citizenship requirement  the SAVE Act  passed the U.S. House earlier this year but has stalled in the Senate in the face of bipartisan opposition. Similar efforts also have run into obstacles when introduced in the states.

What kind of ID would be acceptable?

America First Legals petition lists four types of documentation that would meet the requirement: a U.S. passport; a state-issued REAL ID-compliant drivers license that lists citizenship status; a military ID that indicates citizenship status; or a valid federal or state photo ID that either indicates citizenship or is accompanied by proof of United States citizenship.

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Of the four, only a passport would be a universally reliable form of qualifying identification, although only about half of Americans have one. Only five states offer REAL ID drivers licenses that indicate citizenship, and military IDs often dont. Those invoking the other forms of federal and state photo ID that lack a citizenship indicator would need to present other documentation that's not listed, such as a birth certificate.

Diaz, of the Campaign Legal Center, said women who change their last name when they marry might have to present their birth certificate, their marriage certificate and a valid government identification. That was shown to be a barrier for some women who voted in a primary election earlier this year in New Hampshire, which was imposing a similar requirement for the first time.

It's just creating hurdle after hurdle after hurdle for eligible U.S. citizens to be able to vote, Diaz said.

The commission's next step is to review the comments and determine by a majority vote whether to proceed on the petition. Approval would be followed by more formal proceedings, including another comment period and public hearings.
A television broadcasting Donald Trump's election victory speech in Taipei on Nov. 6, 2024. Credit - Daniel CengAnadolu/Getty Images

In his dealings with China so far, President Donald Trump has been right on one thing: He didnt let Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te make a stopover in New York City on his way to Latin America. That was the opposite decision of Joe Biden, who allowed Lais predecessor Tsai Ing-wen on a sensitive New York City stopover two years ago. And unlike Biden who gaffed four times to say the U.S. will defend Taiwan in the event of an attack from the Chinese mainland, Trump made it clear he wasnt interested in going to war with China.

Such caution is commendable. The only issue that can drag the two titans into a full-blown conflict is the Taiwan issue. Reunification with Taiwan is a must for China. The only question is howwill a stronger China become more confident in eventual peaceful reunification one day or will it become more impatient to resort to use of force?

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Read More: Taiwan in the Shadow of War

A short answer is: it depends on the Taiwanese authorities. Both Lai and his predecessor Tsai Ing-wen are from the Democratic Progressive Party that advocates a separate Taiwanese national identity. But Lai, a self-described practical worker for Taiwan independence, appears more dangerous. Lai has prevented cross-strait people-to-people exchanges in the name of opposing Chinas united front work. He labeled the Chinese mainland as foreign hostile forces and outlined 17 strategies to threaten the people in Taiwan who support cross-strait exchanges.

Lais description of the Chinese mainland as foreign hostile forces touches the bottom line of Beijingcessation of Taiwan from the mainland. Chinas anti-secession law stipulates that China will use force when it believes that all possibilities for peaceful reunification are exhausted. So how much patience does China still have?

Both Beijing and Washington are playing with strategic ambiguity while preparing for the worst. China has vastly increased military exercises near the island, while the U.S. has bolstered its forward military presence along the first island chain that runs from Japan and South Korea to the Philippines. Yet Beijing wont clarify when is its deadline for reunification while Washington wont say if it will assist Taipei militarily if the Chinese mainland launches an attack.

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The problem is time is not on the American side thanks to Chinas growing capabilities and its proximity to the conflict zone. U.S. allies dont look reliable either. Japan and Australia have both rejected requests from the U.S. to commit to a hypothetical conflict with China over Taiwan, emphasizing that any decision would be made by their governments at the time.

If refraining from direct war with Russia over Ukraine is a top American priority, then surely, avoiding a war with the second largest economy and another nuclear power is in Americas highest national interest. So, what can President Trump do?

A roadmap for Washington

First, President Trump could make a formal rule to not let any Taiwanese leader make stopovers in important American cities like New York or Washington. These stop-overs, unlike those made in Honolulu or Los Angeles before, are used by Taiwanese authorities to test the reaction of the U.S. government over any changing attitude.

Second, he should control the remarks of his lieutenants. In the last 10 years, a number of American generals made sensational remarks on when the Chinese mainland might launch attacks on Taiwan. For example, Air Force General Mike Minihan said in 2023 in a memo that his gut told him the U.S. would fight China in the next two years. This was brushed away by the Pentagon, saying it was not representative of the departments view.

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Likewise, U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth warned in May that an attack on Taiwan was imminent and floated 2027 as a date. These remarks were a sharp contrast with that of his predecessor Lloyd Austin, who said at the same Shangri-La Dialogue a year earlier that a conflict was neither imminent nor inevitable.

Third, President Trump should warn Lai to watch his words as he did to former Russian President and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev after he criticized Trumps foreign policy. There are other precedents. When the DPP leader Chen Shuibian called for a referendum on relations with the Chinese mainland in 2003, President George W. Bush rebuked him.

Read More: The U.S. Must Beware of Taiwans Reckless Leader

Fourth, President Trump should withdraw U.S. defense trainers from Taiwan. The 1972 joint communique on establishing China-U.S. diplomatic ties affirms the ultimate aim of withdrawing all American forces and military installations from the island. And is such training really useful? Even Taiwans own assessments of its military are dire. Taiwanese troops are nicknamed strawberry soldiers. Former Taiwanese leader Ma Ying-jeou has said, in the event of war with China, the first battle will be the last.

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Finally, President Trump should encourage current Taiwanese authorities to recognize the One China 1992 consensus between Beijing and Taipei, in order to kickstart cross-strait talks. Beijing has said that any differences can be discussed under One China. This is the best way to defuse tensions across the strait and things could move from there. Without Taiwan agreeing to One China, it is only a matter of when, rather than if, the conflict will occur.

President Trump craves to be remembered as a peacemaker. He appears to have much more authority than during his first term. He should use it to make the strait less dangerous. The last thing he needs is to provide Lai a blank check that he might fill with American blood.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
President Donald Trump said Thursday that he is calling off plans to deploy federal troops to San Francisco after having spoken to the mayor and following backlash from the tech industry.

The Federal Government was preparing to surge San Francisco, California, on Saturday, but friends of mine who live in the area called last night to ask me not to go forward with the surge in that the Mayor, Daniel Lurie, was making substantial progress, Trump said on Truth Social.

He added the friends included the CEO of Nvidia, Jensen Huang, and the CEO of Salesforce, Marc Benioff.

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The people of San Francisco have come together on fighting Crime, especially since we began to take charge of that very nasty subject. Great people like Jensen Huang, Marc Benioff, and others have called saying that the future of San Francisco is great. They want to give it a shot. Therefore, we will not surge San Francisco on Saturday, Trump wrote.

Lurie confirmed in a statement that he spoke to Trump on Wednesday night, saying, I told him the same thing I told our residents: San Francisco is on the rise.

We have work to do, and we would welcome continued partnerships with the FBI, DEA, ATF, and U.S. Attorney to get drugs and drug dealers off our streets, but having the military and militarized immigration enforcement in our city will hinder our recovery, he added. We appreciate that the president understands that we are the global hub for technology, and when San Francisco is strong, our country is strong.

Trump has toyed with the idea of sending federal troops to San Francisco since the summer, but recent support from Benioff, an influential tech mogul, gave the suggestion more weight.

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Benioff told The New York Times this month that he would support Trumps sending federal troops to police his city. We dont have enough cops, so if they can be cops, Im all for it, he said.

But Benioff reversed his position Friday, writing on X: I do not believe the National Guard is needed to address safety in San Francisco. My earlier comment came from an abundance of caution around the event, and I sincerely apologize for the concern it caused.

Benioff has for years had a reputation in San Francisco as one of the citys more progressive billionaires. In 2018, he pushed a new business tax in the city that would generate money to fight homelessness. But like many other tech executives, he has moved to the right over the past several years.

Benioff is also a longtime friend of Elon Musk, and in December, he endorsed Musks ideas for the Trump administration as having great vision.

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In recent days, other tech leaders in San Francisco publicly asked Trump to hold off. They included Garry Tan, CEO of the tech startup incubator Y Combinator, who wrote on X that Trump should give the citys elected leaders a chance. SF is on the way to resurgence and there is a lot more to be done, but Mayor Lurie and DA Jenkins are doing the work, Tan wrote. Let them cook.

Salesforce, Nvidia and Tan did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Lurie, a Democrat, was elected last year with backing from many tech executives and investors. Brooke Jenkins, the district attorney, was appointed in 2022 to succeed progressive prosecutor Chesa Boudin after voters recalled Boudin from office.

On Thursday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at the White House that "the president is willing to work with anyone across the aisle, across the country, to do the right thing and clean up Americas cities."

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"He is genuinely interested in this effort to make our streets safer, to make our cities safe and clean again. And he heard from the mayor last night, who told him that he is going to earnestly try to make his city better on his own. The president heard him out. He said: 'OK, Ill give you a chance. Well be watching. And if you need us, we are here,'" she added.

In a gathering with reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said, Were going to go into San Francisco at some point in the not-too-distant future.

He said the deployment would make that a great city again. It can only be a great city if it doesnt have crime. If it has crime, it cant be a great city.

He also threatened to use the Insurrection Act to justify deploying troops there, telling reporters, Im allowed, as, you know, as president. Like 50% of the presidents have used the Insurrection Act, they can use that, and everybody agrees youre allowed to use that.

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Trump said he was not currently using the Insurrection Act because were trying to do it in a nicer manner. But we can always use the Insurrection Act if we want.

The threats drew backlash from Democratic leaders in California and in the states Bay Area.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta, both Democrats, threatened to sue the Trump administration this week.

The notion that the federal government can deploy troops into our cities with no justification grounded in reality, no oversight, no accountability, no respect for state sovereignty  its a direct assault on the rule of law," Newsom said in a statement Tuesday.

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He added, "Were drawing a line: California will always defend the Constitution, our people, and our values from authoritarian overreach."

Newsom wrote Tuesday on X, Sending troops to San Francisco? Do it and well sue. We dont bow to kings. We defend the Constitution.

On Thursday, a spokesperson for Newsom said Trump had "listened to reason" on the issue.

"Trump has finally, for once, listened to reason  and heard what we have been saying from the beginning. The Bay Area is a shining example of what makes California so special, and any attempt to erode our progress would damage the work weve done. We will continue to monitor for any concerns in the region as the days progress," the spokesperson, Diana Crofts-Pelayo, told NBC News.

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The Trump administration and Californias government are already engaged in a legal battle over Trumps deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles this year to quell protests against immigration enforcement raids in the city and surrounding areas.

A three-judge panel from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals appeared skeptical this week that the president has the unreviewable power to deploy the National Guard on the streets of Los Angeles. The oral arguments came after a federal judge in San Francisco ruled in September that Trump illegally mobilized National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles.

Trump has also deployed the National Guard to Portland, Oregon; Chicago; and Washington, D.C., this year.

On Monday, a federal appeals court allowed the Trump administration to continue its National Guard deployment in Oregon, over the objections of local officials.

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Federal courts in Illinois have also blocked the federal governments decision to deploy troops there, but last week the Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to immediately allow for the deployment, arguing that the troops are needed to protect federal agents who are conducting immigration enforcement activities.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he has called off a federal surge in San Francisco after pleas from friends of his in the city.

San Francisco was the latest city set to see federal law enforcement officers deployed as part of the administrations effort to tackle crime, but Trump wrote on Truth Social that hes decided to call off the plan and give the city a shot. The president said hes giving San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie (D) a a chance to see if he can turn it around.

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Trump wrote:

The Federal Government was preparing to surge San Francisco, California, on Saturday, but friends of mine who live in the area called last night to ask me not to go forward with the surge in that the Mayor, Daniel Lurie, was making substantial progress. I spoke to Mayor Lurie last night and he asked, very nicely, that I give him a chance to see if he can turn it around. I told him I think he is making a mistake, because we can do it much faster, and remove the criminals that the Law does not permit him to remove. I told him, Its an easier process if we do it, faster, stronger, and safer but, lets see how you do?

The president said the plan was to deploy troops on Saturday to the city as he has done with other cities.

The people of San Francisco have come together on fighting Crime, especially since we began to take charge of that very nasty subject, he wrote. Great people like Jensen Huang, Marc Benioff, and others have called saying that the future of San Francisco is great. They want to give it a shot. Therefore, we will not surge San Francisco on Saturday. Stay tuned!

Trump has faced backlash from California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) and others over his use of federal troops ahead of the expected deployment to San Francisco.

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Lurie put out a statement about his conversation with Trump, saying both the president and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed there will be no deployment for the moment.

Yesterday, I spoke to San Franciscans about a potential federal deployment in our city. I said then what I have said since taking office, that keeping San Franciscans safe is my top priority. Late last night, I received a phone call from the President of the United States. I  Daniel Lurie  (@DanielLurie) October 23, 2025

We have work to do, and we would welcome continued partnerships with the FBI, DEA, ATF, and U.S. Attorney to get drugs and drug dealers off our streets, but having the military and militarized immigration enforcement in our city will hinder our recovery, he wrote. We appreciate that the president understands that we are the global hub for technology, and when San Francisco is strong, our country is strong.

The post Trump Backs Off Federal Surge in San Francisco After Pleas From Friends: They Want to Give It a Shot first appeared on Mediaite.
President Donald Trump bragged that ocean drugs have been greatly reduced thanks to his summary bombing of boats in international waters.

In recent weeks, the Department of Defense has bombed several ships  mostly in the Caribbean  that the administration says were carrying drugs and narcoterrorists. The government has provided no evidence for the claim, and even if true, blowing up ships in such a manner is of dubious legality. On Wednesday, Reuters reported that the U.S. blew up a boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean, seemingly the first such strike in that body of water.

Hours later, the president took questions from reporters at the White House, where one journalist asked if the administration has the legal authority to carry out the strikes.

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Yes, we do, Trump said. We have legal authority. Were allowed to do that, and if we do by land, we may go back to Congress. But we have this is a national security problem.

He later reiterated that the administration will probably go to Congress to explain the rationale behind bombings on land. Trump then asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio to say a few words.

Bottom line, these are drug boats, Rubio said. If people wanna stop seeing drug boats blow up, stop sending drugs to the United States.

The secretary added, We track them from the very beginning. We know whos on them, who they are, where theyre coming from, what they have on them. And, you know, if youre running drug boats, youre in grave danger.

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Trump responded by claiming drug use is way down before discussing ocean drugs:

And drug usage is way down. And drug usage coming from the sea, they call it ocean drugs. A little term that they use. The ocean drugs is very close to nonexistent right now. I wouldnt wanna be in one of those boats heading away. You know, theyre driving happily to destroy the lives of people, and they end up thats the end of them. So, the ocean drugs and the sea drugs, drugs by sea, they call it also, thats almost down to nothing, as you can imagine.

Watch above via C-SPAN.

The post Trump Boasts About Reducing Ocean Drugs Almost Down to Nothing first appeared on Mediaite.
More than three weeks into the government shutdown, the Trump administration is calling back furloughed workers at the federal agency that administers health care for millions of Americans.

Thousands of employees at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services are being instructed to return to work on Monday. They have been off the job since Oct. 1 after Congress failed to reach a deal to fund the government.

Politics: Andrew Cuomo Turns To Shockingly Racist Attacks On Zohran Mamdani In NYC

The callbacks at CMS demonstrate the lengths to which President Donald Trumps administration is going to protect certain politically popular services as the shutdown drags on, often employing creative or questionable accounting maneuvers to fund specific work.

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A spokesperson said the agency would be tapping fees it collects from users who pay for CMS research data to pay the recalled workers. They noted that open enrollment has already begun for Medicare and will soon begin for the Affordable Care Act.

In order to best serve the American people  CMS is temporarily calling back all furloughed employees on Monday, October 27, the spokesperson said in an email. CMS will continue to abide by rules governing the Democrat-led government shutdown.

Nearly half of the agencys more than 6,000 workers would have been furloughed, according to its contingency plan.

Politics: 'One Of The Grossest Things I've Seen': Marjorie Taylor Greene's Trump Hits Keep Coming

The decision to bring them back was first reported by Axios.

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Hoping to avoid blame from voters for the shutdown, the Trump administration has been rummaging through the couch cushions in search of money that could fund some operations during the appropriations lapse. A prime example would be using national park entrance fees to help keep parks open even though the park service is not funded by Congress at the moment.

President Donald Trump's administration is working to keep popular public services running as it tries to avoid blame for the government shutdown. Win McNamee via Getty Images

The White House has also devised ways to keep paying favored government employees, like immigration officers and military members, even though some legal and budget scholars say Trump is usurping Congress control of the purse by doing so.

The shutdown entered its fourth week on Wednesday as Democrats stood firm on their demand that Republicans extend subsidies for people who get their health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. Recent polling has shown voters are more likely to blame Republicans than Democrats for the impasse.

Politics: Government Enters Shutdown After Congress Misses Funding Deadline

Bobby Kogan, senior director of federal budget policy at the Center for American Progress, a left-leaning think tank, said agencies can use certain fee money  known as offsetting collections  to legally fund activities during the shutdown. He noted that federal courts have been using such money to continue operating despite the funding lapse.

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As long as its an offsetting collection, its true, honest-to-God money theyre allowed to use at their discretion, he said.

Kogan said Trump has been violating the law by refusing to spend money Congress has appropriated and also by spending money Congress has not authorized it to  for example, by tapping Defense Department research-and-development funds to pay the troops.

In the case of the CMS funds, Kogan said, the legality depends on which fees they draw from and what the statute authorizes them to be used for  details that could take time to sort out.

Its totally possible they have legit money but then are going beyond the [allowed] purpose, he said.

Political Updates

Read the original on HuffPost
Oct. 23 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump decided not to initiate a "surge" of officials into San Francisco Wednesday night after sending agents to the area.

Mayor Daniel Lurie said he called Trump Wednesday night to talk about it, and the president agreed to back off the plan.

"We have work to do, and we would welcome continued partnerships with the FBI, [Drug Enforcement Administration], [Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives,] and U.S. attorney to get drugs and drug dealers off our streets, but having the military and militarized immigration enforcement in our city will hinder our recovery," Lurie said in a statement. "We appreciate that the president understands that we are the global hub for technology, and when San Francisco is strong, our country is strong."

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"I told him I think he is making a mistake, because we can do it much faster, and remove the criminals that the law does not permit him to remove," the president posted on Truth Social. "The people of San Francisco have come together on fighting crime, especially since we began to take charge of that very nasty subject."

Thursday morning, federal officials arrived at U.S. Coast Guard Base Alameda, and protesters clashed with officials. Activists blocked the bridge to the base.

Trump said he called off the deployment because "friends of mine" called to discuss it. Two of the friends were Jensen Huang of Nvidia and Salesforce's Mark Benioff, Trump said in his post.

The city's crime rates are down 30% from 2024, homicide levels are at their lowest levels in 70 years and car break-ins are at their lowest in 22 years, CNBC reported.

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On Wednesday, Trump threatened to send federal agents to the city, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he would sue the administration.

"We're going to be fierce, we're going to be focused in terms of our response," Newsom said. "Quite literally, this is the lawsuit that I will file within a nanosecond of any effort to send the military to one of America's great cities, San Francisco."

On Saturday, Benioff apologized for saying that he welcomed troops to San Francisco.

"We don't have enough cops, so if they can be cops, I'm all for it," Benioff told The New York Times last week, saying he had the pay for several hundred off-duty law enforcement to help patrol the Moscone Center.

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But on Friday, he posted on X, "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."

This is just the latest escalation of Trump's attacks on American cities. He has sent troops to Washington, D.C., Chicago, Memphis, Portland, Ore., and others.
By Jasper Ward and Nathan Frandino

WASHINGTON/OAKLAND (Reuters) -Donald Trump will not deploy federal agents to San Francisco, the U.S. President and the California city's mayor said in separate social media posts on Thursday, a surprising stand-down as Trump pressures Democrat-led cities around the country to step up enforcement against crime and illegal immigration.

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie said Trump called him Wednesday night to tell him he was calling off any plans for a federal deployment. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem "reaffirmed that direction" in a separate call Thursday morning, Lurie said in an X post.

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"We have work to do, and we would welcome continued partnerships with the FBI, DEA, ATF, and U.S. Attorney to get drugs and drug dealers off our streets, but having the military and militarized immigration enforcement in our city will hinder our recovery," Lurie said.

"We appreciate that the president understands that we are the global hub for technology, and when San Francisco is strong, our country is strong."

Trump confirmed the agreement in a post on Truth Social, saying the federal government had been preparing a surge in San Francisco but would cancel it.

"I spoke to Mayor Lurie last night and he asked, very nicely, that I give him a chance to see if he can turn it around," Trump said. "The people of San Francisco have come together on fighting Crime, especially since we began to take charge of that very nasty subject."

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Trump had indicated San Francisco would be a next stop for National Guard troops he was sending to various U.S. Democratic-led cities, moves that have been challenged in courts.

The San Francisco Chronicle, citing an unnamed source, reported on Wednesday that the Trump administration would send more than 100 federal agents to the city to ramp up immigration enforcement.

DEMONSTRATIONS

Despite the apparent stand-down, a handful of U.S. Border Patrol vehicles arrived at a U.S. Coast Guard base in the Bay Area on Thursday morning and was met with dozens of protestor.

Demonstrators carried signs reading "Stop the Kidnappings" and "Protect Our Neighbors," with one protestor smacking the window of a truck as it passed by. Federal agents eventually used less-lethal rounds to disperse the crowd, with protesters saying one person was injured by a projectile and that another had their foot run over.

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Trump, a Republican, aims to deport record numbers of immigrants in the U.S. illegally, portraying them as criminals and a drain on U.S. communities. Democrats in major U.S. cities have criticized the crackdown, saying it has terrorized law abiding residents, separated families and hurt businesses.

Trump has long highlighted what he views as rampant crime in San Francisco and had signaled in recent weeks that he would send federal agents there.

"We're going to San Francisco and we'll make it great," Trump told Fox News on Sunday.

(Reporting by Ted Hesson, Jasper Ward, Nathan Frandino, Susan Heavey and Doina Chiacu; editing by Rami Ayyub)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump is calling off any planned deployment of federal agents to the city of San Francisco, the California city's mayor said on Thursday, citing a call with the Republican leader.

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, in a post on X, said Trump called him Wednesday night to notify him of the halted plan and U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem "reaffirmed that direction" in a separate call Thursday morning.

(Reporting by Jasper Ward; writing by Susan Heavey)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump will not deploy federal agents to San Francisco, the California city's mayor said on Thursday, citing a call with the Republican leader.

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie said Trump called him Wednesday night to tell him he was calling off any plans for a federal deployment. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem "reaffirmed that direction" in a separate call Thursday morning, Lurie said in an X post.

"We have work to do, and we would welcome continued partnerships with the FBI, DEA, ATF, and U.S. Attorney to get drugs and drug dealers off our streets, but having the military and militarized immigration enforcement in our city will hinder our recovery," Lurie said.

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"We appreciate that the president understands that we are the global hub for technology, and when San Francisco is strong, our country is strong."

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trump had indicated San Francisco would be a next stop for National Guard troops he was sending to various U.S. Democratic-led cities, moves that have been challenged in courts.

"We're going to San Francisco and we'll make it great," Trump told Fox News on Sunday.

(Reporting by Jasper Ward, Susan Heavey and Ted Hesson; writing by Doina Chiacu; editing by Rami Ayyub)
President Donald Trump wont deploy federal troops to San Francisco after all, he and city Mayor Daniel Lurie announced Thursday.

Trump shared the news on Truth Social, saying he and Lurie spoke on the phone Wednesday night after news broke that the president had dispatched more than 100 federal agents to a nearby Coast Guard base, putting the city on alert for aggressive crime crackdowns and immigration raids.

Politics: 'One Of The Grossest Things I've Seen': Marjorie Taylor Greene's Trump Hits Keep Coming

The Federal Government was preparing to surge San Francisco, California, on Saturday, but friends of mine who live in the area called last night to ask me not to go forward with the surge, Trump wrote, saying he agreed to let Lurie address the citys crime rate  which is already at itslowest point in decades.

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Trump said San Francisco Bay Area tech CEOs Jensen Huang of NVIDIA and Marc Benioff of Salesforce were among those who called him. Benioff was met with immense outrage earlier this month for saying Trump should send the National Guard to San Francisco. The Salesforce CEO, who primarily lives in Hawaii, returned with an apology a week later.

Trump said he agreed to let Lurie tackle the citys issues on his own, even though he thinks thats a bad idea.

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie delivers his inaugural address outside City Hall in January. via Associated Press

I spoke to Mayor Lurie last night and he asked, very nicely, that I give him a chance to see if he can turn it around, Trump continued. I told him I think he is making a mistake, because we can do it much faster, and remove the criminals that the Law does not permit him to remove.

Lurie also posted about the conversation, saying Trump called him and told him clearly that he was canceling plans for a federal deployment in San Francisco. He added that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem reaffirmed that to him Thursday morning.

Politics: Heres The Canadian Viral Video That Triggered Trump Into A Full-Blown Meltdown

Luries statement didnt take any swipes at Trump but made it clear he opposed any military presence in the city.

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We have work to do, and we would welcome continued partnerships with the FBI, DEA, ATF, and U.S. Attorney to get drugs and drug dealers off our streets, but having the military and militarized immigration enforcement in our city will hinder our recovery, he wrote.

He spoke more critically of Trumps plans in a press conference Wednesday ahead of their call.

This doesnt make our city safer, it terrorizes our communities, Lurie said of federal deployment in the city. We dont exactly know what the federal government is planning in San Francisco and across the Bay Area, but we do know this federal administration has a playbook in cities across the country.

Trump in recent months has targeted cities led by Democrats, including Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland, Oregon, by deploying, or attempting to deploy, National Guard troops and other federal agents.

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost




President Donald Trump said Thursday morning that he was calling off plans for a "federal deployment" in San Francisco on Saturday after talking to tech leaders who assured him the "surge" wasn't needed.

Mayor Daniel Lurie first announced the news that Trump told him "clearly that he was calling off any plans for a federal deployment in San Francisco." The statement sent by Lurie's office also said Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem "reaffirmed that direction in our conversation this morning."

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Lurie's announcement came hours after protesters clashed with federal immigration agents arriving at Coast Guard Island near Alameda. It was not immediately clear whether a major federal immigration operation, which the Chronicle first reported Wednesday, would proceed, or whether federal agents will be deployed in Bay Area cities other than San Francisco. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson did not respond to a request for clarification.

In recent days, Bay Area leaders had feared two potential federal incursions in the region from the Trump administration: a deployment of the National Guard, as Trump has done in other Democratic-led cities such as Los Angeles, and a major immigration crackdown by federal immigration officers, who've been ramping up arrests in the region, particularly at courthouses, since May.

Trump's about-turn is the latest episode in his ongoing campaign against Democratic-led cities that has been at times chaotic and challenged in court as illegal. In confronting the possibility of a federal military deployment in San Francisco, Lurie faced the biggest challenge of his 10 months in office so far. Trump's change of mind could be claimed for now as a political victory for Lurie. The mayor has avoided directly criticizing Trump, though his comments Wednesday about the potential imminent federal surge were his strongest yet against the administration.

Trump posted on Truth Social shortly after Lurie released his statement stating that the federal government had been "preparing to surge' San Francisco, California, on Saturday."

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"But friends of mine who live in the area called last night to ask me not to go forward with the surge in that the Mayor, Daniel Lurie, was making substantial progress," Trump wrote.

"I spoke to Mayor Lurie last night and he asked, very nicely, that I give him a chance to see if he can turn it around. I told him I think he is making a mistake, because we can do it much faster, and remove the criminals that the Law does not permit him to remove. I told him, It's an easier process if we do it, faster, stronger, and safer but, let's see how you do?' The people of San Francisco have come together on fighting Crime, especially since we began to take charge of that very nasty subject."

The Trump administration has not taken charge of fighting crime in San Francisco. Crime began plummeting in San Francisco well before Trump and Lurie took office.

Crime across all categories in San Francisco has continued to fall throughout the first half of this year, following a trend of historic drops in crime that began in 2024, according to police data. San Francisco is on track to have its lowest number of homicides in more than 70 years. Still, residents and the business community are concerned about open-air drug dealing and use and general disorder in some neighborhoods.

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Trump said that Nvidia founder and CEO Jensen Huang and Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff were among the people who had called him to say "the future of San Francisco is great." An Nvidia spokesperson declined to comment. Salesforce could not be immediately reached for comment.

"They want to give it a shot,'" Trump said.

Lurie said he appreciates that Trump understands "when San Francisco is strong, our country is strong."

"I told him the same thing I told our residents: San Francisco is on the rise. Visitors are coming back, buildings are getting leased and purchased, and workers are coming back to the office," Lurie said. "We have work to do, and we would welcome continued partnerships with the FBI, DEA, ATF and the U.S. attorney to get drugs and drug dealers off our streets, but having the military and militarized immigration enforcement in our city will hinder our recovery."

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Lurie was asked at a news conference Thursday afternoon whether his administration enlisted the help of tech leaders to contact Trump. Lurie said he "didn't ask for anybody to call, (Trump) called me." Lurie said Trump "asked me for nothing" in exchange for calling off the federal deployment.

Lurie said he also spoke Thursday morning with U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Bondi echoed her willingness to partner with local law enforcement to combat the fentanyl crisis.

"I am profoundly grateful to all the San Franciscans who came together over the last several days," Lurie said. "Our city leaders have been united behind the goal of public safety. And our values have been on full display - this is the best of our city."

The announcement appeared to be an about-face for Trump, who as recently as Sunday said he would send the National Guard into the city.

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"We're gonna go to San Francisco," Trump said on Fox News on Sunday. "I think they want us in San Francisco. San Francisco was truly one of the great cities in the world, and then 15 years ago it went woke."

On Wednesday, after the Chronicle reported that the Trump administration was sending more than 100 federal immigration agents to the Bay Area, Gov. Gavin Newsom warned that such a move could be a precursor to sending in the National Guard. He said he would sue "within a nanosecond" if the president sends National Guard troops to San Francisco.

"It's one of the safest large cities in this country. It's experienced an economic rebirth," Newsom said Wednesday. "Only Donald Trump can wreck that."

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday morning that Trump could reverse his decision if San Francisco streets don't become safer.

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"The president heard him out, he said, OK I'll give you a chance. We'll be watching  and if I feel as though you continue to fail your citizens, the federal government may have to step in,'" she told reporters at a briefing.

Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, said the president's decision was testament to Lurie's leadership.

"Mayor Daniel Lurie has demonstrated exceptional leadership in his steadfast commitment to the safety and well-being of San Franciscans," she wrote in a statement Thursday morning. "In his handling of a potential federal deployment in our city that resulted in the President calling off the operation, Mayor Lurie has underscored that public safety must be driven by local priorities, respectful of our values and communities."

Newsom spokesperson Diana Crofts-Pelayo said in a statement that "Trump has finally, for once, listened to reason - and heard what we have been saying from the beginning. The Bay Area is a shining example of what makes California so special, and any attempt to erode our progress would damage the work we've done."

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After Lurie announced the news, the Rev. Deborah Lee, co-executive director with the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity, told protesters gathered near the Coast Guard station in Alameda about the change in plans. They met the news with cautious cheers, while continuing to march around the intersection.

"It doesn't mean that ICE isn't still here, that they aren't still arresting people," Lee said.

It was not clear whether other Bay Area cities would still be targeted by an enhanced immigration crackdown. When asked, Lurie said Trump "only spoke about San Francisco prior, so that's all I can say."

Cities around the Bay Area responded to the news.

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Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee said Thursday at a news conference at City Hall that protesters should remain peaceful and the police were ready to protect Oaklanders' First Amendment rights.

"These federal actions are not about public safety, as they try to pretend that's what they do," Lee said. "They're political stunts designed to divide and to intimidate."

Fremont Mayor Raj Salwan said he was relieved to hear the federal deployment was called off in San Francisco and has not received any indication that Fremont was being targeted. Concord spokesperson Colleen Awad said the city hasn't received any notification from federal officials about possible actions there. One of two Bay Area immigration courts is located in Concord; the other is in San Francisco. Dublin released a statement saying that it's continuing to monitor potential enforcement activity in the Tri-Valley and Alameda County.

In San Francisco, many officials praised Lurie for getting Trump to back off. However, Supervisor Jackie Fielder, who represents the Mission, said she remained concerned that the mayor said he would welcome continued partnership the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Some agents from these agencies have been reassigned to assist in immigration enforcement, according to the New York Times.

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"While we in San Francisco uphold a criminal justice system that ensures due process, Trump does not," Fielder said. "Trump has said he will come after presumed criminals, but his forces have come after law-abiding people in other cities, regardless of citizenship status."

Newsom is already suing to end the federalization of National Guard troops in California, which began in June in response to protests over Trump's aggressive mass deportation campaign in Los Angeles. Originally, Trump federalized 4,000 members of the California National Guard, about a third of the CalGuard's active members.

Most of those soldiers have been released from the deployment, but 300 remain federalized. Of those, 200 have been sent to Portland, Ore., where they wait in limbo after a Trump-appointed judge blocked the president from deploying them on the streets. Fourteen were sent to Chicago to help train members of the Texas National Guard who were sent there. About 85 were still in the Los Angeles area as of earlier this month, according to a sworn declaration from a California Military Department lawyer.

Other top leaders in San Francisco, including Lurie and District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, have also rejected Trump's calls to send in the National Guard. National Guard members are prohibited by federal law from acting as police in American cities. Lurie and Jenkins have noted that would not allow them to crack down on crime as Trump has suggested because they would not be able to investigate law breaking or arrest drug dealers.

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"Let me be clear - no local or elected San Francisco leaders want the National Guard deployed to San Francisco at the direction of the Trump Administration," Jenkins said in a statement Monday.

Asked what he would do if Trump changes his mind about sending troops into San Francisco, Lurie said the city remained prepared for any scenario.

"It is my sincere hope that we never have to put that planning into action," he said.

Here is the full statement released by Lurie:

"Yesterday, I spoke to San Franciscans about a potential federal deployment in our city. I said then what I have said since taking office, that keeping San Franciscans safe is my top priority.

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"Late last night, I received a phone call from the President of the United States. I told him the same thing I told our residents: San Francisco is on the rise. Visitors are coming back, buildings are getting leased and purchased, and workers are coming back to the office. We have work to do, and we would welcome continued partnerships with the FBI, DEA, ATF, and U.S. Attorney to get drugs and drug dealers off our streets, but having the military and militarized immigration enforcement in our city will hinder our recovery. We appreciate that the president understands that we are the global hub for technology, and when San Francisco is strong, our country is strong.

"In that conversation, the president told me clearly that he was calling off any plans for a federal deployment in San Francisco. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem reaffirmed that direction in our conversation this morning.

"My team will continue to monitor the situation closely, and our city remains prepared for any scenario.

"I am profoundly grateful to all the San Franciscans who came together over the last several days. Our city leaders have been united behind the goal of public safety. And our values have been on full display - this is the best of our city."

Here's the full Truth Social post by Trump:

"The Federal Government was preparing to surge' San Francisco, California, on Saturday, but friends of mine who live in the area called last night to ask me not to go forward with the surge in that the Mayor, Daniel Lurie, was making substantial progress. I spoke to Mayor Lurie last night and he asked, very nicely, that I give him a chance to see if he can turn it around. I told him I think he is making a mistake, because we can do it much faster, and remove the criminals that the Law does not permit him to remove. I told him, It's an easier process if we do it, faster, stronger, and safer but, let's see how you do?' The people of San Francisco have come together on fighting Crime, especially since we began to take charge of that very nasty subject. Great people like Jensen Huang, Marc Benioff, and others have called saying that the future of San Francisco is great. They want to give it a shot. 'Therefore, we will not surge San Francisco on Saturday. Stay tuned!"

Matthias Gafni contributed to this report.

This article originally published at Trump calls off planned federal surge' in S.F., but plans for Bay Area immigration crackdown unclear.
President Donald Trump says he's not sending federal forces to San Francisco for now.

He said he made the decision after "friends of mine who live in the area" asked him not to.

He specifically said he talked to Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.

President Donald Trump said he no longer plans to send federal forces to San Francisco over the weekend  and he says that's in part because some tech CEOs encouraged him to hold off.

In a Truth Social post on Thursday, Trump said that he was preparing to "surge" federal forces into the city on Saturday, but decided to hold off after "friends of mine who live in the area" called him on Wednesday night.

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He specifically named Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff as among the "great people" who called him and urged him to call off the deployment.

Trump said that he was giving San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie a "chance to turn it around."

"They want to give it a 'shot,'" Trump said of the two CEOs. "Therefore, we will not surge San Francisco on Saturday."

Lurie said in a statement on Thursday that while he would welcome partnerships with the federal agencies to address drug issues, "having the military and militarized immigration enforcement in our city will hinder our recovery."

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"We appreciate that the president understands that we are the global hub for technology, and when San Francisco is strong, our country is strong," Lurie said.

Trump left the door open to a future federal deployment, saying: "Stay tuned!"

A Salesforce spokesperson declined to comment. Nvidia did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Benioff previously said that he supported Trump sending the National Guard to the city, though he later apologized after his comments drew criticism, as well as the resignation of prominent VC Ron Conway from the Salesforce Foundation's board.

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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," Benioff wrote on X last week. "My earlier comment came from an abundance of caution around the event, and I sincerely apologize for the concern it caused."

Huang has worked to build a relationship with Trump since he took office, including accompanying the president on a trip to Saudi Arabia in May.

Read the original article on Business Insider
President Trump said Thursday he would not deploy federal troops to San Francisco, reversing course on plans to implement anticrime and immigration enforcement in the Bay Area.

Trump in a post on Truth Social said friends of his called him to ask him not to go forward with the surge after arguing the citys Democratic Mayor Daniel Lurie was making substantial progress.

The president said Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff were among great people who urged him not to deploy the National Guard to the city.

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He added that he spoke to Lurie on Wednesday evening, saying the mayor asked him very nicely to give him a chance to turn the situation around.

I told him I think he is making a mistake because we can do it much faster, and remove the criminals that the law does not permit him to move, Trump said. I told him, Its an easier process if we do it, faster, stronger, and safer, but lets see how you do?

The presidents public comments came shortly after Lurie revealed in a post on social platform X that Trump called off plans to deploy federal forces during a phone call.

In that conversation, the president told me clearly that he was calling off any plans for a federal deployment in San Francisco. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem reaffirmed that direction in our conversation this morning, the mayor wrote.

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Reports surfaced earlier this week that the administration dispatched 100 immigration agents to the city with groups slated to arrive on Thursday. Lurie and Democratic officials in California slammed the move.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Trump said Thursday that he had called off a planned federal "surge" into San Francisco after speaking with Mayor Daniel Lurie and other city leaders  a detente that officials and activists in the East Bay said they were not welcomed into and which some saw as potentially enlarging the target on their own communities.

Trump's announcement came amid protests at the entrance to the U.S. Coast Guard base across the bay in Alameda County, where the Department of Homeland Security has begun staging additional forces. It followed a similar announcement by Lurie, who said he had told Trump during a phone call late Wednesday that San Francisco is "on the rise" and that "having the military and militarized immigration enforcement in our city will hinder our recovery."

Lurie said Trump agreed to call off any federal deployment to the city, and that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem  who is in charge of federal immigration forces  had "reaffirmed that direction" in a conversation with him Thursday morning.

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Trump said on social media that his administration had been planning a "surge" in San Francisco beginning Saturday, but that Lurie had asked him "very nicely" to "give him a chance to see if he can turn it around," and that other "friends" of Trump's in the city had asked him to call it off because they believe Lurie is "making substantial progress."

The president said he told Lurie that he was "making a mistake, because we can do it much faster, and remove the criminals that the Law does not permit him to remove," but that he had ultimately agreed to pause the surge  in part because Lurie has the support of prominent business leaders Jensen Huang of Nvidia and Marc Benioff of Salesforce.

Read more: Marines fired 30 100-pound artillery shells over I-5, train lines with no warning to commuters

During a Thursday morning briefing less than an hour after Trump's post, Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee and other East Bay leaders said they had "no information" about such a stand-down in their communities, and were still bracing for increased federal immigration raids given the staging of forces at nearby Coast Guard Island, which is located between Alameda and Oakland.

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"The federal administration, of course, has escalated its rhetoric and its enforcement posture in the Bay Area. We know that Border Patrol agents are being stationed on Coast Guard Island," Lee said. "But ... we are fully prepared. We're monitoring developments closely and we'll keep our residents informed if there are any confirmed changes. Oakland is and will continue to be a welcoming city for our immigrants and our refugees."

The Homeland Security Department defended the deployment of its agents to the region, saying they would be "targeting the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens  including murderers, rapists, gang members, pedophiles, and terrorists."

Alameda County Dist. Atty. Ursula Jones Dickson said the staging of immigration forces in the East Bay was part of an established Trump administration "playbook" to rile up communities with immigration actions and then use any unrest to justify further force  and called on East Bay residents to not fall for it.

"We know that they're baiting Oakland, and that's why San Francisco, all of a sudden, is off the table," Jones Dickson said. "So I'm not going to be quiet about what we know is coming. We know that their expectation is that Oakland is going to do something to cause them to make us the example."

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Lourdes Martinez, co-director of the immigrant rights program at Centro Legal de la Raza, said communities are understandably scared given recent legal rulings that federal immigration agents can stop people based on factors such as the color of their skin, the language they are speaking and the job sectors they work in  and organizers expect more such stops given the latest deployments.

She called on immigrants and others to protect themselves by readying documentation and making sure that they and their families are familiar with their rights to remain silent and to have an attorney  and how to contact legal advocacy groups in case of trouble. She also urged community members to report any detentions, to "make sure that nobody disappears."

"We know this is an uncertain and stressful time. However, this is a moment of unity and power, not panic," she said.

Shortly after Lee's event, about 40 protesters gathered near a bridge leading to Coast Guard Island.

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Music was blasting. One person wore a blow-up animal costume, a trend that gained momentum recently amid similar protests in Portland, Ore. Coast Guard members in tactical gear stood in a line across from protesters who screamed at them.

"We knew there was going to be [an immigration enforcement] presence here and we wanted to disrupt in a peaceful way  to make it harder for them to abduct people," said Lindsey Swanson, 32, a financial planner who lives in Oakland.

Swanson and others said they believed immigration enforcement would also ramp up in San Francisco, despite Trump and Lurie's morning assurances, and would continue in the East Bay.

Read more: Trump pardons Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, high-profile cryptocurrency figure

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"Theres East Bay  Oakland, Berkeley  so calling off San Francisco means nothing," said Rachel Kim, a 28-year-old Berkeley resident who is training to become a therapist.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday that Trump's conversation with Lurie was an example of how he is willing to work with Democrats and other states to "do the right thing and clean up Americas cities."

"He is genuinely interested in this effort to make our streets safer, to make our cities safe and clean again," she said.

The morning events followed days of growing tensions in the Bay Area over Trump's plans for the region, after he repeatedly suggested that he would send federal forces into San Francisco  which he called a "mess" in desperate need of help, despite data showing decreasing crime and homeless encampments and surging positive sentiment.

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On Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom confirmed the staging of immigration agents in the area and suggested it was the first move in a broader effort by Trump and his administration to stoke chaos and intimidate residents in yet another liberal part of the country.

"He sends out masked men, he sends out Border Patrol, he sends out ICE, he creates anxiety and fear in the community so that he can lay claim to solving that by sending in the Guard," Newsom said. "This is no different than the arsonist putting out the fire."

Read more: 9th Circuit rethinks ruling that bolstered Trump's authority to deploy troops

The response echoed those of leaders and activists in other cities where immigration forces and federal troops have been deployed, including Los Angeles, Washington, Chicago and Portland. It added to an already rancorous debate over Trump's mass deportation initiative, which he campaigned on heavily, and the role of federal forces in American cities  something the founders of the nation limited to extreme circumstances.

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Central to that debate has been Trump's repeated and unprecedented decision to repeatedly send troops into American cities without the explicit support of state or local leaders. Federal judges have been divided on that issue, though it has so far been allowed to continue in Los Angeles by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

But even in the appellate court, there has been tense disagreement.

Liberal judges on the court recently called for the decision allowing the deployments to continue in Los Angeles, which was made by a three-judge panel, to be reheard before a larger, 11-judge panel. When that request was denied, several dissented Wednesday  excoriating the deployments as a clear breach of constitutional law and the separation of powers.

Judge Marsha Berzon, in a dissent joined by 10 fellow 9th Circuit judges, wrote that the smaller panel in its preliminary deference to Trump had "invited presidents, now and in the future, to deploy military troops in response to the kinds of commonplace, shortlived, domestic disturbances whose containment conventionally falls to local and federal law enforcement units."

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Times staff writer Ana Ceballos in Washington contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
President Donald Trump backed off at the last moment from deploying federal law enforcement to San Francisco, Mayor Daniel Lurie said on Thursday  a reversal Trump confirmed in a social media post the same day.

The decision averts, for now, a combustible standoff in one of the country's most liberal and anti-Trump cities. Democratic officials like Gov. Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Lurie had been bracing for weeks for Trump to deploy federal forces to San Francisco, likely sparking a backlash that has played out in cities like Los Angeles.

Lurie said in a statement that Trump reached out on Wednesday night, hours after the mayor delivered a speech warning of an imminent federal show of force, and "told me clearly that he was calling off any plans for a federal deployment in San Francisco." Lurie said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem affirmed that in a followup call.

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"Having the military and militarized immigration enforcement in our city will hinder our recovery," Lurie said in a statement. "We appreciate that the president understands that we are the global hub for technology, and when San Francisco is strong, our country is strong."

Trump, in a statement on Truth Social, said "friends of mine who live in the area called last night to ask me not to go forward with the surge in that the Mayor, Daniel Lurie, was making substantial progress. I spoke to Mayor Lurie last night and he asked, very nicely, that I give him a chance to see if he can turn it around."

Trump said he told Lurie he thought he was "making a mistake" and that, Its an easier process if we do it, faster, stronger, and safer but, lets see how you do?

While Democrats like Newsom have regularly assailed Trump and condemned his tactic of summoning federal law enforcement to bolster his immigration agenda, Lurie has deliberately avoided provoking the president and said he is focused on quality-of-life issues after ousting the incumbent mayor last year.

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That approach appears to have paid off. Trump said in a Truth Social post on Thursday that he backed off after Lurie "asked, very nicely." Trump said friends based in the area had conveyed to him that Lurie "was making substantial progress."

Trump referenced AI executive Jensen Huang and Salesforce founder Marc Benioff, a mainstay of San Francisco politics who stunned the city's Democratic establishment by saying earlier this month he supported Trump and a federal deployment  comments for which Benioff subsequently apologized.

He wrote, "The people of San Francisco have come together on fighting Crime, especially since we began to take charge of that very nasty subject. Great people like Jensen Huang, Marc Benioff, and others have called saying that the future of San Francisco is great. They want to give it a 'shot.' Therefore, we will not surge San Francisco on Saturday. Stay tuned!"

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story misspelled Jensen Huang's first name.
President Trump had planned an operation to surge San Francisco by marching National Guard troops into the city, but was convinced to alter course, he said on a post on his social network Truth Social on Thursday. Nvidias Jensen Huang and Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff were among the tech industrys luminaries who called him and convinced him to change his mind, the post said.

San Francisco mayor Daniel Lurie confirmed in a statement that the military operation had been planned and called off, although he didnt name names as to who had conversations with the president.

Benioffs involvement is particularly notable. Earlier this month  shortly before Salesforce held its enormous tech conference in San Francisco, where it is headquartered  Benioff (who was born and raised there) said he supported Trump. He also said he thought National Guard troops should be sent to patrol its streets. That comment caused VC legend Ron Conway to resign his decade-long board seat on Salesforces philanthropic foundation and condemn both the comments and his friend, Benioff.

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Benioff promptly apologized and walked back his wish for National Guard patrols.  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 earlier this month. So, it appears the CEO doubled down and actually pleaded the case to the White House, too.

Mayor Lurie will be speaking at TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco next week. Perhaps well hear more about how the city, ground zero of the AI industry, has improved safety and rallied to de-escalate the situation.
WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump is demolishing the entire East Wing of the White House, a dramatic change from his previous pledge not to touch the historic building as he plows ahead with installing a massive, new ballroom.

The East Wing, which was built in 1902 and expanded in 1942, is expected to be fully torn down by this weekend, per a New York Times report. The Washington Post similarly reported that a White House spokesperson said the entirety of the East Wing would be rebuilt.

Politics: Mehmet Oz Just Redefined Math To Make Donald Trumps Numbers Work

Trump confirmed his plans at the White House on Wednesday evening.

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We determined that, after really a tremendous amount of study with some of the best architects in the world, we determined that really knocking it down, trying to use a little section  you know, the East Wing, was not much, he said in remarks in the Oval Office.

Its not clear who these alleged architects are or how there could have been a tremendous amount of study on this, given how quickly Trump has been moving forward with his plans. Demolition of the East Wing began on Monday, and the White House still hasnt submitted any plans to the federal agency that oversees construction of federal buildings.

A request for comment from the White House was not returned.

Politics: Paul Krugman Warns Trumps Economy Is In Worse Shape Than It Looks

Trump originally said he wouldnt touch the East Wing at all when he announced his renovation plans in July, saying the building was my favorite.

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It will be beautiful, he said then. It wont interfere with the current building. It wont be  it will be near it, but not touching it. And pays total respect to the existing building, which Im the biggest fan of. Its my favorite.

The East Wing of the White House being demolished by work crews on Tuesday. The Washington Post via Getty Images

The president has been eager to install his 90,000-square-foot, $250 million event space at the White House. White House officials have been coy all along about how far Trump planned to go with his renovations to make way for it, and apparent Trump supporters on social media have been downplaying his plans.

Trump maintains the project will be paid for with private donations and his own money, and no public dollars. But he hasnt released a complete list of who is paying for this or how much theyre spending. One of the companies funding it is YouTube, which is giving $22 million for the project. That money is coming from a recent settlement for a 2021 lawsuit Trump brought against YouTube, a subsidiary of Google.

Politics: Trump Delights At White House Ballroom Construction: 'Music To My Ears'

The president doesnt appear to be breaking laws by doing this, as outrageous as it is. But hes certainly rigged the process to work in his favor.

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Trump didnt get sign-off for the demolition from the National Capital Planning Commission, the executive branch agency with jurisdiction over construction and major renovations to government buildings in D.C. But the person who leads that commission has said its fine  and happens to be one of Trumps top aides and his former personal attorney, Will Scharf.

Scharf, whom Trump tapped for this post in July, right around the time the president announced his plans for renovations, has claimed the commission is only required to vet rebuilding, not demolition work.

Another angle of Trump's demolition of the East Wing, which Trump said in July he wouldn't touch as part of his renovations because "I'm the biggest fan" of the East Wing building. via Associated Press

The lack of transparency in this process continues to infuriate historic preservationists and people with eyes, as photos of the destroyed East Wing surface on social media.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, a leading preservation organization created by Congress to help preserve historic buildings, warned Tuesday that Trumps planned ballroom will overwhelm the White House itself, which is about 55,000 square feet.

Politics: Trumps Latest Word Salad Ramble About Drugs Leads To Waves Of Mockery

At least one Republican senator is unhappy that Trump has decided to destroy the White House in the midst of an ongoing government shutdown, during which the president has done nothing to help resolve it.

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The timing is bad, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) told HuffPost on Tuesday.

Were in the middle of a shutdown, he said. Got a couple of other things going on that we should probably focus on ahead of a building project.

Political Updates

Read the original on HuffPost
U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet for a summit in Anchorage, Alaska, on Aug. 15, 2025. Credit - Andrew CaballeroGetty Images

The U.S. Treasury and the European Union (E.U.) have both announced sanctions on Russia, increasing the economic and political pressure on Moscow in hopes that itll push President Vladimir Putin toward establishing a cease-fire with Ukraine.

I just felt it was time. We waited a long time. I thought that wed go long before the Middle East, U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday, when asked about his Administrations decision to elevate sanctions against Russia.

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The U.S. levies target two major Russian oil companies, Open Joint Stock Company Rosneft Oil Co. and Lukoil OAO.

The actions increase pressure on Russias energy sector and degrade the Kremlins ability to raise revenue for its war machine and support its weakened economy, read a statement from the Treasury Department. The United States will continue to advocate for a peaceful resolution to the war, and a permanent peace depends entirely on Russias willingness to negotiate in good faith.

And the elevated sanctions could be the first of many, as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said his Department is prepared to take further action if necessary to support President Trumps effort to end yet another war. Urging Russia to terminate the conflict in Ukraine, Bessent added: Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate cease-fire.

On Thursday morning, the E.U. announced its own package of sanctions against Russia, the 19th set of measures of its kind that will target a number of sectors.

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It is becoming increasingly difficult for Putin to finance his war. Every Euro we deny Russia is one it cannot spend on war, said Kaja Kallas, the E.U. High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

Similar to the U.S., the E.U. has warned that further sanctions against Russia could follow, if a cease-fire is not reached.

In a sign that Trumps relationship with Putin is becoming strained, the U.S. President has canceled a meeting he was set to have with his Russian counterpart. It didnt feel right to me. It didnt feel like we were going to get to the place we have to get, so I canceled it, but well do it in the future, Trump said in the Oval Office on Wednesday.

In August, Trump and Putin shared their first in-person meeting since 2019, joining forces for a high-stakes summit in Alaska. But the two failed to reach a deal during the sit-down, which ended earlier than expected.

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Read More: Trump Says No Deal Reached With Putin

Meanwhile, Russia has responded furiously to the new sanctions.

The decisions taken are an act of war against Russia. And now Trump is fully in solidarity with crazy Europe, said former President Dmitry Medvedev via Telegram on Thursday.

Heres what to know about the latest measures placed upon Russia:

What sanctions has the U.S. imposed on Russia?

The measures taken by the Trump Administration against Moscow focus specifically on Russian oil companies, in particular the largest two in the country, Open Joint Stock Company Rosneft Oil Company (Rosneft) and Lukoil OAO.

The Treasury is also imposing sanctions on over 30 subsidiaries of Rosneft and Lukoil, all of which are majority owned by the Russian oil giants, which Bessent says are funding the Kremlins war machine.

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Trump called the sanctions tremendous in the Oval Office on Wednesday, during a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. We hope that they won't be on for long. We hope that the war will be settled," said Trump. We would like to see them [Russia] just take the line that has been formed over a long period of time and go home.

Trump did not clarify if this was in reference to a border proposal within Ukraine or a figurative line in terms of a cease-fire agreement.

The sanctions mean that all property in the U.S. owned by the companies, their subsidiaries, or persons within the companies are blocked and must be reported to the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

Any violation of the sanctions from U.S. or foreign nationals, as well as institutions that engage in certain activities with the sanctioned companies may receive civil or criminal penalties.

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Also at risk of sanctions by OFAC are foreign financial institutions that conduct or facilitate significant transactions or provide any service involving Russias military-industrial base.

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky has welcomed the U.S. sanctions, referring to them as a clear signal that prolonging the war and spreading terror comes at a cost.

Zelensky went on to thank Trump and his Administration for their efforts. It is precisely pressure on Russia that will be effective for achieving peace, and sanctions are one of its key components, he said.

The U.S. sanctions are considered to be exclusively counterproductive, said Russias Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova on Thursday, who insisted that Russia has a strong immunity to Western sanctions.

What sanctions has the European Union imposed on Russia?

Sanctions imposed on Thursday by the European Council cover a much broader set of sectors and issues regarding the war in Ukraine. There are measures against the energy, military, and financial sectors of Russia, as well as specific targets against those believed to be involved in the abduction of Ukrainian children.

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The E.U. is banning imports of Russian Liquified Natural Gas (LNQ), starting January 2027 for long-term contracts and within six months for short-term contracts. This builds on top of the pre-existing sanctions on Russian companies Rosneft and Gazprom.

There are also sanctions included in the package against two Chinese refineries and an oil trading firm that the E.U. says are significant buyers of Russian crude oil.

An additional 117 vessels owned by Russian oil companies or those carrying their products will be subject to a port access ban and a ban on the provision of a broad range of services related to maritime transport, bringing the total number of designated vessels to 557.

The E.U. is also widening its levies on five additional Russian banks involved in the trade of a crypto currency A7A5. As of now, eight banks and oil traders from Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, the UAE, and Hong Kong that circumvent E.U. sanctions are subject to a transaction ban.

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Restrictions are also being imposed on maintaining economic relationships with entities active in nine Russian special economic zones. These zones are central to Russias industrial and technological capacity, hosting enterprises engaged in the production or development of goods contributing to the Russian war effort, according to the E.U.

Arms producers in the UAE and China are being targeted among others for their supply of military goods to Russia.

The E.U. has agreed to expand its existing export ban, to include electronic components, rangefinders, and additional chemicals that are used in the manufacturing of military goods and systems.

The European Council has also announced, as part of the sanctions, further measures against those believed to be involved in the abduction of Ukrainian children. 11 individuals are being sanctioned, and a new criteria for identifying others potentially involved has been introduced.

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Russia has reportedly referred to the expansion of European sanctions against Moscow as "largely exhausted."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the measures were keeping the pressure high on Russia. For the first time we are hitting Russias gas sectorthe heart of its war economy. We will not relent until the people of Ukraine have a just and lasting peace, said von der Leyen.

Zelensky met with President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, on Thursday, and gave his thanks to Europe for what he called a very important decision regarding the latest sanctions.

We must not only defend ourselves but, together with all of Europe and the United States, put pressure on Putin to stop this war, said Zelensky, adding that unified action is what will help compel Russia to end its aggression.

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The Ukrainian President is currently in Brussels to discuss the possibility of using Russian central banks frozen assets to fund Ukraine's defense efforts, which he described as fully legal and fair and based on the model of reparations.

Some in Europe have been sceptical of the legality of the proposal, including Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever. If you make such a decision, it seems obvious to me that you need to know the legal basis and ensure that it is solid. Until then, I will not budge, he told reporters on Thursday, after previously rejecting the idea.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
President Donald Trumps demolition of the White Houses East Wing is deeply unpopular with many Americans but it isnt the first time the former real estate mogul has bulldozed a historic site to make way for new construction.

The presidents decision to knock down the storied East Wing to build a massive, $250 million ballroom comes decades after he made an enemy out of New York Citys Metropolitan Museum of Art during one of his earliest developments.

In 1979, Trump received approval from the city to purchase the Bonwit Teller building, an Art Deco mainstay on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, which would eventually be demolished for a 68-story, mixed-use property now known as Trump Tower, Forbes reported.

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Trump recalled that the Metropolitan Museum of Art asked him to donate several friezes from the 1929 building before it was razed, in his 1987 book, The Art of the Deal.

The real estate developer agreed that he would save two, 15-foot Art Deco sculptures of nearly nude goddesses, as well as a 15- foot by 25-foot, nickel-plated grille, from the condemned buildings facade.

Trump was in his early 30s when he tore down the Art Deco building on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan and built Trump Tower in its place (Getty)

Long before President Donald Trump decided to tear down the East Wing and build a ballroom, he angered New Yorks Metropolitan Museum of Art by demolishing valuable finishings from a historic Art Deco building (US Pool)

I said that if the friezes could be saved, Id be happy to donate them to the museum, Trump wrote.

However, a year later, the sculptures were smashed by jackhammers and the grillwork went missing, Preservation News, a publication of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, reported in 1980.

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Trump claimed at the time that he had the friezes torn down after he was told their heavy weight would require special scaffolding for safetys sake, thus delaying his project by several weeks.

I just wasnt prepared to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars to save a few Art Deco sculptures that I believed were worth considerably less, and perhaps not very much at all, Trump later wrote in The Art of the Deal.

At the time, the decision drew the ire of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, with the board of trustees then telling the New York Times: Can you imagine the museum accepting them if they were not of artistic merit?

Todays estimated value of the Bonwit Teller sculptures and grille that Trump destroyed is $845,00, according to Forbes.

President Donald Trump made an enemy out of the Metropolitan Museum of Art when constructing Trump Tower in the late 70s (AFP via Getty Images)

The East Wing of the White House being demolished this week as crews work to build a new ballroom at the behest of President Trump (REUTERS)

The Bonwit Teller department store worked with world-famous artists, including Spanish surrealist Salvador Dali, who regularly decorated the windows, and Andy Warhol, before his career took off, according to ArtNet.

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The architect who designed Trump Tower, Der Scutt, had hoped to incorporate the Art Deco designs into the new lobby, but Trump overruled him, according to Preservation News.

Snubbing the Met did serious damage to Trumps reputation in New York intellectual circles, according to the outlet. He expressed regret over his decision to destroy the artworks, years later.

Looking back, I regret that I had the sculptures destroyed, Trump wrote in The Art of the Deal.

He continued: Im not convinced they were truly valuable, and I still think that a lot of my critics were phonies and hypocrites, but I understand now that certain events can take on a symbolic importance. Frankly, I was too young, and perhaps in too much of a hurry, to take that into account.

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A New York Times article in 1980, about the incident, quoted Trump. There is nothing I would like to do more than give something to a museum Ive always been interested in art, he told the paper at the time.

The Times noted that Trump had no artwork in his Manhattan office, apart from illustration of Trump Tower, hanging on one of the walls.

If that isnt art, then I dont know what is, Trump said at the time.

The tearing down of the East Wing of the White House has angered and shocked preservationists, and large numbers of the public (AP)

Construction on the 90,000 sq ft White House ballroom began earlier this week with significant demolition and heavy machinery pictured at the East Wing.

Trump had previously said that the new ballroom would be connected to the main White House residence through what he described as a knockout panel in the East Room.

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But on Wednesday, he had an update. In order to do it properly, we had to take down the existing structure, the president said.

The entire East Wing was set to be demolished within days, Trump administration officials also told NBC News.

The 90,000 square-foot ballroom will cost an estimated $300 million - $100 million more than Trump initially said.

Nobodys actually seen anything quite like it, Trump told reporters Wednesday in the Oval Office.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that works to save historic landmarks, has requested the Trump administration pause demolition until plans for the proposed ballroom go through the legally required public review process.

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While new construction of federal buildings must be vetted by the National Capital Planning Commission board, the Trump-appointed head of that panel said in September that the demolition work falls outside the boards jurisdiction and can proceed without the need for approval.

The ballroom plans havent landed well with many Americans, according to recent polling. A YouGov poll conducted Tuesday revealed that 53 percent disapproved of demolishing part of the East Wing for the renovation.
The Turkiye Wealth Fund (TVF), which manages strategic partnerships of state-owned enterprises, has so far invested $13 billion. With 34 companies operating in strategic sectors such as finance, technology, telecommunications, transportation, logistics, energy, mining, food, and agriculture  along with 2 licenses and 46 properties under its umbrella  the Fund holds total assets worth 12.7 trillion Turkish lira. As Turkiyes largest holding company and the biggest investor on Borsa ?stanbul with its publicly listed companies valued at $25 billion, TVF is preparing to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

At a roundtable meeting in Istanbul, Turkiye Wealth Fund CEO Arda Ermut shared insights into the Funds contribution to the national economy, its ongoing projects, and its growing global profile. Joined by Deputy CEO Mahmut Kayac?k, Ermut emphasized that TVF, with $360 billion in total assets, now ranks among the worlds top ten sovereign wealth funds.

We have substantial cash reserves, Ermut noted. Its gratifying to see that weve transitioned from being a fund that seeks investment opportunities to one that now receives investment offers. Were getting many proposals from both domestic and international investors, and we are evaluating all of them carefully.

Providing details on the operations of the Turkiye Technology Fund (TTF)  a venture capital initiative launched from scratch  Ermut said:

Rather than investing directly in startups, TTF operates as a fund of funds, investing in venture capital and private equity funds. Its mission is to catalyze the development of Turkiyes capital markets and deepen its entrepreneurship ecosystem. Over the past two years, TTF has committed over $100 million across more than ten funds. These include not only Turkiye-based funds but also well-established, internationally recognized ones.

Ermut highlighted particular interest in petrochemical and mining investments, noting that Turkiye Maden currently holds 25 licenses.

Drilling and geological studies totaling 300,000 meters have been completed across four priority sites, he said. In Bal?kesirs ?vrindi district, we discovered gold reserves worth $2.5 billion, while in Kastamonus Ta?kopru region, we found high-grade copper deposits. Our goal is to channel all of these resources into the national economy.

Deputy CEO Mahmut Kayac?k noted that the Funds equity grew by 16 percent last year, surpassing 2 trillion lira, while 2024 results included 548 billion lira in operating profit and 371 billion lira in net profit.

Since 2024, TVF has secured $5.3 billion in financing, Kayac?k said. More than $4.5 billion of this came from international markets, while $1.8 billion was raised through Islamic finance instruments.

Arda Ermut also underlined efforts to produce domestically the core chemical and plastic raw materials that Turkiye currently imports.

Turkiyes average annual import bill for petrochemical products stands at around $25 billion, while domestic production meets less than 10 percent of demand, he explained. Land surveys have been completed, and discussions with both domestic and international strategic partners are ongoing.

Within the framework of the Eastern Mediterranean Petrochemical Project, TVF plans to use approximately 4 million tons of naphtha and 1.3 million tons of LPG annually to produce 4.1 million tons of marketable petrochemical products.

Once the project, which is planned to be established in the ?skenderun Gulf region, is completed, we aim to reduce imports in these product categories by about 50 percent, Ermut said.

Through these strategic investments, Turkiye Wealth Fund aims to strengthen national industry, reduce import dependency, and elevate Turkiyes position as a global economic actor on the eve of its 10th anniversary.
MISSOURI  President Donald Trump announced that the state of Missouri will be receiving $2.5 million for individual assistance following the severe weather events that happened earlier this year.

I told (Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe) that I am approving $2.5 million dollars in individual assistance after severe storms, high winds, large hail, flash flooding, and tornadoes, which occurred earlier this year, Trump wrote on Truth Social Wednesday afternoon.

One of the most notable weather disasters the city of St. Louis saw in 2025 was the May 16 tornado. The tornado resulted in five deaths, as well as an estimated $1.6 billion in damages.

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Kehoe thanked Trump on social media, saying additional assistance will come to Southeast Missouri. FOX 2 reached out to the governors office regarding whether the funds would also go to St. Louis.

The teams of U.S. Senators Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt were also contacted. Trump concluded his statement, expressing gratitude to Missouri, the state he won in all three (2016, 2020, 2024) elections.

It is my Honor to deliver for these incredible Patriots, Trump concluded.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
President Donald Trump received his lowest approval rating yet on the top issues voters elected him to fix, according to the newly released Quinnipiac University poll.

The poll, released Wednesday, showed 38% of voters approved of Trumps handling of the economy, while 57% disapproved and 5% had no opinion. Quinnipiac noted that Trumps approval rating on the economy is the lowest score he has received since the start of his first term in February 2017, which is when the pollster started asking the question.

Trumps previous low on the economy was just last month, when 39% of voters approved of his handling of the issue.

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With a nearly 20-point gap between approval and disapproval on President Trumps handling of the economy, its a low water mark for a president who promised a vibrant and muscular economy, Quinnipiac University Polling analyst Tim Malloy said in the press release.

The poll also found Trump received low marks on his handling of several other issues, including the military and the Russia-Ukraine war. His approval rating for the handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict skyrocketed in this months poll after he announced a peace agreement to halt the fighting in the region.

Approval for President Trumps handling of the Israel - Hamas conflict leaps as hostages are released and a fragile ceasefire holds. But the optimism is tempered by voters concerns that the promise of peace may just be temporary, Malloy said.

Here are Trumps marks on those key issues:

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Military: 43% approved and 52% disapproved.

Russia-Ukraine war: 36% approved and 54% disapproved.

Israel-Hamas conflict: 47% approved and 41% disapproved.

Overall, Trump received a 40% approval rating and a 54% disapproval rating.

The poll also asked respondents whether Republicans or Democrats were to blame for the ongoing government shutdown. It found that 45% of voters believe Republicans in Congress are more responsible, while 39% said Democrats were more responsible. Another 11% of voters said both parties are equally responsible for the shutdown.

The poll was conducted among 1,327 registered voters from Oct. 1620. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.

Stories by Lauren Sforza

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President Donald Trump on Thursday insisted that he could continue to launch strikes against alleged drug traffickers abroad without Congress first passing an official declaration of war.

Im not going to necessarily ask for a declaration of war, he said. I think were just doing to kill people that are bringing drugs into our country. Okay? Were going to kill them, you know, theyre going to be like, dead.

Trumps dismissal came as he suggested his administration would soon begin targeting those deemed as cartel members within countries like Venezuela, in addition to continuing to strike alleged drug boats in international waters.

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The president said he would notify Congress first before beginning any operations on land, but contended that the plan would not face any pushback from lawmakers.

We going to go. I dont see any loss in going to Congress, Trump said. Were going to tell them what were going to do and I think theyll probably like it, except for the radical left lunatics.

The lethal strikes on vessels in the Caribbean and east Pacific have unnerved some lawmakers, given the little evidence the administration has presented proving that the targets were so-called narco-terrorists.

On Thursday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth insisted that the military has confirmed that each targeted boat is trafficking drugs. Still, he defended the decision to return two survivors of a recent strike as standard practice in war.

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Compared to Iraq and Afghanistan, the vast majority of people that we captured on the battlefield we handed over to the home country, he said, referencing the US wars in the Middle East. So in this case, those two, they were treated by American medics and handed immediately over to their countries where they came from.

Trumps remarks come as an American B-1 Lancer bomber flew near the coast of Venezuela on Thursday, although the president denied that the US sent the B-1 bomber.

No, its not accurate. No. Its false. But were not happy with Venezuela for a lot of reasons. Drugs being one of them, but also theyve been sending their prisoners into our country for years under the Biden administration, not anymore, we have a closed border, Trump said.

The aircraft first appeared on flight-tracking dashboards southwest of the Dallas Fort Worth area around 4:30 a.m. ET on Thursday and at its closest point was a little more than 50 miles from the Venezuelan mainland.

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About nine hours later, open-source flight data showed the bomber reappearing for around 15 minutes within Venezuelas flight information region (FIR)  an area where air traffic control is provided by Venezuelan authorities.

However, it was not immediately clear whether the plane  which was accompanied by a second aircraft during its appearance in the FIR  entered Venezuelan airspace.

CNN has reached out to the Defense Department for comment.

The flight comes as tensions continue to rise between the two countries following the deployment of US warships to the Caribbean on what Washington has said is part of a counter-drug trafficking campaign but Caracus fears is a cover for regime change.

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Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Wednesday claimed his country had 5,000 Russian-made Igla-S anti-aircraft missiles in key air defense positions.

The missiles are short-range, low-altitude systems that can shoot down small aerial targets such as cruise missiles, drones and low-flying planes. While B-1s can fly at altitudes as high as 60,000 feet they can also operate as low as 200 feet above the ground.

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President Donald Trump announced Thursday he would be backing off his planned deployment of federal troops to San Francisco after speaking with the citys mayor.

Trump said in a Truth Social post that his friends in the San Francisco area told him not to send the National Guard to the Democratic-led city. He said after speaking with San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, he will give the city a chance to address crime rates before sending in federal troops.

The Federal Government was preparing to surge San Francisco, California, on Saturday, but friends of mine who live in the area called last night to ask me not to go forward with the surge in that the Mayor, Daniel Lurie, was making substantial progress. I spoke to Mayor Lurie last night and he asked, very nicely, that I give him a chance to see if he can turn it around, Trump wrote on Truth Social.

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I told him I think he is making a mistake, because we can do it much faster, and remove the criminals that the Law does not permit him to remove. I told him, Its an easier process if we do it, faster, stronger, and safer but, lets see how you do? The people of San Francisco have come together on fighting Crime, especially since we began to take charge of that very nasty subject, he said.

Great people like Jensen Huang, Marc Benioff, and others have called saying that the future of San Francisco is great. They want to give it a shot. Therefore, we will not surge San Francisco on Saturday. Stay tuned! he added.

Lurie said in a statement on social media platform X that he spoke with Trump about the city, telling the president that having the military and militarized immigration enforcement in our city will hinder our recovery.

We appreciate that the president understands that we are the global hub for technology, and when San Francisco is strong, our country is strong. In that conversation, the president told me clearly that he was calling off any plans for a federal deployment in San Francisco. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem reaffirmed that direction in our conversation this morning, he wrote.

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Trumps now-abandoned plans came after California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) threatened to sue the administration if it sends the National Guard to San Francisco. Newsom has railed against Trumps deployment of the National Guard to Democratic-led cities, including Los Angeles, for months.

Deploying troops into our cities with no justification grounded in reality, no oversight, no accountability, and no respect for state sovereignty is a direct assault on the rule of law. If Donald Trump invades our state again, California will sue immediately, Newsom wrote in a Tuesday post on X.

Newsoms press office celebrated Trumps decision to not deploy the National Guard to the state again.

Trump has finally, for once, listened to reason  and heard what we have been saying from the beginning. The Bay Area is a shining example of what makes California so special, and any attempt to erode our progress would damage the work weve done. We will continue to monitor for any concerns in the region as the days progress, the press office wrote in a statement on X.

Stories by Lauren Sforza

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Investing.com -- U.S. President Donald Trump will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping next week as part of his upcoming trip to Asia, the White House announced Thursday.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump will depart for Malaysia late Friday night, with his itinerary including stops in multiple Asian countries.

The meeting with Xi is scheduled for Thursday in South Korea, according to the White House.

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Trumps Asia trip also includes meetings with other regional leaders. On Tuesday, he will meet with the new Japanese Prime Minister, and on Wednesday, he will hold talks with South Koreas leader.

Confirmation of the on-again-off-again talks between the two major trade counterparts was a relief to U.S. markets.

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White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Thursday outlined President Donald Trump's upcoming trip to Asia -- which includes a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Trump is scheduled to depart for the trip on Friday night and will make stops in Malaysia, Japan and South Korea.

Trump reverses decision to send troops to San Francisco after conversation with mayor

Trump will meet with Xi next Thursday in Busan, South Korea on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit, Leavitt said during Thursday's White House press briefing.

Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: China's President Xi Jinping shakes hands with US President Donald Trump before a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Osaka, June 29, 2019.

The meeting comes after Trump announced earlier this month that he would implement new 100% tariffs on imports from China.

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Trump's Asai trip kicks off with a stop in Malaysia, Leavitt said.

"Tomorrow night at 11 p.m., the president will depart the White House to fly to Malaysia, where he will arrive on Sunday morning local time. It's a long flight," Leavitt said during the White House press briefing Thursday. "President Trump will participate in a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Malaysia in the afternoon, and then he will attend the ASEAN leaders' working dinner that evening."

Leavitt said that on Monday morning local time, Trump will fly to Tokyo followed by a bilateral meeting with Sanae Takaichi, the new prime minister of Japan.

Trump will then fly to Buscan, where he will participate in a bilateral meeting with Lee Jae Myung, the president of South Korea, Leavitt said.

Jonathan Ernst/Reuters - PHOTO: White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during a press briefing at the White House, Oct. 23, 2025, in Washington.

Lastly, Trump will participate in the bilateral meeting with Xi before returning to Washington, Leavitt said.

The pair has met in the past -- holding a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summer in Osaka in 2019.
President Donald Trump will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in South Korea on Oct. 30, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday.

The president will participate in a bilateral meeting with the Chinese leader at the end of a trip through three countries in Asia. She did not provide any details on the content of the meeting.

While Trump said weeks ago that he would meet with Xi at the APEC summit, no date had been announced. The meeting would be Thursday morning local time in Busan, South Korea.

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On Wednesday, Trump predicted that the two leaders would come to agreements on everything from trade to nuclear power. He also plans to address Chinas purchase of Russian oil.

Trade tensions between the two nations have flared in recent weeks after Trump announced 100 percent tariffs on Chinese exports, which are set to take effect two days after the leaders meet. Trumps pledge came after China announced newly imposed export-controls on rare earth metals and related technology in electronics and military goods.

The new U.S. tariffs would be over and above any Tariff that China is already paying, Trump wrote in a social media post earlier this month.Trump added Wednesday that his priority is to end Russias war in Ukraine. Xi would now like to see that war end, the president said.

It will be the first in-person meeting between the leaders since 2019, when the two met in Japan at the G20 summit.

Leavitt added that Trump will also participate in bilateral meetings with the leaders of Malaysia, Japan and South Korea during the trip.
Donald Trump said he was considering asking Israel to free Marwan Barghouti, the imprisoned Palestinian leader who is seen by his supporters as their best chance of building an independent state.

The 66-year-old has been held by Israel since 2002, when he was arrested during the Second Intifada, and convicted of taking part in deadly attacks.

His future is now back in the headlines, billed as a figure who could fill a leadership vacuum in Gaza following the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel.

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I was literally being confronted with that question about 15 minutes before you called, Mr Trump told Time magazine in an interview published on Thursday. So Ill be making a decision.

Barghouti was not among the prisoners that Israel agreed to release this month in exchange for hostages under the Gaza ceasefire deal, despite Hamas officials reportedly calling for his freedom.

The deal specifies that Hamas will disarm and will have no future role in governing Gaza.

That brings Barghouti, a senior figure in Fatah, the main secular rival to Hamas, back into the equation.

Barghouti was convicted of taking part in deadly attacks - Bernat Armangue/AP

He has always denied the charges against him. In 2004 he was sentenced to five life terms for helping plan terror attacks that killed five people in Israel.

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But he frequently tops polls of the most popular Palestinian leader.

Against that backdrop, Ron Lauder, a major Jewish American community leader and a close friend of Mr Trump, has privately lobbied for his release.

Mr Lauder, who acts as an informal adviser to the US president on Israel, reportedly offered to travel to negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to make the case that Israel should include the Fatah leader among prisoners being exchanged for the remaining hostages held by Hamas.

The Times of Israel reported that Mr Lauder argued that Barghouti should be exiled outside the Palestinian territories. However, the idea was vetoed by Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister.

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Barghoutis popularity could make him a powerful rallying figure for the cause of a two-state solution, and supporters see him as their own Nelson Mandela.

And he would offer more dynamic leadership than Mahmoud Abbas, the ageing and unpopular leader of the Palestinian Authority, who runs parts of the West Bank.

A mural depicting Barghouti in Bethlehem - Mahmoud Illean/AP

Now, the idea is in Mr Trumps inbox.

The question is a sign of how Mr Trump must now grapple with some of the dilemmas stemming from his 20-point peace plan.

He predicted that the next phase of stabilising the Middle East would come with Saudi Arabia and Israel normalising relations through the Abraham Accords.

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I think were very close, he said. I think Saudi Arabia is going to lead the way.

I have great respect and like for the king, as you know, we have a great relationship, and I think Saudi Arabia will lead the way toward the Abraham Accords.

Pressed on timing, Mr Trump said he believed Saudi Arabia would sign the accords by the end of the year.

He said no one could be sure whether this would be a lasting realignment in the region or a temporary shift while he was in office.

But I can say this, I have more than three years left. Thats a long time. While Im there, its going to only get better and stronger, and its going to be perfect, he said.

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Meanwhile, JD Vance, the vice-president, winding down a three-day visit to Israel, said on Thursday that Gaza reconstruction in areas free of Hamas could begin soon.

We could start reconstruction of the areas that are free of Hamas very quickly. We think that we could potentially get hundreds of thousands of Gazans living in that area very quickly, he said. But again, this is all still pretty early. But thats the basic idea.

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By Steven Scheer and Pesha Magid

JERUSALEM (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump is considering whether to urge Israel to release popular Palestinian political figure Marwan Barghouti, jailed for more than 20 years and repeatedly denied his freedom by Israel.

"I am literally being confronted with that question about 15 minutes before you called," Trump told Time in an interview published on Thursday. "That was the question. That was my question of the day. So I'll be making a decision."

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In an October 15 Time interview released on Thursday, Trump said the Palestinians don't have a visible leader. He was responding to a question whether Barghouti could unite Palestinians behind a two-state solution and whether he should be released from prison despite Israel's refusal.

Barghouti, 66, was sentenced in 2004 to five life sentences and 40 years in jail after a court convicted him of orchestrating ambushes and suicide attacks on Israelis during the second Palestinian Intifada, or uprising. He has denied the charges.

As a leader of the 2000 uprising against Israel, Barghouti has maintained good relations with rival leaders from Hamas and other factions and enjoys great respect and admiration among leaders and grassroots of the Fatah movement in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Many in Fatah draw a likeness between him and the late Palestinian president Yasser Arafat.

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In a 20-point, multi-phase plan, Trump this month orchestrated a ceasefire deal to end the two-year war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas that involved Israel receiving 20 remaining living hostages held in Gaza in exchange for the release of some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Israel has so far also received the remains of 15 of 28 deceased hostages.

To ensure the ceasefire holds despite lingering violence, a number of top U.S. officials have visited Israel the past 10 days, led by Trump last week, followed by his envoy Steve Witkoff and former Trump envoy Jared Kushner. Vice President JD Vance was in Israel this week, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived on Thursday.

Two recently released Palestinian prisoners said that eight Israeli security personnel beat Barghouti unconscious during a prison transfer on September 14. The prisoners, who were in solitary confinement and did not directly witness the assault, said they had spoken to Barghouti shortly after the attack. Reuters was unable to independently verify their accounts.

The Israel Prison Service called the assertions "fake" and said it "operates in accordance with the law, while ensuring the safety and health of all inmates."

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In August, Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir shared a video showing him visiting Barghouti in prison and telling him, "You will not win."

Who will govern the Palestinians is a key question.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, 89, controls parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank but Hamas runs Gaza, which has been devastated during the war. Abbas was elected in 2005 to a four-year term but subsequent elections have been repeatedly postponed.

Trump, Israel and many Western and Arab allies want Hamas -- whose October 7, 2023, raid into Israel triggered the war -- to relinquish power and disarm.

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A number of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right coalition partners, including Ben-Gvir, have pushed for annexation of the West Bank but Trump is opposed.

"It won't happen. It won't happen. It wont happen because I gave my word to the Arab countries. And you can't do that now," Trump said in the interview. "We've had great Arab support. It won't happen because I gave my word to the Arab countries... Israel would lose all of its support from the United States if that happened."

On Wednesday, a bill led by Israeli opposition members but backed by ultranationalists Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, was approved by a 25-24 vote in Israel's 120-seat parliament. Netanyahu's office said the vote was a "deliberate political provocation" that aimed to sow division during Vance's visit.

Netanyahu's Likud party did not vote for the bill, it said, adding that without its support, attempts to legislate the annexation of the West Bank were "unlikely to go anywhere."

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Vance said: "If it was a political stunt, it is a very stupid one, and I personally take some insult to it."

(Reporting by Steven Scheer and Pesha Magid; Additional reporting by Alexander Cornwell and Nidal al-Mughrabi; Editing by Howard Goller)
For the second time in the last few weeks, the Republican Party is dealing with the fallout of racist text messages being made public. This time, President Donald Trumps nominee to lead a major government watchdog agency has dropped out after multiple racist texts have been made public.

Nominee withdraws after racist, offensive messages leaked

Paul Ingrassia, Trumps nominee to lead the Office of Special Counsel, announced Tuesday evening that he was withdrawing his nomination. I will be withdrawing myself from Thursdays HSGAC hearing to lead the Office of Special Counsel because unfortunately I do not have enough Republican votes at this time, Ingrassia explained in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. He continued by saying, I appreciate the overwhelming support that I have received throughout this process and will continue to serve President Trump and this administration to Make America Great Again!

I will be withdrawing myself from Thursdays HSGAC hearing to lead the Office of Special Counsel because unfortunately I do not have enough Republican votes at this time.



I appreciate the overwhelming support that I have received throughout this process and will continue to  Paul Ingrassia (@PaulIngrassia) October 21, 2025

The announcement came after Politico published a series of racist texts sent by Ingrassia in a group chat with several other Republican figures. In one text, Ingrassia criticized Martin Luther King Jr., saying, MLK Jr. was the 1960s George Floyd and his holiday should be ended and tossed into the seventh circle of hell where it belongs. Ingrassia used an Italian slur for Black people in another text, saying, no moulignon holidays  From kwanza to mlk jr day to black history month to Juneteenth. He said of the holidays, Every single one needs to be eviscerated. In another text, Ingrassia said, I do have a Nazi streak in me from time to time, I will admit it; other participants on the chat said they did not interpret the comment as a joke at the time. Elsewhere in the message chain, he responded with Lmao when someone in the chain referred to him as Paul Adolf Ingrassia.

Growing scandals for Ingrassia, GOP

Ingrassia was initially defensive in the face of the leaked messages. Through his lawyer Edward Andrew Paltzik, Ingrassia both questioned the authenticity of the messages (which Politico confirmed with other participants in the chat) and claimed that the comments read as self-deprecating and satirical humor making fun of the fact that liberals outlandishly and routinely call MAGA supporters Nazis. But with confirmation hearings set to begin later this week, Ingrassia decided to withdraw after several GOP senators, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune, indicated that they would not support his nomination to lead the Office of Special Counsel, which protects government whistleblowers, among other functions.

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Ingrassias scandal comes just after multiple leaders of the Young Republicans were exposed as having shared racist and offensive messages in a separate text scandal. And Ingrassias nomination was being questioned, even by some Republicans, before his messages leaked. Politico previously reported that Ingrassia had been investigated for possible sexual harassment of a colleague, though it noted that the woman involved later withdrew her complaint. Ingrassia, who is 30 years old, had also been criticized for his relative lack of experience compared to other recent officials to lead the Office of Special Counsel. Even after Ingrassias withdrawal, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called for Trump to immediately fire Ingrassia from his current position as White House liaison to the Department of Homeland Security.

This isnt anywhere near enough. Trump has to fire him immediately. https://t.co/XR5KU4aOPY  Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) October 22, 2025

For now, there is no word on whether Ingrassia will continue to represent the White House to DHS. But it is now clear that he will not fight to save his embattled nomination to lead a major government watchdog agency, and his withdrawal adds to the fallout that the GOP is facing from a widening series of scandals involving racist and offensive messages that Republicans have shared with one another.







The post Trump Nominee Called MLK 1960s George Floyd, Said Hoilday Should Be In Seventh Circle Of Hell In Texts appeared first on Blavity.
U.S. President Donald Trump has pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, the White House confirmed to Decrypt on Thursday, marking the latest clemency for the digital asset industry from the crypto-friendly administration.

Zhao, also known as "CZ," resigned his position as Binance's CEO in 2023 as part of a plea bargain that sent him to jail for four months in 2024 at a minimum security prison in Lompoc, California.

The crypto mogul had pleaded guilty to violating U.S. laws against money laundering at the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange. The Wall Street Journal first reported news of the pardon.

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President Trump exercised his constitutional authority by issuing a pardon for Mr. Zhao, who was prosecuted by the Biden Administration in their war on cryptocurrency," White House Press Secretary Karoline Levitt told Decrypt. "In their desire to punish the cryptocurrency industry, the Biden Administration pursued Mr. Zhao despite no allegations of fraud or identifiable victims."

"The Biden Administration sought to imprison Mr. Zhao for three years, a sentence so outside sentencing guidelines that even the Judge said he had never heard of this in his 30-year career," she continued. "These actions by the Biden Administration severely damaged the United States reputation as a global leader in technology and innovation. The Biden Administrations war on crypto is over.

Zhao founded Binance in July 2017 following an initial coin offering that raised about $15 million. It soon after became the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and still holds that position.

But despite the brand's huge client base, Binance failed to comply with regulations, U.S. law enforcement said, allowing funds linked to virtual theft and terrorism to flow through its exchange undetected.

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Binance Founder CZ Says He Applied for President Trump Pardon

Americans were also able to use the exchangewhich allows people to buy, sell, and bet on the future price of major digital coins and tokenswhen they weren't supposed to.

Former CEO Zhao in 2023 was forced to step down from Binance as part of a $4.3 billion settlement between him, the exchange, and U.S. law officials.

Under Democratic President Joe Biden, regulators were tough on crypto companies, handing out fines and filing lawsuits against companies for violating securities laws.

But since President Trump returned to power in January, regulators have changed their tune towards the crypto space.

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President Trump campaigned on a ticket to help the industry and received billions of dollars in funding from Silicon Valley bigwigs.

Binance Offers Another $400M to Traders After Crypto Crash Triggers Record Liquidations

Since the Republican became president in January, the Securities and Exchange Commission has dropped a number of high-profile lawsuits filed during the Biden Administration against top crypto companies.

President Trump has also pardoned other crypto mogulssuch as BitMEX founder Arthur Hayes. Zhao confirmed in May that he was going through the official process of seeking a pardon, but denied speculation that he was offering equity in Binance.US to facilitate such a move.

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President Trump also has a long list of personal crypto ventures; his family has reportedly made $1 billion in profits from a number of digital asset businesses.

Zhao's exchange also has links to the President Trump-backed World Liberty Financial project: The project's USD1 stablecoin is available on a blockchain originally created by Binance, BNB Chain, and a $2 billion investment into Binance from Abu Dhabi-based sovereign wealth fund MGX was paid using the token.

Trump's political opponents have taken aim at the pardon since it was confirmed early Thursday.

First, Changpeng Zhao pleaded guilty to a criminal money laundering charge. Then he boosted one of Donald Trumps crypto ventures and lobbied for a pardon. Today, Donald Trump did his part and pardoned him," Senator Elizabeth Warren said in a statement shared with Decrypt. "If Congress does not stop this kind of corruption in pending market structure legislation, it owns this lawlessness.

Editor's note: This story was updated after publication with additional details.

Additional reporting by Sander Lutz
By Gram Slattery and Chris Prentice

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump has pardoned Changpeng Zhao, the convicted founder of the Binance cryptocurrency exchange, the White House said Thursday, in the latest move by Trump to boost the crypto industry and expunge its past misdeeds.

Zhao, a billionaire known as "CZ" who is one of the most influential figures in crypto, quit in 2023 as Binance chief after the company pleaded guilty to failing to maintain an effective anti-money laundering program and paid a penalty of $4.3 billion.

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Zhao was prosecuted by the Biden administration "in their war on cryptocurrency," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.

Since he returned to office, Trump's family has reaped millions of dollars from a variety of crypto ventures - moves criticized by political rivals and ethics experts citing the potential for conflicts of interest. The White House has denied those claims and on Thursday Leavitt said it carefully examined all pardons.

In a post on social media platform X, Zhao said he was "deeply grateful for todays pardon and to President Trump for upholding Americas commitment to fairness, innovation, and justice." He added: "Will do everything we can to help make America the Capital of Crypto."

FULL AND UNCONDITIONAL PARDON

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U.S. authorities said in 2023 that Binance had failed to report suspicious transactions with organizations including Hamas and al Qaeda and with websites dedicated to selling child sexual abuse materials.

Zhao, a citizen of Canada who was born in China, personally paid a $50 million fine and served nearly four months in prison last year after pleading guilty to the same charge as his company.

However, he kept his Binance stake, while one of his appointees was made chief executive.

"I made mistakes, and I must take responsibility," Zhao said when he stepped down.

The full and unconditional pardon could pave the way for him to return to the business he co-founded in 2017. It may also offer the chance for Binance to expand in the United States as the crypto industry booms under the Trump administration.

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A spokesperson for Binance, the world's largest crypto exchange by trading volumes, thanked Trump for his leadership.

News of the pardon, which Zhao told a podcaster in May he had been seeking, was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.

The U.S. Constitution gives the president broad power to issue pardons to wipe away federal criminal convictions, or commutations to modify sentences. Historically, presidents have largely waited until the end of their terms to use such powers, but there is no requirement that they do so.

During his second term, Trump has made sweeping use of his clemency powers and Zhao's is the latest in a series of pardons that Trump has granted to crypto executives and entrepreneurs, as well as others convicted of white-collar crimes.

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The crypto sector poured money into Trump's 2024 presidential campaign, during which the Republican candidate promised to end what he called a crackdown by the Biden administration on the industry.

SUPPORT FOR WORLD LIBERTY FINANCIAL

Binance itself this year offered support to one of the Trump family's crypto ventures, World Liberty Financial.

In May, Binance accepted World Liberty's USD1 stablecoin as payment for a $2 billion investment in the exchange by Abu Dhabi investment firm MGX. Binance's decision to accept USD1, which was launched only in March, provided a big boost to the World Liberty venture, and still accounts for most of the USD1 in circulation.

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Democratic U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, who previously criticized the MGX deal, said on Thursday: "First, Changpeng Zhao pleaded guilty to a criminal money laundering charge. Then he boosted one of Donald Trumps crypto ventures and lobbied for a pardon. Today, Donald Trump did his part and pardoned him."

A spokesperson for Binance declined to comment on Warren's criticism.

In March, the president pardoned the three co-founders of crypto exchange BitMEX who had pleaded guilty in 2022 for failing to implement a Bank Secrecy Act-compliant anti-money laundering program.

Trump also pardoned in January Ross Ulbricht, who was sentenced to life in prison for running the underground online marketplace Silk Road but remained a popular figure within the crypto community.

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Outside crypto, Trump has pardoned the founder of electric truck company Nikola, who was convicted of fraud, and commuted the sentence of the executive behind the now-defunct startup Ozy Media.

On his first day back in office, Trump pardoned approximately 1,500 individuals charged in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

(Reporting by Gram Slattery and Chris Prentice; additional reporting by Luc Cohen and Hannah Lang in New York; writing by Tom Wilson; editing by Rami Ayyub, Doina Chiacu, Michelle Price, and Daniel Wallis)
President Donald Trump said Thursday that he shelved plans to send U.S. troops to San Francisco, after he heard out appeals from two prominent tech executives urging him against it.

Trump had telegraphed his intention to send American soldiers to San Francisco, part of his widening threats to deploy the U.S. military in large cities.

"The Federal Government was preparing to 'surge' San Francisco, California, on Saturday, but friends of mine who live in the area called last night to ask me not to go forward with the surge in that the Mayor, Daniel Lurie, was making substantial progress," he wrote in a Truth Social post.

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Trump detailed a phone call he had with Lurie, the San Francisco mayor, in which he agreed to give the city more time to overcome "crime" without the involvement of the federal government. The president then cited Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff and Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang.

"Great people like Jensen Huang, Marc Benioff, and others have called saying that the future of San Francisco is great," Trump said. "They want to give it a 'shot.'"

The comments showcase the sizable influence that tech executives enjoy with Trump, particularly those who have aligned close to him.

Benioff, a major past Democratic donor, had recently endorsed Trump sending National Guard troops to San Francisco to reduce the city's crime rate. We dont have enough cops, so if they can be cops, Im all for it, Benioff told The New York Times earlier this month.

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The comments provoked a backlash that included criticism of Benioff from philanthropist Laurene Powell Jobs. Local officials in San Francisco also pushed back, pointing out the U.S. military is barred from being deployed in American cities to carry out law enforcement activities.

Meanwhile, Huang has aligned closely with Trump and praised the president for prioritizing the development of artificial intelligence. Earlier this year, Nvidia struck an extraordinary agreement with the Trump administration that would channel 15% of the revenue stemming from sales of the H20 microchip in China to the U.S. government.
By Jeff Mason, Tom Polansek and Leah Douglas

WASHINGTON/CHICAGO (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is quadrupling the country's low-tariff imports of Argentine beef in his attempt to lower grocery store beef prices, a White House official said on Thursday, evoking fury from the nation's cattle ranchers.

Raising the tariff rate quota on Argentine beef to 80,000 metric tons will let the country ship more of its beef to the U.S. at a lower rate of duty. U.S. beef prices have set records due to tight cattle supplies and strong consumer demand.

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Wednesday announced a plan to expand the domestic cattle herd and support American cattle ranchers. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins on Fox Business Network's "Mornings with Maria" said the administration was working to support both beef consumers and ranchers.

But hiking imports has angered U.S. ranchers, who largely supported Trump in his campaigns for president. They said the government should back U.S. producers and that increased imports threaten their livelihoods.

Farmers were also angered by Trump's $20 billion currency swap with Argentina while they lost out to the South American nation on soybean sales to China.

"A deal of this magnitude with Argentina would undercut the very foundation of our cattle industry," said Justin Tupper, a South Dakota cattle producer and president of the United States Cattlemen's Association.

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Rollins told Fox Business: "There is frustration on both sides. And I was with the president yesterday and he is very, very frustrated because (of) everything he's done to cut taxes, to bring down costs."

Economists said the administration's approach would probably not do much to lower prices quickly. U.S. cattle supplies have dropped to their lowest levels in decades after a drought burned up pasture lands used for grazing and hiked feeding costs, forcing ranchers to reduce their herds.

BEEF HEADED FOR HAMBURGERS

The U.S. imported about 33,000 metric tons of Argentine beef in 2024, representing 2% of total imports, according to government data.

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Those imports tend to be lean beef that is mixed with domestic supplies to make hamburger meat, and increasing the quota would not likely bring down consumer prices much, U.S. analysts said.

Some of the beef could be served at restaurants or mixed into other food products, which could help restaurant operators and food companies improve their margins, the analysts said.

Miguel Schiariti, president of Argentina's Meat Industry Chamber, CICCRA, told Reuters that meat exports to the U.S. consist of the country's traditional beef cuts and meat used in the hamburger industry to lower fat levels.

"It's good news for the industry," Schiariti said. "Argentine beef is highly valued in the U.S. It has very good press. Argentina is rebuilding its distribution chain in the United States."

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FARM-STATE LAWMAKERS WORRIED

Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota, a Republican, told reporters on Thursday that he was concerned about White House policy on Argentine beef and hopes to influence its implementation.

"We're paying close attention to it, and we've been in touch with the White House, Department of Agriculture, U.S. trade rep on all this stuff, trying to figure out where it's headed, Thune said.

Fellow Republican Representative Adrian Smith of Nebraska, a major cattle state, said in a Wednesday statement that he was also concerned about imports.

"Policy and statements which unduly influence and undermine the domestic cattle market threaten our domestic food security and are not helpful," Smith said.

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White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said Trump had pledged to protect ranchers and deliver economic relief for everyday Americans.

(Reporting by Jeff Mason, Susan Heavey, Leah Douglas and David Morgan in Washington, Tom Polansek in Chicago, and Maximilian Heath in Buenos Aires; Writing by Maiya Keidan; Editing by David Ljunggren and Bill Berkrot)
Some of Americas largest corporations are backing Donald Trumps $300 million ballroom.

With no warning, the president razed the White Houses East Wing this week to make way for his lavish project, destroying the portion of the building that has traditionally been the starting point for White House tours and served as the dedicated space for the first ladys offices.

Speaking with reporters in the Oval Office Wednesday, Trump said the 90,000-square-foot ballroom would be nearly twice the size of the White House, and quietly added $100 million on top of the projects previously announced price tag. He also swore that the government would not bear the cost of the gathering space, noting that it would be paid 100 percent by me and some friends of mine.

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Those friends include the likes of Apple, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta, according to a list released by the Trump administration of people and companies expected to attend a dinner about the construction project. Other stand-out names include the defense titan Palantir, cell service provider T-Mobile, and the names of some of the countrys wealthiest families.

Read the full list below.

Altria Group, Inc. Amazon Apple Booz Allen Hamilton Caterpillar, Inc. Coinbase Comcast Corporation J. Pepe and Emilia Fanjul Hard Rock International Google HP Inc. Lockheed Martin Meta Platforms Micron Technology Microsoft NextEra Energy, Inc. Palantir Technologies Inc. Ripple Reynolds American T-Mobile Tether America Union Pacific Railroad Adelson Family Foundation Stefan E. Brodie Betty Wold Johnson Foundation Charles and Marissa Cascarilla Edward and Shari Glazer Harold Hamm Benjamin Leon Jr. The Lutnick Family The Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Foundation Stephen A. Schwarzman Konstantin Sokolov Kelly Loeffler and Jeff Sprecher Paolo Tiramani Cameron Winklevoss Tyler Winklevoss

Donations are being managed by the Trust for the National Mall, a nonprofit that previously oversaw the restoration of the Washington Monument in the wake of the 2011 earthquake. Exactly how Trump will be aggregating the funds, however, is not totally clear. Some of the expected money will come by way of previous arrangements in Trumps settled lawsuits. Googles parent company, Alphabet, for instance, agreed to contribute $22 million to the ballrooms construction as recompense for banning Trump from YouTube in the fallout of the January 6 Capitol riot.

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At least one unlisted entity is already roped into the ballroom development plan, according to Trump: the U.S. military.

Were also working with the military on it because they want to make sure everything is perfect, Trump said. And the military is very much involved in this. They want to make sure everything is absolutely beautiful.
President Donald Trump wants to remind everybody that he won North Dakota THREE times as he approves $3 million in disaster funds after tornadoes and devastating floods struck the state.

Posting to Truth Social just after midnight on Thursday, Trump announced he was OKing $3 million in funding to assist the Flickertail State after it suffered major tornadoes and flooding.

I spoke with Governor Kelly Armstrong, and informed him of my approval of $3 Million Dollars to assist in the aftermath of the major tornadoes and flooding that occurred in the beautiful State of North Dakota, which I won THREE times in 2016, 2020, and 2024. The Great People of North Dakota will make that wonderful region stronger than ever before!

Screenshot

Back in June, North Dakota, as well as South Dakota, Montana, Minnesota and parts of Canada, were hit by a powerful derecho that spawned at least one tornado in North Dakota.

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That tornado, in the city of Enderlin, was classified as a rare EF5  one of the strongest twisters ever, the New York Times reported last week. Three elderly residents were killed.

The post Trump Reminds Everybody He Won North Dakota THREE Times  As He Approves $3M in Disaster Funds first appeared on Mediaite.




Air travelers with a gender-neutral "X" on their passports may now be asked to assign themselves "male" or "female," under a Trump Administration executive order that took effect this month.

The rule stems from a suite of hard-line gender prescriptions that President Donald Trump issued shortly after taking office in January, with the sweeping title of "Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government." It pertained to everything from prisons, to passports, to allocating federal funds for medical procedures.

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To comply with Executive Order 14168, U.S. Customs and Border Protection created new protocols for the advanced passenger information system it uses to communicate with individual airlines when they cross international borders. These guidelines were set to launch in July, but came with a 90 day grace period.

Airlines have long been required to submit information about the passengers on board before a plane enters the U.S. That information typically includes the sex designated on travelers' official documents, which, starting in 2022, could be classified with a letter other than "M" or "F."

Until now. In deference to Trump's order, Customs and Border Protection will no longer accept these expansive definitions of sex and gender. Travelers with a "sex indicator" that is not specifically male or female should just pick one, or allow the airline to choose. No airline will be penalized for arbitrarily selecting a sex that does not match what's on the passenger's passport, the guidelines say.

Notably, this presidential directive "does not govern the legality or validity of anybody's passport," said Carl Charles, counsel for the Southern Regional Office of Lambda Legal, an LGBTQ rights organization. Earlier this year, Lambda Legal sued the U.S. Department of State to block a similar Trump policy, also spawned from Executive Order 14168, that denies people their right to correct the gender listed on their passports.

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As of Wednesday morning, it was unclear to what extent airlines throughout the country were enforcing Trump's sex-assignment directive. Representatives of Airlines for America, a trade group that includes such major carriers as Delta, Alaska, United, American and Southwest, said in a statement that members "comply with all federal rules, regulations and executive orders, and are prepared to fully abide by the (executive order) regarding sex designations."

But LGBTQ civil rights watchdogs had not witnessed a high-profile confrontation at a border crossing, or any case of a person being denied entry to the U.S. based on the gender marker in their passport. To date, Charles has only one datapoint: a gender-nonconforming passenger who flew from South America to John F. Kennedy Airport in New York. That person "was not required to enter a sex marker" Charles said.

A spokesperson for San Francisco International Airport said the rule has so far not impacted operations at the major Bay Area hub.

Even so, Charles anticipates possible delays and confusion at international border crossings, particularly if someone walks up to a customs gate with a passport that doesn't match the "sex indicator" information provided by the airline.

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"This is just trying to make life difficult for trans, nonbinary and intersex people," Charles said, underscoring that people who do not fit the gender binary face these battles throughout the day.

"I don't want to minimize this," he said, adding that an arbitrary gender assignment creates a risk that people could be mistreated by border patrol agents, or mistakenly addressed as "sir," or "ma'am" when they pass through a gate.

With that said, the rule at least leaves one opening: nobody has to choose the gender they were assigned at birth.

This article originally published at New Trump rule may require airline travelers to assign themselves a gender.
The administration of President Donald Trump called for Russia to agree to an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing war with Ukraine on Wednesday, after unveiling new sanctions against major Russian oil companies.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent cited Russian President Vladimir Putins refusal to end this senseless war while announcing the sanctions against Rosneft and Lukoil and their subsidiaries. Bessent said the companies fund the Kremlin war machine.

Treasury is prepared to take further action if necessary to support President Trumps effort to end yet another war. We encourage our allies to join us in and adhere to these sanctions, he wrote.

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Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump hoped the sanctions would not last long and shared similar demands for a quick end to the war. His remarks came shortly after he cancelled a planned meeting with Putin, saying they would be a waste of time.

It just didnt feel right to me. It didnt feel like we were going to get to the place we have to get, he said. But well do it in the future.

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Trump said he hoped the sanctions would open Putin up to talking about concessions.

I always felt he wanted the full thing. I think now hes willing to negotiate a little bit further, Trump said. I think hes willing to make a deal. Well see. We dont want him to have the whole thing.

The post Trump sanctions Russian oil companies, calls for immediate ceasefire appeared first on Salon.com.
Donald Trump hit Russia with a new raft of sanctions targeting major oil companies on Wednesday in an apparent effort to strong-arm the Kremlin into sitting down for peace talks over Ukraine.

The new sanctions were unveiled one day after plans for a summit between Trump and Vladimir Putin fell apart, with the US leader expressing doubt in Russias commitment to ending the war.

The US Treasury Department said Russias two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, were targeted in a bid to damage Moscows ability to fund its war machine.

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The move was a sharp turnaround for Trump, who in recent days had been insisting upon Putins willingness to come to the negotiating table  while conceding that he might have been played.

With the announcement of sanctions, US Treasury secretary Scott Bessent said that it was time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire, as oil prices rose by more than $2 (1.50) a barrel.

Trump has resisted pressure from US lawmakers to extend sanctions, but acknowledged that he felt it was time, with little tangible progress made towards ending the war since he took office.

Trump and Putin met in August, but the historic summit failed to yield tangible results (Getty)

What do the sanctions target?

The sanctions blacklist Russias two largest oil producers, Rosneft and Lukoil, which between them export around 3.1 million barrels of oil every day.

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This amounts to almost half of Russias total crude-oil exports, according to Bloomberg. Taxes from the oil and gas industries prop up about a quarter of Russias federal budget.

The Russian economy relies on exports of fossil fuels to foreign buyers. China and India are among the biggest customers of Russian oil and gas.

China, which promptly denounced Trumps decision, imported some 100 million tonnes of Russian crude oil last year, accounting for around 20 per cent of its total energy imports.

Firefighters work to put out a fire caused by Russian drone strike in Kyiv (Reuters)

The risk for Russias customers is the threat of secondary penalties for dealing with sanctioned entities. Even though China and India, for example, are not explicitly targeted by the sanctions, they could find themselves shut out from Western banking systems, insurance or access to dollars for engaging with the companies.

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Increased energy prices will affect businesses, which will affect consumer prices.

The American sanctions align with the decision by EU countries to approve a 19th package of measures, including a ban on Russian liquefied natural gas imports, announced on Wednesday. The UK also hit Rosneft and Lukoil with sanctions last week.

Why has Trump sanctioned Russia now?

US lawmakers have been arguing for months that tough energy sanctions are needed to bend Russias arm and bring it to the negotiating table.

Trump had until now resisted the calls, hoping that he could get Putin to cut a deal through diplomatic means.

Since the disastrous summit with Zelensky in February, Ukraine has been careful to position itself close to Washington, while highlighting Russias lack of commitment.

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Trump appeared to acknowledge this after Russia doubled down on its maximalist aims in Ukraine.

Rosneft reservoirs in western Siberia pictured in 2006 (AP)

Every time I speak to Vladimir, I have good conversations and then they dont go anywhere. They just dont go anywhere, Trump said on Wednesday.

Bessent acknowledged that it was Putins refusal to end the senseless war that prompted the new sanctions.

Will the sanctions have any effect?

The experts say that the sanctions will hit oil profits, but they are unlikely to break Russias war machine.

Tom Keatinge, director of RUSIs Centre for Finance & Security, said: As Ukraine continues to inflict its own special kind of sanctions on Russias energy sector, the Trump administration has finally awoken.

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He indicated that Ukraines allies have until now been timid in bringing down the sanctions hammer on Russias main source of military revenue, oil.

Last week the UK moved against key Russian oil assets, yesterday it was the USs turn, and maybe the EU will finally do (almost) the right thing today. But when will the EU actually stop financing the Kremlins nightly attacks on Ukraine?

Ukrainian emergency workers search through the rubble at the site of a missile attack in Sumy (AFP/Getty)

Kimberly Donovan, a former White House and Treasury official and Atlantic Council expert, said she expected a direct and immediate impact on Russias oil profits and said the sanctions were significant due to the threat of secondary penalties.

Russias economy is in dire straits, and the Kremlin will be keen to avoid sanctions that could impact economic stability at home.

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Michael Raska, assistant professor at the Military Transformations Programme at Singapores Nanyang Technological University, told the BBC that the sanctions could force Russia into difficult trade-offs between financing a war abroad and maintaining peace and stability at home.

But the sanctions were unlikely to alter the military balance in Ukraine for now, he indicated.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that his administration plans to brief the U.S. Congress on operations against drug cartels and that even though he did not need a declaration of war, operations against cartels on land would be next.

The U.S. military has been increasing its presence in the Caribbean, including deployments of guided-missile destroyers, F-35 fighter jets, a nuclear submarine and thousands of troops.

"Well, I don't think we're going to necessarily ask for a declaration of war. I think we're just going to kill people that are bringing drugs into our country. OK? We're going to kill them," Trump told reporters at the White House.

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The United States has carried out a number of strikes against suspected drug vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean since early September, killing nearly 40 people. While the Pentagon has provided little information, it has said some of those strikes have been against vessels near Venezuela.

"Now they (drugs) are coming in by land ... you know, the land is going to be next," Trump added, echoing comments he has made in recent weeks.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, speaking at a live event in Caracas on Thursday, warned that if the U.S. ever intervened in the country, "the working class would rise and a general insurrectional strike would be declared in the streets until power is regained," adding that "millions of men and women with rifles would march across the country."

Last week, Reuters was first to report that two alleged drug traffickers survived a U.S. military strike in the Caribbean. They were rescued and brought to a U.S. Navy warship before being repatriated to their home countries of Colombia and Ecuador.

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Sitting next to Trump at the same event on Thursday, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the decision to repatriate two survivors, likening it to battlefield practices during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

"In those conflicts, we captured thousands on the battlefield and handed over 99% to host-nation authorities," Hegseth said. "Did we always like the outcome? Not always. But it was the standard, and its the same here."

(Reporting by Gram Slattery, Steve Holland and Kanishka Singh in Washington; Writing by Idrees Ali; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
Health care in Idaho just got more expensive thanks to the government shutdown.

Idahos Affordable Care Act portal opened Thursday with new price tags, offering the nation its first glimpse at an Obamacare marketplace without federal tax credits.

The federal government has been shut down for more than 22 days, in large part over a debate on the merits of the credits. Still, neither national political party appears willing to shatter Congresss stalemate on how to fund Donald Trumps big, beautiful budget, which included details to slice billions from Obamacare subsidies and Medicaid.

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Now, recipients in Idaho are facing noticeably higher premiums.

On average, gross premiums, or the overall cost of the premium, has gone up about 10 percent. And the net premium, or the amount the consumer pays after the tax credit has been applied, has increased about 75 percent, Pat Kelly, executive director of Your Health Idaho, told The Hill.

So, those are averages across all of our enrollees, but it does give an indication of overall increase and then increase to what the consumer actually pays, he said.

The expired subsidies were created through the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021 and allowed households making more than 400 percent of the federal poverty level to qualify for lowered premiums. (That looks like a family of four on a $128,600 salary, or a single person making $62,600, per federal guidelines.) Age and residency also factor into eligibility for the credits.

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Idaho has roughly 135,000 enrollees on the marketplace, more than 6 percent of the state population. Of those, about 13,000 fall within that salary bracket and are at risk of no longer receiving the credits should Congress fail to act, according to Kelly.

Recipients in other states are similarly on the chopping block. More than a dozen states have opened up their Obamacare marketplace for a window-shopping period, including California, Georgia, Kentucky, Nevada, Maryland, and Maine. Individuals in those states could see prices rise by thousands of dollars annually. People in Wyoming, West Virginia, Connecticut, and Illinois can expect the largest differential in their monthly premiums, rising anywhere from 535 percent to nearly 700 percent, reported The Hill.

The result, according to policy experts, will be a mass exodus from Obamacare plans altogether, leaving roughly four million Americans uninsured. The spike in uninsured Americans will spur a public health problem that has historically proved to make premiums more expensive for the insured as hospitals look to recoup the lost cash.

Low-income regions of the country will be particularly hard-hit, such as Mississippi, Tennessee, and South Carolina, as recipients decide whether they can afford the rising costs.

But not everyone will see it coming. Enrollees in Idaho will be automatically reenrolled into the newly pricier plans, potentially leaving some people unaware of the upcoming spike in their monthly costs, reported The Hill.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) dismissed Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greenes (R-Ga.) criticism of GOP leadership with a condescending response.

Greene sounded the alarm about the GOPs lack of a plan to address rising health care costs, as millions of Americans could see health care premiums skyrocket after Affordable Care Act subsidies expire at the end of the year. In a Wednesday interview with host Kaitlan Collins on CNNs The Source, Johnson responded to Greenes criticism with a sarcastic Bless her heart remark.

Collins asked Johnson to react to Greenes most recent post on the social media platform X about health care costs, which took aim at the Louisiana Republican.

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More of my Republican colleagues are finally talking about the unaffordable health insurance crisis, but yesterday on our GOP conference call Speaker Johnson said he has ideas and pages of policy, but did not say a single policy plan. I think that is unacceptable, Greene wrote Wednesday on X.

Democrats created this nightmare 15 years ago, then made it worse in 2021 by extending the ACA tax credits that are now expiring, and I find it unacceptable that Republicans are sitting on the sidelines doing nothing to fix this healthcare disaster that is leading many Americans into financial ruin, she added.

Johnson fired back at Greene over her criticism.

Well, bless her heart, Johnson said. Thats an absurd statement.

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We have been working on this for a long time. We worked on it today. Weve been working on it every day. Marjorie is not here in Washington. Shes not on the committees of jurisdiction, and shes not involved in those specific discussions. But she will be soon, because theyll be related to all the House Republicans, he added.

Collins then pressed him further on the issue.

Speaker, shes saying that the Republicans arent doing anything to address the health care issue here that Democrats are arguing about. Are you saying that there is a Republican plan, and youre just not talking about it? Collins asked.

No, Im saying theres lots of discussion about it, but we dont relay it on a conference call with hundreds of people listening in, he responded.

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Collins then asked if Republicans would be prepared to roll out a healthcare plan out immediately once the government shutdown ended.

Yes, we could have that ready immediately, yes, Johnson said.

Its not clear when the government shutdown could end, as it approaches the four-week mark.

Democrats vowed to oppose any GOP spending bill that does not include an extension for Affordable Care Act subsidies that are expiring at the end of the year, while Republicans have refused to negotiate across the aisle on the spending bill.

Stories by Lauren Sforza

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Two Americans are suing Donald Trump for razing the White Houses East Wing.

While the rest of the nation was stunned by the haphazard destruction of one of the nations oldest and most cherished democratic symbols, at least two individuals moved to stop it. Charles K. Voorhees and Judith A. Voorhees filed a temporary restraining order Thursday intended to stop Trumps bulldozing.

In a three-page court filing, the plaintiffs argued that the Trump administration violated the National Capital Planning Act of 1952 by failing to acquire the approval of the National Capital Planning Commission, which has been closed since the government shutdown began 23 days ago.

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The Voorhees further claimed that, in fast-tracking the East Wings demo, Trump had breached the National Historic Preservation Act and bypassed legally required oversight from the Commission of Fine Arts. They also alleged that Trump and his associates had intentionally decoupled the demolition and construction process, picking apart semantics in order to stretch a loophole that could justify their unapproved blueprint for federally-owned grounds.

But their lawsuit may be too late to salvage the historic monument. Nothing but rubble remained of the East Wing by midday Thursday, according to satellite images of the grounds. The demo was apparently an essential component of the presidents plan to build a 90,000-square-foot ballroom that he had initially pledged wouldnt interfere with the preexisting structure.

The White Houses partial destruction is, ultimately, another illustration that the countrys constitutional system of checks and balances has all but eroded. The international real estate moguls desire to destroy the governmentand with it, the architectural face of American democracyhas received practically zero pushback from his allies in Congress, who appear all too willing to sit back as Trump courts billionaires to fund his golden banquet hall.

Resisting Trumps drafts for the East Wing would require someone in power to actually hold the president accountable. But his desire to destroy and redevelop the White House as he sees fit should come as no surprise, since hes never appeared to be a fan of the national symbol. During his first term, Trump reportedly called the White House a dump (an allegation that he has publicly refuted) and has spent no small part of his second term living and dining at his own properties rather than the executive mansion.
The Trump administration plans to propose opening federal waters in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to offshore drilling, two people familiar with the plan said Wednesday, a move that is likely to antagonize coastal states governors  and make a direct jab at California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Full details of the plan were not yet known, but a push to bring drilling rigs to untouched sections of the U.S. coastline brought bipartisan opposition when Trump tried to carry out a similar plan during his first administration.

The proposal would be part of the Interior Departments upcoming five-year plan on offshore oil lease sales, said the people who were granted anonymity because the plan wasnt yet public.

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The administration is expected to offer acres off the southern coast of California and at least a small sliver of the eastern Gulf of Mexico, one of the people said. It was unclear if that would include waters off Florida, where elected leaders of both parties have opposed drilling along their shoreline for decades because of the risk to the states tourism-based economy. Interiors plan, a framework used to schedule offshore lease sales in federal waters for a five-year period, could change by the time the initial proposal becomes a finished product, this person said.

A White House official downplayed the potential opening, characterizing it as a draft from a junior policy staffer that had not circulated in the White House.

The Interior Department did not immediately reply to questions. The Houston Chronicle earlier reported the plan to open the Pacific and Atlantic coasts to drilling, citing a leaked document.

No drilling takes place now off the Atlantic Coast, though companies like Exxon Mobil had explored that option in the past. Oil production in the Pacific Ocean has declined for decades amid tighter California regulations that make it difficult to transport the oil from federal waters to the states coastline.

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But even if the business case is relatively small, a bigger motive may be Trump forcing Newsom to take a stand on the issue, a third industry executive familiar with the expected plans outline said. Newsom, who had for years tightened state regulations on drilling, has more recently tried to moderate his position on fossil fuel production as he has increased his profile as a liberal foil to Trump.

Theres an interesting dynamic of fighting Gavin Newsom in California, this person said. Who wouldnt want that?

Newsoms office did not immediately reply to questions.

State officials are in litigation against an oil company, Sable Offshore Oil, that has been trying to restart production in federal waters off Southern California. The company said last month that it would ask Trump's National Energy Dominance Council for permission to transport its products using ships instead of pipelines.

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The Interior Department during the first Trump administration originally planned to put all federal waters in the Atlantic and Pacific on the table for drilling. That proposal ultimately failed, however, a victim of former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinkes attempt to preemptively exempt federal waters off the Florida coast from offshore oil lease sales before the department had concluded a necessary review.

Allowing drilling rigs into federal deep waters would come as Trump has spent the better part of this year trying to cancel offshore wind projects, including one that was nearly complete. The Trump administration has alleged the projects could harm whales.

Environmental groups blasted any attempt to open up more waters for oil drilling.

Joseph Gordon, campaign director of ocean conservation group Oceana, called the planned expansion an oil spill nightmare.

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Our coastal communities depend on healthy oceans for economic security and their cherished way of life, Gordon said in a statement. If this is the plan, the Trump administration must go back to the drawing board. Theres too much at stake to risk more horrific oil spills that will haunt our coastlines for generations to come.

The federal governments offshore oil drilling plan will damage coastlines and communities, while threatening coastal recreation and tourism industries that contribute billions of dollars to our nations economy, said Pete Stauffer, ocean protection manager of the Surfrider Foundation. New drilling will also increase the likelihood of yet another destructive oil spill off our coasts.

Debra Kahn contributed to this report.
The Trump administration is ramping up the pressure on the European Union to repeal or overhaul a regulation on corporations greenhouse gas pollution  in the latest example of the United States willingness to wield its economic might against an international climate initiative.

It comes less than a week after the U.S. scored a surprising victory over a proposed United Nations climate fee on shipping, in what one Trump Cabinet member described Wednesday as an all hands on deck lobbying blitz.

In its newest effort, the Energy Department joined the government of Qatar in warning the EU that its risking higher prices for critical energy supplies unless it alters or deletes its Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive.

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It is our genuine belief, as allies and friends of the EU, that the CSDDD will cause considerable harm to the EU and its citizens, as it will lead to higher energy and other commodity prices, and have a chilling effect on investment and trade, the department and the Qataris said in an open letter Wednesday to European heads of state and EU members.

During a press conference later in the day, European Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert declined to discuss the European Parliament's negotiations over the climate directive.

The new pressure on the EU comes after months of attempts by President Donald Trump and his appointees to blunt climate regulations at home and abroad that threaten to impinge on U.S. dominance in fossil fuels. And lately hes succeeded in drawing some countries to the United States side.

Win for the world

On Friday, U.S. pressure succeeded in thwarting a proposal by U.N.s International Maritime Organization to impose the first worldwide tax on climate pollution from shipping. The maritime body had been widely expected to adopt the shipping fee at a meeting in London, but instead it postponed the initiative for at least a year.

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Fellow petro-giants Russia and Saudi Arabia lobbied for the pause, and EU members Greece and Cyprus helped that effort by abstaining from the final vote.

The aftermath of that vote continued to affect European climate diplomacy this week, temporarily upending internal EU discussions about the blocs negotiating position for next months COP30 summit in Brazil.

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins were exultant Wednesday in outlining the pressure they had brought to bear to block the maritime fee. Wright said he phoned 20 countries while Rollins handled nations such as Antigua and Jamaica in what she characterized as an all hands on deck effort. The effort also included Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Wright said.

Wright added that he had personally written a Truth Social message that Trump posted the night before the vote, in which the president warned that the United States will NOT stand for this Global Green New Scam Tax on Shipping. (Trump changed three or four words on it, the secretary said.)

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Were going to come back to realistic views on energy, Wright said at an event hosted by America First Policy Institute. Thats a win not just for America, thats a win for the world.

European climate pressure

The EU has already said it will not scrap its corporate climate directive, though it may dismantle a civil liability provision in a bid to simplify the law. But revising the directive has been a challenge for Europe because lawmakers are divided on how far to roll back sustainability reporting obligations for companies.

The rule, which the EU put into force last year but still needs to be adopted by member states, would require companies to identify and address adverse human rights and environmental impacts of their actions inside and outside Europe.

Europe's move to wean itself off Russian energy supplies since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has forced the continent to increase its reliance on U.S. liquefied natural gas imports. But U.S. gas producers have warned that the climate directive will increase the cost of doing business with customers in the EU.

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In the letter, DOE and Qatar said the climate directive poses a significant risk to the affordability and reliability of critical energy supplies for households and businesses across Europe and an existential threat to the future growth, competitiveness, and resilience of the EU's industrial economy.

The governments also advise the EU to repeal the directive or, barring that, rewrite key provisions dealing with the penalties and civil liabilities for companies that dont comply with the regulation. The U.S. and Qatar also want the Europeans to change language requiring companies to provide transition plans for climate change mitigation.

Marianne Gros contributed to this report from Brussels.


President Donald Trump has expanded his drug war beyond the Caribbean with an attack on a vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean that his administration charges was carrying narcotics  and said Wednesday he was totally prepared to escalate the situation even further with land attacks.

There are very few boats traveling on the water. So now theyll come in by land to a lesser extent and they will be hit on land, the president told reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday.

We will hit them very hard when they come in by land. And they havent experienced that yet, but now were totally prepared to do that.

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Trump  whose deadly strikes in international waters have been described by critics as extrajudicial killings  said he had the authority to do so because its a national security issue.

We have legal authority, he said. This is a national security problem. They killed 300,000 people last year.

The president did say he would consult Congress before taking such action. Many lawmakers have questioned if Trump can order such strikes without Congressional approval.

You cannot have a policy where you just allege someone is guilty of something and then just kill them, Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky told Fox News on Wednesday. If we were to be at war, the constitution says Congress has to vote for a declaration of war.

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Tensions between the United States and countries in South America have risen over Trumps aggressive military strategy in the Caribbean, which he says is to stop drugs from entering the U.S.

And now hes taking it even further.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the latest strike, which took place Tuesday, killed two people on board and happened in the Eastern Pacific in international waters. The vessel was off the coast of Colombia, a defense official told CBS News.

The vessel was known by our intelligence to be involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, was transiting along a known narco-trafficking transit route, and carrying narcotics, Hegseth wrote in a post on social media.

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There were two narco-terrorists aboard the vessel during the strike, which was conducted in international waters. Both terrorists were killed and no U.S. forces were harmed in this strike.

Hegseth included video surveillance that showed the boat being struck and exploding. It is the eight such attack. The seven previous strikes targeted vessels in the Caribbean, where the Trump administration says it is blowing up drug boats coming out of Venezuela, run by authoritarian ruler Nicolas Maduro.

The move is a clear escalation of President Trumps anti-drug campaign, Jose Enrique Arrioja, senior director of policy at Americas Society/ Council of the Americas, in New York, told the Miami Herald.

The strike came after President Trump announced the United States would stop financial aid to Colombia because of its drug policy, upending Americas relationship with a country that has been one of its closest allies in South America. Colombia is the recipient of the largest amount of U.S. aid to any country in Latin America.

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The president, however, is facing questions about the legality of his strikes, which have now killed at least 34 people. Two survivors from a previous strike were sent back to Colombia and Ecuador, respectively. And his administration has yet to provide Congress any evidence the people killed were trafficking drugs.

Additionally, Democrats on Capitol Hill want to hear from Admiral Alvin Holsey, who is leaving his job as head of the U.S. Southern Command, which oversees all operations in Central and South America, two years early over reports of conflict with Hegseth over the attacks.

The U.S. is now opening a second maritime war front that may dilute, distract its focus from its campaign against Maduros regime, while making more prominent the intention of preventing illicit drugs from reaching American consumers from Colombian ports, Arrioja said.

In broader terms, the U.S. is effectively playing the role of the regions policeman, sending a clear message to the international community about its renewed commitment to the hemisphere. These are only the first steps in a strategy that may intensify in the weeks to come, he added.

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The Trump administration claims the vessels pose a direct threat to U.S. national security and has characterized the strikes as lawful military actions under his executive authority.

But Colombian President Gustavo Petro accused the U.S. of committing murder after American forces fired last week at a boat off Venezuela that he said belonged to a humble family.

U.S. government officials have committed murder and violated our sovereignty in territorial waters, Petro wrote Saturday on X. Fisherman Alejandro Carranza had no ties to drug trafficking and his daily activity was fishing. The Colombian boat was adrift and had a distress signal on.

Trump, in return, called Petro an illegal drug leader as tensions escalated between the two leaders.

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The president took it even further on Wednesday when he called Petro a thug and a bad guy. He threatened the Colombian president that he may be next.

Hes hurt his country very badly, Trump said. They do it very poorly, Colombia. They make cocaine. They have cocaine factories. They grow all sorts of crap thats drugs. Bad drugs coming into the United States goes generally through Mexico, and he better watch it, or well take very serious action against him and his country.

The president began his strikes early last month with the launch of the largest U.S. military deployment in the Caribbean in decades. Publicly, Trump talks of the buildup as part of his war on drugs, but experts also believe they are a warning to Venezuelas Maduro.

The United States has said repeatedly that Maduro  accused of stealing last years presidential election in the South American country  is not the legitimate leader of Venezuela and has offered a $50 million reward for his capture. The Trump administration has accused Maduro of leading a narco-regime funded by illicit drug money.

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The initial phase of the mission included a Marine air-ground task force aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima and two San Antonio-class transport ships, with more than 2,000 Marines prepared for rapid-response missions.

In total, over 4,500 U.S. personnel  Marines and Navy  are operating in the region, supported by a cruiser, several destroyers and a Los Angeles-class attack submarine armed with precision-guided missiles. Ten F-35 stealth fighters are also stationed in Puerto Rico, giving the United States overwhelming air superiority over Venezuelas aging fleet of Sukhoi Su-30s and F-16s.
President Donald Trump blasted Colombian leader Gustavo Petro as a thug who better shut his yap, or else he will take very serious action and do it for him.

The presidents ruthless warning was made on Wednesday at the White House, after he was asked by a female reporter about Petro saying humanity should get rid of Trump during an interview earlier this week.

Well, hes a thug and a bad guy. Hes a guy who is making a lot of drugs, Trump started off his reply.

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He then weaved in a quip about his administrations battle with Columbia University, before moving on to threatening Petro.

As of today, we have stopped all payments going to Colombia  the country Colombia  also the school Columbia, Trump said, drawing a few laughs. No, we settled.

Trump continued: Hes hurt his country very badly, theyre doing very poorly, Colombia. They make cocaine  they have cocaine factories. They grow all sorts of crap  thats drugs, bad drugs coming into the United States, goes generally through Mexico. And he better watch it, or well take very serious action against him and his country.

The commander-in-chief added that Petro has turned Colombia into a death trap since becoming president in 2022.

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Trumps response added to the back-and-forth barbs he has been trading with Petro recently. Petro accused the U.S. of murdering Colombian fishermen last week  a claim Trump said was absolute nonsense. Trump said the U.S. struck and killed two narcoterrorists who were traveling in a drug-carrying submarine to the States.

The president, in a Truth Social Post on Oct. 19, skewered Petro as an unpopular fresh mouth politician who is also an illegal drug leader. Petro responded with his get rid of comment the following day in an interview with Univision.

Watch Trump respond to Petro above, via C-SPAN.

The post Trump Threatens Very Serious Action Against Colombias Thug President first appeared on Mediaite.
President Donald Trump hosted a roundtable Thursday with law enforcement and other administration officials to follow up on his goal of cracking down on cartels.

On his first day back in office, Trump created Homeland Security Task Forces to bring together federal, state and local officials to achieve the goal of eliminating the cartel presence in America once and for all, Trump said.

Just 10 months in, the results have been spectacular, he said.

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The Homeland Security Task Forces were created by the president on Jan. 20 and directed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi to protect the American people against invasion.

During Thursdays meeting, officials provided Trump with updates on their efforts. The details of Thursdays meeting were first reported by Fox News and confirmed to the Deseret News by a White House official.

In a matter of weeks, the task force has made the largest number of arrests of cartel leaders, operatives and gang members in American history, more than 3,000 and counting, Trump said.

He noted that arrests have targeted the Sinaloa cartel, the La Nueva Familia Michoacana (LNFM) cartel, the MS-13 cartel and the Tren de Aragua cartel. Those cartels have killed more Americans than all other terrorist groups combined, Trump alleged, calling them the worst of the worst.

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It should now be clear to the entire world that these cartels are the ISIS of the Western Hemisphere, he said.

The roundtable was held now because the task forces became fully operational in all 50 states last month, the president said.

Were not mitigating, were eliminating, Trump said, noting narcotics and gun seizures.

Noem, Bondi, deputy chief of staff and homeland security adviser Stephen Miller, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, FBI Director Kash Patel and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard all joined Trump for the roundtable and praised his efforts to crack down on cartel-related crime.

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Under President Trump we are destroying the infrastructure and were no longer on the defense, Bondi said of cartel gangs. Were dismantling the cartels and we are taking the leaders into custody and all of the gangs. We are going to supercharge this work. This is not a pilot program. This is permanent. We are here to stay.

Noem echoed the attorney generals remarks and noted the heightened security focus at the southern border. She shared that Border Patrol has seized fentanyl and cut down on the amount of the dangerous drug entering the country.

Hegseth similarly acknowledged the administrations efforts against cartels at the southern border. He said there are as many as 10,000 troops still at the U.S.-Mexico border to assist in anti-cartel efforts.
Former Republican Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels penned an op-ed in The Washington Post on Wednesday evening encouraging Republicans in his home states Senate who are currently opposed to mid-cycle redistricting to stand firm and not cave to pressure from the White House.

In the piece, Daniels, who has rarely made political statements since leaving office, argued that the only reason to re-draw congressional district lines mid-cycle would be to correct some sort of obvious injustice.

Republicans drew this map and have no unfairness to complain about; with about 60 percent of the states total congressional votes cast, they won seven out of nine House seats, he wrote, before arguing that there was no possible way to re-form lines around Indianapolis, one area that the Trump administration is pressuring Indiana Republicans to target with a new map, that could reliably flip the area saturated with Democratic voters for Republicans. He warned about the consequences of attempting to redraw lines in the northwest corner of the state as well.

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No amount of line-drawing artistry can turn that area into a Republican seat, so that leaves the states northwest corner, where the Democratic margin has been in the mid-50s, he wrote. Conceivably some computer could carve out a winnable GOP district. The attempt, which might not even work, would, Im convinced, come at the expense of public disgust; Hoosiers, like most Americans, place a high value on fairness and react badly to its naked violation.

As TPM reported today, many of President Trumps loyalists in the Indiana legislature are taking the pressure campaign, which the White House has been orchestrating for months, into their hands. Some have been publicly threatening their Republican colleagues in the state Senate who oppose Trumps mid-decade gerrymandering effort to get in line with the national party and help Republicans keep the U.S. House in 2026. (As TPM has often noted, the whole scramble to steal the House does not suggest Republicans have much confidence in how the 2026 midterms will go.)

The problem with the bullying approach: the White House has been actively courting Republicans in the state legislature since August in an attempt to force them to redraw district lines for the two seats that Indiana Democrats hold in the U.S. House. Vice President JD Vance has visited the state twice to make the administrations case. And, yet, they still dont have the votes to pass new maps. The governors office announced that earlier this week.

Daniels is the only high-profile Republican politician Ive seen, thus far, who is publicly offering support to Republican members of the state Senate who dont want to participate in Trumps efforts to rig the midterms by redrawing congressional boundaries in a way that predetermines the results.

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I dont underestimate the pressure Indianas leaders are under, and I empathize with them in the predicament they face, but I hope theyll quietly and respectfully pass on this idea. Their duty is to the citizens and the future of our state, not to a national political organization or a temporary occupant of the White House, Daniels concluded in his piece in the Post. And doing the right thing, by the way, really would be its own reward.

 Nicole LaFond

Virginia Dems Will Redraw Maps

Democrats in Virginia are planning to take the first steps toward redrawing some congressional district lines in order to potentially give their party two or three more seats in the U.S. House. Virginia was not high, until now, on anyones list of potential counter-moves by Democrats to offset the impacts of Trumps nationwide redistricting gambit.

Democratic state legislators announced their plans today, making Virginia the second state where Democrats are trying to fight Trumps efforts to give Republicans an advantage in the midterms. More from the New York Times:

No other Democratic state has begun redistricting proceedings, while several Republican states have drawn new maps or are deliberating doing so. Democrats now hold six of Virginias 11 congressional seats. Redistricting could deliver two or three additional seats for the party, depending on how aggressive cartographers choose to be in a redrawing effort. We are coming back to address actions by the Trump administration, said Scott Surovell, the majority leader of the Virginia Senate.

 Nicole LaFond

Trump Listens to Rich Friends in San Fran

Trump backed off his threats to send federal law enforcement into San Fransisco Thursday, sparing the city for now from the same assault hes aimed at other blue cities across the nation under the pretense of conducting immigration raids and supposedly cracking down on crime. He made the announcement in a Truth Social post where he acknowledged that his rich tech friends persuaded him to leave the new mayor, Daniel Lurie, alone for the time being.

The people of San Francisco have come together on fighting Crime, especially since we began to take charge of that very nasty subject. Great people like Jensen Huang, Marc Benioff, and others have called saying that the future of San Francisco is great. They want to give it a shot. Therefore, we will not surge San Francisco on Saturday. Stay tuned!

 Nicole LaFond

Dispatch From Lower Manhattan

Heres a report from my colleague Hunter Walker, who was on the ground outside 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan for the second night in a row Wednesday night. The building has become notorious as a location where the Trump administration is unceremoniously rounding up immigrants before and after their court dates.

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Wednesday evening was quieter than it was on Tuesday night, when federal law enforcement conducted a sweeping immigration raid blocks away on Canal Street, a scene that New York Citys Public Advocate Jumaane Williams (D) described to TPM as authoritarian.

More from Hunter:

Protests continued for the second day in Manhattan on Wednesday night following an immigration raid on Canal Street the prior afternoon where agents from five federal agencies arrested both street vendors and demonstrators. Marchers took to the streets, blocked traffic, and stood in front of 26 Federal Plaza, the immigration court and ICE detention facility where, for months, masked agents have taken people from the halls as they show up for hearings. While the demonstrations and civil disobedience surrounding Tuesdays raid led to arrests and detentions from both the federal agents and local police, Wednesday nights marches appeared to proceed largely without incident. Organizers spoke to the crowd on a megaphone in front of 26 Federal Plaza and vowed to continue their efforts to protest ICE and what they called the evil building with further actions in the coming weeks.  Hunter Walker

In Case You Missed It

The latest in Trumps gerrymandering war: Indiana MAGA Republicans Threaten Their Colleagues to Bow to Trumps Gerrymandering Pressure

Morning Memo: How Little We Really Know About What Trump Is Up To in Latin America

New from Kate Riga: Dissenting Judges Voice Dire Warnings for the Country As 9th Circuit Denies Rehearing of LA National Guard Stay

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Todays installment in TPM 25th Anniversary essay series: Patron-Supported Journalism Cant Be the Future of News

Why Trump Expects the Justice Department to Cut Him a Quarter-Billion-Dollar Check

Yesterdays Most Read Story

Trump Moves Into Full Twilight Zone Anthony Phase

What We Are Reading

What happens when you trust AI for news

The Scum Manifesto

White House releases list of donors for Trumps multi-million-dollar ballroom
It remains genuinely astonishing that someone as obsessed with tariffs as President Donald Trump can also be so maddeningly ignorant about how they actually work.

Case in point: On Thursday morning, the president simultaneously took credit for raising beef prices (with tariffs, naturally) while also demanding lower beef prices for consumers. This reflects an ongoing tension within the Trump administration's trade policies, as Trump is currently seeking additional beef imports from Argentina to offset the higher prices caused by his tariffs on beef from other countries.

There is usually little to be gained by parsing Trump's social media posts in a serious way, but this one might be an exception. Here's what Trump wrote Thursday on Truth Social:

Source: Truth Social

So, on one hand, the president believes he's helping American cattle farmers by imposing tariffs on imported beefparticularly beef from Brazil, which is now subject to a 50 percent tariff. (Amusingly, that tariff is officially for "national emergency" reasons, but in reality, it exists simply because Trump got mad at the current government of Brazil for prosecuting his buddy, former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.)

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Leave aside the question of whether American cattle farmers are actually happy about this. Let's just think about the mechanics of what Trump is describing. He says the cattle farmers are "doing so well" because of the tariffs. Presumably, that's because they can now raise prices. That's what tariffs do: by making foreign goods more expensive, they benefit domestic producers, largely by allowing them to raise prices in an environment with less competition.

Trump wants cattle farmers to be able to charge higher prices. Well, OK, what he really wants is the cattle farmers to appreciate him for creating the conditions in which they can charge higher pricesbut same difference.

But, wait. Trump says he also wants those same cattle farmers to "get their prices down," because consumers are unhappy about beef prices hitting record highs.

My dude. How is this supposed to work?

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I understand that Trump sees tariffs as effectively a magic wand that he can wave around to accomplish literally any policy. But even by that standard, this is a wild set of claims to make in consecutive sentences. The cattle ranchers are supposed to applaud Trump for letting them charge higher prices, and then also save him from the direct consequences of his own policies, I guess?

The last line of Trump's post does give me some small bit of hope, however. His tariff policies have never acknowledged any concern for consumers whatsoevereven though it has always been obvious that tariffs would hike prices. Now, data from Harvard Business School, the Federal Reserve, and other sources show that's exactly what's happening.

As I wrote earlier this week, the reality about the consequences of tariffs (higher prices for just about everything) seems to be finally puncturing the White House's bubble of tariff-related delusions. Trump admitting that consumers are "a very big factor in my thinking" may be further evidence for that thesis.

And, of course, the Trump administration's recent effort at circumventing import quotas on Argentine beef suggests that someone at the White House understands economics. If you want to lower prices, a reliable way to do it is to open up more supply via trade.

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It turns out that central planning is a lot harder than it looks, even when you believe in magical tariffs. Instead of trying to personally decide what cattle farmers should get to earn and what prices they should charge, maybe the president should let the market work.

The post Trump Wants Higher Beef Prices and Also Lower Beef Prices appeared first on Reason.com.
President Donald Trump is receiving praise after unveiling massive sanctions on Moscow for the first time of his second term, ultimately aimed at bringing Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table to end the war with Ukraine.

The Treasury Department on Wednesday announced new sanctions on Russias two largest oil giants, Rosneft and Lukoil. It argued that the decision will "increase pressure on Russias energy sector and degrade the Kremlins ability to raise revenue for its war machine and support its weakened economy."

Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate cease-fire, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in the announcement, pointing to Putins refusal to end this senseless war.

Treasury is imposing further sanctions as a result of Russias lack of serious commitment to a peace process to end the war in Ukraine. Todays actions increase pressure on Russias energy sector and degrade the Kremlins ability to raise revenue for its war machine and support  Treasury Department (@USTreasury) October 22, 2025

The move came after Trump put peace talks with Putin, scheduled to take place in Budapest, Hungary, on hold earlier this week, telling reporters on Tuesday that I dont want to have a wasted meeting. I dont want to have a waste of time. While the prospect of imposing sanctions was embraced by Ukraine and its European allies, it immediately sparked the ire of Russian officials.

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The USA is our adversary, and their loquacious peacemaker has now fully taken up the path of war with Russia, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, referring to Trump, wrote in a social media post, according to NBC News.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova described the step as purely counterproductive.

If the current U.S. administration decides to follow the example of its predecessors, the outcome will be exactly the same: a failure, both politically at home and harmful to global economic stability, Zakharova said during a news briefing on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the penalties were welcomed by several social media users who have remained critical.

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I was never so happy to say that I was wrong: Trump actually did it, economist Janis Kluge wrote on X. He imposed new sanctions on Russia.

Michael Weiss, a journalist who specializes in international affairs, said the sanctions are good, adding: They target the two biggest cash cows for the regime, plus their subsidiaries. Also creates some runway for allies to do more to hurt the Kremlin economically.

Even Trump is tired of Putin! First actual measures against Russia under his administration, another user posted.

Former GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger, a staunch critic of Trump, also weighed in: The news of Russian oil sanctions is good news. Way to go, now lets choke the Russian economy out.

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Trump had met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Wednesday during a last-minute meeting at the Oval Office, days after the president appeared open to Putins demands to end the war.

Every time I speak with Vladimir, I have good conversations, and then they dont go anywhere, Trump said. They just dont go anywhere.

Stories by Rachel Cohen

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Donald Trump does not plan to ask Congress for a declaration of war against drug cartels after his administration killed at least 37 people with missile strikes on alleged drug-carrying boats in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean.

Asked why he wont seek a resolution from Congress for a military campaign taking aim at South American regimes he claims are fueling a drug epidemic in the United States, Trump said his government is just going to kill people instead.

I dont think we're going to necessarily ask for a declaration of war. I think were just going to kill people that are bringing drugs into our country, OK? Were going to kill them, Trump said during a White House roundtable with administration officials Thursday.

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Theyre going to be, like, dead, OK, he said.

The president had said one day earlier that he would seek permission from Congress if they come in by land.

Trump says he is not likely to seek permission from Congress for his war against drug cartels after more than 37 accused drug runners are killed in military strikes (AFP via Getty Images)

And they havent experienced that yet, but now were totally prepared to do that, he said Wednesday. Well probably go back to Congress and explain exactly what were doing when [they] come to the land.

The power to declare war belongs solely to Congress, as established under Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution. A resolution must be passed by a majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate and then signed by the president to craft a formal declaration of war, which was last officially declared in 1942.

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Thus far, the administration has declared that the United States is formally engaged in an armed conflict with drug cartels that the president has labeled unlawful combatants, according to a confidential notice to members of Congress.

Last week, Trump said he authorized the CIA to perform covert operations inside Venezuela, marking a significant escalation of his aggressive campaign against Nicolas Maduros regime and drug cartels that Trump claims are fueled by Maduros government.

Trump told reporters at the White House that he authorized CIA operations because Venezuela emptied their prisons into the United States of America and flooded the country with drugs.

He said defense officials are now looking at land strikes in Venezuela.

At least five people were killed in military strikes in the Pacific Ocean this week, raising the death toll from Trumps campaign against alleged drug traffickers to at least 37 (US Secretary of Defense)

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced two operations Wednesday that bring the death toll from the administrations attacks to at least 37.

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Officials have not identified the groups or countries accused of running drugs in the Pacific.

Critics have argued the militarys campaign amounts to illegal extrajudicial killings, while members of Congress and civil rights groups are pressing the administration for evidence and the legal memos shared among White House officials to justify the attacks.

Asked why the military isnt capturing people on the boats, including survivors in one attack who have since been repatriated to their home countries, rather than kill them, Hegseth compared that to catch and release.

Hegseth said killing people suspected of running drugs  rather than arresting them  ought to change the psychology of these foreign terrorist organizations.

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Trump said Thursday that his administration will definitely brief members of Congress about plans for the strikes, and theyre probably going to like it, except for the radical left lunatics.

The top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee is demanding a hearing.

The absence of any credible legal rationale for the administrations armed campaign against drug cartels raises alarming questions about whether it intends to conduct similar extrajudicial strikes elsewhere in the world  or even within the United States, Rep. Gregory Meeks said in a statement Thursday.

Equally troubling is the credibility of the intelligence underpinning these operations, he said.

The presidents unilateral, ongoing expansion of these strikes into a potentially broader regional war should concern every Member of Congress who wishes to reclaim Congress authority to prevent endless wars that lack clear objectives and needlessly endanger American lives, according to Meeks.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced during a briefing on Thursday that US President Donald Trump will hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Wednesday 30 October.

Source: White House briefing, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Leavitt stated that the meeting will take place in the South Korean city of Busan on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

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As part of his multi-day trip, the US President will also visit Malaysia and Japan, where he will hold separate bilateral meetings.

Background:

The US President previously said he intends to speak with Chinese leader Xi Jinping to persuade him to stop buying oil from Russia.

Trump also plans to visit China early next year.

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President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have formalized a date for their meeting on trade and tariffs.

The heads of state will meet on Thursday next week at the APEC Summit in South Korea, according to the White House.

More from Sourcing Journal

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Trump told reporters in the Oval Office Wednesday that he sees the long-awaited sitdown as the likely conclusion to months of negotiations. Well make a deal on, I think, everything, he said, citing soybean purchases by China (which have tapered off throughout 2025).

Trump also spoke about de-escalating nuclear tensions, pointing to a call he had with Russian President Vladimir Putin. I think well probably add China into the mix, he added. A planned meeting between Trump and Putin was shelved on Tuesday, as the Russian leader reportedly rejected an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine.

China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun confirmed the plans for next weeks meeting on Wednesday, adding, Heads-of-state diplomacy plays an irreplaceable role in providing strategic guidance for China-U.S. relations.

According to Guo, Trump and Xi maintain close exchanges and communication.

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While both sides are outwardly expressing confidence and hopeful expectation that a deal can finally be brokered, with Trump even saying a protracted trade war with China is not sustainable, actions by the White House this week may serve to ratchet up tensions between the U.S. and China even further.

According to reporting from the New York Times, the administration is gearing up to launch a trade investigation into China for not meeting the terms of the Phase One trade deal negotiated during Trumps first term in office.

A source familiar with the investigation told the Times that the probe could inflame already boiling tensions and even result in more tariffs. The timing of the filing may be significantan attempt to gain a tactical advantage over China ahead of the upcoming meeting between the leadersthe first in-person sit-down since 2019.

The Times reported that the investigation may be initiated by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) on Friday under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. The law, which Trump leveraged during his first term to levy hefty tariffs of up to 25 percent on China-originating products, allows the Commander in Chief and USTR to wield a number of authorities, including the imposition of tariffs, in order to enforce Americas rights under trade agreements or respond to unfair trade practices abroad.

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China, for its part, has also stoked the flames of discord in recent weeks, first by announcing new global export controls on rare earth minerals, key components in technologies and weaponry. The action prompted swift blowback from the U.S. Treasury Department and the USTR, which threatened further tariffs.

Earlier this month, on the same day the U.S. began fining Chinese-owned and built ships new fees to dock at U.S. ports, China launched its own review of the Section 301 investigation that prompted the fees (and sanctioned several segments of Korean shipping company Hanwha which are tied to the U.S.).

Chinas Ministry of Transport said at the time that various government agencies are looking into how industrial supply chains have been impacted by Washingtons Section 301 investigation. It said that based on the results of its investigation, the Chinese government will introduce corresponding measures against the U.S.

This week, USTR Ambassador Jamieson Greer clapped back at China for initiating the inquiry and sanctioning companies with American connections.

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Chinas recent retaliatory actions against private companies across the globe is part of a broader pattern of economic coercion to influence American politics and control global supply chains by discouraging foreign companies from investing in Americas shipbuilding and other critical industries, Greer said Monday.

Attempts at intimidation will not stop the United States from rebuilding its shipbuilding base and responding appropriately to Chinas targeting of critical industrial sectors for dominance, he added. We remain committed to defending our companies, securing supply chains, and encouraging allied investment in Americas industrial future.
U.S. President Donald Trump's role in mediating Russia's war against Ukraine appears to be stuck in a loop  one defined by reversals, contradictions, and shifts in tone between Kyiv and Moscow.

After meeting President Volodymyr Zelensky in September, the U.S. president appeared confident that Ukraine could reclaim its Russian-occupied territories.

"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 Truth Social on Sept. 23.

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A month later, after a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump changed course.

"They could still win it," Trump said at the White House. "I don't think they will. They could still win it. I never said they would win it... you know, war is a very strange thing."

His change of tone coincided with the announcement of a new meeting with Putin in Budapest, only for it to be called off a few days later. Following another change of course, the U.S. Treasury announced on Oct. 22 that it had imposed sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies  Rosneft and Lukoil.

Here is a timeline of the U.S. president's mediation back and forth.

The push for peace

Trump's mediation began with grand promises. On Feb. 12, following a call with Putin, he said negotiations to end Russia's war in Ukraine would start "immediately."

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After that, Trump spoke with President Volodymyr Zelensky and said both wanted to "stop the millions of deaths" caused by Moscow's war against Ukraine.

The first U.S.-Russia meeting occurred on Feb. 18, with the Russian delegation led by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and the U.S. delegation headed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The sequence of U.S. President Donald Trump's statements. (Nizar al-Rifai/The Kyiv Independent)

This was the first official in-person engagement between the two sides since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. The talks focused on ending the war and on strengthening bilateral relations.

Speaking to Russias state media, Yuri Ushakov, an advisor to the Russian president, said it was a "very serious discussion of all the issues we wanted to touch upon."

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A day after the meeting, Trump began publicly berating Zelensky, calling him a "dictator without elections" and repeating the Kremlin's false claims that Ukraine's president was illegitimate.

"Zelensky better move fast, or he won't have a country left," Trump wrote.

When Zelensky traveled to Washington on Feb. 28, tensions spilled into the open. After a heated meeting at the White House, Trump said Zelensky "is not ready for peace."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Vice President JD Vance during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S. on Feb. 28, 2025. (Jim Lo Scalzo / EPA / Bloomberg via Getty Images)

U.S. top officials were pressuring the Ukrainian president to apologize after the meeting.

After that, Zelensky posted on social media on March 4 that his meeting with Trump "did not go the way it was supposed to be," calling the fallout "regrettable."

The failed ceasefire

Despite the diplomatic friction, Trump pressed ahead.

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In mid-March, the Kremlin said that Putin had agreed to a temporary 30-day pause on strikes against Ukrainian energy infrastructure after a 90-minute call with Trump.

The interaction on March 18 was their second phone call.

Zelensky confirmed he would reciprocate by stopping strikes on Russian energy sites. Kyiv hoped that the move would eventually lead to a full, unconditional ceasefire, which Ukraine agreed to at the American request..

"There was a proposal to take the first step right away and attempt to establish a complete ceasefire for 30 days," Zelensky said. "Ukraine accepts this proposal."

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The hopes quickly broke down as Moscow began setting conditions: Ukraine had to end mobilization, stop rearmament, and cut off all foreign military aid.

Trump's idea of a full ceasefire quickly collapsed under the weight of Russian demands.

By April 1, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Moscow cannot accept Washington's proposals "as they are now." Lavrov went further on May 21, declaring that Russia "does not want this."

Zelensky maintained that Ukraine was ready for a "full and unconditional ceasefire."

Trump's proposed truce had collapsed, marking the first failure of his mediation.

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The U.S. leader, caught between both sides, started showing irritation with Putin. He told NBC News reporter Kristen Welker on March 30 that he was "pissed off" and "very angry" regarding Putin's fixation over Zelensky

"If Russia and I are unable to make a deal on stopping the bloodshed in Ukraine, and if I think it was Russia's fault  which it might not be  but if I think it was Russia's fault, I am going to put secondary tariffs on oil, on all oil coming out of Russia," Trump said.

On May 19, Trump called Putin, marking their first known conversation in two months.

The call came days after largely inconclusive Ukraine-Russia negotiations in Istanbul, where the Kremlin sent a delegation of low-level officials and reiterated sweeping territorial demands, including that Ukraine accept the loss of Crimea and four regions.

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After the call, Trump downplayed Putin's absence at the Istanbul talks, saying, "Why would he go if I'm not going?" while positioning himself as a central broker in the peace effort.

Putin said on May 19 that Trump, during their conversation, had "expressed his position regarding the cessation of hostilities," but the Russian president insisted the "most effective paths towards peace" were still to be determined.

No progress was made, and as summer neared, Moscow initiated its summer offensive in Ukraine, with the U.S. leader later continuing his criticism of the Russian president.

The Alaska summit

After months of efforts that yielded no results, Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff met with Putin in Moscow on Aug. 6 amid the U.S. threatening Russia with secondary tariffs and blaming it for the stalled peace talks.

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"Great progress was made," the U.S. leader said after the meeting.

Before the meeting, the U.S. president said on July 14 that Russia would face "severe" secondary tariffs if it does not cease the war within 50 days.

"We call them secondary tariffs," Trump said when announcing his new deadline to end the war, which followed previous ones  initially set for 24 hours, then two weeks, and later 100 days  that have all passed.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin pose on a podium on the tarmac after arriving in Anchorage, Alaska, U.S. on Aug. 15, 2025. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / AFP via Getty Images)

The 50-day deadline was shortened to 10 days, and when it passed, Trump announced that he would meet Putin in Alaska on Aug. 15  the first summit between the two since Trump returned to office in January.

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During his meeting with Putin, the U.S. president was expected to push for a ceasefire in Russia's war. Zelensky said Trump told him, "This is one of his priorities."

The Anchorage meeting lasted nearly three hours and produced no breakthrough.

Trump described it as "extremely productive," but when asked whether a deal with Putin was reached, he admitted, "There's no deal until there's a deal."

After meeting the Russian leader, Trump increased pressure on Zelensky, saying on Aug. 18 that the Ukrainian president could end the war "almost immediately" if he chose to, while making it clear that Ukraine would not be allowed to join NATO or reclaim Crimea.

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The result of the Anchorage meeting was clear  Russia avoided U.S. secondary tariffs.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (L) and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) chat while waiting for U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putins joint press conference following a U.S.-Russia summit on Ukraine at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on Aug. 15, 2025. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / AFP via Getty Images)

While Trump pledged to arrange direct talks between Zelensky and Putin, in what was seen as the only result after the Alaska meeting, no agreement was reached.

Zelensky rejected Putin's invitation to meet in Moscow on Sept. 5, calling it impossible while Russia bombs Ukraine, but repeatedly said he is ready to meet the Russian leader on neutral ground.

Since Putin effectively refused to meet Zelensky and no breakthrough was achieved during the Alaska meeting, Trump once again grew frustrated with Putin's demands.

Trump sides with Kyiv

At the U.N. General Assembly on Sept. 23, Trump struck a new tone. After meeting Zelensky, he praised Ukraine's resilience and said Kyiv could "win back all of Ukraine."

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"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 Truth Social.

The statement stunned both Kyiv and Europe. It contradicted Trump's earlier claim that Crimea "will stay with Russia" and his push for a ceasefire based on existing front lines.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pose for a photo ahead of their meeting in New York City on Sept. 23, 2025, on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly. (Presidential Office)

Zelensky, speaking later that day, said Trump had "realized that Putin was simply sharing information far from the truth."

U.S. Vice President JD Vance said on Sept. 24 that the U.S. leader "is growing incredibly impatient with the Russians because he doesn't feel like they're putting enough on the table to end the war."

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For a moment, Trump appeared to trust Zelensky more than Putin  an alignment that didn't last long.

From anger to sympathy, again

In early October, Trump told reporters he was ready to send Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine but added he would "have to speak to Russia first."

On Oct. 16, he held a call with Putin, during which the two leaders agreed to meet again  this time in Budapest "to end this inglorious war."

The phone call had a direct impact on the Ukrainian leader's preagreed visit to Washington scheduled for Oct. 17. The meeting reportedly was tense.

According to the Financial Times, Trump pressured Zelensky to accept a deal that would hand over the entire Donbas region to Russia in exchange for small parts of the south.

After the meeting, Trump said on Oct. 17, "It's time to stop the killing and make a deal."

The sequence of U.S. President Donald Trump's statements. (Nizar al-Rifai/The Kyiv Independent)

Then came another reversal. In an interview with Fox News on Oct. 19, Trump said Putin had "won certain property" in Ukraine and should be expected to keep it as part of a peace deal.

"Well, he's going to take something," Trump said. "He's won certain property."

Ukraine also saw no Tomahawk deliveries after Zelensky's Washington visit.

The circle closes

Although Trump was previously angry at Putin, his tone softened again, and Russia appears to have avoided a new wave of U.S. pressure, which could have involved the provision of Tomahawks to Ukraine.

On Oct. 20, the U.S. Secretary of State held a call with Lavrov to prepare for the planned Budapest summit  the same one Trump was ready to hold days earlier.

The Russian foreign minister said on Oct. 21 that Russia does not plan to end hostilities in Ukraine without a comprehensive peace agreement, adding that "simply stopping means forgetting the root causes of this conflict."

After that, Trump again shifted his tone on Russia, with the U.S. sanctioning two Russian oil giants, Rosneft and Lukoil, in an effort to pressure Moscow into agreeing to a ceasefire

This marked the first time Trump has imposed sanctions on Moscow since taking office.

"Those are against their two big oil companies, and we hope that they won't be on for long," he said. "We hope that the war will be settled..."

The U.S. president also said he decided to cancel his meeting with Putin in Budapest.

"It didn't feel like we were going to get to the place we have to get  so I canceled it, but we'll do it in the future," Trump said, adding, "hopefully (Putin) will become reasonable and hopefully Zelensky will be reasonable, too."

Eight months after his first promise to "stop the deaths," the U.S. president's mediation remains defined by contradiction  an endless cycle in which Trump alternates between warning Putin and echoing him, between siding with Kyiv and doubting it.

For Ukraine, the outcome remains the same: a war that keeps claiming lives while the world watches the cycle repeat.

Note from the author:

Hi, this is Tim. Thanks so much for reading! At the Kyiv Independent, we don't have a wealthy owner or a paywall  we rely on readers like you to keep our journalism alive. Our goal is to explain the world clearly and walk you through what's really happening, so you can understand the events shaping Ukraine and beyond. If you found this article helpful, consider joining our community today and supporting independent reporting.

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TULLAHOMA, Tenn. (WKRN)  The Tullahoma City Schools Board unanimously agreed Tuesday to ban all flags, except for the American and Tennessee flags.

The policy was first brought up after a Tullahoma teacher, who was criticized for her views on the assassination of Charlie Kirk, allegedly had a Pride flag in a picture of her classroom.

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Former Tullahoma Alderman Daniel Berry started a petition with nearly 700 signatures, calling for Only American and Tennessee flags in Tullahoma classrooms.

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Every child, regardless of their background or belief, deserves to walk into a classroom thats dedicated to learning and not advocacy, Berry said. I believe the American and Tennessee flag represents every single student.

Opponents of the new rule tell me the flag is only making schools more inclusive and accepting of everyone.

What we are trying to do is protect the LGBTQ youth in our community, Coffee County Democratic Party Vice Chair Andrew Head said.

Head helped start a petition to: Protect safe and inclusive classrooms in Tullahoma.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

He said the next move is for the Democratic Party to run for one of the upcoming school board seats.

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The new policy will start next year.

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The deal, facilitated by the UK, is estimated to be worth several billion dollars.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Qatar on Wednesday, seeking to purchase billions of dollars in military technology, according to Bloomberg.

Erdogan reportedly requested to purchase 24 used and 16 new Eurofighter Typhoon jets from Qatar.

Britain helped facilitate the signing of a preliminary sale agreement and talks regarding the transfer of fighter jets from Qatar to Turkey in deals estimated to be worth several billion dollars, the outlet reported.

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Turkey has long been the second-largest operator of F-16 fighter jets, only second to the United States itself. The Turkish military has never operated any other foreign-produced models but is reportedly seeking to do so in efforts to deepen military ties with European NATO members and other allies.

Purchasing used fighter jets would allow Turkish forces to acquire the arms more quickly, as Bloomberg reported that new US F-16s would not arrive until 2030.

A Turkish F-16 pictured in May 2023; illustrative. (credit: Bogac Erkan/Shutterstock)

Erdogans stop in Qatar was a part of a regional tour including visits to Kuwait and Oman.

A shared extremist agenda

The Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy (ISGAP) issued a statement warning of their fear that the meeting was not a simple diplomatic visit, calling it a meeting of ideological allies whose shared agenda promotes Islamist extremism and destabilizes the region.

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Dr. Charles Asher Small, the founding director of ISGAP, assessed the cooperation between Qatar and Turkey as a representation of the consolidation of a Muslim Brotherhood alliance.

ISGAPs statement described the organizations research into Qatars ties to the Muslim Brotherhood extremist Islamist movement. The research reportedly documented Qatari involvement in providing financial, media, and political support that fuels antisemitism, terrorism, and anti-Western ideology.

Dr. Small cautioned that the arms deal may pose a threat to Western Society and the Jewish people as Qatar and its allies are not neutral actors, but deliberate exporters of antisemitism and political Islam.
Oct. 22PARKER, S.D.  In a tense 2-hour, 40-minute meeting Tuesday night at the Parker Community Building, the Turner County Board of Adjustment voted 4  1 to approve a sweeping set of conditions aimed at holding Dakota Protein Solutions (DPS) accountable for its rendering plant near Freeman.

Among the new terms: the plant "shall not operate in a manner which constitutes a public nuisance," as defined under South Dakota law (SDCL Chapter 21-10).

The action follows two prior meetings in which county officials found "substantial evidence" that the plant violated its conditional use permit.

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Under the motion adopted Tuesday, the permit will automatically expire on Dec. 21, 2025, unless the board grants an extension at a review hearing scheduled for at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 15. Additional provisions include random compliance inspections at DPS's expense and a stop-order authority: if the company fails to meet conditions, a special meting must be held within 10 days to determine whether the permit should be revoked.

The board laid out several date-specific requirements. DPS must plant a shelterbelt of trees around the lagoon by July 1, 2026, and drain the lagoon  cited as the primary source of odors by new plant management  twice per year. The fall drainage must be completed by Nov. 30, with irrigation conducted only under appropriate weather conditions and while avoiding weekends, holidays, or warm, humid days. DPS must also submit an annual odor management plan to the board and county zoning office whenever changes occur.

At the meeting, general manager Brian Donahoe, who assumed his role Oct. 1, acknowledged the company's problems and pledged to make changes.

"It's personal and we really want to make this right," he said. "We are aware of the issues; we're aware of the problems and have already taken steps to address them."

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The plant, which has been open since fall 2024, is located about 1 mile outside of Freeman, located along the Hutchinson-Turner county line. For months, neighbors have had numerous complaints about the smell from the facility, including one

that described the smell as "rotting flesh."

Donahoe explained that the lagoon  which holds fats, oils, tallow and meat-and-bone meal  had received materials that should have been processed within the facility until a breakdown occurred. Because irrigation cannot begin until the neighboring corn crop is harvested, he said the odor source remains active.

"Concerns are being addressed ... we're logging those things, we're addressing them with processes and redundancies to make sure they're getting done," Donahoe said. "I'm here to make sure things get done from a compliance standpoint and people are going to be proud of us.

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Beyond deadlines, the board's conditions cover facility operations in depth. DPS must ensure that all carcasses and rendering products are stored indoors or covered, transported in leak-proof containers, and trailers are cleaned and sanitized before leaving the property. The company must provide proof that its air exhaust stack is properly designed to avoid downwash. Dust control on roads leading to the facility must be applied twice a year on specific dates and additional times as needed.

A shelterbelt must be planted around the lagoon site, following USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and state Department of Agriculture and Natural Resource standards, with four to six rows of mixed species, including at least one row of transplanted adult trees. Road-use agreements with Turner County and Childstown Township must be reviewed annually. The board invoked Subsection 4 of the county ordinance, giving it authority to "require any other such action it deems appropriate," thereby streamlining enforcement and avoiding full permit-review delays.

Chairing the board, Steve Schmeichel said the structure provides the board with "more teeth" than a standard amendment.

"We needed a way to act without having to restart everything if one of these conditions is violated," he said.

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Residents and board members expressed frustration with DPS's history of violations and lack of responsiveness.

"What worries me the most is we're at the 11th hour because the people of the community finally rose up and said, 'We've had enough,'" Board member Tony Ciampa said.

Board member Mick Miller added concerns about operational assurances.

"If we were told that doors would be closed  I don't know why they're open now. There shouldn't be a reason for them to be open," he said.

The board then clarified accountability and cost provisions. Any county staff time or outside consultant fees related to inspections or compliance checks will be billed to DPS, and unpaid fees will be treated as a permit violation. DPS must submit its odor management plan and begin lagoon remediation immediately. Monthly or bi-monthly unannounced inspections will verify compliance.

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The Dec. 15 hearing will determine whether the conditional use permit is extended, and failure to meet conditions could result in a stop order or revocation.

For now, residents hope the accountability measures lead to real change.

"I'm certainly not going to let the people of Freeman down," Donahoe promised.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WIAT)  A Tuscaloosa County commissioner was arrested following a disturbance at a school event Tuesday.

Reginald Murray, 66, was arrested and charged with resisting arrest, obstructing governmental operations and disorderly conduct, according to the Tuscaloosa Police Department. He turned himself into the Tuscaloosa County Jail on Wednesday, and his bond was set at $2,000.

Alabama food bank warns government shutdown could affect SNAP, WIC benefits

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Authorities stated the charges stem from an incident at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School. Murray was reportedly among a group of latecomers attempting to enter the auditorium after the doors had been locked. When Murray was informed by a Tuscaloosa police officer that he couldnt enter the ongoing program, he allegedly continued to knock on the door.

The officer exited the auditorium to escort Murray out of the building, but Murray refused to comply and resisted, according to the TPD.

Officers stated they have obtained warrants to charge another person in relation to the disturbance.

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(FOX40.COM)  An employee from the Twin Rivers Unified School District has been arrested by the Sacramento Police Department and charged with at least three counts of sex with a minor.

Video Above: Sutter County deputies arrest man accused of daycare sex abuse

The suspect was identified as Elton Thomas, 45, in court documents from the Sacramento County Main Jail.

The Twin Rivers USD released a statement confirming Thomass arrest on Wednesday:

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We are aware that an employee has been arrested by the Sacramento Police Department. The employee has been placed on leave. Based on information currently available, there is no indication that the arrest is connected to our district. This is an active law enforcement investigation, and all inquiries should be directed to the Sacramento Police Department.

The Sacramento Police Department has yet to release a statement on the investigation.

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By Sara Merken

(Reuters) -Two federal judges admitted in response to an inquiry by U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley that members of their staff used artificial intelligence to help prepare recent court orders that Grassley called "error-ridden."

In letters released by Grassley's office on Thursday, U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate in Mississippi and U.S. District Judge Julien Xavier Neals in New Jersey said the decisions in the unrelated cases did not go through their chambers' typical review processes before they were issued.

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Both judges said they have since adopted measures to improve how rulings are reviewed.

Neals, based in Newark, in his letter said a draft decision in a securities lawsuit "was released in error  human error  and withdrawn as soon as it was brought to the attention of my chambers." He said a law school intern used OpenAI's ChatGPT for research without authorization or disclosure.

Neals said his chambers has since created a written AI policy and enhanced its review process. Reuters previously reported that research produced using AI was included in the decision, citing a person familiar with the circumstances.

Wingate said in his letter that a law clerk in his court in Jackson used Perplexity "as a foundational drafting assistant to synthesize publicly available information on the docket." He said posting the draft decision "was a lapse in human oversight."

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Wingate had removed and replaced the original order in the civil rights lawsuit and previously declined to give an explanation, saying it contained "clerical errors."

The judges did not immediately respond to requests for comment sent to their court staff.

Grassley had asked the judges to explain whether AI was used in the decisions after lawyers in the cases said they contained factual inaccuracies and other serious errors.

Grassley in a statement on Thursday said he commended the judges for acknowledging the mistakes and urged the judiciary to adopt stronger AI guidelines.

"Each federal judge, and the judiciary as an institution, has an obligation to ensure the use of generative AI does not violate litigants' rights or prevent fair treatment under the law," Grassley said.

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Lawyers have also increasingly faced scrutiny from judges across the country for apparent misuse of AI. Judges have levied fines or other sanctions in dozens of cases over the past few years after lawyers failed to vet the output the technology generated.

(Reporting by Sara Merken; Editing by David Bario and Marguerita Choy)
The question of whether to double the terms of office of Niagara County legislators is going to a referendum in the Nov. 4 general election.

Presently legislators are elected for a term of two years. If a majority of voters approve, the term would increase to four years beginning in January 2027.

The one-year lag in the effective date is due to the state Even Year Election Law, which calls for county legislators and most town officers to stand for election in even-numbered years. To make the transition, affected offices on the 2025 ballot including all 15 Niagara legislator posts will be up for election again in 2026.

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The legislature approved the term-increasing referendum by a 12-0 vote on July 22, following a late afternoon public hearing that drew eight speakers, mostly supporters of longer legislature terms.

In the run-up to the election, two ad hoc associations have formed, one in favor of and one opposed to four-year terms for county legislators.

Last week Niagara Chamber USA announced the Niagara for 4 coalition, spearheaded by the chamber of commerce, Niagara County Clerk Joe Jastrzemski and county Treasurer Kyle Andrews, whos a former county legislator.

Executive Director Craig Turner said the chambers position is that four-year terms will lead to better long-term planning and ultimately better government.

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With just two-year terms, long range planning often takes a backseat to short-term political needs, Turner said. The chamber believes a four-year term for legislators would address this and ultimately produce better results for Niagara Countys business and residential taxpayers.

Andrews and Jastrzemski, who both have four-year terms as county officers and both held two-year public offices in the past, observed that officials elected for two-year terms are in perpetual campaign mode with only 13 to 15 months between campaign cycles.

Jastrzemski asserted the prospect of having to campaign every other year discourages working people from pursuing public office, and longer terms would encourage more people to consider running.

A longer term provides continuity of service and the ability to try new ideas, Andrews added.

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Reform Niagara, an informal partnership of former state senator George Maziarz and real estate developer/establishment-Republican critic Carl Paladino, is weighing in against four-year terms for legislators. Reform Niagara paid for the billboard recently raised in North Tonawanda that urges vote no by highlighting NT-based legislators Rich Andres and Randy Bradts votes to appoint Henry Wojtaszek, the controversial former CEO of Western Region Off Track Betting, as Niagara Countys representative on the WROTB board of directors.

Of the referendum question, Maziarz said in a Monday interview, This is the legislators saying they dont want to face the voters every two years.

The legislatures mid-July public hearing on term extension drew eight speakers. Maziarz said he was the only one who voiced opposition, and claimed the proponents were all former legislators and retired or current county employees.

Considering other, higher public offices with two-year terms  member of Congress, with an average constituency of 520,000, and New York State senator, with an average constituency of 320,000  Maziarz said the work load of a Niagara County legislator isnt demanding enough, in comparison, to justify a guaranteed four-year paying gig. Niagaras part-time county legislators receive a base salary of $24,075.

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Its ridiculous to think a county legislator  in a county the size of Niagara needs a four-year term, Maziarz said. The move to extend the term is purely self-serving.

In several other New York counties, moves to increase legislators terms have been paired with term limits in recent years. In Monroe County, for instance, legislators serve staggered two- and four-year terms for up to 10 years before they have to step aside. Cayuga County legislators have four-year terms and are limited to three consecutive terms.

In Onondaga County, Proposition One on the 2025 ballot asks voters to decide whether to change county legislator terms to four years from two years while imposing a limit of three consecutive terms.
DISCLAIMER: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  The Shreveport Police Departments Sex Crimes Unit is asking for the publics assistance in the search for Leonard Clark, a convicted sex offender wanted for video voyeurism.

Feature Image SPD Seeking Wanted Sex Offender Leonard Clark

Clark currently has outstanding warrants from both the Shreveport Police Department and the Caddo Parish Sheriffs Office for failing to register as a sex offender.

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Law enforcement describes him as a repeat sexual offender, and detectives are actively working to apprehend him.

According to Louisiana State Legislature, video voyeurism is the use of any camera or any other image recording device, for the purpose of observing, viewing, photographing, filming, or videotaping a person where that person has not consented to the specific instance of observing, viewing, photographing, filming, or videotaping in an unlawful manner.

Authorities caution that anyone found to be harboring or assisting Clark could face arrest.

Anyone with information regarding Leonard Clarks location is encouraged to contact the Shreveport Police Department at 318-673-7300.

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RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)  The leader of the North Carolina House is looking into expelling a Democratic Representative accused of sex crimes with a minor.

House Speaker Destin Hall this week said hell appoint a committee to look into how to handle Representative Cecil Brockmans standing in the House. Brockman is accused of statutory rape and indecent liberties with a 15-year-old.

Rep. Cecil Brockman was living with 15-year-old victim for months, appears in court from hospital

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Calls for him to resign have come from all over the state, including his own party. He has not resigned, and so Speaker Hall says the committee will look into whether expulsion is appropriate.

Rep. Cecil Brockman (Courtesy NCGA)

Booking photo of Rep. Cecil Brockman.

A person who is up for expulsion has to receive due process, and that means some opportunity to be heard, cross-examine witnesses, and so part of our issue is, hes, as I understand it, still in jail, so obviously couldnt be here to present any evidence one way or the other, Speaker Hall said.

Hes not the only lawmaker facing criminal charges. Republican Senator Norm Sanderson was arrested over the weekend, accused of driving while impaired. Top Senator Phil Berger said he doesnt anticipate an expulsion or resignation there.

I have talked to him, Senator Berger said. As per his statement, he is very apologetic, admits his mistake, acknowledges that what he did wrong. He is probably the last member of my caucus I wouldve expected something like that from.

Sen. Norm Sanderson (Courtesy NCGA)

Booking photo of Sen. Norm Sanderson.

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NC GOP Senator arrested for DWI-related charges in Raleigh, court records show

Senator Sanderson did release a statement about the arrest. It reads: Last night I made a regrettable mistake, and I take responsibility for my actions. I want to apologize to my constituents, my colleagues, and my family for letting them down. I commend the State Highway Patrol and the Wake County Sheriffs Office for their professionalism during the incident.

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EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  Two men were recently arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated on separate occasions in Horizon, according to the Horizon City Police Department.

Zachary Owen Taylore, 21.

Jesus Gallegos, 27.

Police say Zachary Owen Taylore, 21, was arrested on Sunday, Oct. 19, and Jesus Gallegos, 27, was arrested on Monday, Oct. 20, after they both exhibited several signs of intoxication.

Gallegos was arrested at the intersection of Darrington Road and Blair Drive after running a stop sign. Taylore was arrested in the area of Kestrel and Emerald Sands after a traffic stop, police said.

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Taylore was placed under arrest after a breath test confirmed he was over the legal limit, and Gallegos was placed under arrest after performing some field sobriety tests.

Gallegos was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility under a bond of $1,000, and Taylore was also booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility.

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The Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing suspended last week two more nurses accused of obtaining their degrees fraudulently at Florida schools now under investigation as part of a national scheme.

Albertha Dafinice and Ketnel Angrand received their nursing degrees at for-profit schools that are now under indictment by federal authorities as part a massive investigation dubbed "Operation Nightingale."

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As of Oct. 15, their Connecticut license to practice nursing is suspended as state Department of Public Health investigators look at whether they obtained the correct number of classroom and clinic hours to practice safely. In the coming weeks, the board will hold a hearing and make a recommendation on their license.

More than 70 other people have either voluntarily surrendered their nursing license or had their licenses revoked in Connecticut since federal prosecutors in Florida announced indictments of school officials in December 2022.

At the time federal officials estimated that more than 7,000 people nationwide had obtained nursing licenses at the Florida schools which were offering degrees without completing the required number of classroom and clinical hours. The degrees that allowed them to take the National Council Licensure Examination, known as NCLEX, for registered nurses, federal authorities said.

The schools were not providing the required number of classroom or clinical training hours, potentially putting the public at risk, federal court documents said.

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The Connecticut board was notified by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing in November 2022 and since has been working to identify people who obtained Connecticut nursing licenses by citing the fraudulent degrees, DPH officials said in June.

In at least one case, a man with a Connecticut nursing license obtained through an indicted Florida school provided care to a state Department of Correction inmate who later died of a drug overdose while incarcerated. The man surrendered his nursing license about two months after the inmate died. He had been under suspicion by DPH officials for nearly two years before his case came for the Board of Examiners for Nursing, documents show.

This article originally published at Two more CT nurses suspended as part of Nightingale fraud degree scheme.




HUDSON - On a Hudson debate stage Wednesday night, the contrast between the two major-party candidates for mayor could not have been starker.

Democratic nominee Joe Ferris, 40, was clean-shaven and wore a blue suit; Republican nominee Lloyd Koedding, 67, sported a T-shirt, no shoes and spoke of the audience as "spiritual beings." Looming over the proceedings but absent was Mayor Kamal Johnson, who lost the Democratic primary to Ferris but is running on the Working Families Party line.

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Ferris laid out his plans for the city in formal debate language, while Koedding often admitted he needed to learn more about an issue or gave nuanced answers, occasionally referring to Quintus Cicero's "A Brief Handbook on Canvassing for Office," a copy of which he had on stage. Ferris hired a public relations firm for his campaign; Koedding said he chose to live in a van instead of traditional housing.

MORE: Our complete 2025 Hudson Valley voter guide

HudsonValley360 Editor Mary Dempsey, who moderated the debate with reporter Shawn Ness, referred questions about Johnson declining to debate to the candidate, who did not immediately return a message. However, on Facebook, the mayor posted that he was not sure what he would be debating at this point.

"My focus right now is on the real work happening in our community: housing, substance abuse, mental health, and more," Johnson wrote. "What I haven't heard from either of the other candidates is a concrete plan on any of these issues  If the debate is just going to be another round of criticism of my record, then it's not productive."

Hudson mayoral candidate Joe Ferris, a Democrat, speaks during Wednesday's debate. (Jim Franco/Times Union)





Hudson mayoral candidate Lloyd Koedding, a Republican, speaks during Wednesday's debate. (Jim Franco/Times Union)





Hudson Mayor Kamal Johnson appears at a housing rally. The incumbent, who is running on the Working Families Party line, skipped Wednesday's debate. (Will Waldron/Times Union)





Johnson's record loomed during Wednesday night's debate, as the candidates discussed a wide range of issues in the city. Foremost among them was what Hudson should do with its waterfront.

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A private industrial dock owned by A. Colarusso & Sons that sits less than 200 feet from the city's waterfront park has been the subject of fierce debate for more than a decade. The city's Planning Board is zeroing in on whether to grant a permit for the dock to continue to operate. A barge at the dock capsized earlier this month, adding another complicating factor.

Koedding questioned why the city had to "continuously change and upgrade" and said, as mayor, he would leave Hudson's waterfront "the way it is." Ferris called the waterfront the city's "greatest asset," saying he wanted to implement the redesign of the waterfront park, which would adapt the park to rising river levels from climate change.

How the Times Union covers politics

The Times Union works every day to produce fair and reliable journalism to help voters make informed choices and understand their communities. Click through to learn how we decide which candidates and stories to cover, when we use anonymous sources, and the role our editorial board plays.

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Both candidates spoke highly of the planned development of the shuttered John L. Edwards Primary School into senior housing. The project received a tax break from the Columbia County Industrial Development Agency, which both candidates favored.

But Ferris said he opposes another development in the city, a 70-unit proposal on Mill Street. The development is at the end of a road and in a flood zone. A group of residents filed a lawsuit in July claiming the city bypassed a law requiring state legislative approval to convert parkland to other uses.

Koedding often rebutted Ferris' comments by calling them "the same old story," at one point adding, "you've heard it, you've heard it, and you've heard it again." Ferris called it odd that someone running on the Harmony Party line, which Koedding will appear on in addition to the GOP line, would be negative towards his opponent. Koedding reacted to Ferris' attacks on Johnson's record by characterizing them as "blame, shame, regret, look what the other guy did."

Ferris reiterated that he would hire a city planner if elected, which Koedding said was unnecessary.

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The moderators also asked if the candidates would cooperate with ICE. Hudson, which has a significant Bangladeshi immigrant population, passed a sanctuary city resolution in 2017.

On the issue of federal immigration enforcement, Ferris said he would "never" cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in the city. Koedding appeared to question how resisting ICE would actually work, questioning whether Ferris would be personally "guarding the doors" and whether the police chief would "put themselves in front of ICE."

When the candidates were asked what they agreed with their opponent about, Ferris said it was Koedding's commitment to participating in local government, noting that the Republican candidate was at "every meeting" the city held. Koedding said both he and Ferris loved the city and appreciated its arts scene.

Both candidates said they wanted to appoint a police commissioner, a position that has yet to be filled after Commissioner Shane Bower resigned earlier this month, telling the Times Union he didn't think the city needed the position anymore.

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Koedding often referred to "human heartfelt consciousness" during the debate and referred to the audience as "spiritual beings."

"I'm not the king here - you are the kings," he told the audience. "You're the kings, and you've abdicated your thrones."

The debate, which was also live-streamed, was lightly attended, with fewer than 60 people. The same auditorium was packed during the Democratic primary debate in June.

Ferris enters the final stretch of the race as the frontrunner after winning the Democratic primary, though Johnson could still pull off a victory. The mayor has faced controversies this year, including over his house, which is owned by controversial developer Galvan. Johnson refused to supply documentation to the Times Union about how much he pays in rent for the home, which a real estate agent estimated would cost $4,500 a month. He is also facing a lawsuit over the Mill Street development and questions over the city's failure to collect about $1.8 million in property taxes, a figure that does not include late fees.

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Johnson has repeatedly attacked Ferris for being a newcomer to the city - Ferris moved there three years ago - and slammed him during the primary debate for not reaching out to key constituencies, such as the Columbia County Sanctuary Movement, and for not visiting Bliss Towers, the city's public housing.

Koedding, who said he collected 55 signatures to appear on the ballot, has little chance of a victory in the heavily Democratic city. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov 4. Early voting begins Oct. 25 in Hudson and Valatie.

Details about early voting can be found here.

This article originally published at Two of three Hudson mayoral candidates meet for odd debate.
Freedom TV journalist Olena Hramova and cameraman Yevhen Karmazin were killed in a Russian drone strike on Kramatorsk, Donetsk Oblast, on Oct. 23, regional governor Vadym Filashkin reported.

Later on Oct.23, Freedom TV confirmed in a statement that another member of the crew, special correspondent Oleksandr Kolychev, was injured in the attack and has been hospitalized.

Hramova, Karmazin, and Kolychev had reportedly been on assignment in the region when a Russian Lancet kamikaze drone struck the vehicle they were traveling in.

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Russia continues to target journalists who are documenting its war against Ukraine  killing them and wounding them, President Volodymyr Zelensky said, condemning the attack.

The deaths of Hramova and Karmazin mark another loss for Ukraines press community, which continues to report from front-line regions under constant threat of Russian attack.

The Freedom TV newsroom in Kyiv has been destroyed twice by Russian missile strikes in 2025.

Russia has repeatedly targeted reporters and media infrastructure since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

As of Oct. 9, Russia has killed at least 133 media workers in Ukraine, including those who had joined the military, and committed 848 crimes against journalists and media outlets, according to the Institute of Mass Information (IMI).

Read also: Ukraine war latest updates: Trump finally sanctions Russia (5)

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The U.S. government has accused a former executive at defense contractor L3Harris of stealing trade secrets and selling them to a buyer in Russia, according to court documents seen by TechCrunch.

On October 14, the Department of Justice accused Peter Williams of stealing eight trade secrets from two unnamed companies. The DOJ made the allegation in a criminal information document, which, like an indictment, represents a formal accusation of alleged crimes.

The document does not specify Williams relationship with the two companies or the types of trade secrets, nor does it name the alleged Russian buyer.

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TechCrunch has confirmed that the Williams mentioned in the document, which does not specify where he worked, is the former general manager at Trenchant, a division of L3Harris that develops hacking and surveillance tools for Western governments, including the United States.

Williams became Trenchants general manager on October 23, 2024, and he worked at Trenchant until August 21, 2025, per U.K. business records. Williams, a 39-year-old Australian citizen, resided in Washington, D.C., according to the court document.

Four former Trenchant employees had previously told TechCrunch that Williams, who was known inside the company as Doogie, had been arrested.

A spokesperson for the Justice Department confirmed to TechCrunch on Thursday that Williams is not currently in federal custody.

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The DOJ accused Williams of stealing seven trade secrets between April 2022 and June 2025, and the eighth trade secret between June and August 6, 2025.

According to the criminal information document, the U.S. government alleged Williams made $1.3 million for the sale of the trade secrets. For that reason, the DOJ seeks to forfeit Williams property derived from his alleged crimes.

Contact Us

Do you have more information about this case, and the alleged leak of Trenchant hacking tools? From a non-work device, you can contact Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai securely on Signal at +1 917 257 1382, or via Telegram, Keybase and Wire @lorenzofb, or by email.

A spokesperson for L3Harris did not respond to a request for comment by press time.

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Williams attorney John Rowley declined to comment when contacted by TechCrunch on Thursday.

The FBI, and the U.S. District Court for District of Columbia, where Williams case is being prosecuted, did not respond to multiple requests for comment on Thursday. (The U.S. government has been shut down since October 1 following a lapse in federal funding.)

When reached by TechCrunch in September regarding Williams, the FBI declined to comment. The Australian Signals Directorate declined to comment, as this is a matter for law enforcement.

An arraignment and plea agreement hearing is scheduled for October 29 in Washington, D.C.

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In 2018, L3Harris acquired Azimuth and Linchpin Labs, two sister startups that developed zero-days, which then merged to become Trenchant. The two companies sold hacking tools to the so-called Five Eyes, an intelligence sharing group made up of the governments of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Earlier this week, TechCrunch exclusively reported, citing four former Trenchant employees, that the company was investigating a leak of its hacking tools.

A former exploit developer at Trenchant told TechCrunch that they were suspected of leaking the tools, but denied any involvement.

The former developer said Trenchant scapegoated him for the leaks of tools capable of exploiting vulnerabilities in Google Chrome, which he claimed he would not have had access to given that he worked on developing iOS exploits. Three former employees said that Trenchant compartmentalizes what employees get access to depending on what platforms they work on.

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Sources corroborated the exploit developers account and said that the company wrongly accused the former employee.

Its not immediately clear if this years leak investigation at Trenchant is related to the federal accusation against Williams.

The case against Williams is being prosecuted by the DOJ National Security Divisions section on Counterintelligence and Export Control.
The White House hopes its new sanctions on Russia's oil industry push Putin into peace talks with Ukraine. Some new ICE recruits arrive to training without full vetting, revealing criminal backgrounds and underqualified candidates. And a nonprofit group reveals a large price tag on weather and climate disasters after federal cuts.

Here's what to know today.

White House ramps up pressure on Russia with oil sanctions

The Treasury Department announced new sanctions targeting Russias oil sector after President Donald Trump confirmed a planned meeting with his counterpart Vladimir Putin to discuss an end to the war in Ukraine was called off.

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"Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement. "Treasury is prepared to take further action if necessary to support President Trump's effort to end yet another war. We encourage our allies to join us in and adhere to these sanctions."

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The two companies being sanctioned are Rosneft and Lukoil and some of their subsidiaries, the statement said. Despite the war, Rosneft and Lukoil are worth more than $50 billion each and are two of the biggest companies listed on the Moscow Stock Exchange.

A senior White House official told NBC News that Trump was following his gut on the timing of the sanctions. Last week, relations between Washington and Moscow appeared to be warming after Trump held a call with Putin and did not approve Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's request for long-range Tomahawk missiles.

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Trump's latest peace push hit a roadblock during a call between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, according to senior figures on both sides.

Read the full story.

U.S. expands lethal strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats to eastern Pacific

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the military launched a second lethal strike in as many days against what he said were vessels involved in drug trafficking operations in the eastern Pacific.

The first strike, which Hegseth said happened Tuesday, was said to have killed two people. The second attack killed three men he called "narco-terrorists." The strikes are the first in the eastern Pacific since the Trump administration began attacking vessels that it has claimed are involved in drug trafficking.

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Hegseth said in last night's statement that missions would continue, and he characterized the military action as similar to strikes against the terror group Al Qaeda.

Read the full story.

White House's East Wing to be fully demolished for Trumps ballroom

The entire East Wing of the White House will be demolished "within days," according to two Trump administration officials.

The demolition is a significant expansion of the ballroom construction project that Trump described over the summer, when he said it would not "interfere with the current building" and "pays total respect to the existing building."

The East Wing was constructed in 1942 during Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency and has typically been used by the first lady and her staff. Trump said the new construction will hold up to 900 people, and the total price would be about $300 million. Trump said he and private donors will pay for the project.

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Read the full story.

Some ICE recruits arrived at training without full vetting

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has placed new recruits into its training program before they have completed the agency's vetting process, a current and two former Department of Homeland Security officials told NBC News. The oversights come as ICE rushes to hire federal immigration officers to carry out Trump's mass deportation policy.

ICE officials later discovered that some recruits failed drug testing, have disqualifying criminal backgrounds or don't meet the physical or academic requirements to serve, the sources said.

Staff members at ICE's training academy in Georgia discovered one recruit had previously been charged with strong-arm robbery and battery stemming from a domestic violence incident, the current DHS official said. They've also found as recently as this month that some recruits going through the six-week training course hadn't submitted fingerprints for background checks, as ICE's hiring process requires, the current and former DHS officials said.

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Read the full story.

More politics news:

A three-judge panel appeared skeptical of the Trump administration's arguments that the president has judicially unreviewable power when it comes to the deployment of the National Guard on the streets of Los Angeles.

Illinois is attempting to crack down on federal officers who try to disguise their vehicles in pursuit of undocumented individuals.

Republicans are pushing back on Trump's idea of importing beef from Argentina, with some making direct pleas to the White House to reverse course.

Dr. Mehmet Oz suggested that Trump has a plan to replace the Affordable Care Act  but provided no specifics about the proposal.

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Senior Republican lawmakers predicted that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's new policy restricting communication between Pentagon personnel and Congress will crash and burn.

Read All About It

The World Chess Federation said it will investigate whether Russian chess champ Vladimir Kramnik should be disciplined for the disparaging public statements he made "before and after the tragic death" of American grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky.

The nation's second-largest measles outbreak this year is spreading beyond its epicenter along the Utah-Arizona border.

Head Start locations are warning that their programs will be imperiled if the government shutdown stretches into November.

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An Illinois man was shot dead while incarcerated in a federal prison in Florida, a rare incident behind bars as guards largely are not allowed to carry firearms.

Staff Pick: Data rain check

Eaton Fire victim Ray Ahn amid the rubble of his burned-out home in Altadena, Calif., on Jan. 21. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

The Trump administration has made big cuts to climate science. And while a lot of that work has simply disappeared, some researchers are trying to reproduce it outside of government.

After the administration stopped work on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations billion-dollar weather and climate disaster database, the nonprofit Climate Central hired the researcher who left the federal government in protest of that decision. Climate Central released a new version of the database yesterday, reproduced in full with new data collected since the project was scuttled.

The database showed that 14 weather events exceeded $1 billion in damages in the first six months of 2025. The Los Angeles fires topped the list, with a cost of $61 billion, making them the most expensive wildfire event on record. Added up, it's the costliest first six months in more than 40 years. The data release shows that weather and climate disasters continue to pose a significant economic cost and serves as a reminder that some projects have a chance to live on after theyve been canceled.  Evan Bush, science reporter

NBC Select: Online Shopping, Simplified

Colder temperatures are here, and so are cracked lips and unexpected cold sores. The NBC Select team found the best dermatologist-recommended treatments for both.

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Thanks for reading todays Morning Rundown. Today's newsletter was curated for you by Christian Orozco. If you're a fan, please send a link to your family and friends. They can sign up here.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
RIVIERA BEACH  A man wanted in connection to an August homicide in Riviera Beach was arrested Oct. 22 in central Florida, police said.

Alphonso Andrew Lingo, Jr., 30, was caught in the Seminole County city of Sanford by deputies from the U.S. Marshals Service. He was wanted in connection to the Aug. 21 shooting death of Lorenzo Pugh. Pugh, 61, was found dead in a residence on the 1000 block of West 26th Court after police responded to a 911 call.

The tenacious work by our detectives and support from the U.S. Marshals Service Task Force culminated with the arrest of a violent convicted felon, who is now off the streets and can be brought to justice, Riviera Beach Police Chief Michael Coleman said in prepared remarks.

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More: Two men who died in Royal Palm Beach shooting altercation were county employees in their 60s

Detectives identified Lingo as a suspect and a warrant for his arrest was issued on Sept. 12. Lingo was booked into the John E. Polk Correctional Facility in Seminole County, where he is being held without bond on a Palm Beach County warrant. He is awaiting extradition to Palm Beach County.

Lingo faces charges of second-degree murder with a firearm and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm or ammunition.

Julius Whigham II is a criminal justice and public safety reporter for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jwhigham@pbpost.com and follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @JuliusWhigham. Help support our work: Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: U.S. Marshals catch man wanted in Riviera Beach fatal shooting
Taiwanese President William Lai with soldiers during his visit to a military base, in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, on May 16, 2025. Credit - Daniel CengAnadolu/Getty Images

With all the news out of the Middle East and the ongoing war in Ukraine, its easy to forget that Taiwan is the worlds most dangerous flashpoint. China has long laid claim to the island and acting on those claims could lead to a spiral where Washington and Beijing come to blows over the issueand nuclear use would remain a terrifying possibility.

Now, a confluence of factors have made the situation in the Taiwan Strait even less stable. The U.S. has been burned badly by Asian nationalism more than a few times in the past, and so should act with utmost prudence today.

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Read More: Taiwan in the Shadow of War

At the heart of this growing storm is the brash, new leader of Taiwan, President William Lai of the nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Instead of taking a low profile and playing down any claims to Taiwans independent status like his more cautious DPP predecessor Tsai Ying-wen, Lai has lurched toward formal independence with a succession of speeches making the case for Taiwanese nationhood.

One columnist at Taipei Times succinctly summarized Lais first address: Never before has a Taiwanese president devoted an entire speech to laying out clearly, point-by-point, and unequivocally how Taiwan is unquestionably a sovereign nation.

Not surprisingly, Beijing has reacted to Lais address with a string of invective. A June 26 editorial in the state-run Chinese newspaper the Global Times said that he once again exposed his radical Taiwan independence stance and accused him of pushing cross-strait relations and Taiwan's development to the edge of more conflict and risk.

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The political milieu on Taiwan is polarized, with islanders in July rejecting an unprecedented recall vote of opposition lawmakers from the Kuomintang (KMT), which controls the legislature and opposes formal independence. When the KMT this week elected a new chairperson, Cheng Li-wun, the party was accused of falling victim to an influence campaign orchestrated by Beijing.

When Taiwan held its annual Han Kuang military exercises earlier this year, it involved numerous innovations meant to address the growing Chinese military threat. The exercises lasted longer than usual, involved the extensive use of reservists, showcased new weaponry, and practiced urban warfare.

Read More: How Trump Can Avoid War Over Taiwan

But it was another sign of Taipei misdirecting its defense efforts. That money would be better spent, as military experts have long said, on asymmetric weapons like mines given that Taiwans ports and air bases would be the main targets for Chinas initial air and missile campaign. Shifting the focus to more affordable and widely dispersed ground combat systems makes sense for Taiwan.

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But even that approach has problems. American M1 Abrams tanks joined Taiwans forces for the first time, but they have been paraded around Russia as trophies from the war in Ukraine. Its beyond any doubt that the PLA has secured from Russia the very latest intelligence on this platforms weak points and doctrine on defeating it. The same is true on the vaunted HIMARS system that have also arrived in Taiwan.

Other factors dont bode well for Taiwan. There has been much talk about the shortage of American-made Patriot anti-missile batteries thanks to the Russia-Ukraine War, so the PLA may wish to act before that shortfall can be rectified. Nor can it be ruled out that China, while normally cautious, might instead act decisively against Taiwan at a point of crisis for Kyiv, since the West would likely be more distracted.

Beijing is obviously trying to read the tea leaves in Washington. President Donald Trump has judiciously taken a cautious approach on Taiwan, especially when compared to his predecessor. But some of his top advisors, including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, have adopted a notably hawkish tone. Elon Musk, the Trump advisor who was most knowledgeable about China and whose experience with Beijing goes back decades, is now nowhere near the Oval Office.

On the high-stakes Taiwan issue, Washington should tread carefully. Taiwan constitutes a core interest for China and the military balance gets ever more lopsided against Taiwan by the day.

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American leaders should not hesitate to rein in Taiwans evidently reckless leader, perhaps with a private warning. It would not be the first time that Washington has rebuked Taipei for threatening the status quo.

In the meantime, the U.S. should refocus its defense efforts in the Pacific on protecting actual treaty allies Australia, Japan, the Philippines, and South Koreaa wholly realistic and sensible goal. But Taiwan does not represent a vital U.S. national security interest. It is not a treaty ally, nor are the various geostrategic or economic rationales to defend Taiwan enough to risk a potentially catastrophic great power war.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
The United States Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago has issued a security alert cautioning American citizens to avoid all U.S. government facilities throughout the holiday weekend due to what officials describe as a heightened state of alert. The warning, released on Saturday, October 18, 2025, comes amid escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela following a series of deadly U.S. military strikes in Caribbean waters targeting suspected drug traffickers.

Trinidad and Tobagos Minister of Homeland Security, Roger Alexander, confirmed to The Associated Press that the alert was based on threats directed at American citizens in the Caribbean nation that could be linked to the ongoing regional tensions. The twin-island nation, which lies just seven miles from Venezuelas northeastern coast, is currently preparing for Mondays Diwali celebrations, a Hindu festival widely observed in the country where approximately 35% of its 1.4 million residents identify as East Indian.

Impact On Travelers And Residents In Trinidad And Tobago

The security alert explicitly urges American citizens to avoid and refrain from visiting all U.S. government facilities through the holiday weekend and advises them to be aware of your surroundings. According to The Hill, additional recommendations include monitoring reputable news outlets, ensuring valid U.S. passports for travel, and reporting suspicious activities to local authorities.

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The embassy also encouraged Americans to have friends and family enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive timely security updates, as detailed in the official U.S. Embassy alert. The security alert comes in the context of deteriorating relations between the United States and Venezuela following Venezuelas disputed presidential election in July 2024 and the return of Donald Trump to the White House.

Per ABC News, the U.S. military has conducted at least six strikes since early September, resulting in at least 29 fatalities. Most recently, following an attack on Tuesday, the U.S. government took survivors into custody after striking a suspected drug-carrying vessel in the Caribbean. The escalating conflict has had a direct impact on local communities in Trinidad and Tobago.

As reported by The Guardian, residents of the fishing village of Las Cuevas are mourning the disappearance of two local fishermen, Chad Charpo Joseph and Rishi Samaroo, believed to have been killed in a U.S. strike on Tuesday.







The post U.S. Raises Security Alert For Trinidad And Tobago Over Growing Venezuela Conflict appeared first on Travel Noire.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced new sanctions Wednesday against Russia's two biggest oil companies and blasted Moscow's refusal to end its "senseless war" in Ukraine, as the Trump administration struggles to strike a ceasefire deal and the Ukrainian president seeks more foreign military help.

The sanctions against Rosneft and Lukoil, as well as dozens of subsidiaries, followed months of bipartisan pressure on President Trump to hit Russia with harder sanctions on its oil industry.

"Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire," Bessent said in a statement. Given Russian President Vladimir Putin's "refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russia's two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlin's war machine."

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Bessent said the Treasury Department is prepared to take further action if necessary to support Trump's effort to end the war. "We encourage our allies to join us in and adhere to these sanctions."

The announcement came after Russian drones and missiles blasted sites across Ukraine, killing at least six people, including a woman and her two young daughters.

The attack came in waves from Tuesday night into Wednesday and targeted at least eight Ukrainian cities, as well as a village in the region of the capital, Kyiv, where a strike set fire to a house in which the mother and her 6-month-old and 12-year-old daughters were staying, regional head Mykola Kalashnyk said.

At least 29 people, including five children, were wounded in Kyiv, which appeared to be the main target, authorities said.

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Russian drones also hit a kindergarten in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, later Wednesday when children were in the building, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said. One person was killed and six were hurt, but no children were physically harmed, he said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said many of the children were in shock.

Russia fired 405 strike and decoy drones and 28 missiles, mainly targeting Kyiv, Ukraine's air force said.

The new sanctions on Russia were unveiled as NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte visited Washington for talks with Mr. Trump. The military alliance has been coordinating deliveries of weapons to Ukraine, many of them purchased from the United States by Canada and European countries.

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"I'm absolutely convinced that with sustained pressure, we will be able to get Putin to the table to agree with a ceasefire," Rutte told reporters Wednesday.

Mr. Trump's efforts to end the war that started with Russia's all-out invasion of its neighbor more than three years ago have failed to gain traction. The U.S. president has repeatedly expressed frustration with Putin's refusal to budge from his conditions for a settlement after Ukraine offered a ceasefire and direct peace talks.

Mr. Trump floated meeting with Putin in Hungary last week. But on Tuesday, he said his plan for a swift meeting with Putin was on hold because he didn't want it to be a "waste of time." European leaders accused Putin of stalling.

Zelenskyy said Wednesday that Trump's proposal to freeze the conflict where it stands on the front line "was a good compromise"  a step that could pave the way for negotiations.

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Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the planned summit requires careful preparation, suggesting that laying the groundwork could be protracted. "No one wants to waste time: neither President Trump nor President Putin," he said.

In what appeared to be a public reminder of Russian atomic arsenals, Putin on Wednesday directed drills of the country's strategic nuclear forces.

Zelenskyy urged the European Union, the United States and the Group of Seven industrialized nations to force Russia to the negotiating table. Pressure can be applied on Moscow "only through sanctions, long-range (missile) capabilities and coordinated diplomacy among all our partners," he said.

More international economic sanctions on Russia are likely to be discussed Thursday at an EU summit in Brussels. On Friday, a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing  a group of 35 countries that support Ukraine  is to take place in London.

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Zelenskyy credited Mr. Trump's remarks that he was considering supplying Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine for Putin's willingness to meet. The American president later said he was wary of tapping into the U.S. supply of Tomahawks over concerns about available stocks.

Government shutdown enters Day 22 as Trump gives Democrats ultimatum

Potential shooting plot at Atlanta airport thwarted, police say

Plans underway for Border Patrol crackdown in San Francisco area, U.S. officials say
British counter terrorist police on Oct. 23 detained three men in London over suspected espionage for Russia.

The suspects, aged 44, 45, and 48, were arrested by the Metropolitan police at addresses in central and west London. Searches at the addresses are ongoing.

The news comes amid growing concerns about Russian-backed espionage, cyberattacks, and sabotage across European countries.

"Were seeing an increasing number of (individuals) who we would describe as 'proxies' being recruited by foreign intelligence services," said Dominic Murphy, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, in a press statement.

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According to Murphy, the arrests are "directly related to our ongoing efforts to disrupt this type of activity."

The police did not provide further details on the identities of the suspects.

British authorities have stepped up efforts to crack down on suspected Russian agents as Moscow intensifies its hybrid operations against countries backing Ukraine.

In September, the London police detained a 35-year-old woman and two men aged 41 and 46 over suspected espionage for Russia.

Earlier the same year, several suspects were convicted in connection with an arson attack targeting Ukraine-linked businesses in London, an operation that British authorities allege was orchestrated by Russias Wagner mercenary group.

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Read also: Hungarian, Romanian oil refineries tied to Russia hit by blasts

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LONDON (AP)  British counterterrorism police arrested three men in London on Thursday on suspicion of spying for Russia.

The Metropolitan Police force said that the men, ages 44, 45 and 48, were detained at addresses in the city under the National Security Act on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service. Police said that the country in question is Russia.

The force said that officers were searching several London properties in connection with the investigation.

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British authorities allege that Russia is conducting an increasingly bold campaign of espionage, sabotage and cybermeddling against the U.K.

Were seeing an increasing number of who we would describe as proxies being recruited by foreign intelligence services and these arrests are directly related to our ongoing to efforts to disrupt this type of activity, said Cmdr. Dominic Murphy, head of counterterrorism policing in London.

Last week the head of the MI5 security service, Ken McCallum, alleged that Russia is committed to causing havoc and destruction.

In the last year, we and the police have disrupted a steady stream of surveillance plots with hostile intent aimed at individuals Russian leaders perceive as their enemies, he said.
MILAN  Ukraine is inching closer to obtaining Swedish Gripen fighter jets as part of its year-long quest to acquire the fourth-generation aircraft type, which is designed to operate from austere airstrips.

Ukrainian and Swedish officials announced Oct. 22 the signing of a letter of intent for the export of up to 150 aircraft jets to Kyiv, which could provide the war-torn country with an advantage against a wide range of electronic-warfare and missile threats.

Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson said Ukraine had requested between 100 and 150 aircraft, specifically in the latest E variant, and that the Stockholm government was assessing different long-term mechanisms to finance such a large order.

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During a press conference in Linkoping, the hub for Swedish aerospace company Saab, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated that the first Gripen deliveries could begin within approximately three years.

We are talking about the latest generation, which was literally recently presented in Sweden, production is just beginning here. Therefore, we are talking about three years in practice, Kristersson said on Wednesday.

Building and delivering 150 units to Ukraine could take ten years or more, he added.

Earlier this week, the Swedish Air Force F7 Wing became the first operational unit to receive and operate the Gripen E.

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The E variant is the most advanced in the Gripen family of aircraft and is equipped with high-end electronic warfare capabilities, per the Saabs website.

The jets could prove especially useful for Kyiv given the pressures of the war and the central role that dispersed aerial operations now occupy, allowing them to operate from shorter and more austere airstrips.

It would also provide the Ukrainian Air Force with the ability to perform air-to-air or air-to-ground combat missions over longer distances and with heavier loads.
Sweden and Ukraine signed a letter of intent on Wednesday for a potential deal to supply up to 150 Gripen E fighter jets to Kyiv over the coming years.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met in Linkoping, home to the defence company Saab, which produces Gripen jets and other weapons.

Kristersson clarified that the memorandum was not aimed at any immediate new supplies.

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"This is the start of a long journey of 10-15 years," the Swedish prime minister said, pointing out that the deal concerns the most modern jet variant. Therefore, production capacity remains limited.

A strong and capable Ukraine is a key priority for Sweden, and we will continue to make sure Ukraine can fight back against Russia's aggression, Kristersson said on X.

Kyiv and Stockholm have repeatedly discussed the possibility of supplying the aircraft to Ukraine's Air Force, which already operates Western planes, including the Mirage 2000 and F-16.

Zelenskyy said the JAS 39 Gripen aircraft are one of the most effective elements when it comes to strengthening Ukraines defence capabilities.

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Swedish media reported that this Gripen model was used in direct combat for the first time this year, when Thailand deployed fighter jets in confrontations with Cambodia.

Before that these jets were mainly used for air policing. They were deployed to Poland in 2025 as part of a NATO mission to patrol allied airspace. Gripens were also used to enforce the NATO no-fly zone in Libya in 2014.

Interestingly, the Gripen E runs on a US-made engine, the General Electric F414-GE-39E.

We count on the first deliveries of Gripens already in 2026, Zelenskyy said, previously noting that Ukrainian pilots have already begun training on the Swedish planes.

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We also discussed the situation with air defence and the implementation of the PURL initiative. Special attention was given to Ukraines energy sector, with urgent needs arising from Russias ongoing attacks on our energy infrastructure, he added.

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Ukraines president also stated that Kyiv and Stockholm have coordinated positions ahead of this weeks meetings in Europe, the European Council session in Brussels and the Coalition of the Willing in London.

It is crucial to remain united in our decisions to achieve the results we aim for, Zelenskyy said one day before the EU summit, which will focus on the issues of defence and security for Ukraine and also for Europe.
Hi, this is Chris York reporting from Kyiv on day 1,338 of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Today's top story so far:

An operation by Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) killed three Russian paratroopers in the Russian city of Stavropol, the agency claimed on Oct. 23.

The operation took place on Oct. 22. HUR gave no specific details of how they were killed, saying only that the "loud event" at a military checkpoint in the city.

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A video accompanying the post  filmed from nearby and starting before the incident occurred  appears to show an explosion at the checkpoint.

"The soldiers and officers of this unit have been actively participating in hostilities in Ukraine since 2014 and have 'distinguished themselves' by numerous war crimes during the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation," HUR added.

In 2023, the commander of the 247th regiment, Colonel Vasily Popov, was killed in combat in Ukraine. Popov was the second unit commander killed in battle.

Lithuania says Russian warplanes violated its airspace

Last updated 8:41 p.m. Kyiv time.

Two Russian military aircraft briefly violated Lithuanian airspace on the evening of Oct. 23, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda announced.

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A Su-30 fighter jet and an Il-78 refueling plane flew approximately 700 meters into Lithuanian airspace, remaining there for about 18 seconds, according to the Baltic country's military.

"This is a blatant breach of international law and territorial integrity of Lithuania," Nauseda said, adding that the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry would summon a Russian envoy.

Read also: BREAKING: Lithuania says Russian warplanes violated its airspace

Putin claims Russia won't cave under US sanctions, says Budapest summit 'postponed'

Last ]updated 7:13 p.m. Kyiv time.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Oct. 23 denounced new U.S. sanctions as an attempt to coerce Moscow, declaring that Russia would not yield to the pressure.

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Talking to journalists, Putin said that "no self-respecting country does anything under pressure."

The comments come as U.S. President Donald Trump, for the first time, imposed sanctions against Russia, targeting the country's energy giants Rosneft and Lukoil.

The new penalties, intended to pressure Moscow into accepting a ceasefire in Ukraine, follow the collapse of planned diplomatic talks between the U.S. and Russia.

Trump and Putin were previously scheduled to meet in Budapest at an unspecified date, but the White House later announced that the summit had been canceled.

The Kremlin's chief described the sanctions as an "unfriendly act" that would harm Russia-U.S. relations, but sought to downplay their potential impact on the Russian economy.

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Read also: Putin claims Russia wont cave under US sanctions, says Budapest summit postponed

Russian soldiers machine-gunned civilians in Donetsk Oblast, prosecutor's office says

Last updated 3:54 p.m. Kyiv time.

Russian soldiers shot and killed at least four civilians as they sheltered in basements in the Ukrainian village of Zvanivka, Donetsk Oblast, the oblast's prosecutor's office reported on Oct. 23.

The alleged incident occurred on Oct. 20 when Russian troops entered the village in an attempt to obtain information about Ukrainian positions.

The soldiers entered the basement where a husband, 62, and wife, 57, were hiding with their adult son.

After initially leaving because they did not obtain any information, one of the soldiers returned and opened fire on them, killing the husband and son, and severely injuring the wife.

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The family's younger son, 30, had taken shelter in a neighbour's basement. When his mother went to look for him, she found him shot dead alongside the body of a 62-year-old woman.

Despite being shot in the jaw, she made her way to find help and report the potential war crime.

Ukraine confirms strike on Russias Ryazan oil refinery



Last updated 11:55 a.m. Kyiv time.

Ukraine has confirmed drone strikes on two strategic Russian targets overnight on Oct. 23, the Ryazan Oil Refinery and an ammunition depot near Valuyki, Belgorod Oblast.

The attack on the ammunition storage site near Valuyki destroyed the target, triggering secondary explosions and detonation of Russian munitions, according to Ukraine`s General Staff. The area has been frequently used by Russian forces as a logistics and weapons center near the Ukrainian border.

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In Ryazan, explosions and a large fire were reported by local residents near the Ryazan Oil Refinery. Later that day, the General Staff of Ukraine confirmed that Defense Forces had successfully struck the facility.

"Explosions were observed in the target area, followed by a large-scale fire," the General Stuff said in a statement.

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The Ryazan refinery has been repeatedly targeted by drones since early 2025, as Ukraine intensifies strikes on critical Russian energy infrastructure.

The facility plays a major role in supplying fuel to central Russia, and its disruption could have broader implications for the countrys logistics, military supply chains, and economic stability.

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Read also: Ukraine confirms strike on Russias Ryazan oil refinery, major blaze reported

Trump finally sanctions Russia

Last updated 12:30 a.m. Kyiv time.

The U.S. has imposed sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, in an effort to pressure Moscow into agreeing to a ceasefire, the U.S. Treasury announced on Oct. 22.

The measures are the first new sanctions U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed against Moscow since taking office in January.

"Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. "Given (Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin's refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russias two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlins war machine."

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The new penalties, meant to pressure Moscow to accept a ceasefire, come after planned diplomatic talks between the U.S. and Russia fell apart. Trump and Putin were previously set to meet in Budapest at an unspecified date, but the White House later announced the summit was canceled.

"It didn't feel like we were going to get to the place we have to get  so I canceled it, but we'll do it in the future," Trump said.

Trump, who met NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the White House the same day the new sanctions were announced, described the move as a "very big day in terms of what were doing.

"Those are against their two big oil companies, and we hope that they won't be on for long. We hope that the war will be settled. We just answered having to do with the various forms of missiles and everything else that we're looking at," Trump said.

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Read also: In Trump first, US sanctions Russias oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil after White House cancels Putin meeting

Kyiv repatriates 1,000 bodies that Russia claims are fallen Ukrainian soldiers

Last updated 3:01 p.m. Kyiv time.

Ukraine said on Oct. 23 that it has received 1,000 bodies from Russia, which Moscow says are fallen Ukrainian soldiers.

"In the near future, investigators from law enforcement agencies and Interior Ministry experts will carry out all the necessary examinations to identify the repatriated bodies," Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War (POW) said.

Russia has received 31 bodies from Ukraine, according to the Russian Telegram channel Astra.

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The repatriation follows several such operations carried out in recent months.

Read also: Ukraine war latest updates: Trump finally sanctions Russia (6)

2 Ukrainian TV journalists killed in Russian drone strike on Kramatorsk

Last updated 13:12 p.m. Kyiv time.

Freedom TV journalist Olena Hramova and cameraman Yevhen Karmazin were killed in a Russian drone strike on Kramatorsk, Donetsk Oblast, on Oct. 23, regional governor Vadym Filashkin reported.

The strike was carried out using a Russian Lancet kamikaze drone, which struck a car carrying the journalists, Filashkin said.

Hramova and Karmazin had reportedly been on assignment in the region when they were killed.

Explosions reported near military base in southern Russia

Last updated 2:48 a.m. Kyiv time.

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Explosions were reported near a military base just outside the southern Russian city of Stavropol late on Oct. 22, and additional explosions rocked an ammunition plant in the central city of Kopeysk, local media reported.

In Stavropol, a woman was allegedly killed after sustaining shrapnel wounds from the reported explosion.

A baby stroller with an explosive device hidden inside was planted near the military site, unnamed sources told Russian media.

The explosion reportedly took place at a bus stop near Russia's 247th Guards Airborne Assault Regiment.

A suspect has been detained and taken to the nearby military base for questioning, Russian media reported.

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Read also: Explosions reported near military base in southern Russia, blasts allegedly rock ammunition plant 1,700 km from Ukraine

At least 8 killed, 69 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day

At least three people have been killed and 69 others injured in Russian attacks against Ukraine over the past day, local authorities reported on Oct. 23.

Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 92 out of the 130 Shahed-type attack drones and other drones launched by Russia overnight, according to the Air Force. Twenty-five strikes were recorded at 11 locations.

Further drone activity was reported on the morning of Oct. 23 with an air raid alert issued in Kyiv.

In Kyiv and the surrounding oblast, six people were killed and 29 injured during a mass Russian missile and drone strike.

Overnight in Kyiv, a further seven people were injured when drones struck the Podil district of the capital.

In Kharkiv Oblast, a 40-year-old man was killed, and nine others injured when a Russian drone struck a kindergarten in Kharkiv.

Elsewhere in the oblast, one firefighter was killed and five others injured in Russian shelling of the village of Zelenyy Gai. A 66-year-old man was injured in the Vilkhiv community, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported.

In Kherson Oblast, thirteen people were injured due to Russian strikes, according to Governor Oleksandr Prokudin.

In Sumy Oblast, three people were injured as the result of a Russian drone strike, local authorities reported.

In Donetsk Oblast, Russian attacks injured two civilians, according to Governor Vadym Filashkin.

General Staff: Russia has lost 1,134,170 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022

Russia has lost around 1,134,170 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on Oct. 16.

The number includes 920 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.According to the report, Russia has also lost 11,282 tanks, 23,453 armored fighting vehicles, 65,228 vehicles and fuel tanks, 33,938 artillery systems, 1,525 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,230 air defense systems, 427 airplanes, 346 helicopters, 73,386 drones, 28 ships and boats, and one submarine.

Read also: Wildfire has consumed vast chunks of Ukraine. Is Russia deliberately fueling the flames?

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Russian forces have launched 130 strike drones against Ukraine since the evening of 22 October, including Shahed, Gerbera and other types. Ukrainian air defence have destroyed or jammed 92 of these drones, though some strikes were recorded.

Source: Air Force of Ukraine

Quote: "As of 08:30, air defence forces have destroyed or jammed 92 enemy drones of the Shahed, Gerbera and other types over Ukraine's north and east. Strikes from 25 drones were confirmed across 11 locations, with debris falling on another 11."

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Details: The Russians launched UAVs from the Russian cities of Kursk, Millerovo, Shatalovo, Oryol and Primorsko-Akhtarsk, as well as Cape Chauda in occupied Crimea. About 80 of the 130 drones were Shahed-type strike UAVs.

The attack was repelled by aircraft, anti-aircraft missile units, electronic warfare and unmanned systems units and mobile fire groups from Ukraine's defence forces.

As of this morning, the Russian attack is ongoing, with several Russian drones still detected in Ukrainian airspace.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday welcomed recent decisions by the United States and the European Union to impose additional sanctions on Russia.

"We waited for this. God bless, it will work. This is very important," he said, as he arrived at an EU summit in Brussels.

On Wednesday the US government imposed new sanctions on Russia targeting the country's two largest oil companies -- the first such decision since Donald Trump returned to the White House in January.

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The EU also announced on Wednesday the bloc's 19th package of far-reaching economic measures including a ban on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Russia's ongoing attacks on civilian facilities show that the country has no interest in peace, Zelensky said, speaking alongside European Council President Antonio Costa.

It is important to continue to exert pressure on Putin, he said.

"Pressure means sanctions packages, long-range air defence, and of course, financial support," the Ukrainian president said.

Zelensky is attending the EU summit in Brussels, where additional financial aid for Kiev is one of the topics on the agenda, as a guest.
Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine's Ambassador to the United States, has welcomed Washington's decision to impose comprehensive blocking sanctions on Russia's largest oil companies.

Source: Stefanishyna on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda

Details: Stefanishyna emphasised that this move marks the first such decision under the administration of the 47th US President Donald Trump and comes "after numerous attempts to give Russia a chance to begin real negotiations to end the war".

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"The decision is fully aligned with Ukraine's consistent position: peace is possible only through strength and pressure on the aggressor using all available international tools," Stefanishyna said.

The ambassador added that Ukraine expects decisive action from European partners following the European Council meeting scheduled for 23 October.

Background:

The US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced the new sanctions due to Russia's lack of serious commitment to the peace process aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. The sanctions target Rosneft and Lukoil, Russia's largest oil companies, among others.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump's administration had lifted a key restriction on Ukraine's use of certain long-range missiles provided by Western allies, allowing Kyiv to expand its attacks on targets inside Russia.

In recent days, several unofficial signals indicated that the planned Trump-Putin meeting in Budapest might be in doubt, as Russia continues to insist on its maximalist demands.

However, the Kremlin and Hungarian authorities have insisted that preparations are ongoing, dismissing such reports as attempts to disrupt the meeting.

Trump has since said that he no longer plans to meet the Russian ruler in Budapest in the near future.

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The Ukrainian defence forces struck strategic facilities belonging to Russia's military-industrial complex on the night of 22-23 October, hitting the Ryazan oil refinery and an ammunition depot in Belgorod Oblast.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Telegram

Details: The General Staff reported that the strike on the Ryazan oil refinery caused explosions and a large fire at the facility. The refinery, owned by the Russian state company Rosneft, is one of the largest in central Russia, with a processing capacity of over 17 million tonnes of oil per year.

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The military noted that the plant plays a key role in supplying fuel to Russian military units and the logistics chains of the Russian army. Disabling part of its capacity reduces Russia's ability to conduct combat operations.

In addition, Ukrainian attack drones hit an ammunition depot near the settlement of Valuyki in Belgorod Oblast.

The General Staff reported that the depot had been destroyed. Explosions and detonation of ammunition were recorded at the site.

The military emphasised that operations targeting Russian military infrastructure continue as part of measures aimed at stopping Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine.

Background:

Russia's Defence Ministry earlier claimed that Ukrainian drones carried out a large-scale attack on 10 Russian regions, with an oil refinery in Ryazan Oblast among the targets.

In August, Reuters reported that the Ryazan oil refinery lost half of its capacity after an attack by Ukrainian drones.

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During the liberation and mopping up of the village of Kucheriv Yar on the Dobropillia front of Donetsk Oblast, Ukrainian paratroopers managed to locate and evacuate local civilians to safety.

Source: press service of the Air Assault Forces Command

Details: An aerial reconnaissance unit delivered a note with further instructions and evacuation coordinates. In total, 10 people were rescued.

The Air Assault Forces noted that the operation was complicated by the fact that Russian soldiers often disguise themselves as civilians, making identification challenging. Nevertheless, thanks to coordinated actions between the headquarters and assault units, the operation was successful and saved civilians that had been trapped in danger.

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Quote: "Our people are what matters most. Despite the harsh conditions of combat and liberation of Ukrainian land from Russian occupiers."

Background:

Local authorities continue to urge residents of frontline settlements to evacuate. However, many civilians remain in active combat zones, which complicates the defence forces' operations.

Earlier, on the evening of 22 October, the Air Assault Forces Command announced the liberation of Kucheriv Yar and released footage showing Ukrainian troops raising the national flag over the village.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged European Union leaders to take a swift decision on lending Kiev Russian state assets frozen in the EU.

"The time to act on Russian assets is now," Zelenksy said, addressing EU leaders at a summit in Brussels.

"I urge for your full support," he stated.

"Anyone who delays this decision is not only limiting our defence, but also slowing down your own progress."

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EU leaders are discussing plans to provide frozen Russian central bank assets to Ukraine as a reparations loan of up to 140 billion ($162 billion) to finance its military and meet other financial needs in the coming years.

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has threatened to block the measure from going ahead, demanding several guarantees from fellow EU leaders.

Belgium is a key player in this issue because the Belgian financial institution Euroclear currently manages a large portion of the Russian assets frozen in the EU.

The EU has been one of Ukraine's biggest supporters since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine with financial and military assistance totalling close to 180 billion.

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The bloc has been under increasing pressure to provide additional aid to Kiev after US support has dwindled under President Donald Trump.

Many EU countries, however, are faced with bleak domestic economic outlooks, rising deficits and heavy debt burdens, prompting the move to potentially tap into Russia's immobilized state assets.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged European Union leaders to take a swift decision on lending Kiev Russian state assets frozen in the EU as the plan faced resistance from key player Belgium.

"The time to act on Russian assets is now," Zelenksy said, addressing EU leaders at a summit in Brussels.

"I urge for your full support," he stated.

"Anyone who delays this decision is not only limiting our defence, but also slowing down your own progress."

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EU leaders are discussing whether to task the European Commission with drafting a proposal to provide frozen Russian central bank assets to Ukraine as a reparations loan of up to 140 billion ($162 billion) to cover Kiev's financial and military needs in the years 2026 and 2027.

Belgium threatens to block plans

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has threatened to block the measure from going ahead, demanding several guarantees from fellow EU leaders.

Belgium is a key player in this issue because the Belgian financial institution Euroclear currently manages a large portion of the Russian assets frozen in the EU.

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"I want the full mutualization of the risk because there is a big risk," De Wever said, as he arrived at the meeting.

"We want guarantees if the money has to be paid back that every member state will chip in," he said.

The Belgian politician also called for transparency and joint action from all other countries that have frozen assets. He also warned against the seizure of assets of European companies in Russia.

The EU has been one of Ukraine's biggest supporters since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine with financial and military assistance totalling close to 180 billion.

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The bloc has been under increasing pressure to provide additional aid to Kiev after US support has dwindled under President Donald Trump.

Many EU countries, however, are faced with bleak domestic economic outlooks, rising deficits and heavy debt burdens, prompting the move to potentially tap into Russia's immobilized state assets.

According to initial plans, Russia would only get the money back if it pays reparations after the end of the war against Ukraine. In case the frozen Russian funds have to be unexpectedly released, EU countries would provide guarantees.

So far only the interest on the frozen money is being used to support Ukraine in its defence against Russia.

Merz pushes for 'jointsolution' while industry warns of risks

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, one of the proponents of the initiative, voiced optimism that De Wever will get on board.

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"I share his concerns, but he is interested in finding a joint solution, and I therefore expect us to make progress today."

German businesses however have criticized the plans amid fears that such a move would endanger European money frozen by Moscow, saying that such a step would have costly consequences, especially for Germany.

"Germany has invested in Russia like no other country. Therefore, it has the most to lose in the planned utilization of Russian central bank funds for arms purchases in favour of Ukraine," Matthias Schepp, chairman of the German-Russian Chamber of Foreign Trade (AHK) told dpa on Thursday.

Schepp said that assets totalling over 100 billion ($116 billion) are at risk.

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The figure refers to the value of German factories and retail chains. However, companies in the energy, pharmaceutical and household appliance sectors, which Moscow has placed under foreign administration, or money Russia has frozen in accounts, are also affected.

Russia has taken control of the Russian subsidiaries of German energy companies Uniper and Wintershall, for example. Moscow presented this as a reaction to the trusteeship of refineries in Germany owned by Russian energy company Rosneft.

Foreign companies that sold their factories in Russia after the invasion of Ukraine ordered by President Vladimir Putin had to deposit the proceeds into a blocked account. They have only limited access to the account - for example, to pay taxes. Officially, however, all these assets still belong to German companies.

Schepp stressed, "It is not in Germany's and its taxpayers' interest for these funds to end up in the Kremlin's coffers."

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever speaks to the media upon his arrival to attend the Euro Summit at the European Council building in Brussels. Nicolas Maeterlinck/Belga/dpa
The Ukrainian defence forces have repelled another Russian assault involving armoured vehicles, motorbikes and quad bikes in the area of Chasiv Yar.

Source: 24th Mechanised Brigade named after King Danylo on Facebook

Quote: "In the morning of 20 October, in the area of responsibility of the 24th Brigade, the Russians made an unsuccessful attempt to break through using armoured vehicles, motorbikes and quad bikes."

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Details: The brigade reported that MT-LB and BMP-1 armoured vehicles equipped with anti-drone protection, two quad bikes and three motorbikes were destroyed. Two more armoured vehicles were hit while approaching and rolled back.

The military also reported that 20 Russian soldiers were killed and 11 more injured. The report stated that the killed soldiers "paid with their lives for the contract they signed with the Russian armed forces".

The assault was repelled by soldiers of the 24th Mechanised Brigade named after King Danylo, the 18th Sloviansk Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine, the 101st Guard Brigade of General Staff and the 427th Separate Regiment of Unmanned Systems RAROG.

"The defence of the city is ongoing," the military added.

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The University of Maine System plans to switch to Anthem health insurance for its employees, even though the insurer has been publicly feuding with the state's second largest health system, Northern Light Health, for months.

About 15 percent of the university system's employees rely on Northern Light for at least one medical service, the system said.

The university system said the switch will save employees hundreds of dollars on premiums, but unions representing these employees said they are very concerned.

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If Northern Light and Anthem are unable to reach an agreement before the university systems new health plan takes effect on Jan. 1, the unions said they would begin bargaining proceedings.

Northern Light and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Maine have been locked in a contract dispute since this summer. The feud has been contentious, with both sides making public accusations and Gov. Janet Mills stepping in to mediate.

Northern Light and Anthem passed an October 1 deadline to reach an agreement to keep Northern Light patients in-network, but they accepted a 30-day extension to continue contract negotiations. The deadline extension would end next week.

Dr. Guy Hudson, the new CEO of Northern Light, told News Center Maine this week that he was very positive they would reach an agreement with Anthem.

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In an email to employees on October 8, the University of Maine System said it believed, based on information from both parties, that Anthem and Northern Light would reach an agreement before January 1 that preserves in-network access to providers and facilities.

In recent weeks, we have been in daily communication with both Anthem and NLH, the university system said in the email. While it is true that a deal has not yet been reached, we understand that significant progress has been made in their negotiations, which are actively continuing.

The letter announced to employees that the current contract with Cigna would expire on December 31, and the system plans to switch to a three-year contract with Anthem on January 1, but the contract has not yet been finalized. The system said it has more than 6,200 people insured through it.

During a 10-month process, the university system said it put out a request for proposals and received responses from four health insurance providers, including Cigna. Of those four providers, Anthem overwhelmingly received the highest evaluation score, the university system said, because it had the largest network of providers, offered the most user-friendly services, had the lowest premium cost increases and had contracts with other public employers, including the state of Maine and the Maine Education Association Benefits Trust.

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Under the Anthem family plan, most employees would save $279 next year, compared with continuing with the Cigna plan, according to the university system. Under the Anthem high-deductible family plan, employees would save $680 next year. The email didnt provide cost comparisons with other insurers.

The university system also selected Capital Rx for prescription drug benefits.

Leaders from unions representing university faculty, in addition to clerical, office, laboratory, technical and professional staff, said they sent a letter on October 3 recommending the university system stay with Cigna to avoid the detrimental impacts switching would have on many members if Anthem and Northern Light dont reach an agreement.

The position of union leadership is that a change to Anthem without a contract with Northern Light represents a material change in our negotiated benefits that we cannot support, said Lydia Savage, president of the Associated Faculties of the Universities of Maine System and a geography professor at the University of Southern Maine.

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The university system can decide to switch insurance providers, the unions said. However, about 15 percent of members, many of them working for the systems flagship university in Orono, may need to use out-of-network providers if there is no agreement between Anthem and Northern Light.

In that case, the labor unions will demand a process called impact bargaining to negotiate the effects of a management decision on union members, even if the decision was within the managements right to make.

Unions have the right to request this type of negotiation, which focuses on consequences like insurance, severance pay, or changes to working conditions, rather than the decision itself, Savage said.

Correction: This story has been updated to note the correct number of people insured through the University of Maine System and to note that the contract between UMaine and Anthem is not yet finalized.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown has joined a multi-state push calling for the Ninth Circuit Court to rehear the case involving the Trump administrations proposed National Guard deployment into Oregon.

The amicus brief from Washington, Hawaii, and Nevada calls the presidents deployment an overreach and calls President Trumps actions an unprecedented use of federal authority to seize control of state National Guard troops over a governors objection.

We know this is wrong. We know this is un-American. And we will continue to raise the alarm about the presidents unconstitutional vision for using the military against civilians, Brown said in a statement.

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Skateboarder struck, killed by Mack Truck on Hwy 101

The Ninth Circuit Courts three-judge panel issued the ruling on Monday that Trump is allowed to deploy the National Guard troops. However, AG Brown and the other co-signers of the amicus brief argue this could set a dangerous precedent that allows the president to deploy National Guard troops into any state for almost any reason.

The states contend that federal law allows the National Guard to be federalized only in extraordinary circumstances  such as rebellion or invasion  not for routine law enforcement or perceived staffing challenges, the group said.

The Ninth Circuit Courts most recent ruling, which sided with the Trump administrations appeal, comes in opposition to the initial ruling by the Trump-appointed federal Judge Karin Immergut. Immergut had previously sided with the State of Oregon, granting their requested restraining order against deploying the National Guard troops opposed by Oregon Governor Tina Kotek.

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On Friday morning, a hearing is set for Immergut to discuss whether she agrees with or opposes the Ninth Circuit Courts ruling, upon Oregons continued request to dissolve the troop deployment order.

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KILLEEN, Texas (FOX 44)  An Unaccompanied Burial for a U.S. Navy Veteran will be taking place at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen on Thursday.

The Texas Veterans Land Board says the burial for for U.S. Navy Veteran Seaman Apprentice (SA) Jay Ralph Myatt will take place at 11 a.m. SA Myatt was born on March 14, 1949, and served from July 1968 to May 1970. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

SA Myatt is not expected to have any next-of-kin attend his service. Members of the Killeen community are encouraged to attend.

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The Texas Veterans Land Board says SA Myatt will receive military honors. If no next-of-kin attends the burial, a Veterans Land Board Representative will accept the United States flag on his behalf.

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(The Center Square)  Thursdays committee hearing looking at the sexual misconduct investigation process for Wisconsins Department of Public Instruction included plenty of questions but no DPI superintendent.

Jill Underly was instead at Indiana University to collect a distinguished alumni award, which led to criticism from committee leaders and a pair of Republican candidates for governor.

Not only was the superintendent absent from the hearing, she was absent from our state, Rep. Amanda Nedweski, R-Pleasant Prairie, said after leading the informational hearing in the Assembly Committee on Government Operations, Accountability and Transparency.

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Underly was invited to a Nov. 4 informational hearing in front of the Senate Committee on Education and Deputy State Superintendent Tom McCarthy said that she planned to appear in front of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee at 9 a.m. on Nov. 5.

McCarthy and a pair of DPI employees answered questions in Underlys place.

Im disappointed that Dr. Underly is not here, Rep. Mike Bare, D-Verona said as the meeting began.  She should be.

The hearing began with comments from Kenosha Chief of Police Patrick Patton, who added context about the difficulty of pinpointing charges against teachers who cross ethical lines with students, advocating for a grooming law and for a change current law involving sexual misconduct by a school staff person after a teacher was able to avoid the charge by changing schools.

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Patton was asked whether he believes sexual misconduct from teachers and school staff is a growing issue.

I think this has been a historically underreported problem, Patton said.

DPI representatives then detailed their investigative work and how teachers are often offered the option of permanently revoking their teacher license in order to end an investigation.

McCarthy, however, admitted that process was not in statute nor could they prevent a teacher from later asking for the license to be reinstated. He also said that there are jobs within schools, like some paraprofessional roles, that do not require licenses.

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DPI representatives said that revoked licenses are noted in a national database but that school districts and the public cannot access that database, only state education departments can.

Lawmakers also pointed the finger at Gov. Tony Evers, previously the DPI superintendent, for his lack of response to the stories and legislative inquiries into the departments investigative process.

Gov. Evers has said nothing, Congressman and Republican candidate for governor Tom Tiffany said at a press conference outside the Wisconsin Capitol after the hearing. Not a word.

Fellow Republican governor candidate Josh Schoemann again called for Underly to resign.

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Underly posted a brief video in response to the inquiries, saying the safety, dignity and well-being of Wisconsin children is her top priority.

At DPI, we investigate every complaint we receive, Underly wrote. Decisions are guided by evidence, due process, transparency and a commitment to protecting kids.
(Getty Images)

More than 1,600 federal workers in Washington state have filed for unemployment benefits since the government shutdown began at the start of October.

Of the 1,625 claims the state Employment Security Department had received by Tuesday, 411 had been paid. The rest were pending.

The states goal is no more than 21 days from getting an unemployment insurance application to the applicant receiving benefits.

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Our No. 1 goal is to get people paid as quickly as possible, Employment Security Commissioner Cami Feek said. We understand the stress involved in being furloughed or laid off.

The agency is receiving dozens more claims each day. This tracks with what the state saw during the last shutdown in late 2018 and early 2019. The current shutdown was in its 23rd day on Thursday and is now the second-longest in U.S. history.

King, Pierce, Kitsap and Thurston counties are home to the most federal employees filing claims. An Employment Security Department spokesperson said information about which federal agencies employed the laid-off workers is confidential. But the departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, Homeland Security and Transportation, along with the Postal Service, are among the agencies with the most workers in Washington.

As of the first quarter of this year, Washington had nearly 80,000 federal workers in total.

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Nearly 500 people attended an Employment Security Department webinar Thursday focused on helping federal workers and others affected by the government shutdown.

Congress has shown no signs of coming close to a compromise to reopen the government as they disagree on the future of health care subsidies.

Once the shutdown ends, federal workers are meant to receive back pay under a 2019 law, but the Trump administration has signaled it wouldnt compensate employees for their forced time off. If they do receive that back pay, theyd have to repay unemployment benefits to the state.

President Donald Trump has also tried to fire thousands of federal workers during the shutdown, but a judge has halted that move.

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Federal workers who are continuing to work without compensation arent eligible for unemployment, a change from the previous prolonged shutdown in late 2018 and early 2019.

Senators on Thursday failed to pass either Republican- or Democratic-backed proposals to pay federal employees and contractors who continue to work despite the shutdown, meaning they wont be paid until the government is reopened.

Most federal employees will miss their first full paycheck either Friday or early next week.

The state Department of Financial Institutions has compiled a list of resources for federal workers during the shutdown. And there will be another webinar to answer questions Oct. 30.

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Meanwhile, Washington state employees who work on the food stamp program could see layoffs if the shutdown continues into November. Benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, are set to run out if the shutdown stretches into November.

The Department of Social and Health Services is looking at ways to address the funding issue to minimize the impact to state workers and food stamp enrollees, said spokesperson Norah West.

Total unemployment claims across all industries are on pace to surpass 2024s total of nearly 3.3 million. The shutdown coincides with the busiest time of year for applications as seasonal workers in industries like agriculture and construction are temporarily laid off.
(The Center Square)  Two national public employee unions sued the Trump administration over its restrictions preventing illegal immigrants from obtaining commercial drivers licenses.

The American Federation of Teachers and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees filed a petition for review against the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

The employee unions challenged a rule implemented by Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy restricting foreign individuals from receiving commercial drivers licenses.

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Commercial drivers licenses are used for operating large vehicles such as tractor-trailers and buses. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia allow unauthorized immigrants.) to receive commercial drivers licenses.

In California, more than 25% of commercial drivers licenses were improperly issued, according to a Department of Transportation press release.

The process for issuing these licenses is absolutely 100% broken. It has become a threat to public safety, and it is a national emergency that requires action right now, Duffy said.

The unions argued these restrictions would prevent asylum seekers, refugees and DACA recipients from accessing commercial drivers licenses.

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This unlawful rule seems intended to put people authorized to work in the United States out of work, solely because of the prejudices of the Trump administration, said Wendy Liu, attorney at Public Citizen Litigation Group, in a news release.

The Department of Transportation issued the rule to crack down on commercial drivers licenses for illegal immigrants after a deadly Florida collision involving a commercial tractor-trailer left three people dead.

The rule restricts noncitizen applicants to only those in visa programs like the H-1B, H-2A and H-2B. It also requires non citizen applicants to provide an unexpired foreign passport or arrival/departure record to obtain the license.

The rule would also require state licensing agencies to verify the accuracy of citizenship status and application documents in order to issue a commercial drivers license.

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In a separate incident, an Oct. 21 collision on a California highway left three people dead after a semi-truck slammed into multiple vehicles.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on Thursday that the driver of the semi-truck was an illegal immigrant who obtained his commercial drivers license in California. She said the driver of the semi-truck was intoxicated and driving under the influence and was released by the Biden administration after crossing the southern border in 2022.

These tragedies are following a disturbing pattern of these criminal illegal aliens being issued commercial drivers licenses, Leavitt said.

The employee unions argue that loss of commercial drivers licenses for immigrants will cause businesses and livelihoods to suffer.

Drivers who take our children to school, deliver food and medicine, and clean trash off the streets must have these commercial driver's licenses, and denying them inflicts unnecessary pain on everyone their lives touch, said Lee Saunders, AFSCME president.
One of the outdoor sculptures at the University of Alaska Anchorage campus is integrated into a fountain, pictured here on May 16, 2022. More than half of the University of Alaska system schools attend UAA or one of its satellite campuses. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

The University of Alaska Anchorage will extend interim chancellor Cheryl Siemers tenure through next summer, the university announced on Monday, and has concluded the hiring process for a full time chancellor for now.

University of Alaska President Pat Pitney appointed Siemers as interim chancellor in May of this year. Pitney announced that after reviewing four candidates for chancellor through a hiring search, as well as community and stakeholder feedback, she decided that extending Siemers appointment would provide institutional stability.

Cheryl Siemers began her role as interim chancellor of the University of Alaska Anchorage on May 16, 2025, succeeding chancellor Sean Parnell. (UAA Photo)

I appreciate the hard work of all four finalist candidates to engage with and get to know our university community, and Im incredibly grateful to everyone who participated in the search process and shared their perspectives, President Pitney said in a statement with the announcement.

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Cheryl is uniquely positioned to continue advancing UAAs priorities without pause, and I am pleased to share that she has agreed to extend her appointment. This decision ensures continuity and sustained progress as UAA continues to build on its strengths and pursue its strategic goals, she said.

The four frontrunner candidates visited the campus in September and participated in candidate forums and engagement events. They were Diane Hirshberg, director of UAA Institute of Social and Economic Research; Aaron Dotson, UAA vice chancellor for research; Jennifer Capps, California Polytechnic University Humboldt provost and vice president of Academic Affairs; John Ballard, president of National Intelligence University.

Jonathon Taylor, UA director of communications, said by email Wednesday that all four candidates were qualified and generally received positive feedback from their campus visits. However, the overwhelming consensus from the community and stakeholder feedback was that Interim Chancellor Siemers has been an excellent leader for UAA and that the stability maintained by keeping her in that role would be beneficial to the institution, he said. Given that and the lack of unified consensus in the stakeholder and community feedback behind any one of the four finalists, President Pitney opted to extend Interim Chancellor Siemers appointment, which she accepted.

Siemers stepped into the interim chancellor role after former chancellor and former governor Sean Parnell announced his retirement after four years in January. She previously served as the director of UAAs Kenai Peninsula College. She joined the college in 2002, and taught as an adjunct then full-time faculty member in the Department of English, then as assistant director before becoming director of the college. She holds a masters in English from UAA and a Ph.D. in rhetoric and linguistics from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

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Siemers will continue as interim chancellor of UAA, overseeing the Anchorage campus, Kenai Peninsula College, Kodiak College, Matanuska-Susitna College, and Prince William Sound College, and a budget of roughly $333 million.

Taylor said the search for a chancellor has concluded for now, adding that President Pitney will evaluate how she would like to proceed with the UAA Chancellor role on a longer-term basis in 2026 once the ongoing search for a permanent UAF Chancellor concludes.

Mike Sfraga is currently serving as interim chancellor for the University of Alaska Fairbanks, as the search for a permanent chancellor continues there.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Its fall here in West Michigan, so why dont we fall in love with a few of these awesome events coming this weekend?

Here is a look at what you can do the weekend of Oct. 24:

National Drug Take Back Day

Saturday marks Drug Take Back Day here in Michigan and across the country as a way for residents to safely get rid of unwanted or unused medications.

There will be drop-off locations across West Michigan and, more importantly, at all 31 Michigan State Police posts.

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Click here to find one nearest you.

Oddities on Ottawa

Garage Bar & Grill in Grand Rapids is set to host the return of a Halloween-themed block party Saturday.

Oddities on Ottawa is back for a second year and this years event will include live music, carnival acts like fire breathing and so much more.

Grab your tickets by clicking here.

Storm Team 8 Forecast

Grand Rapids Tattoo Fest

If youre looking to get some fresh ink in time for Halloween, then youre definitely going to want to head over to DeVos Place this weekend.

The third annual Grand Rapids Tattoo Festival will be going on Friday through Sunday, with over 400 artists and vendors participating.

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For more information, click here.

Haunted Hike at Stanaback Park

Looking for a good scare and a bit of a workout? Then look no further than Stanaback Park in Kentwood this Friday.

The 1-mile Haunted Hike will include more than a few jumps and scares, but it isnt all spooky. Guests will also be treated to some light refreshments. There will be three hikes to choose from.

To register for a time, click here.

Paw Paw Farmers Market hosts annual trunk or treat

Soiree in the Stacks

The Cascade branch of the Kent District Library is set to welcome guests Friday for a night of dancing, networking and, of course, books.

Soiree in the Stacks is a brand new event coming to the library that will offer a local author meet-and-greet, arts and crafts as well as bookish delights.

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Click here to learn more.

Underwater Pumpkin Carving

Pumpkin carving is always a time-honored tradition around the Halloween season, but over at the USS Silversides Submarine Museum, well, lets just say theyre taking it up a notch.

The museum will host an underwater pumpkin carving competition with members of the Muskegon County Sheriff Dive Team. The competition is free to check out.

Additional details can be found here.

List: Trick-or-treat times, Halloween events in West Michigan

Boo at the Barn

Critter Barn in Zeeland is welcoming guests this Friday and Saturday for the fifth annual Boo at the Barn event.

Youre encouraged to wear your Halloween costume while you check out the decorated barns and see all of your favorite animals. Plenty of candy will be in store for those who attend.

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Grab your tickets now by clicking here.

Saugatuck cemetery hosts guided historical tour

Halloween Noogiefest at Gildas Club

The annual Halloween spooktacular known as Noogiefest returns to Gildas Club in Grand Rapids this weekend.

This free event will include games, food, pumpkin carving demonstrations and so much more. It all kicks off at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Click here for more information.

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The Department of the Air Force seeks to lease thousands of acres of land at five bases to private firms to build their own artificial intelligence data centers.

The department posted a solicitation online Tuesday asking for proposals to develop land, which it called underutilized, at Arnold Air Force Base in Tennessee, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona, Edwards Air Force Base in California, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey and Robins Air Force Base in Georgia. The solicitation was first reported by Breaking Defense.

AI is transforming the modern world, and these data centers are crucial for America to remain at the forefront of innovation, Robert Moriarty, the Air Forces deputy assistant secretary for installations, said in a statement provided to Defense News.

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The Air Force made this move in response to executive orders President Donald Trump issued in January and July that seek to speed up the nations adoption of AI technology and construction of the massive data centers that technology requires. The July executive order calls for the Defense Department to identify sites on military installations that could be used for data center infrastructure and then competitively lease the land.

When asked if the data centers would be used for Air Force or military AI projects, or those run by outside organizations, an Air Force official responded, This is an opportunity for outside organizations.

The Air Force has set a Nov. 14 deadline for companies to submit their proposals, and will make a selection or selections next January. After the award, the Air Force said, it will conduct environmental assessments and the design will be developed and refined.

The lease proposal request detailed about 3,100 acres across the five bases that could be used to build data centers. More than 2,100 of those acres are located at Edwards, a massive installation in the California desert often used for testing new aircraft such as the B-21 Raider bomber and the T-7 Red Hawk trainer.

To qualify, a project must require more than 100 megawatts of new load and be worth at least $500 million, among other requirements. The leases will not be for longer than 50 years, unless the company leasing the land wants a longer lease and the government decides it is in the governments interest or promotes national defense.
The National Cattlemens Beef Association (NCBA) has pushed back against President Trump's plan to increase beef imports from Argentina, calling it "misguided."

The group, which describes itself as "the national trade association representing U.S. cattle producers," said in a statement that "efforts to manipulate markets only risk damaging the livelihoods of American cattlemen and women, while doing little to impact the price consumers are paying," calling it "a misguided effort to lower the price of beef in grocery stores."

The National Cattlemens Beef Association and its members cannot stand behind the President while he undercuts the future of family farmers and ranchers by importing Argentinian beef in an attempt to influence prices, said NCBA CEO Colin Woodall in the statement, in part.

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Trump prods American cattle ranchers to 'get their prices down' amid tariff battle

David Goldman/AP - PHOTO: Cattle graze on a ranch in Lufkin, Texas, April 18, 2023. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)

"If President Trump is truly an ally of Americas cattle producers, we call on him to abandon this effort to manipulate markets," he added.

Trump told reporters on Air Force One earlier this week that buying beef from Argentina "will bring our beef prices down" while also helping Argentina economically. On Wednesday, the president posted on his Truth Social online platform that American cattle ranchers "have to get their prices down," and that they "dont understand that the only reason they are doing so well, for the first time in decades, is because I put Tariffs on cattle coming into the United States, including a 50% Tariff on Brazil."

Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP - PHOTO: President Donald Trump answers questions from reporters during a Diwali celebration in the Oval Office at the White House, Oct. 21, 2025, in Washington.

The NCBA said in their statement that the U.S. already has a deep beef trade imbalance with Argentina.

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"During the past five years, Argentina has shipped beef valued at more than $800 million to the U.S., while purchasing only $7 million of U.S. beef," the statement said, adding "It is imperative that President Trump and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins let the cattle markets work.

Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., told ABC News Wednesday that he was concerned about the impacts of increasing foreign beef imports.

"We've got all the folks that are ranchers in my state that are handling beef. They would tell you firsthand American beef is the best beef in the world. That's why we work hard to be able to export it," he said.

"The president worked very hard to be able to open up Australia and Japan and other places to increase American beef going in there because the world wants American beef. So I'm a big proponent of raising more American beef to solve America's issues," Lankford further said.

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What to know about the Trump administration's $20B bailout for Argentina

Rodrigo Abd/AP - PHOTO: Cattle stand in pens during an auction at the ranchers' association in Brandsen, Argentina, Oct. 20, 2025.

Eight House Republicans also sent a letter to the White House Tuesday, expressing their concerns about President Trump's plans to increase beef imports from Argentina.

"While we recognize the importance of strong trade relationships and diverse markets, our producers are seeking clarity on how this decision will be made, what safety and inspection standards will apply, and how this policy aligns with your administrations commitment to strengthening American agriculture," the letter reads, in part. It was signed by representatives from Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Texas.

Last week, the president announced a $20 billion bailout for Argentina's foundering economy, prompting questions as to why the U.S. would commit billions to boost the economy of a foreign country when thousands of American farmers are suffering.
After repeated on-again, off-again signalling in recent weeks, US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he has a "pretty long meeting scheduled" in South Korea with Chinese President Xi Jinping to ensure that "we can work out a lot of our questions and our doubts".

This followed comments by Trump on Tuesday that the meeting between himself and Xi might not take place. The mercurial US president has a history of teasing events for publicity and in order to extract last-minute concessions from those on the opposite side of the negotiating table.

Separately, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox News that Trump and Xi are in frequent contact and "it would be a shame to waste their first in-person meeting during President Trump's second term trying to get past some problems, rather than moving towards more constructive dialogue between the US and China".

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Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

Relations between China and the US have hit new lows in recent weeks after Beijing has threatened to tighten its grip on strategic rare earth minerals and technology, and Washington warned of imminent sanctions affecting thousands of Chinese companies.

"I think we're going to make a deal on the rare earth, is the least of it. Look, the tariffs are much more powerful than the rare earth," Trump told reporters at the White House. "I think we're going to make a deal on soybeans and the farmers."

Reuters reported, citing sources, that the Trump administration is also considering a plan to curb exports to China of US software as well as items powered by US software, from laptops to jet engines, to retaliate against Beijing's latest round of rare earth export restrictions.

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Analysts said the software threat may be part of an effort by Trump to increase his leverage going into a meeting with Xi. In a forerunner, Trump earlier this month floated the idea of barring "critical software" exports to China by restricting global shipments of items that contain US software or those produced using US software.

The president also suggested on Wednesday that he would like to include Beijing and Moscow in an effort to reduce nuclear arsenals. China's nuclear stockpile is significantly smaller than the two other nuclear powers, and Beijing has been reluctant to discuss non-proliferation as it moves toward parity.

"I think we're going to make a deal on maybe even nuclear," the president added. "China is actually third by a long way, but they'll be even within four or five years. And we are talking about de-escalation, that's already being talked about. And I think we'll probably add China into the mix."

Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer were headed to Malaysia on Wednesday evening, meanwhile, to meet with Chinese officials, including Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, over what Greer called Beijing's "incredibly aggressive" measures to curb rare earth exports.

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The meeting is seen as a stepping stone to a sit-down in South Korea next week on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at a time of deep bilateral divisions.

Greer said the steps China took on October 9 violated a commitment officials from the two sides had made months ago to keep supplying rare earths needed for high technology.

But he added that there was still room for the US and China to restructure their ties.

"There notionally is a good landing zone for the United States and China where we trade in a way that's more balanced, and we're trading in non-sensitive goods, and where we have a constructive relationship," Greer told CNBC.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (left) alongside US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer at a press conference last week in Washington. Photo: EPA alt=US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (left) alongside US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer at a press conference last week in Washington. Photo: EPA>

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Beijing has a different version, however, which analysts said speaks to the perilous miscommunication as the two economic giants negotiate in public, trade accusations and engage in tit-for-tat salvoes that are building their own momentum.

The way China sees it, the Trump administration fired the first shot of the most recent downward bilateral spiral in late September when it greatly expanded its restricted export list by adding any subsidiary that is at least 50 per cent owned by any company on the original list.

China's Commerce Ministry strongly criticised the rule immediately after it was published in the US Federal Register.

"This move by the US is extremely egregious in nature," the ministry said in a statement.

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"It seriously infringes upon the legitimate rights and interests of the affected enterprises, severely disrupts international economic and trade order and gravely undermines the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains."

The Xi-Trump summit carries enormous stakes for both nations as well as the rest of the world. Markets, Chinese exporters, US importers and shipping companies have been whipsawed by Trump's tariff swings, particularly as they relate to the world's two largest economies.

Trump imposed additional duties of 100 per cent on China that are due to take effect on November 1 after China announced export controls on nearly all rare earths.

A more forceful China has also flexed its trade muscle in recent months in response to Trump's aggressive tariff and export policies with the rare earth restrictions and a coordinated move to stop buying US soybeans over the summer.

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Rare earths are essential for many hi-tech products ranging from kitchen appliances to jet fighters. China accounts for some 70 per cent of rare earth mining, leaving US allies scrambling to find alternative supply sources.

But because it controls up to 90 per cent of the processing and mining, even securing new supply sources may still leave the West dependent on the Asian giant.

Trump is eager to score a "win" from his meeting with Xi by securing a Chinese pledge to resume grain purchases - a move seen as crucial given the importance of the farm vote for the US midterm elections in 2026 - while also possibly brokering a deal for Boeing jets and validating his summit approach that relies more on personal chemistry than on detailed briefing books.

Greer on Wednesday placed the blame for poor relations on China.

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"The US has always been quite open to the Chinese, and it's really been driven by Chinese policies that exclude US companies and drive overcapacity and overproduction in China. None of that works for the United States," he said. "We can't live that way any more so we need an alternative path."

Trump is expected to stop in Malaysia to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit then fly to Tokyo to discuss defence, trade and investment issues with newly named Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi before arriving in South Korea. Takaichi, Japan's first female prime minister, is a hardliner who aligns with Trump on many defence issues.

"One of the main points of friction is, can Takaichi deliver the goods," said Mireya Solis, a senior fellow with the Brookings Institution.

"The Trump administration is going to welcome these more muscular intentions of Japan to build out these defence capabilities. But can they actually pass the budgets to make it happen?"

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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.
Chicago's streets are getting cleaner and quieter thanks to a new fleet of electric garbage trucks.

Electrek reported that Republic Services has deployed two fully electric Mack LR garbage trucks in partnership with ComEd. The trucks are part of a larger push to modernize waste collection and improve air quality across the Chicago area.

"The Mack LR Electric is purpose-built for refuse applications, delivering zero local emissions while maintaining the durability and performance Mack trucks are known for," according to an official press release.

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Each vehicle produces over 4,000 pounds-feet of torque, making it more powerful than earlier models  and almost silent during operation. That means fewer 6 a.m. wake-up calls from clanging diesel trucks and cleaner air for residents.

ComEd helped fund the project through its commercial EV rebate program, which also paid for high-speed BP Pulse chargers at Republic's Little Village yard.

Charging these trucks costs far less than filling up a diesel fleet. They also require little maintenance, no oil changes, and have fewer moving parts to replace. It all adds up to lower costs for cities, less planet-warming pollution, and a cleaner, safer future.

This shift also fits into a larger clean transportation trend. As of early 2025, Chicago's EV adoption rate was growing four times faster than the national average, with electric buses, delivery vehicles, and now garbage trucks helping reduce the city's environmental footprint.

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EVs like these are a cornerstone of the transition away from dirty energy sources like oil and gas. While battery production requires mining certain minerals, it's worth noting that the world digs up roughly 16.5 billion tons of dirty fuels each year  compared to only about 30 million tons of clean-energy minerals. On top of that, EV batteries can be recycled and their components reused.

For everyday EV drivers, charging at home is much cheaper than using public stations. Qmerit makes it easy for homeowners to install Level 2 chargers with free, instant estimates.

Pairing an EV with solar power can also boost these savings. EnergySage can help homeowners compare quotes from vetted solar installers to save up to $10,000.

These quiet new garbage trucks are showing what's possible when cities embrace innovation.

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"ComEd is proud to support Republic Services in advancing zero-emissions transportation for Chicago's neighborhoods," said Melissa Washington, the company's senior vice president of customer operations, per Electrek. "As more customers take advantage of our EV rebate programs, we are helping empower customers to realize the air quality and energy savings benefits of EVs, and moving our communities closer to their goals for a more sustainable future."

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.
China unseated the U.S. as Germanys top trading partner, according to data from the first eight months of the year.

There is no question that U.S. tariff and trade policy is an important reason for the decline in sales, said Dirk Jandura, president of the Federation of German Wholesale, Foreign Trade and Services, told Reuters, citing President Trumps sweeping tariff agenda.

Chinas trade relationship with Germany was valued at 163.4 billion euros ($190.7 billion) based on imports and exports from January to August, while the German-U.S. trade partnership was valued at 162.8 billion euros, according to Reuters calculations.

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Chinas exports to Germany rose 8.3 percent in the first eight months of 2025 while U.S. exports fell by 13.5 percent, according to year-over-year data reported by Reuters.

German exports to the U.S. have also decreased by 7.4 percent compared with data from last year.

Chinese trade with Germany exceeded the U.S.s trade from 2016 to 2023.

In August, the Trump administration announced a trade deal with the European Union, which encompasses trade relations with Germany and 26 other member nations.

Under the agreement, there is a 15 percent import tax on 70 percent of foreign products exported to the U.S.

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Trade within the wine and spirit sector in addition to steel is still under review.

Faced with a challenging situation, we have delivered for our member states and industry and restored clarity and coherence to transatlantic trade, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in August, according to The Associated Press.

This is not the end of the process.

Maros Sefcovic, a trade official at the European Commission, lauded the agreement, stating the alternative was a trade war with sky-high tariffs.  It builds confidence. It brings stability.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The Kremlin may have convinced itself that US President Donald Trump didnt have the stomach to apply real pressure on Moscow to end the brutal conflict in Ukraine.

It was, after all, just a carefully timed Kremlin phone call to the White House last week that convinced the US president to back away from his own threats of providing long-range Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv, missiles that could have made a real difference on the battlefield.

But the new US Treasury sanctions on Russias two biggest oil companies may now force the Kremlin strongman, Vladimir Putin, to finally reassess his American counterpart, if not his Ukrainian war.

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Already an outspoken Putin ally, Dmitry Medvedev, a former Russian president who is now the deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, has slammed Trump as the talkative peacemaker who has now fully embarked on the war path against Russia.

This is his conflict now, not the senile Bidens, Medvedev added in a social media post, referring provocatively to the former US president.

Its not that the sanctions themselves are particularly tough. True, oil is essential to the Russian economy, funding the Kremlins costly war in Ukraine. Its also true that Rosneft and Lukoil, sanctioned along with dozens of their subsidiaries, are Russias most significant oil producers.

But Russia, one of the worlds most sanctioned countries, has proven adept at finding ways of circumventing these kinds of punitive measures in the past. It will, according to senior Russian officials, seek to do so again.

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The decision will not pose any particular problems for us. Our country has developed a strong immunity to Western restrictions and will continue to confidently develop its economic and energy potential, said Maria Zakharova, the Russian foreign ministry spokesperson, in a televised press briefing.

The Lukoil company's oil refinery in Volgograd, Russia on April 22, 2022. - Reuters

The bigger problem for the Kremlin is that its favorite and well-tested strategy to manipulate the Trump White House  holding out the prospect of engagement on peace in Ukraine and dangling lucrative economic deals, while pressing ahead with its relentless military onslaught  appears to have run its course.

Finally, the US president, who has for months suspected the Kremlin may be simply tapping (him) along on Ukraine, has decided to act.

As well as imposing his first proper sanctions on Russia since the Kremlins full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Trump also canceled a proposed summit with Putin in Budapest, Hungary.

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Just hours before, Russian officials  relishing the chance of another face-to-face presidential meeting  insisted there were no obstacles and that arrangements were actively being made, dismissing any suggestions of the summit being shelved.

But, in retrospect, that optimism appears to have been Kremlin wishful thinking too. Putin is, of course, extremely keen to show Russians and the wider world that  despite sanctions and an indictment for war crimes at the International Criminal Court  that he is far from isolated on the international stage.

When Trump rolled out the red carpet for him in Alaska this August, the leader of the worlds most powerful nation standing shoulder to shoulder with the Kremlin boss, it was an easy diplomatic win for the Kremlin, which offered little to the White House in return.

US President Donald Trump shaking hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin, after the Kremlin leader landed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15, 2025. - Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

There will, apparently, be no repeat performance in Budapest unless and until progress is made on Ukraine. The US Treasury has even suggested that more powerful American sanctions on Russia could follow, to further pressure the Kremlin into quickly talking peace.

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It could be the start of what critics of Trumps handling of the Kremlin have long been calling for: a tough, new strategy to finally use considerable US leverage to try and force Putin to compromise on his maximalist war objectives.

These include Kremlin demands for Kyiv to surrender strategic swathes of territory in the Donbas, in eastern Ukraine, which Russia has so far been unable to conquer  a red line for the Ukrainian government and its European backers.

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky has described the US moves as very important and crucial to bring Russia to the negotiating table. Meanwhile, European officials have also expressed satisfaction with Washingtons apparently more hardline stance.

But after nine months trapped on the rollercoaster ride of this latest Trump presidency, there are ever-present anxieties. And behind the scenes in Kyiv, in Brussels and even in Moscow, few doubt that in the erratic, mercurial world of Trump, a sudden switch back to the Kremlins point of view could be just another friendly, carefully-timed phone call with Putin away.

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Multiple Arab nations argue that dividing Gaza would lead to a full Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip, and are unlikely to commit troops to be a part of the peacekeeping for under those terms.

The US and Israel are considering dividing Gaza into separate zones controlled by the IDF and Hamas, with reconstruction measures only occurring in the Israeli-controlled areas as a way to ensure Hamas disarms, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.

The plan has reportedly alarmed Arab negotiators, though the WSJ noted it had repeatedly come up in peace talks.

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Multiple Arab nations argue that dividing Gaza would lead to a full Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip, and are unlikely to commit troops to be a part of the peacekeeping for under those terms.

A senior US administration official told the WSJ that the plan was preliminary and that more information would be coming out in the coming days.

The US-backed Gaza plan proposed an international peace force to provide security in the Strip, but the details are not fully worked out.

An Israeli soldier stands near military vehicles, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, at the Israel-Gaza border in southern Israel October 12, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Ammar Awad TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Arab nations unlikely to provide troops if Gaza divided

Arab nations believe that the Palestinian Authority should run Gaza and the peacekeeping force, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly opposes this.

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A royal source from the UAE told N12 News that the Emiratis were uninterested in contributing troops to the peace force without involvement from a Palestinian body.

The Americans are trying to persuade Saudi Arabia and the Emirates to become involved in managing Gaza, and we are refusing. We want involvement from the Palestinian Authority. Without it, Riyadh refuses and will not intervene, neither directly nor indirectly.

"We sensed a deep lack of understanding within the American administration regarding the society inside Gaza," the source added. Witkoff was persuaded by our words and admitted that there is no solution for Gaza other than the Palestinian Authority entering there, but thats what Netanyahu doesnt want.

The plan Kushner is backing would see Israel slowly build up control in areas of Gaza beyond the yellow line to undermine Hamas, Tel Aviv-based researchers told the WSJ.

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White House officials told the American outlet that Jared Kushner is the driving force behind the plan, alongside US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff. US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance have reportedly approved the plan.

Kushner raised the issue and was immediately rejected. Witkoff changed the subject to what concerns us, which is the mutual defense agreement with the US and the nuclear energy program for peaceful purposes near Neom. Arrangements for that are currently being made through direct channels with Washington," the Emirati source told N12.

Some officials briefed on the plan noted to the WSJ that the plan needs more concrete answers to questions to be viable, such as how to provide social services to Palestinians who choose to relocate to the proposed IDF-controlled portion of Gaza.

According to officials, the Trump administration is also considering rebuilding areas that Hamas had not controlled in hopes that it would improve conditions for Gazans and serve as a symbol of a future without Hamas.

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There was also concern about how to ensure that Hamas terrorists dont enter the Israeli-controlled side and attack from within. US officials said that one option to prevent this was a vetting system controlled by IDF troops.

Some mediators accused the US administration of trying to buy time while figuring out how to govern a post-war Gaza.

We want to help, but its important to understand that we need a broader, long-term picture that guarantees we will truly see a Palestinian state, Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the president of the United Arab Emirates, told N12.

A pause and a return to the pre-October 6 situation will not help anyone. We must look at what happened, which was an earthquake, and act from there.

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The WSJ report said that the Trump administrations priority is ensuring that the US-backed ceasefire deal holds in Gaza.

The Emirates will help, but they need two things: first, political clarity about the direction this is heading, as many other countries do, Gargash said.

This is not a unique position for the UAE. The second thing is the need for operational and security arrangements. You dont want to send your children into a battlefield without a clear understanding of whats happening there.

This comes as Vance tours Israel with Kushner and Witkoff. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to arrive to Israel on Thursday.
By Leah Douglas

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A group representing mayors of more than 1,000 U.S. cities has urged the Agriculture Department to use emergency funds to pay for food assistance benefits threatened by the ongoing federal government shutdown.

Tens of millions of Americans might not receive food stamps and other food aid in November because the shutdown, now the second-longest in history, has kept Congress from funding the benefits.

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The USDA should draw on its contingency fund for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and use any other available resources to pay for November benefits, the U.S. Conference of Mayors said in a letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins on Thursday.

"SNAP is not only a federal nutrition program - it is a critical local economic stabilizer," said the letter, signed by Matt Tuerk, the mayor of Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Tom Cochran, the organization's CEO and executive director.

"When benefits are delayed or reduced, city economies absorb the shock through increased food insecurity, higher demand on emergency food providers, and additional strain on municipal budgets and public health systems," the letter said.

The USDA has about $5 billion in SNAP contingency funds, about 60% of the cost of a month of benefits, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

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The United States Conference of Mayors is a nonpartisan organization of more than 1,400 cities with populations of 30,000 or more.

A USDA spokesperson called the risk to benefits "an inflection point for Senate Democrats." Democrats and Republicans have traded blame for the shutdown. Democrats have voted against a spending bill in an effort to keep healthcare costs lower for many Americans.

The letter was also sent to congressional leadership and members of the House Agriculture Committee, though it did not call for specific action from Congress.

More than 41 million people participate in SNAP. Nearly 7 million people are also at risk of losing their November benefits from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, known as WIC.

(Reporting by Leah Douglas in Washington; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
(Reuters) -The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will temporarily bring back furloughed staff next week to support open enrollment for Medicare and Affordable Care Act plans, despite the ongoing government shutdown, a spokesperson said on Thursday.

The agency said the move was needed "to best serve the American people" during the enrollment periods.

Staff has been furloughed for three weeks and will join back on October 27, according to the spokesperson.

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CMS will fund the return using user fees collected from data-sharing agreements with researchers. It did not disclose how many workers are being recalled.

(Reporting by Siddhi Mahatole in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri and Shailesh Kuber)
The US military wants drones like the Iranian-designed Shaheds for future fights.

A Virginia-based company recently tested a similar drone in Ukraine.

Auterion, an American drone software company, is now chasing a major Pentagon contract.

The US military is seeking an inexpensive, long-range strike drone for its next major war  likely a Pacific fight  and a drone design that's already proving itself in Russian hands is getting attention.

Cheap and deadly Shahed-style drones with long reach are of growing interest to the US military as it builds up its long-range strike arsenal, a necessity for fighting across the so-called "tyranny of distance" in the Pacific. A Virginia-based company has already tested one design in Ukraine, and its CEO says that the Department of Defense is taking notice.

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The Pentagon's Defense Innovation Unit awarded Auterion, an American drone software company, a contract earlier this year to develop a low-cost, long-range uncrewed strike aircraft that could be mass-produced.

Auterion announced last week that it had completed the DIU's assignment. The "Artemis project" resulted in a deep-strike drone that has already been tested in Ukraine.

The system resembles the notorious Shahed-136, an Iranian-designed one-way attack drone that Russia has used for years in attacks against Ukrainian cities. The Russians now produce their own versions, known as Gerans.

Loitering munitions like these can linger over an area before diving down and detonating on impact. Russian forces use the weapon as a cheap substitute for more expensive, more exquisite precision-guided munitions, mixing them into large strike packages along with decoys and complicating air defense.

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Auterion, which teamed up with an undisclosed Ukrainian hardware manufacturer to build the drone, shared that the Artemis system relies on a mission computer and visual navigation system that allows it to fly through harsh electronic jamming conditions, which is becoming increasingly prominent in combat.

The drone features a delta-wing shape, like the Shahed. Screengrab/Courtesy of Auterion

The Artemis system can carry a 40-pound payload up to 1,000 miles. The maximum payload is twice that, but with reduced range. The drone is equipped with AI-based terminal guidance and is powered by a propeller. And, much like the Shahed, it features the delta-wing shape.

The drone has been tested in Ukraine, Auterion's CEO Lorenz Meier told Business Insider in an interview this week. He envisions a three-phase development for the Artemis program: proof of concept, integrating it into combat operations, and establishing production in the US to support equipping American forces.

"We're working on phase two and phase three right now in parallel," he said.

Preparing for a Pacific fight

The US military has identified Shahed-style drones as ideal choices for fulfilling its need for affordable mass, recognized as a requirement for countering China's military might and mass in the Pacific.

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President Donald Trump appeared to allude to the Shahed in May when he said that the US is coming up with a "new system of drones." He praised Iran for making "a good drone" that costs just tens of thousands of dollars.

In July, a Shahed-style drone that made an appearance at the Pentagon was presented as a means to support Indo-Pacific Command. And last week, the commanding general of the Army's 25th Infantry Division out of Hawaii said these systems are exactly what American forces in the region need for Pacific combat.

Shahed-style drones have become a notorious feature of the Ukraine war. Win McNamee/Getty Images

Meier said the DIU applied requirements to the Artemis program that are distinctly relevant to the Indo-Pacific.

He said that "if you're preparing for a fight in Indo-Pacific, it makes total sense to go to Ukraine, look at the best of breed there, evaluate it in country, and then bring the winners back."

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The testing in Ukraine included ground launches, operations in GPS-denied environments, long-range flights, and strikes on targets, Auterion said last week. With the evaluation complete, the drone is now ready for mass production.

Meier said that although the new Artemis drone was designed by a Ukrainian firm, it will be made in the US for American customers. The price tag, he said, will be under $100,000, likely far under. Shaheds are estimated to cost around $30,000, making them much cheaper than a cruise missile.

"It's one of those examples where we take the best combat-proven technology and we bring it back to America  made by American workers, and with a sovereign supply chain that can't be disrupted," the CEO said.

Auterion has received interest from "multiple American combatant commands" for the Artemis system, Meier shared, though he did not specify which ones. The next big milestone for the company will likely be the disclosure of a major Pentagon contract.

The development comes amid a broader push within the US military to field new drone technology in a bid to keep pace with adversaries.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The United States Navy is one of the oldest and proudest branches of the U.S. military. It's been around since 1775, though it was initially called the Continental Navy before it became the U.S. Navy in 1794. It's well known that the U.S. Navy is the most advanced and robust blue-water navy in the world, far outpacing every other nation in terms of advanced technology and overall strength.

The Navy doesn't have as many vessels as China, but it is the clear victor in terms of aircraft carriers, submarines, frigates, and destroyer strength. To make any of these ships and boats function, you need a crew, and that's where the bulk of the Navy's personnel come into play. Some ships, like the Zumwalt-class destroyers, have around 197 personnel, while the largest vessel and most advanced, the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), has a crew of 4,539 personnel. That's a lot of people, and sailors tend to spend a good chunk of their service on or under the water.

It's a fair question to ask if a sailor remains with the same vessel once they're assigned. It makes sense that they would, as they would be familiar with its systems and operations, but that's not how the U.S. military functions. Naval vessels have rotating crews that come and go periodically, transferring personnel between ships as standard operating procedure. In this way, the Navy is much like the other branches, which typically transfer personnel between bases every two to three years.

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Read more: 11 Of The Most Iconic Ground Attack Military Planes In History

How personnel are assigned in the U.S. Navy

A sailor re-enlisting aboard the USS George Washington - DVIDS/Navy

When someone enlists in the U.S. Navy and completes their training, they receive their first assignment. This is almost always on a ship, though it could be on the ground. It depends on two primary factors: the sailor's training and the needs of the Navy. There are other factors to consider, including the sailor's preferences, family situation, and more. Still, the Navy's needs are what drive assignments in the U.S. military.

For first-term enlisted personnel serving a standard four-year enlistment, they will not be given more than two assignments during that time. Ideally, a new sailor will cut their teeth while serving aboard a ship of some kind, but that doesn't always occur. There are different periods of time required for overseas assignments as well. Focusing solely on ships, which regularly leave and return to the continental United States, the Navy handles this type of assignment regularly.

A typical sailor might be assigned to a ship (known as sea duty), followed by a period of shore duty. Not all Navy personnel are on the water all the time, and there are plenty of jobs for the force to do on land. When their shore duty ends, they could return to their previous billet, but most often, they're assigned to a new vessel to aid in the sailor's individual rank and career progression. It's not uncommon to return to the same type of ship, but that's not always guaranteed.

What about the type of ship?

Sailors and civilians aboard the USS Maine (SSBN-741) - DVIDS/Navy

There are seven types of modern warships operated by the U.S. Navy, and each has different personnel requirements. There's one type of modern vessel that a sailor can only be assigned to if they volunteer. Submarines are very different vessels when compared to surface ships. They are compacted, they're constantly being hunted (or are doing the hunting), and they require people who are comfortable working in confined places. As a result, no sailor will receive a submariner position if they don't volunteer, but all other vessels are possible assignment locations.

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Even submariners have difficulty staying on the same boat, but they are locked into the type of submarine on which they can serve. Flight deck crews on aircraft carriers are somewhat limited, but even they can be transferred to other vessels capable of launching aircraft, and they have shore duty with their squadrons. If a sailor serves aboard a ship and wants to return, they can request to do so, but it doesn't happen often.

Granted, this is rare, as the standard practice is rotation. Rotating crews keeps the force fresh, improves training across the board, and promotes career growth. Should the need arise, someone serving aboard an aircraft carrier who previously served aboard a frigate can return to that class of ship fairly easily. Ultimately, assignments are an ever-changing aspect of military service, so while a sailor isn't guaranteed to stay on the same vessel, it's a possibility and occasional occurrence.

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Read the original article on SlashGear.
Azerbaijans Border Troops have intercepted a significant shipment of drugs attempting to cross from Iran, Azernews reports via the State Border Service.

During comprehensive border search and operational measures in the service area of the Lankaran border detachment, authorities discovered and seized 35 kilograms of marijuana.

The operation reflects the increased vigilance and coordinated efforts of the Border Troops to combat drug trafficking along Azerbaijans borders.

The seized narcotics were prevented from entering the country, safeguarding public health and security. Investigative and operational measures are ongoing to identify the sources of the shipment, track the networks involved, and hold those responsible accountable under Azerbaijani law.
By Leah Douglas and P.J. Huffstutter

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. states this week warned food aid recipients that their benefits may not be distributed in November if the federal government shutdown stretches into its fourth week.

Warnings issued on at least two dozen state websites flag the potential for an unprecedented benefit gap for more than 41 million people who get aid from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps, and the nearly 7 million who receive aid from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, known as WIC.

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Such a gap threatens to further increase rising hunger rates in the U.S. The administration of President Donald Trump this year shrunk federal funding for food banks and is rolling out heightened work requirements for SNAP that could push some people off the program.

"Families are going to be hurt by this should it continue, at a time we know families are struggling to make ends meet," said Minerva Delgado, director of coalitions and advocacy at the Alliance to End Hunger.

Minnesota, California, Pennsylvania and Texas are among states that said November benefits will not be issued if the shutdown continues through next week.

Reuters spoke with representatives of 11 national and state anti-hunger groups and food banks who said they were preparing SNAP and WIC recipients in their communities for benefits disruptions.

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If benefits are not delivered, more people would skip meals or make other sacrifices, like falling behind on bills, to keep their families fed, said Chris Bernard, CEO of Hunger Free Oklahoma.

An Agriculture Department spokesperson called the looming risk to food aid an "inflection point for Democrats."

Democrats and Republicans have traded blame for the shutdown, now the second longest in U.S. history. Democrats have withheld votes on a spending bill in an effort to keep health insurance costs from soaring for many Americans.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins told NewsNation on Tuesday that SNAP benefits would "go away" without a deal to reopen the government by November.

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FOOD BANKS UNDER STRAIN

Some of the two dozen states that posted warnings listed earlier potential food stamp cutoff deadlines. "SNAP benefits for November wont be issued if the federal government shutdown continues past Oct. 27," says the Texas Health and Human Services Commission website.

Some states pointed aid recipients to food banks. "We encourage everyone who receives SNAP to familiarize themselves with the free food resources in their community and to make a plan for what they will do if they do not receive their food benefits in November on time," said the Oregon Department of Human Services in a release.

Food banks and state anti-hunger groups told Reuters they are trying to increase fundraising, but that pantries are already strained by record demand and cannot replace SNAP and WIC benefits.

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"This could get really bad. We're already serving more people than before COVID," said Jim Conwell, vice president of communications for the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

UNUSUAL BENEFIT DELAYS

During federal shutdowns, food aid benefits typically continue uninterrupted because the shutdowns are brief or because the USDA works with states on contingency plans. During this shutdown, states have had unusually little communication from the USDA.

The agency told states on October 10 not to send benefit recipient information to their electronic benefit transfer processors as they typically would in preparation for distributing the following month's benefits. But it has not issued further instruction, according to EBT processor Conduent, which works with 37 states.

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States are now hurrying to identify possible emergency funds, though not all will have money available, Conduent said.

The USDA has about $5 billion in contingency funds it could use to partially fund a month of SNAP benefits, which cost about $8 billion, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

The agency did not respond to questions about whether it intended to draw on those funds.

The Trump administration earlier this month funneled about $300 million in tariff revenue to fund October WIC benefits, but has not signaled whether it will do so again for November, said Georgia Machell, CEO of the National WIC Association.

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Without additional funds, Machell said, November could see a "historic disruption to WIC services."

(Reporting by Leah Douglas in Washington and P.J. Huffstutter in Chicago; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
A volunteer reaches for broccolini at the food pantry run by Good Neighbors Community Kitchen and Food Pantry in East Providence, Rhode Island on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. The food pantry saw high demand with the looming possibility that funding will run out Nov. 1 for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program because of the federal government shutdown. (Photo by Michael Salerno/Rhode Island Current)

The Utah Food Bank is working to bring in more donations and push them out to its network of pantries around the state, anticipating a jump in demand when about 87,000 Utah households go without food assistance next month.

Meeting the need wont be easy, said Ginette Bott, the food banks president and CEO. She and her employees were hammering out the logistics Thursday of how to ramp up their work with their existing staff and fleet of trucks.

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We can ask for more donations of food, but we have no guarantee those donations will come, Bott added.

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Utahs Department of Workforce Services, which manages the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, in the state announced Wednesday that November payments will not be made because of the government shutdown.

Utah Senate President Stuart Adams said the state is not equipped to fund federal programs for weeks or months in the absence of congressional action. The stalemate is now in its 23rd day.

Some Utahns enrolled in SNAP receive payment on the 11th or 15th of every month. Others get theirs on the 5th, meaning theyll feel the effects in less than two weeks.

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The amount varies, depending on a households net income. For a family of four, the maximum monthly allotment is about $1,000; for an individual, the cap is just under $300.

Across Utahs 29 counties, the food bank distributes to 309 local agencies. All have limited resources, Bott said.

Bill Tibbitts of the Crossroads Urban Center helps prepare a box of food for a family at the centers west side pantry in Salt Lake City on Oct. 22, 2025. (Annie Knox/Utah News Dispatch)

They dont have a lot of storage space, they dont have a lot of refrigeration. Many of them are staffed by volunteers, Bott said.

Some pantries may have to reduce the number of times people can visit every month, she said, which will impose extra challenges for Utahns living far from grocery and big box stores.

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Not only is it incredibly frustrating, its incredibly sad, Bott said.

As need increases, the nonprofit Switchpoints two pantries in St. George and Tooele may have to transition from clients choosing their own groceries to receiving prepackaged boxes in an effort to better ration donated items, said Switchpoint spokesperson Zachary Almaguer.

We will do everything in our power not to turn individuals away, Almaguer added, noting the organization also operates kitchens serving free meals in both cities.

Were watching closely, we are concerned, but were doing our best not to listen to what might be or what could be, but were planning for what we know we can do, Almaguer said.

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For Bott, the pause in benefits reminds her in some ways of the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when many Utahns were suddenly out of work and visited food pantries to get by.

Asked if her organization can fill the need next month, she said no one entity can do it alone. She noted churches and faith-based organizations in the state also accept and distribute grocery donations.

Said Bott: Its going to take all of us coming together to be able to make the best situation that we possibly can for people.

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The Rotunda at the University of Virginia. (Photo by Sarah Vogelsong /Virginia Mercury)

After months of review, the Department of Justice announced on Wednesday that it has agreed to suspend its five federal civil rights investigations against the University of Virginia, provided the institution complies, with no financial penalty.

The Justice Department initiated its investigation of the institution in the spring due to its concerns that UVA was violating federal civil rights laws in its admissions, hiring, diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, and that its campus culture was inhospitable to Jewish students; the school refuted all these allegations. The investigations ultimately led to the resignation of Paul Ryan as president of UVA.



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The announcement by the DOJ comes after President Donald Trump signed executive orders focused on reforming universities to align with his administrations views. Trump and top aides have also claimed that many universities have embraced liberal agendas and are too politicized.

As part of the agreement, UVA agreed to comply with civil rights laws, use the DOJs latest guidance when applicable and provide quarterly reports to the government on its compliance efforts.

If the DOJ determines that UVA is making insufficient progress toward compliance, the institution will have 15 days to address the issues before the agreement is terminated and investigations resume.

This notable agreement with the University of Virginia will protect students and faculty from unlawful discrimination, ensuring that equal opportunity and fairness are restored, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Civil Rights Division said in a statement on Wednesday. Dhillon added that the university has made progress in combating antisemitism and racial bias, and warned other schools to be on alert that the department would enforce federal civil rights laws.

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UVA Interim President Paul Mahoney wrote in a statement to the institutions community that he signed the agreement because he believed it to be the best available path forward.

We intend to continue our thorough review of our practices and policies to ensure that we are complying with all federal laws, Mahoney said. He added that UVA will also redouble our commitment to the principles of academic freedom, ideological diversity, free expression, and the unyielding pursuit of truth, wherever it may lead, as Thomas Jefferson put it.

Across the country, the federal agency has challenged other institutions including Harvard University and the University of California on claims that they violated federal civil rights, specifically concerning Title IX compliance, affirmative action, and disability accommodation. Many of the cases have ultimately gone to court, threatening the loss of federal funds.

Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, posted on X that UVAs surrender poses significant constitutional problems and represents a huge expansion of federal power that Republicans  would have never tolerated in the past  we have the right to run our universities.

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Thursday morning, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin called the agreement a common sense and fair deal.

As part of the agreement, Mahoney said UVA acknowledges its obligation to follow civil rights laws and that the federal government accepts UVAs work as demonstrating full compliance, thereby suspending the investigations. The DOJ will close the remaining investigations if UVA maintains compliance with the agreement, which is effective through Dec. 31, 2028.

UVA will still be eligible for future grants, contracts and awards, and none of its grants will be terminated.

The agreement doesnt equate to an admission of wrongdoing by either the DOJ or the school and UVA expressly denies liability with respect to the subject matter of the Investigations, the documents reads.

Through this process, we will do everything we can to assure our community, our partners in state and federal government, and the public that we are worthy of the trust they place in us and the resources they provide us to advance our education, research, and patient care mission, Mahoney said.

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This agreement comes days after UVA rejected an offer from President Donald Trumps administration to sign a compact granting federal funding and privileges in exchange for the schools support of the administrations policies.

In a letter about the decision, Mahoney wrote that accepting an offer based on anything other than merit will undermine the integrity of vital, sometimes lifesaving, research and further erode confidence in American higher education.

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Christopher Peace, president of the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia, listens to a presentation from economic analyst Fletcher Mangum speaking at a press conference on Oct. 20, 2025. (Photo by Nathaniel Cline/Virginia Mercury)

Virginias private institutions are lobbying to increase state funding for the Tuition Assistance Grant program as the governor prepares his final budget, to be presented in December. This week, the institutions cited their contributions to the states economic successes and growing workforce as reasons for the commonwealth to in turn make a bigger investment into higher education amid federal uncertainty.

The purpose of the grant program is to provide financial assistance to Virginia residents who are attending accredited private, nonprofit colleges and universities for purposes other than religious training or theological education.

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Christopher Peace, president of the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia (CICV), which represents 28 private colleges and universities, said at a Monday press conference that graduates from private colleges in the commonwealth have made the case for additional monies for the grant program, generating $4.6 billion in annual economic output and employing nearly 30,000 Virginians.

Families are now facing less access to federal loans, smaller grants and greater uncertainty, especially middle-income and lower-income Virginians and first-generation college families, Peace said. Thats why the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant has never been more important. TAG is a steady, bipartisan commitment to ensuring access to college in Virginia, and it doesnt depend on Washingtons next budget cycle.

Over the past three years, lawmakers increased state appropriations for the program by raising the maximum amount each student would receive to $5,250 per student. In total, Virginia appropriates $112 million to the initiative.

(State Council of Higher Education for Virginia)

Last year, lawmakers pushed back the application deadline from July 31 to Sept. 15, giving institutions more time to identify eligible students. A report by the State Council of Higher Education in Virginia said the program saw a 5.4% increase for undergraduate residential students since the deadline adjustment.

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CICV also announced the findings from the second phase of its statewide economic impact analysis conducted by Mangum Economics on Monday. The report focuses on the human capital, or the knowledge, talent, leadership and problem-solving skills that graduates have contributed to the commonwealths workforce and communities.

During the academic year 2023-2024, CIVCs institutions conferred 39,871 degrees and awards to 5,356 health profession graduates and 5,205 education graduates. The largest field of graduates was in the field of business, with 6,919.

Mangum estimated that the enhanced productivity and lifetime earnings of graduates are estimated to add $161.6 million annually to Virginias economy.

Peace said theres always room for growth to meet the workforce demand, including in the area of health care. He added that CICV has 15 private nursing colleges in Virginia that produce almost 40% of all nursing degree graduates.

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We know that theres a critical nurse shortage, and if we dont have nurses moving in and attaining masters level, we will have a future greater shortage in those who can educate nurses, Peace said. We have a pipeline issue now that were meeting a demand for, but youre going to have a greater problem in the future based on some of the actions at the federal government, and hopefully we can prevent some of that with state investment.

Del. Betsy Carr, D-Richmond, chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education, said with the federal funding cuts to higher education  which include ending Grad PLUS loans, capping Parent PLUS, and tightening Pell eligibility, ultimately reducing the resources available to students  TAG is the most effective tool to fill that gap for Virginia students.

TAG keeps college within reach for more than 20,000 in-state students every year, and ensures that the commonwealth continues to produce the talent our economy needs, Carr said. Every dollar invested through tag returns dividends and skilled graduates who teach, innovate and lead across Virginia. It is an investment, not just in education, but in economic security and community vitality.

Del. Betsy Carr, D-Richmond, speaking at a press conference on Oct. 20, 2025. (Photo by Nathaniel Cline/Virginia Mercury)

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VAN WERT  The U.S. Postal Service is investigating a Van Wert postal carrier for reportedly burning undelivered mail, according to a news release from the Van Wert Police Department.

Van Wert Police responded to a call at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday in reference to an unattended fire in the backyard of a residence in the 900 block of George Street, where a Van Wert postal carrier resides, according to the release.

The Van Wert Fire Department responded to extinguish the fire, which is now under investigation by Postmaster Greg McKeddie after an officer discovered evidence the postal carrier was allegedly burning undelivered mail, according to the release.
US Vice President JD Vance said President Donald Trump would oppose Israeli annexation of the occupied West Bank, and it would not happen, suggesting a move by Israeli lawmakers towards that end looked like a stupid political stunt.

A bill applying Israeli law to the West Bank, a move tantamount to annexation of a territory that Palestinian leaders seek for part of a future independent state, won preliminary approval from Israeli lawmakers on Wednesday.

Asked by reporters about the vote, Vance said on Thursday, If it was a political stunt, it is a very stupid one, and I personally take some insult to it.

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Vance spoke after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that steps towards annexing the territory, which Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war, could endanger Trumps plan to end Israels war on Gaza, which has yielded a shaky ceasefire so far, with Israel violating the truce repeatedly.

The West Bank is not going to be annexed by Israel. The policy of President Trump is that the West Bank will not be annexed. This will always be our policy, Vance said at the end of a two-day visit to Israel.





Trump later echoed Vances comments, telling reporters at the White House that Israel is not going to do anything with the West Bank.

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Dont worry about the West Bank, Trump said.

The vote was sponsored by Avi Maoz, the leader of the far-right Noam party, who, until recently, was in the governing right-wing coalition, and backed by ultranationalists National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. The reading passed by a vote of 25-24 out of 120 lawmakers.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office later said that the vote was a deliberate political provocation that aimed to sow division during Vances visit.

Netanyahus far-right Likud party said it did not vote for the bill, adding that without its support, attempts to legislate the annexation of the West Bank were unlikely to go anywhere.

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However, observers say de facto annexation is slowly taking place across the West Bank as Israel continues to expand illegal settlements on Palestinian land.





More than 700,000 Israelis live in settlements in the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem.

All of Israels settlements are illegal under international law. The UNs top court, the International Court of Justice, in 2024 said that Israels occupation of Palestinian territories, including the West Bank, and its settlements there are illegal, and should be withdrawn as soon as possible.

Settlers have also been emboldened by far-right officials to carry out attacks against Palestinians, their lands, and properties. Often armed, and backed by Israeli soldiers, settlers storm Palestinian villages, uproot olive trees, burn homes and vehicles, and assault residents with near-total impunity.

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Rights groups say the Israeli army rarely intervenes to stop settler violence, and in many cases, actively shields or assists those carrying out the attacks.

More than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers in the West Bank since Israel began its assault on Gaza on October 7, 2023, according to the UN. Thousands of Palestinians were forcibly displaced due to Israeli settler attacks, movement restrictions and home demolitions.

According to the UN, the first half of 2025 has seen 757 settler attacks causing casualties or property damage  a 13 percent increase compared with the same period last year.





Israeli forces have also intensified violent incursions on Palestinian towns and villages, while also arresting thousands of Palestinians.

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Most notably, Israel attacked the refugee camps in Jenin, Tulkarem, Nur Shams, Fara and Nablus, generating mass displacement that was unprecedented.

The US has long been Israels most powerful and staunch ally, and the Trump administration is particularly close to Israel, with considerable sway over its leadership.

Netanyahu has repeatedly ruled out Palestinian statehood. His cabinet has considered the idea of annexation as a response to major Western allies recently recognising a Palestinian state to put pressure on Israel to stop its devastating war in Gaza, but appeared to shelve it after Trump objected last month.

Senior White House officials and Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner have been visiting Israel seeking to bolster the 13-day-old truce between Israel and Hamas after two years of war. Israeli attacks on the blockaded enclave have killed more than 68,000 Palestinians since October 2023, destroyed large swaths of land, and displaced most of the Strips 2.1 million residents.

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Rubio arrived in Israel on Thursday on a visit to support the implementation of Trumps 20-point Gaza plan, the US Department of State said. The plan envisages eventual reconstruction and stable governance in the enclave, along with possible steps towards Palestinian statehood.

Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Turkiye and 13 other Muslim-majority nations condemned Wednesdays vote, as did the key multilateral organisations that represent Arab states and Muslim nations.
Reporting has taken me to some extraordinary places, though never one where coordinating my socks with my tie, an old habit, feels essential.

This is an evening defined by contrast: in colour, character and company. Even the settings unusual for a fashion show; Christ Church, Spitalfields, where, amid centuries-old stone and worn wooden pews, a makeshift runway slices through the nave. Here, among 150 guests  ambassadors, activists, arbiters of style  I await the procession.

The models backstage await their moment on the catwalk - Paul Grover

Down the improvised aisle slink models presenting the latest collections from four Ukrainian fashion houses: Gorsset, Mogardi, Maison Sophy G and Keka. Im here because they are all Ukrainian  the country to which I have dedicated much of my working life since the invasion as a host on the Telegraphs daily Ukraine: The Latest podcast  for a charity fashion show in aid of British-Ukrainian Aid, hosted by the Estonian embassy in London.

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The evening is, inevitably, shadowed by grief. Oksana, the designer behind Gorsset, has just lost her husband in the war. A songwriter, his music scores the show  each model moving in rhythm to melodies born of love and loss. Her designs, bold in silhouette and rich in texture, carry flashes of embroidery and linen paying quiet homage to the Vyshyvanka, Ukraines traditional national dress.

The catwalk erected in Christ Church, Spitalfields - Paul Grover

War and fashion, on the surface, occupy opposite poles: one extinguishes life, the other adorns it. Yet both are stitched from the same fabric of human experience. Each bleeds into the other.

The trench coat was born in the mire of the First World War as British military outerwear. Lipstick, too, found its place on the frontlines of morale in the Second  one of the few cosmetics not rationed, seen as essential to preserve fighting spirit.

The pattern endured. In 1941, the British imposed strict regulations on textiles; fashion responded not with collapse but creativity. Designers gave shape to a wartime aesthetic that was minimal, chic and resilient.

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Across the Atlantic, in post-war America, returning soldiers helped transform denim jeans  once sold only to those in active defence  from humble workwear into symbols of masculinity and youth rebellion, transferring the raw energy of survival into a new cultural epoch.

While fashion may appear frivolous against the gravity of bullets and bombs, it often forecasts the future. As far back as the early 19th century, the great dandy Beau Brummell, with his tailored dark suits, clean lines and white shirts redefined mens fashion with a severity that mirrored a broader shift from aristocratic flamboyance to bourgeois discipline.

Todays Silicon Valley elite  our new aristocracy, one might say  echo that same minimalism, stripped further still to T-shirts and hoodies, ostensibly signalling a more meritocratic age. If art takes the temperature of a time, fashion is its cousin.

The full impact of Russias war on Ukrainian fashion remains, as it were, unsown. In one sense, the war has dragged Ukraine backwards, to a time before air travel. What was once a short flight from London to Kyiv now demands 24 hours by rail or road.

A coat by the Ukrainian fashion house Gorsset. Just two days earlier, the designers husband was killed in the war - Paul Grover

Kharkiv, the second city, used to be just a few hours away by air from central Europe  now it is only reachable by an additional, gruelling five-hour journey from the capital. Not only that, but given their frequency, it is common to arrive, as I last did, mid-air raid.

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And yet, paradoxically, in most places unoccupied, the war has brought Ukraine closer to the West. The abject unjustness of the invasion, the endless bombardments, the daily suffering  all have kept national resilience remarkably, and turned millions of Ukrainians ever more sharply Westward culturally, continuing a trend that began long before the conflict  almost certainly a factor in Vladimir Putins decision to invade.

This trend is visible even in predominantly Russian-speaking cities such as Odesa  the pearl of the Black Sea  widely seen as Ukraines most expressive and effervescent city. It is an often dazzling, irreverent place, and its citizens dress with more flair and attention than in London.

One surreal sight was a blonde-haired woman in a white dress riding a horse down the pavement, the young it crowd hardly noticing her as they nursed cocktails in a fashionable bar before curfew. By 11pm, all the shutters were down. That nights drone attack was the worst I have ever experienced in the country.

Kostiantyn Lieontiev, founder of London Fashion Day - Paul Grover

Odesa is the hometown of Kostiantyn Lieontiev  the long-haired founder of London Fashion Day  who helped organise the fashion show. All these designers have a story, he tells me backstage, shrouded by the clatter of hangers.

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Ana, the designer at Gorsset, is from western Ukraine, and you see this in her embroidery, which she recreated from scratch. Its her signature. There are more than twenty regions; each has different patterns, different colours, different flowers. Ive seen many famous international brands use these designs.

In Britain, we have largely stripped our clothing of overt national decoration and symbolism. But in Ukraine, wearing traditional dress is a political act: a refusal to accept the systematic attempts by Russia to erase their culture.

Attendees watching the fashion show - Paul Grover

In the occupied territories, Moscow seeks to erase culture at the root  banning books, suppressing language and kidnapping tens of thousands of children, indoctrinating them into a state that denies Ukraine even exists.

As such, its no surprise that at the fundraiser Ambassador Zaluzhnyi  once the commander-in-chief of Ukraines Armed Forces  is wearing a Vyshyvanka. Standing to speak after the show, his voice is deep, deliberate, unwavering: Every effort today is not just a symbol, he bellows.

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Its a real help for my country. Today, Ukraine is the front line of freedom [] but we are not only fighting for ourselves, we are defending values that form the foundation of the free world: the right to be yourself and to live without fear.

The outgoing Estonian ambassador, Viljar Lubi, seated beside him, agrees: We are not living in an isolated world. What is happening in Ukraine will have an impact on all of us.

Former Estonian ambassador to Great Britain, Viljar Lubi (left), applauds Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the Ukrainian Ambassador, who dons a Vyshyvanka  the Ukrainian national dress - Paul Grover

The pair are swathed in applause. The charity auction raises over 50,000.

Afterwards  the clothes folded away, the models disappeared into the night  Kostiantyn offered me a parting word, wearing a coat adorned with tassels and embroidery: the traditions of east and west stitched side by side.

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I want the rest of the world to try to open its heart to Ukraine, he says, his voice touched with emotion. We are part of Europe. We are part of the modern world.

As I reflected during the show: fashion reminds us what cannot be undone. Behind every stitch lies a vow for the living, and every pattern resists the hand that seeks to unpick it.

Four Ukrainian designers to know

Gorsset

Gorsset preserves traditional Ukrainian design techniques with their modern interpretation of national clothing.

Gorsset

The quilted jackets shown in their collection, titled Phoenix, are hand stitched and made from natural silk, a fusion of function and the silhouettes seen in Ukrainian national dress.

Keka by Novikov Atelier

Founded in the Ukraine and reimagined in the UK, unisex brand Keka looked to Tudor fashion for its collection.

Keka by Novikov Atelier

The brand used only natural fabrics - organza ruffs were worn over sheer billowing shirts and pleated silk trousers were cropped and paired with wool windowpane check corsets.

Mogardi

Founded in 2022 in Kyiv by Pavel Mordik, Mogardi creates sculptural couture-to-wear pieces for both men and women.

Mogardi

Designed to bring the wearer confidence, the designs showcased on the runway were styled with woven hats and wide leather belts  perhaps as a nod to traditional Ukrainian dress.

Maison Sophy G

An emphasis on craft, intricate embroidery and feminine flourishes are at the heart of Maison Sophy G.

Maison Sophy G

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While some of the details feel traditionally Ukrainian (full sleeves and drawn in waists), this is a collection that takes these techniques to a modern audience.

Francis Dearnley is one of the hosts of The Telegraphs daily podcast, Ukraine: The Latest  the worlds most trusted and listened-to podcast about the war. Recordings from the fashion show can be found in this episode.

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.
VERMILION PARISH, La. (KLFY)  The Vermilion Parish School Board hosted its annual College and Career Fair today, offering students from five different high schools across the parish an opportunity to explore a wide range of post-graduation options.

Held at Kaplan High School, the event brought together over 40 colleges, technical schools and local businesses.

More than 1,000 students attended the fair, engaging directly with representatives from higher education institutions, the military, trade schools and various employers.

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The event aimed to provide students with direct access to professionals and educators, giving them the opportunity to ask questions and gather firsthand information about different career paths.

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This event offers our students a hands-on opportunity, said Brandy Broussard, High School Curriculum Supervisor for the Vermilion Parish School Board. They walk into the career fair, and they can expect colleges, technical schools and the workforce in full force, to give them opportunities to ask questions.

School officials emphasized that the goal of the event is to empower students to take proactive steps toward building their futures and to connect them with opportunities that align with their interests and aspirations.

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According to Broussard, many students enter the event uncertain about their futures.

When they walk in the door, I hear many of them say, Im not sure what I am going to do next. So, this offers them an opportunity to speak to people who are doing these things on a day-to-day basis, she said.

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New Jersey voters have less than two weeks to decide who gets their vote in the race for governor: Republican Jack Ciattarelli or Democrat Mikie Sherrill.

"Very competitive, very close and no one is absolutely confident who's going to end up on top," said Ben Dworkin, director of the Rowan Institute for Public Policy and Citizenship.

A Rutgers-Eagleton poll out Wednesday has Sherrill up by five points.

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Fifty percent said they would vote for Sherrill, 45% said they would vote for Ciattarelli, 3% said they would vote for neither or someone else, and 2% are undecided.

SEE ALSO | Mikie Sherrill and Jack Ciattarelli clash in final NJ governor's debate | Watch the full debate



Action News spoke with voters for both candidates on Thursday.

"I'm voting for Jack because we really need a drastic change in New Jersey," said Julianne from Monmouth County.

"I like how Sherrill seems to be standing up for New Jerseyans," said Ed Bennett from Hammonton, N.J.

As voters weigh their choices, the candidates are hitting the campaign trail and spending big bucks while they're at it. It's a massive effort to get voters to turn out during an off-year.

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According to the state, $145 million was spent on primary, and so far $47 million has been spent on the general election.

And in the final weeks, some big-name endorsements are coming in. Former President Barack Obama is expected to campaign for Sherrill on November 1, and President Donald Trump posted an endorsement for Ciattarelli on Truth Social this week.

Dworkin says these big names can help with voter turnout.

"When you have only 4 out of 10 registered voters coming to actually cast a ballot, every little bit makes a difference," said Dworkin.

Dates to know

Mail-in voting is already underway.

Early in-person voting starts Saturday and runs through November 2.
WOONSOCKET, R.I. (WPRI)  Tensions ran high Wednesday night as the Woonsocket School Committee once again addressed the rash of fights among students that have broken out over the past month.

In the last month alone, at least 21 students have been arrested in several fights, primarily at Woonsocket High School.

Police said two Villa Nova Middle School students were also arrested earlier this week after they reportedly went after another girl.

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RELATED: Woonsocket superintendent frustrated after rash of fights at high school

For Michelle Bloss, the ongoing violence at the high school hits close to home.

Bloss told the committee that her son, whos a freshman at the high school, was brutally assaulted unprovoked by other students and had to have his jaw wired shut.

For him to enter his freshman year and have to go through this traumatic experience  Its very disheartening and its scary, Bloss said. Its very concerning and all I want to ask is what is going to be done?

All these shelter in places  I get the emails three times a week at this point, she continued. All I want is accountability.

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Bloss said every time she receives one of those emails or learns of additional fights and arrests, she worries about her son.

Woonsocket Superintendent Patrick McGee publicly apologized to Bloss after she expressed her concerns.

I am very sorry about what happened to your son that day, McGee said. That never should have happened.

McGee also addressed the numerous fights that have ended with students being arrested and charged.

This is embarrassing. Its sickening, he said.

SEE ALSO: Woonsocket High students suspended after fights lead to 13 arrests

In some cases, McGee said students who have a history of violence and have been proven to be a threat were suspended for the remainder of the school year.

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McGee stressed that other incidents are still being investigated.

Were not sitting by idly waiting for the show to drop, McGee said. We are trying to be proactive. When we can dismiss kids and remove kids from schools we will do that, because it is my job to keep students safe.

Woonsocket School Committee chairman Paul Bourget told 12 News videos and social media appear to be contributing to the fights, which is why the district has been working to better enforce its cell phone policy.

The committee voted in favor of purchasing Yondr pouches to prevent students from using their cell phones during school hours.

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The district will be in charge of coming up with protocols on how to use the pouches, which are designed to keep students cell phones locked away until the end of the day.

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ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/ KRBC)  For many Veterans, finding an outlet to help with internal struggles is crucial, and the Abilene Vet Center has developed a unique outlet that includes some friendly competition.

Part of the mission for the Vet Center is helping soldiers cope with trauma, and one of their most effective ways of doing so is therapy through archery. Daniel Winegeart, an Army Veteran who saw active combat in Iraq, explained how being part of the archery group helps him.

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Thats how it is. The Brotherhood. It also brings another home where we belong. Its very crucial because if you dont feel like you belong anywhere, it can lead to some bad places, bad decisions, and ultimately it could end up in death, Winegeart shared.

Big Country veterans battle PTSD with archery

Soon, the Abilene Vet Center will host its 5th Annual Foam is Our Friend Archery Tournament, where Veterans share some positive competition in a relaxing setting. Senior Counselor for the Abilene Vet Center, Steve Rowlands, outlined how this unique therapy helps break through the anguish that is part of their daily struggles.

Oftentimes, when were in the therapy room, were talking about really hard things. Bringing up some past memories and some triggering events for them, and so many of them, thats one of the things they say so much is like, Hey, I can come out here and I can forget about everything else and I can let go and I can for a moment, for a day and forget about some of those really bad memories,' Rowlands explained.

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Before he came to the Vet Center, retired First Sergeant and 24-year Veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Manuel Rios, had never even picked up a bow. Now, he has taken first place for the last two years of this annual archery competition. Rios shared just a small fraction of his journey of healing and how letting go of his perceptions was the first step in pulling himself out of the darkness.

I came here with a bias of, Thats not me. Nothing could be wrong with me. Its everyone else. They need to get over it. The inner demons that all of us face; it takes questioning. It takes the talking. It takes being around like-minded people, Rios expressed. Its not weak. Youre not a coward. Youre not soft for bringing it up because theres something wrong. Thats everything that I felt. Now, where Im at mentally, physically and spiritually, I should have done this a long time ago.

Veterans in Abilene participate in archery matches for therapy

Veterans interested in joining the Vet Centers archery group or learning more about the services they offer can call (325) 232-7925.

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AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  A local veterans organization is hoping a food gift card giveaway will help others have food on their tables for Thanksgiving.

Leaders with the Disabled American Veterans chapter in Austintown will be hosting a pair of events the next two Sundays. They have $10,000 worth of $50 cards they will be passing out to veterans at the Sparkle Market in Columbiana on Oct. 26 and then at the Sparkle in Cornersburg on Nov. 2.

Organizers say they want to make sure todays veterans are treated better than those who returned from Vietnam in the 70s.

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It took me 30 years, that once I joined this outfit, I said to my wife, No veterans ever going to be treated like I did,' said Bob Cooper. And thats why I do it.

Organizers say the food card giveaway is open to those veterans who show proof of their service. The events will begin at 10 a.m. and run until the allotted number of cards has been distributed.

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Before his departure from Israel, US Vice President JD Vance clearly spoke out against the annexation of the occupied West Bank by Israel.

"It was a very stupid political stunt," he said on Thursday regarding an initial vote by the Israeli parliament on corresponding plans during his visit.

He said he felt personally insulted by it. "The West Bank is not going to be annexed by Israel," Vance said, adding that this was the unchanged political line of the US government.

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An opposition initiative for the annexation of parts of the West Bank surprisingly received a majority in a preliminary vote in the Israeli parliament on Wednesday, but final approval is considered unlikely.

Ultra-right members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government have long been advocating for the annexation of the West Bank.

US President Donald Trump also stressed that he would not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. The Palestinians claim the area as part of a future independent state.

At the conclusion of his trip to Israel, Vance also visited military headquarters in Tel Aviv. Defence Minister Israel Katz said, according to his office, that Vance was "a true friend of the state of Israel, who under President Trump's leadership has contributed much to the security of Israel, the region, and the deep alliance between Israel and the US."

Katz further reiterated that Israel was "committed to bringing back all hostages and fallen soldiers, disarming Hamas and securing a better future in the region."
The panelists of The View think President Donald Trumps White House ballroom plans arent helping him beat the king allegations.

During Thursdays episode, ABCs Joy Behar called the $300 million renovation a Let them eat cake moment, comparing the president and his pet project to the out-of-touch aristocrats who thumbed their noses at peasants struggles before being overthrown during the French Revolution.

Buzz: This Piercing Documentary About A Real-Life Tragedy Is The Top Movie On Netflix Right Now

Alyssa Farah Griffin kicked off the conversation, explaining that it wasnt the ballroom in and of itself that bothered her, but how the lavish renovation seemed like an absurd thing to focus on while Americans are worrying how to pay their bills, find work or put food on the table.

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I dont really care about the ballroom, per se, she explained. I care about two things: The American people are struggling. The economy is not rip-roaring the way that we were promised that it was going to. I think of all my relatives who voted for Trump, who really thought, This guys gonna bring the country back, hes gonna make my paycheck go further. And thats just not what were seeing right now.

Highlighting just a few of the struggles regular people are contending with, Griffin said, Unemployment is too high. ... Youve seen major American manufacturers had their worst quarter last year in years, which, we were promised he was going to bring back American manufacturing.

This juxtaposition, if hes building his grand ballroom while everyone is still hurting, bothers me, she went on, before noting that while she did appreciate the fact the ballroom is being paid for by donors, and not taxpayers, she worried that it could end up as a pay for play scheme to gain greater political influence.

I dont want the biggest corporations in America feeling like they own a piece of the White House, Griffin continued. Like they can cut a fat check and then they feel entitled to meeting, to whatever it might be on policy that they want. Its not unprecedented, but I dont like it. I dont think its seemly.

Buzz: Daily Show Says East Wing Teardown Is Perfect Reminder To Always Do 1 Thing With Trump

Putting things in context, Sara Haines said, Youve got people lining up at food banks to feed their family who are still called to show up at work, some of them. This is a disturbing optical problem that really is, it should be an embarrassment right now.

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Why do the words French Revolution keep coming into my head? Let them eat cake, Joy Behar added.

Long misattributed to 18th-century French queen Marie Antoinette but first found in the writings of Jean-Jacques Rousseau 24 years before the revolution, the phrase recounts an unnamed princess callous reply after being told that starving peasants were without bread.

Millions of Americans seemed to see parallels between Trump and the monarchs of the past as they showed up for No Kings protests across the country last weekend.

Asked to comment on the show of resistance last Sunday, a clearly irritated Trump called the demonstrations a joke, and insisted, Im not a king. I work my ass off to make our country great, thats all it is. Im not a king, at all.

Related...

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VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)  The Vigo County Prosecutors Office has provided new information on how they will be handling the charges surrounding Javon Wilson.

Wilson is the man charged with reckless homicide after a shooting incident in downtown Terre Haute this past weekend killed a woman.

In April of this year, Wilson was charged with criminal recklessness and unlawful carrying of a handgun. In August, he was charged with domestic battery.

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Both of those cases were in Vigo County and, according to the prosecutors office, remain active.

Also, in April of last year, Wilson was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance in the state of Texas.

Vigo County Deputy Prosecutor Rob Roberts said the office has advised the court, and Wilsons Defense Attorney, that they will try Wilsons reckless homicide case first before proceeding with the other Vigo County cases.

Roberts said they will have no control over how the state of Texas chooses to follow through on the other case.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com.
Its spooky season! So we asked one local historian to tell us where the bones lie  specifically skulls.

Adam Selzer is an expert on the evil and nefarious in Chicago history. The author, Mysterious Chicago tour guide and co-host of the Tomb Snoopers podcast will be in local graveyards, at the Lincoln Park Zoo and even on a haunted bus tour through early November, if youd like to explore the citys ghostly history.

Here are a few of Selzers favorite headcases  and a few others that have been profiled by the Tribune through the decades.

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Vintage Chicago Tribune: Unearthing the lives of Graceland Cemeterys lesser known residents with Adam Selzer

Jean (John) LaLime

The French-Canadian trader LaLime purchased the property along the Chicago River (todays Pioneer Court Plaza) in 1800 that was previously owned by Jean Baptiste Point DuSable, Chicagos first permanent non-native settler. LaLime later sold the land to John Kinzie.

In 1812, Kinzie and LaLime were neighbors, but historical accounts do not portray their relationship as neighborly. There was bad blood between them, according to a Tribune article from 1942.

While Kinzies name triumphed over LaLimes in Chicago lore, historical portraits of him arent all flattering. A Tribune article from 1966 paints Kinzie as an aggressive trader who clashed with some American soldiers stationed at Fort Dearborn. Ann Durkin Keating, a history professor at North Central College in Naperville, describes Kinzie as a volatile and violent character.

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Did bad blood on the American frontier lead to Chicagos first murder?

Tensions between Kinzie and LaLime came to a head June 17, 1812, when the two men met outside Fort Dearborn, LaLime armed with a pistol and Kinzie with a butchers knife. Keating describes the murder that ensued as premeditated in her book Rising Up from Indian Country: The Battle of Fort Dearborn and the Birth of Chicago.

The reasons for the fatal dispute are unknown. Kinzie fled the area afterward and didnt return until authorities ruled the slaying was in self-defense. Historians do not know whether Kinzie attacked LaLime first or the other way around.

In 1891  79 years after the slaying  a partial skeleton thought to belong to LaLime was excavated at Illinois Street and Cass Street (now Wabash Avenue) and given to the Chicago Historical Society, which put it on display for a time. The remains have never been confirmed to belong to LaLime, whose legacy remains nearly as anonymous as his skeleton.

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Some say LaLimes ghost haunts TAO Chicago at 632 N. Dearborn St., which is formerly the site of the Chicago Historical Society and Excalibur night club.

Whitechapel Club

One of the citys most eccentric private organizations, according to the Tribune in 1890, was the Whitechapel Club. The hangout off Newsboys Alley on Calhoun Place between Washington and Madison streets took its name from the grisly Jack the Ripper murders in Londons Whitechapel district.

The club consisted of mostly young reporters but also included author Finley Peter Dunne, playwright George Ade and Chicago flag creator Wallace Rice.

Vintage Chicago Tribune: How the Anti-Superstition Society celebrated Friday the 13th

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The Whitechapel was most renowned for its gleefully morbid obsession with death. Members could drink spirits out of skulls. A hangmans noose adorned the clubs walls and ceilings. A huge coffin-shaped dining table, its lid embellished with large brass nails that each bore a members name, dominated the main assembly room. Leave Everything Behind, Ye Who Go Hence, was the club motto.

But the clubs glory was short-lived, its life snuffed out by one of its own members  who robbed the club and plunged it into debt. Rather than borrow money to pay the debt, the Whitechapel men paid it off themselves and decided to call it quits in 1895, thereby ending a unique chapter of Chicago history.

Cows skull with calico roses

The 1931 painting by Wisconsin native Georgia OKeefe was displayed in the Art Institute of Chicago for the first time in early 1943. She studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago before entering the advertising field  but soon abandoned it.

Dissatisfied with what she had done so far, she destroyed all her pictures and decided to give up painting as a career, the Tribune reported. It was not until she came under the influence of Arthur Dow, the American educationalist, that her interest in painting revived and she entered upon her life work in which she has discovered herself to be an outstanding individualist.

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The painting hangs in the Art Institutes Arts of the Americas, Gallery 265.

Esther Granger

In November 1978, a skull was found behind the wall of a home in the 200 block of East Wilson Street in Batavia. James Skinner, who was remodeling his house, immediately called the Batavia Police Department, which launched an investigation into the persons identity, he said.

In 2024, the Kane County coroners office determined its identity  a 17-year-old woman who died after childbirth in 1865. Granger was born Oct. 26, 1848, and got married at age 16 to Charles Granger, Kane County Coroner Rob Russell said. She was originally buried in Merrillville, and it is not known how exactly her skull ended up in Batavia. However, a common-sense theory supported by records and good reason is that she was the victim of grave robbing, he said.

Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke, who has also co-authored books on local history, said there are no records of anyone in town knowing Granger or having any relation to her.

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The skull somehow ended up in storage at the Batavia Depot Museum, but neither police nor museum records explain why it was sent there, officials said. Batavia police Chief Shawn Mazza said a detective spoke with several investigators who would have worked on the case in the 1970s, but none remembered how or why the skull would have been sent to the museum.

Employees of the museum found a box holding the skull on March 10, 2021, and they immediately called the Batavia police to report the finding, Russell said. DNA testing found a living relative.

Grangers partial skull was cremated and laid to rest Aug. 22 at West Batavia Cemetery with the permission of her family. It is unclear, however, where exactly the rest of Grangers body is located.

Del Close

Before his death in March 1999, the improv legend willed his skull to the Goodman Theatre for use in stage productions. But the donation couldnt be done. Instead, a skull purchased from the Anatomical Chart Co. in Skokie was used.

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Charna Halpern, co-founder with him of iO Theater and executor of Closes will, maintained for seven years that the cranium she donated to the Goodman belonged to Close  even after some suspected it was not his. The skull even was a final question on an episode of Jeopardy! in 2000.

Second City and its nerdy University of Chicago roots: How a lost cause grew into a comedic giant

Halpern stuck to her story in a Page 1 Tribune investigation published in July 2006.

In an issue of The New Yorker, however, Halpern said she tried to carry out Closes wishes, but pressure from the morgue caused her to buy a skull instead.

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Why did Halpern decide to come clean?

Because the Tribune had already exposed it and I was getting snide responses, Halpern said.

Sue the T. rex

In August 1990, Sue Hendrickson found the largest, most complete and best preserved T. rex to date in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

The Field Museum bought the T. rex named Sue at auction in 1997 for $8.36 million. It went on display in 2000, and moved into new digs upstairs at the museum in 2018.

Vintage Chicago Tribune: Sue the T. rexs journey to the Field Museum

Sues real skull is not mounted atop the body because it became a little deformed over the eons, in part because it is the most frequently studied part of Sue and constant removal would be a burden.

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Other famous skulls on display at the Field Museum include the Tsavo lions.

Human impact on chipmunks

According to a new study by Field Museum researchers, Chicagos modern-day rodents have evolved to look quite different from what they did a century ago  mostly because of human development.

They found that over time, Chicago chipmunks have overall gotten larger, but the row of teeth along the side of their jaw has gotten smaller.

The worlds best-preserved fossils are right outside Chicago. But there are no dinosaur bones at Mazon Creek.

Its probably related to the food theyre eating, assistant curator of mammals Anderson Feijo said. Chipmunks are much more interactive with humans and have access to different kinds of food we eat. So we hypothesize they are eating more soft food and because they require less bite force, which reflects in the tooth rows.

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Similar trends have been documented in other major cities. A 2020 study of rats in New York City found that these East Coast rodents teeth have also shrunk over time, similar to those of Chicago chipmunks.

Relics of holy men and women

Among the more than 3,000 relics displayed at St. Martha of Bethany Church/Shrine of All Saints, 8523 Georgiana Ave., Morton Grove, are pieces of bone, clippings of hair and fabric and statues and paintings that have survived for centuries after the sometimes violent deaths of holy men and women for who they represent.

One special item in the collection is the skull of St. Remacle (Remaclus), a Benedictine bishop who was born in France and became a missionary in Belgium during the 600s.

As curator, the Rev. Dennis B. ONeill, pastor emeritus of St. Marthas, obtains relics for the Shrine of All Saints and searches regularly for new ones to add to the collection. He has written a book that details the origins for many of them.

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I love history, ONeill said. St. Martha is clearly my last parish because Im getting old, and the building was ideal for it. The bulk of relics were rescued from churches, monasteries, convents, palace chapels and chapels.

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Have an idea for Vintage Chicago Tribune? Share it with Kori Rumore at krumore@chicagotribune.com.
Abigail Spanberger remains the heavy favorite in Virginias race for governor, according to a new Washington Post-Schar School poll, even as the scandal engulfing fellow Democrat Jay Jones attorney general campaign has turned his race into a dead heat.

Spanberger continues to hold a 12-point lead over her Republican opponent, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, with 54 percent of voters saying they prefer the former three-term House lawmaker. Its the same margin she led by in a September poll, which came just days before it was reported that Jones had texted a former colleague fantasizing about shooting a Republican lawmaker in the head with two bullets.

With the election less than two weeks away, Virginia Republicans up and down the ballot have sought to hold the entire Democratic ticket to account for the scandal. Earle-Sears repeatedly called on Spanberger to urge Jones to step down during a debate Oct. 9.

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What would it take? Him pulling the trigger? she asked. Is that what would do it, and then you would say he needs to get out of the race, Abigail?

But the scandal doesnt seem to be affecting Spanberger  or lieutenant governor nominee Ghazala Hashmi, who leads Republican John Reid by seven points in the poll, up from 4 points in September.

The attorney general slot remains Republicans best chance at victory in November. Jones has seen a six-point lead over current Attorney General Jason Miyares evaporate since September, with both candidates now tied at 46 percent apiece.

The Washington Post-Schar School poll was conducted by telephone Oct. 16-20, with a random sample of 927 likely voters. The margin of sampling error was plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.
After closing their restaurant more than two years ago, Tom and Lisa Jones returned with a new spot.

Tosas Mood-n-Food opened this month in The Shops at Hilltop in Virginia Beach.

Weve always done restaurants. We dont know any different, Lisa Jones said.

The husband and wife owned Motsies Sea Grille in Virginia Beachs Renaissance Place for five years, and, before that, they were the original owners of Stoleys off Great Neck Road for 11 years.

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They decided to jump back into business ownership after working for other people. The ever-changing hospitality industry keeps them on their toes, and the couple loves its craziness.

It has a certain amount of energy to it that we just thrive off of, Lisa said.

This go-round, which they said is their last, they are having fun as Tosas represents them. The To is for Tom and the sa is for Lisa. Shes the mood, and hes the food (the chef).

The small, casual dining restaurant offers salads, sandwiches, flatbreads and other light fare with larger portions. The menu, which is still going through a few more tweaks, includes items such as chopped salad, bronzed tuna taco and crispy fried green beans  my favorite from Motsies. It also brought back Motsies sweet tea, the best in Hampton Roads.

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Customers wont find dinner entrees on the menu. The Joneses didnt want the fuss and cost worries of those big-ticket items.

And with reduced stress levels, they can focus on creating a relaxing environment where guests can take their time to enjoy the food and get to know one another  the way loyal customers remember.

Rekaya Gibson, 757-295-8809, rekaya.gibson@virginiamedia.com

If you go

Where: 1601 Hilltop West Shopping Center, Virginia Beach

Hours: 4-10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday

Details: tosasvb.com, 757-650-4599
A Virginia couple has gone to court to try to block President Donald Trump from proceeding with demolition of the White Houses East Wing to make way for a new ballroom.

Charles and Judith Voorhees filed a motion in Washington federal court Thursday afternoon, asking a judge to halt any further damage to the White House while the legality of the project is assessed.

The motion seeks a temporary restraining order against the demolition, arguing it is taking place without legally required approvals or reviews.

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Trump initially said the ballroom would be constructed without impacting the existing structure of the White House, but this week said much of the East Wing was being demolished to make way for the project.

The new court filing, which names Trump and National Park Service Director Jessica Brown as defendants, alleges that the demolition and construction violates the National Capital Planning Act and the National Historic Preservation Act, as well as a mandatory review by the Commission of Fine Arts.

However, at least one of those laws contains an explicit exemption for the White House, the Capitol and the Supreme Court buildings. Its also unclear whether any further demolition is planned. Photos show the entirety of the East Wing was knocked down in recent days.

The filing, which was not accompanied by the formal complaint that typically initiates a lawsuit and was mislabeled in the courts online docketing system, appears to be the first legal action over Trumps ballroom project.

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I feel like a lot of people want to do something about this, but nothing seems to be happening, said Mark Denicore, the attorney who filed the motion. I threw that together as fast as I could to try to get it filed as fast as I could.

Denicore is a member of the Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland bars. His website says hes also a licensed professional engineer and runs a firm that consults on construction projects.

Its unclear whether the couple can demonstrate the legal standing that federal courts usually require to pursue a challenge to federal government action.

Asked about the Voorhees interest in the matter, Denicore said: Theyre just people, U.S. citizens, that dont like their house being torn down without going through proper procedures.

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In response to a request for comment on the legal filing, White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said the ballroom project complies with all legal requirements.

President Trump has full legal authority to modernize, renovate, and beautify the White House  just like all of his predecessors did, Ingle said.
Virginia Democrats Thursday said they will seek to redraw the blue-trending states congressional map to flip two or three Republican-held seats and counter President Trumps push to hold Congress in next years crucial midterm elections.

Lawmakers in the Old Dominion State would seek to pass a constitutional amendment necessary to open the door to redistricting ahead of the 2026 elections and converting the current 6-5 split to as much as a 9-2 Democratic edge in the states House of Representatives delegation.

The push could help Democrats even the playing field as Trump pushes red state Republicans to grab as many Democratic seats as possible ahead of what is forecast as a difficult political year for the GOP.

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State Sen. Scott Surovell, the Democratic majority leader, confirmed the redistricting plans, which would require the approval of both houses in the state legislature.

Democrats hold a 21-19 edge in the state Senate, which only faces reelection in 2027. They hold a 51-49 edge in the lower chamber but are expected to significantly expand that edge in the Nov. 4 general election.

Former Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger leads Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle Sears by a healthy margin in polls of next months off-year race for Virginia governor. Spanberger had previously said she was not planning to push the state to undergo mid-decade redistricting.

Virginia has been trending to the left for years as Washington, D.C.s deep-blue suburbs expand south and west into previously solid GOP turf, giving Democrats flexibility to squeeze more seats statewide.

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Trump and Republicans unleashed the unprecedented mid-decade map-making war in hopes of keeping control of the House of Representatives, which they hold by a narrow six-vote margin.

The president started by prodding Texas to redraw its maps to pick up an estimated five Democratic seats.Other red states have jumped into the effort, with Missouri pushing for a new map to flip one Democratic seat and North Carolina Republicans seeking to extend their advantage in the evenly split swing states delegation from 10-4 to 11-3.

Democrats hope to counter by rejiggering district lines in California to pick up five GOP-held seats.

They are also eyeing similar moves to extend their advantage in blue states including Illinois and Maryland.

New York Democrats hope to find a way to get around the states independent redistricting committee to redraw maps of its 26 seats, now split 19-7 in their favor. But any change could only go into effect in 2028.
Democrats in Virginia are pushing to redraw their states congressional maps to add two or three House seats in the state for their party, according to two Democratic sources with knowledge of the plan, a surprise move in the ongoing mid-decade redistricting battles sparked by President Donald Trumps desperation to hold on to the House in the 2026 midterms.

The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because a formal announcement of a special session of the legislature to vote on the redistricting plan is still forthcoming.

Politics: Trump Calls Report That He'll Name White House Ballroom After Himself 'Fake News'

Republicans in Texas, Missouri and North Carolina have already moved to create seats for their party, and voters in California are widely expected to approve a new congressional map to add Democratic seats in that state early next month. But Virginia has been little discussed as an option for where Democrats could add seats.

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Democrats emphasized this is only step one toward potentially redrawing the maps, and theres still a chance the General Assembly can decide not to make the changes.

Weve been monitoring Republicans steal seats left and right, and put maximalist pressure on states across the country to try and reshape this democracy in a way that is not reflective of the people, said John Bisognano, the president of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee. So I would say it shouldnt be surprising to folks that a place like Virginia would take a moment like right now to retain its optionality for what it decides to do next year.

The move also shakes up the states governor, attorney general and state legislature elections, which are just 11 days away. Polling indicates voters in the blue-leaning state were already inclined to back Democrats as a check on Trumps administration, and Democrats are likely to see a chance to directly defy the president as an additional reason to vote.

Politics: Trump Reportedly Wants Name Of New Ballroom To Honor His Favorite Person In The World

Republicans portrayed the redistricting push as an attempt to distract voters from scandals surrounding text messages sent by Democratic Attorney General candidate Jay Jones where he advocated violence against a Republican politician.

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Virginia Democrats are in full panic mode, Adam Piper, the executive director of the Republican Attorneys General Association, said in a statement. Instead of calling for Jay Jones to drop out because of his murderous text message and being the subject of a criminal fraud investigation - theyre playing partisan games forcing lawmakers to return to Richmond for a special session thats a bigger farce than Jay Jones community service.

Virginia's General Assembly would need to vote twice  once before Election Day 2025 and again in 2026  to create a voter referendum to approve more Democratic-friendly maps. The Washington Post via Getty Images

Former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic nominee for governor and the heavy favorite to win the race, has largely avoided questions about whether she would support drawing new maps, and instead focused her campaign on lowering costs. Changing the maps would not require direct involvement either from her or from sitting GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

Successfully adding the seats would be logistically complicated, in part because Virginia voters approved a constitutional amendment creating an independent redistricting commission in 2020. The legislature will have to vote on the new maps once before Election Day 2025, and again once the legislature convenes in 2026. Then, the maps would go to the voters for approval in early 2026 and would be used in the midterms later that year.

Politics: 'Polka-Dot Dress Lady' Emerges As NYC's Anti-ICE Folk Hero

Democrats narrowly control both chambers of the General Assembly and are expected to add seats in the House of Delegates in November.

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The move was first reported by The New York Times.

The push seemed to catch even some high-profile Virginia Democrats by surprise. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) told HuffPost he was still seeking more information about the legislatures plans.

Whatever is being discussed is not being done in a context of isolation, Warner said. I think this would not even be discussed if you werent seeing these actions in Republican-controlled states.

Politics: DOD Accepts $130 Million From Trump's 'Friend' For Military Pay During Shutdown

Both the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and House Majority PAC, which is controlled by allies of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have been involved in planning for the session. Its possible HMP, which has already spent $15 million boosting the California referendum, could similarly support a referendum in Virginia.

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Its not clear what GOP-held seats in Virginia Democrats might target. Right now, there are three swing seats in the state: a Virginia Beach-based one held by Republican Jen Kiggans, one in the outer suburbs of D.C. and Richmond held by Democrat Eugene Vindman, and another north of Richmond held by Republican Rob Wittman.

Political Updates

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Virginia Democrats are poised to enter the nationwide redistricting battle, according to three Democrats familiar with the plans, taking on an effort to redraw the states congressional lines just days before closely watched elections in the state.

How exactly the states map will change is not yet clear. The states delegation is currently split between six Democrats and five Republicans, with three members  Democrat Eugene Vindman and Republicans Rob Wittman and Jen Kiggans  in potentially competitive races.

The three people familiar with the process were all granted anonymity to discuss the not-yet-public plans.

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We are opening up the process reluctantly because of this aggressive midterm redistricting by Republicans in response to Trump across the country," said one Virginia Democrat familiar with the plans.

Another top Virginia Democrat confirmed that Wittman's and Kiggans' seats are the most likely to be redrawn.

The surprise effort would need to come together quickly, and it could face procedural and political hurdles. Virginia has a constitutionally mandated process that hands redistricting over to a bipartisan commission, and the decision to circumnavigate or eliminate that commission must ultimately go in front of voters.

To do so, both chambers of Virginias Legislature must pass the proposed amendment in sessions bookending an election. Democratic leaders in the state are relying on a special session called by GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin in May 2024 that was left open to push through the measure for the first time, ahead of the states elections in less than two weeks. The Legislature would then need to pass the proposal again in a new session after the November elections.

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Voters would then have to approve the change; nearly two-thirds of Virginians approved of the constitutional amendment creating the commission in 2020.

Virginia Scope, a newsletter focused on the states politics, and The New York Times first reported some details on Virginia Democrats plans.

Scott Surovell, the majority leader of the Virginia Senate, confirmed the plans to the Times, saying We are coming back to address actions by the Trump administration. He did not immediately respond to messages from POLITICO on Thursday.

Democratic groups quickly applauded the move. Mandara Meyers, executive director of The States Project, said Virginia lawmakers are keeping options on the table to respond to extreme rightwing gerrymandering next year.

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A spokesperson for Youngkin, who is term-limited, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The last-minute move risks upending the election for governor in November, along with legislative contests. Democrat Abigail Spanberger is considered a favorite over Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears for the states open governorship; all 100 of the state House seats are on the ballot in November as well, with Democrats currently holding 51 of those seats.

Spanberger, a former member of Congress, said in August that she had no plans to draw new lines in Virginia. Virginias redistricting process does not require buy-in from the governor.

A spokesperson for Spanberger did not respond to a request for comment on Thursday.

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Earle-Sears' campaign sought to paint the redistricting fight as a cheap political stunt.

This is what panic looks like, Earle-Sears spokesperson Peyton Vogel said in a statement. Its pathetic. Voters see through it.

Recent polling in the Virginia governors race shows Spanberger with a healthy lead over Earle-Sears. A Washington Post-Schar School poll released Thursday showed the Democrat leading by 12 points.

The move by Virginia Democrats is just the latest in a tit-for-tat redistricting war that has swept the country and stands to upend the midterms.

So far, Republicans have drawn seven seats that favor the GOP across three states, including a map passed in North Carolina on Wednesday.

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In California, voters in November will decide whether a new map backed by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom will go into effect for 2026, which could net Democrats five seats. Other Democratic states that can redistrict, like Illinois and Maryland, have so far not jumped in despite growing pressure from within the party.

Nicholas Wu contributed to this report.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) declared a state of emergency in Old Dominion on Thursday over the ongoing government shutdown, specifically citing the fact that funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is set to dry out as of November 1.

The Democrat Shutdown will cause SNAP benefits to run out for over 850,000 Virginians in need starting November 1, 2025. I refuse to let hungry Virginians be used as leverage by Congressional Democrats. I am declaring a State of Emergency due to the Democrat Shutdown to protect hungry Virginians in need, said Youngkin in a press release. This is an extraordinary action and is only necessary because of the shamelessness of Congressional Democrats  including every Democrat in our entire delegation- who refuse to pass a clean continuing resolution to open the Federal government. I once again call on Senator Mark Warner and Senator Tim Kaine to end this nonsense and vote to pass a clean CR.

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The Commonwealth will provide food benefits until Congressional Democrats put the interests of Virginians in need ahead of their politics, he concluded. I thank President Trump and his Administration for their help as they continue to provide support to Virginians in need.

Congressional Democrats continue to hold out on a clean continuing resolution to fund the government at the same levels as before the shutdown began, instead demanding that short-term Obamacare subsidies be extended. Republicans have argued negotiations over subsidies should proceed after the passage of the CR.

The post Virginia Governor Declares State of Emergency Over Democrat Shutdown: I Refuse to Let Hungry Virginians Be Used as Leverage first appeared on Mediaite.
Richmond's central Monroe Park, frequented by students and families alike. (Photo by Zainab Sesay/VCU Capital News Service)

By Zainab Sesay/VCU Capital News Service

RICHMOND, Va.  The homeschooling population has been back on the rise in Virginia for the past two school years.

The number of students receiving an education at home increased last school year by 4.3%, according to the Virginia Department of Education. The year before saw an almost 6% increase.

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Last year, just over 56,000 students received their education at home. That is compared to nearly 1.3 million full-time students enrolled in the states public schools.

The COVID-19 pandemic created an almost 56% spike in the number of students who were homeschooled during the 2020-2021 school year. The next two school years saw a drop.

When looked at over a 20-year period that starts with the 2004-05 school year, the number of homeschooled students grew by 221% in Virginia.

The top reasons for homeschooling include concerns for safety in public classrooms, fear of poor academic quality, preference for religious instruction and need for specialized education for the child.

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I can provide something for my child that the public school [system] isnt able to offer them, said Amy Buchmeyer, a staff attorney at the Virginia-headquartered Home School Legal Defense Association, or HSLDA.

The HSLDA is a religious organization that works to protect the rights of families who educate at home. It has repeatedly been criticized for its affiliation with the conservative Christian movement and for lobbying for causes outside the scope of homeschooling.

Buchmeyer, who was homeschooled, cited a Cardus survey that reported homeschooled students are more well-rounded in other aspects of life.

Cardus is a Christian-led think tank and the study was funded by the Baylor Center for School Leadership, a private Christian university. The study split homeschoolers into three groups: short-term, medium-term, and long-term.

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Though they are less likely to pursue higher education past an associates degree, long-term students scored the highest in overall mental health and displayed higher levels of optimism and gratitude, according to Buchmeyer.

Homeschooled students are more likely to start families and stay married, be active in their communities, and start their own businesses, according to Buchmeyer.

Differences between homeschool and religious exemption

The number of Virginia students who received a religious exemption has also trended up in the past two school years at about the same percent as homeschooled students. There were 6,755 students who received a religious exemption last school year.

The VDOE requires parents who choose home education to submit a notice to their local school district at the beginning of the school year and a follow-up report at the end.

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Religious exemption requires an initial notification of intent with no reports on academic progress, according to VDOE.

Buchmeyer did not see this lack of academic reporting for religious exemption as a concern.

If anything, I think there is too much regulation currently placed on home schooling, Buchmeyer said.

Sen. Stella Pekarsky, D-Fairfax, proposed a bill in January to require parents who opted out for religious reasons to abide by the same regulations as homeschooled parents. The bill did not advance out of the Senate.

Callie Chaplow, director of government affairs at the Christian-founded Home Educators Association of Virginia, or HEAV, said this was a win for religious freedom.

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Virginia has a long-standing tradition and legacy of religious liberty, Chaplow said.

Home education is regulated enough, according to Chaplow. If the bill had passed, it would have been put under the superintendents jurisdiction.

Pekarskys legislation was the most discussed bill among the homeschool community, according to Chaplow. Chaplow homeschooled her children and said they found it beneficial.

Homeschool regulation

Home education reports vary because there is no standard method of reporting results or monitoring child welfare.

Once homeschool kids are out of an oversight situation, you know, whether thats those check-ins that are happening or even that yearly reporting, the opportunity for both educational neglect as well as abuse becomes prevalent, said Tess Ulrey, executive director of The Coalition for Responsible Home Education.

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The coalition was founded by homeschool graduates. The organization recommends policy changes for home education requirements and published the Make Homeschool Safe Act last year as a model policy outline.

The organization supported Pekarskys bill. Ulrey said that because mandated check-ins are not necessary, children can be left vulnerable.

Homeschool regulation varies from state-to-state. Oftentimes, school representatives are not required to perform regular check-ins on these homes. As of September, 12 states have no requirements to start home instruction, according to the HSLDA.

Typically, homeschooled students who submit standardized tests score above the national average, but Ulrey said that data is skewed due to flawed reports. One study by Magnet ABA Therapy found homeschool graduates perform 15% to 25% better on standardized tests, although the research methods for these findings are unclear.

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Religious exemption is often grouped with homeschooling in statistics, leading to inaccuracies because the educational levels of those students are not known, according to Ulrey.

We also see that homeschool students perform consistently lower in math than their traditional school peers. Reading is kind of a flip from that, Ulrey said. We also know that home school children are less likely to attend university.

Ulrey said it creates an interesting juxtaposition to see home-educated students do worse in STEM than the humanities, and it could lead to a discussion on how these arent on equal-footing with their peers if they choose to enter higher education.

Funding impact at public schools

Public school districts face possible funding loss as more parents choose to educate their children through homeschooling, or private schools and charter schools. Both of the latter institutions take funding away from public schools in order to serve smaller populations.

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Under President Donald Trumps tax reconciliation bill, also known as the big beautiful bill, families can receive tax credit scholarships to use at private schools, including religious ones.

Those vouchers could cause Virginia public schools to lose between $222 to $956 million in funding, according to the Virginia Education Association.

The next governor could elect not to participate, according to the VEA.

The first opportunity to opt in will come at the start of 2027, and the governor at the time should reject this voucher scheme to protect our public schools, stated the VEA.

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ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR)  The most recent Chesapeake Bay striped bass spawning surveys are in and the news is not good.

A young-of-the-year survey done by the Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences shows spawning recruitment just below historical averages in Virginias portion of the Chesapeake Bay and tributaries. A survey conducted by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources in Marylands Chesapeake Bay waters shows numbers significantly lower than historical averages.

That makes seven straight years of poor Chesapeake Bay spawns. Because 70% to 90% of all Atlantic striped bass are spawned and reared in the Chesapeake, the numbers are even more alarming. Striped bass numbers are declining. The fish has a billion dollar sport and commercial fishing impact on the economy of every state from North Carolina to Maine.

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We were hoping for better numbers, this year, said Chesapeake Bay Foundation Executive Director Chris Moore.

Moore is one of many conservationists who will be watching what the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) does at its annual meeting next week in Delaware. The ASMFC controls fishing regulations for saltwater species on the east coast. It had enacted harsher fishing regulations for striped bass in recent years in an attempt to counter the downward trend. The results of the most recent surveys could mean even more stringent action is taken.

Some have suggested a moratorium on striped bass fishing similar to the moratorium back in the 1980s when the species suffered a near total collapse.

However, Moore says we are not there, yet: The biomass is still well above what it was when we had the last moratorium. I think fisheries managers feel this species can turn around. We need some help from Mother Nature, as well. Weve got to have some of those big year classes. If you look back at how the striped bass population was restored, it was a couple of big year classes.

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That will likely require average to colder than average winters. Warming trends have meant warmer winters in recent years. While last winter was cold, it was also dry and that meant low water levels which are not conducive to striped bass spawning.

The reason warmer winters have an adverse affect is because the zooplankton juvenile stripers feed on when they first hatch, hatch before the stripers do. By the time the baby striped bass have hatched, the zooplankton have gone.

Moore says a few good striped bass spawns could reverse the trend. That is why preserving the numbers of large breeder fish is so important.

Those changes were making to the striped bass management framework to give us more of those large breeding fish will hopefully pay off at some point in the future with a more robust spawn, said Moore.

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The GOP candidate for Virginia lieutenant governor is defending his debate against an artificial intelligence version of his Democratic opponent, calling it the best-possible alternative to the real thing.

Conservative radio host John Reid (R) on Tuesday shared a video of his not-so-authentic debate with Virginia state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi (D) where a seemingly AI-generated image of a moderator asks questions to Reid and the AI version of the Democrat, who appears on a display atop a lectern across from him in real life.

Politics: Democrats Launch Investigation Into Trumps Theft Of $230 Million In Taxpayer Money

The bot takes from Hashmis publicized policy positions, as mined from a variety of available sources, with AI used to replicate her voice after the Democrat refused to debate him, the video notes.

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The 40-minute, staged face-off sees Reid and the bot covering topics such as immigration, transgender rights, abortion, the economy and gun violence.

Reid, in a statement shared prior to releasing his bot debate, claimed there were no rehearsals, no second takes and no advance prep beyond his own notes.

Virginians deserve to see a side-by-side contrast, and since my opponent wont show up, I had to force the issue myself, he said.

A spokesperson for Hashmis actual campaign, in a statement to severalmediaoutlets, called out Reid over his failed use of deepfakes and likened it to a desperate move straight out of Donald Trumps playbook.

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While we appreciate that AI Ghazala did share her vision like her commitment to public education and reproductive rights  its pretty clear, Reid only cares about shoddy gimmicks and not governing, the statement read.

Politics: JD Vance Slams 'Disgraceful' Suggestion His Wife Should Be Saved From Him

Maybe he should focus on voters instead of videos. And hasnt he gotten in enough trouble online already?

Earlier this year, Reid faced backlash and calls from Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) to drop out of the race after he was linked to a Tumblr account that reposted photos of naked men. Reid, who is openly gay, denied having any ties to the account and accused Youngkins political action committee of extortion.

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On Tuesday, the Democratic Party of Virginia congratulated Hashmi on social media for being victorious in the fake debate before thanking Reid for sharing the state senators winning message.

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) The Virginia Zoo is set to host a sensory friendly event in November.

The Zoo is partnering with Autism Society of Tidewater Virginia, Complete the Puzzle, and Destination Family Services to provide a less overwhelming environment to guests of all needs. The Sensory Friendly Morning event is set to take place on November 2 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

It is set to feature close encounters with animal ambassadors, activity carts and nature play programs.

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This event is limited capacity and will offer reduced sounds and lights. The Express Train will not be running to limit sound but guests will be able to view, touch and take photos with it.

Zoo members get free entry with advance registration. The following prices are for non-members:

Adult(ages 12+)- $20

Children (ages 2-11)- $17

Senior (ages 64+)- $18

Tickets can be purchased on the Virginia Zoo 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 WAVY.com.
Middle school was a tough transition for Ian Gore.

His mother, Elizabeth Gore, could see the spark learning brought him being extinguished, even though he has always been a high-achieving student. She said the in-school learning environment was not meeting his emotional or academic needs.

He was only surviving, Gore told IndyStar. He was not the thriving adolescent that he needed to be. Now he is.

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Looking for alternatives, Ian was enrolled in full-time online classes through Indiana Digital Learning School.

A year into virtual schooling, Ian's love for learning has returned, and at a recent in-person meeting where he met some of his teachers, he was ready to hand out some hugs, as well.

"And my kid's not a hugger," Gore said. "It was so exciting. He had made some huge relationships with them, and they just connected. They get the kiddos."

This transition to online learning for the Gore family is a trend on the rise among school districts across the nation.

Ian Gore, a 7th grader from Evansville, takes classes online through Indiana Digital Learning School, which enrolls thousands of Indiana students who are opting for online learning instead of in-person schooling, on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025.

Most Indiana families have stuck with in-person schooling after the COVID-19 pandemic, but some have found support and freedom in online learning for their young kids.

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To meet the demand, more districts are adopting virtual programs. That shift comes with a potential perk and districts  like Beech Grove Schools  are taking advantage of how virtual programs could boost the bottom line.

Since traditional school districts across the state are likely to take a significant budget hit in the coming years due to legislation passed earlier this year that limits property tax revenues, districts like Beech Grove are trying to fill the financial gaps.

That said, it is still too early to quantify what kind of financial impact this partnership will ultimately have, said Beech Grove Superintendent Laura Hammack. We are hopeful, but we are not counting on revenue that has not materialized.

Legislative changes push districts toward virtual schools

Beech Grove is now partnering with K12, a company that operates multiple virtual schools in Indiana, including some private virtual schools, to run the district's virtual K-12 schooling and a high school credit recovery program.

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Beech Groves program educates students living in the district, as well as potentially any student across the state who chooses to sign up. Beech Grove is responsible for the outcomes of all students enrolled in their virtual schools, even if they don't live in the Beech Grove area.

For every student enrolled in the Indiana Digital Learning School at Beech Grove, the district keeps 6% of the per-student funding the state provides for virtual students. The rest will go to K12, which provides the curriculum, technology and staffing for the online schools.

According to the districts contract with K12, the district will at least get $500,000 every fiscal year to cover administrative costs to oversee the virtual schools. That includes employing a dedicated data specialist to ensure all state requirements are met, Hammack said.

Other small districts like Beech Grove, which enrolled around 2,500 students for the 2024-25 school year, have also sought out partnerships with K12 to help boost their budget.

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The Union School Corporation received national headlines when it started its partnership with K12 in 2017 for the same reason. Union had enrolled over 7,500 students in all its virtual programs for the 2024-25 school year, compared to its brick-and-mortar enrollment of 292.

Now, Union is facing closure over what they say is state retaliation over a battle of who gets to earn the millions of dollars brought into the district from its virtual schooling, according to The 74. State leaders have said they want to close the district due to low performance.

However, Hammack isnt too concerned about the fight going on with Union Schools. Beech Grove's programming, she said, would be more closely modeled after Clarksville School Corporations virtual schooling through K12.

This isnt just some third-party model thats just happening, Hammack said. This is an integrated model. We say now that we are seven schools, not five, and this is just part of the suite of options that we are offering to our families.

Why does Beech Grove want to work with K12?

One of the biggest selling points that Hammack liked about K12s program was its fully synchronous learning throughout the day.

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She also liked that they facilitated in-person testing for the required state standardized tests, and students are taught by Indiana-licensed teachers. Students who sign up for the Indiana Digital Learning School will receive a laptop and any other necessary materials.

Hammack was also impressed by the attendance-counting method.

Attendance laws: Confusion, anger in battle against chronic truancy in Indiana's public schools

The K12 virtual programs are held to the same state rules on school attendance, but Beech Groves virtual school policy states that if a student reaches over 10 consecutive or 18 cumulative unexcused absences, then they will be withdrawn from the virtual program.

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For traditional public schools, if a student racks up 10 unexcused absences in a school year, which would label them as habitually truant, schools can involve the Department of Child Services or the county prosecutor's office. Still, the prosecutor's office's level of involvement in truancy cases varies from county to county.

The virtual school will also review proof of participation daily by looking at log-ins, assignment progress and communication, according to the policy.

It's the tightest program that we've seen as far as really ensuring that students are logging in daily and that they are engaged in their learning, Hammack said.

Indiana has had problems in the past, including one virtual schools enrollment being grossly inflated, resulting in the school embezzling around $44 million from the state, according to WFYI.

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Virtual schools have also historically seen lower academic performance rates than traditional school districts and those run by K12 typically have ILEARN proficiency levels or SAT performances that are much lower than the state averages, according to the Indiana GPS dashboard.

However, Hammack is not deterred by these low test scores, saying she is happy that the virtual program will use the same literacy curriculum as the district, especially as the state ramps up efforts to improve early literacy scores.

Third grade reading laws: New Indiana IREAD law sparks parent concern as student retention set to rise

Having that consistent curriculum is really exciting for us and we think is going to translate well for students who may be going back and forth from in-person to virtual, Hammack said.

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Liz Sliger, executive director for Indiana Digital Learning School, said that they aligned with Beech Groves mission of providing an innovative learning experience for students who learn differently.

We really pride ourselves on serving the individual student, recognizing intelligence that might look different or might be served outside of a traditional environment, Sliger told IndyStar.

Why families are choosing online learning

One of the reasons Hammack hears the most often from families wanting to switch to fully virtual schooling is for health reasons, including issues of anxiety or depression.

Hammack said it could also be helpful for expectant mothers or students who already have jobs to support their families.

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Kylene Varner, the legislative liaison for the Indiana Association of Home Educators, said she has seen interest in families wanting to leave in-person schooling increase over the years due to the culture of a school, or concerns over bullying.

It used to be the quality of education was the reason, and we still see some of that, but a lot of what we're seeing is parents leaving a publicly funded system because of behaviors of students, Varner told IndyStar.

She has also seen an increase in anxiety from parents over new laws about holding back third graders who arent proficient in reading, or misinformation spreading about Indianas attendance laws.

When parents choose to put their child in a virtual schooling option, Varner wants to make sure parents know that doesn't mean they're homeschooling them.

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Indiana defines home schooling as a non-accredited, non-public school with fewer than one employee, whereas virtual schooling, like the Indiana Digital Learning School, is an extension of the public school system, Varner said.

Gore said the family initially looked into homeschooling, but after talking with her son, they decided he would really value being taught by a teacher over the computer.

Now her son has the chance to complete his school work from bed or anywhere else in the house if he chooses. She also said the school has accommodated all of Ian's special learning needs, and now Gore says she can walk away from meetings about his individual education program, or IEP, without crying.

She said her seventh grader isn't lacking in social interactions, either. He can communicate with his classmates through an online chat provided by the school and then pursue the extracurricular activities he wants.

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"He does in-person things with people he enjoys, but doesn't have to be around kids that don't push him in a positive manner," Gore said.

Gore expects they will remain in the virtual school setting throughout the rest of Ians K-12 journey.

Contact IndyStar K-12 education reporter Caroline Beck at 317-618-5807 or CBeck@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter (X): @CarolineB_Indy.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Some Indiana students  and schools  benefit from virtual learning
The egg industry is in trouble again. A voluntary measure has recalled more than 6 million eggs due to a fear of salmonella contamination.

That recall, while safeguarding public health, will drive up the cost of eggs for families in affected areas who are likely already struggling with high food costs that seem unlikely to abate.

In an announcement updated Monday, the Food and Drug Administration announced the recall of the millions of eggs across at least six states.

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The FDA labeled the recall as Class I, the most severe under the agencys rules, meaning it is a dangerous or defective product that could cause serious injury or death, according to a story by the Epoch Times.

The voluntary recall was initiated after testing by the FDA found salmonella in samples collected in Black Sheep Egg Companys Arkansas processing center.

Of the samples collected, 40 environmental samples were positive for Salmonella including seven different strains of Salmonella. Some of these strains are known to cause human illness, the FDA says in a recall alert. However, the agency adds that it does not have information available at this time to suggest that this firm is the source of an ongoing outbreak.

The recall, which pertains to certain lots of Black Sheep Egg Company-branded Free Range Large Grade A Brown Eggs sold in 12- and 18-count cartons, has been classified, as of Oct. 14, as Class 1.

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The recalled eggs were sold with best-by dates between Aug. 22 and Oct. 31, and UPC codes are 860010568507 and 860010568538.

Black Sheep Egg Company distributed eggs to retail and wholesale locations in Arkansas and Missouri as well as to broker locations in Missouri, Texas, California and Indiana from July 9 through Sept. 17. These distributors may have repackaged the eggs and distributed them to other states. Consequently, the initial recall indicated that additional products may have been affected.

This information is according to the Food Network, which added that while there have been no illnesses reported in connection with the recalled eggs at this time, consumers are urged not to eat or serve the eggs.

The recalled eggs should either be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. If youve removed your eggs from the packaging and are not sure if they are among those recalled, but think they might be, the FDA advises you to throw them away. Then carefully clean and sanitize any surface with which the eggs came into contact.

Utah and eggs

Utah is a primary egg producer, exporting more than what Utah consumers gobble up.

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Just a few short years ago, the state produced a record 1.6 billion eggs, and it all started with a 1905 wedding present of a few hens that later would transform into Oakdell Egg Farms, known for its reputation as a top-notch, quality product.

The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food said the recall should not affect Utah, but people should still exercise caution with handling raw eggs. The agency said it is monitoring the situation.

Hard surfaces should be cleaned and hands washed after being in touch with eggs or backyard chickens, which can carry the bacteria. Salmonella bacteria causes diarrhea, fever and stomach pains. Salmonella usually goes away on its own in a few days. You should drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. You can reduce your risk of salmonella with safe food handling habits and by washing your hands after touching animals.
Early voter turnout is exceeding expectations in California's Nov. 4 special election over redrawing the state's congressional districts, a Democratic-led effort to counter Republican attempts to keep Congress under GOP control.

"We're seeing some pretty extraordinary numbers of early votes that have already been cast, people sending back in their ballots," Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a livestream with former President Obama on Wednesday.

More than 3.4 million mail ballots have been returned as of Wednesday, with votes from Democrats outpacing ballots from Republicans and Californians registered as not having a party preference, according to a ballot tracker run by Democratic strategist Paul Mitchell. Mitchell is deeply involved in the Democratic effort, and drafted the proposed congressional districts on the Nov. 4 special election ballot.

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That's roughly the same number of ballots returned by this time in the White House contest between then-Vice President Kamala Harris and then-former President Trump in 2024, notable because turnout during presidential elections is higher than in other years.

About a million more ballots had been turned in by this point in the unsuccessful 2021 attempt to recall Newsom, but that was during the COVID pandemic.

This year's turnout is also especially significant because Proposition 50 is about the esoteric topic of redistricting. Redrawing congressional districts is usually a once-a-decade process that takes place after the U.S. census to account for population shifts.

California's 52 congressional districts currently are crafted by a voter-approved independent commission, but Newsom and other California Democrats decided to ask voters to allow a rare mid-decade partisan gerrymandering to blunt Trump's efforts in GOP-led states to boost his party's numbers in the House.

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Obama, who has endorsed Proposition 50 and stars in a television ad supporting the effort, on Wednesday said the ballot measure will affect the entire country.

Theres a broader principle at stake that has to do with whether or not our democracy can be manipulated by those who are already in power to entrench themselves further, Obama said. Or, whether we're going to have a system that allows the people to decide who's going to represent them.

About 51% of the ballots that have been returned to date are from registered Democrats, while 28% are from registered Republicans and 21% are from voters who do not express a party preference.

It's unknown how these voters cast their ballots, but the Democratic advantage appears to give an edge to supporters of Proposition 50, which needs to be passed by a simple majority to be enacted. About 19.6 million ballots  roughly 85% of those mailed to California voters  are outstanding, though not all are expected to be returned.

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The current trend of returned ballots at this point shows Democrats having a small edge over Republicans compared with their share of the California electorate. According to the latest state voter registration report, Democrats account for 45% of California's registered voters, while Republicans total 25% and "no party preference" voters make up 23%. Californians belonging to other parties make up the remainder.

Mitchell added that another interesting data point is that the mail ballots continue to flow in.

"Usually you see a lull after the first wave  if you don't mail in your ballot in the first week, it's going to be sitting on the counter for a while," Mitchell said. But ballots continue to arrive, possibly encouraged by the "No Kings" protests on Saturday, he said.

A spokesperson for the pro-Proposition 50 campaign said they are taking nothing for granted.

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With millions of ballots still to be cast, we will keep pushing to make sure every Californian understands whats at stake and turns out to vote yes on Nov. 4th to stop Trumps power grab, said spokesperson Hannah Milgrom.

Some Republican leaders have expressed concerns that the GOP early vote may be suppressed by Trump's past criticism about mail balloting, inaccuracies in the voter guide sent to the state's 23 million voters and conspiracy theories about the ballot envelope design.

"While ballot initiatives are nonpartisan, many Republicans tend to hold on to their ballots until in-person voting begins," said Ellie Hockenbury, an advisor to the "No on Prop 50  Stop Sacramento's Power Grab" campaign committee. "As this next phase starts  and with nearly two weeks until Election Day  we expect already high turnout to continue rising to defeat Proposition 50 and stop Gavin Newsoms partisan power grab."

Amy Thoma, a spokesperson for the other major group opposing the proposition, said the data show that the voters who have returned ballots so far are not representative of the California electorate.

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"Special elections tend to be more partisan, older and whiter than general elections, which is one of the reasons weve been concerned about the speed with which the politicians pushed this through," she said.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY)  A Portsmouth man has been arrested and charged with shooting at his former coworkers on I-464 Thursday morning according to court documents.

Yohance Jahsake Okpara Taylor, 39, was taken into custody around 5 p.m. Thursday at his home according to Virginia State Police and charged with maliciously shooting at an occupied vehicle, discharging a firearm while in a motor vehicle, displaying a firearm in a threatening manner, three counts of attempted malicious wounding, and two counts of malicious wounding.

Yohance Taylor (Courtesy: Chesapeake City Jail)

It was shortly after 8 a.m. Thursday when a white 2019 Ram pickup truck with five men aboard was traveling southbound on I-464, South of the Military Highway Exit in Chesapeake according to a criminal complaint.

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The truck is owned by EURE, Inc., an equipment rental agency based in the city, and all five-men were on their way to work.

As they were traveling, the pickup pulled up alongside a 2001 green Ford Mustang driven Taylor. Taylor used to work for EURE, but court documents say he left the job in the beginning of the year.

One of the men riding in the passenger seat of the EURE truck allegedly recognized Taylor and preceded to roll down the window and throw up the peace sign, the officers narrative states. The driver of the pickup then slowed down to say whats up.

Investigators dont make any mention of Taylor saying anything back. All the criminal complaint says is that Taylor initially slowed down but then sped back up to the pick-up. Taylor was allegedly holding a gun in his right hand and began shooting at the truck while gripping the steering wheel in his right hand.

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The men in the truck told police they heard five to six shots before Taylor took the exit towards Suffolk on I-64 East.

The driver of the truck went straight to Chesapeake Regional Medical Center where two of the passengers were treated for injuries. While a Virginia State Police spokesperson initially said someone had been shot, it was later determined the only injuries were a result of broken glass and are not life-threatening.

We are thankful to Jesus that none of our guys were seriously hurt, Jason McGee, general manager of EURE, Inc. said in a statement.

He declined to comment as to how Taylors employment ended with the company.

Incident at Chesapeake Regional Hospital (WAVY photo) Incident at Chesapeake Regional Hospital Incident at Chesapeake Regional Hospital Incident at Chesapeake Regional Hospital

Taylor was arraigned Friday in Chesapeake District Court and is expected to have a bond hearing next week.

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In light of Mr. Taylors current circumstances and well-being and in keeping with our commitment to safety, he is not available for interviews at this time, Lauryn Moss, a spokesperson for the Chesapeake Sheriffs Office said.

Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
MONTPELIER, Vt. and CONCORD, N.H. (ABC22/FOX44)  Four Vermont legislators say they have plans to fully fund SNAP and a heating assistance program in the state, while New Hampshire health officials say they are partnering with a food bank to help keep Granite Staters fed.

This comes one day after the U.S. Department of Agriculture told states to pause SNAP benefits amid the ongoing government shutdown.

SNAP benefits to be put on pause

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In Vermont, state representatives including house speaker Jill Krowinski say they are working with Governor Phil Scotts administration to schedule an emergency board meeting next week.

The lawmakers say that without state funding, more than 65,000 Vermonters will lose access to critical programs providing food and heating assistance starting in November.

FILE  A Californias SNAP benefits shopper pushes a cart through a supermarket in Bellflower, Calif., Feb. 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Allison Dinner, File)

Scott posted on social media Thursday that he expects to present his own plan for funding SNAP benefits to legislators next week.

In New Hampshire, the state plans to work with the New Hampshire Food Bank to provide mobile food pantries specifically for SNAP participants, which it says will provide more options for the more than 75,000 people on the program there.

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New Hampshire women & childrens nutrition program to continue during shutdown

Officials in the Granite State are also reaching out to families to let them know that programs including National School Breakfast and National School Lunch will continue to be available.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44.
Healthcare out-of-pocket premiums in the United States are set to rise in 2025, forcing families to make difficult decisions about their healthcare coverage and other expenses.

The average cost for family coverage is set to reach tens of thousands of dollars.

In some cases, the increases are comparable in price to a brand-new car, according to recent reports.

This surge in premiums has caused concern among state officials, who fear that many families may not pay for insurance due to the cost increase.

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If Congress fails to extend the premium tax credits, the exchange estimates that 80,000 Washingtonians will drop their health insurance, said Patty Kuderer, Washington State Insurance Commissioner.

Maria, a self-employed individual, highlights the financial strain her family faces with healthcare costs. I think that her and I are combined at like $700 a month and that my husband is at $450 a month, she said, referring to her familys monthly insurance expenses.

A report from KFF, a health news group, indicated that family premiums for employer coverage rose 6% in the U.S. this year.

The increase is nearing $27,000, with workers contributing up to nearly $7,000 of the cost.

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This marks the first time in decades that family premiums have risen by more than 6% in consecutive years.

Employers attribute the rising costs to higher drug prices, chronic disease rates, hospital costs, and increased use of medical services.

The government shutdown has also impacted those who rely on Medicare and Medicaid.

Gloria, a caregiver, shared her experience, Just last week I got a bill for an appointment that had been covered a year ago completely covered by Medicaid and Medicare and now we have a bill.

Around 200,000 people in Washington State are enrolled in the states Medicaid option, Apple Health.

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Lawmakers have warned that if the shutdown continues, it could cost an extra $1,500 per year per person.

Olivia McGuire, a parent, expressed concern for families like hers that rely on Medicaid for essential services. Im a parent of two neurodivergent children and one who is nonspeaking and has higher support needs, she said. Families like mine rely on Medicaid for therapies, medical equipment and life-sustaining care.

Open enrollment for healthcare coverage in Washington begins on Nov.1, providing families with the opportunity to review their options amidst rising costs.

Reflecting on the situation, Maria stated, I feel like its a right that we should all have good healthcare for our communities, and if we care about each other, thats how it should be.
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson, left, shakes hands with Cowlitz Indian Tribe Chairman Bill Iyall after signing an executive order to improve the state's relations with tribal governments on Oct. 22, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Washington governor's office)

Gov. Bob Ferguson signed an executive order Wednesday to strengthen how the state consults and works with Native American tribes in Washington.

It calls for drafting new policies for tribal consultation and requires expanded training for state workers on sovereignty and other issues related to understanding the unique nature of the ties between the state and tribal governments.

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Tribal leaders applauded the move, but also flagged ongoing tensions in the relationship.

In addition, the Governors Office of Indian Affairs will get a permanent seat in Fergusons executive cabinet and expanded authority and responsibility to carry out the orders directives.

Ive heard from Tribal leaders about how we can improve our partnership with Tribal governments, Ferguson said in a statement. Im putting that feedback into action and laying out my vision for fostering meaningful government-to-government relationships.

Ferguson signed the six-page order to kick off Wednesdays session of the 2025 Centennial Accords meeting hosted by the Cowlitz Indian Tribe in southwest Washington. This was Fergusons first time attending as governor.

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The Centennial Accord, a 1989 agreement signed by then Washington Governor Booth Gardner and leaders of federally recognized tribes, is a framework for relations between the state and tribal governments. Representatives gather each year to take stock of how the relationship is evolving. Historically open to the media, this years event was closed to the press.

Washington has several laws concerning interactions with tribes. Agencies must have a tribal liaison, for example. And there are already training mandates for employees.

In Wednesdays meeting, tribal leaders said the executive order provides the heft needed to improve relations in a material way.

It means a lot to Indian Country, said Cindy Marchand, secretary of the Colville Confederated Tribes.

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Kadi Bizyayeva, vice-chair of the Stillaguamish Tribe, told Ferguson the order definitely demonstrates that youre being perceptive of tribal concerns. Im grateful for the opportunity to continue forging ahead and building relationships together with the state.

Cowlitz Indian Tribe Chairman Bill Iyall, reached during the lunch break, said the provisions will solidify the executive branchs commitment to consultation.

In the past, it was mostly checking a box. This is a new mandate for early communication and regular communication, he said.

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Ferguson, in the meeting, said the order is a step toward ensuring sovereignty is respected and encouraged tribal leaders to reach out when its not working.

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For those of you who know me, you know, I dont mind direct conversations, he said. I dont take things personally if youve got a challenge with whats going on with the state or a decision Im making. Direct and candid. Thats how we move forward.

Loni Greninger, vice chair of the Jamestown SKlallam Tribe, did so a few minutes later.

Why is it so hard for the state to uphold trust and treaty obligations and other obligations that are described outside of treaties? she said. I want to ask this challenging question, to be transparent and to be direct, but also in a sense of how we figure this out together.

She theorized it was because state laws get passed without taking those agreements into account. Those statutes become a barrier to finding a remedy, she surmised.

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In response, Ferguson spoke more generally on how changing the culture of government is hard. The training envisioned in the executive order should expand knowledge of employees and lead to lasting change, he said.

Teri Gobin, chair of the Tulalip Tribes, flagged the importance of the training, noting that sometimes what is discussed with agency leaders is not passed down to the staff. So thank you for moving ahead in this way and listening to our concern, she said.

Another element of the executive order calls for protecting sensitive information, described as Indigenous Knowledge, exchanged in the course of government-to-government discussions. Tribes want to prevent information, such as locations of cultural resources, from being divulged.

Weve been victimized, Iyall said, referring to when people disturb cultural sites or objects.

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The Office of Indian Affairs must deliver a report to Ferguson by next October with recommendations for improvements to existing policies or practices.

The Centennial Accord meetings will continue Thursday with discussions on natural resources, education, state budget, tribal economies and health care.

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WACO, Texas (FOX 44)  Its been an exciting week for students in the Waco area as they celebrate Red Ribbon Week with the Waco Police Department.

Police spokesperson Cierra Shipley dropped by our studio to discuss the Red Ribbon Week Swarm and give us a recap. You can watch our interview in the video above.

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WAKEFIELD, Va. (WAVY)  There is something rotten in the Sussex County Town of Wakefield.

Things are unsettled, and a cloud hovers after evil forces paid a visit to Judy Baldwins home on Oct. 24, 2023.

Two years later, Judys killer is still at large.

Wife killed, husband injured in Sussex County home invasion

Her sister, Berdie Presson Duck, told WAVY, That morning after it happened my daughter came to my house around 6:30 in the morning, and said kind of quickly Judy is dead and Danny is hurt in the hospital.

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The scene video from two years ago shows investigators outside the garage with the door open.

Sussex County Sheriff Ernest Giles told 8News Autumn Childress that the initial shooting call on E. Church Street came in just before midnight Tuesday. (Photo: 8News)

According to Sussex County Sheriff Ernest Giles, Two men entered Danny and Judy Baldwins home through the garage, went through an open door, and shot Danny Baldwin twice. He survived. Judy unfortunately, shot once, died instantly.

Judys identical twin Jane Presson Franklin said, She was probably up reading. Then her husband screamed, Theyve shot me. Get out and then to get out, she had to come towards them, and thats when they shot at him, then shot her.

Duck added, He hollered at her Judy they are going to kill us. I think she came out of the room, turned back, and he shot her in the head.

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The Sheriff says two people caught on surveillance camera are persons of interest.

Wanted photo for the persons of interest.

Danny has not returned to the home. How could he?

He has to live with someone else. He doesnt go anywhere by himself. He has paranoia. Youre always looking to see, Duck said.

Two years later the family is frustrated, what Duck calls a rage, I consider rage as a feeling, you know. We need help with this because no one has ever been brought to justice.

There is a $50,000 reward for information leading to the successful prosecution of the killers, and Sheriff Giles says he knows the answers can be found in the Wakefield community.

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We have some individuals in this community. They know what went on. They have shared this information. We need them to come forward and help us to bring these people into custody, to bring closure to the Baldwin family in this community, Giles said.

However, the wheels of justice turn slowly for the Baldwin family, still in pain, and not pleased with the Sheriffs efforts so far.

Duck said, I finally stopped calling, and said you all handle it because I cant. Theres no sense in calling you. Theres nothing there. Nobody tells us what they are doing, or not doing. Its like we are off the face of the earth right now.

Sheriff Giles, aware of that family frustration, emailed this to WAVY, Through our ongoing investigation and numerous interviews, the Sheriffs Office has identified persons of interest connected to this casethe Office is awaiting the results of legal processes related to recently obtained information.

Judy Baldwin. Photo provided by her family. Photo provided by Judy Baldwins family. Photo provided by Judy Baldwins family. Photo provided by Judy Baldwins family. Photo provided by Judy Baldwins family.

He is urging community members to step up and say something.

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Duck wants to know more, I want to know what they did, if they brought in other people (to help in the investigation) and was it enough or if whether they are even trying anymore. We dont know. Its like we are working on it, well that dont cut too much.

In his statement to WAVY, Sheriff Giles confirmed the Sheriffs Office is getting assistance from Virginia State Police and the FBI.

One thing both sides agree on, the tragedy has changed what was a sleepy little town.

Duck added, Your doors were not locked, but you do lock them now because people are breaking in cars, its just not the town we grew up in.

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Sheriff Giles provided this message.

We need closure in this community, especially in the town of Wakefield. Ever since this happened. I can tell theres a little separation in the community. It is not good. Too many negative accusations, too many negative thoughtswe need to bring it back to like we used to be. We used to have a small, quiet town in Wakefield, and we want to get it back to that point. We need to bring it back to the way it used to be. Sheriff Giles

For Jane, the reflection in the mirror returns a similar image of a twin sister, murdered,

You never get away from it. Because when you look in the mirror, you see your deceased twin sister, so it never gets away from you.

Duck said, I am asking God, my prayer is that these people dont hurt anyone else. Its too late for us, but I pray they dont hurt anybody else, and they come to justice, and we finally know, why.

If you have any information, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, Sheriff Giles is appealing for you to please come forward.

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Again, a reward of up to $50,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest and prosecution. Tips may be submitted anonymously through P3tips.com or by calling the Sussex County Sheriffs office tip hotline at 434-597-4400.

Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.

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Walmart announced the launch of its fastest delivery service yet for Georgia shoppers, offering delivery times as quick as 11 minutes for some items.

This holiday season, Walmart said it is catering to the increasing demand for speedy delivery in Georgia, with 22% of customers opting for the Express Delivery service, marking a 13% increase from the previous year.

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From Atlanta to Athens, more shoppers are choosing doorstep delivery, and Walmart said it is meeting this demand with its Express Delivery service.

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This service allows customers to receive their orders often within the hour, with some deliveries arriving in less than 15 minutes.

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The fastest recorded delivery in Georgia was 11 minutes for Flonase Childrens Non-Drowsy Decongestant. Popular items for early-morning delivery include laptop chargers and Canon multipack ink cartridges, while wireless headphones are a top choice for late-night orders.

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Walmarts delivery service in Georgia operates from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., offering Express Delivery as fast as 30 minutes, On-Demand delivery within 3 hours, and Same-Day Scheduled delivery.

Nationwide, Walmarts delivery network now reaches 95% of U.S. households, enabling customers across the country to enjoy the same convenience and speed.

With its expanded delivery options, Walmart is poised to meet the fast-paced demands of holiday shoppers in Georgia, ensuring that gifts and essentials arrive just in time for the festivities.

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India's exports of processed potato products are rising sharply, signalling the country's growing foothold in Asia's fast-expanding snack and convenience food supply chain, according to Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) in its latest note. The note added that most of the export turnover comes from dehydrated potato granules and pellets, with additional growth coming from products such as potato flour, starch, chips, and ready-to-eat potatoes India's exports of dehydrated potato granules and pellets have jumped from USD 11.4 million in FY2022 to USD 63.3 million in FY2025 -- a surge of more than 450 per cent in just three years. The think tank added in the note that the rise reflects robust demand from Southeast and East Asia, where food manufacturers are scaling up production of instant noodles, snack foods, and quick-service restaurant (QSR) items. According to the GTRI's note, Malaysia is India's largest buyer, with imports climbing from USD 5.1 million to USD 22.1 million, followed by the Philippines and Indonesia, which recorded extraordinary growth of 600 percent and 924 per cent, respectively. Japan and Thailand have also more than tripled their purchases. Together, these five destinations account for nearly 80 percent of India's total exports, which reached USD 30.2 million in just the first five months of FY2025 -- signaling continued strong momentum, the note added. Exports of other value-added potato items have also expanded rapidly, tripling from USD 6.2 million in FY2022 to USD 18.8 million in FY2025 -- an overall increase of over 200 percent. The biggest gains came from potato flour, meal, and powder, used in soups, snacks, and bakery products, which surged from USD 0.4 million to USD 5.5 million, up more than 1,100 per cent.Shipments of canned and ready-to-eat potatoes, as well as potato chips and crisps, doubled to USD 5.3 million, while potato starch exports rose nearly fivefold to USD 2.6 million, reflecting growing regional demand for versatile potato ingredients in packaged and convenience foods.Highlighting the factors behind the boom, the GTRI added, the surge lies a mix of regional demand and domestic capacity building. Southeast Asian economies have rapidly growing snack and QSR industries that rely on semi-processed potato inputs. India, with its lower costs, reliable year-round output, and proximity to ASEAN, has stepped into a supply gap left by Europe's high energy costs and poor harvests and China's focus on domestic consumption.GTRI further added that preferential tariffs under the India-ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement and short shipping routes via ports such as Mundra, Kandla, and Chennai have further strengthened India's price competitiveness.On the supply side, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh have become India's processing powerhouses. Gujarat's Mehsana and Banaskantha districts now host modern dehydration plants supported by contract farming and cold storage networks, while new facilities are coming up in Agra and Farrukhabad. India's 56-million-tonne potato crop, including high-solids varieties ideal for processing, has enabled exporters to scale production.Indian firms have also upgraded quality, earning BIS, ISO, and HACCP certifications, and diversified into granules, flakes, and pellets tailored to multinational buyers' specifications, the note highlighted. The think tank further added that Europe's processors, hit by energy shocks and weather volatility, and China's inward shift have left global buyers looking for alternatives. "India's steady output, improving standards, and lower cost base have turned it from an occasional supplier into a reliable, year-round source for Asian food manufacturers," the note added. (ANI)
The Walton and Tipton Township Public Library will receive a $10,000 gift from Carnegie Corporation of New York, according to a press release.

The foundation was established by Andrew Carnegie and the award is part of Carnegie Libraries 250, a special initiative celebrating the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and honoring the roughly 1,280 Carnegie Libraries still serving their communities across the United States.

We are so blessed to have received this amazing gift, said Kristi Hileman, library director. The funds will be used to honor the role of a Carnegie Library in benefitting the public.

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Carnegie, a Scottish immigrant, funded the construction of 1,681 free public libraries nationwide between 1886 and 1917. Approximately 750 of them continue to use their original buildings, while others have moved to new locations. Built in 1905 and opened in 1914, the Walton & Tipton Township Public Library is one of 164 Carnegie Libraries in Indiana built through this historic program.

Our founder, Andrew Carnegie, who championed the free public library movement of the late 19th century, described libraries as cradles of democracy that strengthen the democratic idea, the equality of the citizen, and the royalty of man, said Dame Louise Richardson, president of Carnegie and former head of the University of Oxford. We still believe this and are delighted to celebrate our connection to the libraries he founded.

The Walton & Tipton Township Public Library will receive the gift in January 2026 and may use the funds however it wishes to celebrate the 250th anniversary, further its mission, and benefit the community.

Patrons are invited to share their Walton Public Library photos, stories, and community celebrations at carnegielibraries.org.
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY)  A Martinsburg man wanted by U.S. Marshals was arrested after a police pursuit across Harrison County Thursday afternoon.

Chad Aric Berry

According to a release, Chad Aric Berry, 37, of Martinsburg, was arrested around 12:30 p.m. Thursday after being wanted by U.S. Marshals for violating the terms of his supervised release that he was serving following a 2017 conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

U.S. Marshals said that they had identified a residence where Berry was residing in Anmoore. While law enforcement was surveying the residence, officers said that they saw Berry exit the building and enter a vehicle.

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Second appeal filed against Tucker County data center permits

U.S. Marshals then requested assistance from the Harrison County Sheriffs Office, who attempted a traffic stop on Berrys vehicle while he was driving west on U.S. Route 50. Officers said that Berry ignored their attempts to stop his vehicle and that he fled on U.S. 50 before exiting onto Wilsonburg Road.

Berry continued to flee from officers on Wilsonburg Road before he was stopped by deployed spike strips that disabled his tires, the release said. The pursuit ended with Berrys vehicle colliding with a Harrison County Sheriffs Office cruiser. Berry was then arrested without further incident, the release said.

Suspect vehicle that collided with a sheriffs department cruiser after a police chase in Harrison County (WBOY image)

U.S. Marshals said that during the pursuit, Berry could be seen throwing items from his vehicle. A Harrison County Deputy and K-9 unit later recovered a firearm and a backpack in the area where Berry was seen throwing items.

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Berry he has previous arrests for firearms charges, drug charges and fleeing from police, the release said. As of Thursday night, the West Virginia Division of Corrections system says hes been charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, fleeing with reckless indifference and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

Editors note: This story has been updated with images and information from the West Virginia Division of Corrections system.

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EAST PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  East Peoria revealed on Thursday a plaque memorializing how Holt Manufacturing Company worked alongside the U.S. Army to help win World War I.

During the war, artillery was one of the key weapons on the front lines. Transporting the heavy equipment was a challenge, though, with horses being the most effective way to move artillery from point A to point B.

Thats until one key invention was created: the tractor. They replaced horses in moving artillery. While Holt didnt outright invent tractors, they created a key technology in the tracks that allowed the vehicles to travel uphill.

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[It was] a huge deal and it probably saved the war effort, said William Furry, the executive director of the Illinois Historical Society. These tractors were able to roll through the hills and valleys of France through great big mud pits.

Captain Harry T. Herring met with Holt Vice President Murry Baker to create Camp Herring. Located near the Edmund Street Caterpillar building, the camp trained soldiers in the maintenance and repair of these tractors.

That history is now written down on a plaque that will be shown in the Levee District Park. The plaque revealed on Thursday was a mock-up, with the real plaque to be installed in the near future.

East Peoria Mayor John Kahl said this monument will help teach the next generation how East Peoria helped win the Great War.

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This is something that has folks right here with their young ones that they can educate themselves on a piece of history dating all the way back to 1917, he said.

Furry said its rare to see WW1 monuments in Illinois, and this will be one of the first of its kind in East Peoria.

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The Washington County District Attorney says a police officer was justified in shooting a man in the arm in McDonald.

On Thursday, District Attorney Jason M. Walsh released the findings of the investigation into the officer-involved shooting that happened outside a tavern on Oct. 3.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Charges filed against man police say was involved in officer-involved shooting in McDonald

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According to the report, a person called 911 about a person acting suspiciously at the Giant Eagle Plaza, whom he believed was armed.

The McDonald police officer responded. That officer reported meeting Jeremy Washington, the suspect, outside of a nearby bar. He said he told Washington to get on the ground, but he ran away.

The officer said he heard something metallic hit the ground, a gun, and that Washington turned to pick it up. The officer said that was when he shot Washington in the arm.

A separate witness reported seeing Washington run from the officer, drop the gun, pick it up and then point it at the officer.

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Washington reported that he was outside the bar talking to friends because he was not allowed inside. He said he heard someone yell, freeze and he turned and saw the officer. He decided to run away. He said, as he was running away, that his gun fell on the ground and his shoe came off. He told investigators he never picked up the gun, but he did pick up his shoe. He said the shoe was black, so he believes the officer could have mistaken it for a gun.

DA Walsh said Washington stole the gun from his girlfriend because he cannot purchase one and is not permitted to own one.

It is my opinion that the officer followed all policies, procedures, and laws of this Commonwealth in the effectuation of the arrest of a dangerous offender. The officer was left with no choice then to discharge his firearm to protect both himself and the people in the surrounding area, Walsh said.

The investigation is now considered closed.

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Oct. 23 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump's upcoming diplomatic sweep through Asia -- first to Malaysia for the ASEAN Summit and then to South Korea for the APEC leaders' meeting, with a pivotal sideline encounter planned with China's Xi Jinping -- signals that Washington is recalibrating its power projection in the Indo-Pacific.

Far from a routine tour, the itinerary underscores the administration's intent to fuse economic statecraft with strategic deterrence at a time when the region faces mounting tensions over trade, technology and territorial control.

For allies and rivals alike, the message is unmistakable: The United States is reasserting its presence in a region that has become the epicenter of global competition.

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From the contested waters of the South China Sea to the boardrooms shaping semiconductor supply chains, Trump's Asia tour is more than symbolic diplomacy -- it's a declaration that economic leverage and military posture now move in tandem. How Beijing, Seoul and the broader ASEAN bloc interpret this choreography may well define the next phase of the Indo-Pacific order.

At the heart of Trump's strategy are three defining pillars: identifying China as the primary rival; projecting overwhelming military strength to deter its moves in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait; and pushing regional partners to shoulder more defense responsibilities.

For conservative thinkers and institutions like the Heritage Foundation, this recalibration is long overdue -- a pivot of U.S. attention and resources toward the region they believe will determine the balance of global power in the 21st century.

But strategy comes with trade-offs. By elevating the Indo-Pacific to the top of America's foreign policy agenda, Washington risks overstretch, transactional strains with allies and escalation with China. For all its clarity, Trump's approach may prove politically, financially and diplomatically unsustainable.

A contest over power and trade routes

No other region carries greater weight in the century ahead. The South China Sea is not just a flashpoint -- it is the artery of global commerce, with one-third of the world's shipping passing through its lanes.

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China's military buildup and fortified outposts on disputed islands have jolted Washington into action. Beijing's parallel expansion through the Belt and Road Initiative has deepened U.S. concerns that China is not only asserting regional dominance, but also reshaping the global order.

Trump officials have responded with a harder edge: freedom of navigation operations, expanded deployments under Indo-Pacific Command and intensified pressure on allies to boost defense spending. Japan and South Korea are being pressed to raise military budgets to 3.5% of gross domestic product, deepen interoperability with the United States and collaborate more closely with Australia and India.

Yet, Washington's framing of the Indo-Pacific as a battlefield risks narrowing the region's broader agenda. Southeast Asia is grappling with fragile supply chains, climate vulnerability and economic recovery -- areas in which China has often been more proactive with financing and infrastructure than the United States.

From pivot to power play

The current strategy represents a decisive break from the Obama-era "pivot to Asia." Where Obama emphasized trade through the Trans-Pacific Partnership and multilateral diplomacy, Trump's team sees bilateral leverage and military deterrence as the only realistic tools.

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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made this clear at the Shangri-La Dialogue earlier this year, branding China a "real and imminent threat" and pledging that Washington and its allies would erect a "deterrent shield" against Beijing's ambitions.

Aid-heavy engagement has vanished. USAID has been gutted -- folded into the State Department, with a proposed $30 billion cut in foreign assistance. For Trump 2.0, stability is measured in military deployments, not development budgets.

As secretary of state. Marco Rubio has emerged as the chief voice of Trump's "America First" policy in Asia. At the ASEAN meetings in July and other regional forums, he reaffirmed Washington's commitment to a "free, open and secure" Indo-Pacific -- while issuing blunt warnings over Beijing's growing assertiveness.

Rubio cast China's moves in the South China Sea as direct threats to U.S. interests, signaling a harder edge to U.S. diplomacy: strengthening alliances, boosting deterrence and making clear that countering Chinese power now anchors America's regional strategy.

Risks and challenges

The sharpness of Trump's Indo-Pacific strategy is also its greatest vulnerability. Frequent U.S. patrols and exercises in contested waters heighten the risk of accidents at sea or in the air. Without crisis-management mechanisms, even a minor collision could spiral into confrontation with China.

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Demands for greater burden-sharing have strained alliances, with Tokyo and Canberra backing a tougher U.S. line, but bristling at threats of troop withdrawals if "payments" fall short, while Southeast Asian states fear being cornered into choosing between Washington and Beijing.

Economically, the U.S. withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the tariff war have left allies doubting Washington's staying power in trade, especially as China presses ahead with the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

Meanwhile, America's heavy tilt toward the Indo-Pacific raises questions about its ability to manage crises in Europe and the Middle East, underscoring the danger of strategic overstretch.

On top of this, partisan divides and the unpredictability of Trump's "America First" approach fuel uncertainty about whether U.S. commitments will endure beyond the 2026 midterms, pushing allies to hedge against potential policy whiplash.

Regional reactions

Regional responses to Trump's hardline Indo-Pacific push are mixed. Japan and Australia back Washington's show of force, but remain uneasy about its staying power.

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Southeast Asia is split. Vietnam quietly welcomes U.S. patrols, while Malaysia and Indonesia steer clear of taking sides, and the Philippines swings between Beijing and Washington.

India stays active in the Quad, but guards its strategic autonomy.

China strikes a defiant tone, branding the United States as a destabilizer, while doubling down on military buildup and trade diplomacy. The upshot is a region that leans on American power, yet doubts its consistency.

Analysts, like Bonnie Glaser, managing director of the Indo-Pacific program at the German Marshall Fund, in an article in Foreign Affairs, argues that a more sustainable U.S. strategy in the Indo-Pacific will require more than military deterrence.

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Reviving or rejoining a regional trade pact would give partners an economic alternative to China. Reaffirming treaty commitments -- without punitive burden-sharing demands -- could restore alliance confidence.

Expanding crisis-management tools, such as hotlines with Beijing, would help prevent accidental escalation, and broadening engagement to include climate, infrastructure and health initiatives could generate goodwill beyond security ties.

Elevating ASEAN forums alongside the Quad would reassure smaller states of their importance, while bipartisan backing in Washington and stable budgets remain essential to anchor U.S. commitments beyond Trump's tenure.

The bottom line

Trump's Indo-Pacific strategy has injected urgency into U.S. engagement with Asia, making clear that Washington sees China not as a competitor, but as its foremost strategic threat. Yet, clarity has come at the cost of balance. For now, the United States projects undeniable strength, but its unpredictability and narrow security focus risk undermining the very alliances it seeks to strengthen.

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The South China Sea is now the stage where America's global credibility is being tested. The question is whether Washington can translate deterrence into a durable, comprehensive strategy that reassures allies while managing competition with China.

James Borton is the editor-in-chief of news aggregator South China Sea NewsWire, author of Harvesting the Waves: How Blue Parks Shape Policy, Politics and Peacebuilding in the South China Sea, and a non-resident senior fellow at Johns Hopkins/SAIS Foreign Policy Institute.
Oct. 23 (UPI) -- A black bear took a stroll through downtown Bozeman, Mont., and was recorded by security cameras when he paid a visit to the outdoor seating area of a distillery.

The Bozeman Spirits Distillery shared security camera footage of the bear exploring the business' outdoor seating area Tuesday morning.

The post also includes cellphone footage of the bear running across a street after completing his self-guided tour.

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The business joked the bear was apparently in search of a stiff drink.

"He was looking for some Huckleberry Vodka to take to his den for the winter," the post said. "We've had our fair share of interesting things and happenings downtown, but this is one of the coolest!"
SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. (WFRV)  Authorities in Wisconsin have released drone footage after a 36-year-old man was arrested for his first operating while intoxicated (OWI) offense.

Early Wednesday morning, an officer with the Sun Prairie Police Department was patrolling a neighborhood when they came across a crash along Davison Drive. The vehicle had deployed airbags, and the driver appeared to have left the scene.

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The officer, who is also a drone operator, deployed a drone to assist in the search. Additional officers arrived on the scene, and the drone located the suspect in the backyards of nearby homes.

Officers on the perimeter were directed to the suspects location. After a short foot pursuit, the man was taken into custody without injury to him or the officers.

The 36-year-old suspect was arrested and cited for OWI (first offense), PAC (first offense), and hit and run to an unattended vehicle.

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The owner of the legally parked vehicle that was struck received all necessary information about the incident.

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The Sun Prairie Police Department credited its Drone Program, developed by patrol officers, for helping resolve the incident quickly and safely. Officials said the program has become a valuable tool for both officers and the community.

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(The Center Square)  Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has created a new government commission to document the conduct of federal law enforcement agents, but a Statehouse Republican leader calls the governors new panel a political stunt.

Pritzker held a press conference Thursday morning in Chicago, where he signed an executive order to establish the Illinois Accountability Commission.

The governor said the commission, chaired by former U.S. District Court Judge Ruben Castillo, would have three core missions: establishing a public record to document the conduct of federal officers during Operation Midway Blitz, examining the impact of that conduct on individuals and communities, and considering policy recommendations.

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The executive order directs the commission to release a report outlining its findings to the governor no later than Jan. 31, 2026.

Pritzker said the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys Operation Midway Blitz has been a military-style assault on Chicago and its suburbs.

[President] Donald Trump, [White House deputy chief of staff] Stephen Miller, [Homeland Security Secretary] Kristi Noem, [border czar] Tom Homan and [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Commander] Greg Bovino have failed their oaths of office and allowed agents under their command to act unconscionably under the color of law, Pritzker said.

Pritzker said federal immigration enforcement in Illinois is not about crime and safety.

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Trumps masked agents have detained innocent American citizens and legal residents. They have used unmarked cars, a Blackhawk helicopter, automatic weapons, Pritzker said.

Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, said its not new for the governor or the majority party to attack law enforcement.

Todays executive order is a setup talking about federal immunity, but really, theyre going to remove qualified immunity for our own law enforcement here. This isnt a new thing for the governor or the majority party to attack law enforcement, McCombie told The Center Square.

McCombie disputed Pritzkers suggestion that federal agents should be collaborating with local law enforcement.

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Well, hes expanded the TRUST Act to the extent that law enforcement couldnt collaborate with federal agents, so thats on him, too, McCombie said.

McCombie called the new commission another taxpayer-funded political stunt.

Pritzkers order calls for the Illinois Department of Human Rights to provide administrative and staff support to the new accountability group.

The commissions actual cost to taxpayers is unknown.

Greg Bishop contributed to this story.
(The Center Square)  Leaders on both sides of the political aisle are sending condolences to former state Sen. Darren Baileys family after four members died in a helicopter crash.

Bailey was the GOP nominee for governor in 2022 and is also running to get the Republican nomination in 2026. His campaign announced Thursday morning that Baileys son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren died in a crash in Montana Wednesday night.

Baileys potential rival, Gov. J.B. Pritzker, said the news is devastating.

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I cannot imagine losing a child, losing two grandchildren, and what they must be going through, that's all I can say, Pritzker said.

House Minority Leader Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, said to pray for the family. She told The Center Square she just saw Bailey at a political event Wednesday evening.

I just saw Darren and Cindy last night at an event in Freeport. And, you know, it's just like that, you know, your life can change at the snap of a finger, McCombie said. So, you know, hug your loved ones, that's for sure.

McCombie said she is so sorry for the familys loss.

It's terrible. I can't even imagine how horrific this will be for the family to go through, she said. We are so very sorry. And that doesn't even seem to be enough, right? Certainly. I know that they lead their life in prayer. So that I would certainly ask people lift Darren and Cindy and their entire family.

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Finn, Baileys 10-year-old grandson, was not in the helicopter and is safe.

Pritzker said he and the first lady are devastated.

We're devastated by it, he said. This is not a time for politics. It's just a time to recognize that that, you know, losing a child is, I don't know, one of the hardest things ever.

ILGOP Chairman Kathy Salvi released a statement.

The Illinois Republican Party is lifting up the Bailey family, their friends and community in prayer as we grieve the tragic loss Zachary, Kelsey, Vada Rose and Samuel, Salvi said. Please join us in keeping the Bailey family in our thoughts and prayers during this unimaginable time."

The Bailey family requested privacy as they grieve.
India's average crude import cost has increased sharply versus the Dubai benchmark, in FY2026 so far, even as the share of Russian crude in the country's oil basket has declined, said Kotak Institutional Equities in its latest report. The brokerage noted that with alternate crudes likely to be more expensive, premiums could also remain elevated and impact GRMs for refiners. According to Kotak, India's average oil import cost is nearly USD 5/bbl higher versus Dubai crude in FY2026 so far, the steepest premium recorded in recent years. The report attributed the rise, to reduced discounts on Russian crudes, rising premiums from other countries, lower Venezuelan imports and higher US imports. Russia's share in India's crude imports has slipped to "34 per cent in FY2026 so far (36 per cent in FY2024 and FY2025)," Kotak said, citing Commerce Ministry data. While Russia continues to be India's top crude supplier, the shift signals a gradual rebalancing of sources amid Western pressure. The report added that "Russia's share in India's crude import was negligible until FY2022, but it's the largest source of crude for the past three years." India's refiners began significantly increasing purchases from Moscow after sanctions on Russian oil following the Ukraine conflict in early 2022, taking advantage of deep discounts. In value terms, the cheaper barrels have helped India save billions. "Since Apr 2022, Russian imports have led to potential savings of USD16.7 bn (versus ex-Russia imports)," Kotak estimated. The average "discount for Russian crude" stands at "USD4.7/bbl so far this year versus USD2.5/bbl in FY2025, but lower than FY2023/24 levels." Despite the lower discounts compared to earlier years, Russian barrels remain cost-effective for Indian refiners. "Despite western sanctions and gradual widening measures, Russia's oil exports have not yet been significantly impacted. Reduced imports by EU countries have been offset by higher imports by India, China, Turkey and a few others," Kotak noted. However, the report warned that geopolitical pressure on India could increase. "Although the Indian government has not confirmed this, we believe the pressure to reduce Russian crude imports will likely rise," Kotak said. The brokerage cited US President Donald Trump claims that India has agreed to cut its dependence on Russian oil, a move that New Delhi has not officially acknowledged. While Kotak expects some moderation in Russian purchases, it does not foresee a complete halt. "While stopping Russian imports fully is not feasible, as it could lead to price spikes, India will likely reduce the quantum," the report said. The shift could come at a cost. With higher prices for alternative crude grades, "India's average oil import costs (versus the Dubai benchmark) are sharply higher this year." This may squeeze refining margins, especially for state-run oil companies that rely on discounted supplies. Overall, the brokerage said India will continue to balance geopolitical pressures with economic priorities. "It has been our consistent priority to safeguard the interest of Indian consumers in a volatile energy scenario. Our import policies are entirely guided by this objective," the Ministry of External Affairs was quoted as saying. (ANI)
President Trump is expected to hold a roundtable at the White House Thursday afternoon to outline the administrations efforts to combat crime, as well as drug and human trafficking.

White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, FBI Director Kash Patel and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard are expected to attend.

In a short period of time, the Trump Administration has removed lethal drugs, illegal weapons, dangerous foreign terrorists and cartel members from American communities, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said in a statement Thursday. The American people are safer today because of the [Homeland Security task forces]  and theyre just getting started.

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The roundtable comes as the administration has ramped up its efforts to combat crime across the U.S. and thwart drug cartels in the Caribbean.

The event is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. EDT.

Watch the live video above.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) held a press conference Thursday to formally endorse former Gov. Andrew Cuomos campaign to succeed him.

Adams dropped out of the race at the end of September after a series of scandals plagued his office and made it difficult to create a foothold in the mayoral race even though he was the incumbent.

Am I angry that Im not the one taking down Zohran, the socialist and the communist? Youre darn right I am, Adams said of frontrunner Zohran Mamdani (D), a Muslim and self-described democratic socialist. But you know what? This city means more to me then anything and its time for us as a family to come together.

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Adams continued:

New York cant be Europe, folks. I dont know what is wrong with people. You see whats playing out in other countries because countries because of Islamic extremism. Not Muslims  lets not mix this up  but those Islamic extremisms that are burning churches in Nigeria, that are destroying communities in Germany, that have taken over the logical thinkings and that is what I am fighting for. I am fighting for the family of New York. That is why I am here today to endorse Andrew Cuomo to be part of this fight. I am going to give it my all these next few days to make sure that Black and Brown communities specifically who believe that there is nothing at stake in the election for them  it is. When you empty out 3,000 people on Rikers Island who preyed on these committees, that is at stake. When you state that you dont believe small property owners have the right to charge a moderate rent, that is at stake. When youll and say you can freeze rent, you cant freeze rent. You cant freeze rent but you are lying and telling people you can do so.

In addition to Mamdani, Cuomo is set to face off against Republican Curtis Sliwa in the race for Gracie Mansion..

Watch the clip above via Fox News.

The post WATCH: Mayor Eric Adams Endorses Andrew Cuomo and Slams Communist Mamdani first appeared on Mediaite.
(The Center Square) - The White House on Thursday vowed to fight legal challenges to President Trumps $100,000 H-1B visa fee.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Thursday that the fee is designed to protect American workers and prevent fraud in the H-1B visa system.

The administration will fight these lawsuits in court, Leavitt said. The presidents main priority has always been to put American workers first and also to strengthen our visa system.

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Trump issued a proclamation proposing the $100,000 fee on Sept. 19. Since then, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and a coalition of unions have filed respective lawsuits against the presidents fee implementation.

Both lawsuits argue Trumps fee exceeds presidential authority because the law does not allow him to impose a fee on visa entry of certain immigrants.

Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act allows the president to "suspend the entry" of certain noncitizens under certain circumstances. Trump used this authority in his first term to restrict entry of certain immigrants from Muslim majority countries.

Trumps proclamation cited wage suppression and fewer available jobs for American workers due to the prevalence of the H-1B program. The proclamation pointed to multiple studies displaying diminished wages and job opportunities in science and technology fields due to H-1B visas.

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We know for far too long the H-1B visa system has been spammed with fraud, basically, and thats droven down American wages so the president wants to refine this system which is part of the reason he implemented these new policies, Leavitt said.

The two lawsuits argue fees against H-1B organizations will hurt small businesses who rely on the program to recruit workers.

"If implemented, that fee would inflict significant harm on American businesses, which would be forced to either dramatically increase their labor costs or hire fewer highly skilled employees for whom domestic replacements are not readily available," the Chamber of Commerce said in its lawsuit.

The coalition of unions also argued that hospitals, schools and religious organizations would be harmed by the fee. The lawsuit includes a pastor and postdoctoral researcher who live in the United States on work visas and are afraid the fee will impact their ability to continue working in the United States

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The government failed to consider harms to hospitals, churches, schools and universities, and small businesses and non-profits, or how the fee will harm communities across the nation, the unions wrote in their lawsuit.

These actions are lawful, they are necessary and well continue to fight this battle in court, Leavitt said on Thursday.
Officials warned that the growing violence between settlers and Palestinians could lead to a broader escalation.

More than 15 violent incidents, in which far-right activists attacked Palestinians who had come to harvest, were reported in the West Bank over the last week, which were related to the olive harvest, according to data obtained by Walla.

Officials in the Central Command warned this week that the growing violence between settlers and Palestinians could lead to a broader escalation, including specific alerts that could accumulate into a wider flare-up.

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At the same time, the command acknowledged that, despite the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, it currently lacks the resources to secure all harvest sites.

IDF investigating incident of settler violence

Further, the IDF has continued to investigate a serious incident that occurred on Sunday near the village of Mughayir in the Ramallah area, during which masked settlers attacked Palestinian farmers who had arrived to harvest olives.

In a video circulated online, one masked individual is seen striking a Palestinian woman in her 50s on the head with a wooden stick. The woman collapsed, and according to reports in Arab media, she was wounded and bleeding.

Palestinians stand near a burning car reportedly set alight by Israeli settlers attempting to disrupt them harvesting olives near the West Bank village of Turmos Ayya on October 19, 2025. (credit: FLASH90)

Later, reports were received of property damage in the area. Security sources noted that as early as August, thousands of olive trees were reported uprooted in the same region in response to the killing of an Israeli teenager.

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Command officials are attempting to analyze the situation amid these warnings and refine the deployment of IDF, Border Police, and police forces in the West Bank to prevent further incidents.

Areas that were complex and required protection have completed the harvest safely, a military source said.

The IDF Spokespersons Unit added that the IDF operates routinely throughout the West Bank, both defensively and offensively. At the same time, it acts in a coordinated and secure manner to enable the olive harvest season.
The Knesset passed a preliminary vote to apply Israeli sovereignty in Maaleh Adumim, prompting praise from right-wing MKs and criticism from Washington, which warned it could threaten the Gaza deal.

Israeli politicians and organizations reacted to Yisrael Beytenu chair MK Avigdor Liberman's "Application of Sovereignty in Maaleh Adumim" bill passing a preliminary reading by a vote of 32-9 on Wednesday.

"On the way to sovereignty, on the way to history! Today, we passed in the Knesset plenum the first step toward applying Israeli sovereignty over Maaleh Adumim. The coalition tried to stop and stall the move, and failed," Liberman said following the vote.

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"Yisrael Beytenu did not give up, and together, we succeeded. We are the right wing of action, not of words," he added.

MK Yuli Edelstein (Likud) voted in support of the bill despite pressure from the Likud party to toe the line. Coalition leadership voted to impose sanctions on Edelstein for his decision to support the bill.

"For me, the Land of Israel is not a political provocation, it is the guarantee of our existence here. I am proud that I voted in favor of applying sovereignty in Judea and Samaria. This is the need of the hour," Edelstein commented.

MK Yuli Edelstein attends a discussion on the proposal to apply sovereignty over Judea, Samaria, and the Jordan Valley at the assembly hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, July 23, 2025. (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)

"Another provocation by the opposition intended to harm our relations with the United States and Israels great achievements in the campaign. We strengthen the settlements every day through actions, budgets, construction, and industry, not through talk," a Likud party statement read.

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"True sovereignty will not be achieved by a showpiece law for the record, but through proper work on the ground and creating the political conditions for recognition of our sovereignty, as was done in the Golan Heights and Jerusalem," the statement added.

Marco Rubio believes such a vote 'might be counterproductive'

The Knesset's approval of advancing a bill to apply Israeli sovereignty in the West Bank poses a threat to the Gaza ceasefire deal, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented.

"They passed a vote in the Knesset, but the president [Donald Trump] has made clear thats not something wed be supportive of right now," he told reporters on the tarmac before boarding his flight to depart for Israel. "We think theres potential for it to threaten the peace deal."

"Theyre a democracy, people are going to have their votes, people are going to take these positions, but at this time we think it might be counterproductive," he added.

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"Mr. Prime Minister, the Knesset has spoken. The people have spoken. The time has come to apply full sovereignty over all the territories of Judea and Samaria, our ancestral inheritance, and to advance peace-for-peace agreements with our neighbors from a position of strength," Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said.

"The application of Israeli sovereignty over the regions of our land is the dream of all generations. It is our right and also our historic duty. It is the political plan of the Right. It is the decision of the Knesset plenum by an overwhelming majority. It is the duty of the government, the right-wing government, which should have advanced this in a statesmanlike manner. We have waited long enough," National Missions Minister Orit Strock (RZP) said.

"President Trump spoke of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and it is our role as the Knesset to say that the land promised to them will be ours fully and not partially," MK Simcha Rothman (RZP) said.

"They were wrong today, they should have voted in favor," Otzma Yehudit chair and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir commented.

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This is "a historic bill. I am surprised that Netanyahus position was against the bill to apply sovereignty in Judea and Samaria. I am glad that we are making the government act as a right-wing government," Ben-Gvir added.

"Aside from the principle that we have a huge ultra-Orthodox public in Judea and Samaria that we must stand by, the one who proposed the bill is Avi Maoz, who stands by us in laws concerning Torah students, and we must assist him," MK Yisrael Eichler (UTJ) said.

This is "a bad week for the coalition. They began Monday with incitement, division, misogyny, and chauvinism, and not even one government bill passed," MK Merav Ben Ari (Yesh Atid) said.

They moved to Wednesday, arrived with 14 legislative pages, and were left only with opposition bills. The laws they tried to block passed. In short, as I said at the beginning of the week, dissolve (the Knesset) as soon as possible. And yes, its the haredim (ultra-Orthodox), but also the entire opposition was together," Ben Ari added.

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"We thank the MKs who advanced the historic proposals to promote sovereignty in Judea and Samaria, and they will be remembered in the history books as those who act to correct a long-standing injustice," Mateh Binyamin Regional Council head and Yesha Council chair Israel Ganz said.

"At the same time, the reality in which, under a full right-wing government, the opposition is the one pushing for sovereignty is unacceptable. We call on the coalition in the Knesset and the government to take responsibility for these laws and to advance sovereignty in full as soon as possible," Ganz added.

A separate bill on applying Israeli sovereignty to the entire West Bank, titled Application of Israeli Sovereignty in Judea and Samaria, 2025, was initiated by MK Avi Maoz (Noam).

The vote on Maoz's bill passed by a narrow margin of 25-24 following a heated discussion in the Knesset.

Keshet Neev and Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.
A religious fraud watchdog group in Texas has been looking into the high-cost use of private jets by wealthy televangelists and faith healers in the state. As reported by Houston-area outlet Chron in August, the Trinity Foundation's "Pastor Planes" project has tracked 66 aircraft, 12 of which are registered in Texas and eight of which are jets. A report from the foundation indicated that several of the jets are owned by well-known religious figures.

Trinity's endeavor has shed light on the unchecked wealth and luxury habits of prominent religious leaders and groups, with many allegedly spending enormous amounts of donated funds on opulent travel while remaining shielded by faith-based tax exceptions.

"Churches, televangelists, and church pastors are getting by with more lavish lifestyles with impunity," Trinity president Pete Evans told Chron this summer.

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Private jets and other forms of luxury travel are major contributors of toxic, heat-trapping pollution. Given that private jets typically carry many fewer passengers than commercial flights and other more standard forms of travel, these carbon-intensive modes of transport release far more heat-trapping gases per commuter. In fact, the European Federation for Transport and Environment in 2021 found that private jets are five to 14 times more polluting per commuter than commercial flights and "50 times more polluting than trains."

Superyachts are another high-polluting mode of transportation. According to The Guardian, Roman Abramovich's yachts alone release over 22,000 metric tons of carbon annually, "which is more than some small countries."

Even flying long-haul every day of the year or using air-conditioning to cool a mansion wouldn't come close to that level of pollution. So where are the regulations that might help to control this level of environmental damage?

Private jets are regularly used to travel relatively short distances  distances that often could be traversed by other means. Notably, some governments are working to curb this high-polluting luxury travel by imposing bans on short-haul flights.

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Other governments have introduced additional taxes on luxury transport, but more must be done to reduce this type of travel if global rates of heat-trapping gases are going to come down significantly. Mechanisms to improve transparency around the use of private jets and superyachts, such as watchdog efforts, might help to raise public awareness.

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Oct. 22The cool beginning to fall for the Spokane region is about to get cooler with a band of rainstorms that likely will hit Friday and continue into early next week.

The systems rolling in from the Cascades are expected to dump measurable snow amounts on some highway passes and Eastern Washington mountains, said Rachel Fewkes, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Spokane.

"We have a couple of different waves coming in that are going to bring some cooler temperatures, breezy winds and widespread precipitation across the region," Fewkes said. "It's going to usher in a lot of moisture."

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The weather event, fueled by a deep low-pressure system spinning ashore on the Pacific Coast, could bring between a 1/2 inch and 3/4 inches of rain in lower areas around Spokane and 1 to 2 inches of rain in North Idaho and northeastern Washington.

"Some of that will fall as snow," Fewkes said.

While the storms will start with rain on Friday, the snow levels will gradually fall from between 5,000 to 4,000 feet on Saturday and then from 4,000 to 3,000 feet on Sunday.

"Stevens Pass will be the hardest hit with between 12 to 16 inches of snow in the forecast," she said. "Washington Pass (on state Route 20) will be another one that gets snow. They are looking at 10 to 12 inches. Lookout Pass is looking at about 7 to 11 inches."

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The storm also will bring colder weather with highs and lows not changing much.

"Friday is going to be the last warmish day with highs ranging in the low 60s in Spokane to the upper 60s in Lewiston," she said. "Things will cool down Saturday with highs in the mid-50s. The highs on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday will be in the upper 40s for much of the region."

The low temperatures will start in the mid-40s through the weekend. "Then, they'll drop into the low to upper 30s. Monday night into Tuesday is expected to be the coldest night with widespread lows in the 20s, except for the Lewiston area."

In addition to precipitation, the storms are predicted to generate winds with gusts as fast as 35 mph in the Columbia River Basin near Moses Lake.

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"In the Spokane region and further east, we'll see gusts ranging from 20 to 30 mph," she said.

Recent rains already have given the region a boost based on seasonal averages, Fewkes said.

So far, as measured at the airport, the Spokane area has received 1.58 inches of rain since the water year began on Oct. 1. The average for this time of year is 0.85 inches.

"So we are close to double our normal since the beginning of October," she said.

As for the long-term forecast, the region should continue to receive storms indicative of a La Nina weather pattern.

La Nina years are marked by cooling ocean temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean that often lead to cooler, wetter winters in the Pacific Northwest, Fewkes said.

"We are currently in a La Nina pattern that is favored to persist through the December-to-February period. After that, it looks like it will transition into neutral conditions," she said. "So, it will be a short-lived La Nina."
A website that promised to unmask critics of conservative activist Charlie Kirk took tens of thousands of dollars in cryptocurrency donations before going offline, according to a report.

The site Expose Charlies Murderers was launched hours after Kirks assassination on September 10 and pledged to name and shame those who spoke out against him to pursue the largest firing operation in history.

It asked supporters to contribute toward a highly sophisticated enterprise system that will be impervious to Leftist attacks, and directed them to cryptocurrency blockchains, the technology behind bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, according to Drop Site.

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The websites anonymous developers raised more than $30,000 from supporters between September 12 and 14, according to the outlet.

Now the domain www.charliesmurderers.com has gone dark.

A website that promised to unmask critics of conservative activist Charlie Kirk took tens of thousands of dollars in cryptocurrency before going offline, according to a report (Benjamin Hanson/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty)

The group justified asking for crypto donations at the time because it claimed it was working with Fortune 500 and Big Tech data scientists which didnt come cheap.

Our reputations are on the line. The people behind this are political operatives that have represented major parties and candidates, the group previously wrote in a post on X. Why would we jeopardize that for a 5-figure pay-day?

The group, which changed its name to the Charlie Kirk Data Foundation, has not posted on X since September 23 and now faces allegations that it has scammed MAGA supporters.

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The Independent has contacted the group for comment.

I want my donation back! one MAGA account replied to the group in a post on X last month.

Everybody knows this isnt legitimate, another said.

The domain www.charliesmurderers.com has gone dark but is still visible via online archive (archive.today)

You're exploiting Charlies death for followers and profit on X, someone else said.

Before it went offline, the website featured a list of names, including peoples email addresses and social media handles, who criticized Kirk online.

One of the names on the website included Erin Gudge, who resigned from her role as the board chair of the Philomath School District in Oregon after the controversy.

She wrote on Facebook that she will not mourn Kirks death and was targeted on the site, resulting in harassment and threats online. This situation has been terrifying and awful and beyond anything I would want anyone to experience, she told Drop Site.

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Workers across the country were removed from their jobs or faced sanctions for praising or celebrating Kirks assassination.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that the Pentagon was tracking closely any civilian and military employees who celebrated the murder.
PRNewswire Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 23: Dun & Bradstreet, a leading global provider of business decisioning data and analytics, successfully hosted the PSU & Government Summit 2025 on 26th September 2025 at Hotel Taj Mahal, New Delhi, under the theme 'The Digital State: India's Path to Prosperity'. The summit convened over 200 senior leaders from Central and State PSUs, government ministries, and industry experts to explore the transformative role of public sector enterprises in shaping India's digital and sustainable future. The event featured a dynamic agenda of keynote addresses, panel discussions, and fireside chats, focusing on three core themes: Digital Governance, Tech Innovation, and Sustainability. Discussions delved into the integration of AI and data-driven governance, ethical considerations in digital transformation, and the evolving leadership mindset required to drive innovation and inclusive growth. A key highlight of the summit was the launch of the 'Rethinking the Future of India's Public Sector' report, offering in-depth insights into the evolving role of PSUs in a digital-first economy. The report profiles over 300 Central and State PSUs and showcases award-winning government initiatives that are redefining governance, technology, and public service delivery. The Public Sector Excellence Awards 2025, now in its 11th edition, recognized outstanding PSUs and ministries across sectoral and special categories. The awards were adjudicated by a distinguished jury comprising Neeraj K. Gupta, IAS (Retd.), Former Secretary, Ministry of Finance (DIPAM), Government of India and Deepak Shetty, IRS (Retd.), Former Secretary, Director General Shipping, Government of India. Award categories spanned key sectors such as coal, petroleum, power generation, financial services, and digital governance. "India's PSUs are not just economic engines, they are catalysts of innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth," said Avinash Gupta, Managing Director & CEO - India, Dun & Bradstreet. "Through this summit, we aim to spotlight the transformative potential of public sector enterprises and empower them to lead India's journey toward a $7.3 trillion digital economy." The summit was supported by leading partners including NxtGen Cloud, Iron Mountain, New India Assurance and NMDC reflecting a shared commitment to digital transformation and sustainable development. The list of 2025 Award Winners is given below: About Dun & Bradstreet: Dun & Bradstreet, a leading global provider of business decisioning data and analytics, enables companies around the world to improve their business performance. Dun & Bradstreet's Data Cloud fuels solutions and delivers insights that empower customers to accelerate revenue, lower cost, mitigate risk and transform their businesses. Since 1841, companies of every size have relied on Dun & Bradstreet to help them manage risk and reveal opportunity. Dun & Bradstreet India is also proud to be Great Place to Work Certified (2025-26), a recognition of its commitment to fostering a high-trust, high-performance workplace culture. For more information on Dun & Bradstreet, please visit www.dnb.com. Dun & Bradstreet Information Services India Private Limited is headquartered in Mumbai and provides clients with data-driven products and technology-driven platforms to help them take faster and more accurate decisions across finance, risk, compliance, information technology and marketing. Working towards Government of India's vision of creating an Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) by supporting the Make in India initiative, Dun & Bradstreet India has a special focus on helping entrepreneurs enhance their visibility, increase their credibility, expand access to global markets, and identify potential customers & suppliers, while managing risk and opportunity. Visit www.dnb.co.in for more information. Click here for all Dun & Bradstreet India press releases. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2314099/5170280/DB_Logo.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
Weight loss jabs could help those who are not obese, research shows.

The study of more than 17,000 people found that the injections appeared to cut the risks of heart attacks and strokes, regardless of how much weight was lost.

Experts said the findings reframe how the drug works, suggesting it should be offered to ward off major killers such as heart disease.

The research published in The Lancet found that people with a body mass index (BMI) score of 27  the average for UK adults  saw similar benefits as those who weighed much more.

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The study set out to examine the wider benefits of semaglutide, which is licensed as Wegovy for weight loss and as Ozempic for treatment of Type 2 diabetes.

Lead author Prof John Deanfield, from University College Londons Institute of Cardiovascular Science, said the findings reframe how the medication works, saying it could be seen as a treatment for heart disease.

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UCL researchers set out to examine whether or not people taking the drug went on to suffer a major adverse cardiac event, including heart disease deaths, heart attacks or strokes.

They examined data on 17,604 people who were either overweight or obese and at least aged 45.

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Half of the people taking part in the study  which was spread over 41 countries  were given weekly injections of semaglutide with the other half given a placebo.

Previous analysis of the data found that semaglutide reduced the risk of major adverse cardiac events by 20 per cent.

Now researchers have found that the benefit occurred regardless of how much weight people lost while taking the drug.

The study found that losing belly fat appeared to be particularly beneficial for heart health.

But most of the benefits of semaglutide on the heart could not be explained.

Prof Deanfield said: These findings reframe what we think this medication is doing.

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It is labelled as a weight loss jab but its benefits for the heart are not directly related to the amount of weight lost  in fact, it is a drug that directly affects heart disease and other diseases of ageing.

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Academics said that the finding suggests there are multiple ways the drug benefits the heart, rather than the protective effect achieved solely by weight loss alone.

Other studies suggest the jabs can help protect against multiple chronic diseases.

The team said that an estimated 33 per cent of the observed benefit on major adverse cardiovascular events was mediated through waist circumference reduction.

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Prof Deanfield said: Abdominal fat is more dangerous for our cardiovascular health than overall weight and therefore it is not surprising to see a link between reduction in waist size and cardiovascular benefit.

However, this still leaves two thirds of the heart benefits of semaglutide unexplained.

He added: This work has implications for how semaglutide is used in clinical practice. You dont have to lose a lot of weight and you dont need a high BMI to gain cardiovascular benefit.

If your aim is to reduce cardiovascular disease, restricting its use to a limited time only and for those with the highest BMIs doesnt make sense.

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At the same time, the benefits need to be weighed against potential side effects. Investigations of side effects become especially important given the broad range of people this medicine and others like it could help.

The NHS in England is rolling out weight loss jabs to 220,000 people with the highest need over the next three years.

But the vast majority of injections are purchased privately, with around 2.5 million people in the UK estimated to be taking the medication.

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NEED TO KNOW

A Wendys manager in Alabama was charged after locking teens inside the restaurant over a suspected fake $50 bill

Police confirmed the cash was real; parents call the incident false imprisonment and demand action

Manager faces four charges totaling $2,000 bond as families seek accountability and staff training

Locals of an Alabama town are demanding accountability after a Wendys manager refused a teen to leave the restaurant after the teen was accused of attempting to pay with a counterfeit $50 bill.

The Hueytown Police Department took to its official social media on Wednesday, Oct. 22, detailing the incident that occurred on Oct. 16 around 4:00 p.m. According to the announcement, officials were called to the Wendys in Hueytown, Ala. where they spoke to both the teen, who was accompanied by a group of 11 friends who were also allegedly not allowed to leave, and the manager on duty.

Brandon Bell/Getty a Wendy's meal is displayed on a table at a Wendy's restaurant a Wendy's meal is displayed on a table at a Wendy's restaurant

She said, Yall not leaving til I get my money, and then one of my friends tried to leave, she had pushed him, and then she called the police on us, the teen told the police, as reported by WBRC News. She had locked the doors, we couldnt go nowhere, so we just sat down. Once she pushed him, we just sat down."

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After speaking to both parties, the juveniles were released pending investigation, the notice stated. The following day, the parents of the accused teen demanded further investigation into their childs false imprisonment, as it was later determined that the $50 with was authentic.

According to the report, the manager was charged with three counts of unlawful imprisonment, along with a $500 bond for each, and one count of harassment with an additional $500 bond, totaling to a $2,000 bond.

PEOPLE reached out to the Hueytown Police Department and did not receive an immediate response.

Parents of the teens are demanding accountability and a greater response from the restaurant on the incident, including training for the employees and termination of the manager, as they say the event could have turned fatal for their children.

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Its a serious situation and I dont think the boys really grasp the severity of it, explained the teen's mother, Erica Davis Temple. This could have went wrong in so many different ways. He could have been dead, they could have arrested him while they investigated the $50, and I could have been getting another phone call.

PEOPLE reached out to Wendys for comment and did not receive an immediate response.

Read the original article on People
KENTWOOD, Mich. (WOOD)  The Michigan State Police held a youth violence prevention summit near Grand Rapids Thursday with students from local school districts.

The event was about bringing students together with police with the goal of building relationships and finding ways to address violence.

I think its really cool that so many people are recognizing that theres something going on, said Jennifer Calkins, a student at Fruitport High School.

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Advocate: Community has a role in preventing teen gun violence

Students shared perspectives on school shootings and improving safety.

In my situation, I have also seen it from a law enforcement side, I was part of a mock shooting where it was training for the local police officers so seeing it from both being a student and the fear of it and seeing it from law enforcement where theyre training to try to keep everybody safe, Calkins said.

The event had speakers share their stories and had students discuss preventing violence with their peers.

Im hoping this program actually does help us find solutions, said Will Geneus, a freshman at Ottawa Hills High School.

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Geneus said the message from speakers who have seen violence firsthand really stuck with him. He believes conversations like these can make an impact.

Some kids may also feel a certain type of way. They dont feel safe coming to school and I hope these programs can help solve that, Geneus said.

It kind of motivated me to be more myself and not be like others, said Kenton Koch, a student at Northview High School.

It is something organizers say also has an impact on the law enforcement officers who participate.

State task force releases gun violence recommendations

I really feel a lot of purpose and connection and connecting with the youth in this way and listening to them and how much I learned and how much we all learned from each other, said Tom Fick, a community service trooper with the MSP Grand Rapids post.

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Representatives from the OK2SAY student safety program also participated in the summit. The service allows students to anonymously report school safety concerns.

Trust your gut. If your gut tells you something could happen, tell somebody. But more importantly, theres a law in Michigan that if you submit a tip, that tip is 100% confidential, said Don Ferguson, a presenter with OK2SAY.

Students hope building these relationships can help make everyone safer.

It is important to get out there and actually interact with our officers and know who they are and their actual goal instead of just what you see online.

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The summit was one of many planned for across the state.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY)  Some nonprofits are recommending that items like Ramen, mac and cheese and muffins be given to trick-or-treaters this Halloween as food assistance payments are delayed by the government shutdown.

The United Way Family Resource Network, based in Morgantown, said on Thursday that passing out candy on Halloween is always a way to give back to your community, but this year, some families might need some extra help.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments were delayed for October for about 275,000 West Virginians, and could be delayed for November as well if the shutdown, which is now the second longest in history, continues.

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The organization asked that people who plan to give out candy to trick-or-treaters consider also handing out non-perishable food items to help support their neighbors who might be struggling. The group said that kid-friendly foods like Ramen, microwave mac and cheese, protein bars, small bags of pretzels or chips, mini muffins and snack pudding packs are great options.

Will SNAP benefits be paid in November?

Lets come together to support our neighbors in small but meaningful ways and keep the spirit of community strong, the United Way FRN said in a social media post. It continued, Every little bit helps keep a childs belly fulland shows that kindness can be as sweet as candy.

Other places in the community are also stepping up to help, while some families are without benefits or income. Nonprofits like the Scotts Run Settlement House are preparing for additional needs this month, and churches and local businesses like the Crab Shack Caribba in Morgantown are offering free meals to those who need them during the shutdown.

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UPDATE: Thursday, October 23, 2025 @ 11:30 AM | WELCH, WV (WVNS)  According to the West Virginia State Police, Laura Beth Spade was found safe.

Spade was originally reported missing by her father on Wednesday, October 14, 2025, and according to Mr. Spade, Laura had not been seen since March 2025 in the Welch area of McDowell County.

Stick with 59News for more local news, weather and traffic.

WELCH, WV (WVNS)  The West Virginia State Police asked for the publics help locating a missing woman.

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According to a press release from the West Virginia State Police, 48-year-old Laura Beth Spade was reported missing by her father on Wednesday, October 14, 2025, and according to Mr. Spade, Laura was last seen in March 2025 in the Welch area of McDowell County.

WVSP asking for information regarding missing Mercer County man

The press release stated that Laura has brown eyes and brown hair, and could be in the Fayette or Raleigh County area. The West Virginia State Police stated that the most recent photos of Laura Spade were provided by the family and were taken around Summer of 2024.

According to the press release, although it is not unusual for Laura Spade to go a couple months without talking to her family, they are worried due to having no contact since March. As of Monday, October 20, 2025, Laura has reportedly not contacted any family members and has not been found.

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The press release stated that anyone with information about Laura Spades location is advised to contact Trooper First Class K. M. Saddler at the West Virginia State Police Welch Detachment by calling 304-436-2101, or the West Virginia State Police Troop 6 Headquarters by calling 304-256-6700.

Stick with 59News for updates.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
Western armies have long been able to get wounded troops critical treatment during "golden hour."

But US officials warned that it could be gone in future wars. In Ukraine, it already is.

A British Army official who helped train Ukrainians said they'd have likely laughed if "golden hour" came up.

Ukrainian soldiers would likely find any talk of "golden hour," the window for getting wounded troops life-saving trauma care, laughable, a Western trainer told Business Insider.

Medical treatment within the "golden hour"  the first 60 minutes after a severe injury  can mean the difference between life and death. In recent wars, US forces could rely on air superiority to make medevac flights possible. In future conflicts, generals warn, that luxury may vanish. In the Ukraine war, it already has.

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Maj. Maguire, an officer involved with the UK-led Operation Interflex training for Ukrainian troops and new recruits, told Business Insider that "deep in the British mindset" is the idea that if a soldier is injured in battle, a medical team will come get them.

"You tell that to a Ukrainian and they can just laugh at you," he shared. In Ukraine, there's "no chance" of a golden hour.

Maguire, who spoke on the condition that Business Insider only use his rank and last name to discuss the training, led an Interflex subgroup last year that worked with Ukrainians who already had some warfighting experience. He also spent years writing reports for the UK and its allies about tactics used in Ukraine, their significance, and the potential value for Western forces.

If you're a wounded soldier in Ukraine, "you might get out in the night, but if we drive an ambulance up, the Russians are going to shoot at it," Maguire said.

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Combat medics and soldiers in Ukraine have told Business Insider that Russia deliberately targets medics and their vehicles. And international bodies, including the United Nations, have accused Russia of systematic attacks against healthcare. Russia has denied these allegations.

Soldiers and medics in Ukraine say that Russia deliberately targets ambulances, medics, and hospitals. UKRAINE - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT MILITARY

For soldiers and their comrades trying to keep them alive, the threats mean "you're stuck" in the field. Soldiers thus need additional medical training to keep wounded troops alive.

In Afghanistan, UK forces had the Medical Emergency Response Team, a dedicated unit of doctors, nurses, and paramedics that flew Chinook helicopters out to rescue the wounded.

In Ukraine, neither side has control of the air. Surface-to-air missiles threaten aircraft, and the skies are full of drones that threaten vehicles, making movement for all troops much harder.

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A US Army veteran fighting in Ukraine with the call sign Jackie previously told Business Insider that "we have a golden three days." He said a friend hit by shrapnel could not leave a trench for four days. He said the injury would have been an "easy fix" if the soldier had received care faster, but instead his leg was amputated.

The war in Ukraine is a brutal war of attrition with skies full of drones, preventing easy evacuation. Kostiantyn Liberov/Libkos/Getty Images

Another American veteran who became a combat medic in Ukraine told Business Insider that when he was in Iraq, he felt confident that even if he got "really messed up," there was a good chance he'd survive. In Ukraine, he said, "it's a gamble every time you step off on a mission."

A war involving Western countries would likely look different from this conflict. NATO has far more airpower, weaponry, and troops to commit to a fight, but a peer-level war is expected to be exceptionally bloody with mass casualties. For many, "golden hour" care won't be possible, just like in Ukraine.

Western militaries are thus studying the war, and the British military is learning what it can from troops going through the Interflex training, which has been provided to over 58,000 Ukrainians.

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Maguire said the war has changed how the British military trains its own, including on medical skills. In Ukraine, you have to "keep everyone alive in the mud, and that requires a higher basic level of skill than I think we had in the British Army team medic cadre."

Ukrainian soldiers often have to hide in trenches, and injured soldiers can be stuck in them for days. Roman PILIPEY / AFP

It's not that everyone has to be a paramedic, he said, but he has seen a shift in British thinking and training, including making it more "gritty" with simulated blood and actors portraying critically wounded troops.

It's getting "a lot more complex," he said. It's not just applying a tourniquet; it's also knowing what to monitor and look for to keep an injured soldier alive for 6 hours, for 24 hours, or longer.

He has observed a growing realization that "we may be required to die on our jobs," and training of British troops has become more physical, "a bit more aligned to the demands of conventional war as opposed to the demands of counterinsurgency, which we previously had."

Ukraine needs drones for its defense, but it needs to make sure its own electronic warfare doesn't get in its way. Serhii Korovainyi/REUTERS

It's not the only way the UK is learning from working with Ukraine, Maguire said. He said the Ukrainians had demonstrated more flexibility and "tactical imagination" than the British Army typically does, in a way that was influential.

Read the original article on Business Insider
WESTFIELD  The Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce is promoting its first-ever Restaurant Week, a week in early November during which participating restaurants will be inviting regulars and new guests to explore special menu items, discounts, and other dining incentives.

This is our maiden voyage, said Chamber Director Amanda Waterfield about the six-day event that will run from Nov. 4-9.

The idea, she said, is to have people inside and outside the community check out some restaurants they may have tried before to explore some of the unique cuisines offered in the city and Southwick.

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Westfield and Southwick have tremendous options when it comes to dining. We have everything from high-end dining to great burger joints to fabulous sushi and brew pubs, Waterfield said.

As an example, she said Ks Restaurant, located at 318 N. Elm St., which specializes in Japanese cuisine focusing on hibachi and sushi, will offer customers a new sushi dish during the event.

The nine restaurants already committed to participating in the event will be offering customers unique dining offerings, like menu items, price fixed options, or discounts.

The participating restaurants are designing their own Restaurant Week specials, Waterfield said.

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She added the event was not only designed to expose locals to the wide variety of menus offered throughout the city and Southwick, but to reach outside the two communities to have folks think about both as dining destinations.

People throughout the Pioneer Valley should be thinking of Westfield and Southwick when it comes to getting a delicious meal, so we wanted to highlight our dining destinations, Waterfield said.

She also hopes that those who visit the participating restaurants will be inspired to return for their small business holiday shopping.

Were hoping diners can frequent their favorite hangouts or explore new options right here in town, Waterfield said.

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Those participating so far are Bright Ideas Brewing, located at 109 Apremont Way, Westfield; Crepes Tea House located at 157 Feeding Hills Road, Southwick; Boston Bay Pizza 2, at 73 Elm St., Westfield; 7Bs Bar & Grill, at 1152 Southampton Road, Westfield; Kettlebread Deli Restaurant, which can be found on College Highway in Southwick and on Meadow Street in Westfield; Tuckers Restaurant on College Highway, Southwick; Ks Restaurant at 318 E. Main St., Westfield; Tribeca Gastro Bar & Grill at 89 Elm St., Westfield; and Emmas Everyday Gourmet Restaurant, at 45 Washington St., Westfield.

If a restaurant wants to participate, visit the chamber site or call 413-568-1618.

Waterfield also said the Restaurant Week is also to test if they might be support from the areas restaurants to participate in a Taste of Westfield event.

If this goes well, we might look at a Taste of Westfield, she said.

Read the original article on MassLive. Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A lawsuit filed by several Black business owners accuses Westport of racial discrimination  claiming several board members have intentionally excluded and pushed them out of the community.

Euphoric, LLC, UniKC, LLC, and The Sourze, LLC, are suing the Westport Community Improvement District (CID) and its all-white board members:

Franklin D. Kimbrough Pamela Ptacek Max Wasserstrom Zach Marten Paul Mesler Kyle Kelly Larry Goldman Brett Allred Matthew Vos Jeremy Hurt Christie Montague Brandi Degenhardt

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The lawsuit claims that the CID board members are conspiring to make it nearly impossible for Black/African American business owners to exist in Westport.

A spokesperson for the CID sent the following statement to FOX4 on Thursday:

The Westport Community Improvement District (CID) and its board members strongly refute the allegations made by Euphoric, UniKC and The Sourze. While we cannot comment on the specifics of ongoing legal matters, we are confident that the facts will demonstrate the baselessness of these allegations against the CID and its board members.

For decades, Westport has been a welcoming and inclusive districthome to a vibrant mix of people, cultures and businesses. Diversity has always been a strength of this community, and we remain committed to ensuring that everyone feels valued and supported here. We believe that diversity among business owners and patrons isnt just the right thing to doits good business. A thriving, inclusive environment benefits everyone and continues to make Westport one of Kansas Citys most dynamic destinations.

Lawsuit claims board members blocked Black-owned restaurant in Westport

On Nov. 25, 2020, the lawsuit says The Sourze, LLC, entered into a lease agreement with Pulse Management, LLC  after negotiations with the management company and Westport Development, LLC, which is owned by CID board members Vos and Hurt.

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Robert Thorpe, owner of The Sourze, was told by Vos and Hurt that he would be able to open an art gallery and a restaurant in the space, according to the lawsuit.

On April 14, 2021, the lawsuit says the lease was amended to the benefit of defendant Westport, LLC.

After the new lease was in effect, the lawsuit claims Thorpe was told that the property was only fit to be a clothing store  even though the space has already been zoned and deemed fit for a restaurant with a liquor license.

According to the lawsuit, Vos or Hurt told Thorpe during a meeting that the proposed restaurant would cannibalize the other Westport barsand said they did not want any more bars or restaurants in Westport because bars, especially those patronized by the hip-hop crowds, equated to violence.

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The lawsuit says these claims are racist and stereotypical ideologies based on unfounded assumptions that all Black/African American people are violent.

Vos and Hurts company then told Thorpe that it would no longer agree to the restaurant concept, the lawsuit says, even though Thorpe had already paid more than $22,000 in rent and nearly $25,000 in expenses.

The lawsuit notes that during this same time, other white business owners were allowed to open new bars and restaurants in Westport.

Without the ability to open the restaurant, the lawsuit says The Sourze was paying out more money in overhead than it was able to recover in revenue  which caused the business to fail.

Board members secret No Play List targeted Black artists, lawsuit claims

In 2019, the lawsuit says Allred was found to have made a secret No Play List, which excluded very popular songs made by Black entertainers.

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According to the lawsuit, the list included popular Top 10 Billboard hits by Black artists, including Beyonce, Jay-Z, Drake, Cardi B, Kendrick Lamar, Migos and Travis Scott.

After the secret list was made public, the lawsuit claims that Allred opened a nightclub that predominantly played songs by Black entertainers. However, the nightclub abruptly closed in 2022, according to the lawsuit.

Additionally, the lawsuit says Firefly owner Todd Gambal received a threatening email from Allred  saying if Gambal continued to hire Steven Davis, a well-known DJ in the Kansas City area, Allred would take steps to get Fireflys liquor license revoked or terminated. This happened during a recorded meeting, according to the lawsuit.

Locks changed on club owner after meeting with owner of Denver Biscuit, lawsuit says

On April 6, 2021, the lawsuit says UniKC, LLC entered into a lease agreement for a commercial property on Pennsylvania Avenue in Westport.

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DMario Gray, owner of UniKC, then met with the owner of a neighboring business at the Denver Biscuit Company, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit says the owner of the Denver Biscuit asked Gray many questions about:

The placement of the door where patrons would be entering

What type of music would be played at Grays business, specifically whether it would be R&B and hip-hop

What type of crowd the club was drawing

The age of the target market for the business

The owners tone and demeanor was offended, dismissive, annoyed, agitated and upset at the answers provided, according to the lawsuit.

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Gray assured the owner that he would be following security guidelines and employing the Kansas City Police Department.

The owner of the Denver Biscuit then contacted representatives of the company that UniKC signed a lease with, the lawsuit claims. The very next day, Gray received a cease-and-desist letter regarding his lease agreement and was subsequently locked out of his business on Pennsylvania Avenue, the lawsuit says.

UniKC had not violated any terms or conditions under the lease agreement, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit also says Gray was told that several neighboring business owners, including the owner of the Denver Biscuit, did not want Grays type of crowd to come to the Westport community and cause problems.

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UniKC never had a chance to open its doors to determine what type of crowd the business would bringbecause the lessor paid UniKC $100,000 to terminate its lease, walk away from the deal and indemnify itself from any legal action, according to the lawsuit.

Restaurant owner locked out on day of hiring event, lawsuit claims

On Oct. 21, 2024, the lawsuit says Euphoric, LLC, entered into a lease agreement to take over the space that had previously been occupied by Ale House.

Prior to this, the lawsuit says Christopher Lee, owner of Euphoric, spoke with the property owner  who said he was willing to do business with Lee after hearing his plan to open a new restaurant and bar.

The lawsuit also notes that Lee was required to take a personality test before signing into a lease agreement, even though that was not required of white business owners.

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After Lee posted on social media that he was hiring, the lawsuit says CID board members immediately began interfering with Euphorics plan to open its restaurant.

The lawsuit claims that Allred and other CID board members contacted the property owner and instructed him to terminate Euphorics lease agreement.

Despite the lease agreement still being in effect, the lawsuit says on the day of Euphorics hiring event, the property owner along with Allred and Kimbrough refused to give Lee the keys to the restaurant. This forced Lee to hold the hiring event outside of the restaurant.

The lawsuit also claims that people on social media were publicly humiliating and discrediting Euphoric by claiming the business was a fraud and didnt have permission to open the restaurant.

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The lawsuit accuses the property owners of the following crimes:

Breaching their contracts with The Sourze and Euphoric

Racial discrimination against all of the plaintiffs

Conspiracy to commit racial discrimination against all of the plaintiffs

Failure to prevent racial discrimination conspiracy

Tortious interference with the plaintiffs contracts

Tortious interference with the plaintiffs business expectancy

Civil conspiracy

Conspiracy to violate Sherman Act, antitrust and/or trade law

Violation of 18 U.S.C.  1962 et. seq. Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO)

The plaintiffs are demanding a jury trial. They are seeking loss of wages, compensatory damages and punitive damages. Euphoric is also seeking declaratory relief establishing its right to possess the restaurant and damages for lost revenue and profits.

You can read the full lawsuit below.

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109110070171Download

This amended lawsuit was filed on Oct. 10, 2025, with the Western District of Missouri Western Division (case no. 4:25-cv-00023-RK).

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WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL)  As the government shutdown continues, the local food bank is pulling out all the stops to support those affected.

On Saturday, October 25, from 10 a.m. until noon, the Wichita Falls Area Food Bank will host an emergency Mobile Pantry distribution just north of the Main Gate at Sheppard Air Force Base on Burkburnett Road. This pantry is open to federal employees, military personnel, and others affected by the ongoing government shutdown.

The emergency food distribution is a crucial initiative to support those facing financial difficulties due to the government shutdown, ensuring they have access to necessary food supplies during this challenging time.

You can now stream KFDX and Texomas FOX live 24/7 on your smart TV with KFDX+, our brand-new app! No antenna, cable, or satellite neededwatch for free, anytime. Just download it on your Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV and start streaming.

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Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal had a productive engagement focused on the positive resolution of the outstanding issues with respect to the India-EU FTA with EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic. "The shared commitment on both sides towards redefining the relationship is deeply encouraging," Piyush Goyal wrote on X after the meeting. EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security said on X he was glad to have reconnected with Minister Goyal ahead of his visit to Brussels next week. "Our goal remains the same - to keep making progress and elevate the trade and investment relationship to a new level," Sefcovic added. On 17 June 2022, the European Union relaunched negotiations with India for a Free Trade Agreement. The EU is India's largest trading partner, accounting for EUR124 billion worth of trade in goods in 2023 or 12.2% of total Indian trade. India is the EU's 9th largest trading partner, accounting for 2.2% of the EU's total trade in goods in 2023. Trade in services between the EU and India reached EUR59.7 billion in 2023, up from EUR30.4 billion in 2020. India and the EU resolved to conclude the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the end of 2025. This commitment builds on the strategic direction given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen during the landmark visit of the EU College of Commissioners to New Delhi in February 2025. India has accelerated discussions on free trade agreements (FTAs) with key partners across multiple regions. The country is actively negotiating trade agreements with nearly a dozen countries, including the United States, European Union, Australia, Sri Lanka and several others, in a bid to expand trade and secure long-term growth opportunities. The country is also in talks for bilateral trade agreements with countries like New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Oman, Chile, Korea, Peru, among others. The coming months are expected to be critical, when the outcomes of these negotiations could redefine India's role in the global trade architecture and shape its economic trajectory for the next decade. (ANI)
Im trying to think what could be less conservative than knocking down much of the East Wing of the White House - formerly the Peoples House - to make it more like Versailles.

This, after Donald Trump promised he would do no such thing. But were we supposed to take his promises neither seriously nor literally? I forget.

The sight of this destruction is painful for those of us who saw 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue as more than a "Love It or List It" fixer-upper, and thats part of the fun for the current occupant and the defenders of this galling, gaping metaphor.

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"The president is doing this on his own dime," said Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley, though thats not exactly the case, since "many generous Patriots, Great American Companies" will pony up, too, the president says. Its also not the point, even if Trump does have many more dimes to work with now than when he took office in January. What looks heedless to some of us "looks fantastic" to the senior senator from my state. "Im delighted he is doing it," Hawley added, "and I love seeing these liberals melt down." Oh yes, were aware.

Other than reliably providing that thrill, though, Trump has never struck me as particularly conservative, personally or otherwise. Remember when many on the right complained about the "coarsening of the culture"? I do, because I agreed.

Now, "King Trump" issues an AI video of himself piloting a fighter jet, joyfully dumping streams of liquid poop on the heads of those who wont bow, and none of his loyal subjects can think why they should object. Those J-6 "patriots" who defecated in the halls of Congress were apparently only presaging the even greater doodoos of their liege.

Presidential f-bombs on camera are cool by MAGA, too, because role-modeling in a positive way went out with empathy and compliance with the Hatch Act. In the past, when we said that someone was a fiscal conservative, we generally assumed that they believed not only in lower taxes but in minimal rather than maximum government involvement.The federal takeover of cities and universities would not normally have been a goal.

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If fiscal conservatism still involves keeping even one eye on the budget, how does that square with the purchase of two top-of-the-line Gulfstream jets for DHS Secretary Kristi Noem? Or a $20 billion bailout for the friend of a friend in Argentina, at the expense of our own farmers?

In the Before Times, when we said someone was a social conservative, we generally meant that they opposed abortion and gave some thought to the ethics of assisted reproduction.

The one promise I know Trump to have kept was to the Federalist Societys Leonard Leo: Just as he said he would, he appointed only the potential judicial nominees on Leos list, and his Supreme Court choices helped overturn Roe v. Wade. But now that Trumps FDA has "quietly approved a generic abortion pill" and he has issued new federal guidance on the expanded IVF insurance coverage that conservatives lobbied against, how again is he socially conservative? Is it only because Pete Hegseth recently ranted to his betters about "dudes in dresses"?

If your single or primary issue is Israel, then I do get the appeal, though even there, as my friend Michael Golden wrote recently in his "Jewdicious" substack, thats not a given.

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"When I called the Jewish billionaire who voted for the three Democrats and asked him to spell out why he still opposes Trump to this day," Golden wrote, "he told me that beyond Trumps personal venality, its about the long view: All of these people going along with him are kidding themselves. Weve only been around for 250 years. The path were on will end it. Without a democratic America, there is no Israel."

Otherwise, is treating migrants inhumanely the central selling point for the former party of Lincoln and Reagan? (You may recall that Barack Obama, the "deporter-in-chief," sent millions back to their countries without rappelling from helicopters, pulling parents out of the after-school pickup line, or sowing the absolute terror that seems to be the point of the current exercise.)

How about indulging racism? How is it that fully grown "kids," as JD Vance called the Young Republicans caught using some very old slurs, felt so comfortable doing so? Same as the presidents former pick to lead a watchdog agency, who turns out to have a self-described "Nazi streak."

Please explain how it is, with Sudan experiencing a real rather than imagined genocide, that the fact that Trump wants to accept virtually no refugees except white people from South Africa is not an example of the racial preferences that he claims to be so determined to eradicate?

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More than anything, I always thought of conservatives as respectful, go-slow conservators of our history and our values. My mistake.

Melinda Henneberger is a RealClearPolitics columnist based in Kansas City. She won the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for commentary and was a Pulitzer finalist for commentary in 2021, for editorial writing in 2020 and for commentary in 2019, all for her work at The Kansas City Star. For 10 years, she was a reporter for The New York Times, based in New York, Washington, D.C. and Rome.
By Jeff Mason

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The full East Wing of the White House will be torn down to make way for President Donald Trump's new ballroom, contradicting the former New York real estate magnate's pledge that the project would not interfere with the existing U.S. landmark.

Demolition workers on Monday began ripping down the section of the White House that holds offices for the first lady and staff. Trump announced that ground had been broken on the project after images of demolition circulated in news reports, though the full extent of the tear-down only became clear two days later.

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"In order to do it properly, we had to take down the existing structure," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday.

An administration official said the demolition process would likely be finished within two weeks. "We can confirm that the entire East Wing is going to be modernized and renovated to, I guess, support the ... ballroom project," the official said.

The demolition of part of one of the most historic buildings in the United States has sparked an angry outcry from many Democrats and questions about whether the Trump administration followed proper protocols. The White House has dismissed the criticism as "manufactured outrage."

The most recent iteration of the East Wing came about in 1942 when Franklin D. Roosevelt was president. U.S. presidents have renovated and added to the White House and its grounds throughout history, but Trump's changes are the most significant in decades.

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President Trumps desecration of the White House is an insult to the American people and a betrayal of his obligation to safeguard our history and heritage," U.S. Senator Angus King, an independent of Maine, said in a statement on Wednesday.

The White House said on Tuesday it would submit plans for the ballroom construction for review by the National Capital Planning Commission, which oversees federal construction in Washington and neighboring states, even though demolition had already begun.

Trump's White House staff secretary, Will Scharf, chairs the NCPC. Scharf told Reuters on Wednesday that he had not been involved in the planning for the ballroom and would be able to look objectively when plans came before the commission.

"I've played no role in, in the planning process here at the White House for the ballroom, and I take my duties as NCPC chairman very seriously," he said.

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Scharf said he would be able to say no to Trump or other White House officials involved in the project despite his role in both institutions.

"Do I have the ability to vote, in my capacity as an NCPC commissioner, separate from my duties in the White House? Yeah, absolutely. If I don't like a project, I'll vote against it. If I do like a project, I'll vote for it," he said.

QUESTIONS ABOUT TRANSPARENCY

The White House has not been able to say what entity, if any, had or should have had oversight of the tearing down of the East Wing. Scharf said the NCPC had responsibility for construction but not demolition.

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Bryan Green, who served as an NCPC commissioner under Democratic President Joe Biden, told Reuters on Tuesday that demolition work and new construction should be linked as part of a building project review.

Trump on Wednesday said the project would cost $300 million, an increase from its initial $200 million price tag announced in July. He says he and private donors are paying for the ballroom, but he has not released full financing details.

The president dismissed concerns that his administration had not been transparent about the project.

"These pictures have been in newspapers," Trump said, referencing photos he had in the Oval Office of how the ballroom is to look like when finished. A model of the project was situated on a table in front of him.

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Scharf said he expected the National Park Service would be submitting the ballroom plans on the White House's behalf to the NCPC for review. There will be at least two, possibly three, open meetings with an opportunity for comment from the public, he said.

Scharf said he expected the review to take roughly three months.

"It's a rigorous process," he said. "It's a process that, you know, in some cases can move quite quickly -- a matter of a couple months. In other cases we've had projects that take a lot longer."

The National Trust for Historic Preservation on Tuesday asked the Trump administration to pause the demolition until the planning commission review was completed. Its letter expressed concern that the proposed 90,000-square-foot ballroom "will overwhelm the White House itself." The White House is 55,000 square feet.

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But efforts to stop the project are likely to be difficult because so much of the East Wing has already been torn down.

Sarah Kavanagh, who lives in nearby Maryland, said she came to the White House on Wednesday to see the demolition for herself.

"I honestly feel like putting a bouquet of flowers for a memorial," Kavanagh, 59, said. I think its disgusting.

(Reporting by Jeff Mason; additional reporting by Courtney Rozen; Editing by Colleen Jenkins, Diane Craft, Daniel Wallis and Leslie Adler)
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt explained at a Thursday briefing that the US has imposed sanctions on Russia's oil sector due to Russia's lack of interest in peace.

Source: White House briefing, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Leavitt said Trump "has always maintained that he would implement sanctions on Russia when he felt it was appropriate and necessary, and yesterday was that day."

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Quote: "I think the President has also long expressed his frustration with Vladimir Putin and, frankly, with both sides of this war.

He has always said in order to negotiate a good peace deal, both sides need to be interested in a good peace deal. And he feels as though, unfortunately, from the Russian side as of late, he has not seen enough interest or enough action in terms of moving the ball forward towards peace."

Background:

The US imposed measures this week targeting two of Russia's largest oil companies.

The sanctions involve freezing all US-based assets of Rosneft and Lukoil and prohibit all US companies from conducting any business with these Russian firms.

Some Chinese state-owned oil giants have suspended their purchases of seaborne Russian oil following the US sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
NEED TO KNOW

President Donald Trump is carrying out plans to demolish the East Wing of the White House in order to add a $200 million ballroom

For decades, the East Wing has served as an office space for the first lady after Rosalynn Carter started the tradition in 1977

Demolition is slated to be completed by this weekend

President Donald Trump is tearing down a portion of the White House to build a ballroom, despite his previous claims that the construction would not demolish the East Wing.

In a Wednesday, Oct. 22 article published by The New York Times, the outlet claimed to have confirmed the demolition of the East Wing with a senior official who was not authorized to publicly speak about the work, which is slated to be completed by this weekend.

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President Trump is working 24/7 to Make America Great Again, including his historic beautification of the White House, at no taxpayer expense. These long-needed upgrades will benefit generations of future presidents and American visitors to the Peoples House, White House spokesman Davis Ingle tells PEOPLE.

PEDRO UGARTE/AFP via Getty Heavy machinery tears down a section of the East Wing of the White House, October 2025 Heavy machinery tears down a section of the East Wing of the White House, October 2025

Trumps $200 million ballroom will replace the East Wing, per The Times.

In 1977, Rosalynn Carter started the tradition of the office of the first lady being located in the wing, alongside the social secretary. Eleanor Roosevelt, who professionalized the office of the first lady during her husband's administration, was also a frequent user of the East Wing.

Former First Lady Laura Bush's meeting with Ibrahim Gambari, the United Nation's Special Advisor on Burma, on Dec. 17, 2007 is among the East Wing's most historic moments.

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On Tuesday, Oct. 21, former First Lady Hilary Clinton slammed Trump, 79, for erasing history and the long-standing tradition.

Its not his house. Its your house. And hes destroying it, the 77-year-old lawyer and former United States Secretary of State who previously ran for president captioned a post on X.

Included in Clinton's message was a screenshot of a news article showing a bulldozer tearing into The White House, which has served as the residence of every U.S. president since John Adams in 1800, when the national capital was moved from Philadelphia.

The East Wing itself was built in 1942 during President Franklin D. Roosevelts time in office.

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Just one day prior to Clintons post, Trump said he was pleased to announce that ground has been broken on the White House grounds to build the new, big, beautiful White House Ballroom.

For more than 150 years, every President has dreamt about having a Ballroom at the White House to accommodate people for grand parties, State Visits, etc. I am honored to be the first President to finally get this much-needed project underway  with zero cost to the American Taxpayer, Trump wrote in part, in a Monday, Oct. 20 Truth Social post.

Aaron Schwartz/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty President Donald Trump holds a rendering of the planned White House ballroom President Donald Trump holds a rendering of the planned White House ballroom

Trump previously said he would not touch the historic East Wing.

Itll be views of the Washington Monument. It wont interfere with the current building. Itll be near it but not touching it, the president said, per The Times. And pays total respect to the existing building, which Im the biggest fan of.

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The wing that housed first ladies for decades will now be replaced with gold chandeliers, an ornate coffered ceiling, Greek Corinthian columns and tall, arched windows on each wall, according to previously released renderings.

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 demolition continues, First Lady Melania Trump and her staff have been temporarily relocated from the East Wing.

Read the original article on People
A future meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin remains "not completely off the table," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Oct. 23.

"Look, the President has always maintained that he would implement sanctions on Russia when he felt it was appropriate and necessary, and yesterday was that day," Leavitt told reporters.

"The President has also long expressed his frustration with Vladimir Putin and, frankly, both sides of this war. Hes always said in order to negotiate a good peace deal, both sides need to be interested in a good peace deal."

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Leavitt added that Trump has seen "not enough interest and enough action" from Russia to advance toward peace. And so a meeting between these two leaders is not completely off the table, she said. "The President and the entire administration hopes that one day that could happen again, but we want to make sure that theres a tangible, positive outcome out of that meeting, and that its a good use of the Presidents time."

Read also: Trumps war mediation: 8 months of shifting between Ukraine, Russia

Her remarks came a day after the U.S. imposed its first sanctions on Moscow since Trump took office, targeting Russias two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, as well as their subsidiaries. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the measures aim to pressure Russia into accepting a ceasefire. "Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire," Bessent said.

Trump, who announced the sanctions during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House, called it a very big day in terms of what were doing. Those are against their two big oil companies, and we hope that they wont be on for long. We hope that the war will be settled.

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Ukraine welcomed the decision. "For the first time in office as the 47th President of the United States of America, Washington has passed a decision to impose full blocking sanctions against Russian energy companies," Ukraines ambassador to the U.S., Olha Stefanishyna, said.

The sanctions came after a wave of Russian missile and drone attacks on Oct. 22 that killed six people and injured at least 44 across Ukraine. A day later, more explosions and fires were reported in Kyiv during another Russian drone assault.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin has continued to reject calls for a ceasefire and has reportedly insisted that Ukraine surrender all of Donetsk Oblast as a precondition for talks.

Read also: Investigation: After occupying their land, Russia trains Ukrainian children for a lifetime of war

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
US President Donald Trump will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping next Thursday, the White House has said.

Trump will attend a bilateral meeting with Xi in the morning before flying back to Washington in the evening, his spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said on Thursday.

Trump and Xi had planned to meet on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea, which begins on October 31, but a date had not been publicly announced.

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The US president told journalists on Wednesday that he thinks the talks will lead to a deal in the trade dispute between the two superpowers. However, he emphasized that if no agreement was reached, the United States would impose additional tariffs of 100% on Chinese imports from November 1.

Beijing has not yet confirmed the meeting between Xi and Trump.

Just a few weeks ago, Trump cast doubt over a meeting with his Chinese counterpart, expressing anger that China had announced export restrictions on rare earths and other materials in a letter to several countries. In response, he floated the idea of 100% tariffs on imports from China.

Beijing then accused Washington of double standards and threatened countermeasures. Trump's rhetoric towards China has since become milder again.
Hmong refugee and community leader Lue Yang and his wife, Ann Vue | Photo courtesy of Ann Vue

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced on Thursday she had granted a pardon request for Lue Yang, a Hmong refugee and president of the Hmong Family Association of Lansing who was detained by U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement in July over a decades-old criminal conviction.

Yang was born in a refugee camp in Thailand, and came to the U.S. in 1979 as his parents fled Laos due to war and persecution for their support of the United States during the Vietnam War. In 1997, Yang was convicted on a home burglary charge, accepting a plea bargain and served a 10-month sentence.

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In 2018, Yangs conviction was expunged, however, the federal government does not recognize the expungement. Yangs conviction complicated his immigration status, and he has been denied while applying for citizenship, State Rep. Mai Xiong (D-Warren), explained in a video advocating for Yangs release. On July 15, Yang was detained by ICE while at work, and he has remained in custody since.

Yesterday, I granted a pardon for Lue Yang, a devoted family man and respected leader in Michigans Hmong community, Whitmer said in a statement issued Thursday morning.

Whitmers statement explained that the pardon sets aside Yangs conviction, allowing him to move forward without the conviction on his record.

Despite the pardon, Yang still faces threats of deportation, as he was slated to depart on an ICE flight to Laos as of Wednesday night.

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However, Aisa Villarosa of the Asian Law Caucus, which has been working with Yangs attorney, told the Michigan Advance that, to the best of their knowledge, Yang remains in the U.S., noting that the lack of transparency from ICE leaves family members lawyers and advocates to cobble together his location.

Xiong, who was also a Hmong refugee, has strongly advocated for Yangs return. Xiong said she was extremely grateful for the pardon, noting that his family is still facing difficulties in navigating the legal system to have him released.

Im grateful for that pardon from the Governor, because that means that [Yang] will have an opportunity to fight for his release, yes, but we can only do that if he is still on U.S. soil or in U.S. air, Xiong said.

Yangs attorney is working to vacate his case through the county court system, Xiong said.

Rising Voices, a nonprofit organization focusing on increasing civic participation among Michigans Asian American residents, cheered the decision in a statement while addressing the urgent action to keep Yang in the U.S.

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My family and I need Lue to return home where he belongs. This pardon shows the power of humanity and community, Ann Vue, Yangs wife said in a statement. So many people stood with us, checked in on us, and refused to allow us to give up. We applaud and thank Governor Whitmer for her courage in granting Lue this pardon. Now we demand ICE and [the U.S. Department of Homeland Security] to bring Lue home to Michigan.

On Thursday morning, state Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit) spoke out on the Senate floor about the deportation of several Hmong and Lao men, sharing the story of Khone Segmany, who like Yang, committed a low-level offense as a young man, as well as another man named Khamsay.

On behalf of Khones son, Khamsays sister, Lue Yangs wife, Ann, and their families, we are all urging ICE to bring these men home. They are members of our community, they are fathers, and their families deserve to have them by their side, Chang said.
The vision of a child bride is a deeply foreign concept to most Americans. Underage marriage is regarded by most as an abroad problem, or the type of detestable horror committed by isolated malcontent cult leaders, later to be turned into a true crime documentary one laments over with their friends.

But child marriage remains legal in the majority of U.S. states, and getting rid of it has proved supremely difficult.

Thirty-four U.S. states still permit a child under the age of 18 to marry  usually with the consent of their parents or a judge. Four states  California, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Oklahoma  establish no minimum age for a minor to enter into a binding legal and social contract. According to a new report from Unchained at Last, a nonprofit advocating for the end of underage marriage exceptions in the United States, and Equality Now, a gender equality nonprofit, over 314,000 marriages involving minors  most between the ages of 16 and 17  were registered over the course of the last two decades.

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Over 80 percent of those marriages involved a girl who was underage (some as young as 10), and most of those marriages were to adult men. The organizations report found that in that same time frame, over 60,000 of those marriages involved a child that was not legally old enough to consent to sex with their spouse.

In many cases, these laws are exploited by the adult spouse as a cover, and legal mechanism, for sexual abuse against a minor. Child marriage strips children of their bodily autonomy and freedom, legitimizes statutory rape and child sexual abuse under the guise of marriage, and exposes them to coercion that they lack the legal capacity to resist, the report reads. Advocates argue the U.S. has not only a moral, but also a legal obligation to end the practice.

In the U.S., because we have this federal and state system, its meant weve had to go state by state in all of our advocacy work, and we cant just impose a federal ban on child marriage, Anastasia Law, North American program officer at Equality Now, tells Rolling Stone. Unlike other countries, where you are just working at the national level, a huge sticking point in the advocacy is that it means its going to take a really long time.

Law says that part of the problem is that the United States is one of an ever-shrinking minority of nations that does not explicitly enshrine sex equality in its constitution. If we did, then it would open the door for a federal child marriage ban, she says. It would open the door for comprehensive abortion protections at the federal level. It would open the door for all of these fixes to womens legal issues and womens rights issues that were seeing today.

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Several attempts have been made to end the practice at a federal level, most recently by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill). The so called Child Marriage Prevention Act, authored by Durbin  which failed to advance in the Senate  was widely criticized by advocates given its allowance for underage fiance and spousal visas. While the U.S. has long worked to address child marriage internationally, our federal government has failed to take meaningful steps to address this issue in our own nation, Durbin said in a statement provided to Rolling Stone, calling child marriage a scourge that the government needs to take meaningful action to end.

In the meantime, laws that would protect children, primarily young girls, from entering into marriages before they are legally able to vote, drink, smoke, make independent medical decisions, or sign onto any other legally binding contract (like hiring a divorce lawyer) remain a states rights issue. This isnt to say that lawmakers  even those in traditionally conservative state legislatures  arent trying to implement protections. Theyre not having much success.

In 2024, an effort to raise the minimum age of marriage to 18 failed in West Virginia after Republicans on the state Senates judiciary committee voted down the legislation, despite the bill having passed the House with landslide bipartisan support. Getting legislatures to agree to any form of restriction can be an uphill battle. In 2023, Wyoming Republicans reacted with outrage over a legislative effort to raise the minimum marriage age to 16, arguing that the statute should remain open to any minors who became pregnant. The bill ultimately passed.

In some cases, the arguments against child marriage bans veer into the barbaric. In New Hampshire, where an underage marriage ban was enacted in 2024, one Republican state representative argued that underage marriage was a legitimizing option for girls of ripe, fertile age who became pregnant before adulthood. In Missouri, a Republican-authored ban was opposed by members of the same party, with one member of the GOP arguing that eliminating child marriage would increase incentives for the pregnant child to seek an abortion.

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In 2020, Minnesota passed a child marriage ban as part of a sprawling package of progressive legislation under Democratic Governor Tim Walz. I think they might have passed it even in 2019 unanimously, but I couldnt get a hearing in the Senate, Minnesota state Sen. Sandy Pappas, a Democrat, says of her efforts to pass the legislation.

Pappas recalls colleagues of hers who referenced Romeo and Juliet exemptions  laws allowing two underage individuals to marry each other  asking her why lawmakers would stand in the way of a Romeo and Juliet romance between two young people.

And my response was, Yeah, howd that end? Pappas says, in reference to the double suicide of the Shakesperan lovers.

Perhaps nowhere is more representative of the struggle to convert a popular consensus into law than in Texas, where three bills looking to raise the minimum marriage age to 18 worked their way through the legislature during the 2025 regular session. All three were killed by default at the sessions end, without ever having come to a full vote despite having the necessary support.

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Texas Rep. Jon Rosenthal, a Democrat representing the Houston suburbs, managed to pass legislation that would have raised the age floor for marriage in the state to 18  without so-called Romeo and Juliet exceptions  out of the House and to the Senate. Although it was going to be pretty close, I felt like there was a very good chance that I could pass it without amendment, and thats exactly what ended up happening, he says, adding that it never even received a hearing in the Senate, even though there were two different state senators who had identical legislation.

One of those companion bills was authored by Sen. Tan Parker, a Republican representing parts of the Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex, and the current Texas Senate Majority Leader. Its about stopping human trafficking. Its about making certain that we stop child sexual abuse, and that we go after predators and predatory behavior of any kind, he says. We had broad support in Texas for the bill and the concept, because people recognize that predators are hiding behind the current statute.

Everything in our legal system  everything that we do structurally  hinges on the age of 18, he adds. Thats our legal structure in the country. And I just believe that marriage should be the same.

In Parkers view, his bill failed to receive a vote because  in Texas inscrutable, bonanza style legislative system  they simply ran out of time. Sometimes it takes a couple of cycles to educate, to inform, to bring people along.  We have such a finite amount of time and a finite number of bills are going to pass, Parker says, adding that he plans to reintroduce the legislation in a future session.

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In Rosenthals view, however, the bills died not because of a lack of time, awareness, or interest, but an effective pocket veto from the states executives. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, who serves as the president of the GOP-controlled Texas Senate, has pretty much iron fist and control over legislation, Rosenthal says. Nothing is heard or reaches the Senate chamber floor for debate unless its something he personally approves of.

So while he never came out publicly against this thing, it was clear when it didnt even get a hearing, even though two senators had filed the same bill, Rosenthal adds.

The issues with underage marriage, regardless of the supposed justification provided or the age difference between the parties, are plain to see. It is linked to higher rates of divorce in the long term, higher instances of abuse and intimate partner violence, as well as more difficulty seeking and acquiring services and assistance should they attempt to escape their marriage.

Its almost always a minor to an adult. And specifically, the minor is a girl and the adult is a man, says Fraidy Reiss, founder and executive director of Unchained at Last. Reiss  herself a survivor of forced marriage when she was 19 years old  stressed that the difficulty in passing state-level legislation isnt that the pedophile lobby shows up to demand a bill be killed, but that even with bipartisan support, a proposed law just doesnt get a hearing, it just doesnt get the attention that it needs.

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The real reason for the hesitance to pass these laws, as Reiss sees it, the a broad disregard for women throughout American politics.

This is based on my observation, but legislators simply do not prioritize girls issues, she says. Passing the laws costs nothing and harms no one, except predators who prey on children. The only thing I can think of is misogyny, rather than this organized pushback that you would think would be the reason that 34 states still havent done this.

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State Bank of India (SBI) received two prestigious accolades from Global Finance, New York at the Global Finance Award Ceremony held during the World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings 2025: World''s Best Consumer Bank 2025 and Best Bank in India 2025. The SBI said in a release that this dual recognition reinforces SBI''s position as a global banking leader committed to innovation, financial inclusion, and customer excellence. The awards acknowledge the bank''s success in delivering world-class banking experiences to its extensive customer base while maintaining technological leadership and expanding services across India''s diverse geographic landscape, SBI added. Challa Sreenivasulu Setty, Group Chairman, State Bank of India, commented on the recognition, "We are deeply honoured by Global Finance''s recognition of SBI''s daily commitment to excellence. Serving 520 million customers and adding 65,000 new customers daily requires significant investment in technology and digitalisation. As a ''Digital First, Consumer First'' bank, our flagship mobile application serves over 100 million customers, with 10 million daily active users." State Bank of India is the largest commercial bank in terms of assets, deposits, branches, customers, and employees. It is also one of the largest mortgage lenders in the country, which has so far fulfilled the home-buying dreams of around 30 lakh Indian families. The home loan portfolio of the bank has crossed Rs 8.5 lakh crore. As of June 2025, the bank has a deposit base of over Rs 54.73 lakh crore with CASA ratio of 39.36 per cent and advances of more than Rs 42.54 lakh crore. Ranked as the 4th most trustworthy bank in the world by Newsweek, SBI commands a market share of 27.7 per cent and 19.03 per cent in home loans and auto loans respectively. SBI has the largest network of 22,980 branches and 62,200 ATMs/ADWMs in India, with more than 76,800 BC outlets. The number of customers using internet banking stands at 14.2 crores. With SBI''s digital strategy right on track, the bank witnessed 66 per cent of new savings accounts being opened through the integrated digital and lifestyle platform YONO in Q1 FY26. YONO, which has more than 9.04 crore registered users, witnessed 27.4 lakh new YONO registrations in Q1FY26. In terms of digital lending, the bank disbursed pre-approved personal loans worth Rs 1,791 crores through YONO during Q1 FY26. (ANI)
Democrats on Thursday blocked legislation proposed by a conservative Republican senator to pay some federal workers, like the military, during the government shutdown, which they argued would let President Donald Trump pick and choose who does or does not get a paycheck.

The Senate voted 54-45 on legislation introduced by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.) to pay excepted federal workers  those who must keep working even while no checks are being cut  on the 23rd day of the government shutdown.

Democratic Sens. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, as well as Georgias Democratic Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, all in up-for-grabs seats, voted with Republicans, while Senate Majority Leader John Thune  seeing that the bill would not pass  changed his vote to no to allow the measure to be reintroduced in the future.

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But most Democratic senators took issue with the fact that the legislation would allow only for excepted federal employees as defined by the Office of Personnel Management to be paid during the shutdown.

I would call it the, Let the President Decide who he feels Like Paying Act, Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) told The Independent after the vote.

Would you trust Russ Vought to decide who gets paid and who doesn't get paid? Sen. Mark Warner (D-Virg.) told The Independent. The law is everybody ought to get paid. (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the legislation on the floor.

That's not the way you govern, he said ahead of the vote. But that seems to be the way that Trump seems to govern. Our bill is an antidote to that awful way that Trump uses, when he picks winners and losers that he likes and hates.

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Throughout the shutdown, Democrats have pointed out how Trump has allowed Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought to determine which projects to cancel and whether to lay off federal workers. Just this week, Trump compared Vought to Darth Vader.

Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) repeated the sentiment as he represents numerous federal employees.

Would you trust Russ Vought to decide who gets paid and who doesn't get paid? Warner told The Independent. The law is everybody ought to get paid.

Democrats attempted to put forward their own legislation sponsored by Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) to pay all federal workers, but that legislation was blocked.

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Van Hollen said he and Johnson began speaking after the votes ended about coming to an agreement.

Federal employees have not been fired in any previous shutdowns, whether they're Democratic administrations or Republican administrations, and so we want that protection, Van Hollen said.

Johnson seemed optimistic about future opportunities to pass the bill.

Ive been twisting arms, but we'll see, he told The Independent.

The vote came as Democrats continue to block a stopgap continuing resolution to reopen the government as they hope to have Republicans renew enhanced tax credits for the Affordable Care Acts health insurance marketplace.

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So far, the president has rebuffed Democrats. Just this week, he said he would not meet with Schumer or House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries until the the government reopened.

Prior to the vote, Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) suggested that if the vote failed, Republicans should entertain getting rid of the filibuster. Afterward, he said Republicans should consider it.

Everybody's gonna do some soul searching to see what we really want to do, he told The Independent. The freshman suggested that Republicans change the rules to allow for a filibuster threshold to be lowered to 55 votes instead of 60 and stipulate it could not be used to raise taxes or spending.

But that's a new guy's point of view, he said. There's plenty of guys that are smarter and been here a long, a long time, that they have other points of view.
NEW YORK (PIX11)  It isnt often that you see Republican mayoral nominee Curtis Sliwa without his red beret.

Its the iconic symbol of the Guardian Angels  a nonprofit aimed at curbing violent crime with volunteer patrols in New York City. Sliwa founded the organization in 1979 and remains its president today.

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Instead of relying on others to resolve a community issue, the Guardian Angels help people recognize that they should be turning to themselves. Together, those willing to fight for one another are most capable of solving their communitys problems, Sliwa said in a statement posted to the organizations website.

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Volunteers are trained in patrolling, mental health empowerment and homeless outreach, according to the Guardian Angels guidelines. Theyre also taught about the legal requirements of making a citizens arrest.

Volunteers are required to wear the red beret and jacket when patrolling. It cannot be worn outside of official Guardian Angels events or patrolling, according to the groups guidelines.

The training period lasts around three months, with the option of a promotion to a Safety Patrol Member by passing two exams.

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For more information on the Guardian Angels, click here.

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Sliwa is expected to participate in the final mayoral debate on Wednesday night.

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.

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San Francisco slipped down to the lowest office return rate in the nation in September, compared to 2019, according to cell phone data from Placer.AI. That's despite the city leading the country in office-return growth in the past 12 months.

The city briefly exceeded Los Angeles and Denver for return to office numbers in July, as well as Chicago in August, but is now behind all three, with office visits 40.2% below 2019 levels.

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At the same time, office visits in San Francisco have grown 19% year-over-year, the highest rate in the country and outpacing the 13% national rate, which was attributed to the artificial intelligence boom.

"San Francisco ranked last among the markets we evaluated for the Office Index despite being ahead in previous months. This shift is due to both normal month-to-month fluctuations and a recent recalibration of our index, which added 300 new properties (nationally) and removed buildings that no longer met our criteria due to renovation or repurposing," said R.J. Hottovy, Head of Analytical Research at Placer.ai.

Employees work in the administration offices of McGuire and Hester in Alameda, in April. (Laura Morton/Special to The Chronicle)





A similar dynamic is occurring in the apartment market: Rents shot up in the past year at the highest rate in the nation, yet San Francisco's rents are still below 2019's peak levels, according to data from Apartment List.

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"While San Francisco's overall recovery still lags other markets, the encouraging year-over-year increase in visits - driven by AI-driven demand - is a positive sign," Hottovy said.

The low office ranking underscores the city's tectonic shift in work habits since the pandemic, with hybrid work appearing to be the new normal. Along with three days in the office becoming increasingly common, San Francisco's office market is also grappling with a stubbornly high vacancy rate around 35%, near a record high. And the city had around 50,000 fewer residents as of 2024 compared to 2020's peak level, according to the latest available census data. However, some AI startups are embracing "996" schedules where employees work 12 hour days, six days a week.

Employees of Bright Machines work in the company's office in San Francisco, in April. In September, the city's offices had the lowest percentage of workers returned, compared to 2019, in the nation. (Laura Morton/Special to The Chronicle)





Those drop-offs have also led to a major drop in sales tax, an indicator of consumer spending, across much of the city and particularly downtown, matching the decline in office foot traffic.

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Placer.ai uses anonymized cell phone data to measure employee visits to offices. A different metric, Kastle System's badge swipes at buildings it manages, has also ranked San Francisco at the bottom for return to office in the past few years.

In contrast, the city with the highest return to office rate in September was Miami - once hyped as a Silicon Valley alternative but a city with a much smaller tech industry - with office visits 7.6% below 2019, according to Placer.ai.

This article originally published at Why S.F. has both the worst and best national trends for office return.
His own Labour Party may no longer worship him, but in one small corner of the world, the cult of Tony Blair still reigns supreme. Kosovo, the tiny Balkans nation, has never forgotten his support during their war with Serbia, and to this day he remains a hero, with streets, squares and even children named after him.

Now, a quarter of a century on, Kosovo seems poised to return a favour for Blairs successor, Sir Keir Starmer. On Wednesday, its prime minister, Albin Kurti, announced that Kosovo would become the first country to accept rejected asylum seekers under Labours plans for migrant return hubs, where potentially thousands of failed claimants would be housed.

In what Downing Street hopes may spell an end to the small boats crisis, Kurti said Kosovo would be willing to host migrants whose legal bids for asylum had been exhausted. The deal would not be purely altruistic  Kosovo would receive millions for its trouble. But speaking during a summit of Balkans leaders in London, Kurti said he also wanted to help an old friend in need.

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Of course, we want, as a country, to benefit, he said. But we consider it, first and foremost, our obligation to help you, because you helped us a great deal and we will never forget that.

News of the potential deal comes after a bruising year for Labour on border policy. Home Office figures show nearly 37,000 people have crossed the Channel in small boats so far this year  more arrivals than in the entirety of 2024.

On Wednesday, it was also reported that a migrant sent back to France under Starmers much-vaunted one in, one out scheme had returned to Britain on a small boat.

Indeed, until Kurtis intervention, the return-hub scheme itself seemed to be floundering. In June, Albanian prime minister Edi Rama abruptly ruled out hosting one, accusing Britain of trying to look for places to dump immigrants.

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But despite Kosovos willingness to play ball, doubts about the schemes viability have already been voiced here in Britain, on both sides of the political divide. Critics on the Right see it as a watered-down version of the Tories Rwanda deportation scheme, which Starmer declared dead and buried on taking power. And human rights groups insist it is inhumane, and expect it to be stopped by legal challenges.

Despite Kurtis professed goodwill, there is also scepticism over whether Kosovo  a war-scarred nation of just 1.5 million  could absorb failed asylum seekers in sufficient numbers.

This really just sounds like a mini-version of the Rwanda scheme, and if thats what they want I suggest they revert to the original, says Alp Mehmet, chairman of the think tank Migration Watch UK. We are 15 months in now from Starmer saying hed smash the trafficking gangs, but nothing much has really happened.

So how would the Kosovo plan work? Details of the scheme are as yet unclear, and the Home Office did not respond yesterday to The Telegraphs request for clarification. But the hubs would likely consist of holding centres for failed asylum claimants, who for various reasons cannot be deported to their countries of origin. These typically include nationals from Afghanistan, Syria, Somalia, Sudan and Iran, where migrants may plausibly claim a risk of persecution if sent home. Arrivals from such countries make up roughly half of all small-boat cases.

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But even if it made no more than a dent in the asylum caseload, which saw a record 110,000 new applications in the year to June, ministers hope the return-hub scheme would send a message that failed asylum seekers would not be able to linger in Britain  potentially helping to undermine the trafficking gangs business model.

The Government has already spent months exploring the options for facilities in the Balkans, with then home secretary Yvette Cooper first raising it with the United Nations refugee agency in March. The region is itself a major transit route for illegal migrants, many of whom end up on cross-Channel smuggling boats.

In an attempt to boost cooperation with local law enforcement, Britain has already dispatched border security officers to the Balkans to help with training on drones and biometric technology designed to monitor migrant traffic. But so far, there has been a lukewarm take-up for requests to host return hubs, which have also been discussed with Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Bosnia.

Bosnia has ruled out coming to any such agreement, as has Montenegro, whose prime minister, Milojko Spajic, was also at this weeks Balkans summit in London. He said  perhaps half-jokingly  that his price for participation would be Britain ploughing 10bn (870m) into Montenegros railways. That is roughly 12 times the 700m that the Tories spent setting up the Rwanda scheme.

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But Kurti  a Left-leaning social democrat imprisoned by Serbia during the war  said his officials were now well into talks about hosting a hub. While his country had limited capacity, he said, it felt a political duty to Britain, which helped organise the 1999 Nato bombing against Serbian dictator Slobodan Milosevics forces. In exchange for acting as a return hub, Kurti said, Kosovo would also expect enhanced security support from Britain to counter Serb threats.

The scheme bears similarities to one already proposed between Italy and Albania  which, despite saying it would not be a dumping ground for failed migrants to Britain, struck a deal in 2023 with prime minister Giorgia Meloni to host 30,000 asylum seekers intercepted in the Mediterranean.

Home Office figures show nearly 37,000 people have crossed the Channel in small boats so far this year  more arrivals than in the entirety of 2024 - Gareth Fuller/PA

Under the Italian deal  projected to cost 550m over five years  Albania earmarked a former air base to house migrants from countries that Rome has already listed as safe, such as Bangladesh and Egypt, while their asylum claims are processed.

Despite his reservations about return hubs in general, Mr Rama agreed to Melonis proposal because of Italys support for Albania after the collapse of its Stalinist regime in 1991. So far, however, the Albanian facilities have remained largely empty after legal challenges in both the Italian courts and Strasbourg, which has queried Romes definition of what counts as a safe country.

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The Kosovo hub scheme is different from Britains previous Rwanda plan in that, under the latter, migrants arriving on small boats would not have even been allowed to lodge an asylum claim. Instead, they were to be removed to Rwanda and offered the option to live, work and settle there. However, like the Rwanda scheme, the Kosovo one could face legal challenges, according to Tony Smith, the former director general of the UK Border Force.

The courts would have to be satisfied that anyone sent to Kosovo would be properly looked after if they were in detention centres. But its also not clear what would happen to them long-term, he says. Would there be a plan for them to stay there, with access to jobs, housing and welfare support? Can Kosovo offer that? And if so, might integration create social tensions in a country unused to immigrants from Africa or the Middle East?

Also, what would there be to stop the migrants from simply trying to make their way to Britain again? Id also imagine Kosovo would also expect a huge whack from Britain to do all this, which may not guarantee value for money in terms of taxpayers cash.

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Migrant routes through Balkans

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Smith adds that, for it to function properly, the scheme would need a detailed Rwanda-style treaty, allowing migrants to stay indefinitely and obtain work. Sending people to Rwanda sounded terrible given the genocide in the 1990s, but todays its like post-war Germany in the 1970s  the economy has picked up, and its far safer. If the UK Government really wants to do whatever it takes to stop the boats, they should eat humble pie and resurrect the Rwanda plan now.

Legal challenges might also question whether Kosovo is a sufficiently safe and prosperous place for asylum seekers to settle in. While it is still one of Europes poorest nations, it is classed as an upper-middle income economy by World Bank standards. The capital, Pristina, is bustling and modern; tensions with Serbia are confined to certain enclaves.

Nonetheless, Steve Valdez Symonds, Amnesty International UKs refugee and migrants rights programme director, says human rights groups would oppose the agreement on principle. This means rich countries like the UK effectively passing on their asylum responsibilities to poorer ones, he says. I would expect it will face legal challenge  at Amnesty, we already have concerns about the conditions for people detained in Kosovo as it is.

As it happens, Kosovos detention facilities have already had the seal of approval from Denmark, which, in 2021, signed a scheme to allow 300 non-EU convicts to serve their sentences there, addressing Denmarks prison overcrowding problem. But the scheme is not expected to start until 2027, while Denmark coughs up 200m  six times the Kosovar ministry of justices annual budget  to refurbish a Kosovan jail.

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That suggests that Kurti may also seek hefty payment from Britain. And with the returns hub likely to involve thousands of people, rather than just a few hundred, the cost could be very large indeed  as well as taking possibly years to set up. Generous as Kosovos offer to help an old friend might seem, it may not be enough to bail Starmer out of his small-boats crisis.

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LANGSTON  The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education say the Oklahomas Promise scholarship program will cost a record $88.1 million next year.

Oklahomas Promise allows students from families meeting certain income and academic requirements to earn a college or technology center tuition scholarship. State regents estimate 17,107 students are receiving an Oklahomas Promise scholarship this school year, and expect 18,355 students to be part of the program in 2026-27.

The record cost will be in good part because of a new law that opened the program to children of classroom teachers who have at least 10 years of experience. The cost is expected to increase by 5.8% from the current year.

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State regents will vote on whether to approve the cost estimate when the board meets Thursday, Oct. 23 at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond. The board, which oversees 25 public colleges and universities, also met Wednesday at Langston University.

Once approved by the board, the cost of Oklahomas Promise will be reported to the state Board of Equalization, which determines how much money the state has available to be appropriated by the Legislature.

The Legislature used to fund Oklahomas Promise before allocating funding to other state agencies and programs, but after a change made in 2024, lawmakers now include the funding for the program as part of the general appropriation to the state agency.

State regents will publicly discuss their budget request during Thursdays meeting at UCO. According to the Oklahoma Houses online Budget Transparency Portal, regents have asked for $1.098 billion in funding for the entire agency for the next fiscal year, matching what they were appropriated for the current fiscal year.

Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education meeting at Langston University, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025.

Students are eligible to enroll in Oklahoma's Promise if the adjusted gross income of the student's parents does not exceed $60,000 per year for parents who have one or two dependent children, $70,000 per year for parents who have three or four dependent children, or $80,000 per year for parents who have five or more dependent children.

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The program will expand to cover the children of certain teachers under House Bill 1727, which passed earlier in 2025. School administrators and teachers with emergency certification werent included in the legislation, which was authored by Oklahoma House Speaker Pro Tempore Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, and state Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond.

The increase in scholarship expenditures for the program comes after a steady drop in costs from the 2017-18 school year through the 2022-23 school year, from $72.2 million to $62.5 million  about 13%. Regents staff said two primary factors contributed to those savings  the implementation of financial reforms approved by the Legislature in 2017, and an increase in the number of state-system colleges and universities that did not raise tuition.

But the programs scholarship expenditures crept up to $66.6 million for the 2023-24 school year and leapt to an estimated $83.2 million for the current school year.

Formerly known as the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program, Oklahomas Promise was created in 1992 by the Legislature. In 2007, lawmakers passed a bill to provide a dedicated funding process to ensure stable financial support for the program. By law, state regents have to provide the funding estimate for the upcoming year to the State Board of Equalization by Nov. 1.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma's Promise scholarship program is expanding under new law
Utilities tend not to be big fans of rooftop solar, which eats into their revenues by reducing customer reliance on the power grid. A new Ohio lawsuit spotlights the tension between utilities and customers over the clean-energy technology.

The case deals with a monthly charge imposed by the city of Bowling Greens municipal utility on its few customers with solar panels on their rooftops. Customers who use batteries to store surplus solar power pay even more.

Residents Leatra Harper and Steven Jansto claim the charge, which for them amounts to roughly $56 per month, is an unlawful tax or penalty. When combined with the citys partial payment for power fed back into the grid, it almost doubles the payback period for their $37,000 solar system, the couple said.

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The city argues the fee is needed to make sure other customers dont subsidize those with rooftop solar. As households that produce some of their own electricity buy less from the utility, they pay less for fixed costs built into its retail rates, such as staffing, grid equipment, and maintenance. The utility would then look to other customers to make up the difference.

The situation echoes cost-shift arguments that have dogged rooftop solar around the nation. It could also be a preview of a statewide battle to come as the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio gears up to review and revise its net-metering rules, which determine how solar owners are compensated for the energy they send to the grid. Municipal utilities like Bowling Green are not subject to these rules, but the dynamics around the fairness of rooftop solar rates are similar in either case.

For their part, Harper and Jansto installed rooftop solar panels and battery storage at their home in 2019 and 2020 with hopes of lowering their electric bills and cutting their carbon footprint. The investment will eventually pay for itself because they now buy less electricity from the utility while getting some credit for excess fed back to the grid.

We could get to near net-zero with a cost up front, but with a payback, said Harper, who is managing director of the FreshWater Accountability Project, an environmental group.



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Residential solar doesnt just help those who invest in it.

Rooftop solar helps to provide electricity locally. It reduces overall demand, said Mryia Williams, Ohio program director for the nonprofit group Solar United Neighbors. That means less wasted energy because the power doesnt need to travel as far as imported electrons, and it lowers stress on the transmission system as climate change exacerbates extreme weather and energy demand grows.

Energy fed into the grid from homeowners renewable energy systems can save other customers money, too.

The highest demand periods on the grid tend to coincide with times when residential solar power is producing at its peak, said Tony Dutzik, an associate director and senior policy analyst for the Frontier Group, a sustainability-focused think tank. Those tend to be the times that utilities spend the most money to provide power for their customers.

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The health and environmental benefits of rooftop solar are pretty obvious, especially when excess energy offsets purchases from inefficient gas-fueled peaker plants, Dutzik continued. Less consumption of fossil fuels lowers greenhouse gas emissions and other pollution that is linked to multiple illnesses and more than 8 million deaths per year worldwide  problems that could worsen in the U.S. as the Trump administration rolls back climate policy.

Whats fair?

Policymakers have oftentimes undervalued the benefits that rooftop solar can bring, and when you fail to really account for the benefits, you tend to wind up in the situation where people think its not fair, Dutzik said.

Along those lines, Brian OConnell, utilities director for Bowling Green, said via email that the city adopted its $4-per-kilowatt monthly charge for installed renewable capacity to ensure rooftop solar customers were paying for the electric service they were receiving, and that the rooftop solar customers were not being subsidized by non-solar customers.

The rationale resembles an argument promoted by ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council, since 2014. The Center for Media and Democracy has long criticized the group for coddling the fossil-fuel industry while working to suppress the vote and stifle dissent.

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Consumer advocates and some academics have made similar cases in California, whose solar capacity leads the nation for both rooftop and overall.

But Harper and Jansto were surprised when they learned Bowling Green adopted its Rider E charge roughly six months after work on their homes renewable energy system wrapped up.

The utility had seemed friendly toward solar: Its website touts the significant share of its power that comes from renewables. Yet while the city aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it does have a long-term take-or-pay contract to get about half of its electricity from the Prairie State coal plant in Illinois.

Legal and constitutional claims in the couples Sept. 19 complaint include unlawful and irrational discrimination. The City of Bowling Green filed its answer on Oct. 14, denying liability and asserting governmental immunity and other defenses.

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OConnell said the $4/kW rate for the charge resulted from a cost-of-service analysis by the municipal utilitys consultant, Sawvel & Associates. The city charges a general retail rate of about 13 cents per kilowatt-hour for any electricity it sells to customers. However, it credits rooftop solar owners just 7.5 cents per kilowatt-hour for whatever they supply to the grid.

OConnell responded to Canary Medias request for information about how the Rider E rate was calculated by sharing two spreadsheets. Each lists total savings or costs for the utility from a rooftop solar customers energy production, including what the utility saves by not paying other sources for capacity, transmission, and wholesale energy when customers feed excess power onto the grid.

But the documents dont detail how the utility spends the solar surcharge. Its unclear whether the rooftop solar fees are helping pay for the Prairie State coal plant: OConnells response to Canary Medias question merely noted the city still has to purchase energy from the electric market.

Harper and Janstos case will move through legal motions and pretrial fact-finding, called discovery, during the coming months. Meanwhile, advocates worry about the broader questions the case raises.

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We can look at it both ways with whos supporting whom whenever rooftop solar is installed, said Williams of Solar United Neighbors. In her view, its hard to believe that its some sort of subsidized rate, especially if solar customers get only partial credit for letting others use their excess energy.

Ultimately, Dutzik said, rate systems still should not discourage people from investing in renewable energy for their homes. Indeed, if high fees delay recovery of investments for too long, fewer people are going to get solar, Dutzik said. And that is going to drive up costs for other consumers.


In September, Pakistan launched its first-ever national human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine campaign, aiming to immunise more than 13 million girls aged nine to 14 in its first phase.

HPV is the most common cause of cervical cancer, which kills eight Pakistani women every day, according to Dr Dapeng Luo, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Pakistan. The United Nations health agency has set a goal of eradicating cervical cancer globally by 2030.

But the vaccine has met resistance in Pakistan, as conspiracy theories about inoculations have circulated.

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Here is more about what HPV is, how it causes cervical cancer, and why the vaccine rollout in Pakistan has faced a backlash.

What is HPV and what are the symptoms?

HPV is a common group of viruses that enter the body via skin-to-skin contact, typically through a cut or abrasion.

There are more than 100 types of HPV, and they are often spread through sexual contact. Infection can be hard to identify because many people who have contracted an HPV have no symptoms at all, and it can take many years for cancer to develop.

Some types of the virus eventually cause warts on the genitals or other parts of the body. These may appear flat or bumpy.

How does HPV cause cervical cancer?

More than 95 percent of the 660,000 cervical cancer cases recorded each year worldwide are caused by HPV, according to the WHO. In Pakistan, more than 5,000 new cases of cervical cancer are reported every year, it said.

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Some strains of HPV can cause different types of cancer, such as cervical cancer, vulvar cancer or vaginal cancer. However, cervical cancer typically develops 20 years after the onset of the HPV infection.

While the bodys immune system can clear away many strains of HPV within two years of infection, certain strains are more persistent. When the bodys immune system is unable to fight off the more persistent HPV strains, the virus interferes with normal cell growth, causing cells to become abnormal and potentially leading to a pre-cancerous state. If this is left untreated, cancer can develop.

Sufferers of cervical cancer do not experience symptoms in its early stages. Hence, women aged 30 to 65 are advised to have a pap smear every three years, according to the Mayo Clinic.

How have vaccines been rolled out in Pakistan?

Pakistans HPV vaccine campaign began on September 15. While the first phase was scheduled to run until September 27, it was later extended to October 1.

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Some 49,000 government health workers  all women  have been trained by the WHO to administer the vaccines across the country. The WHO and Pakistans government partnered to conduct this training with funding support from GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, a public-private partnership that works to improve access to immunisations.

In advance of the first phase, vaccine centres were set up in public buildings such as schools. Health workers also went door-to-door to administer the HPV vaccine.

A single dose of Cecolin, an HPV vaccine developed in China, was administered free of charge. While most HPV vaccines require either two or three doses, WHO confirmed in October last year that Cecolin could be used as a single dose.

In the first phase of the rollout in Pakistan, girls between the ages of nine and 14 from Sindh, Punjab, Pakistan-administered Kashmir and the Islamabad Capital Territory received the single-dose vaccine.

A health worker gives an injection of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to a girl during a campaign aiming to protect girls from cervical cancer, at a school in Lahore, Pakistan [KM Chaudary/AP]

Pakistans federal health minister, Syed Mustafa Kamal, said at a launch ceremony for the vaccine on September 16 in Islamabad, I urge all parents to ensure their daughters and sisters are vaccinated. Do not fall prey to negative campaigns. This vaccine is safe, effective and essential for protecting our girls.

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Kamal told Al Jazeera that when the vaccine campaign started, there was a lot of criticism and scepticism towards it. A few unknown people had spread some fake videos and fake information.

He said that during the first four days of the campaign, the response to the vaccine was negative. The refusals were very high, so much so that there are schools which had committed before [to serve as vaccination centres], but refused our workers entry into the school.

On the fifth day, Kamal got his own daughter publicly vaccinated during a ceremony at the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) office in Karachi. During the event, Kamal told journalists: I have never brought my family into the public eye in my 30-year political career. But to put an end to these baseless rumours, I have taken this step.

He said that after this, the refusals went down and acceptances went up. He added that this upward trend of acceptance and vaccine administration continued till the end of the campaign.

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It was noticed that after clarifying rumours, people started to get vaccine. Especially, schools were requesting to send teams as parents were agreeing to get their daughters vaccinated, Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, the health minister of Sindh province, told Al Jazeera in a written statement.

The initial reluctance is why, she said, the vaccination campaign was extended by four days.

What is Cecolin?

The Cecolin vaccine does not contain the live HPV virus. Instead, it contains recombinant L1 capsid proteins, laboratory-made proteins that mimic the outer shell of the virus but do not have any viral DNA and therefore cannot cause infection.

Other countries have used the US-manufactured Gardasil HPV vaccine, which also does not contain the live HPV virus and contains recombinant L1 capsid proteins.

Why is the vaccine only being given to girls aged nine to 14?

The government says that this particular age group of girls was selected per the recommendations of the WHOs National Immunisation Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs), responsible for providing evidence-based recommendations for immunisation.

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As per WHO, the immune response generated by the body after the vaccine jab is maximum at this age of 9-14 years, and the child gets the best and long-term protection. Hence, this particular age group, Pechuho said.

Currently, the vaccine is available free of cost for 9-14-year-old girls only. There have been talks at the federal ministry level to make this vaccine available commercially so others [boys, women and teenage girls, etc] can benefit, as well.

What do recipients of the vaccine say about it?

In September, Sana Ali Manzoor and her husband  who say they are strongly in favour of vaccinations for their children  took their 11-year-old daughter to be vaccinated at her private school campus in Karachi after school hours. The whole process took about 20 minutes.

Manzoor said she heard about the vaccine rollout via a mobile application operated by her daughters school, Haque Academy, which is located in the upmarket neighbourhood of Defence Housing Authority. Parents were invited to register on the mobile app and accompany their children for the vaccination.

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Manzoor, a lactation specialist who supports new mothers, said approximately 30-40 other children were also present when her daughter received her vaccination.

So we went to school, and there were two or three tables set up. The health workers were there. They first checked if our name was on the list. After that, we went and got the vaccination done. And then right after that, there was a manual card entry filling that was done, then they gave us the card.

She described the process as very organised. Manzoor says she was encouraged by friends, including a paediatrician and a gynaecologist, to get the HPV vaccine for her daughter. She has also had her children vaccinated against chickenpox, which she travelled to Dubai to get.

How successful has the vaccination drive been so far?

The rollout has not hit its target, authorities say  though they insist that despite this, the campaign counts as a success.

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Around 13 million girls were supposed to be vaccinated in the first phase of the HPV vaccine campaign. So far, 9.2 million have been vaccinated, which is 78 percent of the total target, Pechuho said.

In the southern province of Sindh, the estimated target for the HPV campaign was 4,081,279 girls. Sixty-six percent of the total target was reached, with 2,674,210 girls vaccinated.

The low take-up is down to a general hesitancy towards vaccines in Pakistani society, experts say. Compounding this, specific concerns about the HPV vaccine have been fuelled by misinformation, particularly online.

Will others get the vaccine?

The vaccine will eventually roll out to other provinces, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2026, and Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan in 2027. The government has not yet announced when the next phase will begin.

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Every age girl will be vaccinated periodically, Kamal, the federal minister, said. He added that the government hopes to vaccinate boys and men against HPV once girls and women have been vaccinated.

What is driving vaccine hesitancy in Pakistan?

While vaccine hesitancy is a global phenomenon, in Pakistan it was aggravated by the CIAs use of a fake hepatitis B vaccination campaign in Pakistans Abbottabad as cover for a manhunt for fugitive al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

The vaccine campaign, carried out in collaboration with a local doctor, was used to covertly collect blood samples to find links to bin Laden and his family. The plan was to compare the DNA of any of bin Ladens children to that of his sister, who had died in Boston in 2010. The al-Qaeda leader was eventually killed in a military operation in Abbottabad by US Marines in 2011.

It was never revealed whether the CIA obtained any DNA from bin Ladens family. However, news outlets at the time said that one source suggested the operation had not succeeded. In 2014, the White House promised that the CIA would never again use a false vaccination campaign for espionage. However, mistrust towards vaccines persisted.

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This was apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic, when vaccines were free, but according to a recent study, 30 percent of people in Pakistan did not want to get vaccinated. An opinion piece, co-written by a Pakistani doctor and published on the website of GAVI, said: Misconceptions that the [COVID] vaccine could lead to infertility, death or be tied into shadowy foreign agendas circulated rapidly through social media and community gossip.

Manzoor said she has herself noticed anti-vaxxer sentiment among some of her clients. She recalled advising a young mother not to bring her unvaccinated newborn into her house, explaining that it is not a sterile environment. The young mother responded, Its fine, we dont believe in such things.

What are the specific concerns about the HPV vaccine?

The HPV vaccine has faced especially heated pushback in Pakistan.

Some argue that, as HPV is a sexually transmitted infection, it is not required in Pakistan, where consensual sex before marriage is not only culturally frowned upon, but is also illegal.

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A Pakistani user wrote on X, Cerv. Cancer is spread via Sexual contact which is NOT IN PAKISTAN for 9-14 year old  only in west.

Another user wrote, referring to the vaccine, its common in societies where women has multiple sex partners!

Manzoor said that she had her daughter vaccinated because, to her, it made sense to ensure that her daughter remains safe from the virus.

Its not even about being sexually active, its even about, God forbid, molestation. Its not always consensual, Manzoor said.

In 2023, Islamabad-based NGO Sahil reported that, on average, one child was sexually abused every two hours in Pakistan. According to the World Population Review, 5,867 rape cases were reported in Pakistan in 2023.

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Another conspiracy theory circulating online is that the HPV vaccine causes infertility. There is no evidence to support this claim. Pakistan, with a population in excess of 250 million, is the fifth most populous country in the world, according to World Population Review. While birthrates in the country have declined, much like the rest of the world, Pakistans current birthrate is 3.32, well above the replacement rate of 2.1 required to maintain current populations.

In May 2020, a peer-reviewed US study found no evidence of increased infertility among women who received the HPV vaccine. However, this study was conducted in the US, and the sample was inoculated with a different vaccine  Gardasil.

Other rumours, along with pictures and videos, have spread online. A video which attracted more than 340,000 views on X this year shows girls in school uniforms collapsing, with the caption asserting that these girls became sick after forced vaccinations.

In fact, the video was filmed last year and shows a scene in which police are clashing with protesters over electricity taxes in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Tear gas shells fired by the police are what caused the girls at the school to collapse.

Is the HPV vaccine safe?

The vaccine has an excellent safety profile. It has been around for almost two decades now. It doesnt contain any virus, but the active component is the HPV L1 protein, Pechuho said.

In an assessment of Cecolin published last year, the WHO said that the vaccine was safe and showed a good immunogenicity.

It can cause a few mild side effects, Pechucho said. Most common side effects are related to any other vaccine, like fever, pain at the injection site and, rarely, allergic reactions, he said.

Kamal too insisted that the most common side effect is a fever, which subsides in a day or two with the help of over-the-counter medicines.

People used to die of diseases like polio and tuberculosis. Theyre not dying today because we now have vaccines. People are not dying of COVID because we have vaccines. The world has moved to prevention, Kamal said.

The point of an effective healthcare system is to prevent people from becoming patients. And people will be safe from becoming patients when they take preventative measures and get their children vaccinated.
SYDNEY, Australia  Utah Gov. Spencer Cox is the undisputed public face of the ongoing World Trade Center Utah trade mission to New Zealand and Australia  meeting with ranking foreign leaders, speaking at an international mining conference and joining a Friday ribbon cutting for a major Sydney-based clean-tech company.

The 80-delegate trade mission is aptly dubbed: The Governors Trade Mission.

But Cox is just one of many elected and state officials representing Utah thousands of miles from home this week.

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And with the federal government back home in shutdown stasis, many here say the sizable team of Utah public servants is functioning as a de-facto emissary for the United States.

Counted among the trade mission delegates are several Republican lawmakers and folks from Coxs Cabinet.

Each of the state officials  whether elected or appointed  have specific reasons for joining the trade mission. Northern Utahs Rep. Karen Peterson, R-Clinton, for example, has a local interest in Hill Air Force Base, so shes been joining the trade missions aerospace and defense track throughout the week.

But the private businesses involved in Utahs New Zealand/Australia trade mission say that the presence of Cox and the other state officials sends reassuring signals to their would-be Oceania partners that Utah is a friendly, bureaucracy-lite place to do business.

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The relationships that weve created, and the number of doors that weve already opened, is a benefit of having the governor here, Jefferson Moss, the executive director of the Governors Office of Economic Opportunity, told the Deseret News on the trade missions penultimate evening.

Gov. Cox opens a lot of doors  just by the nature of his position in the state of Utah and how Utah has done so well with our economy.

Moss noted that the sheer size and weight of the Utah trade delegation attests to the states commitment to fostering business development, worldwide.

And, he added, investment-minded businesses in New Zealand and Australia are drawn to Utahs stability at a moment of global and American volatility.

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With the things that are happening in the federal government and the things theyre seeing in other states, having a state that can move fast and with the right regulatory framework is critical.

Moss calls World Trade Center Utah an essential partner in facilitating such trade tours because of the resources they bring in terms of connections.

Utah lawmakers network with delegates from the Utah business community at an Auckland event during the 2025 World Trade Center Utah Trade Mission to New Zealand and Australia. | Jason Swensen, Deseret News

Utah lawmakers: Opening doors on foreign shores

Utah State Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, said theres a defining motivation behind the state-supported trade missions: Helping Utah businesses.

Oftentimes, globally-minded Utah businesses are unable to secure appointments in foreign countries unless they are accompanied by a government official or two.

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Their protocol is different from what we have in Utah, Adams told the Deseret News. So we open the door for our businesses to be able to get into places they wouldnt otherwise be able to get to.

Many foreign businesses, he added, have no experience interacting with lawmakers. So in-country relationship-building instills comfort and fosters long-term interest.

Lastly, Adams said hes following a civic impulse to promote the free world across the globe at a moment when authoritarian governments such as China are angling for influence.

If you believe in a democratic republic, like we have in the United States, we ought to be helping other democratic republics and building relationships with them  whether we do business with them or not.

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The Senate leader said the world is paying attention to Utah in 2025.

If you want to have a strong economy, you have to have companies outside of the state investing in Utah  and then we have other companies in Utah grow.

Its a two-way street.

Boats navigate harbor in Sydney, Australia  one of the destinations of the 2025 World Trade Center Utah Trade Mission to New Zealand and Australia. | Jason Swensen, Deseret News

Can Utah become a trade Crossroads of the World?

For a Cache County business owner and legislator such as Sen. Chris Wilson, R-Logan, theres perhaps never an ideal time to be thousands of miles away from the job site or his constituents.

But on his own dime, Wilson joined Utahs New Zealand/Australia trade mission. Hes a veteran of such ventures  and adds hes become a witness of their long-term benefits to the Beehive State.

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Were really just trying to promote Utah, said Wilson. There are a number of businesses we think we can get to come to Utah to do business, create jobs and help our economy.

Hes also a big believer in relationship-building. Several of the businesses hes connected with during the ongoing trade mission have burgeoning associations with Utah State University and its Space Dynamics Lab.

There are a lot of ties here that are going to help Cache Valley institutions  and all of Utah, said Wilson.

The senators past experience with World Trade Center trade missions have convinced him of their long-time value. Many countries around the world are recognizing that Utah is a leader in the United States.

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Wilsons Senate colleague and fellow northern Utahn, Sen. Scott Sandall, R-Tremonton, shares Coxs vision that Utah can become the Crossroads of the World for global businesses.

But its essential for the Beehive State to be proactive with efforts such as the New Zealand/Australia trade mission.

If we want our population to grow, if we want places for our kids to be, and if we want good jobs in Utah, we just cant sit back, he told the Deseret News.

Sandall also echoes Adams belief that when Utahs government partners with Utahs businesses, doors across the globe start opening. They can see were serious  it lands legitimacy.

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This weeks critical minerals events in Washington, D.C., linking the United States and Australia, he added, is providing the Utah delegation with captive audiences across the South Pacific.

Quite honestly, Utah sits at a geographical crossroads and a political environment that allows these companies to really, really want to be in Utah  and not just in mining.
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  Wichitas 2025 Veterans Day Parade is coming up Saturday, Nov. 8.

The parade begins at 11 a.m. at Main Street and Central Avenue and will head south to First Street, before moving west to McLean Boulevard, ending at Exploration Place, where an after-parade celebration will take place from 1 to 3 p.m.

Navy career leads to aviation career for Air Capital veteran

The after-parade party will feature food from the Wagonmasters, vendor booths, information for veterans, a car show, music and more. Its free and open to the public.

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This years parade and celebration will honor 250 years of the U.S. armed forces and Warren Richard Pierce, one of the survivors of the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War.

Pierce is one of the Frozen Chosen, a nickname given to U.S. Marines who participated in a brutal 17-day battle while surrounded by 120,000 Chinese troops in temperatures that reached 35 degrees below zero.

There is still time to register to participate in the parade. Registration is free, but the registration form must be completed and returned by Sunday.

You can find the registration form below.

Parade Entry Form 2025Download

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According to an official release, this strategic collaboration aims to create a comprehensive framework enabling startups to access customised banking solutions, credit and funding opportunities, digital and payment infrastructure, and capacity-building programs.

The partnership reinforces DPIIT's commitment to nurturing an innovation-led economy and accelerating India's journey toward becoming a global startup hub, the release added.

Under the MoU, Kotak Mahindra Bank will extend a range of dedicated offerings for DPIIT-recognised startups, including zero-balance current accounts, working capital and term loans, API-based banking platforms, digital payment solutions, and specialised startup cards. The Bank will also facilitate access to mentorship, investment advisory, incubation support, and networking platforms, helping startups progress from ideation to scale.

Speaking on the occasion, Sanjiv, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, said this partnership reflects DPIIT's ongoing efforts to build a vibrant and inclusive innovation ecosystem that empowers startups at every stage of their journey.

"By integrating policy, industry, and finance, we aim to strengthen the bridge between entrepreneurial ambition and sustainable impact, ensuring that India's innovators have the right tools to grow globally."

Raghavendra Singh, President, Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd., stated that the collaboration would facilitate greater engagement with the startup community through customised financial solutions, mentorship programmes, and access to networks that can help founders scale their enterprises effectively.

The initiative will offer a dynamic support system encompassing banking services, advisory, technology enablement, funding access, and market linkages. It is designed to empower startups at every stage of their journey--from early ideation to market expansion.

By combining Kotak's financial expertise and DPIIT's policy leadership, this partnership will accelerate India's transition toward a self-reliant, innovation-driven economy, the release added.(ANI)
WICHITA COUNTY (KFDX/KJTL)  A Wichita County prosecutor could be facing disciplinary sanctions from the State Bar of Texas following a judges ruling on a motion for a new trial.

Brooke Robb, Special Victims Chief for the Wichita County District Attorneys Office, has been prosecuting in Wichita County for several years and has been key in securing several notable convictions for the prosecution.

However, a judges ruling on a motion for a new trial stemming from a case that Robb prosecuted in August 2025 may lead to sanctions against Robb by the State Bar of Texas.

Defense attorneys allegations in motion for new trial

Robb served as the lead prosecutor for the State of Texas during the trial of Allen Bernstein in August 2025. The trial was held in the 30th District Court, with Judge Jeff McKnight presiding.

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At the conclusion of the trial, a Wichita County jury found Bernstein guilty of sexual assault by prohibited sexual contact and later sentenced him to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.

RELATED: Burkburnett man convicted, sentenced for child sex crime

Following the conclusion of the trial, Gant Grimes, Bernsteins defense attorney, gave a written statement to Texomas Homepage on behalf of the defense, criticizing the prosecution for apparently failing to disclose potential Brady evidence during the testimony phase of the trial.

We wanted a different verdict, but the bigger concern is the blatant and willful refusal of the District Attorneys Office to disclose exculpatory evidence and Brady material as required by the Texas Penal Code, the Michael Morton Act, and the Texas Bar ethical rules, Grimes said.

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Grimes later filed a motion for a new trial, claiming, Evidence tending to establish the defendants innocence has been intentionally destroyed or withheld.

The motion was heard in the 30th District Court on Aug. 29, 2025, with Judge Jeff McKnight presiding. After considering all of the evidence and testimony, Judge McKnight released his ruling on Oct. 10, 2025.

What is Brady material?

The potential discipline facing Robb is tied to Brady v. Maryland (1963), an important decision from the U.S. Supreme Court.

The nations highest court ruled that, under the Due Process Clause of the Constitution, prosecutors in criminal trials must disclose all evidence that may support the innocence of an accused person to the defense.

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According to Brady, suppression by the prosecution of evidence favorable to an accused upon request violates due process.

Further, the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure dictates in Article 39.14 that the state shall disclose to the defendant any exculpatory, impeachment, or mitigating document, item, or information in the possession, custody, or control of the state that tends to negate the guilt of the defendant.

Findings in Judge McKnights ruling

According to Judge McKnights ruling, it was found that after the first day of testimony in Bernsteins trial on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, a witness who was set to testify on behalf of the prosecution was interviewed by Robb and an investigator with the District Attorneys Office.

The ruling from Judge McKnight said that while the witness was being interviewed, he disclosed to Robb and the investigator that he lied to the police when he gave his original statement after Bernstein was arrested. The witness also claimed during the interview that the victim in the case told him what to say to the police.

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According to the ruling, just before testimony was set to resume on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, Robb stated that she orally disclosed that the witness had lied to Grimes, later following up that verbal disclosure with an email that was sent at 8:28 a.m. on Aug. 12.

Despite knowing this information on the afternoon of Monday, August 11, 2025, Robb did not make any disclosure to Grimes until the morning of Tuesday, August 12, 2025, Judge McKnights ruling said.

Judge McKnights ruling also stated that Robbs email did not fully disclose the information she learned during the interview. A copy of the email, included in the ruling, showed that only the fact that the witness lied to police was disclosed.

According to the ruling, after review of the record, the statements of counsel throughout the trial, and after evaluating her demeanor and tone, the Court finds that Robb did not verbally disclose that the witness alleged that the victim told him what to say to the police.

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The ruling from Judge McKnight stated that testimony during the hearing on the motion for a new trial revealed that the witness did disclose this information to an investigator with the Wichita County Public Defenders Office prior to the start of Bernsteins trial.

There is no evidence before the Court that Robb had actual knowledge that Defendant or defense counsel/investigator was actually aware of [the witnesses] statements Robb conveyed in her email to Grimes and the statements Robb failed to disclose, the ruling said.

New trial denied, records sent to State Bar of Texas

Judge McKnight ultimately denied Bernsteins request for a new trial.

In light of the uncontroverted evidence before the court that the Defendant, and the investigator for the defense, was informed of the information that was the subject of Robbs undisclosed Brady information prior to the start of trial, Defendant is not entitled to the relief requested, Judge McKnights order said. Therefore, the Court believes it has no choice but to deny Defendants Motion for New Trial.

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Judge McKnight then ordered that a number of documents, including the ruling on Bernsteins motion for a new trial, be sent to the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel for the State Bar of Texas.

The fact remains that [Robb] failed to make a full and complete disclosure required by Brady, Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, and the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Judge McKnights ruling said. Matters related to violations of the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Conduct are better left to the procedures and remedies of the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel for the State Bar of Texas.

Whats next for Robb?

Judge McKnight said in his ruling that the documents are being provided to the State Bar of Texas for that entity to make a determination, through its rules and procedures, as to any violation that Robb may have committed in failing to disclose Brady material during Bernsteins trial.

It will be up to the State Bar of Texas Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel to determine whether or not Robb committed any violation.

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If the Office finds Robb did violate the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, they could impose sanctions on Robb, which may include:

Private reprimand

Public reprimand

Full suspension

Probated suspension

Disbarment

It is unclear what actions, if any, the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel for the State Bar of Texas will take against Robb as of the publication of this story.

Texomas Homepage reached out to the Wichita County District Attorneys Office for a statement regarding the ruling of Judge McKnight. As of the publication of this story, the request for comment has not been returned.

You can now stream KFDX and Texomas FOX live 24/7 on your smart TV with KFDX+, our brand-new app! No antenna, cable, or satellite neededwatch for free, anytime. Just download it on your Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV and start streaming.

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WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  A town hall meeting held Wednesday evening brought together leaders from the City of Wichita, Sedgwick County and Wichita Public Schools.

The goal was to give government representatives a chance to hear from the public on how the three agencies can collaborate.

In attendance was Vernette Chance, a retired teacher, who says her biggest concern is special education.

What I want them to know is it doesnt matter what Washington did to the special education department within the education department. It doesnt matter if it dies there. It doesnt matter if it dies in Topeka. These are our kids here, and we need to find ways to help them, she said.

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This was the third in a series of these tri-government meetings so far.

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The widow of a Washington County Army veteran says she is still waiting for his death certificate and the delay is leaving her and their young daughters without the help and resources they desperately need.

38-year-old Michael Bellesfield, a highly decorated Army combat veteran, died by suicide on July 20.

Three months later, his wife, Kayla Bellesfield, says she is still waiting for an official death certificate, and the delay is making it impossible for her to claim life insurance, access accounts, sell his truck, or even retrieve her husbands phone, which contains passwords and bill information.

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He did 20 years... Afghanistan, Iraq, Cuba. Twenty years of his life. I think he deserves more than this, Kayla said.

Michaels death came just three days after he contacted the VA seeking an emergency counseling session. Kayla says she has been unable to get basic information from the VA without a death certificate, and the State Police are holding Michaels phone until the certificate is issued.

Now were struggling. Im a single mom trying to get through, she said.

Channel 11 reached out to the Washington County Coroners Office for answers. Officials told us every suicide in the county requires an autopsy and that cases are handled in chronological order. The office says it relies heavily on a contracted forensic pathologist, one person who handles roughly 90% of the countys autopsy workload, and that it remains critically understaffed, with three employees managing about 3,000 deaths a year.

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Coroner Tim Warco told Channel 11, I cant issue a certificate until I get the documents in hand. We need the forensic data  positive proof. I understand the financial needs of families and try to turn them around as quickly as possible.

11 Investigates learned neighboring Fayette, Westmoreland, and Butler counties do not require autopsies for suicides. Greene County, like Washington County, does.

In Allegheny County, autopsies are conducted at the discretion of the attending pathologist on cases under the medical examiners jurisdiction. An autopsy is not performed on every case, and the type of examination depends on the pathologists judgment. Officials there say examinations typically occur within 48 hours of receiving the decedent, after which a death certificate is issued.

Those differing policies can mean large variations in timing and in taxpayer cost from county to county.

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Something needs done, or resources need to be available at the coroners office, Kayla said. If its going to take this long, families left behind need help. Because right now, theres nothing.

Kayla shared photos of Michael, a quiet, proud father who tearfully said goodbye to his daughters before overseas deployments. She says he may have been struggling with post-traumatic stress, and that the stigma around mens mental health can keep families from recognizing the signs until its too late.

Now, Kayla and her daughters are trying to heal without him, but she wants answers, faster support for grieving families, and systemic fixes so others dont face the same roadblocks.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
AUSTIN (KXAN)  I think when you lose someone you love, especially an officer in the line of duty, the one thing you want is for them never to be forgotten, Kim Pastore said from the foot of the Texas Peace Officers Memorial, where her husbands name is etched in stone.

In November of 2023, her husband, Senior Officer Jorge Pastore, was killed as APD responded to a hostage situation in south Austin.

Image from Jorge Pastores funeral. (Courtesy: Kim Pastore)

Passionate, tenacious, and just a good-hearted loving person, Kim said, describing Jorge. I know for him, he would be proud to be on this wall. For him, he was doing what he loved.

Fallen officers memorial run to take place Sunday

Sergeant Ben Mewis has used running as a way to engage with the community for the past four years. Some of the runs have benefited charities, others have raised awareness for causes  and some have been used to commemorate officers who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

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The run planned for Sunday will be 29 miles to honor the 29 line-of-duty deaths in Austin. It will be done in relay form with various officers  and people connected to the department  hopping in and out of the course, which will run past each APD substation. There will also be a stop at the Peace Officers Memorial on the Capitol grounds.

Means a lot more because I have my other brothers and sisters in the department running with me, and not only that, we get to represent our fallen brothers and sister, Mewis said.

Kim will join for mile 29. Jorge was the 29th officer in the city to die in the line of duty.

I knew if it was special to me, it would be special to all of the other family members, she said. Since Jorges passing, Kim has also launched the Humble Warrior Games in honor of her husband.

Jorge and Kim Pastore. (Courtesy: Kim Pastore)

Austin Police Benevolent Foundation seeking donations

Mewis has looped the Austin Police Benevolent Foundation into this weekends run. It provides emergency funds for officers in need, assisting with anything from funeral expenses to medical costs and other at-home needs.

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The foundations chair, Laurie Gomez Edwards, said the fund has been used, for example, in an instance where an officers home burned down, and in a separate case where an officer lost a child.

She said this safety net of funds for officers has a trickle-down impact on overall public safety.

If had an officer that was coming to my house on my worst day, I would want the officer to be at their best, Gomez Edwards said. And I think they cant do that if they have personal issues theyre constantly worried about. And so I think that helps them not only perform their job better, but also have a clearer mind.

The foundation has gone through a rebranding over the past couple of years, which she said has contributed to a slowdown in donations. The money comes from other officers and community supporters.

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Marwan Barghout is led to a police vehicle 29 September 2003 on his way back to jail, after appearing before a Tel Aviv court. Credit - Tal CohenAFP via Getty Images

The wife of imprisoned Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti has urged Donald Trump to push for her husbands release after the U.S. President said he would make a decision on the matter.

Mr. President, a genuine partner awaits youone who can help fulfill the dream we share of just and lasting peace in the region, Fadwa Barghouti said in a statement to TIME. For the sake of freedom for the Palestinian people and peace for all future generations, help release Marwan Barghouti.

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Trump made the comment in an interview with TIME when asked about whether he would support freeing Barghouti, who has long been seen by Palestinians and some diplomats as a potential unifying leader. I am literally being confronted with that question about 15 minutes before you called. That was the question. That was my question of the day. So I'll be making a decision, he said.

Marwan Barghouti, 66, has been imprisoned by Israel since 2002 and was sentenced in 2004 to five life sentences for his role in attacks during the Second Intifadathe Palestinian armed uprising that followed the breakdown of the 1993 Oslo Accords. He was convicted of directing shooting and bombing attacks that killed five people, though he denied involvement and declined to mount a defense, saying he did not recognize the legitimacy of the Israeli court. Once a prominent participant in the Oslo peace process, Barghouti was known for cultivating ties with senior Israeli officials.

Although a senior member of Fatahthe secular nationalist party that dominates the Palestinian AuthorityBarghouti has maintained good relations with Hamas, the Islamist militant group that controls Gaza. His name was reported to be high on the list of prisoners Hamas sought to include in hostage-exchange talks following its Oct. 7, 2023, terror attack, which killed more than 1,200 people in Israel and triggered the war that has since killed more than 60,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to Gazas Health Ministry.

Barghouti remains in prison, where he consistently leads polls for president of the Palestinian Authority, the transitional governing body created under the Oslo Accords. They dont have a leader right now, Trump noted. At least a visible leader.

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Trump, who has been credited for brokering the cease-fire that freed Israeli hostages, now faces a more complex task: shaping a postwar framework for governing Gazas 2 million residents. His peace initiative, backed by several Arab governments, marks an inflection point for the broader political question of Palestinian aspirations for their own nation in Gaza and the West Bank, where another 3 million Palestinians reside.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flatly opposes the two-state solution. But Trump's statement on Barghouti's fate raised hopes that the Presidentwho described strong-arming the Israeli premier to accept the cease-firemight intervene again.

Among those encouraging the President to take that step is Ronald Lauder, the billionaire president of the World Jewish Congress and a longtime Trump ally, who has urged Barghoutis release.

I think that the fact that he's thinking about it is a great step in the right direction, Lauder told TIME. A two-state solution is only possible if you have a good leader and Marwan Barghouti will be the right leader for it. Now it doesn't have to happen in one or two yearsit could be three, four or five years, whatever time it takes. But once you start having peace between Israel and the Palestinian people, you have the future of a peaceful Middle East.

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Asked why Israels government continues to keep Barghouti imprisoned, Lauder said, because they know he would make a good state. The people they released are much worse than him. TIME has contacted the Israeli government for comment.

Barghoutis family alleges that he has been beaten by guards in Israel's prisons, which are under the control of Itamar Ben-Gvir, a far-right member of Netanyahu's coalition. The Israeli Prison Service called the beating allegation false. In August, Ben-Gvir released a video of himself berating a visibly frail Barghouti in his cell.

He's a unifying figure, Barghouti's son, Arab, told PBS this week. He is capable of unifying the Palestinian people across factions, across secular, extremists, whatever you want to call it, and bring them into a reasonable political vision that is accepted by the international community.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
The estranged wife of suspended Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez was arrested for a second time Thursday after being accused of providing false information for a bond, officials said.

Robin Severance-Lopez, 50, had previously been charged with racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering. Prosecutors say she was part of an illegal, multi-county gambling ring that her husband protected and profited from and that earned more than $21 million for its conspirators. She and Lopez have pleaded not guilty to those charges.

Severance-Lopez was taken into custody by the Osceola County Sheriffs Office at her St. Cloud residence around 3 p.m. Thursday, according to a news release from the sheriffs office. The release said Severance-Lopez was arrested on a warrant issued by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement out of Lake County.

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A spokesperson for the Osceola County Jail said she was arrested on a charge of providing false or misleading information or omitting material information in connection with an application for bail or for modification of a bail bond. FDLE did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the circumstances of the arrest.

Her attorney, Michelle Yard, said Thursday evening she didnt know the specifics of the new allegation because prosecutors have not provided her with that information. She said her clients first court appearance will be Friday.

I look forward to representing Robin at initial appearance tomorrow so we can hopefully get the details needed to respond to these allegations, Yard said.

Severance-Lopez was first arrested June 23 for her alleged involvement in the gambling operation in which prosecutors allege she played ministerial roles. Prosecutors have accused her of moving proceeds from an illegal gambling operation across several bank accounts she shared with Lopez.

She spent two weeks in the Lake County Jail after her June arrest before being released on a $400,000 bond. To get bond, she had to prove the funds used were from legitimate sources and not illegal activities.
Editor's note: This story is a collaboration between the Kyiv Independent and the Guardians Age of extinction and Ukraine in depth reporting projects.

Natalia Pryprosta was tending her pigs when fire swept into her village of Studenok, near the city of Izium in eastern Ukraine.

There was no time. She grabbed her papers, pulled her elderly mother into a friends car, and tried to get the animals out of the shed before they drove off. Smoke and the speed of the blaze made it impossible. She didnt see the animals burning, but learned of their fate later.

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Smoke smothered Studenok, turning the village as dark as night. Pryprostas neighbors fought the flames with shovels, digging in scorched earth to stop the crown fires advance. Firefighters arrived, but the blaze was relentless. At one point, it surged around a fire truck, trapping the crew.

Mines and unexploded ordnance, left scattered since the Russian occupation and subsequent liberation in 2022, detonated in the heat. Each explosion fed the flames, sending burning debris, branches and embers flying across the village. Trees ignited, and wood fragments were hurled 700-800 meters, recalls Serhii Kohan, the village head.

A fire burns in a forest following Russian shelling in Vovchansk, Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine, on May 11, 2024. (Yakiv Liashenko / Anadolu via Getty Images)

Only at about 9 p.m., when the wind shifted and the explosions subsided, could the units move in and finally begin to fight the flames. Pryprosta and the other villagers survived, huddled in a neighboring settlement. When they returned, they found many homes burnt, along with blackened trees and mangled structures, another scar on a village already devastated by war.

The highest number of fires on Ukraine-controlled territory this year have been in forests surrounding Izium in Kharkiv Oblast, where Studenok sits, according to the state enterprise Forests of Ukraine. For the first eight months of 2025, Kharkiv Oblast alone has accounted for 60% of all forest fires. The fire that engulfed Studenok in 2024 had ignited in a national park forest about 14 miles (23 km) from the village and swept rapidly north, consuming 6,000 hectares (14,800 acres) as it burned.

Ukraine recorded the most burned land of any European country last year. (Lisa Kukharska / The Kyiv Independent)

Waging war in a tinderbox

Expanding wildfires have become part of the new normal in a hotter world. But the scale of burning in Ukraine is extraordinary even on those terms, far surpassing anything witnessed across the rest of Europe. In 2024, nearly a million hectares of Ukraine burned: more than twice the area that burned across the entirety of the EU over the same period.

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Analysis by the Guardian and the Kyiv Independent of satellite imagery, monitoring data and on-the-ground testimony connects the devastation of Ukraines forests directly to the Russian invasion. The fires have stretched in an arc across the front line of the war in Ukraine. Blazes are concentrated in oblasts in the east, where the majority of fighting has taken place.

The fires in Ukraine are unlike those in Canada and Siberia, where huge areas burn over several months. Monitoring data shows hundreds of small, frequent fires that burn at a low intensity, almost certainly started by explosions. Abandoned farmland that is becoming grassland or young forest accounts for a third of the burned area in 2024. Hot and dry conditions turned the front line into a tinderbox last year, where blasts often became larger fires that were impossible to control safely due to the presence of landmines.

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That combination turned 2024 into one of the worst fire years on record in Donetsk, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia, says James MacCarthy, a research associate with Global Forest Watch. In Donetsk alone, tree cover loss from fire was more than 40 times the long-term average for 2001 to 2023. Years of conflict, forest degradation and extreme heat have primed these landscapes to burn.

Rescue workers under attack

National park workers and firefighters say the flames are not the only threat. As they attempt to douse them, they say they are being targeted by Russian drones.

Drones are always overhead, says Serhii Skoryk, director of Kamianska Sich national park. While a few of us put out the fire, two others stand by with rifles, watching to make sure a drone doesnt fly in and hit the truck.

Hot, dry weather in 2024 raised the wildfire risk in Ukraine. (Lisa Kukharska / The Kyiv Independent)

Park employees fight fires themselves because the state emergency service considers the territory too dangerous to operate in. At first, they put electronic warfare systems (which jam drone signals) on the fire trucks. But they found the jammers were not working on the latest generations of drones, so turned to borrowed hunting rifles to keep them at bay.

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About 50% of the time, while were fighting a fire, a drone flies up to our fire truck and we have to neutralise it, Skoryk says.

Videos posted by Russian troops on social media show clearly marked fire trucks and personnel being attacked. Often these attacks follow a double-tap pattern, with an initial explosion causing a fire, and the same site attacked a second time after rescue and fire crews arrive. One Russian drone-operating brigade in Kherson regularly posts first-person footage videos from drone attacks to their Telegram channel. In one series of clips, the drone pilots target a petrol station, causing a fire. When the fire truck arrives to fight it, a second suicide drone flies headlong into the truck, exploding on impact. The Guardian and the Kyiv Independent cross-referenced those videos with photos provided by Ukraines state emergency service, of the fire trucks cab damaged by the explosion.

While damage and fires are a common consequence of war, deliberately targeting rescue workers, igniting fires or encouraging them to burn in a way that causes deliberate, long-term destruction of the environment would be considered a war crime under international law. The Russian government did not respond to a request for comment.

Across Ukraine, prosecutors are working to determine whether attacks are intentionally targeting natural resources. Trees have provided both sides with cover from drones, making forests a target for deliberate fires, say experts.

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There are no accidental shellings  every strike is a deliberate military action, says Vitaliy Nikitin, deputy head of the Kherson regional prosecutors office. Every instance of shelling that harms natural resources  from national parks to forests and other environmental sites  is documented.

Record area of land burned in 2024 despite lower emissions. (Lisa Kukharska / The Kyiv Independent)

Such cases take a long time to investigate. Law enforcement often cannot access sites  many lie in combat zones, where most fires ignite, on mined land or in areas still under Russian occupation. The difficulty, Nikitin says, is establishing a cause-and-effect relationship proving that specific Russian military personnel were responsible for deliberately lit fires or targeting of emergency services.

Anhelina Hrytsei, a researcher with the Ukrainian investigative group Truth Hounds, says reports of attacks on rescue workers intensified in 2024 and 2025.

The precision of the weapons, absence of nearby military targets and repeated use of double-tap tactics point to deliberate targeting, she says.

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If a small drone with a camera is used to attack rescue workers, and the operator can see them on site wearing insignia, then we can talk  if not about intent  at least about a failure to prevent harm.

Local resident, helps to put out the fire in the wheat fields, burning after the shelling in the village of Nova Poltavka, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, July 2, 2024. (George Ivanchenko / The Kyiv Independent)

Agriculture under threat

Most large forest fires occur near active combat zones, where a variety of explosive objects litter the ground. Landmines and unexploded ordnance left from occupation or failed detonations can ignite in the heat, fuelling fires and making firefighting extremely dangerous.

Russian forces also carry out remote mining, including anti-personnel mines known as petals, dropped from drones.

Once we demined this 8-hectare area near a road. A few days later, petals were already lying there, says Skoryk. During hot, dry summers, the ammunition can heat and spontaneously detonate.

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The mines and ordnance also slow firefighting. In the front-line Izium Forestry, where about 90% of the territory remains mined, pyrotechnic units must inspect the area before crews can begin extinguishing.

More than 2 million mines have been laid in Ukraine, making it one of the most mined countries in the world, and researchers say it will be difficult for the land to recover quickly.

A third of Ukrainian land burned in 2024 was agricultural. (Lisa Kukharska / The Kyiv Independent)

Remaining mines and unexploded ordnances in forests along frontlines will prevent recovery and active reforestation of this land for a long time, says Peter Potapov, a researcher at World Resource Institutes Food, Forests and Water program.

Many of the countrys forests were planted and carefully managed alongside farmland, he says, to calm wind, hold snow and regulate water runoff. Without these forests, the agricultural productivity may be reduced at the regional scale, he says.

Biodiversity shattered

Burning at such enormous scale and intensity, the fires could have long-term effects on the biodiversity of Ukraine, scientists say. War affects nature in a complex way  every part of the ecosystem suffers, says ecologist Kateryna Polianska. Some changes can be reversed, but others will not recover, or only with great difficulty.

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In 2024, Polianska travelled to Sviati Hory national park and the Kreidova Flora department of the Ukrainian Steppe nature reserve, areas scarred by the war. There, relict chalk slopes  ancient formations created millions of years ago  were shattered by shelling. We will no longer be able to reinforce them, put them up, she says.

These slopes once sheltered rare pine forests on chalk, recognised as an endangered habitat. Now, many forests lie burned, broken or stripped bare. Polianska warns that climate change makes recovery even harder: It may take 70 or 80 years to see the same forest  if it recovers at all.

For Skoryk, the destruction is personal. The Kamianska Sich national park director lost his home when Russian forces occupied it in 2022 and he now lives in a basement on the parks grounds. Despite everything, he refuses to leave.

This is my child, I created it  I have been the only director since the day it was founded, Skoryk says. To him, the park is a lifes work, a place where rare species and fragile ecosystems depend on protection even under constant attack.

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Fires sparked by shelling regularly sweep through the park, threatening what remains. After the dust settles, craters maintain dangerous levels of heavy metals from explosives and toxins. Skoryk and his staff trained in mine clearance and continue to work on demining parts of the park whenever possible  between fires and after marked craters have been studied for measurements and samples.

If not us, who? he says.

The land is burning after the shelling in the village of Nova Poltavka, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on July 2, 2024. (George Ivanchenko / The Kyiv Independent)

Note from the author:

Hi, this is Linda. Thank you so much for reading! While reporting for this story, Ive been deeply impressed by the bravery and dedication of park and forest workers who continue their work despite constant danger. In Kamianska Sich Nature Park, some are stationed just four kilometers from Russian forces. They conduct research, protect endangered species, and often fight fires themselves, simply because it must be done. Their efforts shouldnt be forgotten.

If youd like to support our work and empower us to do more stories like this one, please consider becoming a member of the Kyiv Independent.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
HOLYOKE  Fugitive from justice Wilmer Puello-Mota, in an absentee ballot request emailed to Holyoke officials in July, listed his political party as United Russia.

United Russia is Vladimir Putins ruling coalition.

Puello-Mota is a disgraced former city councilor who fled child pornography prosecution in Rhode Island and joined Russias army a year and a half ago. On a ballot application, he also checked the box for I am a U. S. Citizen living outside the county; and my intent to return is uncertain.

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Puello-Motas ultimately unsuccessful request for an absentee ballot stretched over a chain of emails he sent to Holyoke City Clerk and Registrar of Voters Brenna Murphy Leary over four months. The Republican obtained those emails with a public records request.

The request also churned up an insulting email from Puello-Mota to Council President Tessa R. Murphy-Romboletti, the first woman to serve in that post.

Just got around to watching the last meeting. Youre a nutcase. Resign Puello-Mota wrote Murphy-Romboletti Friday, Oct. 17

He signed it Not V/r, a twist on a military abbreviation in this case meant to signify not very respectfully.

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A one-term councilor and Air National Guard veteran of Afghanistan, Puello-Motas trouble in Rhode Island began back in 2020 after he reported a stolen gun, and police found nude images of a 17-year-old girl on his phone. Hed met the girl on a sugar daddy website.

Police in Warwick, Rhode Island, charged Puello-Mota with one count of having sexually explicit images of a child.

Authorities there later added charges of trying to deceive prosecutors and his commanders about the case. The Rhode Island Attorney Generals Office tried to offer him a deal open to service members. But Puello-Mota forged letters purportedly from his commanders and tried to impersonate one of his superiors on the phone in order to avoid penalties, according to court documents in the case.

Puello-Mota later sued his fellow councilors to keep his seat on the council while he fought the charges. He won reinstatement but did not run for another term.

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He was about to plead guilty in Rhode Island on charges of possession of child sex abuse images, obstruction of the judicial system, forgery and counterfeiting back in January 2024. The deal would have had him serve just 18 months, and he would have had to register as a sex offender. In a phone call after running away, Puello-Mota told his attorney that he was afraid registering as an offender would harm his job prospects.

Hed already been forced out of the Air National Guard.

Once in Russia, Puello-Mota joined the Russian military as a drone operator in its war against Ukraine. And he appeared in Russian propaganda videos.

I dont consider myself a traitor, he said in one of the videos. The United States and Russia are not at war.

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With regards to voting, much of the back-and forth centered on being able to verify an address for him in Russia.

In one document, he gives his mailing address as 22 Frunzenskaya Embankment, Moscow.

Thats the location of the National Defense Management Center, the Russian militarys command and control center.

In an email, he feigned incredulity at the idea that its not a residential address.

He angrily responded to a request that he get his address verified by the U.S. Consulate.

Thats a classic, unreasonable request that makes no sense, Puello-Mota responded to Leary.

The American consulate in Russia has no jurisdiction and is operating with very little staff.

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He also provided an additional Russian document identifying him as a resident of the 41,488-person city of Pyt-Yakh on the west Siberian plain.

In the end, Massachusetts Secretary of State William F. Galvin decided Puello-Mota gave up his right to vote when he fled the felony charge.

Inmates incarcerated on a felony dont have the right to vote in Massachusetts.

Stories by Jim Kinney

Read the original article on MassLive. Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
India must adopt a dual strategy on rare earth minerals, focusing both on domestic mineral sourcing and international cooperation for processing and production of metals to stem dependence on China, the world's largest supplier, NITI Aayog Member Arvind Virmani said on Thursday. "The whole world is highly dependent because they control 80 to 90 per cent of the metals, the rare earth metals actually," Virmani told ANI in an exclusive interview. "So, really there is a dual issue. One is of rare earth minerals and then translating those minerals into metals. So those have to be addressed separately or by different strategies." While India possesses some rare-earth reserves, it will need to collaborate with other resource-rich nations to build a resilient supply chain, he said. "In the case of minerals, we also have certain rare earth minerals, but we can also combine with other countries like Brazil, et cetera, which have different minerals, South Africa or other African countries, even Russia," he further told ANI. But the more difficult and challenging part is really to convert those into metals, he said, adding that for this, collaboration is very important. He said that the refining and metal processing stages are both technically challenging and environmentally sensitive, requiring stronger government involvement and international partnerships. Virmani said, "One is that the processing is very polluting. So, the government has to play a much bigger role by helping them reduce pollution. The companies cannot do it by themselves, and especially so quickly." He said the second key element is global collaboration to create economies of scale for research and production of rare earth metals. "And the second is international cooperation. Again, you need scale. If you're going to invest a lot in a new R&D, the more your potential demand, the more that R&D can spread over," he added. An assured demand in an international cooperative framework can also help accelerate the development of alternative sources of rare earth metals, he added. Virmani's remarks come amid growing global efforts to diversify supply chains away from China and secure access to critical minerals needed for clean energy technologies, electronics, and defence production. He said that India's dual strategy of domestic mineral exploration combined with international cooperation for processing would help reduce vulnerability and promote industrial self-reliance. The NITI Aayog member also spoken about global economic volatility, trade negotiations, and India's growth forecast, saying that the "huge uncertainty in 2025 has made everybody uncertain, including those who are forecasting." "Personally, I've had a forecast which I have not changed," Virmani said. "From the beginning of the year, my forecast was 6.5 per cent plus minus 0.5 and basically the events which have happened. I would say at this point that my focus has an upward bias." He added that despite trade uncertainties, policy reforms such as the Goods and Services Tax (GST) are having a positive effect on private investment. "GST definitely has a positive impact on private investment and to the extent there was some negative effect of the tariffs, I think it will largely be overcome by this," he said. Virmani also referred to India's ongoing bilateral trade negotiations, calling them part of a shifting global dynamic. "The imposition of tariffs then changed it into a non-cooperative game," he said. "And now the recent developments have moved it back to a cooperative game, one would expect a bilateral trade agreement to be signed at some point." He said that such agreements would be "mutually beneficial" and would support "positive effects on both Indian growth and American growth." On the manufacturing front, Virmani pointed out that India needs to diversify imports, identify alternative sources, and promote joint ventures to reduce dependence on Chinese supply chains. "People have got so used to importing from China that they fail to identify alternative sources," he said. "Import substitution is possible, and we find that one big chunk of it, like machinery, for example, has segmented markets. China has cheaper but lower quality machines, but higher quality ones are available in Germany, Japan, and Taiwan." He said encouraging these countries to carry out labour-intensive parts of their production in India could lower costs and strengthen India's manufacturing base. "That is the third approach to encourage these countries to do some labour-intensive parts of their process in India, kind of a JV or joint production," he explained. Virmani concluded that the diversification of supply chains, particularly in sectors such as mobile manufacturing, is already yielding results and will help India both reduce imports and expand exports. "Once the demand is shifted by a company which has supply chains in China, then the supply chain and backward integration take place," he said. "That will help in reducing imports from China as well as contributing to exports." (ANI)
Cincinnati police said an 18-year-old threw away his firearm before an officer shot at him, and missed on Oct. 22.

In an Oct. 23 news release, police said an officer tried to pull over a vehicle with no apparent license plate near the 5600 block of Winton Road around 1 p.m. Police said Marvonni Finnerson drove his car repeatedly into the occupied cruiser during the attempt to pull him over.

As Finnerson, 18, exited his car, police said he "retrieved a firearm from his waistband and threw it into the woods."

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At an Oct. 22 press conference, Interim Police Chief Adam Hennie said Finnerson displayed a firearm before a police officer fired at him and missed.

He was arrested after he barricaded himself in a Winton Hills apartment, according to court and police records.

Finnerson is charged with felonious assault and burglary. His bond was set at $750,000 in an Oct. 23 court hearing.

Police are not releasing the identity of the officer who shot at Finnerson.

Oct. 22 Winton Road shutdown, SWAT response

Winton Road at Dutch Colony Drive was closed off with police cars and tape for more than three hours on Oct. 22. Children with backpacks and adults waited for access to the road leading to nearby housing, and disgruntled drivers slowly drove past the scene.

Winton Road at Dutch Colony Drive was closed off with police cars and tape for more than three hours on Oct. 22. Children with backpacks and adults waited for access to the road leading to nearby housing, and disgruntled drivers slowly drove past the scene.

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Enquirer media partner, Fox19, reports Winton Hills Academy was locked down as a precaution.

Samantha Payne, who lives at the Manor Winton Apartments, told The Enquirer she saw SWAT units go up to an apartment at the complex after someone wanted by police refused to come out.

"They just warned everyone to stay with their door locked," the 45-year-old Payne said.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Police give details about moments before officer shot at, missed teen
(The Center Square)  More people are asking more questions about how Wisconsins public school managers handle investigations into teachers accused of grooming or sexual misconduct.

The Institute for Reforming Government announced that it has filed a public records request with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction seeking to uncover details surrounding the Departments handling of teacher licenses for educators accused of misconduct and

grooming.

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IRG is just the latest to press DPI for answers about The Cap Times investigation and The Center Squares follow up stories into teacher grooming. That investigation found that 200 teachers over a five-year period were allowed to walk away from a grooming or sexual misconduct investigation by simply resigning.

Some of those teachers found their way back to classrooms and schools.

Every parent in Wisconsin places enormous trust in our schools and educators, and that trust is broken when misconduct is swept under the rug, Jake Curtis, director of IRGs Center for Investigative Oversight, said. Our request demands transparency and oversight. The public has the right to know whether DPIs leadership intentionally allowed abusers to remain in classrooms or turned a blind eye when they were quietly shuffled to other districts.

Curtis said Wisconsins state superintendent, Jill Underly, needs to answer questions about DPIs investigations as soon as possible.

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She wont be answering those questions today.

Underly has committed to a celebration at her alma mater Indiana University today, instead of attending the Wisconsin Assemblys hearing on the investigation, DPIs failures, and three pieces of legislation aimed at protecting students from predatory teachers.
Two Milwaukee Democrats want to install technology in repeat reckless drivers' cars to prevent them from exceeding speed limits, similar to breathalyzer devices for OWI offenders.

It's the latest idea from state lawmakers to tackle reckless driving in Milwaukee, often a combination of speeding, distracted driving and erratic and aggressive behaviors. This year, 51 people have died in vehicle crashes in the state's largest city.

State Rep. Russell Goodwin and Sen. Chris Larson believe their legislation could change the culture around reckless driving by modifying behavior.

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"It teaches them, and it also teaches anyone else who's getting in the vehicle with them, of why they have something like this installed," Larson said.

Like breathalyzers, offenders would have to pay for the device themselves, not the state. The technology would be installed for at least one year at a cost of $1,700, with help available for people below a certain income level.

The requirement would apply to those convicted of a reckless driving violation twice in a five-year period, if they were speeding 20 or more miles an hour over the limit. Failing to install the device, or disconnecting or tampering with it, could result in a $600 fine or six months in jail.

Larson said they considered drafting the bill to require the device after the first reckless driving offense but want to "see what the appetite is" in the state Legislature.

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State Rep. Bob Donovan, a Republican from Greenfield who has led other reckless driving legislation this session, applauded his colleagues for offering solutions but was skeptical.

I am in favor of efforts to create new and innovative ways to tackle this issue," Donovan said in a statement to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "However, Im not sure that this idea can be practically applied in a way that would be effective in decreasing reckless driving,"

How does intelligent speed assistance technology work?

Sen. Chris Larson, D-Milwaukee, explains speed limiter technology to reporters at a Oct. 23, 2025, news conference on West Good Hope Road.

Goodwin and Larson joined advocates to introduce the legislation Oct. 23 and gave reporters demonstrations of the technology on West Good Hope Road.

A small screen with two panels is attached to the right of the wheel. One panel uses GPS data to identify the speed limit on each road and the other shows the current speed of the car.

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Generally, drivers can't go over posted speed limits. But the speed can go slightly over the limit to accelerate up a hill or merge onto a highway, for example.

Some versions of the legislation in other states allow drivers to hit the "override" button a certain number of times per month. That could be useful if a driver needs to pass a big truck, for example.

The technology has been around for two decades and is already used to limit the speeds of fleet vehicles, advocates said. A representative from SCRAM Systems said it's the first to introduce a product for criminal justice use, but expects more companies to follow.

SCRAM's LifeSaver ignition interlock device is one of five approved vendors in Wisconsin for certain OWI offenders. The state Department of Transportation doesn't endorse any breathalyzer company but certifies them and ensures they meet federal and state rules.

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Under the bill, the state DOT would be responsible for implementing the new program, including selecting providers to install the devices in cars.

Goodwin's office says the goal is to start the conversation by getting a hearing for the bill, where the DOT could estimate how long it would take to implement.

"I have heard from them that it should be a smooth transition, because we already have the other (ignition interlock devices) for the drunk drivers," Goodwin told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

More: Milwaukee police team meant to address reckless driving sees members dwindle

At least two states, Virginia and Washington, have enacted similar laws requiring drivers with reckless driving records to have intelligent speed assistance (ISA) devices installed, USA TODAY reported. Those laws won't become effective until 2026 and 2029.

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Advocacy groups like Families for Safe Streets have pushed for the legislation in other states. Washington, D.C., was the first city to enact the policy for repeat speeders.

Speeding cameras, vehicle towing among other reckless driving bills

State lawmakers have pitched several bills this session to address reckless driving. Some are closer to becoming law than others.

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers is expected to soon sign a law that will allow Milwaukee police to tow vehicles used in reckless driving offenses, including stolen or borrowed cars. Members of the Common Council pushed for the legislation, and Mayor Cavalier Johnson supported it.

More: Milwaukee police warn reckless drivers they could have cars towed under new law

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Other bills haven't advanced as far. That includes implementing cameras at dangerous intersections to automatically cite speeding drivers.

That bipartisan bill got a public hearing earlier this month, allowing local officials like Johnson and Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman to speak in support.

Larson is among the Democratic opponents of the speeding camera bill, over fairness and bias concerns in other cities that have them. He and Goodwin see this technology as an alternative.

"This technology kind of moves away from that, and it takes us into the future," Goodwin said, adding that Republicans he's talked to consider the speeding camera bill dead.

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Other Democrats from Milwaukee have proposed $60 million in state grants for traffic calming infrastructure. That bill hasn't received a public hearing.

Hope Karnopp can be reached at HKarnopp@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Take a look at new tech that could keep reckless drivers from speeding
Halle Berry calls for Wisconsin lawmakers to advance a bill related to menopause education as Rep. Robyn Vining and Sen. Dianne Hesselbein watch. (Photo courtesy of Vining's office)

Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein (D-Middleton) and Rep. Robyn Vining (D-Wauwatosa) brought in a big name  award-winning actress Halle Berry  this week to help them call for better education on perimenopause and menopause.

Berry, who wasnt able to be at the hearing in real time, has become an advocate nationally for raising awareness of menopause and advocating for changes. She joined the Wisconsin bill authors at a virtual press conference on Tuesday afternoon, and her testimony was played at a Senate Health Committee public hearing Wednesday. The committee also took testimony Wednesday on bills to help with falls prevention among older Wisconsinites and on medical marijuana.

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This is not a political issue  I promise you, its not. It is a human rights issue, Berry said.

Menopause is the period of time usually in middle age when a woman has not had her period for 12 consecutive months. Perimenopause is the period of time when hormone levels fluctuate and decline and a woman begins transitioning into menopause. It typically lasts between 4 years and 10 or more years.

Women can reach menopause at different ages, but often women reach it between 45 and 55. Symptoms typically begin during perimenopause.

During the hearing, Vining listed part of a long list of symptoms that women can experience when they hit perimenopause and menopause.

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Wisconsin women deserve to know what is happening to their bodies. Wisconsin women deserve to access to information that can help explain symptoms like increased anxiety and depression, brain fog, frozen shoulder, concerns about increases in cholesterol, decreases in bone density, sleeplessness, night sweats, increased sensitivity and pain in joints, vertigo, gut issues, loss of libido, the unusual exhaustion, confusing dryness, hot flashes, and more, Vining said. Many women say, I dont feel like myself and they deserve to know why that is and what they can do about it.

Berry said her experience started with excruciating pain in her vagina and her OB-GYN telling her that it was herpes and probably one of the worst cases he had seen.

I had just started dating a new guy, one year into a wonderful new relationship, and [my doctor] said, Well, go have a talk with this guy [because] you have herpes.

Berry said she and her partner both got tested and found that neither of them had herpes. She said that when she went back to her doctor, he said that he didnt know what was wrong with her. She saw another doctor, when she started experiencing dry mouth, who suggested she might have had an autoimmune disorder. She saw the first doctor again when she started experiencing dry eyes.

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It was then that he reluctantly told her she was experiencing menopause.

Why couldnt you just say that to me? Youre my health care provider. Youre my doctor, Berry said she asked her OB-GYN. He said, because my patients dont want to hear theyre in menopause. It scares them. They think theyre getting old.

I have real life examples of how more education would have saved me almost four years of self-exploration and self-diagnoses, Berry said. I would have loved to have gotten this information from my health care providers.

Lack of education about menopause is connected to stigma, she said.

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Hesselbein and Vining are lead authors on a bill meant to help women in Wisconsin get the information that they need.

SB 356 would require the Department of Health Services to partner with health care providers, including obstetricians and gynecologists, community health centers and hospitals, to educate women on symptoms and other issues surrounding perimenopause and menopause. The bill is bipartisan with Sen. Rachael Cabral-Guevera (R-Appleton) as a cosponsor.

Under the bill, DHS would also be required to create digital and physical informational materials to be distributed to women who are or are soon to experience perimenopause and menopause.

The authors said it was discussions with their friends and shared experiences that led them to introduce the bill.

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Were all talking about the same thing right now, Hesselbein said. [Halle Berry is] having this problem with all the resources she has, and as a state employee with my health insurance, I also ran into some obstacles where people werent giving me the correct information. How many other women in the state of Wisconsin are going through this?

Hesselbein said a big moment for her was when she was dealing with frozen shoulder  a condition that causes pain, stiffness and limited range of motion in the shoulder joint and is common during perimenopause.

I didnt know what it was, and I thought its not related to menopause, Hesselbein said. They gave me a cortisone shot, which was really great because it released the frozen shoulder, and I had [physical therapy] after that I talked to friends about it, theyre like, oh, yeah, Ive had that too.

Hesselbein said the bill is based on a similar model adopted in Pennsylvania.

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It is my hope that we can pass this bill so that we can get Wisconsin women the help they deserve and in the process of doing so that we can destigmatize honest and forthright conversations and discussions about menopause and perimenopause, Vining said.

Falls prevention awareness

Rep. Rick Gundrum (R-Slinger) and Sen. Andre Jacque (R-New Franken) are seeking to cut down on the number of falls that Wisconsin residents are experiencing through a state grant to raise awareness for prevention.

If passed, the impact that this bill would have on Wisconsins older population is significant, Gundrum said during the public hearing. Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death and hospitalization for seniors. According to the CDC, Wisconsin has the highest fall death rate among older adults in the country.

According to a recent Department of Health Services report, emergency medical services responded to 35,564 more falls-related calls in 2024 when compared to 2019  an increase of nearly 10,000 a year or 7.4% a year since 2019.

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Speculation on why the states high fall death rate includes Wisconsins cold weather, the amount of alcohol that is consumed in the state and that the state may be better at reporting death-related falls.

SB 410 would provide $900,000 across 2025-26 and 2026-27 to the Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging, a nonprofit that oversees the Falls Free Wisconsin Coalition. The coalition is responsible for a statewide initiative to reduce older adult falls and works to raise awareness; curate and share best practices in falls prevention; gather and report falls data; and address policy and systems changes. The state funds provided under the bill would be used by the organization to support falls prevention awareness and initiatives.

A legislative council staffer told lawmakers in response to a question that the bill in its current form is really a broad charge to the Institute for Healthy Aging for how theyd want to spend the money in the category of falls.

I think it would kind of remain to be seen exactly how, what initiatives theyve spent the money on, the staffer said. The bill gives the Institute broad latitude to figure out how to use the money.

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Jill Renken, executive director of the Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging, told the committee that she has seen the benefits of programs through her own mother, who had started falling in her home after she retired. She said that she encouraged her mother to take a class at the local aging and disability resource center, which she said can reduce falls by 31%.

I noticed that she was applying what she learned She was doing her exercises. She talked with her pharmacist about her medications. My dad made some home safety modifications in the home, Renken said. Im so excited that she has not fallen. Its been over two years.

Renken said the organization for the last decade has worked to diversify funding, but there isnt enough to sustain their activity.

State investment is critical in order to maintain the stability of the programs, to maintain the services that we offer and also to grow the program so we can make a much more significant impact in our communities, Renken said. We want more older adults to be able to have access to these programs and services. We want to increase awareness so that people know what these services exist.

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RIB LAKE, Wis. (WFRV)  A 49-year-old Wisconsin man was arrested for an alleged homicide via the intoxicated use of a vehicle after a rollover crash that killed his wife.

Violent gang operating in Wisconsin targeted by FBI, 20+ arrested & pounds of drugs seized

The Taylor County Sheriffs Office reported that deputies were dispatched to a one-vehicle rollover shortly after 2 a.m. on Monday in Rib Lake, with an injured woman passenger reportedly still inside the vehicle.

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Deputies arrived to find a sport utility vehicle rolled onto its side in a ditch with heavy damage. A 49-year-old woman, identified as Sharon Kaplon of Ogema, was extricated from the vehicle and taken to a hospital before being airlifted elsewhere for further treatment.

The driver, identified as 49-year-old Stephen Kaplon, also of Ogema, had no serious injuries. Officials say Sharon died from injuries hours after the crash. Sharons obituary said the two were married.

Two Green Bay men arrested in connection to human trafficking group in Upper Peninsula

Initial investigation indicated the vehicle was southbound on County Road C when it went off-road into a ditch and hit two trees. Stephen was arrested for Homicide by Intoxicated Use of a Motor Vehicle.

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His cash bond was set at $200,000. The incident is still under investigation.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
Cliff Kaplan, 65, was in his sixteenth year working at a beverage distribution company in New Berlin when he was diagnosed with stage four esophageal cancer.

While he went through chemotherapy, he took unpaid leave through the company's Family Medical Leave Act policy, or FMLA. According to Kaplan, no one at his company discussed how long his leave would last or when he would be expected to return.

Twelve weeks later, in December 2024, Kaplan said, his manager called to inform him that his leave had ended two days ago, and that Kaplan needed to return to work immediately. Kaplan, who worked as a brand manager, said the call shocked him.

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When he explained he wasn't physically able to return yet, his manager fired him, Kaplan said. Soon after, Kaplan received a brief termination letter that offered no chance to appeal.

"There was no discussion. There was no severance. There was no trying to find avenues to see if we could figure this out," Kaplan said.

As an older person, Kaplan doubts he can find another job with the same wage and benefits, including his pension, which he said he was two years away from receiving. He is unsure how he will dig himself out of more than $225,000 in medical bills.

Attorneys told Public Investigator that Kaplan's story demonstrates the importance of developing a clear plan for returning to work while managing a disability.

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Although unfortunate, Kaplan's firing was likely legal, they said. No laws prevent an employer from terminating an employee once their FMLA expires, regardless of the severity of their disability. But had Kaplan gotten better advice ahead of time, the situation likely could have been avoided, they said.

Matt Arts, the assistant general manager at Beechwood Sales & Service, where Kaplan worked, said the company provided reasonable accommodations for him.

According to Kaplan's termination letter, the company offered him three weeks of additional medical and dental coverage while he remained an "inactive" employee, before officially terminating him.

Arts did not directly address Kaplan's claim that he was unaware of his return date, citing health privacy laws.

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"Our company complied and continues to comply with all the applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding FMLA issues, (Americans with Disabilities Act) accommodations, and any additional related matters," Arts said in an email.

Attorneys say firing after FMLA expires is unfortunate but common

Public Investigator spoke to two Milwaukee employment attorneys  Nola Hitchcock Cross of Cross Law Firm and Alan Olson of Alan C. Olson & Associates  about Kaplan's firing. Both said Kaplan's situation is fairly common.

FMLA is a federal law passed in 1993 that covers employees who have or are caring for someone with a serious health condition. Individuals using FMLA are entitled to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave.

Firing or laying off an employee who has recently ended their FMLA is not illegal. Employers have the freedom to terminate employees at any time and for any reason, as long as it is not discriminatory. If an employee does not return to work once they exhaust their leave, their employer is not required to keep the job open.

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One exception is if a company is downsizing and chooses to only terminate employees who have all recently or currently taken FMLA. That could suggest discrimination and warrant an investigation, Hitchcock Cross said.

If the employee's health condition is so serious that it qualifies as a disability, there is also some legal precedent that the employer has "a duty to consider extending that leave for a short and specific period of time," Olson said. Usually, these negotiations must occur before the leave expires.

Workers who can prove that their employer dropped communication with them or made no effort to provide reasonable accommodations before the FMLA period expired could have a legal case, Hitchcock Cross said.

She said it is in the employer's best interest to be clear about how long the FMLA period is and repeatedly communicate the deadline to an employee to avoid confusion.

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According to the Department of Labor, employers must notify employees in writing about their rights and responsibilities during their leave and post signage about FMLA rules in the workplace.

Kaplan said he had assumed his leave was open-ended based on how other staff with health issues had been treated. According to Kaplan, his manager acknowledged on his termination call that the company had inconsistent FMLA policies in the past, but that had changed.

Beechwood did not address Kaplan's claims about other employees having more flexibility with their leaves.

"There are strict legal standards that limit employers from discussing employment and health matters about any of our employees," Arts said.

Cliff Kaplan seen on his porch in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, on the morning of Oct. 14, 2025. Kaplan was fired from his job of sixteen years last December while undergoing cancer treatment, once his twelve weeks of medical leave concluded, after he said he was still unable to work.

Attorneys recommend getting legal advice before taking FMLA

Before receiving his cancer diagnosis, Kaplan had no plans to retire. His firing shocked him.

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All of us spend so much time at our workplace that it becomes almost as important as our life at home," Kaplan said. "I worked there for 16 years. Thats nearly a quarter of my life."

Many cases of unexpected firing, Hitchcock Cross said, could be avoided if an employee gets a lawyer involved early to seek advice. Some attorneys are willing to offer a brief consultation or connect with employers to discuss alternatives for no charge.

"A lot of times, we just pick up the phone or send what we call an intervention letter," Hitchcock Cross said. "A lot of times, the employer is very happy and says, thank you for steering us in the right direction."

Hitchcock Cross said employees could also consider requesting intermittent FMLA, which allows the 12-week leave period to be divided and spread out throughout the year to cover bouts of intense medical treatment.

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In these cases, it is beneficial for an employee to gather supporting documentation, such as positive work evaluations and letters from doctors explaining their care needs.

Cliff Kaplan seen on his porch in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, on the morning of Oct. 14, 2025. Kaplan was fired from his job of sixteen years last December while undergoing cancer treatment, once his twelve weeks of medical leave concluded, after he said he was still unable to work.

If an employee is fired shortly before they are set to receive their pension or any type of payment they were guaranteed, they should contact an attorney, Hitchcock Cross said. That's especially true for older employees.

"In Wisconsin, it is illegal to terminate someone in order to avoid paying something that they are due," she said.

Kaplan's circumstances seem unlikely to change. After 10 months of unemployment, he and his wife are living mostly off of savings and Social Security, trying to juggle medical payments and other expenses.

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"If my story gets out there and companies maybe hesitate before doing something like this again, maybe then, in a way, it's a positive outcome," Kaplan said.

Tamia Fowlkes is a Public Investigator reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She can be reached at tfowlkes@gannett.com.

Questions? Tips? Contact Public Investigator

Government corruption. Corporate wrongdoing. Consumer complaints. Medical scams. Public Investigator is a new initiative of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and its sister newsrooms across Wisconsin. Our team wants to hear your tips, chase the leads and uncover the truth. We'll investigate anywhere in Wisconsin. Send your tips to publicinvestigator@gannett.com or call 414-319-9061. You can also submit tips at jsonline.com/tips.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: FMLA offers few protections to Wisconsin man fired after chemotherapy
NEED TO KNOW

Lorna England, a 74-year-old grandmother, was stabbed to death in an apparent random attack two years ago

The English woman was remembered by family as "a kind and loving lady who lived life to the full"

Cameron Davis was sentenced to 28 years in prison in connection with England's killing

The family of a British grandmother who was stabbed to death in an apparent random attack while walking home from the grocery store two years ago is remembering her this week as a kind and loving lady who lived life to the full.

The family of late 74-year-old Lorna England provided the emotional remarks at the end of a government inquest into the Exeter, England, womans murder, which was officially ruled unlawful this week, according to ITV, The Guardian, and local Devon Live.

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Lorna was the beloved wife of fifty-two years, mother and grandmother and sister, the family said in a statement as this weeks inquest concluded. She was a kind and loving lady who lived life to the full, and was the most content person you would ever wish to meet, her smile lit up the room and her gentle nature made everyone feel welcomed and loved.

Englands family added: We have a permanent empty void because we miss Lorna so much, we will never come to terms with her loss, how do you come to terms with such a wicked act?"

The grandmother was ambushed, attacked, and stabbed to death while walking through the Ludwell Valley Park in Devon, England, on Feb. 18, 2023. Her attacker, Cameron Davis, later pleaded guilty to a manslaughter charge and was sentenced to 28 years in prison, according to the BBC.

Devon & Cornwall Police Lorna England Lorna England

An ongoing government inquest into the emergency services for Davis, who struggled with mental health issues, has been taking place at the Exeter and Greater Devon Coroner's Court in England this month. Testimony given by local officials during the inquest, which concluded this week, suggested that Englands murder may have possibly been avoided had Davis received proper medical care for the mental health struggles he was facing.



However, as The Guardian reported, Davis did not receive adequate mental health care and instead had his care delayed because his health care service had a compromised computer system that led to medical officials having issues sharing information about his case with one another. Local police and first responders are also accused of failing to take Davis threats of killing someone seriously.

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Davis entered a local police station in Exeter a month before killing England and told police he would 100% kill someone, leading police to take him to a local hospital where he was later discharged, according to The Guardian. The newspaper reported that the morning of Englands murder, Davis told a paramedic that he would kill a random person if officials didnt detain him.

England was randomly stabbed to death in the park shortly after, according to reports.

Devon & Cornwall Police Cameron Davis Cameron Davis

The senior coroner reviewing Englands murder case found that after Davis made his threats to kill a random person that morning, a mental health care nurse who had concerns about Davis mental health had been put on hold for more than two hours while trying to contact local police, The Guardian reported. According to the newspaper, the mental healthcare workers call was then disconnected without reaching local police to share her concerns about Davis.

Englands family has continued to mourn the death of the 74-year-old grandmother, who was killed after walking to pick up flour at her local Lidl grocery store, according to the BBC. England had decided to walk there because she wanted to get her steps in, prosecutors previously said.

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Dave England, Lornas husband, said last year at Davis sentencing that his wife was his "guiding light" and "soulmate, while casting anger towards Davis, calling him evil.

"That morning she had planted daffodil and tulip bulbs ready for the spring, Englands husband told her murderer. "No punishment that you ever receive will ever be adequate compared to the pain inflicted on Lorna and my family."

If you or someone you know needs mental health help, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.

Read the original article on People
LITTLE ITALY, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI)  Camille Aspite, a Little Italy resident, describes the moment she was punched in the face by a homeless man in her neighborhood.

The assault happened on Tuesday around 5 p.m. She said she was walking across the street at the intersection of Cedar Street and India Street with her roommate after work when the man punched her on the left cheek.

The impact knocked her to the ground, where Aspite says the man proceeded to yell at her before calmly walking away.

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He shouldnt be on the street. Im scared of what could happen to someone else down the line, Aspite said.

Aspite describes the man as someone shes seen before in the neighborhood. She said hes African American, in his 40s, 6-foot-4 and about 160 pounds.

Hes been aggressive, Aspite said. Sometimes he will be screaming at something on the ground or hes been with his pants off a few times.

Aspite posted the aftermath of the incident on social media, which garnered many comments.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  A Marrero woman was sentenced to 50 years after pleading guilty to killing her partner in 2023.

According to the District Attorney Tony Clayton, 30-year-old Marian Margaret Williams was indicted by a Pointe Coupee Parish grand jury on second-degree murder. She was accused of killing Shaniqua Smith, 24, after an argument in New Roads on Aug. 14, 2023.

Investigators said Smiths body was found outside their trailer on Olinde Street. Williams fled the area but left her cell phone and ID at the scene. She turned herself in about a month later.

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Williams pleaded guilty to manslaughter and obstruction of justice. She was sentenced to 40 years for manslaughter and 10 years for the obstruction charge, for a total of 50 years.

This is another sad case of gun violence destroying lives, said District Attorney Tony Clayton. I have said we will not tolerate it and will pursue harsh penalties for gun violence. People need to think before they pull that trigger.

Latest News

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News.
Worcester County this week became one of only two Maryland counties with a 0% homestead tax credit, a move aimed at limiting the impact of future property tax assessments on residents.

By setting the credit at 0%, Worcester homeowners wont pay county property tax on any increase in the market value that exceeds the prior years assessment. Effective July 1, 2026, taxable assessments in the county will remain flat year-over-year, regardless of any increase in the propertys actual market value. Previously, Worcester allowed a maximum 3% year-over-year assessment increase.

In Maryland, Worcester joins Talbot as the only two counties at 0%. For cities and towns, Ocean City, Salisbury, Queen Anne, Trappe, St. Michaels and College Park also use the same rate. Calvert, Montgomery and Somerset counties have the highest rates at 10% increase allowed, the legal limit under state law. Baltimore City and Baltimore County are both at 4%, and Anne Arundel County sits at 2%.

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Worcester County commissioners voted to lower the percentage during budget work sessions in the spring. State law required an additional step, which was fulfilled through a second vote Tuesday night.

County Administrator Weston Young estimated the impact on Worcester County revenues at a reduction of roughly $900,000  on a more than $284 million annual budget.

A provision to help local people

Worcester Commissioner Joe Mitrecic had originally proposed making the change during the last budget review. On Tuesday, he said its still the right move to make, but the change could cause concern for future budget cycles.

We have a tremendous amount of nonresident taxpayers that pay the freight, he said. My concern is that there will be, at some point in time, a group of those nonresident taxpayers that decide they want to go to Annapolis and they want to be heard in Worcester County, also.

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The change came during a year where many Maryland property owners have raised concerns about increasing property values and higher taxes as a result. State Department of Taxation and Assessments Director Dan Phillips said in a January news release that the average statewide value for residential properties increased by 21.1%, while the average for all reassessed commercial properties rose by 16.4% in 2025. Back in January, some Worcester residents told The Sun their property assessments were going up by a range from 24% to 35%.

Ocean City resident and former City Council member Vince Gisriel applauded the decision on Tuesday.

The state legislature had the wisdom to put these laws on the books as a provision to help local people get some sort of tax relief, he said. I cant think of anything that would help our citizens as much as this action today, in terms of taxes.

Details on how to apply

One key note. This isnt automatic. A resident has to apply for the tax credit. However, Worcester Commissioner Caryn Abbott said its a simple process.

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Its very easy and your approval happens fairly quickly. So I would encourage everyone to do that, she said.

To apply for the Homestead Property Tax Credit, homeowners must complete a one-time application through the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation. Applications can be submitted online at https://sdathtc.dat.maryland.gov. Once approved, the credit remains in place as long as the property continues to be the applicants principal residence.

Have a news tip? Contact Eastern Shore bureau chief Josh Davis at jdavis@baltsun.com or on X as @JoshDavis4Shore.
Piyush Goyal invited German businesses to diversify their investments in India.

"I highlighted how India's large talent pool, combined with our push for Ease of Doing Business, offers attractive prospects for German companies to diversify investments and strengthen supply chain resilience," the minister wrote on X.

"Our discussions focused on deepening Indo-German ties in trade and investment, joint industrial and technological partnerships in green energy, new and emerging technologies, as well as defence," Piyush Goyal wrote on X.

The talks also covered Germany's commitment to finalising the India-EU FTA.

Separately, during his ongoing visit to Germany, Piyush Goyal participated in a Round Table discussion with CEOs of German Mittelstand (SME) companies and Indian businesses.

The Indian minister highlighted the key opportunities India offers in innovation and sustainable manufacturing, and discussed ways for Indian and German companies to collaborate, strengthen trade and investment ties, and build strong industrial partnerships for mutual growth.

Goyal's visit to Germany marks a key milestone in enhancing India's engagement with Germany and holds particular significance as the year 2025 marks the 25th anniversary of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, highlighting the depth, resilience, and long-standing strength of bilateral ties.

Minister Goyal's meetings are designed to facilitate high-impact interactions with senior government officials, industry leaders, and business associations in both countries, the commerce ministry had said in a statement on Wednesday.

The Minister will also hold a high-level meeting with Xavier Bettel, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Luxembourg, to discuss the strengthening of bilateral trade relations, Luxembourg's forthcoming State Visit to India, current regional developments, and key international issues.

A key component of the visit will include a series of one-on-one meetings with CEOs of leading German companies such as Schaeffler Group, Renk Vehicle Mobility Solutions, Herrenknecht AG, Infineon Technologies AG, Enertrag SE, and Mercedes-Benz Group AG, the ministry had said in the statement. (ANI)
Ever since the Lilienthal brothers bird-like gliders of the 19th Century, the nation of Germany has contributed a great deal to aviation.

From rocket fighters to pulse-jets and even airships over three times longer than a Boeing 747, seemingly nothing was too outlandish for the Germany aviation industry to try in the 20th century. Though it created some fine aeroplanes like the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 and Messerschmitt Bf 109, Germany also created some of the most diabolical flying machines ever flown, lets meet 10 of them.

PHOTO: the Fiesler Fi-103R of the Second World War

10: Messerschmitt Bf 210

The Bf 210 was a good-looking heavy fighter-bomber but that was about all it had going for it. It was underpowered and its handling was so bad that it was dangerous to fly, being prone to enter a sudden and vicious stall under the least provocation. The chief test pilot commented that the Bf 210 had all the least desirable attributes an aeroplane could possess.

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It took the ridiculous total of 16 prototypes and 94 pre-production models to iron out the worst of the problems that bedevilled the 210. To put this in context the Fw 190, a contemporary (but very successful) aircraft which also took considerable development to get right went through only five prototypes and 28 pre-production examples.

10: Messerschmitt Bf 210

Compared to the Messerschmitt Bf 110 heavy fighter it was replacing the 210 was slower and shorter-ranged as well as possessing appalling handling qualities. Even the undercarriage was lousy and kept failing on the 210. The 210s that had managed to make it into service, were withdrawn after a month and replaced by the very aircraft they were supposed to succeed.

The production line was shut down and the Messerschmitt Bf 110 was put back into production fitted with the 210s better streamlined engine nacelles. Willy Messerschmitts reputation was in tatters and his resignation was officially demanded from the company that bore his name.

9: Messerschmitt Me 321/Me 323 Gigant

The Me 321 was designed to fly armoured vehicles, soldiers and military supplies to where they were needed. Such a task required a truly enormous aircraft, which was a problem if the aircraft had no engines. The Me 321 was a massive battle transport glider too large to be towed into flight. Even with 3280 horsepower, the Ju 90 airliner tow aircraft struggled to tow this behemoth sky-bound (they even tried tying it to three Bf 110 fighters).

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The next attempt to create an adequately powerful tow aircraft involved bolting two bombers together (pictured), which was also far from ideal. Even strapping rockets to the machine wasnt getting the desired results.

9: Messerschmitt Me 321/Me 323 Gigant

While these slapstick endeavours had been taking place, Messerschmitt had been simultaneously working on a powered version  the Me 323 (pictured). This worked, but was so slow and cumbersome that in contested airspace proved extremely vulnerable; on one notable occasion in April 1943 near Sicily, an escorted flight of 27 Me 323s were ambushed by Allied Spitfires and P-40s; 16 Me 323s were lost.

Despite this, its sheer scale and ambition made it a forefather of modern military strategic transport aircraft like the mighty C-17 Globemaster.

8: Dornier Do 31E

In the early 1960s, the Luftwaffe became concerned about the vulnerability of aircraft operating from large air bases. The solution appeared to be removing the aircrafts need for a long runway. The British developed the vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) Harrier; the Germans, in a frenzy of innovation, developed and flew, but did not put into service, two potentially supersonic VTOL fast-jets, and a VTOL transport, the Do 31E.

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They also experimented with a zero-length launch system for the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, the ZELL (based on ideas from the rocket genius and occultist magician Jack Parsons). The Do 31, as a production aircraft, was envisaged as supplying tactical logistic support to the fast jets, itself using as forward operating bases the airstrips on which the ZELL Starfighters were expected to land using arrester gear.

8: Dornier Do 31E

The support of forward air operations can be well supported by another aircraft which was in development at the time  the very conventional G222. The G222 has now evolved into todays C-27 Spartan, which offers similar payload-range performance to the Dornier 31E, albeit with short take off rather than vertical take off capability. A conventional turborprop is available at the fraction of the cost, risk and complexity of a production Do 31.

The Do 31 was an impressive answer to a question that shouldnt have been asked. Technical progress and ambition had run ahead of operational analysis, resulting in flawed requirements.

7: Baade 152

In the 1950s, East Germany desired a new airliner, so Brunolf Baade, a wartime bomber designer, responded with a futuristic design. It was dubbed the Type 152 and based on the EF 150 bomber concept he had designed for the Soviet Union. But this was a terrible basic design for a jetliner.

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For a start, it had a bicycle undercarriage  meaning the aircraft could not rotate (lift the nose wheel off the runway) promptly on take-off. It also required great precision to land precisely.

7: Baade 152

It also had terrible engines, its Pirna 014 jets based on wartime technology, which offered a miserly 3:1 thrust-to-weight ratio (compare this to the far superior 4.5:1 of the US Pratt & Whitney JT3D jet engine which first ran a year earlier than the Pirna) and a lousy specific fuel consumption. The maiden flight of this aircraft took place on 4 December 1958.

Four months later the aircraft took its second flight and crashed killing all on board. In mid-1961 the East German government stopped all aeronautical industry activities, as the Soviet Union did not want to buy any of these aircraft or support a potential rival to their own Tu-124.

6: Heinkel 177

The Luftwaffe correctly assumed it would need a long-range bomber, and the He 177 was conceived in 1937. The problems all stemmed from the He 177s powerplant which consisted of a pair of Daimler Benz V-12 engines mounted on a common crankshaft in each wing  with incredibly tight fit into their cowlings. Both engines shared a common central exhaust manifold serving a total of 12 cylinders, the two inner cylinder banks of the component engines.

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The central exhaust system would often become extremely hot, causing oil and grease in the bottom of each engine cowling to catch fire. This was compounded by a tendency for the fuel injection pump on each engine to lag in their response to the pilot throttling back in such situations, deliver more fuel and thus fuel the fire.

6: Heinkel 177

While the constant fires were by far the most serious issue affecting the Greif the big Heinkel also had to contend with an overly heavy undercarriage, a dangerous swing on take-off, due to the massive torque of the enormous propellors, an inadequate defensive armament and unpleasant handling characteristics.

The French finished a version of the He 177 after the war with four separate engines and it served reliably for years on test programmes, proving that if Heinkel hadnt inexplicably persisted with the coupled-engine concept they could have had an effective, reliable strategic bomber from 1942. As it was, the Luftwaffe was left with a machine that its chief Hermann Goring himself once described as a monstrosity.

PHOTO: captured He 177 wearing RAF markings

5: Siemens-Schuckert Forssman

During taxi trials and small hops, many of the faults of designer Forssmans terrible creation of 1914 became apparent. The structure was too weak and was beefed up, not least by adding extra wing struts, the first of an unprecedented five major rebuilds and redesigns. There was insufficient tail area, so a second rudder was added and the wings were modified.

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At the same time an attempt to balance a tail-heaviness issue was made by crudely adding a tub-like gunners position on the nose. Further short hops revealed that the modifications had not made the aircraft anywhere near acceptable. Any reasonable manufacturer would have cut their losses, dumped this hopeless aircraft and moved on but Siemens-Schuckert were determined that they should get some kind of return for their investment

5: Siemens-Schuckert Forssman

More powerful Mercedes engines were added in the inboard positions, leaving the outer engines as they were. All the engines received streamlined mountings and the nose of the aircraft was reworked into a pointed shape with massive round windows. The pilot now sat under a fully enclosed cockpit, an incongruously advanced feature.

Unfortunately, the designated test pilot, after some ground runs and despite his comfortable enclosed cockpit, refused to fly the aircraft. Siemens-Schuckert managed to persuade air-ace Walter Hohndorf to perform the first flight but in September 1915, whilst completing another test hop, something went awry, the aircraft turned onto its back and was partially wrecked.

4: Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet

Although it was a horrific death trap with a litany of flaws, no one could deny the Komet was impressive in one key way: with a top speed of 596mph (959km/h), it was the fastest aircraft of the second world war; the rocket plane also possessed the best climb rate of any aircraft in the world until the supersonic Bell X-1. It became operational in 1944 and was designed to combat the British and American bombers then laying waste to German cities.

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The Komets rocket motor was colossally thirsty  and had only eight minutes worth of fuel. The engine was either on or off, with no ability to cruise or throttle back. The closing speed between it and its target was so great that it was extremely difficult to aim and fire with any hope of success.

4: Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet

The worst aspect for the pilot was the fuel. The Komet was propelled by two toxic liquids called C-stoff and T-stoff that explode when brought into contact. T-stoff would cause virtually any organic material such as leather or cloth to spontaneously combust, furthermore it would dissolve human flesh.

Even if the landing were successful, the shock of landing could rupture a fuel line or slosh any residual propellants into contact with each other and a catastrophic explosion would be the near inevitable result. So volatile were the fuels that there are accounts of Komets spontaneously exploding for no apparent reason whilst simply sitting on the ground.

3: DFW T.28 Floh

Back in 1915 people still didnt know what aeroplanes were supposed to look like. At least thats the only explanation I can think of to explain the delightfully chunky appearance of DFWs T.28, cheerily named Floh (flea), perhaps the cuddliest combat aircraft ever built. There seems to no other reason for building this tiny yet simultaneously weirdly massive machine. Despite being reputedly very fast, because of its daft shape the Floh was never a serious contender for fighter operations.

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The main problem was visibility, which was excellent so long as you only wanted to look upwards. The pilots view forwards for take off and landing was non-existent and the massive triangular tail surfaces conspired with the biplane wings to obscure the view of more or less anything below the aircraft. With all that fuselage side area and only a relatively modest rudder, one can only assume that directional control was not the aircrafts strong suit.

3: DFW T.28 Floh

Add to that a perversely narrow undercarriage and it should come to no surprise that the Floh crashed on landing after its first test flight. On the upside the arrangement of intakes on the aircrafts nose gives it the appearance of a jolly smiling face  always a major boon for an aircraft intended for the deadly skies over the Western front.

Just to prove that he wasnt insane or obsessed with giving aircraft a Rubens-esque profile, Hermann Dorner, who designed the Floh, went on to produce the outstanding Hannover CL series of two-seat fighters which were boringly slender by comparison, did not feature a jolly smiling face, and proved highly successful.

2: Zeppelin L 2

Back in the first couple of years of the First World War airships were the only aerial vehicle able to mount meaningful bombing attacks deep behind enemy lines. But the fact is that the Zeppelins of World War One consisted of a fabric bag filled with between about one and two million cubic feet of hydrogen, a highly flammable element.

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The Zeppelins are huge and inflammable, present an unmissably massive target, were slow and susceptible to bad weather. Bizarrely, despite having more than enough carrying capacity to reasonably carry them, German airship crews chose not to bother taking parachutes on missions.

2: Zeppelin L 2

Presumably being able to escape having to choose between plummeting to ones death or being incinerated in a hydrogen-fuelled inferno was just too easy for the stalwart Zeppelin men of the Imperial German Navy. And that was a choice that became increasingly commonplace after the first Zeppelin was shot down over Belgium in June 1915.

That the Navy persisted in using these giant airships for bombing raids was largely down to the insistence of one dangerously psychopathic zealot, Kapitan zur See Peter Strasser. Despite ever-increasing evidence of the ever-decreasing effectiveness of the Zeppelin as a bombing aircraft, Strasser continued to demand his crews fly strategic raids over England with ever greater loss of life, including his own in August 1918.

1: Fieseler Fi 103R Reichenberg

The Fieseler Fi 103R was essentially a V-1 cruise missile with a human as the guidance mechanism. The Reichenberg had a quick development period, probably too quick. The German Research Institute for Sailplane Flight started development in mid-1944, and had a prototype ready for testing within days. A cramped cockpit with a jettisonable canopy was placed just under the pulse-jets air intake, and flight controls were rudimentary, although simple.

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After release from a carrier aircraft, the Reichenberg was meant to be piloted towards a target and put into a dive, following which the pilot parachuted out. Pilot survival was optimistically rated as being most unlikely; it was estimated at a terrifying 1% due to the proximity of the pulsejets intake to the cockpit.

1: Fieseler Fi 103R Reichenberg

Tricky landing controls ensured that two test machines crashed during developmental trials, and although the designers claimed a distinction between their machine and the Japanese Kamikaze, to the pilot there was little difference. Thankfully for the young men expected to operate this flying tomb, it was quickly abandoned after armaments minister Albert Speer and Luftwaffe KG200 chief Werner Baumbach successfully pleaded with Hitler that suicide was not in the German warrior tradition.

Joe Coles is the author of The Hush-Kit Book of Warplanes Vol 1, Vol 2 and Vol 3

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This may be a cover that President Donald Trump will end up liking.

Time magazine published its latest cover on Thursday, featuring Trump posing at his desk in the Oval Office with the title TRUMPS WORLD.

The story details how Trump ultimately announced a U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. The first phase of the agreement, which went into effect earlier this month, led to the release of all living hostages held in Gaza in exchange for thousands of Palestinian prisoners and detainees. The bodies of several deceased Israeli hostages have yet to be returned.

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In his interview with Time, conducted at the White House last week, Trump said that Israel would lose all of its support from the United States if it decides to annex the West Bank. The Knesset voted on Wednesday to advance a bill to do so.

Trump also claimed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would have just kept going without U.S. intervention.

TIME's latest cover: Trump's world. President Donald Trump talks to TIME about his efforts to end the war in Gaza. https://t.co/Fy8AaxEVj2 pic.twitter.com/Itu40KCHyw  TIME (@TIME) October 23, 2025

MAGA world weighed in on the cover with positive marks.

"TRUMPS WORLD," Steven Cheung, the White House communications director, wrote on X.

Jeff Gunter, the former U.S. ambassador to Iceland during Trumps first term, said the image is Times best cover ever.

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The new image comes as the magazine released a separate cover spotlight Trump on Oct. 13, days after he announced the breakthrough to the over two-year war in Gaza. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump acknowledged that the article was largely positive, but went on to blast Time for using what he described as the "Worst of All Time" photograph.

They disappeared my hair, and then had something floating on top of my head that looked like a floating crown, but an extremely small one. Really weird! Trump wrote, adding: I never liked taking pictures from underneath angles, but this is a super bad picture, and deserves to be called out. What are they doing, and why?

In the cover image, Trump is featured looking up, giving the viewer a look at his neck, nostrils and right ear.

The living Israeli hostages held in Gaza have been freed under the first phase of Donald Trump's peace plan, alongside a Palestinian prisoner release. The deal may become a signature achievement of Trump's second term, and it could mark a strategic turning point for the Middle pic.twitter.com/0bZDABIDGj  TIME (@TIME) October 13, 2025

During a visit to Israel, Vice President JD Vance warned on Tuesday that Hamas would be obliterated if it did not cooperate with the ceasefire  jumping off of a similar threat from Trump, who earlier vowed fast, furious and brutal force." The president over the weekend had also maintained the deal was still in place as Israel and Hamas traded blame over violations to the agreement.

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We wanna make sure that its going to be very peaceful with Hamas, Trump told reporters after Israel launched strikes in response to what it claimed were recent Hamas attacks on Israeli forces in Rafah.

Stories by Rachel Cohen

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The Writers Guild of America has released its first statement in response to Warner Bros. Discovery going on sale, warning that a potential sale of the legacy studio to Paramount Skydance would be a disaster.

Merger after merger in the media industry has harmed workers, diminished competition and free speech, and wasted hundreds of billions of dollars better invested in organic growth. Combining Warner Bros. with Paramount or another major studio or streamer would be a disaster for writers, for consumers and for competition, the Writers Guilds statement read. The WGAW and WGAE will work with regulators to block the merger.

So far, Paramount Skydance has made at least three offers to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, including one for $60 billion. On Tuesday, WBD said in a statement that it would undergo review of strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value, a signal that Warner Bros. would be back up for sale three years after the WBD merger was completed.

Both before and after that 2022 merger, the Writers Guild of America was a major voice of protest against it, releasing a memo, called Broken Promises, that outlined the anti-competitive practices that followed mergers and acquisitions like Disneys purchase of 20th Century Fox in 2019.

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In 2023, it released a follow-up criticizing Warner Bros. Discoverys decisions to cancel and shelve billions in film and TV projects in an effort to cut costs.

The series of mergers that led us herefirst the $85 billion AT&T-Time Warner merger and then the $43 billion WarnerMedia Discovery mergerhave each

promised to create a better competitor, but have instead left the merged entity debt-burdened and focused on cutting costs to rationalize these disastrous

business decisions, the WGA wrote at the time.

The post Writers Guild: Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger Would Be a Disaster appeared first on TheWrap.
LEWISBURG, WV (WVNS)  The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) has announced a new executive director of information technology.

According to a press release, the role has been filled by Chad Burns, who began working with WVSOM as a server systems manager in 2015. In the position, Burns will bring strategic leadership and direction of WVSOMs IT department. He will head the daily operations of the department, such as technical infrastructure, telecommunications, help desk and user support services, and more.

Burns, Chad, Executive Director of Information Technology, WVSOM Information Technology Department (Photo courtesy of WVSOM)

Ive worked with this team for 10 years, and I know how dedicated and capable everyone is. Im humbled to work with them. I want to see our people continue to grow, become stronger and build relationships across WVSOM while also starting to innovate by taking advantage of the outstanding skills we have in our department. Chad Burns | Executive Director of Information Technology, WVSOM

WVSOM incorporates clinical trials to strengthen commitment to the community

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Burns described his leadership as both servant and transformational.

I believe in letting people do the work they need to do, stepping back and clearing the path for them, removing obstacles and pushing them to excel and grow into their career in the areas they want. I feel like that will ultimately benefit the school. Chad Burns | Executive Director of Information Technology, WVSOM

Burns became part of WVSOM after establishing the West Virginia Tech Fest, an educational technology conference that addresses the needs of technology departments within K-12 schools statewide, the release stated. He also served as president of the West Virginia chapter of the VM ware Users Group. His prior work experience includes positions with Pomeroy IT Solutions, the Greenbrier County Board of Education, and Electronic Arts Tiburon in Orlando, Florida.

While working at WVSOM, Burns has been the head of major infrastructure projects, such as the enactment of a Cisco Hyperflex UCS Data Center, migration of institutional servers to Azure, and deployment of a 600-cirtual desktop environment, the release stated. In 2024, he was chosen to take part in Leadership West Virginia, a program focused on progressing the Mountain States economic development, civic engagement, and public policy.

Burns educational background includes an associate degree in video game design and development from Full Sail University, a bachelors degree in computer information systems from Western Governors University, and a masters degree in computer science from the Georgia Institute of Technology, the release stated.

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WVSOM AI Task Force finds innovative uses for advancing technologies

Drema Hill, Ph.D., WVSOMs chief operations officer, praised Burns for his experience in different specialties of information technology, such as user support, development, servers and networking, and stated that Burns brings with him new ideas to the position.

Beyond technical leadership, Chad has consistently focused on culture change and team development. He fosters collaboration, trust, and a shared sense of purpose, working to build meaningful connections within the IT department and across WVSOM. Chad is a relationship builder, a listener and a leader who values transparency, collaboration and accountability. Drema Hill, Ph.D. | Chief Operations Officer, WVSOM

For more information regarding WVSOM, visit 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 WVNS.
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Historians believe between 300 and 400 black soldiers were killed, compared to the official number of 35. | Credit: Illustration by Julia Wytrazek / Getty Images

A new report into the 1944 Thiaroye massacre of African infantrymen by French soldiers in Senegal found that the shooting over pay disputes was premeditated, said France24. Substantial evidence surrounding the attack was covered up by French authorities in the months and years after, the report concluded.

The events at Thiaroye make it one of the worst massacres during French colonial rule, said Le Monde. Its effects are still felt, and mark a point of tension in relations between the two countries.

Significant new details

Today, questions remain about the number, identities and burial locations of soldiers who were killed, with the modern estimates of deaths 10 times higher than the official 35 recorded at the time, said Le Monde.

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Documents of the time show that around 1,300 soldiers from several west African countries, who had been called up to fight for France, were transported from France to a camp in Thiaroye, Senegal, following liberation from German capture in 1944.

Upon arrival, discontent mounted over owed back pay and unmet demands to be treated on a par with white soldiers, said Radio France Internationale.

The soldiers were due to be paid a quarter of the back pay in mainland France, and the rest upon their arrival in Africa, experts told Afrique XXI. After a month with no sign of payment, and the soldiers refusal to leave the camp until they had been fairly recompensed, tense meetings took place between French commanders and the African infantrymen.

Days later, authorities opened fire, accusing the unarmed soldiers of mutiny, though only one Frenchman suffered a gunshot wound: a significant detail which seems to corroborate the innocence of the accused.

Smouldering tensions

The 301-page report was submitted to Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye last week, and urges France to formally apologise to the riflemens families and communities, said France24. There is a significant absence of source evidence linked to the massacre stored in Dakar, due to documents being transferred to France, the report showed. Excavations at a Thiaroye cemetery have been under way since May.

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Further results from the investigation, led by historian Mamadou Diouf, threaten to reignite smouldering tensions between France and the former colony, said The Associated Press.

In June, Biram Senghor, the son of one of the Tirailleurs Senegalais, or Senegalese infantrymen corps, lodged a complaint against the French state, claiming it was concealing information about his fathers death, said Le Monde.

They lied to his family. They pretended Senghor was a deserter, that he did not die in Thiaroye, and then they admitted that he had, Senghors lawyer told the outlet. They need to tell us where his remains are.

France first acknowledged Thiaroye as a massacre in November 2024, just days before the 80th anniversary of the shooting. The killings have risen to public consciousness, and have been a point of contention between the two countries, said Damian Zane on the BBC. This acknowledgement came at a time where Faye  who was elected eight months earlier  was considering a reassessment of the countries relationship, added the broadcaster.

Despite praising President Emmanuel Macrons courage for acknowledging the massacre, and believing relations remain very good, in July the Senegalese president welcomed the removal of French troops from Senegal, said Le Monde. What country can have foreign troops on its soil and still claim independence?
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  An Army Soldier whose remains were unidentifiable for over 80 years has been identified and will be returned to his family for a proper burial.

A public procession is expected as Staff Sgt. Pagliusos remains are taken to Boeheim-Pusateri Funeral Home in Lyons, NY. Details are being coordinated for Friday, November 7, at 11 a.m..

Staff Sergeant John Paglius of the Army Air Corps was killed in action on or around October 5, 1942, during a bombing run over Papua New Guinea.

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He was born in 1918 and grew up in Lyons, New York. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1939, where he trained in aerial photography. October 5, 1942, is when he went missing after his plane with a crew of 6 was shot down. The crash was found in 1944, where only one set of remains was found.

Staff Sgt. Pagliusos remains were unidentifiable for decades, being known as Unknown X-133 in the cemetery of Fort McKinley in Manila since 1960.

In 2021, the DOD exhumed the remains from the Manila American Cemetery for DNA analysis in Hawaii. They used Staff Sgt. Pagliusos maternal niece and sister to positively identified him. He was officially accounted for on March 17, 2025.

Wayne County Veterans Service Director Samantha Wilson said, This accounting brings long-awaited closure to the family and honors the immense sacrifice Staff Sgt. Pagliuso made for our nation.

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He is to be laid to rest at his parents plot in his hometown of Lyons.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  The YMCA of Topeka hosted a Trunk or Treat event tonight for families within the community.

Families at the event could grab candy from decorated cars, play games and participate in other Halloween-themed activities. Appearances were made by the local fire department and the Topeka Scarecrows mascot.

One employee from the YMCA loves to see the holiday spirit come alive throughout the community.

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KS governor announces $442 million in highway projects

I think Im still a child at heart, and I love children, said Susan Patterson, a lifeguard at Topekas YMCA. We have so many programs that are wonderful for kids, and theyre low cost, no cost so we encourage everyone to come out.

If you missed out on tonights event, there are still plenty of similar events in the coming days.

The Hyvee on SW Wanamaker is hosting a Trunk or Treat Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Capital Gymnastics is hosting on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The Topeka Bible Church will hold an event on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

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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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NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY)  New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) entered a not guilty plea during an arraignment in Norfolk federal court Friday morning.

James exited the courthouse at 11:45 a.m. and held a press conference about the case. She first thanked those who have supported her.

This is not about me. This is about all of us and about a justice system that has been weaponized. A justice system which has been used as a tool of revenge, she told the crowd gathered.

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James was in court on mortgage fraud charges. A federal grand jury indicted James earlier this month. The case centers around a home in Norfolk. Shes accused of buying the home in 2020 with the understanding that she was the sole person to live there.

New York attorney general Letitia James was indicted by a federal grand jury earlier this month, with her case centering around the above home in Norfolk, having been accused of buying it in 2020 with the understanding that she was the sole person to live there. Prosecutors allege, however, that she used the home as a rental property, which they said would save her money on the loan.

Prosecutors allege that James instead used the home as a rental property, which they say would save her money on the loan.

She is facing two counts: bank fraud and false statements to a financial institution.

Another hearing has been scheduled for Dec. 17 to discuss a motion filed to dismiss the charges altogether. And the trial date was set for Jan. 26, 2026.

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Letitia James signals plan to challenge Lindsey Halligans appointment in mortgage fraud case

On Thursday, James attorneys said they formally planned to ask the judge overseeing the case to dismiss the charges Friday. In a 2-page filing, her attorneys asked for dismissal on the basis that U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan, they say, was unlawfully installed.

The motion, filed Friday, states, in summary:

Attorney General Letitia A. James, by and through undersigned counsel, pursuant to

Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 12(b) moves this Court to dismiss the Governments

indictment because purported interim U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan had no authority to bring

the charges in this case. As explained further below, Ms. Halligans purported appointment as

interim U.S. Attorney was invalid under 28 U.S.C  546 and in violation of the Appointments

Clause of the United States Constitution. Click here to read the full motion and memorandum to dismiss the indictment.

This was the scene Friday morning. The case has brought media from across the nation to Norfolk.

Oct. 24, 2025

There was also a crowd of protestors on both sides that gathered outside the courthouse Friday. Jeanne Robinson from Richmond SEIU VA 512 said she was there because she feels James is being wrongly targeted, Because of her position, her views. She doesnt agree with everything, and maybe also race. We are here to support her and say we stick together.

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Norfolk Commonwealths Attorney Ramin Fatehi was at the courthouse on Friday. He spoke with WAVY after the arraignment. What I can tell you is that Attorney General James has one of the finest defense lawyers in America working for her, he said. I expect them to file a series of motions challenging the validity of this case, and I have full confidence in the judiciary and Norfolks federal juries to come to the right conclusion.

Parts of Granby Street and East and West Bute Street near the Hoffman Federal Courthouse was closed under police control from 5 a.m. until 1 p.m. Friday because of this high-profile case. Motorists and pedestrians were encouraged to use Boush Street as an alternate route during that time frame.

As The Hill has reported, James is among a handful of Trump foes targeted by the Federal Housing Finance Agency with criminal referrals to face charges. Shes the second Trump rival to face charges.

Trump civil fraud case casts shadow on Letitia James indictment

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President Trump posted about James on Truth Social just days before she was charged. In the post, he referred to James as corrupt and scum and called for her to be removed from the New York attorney generals office.

New York Attorney General (D) Letitia James addressed the public after Fridays hearing at the Norfolk Federal Courthouse during which she pleaded not guilty to two charges. WAVY live streamed the press conference. You can watch a replay in the player above.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
By Ted Hesson

NEW YORK (Reuters) -New York State's attorney general on Wednesday urged the public to submit photos, videos and other documentation of federal immigration operations to her office for review, a day after a high-profile raid targeted Manhattan street vendors.

Attorney General Letitia James said her office would review footage and other information from operations shared through a "Federal Action Reporting Form," saying in a statement that "every New Yorker has the right to live without fear or intimidation."

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President Donald Trump, a Republican, has launched an aggressive immigration crackdown in major U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington, D.C. The San Francisco Chronicle reported on Wednesday that the Trump administration would send more than 100 federal agents to the city to ramp up enforcement, citing an unnamed source.

Protesters in the cities have used phones to record ICE operations, which critics say have employed racial profiling and swept up many immigrants with no criminal records. The immigration raid on New York City's Canal Street, a prominent shopping area known for bargain prices and imitation goods, triggered pushback in the street from residents in the vicinity.

When asked for comment on James' oversight effort, U.S. Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said it "looks like obstruction of justice."

The new effort to record possible abuses by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and other federal agents is part of a broader resistance by Democrats. U.S. Representative Robert Garcia, a Democrat based in Los Angeles, said on Monday that he and other Democrats would launch an online site to track the agency's operations and urged the public to record ICE activity.

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The Trump administration in March gutted the DHS offices charged with monitoring civil rights abuses as part of its government downsizing efforts.

The ICE monitoring effort by James, a longtime Trump foe, could further inflame political tensions with the White House. James, who brought a civil fraud case against Trump in 2022, was charged earlier this month with lying on a mortgage application, as the Trump administration stepped up its use of government power against his perceived political enemies.

DHS said Tuesday's operation targeting Canal Street resulted in nine arrests of alleged immigration offenders from Mali, Senegal, Mauritania and Guinea, including some with prior criminal arrests. Four people were arrested for allegedly assaulting law enforcement and another for obstruction of justice, DHS said.

Democratic U.S. Representative Dan Goldman, whose district includes Canal Street, said his office had helped secure the release of four U.S. citizens detained by ICE.

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Dozens of masked federal agents stormed Lower Manhattan, roughing up protestors and indiscriminately arresting people," Goldman said in statement.

The Canal Street raid came after at least two prominent pro-Trump influencers posted videos in recent weeks focusing on African immigrants selling goods along the busy thoroughfare. One of the influencers, Savanah Hernandez, said in an October 19 post on X that African immigrants without legal status were operating a black market there and urged ICE to visit the area and arrest the vendors.

"I dont know that ICE officials saw my post," Hernandez said in an email. "However, the White House has been very responsive to on the ground reporters who have utilized X to share their stories."

The normally bustling street was largely empty of street vendors on Wednesday, a Reuters witness said.

(Reporting by Ted Hesson in Washington and David Dee Delgado in New York; Editing by Craig Timberg and Diane Craft)
The report shows that digital transactions in India have grown 38 times in volume and over three times in value in the past decade. During the first half of 2025 alone, total payment transactions touched 12,549 crore in volume and Rs 1,572 lakh crore in value, with digital payments accounting for 99.8% of transactions by volume.

UPI remained the most preferred payment mode, contributing 85% of total transaction volume, though only 9% in value. In contrast, the Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) system accounted for 69% of total transaction value, underscoring its role in high-value fund transfers.

The RBI report also highlighted continued growth in retail systems such as NEFT, IMPS, NACH, BBPS, and NETC, reflecting India's deepening digital payment infrastructure. UPI transactions alone surged to 10,637 crore in H1 2025, amounting to Rs 143.3 lakh crore.

RBI Executive Director Vivek Deep, in his foreword, said the continued evolution of India's payment systems has made them more efficient, inclusive, and resilient, playing a vital role in supporting the country's digital transformation and economic growth. (ANI)




ALBANY - New York Democrats say the details behind a recent poll that showed tighter competition between U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik and Gov. Kathy Hochul in a potential gubernatorial race should have been publicly disclosed.

A complaint filed Wednesday with the state Board of Elections by state Democratic Party Chair Jay Jacobs contends that the early October poll violates New York's Fair Campaign Code, which requires candidates, parties and committees to make details of polls public within 48 hours. The internal poll, paid for by Stefanik's federal political action committee and conducted by a firm with Republican ties, had found that Hochul held only a 5% lead over Stefanik - compared to a 25% lead found by a Siena poll in September.

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"Elise Stefanik is still refusing to release the details of her baked internal poll - what is she so desperate to cover up?" Jacobs said in a news release announcing the complaint had been filed. "If Stefanik has nothing to hide, she would gladly release the full poll instead of evading state campaign finance rules."

The complaint also alleges that Stefanik violated state campaign finance laws by using federal campaign funds for a state race and failing to report payments for the poll to the state.

At the core of the disagreement is whether the Board of Elections would consider Stefanik a candidate for the gubernatorial race regardless of whether she has officially declared her candidacy.

Stefanik is expected to seek her party's nomination for governor but has not formally announced a bid and has said she will not make a final decision until November. The complaint points to public statements during an interview in September when, asked on Fox News whether she plans to run for governor, Stefanik replied: "We are - yes, donate to SaveNewYork.com. We are building the groundwork today to support local candidates this year."

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Joseph T. Burns, an attorney for Stefanik, said the state's poll disclosure requirements under the Fair Campaign Code "do not apply to Elise."

"She's not a candidate for governor or any other state office," Burns said. "Elise is a federal officeholder and federal law, with regard to contributions and expenditures by federal officials, preempts state law. The polling conducted isn't subject to any state filing requirements."

According to the Board of Elections, a poll released for the purpose of "testing the waters" by a person who has not announced their candidacy is not bound by the state filing requirements, "because the person is not yet seeking the nomination nor is the person a candidate for office." At the same time, the board may still consider a person a candidate even if they have not formally declared their candidacy, "if the person's actions show that he or she is in fact a candidate," and such considerations are "made on a case by case basis."

There is nothing that prohibits Stefanik's team from sharing the full details of the internal poll that was conducted by GrayHouse, a firm that often conducts polls for Republican candidates.

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Alex deGrasse, a senior advisor to Stefanik, called the complaint "laughable" and said the congresswoman has been consistent in stating, including on Fox News, that she will not make a decision on running for governor until after the November elections.

"Congresswoman Stefanik is a federally filed candidate for Congress in New York's 21st Congressional District and until she chooses to file for state office, if she chooses to do so, her campaign operations are bound by FEC guidelines," he said. "Also worth noting that in her position of leadership, she has polled across New York state which has been critical to the efforts to flip numerous House seats Republican."

He also pushed back against the complaint's characterization of Stefanik's appearance on Fox News as confirming her candidacy.

"Congresswoman Stefanik was very specific with her words when she said 'we are,' referencing Republicans and specifically did not say 'I am,'" he said. "She correctly pointed directly to her state PAC which is supporting Republicans candidates broadly in New York state."

This article originally published at New York Dems challenge Stefanik poll, allege disclosure violation.
(WFXR)- Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency to provide assistance for more than 850,000 Virginians receiving federal SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits.

According to the press release, the Commonwealth will continue to provide food benefits during the government shutdown. Youngkin did not elaborate on how long he would access the emergency funds.

The Democrat Shutdown will cause SNAP benefits to run out for over 850,000 Virginians in need starting November 1, 2025. I refuse to let hungry Virginians be used as leverage by Congressional Democrats. I am declaring a State of Emergency due to the Democrat Shutdown to protect hungry Virginians in need, said Governor Glenn Youngkin.

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Roanoke-Blacksburg Airport starts Care Cupboard for federal workers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture had previously warned states that SNAP benefits would run out starting November 1. The government shutdown began on October 1.

I thank President Trump and his Administration for their help as they continue to provide support to Virginians in need, wrote Youngkin.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency Thursday to prevent a lapse in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for Virginians beginning Nov. 1 as a result of the ongoing government shutdown.

The shutdown has left the U.S. Department of Agriculture roughly $3 billion short in its multiyear contingency fund to cover a month of SNAP benefits, which provides food assistance for low-income individuals, according to reporting from the Virginia Mercury. Without the necessary funds or a congressional deal to cover the program, the USDA notified the commonwealth earlier this week that benefits would not be issued in the new month.

The state of emergency allows the state to use emergency funds to cover the cost of the program, which more than 850,000 Virginians rely on for food security, according to Youngkin.

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The Virginia Department of Social Services issued a notice this week that benefits would lapse Nov. 1 if the shutdown is not resolved by Oct. 28. That led to several municipalities, such as Norfolk and Newport News, to issue their own warnings that food stamp benefits might be delayed or may not come at all for November.

Its unclear how quickly the state could authorize the spending or exactly how much it would cost to cover benefits for all state recipients next month. The maximum SNAP benefit a single person can receive is $294 per month, and the most a family of four can receive is $994 per month.

In the announcement, Youngkin blamed Democrats for necessitating the state of emergency due to the shutdown, but said there will be no lapse in SNAP benefits for people who need them.

I refuse to let hungry Virginians be used as leverage by congressional Democrats, Youngkin said in the release. I am declaring a State of Emergency due to the Democrat shutdown to protect hungry Virginians in need.

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SNAP usage is rising in Virginia. In 2022, the USDA issued an average of nearly $117 million in SNAP benefits help feed the roughly 775,000 Virginia recipients, according to the Department of Agriculture. More than three-quarters of those people were at or below the poverty line.

With federal government workers furloughed or working without pay during the shutdown, which is now in its third week, Hampton Roads foodbanks have stepped up to support affected community members.

Registration for a Virginia Peninsula Food Banks mobile food pop-up at Hampton Coliseum opened at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, but cars were lining up as early as 4:30 a.m. to ensure attendees received food, according to staff.

By the time distribution began at 10 a.m.  the food banks last such food drive of the month  roughly 250 cars had filed into the parking lot waiting to be ushered in line. Staff turned away several cars attempting to get tickets as registration was already at capacity.

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The food bank has put on several food drives since the beginning of the shutdown, especially targeted toward furloughed workers, according to Chief Executive Officer Bob Latvis. However, he said food insecurity on the Peninsula is rising, and at some point, the food bank wont be able to purchase enough food to serve the communitys need.

Some attendees were furloughed government workers, some had children, others were picking up for family. One person arrived at 5 a.m. to pick up food to bring to their church and distribute.

For some, like 59-year-old Douglas Facey, who last used SNAP benefits five years ago, rising food costs are putting financial stress on families that otherwise would not need support.

We have food, but we got five kids, and theyre in college, Facey said.

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Roughly two dozen volunteers emptied the two truckloads of food to deliver boxes containing eggs, greens, meat and potatoes to every car in line as drivers smiled and waived in thanks. By 11 a.m. there was a small cheer as the last car pulled away.

Food insecurity has risen year over year by 10,000 people, according to Latvis. And the most recent data is from last year, meaning it doesnt include the impacts of federal cuts to the food bank earlier this year, new applicants since the shutdown, or the furloughed workers who arent in the office to process new SNAP applications.

Latvis said Virginias state of emergency will certainly take some immediate pressure off the food bank, but it doesnt change the overarching issues that wont go away once the government reopens.

What we saw as the increase before (the shutdown), there was no forecast ahead that said that was going to stop, Latvis said. Its a welcome relief. Were glad that Gov. Youngkin has taken that action, without question. But to me, it a Band-Aid, its a temporary fix that had to be solved very quickly at the federal level.

Devlin Epding, 757-510-4037, devlin.epding@virginiamedia.com
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin in September 2025. Photo by Charlotte Rene Woods/Virginia Mercury

A yearslong legal challenge to Gov. Glenn Youngkin over access to records concerning his administrations changes to voting rights restoration entered a new chapter this year, after the Virginia Court of Appeals in August ruled that the case, lodged by the Virginia NAACP, can move forward.

A court had issued an order in Youngkins favor in 2024, but its failure to address attorneys fees led to the successful appeal that has continued the case. Late last month, Youngkin petitioned Virginias Supreme Court to appeal the continuation of the case, with his legal team arguing that the law doesnt mandate attorneys fees be included in the substance of a case and that the NAACPs complaints about the lingering attorneys fees issue came months after the 2024 ruling.

The need for a clear, bright-line rule is evident in this matter, Youngkins petition to the state Supreme Court stated. As the governor, his legal representation stems from the office of the attorney general.

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In response to Youngkins petition, lawyers for the NAACP countered that the fees are a minor part of the larger issue their lawsuit is trying to address: whether the administration skirted Virginia Freedom of Information Act rules concerning their inquiry into how the administration handles voter rights restoration.

Hes tried to make a big deal out of (the fees) being the focus, said Ryan Snow, the NAACPs legal counsel. The focus is not on the fees. The focus is having our day in court and being able to show a court that there was a violation (of FOIA).

Background

In Virginia, people who are convicted of felonies lose their right to vote unless a governor restores that right. While three previous governors, both Republican and Democratic, had streamlined the process for ex-felons to restore their voting rights, Youngkin adjusted the process back to a petition-based one. His administration has provided little guidance on what may yield a successful outcome and who would be unlikely to be told yes. Voter restoration numbers have been lower under his administration than they were during his predecessors administrations.

Calling it a long and hard process, Virginia NAACP president Cozy Bailey added that the groups scrutiny of the revised process began when we noticed the falling off a cliff, if you will, of restoration numbers.

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Several people whose restoration applications were denied said last year they were frustrated they couldnt participate in presidential and local elections. The NAACP had filed FOIA requests in 2023 to learn more about the restoration process under Youngkins watch, citing a lack of transparency as their key concern.

Acting in what former Youngkin spokeswoman Macaulay Porter called good faith, the administration released some documents that provided some insight. Materials suggested how completion of probation or repayment of fines might be a factor in Youngkins approval but further details were not disclosed.

However, the information Youngkins camp shared tipped the NAACP off about the existence of a database where petitions were stored, which they argued should have been revealed through their FOIA.

Prior to the case being allowed to continue this summer, a district judge last year sided with Youngkin over an exemption in state code dubbed working papers, and allowed the alleged database to stay hidden.

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Snow said that his team believes the database is still a live issue that they want access to, along other records the NAACP had sought, including documents about the transition in the method for restorations, records about the information needed for applicants to petition, documents about meetings to discuss aspects of the restoration procedure, and communications with denied applicants.

While some of those records were revealed in the good faith release, the NAACPs legal team believes they were initially unlawfully withheld, which they say they can prove to a court.

As legal saga continues, a constitutional amendment is on the horizon

While Youngkin and the NAACPs dispute continues to play out and he prepares to vacate his role as governor, Virginias legislature is in the process of advancing a constitutional amendment that could allow restorations to happen so long as ex-felons have completed their sentences.

The proposal, which has advanced with slim bipartisan support, must pass again in 2026 before it could appear on statewide ballots next November. From there, voters around the state could decide to accept or reject it. If voted down, Virginias next governor would be able to uphold Youngkins petition-based restoration process or embrace the automatic process previous governors used.

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Democratic gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger supports the amendment and said in an interview that if it fails, she will prioritize restoring peoples voting rights. Earle-Sears did not indicate a position on the voting rights measure, unlike her signatures expressing opposition to other advancing constitutional amendments.

Bailey, of the NAACP, emphasized that as his organization engages in the legal process, he remains hopeful that more Virginians will eventually be able to engage in the democratic one.

It is a human right to be able to participate in the process of electing officials and having a voice, he said.

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San Francisco State's enrollment is in free fall - but the university is banking on a new agreement with the city's school district and City College of San Francisco to help all three institutions.

The university has lost nearly 6,000 students since 2020 - a quarter of its undergraduates - bringing enrollment to below 18,000 students from nearly 24,000 five years ago.

At the same time, 26% of students who graduated from the San Francisco Unified School District this spring never enrolled in college, the district said. City College has also been struggling to improve its transfer rates as the state increasingly rewards community colleges for sending more students to four-year colleges.

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Now, San Francisco State will contact every qualified high school senior in the San Francisco Unified School District and tell them, "Congratulations. You're in!" The good news will come on a postcard that no one has to open, and which everyone in the household can see.

Beyond providing that message, with follow-up letters and emails, the university says it will host workshops to help high school seniors and their families fill out complex financial aid forms, translate any English-language documents they don't understand, and offer the additional hand-holding that all first-time college-goers need if their own family is unable to.

Similar help is expected at City College to help funnel more students from the community college over to San Francisco State, just a mile and a half away.

"We believe that this will help create opportunities to mitigate our enrollment challenges," said Katie Lynch, head of enrollment management at San Francisco State.

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Campus officials are trying to recruit in Southern California and even outside the state, trading cheaper, in-state rates with other states through the Western Undergraduate Exchange.

But success has been elusive.

"That's one reason this (local agreement) is super important - because we don't want to lose San Francisco Unified as an anchor" of enrollment, Lynch said.

As birthrates have declined, resulting in fewer students of college age everywhere, universities across the country have lost enrollment. The problem has hit California State University campuses particularly hard, causing San Francisco State to declare a fiscal emergency in December. This year, CSU's central office withheld $6.5 million from San Francisco State - a 3% loss of funding - because of the declines. Of CSU's 22 campuses, 16 are struggling with enrollment.

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To fight back, CSU has experimented with direct admissions, which has emerged as a win-win for frazzled students and enrollment-hungry campuses around the country in recent years. Although students must still apply, the paperwork is a formality because they already know they're in.

CSU ran a direct admissions pilot program last year with the Riverside Unified School District that was deemed a success when enrollment rose by 12% across the 16 participating CSU campuses.

The benefit was even greater for San Francisco State. Applications there from Riverside schools rose by 280 between 2024 and 2025 when direct admissions began  a 42% increase. Not all of them enrolled at San Francisco State, but 47 students did, for a 47% increase of 15 students over the prior year.

"This gives us hope that something more local will be impactful," Lynch said.

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This month, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 640 into law and created the CSU Direct Admission Program, which will soon allow every California high school student to be admitted automatically to CSU if their grades are good enough to get in.

But only 43 of the state's 937 school districts will get to participate in the program's first year - and San Francisco Unified is not one of them.

The agreement will let them participate anyway, with San Francisco State.

"This partnership is an incredible opportunity for our students," Maria Su, the district's superintendent, said in a statement. "By knowing in advance that they have a guaranteed path to San Francisco State, our graduates can plan with confidence and focus on their academic success."

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City College Chancellor Kimberlee Messina said the agreement gives graduates "the certainty of admission, ensuring they can continue their educational journey seamlessly and achieve their goals."

To qualify for direct admission, high school students must complete their A-G classes with at least a C and have a GPA of at least 2.5 in courses taken from grades 10 to 12.

City College students who want guaranteed transfer into San Francisco State must complete the usual requirements: at least 60 transferable units with a GPA of at least 2.0 across all colleges they have attended. They also must finish four core courses - oral communication, written communication, critical thinking and math/quantitative reasoning - with at least a C minus.

More information about San Francisco State's new admissions guarantee is available online at future.sfsu.edu/guaranteed-admissions.

This article originally published at You're in!': S.F. State launches guaranteed admissions plan with City College, S.F. schools.
ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar (AP)  For Donah Falia and the other young people whose weeks of protests paved the way for Madagascars military coup last week, the change at the top has brought no immediate relief to their lives.

The 20-year-old accounting student still has to wait in line for hours to get water from a tank in his neighborhood on the outskirts of the capital, Antananarivo, because the taps at home generally only work at night, and sometimes not even then. The job market is just as dry.

For us, personally, there is no answer here yet. I still dont see any hope for us, Falia told The Associated Press the day after Col. Michael Randrianirina was sworn in as president.

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Randrianirinas ousting of the democratically elected president, Andry Rajoelina, and decision to install himself as the new head of state followed a playbook that Madagascar's roughly 30 million people have become all too familiar with since the 1960 end of French colonial rule and one that has been used in several other African countries in recent years.

Madagascans largely celebrated the overthrow of the old regime, as they did when Rajoelina first came to power as a transitional leader in a 2009 military coup. But the young protesters, whose anger and sacrifices over Madagascar's high unemployment, poverty, and utility outages made the conditions ripe for a coup, can now only hope their lives will improve under the new leader and that hell eventually make good on his promise to cede power to a civilian government.

A new hope, or more of the same?

The protests, which began in September and were largely leaderless, brought thousands into the streets in several cities and initially sparked a harsh crackdown by security forces that left 22 people dead and more than 100 injured, according to the United Nations. The government at the time disputed those figures.

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When Randrianirinas politically powerful CAPSAT unit sided with the demonstrators earlier this month, Rajoelina realized he had lost a power struggle and fled the country, declaring the coup illegal.

The protesters, who rallied around images of the same One Piece Jolly Roger that has featured in so-called Gen Z protests elsewhere in the world, welcomed the military overthrow, cheering on Randrianirina as he declared he was now in charge. They said getting rid of the old government was their top priority and took heart in how Randrianirina emphasized their importance, telling the nation after being sworn in, We must take the opinion of the youth to the politicians and all the power groups.

Tsantsa Fiderana Rakotoarison, a 22-year-old student and protester, said he was hopeful that protesters would continue to be heard.

Even though the CAPSAT group took responsibility after the whole change, they know that young people are able to speak up again," he said.

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Falia said he was grateful to the military for helping topple Rajoelina, but that protesters had hoped that with Rajoelina gone, the people would get to choose their new leader.

What can be learned from other coups?

If successful military coups in five African nations since 2020 are anything to go on, Randrianirina wont be leaving office anytime soon, even if Madagascar holds elections within two years, as he said would happen. In all five of those countries  Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Gabon and Niger  the man who led the overthrow of the government is still in charge.

This same army unit played a crucial role in regime change in 2009 and now says it is in command of all the armed forces," Kaajal Ramjathan-Keogh, a policing and military interventions expert with the human rights think tank the International Commission of Jurists, said in an email. "... It is likely that they will try to remain in place for as long as they can.

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Whether Randrianirina can rule effectively remains to be seen, but Ramjathan-Keogh said she has doubts.

Military governments have never been able to govern in a way as to address corruption and serious social issues. Soldiers do not make good long-term leaders, she wrote, noting also that the prime minister Randrianirina appointed, businessman Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo, hasn't been well-received by the protesters.

"It will be interesting to see if any youth leaders will step up to contest the next election, she wrote.

Bakary Sambe, who heads the Senegal-based Timbuktu Institute for Peace Studies, said the transition after a military takeover has been a challenge throughout Africa.

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In the Sahel cases (Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso), the coups were legitimized by initial popular support, with the military presenting themselves as saviors, Sambe said, referring to the semidesert southern fringe of the Sahara desert region.

Young people and civil society saw the military takeover as a sort of democratization from the bottom-up, but it is unclear how long this will last, he said.

The political conditions in Madagascar were similar to those in the three Sahel countries before their coups, with a relatively high cost of living and rate of poverty, which the World Bank says affects three-fourths of the population in the sprawling island nation.

The youth could rise again

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In his Anosimahavelona neighborhood, Falias situation looks no different than before the coup, with regular cuts to power and water making life a daily grind and no real job prospects.

Here, people of my age, they almost all dont work. They are standing here with their hands in their pockets  they have no income, he said while sitting on an old couch in his one-bedroom home.

Some of the youth protesters  labor unions and civic groups also took part in the demonstrations  have vowed to hold the new government accountable if the situation doesn't improve soon.

The youth have already said that they will rise again at May 13th Square if their demands are not met," said protester Farasoa Rakotomanana, referring to the central square in Antananarivo where Randrianirina's unit joined protesters after siding with them.

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Rakotomanana, 63, recalled the destruction and looting that happened during the 2009 coup that brought Rajoelina to power, and was thankful that, thus far, it had been avoided this time.

___

Magome reported from Johannesburg. Associated Press reporters Monika Pronczuk and Mark Banchereau in Dakar, Senegal, contributed to this report.
VERMONT (ABC22/FOX44)  Vermont and New Hampshire authorities are encouraging hunters to make lifelong memories in the woods this weekend.

Youth Deer Weekend is this coming Saturday and Sunday in both Vermont and New Hampshire. In each state, an unarmed, licensed hunter 18 years or older can take a child 15 years or younger out to hunt just one deer of either sex.

Licensed hunters are allowed to accompany up to two youth hunters.

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This is in advance of each states regular deer season  hunting for archers is already open.

Archery deer hunting season set to begin October 1

In Vermont, youth hunters must have completed a hunter education course to participate  this is not required in New Hampshire. In both states, deer must be tagged, with free tags available online.

Only in Vermont, novice hunters  anyone who first purchased their license less than a year before Saturday  are also allowed to go out and hunt, with supervision, on October 25 and 26.

Vermont officials are encouraging youth and novice hunters to bring their deer to one of 18 biological reporting stations, to help contribute to deer management by state wildlife biologists.

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VT Fish & Wildlife officials remind hunters about deer health regulation

Examining deer during this weekend is our best opportunity to assess the deer herd, says Vermont state deer project leader Nick Fortin. Biologists will be collecting data on age, weight and antler development to help guide future deer management decisions.

A list of stations that will have a biologist present over the coming weekend can be downloaded at the link below.

VT_Reporting_StationsDownload

More information on Youth Deer Weekend in Vermont, including a link to get a tag, is available at the states dedicated webpage. More information on Youth Deer Weekend in New Hampshire is available on the states youth hunting webpage.

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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.
By Renju Jose

SYDNEY (Reuters) -A bill to restrict social media for children under 16 will be introduced in the New Zealand parliament, officials said on Thursday, building momentum for parliament's efforts to prevent young people from being harmed while online.

The proposed legislation will require social media platforms to conduct an age verification process, similar to Australia's world-first teen social media ban law passed in 2024.

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A member's bill submitted in May by ruling National Party lawmaker Catherine Wedd to restrict children using social media was selected on Thursday to be introduced in the parliament.

The bill has received support from National Party members but its coalition partners have not confirmed whether they will support the bill.

Members' bills can be introduced by any lawmaker not in the cabinet and are selected after a ceremonial lottery.

It is not immediately clear when the bill will be introduced in the parliament.

A New Zealand parliamentary committee has been looking at the impact of social media harm on young people and the roles that government, business, and society should play in addressing those harms. A report is due in early 2026, according to a statement from the committee last week.

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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has been raising concerns about harms to mental health from the overuse of social media among young teens, including misinformation, bullying and harmful depictions of body image.

Civil-liberties organisation PILLAR said the bill would not protect children online, and instead would create serious privacy risks and restrict online freedom for New Zealanders.

"Aligning with international efforts may sound responsible, but it is lazy policymaking," PILLAR Executive Director Nathan Seiuli said in a statement.

(Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)
A 13-year-old boy in New Zealand has had part of his bowel surgically removed after he ingested nearly 200 high-powered magnets.

According to a recent case report, the child presented to Tauranga Hospital with abdominal pain, and he admitted to having swallowed possibly 100 neodymium magnets roughly a week prior. The actual number retrieved from his abdomen ended up being much higher.

Related: Kids Keep Eating Magnets, And Surgeons Say There's Only 1 Way to Stop It

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Inside his body, the small metal objects came together in a destructive way.

Using an X-ray, doctors imaged four linear chains in separate parts of the boy's bowel.

X-ray showing the magnet chains in the abdomen of the New Zealand teen. (Lekamalage et al., NZMJ, 2025)

During surgery, the chains were found in sections of the small bowel and caecum. Squeezing together, they were causing several patches of tissue to die from a lack of blood in what is known as pressure necrosis.

Though the surgeons were forced to remove part of his bowel, the adolescent recovered well and was discharged eight days later.

The magnet chains found in the abdomen of the New Zealand teen. (Lekamalage et al., NZMJ, 2025)

"As this case study shows, ingesting small high-powered magnets is life-threatening," says commercial law researcher Alex Sims from the University of Auckland.

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"Small high-power magnets have been marketed and sold as fun toys for adults and children when they are sold in sets, as they can be used to make different shapes and also be used as fidget toys. Unfortunately, they often come as brightly colored small balls, making them attractive for children to swallow."

The reason the teen swallowed the magnets was not explained in the report.

Recently, government officials in New Zealand warned of a trend on social media where kids are encouraged to use magnets to create tongue, nose, or lip piercings. These can be accidentally swallowed with dangerous consequences.

In 2013, after a series of hospitalizations due to magnets, New Zealand government officials permanently banned the sale of those made from neodymium-iron-boron (NIB). These are known as 'rare earth magnets', and they are up to 50 times stronger than typical ferrous ones.

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The 13-year-old treated at Taurang Hospital told doctors the magnets he swallowed were purchased from the overseas online marketplace Temu.

Doctors on his case say it is "alarming" how hard it is to actually enforce New Zealand's ban.

"While enforcement is problematic, as it is more difficult for the Commerce Commission to investigate and force overseas online marketplaces to stop the sale of small high-powered magnets, it is concerning if children are purchasing goods on online marketplaces," says Sims.

"Parents should not be allowing their children to purchase items unsupervised on any online marketplaces; all purchases must be done or at least overseen by parents."

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Even when parents are vigilant, mistakes can happen. In 2024, a young New Zealander swallowed two rare earth magnets at a birthday party.

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"When the doctors took the X-rays of her, it was easy to see the magnets had connected to each other," her mother said.

"However, one had passed into the intestine, and the other had stayed in her stomach. The magnetic pull had caused them to connect through the tissue and caused a tear in her stomach. This meant my daughter had to undergo emergency surgery."

If a young person is suspected of having swallowed a magnet, officials say it is vital that they are taken to the hospital as soon as possible. More than 75 percent of patients will require surgery or an endoscopy.

"Accessibility to high-power magnets is a rising concern for our pediatric population," write surgeons at Tauranga Hospital.

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The case study was published in The New Zealand Medical Journal.

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Bill Gates, founder of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and former CEO of Microsoft, will be seen making a special appearance in one of the upcoming episodes of Smriti Irani-starrer 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2'. On Thursday, the makers shared a promo video of the episode, leaving fans amazed. In the video, Bill Gates could be seen greeting Smriti Irani's iconic character Tulsi with a warm "Jai Shri Krishna" over a virtual call. Sharing the promo, the team of StarPlus on Instagram wrote, "Iss baar #KyunkiSaasBhiKabhiBahuThi ki kahaani ke beech, ek naya rishta jud raha hai -- sehat ka, samvedna ka, aur badlaav ka. Aur iss kahani mein jude hain duniya ke sabse bade changemaker -- Bill Gates, ek soch ke saath: har maa aur har bachcha rahe surakshit aur swasth. Do alag duniyaan, ek hi maqsad ke saath -- maa aur bachche ki sehat, har ghar tak pahunchani hai.Mr Bill Gates aur humari Tulsi ke iss vishay par vichaar jaanne ke liye dekhiye, #KyunkiSaasBhiKabhiBahuThi,aaj raat 10:30 baje, sirf #StarPlus aur #Hotstar par." https://www.instagram.com/p/DQI2oTgAqOc/?hl=en Smriti Irani as Tulsi welcomed Bill Gates with "Jai Shri Krishna", to which the billionaire philanthropist replied, "Namaste Tulsi ji, Jai Shri Krishna." Smriti is then heard saying, "Bahut acha laga yeh jaanke ki aap seedha America se mere parivaar se jud rahe hai. Aap ka hum sab besabri se intezaar kar rahe hain (It feels wonderful to know that you are connecting directly with my family all the way from America. We are all eagerly waiting for you)." To which, the Microsoft co-founded responds, "Thank you Tulsi ji." Smriti was then heard telling, "Bhaut accha laga yeh jankar ki aap sidha America se mere parivaar se jud rahe hain. Hum sab aapka besabri se intezaar kar rahe hain (It feels really wonderful to know that you're connecting with my family all the way from America. We're all eagerly looking forward to seeing you." To this, the Microsoft co-founder warmly replied, "Thank you, Tulsi ji." With the teaser out, fans are buzzing with excitement over the unexpected collaboration between the tech icon and the hit Indian drama. The first episode of this iconic show's second season aired on July 29, 2025, leaving fans emotional as it transported them to early 2000s. Social media has been flooded with daily updates, fan theories, and nostalgic throwbacks from the world of Shanti Niketan since then. On reprising her iconic character, Smriti, earlier in a press note, said, "Returning to Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi is not just a step back into a role, but a return to a story that redefined Indian television and reshaped my own life. It gave me more than commercial success; it gave me a connection with millions of homes, a place in the emotional fabric of a generation." "In the 25 years since, I've straddled two powerful platforms--media and public policy--each with its own impact, each demanding a different kind of commitment. Today, I stand at a crossroads where experience meets emotion and creativity meets conviction. I return not just as an actor but as someone who believes in the power of storytelling to spark change, preserve culture, and build empathy. In contributing to this next chapter, I hope to honour the legacy of Kyunki--and help shape a future where India's creative industries aren't just celebrated, but truly empowered," she added. The show, which began airing in 2000, quickly became a household name. It ran for eight long years and ruled the TRP charts for most of the time. Created by Ektaa Kapoor and produced under her banner, Balaji Telefilms, the show was a major hit with viewers and played a big part in shaping Indian TV dramas. (ANI)
Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Brussels on Oct. 23 for a European Council meeting as EU leaders prepare to discuss ways to increase support for Ukraine and put more pressure on Russia.

Before the summit, Zelensky met with European Council President Antonio Costa, who invited him to address the gathering. The Ukrainian president is expected to brief EU leaders on the humanitarian needs of Ukrainians amid intensified Russian strikes and ongoing efforts to achieve peace.

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"On one hand, we need to continue to support diplomatic efforts, but on the other hand, as we have always said, we will continue to support Ukraine by all means," Costa said before the meeting.

As part of his visit to Brussels, Zelensky is holding talks with other EU leaders, seeking to cement the bloc's support for Ukraine.

The president met with Czechia's outgoing prime minister, Petr Fiala, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk to discuss support for Kyiv and Russian strikes against Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

Zelensky also held talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

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At the meeting, EU leaders will also discuss long-term financial support for Ukraine, including potential mechanisms using Russia's immobilized assets. Belgian Prime Minister de Wever has expressed opposition to the plan due to legal risks.

The EU froze about $300 billion of Russia's central bank's foreign reserves in February 2022 as part of its third sanctions package, prohibiting all transactions related to their management.

The European Union also formally adopted its 19th sanctions package against Russia on Oct. 23. The package bans importing Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG), starting January 2027.

The new sanctions, first proposed by the European Commission on Sept. 19, target Russian banks, energy revenues, and entities involved in evading earlier restrictions. The package also sanctions third-country traders and refineries, particularly in China.

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The measure was approved after Slovakia dropped its objections a day earlier.

Zelensky thanked Costa for inviting him to the Brussels meeting and for the bloc's decision to approve the 19th sanctions package, calling it an important signal of unity.

The Ukrainian president also said that both the EU's latest sanctions and new U.S. measures targeting Russian oil firms send "a positive signal" for other nations to follow suit.

Zelensky's arrival in Brussels follows his Oct. 22 visit to Sweden, the second leg of his European tour after Norway, aimed at securing further support for Ukraine as Russia intensifies its winter campaign against the country's energy infrastructure.

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According to the European Council, the EU and its member states have provided a total of 177 billion euros ($205 billion) in aid to Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion, including 63 billion euros ($73 billion) in military assistance.

Read also: As Zelensky set to land in Brussels, EU rushes to offset Trumps pressure on Ukraine

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pleaded with European Union leaders for long-range weapons after US President Donald Trump recently turned down his request for Tomahawk missiles.

"When we talk about long-range weapons for Ukraine, we mean that the Putin regime should feel real consequences from this war," Zelensky said, addressing European Union leaders at a summit in Brussels.

"I urge you to support everything that helps Ukraine get such capabilities because it really makes a difference for Russia," he said.

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It's not only the United States that has the needed weapons, but so do some European countries, he said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin "understands that long-range weapons can truly change the course of the war," he said, adding that the discussions around the missiles would make Putin "nervous."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived at the European Council meeting.

Source: European Pravda

Details: Before the meeting, Zelenskyy was met by European Council President Antonio Costa.

He thanked Costa for the invitation to the meeting and for the decision on the 19th package of sanctions.

Zelenskyy said that the 19th package of European Union sanctions, as well as US sanctions against Russian oil companies, are a good signal for other countries to join them.

Background:

On the morning of 23 October, the European Union finally approved the 19th package of sanctions against Russia by written procedure.

For the first time during Donald Trump's second term, the United States imposed new large-scale sanctions against Russia for Moscow's unwillingness to take the American president's peacekeeping efforts seriously.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that China is not interested in Ukraine's victory or Russia's defeat.

Source: Zelenskyy during a press conference in Brussels

Quote: "China is a very difficult question, really complicated. We do not have a permanent dialogue with Xi Jinping. We had some phone conversations, and he told me that he will not sell weapons. I know nothing about arms packages, but I know one thing: China helps Russia, does not help Ukraine, and is not interested in our victory or Russia losing."

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Details: Zelenskyy added that China is also not interested in a weak Russia.

Background: China said on Thursday that it opposes recent US sanctions against two of Russia's largest oil companies over Moscow's war in Ukraine, stating that the sanctions have "no basis in international law".

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called the issue of potential deliveries of Tomahawk long-range missiles to Ukraine "very sensitive", but said that decisions on sanctions had once seemed impossible too.

Source: Zelenskyy at a briefing in Brussels on 23 October, cited by European Pravda

Details: Answering journalists' questions, Zelenskyy commented on his American counterpart's recent decision not to supply Tomahawks to Ukraine, calling it "a very delicate decision".

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"I think that you heard it from President Trump. It's a very sensitive decision. But it's like with sanctions before," he said.

Zelenskyy stressed that a decision on sanctions "was unbelievable" once.

"Now we see the decisions on these energy sanctions, which are very important. And that's why I think that with the long range [missiles], we will have the same decision in some future; but it depends on the American side," the Ukrainian president emphasised.

Trump, speaking to journalists during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, said the United States had not agreed to provide Tomahawk long-range missiles to Ukraine because it takes six months to a year to learn to use them.

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"There is a tremendous learning curve with the Tomahawk. It's a very powerful weapon, a very accurate weapon, and maybe that's what makes it so complex. But it will take, it takes a year of intense training to learn how to use it, and we know how to use it, and we're not going to be teaching other people," Trump said.

He added that the only way for Ukraine to fire Tomahawk missiles would be if the United States itself launched them, but Washington is "not going to do that".

Background:

On 17 October, Zelenskyy travelled to the White House to meet with Trump. This took place after two consecutive phone calls between them, and the meeting was planned to discuss highly sensitive issues. One of the key topics was expected to be the possible provision of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.

On the eve of the meeting, Trump spoke with Vladimir Putin, after which he said that the Russian leader didn't like the idea of providing Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine and added that now was not the time for secondary sanctions on buyers of Russian energy resources.

Later, media reported that in a private conversation with the Ukrainian president, Trump made it clear that he was not yet considering providing Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.

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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made it clear that Ukraine is counting on receiving long-range missiles, including Tomahawks, from European nations.

Source: Zelenskyy's address at the European Council summit in Brussels on 23 October, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Zelenskyy said the point of discussing long-range weapons for Ukraine is to ensure that the Putin regime feels the real consequences of its war.

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Quote: "I urge you to support everything that helps Ukraine get such capabilities, because it really makes a difference for Russia. And these long-range weapons are not only in the United States. Some European countries also have them, including Tomahawks. We are already talking to the countries that can help."

More details: Zelenskyy added that Putin knows very well that long-range weapons could truly change the course of the war.

Background:

On 17 October, Zelenskyy travelled to the White House to meet Trump following two consecutive phone conversations. The meeting was planned to discuss highly sensitive issues, including the possible supply of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.

The day before the meeting, Trump called Vladimir Putin. He said afterwards that Putin "did not like" the idea of Tomahawks being provided to Ukraine, adding that it "may not be perfect timing" to impose secondary sanctions on buyers of Russian energy.

It was later reported that Trump had made it clear in a private conversation with the Ukrainian president that he is not yet considering supplying Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.

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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Ukraine has never used American weapons to strike targets on Russian territory.

Source: Zelenskyy during a press conference in Brussels

Quote: "I don't know who is writing what, but we have never used American long-range weapons against critical targets on Russian territory. This is important."

Details: Zelenskyy said Ukraine has used various weapons "that have long-range capability" in the territory of combat operations or in areas where Russian forces were preparing to launch combat missions.

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He also stressed that Crimea and the east are Ukrainian territories. "And we cannot talk about the use of a weapon, not only of Ukrainian production, against the territory of Crimea, the occupied territories, as if that is Russian territory," the president said.

Background:

On 17 October, Zelenskyy travelled to the White House to meet US President Donald Trump following two consecutive phone conversations. The meeting was planned to discuss highly sensitive issues, including the possible supply of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.

The day before the meeting, Trump called Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin. He said afterwards that Putin "didn't like the idea" of Tomahawks being provided to Ukraine, adding that it "may not be perfect timing" to impose secondary sanctions on buyers of Russian energy.

CNN later reported that Trump had made it clear in a private conversation with Zelenskyy that he is not currently considering providing Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles.

On 23 October, Zelenskyy called the issue of the potential supply of Tomahawks to Ukraine "very sensitive", but pointed out that decisions on sanctions had once seemed impossible too.

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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukraine plans to use part of reparations loans from frozen Russian assets to produce longrange weapons with ranges up to 3,000 km on Ukrainian territory.

Source: Zelenskyy at a press conference in Brussels

Details: Zelenskyy said that Ukraine wants to manufacture longrange weapons using Russian money.

Quote: "I will now reveal something new. We are clearly using the longrange capabilities of Ukrainian production. And we hope that the longrange capabilities of Ukrainian production  from 150 km to 3,000 km  will become our new capabilities."

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Details: Zelenskyy added that the issue is how to secure additional financing for mass production of such longrange weapons.

Quote: "By the way, the question regarding (Russian) assets is also very important for us: to partially use them for Ukrainian production. Certainly, also for European production, our partners."

Background:

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NEW YORK CITY (PIX11)  Democratic nominee for mayor Zohran Mamdani responded on Thursday to his opponents controversial remarks about 9/11, calling them racist attacks.

In an interview with PIX on Politics host Dan Mannarino, Mamdani took an emotional tone, addressing former Gov. Andrew Cuomos remarks on Sid & Friends a few hours earlier.

More News: Politics

This is disgusting, Mamdani said. This is Andrew Cuomos final moments in public life and hes choosing to spend them making racist attacks on the person who would be the first Muslim to lead the city.

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On Sid Rosenbergs podcast, Cuomo insinuated New York City would have been worse off if Mamdani were mayor during the terrorist attacks on 9/11, because of his lack of experience.

God forbid another 9/11. Can you imagine Mamdani in the seat? Cuomo asked in the radio interview.

No, I couldnt. Hed be cheering, Rosenberg said. Cuomo responded, Well, thats another problem.

Cuomo then reiterated: If Mamdani was in the seat on 9/11, what would have happened in this city?

Make PIX11 your preferred news source on Google: Heres how

The comments are about much more than just his own identity, but a slight to all Muslim New Yorkers, Mamdani told PIX11 News.

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There are more than 1 million Muslims who live in New York City, and to have our faith be smeared and slandered by someone who at one point was considered a leader in the Democratic party, showcases the fact that bigotry and racism is not exclusively a Republican problem, Mamdani said.

Mamdani also addressed his recent announcement that he would keep NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch in her role, something thats been called into question given the two differ on topics like the Strategic Response Group and hiring.

He said the commissioner took on a broken status quo and delivered. Mamdani hasnt formally asked Tisch to stay on, but is confident she will stay, he said.

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Mamdani also agreed with other elected officials, including Congressman Dan Goldman, that the NYPD should arrest Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers who act unlawfully in New York City. It comes two days after an ICE operation caused chaos in Chinatown.

The Democratic nominee declined to take a stance on three ballot measures related to housing. The New York City Council has come out against the three ballot measures, which it claims are misleading and strip communities of power. Other organizations like the Citizens Budget Commission have recommended voters say yes to all three.

Watch the video player for the full interview.

Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter who has covered New York City since 2023 after reporting in Los Angeles for years. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter here.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Hurricane Melissa is currently a Category 1 storm with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph as it's "starting to accelerate northeastward over the Bahamas," the National Hurricane Center said.

Melissa will continue to bring damaging winds, flooding rains and a dangerous storm surge to the Bahamas through tonight, according to forecasters. "Some restrengthening is possible tonight into tomorrow with weakening beginning thereafter," the NHC said.

The storm officially made landfall as a Category 5 in southwestern Jamaica in New Hope on Tuesday. The storm was "one of the most powerful hurricane landfalls on record in the Atlantic Basin," according to the NHC. It made a second landfall in Cuba early Wednesday.

Where is Hurricane Melissa now, and what is its path?

As of 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday:

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Melissa was located about 80 miles southeast of the central Bahamas.

The storm has maximum sustained winds of 90 mph.

It's moving northeast at 16 mph.

"On the forecast track, the core of Melissa is expected to move across the southeastern or central Bahamas this evening, and is forecast to pass near or to the west of Bermuda late Thursday and Thursday night," the NHC said.

Watches and warnings in effect

According to the NHC, these are the watches and warnings in place:

A hurricane warning is in effect for:

Southeastern and central Bahamas

Bermuda

A hurricane warning means that "hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area," according to the hurricane center. Residents in the Bahamas should remain sheltered. In Bermuda, preparations should be underway to protect life and property before the arrival of tropical storm-force winds.

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A tropical storm warning is in effect for:

Turks and Caicos Islands

A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning, according to the NHC.

What are the storms expected effects and timing?

Wind: "Hurricane conditions are occurring within the warning area in the southeastern and central Bahamas and should continue through tonight," the NHC said.

The forecast continued, "Tropical storm conditions are ongoing in the Turks and Caicos Islands and should continue through tonight. Hurricane conditions are now expected on Bermuda late Thursday and Thursday night with Tropical storm conditions expected earlier on Thursday."

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Rain: In the southeast Bahamas, rainfall totals could be between 5 and 10 inches through Thursday morning, which could result in areas of flash flooding.

For Turks and Caicos, about 1 to 3 inches of rain are forecast, while heavy rain could start to affect Bermuda starting Thursday or Thursday night.

Storm surge: "Storm surge of 4 to 7 feet above normally dry ground is possible in the southeastern Bahamas today, and minor coastal flooding is possible in the Turks and Caicos Islands today," meteorologists said.

How is the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season shaping up?

So far, the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which began on June 1 and runs through the end of November, has been relatively mild. There have been 13 named storms, including five hurricanes, four of which developed into major hurricanes. All of those hurricanes have followed similar tracks that have taken them away from the U.S. mainland. At this point in the 2024 season, the U.S. had already been hit by two severe storms, Helene and Milton, which devastated swaths of the Southeast.
Two-time Oscar-winning Australian actress Cate Blanchett will be honoured with this year's Icon Award at the Camerimage film festival, which highlights the art of cinematography, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The International Film Festival of the Art of Cinematography, Camerimage, is a festival that celebrates and awards cinematography and cinematographers. The festival is held in Torun, Poland Blanchett will attend Camerimage Poland to receive the honour at the festival's closing gala. Camerimage 2025 runs November 15-22. She chaired the jury for last year's competition. Some of the most stunning cinematography has accompanied Blanchett's astounding 30+ year career on screen. Her breakthrough film, Elizabeth (1998), her first Academy Award nomination, earned cameraman Remi Adefarasin an Oscar nom (and a Golden Frog win at Camerimage). Ed Lachman's lensing of Todd Haynes' I'm Not There (2008) won the Bronze Frog at Camerimage, and his work on Haynes' Carol (2015) received an Academy Award nomination. (Blanchett was Oscar-nominated for both films.) Florian Hoffmeister took the top prize at Camerimage for the Blanchett-starrer Tar (2022) from Todd Field. This film scored Blanchett her eighth Oscar nomination, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "There are artists who simply cannot be overlooked. With their sensitivity, charisma, and exceptional craft, they create unforgettable roles and bring a unique atmosphere wherever they appear. One such figure is the two-time Oscar winner Cate Blanchett," said Camerimage festival director Marek Zydowicz, announcing the Icon award winner. "Cate is an extraordinary individual who treats every conversation as a singular event. It is this sensitivity and attentiveness to the world around her that make her performances unforgettable, inspiring audiences worldwide," added Marek, as quoted by The Hollywood Reporter. (ANI)
Actress Elizabeth Olsen has made it clear she prefers projects with theatrical releases and will not sign onto studio films intended solely for streaming, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "If a movie is made independently and only sells to a streamer, then fine. But I don't want to make something where streaming is the end-all," Olsen said, adding, "I think it's important for people to gather as a community, to see other humans, be together in a space." She continued, "That's why I like sports. I think it's really powerful for people to come together for something that they're excited about. We don't even audition in person anymore," according to The Hollywood Reporter. Olsen, who launched her career with the 2011 independent film Martha Marcy May Marlene, has since appeared in several major studio productions. She is widely recognised for her role as Scarlet Witch in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including her most recent appearance in 2022's Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Olsen starred as Scarlet Witch in Disney+'s 2021 show WandaVision. She has also featured in streaming projects such as HBO Max's Love & Death and Facebook Watch's Sorry for Your Loss. Reflecting on her experience in the MCU, Olsen said, "Making the films is fun. Goofy. It's ridiculous. We're grown people like children on a playground. We're flying. We're shooting things out of our hands. And it's a character that I've gotten to return to so many times after over 10 years. It's good to put her down, and then I miss her and I want her back. I'd jump at the opportunity to be in her shoes again." Olsen recently reiterated her willingness to reprise the Scarlet Witch role, provided it's done the right way. She said that the character has been "used well within Age of Ultron" and that WandaVision explored her in new and interesting ways. "If there's a good way to use her I'm always happy to come back, however they can make that make sense," she added, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Olsen noted that there are many benefits to working within the MCU. "It's the consistency of a community and a job, which is hard to find. The insane camera movement, stunt work and special effects, visual effects that are happening in real time. It's a lot of coordination, it's hundreds and hundreds of people on set, and it's a powerful thing to be a part of all those people working toward one goal," she said. While Olsen does not currently have another MCU project lined up, she will next appear in A24's Eternity, a fantasy romantic comedy co-starring Miles Teller and Callum Turner. The film imagines an afterlife where the recently deceased have one week to decide with whom they want to spend eternity, according to The Hollywood Reporter. (ANI)
India's Southern Command is taking bold steps to implement Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visionary "JAI" strategy, focusing on Jointness, Atmanirbharta (self-reliance), and Innovation in defence preparedness. The Indian Army's Southern Command, led by Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, is preparing for the upcoming "Ex Trishul" exercise, a tri-service operation involving the Indian Air Force and Navy to test joint operations and showcase indigenous capabilities. This joint exercise aims to validate operations across diverse terrains, including: offensive manoeuvres -- creek and desert sectors; amphibious operations -- off the Saurashtra coast and multi-domain exercises -- ISR, Electronic Warfare, and Cyber capabilities. According to the Government of India, the Defence Wing of the Southern Command has consistently demonstrated synergy across services, coordinated operational planning, and a deep commitment to Atmanirbharta and innovation-driven transformation. The statement said that the upcoming Tri-Services Exercise "Ex Trishul", to be conducted in close coordination with the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy, will serve as a true manifestation of the JAI strategy in action. Troops from Southern Command will actively participate to validate joint operations across diverse and challenging terrains, including offensive manoeuvres in the creek and desert sectors, amphibious operations off the Saurashtra coast, and joint multi-domain operational exercises encompassing Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), Electronic Warfare (EW), and Cyber capabilities. According to the Defence Wing, the exercise will also highlight the effective employment of indigenous systems, the application of Atmanirbharta in operational practices, and the refinement of tactics, techniques, and procedures tailored to emerging threats and the changing character of contemporary and future wars. The Defence Wing stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has articulated a guiding mantra of "JAI - Jointness, Atmanirbharta, and Innovation," which he defines as the cornerstone of India's future defence preparedness. This directive urges the Armed Forces to bring these principles to life by enhancing collaboration, promoting self-reliance, and fostering innovation in all aspects of military planning and execution. Meanwhile, the Indian Army's first Bhairav battalion is to be ready for deployment on November 1, said Director General Infantry, Lt Gen Ajay Kumar, on Wednesday. The Indian Army's first Bhairav battalion is set to be ready for deployment on November 1, with 25 such battalions planned to be raised in the next six months. Each battalion will comprise 250 personnel from different arms, including infantry, artillery, signals, and air defence. These battalions aim to bridge the gap between Special Forces and normal infantry battalions, providing a lean and lethal force for rapid, high-impact operations along India's borders with China and Pakistan. (ANI)
The US on Saturday (January 23) called on Russian authorities to release protesters and journalists detained at the demonstrations. Even before the friction over Navalny, relations between Moscow and Washington have been at their lowest since the end of the Cold War. Peskov in a conciliatory tone said Russia was ready to set up a dialogue with the new administration of President Joe Biden.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, at the inauguration of the Takajala Mandal office, warned against divisive politics, vowed legal action against violence on Wednesday. During the event, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha stated that some individuals are still pursuing a politics of division and conspiracy in the style of the communists; however, he declared that attempting to mislead the Janajati community would be of no use. Saha further stated that the people of Tripura believe in peace, development, and democracy, and the present state government will not tolerate the use of force in the state under any circumstances. "If anyone attacks us, we will give a befitting reply through legal means," he said. On this occasion, Saha welcomed 690 voters from 200 families into the Bharatiya Janata Party. The Tripura Chief Minister declared that the BJP will continue to move forward with the ideals of Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay. "Our predecessors established the Bharatiya Janata Party through self-sacrifice. Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee died mysteriously in Jammu and Kashmir while trying to protect the integrity of India. The BJP continues to move forward with the ideals of Pandit Deen Dayal Ji. His body was recovered in Mughalsarai. The Karyakartas of the BJP are not afraid of any situation. They may try to stop us or resort to violence, but such things are temporary and will not succeed in the long run. The BJP was able to wrest power from the communists by strengthening its organisation," said Saha. Additonally, Saha also said that anyone who threatens the BJP is living in a dream. "We all have the right to do politics, but there should be dignity in politics. We have seen the rule of the Communists and the Congress before. We witnessed incidents of murder, terrorism, rape, and arson during their regimes. The BJP believes in Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas because we must move forward with everyone. Everyone deserves development. We are working under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," said Saha. He further stated that the BJP Janajati Morcha is working towards the development of the Janajati community, but anyone who thinks they can obstruct that development is mistaken. "I have come here several times before. The house of our Mandal President was attacked. This kind of culture, in the same style as the Communists, continues again and again. We strive for a fair and peaceful environment in which to develop in Tripura. The way the Prime Minister has changed the terminology of politics, we also want to change the terminology of Tripura's politics. If someone has a point to make, they can say it. We will take whatever necessary measures to ensure our safety. We will not harm anyone, but if someone harms us unjustly, we will seek justice through legal means," said Dr. Saha. The Chief Minister also stated that one of the government's objectives is to improve the socio-economic conditions of the Janajati people. "Earlier, the Janajati community was used for vote-bank politics. Many parties misled them and brought them to the streets. After our government came to power, we have prioritised the development of the Janajati community," he added. The meeting was attended by Bharatiya Janata Party state president and MP Rajib Bhattacharya, state general secretary Bipin Debbarma, Tribal Welfare Minister Bikas Debbarma, district president Biplab Chakraborty, Takajala Mandal leader Nirmal Debbarma, and other senior party leaders. (ANI)
The encounter took place around 2:20 AM between Dr. Ambedkar Chowk and Pansali Chowk on Bahadur Shah Marg, Rohini.

Ranjan Pathak (25), Bimlesh Mahto alias Bimlesh Sahni (25), Manish Pathak (33), Aman Thakur (21), all natives of Sitamarhi, Bihar were shot dead in encounter.

Police said all the four were wanted in several heinous cases in Bihar, including multiple murders and armed robberies. The gang was allegedly involved in the killings of Brahmashri Sena district head Ganesh Sharma, Madan Sharma, and Aditya Singh in Bihar.

Acting on specific intelligence inputs that the gang members were planning to carry out a major criminal activity ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, a joint team of Delhi Police Crime Branch and Bihar Police laid a trap in the area, police said.

When the police team tried to intercept the suspects, they opened fire. The police retaliated, leading to a brief but intense exchange of fire. All four accused sustained bullet injuries and were rushed to Dr. BSA Hospital, Rohini, where doctors declared them dead, cops added.

Confirming the operation, DCP Crime Branch Sanjeev Yadav said, "Based on credible inputs regarding the movement of the Ranjan Pathak-Manish Pathak gang in Delhi, a joint team of Delhi Police Crime Branch and Bihar Police launched an operation in Rohini. During the exchange of fire, all four criminals sustained bullet injuries and later succumbed. The gang was wanted in multiple heinous offences in Bihar."

Senior officials from Delhi Police and Bihar Police visited the spot, and forensic and crime scene examination teams were called in.

The accused persons, Ranjan, Bimesh Aman were wanted in several cases. Several relevant section of Arms act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita were registered against them in Dumra, Chaurat, Gahra and Purnahiya.

Further investigation is underway. (ANI)
The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) swiftly responded, launching a challenging nighttime rescue operation to retrieve the victims, with two sustaining serious injuries.

Upon receiving the alert, the SDRF team from Post Vyasi, led by Sub-Inspector Sawar Singh, immediately departed for the site of the incident with the necessary rescue equipment.

According to reports, five people were travelling in the vehicle. They were on their way from Shyampur Ghadi Mechak to Pavki Devi Nai to attend a wedding ceremony when the vehicle suddenly went out of control and plunged about 200-300 meters into a deep gorge.

Two people were seriously injured, while three others died on the spot.

Upon reaching the site, the SDRF team, along with the local police, launched a joint rescue operation.

Despite the challenging terrain and nighttime conditions, the team carried out a strenuous rescue throughout the night. After great effort, the bodies and the injured were successfully retrieved from the gorge.

The injured were sent to the hospital for treatment, and the bodies of the deceased were handed over to the district police. (ANI)
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning at isolated places over Kanyakumari, Thoothukkudi, Tenkasi, and Tirunelveli districts of Tamil Nadu until 10 am on Thursday. The IMD has issued a warning of potential waterlogging, slippery roads, and traffic disruptions in certain areas. Additionally, light rain is also expected at isolated places over Chengalpattu, Chennai, and Thiruvallur districts of Tamil Nadu. Residents are advised to stay cautious and monitor updates. eputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin said on Wednesday that the Northeast monsoon is in full swing across the state, with continuous rainfall being reported in Chennai, Kanchipuram, Tiruvallur, and Chengalpattu districts. Addressing a review meeting held at the DMK headquarters, Anna Arivalayam, in Chennai's Teynampet, Udhayanidhi Stalin said, "The northeast monsoon is in full swing now. It's continuously raining in Chennai, Kanchipuram, Tiruvallur, and Chengalpattu districts. It will not stop today, but the MeT Department has said it will rain again in two days and may even intensify. Predictions indicate that rainfall could be heavier than last year. Today's meeting is to discuss how to face such a situation if it arises." The review meeting was held under the leadership of Minister for Municipal Administration K N Nehru and chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin. According to party sources, the meeting focused on issuing guidelines related to the ongoing rain situation, precautionary measures, and relief activities to be carried out by DMK members in the field. District secretaries, mayors, deputy mayors, councillors, and party secretaries of zones, towns, and divisions from the Chennai, Tambaram, Avadi Corporations, and the Poonamallee Municipality participated in the meeting. Tamil Nadu Minister MRK Panneerselvam had yesterday stated that 16,000 hectares of farmland in the State have been inundated due to rain in the ongoing northeast monsoon. He added that compensation will be provided wherever over 33 per cent of the crop area is damaged. "Around 16,000 hectares of farmland have been inundated due to rain, and compensation will be provided wherever over 33% of the crop area is damaged," MRK Panneerselvam told reporters. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami offered prayers and performed worship rituals on Thrusday at the famed Shri Kedarnath Dham before the temple gates were shut for this year's winter season. The closing of the portals of the shrine also marks the end of the pilgrimage season. The portals of Kedarnath Dham were closed on Thursday, at 8:30 am on the auspicious occasion of Bhai Dooj. The closing ceremony was conducted with full Vedic rituals and religious traditions, accompanied by chants of 'Om Namah Shivay' and 'Jai Baba Kedar,' as well as devotional tunes played by the Indian Army band. Uttarakhand Governor Lieutenant General Gurmit Singh (Retd.) also visited the Kedarnath Dham on Tuesday and offered a special Rudrabhishek. He inspected the ongoing construction and development works at the shrine. "Today, I had the divine fortune of having darshan of Baba Kedar and a special Rudrabhishek at Shri Kedarnath Dham. Upon arriving at this sacred abode, the mind fills with faith, devotion, and spiritual peace. I prayed to Baba Kedar for world peace, human welfare, and the sustainable development of Uttarakhand. During this time, I inspected the ongoing reconstruction and development works in the Dham and obtained detailed information from the officials about the construction activities," the Governor wrote on X. According to the District Magistrate of Rudraprayag, Prateek Jain, this year's Kedarnath Yatra has been highly successful. Kedarnath Dham, one of the most revered pilgrimage sites for Hindus, hosted an evening aarti on Wednesday, attended by several devotees who gathered to participate in the spiritual ceremony. Winter comes with harsh conditions of chilly days and snow-covered paths, which makes the temples inaccessible. Thus, all four temples of Char Dham are closed for six months of winter. The closing ceremony of Char Dham is as significantly celebrated as the opening ceremony of these temples. The day in each of the four temples starts with the last rituals and worship. The deities are offered flowers and various offerings from pilgrims. Then the idol of the deity is moved with a magnificent procession in a Doli (palanquin), taking the deity to their winter seat. In the winters the deities are worshipped in their winter seat which is in a temple on the lower altitude. When the doors of Char Dham are reopened after six months, the idols again are moved to their place in Char Dham where devotees can worship them. (ANI)
Asserting that people of Lalganj are fighting for themselves, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Lalganj constituency candidate Shivani Shukla said that she would fight for Tejashwi Yadav to make him the Chief Minister of Bihar. Reacting to the delay in her candidature from Lalganj constituency, the RJD leader told ANI that this is not her fight; it is the people's fight. "This is not my fight; this is the people's fight. The people of Lalganj are fighting for themselves... When I initially did not get the ticket, I had said that I would fight for Tejashwi because my only aim is to make him the CM. This is not my fight," Shukla said. Meanwhile, the Mahagathbandhan (Grand alliance) in Bihar is fully "united" and "contesting the elections with strength" after the negotiations over the allocation of seat-sharing went down the line with a few days left for the polling for 243 constituencies. The assurance of "no rift" in the alliance came from Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot, who, along with AICC Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavaru, met with RJD's top leadership, Lalu Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav on Wednesday. "Today, a highly positive meeting took place with AICC Bihar in-charge Shri Krishna Allavaru, along with Shri Lalu Prasad Yadav and Shri Tejashwi Yadav. The INDIA alliance in Bihar is fully united and is contesting the elections with strength. Tomorrow, the full situation will be clarified in the Mahagathbandhan's press conference," Gehlot said. Although the issue of 'friendly fights' on some seats still persists, Ashok Gehlot has indicated that it is not a matter of concern. "In 243 seats, due to local leaders and equations, a situation like a friendly fight sometimes arises on 5-7 seats. This is a very small number, but a campaign was run against the Mahagathbandhan in the media over it, whereas in reality, there is no problem at all," he said. Taking further steps to strengthen the alliance's position in the election, RJD's Tejashwi Yadav announced that Jeevika Didis, who work as community mobilisers, will be made permanent as government employees after the Mahagathbandhan forms government in Bihar. Bihar Leader of Opposition in the legislative assembly (LoP) Tejashwi Yadav assured that the salary of Jeevika Didis will be increased to Rs 30,000 per month. He also added that the future Mahagathbandhan government will waive the interest on loans taken by Jeevika Didis and will provide them with interest-free credit for the next two years. The assembly elections will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11. The results will be declared on November 14. The 2025 Bihar Elections will have the main contest between the National Democratic Alliance and the Mahagathbandhan. (ANI)
According to Bengaluru Rural Superintendent of Police (SP) CK Baba, late last night a woman from West Bengal was allegedly gang raped by a group of five men, who targeted a residence comprising three adjacent houses, he said.

"Last night, between around 9:15 PM and 12:30 AM, a serious incident was reported at the Madanayakanahalli Police Station involving a private residence comprising three adjacent houses. The second and third houses were targeted, where gang rape and robbery had happened," Rural SP Baba told reporters.

The police have registered a case under sections 70(1), 127(2), 118(1), 11, 324(3), and 190 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), reflecting the seriousness of the offences, he added.

The accused also stole two mobile phones and Rs 25,000 in cash. A Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)-rank officer is leading the investigation, and three special teams have been formed to arrest all the accused.

"The case involves the sexual assault; the perpetrators also stole two mobile phones and Rs 25,000 in cash. Of the five, three accused have been taken into custody, while efforts continue to locate and arrest the remaining two," SP Baba said.

"The victims are residents of West Bengal, whereas the accused are locals. The victim is currently receiving medical treatment in the hospital," he added. (ANI)
As the election dates come closer, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav is likely to be announced as the Chief Ministerial candidate by the opposition Mahagathbandhan today. The declaration of Tejashwi as Mahagathbandhan's CM face is expected to be made during a joint press conference by alliance parties. Tejashwi, the Bihar Leader of Opposition (LoP), has previously served as Deputy Chief Minister. This comes a day after the Congress high command rushed senior party leader Ashok Gehlot to Patna to defuse tensions within the grand alliance. Gehlot met RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav at their residence in Patna amid reports of a widening rift between alliance partners, stemming from the issue of a "friendly fight" on some assembly seats. Gehlot, who has been named as Senior Election Observer by the AICC, assured that the INDIA bloc is "fully united" after he and the Bihar Congress in-charge Krishna Allavaru met with RJD's top leadership. Gehlot had informed that the Mahagathbandhan will hold a press conference on October 23 to show the strength of the alliance. He also slammed the BJP for running a "sponsored campaign" in Bihar to create an "environment" that would suggest a rift within the alliance. "A highly positive meeting took place with AICC Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavaru, along with Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav. The INDIA alliance in Bihar is fully united and is contesting the elections with strength. The full situation will be clarified in the Mahagathbandhan's press conference," he said. Further speaking about the friendly fights on some seats in the alliance, Gehlot assured that it is not something out of the ordinary and Mahagathbandhan has "no problem" at all. "In 243 seats, due to local leaders and equations, a situation like a friendly fight sometimes arises on 5-7 seats. This is a very small number, but a campaign was run against the Mahagathbandhan in the media over it, whereas in reality, there is no problem at all," he said. The Mahagathbandhan has about 12 seats where at least two allies have filed nominations. However, this notion of a friendly fight has invited criticism from the NDA alliance, which has had no fissures after its seat-sharing arrangements were announced. The 2025 Bihar elections will have the main contest between the National Democratic Alliance and the Mahagathbandhan. NDA includes the Bharatiya Janata Party, Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) and Rashtriya Lok Morcha. Mahagathbandhan, led by Rashtriya Janata Dal, includes Congress party, the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (CPI-ML) led by Deepankar Bhattacharya, the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), and Mukesh Sahani's Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP). Additionally, Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj has also staked claims on all 243 seats of the state. The assembly elections will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11. The results will be declared on November 14. (ANI)
In a major overnight operation, Delhi Police Crime Branch, in coordination with Bihar Police, shot dead four members of Bihar''s notorious Ranjan Pathak gang during an encounter in Rohini early Thursday, during which bullets pierced the bulletproof jackets of four police personnel, including Inspector Arvind, SI Manish, and SI Naveen. The encounter took place around 2:20 AM between Dr. Ambedkar Chowk and Pansali Chowk on Bahadur Shah Marg, Rohini. Ranjan Pathak (25), Bimlesh Mahto alias Bimlesh Sahni (25), Manish Pathak (33), Aman Thakur (21), all natives of Sitamarhi, Bihar, were shot dead in an encounter. Police said all four were wanted in several heinous cases in Bihar, including multiple murders and armed robberies. The gang was allegedly involved in the killings of Brahmashri Sena district head Ganesh Sharma, Madan Sharma, and Aditya Singh in Bihar. Acting on specific intelligence inputs that the gang members were planning to carry out a major criminal activity ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, a joint team of Delhi Police Crime Branch and Bihar Police laid a trap in the area, police said. When the police team tried to intercept the suspects, they opened fire. The police retaliated, leading to a brief but intense exchange of fire. All four accused sustained bullet injuries and were rushed to Dr. BSA Hospital, Rohini, where doctors declared them dead, cops added. Confirming the operation, DCP Crime Branch Sanjeev Yadav said, "Based on credible inputs regarding the movement of the Ranjan Pathak-Manish Pathak gang in Delhi, a joint team of Delhi Police Crime Branch and Bihar Police launched an operation in Rohini. During the exchange of fire, all four criminals sustained bullet injuries and later succumbed. The gang was wanted in multiple heinous offences in Bihar." Senior officials from Delhi Police and Bihar Police visited the spot, and forensic and crime scene examination teams were called in. The accused persons, Ranjan, Bimesh Aman were wanted in several cases. Several relevant section of Arms act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita were registered against them in Dumra, Chaurat, Gahra and Purnahiya. Further investigation is underway. (ANI)
Bihar BJP president Dilip Jaiswal took a sharp dig at the Mahagathbandhan, highlighting internal rifts and questioning its ability to govern effectively. Speaking at yesterday's press conference by the Mahagathbandhan, Jaiswal claimed that the people of Bihar are closely observing the political developments and are aware of the coalition's disunity. "The people of Bihar are keeping a strict watch on all the activities of political parties. There is infighting in the 'Mahalathbandhan'. No matter how much they try to explain to the public that they are united, the public has understood that the party that cannot divide seats will not be able to run the government," Jaiswal stated. Commenting on the strained relationship between the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, key constituents of the Mahagathbandhan, Jaiswal pointed to a recent meeting between RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Delhi. He alleged that the interaction exposed underlying tensions between the two parties. "When Tejashwi Yadav went to Delhi to meet Rahul Gandhi and the way Rahul Gandhi behaved with him, the friendship between RJD and Congress can never happen. Congress does not want RJD to go ahead of it," Jaiswal remarked. On Wednesday, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav announced his campaign plans for the Assembly elections. Tejashwi is expected to be announced as the CM face of the Mahagathbandhan on Thursday. "The process of nomination filing has been completed, and now the campaigning will begin. We will start our election campaign from 24th October," Yadav told ANI. The RJD leader pushed aside reports of a rift inthe Mahagathbandhan alliance, saying all answers would come on Thursday. "There are no disputes. You will get all the answers tomorrow," Yadav said. The 2025 Bihar Elections see a contest between the National Democratic Alliance and the Mahagathbandhan. Mahagathbandhan, led by Rashtriya Janata Dal, includes Congress party, the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (CPI-ML) led by Deepankar Bhattacharya, the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), and Mukesh Sahani's Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP). The NDA comprises the Bharatiya Janata Party, Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha. Additionally, Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj has also staked claims on all 243 seats of the state. The assembly elections will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11. The results will be declared on November 14. (ANI)
Senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel on Thursday lambasted the Election Commission of India (ECI), stating that the constitutional body has "lost its credibility". Responding to reports regarding EC planning to conduct a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Chhattisgarh, Baghel said that they should have organised a meeting with all political parties. He claimed that EC was operating like a department of the centre. "The Election Commission of India Conference on nationwide SIR preparedness is underway. The Election Commission of India has lost its credibility. They should have called a meeting with all the political parties regarding the SIR preparedness. They are doing it for democracy, right? The Election Commission of India has become a department under the central government," Baghel, who is the former Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, told reporters. Baghel further hit out at Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai over the latter's "Naxalism will be eradicated by 2026" claim, saying that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders have been making such claims ever since the time of former CM Raman Singh. "When BJP leader Raman Singh was Chief Minister, he claimed that he would eliminate Naxalism in six months. They have been making the same claim ever since. I would like to ask Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai about the policies he has adopted. Naxalites from Chhattisgarh surrender in Telangana, Maharashtra, or Andhra Pradesh. Why don't they surrender here? If your policies are so good, why do they surrender in other states?" the former CM asked. His remarks come as the Election Commission initiated its two-day Conference of Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) yesterday on nationwide SIR preparedness at India International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Management (IIIDEM) in New Delhi. According to a release, the conference was presided over by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in the presence of Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi. The Commission assessed the preparedness of offices of the CEOs of all States and UTs for the nationwide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. The Conference is being held as a follow-up on the SIR preparedness conference held on September 10, during which all the States/UTs gave detailed presentations on the number of electors, the qualifying date of the last SIR and the Electoral Roll in their respective State/UT as per the last completed SIR. The Commission assessed the progress made on the directions previously issued to the CEOs to map the current electors with the electors as per the last SIR in the State/UT, according to the release. The Commission also reviewed the status of appointment and training of DEOs, EROs, AEROs, BLOs and BLAs.On October 6, CEC Gyanesh Kumar informed that the SIR of voter lists will be conducted throughout the country. (ANI)
According to police, the incident occurred around 10:30 p.m. near Komati Cheruvu, on the outskirts of Tuni town, on Wednesday. The accused, identified as Tatika Narayana Rao, reportedly jumped into a lake while being taken to be produced before a magistrate.

"While the police were escorting him to the magistrate, he asked for a halt to relieve himself. When the jeep stopped, he suddenly jumped into the lake. We suspect it to be a case of suicide," said Inspector Ramakrishna.

Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh State Women's Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of the attempted rape of the minor Gurukul student.

Expressing deep anguish over the incident, Commission Chairperson Dr. Rayapati Sailaja directed officials to ensure swift and strict action against the accused.

Dr Sailaja spoke with the Kakinada District Superintendent of Police and instructed that the culprit be prosecuted under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Orders have also been issued to the District Collector's Office and the Child Welfare Committee to provide immediate protection, medical assistance, and legal aid to the victim.

The Commission has sought a detailed report from the District Police Department within 48 hours and instructed the Andhra Pradesh Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society (APSWREIS) to strengthen security measures in Gurukul schools.

Dr Sailaja said that the Commission would closely monitor the investigation to ensure justice is delivered without delay. (ANI)
Four members of Bihar's notorious gang, 'Sigma and Company', led by Ranjan Pathak, were killed in a Delhi encounter, Bihar Director General of Police (DGP) Vinay Kumar said. He termed them contract killers, warning they could have disrupted Sitamarhi and the upcoming Bihar elections. The gang was being tracked in coordination with Delhi Police before the confrontation. Speaking to ANI, DGP Vinay Kumar said, "The gang was committing crimes almost every month. They were contract killers...They had named their gang 'Sigma and Company,' and that itself indicates their intentions. Elections are about to be held in Bihar. We made a significant effort to gather information on this gang. Based on that intel, a team of Sitamarhi Police was camping in Delhi and was trying to locate them in coordination with Delhi Police. In this connection, they were being intercepted, which led to an encounter. All 4 were killed." He added that a criminal from Delhi, identified as Aman, used to provide shelter to the gang members. "A criminal from Delhi, Aman, used to shelter them there. There are other members of the gang, too; information is being gathered about them. It was discovered that their plan is to disrupt the Sitamarhi Police and the entire district...It cannot be denied that they could have done something during the elections. They used to go out and plan, and once the planning was done, they used to execute it," DGP Vinay said. DGP Vinay Kumar's comments followed a major overnight operation by Delhi Police Crime Branch in coordination with Bihar Police, during which four members of Bihar's notorious Ranjan Pathak gang were killed in an encounter at Rohini in the early hours of Thursday. The encounter took place around 2:20 AM between Dr. Ambedkar Chowk and Pansali Chowk on Bahadur Shah Marg, Rohini. Ranjan Pathak (25), Bimlesh Mahto alias Bimlesh Sahni (25), Manish Pathak (33), Aman Thakur (21), all natives of Sitamarhi, Bihar, were shot dead in an encounter. Police said all four were wanted in several heinous cases in Bihar, including multiple murders and armed robberies. The gang was allegedly involved in the killings of Brahmashri Sena district head Ganesh Sharma, Madan Sharma, and Aditya Singh in Bihar. Acting on specific intelligence inputs that the gang members were planning to carry out a major criminal activity ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, a joint team of Delhi Police Crime Branch and Bihar Police laid a trap in the area, police said. When the police team tried to intercept the suspects, they opened fire. The police retaliated, leading to a brief but intense exchange of fire. All four accused sustained bullet injuries and were rushed to Dr. BSA Hospital, Rohini, where doctors declared them dead, cops added. Confirming the operation, DCP Crime Branch Sanjeev Yadav said, "Based on credible inputs regarding the movement of the Ranjan Pathak-Manish Pathak gang in Delhi, a joint team of Delhi Police Crime Branch and Bihar Police launched an operation in Rohini. During the exchange of fire, all four criminals sustained bullet injuries and later succumbed. The gang was wanted in multiple heinous offences in Bihar." Senior officials from Delhi Police and Bihar Police visited the spot, and forensic and crime scene examination teams were called in. The accused persons, Ranjan and Bimesh Aman, were wanted in several cases. Several relevant sections of the Arms Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita were registered against them in Dumra, Chaurat, Gahra and Purnahiya. Further investigation is underway. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami personally reached out to a mother from Pauri Garhwal whose 12-year-old son is battling blood cancer, assuring her of all possible government assistance for his treatment. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami spoke with Preeti Negi, a resident of Kotdwar (District Pauri Garhwal), over the phone and inquired about the health of her 12-year-old son. "Preeti Negi had sent a letter to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami requesting assistance for the treatment of her son, who is suffering from blood cancer. Taking note of the letter, the Chief Minister personally contacted Negi and obtained detailed information about the child's treatment. The Chief Minister stated that the government stands with every needy person and will not let any helpless family feel alone. He assured that the state government will provide all possible assistance in Sushant's treatment," CMO posted on X. The Chief Minister also directed the concerned officials to complete the necessary formalities and provide assistance for the child's treatment at the earliest, so that there is no hindrance in his treatment. Earlier, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met the disaster-affected residents of Majhada village in Dehradun's Sahastradhara. He also conducted an on-site inspection of the ongoing reconstruction work in the affected areas. On September 15, a calamity that struck Majhara and Karligad villages in Dehradun caused severe devastation. Three people were buried under debris in Dehradun's Sahastradhara area as a result of heavy rainfall that led to flooding in the area and caused severe damage to houses and properties across the State. (ANI)
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Thursday took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not travelling to Kuala Lumpur, saying that the latter was not going for the 47th Asean Summit as he doesn't want to be "cornered" by US President Donald Trump. "The PM may well be recalling that old hit Bollywood number: Bachke rehna re baba, bachke rehna re," Ramesh, General Secretary incharge of Communication in Congress, posted on X. "For days the speculation has been - will He or won't He? Will Modi go to Kuala Lumpur for the Summit or not? Now it appears certain that the PM will not go. It means the loss of so many opportunities to hug and get photo ops with world leaders or to flaunt himself as the self-styled Vishwaguru," he added. Ramesh argued that PM Modi also refused an invitation to attend Gaza peace summit held on October 13 in Egypt "precisely for this reason." "The reason why Modi is not going is simple. He just doesn't want to be cornered by President Trump who will also be there. He refused an invitation to attend the Gaza peace summit in Egypt a few weeks back, precisely for this reason," the Congress MP said. He further stated that it has become "too risky" for PM Modi to socialise with Donald Trump publicly, especially after repeated claims made by the US President regarding "stopping Operation Sindoor" and "India agreeing to stop oil purchase from Russia". "Posting messages in praise of President Trump on social media is one thing. But to be seen hobnobbing physically with the man who has claimed 53 times that he stopped Op Sindoor and has claimed 5 times that India has promised to stop buying oil from Russia is another matter. It's far too risky for him," Ramesh said. His remarks come after Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Wednesday confirmed that PM Modi would not be travelling to Kuala Lumpur for the 47th Asean Summit, but would attend it virtually. "We touched on the organisation of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur at the end of this month. He informed me that he will attend virtually due to the ongoing Deepavali celebrations in India at that time," he said. "I respect his decision and extended my greetings for a happy Deepavali to him and the entire people of India," he added. Detailing his recent conversation with a colleague of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ibrahim highlighted efforts to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries. "Last night, I received a phone call from a colleague of the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Narendra Modi, to discuss efforts to strengthen Malaysia-India bilateral relations to a more strategic and comprehensive level. India remains an important partner for Malaysia in the fields of trade and investment, in addition to close cooperation in the sectors of technology, education, and regional security," Anwar said. He concluded by reaffirming Malaysia's commitment to bilateral and regional cooperation. "Malaysia will remain committed to strengthening Malaysia-India relations and further enhancing ASEAN-India cooperation towards a more peaceful and prosperous region," he said. Meanwhile, United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday (local time) announced his upcoming diplomatic trip to Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan, highlighting a significant meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea. (ANI)
President Droupadi Murmu unveiled a bust of former President of India, late K R Narayanan, and paid floral tributes at Kerala Raj Bhavan on Thursday. Addressing the gathering, the President lauded Narayanan's rich legacy of morality, integrity, compassion, and democratic spirit. "I consider it an honour to unveil the bust of Late Shri K R Narayanan here at Raj Bhavan today. I would like to thank Shri Ram Nath Kovind ji, Former President of India, under whose guidance this initiative has been taken. I am sure that his memory will inspire people to uphold the values of equality, integrity and public service that he stood for," Murmu said in a post on the President of India's X handle. President Murmu praised late K R Narayanan's inspiring journey, highlighting his academic excellence, distinguished Indian Foreign Service career, and commitment to peace, justice, and inclusion as a Parliamentarian, Union Minister, and India's President. "Late Shri K R Narayanan's life is a story of courage, perseverance, and self-belief. Through immense dedication and the power of education, he went on to occupy the highest constitutional office of our nation. His academic excellence was a symbol of what determination and opportunity can accomplish when guided by purpose. Before entering politics, Shri K R Narayanan built a distinguished career in the Indian Foreign Service. Shri Narayanan upheld India's values of peace, justice, and cooperation with utmost sincerity. After his diplomatic career, he was elected to Parliament and went on to serve as Union Minister. He was always steadfast to the principles of fairness and inclusion," Murmu said. The President highlighted former President K.R. Narayanan's deep connection to Kerala, emphasising his inspiration from the state's social progress, education, and inclusivity. She noted that Narayanan remained rooted in his heritage despite holding the highest office. Murmu underscored his belief in education as a universal right and emphasised the importance of human values. President Murmu further emphasised that as India progresses towards the goal of Viksit Bharat, ensuring equal opportunities for all citizens, particularly the weakest and most marginalised, is crucial for realising their dreams. (ANI)
Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara on Thursday spoke on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's (RSS) centenary march permission in Chittapur on October 24, stating that the district administration holds the authority to make the final decision. The clarification comes in response to a recent emergency order issued by the state government, which Parameshwara emphasised was not specifically targeting the RSS. "There is clarity in the emergency order that has been issued now. The department will issue an official order specifying it in more detail. It is now up to the district administrations to make the decisions. In the case of Chittapur, multiple organisations have applied together for permission. Different groups have also requested it. The decision on that should be made by the district administration," he said. Refuting claims that the state's circular was aimed at the RSS, the Home Minister clarified, "Our circular was not made targeting the RSS. Is there anywhere in it where the term "RSS" is even mentioned? It's not right to say that we issued it unnecessarily against the RSS. We didn't make it for the RSS alone; we made it to apply to everyone." The minister further explained that the directive was issued to restrict the use of government school or college premises for such programs, with the broader goal of maintaining harmony. On October 16, the Karnataka government reissued a 2013 circular that prohibits the use of government school grounds for private purposes, potentially clamping down on RSS activities on school premises. While speaking with ANI, on circular banning use of school grounds for non-educational activities, Karnataka Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa said, "Parents and children have complained about their ideological mentality, so we had to make an order in the interest of children. Anything not good for children will not be allowed in our schools." Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge also wrote a letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, urging him to take action against officials participating in RSS programs. Referring to Rule 5(1) of the Karnataka Civil Service (Conduct) Rules, 2021, which does not permit government employees to be part of any political parties and participate in political activity, Kharge alleged that government officials have violated the rule by taking part in RSS's activities." "As per Rule 5(1) of the Karnataka Civil Service (Conduct) Rules, 2021 for Government servants in the State of Karnataka, the following rule is already in force. No Government servant shall be a member of, or otherwise associated with, any political party or any organisation engaged in politics, or shall take part in any political movement or activity, shall not be solicited for its support or shall render any assistance thereto. It has been observed that government officials and employees are participating in the programs and activities organised by RSS and other organisations in recent times, despite the clear direction," Kharge stated in the letter. (ANI)
The portals of the world-famous eleventh Jyotirlinga, Kedarnath Dham, were ceremoniously closed for the winter season at 8:30 am on Thursday, October 23, coinciding with Bhai Dooj (Kartik Shukla Saptami, Anuradha Nakshatra). Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was present on the occasion. Before the closure, the temple was beautifully decorated with flowers. The atmosphere in the temple complex reverberated with devotional tunes played by the Indian Army band and chants of "Jai Baba Kedar." Despite the cold weather, around 10,000 devotees gathered to witness the divine and historic moment. As part of the closure rituals, the temple priests, led by Chief Priest Bagesh Ling, performed yajna, havan, and samadhi pujan during Brahmamuhurta. Following the rituals, the swayambhu Shivling of Lord Kedarnath was adorned with local sacred flowers, including Kumja, Bukla, Rakh, and Brahmakamal, as well as other dried flowers and leaves, symbolically giving it a samadhi form. The sanctum doors were then closed amidst chants of "Jai Baba Kedar" for the winter season. After the main sanctum was sealed, Chief Minister Dhami participated in the ritual closure of the eastern and southern gates of the temple. Subsequently, the Panchmukhi Utsav Doli (five-faced ceremonial palanquin) of Lord Kedarnath was carried in a grand procession around the temple complex before setting out on its first halt at Rampur. The air was filled with chants and devotional music from the Army band, priests, devotees, and doli bearers. On the occasion, Chief Minister Dhami extended his greetings to devotees from across India and abroad. He said that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kedarpuri has undergone a grand and divine transformation through extensive reconstruction works. The Chief Minister noted that over 5 million pilgrims visited the Char Dham shrines in 2025, a record figure. He added that the state government is actively promoting the winter Char Dham pilgrimage, encouraging devotees to visit the winter abodes (gaddi sthals) of the deities for worship during the colder months. He urged pilgrims to continue their spiritual journeys in winter as well, saying it not only sustains devotion but also supports the livelihoods of local traders, homestay operators, and hoteliers. The Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to all departments associated with the pilgrimage, including security forces, temple committees, local residents, voluntary organisations, and devotees, for their collective efforts in ensuring a safe, smooth, and successful yatra this year. He stated that the 2025 Kedarnath pilgrimage was conducted with exemplary management, with a total of 17,68,795 pilgrims visiting the shrine, about 1.25 lakh more than the 16,52,076 visitors recorded in 2024. He further mentioned that, barring a few natural calamities, the entire yatra period remained well-organised and peaceful. Even during the winter months, robust security arrangements will be maintained at Kedarnath Dham, and winter worship rituals will continue as per tradition. Following the closure, Baba Kedar's Panchmukhi Utsav Doli will rest tonight at Rampur, its first stop. On Friday, October 24, the Doli will reach the Shri Vishwanath Temple in Guptkashi for an overnight halt, and on Saturday, October 25, it will proceed to the winter seat of Lord Kedarnath, the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath. (ANI)
Detailing the encounter in the national capital's Rohini area, in which four most wanted criminals were shot dead in an encounter with police of Delhi and Bihar, Delhi Police on Thursday said that an exchange of fire took place after a police team attempted to intercept the suspects following a tip-off about their movements. Delhi Police Public Relations Officer (PRO) Sanjay Tyagi said that suspects opened fire on the police team which had surrounded them and the police retaliated. "In self-defence, the police also opened fire" the official said. Speaking to ANI, Tyagi said, "The Crime Branch had received information about some criminals hiding in Delhi. When they were surrounded and an attempt was made to apprehend them, they opened fire. An exchange of fire took place. In self-defence, the police also opened fire, and based on the information so far, four well-known criminals have been killed. Some policemen were also injured. The entire matter is being investigated. All details are being gathered..." In a major overnight operation by Delhi Police Crime Branch in coordination with Bihar Police, four members of Bihar's notorious Ranjan Pathak gang were killed in an encounter at Rohini. The encounter took place around 2:20 AM between Dr. Ambedkar Chowk and Pansali Chowk on Bahadur Shah Marg, Rohini, police said. Ranjan Pathak (25), Bimlesh Mahto alias Bimlesh Sahni (25), Manish Pathak (33), Aman Thakur (21), all natives of Sitamarhi, Bihar, were those who were shot dead. Police said all four were wanted in several heinous cases in Bihar, including multiple murders and armed robberies. The gang was allegedly involved in the killings of Brahmashri Sena district head Ganesh Sharma, Madan Sharma, and Aditya Singh in Bihar. Acting on specific intelligence inputs that the gang members were planning to carry out a major criminal activity ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, a joint team of Delhi Police Crime Branch and Bihar Police laid a trap in the area, Delhi Police said. When the police team tried to intercept the suspects, they opened fire. The police retaliated, leading to a brief but intense exchange of fire. All four accused sustained bullet injuries and were rushed to the Dr. BSA Hospital, Rohini, where doctors declared them dead, Delhi police said Confirming the operation, DCP Crime Branch Sanjeev Yadav said, "Based on credible inputs regarding the movement of the Ranjan Pathak-Manish Pathak gang in Delhi, a joint team of Delhi Police Crime Branch and Bihar Police launched an operation in Rohini. During the exchange of fire, all four criminals sustained bullet injuries and later succumbed. The gang was wanted in multiple heinous offences in Bihar." Senior officials from Delhi Police and Bihar Police visited the site, and forensic and crime scene examination teams were called in. The accused persons, Ranjan and Bimesh Aman, were wanted in several cases. Several relevant sections of the Arms Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita were registered against them in Dumra, Chaurat, Gahra and Purnahiya. Further investigation is underway. (ANI)
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman V Narayanan on Thursday said that the country's space sector has achieved remarkable progress in 2025 under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with more than 200 significant milestones recorded this year alone. He was speaking at the curtain raiser of the Emerging Science, Technology, and Innovation Conclave 2025 in Bengaluru. Narayanan emphasised that the upcoming Conclave 2025 will centre on Space Technologies, aimed at fostering synergy among multiple stakeholders and propelling collaborative efforts toward realising the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. Highlighting India's scientific advancements, the ISRO Chairman said, "From January until now, over 200 significant accomplishments have been made under the visionary leadership of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi." He recalled that on January 6, ISRO released nearly 10 terabytes of scientific data from the Aditya-L1 mission for the first time, followed by another release in February. "Till date, we have made available around 15 terabytes of data from the mission," Narayanan stated. Marking a major technological breakthrough, he said India performed its first-ever on-orbit docking experiment, SPADEx (Space Docking Experiment), on January 16. "This complex operation involved two satellites travelling at speeds of 28,400 km per hour, which were successfully aligned and docked using advanced algorithms, cameras, propulsion, and inertial systems. With this, India became the fourth country in the world to demonstrate successful in-space docking," he added. ISRO has since conducted de-docking and even power transfer between two satellites, further strengthening India's in-space capabilities. He also mentioned the launch of GSLV-F15 on January 29, marking the 100th large vehicle mission from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, a key moment in India's space history. Reflecting on India's space journey since its inception in 1962, Narayanan said, "The first milestone came on November 21, 1963, when India launched its first sounding rocket from Tumba near Thiruvananthapuram. From those humble beginnings, India has made tremendous progress." He termed the July 30 launch of the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite as another "proud milestone". The joint mission, equipped with an L-band radar from NASA and an S-band radar from ISRO, represents one of the most significant collaborative efforts in the history of India's space programme. The ISRO Chairman further announced that approval has been granted for the establishment of a third launch pad in Tamil Nadu, with a budget allocation of Rs 400 crore, a key step to boost India's launch capabilities. Speaking about private sector participation in the space domain, Narayanan said that the Department of Space is actively promoting and supporting private companies and startups through IN-SPACe. "We are hand-holding private players at every stage from development to testing. It is the responsibility of the Department of Space to enable the growth of the space ecosystem in India. We are extremely happy when the private sector does well and when startups grow. When these two happen, the space ecosystem grows, and the common man of this country benefits in a very big way," he emphasised. Narayanan reiterated that India's 60 years of accumulated expertise in space science is being shared with the private sector to ensure collective national progress. "We must look at the sector not as different organisations, but as one nation working together," he said. (ANI)
As election dates come closer, Union Minister and BJP national president JP Nadda campaigned in Aurangabad on Thursday and said that there was 'Vikas (development)' with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and 'Vinash (destruction)' with the Mahagathbandhan. While addressing a public rally here, Nadda slammed Bihar Leader of Opposition (LoP) Tejashwi Yadav and Rashtriya Janata Party (RJD) leader, saying that the newly announced Mahagathbandhan CM face and his party were "nothing but vinash (destructive)". "Very few people know that I was born in Patna, Bihar. I spent 20 years of my childhood in Bihar. I know that era of darkness, and I also see this era of light. Today, this election clearly shows 'vikas' with the NDA and 'vinash' with the Mahagathbandhan. The NDA government, led by PM Modi and Nitish Kumar, is a government moving towards 'vikas', and this newly announced CM face and their party are nothing but 'vinash'," Nadda said. "In the last 20 years, with the blessings of Nitish Kumar and in the last 11 years with the blessings of PM Modi, Bihar has embarked on a rapid path of progress. If I talk about Vande Bharat trains, 26 out of 44 Vande Bharat trains originate from Bihar and run through Bihar," he added. Meanwhile, Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot today announced Tejashwi Yadav as the Chief Ministerial candidate for the assembly elections in Bihar, scheduled to be held in two phases on November 6 and 11. "Everyone should be worried (about the situation in the country). This is why I can say that after consulting Kharge ji, Rahul ji, and others who are sitting here, that Tejashwi Yadav is the CM candidate for this election. He is a young person. He has a long future and the public will support him," Gehlot said while addressing a press conference in Patna. Mukesh Sahani, who heads the Vikasheel Insaan Pary (VIP), has been named as the Deputy CM nominee from the Mahagathbandhan. After being declared as the Chief Ministerial candidate for the upcoming assembly elections, Tejashwi Yadav said that the alliance partners have come together for the advancement of Bihar. He asserted that the opposition Mahagathbandhan together will throw out the "useless" 20-year-old double-engine government in the state. "We, the people of Mahagathbandhan, do not just want to form the government or become the CM, but we want to make Bihar, which is why we are together. I thank all the members of the Mahagathbandhan for showing trust in me. I want to assure all of them that I will do everything possible to meet your expectations. Together, we will throw the useless 20-year-old double-engine government, where one engine is corrupt. The other is criminal," Yadav, who is currently the Bihar Leader of Opposition (LoP), said while addressing a press conference. The 2025 Bihar elections will have the main contest between the National Democratic Alliance and the Mahagathbandhan. NDA includes the Bharatiya Janata Party, Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) and Rashtriya Lok Morcha. Mahagathbandhan, led by Rashtriya Janata Dal, includes Congress party, the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (CPI-ML) led by Deepankar Bhattacharya, the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), and Mukesh Sahani's Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP). Additionally, Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj has also staked claims on all 243 seats of the state. The assembly elections will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11. The results will be declared on November 14. (ANI)
Taking jibe at RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav for not including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's photo in the posters at the Mahagathbandhan press conference which was held earlier in the day, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday asserted that the opposition alliance here is "very weak" with parties involved in friendly fights. Addressing the press conference in Patna, Prasad said, "Today we saw that Rahul Gandhi's photo was missing from that press conference. Every party's symbol was there, but Rahul Gandhi's photo was missing. What kind of alliance is this? There are 243 seats, and the alliance is contesting on 255 seats. And there's one seat, Gaura Bauram Assembly. Both the would-be CM and Deputy CM are contesting there. This is a very weak alliance." Prasad further warned the voters of Bihar that their life will become "miserable" if RJD is voted to power. "It's important to tell the state that Lalu Prasad Yadav has been convicted in four cases in the fodder scam, spanning 32.5 years. When we come to Tejashwi Yadav, two orders have been issued by the Delhi High Court...The court examined all the matters and declared that this (IRCTC hotels corruption case) is a serious case of corruption and 420... Tejashwi Yadav, you are accused under Section 420 of the IPC. The sentence is seven years. Your claim that you won't tolerate corruption needs to be addressed. The people of Bihar, be careful," he said. "These 2.60 crores households of Bihar, to whom they are talking about giving permanent jobs, their (RJD) background is such that it will make your whole life miserable. None of their work is done without corruption, and I am giving proof of all this," the BJP MP added. Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala too slammed the opposition Mahagathbandhan in Bihar, saying that it has "no mission or vision".The boards and posters featuring photos of Bihar Leader of Opposition (LoP) Tejashwi Yadav have been displayed at the venue of the Mahagathbandhan press conference in Patna. Reacting to this, Poonawala asked whether the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) thinks of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi as a "liability".He said that Congress saw itself as the "big brother", but it was nowhere to be seen. "Mahagathbandhan has no mission or vision; there is only division and confusion. Today, the Mahagathbandhan will hold a joint PC, but pictures of only Tejashwi Yadav can be seen at the venue. They have deleted Rahul Gandhi and other leaders from the photos. Does RJD consider Rahul Gandhi a liability? Till yesterday, Pappu Yadav was claiming that Rahul Gandhi is the face of Mahagathbandhan. Till yesterday, Congress was claiming to be the big brother, but now they are nowhere to be seen," Poonawala told ANI. The 2025 Bihar elections will have the main contest between the National Democratic Alliance and the Mahagathbandhan. NDA includes the Bharatiya Janata Party, Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) and Rashtriya Lok Morcha. Mahagathbandhan, led by Rashtriya Janata Dal, includes Congress party, the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (CPI-ML) led by Deepankar Bhattacharya, the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), and Mukesh Sahani's Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP). Additionally, Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj has also staked claims on all 243 seats of the state. The assembly elections will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11. The results will be declared on November 14. (ANI)
Senior Advocate Pinky Anand, a prominent figure in India's legal fraternity, has been appointed as a judge of the Bahrain International Commercial Court (BICC), which will be formally launched on November 5, 2025. Anand, who has an illustrious legal career spanning over four decades, previously served as Additional Solicitor General of India from 2014 to 2020. She has represented India in several high-profile cases and has extensive experience as an arbitrator in India, as well as in Dubai, Malaysia, and Singapore. Anand has also represented India at the BRICS group of emerging economies and was a founding member of the BRICS Legal Forum. Her appointment was confirmed through Bahrain's official gazette, along with several other international and Bahraini judges. The BICC, presided over by noted arbitration expert Jan Paulsson, now has 17 judges, including seven women and ten men, drawn from various parts of the world. The Bahrain International Commercial Court is a product of a treaty between Bahrain and Singapore signed in March 2024, and is modelled on the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC). The BICC will handle complex cross-border commercial disputes in English and Arabic, offering parties a right of appeal to the SICC's international committee for English-language cases. Alternatively, appeals will be heard by a BICC appellate tribunal if the judgment is in Arabic or if the parties mutually agree. According to Marike Paulsson, Secretary General of the Council for International Dispute Resolution for the Kingdom of Bahrain, the creation of the BICC marks "an unprecedented joint venture between two nations in the pursuit of transnational justice." The court will be inaugurated alongside the launch of Bahrain's Global Justice Bay, envisioned as a global hub for dispute resolution. Congratulating Anand, Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal said, "This recognition of an eminent Indian jurist on such a distinguished global forum is a testament to India's growing stature in international arbitration and commercial dispute resolution. Her appointment reflects the confidence reposed in Indian legal expertise and will further strengthen cross-border judicial cooperation." Despite her international appointment, Anand will continue her legal practice in India while performing her judicial responsibilities for the BICC remotely or through periodic visits to Bahrain. The BICC's first session on November 5 will coincide with the King Hamad Lecture Ceremony on 'Neutral Justice', followed by an international conference on the role of global courts in advancing transnational justice. (ANI)
Senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel on Thursday backed the opposition alliance Mahagathbandhan's decision to elect Tejashwi Yadav as the Chief Minister candidate for the Bihar Assembly election, stating that the right decision has been made at the right time. Baghel further questioned the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) CM's face for the election. "The right decision has been made at the right time, which was announced today. The Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, both faces, have been declared. Now the question is from the BJP and the NDA, who is their face?" he said. NDA has repeatedly stated that they are fighting the Bihar election under the leadership of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Earlier, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan reiterated his support for Nitish Kumar as the leader of the NDA alliance in the Bihar assembly polls and said that after the results, elected MLAs will once again choose the JD(U) leader as the Chief Minister. "The NDA alliance have made it clear that we are contesting the elections under the leadership of Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, and after the elections, the elected MLAs will once again choose Nitish Kumar as the Chief Minister," Paswan said. Additionally, Bhupesh Baghel countered BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad's remarks questioning Tejashwi Yadav's credibility over charges framed against him in the IRCTC Hotel Tender case. "Does the accused become a criminal?... How many tainted leaders are there in the BJP too?" Baghel said. Earlier on Thursday, Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot declared Tejashwi Yadav as the Chief Ministerial candidate for the upcoming Assembly elections in Bihar. Following the announcement, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad launched an attack against Tejashwi, questioning his credibility over his father Lalu Prasad's 32.5-year sentence in the fodder scam cases and IPC Section 420 charges against him in the IRCTC scam case. Speaking to ANI, Prasad said, "What is he saying? Does he even understand what he is saying? His father has been sentenced to 32.5 years in jail in four cases of the fodder scam. He is on trial in the CBI Court in Delhi. Tejashwi Yadav is also an accused of Section 420 of the IPC. The people of Bihar are well aware of who has contributed to Bihar's development. PM Modi and Nitish Kumar will develop Bihar. This is the double-engine government." Meanwhile, Mukesh Sahani, who heads the Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP), has been named the Deputy CM nominee from the Mahagathbandhan. The 2025 Bihar elections will have the main contest between the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Mahagathbandhan. The NDA comprises the Bharatiya Janata Party, Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha. Mahagathbandhan, led by Rashtriya Janata Dal, includes Congress party, the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (CPI-ML) led by Deepankar Bhattacharya, the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), and Mukesh Sahani's Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP). The Assembly elections will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11. The results will be declared on November 14. (ANI)
As US President Donald Trump claimed that India will significantly reduce Russian oil imports by year-end, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday hit back by criticising him for making announcements on behalf of New Delhi. Speaking to ANI, Tharoor asked President Trump not to announce India's decisions to the world, as New Delhi does not speak for Washington DC. The Congress MP said, "I don't really think it's appropriate for Trump to be making announcements about India's decisions. I think India will make announcements about its decisions. We don't tell the world what Trump will do. I think Trump should not be telling the world what India will do." Earlier on Wednesday (US local time), US President Donald Trump claimed that India will significantly reduce Russian oil imports by year-end, citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assurance. President Trump also said that the process of phasing out Russian oil imports will be 'gradual, claiming that India will bring it "down to almost nothing" by the end of the year. "India, as you know, told me that they would stop. It is a process; you can't just stop it. But by the end of the year, they will be down to almost nothing. That's a big thing, that is almost 40 per cent of the oil. India has been great. Spoke to Prime Minister Modi yesterday and they have been absolutely great," President Trump said during an interaction with press persons in the White House, while hosting NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. However, India denies any agreement, emphasising its priority to safeguard consumer interests. The country's energy policy prioritises stable prices and secure supplies. This comes in the backdrop of Trump imposing 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods, urging New Delhi to diversify energy sources. (ANI)
Peoples Democratic Party MLA Waheed Para on Thursday demanded the release of AAP MLA Mehraj Malik, who was booked under provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act 1978 (PSA) on September 8. Waheed Para said that his party will raise the issue in the J-K Assembly. "Mehraj Malik should be released. We condemn the Public Safety Act...We will raise this issue in the House," the PDP MLA told ANI. MLA Mehraj Malik, representing Doda constituency of Jammu and Kashmir, was booked under the provisions of the PSA on the grounds of his activities being prejudicial to the maintenance of public order. After his detention, the authorities had issued a prohibitory order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Surakaksha Sanhita (BNSS) at Bhalessa in Doda district. The Public Safety Act, a preventive detention law, allows authorities in Jammu & Kashmir to detain individuals without trial for up to two years in certain cases. Earlier this month, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah criticised the use of the PSA against Mehraj Malik, calling it a misuse of the law. He said that while there may have been complaints against Malik, using such a harsh law against an elected representative was excessive. Speaking to the reporters, CM Omar Abdullah said, "Law and order and policing are not part of the elected government's responsibility. Whatever complaints might have been there about the conduct of the MLA, the law that has been used to detain him is absolutely a misuse of the law and an excessive use of force against an elected representative." However, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti questioned the Chief Minister's offer to provide legal assistance to Malik's family, stating that the MLA is capable of handling his own legal proceedings. Speaking to reporters, she said, "PSA was imposed on Mehraj Malik and he was put in jail. After that, our Chief Minister meets his father and says that he will help in their legal proceedings. I think Mehraj is an MLA and he is capable enough to handle his own legal help. If the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, wants to provide legal assistance, then he should help those thousands of prisoners in Jammu and Kashmir who are not capable." (ANI)
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati students have secured first prize in the 2025 24-hour contest, an international 24-hour animation challenge, the institute said in a release on Thursday. Organised by Toon Boom Animation, this year's competition witnessed participation from 185 institutions from 35 countries. Under the supervision of Dr Mriganka Madhukaillya, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Design, IIT Guwahati, the team of Arin Bandyopadhyay, Aditya Ravi Pawar, Aseel Pasha, and S Balasankar contested against 764 teams and 3,820 students to win the first prize. The theme for this year's contest was "Flip Your Perspective," which challenged participants to create a 30-second animated short film in 24 hours. The IIT Guwahati team's creative interpretation and technical excellence earned them the top honour among hundreds of entries worldwide. Congratulating the IIT Guwahati team, Prof. Devendra Jalihal, Director, IIT Guwahati, said, "This achievement reflects the creativity and hard work of our students and faculty. Winning an international competition of this scale is a testament to the world-class talent nurtured at IIT Guwahati." The 24-hour contest is an internationally known competition that puts its participants under time and pressure constraints, while also requiring them to be highly creative. Participants are given a theme at midnight of the 24-hour period, which must include storyboarding to the final animation. As per the guidelines, the students can't use any artwork, models or content created in advance, thereby maintaining originality and skill. To avoid unfair advantage, the use of AI tools to create visuals or sound is strictly prohibited. Submissions are required to be uploaded before the deadline; even a one-second delay results in automatic disqualification, showing the strict and demanding nature of the contest at professional standards. This year's competition was sponsored by leading animation enterprises such as Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, Sony Pictures Animation, Nickelodeon, Warner Bros. Animation, Bento Box, Netflix, Cartoon Saloon, Illumination, DreamWorks, Wacom, XP-Pen, ASIFA Hollywood, Animation Is Film Festival, and Toon Boom Animation, among others. As the first prize, IIT Guwahati students have won student passes to the Toronto Animation Arts Festival International (TAAFI) 2026, along with professional animation software licenses, studio memberships, and mentorship sessions with Disney animators, among other recognitions. (ANI)
Fresh, clean mountain air has once again made Himachal Pradesh a magnet for tourists after Diwali. With a significantly "good" quality on the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded across the state, especially in the capital, Shimla, visitors from across India are flocking to the hills to breathe in what they describe as "pure Himalayan air." Tourist arrivals have surged after the monsoon and the devastating rains earlier this year, giving a much-needed boost to the state's tourism industry. The pleasant post-Diwali weather, combined with low pollution levels, has enhanced the hill state's charm. From Ahmedabad in Gujarat, Kirtan Patel, a tourist, told ANI that visiting the Himalayas felt refreshing and rejuvenating. "It feels wonderful to be here in Himachal Pradesh, in the lap of the Himalayas," said Patel. "Initially, we found a bit of traffic, but compared to Gujarat, the air here is far better. During Diwali, we witnessed heavy pollution in our city, but there's no comparison to the fresh air here. You can literally feel the difference in breathing. The weather is pleasant, neither too cold nor too warm, and we're enjoying every moment.""I would advise all tourists to visit responsibly, maintain limits, practice sustainability, and avoid disturbing local life or nature," Patel added. From neighbouring Uttarakhand, Anjali Gupta, who came from Dehradun, echoed similar sentiments. "The air quality here is far better than the plains," Gupta said. "You rarely find fine dust particles in Shimla's environment. As tourists, we must be mindful of certain things--avoid making noise in soundproof zones, never throw garbage on slopes, and help maintain the peaceful environment that dates back to the British era." "We should preserve the Himalayas and the serenity of the hills as they are," she emphasised. "I tell my friends and youngsters to drive slowly in hill stations, carry personal dustbins, keep silence, and avoid spreading pollution or litter," she said. From Chandigarh, Vivek Khurana described Shimla as an unmatched destination for its climate and greenery. "The weather is amazing, as always. Shimla is known for this," Khurana told ANI. "There's no comparison when it comes to air quality, it's a low-density, green area, and that's why we come here from Chandigarh. We enjoy the climate and also love to try local food." "I'd like to remind everyone to keep the city clean and avoid pollution," he added. "Locals should also limit new construction since space is running out. What already exists should be properly maintained. Shimla remains the 'Queen of Hills' because it's still different from Delhi and Chandigarh. For us, business might take us to big cities, but Shimla is the best place to live in Himachal," he said. Environmental experts also confirm the trend scientifically. According to Dr. Suresh Kumar Atri, Environmental Scientist at the Department of Climate Change, Government of Himachal Pradesh, the post-Diwali air quality in the state remains among the cleanest in North India. "When we look at the Air Quality Index data of Himachal Pradesh and Shimla before and after Diwali, the results are very satisfactory," Dr. Atri told ANI. "As per data recorded by the Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board laboratories, the air pollution level in Shimla is very low, around 57 AQI, which falls in the 'good' category under national standards," he added. "In contrast, industrial areas such as Paonta Sahib, Baddi, and Nalagarh recorded moderate AQI levels of around 110-150, primarily due to industrial activity," he added further. "Sensitive areas in and around Shimla have maintained AQI readings around 50, which is excellent," he said. "If it rains in the coming days, the dust particles caused by the dry season and pollen will also settle, further improving air quality," Dr. Atri said. "While many northern Indian cities record AQI levels of 400-500 post-Diwali, Himachal Pradesh continues to offer fresh, healthy air. Tourists seeking health benefits should certainly visit and enjoy the clean mountain environment." With the festive season continuing and tourists arriving from across the country, Himachal Pradesh is once again reminding the world why its mountain air has long been its biggest treasure a breath of purity amid a polluted northern skyline. (ANI)
The Opposition Mahagathbandhan will release its joint manifesto for the Bihar Assembly elections on October 28 in Patna, sources in the alliance told ANI on Thursday. Sources said that Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge will also begin their campaign for the Bihar Assembly elections on October 28, after the Chhath Puja festival. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav will address joint rallies before the first Phase of voting and, after that, for the seats in the second Phase of voting, they added. Earlier in the day, Mahagathbandhan declared Tejashwi Yadav as its Chief Ministerial candidate for the assembly elections, scheduled to be held in two phases on November 6 and 11. "Everyone should be worried (about the situation in the country). This is why I can say that, after consulting Kharge ji, Rahul ji, and others sitting here, Tejashwi Yadav is the CM candidate for this election. He is a young person. He has a long future and the public will support him," Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot said at a press conference in Patna. Gehlot, named as Senior Election Observer by the AICC, said that people of Bihar want change as they struggle with multiple issues, including unemployment. He said that the way the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in the centre was operating was a "threat to democracy." "It is obvious to get worried about the condition of the country and the state. The situation is serious. The way the NDA government operates is a threat to democracy. There is polarisation. Nobody knows in which direction the country is heading. If you criticise, you are sent to jail - it doesn't matter if you are a journalist or activist. It is our responsibility to keep in mind what the country wants. The country is watching Bihar. The issue of unemployment remains. People want change," he added. Mukesh Sahani, who heads the Vikasheel Insaan Pary, has been named as the Deputy CM nominee from the Mahagathbandhan. The 2025 Bihar elections will have the main contest between the National Democratic Alliance and the Mahagathbandhan.NDA includes the Bharatiya Janata Party, Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) and Rashtriya Lok Morcha. Mahagathbandhan, led by Rashtriya Janata Dal, includes Congress party, the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (CPI-ML) led by Deepankar Bhattacharya, the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), and Mukesh Sahani's Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP). Additionally, Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj has also staked claims on all 243 seats of the state. The assembly elections will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11. The results will be declared on November 14. (ANI)
Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, concluded his two-day visit to Mizoram on Thursday with a public meeting at the Reiek Community Hall in Mamit District, held as part of the Dampa Assembly by-election campaign. Addressing the gathering, the Minister reiterated the Centre's commitment to strengthen direct development linkages, "Delhi to Dampa, Dampa to Delhi", and conveyed the 'Narendra Modi Guarantee' to ensure that promises made to the people of Mizoram are delivered. Rijiju noted that while the Central Government continues to extend full support to Mizoram's development under the present state government, electing a BJP representative would further accelerate growth and unlock the state's full potential. Describing himself as "a cousin in New Delhi," he said he feels a special responsibility towards the people of Mizoram and the North East. The Minister commended the Mizo community for their hardworking spirit and peaceful nature. He also informed that he had received several memoranda and requests from local groups, including proposals for an artificial turf ground, new link roads to various villages, and a direct road connecting Reiek to the airport. He assured that these projects would be taken up if the BJP's Dampa candidate, Lalhmingthanga Sailo, is elected. Highlighting his previous initiatives, Rijiju recalled the establishment of a special Delhi Police Cell to assist people from the North East living in the national capital. Earlier, the BJP in Mizoram officially kicked off its Dampa By-election campaign on Wednesday with a grand event held at West Phaileng. The programme was chaired by Rev. Lalremliana, President of MPF West Phaileng, and attended by senior party leaders, supporters, and members of the public. Kiren Rijiju graced the occasion as the chief guest and officially released the BJP Manifesto for the Dampa By-election. In his address, Rijiju said he visited Dampa not as a guest, but as a brother to the people. He emphasised that the Northeast region has been given special importance under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, saying, "For the first time in 78 years of India's independence, a Minister from the Northeast has been entrusted with the Minority Affairs portfolio. This reflects the government's deep respect and trust in the people of this region." On October 6, the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced that by-elections for eight assembly constituencies across seven states and Union Territories will take place on November 11. The counting of votes for the by-election is scheduled for November 14. These by-elections are being held to fill vacancies caused by various reasons such as resignations, deaths, or disqualifications. The by-elections will take place in Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam and Nagrota districts, Rajasthan's Anta district, Jharkhand's Ghatshila district, Telangana's Jubilee Hills district, Punjab's Tarn Taran district, Mizoram's Dampa district, and Odisha's Nuapada district. (ANI)
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Thursday claimed that Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) "tortured" Congress and other parties in the Mahagathbandhan to declare Tejashwi Yadav as the Chief Ministerial candidate of the alliance for the upcoming Assembly polls. Dy CM Choudhary alleged that the RJD fielded candidates against Congress and alliance partners to force them to accept Tejashwi as the CM face. Addressing a press conference in Patna, Samrat Choudhary said, "Lalu Yadav declared the CM face of Mahagathbandhan through hooliganism and torturing Congress and other parties, by fielding candidates against them, just the way they spread 'jungle raj' in Bihar." Further, he took a jibe at Tejashwi Yadav for charges against him in the IRCTC Hotel tender case. "Now, his son, a registered criminal, is envisioning himself as the CM, and this is a shameful day for democracy," he said. Meanwhile, Union Minister Nityanand Rai also slammed Tejashwi Yadav over corruption charges. Rai told ANI, "The one who has become synonymous with corruption and the one who has proven guilty on corruption charges, if he is saying such things, it becomes even more shocking. Bihar has gone back many years because of this one person who accumulated immense wealth and built empires for his family." "Tejashwi Yadav has proven corruption charges against him, so what is the need to prove that he is not corrupt?" the Union Minister claimed. This comes after senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot declared Tejashwi Yadav as the Chief Ministerial candidate for the upcoming Assembly elections in Bihar. Mukesh Sahani, who heads the Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), has been named the Deputy CM nominee. Opposition Mahagathbandhan will release its joint manifesto for the Bihar Assembly elections on October 28 in Patna, sources in the alliance told ANI on Thursday. Sources said that Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge will also begin their campaign for the Bihar Assembly elections on October 28, after the Chhath Puja festival. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav will address joint rallies before the first Phase of voting and, after that, for the seats in the second Phase of voting, they added. The assembly elections will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11. The results will be declared on November 14. (ANI)
The Cyber Police Station of North District in Delhi has dismantled an inter-state scam that lured victims with false promises of charitable work and monthly payouts. The operation led to the apprehension of three individuals from Agra, Uttar Pradesh, who are alleged to be part of a fake donation and NGO registration racket, the police said on Thursday. According to the police, the investigation was launched following a complaint from Muhammad Yunus Khan, a 76-year-old social worker from Delhi. Khan reported being cheated of Rs 16,600 after he received a WhatsApp call from an unknown number. The caller, posing as a charity organiser, requested donations to help the poor and elderly. The fraudster further enticed Khan by promising him a monthly payment of Rs 50,000 and other benefits if he registered his own NGO under their scheme. Convinced by the offer, Khan transferred Rs 16,600 as registration and processing fees. After the payment was made, the fraudsters ceased all communication. Based on his complaint, a case was registered on September 8, 2025, and an investigation was initiated. Through meticulous financial and technical analysis, police teams traced the transaction to a bank account in Agra. A targeted raid on October 11 led to the arrest of the first accused, Manish Biswas, 19, the holder of the beneficiary account. During interrogation, Biswas revealed that he was recruited by two other individuals, Manthan Kumar and Prince, also known as Kalu and Kamlesh. They allegedly convinced him to open the bank account under the false pretext of "reviving company funds." Acting on this information, the police swiftly apprehended Manthan Kumar, a trainee chef at a local hotel in Agra. Kumar confessed to acting as a middleman, providing Biswas's account details to the third accused, Prince. Prince, a labourer, was also arrested on the same day. He admitted to arranging "mule" bank accounts and stated that he had provided Manish's details to another individual, Golu, who had promised him financial incentives. Further efforts are underway to trace and apprehend the main handler, Golu, and recover the amount cheated, said the police. (ANI)
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday released the Defence Procurement Manual (DPM) 2025 at a function in South Block, New Delhi, as per a release by the Ministry of Defence. Effective from November 1, the new procurement manual will facilitate revenue procurement of approximately Rs one lakh crore by the three Services and other establishments under the Ministry of Defence (MoD). Appreciating the efforts of MoD and HQ Integrated Defence Staff for the revision of the manual, Singh expressed confidence that the new manual will simplify the procedures, bring uniformity in functioning and be helpful in providing goods and services required by the Armed Forces for operational preparedness. It will also provide more opportunities to MSMEs and start-ups in the field of defence manufacturing and technology, duly ensuring fairness, transparency and accountability in procurement. Financial Advisor (Defence Services), Dr Mayank Sharma, gave a brief overview of DPM 2025 and highlighted how the manual has been prepared in close consultation with the services and other stakeholders. Some key provisions have been altered to expedite decision-making and promote ease of doing business. Liquidated damages (LD), which are levied on delayed delivery of stores and services, have been relaxed, and maximum LD to the extent of 10 per cent will be levied only in cases of inordinate delay. This provision has been further relaxed in the case of indigenisation, where only 0.1 per cent LD per week will be levied, instead of 0.5 per cent per week as applicable in other cases. In addition, there are provisions for assured orders ranging up upto five years and beyond for items developed by public/private players under indigenisation. As per the revised provisions, Limited Tender enquiry can be resorted to for a value upto Rs 50 lakh and beyond that in exceptional cases. In this revised manual, the condition for obtaining a 'No objection certificate' from the erstwhile Ordnance Factory Board before procuring from other sources has been dispensed with. The revised manual enables making an upfront provision for 15 per cent growth in work for Repairs/Refits of ships & Repair/Overhauling of Aviation equipment. This will help reduce downtime and ensure the platforms' operational readiness. The provisions related to procurement on a PAC basis (Proprietary Article Certificate) have been redefined, maintaining their initial validity of two years. All Request For Proposals (RFPs) to be issued after November 1 will be governed by the provisions of DPM 2025. All cases, where RFP has already been issued/will be issued upto October 31, will continue to be governed by the provisions of DPM 2009, amended upto date. In cases where an RFP has been issued in the past but has been retracted/to be retracted and has to be reissued on or after November 1, the provisions of DPM 2025 will govern it. For the convenience of the users, DPM 2025 has been prepared in two volumes. The main provisions of the procurement procedures are incorporated in Volume I. Volume II contains all the forms, appendices, and Government orders referred to in Volume I. There are fourteen chapters in Volume I, including three new chapters: Promoting Self-reliance through Innovation and Indigenisation, Information and Communication Technology Procurement and Consultancy, and Non-Consultancy Services. The new chapter on promoting self-reliance will foster indigenous design and development of Defence items to achieve Aatmanirbharta in Defence manufacturing and technology. The soft copy of the DPM 2025 has been uploaded to the MoD website for easy access. The ceremony was attended by Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of the Naval Staff, Chief of the Army Staff, Defence Secretary, Secretary Department of Defence (R&D) and Chairman DRDO, Secretary (Defence Production), Secretary (Ex-servicemen Welfare), Financial Advisor (Defence Services), Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Controller General of Defence Accounts, Officer on Special Duty, Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare and other senior officials. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday targeted the Mahagathbandhan, saying the people of Bihar call it 'Lathbandhan' and that self-interest "is paramount" for these oppositon parties, who "don't care about the youth of Bihar". PM Modi, who interacted with BJP workers from poll-bound Bihar through the 'Mera Booth Sabse Majboot' programme, also took "jungle raj" jibes at RJD and alleged that elections in the past had been won "with the help of Maoist terror". "Those who call themselves the 'Gathbandhan,' whom the people of Bihar call the 'Lathbandhan,' only know how to use the lathi and keep fighting. For the 'Lathbandhan,' their own self-interest is paramount. They don't care about the youth of Bihar. For decades, the youth of the country and Bihar suffered from Naxalism and Maoist terror. They even kept winning elections with the help of Maoist terror. Naxalism and Maoist terror played a huge role in the destruction of Bihar," he said. The Prime Minister said that the NDA government has brought Bihar out of the darkness of jungle raj and into the new light of development. "This Maoist terror did not allow schools, colleges, or hospitals to open, and instead destroyed the already built ones. They did not allow industries to enter... It is taking a lot of effort to bring Bihar out of this. But we are doing it. We have worked very hard since 2014. The NDA has brought Bihar out of the darkness of jungle raj and into the new light of development. Today, we are moving rapidly towards eliminating Naxalism, Maoism, and terrorism in Bihar. It is our duty to secure the future of Bihar's youth, and we are working towards it with complete sincerity," he said. Attacking the RJD over its 15-year rule in the state, PM Modi urged young people in Bihar to gather at every booth and ask elderly people in that area to recount past events. "Conversation about jungle raj is natural, it will go on for 100 years. Bihar's people will never forget about it. This is the land of Chanakya. Bihar people will never forgive them. I would like to urge all the young people of Bihar to gather at every booth and ask the elderly people in that area to come and tell everyone about past events. A program can be created to share their disturbing experiences with the new generation," he said. "After the double-engine government came to power in 2014, a new momentum has come into the development works. The distribution of electricity has improved significantly. The improvement in electricity won't please those with lanterns. We know that when there is sufficient electricity, industries and businesses grow, which increases employment opportunities for you," PM Modi added. Bihar assembly elections will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11. The results will be declared on November 14. (ANI)
After the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar announced RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as their Chief Minister face, Lok Janshakti (Ram Vilas) Chief Chirag Paswan said on Thursday that there is no "natural acceptance" of Yadav's face within the opposition's alliance. Speaking to the media, Paswan questioned the unity within the Mahagathbandhan, asking whether Tejashwi became the face of the coalition through "fighting, quarrelling, and pleading" or by "instilling fear." Chirag Paswan's response comes in the aftermath of Tejashwi Yadav's declaration as the official Chief Ministerial face of the Mahagathbandhan for the Bihar elections, earlier today. He argued that if Tejashwi's candidature emerged after such internal fighting, it reflects a lack of genuine acceptance for him within the coalition. "After so much fighting, quarrelling, and pleading, or by instilling fear somewhere, if you have been accepted as the chief ministerial face, what kind of acceptance is that... If you have become the CM face after so much conflict, it means there is no natural acceptance of your face within the alliance," Chirag Paswan said. The Union Minister also reiterated Nitish Kumar as the face of the National Democratic Alliance, stating that it is contesting the elections under his leadership. He noted that, as the alliance consists of five parties, the legislators meeting to choose their leader is a part of normal procedure. Paswan also asserted that the NDA is working to ensure that Nitish Kumar takes oath as Bihar CM after November 14. "We repeatedly say that we are contesting the elections under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. It is part of the normal process that the legislators will sit together and choose their leader because our alliance consists of five parties... I believe that once again, all the legislators will ensure that Nitish Kumar takes the oath as Chief Minister after November 14," Paswan added. "The election is being fought under his leadership, and he will remain the Chief Minister. But they (Mahagathbandhan) have sidelined all other faces just to project one face," the LJP (Ram Vilas) Chief said. The 2025 Bihar elections will have the main contest between the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan. NDA includes the Bharatiya Janata Party, Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) and Rashtriya Lok Morcha. Mahagathbandhan, led by Rashtriya Janata Dal, includes Congress party, the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (CPI-ML) led by Deepankar Bhattacharya, the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), and Mukesh Sahani's Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP). Additionally, Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj has staked claims to all 243 seats in the state. The Assembly elections will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11. The results will be declared on November 14. (ANI)
Congress workers on Thursday staged a protest in Patna over the distribution of tickets for the Bihar elections. They demanded the removal of the Bihar Congress in-charge Krishna Allavaru. Congress worker Madhurenra Kumar Singh alleged that the tickets of some sitting MLAs were cut unfairly. Madhurenra Kumar Singh said, "This protest isn't against the party. We're here to protest against the in-charge, Krishna Allavaru, and to remove him from office. The tickets of five or six sitting MLAs were cut. What was the reason? What was the criterion? Vijay Shankar Dubey, a five-time MLA, had his ticket cut because the Congress candidate from his constituency lost the Lok Sabha elections." He asked on what basis tickets were given to those who lost by a bigger margin in the previous election. "By the same standard, why wasn't Shakeel Ahmad Khan's ticket cut after he lost by 9,000 votes from the Kadwa Assembly constituency of Katihar? Munna Shahi, the candidate who lost by 113 votes in the previous election, also had his ticket cut. So, what was the basis of the survey on which tickets were given to those who lost by 35,000 votes but not to those who lost by 113 votes?" he further said. The Congress has announced a total list of 61 candidates for the Bihar polls. The Opposition Mahagathbandhan will release its joint manifesto for the Bihar Assembly elections on October 28 in Patna, sources in the alliance told ANI on Thursday. Sources said that Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge will also begin their campaign for the Bihar Assembly elections on October 28, after the Chhath Puja festival. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav will address joint rallies before the first Phase of voting and, after that, for the seats in the second Phase of voting, they added. Earlier in the day, Mahagathbandhan declared Tejashwi Yadav as its Chief Ministerial candidate for the assembly elections, scheduled to be held in two phases on November 6 and 11. "Everyone should be worried (about the situation in the country). This is why I can say that, after consulting Kharge ji, Rahul ji, and others sitting here, Tejashwi Yadav is the CM candidate for this election. He is a young person. He has a long future and the public will support him," Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot said at a press conference in Patna. Gehlot, named as Senior Election Observer by the AICC, said that people of Bihar want change as they struggle with multiple issues, including unemployment. He said that the way the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in the centre was operating was a "threat to democracy." Mahagathbandhan, led by Rashtriya Janata Dal, includes Congress party, the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (CPI-ML) led by Deepankar Bhattacharya, the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), and Mukesh Sahani's Vikasheel Insaan Party (VIP). Additionally, Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj has also staked claims on all 243 seats of the state. The assembly elections will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11. The results will be declared on November 14. (ANI)
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday said that Union Urban Development Minister Manohar Lal has agreed to hold the meeting of Urban Development Ministers of South Indian States in Bengaluru on October 30. Speaking to reporters at his Sadashivanagar residence and at Bannerghatta Road, he said, "Union Minister for Urban Development is participating in the meeting and we will submit our memorandum on Bengaluru development. We have already submitted our appeals to Union ministers and the PM several times in the past." Giving out details of areas that may be included in the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), he said that the committee headed by Lokayukta Justice BS Patil is preparing a report. He said, "I have inspected areas which are likely to be added to GBA in the future. I have called for a meeting of officials to discuss this on Friday. A Committee under the leadership of BS Patil is preparing a report on this." "We will hold meetings with IT-BT companies after winding up the Walk with Bengaluru programme this weekend. We will hold the company meetings in the KR Pura and Mahadevapura constituencies. There are about 25 lakh people on the periphery of GBA currently, and we will need to include them in GBA. We will need to ensure adequate developmental work in these areas. I visited these areas as I wanted to get a first-hand idea," the Dy CM added. When asked about the deadline for pothole filling approaching, he said, "The officials have been given responsibilities and they are doing their job. In some places, we are asphalting entire stretches of roads. Rains are affecting the schedule." Meanwhile, he refused to comment when asked about no disciplinary action against Yathindra Siddaramaiah and other MLAs for their statements, sparking speculation about a potential leadership change in the state Congress government. He said, "I will not comment on this now. I will respond to it at an appropriate time." Earlier, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's son, Yathindra Siddaramaiah, stated that his father is in the "final phase of his political career" and should mentor Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi. MLC Yathindra said that his father, Siddaramaiah, will not contest the 2028 elections. Addressing the SIT's report that 6000 votes were rigged in the Aland assembly constituency, he said, "There is no doubt about it. Officials had complained at that time itself. Law will take its own course." (ANI)
Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Legislative Assembly R Ashoka said on Thursday that the state government is going to see a change in the Chief Minister and to divert that issue elsewhere, the topic of restricting RSS events from government institutions and premises has been raised. Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge had urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to bar RSS activities in government schools, colleges, and state-owned temples, accusing the organisation of "brainwashing young minds" and promoting a "philosophy against the Constitution". Speaking to reporters, Ashoka said that the Congress government has failed in all departments, including Public Works, Education, and Irrigation, and they are making empty noises like an empty vessel. "During the BJP tenure, funds were released and tenders were called for works, which Congress leaders are now inaugurating. There is no money for any scheme in the Finance Department. In the budget, the total allocation is 80 thousand crore rupees, out of which 60-70 thousand crore rupees go to guarantees. With the remaining 10 thousand crore rupees, Siddaramaiah, D K Shivakumar, and ministers are spending on repairing their houses, Congress conventions, and caste census. This government has become bankrupt," he said. He further said that the news about road potholes is appearing in the media. "To divert that issue elsewhere, Minister Priyank Kharge is talking about the RSS. There is no rule anywhere that RSS needs to be registered. There is no such rule in the Constitution. Without achievements, development has been sidelined. Their ancestors could do nothing against the RSS. Salaries have not been given to employees and Anganwadi workers. Instead of money, bodies are falling, and suicides are happening. People are also waiting for when this government will go away," the Karnataka LoP said. R Ashoka further took a jibe at Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar and said that the latter had become a wayward son and should visit the Italy temple in Delhi, as going to Hindu temples is of no use. (ANI)
The Assam State BJP, representing its 65 lakh dedicated karyakartas along with countless admirers of the legendary artist Zubeen Garg across Assam, collectively initiated a Nyay Yatra from Nalbari district on October 22, seeking justice through the court of law over the untimely and unexpected demise of Zubeen Garg. State BJP Spokesperson Suranjan Dutta said the prime objective of this Nyay Yatra is to ensure justice through judicial proceedings in the wake of the unfortunate passing of Zubeen Garg. "The party and the government, with the heartfelt cooperation of the people of Assam, are determined to immortalise his artistic legacy, creations, and ideals so that Zubeen Garg's contribution continues to shine like the eternal radiance of the sun," said a press release issued by the State BJP. The State BJP Spokesperson further alleged that Lurinjyoti Gogoi, Akhil Gogoi, and Gaurav Gogoi are attempting to derail the entire investigative process through false and misleading propaganda. "Their supporters have been spreading fabricated reports about Zubeen Garg's post-mortem findings on social media, falsely claiming that the accused are being kept in air-conditioned facilities and treated as VIPs an insidious attempt to divert the course of justice. Moreover, during the one-month memorial of Zubeen Garg, leaders from Congress and the Opposition alliance held a discussion under the banner Kanchanjangha, where they irresponsibly claimed that the cause of Zubeen Garg's death was scuba diving. If so, how can Gaurav Gogoi, Lurinjyoti Gogoi, Akhil Gogoi, and Ajit Bhuyan now seek justice for his death? This contradiction is both shocking and hypocritical. The Leftists and the Congress have been constantly trying to portray Shiva devotee Zubeen Garg as an atheist through continuous false propaganda," he said. The State BJP Spokesperson further said that today, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, citing proof and facts such as the tattoo of Lord Mahadev on Zubeen Garg's body and his participation in various traditional Vedic rituals over time, proved that Zubeen Garg is indeed a spiritually minded person. "For this, the Assam BJP expresses its gratitude to Chief Minister Dr Sarma," he said. Dutta further clarified that the Nyay Yatra initiated by the BJP should not be misunderstood as a question raised against the government but rather as an act of solidarity and cooperation. He appealed to all opposition parties to set aside their politics of confrontation and extend their support in the pursuit of justice for Zubeen Garg, who resides in the hearts of all Assamese people. Recalling the grim days of Congress rule in Assam, Dutta highlighted that under their regime, Assam witnessed atrocities and injustices of the worst kind. During the protest for tribal recognition at Beltola, Lakshmi Orang, a leader of the Tea Tribe community, was brutally stripped by miscreants. Pranab Boro, a leader from the Bodo community, immolated himself on the streets of Guwahati in protest over land rights. "On 15 August 2004, a bomb blast at the Independence Day function in Dhemaji claimed the lives of 13 innocent school children. The serial bomb blasts across Assam on 30 October 2008 killed 81 people and left 447 permanently disabled. The ethnic clashes in the BTAD region in 2008 and 2012 claimed numerous lives and rendered thousands homeless overnight. During the Congress era, government jobs were openly sold for money, depriving countless youths of their rightful opportunities. Congress's politics of minority appeasement and vote-bank indulgence destroyed vast forest lands, encroached upon Satra lands, and endangered Assam's cultural identity," he said. "Even the strongholds of Kaziranga National Park were not spared from encroachment and neglect under their rule. Hence, the BJP questions how many instances of injustice the Congress ever corrected and how many victims truly received justice under its governance. It is deeply condemnable that the Congress and Left bloc are now politicising the judicial process in the name of Zubeen Garg. At a time when the Chief Minister of Assam, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, and the people of the state are sincerely striving to ensure justice for the departed artist, the Congress and Left forces are shamelessly engaging in this vile act of political opportunism merely to regain power," the State BJP Spokesperson said. The Assam State BJP strongly denounces this unfortunate and disgraceful act of turning the people's beloved artist, Zubeen Garg, into a political pawn for electoral gains. (ANI)
Justice Surya Kant of Supreme Court on Thursday said that justice is not a destination, it is a collective journey of nations, institutions, and hearts and in that journey, India stands ready, not only as a participant, but as a partner and pioneer, committed to ensuring that the light of human rights shines undimmed across our world. Justice Kant was speaking at an event organised by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka in collaboration with the Commonwealth Legal Education Association (CLEA), Colombo, on 'Strengthening a Legal Aid System toAchieve Human Rights of Marginalised and Minorities: The Indian Case Study.' India's experience offers not a model to be imitated, but a vision to inspire, and the belief that every person, regardless of wealth or status, is entitled to the full protection of the law is not merely Indian; it is universal, he said. "But India's experience affirms that institutionalising that belief--making it work in practice, every day, for millions-- is possible and imperative. Each nation must craft its own system anchored in local realities, yet inspired by a shared conviction: that legal aid is the first line of defence against the erosion of human rights. When justice becomes truly accessible--when every citizen, regardless of means, can stand tall before the law--then, and only then, can we say that freedom has fulfilled its true purpose." "Justice, after all, is not a destination. It is a journey--a collective journey of nations, institutions, and hearts. And in that journey, India stands ready, not only as a participant, but as a partner and pioneer, committed to ensuring that the light of human rights shines undimmed across our world," said Justice Kant. From the earliest dawn of its civilisation, India has regarded justice and access to justice not as a privilege of the powerful, but as a sacred duty of the state and society alike, he said. Long before the vocabulary of 'human rights' entered international discourse, India's moral and legal imagination had already embraced the principles of dignity, equality, and compassion as the foundation of good governance, Justice Kant added. He further said, "Kautilya's Arthashastra, written nearly 2,000 years ago, emphasised that the ruler's foremost duty was the protection of his people--particularly the poor, the orphaned, and the infirm. The Dharmashastras codified due process, equality before the law, and humane punishment. The Buddhist concept of Dhamma, propagated by Emperor Ashoka, declared that "the state exists for the happiness of all beings," establishing one of the earliest notions of welfare governance. In these ancient precepts lies the timeless Indian conviction that justice must be lived, not merely proclaimed, he said. "Justice in India has never been transactional; it has always been transcendental--a principle of socialharmony, ethical conduct, and compassion in governance. This civilisational inheritance has continued to illuminate India's moral compass throughout history," Justice Kant further added. He also said that the two centuries of British colonial rule in India represented, in many ways, a shift in our civilisation's reliance on the principles of equality and dignity. What was often described by the colonial administration as a mission to "civilise" was, in reality, an exercise of power that curtailed many of the rights and freedoms Indians had traditionally enjoyed, he said. "It was within this oppressive framework that India's freedom struggle ensued, and the architects of independent India's Constitution--visionaries like Dr. BR Ambedkar and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel--resolved to create a new legal order rooted in justice and equality for all. They knew, from lived experience, that freedom without dignity is hollow, and liberty without access to justice is fragile," he further said. The harrowing tragedies and systemic exploitation which marked India's colonial era left indelible scars on the nation's collective memory. The drafters of our Constitution drew upon these lessons when crafting foundational protections, opined Justice Kant. By transforming past injustices into a constitutional mandate, the drafters of our Constitution guaranteed that the cruelties and exclusions of colonial rule would never again define India's social or legal order, he said. In the 75 years since independence, the Indian Judiciary has functioned as the "moral vanguard of this constitutional vision", he said, adding that every time a person in need of such protection has approached the courts, the courts have through creative interpretation, judicial courage, and compassion, expanded the contours of fundamental rights from a benevolent aspiration into a living guarantee. "It is my firm belief that while strong institutions can deliver justice, only an engaged citizenry can sustain it. Legal aid must therefore grow simultaneously from the top down and the bottom up. He praised the needs of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), State Legal Services Authorities (SLSAs) and District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) -- a three-tiered structure to ensure that free legal aid is available to those who need it most. "The purpose of this architecture is simple but vital: to ensure that no citizen is denied justice due to economic or social barriers," he said. The 'top-down' structure, with NALSA, SLSAs, and DLSAs, ensures a legal framework, resources, and accountability. But for the system to flourish, a 'bottom-up' movement is equally vital--one where students, young lawyers, and community volunteers participate actively in spreading legal awareness and delivering services. These 'bottom-up' approaches are taking shape by harnessing the enthusiasm of our youth to further the cause of accessible justice, said Justice Kant. "The story of India's legal aid movement is, at its heart, the story of a democracy's conscience. It is proof that even in a vast and complex society, justice can be made real when vision is matched by institutional will," he told the gathering. He further said that from the ancient precepts of Dharma to the modern architecture of NALSA, India's journey reflects an enduring faith in human dignity and an unbroken commitment to the idea that justice must reach the last person first. "Each time a prisoner regains freedom through a legal aid petition, each time a widow receives her pension after years of neglect, and every time a child in conflict with the law is guided towards reform instead of retribution--the Constitution's promise breathes anew. Yet, this is not a story of completion. As new challenges emerge, such as digital exclusion, displacement, climate vulnerability, and transnational migration, our task is to innovate further, to modernise outreach, and to deepen inclusion. Justice must evolve with society, or it risks becoming its shadow," he added. (ANI)
In what can be proved a breakthrough in Delhi's fight against pollution, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said on Thursday that they successfully completed the first-ever cloud-seeding trial flight, paving the way for artificial rain operations scheduled for October 28-30. The flight, conducted jointly by the Delhi Government's Environment Department and IIT Kanpur, was carried out to test aircraft readiness, seeding flares, and coordination among all participating agencies before full-scale deployment. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, who has been at the forefront leading the initiative, said, "I would like to thank Hon'ble Chief Minister Rekha Gupta for her leadership and Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his blessings, because of which all permissions for this novel effort were timely available. Today's flight was a success in every technical parameter. We have now completed all required trials, including flare tests, fitment checks, and coordination protocols." Sirsa informed that the proving flight originated from IIT Kanpur airstrip and covered the route Kanpur, Meerut, Khekra, Burari, Sadakpur, Bhojpur, Aligarh and Kanpur. Cloud seeding flares were successfully fired between Khekra and Burari, while the aircraft's performance, equipment endurance, and safety protocols were thoroughly evaluated. The entire operation lasted around four hours, serving as a crucial preparatory step to ensure that Delhi's artificial rain mission is implemented with precision and scientific accuracy. Minister Sirsa added, "Delhi is ready to witness its first artificial rainfall experiment. All systems -- from aircraft to meteorological and environmental monitoring -- are in place. Now, the only thing we await is the arrival of suitable clouds, expected around October 29-30, when the actual seeding will be conducted." According to the pilot's report and data from the Windy professional system, the skies over Delhi remained largely clear today, with only two small patches of clouds identified for testing near Burari. Flares were successfully deployed in these regions, confirming the aircraft's and seeding equipment's operational capability. The flight was conducted using the pyro method, in which specially designed flares containing silver iodide and sodium chloride compounds are ignited and dispersed into the atmosphere through aircraft-mounted systems to stimulate condensation and cloud formation when sufficient moisture is present. This successful proving flight marks a turning point in Delhi's scientific approach to tackling air pollution. With all preparatory stages completed, the capital is now technically ready for full-scale cloud seeding and artificial rain trials between October 28 and 30, a first for the city. "This initiative reflects Delhi's resolve to embrace innovation and science-based solutions under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta," Sirsa said, reaffirming that the Environment Department will continue monitoring and coordinating closely with IIT Kanpur and aviation authorities for the upcoming operations. (ANI)
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Thursday alleged a political conspiracy by the Election Commission on the behest of Union Minister Amit Shah, after the poll body allegedly cancelled the nomination of the party's candidate Shweta Suman from Mohania constituency. Issuing a press release, the RJD claimed that Suman's nomination was cancelled under "undue pressure" from the ECI. RJD said, "At the behest of Amit Shah, the Election Commission has already begun stealing seats even before the results. Our esteemed candidate from the Mohania Assembly seat in Kaimur district, Shweta Suman, has had her nomination unjustly cancelled under a political conspiracy and undue pressure. This action is against the fundamental principles of democracy and the fairness of the electoral process." While her nomination was reportedly cancelled over irregularities in her caste certificate, the party issued a clarification stating that Suman's certificate and documents are in accordance with government rules. RJD said in the press release, "Shweta Suman has been a long-time permanent resident of this area, and all documents submitted by her, including the caste certificate, are fully valid, true, and certified in accordance with the relevant government rules. She submitted her nomination on October 20, 2025, which was also certified by the Returning Officer." "Despite this, due to objections raised by two other candidates regarding the validity of the caste certificate, without due legal process and proper hearing, the Returning Officer rejected her nomination on October 22, 2025," the party added. "The basis of this decision was the report of the Circle Officer, Durgavati, in which the caste certificate was cancelled by stating it was not in accordance with the rules, even though the rules for investigation directed by the Supreme Court were not followed. According to the Patna High Court case of Baidyanath Singh v. State of Bihar, the formation of a proper Scrutiny Committee is mandatory for the cancellation process of a caste certificate, which has been completely overlooked in this case," the press release said. Earlier on Wednesday, RJD leader Shweta Suman broke down in tears as she claimed that the Election Commission cancelled her candidature from Mohania Assembly constituency. Speaking to reporters, Shweta Suman alleged that the Election Commission officials were forced to cancel her candidature. "Pressure was constantly being placed on the RO and CO from Delhi. They were forced to make this decision. They said they were helpless. The BJP, PM Modi, and Amit Shah were the ones putting pressure. Who else would be putting the pressure?" she said. Shweta Suman said she would take the matter to court. Additionally, she claimed that the election commission has given relaxation to BJP candidate Sangeeta Kumari, who also had 'irregularities' in her candidature. "Sangeeta, the BJP candidate from here, submitted her caste certificate after the notification date, but she submitted it on 13 October. But since she is from the BJP, nothing will be done," she said. This comes as a major blow for the RJD, ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections scheduled for November 6 and 11. The results will be declared on November 14. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday slammed RJD over its 15-year rule in Bihar, saying that people will not forget "jungle raj" and the conversation about it will go on for 100 years. Interacting with BJP workers from poll-bound Bihar through the 'Mera Booth Sabse Majboot' programme, PM Modi urged young people in Bihar to gather at every booth and ask elderly people in that area to recount past events. "Conversation about jungle raj is natural, it will go on for 100 years. Bihar's people will never forget about it. This is the land of Chanakya. Bihar people will never forgive them. I would like to urge all young people of Bihar to gather at every booth and ask the elderly people in that area to come and tell everyone about past events. A program can be created to share their disturbing experiences with the new generation," he said. PM Modi also targeted the Mahagathbandhan, saying the people of Bihar call it 'Lathbandhan' and that self-interest "is paramount" for these oppositon parties, who "don't care about the youth of Bihar". Taking "jungle raj" jibes at RJD, PM Modi also alleged that elections in the past had been won "with the help of Maoist terror". "Those who call themselves the 'Gathbandhan,' whom the people of Bihar call the 'Lathbandhan,' only know how to use the lathi and keep fighting. For the 'Lathbandhan,' their own self-interest is paramount. They don't care about the youth of Bihar. For decades, the youth of the country and Bihar suffered from Naxalism and Maoist terror. They even kept winning elections with the help of Maoist terror. Naxalism and Maoist terror played a huge role in the destruction of Bihar," he said. The Prime Minister said that the NDA government has brought Bihar out of the darkness of jungle raj and into the new light of development. "This Maoist terror did not allow schools, colleges, or hospitals to open, and instead destroyed the already built ones. They did not allow industries to enter... It is taking a lot of effort to bring Bihar out of this. But we are doing it. We have worked very hard since 2014. The NDA has brought Bihar out of the darkness of jungle raj and into the new light of development. Today, we are moving rapidly towards eliminating Naxalism, Maoism, and terrorism in Bihar. It is our duty to secure the future of Bihar's youth, and we are working towards it with complete sincerity," he said. Bihar assembly elections will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11. The results will be declared on November 14. (ANI)
A marching contingent comprising exclusively Indian breed dogs of the Border Security Force (BSF) will participate in the upcoming Ekta Diwas Parade at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, a press release said. The event will also feature a dog-training demonstration showcasing the tactical skills and operational excellence of the K9 force. Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is celebrated every year on October 31 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. According to the press release, a new chapter in this legacy began in January 2018, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the BSF's National Training Centre for Dogs (NTCD) at Tekanpur. During his visit, the Prime Minister emphasised the importance of promoting and utilising Indian dog breeds in national security forces, his visionary guidance that sparked a renewed mission to recognise, develop, and deploy indigenous breeds in operational roles. Further strengthening this vision, during his Mann Ki Baat address on August 30, 2020, PM Modi urged citizens to adopt and promote Indian breeds, aligning with the spirit of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and 'Vocal for Local'. Acting upon this inspiration, the BSF took pioneering steps by inducting two Indian breeds, the Rampur Hound and the Mudhol Hound. Known for their agility, endurance, adaptability, and resilience, these breeds are well-suited to India's diverse geo-climatic conditions. Their natural disease resistance, hardiness, and low maintenance needs make them particularly effective in demanding field environments. Among the many native breeds, the Rampur Hound and the Mudhol Hound stand out for their historical significance and good working abilities. The Rampur Hound, originating from the princely state of Rampur in Uttar Pradesh, was historically bred by the Nawabs for hunting jackals and large game. The breed is known for its speed, stamina, and fearlessness. The Mudhol Hound, native to the Deccan Plateau, is traditionally associated with guarding and hunting. Local accounts link similar hounds to the Maratha forces, valued for their alertness and loyalty. The breed was later revived and refined by Raja Malojirao Ghorpade of Mudhol, who introduced it to the British as the "Caravan Hound." The BSF has not only been training these indigenous breeds at NTCD Tekanpur but has also taken the lead in breeding and propagation both at NTCD and across various field formations. This initiative has since expanded to subsidiary K9 training centres, ensuring the large-scale development and deployment of Indian breed dogs across the Force. Today, over 150 Indian breed dogs have been deployed across multiple operational theatres, including the Western and Eastern borders and in Anti-Naxalite operations, where they have delivered good results. Their commendable performance has validated the decision to integrate Indian breeds into critical security and operational roles, the press release said. As per the release, a landmark moment in this journey came during the All India Police Duty Meet 2024, held in Lucknow, where BSF's 'Riya', a Mudhol Hound, created history by becoming the first Indian breed dog to win both the Best in Tracker Trade and Best Dog of the Meet title, outperforming 116 foreign breed competitors. (ANI)
Former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) Executive Officer Murari Babu has been remanded for 14 days by the Ranni Court in connection with the Sabarimala gold theft case. He will be shifted to the Thiruvananthapuram Special Sub Jail. Murari Babu, currently under suspension, was taken into custody from his residence in Perunna late last night by the Special Investigation Team (SIT). He was produced before the court after questioning at the Crime Branch office in Thiruvananthapuram, where his arrest was formally recorded on Thursday morning. According to the SIT remand report, Murari Babu played a key role in falsifying documents that claimed the gold-plated panels from the Sabarimala temple were made of copper. He is the second accused in the 2019 theft of the gilded overlays of the temple's Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) panels. The first accused, Unnikrishnan Potti, was arrested earlier. The SIT suspects that Babu, who had served in senior positions within the Devaswom Board for several years, colluded with Potti by submitting a false report during the 2019 restoration process. The internal audit wing had earlier held him responsible for the discrepancy. The case gained renewed attention after Unnikrishnan Potti, in the run-up to the TDB-sponsored Global Ayyappa Sanghamam in September, claimed that four gold-plated panels he donated in 2019 were missing. The TDB Vigilance recovered the missing panels from Potti's sister's residence in Thiruvananthapuram, leading the Kerala High Court to order a detailed SIT probe into all TDB transactions involving him. Earlier, Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar had written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking a probe by a central agency into the alleged "corruption, misappropriation, and violations" in Kerala temples, including the Sabarimala Temple, managed by Devaswom Boards. Chandrasekhar also requested the Union Home Minister to direct a thorough audit of all Devaswom Boards by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, with the findings to be published in the public domain to identify those who have "committed crimes in our temples and enable their prosecution." Earlier, the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president, P.S. Prasanth, suspended Assistant Engineer K Sunil Kumar for his alleged involvement in the Sabarimala gold theft case. Kumar has been named as an accused in the case. Prasanth stated that retired officers involved in the gold-plating controversy will receive a show-cause notice, with a 10-day time frame to respond. (ANI)
The visit was aimed at assessing the ground situation, interacting with troops, and reviewing the effectiveness of the security measures undertaken by the Assam Rifles in the region.

During his visit, the General Officer was briefed on the operational achievements, area domination measures and people-centric initiatives being carried out by the Sector.

General officer appreciated the professionalism, dedication and selfless service of Assam Rifles personnel, acknowledging their crucial role in curbing insurgent activities and maintaining peace and stability in South Arunachal Pradesh.

While addressing the troops, the GOC lauded their steadfastness, courage, and sense of duty, displayed during challenging operations in difficult terrain and under adverse weather conditions.

He emphasised that the peace achieved in the region was the result of the troops' relentless efforts and sacrifices.

He also stressed the need to sustain the momentum through continued vigilance and proactive engagement with the local populace.

The General Officer urged all ranks to maintain high standards of operational readiness, physical fitness and morale while remaining prepared to meet emerging challenges.

Earlier on October 22, the General Officer Commanding Spear Corps visited HQ IGAR (North) and conducted a comprehensive review of the operational readiness, ongoing activities, and the challenges faced by the formation.

The visit was aimed at evaluating the force's preparedness to safeguard security and maintain stability in the critical region of the North East. Lt Gen Abhijit S Pendharkar, General Officer Commanding Spear Corps, lauded the professionalism and commitment of the Assam Rifles as the 'Friends of the North East' and reiterated the necessity of maintaining heightened vigilance and robust civil-military cooperation to ensure sustained peace and security in the region.

He also emphasised the ongoing commitment of Assam Rifles to support and collaborate with the local communities, fostering mutual trust and ensuring the successful execution of future operations. (ANI)
Geneva [Switzerland], October 23 (ANI/WAM): No country is safe from the devastating impacts of extreme weather -- and saving lives means making early-warning systems accessible to all, UN chief Antonio Guterres said on Wednesday. Early-warning systems work," he told the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) in Geneva. "They give farmers the power to protect their crops and livestock. Enable families to evacuate safely. And protect entire communities from devastation." "We know that disaster-related mortality is at least six times lower in countries with good early-warning systems in place," the UN chief said. He added that just 24 hours' notice before a hazardous event can reduce damage by up to 30%. WMO head Celeste Saulo, who has been urging a scale-up in early-warning system adoption, warned that the impacts of climate change are accelerating, as "more extreme weather is destroying lives and livelihoods and eroding hard-won development gains." She spoke of a "profound opportunity to harness climate intelligence and technological advances to build a more resilient future for all." Weather, water, and climate-related hazards have killed more than two million people in the past five decades, with developing countries accounting for 90 per cent of deaths, according to WMO. Guterres emphasised the fact that for countries to "act at the speed and scale required" a ramp-up in funding will be key. "Reaching every community requires a surge in financing," he said. "But too many developing countries are blocked by limited fiscal space, slowing growth, crushing debt burdens and growing systemic risks." He also urged action at the source of the climate crisis, to try to limit fast-advancing global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial era temperatures - even though we know that this target will be overshot over the course of the next few years, he said. "One thing is already clear: we will not be able to contain global warming below 1.5 degrees in the next few years," Guterres warned. "The overshooting is now inevitable. Which will mean that we're going to have a period, bigger or smaller, with higher or lower intensity, above 1.5 degrees in the years to come." Developed countries should honour their commitment to double climate adaptation funding to $40 billion this year and the Loss and Damage Fund needs to attract "substantial contributions," he said. (ANI/WAM)
United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday (local time) announced his upcoming diplomatic trip to Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan, highlighting a significant meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea. Trump also revealed that he cancelled a planned summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, citing a lack of progress in diplomatic efforts. "It didn't feel right to me," Trump said, adding that he didn't want a "wasted meeting." "Next week, we'll be going to Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan. In South Korea, I'll be meeting with President Xi of China. We'll have a pretty long meeting scheduled. We can work out a lot of our questions and our doubts and our tremendous assets together... We cancelled the meeting with President Putin. It didn't feel right to me. It didn't feel like we were going to get to the place we have to get, so I cancelled it...," said Trump. The cancellation of the Putin summit follows Russia's rejection of Trump's proposed ceasefire plan in Ukraine. US President Donald Trump is optimistic about his upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, hoping to leverage their discussion to end the Russia-Ukraine war. He plans to discuss energy and oil with Xi, aiming to pressure Russia into negotiating a peace agreement. "I will probably be talking about it. What I will really be talking about is how we would end the war with Russia and Ukraine, whether through energy, oil or anything else. I think he (Xi Jinping) is going to be very receptive. I think he would like to see the war end," Trump said while interacting with presspersons in the White House, where he hosted NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Notably, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit is scheduled to take place in South Korea from October 30 to November 1 in Gyeongju. President Trump further said that he is hopeful that the Chinese President can have a "big influence" on Putin to urge him to a ceasefire. "I think he will have a big influence on Putin. I think he can have a big influence on a lot of people. He is a respected man, a very strong leader, very big country, I think he can have a big influence," Trump added. Trump claimed that his predecessors, former Presidents Joseph Biden and Barack Obama "forced" Russia and China together. "China is a little bit different. A little bit different relationship they had with Russia. It was never good but because of Biden and Obama they got forced together, they never should have been forced together but by nature they can't be friendly. I hope they are friendly, frankly. You should not have forced China and Russia together. Biden did that and Obama did that. They forced them together because of energy, oil", he said. (ANI)
Qatar and Saudi Arabia have strongly condemned the Israeli Knesset approving two laws aimed at "imposing Israeli sovereignty over the occupied West Bank", calling it a "blatant violation" of the rights of the Palestinian people, and a challenge to international law. "The State of Qatar condemns in the strongest terms the Israeli Knesset's preliminary approval of two draft laws aimed at imposing Israeli sovereignty over the occupied West Bank and a settlement. The State of Qatar considers this a blatant violation of the historical rights of the Palestinian people and a challenge to international law and relevant resolutions," read an official statement posted by Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has also condemned the approval of the laws, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressing the Kingdom's condemnation and denunciation of the Israeli Knesset's approval, in preliminary reading, of two draft laws aimed at imposing Israeli sovereignty over the occupied West Bank and legitimising Israeli sovereignty over an illegal colonial settlement, according to an official statement. "The Kingdom stresses its complete rejection of all settlement and expansionist violations perpetrated by the Israeli occupation authorities. The Kingdom reiterates its support for the inherent and historical right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with relevant international resolutions," the Saudi Foreign Ministry's statement read. The Qatari Ministry also called on the international community, especially the UN Security Council, to "fulfil its legal and moral responsibilities" and take urgent action compelling Israel to "halt their expansionist plans". "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls on the international community, especially the Security Council, to fulfill its legal and moral responsibilities and to take urgent action to compel the Israeli occupation authorities to halt their expansionist plans and settlement policies in the occupied Palestinian territories", the statement read. Qatar reaffirmed their support for the Palestinian cause and brotherhood with the Palestinian people, and its support for the two-state solution. "Ministry reaffirms the State of Qatar's firm and longstanding position in support of the Palestinian cause and the steadfastness of the brotherly Palestinian people, based on international legitimacy resolutions and the two-state solution, which guarantees the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital", the ministry mentioned. Earlier, the Israeli parliament voted to give preliminary approval to a bill to impose Israeli sovereignty on the occupied West Bank, in a move tantamount to annexation of the Palestinian territory, which would be a blatant violation of international law, reported Al Jazeera. Al Jazeera reported that the bill was opposed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud Party; however, the vote passed with the narrowest of margins, 25-24, in the 120-seat Knesset. This is the first of four votes needed to pass it into law. A Knesset statement said the bill was approved in a preliminary reading "to apply the sovereignty of the State of Israel to the territories of Judea and Samaria (West Bank)". It will now go to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee for further deliberations. The vote, which came a month after US President Donald Trump stated he would not allow Israel to annex the occupied West Bank, was held during a visit by US Vice President JD Vance to Israel to shore up the ceasefire agreement in Gaza. (ANI)
Jerusalem [Israel], October 23 (ANI/TPS): Israeli and US scientists have discovered how tiny gateways in human cells control what enters and leaves the cell's nucleus, solving a mystery that has puzzled researchers and could shed new light on cancer, Alzheimer's, and ALS, Hebrew University of Jerusalem announced. An international team from Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI) at the University of California, San Francisco, The Rockefeller University, and Albert Einstein College of Medicine found that these gateways use a flexible protein network and special molecular "passports" to move molecules quickly and accurately. The gateways, called nuclear pore complexes (NPCs), are microscopic structures -- each about one five-hundredth the width of a human hair -- that control all traffic in and out of a cell's nucleus. "Our model acts like a 'virtual microscope' for something too small and too fast to watch directly with any of today's technologies. By stitching together many independent experiments and running computer simulations, we can finally watch on the computer how this gate operates moment to moment," the study's lead author, Dr Barak Raveh of Hebrew University, told The Press Service of Israel. Raveh explained, "Think of NPCs as tiny, highly sophisticated security checkpoints. Even though each one is extremely small, it lets millions of molecules pass every minute while keeping out the wrong ones, with remarkable precision." For decades, scientists did not understand how NPCs could be both fast and selective. Their small size makes them almost impossible to observe directly. Previous models imagined rigid gates or sponge-like sieves, but they could not explain how NPCs let even large molecules through while remaining highly selective. The new model combines experimental data and computer simulations to show what happens at the molecular level in milliseconds. Inside the NPC is a dense, constantly moving "forest" of protein chains called FG repeats. These chains create a crowded environment that naturally blocks unescorted molecules while letting smaller ones pass. Large cargo molecules can still pass if they are accompanied by nuclear transport receptors--molecular "passports" that interact briefly with the FG chains to guide their cargo through. "Because these FG repeat chains are always in motion, they create a crowded, restless environment," said Professor Michael Rout of The Rockefeller University. "The transport works like a constantly shifting dance across a bridge. Only those carrying the right partners--the receptors--can move through. Without them, others are turned back." The model solves a long-standing puzzle: how NPCs allow huge molecular complexes through while keeping out smaller ones. "Our model provides the first clear explanation for how NPCs achieve this remarkable selectivity," said Professor Andrej Sali of QBI at UCSF. "It opens new possibilities for medicine and biotechnology." Professor David Cowburn of Albert Einstein College of Medicine said the findings have "immediate implications for understanding diseases where nuclear transport malfunctions, including ALS, Alzheimer's, and cancers." The discovery could also have practical applications. Scientists may use this knowledge to design drugs that control molecular traffic in cells or create synthetic nanopores that mimic NPCs, delivering treatments directly to the nucleus. Such systems could also improve laboratory tests and devices used to detect or analyze molecules with high precision. The model accurately predicted previously unseen transport behaviors and showed that transient interactions between receptors and FG chains make the system highly efficient. Its built-in redundancy ensures that NPCs remain reliable even under stress, helping explain why this system has been so successful in evolution. The findings were published in the peer-reviewed Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). (ANI/TPS)
Congressman Tom Suozzi penned a letter to US War Secretary Peter Hegseth, urging reconsideration of a policy requiring military personnel to shave beards, affecting Sikh Americans and others with religious or medical obligations. He recently introduced the Bipartisan Indian American Heritage Resolution to celebrate the rich history and contributions of the Indian American community on Long Island and across the nation. Suozzi also wrote a letter to Secretary Hegseth raising concerns from his constituents, including Sikh Americans, regarding beards in the military, according to an official statement from his office. The resolution, led alongside Republican Congresswoman Young Kim (R-CA), acknowledges the strong people-to-people ties between the United States and India, recognizes the accomplishments of Indian Americans and their contributions to the strength of America, and condemns acts of hate, discrimination, and violence against Indian Americans and the broader South Asian community, including those targeted for their Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Muslim, or other religious or cultural identity. Suozzi also penned a letter to Secretary Hegseth regarding the Secretary's recent comments about members of the military being mandated to shave their beards. This policy, if implemented, would affect many Americans, including Sikhs, who wish to serve but feel a religious obligation to maintain their beards. In the letter, Suozzi writes that "While I strongly support your mission to restore professionalism and uniformity, these remarks have raised questions among otherwise highly motivated Americans whose faith or medical conditions require the maintenance of facial hair...For Sikhs, serving one's nation is a sacred duty, an embodiment of the Sant-Sipahi ideal that blends faith and service. The Sikh religion requires adherents to maintain uncut hair and beards as a symbol of devotion and equality before God. Sikhs have courageously fought alongside American troops for generations, including in both World Wars." "I have a large and vibrant Indian American community in my district," Suozzi said in an official statement. "This resolution helps honour the rich history and profound influence that generations of this community in my district, not to mention the 5.2 million Indian Americans in the US, have had throughout the country." "Indian Americans are an integral part of our community in Southern California and across the United States. Their success stories reflect the very best of the American Dream," said Rep. Young Kim. "I'm proud to stand with the Indian American community as we introduce this resolution just in time for Diwali--a moment to honour their achievements and the values that light the way for our nation." This resolution was introduced to mark the celebration of Diwali, the "Festival of Lights," observed by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and some Buddhists. (ANI)
United Kingdom's Prime Minister Keri Starmer on Wednesday (local time) welcomed the United States joining the UK in imposing "substantial sanctions" on two major oil companies of Russia, namely Rosneft and Lukoil, and called for a stop to the bloodshed in the Russia-Ukraine war. The UK, on October 16, announced around 90 new sanctions on the Russian oil sector in an effort to put pressure on the country to stop the Ukraine war. A week later, on October 23, the United States announced sanctions on two of Russia's biggest oil companies. "Last week, the UK sanctioned Russia's two largest oil companies that fund Putin's war machine. I'm pleased the US has now joined us with substantial sanctions on the same two oil companies," PM Starmer posted on X. Calling for Russian President Putin to "pay the price" for his "needless aggression, the UK PM called an end to the bloodshed. "Putin must pay the price for his needless aggression. The killing must end now," the post read. Earlier, US President Donald Trump announced new sanctions targeting Russia's two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, in a bid to pressure Moscow to end the war in Ukraine. The move comes after months of stalled diplomacy and growing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin's actions. "Today is a very big day. Look, these are tremendous sanctions. These are very big. Those are against their two big oil companies... We hope that the war will be settled. We just answered questions related to the various forms of missiles and everything else we're examining. However, we don't think that will be necessary. We would like to see them just take the line that has been formed over quite a long period of time and go home," President Trump said during an interaction with journalists at the White House, while hosting NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. The statement comes shortly after the US Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on the Russian oil companies. The sanctions aim to degrade Russia's ability to raise revenue for its war machine and support its weakened economy. Rosneft and Lukoil are now designated, resulting in the freezing of their assets in the US and restricting US persons from engaging in financial transactions with them. All entities owned 50% or more by Rosneft and Lukoil are blocked, regardless of whether they are designated by OFAC. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday shared details of his conversation with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Had a warm conversation with my dear friend, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia. Congratulated him on Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship and conveyed best wishes for the success of upcoming Summits." https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1981217338054557916 He added, "Look forward to joining the ASEAN-India Summit virtually, and to further deepening of the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership." Confirming this, Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Wednesday said that PM Modi would not be travelling to Kuala Lumpur for the 47th ASEAN Summit, but would attend it virtually. "We touched on the organization of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur at the end of this month. He informed me that he will attend virtually due to the ongoing Deepavali celebrations in India at that time," Ibrahim said. He added, "I respect his decision and extended my greetings for a happy Deepavali to him and the entire people of India." Detailing his recent conversation with a colleague of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ibrahim highlighted efforts to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries. "Last night, I received a phone call from a colleague of the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Narendra Modi, to discuss efforts to strengthen Malaysia-India bilateral relations to a more strategic and comprehensive level. India remains an important partner for Malaysia in the fields of trade and investment, in addition to close cooperation in the sectors of technology, education, and regional security," Anwar said. He concluded by reaffirming Malaysia's commitment to bilateral and regional cooperation. "Malaysia will remain committed to strengthening Malaysia-India relations and further enhancing ASEAN-India cooperation towards a more peaceful and prosperous region," he said. Meanwhile, United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday (local time) announced his upcoming diplomatic trip to Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan, highlighting a significant meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea. Trump also revealed that he cancelled a planned summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, citing a lack of progress in diplomatic efforts. "It didn't feel right to me," Trump said, adding that he didn't want a "wasted meeting." Speaking about his trip, Trump said, "Next week, we'll be going to Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan. In South Korea, I'll be meeting with President Xi of China. We'll have a pretty long meeting scheduled. We can work out a lot of our questions and our doubts and our tremendous assets together... We cancelled the meeting with President Putin. It didn't feel right to me. It didn't feel like we were going to get to the place we have to get, so I cancelled it..." The cancellation of the Putin summit follows Russia's rejection of Trump's proposed ceasefire plan in Ukraine. Trump is optimistic about his upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, hoping to leverage their discussion to end the Russia-Ukraine war. He plans to discuss energy and oil with Xi, aiming to pressure Russia into negotiating a peace agreement. (ANI)
Two calls remind China and Europe of the right way to get along: Global Times editorial

Global Times) 08:35, October 23, 2025

China EU relations

On October 21, China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, at the request of the European side, held a video meeting with Maros Sefcovic, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and held a phone call with Vincent Karremans, Minister of Economic Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The discussions mainly covered key China-EU economic and trade hot-button issues such as rare earth export controls, the anti-subsidy probe into Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), and the Nexperia issue. The fact that both talks took place on the same day shows that despite existing frictions, China and Europe continue to maintain timely and effective communication channels. Dialogue, not confrontation; consultation, not coercion - this is the only correct way for China and Europe to engage with each other and resolve differences.

Previously, the Dutch government's "takeover" of Nexperia triggered a legitimate countermeasure from China, and the European automotive industry has expressed widespread concerns about potential risks such as production line disruptions and supply chain breakdowns. When normal business investments are stigmatized as potential risks, and ordinary technological cooperation is accused of "threatening national interests," such arbitrariness not only hurts Chinese enterprises but also shakes global investors' confidence in Europe's business environment. Facts have shown that blindly dancing to the tune of geopolitical manipulation and sacrificing pragmatic cooperation with China will only leave Europe trapped in both economic backlash and strategic passivity.

The root causes of China-EU trade tensions lie in two trends: the overextension of the concept of "national security," and the erosion of contractual spirit and market principles. In essence, the overextension of the concept of security is replacing economic logic with political logic. When normal commercial products such as rare earths, semiconductors, and EVs are labeled as "security threats," the space for international trade and cooperation narrows dramatically.

Even more dangerously, once "securitization" becomes habitual, its vague and flexible standards turn into a universal excuse for protectionism. Meanwhile, breaching contractual commitments undermines the very foundation of the market economy - the resulting institutional damage is long-term and systemic.

The two conversations on October 21 sent out positive signals. Sefcovic said that the EU is willing to work with China to implement the series of economic and trade consensuses reached by leaders of China and Europe and properly manage economic and trade frictions. Karremans also said that the Netherlands "attaches great importance" to its economic and trade ties with China and is ready to "stay in close contact with China" and seek "constructive resolution." Both sides agreed to convene the "upgraded" China-EU export control dialogue mechanism in Brussels as soon as possible, in line with the consensus reached at the 25th China-EU Summit. From confrontation to dialogue, reflected in China-Europe economic and trade cooperation, the rational and pragmatic positive forces are returning, having never truly been absent.

Europe must abandon its geopolitical misperceptions and prejudices toward China, as well as its anxiety stemming from viewing China as a zero-sum competitor in critical technology sectors. Economic and trade cooperation between China and Europe is inherently mutually beneficial. In 2024, bilateral trade between China and the EU reached $785.8275 billion, maintaining historically high levels. During the first quarter of this year, China's imports and exports with the EU totaled 1.3 trillion yuan, equivalent to over 10 million yuan in trade per minute. By September this year, the China-Europe Railway Express had operated over 110,000 trips. China's cumulative investment stock in Europe exceeds $100 billion, while over 10,000 European companies are operating in China. As the global economy faces uncertainties, these figures stand as solid proof of the robust resilience and endogenous momentum of China-EU economic ties. This deeply interlinked economic relationship represents the natural outcome of decades of market-driven selection, shaped by the principles of comparative advantage and economies of scale.

Development constitutes the greatest security; stagnation represents the greatest vulnerability. China's experience over more than four decades of reform and opening-up demonstrates that only through sustained development and enhanced comprehensive national strength can national security be fundamentally safeguarded. Development relies on openness and cooperation; no country can "pursue development behind closed doors." If Europe cares about rare earth supply security, it should strengthen long-term cooperation with China and invest in local processing capabilities, rather than attempting to sever existing ties. If it truly values the semiconductor supply chain security, it should focus on creating a better business environment instead of arbitrarily interfering in corporate operations.

The message conveyed in the two China-Europe calls is crucial: there are no insurmountable obstacles between China and Europe, only untapped depths of cooperation waiting to be explored. As the global economy faces risks of fragmentation, China and Europe joining hands will inject powerful certainty into the world. China's position is clear: we remain willing to engage in dialogue while upholding our principles; seeking cooperation while safeguarding our rights and interests; looking to the future while staying true to our original aspirations.

We hope that European leaders will also adopt a broader strategic vision to recognize the immense potential of China-EU cooperation, allowing the light of reason to pierce through the fog of prejudice and illuminate the path forward for win-win collaboration.

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun)
Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to advance efforts to demarcate their shared boundary following a two-day special meeting of the Joint Commission held in Chanthaburi in Thailand. The development comes ahead of the ASEAN Summit this weekend in Kuala Lumpur in which both countries are likely to reach and sign an accord to resolve ongoing border conflicts in the presence of US President Donald Trump. The long standing border dispute between the two countries escalated in July this year when over five days troops clashed claiming lives and displacing people in thousands on both sides. A ceasefire, mediated by Malaysia, was implemented in late July 2025 and ASEAN observers, coordinated by Malaysia, are monitoring the truce. The joint statement released after the Cambodia-Thai Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC) held from October 21-22 concluded on Wednesday, reached several key agreements aimed at advancing and expediting the land demarcation process, as per local media reports from both countries. The two sides agreed on several immediate actions, confirming that they assigned the Joint Technical Survey Committee (JTSC) to immediately replace 15 Boundary Pillars at locations and with specifications agreed upon by both sides, the statement read according to Bernama news agency. Meanwhile Thailand Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said both sides moving closer to finalising the Declaration of Thailand-Cambodia Relations aimed at resolving the border situation. The declaration is expected to be signed on October 25, during the ASEAN Summit, the Nation reported. "The ceremony will be witnessed by US President Donald Trump, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and other ASEAN leaders," Sihasak was cited as saying. According to the news outlet, Sihasak noted that progress during the first day of the Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC) meeting in Malaysia on Wednesday was promising, as Cambodia had agreed in principle to Thailand's proposed conditions. The meeting was co-chaired by Thailand's Defence Chief Gen Nattapon Nakpanich and his Cambodian counterpart Gen Tea Seiha. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also said that a peace deal between Thailand and Cambodia will be finalised within the next two days and signed during the 47th ASEAN Summit as per Malaysian state media. "As we know, several meetings between the heads of the armed forces and foreign ministers of both Thailand and Cambodia have taken place in Kuala Lumpur. Most recently, the defence ministers of both countries finalised the detailed terms (of the peace agreement) and, if agreed upon, the signing will be witnessed by Trump, who also supports this resolution, as well as myself," Anwar was cited as saying by the official Bernama news agency. Meanwhile Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet while releasing the joint statement on the Thai-Cambodia JBC that concluded in Chanthaburi on October 22 said, the meeting was conducted "in an atmosphere of friendship and cordiality," reflecting the two nations' shared commitment to advancing the ongoing demarcation of their common land boundary through peaceful dialogue and technical cooperation as per Khmer Times. The Cambodian delegation was led by Lam Chea, Minister in charge of the State Secretariat of Border Affairs and Co-Chairman of the Cambodian side, while the Thai delegation was led by Prasas Prasasvinitchai, Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Co-Chairman of the Thai side. They also agreed to replace three boundary pillars that are currently submerged in water, selecting new positions by mutual agreement. They agreed to accelerate the revision of the Terms of Reference (TOR 2003) to enable the use of LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and other new technologies for the production of orthophoto maps, which will ultimately expedite the survey and demarcation work. The statement said that significant discussion centred on the joint survey and demarcation in the segment between Boundary Pillars No. 42 to 47, which covers the area of Chouk Chey-Nong Chan Village and Prey Chan- Nong Ya Kaeo Village in which both sides agreed to finalise the Technical Instruction for the Joint Survey and the placement of temporary markers in this priority terrain. Participants addressed various urgent matters, particularly Thai complaints about Cambodian nationals encroaching on Thai territory in Ban Nong Chan and Ban Nong Ya Kaeo in Khok Sung district of Sa Kaeo, Bangkok Post reported. Both sides agreed that the next JBC meeting will take place in Siem Reap, Cambodia, during the first week of January 2026. Leaders of Cambodia and Thailand agreed on July 28 to an unconditional ceasefire, after both countries had their worst clash in over a decade earlier that month over a five-day border dispute that led to at least 43 deaths and some 300,000 people displaced on both sides. The longstanding border dispute between the two neighbours, which previously erupted in 2011, stems from disagreements over the interpretation of colonial-era maps. The most recent round of tensions was sparked by a brief skirmish that resulted in a Cambodian soldier being shot dead on May 28. Cambodia and Thailand have been locked in a decades-long disagreement over the jurisdiction of various non-demarcated areas along their shared land border, which stretches more than 800 kilometres. A central part of the dispute has been competing claims of ownership of the ancient Hindu temples of Prasat Ta Muen Thom and Preah Vihear, which are perched on the Dangrek Mountains that form a natural border between Cambodia and Thailand. In 2011, severe clashes between Cambodian and Thai forces in the vicinity of the Preah Vihear temple resulted in at least 16 deaths. This prompted the UN Security Council to meet in a private meeting on February 14, 2011 and to issue a press statement on the same day. (ANI)
Punjab's seed producers, who meet nearly 90 per cent of Pakistan's seed demand, have warned that misguided government actions are driving the agriculture sector toward collapse. The Seed Association of Pakistan (SAP) raised the alarm during a press briefing at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), as reported by The Express Tribune. According to The Express Tribune, the association cautioned that unless immediate reforms are implemented, the worsening crisis could severely impact the nation's food security. LCCI President Faheemur Rehman Saigol expressed full support for the association's stance and urged the government to respond swiftly to prevent further damage. SAP Chairman Rana Salman Mahmood Khan revealed that the Punjab Agriculture Regulatory Authority (PERA), in collaboration with the provincial Food Department, has halted the supply of wheat seed to other provinces. He warned that this policy would deepen the ongoing shortage and potentially cripple wheat production across Pakistan. "If the seed flow from Punjab is restricted, the entire country's wheat cultivation will face a devastating setback," he said. Pakistan annually produces around 552,000 metric tonnes of seed, of which Punjab alone contributes about 516,000 metric tonnes, roughly 94% of the total national output. This dominant contribution makes the province's seed companies indispensable for sustaining Pakistan's grain production. SAP has urgently requested meetings with officials from PERA and the Food Department to resolve the dispute. Letters have also been sent to President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, though no formal response has been received. In a direct appeal to Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, the association called for intervention to protect Pakistan's food supply, as cited by The Express Tribune. "Wheat is the backbone of the nation's food security. Delays in seed distribution will push the country toward a major agricultural crisis," Khan emphasised. The association urged policymakers to prioritise national interest over bureaucratic hurdles and ensure timely seed movement to prevent an impending food catastrophe, as reported by The Express Tribune. (ANI)
As winter approaches, a number of Kabul residents have expressed concern over the rising prices of firewood and coal in local markets, Tolo News reported. Residents say that despite the weather still being relatively warm, the prices of fuel have already increased, creating serious difficulties for low-income families. Abdul Karim, a Kabul resident, said, "Wood and coal have become very expensive, and people can't afford them. Many are unemployed, and the government should pay attention to this issue and the rising prices." Mohammad Saber, another Kabul resident, told Tolo News, "A cart of firewood costs 12,000 Afghanis and winter hasn't even arrived yet. A sack of coal now costs 1,700 to 1,800 Afghanis. We ask the government to lower the prices." Meanwhile, firewood and coal sellers in the capital have confirmed the price hike, attributing it to rising transportation costs, taxes, and fuel prices. Nazirullah, a firewood vendor, said, "A cart of firewood from Khost and Paktia is now 12,500 Afghanis. Mulberry and walnut wood costs between 7,500 and 8,000 Afghanis per cart. Compared to last month, the price of oak wood has increased by around 1,500 Afghanis." Raqib, a coal seller, told Tolo News, "This coal comes from Dara-e-Suf. Two to three months ago, it was priced between 9,400 and 9,500 Afghanis. Now, it's gone up to 11,700 or even 11,800 Afghanis." The Kabul Timber Sellers' Union has also weighed in on the situation. Ajmal Wahidi, head of the union, said, "If the government allows the import of Kunar wood now, prices could drop to around 8,000 Afghanis. But it must be done immediately. If they wait until late winter, prices may rise to 13,000 or 14,000 Afghanis." Economic experts stress that with proper market management and continued cooperation between the government and traders, firewood prices could decline again, leading to market stabilisation. (ANI)
Speaking in a video message, Mirza recounted the brutal 1947 invasion when Pakistan's forces and tribal militias attacked PoJK, killing more than 100,000 civilians and displacing countless families.

He said that on this day, "Pakistan's army destroyed families, massacred people in the name of religion, and captured our land, which it still occupies illegally."

Referring to the massacre at Ali Baig near Mirpur, Mirza highlighted that at least 20,000 Hindus and Sikhs were butchered between November 1947 and March 1948.

According to Mirza, the Pakistani-occupied territories of PoJK and Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB) have since remained deprived of basic infrastructure, education, and healthcare.

"There are no MRI or CT scan machines, no vaccines for snake or dog bites, and no proper rural health centres," he said, adding that poor road conditions in mountainous regions routinely lead to fatal accidents.

He further revealed that more than 800 schools damaged during the 2005 earthquake remain unrepaired even after two decades, forcing children to study under open skies.

Widespread unemployment, he said, drives young people to seek work abroad after taking vocational training as welders, electricians, or plumbers.

Mirza also condemned Pakistan's political and religious control over PoJK, explaining that candidates are forced to sign an oath supporting Pakistan's ideology and its two-nation theory before contesting elections or applying for government jobs.

"There are no political or civil rights," he said. "If you protest, you are shot."

Concluding his statement, Mirza urged India to recognise the growing frustration among the people of PoJK.

"After 78 years of occupation and denial of rights, the people now want freedom from Pakistan. It is time India takes serious note of their struggle," he asserted. (ANI)
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that she had spoken on the phone with United States Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent and appreciated the recent Treasury decision to sanction major Russian oil companies. She also praised a new sanctions package approved by the European Union on Wednesday, which includes a ban on Russian liquefied natural gas imports. In a post on X on Wednesday, von der Leyen said, "Appreciated this evening's call with @SecScottBessent and the Treasury decision to sanction major Russian oil companies in the face of Russia's lack of commitment to the peace process. With the imminent adoption of the EU's 19th package, this is a clear signal from both sides of the Atlantic that we will keep up collective pressure on the aggressor." The Trump administration has imposed sanctions on Russia's major energy companies for the first time, citing Moscow's "lack of serious commitment to a peace process to end the war." In parallel, the European Union also introduced fresh sanctions, Euro News reported. The measures by both the United States and the EU aim to pressure the Kremlin into agreeing to an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, demonstrating a coordinated approach from both sides of the Atlantic. The US announcement marks the first instance that the second Trump administration has introduced economic restrictions on Moscow, a step long resisted by the president, who had hoped for diplomatic engagement with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to Euro News, the sanctions specifically target Russia's two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, with Rosneft also blacklisted by the EU. Brussels avoided sanctioning Lukoil due to a longstanding exemption for Hungary and Slovakia, which continue to import Russian oil, highlighting the balance between sanctions and member states' energy dependencies. "Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire," Scott Bessent said in a statement. He added, "Given President Putin's refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russia's two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlin's war machine. Treasury is prepared to take further action if necessary to support President Trump's effort to end yet another war. We encourage our allies to join us in and adhere to these sanctions." The White House had recently called off a summit in Budapest between Trump and Putin after assessing that Russia's position remained maximalist. "We cancelled the meeting with President Putin. It didn't feel right to me," Trump said, reflecting the continued diplomatic impasse and the limits of direct engagement. Meanwhile, in Brussels, ambassadors agreed on the EU's 19th sanctions package since February 2022, according to Euro News. The deal was finalized after Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico lifted his veto on unrelated demands concerning energy prices and the automotive sector, clearing the way for the EU to implement stricter measures on Russia. The EU package introduces the bloc's first-ever ban on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas from January 1, 2027. This ban allows remaining suppliers, including Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Spain, and Portugal, to invoke force majeure and terminate long-term contracts with Moscow, potentially avoiding multi-billion-euro lawsuits. The sanctions also prohibit transactions with Rosneft and Gazprom Neft and blacklist 117 additional vessels from the "shadow fleet," which is used to bypass the Russian oil price cap, bringing the total to 558 ships denied access to EU ports and services. A host of financial measures accompany the sanctions, targeting Russian banks, payment systems, special economic zones, cryptocurrency platforms, and 45 entities accused of enabling circumvention, including 12 based in China and Hong Kong. A notable feature of the package is a mechanism to regulate the movement of Russian diplomats across the passport-free Schengen area. Russian diplomatic and consular staff, along with family members, must now notify host countries at least 24 hours in advance before traveling or transiting to another EU state, providing transport details and entry and exit points, with the receiving country able to approve or deny passage. The European External Action Service noted that Russian diplomats "are often involved in activities that contribute to Russia's aggression against Ukraine, notably by spreading the Russian rhetoric on the causes of the war, its unfolding and the role of the Union." The EEAS document further warned that their movements risk facilitating "coordinated information manipulation and interference or other acts targeted at manipulating public opinion," underlining the strategic importance of the new restrictions. The 19th sanctions package is expected to be formally adopted on Thursday, just ahead of the EU summit in Brussels, marking a significant step in coordinated transatlantic pressure on Moscow. (ANI)
The Indian Army strengthened its defence cooperation with the Royal Army of Oman during the 3rd Army-to-Army Staff Talks (AAST) held in New Delhi from October 22 to 23. In a post on X, the Army's Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADG PI) stated, "Indian Army Strengthens Defence Cooperation with the Royal Army of Oman. The 3rd Army-to-Army Staff Talks #AAST between the #IndianArmy and the #RoyalArmyofOman was held in New Delhi from 22 - 23 October 2025." https://x.com/adgpi/status/1981258589055701382 "The discussions focused on enhancing bilateral defence cooperation through expanded joint exercises, expert exchanges in niche domains and deepening training collaboration," it added. "Deliberations also covered capability development, professional military education and new avenues for partnership under the Defence Cooperation Plan 2026," the ADG PI noted. It further described the meeting as "a significant step forward in advancing #MilitaryDiplomacy and #IndiaOmanDefenceCooperation." This renewed focus builds on the foundation laid by the 5th edition of the India-Oman Joint Military Exercise Al Najah, which concluded on September 26, 2024, with a grand closing ceremony at the Rabkoot Training Area in Oman. The successful exercise last year had already showcased strong interoperability and joint capabilities, and the current staff talks aimed to further institutionalise and expand this cooperation under the Defence Cooperation Plan 2026. The event saw the presence of key dignitaries, including Amit Narang, the Indian Ambassador to Oman, and Captain Harish Srinivasan, the Indian Defence Attache to Oman. From the Omani side, Brigadier General Abdulkadhim Bin Ibrahim Al-Ajmi, Commander of the 11th Infantry Brigade, and Lieutenant Colonel Masood Mubarak Al-Ghafri, Commanding Officer of the Frontier Force, attended the event, the Ministry of Defence said in an official release. Following the talks, a joint live-fire demonstration highlighted the operational synergy between the Indian Army and the Royal Army of Oman. The exercise illustrated how both forces could collaborate in peacekeeping operations under a United Nations mandate, with around 60 soldiers from both armies participating in tactical drills. The demonstration included simulated isolation and clearance of a village in a desert environment, where joint forces of Indian and Omani Armoured Personnel Carrier troops conducted house clearance drills and hostage rescue operations. Snipers from both sides also demonstrated precision marksmanship, effectively engaging targets throughout the exercise. A notable feature of the exercise was the use of advanced Indian-made equipment, including drones for real-time surveillance and ballistic shields for room interventions and hostage protection. These technologies reinforced both nations' commitment to strengthening military capabilities and preparedness. The exercise concluded with a flag ceremony, equipment display, and exchange of pleasantries between the contingents. Its successful completion reflected the dedication of both countries to maintaining global peace and security while enhancing the tactical skills of participating forces. Overall, the event strengthened bilateral military relations between India and Oman and marked another milestone in their ongoing defence cooperation. (ANI)
The European Union has formally adopted its latest sanctions package against Russia, EU High Representative Kaja Kallas announced on Thursday after a meeting in Brussels of the leaders of the bloc's member countries. The move comes a day after US President Donald Trump's administration announced new sanctions against Russia's oil industry. The US sanctions hit Rosneft and Lukoil, Russia's two largest oil companies, which Washington said play a central role in financing the Kremlin's war effort. "We just adopted our 19th sanctions package. It targets Russian banks, crypto exchanges, entities in India and China, among others," the EU foreign policy chief posted on social media platform X. She said that "The EU is curbing Russian diplomats' movements to counter the attempts of destabilisation." Kallas added that "It is increasingly harder" for Russian President Vladamir Putin "to fund this war" against Ukraine, which began in February 2022. The 19th package was presented by the European Commission on September 19. The EU Commission President Ursula Ursula von der Leyen also took to X today to post about the EU member states approving sanctions against Russia. "We're keeping the pressure high on the aggressor. For the first time we are hitting Russia's gas sector - the heart of its war economy. We will not relent until the people of Ukraine have a just and lasting peace," von der Leyen said. The meeting of EU leaders in Brussels today was chaired by Antonio Costa, President of the European Council. The EU leaders met to discuss Ukraine in the presence of Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as well as European defence, recent developments in the West Asia, competitiveness, housing and migration. A Euro Summit in inclusive format was also held on the sidelines of the meeting. The 19th package of sanctions against Russia over its war against Ukraine introduces a ban on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG). The LNG ban will take effect in two phases: short-term contracts will expire after six months, and long-term agreements will end on January 1, 2027 -- one year earlier than the European Commission's original timeline to end reliance on Russian fossil fuels. In a statement, von der Leyen said Russia "has shown the full extent of its contempt for diplomacy and international law" over the last month, as she criticised the largest-scale drone and missile attacks on Ukraine, including Russian strikes that hit the EU office in Kyiv, and Russian drone incursions into Poland and Romania. "These are not the actions of someone who wants peace," she said. "Russia's war economy is sustained by revenues from fossil fuels. We want to cut these revenues. So we are banning imports of Russian LNG into European markets. It is time to turn off the tap" the statement by EU Comission President on the 19th package of sanctions against Russia read. The EU also blacklisted over 100 additional vessels from Russia's "shadow fleet" of aging tankers used to evade oil export limits. "To strengthen enforcement, we are now sanctioning 118 additional vessels from the shadow fleet. In total, more than 560 vessels are now listed under EU sanctions. Major energy trading companies Rosneft and Gazpromneft will now be on a full transaction ban. And other companies will also come under asset freeze," von der Leyen said. "We are now going after those who fuel Russia's war by purchasing oil in breach of the sanctions. We target refineries, oil traders, petrochemical companies in third countries, including China," she said. "In three years, Russia's oil revenues in Europe have gone down by 90%. We are now turning that page for good," the EU Commission President said in a statement. The package will also look at closing "the financial loopholes" that Russia uses to evade sanctions, the President of the Commission said, adding the EU would bring forward "a transaction ban on additional banks in Russia and on banks in third countries". "We are stepping up our crackdown on circumvention. As evasion tactics grow more sophisticated, our sanctions will adapt to stay ahead. Therefore, for the first time, our restrictive measures will hit crypto platforms, and prohibit transactions in crypto currencies. We are listing foreign banks connected to Russian alternative payment service systems. And we are restricting transactions with entities in special economic zones." The package will also "add new direct export restrictions for items and technologies used on the battlefield", with an additional 45 companies in Russia and third countries to be listed. "These companies have been providing direct or indirect support to the Russian military industrial complex. In a war driven by innovation, cutting off Russia's access to key technologies is crucial. Above all when it comes to drones," she said. Von der Leyen also said that while Russian frozen assets "will not be touched," Ukraine would get reparations loans, to be repaid by future Russian reparations. "We will come forward with a proposal soon," she added. (ANI)
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is participating in Exercise Ocean Sky 2025, a multinational air combat exercise hosted by the Spanish Air Force at Gando Air Base, Spain, from October 20 to 31. In a post on X, the IAF stated, "The exercise aims to foster mutual learning, enhance interoperability, sharpen air combat skills, and strengthen defence cooperation with friendly nations." https://x.com/IAF_MCC/status/1981283741000749190 The exercise comes a few months after the IAF strengthened its operational capabilities with the induction of 16 Airbus C-295 military transport aircraft. Indian Ambassador to Spain, Dinesh K Patnaik, along with other senior officials, received the last of these aircraft at the Airbus Defence and Space assembly line in Seville on August 3. The Indian embassy in Spain said on Saturday that the delivery was two months ahead of schedule, marking an important milestone in Indian defence capabilities. "Indian Ambassador to Spain, Dinesh K Patnaik, along with senior officials from the Indian Air Force, received the last of the 16 Airbus C-295 military transport aircraft at the Airbus Defence and Space assembly line in Seville. The delivery, two months ahead of schedule, marked an important milestone in strengthening India's defence capabilities," the embassy said in a post on X. The Airbus C-295 is a robust, reliable, and highly versatile tactical transport aircraft, designed for missions ranging from troop and cargo transport, maritime patrol, airborne warning, surveillance and reconnaissance, to signals intelligence, armed close air support, medical evacuation, VIP transport, and airborne firefighting. Described as the world's most versatile and efficient multi-role tactical airlifter, the C-295 has an outstanding reliability record, with more than 300 aircraft under contract, proving its efficiency and versatility in daily operations. The aircraft is regarded as the perfect workhorse, offering unparalleled versatility and proven reliability to meet the needs of armed forces, governments, and NGOs. Bilateral partnership in the defence sector between India and Spain has witnessed rapid growth in recent years. The procurement of 56 C-295 aircraft from Airbus Spain in a USD 2.5 billion contract, 40 of which are to be made in India by Tata Advanced Systems, represents the first Make in India project in the defence aircraft sector. The Chief of the Indian Air Force, ACM VR Chaudhari, presided over the handing over of the first C-295 aircraft to the Indian government on September 13, 2023, in Seville, as per a statement by the MEA. (ANI)
The protest, marking the tragic anniversary of October 22, 1947, denounced what participants described as "Pakistan's brutal attack that tore apart the fabric of a peaceful and progressive state."

In a video released on Facebook, the demonstrators said that the invasion, codenamed Operation Gulmarg, led to mass killings, destruction of homes, and displacement of thousands of Kashmiri families.

They asserted that the attack not only divided the state but also sowed decades of suffering and political instability. "Our people were massacred, our children orphaned, and our women widowed," declared one participant, adding that Pakistan's actions amounted to crimes against humanity.

The demonstrators called for the formation of an independent fact-finding mission to investigate human rights violations across all regions of PoJK. They demanded international accountability and sanctions against Islamabad for the continued repression and exploitation of these territories.

They urged European institutions to revive that policy stance and convene an international conference on PoJK to ensure a peaceful and just resolution.

They accused Pakistan of decades-long violations, including political suppression, denial of fundamental rights, and the imposition of draconian laws in its administered regions. "For 78 years, Pakistan has used PoJK as a pawn in its geopolitical game, while our people continue to suffer under occupation," said one demonstrator.

The rally concluded with a call for a demilitarised PoJK, free from all foreign control. Flags were raised, and the memory of 1947 was invoked as a day of mourning and resistance. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually attend the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit on October 26 at the invitation of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Thursday. The summit, hosted by Malaysia, will review the progress of ASEAN-India relations and discuss new initiatives to strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The MEA said that strengthening relations with ASEAN remains a key pillar of India's Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific vision. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ASEAN leaders will jointly review the progress in ASEAN-India relations and discuss initiatives for strengthening Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," the statement read. The following day, on October 27, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will represent the Prime Minister at the 20th East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur. The East Asian summit will provide an opportunity to deliberate on challenges to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and exchange views on regional and international developments. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi shared details of his conversation with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. In a post on X, he said, "Had a warm conversation with my dear friend, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia. Congratulated him on Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship and conveyed best wishes for the success of upcoming Summits." He added, "Look forward to joining the ASEAN-India Summit virtually, and to further deepening of the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership."Confirming this, Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Wednesday said that PM Modi would not be travelling to Kuala Lumpur for the 47th ASEAN Summit, but would attend it virtually. "We touched on the organization of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur at the end of this month. He informed me that he will attend virtually due to the ongoing Deepavali celebrations in India at that time," Ibrahim said. He added, "I respect his decision and extended my greetings for a happy Deepavali to him and the entire people of India."Detailing his recent conversation with a colleague of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ibrahim highlighted efforts to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries. "Last night, I received a phone call from a colleague of the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Narendra Modi, to discuss efforts to strengthen Malaysia-India bilateral relations to a more strategic and comprehensive level. India remains an important partner for Malaysia in the fields of trade and investment, in addition to close cooperation in the sectors of technology, education, and regional security," Anwar said. He concluded by reaffirming Malaysia's commitment to bilateral and regional cooperation. "Malaysia will remain committed to strengthening Malaysia-India relations and further enhancing ASEAN-India cooperation towards a more peaceful and prosperous region," he said. Meanwhile, United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday (local time) announced his upcoming diplomatic trip to Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan, highlighting a significant meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea.Trump also revealed that he cancelled a planned summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, citing a lack of progress in diplomatic efforts. "It didn't feel right to me," Trump said, adding that he didn't want a "wasted meeting." Speaking about his trip, Trump said, "Next week, we'll be going to Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan. In South Korea, I'll be meeting with President Xi of China. We'll have a pretty long meeting scheduled. We can work out a lot of our questions and our doubts and our tremendous assets together... We cancelled the meeting with President Putin. It didn't feel right to me. It didn't feel like we were going to get to the place we have to get, so I cancelled it..." The cancellation of the Putin summit follows Russia's rejection of Trump's proposed ceasefire plan in Ukraine. Trump is optimistic about his upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, hoping to leverage their discussion to end the Russia-Ukraine war. He plans to discuss energy and oil with Xi, aiming to pressure Russia into negotiating a peace agreement. (ANI)
Of the three, one sortie crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern ADIZ.

In a post on X, the MND said, "3 sorties of PLA aircraft and 4 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 1 out of 3 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded."

https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1981163669116391544

Earlier on Wednesday, Taiwan's MND detected two PLA aircraft, four PLAN vessels and an official ship around itself.

In a post on X, MND said, "2 PLA aircraft, 4 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 2 out of 2 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly."

https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1980801281636593880

The fresh incursion marks yet another episode in China's continuing military pressure campaign against Taiwan, which Beijing claims as part of its territory.

The frequent incursions and maritime operations reflect rising tensions between Taiwan and China, a relationship long fraught with geopolitical strain.

Meanwhile, China's swift growth and diversification of its nuclear capabilities have led to concerns that Beijing might engage in "nuclear blackmail" or even nuclear conflict with Western countries if they intervene in a Taiwan dispute, reminiscent of the warnings from the Kremlin during its incursion into Ukraine, as reported by Central News Agency (CNA).

During the military parade on September 3 in Tiananmen Square, China showcased three missiles capable of carrying nuclear payloads: the JL-1 air-launched ballistic missile, the JL-3 submarine-launched intercontinental missile, and the DF-61 surface-to-surface intercontinental missile.

This threatening exhibition of what analysts characterise as a potential Chinese "nuclear triad", the capacity to launch nuclear weapons via air, land, and sea, has heightened alarms among democratic nations. Previously, China did not possess the capability to conduct airborne nuclear strikes, according to CNA's report. (ANI)
The United States is considering possible countermeasures to China's newly announced export controls on rare earth elements, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in an interview with Fox News ahead of his trip to Malaysia for the ASEAN summit. Bessant said that the Trump administration, while hopeful of progress in the upcoming Trump-Xi meeting in South Korea, will not accept what he described as Beijing's "unworkable and unacceptable" licensing regime. "These wide-ranging export controls on rare earths exist all over the world. This is China versus the globe. It's not just the US and I can tell you this licensing regime that have proposed is unworkable and unacceptable," he said. "If we are not able to negotiate a pause or relief on this regime, we are contemplating how the US and its allies would respond." The Treasury Secretary, who will meet his Chinese counterpart, Vice Premier He Lifeng, during the ASEAN summit weekend in Kuala Lumpur, said he aims to resolve the issue before Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping meet next week. "I'm hoping we can get this ironed out this weekend so that the leaders can enter their talks on a more positive note," he said. Bessant described the Trump-Xi meeting as an opportunity to rebuild economic cooperation. "President Trump has great regard for President Xi; they are in frequent contact," he said. "It would be a shame to waste their first in-person meeting during Trump's second term trying to get past problems rather than moving toward a more constructive dialogue." He added that "all options are on the table" and noted that discussions so far have been extensive. "We are going to have two days of very full talks. This will be our fifth meeting after Geneva, London, Stockholm, and Madridwe are now moving to Asia," he said. Bessant also confirmed that he will accompany President Trump to Japan for a meeting with the new Japanese Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, whom he described as "a protege of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, with whom President Trump was very close." China's move to impose sweeping export controls on rare earths critical minerals used in electric vehicles, smartphones, and advanced military systems has triggered concern across global supply chains. The measures, announced on October 8, introduce a complex licensing regime for exporters that industry analysts warn could disrupt production of essential technologies, as per Fox News. Rare earths are vital to both consumer and defense sectors, powering items such as EV batteries, radars, and cruise missiles. China remains the world's dominant producer, accounting for nearly 70 per cent of global output, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). In 2024, China produced about 270,000 tons of rare earths and held an estimated 44 million tons in reserves.By comparison, the United States mined 45,000 tons last year with reserves of 1.9 million tons, while Australia produced 13,000 tons and had reserves of 5.7 million tons. The growing tensions follow the US-Australia agreement signed last week by President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to jointly invest $1 billion each in rare earth and critical mineral projects. The deal includes cutting mining permit timelines and setting a price floor for critical minerals to strengthen non-Chinese supply chains. "The global industrial and supply chains came into shape as a result of market choices," Chinese Embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said in a statement to FOX Business, defending Beijing's new policy. (ANI)
Both countries exchanged views on bilateral defence cooperation.

In a post on X, the Ministry of Defence said, "The Joint Working Group Meeting on Defence Cooperation between India and Armenia was held in Hyderabad today. Both countries exchanged views on bilateral defence cooperation, defence industrial collaboration amongst other issues of mutual interest in security domain. The Indian delegation was led by Shri Vishwesh Negi, Joint Secretary (IC) and the Armenian delegation was led by Mr. Levon Ayvazyan, Head of Policy and International Military Cooperation Department, MoD of Armenia."

https://x.com/SpokespersonMoD/status/1981325900252926022

Secretary (West) Sibi George on October 1 represented India at the National Day celebrations of Armenia and affirmed the commitment to the longstanding India-Armenia friendship.

The details were shared by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a post on X.

It highlighted how the ties between India and Armenia are rooted in history and built on the recent high-level engagements among the leadership of both countries.

"Secretary (West) Sibi George represented India at the National Day celebrations of the Republic of Armenia. He reaffirmed commitment to the longstanding friendship rooted in history, building on recent high level engagements among the leadership of both countries," the MEA spokesperson posted on X.

https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1973232625377554924

Earlier in June, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan, in Marseille, where they held a "useful discussion on our close cooperation and regional developments".

On March 11, India and Armenia signed two major Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) during Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan's visit to India.

An MoU was signed between India's Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and Armenia's Center of Drug and Medical Technology Expertise (CDMTE) on cooperation in regulating medical products. (ANI)
Facilitation of cross-border movement and capacity-building support for Bhutan's police forces also featured prominently in the talks held from October 16-17 in Bhutan's capital, Thimphu.

As per the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), "Both sides expressed satisfaction over the cordial and constructive discussions and reaffirmed their commitment to work together towards ensuring a safe, secure, and prosperous border region."

Reiterating the long-standing friendship between the two nations, India and Bhutan also agreed to deepen cooperation across both traditional and emerging areas.

The MHA said the partnership, grounded in shared geography, culture, and strong people-to-people ties, "continues to stand as a model for regional collaboration."

The Indian delegation was led by Rajendra Kumar, Secretary, Department of Border Management, Ministry of Home Affairs, while the Bhutanese side was headed by Sonam Wangyel, Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs.

India's delegation included officials from the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), the Land Ports Authority of India, the Department of Telecommunications, the Narcotics Control Bureau, the Survey of India, and Customs, as well as representatives from Assam, West Bengal, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.

The last such meeting between the two countries was held in 2019.

Earlier on October 5, in a swift and coordinated response to severe flooding in Bhutan, the Indian Army on Sunday successfully carried out a high-risk rescue operation, airlifting stranded civilians to safety from the Phuentsholing area, according to a press release by the Indian Army.

Triggered by a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal, incessant rainfall led to the swelling of the Torsa River, inundating vast areas across West Bengal and Bhutan.

Responding swiftly to an emergency evacuation request on October 5, the Indian Army launched two helicopters from Sevoke Road Aviation Base to undertake a critical rescue mission in the Phuentsholing area of Bhutan, the release stated.

Braving marginal weather and low visibility, Army Aviation pilots conducted aerial reconnaissance before skillfully landing in challenging terrain to evacuate stranded civilians to safety. (ANI)
The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday said that India remains a vital partner in advancing stability across the Indo-Pacific. Senator Jeanne Shaheen in her meeting with Ambassador of India to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra said that both countries, having shared democratic values are vital partners. "I was glad to meet again with India's Ambassador to the U.S. Vinay Mohan Kwatra. India remains a vital partner in advancing stability across the Indo-Pacific, economic growth and technological innovation in both our countries and shared democratic values," she said. https://x.com/SFRCdems/status/1981080192316522626 Kwatra on Tuesday participated in the Diwali celebrations at the US India Business Council. "Participated in the Diwali celebrations at the US India Business Council today. Wished all the members a prosperous and happy festival and congratulated them on the important role they have in strengthening US-India economic partnership," Kwatra posted. https://x.com/AmbVMKwatra/status/1980475849301454990 Kwatra also joined US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office in Diwali celebrations on Wednesday. In a post on X, he said, "Deeply honoured to join President Donald J. Trump at the White House today to celebrate Diwali. Wished him on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi a Happy Diwali and thanked him for this beautiful gesture. Warm Diwali greetings to all celebrating, especially the vibrant 5 million-strong Indian diaspora in the US." https://x.com/AmbVMKwatra/status/1980786749916803206 https://x.com/IndianEmbassyUS/status/1980279567219851522 Earlier, Trump participated in Diwali celebrations at the White House and extended warm greetings to the people of India and Indian Americans on the occasion. During initial remarks, the US President praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him a "great person" and a "great friend", while highlighting US-India ties in trade and regional peace. "Let me extend our warmest wishes to the people of India. I just spoke to your Prime Minister today. Had a great conversation. We talked about trade... He's very interested in that. Although we did talk a little while ago about let's have no wars with Pakistan. The fact that trade was involved, I was able to talk about that. And we have no war with Pakistan and India. That was a very, very good thing," Trump said at the event. (ANI)
US Vice President JD Vance held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog. As per the VP's office, their talks focused on the Gaza peace deal formulated by US President Donald Trump. The office said on Friday, "Vice President Vance meets with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog to discuss President Trump's historic Middle East peace deal." https://x.com/VP/status/1981350131887722778 Vance also visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Vance said, "What an amazing blessing to have visited the site of Christ's death and resurrection. I am immensely grateful to to the Greek, Armenian, and Catholic priests who care for this most sacred of places. May the Prince of Peace have mercy on us, and bless our efforts for peace." https://x.com/JDVance/status/1981365271584461165 https://x.com/VPCommsDir/status/1981356468629631040 Communications Director to the Vice President, William Martin quoted Vance while leaving Israel, "The whole purpose of this trip was to try and understand how to make the peace stick, how to move on to phase two successfully. I appreciate the Israeli government for hosting me. I think we're on a very good pathway." https://x.com/VPCommsDir/status/1981362517625692522 The US Embassy in Jerusalem said in a departure post for Vance, "Wheels up for VP Vance and US Second Lady Usha Vance! This concludes a two-day visit to Israel, overseeing the implementation of US President Donald Trump's peace plan and reaffirming the strong bond between Israel and the United States." https://x.com/usembassyjlm/status/1981330456655049198 Vance highlighted the next step towards peace in Israel and Gaza, "No American troops on the ground, but American troops supervising and mediating the peace." https://x.com/VP/status/1981363381765370190 https://x.com/PressSec/status/1981351147404251331 US President Donald Trump has said Israel would lose "all support" from the United States if it tried to move ahead with annexation, as per Times of Israel. The comments published on Thursday by Time magazine were made by Trump during an October 15 interview, The Times of Israel reported, prior to the Knesset's passage on Wednesday -- in a preliminary reading and against the prime minister's wishes -- of a bill that would apply Israeli sovereignty to all West Bank settlements. Underlining the administration's lack of patience for such efforts, Trump's deputy JD Vance said Thursday as he departed Israel that the previous day's vote had offended him and was "very stupid." (ANI)
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday hit back at the European Union after the bloc announced its 19th sanctions package, which, among other items, bans the export of toilets and bidets to Russia, Russia Today reported. Speaking to reporters, Putin mocked the EU's decision, warning that such measures would "cost them dearly." He added, "They will need Russian toilets if they continue to behave this way." Earlier in the day, the Official Journal of the European Union published details of the new sanctions, which extend restrictions to include sanitary ware such as toilets and bidets, as well as goods like flowers, moss, and motorised toys. The new package also targets Russia's liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector and several other industries. EU High Representative Kaja Kallas announced that the 19th sanctions package had been formally adopted after a meeting of EU leaders in Brussels. "We just adopted our 19th sanctions package. It targets Russian banks, crypto exchanges, entities in India and China, among others," Kallas said on X, adding that the move aims to tighten pressure on Moscow over its ongoing war in Ukraine. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the new measures also include a ban on imports of Russian LNG and new restrictions on over 100 vessels in Russia's "shadow fleet" used to bypass oil export limits. "For the first time, we are hitting Russia's gas sector, the heart of its war economy. We will not relent until the people of Ukraine have a just and lasting peace," von der Leyen said. The sanctions also impose full transaction bans on Russian energy giants Rosneft and Gazpromneft, while additional restrictions target crypto platforms and foreign banks linked to Russia's alternative payment systems. Putin also responded to Washington's latest sanctions, describing them as an "unfriendly move" that would not help relations between Moscow and Washington. He said the new restrictions would have little effect on Russia's economy, adding, "No self-respecting country ever does anything under pressure." The comments came a day after the United States imposed fresh sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, to increase pressure on Moscow to end the war in Ukraine. Announcing the move, US President Donald Trump said, "These are tremendous sanctions... against their two big oil companies. We hope the war will be settled." The US Treasury Department said the sanctions freeze all American-based assets of both companies and prohibit US entities from doing business with them. The move is aimed at limiting Russia's ability to finance its war operations and further weakening its economy. Putin, however, dismissed the impact of the sanctions and suggested that "certain people in the US administration" were pushing these measures for their own interests. (ANI)
The Pakistan government has banned the hardline religious party Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) again under its anti-terrorism law, following violent protests that left several people dead and dozens injured earlier this month, Dawn reported. The decision, announced after a federal cabinet meeting on Thursday, comes amid growing criticism over Islamabad's repeated failure to curb extremist outfits that often operate freely in the country. According to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office, the ban was "unanimously" approved after the Punjab government recommended action against the TLP under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). The Interior Ministry briefed the cabinet on what it called the "violent and terrorist activities of TLP across the country." Officials informed the meeting that the organisation, formed in 2016, has repeatedly incited violence and unrest nationwide. "In the past, security personnel and innocent bystanders have been killed in violent protests and rallies by the TLP," the government statement said, according to Dawn. It also recalled that the group was banned once before in 2021 but reinstated six months later after pledging to avoid violence, a promise that authorities now admit has been broken. Speaking on Geo News, Prime Minister's Political Affairs Adviser Rana Sanaullah said the ban was aimed at curbing the group's violent tendencies, not its religious ideology. "No one has any issue with their religious views," he said, adding that the problem arises when "their protests turn violent and cause loss of life." Sanaullah cited the 2017 Faizabad sit-in a major anti-government blockade that paralysed Islamabad for weeks, as an example of how the TLP has repeatedly challenged state authority through violence. Since its formation, the TLP has built a reputation for using street power and violence to push its extremist agenda. The party claims to defend Pakistan's blasphemy laws and has frequently mobilised mobs over religious issues, leading to clashes with police and security forces. The government said the renewed ban was imposed because the group "failed to honour its commitments made in 2021" and continued to indulge in terrorist activities. While the federal cabinet can impose a temporary ban, the final decision must be referred to Pakistan's Supreme Court under Article 17(2) of the Constitution. The law states that the apex court's decision on such matters is "final", as per Dawn. (ANI)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Jerusalem. In a post on X, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office said, "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is now meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, at his office in Jerusalem." https://x.com/IsraeliPM/status/1981401138705342503 Earlier in the day, Rubio said in a post on X, "Arrived in Israel to reaffirm America's unwavering commitment to Israel's security and engage with partners to implement President Trump's historic peace plan and build on the momentum towards durable peace and integration in the Middle East." https://x.com/SecRubio/status/1981389844560433551 Meanwhile, as per The Times of Israel, a US official said that US President Donald Trump will "f**k" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if the Israeli leader jeopardizes the Gaza ceasefire deal. US official told The Times of Israel, "Netanyahu is walking a fine line with President Trump. If he keeps going, he'll f**k up the Gaza deal. And if he f**ks up the deal, Donald Trump will f**k him." The remark reflects growing frustration in Washington with recent political moves in Israel, particularly the Knesset's vote yesterday to advance two bills to annex parts of the West Bank, which reportedly stunned US officials. The source told Ravid that US Vice President JD Vance, who was visiting Israel at the time, was shocked by the decision and believes that Israel is acting in an "unsupervised" manner. Netanyahu updated Vance about the Knesset vote during the vice president's visit, assuring him that it was merely a "preliminary vote" and would "go nowhere," the public broadcaster Kan reported. Vance responded, "This cannot happen while I am visiting here." Netanyahu had been warned by American officials that the vote could provoke a backlash and destabilize ongoing negotiations over the ceasefire. Meanwhile, Hamas terrorists responsible for the abduction of former hostages Noa Argamani, Avinatan Or and Eitan Mor from the Nova music festival, and others who participated in the October 7, 2023, onslaught, were killed in recent strikes in the Gaza Strip, the IDF and Shin Bet announce, as per The Times of Israel. (ANI)
US President Donald Trump is embarking on a pivotal Asia tour, aiming to mend trade rifts and strengthen alliances. He will also attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Malaysia and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC) summit in South Korea. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Thursday (local time) shared details of Trump's Asia tour. Trump's Asia trip covers Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea for ASEAN and APEC summits, with trade talks, peace dialogue, and US-China tensions in focus. "President Trump's upcoming trip to Asia: Tomorrow at 11 pm, the president will depart the White House to fly to Malaysia, where he will arrive on Sunday morning local time. President Trump will participate in a bilateral meeting with the prime minister of Malaysia in the afternoon, then attend the ASEAN leaders' working dinner that evening. On Monday morning local time, the president will fly to Tokyo. Tuesday morning, local time, President Trump will meet bilaterally with Japan's new prime minister. On Wednesday morning, local time, the president will fly to Busan (South Korea), where he will participate in a bilateral meeting with the president of the Republic of Korea, deliver keynote remarks at the APEC CEO luncheon, and then participate in a US-APEC leaders working dinner. On Thursday morning local time, President Trump will participate in a bilateral meeting with President Xi of the People's Republic of China before departing to return home to Washington, DC...," said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt during a press briefing. The ASEAN and APEC summits will open on Sunday and Oct. 31, respectively. APEC summit is scheduled to take place in South Korea from October 30 to November 1 in Gyeongju. Trump's return to Asia could redefine regional trade and diplomacy. From ASEAN trade and digital economy talks to US-China negotiations. In Malaysia (Oct 26-27), Trump will attend the ASEAN Summit, meet Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and participate in a working dinner with regional leaders. Japan (Oct 27-29): He'll meet Japan's new Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, to discuss trade agreements and security cooperation. South Korea (Oct 29-30): Trump will attend the APEC CEO Summit, meet President Lee Jae Myung, and address business leaders. A crucial bilateral meeting with President Xi Jinping is scheduled, focusing on trade tensions, rare earth exports, and fentanyl cooperation. Trump seeks to negotiate favorable trade agreements, reducing tariffs and boosting US exports. (ANI)
Morocco has emerged as a key partner in Washingtons efforts to strengthen security across Africa, according to General Dagvin Anderson, Commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM).

In an interview with Moroccan outlet Hespress, Anderson said the continent is now a stage for global strategic competition, with Russia and China seeking influence through varied means.

The US, he stressed, is focused on building flexible, respectful partnerships rather than expanding military footprints.

Our presence isnt measured by bases or troop numbers, but by the strength of alliances weve built over decades, Anderson said.

Morocco is pivotal because it understands Africa and has diplomatic and security tools that make it a stabilizing force, he said.

Anderson noted that extremist groups have shifted tactics, moving from centralized control to dispersed networks exploiting local vulnerabilities. AFRICOMs approach now prioritizes capacity-building over direct combat, focusing on intelligence sharing, training, and addressing socio-economic drivers of radicalization.

Morocco offers a successful model that blends security, development, and religious reform, he said, calling Rabats strategy an example for other African nations.

The general highlighted Moroccos role in safeguarding the Strait of Gibraltar, one of the worlds busiest maritime corridors. With advanced infrastructure like Tanger Med port and strong coastal monitoring, Morocco is the southern guarantor of stability for transatlantic trade routes.

AFRICOM works closely with Moroccan forces on joint naval surveillance, real-time intelligence exchange, and regular maritime drills. These include bilateral exercises and large-scale maneuvers under African Lion, which simulate scenarios from anti-piracy operations to humanitarian rescue missions.

The annual African Lion exercise, co-hosted by Morocco, is the largest multinational drill on the continent. Anderson said its value lies in interoperability and trust among allied forces.

For Morocco, its a chance to showcase professionalism and reinforce its status as a responsible regional power, he added.

Recent editions have expanded to include cyber defense, space coordination, and disaster response.

Anderson concluded that Africa is not a stage for domination but for partnership. Morocco exemplifies this vision as a stable nation with robust institutions and deep regional ties.

Security in Africa must be African-led, he said. Moroccos credibility makes it a strategic bridge for cooperation and sustainable development.
France, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, reiterated, on Wednesday, its unwavering position in support of Moroccos support over its Sahara.

Following a meeting with the minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, on the sidelines of his participation in the 4th Conference on Feminist Foreign Policies, the head of French diplomacy, Jean Noel Barrot recalled Frances position, for which the present and future of the Western Sahara fall within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty, according to a statement by the French Foreign Ministry issued after the meeting.

The autonomy plan proposed by Morocco in 2007, which is gaining increasing international consensus, remains the only basis for achieving a just, lasting, and negotiated political solution, in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions, the statement said. In this context, France is firmly committed at the United Nations to a definitive political settlement of this issue, the Foreign Ministry added.

The statement also said that the two ministers discussed at their meeting the many areas in which French-Moroccan particularly rich bilateral relationship has deepened- notably with regard to industrial and strategic partnership, mobility, and global issues- and encouraged the continuation of this positive momentum.

During the meeting, Barrot welcomed Moroccos recent accession to the group of countries with a feminist foreign policy (FFP+) as well as Bouritas participation in this ministerial conference.

The two ministers also exchanged views on regional and international issues of common interest, the statement added.

Barrot praised the prospects for strengthening the Euro-Moroccan and Euro-Mediterranean partnership in all its dimensions, to the benefit of both continents, and reaffirmed his commitment to making Franco-Moroccan cooperation a key instrument in addressing regional and international crises.
Morocco has solidified its position as a regional financial and commercial hub for Africa, with Casablanca Finance City ranking as the continents leading financial center, according to a recent World Bank analysis highlighting the nations strategic economic transformation.

The World Bank report emphasizes Moroccos decade-long implementation of comprehensive financial market reforms designed to enhance efficiency, resilience, and investment attractiveness. These initiatives have successfully diversified funding sources for infrastructure development and business expansion across the kingdom.

Casablanca Finance City currently hosts 225 companies operating across 115 countries, with 50 maintaining active presence in African markets. The financial center has attracted major international institutions including Bank of China, BNP Paribas, AIG, and Ford, establishing Morocco as a gateway for global investments into Africa.

Morocco stands as Africas second-largest intra-African investor, with 85% of its foreign direct investment flowing to continental projects valued at $5 billion in 2017. The Moroccan financial sector maintains operations in 34 African countries, demonstrating extensive regional integration.

The transformation includes sophisticated financial instruments such as green bonds, Islamic sukuks, and real estate investment funds, alongside modernized infrastructure at the Casablanca Stock Exchange featuring centralized clearing and derivatives markets. Moroccos investment-grade rating, maintained by Fitch and Standard & Poors since 2007, reinforces international confidence.

However, the World Bank notes implementation challenges remain. While certain innovations like private equity funds have experienced rapid growth, other instruments including project bonds require broader market adoption. The analysis recommends strengthening project preparation programs, diversifying the investor base, and establishing local credit rating agencies to fully realize the financial sectors development potential.
Moroccos BCP Group has obtained ISO 37001-2025 certification for its Anti-Bribery Management System, marking a significant milestone in the banking sectors commitment to transparency and ethical governance, the institution announced following a comprehensive audit conducted July 21-25, 2025.

The certification, delivered by Certi-Trust auditors, validates BCPs compliance with international anti-corruption standards and reflects strategic prioritization by the banks highest administrative bodies. The achievement positions BCP among Moroccos financial institutions leading corporate integrity initiatives.

The ISO 37001:2025 standard, released March 2025, introduces enhanced requirements including strengthened governance provisions, expanded due diligence procedures, and improved whistleblower protections. Organizations implementing these systems demonstrate systematic approaches to preventing, detecting, and addressing bribery risks across operations.

BCPs certified management system encompasses multiple components: board-approved anti-corruption policies shared with all stakeholders, validated corruption risk mapping, confidential internal and external whistleblowing mechanisms, conflict-of-interest management protocols, targeted training programs, and continuous monitoring systems ensuring effectiveness.

The certification aligns with broader national anti-corruption efforts. Moroccos central bank, Bank Al-Maghrib, has required anti-bribery certification for major financial institutions since May 2023, reflecting governmental commitment to strengthening the sectors integrity frameworks.

Industry experts note that ISO 37001 certification provides internationally recognized validation of compliance standards, particularly valuable for institutions operating in global markets. The standards alignment with other management systems facilitates integration into existing organizational frameworks.

BCP management emphasizes that this certification represents ongoing commitment to continuous improvement, supporting the banks vision of ethical, sustainable, and responsible finance while fostering stakeholder trust and maintaining competitive advantages in international business relationships.
A looming oil glut has taken over the energy commodities market as the dominating sentiment among traders and analysts. Everyone is predicting a glutthe only difference is in its size. But there is a fly in the bearish ointment. The IEA admitted this week that it was unable to account for 1.47 million barrels of supply.

The International Energy Agency deepened the glut mood last week, when it predicted a supply overhang of 2.35 million barrels daily for this year, and an all-time high surplus of 4 million barrels daily for 2026. In the same report, however, the IEA admitted it cannot place some 1.47 million barrels daily in global supply for August.

This is nothing abnormal in oil supply estimation, Reuters Ron Bousso noted in a report on the matter, but the size of the barrels that are unaccounted for casts a shadow over the accuracy of the IEAs predictions. It suggests that in August, the global supply overhang may have been 1.47 million barrels daily larger than the IEA estimated or, then again, 1.47 million barrels daily smaller. The number for August gains even more significance in light of the fact that it is a sizable increase on earlier missing barrel estimates: 850,000 bpd for July and 370,000 bpd for the second quarter of the year, per Bousso, who cited IEA data.

Related: EU To Sanction Chinese Oil Refineries On Russian Oil Trade



While the IEA looks for the lost barrels, other agencies are updating their supply and demand forecasts for 2026and prices just inched up because apparently some traders got fed up with the glut hysteria.

BloombergNEF, for instance, not known for its bullish tendencies, has revised its supply growth prediction for 2026 by 200,000 barrels daily for an oversupply size of 3.3 million barrels daily. For this year, the agency sees oversupply at 1.16 million barrels daily, which raises the question of how the prediction for 2026 would come true when gluts tend to push prices and drilling down, curbing output instead of boosting it twofold.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration expects a supply overhang of 1.9 million barrels daily this year, growing to 2.1 million barrels daily in 2026. The numbers are an upward revision of earlier forecasts for a 1.7-million-bpd surplus this year and a 1.6-million-bpd overhang for 2026.

Bloomberg, meanwhile, stoked the glut fire by reporting there were 1 billion barrels of crude oil on tankers at sea. The report noted this was oil in transit, meaning some of it, at least, is en route from seller to buyer, but the implication was that a lot of the oil was actually looking for a buyer in an oversupplied market.

Crude cargoes from the Middle East are starting to go unsold and key price gauges signal that supply scarcity is ending, Bloomberg wrote, which is an interesting point to make, seeing as there has not been talk about any sort of supply scarcity for months.

For the last 12 months weve all known that theres this surplus thats coming, Trafiguras global head for oil, Ben Luckock, said earlier this month as quoted by Bloomberg. I think it really is just about here now.

The most straightforward of economic concepts is driving this decline: Theres simply too much supply relative to how much the world is consuming, analyst Rory Johnston from Commodity Context told the Financial Post.

The IEA, meanwhile, reported in its latest monthly update that in August, oil on water declined by 8 million bpd. It followed up with preliminary estimates that oil on water surged to 102 million over the next month. That would be quite a sudden buildup in oil in floating storage over a very short period of time and would perfectly justify preparations for a glut.

Oil prices, in the meantime, however, have ticked higher. One of the reasons seems to be that some market observers have developed something of a glut fatigue and are starting to doubt the predictions. As UBS Giovanni Staunovo wrote this week in a note, While supply concerns have increased in recent weeks again, we believe the oil market is oversupplied but not in a glut.

Concern about supply security from Russia also contributed to the latest in oil, suggesting that the supply overhang is not large enough, indeed, to leave traders cold to the news that a peace summit between the presidents of Russia and the United States had been put on hold. According to Reuters, U.S. pressure on Asian oil buyers from Russia had also contributed to the shift in oil supply sentiment.

Now, if the supply excess was as large as the IEA, the EIA, BloombergNEF, and Bloomberg proper, plus dozens of other forecasters have suggested, then the above developments in geopolitics would not have really mattered much for oil prices. The fact that they do suggests still existent sensitivity to supply disruptions, meaning the perception of a glut is a fragile one.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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The U.S. sanctions on the top Russian oil firms are reverberating through markets with Russias main crude buyers as Indias Reliance Industries will stop importing crude under a long-term deal with the now-sanctioned Russian oil giant Rosneft, sources with direct knowledge of the plans told Reuters on Thursday.

Reliance, Indias top private refiner which operates the worlds biggest refinery complex at Jamnagar with 1.4 million barrels per day (bpd) of processing capacity, has a long-term deal with Rosneft to buy almost 500,000 bpd. Reliance was Indias single biggest buyer of Russian crude, until now.

However, the U.S. sanctions on Wednesday, the harshest move so far against Russia from the Trump Administration, designated the two biggest Russian oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, and a number of their subsidiaries.

Reliance will recalibrate its imports to align them to Indian government guidelines, sources familiar with the company told the Financial Times on Thursday.

Reliance typically does not import crude from sanctioned entities and is unlikely to risk secondary U.S. sanctions by continuing imports from Rosneft, as the Indian conglomerate is a listed entity with access to the U.S. banking system, the sources told FT.

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The fresh U.S. sanctions on Russias oil industry, the first direct hit at the Kremlins revenues of the Trump Administration frustrated by a lack of progress toward a ceasefire in Ukraine, are a major shock to Indian refiners, and to the oil market as a whole.

Oil prices jumped by 5% early on Thursday, with WTI moving above $60 per barrel and Brent topping $65 a barrel, as the market fears a slump in Russian oil supply and a period of adjustment for Indian refiners, whose imports from Russia account for a third of all Indian crude purchases.

The flow of Russian crude oil to Indian refiners could drop precipitously following the U.S. sanctions, refiners and analysts say.

By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com

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Two of the founding members of the BRICS alliance, India and Brazil, drew the short straw when it comes to new U.S. trade policy. South Americas largest economy and Asias second-biggest economy have both been slapped with 50% tariffs on their goods exported to the United States.

Faced with the highest U.S. tariffs of any nation, India and Brazil are seeking closer strategic, economic, trade, and energy cooperation and have recently signed deals to expand their trade agreements.

Brazils Vice President Geraldo Alckmin visited India last week for meetings with high-ranking Indian officials at the IndiaBrazil Business Dialogue event.

India and Brazil are expanding their partnership in agriculture and ensuring global food security.

Indian and Brazilian chambers of industry and commerce also signed a cooperation charteran important milestone in institutionalising the India-Brazil business partnership and creating new avenues for cooperation in sectors such as infrastructure, renewable energy, healthcare and innovation, Indias Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal, said.

India and Brazil also agreed to pursue a deepening of the current preferential trade agreement between India and MERCOSUR, the South American trade bloc. The two countries agreed that the expansion of the Agreement should be substantial, aiming for a significant share of bilateral trade to benefit from tariff preferences.

Related: EU To Sanction Chinese Oil Refineries On Russian Oil Trade

We can have a fantastic alliance with India - political, space, entrepreneurial, and economic, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said as we welcomed back his Vice President from the visit to India.

We will create a strategic alliance with India and develop both Brazilian and Indian economies, Lula added.

These two major developing economies are reeling from the 50% tariffs on imports of their goods to the U.S. imposed by the Trump Administration.

U.S. President Donald Trump slapped an additional 40% tariff on Brazil, effective August 6, bringing the total tariff rate to 50%.

India also got a 50% tariff as of August 6, as President Trump doubled the earlier 25% tariff because of Indias continued imports of Russian crude oil.

The pressure on India has intensified in recent days, after President Trump reiterated his threat to make India pay massive tariffs unless it stops buying Russian oil, repeating that Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him those purchases would stop. Last week, India neither confirmed nor denied that it would indeed cut or halt imports of Russian crude and said its key energy policy driver is to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer.

Whatever happens with Indias purchases of Russian crude, which currently account for about a third of all Indian oil imports, India will continue to be a large buyer of crudeit is in fact the worlds third-largest after China and the U.S.

Brazil, for its part, is a major crude oil exporter and continues to boost oil production and shipments as new offshore projects come online. Brazil could boost crude exports to India, arbitrage economics permitting.

Brazil and India also agreed last week to deepen cooperation in renewable energy. Brazil boasts a predominantly renewable electricity mix, with hydropower accounting for more than half of clean electricity. Solar and wind power have also risen, and low-carbon electricity accounts for more than 90% of Brazils power supply.

The contrast with India cannot be more evident. Fossil fuels still accounted for 78% of power generation in India last year, but the country is making good progress in advancing renewable energy installations.

India added a record 22 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity in the first half of 2025, up by 57% from a year earlier, according to Rystad Energy data.

Earlier this year, India said it achieved five years ahead of schedule its target to have 50% of its installed electricity capacity coming from non-fossil fuel sources.

In the 2024/2025 financial year ended March 31, 2025, India installed a record high 29.52 GW of renewables capacity, hitting 220.10 GW in total, amid booming solar energy installations. Solar additions jumped to 23.83 GW in FY 202425, up from 15.03 GW added in the previous year, government data showed.

India aims to achieve 500 GW of non-fossil fuel power capacity by 2030, double the current installed renewable energy capacity.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Russian drones attacked the Ukrainian capital for the second night in a row on October 22, injuring four people, officials said within hours of an announcement from Washington imposing sanctions on Russias two largest oil companies. Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's military administration, said drones had damaged several dwellings and other buildings.

Air assaults the night before struck throughout the country, killing at seven people and causing power outages. One of the attacks hit a kindergarten in Kharkiv and another hit an apartment building in Zaporizhzhya.

The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement on Telegram that it struck Ukrainian energy infrastructure in response to Ukrainian attacks on Russian civilian targets.

The US Treasury Department announced the sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil after the European Union unveiled a fresh wave of sanctions earlier on October 22. Both actions were aimed at pressuring Russia to end its full-scale invasion of its neighbor.

Today is a very big day in terms of what were doing. These are tremendous sanctions. These are very big -- against their two big oil companies. And we hope they wont be on for long. We hope that the war will be settled, US President Donald Trump said.

The move marks another shift for Trump, who has resisted putting more pressure on Russia in hopes that Russian President Vladimir Putin would agree to end the fighting. But his patience appeared to have run out after plans for a summit with Putin in Budapest collapsed.

I just felt it was time, Trump told reporters at the White House after welcoming NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. "Every time I speak with Vladimir, I have good conversations, and then they don't go anywhere."

In another indication that Trump's patience is wearing thing, the president said he had canceled the Budapest meeting.

It didnt feel right to me. It didnt feel like we were going to get to the place we have to get, he said.

The US sanctions are designed to increase pressure on Russia's energy sector and "degrade" the Kremlins ability to raise revenue for its war machine, the Treasury Department said in a news release.

"Given President Putins refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russias two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlins war machine," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in the news release.

Related: Oil Prices Surge as Trump Sanctions Russian Energy Giants

Bessent said earlier that Putin had not come to the table in an honest and forthright manner, as we'd hoped."

The EU sanctions include the blacklisting of oil tankers used by Moscow, travel curbs on Russian diplomats, and a ban on importing liquefied natural gas from Russia by 2027.

The package is the 19th imposed by the EU since the Kremlin's full-scale invasion in 2022. The sanctions were presented last month by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who said the purchase of fossil fuels from Russia is financing the Russian war.

The US sanctions follow a similar move by Britain last week, said Rachel Ziemba, an analyst at the Center for New American Security. They are the first notable sanction on Russia from the Trump administration and should have an impact beyond those imposed by Britain alone, she said.

So its a big deal but not as big as it would have been a year ago, she said in response to a question from RFE/RL, pointing out that subsidiaries operating energy projects are also sanctioned and that could make getting new parts for rebuilding more expensive.

Ziemba also said that the Russian oil companies currently do little business in dollars or in the US financial sector, and the evasive infrastructure they use could blunt the impact of the new sanctions.

During his visit with Trump, Rutte praised the US presidents efforts to bring the two sides together even after some observers criticized Trumps outreach to Putin, saying it only allowed the Russian leader to buy time.

Consistent pressure on Russia and frank talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are necessary to reach a cease-fire, Rutte said.

Look at the Russian economy. There are long lines of cars into the gas stations, Rutte told Fox News, adding that the Ukrainians have hit an estimated one-third of the Russian oil and gas infrastructure.

He also pointed to moves in Europe to do more to stop Russias use of a shadow fleet to move oil around the world.

All of this will help change the calculus, Rutte said. Collectively, we will change Putins calculus and get him to the table and get the cease-fire going. Im absolutely convinced. It may not be today or tomorrow, but we will get there.

By RFE/RL

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The sanctioned Russian Arctic LNG export facility continues to ship cargoes to China as the U.S.-sanctioned project did not incur additional sanctions in Wednesdays U.S. package imposed as a result of Russias lack of serious commitment to a peace process to end the war in Ukraine.

While the U.S. slapped sanctions on Russias two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, and a number of their subsidiaries, it stopped short of imposing further sanctions on Arctic LNG, developed and operated by Russian energy firm Novatek.

The U.S., the EU, and the UK sanctioned Arctic LNG in 2024, forcing the project to scout for buyers with tankers full of LNG traveling across the seas for months.

After more than a year of attempts to sell cargoes, Arctic LNG found the usual customerone LNG import terminal in China, which has been receiving the sanctioned cargoes on blacklisted vessels since August.

The Iris tanker arrived at Chinas Beihai LNG import terminal on Thursday, marking the 11th such shipment of Arctic LNG in just two months, according to vessel-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg.

The U.S. sanctions from Wednesday did not target buyers or entities helping Russia evade the sanctions on its LNG project.

But last week, the UK sanctioned seven specialized LNG tankers and the Chinese Beihai LNG terminal.

The continued Russia-China trade from Arctic LNG 2 suggests that Moscow and Beijing appear unfazed by the UK sanctions on the project or the Chinese import terminal. They appear to have further breathing room with the lack of any LNG-targeted action in the latest U.S. sanctions.

The Arctic LNG 2 project roared back to life in August, in a sign that Russia could be testing the Trump Administrations willingness to sanction Russias LNG customers in China. The start of the Russia-China trade from the U.S.-sanctioned project coincided with Vladimir Putins visit to China in late August-early September.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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The EU summit this week is debating how to bridge the divide within the bloc regarding interim 2040 emission-reduction targets as the European Union insists on becoming a net-zero area by 2050.

The EU member states remain divided over the proposal of the European Commission to officially endorse setting a 2040 climate target to reduce the EUs net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 90% by 2040, relative to 1990.

The draft for the EU summit of the blocs leaders this week included a so-called revision clause, opening the door to potentially weakening the 2035-2040 emission targets if green energy fails to meet expectations, according to draft documents prepared for the summit seen by Reuters.

Some countries, including the Nordic EU member states, are pressing for adopting the 90% emission cut target by 2040, but many central and eastern European members argue there should be room for leeway, exemptions, and future revisions of the targets.

Earlier this week, the EU environment and climate ministers delayed, yet again, a decision on the 2035-2040 climate targets, weeks ahead of next months COP30 global climate summit in Belem, Brazil.

The EU stands on a strong European mandate for COP30. We must leave Belem with a clear path forward to keep 1.5 within reach, Lars Aagaard, Denmarks Minister for energy, climate and utilities, said this week.

However, the three biggest EU economies  Germany, France, and Italy  as well as Hungary and Slovakia are resisting an official rigid target, fearing their industries would further lose competitiveness, Euronews reports.

The European Commission and the EU face growing calls from within and from top business partners, such as top LNG exporters the U.S. and Qatar, to prioritize economies and industries instead of climate goals and emissions targets.

The EU will seek to address criticism that a new emissions trading system for fuel combustion in buildings and road transport will have unbearable costs for consumers by introducing additional measures to lower these costs, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a recent letter to EU leaders.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Japans power generation major JERA will pay $1.5 billion for natural gas assets in the Haynesville basin, the company said today, in line with plans to boost its exposure to U.S. gas.

The Japanese company will buy the assets from Williams and GEP Haynesville II, JERA said in a press release, adding that the assets currently produce some 500 million cu ft of natural gas daily and feature 200 undeveloped locations. The deal includes a provision to boost output from the assets to 1 billion cu ft daily, JERA also said.

A month ago, Reuters reported, citing unnamed sources, that the Japanese utility was negotiating a shale gas asset acquisition that could fetch $1.7 billion. In separate negotiations, JERA could invest substantial amounts in the Alaska LNG project as part of the trade deal between the United States and Japan that saw the latter pledge to buy $7 billion worth of U.S. energy commodities to reduce its trade surplus.

Japanese companies have been considering investments in the $44-billion Alaska LNG project, but so far they have appeared to be concerned that the costs may be too high, considering the cold weather in Alaska and the scale of the pipelines needed to bring the project on stream.

The Alaska LNG project will have a capacity of 20 million tons of liquefied natural gas annually, to be transported via an 800-mile pipeline to the Gulf of Alaska, from where it will be shipped around the world. The project also involves local supply of natural gas for the state of Alaska.

The U.S. energy sector is leading the way in the global LNG market and JERAs investments have lined up accordingly, John OBrien, JERA Americas chief executive officer, said. The upstream Haynesville Acquisition is a strategic addition to our asset portfolio, enabling us to advance our unique supply chain expertise while deepening our commitment to Americas energy future.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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International oil majors have canceled spot cargo sales of Middle Eastern and Canadian crude to Shandong Yulong Petrochemical after the Chinese refiner was sanctioned by the UK last week, Reuters reported on Thursday, quoting sources with knowledge of the deals.

Last week, the UK sanctioned the two largest Russian oil majors, Rosneft and Lukoil, as well as several entities involved in supporting the Russian energy sector, including Shandong Yulong Petrochemical Company, Chinas newest refiner, which sources about half of its crude supply from Russia.

Following the UK sanctions, Europes supermajors BP and TotalEnergies canceled cargoes to the Chinese refiner, as did the worlds top crude exporter, Saudi Aramco, as well as Kuwait Petroleum and Chinese giant PetroChina, according to multiple sources who spoke to Reuters.

The new UK sanctions have a wind-down period of one month and apply from November 13. Most of the cancelations of cargoes are for Middle Eastern and Canadian crudes that were scheduled to load after November 13, Reuters sources said.

The oil majors are concerned about payments from the now-sanctioned Yulong refiner as Western banks will be avoiding transactions with sanctioned entities.

With renowned foreign traders out of the dealings, Yulong, which has the capacity to process 400,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude, will likely further boost sanctioned Russian barrels, according to analysts.

We are already hearing Yulong is moving towards running predominantly sanctioned barrels, which, similar to the sanctions impact on Nayara, may necessitate run cuts, Sun Jianan, an analyst with consultancy Energy Aspects, told Reuters.

Nayara Energy, the Indian refiner partly owned by Russias oil giant Rosneft, was hit hard by the EU sanctions against Russian oil customers. In July, in the first move against customers of Russian oil, the EU expanded sanctions on entities doing business with Russian oil and sanctioned Nayara Energy. The sanctions halted imports of Saudi and Iraqi crude for the Nayara Energy refinery in Vadinar, and decimated the facilitys oil supply in August, forcing the refiner to reduce run rates.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Oil prices skyrocketed in early Asian trading on Thursday after President Trump announced new sanctions on Russias two largest oil producers, Lukoil and Rosneft, marking the first Ukraine-related sanctions of his second term. Brent crude futures jumped 5.53% to $66.05 per barrel, while WTI crude futures surged 6.05% to $62.04 per barrel, as traders weighed the immediate threat to Russian supply. The measures, announced late Wednesday in Washington, came as Trumps frustration with Putin has grown over the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The spike in prices is directly attributed to the prospect of significantly curtailed Russian oil supply hitting the global market due to the U.S. sanctions, which target the two major state-controlled energy companies. The sanctions followed a 19th package of restrictions approved by the European Union that includes a ban on Russian liquefied natural gas imports, and a similar move by the United Kingdom last week, sanctioning the same Russian energy giants. "Given President Putins refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russias two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlins war machine, said U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in a statement. He added that Washington encourages our allies to join us and adhere to these sanctions. The Treasury also sanctioned dozens of subsidiaries of the two companies, blocking their U.S. assets and prohibiting American entities from doing business with them.

The sanctions mark a significant policy shift for Trump, who had previously avoided targeting Russian oil firms, opting instead for tariffs and trade measures. Earlier this year, Trump imposed 25% tariffs on Indian goods in retaliation for New Delhis continued purchases of discounted Russian oil. The White House has so far avoided sanctioning Chinese buyers, another key market for Russian crude. Since the $60 per barrel price cap on Russian oil was introduced by Western nations in 2022, Russia has rerouted much of its crude exports from Europe to Asia, with India and China becoming its top customers.

Oil prices had fallen earlier in the week amid renewed fears of oversupply and concerns about weakening global demand due to tensions between Washington and Beijing. On Tuesday, Brent crude fell for a second consecutive session, touching its lowest levels in nearly five months before rebounding on the sanctions news. Analysts said the U.S. action could have far-reaching implications for global oil flows and prices if enforced aggressively. Edward Fishman, a former U.S. State Department official now at Columbia University, warned Reuters that, This cant just be one and done. Jeremy Paner, a former Treasury Department sanctions investigator now with Hughes Hubbard & Reed, said the absence of sanctions on banks or non-Russian buyers such as India and China meant the measures will not get Putins attention.

Trump told reporters he canceled a planned summit with Putin in Hungary, saying it didnt feel like the right time, but expressed hope that the oil sanctions would be temporary. I like to remove sanctions quickly, Trump said, citing the risks they pose to the U.S. dollars dominance in global trade, as Russia increasingly seeks payment for oil in other currencies.

The sanctions will likely keep oil prices supported in the short term, particularly as traders weigh the potential for retaliatory moves from Moscow. In the medium to long term, a downward move remains likely if the sanctions fail to curtail Russian exports meaningfully or if global demand remains weak. It seems the only certainty in today's oil markets is volatility.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Strong natural gas demand boosted the bottom line of Kinder Morgan in the third quarter, with the company reporting a 16% increase in earnings per share.

With historic growth in global natural gas demand, a favorable federal regulatory landscape, and strong support from permitting agencies, the outlook for our company is exceptionally promising, the companys executive chairman, Richard Kinder, said, as Kinder Morgan reported a modest increase in net profits for the third quarter to $628 million from $625 million a year earlier.

Our long-standing business modelowning midstream energy assets anchored by long-term, take-or-pay, fee-based contracts with creditworthy customerspositions us to continue delivering reliable performance and sustained value, Kinder also said.

Kinder Morgans chief executive, Kim Dang, reported that the company had long-term contracts for the transportation of close to 8 billion cu ft of natural gas to LNG plants on the Gulf Coast. By the end of 2028, this is expected to reach 1 billion cu ft, Dang said.

Overall, total demand for natural gas is expected to grow by 20% through 2030, led by LNG exports. We are also actively exploring more than 10 Bcf/d of opportunities to serve the natural gas power generation sector, the top executive also said, adding that about half of the companys backlog was for the power generation sector. Natural gas as a whole accounts for 90% of Kinder Morgans order backlog, Dang also reported. At the end of September, this backlog stood at $9.3 billion.

LNG is perhaps the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. energy industry right now. With demand for gas globally seen surging over the next decades, capacity is being built fast, with the blessing of a pro-energy administration. Earlier this month, the Energy Information Administration forecast that North Americas total LNG capacity could increase more than twofold by 2029 thanks to new liquefaction plants coming online in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico in response to the demand projections.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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By Taxpayers Association of Oregon

OregonWatchdog.com

Taxpayers Association of Oregon urges No on Measure 3-626

VOTE NO ON HAPPY VALLEYS $50 MILLION RECREATION CENTER

Happy Valley wants you to pay for a $50 million community center. Its a terrible deal for taxpayers.

A recreation center with a pool and gym is a luxury, not essential like police or roads.

In this economy, we cannot afford luxuries.

Forcing every property owner to pay decades of debt for a non-essential project is wrong.

The city has already saved over $20 million for this project, proving they have other options. They should use private partnerships and user fees, not a mandatory property tax.

Even worse, this creates a huge hidden cost. The $50 million bond only pays to build it. It provides ZERO money to run itno staff, no utilities, no maintenance.

This is a classic government scam: get taxpayers to pay for the shiny new building, then come back later demanding more taxes to operate it.

This new tax will cost the owner of an average home $184 every year for decades. With families facing rising costs everywhere, this is the wrong priority.

Tell the city to focus on essential services. VOTE NO on Measure 3-626.

For daily tax news/updates follow us at OregonWatchdog.com

 Help us spread the word. Contribute online at OregonWatchdog.com (learn about a Charitable Tax Deduction or Political Tax Credit options to promote liberty).
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The Shey Sumdo Monastery was founded in the 17th century and is an important religious centre on Lake Phoksundo in Upper Dolpo. Credit: Carmen Auer

Using 3D technology and interdisciplinary expertise, a research team has explored Buddhist temples in the remote Dolpo region of Nepal and digitized them for posterity.

In the high-altitude and extremely remote region of Dolpo in north-west Nepal, there are numerous Buddhist temples whose history dates back to the 11th century. The structures are threatened by earthquakes, landslides and planned infrastructure projects such as the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative. There is also a lack of financial resources for long-term maintenance.

Researchers from the Institute of Architectural Theory, History of Art and Cultural Studies and the Institute of Engineering Geodesy and Measurement Systems at Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) want to prevent the loss of this cultural heritage, which has hardly been researched up to now. They have documented, analyzed and measured buildings as part of several expeditions and preserved some of the temple complexes as 3D computer modelsand could thus also have contributed to the preservation of the real buildings.

The results have now been published in the journal Heritage.

Creating new knowledge

"Written and pictorial sources about the temples in Dolpo are rare, so the buildings themselves usually provide the most reliable information on their history. With our research, we wanted to create new knowledge about the sacred architecture of the region and categorize the existing buildings in their historical and art-historical context," says Carmen Auer from the Institute of Architectural Theory, History of Art and Cultural Studies.

Together with her team, she has been carrying out research on the regions of the western Himalayas since the early 2000s as part of various Austrian Science Fund projects and collaborations.

"Our research results are publicly accessible to everyone. They also provide a basis for possible renovations of the temple complexes and raise awareness of the value of this cultural heritage in the region and beyond. This increased attention will hopefully also help to ensure that more funds are made available for the maintenance of the facilities," says Auer.

A model of the Shey ensemble, based on 3D measurements by Graz University of Technology. Credit: TU Graz

Adapted measurement methods

Due to the remoteness of Dolpo and the high deployment altitudes, intensive preparatory work on suitable surveying methods was necessary. The area is only accessible on foot and with pack animals, so the weight of the instruments had to be kept to a minimum.

In addition, there is hardly any electricity or internet in the region, which is why the researchers had to resort to solar panels and batteries and adapt the software used so that it could function without contact to the manufacturer's server.

Helmut Woschitz and Peter Bauer from the Institute of Engineering Geodesy and Measurement Systems used a 3D surveying technique involving a laser scanner, a surveying total station, a mini-drone and a DSLR camera. Fundamental investigations in the geodetic measurement laboratory at TU Graz contributed significantly to the further development of the instruments and measurement methods. The chosen equipment made it possible to record inscriptions, sculptures and wall and ceiling paintings in addition to the building fabric.

Using the data obtained in this way, the research team created 3D models and 2D plans (site plans, floor plans, sections, views) that provide insights into the building structure, for example of the Nesar Temple.

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18 Buddhist sites documented so far

During four research visits between 2018 and 2023, the TU Graz research team included a total of 18 Buddhist sites in the documentation, of which 16 assemblies have already been surveyed and analyzed.

"They are part of a sacred landscape that has developed over centuries. The choice of location, the type of building and the orientation of the buildings are shaped by traditional narratives, geographical conditions and symbolic representations," explains Carmen Auer.

In order to understand these processes, an open dialogue with the local population, comprehensive documentation and interdisciplinary cooperation were necessary.

For the future there are plans to explore the northernmost region of Dolpo around Yangtze Monastery near the border with Tibet, where many buildings have not yet been documented.

More information: Carmen Elisabeth Auer, Surveying a Sacred Landscape: First Steps to a Holistic Documentation of Buddhist Architecture in Dolpo, Heritage (2025). DOI: 10.3390/heritage8090385
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

McGill researchers who examined the writing skills of teenagers in Montreal found that the performance in French of EnglishFrench bilinguals was similar to that of near-monolingual francophones. Bilinguals were defined as teens raised in anglophone or bilingual (EnglishFrench) households and those who had had significant exposure to French through attending French-language school. Further, the English writing skills of the bilingual participants were found to be on par with their French writing skills.

"While we were expecting to observe differences in the writing of bilingual adolescents compared to monolinguals, based on previous studies with bilingual children, both groups performed similarly. This may be because EnglishFrench bilinguals in Montreal live in a context where both languages are well supported," explained Eve Julie Rioux, a Ph.D. student at the McGill School of Communication Sciences and Disorders and first author of the study.

Similar performances across groups and languages

The study, admittedly based on a small sample, assessed the writing skills of 38 participants: 12 near-monolingual francophones and 26 EnglishFrench bilingual teenagers who had been exposed to French in a significant way since starting school or daycare.

The participants were asked to write a text inspired by an evocative image provided by the research team, with a different image used for each language. The researchers then analyzed the texts, looking at the use of complex syntax, the number and types of errors and the overall text quality.

Complex syntax involves the use of longer, more complex sentences and varied syntactic structures, and is associated with advanced linguistic competence, according to the researchers.

"We found that bilingual and monolingual adolescents performed similarly in their use of complex syntax in writing. They produced sentences comparable in length, complexity and syntactic diversity," said Professor Elin Thordardottir, co-author of the study. However, the researchers noted that the bilinguals did tend to make more errors in French than did the monolingual francophones.

According to the research team, the results suggest that anglophone parents living in the greater Montreal area who want their children to acquire strong skills in both English and French can confidently enroll them in French-language schools, given the strong presence of English in the region and globally.

"However, this outcome may not apply to other types of bilinguals in different contexts. For instance, when a minority language is spoken at home and French is learned in school, the level of support for each language may differ, potentially leading to uneven language competencies across languages," explained Rioux, whose thesis focuses on this topic.

Concerns over poor writing skills

The researchers were concerned by the teenagers' mastery of writing, however.

They noted that both bilinguals and near-monolingual francophones made a significant number of errors and produced many texts of low quality.

"While some grammatical errors are expected at this age, the magnitude of these errors was surprising," said Thordardottir.

Time spent reading in French and overall exposure to French were important predictors of text quality in that language for both bilinguals and monolinguals.

"Educators and parents should question the level of writing proficiency adolescents are acquiring both within and outside the school. Actions should be taken to strengthen writing instruction, increase opportunities for practice, and encourage the reading of complex texts both in school and at home, in order to foster stronger writing competency and overall literacy skills," added Rioux.

The study is published in the journal Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools.

More information: Eve Julie Rioux et al, Biliterate Adolescents' Writing Skills in a Two-Majority Language Context, Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools (2025). DOI: 10.1044/2025_lshss-24-00156
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Coral bleaching on Acropora corals from Florida's Coral Reef. Credit: Shedd Aquarium/Gavin Wright

New research reports the functional extinction of Acropora corals from Florida's Coral Reef. Scientists have documented catastrophic mortality of these critically endangered corals following a record-setting marine heat wave in 2023 that marked the ninth mass bleaching event for the region.

Both Acropora coral speciesstaghorn (Acropora cervicornis) and elkhorn (Acropora palmata)are important reef-builders in Florida and the Caribbean and have been a major focus of recent coral restoration efforts.

The study is published in the journal Science. Led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Coral Reef Watch and Chicago's Shedd Aquarium, the study involved 47 authors representing 22 institutions that contributed data detailing the coral die-off.

While some individual elkhorn and staghorn corals remain, their numbers are now so low that they can no longer fulfill their vital roles in the ecosystemproviding habitat for marine life and helping protect coastlines. This collapse of ecological function marks what scientists call a functional extinction, a stage that often precedes global extinction or the complete disappearance of species.

While most other coral species in Florida did not suffer losses as extreme as the more heat-sensitive Acropora, the loss of these species deals a devastating blow to the ecosystem and stands as a stark warning for the future of coral reefs worldwide.

"We're running out of time," said Dr. Ross Cunning, research biologist at Shedd Aquarium and cofirst author of the study. "Extreme heat waves are increasing in frequency and severity due to climate change, and without immediate, ambitious actions to slow ocean warming and boost coral resilience, we risk the extinction of even more corals from reefs in Florida and around the world."

The study documents that the temperatures reached during the 2023 heat wave were the highest ever recorded on Florida's Coral Reef in over 150 years, and that the heat stress persisted for 23 months. Heat exposure levels were 2.2 to 4 times greater than in any previous year on record.

As the heat wave and mass bleaching event unfolded, the team of researchers conducted diver surveys to track more than 52,000 colonies of staghorn and elkhorn coral across 391 sites. In the Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas (almost 70 miles west of Key West), mortality rates reached a staggering 98100%. Mortality rates were lower offshore in southeast Florida, at around 38%, reflecting cooler temperatures in the region.

These two species of coral were already in decline due to decades of disease, poor water quality, previous bleaching events and other human-driven stressors, but the 2023 marine heat wave accelerated the near-total collapse of staghorn and elkhorn corals on the reefs in this region. The population is unlikely to rebound without conservation interventions because of low numbers, continued warming, and additional stressors.

What happens next

Scientists have already established living repositories to safeguard remaining Acropora in aquarium facilities on land and in offshore coral nurseries and have rescued more of the survivors of the 2023 heat wave to bolster these collections. Under expert care, corals in these "gene banks" can continue to grow, supporting further research and restoration efforts for the species. Yet, the authors caution that the success of restoration will ultimately depend on the return time and severity of future bleaching events.

To secure a future for these species, restoration efforts must also incorporate new, adaptive interventions. Introducing resilient genetic diversity from outside Florida or manipulating the types of symbiotic algae that help corals tolerate heat may be the only means to maintain any Acropora populations in Florida.

Ultimately, the study underscores that ocean warming from climate change is now surpassing the thermal limits of entire populations of corals. Alongside bold, science-based actions to enhance coral resilience, urgent global action to slow climate change is essential to prevent the collapse of these critical reef ecosystems.

More information: Derek P. Manzello et al, Heat-driven functional extinction of Caribbean Acropora corals from Florida's Coral Reef, Science (2025). DOI: 10.1126/science.adx7825 Journal information: Science

Provided by Shedd Aquarium
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Credit: Matt Palmer / Unsplash

Predicting bushfires is difficult at the best of times. But as climate change wreaks havoc with our world's weather systems it's getting harder and more important to get right.

And the behavior of wildfires worldwide over the last year has shown us just how unpredictable and devastating these fires have become.

The second annual State of Wildfires report, which is published annually in the journal Earth System Science Data, is led by a team in the United Kingdom and features contributors from every fire-prone continent on Earth. And this includes usas Australian co-authors and contributors.

And it reveals a stark picture of our world's 202425 fire season.

An area larger than Indiatotaling 3.7 million square kilometerswas scorched by wildfires globally. These fires affected 100 million people and put around $US215 billion worth of homes and infrastructure at risk.

According to Dr. Douglas Kelley, from the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) and co-lead of the report, our reports are building unequivocal evidence of how climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme wildfires.

The smoking gun

The report's findings for the period March 2024 to February 2025 are alarming.

Climate change made wildfires in the Pantanal-Chiquitano region of South America 35 times larger.

If we look at Southern California's deadly firesthey were twice as likely and 25 times larger, in terms of burned area, in the current climate than they would have been in a world with no human-caused global warming.

And the record-breaking fires that ravaged parts of the Amazon and Congo were accelerated by climate change but also contributed to itreleasing billions of tonnes of CO.

According to Dr. Francesca Di Giuseppe from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) and report co-lead, climate change is not only creating more dangerous fire-prone weather conditions, but it is also influencing the rates at which vegetation grows and provides fuel for the fires to spread.

Using satellite observations as well as advanced modeling to identify and investigate the causes of wildfires from the last fire season, our team of international scientists investigated the role that climate and land use change played.

The devastating fires in Los Angeles in January 2025 that caused 30 deaths, forced 150,000 evacuations, destroyed at least 11,500 homes and resulted in economic losses totaling $US140 billion are a case in point.

Our analysis highlights the critical role of both extreme weather and fuel in the Los Angeles fires, with unusually wet weather in the preceding 30 months contributing to strong vegetation growth and laying the perfect foundations for wildfires to occur when unusually hot and dry conditions arrived in January.

The amount and dryness of vegetation also played a critical role during the extreme wildfires in Amazonia and Congo, where abnormally dry forests and wetlands allowed fires to spread faster and further.

And if we look at emissions from wildfires, Canada saw its second consecutive year of wildfire CO emissions exceeding a billion tonnes, while Bolivia had its highest CO emissions total this century, as did several states across South America.

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The view from Australia

While fire activity did not reach the overall extent or impact of Australia's previous seasons, like the 2019-20 Black Summer fires, there were still significant fires across Oceania's highly diverse fire-prone landscapes.

This included more than 1000 large fires that burnt around 470,000 hectares in Western Australia, over five million hectares burnt in central Australia and major fires around Mount Isa in Queensland.

In Victoria, severe dry lightning outbreaks triggered major fires in culturally sensitive landscapes. The Grampians National Park saw two-thirds of its area burned and the Little Desert fire burned through 90,000 hectares in under eight hours.

Looking ahead, the turbulence of Australia's weather outlook is making predicting future bushfires even more challenging.

A call for bushfire action at COP30

In November, world leaders, scientists, NGOs and civil society will head to Brazil for the 30th annual United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) to discuss how to tackle climate change.

Our report urges immediate action in the face of hotter, faster and more frequent bushfires.

According to one report author, Dr. Matt Jones of the University of East Anglia, world leaders at COP30 must make bold commitments to cut greenhouse gas emissions rapidly this decade.

This is the single most powerful contribution that most developed nations can make to avoiding the worst impacts of extreme wildfires on living and future generations.

While the future looks challenging, our report emphasizes that it's not too late to act.

Reducing deforestation, improving land management practices and enhancing early warning systems are among the measures that can help mitigate wildfire risks.

As Australia faces its own unpredictable fire season, what's happening around the rest of the world serves as a stark reminder of the interconnected nature of our climate crisis and the urgent need for coordinated international action.
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Credit: ThisIsEngineering from Pexels

Heavy teaching loads, shrinking university budgets and expanding workload expectations have fueled stress and burnout among professors and other university employees in recent years.

Now, an increasingly polarized political climate, as well as emerging concerns around university funding cuts, self-censorship and academic freedom, has created new pressures for university and college employees.

The result is an academic profession caught in the crosscurrents of culture and politics, with implications that extend far beyond the classroom.

What faculty say

Since June 2025, I have spoken with 33 faculty members across disciplines and institutions in the U.S. about how they are managing their careers and day-to-day lives at work and home.

Their accounts reveal common themes: persistent anxiety about job security, uncertainty around how to teach controversial subjects, and frustration that institutional support is often fragmented or short-lived.

"We're asked to make room for students' struggles, but are rarely acknowledged when we crack under the same weight," one professor told me.

A 2024 National Education Association survey found that 33% of 900 public administration faculty are "often" or "always" physically exhausted, while 38% of faculty say they are "often" or "always" emotionally exhausted.

Another 40% of faculty from this survey say they are simply "worn out."

Other research shows that growing workloads and constant role juggling are taking a toll on faculty members' well-being and ability to teach effectively.

Burnout among educators can have ripple effects on the university and college students they teach, leading to students feeling less motivated and engaged in school.

As a scholar of education, health and behavior studies, I know that when universities and colleges invest in supporting their faculty's mental health and well-being, they're not just helping their employees. They are protecting the quality of education that their students receive.

When politics enters the classroom

Surveys spanning 2017 through 2021 found that 6,269 faculty members have increasingly self-censored and avoided controversial topics or moderated their language when talking with their students and colleagues in order to avoid backlash from legislators, university boards or school administrators.

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The result is a form of burnout, in which protecting one's mental health and job security can mean speaking more carefully when teaching.

A January 2025 Inside Higher Ed survey published shortly before President Donald Trump's second inauguration found that over half of 8,460 surveyed U.S. professors have altered what they said or wrote, whether it was course materials or emails, to avoid expressing a possibly controversial opinion.

Nearly half of surveyed professors have also withheld opinions in the classroom entirely, according to the same survey, which was conducted from December 2023 to February 2024.

Scholars call this a "chilling effect" on academic freedom, where self-censorship becomes part of daily decision-making.

In the current political climate, faculty in many institutions continue to express reluctance to speak openly, citing concerns about professional or public repercussions. Even though comprehensive research since January 2025 is still emerging, early findings already suggest a further narrowing of what feels safe to say.

One-third of faculty reported in January that they feel they have less freedom to express their views, reflecting an environment in which faculty members' voices are increasingly constrained

Faculty I spoke with over the past few months described "navigating sensitive boundaries" in their lectures, avoiding having any discussion about race, gender and religion. They also talked about not using terms like diversity, equity and inclusion.

Watching what you say

For professors on contingent contractsmeaning they are not on a track to receive tenure, a secure work position that typically lasts a lifetimethe fear is heightened. The same is true for other faculty members like adjunct professors, who depend on short-term or renewable contracts.

Without the protection of tenure, even a single complaint or potential controversy can jeopardize a professor's positionand recent cases of tenured professors suggest that even tenure no longer offers the same level of security it once did.

One adjunct professor put it bluntly: "When your next contract depends on staying in bounds, watching what you say is survival."

For many instructors, the need to continually reassess how a comment, reading or assignment might be received changes the experience of teaching in subtle but meaningful ways.

Faculty members I spoke with described heightened anxiety, sleepless nights and a persistent fear that a misstep could derail their careers. This psychological strain, compounded by workload and financial stress, leaves little space for creativity, innovation or joy in teaching.

The downstream effects on students

Faculty members' well-being is inseparable from how students experience college. Burnout and disengagement ripple outward, reducing students' motivation and eroding the quality of students' classroom interactions, as noted in a 2025 study.

When professors self-censor, students can also lose exposure to complex or controversial perspectives that might challenge their thinking and deepen discussions.

Restrictions on free expression and debate can also stifle students' intellectual curiosity, curb engagement and hinder critical-thinking development.

Equally concerning is the long-term impact on innovation.

When academic freedom is restricted or self-censored, there is a greater potential that research questions will become more narrow, classroom discussions will flatten, and students will lose exposure to the breadth of perspectives that higher education promises.

A new kind of academic life

Faculty mental health is a pressing concern across higher education.

Expanding workloads, shifting public expectations and uncertainty around job security have created an environment of sustained strain.

The professors I have spoken with say they feeling caught between professional demands and personal limits, navigating burnout, self-censorship and ongoing attention to what they teach and say.

The cumulative effect is reshaping academic life, altering how faculty teach, communicate and engage with students, with a very careful eye on how others are perceiving them.

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In the Democratic Republic of Congo, copyright often creates more challenges for people than opportunities. Pictured is the capital, Kinshasa. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Professionals in creative industries should have some form of protection against others exploiting what they have created, even if it's not a tangible, physical object.

In technical terms, this is referred to as intellectual property rights, a catch-all term that includes copyright, patents, and trademarks.

The history of copyright dates back to the 18th century when, for example, authors grew frustrated with their works being translated into other languages without permission and compensation.

"Authors lost money when their books were printed in another country. It was essential to provide them with the opportunity to at least earn some money," says history professor Veronique Pouillard at the University of Oslo.

She has led a research project that has studied the history of intellectual property rights in the creative industries, dating back to their formal establishment in the Berne Convention in 1886.

Copyright can hinder development in the South

Since then, several new and updated international agreements have emerged. However, finding the right balance between protecting the creative and providing access to as many as possible remains challenging.

Pouillard identifies two major issues:

"One was that many countries wanted better agreements for their own productions. There was a tempting inclination toward protectionism. The other major issue, which we still face today, is disparities in development. Countries that were economically weaker, particularly in the South, lacked access to books," she notes.

This last point manifests not just within literature, music, and the arts but also has implications for access to technological innovations and life-saving medications.

"Intellectual property rights should not present an obstacle to developing countries. But in reality, they can, especially when considering patents in medicine and pharmaceuticals. People die because they cannot afford medications," says Pouillard.

Musicians lose to digital platforms

In the creative sphere, she and her research colleagues have closely examined fashion and music. The traditional perception was that copyright was little used in the fashion industry, while it was extensively used in music.

"After studying them, we have come to somewhat different conclusions. The fashion industry has invested enormously in trademark rights. Fashion companies view themselves as creative actors, even when what they offer is mass-produced, derivative and highly commercial," Pouillard explains.

In music, there has been and is extensive use of copyright.

"Music is a copyright industry, but with the emergence of the platforms, it has become much more complicated," she states.

The last few decades have revolutionized where and how we listen to music, with almost everything now happening on Spotify and other digital platforms. The issue of copyright has not kept pace.

"Musicians are losing out under the new business model. The platforms favor anything mainstream, giving nothing to the small creators trying to transition from amateur to professional. The disparities have grown enormously," says Pouillard.

The South loses to the North

Once again, the contrast between the North and South becomes evident.

Pouillard has also conducted a close study of the music industry in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where some form of copyright organization has existed since the late 1940s, although it has been diluted by corruption and political control. The findings are published in the journal New Global Studies.

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"There are still remnants of it, but the old model no longer works. They face a very weak position against the platform model, compounded by poor infrastructure," Pouillard adds.

A small elite of Congolese musicians are internationally prominent enough to fill stadiums abroad, but it's something the vast majority can only dream of achieving. The possibility of uploading music to YouTube does not help if there is no access to the service.

"The problem in Congo and many other countries is lack of access. These are nations where there can also be issues related to electricity, streaming, and infrastructure in general. Artists have very limited access to these platforms," Pouillard states.

She is unsure whether it is possible to create a system that is fair to smaller entities while also accommodating the diverse needs of creative individuals across various countries.

"That has not happened yet. It looks like a hopeless situation where those who have already won keep winning. There may be hope, but first, we need to address issues of infrastructure and access," says the history professor.

Access is more important than copyright

She believes it might be wise to distinguish more between different fields instead of pursuing a system that covers all forms of intellectual property rights.

"Copyright can still elevate certain artists, but when we talk about patents, scientific innovations, and technological advancements, it has only favored international corporations and been detrimental to people in the South," she argues.

Perhaps some will need to be willing or incentivized to relinquish some of their rights, for instance in the form of patent waivers, particularly concerning health and technology.

"We in the North should ensure open access for countries in the South. We have not done enough to curb the power of large corporations and should provide more access to patents, more access to information related to health, and to innovation," asserts Pouillard.

More information: Veronique Pouillard, Copyright Societies and Musicians in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Enduring Infrastructures in Times of Decolonization?, New Global Studies (2025). DOI: 10.1515/ngs-2025-0006
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A worker holds a plastic nurdle which washed up at Vilar beach in Corrubedo, northwestern Spain, in 2024.

The European Parliament on Thursday definitively adopted rules clamping down on pollution from the tiny pellets that constitute the building blocks of most plastic products.

The text introduces new rules to hold handling and transport firms accountable for spills of the lentil-sized pellets, called nurdles, which are used in everything from car bumpers to salad bowls.

The proposal was approved without a vote after being backed by a wide majority in the parliament's environment committee earlier this week.

Made from fossil fuels, plastic pellets often spill into the environment, polluting beaches and oceans.

According to European Commission data, up to 180,000 tons of pellets per yearthe equivalent of 20 truckloads each dayare dispersed into nature across the 27-nation bloc due to mishandling.

Transport companies will have to act quickly to report and contain pellet leaks and handle the clean-up if necessary. And they will have to provide an estimate, within 30 days, of the amount of microplastics spilled into the environment.

"These rules mean they can no longer say, 'It wasn't me," said the socialist lawmaker Cesar Luena, who shepherded the legislation through the parliament.

"We are holding them responsibleit is up to them to alert the authorities."

Land freight companies will have two years to comply, with three years for maritime freightwhich faces specific new obligations despite a push from some EU countries for it to be excluded from the legislation.

The rules will require freight companies to ensuring packaging of sufficient quality, and to clearly label cargo as containing microplastics.

The rules will apply to all companies transporting more than five tons of microplastics per year within the EUwhether or not the firms themselves are European.

And all firms involved in the manufacture, transport or transformation of pellets will have to carry out risk assessments to prevent spillsand clean up if they occur.

 2025 AFP
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The Airbus site in Toulouse, France, where the merged European satellite group will be based.

Three leading European aerospace groups announced Thursday a plan to merge their satellite operations to create a powerhouse for competing in particular against Elon Musk's Starlink internet system.

The merger, whose financial details were not disclosed, comes as Starlink and Amazon's Project Kuiper are racing to deploy satellite networks to offer broadband internet access in vast regions of the world lacking reliable connectivity.

Airbus, Thales and Italy's Leonardo said they aimed "to strengthen Europe's strategic autonomy in space, a major sector that underpins critical infrastructure and services related to telecommunications, global navigation, Earth observation, science, exploration and national security."

It would not include space launchers such as Airbus's Ariane rockets, which, unlike the Falcon launchers of Musk's SpaceX, are not reusable.

Many Falcon flights have carried the more than 8,000 satellites that currently make up Starlink.

In response, the European Union is planning to create its own internet satellite constellation called IRIS2, set to become operational in 2030.

While it would have just 300 satellites, IRIS2 would focus more on "secure communications," European Space Agency director Josef Aschbacher told AFP in an interview this month.

"Europe needs it absolutely urgently," he said.

Thales said separately Thursday that an initial 100-million-euro ($116 million) engineering contract with satellite operators for IRIS2 would allow it to halt planned job cuts in its space operations.

'Excellent news'

Annual revenues for the new European satellite group were estimated at 6.5 billion euros based on current operations, and its order backlog would represent over three years of projected sales.

It will be headquartered in Toulouse, southern France, where each company already has major production and R&D facilities.

If approved by regulators, the new project, called Bromo, would be operational in 2027, with Airbus owning a 35% stake while Thales and Leonardo would hold 32.5% each.

The companies build, deploy and service a range of telecommunications and navigation satellites that will underpin the rollout of high-speed networks worldwide.

"This partnership aligns with the ambitions of European governments to strengthen their industrial and technological assets, ensuring Europe's autonomy across the strategic space domain and its many applications," the CEOs of each company said in a joint statement.

Finance Minister Roland Lescure of France, which along with Germany and Spain owns minority stakes in Airbus, called the deal "excellent news."

"The creation of a European satellites champion will increase investments in research and innovation in a strategic industry and reinforce our European sovereignty in an area of intense global competition," he said in a statement.

 2025 AFP
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Researcher Issaku Kohl recorded this image at a historic mining district in Spain, which scientists now an analog for the surface of Mars. It shows the mixing zone on the Rio Tinto, where green water, rich in the Fe2+ ion of iron, containing very high O content sulfate, is discharging from a mine tailings pile. This water is mixing into the rivers main branch red waters, where most of the iron occurs as Fe3+ and sulfate oxygen is mostly sourced from water. Credit: Issaku Kohl

Because oxygen-bearing sulfate minerals trap and preserve signals from Earth's atmosphere, scientists closely study how they form. Sulfates are stable over billions of years, so their oxygen isotopes are seen as a time capsule, reflecting atmospheric conditions while they were evolving on early Earthand possibly on its planetary neighbor Mars.

A new study led by a University of Utah geochemist examines how sulfate forms when pyrite, commonly known as "fool's gold," is oxidized in environments teeming with microbes versus those without them. The researchers focused on Spain's Rio Tinto, a contaminated river passing through a region where iron and copper were mined for thousands of years.

The paper titled, "Triple-oxygen isotopic evidence of prolonged direct bioleaching of pyrite with O 2 ," appears in Earth and Planetary Science Letters.

What's left in the hills of Andalusia may be an environmental calamity, but scientists now regard it as an analog for what the Martian surface may have once been like.

This acidic mine drainage is rich in sulfates and bacteria known to oxidize both sulfur and iron. The research team measured the "triple oxygen isotopes" (ratios of 17O/16O and 18O/16O) in sulfate to figure out how much of the oxygen comes directly from air compared to water.

"This is the first time where we've seen outdoors, not in the lab, that we can perpetuate this direct reaction between O 2 and pyrite sulfur if the environmental conditions are just right," said lead author Issaku Kohl, associate research professor in the Department of Geology & Geophysics.

"Because we've been able to identify that niche, we now have geochemical markers or criteria that would allow you to find a similar environment or remnants of a similar environment in the rock record, either on Earth or in an extraterrestrial setting."

The study homed in on a bacterium called Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, believed to be among the earliest clades of microbes, potentially producing energy prior to the evolution of photosynthesis.

The research team discovered that in microbe-rich, acidic environments, A. ferrooxidans drives pyrite oxidation in a way that preserves a remarkably high amount, exceeding 80% and up to 90%, of atmospheric oxygen (O 2 ) in sulfate.

Unlike lab experiments, where this signal fades quickly as sulfate incorporates O 2 from water, the Rio Tinto microbial-active ecosystem maintains this strong atmospheric imprint.

Accordingly, sulfate deposits don't just preserve atmospheric and environmental conditionsthey may also carry a microbial "biosignature." Such signatures could help scientists interpret sulfate minerals on Mars or in ancient Earth rocks as a potential record of both atmospheric conditions and microbial activity.

Martian sediments hosted evaporites containing abundant sulfate minerals, but scientists don't yet know how those sulfates formed.

"The current favored hypothesis is that it's through atmospheric oxidation of volcanic sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ). But environments like that have telltale geochemical signatures that indicate whether this was likely aerosolized and oxidized in the atmosphere at relatively high temperature and, therefore, unlikely to have had life involved," Kohl said.

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But that does not discount the possibility that in localized environments, there could have been hyperacidic fluids that were oxidizing at the water-rock interface, the way Kohl's experiments and Rio Tinto were producing sulfate.

The study outlines an approach for analyzing oxygen isotope data from Martian sediments for signs of life, should samples ever be brought home to Earth. NASA's Curiosity and Perseverance rovers have been collecting samples since 2021 and 2012, respectively, with the hope of someday bringing them back on future missions to Earth's red neighbor.

But Kohl emphasized that the science is still two steps away from being able to determine whether rock samples from Mars bear conclusive evidence of past microbial life. First, the samples would have to be indicative of a very low-pH (acidic) environment, O 2 -oxidation-dominant environment, rich in a particular ion of iron(2+).

"We can never get away from our assumptions when we're trying to relate rock records to environments that we deal with in real time in the modern era," Kohl said. "If we make the assumption that we know the amount of atmospheric O 2 in sulfate, we can back calculate the isotopic composition of the O 2 that was involved in making those sulfates."

And while we wait for interplanetary voyages to deliver us Martian rocks, these findings could open new lines of investigation into environmental conditions here on Earth billions of years ago, when microbial life began evolving and oxygen first appeared in the atmosphere.

More information: Issaku E. Kohl et al, Triple-oxygen isotopic evidence of prolonged direct bioleaching of pyrite with O 2 , Earth and Planetary Science Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.epsl.2025.119639 Journal information: Earth and Planetary Science Letters
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Blooming invader: Solidago canadensis thrives in a Swiss forest. In northern Europe, this invasive goldenrod is known to reduce native plant diversity. Credit: M. P. Thakur

A new study shows for the first time that biological invasions don't change ecosystems in a single, uniform way. Some impacts, most notably losses of native plant diversity caused by invasive plant species, are persistent and intensify with time, while others, such as shifts in soil carbon and nutrients, often fade as invasions age. These results help clarify when environmental managers should act fast to prevent damage and where patient monitoring is wiser.

Biological invasions occur when non-native or exotic species colonize new geographic regions, often to the detriment of local plants and animals. Today, human action contributes significantly to invasion processes, allowing species to bridge vast distances and enter new habitats at a highly accelerated rate. This makes it increasingly important to better understand the impact of invasions on ecosystems.

Researchers from the University of Bern, the University of Konstanz (Germany) and the Northeast Forestry University (China), have now shown how the impacts of different kinds of invasions may vary over time. Their work is published in the journal Science.

"Invasion impacts aren't ecological noise, they have a temporal fingerprint," says Prof. Madhav P. Thakur from the Institute of Ecology and Evolution at the University of Bern, who led the study. "Our analysis reveals which effects persist, which attenuate, and how time since introduction should guide management priorities."

A global synthesis across biodiversity and ecosystems

To move beyond simple case studies, the team conducted a first-of-its-kind global meta-analysis spanning plants, animals, microbes, and 15 ecosystem properties. The analysis synthesizes 2,223 results from 775 studies, including terrestrial ecosystems worldwide. It highlights how ecological contextsinvader residence time, native and non-native diversity, latitude, and species traitsshape impacts on both biodiversity and key ecosystem processes, including greenhouse-gas emissions.

The clearest pattern the researchers found: Invasive plants reduce native plant diversity, and this loss grows with residence time. In contrast, several abiotic effectssuch as changes in soil organic carbon and total nitrogenoften weaken after roughly 610 years. The synthesis also suggests that invasive plants and animals are often linked to higher soil emissions of greenhouse gases (CO, NO, and for plants, CH), but the finding remains preliminary. The researchers thus call for more long-term investigations into how biological invasions alter emissions.

"If future studies confirm that biological invasions are linked with increased greenhouse gas production, combating invasive species could aid us in the fight against climate change," explains Prof. Mark van Kleunen of the University of Konstanz.

Findings that challenge assumptions

Several findings from this meta-analysis also overturn conventional wisdom. For example, the widely taught idea that high native plant or animal richness provides broad biotic resistance to biological invasions did not consistently limit ecosystem-level impacts of invasive plants or animals. Likewise, traits commonly associated with invasive plants (e.g., leaf thickness) failed to predict the magnitude or direction of ecosystem change in reaction to an invasion. Latitude, too, showed little consistent signal.

"This study bridges a major gap between predicting invasion success and predicting invasion impact," Prof. Thakur explains. "We tested the leading ideas side-by-side and found that residence time outperforms classic predictors like latitude or simple trait proxies when it comes to explaining real ecosystem change."

The researchers' analysis thus provides a new benchmark and will serve as a reference point for a worldwide community of scientists studying invasion impacts.

"The Institute of Ecology and Evolution and the Institute of Plant Sciences both have longstanding expertise in biodiversity and invasion research, which provided a strong foundation for this project and allows the University of Bern to take a leading role in invasion biology," Prof. Thakur notes.

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What this means for biodiversity and climate action

The study's message for conservation and policy is pragmatic: "Act early to prevent or remove invasive plants where native plant diversity is at stake; species losses accumulate with time," says Prof. Thakur.

For abiotic soil changes that tend to relax, use adaptive monitoring and targeted mitigation rather than one-size-fits-all interventions.

"Managers shouldn't assume that diverse communities or 'usual suspect' invader traits will safeguard ecosystem functioning once invasions take hold," adds Prof. Xuhui Zhou of Northeast Forestry University. "Our results emphasize looking at how long invaders have been present and which ecosystem properties are most sensitive, while also considering the invader types."

Because evidence remains sparse for animals and microbes, especially outside the Global North, the researchers call for long-term experiments and broader geographic coverage. Addressing these blind spots is crucial to building globally relevant invasion science.

"Time is the underappreciated axis of invasion impact," concludes Prof. Thakur. "We need to protect native diversity early and monitor patiently for soil changes that may stabilize over time. Recognizing this tempo can make invasion policy both more strategicand more effective."

More information: Madhav P. Thakur et al, Invasion impacts in terrestrial ecosystems: Global patterns and predictors, Science (2025). DOI: 10.1126/science.adq3101. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adq3101 Journal information: Science
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Credit: Suat Tufenk from Pexels

Since 2013, a hidden and lucrative economy of ransom-based human trafficking has emerged in Libya, run by traders who attempt to bring migrants and refugees to Europe via the Sahara and the Mediterranean Sea. Based partly on interviews, Ph.D. researcher Morgane Wirtz reveals a system of imprisonment, (sexual) violence, and extortion that affects hundreds of thousands of migrants and refugees seeking safety in Europe. Because the EU supports Libya and its coast guard, it is complicit in human rights violations. Wirtz received her Ph.D. with distinction (cum laude) on September 19.

Victims are kidnapped, deceived, or sold and then detained in so-called "transit camps" under inhumane conditions. These camps lack medical facilities and are plagued by disease, hunger, torture, forced labor, and sexual violence. Some prisoners are executed. Detainees are forced to call their families to demand ransomoften while being tortured so their screams can be heard over the phone. Otherwise, phones are confiscated, leaving them completely isolated.

Migration as a human rights issue

Wirtz's dissertation is partly based on 160 interviews conducted between 2019 and 2022 with survivors, experts, and smugglers in Niger, Sudan, and Tunisia. She also included digital testimonies sent by people who were detained in Libya.

Wirtz argues that migration must be approached as a human rights issue. Even those who travel irregularly, without visas, should be granted a legal status. Such status would allow them to seek protection and report injustice and human rights abuses, thereby ending the impunity surrounding the exploitation of migrants and refugees.

Human trafficking in the Netherlands

One of the traffickers followed by Wirtz, Welid or Tewelde G, is being tried in the Netherlands in a criminal case on human smuggling, which opens on November 3, 2025, in Zwolle. The Netherlands has also requested the extradition of another trafficker, Kidane Habtemariam. Both are being prosecuted based on testimonies from victims of human smuggling, trafficking, and exploitation in the Netherlands.

Wirtz states that impunity for human trafficking must be combated and that the return of migrants to Libya must be stopped. By financing the Libyan coast guard to prevent migrants and refugees from leaving, the EU actually contributes to perpetuating the human trafficking cycle.

More information: "They don't think we are humans": The Cycle of Human Trafficking for Ransom in Libya. africanbookscollective.com/boo  think-we-are-humans/
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Some of the Mammoth Cave megafauna. Credit: Peter Schouten from Archer et al., 2023

Tens of thousands of years ago, Australia was still home to enigmatic megafaunalarge land animals such as giant marsupial wombats, flightless birds, and short-faced giant kangaroos known as sthenurines.

Then they gradually went extinct. What killed them?

There has long been vigorous debate about whether Australia's First Peoples were responsible for the extinction of Australia's megafaunal animals, or whether the primary cause was climate change.

In other places, such as the Americas, Aotearoa New Zealand and Madagascar, humans have been linked to such extinctions. This led some researchers to presume humans may also have hunted megafauna to extinction in Australia.

However, hard evidence for this has been hard to find. With new methods, we have re-examined fossil bones that seemingly supported this idea in the 1970s, and have arrived at a new conclusion. Our results are published in Royal Society Open Science.

A long-standing debate

Humans appear to have first entered Australia during the late Pleistocene epoch, perhaps 65,000 years ago. At the same time, Australia was also experiencing a fluctuating climate.

So, when much of the local megafauna went extinct tens of thousands of years ago, which factor was responsible? Debate rages on over whether it was human activity or climate change, or perhaps something else entirely.

Australia doesn't have any "kill sites" or other incontrovertible hard evidence that people were killing and butchering the local megafauna. This is in contrast to sites found in North America, such as Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump World Heritage Site in Canada, where people hunted vast numbers of buffalo.

So, in Australia, researchers have focused on individual fossils instead. Over time, most of the scant evidence for human involvement in megafaunal extinction has been discounted. Only a few notable finds remain.

The first is a single incisor from a giant marsupial, Diprotodon optatum. The tooth was found in Spring Creek, Victoria, with a series of small cuts suggested to have been made by humans. Reappraisal now suggests tiger quolls may have been to blame.

A piece of a juvenile diprotodon bone, from the Warratyi Shelter in the Flinders Ranges of South Australia, has also been put forward as evidence for killing and butchering. However, a 2016 study argues the marks on the bone can't be ascribed to human activity.

Burnt eggshell fragments found at several sites in Australia have been attributed to people predating on the giant Genyornis newtoni bird, although others argue the shell fragments were from a much smaller bird.

Finally, a cut bone from an extinct sthenurine kangaroo from Mammoth Cave in southwestern Western Australia has been suggested as evidence of human butchering. One of us, Mike Archer, co-authored that study in 1980.

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Revisiting the past

With technologies not available in the 1970s, we sought to investigate the same bone from Mammoth Cave in more detail. Close analysis of the surface supported the original conclusion that the cut was indeed caused by human activity, not by animals or falling rocks.

But a micro-CT scan revealed a surprise.

Internally, the bone has seven deep cracks running the length of the shaft. These happened due to taphonomic desiccation, a drying-out process that happens long after the animal has died.

Investigating the site of the cut, we found a separate transverse crack precisely in the base of the cut area. This had almost certainly been caused by pressure from the cutting process.

Importantly, the crack was truncated at both ends where it intersected the longer cracks. This means the bone would have already been desiccated when the cut was made.

In short, the bone was not from a fresh carcass when it was cut. In all probability, it was already a fossil.

Fossil gifts

This poses an even more intriguing question. Did the First Peoples who inflicted this cut collect this bone because it was an interesting fossil, rather than a source of nutrients?

The idea led us to analyze an artifact containing a fossil that had been gifted by First Nations people. In the 1960s, local First Peoples in the Kimberley region of northern Western Australia gifted the late anthropologist Kim Akerman a "charm" containing the tooth of a giant extinct marsupial, Zygomaturus trilobus. He was also given an emu feather parcel with teeth which turned out to be from an extinct sthenurine kangaroo, Procoptodon browneorum.

These animals are only known from fossil deposits in southern Australia, far from where these items were gifted. When we analyzed the elemental composition of the Z. trilobus tooth, we found it likely came from Mammoth Cave, 2,000 kilometers to the south.

Collectors, not hunters

First Nations people in Australia have long collected and traded various kinds of fossils like trilobites, ammonites and mammal jaws.

This interest in fossils may be the best explanation for the cut in the desiccated bone found in Mammoth Cave, and the fact that fossil teeth from thousands of kilometers away ended up in the Kimberley.

It may also explain the Diprotodon optatum bone found in the Warratyi Shelter deposit in the Flinders Ranges. There's a conspicuous mass of skeletal remains of this megafaunal species exposed and available for collection on the surface of Lake Callabonna, a relatively short distance from the shelter.

Gerard Krefft and Ludwig Glauert are often cited as the first "Australian" paleontologists. We would argue that First Nations peoples beat them to the punch, likely by many thousands of years.

There is currently no hard evidence that extinct megafaunal animals in Australia were butchered by First Peoples in Australia. That's not to say it didn't happen. However, despite many investigations, we still have no proof that it did.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Late at night on 26 September 2024, Hurricane Helene made landfall on Florida's big bend. The physical damage was devastating and well-documented, but an additional, unseen potential impact lurked underfoot.

Within just a few weeks, hydrologists Dr. Dini Adyasari from Texas A&M University and Dr. Xiaolang Zhang from Florida Atlantic University were at the site of Helene's first landfall in Apalachee Bay to sample the shallow coastal aquifers and examine how the storm surge, flooding, and extreme precipitation were impacting groundwater resourcesresearch that Adyasari presented this week at GSA Connects 2025 in San Antonio, Texas, U.S..

With sea level and extreme storms already increasing in an anthropogenically warming climate, aquifers near the coast are likely to experience changing hydrologic conditions. Especially with Florida's low-lying and permeable bedrock geology, Adyasari says, this is a system that needs to be more thoroughly investigated.

In her session at Connects, Adyasari reported the results of four trips to Apalachee Bay over the eight months after Helene to investigate the immediate and lingering impacts of the extreme storm on the region's shallow coastal aquifers.

In October and November 2024 and January and May 2025, Adyasari and her team took groundwater samples about two meters below the ground surface, which they then analyzed for a variety of chemical properties, including nutrients.

But, well before Adyasari conducted lab analyses, the first clue to changes caused by the storm came from her nose. During the first few trips, samples at some of the sites didn't have much of a smell, but as time went on, the water got stinky. The samples she collected during the last trip in May "were so smelly, like sulfide," says Adyasari, "which means that it's already in anoxic conditions."

Lab results confirmed that suspicion. Adyasari found that soon after the storm, the usually oxygen-free, or anoxic, shallow groundwater had been flushed with an influx of storm and sea water. Then, months later, the introduced oxygen had disappeared, likely used up by microbes, and the groundwater was back to its normal rotten-egg-smelling state. But that storm-induced pulse of oxygenation led to the production of nutrients like nitrate.

The increase in nutrients, and potential resultant phytoplankton blooms, could have potential disruptive impacts on connected surface waters like rivers and lakes that host important aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, any changes to shallow aquifers could spell trouble for deeper groundwater reservoirs that people use for drinking and irrigation.

Interestingly, salinity didn't change much despite the large storm surge, likely because the conditions were already brackish in the shallow coastal aquifers they sampled.

More research is still needed to build an understanding of how these interconnected groundwater systems respond to extreme storms and rising sea levels. As a next step, Adyasari is already looking into the microbes present in her groundwater samples to understand how they could be changing the water chemistry.

"We want to see if the microbial analysis will support the geochemical findings that we have now," says Adyasari. The processes she thinks are causing the geochemical nutrient changes are "supported by microbial activities, so I'm really waiting for those results."

More information: 2 T94. Coastal Hydrogeology in an Age of Rising Seas, gsameetings.secure-platform.co  sessiongallery/95128
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The Marimbona river in eastern Madagascar, one of the region's major rivers, carrying large volumes of water from the humid eastern escarpment toward the coast. Credit: Romano Clementucci / ETH Zurich

Madagascar's landscape tells a story of deep time: ancient rifting and geological tilting sculpted the island's dramatic topography and steered its rivers, setting the stage for the evolution of its extraordinary biodiversity.

A new study published in Science Advances reveals that Madagascar's striking landscape was shaped by not one, but two great rifting events, separated by nearly 80 million years. These tectonic shifts first tore the island from Africa, then from India, tilting and reshaping its terrain and setting the stage for life to flourish in isolation.

Madagascar first separated from Africa about 170 million years ago, forming a rugged western escarpment and an eastward-tilted plateau. For tens of millions of years, its rivers drained mainly eastward across this landscape.

When Africa and Madagascar split apart

But around 90 million years ago, a second rift opened on the island's eastern side, separating Madagascar from India and the Seychelles. The crust thinned againbut this time the island tilted in the opposite direction, toward the west.

The consequences were dramatic: rivers reversed course, the island's main water divide shifted eastward, and a new, steep escarpment formed along the Indian Ocean margin.

River in Madagascar. Credit: Sean Willett / ETH Zurich

When landscapes tiltand new life emerges

"The key to understanding Madagascar's landscape lies in its water divide," says Romano Clementucci from ETH Zurich, lead author of the new study. "When the island tilted after each rifting event, the main water divide, the line separating rivers flowing east or west, jumped across the island, transforming its hydrology and erosion patterns."

The island's drainage system was almost completely reorganized. Old rivers reversed direction or abandoned their channels to follow the new westward slope, and erosion patterns flipped as well.

Over time, the western escarpment evolved into a worn-down landscape of remnant highlands and low-relief plateaus, while the east developed a young, linear, and steep escarpmenttoday's most recognizable feature of Madagascar.

A driver of evolution

Madagascar is now one of the world's most celebrated biodiversity hotspots: over 90% of its mammals and reptiles and more than 80% of its plants exist nowhere else on Earth. Researchers have long attributed this extraordinary biological richness to climate and isolation from the continents. But recent studies, including those by Liu and Clementucci, add a deeper geological dimension to the story.

The escarpment mountains of western Madagascar. The landscape is dominated by isolated remnant peaks, witnesses of an ancient plateau that has been deeply incised by large river systems over millions of years. Credit: Romano Clementucci / ETH Zurich

The escarpment mountains of eastern Madagascar, shaped by a tropical climate and steep topography. The escarpment has been retreating inland since the second rifting event (90 Ma) and today acts as a natural barrier to rainfall, marking the western limit of the island's humid eastern rainforests. Credit: Romano Clementucci / ETH Zurich

The landscape itself may act as a "speciation pump." The migration of the divide didn't just change where rivers flow, but where life could evolve.

This perspective echoes the vision of Alexander von Humboldt, who two centuries ago proposed a unified theory for understanding biodiversity patterns. The new study contributes to this theory by extending biodiversity drivers from classic climatic hypotheses to the erosion process.

"Our work adds a new piece to the puzzle," Clementucci says. "We show how ancient tectonic forces reshaped Madagascar's surface, tilting the island and shifting the main rivers and mountain divides. Over millions of years, this created fragmented environments where species evolved independently, especially along the island's dramatic eastern escarpment."

The broader implication is a shift in how we view so-called "stable" regions such as Madagascar, South Africa, India, Brazil, or Australia and other passive margins. These areas are often seen as geologically quiet, yet they host some of the planet's richest biodiversity. This study shows they are still highly dynamic, with landscapes that continue to evolvechanges which leave a lasting mark on biodiversity.

More information: Romano Clementucci et al, Madagascar's landscape evolution: A tale of two rifts, Science Advances (2025). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adw6362 Journal information: Science Advances
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Electron microscope image of the superfluid wave tank used in the experiments (blue) coupled to an optical fibre which brings laser light in and out of the device. The zoom-in shows the photonic crystal resonator which traps and magnifies the laser light to enable wave generation. The entire device length is 100 microns, approximately the width of a human hair. The microscopic wave tank is coated with 5 femtoliters of superfluid helium (a volume 10 billion times smaller than a rain drop). Credit: Dr. Christopher Baker

University of Queensland researchers have created a microscopic "ocean" on a silicon chip to miniaturize the study of wave dynamics. The device, made at UQ's School of Mathematics and Physics, uses a layer of superfluid helium only a few millionths of a millimeter thick on a chip smaller than a grain of rice.

The work is published in the journal Science.

Dr. Christopher Baker said it was the world's smallest wave tank, with the quantum properties of superfluid helium allowing it to flow without resistance, unlike classical fluids such as water, which become immobilized by viscosity at such small scales.

"The study of how fluids move has fascinated scientists for centuries because hydrodynamics governs everything from ocean waves and the swirl of hurricanes to the flow of blood and air through our bodies," Dr. Baker said. "But a lot of the physics behind waves and turbulence has been a mystery.

"Using laser light to both drive and measure the waves in our system, we have observed a range of striking phenomena. We saw waves that leaned backward instead of forward, shock fronts, and solitary waves known as solitons which traveled as depressions rather than peaks. This exotic behavior has been predicted in theory but never seen before."

Professor Warwick Bowen said the chip-scale approach in the Queensland Quantum Optics Laboratory could compress the duration of experiments a millionfold, reducing days of data collection to milliseconds.

Science (2025). DOI: 10.1126/science.ady3042

"In traditional laboratories, scientists use enormous wave flumes up to hundreds of meters long to study shallow-water dynamics such as tsunamis and rogue waves," Professor Bowen said. "But these facilities only reach a fraction of the complexity of waves found in nature.

"Turbulence and nonlinear wave motion shape the weather, climate, and even the efficiency of clean-energy technologies like wind farms. Our miniature device amplifies the nonlinearities that drive these complex behaviors by more than 100,000 times. Being able to study these effects at chip scalewith quantum-level precisioncould transform how we understand and model them."

Professor Bowen said the UQ development opens a path to programmable hydrodynamics, explaining, "Because the geometry and optical fields in this system are manufactured using the same techniques as those used for semiconductor chips, we can engineer the fluid's effective gravity, dispersion, and nonlinearity with extraordinary precision.

"Future experiments could use the technology to discover new laws of fluid dynamics and accelerate the design of technologies ranging from turbines to ship hulls. Experiments on this tiny platform will improve our ability to predict the weather, explore energy cascades and even quantum vortex dynamicsquestions central to both classical and quantum fluid mechanics."

More information: Matthew T. Reeves et al, Nonlinear wave dynamics on a chip, Science (2025). DOI: 10.1126/science.ady3042

www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ady3042 Journal information: Science
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LIG (A) and Early Holocene (B) study area. Legend: 1Elevations (in meters above sea level, m a.s.l.); 2No data; 3Case studies indicating possible vegetation burning by LIG and EarlyMiddle Holocene hunter-gatherers. List of case studies: aNeumark-Nord; bBonfield Gill Head; cCampo Lameiro; dDudka Island; eDumpokjauratj; fIpmatisjauratj; gKunda-Arusoo; hLahn valley complex; iLake Mikowskie; jMeerstad; kMesolithic site at Soest; lNorth Gill; mPulli; nRottenburg-Siebenlinden sites; oStar Carr; pVingen sites; qWolin II. Credit: PLOS One (2025). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0328218

Imagine Europe tens of thousands of years ago: dense forests, large herds of elephants, bison and aurochsand small groups of people armed with fire and spears. A new study shows that these people left a much clearer mark on the landscape than previously assumed.

Using advanced computer simulations, an international research team, including researchers from Aarhus University, has investigated how climate, large animals, fire and humans affected Europe's vegetation during two warm periods in the past. By comparing the results with extensive pollen analyses from the same periods, the researchers have calculated how the different factors shaped vegetation cover.

The conclusion is clear: Both Neanderthals and the later Mesolithic hunter-gatherers had a strong impact on vegetation patterns in Europelong before the advent of agriculture.

The findings are published in the journal PLOS One.

"The study paints a new picture of the past," says Jens-Christian Svenning, professor of biology at Aarhus University and one of the researchers behind the study, which was undertaken in collaboration with colleagues in archaeology, geology and ecology from the Netherlands, Denmark, France, and the UK.

"It became clear to us that climate change, large herbivores and natural fires alone could not explain the pollen data results. Factoring humans into the equationand the effects of human-induced fires and huntingresulted in a much better match," says Svenning.

Humans displaced large animals

The researchers focused on two warm periods in the past.

One is the Last Interglacial period, around 125,000116,000 years ago, when Neanderthals were the only humans in Europe. The second period is the time just after the last ice age, the Early Holocene, 12,0008,000 years ago, at which time Mesolithic hunter-gatherers of our own species, Homo sapiens, lived here.

During the Last Interglacial period, Europe was home to a rich and varied megafauna, with elephants and rhinoceroses living side by side with bison, aurochs, horses and deer.

In the Mesolithic, the picture was different: The largest species had disappeared or their populations had been greatly reduced in sizedue to the general loss of megafauna that followed in the wake of the spread of Homo sapiens across the globe.

New view of prehistoric man

"Our simulations show that Mesolithic hunter-gatherers could have influenced up to 47% of the distribution of plant types. The Neanderthal effect was smaller, but still measurableapproximately 6% for plant type distribution and 14% for vegetation openness," says first author Anastasia Nikulina.

The human-induced effects on vegetation included both fire effectsburning of trees and shrubsand a previously overlooked factor: the hunting of large herbivores.

"The Neanderthals did not hold back from hunting and killing even giant elephants. And here we're talking about animals weighing up to 13 tons. Hunting also had a strong indirect effect. Fewer grazing animals meant more overgrowth and thus more closed vegetation. However, the effect was limited, because the Neanderthals were so few that they did not eliminate the large animals or their ecological roleunlike Homo sapiens in later times," says Svenning.

Nikulina and Svenning both believe that the results offer a new perspective on the role of our ancestors in the natural landscape. In fact, it challenges the notion of an untouched landscape in Europe before agriculture came along:

"The Neanderthals and the Mesolithic hunter-gatherers were active co-creators of Europe's ecosystems," says Svenning.

"The study is consistent with both ethnographic studies of contemporary hunter-gatherers and archaeological finds, but goes a step further by documenting how extensive human influence may have been tens of thousands of years agothat is, before humans started farming the land," elaborates Nikulina.

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Interdisciplinary knowledge behind study

Nikulina highlights the interdisciplinary collaborationbetween ecology, archaeology, palynology (knowledge about pollen)and the development of advanced computer models for simulating past ecosystems as strengths of the study.

"This is the first simulation to quantify how Neanderthals and Mesolithic hunter-gatherers may have shaped European landscapes. Our approach has two key strengths: It brings together an unusually large set of new spatial data spanning the whole continent over thousands of years, and it couples the simulation with an optimization algorithm from AI. That lets us run a large number of scenarios and identify the most possible outcomes," says Nikulina.

Svenning adds, "The computer modeling made it clear to us that climate change, the large herbivores such as elephants, bison and deer, and natural wildfires alone cannot explain the changes seen in ancient pollen data. To understand the vegetation at that time, we must also take human impacts into accountboth direct and indirect. Even without fire, hunter-gatherers changed the landscape simply because their hunting of large animals made the vegetation denser."

Despite the new study, there are still gaps in our understanding of the early impact of humans on the landscape, says Svenning.

Nikulina and Svenning emphasize that it would be interesting to do computer simulations of other time periods and parts of the world. North and South America and Australia are particularly interesting because they were never populated by earlier hominin species before Homo sapiens, and researchers are therefore able to compare landscapes in the recent past with and without human influence.

"And although the large models paint a broad picture, detailed local studies are absolutely essential to improve our understanding of the way humans shaped the landscape in prehistoric times," says Svenning.

More information: Anastasia Nikulina et al, On the ecological impact of prehistoric hunter-gatherers in Europe: Early Holocene (Mesolithic) and Last Interglacial (Neanderthal) foragers compared, PLOS One (2025). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0328218 Journal information: PLoS ONE
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The Penn State-led Habitable Zone Planet Finder (HPF) provides the highest precision measurements to date of infrared signals from nearby stars. Pictured: The HPF instrument during installation in its clean-room enclosure in the Hobby Eberly Telescope at McDonald Observatory. Credit: Gumundur Stefanssonn/Penn State

The discovery of a possible "super-Earth" less than 20 light-years from our own planet is offering scientists new hope in the hunt for other worlds that could harbor life, according to an international team including researchers from Penn State. They dubbed the exoplanet, named GJ 251 c, a "super-Earth" as data suggest it is almost four times as massive as Earth, and likely to be a rocky planet.

"We look for these types of planets because they are our best chance at finding life elsewhere," said Suvrath Mahadevan, the Verne M. Willaman Professor of Astronomy at Penn State and co-author of a paper about the discovery published in The Astronomical Journal.

"The exoplanet is in the habitable or the 'Goldilocks Zone,' the right distance from its star that liquid water could exist on its surface, if it has the right atmosphere."

For decades, the search for planets that might host liquid water, and perhaps life, has driven astronomers to design and construct advanced telescopes and computational models capable of detecting even the faintest signals from starlight.

This latest discovery was the result of two decades of observational data and offers one of the most promising prospects yet for searching for signs of life on other planets, Mahadevan said.

The exoplanet was found using data from the Habitable-Zone Planet Finder (HPF), a high-precision, near-infrared spectrographa complex prism that breaks apart signals from starlightfixed to the Hobby-Eberly Telescope at the McDonald Observatory in Texas.

Penn State researchers led the design and construction of the HPF, built to detect Earth-like planets in the habitable zones of nearby stars.

"We call it the Habitable Zone Planet Finder, because we are looking for worlds that are at the right distance from their star that liquid water could exist on their surface. This has been the central goal of that survey," Mahadevan said.

"This discovery represents one of the best candidates in the search for atmospheric signature of life elsewhere in the next five to ten years."

Mahadevan and his colleagues made the discovery by analyzing a vast collection of data, spanning over 20 years and collected by telescopes around the world, focusing on the slight movement, or "wobble," of the planet's host star, GJ 251. This "wobble" comprises tiny Doppler shifts in the star's light caused by an orbiting planet's gravity.

They used the baseline observations to first improve the "wobble" measurements of a previously known inner planet, GJ 251 b, which circles the star every 14 days.

They then combined the baseline data with new high-precision data from the HPF to reveal a second, stronger signal at 54 daysindicating there was another, far more massive, planet in the system.

The team further confirmed the planet's signal using the NEID spectrometer built by Penn State researchers, which is attached to a telescope at the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona.

"We are at the cutting edge of technology and analysis methods with this system," said Corey Beard, corresponding author on the paper who conducted the research while earning a doctorate in astrophysics from the University of California, Irvine.

"We need the next generation of telescopes to directly image this candidate, but what we also need is community investment."

An international team of scientists, including researchers at Penn State, dubbed the exoplanet, named GJ 251 c, a "super-Earth" as data suggest it has a rocky composition similar to Earth and is almost four times as massive. Credit: University of California Irvine

One of the biggest challenges in finding distant worlds is disentangling the planetary signal from its star's own activity, a kind of stellar weather, Mahadevan explained.

Stellar activity, such as starspots, can mimic the periodic motion of a planet, giving the false impression of a planet where there is none.

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To distinguish signal from noise, the researchers applied advanced computational modeling techniques to analyze how signals change across different wavelengths, or colors, of light.

"This is a hard game in terms of trying to beat down stellar activity as well as measuring its subtle signals, teasing out slight signals from what is essentially this frothing, magnetospheric cauldron of a star surface," Mahadevan said.

He explained that discovering exoplanets like GJ 251 c requires advanced instruments and complex data analysis. The work involves collaborations across multiple institutions and expertise throughout the world, and most importantly, requires a sustained commitment from the countries funding the researchwhich can often take decades to yield actionable results.

"This discovery is a great example of the power of multi-disciplinary research at Penn State," said Eric Ford, distinguished professor of astronomy and astrophysics and director of research for Penn State's Institute of Computational & Data Sciences (ICDS).

"Mitigating stellar activity noise required not just cutting-edge instrumentation and telescope access, but also customizing the data science methods for the specific needs of this star and combination of instruments. The combination of exquisite data and state-of-the-art statistical methods enabled our interdisciplinary team to transform data into an exciting discovery that paves the way for future observatories to search for evidence of life beyond our solar system."

While the exoplanet that the team discovered is not possible to image with current instruments, Mahadevan said, the next generation of telescopes would be able to analyze the planet's atmosphere, which could potentially reveal chemical signs of life.

"We are always focused on the future," he said. "Whether that's making sure the next generation of students can engage in cutting-edge research or designing and building new technology to detect potentially habitable planets."

The newly found exoplanet is perfectly positioned for direct observation by more advanced technology. Mahadevan and his students are already planning for when more powerful telescopes, the new generation of 30-meter-class ground-based telescopes, come online. Equipped with advanced instruments, the new telescopes are expected to have the capability to image nearby rocky planets in habitable zones.

"While we can't yet confirm the presence of an atmosphere or life on GJ 251 c, the planet represents a promising target for future exploration," Mahadevan said.

"We made an exciting discovery, but there's still much more to learn about this planet."

More information: Discovery of a nearby Habitable Zone Super-Earth Candidate Amenable to Direct Imaging, The Astronomical Journal (2025). DOI: 10.3847/1538-3881/ae0e20 Journal information: Astronomical Journal
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Nursing students at a Catholic university in Japan learn to integrate professional skills with values of love, dignity, and holistic care, reflecting the study's findings on Catholic identity in nursing education. Credit: Professor Naoko Tsukamoto from Sophia University, Japan

Nursing education is not only about clinical skills. It also shapes the values, attitudes, and sense of responsibility of those who provide care. In Japan, most nursing programs follow government-prescribed curricula that emphasize qualifications, leaving limited space for universities to articulate their own missions. Catholic universities, however, stand apart. Their nursing faculties embed spiritual and ethical perspectives, placing compassion, dignity, and service at the heart of the profession.

A study led by Professor Naoko Tsukamoto with Aya Watanabe, Yoko Takiguchi, and Yukiko Katagiri from Sophia University's Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Nursing, Japan, published online in the journal International Studies in Catholic Education on August 5, 2025, examined how Catholic identity is expressed in Japanese nursing faculties.

The researchers identified the values that Catholic nursing faculties emphasize and the ways they are transmitted to students by analyzing university websites and conducting interviews with nursing administrators.

Prof. Tsukamoto explains, "This study identified four key values cherished by nursing faculties/departments in Catholic universities in Japan: 'loving all people,' 'wholeness of humans that connects with God,' 'perspective on the power of weakness and suffering,' and 'nursing students as responsible members of the nursing profession.'"

The study found that these values are actively embedded in education and align with Catholic social doctrine. As Prof. Tsukamoto notes, "Nursing faculties/departments in Catholic universities in Japan are disseminating values consistent with the Catholic social doctrine, making efforts to disseminate them through various mechanisms, and to express sufficient Catholic identity, in both form and content."

The impact of these values extends beyond classrooms. Students often feel drawn to Catholic universities by their mission, study diligently, and graduate as compassionate professionals. Prof. Tsukamoto adds, "Students drawn to nursing faculties/departments at Catholic Universities enroll because they are captivated by its educational mission. Throughout their training, they study diligently, absorb its values, and graduate as caring nurses."

These values, the study suggests, ultimately shape patient care. Nurses trained in Catholic faculties are more likely to offer comfort that enhances resilience and supports recovery or a peaceful death. By integrating faith-based perspectives with professional training, Catholic universities provide an education that is both distinctive and deeply human.

To foster these values, faculties use multiple mechanisms. Curricula include compulsory courses, such as "Introduction to Christianity" and "Christianity and Bioethics." Chapels, Catholic centers, and regular Mass provide opportunities for reflection, while student groups and volunteer programs create community. Practical trainingoften beginning in the first yearallows students to live out these values in real-world care, from supporting terminally ill patients to assisting in disaster relief.

While challenges remain, including limited Catholic staff and uneven collaboration between nursing and theology departments, Catholic nursing faculties in Japan continue to sustain their identity. The study concludes that their mission not only enriches nursing education but also offers a distinctive appeal for prospective students seeking meaningful careers in health care.

Looking to the future, the influence of Catholic nursing education may grow stronger over the next decade. Graduates who embody love, wholeness, and responsibility could help reshape health care in Japan, ensuring that compassion and dignity remain central to nursing in an increasingly technical world.

More information: Naoko Tsukamoto et al, Characteristics of Catholic identity in the nursing faculties/departments of Catholic universities in Japan: an examination of university homepages and interviews with administrators of nursing departments, International Studies in Catholic Education (2025). DOI: 10.1080/19422539.2025.2535335
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Credit: Sora Shimazaki from Pexels

The perception among some police officers that fraud is a victimless offense can weaken investigations and the support given to those affected, a new study shows.

The study is published in the Policing: An International Journal.

Officers are hampered by having to rely on limited resources and outdated, fragmented local structures which are poorly equipped to address cyber-enabled, cross-border criminal activity, researchers have found. Fraud is the most prevalent crime in the UK and a global concern, causing substantial financial and societal harm, yet it can be deprioritized within policing.

Researchers interviewed twenty-four experienced police officers across various roles and ranks who gave a first-hand insight into fraud investigations.

Officers involved in the research reported challenges arising from limited resources, skill gaps, and the complexity of fraud cases. Some described how fraud can be perceived by police as low-harm, low-priority, and less legitimate than violent crime. This contributes to a policing culture that sidelines fraud, weakens investigations and limits victim support.

Reasons given by police for fraud not being a priority were the lack of visible, immediate harm and the perception that reimbursement resolves the issue. These views are reinforced by assumptions that victims were careless or complicit, despite the growing complexity of fraudulent schemes.

Some officers said there were those in forces who perceived fraud as "dull," unrewarding, or lacking in status compared to more visible crimes. Fraud investigations are sometimes considered less stimulating, which makes them less appealing to pursue.

A further issue is that victims rarely report fraud or contest inadequate investigations, often due to shame, fear of not being believed or a lack of awareness about how to report such crimes.

The complexity of fraudits cross-border nature, reliance on digital infrastructure, and sheer volumewas frequently cited as a key reason for de-prioritization. Officers also highlighted limited access to banking data and weak intelligence-sharing frameworks, often exacerbated by minimal cooperation from financial institutions.

Those involved in the research described how resource constraints lead to a reactive, risk-averse policing model that emphasizes safeguarding over investigation.

Participants strongly advocated for ring-fenced funding, digital training, a national reporting and analytics system and expanded access to specialist investigators. They called for a multi-stakeholder approach involving banks, insurers, tech companies and regulators. Stronger regulation may be required to compel institutions to share data in a timely, transparent manner. Officers reported that current arrangements are slow, opaque and unaccountable.

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The study suggests there should be greater partnerships with tech firms, graduate recruitment schemes and the creation of dedicated fraud units.

While some specialist economic crime units already exist, participants noted that their reach and resourcing are inconsistent across forces. Several officers advocated for nationally coordinated fraud teams with clear remits, accredited financial investigators and embedded digital analysts to ensure capacity for both complex and lower-value cases. Such units could be modeled on major crime teams, but adapted to include forensic accounting, cyber investigation and intelligence liaison roles.

The study, by Dr. Rasha Kassem, from Aston University and Professor Umut Turksen, from the University of Exeter, recommends targeted training, investment in cyber and financial forensics, stronger collaboration with external agencies, and cultural change within police organizations.

The authors argue that meaningful change requires not only improved capacity and cross-sector collaboration, but a fundamental shift in how fraud is conceptualized within policing culture. They also highlight the urgent need for a more strategic, victim-centered, and cross-sector approach to tackling fraud in the UK.

Professor Turksen said, "We hope our work will inform more effective policies, training, and structural reforms to strengthen the policing of fraud and improve outcomes for victims.

"Fraud can be perceived by officers as low harm, low urgency, and unengaging. This significantly influences operational decision-making and undermines both investigative effort and victim support. Addressing these attitudes is vital to promote fairness, accountability and social trust.

"It is important now to encourage attitudinal and cultural change alongside capacity-building and multi-agency collaboration. Police need better resources, training, specialized units and data-sharing frameworks to tackle these issues effectively."

More information: Rasha Kassem et al, Beyond resources: understanding police attitudes to fraud and the barriers to prioritisation, Policing: An International Journal (2025). DOI: 10.1108/pijpsm-02-2025-0024
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Summary of barriers to and facilitators of implementing teen dating violence policies and programs in schools by Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) domain. Credit: Journal of Adolescent Health (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2025.06.040

When two 17-year-old girls were intentionally killed by a male acquaintance in Cranford, N.J., in late September, most residents responded with shock.

Sarah McMahon, an expert in violence prevention at the Rutgers School of Social Work, saw something else: a reminder of an all-too-familiar pattern that is traumatizing many American teenagers.

"As a resident of Cranford and someone who's raised kids in this town, it's extremely painful to know this happened and that the alleged perpetrator was accused of engaging in stalking behavior before his actions," McMahon said. "Sadly, it's something we've seen for some time and solutions are urgently needed."

Teen dating violence is a national emergency. In a 2021 U.S. government survey among high school students who reported dating in the past 12 months, about 1 in 12 experienced physical dating violence and roughly 1 in 10 experienced sexual dating violence. The actual figures are likely even higher, McMahon notes.

To assess staff and student perceptions of teen dating violence in schools, McMahon, who is the director of the Rutgers Center for Research on Ending Violence, and Avanti Adhia, an assistant professor at the University of Washington in Seattle, co-published a study in the Journal of Adolescent Health. Led by Adhia and her team at the University of Washington, the researchers examined strategies for prevention in schools.

MacMahon and Adhia discuss what school administrators, students and parents must do to protect teenagers in their relationships.

What is teen dating violence?

McMahon: Domestic violence has traditionally been defined as something that occurs only between people who are in married relationships.

But research shows abusive behaviors aren't restricted to married couples. They're also prevalent in dating relationships, and increasingly among teens. Even middle school students can experience various forms of abuse in their dating relationshipsincluding physical, psychological, sexual, financial, stalking and online harassment.

These behaviors manifest differently in teens than in adults but are still about power and control within a relationship.

In the paper you co-authored about teen dating violence in schools, you discussed barriers to implementing solutions. What are some of those barriers?

McMahon: There are several. First, it's an uncomfortable topic for many young people, families and teachers.

Consider our study. We recruited for 18 months and we still had a small sample size22 students and 14 staff members. We reached out to so many different school districts in many states and received different responses about why they couldn't participate. So, there's some anxiety with the topic and pushback from some school districts and families who don't think this is something that should be discussed in schools.

Second, there's legal ambiguity and anxiety around who's responsible when violent behaviors occur in a dating relationship. Abuse doesn't just happen in the school setting. It happens outside of the school, too, and when it does, determining responsibility can be complicated.

To effectively address these issues, however, we really need all parties to be involved in addressing this issueschools, parents, religious and community leaders, and teens themselves.

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How can teachers, peers and parents recognize when a teen is in an abusive relationship? What can they do to help?

McMahon: There are several signs of abuse and controlling behavior occurring in relationships, even though these can sometimes be subtle, especially when technology is used. This is why it is especially important for schools to offer education about dating violence, not only for students, but for teachers, staff and parentsto help recognize the signs, raise awareness and provide options for those who are experiencing the behavior or have concerns about what they observe among others.

One important issue the Cranford tragedy highlights is the role of stalking. Almost every time there's a dating or domestic violencerelated homicidenot just for teens but including teensstalking behavior happens before. Not every stalking case leads to homicide, but almost every dating or domestic violence homicide, in which the victim had or has a romantic relationship with the perpetrator, was preceded by stalking.

This is one topic that I hope receives increased attention in our prevention efforts in schools and elsewhereto help individuals recognize the signs, identify the seriousness of the behavior and connect with resources.

In addition, bystandersfriends, peers and teachershave an important role in intervening when they observe abusive or controlling behaviors. One of the things that makes teen dating violence difficult to address is that often, the victim is in the same social circle as the abuser. It can make it complicated for victims, especially teens, to come forward about someone acting abusively who is in their friend group or school.

This emphasizes the role that peers, teachers, parents and other community members who notice the behavior can have. They can intervene or ask for help when they see something happening to a friend. However, figuring out how to intervene safely and effectively can be challenging, so that is why having training and education in school settings is essential, and it is required in our state.

Adhia: Recognizing abusive behavior can be challenging, even for someone experiencing it. We heard from many teens in our study that they often don't know what is considered unhealthy or abusive. And, because they don't always tell adults about their relationships out of privacy concerns or shame, school staff and parents also may not realize what is going on.

It is on everyone to be observant about behavior or mood changes and to create safe spaces to listen and offer nonjudgmental support.

As you wrote in your paper, 38 states have laws requiring schools to address teen dating violence in their curriculum. But clearly, laws aren't translating into action. Why not?

Adhia: It is incredibly challenging to translate the laws we have on paper into practice. There are so many barriers. In addition to teen dating violence being less visible in schools and sometimes an uncomfortable topic to discuss, schools are overburdened. There is such a lack of time within school days and curriculum to fit in all the important issues students need to learn.

Also, a lot of the laws don't come with funding to actually implement them. Sometimes there is no one responsible for carrying out the laws, and often there is no oversight or accountability to make sure schools are complying with the laws.

Are there sufficient federal resources to tackle this problem?

McMahon: There's been a reduction in the availability of federal grants focused on these areas. Our ability to access the science is also being affected.

Moreover, as we found in our study, staff in schools are often uncomfortable providing the education themselves, so they partner with community agencies that are skilled in providing this education. Unfortunately, even those agencies are facing severe cuts.

Add to this the attack on research targeting at-risk or vulnerable teens and the landscape for understanding and preventing teen dating violence has become very problematic.

What, then, can schools and states do amid this federal retreat?

McMahon: There are programs, bystander-based teen dating violence prevention programs like Dating Matters and Green Dot, which are designed especially for this age group and focus on the role of friends and networks. Schools can use these curricula to start a conversation.

Fortunately, there are brave school leaders, students and parents and community leaders working to address this crisis. That, to me, is the hopeful note. What we need now is for these leaders to continue to speak out about what they are doing so that other schools can replicate their success. Engaging multiple members of our communities and schools is an important way to help prevent any more tragedies like the one we just saw in Cranford.

More information: Avanti Adhia et al, Implementation of Teen Dating Violence Laws and Policies in High Schools: Staff and Student Perceptions, Journal of Adolescent Health (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2025.06.040 Journal information: Journal of Adolescent Health
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Approximately 10% of adult women and 5% of adult men report being a victim of spiking, and almost half of spiking victims feel systematically let down, according to a new report from the partnership between Cardiff University's Security, Crime and Intelligence Innovation Institute and Stamp Out Spiking.

Professor Simon Moore, director of the Violence Research Group at Cardiff University, said, "Spiking is a crime that predominantly targets young people, anyone could become a victim ofit can be carried out by people you know and strangers. With the various forms of spiking and the motivations behind spiking, we must get an in-depth understanding of who is being impacted by spiking and how people are being spiked. This will allow us to work with law enforcement, government, policymakers and business-owners to prevent it from happening.

"We partnered with Stamp Out Spiking to understand spiking trends in the U.K., to gain new insights into the victims of spiking, and inform practical solutions that could help protect people from spiking in the future."

Dawn Dines, founder and CEO of Stamp Out Spiking, said, "We are delighted to partner with Cardiff University to understand the complexity of these invisible crimes. Our research finds that 91% of U.K. spiking victims are female. While this is a crime that predominantly impacts women, we also need to ensure that male victims don't go under the radar. Working together will ensure we give an equal platform to everyone who has been affected by these issues."

Stamp Out Spiking surveyed more than 1,534 people between 1 March 2023 and 18 June 2024, including 619 survivors and 138 witnesses. The team investigated how victims were spiked (drink, vape, or other), the percentage that suffered no other crime, how many victims reported it to the police, and how many of those cases made it to court.

The research found that an overwhelming 91% of survivors were female and 55% of survivors were between 18 and 25 years old, and 84% were drink spiked.

More than 90% of spiking incidents occurred in licensed premiseswith 38% of incidents of spiking happening in nightclubs, 27% in pubs, 17% in restaurants and 2% at festivals. The report also found that 34 incidents occurred at the home of a friend or relative.

At the time of spiking, 94% of survivors were drinking alcohol at the timehowever, 88% had consumed six or less units of alcohol, or less than three medium-sized glasses of wine.

Of the survivors, 77% have been spiked once and 23% had experienced spiking more than once.

Reported findings

More than 60% of survivors experienced a loss of consciousness and 17% were subsequently sexually assaulted.

Only 24% noticed any signs that their drink had been spiked, such as an unusual taste, excessive bubbles or a foggy appearance.

Most survivors were unsure why they had been spiked (46%), 39% believe it was for sexual assault, 7% for a prank and 4% for robbery.

When spiked, 13% of survivors were taken somewhere against their will.

The report showed that 74% of victims didn't report the incident to police. 60% of survivors have experienced disbelief or victim blaming, including 24% experiencing disbelief or victim blaming from the police or other emergency services. 53% of survivors did not reach out for any further support for their mental health at all.

When it was reported to the police, data shows:

Where survivors reported the incident to the police, only 29% were followed up promptly (less than a day) with 28% of survivors having no follow-up from the police.

When asked whether a perpetrator was convicted, 75% of survivors had been left with no answer as to who the perpetrator was, and 0% of perpetrators were convicted.

Regarding the law, it remains unclear and unjust, with 40% of survivors being unsure on what the laws are.

Dines said, "Our report showed that only 26% of victims of spiking reported the incident to the police. While the majority of victims don't report the incident to the police, we found an increase and we are pleased to see an increase in victims reporting these crimes to the police.

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"This will give us a true measure of the extent of these crimes and if for any reason victims do not want to report these crimes to the police, they can anonymously report to Stamp Out Spiking or Victim Support.

"We understand that over 90% of incidents reported happened in licensed premises and we are keen to share that training is taking place for the hospitality and security industry, so while the stats are high, this is still the safest place for people to go out and enjoy themselves with CCTV and training to safeguard you against these crimes."

Professor Moore added, "The U.K. government does intend to introduce legislation to make spiking a specific offense. However, the current legislation means that premises in which spiking occurs are not working to the highest standard to prevent spiking from happening and ensuring public safety. There is an urgent need to consider how premises could work to prevent spikingincluding CCTV and ID scans to ensure perpetrators are banned from all premises in a nighttime environment.

"The Stamp Out Spiking survey, although limited in scope and participant sampling, highlights three important features that contribute to spiking: an offender typically motivated to commit a sexual offense, a victim who is typically young and female, and a lack of suitable guardians. The guardianslicensed premisesmust do more to educate their serving and door security staff to deter offenders and protect victims.

"However, the large number of survivors unwilling to seek support means this crime remains invisible. Through engaging with statutory services, victims can receive support if needed, the circumstances of the assault can be recorded, and the visibility of this crime will receive the attention it deserves."

This report provides an initial insight into the impacts and demographics of spiking in the U.K., but further research is needed to investigate why survivors are not coming forward, and the impact on their health and well-being. The findings underscore the complexity of spiking and gaps that remain in understanding its full scale and consequences.

"This research is a useful tool to set an agenda for research, policy and decision making, to prioritize support, prevention and research into the impacts of spiking and demographics of people impacted by spiking in the U.K.," said Professor Moore.
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Studying the genomics of reed frogs in East Africa is helping us understand more about how to save threatened wildlife. Credit: Michele Menegon

Even within a single species, animals don't all respond in the same way to environmental changes. A new study of reed frogs in East Africa reveals that understanding these differences could be key to protecting wildlife.

Deforestation and climate change are reshaping our ecosystems faster than many species can adapt. As global wildlife populations decline, scientists are racing to prevent species from going extinct. But even within a species, conservation strategies are often not a one-size-fits-all solution.

To understand this better, an international team of researchers have been studying two species of African reed frogs within the genus Hyperolius.

These closely related amphibians are found across Tanzania, Kenya and Malawi. Although much of their range still supports rich biodiversity, their habitat is under threat from climate change, deforestation and expanding agriculture.

Using cutting-edge technology, the researchers examined the genomes of different populations of the frogs and used this information to predict how they might be affected under various scenarios of environmental change. The results of the study have been published in the journal Evolutionary Applications.

Dr. Simon Loader, our Principal Curator and expert in amphibians, was one of the authors on the paper.

"Using the genetic data, we can predict which populations of these frogs we should be the most concerned about," Simon explains.

"Some populations will likely be able to adapt to projected environmental changes, but others are going to become much more isolated. We can then use this information to say what the most effective conservation strategy might be for that particular population."

What can genes tell us about a population?

Although the two species of African reed frog are closely related, they inhabit a wide range of environments from wet coastal forests to cooler mountain ranges.

By studying their DNA, the scientists discovered that different frog populations are likely to show characteristics better suited to their surroundings. So, what helps a frog to survive in one area might not work a few hundred kilometers away.

Genetic diversity refers to all of the millions of characteristics that are encoded within the genomes of living things. This genetic information is inherited from an individual's ancestors and is often the result of millions of years of evolution.

Some populations of these frogs are found in the Udzungwa Mountains in Tanzania. Credit: Michele Menegon

Populations with high genetic diversity are more likely to be resilient to environmental change because the higher variations within their genes enable them to adapt and evolve more effectively.

Small, isolated populations are more likely to have low genetic diversity due to inbreeding. This reduces their ability to adapt. As species' habitats become fragmented, populations are likely to become more isolated.

Genes can also tell us how well a population might cope with future changes in its environment. For instance, a group of animals may be well-suited to current climate conditions like temperature, rainfall and humidity. But how well do their genes match what is needed to deal with future change? This is known as genetic offset.

A high genetic offset means a population's genetic makeup may no longer be fit for future conditions and so may struggle to survive and reproduce. Whereas a low genetic offset means a population's genes are already close to what will be needed, and so will likely be more resilient.

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How can different conservation strategies help these frogs?

By the end of the century, much of the habitat across the range of the reed frogs could disappear. But the genetic samples reveal an interesting story about the potential impact this habitat destruction might have on the amphibians.

The researchers identified three main genetic groups: one in Kenya, one spread across Tanzania and one isolated population in Malawi. Genetic differences identified in the Tanzanian frogs could also justify them being further divided into northern, central and southern populations.

The central and southern Tanzanian populations were found to have a high genetic diversity and a low genetic offset, and so are likely to be resilient to predicted environmental changes.

The team suggest that these populations could serve as genetic reservoirs to help boost diversity in surrounding smaller populations. This would mean protecting forest corridors to allow gene flow across the region.

The Kenyan population is genetically unique from the closest frogs in northern Tanzania. The population's low genetic diversity and genetic offset could make it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes.

But in this case, researchers advise against mixing them with the Tanzanian amphibians, as hybrids could lower genetic diversity even further and impact their local adaptations to the wetter climate. Therefore, for this population, protecting their forest habitat is essential for their future survival.

The Malawi frogs had a very low genetic offset with a local adaption to extreme temperatures and so are likely to be more resilient as the climate warms. But they are also the most geographically isolated frogs in the study and had a very low genetic diversity.

In this case, the researchers recommend conservation initiatives that create and improve habitats designed to help establish new populations, as well as connecting habitats to join other existing populations that were not sampled in this study.

"The African reed frogs are a good model for how we can approach conservation," says Simon. "Amphibians are particularly sensitive to environmental change, and so they are good indicator species for what is going on in these habitats."

"I think it would be interesting to test this with other species to see if we observe a similar pattern. But in this study, we wanted to show that if you have the DNA from a population as well as data on current and future environmental conditions, you can understand quite a lot about their needs and use that to inform conservation."

More information: Christopher D. Barratt et al, Different Strokes for Different Croaks: Using an African Reed Frog Species Complex as a Model to Understand Idiosyncratic Population Requirements for Conservation Management, Evolutionary Applications (2025). DOI: 10.1111/eva.70164

This story is republished courtesy of Natural History Museum. Read the original story here
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The researchers were surprised by the wide range of bat species overwintering in rock habitats. Credit: Thomas Lilley

A recent study shows that bats require diverse rock habitats for overwintering. New insights into inter-species differences in overwintering, and the importance of overwintering sites at various stages of hibernation, support bat conservation.

All bat species found in Finland are insectivorous and retreat into hibernation in autumn as food becomes scarce. However, their hibernation sites have remained largely unknown, hindering efforts to ensure a favorable conservation status for these protected species.

Researchers from the University of Helsinki and the Turku University of Applied Sciences recently conducted an extensive study in southwestern Finland and the Aland Islands to explore the overwintering behavior of bats. The research is published in the journal Wildlife Biology.

"We spent a long time wondering where our bats go in winter, as only a fraction of those seen in summer were found in the few known hibernation sites, such as cellars and bunkers. Our study shows that bats can actually overwinter almost anywhere in our surroundings, as long as rocky features are present," says Postdoctoral Researcher Anna Blomberg of the University of Helsinki's Finnish Museum of Natural History (Luomus).

The new study sheds light on not only inter-species differences in using various rock habitats, but also the habitats' significance to bats at various stages of hibernation.

"While vesper bats begin hibernating relatively early in the autumn and remain in place until spring, the northern bat and the endangered Nathusius' pipistrelle tend to arrive later and often fly outside their hibernation sites even during the winter months," explains Thomas Lilley, Senior Curator for Vertebrates at Luomus.

The researchers were surprised by the wide range of bat species overwintering in rock habitats. All of the most common species use them, including the northern bat, Daubenton's bat, whiskered bat, Brandt's bat and brown long-eared bat, as well as rarer, endangered Finnish species, such as the above Nathusius' pipistrelle and the Natterer's bat. The data were gathered using recorders left at hibernation sites, which captured species-specific echolocation calls.

"Until now, the Natterer's bat has been the least well-known overwintering species in Finland, with permanent hibernation previously recorded in only a single cave in the Turku region. The hibernation sites we discovered demonstrate the benefits of modern technology for bat research. Simultaneous and wide-scale data collection using high-quality equipment enables acquiring information even on rare species. This supports both research and conservation," notes Specialist Ville Vasko of the Turku University of Applied Sciences.

So far, most international bat hibernation research has taken place in large caves and abandoned mines in the karst regions of Central Europe and on North America's east coast. Although Finland lacks such cave systems, glacial activity during the ice ages has left us with a diverse range of rocky environments, including shingle beaches, glacial erratics, boulder fields and rock outcrops.

Environmental impact assessments for zoning currently consider bats primarily through summer surveys, which aim to identify breeding grounds, roosts, foraging habitats and key routes.

"Environmental impact assessments cover only a quarter of the bats' annual cycle, overlooking hibernation sites that are vital to their survival and highly vulnerable to land-use change. To complement summer monitoring, surveys must determine whether the areas in question contain these key sites," says Lilley.

More information: Anna S. Blomberg et al, Rock solid: winter ecology of boreal bats at natural hibernation sites, Wildlife Biology (2025). DOI: 10.1002/wlb3.01540
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Example of a woodland site created through hybrid approaches showing a combination of closed canopy and open areas which are gradually being naturally colonized by trees. Credit: The TreE_PlaNat project

University of Stirling research is reshaping how woodlands are created across the UK. A new study, led by Dr. Elisa Fuentes-Montemayor, a Senior Lecturer in Nature-based Solutions at the University's Faculty of Natural Sciences, has identified key ecological factors supporting natural colonizationwhere trees are encouraged to colonize new areas naturally without the need for planting.

The paper, which combined findings from researchers and practitioners, also compiled 15 case studies to illustrate that natural colonization can provide a range of environmental and societal benefits.

Its findings are already influencing national policy and funding schemes. "Creating woodland through natural processes: Current understanding and knowledge gaps in Great Britain" was published in the journal Ecological Solutions and Evidence.

The National Forest Companyone of the project partnersis developing a new suite of forest creation grants based on the findings, aiming to give land managers more flexibility to use hybrid creation approaches.

Natural England has also adapted its advice to include the use of hybrid approaches as a result of the study.

Tree planting has been the most common woodland expansion strategy in the UK for many decades as a quick and reliable method, and researchers now hope that integrating natural processes into woodland creation strategies will maximize the benefits.

Dr. Fuentes-Montemayor, who led the research project, explained: "Despite many benefits, tree planting is increasingly being questioned following overestimates of the positive impact that it can have, as well as challenges in scaling up at the level required to meet ambitious government woodland expansion targets.

"Consequently, there is growing interest in incorporating natural colonizationeither alone or in combination with tree plantinginto woodland expansion strategies. But the outcomes of natural colonization can be variable, and there is still considerable uncertainty around the ecological processes involved.

"Our results are significant because they identify situations where natural colonization is unlikely to be successful on its own, highlighting the importance of hybrid approaches (such as low-density or cluster planting) to kickstart woodland creation."

Dr. Susannah Fleiss, lead author of the paper and post-doctoral researcher at the University of Edinburgh's Center for Sustainable Forests and Landscapes, said, "We brought together expertise from practitioners and researchers understand key factors of successful natural colonization, and to identify knowledge gaps that need further research.

Aerial view of one of the TreE_PlaNat study woodland sites created through hybrid approaches, i.e. a combination of planting and natural colonization. Credit: TreE_PlaNat project

"It is important to bring different perspectives together and share experience and understanding, something that unfortunately happens too little, but that was greatly appreciated by both researchers and practitioners."

As part of the interdisciplinary research project, the team of ecologists compared tree planting, natural colonization and hybrid approaches that combine the two.

Until recently, little was known about the ecological consequences of woodland creation approaches that incorporate natural processes.

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Researchers found that woodlands created through hybrid methods offer intermediate values of forest growth and structural complexity, as well as being more biodiversewith more species of moths and ground florathan either purely planted or purely naturally colonized woodlands.

Emma Dear of Natural England said, "I think that we now have a better idea of how this hybrid approach can not only promote natural colonization by encouraging land managers that it's a less risky approach, but we also appreciate that it has benefits for nature recovery in and of itself."

The TreE_PlaNat project was a two-and-a-half-year study. Ecological surveys took place in the summer of 2023 in 28 woodland creation sites across England; this included a combination of field surveys and the use of drones and LiDAR, a remote sensing technology that uses pulsed laser light to measure distances, to characterize woodland structural attributes.

Social scientists used semi-structured interviews and online surveys, with more than 500 respondents across England, Scotland and Wales, to understand the views of land managers on different woodland creation methodsensuring that the findings would translate into real world changes.

Dr. Fuentes-Montemayor added, "The benefits and trade-offs of different woodland creation approaches depend on land managers' objectives. Because woodlands created through hybrid approaches offer intermediate outcomes, by controlling how much of a site is left to natural colonization, land managers can direct the woodland creation process to suit their intended outcomes. This allows a balance between biomass accumulation and structural heterogeneity which is highly beneficial for biodiversity."

Professor Bianca Ambrose-Oji, Chief Scientist at Forest Research, added, "Knowledge and information about how to implement natural colonization as well as hybrid approaches turned out to be a key factor in encouraging uptake, reducing outcome uncertainty, and demonstrating how different techniques could best suit land managers' own values and objectives."

A longer report with more detailed information on working with natural processes for woodland creation is available online.

The project was led by the University of Stirling in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh, Forest Research, Royal Holloway University of London, Woodland Trust and National Forest Company.

More information: Susannah Fleiss et al, Creating woodland through natural processes: Current understanding and knowledge gaps in Great Britain, Ecological Solutions and Evidence (2025). DOI: 10.1002/2688-8319.70127 Further information on the project is available on naturalcolonisation.co.uk.
Mexicos Secretary of Tourism returns to Tulum for another kick at the cat

Tulum, Q.R.  Mexicos Secretary of Tourism has returned to Tulum for another kick at the cat regarding Tulums ongoing economic crisis. On Wednesday, Secretary Josefina Rodriguez Zamora arrived to meet again with officials regarding the towns lack of tourists.

It is her second trip to Tulum in less than two weeks. Upon her Wednesday arrival, she met with Governor Mara Lezama. The pair toured beach access points as one of their first priorities.

As part of the efforts to ensure free beach access, boost the local economy and maintain Tulums leadership in tourism, Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa and Secretary of Tourism Josefina Rodriguez Zamora met again, the Secretary reported.

We met for the second time in a broad and in-depth meeting with representatives from various social, economic, and tourism sectors, also touring the access points to the beaches, she said.

Governor Mara Lezama reported that they listened firsthand and exchanged concerns, data, the scope and needs of civil society and all those involved alongside federal and state authorities. We met to make strategic and informed decisions with the commitment and full support of the Mexican government under President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo.

She added that this exchange of information with local stakeholders will allow us to more efficiently promote this thriving tourist destination so that everyone can continue enjoying the most beautiful beaches of the Mexican Caribbean and that shared prosperity continues to reach every family in Tulum.

Coordinated work continues between the municipal, state and federal governments so that each action translates into well-being for the people of Quintana Roo, especially the workers in the Tulum tourism industry.

Representatives from the hotel, restaurant, retail, nautical, union, taxi, artisan, and vendor sectors also participated in the Wednesday meeting. Secretary Josefina Rodriguez Zamora is expected to give her report on the Tulum tourism situation next week.
This year were seeing the second coming of Joseph Schumpeter and creative destruction. Too bad he didnt live to see it.

We live in an amazing time. As David Kotter recently noted in The Washington Times, we have flipped extreme global poverty in just the past 250 years: When the USA was founded, roughly 90% of earths population lived inby todays standardsextreme poverty. Today, were at 10%, and at least a billion people have moved out of extreme global poverty in my lifetime alone. If this werent stunning enough, remember that 250 years ago, the global population was likely less than one billion; today its a whopping eight billion.

While roughly one billion remain in global povertywhat Paul Collier referred to as The Bottom Billionour shared progress is breathtaking. And because it happened so quickly, economists have been playing a game of catch-up in economic growth theory, searching for a model rich enough to fit these dizzying facts.

As my good friend and colleague Per Bylund likes to quip, if youre asking what causes poverty, youre asking the wrong question. Extreme poverty is the default. The real question is, What causes prosperity? And this years Nobel laureates in economics have added to our understanding.

Yet the contributions of the new prize winnersJoel Mokyr (Northwestern University & Tel Aviv University), Philippe Aghion (College de France & INSEAD), and Peter Howitt (Brown University)to our understanding of economic growth cannot be fully estimated without first understanding a little about the beginnings of the economics Nobel, taking a survey of the shoulders of giants the new laureates stand upon, and, especially, examining the earlier work of Joseph Schumpeter. In many ways, this years prize should go to Schumpeter because, without him, none of the laureates achievements would have been possible.

As I have discussed in earlier reflections on the economic Nobel recipients, the prize in economics technically isnt a true Nobel Prize in the sense that the others are in fields like chemistry and literature. The original five prizes outlined in Alfred Nobels will (physics, chemistry, physiology/medicine, literature, and peace) were funded through Mr. Nobels estate and first awarded in 1901.

The economics prize came much later. Officially the Bank of Sweden Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel, the economics prize was first awarded in 1969 to economists Jan Tinbergen and Ragnar Frisch for their work in modeling dynamic economic processes.

Heres something you may not have given much thought: None of the six Nobel prizes (either the original five or the prize in economics) can be awarded posthumously. And by the time we had something called a prize in economics, Joseph Schumpeterthe name most closely associated with creative destructionhad been gone for nearly 20 years. The impact of this one idea upon the trajectory of economic growth theory cannot be underestimated. In fact, when I teach economic growth theory (from a quite mainstream textbook) to my beginning students in economics, Schumpeter and creative destruction are mentioned repeatedly because the concept is essential to our understanding of both entrepreneurship and economic growth. In many ways, this years Nobel represents the second coming of Schumpeter. Though he wasnt awarded the prize in life, this years award may owe more to him than to the economists named in the wee hours of Monday, October 14.

Note, for example, the blurbs given for the recipients on the official Nobel website: for having identified the prerequisites for sustained growth through technological progress (Mokyr) and for the theory of sustained growth through creative destruction (Aghion & Howittemphasis mine). Yet in the entire seven-page popular summary of the contributions of this years laureates, Schumpeter is never mentioned. And even in the longer, more scholarly summary, Schumpeter is scarcely mentioned in its 39 pages.

How did we get here? And why are we awarding prizes for creative destruction without proper attribution?

The Evolution of Growth Theory and Its Laureates

Our shared understanding of economic growth is a recent development. Again, undergraduate economics textbooks are helpful in understanding the latest consensus regarding economic growth and development. So what do they say?

The Solow Growth Model

The most influential modern model of economic growth was pioneered by the late MIT economist Robert Solow, who claimed the 1987 Nobel for his growth model, which is referred to interchangeably as either the neoclassical growth model or the Solow growth model. Solow explored three possible sources of sustained economic growth: population growth, saving, and technological advances. Solows work quickly eliminates population growth alone as an ongoing driver of prosperity: More people will give you more GDP, but GDP per capita will never advance that way. For sustained growth, GDP needs to outpace population growth. Solow turns next to saving as a possible driver, but ultimately eliminates it because, though increases in the saving rate can lead to one-time increases in the productive capacity of an economy, it cannot explain ongoing increases in worker productivity.

Finally, Solow turns to technological advances, finding that, as long as a society persistently arrives at new technologies, growth can be limitless. But even though technological advances were the key to ongoing growth in his model, Solow didnt flesh out a story of the genesis of such developments. For that, we needed another Nobel laureate.

Endogenous Growth Theory

Paul Romer (Boston College) shared the economics prize in 2018 for his extension of growth theory beyond Solow. Rather than taking technological advances as given (i.e., exogenous), Romer endogenized such advances and explored how and why humans make such discoveries. In short, Romer reminded us that people respond to incentives. Wherever people are motived to make toil less toilsome, or to make money, or to solve a really cool problem, or get famouswhether as a tech entrepreneur or an academichuman creativity is limitless. We never seem content with the status quo and, as long as that holds true, well always be inventing and innovating.

In addition, Romer observed that, unlike machines or labor hours that always experience diminishing marginal returns, ideas could be shared and replicated repeatedly, whether within the same company or around the world. Thus, unlike a piece of machinery, ideas had no diminishing marginal returns: Each use of an idea was at least as valuable as its last use.

Finally, its worth noting that new technologies alone dont get you very far unless you invest in the new pieces of equipment that harness it. Think about that scanner at the checkout lane in your local grocery store. It doesnt do that store any good if the UPC barcode technology exists; the store needs to invest in the equipment that can utilize it. If not, your checker is still looking at price tags and typing them into the register.

Schumpeter and Creative Destruction

Before reviewing the contributions of this years prizewinners, heres a snippet from the overview found at the top of the popular summary mentioned earlier: Sustained economic growth occurs when new technologies replace old ones as part of the process known as creative destruction. See it? Creative destruction. But no mention of Schumpeter anywhere in the seven-page document.

Yet, in his 1942 book Capitalism, Socialism, and Democracy, it is Schumpeter who identifies creative destruction as the process that drives economic progress. In Schumpeters view, the entrepreneur is the driver of ideas of all kinds: whether brand-new products, new processes for making old products, or innovative uses of existing ideas and technologies. And new ideas are disruptive. Once an entrepreneur enters a market, he enjoys some degree of monopoly power andassuming consumers appreciate the entrepreneurs idea and reward himhe enjoys the rewards of being a disrupter, including the monopoly power that derives from being unique. In fact, its the enticement of monopoly profits that motivates the Schumpeterian disruptive entrepreneur. Consequently, many incumbent producers will lose market share to, or be driven out of business entirely by, the upstart entrepreneur. And over time this cycle of creative destruction continues. New jobs and industries replace the old ones. But next time around, its the already successful entrepreneur who is now the incumbent firm facing imminent competition from the next entrepreneur who comes along.

And This Years Prize Goes to  Joseph Schumpeter

Its not unreasonable to view this years prize as a posthumous award for Schumpeter. For example, back in 2018, TheWall Street Journal reported that the key to Americas success lies in its unique toleration for creative destruction, the destabilizing force described by the economist Joseph Schumpeter in 1942. Yet this year, three living economists were given the prize. Lets look at their contributions, and the ways in which Schumpeter informed their work.

An economic historian, Mr. Mokyr described what growth looks like over time, why the rate of growth exploded during and after the Industrial Revolution, and what the essential preconditions are for economic growth of the sort weve experienced over the past 250 years. In his estimation, growth happens most rapidly when technological discovery and innovation springs naturally from our past technological discoveries. According to the popular summary, this is how we not only arrived at the steam engine but also how our understandings of vacuums and atmospheric pressure made steam engines better. But such inventions and improvements are most likely to happen where entrepreneurs have the space to try new things. Mokyr understood that the fertile soil of a free society fosters experimentation and growth, and that regulatory demands by incumbent firms are a deliberate effort to keep out or stifle likely, eventual Schumpeterian competition. Existing firms are often the champions of additional regulations because they can afford to be compliant. Upstarts cant.

The cowinners, Messrs. Aghion and Howitt, formalized Schumpeters creative destruction concept with a mathematical model published in 1992. The paper extends the literature of endogenous growth theory (such as that pioneered by Romer) by modeling technological advancements as the outcome of creative destruction and entrepreneurial innovation.

Sound familiar?

It should. Aghion and Howitt explicitly augment endogenous growth theory by mathematically formalizing Schumpeters creative destruction. And, unlike the Nobel website, they come right out and say so. Heres a quote from the second page of the paper: The model assumes, following Schumpeter, that individual innovations are sufficiently important to affect the entire economy (p. 324). Even more explicitly, the line appears just below a block quote from Schumpeters 1942 classic. And, if that werent enough, consider the title of the paper: A Model of Growth Through Creative Destruction. Aghion and Howitt built their prize-winning paper around Schumpeterian disruption, and explicitly said as much.

A Few Reflections

As you can gather, I think its unwise to give a hearty three cheers to this years Nobel. Dont get me wrong: Mokyr, Aghion, and Howitt are stars. And we understand even more about growth because of them.

My concern has more to do with both how the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has framed the work of these laureates and the policy implications. As I hope I have made clear, the academy makes it sound, throughout their announcements and promotional materials, that Aghion and Howitt are the originators of creative destruction. This is intellectually dishonest.

My other concern has to do with the academys description of what constitutes a fertile environment for entrepreneurship and discovery. Economics textbooks usually list the following: rule-of law, private property, a well-functioning price system, openness to trade. With these in place, all of us can make better decisionsunder less uncertaintythan we would without them.

But the academy has a much longer list, including well-designed policies to address climate change, pollution, antibiotic resistance, increasing inequality, and unsustainable use of natural resources. They also add that sometimes monopolies may be too dominant and need regulating.

The academy wants to have it both ways. It wants to celebrate our long-term prosperity and all the good things that come with it. And they want a society free enough to let entrepreneurs try the crazy things that make it so.

They just dont want society to be too free. But who can know what a well-designed policy is? Or which monopolies are too dominant. As Bastiat, Hayek, and Hazlitt have taught us, todays policy interventions rarely lead to outcomes we expect. And they divert entrepreneurial creativity into gaming the system.

My concerns regarding the academy and its framing notwithstanding, I have no problem celebrating the new laureates themselves. After all, they stand on the shoulders of a very important giant.
" " Do you really need to know the details about the number of inversions or exact height when you hear that the launch speed on some of these is over 100 mph (161 km/h)? Craig Russell / Shutterstock

Some people scream their lungs out on roller coasters. Others hold their arms high and beg for more. Which camp would you fall into if you rode the scariest roller coaster in the world?

Whether you're chasing thrills at massive amusement parks or cautiously watching from the sidelines, roller coasters have evolved into high-speed steel beasts that defy physics and sanity. These are the rides that push limits with height, speed, and dizzying inversions.
Peoples Daily: Tomorrow (October 24) is the United Nations Day. It also marks the 80th anniversary of the entry into force of the UN Charter. In this volatile world, the majority of countries call for continuing to defend the UNs status and strengthen its role. But some in the world question the effectiveness of the UN, international law and multilateralism, and even say that the UN has failed. What is your comment?

Guo Jiakun: The United Nations is the worlds most universal, representative and authoritative intergovernmental organization. Over the past 80 years, the UN has played an irreplaceable role in safeguarding peace, promoting development and improving the wellbeing of people worldwide. Countries, regardless of their size and strength, are equal members of the UN who enjoy equal opportunities to voice their opinions, fair participation in negotiations on international rules and common access to the outcomes of sustainable development.

The purposes and principles of the UN Charter constitute the basis of international law and are the norms and standards in practicing international rule of law. Nothing can be accomplished without following norms and standards. It is the selective application of the UN Charter by individual countries that resulted in the disorder in todays world. In a world without the UN, the law of the jungle will prevail, where the strong prey on the weak. It will be like a crossroads without traffic lights where reckless driving and frequent accidents become the order of the day.

Facing an endless array of global challenges and worsening deficits in peace, development, security and governance, the development of the UN has come to a historical crossroads. It is in this context that China, a responsible major country, put forward the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative to better uphold and practice true multilateralism and promote the building of a more just and equitable global governance system. The four initiatives are fully aligned with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and form an integral whole to help achieve prosperity through development, ensure stability through better security, enhance mutual trust through exchanges between civilizations and pursue justice through sound governance.

No matter how the international landscape will evolve, China will firmly uphold the international system with the UN at its core, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. We will work with other countries to advance an equal and orderly multi-polar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and strive towards building a community with a shared future for humanity.

AFP: U.S. President Donald Trump said yesterday that Chinese leader could have a big influence on Russias Vladimir Putin over efforts to end the war in Ukraine. Does the Foreign Ministry have a comment on this?

Guo Jiakun: Dialogue and negotiation is the only viable way out of the Ukraine crisis. Coercion and pressuring provide no solution.

Prensa Latina: Cuba has denounced that the United States is bullying countries to drop their support for the UN resolution against the blockade. In addition, the U.S. is pushing other nations to stop sending resources for Cubas electrical system. What is Chinas position on these U.S. tactics?

Guo Jiakun: We noted relevant report. The U.S.s blockade against Cuba over the past six decades and more inflicted great suffering on the Cuban people. Instead of reflecting upon what it has done, the U.S. has now doubled down on coercive diplomacy. This seriously violates the international law and the basic norms governing international relations as well as humanitarian principles. The move puts the U.S. on the opposite side of justice and will without a doubt be rejected by the international community.

China firmly opposes the U.S.s blockade and sanctions against Cuba. At the UN General Assembly, China has voted for Cubas resolution calling for an end to the embargo imposed by the U.S. for 32 consecutive times since 1992. The resolution is supported by nearly 190 countries, which points unmistakably to the overwhelming global sentiment on this very issue. China will continue to firmly support the Cuban people in following the development path befitting their own national conditions, safeguarding sovereignty and dignity, and opposing external interference and blockade. We call on the U.S. to lift its sweeping blockade against Cuba at an early date, remove Cuba from the so-called list of state sponsors of terrorism, and act in ways conducive to the improvement of Cuba-U.S. relations, and to peace and stability in the region.

CNR: On October 22, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) gave an advisory opinion on humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people saying that as an occupying power and member of the UN, Israel is obliged to ensure the basic needs of people in the occupied Palestinian territory. Whats Chinas comment?

Guo Jiakun: The International Court of Justice gave an advisory opinion on humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people. It made clear that Israel is under obligations to work with the UN and its agencies and ensure the provision of humanitarian assistance to the population in the occupied Palestinian territory. This is a response to the concerns and expectation of the international community.

As a responsible major country, China actively participated in the hearing process, submitted its written statement, took part in the public hearings and gave a full account of Chinas positions on major issues related to international law. These positions have been fully reflected in the advisory opinion. We will continue to play a constructive role in affairs related to international law and take concrete actions to uphold international fairness and justice and promote the progress of international rule of law.

On the Palestinian question, China has always upheld fairness and justice and firmly supported the just cause of the Palestinian people. We hope the international community will follow the guidance of the ICJs advisory opinion, ease the humanitarian crisis faced by the Palestinian people, and work unremittingly for the early, full, just, and lasting settlement of the question of Palestine.

Reuters: The Commerce Ministry has confirmed that Vice Premier He Lifeng will hold talks with U.S. officials in Malaysia this weekend. The Malaysian side has also said that Chinese leader would be attending ASEAN. Could we please get more information and confirmation on who will China be sending to the ASEAN summit?

Guo Jiakun: China attaches great importance to its relations with ASEAN and to East Asian cooperation, and supports Malaysias rotating chairmanship of ASEAN. On the specifics you mentioned, I believe you are aware of the usual practice concerning Chinas attendance at those meetings. We will release information in due course.

Shenzhen TV: Recently, Ming Yang Smart Energy, a Chinese wind turbine manufacturer, announced its plan to invest 1.5 billion in Scotland to build a wind turbine factory. This has drawn wide attention and some from the UK voiced concern over potential threat such project may pose to the UKs national security. Whats Chinas comment?

Guo Jiakun: The Chinese government supports its companies in carrying out international cooperation on the basis of mutual benefit and in accordance with market rules, laws, and regulations. It is also important to consider whether the security of their investment could become an issue. In recent years, its not uncommon to see normal cooperation projects in the UK impacted by excessive politicization and the abuse of the concept of security. Since the UK National Security and Investment Act came into force in 2022, the UK government has either blocked or given conditional approval to proposed acquisitions by Chinese companies in over 10 investment deals. The UK government took over the operation of British Steel after its acquisition by a private Chinese company. The UK government even requested another Chinese company in an ex post facto review (a retroactive review) to sell its stake in a British semiconductor company. Taken under the pretext of security, those actions damage the security of investment by Chinese companies.

China stands against overstretching the concept of national security and politicizing economic and trade issues. Unfortunately, some in the UK have kept rehashing the absurd notion of China threat which simply lacks basic common sense. If let spread, such fact-distorting rhetoric will seriously weigh on Chinese companies assessment on the investment environment of the UK and their prudent decisions.

AFP: The EU on Wednesday agreed to impose new sanctions on Russia over the war in Ukraine. The EU has also targeted new companies in several countries, including 12 in China and three in India, which they say are helping Russia circumvent Western sanctions on technology transfers, particularly in drone production. What is the Foreign Ministrys comment on this?

Guo Jiakun: China strongly deplores and firmly rejects the EUs repeated illicit unilateral sanctions against Chinese companies over Russia-related issues. China has lodged protests with the EU side.

We have stressed on multiple occasions that China did not create the Ukraine crisis, nor is China a party to it. China is committed to promoting talks for peace. We never provide lethal weapons to any party to the conflict, and strictly control the exports of dual-use items. Most countries, including EU members and the U.S., continue to trade with Russia. The EU is in no position to point fingers at the normal exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and Russian companies. We urge the EU to stop directing the issue at China and harming Chinas interests. This is not conducive to the sound and stable development of China-EU relations. China will do what is necessary to firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.

Yomiuri Shimbu: When Fumio Kishida and Shigeru Ishiba took office as Japanese prime minister, Chinese leaders sent them congratulatory messages. Will China send a congratulatory message to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi?

Guo Jiakun: China made proper arrangements according to diplomatic practices. China and Japan are each others close neighbors. Chinas fundamental position on its relations with Japan is consistent and clear. We hope that Japan will work with China, observe the principles laid down in the four political documents between the two countries, honor its political commitments on major issues concerning history and Taiwan, uphold the political foundation of the bilateral relationship, and fully advance the China-Japan strategic relationship of mutual benefit.

Reuters: What does the Takaichi premiership mean for Japan-China relations given that her first act was to indicate that she will accelerate Japans military buildup and would the Japan-U.S. alliance become a greater challenge for China as a result of that?

Guo Jiakun: On Japans increasing defense budget, given Japans history of militarist aggression, Japans military and security moves are closely watched by its Asian neighbors and the international community. In recent years, Japan has been drastically readjusting its security policy, increasing defense spending year after year, relaxing restrictions on arms export and seeking military breakthroughs. Japans neighboring countries and beyond have to strongly call into question Japans commitment to the exclusively defense-oriented policy and the path to peaceful development. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese Peoples War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. We urge Japan to deeply reflect on its history of aggression, commit itself to the path of peaceful development, act prudently in military and security areas, and avoid further losing the trust of its Asian neighbors and beyond.

The Paper: In three recently released reports, the Atlantic Council, a U.S.-based think tank, accused China of its mining, demand for timber, and fishing in West Africa, which caused environmental degradation because of high domestic Chinese market demand and governance weakness and severe corruption in West African countries. It called for stronger regulation on the cooperation in West Africa. Whats Chinas comment?

Guo Jiakun: China works with African countries under the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith and the principle of pursuing the greater good and shared interests. It gives a boost to economic growth and sustainable development there and is welcomed by local governments and people. Africas growing enthusiasm is the most convincing example of how mutually beneficial their cooperation with China is. The Chinese government asks Chinese companies overseas to strictly abide by local laws and policies. We will continue to ask them to implement the vision of green development and place high priority on environmental protection throughout their cooperation in Africa.

The U.S. think tanks relevant reports misapply concepts and present one-sided arguments. They even cite unverified stories to deliberately vilify and attack Chinas normal cooperation with West African countries. This is clearly intended and simply disgraceful. We call on some in the U.S. to stop misleading the public and slinging mud at other countries. They should rather ask themselves what they could do to actually benefit the African people.

Reuters: U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday imposed Ukraine-related sanctions on Russia targeting Russias largest oil companies Lukoil and Rosneft. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment on the measures?

Guo Jiakun: China opposes unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law or authorization of the UN Security Council.
On October 21, 2025, Vice President Han Zheng met in Beijing with President of the Senate of the U.S. State of Oregon Rob Wagner.

Han Zheng noted that since the beginning of this year, President Xi Jinping and President Donald J. Trump have held three telephone conversations and reached a series of important common understandings. China and the United States share extensive common interests and enjoy broad prospects for cooperation. The two countries can and should become partners and friends. Han Zheng expressed the hope that the U.S. side will work with China in the same direction, uphold mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, and jointly find the right way for the two major countries to get along well with each other in the new era, so as to benefit both countries and the world. Noting that Oregon has long maintained friendly and cooperative relations with China, Han Zheng expressed the hope that Senate President Rob Wagner and the senators will continue to promote closer communication and exchanges between the two sides, deepen people-to-people friendship, and play an exemplary role in advancing sub-national cooperation between China and the United States.

Rob Wagner extended his best wishes for the success of the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. He said that U.S.-China cooperation at the sub-national level is of great importance. The Oregon State Legislature has passed a bill to continue strengthening its friendly exchanges and cooperation with various provinces and cities of China.
On October 16, 2025, Member of Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Vice Premier of the State Council and Chairperson of the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED) Ding Xuexiang attended the 2025 CCICED Annual General Meeting in Beijing and delivered a speech.

Ding Xuexiang stated that since the 14th Five-Year Plan, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, China has regarded the promotion of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature as one of the intrinsic requirements of Chinese modernization. China has maintained a strategic focus on ecological advancement, continuously improved ecological and environmental quality, and made significant progress in building a beautiful China. At the same time, China has actively assumed the responsibilities of a major country and shown its commitment, further strengthening its leading role in global environmental governance.

Ding Xuexiang emphasized that China will further accelerate the transition to a model of green development and is ready to strengthen unity and cooperation with all parties to jointly promote global green development and build a clean and beautiful world. First, all parties should enhance confidence, firmly follow the path of green and low-carbon development, and develop green productivity in line with local conditions. Second, all parties should uphold multilateralism, fully and effectively implement the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, and work together to address environmental challenges and the climate crisis. Third, all parties should strengthen exchanges and dialogue, deepen cooperation in biodiversity conservation, plastic pollution control and treatment, and other areas, and ensure the free circulation of high-quality green products. Fourth, all parties should promote a just transition, coordinate such goals as environmental protection, economic development, job creation, and poverty eradication, and enhance the common and long-term well-being of people worldwide. The Chinese government will continue to strongly support the development and growth of CCICED, contributing more wisdom and strength to advancing China's ecological advancement and promoting global sustainable development.

The theme of this year's CCICED annual general meeting is "Advancing the Green Transformation for a Harmonious Coexistence between Humans and Nature". Around 400 people, including Chinese and foreign council members, experts, and partners, attended the meeting.
On the afternoon of October 16, 2025, Vice President Han Zheng met with Diplomatic Adviser to the French President Emmanuel Bonne in Beijing.

Han Zheng stated that the current world is undergoing accelerated changes unseen in a century, and the international system centered on the United Nations formed after World War II is facing severe challenges. During their phone call in May, President Xi Jinping and President Emmanuel Macron agreed that the more complex the situation, the more China and France need to strengthen cooperation. China is ready to work with France to jointly implement the important common understandings reached by the two heads of state, uphold the tradition of independence and autonomy, enhance exchanges and mutual trust, advance practical cooperation with an open mindset, strengthen multilateral coordination, and ensure that the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and France maintains a positive momentum. China hopes that France will play a constructive role in promoting the sound development of relations between China and the European Union (EU).

Emmanuel Bonne stated that France highly values China's status and role. Both France and China support multilateralism. France is willing to maintain close high-level exchanges with China, deepen bilateral cooperation and multilateral coordination, and jointly address global challenges. France is also willing to actively promote EU-China dialogue and cooperation.
On October 15, 2025, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) Zhao Leji met in Beijing with President Pro Tempore of the Liberian Senate Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, who is in China for the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women.

Zhao Leji said that under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, China-Liberia relations have been elevated to a new height of strategic partnership. China is ready to work with Liberia to implement the important common understandings reached between the two heads of state and the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, continue mutual support on issues related to each other's core interests and major concerns, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and strengthen solidarity and coordination on multilateral platforms to contribute to jointly building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era. The NPC of China is ready to deepen experience sharing with the Liberia legislature on legislation and supervision, strengthen exchanges on protecting women's rights and interests through legal means, and create a sound legal environment for practical cooperation.

Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence said that Liberia firmly upholds the one-China policy and supports the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity proposed by President Xi Jinping. She expressed the hope to strengthen exchanges between legislative bodies and promote the development of bilateral relations.
In the digital era, pornography has become one of the most widely consumed forms of media, accessible to anyone with an internet connection. While it's often viewed as a private or even harmless activity, a growing body of research suggests that regular and especially compulsive pornography consumption can have profound effects on mental health, brain function, relationships, and self-perception.

This article explores the scientific evidence behind the negative effects of pornography and why this topic deserves closer attention from healthcare professionals, educators, and the public alike.

1. Pornography and Mental Health

Numerous studies have established a link between frequent pornography use and symptoms of depression, anxiety, loneliness, and low self-esteem. One longitudinal study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that increased pornography viewing among adolescents was associated with reduced gray matter in regions of the brain responsible for reward and motivation .

A review published in Behavioral Sciences concluded that problematic pornography use often co-occurs with anxiety, depression, and social isolation, especially when users develop compulsive behaviors.

2. Neuroscience of Pornography: Rewiring the Brain

Pornography activates the brain's mesolimbic reward system, releasing dopamine in a similar way to substances like cocaine or opioids. Over time, repeated stimulation can lead to tolerance, desensitization, and even addiction-like behavior.

A study from Frontiers in Human Neuroscience found that individuals who consumed pornography excessively exhibited reduced activity in brain regions associated with decision-making and impulse control [3].

3. Impact on Relationships and Sexual Satisfaction

Pornography consumption can significantly affect romantic and sexual relationships. Studies have shown that excessive porn use is correlated with:

Reduced sexual satisfaction

Lower relationship quality

Less interest in actual sexual intimacy

A large survey published in the Journal of Sex Research found that higher pornography use predicted lower sexual satisfaction among both men and women, particularly when it was secretive or conflicted [4].

4. Sexual Dysfunction and Unrealistic Expectations

Pornography often portrays highly exaggerated or unrealistic depictions of sex, leading to misinformed expectations about performance, consent, and body image.

The phenomenon of porn-induced erectile dysfunction (PIED) has been increasingly documented. A 2016 article in Behavioral Sciences proposed that some men experience difficulty achieving arousal in real-life scenarios due to overstimulation from online pornography.

5. Adolescents and Early Exposure

Early exposure to pornography - which often occurs during adolescence - is associated with distorted perceptions of sex, unhealthy attitudes toward consent, and higher risk of engaging in risky sexual behavior. A meta-analysis in Developmental Psychology found that adolescents exposed to pornography were more likely to develop permissive sexual attitudes and engage in sexual activity at younger ages.

The American Psychological Association has expressed concern that pornographic media can negatively influence developing minds, particularly when it replaces conversations about empathy, respect, and communication in sexual contexts.

6. Links to Aggression and Objectification

Some studies suggest that repeated exposure to violent or aggressive pornography may reduce empathy toward victims of sexual violence and increase acceptance of rape myths. A study in Aggressive Behavior found that consumption of violent porn was correlated with more accepting attitudes toward interpersonal aggression.

Additionally, pornography can reinforce gender stereotypes and promote the objectification of both women and men, shaping unrealistic ideals of attractiveness and sexual performance.

7. When to Seek Help

If pornography consumption becomes compulsive, causes distress, or interferes with daily functioning, it may be categorized under Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder, now included in the ICD-11 by the World Health Organization.

Signs you might need help include:

Inability to stop despite negative consequences

Escalation to more extreme content

Loss of interest in real-world intimacy

Feelings of guilt, shame, or anxiety

Resources such as Psychology Today's therapist directory or Sex Addicts Anonymous can help individuals seeking professional or peer-based support.

Pornography is not inherently harmful in moderation, but the scientific literature clearly shows that frequent, compulsive, or early exposure can lead to a range of psychological, neurological, and relational issues. As with any behavior that alters the brain's reward system, awareness and education are key. Open discussions, healthy boundaries, and professional support can empower individuals to take control of their mental and emotional health in a hypersexualized digital landscape.
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Randall Adjessom was only 16 when he was awakened in the early morning hours of Nov. 13, 2023, by the sound of someone breaking into the Mobile, Alabama, home he shared with his grandmother, his aunt, and three of his sisters. He grabbed a handgun and ran to confront the intruders, only to discover a group of police officers who had battered down his front door, as the Associated Press reported. According to a wrongful-death lawsuit against the Mobile Police Department, as Adjessom retreated, hands raised and gun pointed in the air, the officers shot him four times.

Adjessoms death stands as a tragic reminder of the pattern by which some peopleparticularly Black Americansare excluded from the right to be safe in their own homes.

Adjessom was a student at Davidson High School, and loved ones describe him as a good-natured and generous teen who mowed his neighbors lawns on the weekends. When police raided his home, they were reportedly investigating his older brother for drug possession. But his brother didnt even live at that address, according to the AP. Adjessoms grieving family members have sued the police, based on what they claim is evidence showing that officers made no effort to minimize harm to innocent occupants when they executed their search warrant.

The case echoes many othersincluding the shooting deaths of Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky, and Atatiana Jefferson in Fort Worth, Texasin which law enforcements use of no-knock warrants has gone horribly wrong.* Officers have ended up shooting and killing law-abiding Black Americans who were trying to defend their homes against what they believed to be a nighttime break-in.

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In the early morning hours of Oct. 12, 2019, 28-year-old Jefferson was playing video games with her nephew when she heard a suspicious sound outside. Retrieving her licensed handgun from her purse, she went to a window to investigate. A police officer was patrolling her yard, responding to a neighbors call about an open door at her home. Seeing Jeffersons face through the window, he commanded Put your hands up! Show me your hands! according to body-camera footage reported on by outlets like CNN. Jefferson didnt have time to comply before the officer fired his gun through the window, killing her.

Twenty-six-year-old Taylor was also shot and killed by police in her own home on March 13, 2020. Just after midnight, officers broke into her apartment while executing a search warrant for an ex-boyfriend who lived elsewhere. Kenneth Walker, Taylors then boyfriend, believed that their home was being invaded, so he fired his licensed gun toward the door as it was being forced open, striking one of the officers in the leg. The police returned fire, shooting Taylor five times. She died on the scene, while Walker was charged with assault and attempted murder of a police officer. The charges were later dropped, and he received a $2 million settlement from the city of Louisville.

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In each case, the centuries-old castle doctrinewhich protects the lawful use of force against home intrudersproves to be a privilege of the select few. The doctrine originated in a 1604 case in England concerning the right of officers of the Crown to use force to enter a persons home. Arguing that the house of every one is to him as his castle and fortress, as well for his defense against injury and violence as for his repose, Attorney General Sir Edward Coke concluded that officers must first announce themselves and their intent before entering a private residence. The case popularized the expression A mans house is his castle, which many understand today as a universal right to home and self-protection, regardless of gender, race, or class.

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Historical context is key to understanding how this powerful legal legacy has remained a site of exclusion in 21st-century America. As the castle doctrine spread across the English colonies, including North America, it took its essential exclusionary principles with it. The right to protect ones castle was first and foremost a right of propertied white masculinity. Women in colonial North America might defend their homes against intruders who were strangers, but they had no legal recourse against abusive husbands. Since the laws treated husbands and wives as a single legal entity governed by the husband, women could not defend themselves against their abusers. In fact, the U.S. colonies considered the killing of ones husband a form of treason, punishable by torturous death, while a man who killed his wife might get away with paying a fine.

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Native people similarly found themselves excluded from the castle doctrine when resisting the onslaught of settler violence. Anglo settlers considered Native religious and cultural practices evidence of savagery disqualifying them from the legal protections Anglo Christians enjoyed. When Native people fought back in defense of their homes and families, Anglo settlers characterized their resistance as savage war in turn justifying widespread genocide and cultural erasure.

Settler and patriarchal violence walked hand in hand with racial enslavement. Starting in 1619, when the first enslaved people were trafficked to North American shores by English colonists, until the criminalization of slavery in 1865, the castle doctrine excluded enslaved people from the right to protect hearth and home from the violence of their enslavers. In 1855, a young Missouri woman named Celia fought back against her rapist and ended up killing him. Since her rapist was her legal owner, a jury of white men decided that she did not have a right to resist his sexual abuse. She was found guilty of murder and sentenced to hang.

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Even following the 13th Amendments conditional criminalization of slavery, Black Americans have been denied the right to defend themselves, their homes, and their loved ones from white supremacist violence and racial terror. From 1865 to 1945, more than 4,400 African Americans were murdered by white mobs, with many of them dragged from their homes. While most lynching victims were men, the numbers also included women and children, like Laura Nelson and her 12-year-old son, who were murdered in 1911 after they resisted a white mans intrusion into their Oklahoma home.

Older patterns of racial terror echo in contemporary patterns of violence. For example, Black Americans are almost three times as likely as white Americans to be killed in their encounters with police. As more Americans acquire firearms and carry them into public space, the laws are shifting to expand the castle for select armed citizens. Since 2005, approximately two-thirds of the states have passed legislation popularly referred to as stand your ground laws, which allow the use of lethal violence in self-defense outside of ones castle. But weve witnessed, time after time, self-defense laws protecting aggressors, including some armed citizens who kill nonwhite (and unarmed) people, while excluding many womenespecially women of color, like Marissa Alexander and Callie Adamswho use firearms to resist their abusers. These cases suggest a stubborn pattern by which the castle doctrines selectively expanded boundaries exclude those who most urgently need to defend themselves, especially in the places that should afford them refuge.
A leading US astrophysicist has warned that an alien attack could be imminent, claiming a mysterious object hurtling through our solar system may be an extra-terrestrial spacecraft.

Could an alien attack be imminent?

Professor Avi Loeb of Harvard University believes the vast interstellar mass, known as 3I/ATLAS, might not be a comet at all  but a craft sent by an advanced civilisation.

The object, first detected on July 1, is around the size of Manhattan and weighs an estimated 33 billion tonnes, travelling almost twice as fast as previous interstellar visitors. Most scientists believe its simply a comet  but Prof Loeb doesn't believe the evidence adds up.

He warned: "It may come to save us or destroy us. If you want to take a vacation, take it before that date. Because who knows what will happen.

He believes 3I/ATLAS could reach its closest point to the sun on October 29, potentially giving it the perfect opportunity to launch a surprise attack.

Whats made Loeb and others sit up is the strange composition of its plume. The object is reportedly emitting four grams of nickel per second  but no iron. The result, he said, is nickel tetracarbonyl, an alloy never before observed in nature and only seen in human industry.

Speaking to The New York Post, he said: "There is only one place where that is known to exist and that is in industrially produced nickel alloys. This was never observed for any other object.

This was a process that we can imagine only because it was used in industry. Never seen in comets before.

We usually see beautiful tails extending from the object away from the Sun, and in this case there was no evidence for such a tail.

Why are we seeing a jet pointed at the Sun? A stream of material in the direction of the Sun?

However, Loeb's peers are not convinced. Oxford University astronomer Chris Lintott dismissed the claim as nonsense on stilts, calling it an insult to genuine scientific research.

Meanwhile, NASA has reassured the public that 3I/ATLAS poses no threat to Earth, saying it will pass safely through the inner solar system later this month.
Ontario Liberal MPP Rob Cerjanec has joined the call of the Mayor of Sarnia and written to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, Stan Cho, asking for the release of the business case supporting the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporations decision to close the Gateway Casino located Hiawatha Horse Park in Sarnia.

The closure, scheduled for March 31, 2026, follows the expiry of the "Optional Slots at Racetracks Program." In an Oct. 23 letter to Cho, Cerjanec stated the closure will result in the loss of approximately 50 local jobs, impacting workers and families in Sarnia, and will also result in approximately $400,000 less revenue per year for the City of Sarnia a year after the closure.

The people of Sarnia and the workers at the casino deserve answers from the provincial government, said MPP Cerjanec. Premier Ford came to Sarnia in August with a giant cheque for $400,000, rewarding Sarnia for meeting its building faster fund targets and just a month later, announces the closure of Gateway Casino.

Since re-opening in 2020, the casino has been an important contributor to Sarnias local economy and to the sustainability of horse racing operations in the region. Tourists from Michigan have started to come back, drawn by the appeal of horse racing and the casino on one site. Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley also wrote to the Premier on Sept. 30, 2025 requesting the release of OLGs business case for the closure.

To close the casino just six years later and not consider an extension of the agreement is unreasonable and a disservice to the community," said Cerjanec. "I urge the Government of Ontario and OLG to share the business case for this closure and to work collaboratively with the City of Sarnia to ensure that the communitys economic stability and long-term interests are fully considered.

Horse racing is a vital part of Ontarios economy, supporting breeding farms, race operations and small businesses across the province. The industry not only sustains local employment but also drives tourism and investment in rural communities.

(With files from the Office of MPP Rob Cerjanec)
Since landing in North America earlier this year, the Aussie pacing mare Elegant Woman A has made her way up the class ladder, and her efforts reached a zenith at Batavia Downs on Wednesday, Oct. 22 when she won the $16,197 Fillies and Mares Class AA-Open Handicap Pace in impressive fashion.

Elegant Woman A got away third behind Delta Three N (Joe Chindano Jr.), who led the field through the quarter in :27.3 and to the half in :57 over a sloppy track. Drew Monti pulled Elegant Woman A first-over on the backstretch, and the mare quickly surged alongside Delta Three N at three-quarters in 1:26.2 before crossing over to the front approaching the final bend. Once on top, Elegant Woman A swelled up and soared clear by 4-1/4 lengths to win wrapped up in 1:55.4. Summer Slash (Ray Fisher Jr.) edged out Won Surreal Deal (Kyle Cummings) for third.

Elegant Woman A ($6.06) took her seventh win of the year in 19 starts. She made her North American debut in June for owners Vogel and Wags Nags LLC, Jack Rice, Monti, and Maria Rice, who trains her. The five-year-old daughter of Bettors Delight-Versace Woman is now nine-for-26 lifetime.

In the $12,394 Fillies and Mares Class A Pace, Rightfully Mine (Kyle Swift) was last at the half before pulling second-over behind Day To Party (Monti) in pursuit of the pacesetting Major Megan (Dave McNeight III), who led the group to three-quarters. Swift then tipped Rightfully Mine three-deep, and the seven-year-old American Ideal-Leah mare took the lead in the stretch en route to a one-length victory in 1:57.4. Major Megan finished second over Face The Shadows (Kyle Cummings). Rightfully Mine ($5.92) is owned by Monique Cohen and trained by Chris Petrelli.

That victory highlighted a triple by Petrelli, who also won with trainees Memphistennessee N ($13.34) and Kb Mac ($3.14). The conditioner now has 68 wins in 379 starts this year for a win rate of 17.9 per cent.

Drivers Dave McNeight III and Monti had three wins apiece on Wednesday night.

Live racing resumes at Batavia Downs on Friday, Oct. 24 with post time at 6 p.m. There will be a $7,032 carryover in the Jackpot Super Hi-5 pentafecta in the 13th race.

(Batavia Downs)
Gary Gregory, longtime western New York horseman from Churchville, New York, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 22. He was 81.

Mr. Gregory was born May 4, 1944 in Medina, New York to George and Dorothy (Wall) Gregory. While still in school, he started working around horses with his father and got his first training license in 1962 at the age of 18. He eventually set off on his own and started a public stable that quickly became very successful. In a very short time, Mr. Gregory became known as a go to guy when people were looking for a trainer because of his honesty and integrity when dealing with anyone.

Although a premier trainer of Standardbreds for over 50 years, Mr. Gregory had never driven in a race. He attributed that to his early owners wanting the best drivers on the grounds to team their horses and him wanting to make his owners happy. It was a combination that worked out very well for him as his successful string of horses constantly drew those top drivers every week.

Because records held by the United States Trotting Association only date back to 1991, it is impossible to assign numbers that factually illustrate Mr. Gregorys career as more than half of it took place prior to that date. But those who are familiar with him know how many races he won, how many training titles he took and the litany of horses that competed out of his stable that people still remember to this day. During the 1970s and 1980s, every top class at Batavia Downs had a horse trained by Gary Gregory in it.

Among the more than 300 horses Mr. Gregory trained during his life, a short list of top performers include 51-time winner Keystone Astro (2:01.1h, $117,201), Brandywine Jet (T2:01.4, $63,182), Spitfire Lauxmont (1:56q, $114,271), Coaltown Smoke (2:03h, $121,556) and Bold Collins (1:56.4q, $96,191). He also guided the early racing careers of foundation mares Mary Lou Hall, who is the dam of the outstanding trotting sire Crazed, and Must B Heavenly, who is the dam of the 1997 Hambletonian Oaks winner, Must B Victory.

Another mare that Mr. Gregory trained that ended up fostering another very successful career in harness racing was Rambling Roxie (2:02.4h, $33,860), the horse that gave Garys son Jeff, his first driving win.

As a child, Jeff Gregory jogged horses while sitting on Garys lap and by the time he was six, he never thought of doing anything other than working with horses.

In a 2021 interview, Jeff Gregory reflected on the influence his father had on him: I was brought along slowly by my father. He wanted me to learn on our horses that I was comfortable with and it benefitted me because it gave me confidence driving in the race. He was by far the biggest factor in my career, my only teacher. I worked for him until I was about 20 and then he sent me off on my own. He just kept pushing me in the right direction. And other than my dad, I never worked for another trainer.

Although he was the driving force for his sons success, Mr. Gregory also influenced many other horsemen during his life, because he was always willing to help anyone who asked for it. His patience, calm demeanour and endless pool of both horse and life knowledge benefitted generations of horsemen and lives on today through the talents of those who continue to race in Western New York.

Mr. Gregory was a consummate gentleman, loving husband, father and grandfather, friend to everyone he knew and a horseman who was admired and respected by all of his peers. His career allowed him to make scores of horses better for having been in his barn and the connections of those horses who became his friends.

Mr. Gregory was a member of the United States Trotting Association, Canadian Trotting Association, Western New York Horsemens Association and was inducted into the Upstate New York Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 2012.

Mr. Gregory was predeceased by his parents, George and Dorothy Gregory; loving wife, Sue (Caleb) Gregory; and brother-in-law, Ron Chase (1996).

Mr. Gregory is survived by son Jeff (Helene) Gregory of New Smyrna Beach, Florida; daughter Kathy (Bill) Stevens of Byron; grandson Eric Stevens of Rochester; granddaughter Colleen Stevens of West Seneca; sister Sue Chase of Plant City, Florida; niece Sandy (Chase) Falco of Middleburgh and nephew Bill Chase of Schoharie.

Calling hours will be held from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 27 at Walker Brothers Funeral Home in Spencerport, New York, with a funeral service to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Harness Horse Youth Foundation and Standardbred Pleasure Horse Organization of New Jersey.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Gary Gregory.

(Batavia Downs)
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A Tesla car charges at a home in San Francisco, Aug. 25, 2022. Credit: AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File

As the United States rapidly builds massive data centers for the development of artificial intelligence, many Americans are concerned about the environmental impact.

Worries about how AI will affect the environment surpass concerns about other industries that worsen climate change, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago.

The results of the poll, conducted in September, suggest that as AI reshapes work, communication and culture, it's also sparking anxieties about how the growing energy demands could further harm the environment.

It takes massive amounts of electricity to power AI. Electricity consumption from data centers is set to more than double globally by 2030, according to the International Energy Agency. The United States accounts for by far the largest share of the projected increase, followed by China. In many places, the electricity for data centers will come from power plants that burn coal, oil and natural gas. Burning these fossil fuels for electricity emits carbon dioxide, trapping heat in the atmosphere and warming the planet.

The energy needs are so large that major technology companies are investing in next-generation nuclear technology, which can produce electricity without emissions, and quietly scaling back their own goals to cut carbon pollution.

Aidan Collins, a 26-year-old Democrat in New York, said in his view, AI uses an "absurd amount" of energy.

"Using all this energy and contributing to climate change in a bad way, it all just seems very awful to me," he said.

The charging status screen is shown on a Tesla car at a home in San Francisco, Aug. 25, 2022. Credit: AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File

More worries about AI's environmental impact than meat and aviation

President Donald Trump unveiled a plan this summer for America's "global dominance" in artificial intelligence, which included cutting back environmental regulations to speed up the construction of AI supercomputers. The U.S. Department of Energy has identified federal sites where tech companies could build data centers to power AI. Trump, a Republican, has made sweeping strides to prioritize fossil fuels for electricity generation and hinder renewable energy projects.

About 4 in 10 U.S. adults say they are "extremely" or "very" concerned about the environmental impacts of AI. That's higher than the share of Americans who are highly concerned about the environmental impact of the cryptocurrency, meat production and air travel industries, all of which contribute to climate change and cause environmental harm. Bitcoin mining uses enormous amounts of electricity. Livestock produce methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. And when airplanes burn jet fuel, it releases carbon dioxide.

Like Collins, several Americans said in follow-up interviews that they are worried about the energy and water required to power AI. Data centers need a tremendous amount of water to keep cool. Some communities strongly oppose data centers because they demand so much energy and water.

Aaron Gunnoe, a 29-year-old independent in Ohio, said he's very concerned about the increasing electricity demand, when much of it is supplied by fossil fuels.

"They haven't done anything in the way of offsetting it cleanly," he said. "They just keep building more and more."

Vehicles drive along a highway July 30, 2025, in Cincinnati. Credit: AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel, File

Democrats are more likely than Republicans to be highly worried

Democrats are particularly likely to be concerned about the environmental impacts of AI.

"I feel like it's going to be a greater and greater burden," said Amy Fennewald, a 61-year-old Democrat in Minnesota.

But while about half of Democrats are "extremely" or "very" concerned, so are about one-third of independents and Republicans. Raymond Suarez, a 60-year-old living in Florida, considers himself a "strong" Republican. He fears data centers will be built on land that should be preserved or used for other things, such as farming, and he worries AI is becoming too pervasive.

"For them to uptick it and for them to think it's a great thing, no, it's not," he said.

On the other hand, James Horner said he's not at all concerned about the environmental impacts. The 52-year-old Republican living in South Carolina said he thinks artificial intelligence will be the solution to its own energy problemit will show how clean energy can be built in an efficient, profitable way, and clean energy will be used to power AI.

"It's going to help everybody," he said. "I think it's going to be able to figure out these processes happening in our body that scientists, as smart as they are, haven't figured out yet. With supercomputers taking all that data, I think it will help everything, health care, the environment. If it's used correctly, it will do good."

A motorist drives past the CHS oil refinery Sept. 28, 2024, in McPherson, Kan. Credit: AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File

The expected legacy of AI is more negative than positive

Americans are more likely to think that over the next decade, artificial intelligence will do more to hurt than help the environment, the economy and society as a whole.

Doug Bowen, a 79-year-old moderate Republican living in Kansas, said he thinks artificial intelligence will do more to hurt. The demand on the planet's resources will be greater as AI and the number of companies involved in the field grow, he said.

Americans are divided on whether AI will do more to help or hurt them personally. About one-quarter say AI will do more to help them, and about the same share say it will do more to hurt them. About half say that it won't make a difference in their lives or that they are unsure.

Amanda Hernandez, a 24-year-old Democrat in California, said she grew concerned after watching TikTok videos about the immense energy and water demands. Hernandez said she thinks she will be personally hurt by AI because she works as a cashier at a fast food restaurant.

"I'm more concerned, as AI continues to grow and advance, that we're just not going to need any cashiers or customer service people altogether," she said.

Fennewald, in Minnesota, said she doesn't know whether she will be personally helped or hurt by AI in the future.

"I think it's a black box. I don't know how we can know," she said. "We really have no idea what's ahead."

 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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From left to right, we show how ARX-LR processes the original dataset to iterate over the generalization lattice, identifying the (colored) states that are anonymous to form equivalence classes 1 and 2. Credit: arXiv (2025). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2509.03350

A team of faculty and students from George Mason University recently discovered a vulnerability in a widely used anonymization tool. They presented their findings last week in Taiwan at the Association for Computing Machinery Conference on Computer and Communications Security (ACM CCS 2025). The paper is available on the arXiv preprint server.

The problem they discovered was with ARX, an open-source data anonymization tool, which provides what is referred to as k-anonymity. It is a commonly used tool in clinical settings to maintain data privacy. The discovery is particularly important at a time when more and more private data is being used in a variety of settings and systems.

Evgenios Kornaropoulos, an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science, said, "Sometimes this type of microdata is very valuable. Tools like ARX anonymize the data so it's compliant with HIPAA, and then that data can be shared with policymakers, engineers, scientists, and others who will make policy decisions and scientific studies based on this information."

While many people receiving medical care are comfortable with their information being included in larger data sets for purposes of medical discovery, they likely do not want personal, identifiable information released.

Rebecca Sutter, a co-author on the paper, a professor of Nursing, and director, MAP Clinics, said, "For patients, and especially those from more vulnerable or marginalized communities, data privacy is not an abstract concern, it's deeply tied to trust in the health care system. The integrity of tools like ARX matters because they underpin how we protect patient information while advancing public health research. When anonymization fails, it's not only a technical vulnerability, it's a human one."

Somiya Chhillar, a Ph.D. computer science student and lead author on the paper, said that the ubiquity of ARX was a reason they chose to study it. "We wanted to see how ARX really operates and how the algorithm works. While we were doing that, we realized that a few of the steps that it takes are very opportunistic, and because of that, it leaks information that we shouldn't be finding out by just looking at the anonymized data."

Chhillar said that ARX follows a "greedy strategy," explaining that there is a tension between privacy and utility. When data is shared, it should be useful without leaking information. The best metric for deciding the data usefulness is measured by information loss while the data is being made private.

"The algorithm tries to minimize information loss while anonymizing the data, and ideally, we want the least possible information loss. And that's the greedy aspect of it; it's not always going for the most private, it's just going for the most utility."

This is what backfires, said Kornaropoulos, because experts (or attackers) can reverse engineer the anonymization steps the algorithm took throughout its execution to maximize utility and figure out properties of the data that were there before and after this anonymization step.

Kornaropoulos praised his student's dedication to the discovery, noting that Chhillar "worked on this project for a while, and this code base of ARX is an elaborate tool, with thousands of lines of code. She had to go through it to truly internalize understand everything that's going on there," he said.

More information: Somiya Chhillar et al, Exposing Privacy Risks in Anonymizing Clinical Data: Combinatorial Refinement Attacks on k-Anonymity Without Auxiliary Information, arXiv (2025). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2509.03350 Journal information: arXiv
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Schematic and SEM images of a ten-finger CNT RF transistor with a Y gate and air bridge. Credit: Zhou et al.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), cylindrical nanostructures made of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice, have proved to be promising for the fabrication of various electronic devices. In fact, these structures exhibit outstanding electrical conductivity and mechanical strength, both of which are highly favorable for the development of transistors (i.e., the devices that control the flow of current in electronics).

In recent years, several electronics engineers have started using CNTs to develop various electronics, including metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs). MOSFETs are transistors that control the flow of current through a semiconducting channel utilizing an electric field applied to a gate electrode.

Notably, when arrays of CNTs are used to develop MOSFETs, they can operate at radio frequencies (RF), the range of electromagnetic waves that support wireless communication. The resulting MOSFETs could thus be particularly advantageous for the advancement of wireless communication systems and technologies.

Researchers at Peking University, Xiangtan University and Zhejiang University recently developed new CNT-based MOSFETs that can operate effectively at THz frequencies, which essentially means that they can switch or amplify signals that change over a trillion times per second. The new transistors, presented in a paper published in Nature Electronics, could open new possibilities for the development of ultra-fast wireless communication systems, as well as high-speed radar and computing systems.

"Films of aligned semiconducting carbon nanotubes could be used to build complementary metaloxidesemiconductor field-effect transistors for digital integrated circuits and radio-frequency transistors for terahertz analog integrated circuits," wrote Jianshuo Zhou, Zipeng Pan and their colleagues in their paper.

"However, the operating frequencies of such devices remain too low for potential application in the sixth generation of wireless communications. We report metaloxidesemiconductor field-effect transistors that are based on aligned carbon nanotube films and have a cut-off frequency beyond 1 THz."

Conventional silicon-based transistors deployed in existing electronics can reliably handle signals with frequencies up to 100300 GHz. This means that they can switch or amplify signals up to a few hundred billion times per second.

In contrast, the new CNT-based MOSFETs developed by Zhou, Pan and their colleagues can handle signals beyond 1 THz (i.e., 1,000 GHz). This makes them suitable for the development of sixth-generation (6G) wireless technologies and high-speed communication systems.

"By optimizing gate structures and fabrication processes, we create devices with a gate length of 80 nm that have a carrier mobility of over 3,000 cm2 V1 s1, as well as an on-state current of 3.02 mA m1, a peak transconductance of 1.71 mS m1 at a bias of 1 V, and a saturation velocity of 3.5  107 cm s1," wrote the authors.

"By introducing a Y-shaped gate, we also create devices with gate lengths of 35 nm that have an extrinsic cut-off frequency (f T ) of up to 551 GHz and a maximum oscillation frequency (f max ) of 1,024 GHz. Finally, we use devices with a gate length of 50 nm to fabricate mmWave-band (30 GHz) radio-frequency amplifiers that have a gain of up to 21.4 dB."

To demonstrate the potential of their newly developed MOSFETs, the researchers used them to create radio-frequencies amplifiers, electronic circuits that increase the strength of signals. These amplifiers, which operate in the millimeter-wave band, were found to perform remarkably well, reliably increasing the strength of high-frequency (30 GHz) signals by over a hundred times.

Overall, the recent work by Zhou, Pan, and their colleagues highlights the potential of CNT arrays for the development of transistors that could support faster communications. In the future, the MOSFETs they developed could be improved and used to develop ultra-high-speed wireless transmitters and receivers, as well as powerful THz sensing technologies and high-speed electronic circuits.

Written for you by our author Ingrid Fadelli, edited by Gaby Clark, and fact-checked and reviewed by Robert Eganthis article is the result of careful human work. We rely on readers like you to keep independent science journalism alive. If this reporting matters to you, please consider a donation (especially monthly). You'll get an ad-free account as a thank-you.

More information: Jianshuo Zhou et al, Terahertz metaloxidesemiconductor transistors based on aligned carbon nanotube arrays, Nature Electronics (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41928-025-01463-6. Journal information: Nature Electronics

 2025 Science X Network
The key to Philippines wooing of Chinese tourists lies not in visas, but in sincerity

Global Times) 08:40, October 23, 2025

Illustration:Liu Rui/GT

According to a Wednesday report by the Philippine Star, Philippine Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco stated that the Philippine government expects that the restart of an e-visa program for Chinese tourists, set for November this year, will attract more Chinese visitors and help close a widening gap with other neighboring Southeast Asian countries.

This is not the first time the Philippines has signaled to change its visa policy toward China. The country started issuing e-visas to Chinese tourists in August 2023, but suspended it a few months later. The recent decision to resume the program raises questions about Manila's underlying motives.

The Philippines has an opportunistic mentality of "security with US, economy with China," in which it attempts to hitch a ride on China's economic development while clinging to the military and security ties with the US. Ding Duo, director of the Research Center for International and Regional Studies at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times that "the Marcos administration has passed the mid-point of its term, with its campaign promises remaining unfulfilled and economic performance falling short of expectations. As a result, tourism, as a key economic pillar, has become a focus for the administration to signal its commitment to the domestic public."

"Given that the Philippines is set to take over the ASEAN's chairmanship in 2026, the resumption of the e-visa program for China carries symbolic significance," Ma Bo, an associate professor at the School of International Studies at Nanjing University, told the Global Times. "It aims to send a signal of the Philippines' gesture to improve economic, trade and people-to-people exchanges with China, while demonstrating its commitment to ASEAN unity and economic development," he added.

However, can the Philippines' "symbolic gesture" in changing its visa policy toward China truly yield results? If the Philippines genuinely hopes to deliver on its economic promises to its citizens and win back Chinese tourists, it should reflect on why tourism exchanges between China and the Philippines have been shrinking in recent years.

The tourism market in Southeast Asia is highly competitive. While countries like Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore have established high-quality maritime tourism systems, the Philippines is frequently overshadowed by negative headlines, including "China warning against the Philippines' provocations in South China Sea," "Chinese student kidnapped in Philippines" and "Philippine mayor accused of trafficking and spying for China." In such an unfriendly and insecure environment, how can Chinese tourists feel safe? Who would willingly choose to spend their travel budget in a country that exhibits such hostility toward China?

The Philippines must recognize, however, that the decline in tourism exchanges cannot be fixed through short-term facilitation measures alone. Robust and vibrant tourism exchanges are built on a foundation of mutual trust and positive bilateral relations between the two countries. Given the Philippines' continued infringements and provocations in the South China Sea, Manila's e-visa program for Chinese tourists will serve only as a symbolic gesture with limited outcomes.

In July this year, the two sides held the ninth round of China-Philippines consular consultation in Beijing, during which China urged the Philippines to foster a favorable environment for bilateral people-to-people and cultural exchanges and economic and trade cooperation. Only by cultivating genuine mutual trust and benefit can tourism truly take root and thrive. If the Philippines genuinely wants to benefit from deeper economic and trade ties, it must halt its provocative actions in the South China Sea and prevent external forces from meddling in and destabilizing bilateral relations. Moving toward each other with mutual trust and shared interests is the only path to healthy and stable relations between the two countries.

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun)
Brigitte Bardot has rubbished a "fake news" report claiming that she had died.

Brigitte Bardot has denied speculation about her death

The French actress and sex symbol posted on her X account to dismiss claims made by influencer Aqababe in a now-deleted social media post suggesting she had passed away.

Bardot, 91, wrote in a post in her native language on the social media platform: "I don't know who the idiot who started this 'fake news' about my disappearance but know that I am doing well and I have no plan on taking my bow. A word to the wise."

Aqababe, whose real name is Aniss Zitouni, claimed in their post that they had "exclusive information" about the star's supposed death.

The deleted post read: "Her coffin was ordered in Saint-Paul-de-Jarrat in the 09 (Ariege) department. An icon has passed away, leaving behind an unforgettable legacy and an internal imprint on the hearts of the French."

The influencer even stood by their claims after Bardot issued her denial on X (formerly known as Twitter), suggesting it is not the former actress who runs her account.

Aqababe wrote: "I deleted my exclusive tweet about Brigitte Bardot's death. It's not her who manages her Twitter, you'll see when AFP officially announces the death."

The denial comes after it was reported last week that Bardot had been hospitalised.

She is said to have been admitted to the Saint-Jean private hospital in Toulon last month, according to French media outlet Nice-Matin.

The publication claimed Brigitte has "undergone surgery" at the medical facility, but also reported that she was expected to be released from hospital in a few days.

Bardot is thought to have been at her home in Saint-Tropez when she was taken to hospital.

It is not the only health scare she has experienced in recent years, after she suffered respiratory problems in July 2023 amid searing heat in Saint-Tropez during that summer.

Bardot was attended to by medics at her home in the south of France, after she experienced some breathing difficulties.

Bernard d'Ormale, the actress' husband, told Var-Matin at the time: "It was around 9am when Brigitte had trouble breathing."

He described the health scare as a "respiratory distraction".

He said: "[Her breathing] was stronger than usual but she did not lose consciousness. Let's call it a moment of respiratory distraction."

Brigitte was given oxygen by the medics and they "stayed to watch her" for some time, before they left the star's home.

Bernard - who has been married to the icon since 1992 - shared: "Like all people of a certain age, she can no longer bear the heat. It happens at 88 years old. She must not make useless efforts."
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Where citizens would choose a scenario based on net regional self-sufficiency over the least-cost scenario. Colours show choice probabilities for the regional net self-sufficiency scenario. Credit: Tim Trondle

Renewable energy is today the cheapest source of electricity available. In order to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, the share of renewables must be expanded to 100% by 2030. However, this expansion comes with an increase in land use, leading to rising public opposition.

How can citizens' preferences inform the planning of energy systems? This question was addressed by a team of researchers from ETH Zurich, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg and the Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) at GFZ Helmholtz Center.

Researchers developed an approach that enables the evaluation of energy plans not only in terms of technical and economic aspects, but also citizen preferences.

Published in Energy Research & Social Science, the study draws on data from decision-making experiments in four European countries with energy system models.

By combining preference data on how electricity systems should be designed with techno-economic scenarios at national and sub-national level, the new methodology makes it possible to predict which energy system people in Europe would choose.

"Although energy system models are becoming more sophisticated, more detailed and show how functioning and cost-effective renewable energy systems can be built, they run the risk of generating irrelevant results as they ignore the social factors that constrain and drive on-the-ground development," explains lead author Tim Trondle (ETH Zurich).

Social scientific studies show how acceptance and opposition develop, but ignore whether the sum of all measures taken to accommodate societal wishes and needs makes the resulting energy system technically and economically infeasible.

Preference for solar power and decentralized energy systems

"It was interesting, for example, that people tended to favor solar over wind power, even if it wasn't the first choice from a cost perspective," says Professor Johan Lilliestam from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg.

At the same time, Europeans are not only seeking low energy costs, but also a more decentralized energy system with less wind power, more solar energy and fewer imports. The authors argue that this shift has likely been reinforced by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

However, in many places, other factors also played a role. "One of these is the concentration of generation and transmission infrastructure, which we can visualize quite accurately thanks to our analysis," explains Trondle.

"This shows that integrating citizens' preferences into energy system modeling can lead to more realistic and socially acceptable results," says study author Franziska Mey from RIFS. The researchers conclude that incorporating social data can fundamentally alter the outcomes of energy modeling, and that political decision-making processes can benefit from such analyses.

"Firstly, our study shows that citizens' preferences can be incorporated into energy models, resulting in scenarios that are both technically feasible and socially favored," says Trondle.

"Political decision-makers should therefore establish procedures in which citizens' preferencesfor example, through decision-making experiments or representative surveysare incorporated as input variables in national and regional energy planning tools."

Secondly, the study makes it clear that people do not necessarily prefer cost-optimized solutions. This means that political decisions should not be based solely on economic criteria, but must take into account the preferences of the population in order to ensure acceptance and support.

The study is intended to help bridge the gap between technical modeling and social reality by providing the tools that will enable political decision-makers to develop socially viable energy scenarios. This could help to make the transition to a decarbonized electricity supply more democratic, more efficient and less conflictual.

More information: Tim Trondle et al, Socially preferable and technically feasible: European citizens choose solar power and import independence over lower costs, Energy Research & Social Science (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.erss.2025.104364
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Experimental setup of data transmission with next-generation error correction codes. Credit: National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

The National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) and the Nagoya Institute of Technology (NITech), collaborating with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), have achieved the world's first successful demonstration of next-generation error correction codes, mitigating the impact of atmospheric turbulence on ground-to-satellite laser communications.

The work is presented at the International Conference on Space Optical Systems and Applications (ICSOS) 2025.

Atmospheric turbulence in ground-to-satellite laser links is known to cause fading, resulting in burst data errors. Error correction codes are one of the key technologies to mitigate such effects.

In this experiment, the team transmitted next-generation error correction codes with high correction capability (5G NR LDPC and DVB-S2) and successfully corrected burst data errors caused by atmospheric turbulence in the laser link. This result confirmed that both codes can significantly improve communication quality compared to conventional schemes.

This achievement is expected to contribute to the practical implementation of ground-to-satellite laser communications by applying these codes.

NICT has been conducting research and development to implement practical ground-to-satellite laser communications. NICT recognizes overcoming atmospheric turbulence as one of the technical challenges for practical implementation.

To address this challenge, NICT has carried out ground-to-geostationary (GEO) satellite laser communication experiments using NICT's 1-meter optical ground station and JAXA's Laser Utilizing Communication System (LUCAS) onboard the optical data relay satellite, in order to investigate the impact of atmospheric turbulence on communication quality.

This investigation revealed that atmospheric turbulence causes fading lasting from several milliseconds to several tens of milliseconds, which generates burst data errors. These errors lead to degraded and unstable communication quality. Currently, two approaches are available to overcome these effects: optical compensation schemes and error correction codes.

Focusing on the advantage of eliminating control systems of optics, NICT adopted error correction codes. The team has been working on a plan to demonstrate error correction using next-generation codes with higher correction capability than conventional Reed-Solomon codes, including 5G NR LDPC for 5G applications and DVB-S2 for satellite broadcasting.

In this experiment, NICT, in collaboration with NITech, conducted data transmission with next-generation error correction codes, including 5G NR LDPC and DVB-S2, using a 60 Mbps downlink on the ground-to-GEO satellite laser communication link between NICT's 1-meter optical ground station and LUCAS.

Utilizing NICT's experiences acquiring atmospheric turbulence, the parameters involved with the interleaving method and error correction code were optimized to address burst errors caused by fading.

Analyzing these experimental data successfully demonstrated the correction of burst data errors caused by atmospheric turbulence-induced fading, marking the world's first confirmation that 5G NR LDPC and DVB-S2 can significantly improve communication quality compared to conventional codes.

These advanced codes not only offer high error correction capability but are also expected to assist in practical application in ground-to-satellite laser communications due to achieving easily implementable hardware and potential interoperability with future 5G communication systems.

This achievement leads to the improvement of communication quality for ground-to-satellite laser links and accelerates their practical implementation.

It also enables applying existing terrestrial 5G communication protocols and satellite broadcasting standards to space communication network systems. In the future, this technology is expected to play a key role in ground-to-satellite laser communication systems.

Provided by National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)
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Researchers modify silsesquioxane framework containing ionic liquid-modified zeolite membranes with broader implications to reduce CO 2 emission. Credit: Yuichiro Hirota / Nagoya Institute of Technology, Japan

An effective strategy to address increasing greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change is the capture and reuse of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ).

The reaction of CO 2 and hydrogen (H 2 ) can produce industrially useful chemicals, such as methanol and carbon monoxide, and synthetic fuels. However, in traditional reactors, these chemical processes are limited by thermodynamic constraints and slow reaction rates, resulting in a low CO 2 conversion. This is because these reactors reach equilibrium before all the reactants are converted into desired products.

To increase reaction speed, higher temperatures or pressures are required, but this increases energy consumption, posing a major challenge for CO 2 utilization technologies.

Membrane reactors are a promising solution to this problem. These reactors use hydrophilic membranes to selectively remove water (H 2 O), a common byproduct in CO 2 conversion reactions, while retaining the reactants. This shifts the reaction equilibrium towards the products, improving CO 2 conversion and yields.

Zeolitic membranes, such as those based on ZSM-5, are attractive candidates for membrane reactors. These materials can selectively adsorb water molecules within their micropores, preventing permeation of reactants like H 2 . However, at high temperatures and low H 2 O concentrations, which are typical in real-world operating conditions, their performance gets degraded due to poor pore blocking, allowing H 2 to permeate along with H 2 O molecules. This in turn limits the practical applicability of membrane reactors.

To address this issue, a research team led by Associate Professor Yuichiro Hirota from the Department of Life Science and Applied Chemistry at Nagoya Institute of Technology in Japan, has developed new ZSM-5 membranes modified by a silsesquioxane framework containing ionic liquids (SQILs).

"In previous studies, ionic liquid coating has been shown to improve the H 2 O capture capacity of metal-organic framework membranes," says Dr. Hirota.

"Building on this result, we designed SQIL-modified ZSM-5 membranes that maintain high H 2 O permselectivity even under dilute H 2 O concentrations and high temperatures. We also analyzed how hydrophilicity of the SQIL and ZSM layers contributes to this performance."

The study, which included contributions from Assistant Professor Motomu Sakai from Waseda University, Japan, was published in the Journal of Membrane Science.

In their study, the team fabricated two SQILs from polymerized 1-methyl-3-(1-triethoxysilylpropyl)imidazolium (Sipmim) cations: one containing trifluoromethanesulfonate (OTf-) anions, forming polySipmimOTf, and the other containing bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (Tf 2 N-) anions, forming polySipmimTf 2 N.

In the tests conducted, polySipmimOTf was found to be more hydrophilic of the two.

The modification of ZSM-5 membranes with hydrophilic silsesquioxane framework containing ionic liquids significantly reduces gas permeation while enhancing H 2 O permselectivity even at diluted H 2 O concentrations and high temperatures. Credit: Yuichiro Hirota / Nagoya Institute of Technology, Japan

Furthermore, the team prepared two ZSM-5 membranes: a hydrophilic sodium cation (Na+)-type (NaZ-5) and a less hydrophilic hydrogen cation (H+)-type (HZ-5). The surfaces of these membranes were then modified with SQILs and tested for H 2 gas permeation and H 2 O permselectivity at different concentrations at a temperature of 473 K (200 C).

The results showed that SQIL modification significantly reduced H 2 permeability and enhanced H 2 O permselectivity compared to that of unmodified ZSM-5 membranes. Moreover, membranes modified with polySipmimOTf performed better compared to those modified with polySipmimTf 2 N.

Furthermore, polySipmimOTf-modified NaZ-5 (OTf-/NaZ-5) showed significantly better H 2 O permselectivity, outperforming the Otf-/HZ-5 membranes.

Importantly, the SQIL-modified ZSM-5 membranes retained low H 2 permeation even at dilute H 2 O concentrations while maintaining high H 2 O permeation at elevated concentrations. The team attributed this finding to a synergistic effect arising from combining hydrophilic SQIL and ZSM layers.

As Dr. Hirota explains, "The superior dehydration of the SQIL-modified membranes arises from three factors: the low H 2 solubility and high hydrophilicity of SQILs, which minimize H 2 permeation at low H 2 O concentrations; the selective adsorption and capillary condensation of H 2 O in ZSM-5 micropores; and the shift in H 2 O sorption from Langmuir-type to Henry-type owing to SQIL modification."

"The effective conversion of CO 2 into chemicals and fuels is essential for achieving carbon neutrality and a circular economy," adds Dr. Hirota.

"Our SQIL-modified membranes can help improve CO 2 conversion efficiency in membrane reactors and could pave the way for their broader adoption."

These innovative membranes could open doors to more efficient and practical membrane reactors for CO 2 conversion, potentially contributing to reduced carbon emissions and energy conservation in chemical industries and mitigating the effects of global warming.

More information: Yuichiro Hirota et al, Silsesquioxane framework containing ionic liquidmodified NaZSM-5 membrane for H2O/H2 separation at high temperature, Journal of Membrane Science (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2025.124568
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Self-driving taxis are sweeping the country and will likely start service in Colorado in the coming months. How many of us will be lining up to take a ride? That depends on our level of trust, says Amir Behzadan, a professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, and a fellow in the Institute of Behavioral Science (IBS) at CU Boulder.

He and his team of researchers in the Connected Informatics and Built Environment Research (CIBER) Lab at CU Boulder are unearthing new insights into how the artificial intelligence (AI) technology we might encounter in daily life can earn our confidence. They've created a framework for developing trustworthy AI tools that benefit people and society.

In a new paper in the journal AI and Ethics, Behzadan and his Ph.D. student Armita Dabiri drew on that framework to create a conceptual AI tool that incorporates the elements of trustworthiness.

"As a human, when you make yourself vulnerable to potential harm, assuming others have positive intentions, you're trusting them," said Behzadan. "And now you can bring that concept from humanhuman relationships to humantechnology relationships."

How trust forms

Behzadan studies the building blocks of human trust in AI systems that are used in the built environment, from self-driving cars and smart home security systems to mobile public transportation apps and systems that help people collaborate on group projects. He says trust has a critical impact on whether people will adopt and rely on them or not.

Trust is deeply embedded in human civilization, according to Behzadan. Since ancient times, trust has helped people cooperate, share knowledge and resources, form communal bonds and divvy up labor. Early humans began forming communities and trusting those within their inner circles.

Mistrust arose as a survival instinct, making people more cautious when interacting with people outside of their group. Over time, cross-group trade encouraged different groups to interact and become interdependent, but it didn't eliminate mistrust.

"We can see echoes of this trust-mistrust dynamic in modern attitudes toward AI," says Behzadan, "especially if it's developed by corporations, governments or others we might consider 'outsiders'."

So what does trustworthy AI look like? Here are five main takeaways from Behzadan's framework.

1. It knows its users

Many factors affect whetherand how muchwe trust new AI technology. Each of us has our own individual inclination toward trust, which is influenced by our preferences, value system, cultural beliefs, and even the way our brains are wired.

"Our understanding of trust is really different from one person to the next," said Behzadan. "Even if you have a very trustworthy system or person, our reaction to that system or person can be very different. You may trust them, and I may not."

He said it's important for developers to consider who the users are of an AI tool. What social or cultural norms do they follow? What might their preferences be? How technologically literate are they?

For instance, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and other voice assistants offer simpler language, larger text displays on devices and a longer response time for older adults and people who aren't as technologically savvy, Behzadan said.

2. It's reliable, ethical and transparent

Technical trustworthiness generally refers to how well an AI tool works, how safe and secure it is, and how easy it is for users to understand how it works and how their data is used.

An optimally trustworthy tool must do its job accurately and consistently, Behzadan said. If it does fail, it should not harm people, property or the environment. It must also provide security against unauthorized access, protect users' privacy and be able to adapt and keep working amid unexpected changes. It should also be free from harmful bias and should not discriminate between different users.

Transparency is also key. Behzadan says some AI technologies, such as sophisticated tools used for credit scoring or loan approval, operate like a "black box" that doesn't allow us to see how our data is used or where it goes once it's in the system. If the system could share how it's using data and users could see how it makes decisions, he said, more people might be willing to share their data.

In many settings, like medical diagnosis, the most trustworthy AI tools should complement human expertise and be transparent about their reasoning with expert clinicians, according to Behzadan.

AI developers should not only try to develop trustworthy, ethical tools, but also find ways to measure and improve their tools' trustworthiness once they are launched for the intended users.

3. It takes context into account

There are countless uses for AI tools, but a particular tool should be sensitive to the context of the problem it's trying to solve.

In the newest study, Behzadan and co-researcher Dabiri created a hypothetical scenario where a project team of engineers, urban planners, historic preservationists and government officials had been tasked with repairing and maintaining a historical building in downtown Denver. Such work can be complex and involve competing priorities, like cost effectiveness, energy savings, historical integrity and safety.

The researchers proposed a conceptual AI assistive tool called PreservAI that could be designed to balance competing interests, incorporate stakeholder input, analyze different outcomes and trade-offs, and collaborate helpfully with humans rather than replacing their expertise.

Ideally, AI tools should incorporate as much contextual information as possible so they can work reliably.

4. It's easy to use and asks users how it's doing

The AI tool should not only do its job efficiently, but also provide a good user experience, keeping errors to a minimum, engaging users and building in ways to address potential frustrations, Behzadan said.

Another key ingredient for building trust? Actually allowing people to use AI systems and challenge AI outcomes.

"Even if you have the most trustworthy system, if you don't let people interact with it, they are not going to trust it. If very few people have really tested it, you can't expect an entire society to trust it and use it," he said.

Finally, stakeholders should be able to provide feedback on how well the tool is working. That feedback can be helpful in improving the tool and making it more trustworthy for future users.

5. When trust is lost, it adapts to rebuild it

Our trust in new technology can change over time. One person might generally trust new technology and be excited to ride in a self-driving taxi, but if they read news stories about the taxis getting into crashes, they might start to lose trust.

That trust can later be rebuilt, said Behzadan, although users can remain skeptical about the tool.

For instance, he said, the "Tay" chatbot by Microsoft failed within hours of its launch in 2016 because it picked up harmful language from social media and began to post offensive tweets. The incident caused public outrage. But later that same year, Microsoft released a new chatbot, "Zo," with stronger content filtering and other guardrails. Although some users criticized Zo as a "censored" chatbot, its improved design helped more people trust it.

There's no way to completely eliminate the risk that comes with trusting AI, Behzadan said. AI systems rely on people being willing to share datathe less data the system has, the less reliable it is. But there's always a risk of data being misused or AI not working the way it's supposed to.

When we're willing to use AI systems and share our data with them, though, the systems become better at their jobs and more trustworthy. And while no system is perfect, Behzadan feels the benefits outweigh the downsides.

"When people trust AI systems enough to share their data and engage with them meaningfully, those systems can improve significantly, becoming more accurate, fair, and useful," he said.

"Trust is not just a benefit to the technology; it is a pathway for people to gain more personalized and effective support from AI in return."

More information: Amir Behzadan et al, Factors influencing human trust in intelligent built environment systems, AI and Ethics (2025). DOI: 10.1007/s43681-025-00813-6
Vietnam's benchmark VN-Index could surpass 2,000 points in 2026: exec

By Dinh Vu, Thai Ha Thu, October 23, 2025 | 10:55 am GMT+7

VN-Index could top 2,000 points next year, said Huynh Minh Tuan, founder of FIDT - a Ho Chi Minh City-based investment consulting firm.

"The Vietnamese economy is entering a phase of exceptional growth, supported by several positive macro indicators," Tuan told the Business Forum 2026 themed New Growth Space: Opportunities and Strategies on Wednesday.

The GDP growth target for 2026-2030 is set at the highest level in decades; credit is expanding while lending rates remain low; and public investment is being accelerated, creating spillover effects across multiple sectors, he explained.

Huynh Minh Tuan, founder of FIDT. Photo courtesy of Bizlive.

Referring to the outlook for VN-Index, which represents the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange, Tuan identified three main supporting factors in the medium and long term:

First, the markets upgrade from "frontier" to "secondary emerging" status by FTSE Russell, effective from September 21 next year, will enhance Vietnams image and trigger a wave of global ETF inflows.

"If Vietnam meets MSCIs criteria for an upgrade, passive investment funds tracking emerging markets could allocate around $10-15 billion into Vietnams stock market. From now until then, the market has roughly three years to prepare and elevate itself to a new level, he noted.

Second, improvements in corporate governance and market transparency will further attract both foreign investors and Vietnamese individuals.

Third, a wave of IPOs from large enterprises expected to go public soon will increase the markets depth and diversity. Potential names mentioned include VPBankS, TCBS, VPS, Hoa Phat Agriculture, Highlands Coffee, and Bach Hoa Xanh.

Over the past three years, foreign investors have been net sellers, while global indirect capital has mainly flowed into large markets such as the U.S., China, and Japan. "However, upcoming structural changes in listed companies and product quality are expected to draw foreign capital back to Vietnam."

Tuan predicted that the VN-Index could surpass 2,000 points by 2026. However, he emphasized that forecasts are always relative.

Up to 90% of projections tend to be wrong, but based on an expected 20% increase in EPS in 2025 and a P/E ratio of 17-18 times, the 1,800-point level is achievable. If favorable conditions persist, surpassing 2,000 points in 2026 is entirely possible, he remarked.

While the outlook is optimistic, experts at the forum also cautioned investors to have clear strategies and strict risk management.

Nguyen Viet Duc, digital business director of VPBank Securities, noted that although 2025 is projected to see strong export growth (around 17%) and credit expansion, 2026 could mark a slower growth phase as supporting factors begin to fade.

Meanwhile, Le Bao Nguyen, deputy CEO of SSID - a strategic technology company and startup incubator, emphasized that investors should adopt a no leverage and steady accumulation strategy to minimize market risk.

Each week or month, consistently buy a certain amount of shares to build your portfolio. Over a 10-year period, almost no one loses using this method - I myself have benefited greatly from this approach, Nguyen added.

VN-Index closed Wednesday at 1,675 points, surging for two consecutive sessions after recording the sharpest decline in its 25-year history on Monday (down by 94.76 points, or 5.47%, to 1,636.43).
Vinhomes chairman appointed CEO of VinSpeed

By Thai Ha Thu, October 23, 2025 | 3:40 pm GMT+7

Pham Thieu Hoa, chairman of Vinhomes, has been appointed CEO of VinSpeed, a newly established company specializing in railway construction.

Pham Thieu Hoa, chairman of Vinhomes and newly-appointed CEO of VinSpeed. Photo courtesy of Vinhomes.

Hoa officially assumed the CEO position at VinSpeed on October 15. He concurrently continues serving as chairman of Vinhomes, according to the national business registration portal.

Vinhomes is a leading property developer in Vietnam and a subsidiary of Vingroup.

Born in 1963 in Ha Nam province, Hoa holds a masters degree in business administration. From 2003-2005, he was deputy director of sales at Technocom Group, the instant noodle manufacturer founded by billionaire Pham Nhat Vuong in Ukraine - the predecessor of Vingroup. He later held several senior management roles across Vingroups subsidiaries.

In February 2018, Hoa became deputy CEO for project development at Vinhomes, before being appointed CEO in 2019 and later chairman in May 2022.

VinSpeed, founded by billionaire Pham Nhat Vuong in May 2025, focuses on railway infrastructure construction and production of locomotives and carriages.

Vuong holds 51% of the companys shares, while his two sons - Pham Nhat Quan Anh and Pham Nhat Minh Hoang - each own 1%.

The remaining stakes belong to Vietnam Investment Group (VIG) with 35% and Vingroup with 10%. The companys charter capital currently stands at VND15 trillion ($569.52 million).

In addition to appointing its new CEO, VinSpeed is set to acquire 243.4 million VIC shares of Vingroup from Hung Long Real Estate Management and Investment JSC following a merger between the two entities. After the transaction, VinSpeed will hold 378.1 million VIC shares, equivalent to 9.77% of Vingroups outstanding shares.

Hung Long Real Estate was formerly known as VMI Real Estate Management and Investment JSC, a company founded by Vuong in October 2022. The firm pioneered a fractional real estate investment model, primarily involving properties within the Vingroup ecosystem.

In May 2025, VinSpeed submitted a proposal to invest in Vietnams North-South high-speed railway project. The behemonth project will have an estimated investment of VND1,562 trillion ($60.24 billion), excluding costs related to compensation, relocation support, and resettlement for land clearance. It is scheduled for completion by 2030.

VinSpeed commits to mobilizing 20% of the total investment capital, equivalent to $12.27 billion. For the remaining 80%, excluding costs related to compensation, relocation support, and resettlement for land clearance, the company proposed borrowing from the state budget, through zero-interest loans, repayable over a 35-year period from the disbursement date.
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Kylie Jenner is mourning the death of her Italian Greyhound Norman.

Kylie Jenner is mourning the death of her dog

The 28-year-old make-up mogul has revealed via social media that Norman recently passed away, aged 11.

Alongside a series of throwback photos of her beloved pet, Kylie wrote on Instagram: "In Loving Memory of My Sweet Norman

"I still remember the day I brought you home. I had never loved anything so much. I always wanted an Italian Greyhound growing up, but my mommy never let me have one. Then, right after I turned 17, I got you for Christmas, and it was the best gift I could have ever received.

"Normy, you filled my life and so many others with pure joy. Almost 13 years old, and yet I know Ill remember you far longer than the time we got to share. I wish I wasnt writing this post. I knew you were getting older, and I tried to prepare myself, but its hard losing you norm. It makes me happy knowing my kids got to meet you and love you [crying emoji] (sic)"

Kylie also confessed that her "heart aches" following the passing of her beloved pet.

She wrote on the photo-sharing platform: "My sweet Normyyyy. My heart aches for you. Rest in peace, my precious Normandle. I love you forever. (sic)"

Meanwhile, Kylie has developed a huge online following over the years, including having more than 390 million followers on Instagram.

However, the brunette beauty previously admitted that she finds it "hard to keep up with the internet".

Kylie told ELLE magazine: "My friends and I laugh because its hard to keep up with the internet now. Its exhausting.

"When I was posting 24/7 - waking up, what Im eating for breakfast, what Im wearing for the day, the colour of my nails, what car Im driving, where Im driving to - I didnt have an intense schedule. I wasnt working as much; I didnt have kids and just had more time.

"If youre not posting three times a day on TikTok, you fall behind."
Soft Cell's Dave Ball has died.

Marc Almond has paid tribute to late Soft Cell bandmate Dave Ball

The musician's representative revealed he had "passed away peacefully in his sleep at his London home" on Wednesday (22.10.25) at the age of 66, with his bandmate Marc Almond noting the "brilliant musical genius" had been in poor health for some time.

Marc wrote on his website: "It is hard to write this, let alone process it, but it is with the greatest sadness that the other half of Soft Cell, the wonderful brilliant musical genius David Ball, died peacefully in his sleep... As many of you are aware, Dave has been ill for a long while and his health had been in slow decline over recent years.

"Yet he always came back with a determined spirit to continue his work in the studio and, although he has been unable to travel abroad, he has still been able to perform with me as Soft Cell on occasions in the UK. His last appearance was at the Rewind festival a few weeks ago, where we headlined to over 20,000 people, after which he was elated and given an enormous boost."

The Tainted Love hitmaker revealed he and Dave had been working on a new album together, which they completed just a few days ago, and he thinks the record will be a "fitting" end to their musical partnership.

He continued: "It is most heartbreaking, particularly at this time, that Dave was in a great place emotionally, feeling focused and happy with the new album, Danceteria, that we literally had only just completed days ago.

"I listened to the complete album for the first time yesterday. It makes me so sad as this would have been a great uplifting year for him and I can take solace that he heard this finished record and felt it was a great piece of work. Dave's music is better than ever - his tunes, his hooks unmistakably Soft Cell. Yet he always took it to a different level...

"It's fitting in many ways that the next (and now the last) album together is called Danceteria as the theme takes us for a visit back to almost the start of it all, back to New York in the early 80's, the place and time that really shaped us. We always felt we were an honorary American band as well as quintessentially British.

"We have always been self referential to the Soft Cell story and myths and this album in many ways will close that circle for us.

"I wish he could have stayed on to celebrate 50 years in a couple of years time. He will always be loved by fans who loved his music. It's a cliche to say but it lives on and somewhere at any given time around the world someone listens to, plays, dances, and get's pleasure from a Soft Cell song - even if it's just that particular two and half minute epic."

Marc ended his statement by thanking his late friend and offering support to his family.

He wrote: "My thoughts are with his family at this time.

"Thank you Dave for being an immense part of my life and for the music you gave me. I wouldn't be where I am without you."

The duo formed in 1979 when Marc and Dave were art students in Leeds and released their trailblazing debut album Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret in 1981, paving the way for the likes of Pet Sho Boys, Eurhythmics and Erasure.

Their second single, Tainted Love, was Britain's best-sellnig isngle of 1981 and topped the charts in the UK and 17 other countries around the world.

The group released four more albums between 1982 and 2021, as well as what is viewed as one of the firs tremix albums, Non-Stop Ecstatic Dancing.

As well as Soft Cell, Dave was also one half of The Grid alongside Richard Norris, with them best known for 1990s single Swamp Thing, and also worked with artists including Kylie Minogue and the late David Bowie.
Victoria Beckham had "no idea" Geri Horner planned to quit the Spice Girls in 1998.

Geri Horner quit the group in 1998

The 51-year-old designer shot to stardom in the chart-topping girl group in the mid-90s, and Victoria has now confessed to being caught off-guard by her bandmate's exit.

Speaking on the Call Her Daddy podcast, Victoria explained: "She just left. I was on the phone to Geri this morning about something completely different and we even laughed about it.

"She just left and we had no idea until she just didn't turn up. We can laugh about it now but at the time we were like, 'OK.'"

Victoria ultimately decided to leave the group herself following the birth of her son Brooklyn in 1999.

She shared: "I met David when I was 22, I was pregnant when I was 24. I went on tour when I was pregnant. I remember being in Miami in August, it is hot.

"I was in a PVC catsuit, I was pregnant, it was an ampitheatre. I had a bucket on the side of the stage and I had to keep running off stage, I had terrible morning sickness. I was so sick with Brooklyn.

"I remember saying to the tour manager, I can't do it anymore and he said, you've gotta do it, there's only a 103 more shows to go. After those shows finished, I had Brooklyn."

Despite this, Victoria admitted that she initially struggled to adjust to life as a mum, having spent years touring the world.

The designer confessed that she found it "tough" during her early days of motherhood.

Victoria - who married David Beckham in 1999 - said: "I moved to Manchester and David is playing for Manchester United. It was quite the transition for me. I was so happy to be with David, have a baby.

"I felt so blessed but I felt a bit lost as well. To go from travelling the world, being on stage with your best friends to all of a sudden being in a flat with a baby, it was tough."
HA NOI  Viet Nam is entering a pivotal phase in its climate policy as it prepares to launch a domestic carbon market and engage in international carbon trading under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. Done right, this move could not only finance the countrys national climate targets but also position Viet Nam as a regional leader in carbon markets.

Success, however, depends heavily on the design of a robust governance framework that balances environmental integrity, national interest, and investor confidence.

On the sidelines of a recent consultation workshop in Ha Noi, Viet Nam News reporter Ly Ly Cao spoke to Roxanne Tan, international carbon market expert at South Pole, to explore her perspectives on the risks, opportunities and lessons Viet Nam can draw from other countries.

Can you share a successful story from other countries that Viet Nam can learn from?

One notable example is the Bangkok E-Bus Programme in Thailand. South Pole helped develop this mitigation activity, which became the first in Southeast Asia to be authorised towards another countrys Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). Up to 500,000 carbon credits will be transferred to Switzerland.

The first transaction has already taken place between Switzerlands Click Foundation and the Thai bus company operating the project. This success illustrates how a clear regulatory pathwaycovering authorisation, ownership and transfer of creditscan create confidence among both host country regulators and international buyers.

For Viet Nam, this shows that when the government provides certainty, private actors are willing to invest and projects can move quickly from design to implementation.

What common risks should Viet Nam avoid when establishing its carbon market?

The main risk is regulatory uncertainty. If the governance framework is vague, unpredictable or incomplete, investors will hesitate to engage in Article 6 ITMO projects. We have seen this happen in other countries where project developers faced long delays and unclear approval procedures.

To avoid these pitfalls, Viet Nam must go beyond broad principles. The government should provide detailed procedures, clear timelines, and transparent criteria.

Investors need to know how long they will wait for approvals, what benchmarks will be applied and whether authorisation decisions are likely to be positive or negative. Without this predictability, there is little incentive for businesses to commit significant capital to projects that often take years to develop.

What recommendations would you give for Viet Nams carbon market regulation?

It is the governments sovereign right to decide its own rules. But from an investors perspective, balance is key.

If fees are too high or if processes are too complex and slow, Viet Nam may struggle to attract projects compared with other countries in the region.

This is why international benchmarking is valuable. Countries like Ghana, Rwanda, Cambodia, Chile and Thailand have already established Article 6 frameworks. Some of them use a strategic positive list to define which activities are eligible.

Others retain a portion of mitigation outcomes for their NDCs or introduce Corresponding Adjustment (CA) fees to generate government revenue. These measures ensure host countries benefit while also providing investors with a predictable environment. Viet Nam can learn from these models to strike its own balance.

Based on international experience, what does a robust governance framework look like?

A strong framework has three main features: alignment with the NDC, clarity and predictability, and economic optimisation.

In practice, this means three policy interventions should be considered together: a positive list of eligible mitigation activities for Article 6 authorisation, the share of mitigation outcomes retained for Viet Nams own NDC achievement, and transparent CA and administrative fees that are specified upfront.

Together, these elements provide certainty to project developers and investors.

This clarity is also critical for determining the pricing of ITMOs (Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes). The market is highly sensitive to regulatory signals, so Viet Nams decisions will directly influence how competitive its carbon credits are internationally.

What should Viet Nam consider for long-term investment certainty?

One of the most important steps is to provide authorisation beyond 2030, extending into the next NDC cycle. Right now, the window to 2030 is shortonly about five years. That is not enough for many large or complex projects to pay back their investment costs.

For example, developing a non-nature-based project typically takes around two years, while nature-based solutions require at least three years just for project origination and credit issuance.

If authorisation only covers the current NDC period, investors will not risk financing projects that cannot recover costs in such a short timeframe. Extending the horizon ensures 'bankability' and attracts long-term capital.

How should Viet Nam balance fees and retention rates?

Transparency is key. While some countries set CA fees or retention rates on a case-by-case basis, this creates uncertainty and complicates financial planning. Investors want clear rules to model their cash flows and risks.

By deciding fees and retention shares upfront, Viet Nam can give the market the predictability it needs to scale.

Viet Nams success depends on its ability to build a framework that is coherent, transparent and balanced.

The system must align with the NDC to preserve environmental integrity while also providing the clarity and predictability that investors require.

If Viet Nam can achieve this balance, it will not only secure financing for its climate goals but also establish itself as a competitive player in the international carbon market.  BIZHUB/VNS
HA NOI  Following a recent data breach at the National Credit Information Centre (CIC) and a surge in online scams, Vietnamese banks are stepping up cross-sector collaboration to protect financial data.

The upcoming signing of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime in Ha Noi, known as the Hanoi Convention, on October 2526, highlights Viet Nams active role in building a secure and transparent digital environment, including for the banking sector.

The CIC incident, involving data of 52 million individuals and over 1.2 million businesses, served as a wake-up call about data breach risks. With 87 per cent of adults holding bank accounts and nearly 90 per cent of transactions conducted digitally, even a small system vulnerability could trigger widespread market disruption.

Vu Ngoc Son, head of the Research, Consulting, Technology Development and International Cooperation Department at the National Cybersecurity Association, identified five key factors driving attacks on financial institutions: technical loopholes, human error, supply-chain vulnerabilities, regulatory differences and insufficient cybersecurity investment.

Fraud tactics are increasingly sophisticated, ranging from impersonating authorities or banks to fake investments and mobile device hijacking.

According to the Department of Cyber Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention under the Ministry of Public Security, Viet Nam recorded over 100,000 cybercrime cases in 2024, including 29,000 ransomware attacks, causing an estimated VN12 trillion (US$456 million) in online losses. These figures underscore that banks face mounting pressure as frontline defenders.

In response, the State Bank of Vietnam issued Official Letter 7936/NHNN-CNTT, directing credit institutions and foreign bank branches to strictly comply with regulations on information security and data protection, holding unit heads legally responsible for any cybersecurity breaches.

The SBV is working with the Ministry of Public Security to build a database of suspicious accounts and trial a real-time scam alert system in customer apps. Commercial banks have invested in technology infrastructure, biometric authentication, transaction encryption and AI monitoring systems.

Experts stress, however, that isolated efforts are insufficient without a unified coordination framework.

To address this, the Vietnam Banks Association (VNBA) introduced a Handbook on coordination to support handling of risks related to suspected fraud, forgery and scams.

Nguyen Quoc Hung, VNBAs Vice Chairman and General Secretary, said the handbook aims to create a unified coordination mechanism among banks, allowing suspicious transactions to be automatically traced and promptly frozen.

The Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV) proposed a standard rule that suspected fraudulent funds should not be returned, even if the account holder requests closure, to ensure consistent handling and transparency.

The Vietnam Bank for Industry and Trade (Viettinbank) suggested linking bank data with the Ministry of Public Security to speed up tracing of fraudulent accounts and extend monitoring to e-wallets.

Hoang Ngoc Bach from the Department of Cyber Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention said the handbook is a historic first, creating a unified bank-investigator procedure and emphasised the need for rapid response and data sharing immediately after a fraud report.

Given cross-border cybercrime, domestic measures must accompany international cooperation. The Hanoi Convention, the UNs first global cybercrime legal instrument, enables data and evidence sharing while aligning Viet Nams laws with international standards.

Beyond security, it also offers opportunities to attract foreign investment in cybersecurity, a key pillar of national digital transformation.

Together, the Hanoi Convention, the VNBA handbook, and banks technological and human resource investments form a threefold framework that strengthens Viet Nams financial security against high-tech crime.  VNA/VNS
HCM CITY  HCM City is poised to become one of the worlds leading hubs for wood and furniture production and export as the global market enters a recovery cycle and demand for green, sustainable products continues to rise, speakers said at a seminar in the city on October 23.

The event, titled HCM Citys Wood and Furniture Export Industry  A Global Manufacturing and Export Hub, was jointly organised by the Handicraft and Wood Industry Association of HCM City (HAWA), the Vietnam Timber and Forest Product Association (Viforest), and the Binh Duong Furniture Association (BIFA).

Speaking at the event, Phung Quoc Man, chairman of HAWA, said Viet Nams wood industry has achieved remarkable progress over the past two decades, growing from less than US$200 million in export value in 1999 to an expected $20 billion by 2025. Viet Nam is now the worlds second-largest exporter of wooden furniture, just behind China.

The industry has built a relatively complete supply chain, from raw materials and production to distribution, creating a strong global competitive advantage, he said.

Following the recent administrative merger, HCM City now accounts for nearly half of the countrys total wood export revenue and has developed an integrated supply chain covering production, processing, logistics, and seaports.This forms a solid foundation for the city to position itself as a regional manufacturing hub, Man added.

HAWA and BIFA are merging, expanding HAWAs membership to nearly 1,000 enterprises, about 70 per cent of which are producers and exporters. The new HAWA will work closely with both government and industry to ensure stable production, sustainable growth, and global market expansion, aiming to make HCM City a hub of the worlds wood and furniture industry.

Nguyen Quoc Khanh, chairman of AA Corporation and senior advisor to HAWA, said: "The industrys goal is not merely to export, but to export profitably and sustainably."

The wood industry must move beyond subcontracting and focus on developing value-added products. To achieve this, businesses need to invest in design, brand development, marketing, and sales channels to enhance value, he noted.

He urged local firms to embrace a go-global strategy by building their own brands, developing a high-quality workforce, and adopting ESG-based management models.

With the right direction, by 2035, HCM City could achieve $15 billion in export turnover, with 80 per cent of products meeting green standards and forming a smart ecosystem that integrates industrial, trade promotion, and logistics hubs across the southern key economic region, he said.

Twin transition: green and digital

Nguyen Liem, vice chairman of Viforest and chairman of BIFA, emphasised that the wood industry must pursue dual transformation - green and digital.

The green transition helps save energy, reduce emissions, and encourage the use of legal, eco-friendly materials that meet international standards. Digital transformation, meanwhile, ensures transparent management, enables production data measurement, optimises supply chains, and improves demand forecasting. The two processes are closely linked and go hand in hand, he said.

He proposed establishing a Green and Digital Transformation Support Centre for the wood sector in HCM City, piloting low-emission factories and green industrial clusters with shared infrastructure to help small businesses go green at affordable costs.

Le uc Nghia, chairman of An Cuong Wood Working JSC, said the company has implemented SAP S/4HANA, a comprehensive digital management platform, which integrates production, finance, and supply chain data, boosting productivity by over 20 per cent.

When digital transformation goes hand in hand with green transition, companies not only save costs but also meet international standards for transparency, governance, and ESG, all essential for expanding into global markets, he explained.

He also recommended that the government prioritise digitalising the national wood industry database, build an open data system, expand access to green finance and energy-efficient technologies, and develop training programmes to help enterprises comply with international standards such as EUDR, CBAM, FSC, and PEFC.

Vu Quang Huy, chairman of Tekcom, said the industry is facing trade barriers such as countervailing duty investigations, traceability requirements, and environmental certifications. But these challenges present an opportunity for businesses with strong capacity and high compliance standards.

He suggested that HCM City should take a more proactive role in standardising digital traceability records, establishing a dedicated centre for HS codes and rules of origin, and developing an early-warning system to prevent trade fraud.

Thomas Luk, director of Starwood Furniture Mfg VN Corp, said many Vietnamese exporters face high US tariffs, but there are ways to mitigate them.

One such measure is called first sale. By changing the price of goods declared to the US customs from what the importer in US is selling to the retailers to the ex-works price of the manufacturer, there will be huge savings in terms of tarif, he said.

He also called for policies to support the renovation of ageing factories and minimise account receivable risk.

Enterprises at the event further proposed streamlining administrative procedures and developing a large-scale trade fair and exhibition centre in HCM City to strengthen international trade promotion.

In his closing remarks, HCM City Peoples Committee Chairman Nguyen Van uoc praised the achievements of Viet Nams wood and furniture industry, noting that enterprises are the driving force of economic development.

The city government is committed to listening to and acting on business feedback. It will turn these ideas into practical and feasible policies to create a competitive, transparent, and sustainable business environment, he said.

He added that the city would review tax refund procedures, address overlapping regulations affecting both domestic and foreign enterprises, and continue investing in road and rail infrastructure to reduce logistics costs.

With its tradition of dynamism, creativity, and pioneering spirit, I believe HCM Citys wood and furniture business community will continue to lead the way in realising the vision of making the city a regional manufacturing and export hub, he affirmed.  VNS
SOFIA  General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee To Lam attended a Viet NamBulgaria Business Forum on October 23 afternoon (local time) in Sofia as part of his going official visit to the European country.

The event, jointly held by the Vietnamese Ministry of Finance, the Vietnamese Embassy in Bulgaria, and the Ministry of Innovation and Growth of Bulgaria, was also attended by Bulgarian President Rumen Radev. It brought together a large number of representatives of businesses from both countries.

In his opening remarks, President Radev laid stress on the time-honoured friendship between the two countries, describing the forum as an important event as the Viet Nam and Bulgaria cooperative and friendly ties enter a new stage of more comprehensive, practical, and effective development.

Over the years, Bulgaria has trained more than 30,000 Vietnamese specialists, students, and researchers, many of whom now hold key positions in the government and the fields of economy, science and culture and have contributed significantly to the friendship between the two nations, he said.

President Radev noted that during General Secretary Lam's official visit, the two sides adopted a joint statement on elevating the bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership, laying a solid foundation for bolstering two-way trade. He expressed his admiration for Vietnams achievements in national renewal, construction and development, saying Viet Nam has maintained stability and dynamic growth, becoming a bright spot in the global economy.

Bulgaria has become a regional hub for innovation, high technology, and AI as well as producing high-value technological products, he said, encouraging both sides to create favourable conditions for their enterprises to land investment in each country.

He suggested collaboration in the domains where Bulgaria has strengths such as science-technology, clean agriculture, pharmaceuticals, education, renewable energy, and logistics. Besides, the Bulgarian leader also expressed his hope for continued collaboration in education-training and labour.

General Secretary Lam highlighted the significance of President Radevs presence at the forum, saying that this signals a commitment to creating favourable conditions for bilateral business and investment cooperation.

The Vietnamese Party leader noted the world is experiencing complicated and unpredictable upheavals, not only in geopolitics but also in economy and trade, creating both opportunities and challenges. He stressed that these global economic difficulties make it even more important for the two countries to cooperate in generating substantial value to meet each nations development demands, with economic, trade, and investment cooperation serving as key pillars.

General Secretary Lam said that Bulgarias development is driven by advances in science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation, which boost labour productivity. He called on the two sides to strengthen cooperation in science and technology, digital transformation, defence and security, defence industry, and human resources development.

The top leader affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State are committed to accompanying, listening to, and sharing with international friends and partners. He also expressed his hope for continued close support and cooperation from foreign investors, particularly Bulgarian investors, in Vietnams national construction and development process.

At the event, the two leaders witnessed the exchange of several cooperation agreements, including an arbitration cooperation agreement between the Viet Nam International Arbitration Centre and the Arbitration Court at the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI); a memorandum of understanding on strategic cooperation in education and academic exchange between the Industrial University of HCM City and the University of Economics Varna; a comprehensive international cooperation agreement between Ha Noi University of Science and Technology, and Sofia University in AI, machine learning, and computer science; a cooperation agreement in space technology between the Viettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group (Viettel) and EnduroSat EAD; and an information technology and digital transformation cooperation agreement between Tri Nam Group and Software Group.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  Storm No. 12, or Typhoon Fengshen, has weakened into a tropical depression, but it will bring heavy rain, strong winds and high waves to the central region from Quang Tri to Quang Ngai Province.

At 1am on Thursday, the tropical depressions centre was located near 16.3 degrees North latitude and 109.0 degrees East longitude, about 80km east-northeast of a Nang, according to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

Maximum sustained winds reached level 6 (3949km per hour), with gusts up to level 8. The system is moving southwest at 1015km per hour and is expected to make landfall between a Nang and Quang Ngai later on Thursday before weakening into a low-pressure zone.

Coastal waters from Quang Tri to Quang Ngai, including Con Co, Ly Son and Cu Lao Cham islands, are experiencing rough seas with waves up to four metres and strong winds of level 6, gusting to level 8. Disaster risk level 3 has been issued for these areas.

Due to the combined effects of the tropical depression and a cold air mass, tides along the coast from southern Quang Tri to a Nang may rise by 0.3 to 0.6m, increasing the risk of coastal flooding, erosion and road inundation.

Until Friday, the central region from Ha Tinh to Quang Ngai is forecast to experience heavy to very heavy rain, ranging from 100200mm, and over 300mm in some areas.

Particularly, southern Quang Tri to a Nang could receive 200400mm of rain, with local totals above 700mm.

Rainfall may exceed 150mm within three hours in some areas. The downpours are expected to persist until the end of October, posing a high risk of flash floods, landslides in mountainous regions, and flooding in low-lying or urban areas.

Local authorities have been urged to ensure the safe operation of hydropower and irrigation reservoirs, and to prepare for rising river levels, which may reach alert levels 2 to 3 or higher.

Another potential storm

A separate tropical depression has also formed near the East Sea.

As of early Thursday, it was located at 21.0 degrees North latitude and 122.4 degrees East longitude, with maximum winds of level 7 (5061km per hour), gusting to level 9.

The system is moving south-southwest at 1015km per hour and may enter the northern East Sea on Friday before weakening near the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Archipelago.

Between 4:50am and 9:50am on Thursday, continuous rainfall was recorded from Ha Tinh to a Nang, averaging 520mm, with some areas exceeding 50mm.

The weather agency has warned of a high risk of flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas and along slopes.

Local authorities have been instructed to monitor flood-prone areas, reinforce weak slopes, and stay ready to respond as heavy rains continue to pound the central region.  VNS
Foo Fighters are returning today (23.10.25) with the new song Asking For A Friend.

Foo Fighters have unveiled their new song Asking For A Friend

Dave Grohl and co recently shared a preview of the feverish tune on social media.

Artwork for the track, which lands at 3pm BST, features newly instated drummer IIan Rubin, suggesting it's his first studio recording with the band.

The 30-second clip was captioned: about to take flight

The visual included a picture of a yellow, blue and green bird, with many believing this could hint the Learn to Fly rockers are cryptically teasing something going down in Brazil.

The band also added a link to their newsletter, which they've been asking their followers to sign up to repeatedly.

Their last studio album was 2023's But Here We Are - their first without late drummer Taylor Hawkins.

However, the group recently released the six-track live LP Are We Playing Where??? Vol.1 on Bandcamp.

The tracks were recorded at their surprise gigs in San Luis Obispo, Santa Ana, Washington D.C. and New Haven in September.

The gigs marked the first for Rubin.

The former Nine Inch Nails sticksman has swapped groups with Josh Freese.

Rubin was officially sworn in at the San Luis Obispo concert by Grohl, who told the crowd: Everybody else has said it, I finally get the opportunity to say, ladies and gentlemen, will you please welcome, the most badass mother******, Ilan Rubin, is playing drums in the Foo Fighters. Its official.

Freese - who served as Nine Inch Nails' stickman between 2005 and 2008, before being replaced by Rubin - previously confirmed he had returned to the Trent Reznor-fronted group.

He posted on social media: "Being back on tour with Trent and the crew  helping them do what they do best night after night  is something Im incredibly excited about.

"To be part of that energy again feels amazing. If you get a chance to catch one of these shows over the next six weeks, I promise, theyre going to be absolutely unforgettable. Hope to see you out there."

Freese stepped into the role for Foos after the 2022 death of longtime drummer Hawkins.

The Best of You rockers have been directing their supporters to sign up for their newsletter for "info you won't want to miss".

They posted recently: "Foo Fighters Assemble!!!

"Make sure you're subscribed to the newsletter for info you won't want to miss... just sayin'..."

The Monkey Wrench hitmakers followed that up with a picture of Grohl, bassist Nate Mendel and guitarist Pat Smear jamming in their recording studio, Studio 606, at some point this year.

Foos wrote: "Studio 606 / 2025."
HAVANA  The long-standing and close ties between Cuba and Viet Nam were spotlighted at a photo exhibition hosted by the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Havana on October 21, part of activities marking the 65th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations between Cuba and seven Asian countries, including Viet Nam.

The other Asian countries that are celebrating the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Cuba are Cambodia, India, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK), Indonesia, China, and Mongolia.

In his opening remarks, Cambodian Ambassador to Cuba Chea Thireak, speaking on behalf of the seven Asian countries, emphasised that over the past 65 years, these nations have maintained friendship and close cooperation with Cuba across all fields, including diplomacy, politics, economy, education, science, and culture.

As the world faces numerous challenges, countries need to strengthen diplomatic ties, solidarity, and cooperation, he said.

Meanwhile, Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Anayansi Rodriguez highlighted the significance of the exhibition.

He affirmed that CubaViet Nam relations represent a loyal and enduring bond, serving as a symbol of international solidarity.

Viet Nam and Cuba officially established diplomatic relations on December 2, 1960. Over the past 65 years, their traditional solidarity, special friendship, and comprehensive cooperation have been continuously strengthened through exchanges of all-level delegations, collaboration in economy, trade, investment, tourism, education, culture, and sports, as well as people-to-people interactions.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  Local artists will be in tune with German sound artist Felix Ermacora at a workshop on sound in Ha Noi from October 24 to 26.

Ermacora is a German artist working with sound, installation and audiovisual performance. His practice blends electronic sound, sculptural forms and performative elements to explore acoustic perception, ecological awareness and spatial experience.

As a postgraduate student chosen by Professor Carsten Nicolai at Dresden University of Fine Arts, he develops multichannel works and immersive environments that translate complex natural and social processes into sensorial experience.

Often realised in collaboration, including with his life partner Deborah Geppert, his works such as Lechuga Mundial  or how not to strangle a dolphin, Bioremediation and The Conference of Animals address ecological themes through intermedia approaches.

Under Ermacoras guidance, the programme combines theory and practice, encouraging participants to directly engage with the surrounding sonic environment and experiment with digital tools.

The three-day workshop will explore the concept of sound as material, share personal listening experiences and teach basic field recording and sound synthesis techniques. Participants will have the chance to develop their individual or group ideas, compose and set up live technical arrangements.

The workshop will conclude with a collective presentation or listening session where participants activate and share their sonic practices. It is open to artists and practitioners interested in sound, regardless of prior knowledge or experience in sound art or experimental music.

This event is part of the collaborative artist residency programme between the Goethe Institute and the Cultural Foundation of the Free State of Saxony.  VNS
HCM CITY  Human and cultural values and belief in beauty are major themes of artworks by 16 artists from Japan, Indonesia, Brazil and Viet Nam, which are on display at the HCM City-based Lotus Van Art & Community Hub.

The 2025 International Art Lotus Van Exhibition displays 56 paintings and sculptures in various media, including oil, acrylic, ink, silk, iron, steel and aluminium.

Most of them feature an abstract style, reflecting artists souls and unique artistic identities and the collective memories of people from different nations.

Nguyen Minh Quang, a lecturer at the city University of Fine Arts who speaks on behalf of the artist group, shared that, from Japan, Indonesia, and Brazil to Viet Nam, though we differ in culture, language and history, we meet one another through the common language of art and friendship.

"The artwork in this exhibition does more than enrich our visual experience. It speaks from the artists hearts, resonating with the spiritual memories of their culture.

Quang, 53, brings to the event a composite sculpture named Portrait of Life and two monochrome paintings in blue with portraits hidden inside, demonstrating silent dialogues between the artist and his existential self.

Japanese artist Ando Keita displays seven ink and acrylic paintings based on the central theme of life, death, and the cycle of existence.

The 33-year-old artist said, Since my art residency at Sangkring Art Space in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, in 2019, I have expanded this theme by exploring the intersection between religious and philosophical views on life and death outside Japan and the Buddhist perspectives rooted within Japanese culture.

Keita has held several solo and group exhibitions in Japan and was in an art residency in Indonesia and Malaysia. He joined Japanese artist Fumiko Iwamoto to establish an alternative space called Maa Taka Don in Fukuoka in 2024.

Indonesian visual artist Alex Danny Santosa presents four acrylic paintings featuring themes of people, animals and objects with naive and decorative style to portray his emotions and tell stories from his daily activities.

The exhibition also features paintings by Brazilian artist Viudes Barboza Tiago with Sunset in Rio, Japanese artist Koutaku Yoshinaga with Riverside God, and Nguyen Minh Nhut with Chiec Hop Binh An (Pandoras Box).

The showcase includes sculptures named Con Nguoi va Thien Nhien (People and Nature) by Tran inh Thang and Voices in the Sky by inh Duy Ton.

The exhibition remains open until October 31 at 99 Nguyen Thi Thap, Tan My Ward.  VNS
QUANG TRI  United Overseas Bank (UOB) Viet Nam, in partnership with Oxalis Adventure and under the auspices of the Phong NhaKe Bang National Park Management Board, has announced a strategic collaboration to promote the 'Kingdom of Caves  Phong NhaKe Bang National Park' and strengthen eco-tourism in Viet Nam. The initiative targets UOB customers across five ASEAN countries: Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Viet Nam.

Under the partnership, UOB cardholders in these countries will enjoy special discounts when booking Oxalis tours in Phong NhaKe Bang, offering travellers a rare chance to experience one of the worlds most spectacular UNESCO-recognised natural sites while promoting sustainable and responsible tourism.

The collaboration comes as adventure tourism across the Asia-Pacific region continues to rebound. According to the World Adventure Travel Association, visitor numbers in 2023 nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels, with hiking and trekking among the most popular pursuits. Southeast Asia, including Viet Nam, has been ranked among the worlds leading destinations for adventure travel.

The UK travel magazine Wanderlust has hailed Viet Nam as a paradise for cave exploration, particularly highlighting Phong NhaKe Bang National Park, home to hundreds of magnificent caves and a rich ecosystem with 154 species of mammals and 314 species of birds. Several new species discovered in 2024 further underline the parks exceptional biodiversity.

Recently, Travel and Leisure magazine named six caves in Quang Binh among Viet Nams must-visit attractions: Son oong, En Cave, Phong Nha Cave, Thien uong Cave, the Tu Lan cave system and Va Cave. Each offers unique geological formations and a thrilling experience for explorers.

According to the Phong NhaKe Bang National Park Management Board, the park welcomed more than 836,900 visitors in the first nine months of 2025, reflecting robust tourism growth. Domestic arrivals reached over 688,000, up 2 per cent year-on-year, while international visitors totalled more than 148,000, an 18 per cent increase signalling a strong recovery in the sector.  VNS
PRETORIA  South African President Cyril Ramaphosas upcoming state visit to Viet Nam aims to expand bilateral relations across all fields, including trade and critical areas of the economy like agriculture, defence and technology, spokesperson for the President Vincent Magwenya told the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s resident correspondent in Pretoria ahead of the trip. The visit is seen as a strategic opportunity to strengthen ties and open new avenues for cooperation.

He underlined that the relationship between South Africa and Viet Nam dates back to the days when both countries struggled for independence. Both countries have shared deep roots of solidarity and they are focusing on taking the relationship forward and elevating it to a strategic partnership and stronger trade cooperation.

Magwenya described President Ramaphosas visit as strategic and significant in promoting bilateral trade, contributing to fulfilling South Africas trade diversification strategy and expanding access to existing markets.

He noted that over the past 30 years, bilateral trade has been steadily increasing, and there is certainly more room, from President Ramaphosa's perspective, to grow the trade, to expand on people-to-people ties, and to exchange lessons and perspectives.

Magwenya said that the two sides have shared close bilateral cooperation at multilateral forums like the UN, G20 and other key multilateral platforms, as well as the same values and same perspectives on reforms. He said his hope that such collaboration will be strengthened by this visit and the elevation of the relationship to a strategic partnership.

Regarding potential cooperation areas for the two sides, he highlighted trade ties, which have steadily increased over the years, reaching about 31 billion ZAR (US$1.79 billion). The two sides have also enjoyed fruitful knowledge exchanges and South Africa finds a great deal of inspiration in how Viet Nam has rebuilt itself from a country once mired in conflict. Viet Nams ambition to become a country with high income by 2045 is also inspiring.

According to the spokesperson, during the upcoming visit, President Ramaphosa is scheduled to attend the signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime (Hanoi Convention), which he described as a joint effort to deal with challenges posed by cybercrime at the multilateral level.

Magwenya stressed that technology is evolving rapidly, requiring all countries, policy makers and decision makers to also sharpen their responses. He stated that global cooperation is critical in stemming the tide of cybercrimes, ensuring that AI does not become destructive, but a positive force for change and development, particularly in the Global South.

The spokesperson said that following the state visit to Viet Nam, President Ramaphosa will also undertake a state visit to Indonesia and then attend the 47th ASEAN Summit as the Guest of the Chair.

The President believes that this visit will cement all these opportunities between South Africa and Southeast Asia, and his attendance of the ASEAN Summit is aimed at bridging the distance physically and geographically. This is an opportune time for South Africa, as well as for Africa to strengthen ties with the ASEAN region for the benefit of their peoples, said the spokesperson.  VNA/VNS
PRETORIA  South African President Cyril Ramaphosas state visit to Viet Nam from October 23 to 24 will not only strengthen the traditional friendship but also open up opportunities to explore new cooperation potential, aiming for a more comprehensive and deeper relationship in the future, according to Vietnamese Ambassador to the African nation Hoang Sy Cuong.

This visit, the first by a South African President to Viet Nam in 18 years, marks a significant milestone in the bilateral relationship, following the historic phone call between Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam and President Ramaphosa on April 22. This event reflects the special importance and determination of both countries to elevate their bilateral ties.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations on December 22, 1993, the two countries have continuously nurtured their friendship, achieving significant accomplishments across various fields. As each other's leading partner in Southeast Asia and Africa, South Africa is currently the only African country with which Vietnam has established a Partnership for Cooperation and Development, said Cuong.

President Ramaphosa's state visit is expected to mark a pivotal moment, strengthening and expanding Viet NamSouth Africa relations in several areas.

Firstly, the visit will lay a solid foundation for enhancing the framework of bilateral relations, turning political will into tangible cooperation outcomes, particularly in the fields of economy, trade, and investment, he said.

Secondly, both sides will push forward concrete commitments, speed up negotiations, and soon sign cooperation agreements in priority areas, while also exploring new sectors such as green energy, e-commerce, and innovation.

Thirdly, in the international arena, the trip provides an opportunity for the two countries to reaffirm shared values, emphasise multilateralism, respect international law, and support reforms of global institutions towards greater fairness and positivity.

The ambassador went on to say that Viet Nam strongly supports South Africa's G20 Presidency in 2025, thanks the country for inviting Viet Nam's Prime Minister to the G20 Summit, and commits to making a positive contribution to the success of this event.

President Ramaphosa's visit, alongside his diplomatic activities in Southeast Asia and participation in the upcoming 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, reaffirms South Africa's desire to strengthen its comprehensive relations with the Southeast Asia region, including Viet Nam, Cuong assessed.

To further boost the bilateral relations, the ambassador proposed the two sides focus on new areas of cooperation, such as green energy and just energy transition; e-commerce, banking and finance, and innovation; and tourism and investment. Connecting businesses and promoting investment projects will be key to elevating their economic relations to a new level, in line with their strong political ties, he stated.

South Africa, with its US$8.5 billion Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), is leading in renewable energy and green hydrogen development, particularly through the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET IP) for 20232027, creating thousands of green jobs in coal-mining areas like Mpumalanga. Viet Nam, with its $15.5 billion JETP and the Power Development Plan VIII, is accelerating wind and solar energy while supporting communities transitioning away from coal.

Therefore, the two countries can collaborate in specific areas such as sharing technology in green hydrogen production and smart grid development; and co-financing green funds to support small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in sustainable value chains.

Viet Nam can draw from South Africas Presidential Climate Commission model, where stakeholders jointly develop policies for a just transition and green job creation. In turn, South Africa can learn from Viet Nam's "solar energy boom," which saw the installation of 16 GW in just two years, driven by competitive auctions and digital transformation, helping reduce energy poverty and sustain economic growth.

This collaboration not only strengthens the Partnership for Cooperation and Development but also has the potential to create a South-South cooperation model, the diplomat added.  VNA/VNS
Viet Nam is embracing artificial intelligence (AI) as a core technology for its future, aiming to harness innovation while avoiding the pitfalls of overhyped investment. Amid global debates about AI bubbles and inflated expectations, experts are asking how the country can strike the right balance between enthusiasm and strategic planning.

A Tin tuc va Dan toc (News and Ethnic Affairs) newspaper reporter spoke with Le Van Cham, director of the Institute for Research and Application of New Technologies, about Viet Nams approach to developing and investing in AI.

How would you describe the current state of AI development and investment in Viet Nam? Is there a risk of an 'AI bubble' like weve seen elsewhere?

Viet Nams AI sector is in a dynamic phase of early growth. We are seeing strong momentum, with both domestic and foreign-invested technology companies integrating AI into finance, healthcare, education and manufacturing. While the market is still modest in size compared to global players, the growth rate is impressive.

Unlike the US or Europe, Viet Nam has not yet shown any signs of an 'AI bubble.' The main reason is that investment here remains moderate and focused on solving practical problems  such as automating production lines, optimising logistics or improving customer service.

At this stage, the risk of a bubble is low. But it could emerge in the future if investment starts to follow trends rather than strategy  if people chase hype without a long-term plan.

What should Vietnamese businesses do to avoid an AI investment bubble?

There are three key principles, in my view.

First, businesses should tie AI investment directly to real-world needs. It is important to apply AI to concrete problems, not just because it is fashionable.

Second, companies must invest in people  build teams of skilled professionals and work closely with research institutes and universities. That is how we ensure a strong scientific and technological foundation.

Third, AI investment needs to be guided by careful risk management and a clear business plan. Spending heavily without considering profitability is dangerous.

If we follow those principles, AI will not be just a short-lived trend; it will become a true driver of productivity and competitiveness for Vietnamese enterprises in the long term.

Developing AI requires major capital, and the Government has identified it as one of 11 strategic technologies. What kind of support do you think the State should provide?

In June 2025, the Government named AI among its 11 strategic technology products. It is already being widely applied in daily life, but in Viet Nam, this field has only begun to take off in recent years.

Experience from major global tech companies shows that AI demands huge investment  in funding, in equipment and especially in human capital. Some Vietnamese firms have begun cooperating and transferring AI technologies, but mastering them fully will take time and resources.

That is why State support is crucial. The Government should prioritise funding scientific research projects focused on AI and help institutions apply these technologies effectively.

Funding should come from both public and private sources, with clear, transparent and equitable access for public and private organisations alike.  VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam is moving to modernise its education system with major reforms, including a proposal for a single national set of textbooks and changes to higher and vocational education, Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son announced on Wednesday at the 10th session of the National Assembly.

At the session, Son presented three draft laws amending certain provisions of the Law on Education, the Law on Higher Education, and the Law on Vocational Education and Training.

Presenting the key contents of the draft amendments to the Law on Education, Son said the draft clearly stipulates that the State will provide a single set of textbooks to be used across the country.

The move aims to ensure equal access to quality, modern education aligned with national educational goals.

Under the proposed legislation, the Government will regulate the free distribution of textbooks to students while promoting appropriate socialisation measures to guarantee sustainability and improve educational quality.

Compilation, appraisal and issuance of the unified textbooks will follow a rigorous, scientific process that builds on existing achievements while addressing current shortcomings.

The draft also revises and clarifies definitions of diplomas and certificates within the national education system, allowing them to be issued in paper, electronic or digital formats, all with equal legal validity.

A notable change in the draft is the removal of the secondary school graduation certificate.

Instead, school principals will simply certify that students have completed the curriculum.

The reform reflects the universalisation of secondary education, streamlines administrative procedures, reduces exam-related pressure, and aligns with international practice, as many developed countries do not issue secondary diplomas but instead confirm completion for further study or career orientation.

Modernising higher education

Regarding the draft amended Law on Higher Education, Son said the proposed law aims to institutionalise the Party and States policies on strategic breakthroughs and the modernisation of higher education.

It seeks to position universities as a crucial engine of innovation within the national system, as centres for high-quality human resources training, scientific research, technological advancement, and international integration.

The draft also addresses existing bottlenecks and inconsistencies in the current law, while improving the legal framework governing higher education to make it more coherent and effective.

It aims to enhance State management efficiency, develop modern governance models suited to Viet Nams conditions, and strengthen university autonomy and accountability.

Son stressed the goal of nurturing elite and high-quality education to elevate national intellectual standards, while ensuring mass education continues to raise general knowledge and meet workforce demands.

Universities are expected to become hubs of science, technology and innovation closely linked to the training of high-level human resources.

The draft law also proposes mechanisms to mobilise public and private resources, unlock institutional and creative potential in universities, modernise infrastructure, and expand the scale and quality of higher education to meet the countrys sustainable development needs.

Upgrading vocational education

The amended Law on Vocational Education and Training is designed to meet the requirements of Viet Nams economy amid rapid digital transformation, a transition towards a green economy, and deeper integration into global value chains.

The law aims to align the national Vocational Education and Training system with international and regional standards, thereby facilitating the mobility of Vietnamese workers and enhancing their ability to seek employment abroad.

The draft law seeks to promote innovation and raise the quality of vocational education by introducing mechanisms that encourage stronger enterprise participation in training and employment of skilled workers.

It also enhances the autonomy and accountability of vocational education and training institutions, broadens and diversifies training models and ensures the flexible and equitable recognition of learning outcomes and professional skills.

The amended law sets out provisions on the national vocational education and training system, the organisation and operation of vocational education institutions, and State policies and management in this field.

Appraisal opinions

Presenting the appraisal report, Chairman of the National Assemblys Committee for Culture and Education Nguyen ac Vinh affirmed the necessity, objectives and guiding principles of the three draft laws.

Regarding textbooks and local educational materials, the committee supported the proposal for a unified set of national textbooks.

However, it recommended allowing provinces and cities with distinct cultural or linguistic characteristics to compile their own supplementary materials, prepared by provincial education authorities and approved by the Chairperson of the provincial Peoples Committee.

The approach would preserve regional cultural identity while maintaining national curriculum consistency.

On the abolition of secondary school graduation certificates, the committee agreed that the reform would simplify administrative procedures and better reflect actual learning outcomes.

However, it emphasised the need to specify the format, legal validity and electronic storage methods of the new completion certificates to ensure consistency and transparency.

Reviewing the draft amended Law on Higher Education, the committee agreed that universities should be recognised as scientific and technological institutions with autonomy in research, application and technology transfer.

It recommended, however, that the law include clearer mechanisms for collaboration among the State, universities and enterprises, as well as regulations on ownership, valuation and benefit-sharing of intellectual property and research outcomes to promote commercialisation.

The committee also urged a review of provisions related to joint academic appointments to ensure consistency with the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation, and avoid conflicts between legal frameworks.

As for the draft amended Law on Vocational Education and Training, the committee viewed it as an essential step in restructuring the national workforce, addressing the imbalance between theoretical and practical training and fostering stronger links between schools and businesses.

It supported revisions aimed at aligning vocational education with labour market demand, while enhancing the application of digital technologies and promoting digital transformation in vocational training.

Continuing the 10th sessions agenda, the National Assembly on Wednesday morning also discussed the draft amended Law on Civil Aviation and the draft amended Law on Public Employees.  VNS
SOFIA  Following a successful official visit to Finland, Party General Secretary To Lam, his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly, and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation arrived in Sofia on Wednesday (local time), beginning a three-day official visit to Bulgaria at the invitation of its President Rumen Radev.

Joining the delegation are key Vietnamese officials, including Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, and Chairman of its Inspection Commission Nguyen Duy Ngoc; Politburo member and Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang, Politburo member and Minister of Public Security Gen. Luong Tam Quang, and Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung, among others.

At Sofia International Airport, Chairman of the Bulgarian Socialist Party and Deputy Prime Minister of Bulgaria Atanas Zafirov greeted General Secretary Lam and his spouse, presenting them with a bouquet of fresh flowers in a gesture of welcome.

Bulgaria, one of the first nations to establish diplomatic relations with Viet Nam in 1950, has maintained a close friendship nurtured by generations of leaders and people of the two countries. This visit, the first by a General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam since Bulgaria transitioned to a new political system in 1990, coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

The visit carries a message of sincere friendship and gratitude from the Vietnamese Party, State, and people toward Bulgaria, a long-standing partner and traditional friend that offered invaluable support during Viet Nams struggle for national independence and continues to back its ongoing development. It also offers Viet Nam a chance to unlock new avenues of cooperation with Bulgaria and other Balkan nations.  VNA/VNS
HELSINKI  Party General Secretary To Lam, his spouse and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation left Helsinki on Wednesday afternoon (local time), concluding their three-day official visit to Finland at the invitation of Finnish President Alexander Stubb.

During the visit, General Secretary Lam held talks with President Stubb, witnessed the signing of cooperation documents between the two countries, had meetings with Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, Chairperson of the Communist Party of Finland (SKP) Tiina Sandberg, First Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Paula Risikko, and representatives of outstanding Finnish enterprises as well as the Finland-Viet Nam Friendship Association. The Party chief attended a special concert co-organised by the Vietnamese Embassy and the Helsinki administration, visited the Executive Experience Centre at the Nokia global headquarters in Finland and Aalto University, and met with Vietnamese students.

The trip was a great success with outstanding achievements. Viet Nam and Finland issued a joint statement on establishing a strategic partnership. This partnership builds on 52 years of friendship and multifaceted cooperation based on trust, equality, and mutual respect, aiming to deepen bilateral and multilateral ties for the benefit of both peoples, while promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in accordance with the UN Charter, international law, and principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference.

Both sides decided to further increase bilateral high-level visits and contacts across all channels between Authorities of Finland and the Communist Party, the State, the Government, the National Assembly, and local authorities of Viet Nam in order to strengthen political cooperation and mutual understanding.

The two sides are determined to establish an annual strategic consultation mechanism on regional and international issues, coordinate to address traditional and non-traditional security challenges, as well as to review and update on cooperation activities in bilateral relations, including discussions between both sides defence and public security sectors.

They emphasised close cooperation in international and regional organisations supporting multilateralism, peaceful dispute settlement and adherence to international law.

Key cooperation areas include political-diplomatic collaboration; economic-trade-investment; science-technology, innovation and digital transformation; education-training, labour, development; agriculture-environment, energy, infrastructure, transportation; people-to-people exchange to strengthen friendship and enhance mutual understanding.

The official visit took place at a time when the two countries celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (1973-2023), marking a milestone in sustainable cooperation and opening a new phase of cooperation towards the next 50 years. This is an important opportunity for the two countries to reflect on their successful cooperation, set out major orientations for the future, creating new momentum for the relationship and elevating the traditional friendship and multifaceted collaboration to a new height.  VNA/VNS
Netflix's soaring stock performance in 2025adding $120 billion in valuenow faces a real test.

On Tuesday, the company will release its third-quarter earnings, and investors are watching closely to see if its big investments in advertising and video games are actually paying off.

Analysts expect a strong showing: revenue is forecast to jump 17.2% to $11.51 billion, while profit is set to rise 27% to $3.01 billion.

Netflix is counting on hits like "KPop Demon Hunters," the "Wednesday sequel," and the final season of "Stranger Things" to keep subscribers watching and revenue growing.

But behind the strong numbers are concerns. Netflix has stopped sharing subscriber counts, asking Wall Street to focus more on profit.

That move has some investors worried growth may be slowing, especially as Netflix bets big on two newer businesses: ads and video games.

The ad-supported tier, now with about 94 million users, is gaining traction, making up more than half of new sign-ups. But its revenue impact is still modest.

According to Reuters, analysts estimate the tier brought in around $662.3 million in Q3.

Netflix has also been experimenting with advanced ad technology, using AI to place interactive ads directly into showssomething not seen on rival platforms.

Can $NFLX soar this Q3 with its ad-tier boom & pricing power?https://t.co/lWsDtnjLfN predicts a STRONG BEAT for Netflix's earnings!

[Predict aheadhttps://t.co/J0T2dJGS5K]



Revenue up from ad adoption, live events, & pricing strength. Margins widen with content efficiency & pic.twitter.com/th5Jp2dfEy  Intellectia.AI (@IntellectiaAI) October 20, 2025

Netflix Gaming Adds Less Than 1% to User Activity

Gaming, however, is where Netflix's strategy gets tricky. The company has spent roughly $1 billion buying game studios and now offers over 120 mobile games, including titles based on its own shows like "Squid Game: Unleashed."

But so far, that investment hasn't moved the needle much. A study from research firm Omdia shows games have added less than 0.5% to total user engagement after four years.

Co-CEO Greg Peters compared the effort to Netflix's early struggles in Japan: "It took us a long time... the gaming situation is not dissimilar to that," he said earlier this month.

Still, Netflix isn't alone in the challenge. Even other major players like Disney and Amazonboth highlighted alongside Netflix in Zacks Investment Ideas this weekare exploring new digital strategies to drive future growth, Yahoo said.

According to Zacks, Netflix is projected to earn $6.89 per share in Q3, up from $5.40 last year. Analysts remain cautiously optimistic, with price targets ranging from $800 to $1,600 per share.

Zacks currently ranks Netflix as a #3 (Hold), noting steady earnings expectations but no major upward momentumyet.

Originally published on vcpost.com
HELSINKI  General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee To Lam on Wednesday afternoon (local time) met with leaders of the FinlandViet Nam Friendship Association (FVFA) and several Finnish experts who once engaged in development projects in Viet Nam.

The Party chief expressed his delight at meeting with the FVFA which was established in 1971, even before Viet NamFinland diplomatic relations began.

Deeply moved by the solidarity and longstanding support from Finnish friends, he recalled that thousands of Finns had once taken to the streets to demand an end to the war in Viet Nam, and noted Finlands contributions to Viet Nams postwar recovery through clean water, poverty reduction, and rural development projects.

He urged the FVFAs leaders to continue working closely with the Viet NamFinland Friendship Association and other mass organisations in both countries to expand exchanges and cultural promotion activities. Such efforts, he said, would deepen mutual understanding and broaden collaboration across sectors.

FVFA President Mauri Raveala and former Finnish experts welcomed the recent upgrade of bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership, expressing confidence that the General Secretarys visit would inject new momentum into the relationship and further deepen the traditional friendship between both countries people.

Sharing personal memories and impressions of the land and people of Viet Nam, Raveala commended the countrys socio-economic achievements, especially its success in improving living standards.

She highlighted recent joint activities with Vietnamese partners, including cultural, art, and culinary exchanges that introduced Vietnamese culture to the Finnish public, alongside broader cooperation in education, green technology, and waste management.

Both sides agreed on the importance of fostering people-to-people exchanges and friendship, recognising them as a solid foundation for advancing bilateral ties across multiple sectors and contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and sustainable development in the region and the world.

At the meeting, General Secretary Lam and Finnish participants reaffirmed the need to enhance the role of mass organisations in driving and sustaining friendship between their people. They called for greater creativity in people-to-people diplomacy, engaging scientists, experts, entrepreneurs, and especially the younger generations so that the story of Viet NamFinland friendship continues to be written with renewed vigor and vision, reflecting the depth and dynamism of their newly elevated partnership.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  Politburo member and State President Luong Cuong, together with Politburo member and permanent member of the Party Central Committees Secretariat Tran Cam Tu, attended at the award ceremony of the fifth national political essay contest on safeguarding the Partys ideological foundations in Ha Noi on Wednesday and presented the A prizes to the winners.

The contest was jointly organised by the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA), the Party Central Committees Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation, the Central Theory Council, the Viet Nam Journalists Association, the Communist Review, Nhan Dan Newspaper, and Viet Nam Television.

In his closing remarks, Nguyen Xuan Thang, Politburo member, President of the HCMA, and Chairman of the Central Theory Council, highlighted that this years edition saw a record 542,000 entries, an increase of over 73,000 compared to 2024.

Many localities and organisations proactively developed high-quality works that not only competed in the contest but also served to promote and defend the Partys ideological foundations across the press, media, and digital platforms, noted Thang, head of the contest steering board.

He said numerous entries proposed innovative and practical solutions in the digital era. Notably, there was participation from international scholars and political figures, including the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Switzerland, and leading Marxist researchers from major institutes in China and Laos, reflecting the growing influence and prestige of the event.

Launching the sixth competition for 2026, Nguyen Trong Nghia, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, and head of the Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation, emphasised that seven years since its issuance, Resolution No. 35-NQ/TW of the 12th Politburo on strengthening the protection of the Partys ideological foundations and countering wrongful and hostile views in the new situation has been effectively implemented and achieved substantial results.

Over the past five years, the contest has truly become a major political event engaging the entire Party, armed forces, and people, as well as an innovative and effective platform for uniting efforts and strengthening the peoples front in safeguarding the Partys foundations, the senior official affirmed.

Nghia called upon central and local press agencies to continue publicising and spreading outstanding works to inspire future participation in the coming editions of the contest.

At the award ceremony, twelve A prizes were presented. In addition, twenty outstanding collectives received group awards, alongside twenty-three B and thirty-six C prizes, and sixty-six consolation prizes for authors and author groups across the five categories of press, magazine, radio, television, and video clip.

The event also honoured distinguished senior and young authors, as well as twenty promising works by youth union members and young writers for their high-quality entries.  VNA/VNS
GENEVA  A delegation from the National Assembly (NA) led by Le Tan Toi, Chairman of the NAs Committee for National Defence, Security and External Relations, are attending the 151st Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-151) and related meetings in Switzerland from October 19 to 23.

Addressing the general debate, Toi highlighted the complex challenges the world is facing, stressing that protecting humanitarian norms means safeguarding human dignity, the most sacred value of humankind. This is not only a legal obligation but also a moral responsibility shared by the entire international community.

He underscored that the spirit of humanity is a long-standing tradition of the Vietnamese people and a priority in the countrys development policies. Viet Nam has always placed people at the centre of all development strategies, considering the protection of human rights and improvement of peoples material and spiritual well-being as the foundation for social stability and progress.

Viet Nam has played an active part in global efforts to respond to humanitarian crises, climate change and epidemics, protect vulnerable groups, and promote gender equality, the official added.

To contribute to the global humanitarian agenda, the Vietnamese delegation made several proposals.

First, parliaments should continue to perfect their national legal frameworks on protecting people during emergencies and crises, including issuing and updating laws on disaster risk management, refugee support, protection for women, children, and other vulnerable groups, and access to humanitarian assistance.

Second, resources should be allocated more effectively for relief and recovery programmes while the participation of social organisations, businesses, and local communities encouraged.

Third, countries need to enhance supervision over the implementation of international humanitarian commitments to ensure that global pledges are fulfilled.

Finally, parliaments should strengthen dialogue, cooperation, and experience sharing to improve cross-border humanitarian actions, and ensure that all relief efforts are based on the humanitarian spirit.

The Vietnamese delegation has also actively took part in sessions of the Standing Committee on Peace and International Security and the Standing Committee on Sustainable Development, where its contributions were welcomed and appreciated by other participants.

On October 21, Le Thu Ha, Vice Chairwoman of the NA Office, was elected to the Executive Committee of the Association of Secretaries General of Parliaments (ASGP) for the 20252028 term with the highest number of votes among candidates. This is the first time a Vietnamese NA representative has been elected to the ASGPs leadership, marking a stride in Viet Nam's parliamentary diplomacy and showing the trust and recognition of the international community in the NA's role, prestige, and practical contributions to multilateral parliamentary activities.

On the sidelines of IPU-151, the Vietnamese delegation also held several bilateral meetings to strengthen inter-parliamentary cooperation and prepare for upcoming delegation exchanges.  VNA/VNS
SOFIA  An official welcome ceremony for General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee To Lam, his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly, and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, took place on the morning of Thursday (local time) at St. Alexander Nevski Square in the heart of Sofia, Bulgaria. The ceremony was hosted by Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and his spouse.

Following the introduction of the members of both delegations, General Secretary Lam and President Radev reviewed the honour guard.

Immediately after the ceremony, the Vietnamese leader and his spouse, their Bulgarian counterparts, and the Vietnamese delegation, laid a wreath at the monument to the unknown soldiers to pay tribute to them.

Viet Nam and Bulgaria established diplomatic relations on February 8, 1950, with Bulgaria being one of the first countries to recognise and establish diplomatic ties with Viet Nam.

The visit takes place as the two nations celebrate the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations  a long-standing, faithful, and trusted friendship, nurtured and strengthened over decades, from the years of Viet Nam's struggle for national independence to its current period of construction and development.

This visit provides an opportunity for the high-ranking leaders of both countries to review the achievements in bilateral relations and to set out strategic orientations for the future, with the aim of elevating the traditional friendship to new heights. Cooperation is expected to be deepened particularly in areas where Bulgaria has strengths and Viet Nam has demand, such as information technology, quantum technology, artificial intelligence (AI), digital transformation, green transition, and biomedical sciences.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  State President Luong Cuong on Thursday presided over a State welcome ceremony for South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, who is paying a two-day State visit to Viet Nam on October 23-24.

This is the first visit to Viet Nam by a South African head of state in nearly 20 years, marking a historic milestone that is expected to further advance the Viet NamSouth Africa relationship in a deeper and more substantive manner.

After the national anthems of both nations were played, the two leaders reviewed the Guard of Honour of the Viet Nam Peoples Army.

Viet Nam and South Africa officially established diplomatic relations on December 22, 1993, though their cooperation dates back to the 1960s. Over the past three decades, ties have grown steadily across Party, State, and people-to-people channels. South Africa was the first African country to forge a Partnership for Cooperation and Development with Viet Nam, equivalent to a comprehensive partnership.

The two countries have maintained strong political and diplomatic coordination through regular high-level exchanges and cooperation across various sectors, helping to deepen mutual understanding and friendship. They also continue to support each other at international organisations and multilateral forums.

In terms of economic cooperation, South Africa remains Viet Nam's top trade and export partner in Africa, with bilateral trade turnover increasing from US$192 million in 2007 to $1.72 billion in 2024. Both sides see considerable potential for expanding collaboration in new and green energy, climate finance, digital trade, banking, science and technology, innovation, and tourism.

Discussions are underway to promote market access and strengthen cooperation in areas of shared strength, such as mineral exploration, supporting industries, oil and gas services, renewable energy, and fisheries.

President Ramaphosas visit is seen as a major step forward in Viet NamSouth Africa relations, reflecting the two countries special appreciation and determination to elevate their partnership. It also provides an opportunity for both sides to review collaboration, identify new areas of cooperation, and chart future directions for economic, trade, and investment ties.

Following the welcome ceremony, President Luong Cuong and his South African counterpart held a private meeting and then official talks to assess bilateral cooperation outcomes and discuss orientations for the coming period.  VNA/VNS
SOFIA  Viet Nam and Bulgaria have officially elevated their relations to a Strategic Partnership, ushering in a new era of cooperation between the two nations.

The announcement was made at a joint press briefing following talks between General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee To Lam and Bulgarian President Rumen Radev in Sofia on Thursday, as part of the Vietnamese leaders official visit.

General Secretary Lam said that building upon the positive development and great achievements of the ties between Viet Nam and Bulgaria after 75 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, and with confidence in a bright future for the relationship, the two countries have established the Viet NamBulgaria Strategic Partnership.

He described it as a critical milestone that lays the groundwork for the two countries to advance their relationship for the benefit of their people as well as for peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

The Party leader stressed that the new cooperation framework will provide a solid foundation to consolidate and deepen Viet NamBulgaria relations, capitalising on both nation's strengths to ensure the two countries continue rapid and sustainable development in the new era.

With a view to concretising the joint statement, he said the two leaders discussed and reached consensus on strengthening political trust through high-level exchanges across all channels of Party, State, National Assembly and people-to-people exchange, in both bilateral and multilateral frameworks, enhancing existing cooperation mechanisms and creating new ones, while deepening collaboration in specific sectors.

Defence and security cooperation will be fostered in line with the new partnership framework, including training and academic collaboration between defence academies, cooperation in UN peacekeeping, cybersecurity and military medicine.

Amidst global economic headwinds, both nations agreed to make economic, trade, and investment cooperation the central pillar of the Strategic Partnership.

They pledged close coordination to maintain and consolidate free trade, expand market access, and effectively implement the EUViet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) so as to double two-way trade in the coming years.

Bulgaria is expected to serve as a gateway for Viet Nam to enter the EU market, while Viet Nam will play a similar role for Bulgarian goods to penetrate the ASEAN market.

General Secretary Lam said that science and technology are important pillars in the Strategic Partnership, with expanded cooperation in IT, digital transformation, digital economy, e-government, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, AI and green energy.

Acknowledging room for cooperation in education  training, culture, tourism, health care, labour and agriculture, the two leaders concurred to promote high-quality human resources training, organise cultural and tourism programmes, exhibitions and music exchanges to enhance mutual understanding and people-to-people connections.

They will continue to facilitate the Vietnamese community's deeper integration and active contribution to the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.

The two leaders reaffirmed their commitments to close coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums such as the UN and the AsiaEurope Meeting (ASEM).

They stressed the significance of ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea), highlighting settlement of disputes via peaceful means in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The Bulgarian president also hailed talks with General Secretary Lam as successful, conducted in an atmosphere of mutual trust and understanding.

He said both sides reviewed their long-standing friendship and cooperation, set major orientations to deepen traditional ties, and identified new areas of collaboration based on shared potential and needs. The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

He expressed his admiration for Viet Nam's achievements in its oi moi (renewal) process, national development and international integration, noting that the countrys robust economic performance and increasing political position make it an important player in the Southeast Asian region.

President Radev said he hopes both countries will step up effective collaboration in traditional areas such as defence  security, education  training, science  technology, agriculture, culture  sport, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

He underscored that the Vietnamese Party chiefs visit has opened new opportunities and visions for the bilateral relations.  VNS
HA NOI  Vietnamese President Luong Cuong and South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday agreed to work towards elevating bilateral relations to a strategic partnership in 2025, as the two countries pledged to deepen political trust and expand economic and defence cooperation.

The two heads of state held talks in Ha Noi on Thursday during the visit by the South African leader at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart.

President Cuong welcomed his South African counterparts return visit to Viet Nam and congratulated South Africa on the progress it has achieved under the Government of National Unity.

He expressed his confidence that South Africa would successfully chair the G20 in 2025  the first such summit to be held in Africa  and continue to play an influential role in global affairs.

The Vietnamese President recalled the historic ties between the two nations, rooted in their shared struggles for independence and the spirit of Afro-Asian solidarity.

He recalled that the first friendly meeting between delegations from the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam and the African National Congress took place at the Bandung Conference in 1955. Since then, he said, the friendship and solidarity between the two peoples have remained strong, with South Africa being Viet Nams first African partner to establish a 'Partnership for Cooperation and Development' framework in 2004.

Reviewing bilateral relations, President Cuong said political trust has been continuously strengthened, with cooperation expanding across Party, State, parliamentary and people-to-people channels. Economic ties have also flourished, making South Africa one of Viet Nams leading trading partners in Africa.

Both countries, he added, have maintained close coordination in regional and international forums.

President Ramaphosa expressed his delight at returning to Viet Nam after nine years and thanked the Vietnamese side for its warm and respectful reception.

He congratulated Viet Nam on the 80th anniversary of its National Day and commended the countrys remarkable achievements in its 40 years of oi moi (renewal), particularly in sustaining rapid economic growth and improving living standards.

Ramaphosa welcomed Viet Nams hosting of the signing ceremony for the United Nations' Convention against Cybercrimes, and praised the countrys leadership in digital transformation efforts. He emphasised that the presence of many senior ministers in his delegation reflected South Africas high regard for its long-standing friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Viet Nam.

The South African leader described Viet Nam as a close friend and key partner in Asia. His visit, he said, demonstrated his governments commitment to strengthening ties as part of South Africas broader strategy to expand market access amid shifting global dynamics.

During the talks, both leaders agreed to accelerate preparations to upgrade bilateral ties to a strategic partnership within 2025. The move, they said, would create new momentum for deepening cooperation for the benefit of both peoples and contribute to regional and global peace and development.

The two sides pledged to intensify high-level exchanges and cooperation across Party, State, parliamentary and local channels, while making existing mechanisms  such as the Inter-Governmental Partnership Forum, Political Consultations, Joint Trade Committee, and Defence Policy Dialogue  more effective.

On economic cooperation, the leaders affirmed that trade and investment would serve as key drivers of the relationship. They agreed to open markets for each others goods and support business access to regional markets. Both sides also committed to boosting collaboration in defence, security, energy, mining, manufacturing, agriculture, peacekeeping, education, vocational training, infrastructure and green growth.

The two countries will also promote cultural, sports, tourism and people-to-people exchanges to foster mutual understanding, and work to finalise key legal frameworks, including agreements on judicial assistance, mineral exploitation, double taxation avoidance and visa exemptions for ordinary passport holders.

Exchanging views on international and regional issues, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to settling disputes peacefully, without the use or threat of force, and in accordance with international law and the UN Charter.

President Ramaphosa said South Africa would continue to support Viet Nams candidacies at UN bodies, while Viet Nam asked for South Africas support for ASEANs and Viet Nams stance on the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea), advocating peace, freedom of navigation and overflight, and compliance with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.  VNS
HA NOI  State President Luong Cuong hosted a banquet for his South African counterpart Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa and his entourage in Ha Noi on Thursday evening.

President Cuong emphasised that the South African leaders visit brought to Viet Nam sincere and warm sentiments, reflecting friendship and solidarity between the two nations.

Recalling more than three decades of Viet NamSouth Africa diplomatic ties, the host leader affirmed that the two countries have overcome challenges to emerge as dynamic economies with an increasingly prominent role in their respective regions and on the global stage.

President Cuong expressed his confidence that President Ramaphosas state visit will open a new, brighter chapter for the flourishing relations between the two nations. He also voiced hope that during its new era of development, Viet Nam will continue to receive the valuable support and cooperation from South Africa  its trusted partner, while reaffirming Viet Nam's readiness to stand alongside South Africa on its path toward growth and prosperity.

For his part, President Ramaphosa highlighted solidarity between the two countries, forged during the struggle for independence.

The South African leader noted that the two countries possess complementary strengths, creating vast potential for cooperation across various sectors, as both are influential nations in their respective regions and share a common responsibility in promoting global dialogue and cooperation.

Emphasising his commitment to elevating bilateral ties to new heights, President Ramaphosa expressed confidence that the friendship will grow stronger, bringing prosperity to the peoples of both nations.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam and South Africa have affirmed a shared commitment to elevate their bilateral relations and bolster collaboration across areas.

Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong and South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa made the announcement at a joint press briefing following their talks in Ha Noi on Thursday as part of the latters state visit to Viet Nam during October 2324.

President Cuong hailed the South African leaders trip as a historic milestone which opens a new chapter to advance the bilateral relations for the benefit of their people as well as for peace and development in the region and the world.

Viet Nam always attaches much importance to fostering the sound friendship with South Africa, he said, laying stress on the successful talks where both leaders reached consensus on orientations and measures to deepen the bilateral cooperation.

Notably, they concurred to upgrade the cooperation framework to a new height, laying groundwork for the political relations while creating breakthroughs in economic, trade, and investment ties as well as other key areas.

Viet Nam proposed South Africa further open market for its products and facilitate their entry not only into South Africa but also into the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The Vietnamese side also called on South Africa to offer incentives for Vietnamese businesses to explore and invest in its market, while expressing readiness to welcome major South African corporations operating in the fields of technology, finance, and mining to invest in Viet Nam.

Besides, President Cuong affirmed that both sides agreed to promote collaboration in significant and potential domains such as defence  security, energy, mining, agriculture, aquaculture, and local partnerships, while stepping up people-to-people exchanges, cultural and artistic activities, sports, and tourism to enhance mutual understanding.

Viet Nam and Africa pledged to continue coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums such as the UN, the African Union (AU), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the Non-Aligned Movement, serving as bridges to foster collaboration between their respective regions.

Viet Nam called on South Africa to back ASEAN and Viet Nam's stance on the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea) issue to ensure peace, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight, as well as settlement of disputes via peaceful means in line with international law, including the UN Charter and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The State President emphasised that both leaders were unanimous to encourage competent agencies to negotiate toward signing important agreements to establish a stronger legal framework for future cooperation.

He expressed his confidence that the Viet NamSouth Africa partnership, built on the goodwill and sincere spirit, will develop in a deeper and more effective manner for the prosperity of the two regions and the world as a whole.

For his part, President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted that the bilateral relationship has steadily expanded across diverse areas, including politics, economy, trade, investment, science and technology, education, defence, agriculture, justice, and biodiversity conservation. He affirmed that both sides are moving toward upgrading their ties to a strategic partnership, reflecting a shared commitment to comprehensive cooperation.

Seeing Viet Nam as a key partner of South Africa in Southeast Asia, he expressed his interest in strengthening engagement with ASEAN, building on the spirit of solidarity of the Bandung Conference and the historical connections between the two continents.

The South African leader was also delighted as Viet Nam accepted the invitation to attend the G20 Summit, considering it an opportunity for both nations to jointly promote multilateralism, peace, and shared prosperity.

President Ramaphosa expressed his belief that his visit will lay a solid foundation for more substantive cooperation, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both countries and contributing to regional and global peace and development.  VNA/VNS
SOFIA  General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee To Lam held talks with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev at the Presidential Palace in Sofia on Thursday, in which he affirmed that Viet Nam attaches great importance to relations with Bulgaria.

Warmly welcoming General Secretary Lam's first visit to Bulgaria as the two countries are celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, President Radev emphasised Viet Nam's position and role in the Asia-Pacific region and highly evaluated its foreign policy, contributing to peace, stability and development in the region.

He recalled his deep impressions during his visit to Viet Nam in November 2024 about the beautiful country, warm and hospitable people and its great achievements in socio-economic development with the right reform policy, and affirmed that Bulgaria always attaches importance to the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Viet Nam, and wants to work with Viet Nam to promote cooperation to contribute to sustainable development in each country as well as prosperity on the two continents.

General Secretary Lam thanked President Radev for the respectful, warm and friendly reception for the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation and emphasised that Viet Nam attaches special importance to relations with Bulgaria, always remembers and appreciates the valuable support of the Bulgarian people for Viet Nam in the past struggle for national liberation, independence and national reunification, as well as in the current process of national construction and development.

At the talks, the two sides informed each other about the situation and development orientations of each country, stating that the two sides share many similarities in goals and policies as well as the potential to complement each other. Expressing their delight at the positive development in the bilateral relations in recent times, the two leaders discussed directions and measures to deepen the Viet NamBulgaria cooperation framework, making it more practical and suitable to the new context. The two leaders agreed to announce the upgrade of Viet NamBulgaria relations to a Strategic Partnership. With this decision, Bulgaria became the first country in the Balkan region to have a Strategic Partnership with Viet Nam.

The two leaders agreed to expand and deepen cooperation in the spirit of the new cooperation framework, especially in areas where Bulgaria has professional experience and Viet Nam has demand. The two sides also agreed to develop and immediately implement a Strategic Partnership Action Plan.

They consented to strengthen political trust by continuing to promote delegation exchanges and high-level contacts through all channels of the Party, State, parliament and people-to-people exchanges. In the context of many challenges in the world economy, the two countries need to coordinate closely, making economic, trade and investment cooperation a central pillar in the Strategic Partnership.

President Radev stressed that both sides need to support and create favourable conditions for enterprises of both countries to do business and invest in each country and was pleased that many Vietnamese firms came to Bulgaria to attend the business forum during the visit of General Secretary Lam. The two sides agreed to strongly promote trade and investment through opening markets to each other and taking advantage of the European UnionViet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) with the goal of doubling bilateral trade turnover in the coming years.

The two sides are ready to act as a "gateway" for each other's goods to penetrate the market of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the market of the European Union (EU).

Regarding defence and security cooperation, the two sides agreed to promote training cooperation and collaboration in the fields of United Nations peacekeeping, cyber security and military medicine. The two leaders also agreed to make science and technology cooperation an important pillar of the Strategic Partnership with digital transformation, digital economy, digital infrastructure and e-government, pharmaceuticals and biomedicine, virtual assistants and modern computer science, and green energy.

To enhance people-to-people exchanges, the two leaders agreed to build cultural programmes and activities, promote tourism in each country, and encourage air connectivity. President Radev expressed his admiration for Vietnamese folk culture and wants to organise cultural exchange activities so that people of the two countries could better understand each other.

He said that Bulgaria has a great demand for labour while Viet Nam has a young, skilled workforce. He hoped to welcome more Vietnamese students to study in Bulgaria, promoting the tradition of cooperation in the fields of education, training and labour. President Radev thanked Viet Nam for exempting visas for Bulgarian citizens, which has helped many Bulgarians travel to Viet Nam and hoped that Vietnamese tourists would visit Bulgaria.

General Secretary Lam suggested Bulgaria simplify visa issuance for Vietnamese citizens, and agreed to promote cooperation in education and vocational training, and exchange students and experts between the two countries.

President Radev proudly mentioned that Bulgaria has trained more than 30,000 skilled experts, students, and researchers for Viet Nam, many of whom hold important positions in the Government and in the economic, scientific, and cultural fields of Viet Nam, actively participating in fostering friendship between the two countries.

The Vietnamese Party chief suggested the President and the Government of Bulgaria continue to create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community to live stably, integrate and contribute to the socio-economic development of Bulgaria, serving as a bridge of friendship between the two countries.

Regarding the international and regional situation, the two leaders shared their stance and vision in solving matters and responding to current challenges; agreed to increase the exchange of views on issues of mutual concern, closely coordinate and support each other at multilateral forums such as the UN, ASEANEU, and AsiaEurope Meeting (ASEM). The two sides support ASEAN's stance in ensuring security, safety, freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea), and resolving disputes by peaceful means in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

On this occasion, General Secretary Lam extended greetings and invitations to visit Viet Nam by senior Vietnamese leaders to President Radev and Bulgarian leaders.

After the talks, General Secretary Lam and President Radev jointly announced the establishment of a Strategic Partnership between Viet Nam and Bulgaria, and co-chaired a joint press conference.  VNA/VNS
US Vice President JD Vance said Thursday that Israel would not move to annex the occupied West Bank, after Washington warned that such a step could jeopardise a fragile US-brokered truce in Gaza.

Israeli lawmakers on Wednesday advanced two bills paving the way for West Bank annexation, days after President Donald Trump secured a ceasefire deal aimed at ending Israel's two-year offensive in Gaza, launched after Hamas's October 2023 attacks.

"If it was a political stunt it was a very stupid political stunt and I personally take some insult to it," Vance said, as he wrapped up his three-day visit to Israel.

"The West Bank is not going to be annexed by Israel, the policy of the Trump administration is that the West Bank will not be annexed by Israel, that will continue to be our policy."

The vote was boycotted and criticised by Likud, the right-wing party of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, although far-right members of his ruling coalition support annexation.

Ahead of his arrival later on Thursday, Washington's top diplomat, Marco Rubio, warned that annexation moves risked undermining the fragile ceasefire in Gaza.

He said they were "threatening for the peace deal," as he boarded a plane for Israel.

"At this time, it's something that we... think might be counterproductive," Rubio said.

Asked about increased violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank, Rubio said: "We're concerned about anything that threatens to destabilise what we've worked on."

Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967, and violence there has surged since the start of the war in Gaza.

According to the Ramallah-based Palestinian health ministry, Israeli troops and settlers have killed nearly 1,000 Palestinians, including militants and civilians, since October 2023.

Over the same period, at least 43 Israelis, including members of the security forces, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or Israeli operations, official figures show.

The United States remains Israel's primary military and diplomatic supporter, and Rubio until recently had steered clear of criticising annexation moves championed by Netanyahu's far-right allies.

But a number of Arab and Muslim countries, which Washington has been courting in a bid to provide troops and money for a stabilisation force in Gaza, have warned that the West Bank's annexation was a red line.

Hamas's moderate rivals in the Palestinian Authority exercise limited self-rule in parts of the West Bank.

Rubio is the latest in a string of top US officials to visit Israel to shore up the ceasefire, which he said would face challenges.

"Every day there'll be threats to it, but I actually think we're ahead of schedule in terms of bringing it together, and the fact that we made it through this weekend is a good sign," Rubio said.

He continued, "now we have to make sure that it continues and that we continue to build upon it."

The truce faced its toughest test on Sunday, when Israeli forces launched strikes in Gaza after two soldiers were killed. The strikes killed at least 45 Palestinians, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza.

Gaza's Nasser Hospital said that one person was killed in an Israeli drone strike on Thursday in the Khan Yunis area.

The Israeli military told AFP that it conducted a strike that killed a "terrorist who was approaching troops" after crossing the yellow line -- where troops are stationed.

During his visit, Vance warned that disarming Hamas while rebuilding Gaza would be a challenge.

"We have a very, very tough task ahead of us, which is to disarm Hamas but rebuild Gaza, to make life better for the people of Gaza, but also to ensure that Hamas is no longer a threat to our friends in Israel," Vance said Wednesday.

Under Trump's 20-point peace plan, an international security force drawn from Arab and Muslim allies would oversee Gaza's transition as Israeli troops withdraw.

US troops would not be deployed inside Gaza.

In a briefing, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused Hamas of delaying the return of remaining hostage bodies "in order to delay the second phase of laying down its arms".

The group says it needs time to recover them from under the rubble of the Gaza Strip.

In the Palestinian territory, civilians displaced by two years of war continued to struggle.

"We were afraid of dying during the war, and now we're afraid of living after it," said Maher Abu Wafah, 42.

"Our lives and our children's future are slipping away before our eyes. We just want a stable life."

A senior UN official warned Wednesday of "generational" impacts in Gaza from malnutrition among pregnant women and babies, urging a surge of aid to help prevent potential lifelong health issues.

Andrew Saberton, deputy executive director of the UN Population Fund, said 11,500 pregnant women face "catastrophic" conditions, with starvation posing severe risks to both mothers and newborns.
HA NOI  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Thursday had a meeting with visiting South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa in Ha Noi, during which the two sides agreed to promote market access for each others goods and products in order to boost bilateral trade.

The Vietnamese Government leader congratulated South Africa on its remarkable national development achievements and recognised the countrys important role and contributions to regional and global affairs.

He highlighted the fruitful development of the bilateral relations, noting that South Africa has consistently been Viet Nam's largest trade partner in Africa.

The PM underlined the countries complementary strengths and vast potential for cooperation in green transition and digital transformation, renewable energy, creative economy, media, and climate action, suggesting South Africa support Viet Nam to launch negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) with the Southern African Customs Union (SACU).

Thanking the South African leader for an invitation to the G20 Summit 2025, PM Chinh affirmed Viet Nam's readiness to join and contribute actively to the event, particularly in areas of mutual priority such as poverty and inequality reduction, food security, sustainable development, and advancing global governance reforms.

He showed his delight to witness Viet Nam's remarkable achievements over nearly 40 years of oi moi (renewal), which inspire South Africa and other developing countries.

President Ramaphosa, who is on a two-day state visit to Viet Nam, affirmed that Viet Namis a close friend and trusted partner of his country in Asia. He hailed Viet Nam's effective development model and its open foreign policy, noting that the two countries have complementary strengths that can foster mutual development and improve their position in the international arena.

The South African President expressed his desire to strengthen business connection in mining, manufacturing, agriculture, electric vehicles, high-quality workforce training, and maritime industry.

President Ramaphosa thanked PM Chinh for accepting the invitation to attend the G20 Summit, saying that this demonstrates Viet Nam's responsible contribution to promoting sustainable development and reforming global governance mechanisms.

The guest said he believes that Viet Nam will successfully organise the signing ceremony of the UN Convention against Cybercrime. He showed his support for Viet Nam's leading role in digital transformation efforts and global technology governance.

The leaders agreed to actively negotiate and soon sign more important cooperation documents to facilitate stronger trade turnover and investment cooperation between the two countries. They pledged to promptly complete internal procedures to elevate the bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership in 2025, making the Viet NamSouth Africa relationship a model of cooperation among Global South countries.

Regarding multilateral cooperation, the two sides agreed to strengthen coordination and support each other's stance on regional and international issues at international forums and organisations, together promote multilateralism and South-South cooperation, contributing to maintaining peace, stability and cooperation in each region and in the world.

During the visit, the two leaders will attend a business forum co-organised by the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the South African Embassy in Viet Nam.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son hosted a reception for United States Ambassador to Viet Nam Marc E. Knapper in Ha Noi on Thursday.

Deputy PM Son praised the positive momentum in the bilateral relationship and noted the substantive activities both countries have undertaken to mark three decades of diplomatic ties. He emphasised Viet Nam's desire to foster closer cooperation with the US across sectors of mutual interest, particularly in science-technology, high-quality human resources training, energy, and semiconductors.

Commending the close coordination between the negotiating teams of both sides, he suggested the US consider the Vietnamese economys specific characteristics during the talks on a bilateral reciprocal tax agreement. Viet Nam will continue expanding imports of US goods, especially high-tech products like aircraft and semiconductors while creating favourable conditions for American enterprises operating in the country, Son affirmed.

Knapper, for his part, underscored the significance of 2025 as a milestone in the bilateral relations, with the embassys coordination with Vietnamese agencies to organise meaningful activities to mark the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties, looking toward a bright future for both nations and their people.

The ambassador said he has attached much importance to promoting delegation exchanges and contacts at all levels, helping maintain the substantive and positive development of the bilateral relations.

The diplomat thanked Viet Nam for its positive approach to the USs concerns, noting the countrys early initiative to push forward negotiations. He affirmed that the US hopes both sides could conclude negotiations soon to implement the bilateral reciprocal tax agreement, thus bringing benefits to both countries.

Knapper also affirmed that the US Embassy will closely coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other ministries and sectors of Viet Nam in the coming time to discuss measures to expand cooperation in all fields, for a strong, independent, self-reliant, prosperous Viet Nam, and strong development of the Viet NamUS Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing further to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.  VNA/VNS
VINH LONG  Tra Vinh University in the southern province of Vinh Long has emerged as one of Viet Nams most dynamic higher education institutions, steadily climbing global rankings and earning international accreditation for many of its programmes.

With a 53ha campus in Hoa Thuan Ward and a teaching cohort of more than 1,000, it offers 10 doctoral, 19 masters and 49 undergraduate programmes besides several health science specialisations.

Fields of study include agriculture and fisheries, engineering and technology, health sciences, economics, law and logistics, management and tourism, biotechnology, environment, foreign languages, culture, and arts.

The university maintains close ties with businesses and collaborates with more than 90 international partners, and has achieved substantial autonomy in academics, finance, science, training, and management.

Associate Professor Doctor Nguyen Minh Hoa, its rector, said Tra Vinh University is among the 23 universities in the country piloting autonomy under the Governments Resolution No. 77 issued in 2014.

Being granted autonomy in academics, organisation and finance has helped the university actively reform governance and develop training programmes to international standards, he added.

Tra Vinh University has been recognised among the worlds top 100 innovative universities with strong social impact for six consecutive years.

In 2025 it was 29th among the worlds top 400 universities in the WURI Ranking, up 13 places from 2024.

It is also among the worlds top 200 universities for green and sustainable education (UI GreenMetric Ranking), and received the Excellent Digital Transformation Award for three straight years from 2022.

To date 27 of its training programmes have achieved international accreditation based on leading standards such as the Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation (FIBAA  Europe), ASEAN University Network Quality Assurance (AUN-QA  Southeast Asia) and the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET  the US).

These place it among the Mekong Deltas leading institutions for internationally accredited programmes.

Vinh Long Province has identified developing high-quality human resources as a key task alongside infrastructure and digital development in its 202530 socio-economic development strategy.

Tra Vinh University constantly updates its curriculums to meet the business communitys human resources needs.

Its Co-op Model (Cooperative Education) from Canada allows students to earn an income while still studying, while businesses recruit trained workers without retraining costs.

It has also developed research and innovation centres based on local strengths, including the Mekong Delta Coconut Research Institute, and expanded cooperation with Denmark, Germany, Japan, and Taiwan (China) to develop human resources and technology for wind energy, green hydrogen and sustainable energy transition.

It aims to become an advanced, internationally integrated university, establishing a Mekong Delta Innovation and Start-up Centre and training high-quality human resources for Vinh Long and the delta.

In 2022 the deltas population was 17.4 million, accounting for 17.5 per cent of the countrys, but its workforce comprising people aged 15 or above accounted for 54 per cent.

The region has 17 universities, including six non-public ones.

Many, like Can Tho University and Tra Vinh University, are large, taking in 3,00010,000 students a year.

The delta provinces and Can Tho City have rolled out a number of policies to improve human resource quality in recent years, but challenges remain.

Only 14.9 per cent of the regions workers have formal training and 6.8 per cent have a university degree or higher, 11.9 percentage points below the national average and the lowest among all the countrys regions, according to the 2022 Annual Economic Report.

The Politburos Resolution No. 71, dated August 22, 2025, on Breakthroughs in the development of education and training, outlines tasks and solutions for institutional reform, financial investment, improving teaching quality, advancing higher education through innovation and integration, and promoting digital transformation.

In implementing the resolution, the delta is restructuring its public university system to build strong, multidisciplinary and autonomous institutions.

Among them, Can Tho University and Tra Vinh University are expected to continue playing pioneering roles, sharing their experience and guiding the regions higher education system towards sustainable development.  VNS
HA NOI  Nearly nine in ten Vietnamese children aged 1217 are active online, yet only a third have learned how to stay safe, highlighting the urgent need for stronger protections, officials said at an international seminar and gallery exhibition on online child sexual exploitation, abuse and technology-facilitated gender-based violence held on Wednesday in Ha Noi.

The event brought together policymakers, international experts, civil society and private sector leaders to shape a shared vision for a safer digital future in Viet Nam and the region.

Co-hosted by the Ministry of Public Security, the Australian Governments Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), UNICEF, UN Women and UNFPA under the UN Joint Programme on Ending Violence Against Women and Children (EVAWC) funded by DFAT, the seminar highlighted both the opportunities and risks of fast-growing digital economies and societies.

Studies show many children face online harassment or exposure to sexual content, with nearly half never reporting incidents, unsure of where to turn for help. While 13 per cent of Vietnamese women have experienced sexual violence, there is still no national data on online abuse, leaving the full scale largely unseen.

Globally, 300 million children suffer online exploitation each year, and reports of enticement and sexual extortion nearly tripled last year. An estimated 38 per cent of women with internet access have personally experienced online violence. Across Asia and the Pacific, between 16 and 58 per cent of women have experienced some form of technology-facilitated abuse, underscoring the urgent need to make the digital world safer for every woman and child.

As Viet Nam hosts the signing ceremony and high-level conference for the UN Convention against Cybercrime, also known as the Ha Noi Convention, the country is promoting international exchange and learning to protect women and children in the digital era.

Cybercrime challenges

Colonel Le Hoang Duong, Deputy Director General of the International Cooperation Department under the Ministry of Public Security, said cybercrime is rising worldwide in scale, complexity and impact, causing an estimated US$8,000 billion in economic damage in 2023, and forecast to reach $10,500 billion this year, larger than the GDP of most major economies.

Viet Nam has one of the highest internet penetration rates in the world, with 78.44 million users, or 79.1 per cent of the population, as of early last year. In 2023, the country recorded 16,000 reports of online fraud and, as of August, more than 13,750 cyberattacks on information systems.

Reality shows that community awareness, especially among parents and schools, about cyber safety is still low. Many acts of abuse occur anonymously, making it difficult to identify perpetrators. The emergence of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, deepfakes and fraudulent chatbots further increases the risk of abuse, Duong said.

He called for comprehensive solutions and close coordination among stakeholders, with support from the whole society.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security affirms that it prioritises cybersecurity and combating high-tech crime, building a national legal framework to implement the Ha Noi Convention and ensuring full enforcement of its provisions, including international cooperation in combating cybercrime, he said.

UNICEF Country Representative in Viet Nam Silvia Danailov said digital transformation is reshaping how people learn, work and connect, but these opportunities come with risks. Harms violate human rights to safety, privacy, equality and participation and demand coordinated, survivor- and child-centred systems connected through referrals, case management and shared accountability.

The UN commends Viet Nam for its commitment to this new Convention and to the international treaties that underpin it, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, she said.

Through the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children Programme, UN agencies and the Government of Australia are working with Viet Nam to connect these systems: training frontline responders, supporting survivor- and child-centred services, and advocating for digital safety in classrooms, clinics and communities.

This is how Viet Nam can turn international commitments into reality for every woman, adolescent and child, she said.

As Viet Nam advances its digitalisation and reform agenda, every ministry must make digital safety and equality central to design  safe by design, inclusive by design, empowering by design.

Let this be the moment we affirm that digital progress and human rights are shared foundations of a modern nation. Together, we can ensure that the promise of Viet Nams digital future is a promise of safety, equality and dignity for all, Danailov said.  VNS
HCM CITY  A passion for discovery has guided Dr Nguyen Ho Thuy Linh, a 35-year-old pharmaceutical scientist at the Viet Nam National University  HCM City (VNU-HCM), to remarkable achievements with more than 60 international publications, an international patent, and several national science awards.

Linh, a lecturer at the Faculty of Pharmacy at VNU-HCMs University of Health Sciences, has already made an impressive mark in her field with over 20 research projects.

This year, she is among 12 outstanding women honoured with the Vietnamese Womens Award 2025 for her contributions to science, education, and innovation.

Scientific research is not just my career but is a lifelong pursuit of discovery  one driven by curiosity, creativity, and a deep desire to create real value for society, she said.

Her achievements have earned her several prestigious honours, including the HCM City Innovation Award, the Golden Globe Award, and the Creative Youth badge.

Linhs research journey began during her student years, when she first experienced the thrill of scientific discovery  asking questions, searching for answers, and seeing her findings contribute to new knowledge.

That early excitement sparked her lifelong passion for research.

I have always been fascinated by the fundamental sciences, especially chemistry, Linh said.

Over time, she realised that interdisciplinary research in materials science  rooted in chemistry  could expand understanding of biomedicine, pharmaceuticals, and environmental science.

New materials not only bring scientific breakthroughs but also have practical applications that can improve human health and quality of life.

Among her numerous studies, Linh takes particular pride in her work on metalorganic frameworks (MOFs)  advanced materials with strong potential for synthesising bioactive organic compounds. Her teams findings have opened up promising directions for the pharmaceutical industry, especially in addressing challenges in sourcing raw materials for drug production.

In 2023, Linh and her colleagues were granted a Korean patent titled A method for synthesising aldehyde compounds using metalorganic frameworks.

The method introduces a new catalytic process that operates at lower temperatures and costs while maintaining high efficiency and selectivity.

Remarkably, the MOF catalysts can be reused multiple times without losing stability or activity  a discovery with significant potential for both pharmaceutical and cosmetic chemistry applications.

Balancing work and life

Like many women in science, Linhs path has not been without challenges.

Balancing the demands of research, teaching, and family life requires immense perseverance. Yet, she attributes her success to the supportive environment at VNU-HCMs University of Health Sciences.

The universitys supportive and interdisciplinary research environment has allowed me to fully devote myself to scientific work  to pursue my passion seriously and at an international standard, she said.

Assoc. Prof. Dr Thai Khac Minh, dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, described Linh as a passionate young lecturer with strong scientific capacity and a deep sense of responsibility.

Her research focuses on advanced materials for drug delivery and biomedical applications  a highly interdisciplinary field connecting pharmacy, materials science, and biomedical technology, he said.

Her achievements not only contribute to valuable scientific knowledge but also help position applied materials research as one of the Facultys strategic strengths.

Inspiring the next generation

Beyond her research, Linh is deeply committed to nurturing young scientists.

She encourages her students to question, experiment, and explore  because, as she says, science always begins with curiosity.

My greatest dream is to create something that brings real value to society  a new compound, a medicine, or a production process for active pharmaceutical ingredients or for biological materials, she said.

To achieve that, she is building a strong, dynamic research group where students and young researchers can learn, collaborate, and make meaningful scientific contributions.

Fourth-year pharmacy student Nguyen Ngoc Minh Thy, one of Linhs mentees, said that despite her busy schedule, Linh always takes time to explain and guide students patiently.

Shes not only a teacher but also a role model  showing us that success in science requires persistence, curiosity, and resilience.

Looking ahead, Linh hopes to strengthen closer collaboration between academia and industry, ensuring that research results can be translated more quickly into practical applications.

She also welcomes the Governments new policies to promote science and technology, particularly mechanisms that encourage long-term, high-impact research.

These policies give scientists like us confidence to pursue big ideas with passion and responsibility  not just to complete a project, but to make a difference, she said.

On Vietnamese Womens Day (October 20), Dr Nguyen Ho Thuy Linhs story stands as a shining example of how determination, intellect, and compassion can come together to advance science  and inspire future generations of women to dream boldly and push the boundaries of knowledge.  VNS
LAM ONG  Agricultural co-operatives in Lam ong Province have become a key driver in promoting commodity production, increasing agricultural value and expanding export markets, according to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment.

Located in the South-Central CoastalCentral Highlands region and having the largest land area in the country, Lam ong now has more than 1,000 co-operatives, including over 600 agricultural ones.

Many agricultural co-operatives have gradually built value chains, applied science and technology, and produced under VietGAP, GlobalGAP, and organic standards, thereby improving productivity, product quality, and members and farmers incomes.

Vo inh Danh, director of the ak Mil Agroforestry Co-operative in uc Lap Commune, said: Our co-operative guides members to grow high-quality coffee under a value-chain model. With support from local authorities and the provincial Co-operative Alliance, we have steadily developed stable production and business.

Nguyen Thi Ngoc Sen, director of the Agricultural Production and Purchasing Co-operative in Bac Gia Nghia Ward, said the co-operative has invested in greenhouses and applied technology to grow honeydew melons and tomatoes, helping increase productivity and reduce labour costs.

The co-operative earns profits of over VN100 million (US$3,800) per 1,000 sq.m each year, several times higher than traditional farming, she said.

Many co-operatives in the province use automatic irrigation, moisture sensors, farm management software, and product traceability systems.

These technologies improve productivity, quality, and brand reputation.

Hundreds of clean agricultural products in the province are sold in major supermarkets nationwide and exported to Japan, South Korea, and the EU.

Co-operatives bring not only profits but also sustainability.

The Cong Bang Thuan An Co-operative in Thuan An Commune has invested in three coffee processing plants.

These facilities help control quality and diversify products, from raw coffee beans to ground coffee, for both domestic and export markets.

The co-operative has maintained an average annual revenue of around VN33 billion ($1.3 million) over the past five years.

Nguyen Huu Ha, director of the co-operative, said: We organise good production contests for members to encourage creativity and innovation in coffee cultivation. Outstanding members are given opportunities to visit and learn from effective models at home and abroad.

Nguyen Thi Minh Tri, a member of the co-operative, said: With technical support from the co-operative, my family has improved our coffee orchard and stabilised our income.

The co-operative buys our coffee at VN1,200 per kilogramme above the market price. We are also provided with free bio-fertiliser, which reduces chemical use, protects the environment, and enhances product quality.

Linkages between co-operatives and processing or exporting enterprises have proved highly effective.

Le Anh Son, director of the Binh Minh Co-operative in ak Wil Commune, said: Linking with enterprises helps us produce pepper in a professional and sustainable way.

The co-operative implements international certifications like Rainforest Alliance and Farm Sustainability Assessment, expanding raw material areas and ensuring stable output.

Developing exemplary co-operatives

Lam ong has selected 15 agricultural co-operatives to join a project supporting the development of exemplary and effective agricultural co-operatives.

They include Vuon Nha a Lat General Agricultural Service Co-operative in Xuan Truong - a Lat Ward, An Phu General Agricultural Service Co-operative in Hiep Thanh Commune, Thuan Tien Dragon Fruit Co-operative in Ham Liem Commune, Hoa Le Clean Dragon Fruit Co-operative in Ham Thuan Commune, ak Mil Agroforestry Co-operative in uc Lap Commune, and Nam Ha Agroforestry Co-operative in Cu Jut Commune.

After joining the project, these co-operatives have had stable farm contracts, adopted advanced technologies, and applied VietGAP, GlobalGAP, and organic standards, according to the Department of Agriculture and Environment.

Many products of these co-operatives have been recognised under the countrys One Commune  One Product programme, enhancing local agricultural brands, creating rural jobs for women and youth, and contributing to new-style rural area development.

Bui Hoa Tham, deputy chairman of the provincial Co-operative Alliance, said: The Fourth Industrial Revolution is creating a turning point in production and consumption. Therefore, we encourage co-operatives to accelerate digital transformation and apply new technologies.

Developing co-operatives aims not only at economic goals but also at human values. It helps build united communities, maintain political stability, ensure national defence and security, and create a resilient collective economy adaptable to modern trends.

The province aims to develop co-operatives following a modern model in the coming period, focusing on operational quality, expanding new-style co-operative models, and strengthening value-chain linkages between co-operatives and enterprises.

It will prioritise policies for agricultural co-operatives applying high technology and encourage investment in potential sectors such as processing industries, logistics services, and agricultural tourism.

It will continue to improve support mechanisms and policies, expanding access to resources for co-operatives, especially in agriculture, rural areas, and the marine economy.

It targets that 45 per cent of co-operatives will be linked with enterprises through value chains by 2026.  VNS
HELSINKI  A Vietnamese delegation led by Nguyen Duy Ngoc, Politburo member, Chairman of the Party Central Committee's Inspection Commission, and Deputy Head of the Central Steering Committee for the Development of Science, Technology, Innovation and Digital Transformation, visited SITRA, the Finnish Innovation Fund, and space technology firm ICEYE to exchange experiences and explore cooperation opportunities.

The working trip took place as part of the official visit to Finland by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam, his spouse, and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation from October 2022.

At the meeting with SITRA - an independent public foundation which operates directly under the supervision of the Finnish Parliament, on Tuesday, the Vietnamese delegation studied the funds foresight-based model for national strategy development and its methodology for researching and forecasting global trends and long-term challenges. These insights help SITRA design policy scenarios for science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation with a proactive and forward-looking approach.

Discussions covered SITRAs process and methodology in conducting foresight research and identifying major trends to provide policy advice to the Finnish Parliament, as well as the fund's governance and operation model. The two sides exchanged views on SITRAs pioneering work in developing the worlds first National Roadmap for a Circular Economy and organising the World Circular Economy Forum. The Vietnamese delegation learned about SITRAs large-scale social experiments addressing issues such as population aging, healthcare reform, and lifelong learning.

On Wednesday, the delegation visited ICEYE to explore how space technologies can support Viet Nams response to climate change, and sustainable development. With Viet Nams long coastline and vulnerability to storms and floods, ICEYEs synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellation offers valuable tools for near real-time flood mapping, early warning, and damage assessment, as well as for maritime security and resources management.

The Vietnamese delegation also studied ICEYEs successful deep-tech commercialisation journey, from a university research project to a global space technology company. The visit offered lessons on research commercialisation, one of the key priorities under Viet Nams Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW.

Both sides discussed ICEYEs satellite imaging capabilities, data applications for Viet Nam, and potential cooperation in training, technology transfer, and pilot projects tailored to national needs. They also exchanged views on possible partnerships between ICEYE and Viettel Group.

ICEYE operates the worlds largest commercial SAR satellite constellation, providing continuous, near real-time Earth observation regardless of weather or lighting conditions. Its data support governments and industries in disaster management, insurance, finance, agriculture, and environmental monitoring.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  The Traffic Police Division under the Ha Noi Department of Public Security on Wednesday launched a general plan to ensure smooth traffic during the signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime (Ha Noi Convention), scheduled for October 2526 in the capital.

Colonel Tran inh Nghia, head of the division, said this is the first time Viet Nam has been chosen by the UN to host the opening for signature of a global convention. The event not only affirms Viet Nams growing prestige and stature on the international arena but is also an opportunity for Ha Noi to showcase the image of a safe, civilised, and friendly capital.

Recognising the events significance, the division has developed an overall plan with the ultimate goal of ensuring absolute safety for Party and State leaders, international delegations, and participants while maintaining orderly and uninterrupted traffic across the city.

Under the direction of the Ha Noi Department of Public Security, the traffic police have mobilised maximum personnel, vehicles, and technical equipment, and are closely coordinating with other police units and relevant agencies to implement concerted measures during the two-day event, he noted.

In addition to escorting delegations and high-ranking officials, traffic police will be deployed at key intersections to monitor traffic, manage flow from a distance, and prevent congestion, particularly during rush hours and along the routes serving the ceremony.

Mobile patrol units will also carry out regular inspections and camera-based monitoring to promptly detect and strictly handle violations such as illegal parking, drunk driving, running red lights, carrying oversized loads, or failing to wear helmets.

The division called on local residents to follow police instructions and traffic diversions, and to give way to motorcades with priority signals, helping ensure safe and smooth traffic for both the convention and daily travel in the city, Nghia added.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam' Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation No 7 has successfully performed its first Achilles tendon reconstruction, a complex procedure marking a major achievement in the units first month serving at the United Nations peacekeeping mission in war-torn South Sudan.

The patient, a senior Mongolian officer, suffered a complete rupture of his left Achilles tendon during training. After examination and consultation by Vietnamese doctors, he chose to have the operation at the field hospital for convenience and timely treatment.

With approval from the missions chief medical officer, hospital director Dr Tran uc Tai led the one-hour surgery. The team successfully reattached the torn tendon using a specialised stitching method, ensuring a strong repair under strict sterile and anaesthetic conditions.

Following the surgery, the patient was closely monitored. Dr Tai oversaw care and early rehabilitation. The patient is now in stable condition and recovering well.

In its first month of deployment from September 22 to October 22, Field Hospital Rotation No 7 completed three surgeries, including two emergency cases and one tendon reconstruction. It also carried out one medical evacuation by air, treated 200 patients, and actively joined medical training programmes under the UN Mission in South Sudan.  VNS
NGHE AN  A man armed with a knife suddenly attacked medical staff and patients relatives at Nghe An Obstetrics and Paediatrics Hospital in central region at 10am on Thursday, injuring seven people, including two newborns.

The attacker, identified as V., born in 1996, a native of the northern province Bac Ninh and currently residing in Que Phong, Nghe An, stormed into the neonatal ward and assaulted several people, reported.

Vs wife had given birth prematurely to twins, who were being treated in the neonatal department. On Wednesday, one of the babies showed signs of infection and was transferred to intensive care.

The following morning, V. unexpectedly entered room 305 of the neonatal ward, attacked a patients relative and a nurse, Nhung, and attempted to throw an infant sharing the same bed with his own child out of the window.

A nurse named Hong rushed in to save the baby but was also stabbed.

V. then attacked his wife and two other patients relatives, who narrowly escaped injury. When another nurse, Trang, intervened, he chased and stabbed her multiple times despite her attempts to flee. Hoai, another nurse, was also injured while trying to help.

Hospital security quickly arrived and subdued the attacker, locking the room and keeping him until police took over.

The attack injured three medical workers, two patients relatives, and two newborn children.

Nurse Trang suffered the most serious wounds, with multiple deep stabs to the neck and chest. Other victims sustained injuries to the abdomen, eyes, and head.

All injured were given first aid and transferred to Nghe An Friendship General Hospital, where surgeries were successful and their conditions stabilised.

Leaders from the provincial Department of Health were dispatched to the hospitals to oversee emergency response, support staff and ensure medical services continued without disruption.

The hospital has now resumed its normal operations.  VNS
Han So-hee returns to impress fans with her dramatic looks and sophistication in a fresh Harper's Bazaar photoshoot. Published on October 21, the cover captures the beauty of the star in a series of striking red and winter-based ensembles.

Tenasia reported that, Han So-hee flaunted her beauty in a theme of red presenting a series of ensembles showcasing the combination of traditional and modern fashion.

Han So-hee displays confidence and warmth on camera, wearing an array of clothing from structured outerwear to supple knit tops. Harper's Bazaar wrote that she "modeled a range of winter looks, easily carrying off classic silhouette outerwear, knits, and stylish padded pieces."

The actress enchanting eyes and confident pose elevate the look of each outfit, making the photoshoot a fluid play of fashion and sentiment. The magazine wrote, "Each look was infused with Han So-hee's unique gaze and gestures, creating moments where the clothing and the person complement each other's charm."

The photoshoot contributes to Han So-hee's newly earned place as one of Korea's most versatile and dynamic fashion figures with a charming mix of refinement and modernity.

Apart from her magazine entry, Han So-hee is also preparing to meet fans for the first time at her upcoming fan meeting. As the source reported, "Han So-hee is set to hold a fan meeting on the 26th at 5 PM at Yonsei University's Grand Auditorium in Seoul."

The event will be the last leg of her very first worldwide fan meeting tour, which started in June. From then on, Han So-hee has been to Bangkok, Tokyo, Taipei, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Manila, and Jakarta, thanking her fans all over the world.

Her agency released that the Seoul event will be an emotional end to her international journey, giving her the opportunity to thank personally supporters who have accompanied her since the start.

Han So-hee's Harper's Bazaar cover and world tour demonstrate duality: she is both a revered actress and a cherished public figureone that continues to cross boundaries of art, fashion, and authentic connection.
CHANTHABURI  A two-day meeting of the Joint Border Committee (JBC) got underway in in Thailands Chanthaburi province today, on Tuesday.

Cambodia and Thailand opened a two-day meeting of the Joint Border Committee (JBC) in Thailands Chanthaburi province today at noon to review progress on ongoing boundary work and follow up on key issues raised in previous sessions.

According to the Cambodian State Secretariat of Border Affairs (SSBA), the agenda includes three main items: reviewing outcomes of the 6th JBC meeting held in Phnom Penh on June 1415, following up on priority issues submitted by the General Border Committee (GBC) during its special meeting in Koh Kong on September 10  particularly concerning Chouk Chey village  and other related matters.

The two sides are holding closed and plenary sessions today, with the agenda expected to be formally approved during the plenary meeting.

The Cambodian delegation is led by JBC chair Lam Chea, Minister in Charge of the SSBA, accompanied by representatives from relevant ministries and border provinces.

The Thai side is headed by Prasas Prasasvinitchai, advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Thailand-Cambodia Land Border Joint Committee, along with senior officials.

The meeting comes four months after the first JBC session in Phnom Penh  the first in more than a decade  which took place amid rising tensions that later escalated into armed confrontation between border troops.

During the June session, co-chaired by Chea and Prasasvinitchai, the two sides focused on mapping and survey progress along the two countries 800-kilometre frontier.

Delegates reviewed 74 boundary pillars, agreed on 45 confirmed locations and adopted Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and orthophoto technologies to accelerate demarcation work.

Cambodia described the June talks as productive and cooperative, reaffirming that the border issue should continue to be handled through bilateral mechanisms under the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding.

Cambodia also reiterated its rejection of a unilaterally drawn Thai map, saying it cannot serve as a reference for official survey work.

Disputed areas such as Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Touch, Ta Krabei and the Mom Bei (Emerald Triangle) zone remain outside the JBCs immediate scope, with Phnom Penh maintaining that those cases should be addressed through the International Court of Justice (ICJ).  The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
The path towards international competitiveness is no longer defined merely by product quality or price, but by the ability to align with environmental and social responsibility. For many businesses, 'going green' has shifted from a strategic option to an unavoidable imperative.

In August, the GEVA project  'Green Export Acceleration through Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS)'  launched a specialised training series in Ho Chi Minh City. The initiative represents a major step in equipping Vietnamese agribusinesses with the tools and knowledge required to meet the growing global demand for sustainable products.

The four-session training course in Ho Chi Minh City drew participation from dozens of agricultural businesses, combining foundational theory with hands-on practice. The opening session, held on August 16 and led by Phan Dinh Tuan Anh, CEO and founder of Angel4Us, introduced participants to international business model frameworks and the integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into corporate strategy.

ESG is not just a checklist to make a company look good on paper, Anh said. Its a compass that helps enterprises manage risks, enhance efficiency, and attract investment.

Participants were guided through the Business Model Canvas framework and self-assessment tools, enabling them to evaluate their readiness for green export and identify both their strengths and critical areas for improvement.

One of the most common challenges for Vietnamese companies, as the training revealed, lies in choosing the right sustainability standards. With more than 400 different VSS currently in use worldwide, businesses can easily become overwhelmed by complexity and cost.

In a session on August 19 focused on the agriculture sector, Bui Khanh Tung, deputy director of the Centre for Organic Agriculture Development Support, helped demystify this process.

Each market favours a different group of VSS, and each standard is linked to specific value chains and benefits, Tung explained. The more precisely firms understand and select the right standard, the more efficiently they can allocate resources and access their target markets.

Through group discussions and case studies, participants learned how to integrate sustainability standards into their business models and recognised the tangible benefits of doing so  from improving operational efficiency to enhancing brand reputation abroad.

The programme also featured Le Sai Gon, director of the SIMEX Training and Export-Import Consulting Centre, who provided practical guidance on export procedures, logistics, and compliance requirements under green export frameworks. As global regulations evolve, sustainability now extends across the entire supply chain  from farming and packaging to transportation and international certification.

A highlight of the course was the field trip to Vina T&T Group, one of Vietnams leading fruit exporters. Participants visited organic grapefruit and coconut farms and observed firsthand the companys modern processing and packaging operations, certified by rigorous international standards such as BRCGS, GlobalG.A.P., and USDA Organic.

For many, the visit offered more than inspiration  it bridged theory with tangible reality. The story of Vina T&T, from early setbacks to becoming a trusted supplier to the US market, underscored a vital lesson: long-term success in global trade is built on persistence, partnership with farmers, and unwavering commitment to green standards.

The GEVA training series marks just the beginning. The project will continue supporting Vietnamese enterprises through incubation and acceleration programmes, offering tailored guidance on applying VSS in practice, building export-oriented brands, and developing sustainable business models.

For participating enterprises, the journey towards green transformation has only just begun. Equipped with new knowledge, tools, and perspectives, they are better positioned to enter global markets  not just as exporters of agricultural goods, but as ambassadors of a sustainable Vietnam.

Vietnams deeper integration into global trade through next-generation free trade agreements has opened new opportunities for its agricultural sector. Yet, along with these opportunities come increasingly stringent non-tariff barriers, particularly those tied to environmental protection, labour rights, and traceability.

Markets such as the EU, with its ambitious Green Deal, and the United States and Japan, which demand transparency in production and certification, are raising the bar for exporters worldwide. For Vietnams agricultural producers, adapting to these requirements has become a defining factor of survival and competitiveness.

Global consumers today care about product quality but also about how a product is made  whether it respects the environment, ensures fair labour practices, and contributes positively to local communities. This shift presents both a challenge and an opportunity.

For Vietnams SMEs, adopting green standards can unlock new markets, entice sustainable investment, and create lasting brand value. But it also demands long-term commitment, innovation, and capacity building.

GEVA directly addresses these needs, serving as a bridge between international sustainability requirements and local business realities.

Vietnams agricultural sector stands at a pivotal moment. As global trade pivots towards sustainability, 'greening' is no longer just a moral duty  it is a strategic advantage. The success of initiatives like GEVA demonstrates how targeted training and collaboration between public, private, and academic actors can empower local enterprises to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

With determination, knowledge, and a clear vision, Vietnamese businesses are proving that sustainability and profitability are not opposing goals  but complementary forces driving the countrys next wave of export growth.

The 'Green Export Acceleration through Voluntary Sustainability Standards (GEVA)' project aims to strengthen the capacity of Vietnamese agricultural enterprises in adopting sustainability practices and meeting international market requirements. The programme supports enterprises through training, incubation, and acceleration activities to promote green and inclusive export growth.

Voluntary social insurance participants up 305 folds in 16 years: VSS The number of voluntary social insurance participants has risen 305 folds to 1.83 million since the policy was put in place in 2008, according to the Vietnam Social Security (VSS).

Strengthen partnership and efforts to promote zero energy buildings in Vietnam Within the framework of the Zero Energy Building (ZEBHub) project, Vietnam Sustainability Social Enterprise Co., Ltd. (VSSE) - the managing unit of the Energy Efficiency Network Vietnam (EEN-Vietnam) and CBRE Vietnam signed a MoU on February 25.
Emeli Sande set for world exclusive orchestral spectacular at Llangollen Eisteddfod

The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is set to shine in 2026 with a one-night-only orchestral spectacular, starring global music icon Emeli Sande.

The powerhouse performer will take centre stage on Friday, July 10 in a bespoke concert created exclusively for the historic festival.

Making her highly anticipated Llangollen debut, the multi-award-winning artist will reimagine her greatest hits and fan favourites in brand-new symphonic arrangements, performed live with The Absolute Orchestra.

The Scottish superstar is the first headline act announced for next summers festival, leading a fully seated, specially curated show that continues Llangollens tradition of world-class artistic innovation.

It follows the success of 2025s orchestral collaboration between KT Tunstall and the Absolute Orchestra  a standout moment of the summer that sparked a new Eisteddfod tradition of bold, genre-defying symphonic performances. Further announcements will follow soon.

Speaking about heading to Llangollen, Emeli said: Im absolutely thrilled to be performing at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod for the very first time next summer. Its such a unique and powerful celebration of music.

I cant wait to perform with the incredibly talented musicians of The Absolute Orchestra, which makes the occasion even more special!

Emeli Sande burst onto the music scene in 2012 with her debut album Our Version of Events, which featured timeless hits such as Next to Me, Read All About It (Part III), and Clown. The record became the UKs biggest-selling album of the year, earning critical acclaim and praise from legendary artists such as Madonna and Alicia Keys.

Since then, Sande has continued to evolve artistically, with her acclaimed albums Lets Say For Instance (2022) and How Were We to Know (2023) highlighting her emotional depth and musical versatility.

Raised in rural Aberdeenshire by a Zambian father and working-class Cumbrian mother, Sande grew from a shy teenager into one of the UKs most influential and celebrated voices.

Her emotionally charged performances and soaring vocals have earned her multiple BRIT Awards, an Ivor Novello Award, and an MBE for services to music  securing her place among Britains most decorated musical talents.

Joining her on stage in Llangollen will be The Absolute Orchestra, conducted and arranged by the Eisteddfods Artistic Director Dave Danford. Renowned for pushing creative boundaries and pioneering cross-genre collaborations with artists such as KT Tunstall and Kosheen, the orchestra will blend soul, pop, and symphonic brilliance into a truly unforgettable night of live music

Artistic Director of the festival, Dave Danford added: Were thrilled that Emeli is coming to perform in Llangollen next summer. Shes a hugely popular artist, and very much at the top of her game right now. Were particularly excited that this show will be a bespoke one-off performance with orchestra, and that were presenting something that cant be found anywhere else.

Founded in 1947, the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is one of the worlds most vibrant celebrations of music, dance, and international friendship. Held annually in the heart of the North East Wales town , the festival welcomes thousands of performers and visitors from across the globe, uniting cultures through creativity and competition.

Friends of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod can access pre-sale tickets from 10 am tomorrow via llangollen.net and tickets go on sale at 9am on Saturday.
I was struck by the natural warmth and vitality of the local people

Global Times) 08:58, October 23, 2025

Editor's Note:

Despite some Western political forces continuing to run smear campaigns against Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, they won't deter the people in the region from embracing peace and prosperity, nor will they halt Xinjiang society's steady development. Seeing is believing, and facts and truth will eventually debunk all lies. In the "Xinjiang Upclose" series, the Global Times (GT) will publish conversations with and articles from scholars and observers from around the world who have visited the region, sharing their firsthand experience of traveling to Xinjiang and observing the daily lives of its people. Through their insights and experiences, we aim to present an authentic perspective on Xinjiang.

In the tenth installment of the series, GT reporter Liu Xuandi interviewed Hasan Capan (Capan), president of the Turkish Chinese Friendship Foundation. Based on his field trip in Xinjiang, apan shared his insights on the region's religious practices, the living standards of ethnic minority groups and its people-centered development.

GT: You visited Xinjiang in September for the first time. Could you share with us what you saw and experienced during the trip? Among all these experiences, which ones left the deepest impression on you?

apan:From the moment we landed in Xinjiang, I was struck by the natural warmth and vitality of the local people, as well as the impressive beauty of the airport itself. Our meeting with the vice chairman of the regional government of Xinjiang was marked by a cordial and sincere exchange, covering cultural, political and friendship-related topics in depth.

As part of our itinerary, we visited the Islamic Institute and observed classes conducted in Putonghua, Uygur and Arabic. It was striking to witness those students learning in a pressure-free environment with substantial resources.

We also toured a neighborhood management center, which left a deep impression on our delegation. Dilapidated houses had been replaced by new communities, with homes allocated free of charge based on residents' prior land shares.

GT: Xinjiang is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious region in Northwest China. Based on your field visit, do you think Xinjiang is restricting normal religious activities as reported by some Western media? As an observer from Turkey, how would you evaluate Xinjiang's current practices in religious policy and its efforts to protect religious and cultural heritage?

apan:During our visit, we toured mosques both with our guide and independently, speaking with imams and local residents. They told us - and we saw with our own eyes - that religious activities here face no restrictions. They mentioned that while mosques are typically busier on Fridays, the number of worshippers often exceeds indoor capacity during festive prayers, leading many to pray in the courtyards on prayer rugs.

We also observed that mosques belonging to minority groups, along with other cultural and religious heritage sites, are being carefully protected. For instance, we were deeply impressed by the well-preserved Yusuf Khass Hajib Mausoleum, which has maintained its original form for centuries.

Additionally, we noted that the Uygur language is written in a modified Arabic script, which we were told is the preference of the Uygur people. This script even appears on China's currency, reflecting the national recognition of minority languages. The presence of minority languages on such an important national symbol strongly conveyed the value and rights afforded to minority communities. We further visited numerous museums dedicated to preserving and showcasing traditional clothing, musical instruments and artworks - ensuring that minority cultures are not only celebrated but also passed down to future generations.

GT: You have repeatedly spoken out in international forums against false narratives in Western media about China. Do you believe the Western media's claims of China's human rights violations againstChinese Uygurs and other ethnic minorities are true? In your view, are the rights of people from different ethnic groups in Xinjiang being effectively protected?

apan:For many years, I have been closely following Western false narratives about Xinjiang. These claims originate from the US Congress, spread through European foundations, and are echoed by groups in Turkey and the so-called the government in exile. Based on my firsthand observations, I can confidently say these narratives do not reflect reality.

The US-based National Endowment for Democracy (NED) has publicly acknowledged funding certain Uygur organizations. When we investigate why such Western foundations are so interested in the region, the underlying motive becomes clear: Xinjiang borders eight countries and serves as a strategic gateway to the West, playing a vital role in fostering regional cooperation. Western provocations are spread through Turkey, exploiting cultural ties to fabricate and disseminate false and misleading reports. The aim is to hinder the development of China-Turkey relations and to prevent the formation of any political alignment against Western influence.

China is committed to the cultural and educational advancement of minority groups. Western actors deliberately distort these efforts - falsely labeling education initiatives as "camps" - to obscure China's legitimate policy goals of educational poverty alleviation and extremism combating. Their goal is to manipulate vulnerable communities for their own interests by fostering radicalism.

I urge the world to not believe hearsay and see for yourselves. The Chinese government acts with confidence, vision and humanity. It values people equally, regardless of ethnicity or faith. While other nations witness violence over resources or land, China pursues inclusive policies that dignify human life.

GT: The recently released white paper "The Communist Party of China (CPC) Guidelines for Governing Xinjiang in the New Era: Practice and Achievements" points out that "living a life of contentment is the ultimate human right, and a happy life for the people is the ultimate goal of development in Xinjiang." Based on what you observed during your trip regarding livelihood projects and public services, how would you assess the current living standards of people in Xinjiang? How do you understand the CPC's people-centered approach to governing Xinjiang?

apan:The CPC's policies, rooted in China's constitution, are implemented without discrimination. The nation has demonstrated its commitment to Xinjiang's development - benefiting all ethnic groups equally - through major projects including the establishment of solar and wind power stations and the Kashi Area of the China (Xinjiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone.

On a highway, we met an elderly woman selling figs. When we stopped to buy some, she offered WeChat Pay - no cash needed. It was striking to see how even small-scale trade in Xinjiang's rural areas is digitally enabled, allowing everyone to contribute to the economy. We witnessed agriculture thriving in the desert, supported by underground channels carrying water from the Tianshan Mountains to reduce evaporation. We saw and tasted some of the 550 varieties of grapes grown in desert basins. We visited small village cooperatives, supported by local governments, sending their products electronically across China. We saw young people working together with enthusiasm and contributing to local governance. In alleys, streets and fields, we met people selling the products they had harvested.

Importantly, the places we visited were chosen freely by us, without any direction or pressure from local authorities. To those who speak of repression in China, I say: Examine your own country first, then visit Xinjiang and see the reality for yourself.

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun)
Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - A civilian aircraft landed at Khartoum Airport on Wednesday in the first flight marking the return of civil aviation at the Sudanese capital in more than two years, the management of the airport announced
ARMIDALE ANTIMONY-GOLD PROJECT ADVANCES WITH MULTIPLE EXCEPTIONAL PROSPECTS



Armidale Antimony Project Advances with Accelerated Program

Perth, Oct 23, 2025 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Red Mountain Mining Limited ( ASX:RMX ), a gold and critical minerals exploration and development company, announced an update to the market on strong results to date from the Company's 100% owned Armidale Antimony-Gold Project in the Southern New England Orogen (SNEO) of northeast New South Wales.



HIGHLIGHTS



- During the first 9 months of tenure, Red Mountain Mining ( ASX:RMX ) has reported consistently strong results from the Company's 100% owned Armidale Antimony-Gold Project



- The Armidale Antimony-Gold Project comprises a large, strategic tenure covering nearly 400km2 of highly prospective ground adjacent to the Peel Fault, located west of Larvotto's ( ASX:LRV ) Hillgrove Project - Australia's largest and the world's 8th largest Antimony deposit



- Since the acquisition of Hillgrove in December 2023, LRV's ASX market value has surged from less than $6 million to over $700 million, following the announcement this week of a nonbinding indicative offer from United States Antimony Corporation ( NYSE:UAMY ) (market capitalisation approximately A$2.5 billion) to acquire 100% of LRV



- Exploration at RMX's Oaky Creek prospect has defined high-grade antimony mineralisation (up to 39.3% Sb) with associated gold (up to 1.09g/t Au) over a strike extent of 3km



- Strike extent and strong spatial correlation between Antimony and Gold at Oaky Creek supports RMX's exploration model for the prospect of a major vein-style orogenic Antimony-Gold system, which is directly analogous to LRV's Hillgrove Project



- RMX has secured strong backing in its FY26 funding initiatives, supported by 3 strategic investors, who have all positioned as Top 20 shareholders of Larvotto Resources ( ASX:LRV )



- Red Mountain is well-funded with an extensive exploration program already planned for November at the Armidale Project, with further assays pending and due by early November.



- RMX will leverage the strong Australian and US Government interest in securing critical mineral supply chains through continued aggressive exploration across its growing portfolio of Antimony and Gold assets in Australia and the United States



- Red Mountain is favorably positioned following Monday's meeting where the US President and Australian Prime Minister executed a Critical Minerals Framework agreement and committed US$3 billion to be spent in the next 6 months to make "immediate" investments in a pipeline of critical minerals projects, in nearly every state and territory in Australia



The SNEO is widely recognised as Australia's premier antimony province, with 250 antimony mineral occurrences identified in the Geological Survey of NSW mineral occurrence database (Figure 1*).



Antimony occurs in hydrothermal quartz veins, breccias and stockworks, often with associated gold and/or tungsten mineralisation.



RMX's Armidale Project encompasses almost 400km2 adjacent to the prospective Peel Fault and lies within the same geological province and hosts a similar style of orogenic antimony-gold mineralisation to Larvotto Resources' ( ASX:LRV ) Hillgrove Project (Figure 1*), which is Australia's largest and the globe's eighth largest known antimony deposit.



Larvotto had an ASX market value of $5.6 million in December 2023 when it acquired the Hillgrove mine out of administration, and has surged to over $700 million this week, following the announcement of a non-binding indicative offer from the United States Antimony Corporation ( NYSE:UAMY ) to acquire 100% of LRV. The American miner and mineral processor, which has a has a market value of $US1.7 billion ($2.58 billion) and operating assets in Idaho, Montana and Mexico, has already acquired a 10 percent stake in Larvotto and is offering to pay for the remainder in scrip, offering 6 UAMY common stock shares for every 100 Larvotto shares, which translated to approximately $1.40 per LRV share when announced.



Strong results highlight the potential of RMX's Armidale Project



Red Mountain's initial strategy for the Company's Armidale Antimony-Gold Project has been to investigate previously identified historical antimony and gold mineral occurrences that are associated with major and minor structures associated with the Peel Fault system.



Since acquiring the project, RMX has carried out rock chip, soil and auger sampling at the Oaky Creek antimony prospect in the northern portion of the tenement; and rock chip and soil sampling at the East Hills antimony prospect and initial rock chip sampling at the Horsley Station gold prospect in the south (Figure 2*). Analytical results are pending for the auger sampling at Oaky Creek and the soil sampling at East Hills, but results received to date have been highly encouraging. As previously reported, Oaky Creek returned antimony in soils results of up to 333ppm Sb and rock chip values of up to 39.3% Sb and 1.09g/t Au. Initial rock chip samples from East Hills gave a best result of 9.9% Sb, and rock chip samples from the Horsley Station gold prospect returned up to 0.25g/t Au.



High grade antimony-gold mineralisation confirmed over 3km at Oaky Creek



RMX has completed two field campaigns at the Oaky Creek antimony prospect, the results of which are summarised in Figures 3 and 4*. The Oaky Creek prospect features quartz-carbonate-stibnite veins and breccias hosted within a tightly folded and faulted sequence of metamorphosed Carboniferous mudstone, siltstone and fine sandstone The mineralisation has been targeted by two groups of small, shallow historical pits and shafts at Oaky Creek North and Oaky Creek South, which are thought to date from the late 19th Century.



The Company's initial sampling program at Oaky Creek comprised a 50 x 100m spaced grid soil sampling program centred on a major splay of the Namoi Fault, accompanied by rock chip sampling.



As reported in June 2005, the soil sampling defines a coherent, ~2km long, 100-200m wide, NNW-trending >2ppm Sb in soil anomaly extending both north and south of the historical workings at Oaky Creek North and a similarly-oriented ~1km long >2ppm Sb in soil anomaly extending north from the Oaky Creek South workings (Figures 3 and 4*), indicating a significant orogenic antimonymineral system with a strike extent of 3km.



Initial rock chip sampling, reported in June and July 2025, returned values of up to 28.3% Sb and 0.54 g/t Au, with mineralised and anomalous rock chip samples showing a strong spatial correlation to the antimony soil anomaly (Figures 3 and 4*), and high grade (>25% Sb) mineralisation found to be outcropping in a creek exposure 500m NNW of the historical workings at Oaky Creek North (Figure 3*).



A second sampling program was undertaken in September 2025, with the collection of approximately 250 hand auger soil samples spaced at 10m and 20m across the Oaky Creek South prospect (Figures 3 and 4*), following up antimony soil anomalies defined by the initial 50m x 100m spaced soil sampling.



During this program, additional rock chip sampling was undertaken at Oaky Creek South and Oaky Creek North, returning even stronger results of up to 39.3% Sb and 1.09g/t Au and confirming the presence of a high-grade antimony mineralisation with associated gold ~500m northwest of the Oaky Creek South workings. The antimony-and gold-rich rock chip samples collected ~500m northwest of the Oaky Creek South workings confirm the potential of the Oaky Creek prospect to host a major orogenic antimony-gold camp, with mineralised samples now collected over a strike extent of 500m at Oaky Creek South and 700m at Oaky Creek North, with significant additional untested extensions indicated by the ~1.5km long antimony soil anomaly at Oaky Creek North (Figures 3 and 4*). Analytical results for the hand auger sampling program are expected to be received before the end of October.



Antimony-mineralisation confirmed at East Hills



RMX has also completed initial soil and rock chip sampling, over the East Hills antimony prospect in the southern portion of EL9732. Results are anticipated before the end of October for a total of 78 soil samples that were collected on a 50m x 100m spaced grid centred on the historical workings at the prospect (Figure 5*). During this program, the company also collected 20 rock chip samples over the prospect and confirmed the presence of high-grade antimony mineralisation, with a best result of 9.9% Sb (Figure 5*). A further two samples with anomalous (>500ppm) antimony were collected ~70m north-northwest along strike from the mineralised sample, indicating that antimony mineralisation at East Hills extends well beyond the small historical workings.



Anomalous gold and prospective ultramafic host rocks confirmed at Horsley Station



RMX also collected eight rock chip samples from the historical workings and nearby outcrops at Horsley Station. A sample of quartz-fuchsite vein material from the workings returned an anomalous gold value of 0.25g/t Au, while a nearby sample of similar material contained anomalous antimony of 0.18% (Figure 6*). An outcrop of ultramafic rock was also sampled ~25m east of the workings (Figure 5*). Although this sample is not mineralised, ultramafic lithologies are recognised as the preferred host for gold mineralisation along the Peel Fault system and the exposure supports RMX's interpretation that magnetic highs at Horsley Station and Horsley North (Figure 2*) represent structurally bound ultramafic bodies.



Multispectral satellite data highlights additional targets within the Armidale Project



RMX had recently engaged geophysical consultant Dirt Exploration ("Dirt") to process Sentinel-2 visible/near infrared (VNIR) and shortwave infrared (SWIR) satellite imagery to test for the presence of multispectral signatures that may indicate previously unrecognised antimony targets.



Dirt's unmixing of the satellite multispectral data identified stibnite adsorption spectra along the length of the project. One hundred of these features were identified, with an apparent structural control, as many of the stibnite occurrences occur along or subparallel to the mapped Peel Fault System (Figure 7*). RMX's priority Horsely Station gold target is highlighted by the stibnite spectra, but neither Oaky Creek nor East Hills show a discernable response, despite demonstrated presence of stibnite mineralisation at surface. The dataset also highlights a number of other targets for ground follow-up, most notably along the length of the Namoi Fault and the throughout the northern end of EL9732, where minor historical alluvial gold mining has occurred, but no antimony mineralisation is recorded.



In addition to the stibnite spectra, jarosite was also unmixed by Dirt from the spectral dataset, as the two can co-exist where the antimony sulfide (stibnite) is oxidised. Jarosite is a potassium iron sulfate hydroxide that forms in acidic environments and is known to scavenge metallic elements, including antimony and arsenic. Jarosite was observed by RMX geologists during rock and soil sampling at Oaky Creek, where it was associated with oxidation of primary stibnite mineralisation, along with cervantite, stibicontite, senarmonite and valentinite.



The distribution of jarosite from the spectral data is shown in Figure 7*. As was seen for stibnite, there is a strong apparent structural control on its distribution related to the Peel fault system. The Horsley Station and East Hills prospects show a strong response, while Oaky Creek again shows no response.



In the northern half of EL9732 the majority of jarosite spectral occurrences are spatially related to the Namoi Fault and its splays.



Exploration Accelerating at the Armidale Antimony-Gold Project



Following the highly successful results to date, RMX has revised its plans to undertake a similar program of hand auger soil and rock chip sampling over the Oaky Creek North soil anomaly to define prospective drill targets.



Further work is planned at East Hills to follow up the initial positive antimony rock chip results, with the exact targeting to be finalised following receipt and interpretation of the results of the soil sampling program.



Soil and rock chip sampling is also planned for the Horsley Station and Horsley North gold targets.



RMX is also working to secure land access to ground truth stibnite and jarosite spectral anomalies across EL9732, in particular those that lie adjacent to known mineralisation and/or are along the known major Peel, Namoi and Cobbadah faults.



RMX well positioned to leverage increased Australian and US Government interest in critical minerals. Presently, about 90% of global antimony production is controlled by China, Russia, and Tajikistan, which is creating significant supply risks for Western nations such as Australia and the US, where it the metal is a critical component for armament manufacture. With China's export ban creating acute supply shortages and antimony prices recently reaching US$60,000 per tonne, the US Government has issued emergency declarations and mobilised unprecedented funding for domestic production.



Earlier this week, the US President and Australian Prime Minister executed a Critical Minerals Framework agreement, through which the two governments have committed to spend US$3 billion in the next six months to make "immediate" investments in a pipeline of critical minerals projects in nearly every state and territory in Australia.



RMX is well placed to respond to this opportunity through continued aggressive exploration of the Armidale Antimony-Gold Project and rapid progression of three recently acquired highly prospective antimony-gold projects in Utah and Idaho, USA.



RMX Armidale Antimony-Gold Project Background



RMX's 100%-owned Armidale antimony-gold project (EL9372) lies within the Southern New England Orogen of NSW, west of Australia's largest known antimony deposit, Larvotto's ( ASX:LRV ) Hillgrove deposit, which is also the 8th largest antimony deposit globally.



The Southern New England Orogen is recognised as Australia's premier Antimony province (Figure 1*). Antimony occurs in hydrothermal quartz veins, breccias and stockworks, often with associated gold and/or tungsten mineralisation.



The Armidale Antimony-Gold Project encompasses almost 400km2 and extends for 85km along the western side of the Peel Fault. The geology of the project area is dominated by isoclinally folded Carboniferous metasediments of the Tamworth Belt, which is a forearc basinal package related to west-dipping subduction of oceanic crust beneath the Lachlan Orogen. Ultramafic melanges of the Great Serpentinite Belt, which outcrop along the Peel Fault, are considered to be remnants of this oceanic crust. The Peel Fault System has recognised world-class mineral potential, with over 400 known orogenic gold and base metal mineral occurrences along its over 400km strike extent, but is underexplored, with less than 200 mostly shallow drillholes over its length, the majority of which are focused on discrete prospects.



*To view tables and figures, please visit:

https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/ZP35LDDX





About Red Mountain Mining Limited





Red Mountain Mining Limited (ASX:RMX) is a mineral exploration and development company. Red Mountain has a portfolio of US, Canada and Australia projects in Critical Minerals and Gold. Red Mountain is advancing its Armidale Antimony-Gold Project in NSW, Utah Antimony Project in the Antimony Mining District of Utah, US, Fry Lake Gold Project and US Lithium projects.

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Six New Mexico investors will be compensated after they were defrauded of $2.2 million in a precious metals scheme by California-based company Safeguard Metals.

State officials announced Thursday that a final judgment has been made in a multi-state lawsuit against the company and its founder, Jeffrey Ikahn, after an investigation found that Safeguard had convinced its elderly victims to liquidate their retirement accounts to purchase overpriced metals and coins, generating around $68 million for the company.

In a 2022 lawsuit, plaintiffs alleged that Ikahn and his sales agents posed as investment advisers and convinced elderly victims that the coins they bought would be more valuable and more secure than traditional investments using lies and high-pressure sales tactics.

Safeguard Metals has been ordered to pay $51.2 million for defrauding 450 victims across 30 states in a scheme that ran from October 2017 through July 2021, New Mexico officials said in a news release.

Half of the money will go to the victims for restitution, and the other half will be divided between the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission and regulators in each state. The amount of settlement money going to the state of New Mexico has not yet been determined, said state Regulation and Licensing Department spokesperson Andrea Brown.

This judgment sends a clear message: if you target elderly investors in our state, we will pursue every avenue to hold you accountable, Alissa Berger, lead counsel for New Mexico on the case, said in a statement.
A sign for NuMale Medical Center is displayed outside a building in Albuquerque in an undated photo.

A New Mexico man who won a massive medical malpractice verdict last year in Albuquerque will receive at least $96.5 million under a bankruptcy settlement approved by a Nevada judge, court records show.

A Bernalillo County jury in November awarded $412 million in compensatory and punitive damages to Michael E. Sanchez, who suffered permanent harm after receiving penile injections at NuMale Medical Center in Albuquerque.

NuMale Medical, which did business in several states at the time, filed for Chapter 11 reorganization in January in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Nevada. A global settlement agreement was approved by a judge on Sept. 4.

Parties in the case agreed that Sanchez will receive an initial settlement of $96.5 million once the final order in the case is filed, court records show. That figure includes about $45 million for legal fees and expenses.

The Sanchez Claim will receive only a fraction of the unsecured claim amount of $410 million allowed under the settlement. But it will receive the lions share of the total $108.5 million settlement, court records show.

The settlement doesnt list a specific effective date but states the payment will be made after a final order is issued. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Natalie M. Cox had not issued a final order as of Tuesday.

NuMales attorney, Frank Alvarez of Dallas, did not immediately respond to phone and email messages seeking comment.

NuMale also had clinics in Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Nevada, Nebraska, North Carolina and Wisconsin, according to the lawsuit.

Sanchezs attorney, Lori Bencoe, declined comment on Tuesday, noting the settlement prohibits attorneys from speaking publicly about the case.

According to the 2020 lawsuit filed in 2nd Judicial District Court in New Mexico, Sanchez was 66 when he visited the NuMale clinic in 2017 seeking treatment for fatigue and low energy. The suit accused the clinic of misdiagnosing him and treating him with invasive erectile dysfunction shots that caused permanent harm.

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The suit accused NuMale of medical negligence, battery and negligent staffing.

A 2nd Judicial District Court jury returned a verdict Nov. 26 following a weeklong trial that required NuMale to pay $37 million in compensatory damages and $375 million in punitive damages. Judge Beatrice Brickhouse dismissed the case Oct. 6 in accordance with the bankruptcy settlement.

Following the trial, Bencoe issued a statement celebrating the verdict as the largest-ever medical malpractice verdict awarded by a jury in the United States.

Its a national record-setting case and its righteous because I dont think theres any place for licensed professionals to be defrauding patients for money, Bencoe said at the time.
A Shiprock man has agreed to plead guilty to fatally stabbing his girlfriends father in the neck in June in the Navajo Nation.

Armondo Paul, 25, is in federal custody and charged with second-degree murder. He faces a possible life sentence.

On June 27, Navajo Nation Police Department officers were dispatched around 3:15 a.m. to a stabbing in Shiprock, where they found a man dead on the ground, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the state of New Mexico.

The following evening, Paul was detained. He told police on June 26 around 10 p.m. that he had gotten off of work and went to his girlfriends house when he overheard the woman tell her father that she did not want to see Paul, according to the complaint. Paul told police that 15 minutes later, the woman came out of her house to take Paul home.

(Paul)s feelings went from wanting to destroy something to wanting to kill himself, the complaint states.

Paul told federal authorities he returned to his girlfriends house around 2 a.m. with a kitchen knife and the intention of harming himself, according to the complaint. Paul cut off the power to his girlfriends house to get her attention.

Paul kicked in the door to the womans house and grabbed her arm and her father grabbed Paul to separate the two, the complaint states. Paul told federal authorities he reached into his pocket, grabbed the kitchen knife and stabbed the man in the neck.

After stabbing the man, Paul told federal authorities he went into his girlfriends room, sat on the bed and announced he was going to kill himself because he was a monster and he deserved it, according to the complaint.

A witness told federal authorities that Paul fled from the area when police arrived, the complaint states.
U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez delivers an address to a joint session of the New Mexico House and Senate in February. Extending federal health insurance subsidies is a priority for New Mexicos congressional delegation as a federal funding deadline approaches.

Martin Heinrich Renee Bouchard/U.S. Senate Photographic Studio

Ben Ray Lujan Source: U.S. Senate photo

Gabe Vasquez

Members of New Mexicos congressional delegation are still focused on health care as the federal government shutdown enters week four.

Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez, D-N.M., sent a letter to every House Republican on Wednesday, pressing them to work with Democrats and extend federal health insurance subsidies. Meanwhile, Democratic Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan took aim at the Health and Human Services Administration for attempting to fire approximately 1,000 workers during the shutdown, in a letter signed by 31 senators.

The Affordable Care Act subsidies are set to expire at the end of the year and have been a key sticking point for Democrats in shutdown negotiations that appear to have ground to a halt. Republicans want to temporarily fund the federal government at the same levels into November, giving more time to negotiate full year appropriations.

The majority of Democrats are pushing for a temporary funding measure that would reopen the government, extend the Affordable Care Act subsidies and reverse Medicaid cuts made earlier this year.

New Mexicos Legislature approved a $17 million plan to maintain the health care subsidies through June 2026, even if the federal government does not extend them.

Many Republicans in the Legislature supported the measure, Leger Fernandez points out. Without the subsidies, a two-income family making approximately $100,000 with a child in Chaves County could see their monthly health insurance premium triple from $440 to more than $1,700, the congresswoman said.

The states cannot replace the federal responsibility to make sure our health care system does not crash, she wrote. It is not okay that voters in your rural and Republican districts dont have the same protections as those in New Mexico.

Leger Fernandez and Rep. Gabe Vasquez, D-N.M., also sent a letter signed by 52 of their House colleagues to House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune on Wednesday, focused on the disproportionate ways increased health care costs could affect farmers and rural communities. Many of the signees are Democratic members of the House Agriculture Committee.

Republicans do not have enough votes in the Senate to get their temporary funding bill through without some Democrats. But as the party in control of the House, Senate and White House, Republicans have a lot of leverage, and the White House has been attempting to use that leverage by firing federal workers during the shutdown.

Labor unions representing federal employees have sued over the firings. Last week, a federal judge ordered the Office of Management and Budget to temporarily pause layoffs that were already underway and stop any additional layoff notices. On Oct. 10, HHS laid off more than 900 employees, according to legal filings.

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Many of those employees were working for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention based in Atlanta, with some in Washington, D.C., according to Heinrich spokesperson Luis Soriano.

Punitive and reckless actions like these latest firings demonstrate how President (Donald) Trump and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought are relishing the government shutdown they created to play politics with Americans health and well-being, the senators wrote.

HHS fired workers at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Healthy Resources and Services Administration, the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Health, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response and the Administration for Children and Families. The employees did everything from overseeing the Title X family planning program to supporting states in reducing poverty.

New Mexicos Republican Party called again this week for Senate Democrats to vote in favor of the Republican spending bill.

Senate Democrats are blatantly turning their backs on Americans in their ongoing quest to implement their far left, radical agenda, New Mexico GOP Chair Amy Barela said in a statement.
New York, US (PANA) - The Gaza ceasefire provides a rare opportunity to end one of the most destructive phases of the wider Israel-Palestine conflict, the UNs deputy Middle East envoy told the Security Council on Thursday
In need of a little caffeine?

Alabamas got a coffee shop for that -- several, in fact.

At least, thats what we learned when This is Alabama asked its readers what their favorite local coffee shops are. The answers ranged from small-town shops serving up specialty drinks to statewide chains with their own signature blends and more.

You can read about 13 of em below, and you can see all of the responses on the This is Alabama Facebook page.

Wild Flour Bakery in Waverly, Ala. (Bob Carlton/bcarlton@al.com)

Wild Flour Bakery

1490 Patrick Street in Waverly

This European-inspired bakery is one of the many reasons the (very, very) small town of Waverly has become a destination for a lot of folks across the state. Next time youre in town for a meal at The Waverly Local or to see a show at Standard Deluxe, be sure to stop by Wild Flour Bakery for one of their signature drinks, like an apple crisp latte or coconut brown sugar matcha, and a delicious pastry (or maybe a dozen, no judgment) to take home with you.

The Spot Coffee Shop

101 Gault Avenue N. in Fort Payne

Fort Payne is full of charm, so it only makes sense itd have a charming coffee shop to match, and The Spot is just that. Open for more than a decade, The Spot serves up an eclectic mix of signature drinks so that no matter how you take your caffeine, from an Americano to a flavored cold brew to an elaborate specialty latte, theres something on the menu for you. Plus, they also offer a breakfast and lunch menu, filled with bagels, sandwiches, salads and more, in case you decide you actually cant survive on coffee alone.

The Fairhope Float at Mr. Gene's Beans has become a signature treat for residents and visitors. Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com

Mr. Genes Beans

302 De La Mare Avenue in Fairhope

Is there a more winning combination than ice cream and coffee? At Mr. Genes Beans in Fairhope, you can get your caffeine fix and a sweet treat all in one place, which is likely why the coffee-creamery has become a favorite to so many. With a menu filled with specialty drinks ranging from hot to frozen, it can be hard to pick just one. Our advice? Dont miss the Fairhope Float, a combination of iced mochaccino, French vanilla frozen yogurt and whipped cream, that offers up the best of both worlds.

West Main Coffeehouse and Creamery

167 W. Main Street in Prattville

Speaking of one coffee shops that also offer a little something for your sweet tooth, West Main Coffeehouse and Creamery is exactly that. Tucked away in Prattvilles scenic downtown, West Main is an eclectic and cozy spot to grab a cup of joe or a scoop of Cammies Old Dutch Ice Cream. You can order a drink from their usual New Orleans-inspired menu or grab a seasonal beverage, like an apple pie macchiato or maple spice latte, and enjoy it while looking out at the historic Cotton Mill Dam.

Yellowhammer Coffee in Mobile. (Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com) Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com

Yellowhammer Coffee

Multiple locations throughout Mobile

For almost a decade, Yellowhammer Coffee has been serving its loyal following in Mobile with a wide selection of hot and cold beverages. With seven different locations to choose from, theres plenty of the menu. In fact, theyve got a variety of fall lattes on the menu right now, as well as some seasonal espresso drinks (pumpkin pie white mocha, anyone?) that are sure to tap into that need to be cozy once the leaves start to change -- even if the temperature doesnt.

O.Henrys Coffee

Multiple locations throughout the Birmingham area

In business for more than twenty years, O.Henrys Coffee and Roasting Company has become known as the place to go when you want a real good cup of coffee. Their menu features a slew of hot and cold beverages made with their signature and specialty blends, like blueberry and cinnamon struesul, as well as seasonal drinks for those who love a good theme. Plus, if you cant make it to one of their eight locations, you can always order a bag so you can make a real good cup of coffee at home.

Elevated Grounds Coffee Company and Cafe in Piedmont, Ala. Photo courtesy of Elevated Grounds

Elevated Grounds Coffee Shop

If youre looking for a cozy little place to curl up with a good book and a hot cup of coffee, Elevated Grounds is an ideal spot. With locations in Piedmont and Heflin, Elevated Grounds is as charming as it is welcoming and has a menu that features a variety of coffee flavors as well as sandwiches, wraps, salads, breakfast dishes and more for when hunger hits. They even offer smoothies for those who might not be quite as caffeine dependent as the rest of us.

Restoration Coffee House

110 East Bridge Street in Wetumpka

Theres a lot to see in charming downtown Wetumpka, and the gorgeous Restoration Coffee House, which offers a cozy and stylish atmosphere to enjoy a hot (or iced) cup of joe, is certainly on that list. Whether you try one of their specialty lattes -- The Coosa with hazelnut and butter pecan or The BGB with lavender and honey sound like winners -- or go for a more traditional drink, you wont be disappointed. Plus, their menu features non-coffee drinks too, including smoothies.

Southern Girl Coffee Roasting Company in Oxford, Ala. Southern Girl Coffee

Southern Girl Coffee Roasting Company

31 E. Choccolocco Street in Oxford

When we asked readers to tell us their favorite Alabama spot to grab a cup of coffee, Southern Girl Coffee came up early and often, and once youve been there, its easy to under why. For ten years, the quaint coffee trailer, with an outdoor dining space, has been offering up freshly-roasted coffee and espresso to its dedicated customers. Plus, their seasonal menu also offers a wide variety drinks featuring house-made flavoring, like the Sleepy Hollow that includes homemade toasted marshmallow and pumpkin pie syrups.

Prevail Coffee

Locations in Montgomery and Birmingham

We werent too surprised to see Prevail Coffee, which has locations in Birmingham and Montgomery, make it on this list considering they were named the second best coffee shop in the United States earlier this year. Their menu features an array of classic and unique drinks made with their signature blends, like Farmers Daughter and Bootlegger. Not sure what to order? Try the Chaider or Espresso Tonic off their fall menu!

The front door at Gold Sprint Coffee in Huntsville. (Matt Wake/mwake@al.com)

Gold Sprint

2515 Ninth Avenue SW in Huntsville

Looking for a coffee shop that makes it easy to transition from your morning coffee to an evening beer? Gold Sprint Coffee in Huntsville is just the place. In addition to plenty of coffee and unique signature drinks, like the El Camino latte that combines mocha with a house-made spicy habanero syrup, theyve also got a variety of local craft beers up for grabs. Plus, theres a breakfast, lunch and snack menu for when hunger hits, meaning you pretty much never have to leave.

Cuppa Grace Cafe and Coffee

218A N. Broadway Avenue in Sylacauga

For ten years, the locally-owned Cuppa Grace has been providing the small town of Sylacauga with its coffee, food and more, and its clear to see its loyal customers are eternally grateful. After all, Cuppa Grace offers some seriously one-of-a-kind specialty drinks. Need proof? Just look at their fall menu, which includes the harvest moon latte, featuring caramel, hazelnut and toasted marshmallow, or the cinnamon roll ice latte that comes with a cheesecake sweet foam.

Frothy Dog Coffee Company in Geraldine, Ala. Frothy Dog Coffee Company

Frothy Dog Coffee Company

41848 AL Highway 75 in Geraldine

Another small-town coffee shop that has become a gathering spot (with really good drinks) for its community is Frothy Dog Coffee Company in Geraldine. Their menu offers hot and cold espresso drinks and more as well as breakfast and pastries for when you want a little something to snack on. Plus, their seasonal menu serves up plenty of fall specials, like the bonfire latte featuring vanilla, toasted marshmallow, brown sugar and cinnamon with the option of adding pumpkin cold foam if youre really feeling festive.
Winn-Dixie stores will be closing its last 20 grocery stores in Alabama and we wanted to take the time to remember the beloved chain that has been around for 100 years.

Click through the gallery above to see stores through the years.

Southeastern Grocers, owners of the chain, announced Tuesday that Winn-Dixie stores will remain only in Georgia and Florida, which will include 130 grocery stores and 140 liquor stores, according to AL.com reporter William Thornton. Stores in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and several in Georgia will be sold to other grocery companies.

Winn-Dixie's Alabama warehouse in Montgomery in 1958. Alabama Department of Archives and History

At its peak, the company had dozens of stores across Alabama. The history on its website says it is one of the largest conventional supermarket companies in the U.S., serving customers in brick-and-mortar grocery stores and liquor stores, as well as online with convenient grocery delivery throughout the Southeast.

Many of us remember the Winn-Dixie stores in our neighborhoods fondly.

William Milton Davis opened the first Winn-Dixie store in 1925 when he purchased an existing Miami grocery. Davis leaned into the newest grocery model of having customers shop for their own items  as opposed to a clerk gathering them  and eliminating credit in exchange for lower prices, according to the Florida History website.

Davis continued to add stores to the chain, using the name Table Supply Stores.

Winn-Dixie in Madison, Ala., closed in 2006 during bankruptcy restructuring. Huntsville Times File

He brought beef to Miami by rail, allowing him to charge lower prices. This led to the nickname The Beef People, Florida History said.

Davis bought out the Winn & Lovett chain and operated stores under a variety of names until 1955, the year after Davis died. His sons purchased the Dixie-Home Super Markets chain and changed the name to Winn-Dixie.

In the early 1960s, Winn-Dixie bought out Hills Food Stores, which was headquartered in Birmingham and had stores across the state according to BhamWiki.com.

The Birmingham News announced that Winn-Dixie bought the Hills Food Store chain in 1956. Birmingham News

Also in the 1960s, the company purchased the Kwik Chek stores, often operating under Winn-Dixie Kwik Check, which is how Winn-Dixies logo came to have a check mark in it, according to The Huntsville Times. All Kwik Check stores were transitioned to Winn-Dixies by 1977.

Crackin' Good cookie display at the Kwik Chek in 1955. Winn-Dixie bought out Kwik Check stores in the 1960s and kept the Kwik Check logo through 1977. Alabama Department of Archives and History

Following the rise of Walmart, Winn-Dixie struggled financially, forcing a bankruptcy reorganization in 2005.

In 2012, Winn-Dixie was renovating stores across Alabama to add expanded deli and bakery departments, BhamWiki said.

Stores in Alabama have been closing gradually since then, leaving only 20 in the state. Read more about the closures here.
This Alabama community college is among the best in America. Getty Images

Community colleges can be an affordable and accessible option for students wanting to pursue higher education.

Stacker analyzed data from Niches 2023 Best Community Colleges in America to compile a list of the top 100 community colleges nationwide. The list includes public junior colleges and technical schools.

One Alabama community college ranked in the top half of the list.

Wallace Community College - Dothan is #24 in the best community college rankings. The college was named after former Alabama governor George Wallace. It offers degrees and certificates in 22 fields with the colleges most popular programs being General Studies, Nursing, and Criminal Justice/Police Science.

At the top of the list of best community colleges is Foothill College located in Los Altos Hills, California.

Foothill College is known as the first to offer an associate of arts degree in Japanese when Dr. Michiko Hiramatsu introduced the language programs in 1973. Foothill offers 214 degrees and certificates, with a strong emphasis on STEM fields. The college has excellent transfer rates and partnerships with multiple universities in California.

Northwood Technical College ranked #2. Located in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, this college encourages students to get involved on campus with its many clubs and organizations. It has strong workforce development, as 90% of students find employment two years post-graduation.

Fox Valley Technical College rounds out the top three, which is the second Wisconsin community college in the rankings. The college is located in Appleton and home to a state-of-the-art public safety training facility. Students also have a 90% employment rate two years post-graduation.

Top 10 community colleges in America

1. Foothill College

2. Northwood Technical College

3. Fox Valley Technical College

4. Moraine Park Technical College

5. Santa Barbara City College

6. Las Positas College

7. Southeast Technical College

8. Atlantic Technical College

9. Craven Community College

10. The Ohio State University - Agricultural Technical Institute
Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA) celebrated the launch of the all-new 2022 Santa Cruz Sport Adventure Vehicle on Tuesday, June 22, 2021.

Alabama now has economic development offices inside its three biggest international trade partners.

The states Department of Commerce Thursday announced it has hired two international advisory firms to represent the states business interests in Japan and South Korea.

This compliments an existing office in Germany, and establishes a direct link to two nations with companies responsible for almost $20 billion in investment in Alabama since 1999.

The Commerce Department said the firms will help connect state officials with international investors, support Alabama-based exporters and raise the states global business profile.

Our relationships in Japan and Korea have long been vital to Alabamas economic growth, Alabama Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair said.

With the help of these outstanding partners, we are doubling down on our commitment to strengthening those ties and opening new doors for investment, innovation and job creation in our state.

Tractus, a global advisory firm specializing in direct investment, trade promotion and site selection, will head up the states efforts in Japan.

In South Korea, Alabama will be represented by Samil PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the countrys largest professional services firm.

Alabama opened an office in Stuttgart, Germany in 2019, with Christoph Dorr serving as the states representative there.
Multiple students reported feeling ill Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, after eating cookies brought to school and sold by a student. (Carol Robinson)

Multiple children fell ill at Clay-Chalkville Middle School after reportedly eating cookies brought by a student to campus on Thursday.

Center Point Fire was dispatched to the school about 10:15 a.m. on a medical incident involving five patients, said Chief Brandon Dahlen.

Superintendent Walter B. Gonsoulin Jr. said one of the students was transported to the hospital.

The superintendent said the students became ill after buying and eating cookies sold by a fellow student.

In addition to medics, the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office also responded to the school and ran preliminary testing on the cookies.

Let me be clear about this, Gonsoulin said. Initial testing showed no signs of illicit substances.

So, we dont know if this was a case of food poisoning or something else, he said.

Gonsoulin said the cookies were prepared by a student, packaged and brought to school.

I dont know the ingredients, he said, but I do know some of the children took a bite of it and felt that they got ill.

I think maybe somebody regurgitated and others just said that they just felt bad, didnt like the taste of the food, Gonsoulin said.

Gonsoulin said he didnt have the exact number of students who ate the food items, but authorities said it could be up to 20 students.

Often in situations like this, it takes time to sort through information, he said. For example, we had one student transported to the hospital but after we investigated a little further, it was determined that it was because of something that is totally unrelated.

Gonsoulin said he doesnt want to discourage entrepreneurship but said selling any food or beverage items at school is prohibited and is a violation of the student handbook.

Were very grateful this situation wasnt worse than it was, he said. I do want to ask parents please dont let your child bring things like this to school.

Gonsoulin said the investigation is ongoing.

Any time a policy is not followed, then there are always possible consequences, he said.
Voting rights activists gather outside the Supreme Court in Washington, early Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, as the justices prepare to take up a major Republican-led challenge to the Voting Rights Act, the centerpiece legislation of the Civil Rights Movement. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen) AP

When Shomari Figures took the oath of office last January, a first occurred in Alabamas 205-year history: two Black politicians from Alabama were elected to the U.S. House at the same time.

But after a U.S. Supreme Court hearing last week, pundits are eyeing the likely return of a scenario that has not occurred in more than 30 years: Alabama may soon have zero Black Democratic representation in Congress.

Following a two-and-a-half-hour hearing on October 15 in Washington, D.C., the conservative-leaning Supreme Court signaled it may be poised to gut Section 2 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act in a nearly three-year-old redistricting case out of Louisiana. Section 2 prohibits election practices that deny or limit voting rights based on race, including racial gerrymandering.

The ramifications are expected to reach deep into Alabama, where reconsideration of the states congressional districts could follow depending on how the court rules.

Two years ago, the Supreme Court ruled that Alabamas congressional map violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. However, political scientists believe that a decision in Louisiana v. Callais could make it more difficult to prove racial discrimination in redistricting. That could lead Alabama lawmakers to push new congressional maps with district lines drawn to ensure only Republicans are elected to the states seven congressional seats.

The Louisiana case involves a group of white voters challenging a congressional map that creates two majority-Black districts. Louisiana has six congressional districts.

The Republicans know what they are doing, said Charles Bullock III, a political science professor at the University of Georgia and a scholar on Southern politics. They may not want to acknowledge it, but they know what they are doing. The civil rights folks also see it right down the road.

Timing impact

U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures speaks Oct. 13, 2025, at a ribbon-cutting event celebrating work to enlarge the Mobile Ship Channel. Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com

The looming question is about timing and whether the Supreme Court will issue a ruling in the Louisiana case that could lead to a shift of 12 to 19 Southern congressional seats from Democratic to Republican in 2026.

Deadlines and political primaries are a factor, and the timing is likely too tight for an impact during the 2026 midterms. In Alabama, the filing deadline to qualify as a major party candidate for the May 19 primary is Jan. 23, 2026.

In Louisiana, Republican Gov. Jeff Landry has called a special session starting Thursday to focus on election-related matters and potentially modify deadlines in anticipation of the courts decision.

National reports suggest the Supreme Court could rule on the Louisiana case as early as January or as late as summer 2026.

Two of the 12 seats that experts believe could flip to Republicans if Section 2 is invalidated are in Alabama:

7th Congressional District , Alabamas oldest majority-Black district, which has elected Black Democratic members of Congress since 1993. It has been represented by U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell of Birmingham since 2011. The district includes parts of Birmingham, Tuscaloosa and Montgomery, all of Selma, and many rural, majority-Black counties in southwestern Alabama.

2nd Congressional District, held by Figures since January 2025. The district was redrawn from a safe Republican seat to an opportunity district giving Black voters a chance to elect their preferred candidate. The map was instituted by a panel of federal judges after the Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 decision in 2023 that Alabama had violated Section 2 with the Legislatures original map. The new district includes most of Mobile, stretches east through the southern Black Belt, and includes most of the Montgomery metropolitan area.

The implications for other states will be significant even if not immediately evident, said Jason Mazzone, a law professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

David Wasserman, editor with the Cook Political Report, said the Democratic seats at risk include the two in Alabama, two in Louisiana, and others in Tennessee, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. Two additional seats in Florida could also be targeted, he said.

I dont anticipate the Supreme Court ruling in time for wholesale changes across the South in 2026, Wasserman said. That said, if there is a ruling to strike down Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, it could give Republicans almost a lock to take back the House in 2028, if they lose it in 2026.

So far, the prospects, even with aggressive redistricting in Republican-led states like Texas, appear unfavorable for the GOP, which currently holds a three-seat majority in the U.S. House.

A lot of that depends on how these redistricting wars unfold from state to state, Wasserman said. Were looking at a net boost of Republicans of six seats from redistricting from their current three-seat cushion that would triple in November.

He added, But even with that (advantage), Democrats have a great opportunity to win the House. They could do well enough in the states not redrawing their maps to pick up control of the House.

So-called swing districts, which do not exist in Alabama, will determine control of the House during the midterms.

In this kind of environment, considering Trumps approval rating is in the low to mid-40s, a district he carried by less than 10 points should be considered a risk, Wasserman said. Two dozen Republicans hold seats that fit that category.

Ramifications and reactions

FILE - The Supreme Court in Washington, June 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File) AP

The U.S. Justice Department is arguing that plaintiffs bringing a Voting Rights Act violation must demonstrate that voters cast ballots differently based specifically on race, decoupled from their political affiliation.

Liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor said the approach would effectively gut Section 2.

Susan Pace Hamill, professor emeritus of law at the University of Alabama School of Law, said the Supreme Courts decision could harm the institutions declining approval rating. Gallup polling shows 42 percent approval of the Supreme Courts job performance, with public trust dropping from 68 percent in 2019 to 44 percent in August 2024.

In addition to thwarting progress in voting rights desperately needed in Alabama, this will cause great confusion and further erode the confidence in the Supreme Court as a separate branch, independent from the turmoil of the political parties, said Hamill.

Democratic and Republican lawmakers in Alabama are watching the Supreme Court case closely, preparing for what might come next.

Representative Terri Sewell delivers a speech on the 58th anniversary of Bloody Sunday at the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma AL, United States on March 5, 2023. (Photo by Peter Zay/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Sewell has been outspoken in her support of preserving Section 2, warning that gutting the Voting Rights Act would take us back to a dark time in our nations history when minority representation was restricted.

Sewell is a sponsor of the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, a federal bill that would, among other provisions, restore the preclearance requirements for Southern states that were struck down by the Supreme Court in 2013.

We are 62 strong and are only 62 strong because of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, she said, referring to the current size of the Black Congressional Caucus. That number is at an all-time high. With five Black Republicans, the total number of Black members in Congress is 67.

In the early 1990s, when Alabamas first majority-Black congressional district was created, there were only 26 Black members in Congress.

We must do everything in our power to make sure its not stripped and ripped from the pages of our Constitution and our law, Sewell said at a news conference in Washington, D.C., last week.

The Alabama Republican Party, led by Chairman John Wahl, filed a brief in the ongoing litigation in Allen v. Milligan, arguing that racial politics should not handicap Republicans from winning congressional seats.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, in a statement to AL.com, said states are placed in an impossible position in redistricting cases because partisan actors can sue a state to demand race-based districts to obtain political goals.

In Alabama and across the South, race plays a dominant role in politics. Black voters overwhelmingly support Democrats, while white voters largely back Republicans. White residents make up about 74 percent of Alabamas population, while Black residents comprise about one-fourth.

While exit polling is limited in Alabama, past elections have shown stark racial divides in voting patterns. In 2017, Democratic U.S. Sen. Doug Jones won nearly 100 percent of Black womens votes in a special election where he defeated Republican Roy Moore, who received 72 percent support from white men.

Marshall said he is hopeful the Supreme Court ends race-based redistricting as outlined in Section 2. He referenced the courts 2023 decision that struck down affirmative action in college admissions.

It should declare race-based redistricting unconstitutional now, Marshall said.

Section 2s application to redistricting stems from a prior Alabama case. In Mobile v. Bolden (1980), the Supreme Court ruled that Section 2 only applied to intentional discrimination. That case challenged Mobiles former system of at-large commissioner elections, where all commissioners were white.

In 1982, Congress amended the Voting Rights Act to clarify that voters could challenge electoral maps that diluted the voting power of communities of color, even without proving intent.

In 1985, Mobile changed its government structure to the current mayor-council form with seven districts, three of which are majority Black. The new structure requires a supermajority council vote on major issues.

Following the 1990 U.S. Census, Alabama created its first majority-minority congressional district. Earl Hilliard became the first Black man to win a seat in Congress from Alabama since Reconstruction.

Sewell, speaking at the Black Caucus news conference, called the Supreme Courts consideration of the Louisiana case absurd and dangerous. Still, she remains ready for a political fight, declaring that more Black candidates will be elected from Alabama.

I may be the first Black congresswoman from Alabama, but I damn sure wont be the last, she said.
Family members of Alabama prison inmates and others at a meeting of the Legislature's prison oversight committee listen to Pastor Robert O. White of Montgomery, who has a prison ministry, speak to lawmakers. Mike Cason/AL.com

A Montgomery pastor who ministers in Alabama prisons told state lawmakers Wednesday that he sees incarcerated men who are traumatized by what he described as a culture of drugs, extortion, rape, and despair.

The punishment of taking away their freedom has already been rendered, Robert White, pastor of the Montgomery City of Refuge, told the Legislatures prison oversight committee.

We dont have to subject them to torture. We dont have to do that. We dont have to subject them to the horrific conditions that theyre facing.

Dozens of family members of state inmates and advocates attended the prison oversight meeting, which followed the release of an HBO documentary that producers said exposes inhumane conditions inside Alabama prisons.

The Alabama Solution features cell phone videos from inmates that show leaking sewage, rats captured in water bottles, inmates sleeping on the floors of overcrowded dorms, people overdosing without medical attention, blood scattered across tile floors and more.

Tim Mathis, whose son Chase Mathis was killed in prison in June 2024, said every Alabamian should watch the documentary.

If they watch that show and it doesnt touch them in a way through their heart, how these people are being treated, then theres no hope for them, said Mathis, who told the prison committee his sons story last year.

Its not going to do them any good.

At some point, everybodys going to answer for what they did. You can also answer for what you didnt do. My thing is, if you know theres an issue like this going on, your duty as a human being is to stand up and say something about it.

You wouldnt let somebody torture an animal. Why would you let them do it to a human?

Many of the inmates relatives and advocates at Wednesdays meeting wore T-shirts that read Alabama Department of Corruption.

After the meeting, which ended shortly after noon, they carried signs and chanted during a one-block march from the State House to the State Capitol.

On the capitol steps, they joined death penalty opponents for what became a joint rally to protest prison conditions and the execution of Anthony Boyd, scheduled for Thursday night at Holman prison in Atmore.

Advocates for better conditions in Alabama prisons rally at the State Capitol, along with death penalty opponents protesting the planned execution of Anthony Boyd, scheduled for Oct. 23. Mike Cason/AL.com

Colleen Howell of Oxford said her son went to prison because of crimes related to a drug addiction.

She said his addiction got worse in prison, where she said easy access to drugs led to dangerous consequences.

Its thrown in their face 20, 30, 40 times a day, Howell said.

They walk up to you and say, Hey, have some of this. At first its free, because they know youre an addict. They get you hooked, and then pretty soon, theyre telling you you owe them $200, $300.

Howell said she got threatening calls demanding money while her son was in prison.

They start calling you on the illegal phones or have their family on the outside start calling you, saying, if you dont give me $300 by such and such time, were gonna stab your son. Were going to rape your son. Were going to hold your son hostage.

Stories of drugs, violence, and corruption in Alabama prisons are not new.

The U.S. Department of Justice sued the prison system during the first Trump administration, alleging conditions violate the Constitution.

The prison system has acknowledged problems but has denied the constitutional violations.

The case, filed in December 2020, is ongoing.

Gov. Kay Ivey, the Legislature, and the ADOC have taken some steps, including increasing the pay of correctional officers to address a shortage of security staff that is an underlying problem.

The state is building a 4,000-bed mens prison in Elmore County that will have more than 700 beds for inmates with medical and mental health needs, as well as vocational training by the Alabama Community College System.

White told the oversight committee that the prison system needs more ministry programs.

He said he and other pastors want to offer information and suggestions for how to help inmates who are stuck in an environment that leaves them worse off when they leave prison.

White said the incarcerated men need hope, and an important source of that is vocational training programs.

We want to come to not bring a criticism to the governor or to the commissioner, but were coming to bring light into a dark system that does not have to exist, White said. It doesnt have to.

There are things that we can do with our programs, with our opportunities that we want to offer to really make their experience something that they can benefit and grow and learn from without compounding more punishment onto something that has already been adjudicated.

The oversight committee has shown that it will respond to concerns raised at the public hearings.

In December 2023, people told lawmakers about being unable to get information about their loved ones after they were beaten, raped, hospitalized, or died in state custody.

Legislation followed that established an ADOC constituent services program to provide information to family members.

The ADOC reported at Wednesdays meeting that constituent services responded to 2,336 inquires from July through September and resolved them in an average of two days and eight hours.

White, in describing his visits to Easterling and Kilby prisons, said he sees exuberance in the faces of the incarcerated men when they are in the worship services, but utter despair when those sessions end.

Those guys got to go back to that same environment and they know it, White said.

White talked specifically about the trauma experienced by victims of sexual assault.

If I could pick one issue that we have to address, its the rape, White said. Weve got to address the sexual assault. That destroys a man and it reduces him to that of an animal.

I dont want to see us have to be held accountable with God for us allowing that to happen. So thats why Im calling pastor friends and calling everybody to offer a solution.

We definitely want to help make this system better. But something has got to happen.
A longtime Tuscaloosa County commissioner involved in a struggle with police at a Tuscaloosa elementary school Tuesday has now been charged with a misdemeanor crime.

Commissioner Reginald Murray, 66, who has served District 4 for 29 years, is charged with resisting arrest, obstructing governmental operations and disorderly conduct, Tuscaloosa police announced Wednesday.

Murray turned himself into officers at the Tuscaloosa County Jail Wednesday. Bond was set at $2,000.

Murray was trying to attend an awards program at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School when, according to police, he arrived after the 9 a.m. program began. Per school policy, all external doors of the school are locked once a program begins.

Several people were able to enter the lobby when another person exited, and Murray began knocking on the locked door to the auditorium where the program was taking place.

The officer exited the auditorium to escort Murray out of the building, but Murray refused to comply and physically resisted while yelling and causing a disruption, said TPD spokeswoman Stephanie Taylor.

Officers reviewed all available information regarding the incident before obtaining the warrants Wednesday.

Our officer responded appropriately to maintain the safety and order of the school environment, said Chief Brent Blankley.

As always, our priority Tuesday morning was the safety of students, staff and visitors, Blankley said. Once everything had calmed down and we had the opportunity to review what happened, we decided it was appropriate to move forward with charges.

Video posted to social media showed a chaotic scene with Murray on the ground and an officer on top of him trying to handcuff him. The officer eventually got the cuffs secured.

Several bystanders were yelling at the police. The ordeal was taking place just outside the glass windows of the auditorium where students could be seen inside.

During the struggle, Murray threatened to call the officers police chief and file a complaint on the officer.

At one point, as Murray continued to resist, the officer put a Taser to his back but did not deploy the stun gun.

Once handcuffed, Murray remained on his back on the floor and refused to stand up after school officials said they needed him to move so they could release the children into the hallway.

Im going to stay on (my) back until these cuffs come off, Murray said.

Reached by cell phone Tuesday afternoon, Murray declined to comment but said he may do so at a later time.

Officers have obtained warrants to charge another person in connection with the incident. Information will be released once he is arrested, Taylor said.
In March, Aldi completed a deal to acquire 400 Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket locations from Southeastern Grocers, with the majority (about 75%) located in Florida. (Photo by: Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Imag

Winn-Dixie has about 20 stores remaining in Alabama ahead of the companys announced reorganization.

Earlier this week, parent company Southeastern Grocers said it is rebranding as The Winn-Dixie Co. and will be focusing on its home state of Florida as part of a reorganization.

As a result, the grocery chain is pulling out of several states, including Alabama.

Currently, Winn-Dixie has locations in:

Anniston

Two in Birmingham, at Montevallo Road and Inverness Corners

Clanton

Eufaula

Fairhope

Foley

Fultondale

Jasper

Millbrook

Two in Montgomery, at Vaughn Road and Mobile Road

Two in Mobile, at Airport Boulevard and Schillinger Road North

Opelika

Prattville

Theodore

Trussville

Tuscaloosa

Wetumpka

The fate of most of these stores is not immediately known. The move to divest Winn-Dixie locations is expected to be completed by the early part of next year, the company said.

Earlier this month, Southeastern confirmed plans to transition three of its Alabama stores to Food City in early November - in Fultondale, Trussville and Jasper.

USA Today is reporting the Prattville location will transition to Piggly Wiggly.

In a statement last week, Food City said it plans to hire the majority of the store associates.

In its Tuesday announcement, Southeastern said it will transition ownership of most of its locations outside Florida, including 32 Winn-Dixie stores and eight Harveys Supermarkets in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi, to other grocery store companies.

The company will leave some stores open in southern Georgia.

Were profoundly thankful to our associates and customers across all our markets for their loyalty, Southeastern Grocers CEO Anthony Hucker said.

As we move forward as Winn-Dixie, well do everything we can to ensure these transitions reflect the gratitude and respect our people deserve.

After the moves Winn-Dixie will operate about 130 grocery stores and 140 liquor stores in Florida and Georgia.

Earlier this year, Winn-Dixie closed four locations in three Alabama cities.
Port Sudan, Sudan (PANA) - The Sudanese government on Wednesday rejected to the conclusions of the European Union Council, which emphasise that the primary responsibility for ending the conflict in the country lies with the leadership of both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and those supporting these entities
Alabamas likely next federal prosecutors

President Trump has nominated two men to become U.S. Attorneys for Alabama, reports AL.coms Patrick Darrington.

Trump nominated former state senator Phil Williams to become the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama and Thomas Govan Jr. to become the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Alabama.

Govan works in the Alabama Attorney Generals Office as chief of the Criminal Trials Division.

U.S. Attorneys serve four-year terms.

Saving Jackson Hospital?

As the Montgomery County Commission prepares to provide $10 million in funding for Jackson Hospital, the Montgomery City Council overrode Mayor Steven Reeds veto on its measure to provide the struggling hospital with $15 million, reports AL.coms Savannah Tryens-Fernandes.

The mayor had preferred the county to foot more of the bill, so the resolution was tweaked to remove a commonly used 60-40 split between the city and county. Despite all that, if you do the math, $15 million is still 60% of $25 million.

Both the city and the county conditioned their measures on the state pitching in its expected $25 million. And members of both bodies said theyd like to see help from other municipalities that benefit from Jackson Hospital such as Elmore and Autauga Counties.

If the state comes through, thatll mean $50 million in funding to help the hospital stay afloat.

There also is the possibility of $50 million in federal money for needed infrastructure upgrades to the facilities.

Big boat

The largest cruise ship to ever homeport in Mobile will begin service there in May 2027, reports AL.coms John Sharp.

The Carnival Valor is 952 feet long and has a capacity of nearly 3,000 guests and 1,180 crew members. Itll be taking six- to eight-day cruises.

It also will bring back year-round trips to the Alabama Cruise Terminal. The Carnival Spirit has been sailing out of Mobile on a seasonal basis from October to May. It will start another stint here on the 28th.

RIP Kimber Mills

Cleveland High School senior Kimber Mills died Tuesday night after a weekend shooting at a party near Alabama 75 and Clay-Palmerdale Road, reports AL.coms Carol Robinson.

The case gained attention across the state over an agonizing couple of days. Mills had been shot in the head, and family members had indicated on social media that they were preparing for this conclusion.

Three others were also injured in the shooting. A suspect was arrested and originally charged with four counts of attempted murder. One of those charges has now been upgraded to murder.

As Mills passed away at UAB Hospital, family and staff prepared for her Honor Walk, which happens at UAB as a patient is moved from the hospital to the Legacy of Hope organ donation center.

Kimber Mills was 18 years old.

Ranking of the Day

Todays ranking comes from Wallethub and examines the Best College Towns in America.

Those involved in the study werent just looking for the records of the ball teams or the best bar scenes. They tried to put together a ranking that gave towns credit for enhancing the lives and futures of the students. There were three basic categories: Wallet Friendliness, Social Environment, and Academic & Economic Opportunities.

Out of 400 cities across the nation that were included in the study, two Alabama cities ranked in the Top 100.

AL.coms Heather Gann reports that the highest-ranked Alabama city came in at No. 52 nationally. It was -- here we go again -- Huntsville.

I promise to stop sharing these city rankings when somebody names Huntsville the best beach town.

Huntsville, of course, is home to several institutes of higher learning, including Alabama A&M and UAH. It didnt perform terribly high on any of the three subcategories I mentioned, but it was solid enough across all three.

At No. 99 overall was Auburn.

Nationally, Austin, Texas was the highest-ranked college town, followed by Ann Arbor, Mich., Orlando, Fla., Tampa, Fla. and Raleigh, N.C.

By the Numbers

$22 million

Thats the cost of a big expansion of the federally funded National Computer Foresics Insitution, which is located in Hoover and operates in conjunction with the U.S. Secret Service.

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The Madison County Commission is urging residents to display green lights in the windows of their businesses and residences to show support for veterans. Madison County Commission

The Madison County Commission is asking residents and businesses to show support for U.S. military service members and veterans.

The county is illuminating county buildings in green, a tradition known as Operation Green Light. County officials are also encouraging residents to display green lights in their businesses and residences through Veterans Day. The commission is partnering with Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2702 to raise awareness about the many resources in Madison County available for veterans.

Service members often feel the highest amount of stress as they transition back to civilian life and are at high risk for suicide, Madison County District 6 Commissioner Violet Edwards said in a news release. We want our citizens to feel support and appreciation from our community for their service and dedication to our country.

VFW Post 2702 is the largest VFW Post in Alabama, with more than 500 members, and contributed more than $200,000 in community service projects to the Huntsville and Madison County area last year, the county said.

Post 2702 offers a wide range of assistance aimed at helping veterans of every generation.

This is Madison Countys fifth year participating in Operation Green Light, a nationwide movement spearheaded by the National Association of Counties and the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers, uniting counties in support of military veterans.
This is a guest opinion column

With new laws, Supreme Court rulings, and local police partnerships with ICE, fear has replaced trust  and silence from local leaders makes them complicit.

People of Color in Alabama  U.S. Citizens, legal Permanent Residents, and Visa holders  are no longer safe in their own communities. This is not alarmism. It is reality in Madison, Huntsville, Athens, Decatur, and beyond.

A recent AL.com investigation revealed that ICE agents are now joining local police during traffic stops. Another report found that Alabama Police [are] Becoming Mini-Immigration Officers. Public safety has been weaponized. A flashing blue light no longer signals a ticket  it now carries the threat of detention, separation, or worse.

This is not public safety. This is intimidation  state-sanctioned terrorism. And it affects far more than immigrants. Because of these new draconian measures, families of color are afraid. They avoid calling the police, they avoid driving, they withdraw from civic life. Fear replaces trust. Silence replaces freedom.

Non-White U.S. citizens should carry their Star ID and passport card. Non-citizens of color should carry their visa and ID. This is not legal advice  it is survival in todays Alabama. The U.S. Supreme Court has effectively legalized racial profiling based on skin color and language. And on October 1, Alabamas SB53  a show me your papers law  went into effect, embedding discrimination into state law and turning daily life into a checkpoint for bias.

Authoritarianism is advancing  from Washington to our local governments. Its not just White Christian extremists driving it; some minority figures enable it too, betraying their own for self-interest or internalized prejudice. History has seen such collaborators before  those who sided with oppressors at the expense of their own communities.

The pattern is unmistakable. Constitutional rights are under assault, with even U.S. citizens of color treated as suspects in their own state. Recently, the White House Deputy Chief of Staff told police in Memphis they were unleashed. Alabamas police have been unleashed as well. The Back the Blue bill passed by our legislature grants more power with less accountability. ICEs collaboration with local law enforcement makes both officers and civilians less safe. Our tax dollars are funding local jails to detain people under HOLD FOR ICE orders.

Years ago, I warned that authoritarianism would trickle down into local government. That warning has come true. City leaders silence allows intimidation to thrive. Their cooperation with federal agencies enables it. Their inaction makes them complicit.

Local governments must act. They must end partnerships that turn traffic stops into intimidation for people of color. They must establish safe and transparent ways for residents to report abuse. And they must speak publicly  and unequivocally  against racial profiling and fear.

Here is the truth: when leaders stay silent, families of color live in fear. Communities of color are being pushed out of everyday life, their freedom replaced by silence and anxiety. Alabama deserves leaders who protect all of us  not just some of us.

Hanu Karlapalem is an Indian American, a former Madison mayoral candidate (2016), a former Limestone County Commissioner candidate (2018), an alum of the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and a resident of Madison, Alabama for over 25 years.
FILE - U.S. conservative commentator Candace Owens speaks at the Convention of the Right, in Paris, on Sept. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, FILE) AP

Conservative influencer Candace Owens strongly suggested that the federal government played a role in Charlie Kirks assassination, fueling anger from several MAGA activists, one of whom called Owens absolutely unhinged.

While Owens did not specifically mention President Donald Trump, she said she lost faith in him over Kirks assassination.

Owens did not offer any evidence to back up the conspiracy theory.

We just know. We just know that he was truly betrayed in one of the most egregious ways that I think Ive ever seen, Owens said in a clip spread on social media Wednesday night.

Candace Owens is now DIRECTLY ACCUSING the Trump administration of killing Charlie Kirk  they DEFINITELY killed you.



He gave so much of his life to Trump & to politics, and they were just like NOPE. Thats it. So heres a holiday. What is with them giving them a holiday pic.twitter.com/WElrtqTkWD  Nathan Livingstone (MilkBarTV) (@TheMilkBarTV) October 23, 2025

It has made me lose faith in politics, has made me lose faith in Trump, and my heart aches for the fact he gave so much of his life to Trump and to politics and they just were like, nope, that is it. And he serves us or doesnt serve us and we want to move on. And so, heres a holiday, Owens said.

While Trump did not create a federal holiday for Kirk, the president declared Oct. 14 -- Kirks birthday -- a national day of remembrance.

Bro  what is with them giving people a holiday after they kill them. Why is that a thing? Like, on Martin Luther King. What about this holiday? What about this boulevard?" she said.

While claiming that American streets will eventually be renamed for Kirk, the conservative influencer said similar honors were already given in Israel.

Owens previously suggested Israel and powerful pro-Israel advocates played a role in Kirks slaying.

As soon as they give you a boulevard and a holiday, they definitely have killed you. That is no question. They killed you, she said. Thats their signature thing. Thats what they do. Its the fed signature.

And its never on the nice side of town, either, Owens continued. Like, Charlie Kirk Boulevard is not gonna be on the nice side of town.

Owens latest comments were condemned by leading MAGA activists.

Candace Owens is now implying that President Trump murdered Charlie Kirk. Absolutely unhinged, tweeted Laura Loomer.

Owens is facing a defamation lawsuit from French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, after Owens claimed Brigitte Macron is a man.
U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL) listens as President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a luncheon in the Rose Garden of the White House on October 21, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Getty Images

U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., on Wednesday blamed the media for polling suggesting most Americans blame Republicans for the government shutdown, alleging the media have been the third arm of the Democrats political party.

Britt made the comments during a virtual press conference with Alabama media about the ongoing government shutdown.

Calling it the Schumer Shutdown, after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Britt said she was working diligently to help get the government back open but Democrats were too concerned with politics than helping Americans.

AL.com asked Britt why she thought recent polling from CNBC, Reuters and the Associated Press indicated that most Americans blame Republicans for the government shutdown and not Democrats.

Thats because of people like you and I look at the media and the legacy media consistently, Britt said.

Yall have been the third arm of the Democrats political party. And I think the media itself doesnt know what to do right now, because you all know that were actually right.

Britt went on to state that, I know the facts, and if the American people had the facts they would see Democrats are to blame.

Its about doing what were supposed to be doing, and not creating this political theater that Democrats are creating at the very cost of the people that we serve, Britt said.

And so I think, for whatever youre saying, I know the facts. And if the American people dont have the facts, because if you were to lay them out in front of them, then I think they would see whose antics are at play.

Since the shutdown began 22 days ago Democrats have remained firm in their demand that Republicans agree to a deal that extends tax credits under the Affordable Care Act or Obamacare that are set to expire in January.

The demand arises from Congress approving Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill in July which is estimated to cut $1 trillion from health care programs over the next 10 years.

Recent polling from a Trump aligned pollster determined that even conservative voters support extending the ACA subsidies and Republicans could see backlash in the 2026 midterms if they allow the program to end.

A stopgap bill was blocked for the 12th time by Senate Democrats Wednesday as Republicans say Democrats must agree to open the government back up before viable negotiations take place.

Britt believes Democrats should agree to open the government and is not interested in negotiating on the subsidies until after the government is open.

Britt referenced a past floor speech from Schumer during a previous government shutdown where he said Republicans should open the government and then the two sides could negotiate.
CNN broadcast journalist Kaitlan Collins speaks during a live shot before US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba hold a joint press conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 7, 2025. (Photo by Mandel Ngan | AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images

President Donald Trump insulted a CNN reporter Thursday who asked about his pardon of cryptocurrency exchange founder Changpeng Zhao.

CNN anchor and chief Washington correspondent Kaitlan Collins asked Trump whether Zhaos involvement with the presidents familys crypto business was a factor in issuing the pardon.

A lot of people say that he wasnt guilty of anything. He served four months in jail and they say that he was not guilty of anything, Trump said.

That what he did -- well, you dont know much about crypto, Trump told Collins, you know nothing about nothing. Youre fake news.

BREAKING: Trump tells Kaitlan Collins that she "knows nothing about nothing," after he sounded completely clueless about his pardon of crypto criminal CZ.



What an imbecile he is. Oh the Irony! pic.twitter.com/BZUBonEbMr  Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) October 23, 2025

But let me just tell you, Trump continued, that he was somebody that, as I was told ... that what he did is not even a crime, wasnt even a crime. That he was persecuted by the Biden administration.

The pardon caps a monthslong effort by Zhao, a billionaire commonly known as CZ in the crypto world and one of the biggest names in the industry. He and Binance have been key supporters of some of the Trump familys crypto enterprises.

Deeply grateful for todays pardon and to President Trump for upholding Americas commitment to fairness, innovation, and justice, Zhao said on social media Thursday.

Zhaos pardon is the latest move by a president who has flexed his executive power to bestow clemency on political allies, prominent public figures and others convicted of crimes.

The crypto industry has also long complained it was subject to a regulation by enforcement ethos under the Biden administration. Trumps pardon of Zhao fits into a broad pattern of the his taking a hands-off approach to an industry that spent heavily to help him win the election in 2024. His administration has dropped several enforcement actions against crypto companies that began during Bidens term and disbanded the crypto-related enforcement team at the Justice Department.

Former federal prosecutor Mark Bini said Zhao went to prison for what sounds like a regulatory offense, or at worst its kissing cousin.

Zhao was released from prison last year after receiving a four-month sentence for violating the Bank Secrecy Act. He was the first person ever sentenced to prison time for such violations of that law, which requires U.S. financial institutions to know who their customers are, to monitor transactions and to file reports of suspicious activity. Prosecutors said no one had ever violated the regulations to the extent Zhao did.

The judge in the case said he was troubled by Zhaos decision to ignore U.S. banking requirements that would have slowed the companys explosive growth.

In addition to taking pro-crypto enforcement and regulatory positions, the president and his family have plunged headfirst into making money in crypto.

A stablecoin launched by World Liberty Financial, a crypto project founded by Trump and sons Donald Jr. and Eric, received early support and credibility thanks to an investment fund in the United Arab Emirates using $2 billion worth of World Libertys stablecoin to purchase a stake in Binance. Stablecoins are a type of cryptocurrency that are typically tied to the value of the U.S. dollar.

A separate World Liberty Finance token saw a huge spike in price Thursday shortly after news of the pardon was made public, with gains that far outpaced any other major cryptocurrency, according to data from CoinMarketCap.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Local support groups are assisting families who are struggling with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) due to the unique challenges that they are facing.

In a statement, Texas Tech physician Dr. Ana Montanez said that one child lost for any reason is still "one too many." The medical professional said that SIDS can be difficult for them to work through with families.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Montanez added that historically, SIDS has been recognized as a syndrome that is associated with children dying unexpectedly in their sleep or unknowingly without symptoms, simply dying while sleeping. This has been expanded to include infants under the age of one who have died unexpectedly for reasons that could not be medically explained.

The physician said that there was no exact way to prevent SIDS, but noted that there are steps that can be taken to lower the risk. It was noted that one of the most important factors to consider is a child's sleep positioning, according to KCBD.

Montanez said that the first thing parents or caretakers should do is put infants to sleep on their backs. She added that when they are awake, infants can be placed on their tummies without any adverse effects on their health.

Another important factor to consider is that children need a safe sleep environment. Montanez noted that from a newborn baby's perspective, the entire world is new, and everything they go through is a new sensory experience. It is important to keep the environment dark and quiet, and for the temperature to be appropriate when they go to sleep.

Other factors that should be taken into consideration include smoking, which should be avoided around newborns. Another is letting kids sleep on their own and ensuring that there is no chance they could suffocate while sleeping, Fox34 reported.

Providing Needed Support

The medical professional noted that because it is impossible to reduce the risks of SIDS to zero, everyone should try to support each other as best they can. This is where local support groups come in, including Isabel Espinosa, the chapter leader of The Compassionate Friends in Lubbock.

Espinosa's daughter died in a car crash, an incident that changed how she viewed the world. She said that when the tragedy happened, she sank, noting she needed to find a chapter or a grief support group that was more specialized towards her loss.

The situation comes after Mississippi health officials in August this year declared a public health emergency as the rate of mortality among young infants hit a decade-long high. State Health Officer Dr. Dan Edney said at the time that too many families were losing their babies before their first birthday, as per People.
Motorola is a popular name in the foldable space thanks to its Razr line of models. Unlike Samsung, the company only offers clamshell-style foldables, with minor design differences between the base and top-end variants. However, it seems we may soon see some notable design changes. A new Motorola foldable phones design patent has now surfaced online, showing a departure from the present horizontal camera sensor placement.

Motorola files a new foldable phone design patent

Folks at Xpertpick have spotted a new Motorola design patent on the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) platform. And, while the listing doesnt specify the technical details of the foldables, it gives away the companys possible design ambitions for its next foldables. Its still clamshell-style, closely matching the current Razr lineup.

The patent listing shows the exterior design of the Motorola phone from multiple angles, with the front and back designs grabbing the attention.

The images reveal that the foldable has a triple camera setup arranged vertically. These are positioned towards one edge of the rear panel. The current Razr foldables house dual cameras (horizontally) within the secondary screen on the back. If the design pans out, this will be a major upgrade. But then, you may have to compromise a portion of the secondary screen.

Theres a new circular cover on the back

There appears to be a circular cover on the back panel, whose use cases or description are not available currently. For comparison, the Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 features a square cover display with slim bezels. The images give a feeling that Motorola is refining the foldable design while retaining the signature style and form factor.

Given that Razr is Motorolas premium category, its unlikely that it would bring such a drastic change. The new design may sit alongside the current Razr lineup as an alternative.

Having said that, patents dont necessarily turn into a production-ready device. Companies usually file multiple design patents, but only a few reach the market eventually. Motorola usually launches its new Razr foldables globally around April every year.
Corporal punishment, which means using physical force like smacking or hitting children to correct their behavior, is still a common practice in many homes worldwide. Some parents believe it helps set clear boundaries and motivates children to behave well.

But as more research comes to light, many wonder if this way of discipline does more harm than good. It is important to look closely at what it really means for the child's well-being and family relationships.

While smacking might stop bad behavior at the moment, it does not teach children how to manage their feelings or behave better long-term. Children need to learn ways to express frustration without violence and understand why certain behaviors aren't acceptable.

Using physical punishment can cause fear, sadness, and anger, not understanding. It could also harm how children think and grow emotionally, leading to problems like anxiety, aggression, or trouble in school.

Why Corporal Punishment Can Harm Kids

Studies show that corporal punishment is linked to many negative effects on children's health and development. Kids who are hit often show higher levels of stress hormones, which can overload their bodies and harm their brain growth.

This punishment can cause long-lasting damage to their mental health, such as making anxiety or depression more likely. Instead of learning better behavior, children may become more aggressive or have trouble trusting others.

Experts say using physical punishment teaches children that hurting others is okay to solve conflicts. This can create unsafe environments, both at home and school, increasing the chances of bullying or violence.

Research also shows it doesn't actually improve a child's behavior over time; in fact, it can make things worse. Children who are physically punished may struggle more with self-control, understanding emotions, and getting along with others.

Ending the Cycle

The World Health Organization and UNICEF recommend stopping corporal punishment and focusing on positive ways to discipline children. These include spending quality time, using praise for good behavior, and teaching kids how to express themselves safely. Parents and caregivers can learn new tools to guide children without fear or pain.

Changing how we discipline kids is important for their health and future. Ending physical punishment can help build stronger bonds based on respect and trust, not fear. It gives children a better chance to grow into confident, caring adults capable of solving problems without violence. The cycle of pain and fear can stop, making room for kindness and understanding in families.

In conclusion, while corporal punishment might seem like a quick fix, the evidence shows it brings more harm than help. Parents can choose more effective, gentle ways to teach their children. Ending physical punishment is a step toward healthier, happier families and a safer environment for all children. The choice to end this cycle is one that benefits everyone involved.
OURA, the company behind one of the most popular smart rings globally, has signed a fresh multi-year agreement with RingConn and OMATE that could reshape the wearable ecosystem. The company had struck a deal with Circular last, and now it has signed two major deals. These moves signal OURAs commitment to lead and innovate the smart ring space.

OURA and RingConn resolve patent disputes peacefully

After several rounds of talks, OURA and RingConn have officially ended their ongoing patent disputes in the United States. Both companies have settled the issue through a new licensing agreement. As per the new deal, RingConn can continue to sell its smart rings and companion app while paying royalties to OURA. Financial terms, however, are kept private by both sides.

OURAs chief legal advisor, Avonte Campinha-Bacote, says that the company has always wanted to advance the preventive health technology and protect innovations without stifling others in the market. OURA is always open to collaborating with the brands that respect the intellectual property laws, adds the legal advisor.

OMATE joins OURAs expanding licensing agreement

After settling the disputes with RingConn, OURA has partnered with OMATE. Both companies have signed an agreement that grants OMATE access to key design and sensor innovations. This will ensure that OMATEs smart rings remain up-to-date with the latest industry standards and are developed ethically. The move also provides OMATE with the technical foundation to compete confidently in an increasingly crowded field.

For OURA, licensing with OMATE and RingConn reflects a broader goal of nurturing a cooperative smart ring ecosystem. Industry experts see this as a turning point where brands can collaborate and share their ideas responsibly. The agreements also strengthen consumer trust by encouraging transparency and fair business practices.
Think of AI like a child thats growing up. The child doesnt know much, but the more you teach it, the smarter they become. Thats the same for AI, where the more information and data its being fed, the smarter it gets. However, there is the question of where that data is coming from. Unfortunately, Perplexity has landed itself in some legal trouble as Reddit has filed a lawsuit against the AI company for allegedly ripping off its content.

Reddit files lawsuit against Perplexity AI

According to the lawsuit, Reddit has been aware of data-scraping service providers who have been scraping the internet of data, which is then used to train AI models. The lawsuit also reveals that Reddit reached out to Perplexity back in May 2024, demanding that the AI company stop scraping its data.

But according to Perplexity, it did not use Reddit content to train its AI models. The company also said that it would respect Reddits robots.txt. However, after the letter Perplexity sent to Reddit, the company found that the volume of Reddit citations used by Perplexity actually increased. The company tested it out by creating a post that could only be crawled by Google. Within hours, Perplexity produced the contents of that post.

Reddit says, The only way that Perplexity could have obtained that Reddit content and then used it in its answer engine is if it and/or its Co-Defendants scraped Google SERPs for that Reddit content and Perplexity then quickly incorporated that data into its answer engine.

Jesse Dwyer, Perplexitys head of communication has since responded with a statement of their own. Speaking to The Verge, Dwyer said, Perplexity has not yet received the lawsuit, but we will always fight vigorously for users rights to freely and fairly access public knowledge. Our approach remains principled and responsible as we provide factual answers with accurate AI, and we will not tolerate threats against openness and the public interest.

Not the first time

Perplexity is not the first company to find itself in trouble after allegedly using data from other platforms to train its AI models. The New York Times has filed multiple lawsuits against AI companies such as OpenAI and even Microsoft. Large publications have also appealed to the government to stop this theft of data by AI companies.

However, not all companies are guilty of this so-called theft. Other companies, like Amazon, have inked deals with publications like the New York Times to use its data. Perplexity has also done something similar. The company might not have a deal with Reddit, but it has a deal with other publishers. This is part of its Comet Plus subscription.

For those unfamiliar, Comet Plus is a subscription priced at $5 a month. It gives users access to premium content from trusted publishers and journalists. From that subscription, Perplexity will give those publishers a cut.
Google has a number of ongoing antitrust lawsuits at the moment, and Yelps is one of them. Yelp has just seen a breakthrough in the case, too, as Judge van Keulen just ruled that all claims in Yelps amended complaint can move forward.

Yelp has just won a key ruling in its antitrust case vs Google

A federal judge in California said that Yelp can proceed in trying to prove that Google uses its monopoly power to get ahead. Yelp is trying to prove that Googles own local search product is getting prioritized.

The judge previously dismissed the so-called tying claim previously, but Yelp changed things around in an amended complaint, and the judge changed its mind. U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan Van Keulen denied Googles motion to dismiss this claim.

How did Yelp do this? Well, the company made an argument that the current design of Googles search engine results page causes a high percentage of so-called zero-click searches. Users basically just look at the local search results Google highlights without clicking on anything or scrolling down to other search results.

Judge van Keulen accepted Yelps argument

There is nothing inherently incognizable about a tying theory wherein the tied product (here, alleged to be Googles local search results) is delivered automatically upon use of the tying product (here, alleged to be Googles general search), said Judge van Keulen.

She also added the following: Putting the pieces together, the court finds that Yelps refined theory that users are served local search results directly in Googles OneBox and not only when they click on, e.g., Google Maps links, is cognizable.

Yelps General Counsel, Aaron Schur, said the following: This latest ruling from Judge van Keulen is a positive step towards holding Google accountable for its illegal exclusionary conduct in the local search and local search ad markets. We look forward to continuing to present our case and detailing how Googles illegal monopoly harms consumers and innovation.

It remains to be seen what will happen next in the Google vs Yelp battle, but this is a breakthrough for Yelp, thats for sure.
Milwaukee prosecutors filed several felony charges against a couple over the death of their four-year-old son and the alleged abuse of his twin sister.

The victims were identified as 21-year-old Devario Cruz and 31-year-old Charlotte Kurek. Cruz faces six counts, including physical abuse of a child, repeated acts causing death, first-degree reckless homicide, repeated acts causing bodily harm, chronic neglect of a child, and possession with intent to deliver THC.

Milwaukee Parents Arrested Over 4-Year-Old's Death

On the other hand, Kurek is charged with two counts of chronic neglect of a child, including one count where prosecutors allege the consequence was death. Criminal complaints noted that Kurek left the twin children in Cruz' care on Oct. 17, 2025.

Both parents initially told law enforcement authorities that the four-year-old boy, Dante Campbell, got his injuries from falling down the stairs. Kurek said that at around 8:00 p.m., her son fell down the stairs, adding that bikes and other garbage bags fell on top of him, according to WISN.

On the other hand, Cruz told investigators his account of what happened, which conflicted with Kurek's claims. He initially said that he was with the mother when the incident happened, but later changed the story about when the fall took place and who was there at the time.

Later on, in the official investigation, both parents admitted to investigators that they lied, with Kurek saying she did so because of fear for her safety, citing Cruz' two guns at the residence. Prosecutors noted that the male suspect admitted that he struck the young boy in the mouth and buttocks on the morning of his death.

Court filings noted that the boy was found to have bruising on his face, neck, torso, and limbs. A police sergeant said that in his more than a decade of experience, the four-year-old boy had the "most extensive and severe injuries that I have witnessed on a child," Fox6Now reported.

A Similar Incident

There was a similar incident in July involving another four-year-old boy in Milwaukee, where his parents were charged with his death. The suspects in the case were identified as 35-year-old Ralph Taylor Jr. and 33-year-old Casandra Taylor.

The father has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the death of the young victim, as well as possessing a firearm as a felon. On the other hand, the mother was charged with neglecting a child, with a consequence of death.

The boy was reportedly killed on July 10, in a home on the 9100 block of N. 75th Street in Milwaukee, as per Spectrum News1.
A 12-year-old came home from school to find his mother and her partner had moved houses. Theyre now facing charges

A 12-year-old Texas boy came home from school to find his mother and her partner had moved house, prompting authorities to charge the adults, according to official records.

Police responded to reports of an abandoned child at an apartment complex in Copperas Cove last Friday, according to an arrest warrant affidavit obtained by news outlets KWTX and KWKT.

The boy told police his mother, Erica Renee Sanders, and her partner, Keven Dwayne Adams, moved out of the home while he was at school, leaving the place empty.

When police called Adams on the phone, he said Sanders had moved into his home, where her son was not welcome, but insisted she did not abandon the boy.

A 12-year-old Texas boy came home from school to find his mother, Erica Renee Sanders, and her partner had moved house, according to official records (Copperas Cove Police Department)

A neighbor told police the couple had kicked Sanders son out before, and police said when they spoke to Adams, he complained at length about the boy.

Adams and Sanders told police Sanders brother was supposed to pick up her son after school, but authorities say Sanders couldnt give a time that her brother was supposed to arrive at the home to pick him up.

When police contacted the boys uncle he said he had no idea about the plan.

More than five hours had passed from the time the boy got home to when he, the couple and authorities connected, the affidavit said.

Sanders and her partner, Keven Dwayne Adams, were charged with abandoning and endangering a child without intent to return (Copperas Cove Police Department)

Child Protective Services, which was contacted by police about the case, told authorities the couple refused to tell them where they were staying.

Adams also told police he would not let the boy inside his home if they had an arrest warrant for Sanders.

The couple was arrested and charged with abandoning and endangering a child without intent to return. The boy is staying with his uncle, according to the affidavit.

It is unclear whether Adams or Sanders has an attorney.
Bay City Roller could attempt to end his season on a real high, with George Scott considering a trip to Germany for his high-class colt.

Germany has already proven a happy hunting ground this season for the Eve Lodge handler, who saddled subsequent Prix du Cadran winner Caballo De Mar to win the Deutsches St Leger at Dortmund last month.

He is now eyeing a move into Group One company in Munichs Grosser Preis von Bayern on November 8 for the son of New Bay, who despite not winning this season has held his own against top opposition, including when less than a length behind Arc hero Daryz in June.

He might have one more start in Germany in the race at Munich, said Scott. We will look at that as it will be nice and soft for him and he is very fresh and well. We will have to supplement, but we will have a look.

The last British trainer to win the Grosser Preis von Bayern was Sir Mark Prescott with his brilliant grey mare Alpinista in 2021, while the Heath House trainer was second with Tiffany 12 months ago.
Bird flu is back with a vengeance  and its coming for your Thanksgiving turkey

Your Thanksgiving turkey may get even more expensive this year.

Americas turkey flock has shrunk to its smallest size in 40 years amid a resurgence of bird flu, the American Farm Bureau Federation reports. Wholesale turkey prices are about 40 percent higher than in fall 2024.

Prices are expected to increase to $1.32 per pound, up 38 cents per pound over last year, the bureau said.

Our turkey guys are getting hit pretty hard this fall, Bernt Nelson, an economist at the farm bureau, told The New York Times.

The virus, known as H5N1, is ripping through farms across the U.S., with outbreaks affecting hundreds of thousands of birds in Iowa, South Dakota, Minnesota, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Utah and Washington.

Turkey farmers say bird flu is impacting this years supply of turkeys. The American Farm Bureau Federation says the U.S. turkey flock is at its smallest size in 40 years (Getty Images/iStock)

Bird flu has affected 6.46 million birds in the last 30 days including nearly 514,000 turkeys, according to data from the Department of Agriculture.

Bird flu has affected more than 180 million farmed and wild birds since 2022. Its also spilled over into herds of dairy cows across 18 states.

Though the virus has not yet shown the ability to spread between humans, it has sickened at least 70 people and killed one unidentified Louisiana senior who came in contact with wild birds and a backyard flock.

The spread of bird flu may also mean that egg prices will be impacted again, according to experts. The only honest answer to that is we will have to see, Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig told NBC News.

Egg prices rocketed from late 2024 into early 2025 as bird flu cases increased, reaching an all-time high of $8.17 for a dozen this past March. In the last month, theyve increased by about a dollar, rising $0.10 to $1.16 per dozen white large shell eggs, according to the latest Egg Markets Overview.

The bird flu outbreak comes amid the ongoing government shutdown that has left agencies with skeleton crews and affected data collection, Dr. Amy Swinford, director of the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, told The Times.

Because of the government shutdown, I know less than I would normally know, she said.

Cases had eased off this summer and farmers felt some relief. But bird flu spreads more easily in the fall when birds make their seasonal migrations.

That appears to be reflected in increased outbreaks. This is the fourth fall where bird flu infections have risen and experts say this seasonal pattern appears to be a new standard.

Farmhands sort and pack fresh turkeys at a Massachusetts farm shortly before Thanksgiving 2022. Turkey prices are expected to rise this year (AFP via Getty Images)

Before, it was more theoretical; Lets try to keep that out of our flocks. And now, even with these increased biosecurity measures, there still are commercial flocks that are vulnerable, Nick Levendoski, president of the Wisconsin Poultry and Egg Industries Association, told Wisconsin Public Radio.

For turkey farmers, this new normal has meant 3 percent fewer turkeys were raised this year over 2024, the lowest estimate since the 1980s.

However, turkey remains the most popular protein on Thanksgiving tables across the country. Some 46 million turkeys are eaten over Thanksgiving in the U.S., according to the federation.

Leslee Oden, the National Turkey Federations president and CEO, told Axios that turkey growers and processors have been working to address the continuing threat before the November 27 holiday.

We feel confident in the frozen turkey supply, and while theres been an uptick in bird flu cases, we do not see those impacting overall supply right now, she said.
Bob Vylan have said they had to postpone two UK gigs due to political pressure.

The punk-rock duo have been making headlines since leading chants of death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) at Glastonbury Festival in June which was livestreamed by the BBC.

The group have since changed the date for their Manchester gig, part of their We Wont Go Quietly 2025 UK tour, following calls by Jewish leaders and MPs for it to be cancelled.

They have also postponed their gig in Leeds and rescheduled it for February 7 2026, while the Manchester gig will go ahead on February 5 2026.

In a post shared on Instagram on Thursday, the group said: Due to political pressure from the likes of Bridget Phillipson and groups in the North West of England, we have had to reschedule our Leeds and Manchester shows.

All tickets remain valid and all other shows are continuing as planned. Bristol sold out, last few tickets left for London. See you soon. Love ya.

Ahead of the gig at Manchester Academy, which is on the University of Manchester campus, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said universities have the powers to take action to prevent harassment and intimidation.

It comes after the Jewish Representative Council (JRC) of Greater Manchester and Region called for the show to be cancelled and said the lack of response from the concert venue following the October 2 synagogue attack in the city was utterly unforgiveable.

The JRC, last month, demanded urgent action regarding the Bob Vylan performance and said it would cause significant concern in the community.

Punk duo Bob Vylan performing on stage at the 100 Club in central London (Lauren Del Fabbro/PA)

The group were dropped from a number of festivals and performances over the summer including Radar festival, a show at a German music venue and their US tour after their visas were revoked.

Earlier this week, Bob Vylan frontman, Bobby Vylan, said on the Louis Theroux Podcast that he was not regretful of the Glastonbury chant and would do it again tomorrow.

BBC director-general Tim Davie previously said the corporations decision to broadcast Bob Vylans Glastonbury Festival set live was a very significant mistake.
A popular British YouTuber has been banned from the streaming platform Kick after a Diwali-night stunt in Delhi went dangerously wrong and injured a bystander.

Sam Pepper was also banned from the social media app Pump.fun following the 20 October incident in Indias capital, videos of which have been circulating on social media and reportedly cross-posted on livestreaming platforms.

It showed the former Big Brother UK participant firing small Roman candle-style fireworks in the direction of another group during the livestream. The firework appears to hit a bystander, and Pepper can be seen in the video raising a fist in the air as someone nearby yells, Headshot!

Moments later, locals show up to tell Pepper that the firework hit a girl in the eye.

The Hindu festival of Diwali, which marks the victory of good over evil and light over darkness, is celebrated across India with fireworks displays, as well as lighting of lamps, feasts, and prayer.

Pepper can be seen in the video raising a fist in the air after firing a small Roman candle-style firecracker in the direction of another group (X)

In a statement to The Independent, Pepper said he feels incredibly guilty for his actions and called the incident a serious lesson learnt the hard way.

I was in India for a big celebration that heavily involved fireworks. I was with a big group of locals and just joined in with everything they was doing. They were shooting small rockets that dont explode back and forward, he said.

I joined stupidly and it ended up hitting a teen girl who was standing with the other group of adults.

Pepper claimed the girl ended up with a cut above her eye and was given stitches at a hospital and later sent home.

The girls vision is fine and she went home pretty quick, he said, adding that he asked a relative of someone he knew to go and help out at hospitals and pay for the hospital and gave the family some money along with my apology.

Some Indian media outlets reported that the girl was eight years old. The extent of her injury was not immediately known.

Pepper, who described the event as an accident and not something I did out of the blue to be mean, said he was with a group following their lead which seems incredibly stupid looking back.

Im an adult and should have thought smarter, he told The Independent.

On X, formerly Twitter, Pepper issued a statement writing: Was in India tonight with another big group firing small fire cracker back and forth at each other, seems stupid now Im writing this.

But one of the group on the other side got hit by a cracker I shot and got a cut above their eye brow. I feel terrible, we sent someone with them to get them checked out and made sure all costs were paid, they got a paper stitch, and are now back home.

Yeah this guy was being dramatic, still feel terrible anyone got hurt. But it was just a cut luckly.  Sam Pepper (@sampepper) October 20, 2025

Responding to a user who brought up the locals comment that the teenager had lost an eye, Pepper wrote: Yeah this guy was being dramatic, still feel terrible anyone got hurt. But it was just a cut luckily.

The streamer confirmed that Pump.fun, a crypto-driven social media app, and Kick both banned him following the incident.

I wont be doing anything stupid like this again, Pepper said. Its a serious lesson that I learnt the hard way and thank God it wasnt any worse.

In a follow-up post on his Discord server, Pepper said he would not be returning to Kick or sharing further information about the injured girl.

Its beyond disrespectful for me to intrude anymore, he wrote. Ive apologised to them and made sure they had everything they wanted, and will leave them be.

Pepper has previously been involved in controversy over his social experiment video posts. In 2014, there was outrage after he used a prosthetic hand to pinch womens bottoms on the streets of Los Angeles. He later released a second part to the video of a woman grabbing the bottoms of men, which was swiftly taken down.

In a third video, he called both previous parts a social experiment and maintained both videos were staged and scripted.

The following year, he faced intense backlash for a prank video that staged the fake murder of a friend, prompting more than 220,000 people to petition YouTube for his removal.
Children rushed out of Ukraine kindergarten hit in large-scale Russian attack

Children at a Ukrainian kindergarten were rushed to safety by emergency workers following a Russian strike in the eastern city if Kharkiv.

The large-scale attack on Wednesday (22 October), hit a residential district and destroyed the pre-school facility, Oleg Synehubov, head of the city's Regional Military Administration said.

Forty-eight children were evacuated to a shelter following the strike that sparked a fire, officials said.

Video shared by the State Emergency Service showed first responders carrying out children from the building.

Four people were hospitalized  two in serious condition and two in moderate condition, authorities said.
Off the pace: Jean-Philippe Matetas wayward finishing was emblematic of Palaces struggles (Adam Davy/PA Wire)

Crystal Palace were left stunned in the Conference League as Cypriot side AEK Larnaca secured a historic 1-0 win at Selhurst Park.

In their first-ever European match at Selhurst Park, Palaces players were welcomed out to a raucous atmosphere. The stadium announcer called on supporters to bring their south London spirit and, with a dig in the ribs at UEFA, they made their voices heard.

We are the boys who will win your little game read one banner in the Holmesdale End as they welcomed the players onto the pitch. Another plotted their battle path to Leipzig, where next years Conference League final will be held.

Palace will have to play a damn sight better than they did tonight if they are to make it to Germany in May.

After a frustrating first-half in which Palace failed to record a shot on target, excitement quickly turned to anxiety when Larnaca struck against the run of play six minutes after the break to take a shock lead.

Oliver Glasners side impressed in their opening league phase game, beating Dynamo Kyiv 2-0 in Poland, but they toiled on a bitterly cold evening in south London to make it three games without a win in all competitions.

Palace and their supporters are determined to prove to UEFA they are above the Conference League, not in a self-absorbent manner, but because they feel they are deserving of their place in the Europa League on sporting merit.

This, however, was a reality check for a team whose club-record 19-game unbeaten run suddenly feels a distant memory.

Larnaca took centre stage on what was supposed to be a historic night for Crystal Palace (REUTERS)

It was Palaces game to lose. They had more than 67% of the ball, and so it was only right that it was their mistake which handed Larnaca an unlikely lead when Riad Bajic rifled home after Marcus Rohden had latched on to a stray pass from Jaydee Canvot.

The 19-year-old, a 23million summer signing from Toulouse, suffered a testing night and faced the full brunt of Glasners ruthless edge as he was replaced for Eddie Nketiah on the hour mark.

It was the Frenchmans mistake that had given Larnaca the lead, but it was not his fault alone that Palace found themselves behind to a team currently sat fifth in the Cypriot First Division.

Palace continue to struggle creating chances when afforded the lions share of possession. They are among the favourites to win the Conference League, but they are struggling to shed that underdog spirit.

Jean-Philippe Mateta spurned the best opening of the first-half, finding the top of the crossbar from close range.

Jean-Philippe Mateta missed from close range in the first-half (Getty Images)

The striker responded in style to his war of words with Palace legend Wilfred Zaha by netting a hat-trick against Bournemouth, but it was his miss at the death against the Cherries that stuck in supporters minds, and there is certainly something to be said about his wastefulness in front of goal.

The 28-year-old missed another presentable opportunity after half-time, firing an effort into the body of Larnaca keeper Zlatan Alomerovic, as the away side stood firm against an onslaught of Palace chances.

For all their pressure, Palace mustered just one shot on target, one fewer than Larnaca.

If they are to challenge for the Conference League they have to find their ruthless streak.
(Dekmantel)

If youre into electronic music, theres a good chance you might have heard of Dekmantel. After all, its niche is electronica: a festival dedicated to all things beats, DJs and pounding techno.

With all the buzz around Glastonbury, its easy to overlook the fact that Europe is bursting with other great festivals, some of whom offer an even better electronic line-up than the IICON Stage and Shangri-La.

And if spending time at Glastonburys south-east corner is all you care about, then good news: Dekmantel has all of that, plus more. Even better, its location close to the centre of Amsterdam means its entirely possibly to have a good time whilst also making the most of the spectacular Dutch capital.

The 2025 edition of the festival took place across a bank holiday weekend in August; now, 2026 beckons. Heres what to know.

The details

(Dekmantel)

The festival itself has been going since 2013, and has developed a reputation for being the firm favourite of many festival DJs  unlike many other festivals, theyre encouraged to take risks and be creative with their music.

As ever, the main event takes place in the Amsterdamse Bos: the woods on the outskirts of the city of Amsterdam, right by the Schiphol airport. Basically, picture lots of trees, interspersed with stages and sets from some of the best electronic artists in the world.

This year, the festival started on the Wednesday August 30 with an event at Oude Kerk, before moving to the banks of the Amsterdam river for its second day at Het IJ. There were performances from British artists Leftfield and The Orb at the Muziekgebouw concert hall, while next door at Bimhuis, James Holden and Polish artist Wacaw Zimpel will played alongside erbert & Momoko, Young Marco & John Moods, and Polygonia.

After the first two days in the city, comes the festival proper: three days at the Amsterdamse Bos, where artists like Floating Points, Four Tet and Avalon Emerson spin the decks alongside 150 other artists in the middle of the leafy woods.

The line up

This year, the lineup was excellent  and extensive. Seasoned industry pros like Avalon Emerson, Honey Dijon, Four Tet and Shanti Celeste took to the decks over the course of the three-day party, but there will also be performances from artists like Floating Points, Jeff Mills, Ritchie Hawtin and Leftfield.

Check out the full line up here. And read our review of the festival here.

How can I get tickets?

Tickets for 2026 arent available yet, but information on pre-registration, line-ups and dates will be coming soon on the Dekmantel website here.

How to get there

Fortunately, Amsterdam is easy to get to. The Eurostar has just opened a new terminal in the city, which means that getting to the capital from London is just under four hours by train  not bad, when you consider that getting to the airport, checking in, flying and then getting into the city from Schiphol probably takes longer.

Going by train is the eco-friendly option (an important ethos of the festival), and pretty easy: security takes 15 minutes, then, on the other side, youre free to step off the train straight into the heart of the city. From 35 a ticket, you cant really go wrong (book here).

Where to stay

Dekmantel does offer camping facilities (which cost extra), but if the idea of hunkering down in a field doesnt appeal, then good news: the capital is teeming with hotels just waiting to be booked.

Top of the list  if youre wanting to marry partying with quality downtime  is the Park Plaza. There are several branches around the city (theres one near Schiphol Airport, if you really want to stay right next to the festival), but for a spot that blends access to the city centre with good transport links to Dekmantel, the Park Plaza Vondelpark is an excellent place to start. Its located next to the park, and the rooms themselves have sweet bird-themed decorations that fit in with the natural setting.

The huge beds are comfortable (a must) and the rooms themselves are rather stylish: all black walls and low lighting. If youre wanting to wash off the mud, their power showers are also killer. Finish things off with a trip to their Italian restaurant Tozi for some top-notch pasta and aperitivi (rooms start from 169, book here).

Theres also the Hoxton. Based in two locations (central and the Eastern Docklands), its the perfect blend of chic and fun. The central location is right by the Herengracht canal, in the famous nine streets at the citys heart, and offers flexible check-in and check-out times for those who book via the website. The building itself was originally the Mayors home, and still retains the herringbone floors and wood-panelled walls as nice nods to its history (rooms start from 150, book here).

If the Hoxton is fully booked, then Sir Albert, waiting just around the corner, is a great option too. Based in Amsterdams De Pijp district, within walking distance from Museum Square, the hotel boasts an Asian bar and restaurant  Izakaya  as well as a comfortable, snug Study for guests to unwind and relax in in front of a roaring fire (if its winter). Plus, the rooms offer lovely views of the canal (rooms start from 150, book here).

Where to eat

Dekmantel does offer food options, all of which are vegetarian, locally produced and climate-neutral. The food options here are also a cut above most festivals, making grabbing lunch and dinner a breeze (though be warned, the festival doesnt take cash, which means all money has to be changed into food and drink tokens beforehand).

That said, there arent a lot of food options on the ground, but on the plus side, Amsterdam is also bursting with great eating spots. So what better excuse for dropping by Dekmantel after an excellent lunch?

One of the best spots for doing just that is Bak, a fine dining restaurant located on the top floor of a former warehouse. The views (as seen through massive windows) onto the river beyond are stunning, and the restaurant serves up ethically sourced food, including locally-caught fish, fresh seasonal salads and fun twists on dishes. The menu changes pretty much every day, and the tasting menu comes lovingly prepared in an endless stream of tiny plates. For the full experience, wed recommend going for the wine pairing: the ever-attentive staff explain every bottle in detail.

It also does an excellent lunch menu, making it the perfect stopping-off point en route to the festival grounds, which open at 1pm (bakrestaurant.nl).
Downing Street dismisses calls for MPs to be given time to debate Prince Andrew

Downing Street has appeared to dismiss the idea of MPs being given time for a Commons debate on Prince Andrew, with the prime ministers spokesperson saying that the royal family would not want to take time from other parliamentary business.

Pressure has been mounting on the Kings brother over his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and his rent-free mansion in Windsor.

On Wednesday, Sir Keir Starmer said he would support proper scrutiny of the crown estate arrangements, but on Thursday, Downing Street suggested that the government is not planning on making time for MPs to debate the matter.

Asked if the government would be making time, a No 10 spokesperson said: Prince Andrew has already confirmed he will not use his titles. We support the decision made by the royal family, and we know the royal family would not want to take time from other important issues.

Meanwhile, a committee of MPs will be seeking more information on the princes lease arrangements for the Royal Lodge property.

Chair of the public accounts committee Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown said on Thursday that he will be writing to the crown estate commissioners and the Treasury in the coming days.

Sir Geoffrey added: In the correspondence, our cross-party committee will be raising a number of questions with the crown estate and HM Treasury. This forms part of our longstanding remit, on behalf of parliament and the British public, to examine the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of public spending, and ensure the taxpayer is receiving best value for money.

Commons speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said on Thursday that there are ways for the House to properly consider the matter.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey asked earlier this week whether given the revelations about Royal Lodge the prime minister believed that MPs should properly scrutinise the crown estate to ensure taxpayers interests are protected.

Prince Andrew announced last week that he would stop using his Duke of York title (PA)

Andrew has lived in Royal Lodge in Windsor on a peppercorn rent since 2003, although he paid 1m for the lease and spent a further 7.5m on refurbishments.

Meanwhile, 26 MPs have signed an early day motion calling for the government to take legislative steps to remove the dukedom granted to Prince Andrew.

Addressing MPs on Thursday, Sir Lindsay said: I know there has been some commentary on what members of this House may or may not discuss in the chamber in relation to Prince Andrew, some of which is inaccurate.

There is understandably great interest from members, and from the public, on this matter. For the benefit of the House, I would like to be clear that there are ways for the House to properly consider this matter.

Any discussions about the conduct or reflections on members of the royal family can be properly discussed on the substantive motions. And I know some members have already tabled such a motion. I am not able to allocate time for a debate on such a motion, but others are able to do so, if wishing to do that.

Andrew has lived in Royal Lodge in Windsor on a peppercorn rent since 2003 (Reuters)

Substantive motions can be tabled by the government, by opposition parties in opposition day debates, and by backbenchers through an application to the backbench business committee.

It comes as the princes relationship with the disgraced financier Epstein has come under fresh pressure following the release of the posthumous memoir of Virginia Giuffre, who died by suicide earlier this year. The memoir contains further details around Giuffres allegations that the prince had sex with her a number of times after she was trafficked by Epstein and his partner Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence on sex-trafficking charges.

Andrew has denied allegations that Giuffre was forced to have sex with him.

Andrew announced last Friday that he would stop using his Duke of York title, but an act of parliament would be required to remove it formally.
Soho had a taste of pedestrianisation in the summer of 2020

Remember Soho in the summer of 2020? After lockdown restrictions were lifted, 17 streets were closed to cars, and bars and restaurants spilled out onto the newly-pedestrianised streets, packed full of revellers.

Buoyed by the boost to hospitality, the initiative was reintroduced the following year  although it was not to return again. Until now, perhaps.

Architects John Lacey of Doodle Architecture and Russell Potter of SODA Studio are spearheading a new proposal to pedestrianise Sohos streets for good.

Under their plans some of Sohos key streets would be permanently closed to cars, with essential services given time-based vehicle access.

Old Compton Street would be the starting point, with deliveries, services and street cleaning to take place between 7am and 11am, as with Kingly Street. Greek Street is another key street earmarked for pedestrianisation.

London is at its best when it gives space to people, not cars, says Stephen Fry, a supporter of the proposal. Soho is one of our most precious cultural quarters. It represents a haven for creativity, conviviality and community within central London.

Pedestrianising its streets is not an indulgence but an investment in cleaner air, safer roads and a richer civic life. To walk freely through Soho is to experience the city as it was meant to be.

Peter Murray, co-founder of New London Architecture, agrees. A traffic-lite Soho is a wonderful opportunity to reimagine how Londoners, locals and visitors experience one of the capital's most iconic districts. Why has it taken so long? 40 years ago Westminster successfully pedestrianised Gerrard Street, long enough surely to show that it works.

Well-designed low-traffic zones enhance urban vibrancy, improve community well-being and boost local businesses  proven by places like Paris, Melbourne, Barcelona, Amsterdam and Copenhagen.

Change is also happening in the City of London with its Pedestrian Priority Streets Programme. Time for Soho to catch up.

Old Compton Street is the starting point for pedestrianisation plans (Supplied)

The architects say closing the streets to cars would be part of a wider move to put Sohos pedestrians first, which would also see major access improvements like level pavements.

The plans also propose introducing shared surfaces where pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles are integrated without traditional separation and improved street lighting to make the streets safer at night.

To Lacey and Potter, the benefits of such a scheme are manifold. In reducing traffic, they say that vehicle emissions will be reduced, air quality improved, and greater space created for greenery.

As shown during the pandemic, they argue that Sohos businesses will benefit from increased footfall, helping to preserve the shops, restaurants and nightlife that have created the areas rich cultural heritage.

There is a real need to improve the quality of the public realm within the east side of Soho, including safer streets, an improved pedestrian experience, better accessibility, landscaping and cleaner air, says Lacey.

We are working with a highly experienced multi-disciplinary team including Robert Townshend Landscape Architects, Mitmark Security, Canapero Associates and Craig White to deliver a holistic scheme to greatly improve this special place.

Calls to pedestrianise Soho are not new. Carnaby Street was closed to cars in 1973, along with Gerrard Street in the late 1980s.

Further attempts followed, including on Old Compton Street, Frith Street and a cluster of roads around Regent Street. In 2010, changes were made to Kingly Street to prioritise pedestrians, while Argyll Street was also repaved and partially closed to cars.

Last year, when Sadiq Khan announced plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street expected to be in place by next summer, it was revealed this week local business owners called on the Mayor to extend the measures to Soho.

Lacey and Potters proposal has been sent for review by Westminster City Councils Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy team. Its next step will be to discuss with residents, businesses and visitors to ensure that the plans align with the needs of the local community.

The team aim to submit a formal application in January. If successful, Lacey and Potter hope that plans could take effect in 2026.

Soho means so many things to so many people. This project is about reinforcing a sense of pride in the place where people live, work and enjoy themselves, says Potter, whose studio is based in the area.

We felt it was time to take a more cohesive approach to make the area better and more inclusive for everyone. Its fantastic to see support pouring in from local businesses and those that use The Village on a daily basis.

A spokesperson for Westminster council said: There have been no consultations or discussions on these proposals, and there are categorically no plans from the council to pedestrianise Soho.
Historic Orion Resource Partners  United States Government Partnership

NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Orion Resource Partners LP ("Orion"), a leading global investment firm specializing in metals and materials, today announces the formation of the Orion Critical Mineral Consortium ("Orion CMC" or the "Consortium"). Orion CMC is a new, mission-driven consortium designed to support the United States and its allied and partner nations to develop secure, responsible, and resilient supply chains for the critical minerals that underpin future economic growth and security.

Led by Orion, and in partnership with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation ("DFC"), the Consortium intends to bring together some of the world's leading metals and mining investors and operators, creating a multi-billion platform for critical minerals investments.

The DFC has made an initial capital commitment, which has been matched by both funds managed by Orion and ADQ, an active sovereign investor focused on critical infrastructure and global supply chains, bringing the current size of the consortium to $1.8 billion and well on its way to its $5 billion target. Founded in 2019, DFC is the international investment arm of the U.S. government, mobilizing private capital to promote economic growth and advance U.S. foreign policy.

With this cornerstone investment, Orion CMC will engage with mission-aligned investors and partner nations that have expressed their ambition to secure the critical minerals that underpin the modern economy. The Consortium's combined expertise will invest in and develop critical minerals in emerging and other market jurisdictions, manage offtake, develop domestic processing and integrate and scale cost-effective minerals technological solutions.

Orion CMC will prioritize investments in existing or near-term producing assets as opposed to frontier exploration projects that could take a decade to turn into a mine. By focusing on the near term, the Consortium seeks to answer America's and its allied and partner nations' demand in short order while making sound investments over the long term. As a standalone investment platform, Orion CMC serves as a crucial bridge between emerging market nations and global consumers, from advanced manufacturing to data centers and artificial intelligence providers.

The Consortium marks Orion's next step in securing the supply of strategic metals and critical minerals, following the launch of Orion Abu Dhabi, a joint venture with ADQ announced on 30 January 2025. Together, these partnerships reinforce Orion's commitment to strengthening critical minerals supply chains through strategic partnerships. The Orion Abu Dhabi announcement is available at PR Newswire.

Oskar Lewnowski, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Orion Resource Partners LP, said: "Orion CMC represents a significant step forward in bridging the substantial funding gap needed to accelerate investment in the critical minerals supply chain, while at the same time boosting U.S. economic growth. The Consortium brings together some of the best operators in the industry with the expertise needed to build a diversified portfolio of critical minerals assets across multiple jurisdictions. We are delighted to have the backing of the DFC and look forward to working with our partners to deliver on the opportunity ahead of us."

Frank Fannon, Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources, and Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Orion CMC, said: "The United States has understood that it must develop alternative critical minerals supply chains for more than a decade. However, America has lacked a private sector champion that understands niche metals and commodities, that has emerging markets experience, and a successful track record of building and operating complex mining operations. Orion CMC is well-positioned to be that champion."

Ben Black, DFC CEO, said: "Securing critical minerals is a paramount matter of U.S. strategic interest and economic prosperity. CMC was created to establish a robust pipeline of secure critical mineral investments vital to advancing American economic prosperity. I'm proud of the incredible work done by DFC and its partners to secure these vital resources, which will safeguard America's leadership in advanced technologies."

Media Enquiries:

Greenbrook

Peter Hewer / Cecilie Oerting

+44 20 7952 2000

[email protected]

About Orion Resource Partners LP

Orion Resource Partners LP is a global investment firm specializing in the metals and materials critical to sustainable economic growth and energy transition, with more than $8 billion of assets under management and a team of more than 80 professionals across five global offices. Orion has successfully invested across the metals and materials value chain for over a decade, operating complementary investment strategies spanning the full liquidity spectrum, finding and capturing opportunities driven by the long-term trends of global decarbonization, the constrained supply of critical resources, and advancements in industrial technologies. Orion is a signatory to the UN PRI and the IFC Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability. For more information visit www.orionrp.com

About DFC

The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), established in 2019 with bipartisan support under President Trump, is the international investment arm of the U.S. Government. DFC partners with the private sector to advance U.S. foreign policy and strengthen national security by mobilizing private capital around the world. DFC invests across strategic sectors including critical minerals, modern infrastructure, and advanced technology  fostering economic development, supporting U.S. interests, and delivering returns to American taxpayers.

About ADQ

Established in 2018, ADQ is an active sovereign investor with a focus on critical infrastructure and global supply chains. As a strategic partner to the Government of Abu Dhabi, ADQ invests in the growth of business platforms anchored in the Emirate that deliver value to local communities and long-term financial returns to its shareholder. ADQ's total assets amounted to USD 251 billion as of 31 December 2024. Its rapidly expanding portfolio encompasses companies across numerous core sectors of the economy, including energy and utilities, transport and logistics, food and agriculture, healthcare and life sciences, financial services, infrastructure and critical minerals, real estate investments, and sustainable manufacturing.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2380094/4633266/Orion_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Orion Resource Partners LP
A suburban house sees its roof peeled during a rare red wind warning in Wellington, New Zealand (AFP via Getty)

Tens of thousands of people went without power and over 100 flights were cancelled as New Zealand battled one of its most severe spring storms in recent years.

Authorities issued rare red warnings as wind gusts reached up to 155kmph. A red warning  the countrys highest alert level  is issued only during the most extreme weather events.

The national weather service, MetService, said the destructive winds were sweeping across much of the South Island and the lower North Island, with Canterbury bearing the brunt.

The government declared a state of emergency in Canterbury late on Wednesday, warning that conditions were life-threatening in exposed areas.

Power company Orion NZ said nearly 90,000 homes had lost electricity, though its crews were gradually restoring service. On Thursday, over 1,000 properties on the Orion network were still without power.

We are expecting there will be a small number of properties who we may not be able to restore until tomorrow, the company said.

If your power hasnt been restored by 7pm this evening, please prepare to be without power overnight.

Photos and videos broadcast by local media showed roofs ripped from houses, power poles toppled, and roads blocked by fallen trees.

Strong winds overturn a truck on a highway in Springfield (REUTERS)

Flights in and out of Wellington and Christchurch were grounded for most of Thursday, with Air New Zealand cancelling almost 100 flights.

The airline said it would only operate when safe to do so.

The Wellington airport said limited operations had resumed by evening as winds eased.

Train services were suspended and several highways closed, and the national transport agency urged drivers to stay off the roads. The storm also forced the closure of schools and libraries.

The storm follows a week of extreme weather across the Tasman Sea in Australia, which is struggling with record October temperatures and early-season bushfires.

A screen at Wellington's central railway station shows cancelled trips during a rare red wind warning (AFP via Getty Images)

A man was killed earlier this week in Wellington when a tree branch fell on him, local police said. In another incident caught on video, a woman was blown into traffic by a powerful gust but survived.

The MetService said wind gusts of 150kmph lashed the Canterbury High Country and around Christchurch. In exposed parts of Wellington and Wairarapa, gusts could reach 140kmph.

Fire and Emergency NZ said crews were responding to dozens of incidents, including vegetation fires in Kaikoura, Hanmer Springs, and Hawkes Bay. Some of these places were difficult to reach because fallen trees had blocked access roads.

Authorities urged people to stay indoors, secure loose objects, and avoid non-essential travel until the storm passed.

The weather is expected to improve by Friday morning. Marlboroughs emergency management controller Richard McNamara said the region had come through the weather event well despite some impact around it.

"The immediate danger appears to have passed but people should still remain vigilant, particularly around power lines down and possible road damage, he said, according to NZ Herald.
Shahid Malik, a former Labour justice minister, is also accused of money laundering. Photograph: Nigel Roddis/Reuters

A former Labour minister ran a shoddy and inadequate Covid-19 testing company that made millions from the NHS test and trace service set up in response to the pandemic, a court has heard.

Shahid Malik, who was a justice minister under Gordon Brown, is one of five people on trial at Bradford crown court accused of fraudulent trading and public nuisance.

The 57-year-old former MP is one of two defendants also accused of money laundering. The defendants deny all the charges, which were brough by National Trading Standards (NTS).

Jonathan Sandiford KC, for NTS, told the court that the defendants were responsible for a Covid testing laboratory that was set up in 2021 as the third national lockdown was ending and the government was looking to private providers to expand its test-and-trace capacity.

Jurors heard that the defendants took advantage of this demand by setting up RT Diagnostics, run from a premises in Halifax, West Yorkshire, with holes in the walls and ceilings, rubbish strewn around and even homeless people living on the floor above.

Staff had little or no training in the handling of coronavirus samples, jurors were told, and were not provided with personal protective equipment or subject to social-distancing rules that applied at the time.

The court heard that RT Diagnostics appeared on a government list of testing kit providers and was required to submit results from its laboratory to the NHS test and trace service.

Its website falsely described the laboratory as modern, purpose-built and fully accredited, Sandiford said, but RT Diagnostics never completed the accreditation process.

Between May and July 2021 it reported 123,104 tests, of which 45  a suspiciously low figure  showed positive results, with 123,058 showing as negative and one indeterminate, Sandiford said.

He said components of the kits were sourced from Turkey and did not meet the required standards in the UK, while the laboratory did not have sufficient capacity to conduct the number of tests it submitted. Some of the tests were simply dumped in a room, putting people at risk due to the possibility that they received false negative results, Sandiford said.

He also said that staff were told to send back fake negative tests from samples that had actually never been tested.

RT Diagnostics generated nearly 7m between 22 May and 6 June 2021, jurors were told, as Sandiford described the venture as being all about profit.

Jurors were told a second company was created with a deceptively similar name which was used to open a bank account into which all the money generated by RT Diagnostics was deposited.

Malik is on trial alongside the Dewsbury East councillor Paul Moore, 56, the former Halifax councillor Faisal Shoukat, 37, Dr Alexander Zarneh, 70, and Lynn Connell, 64. Shoukat is also accused of money laundering. All defendants deny all the charges.

The trial continues.
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Visit your local LEGO store from 24-31 October for lots of spooky Halloween fun. (Getty Images) (buildingblock via Getty Images)

If your kids are off school for half term, you're probably searching for ways to keep them entertained.

While there's nothing wrong with a bit of screen time now and again, ideally, we'd prefer they weren't glued to their tablet all week. And with the weather predicted to be on the wetter side, indoor activities are likely the preferred option.

Luckily, LEGO has come to the rescue. If you've got kids who are fans of building with the Danish bricks, then head down to your local store over this weekend and half-term week for lots of spooky fun.

Stores across the UK are being transformed into mini haunted playgrounds from 24-31 October. There's a range of family-friendly Halloween activities, and kids can also take home their own, free Halloween mini toy.

Participating stores include Birmingham, London, Leicester Square and Westfield shopping centres, Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Southampton, Milton Keynes, Sheffield, Brighton, Cardiff, Bluewater and Belfast. You can check the details for your local store here.

Here's what you need to know.

Halloween activities and freebies at LEGO stores

Get a free LEGO witch

Build a witch model this Saturday and Sunday and take it home to keep. (LEGO) (LEGO)

Saturday 25 October, 10:00 to 12:00

Sunday 26 October, 12:00 to 14:00

This Saturday and Sunday, LEGO stores are holding a free 'witch build'. Kids can craft their very own mini witch figure and take it home with them when they've finished. The freebies are on a first-come, first-served basis and only available while stocks last, so it pays to get there early in case it gets busy.

The activity is suitable for children aged six and above and is limited to one build per person. Visit your local LEGO store webpage for further details.

Pumpkin hunt and free Halloween sticker sheets

Join an in-store pumpkin hunt and you could win spooky surprises. (LEGO) (LEGO)

Friday 24-31 October

Kids can take part in a brick-built pumpkin scavenger hunt in participating LEGO stores from Friday 24 October. They'll need to find the hidden items to win a Halloween sticker sheet to take home. Like all activities over the half-term week, the spooky surprises are only available while stocks last, so don't delay.

Find details of activities in your local store here.

Frankenstein headband giveaway and Halloween stamps

Friday 24-31 October

Complete the pumpkin hunt or just visit the store over half-term and kids will get a free Frankenstein headband while stocks last. If they're LEGO passport holders  a booklet where fans can collect different stamps each time they visit a store  they'll be pleased to hear there's a special Halloween stamp available across the week too.

Spooky Halloween LEGO sets to buy

If you're looking for a spooky LEGO project to keep the kids entertained or to display in your home as part of your Halloween decor, these themed sets are lots of fun.
Hainault sword attack police officers honoured with bravery award at Pride of Britain

Three Metropolitan Police officers who confronted the Hainault sword attacker have been honoured for their extraordinary courage at the Pride of Britain Awards on Thursday, October 23.

On April 30 2024, Inspector Moloy Campbell, PC Cameron King and PC Yasmin Mechem-Whitfield responded to the incident in Hainault, east London, as 36-year-old Marcus Arduini Monzo drove a van into a pedestrian, before emerging wielding a 60cm samurai-style sword.

Monzo then fatally wounded 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin, who was on his way to school.

The three officers confronted the armed attacker, with two sustaining life-changing injuries in their successful effort to stop and arrest Monzo.

Their actions were recognised with the Pride of Britain Award for Outstanding Bravery.
Tim Pool is an American right-wing political commentator and podcast host - YouTube

An influencer who was allegedly implicated in a Russian disinformation campaign was handed a Pentagon press pass under new rules that excluded the traditional press corps.

Tim Pool, one of six conservative activists allegedly connected with a $10m Russian scheme to amplify social division within the US for the Kremlins benefit, confirmed he agreed to the terms.

Mr Pool, host of The Culture War podcast, appeared to make light of criticism that reporters had been obliged to sign a document saying they would only make use of material approved by the Department of Defence (DOD).

The craziest part of the Pentagon Press policy was where it said I had to give Pete Hegseth a kiss, he wrote on X. Kinda weird but seemed fine to me.

A streaming service funded by the CEO of MyPillow is also included in the press pool, along with Real Americas Voice, a Right-wing network whose chief White House correspondent Brian Glenn, is the boyfriend of Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene.

A week after dozens of reporters from outlets such as CNN, Fox News and The New York Times declined to sign the document and left the DOD headquarters, spokesman Sean Parnell said it was announcing what he termed the next generation of the Pentagon press corps.

Reporters pack up their belongings in the press area in the Pentagon - AP

He did not name the outlets, but The Washington Post said it had obtained the list and it included the cable network Real Americas Voice and Lindell TV, the service begun by Donald Trump supporter Mike Lindell.

Mr Lindell is the CEO of MyPillow and the websites: The Gateway Pundit, The Post Millennial, Human Events, The National Pulse and RedState. Several are known for spreading disinformation.

Among those who agreed to sign the document  which stipulates reporters may only use approved information  were the Federalist, a Right-wing news site, and The Epoch Times, a Right-wing international publication associated with the Falon Gong.

Reporters walked out after refusing to sign the new reporting rules - Getty Images

Mr Pool was allegedly, along with several other conservative influencers including Dave Rubin and Benny Johnson, connected to a $10m effort secretly launched by Russia to amplify US domestic divisions in order to weaken US opposition to Russian interests, such as the war in Ukraine.

While the indictment did not name Mr Pool or the company, it was clear it was referring to Tenet Media, a Tennessee-based company.

Over the course of several months last year, its interviews included figures such as Donald Trumps daughter-in-law and RNC co-chair Lara Trump, former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and Republican US senate candidate Kari Lake.

In April of 2024, Mr Pool interviewed Mr Trump for his own show.

After the indictments were announced, Mr Pool and Mr Johnson issued statements on social media saying they were victims and had done nothing wrong.

We still do not know what is true as these are only allegations, Mr Pool said. Putin is a scumbag.

Mr Johnson said he had been asked a year ago to provide content to a media start-up. He said his lawyers negotiated a standard, arms length deal, which was later terminated.

No charges were brought against the six influencers.
Whats the French for third times the charm? For full transparency, this is a rhetorical question that will be answered in the final paragraph of this article, but the saying must have been uttered to Ciryl Gane at least once in the build-up to UFC 321.

The thing Gane pines for most in his sporting life will, for the third time, be within his grasp on Saturday, kept somewhere safe inside Abu Dhabis Etihad Arena: the undisputed heavyweight title.

Gane, now 35, knows what it is like to feel the embrace of the interim belt, and to trace its gold, embossed lettering with the 4oz gloves that serve as every UFC fighters greatest negotiation tool. Yet the Frenchman failed to unify his title with Francis Ngannous official version in 2022, failed to withstand Jon Jones with the vacant undisputed belt on the line in 2023, and on Saturday, he will share the cage with a man who uses those leathery negotiation tools like no one else can.

Tom Aspinall also knows what it is like to be interim UFC heavyweight champion, and one could argue that  in another world  Gane might have similarly received the fortune to be elevated to undisputed champion. That said, few would argue that Aspinall has been fortunate in the two years since winning the interim belt; forced to remain outside the cage for long stretches, Aspinall was teased with the prospect of a legacy-defining fight with Jones, only for the latter to retire after wasting parts of the Britons prime.

Yet when Aspinall is permitted in the cage, there is an eerie thrall to the destruction. Two minutes and two seconds is Aspinalls average fight time, the shortest of any UFC athlete with five fights or more, and  save for an early injury in one fight  he has punched in those numbers by punching out a whos who of the heavyweight division. Not always punching, mind; the 32-year-olds submission threat is one of his most formidable assets, as is his ability to combine it with his freakish power, unusual speed and agility, and impressive ring IQ.

Tom Aspinall (right) won the interim UFC heavyweight title in 2023, by knocking out Sergei Pavlovich in round one (Getty Images)

One cannot help but think of Aspinalls accidental tribute to The Matrix, as he leaned back to evade an Alexander Volkov head kick then slipped a cross like he was dodging bullets, before ghosting undetected into a takedown. That marked the beginning of the end for the Russian in 2022. And conversely, one cannot help but think of Ganes capitulation against Jones, when the French kickboxer wilted under the heavyweight debutants wrestling and was submitted at the two-minute mark.

Blur those visuals together and you may have a premonition of what the main event of UFC 321 will look like, as Aspinall makes his first defence of the undisputed title.

Still, the Wigan heavyweight is the first to commend Ganes talents, and he is not taking this task lightly. After the prolonged saga with Jones, Aspinall knows the pressure in play now.

Many accused Jones, 38, of retiring for fear of the Briton, who was seen as the worlds consensus best heavyweight even before he was awarded the undisputed belt. But if Aspinall is to fail on Saturday, Jones and his fans will be out in full force  on social media, of course. Supporters swoons over Aspinalls seemingly generational skillset will give way to sighs, while there will be sneers in other corners.

Jon Jones (top) quickly submitted Ciryl Gane in their 2023 title fight (Getty Images)

An Aspinall defeat would change the presumed future of the division as we know it. It is an intense prospect to consider.

It is strange, in any case, that much more of Aspinalls career has been consumed by Jones than Ganes, despite the Frenchman being the one to have actually fought the American. Since that bout, Gane has struggled for activity like Aspinall, competing just twice and most recently outpointing Volkov (controversially) last December. Aspinall himself last fought in July 2024, erasing Curtis Blaydes in barely a minute to set right the afore-mentioned injury-induced loss. That contest also saw Aspinall make the rare decision to defend the interim belt.

That brought immense pressure, but Saturday will somehow present an even steeper precipice for Aspinall to stand on. And in 4oz gloves, all it takes is a little push.

Crucially though, Aspinall has always been open about his fear of fighting and has thrived in spite of it  or by channelling it in the right way. Can Gane do that?

Aspinall (left) last fought in July 2024, knocking out Curtis Blaydes in barely a minute (Reuters)

If youre getting in a fist fight in front of millions of people, you should be feeling pressure, Aspinall recently told TNT Sports. The difference is, I think I do really, really well against pressure. I think Ciryl is an extremely talented fighter [but] I think sometimes the pressure gets a little bit too much for him.

It gets too much for everyone at some stage, added the ever-polite Aspinall, quickly, but I think that Im one of the people who shine under pressure.

Somebody told me recently that the elite fighters it means everything to them, but they do it like it means nothing. And I think thats the approach that I have [applied] really well. This fight means absolutely everything, but Ive got to go in there like I dont care about it.

This is Ciryls third title shot, and although theres a lot of pressure on me, theres also a lot of pressure on him  because if he doesnt win this one, hes probably not gonna get a fourth.

And so for Gane, the third time really must be the charm. To save you looking it up: jamais deux sans trois.
Pope Leo XIV welcomed the King and Queen for the state visit to Vatican City - Andrew Medichini/AP

It was the moment that made ecclesiastical history. The King and the Pope joined together in prayer, marking the public end to a 500-year-old divide and ushering the Christian faith into a new era.

It was quiet, simple and understated: blink, in fact, and you might have missed it.

The two heads of state, standing before a congregation in the Sistine Chapel, did not put their hands together, kneel or bow their heads conspicuously.

Instead, the Pope and the Archbishop of York, representing the Church of England, spoke words of prayer in unison.

Amen, replied the King.

It was the first time a British monarch, as supreme head of the Church of England, has prayed with the Pope in public in modern history.

For the King, who has made it his mission to bridge the gap between faiths and now within the Christian faith, it was an immeasurably important gesture.

And there was more to come.

At the Papal Basilica and Abbey of St Pauls Outside the Wall, as the voices of choir boys soared, the King looked visibly moved as he was made Royal Confrater, a new title created for the occasion to mark the brotherhood between the Anglican and Catholic church and Charless personal contribution.

Cardinal James Harvey, Archpriest of St Pauls Basilica, told a small congregation that the significance of this visit today cannot be overestimated, explaining that the churches of England and Rome had moved from mutual incomprehension and suspicion to a relationship which has grown deeper and warmer.

Speaking directly to the King, who sat in a throne-like chair built for him which will remain in the basilica in perpetuity, he added: Your presence is historic by any measure or calculation.

It marked, he said, the start of a soul-stirring new chapter.

The King in a chair, featuring his coat of arms, during a service at the Papal Basilica and Abbey of St Pauls Outside the Wall - AARON CHOWN/AFP via Getty Images

The Kings face belied his emotions: when he was offered a heartfelt welcome, he nodded and looked down at his hands.

At times during the service, he closed his eyes, swaying a little to the Gregorian chants. No-one, it appeared, understood the significance of the day better.

The King and Queen took a moment of private prayer, on their knees in front of the Tomb of St Paul.

Vincent Nicholls, Archbishop of Westminster Cathedral, read a prayer saying: For all who bear the burdens of illness or are weighed down by pain: that the sick may find strength in the companionship of Jesus, and in his passion know their salvation. Lord, in your mercy.

In a short walkabout outside, he was greeted with shouts of God save the King.

The King and Queen had arrived at the Apostolic Palace by car on Thursday morning, greeted by the Swiss Guard and the national anthems.

Pope Leo XIV greeted them inside; the first time the King has met this Pope, the fourth pontiff with whom he has become acquainted.

Pope Leo hosted the King and Queen at the Apostolic Palace - Samir Hussein/WireImage

Posing for an official photograph, the King joked about the constant hazard of the cameras.

Pope Leo, who has been in position since May, told King Charles III: You get used to it.

The King told the Pope it was a pleasure to meet you, if I may say so.

Youre so kind to see us, he added.

They went on to exchange gifts, which the King called a small token of esteem and appreciation.

The King presented the Pope with a large silver signed photograph, as per royal custom on state visits, and Icon of St Edward the Confessor.

The Pope gave the King a signed photograph of himself and scale version of the mosaic of Christ Pantocrator, in the Norman Cathedral of Cefalu, in Sicily, in return. The King is known to greatly admire mosaics as an art form.

The Queen had dressed in a black mantilla for the occasion, a mark of respect in line with Vatican protocol.

In the Sistine Chapel, trailed as the crowning moment of the day, the King, Queen, Pope and the Most Revered Stephen Cottrell, representing the Church of England, sat on yellow, throne-like seats under Michaelangelos Last Judgement.

Pope Leo led the prayer service in the Sistine Chapel - Reuters

Watched by a sea of black cassocks, topped with red and purple caps, the King looked around in apparent wonder at the frescoes above him.

The choirs of His Majestys Chapel Royal and St Georges Chapel joined the choir of the Sistine Chapel to sing Thomas Talliss If Ye Love Me and two psalms.

At the end of the ecumenical service, Pope Leo led the symbolic moment with the words: Let us pray.

God our Father, you have created the heavens and the earth and made us in your own image: teach us to see your hand in all your works and your likeness in all your children, he said. Through Christ our Lord.

The King and Queen stood with the rest of the congregation to reply Amen at the end of the prayer.

The ecumenical service was created to mark the metaphorical joining of hands between the Catholic Church and Church of England - AFP via Getty Images

Immediately afterwards, the Archbishop of York, who was also officiating during the service, said another prayer with Pope Leo.

The two senior clerics said: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore.

Amen, repeated the monarch, consort, and congregation.

The ecumenical service was created to mark the metaphorical joining of hands between the Catholic Church and Church of England.

Queen Camilla was heard to say that their 2025 experience of the Vatican had been absolutely beautiful, adding: I couldnt believe it. We had a wonderful tour.

The one-day state visit left little time for other engagements.

The King met members of the Vaticans diplomatic corp and trainee priests at the Pontifical Beda College.

As he unveiled the plaque, the King was told: There have been many firsts in your visit. Your presence represents the first visit of a reigning monarch to one of our seminaries in recent times.

Thank you for fostering unity today, forged in prayer.

The Queen spent time with the Catholic sisters of the International Union of Superiors General, who work in India, the DRC, the Philippines and South Sudan to support women and children who have experience violence in conflict, poverty and human trafficking.

As the skies over Rome grew dark, the King and Queen and their entourage took off to fly home to Britain, where media coverage of the Royal family still centres on Prince Andrew and the Kings own cancer treatment.

For the King, who said he had so enjoyed the short visit, it will have provided a welcome moment of reflection.
Labour minister says one in, one out France return fail shows scheme is working

Labour minister Josh MacAlister has said a return fail of the one in, one out deal with France proves the scheme is working.

Speaking to Calum Macdonald on Times Radio on Thursday (October 23), Mr MacAlister was quizzed about an Iranian man who had been removed to France but returned to Britain on a small boat.

The male migrant told The Guardian newspaper he is a victim of modern slavery at the hands of smugglers in northern France.

The childrens minister responded it shows the scheme is working and sends a message from the government that if you come here illegally, and you cross, as we scale up this French returns agreement, you will be deported.
The practice of evicting tenants to put up the rent, as former homelessness minister Rushanara Ali did, will be banned - PjrNews/Alamy

Who will mourn for Section 21? Not me  when my last landlord issued me with one, I responded by getting 10,000 of our rent back.

The eviction notices  beloved of landlords looking to increase the rent  will soon be a distant memory. The long-awaited Renters Rights Bill is about to cause a sea change for the 11 million renters in England.

Landlords have warned repeatedly that rents will shoot through the roof as investors sell off in large numbers because of onerous regulations and tax changes.

The concerns of landlords have been well documented. They wont be able to copy the tactics of former homelessness minister Rushanara Ali, who evicted her tenants only to put up the rent.

Thats not to say landlords have absolutely no reason to be worried. The extra pressure on county courts will be a real problem.

Under the reforms, which now only await Royal Assent, court hearings will be needed for evictions, despite months of delays in the system. A 12-month cooling-off period after a failed sale is another particular bone of contention, as it means houses could sit empty for that time.

But the only reaction Ive seen from renters is relief.

While the young professional class rarely experience the very worst of the housing market  insecure temporary hotel accommodations, or children falling ill because of housing riddled with black mould  they are not immune to the peculiar anxieties of one-year rental contracts.

The balance of power between renters and landlords has been so tilted in favour of landlords that tenants have been terrified to ask for even basic repairs.

This is at least in part a function of our total failure to build for decades.

Previous reforms, such as the banning of landlords requiring professional cleaning at the end of tenancies, have been so ineffective as to be completely laughable.

One friend said that hed moved into a flat only to discover that it was covered with mould. Hes now moved back in with family  and his landlord has not repaid his deposit.

The lack of security of tenure in England makes it a substantial outlier in Europe. Switzerland, Italy, Belgium, Denmark and Sweden already offer much more stability for renters. In Germany, tenancies last for an average of 11 years, research in 2017 found, compared to an average tenure of 2.5 years in England.

Almost all states in the US require a reason for eviction, even if notice periods are very short. No-fault evictions are banned in the Netherlands, and in France you cant be evicted in the winter.

Removing the swinging axe above the heads of renters  the date written into a contract as move-out day before the keys have even been handed over  might help the embattled and infantilised Generation Z hit some of the adult milestones theyve been chronically delaying.

The position of first-time buyers will not be dramatically improved by the recent slight relaxation of mortgage lending rules  and the average age of buyers is unlikely to drop below 30 anytime soon.

So anything that helps Gen Z feel more secure  and makes the pressure to become homeowners less acute  is likely to kickstart family life in a way little else can manage.

Its not only the young professional class who will benefit. The proportion of households that will own their home in retirement is forecast to drop from 78pc last year to just 63pc by 2041, according to the Pensions Policy Institute.

Legislation which protects elderly renters, leaving them less reliant on the mercy of individual landlords, must be applauded.

One former landlord pointed out that the bill introduces more of what responsible landlords should want  long-term stable tenancies with good tenants. He was completely right.

Those anticipating complete disaster will be disappointed.
Jamie Snowden hailed Laurens Bays perfect start to chasing and he could make an immediate step up in class next time out.

The six-year-old landed the valuable EBF Final at Sandown on his last appearance of the previous campaign and picked up where he left off at Uttoxeter earlier this month.

It may have only been a two-horse race, but Laurens Bay jumped effectively on his first start over fences and ran out a seven-length winner to the delight of his Lambourn-based trainer.

The Mucking Brilliant Paddy Power Novices Chase at Cheltenham in November could be next on his agenda but he could go down the handicap route, depending on his mark after his impressive victory.

Hes come out of it well, obviously a perfect start to his chasing career which is lovely to see, Snowden said.

He jumped really well. You cant really tell from a two-horse race, but he did it impressively and hes an exciting horse going forward.

We might think about that Listed novice at Cheltenham at the November Paddy Paddy meeting, or there is a Class Two at Exeter before that or the Graduation Chase at Haydock. There are several options.

It all depends on where he ends up with his handicap mark, whether he ends up in a graded novice or whether he goes down the handicap route. Theres obviously plenty of water to pass under the bridge beforehand.

Ga Law has been a great servant to Snowden and the nine-year-old will step up to three miles for the forthcoming season.

He will be in action on November 1, but the Folly House handler has yet to decide whether to travel to Wetherby for the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase or across the Irish Sea for the Grade One BetVictor Champion Chase at Down Royal.

Hes got an entry there (Down Royal) and an entry in the Charlie Hall, which is obviously on the same day, so well decide which way we will go, whether its Wetherby or Down Royal, and then we might go to the Hennessey (Coral Gold Cup) afterwards, Snowden said.

In recent years, we were second in the Paddy Power (Gold Cup) last year and we won the Paddy Power a couple of years before that, so we were really campaigning him over two and a half (miles).

I think now is the time to go up in trip. Hes now nine years old and we will start at three miles either at Wetherby or Down Royal, and then think about the Hennessy perhaps.
ATLANTA, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Artivion, Inc. (NYSE: AORT), a leading cardiac and vascular surgery company focused on aortic disease, announced today that third quarter 2025 financial results will be released on Thursday, November 6, 2025, after the market closes. On that day, the Company will hold a teleconference call and live webcast at 4:30 p.m. ET to discuss the results, followed by a question-and-answer session hosted by Pat Mackin, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Artivion.

To listen to the live teleconference, please dial 201-689-8261 a few minutes prior to 4:30 p.m. ET. The teleconference replay will be available approximately one hour following the completion of the event and can be accessed by calling (toll free) 877-660-6853 or 201-612-7415. The conference number for the replay is 13755945.

The live webcast and replay can be accessed on the Investors section of the Artivion website at www.artivion.com and by selecting Webcasts & Presentations. In addition, a copy of the earnings press release, which will contain financial and statistical information for the completed quarter and full year, can be accessed in the Investors section of the Artivion website.

About Artivion, Inc.

Headquartered in suburban Atlanta, Georgia, Artivion, Inc. is a medical device company focused on developing simple, elegant solutions that address cardiac and vascular surgeons' most difficult challenges in treating patients with aortic diseases. Artivion's four major groups of products include: aortic stent grafts, surgical sealants, On-X mechanical heart valves, and implantable cardiac and vascular human tissues. Artivion markets and sells products in more than 100 countries worldwide. For additional information about Artivion, visit our website, www.artivion.com.

Contacts:

Artivion Lance A. Berry Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer & Chief Financial Officer Phone: 770-419-3355 Gilmartin Group LLC Brian Johnston Laine Morgan Phone: 332-895-3222 [email protected]

SOURCE Artivion, Inc.
(Andre-H/Pixabay)

Legislation which stops landlords issuing blanket bans on pets will give needy cats and dogs the chance to be rescued, campaigners have said.

A YouGov poll revealed that 40 per cent of renters have been unable to get a pet due to housing restrictions while 19 per cent have even been forced to give one up.

However, the Renters' Rights Bill, set to become law, will give tenants the right to request pets in their homes.

Almost half of the private renters surveyed say they are now likely to welcome a new or additional pet into their home.

Pet care firm Mars and Battersea Dogs & Cats Home have been leading the campaign to change the law and highlight the benefits of renting with pets with the support from advocates in Parliament.

Two thirds of pet owners questioned cited the mental health and wellbeing benefits of animals as a reason for ownership.

This means millions of renters can now enjoy the companionship of a pet without fear of being turned away or forced to give them up.

Mars and Battersea have been campaigning to improve the rights of pet owners in rental properties for more than three years.

They worked with Lord Black of Brentwood, who has led the campaign in the House of Lords.

This campaign supports Mars' mission to create a future where every pet has a home, and every home can have a pet.

Mars Pet Nutrition's general manager for the UK, Ireland and Nordic countries, Nick Foster, said: "Pets really do make a house a home and we're incredibly proud of our work with our long-term partners at Battersea to help bring about this important law change.

"The Government's decision to remove unnecessary barriers to pet ownership for renters recognises just how much it means to people and families across the country.

"We're so pleased that this opens the door to more people than ever being able to experience the happiness and wellbeing benefits that come from being a pet parent."

Lord Guy Black, Baron Black of Brentwood, said: This legislation marks the start of a long-overdue cultural shift. It will ensure the huge benefits of pet ownership are no longer limited to those who own their own homes but can be shared by millions who rent in England.

"As a pet owner myself, I can't imagine how distressing it would be to have to choose between my home and my pet. I hope these days will now be behind us.

"I've greatly valued working with organisations such as Mars and Battersea Dogs & Cats Home to ensure this legislation truly delivers and I am hugely grateful to them for their campaigning support."

The increased number of renters looking to own a pet opens the door for fostering and adoption opportunities. Organisations such as Battersea Dogs & Cats Home are encouraging renters to consider dogs and cats in need of forever homes.

Peter Laurie, chief executive of Battersea, said: "For years Battersea has witnessed the heart-breaking reality of families forced to part with their beloved pets because of restrictive housing policies.

"The Renters' Rights Bill will finally break that cycle and millions of renters will now have the chance to experience the joy and companionship that pet ownership brings. Having long campaigned alongside Mars for this change, it is heartening to see that a future where no one is forced to choose between a home and their pet is now within reach."
A protester screams at federal agents as law enforcement conduct a raid on street vendors in Chinatown in Manhattan on Tuesday. Photograph: Michael Nigro/Pacific Press/Shutterstock

The New York state attorney general, Letitia James, rolled out a Federal Action Reporting Portal form urging New York residents to share photos and videos of federal immigration enforcement action across the state, just a day after a high-profile ICE raid rattled Manhattans Chinatown and prompted hundreds to come out in protest.

A US congressman revealed in a Wednesday press conference that four US citizens were arrested and held for nearly 24 hours after Tuesdays raid. Protests broke out in New York on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.

Every New Yorker has the right to live without fear or intimidation, James wrote in a statement announcing the portal.

Related: Protests erupt in New York City after ICE raids Chinatown over counterfeit goods

If you witnessed and documented ICE activity yesterday, I urge you to share that footage with my office. We are committed to reviewing these reports and assessing any violations of law.

The form offers spaces to submit images and video footage of the raid, as well as a place to indicate location information. Before submitting, users must check a box that indicates that the attorney general may use any documents, photographs, or videos I provided in a public document, including in a legal proceeding or public report or statement.

The Guardian has contacted Jamess office for more information.

The Chinatown raid, which onlookers say involved more than 50 federal agents, took place in a well-known area of Manhattan where counterfeit handbags, accessories, jewelry and other goods are sold daily en masse  often to tourists.

Videos of Tuesdays raid show multiple masked and armed federal agents zip-tying and detaining a man, and shoving away onlookers. Throngs of New Yorkers followed the agents through the streets and down the sidewalks. An armored military vehicle was also seen rolling through the city streets. ICE issued a press release detailing alleged criminal records of some of the immigrants detained.

In a Wednesday press conference held with the New York immigrant rights coalition, congressman Dan Goldman, a Democrat, said four American citizens were detained by ICE for nearly 24 hours and that there were no circumstances where four American citizens should be arrested for no reason. He said the citizens were released on Wednesday with no charges filed.

Theres a clear purpose here. It is not to take criminals off the street and deport them, Goldman said. This is a militarized effort to incite tension. It is purely a pretext to incite violence for this administration to bring in the military to stop violence that they have created.

Outrage over the ICE raid quickly spread  all three mayoral candidates condemned the raid, as did Governor Kathy Hochul.

Once again, the Trump administration chooses authoritarian theatrics that create fear, not safety. It must stop, mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani wrote on X.

New York City immigrant rights groups spoke out as well.

ICE descended on Manhattans Chinatown with military-style vehicles, masked agents and riot gear to target street vendors trying to make a living. This operation had nothing to do with public safety and everything to do with terrorizing immigrant families and communities, said Murad Awawdeh, president of the New York Immigrant Coalition.

ICE policy prohibits the detention of US citizens and the agency has said it does not arrest or detain US citizens. However, reporting by ProPublica found that more than 170 US citizens have been held against their will by ICE since the start of the second Trump administration.

ICE raids have been cropping up increasingly in New York and around the country this year.

A 16 October raid in midtown Manhattan was the first known raid on an immigrant shelter of the current Trump administration. Protests against ICE are ubiquitous as are allegations of violence and inhumane treatment.

Most recently, a letter submitted by the ACLU and other civil rights groups alleged medical neglect of pregnant women in ICE facilities.
Taking charge: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has revealed that he called a team meeting after the Reds were beaten at home by Manchester United last weekend.

Sundays 2-1 defeat, confirmed by Harry Maguires 84th-minute header, was the Premier League champions fourth successive loss and brought the squad in for considerable criticism.

They roared back to form on Wednesday night, though, routing Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 in the Champions League with a rotated squad.

Speaking at full-time, Van Dijk revealed he held frank talks with his team-mates after the United defeat, but was adamant they were not crisis talks.

"On Monday, everyone was sad because we lost to United at home, he explained to reporters. We haven't lost many games at home during my time at Liverpool.

"It was tough under the circumstances, so on Monday we came together, but it wasn't a crisis meeting. We all know how things can change. We're only in October.

"Obviously, we also had a proper debrief with the manager but we also had a separate one as players. I wanted to say some things. It's not something I do after every game. Let's keep it that way.

Liverpool were back to form as they eased past Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League on Wednesday night (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

He continued, adding that he implored his team-mates to stay focused as they looked to break their losing run.

"The only way to get out of a situation like that is to stay together, keep your mind on the task ahead, try to improve, keep the confidence, embrace the moment.

They are all things that are easier to say than actually do. But if you want to get out of it, you have to do it.

"We live in a world now where there is always noise, always something to be said, always someone who knows better. We have to stay focused on ourselves.

His meeting seemed to have the desired effect, too: "Before my meeting, yes (the mood was low) but after my meeting, everyone was happy!"
Credit: Social Media

New footage shows the moment a gang of burglars escaped from the Louvre on a truck-mounted lift.

In a clip shared online, two individuals  one in a hi-vis jacket, the other in a motorbike helmet  are seen on the lift as it descends slowly from the balcony they used to reach the first-floor gallery.

The video appears to have been filmed on a phone from inside the museum. However it was not picked up by the areas only surveillance camera because it was facing the wrong direction, according to officials.

Once the lift reached the pavement, the thieves were obscured from view by a temporary wooden fence.

The men are not threatened by anybody as security guards are heard in the video expressing their frustration.

The individuals are on scooters  they are about to leave, says one guard, as police sirens sound in the background.

While not shown in the video, the thieves are known to have then escaped the scene on electric scooters, heading east.

Blast! Try the police. Theyve gone!, the guards say, along with several swear words.

Passers-by meanwhile walk along the Seine without batting an eyelid.

The thieves slipped in and out in minutes, making off with eight pieces of Frances crown jewels, a loss some compared to the burning of Notre Dame in 2019.

The thieves carjacked the furniture lift used to break into the Louvre nine days before the raid - DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP via Getty Images

The museums director blamed the Louvres ageing security camera system for the failure to detect the thieves as they carried out the heist on Sunday.

The lift was attached to a truck stolen in nearby Louvres, about two miles from Charles de Gaulle airport to the north-east of Paris.

A rental-service employee had been scheduled to hand over a Mitsubishi Canter Fuso, equipped with a 90-foot ladder, to a driver. Two men arrived on a motorbike and threatened the driver. One of the men made off with the truck.

The rental firm boss, who wishes to remain anonymous, did not know where the vehicle had gone until he saw it on the news and he informed police.

We have nothing to do with this. Its bothersome, he told The Telegraph.

The thieves attempted to set the truck on fire before escaping on scooters, but were interrupted.

The truck was central to the smash-and-grab raid, which took place on Sunday morning.

In the days before the heist, the thieves cloned a number plate from another truck and painted the vehicle grey to cover its logos.

A petrol container left behind during the frantic getaway also suggests that the vehicle wasnt meant to be left intact.

The thieves also left a trail of clues behind, including a scooter helmet, blowtorch, walkie-talkie, yellow vest, and a blanket.

The entire operation lasted about seven minutes.

The museums director of public reception and surveillance said in an audio recording obtained by BFMTV that security guards had thwarted the thieves attempt to set the truck on fire.

A number of security guards exited and made them flee, she said during a staff meeting. By making them flee, they prevented them from setting fire to the device.

It emerged on Wednesday that the stolen jewels had been kept in a modern glass case that offered less protection than its predecessor.

In 2019, the historic protective casing was replaced with a modern unit made of reinforced glass.

Laurence des Cars, the Louvres director, reportedly offered to resign after the theft, but president Emmanuel Macron refused the offer.

Speaking at a French senate hearing on Wednesday, she conceded that video surveillance of the Louvres surroundings is our weakness and said the museum had been defeated.

She revealed that the balcony of the Apollo Gallery, where the thieves entered, was not covered by outside security cameras and that the few cameras that monitor the perimeter are also ageing.

She called for a police station to be set up inside the iconic museum, telling French politicians: There are a few perimeter cameras, but they are outdated  The installed base is very inadequate.

Ms des Cars said she had repeatedly warned that the centuries-old buildings security was in a dire state

The warnings I had been sounding came horribly true last Sunday.

The heist, which took place after the Louvre had already opened to visitors, has prompted a review of security at museums across the country.

Paris is home to some of the worlds best-known cultural institutions, including museums like Orsay, Pompidou and Quai Branly which help sustain tourism.

The Louvre remained closed on Monday and Tuesday, only reopening to the public three days after the jewellery went missing.

At least four French museums have been robbed over the last two months, including the Natural History Museum in Paris.

In total, thieves stole about 88 million worth of jewels on Sunday, including a necklace Napoleon Bonaparte gave to Marie-Louise of Austria, the tiara, necklace and earrings of Queen Hortense, and a diadem, diamond bow brooch and reliquary brooch that once belonged to Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III.
A critical region of Ukraine became the centre of a heated debate between Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump during a White House meeting over the weekend, according to reports.

Vladimir Putin has long demanded that Ukraine cede the Donbas to Moscow, a chunk of eastern Ukraine the majority of which has been occupied by Russian forces since its February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

At an explosive meeting in Washington, DC on Friday, the US president is said to have told Zelensky to accept Russias terms or risk facing destruction.

President Zelenskys visit to the Oval Office allegedly turned into a shouting match, with Trump resorting to profanity, sources told the Financial Times.

Trump reportedly aside maps of the Ukrainian frontline, urging Zelensky to surrender the Donbas region to Russia, seemingly adopting points Vladimir Putin made to Trump in their call the day before.

But it was reported that Zelensky succeeded in bringing Trump back to endorsing a freeze of the current front lines.

Where is the Donbas region?

The Donbas region is made up largely of Ukraines Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Areas which have been largely occupied since February 2022.

But a smaller pocket of the region bordering Russia was occupied in 2014, when Russia-backed separatists engaged in combat with Ukrainian government forces.

This was after demonstrations by pro-Russian and anti-government groups in the aftermath of the Euromaidan Uprising, a wave of pro-Europe demonstrations and civil unrest in Ukraine.

The region also largely consist of Russian speakers, having been a Soviet-era hotspot for migration as it was the industrial heartland of the USSR.

Russia occupies nearly 90% of the Donbas

Any concession of large regions of Ukrainian territory would be a bitter pill to swallow for Kyiv.

As of August, Russia controlled around 88 per cent of the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, almost all of Luhansk and around 75 per cent of Donetsk. It has since made marginal gains in the Donetsk region.

Zelensky has previously insisted he would reject any proposal to withdraw from the industrial Donbas region, claiming it would open a bridgehead for a wider Russian offensive.

But Trump said that the Donbas region of Ukraine should be "cut up", leaving most of it in Russian hands, to end the war that has dragged on for nearly four years.

"Let it be cut the way it is," he told reporters aboard Air Force One. "It's cut up right now," adding that you can "leave it the way it is right now."

"They can negotiate something later on down the line," he said. But for now, both sides of the conflict should "stop at the battle line  go home, stop fighting, stop killing people.

The US president reportedly told Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky to accept Russias terms or risk facing destruction in an explosive meeting in Washington DC on Friday.

Putin first entered the Donbas region during an offensive in 2014, which saw Russia annex the Crimean peninsula.

Russian-backed separatists broke away from the Ukrainian government to proclaim the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk independent peoples republics and, as a result, Moscow captured more than a third of Ukraines eastern territory.

In recent months, Moscow has reinforced its efforts to seize these remaining areas, pushing towards cities like Pokrovsk and intensifying drone and air strikes.

It is crucially important to Ukraine, given that the region holds one of the largest coal reserves and is viewed as an energy powerhouse by Kyiv.

Putin has repeatedly demanded that Ukraine cede Donbas, including at a summit with Trump in Alaska earlier this year (AP)

It has also been described as a fortress belt by the Institute for the Study of War, given that Donetsk forms the main fortified defensive line along the eastern region, halting Russia in their tracks.

Ukraine is holding a key defensive line across Donetsk, says Elina Beketova, a fellow at the Centre for European Policy Analysis, describing a fortified zone buildup over years because the war began 11 years ago.

Its not just trenches, its a deep, layered defence with bunkers, anti-tank ditches, minefields, and industrial areas built into the terrain. The area includes dominant heights, rivers, and urban zones that make it extremely hard to capture, explains Beketova.

Relinquishing the territory would be catastrophic for Russia, especially if they are not given concrete security guarantees such as Article 5 protection from Nato.

However, Putin made it clear that he would not fall back on core demands to resolve root causes of the conflict, that includes Ukraine becoming a neutral state and abandoning Nato aspirations.
There are two young actors from this side of the Atlantic whose cinematic golden hour has been ticking gloriously for some time now.

One is Paul Mescal, who had the London Film Festival crowd in tears in the upcoming Hamnet. The other, even hotter-than-climate-meltdown male star is Josh OConnor. Smouldering in Challengers; ditto (without the formers cheap titillation) in La Chimera and easily the best thing in Wake Up Dead Man, the new Knives Out mystery.

Josh OConnor in The Mastermind (Mubi)

Languid, aloof, beguiling Have a go at that persona as an actor and your crowd will soon be snoozing. But its almost everything OConnor is about and, lord, does he pull it off stupendously. And those eyes. Whether youre aroused by their come-to-bed twinkle or not, you know those eyes are saying something.

For American director Kelly Reichardt (often cited as a leader of the "slow cinema" movement, although "highly considered" might be a better description), OConnor could be the silver bullet that punches through the mainstream for her.

With his wonderfully downbeat turn in The Mastermind, the maker of fantastic films such as Meeks Cutoff and First Cow  which place their focus squarely on the lives of ordinary folk  should deservedly reach a wider audience.

Like Reichardts Westerns that are actually anti-Westerns, this art theft movie is light years from the usual heist caper. Its 1970s Massachusetts (beautifully shot in washed-out analogue) and the camera opens on OConnors JB loping around the art gallery in provincial city Framingham.

Alana Haim in The Mastermind (Mubi)

His wife Terri (Alana Haim) is also there with their two young boys, who are running amok. Seizing his opportunity as the boys behaviour distracts the security guard, JB  slyly, lazily (OConnors modus operandi)  dips his hand into a display case and pockets a small figurine. Then he returns to Terri and pops the piece in her glasses case, leaving her to unknowingly exit the building with the booty. Its a sign of where JBs morals are at.

This is all soundtracked by a gorgeously moody jazz score from Rob Mazurek (a self-described abstractivist, FYI). So central is the music, its as if every paradiddle of Mazureks drumkit is driving JBs next move. Even those with a lifelong allergy to jazz might be converted.

As with most heist movies, theres the meticulous preparation, the robbery and the great unravelling. The first stage of JBs plan to steal four paintings happens in the family basement, with his already bumbling co-thieves pulling womens stockings over their heads for size (back in the 1970s when armed robbers wore tights as disguises in The Sweeney it was terrifying; here its pure comedy).

The brazen daylight robbery is equally hilarious (although those at the real-life Louvre who had Frances crown jewels taken in similar fashion this week might not find it so rib-tickling).

However, its the falling apart and what the character of JB represents in the context of the America of that time which forms the (a)moral compass of the story.

Josh OConnor in The Mastermind (Mubi)

Against the backdrop of Richard Nixons administration and campus anti-Vietnam protests, JB (the son of a judge played by Bill Camp) is either a self-centred drop-out or the ultimate symptom of rejectionist protest. Or perhaps something else altogether; the ambiguity is delicious.

This is OConnor at his finest yet, and The Mastermind is the slinkiest, most satisfying piece of mood cinema youre likely to have seen for a long while.

The Mastermind is in cinemas from October 24
Giorgia Meloni is driving a push in the EU to transform migration laws - Remo Casilli/Reuters

Giorgia Meloni has told EU leaders to prepare for a first political debate on reforming the European Convention on Human Rights in the coming months, in what would be a major step forward towards changing the international rules on migration.

The Italian prime minister spoke to heads of state and government before a European Council summit meeting in Brussels on Thursday morning.

The Telegraph understands she set out a plan to reform the ECHR so that it can meet modern-day challenges over illegal immigration, such as people smuggling gangs.

It should lead to a first political debate on reforms in the Council of Europe, which is based in Strasbourg and is not an EU body but a larger human rights watchdog.

The roadmap was drawn up in coordination with Alain Berset, the secretary general of the Council of Europe, she told leaders from Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, the European Commission, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Latvia, Malta, Poland and Sweden.

They agreed that senior officials would meet in Rome on Nov 5 to continue discussing international conventions and illegal migration.

Prime minister Meloni provided an update on the work in progress on how the international conventions match the challenges of irregular migration and on upcoming initiatives, an Italian government spokesperson said.

The leaders agreed to continue to maintain close cooperation not only within the EU and the Council of Europe, but also, more generally, in various international contexts in order to promote more effectively the European approach to the orderly management of migration flows.

Migrants queue up on the Italian island of Lampedusa - David Rose

The European Court of Human Rights is part of the Council of Europe and was set up to enforce the ECHR, which has been criticised for tying governments hands on illegal immigration.

Sir Keir Starmer has vowed the UK will never leave the ECHR, despite calls from the Tories and Reform UK to quit it, but he does want to restrict the ways it is used to fight deportations.

Nearly 37,000 migrants arrived in the UK by small boats this year, more than the total for the whole of 2024, Home Office figures showed on Thursday.

The Prime Minister argues, like Ms Meloni, that mass migration is a far greater problem now than it was when the international laws were drafted after the Second World War.

We need to look again at the interpretation of some of these provisions, not tear them down, he said earlier this month.

Since his election last year, Sir Keir has held talks on illegal migration with Ms Meloni and Mette Frederiksen, the Danish prime minister.

Ms Frederiksen, a Left-wing leader who defeated a surge in support for Right-wing parties with a tough migration policy, chaired the meeting in Brussels and also wants ECHR reform.

Before the meeting in Brussels, Ms Meloni told the Italian parliament that the breakfast meeting would help find innovative solutions to illegal migration.

It will be an opportunity to take stock of the issue of international conventions and the need to ensure that their implementation allows us to address the challenges of modern irregular migration  challenges that were unthinkable when those conventions were written, and signed by Italy, the hard-Right leader said.

On this occasion, we will propose to our partners a roadmap that, in cooperation with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Mr Berset, should lead in the coming months to an initial political debate on the topic in Strasbourg.

Ms Melonis Albania plan, where migrants picked up in the Mediterranean would be processed in non-EU Albania, has been mired in legal difficulties.

Denmark has an agreement with Rwanda to process asylum seekers, but the deal is on hold amid concerns over possible legal barriers, including the ECHR.

The Netherlands is also preparing to send failed asylum seekers to Uganda in a plan that is expected to face legal challenges.

In her recent speech to the UN General Assembly, Ms Meloni took aim at so-called activist judges.

These rules were established at a time when mass irregular migration did not exist and nor did human traffickers, she said in New York.

These conventions are no longer current in this context and, when they are interpreted in an ideological and unidirectional way by politicised judges, they end up trampling on the law, rather than upholding it.

Italy, Denmark and the Netherlands have made the informal talks on migration a fixture of European Council summits.

Fourteen EU states, including Germany, Poland, Austria and Hungary, have taken part in meetings of the migration hawks, as they are called in Brussels.

Ms Meloni has already led a successful push in Brussels to reform migration laws to make it easier to deport failed asylum seekers and house them in camps outside the EU.

In the first eight months of this year, 112,000 people crossed illegally into Europe, down 21 per cent from 2024 and 52 per cent from the same period in 2023. The EU has signed return deals with non-EU countries, while its member states have cracked down on illegal immigration and moved to speed up deportations of failed asylum seekers.

All 27 EU member states, as well as the UK, belong to the 46-state Council of Europe and are signatories to the ECHR.

A Council of Europe spokesman told The Telegraph: Secretary General Alain Berset acknowledges prime minister Melonis outreach. He stresses that political dialogue and collaboration within the Council of Europe is the right method to addressing migration on our continent. And he reaffirms the importance of ensuring the integrity of the European Convention on Human Rights and the European Court of Human Rights.

Sir Keir Starmer has vowed the UK will never leave the ECHR, despite calls from the Tories and Reform UK to quit it, but he does want to restrict the ways it is used to fight deportations.

A government spokesman told The Telegraph they backed Ms Melonis push for reform, but said the UK will remain part of the treaty.

They said: We will remain a member of the European Convention on Human Rights, but we welcome backing from like-minded countries to reform the ECHR when it comes to the challenges posed by mass migration.

The Governments Immigration White Paper sets out new plans to tighten the application of Articles 3 and 8 of the ECHR  making it easier to deport illegal migrants and giving courts the clarity they need so our immigration rules are not abused.

Nearly 37,000 migrants arrived in the UK by small boats this year, more than the total for the whole of 2024, Home Office figures showed on Thursday.

The Prime Minister argues, like Ms Meloni, that the nature of mass migration has changed significantly since the international laws were drafted after the Second World War.

We need to look again at the interpretation of some of these provisions, not tear them down, he said earlier this month.
Partying is likely to make her debut on the all-weather in the coming months, as trainer Kevin Philippart de Foy sets out his vision for the big-money buy.

A Frankel filly out of Royal Ascot winner Aljazzi, Philippart de Foys boss Kia Joorabchian brought the hammer down at a sale topping 4.4million guineas at the Tattersalls Book 1 sale in 2024.

Such are the hopes for the youngster, the Amo Racing team returned to Park Paddocks to add her full-brother at a cost of 3.6million at this years sale, with the Freemason Lodge handler explaining it will be a low key introduction  possibly at Kempton  before better things are anticipated next term.

The plan is to run her once this year before giving her a winter break, said Philippart de Foy.

There is no definite plan as to where she starts, but shes in full work and doing everything right.

Shes likely to go somewhere like Kempton and I really like starting horses there on a nice galloping track, probably over seven furlongs and see how she gets on.

Obviously we bought the brother at Book 1 so it shows we like the filly, but were just going one step at a time and we wont rush her.

Next season will be what is most important for her, so we will try to get the first step right this year, give her a break, then work her back up next year. Any start this year is just a bonus ahead of next year.

Philippart de Foy has settled in well to his new role as principal trainer for the Amo operation and is relishing next season where he can count Partying and her brother among the heavy arsenal he will have at his disposal.

We dont have the colt at Freemason Lodge yet, he is in pre-season, but it is very exciting for next year, added the Belgian-born handler.

We still have plenty of unraced two-year-olds still waiting to make their debuts. As we have said before, Amo Racing bought a load of late-maturing horses at the back end of last year and theres many we have not seen yet. A couple will start on the all-weather, but it is all about 2026.

In the more immediate future the trainer will be hoping Cathedral can become his first runner at the Breeders Cup after her name featured in the pre-entries for the Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

The Coronation and Matron Stakes fourth is currently third reserve for the Del Mar Grade One, with her handler believing she will appreciate the step up in distance if making the final field.

The plan is to go for the Breeders Cup and she will work on Friday and then fly out on Saturday. continued Philippart de Foy

Its a huge ask for her, but I think the filly will improve for going up in trip and she really likes fast ground. She has won before at Lingfield so I dont think the turns will be an issue.

I think 11 furlongs will suit her well if its a strong pace. It will need a career best to be competitive but at least she will have her preferred conditions.
Jonas Pate, co-creator of the Netflix teen drama Outer Banks, has been accused of grabbing, shaking and yelling at a young female production assistant.

The shows stars Chase Stokes and Madelyn Cline reportedly intervened to break up the alleged incident.

Variety reports that sources allege Pate, who also directs much of the series, grabbed and shook the assistant while shouting in her face.

Stokes reportedly stepped in to separate the pair, and Cline also intervened to defuse the situation.

The Netflix series is currently shooting its fifth and final season in Dubrovnik, Croatia. According to TMZ, tensions were high on the set, and one source said the incident was not "unusual behavior" for Pate and added: It's about time that its made public.

The Independent has approached Netflix, Chase Stokes and Madelyn Cline for comment.

Jonas Pate attending the Los Angeles premiere of 'The Runarounds' on August 26, 2025 (JC Olivera/Getty Images for Prime Video)

It is not yet known whether the incident will affect the ongoing production of the show.

The teen series is an adventure drama set in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, following two groups of teenagers as they hunt for lost treasure. It debuted on Netflix in April 2020. Pate co-created the series with his twin brother Josh Pate and Shannon Burke.

The show has been a hit for the streaming service, and in 2023 was praised by viewers for pulling them back in with a shocking reveal.

In the final episode of the third season, a group of teenagers is approached by a man who is impressed with their treasure hunting skills and offers them a captains log hed like them to investigate.

I need partners and you were all first on my list, the mysterious figure tells them.

When asked who the book and the treasure theyd be hunting belonged to, the man responds: Edward Teach... Blackbeard.

Blackbeard is the real-life figure from the 1700s, who is most known for having treasure worth $12.5 million.

@BBurrowsII wrote of the shocking moment: Just when I thought I wasted the last 10hrs of my life watching Outer Banks, they drop Blackbeards name in the final seconds and now Im hooked for next season.

Meanwhile, @HeyBraan added: When I first heard Netflix renewed Outer Banks for season 4 I just didnt think I could take any more. But then they drop its about Blackbeards treasure at the end of season 3 ?!?!?!

@NauthanGones said: Just as I start to get bored with Outer Banks they pull me right back in
Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee and current frontrunner for New York City mayor, faced off with Andrew Cuomo, the former New York governor now running as an independent, and Curtis Sliwa, the Republican candidate, at the second and final New York mayoral election debate on Wednesday night.

Here are some key takeaways from the evening.

Related: Mamdani, Cuomo and Sliwa fling zingers in New York mayoral debate as they try to win over voters

Tensions continued to rise between Cuomo and Mamdani

The debate made clear that the most heated rivalry was between Cuomo and Mamdani. From the beginning, Cuomo accused Mamdani of lacking substance and relying on recycled ideas from Bill de Blasios administration, claiming the Democrat has no new ideas.

Mamdani countered by arguing that Cuomo focused more on pushing other candidates to drop out than actually proposing solutions, while also pointing out what he called Cuomos failures as governor, including delays in housing initiatives.

The tension escalated midway when Mamdani was questioned on being evasive or unclear on his ideology. He blamed Cuomo for slow housing progress during his governorship. Cuomo snapped back that governors didnt build housing, prompting both to start speaking over each other.

Later, Mamdani reignited the confrontation by directly questioning Cuomo about allegations of sexual harassment, asking: What do you say to the 13 women who you sexually harassed? Cuomo dismissed the question as immature and insisted the cases were dropped, despite ongoing litigation. Their exchanges set the tone for a debate marked by personal attacks rather than policy clarity.

The recent ICE raids in New York resurrect last weeks conversation on Trump

Immigration and the recent ICE raids in New York were among the first issues raised, bringing Donald Trump back into the conversation in a major way. Cuomo said that ICE should not go after low-level offenses like street vending, and he would have personally called Trump to intervene and rein in federal agents. This provoked Mamdani, who accused Cuomo of being too cozy with Trump and labeling the former governor as Donald Trumps puppet.

Sliwa, instead of outright rejecting Trump, said he would negotiate with him to get the best deal possible for New York. The candidates then argued over who Trump supposedly supports. Cuomo claimed Trump wanted Mamdani to win so he could come in and take over the city, calling Mamdani Trumps dream. Mamdani rejected the claim, saying it was part of Cuomos fear-based campaigning.

Ultimately, the ICE conversation quickly shifted to become a proxy battle over how each candidate would deal with Trump himself: either confront him or cooperate with him.

Sliwa threw out a handful of zingers, at both Cuomo and Mamdani

Much like last weeks performance, Sliwa offered brief moments of levity throughout  particularly whenever he served as the middle man between Cuomo and Mamdani. At one point, he referred to both men as fighting like kids in a schoolyard.



Zohran, your resume could fit on a cocktail napkin. And, Andrew, your failures could fill a public school library in New York City, he said.

When Cuomo blamed rising homelessness on policies enacted after he left the governorship, Sliwa mocked him, saying: You didnt leave. You fled from being impeached.

Regarding a potential endorsement from the current mayor, Eric Adams, Cuomo said yes; Mamdani and Sliwa said no. Absolutely not, put that crook in jail! said Sliwa.

The safety of Jewish New Yorkers becomes a topic of debate for the second time

The treatment and safety of Jewish New Yorkers became a major point of contention, especially surrounding Mamdanis candidacy. Cuomo referenced a public letter signed by 650 rabbis accusing Mamdani of threatening the safety and dignity of Jews in every city. He accused Mamdani of enabling rising antisemitism and stoking the flames of hatred against Jewish people.

Sliwa went further, claiming Mamdani supported global jihad, a charge Mamdani firmly denied, saying: I have never, not once, spoken in support of global jihad. Mamdani argued the attacks were politically motivated and based on his identity as a Muslim candidate positioned to possibly lead the city. He defended his record and laid out plans to ensure Jewish safety, including expanding public school lessons on Jewish history and protecting Jewish children at schools and synagogues.

Mamdani was attacked by both Cuomo and Sliwa for evading questions

A recurring criticism aimed at Mamdani throughout the debate was his perceived tendency to dodge hard questions and give vague answers. This became most apparent when he was asked about education reform. He spoke about the importance of quality public education and improving literacy but did not outline a detailed plan.

When pressed on zoning amendments under the City of Yes reforms, Mamdani said he had not yet taken a position on them, which Cuomo and Sliwa used to suggest he avoided commitment on contentious issues.

Cuomo repeatedly accused Mamdani of lacking the knowledge or experience to govern, saying: You dont know how to run a government and you dont know how to handle an emergency. Sliwa joined in, saying Mamdani lives in fantasies, not reality, and dismissed his ideas like a $30 minimum wage and universal free buses as unrealistic.

The status quo ultimately did not shift

The 90-minute debate seemed unlikely to have changed the minds of voters as election day, which is in less than two weeks, comes closer.

Cuomo kept hammering home the point that his experience should make him the right choice, given his long career in government at the state and federal level, as opposed to Mamdani, the state assemblyman who is almost exactly half his age.

Mamdani, for his part, cast himself as the candidate of change, focused on affordability and trying to reverse a situation in which New York was becoming a museum of where working-class people used to be able to live.

Sliwa is an engaging presence on television, but did little to change the perception that he remains more of a quirky cultural figure than a likely government administrator.

Robert Mackey contributed reporting
Century Psychology Group, founded by renowned Los Angeles psychologist Dr. Shannon Daneshrad, announces the launch of its new website designed to provide improved access to comprehensive mental health care and psychological services for patients throughout Beverly Hills and California.

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Century Psychology Group, an elite leading mental health practice in Beverly Hills, today announced the launch of its new website, https://www.centurypsychologygroup.com/, designed to better serve patients seeking expert psychological care. Founded by Dr. Shannon Daneshrad, a distinguished licensed psychologist, the practice is committed to providing accessible, evidence-based mental health services to individuals, couples, and families in person throughout the Los Angeles area and virtually throughout all of California.

Dr. Shannon Daneshrad

The new website offers an enhanced user experience, making it easier for patients to learn about the practice's comprehensive services, which include individual therapy, couples counseling, family therapy, psychological assessments, and specialized treatment for anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues, life transitions, and complex family dynamics ADHD, ASD, eating disorders, and much more. The intuitive design allows visitors to quickly access information about Dr. Daneshrad's and her team's expertise, the practice's approach to care, and convenient options for scheduling consultations.

"We're excited to launch our new website as part of our ongoing commitment to making quality mental health care more accessible," says Dr. Daneshrad. "Our goal is to create a welcoming online environment where individuals can easily find the information and support they need to begin their journey toward better mental health. We understand that reaching out for help can be challenging, and we want to make that first step as seamless as possible. At Century Psychology Group, we focus not just on managing symptoms but on addressing root causes to promote lasting healing and transformation."

Dr. Daneshrad has built a reputation throughout Los Angeles and Beverly Hills for her compassionate, client-centered approach to psychological care. Her expertise spans a wide range of mental health concerns, including work with children, teens, and adults facing anxiety, depression, women's issues, male issues, relationship conflicts trauma, high-conflict divorces, and family reunification/conjoint therapy. She is particularly known for her work with individuals navigating complex relational issues, life transitions, and those seeking personal growth and emotional resilience.

The new website features detailed information about the practice's services, Dr. Daneshrad's background and credentials, patient resources, and an easy-to-use contact system. The mobile-responsive design ensures that individuals can access important information about mental health services from any device, at any time. The site also highlights the practice's commitment to diversity and inclusivity, welcoming clients from all backgrounds, genders, races, ethnicities, and sexual orientations.

More About Dr. Shannon Daneshrad and Century Psychology Group

Dr. Shannon Daneshrad is a Licensed Psychologist with dual licenses in California (PSY 34382) and Virginia (0810008355). She received her Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Applied Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Los Angeles, and her Master of Arts (M.A.) in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University.

Century Psychology Group is a premier mental health practice located in Beverly Hills, California. Under the leadership of Dr. Daneshrad, the practice provides comprehensive psychological services tailored to meet each client's unique needs. The practice specializes in helping clients work through complex emotional issues and fostering deep, lasting healing in a warm, empathetic, and non-judgmental environment. Dr. Daneshrad is fluent in both English and Farsi, ensuring culturally competent care for diverse communities.

For more information about Century Psychology Group or to schedule a consultation, please visit https://www.centurypsychologygroup.com/.

Media Contact

Dr. Shannon Daneshrad

Century Psychology Group

(213) 342-1026

https://www.centurypsychologygroup.com/

SOURCE Century Psychology Group
The proportion of first-time buyers purchasing homes priced over 300,000 has increased, according to Barclays (BARC.L), suggesting that the housing market has adjusted to stamp duty changes.

The bank said that its latest mortgage data showed that the proportion of first-time buyers choosing properties priced under 300,000 fell to 64.3% in September, falling from 72% in May following changes to stamp duty thresholds.

The adjustment to stamp duty bands in April saw the exemption threshold on this tax for first-time buyers drop from 425,000 to 300,000. Buyers rushed to lock in tax savings ahead of the threshold changes taking effect, with separate Barclays data showing a 50% increase in mortgage completions in March.

Barclays said that there was then a shift in demand following the changes, as buyers reduced their budgets to compensate for the increase in tax incurred. The bank found that in April 60.6% of first-time buyer completions were for homes valued under 300,000, before a peak in May.

Read more: December interest rate cut eyed by traders as inflation holds

Over the following months, Barclays said that this proportion gradually settled, indicating that the market had adapted to updated tax thresholds.

The bank's research found that just 8% of prospective first-time buyers cited stamp duty as major barrier to homeownership, down from 11% who said so in April.

The cost of a deposit was the top concern as a barrier to ownership for 41% of prospective first-time buyers, overtaking property prices (39%).

The proportion of first-time buyers purchasing homes priced over 300,000 has increased, according to Barclays. (Karl Hendon via Getty Images)

At the same time, Barclays found that 27% of renters now believed homeownership is achievable in the next five years, up from 22% in August. And the number of renters actively saving for a deposit to buy a home increased by six percentage points month-on-month to 30%.

The findings are based on data sourced from Barclays mortgage book, as well as on consumer research carried out by Opinium Research in early October.

Across the property market more broadly, the bank said that the composition of property choices shifted across all buyers in the aftermath of the stamp duty threshold changes.

Read more: London house prices decline as broader UK market rises 3%

Before the changes, non-first-time buyers would not pay any stamp duty on homes worth less than 250,000, but this then fell back to 125,000 when the new threshold took effect on 1 April. Barclays said that the share of completions for homes priced between 300,000 and 500,000 dipped from 33.1% in April to 29.2% in May, but has since recovered to 33.6% in September.

As for speculation around reform to property tax in upcoming autumn budget, Barclays said that homeowners are holding off on altering their plans, with just 4% saying they are trying to push through a sale in case of tax changes.

Jatin Patel, head of mortgages, savings and insurance at Barclays, said: "Our latest data shows that policy shifts like stamp duty adjustments can create short-term volatility, but buyers adapt to market circumstances.

"As the autumn budget approaches, keeping a long-term view is key, considering the broader outlook for the housing market instead of responding only to the immediate aftermath of any policy changes."

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Rachel Reeves is reportedly considering raising income tax in her Budget next month in what would be a major break of one of Labours main manifesto pledges.

Sources have told The Guardian that she may raise income tax to fill a hole in the public finances estimated at between 30bn and 50bn.

The paper reported the Chancellor is nervous about breaking such a major pledge, but some advisers in the Treasury and No 10 believe it may be the only way to raise enough money to make sure she does not have to raise taxes again this parliament.

Before the election, Labours pledged no tax rises on working people.

But one source said the Treasury is considering adding 1p to the basic rate, which would raise more than 8 billion. Another believes she will likely raise higher or additional rates, which would bring smaller sums of 2bn and 230m at rates beginning at roughly 50,000 and 125,000 a year.

A senior official said there have been discussions about how much headroom Ms Reeves wanted to give herself, with some saying she wants more than the 10bn she accounted for at the spring statement.

A senior official said there have been discussions about how much headroom Reeves wanted to give herself, with some saying she wants more than the 10bn she accounted for at the spring statement (PA Wire)

There is a very live debate going on right now among those planning the budget about how bold we want to be on the headroom, the source told The Guardian.

No one wants it to be 10bn again but there is an argument we go much higher, which will mean we dont have to come back and do this again and might have space to cut taxes before the budget.

If we go down that route however, it makes it more likely that we have to raise income tax  that is the discussion that is going on at the moment.

A Treasury spokesperson told The Independent: We do not comment on speculation around changes to tax.

When asked over the possibility of raising income tax earlier this month, Ms Reeves said she stood by the commitments that we made in the manifesto and for a reason.

Because working people experienced in the last Parliament the worst-ever living standards in any Parliament. But worse than that, living standards were actually lower at the end of the last Parliament than they were at the beginning, she said.

On Wednesday, it was reported that lawyers, GPs and accountants will face higher taxes, with a charge on workers who use limited liability partnerships (LLP) to raise 2bn.

The UK has 355,760 partnerships, with 86,030 of them having employees, according to money.co.uk. Partnerships do not pay employers national insurance of 15 per cent because partners are treated as self-employed. Partners also pay a lower rate of employee national insurance.

Ms Reeves is also expected to announce a mansion tax, imposing capital gains tax on the sale of the most expensive homes.

On Tuesday, as she appeared to pave the way for tax rises, Ms Reeves said that Brexit and austerity had had a bigger effect on the public finances than expected.
Donald Trump canceled plans for a deployment of federal troops to San Francisco that had sparked widespread condemnation from California leaders and sent protesters flooding into the streets.

The Bay Area region had been on edge after reports emerged on Wednesday that the Trump administration was poised to send more than 100 Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and other federal agents to the US Coast Guard base in Alameda, a city in the East Bay, as part of a large-scale immigration-enforcement plan. By early Thursday morning, hundreds of protesters had gathered outside the Coast Guard base, holding signs with slogans such as No ICE or Troops in the Bay!

But just hours later, the president said he would not move forward with a surge of federal forces in the area after speaking with the mayor, Daniel Lurie, and Silicon Valley leaders including Marc Benioff, the Salesforce CEO who recently apologized for saying Trump should send national guard troops, and Jensen Huang, the chief executive of Nvidia.

Lurie said he spoke with the president on Wednesday night, and that Trump told him he would call off the deployment.

In that conversation, the president told me clearly that he was calling off any plans for a federal deployment in San Francisco. Kristi Noem, the homeland security secretary, reaffirmed that direction in our conversation this morning, Lurie said in a statement.

Trump confirmed the conversation on his Truth Social platform, saying: I spoke to Mayor Lurie last night and he asked, very nicely, that I give him a chance to see if he can turn it around.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Gavin Newsoms office, Diana Crofts-Pelayo, said of the decision: Trump has finally, for once, listened to reason  and heard what we have been saying from the beginning.

The sudden reversal came as protesters had mobilized in anticipation of a surge in troops this week. Outside the Coast Guard base in Alameda on an overcast Thursday morning, tensions flared between demonstrators and police, who used flash-bang grenades to clear the crowd as CBP vehicles drove through.

Later on Thursday morning, protesters were walking in a slow circle at the gates of the Coast Guard base. Many were carrying signs that read: Protect our neighbors, protegemos nuestros vecinos. There was at least one person dressed as Batman, and Marvin Gaye was blasting through a loudspeaker.

Josh Aguirre, 39, had come to participate in his first ever protest. Its scary whats going on right now, and weve got to just stand in solidarity, said Aguirre, who had come, along with his dog, from East Oakland  a largely Latino and immigrant community.

He found out that federal agents would be deployed to the Bay Area from his four-year-old daughters school administrators. And the first thing I thought was the families that I know who bring their kids to school are going to be affected the most, he said. Its important to show up for your community.

Raj, an educator who asked to be identified only by his first name, had come with his 10-year-old daughter. In the Bay were involved  and our kids know whats happening, he said. When federal troops come in here, they wont just see what they think theyre gonna see, which are like violent agitators. Theyre going to see entire communities come out with their kids, with their families, with their teens.

By Thursday afternoon, local leaders and organizers had gathered outside San Franciscos city hall, where they grappled with the whiplash. It remained unclear whether Trumps decision to pull back was focused only on San Francisco, or if other Bay Area cities such as Oakland would still be targeted. Further demonstrations were planned throughout the evening.

Barbara Lee, the mayor of Oakland, said she had not received any communication from the White House or the homeland security department about federal operations in Oakland. Officials in San Francisco said on Thursday that exact details were still unknown.

At this time, we do not know which federal agencies are being called off. We dont know if thats the national guard. We dont know if its ICE, if its border patrol, said Jackie Fielder, the San Francisco city supervisor representing parts of the citys Mission neighborhood.

Fielder also criticized Benioff, Elon Musk and other tech leaders who had voiced support for a national guard deployment in the Bay Area. I condemn every tech billionaire who supported this, she said. This city doesnt belong to them.

Related: Hell on earth: immigrants held in new California detention facility beg for help

Fielder and other organizers emphasized that even as the region awaits clarity on whether and where there will be a federal deployment, and the extent to which the administration plans to ramp up immigration enforcement in the city, local leaders are going to continue to mobilize rapid response networks, legal aid and other support systems for the residents most affected.

We dont need to get ready because weve been ready, Fielder said. This is not a time for panic. It is a time for power across this area.

Trump had signaled for weeks that San Francisco could be the next Democratic city to face an administration crackdown. In an interview on Fox News on Sunday, the president claimed unquestioned power to deploy the national guard and argued that San Francisco residents want the military in their city.

It was unclear if the national guard would have played a role in operations in the region. But state and local leaders on Wednesday had responded swiftly and strongly to the news of the CBP operations, and vowed to fight any potential deployment of the military.

Californias governor, Gavin Newsom, called Trumps moves right out of the dictators handbook.

He sends out masked men, he sends out border patrol, he sends out ICE, he creates anxiety and fear in the community so that he can lay claim to solving for that by sending in the [national] guard, Newsom said in a video statement. This is no different than the arsonist putting out the fire.

Lurie said earlier in the week that his city was prepared.

For months, we have been anticipating the possibility of some kind of federal deployment in our city, he said.

Rob Bonta, Californias attorney general, vowed to be in court within hours, if not minutes, if there is a federal deployment, and the San Francisco city attorney, David Chiu, has promised the same.

San Franciscos district attorney, Brooke Jenkins, said she was ready to prosecute any federal agents who violated California law.

San Francisco has been the latest major US city to face Trumps threats. The administration has previously sent the military to Los Angeles and Chicago, and has tried to deploy troops in Portland. All deployments have faced legal challenges from local and state authorities.

Trump in recent weeks argued that a federal operation in San Francisco was necessary to combat crime. Every American deserves to live in a community where theyre not afraid of being mugged, murdered, robbed, raped, assaulted or shot he said at an appearance on 16 October.

Local leaders, including the citys mayor and district attorney, have said crime in the city is under control, pointing to falling crime rates and growing police recruitment. The citys homicide rate this year is expected to be the lowest since 1954, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Community groups had readied themselves to support affected residents. Organizers have mobilized to stage a mass rally in the city, as well as vigils at local libraries.

Fielder told reporters last week she and her constituents in the Mission district had been bracing for this moment.

The moment that people stop going to work, when anyone Black or brown cant freely walk outside without the fear of Trumps federal agents racially profiling and arresting them, the moment when parents stop sending kids to school, become too afraid to go to the grocery store or doctor, Fielder said. What we have been preparing for in the Mission is essentially a shutdown the likes of which we havent seen since Covid.
British troops shot 31 civilians on the day of the protest in Derry in 1972, killing 13 of them. Photograph: PA

It is undisputed that members of the Parachute regiment shot dead 13 unarmed civil rights protesters in Derry on Bloody Sunday. But, more than 53 years later, it is not surprising that Soldier F, the only man put on trial for murder, was found not guilty.

Though four of the Paras who entered Glenfada Park North had lost all sense of military discipline, according to Mr Justice Lynch, direct evidence against Soldier F fell well short of the high standard of proof required in a criminal case.

The case against Soldier F, who offered no evidence of his own, was based on statements made in the early 1970s by two Paras who were on the scene, Soldier G and Soldier H. Other evidence from civilians present, though contextually important, did not directly implicate Soldier F, the judge said.

The other two soldiers described firing aimed shots themselves  in evidence that for legal reasons was inadmissible against them  but their evidence against Soldier F could not be considered reliable, Lynch concluded. He said they were accomplices with a motivation to name F as a participant in their murderous activities.

Because it was so high profile, the trial of Soldier F was one of a handful that was allowed to continue when the previous Conservative government passed the 2023 Northern Ireland Legacy Act, which halted almost all legal proceedings involving Troubles-related killings. The acquittal is an argument for why that legislation was so flawed.

The core argument in its favour was to end what the Conservatives described as vexatious prosecutions against British army veterans decades after the event. But the reality is that there has been little evidence of a witch-hunt, with only one former soldier having been convicted since 1998. He received a suspended sentence.

Though with the passage of time the hope of justice for victims families may have been slim, removing it completely has proved impossible to accept by victims groups, all political parties in Northern Ireland and the Irish government.

The legislation was also indiscriminate. Among the cases it halted were investigations into the deaths of 202 soldiers and 23 veterans, such as the murder of Pte Tony Harrison, a paratrooper shot dead in 1991. Off duty, he was watching a film on television with his girlfriend in east Belfast when IRA gunmen stormed in.

The problem is that it has taken too long to reach the point of a trial, a problem caused first by years of cover-ups, whether by paramilitary groups or the British state. A more recent difficulty has been the lack of funding for bodies such as the Police Ombudsman of Northern Ireland or the Historical Investigations Unit, acknowledging the legitimacy of cases like Harrisons but unable to progress them.

Labour introduced legislation earlier this month to repeal the 2023 act, and acknowledged it would mean the restarting of at least nine inquests, including one into the deaths of eight IRA men and a civilian who were shot dead by the SAS in Loughgall, County Armagh in 1987.

The verdict in the case of Soldier F shows that it is perfectly possible to judge Troubles-related cases against whatever evidence is available decades after. But it should also act as a caution to prosecutors. Whatever suspicions the court may have about the role of F, this court is constrained and limited by the evidence properly presented before it, Lynch concluded.
A mobile launcher carrying the Hyunmoo-5 ballistic missile features during a ceremony marking the 76th Armed Forces Day held in Seoul in October 2024. Photograph: SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images

South Korea has said it will begin deploying its largest ballistic missile yet at the end of the year  a projectile known as the monster missile by local media  marking a significant upgrade of its conventional arsenal as tensions rise with nuclear-armed North Korea.

Defence minister Ahn Gyu-back recently told Yonhap News that South Korea must build a considerable number of the Hyunmoo-5 missiles in order to achieve a balance of terror in the face of the threat posed by the North, and that a next-generation missile with even greater power is needed.

The Hyunmoo-5 has been presented domestically as an answer to growing calls for a nuclear deterrent. South Korea is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the Hyunmoo-5 is a conventional missile.

What is the Hyunmoo-5 'monster missile'?

The Hyunmoo-5 is a ballistic missile weighing about 36 tonnes that can reportedly carry an eight-tonne warhead. It carries a bunker buster warhead, potentially able to reach deep underground to destroy heavily fortified bunkers where North Korean leaders might shelter in a conflict. It is understood to be about 16 metres long, and is designed as a surface-to-surface missile, capable of being launched from a mobile platform. Its range is said to vary from 600km to more than 5,000km, depending on payload.

An official at the defence ministry told the Guardian that specific technical details and delivery timeline could not be confirmed for national security reasons.

Why has the missile been developed?

The idea for the missile was first conceived after a series of deadly attacks by North Korea in 2010  the sinking of the Cheonan warship and bombardment of Yeonpyeong island  which killed 50 South Koreans.

South Korea relies on the US nuclear umbrella and so does not possess nuclear weapons of its own. Dr Yang Uk, a defence expert at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Seoul, said: We dont have nuclear weapons, so the only defence we have is to develop the most powerful conventional weapons possible.

However, development of the Hyunmoo-5 was blocked by US restrictions on South Korean missile payloads until 2017, when Donald Trump lifted those limits following North Koreas hydrogen bomb test.

The scheduled deployment of the Hyunmoo-5 comes as North Korea unveiled its own new Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile at a recent military parade, potentially capable of striking the US mainland.

What does it mean for relations with North Korea?

The missiles upcoming deployment comes against a backdrop of strained ties between the North and South. Pyongyang has snubbed Seoul since President Lee Jae Myung took office in June, despite Lees peace overtures.

Lee has also embraced self-reliant defence as a cornerstone of his presidency, reflecting South Koreas broader strategic shift towards greater autonomy.

He has criticised what he calls the submissive mindset of those who believe South Korea cannot defend itself without foreign military support, even as the country maintains its security alliance with the United States.

South Korea is estimated to spend 1.4 times North Koreas entire GDP on defence annually and ranks fifth globally in military strength. Arms exports have become one of the countrys fastest-growing industries since Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Speaking at Seouls ADEX arms fair this week, Lee pledged larger-than-expected defence spending to make South Korea the worlds fourth-largest defence industry powerhouse.

However, whether the Hyunmoo-5 will deter North Korean provocations or further escalate regional tensions remains unclear.

North Korea is likely to publicly dismiss conventional threats while asserting nuclear superiority. However, Dr Yang Uk at the Asan Institute believes the new capability should be worrying for Pyongyangs leadership. They will be, and should be, scared, he said.
Starmer says youll never need a digital ID for hospital  but admits he has no idea how much scheme will cost

Sir Keir Starmer has said that the public will never need a digital ID to access a hospital, but admitted that the full cost of the new scheme is still not known.

The prime minister reiterated on Thursday that digital IDs will only be mandatory when it comes to the right to work.

The scheme was first announced last month, and has been highlighted as a way to prove a person has the right to work in the UK as part of the governments bid to cut illegal migration.

Asked whether a digital ID would be needed to access a hospital, Sir Keir told the BBC on Thursday: Absolutely not.

Apart from the right to work and having a digital ID, it wont be mandatory, he said. Youll never need ID to get into a hospital or anything like that.

However, he admitted officials are not clear on how much the scheme will cost overall.

Some experts have expressed concerns that a digital ID card system could leave the country vulnerable to data security breaches (Alamy/PA)

Asked what the final bill could be and if it could be run by a big tech firm, the PM said: At the moment theres no additional cost because were going through the consultation exercise, so thats all accounted for.

And until we get to the end of that exercise we wont know the full cost.

He claimed that evidence from elsewhere shows that the scheme would save money by preventing fraud.

The prime minister was speaking while on a visit to a bank, and compared the digital ID tech to those the public might already use.

The idea of having ID on your phone is not that far removed from having a bank account on your phone or any other apps that people have on their phones, he said.

He also said that it would not be the case that the tech would be used for surveillance.

Sir Keir announced last month that the government would introduce a new ID system by 2029 that would be mandatory for people working in the UK.

Keir Starmer said a digital ID is not that different from having a bank account on your phone (PA)

He told a summit in London: If we get this digital ID system working and the public being with us, that will be the bedrock of the modern state and will allow for really quite exciting public service reform in the future.

The PM also said that the tech would help convince voters the immigration system was fair, saying: Decent, pragmatic, fair-minded people, they want us to tackle the issues that they see around them.

The government has previously said that a digital ID card would be held on peoples phones, similarly to the NHS app or contactless payment systems.

It would be issued free of charge to everyone who has the right to live or work in the UK, whether they are British-born or foreign nationals.

It will include information such as a persons name, date of birth and a photo.

How the scheme will work for those who do not use smartphones will be addressed as part of the consultation process.
Zac Purton has responded to Maureen Haggas after she accused him of giving Lake Forest about the worst ride I think Ive ever seen in my entire life in the King Charles III Stakes at Randwick.

Trained by her husband William and co-owned by Brighton & Hove Albion chairman Tony Bloom, Lake Forest won the highly valuable Golden Eagle in Australia last year and was well fancied for the Group One at the weekend, only to finish last of 12.

Speaking to Racing TV on Wednesday evening Haggas said: As far as Im concerned, Lake Forest never had a race. It was about the worst ride I think Ive ever seen in my entire life. I was appalled, absolutely appalled.

We went all that way and, I mean I dont know Zac Purton at all, but it was just dreadful and so disappointing. Everyone knows you have to tell him hes got to do it and he knew that and was told it, but he just sat there. I was horrified, I really was.

Hong Kong-based superstar Purton, who on the same card won the worlds richest turf race, The Everest, on Ka Ying Rising, told Nick Lucks Daily podcast: Shes entitled to her opinion and if she wants to wear that, that is her prerogative.

He was a bit of a handful in the parade ring, which I was told was what he was like, and he was a bit of handful going to the gates, but Id also been told that. He was a bit buzzy behind the gates and a bit of a ratbag when in them, but Id been told that was his character so that didnt worry me.

He jumped out well, got a bit of a squeeze after a couple of hundred metres but after that he was a bit fired up, on and off the bit with a muddling pace but when they quickened from the 500 metre (two and a half furlongs out) he was off the bit and gave me no response.

I was following Ceolwulf who put seven lengths between us, but he was the right horse as he went on to win.

The race didnt pan out as wed like, but the reality is the horse didnt turn up on the day either for whatever reason.

The reality is he wasnt responding to my riding, ironically in the UK you cant use the whip that many times, he wasnt responding to it and what else can you do, we have whip rules and you have to abide by them, sometimes horses just dont turn up and he didnt turn up.

Hes going to Flemington now and I hope he performs down there and wins for them as that would make their trip a little bit better, but it is what it is sometimes. They havent rung me for the ride, but I think we race in Hong Kong that day!

He added: Its a storm in a tea cup, it means nothing to me and shes entitled to her opinion but I havent watched the replay as Ive been too busy watching the replay of The Everest, but now that shes pointed out a mistake I might watch it  but its not going to change anything is it.
Tesla vehicles line a parking area at the company's factory in Fremont, California. Photograph: Noah Berger/AP

Despite record vehicle sales, Tesla saw a precipitous drop in profit in its most recent quarter.

A rush to buy electric vehicles before a US tax credit for them disappears had boosted Teslas flagging sales, leading to the automaker exceeding some of Wall Streets projections in its most recent financial quarter. Yet the company failed to meet earnings expectations and its stock fell in after-hours trading.

Tesla reported third-quarter earnings of $0.50 a share on Wednesday after market close, less than the $0.54 that market analysts predicted. The automaker exceeded Wall Streets expectations of $26.457bn in revenue. Its operating income was $1.62bn against expectations of $1.65bn. It also reported a net income of $1.4bn, down from $2.2bn, a drop of 37% in its profits.

Related: Tesla vehicle deliveries spike after several quarters of decline

Teslas deliveries in the third quarter surged from earlier in the year, an increase that analysts attributed to consumers attempting to lock in electric vehicle tax credits that expired at the end of last month. The loss of EV credits as a result of Donald Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill Act was a factor in the public breakup between Musk and the president and has continued to influence the companys sales forecasts.

The company made numerous optimistic mentions of its AI software and commitment to expand its autonomous driving technology in a press release on the results, while also citing shifting trade, tariff and fiscal policy as challenges it is navigating.

No one can do what we can do with real-world AI, Musk claimed during an investor call. He also claimed that Teslas Optimus robots, which received only a fleeting mention in the earnings report, had the potential to become the biggest product of all time.

We believe, with Optimus and self-driving, that you can actually create a world with no poverty, Musk added. He also referenced his proposed $1tn pay package, which he claimed would give him a defense against being ousted once Tesla built a robot army.

The earnings report comes at a sensitive time for Tesla and Musk, as the CEO is seeking investor approval for that unprecedented $1tn pay package in a vote next month. The package is dependent on Tesla reaching several lofty milestones, including achieving an $8.5tn market cap over the next 10 years.

Despite the worlds richest person still commanding a legion of Tesla fanboys and investors eager to appease him, two proxy advisory firms have so far recommended against approving the exorbitant pay package. Glass Lewis and Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS), who provide guidance on how shareholders should vote, stated in recent days that they advised voting no on the proposed trillion-dollar compensation plan.

On Wednesdays call with investors, Musk made several claims about the future of Teslas robotaxi ride-share service. He told investors that the robotaxi product, which involves a safety driver riding in the autonomous car in case of emergency, would soon remove drivers from cars in the Austin rollout of the service. The USs main transportation safety regulator announced in recent weeks that it is investigating reports of traffic safety violations and crashes involving Teslas Full Self Driving technology.

Musk has also insulted Sean Duffy, the US transportation secretary, this week in a series of posts that included calling him Sean Dummy and reposting calls for him to be removed from his post. Duffy, who is also acting head of Nasa, stated on Monday that he would reopen the bidding for contracts related to the space agencys Artemis moon mission because Musks SpaceX rocket company had fallen behind on its timelines for the project.

Shareholders are set to vote on Musks $1tn pay package during an annual company meeting on 6 November. Both Tesla and Musk have lashed out at criticism of the package, with the company calling the ISS recommendation against the proposal an unfounded and nonsensical recommendation in a lengthy post on X. Musk additionally implied in a post on X that he could leave the company if not granted the pay package, and on the call with investors accused ISS and Glass Lewis of corporate terrorism.

Tesla had a tumultuous year that saw heightened competition, a loss of key tax credits and chaotic leadership from Musk himself. The company reported falling profits and revenue last quarter. Musks political activities, including taking a lead role in the Trump administration and promoting far-right causes, also led to widespread backlash and anti-Tesla sentiment as stock prices fell at the start of the year.

Related: Im selling the Nazi mobile: Tesla owners offload cars after Musks fascist-style salutes

Teslas shares have rallied vigorously over the past six months, however, while Musk has heavily promoted autonomous taxis and robotics as a source of future revenue. The CEO claimed last month that Teslas Optimus robot, a humanoid machine that has yet to go into mass production and is not available for purchase, will one day account for 80% of the companys revenue. He has made similarly grandiose statements about millions of robotaxis filling cities around the world, something he has promised for years while continually pushing back the timeline of when it would become a reality.

Tesla also debuted a long-promised, cheaper sedan called the Model Y earlier this month in a bid to increase slumping sales. The new line of sedans received criticism from some analysts over its starting prices of $39,990 and $36,990  significantly higher than Chinese low-cost competitors. Teslas stock price immediately fell following the rollout. The companys other new model, the Cybertruck, released in 2024, has failed to make a meaningful contribution to overall sales.
Zeynure Hasan says she had never considered herself political or outspoken until her husband was arrested. Photograph: Emre Caylak/The Guardian

Zeynure Hasan was at home in Istanbul in July 2021 when her husband finally called. It had been four days since she last heard from him as he got ready to board a flight to Casablanca. The silence had been torturous.

But the news Idris now shared with her was even worse. He had been arrested and imprisoned on arrival in Morocco and told he was going to be deported to China. You should call anyone who can help me, anyone who can rescue me, he told her, before the phone went dead.

Zeynure, 31, and Idris, 37, are Uyghurs, a mostly Muslim ethnic group who make up about half of the population of Chinas north-western Xinjiang province. More than a million Uyghurs appear to have been imprisoned in re-education camps and subjected to torture over the past decade for acts as ordinary as attending a mosque or wearing a hijab.

The couple had joined thousands of others who fled to Turkey in the 2010s. But if they thought they would be safe in exile, they were wrong.

I was told the Chinese government said it would close all its factories in the country if Morocco released him Zeynure Hasan

Settling in Istanbul, Zeynure became an English teacher and Idris started work as a translator and designer, helping to publish Uyghur news and printed works. They had three children and felt free to live as Muslims.

But when one of Idriss best friends, who worked in a library stocking Uyghur books, was arrested in the summer of 2021, Idris panicked. There were reports that Beijing was pressuring Turkey to deport Uyghurs. Idris felt vulnerable as he had been detained previously, he suspected because of his work with activists and promoting Uyghur culture. He decided to flee to Morocco, but Zeynure, whose Chinese passport had expired, had to stay behind with the children until her husband could apply for a visa for both himself and the family.

Leaving Turkey proved to be a terrible mistake. At the airport in Istanbul, border control officials took Idris aside for questioning. When he was eventually allowed on to the plane he told me how happy he was that they had let him go, but it felt like a trap to me, says Zeynure. Her worst fears were confirmed when he was taken off the plane and arrested by border officials in Morocco.

Transnational repression is the state-led targeting of refugees, dissidents and ordinary citizens living in exile. It involves the use of electronic surveillance, physical assault, intimidation and threats against family members to silence criticism. The Guardians Rights and freedom series is publishing a series of articles to highlight the dangers faced by citizens in countries including the UK.

Over the past decade, China has been using the global police agency Interpol to target political refugees and dissidents and had asked for Idris to be added to the agencys most-wanted red notice list. Zeynure says Turkish officials let him board the flight knowing he would be arrested when he arrived in Morocco.

What happened next would convince her that she needed to do what many Uyghurs fear most: defy China, regardless of the consequences.

Soon after she received news of her husbands arrest, Zeynure got an unexpected phone call from her parents in Xinjiang. She had been cut off from her family since they had visited her in Turkey in 2016 and been imprisoned for several months upon their return to China.

Her parents had a chilling message. They said, We know your husband is not with you. Maybe we can help you, says Zeynure. I knew there must be some police there with them and just acted like I didnt know anything. But they persisted and told me not to do anything to help my husband. Dont do anything except feeding your children, they told me. Dont say anything bad about China.

But with her husbands life at risk, the softly spoken Zeynure was not going to stay quiet. She had grown up witnessing women having their hijabs ripped off in public by the police and had been determined to live in a country with religious freedom.

Before my husband was arrested in Morocco, I didnt do anything. I was just looking after my family; I didnt even have Facebook, Twitter or these kinds of things. But I had to do something to rescue my husband  I had to tell the truth to the world. Everyone knows Uyghurs sent to China will be tortured or die. They [the Chinese government] pushed me to speak out.

***

Zeynure has two distinct types of memories of growing up in Xinjiang. The first was of blissful days spent in the countryside with her grandparents, who were farmers. Id play with the sheep and chickens. I dont know if I will ever have that kind of opportunity again. The family around the house and farm. It was too beautiful, like a scene from a story.



The second was as a Muslim Uyghur in Xinjiang, of school holidays cut short by forced teachings of communist songs and being banned from going to the mosque or observing Ramadan.

China says it is tackling extremism through controlling illegal religious activities and vocational education and training centres, but other countries, including the US, say its actions amount to genocide. Zeynure says she never felt free to follow her religious beliefs in Xinjiang. People who went on pilgrimage to Mecca [in Saudi Arabia] were arrested and sent to prison and told they must have some problem in their brain.

They [the Chinese government] wanted Uyghur people to forget their religion and culture. They said you should believe in us, we gave you jobs and this beautiful life here, says Zeynure.

She finally decided to leave China after returning home from university in Eastern China to a growing crackdown on religious freedoms in 2011. It was then that she was introduced to Idris by one of her school friends. She knew we both had made the decision to go abroad and told us maybe we could meet and go together.

Zeynure says she was immediately reassured by Idris. I realised he was very truthful and shy, and couldnt tell lies or do anything bad. There were some Uyghur boys at university who wanted to marry me, but Idris was different.

Within two months they were married and ready to leave for a new life in Turkey. They knew it was an Islamic country with many Muslims and Uyghurs already living there, with a similar language and shared ethnicity. It was like Uyghurs second home, says Zeynure. As a teacher and designer, they could also help the community in exile. There are many children now in China growing up without Uyghur culture or language so we think its our duty to not let it die out, she says.

But their relief at finding a place of safety overseas was short-lived. Beijing has become a global leader in targeting dissidents and critics living in exile through the use of electronic surveillance, threats and physical assault. But what Idris was subjected to was a newer tool of repression: using Chinas growing economic leverage to force other countries to bend to its will, including detaining and deporting Uyghurs it wants to silence.

After the call from Idris, and discovering he had an Interpol red notice hanging over him, Zeynure knew she only had a short window of opportunity to try to stop his extradition to China. She immediately contacted as many Uyghur support groups as she could find listed online in Europe and the US and begged for help. She was fearless despite China having already shown a willingness to go after the relatives of other targets.

Zeynure started protesting with her children at the Moroccan embassy in Istanbul, and posting updates on social media. To her surprise, copycat protests soon followed in Morocco demanding Idriss release. Moroccan officials were forced to put out a statement saying his deportation was a matter for the courts to decide.

In early August 2021, Interpol cancelled Idriss red notice after being pressed to review his case by human rights groups. But that did not stop a Moroccan court later ruling he should still be extradited to China. Zeynure says there was huge diplomatic pressure from Beijing, which made little sense for someone who had not been convicted of any crime or act of terrorism. I was told the Chinese government said it would close all its factories in the country if Morocco released him.

Related: She didnt realise how dangerous it was: London-bound student held in China over Tibet support

In late December 2021, the UN intervened and asked for time to conduct a review of Idriss case, citing the risk he could face torture or arbitrary detention if sent back to China. It later requested his release, but Morocco still appeared unwilling to upset the Chinese government, which was demanding his extradition. Turkey also appeared unwilling for Idris to return. If the Turkish government had said we want Idris, you can send him, maybe they [Morocco] would have, but they didnt care about his case any more. From the beginning, Turkey didnt get involved because it doesnt want to be an enemy with China now.

As the months and then years passed with no resolution, Zeynure remained courageous in continuing to protest and keep Idriss name in the media spotlight. Her husband needed her more than ever. Stuck in prison and permitted just three short calls a week to his family, Zeynure says Idris was losing hope. He was very afraid and couldnt sleep. Every time the prison door opened, he said, I thought they would deport me to China. Zeynure says the children were also suffering, especially their youngest, now aged six. She became very sensitive and not really a social child any more.

But as Idris entered his fourth year in detention without charge, there was hope at last of a route to safety from an unlikely source: the new Trump administration.

***

The US has long accused China of genocide in its treatment of Uyghurs. As he took up his new role as US secretary of state in January 2025, Marco Rubio described it as one of the most horrifying things thats ever happened.

These are people who are basically being rounded up because of their ethnicity and religion  Theyre being put into  what they call re-education centres. Theyre being stripped of their identity, their childrens names are being changed, he told senators in the US.

Less than a month later, the US had convinced Morocco to quietly defy China and release Idris. On 12 February, Zeynure got a call to say her husband was out of prison and travelling with his lawyer to a hotel in Casablanca. From there he was taken to the UN offices and then the US embassy in the city as he waited to board a flight to Washington DC. But there was to be no public announcement of his freedom as everyone involved, including Zeynure, was sworn to secrecy.

Even with the US agreeing to rescue him there was a fear of what could happen if the Chinese found out Idris had been released before he had left Morocco. I worried he wouldnt make it on to the plane, but they [the lawyers] said there wouldnt be any problem because there were some American officials from the embassy who would go with him. I was crying and laughing. My emotions were all over the place, says Zeynure.

On the evening of 14 February 2025, Zeynure finally got the call the family had been waiting for: Idris was safe. He had arrived in Washington.

But for Zeynure and the children, the wait for the family to be reunited went on. Idris was granted a visa to stay in the US, but was told that applying for his family to be able to join him would likely take many years. Fearing the Trump administrations growing hostility towards migrants and refugees could stop them ever being reunited, Idris applied for asylum for himself and his family in Canada.

It would take another seven months, but last month Zeynure and the family were granted a permanent immigration visa to relocate to Canada. On 24 September, Zeynure and the children set off on a flight from Istanbul. Idris was there waiting at Toronto airport. The family were together at last.

As soon as I saw him all my anxieties disappeared. Its been so many years of fear and worrying because we didnt know what would happen next. If a normal person commits a crime or does something bad they are arrested and convicted and told when they will be released.

The most unfair thing is that if you are Uyghur, you can be arrested without reason and you cant know when you will be released. My children just wanted to see their father again and hug him.
The Trump administration is temporarily holding off on launching a long-threatened federal crackdown on San Francisco, the president wrote on Truth Social on Thursday, even as immigration agents massed at a Coast Guard base just outside the city in anticipation of the planned surge.

The Federal Government was preparing to surge San Francisco, California, on Saturday, but friends of mine who live in the area called last night to ask me not to go forward with the surge in that the Mayor, Daniel Lurie, was making substantial progress, Trump wrote.

I spoke to Mayor Lurie last night and he asked, very nicely, that I give him a chance to see if he can turn it around, the president added.

Trump also said tech executives like Nvidias Jensen Huang and Salesforces Marc Benioff called saying that the future of San Francisco is great, comments that convinced him to suspend the operation, at least temporarily.

Lurie, in a statement on X, said he spoke with the president and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who he said assured him the administration was calling off any plans for a federal deployment in San Francisco.

The president announced Thursday his administration would pause a planned immigration crackdown in San Francisco, even as federal agents massed at a base just outside the city in anticipation of the operation (Getty Images)

I told him the same thing I told our residents: San Francisco is on the rise, Lurie wrote. Visitors are coming back, buildings are getting leased and purchased, and workers are coming back to the office...We appreciate that the president understands that we are the global hub for technology, and when San Francisco is strong, our country is strong.

The mayor added that city leaders would welcome continued partnerships with the FBI, DEA, ATF, and U.S. Attorney to get drugs and drug dealers off our streets, but having the military and militarized immigration enforcement in our city will hinder our recovery.

Salesforce declined to comment when asked about Trumps claim Benioff was involved in discussions with the president that led to pausing the operation.

The Independent has contacted Nvidia for comment.

Reports of the looming crackdown prompted immediate protests in the region. On Thursday morning, law enforcement officers used a flash bang-style grenade on a crowd of activists attempting to block federal personnel from entering the Coast Guard base.

Reports that the Trump administration was about to mount an immigration crackdown in San Francisco prompted immediate protests, with activists attempting to block access to a Coast Guard base that was being used as a staging area for federal agents (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

The change of plans is notable because the White House has largely ignored opposition in the past from local leaders in other Democrat-run cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, Portland, and Washington, D.C., who have largely objected to the administration using or attempting to send in scores of federal agents and National Guard troops for similar operations.

California leaders, reacting to the earlier news of the potential San Francisco surge, feared the Trump administration would use the operation to provoke unrest as a pretext to then send the National Guard into the city or invoke the Insurrection Act.

In a video statement on Wednesday, California Governor and former San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom accused the president of using tactics right out of the dictators handbook.

This is no different than the arsonist putting out the fire, Newsom said. We need to call that out and we cannot play his game.

The Trump administration has clashed with California officials repeatedly in the past, including over the administrations decision to ignore local objections and federalize the California National Guard and deploy them against protesters in Los Angeles (AFP via Getty Images)

Todays reversal is all the more striking because Trump administration officials have spent weeks suggesting a federal operation targeting crime and immigration violations in San Francisco was imminent.

San Francisco was truly one of the great cities of the world, and then 15 years ago, it went wrong. It went woke, the president told Fox News on Sunday. But were going to go to San Francisco, and were going to make it great.

If the leaders of Nvidia and Salesforce did indeed persuade Trump not to launch the San Francisco operation, it would be the latest reminder of the Silicon Valley worlds close ties with this administration. A number of top tech leaders endorsed Trump or donated millions to his inauguration this election, and top Silicon Valley companies have since been key players in the middle of much of the Trump administrations economic and political agenda.

The administration has largely stopped Nvidia from selling its most advanced chips in China amid the ongoing trade war, while the company reportedly has been cleared to send millions of advanced AI chips to the United Arab Emirates as part of a larger deal that will see the nation beef up investment in the U.S. in return. Nvidia is also among the U.S. companies backing the U.S.-U.K. Tech Prosperity Deal Trump and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced last month.

Tech executives like Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang have emerged as key players in the Trump administrations larger economic plans, and the president on Thursday credited pressure from Silicon Valley leaders with his decision to hold off on a San Francisco surge (AP)

Salesforces Benioff, meanwhile, a billionaire executive previously known for backing progressive causes, said earlier this month he fully supports National Guard troops being sent to San Francisco to stop crime.

Benioff, whose company has reportedly pitched Immigration and Customs Enforcement on using its AI capabilities, later apologized for the comments.

While the San Francisco operation may be off, the Trump administration remains deeply at odds with California officials on immigration.

The White House ignored local objections and federalized hundreds of California National Guard members over the summer to respond to anti-immigration raid protests in Los Angeles, prompting the state to sue.

Thursdays decision to pause the San Francisco operation is a surprise, given the administrations repeated clashes with California and Gov. Gavin Newsom on immigration and law enforcement issues (AP)

A federal court in August found that the Trump administrations actions had violated the Posse Comitatus Act, which largely bars military involvement in domestic law enforcement, though the ruling is on hold pending a federal appeal.

In the meantime, the Trump administration has tried to send hundreds of these now-federalized California Guardsmen to Portland, Oregon, for a similar crackdown, though that has also been paused in court.

Federal agents conducting immigration sweeps in California have been accused of unlawful tactics.

A federal court determined that immigration officials in Southern California were indiscriminately profiling and arresting people based on race and language, though the Supreme Court last month overturned an injunction in the case.

In a different California district covering Sacramento and Kern County, a federal court barred immigration agents from racially profiling suspects based on their appearance and language, following what critics said were indiscriminate raids in farming communities at the beginning of the year.

In July, a U.S. attorney who warned a top Border Patrol officer leading the raids about the injunction in the face of continued operations in the region was abruptly dismissed.
Developed in partnership with Hudson Rouge, the campaign draws on the passion and dedication the Brugal family feel for their craft, which has been passed down through 5 generations of family Rum Masters since 1888

NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- For five generations, the Brugal family has been devoted to crafting the finest rum and today Brugal is entering a new creative chapter with a new brand campaign. At the heart of this campaign is a simple yet powerful truth: "Passion is what sets us apart, and passion is what brings us together." Through striking visuals that reflect a deep commitment to rum mastery this campaign celebrates the passion that has guided Brugal's hands and hearts since 1888, setting Brugal apart, one bottle at a time.

Brugal Rum Unveils New Creative Campaign

"In every cask, there is a story, and we hope to share ours, our passion for rum, with the world," said Jassil Villanueva Quintana, Brugal's Fifth-Generation Rum Master and second-great granddaughter of Brugal's founder Andres Brugal. "I'm inspired by my family of Rum Masters who came before me, and together our passion for our craft ensures that every blend is a careful composition of the finest hand-picked casks and aged rums, balanced to perfection. Our rum is more than just a spirit, it's a bond shared between family, Maestros and community. Every bottle is a story of unity, dedication and care that's meant to be enjoyed together."

The campaign launches this week in the U.S. with a bold, multi-channel strategy designed to maximize visibility and drive deep consumer engagement. Leading with high-impact Out-of-Home placements in high-footfall areas of New York and Miami, the campaign captures attention in key urban hubs. This is complemented by a full digital rollout, including website banners, paid and organic social media, search, and YouTube, all directing consumers to an immersive landing page where they can explore the story behind Brugal and its exceptional rum.

"Brugal is so much more than rum. It is a family business, it is a commitment to legacy, and rum mastery, adds Gregory Cozzolino, Marketing Director of Breakthrough Brands at Edrington. "This campaign allows us to share with the world what sets Brugal apart."

In celebration, Brugal will take over locations in NYC and Miami to bring to life the Brugal Social Club, bringing passionate people together to immerse themselves in the world of rum mastery.

For additional information on Brugal and to learn more about its signature double-aging process and bespoke cask-toasting techniques, please visit Brugal-Rum.com.

ABOUT BRUGAL:

Home to 135 years of rum mastery, Brugal is an award-winning premium rum producer from the Dominican Republic. An esteemed portfolio of high-quality, top-shelf aged rums tells the story of five generations of liquid mastery that began in 1888 by legendary founder Don Andres Brugal. After traveling from Spain and Cuba to the Dominican Republic, Don Andres and his family settled in Puerto Plata. They began distilling a uniquely light and pure spirit, harnessing the warm, tropical sun to imbue their spirit with complexity and flavor to create elegant, aromatic, and smooth Dominican rum. Since its foundation, Brugal's cherished traditions and production expertise have been passed down through five generations of Maestros Roneros, each continuing to innovate. This mindset ensures that each expression remains of the highest quality yet relevant through the decades. Over 130 years later, the legacy of Brugal continues to bring out the very best in our rum, as demonstrated by outstanding growth in its home market of the Dominican Republic and Spain, its leading international market. International growth for Brugal's ultra-premium expression, Brugal 1888, has accelerated as more consumers discover and share the wonders of our double-aged Dominican rum. To learn more, please visit https://www.brugal-rum.com/en-us .

ABOUT EDRINGTON:

Edrington's vision is to give more by crafting exceptional ultra-premium spirit brands. Edrington owns some of the leading Scotch whisky and rum brands in the world, including The Macallan, Brugal Rum, Highland Park, The Glenrothes, The Famous Grouse, Naked Malt, and Noble Oak bourbon. In the American whiskey category, Edrington also has strategic partnerships with No.3 London Dry Gin and Wyoming Whiskey.

Edrington is headquartered in Scotland and employs over 3,500 people in its wholly owned and joint venture companies, with over 70% employed overseas. We own our route to market in 16 countries and distribute our brands to more than 100 countries worldwide through joint ventures and third-party agreements.

Edrington's principal shareholder is The Robertson Trust, which has donated over 320 million to charitable causes in Scotland since 1961. Our business is underpinned by the Edrington values of giving, respect, integrity, and excellence.

SOURCE Brugal
Marwan Barghouti has been held by Israel since 2002, when he was arrested during the Second Intifada - AP

Donald Trump said he was considering asking Israel to free Marwan Barghouti, the imprisoned Palestinian leader who is seen by his supporters as their best chance of building an independent state.

The 66-year-old has been held by Israel since 2002, when he was arrested during the Second Intifada, and convicted of taking part in deadly attacks.

His future is now back in the headlines, billed as a figure who could fill a leadership vacuum in Gaza following the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel.

I was literally being confronted with that question about 15 minutes before you called, Mr Trump told Time magazine in an interview published on Thursday. So Ill be making a decision.

Barghouti was not among the prisoners that Israel agreed to release this month in exchange for hostages under the Gaza ceasefire deal, despite Hamas officials reportedly calling for his freedom.

The deal specifies that Hamas will disarm and will have no future role in governing Gaza.

That brings Barghouti, a senior figure in Fatah, the main secular rival to Hamas, back into the equation.

Barghouti was convicted of taking part in deadly attacks - Bernat Armangue/AP

He has always denied the charges against him. In 2004 he was sentenced to five life terms for helping plan terror attacks that killed five people in Israel.

But he frequently tops polls of the most popular Palestinian leader.

Against that backdrop, Ron Lauder, a major Jewish American community leader and a close friend of Mr Trump, has privately lobbied for his release.

Mr Lauder, who acts as an informal adviser to the US president on Israel, reportedly offered to travel to negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to make the case that Israel should include the Fatah leader among prisoners being exchanged for the remaining hostages held by Hamas.

The Times of Israel reported that Mr Lauder argued that Barghouti should be exiled outside the Palestinian territories. However, the idea was vetoed by Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister.

Barghoutis popularity could make him a powerful rallying figure for the cause of a two-state solution, and supporters see him as their own Nelson Mandela.

And he would offer more dynamic leadership than Mahmoud Abbas, the ageing and unpopular leader of the Palestinian Authority, who runs parts of the West Bank.

A mural depicting Barghouti in Bethlehem - Mahmoud Illean/AP

Now, the idea is in Mr Trumps inbox.

The question is a sign of how Mr Trump must now grapple with some of the dilemmas stemming from his 20-point peace plan.

He predicted that the next phase of stabilising the Middle East would come with Saudi Arabia and Israel normalising relations through the Abraham Accords.

I think were very close, he said. I think Saudi Arabia is going to lead the way.

I have great respect and like for the king, as you know, we have a great relationship, and I think Saudi Arabia will lead the way toward the Abraham Accords.

Pressed on timing, Mr Trump said he believed Saudi Arabia would sign the accords by the end of the year.

He said no one could be sure whether this would be a lasting realignment in the region or a temporary shift while he was in office.

But I can say this, I have more than three years left. Thats a long time. While Im there, its going to only get better and stronger, and its going to be perfect, he said.

Meanwhile, JD Vance, the vice-president, winding down a three-day visit to Israel, said on Thursday that Gaza reconstruction in areas free of Hamas could begin soon.

We could start reconstruction of the areas that are free of Hamas very quickly. We think that we could potentially get hundreds of thousands of Gazans living in that area very quickly, he said. But again, this is all still pretty early. But thats the basic idea.
US federal agents in Chicago. Photograph: Jim Vondruska/Reuters

The Trump administration appeared poised to send dozens of federal agents to the San Francisco Bay Area for a major immigration enforcement operation, prompting condemnation from California leaders.

Details of the deployment were still emerging, but it will reportedly involve more than 100 federal agents, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The agents are reportedly set to begin using the US Coast Guard base in Alameda, a city located across the bay from San Francisco. It remained unclear whether national guard troops would also be involved.

The deployment follows weeks of threats by Donald Trump to target the Democratic-run city. Californias governor, Gavin Newsom, criticised the move, calling it right out of the dictators handbook.

He sends out masked men, he sends out border patrol, he sends out ICE, he creates anxiety and fear in the community so that he can lay claim to solving for that by sending in the [national] guard, Newsom said in a video statement. This is no different than the arsonist putting out the fire.

Mia Bonta, the state assembly member who represents Alameda, denounced the arrival of federal agents in her district as authoritarian theatrics.

Related: Trump claims unquestioned power in vow to send troops to San Francisco

This is against our values as Alamedans to have our city used as a staging ground to inflict fear, terror and state-sponsored violence across the Bay, she said.

San Francisco is the latest major city targeted by Trumps campaign of mass immigration arrests. The deployment is expected to trigger a showdown between the administration and local leaders, who have pledged to block militarized immigration enforcement in the city.

San Franciscans have been readying for months for Trump to make good on repeated threats to send troops to the city. At a Wednesday afternoon press conference, San Franciscos mayor, Daniel Lurie, reiterated that the city was prepared.

For months, we have been anticipating the possibility of some kind of federal deployment in our city, said Lurie, adding that he had taken further executive actions on Wednesday to strengthen the citys support for our immigrant communities, and ensure our departments are coordinated ahead of any federal deployment.

Despite legal challenges to deployments in a number of cities, including Chicago, Portland and Los Angeles, Trump has claimed unquestioned power to deploy the national guard in cities, citing the Insurrection Act, which allows presidents limited power to deploy troops on US soil.

Newsom  who previously served as San Franciscos mayor  had pledged to intervene immediately to a deployment in the city.

The notion that the federal government can deploy troops into our cities with no justification grounded in reality, no oversight, no accountability, no respect for state sovereignty  its a direct assault on the rule of law, he said on Wednesday.

Community groups, including Bay Resistance  a social justice non-profit created during the first Trump administration  have mobilized to stage a mass rally in the city, as well vigils at local libraries.

In San Franciscos Mission district, a predominantly Latino community, city supervisor Jackie Fielder told reporters last week she and her constituents had been bracing for this moment.

The moment that people stop going to work, when anyone Black or brown cant freely walk outside without the fear of Trumps federal agents racially profiling and arresting them, the moment when parents stop sending kids to school, become too afraid to go to the grocery store or doctor, Fielder said. What we have been preparing for in the Mission is essentially a shutdown the likes of which we havent seen since Covid.

The Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area also sent out guidelines reminding residents that they have a right to remain silent when apprehended by agents, and advised locals not to sign any papers presented to them by immigration agents before first consulting an attorney.

Our communities are strong, resilient and rooted in a history of resistance. We will watch, we will document and we will use every legal tool at our disposal to fight this injustice, the civil rights group said in a statement.

About 300 out of 4,000 California national guard troops remain federalized under an order from Trump. About 200 of them had been sent to Oregon, where they were waiting in limbo amid a legal battle over their deployment.

On Wednesday morning, Newsom said he had called the California national guard troops under his control to staff food banks amid the government shutdown.
Trump says deadly strikes on suspected narco boats are justified since 300,000 Americans were killed by drugs. Hes not even close

President Donald Trump claimed that his deadly strikes on narco-terrorist vessels were justified because drugs killed 300,000 Americans last year.

Trump has cited similarly high figures on U.S. drug deaths before and reinforced the claim following the administrations latest attack off the coast of Colombia on an alleged drug-carrying vessel, killing two people on board.

Were allowed to do that, and if we do by land, we may go back to Congress, but we have, this is a national security problem, Trump said Wednesday during an Oval Office press conference when asked by a reporter if his administration had the authority.

They killed 300,000 people last year, the president claimed without presenting his evidence for the figure. Drugs, these drugs coming in, they killed 300,000 Americans last year, and that gives you legal authority.

But critics have pointed out that Trumps math on the number of drug deaths in the U.S. doesnt add up.

President Donald Trump claimed that his deadly strikes on narco-terrorist vessels were justified because drugs killed 300,000 Americans last year (Getty Images)

The number of Americans who died due to a drug overdose in the last year, while still high, was approximately 75,000, according to provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions National Center for Health Statistics.

In September, while he didnt specify he was referring to Americans, Trump told a reporter that 300 million people died from drugs last year after he was quizzed about Venezuela. The U.S. population is about 340 million.

Tuesdays operation, announced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, brings the death toll from the administrations campaign to more than 30, as the United States declares itself at war with drug cartels in an expanding military campaign across South America.

During an October 15 press conference, Trump also claimed without evidence that every boat his administration takes out saves 25,000 American lives.

So every time you see a boat and you feel badly you say, Wow, that's rough. It is rough, but if you lose three people and save 25,000 people... the president said.

The Trump administration struck another alleged drug-carrying boat October 21, this time in the Pacific (Department of Defense)

Drug experts, however, told the Poynter Institutes PolitiFact that there is no way of knowing how many lives are saved as a result of the administrations drug interception efforts.

We dont have any method Im aware of for translating drug seizure data into any measure of overdose deaths averted, Johns Hopkins University health policy expert Alene Kennedy-Hendricks told the nonprofit.

Even if the boats were carrying 25,000 lethal drug doses each, that doesnt mean that destroying them saved 125,000 lives, the organization reasoned.

The Trump administrations latest strike  believed to be the eighth attack since September  raises the death toll from the administrations attacks to at least 34 people, who Hegseth compared to the terror group behind 9/11.

Critics have argued the campaign amounts to illegal extrajudicial killings, while members of Congress and civil rights groups are pressing the administration for evidence and the legal memos shared among White House officials to justify the attacks.

Alex Woodward contributed reporting
The new US sanctions are no slap on the wrist - they're a punch to the gut of Moscow's war economy.

Oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil are the twin engines pumping money through Russia's military veins.

Washington framed the bold move as a bid to "degrade the Kremlin's ability to raise revenue for its war machine".

Oil is Russia's bloodstream, and the Trump Treasury just cut off the blood flow.

But every blow struck in the ring comes with the risk of self-inflicted pain, and there's potential for collateral damage.

By squeezing Russia's oil sector, the president is tightening the global market's chest - and America's own pump could feel the pressure.

The White House is gambling that the geopolitical payoff will ultimately outweigh the domestic sting.

"These are tremendous sanctions and I hope they don't last long," Mr Trump said.

That mix of swagger and caveat summed up his approach - maximum pressure, but with an eye on prices back home.

Europe rushed to mirror Washington's stance, adding restrictions on imports and tightening loopholes in shipping.

The EU was clearly signalling that it's in Trump's corner, that the Western alliance holds.

'Wasted journey'

On both sides of the Atlantic, they know that Moscow will seize on any disunity and slip through the cracks.

An Oval Office meeting with the NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte provided the diplomatic stagecraft.

Mr Trump repeated that he'd cancelled a planned summit with Vladimir Putin because he "didn't want to have a wasted journey".

Mr Rutte played the part of loyal ally, twice labelling the US president "the only one who can get this done".

Read more from Sky News:

Putin 'has sent signal to Trump that he's ready for deal'

Trump responds to idea of tunnel connecting Russia and US

Earlier, Mr Rutte played down my suggestion that his visit indicated Trump's meeting with Zelensky last Friday had been a disaster.

It wouldn't be the first time Mr Rutte, who famously referred to Mr Trump as "Daddy", has poured oil on troubled waters.

But it's Moscow's apparent refusal to accept Trump's terms that has put plans for another summit with Putin on hold.

Could there be a wider impact?

China's diplomatic influence with Russia could give it some leverage when Mr Trump meets Xi Jinping for trade talks next week.

The US president's sanctions are more than punishment - they're a strategic gamble to corner Putin - but the margin of error is razor thin.

If energy prices surge or allied unity splinters, Mr Trump could find himself on the ropes.
Damien Hirsts sharks on display alongside Turners The Wreck Buoy, at Turner: Always Contemporary, which opens on 25 October in Liverpool. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian

Visitors to a major JMW Turner exhibition may well be surprised to see the opening work is by Jeff Koons, and Damien Hirst sharks, a Bridget Riley stripe painting and some Doc Marten boots supplied by the curator herself are also on display.

Surprised? Thats what were hoping, said Melissa Gustin, the curator of British art at National Museums Liverpool. But by the end it will all make perfect sense, she hopes. That is the vibe we are after. We want visitors to see the connections, the histories and the legacies.

This year is the 250th anniversary of Turners birth, which has meant a lot of Turner shows around the world. Gustin has counted at least 24.

She has spent two years curating the Turner show at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool, which opens to the public on Saturday.

For her, the challenge was to showcase Liverpools incredible collection of Turners, one of the finest outside London, but also offer something different  which is why the show explores Turners impact and legacy on later generations of artists.

The show argues that Turner was grappling with many issues that are still a problem today, whether climate breakdown, immigration, or what the role of the artist is.

Of course, if people only want to engage with the Turners, thats fine, Gustin said. There are plenty of them to look at. If people only want to engage with the modern and contemporary, theres plenty of that as well.

Fortunately for Liverpool, a good number of the citys rich 19th-century art patrons collected late Turner works when it was unfashionable.

It means Liverpool has Turner paintings such as The Falls of the Clyde, a favourite at the Lady Lever Gallery, and The Wreck Buoy, normally on display at Sudley House.

According to John Ruskin, Turners friend and champion, The Wreck Buoy, a dramatically violent seascape with crashing waves and a dazzling rainbow, was the last oil picture he painted before his noble hand forgot its cunning.

At the new exhibition, it is displayed next to a work where danger and death also loom  a Hirst work with two small sharks in formaldehyde, apparently swimming in a loop.

Related: One of JMW Turners earliest paintings rediscovered after 150 years

Elsewhere in the show, a Bridget Riley stripe painting is displayed next to two pearly Turner Venetian watercolours and a huge painting by Maggi Hambling of crashing waves she observed at Southwold, in Suffolk.

It is a very genteel place and then suddenly nature was there like a primeval force, Hambling has said. Ive never seen waves like it, it was extraordinary. It was very beautiful but terrifying.

There are also paintings by Monet, Pissarro, Ethel Walker and Sheila Fell in the show, as well as many works by Turner that are rarely seen.

We do have this stunning collection but many are works on paper, which cant be displayed very often, said Gustin. People dont know that we have them, so the 250th anniversary seemed a good opportunity to get them out.

Gustin said the generosity of contemporary artists and their studios had been hugely important  including the studio of Koons, which almost immediately said yes to a request for the loan of a blue glass gazing ball on a hand-painted, oversized copy of a Turner painting that hangs at Tate Britain.

It is not a famous Turner, but it is one of Koonss favourites, the artist has said.

Gustin said: I think it is a really powerful opening to the exhibition. It says so much about how the most contemporary artist, one of the most important living artists there is  is still looking and thinking so seriously about these works.

Elsewhere, there are exhibits loaned by Gustin herself, including a Bershka Turner sweater and a pair of Turner Doc Marten boots. I bought the sweater from Asos and I wear it, she said. I will be wearing the boots.

 Turner: Always Contemporary is at the Walker Art Gallery from 25 October to 22 February 2026
Chelsea goalscorer Tyrique George says he and his young team-mates are just having fun after they swept aside Ajax 5-1 in the Champions League at Stamford Bridge.

The 19-year-old was one of three teenage scorers as Enzo Marescas side romped to a resounding victory against poor opposition, who played with 10 men from the 17th minute after captain Kenneth Taylor was dismissed.

It was the signal for a Chelsea avalanche as 19-year-old striker Marc Guiu opened the scoring a minute later before Moises Caicedo made it two via a deflection.

Brazilian winger Estevao Willian converted a penalty to become Chelseas youngest Champions League scorer, capping surely his best display yet since arriving from Palmeiras, after Enzo Fernandez had also netted from the spot.

Georges goal in the second half, albeit via a deflection, compounded Ajaxs humiliation and brought fulfilment of a childhood dream for the academy graduate.

It was a really good night, he said. Im really happy to score my first Champions League goal and it was a great win.

We got so many goals, we played well, we had fun out there as well.

Were all young and having fun. Were having fun on the pitch and thats it. The manager tells us to have fun and really be free when were in attacking areas and thats what we showed last night.

I was just itching to get on and try and score. Thats what I did, so Im happy.

Georges only previous goal this season had come against Lincoln in the Carabao Cup third round, but he is increasingly trusted by Maresca after breaking into the first team last term.

He netted one of his sides most important goals last season  an 83rd-minute equaliser as Chelsea came from behind late to beat Fulham 2-1 at Craven Cottage in April, just when it looked like their bid to finish in the top four was fizzling out.

Maresca is now reaping the benefits of his faith in the youngster, particularly on Wednesday when he was without both of his big-money summer signings up front, the suspended Joao Pedro and long-term injury absentee Liam Delap.

Its an amazing feeling (to score), said George. Ive wanted it ever since I was eight years old, to score in the Champions League. Its what dreams are made of.

I think its just down to working day-by-day in training. I think thats whats making us win, so we just need to keep going and keep going.

We just want to keep going, keep improving and keep getting wins.
Marco Rubio with Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Thursday. His visit has been described as Bibi-sitting. Photograph: Fadel Senna/AFP/Getty Images

The parade of senior US officials travelling to the Middle East in recent weeks is a clear warning from the White House to Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli political factions to not disrupt the recent Gaza ceasefire  including by an annexation of the West Bank  or face a serious rift in relations with the US.

As the shaky ceasefire came into effect last week, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner quickly rushed to the region for consultations.

Now they have been followed by secretary of state, Marco Rubio, and the vice-president, JD Vance, as Trump deploys his top allies to tamp down on internal strife within Israels fractious Knesset.

Related: Vance says Knesset votes on annexing West Bank are an insult as Netanyahu halts progress

One of two bills recently passed by rightwing MPs, despite the objections of Netanyahu and most of his Likud party, would establish Israeli sovereignty over the occupied territories in the West Bank  effectively ending the prospect of a two-state solution.

They are unlikely to ever become law, especially given Trumps vocal opposition to an annexation of the West Bank. But the votes have unsettled US officials, who took the unusual step of publicly chastising Israeli lawmakers for supporting the inflammatory legislation.

If it was a political stunt, it was a very stupid political stunt and I personally take some insult, JD Vance told reporters when asked about the vote. The West Bank is not going to be annexed by Israel. The policy of the Trump administration is that the West Bank will not be annexed by Israel.

Marco Rubio said the vote could be counterproductive to the Gaza ceasefire. We think theres potential for [the vote to be] threatening to the peace deal, he said.

The moves to legitimise a potential annexation of the West Bank have already angered Arab states crucial to negotiating and maintaining the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

In a joint statement, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Egypt and other regional powers condemned in the strongest terms the passage of the bills. Trump recently pledged to defend Qatar in case of an attack and is reportedly expecting Saudi Arabias Mohammed bin-Salman at the White House next month to discuss a security pact.

Trump has repeatedly told the Arab states that he can restrain Netanyahu, but as their concern has risen, the White House has dispatched senior officials to Israel to prevent a flare-up in the fighting.

The Israeli press have jokingly described it as Bibi-sitting  near-constant supervision of the Israeli prime minister to prevent him or his rightwing allies from taking drastic action to undermine the ceasefire or declare an annexation of the West Bank.

Related: Palestine rights group seeks prosecution of UK citizens who fought for Israel

It wont happen because I gave my word to the Arab countries, Trump said in a statement. Israel would lose all of its support from the US if that happened.

The White House had promised the Arab states that in the aftermath of the hostage for prisoner exchange it could restrain the Netanyahu government from continuing the war or from moving to annex territory in the West Bank.

Nearly all US aid to Israel now goes toward the countrys military, including a recent proposal to sell $6.4bn (4.8bn) in helicopters and infantry assault vehicles as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) ramped up its assault on Gaza City.

The Trump administration could put military aid on hold, although this could create a significant political backlash within the US.

Netanyahus Likud party publicly opposed the bills, saying they were another provocation by the opposition aimed at damaging our relations with the US.

But even the appearance of Israel moving to annex new territory so shortly after the conclusion of a ceasefire has set off warning signs among the coalition of states that helped to negotiate the ceasefire.
Rescue workers extinguish a forest fire caused by a Russian bombing attack in September 2024, Kharkiv, Ukraine. Photograph: Global Images Ukraine/Getty Images

Natalia Pryprosta was tending to her pigs when fire swept into the village of Studenok, near the city of Izium in eastern Ukraine. There was no time. She grabbed her papers, pulled her elderly mother into a friends car, and tried to get the animals out of the shed. Smoke and the speed of the blaze made it impossible. She didnt see the animals burning, but learned of their fate later.

Smoke smothered Studenok, turning the village as dark as night. Pryprostas neighbours fought the flames with shovels, digging in scorched earth to stop the crown fires advance. Firefighters arrived, but the blaze was relentless. At one point, it surged around a fire truck, trapping the crew.

Mines and unexploded ordnance, left scattered since the Russian occupation and subsequent liberation in 2022, detonated in the heat. Each explosion fed the flames, sending burning debris, branches and embers flying across the village. Trees ignited, and wood fragments were hurled 700-800 metres, recalls Serhii Kohan, the village head.

Only at about 9pm, when the wind shifted and the explosions subsided, could the units move in and finally begin to fight the flames. Pryprosta and the other villagers survived, huddled in a neighbouring settlement. When they returned, they found many homes burnt, along with blackened trees and mangled structures, another scar on a village already devastated by war.

The highest number of fires on Ukraine-controlled territory this year have been in forests surrounding Izium in Kharkiv oblast (province), where Studenok sits, according to the state enterprise Forests of Ukraine. In the first eight months of 2025, Kharkiv oblast accounted for 60% of all forest fires. The fire that engulfed Studenok had ignited in a national park forest about 14 miles (23km) from the village and swept rapidly north, consuming 6,000 hectares (14,800 acres) as it burned.

Waging war in a tinderbox

Expanding wildfires have become part of the new normal in a hotter world. But the scale of burning in Ukraine is extraordinary even on those terms, far surpassing anything witnessed across the rest of Europe. In 2024, nearly a million hectares of Ukraine burned: more than twice the area that burned across the entire EU over the same period.

About 50% of the time, while were fighting a fire, a drone flies up to our fire truck and we have to neutralise it Serhii Skoryk, director, Kamianska Sich national park

Analysis by the Guardian and Kyiv Independent of satellite imagery, monitoring data and on-the-ground testimony connects the devastation of Ukraines forests directly to the Russian invasion. The fires have stretched in an arc across the frontline of the war in Ukraine. Blazes are concentrated in oblasts in the east, where the majority of fighting has taken place.

The fires in Ukraine are unlike those in Canada and Siberia, where huge areas burn over several months. Monitoring data shows hundreds of small, frequent fires that burn at a low intensity, almost certainly started by explosions. Abandoned farmland that is becoming grassland or young forest accounts for a third of the burned area in 2024. Hot and dry conditions turned the frontline into a tinderbox, where blasts often became larger fires that were impossible to control safely due to the presence of landmines.

That combination turned 2024 into one of the worst fire years on record in Donetsk, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia, says James MacCarthy, a research associate with Global Forest Watch. In Donetsk alone, tree cover loss from fire was more than 40 times the long-term average for 2001 to 2023. Years of conflict, forest degradation and extreme heat have primed these landscapes to burn.

Rescue workers under attack

National park workers and firefighters say the flames are not the only threat. As they attempt to douse them, they say they are being targeted by Russian drones.

Drones are always overhead, says Serhii Skoryk, director of Kamianska Sich national park. While a few of us put out the fire, two others stand by with rifles, watching to make sure a drone doesnt fly in and hit the truck.

Park employees fight fires themselves because the state emergency service considers the territory too dangerous to operate in. At first, they put electronic warfare systems (which jam drone signals) on the fire trucks. But they found the jammers were not working on the latest generations of drones, so turned to borrowed hunting rifles to keep them at bay.

About 50% of the time, while were fighting a fire, a drone flies up to our fire truck and we have to neutralise it, Skoryk says.

War affects nature in a complex way  every part of the ecosystem suffers. Some changes can be reversed, but others will not recover Kateryna Polianska, ecologist

Videos posted by Russian troops on social media show clearly marked fire trucks and personnel being attacked. Often these attacks follow a double-tap pattern, with an initial explosion causing a fire, and the same site attacked a second time after rescue and fire crews arrive. One Russian drone-operating brigade in Kherson regularly posts first-person footage videos from drone attacks to their Telegram channel. In one series of clips, the drone pilots target a petrol station, causing a fire. When the fire truck arrives to fight it, a second suicide drone flies headlong into the truck, exploding on impact. The Guardian and the Kyiv Independent cross-referenced those videos with photos provided by Ukraines state emergency service, of the fire trucks cab damaged by the explosion.

While damage and fires are a common consequence of war, deliberately targeting rescue workers, igniting fires or encouraging them to burn in a way that causes deliberate, long-term destruction of the environment would be considered a war crime under international law. The Russian government did not respond to a request for comment.

Related: Dropped by drones and scattered by rockets: how Ukraine became one of the most heavily mined countries in the world

Across Ukraine, prosecutors are working to determine whether attacks are intentionally targeting natural resources. Trees have provided both sides with cover from drones, making forests a target for deliberate fires, say experts.

There are no accidental shellings  every strike is a deliberate military action, says Vitaliy Nikitin, deputy head of the Kherson regional prosecutors office. Every instance of shelling that harms natural resources  from national parks to forests and other environmental sites  is documented.

Such cases take a long time to investigate. Law enforcement often cannot access sites  many lie in combat zones, where most fires ignite, on mined land or in areas still under Russian occupation. The difficulty, Nikitin says, is establishing a cause-and-effect relationship proving that specific Russian military personnel were responsible for deliberately lit fires or targeting of emergency services.

Anhelina Hrytsei, a researcher with the Ukrainian investigative group Truth Hounds, says reports of attacks on rescue workers intensified in 2024 and 2025. The precision of the weapons, absence of nearby military targets and repeated use of double-tap tactics point to deliberate targeting, she says.

If a small drone with a camera is used to attack rescue workers, and the operator can see them on site wearing insignia, then we can talk  if not about intent  at least about a failure to prevent harm.

Agriculture under threat

Most large forest fires occur near active combat zones, where a variety of explosive objects litter the ground. Landmines and unexploded ordnance left from occupation or failed detonations can ignite in the heat, fuelling fires and making firefighting extremely dangerous.

Russian forces also carry out remote mining, including anti-personnel mines known as petals, dropped from drones.

Once we demined this 8-hectare area near a road. A few days later, petals were already lying there, says Skoryk. During hot, dry summers, the ammunition can heat and spontaneously detonate.

The mines and ordnance also slow firefighting. In the frontline Izium Forestry, where about 90% of the territory remains mined, pyrotechnic units must inspect the area before crews can begin extinguishing.

More than 2 million mines have been laid in Ukraine, making it one of the most mined countries in the world, and researchers say it will be difficult for the land to recover quickly.

Remaining mines and unexploded ordnances in forests along frontlines will prevent recovery and active reforestation of this land for a long time, says Peter Potapov, a researcher at World Resource Institutes Food, Forests and Water programme.

Many of the countrys forests were planted and carefully managed alongside farmland, he says, to calm wind, hold snow and regulate water runoff. Without these forests, the agricultural productivity may be reduced at the regional scale, he says.

Biodiversity shattered

Burning at such enormous scale and intensity, the fires could have long-term effects on the biodiversity of Ukraine, scientists say. War affects nature in a complex way  every part of the ecosystem suffers, says ecologist Kateryna Polianska. Some changes can be reversed, but others will not recover, or only with great difficulty.

In 2024, Polianska travelled to Sviati Hory national park and the Kreidova Flora department of the Ukrainian Steppe nature reserve, areas scarred by the war. There, relict chalk slopes  ancient formations created millions of years ago  were shattered by shelling. We will no longer be able to reinforce them, put them up, she says.

These slopes once sheltered rare pine forests on chalk, recognised as an endangered habitat. Now, many forests lie burned, broken or stripped bare. Polianska warns that climate change makes recovery even harder: It may take 70 or 80 years to see the same forest  if it recovers at all.

For Skoryk, the destruction is personal. The Kamianska Sich national park director lost his home when Russian forces occupied it in 2022 and he now lives in a basement on the parks grounds. Despite everything, he refuses to leave.

This is my child, I created it  I have been the only director since the day it was founded, Skoryk says. To him, the park is a lifes work, a place where rare species and fragile ecosystems depend on protection even under constant attack.

Fires sparked by shelling regularly sweep through the park, threatening what remains. After the dust settles, craters maintain dangerous levels of heavy metals from explosives and toxins. Skoryk and his staff trained in mine clearance and continue to work on demining parts of the park whenever possible  between fires and after marked craters have been studied for measurements and samples.

If not us, who? he says.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy had urged EU leaders to take this great decision to fund Ukraines defence. Photograph: Thierry Monasse/Getty Images

EU leaders have swerved a decision on using Russias frozen assets to fund Ukraines defence, despite a plea from Volodymyr Zelenskyy to take swift action to make Moscow pay for its war.

Hopes of agreeing a new way of funding Ukraines war effort were dashed after opposition from Belgium, which hosts most of the Russian central bank funds immobilised in the EU at the Brussels-based institution Euroclear.

EU leaders agreed at a summit in Brussels on Thursday to merely ask the European Commission to present options for financial support for Ukraine, without direct reference to Russian frozen assets.

Earlier drafts, in contrast, said the proposals should involve the possible gradual use of the cash balances associated with the immobilised assets.

The EU is committed to addressing Ukraines pressing financial needs for the next two years, including support for its military and defence efforts, the European Council president Antonio Costa tweeted after the talks.

Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, insisted there had been an agreement on the principle of the reparation loan.

There are points to be clarified and [we need] to have a deep dive and to work more on them.

So in other words, we agreed on the what  that is the reparation loan  and we have to work on the how  how we make it possible.

Costa, who chaired the meeting, said both the presidents of the European Central Bank and the Eurogroup, who took part in the meeting, agreed that the reparations loan respected international law and that all technical issues could be resolved.

That means that this solution is feasible, Costa said.

The conundrum of how to fund Ukraines war effort as the US steps back will be discussed again at another EU summit in December. The reparation loan remains an option, but is less likely to be ready early next year as Ukraine had hoped.

Earlier on Thursday Zelenskyy urged leaders to take this great decision to fund Ukraines defence as soon as possible.

Related: Putin says he will never bow to US but concedes sanctions may cause some losses

Anyone who delays this decision is not only limiting our defence but also slowing down your own progress, he told EU leaders, promising that Ukraine would spend a lot of money buying European weapons. The time to act on Russian assets is now and I urge for your full support.

The European Commission hopes to use the assets at Euroclear as the basis for a 140bn (122bn) loan to Ukraine, which would only be repaid once Russia paid compensation for the war.

Officials believe they have found a way of making Russia pay for its war without confiscating the assets or breaching property rights.

The Kremlin says the scheme is theft and has vowed to pursue any individual or country deemed to have taken Russian money.

Leaders need the agreement of Belgium, which hosts 183bn of Russian central bank assets at Euroclear  86% of all Russian state assets in the EU and two-thirds of the worldwide total.

Belgiums prime minister, Bart De Wever, said the biggest problem was how to guarantee that the cash was available immediately if something went wrong.

Arriving at the summit earlier on Thursday, he threatened to oppose the plan without guarantees that the rest of the EU would cover the cost if Russia came looking for its money.

If you want to do this, we will have to do this all together. We want guarantees if the money has to be paid back that every member state will chip in. The consequences cannot only be for Belgium, he said.

EU leaders tried to meet his concerns with a promise of burden sharing and coordination with the G7, but it was not enough to secure an agreement.

About one-third of Russian state assets are held outside the EU, including in Japan (28bn), the UK (27bn), Canada (15bn) and the US (4bn). While the UK and Canada are expected to make similar moves, EU officials are less hopeful about the US, which holds a small but symbolic amount of Russian state assets.

The loan plan remains on the table, with many unanswered questions. It depends on EU unanimity to keep Russian assets frozen for a long time. Hungarys Russia-friendly government has frequently delayed EU sanctions and, although it has never dared to block them, its anti-Ukraine rhetoric raises questions about its future support.

Hungarys prime minister, Viktor Orban, skipped the discussions on Ukraine to attend events in Budapest commemorating the 1956 Hungarian revolution, which was crushed by Soviet repression. As now customary, the EU adopted a statement of support for Ukraine  including future financing  without Hungarys backing.

Earlier in the day, the EU agreed its 19th package of sanctions against Russia, targeting liquefied natural gas for the first time. The move came soon after the US imposed sanctions on Russias two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, the first restrictive measures passed by the Trump administration.

Latvias prime minister, Evika Silina, said an agreement on the loan would strengthen Zelenskyy in any peace talks with Putin. I believe [Zelenskyy] will be much stronger to enter those negotiations if those negotiations take place, she said.

Irelands taoiseach, Micheal Martin, said his government supported the plan and did not see any implications for Irish neutrality.

This cannot be a repeating cycle where  big countries feel, like Russia, they can go in and destroy a place and expect other people to pay for the reconstruction afterwards, he said.

Zelenskyy expressed hope that the US would eventually supply long-range Tomahawk missiles. It was like sanctions: before it was unbelievable and now we see the decisions on these energy sanctions, which are very important, he said.

But he downplayed reports of a 12-point peace plan that emerged earlier this week, suggesting it was the work of some very good friends seeking to pre-empt some plan from Russia promoted by another country that he did not name.

The plan, which was first reported by Bloomberg, called for a ceasefire, prisoner exchanges and the creation of a peace board chaired by Donald Trump  taking inspiration from the US administrations Gaza plan.

Zelenskyy said Russia showed no sign of wanting to stop the war, citing the recent bombing of a kindergarten. More pressure on Russia and they will sit and speak and I think this is the plan, he said.
The King and the Pope have prayed together for the first time.

The King, as supreme governor of the Church of England, has become the first monarch to take part in an ecumenical service with a Pope since the Reformation.

He prayed alongside Pope Leo XIV during a State visit to the Vatican after arriving in Rome on Wednesday.

The men, who met in person for the first time on Thursday, joined a special service in the Sistine Chapel for what was intended as a symbolic gesture of renewed bonds within the Christian faith.

The King and Queen are greeted by Monsignor Leonardo Sapienza before their meeting with the Pope - Yara Nardi

The state visit to the Holy See, the government of the Roman Catholic Church in the Vatican, is understood to be deeply significant for the King personally and coincides with the Papal Jubilee held every 25 years.

The King and Queen arrived at the ceremonial entrance to the Apostolic Palace by car on Thursday morning and were greeted by Monsignor Leonardo Sapienza, the regent of the prefecture of the papal household, in the San Damaso Courtyard.

They were then introduced to a line-up of dignitaries before hearing the national anthems of the UK and Vatican City.

Before the service, King Charles and the Pope sat down for a short meeting, in which the monarch said he was so thrilled its possible to visit.

As they posed for an official photograph, the King joked about the constant hazard of the cameras, to which the pontiff said: You get used to it.

They went on to exchange gifts, which the King described as a small token of esteem and appreciation. He presented the Pope with a large silver signed photograph, as per royal custom on state visits, and an icon of St Edward the Confessor.

The Pope gave the King a signed photograph of himself and scale version of the mosaic of Christ Pantocrator in the Norman Cathedral of Cefalu, in Sicily, which had been made in the Vatican.

The King is granted a private audience with the Pope in the Vatican - Vatican Media/Reuters

In the Sistine Chapel, the King, Queen and Pope sat on yellow, throne-like seats under Michaelangelos Last Judgement. They were also joined by the Most Rev Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York, who was representing the Church of England.

The choirs of His Majestys Chapel Royal and St Georges Chapel joined the Sistine Chapel choir to sing Thomas Talliss If Ye Love Me and two psalms.

Yvette Cooper, the Foreign Secretary, read from the Letter to the Romans before the Archbishop of York and the Pope offered short words of prayer, with the congregation replying.

The King and Queen (back, right) join the Pope for an ecumenical service in the Sistine Chapel - Vatican/AFP

Speaking in unison, they said: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore.

Amen, the King replied.

The moment marked the first time in modern history that a supreme governor of the Church of England and a Pope have prayed together in public.

The Pope and the King enter the courtyard of San Damaso after the Sistine Chapel service - Phil Noble

The King and Queen will later attend a service at the Basilica of St Pauls Outside the Walls, where a special seat has been created for the King to recognise his personal contribution to interfaith relationships. It will remain at the place of worship for use by his successors.

The King will be recognised for the monarchys association with the basilica  the seat of a Benedictine Abbey  by being made a Royal Confrater. In centuries past, English kings provided for the upkeep of the tomb of St Paul at the basilica.

In return, with the approval of the King, the Dean and Canons of the College of St George Windsor offered the Pope the title of Papal Confrater of St Georges Chapel, Windsor, which the Pope has accepted.

The Vaticans Swiss Guard await the arrival of King Charles - Chris Jackson

The King and Pope have also exchanged honours. The Pope will become Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath, the order traditionally given to heads of state, while the King becomes Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Vatican Order of Pope Pius IX. The Queen will become Dame Grand Cross of the same order.

The state visit will end with the King attending a reception at the Pontifical Beda College, a seminary training priests from across the Commonwealth, while the Queen meets six Catholic sisters from the International Union of Superiors General.

The King and Queen were due to make the state visit to the Holy See in April but Pope Franciss health problems meant the trip was postponed, although the couple did have a private meeting the pontiff, who died later that month.

The King previously visited the Vatican on five occasions as Prince of Wales, and has met three popes: Benedict XVI in 2010; Francis in 2017, 2019 and 2025; and John Paul II in Canterbury in 1982, during the first visit to the UK by a reigning Pope.